HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHASE!

I can't believe he's 12! We were listing off memories of Chase last night and here are a few:

When he was little, we would lay him down for bed. He would never come out of his room, ever. Even when he woke up in the mornings, he would stick his little feet through the crib and later through the bed rail and yell, "I'm awake, I'm AWAKE!" until we would go get him out of his bed.

Todd recalled his birthday, easy delivery, easy baby, easy child, easy teenager (crossing my fingers). Even right when he was born, his little dimples showed. Now he knows how to work those things! They'll be even more handy in the years to come. For his first birthday, I made him a teddy bear cake and gave him a bottle of root beer with a straw. He loved that!

In the last year or two, Chase has become a little jokester. He's always scaring his brother and sisters by jumping out from behind doors. He's always making us laugh at dinner. I think he was always this way, he's just letting it show now.

Chase doesn't really go find a friend to play with. He is usually trying to finish his homework before they come a knockin' on the door. He has many friends, even in our new place. He is a good example, friend and leader.

Current favorites:

Nike anything, PSP sports games, Wii, basketball, football, baseball, BYU anything, Cheetos, ESPN, skateboarding, spaghetti factory, arbys, the color blue, having his own room, smoothies

We love having Chase in our family. He is kind, helpful, obedient, smart and funny! Happy Birthday Chase!

7.37 seconds

is how fast Sophie can undo my bathroom drawers.

The guys drafting.

Pool Boy

cousins playing

We had a fun family night last night. About 30 aunts, uncles, cousins, Grama & Grampa. Thanks for coming! Ally gave a little thought instead of a lesson. With 20 cousins, it has to be quick! Chase and Ally constructed a birthday cake out of twinkies and hostess cupcakes. I've never seen a "cake" get eaten so quickly. Easy to make too (I'm filing that away for future reference).

I forgot to mention this funny story from the other day. When I was in college I worked at Sizzler for a summer. I could end there and it would be funny, but wait, there's more. As Todd was driving to my Mom's I was showing the kids where I worked. I said, "I used to work there, kids." Brooke looks out her window and says, "Hooters?"

Um, no, on the other side of the street.

Love sharing the computer with 4 kids. Not the four you think either. Here's little miss So-So, 1 year old, who fights for her rights.

We received this

fun package in the mail from our next door neighbors in UT. Even 656 miles away, they are great neighbors. Thanks Meinzers!



Good luck to Shannon, Holli, Colleen, Matt?, and Caryn in the Hobble Creek Half today!

After a 8PM trip to target last night

with all six kids, by myself, "Why all the junk?" asks Todd, looking at the goods all over the counter. (I've been pretty good lately. I can't remember when I last bought oreos.)

"Well, I had six kids with me. Half of it they put in the cart and the other half is going to help me make it until bedtime."

I didn't think it was too "junky". Princess poptarts (Brynn), yogurt dipped granola bars (Brooke), chips and salsa, pretzels.

Enjoying this book:

Editorial Reviews :
Book DescriptionAs fitness director of Prevention magazine, Michele Stanten routinely hears from people who feel trapped in workouts that are too hard or too easy, that have become boring, or that fail to produce measurable results. In response, she developed the Firm Up Action Plan, an innovative three-tier exercise program that allows readers to choose their workouts based on their individual fitness and commitment levels. Among the Firm Up Action Plans key features are: innovative routines that combine walking and strength training with hot fitness trends such as Pilates and yoga a fresh workout every day to target trouble zonesthe abs, butt, arms, and thighsand prevent boredom 21 days worth of menus that keep the metabolism humming for maximum fat-burning results Readers can expect to lose up to 6 pounds and several inches in just 3 weeks. Theyll firm up their attitude toward getting and staying in shape so this time the results will last!

I'm on week 2 and I'm still sore from week 1. An "it's working" kind of sore. That's good, right?

We've started, since we moved to AZ, having the girls do dishes on even days, the boys on odd days. It's working out okay. Last night Chase was on extras and washed the electric skillet.

Me: There is still some crusty stuff on the outside
Chase (with a smirk): Ah, Mom, It's what's on the inside that counts.

and Brynn is constantly asking for hot chocolate.

(Metro Phoenix forecast
Fri 108 / 88
Sat 96 / 86
Sun 98 / 81
Mon 101 / 82
Tue 106 / 85
Wed 107 / 86 )

Me: It's too hot outside to drink hot chocolate
Brynn: But I'm going to drink it inside.

As the kids were leaving to catch the bus there was a scorpion just crawling down the hallway. Blech.

