Ode to a Perfect Snow Day

What if Our Christmas Card were for REALS?

2011-11-21T22:42:00.001-08:00

Okay so it's the time of year again when everyone expects a card that says how wonderful the year was and how thin I am and how smart the kids are and how rich my husband is, and how happy we all are together... well I just can't fake it this year. Don't be surprised if you get a Christmas card/family picture of the Snow Family that includes: Melissa in her brown sweat suit, Dave will be in the picture but wishing he was at another race, Phoenix and Poppy will be wrestling/fighting/poking each other. Willow will have a sour look on her face because her mother just told her she couldn't wear whatever it was that she wanted, and Lily will have a night gown on her head (as Rapunzel hair), and a purple and black scarf stuffed into her panties(so she can be the King Lion). I wonder what people would think if I sent a card out with what we really looked like? Do you ever read peoples cards and think they must be lying? Yeah me too.

Yes that is Willow hitting Poppy .

Yes that is Dave modelling his new motorcycle helmet

2011-11-13T18:27:00.000-08:00

These two never cease to make me laugh. This is a picture taken this summer, but very little has changed. I think that they will forever be this, the bobsey twins. Sometimes it's him teasing her and sometimes it's her beating on him. I keep telling her that "someday he'll be bigger than you and he will really let you have it...." but I don't think he has it in him to "let anyone have it". Funny huh.

2011-04-22T13:44:00.000-07:00

San Felipe for Spring Break! The weather was perfect, and so were the fish tacos! I actually had shrimp which were even better! We rode the motorcylces and quads, and the barney(sand rail). We swam, and picked up shells for the summer sale. We shopped in town and helped the local economy which is so sad. Dave took the kids fishing in the boat and each one reeled some in. The neighbor Joe helped the kids fish from the shore. Then in the evening on Thursday the grunion ran! It was a crack up to watch the kids flop down on the beach to catch them! We ate smores, and dutch oven goodies! It was so relaxing!

The car ride down is always a treat. 6 hours. The car ride home was even better this time. Dave didn't bathe the WHOLE time we were there. His man stink was a little much for me. At one point I wondered if he would notice if I tried to sit in the back with the kids. The border patrol agent passed us through faster than ever before. NO Secondary Check Point to search further for us. I think we could have camouflaged the stink from a dead body!

PS I took these pictures but not in San Felipe. I still haven't downloaded those pictures yet! Lazy I know.
Loves

A Weekend Owed

2011-01-22T08:32:00.000-08:00

So Dave went to the races and got to do all those greasy things that happen in a pit crew. Now it's my turn. All I really want is to eat and have a pedicure. Where to go on a girls weekend?

Dave's Many Adventures

2011-01-19T09:28:00.000-08:00

Dave the High Adventurer went for another little weekend getaway. This time he went to Laughlin to work with the pit crew for a race team(BJ Balldwin)! He flew home with James and JD in James's 4 seater plane!

PS Sorry I had to delete a few posts. They had too much personal info in them. We don't want any unwanted visitors... or maybe we do!

The Omen

2010-08-04T12:44:00.001-07:00

I have been feeling an unusual amount of stress lately. I won't get too graphic with the details, but suffice it to say that I have been in a funk. Really since Lily was born.... but that's a whole other post or multiple posts. I have been worried about money, I have been worried about Dave, I have been worried about the kids. I worry especially about the lack of motivation I seem to feel about cleaning, among other things. I also way over-booked myself last month. So this morning I decided when I woke at 6:00 because I couldn't sleep that I would go walking. So I donned my tennies and left. I got myself all worked into a tizzy and then a felt a splat on my cheek. I thought I'm not crying what is that? Well it was bird poop. A bird pooped on my face today. Gross. I thought great, that's just great, you know kinda like icing on the cake, but not. I think it might have been an omen. I think things are going to get crappier. I sure hope not! There's my positive side, I knew I had one somewhere! (that was sarcasm) sigh. Being deficated on by a bird is about all the extra feces I can take right now.

Backyard Baptism

2010-07-20T15:24:00.001-07:00

I shared this story in Relief Society on Sunday. I am a spiritual giant. The lesson was on supporting the Priesthood, it was the priesthood's birthday:

Phoenix came to the backdoor asking for a white t-shirt. "Mom, can I have the big white t-shirt that Willow sleeps in?" I say, "no, you're swimming right now." "Mom, I need it for in the pool." "No, Phoenix I don't want a bunch of laundry to add to the mess I already have to clean up in the back yard." "Okay." Then Phoenix asked the same question 30 more times until I yell, "DO NOT ASK ME FOR ANYTHING." I am sitting near where they are swimming but not watching very closely. All of a sudden I realize Poppy is drowning and Phoenix is holding her under. I jump up to reuscutate her. When I have surmised that she is well and breathing again, I yell at Phoenix. "WHAT THE CRAP ARE YOU DOING? TRYING TO KILL HER?" He looks at me and says in the most innocent voice you have ever heard, " I was baptizing her, she was really sin-y." Ahh the priesthood is alive and well in the Snow household.

HQ ~ SWAGGER WAGON ~ MINIVAN RAP ~

2010-06-04T13:38:00.000-07:00

Okay so if you know me, you know I love my minivan. It gets good gas milage it holds a bunch of people and it has leather seats....What more could you want? I'm not impressed by cars. I'm wierd. I know. I just don't get it. The more dumb and the fewer miles to the gallon they get the cooler? Anyways I saw this on my friends fb and oh my I love it.

FOOD FROM LECA

2010-05-20T12:20:00.000-07:00

Leca's the funniest thing in town. She's also giving away free food. Check it out. To get to her blog click the title of my post or her name here LECA

I Miss My OB

2010-05-10T13:43:00.000-07:00

I know you are thinking huh? That has to be a typo, right? Well it's not. I have gone to the same OB/GYN for almost all of my 4 children for prenatal and postnatal care. Her name is Rita. She's the greatest thing since, well, tampons. I even saw Rita when I had some trouble before I had children! That means I have been seeing her for nearly 9 years. She has been witness to some of my finest moments and some of the ugliest.
This is what makes a good OB in my opinion:

They can make jokes while giving you an exam.
They can entertain an extra kid with a speculum
They don't laugh when you are so hormonal and cry to them
They laugh when you are so hormonal and cry to them
They don't say anything when you didn't shave because you couldn't see
They look just as shocked as you when you are pregnant at your 6 week check-up
They don't hang up when you call them on their personal line
They give you an extra ultra-sound when you just need to SEE the baby
They love the miracle of life
They don't care when a kid barfs in the waiting room
They will check other parts on your body so you don't have to see another doc
They make you appointments with mental health when you really are crazy
They give prenatal care to rockstars and refuse to be videoed by MTV

You see about 2 1/2 to 3 years after I have a baby I have always returned to see Rita to start over again. This time I will not be returning. There will be no more babies. I am sad. That was always a fun part of being pregnant, seeing Rita every month or more. I guess I could fake something?

For the Love

2010-05-06T19:47:00.000-07:00

I have followed Nie's blog for a long time. Actually, since I started my own blog. I laughed with her before her accident about her children, and then I cried with her during her accident. I got to know her sisters who cared for her children while she was sleeping.

I add my testimony to hers, that we can be close to our Father in times of need. He loves us. He loves me (and you too)!

If you want to check out Nie's blog just scroll down on my side bar and there's a link that says, "I read Nie Nie"

POPPY: Hear Her ROAR

2010-04-26T11:59:00.000-07:00

You all know I adore my children. But some days it's a lot easier to love them than others. Today it was REALLY easy. Number 2 got an award at the semester assembly. I knew she could do it!

We're all a BUZZ

2010-04-26T11:04:00.000-07:00

Here's the new hive and our favorite Bee Keeper in his sexy new costume. We will soon be waist deep in Honey!

Sea World

2010-03-23T16:52:00.000-07:00

Melissa and I got away for the weekend. We stayed in the Gaslamp district in San Diego. With no kids we went to Sea Word

Dave - Are these MY kids?

2009-12-13T03:09:00.000-08:00

are these my kids???

Mormons Make HOT Werewolves

2009-12-04T21:36:00.000-08:00

So the month of November flew by and I was planning on doing a post about when I dated the olympic volleyball player... but that will have to wait for another time. I just saw this totally hot picture of my friend and she has her hands all over Kiowa Gordon. Boy I wish I had my hands all over Kiowa Gordon... don't you. Ida has all the luck. Oh yeah she slept on the ground for 3 days to touch him. FOr those of you who aren't 14-16 thats Embry in New Moon. Embry is one of the Wolf Pack. Werewolf Pack. Smokin shirtless hot werewolf pack. Here's the kicker..... he's a totally sweeeeeeeet kid from Stephanie Meyers home ward in Az. That's right ladies he's not only hot, a werewolf (techincally shape shifter) but LDS, too. Does it get any better than that? If I were a few years younger I might have to stalk him.

I think it's so cool that I am way more of a groupie than any of my highschool students. It's even cooler that I am considering buying the Edward Barbie Doll to play with. OKAY OKAY OKAY i already bought it. Anyway reading is good. If a book can spurn this much chaos I think that's hot. I think Stephanie Meyers is H.O.T.

Ceviche

2009-11-13T16:00:00.000-08:00

I stole that picture off the internet. http://chicagoist.com

But this is my recipie, so I'm not totally lame.

Marinade in a glass bowl overnight:

raw fish and/or shrimp chopped finely (about a handful and a half)
lime juice
lemon juice
orange juice
dash of ground oregano
finely chopped red onion

Then when you are ready to eat/serve drain off the citrus juices (save a little in case you want it saucy) and add:

1-2 chopped roma tomatoes
cilantro chopped
1 squeeze ketchup
El tapatio sauce to taste

I usually eat it with chips like a salsa. You might want to salt and pepper it also. Enjoy!

2009-11-09T12:01:00.000-08:00

Suzie "helping" Dave find his lost puppy?....

Hemet East Siders- you shoulda seen his tats

Dr. Bishop Spencer Holtom as his very best.

The Halloween Party was a blast. I'll let Melissa tell all the stories.

If this Doesn't strike fear into your Heart I don't know what will...

2009-11-03T19:15:00.000-08:00

Here's the gang. Some of them are mine. The gypsy, genie, and hamburger made out! They will be hopped up on sugar all the way until the new year.

Oh. My. Gosh.

2009-10-07T18:07:00.000-07:00

This is the best salmon I have ever made. It might be the best salmon I have ever tasted. It combines some of my favorite flavors.

I loved the fish and the glaze. I put the glaze on the fish before cooking and after. I put the buttered glaze on my rice. I put the glaze on my vegetables. Then I licked it off the plate. When I started to lick the kids plates my husband said I was being gross. This from a man who thinks it's romantic to waft his stinky leftover fart with the bed covers... imagine.

I would have taken a fancy picture with my fancy new camera but it was all the way up in the cupboard so the kids won't get to it and I was WAY to hungry. But believe you me the plates looked so pretty. The pink of the salmon against the white of my corelle plate and the sprig of cilantro sitting on the top just right

My friend Matt gave me this recipie and he got it from Cooks Illustrated and I tweeked it a tiny bit.

