Living in Crazy Town

California trip

2009-05-09T13:41:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my little Chloe is going to be three next week! She has given all of her pacifiers to the Easter bunny so he could take them to all the babies who need them. She has been potty training and it has it's good days and bad. I told her she can't go to pre-school until she wears big girl underwear. I haven't digi scrapped in awhile. I got inspired again during relief society night. It's amazing how much time trying to loose weight takes up. Especially trying to find the time with kids to work out. I gave up this week and have been just relaxing and I've already gained 5 lbs, I hate getting old, haha. We went to Ca. last week and hit Disneyland and the beach. It was a nice getaway! It was a little difficult having different aged kids wanting to do different things, but we split up, and of course I was stuck with the one and three year old. :) Next time it's my turn to go on the big kid rides. Israel calls Disneyland the most expensive place on earth. The beach was a blast but not as relaxing as I remember, David hated it and cried the whole time. Fun Fun

Pickled Pepper Kids (check it out)

2009-04-27T10:10:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my little man is one year old already!!!! He is behind the girls with walking, he has taken a few steps, but that is pretty much it. I like it when they walk so they are off the dirty floor. He is a little terror getting into and touching everything!!!! He can say map and back pack, can you guess which show he watches with Chloe?? He is a little cutie and I just love having a boy.

I wanted to tell you about a consignment website called pickled peppers kids. It's similiar to a garage sell, but you drop off your items and they sell it for you. Check it out! It looks like a great way to get rid of stuff and buy stuff for the summer. The drop off day is this coming Mon. so you need to register soon. If you voluteer you get first dibs and the clothes before they open to the public.

BJ's and Golds Gym

2009-04-03T21:44:00.000-07:00

Okay. I just had to tell everyone if I haven't told you already to go to BJ's for dinner. It's a new Restraunt across from Cafe Rio on Eastern. They have a ton of these in Ca. and one in Summerlin, but this one is brand new. They are famous for their deep dish pizzas and deep dish cookies with vanilla bean ice cream piled on top. They have a new cookie too that is Guirridelhi chocolate cookie with chocolate ice-cream on top. It was to die for. They also have this deep dish cookie platter that has six different kinds of cookies and six scoops of ice cream on top. This is for girls night out!!!! Yummo! Can you tell I just joined weight watchers and all I think about is food??? I've lost seven lbs in two weeks though, Yeah!! Twenty more to go. Also, If anyone is looking to join a gym, I just joined Gold's Gym. It's pretty awsome, it's the brand new one on Stephanie. I pay 18 dollars a mo. and it includes all five kids for day care. They have what they call a cardio movie theatre. It's a huge movie on the wall with surround sound and it's dark and they play movies while you work out. I ran three miles in there today while watching Twighlight.

2009-03-21T16:14:00.000-07:00

I'm going to start a green breakfast tradition for St. Patrick's Day. The kids loved my green eggs and ham and green milk. We also made pancakes with green sprinkles, and had green ice-cream for desert. David has finally given up baby food. Except when I trick him and pour the baby food into a bowl and use a regular spoon than he thinks he's eating what we are. haha

Melissa Butler and Nicki Christian's Baby Shower

2009-03-13T10:33:00.000-07:00

Here is an invitation for all those who have yet to receive one through the mail. I will have hard copies at church this Sunday for anyone interested. It's an open house at my house. I thought it would be fun to do both showers on the same day sense they are due on the exact same day with girls. Hope to see you there.

Valentine's Week

2009-02-20T18:01:00.000-08:00

We did alot of crafts this Valentine's Day. We made a ton of heart shaped animals, paint projects, and cut out cookies. It was almost like a Valentine's week. Israel and I celebrated a day early because he worked, but it was great to beat the crowds. This year we decorated the kids doors with streamers and hearts and left each of them a card with chocolate candies. We call it the Valentine's Fairy. They loved it! I love the colors of this months digi kit. Here are some pics of the kids and their doors! David is already standing up on things and getting into trouble, I can hardly get anything done! I can't believe he will be one year old already in April!!! I hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day!!

