I'm a Foot Model

I have gotten bored with knitting scarves but I really don't want to work on sweaters so I've been intrigued with knitting socks. Could a beginner do it? Are they comfy? So Todd gave me a sock knitting book for Valentine's day and when I was in CA, Mom & I went to the yarn shop and bought some pretty yarns. She's making some too! The handknit socks I've seen look amazing and I doubt I'll ever make a professional looking pair, but I did make my first socks! I wore them for a whole day and they didn't fall off. They are comfortable and warm, but I wouldn't say they were easy. I'll make more, just because I like projects, but they certainly aren't cheap or efficient. Just another fun thing.

Ninjanaries

This is Tyler. I figured that you'd look at mom's blog more than mine, so here is something really hillarious. Click this to go to a really funny you tube link. Once you're done with that video, go on to the next episode( there's a little button that says "next episode"). My brothers and I were laughing for days.

My Week in Cali

I got to go to California last week! Just for fun! I had a great time with my family. We took pictures of us 5 kids:

We had our own version of the Pillsbury Cook Off. Mom & Dad were the judges and since they have no favorites (yeah, right.) they scored all our dishes the same. We all won! I made Italian Chicken Stromboli.

Amy made Meatball Pizza Cups. Leslie made Chicken Puffs. Tammy made cookie cups with apples & caramel & chocolate. Emily made Hummus Pizza with Tofu. I also tried an idea I had for a brownie mix, rasberry jam & white chocolate chips, but it totally flopped. Ewww.

The weather there was beautiful. I didn't need my jacket at all. There were green trees & grass everywhere & Mom even had daffodils.

Of course, we had to work on a project! Tammy & Amy had started heart blocks for 2 quilts for their daughters when they were at my house in 2007 and they still haven't finished! So we spent an afternoon getting more blocks done. They will have to bring this project back to my house this summer and finish!

The week went fast and we didn't get to do everything we talked about but it was really nice. And then I came home to Todd and the boys and THIS:

!!!

Hello, New Toy

I love my little black Kodak V603 digital camera. It has been everywhere with me since Todd gave it to me for Mother's Day 2 years ago. It's easy to use, fits in my purse, and takes really good pictures! But it is dying. The batteries won't stay charged and almost everytime I turn it on, it wants to know the new date & time. We've been dealing with it because I haven't found any other camera I like as much. But we have a few trips coming up and I know my little camera just won't made it through all the picture taking. And we take a lot of pictures! So it's been great using you, but good-bye little black camera.

And hello, new little blue Canon SD1100. You are so cute! The girl at Best Buy says you take great pictures and you take them fast. And you've gotten great reviews from tons of people online. It's going to take me awhile to figure you out, but I hope you are everything my last camera was (and maybe more?) Just remember to take good action shots of the boys, amazing landscapes on our vacations, and clear focused pictures for scrapbooking. And if you make me look good, we'll get along fine.

It's Curtains for Me

Our house is 5 years old this month! We've lived here for 5 years! We have had no curtains in the laundry room or Justin's room for 5 years! But no more! I dug out the fabric I bought more than 5 years ago and finally got 'em done. The laundry room:

(I still need to fix the saggy in the middle curtain rod & I think the shade looks better in person.)

And here's Justin's room:

Justin's room had Buzz Lightyear everywhere until last summer when he decided that maybe he was getting too old for Buzz. (It broke my heart! And I just can't get rid of all his Buzz stuff. I'm saving every Buzz thing for him to put in his son's room someday! Call me nuts.) So out goes Buzz, in comes.... Star Wars Clone Wars/Pokemon. For now. We picked a blue & green comforter that had Justin's favorite colors. We took the Toy Story pictures out of the frames and used a Clone Wars movie poster book to do collages. Justin had a fun time making them with me and then he decided where they should be hung.

Happy Heart Day!!

My Valentine gave me these gorgeous pink roses!

He also gave me a sock knitting book (I love that he support me in my crazy hobbies) and a cookbook (that I already had so I exchanged it for one about muffins and quick breads - mmmm) and, of course, chocolate. I never need it or ask for it, but he knows I love it.

I gave Todd his favorite chocolate candies (reeces hearts and heart york peppermint patties). And I really tried to think of a gift he would like that didn't cost a bajillion dollars. He likes to help in the kitchen and he makes awesome cookies, so he mentioned a few weeks ago that he could use a man apron. He usually wears a tiny little one that barely covers his front. So I made him a man-sized, man-colored, denim apron. I was so tempted to use a fancy stitch or two on my sewing machine, but no, I kept it manly. Todd likes it. I'll take his picture in it later.

We spent the day doing mostly separate things - running errands, basketball games, shopping, napping.... but we did go out for a late dinner at Panera (love it) and then had pie at Perkins. It was a great day. I love my Valentine!

One Week Ago...

I was here by myself. Todd and the boys were at the Church for their Tuesday night meetings. About 8pm the doorbell rang! Not just once, but over and over again, like the boys do when they are locked out. But I knew the garage was open, so I was mad that they were playing games with me - making me run to open the door for them - and I didn't know why they would be home so early. So I took my time mosying upstairs (I'll show them!) and when I finally got to the door and peeked out the window, they weren't there! I heard a thunk on the back deck, but I couldn't see anything. I went to the garage and it was dark, they weren't there. Now I'm starting to wonder what's going on?! And what are those crazy boys up to? So I went back to the front door and opened it to yell at them to stop playing with me and come in and look what was out there!