Happy Friday~

Brigham "Gig 'em"

Brigham/Cousin Georgia

I asked Brooke & Chase how Brigham was doing at school. They said, "he has so many friends. He plays basketball with the boys and then gets in line with the girls. He's popular with the laaaaadies. I said 'hi' to him in the hall the other day and he was walking with some girls and just nodded his head at me." Then on the bus Brigham could have chosen the seat next to Brooke & Chase in the back but he chose to sit with a girl in the front. Brooke was dying. She couldn't believe it. When I asked Brigham about all of this, he just smiled away. Funny boy. Sophia smiles, Brynn E. posing

Chase eating breakfast in CA. Goldilocks. Ally watching for the bus.

I had a big elaborate post last night and it evaporated. So I'll just give you the notes. MVD for drivers license, title & registration, New DR. for sinus/ear infections/ insurance problems/snippy receptionists, ward activity family dance. After going to the first two, we had about 1 hr and 37 minutes left in the whole day to do anything else. We did have a family favorite, fried rice/edamame for dinner and I had a new Cookie Magazine sitting on the counter. I opened it up to find frozen bananas with nuts and sprinkles, so I made those too. The leftover chocolate was used on mango slices and strawberries. That made everything better. The kids really enjoyed the dance. Little Brigham smiled the whole time and picked up on the Virginia reel and Polka rather quickly. Who knew? Brynn conked her head on the wood floor and Sophie lost her thumbnail. Other than that it was fun.

Today, Brooke waved goodbye with her fur-trimmed sweater vest and jeans on. Current temp is 91* and it's only going to get to 108* today, so I guess it's okay.

Colleen, how did your education week class go? I'm sure you did great on your presentation.

And, to all my blogging family and friends, I'm having trouble commenting because when I click on it, it just keeps refreshing over and over, it won't let me! I'm not ignoring you guys! I also can't post any photos so it must be something on my end. It will magically fix itself right?

A funny (embarrassing) thing that happened to me today. I sent the kids up to bed, got my black light to check for scorpions and the doorbell rings. I open it and it is the bishop's wife and daughter with a plate full of brownies. Just as I'm saying "hello", a soccer ball comes flying from upstairs and hits me on the head and then bounces out the front door just past the ladies. Nice. Nice to meet you. We always have things flying from the banister, would you like to come in? Please come in, step on a scorpion and here's a goose egg to go with that.

Todd flew to UT and back today, safely. Thankful for that. He was able to work on some business, see his parents, brother and sister and check on the house. We had an uneventful day here at home & school. We went swimming after school and then cleaned up the house and went to Cafe Rio. I hadn't been to the AZ one, which means we haven't been in over a month. We missed it too! I called in our order thinking if it was like the ones in UT we'd need to call 45 min. early to get it when we wanted it. So she said is 10 min. okay? When we got there, nobody was there except for 3 tables. Um, where are all the people??? Now, do we try and spread the word so it doesn't go under or keep this little secret to ourselves? No line at Cafe Rio is something I don't think I've ever seen-at least at the American Fork & St. George locations.

I'm in the middle of Pride & Prejudice. Nice book.

For Kelly

(both of my lovely sister in laws) and anyone else who loves a good book, Sarah, Heather...a book blog, quick reviews with a 5 star scale. So Many Books, So Little Time.

And Happy Anniversary Sheather! Congrats on the big 0-7.

We love you guys and miss you too. See you in a couple of weeks!

Sarah, I have your molasses cookie dough cooling in the fridge, thanks again for the recipe.

We made it home! Todd did great with the kids. I was only mildly concerned when I called home and asked Brooke what they had for dinner and she replied "yogurt". Yogurt and what else? "well, we each got to choose two flavors."

For the first few hours after we were home, Chase kept saying, "I have a headache. It's too noisy!" I think he enjoyed me saying he could have whatever snack he wanted, whenever he wanted. That could be very expensive with some of my other children, but Chase doesn't ask for much. He enjoyed having full control of the TV, games, and movies, rides at the park schedule, eating schedule etc. I fully endorse the 12 year old trips-they are a good thing. On the way home we stopped at the outlet mall. It was a different experience for me, for sure. As I walked by Ann Taylor, BCBG, nine west, coach, I tried not to look in the windows. This was Chase trip. So instead we enjoyed Vans, Nike, Puma, Quicksilver and Adidas. I did sneak into the true religion store for 7 1/2 minutes before he knew what was happening. He had fun handing out the little things we picked out for everybody at home. He got a baby Minnie Mouse that is wrapped up in a blanket for Brynn and Sophie was all over that, kissing its nose, hugging it. I should have picked out 2 of the same.

