I'M A WEENA!!!

After two very intense weeks, the blog challenge is over. In case you forgot, my friend, Mindy, posted a blog challenge for 14 days. Fourteen different topics to blog about. I must say, it was a lot of fun. And not knowing what the prize was, made it that much more fun! So I was sitting in my room having some 'mommy time' when there was a knock at the door. I figured I'd let the kids answer it since it was most likely for one of them. But no, it was Mindy, delivering this! I won!! Even though I had the most entries in the drawing (you get more entries for tags you participated in) I thought for sure someone else would be chosen...cuz that's just the luck I have. I only wish she would have stayed so I could hug her! So thanks, Mindy, I love it! And I feel like I owe you some babysitting so you can have a nap after staying up until 2 AM to finish it!!!

Gripe Session Tag

Here's your assignment: It's time for a good vent session. For all you moms out there who get tired of picking up after the members of your family, or straightening the cushions on the couch; this is for you.



Step 1: Walk around your house and find (get a picture if you can..) three things out of place or not put away properly, then take a minute and vent about how much it bugs you or how NOT fun it is to clean it up 20 times a day. We moms are hard working ladies. We do our best to keep our homes in great shape (well for me that's not every day...) so take a minute and complain (don't worry, I won't tell.....) A little gripe therapy is always useful!!



1) Books all over the floor. Usually it's full of clothes, too.

2) Dishes on the counter. I don't even require them to be put into the dishwasher right away. The sink is RIGHT THERE!

3) Stuff all over the family room. We do not live in a dump! Pick up after yourself!!!!

Step 2: Now that you've got your venting out of the way, take a minute and write a sentence or two about how much you love those family members who can drive you nuts.

1) He is only four. And it's not like I have a bookcase for his books to go in. They just sit on his dresser with a couple bookends. When I ask him, he is pretty good about picking them up. Nathan is all-around a fun, cooperative kid.

2) I won't name the one who started this....but everyone followed suite. At least they don't leave them on the table. And after dinner, they each take turns doing the dishes. I really appreciate the help they are to me.

3) I would rather that all the kids have fun memories together than have a perfectly clean house. A messy room shows we live here and they are having fun. Again, they pick it up when asked, so how can I complain?!

What's on the Menu Tag

5 Favorite Meals to Cook

Hmmmm.....that's a tough one. I don't enjoy cooking, so my favorite meal to cook would be anything I don't have to cook. So instead, I'll list my family's favorites...

1. Sweet n' Sour Chicken (My mom's recipe....lots of sugar!)
2. Steak (Randy actually cooks this on the grill- does that count?)
3. Fettucine Alfredo (from a jar, baby!)
4. Chicken Pillows (An old Releif Society recipe that goes by many names...)
5. Pasta (yes, I do make my own sauce....)

5 Favorite Restaurants and what you order

1. Olive Garden- salad and breadsticks
2. Union Grill- salad..love the capers!
3. Timbermine- yum-o steak
4. The Mayan- bean burrito...not so much for the food, but it's so much fun, the kids LOVE it!
5. Chili's- steak fajitas...I've tried, but I just can't duplicate them!

5 Favorite anything to eat

My taste changes depending on the day, and So I'll do my best....

1. Anything someone else fixes for me. ;)
2. Candy- pretty much any- it can't be chocolate. Starbursts and Boston Baked Beans are up there. I don't care for Mike 'N Ike's, though.
3. Bean Dip...not the stuff from a can. I like a good seven layer dip- hot or cold.
4. Fresh Veggies and ranch dip...sugar snap peas, cauliflower, warm grape tomatoes and zucchini are my favorite
5. A good steak- from a good steakhouse. The best was at the old Salt City Jail that is no longer.
:(

My Kiddos

Whew! At least I don't have to pick a favorite kid!.....

(I'll add pictures later...we just got home, and I needed to post these before the challenge deadline...so come back later to see pics of all these posts...)

Casey is my oldest. He is not a kid anymore and would rather be with the grown-ups. He just started piano and is taking off like wildfire. He is a pretty persistent kid who can talk anyone into doing just about anything. He'll be a great missionary- and/or salesman, someday! He has a spirit bigger than could ever fit inside his body.

Hailey is my right-hand gal. She can do my job almost as well as I can. She is a terrific babysitter and is very anxious to start babysitting "for real"! She has had a few jobs watching my friends' kids and has done a fantastic job. Whenever I need something done, I ask Hailey. She is a very talented girl who catches onto things easily.


Tyler is my quiet one. Most of the time, I have to ask him to pipe up so I can hear him. But then, when he really wants to be heard, he makes sure he is. He is sensitive and pays attention to details. He is always creating things with paint, scissors, glue, tape, markers and anything else he can get his hands on! He is a pretty great kid!


Hannah is always happy. And I mean that. There is not much that gets this girl down. She has a smile that lights up the room. She is a good listener and big sister. She plays well with anyone and everyone. She never forgets a friend. She loves animals and I wouldn't be surprised if someday she lived on a farm with dozens of them.

Nathan is a hoot. He is always making me laugh. He is the kind if person everyone wants to be around! Ever since he was a tiny baby, he has had this personality that draws you to him. He can be spunky one minute and cuddly the next. But even at his worst, he's fun to be around. He is so smart, he continually amazes me with the wheels spinning inside his head.

Emma is my baby. She thinks she's as big as the rest of the kids. She has figured out her place in the family, and how to get what she wants. Her vocabulary has increased ten-fold in the past couple months! If I trip or hurt myself, she asks, "Tay?" She loves to undress herself and is perfectly happy being naked. She likes me to lay on the pillow next to hers and rub her head as she gets ready to sleep.

My Favorite Summertime Activity

Need I say more?

My Favorite Room in the House

Choose another Favorite? Seriously? I love all the rooms for different reasons.

I love the kids' rooms because that means quiet time for me.

I love the family room because that means we are all together.

I love the living room because that means we have friends over.

I love the kitchen because...well, wait a minute- I take it back- I don't really love the kitchen.

I love my bedroom because that means I am either relaxing in the tub, or sleeping.

I just love home.

Keepin' Cool in the Summer

We love taking trips together. We have made a tradition of going to the only 'beach' nearby each summer. I know it looks cloudy, but the water really is clear. (The kids had just been doing 'sand angels' and stirred up the sand....)