Our Christmas 2009 Highlights

We've packed the car and unpacked the car. Packed the car and unpacked the car. On Saturday, we'll pack the car and unpack the car, yet again, as we (hopefully) arrive home in Phoenix. It's been a great trip to visit Grandma Jensen, Uncle Richard and 5 of his kids; Uncle Newel and Aunt Kate and their 3 girls; Grandma and Grandpa Casper; Uncle Ben, Aunt Launi and Jackson. We've reenacted the Nativity, made cookies for Santa, gorged ourselves on yummy food (more than once), wrapped and opened presents, shoveled snow, waged two marshmallow fights, played the Wii, traveled to Afton, Wyoming, played with our cousins, listened to one great missionary homecoming talk, petted a cow and three dogs and sledded on more than one great snow hill. It's been a busy, fun-filled vacation and now I'm ready for a nap!

Two score minus 3 years ago...

...I was born. So I thought I'd write about me. Following my cousin, Marnie's, lead, I'll write 37 things to love or hate about me.

1. I married the man I had a crush on when I was 12 years old.
2. We've been married 9 years in January and they have been the happiest, hardest, most rewarding, saddest, most joyful of my life.
3. I always thought I would get married long before I did. 'Glad it worked out that way!
4. I have Type I, insulin dependent diabetes and I wear an insulin pump.
5. I recently realized that youth is no longer on my side--I'm trying to eat better, lose weight and exercise everyday.
6. I may even go completely gluten free this year.
7. I have three children and my oldest was born just a few months shy of my 30th birthday.
8. I had my youngest the year I turned 35.
9. I always worried about having a girl, but am very glad that we have one!
10. I've had the same best friend since kindergarten and I wish we lived closer!
11. I lived in Salt Lake City, Utah for 21 years in the same house before living anywhere else.
12. Since then I have lived in three other states: Texas, California and now Arizona.
13. My favorite state to live in so far is California. You just can't beat the weather and the proximity to all the favorite vacation spots.
14. I was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Houston, Texas in October 1995- February 1997.
15. I loved learning Spanish and wish I used it more.
16. Before I was married, I worked for the Utah State Health Department and helped design their Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System.
17. I finished my Masters of Science in Public Health the month before my wedding.
18. I'd like to go back to nursing school when the time is right.
19. I love to take pictures of family events and the silly things my kids do.
20. I have over 20,000 pictures saved on my computer since we got our first digital camera in 2004.
21. I love to scrapbook.
22. I have trouble staying on top of my scrapbooks because I have so many photos!
23. I enjoy traveling, especially when Matt comes along.
24. My favorite trip before we had kids was to Germany after Matt finished his service in Saudi Arabia.
25. My favorite trip with my kids was camping in the Grand Canyon.
26. I knew nothing about the military before I married Matt.
27. I now know enough about the military to be grateful for the men and women willing to give their time and lives away from their families to serve their country and to keep our country free.
28. I don't know enough about the military to understand all the acronyms.
29. Growing up, I suspect that I was pretty hard to live with and am very lucky to have had parents that listened to me, anyway.
30. I'm pretty hard to live with and I'm very lucky to have a husband that loves me anyway!
31. I have a testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know he suffered for my sins so that I can repent, become better and live with Him again.
32. I am pretty hard on myself and often wonder, "Am I getting any better at this?"
33. I love to read a good book and am always looking for a good recommendation.
34. I appreciate a good Diet Coke.
35. While I despise wearing nylons, nothing feels better than a great fitting bra!
36. I play the organ for church and want to start taking lessons, again.
37. I love working in my kids' classrooms, even just to peak at what they are doing.

So, there you have it. I might edit them later, but it's time to get on to my other job--cleaning the wreck before playgroup tomorrow.

Our visit 'Up North'

We couldn't have asked for a better weekend to see Santa. Our good friends, the Carlsons, generously invited us to join them in their timeshare weekend in Flagstaff with a visit to the North Pole on the Polar Express. On Friday, we ate a late Thanksgiving dinner, played peewee golf, drank hot chocolate and put together puzzles and played games. The highlight was seeing Joshua back home with his family, starting to enjoy many of the things he did before he entered the hospital that scary day 6 weeks ago.

Saturday had a magical feel, as snow was in the air and everyone around us was dressed in their pajamas. Once we were on the train, we ate cookies and drank hot chocolate and listened to the story of the Polar Express. Before long, Santa entered the train. It was difficult to get the right angle for the video and photos, but the sound captures perfectly how excited Stewart was to see Santa this year.