Target Shooting?

2009-01-19T21:36:00.000-08:00

Wow, January is flying by! My little man will be nine months old this week!! He crawls and gets into everything already.

Israel has been really trying to get me into target shooting lately. I've gone a few times in the past two months, and I think I may be starting to enjoy it. It's nice to have something in common with your husband :) If anyone wants to get together in February to go to the range in Boulder City with us let me know, and we will arrange a date. It would be fun with a group of people from our ward.

Well, here are my January digi scraps.

Family

2009-01-19T21:30:00.000-08:00

My New Year's resolution!

2009-01-05T22:15:00.000-08:00

Happy, Happy, Happy New Year Everyone!! I'm glad that the holidays are over and the girls are finally off their six weeks of track break. They have been off of school sense Thanksgiving!! Boy was I ready for things to get back to normal. Having five kids at home everyday with very cold weather can drive you stir crazy with some real cabin fever, lol! Here are some recent pages of the girls presents they opened on Christmas eve. Our tradition is to open one present Christmas eve. I usually give them pj's, but my Aunt made them some princess dresses and they loved them. They wanted to sleep in them and Chrismas morning they wore them while opening their presents. haha. I hope everyone had a great Christmas. I'd like to hear everyone's new Year's resolutions. I'm going to say mine, so that I will stick to it. I am going to start the Body for Life diet and train for a half marathon in OC in April or May. So, make me stick to this so I will not be fat forever. Now that I'm done having kids, I need my body back!!! Wish me luck!

December kit pages

2008-12-23T12:38:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone enjoyed the snow we just had last week. It was so beautiful to see. It was only my second time in my whole life to actually see snow fall from the sky. My kids had a blast and made a snowman in our backyard.

I belong to this digital scrapbook club where they give you a free kit, 12 pre-made digital pages, and four techniques to learn. This mo. I learned how to change the hue, make glints, diamonds, and curve the pages. It's alot of fun. Everyone should join then we can post our pages with the techniques we learned. I think it's 15 dollars a year. Anyway, hope you don't get sick of my pages each mo. because they are addicting.

Merry Christmas!!

2008-12-13T18:36:00.000-08:00

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! I know this is a little less personable than getting one in the mail, but it's the thought that counts right?

Here is a quick recap of the year 2008 for our family:

Madison was baptised this year and is now eight years old!!! She is doing very well in school and loves to read! She is a great helper around the house with the little ones. She can even make breakfast, give them a bath, and put them to bed, (oh, and laundry too)!

Brooklyn turned six this year and is such a crack up. She makes the funniest smile now by scrunching up her nose. She still likes to complain alot, but is learning to be a great helper as well. She is also doing very well in school, and just finished her first chapter book. She is very into Hello Kitty.

Sariah turned four this year and is growing up way too fast. She can't make up her mind wether she like pre-school or not. She lacks the attention span and the patience. She is constantly singing and dancing around the house every chance she gets. We love her fun personality, but man is she stubborn!

Chloe turned two this year, and to say she is going through the terrible twos is an understatment! She is the most stubborn one of all! She stands up for herself and doesn't let anyone bully her around. She is really very very good or very very naughty. She is a smart cookie though and can keep up with Sariah academically. She loves to take care of her baby brother.

David is on the verge of crawling by Christmas. He is on his knees and rocking back and forth. He can scoot backwards. He loves his pacifiers just like the four girls did. He can eat more than any baby I've ever seen. He eats about two huge jars per sitting and then can eat peices of bread or crackers. He has his Daddy's smile with his adorable dimples!!!

Israel and I have been married for nine years!! He was promoted to Engineer this year. He has even gone back to school to eventually promote to Captain. We finally finished our addition to the house, minus a few small things. I'm so proud of Israel for doing most of the work himself! It's nice to finally have a finished bedroom to sleep in. As far as myself, I'm just plain busy, busy, busy!! I plan to run the Orange County Marathon in April this year, loose 35 lbs, and dye my hair back to blonde, red is getting old!! Wish me luck! I've learned to shoot a 9mm Glock and even managed to beat my husband in a target shooting practice during or four day training! It will be strange for me to not be pregnant this time next year! Was is it like????? haha.

