Little Sahara

Last weekend we wanted to go boating so bad. About a month ago I "saved the date" on my father-in-laws calender so that we would go....but the weather just hasn't been good enough, and I didn't want to drag everybody along to be freezing cold just so I could get me fat butt in the water. So we went to plan B. What is plan B? Plan B is Marks favorite thing to do in the Spring and Fall....the SAND DUNES! Okay, really...we haven't been for about two years. Life changes when you have kids and have to sell all of your toys. Kip & Sier are the lucky ones who have a four wheeler at this house.
We drove down Friday night and came home Sunday afternoon. The weather was perfect...even though I was freezing when I woke up on Saturday morning. It was really everything you'd expect the Sand Dunes to be....hot, sandy, dusty, and fun. The kids had a fun time at Camp, but they loved riding around in the Ranger. We White Trashed it up a little bit, and zip-tied the big Hawaiian vinyl table cloth to the top of it to provide a little shade..... we got a lot of people looking at us, but don't knock it tell ya try it people, it was a huge lifesaver!
We made the best fire pit ever. We drove everywhere in search of just the right rocks...really it was just another excuse to go cruz around and waste a few hours. We also played "Name who Sings it". The first person who names who sings the song gets a point. It's a game Mark started playing a few years ago with some guys at work while they'd be listening to the radio. But, we forgot our radio, so we made up a different version of it (which I thought was a ton of fun, and I hope to play it more often while we're camping). So we had an ipod that we passed around, and the person had to sing along with the song, and the other people had to guess who sung it. Let me tell you it's nice that none of us could really sing! I'll never forget Jamie singing the Aerosmith song, or Jesse singing "I started these gangster hits". I think Jesse ended up winning.
Needless to say we had a good time, and everybody was safe. The four-wheelers ran, and the 5th wheel is the only way to go...I could live the rest of my life without sleeping in another tent at the Sand Dunes. Some other things I learned this weekend are....little boys don't mind putting their faces in the sand.... picnic tablecloths make great shades....pipes on a four wheeler can still burn your leg even if it doesn't actually touch you...."virgin" margaritas taste great....I have a very patient husband....Steven and Jamie actually do fight....you can make "sand angels" that look just as good as "snow angels"....we'll always have to wait for Kurt....and I have the most patient husband in the world. Thanks Jesse, Kurt, Jamie, Steven, Mark, Kip, and Sier for such a great time!

Kindergarten Program

Kip had his Kindergarten Program last week....and it was so cute. They did a "fashion show", and sang some songs. For the fashion show the kids got to wear whatever they wanted. Kip wore his Baseball Shirt. . .(if I was to do it again, he would have worn his whole uniform.) All his friends looked so cute all dressed up. The songs were hilarious!!! I have to show you some of the videos...I watch them all the time, and it's starting to make him mad because he thinks I am laughing AT him, not WITH him. I LOVE KIP!

GIVE AWAY!!

We all LOVE give aways! I know every time I see something that says free, or Give away I can't help but to check it out. So here's what I'm giving away. Please keep in mind that there are no returns, exchanges, refunds. But you can regift if you feel like you just can't take this gift. This gift comes in a pack of two. The gift requires some maintenance, okay...a lot of maintenance. You'd have to be patient with them while they are eating breakfast, especially if you need to be out the door in 10minutes, because just a simple bowl of cereal takes at least 15 minutes to eat. Lunch is easy, they would prefer cereal again, this time eating it in less than 2 minutes...BUT DON'T GIVE IN. For dinner they would like anything as long as it has Chicken or Rice, and is easy to pick out the things they don't like. They really would be happy if you would just give them icecream instead of any food. Sometimes I give in at breakfast time and give them the icecream....what's worse lucky charmes or Murtle Turtle icecream?? They usually snack between every meal....they love chocolate over any other snack. One is 2 years older than the other, so He has very good training. That doesn't mean he doesn't have any maintenance issues....he cries over everything. He likes to shove everything under his bed, or in his closet and claim that his room is "clean". He has never gone through growth spurts, simply because I don't think he's ever stopped growing. He loves to get new pants because within a week of having a new pair, you can bet there will be a whole in the knee. The little one loves to back talk. His favorite sayings are "Well, well, well," or "Blah, blah, blah." The younger one also talks in code. "Tormado" means "tornado". "wars" is "yours". And "lellow" is "yellow". If he says or does anything that makes the older one laugh, you can bet he'll be doing it again. He likes to eat his food in phases... never completing a meal at one sitting. It takes him an hour to eat a meal. Don't let any of that stop you though! They really need a good, loving home to develop in. You will be rewarded at the end of the day when they are in bed. They do sleep through the night, and they don't have any bathroom issues. The younger one does need assistance every once in a while pulling his pants up, or wiping. The older one enjoys reading, and playing video games. They both would play video games all day if you would allow it.
If you are interested in this FREE GIVEAWAY just let me know. I will pay for any shipping or transportation costs involved. I will also be willing to include all of their belongings.

