So, so sorry to keep you all waiting!

I know I'm so popular you all have been dying to know what we've been up too! (said sarcastically!)

In June, I worked hard in training for Ragnar and then ran it. I think I did well. M.C.'s cast came off which he absolutely loved! I gave a talk in sacrament meeting, went to girls camp, ran Ragnar, and camped out all in one week. Starr and Dimples started participating in a Library Mentor Reading program. They love to read and are doing very well. The three oldest started playing piano again. Love to hear them.

In July, We hiked Adams Canyon in Davis County. We had fun and I know we have pics but I'll have to post them later. I ran in the Riverdale "Old Glory Days" 5k with My S.I.L. Net. It was her first race and she was amazing! So proud of her. I ran a 6 mile trail run with my pals then went for a hike with the family up Waterfall Canyon. I must've twisted my knee or something sometime because I limped down the trail once we got out of tree cover. Ugh! I really need my knee back! I have a 10k in Sept. I'm training for! Starr got to go to Lagoon with two of my brothers and their kids. She had so much fun with them! Thanks guys! We've gone: swimming lots, to see fireworks, and to lots of bbq's and parties. The kids all have swim lessons and they are doing so well! Starr also got to attend a Babysitting class at McKay-Dee Hospital, which she enjoyed and learned a few things to help out with others.

There's more to come I'm sure, so for now, See ya!

Our Valentine's weekend

*Warning: Be prepared to read for a bit*

Valentines Day is a Monday. That means the kids are in school and Stephen has to work. So the last couple days have been our Valentine's weekend. Saturday, the girls got to have a, or go to a, sleepover. They all had fun and enjoyed their time with their friends. I had an early morning meeting-it was at 9 which is early for a Saturday! So Stephen made breakfast for the boys and girls and played referee. When I got back he and his sister went hiking and I waited for Brake-Time Bobs to call about the car, I wrote about that earlier. We finally got the car back and Bob said the engine's real good, he was impressed with it and knows we plan on keeping that car for a long time. (That car will be the one that Becks gets to drive in about 3 years.) Later, much later, that night, Stephen took me to Outback steakhouse for dinner. Problem for me was, it was too late. Eating at 9 p.m. and my lovely stomach acid issues don't combine. I brought home my delicious sandwich and Stephen enjoyed his rack of lamb. We had fun either way, I got to talk with him while he ate-guess who did most of the talking. We came home and helped Becks get the kids to bed.
Let's move on to Sunday.
My wonderful friends were blessing their cute son yesterday. We were invited to a brunch and then to their sacrament meeting. They were just sealed on Saturday to the cute little guy, making their family a family of four. They are amazing people, so filled with the spirit and so excited for life that you can't help but want to be their friends and friends with their friends. Anyway, after we visited with them and others we went home. Stephen and his sister sue planned on hiking again. He begged me to come with them all-cuz the kids weren't going to pass this up again. He said "It would mean the world to me" if I went with them. How can a wife say no, I hate hiking, after that card has been pulled? I went with them and actually kinda enjoyed it. We hiked up to the "BL", then to some silver square thing (which I thought was our destination-Wrong!), and then a little bit further up. I did okay. I filled my hiking quota, anything else will have to involve money I think. On the way up, M.C. found the cactus, with his knee and finger tips. Thanks to aunt Susie, the prickly hairs didn't stay long in his fingers and thanks to his pants they didn't stick to his knee. The next thing M.C. said was- he didn't want to see anymore cactus. While continuing our hike, M.C. said- Cactus are mean! It was pretty funny, poor kid. We made it up the rest of the way without any further contact with Cactus or falling down in the dirt. The way down was great, Stephen found a herd of deer, we got pics of it and other things that I will post differently. I know why it's faster to come down a mountain hike, but I still think going up to be easier for some reason. I didn't complain too much about the hike this time, so most likely I'll go on another one.
We ate dinner with Stephen's parents and sister. We played Zombie dice and worked on a puzzle of New York City. We came home and eventually went to bed.
This morning, the girls got up and made themselves pretty for school since it was Valentines day and all that. Dimples wore a shirt and tie to school because they are having a dance with all the 1st graders. (I'm so excited to see this!) It's kinda just a regular day for me, nothing special til later when the hubby gets home.

