Thoughtful gifts

Carlos is really good about getting me thoughtful gifts. They are not always things that I ask for, but always things that I like. For our anniversary he did something for me that was good for me AND good for him. Here is some history.
I LOVE massages! I was always asking for them growing up and that hasn't stopped since. It used to be my parents and sometimes siblings who gave them, but since being married, the responsibility was passed on to my beloved! :) He doesn't really care for giving or receiving massages. So... I guess he finally had enough and arranged for me to go to a wellness center and get an hour massage!!! Isn't that so nice! It was great! At first I was thinking an hour was kind of long but we got to talking during the massage (which by the way I will try not to do again, can't fully relax that way!) and it went by a little too quickly!! I am going to have to keep going back!;) We have a lot of muscles! Although, I haven't been as sore as usual lately... I am going to have to start exercising again so I have a reason to go back! :o Hehehe!
So anyway, while I feel a little weird about doing something by myself for my anniversary gift, (I told him we should call it my Mother's Day gift) it was nice. And I told Carlos that my gift to him would be to have a good game of golf with some friends at a nice golf course! :) So we both get to do something we like. Next time we will do something together! :)

TODAY!

Well it is the day! New Kids on the Block performed on the TODAY show! I missed most of the original performance because I am ashamed to say I FORGOT and I was getting my oil changed in the van and they had the show on the TV! However, they had the clips online for me to watch! How exciting! They were good! Obviously don't have those little boy voices anymore but it still sounded good! Hurray! and Happy Birthday Ana, sorry we didn't make it up to New York but I hear people were sleeping out there for 2 days prior and I guess we couldn't do that anyway... so seeing on TV is just fine!! :)

First time

Well yesterday was Miriam's birthday and for the first time we let her have friends over for a 'party'. I wasn't calling it a party because I didn't have activities planned. I just let her have them over to play. She was allowed to have 3 friends from school (Jakayla, Madison, Lexy) and her two church girls as well (Sydney, Marissa). I went to the school to pick them up and they were sooo excited! They piled into the van and we drove off. They played a little and weren't interested in the snacks. Then after a while we decorated cupcakes with frosting (home made!) and candy! The rest of the time was playing and opening presents. They seemed to have a good time and there were no real upsets or anything! Even the girls from school and church got along well. It was nice, noisy, and I am thinking that next time, I will plan activities for them to do instead of just having them play random things. I thought it would be fine but I think they got a bit bored at times. Miss Erin Krueger (teacher) came, Sarah, and also Nikki (Marissa's mom) so that was nice to have company. We had a birthday/anniversary dinner after of Miriam's request. Chicken Cordon Blue, steamed broccoli, and mashed potatoes! Sarah and Erin joined us and it was nice!


So.... I forgot to take a group picture but I got a few and I will try to identify everyone. with one of her friends for some reason I kept getting the back of her head. I will name those you might not know. I also didn't get a picture with Sydney, she could only stay a little while and I forgot! :( The theme of her birthday was tinkerbell so almost everything I got her was that. shirt, coloring book, jammies, watch (from grandma), puzzle. the NOT tinkerbell stuff was sand bracelet kit (sarah), outdoor play stuff (lexy), candy holder and eraser (madison), gift card (jakayla), polly pocket (marissa), lil bratz (sydney) (we still need to talk about this one!hmmm), headbands (elaine), socks and hair barrettes, 1st grade workbook, and new shoes! I think that covers it! OH and cards from Grandma ($)and George and Lynnette ($) She was very happy.... this is the best picture I have of Jakayla.(on the right)

starting on the left. Lexy, Jakayla, Marissa, Nikki standing up
middle is Madison and Erin (miss krueger)

Yesterday was also a special day because it was my anniversary. 8years!! Every year I plan to write a long wonderful thing about how glad I am to be married to Carlos, and I AM! But I am not good at writing stuff like that down. I try, just not this time in my blog! :) He is always helpful, smart and fun! Even when I don't deserve it, he is always there! Yeah for Carlos! :)

Mother's Day

You know every year my love and appreciation for my mom and mom-in-law increases as I realize the duties of a mother and how talented they are/were. Please read Livvy's blog about what she said for my mom. She truly was a great mom to us and still is so important in our lives! Thank you very much!


Next I want to thank my family. Carlos is so always helpful to me but on Mother's Day he tries to do a little bit more. He also gets me a corsage. It is always beautiful and I am usually the only one at church with one so I stand out, which is (as some of you know me) embarrassing but at the same time very flattering and I wouldn't change it!! Also my girls are always making me things but I want to thank the Primary, school and aunties, for their help in providing my Mother's Day gifts this year! They were so fun! Here are some pictures!