Casper has entered the stage of the skeptic, as you can tell by his vigilant stare to see if Santa knows him and whether he has a real beard or not. He was very attuned to the fact that this year's Santa was too busy to even ask him what he wanted for Christmas, so I can tell that ring of the bell is getting harder and harder for him to hear.

Whitney was so excited to see Santa, she was speechless as to what to ask for--suddenly saying, "A dog!" A dog? Isn't she terriried of dogs? Well, maybe she's warming up to the idea...

We loved that we were able to start out our Christmas season with such a fun activity and that we are all actually looking at the camera at the photo shoot with Santa.

A Day of Thanks

I hope this posts before Thanksgiving is over because it was a good one. Relaxing for the most part, full of good conversation, friends, and memories of the past year. I couldn't resist listing a few of the things I'm grateful for.

The week started out with the kindergarten field trip to the Wildlife World Zoo. It was a beautiful day and I spent the day with 7 cute girls and another fun mom, touring the zoo, watching the animals and eating snacks together. I love how they all take turns and hold hands.

I'm thankful that I'm able to be home and around my kids at their young ages and watch them take joy in the little things.

On Tuesday we had Casper's checkup at the CF Clinic and he had gained 4.5 pounds and 1 inch since August! His Celiac Panel came back NEGATIVE, so that means the gluten free diet is working and he is able to absorb food better! Needless to say, we were THRILLED!

I am so grateful that we are able to have the medical care we need to help Casper be as healthy as he can be. I am thankful for gluten free food that tastes good! :)

Wednesday was the school Turkey Trot and I was amazed to see my kids move faster than they ever have in their lives (except for the Turkey Trot last year!) The day ended with the best news we've heard all year: our friend, Joshua, was home from 6 long, scary weeks in the hospital. It is a true miracle that he is home with his family and recovering well. We can't wait to see them on the Polar Express in Williams, AZ on Friday!

We're thankful for our bodies and for our good health!

Today we spent the afternoon renewing our friendships with Bruce and Kathy Meyer, Matt's cousin's family and some of their friends. One family brought their five children and they hit it off with our kids. I was overjoyed to see Casper holding hands with their 3 year old to comfort her. When he told their 10 year old that he was cool, the boy responded, "Really? Most people don't think I'm cool. Thanks!" I thought he was pretty cool for being so kind to Casper.

We're thankful for new friends and old ones, too!

I spent the morning cooking gluten free stuffing, chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin pie and sweet potato casserole. Matt went to the store TWICE for me for ingredients I'd forgotten.

I'm thankful for my patient and kind husband who is always willing to drop whatever he is doing to run an errand or help me in the kitchen.

Now, we enter my most favorite time of the year and my goal is to focus on the Savior for a moment each day and how He has blessed my life with his birth and His life.

I am thankful for a living Savior and for a Heavenly Father that listens to and answers my prayers.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I won the chili cookoff?

The only chili I know how to make is from my friend, Carla. In her honor, I made her yummy chili for the MOMS Club Annual Chili Cookoff today and won by a 'landslide.' I was embarrassed and felt a little guilty, too. Afterall, I'm not a good cook. I just know a good recipe when I see it.

So, here are two more recipes that got rave reviews at the cookoff and have been added to my recipe repertoire. Eat up!

Carla Carlson's White Bean Chicken Chili

32 oz. box of Swanson’s Chicken broth
1 – 16 oz. jar of Sadie’s Salsa: “Not as Hot” flavor
2- 16 oz. cans of Great Northern beans
1- 16 oz. can of Navy Beans
1- 16 oz. can of White Kidney Beans
3 chicken breasts
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
sour cream
green onions

Directions:
-salt and pepper pounded chicken breasts, grill, and then shred with two forks
-Drain and rinse all beans
-Set crock pot to high and add broth, salsa, all beans, chicken, chili seasoning and cream of tartar. Stir occasionally.
-After an hour (or when ingredients start to bubble) set crock pot to low
-If chili looks watery, remove lid for a short time (20-30 minutes)
-Cook all day or even overnight
-An hour or so before serving, add cheese into crock pot and let melt
-Add sour cream and onions to taste at serving time

NOTE: original recipe called for only ONE can of Great Northern Beans, BOILED chicken breasts, PACE instead of Sadie’s salsa, Cumin instead of Chili powder, and 1 cup each of Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses instead of Colby Jack combo. It seems to be a “winner” either way!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins
Cooks.com

1 2/3 cups all purpose flour*
¾ cup sugar
1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup pumpkin
½ cup butter, melted
1 cup chocolate chips

In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the flour, sugar, pie spice, soda, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, combine eggs, pumpkin and butter; whisk until blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour over dry ingredients and fold in with spatula until moistened. Spoon batter into greased muffin cups. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until puffed and springy to touch. Turn out onto rack and cool. Makes 12-14 muffins.