I hope everyone has a fantastic Holiday Season!

Polar Express Christmas Dinner!!!!

2008-12-09T11:20:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to post this for the Heritage Ward incase some people didn't see the poster or get a flier. Let your friends and family know about it. I'm not the chair of the activities commitee this year, but I'm in charge of the theme and decorations. I haven't been at church in three weeks due to sick children, so I'm not sure how late Sister Bailey got the fliers out. Anyway, just a reminder also to wear your Pj's!! I don't want to be the only family wearing them. Hope to see you all there!! If you haven't signed up for side dishes or an extra Christmas tree and want to, let me know.

Thanks

Madison's Baptism Day!

2008-11-28T21:35:00.000-08:00

I am so happy that Madison has made the decision to be baptised. I was baptised when I was seventeen, and I am so happy that I now have a family that I can raise in the church! She is such a special young lady, and I love her to death. She is my big helper around the house and with the her siblings. She wakes up, plays with David, makes breakfast (sometimes homemade waffles all on her own), she can help the girls get dressed, give them a bath, and even read them a story and scripture and put them to bed. Who needs me around when we have Madison??? haha. She is so smart, so beautiful, and so special. We are lucky to have such a sweet daughter. I hope the other family members look at her great example and follow in her footsteps.
Great job Madison!!!!

Friends!

2008-11-28T21:17:00.001-08:00

Chloe was trying to give Hunter a make over. His face was pretty blue by the time they were done. Madison was so happy that Makayla was able to spend this special time with her and to be here for her baptism! Not having any of my blood family here to support Madison, I was so grateful for Amanda and all of her wonderful support and help! She helped me clean, cook, shop, bathe, and just prepare for Madison's special day and I will forever be grateful for her kindness and friendship. Our kids always have such a great time together, and I'm so sad she is so far away now. Thanks Amanda! True friends are hard to come by.

We had twenty-two people staying the night at my house and 15 more come over for dinner the next day for the baptism. All mostly on Israel's side of the family. It was crazy!!!! The flu bug started to spread and within the four days we had 10 people throwing up in my house. What a nightmare!! Thank goodness it's all over.

2008-11-19T13:55:00.000-08:00

If anyone knows me well enough, they know that I collect gingerbread men decorations!! I love, love, love gingerbread guys!! They are so festive and cute. I found this great kit on the internet and I fell in love. I just love his face in this pic, too cute!

November Bloopers

2008-11-12T16:37:00.000-08:00

Okay, here are November's bloopers or funny sayings from the girls this mo.........

Sariah: When you didn't give me candy my heart disappeared. If you give me candy my heart will come back.

Sariah: Can I watch a movie mom? No, I said. I promise I'll close my eyes the whole time!

Brooklyn: When I bite my finger on purpose it doesn't hurt, when I bite my finger on accident it really hurts.

David is starting to use a sippy cup and hold his own bottle. Good times!!

2008-11-03T22:49:00.000-08:00

We ended up going to the pumpkin patch twice this year. We carved pumpkins and made cinnamon and sugar pumpkin seeds. We went to trunk or treat and the kids had fun. All except David wore the exact same costume as last year. At least I saved some money. :) I wish I would have taken more pics of David as a dog, he was so cute. I hope everyone had a happy Halloween! Can you tell Chloe doesn't like to take pics, It was so hard to get a decent pic of her, even holding a sucker she wouldn't smile. October went by way too fast!!!

Always Enjoy Today!

2008-10-23T23:31:00.000-07:00

This scrapbook page reminded me just how quickly time goes by. My first born child will be baptised next month, I can't believe she is turning eight!! Where did the time go?? I was talking to Laura H. today at the park, and she told me not to wish the time away. I don't want my babies to grow up so fast, I need to slow down and enjoy today. I need to stop worrying about what's not important and make the most of everyday that I get to spend with my family!! :)

Kids say the cutest things!