The whole lot! flower pots made at Primary activity, pink cards as well. CD with picture made at school with picture below inside. Flowers from church and Mary-Carmen, painted pictures made with Rose-Marie and Mary-Carmen while they were making Grandma's gift ;) and corsage in the middle from Carlos!
The outside says 'Someone thinks you're special'

THANK YOU!!!

priorities **updated

Well I still really want the Kirby vacuum and I think in time I will get one but...I really want to take a trip back to WA this year and flying me and my kids out there will cost the same as a Kirby so....I guess I have to think about what is important!
WA here I come....whenever it is that I decide to come ;)

**Well I made a decision! We are coming on July 7th until July 19th!!! Hurray!!

Kirby

Almost 2 years ago a Kirby salesman came to my door. They are great, they suck up everything, they shampoo your carpet, they keep your carpet nice so you don't have to replace it. BUT they cost a lot! And for months, nothing was good enough and I needed a new vacuum. So I moved my desire to a Dyson, but again, kind of spendy. Well I finally got a different one that I was pretty satisfied with. It is a great vacuum. It wasn't what I wanted but it worked. I knew I would be getting a new one someday so I could live with that. Well today they came back! Now I am back to wanting a Kirby and...
I AM TAKING DONATIONS!! ;)

Anything?

I just found out that my cousin Jesse Pinegar is missing in Hawaii. He went there on vacation and has been missing since April 13th. I know this might be random but maybe someone who reads this blog has information about him. Here is the article. http://northshorekauai.com/2008/05/01/kauai-police-ask-for-help-finding-utah-man/
Please keep him and the family in your prayers. Thank you.

New things *for mom ;)

I love doing new things.
Last night with the ward we went to the cannery/bishops store house and for the first time I got to help can things! It was so much fun with all the sisters in the Relief Society and Sarah came too!:) It was cool to see how things were canned. We canned: Wheat, Hot cocoa, oats, flour, white beans, pinto beans, refried beans, apple slices, spaghetti, rice, sugar, potato flakes, carrots, and macaroni!!! Wow, it actually went fast and the Brother who was in charge said we did a great job. We did all that in a little over 2 hours!! There were a lot of us. I wanted to be in charge of the canning machine, or pouring or something but right at the beginning I volunteered to go get the cans and then help wheel the completed cans into the sorting room where the orders were being filled and I kind of got stuck there. One time I started filling cans and the guy in charge was like, the cart is ready to take back, you let them do this, that is their job! :( I was a little disappointed but then ok with it since everyone has a job and it was actually kind of fun because I got to see the complete process from canning to sorting and filling orders. Anyway I ended up buying 6 cans of rice (we use it all the time) 2 cans cocoa (really yummy) 1 can oats, 2 can dried apples, 1 can refried beans, and 1 can hard wheat (want to try it!) * Sarah bought some refried beans and potato flakes* Most of those last about 30 years unopened so that will be good. Since I know we like all those things. The only side to this that we have to remember is that we need our water storage! Without that...can't eat much!!! Well it was fun and I hope to get organized enough to go back again and do more so I can finish my food storage. Someday... ;)

Taggie

Ok I am doing the tag but I won't tag specific people. If you want to do it, GREAT! :)

Four Movies I could watch over and over: (this is really hard for me since I haven't watched a lot of movies lately, I don't remember my favorites!)
1. August Rush
2. White Christmas
3. Liken the Scriptures-most of them
4. Sound of Music
(notice a trend here)

Four Job's I've Had:
1. Gymnastics teacher
2. Grocery cashier
3. Salad wrap maker (BYU L&T in food court!)
4. Mom :) It's the best

Four Places I've Lived: (besides current VA)
1. Minneapolis, Minnesota
2. Payette, Idaho
3. Vancouver, Washington
4. Provo, Utah

Four of my favorite dishes/foods:
1. Breakfast anything
2. Creme brulee
3. Enchiladas
4. fresh cherries!

Four T.V. shows I love: ( I am going to say current)
1. The Office
2. Bones
3. Eli Stone
4. Ace of Cakes

Four sites I visit daily:
1. My Yahoo
2. Gmail
3. Blogs
4. tie between bank and travelocity

Four places I have vacationed:
1. Singapore
2. Australia
3. Spain
4. Costa Rica

Four places I'd rather be right now:
1. sleeping
2. anywhere my family is (siblings/parents)
3. In a very organized home that I don't have to clean!
4. Massage sounds good (good idea Katie)

Four people I am tagging:
1. any
2. one
3. who
4. wants :)

Loveliest

Miriam was the loveliest flower tonight at the school's PTA meeting. The kindergarteners performed. They were so cute, I thought Miriam was the shortest person but in there are some boys who are shorter than her! Anyway, the girls sang, 'We are the loveliest flowers' (never heard it before) and the boys sang 'Take me out to the ball game'. She has been practicing and practicing.

I got a 2nd row seat, had my camera ready, they lined up, I had a good view, they started singing...and then she disappeared behind her friend's head! :( I was so sad. BOO HOO The video is all shaky because I kept moving to see if I could get a view of her...but alas, I couldn't. Every once in a while you get a glimpse of her and her beautiful moves but that is it! I am so sad. I keep watching it and moving my head around, hoping that I will get to see her!! :( Tomorrow I am going to ask her to do an encore presentation for me and I will put it on her blog! Here are some pictures of her. I think the video would make everyone sick it is so wobbly!

filing in (she is in the middle there with pink petals)
almost ready to begin, look at the great shot! (third one in)
This is actually after their song, and during the boys song (you know where she is now)
All done! So proud, so proud! (her shirt we got from Old Navy last night on clearance! Thank very much!)