*Gluten free flour or baking mix can be substituted with yummy results!

I'm not a good cook.

I'm really not. I have good intentions, just not that intuitiveness that is key to consistently good meals. However, I DO have a few tried and true recipes that ALWAYS get me into trouble at parties: they give the impression that I'm a good cook. I just know a good recipe when I see one. So, I wanted to share two that we use at this time of year.

*Beware, if you make one of these, people will think you're a good cook, too!

*Ginger-Cranberry Chutney

1 package (12 oz.) cranberries
1 large tart apple, peeled, cored & diced
3/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup unsweetened apple juice concentrate
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 Tbls. grated orange peel
1 ts. ground allspice
1-1/2 ts. ground ginger
1/4 ts. ground cloves
1/4 ts. cayenne pepper
3 packages (8 oz.) cream cheese
Crackers

In a saucepan, combine cranberries, apple, sugar, apple juice, raisins, lemon juice, orange peel & spices. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered for 25 minutes or until thickened. Cool. Serve 1 cup of chutney over each package of cream cheese. Spread on crackers.

*Sweet Potato Bake

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Ready In: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yields: 7 servings

Ingredients:
(Main):
3 ½ cups mashed sweet potatoes
¼ cup milk
¼ cup orange juice
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup white sugar
½ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter, softened
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
(Topping):
¼ cup butter, softened
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
½ cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup chopped pecans

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease one 2-quart casserole dish.
2. In a large bowl, blend together the sweet potatoes, milk, orange juice, eggs, vanilla, sugar, salt, butter, nutmeg and cinnamon.Pour into prepared casserole dish.
3. Mix together the ¼ cup butter, brown sugar, flour and pecans; sprinkle over sweet potatoe mixture.
4.Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes.

From Allrecipes.com

I saw the sweetest thing today...

...ICE CREAM. My three kids were sharing it. That's right. SHARING. Without encouragement from me. Granted, it WAS ice cream. They each had a different flavor and all eagerly wanted to try them all out. However, they were negotiating and licking and tasting without a referee. It was really SWEET!

Halloween

I'm going for a record number of entries since I started blogging 18 months ago. I swear this is because the days are going by more quickly as my kids get older. The more activities we have to write about, the more quickly the time passes!

Tonight I asked my friend, Wendy, "How do you make yourself sit and enjoy yourself without getting mad or stressed--without even taking pictures? Even then you are watching through a lens and you're not really enjoying yourself. She assured me I'd be able to do that when my kids are older. I could only think that by then they won't want me to watch them, let alone take pictures of them!

So tonight, I tried to sit and watch the kids play their games, pass out candy and interact with the other kids at the ward trunk or treat. I don't do that enough. In the kids' classrooms this year I didn't sign up to run a booth or do anything other than provide supplies and be there to watch. I actually had fun, had time to hug them both and laugh at their antics. It was a good feeling to just watch and see what they enjoy. I still had to take pictures, though!

Old mommy saw too many farms...

Well, not really, but I think I'm done visiting farms for the year. It's just too cold. Like 60 degrees. Only in Phoenix, Arizona, would 60 degrees and some wind be considered legitimate excuses to suffer on a field trip and cancel baseball practice. I even thought to myself when considering whether to leave my jacket on the bus today, "It's 60 degrees, how wonderful! Enjoy it!" So I headed out with 100 first graders and had to get a sub for my group as I headed right back to the bus for my jacket. I guess a 30 degree swing in temperature in two days can do that to a girl. I did survive, though, and came out ahead with 6 radishes, 2 cucumbers, a zucchini, 1 pumpkin and the delight of my 7 year old who still thinks it's great that his mom is riding on the bus with him and his friends. Priceless.