Sweet Jalapeño Glazed Salmon:

INGREDIENTS:
1 C JALAPENO JELLY (I make it every year at Christmas and don't have that many friends)
1/2 C PACKED FRESH CILANTRO LEAVES AND STEMS
1 TSP GRATED FRESH LIME ZEST AND
2 TBSP FRESH LIME JUICE
2 SCALLIONS, CHOPPED
2 GARLIC CLOVES, MINCED
2 TBSP UNSALTED BUTTER
4 (6-8 OZ) SKINLESS SALMON FILLETS, ABOUT 1.25 INCHES THICK (I had salmon and something white... I think Rock Bass from San Felipe? I'm pretty sure it was fish)
SALT AND PEPPER

DIRECTIONS:
1. Process the jelly, cilantro, lime ingredients, scallions, and garlic a
food processor until smooth. (I used a blender)
2. Transfer the glaze to a small saucepan and cook over medium until just
bubbling (about 2 minutes). Measure out and reserve 1/4 cup of the
glaze.
3. Stir the butter in to the remaining glaze.
4. Use heavy-duty tin foil to make four 7×5 trays.(I had no idea what the
crap they were talking about, I covered the wire part of the BBQ with
foil and sprayed with Pam then slapped the fish on there.)
5. Coat the trays with spray oil.
6. Season the fillets with salt and pepper and brush each fillet well with
1tbsp of the reserved 1/4c of sauce.
7. Put the fillets on the trays.
8. Place the trays on the cooking grill.
9. Cook until the glaze forms a golden brown crust (6-8 minutes).
10. Flip the fillets, keeping them in the trays, and spoon half of the
buttered glaze over the salmon.
11. Continue to cook until the fish is done (opaque and flaky)
12. Transfer the trays to a wire rack, tent loosely with foil and let rest
for five minutes. Transfer the fillets to a platter, spoon the
remaining buttered glaze on top and serve.

Mrs. Heffenbotom would you like some more Koolaide tea?

2009-09-23T12:06:00.000-07:00

Only really great dads have tea parties out on the FRONT lawn and only the best will actually set the table up out there for a little more ambiance.

Seriously So Inspired

2009-09-19T08:46:00.001-07:00

So I have really gotten into a blog called Seriously So Blessed. The author is Tamn and she is (perhaps) my idol. As most of you know I went to BYU, but I was not like most of the other girls who went to BYU. I refused to wear hairbows and bake cookies. I died my hair burgandy. (This was 15 years ago ladies). However, I ALWAYS, believed the church was true, and in so doing, I served faithfully in the callings I was asked to do, and volunteered to do a few extras. After waiting for several missionaries, I decided I wanted to go on a mission. So I did.

In the years that preceeded my mission, I was WILD. Not too wild, only wild enough to not be one of those frilly mormon girls. I wore Malboro t-shirts, I snuck my bikini into the pools. I listened to AC/DC and the Beastie Boys. It was so much fun. There were a few times when I got a little crazy with the wild and this is one of them.

At the rife old age of 19 I was hanging out with my friends in our apartment at the Riviera (THE RIV) and someone said, I think I want a tatoo. There was some assention in the group, so we DROVE to CALIFORNIA soon thereafter and got them. From the moment the first needle touched my unblemished white posterior I knew what I was doing was wrong... BUT I did it anyway. I will never understand what possesed me that day..but it wasn't good. So I marked myself. Not only did I mark myself, but I did it in rebellion. NOT GOOD. NOT GOOD AT ALL.

Then came the guilt. The guilt of knowing. Knowedge is sometimes a terrible thing. So I felt this horrible weight all the time. Finally I decided to figure out what the H I was going to do. Either I was going to not feel guilty or I was going to get rid of the guilt one way or another I couldn't stand it anymore. So I did what I knew. I prayed. I prayed and I prayed. And I read the scriptures. One day I came across a passage in the BOM and it was about the Amlicites. They were sinning... not as bad as the Lamanites yet, but getting there. Then they MARKED their bodies with red to show their rebellion. (See ALMA 3:13-26)When I read that, I thought I was going to suffocate. I thought my throat closed so tight that I would die. That's exactly what I had done. In my desire to be different from all those other girls... I had marked my body (permanently) in rebellion with a small daisy flower. NOT GOOD. NOT GOOD AT ALL.

So I repented. A lot. I cried and I prayed and I repented. And the most wonderful thing in my life happened. I recieved and answer to my prayers.

Fast forward two years. I have turned in my paperwork, and was called to the Chile Santiago West Mission. I went to the MTC, which was an experience in and of itself, and arrived in Chile. My trainer Hermana M was lovely and she took me to work. Then the next day we went to church. Sunday nights were P-Day Eve. All the elders and sisters got together in their zones to turn in their numbers for the week and we went. Hermana M had talked about our zone leader. She said he was (breathlessly) wonderful. When we arrived I knew I was in trouble. Elder J was someone who I knew from before. He had been shown my small mark of rebellion in a parking lot of Taco Bell. Bare body parts had seemed a lot funnier before. Anyway, he looked at me and couldn't place me. My hair was now in the sister missionary mode, and the long skirt and birkenstocks were very different than the sundress and bare bottom he had seen before. He said, "Do we know each other?" I said, "NO, I don't think so." LIE LIE LIE the spirit told me. He studies me carefully and then seems to forget. A rousing game of Uno sucks me in and I hope that my previous nakedness has been forgotten. But alas, it wasn't to be. About an hour later he stands from across the room and points at me. All the elders and my comp look at me. Elder J yells, "I DO KNOW YOU! WE USED TO CALL YOU BUNNY!" at that moment I knew it was all over. His eyes got wide when all the little cogs in his brain finally snapped into place. His mouth fell open and he wispered, "you have a tatoo." All the heads in the room slowly turned from his face to me. Then, 10 other mouths fell open too. Elder J said softly, "I know who you are." That's when the wild child caught up to me. First full day of the mish and I'm already outed.

willow

2009-09-15T12:25:00.000-07:00

phoenix

Looks Can Be Deceiving

2009-09-13T20:37:00.000-07:00

Dave's got a few tricks up his sleeve.

If I didn't know any better I would say that these were the most innocent and sweet things in the world.....

Where were You?

2009-09-11T16:11:00.001-07:00

Where were you 8 years ago?

I was a brand new mother with an 8 week old baby. I was babysitting my nephew who was 18 months old. I turned on the news to see what the weather was going to be like before I dressed (you never can tell in September)and that's when I saw it. All the terror and confusion. News casters seemed panicked. I watched as the buildings filled with smoke and fire. I watched as the second plane hit. I cried as they speculated how many people were in the buildings. I watched as the smoke and people began pouring out. I watched some fall to their deaths. I watched others emerge from the buildings crying. I watched the buildings fall one by one. I cried. I breast fed and cried. The babies were so quiet that day. They let me watch TV all day long. I don't think I heard a peep out of either of them. All I could do was cry. Then I cried for the passengers of the plane and the workers in the Pentagon.

Then everyday heroes emerged and I was so proud to be American.

This is where I clipped these photos from:
http://911.navexpress.com/

2009-09-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

2009-09-07T11:49:00.000-07:00

well hello there. I know my posts have been very lack-lustre lately. I've been thinking about a few really funny posts... then my hubby said, NO. ABSOLUTELY NOT. I know you are thinking since when did you listen to him anyway!? But since it directly relates to him, I won't post it. Although, it was some really funny stuff, personal stuff, that I won't reveal. Maybe later. When it itsn't so fresh in his memory. Or maybe when he's not so sore, and I'm not afraid he'll want to wring my neck for a little good natured teasing... just sayin' I'm not gonna tell. You can't make me.

On a less funny note. I have good news, Dave's buying a new camera today. We haven't had a camera for a couple months now. So I can get back to taking my breathtaking photos for you all to enjoy. Who doesn't love a good lizard on the head picture?

We haven't burned up. I'm waiting till judgement day for that.

Work Schmurk

2009-08-27T14:53:00.000-07:00

I don't know why I didn't remember, but work, is really a lot of work. It takes so much time and effort, and the kids are so , so, so teenager-ish. They mope in with their floppy arms and feet acting as if the class, no matter how entertaining, will never meet their expectations. So I do the painstaking song and dance that I have carefully choreographed and they stare. They stare with eyes that would scare the most gruesome creature. They stare with sightless eyes. No wonder Twilight is so popular... Stephanie Meyer must have known they would identify with monsters. Let me correct that...Vampires and Werewolves. Anyway I made it through my first week. The monsters didn't eat me.

2009-08-25T12:59:00.000-07:00

I know I have a zillion things to blog about!

Willow and Poppy started school. Poppy's first day was good. She lookes darling in her new little dress/tunic thingy with leggin's. She didn't seem nervous and took all the chaos in stride. Her only complaint was that the wood chips got in her sandals during recess. She is such a funny little girl.

Willow said, "this was the best day ever at Little Lake", so I think she likes her teacher. Willow's class has about 8 mormon kids in it so she had friends from church to play with.

Phoenix and Lily went to the babysitters (Kimmy)house and had a great time. They played and enjoyed themselves outside on her new swing set. Lily is still getting used to taking her nap a little later. They only see kimmy on Wed Thurs and Friday.

I started school (teaching spanish) the same day as the girls. I will be teaching at a small school in our district that offers excellerated courses. I teach 3 hours a day (2 /90 minute blocks)

Our days are pretty hectic, but it all works surprisingly well.

Willow got Baptized

2009-08-08T17:24:00.000-07:00

Dave baptized Willow last weekend and we are as proud as we could be. She is quite an amazing young lady. I don't think I could capture what I really feel about her. Sniff. Sniff. I adore her. She is the lovliest parts of me... (and Dave) NO wonder these little spirits are so valiant. So beautiful. So fair. I wish for her all the blessings the eternities have to offer.

The Hostess with the MOstess

2009-08-04T09:11:00.000-07:00

Your guess is as good as mine about how Tim caught this one...

This is definitely the Hostess with the Mostess. This is my sister-in-law, Leca, she's amazing. She took the bull by the horns and decided that it was high time we all got together and saw each other. She called and finagled and made lofty promises and pretty much orchestrated a Family Reunion. We all converged on her house in the middle of July and I was amazed at what I found. NOt only was the house immaculate but it was turned into TAYLOR MANOR. A room for each of us with comfy accommodations and all the clean linens you could ask for. My room was equipped with all the necessary amenities. Portacrib, pillows, sleeping bags, color coded towells,extra blankets, shampoo, and even little unopened soaps so that I didn't disgust anyone when I left a long black hair stuck to it! Dave swears he had mints under his pillow.... but I couldn't find mine, he must have eaten mine too.

But wait! The accolades didn't even make it to the Hostess with the MOstess... my husband, who was all in favor of staying at a hotel, commented many times on how nice it was. How nice it was for the Airport Shuttle (Tim's mini-van) to haul us all back and forth. How nice it was to have a car waiting for us at the rental place (Tim's garage). How nice it was to have a water park at the hotel for the kids to play at (Tim's backyard). How nice it was to have meals planned and prepared for us (Tim's Kitchen).

Then a few days after we arrived safely back home, my husband, paid the ULTIMATE COMPLIMENT to The HOstess with the Mostess... he said to me, "Can you just set up the house, just like Aleca did when my family comes?" Let me tell you she really is the Hostess with the Mostess. So from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU. The family reunion was wonderful because of you!

PS if you want to see pictures of the reunion check out Leca's blog (which never gets neglected).

The Tour de US is finally done

2009-08-04T09:03:00.000-07:00

Did you notice that I was gone for a while? Well I did. I would look at that old blog post and think, "when is she going to update that?" then I would remember that SHE was me and that it would be rude to hog the computer while visiting someone elses house. We have had a busy month. With family reunions from both sides, an anniversary trip, a week at the beach, and a couple "sleepovers" with some friends kids. I'll post a couple about the trips and then I'll get back to posting about random stuff. Okay?

The Finger

2009-07-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

Lily the wee tiny one at our house broke her finger. She loves to sneak outside. She loves to wander the neighborhood looking for mud, puddles, or morsels of food on the ground. She is one. You see my problem here right? It is not alright for a 1 year old to run around the neighborhood like an urchin. She isn't Oliver Twist. She isn't even Harry Potter. She has two parents who love her, cloth her, and even, yes, feed her. So being outside free like a lark (she must have know that's what I wanted to name her)is her goal in life. About two weeks ago she was trying to get out and Phoenix was trying to get her back in and the door slammed on her left pointer finger. The rest is pure guess because all I saw was the aftermath. I think it was caught in the door and she panicked and pulled it out. By that time it was pretty well squished. The nail was taken right off. All of it. It left a gaping hole where the little bone was exposed. ewww. We went to Urgent Care and waited the mandatory 3 hours and they said that the bone was broken and that the nail was totally gone. Sianarra. Adios. Chao. They bandaged it and plinted it and said to give her the antibiotic and tylenol.