Easter Bunny

I love Easter! I'm part of the band-wagon of people who associate it with being "summer" and let their kids were shorts, no matter what the weather is on Easter Sunday. (Luckily it was decent weather this year)
Our friends parents had a really fun Egg-Hunt they invited us to this year. It was nice to see people we haven't seen in YEARS, and to see Damien invite a GIRL!! (that makes it sound like he's Gay, but he really isn't. He's just 31 yrs old, and hasn't had a girlfriend in a while. And I've known him my whole life, so I can say what I want about it.) But she was super cute, super friendly, super easy to get along with, and super young...19!! ANYWAY BACK TO EASTER. Jane really outdid herself on the hunt, and the kids had so much fun during the hunt, and the food was really good.
I was lucky enough to NOT have to work on Sunday!! We had a super lazy morning. The kids managed to find there baskets and toys. Kip got "Guess Who Extra" and we've been playing ever since. Sier got a Starwars toy (surprise!) and he LOVES it. Mark made us a great breakfast, and I did nothing but get ready, and make rolls all morning long for my Moms Easter Egg hunt. Okay, now about the rolls....Marks Grandma makes REALLY good dinner rolls. I tried them around Christmas time for a family party, but our house wasn't very warm, so they didn't get to raise very long...needless to say they weren't very great. So of course I had to redeem myself and try them again. This time it worked...but I'll have to double the recipe so I can eat more than 2!! I've had to learn how to make them with my family, now I can make them for Marks.
The Easter Egg hunt at my moms was fun. They have a HUGE yard with lots of good hiding places. The kids start eyeing the eggs right when you get there, so they know where to go first. My dad went shopping to get everybody their own little special thing. He got my kids some shot-gun shells for their new shotgun....yes my 4 and 6 year old have their own shotgun, but that's a whole other post. He gave my other nephews "worm boxes" for when they go fishing. It was a fun party!
Okay....let me back up to Easter Morning. Mark got a call from his uncle, and we found out that his Aunt Shelly had a heart attack that night. We were worried about her all day. LUCKILY they were at the hospital when she went into Cardiac Arrest and they were able to take care of her. It's amazing...you never think that would happen to anybody you know, but it does. I'm so glad that she's okay. Hopefully she can come home from the hospital today. Mark and I went to see her on Sunday and she was in really good spirits, so that made us feel a lot better, we had been worrying all day.
Sunday night we went over to the Phisters house and played games with Marks brothers and Sister. The kids did ANOTHER egg hunt with grandma and got more fun things. I think my kids understand the basics to the meaning of Easter. I had to have a good talk with Sier about it because he thought it was Easter because the bunny's name is Easter. You know the Easter Bunny?? We've been calling him Easter for a few days because it is so funny! I hope everybody else had a great Easter. We are definitely blessed to have so many friends and family around to share the fun holidays with.

