So behind....

I am so behind...last Sunday (the 21st) we went down to my Dad's for a visit. It was a lot of fun. We don't get to see him often enough. We basically had Thanksgiving dinner (my dad's favorite). Just without the pies, and all the extras. My Dad's friends were over, plus Morgan. She is maybe gonna be my sister-in-law one day. At least I hope so. We stuffed our faces, had ice cream for dessert, then played Just Dance. It's a new family favorite. :)

Dr. Seuss Storytime

So, I am a big fan of FREE EVENTS for my kids. We have a strict budget, and I like to do fun things with the kids. Unfortunately, I can't pop out money left, and right. So I like to find fun things for them to do that are free. Several stores actually do free kid's activities during the months. So when I found out Target was having story time, I took advantage of this. :) Dr. Seuss's Birthday is coming up in March. So Target, and Read Across America put together story time at all the Targets across the USA. I have to say--I was really quite impressed. They got to read several Dr. Seuss stories with the employees, they did games, activities, and each of my kids got a reusable lunch sack with: stickers, pencils, fruit snacks, goldfish, and a juice box in them. Tyson, and Addy got a free "cat in the hat" hat. (Preston just got one from school for his Dr. Seuss Day) They had books, and movies you could purchase. The movies were on sale--always a plus. Then they gave us a website with free downloads, and activities to go along with Dr. Seuss. I'm an avid children's book lover, and love Dr. Seuss books. So this was really a neat experience. I appreciate the people in our community who do these fun things for kids. It's a great way for them to learn, and have some new experiences. Here are some cute pictures...

I only took one picture at Target, I felt kind of stupid. People were looking at me like I was a crazy camera lady! LOL!! :) I have to also boast a moment, several of the employees complimented me on how well behaved my children were. One lady said "I have never met such quiet listening, well behaved children." I thanked her, but was thinking "If only she knew. " Oh well, it was nice to hear. :)

100 RaNDoM ThiNgS aBOut ME!!

I saw this on another friends blog, and thought it would be fun to do. So I am tagging all of you who read my blog. (That means you have to do it too! So I can read about you.)