From Collages

On Friday we celebrated Matt's 42nd with a visit to Schnepf Farm in Queen Creek, AZ. Quite a little jaunt, but well worth the drive and the $12 each (Stewart is still endearlingly free). After arriving at 2 p.m., we hit the hayride, Whitney had her face painted, we checked out the Arizona mushy pumpkin patch and overall enjoyed the beautiful farm and wide open spaces and mature trees. Eight hours later, the kids still didn't want to go home. Because we started in the day, they were able to ride all the rides without a wait. Stewart LOVED the roller coaster and swings. Unbeknownst to us, he rode well under the height requirement. That night, we paid the price when his passage was denied for a repeat. Whitney even 'tried' the roller coaster, something we've been practicing, and she decided she probably didn't like it. I was proud of her for trying. We rode the train at dusk, the perfect time to ride before the 'spooks' turned scary. Then we ended the night by roasting marshmallows and listening to some blue grass music. I loved the carousel, the gocarts, and the numerous playyards, treehouses, trains and places for the kids to run. We'll definitely return. Next year.

From Collages

A Halloween craft?

OK, so I've never posted a craft on my blog, but I love reading other people's blogs for craft ideas. This one turned out so cute, I just had to share it. The idea came from a MOMS Club activity that we weren't able to attend. I was excited when a friend made them at her daughter's birthday party, where we made the kids' t-shirts. From there, we made dad a shirt for his birthday.

The kids' upside down footprint made the perfect ghost. Their hands (minus the thumb) overlapping at the palm made a scary spider, even fuzzy around the edges. I thought it especially clever to add my OWN hand print spider right on his shoulder. :) Regular acrylic paint worked just great and washing the shirts beforehand prepares the surface better to absorb the paint. We used fabric paint for the eyes.

It took 3 tries to get the transfer to work right, but it was pretty easy once I followed the directions on the package. I didn't know about the mirror image feature in Word/Publisher, but it worked just like it said it would to rotate the text and pictures before printing them on the transfer paper. This feature can be found under the 'Arrange' button, then select, 'Flip horizontally.'

TIPS: Use a paper plate under the prints when using black paint so the color doesn't bleed through to the other side. Have a bucket of water handy to rinse off the paint.

MOMS: Make a shirt for you, too!

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

This is my last list. I really want a real telescope and a Bakugan set and Magic Tree House Books 31-100 and one baby sister. Can you give me a list of where the reindeer go?

a maid
a motorhome
I will get a kite [for the reindeer]

from Casper
10-21-2009

A is for Apple

Autumn day, autumn day,
God gives richest gifts today.
Look on every side and see
Pleasant things for you and me.
Apples red and apples yellow,
Round and juicy, sweet and mellow,
Load the trees till they bend over
And their branches brush the clover.
Child, be glad with all that lives,
But forget not God, who gives.

I just love this time of year as the weather realizes the calendar page has turned to October. This Primary song was a perfect description of our trip to Utah to pick apples and celebrate Fall with our families. The first branch we picked from was literally broken from all the fruit and the kids ate apples nonstop, right off the trees. I enjoyed watching JoAnn's patience with the kids as she shared her process of making homemade applesauce.

Early this afternoon Stewart and I spent the day OUTSIDE while he rode Whitney's scooter and I put out Halloween decorations. After school, Whitney and Casper are playing OUTSIDE on our half-built playyard. Acorn squash is baking in the oven, stuffed with sausage and apples from my mother-in-law's apple tree.

I WAS THANKFUL I wasn't sweating!

I AM THANKFUL no one is fighting!
I AM THANKFUL dinner is done!

I AM JUST SO GRATEFUL.

A nice, early beginning to the season of Thanksgiving.

Personal Patination

Our Relief Society lesson on Sunday was on Elder Holland's talk, "None Were with Him." It was taught by a beautiful woman, Virginia Cook, whom I had never met before, except by reputation as a very talented artist, an oil painter. She was very gracious and well spoken, so it was especially easy to be taught by the spirit.

She began the discussion having people share examples of when they had felt alone--divorce, a wayward child, loss of a job, going away to college, family disagreements, or especially those times when we can't share with people when or why we feel alone, maybe because it isn't appropriate, it's too painful, or someone else just wouldn't understand. We've all been there.

There is only one person that understands all suffering of this kind, because He has literally felt the pains of all that's possible to experience: our Savior, Jesus Christ. In Alma 7:11-12, Alma the prophet describes Jesus' suffering and its purpose,

"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."

Elder Holland so eloquently describes how Jesus Christ's "supporting circle got smaller and smaller and his lonely journey back to His Father continued without companionship," even until He suffered the greatest of pain, the withdrawal of His Father. All so that He could know how to 'succor his people,' even when we sin and the Father's spirit withdraws.