NOw, lest you think I am an awful parent... we did all that the doctor ordered and the finger is looking better. Still no nail, but she is able to use it and the splint came off. The MD's think that the nail will do one of three things: 1) not grow back at all. 2) grow back and be warped, either wavy or bumpy. or 3) It will grow back and be perfect just like new. Hopefully it grows back perfect in everyway. The last thing I need is to be blamed for some horrible accident I couldn't control! I'm sure I will be blamed for lots of things that I can. Bring on the therapy!

SAVE the FROG

2009-06-25T05:51:00.000-07:00

Mr. Froggy (IT)

The make-shift bedpan/habitat

Yesterday Lily had a doctors appointment. They needed to take new x-rays of the smushed finger, which is healing nicely by-the-way. We also had swim lessons, and I needed to go to the Ensign Book Store to get some things for Willow's birthday which is coming upon us fast. Anyway it was a fully planned day. I decided that at swim lessons we would shower all the chlorine off there at the Diamond Valley aquatic center so that all we had to do to get ready for the day was dress. While in the shower, Poppy yelled, "There's a frog in my shower!" I go to check it out. Sure enough there's a little tree frog hopping around her drain. Phoenix catches it, and the begging begins. "Please mom, can we keep it? Puh leasssee mooommmmyyyy? It won't be any trouble. I won't let Lily eat it. I'll keep it in my room.....? Please. Please. Please. PLEASE" How can you resist? I actually have quite a soft spot in my heart for little froggies. I think they are one of natures sweetest creatures. So I say yes and we load into the car to go home, ready for the next leg of our day.

You say, but wait I know this isn't all. Yep, not 2 minutes after we get in the car the frog is lost and I am thinking ,"Melissa this has got to be the dumbest thing you've ever done." We search the car when we arrive home, but to no avail. So, already late for the next errand we leave hoping beyond all hope Mr. Froggy escaped the bullet shaped mini-van. We stop at the dry cleaners (be ready today at 4:00). We stop at the gas station to go potty again, and then we get to the mall. We go inside to get some lunch (mmmmm Miguels)and some face cream for mom. After we have shopped and eaten I am nearly sure that I will be smelling a putrid dead animal in my car in a few days. I am pondering how long it will take to go away when I look over at the passenger seat and who do I spy, but Mr. Froggy riding along. When we arrive at Kaiser, I think ,"what am I going to do? It is really hot now and he surely will die if I leave him in the car this time". So I load the children out and MacGyver a shoe box scavenged from the parking lot to carry IT in. We head into Orthopedics and the children are so excited that we found the frog that THEY are jumping all over. While we stand in line to check in, IT escapes and the four of them run off after IT screaming and bouncing. Everyone looks at me. I see the accusatory statements in their eyes. A frog at the hospital, really? Squealing in this place of healing, really? Please keep IT and THEM away from me.

One of the receptionists gets me a plastic bed pan to keep IT in. I take the motley crew outside and in the trash can on the very top is a nice big piece of aluminum foil. I'm all about going green... so I recycle it to make a lid for the bed pan/make-shift frog habitat. Then we put the whole thing back inside the shoe box and it only escaped once more during the X-rays.

When we got home I put IT in a bulk sized ice cream tub with a rock, some water, some dirt, some foliage, and some ants for dinner.

Later that evening I was looking for some info on IT and found that here in my little town of Hemet/ San Jacinto/ Idylwild we have a frog that is endangered. It's called the Mountain Yellow legged Frog and there are less than 200 living in the wild. Let me reassure you Mr. Froggy is not an endangered frog! He isa very common Pacific Tree Frog. I thought you might want to read an article about our endangered froggy (go to the link).

Lily's finger X-ray

2009-06-03T16:58:00.000-07:00

I need one of these. Oh how I need one of these. The super cool antique schwinn Dave got for me is kind of a nightmare. Looks cool and vintage like me but a nightmare all the same. Please oh please pick me!

Lord of the Hemet Flies

2009-06-02T12:56:00.000-07:00

Now that I have not died yet. I am going to do another post on my blog. Here's a few tidbits of life. The kids have been running amock for several weeks now while I was trying to die. They think they are orphans. Phoenix has forgotten how to wear a shirt. Poppy goes without panties, and Willow is the queen of the island. They all have sticks that they leave by the front door at night. It reminds me of Lord of the Flies. I hope very much that Lily doesn't become Piggy.

What the CRAP?

2009-05-30T21:02:00.000-07:00

You heard it. What the CRAP...? I'm yelling or at least I would be if I could get that much sound out of my mouth right now. I have not been feeling good. I know that seems like a euphamism for her "cheese done slid off her cracker" nowadays. I thought so too. I thought I must be depressed because I haven't enjoyed being back in Hemet all that much. Then it started. I was always tired. Dog tired. Do dogs get tired that's a wierd saying. Anyway I whined to my beloved that I was tired. He came home with a coke for me. I thought well maybe I should see that Dr. who helped me be human again after Lily came. The one that seemed way too relaxed. Working shouldn't make me this tired I kept thinking. Then I got a fever and I thought oh good now I have the flu and it will be done and over in a few days. A week later I still had a fever. Then my lymph nodes all over swelled right up. So I must be infected. So my beloved sent me to Urgent Care they said, ummm Hmmm ophhh uhhhuhh and then they gave me a prescription for antibiotics. After a week on the antibiotics my tonsils swelled up too. Now I can't swallow the horse antibiotics they gave me. Back to the doctors my beloved sends me. This time they suck my blood (not in the oh baby edward way either). I urinated in a cup. And they swabbed my decks again.

I got an email saying that I was positive for mono. Yeah that 16 year old kissing disease. I have it as a 35 year old mom. Cool. I guess I'm what you'd call a late bloomer. This is a picture I got off the internet. But I swear that this is exactly what my tonsils look like. Do you know how hard it is to take a picture of your tonsils? WHat the crap!

The Fruits of my Labor

2009-05-08T18:16:00.000-07:00

I was rushing around the other day getting all the little things in the house picked up when I realized it was quiet... too quiet. Then I went in search for the 4 most precious things I hold. I finally found them inthe front yard of all places. They decided to have a pic nic. They dragged out their folding chairs and their lunches and set up camp. I stood at the doorway letting the flies in for a long time. People slowed as they drove by to see what the pow -wow was. I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. I DID THAT. I MADE THEM. THEY ARE MINE. That is only partly true. Dave helped.

As Mothers Day rolls around I am reminded of all the hours I spent bringing those little ones into the world and all the hours after making sure they know who they left to come here to me. I spend all day trying to teach them about the parents who they left in Heaven and the Older Brother who awaits their return. I am thankful for the time I have with each of them.

Argggg, I bin lookin' for me treasure Matey!

2009-04-17T08:21:00.000-07:00

Willow lost a top tooth. The lazy Tooth Fairy finally came (a night late). She couldn't be more thrilled.

2009-03-23T21:04:00.000-07:00

Today was a big day for me. I went back to work, kinda... You see in another life I was a School Teacher. I taught highschool spanish. Sí hablo español. It seems like forever ago. Really it was only 3 years ago (in September it will be 4). I went to substitute at the same school that I taught at. The Huskies have changed more than I could have imagined. The Principal is new and so are all the Vice Principals. The Foreign Language Dept has changed. Now German is offered. Some of my old friends are there still, but most have moved on to bigger and better things. One is a Principal, one the Activities Director, a couple others Vice Pricipals. I was a little envious that they had taken the next step in their careers... until 9:00am rolled around. All I could think of was Lily. It was her nap time. Would Dave remember? Would he do it right? Did she miss me? Did he know how to put her blanket so she could feel the silky side? Then lunch time came and I knew that Poppy asked for Macaroni and CHeese... was there any in the cupboard? 12:35pm time to pick Miss Willow up from school. Did they remember in time to walk? 2:45 Dance Class. Phoenix gets a little treat while we wait. I missed them all sooo much. I know I sound a little pathetic, don't I. When I arrived home all was well with the munchkins. Dave had taken great care of them. They did ask where I had been, but no one seemed too disgruntled that I had been gone. I go back tomorrow for another day. We'll see how it goes.

Shamrock memories

2009-03-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is St. Patricks Day. My mom always had us go outside to the front yard to pick our teachers a boquet of shamrocks (long stemmed clover). I had my children do the same when we lived there. (FYI They still grow by the wierd tree in front of the basement window in the front of the house.) It was always so fun. We would put on our greenest clothes and hope all the other kids knew we knew it was St. Patty's day. The leprachaun will come to play a few tricks on us too. Maybe he will hide some of his pot of gold for the kids to find. It depends on how much energy he has by 9:00 tonight. Stay tuned, if I can find the camera I'll take pictures.

I made the most delicious Quesadillas today and thought I'd share: You could use these as your green lunch tomorrow:

1- 2 uncooked tortillas
1 handfull of mozarella cheese
1/2 handfull of Cotija mexican cheese grated (crumbled)
1 cup tomatillo salsa
1 (1/2) avacado (you might as well eat the whole thing because it will just turn brown!)

Cook the tortilla on the stove top on a skillet or griddle, add butter if you must... Then sprinkle on the mozzarella and the cotija cheese on one half and let it melt a little. Cotija cheese is a hard Mexican cheese that crumbles like feta but is really mild and buttery to the taste. It is kinda salty too. I LOVE it. You can buy it at the regular grocery store here in Cali, I imagine you could find it in your neck of the woods too. Cotija is the name of the type of cheese, not the brand. Then fold the tortilla in half and let it toast until all the cheese is nice and melty. Cut the avocado and put it in the tomatillo salsa or add the avocado after if you are going to dip the tortilla in the salsa. If you put the avocado in the salsa you should eat it all so you don't waist it because the avocado's will turn brown. Here's a recipe that I nicked off some website. I didn't make my salsa I bought it from the little young women in the Ramona Branch for their girls camp fundraiser. See what a charitable person I am. Yeah I know I'm a paragon of Virtue.

Tomatillo Salsa Verde Recipe

To cook the tomatillos, you can either roast them in the oven, or boil them. Roasting will deliver more flavor; boiling may be faster and use less energy. Either way works, though boiling is a more common way to cook the tomatillos.

Ingredients
1 1/2 lb tomatillos
1/2 cup chopped white onion
1/2 cup cilantro leaves
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon sugar
2 Jalapeño peppers OR 2 serrano peppers, stemmed, seeded and chopped
Salt to taste

Method
1 Remove papery husks from tomatillos and rinse well.
2a Roasting method Cut in half and place cut side down on a foil-lined baking sheet. Place under a broiler for about 5-7 minutes to lightly blacken the skin.
2b Boiling method Place tomatillos in a saucepan, cover with water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove tomatillos with a slotted spoon.
2 Place tomatillos, lime juice, onions, cilantro, chili peppers, sugar in a food processor (or blender) and pulse until all ingredients are finely chopped and mixed. Season to taste with salt. Cool in refrigerator.
Serve with chips or as a salsa accompaniment to Mexican dishes.
Makes 3 cups.

Lily

2009-02-24T10:29:00.000-08:00

Lily 1 year

Lily 8 months

Lily 3 months

Lily 1 month

Lily 1 hour

Lily 1 minute (ewww slimy)

My baby is 1 year old. I can't believe it! 12 months ago I was laying in a hospital bed thanking my lucky stars that the castor oil worked! She was laying on me and we were happy. My brown eyed baby has been a joyful addition to our family. She is our baby born in the wilderness and the Lord has blessed us. She is up and walking as of today! She stood up and walked across the room to take the phone from Phoenix.

