fire!

If we had to have a house fire, this was the one to have. As my neighbor was helping me carry my sleeping kids across the street to her house, she asked me what else she wanted me to grab. The only thing of value I could think of were people we had in our arms.

You couldn't ask for more excitement in our quiet neighborhood. 3 fire engines, 2 police cars, and an ambulance (which no one needed, thank heavens). More and more neighbors gathered to find out what was going on and if we needed help. I am grateful that there wasn't much they could do.

A fire started inside our wall from an ineffective seal in the chimney pipe. We happen to live across the street from 2 city firefighters who we called to come take a look and they called in the rest of the team. A hole was punched into the wall from the garage side and they sprayed water into it to put out the fire. Some beams and studs need to be replaced, some sheetrock, paint, carpet pad and trim and we're back in business. Easier said than done, but all my valuables are safe and sound.

We stayed the night at our neighbors which my kids thought was so cool. Except Hunter, who pretty much slept through the whole thing. He woke up around 2am and said, "Where am I?" We came back home this morning to a mess and we are not sure where to start.

But...really we are so blessed and I know we were/are watched over and protected.

parenting and projects

Dax made some delicious baked beans for dinner last night. Hunter refused to eat them and trying to help him out, I told him for every bite he ate I'd eat one out of his bowl too. He didn't think that was a good enough deal so we said eat them or go to bed. He went to bed at 6:30pm. This morning when he came to the kitchen for breakfast I heated up his bowl of beans and put them in front of him.

He ate them.

He is my most stubborn kid but he is very obedient, kind and so helpful with Quinn. We call him Quinn's brother-mother. He can't stand to hear her cry and is the first to offer to hold her when I need both hands. I love my Hunter boy. A week or two before Christmas, I was going through his backpack and pulled out his wallet. I asked him why he brought his wallet to school thinking he probably wanted to buy pencils from the office.

He said, "A lady was collecting money for an orphanage in Mexico so I emptied my wallet into the jar."

"Wow, bud. That was a really nice thing for you to do. How much money did you have?"

"I don't know. But I wasn't really saving for anything so I thought I should give my money to people who need it."

I am learning so much from being around my kids lately. Every kid has their strengths that make your heart jump out of your chest, weaknesses that drive you insane, and quirks that make you laugh. They are so different. I can't think of two kids that are more opposite than Preslie and Hunter. But both are good.

I have been thinking about my pre-baby and post-baby projects and man I did a lot of projects before Quinn was born! I don't have nearly the time or amount of hands I did 5 months ago but I saw this embellished tee on the craft blog Make It and Love It and wanted to give it a try. I embellished a plain v-neck with flowers cut from my stash of old t-shirts. My first embellished tee!

best lady

Today my Mom is 60.

I love my Mother so much. She is so wonderful and and good right down to her core. She is wacky and fun and creative and such a hard worker and the best grandma ever invented. My sister Tisha wrote this about my Mom on her blog:

"She doesn't know how accomplished and beautiful she is, but everyone who has ever had the opportunity to work along side her realizes that this lady can organize and do the work of 10 capable people, a team of oxen, a work horse, and an army of worker bees! Even though she battles Multiple Sclerosis and Neuropathy and is not capable of the billions of projects she used to accomplish, all the while raising 8 children, she still has projects, projects, projects. She crochets hair flowers, slippers, baby shoes for her grandchildren. She does genealogy and attends the temple with Dad, even though it is so hard for her. But wait, my mom just doesn't do genealogy like the normal person. OH NO! Even her RIN numbers for 30,000 people are organized! She still holds her own household down in the most organized way anyone could ever do (especially for all the boys she lives with). Mom sews barbie clothes, doll clothes, dresses, and many other things for her grand children. I could go on and on, but the most interesting thing that Mom does is that she is the rock that holds us all together. When all of her children call home to talk and share their good times and bad times, she is always there."

She is always there. In my almost 30 years of existence, I can only remember one or two times that I've called my old home phone number and my Mom didn't pick up. I don't think I'll realize how much of a comfort it has been in my life to always be able to reach her until that is not the case anymore. My parents are getting older and I know they won't be around forever, but I cannot picture my life without my Mom. I love her so much and I am honored to be her daughter.

the reveal

ta da!

CUTE, huh!

We had a great Sunday. New year, new time (9am), and new primary classes for the kids. Oh and new church clothes from Grandma and Grandpa W. Love that Christmas tradition; thank you Mom and Dad!

Mack looked so cute and small sitting on the front row in primary. And he only came over and pounded on the piano one time.

After church, Dax made calzones for lunch. Super YUM. I can't think of many other husbands/dads that make delicious Sunday meals for their fam. Thank you, sweetheart.