Sister Cook then shared the example of painting a still life of a silver pitcher. There isn't a silver color or paint you use, you must paint the reflection of all that is around the silver item to give it shape and its beautiful patina. When silver is fired to rid it of impurities and make it stronger, it is placed in the center of the heat, at its hottest point. However, it can never be left, or it will be ruined if left too long. The artist knows when the silver has reached its potential, or silver patina, when he can see himself in the silver, or its reflection. I thought this was a beautiful metaphor for the atonement. When we allow the Master to work in our lives through difficult experiences and the healing effects of the atonement, we gain that beautiful patina only achieved through living His teachings. We then reflect it wherever we go and others can then see themselves as children of God in the shininess of our 'patina.'

I gained a better understanding of how much my Savior loves me and wants me to utilize His atonement. The pain I feel sometimes is not fun. However, I certainly need some 'polishing.' I had to reaffirm to myself Elder Holland's quote, "May we declare ourselves more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in word only, but in deed, in courage and in faith. May we stand by Jesus Christ at all times and in all things and in all places that we may be in, even until death; for surely that is how he stood by us when it was unto death and when he had to stand entirely and utterly alone." Because our Savior stood alone, we don't ever have to.

My mom's day

Today is my mom's birthday. She is 61 today (sorry, mom!)

I remember when my brother graduated from high school in 1993 and she cried and cried because the doctor had told her years ago that if she decided to have children, due to her health, she wouldn't see us graduate from high school. A morbid thought, but one I'm sure she thought about often in her life. Yet, she still chose to have my brother and me. She raised us, too, and now has lived to see not only our high school graduations, but our college graduations, marriages, and to know and love her four grandchildren, 16 years later.

I talked to her this morning as she headed home after her nail appointment and she giggled over Stewart's cute comments and my terrible singing of, "Happy Birthday." We talked about how hard it was for her to see me grow up with diabetes as she felt responsible and worried for me. Some days she probably regretted her choice, for my sake. I don't--which helps me through those days of regret as I watch my own son grow up with diabetes and other, even more difficult health challenges.

Motherhood is an awesome responsibility and a terrific blessing, too. On a few days thrown in there, it is a tremendous burden. Those are the days, though, that help us moms feel grateful for the days when our kids run to us, smiling, to tell us about some accomplishment, a kind word from a friend, a coveted invitation to a birthday party. The days when they wrap their arms around you or play a game with their brother or sister. I'm so grateful for my mom and how she plugged away, living life and being a mom. She has the greatest ideas--like that sticker collection book she made me from slide protectors. She always made the best Halloween costumes and was able to alter any dress for high school dances. She made clothes for my dolls, decorated the house, tole painted and showed us how to work hard in the yard and towards any goal that is worth working for.

After going to beauty school when I was 4 years old, she seemed to do everyone's hair in the neighborhood. In fact, I never had anyone else cut, perm or cut my hair until I was 23 year old and on my mission! She taught me to love crafts and to write thank you notes. She did all the chauffering to piano lessons, school, seminary and sports events and helped host sorority and church parties for my friends. Even when I forgot my lunch or school project, she always saved my day. She even took us toilet papering! She also always listened to my ramblings, even late at night, after dates, and the phone calls from college. She still does!

I'm so grateful for all my mom still does for me and my kids. I love you! Happy Birthday, Mom!

Fall, for me

The transition from summer to fall, that significant weekend of Labor Day, always symbolizes change and new things to come. It's the start of a new school year, the start of autumn and all its festivities. I love it! I think the most memorable of school years was starting junior high at Bonneville in 1986 (and how terrified I was) and BYU with Jennifer in August of 1991 (and how terrified I was). For our family, Labor Day also marks the start of the holiday season, beginning with my parents' anniversary (see picture below) on September 5.


The end of August has since become significant for me for a lot of other reasons, more important than any school year or holiday celebration. I was set apart as a missionary and entered the MTC on August 30 in 1995. The fall always reminds me of those two months in Provo where my testimony of Jesus Christ grew more than any other time in my life.



Five years later, Matt and I were officially 'engaged' on Labor Day in 2000. He drove 12 hours from California to bring me the beautiful ring he had picked out. We had a memorable barbecue in my parents' backyard that Labor Day weekend with my parents and my brother, Ben, and and his new wife, Launi (just married on August 9, 2000).



Just two short years later, our first son, Casper, entered the world at 8:15 a.m. on August 31, 2002. Matt's and my life were changed forever. We became parents.


Now, Casper's 7th birthday, we've become acutely aware of how quickly the 'Labor Days' keep coming. The new school years aren't ours anymore, but our childrens'. If we're lucky, it will soon be their missions and their weddings we'll celebrate.