Playdough is my NEMESIS

2009-02-23T13:34:00.000-08:00

I know you might all think that play dough is fun and cute... but really it's the bane of any mothers existence. We hate it. It's messy and sticky and mixed with carpet makes you want to stick a fork in your eyeball. Yep that good. But here's the crux of it... in order for your children to grow up semi-normal you have to let them play with it. They need to squish it through their fingers, and take a tiny taste of it's salty bouquet. Children need to make figurines out of it and let them dry. How else are you going to know if they are true genius sculptors? They need to mix the colors until it is one solid clump of grey dough. They need to learn how to ball it up and roll it out into a snake. So what to do? Here's what to do BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES and whatever else. I declare this NATIONAL PLAY DOUGH DAY.

PS if it gets in your carpet, the easiest way to get it out is to let it dry, and then pick it out or cut that string or two out.

Here's a really good recipe that smells yummy (that way we KNOW the kids will want to eat it):

KOOL-AID PLAY DOUGH

Mix:
2 1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. salt

1 tbsp. alum

2 pkgs. unsweetened Koolaid (that's the little ones ladies)

Add to dry ingredients:
3 tbsp. oil

2 c. boiling water

Knead until well mixed. Let cool. May feel sticky at first, just keep working with it.

Just checking

2009-02-21T19:23:00.000-08:00

wouldn't ya know...

Which Disney Priness Are YOU?

2009-02-15T09:40:00.000-08:00

click on the cartoon to see it bigger

What with all the gushing about how fab our spouses are... I thought that we could all use a little snicker.

YOu know I love you when....

2009-02-14T08:19:00.000-08:00

FYI these are french toasts. I used split top bread and cut the bottom into a point. I am however a pretty good pancake artist. I make perfect "snowballs"!)hardeee har har har.

2009-02-06T20:25:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I know where the camera downloader cables are now, but the big computer still doesn't have the Internet (thanks big V for all the super fast service... its only been a month since we moved in!). Hence, NO pictures. I'll describe what I look like just in case you forgot.

I weigh 122.5 lbs
my hair is lustrous and thick and down to my waist
I have unnaturally long legs (like Julia Roberts in Pretty woman)
my skin is radiant and clear
my fingers and toes are well manicured with little diamonds stuck on them
I always have my hair and makeup done, no matter what, rain or shine
AND I NEVER WEAR SWEATS ALL DAY LONG

Tomorrow I am going to have lunch with some of the ladies in my old 'hood. I miss them all terribly. I am so excited to see them.

Then when we get home we are all going to ride our bikes to the new Rite Aid that just opened near our house and visit the ice cream counter. The kids have already picked out what flavor they will get. They had to keep their rooms clean for a whole week to qualify for the ice cream. Since I put all their toys in bins in the garage in a HEATED moment it wasn't hard to keep the rooms clean. I will have mint and chip. Thrifty mint and chip is undeniably the best in the whole wide world. Dave will make the standard gagging noise and I will smile knowing all the while I will get to eat the whole thing myself without sharing any of it. Sounds like a wonderful day.

Babies R Us

2009-01-28T22:45:00.001-08:00

This is the amazing Mrs. Hyatt, Mr Hyatt is in the picture too but don't mind him he's being replaced. Pete is there too but he's only there for decoration. I snaked this photo from their blog. I'm sure they will thank me later (in cash).

Phoenix is my only boy. Sometimes I wonder how it is that he can be surrounded by so much "girlie" and still be different. He says funny things often. Now he says them to other people too. His current fixation is on farting. He wants to know how to make them smell. That is so cool. He idolizes his dad who can clear a room.

The other day he and Poppy are playing. She is saying that she is going to have a baby. She even has the tell-tale bump under her shirt. She says to him you can't have a baby. He is distraught and hits her a few times. She is smug and says that he still can't have a baby. We have been over a very limited birds and bees with our two 4 year olds it goes something like this.... YOU.BOY.PENIS.....HER.GIRL.VAGINA....boy no baby.....girl baby. I know, so eloquent. I truly should have been a therapist. Just email me and I'll come talk toyour children for a minimal fee. So he is clear on which anatomy it takes to have a baby. I didn't let him watch that OPrah with the wierdo she-man who had the baby, I'm still a little confused over that one. So he is stumped, and he has to figure out a way to have a baby, fast. Then I see the light bulb go off in his puny little buzzed head. He questions Poppy on the daddy, Poppy has plenty of baby daddies this time it was Luke (heads up Team Fackrell). So he announces that he is going to marry Ms Hyatt. Then he will have a baby. And his baby will be bigger than your baby. His baby Laney will be able to tell Poppy's baby what to do.

He misses Mrs. Hyatt and her big baby.

Bet you thought I was going to announce that I was pregnant. Sneaky aren't I?

2009-01-25T21:25:00.000-08:00

Heeeyey,
(You've got to say it like a valley girl cause we're in the Valley)
The new house is very nice. The kitchen is almost done, through sheer force of will. That would be Dave's will, not mine.... if you take one look at my ASsets you know that I have very little will power. Anyway Davey has finished the cabinet doors and has made the cabinet faces and made all the shelves. He decided that if Ding dong cabinet dude wasn't going to get it done he would do it himself. What a stud. I would post a picture of my cowboy but I have NNOOO CLUE where the cable to down load from the camera are. So you will have to take it from me that he is as studly as it gets.

I get tickled pink every time I go into Poppy and Lily's room. The walls are the best color pink ever. Not to pink not too peach not to light not too dark. Poppy's bed is darling, I love it. Lily's crib is ghetto-fabulous. The dress form that has been following us around for 3 moves now finally has a place of honor. It holds lovely hats and jewels for the girls. The walls are still a little bare but soon they will be filled with pictures and treasures.

Willows room is a rainbow fairy paradise. It looks soo Willow. The walls are periwinkle and the color is nice. It looks like the room is OHH lalala decorated without a ton of fuss. The furniture is a light green and the bedding is striped with rainbow colors. She also has several 8 foot flowers that seem to say hide and play with me. They bend and move so they are pretty irresistible. She is turning into quite the little girl. Her name suits her more and more each day. I still love it. When you close your eyes and imagine a Willow it's her. What a pretty little thing she is.

Phoenix's room is still somewhere in a box, or still in the big room downstairs at my parents house. He is having cowboys. I found a bed that looked like a covered wagon and soooon I will be trying to copy it. For now he has all he needs with his bed and a few toys.

The kids ride and play all day outside. They try to convince me every morning to ride around the block at 8:00am! They are like a little gaggle birds or herd of some kind. Hair uncombed and blowing in the wind. What more in life is there? Lily rides in the bike trailor behind my bike but I can tell that she wants to be free like a bird with the other kids.

When I find the download cables I'll post pictures of the house. You'll love it. Never know maybe you'll even get invited over for some grub. Loves us

Moving Day

2008-12-31T15:15:00.000-08:00

Finally the day has arrived for us to journey to the land of Zarahemla (or roundabout). We will be offline for a while till I get the internet up and running and all the phone lines up. Happy New Year.

NEW POST PLEASE

2008-12-22T09:39:00.000-08:00

I know I'm sick of looking at this post too. I've been in a blog rut. With visions of sugar plums dancing in my head it's hard to concentrate on the other things that should get done. We're moving and trying to get Christmas done. Willow had her last day of school and the teacher threw her a surprise farewell party. I'll have to go through the pictures and post one later (she took the camera to school for the party!) Phoenix and Poppy had their last day of preschool too. They too had a party and I supplied cookies. We had the Ward Christmas Party and I (duh) volunteered my mom and I to make tamales for the whole ward. Then if that weren't enough I offered to make beans and rice too. Luckily enough someone else made the rice. You'll have to look at my moms blog to get the scoop on the tamales (Grandma G) she documented it. If I get a chance I'll put some pictures up.

2008-12-03T18:22:00.000-08:00

My old BYU roomies have been coming out of the woodwork! It sure is fun to reconnect. We all turned out the same. MOms. Funny ha ha. I have a Masters in Education, Cookie has a Masters in Physical Therapy, Carrie and I went on missions, Amy and I both did Study Abroad. All of us graduated. And all of us have 4 kids that consume most of our lives! When I check out their blogs (except you, Cookie, who still lives in the stone age...) our lives are filled with raising our families. The bikini parties, flag stealing, spying, skinny dipping, hookie bobbin', didn't make us rotten moms it gave us something to look forward to. When I retire and my little ones leave the nest...
I'm gonna have a hobby.
I'm gonna have wild Rootbeer keggers.
I'm gonna rock out to AC^DC on an air guitar until I'm red in the face and pass out.
I'm gonna sleep all night long.
I'm gonna remember what it's like to listen at church.
I'm gonna go to the bathroom ALL BY MYSELF.
I'm gonna have hot dates with my man, and not go home to feed the baby or clean up barf.
I'm gonna go on cruises
I'm gonna take some classes, just for fun.

But for now we are all in this together, and I'm glad youre my villiage. (you know "it takes a villiage to raise a child...)

The Cougars Are Out They're on the way to Fame and GLory Part II

2008-11-22T18:31:00.000-08:00

Picture it ...BYU. The Riviera Apartments late one Fall Evening. A celebration party is well underway. Capes are flying in the breeze and the phone rings. Amy answers the phone and her expression immediately reflects that ALL IS NOT WELL IN ZION. After a brief phone conversation, she hangs up, and her color goes from Nephite-white -and -delight- some to down right green. She says, that was Tad's dad and the Campus Police are at their house wanting to search the family station wagon for possible involvement in grand theft. Uh oh.

It seems a "concerned citizen" called with a tip and the license number of the car. Only in Provo are "citizens" this "concerned" with narcing each other off. Anyway, Tad was supposed to report to the MTC (yes for the 2 year mission) the NEXT day... so we could not have him in trouble with the law. Cougarageously, 4 of us decided that we would go down to the nearest campus station to give the flags back and to make things right. It seemed simple enough. Give the flag back apologize perhaps put the flag back in the spot where we found it and all was right with the world... OOOOOH NOOOOO.

We walked through the doorway and there was an officer (I don't think they are POST certified so they actually aren't officers, they are security)at a reception desk. He asked us what we needed and we said that we had taken these flags and that we would like to return them. NO joke, he literally jumped over the desk and told us to drop the flags and not to move. Then he called his superior security specialist ( I shall NOT refer to them as officers but as the SS from here on out. Do get the nuance of what I am saying?) The two SS HANDCUFFED us and put us each in our own cell! Apparently, I was armed with good looks and monkey climbing skills and totally dangerous. Then we were each interrogated individually by the SS. After that the SS allowed us our phone calls. I was too afraid to call home so I went last. The SS charged with GRAND THEFT because in Provo silk screened sheets cost upwards of 500 dollars. That's when the real punishment came. We each had to call our parents and explain the predicament. In addition we each had to pay for the flag. More than 500$ (which we did not get to keep). Since it wasn't the actual police that we turned ourselves in to we don't have records but that would be cool (kinda)Do you think I would be more of a bad-ass?

My dad was not thrilled with me. He only said a few words to me. No yelling, no swearing, no stomping, just this, "If you get kicked out of BYU don't come home." I knew he was serious. I could not be ex pulsed from his Alma mater without the family name being cursed. So when the SS said they could make it all go away if I took this deal, I jumped at it. The deal was: 100 hours of community service, and pay for the flag, and be counselled by STANDARDS, and, and, and, ... I agreed, willingly. It is only now years later I look back and think, what a bunch of overzealous anuses (anii, anos, bumholes, etc).