A Clean house....

or so I thought I could have one. Yeah, right! With kids and a dog in our small place, there is only a small window of opportunity to see my place clean. But I try. Every day I try. Well, Last week I was able to make sure one of our closets stayed in order, paint the floor boards in the kitchen, move Jake's kennell and the Baker's Rack back into the kitchen and then clean the front room carpet the next day or two. I'm so excited I was able to do this. I love having my carpet look nice and since I have to wait for funds to be saved again for carpet, I can at least clean it for now. It looks really nice. I even re-rinsed it the next day because I felt like there were sticky spots from the soap. Ugh! but it is now nice and clean. I really should post some pics of my finally done kitchen and mostly clean front room. Maybe. We'll see.
I did get to spend some fabulous time with some fabulous friends! I love having the time to be with them and just sit and talk. And cuddle with their babies and such since my own kiddos have grown. We had some yummy crepe's with banana's, peaches, nutella, cream cheese, and a yummy sauce I make. We had fun at Lisa's place. I cooked while Lisa and Amanda got to talk. We all had fun and missed some friends who couldn't make it. Hopefully next time!
Girl #2 received a Student of the Month award in her class and she also received an award for being there everyday on time. Her teacher really likes having her in class. Girl #2 is always helpful, cheerful, sincere, and especially kind to everyone. She even helps kids if they don't understand something and she has already finished. Girl#2 did really, really well on the block tests they take in school and that are a few reasons for her receiving her award. I feel bad that Boy #1 didn't get that award cuz of his asthma, but that is how it goes. He still does very well in school and I know he works hard.
Sorry for the novel, but this is a continuing one right? a blog, is just the novel of our lives? Yep, I sure think so.

Blah....Just emptying out my thoughts

This post is sort of an update-y thing.
Thursday at Book Club we talked a little bit about Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. It is a really good book, but eh, I like romance in my adventure like books. This one lacked a little bit. It was still good, and I know I'll re-read it several times, and I would recommend it. We also had a baby shower for one of the girls in the club. She is having her first baby after having had some struggles, so I was so excited for her. She and her hubby will be great parents.
Friday, I got to take dinner to my Bro. and S.I.L. who had a baby a week ago. I was so excited to see her again. They have a blog, and it's on my list that I like to read, titled I need some Chocolate. Their little girl is so blasted cute, I could just hold her and hold her. I may be a little biased as she is my niece, but, ya know, so what. I took them some food from a delicious place. It was so yummy looking that I planned on ordering for Stephen and me later.

I took Boy #1 to soccer practice and then to Winco. I'm not sure you really can get the best savings there, but we'll see. I plan on getting an old grocery list and receipt together & shop at Winco to see if they're any better like most people believe. I'm not sure.
Anyway, I ordered some food, dropped Boy#1 off at home, and left to pick up the food. As I was pulling out of the driveway, my hubby showed up. We left, got the food, came home, got the kids settled, then we watched Sherlock Holmes. It was really good! I was worried that I might have been bored with watching it and fall asleep, but I didn't. I really enjoyed this movie.
Later!

Pizza and the family

Isn't it fun to do things home made. Saturday morning, Stephen went with me to get the boys new shoes and then to do the grocery shopping. He hates to shop, but he willingly went. He helped the boys pick out some shoes. They were a little more than I liked and I probably would have made them choose from the cheapest ones available. It's alright. I'm glad he came.

We went to the grocery store. While I'm pushing the cart and looking at the list knowing where I'm going and what I'm doing, he is following and talking with me. It was pretty nice. He saw some pizza dough and said, "we should make pizza some time." I said how 'bout tonight. So we purchased all we would need to make the pizza and finished shopping.

We went to the park and played and generally had a great day. When we got home we set right to work on getting the pizza made and in the oven 'cuz girl#1 has to go babysitting. I didn't get pics of the kids rolling out the dough, but my hubby finished that part. We put on the sauce and the kids did the rest. They put all the toppings we had on the pizza. WOW! that is a lot of stuff. The best part of this is that I didn't stress or freak out about how they were doing it. This was their creation. I'm quite pleased I didn't freak. Oh, but it tasted so good. I loved it. Two slices to fill ya up with some veggies and all. What a great day. We had us a good time.

What month is it again?

Oh, it's March? Already? What do you mean? Time flies when you can't go workout I guess. Oh, I remember one reason March is so important. Three words. Girl.Scout.Cookies. Oh yeah!!! Samoa's and Thin Mints. You know, these are really helping me with my whole weight loss plan. You know the one, the one I can't do for a whole stupid month thanks to my lame leg. I know, every January or February we buy 'em. We pay for 'em in March and eat them that same day! At least, that is how it used to work for me. I could eat one box of Samoa's in 20 minutes. No joke. Yeah, make ya sick right? Well it didn't then, but now, it hurts my stomach to have too much sugar or to be too full. Do you know how many calories are in a serving size of Samoa's? 150 calories. How many cookies do you get to eat? only 2! yes my friends only 2 cookies for that many calories. Do you know how many I ate yesterday? 6 friggin cookies! But that was throughout the whole day. Nice huh!? I was very pleased with myself. I did very well, not the whole box. Wahoo! Yes I'm very pleased with myself learning to control my desire for these cookies. Don't they just look yummy! I know you want some. You should get some. I just know you should. I'm sure you will find girl scouts out in front of grocery stores or on the sidewalk along Riverdale road. Just one is all you need.