2008-10-18T16:10:00.000-07:00

Every year we go to the pumpkin patch. The kids love it! Every year it gets more and more expensive!! If anyone knows of a pumpkin patch where they do wrist bands for the day let me know. We found one two years ago on Eastern, but they have been shut down.

Anyway I have two funny stories my kids said.

Yesterday I found Brooklyn and her friend Kara outside all filthy with mud. I said, " What in the world are you doing?". Brooklyn said, " We are planting popcorn seeds from the popcorn bag so that we can grow a popcorn tree."

Today I told Sariah not to wear her warm feet Pj's anymore because they are too hot. She said, "Mom, look I will turn on the fan and open the drawer with all of the warm pj's in them, so that they can cool off and then I can wear them."

Gotta love them!!!

Little Man

2008-10-14T16:32:00.001-07:00

His name is finally starting to sink in. He has never seemed like a David or an Israel to me. I know I didn't want two Israel's in the same house, so we chose to switch the name around. I'm glad we did. I can't believe he will be six months old next mo. He eats like a champ! He eats almost a full jar and a half three times a day. He just started sitting up on his own this week!! Now he is a little bit more independent. Too bad he still wakes up twice a night. He actually slept better as an infant. WE love our cutie pie!!!!!!!

6 Quirky things about me!

2008-10-09T22:31:00.000-07:00

Okay, I don't have a picture folder yet, haven't figured that part out yet. So I dug in my pic box of old photos before digital cameras, and I found these. I can't believe how skinny we both were!! Israel ane I were only five lbs different when we were married in 1999. Wow, what I would give to get back into those jeans!!!

Anyway, here goes.

6 Quirks

1. I have to color code my skittles before I eat them. I refuse to eat the green and purple ones. The green ones taste like Pinesol. Israel says they all taste the same. NO WAY!

2. I have to sleep with my feet hanging off the bed, and no top sheet. I have to have my own fleece blanket to curl up with. Yes, Israel has to have his own too, because I won't share.

3. I just recently was able to use the restroom in a public place. When I was in highschool my friend would stand guard outside the door to make sure no one would come in while I was going pody, and that was only pee. But still to this day I can't go #2 anywhere; I'll go on vacation for a week and not go until I get home. Maybe too much info. but I'ts a weird one.

4. If I'm bare foot and not walking on carpet, I have to walk on my tippy toes. I only want half of my feet to get dirty.

5. I love the smell of playdough. Every time my kids play with it, I have to sit there and smell it for a minute or two. I love it. I also like the smell of crayolla crayons.

6. I can't go to bed at a different time than my husband. I tell him when it's bedtime. haha If he wants to stay awake, I can't fall asleep until he is in bed. Weird, because I sleep great when he's gone fifteen days a month for 24 hours?????

Okay, Kristine, Amanda, Alisa, Mellisa B., Jenny, and Lindsay.

If you've already been tagged. Sorry, disregard. I don't know many people who blog. Now if it was myspace, thats a different story.

Have fun!! This is so fun to hear everyone stories.

Customized Lettering and Inked Digital Page

2008-10-08T16:22:00.000-07:00

I learned how to make customized lettering and how to ink a digital page. It was fun. Here is my practice page. I love the (S) I made out of yellow daisies. I don't know if I should have kept the pic black and white, maybe the sepia is too much brown? Give me some feedback before I send it in to my forum.

Thanks :)

Change is good!

2008-10-03T14:37:00.000-07:00

It took my family some time to get used to my hair. Israel kept asking me who is that red head holding my baby. haha. I found though, sense my face is so red and blotchy, that black and white photos seem to fix all the flaws. Maybe I will only do black and white from now on. I can't believe my little man will be six months this mo.!!!!!

Brooklyn turned six!