So, how did we celebrate?



Thursday last week was an 'early release' day from school and I picked up the kids and 3 of Casper's friends for lunch at KFC and bowling. What a crazy time! At first, all patrons had to fear for their toes as 4 seven year olds threw, dropped, slid and launched bowling balls of all weights and colors down lanes 32 and 33 (and 1 time down lane 31). Lucky for us, no one was hurt and not one game was interrupted. We got it down by the end, though, and Stewart, the lucky guy, not only won the game with 120 points, but got the only strike of the day. He also walked away with his own pair of bowling shoes, compliments of the lady at the front desk. It pays to be cute!! We capped off the celebration with dishes of ice cream and headed home.

We're grateful that Casper is part of our family! He's grown so much in these last seven years, we have to fold him in half just to sit on our laps at church!

Casper, we're just glad you still want to sit on our laps! We love how much you love toys and how much you love your little brother. We love your artwork and craft projects and most of all, we love you! Happy Birthday!

Back in School

Whitney and Casper started school again on August 10, which seems early to me, not to mention that it's still over 100 degrees! The day went much better than when Casper started kindergarten last year; it does help to have some experience and to have a helpful husband in tow.

Whitney was the most excited to start kindergarten--to have a class and teacher of her own and to be with all the new kids. The little boy sitting right next to her, Jose, just happened to be someone she knew from her little preschool last year, so that helped break the ice. When I stopped in for Casper's lunch check, the look on her face said, "Why are you here, mom?" I had been worried that she wouldn't be ready because her birthday is so late, but I feel very comfortable with it, now. When she got home at 3:40, she STILL wasn't tired!





Casper has a great teacher, Ms. Maitner. I honestly haven't heard much from Casper about his time at school. Each time I went into his classroom, it was totally quiet and all the kids were working. I need to get some tips! I'm guessing Casper will have a lot of pent up energy this year, but I couldn't be happier about the care and learning environment they are both in. I do miss both of them, especially the fun things we get to do together. However, I don't miss the 'fighting' and it's been nice for Stewart and me to get to play. The house is actually cleaner, already!

I loved the pictures from the bus stop at the end of the day--the first words out of Whitney's mouth were, "I was SO scared, mom, I didn't want to ride the bus without Casper, but he was so nice and let me sit by him, I was SO scared." Her next words were, "I can't wait to ride the bus in the morning!"

Dog days of summer

The one good thing about it being so warm in the day here is that the pool is like a big bathtub at night. I couldn't resist this picture of Stewart falling asleep in the pool in the floatie; it reminded me that the summer is coming to an end and we have a few days to sit back and relax before the hectic schedule begins on August 10.

I have mixed feelings. While it's been a great summer with lots of fun with our family and friends, I will be glad for the normal schedule, cooler temperatures and the fun school activities in the fall. While I'm excited for Whitney to start kindergarten (where has the time gone?), I don't agree with such a long school day from 8:40 - 3:40. It'll be a big adjustment for the kids to be gone from home so long. It'll be an adjustment for Stewart. It'll be an adjustment for me.

To give summer a big farewell, we've been keeping busy. At the end of July, my mom (Grandma Casper) came to visit and help me out with some medical appointments while Matt was on Reserve Duty. The kids enjoyed her stories, movies and Diet Coke!



The next weekend, we went camping with our friends, the Carlsons. They are terrific people and easy to be with. Matt and I were unusually stressed as Matt got home from his two week reserve duty just hours before we headed up to Mormon Lake and we forgot quite a few things, but Matt did get out on the canoe with Mark, Bella and Joshua, and Casper and Whitney. Carla is a great cook and I'd go camping with her, anytime! One highlight was the game, Splash Out, where you pass around a ball filled with a water balloon that breaks when the time runs out...the kids and adults loved it!





Today we went to the Childrens' Museum for several hours with Cambria and her Grandma, Judy. The kids kept so busy, it was 4 p.m. before we knew it. I loved watching them all interact together in the exhibits.





I've been letting the kids use my camera (yikes!) for summer projects. Casper is making a Star Wars still shot movie that I'm still trying to set to music (to be posted later) and Whitney spent quite a lot of time posing her dog, Shotzy. It's really cool to see your kids grow up and do things they've never done before.



Last on our summer list was getting our new baby, Ping. This is Casper's insulin pump. We'll keep you updated on the progress, but overall we're excited to have him join our family. The first 3 weeks have been rocky, but I think I've gotten the basal rates to a point that Casper actually woke up with a blood sugar of 93 yesterday and today and has stayed within 30 points of that, even after eating. It's made a huge difference in how Casper feels (and in how he acts).