At church they asked me to be the primary secretary. So I go in today and the pres. says to me, "The girl who had your calling was going to move, but now she's not, so she wants to keep her job."

Okay, whatever, we're not going to be here long.

"Will you be the 4-5 year old teacher?" So, that's what I am now. I've never been a primary teacher so it should be good. I just wish I had a child in that class. Todd is Ally's new Sunday school teacher.

So we closed down both parks tonight. We had a fun time and ate way too many snacks. We also sweet talked the tiki hut concession stand people into making us huge pineapple whips. They were reluctant at first and then the workers agreed to make us towers of the ice cream if we walked away and ate it really quickly so no one would see. Chase did great on the skateboard game, the wave runner game and the baseball pitching. I did win in the basketball shooting, however. I've got to keep my "Bulls Eye" status.

We miss you Todd,Ally, Brooke, Brig, Brynn & Sophie!

We are having a great time. We just took a little break to go to old spaghetti factory and we're off to ESPN zone.

Chase and I are taking off for a few days for part I of his 12 year-old trip. See you next week!

Searching for

preschools. Today I think we found a good one. We are going to meet the teacher and see the school tomorrow. That teacher will be in for a treat. I hope she is ready for this! Brynn, is cracking me up. Here are two of her many outfits from today. She was posing like crazy, it was so funny. Yes that is a swimsuit under a velvet blazer with crocs. Yes that is pjs over a dress, over Sophie's T-shirt and jeans. Yes, our car said it was 114*while she was in her many layers, and yes, we did brush her hair and remove the jeans and pjs before we left the house. What?

Brigham's first homework assignment of 2nd grade & Chase helping with Sophie. The little girls are liking him lately-and he's taking good care of them too.

A fun day

The kids had better days at school today. Yesterday the girls weren't liking it too well. Ally had girls ask her if she wanted to hear some Spanish swear words. Brooke had a boy tell her to "sush". The boys had fun though, and seem to have friends and like their teachers.

Sophie had a fever all night, that was fun. Todd headed out for a bike ride at 5:30 am and she woke up then and stayed up until 7am when I put her back in her bed.That was fun too. I felt like I'd been hit by a truck, must have looked like it too, because when I shuffled into the kitchen to make breakfast and read with the kids, Todd told me to go back to bed. I got up around 9:15am and the dishes were done and things were picked up. Thanks Todd. The RS ladies came to give me the welcome chat. Then we headed out to a bike shop in Scottsdale. That was fun because it was next to the Scottsdale Jeans Company and Scottsdale Kids store. That was fun looking at $143 jeans for Brynn. Jeans for me were $306. Then Todd wanted to go to another bike store so we drove to Chandler. Brynn wanted a bike horn that was up on the wall. She climbed on three boxes to get it, grabbed it and then the boxes fell. As I'm picking up the boxes and Brynn, Sophie, no joke, knocks down a bike which dominoed into 7 bikes, crash, crash, crash, crash, crash, crash, crash. That was fun too! We ate lunch at Streets of New York and headed home to greet the kids. Todd fixed my bike upon the cycleops so I rode that and then did a weight lifting circuit from this Prevention magazine three week program. Hopefully I won't be sore tomorrow!

I got some new Amy Butler scrapbook paper when I went with Mom and Ally.Now if I could decide how I want to use it without making a huge mess amongst the boxes that surround me. I really don't want to unpack any more so we can just shuffle them to our new house.

Enough rambling. Night John Boy!

Excessive Heat Warning

So it's 95* at 8am, headed for 114 like yesterday. Hmm. Nice day for the kids to be riding the bus. What are the signs of heat stroke? Our FHE topic for tonight.

They are off. Not too excitedly but we'll see how the day goes.

In other news, Happy Birthday Grama!

and

Happy Anniversary Holli & Phil!

Got to get going, I'm on the clock now!

Granola Almond Macaroons

My friend Heidi-Heidi found a recipe that is so good if you like coconutty cookies. I'm posting it so I don't lose it! I'm planning on making them tomorrow so I'll try to get a pic if they turn out. Thanks again Heidi.
Granola –Almond M acaroons
1 Roll sugar cookies 18oz
1 pkg almond paste 7 oz
4 oats and honey granola bars -crush them
2 ½ cups coconut
1 tsp almond extract
½ cup coarse sugar

Directions- Heat oven to 350*. Spray cookie sheets with cooking spray. In bowl, break up cookie dough and almond paste; with hands knead mixture until combined stir in granola bars,coconut and almond extract.
Shape into balls and roll into sugar put on cookie sheet.
Bake 12 to 14 min or until edges are brown.