I don't know who it was, but the YM/YW activity was giving ward members "heart attacks". Thanks to whoever you are! Love the hearts and brownies!

Justin's Awesome Car

This week was the Pinewood Derby (only one more to go). Justin designed his car and Todd helped him cut it out and sand it. I helped him paint it. Todd helped him with the wheels. I helped him with the weights. It was Justin's car and he did a lot of the work, but he's only 9. It's crazy to expect him to do everything! But he was very proud of his car. He was trash talking and letting all the other boys know that he was going to win. He didn't. Justin's car came in second place. He won every single race except the one for the win. He put on a brave face, but he was sooo disappointed. He really felt like he deserved it. Poor boy. But we celebrated his second place win and the next day he was OK. There's just so much pressure (on the parents) to win!
Justin got a medal for second place in the racing and a ribbon for "sleekest car". It was a pretty good design! Way to go Justin!

Why am I on Facebook?

I am not sure, but I was getting invitations one after another to be friends with people I talk to often, people I barely remember and people I don't know at all. I also want to stay current, hip, cool, in-the-know, up with the times.... OK, I want to at least be able to monitor what my kids are doing online! As of today, Tyler doesn't have a FB page, but when he does, I need to know all about it! So I got myself signed up last night and started sending out my own invites and today I have 11 friends. I've clicked around for a few hours but Amy said it best "What am I supposed to do with it now?" I like my little blog. I have it figured out (except for posting video clips, darn it). I think I'll stick with this for awhile.

Shame On Me

I can't believe I haven't posted anything in a month!! I check my favorite blogs almost every day and I'm so disappointed if no one has anything new, but I have left my own blog terribly neglected. And the longer I go without an update, the more I feel discouraged about getting caught up. Not that there has been anything amazing to write about. Thankfully, our lives have been pretty normal and uneventful! We're busy with daily stuff, but it's the same daily stuff we always do.

Todd is still working hard at Payless and putting lots of time and effort into his calling as Bishop. Since our ward meets in the afternoon now, he has filled Sunday with meetings and appointments before and after the block. It is a very long and tiring day for him, but it has freed up Wednesday nights again and it is nice to have him around for another night.

Tyler is doing great at school (A+, A+, A, A+, A+, A). He goes to the Math Club and last week took a test to qualify for a math competition - and he got on the 4 person team for his school!! He is currently reading about 4 books of all different genres. He's taking on some difficult piano pieces for a Piano Guild thing in April and he just agreed to play a piano solo in Sacrament Meeting in March. He's been finishing up a few of the required merit badges for Scouts and is looking for service opportunites. He is also getting very interest in cars and driving cars and buying cars.... don't tell the other boys, but I've been letting Tyler steer when I pick him up from school. He is getting the hang of it and doing very well! This is Tyler parking Todd's car in the garage.

Ryan is always playing! He is on a basketball team right now, but he's already looking forward to soccer in the spring. He likes recess and PE best at school and when he comes home, he likes to play Wii, computer games, shoot hoops, ripstick, play with guys. He favors the trombone over the piano, but so far is still taking both kinds of lessons. He is also working on merit badges and ranks for Scouts and is starting to realize that he will be going to Scout camp for the whole week this year. He just finished reading the Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith so we finally let him watch it with us last weeked. He was so excited!

Justin is growing up fast. He still likes to cuddle up with me on cold days. However, more and more, he wants to do everything the big boys do. Unfortunately, he can't. He is now reading the Star Wars novel so that he can see the movie too. He plays the piano and is learning very quickly. He's doing well in school, but seems to enjoy socializing more than academics. His pine wood derby is coming up in about a week and he hasn't even started his car! Justin is also playing basketball. I took some lousy pictures on Saturday and then put my camera away. Then he made 2 baskets right in front of me! He made 4 baskets that game - I love to see him play.

I have renewed my efforts to exercise consistently. I know it's good for me, I just hate it. I've also made a list of projects to finish and some to start! But this month I found a new hobby - like I need another! I'm learning to knit! I've been a crocheter with no desire to knit for years, so I don't know why I suddenly wanted to learn! So I taught myself some basics and made scarves for the boys. I had the idea that scarves handmade by their mom would entice the boys to bundle up more. They seem to try to see how few clothes they can wear and still not freeze. But no - my boys' three new, lovingly knitted, favorite colored scarves stay in the box of winter wrappings and they go to school in sub-freezing temps in a hoodie sweatshirt. I don't get it, and I try not to take it personally. So I thought I could tackle a pattern for a knitted hat and it wasn't too hard! I made it for myself, but I have more learning to do because it turned out to be the perfect size for Justin. Good thing I made it green. Todd asked for a scarf too when he saw me making the boys', and it's almost done, but I'll be shocked if he wears it!


So that's our January. It's been so cold and we envy our family and friends who are enjoying warmer climes. We're supposed to get a little snow tonight, but as Tyler said, if it doesn't snow enough to get a snow day off school, it's just not worth it! We feel ready for spring, but that is still 2 months away!