Green Eggs and Ham

Last night was Boy #1's first literacy and math night at school. It was a lot of fun! He colored a Dr. Seuss hat red and white, cut it out, then we stapled a strip of paper to fit his head to the hat. He also showed me how to tell time and they made a game with a clock. It was fun. There was a program. A teacher read parts of "Green Eggs and Ham" while the students recited the not-Sam-I-am parts. I didn't have my camera with me, of course, but we enjoyed having Green Eggs, Ham, a roll and hashbrown for dinner. I didn't know if I could stomach it.

The reason being? Stephen and Girl #1 made green eggs and ham once. While I was in my first trimester of pregnancy with both Girl #2 and Boy #1. I couldn't do it. Stephen has even made green and red eggs for Christmas. I still have a hard time seeing them.

I ate my Green Eggs and Ham meal with my son. It wasn't bad if you can seperate your eyes from your fork as your bringing it to your mouth. They tasted okay too. with ketchup. One more way to make them look gross right? Yeah, that's how it goes. After dinner, Stephen and I took Boy #1 for an ice cream cone. It was fun to have a little us and him time.

Have you Ever wondered?

Have you ever wondered what 10 dozen cookies might look like? That's One-Hundred Twenty cookies. 120. Actually, I made 144+1, but who's counting right? Well I can show you what that looks like minus one. My dog ate the other plate of cookies! Bad dog!
Oh.My. I was mad. If you look carefully, you'll see these are not the store bought cookies people buy from the bakery. I made these by myself. I didn't let the little ones help because they like to lick icing and candies off their fingers as they decorate. As these were not cookies for our home, but a party, I couldn't let them help.
I spent the night before rolling out, cutting out and baking these cute little time consumers. The next day, I spent decorating them, coming up with ideas on how to do just that with as little time spent as possible. That wasn't happening. I spent most of the day making them. Oh well, right. People enjoyed the cookies anyway and thankfully, the dog couldn't reach the other plates at all. I have learned a very important lesson. Just buy cookies!

(Not really, making them is fun and my friends all love them.)

La Ferrovia

This a nice little Italian Restaurant on 25Th Street in Ogden. It has some delicious food. Stephen had their Lasagna and I had Cannelloni. I have never had that before and thought it was wonderful. Stephen enjoyed his lasagna and was stuffed after eating it. I had to bring half of mine home. It was too much to eat at one sitting. They have other things like make your own pizza, calzones, and other pasta dishes. It was terrific. The atmosphere of the place it wonderful and it seems to be kid friendly. We truly enjoyed our time there and had a wonderful dinner. I highly suggest you go there. They have very decent prices and excellent food. The address is 243 25Th street. Parking is along the street or behind the building with a cute entrance there as well. Enjoy!

Two-Bit Street Cafe'

This is a nice little place. It's address is 126 1/2 25Th Street. Just a little East from Wall Ave. Stephen and I went to eat there on Friday. It was fabulous. I loved the way it is decorated, with old fashioned items and pictures and other things. It is really a down to earth place. Stephen has been there before with his previous work for a "Pizza Friday" and he really enjoyed it. So, he has been trying to take me places that he's gone for lunch with other people so I can say "Yay or Nay." We hadn't planned on going, but needed to run a quick errand out that way, and we needed to eat. The food is absolutely delicious. I had ordered a Turkey and Cranberry sandwich with kettle chips and water. It was wonderful. The bread had cranberries in it and there was this sauce-I think it was some sort of cheese-that was just to die for. Oh My! I want to go back just for this sandwich. Stephen ordered a Philly Swiss. Something that he is always wanting. I know he enjoyed his food. We even had dessert! Beer Bread and a few scoops of Rocky Road ice cream. Oh, you'll love the bread, it is good!
So while we were eating our great food, a waitress got out her guitar and started to sing. Her voice warmed up after about 2 songs and she really got comfortable and let it loose. She has a great voice. Kadee Kotter is her name. She really entertained us. She spoke with us and asked questions. She did a very good job. It has got to be hard to get up in front of people and sing and play an instrument, something she did very well. So, if you're ever looking for a place to go eat, whether it be lunch or dinner-they probably do breakfast too, try The Two-Bit Street Cafe' at 126 1/2 on 25Th Street. Just a few doors East of Wall Ave. I believe you'll enjoy it. Make the best of everything!