Magic on the Mountain

While Kip was off track we took the kids to Six Flags Magic Mountain. Sier said is really is called Magic on the Mountain. Kip LOVED it more than anything else. He's finally tall enough to go on a lot of BIG rides. By big, I really mean HUGE!! Roller Coasters going over 70 miles an hour, doing flips and spins, going through fire, shooting strait down to earth! HE LOVED IT!!! Sier's favorite place is still 7 Peaks. He would rather be there than anywhere, but he enjoyed the log rides, and the kid town. Siers favorite part was getting to meet the "real Batmam". He had to go back and ask him how he got there because he wanted to see the Batmobile. Batman thought that was hilarious. Sier also liked the log rides that you got wet on. We all got season passes to go back there...I can't wait to take Kip back! He still can't go on ALL the rides, but most of them.
Oh ya...we also went to a movie in Hollywood....NEVER AGAIN! We are so stupid!!! How did we know that it would be $50.00 for a matinee showing for 2 adults and 2 kids? I felt so violated...of course we didn't get drinks or popcorn to go with the movie...and Kip was dying with thirst! We are such mean parents.
We also got to take the kids to the ocean. They had so much fun doing that, the temperature outside was warm, but the water was still cold...but that didn't stop them! They played in the water with their clothes on, even though we had swimming suites in the car! They've decided that the ocean water is DISGUSTING. It would get on there lips, and they would try to lick it off.... gross. One time Sier was trying to wipe the taste of it off his tongue with his sea-salty hands...FUNNY. We can't waite to go next time. One time with just adults only hopefully...any takers???

The Exception

Have you seen the movie "He's Just Not Into You" ? Not a GREAT movie, but it's okay...definitely a rental, not a "must see". ANYHOW there's a part in the movie were all the women realize that they are not the EXCEPTION, but the RULE. You know what I mean....When we think "well, officer....the reason why I was speeding is because my son has diarrhea and needs to go NOW." That is the EXCEPTION. (true story- it happened to a friend, and supposedly it worked) But guess what? I just KNOW that I would not be the EXCEPTION, because the RULE is if you speed and get caught, you get a ticket. OR....you're living with a guy for years, and you think he's going to marry you even though he himself doesn't believe in marriage. HELLO...he's never going to marry you. (because that would be an EXCEPTION to his RULE, and usually no EXCEPTIONS are made.) Rules, laws, policy's, procedures and guidelines for a set for a reason. They are the RULE. Very rarely do people fit into the EXCEPTION category. Okay, so now I've given you a few examples of "rules and exceptions."

NOW can I say how TIRED I am of people who think that they get to be the EXCEPTION all the time. How "well, it's regulalry $700.00, but since I'm so awesome, it was only $50.00. " My gosh! Who really gets that kind of deals?? The best deal I ever got was at Childrens Place in Park City and I found a belt for Sier on clearence for 99 cents, but when I checked out it was only 19 cents. (That is a GREAT deal.) But I really think that's the best deal that I've ever gotten. Because I'm the RULE, I try to shop sales, but their are always people out there who can get it for WAY cheaper and they are the EXEPTION. Another point to how I'm the RULE....I LOVE summer, and going boating (like EVERYBODY who knows me knows) Guess when it rains in the summer? Yep, on the weekend. NOT durring the week when we all work, but on the weekends!!! Truly, that is when...I would know because I LOVE the weekends, and when a storm comes it loves weekends too. (There's on this weekend!) That should be better for us because the lakes are soo full on the weekends, but I fit once again into the RULE category...I work durring the week, and so does Mark. If we were the EXEPTION then we would go boating durring the week when everybody is working, and it's not stormy. Can somebody please teach me how to be the EXCEPTION? What does it take to be the EXCETION? A lot of lying, talking, and cheating probably...and in that case I'm just fine with being the RULE.

Rambling....

