Things I have learned from my Mom!!

Here are some of the MANY COUNTLESS things my dear Mother has taught me!!
She has taught me....
-how to sew
-that a butter knife is the best tool in the world
-how to change a tire
-how to check the oil in a car
-how to cook
-how to fix a screen door
-how to do laundry
-how to take care of a baby
-how to fix a chain on a bike
-how to push back my cuticles
-how to be creative and make fun projects
-how to throw a party
-how to make napkins look really cool
-how to clean a bathroom
-how to be crafty
-how to spend money
-how details matter
-how to take care of sick people
-how to communicate
-how to forgive
-how to be resilient
-what NOT to do
-how to be Dr. Mom
-how to never give up
-how to laugh
-how to joke around
-how to put ice cream on someones face
-how to make a child/teenager feel special
-how to sneak out
-how to toilet paper someone's house
-how to support a child/teenager
-how to have a great water fight in the house
-how to make AWESOME chimychangas
-how to help a child through school
-how to have a huge shaving cream fight
-how to be the COOL Mom
-how to sacrifice
-how to be a SUPER SANTA, Easter bunny, tooth fairy, etc
-how to fix almost anything
-how to follow directions
-why you don't smoke, drink, etc
-how to ask questions
-how to pray
-why we should live the gospel
-where to turn in times of trial
-practically everything
And most of all she has taught me how to LOVE!!

Abraham Lincoln said,

"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother." I couldn't agree more!!

I LOVE YOU MOM!! Thanks for teaching me so much!!!

Grateful Sunday.....

I am so thankful that I have the blessing to be surrounded by people who strengthen and uplift me on a regular basis! What a blessing it is to go to church and hear the hearfelt testimonies of people who are dealing with trials and hardships, but who face them with courage and faith.  It makes me feel so GRATEFUL for the perspective and knowledge that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings into my life.  This perspective makes me feel so very thankful for all of the abundant blessings in my life!!  Watch this great video about trials and perspective...... Seek the Higher Ground  What a GRATEFUL SUNDAY!!!

Olive Garden or Keith Urban...MMMM????

So Friday night, we decided to go on a REAL DATE!!! We went to the Olive Garden to have my favorite Italian food but the wait was 40 minutes...and there was no place to sit.... so we decided to go and wait in the car.  As we were sitting there at 7:20pm... we said...  "Man, I wish we were going to the Keith Urban concert instead of sitting in the car and waiting for our table!"  Shane said... "We could probably make it..."  So, we turned in our buzzer and off we went!! We had no tickets, no cash and drove down to the strip!  As we hurried in the 'Joint' at the Hard Rock... stomach's grumbling... we didn't eat ANY dinner.... we figured it was a long shot and that we could just find a place to eat somewhere down there if we couldn't get tickets!  As we walked up to the arena... we were looking around for someone who might be selling some tickets... You know, the loitering man with tickets inconspicuously showing in his hand... Well, we saw him.. and he spotted us!!! The deal was made.. the $4.00 fee (ouch) was paid at the ATM and we were in!!! Kris Allen was already playing and we found a place to STAND.... There were no chairs in the concert- arena -place.... just separated sections and tons of people..... ! So, although we were wishing for some lawn chairs and food... as we had decided to forego dinner in behalf of the tickets....We were super excited!!  Kris (who we voted for on American Idol) was great... fun to see/ hear in person- but we didn't know many of his songs!  On the other hand.....Keith was AWESOME!! We love his music and we were surprised how long he played- 2 hours....and how talented he is on the guitar!!  He played a different guitar for almost every song.  He also came right in front of us when he moved to the center of the room to perform a few songs.  It was so fun to be spontaneous and see such a great concert!!  And even more fun to share it with Shane!!  What a blast!!

Busy Week!!!

This is #3's DINOSAUR Project!!!  She had to make a Pterodactyl Habitat!!  She made the dinosaur all by herself... I helped a bit with the habitat!!

Isn't he cute??

Here are the girls.... playing computer!!!

This is the way I find the dog food....several times/week!! Which one used to be the water??.... .hmmmmm how about some dog food stew???? The best part is when I find her laying on her stomach eating it up just like Oliver...... ewwwwwwyyyyy!!!   Thats our little Boo!!  YUM YUM!!! It makes me so... happy!!!

Here is one of her special outfits she makes up... she loves my high heels and loves to put strange things in her hair!!! SILLY GIRL!!

Our neighbors gave us this piggy-back bike... so Shane hooked it up to his bike to try it out..... and then hooked the trailer onto it too... They made it a train!!! Not sure if its very safe.....mmmm probably not!!  The best part was when he tried to give our friend Rich a ride on the little bike....That was funny!!!  Boo is in the trailer..... CHUG A CHUG A CHOO CHOO!!!

Number 1 got 'inducted' into Honor Society this week!! He is such a studious little guy!! He gets straight A's in all of his classes!!! Way to go #1!!!

It was Shane's birthday this week.... he is now the ripe old age of 38!! We went to Bass Pro to let him pick out his present...  We all wanted a boat.... but settled for a gun case!! Happy Birthday Shane!! We love you!!!

Top Ten Reasons to LOVE Vegas!!! (for Adrien)

I know that I dog on Vegas a lot.... so here are just a few of the MANY benefits to living here!!!

10.  My car stays clean for weeks - (no rain, snow, sleet, hail)
9.   Palm trees are beautiful and COOL!!
8.  75% of my wardrobe weighs very little- (that means I fit more outfits into 1 suitcase)
7.  Almost every day is a SUNNY DAY!!
6.  Church members in Vegas are THE BEST!! (sorry Utah and Idaho!)
5.  Lots and lots of SWIMMING!!
4.  Where else can you drive downtown and firsthandedly teach your kids about EVERY SIN???
3.  There are mountains....kindof!
2.  You can exercise outdoors year round!
1. THERE ARE NO MISQUITOES!!!

Now... lets hear some of your favorite reasons you love Vegas.  If you are reading this... you have been tagged!!!

Spring Break Re-Cap!!

I took the kids to Redrock this week  - we were going crazy and needed a good dose of nature!!! We had a great time climbing all over the rocks and taking pictures.  We just walked around for a while and then we went on a real hike that was difficult and rocky! The kids turned into mountain goats pretty quick! Little Bub did awesome... The big boys had to help the girls (#3 brought reinforcements.... a friend!!) and ME get across some of the rocks!! I had Boo on my back and she is no small fry... she weighs about 30 lbs!!  But it was a pretty location and there was a creek along the way!!  It was really fun!!

Here are some pictures of this years Easter!!   Easter is usually my favorite holiday anyway.... and with conference this weekend too.... it can't get any better than that!!! This year I was a bit sad though.... I am feeling homesick for family!! I feel like we are STUCK here forever and that our kids are growing up without spending any time with their grandparents and cousins!! They are growing up so fast and nobody gets to enjoy them but Shane and I!!  That makes me sad!!!

We had to put this picture on.... I always forget to buy pineapple rings... so.... once again...  I turned our Easter HAM into a porqupine!!! It's she a beauty??!!  She turned out great!!! Not to much to look at... but sure tasted yummy!!!

Grandpa Hugh Special!!!

I think I'll put my cake in my milk!!! YUM YUM YUM!!! We know you (Grandpa) didn't teach her this.... it must be in the genes!!! And the ice in the milk is inherited from GRANDMA!!  Aren't you glad your posterity is following your example!!! All the way from Montana!!