2008-09-28T21:36:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn turned six on the 27th! I can't believe it! She is getting way too big. She is doing well in school. She is finally learning sarcasm or what it means to joke around; she used to take everything so literally. She is funny!

Sooo not a redhead!

2008-09-28T21:31:00.000-07:00

I keep freaking out when I look into the mirror! I have never dyed my entire head before, especially this color. It will take some getting used to. Good thing it's only for six weeks. I think I will go blonde again. I can't help it, I've been naturally blonde for twenty years, and have been dying it for ten. haha But It's fun to do something different. Red is my favorite color. Just not on me!

BBQ Meatballs

2008-09-28T21:27:00.000-07:00

Sorry my printer was down. But here is the recipe if anyone is interested who wanted one at the recipe party. I told Lindsay I would have her coupon party at my house. We will do the same kind of recipe exchange, only with desserts this time!

BBQ Meatballs

¼ red bell pepper
¼ white onion
1 ¼ lb of lean ground turkey
BBQ sauce (sweet baby Ray's)
6 large Milton’s Whole Grain Crackers

Mix all ingredients except BBQ sauce together with your hands. Roll into golf size balls or smaller. Place balls in a cupcake pan. Squeeze a drop of BBQ sauce onto each meatball and paint with a brush.
Bake at 400 degrees for 20 min.

Be creative! You can use ground beef, ground sausage, or ground pork. Remember to use lean meats though or you will have to add an egg for binding. Use any crackers you would like, cheezits, fishees, saltines, oatmeal, whatever. Use any veggies your kids like, shredded carrots, baby food jars, anything to hide some goodness in. Also top it with ketchup, steak sauce, or teriyaki. Have fun!!!

My family on the wall

2008-09-26T13:14:00.000-07:00

These are the scrapbook pages I did on an 11x14 canvas to hang in the hallway. I painted the hallway brown, so it's really dark and drab. I wanted to brighten it up. It was fun to color coordinate the whole thing. Notice David doesn't have any flowers. ha,ha

Internet does wonders!

2008-09-23T22:23:00.000-07:00

Today was tribute that my husband can really do just about anything. He just looks everything he doesn't know how to do on the internet, reads it, and then does it. He has never tiled a shower before, and he is almost done. He has done a fantastic job, and I can't wait until it's finished. (This week hopefully!) He has done so much for our addition on his own and has saved us a ton of money. But the cutest thing ever is when I saw him sewing on a button with two toothpicks. He looked up first on the computer on how to sew a button on a suit. He knows I don't iron or sew, so he did it himself. I'm very proud of him. What a guy! hahaha

Madison's first day!

2008-09-18T16:39:00.004-07:00

Madison picked out this shirt for school. It says I got an Aplus in talking. The teacher probably thought she was a rebel right of the bat, but Madison is really a super student and is very quiet in class. She is doing great this year but her new teacher is already on maternity leave!

Brooklyn's first day of 1st grade!

2008-09-18T16:39:00.003-07:00

Brooklyn did very well on her first day of school. I asked her if she like her new teacher as much as Mrs. Kuntz, her kindergarten teacher. She said, " Mom, that is not nice, I like them both the same." She loves being able to play on the playground with Madison.

Twins!

2008-09-18T16:39:00.002-07:00

I found these cute suits on a great sale. The minute they wake up in the morning they make me help them put them on. Even if we are not going anywhere they just love them! I'm thankful the water park is open until the end of Sept. sense they are bored without their older sisters.

Sariah's first day of pre-school

2008-09-18T16:39:00.001-07:00

Sariah is soooooo ready for school. She has had her backpack packed and ready for months. It's so heavy too. She has snacks, water, a folder, crayons, and toys. She can't use any of it in her class, but she wants to be just like her older sisters. She loves school, and already knows a ton of new songs.

Precious little toes!

2008-09-18T16:39:00.000-07:00

I thought I would capture his tiny little toes before they become big foot toes!! I don't like they he is growing like a weed. It's weird to actually give the clothes away and not store them away as handmedowns for the next kid.

Nine years and counting!