1. I like watching Paranormal State, and scary movies. Then I get so creeped out I can't sleep.
2. I Google everything. If I don't know the meaning, spelling, etc....
3. I wanted to be a Broadway Star when I was in High School. (LOL)
4. I hate black licorice.
5. I got married when I was 17.
6. I watch Secret Life of the American Teenager.
7. I want to have 4 different college degrees. Psychology, Early Childhood, Interior Design, and Party Planning.
8. I love Barbies, and collecting them for my girls.
9. I bite my nails.
10. I want to open up my children's clothing store.
11. Although, I have never worked retail.
12. I spend too much time on my computer.
13. I got Photoshop, and I have no clue how to use it.
14. I love soda, and can't seem to give it up. Even though I know it is horrid for me!
15. I have a house plan picked out, even though I have no where to build it.
16. My husband has to share a closet with my children, because I take up all the room in ours. The sad thing...I probably only wear 10 things in there.
17. I wish I could coach a Cheerleading Squad.
18. I wish I was a better with 4 wheeling, jet skiing, etc... I suck at driving those things.
19. I love going to dinner, and the movies on date night.
20. I love it when Clint switches date night up, with something more fun.
21. I love Laser Tag.
22. I cry over Johnson & Johnson Baby Commercials or Hallmark.
23. I love Lifetime--I have watched their movies since I was 12.
24. I carry all my stress in my shoulders, and neck.
25. After, Christmas and Halloween. The 4th of July is my favorite holiday.
26. I am a total Daddy's girl. I hate it that I hardly see him anymore.
27. I love Disney music, and know lots of the songs in the movies.
28. I'm still torn between having more kids, or not having more kids.
29. I dress my husband. Well I mean I pick out his clothes for him.
30. I love pizza.
31. I get mad when I get interrupted during Grey's Anatomy.
32. I love Tai Pan, and Quilted Bear.
33. I spend more money on my children's wardrobe...then I do on mine.
34. When I was 12 or 13 I wanted to be a Marine Biologist, because I had so much fun at Sea World.
35. I love Roller Coasters, but I have to talk myself into getting on them a lot of times.
36. I had Bunion Removal Surgery on both of my feet.
37. I hate debt, and bills. Especially medical ones.
38. I have lived in 4 different states.
39. I love fly fishing.
40. One day I want a cherry red convertible.
41. I would love to run a marathon one day.
42. I text or email, better then I call or visit. :( *sad*
43. I love the colors pink, and red.
44. My entire kitchen is decorated to coordinate with my red Kitchen Aid.
45. I only make Sugar cookies, I hate making any other kind of cookie.
46. I plan my children's birthday parties months in advance, and buy them clothes that coordinate with the party theme. Or if we go somewhere nice I dress them in coordinating styles or colors.
47. I was in a Dairy Show in 6th grade, and won for the best looking cow.
48. I like Turtles.
49. I like the smell of skunk, because it reminds me of Virginia.
50. I kissed a boy on my roof top when I was in High School.
51. I get headaches all the time (it's the stress in the neck, and shoulders)
52. I love estate sales, and yard sales.
53. I find museums fascinating.
54. I love playing Super Mario Bros.
55. I have only been in Primary, and Scouts in all my church callings.
56. I love cupcakes, they're so fun!
57. I could eat Chinese, and Mexican food everyday!
58. I love long drives in the mountains.
59. I love fall colors.
60. I would wear flip-flops everyday if I could.
61. My favorite candy is Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
62. I wish I could meet Jennifer Aniston, or Reese Witherspoon.
63. If Matthew MCConaughey or Patrick Dempsey wanted to marry me I would leave Clint.(Just kidding honey--you're the only one I can handle!)
64. I play Webkinz, even when the kids aren't around.
65. I can usually think of a song (mostly children's) for every word. EX: Worm- "Hermy The Worm"
66. I read children's books.
67. I love rainstorms, especially the warm ones. Then you can play in them.
68. I love to doodle!!
69. I love to sing Karaoke, especially when no one is listening.
70. I play with sidewalk chalk.
71. I love the musical Carousel.
72. I think Rodeo's are entertaining.
73. I like riding bikes, as long as I don't have to ride down hill.
74. I hate salad dressing, unless it's a specific Italian dressing. I eat my salad with S&P only if they don't have the "right" kind of dressing.
75. I was nominated "All Around Best Cheerleader" at cheer camp my sophomore year.
76. I can touch my nose, with my tongue.
77. I have never broken a bone.
78. I quit taking piano lessons, because my mom wanted me to take them. Now I regret it.
79. I sing into my hair brush, spoon, lip gloss, or whatever I can find...when there is a good song on the radio.
80. I love shoes!
81. I have never been to the Grand Canyon.
82. My biggest fear is "the unknown", or things I don't understand yet.
83. I was diagnosed with the same kidney disease my late siblings had, and was expected to die at birth.
84. All of my children's middle names, are after a family member or loved one.
85. I put myself in time out, by locking myself in my room.
86. I love it when I dream, and I love looking up the meaning of things in my dreams.
87. I love watching college football, and having parties for my team.
88. My wisdom teeth have never been removed.
89. I love playing Rummy, but I don't care for any other card games.
90. I collect Precious Moments.
91. I love music!! I have certain songs for certain moods or situations.
92. I would love to learn how to play the guitar.
93. I was put on infertility pills, while trying to conceive Addy. We couldn't get pregnant.
94. I eat pickles just for fun!
95. I can't stand deer hunting season.
96. I think my children are beautiful. Even when they aren't behaving.
97. I hate getting dirty looks from people in church, when my kids are too loud.
98. I love Halloween. Dressing up Rocks!
99. I love soaking in the tub, and I wish I had a Jacuzzi tub.
100. I love the book, "To Kill A Mockingbird"

○○Just Ducky○○

We threw my good friend Shannon a baby shower this morning. She is having a little boy. We are thrilled for her!! We did a rubber ducky theme for her. It was fun to do the decorations!! I love doing decorations. I got this idea from the Hostess with the Mostess. I have her link under my Fabulous Finds list. They have great ides. I love looking at them. Congrats again Shannon, and best of luck.

the PAGE gadget...

I'm not sure if any of you have noticed the new page gadget that blogger has. I tried, and tried to figure out how to use it. Then finally after talking with a friend we figured it out. You are all probably like...WHAT? So let me explain. If you notice under my blog header, there are 2 links now. One that says {Home} , and another that says {Our Story}. Those are pages. You can add up to 10 per blog. So how do you get these?? Let me explain...