I served in the Adaptive Aquatics program (I actually did all my hours... trixie, cookie, candy cannot say the same). Every Tuesday and Thursday I held a child who was handicapped and swam with them in the pool. It was nice. I also met with Dr. Ward in the STANDARDS office. He counselled with me about how disappointed the UNIVERSITY was with me, every week for an hour and a half. I went and I pretended to listen, but his office was over run with these little bugs that were black and red (they kinda look like a cross between a spider and a grasshopper). There must have been hundreds and I watched them while he lectured me for a whole semester while I was on "probation". His hair was dark with no grey which was unusual because he had to have been in his 60's. He used some kind of grease in his hair to make it slick back. I think he must have used JUST FOR MEN to color it. The SS knew that there had been more students involved and desperately tried to get us to tattle on them but we really could not remember their names. Our Bishop was informed and the Elders Quorum President (my current boyfriend) was called in order to make sure the home teachers knew we were troubled souls. YOu know keep and eye on THOSE girlies. Ladies, I am here to say that a hot little climbers body and a little "naughty" goes a long way in the date department. It's not only girls who like a little danger in their partner men like it too. We were immediately the "Cool" apartment of chicks and none of us lacked for dates. Even the fuddy duddies who didn't join in on the fun.

Rise and Shout

2008-11-09T20:47:00.000-08:00

Dedicated to Cookie who had to call her Uncle to bail her out.

Okay so I have been looking at these pictures for a month now. I haven't really felt like myself since I had the baby.... months ago. This (baby)time has been really hard physically and mentally so I haven't felt very funny. I wanted to wait till I could do this story justice. I can't wait any longer.....

Picture it BYU a "few" years ago (shut up I know that it was more than a "few" but nobody likes a smart-alec) I am a young, vibrant, devastatingly, intelligent, sophomore waiting for my missionary to come home and fulfill my destiny. It is Homecoming Week and all of us are excited about the football game the next day. We have season tickets luckily we got great seats for the game. While laying on my cinder-block stacked bed, listening to Faithfully by JOurney for the gazillionth time, my roomie comes in and says, "Wouldn't it be fun to wear a cape with a giant letter Y on it to the Football Game tomorrow?" HMMMM, I think, the possibilities are endless... face painting, pretend flying, oh what fun. I say "yep I'm in." Then she says that the flags that are flying around campus would be great. Just the right size to do the trick.I think yep she's right. Homecoming Week offered many possible targets. Do you have a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach? Yeah any normal person would. They would know that where our little pea brains were going that night was not good, NOT GOOD at ALL. But away we went anyway. First we walked around campus and around town looking for the "best" flag to kaiph (k-i-f). The plan was to take a flag have our way with it and then return it the next night. Honestly none of us were going to keep the flag we knew THAT would be stealing. I was dating the Elders Quorum President and in the Relief Society Presidency at the time stealing was out of the question. The one I wanted to borrow was was the GIGANTIC one on the front of the Mazor building, but the girls thought that our sleuthing skilz weren't adequate to acquire that one. So we set our sights on one a little lower. It was on a telephone pole that was next to a tree on University Parkway. The poor flag never knew what hit him.

First we dressed up. Anyone knows that you have to get dressed appropriately. Dark colors so no one could see us in the dark. For later expeditions we progressed to camouflage, but I digress. And we needed equipment. Gloves to climb with and rope. NO rope so we tied some very fashionable belts together. That's me on the far left Bunny, Trixie, Candy, then Cookie. Code names for boys who we didn't want to be able to find us in the BYU directory for various reasons.
Once the flag had been located we stood around it looking up at it. I think there were about 8 in our group. NOt conspicuous at all. Then one by one we all tried to climb up the pole. I don't want to sound prideful but I was the only one who could do it. I guess it was all the pole dancing they taught us in those AP classes in high school. I shimmied right up that telephone pole and here's the proof. Those are my varsity soccer sweats from high school. I loved those sweats.
I think I was actually a love child from a Tongan prince that my mom met in the grocery store. That explains the easy climbing of trees and poles.
Then the celebration. Back at the homestead with Tad (he got one by standing on the hood of his car at a different location. He didn't want to be outdone by a girl.
The victory dinner at Hardee's. It was open the latest and had killer fry sauce. That's me to the far left again.
but wait the night is far from over.... I'll finish the post later. But here's a little hint I met Steve Young, Dr. Ward, and got handcuffed.

2008-11-05T08:27:00.000-08:00

Finally the election is over. I can only imagine how the candidates feel. I am so sick of Prop 8 stuff! Sorry, I realize that there are lots of people who have lived, ate, and slept Prop 8 for the last several months and I say KUDOS. Thanks to your tireless work the Prop looks like it will win. I will be thrilled to have my email back, I will be thrilled to have lessons in RS again, and most of all I will be thrilled that (at least for a little while) Willow will stop asking questions about same sex- sex. Yeah, try and describe that one. NO picture today the possibilities could get me into trouble.

Halloween

2008-11-02T19:10:00.000-08:00

Here's the Trick-or-treating gang. They were the best dressed bunch if I do say so myself. However, WORD TO THE WISE- it is NOT cheaper or easier or faster to make the costumes yourself.

Notice the Snow Queens icy gaze.

Cleopatra (NOw looking back it seems as if all that gold was real)

Hamburger (I bought this costume and did nothing to it $15.00)

lily apparently likes to eat grass, it makes her happy

Lily in a Halloween outfit not her costume (a packet of ketchup)

Girls Have EGGs like Chickens

2008-10-27T17:52:00.000-07:00

Note: This may contain some adult chicken language and some chicken parts not suitable for young viewers. A special thanks to Prop 8 for the Chicken talk with my kids. FHE was a blast.

Today in the car with all 4 kids this was the conversation:

Willow: Why do people steal the Prop 8 signs?

Mom: They are frustrated that some people want to vote YES. When we vote YES what we are really voting for is that only boys and girls can get married... So two girls can't get married, and two boys can't get married. It hurts their feelings that we don't want that.

Willow: Why can't they get married?

MOm: The Prophet said only a boy and a girl should get married. Heavenly Father wants families with a Daddy, Mommy, and little kids.

Willow: Heavenly Father won't give a baby to two girls that get married?

Mom: Nope, it takes a boy and a girl to have a baby (Note Mom is becoming more and more uncomfortable with the direction of the converstation)

Willow: That's why babies look like both their mommy and their daddy, like Lily. How does Heavenly Father decide what parts on the mommy and what parts on the daddy to make on the baby? How does the baby actually get in there?

Poppy: (Yelled from the back seat) GIRLS HAVE EGGS LIKE CHICKENS

Talk about a sucker punch. I thought I was going to get whiplash my head swung around so fast. Since when did the birds and the bees include chickens? Since when did my 4 year old learn more than the 7 year old? Maybe I ought to rethink how I am going to talk about "IT" with my girls. I wonder how many other parents are explaining the virtues of PROP 8 with their children? After further questioning Poppy did not know that roosters have sperm. Yikes. I explained in Family Home Evening that girls do have eggs but they are very little and don't come out like chickens do. Poppy and Willow seemed relieved. I didn't see the need to point out that a baby comes out instead. We sang Chicken Families Can Be Together Forever to close our eventful FHE. Once again I deliver a most spiritual lesson.

Aarows? What Aarows?

2008-10-25T21:29:00.000-07:00

NOte the Prop 8 banner that Samuel is carrying. I think it just about sums up the climate in California right about now. It's time to rent our shirts and make our stands.
Yes, I know that this is Samuel the Lamanite and he did not rent his shirt, but Capitan MOroni did and he surely would vote YES for Prop 8. I tried to get Dave to "rent" his shirt for me this evening but he was too tired.

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

2008-10-20T13:33:00.000-07:00

So I was looking through some blogs that I have bookmarked and this is one talented lady. She does dress give-aways and I look at them and admire her talent. This is NOT what my costumes look like. This is what I imagine my costumes to look like and then they come out looking.....well not like that.
When Dave and I get invited to a Halloween Party we dress up. We like it. Dressing up that is. We have some great cosutme ideas I think the funniest was when we were childless and I had long hair, we went as Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinski. I wore a blue dress with a nasty "DNA stain" on it and a black beret. He wore a suit and a mask. It was the hit of the night. But for those of you who don't want to be that risque I have others. Anyway I want to be Marie Antionette and King HenryVIII and this is the dress I pictured in my head for me. Wish me luck winning it! Oh yeah, it's a child's dress but I can make Poppy wear it. She can be the Snow Queen any year!

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

2008-10-18T16:47:00.000-07:00

I'm starting to get nasty emails again. That must mean it's time to update the blog. I've been getting a ton of Facebook stuff. I'm just not feeling the love. I'm also not feeling very funny lately. I found my BYU box. Dang I was funny. I was also footloose and fancy free. I'll post this weekend. I've got a draft going. Don't despair.

How are we all on costumes? I am making all but one of the kids costumes this year. Let me tell you, it is NOT cheaper to make them yourselves! Willow is going to be Cleaopatra, Poppy is going to be the Snow Queen, Phoeinx a hotdog or hamburger (he hasn't decided), and Lily is going to be a packet of ketchup. I love Halloween. It's my favorite holiday. If I were going to have a party... it would be a killer Annual Halloween Party. But since I don't have parties I guess you'll never know how cool it coulda been. You say Meliss why don't you have parties? Well I'll tell you why:

Picture it, Hemet about 4 years ago,(I miss the Golden Girls) my sister-in-law says lets have a party. I said, "sure" we can do it at my house. It was one of those parties where you go to buy stuff. You know the kind, we mormon women love to have them, where you go to buy something from someone else because they bought what you were selling. Pampered Chef, Southern Living, Cookie Lee, Layers, you name it we sell it. I made out the invitations, I sent out what seemed like a thousand, and I made the calls the day of. I cleaned my house. I STAYED home from teaching school that day to clean my house and set up. I made a spread of goodies to eat both savory and sweet. My sister in law invited her friends from work and we waited. The first hour passes and I thought oh everyone is late, the second hour passed and I thought did I put the wrong date on the invite? Then the third hour passed and I realized I was a looser. Soooo sad. I know you are laughing now and I know that most of you would say you are laughing with me and not at me, but it really wasn't funny. Therefore I avoid having parties. I haven't had anything here in Corona most of the ward hasn't even been in the house. I can count on my hand the number of people who have. Yep I'm a looser it's official.

Fat Lady Store

2008-09-23T13:18:00.000-07:00

If you shop at a fat lady store does that mean you're fat? (That was retorical, please don't answer.)I am so tired of trying to find the one 14 that Gap stocks. Or the Large at Banana Republic, I hate that the cut of the clothing is for someone who is a size 2. Do we not know that what works on a 2 will not work on a 14 even if it will button or zip? I am also sick of having two choices: youth-I'm 35 and trying to wear stuff that my 7 year old has on, or women-I'm 80 and think sequin needs to be on everything including t-shirts. So I put myself on a mission... find some stuff that fits, and that is comfortable. Notice I have given up on looking good. You'd think that I could at least find the other two. Nope. For a country that has a lot of obese, over weight people we sure do have a ton of retail stores that don't carry ANYTHING for our GROWING public. (Pun intended)Here's a news flash; the reason the retail market is going into the toilet isn't because of the economy it's because size 2 girls are 14-16yrs old and they can't afford to buy 95$ jeans. I'm 35 and I can... but do you think I can find any? I practically begged for someone to take my money, but alas you can only get size 12 and 14 online. Do they know why? Because the 2 they stocked were bought in the first 10 minutes they were out! I finally decided I was going to a PLUS SIZE STORE. They carry size 12-really big mama. since when is 12 a plus size?
So I went down to Lane Bryant to do my buisiness. You see I much prefer buying clothing for my children. They never look fat in anything. Their crack never hangs out of "super low rise" jeans. (Who wears those anyway?!!!) They never have to unbutton the top button because of bloating. And finally they never need to wear 15 layers underneath to cover or uncover their large white panties. The last time I bought something for myself was at Sam's Club. If you are not familiar with Sam's or Costco please GET OFF MY BLOG. There were some stretchy skirts for a bargain so I bought one in each color. My sister-in-law said aren't you going to try them on? I said, "NOPE".