Enjoy your 'dog days of summer' while they're still here!

P.S.NOT part of my summer enjoyment were the TWO speeding tickets I received in July from the 'Automated Traffic Enforcement' cameras that are so famous on our lovely Phoenix freeways. I haven't driven I-17 South all that often, so I missed the short speed trap that drops to 55. I was driving 66 and 67 mph. Each ticket is $181.50!! I could have bought some really cute clothes! :(

Date with the dentist

I just had to post this picture of my kids' last visit to the dentist. Not a tear, complaint or whine from the bunch, not even from Stewart. All came away with no cavities, too. I have to give the dentist and his assistant full credit for their calm manner and patience in describing each instrument and procedure. As you can see, Stewart sat without restraints during his cleaning. Kudos to Dr. Ellis, too, for challenging both Whitney and Casper to join the 'Thumbs Out' Club and stop sucking their thumbs. From that visit on, both are still thumb free during the night and all day long (only one relapse from Whitney). In combo with Ronelle's application of that 'nasty stuff' while we were at the beach, we just might be done with the thumbs. Now, what to do with Stewart's fingers? He just laughs when we put on the 'nasty stuff' and pops those babies right back in his mouth. :)

Sand between my toes

Seven loads of laundry later, I'm STILL walking around at home, feeling sand in between my toes left over from the beach...or is it just that I'm dreaming I'm still at the beach?

Our trip to Refugio State Beach over the 4th of July was certainly one of those vacations that has been hard to recover from. Foremost, we really miss being with our friends from Ridgecrest. The kids especially miss the freedom to run and roam with their buds in the water, in the sand and in the campground. It was so refreshing to see them all get along without any residual pushing or shoving. I surprised myself with a morning of Boogie Boarding that started out with a mouthful of water. Matt captured that moment perfectly (refer to slideshow). Whitney surprised me, too, with her joy in the water and in the sand, where before she's always been afraid or bored. Casper was determined to take both Stewarts (his brother and the Call's son) boogie boarding, though they weren't too interested in the water. Casper did great on the board! Looking for treasures in the tide pools was really beautiful and fun in the mornings. We also enjoyed sharing our campfires and food and funny stories while the kids gorged themselves on bags of marshmallows every night.

Casper has a totally new attitude about putting on his vest now that Mackay, Colin and Simon all gave it a try.

I already really miss some of the women I love most in the world--the ones who have helped me to be a better mom and person (you know who you are)! That Mongolian BBQ we ate for Kathryn's bday wasn't bad, either! Matt and I had our first date in a really long time thanks to Charity and Ben Call watching our kids while a few couples went to a great steakhouse in Solvang. We so owe you!

The 4th of July started out with a traditional parade around the campground and we couldn't be left out. Matt was very proud of his new bike and seat for the kids. It was something to watch him stay balanced!

Yes, I still haven't recovered...and I hope that sand stays between my toes until next summer. Thanks for such a great time!

Our 'Junebug' turns 5!

On our way home from the airport to pick up Matt after 2 long weeks without him, we stopped to eat at Sweet 'Potatoes,' the kids' favorite restaurant. As I watched the kids climb on their favorite dad, I was struck by the fact that it was Whitney's last night as a 4 year old and a lump got stuck in my throat...she's not a preschooler, anymore. In fact, she dressed herself that morning in one of her cutest outfits, matching headband, handbag and shoes. She even wet down her hair and combed it so that the curls went just right. She is a beautiful girl that wears size 6X clothes, size 11 shoes and...a bike helmet made for kids age 14 and older!!!! I could hardly believe it and neither could my witness, the Walmart clerk. It seriously is the first one that fit properly. I'll update my post with a cute photo of her on her new Barbie scooter from Grandma (wearing her new helmet, of course!)





We had a fun time with Whitney and her little friends at the Splash park near our house with McDonalds' lunch and cupcakes. I love you and am proud of you, Whitney and am so glad that you're part of my life! Happy Birthday, sweetie!