•••••

First: Click Customize, so it brings up your Layout page.
Second: Click on the Postings Tab
Third: Click the tab box that says Edit Pages (It will then tell you, you don't have any pages--then give you a blue box that says NEW PAGE or Learn More.
Fourth: Click the New Page box. That will pull up a page similar to your Post page. Where you can create pages.
Once your page is created it gives you the option of where you want it. On your side bar, or at the top under header. I believe you can put it anywhere, you can add a gadget.
•••••

So you can check out mine. My {Home} is where I have all of my blog posts (where you are reading this). {Our Story} is the page that tells our story. I will be adding more, but it's a start. I have also been doing this for my Dad on his blog. If you want to see a different style http://drmarkadennison.blogspot.com/ . I hope this helps. I just hate to see somebody waist there day trying to figure it out like I did. GOOD LUCK!!! Let me know if you have questions. :)

PRiNCESS POTTY

So here is another “Addyson potty training story”!! (Please bare with me as I blog about my adventures in Potty Training over the next several weeks, months, years…who knows!! This is my way to vent.) We haven’t consistently started Potty Training Addy, but we do talk about it. . Sometimes she acts like she really wants too, other times not so much. So I haven’t wanted to pressure her. So we have kind of let her “take the wheel” on this one. Well we were out running a ton of errands yesterday, and ended up at Deseret Book. Clint was doing an exchange, and naturally I end up looking around. (I love book stores—especially the kid section) Well I found this one:

I sat Addy on my lap, right there in the middle of the isle, and read it to her. Then I just had to buy it. So let me share a few little excerpts with you.

“The Princess says, “Hear ye, hear ye, I have to pee-pee.”

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“Little blue birds bring her soft pink toilet tissue to wipe herself.”

“The gentle forest creatures help her wash her hands with warm water, and strawberry soap.”

“Now the Princess and the potty can live happily ever after.”

I would love to tell you, it was magical, and Addy is automatically potty trained. Although, I think the Fairy Godmother skipped my wish. Oh well. The book comes with a tiara, and sparkly stickers to put on her tiara each time she goes. She did earn one sticker, then tore the tiara to pieces trying to get it off. We will keep trying.

Going Private...

So, after several weeks of debating with myself over this issue, I have decided to make my blog private. I just keep thinking I put so much private info., and pictures of my kids, etc... I just get worried. I want to believe we live in an innocent world, but it's not always true. Is it?! So hopefully I have emailed everyone with an invite, but I am sure I will think of others. :)

Valentine's ♥

Clint had to work this Valentine's Day. Exciting huh?! Oh well...We decided that we weren't going to do the "big to do"this year. (Mainly since we spent money buying Video games a few weeks ago! LOL!) We did sneak out last Wednesday for dinner, and some quality time. It was yummy!! ;) So far my Valentine's weekend has gone as follows: Friday-Class Parties, sugar highs, and lot's of fun! Later that evening A.J. took me to see the movie Valentine's Day. It was so funny, and full of surprises. Changed my thinking on a few of my favorite actors. *wink wink* We didn't get home until after midnight, and I was sick to my stomach from the day of junk food. Saturday-Very early in the morning I woke up still not feeling well from my food intake choices. Just as I had finally got to sleep...Tyson was at my side crying, and telling me his ear hurt. So after a night of not much sleep, I quickly got up, and got ready for my class I am taking. My poor mother had to take Tyson to the doctor, where we found out that it was indeed an ear infection. I got home around 3:00, and we spent the evening vegging. We even went for McDonald's drive thru. Shortly after all the children were asleep, and I was enjoying the Lifetime showing of Pretty Woman, Preston woke up crying. Complaining that his ear was hurting. So Sunday has gone as follows, up most of the night (being kicked in the back), babysitting, and taking care of sick boys. Thank goodness my mom is here this weekend, she has been a big help. She ended up taking Preston into the doctor for me. Which I am sure he has an ear infection. :) Fun weekend huh!?!

♥ Valentine Jars ♥

As you can tell...we haven't had anything exciting going on the past couple weeks. We've been busy, but it hasn't been that exciting. I have been taking some classes for training hours at Weber State, babysitting, looking after a lost dog (who was returned to his family--very sweet story actually)working, doing family activities, making 275 sugar cookies, and dealing with a very sick little girl! She has some sort of Viral thing. She has had a temperature around 103.9 for 5 days. There isn't anything they can do, but let it run it's course. We are just watching her fluids to be sure that she doesn't dehydrate. She hasn't been very happy though that is for sure! Along with the craziness, we have been putting together Valentine's for everyone's classes. (Approximately 100 between everyone.) Which brings me to the reason I started this post...

BABY FOOD JAR VALENTINE GIFTS!!

Another one of those recycled projects. :) I love to use baby food jars for little containers. I thought I would jazz these ones up, and fill them with heart shaped candy. They make fun little valentine's. Really easy to make too. I just traced the lid of the baby food jar on pattern paper. I used craft bond spray, to glue the paper to the lid. I filed the remanding paper off with a nail file. Then I glued the ribbon around the lid. I washed and cleaned the baby food jar, (I cleaned the lid too-- before I began) then filled them with candy. Sometimes when I wash the jar, the paper label would stick, or leave that sticky residue. I used my heating gun to melt the rest of the sticky off, it also took the printed date ink off. I think they turned out pretty fun. :)