Anyway heres how it went. I tried on every pair of pants in the store (like 27) I think I finally know what size I am. Between not shopping, babies, and (GOd's gift to women like me) sweat pants, I had no clue what size I should even be looking at. I went to Lane Bryant and was I amazed at what great things they have. All the clothes in there were modest. I didn't have to think about what I could wear under anything to make it "work". The pants cover my large behind without showing 10 inches of crack. I can honestly say I have never been so pleasantly surprised at how many great choices I had...

SO to all you SKINNY girls. Hope that camisole, t-shirt, belly band, and belt work for you... Oh and by the way your G's are still hanging out.

I'm going to have a mint and chocolate chip milkshake so that I can still wear Lane Bryant clothes another day.

Theeeeey're Baaaaack

2008-09-12T15:05:00.000-07:00

This is so pathetic. Only those who are VERY intimate with me know this fact. I love dolls. I always have. When I was a little girl I always had one with me. This love has carried on. I look at dolls online all the time, in fact I have a whole folder in "My Favorites" with just dolls in it. My aunt Ione makes porcelain dolls and I made a few. I have made vinyl dolls. Anyway long story longer I have been collecting the Madame Alexander dolls from McDonalds Happy Meals since they came out. I have them all and they are out again. Here they are.

Blah blah

2008-09-10T20:57:00.000-07:00

I know that I have not put any interesting blogs up in a while. The family picture is cute but seeing it day after day gets annoying, I know. Here's the deal. I really haven't done anything interesting in the last little while. My kids are all home (off track) and bugging the crap outa me. My mom and dad are home... and Dave is working and resting. That leaves me doing the mom thing.
I have the funniest idea for a blog and I know that you all will peee in your large white panties when you read it, but I need some pictures in a college scrapbook. And well frankly I have no idea where that freakin' box is. It could be at the in-laws in our pile of junk in their garage or it could be hiding somewhere here in our junk. It could have even been canabalized by the other unfinished scrapbooks loaded in the bookshelf. Anyway I need to scan the pictures chronicalling (whatever&@$@!!&^%)the event. Here's a little tid bit. It involves costumes, BYU, the Provo/University police department, and my friend Dr. Ward. Intriguing isn't it? But until then you will have to stare at boring pictures of us.

Davey and Lily (Does this make you nervous or is it just me?)

2008-09-02T14:15:00.000-07:00

Here we are. Aren't we cute?

This is the REAL Taylor Family

2008-08-28T17:28:00.000-07:00

Okay so Dave posted the other picture and while it's fine for a hallway hanging, home teacher Christmas card, it's not the REAL picture. This is the real picture and actually if you want to be truthfull it's got all the elements. Tim is playing the super hero (he has a superman complex). Aleca looks like she has wings. Dave is trying really hard to forget where he is at the moment, Greg's smiling like he's the only normal one(in your dreams Gardner). Catherine and I look like we are a few sandwiches short of a picnic, and we'll just leave it at that. I love it. It's the only shot where we are all looking at the camera and where we are all enjoying ourselves.

What was Dave thinking when he posted the other one? He has been a little off lately... maybe he forgot who he married and what married into.

The Taylors

2008-08-27T11:22:00.000-07:00

My favroite TAYLOR

2008-08-20T18:47:00.000-07:00

Dennis and Margene came home this week and all their children were here to welcome them home (Melissa will blog about that). I don't see Tim and Aleca's kids, so I took lots of pictures. Zoey seemed to get in more than others.

She looks like her mom (ha ha ha ha )

Grandma turns 85

2008-08-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

The family didn't come through for Grandma so she took matters into her own hands. What kind of grandkids don't throw a big bash for their Grandma's 85th birthday? What a bunch of slackers we are. Grandma decided that she couldn't wait for us so she called about 200 of her closest friends and relatives and had her own PAR-TAY. Tim, Sue, Laurie, and Terry came down for it and the kids and I showed up. She was the belle of the ball. We were all there to pay homage to the elder! Here's some shots of the lady of the hour.

New Dawn(no that's not it) New Eclipse (not that either) Dawn.. something, New Moon, (Crap, no. no . no) BREAKING DAWN (Thanks Rebecca)

2008-07-31T10:08:00.000-07:00

This weekend the saga of Edward and Bella will continue. I will be at Barnes and Noble along with all the hords of teenie boppers to get my copy. I will do nothing this weekend except read until I am finished and then I will be disappointed that it is all over with and now I must begin the wait again. I do this with authors that I love. I did it with Patricia Cornwell, I did it with JK Rowling and various others. I thought I would throw out a theory to all who have the courage to read my pontifications. Wordy as they may be...

I am obviously on Team Edward. If you truly think that Bella could be happy with Jacob then stop here. We cannot be friends because you just don't get me...(just kidding, I'm always up for a spirited debate this just isn't it). Ever since they introduced Leah into the mix of the werewolves it has seemed strange to me that Stephanie Meyers (heretofore known as SM) would choose to use Jacob and Leah together as names and not have some deeper meaning. SM is LDS which most of us know, she also graduated from my alma mater BYU. She, therefore, is well versed in the Bible. We all had to take religion classes to gradamacate from the Y. She KNOWS the story of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah. Jacob is in love with Rachel, and he goes to her father to ask for her in marriage. At the time, the oldest sister Leah had not yet been married off. (I feel your pain Leah... when my younger sibling got married before me I felt like a leper.I digress) Jacob had to work for Rachel's father for 7 years to get Rachel and on the day of the wedding/wedding night Leah dressed up in Rachel's clothes and Jacob married Leah instead. Let's not go into the fact that good ole' Jake couldn't tell them apart... It is no coincidence that SM used Jacob and Leah. She's the wife/lover that he got not the one he wanted! He wanted Bella but in the end he will be with Leah who understands his pain as well as his instincts. SM was leading us into this when she gave us the tidbit with Jacob languishing over Bella and Leah there to help him through it. Bella will NOT end up with Jacob. It is unclear to me whether Jacob imprinted on Bella or if he can still imprint on Leah even though they have already "seen" each other. I know that sometimes you can "see" someone in a totally different way than you have before in certain circumstances. Maybe after his sojourn into his natural/carnal side he will become someone who is more thoughtful and imprint. Maybe he will meet the only other wolf who transfigured and never came back. I can't wait for the saga of Jacob to continue either. There certainly are arguments that he became what Bella needed, but she belongs to Edward.

Fun in the Sun

2008-07-30T13:01:00.001-07:00

Every year the Lowes and the Cortes family's get a beach house in Oceanside. This year we decided to invite ourselves and I'm glad we did. It was so much fun the place is right on the beach

Demetri the Boogie Boarder

How cute Matt and Emily Lowe riding a wave together.

Matt with his girls

I took a bunch of shells that we had from Mexico to the beach to build a cool sand castle. everybody who walked by wanted to take the shells. It was fun just watching people walk by.

Poor Phoenix the ladies ran the show... Now that I think about it he should just get used to it.

The Week of Willow

2008-07-28T16:19:00.000-07:00

The second week of july is always a big one for our little Willow. She starts school (we're on year 'round school), she has a birthday and sometimes parties for birthdays and the forth of July. This year was no different.

First day of 2nd Grade (the headband was her idea...)

Birthday #7 (again can't believe it)

Cool underwater shot. I love my camera.

Like mother like daughter

2008-07-25T16:13:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like little bums to make you smile! This one has so many little rolls.

I love to rub her little body after a bath. sometimes she sqeals when I hit a tickle spot.

She wants to "taste" everything. Even my face.

It looks like her eyes will be green. They are dark and not blue, but not really brown either.

Look at those cheeks! They sag they're so big!

Lily is 5 months old today. (I think, is today the 24th?) She is a joy for me to have. She is happy and content and I have enjoyed her so much. Sometimes I go into her bedroom to wake her up so that I can play with her. Crazy I know.

The Dancin' Queens

2008-07-09T16:10:00.000-07:00

The girls had their annual Dance Recital. They did great... well they were cute anyway...People tell me everyday that Poppy looks like my mom. Isn't she pretty. The sparkly makeup is an essential part of the dance mystique.

Pretty Poppy in her "sparkly outfit"

This dance had a doll to go with

Willow giving us some CHeez

Willow got her dancin' skillz from her mom.... POOR THING

2008-07-03T22:20:00.000-07:00

I found the funniest video about eBay. I think while I'm at work Melissa is on ebay buying something and I'm at work alot. I can't get her to sell anything just buy buy buy.....

Dave

I don''t know how to post a video so just click on the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYokLWfqbaU

Happy Anniversary

2008-06-25T01:31:00.000-07:00

Here is my side of the story to Melissa's post. I was living in San Diego working as a Machinist and ridding pedi-cabs on the weekend. I would hang out at the institute building taking some classes. I was dating, but felt more like I was just spending twice the amount of money doing things. One night at institute Sister Fronk told me about a young adults weekend. She said I better clear up my calender and don't plan anything. So I went and that's when I saw HER standing at the doors of the cultural hall. I asked my friend if he know who she was. I had my eyes on HER from that moment on. Waiting for the moment to ask a dumb question. Melissa was everything I had been looking for. She was funny, smart, and she never judged me. When I met Melissa I was driving a 62 Rambler.
1st I loved the car, I 'd had it since I was 16. It was my first car.
2nd we (me and my Rambler) did everything together, I once drove to North Carolina in it and only got a hotel once. That's a lot of nights I slept in the car.
3rd if a girl could not see past the piece of crap I drove, then they would never understand me. Melissa never once asked why I didn't have a nice car. I really think she liked the bench front seat.

I can't believe that its been 9 years. The Rambler got sold, lots has changed but one thing is the same.........Melissa I LOVE YOU!!!!!! Every year gets better and better. I am blessed to have found you.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Me and My Man

2008-06-24T20:30:00.000-07:00

Okay so some of you have heard this and some of you haven't. I thought since June 25 is our anniversary I would take a stroll down memory lane. Wanna come with? Here we go: Picture it October 1998 I returned from BYU (graduated) with no MRS. degree (only a BS in Science and a minor in Spanish lit). And I was a return missionary, so there was no other goals on the horizon except career and love. I worked at both. I dated and was consequently dumped by the Ugliest Dude you have ever seen. (See post titled: "Where I was 10 years ago". ) One of my dearest friends while growing up needed a favor and I had agreed to help out. Billy Jensen had just turned 31 and was not supposed to be going to the Young Adult Activities anymore, but he really didn't like the Single Adult stuff because most of the ladies were widowed grandma's. There was a BIG Young Adult Weekend Conference in San Diego that he had gotten tickets for but he needed a "date" to take him who fell into the 18-30 years old range. He also needed someone who was only a friend so he could troll for chicks without it getting weird. He asked me like a month or more before to go and I had said yes, but when the time came I was still reeling from being dogged. I had spent a few months man hating and was NOT in the hair flipping, flirting, coy, party girl mode. I did NOT want to go. I told Billy that I was sure no one would say anything about him being there and that I really didn't want to go. He threw a little temper tantrum and guilted me into keeping my end of the bargain. So I went to Fallbrook where he lived and stayed the weekend to attend a YA lame conference.