Our Cinco de Mayo Celebration

Do your kids ever inspire you to do things that, afterwards, you're so glad you did? Mine do, all the time, if I let them. Casper insisted all weekend that we make a pinata like they were making at school. I listened to him and, with a little guidance from the internet and from him, a quick shopping trip for balloons and newspaper, we actually pulled it off! After our family home evening lesson on Monday, we all helped glue tissue paper over the newspaper-covered form and dad figured out how to attach it to a rope (we'd forgotten to attach a hook before doing the paper mache work). Before I knew it, Casper had written out invitations to kids in the neighborhood for his 'Cinco de Mayo' party, and Whitney and I were off to the store again for a bag of candy, some chips and salsa and snow cone syrups. I made a few more calls during the day to friends and we had 16 kids and 5 moms show up for a fun after school event. I think the picture of Casper with that big smile on his face says it all. How did YOU celebrate 'Cinco de Mayo?'



That same day, Whitney had her dance class. I took a video that's about 2 mintues long. If you have the time to watch it, it'll probably make you laugh. Thanks for reading!

Stew is two!

It's great to be two and we celebrated in style with all of Stewart's 'favorite things:' a train park, slides, swings, new sand toys, bubbles and many of his favorite friends. It worked out that his birthday landed on an early release day for Casper, so we were able to leave at noon and arrive in time for lunch of grilled hotdogs, chips, Stewart soda, fruit and gogurts. The Sesame Street cupcakes were a hit, as were the fun gifts of a giant Elmo, an Elmo magnadoodle, a new dumptruck for the sandbox, a mini Thomas the Train, cars and a Little People Noah's ark. Of course, Casper and Whitney could hardly wait to break open all the new toys. The weather was perfect and the kids still didn't want to leave 3 hours later! The best present was that Grandma and Grandpa C came for the party on an airplane and stayed all weekend! We love Stewart and are so glad he's part of our family!

Good Carma

My kids enjoyed having two moms for a brief weekend at the end of February when Carma Carrick came to visit. Stewart, Casper and Whitney also liked having a cute doll of a baby 'sister' to play with. Comparing Chloe to Stewart really emphasized how big he is and that he'll be two in just a few short weeks. While Carma was here, she helped me decide on colors and actually paint Whitney's room that so sadly has looked like a boy's room for two years. It was a little stressful trying to paint with 4 little kids around, but we got it done in about five hours!! It looks really fun and Whitney and Stewart both love dancing around in the room. We haven't even put up the blinds, yet because the sun makes the whole room look like a beautiful sunset. I'll post more pictures once I have the wall stickers of flowers put up. On Saturday night Carma and I had our own night out at the Melting Pot for gourmet fondue and we literally ate for two hours, testing all the yummy meats, veggies, cheese sauce and chocolate. It was a late birthday treat for both of us full of fun conversation! We love you Carma and are so glad you came! We can't wait to see you at the beach in July!

8 years and counting!

I haven't been able to find our CD of pictures from our wedding, so that tells me we've been married long enough to move 3 times and have at least that many children...yep, we're celebrating 8 years of marriage! We realized, too, that we forgot to get a babysitter again, so we'll be staying in to have dinner with the kids. Our anniversary kind of gets forgotten after the busy holidays. I remember, though, how lucky I am to have a husband that loves and cares about me and would do just about anything to make me happy. I'm glad that I chose someone that will help get the kids out the door to school in the morning and dinner on the table after a tiring weekend so I can take a nap. He sings the kids to sleep at night. He loves to play legos and Star Wars with Casper. He helps Whitney find a burp cloth for her babies and gives 'horse rides' to all 3 kids at once. I'm glad that he'll brave taking us all canoeing and camping and on long road trips and will wait in the car while I 'just run in to the store.' Matt's a gem and I'm lucky he's my husband. Thanks for 8 awesome years and I hope that the next 8 are even better!

Santa made a mistake!

To my surprise this year, Santa brought me a dollhouse! It was the one I've always wanted, but Whitney was sure it was for her! :) Needless to say, we've ALL had fun playing with the fun detailed furniture and twin babies with a mom and dad. When my brother's 5 year old son, Jackson, came over to play with Casper's Star Wars Legos, Casper was more excited about having Jackson see the Dad unload the groceries from the minivan than he was about having a war. My brother was NOT pleased. I was, though. Imagine how much Casper's wife will thank me...

From Collages

We had a great Christmas in Utah, though in the future, we'll probably have to wait until the day after Christmas to leave. Santa's sleigh was almost too full to be a surprise. We did really enjoy seeing so many of our family and even got a visit in to the Andersons and the Carricks.

Matt and I took the kids sledding and skiing during out trip and I was really surprised at how well the kids did. The highlight of the final day of skiing, though, was the snowmobile ride the kids got when they got too tired to finish the last run of the day. I think we were the last ones on the hill. Thanks to the courtesy driver at Alta!