So this is just a ramble posts, so don't feel like you have to read!
I'm so excited to work in my newly finished office today! It is just a little room, but it will be warm...I've been FREEZING in the basement. Mark is great to have it done for me! I painted it light blue & green...it wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but still it is really cute. If you've seen my bedding, it is a lot like that....very "springy".
We had a fun, busy weekend. We helped Gaylene & Danny on their apartments, I feel bad we haven't been able to help them more, one night this week we might go over to help them...it is so close to being done. I can't imagine remodeling for 7 months!
After we got done at the apartment Friday night, Mark dropped me off at the Riverton Walmart to meet some of my friends for the Twilight release! It was so ghetto fun! There were seriously thousands of people there! (worse than the day after Thanksgiving) "Victoria" was there signing autographs! So much fun!!! I wish I was a teenager so I could get away with being more into it. Then I wouldn't feel so ghetto about it! Kip was so excited for me to get the movie...he has been so excited to see it. He loved it when he watched it!
On Saturday we went shooting (again). Of course we had a good time! We got the kid's gun out, and let them shoot it. Mark got them a little 22/410 shot gun a few weeks ago. It's the size of a little BB gun, so they can hold it themselves. The kids had fun with it...with Marks help of course!
And....I think I have Carpal tunnel. I was weeding one day, and after that I couldn't use my left hand at all. It hurt so bad!! What the heck...I'm only 28. What could I have done to cause it???
I'm not looking forward to the next few years with it. I can't do anything that requires squeezing, pulling, or strength....I'm pathetic....and I don't want to call the Dr. about it! Maybe it will just go away. (I know, probably not!)
I also got a new schedule for work! It will start the end of April and go through the middle of August! I have mixed feelings about it...I work Mon-Thurs. 3:30-8:30 at night, and Sundays from 3:30-7:30. Good news is A: I get to go to church! I've worked during church for a year now! B: I have Friday's and Saturdays off!! Bad news: I work almost every weeknight, which is hard because the kids have t-ball and Machine pitch games 3 nights a week, and Mark is playing Softball 1 night a week...(he usually plays 2, but has FINALLY figured out that it's just too hard on everybody else in the spring with all of our schedules) And, I go from working 4 days a week to working 5. Oh well, we'll get through it...we have for over a year now!
Well I just wanted to document some things that have been on my mind, and about the weekend. I don't keep a written journal...yet! My Visiting Teacher just gave me one to start, so I really want to do that! If you read along, thanks for reading!

6th Folder, 6th Picture Tag.

Okay, my pictures not that great...

This is Siers Burn from July of 2007. We were having toast with breakfast, and he leaned over and put his arm right on the bar that separates the slots. I look at it and cringe...but he NEVER SHED A TEAR. I tag....anybody who wants to play along.

Wrestling

I'm sad to say wrestling season has come to an end. (NOT) Kip decided to try wrestling this year and was so excited to do it! You have to understand that wrestling matches are a VERY COMMON thing that happens at the Phister house. Mark and Kurt wrestled in High School, and they still have a good go at it...to the point one of them either gets hurt, or throws up. (okay, I'm exaggerating a little, but they really do wrestle ALL the time.)

Well, now it's the nephews turn to join in the fun. What else would 6 little boys do? So they wrestle, fish hook, fireman carry, half nelson the HECK out of each other. We thought, "hey, why not sign them up to do it?" Let me just tell you...if Kip would wrestle strangers the same way he does his cousins, he would have won more that ONE match. The poor kid!! He loved going to practices, loved going to matches...but the last match, he just layed there! Mark was totally beside himself! Kip didn't even have an ounce of fight in him. OH, poor kid! BUT HE HAD FUN!! We'll give it another go next year...lots can change in a year. Better luck next time buddy. (I hope he doesn't read this!)

Shoot!

A few weeks ago we went shooting with some family and friends. It was a great time....I even hit a few "clay pheasants". It really got Mark into having Gun Fever, whatever that means...I think it means he needs some new guns- he looks at them for hours everyday on KSL. I couldn't believe how much garbage was out there. We went on the west side of Utah Lake, along with everybody else in the 801 and 435 area codes. Do people just not know how to clean up after themselves or what?!?! My Gosh, don't you think that most people who shoot guns were PROBABLY Boy Scouts, and don't you think they learn about LEAVING a place CLEANER than they found it? Apparently not because there were shot-gun shells, Beer bottles & cans, and just plain old garbage everywhere. I was shocked. Next time I'm taking my big box of garbage bags and handing them out to everybody I see.....(okay probably not because I'm not their mother.)

Shooting Clay Pigeons

Jessi, Kevin, Hunter, Carter

Jamie

Smoochy brothers

Kip & Sier