Miriam and Miss Krueger! :)

Rockin!!

Carlos borrowed Guitar Hero from Rose-Marie and David this weekend for a priest activity and Elaine wanted to play so he was trying to teach her. The controls are too hard for her but she sure was cute holding that guitar!

The best part about these photos is Carlos's face. He really isn't singing and rocking out, he was explaining things to her and I happened to shoot at the perfect time !:)

Elaine

"I wanted she to try some!" Who? "Lawie"
This is what she said after I noticed she was upstairs with food... Luckily, Lawie was "sound asleep" so she couldn't give her any.

Stepping Stones

Laurie rolled over once. We got a video of it and she is also starting to grab at things and that is fun!! She can actually play with stuff!

Here is the second of our play time videos. She already had a hold of the toy ;)

Purse tag...finally

Ok so I was tagged a long time ago to do this but I didn't know how to number it so it looked good... and I still don't which is why it looks so silly but...here goes.

This is the contents of my purse, which I haven't used for a while cause I just shove everything in the diaper bag sometimes! I should do a "what's in my diaper bag" post!!!

1-Laurie's Dr appt information

2-tissues

3-wallet that my mom got me in Singapore! I love it, it is perfect and I hope it never wares out!

4-Appt cards for my bump in my mouth to be removed

5-receipts that I have good intentions about but they usually just get thrown away...

6-pen, you can never have too many!

7-eye glasses repair kit. Kids sunglasses in our experience really need this because screws keep falling out

8-garbage sacs, just in case!

9- zipper pouch for chap stick, nail clippers and usually gum Oh and there is also a vitamin in there....

10-planner that I try really hard to use

11-pad of paper that comes in handy

12-coupons...I always forget them

13-Miriam's money pouch

14-A wonderful purse organizer that holds lots of things and I can transfer from purse to purse easily. Also from my mom. ;)

Then the picture of my purse, which I LOVE and it suits me perfectly! I hope it lasts forever! And I forgot my cell phone which is also in my purse but usually on my person, where ever I go.

I tag Livvy, and Manda (cause she needs a new post!) and whoever else wants to, a lot of you already have so... ;)

Not it!

I wasn't tagged but I decided to do it anyway.

a)Pick up the nearest book.
b)Turn to page 123.
c)Find the 5th sentence.
d)Post sentence.
e)Tag 5 people.

Ok so I looked around the computer here and the only books with 123 pages are an Old Testament study guide, the hymn book, and a Book of Mormon. I tried to see if there was anything else and since I didn't want to count out pages in the hymn book, I will write the sentence, which turns out to be a verse, from the Book of Mormon.

And now I, Jacob, spake many more things unto the people of Nephi, warning them against fornication and lasciviousness, and every kind of sin, telling them the awful consequences of them. Jacob 3:12

That was the fifth full verse.
Alright then. I think this was fun and encourage 5 friends to do it ;)

They're out!

Ok the pictures are out from the 10K. These are I think the best pictures I have gotten. Maybe because I was walking and happy! (past three years I have run) ;) Most of these are from the end when I was running but the one with my friend Cris is from the middle somewhere!



Cris (in blue) and me, Thanks for walking with me!! Couldn't have done it without you!

Quick update

Well Laurie is now 14lbs! She is a big chunk of cuteness! We LOVE it. Miriam is a polite, smart, sweet girl! Elaine is a spunky, sweet, sharing girl!

For General Conference weekend I walked/jogged the 10K (it went well but I was reallllly sore. I usually train and run but....) and we all watched as much conference as we could. Catie-Lynn was with us on Saturday and we went out to CiCi's for dinner. On Sunday we decided not to go to the church building so we dressed in our Sunday clothes and TRIED to behave like we would at church and be reverent. It went OK. We really enjoyed conference and the girls did pretty well, although after a while we just let them go upstairs and quietly play in their room.

Here are some pictures:

Princesses (Miriam in new dress)

snack time while watching conference

Hehehe

May 16th

It is a very special day for a few reasons but the one I am thinking about right now is also important to females my age everywhere!!

New Kids on the Block performs on the TODAY show for the first time reunited!!!! AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! (cry, sigh, faint) ;)

Should be interesting. Be there or be square!! Come to think of it...maybe I should plan a trip with Ana-Christine to New York!!!!! Hehehe

Happy Birthday GG!

I believe this makes 93 years! My Grandmommy is such an amazing woman. She is talented and industrious, funny and sweet, generous and smart. She also has the most amazing ability to heal. I hate that I live so far away from her. We grew up with her around us, she was there for every important date of our lives and still is! I am so grateful for her. We miss you and love you! Have a great day!

At George and Lynnette's wedding. Isn't she pretty!

Holding baby Evoly (great grandbaby)
Playing Mr Potato Head with Miriam. They had great conversations!