I love a brand new year; it gives me motivation to make positive changes in my life. A few things I plan to do are:

1. plan (and shop for) meals a week in advance
2. spend less money on little things and save for big things
3. do a vacation with my sisters this year
4. do a vacation with my MIL and sis-in-law Abbey this year
5. express more gratitude to people verbally and in writing

Happy New Year!

New Year, new 'do

January 1st. Spent today putting away Christmas decorations, cleaning house, and facing my sad checkbook. I did one exciting thing today that I said I'd never do. I cut Mack's hair! I know, so sad! But, it was time. He starts sunbeams tomorrow and his hair is just out-of-control wild and so long. Yes, sadly, it was time for a big boy haircut. Remember those long blond curly locks? Here are some before pics...

The after pics are coming soon! (He looks REALLY different and really adorable!)

Christmas, too.

Day after Christmas we headed outta town for more Christmas fun with family! First stop was my parents' home to see them, my sister and her family, some brothers, and my aunt. Aunt Sharon is in the gift rotation in my family and she had us this year and she spoiled us rotten. She got the kids new gloves which they needed badly! Plus, hats, sweatshirts, a darling Christmas storybook for Mack and pjs and a bath towel for Quinn. She gave Dax and me new phones and sheets for our new bed that we bought in July! Both of these items were desperately needed and much appreciated! She is such a sweetheart. I don't know of another family who has an aunt as close as she is to our family.

My brother Lance has a cool dog named Trooper and he (like many dogs) loves to play ball. He is very smart and will bring the ball to anyone he thinks might throw it for him. We had the best laugh when he brought the ball and dropped it next to Quinn, staring at her with his tail wagging!

The kids opened their new church clothes from Grandma and Grandpa and we gave our gifts to my sister Tisha and her family. I think they liked what we gave them. It was fun to think of things we thought they would like. I love that part of Christmas. I love my sis and her family! I wish so badly that we lived closer to them. Why don't I ever get a pic of her and me together? Phase Ten with the fam and after Christmas shopping with the girls was super fun.

The next day we went to see Dax's family. We met at Matt and Abbey's comfy new house and it was so fun to be there with everyone. Mya is talking so much and so cute. Abbey is so awesome; she bought the wii game Just Dance 2 so we could all play it together. She is the Queen of that game and we had a blast playing it. I want to get a wii now because I was sore the next day. Now that is the kind of video game playing I can handle...exercise and family fun rolled into one.


Dax's parents were great to watch the kids while the adult kids braved the snow storm to dine at Arella's. Super yummy and nice to hang out with Matt and Abbey. We need to see them more! We were blessed with a major snow storm that kept us at their house for another day. Dax barely got the car loaded with all the extra stuff we acquired while we were visiting and we headed back home. It is SO time for a bigger vehicle.

birthday and Christmas

Who in their right mind has a baby on Christmas Eve? I don't know; there is no one in their right mind around here...


Preslie is 9?! That sounds too grown up. She woke up and opened presents immediately and wore a new velour sweat outfit from Gram and Gramp M. She is such a jeans girl but there was enough peace signs on it to please her. Preslie and I took off for a bit and hit our new thrift store (Love!) and got a couple cute tops for us. Then to redbox to get Ramona and Beezus. Cute show. Dax smoked some ribs for dinner and we sang carols and drank hot chocolate out in the street with our many good neighbors by the warmth of a fire.

We tracked Santa online and the kids made their beds in Preslie's room for a slumber party. They were SOOOOO excited! Mack was adorable this year as he is old enough to know what is going on and what Santa is all about. It was hard for the kids to fall asleep and stay asleep. At 1:30am, I opened my eyes to excited voices and was like, NO! "Dax, the kids are awake!" He put them back to bed and I don't know how they fell asleep but at 6:30, I heard them again and knew it was time.

We had a blast. I love Christmas for many reasons, one being it is time to just sit and play. Everyone is happy, everyone is busy.



I finally surprised Dax this year. Finally! He is so hard to buy for because the stuff he wants for his hobbies is so expensive specialized that he usually just buys it for himself. Well, I really listened this year. I payed attention when he went on and on about this certain animal calling gismo called a FoxPro. I knew the one he wanted and how much it cost. Before I could get it, he and his Dad put in an order together and he bought it. What a stinker! So I had my brother in Salt Lake watch ksl for me and helped me pick up a utility trailer for Dax. He has wanted one for a year or so and I was excited to surprise him with one. I printed a picture of it from the internet and wrapped it tricky (since the trailer was in Salt Lake still). He was surprised. The funny part was my kids thought that the picture was the present. They wondered why I'd give him a picture of something he liked for Christmas. As if!

Dax got me a sweet pair of pink booties and a sexy pair of black heels for Christmas. It totally revived the vixen in me. Shoes are always a great gift.


I love this time of year and love having kids and a wonderful Man to share it with. I love the Savior and am grateful that He shares His birthday with the rest of us. We sure had fun and I hope He liked the gift I gave Him this year.