Friday night was the get to know you games. You know the ones. The kissing one, the have you ever? one, the remembering everyone in the circle name one, the limbo (check out my boobs one), the pass the orange without your hands one, well, you get the picture. So Billy and I have about a half hour in the car before we get there and he is desperately trying to make me have a good time. He decides to set a goal for himself. He wants to pick out a girl and see if he can get to know her by the end of the conference. He wants me to do the same. You had to give or get a phone number to be successful. We arrive and all the games are already going on and we stand at the double doors to the cultural hall taking it all in. He spots his prey, she is tiny and blonde and has sparkly eyes. He asks me who I will be hunting this weekend and I pick out a tall smiley guy with curly hair laying in the middle of the Kissing game with his lips puckered. Apparently he was supposed to be trying not to get caught and the girl who was trying to catch him was baffled about what to do next. Then she kissed him on the cheek and he smiled like a stupid 14 year old. He was The Player. The Unattainable. The Notorious Bachelor. He was my victim. I watched him for most of the night and met up with some of my long lost dorm room buddies, ate some refreshments and hid from the pre-mission kid who was following me around wanting to talk about his band. (agggh)

I went home with Billy after having a refreshingly fun time. The plan was to come back the next morning for the "Special Olympics". This is the put your face in pudding, put on all the clothes, pop a dozen balloons relay race one. I played but didn't see HIM. Billy made his goal and decided she was a little vapid for his taste. We went home for lunch and to clean up for the broadcast of the Padres Playoff Game. What I didn't know is that most of the people there were going to the stadium to watch it there not to the church. When we showed up to the church there were only about 20 people there and HE was one of them! Yes! The stars were aligning. So about 10 minutes before the game he came over to me and smiled. I melted and fluttered, and the song "In your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel started playing in my head. He said, "Don't I know you from somewhere?" . The music screeched to a stop, and I thought to myself can't you come up with anything better than that?! But he was even more handsome in person so I had a hard time processing his cheeziness. We tried to figure out where he knew me from. (I didn't think that I had ever seen him before, I would have remembered.) Then he left with some little just-out-of -highschool girls. Ahhh, the chase begins. I went home with Billy to get ready for the Dance that night. This was my time to get him. Dim lights do wonders for my looks, and dances were a favorable spot to prowl. I knew a few tricks.

Don't stand in a pack of girls-to hard to ask one to dance.

Don't let one guy monopolize your time unless you want him-it says we're together so don't bother asking

Make GOOD eye contact when the slow song starts so he knows you want him

Be a little coy but not over the top-you'll look desperate

If he talks to you touch him-it says I'm warm and issue free

Anyway, we danced and talked and at the end of the night he asked if I wanted to go with him to the gas lamp district of San Diego. Actually, he teased me about being old and staying out past my bedtime so that I would go. I did. He drove me around in a pedi-cab and we talked and visited nearly all night. He did not however ask for my phone number nor try to get frisky with me.

The next day Sunday was my last to secure my man. Here is the problem, I was taught that a girl does NOT call boys, or give them their phone numbers unsolicited, or chase boys in general... so if he didn't ask for my number I figured he didn't want it and that was it. They should chase you my mom always said. On Sunday he met me at the doors of the Chapel and sat with me during the testimony meeting. He smelled heavenly. Then it was time to go and so I said my goodbye and left the building with Billy. I was totally disappointed, but I was not going to throw myself at him. Then the music starts up again and there He is giving me a business card from his pocket with his number (pre-written) on the back. He did like me. The beeeeautiful full lipped blonde liked me too. Billy was happy for me and he predicted that we would get married and live happily ever after. And we have. And I CHOSE him out of the crowd to be MY MAN.

Melinda Mea

2008-06-21T21:42:00.000-07:00

I loved to memorize Shel Silverstein poems when I was a kid and this project reminds me of little Melinda Mea who ate the monstrous whale. Some days I don't even know if I am going to finish but I do little things and I keep plugging along. If you don't know the story Melinda took little bites and chewed very slow and in 89 years she ate the monsterous whale because she said she would.. I hope that it dosen't take me 89 years to finish. Every day I do something little.

As you can see things are changing

For those of you who don't know the poem.

"Melinda Mae"

Have you heard of tiny Melinda Mae,Who ate a monstrous whale?She thought she could,She said she would,So she started in right at the tail.
And everyone said,"You're much too small,"But that didn't bother Melinda at all,She took little bites and she chewed very slow,Just like a little girl should...
...and in eighty-nine years, she ate that whaleBecause she said she would!!!

We love our Daddy

2008-06-19T08:19:00.000-07:00

Dave is an amazing dad. There aren't words to say how proud I am of him and our little family. The kids enjoyed making and giving him his presents this year.

All four of the little monsters

Willow wrote this card for her hero. I couldn't have said it any better.

Phoenix is so proud of his.... present. (I think it's a pencil holder.) We had to replace the erasers on the pencils because he ate the first ones.

We knew he had to have the "MOUNTAIN DUDE" hat and shirt when we saw them. Dave's two favorite things combined Dew and Nascar.

Easy Smelly Playdough

2008-06-13T11:01:00.000-07:00

Homemade PlayDough (NOT EDIBLE, actually it is, but it tastes terrible!)

Here's a picture of the ingredients most of which you keep in your pantry.

2 TBS Cream of Tartar
1 cup flour
1 TBS oil
1/4 cup salt
1 cup water
1 packet unsweetened Kool Aid (or a few drops of food coloring)

*Cream of Tartar is a spice used to make meringue. You can buy it at all the major grocery stores or in bulk at Costco.

In a sauce pan combine all the ingredients and stir on med heat until it forms a dough ball. It takes about 3-4 minutes. The plop it out and knead it until it's really smooth and cooled down. ¡Vióla playdough! If you don't have koolaide you can mix food coloring instead of koolaide (or both to make different colors). The koolaide makes it smell good, but then little kids are more tempted to taste it. It's not toxic, but I wouldn't let them eat it anyways. Store it in a ziplock when your done.

Fun with Friends

2008-06-13T10:36:00.001-07:00

One day last week we had a full house. The kids enjoyed having their friends over and the house was already a mess (as usual), so I thought what the heck, let's get out the PLAYDOUGH. I know you moms are thinking, "WHAT?? THAT'S LIKE CLEANING SUICIDE!" and you're right but the kids had a really great time. Mom you might want to wash the cookie cutters before you use them next time! Tee Hee.
Eli and Phoenix

Emma and Poppy

Elias hard at work.

Phoenix pounding...I don't think thats what the hammer is for son.

Dave trying to kiss Preston Minor...at the Mary Bono fundraiser. Should I worry? Nahhhh Preston's not interested his cute wife is going to have a baby girl soon. Dave's not his type.

Sweet Expressions Photography

2008-06-11T20:15:00.000-07:00

I got these today! Aren't they beautiful! This is Lily in her blessing dress. It was made specially for her by her Mimi. The purple blanket underneath her was knitted by Uncle Gene's sister, and the white blanket was crocheted by Grandma Margaret. I don't think there is anything more beautiful than a sleeping baby. (Especially when they're mine). It reminds me of when they were in heaven. They seem so peaceful. I wonder if they dream about the life they left to come here? I hope so.

Michele Tolley of Sweet Expressions took the photos! If you want to look at her blog/web site its at http://sweetexpressionsphotography.blogspot.com/ If you click on the title of the post it will take you there!
You should see some of the stuff she's done. If she can make all those old time Corona people look that good then you can count me in. Thanks Michele! Last year she took photos of Poppy for dance and Poppy has never looked so good!

I love this one of her hand and mine. It makes my heart flutter.

2008-06-11T17:08:00.000-07:00

I wish you could hear her talk. It's too cute. It's almost like we're carrying on a conversation with OOOo's and Ahhhh's.

One CRAZY MAMA

2008-05-31T09:32:00.000-07:00

Okay so Shannon tagged me a long time ago to do this Quirks thing...I'm supposed to list some of my "quirks". I assume that most of you reading this blog know me quite well or at least well enough to wonder what we do everyday. So you already know I am... certifiable. So I have been thinking of some "quirks" that you may not know.

First the obvious, I have a hard time walking because my foot is constantly in my mouth. A while back I said, "I can't believe how old you are!", to a friend in my ward. What kind of idiot says that to any woman? Sheesh. And to make it even worse, she was bringing ME dinner after I had Lily! So if I have hurt your feelings really it was unintentional. Really.

Next I have almost a compulsion about my toenails. I can't stand to have them at all long. At all! I clip them as close to the quick as I can get them. All these cute ladies with long toenails done in a french manicure look so good, but I can't it gives me the willies to have any nail at all on my toes. Weird huh.

Third. I love little packets of condiments. Condiments are so cool. Have you ever really thought about how they get them into those little packages? Who decided that much ketchup was a serving? Why doesn't the mayonnaise need to be refrigerated? How do they make them so easy to open when regular packaging is so hard. I love condiments. I take them. Yep, you read that correctly, I steal condiments. Bizarre you say, well I don't care! (See how liberated I am!) I will no longer ask for extra condiments just so I can take them home in the closet any longer! I have a whole little area in the frige for them. I can produce a Taco Bell OR Del Taco hot sauce if you need. I keep Chick-fil-A honey mustard for rainy days, and I have enough ketchup that if we had an earth quake that could sustain us for a month! And I am proud of my condiment selection! Mustard, Mayo, BBQ, honey, butter, jelly, sugar, relish, you name it I've got it. I even found tartar sauces the other day. You never know when your going to need tartar sauce right?! I hate that you now have to ask for condiments in the drive through. Who doesn't eat ketchup with fries? Booh hiss on you Carl's Jr. and Wendy's!

So there's a few of my idiosyncrasies. There are many more and my husband can attest to that. He KNOWS I'm one CRAZY MAMA.

The New (Old) Pool

2008-05-21T09:34:00.000-07:00

This is Poppy and Phoenix testing the waters at the new house. It will be fun, fun, fun, to have a pool.

This is the slide. It needs a little TLC, but for now with a hose it works great.

This is a campout/BBQ with some of the other members of the County Pistol Team after a Shootout (Match). Phoenix had one of the other wife's wrapped around his little finger. He's such a schmoozer like his dad.

Oh Gross!

2008-05-16T18:00:00.001-07:00

I don't think I need to explain any further... do I ? I was at Walmart and we all (me and the herd of children who follow me)went into the dressing room. I turn around and find my son with this stuck on his head. Is that not nasty? I took a picture so I could remember this day forever. Do I need to talk about where and what that has been on? Ewwww. Walmart? EWWWWW . Gosh I'm glad there wasn't anything stuck on the sticky part before he put in ON HIS FACE!!!!!!

She's Crafty ...She gets around... She's crafty... She's always down...She's crafty

2008-05-16T17:05:00.000-07:00

I will think that you are soooooo Coool if you can tell me the reference of the Title!

Last night I went to the Relief Society Activity and the cutest little THANG named Amber taught us how to sew this purse/bag/hobo/satchel. I stayed until I finished mine and I didn't even visit the snack table! Very uncharacteristic of me. This is my finished project.....

TAAAA DAAAA.... if you want the details email or call me.

This is unbelievably cuter in real life

This is the inside view. It is actually reversable.

I added the pocket on the front all on my own. I'm so proud!

The House

2008-05-12T20:53:00.000-07:00

Here are two shots of the house

Entry Before

When I was a kid I tore everything apart just to see how it works. I am 34 years old and still taking everything apart. As most of you know Melissa and I bought a house. We had some things to change and well as you can see one thing led to another.

Entry After
I did this to the house on my 3 day weekend. Call me crazy but I think the second picture looks good.

View into Kitchen Before

I think I took out about 10 tons of plaster and wood. (That's not an exageration)

View of Kitchen After

Never Scrub...I'm all over it!

2008-05-10T10:48:00.000-07:00

Okay we all know that I am all about making life easier and more manageable. I found a great new product that really worked for me and my fam. I bought one of these and put it into one of the toilets like they said. I left the other two toilets alone. Then I cleaned them all on the same day. (I know...whoa there mama pace yourself!) And I watched. It is now time to clean the toilets again and the one that I put the kaboom thingy in still looks like I scrubbed it this morning. Obviously this won't help out with the XY's that miss or dribble on the seat but that's what the cholorox wipes are for right!? You can try it for free if you pay shipping and handling which is the same price as just paying for it at Walmart.