A Good Sunday

We had church, family for dinner, back to school preparations, and calls with family and friends. We also wrote some letters headed for UT. I'm working on Family History now, Mom just brought over a bunch of genealogy for me to look through. Once I get started though, I'm afraid that's all I'll be doing. I'll try to control myself, remembering that kids need to eat and clothes need to be washed. Todd and Brynn are out hunting scorpions. Each one they find is one less in the house, right? The kids love seeing them glow neon green under the black light.

Brigham just asked me if I was going to be up when he headed for the bus stop. Ever since he started school I've had new babies and older babies keeping me up through the night. But this year he might see his MOM in the morning BEFORE school! Who knows, maybe he'll even get breakfast. We already have the lunches all packed, and the girls are picking out outfits for themselves AND for the boys. Chase is relying heavily on the opinions of his sisters. He said he's excited for the first day, and that's all. Hopefully he likes it better than that! His teacher seems great.

Here's to a good week.

A few things...

This is my new favorite drink...Blueberries and Creme Frappuccino® Blended Creme. Since it was 102 degrees at 9:42pm, Todd and I went and had one.

I've been liking the Colbie Caillat tunes, each song seems to have a part that is catchy. It's mellow music, a cross between Corinne Bailey Rae, John Mayer and Jack Johnson, in my opinion. See if you like it too. She's going to be at Thanksgiving point on Sept. 8th.

Kids are excited for school on Monday!

Hey guys, have you already seen THIS baby, in a van, down by the river? The poor mama is all I've got to say, her pic is everywhere.

Chris Farley lives on.

Pics: Aunt Janae with Sophie & Cosette, Chase (notice the lower tie), Brigham, Ruby with a bonk, and Sophie










Todd got home from CA. Boys had a great time at the Diamondbacks game with my parents. Brigham had a hard time choosing though, between a caramel apple and cotton candy for dinner. Last time he came home bragging that he had a sugar cookie as big as his head. Now I know why he wants to go to those games.








Just a thought on flooring. I've decided I'd rather have a light brown carpet with specks and travertine floors than dark carpet and solid color flagstone. At least with the first I can clean it regularly and as needed. With the dark/solid combo, I'm a slave to the floors. It's really cramping my style to have to vacuum every room, everyday and sweep all the tile a couple times of day and mop all the time. Just a note to myself to remember.

Last day of summer here! We need lunch items, haircuts, and a good AFTD, as my friend Colleen says. (Activity for the Day). Good one, Coco!

I finally got to see Maddi, my friend from Houston. She lives right around the corner now and just returned home from a vacation to UT.

Sophie is nodding yes to everything you ask her, even if the answer should be no. The kids are having fun with that. She's also getting great at stairs with the step down rooms in this place. She's not allowed upstairs because she fits through the railing that goes all around the playroom, hallway, and loft with tile below.

Brynn keeps asking for hot chocolate. We tell her it's too hot outside and she replies with "I'm not going to drink it outside, I want some inside." I can't really fight with that, so hot chocolate it is.

Heather I hope everything went well with Cam coming home from Japan! Todd had one on his plane the same day coming from Japan...

Daily rundown, nothing exciting...

Jane with a gecko.
This is Chase after playing baseball with the twins. He was dripping wet, red faced and happy.



Got to love mass child photos. I think the more distracted the better. Real life, right?


Here also is a photo of Tommy. Ross just poured pop on his head, after Tommy drank (poured down his shirt) a can himself. So cute. He got a bath after that! And oh how he loves sticks! Broom handles, golf clubs, etc.


We're out of fruit/milk/eggs/bread again. I think my grocery bill will go down by half when the kids get in school because we won't be grazing all day long. I don't know what it is about the layout of this kitchen/family area, but there is always somebody in the pantry. It's so close to everything. By the way, you should all have pleasant experiences at your Costcos because all of the rude shoppers of America are at the Power Rd/60 costco. I think somebody peed in the iced coffee smoothies they sell there.

The pool is clearing up so we can swim today I think. I didn't see the pool guy to ask him how much chemical is still in the pool. I'll have to run a test to the pool store.

Ally is at the Jr. High taking a math placement test. Then it is orientation. She's going to head over with some new friends to test out her locker and find her classes. Hopefully there is room for her nunchucks.


Grama and Grandpa are taking Chase and one other to the Diamondbacks game tonight. Todd gets home tonight too. It was nice to have Liz stay with us while he was out of town.