2008-09-09T14:16:00.000-07:00

I can't believe we had our nine year anniversary last week!!! Wow, nine years and five kids! Now that we are done making babies we can sit back and enjoy the ride. I don't like how quickly it goes. Remember to enjoy every minute of it!!

Happy Camper

2008-09-06T23:21:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn loves being in first grade. She already loves her teacher and enjoys playing with Madison after lunch. I told Brooklyn if she doesn't finish her homework she is not going to be a happy camper. She told me, " Mom, I'm not going camping and neither is Madison". Kids.........

2008-09-06T23:19:00.000-07:00

Sariah is way into fashion and being beautiful. Don't ask me where she got that from. She is always caring a purse and does her own hair with a ton of bows at the same time. She also loves to dance and sing every day. I caught her singing and making up her own song for David, it was so heartwarming.

2008-09-06T23:16:00.000-07:00

Chloe is at a fun stage right now. I love two year olds. They are so cute! She talks up a storm and always has to do do everything the older girls are doing. She is not allowed to have her pacifier during the day at home anymore, but I might cheat and still have her use it during church or long trips.

2008-09-06T23:13:00.000-07:00

Madison is getting almost too big for dress up now. But she is growing into a beautiful young lady. I can't believe she will be baptized this year!!!

We went to payless to buy her shoes for school. I spent 100 dollars on all the kids. She said, " Mom, I thought this was Payless, they should call this place PayMore". haha

LIttle Man's Dimples

2008-09-06T23:11:00.000-07:00

I love my little man's dimples! He starting to look just like his daddy. He started eating baby food this week! He eats like a little piggy. Already eating a jar plus per day! He trys to grab my hand and shove the spoon in his mouth faster. It's so funny!

Sea World

2008-08-17T19:44:00.000-07:00

I'm so used to myspace because that is what Israel's entire family uses to keep in touch. So I'm not sure how to do much of anything yet. So I left a link if you want to see more pics.

Is there such a thing as too much vacation?

2008-08-17T19:38:00.000-07:00

The pic on top was our last day at the Wild Animal Park. I think by the look on Madison's face she was vacationed out!

Digital fun

2008-08-17T19:36:00.000-07:00

Just playing around with some pics I took and digital scrapbooking.

San Diego Wild Animal Park

2008-08-17T19:30:00.000-07:00

We went to San Diego, California for a week. We bought the passes from Costo which gets you into the zoo, the wild animal park, and Sea World. The kids had fun, but didn't appreciate the animals or the beautiful plant life. They mostly just wanted to go to the beach, which we did almost every day. It was a challenge having all seven of us stay in one small hotel room, and cramped in the mini van instead of the excursion, but that is how we saved enough money to be able to take this trip, so not going to complain. All in all it was fun to get away, but I'm glad to be back.

Our Little Chlo Chlo

2008-07-26T15:16:00.000-07:00

Chloe turned two in May. She is very stubborn and a little brat, but is oh so cute! She loves to copy whatever her older sisters are doing. She also loves to get into trouble.

Sparkling Sariah

2008-07-26T15:12:00.000-07:00

Sariah just turned four this mo. She is so bubbly and fun, most of the time. She loves to sing and dance.

Beautiful Brooklyn

2008-07-26T15:08:00.000-07:00

Brookyn will be six this year in Sept. She will be in the first grade. She does well in school and loves to draw.

Sunset at Saguaro

2008-07-26T15:03:00.000-07:00

Madison will be eight this year in Nov. I can't even believe it. She is a super helper around the house and has such a sweet heart.

Future Missionary

2008-07-26T14:52:00.000-07:00

Here is our future missionary. Israel's Aunt made this tie shirt for him with a missionary badge. I thought is was so cute. I think I will make more because he has already grown out of it. Why do they have to grow too fast?

Cherish every moment!

2008-07-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

Who would of thought having a boy would bring me so much joy? It is fun to have something different around the house. After having four girls, I look forward to seeing how different he will be. He love his little blue bear.