I'm Hiding

2008-05-08T11:39:00.000-07:00

I am sitting in the computer room of my parents house hoping beyond all hope that the four screaming mimi's won't figure out that I have left the living room where The Jungle Book is entertaining. I know this makes me sound like less of a super mom, but it is the ugly truth. Yesterday I went to the bathroom, by myself, AND I locked the door. I know this doesn't sound like it should traumatize anyone, but by the time I was finished (I took a magazine :0) two of the children were writing notes and putting them under the door. The first note said, "Phoenix spit on me." The next one just said PoPpY. I assume it meant to say, "me, too!". Then I see little fingers coming under the door. I can hear their little voices at the bottom of the door where the crack is asking if I'm ever coming out. I think to myself, now I understand the lady that stayed in the bathroom for two years. Although I doubt that I would let my bum grow onto the toilet seat.

I know, I know, Someday I'll miss this. REALLY? I'm going to miss this? Come on! Who made up that stupid phrase anyway? Someone who was 80 and had alzheimers? I suppose I should enjoy that my children want to talk to me and I should hope that continues into the dreaded teenage years, but right about now I am looking forward to a sullen 15 year old that doesn't want to talk to me when I am taking care of buisiness.

My friend Craig and his wife have a theory that when you put parents of young children together invariably the conversation will degenerate to poop and I have proven him right once again. At one point I had a brain that functioned, I swear, I did.

The Nail Polish Parable

2008-05-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

Each one of us is blessed with gifts and talents. My long time friend Erin is blessed with insight. She has related a parable to everyday life and I think everybody should read it! She has "The Nail Polish Parable" posted on her blog so clickety click on the link that says the MCGIBBON FAMILY and read it. It is tender and moving. She's the real deal. I know that sometimes you all feel wierd looking at peoples blogs that you don't know... but this is just too good to miss.

Loves Melissa

PS I don't think she'll mind.

Little Lily isn't so Little

2008-04-30T07:14:00.001-07:00

Lily had her 2 month baby check. She weighs in at 10.72 lbs. She is very healthy and looks good. Here she is with her biggest admirer Poppy don't the two make a darling duo?

This is the only time I think she has ever slept in her car seat. She is the wierdest kid. She screams bloody murder everytime I put her in it!

Notice the double chin. They are so cute on babies... too bad they don't look so good on moms.

Toothless- TAYLOR Style

2008-04-23T16:34:00.000-07:00

Okay, Okay I know you are all thinking, "Hey I thought their last name was Snow?" Yes it is, however my maiden name is Taylor and I don't think any of my brothers/sister and I had a tooth that fell out on its own. They were all extracted in one way or another. The most common way to lose a tooth in the Taylor household was with the NEEDLE NOSE PLIERS (yes, they were rusty). I seriously remember my dad pulling out one of my teeth that was less than ready by putting his knee on my chest and yanking on it with the pliers. The rush of having a hole and knowing the Tooth Fairy was coming was too enticing for me/us. I guess Willow did get some Taylor in her after all because as soon as this baby got lose it was all over. She wiggled it all night until ...it was time. Then Dad got involved. It was all over for that little baby tooth.

This is try # 1. The old string on the door trick. No luck.

This is try # 2. Dry it off and have Dad yank it out. Nope it just got a little looser and made a nauseating cracking sound.

This is try # 3. We brought out the big guns. THE PLIERS. Sorry dad we couldn't find a pair of needle nose pliers in the garage.

Try # 4. Same pliers just a different grip on them. That's Phoenix's head he supervised the surgery.

Viola! A bloody hole and an expected visit from the Tooth Fairy. NOw we are only about 10 teeth behind Rachel who has lost ALL her baby teeth! Willow isn't competetive or anything... I don't know anyone who would pull their own teeth out just to "keep up" with their friends.... Do you Timmy?

I can't believe I have a child old enough to be loosing baby teeth. Next thing she'll be asking for a cell phone so she can text to her boyfriends and demanding a car for her 16th birthday. Where does the time go? At least I have her for now.

Poor Lizard

2008-04-20T17:44:00.000-07:00

I caught this lizard at the Rees' house on Saturday. I told Phoenix that we could take him home...poor poor lizard.

The lizard is getting broken in... on three different heads.

Poppy is teaching the lizard Popcorn Popping. He isn't a very quick learner.

He's perking up a little bit by the time he got to Willows head.

I don't think there is anything scarier than these three on the rampage.

Mr. Lizard getting grabbed at by three little sets of hands. Thank goodness he "ran away" on Sunday. I don't know how much longer I could have protected him.

Lily's Blessing

2008-04-13T15:36:00.000-07:00

This is the Snow Family. All present and accounted for. Check out Willow doesn't she look happy?

That's right mom smile like everything is okay, even though it feels like you're on the edge of a very steep cliff!

These are my dazzling in-laws. Don't they look young and fun!

Lily got blessed a few weeks ago, but I never posted pictures. She was only two weeks old. My favorite mom-in-law made the beautiful blessing dress. Catherine came down to see her get blessed.

The New Pad

2008-04-05T20:17:00.000-07:00

This is the new house. It is nearly next door to the house we remodeled two houses ago. All it needs is demolition, remodel, and to move in! No big deal right? I think I need to become a contractor.

This is a weird angle but I couldn't find the picture I wanted. It is pretty big. The biggest on the street except for that funky two story across the street from our other house. For reference it is to the left of Ed's house the old guy who restored old classic cars.

This is the pool! We are going to have to have a huge party when you come home.

This is the grassy area that the kids are going to get a swing set in. They have been waiting patiently since we lived in Utah. Now they will finally get their chance.

Dirty Little Secrets

2008-03-31T09:25:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged, I think?
Terryn is it me Melissa or is it some other young cool chick? Well, I'll tell all my dirty little secrets anyway...

What was I doing 10 years ago...
10 years ago I was dating the worlds ugliest bachelor. I won't name any names because that would be rude, however I want you to understand that I am talking seriously not attractive at all. The thought of rubbing sunscreen on his back makes me feel a little naseaus still. While dating we were supposed to meet at a Young Adult Fireside one Saturday night and he never showed up. I thought it was wierd. I went home and went to bed and decided I would see him at church the next day. At 6:00am my dad comes barrelling into my bedroom and wakes me. I was understandably groggy and he demanded to know why I had gotten engaged and not woken them up to tell them last night. I was stunned. I said I did not get engaged... and he said, that UG (Ugly Bachelor) announced at Ward Counsel Meeting that he had gotten engaged last night. I said we had a date but he never showed. Then we both just sat there for an awkward moment, each of us realizing that not only had I been stood up, but also dumped in the same night! My dad slowly backed out of my bedroom and in comes my mom to console me. I was not only humiliated by a guy in my ward for all to see, but it was the UG part that bothered me. If he dumped me, then what was I, a monster! ?

Then I met Dave and I forgot all about my humiliation. The sexiest man in the world wanted me and that's all that mattered.

5 Things on My TO DO List Today...

Go to Walmart
Mail Margene and Dennis' taxes off
Clean the basement
mop the floors
dinner, lunch, Lily, etc.

I probably will only get number 5 done especially since all the other ones have been on my list since the baby was born (4 weeks ago).

Favorite Treats...

I love coke... naughty naughty I know
Mint and Chip icecream from Thrifty (rite aid)
Going out to eat at any restaurant
Reading a really good book
Watching Survivor with Dave
coke

Three Bad Habits...

I love to watch General Hospital

Washing clothes without checking the pockets

Going out in public looking like Death Warmed Over

If I were suddenly a billionaire I would...

set some aside for my four children and their educations
buy and pay for a house for all my siblings and in-laws
hire a housekeeper
move out of California
invest some
donate to the church

Places I would love to go...

Europe

The Redwoods

Japan

China

I love to travel!

Jobs I've had...

Retail Sales at Wet Seal
Phone service dept at Sears
hostess/waitress at Brick Oven
Spanish TA in Spain
Teacher of Biology, Astronomy, and Spanish
Mommy

5 Things Most People Don't Know About Me...

I love to run errands, being out and about makes me happy.
I wish I was more reserved.
I HATE HATE HATE my legs
I am not comfortable on the telephone. (If I call you it means I love you)I rarely return phone calls or answer messages unless I have to. Dave is the complete opposite. He will have a phone growing out of his head soon.
I can't eat pears they make me barf.

The "Softer" side of Dave

2008-03-28T09:04:00.000-07:00

My very own Magnum PI. Now if only I could get him to wear those shorts!

My toe nails after our pedicures. Cute!

Dave getting his first pedicure. Go you macho man!

Dave reading Lily the Sig Sauer catalog at bedtime. Ahhh, the joy of reading to your child.

Dave wears flip flops into work and heavy army style black boots while at work and his feet take a beating. They have thick calouses and cracks. I would like to help him... but I just... ewwww. So I suggested that he go have a pedicure. He was sceptical at first, but after some reassuring he went. I told him that lots of other men have manicures and pedicures. I explained that the little Vietnamese ladies would rub his feet and calfs. Finally I (being a generous soul) offered to go with him so he didn't feel so out of place. It was heavenly.

The Super Talented Snows

2008-03-26T13:47:00.000-07:00

Primary Talent Show

The Primary Talent Show was a treat. our Primary President is a little on the laid-back side and she is not a disciplinarian. So it was a little chaotic. Poppy and Emma Packer danced one of their dances for the crowd. I couldn't believe how well they did. Poppy wasn't shy at all. She got right up there and didn't miss a beat. They looked so cute.

They looked like they had been practicing together for weeks.

Willow made a scrumptous looking strawberry shortcake. Catherine helped her. I think that if there had been a 1st place for displays she would have won hands down...(Well the snake one of the Grover boys brought was quite popular too, but only because it kept trying to get out of the container it was in. I think it bit one of the Hague twins.) Doesn't she look cute in her little Hannah Montana T-shirt? She is starting to look so grown up. Sad, I know.

Here is my lovely son. His newest thing to coloring. He colors on EVERYTHING. Himself, the walls, the couch (with ball point pen), tables, chairs, clothes, Poppy, Lily, and thats just the beginning. Dave and I are at our witts end. We have no idea how to deal with it. Spanking didn't work, talking surely didn't work, timeouts were a no go too. Now he gets all three: a spank, a timeout, a talk, and the newest edition he has to scrub whatever it is that he wrote on until Mommy or Daddy says he can stop. We have gone through 4 Mr. Clean scrubbers so far. Maybe he is a child prodigy and can't control his creative genius. He will be the greatest painter of the century! Or maybe he is just being naughty because I spend all my time with Lily now a days. He misses me, and it's so hard to stay mad at that little face.

Phoenix the Human Easter Egg

2008-03-23T09:51:00.000-07:00

The kids all got a DVD and a little something from the Easter Bunny this year. Willow got Enchanted, Phoenix 101 Dalmations, and Poppy Brother Bear 2. Lily got a can of formula. We are grateful to be getting back into a routine after Lily was born. She is 4 weeks old today.

Phoenix decided to color himself instead of the Easter Eggs. Wasn't that thoughtful. I guess the cute little shorts that go with his Easter Tie won't work this Sunday. He has already eaten almost all of his candy the Bunny brought him. He'll be so fun in Sacrament Meeting!

All the kids relaxing with Lily after the excitement of the Easter Bunny wore off. It's almost time to get ready to go to Mimi's House to see the cousins down from Utah and Oregon.

Poppy also got a DVD and candy. She will save her candy so that she can savor it. Hopefully Phoenix won't find hers and polish it off too!

Willow is already watching her DVD and memorizing the songs. She may be a famous Brodway actress someday. We may need to invest in some singing lessons.

St. Patty's Day

2008-03-18T09:50:00.000-07:00

The kids picked clover from the front yard for their teachers. The trampled most of the clovers but there were still a few left to make bouquets.
Poppy dressed herself today. Do you like her outfit? She wore her shoes like that all day long. I wonder if it felt wierd?
Willow with her scuba diver that decorated her seat in her classroom for Open House. She is doing well in school and brought home almost all O's.

Lily is doing well and gaining weight. Hopefully we can get her to sleep better at night in the next month or two. New babies are cute, BUT they sure are a ton of work.