Happy Birthday Steve! Tradition....

Sunday was Steve's birthday! The kids get so excited about everyone's birthdays. One of the traditions we started a few years ago after I saw my Sister-In-Law do it, was a Birthday Bucket. The BB is filled with little treats, toys, and the favorite cereal which doesn't have to be shared but always is. This is awaiting the birthday person at the breakfast table on the morning of their birthday. We do this for young and not so young too. It makes waiting for the party all the easier for the younger crowd! Another tradition is to make their favorite cake, decorated by request. Steve's favorite is German Chocolate with double the frosting! The only problem was getting warm pecan/coconut frosting to stick to the sides of the cake. Oh well, it was yummy. You also get to choose your favorite dinner. Steve requested French Dip! (Done in the crockpot all day, yum!)
Another tradition we started our first Christmas when we were engaged. We were so excited about our gifts we had for each other that we just couldn't wait until Christmas to open them. When everyone was gone from our parent's home we opened each other's gifts and then re-wrapped them. Never told a soul. It was so much fun! Well, this tradition has carried on over many, many, years now. Not only Christmas but birthdays too. We only do this with each other, not the children. Although we get so excited about what we have gotten them it is hard sometimes to wait to show them too. The tides of change have come and we are starting to mature a little maybe? But I was able to keep Steve's b-day present a secret for the whole week before I purchased it. I didn't want to buy it too soon as I knew how hard it would be to keep the secret. The kids even found out what I had gotten him and I swore them to secrecy! Not even the slightest hint or tease to Daddy! It was so much fun! He really tried to get it out of me and it didn't work. He was so surprised when he did open his gift. It was only one gift, but it was big enough. He could hardly believe we got him an 80 gb iPod Classic. He bought an iPod for me a couple of years ago and has only bought himself the cheapest mp3 players he has found on Woot.com or where ever. He loves to listen to Conference on the way to work to ease his commute down Chinden each day. Now he can have many years of conference, music, video, photos, you name it! We love you Steve!

No Mom, it's just my feet!

Okay this is disgusting! Yes, I do make my kids take baths/showers! Carson has been wearing his Crocs everyday now, and without socks as you can tell. Which is ok. But as Carson ran by the office to his room and I saw these disgusting feet I told him he needed to go and get a shower! He comes over to me and says very seriously "No Mom, it is just my feet!"

The adventures begin...

The kids started building a fort in the backyard the other day. It is amazing what they found to put together and how cool they thought it was. Well the next day was a very rainy day. So the forts came inside.










This is the first fort, in the family room. It was Kristina's fort where she took some time to look through the school yearbook.












Then others decided that the fort thing was cool and the family room just wasn't going to work for everyone. So they began to build in the piano room and dining room.











They even had separate rooms in their forts. And a little entrepreneurial spirit kicked in too.















I had to remind myself as I looked at their creations(in my mind just a big mess to be cleaned up) that they were being creative, having fun together and not whining to me about being bored or tattling! So it is all good!

Loves...

While out enjoying the freshly cut lawn, as mentioned in a previous post, I just had to get a few shots of the kids playing with Emily. They are working so hard to get her to give them loves! It is funny when they finally get what they want, which is usually very slobbery! But who doesn't love a little baby slobber when coming from someone so cute!

Always prepared....

We were all out out in the front yard, enjoying the freshly cut lawn and the perfect Friday afternoon, when I spotted Carson's little stash in his pocket. This just cracked me up! This very skinny kid with two pretzels sticking out of his pocket. Always prepared with a quick snack!

Another Fun Site to Check Out...

Another fun link I found while lurking.
Line Upon Line - Greeting Cards for the Fullness of Times.

http://www.lineuponlinecards.com/

This one was one of my favorites!

Just fun!

I found these fun quizzes on another blog I was lurking through. Give'em a try, it was fun to hear the old music!

I was Rad
I scored 65% on the

Take the 80s quizby SheGoddess: How to lose weight

I scored a Dynomite
70% on theQuiz by SheGoddess: Quick weight loss

A cool tool!!!!

Have you ever had those drains that you just can't un-clog? It seems like the sinks and tubs in my bathrooms are always clogged! I have spent all kinds of money on all kinds of drain treatments from Lowes/HomeDepot. I am always frustrated and disappointed after pouring that toxic stuff down my drains and it did nothing to clear the drain! One night walking through the plumbing section(why I was walking through there I don't know) of Walmart I spotted this Zip-It tool. They have a money-back guarantee and claim that it works to unclog sinks, showers, and bathtub drains in seconds without harsh chemicals. So, what the heck, I bought one and ran home to try it out! It was AMAZING to see all of the junk it pulled out of the drain! My drains were completely cleared and drained like new! All for $2!!! I used the first one I purchased on all of my bathroom drains! They say to throw it away after each use. The Zip-It tool worked multiple times just fine! I have since purchased a couple more to just have on-hand. As you can see, it pulled out some really gross stuff (hair, grime, doll panties!)!!!

Music Meme

What is the last song you listened to? From my playlist on my blog, Lionel Ritchie, Truly

What is the last song you sang? From playlist on my blog, Lionel Ritchie, Truly

What song frequently gets stuck in your head?
Whatever I have just heard. This can be annoying!

How do you listen to music most often (pod, radio, etc)? My IPod, or my playlist online.

American Idol: fantastic show or overrated? Depends on the season. I always love the auditions and the last week!

I tag Angie, Melissa, Sara

Thanks Penny!

Emily is 7 months old now! Can you believe how time flies! Emily finally fits this adorable dress from our friends the Andersens. Could she be any happier with a new dress on?