Babies and bags

Changes

2010-04-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

Due to some comments that have been left, Sorry if you clicked on them, And a long talk with my hubby I am going private. If you still want to know what we are up to let me know.

What have we been up to?

2010-04-14T10:56:00.000-07:00

Egg hunt

I filled most of the eggs this year with Lego's.

Racing cars...Daddy always wins...

I made Grandma E's pastries.

A quilt, most of the squares are minky. The kids won't stop petting it. It is so soft.

Paint by number.

Birds Nest

2010-04-02T08:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went to a museum. In the back they had a garden. We were so surprised to find this nest. It was so much fun. Now I want one in my backyard.

Total capacity 11 kids, with room to spare.

Happy Birthday

2010-04-01T08:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to my dear sweet Hubby. I love you.

To me you are not a joke but a dream come true.

Ten Things

2010-03-29T20:48:00.000-07:00

Ten Great thing from this month.

1.Warm weather.

2. Learning how to make this.

3. Spring Break.

4. Getting to ride the bike part of my tri on the course.

5. Movie night with 18 kids in my backyard to watch
The princess and the Frog.

6. Movie night with about 15 ladies to watch New Moon
Cold but fun.

7. Turning 35

8. Finishing the top of a quilt for my little guy. Pictures will follow when I finish the quilt.

9.Wearing no green and not getting pinched. Even by my kids.

10. Camping at this beautiful lake.

Linking up with Emmy at Emmy Mom--one day at a Time

The last few weeks

2010-03-21T16:59:00.000-07:00

The last few weeks have been busy.

We had GREEN rice crispy treats on the 17th.

I had a birthday on the 12th

These balls have been getting a lot of use.

Movie Night

2010-03-07T19:32:00.000-08:00

The best way to watch a movie

A few things that I have learned

2010-03-03T08:14:00.000-08:00

These are a few things that I have learned lately.

Practice making paper airplanes with printer paper... turns into a fun talent at the blue and gold banquet.

A lot of labels say that the food inside contain milk,eggs or both. Poor JT.

You better watch where you are standing when a wave comes in.

That after weeks of delays the army can tell you where you are moving. Maryland here we come.

Our Last Few Weeks

2010-02-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

Life has been a little busy lately...
First Chase had the Space Derby with cub scouts. He had a great time even if he didn't win.

Abby had a Birthday and turned 11. Instead of cupcakes she took cake lollipops to school.

I tried something new for Abby's cake this year. I used gum paste to make the flowers for the top. I like the white on brown contrast.

For her party I taught the girls how to make a few different flowers using fondant.

Basketball season is still going strong, and taking up most of our evenings and Saturdays. It has been fun watching them all improve their games. KayLee,Abby and Chase all won their games this last week and Everett's team tied.

Favorite Things

2010-01-26T15:45:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite things. I wish that I would have had some when my older kids were little.

Why do I love it? Because after you put your child's snack in it and put on the lid... then you can do this and nothing comes out.

Boys and Cars

2010-01-18T09:31:00.000-08:00

I don't understand why, but little boys like to line up cars.

Why do I have the name I do?

2010-01-17T14:25:00.000-08:00

My sister is answering some questions on her blog so that someday her children will read the answers and know more about her. She is getting the questions from a book. I thought that instead of giving my answers in a comment on her blog, I would post it here.

What is your full name?

Lydia Mack. My maiden name is Hugo. I like the fact that is has always had 9 letters long.

Why were you given your name?

I was named after my great grandma, Lydia Marybell Whitlock.

Did you have any nicknames as you were growing up? What was it and how did you get them?

The two that I remember are Blondie and D.D.. Blondie came from my Dad, and D.D. was from my older siblings who had a hard time with Lydia.

Bike

2010-01-04T21:27:00.000-08:00

My sweetie got me a new bike for Christmas, It is so much fun to ride. I love the paint job and the seat that matches it. I also love that my girls want to ride with me. It makes training much easier to have them along.

Anyone up for a ride?

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T08:47:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year
2010

We rang in the new year with my Brother-in-law and Nephew.
We played Catan and Mille Bornes then went out and used up my Dads old fireworks. Thanks Dad.

May the New Year bring you Happiness and good times with Family and Friends

Merry Light-saber fight

2009-12-25T20:10:00.000-08:00

Today we Fought, then played a game or 5 then back to the fighting.
We had a great Christmas and hope you did did.

Good Bye

2009-12-22T08:07:00.000-08:00

On a regular basis I take my Hubby to school so that I can have the car for the day. A few weeks ago He told our daughter "See you latter alligator"

She soon learned the proper response and tells him back "After a while crocodile"

Christmas Jello Gigglers

2009-12-19T08:57:00.000-08:00

I had My big guy home from school this week for two days. One because he was sick and one because he had to be fever free for 24 hours before he could go back to school. The second day he got taken to the commissary. While there he saw a jello Gigglers Christmas mold, you know the ones that are "free" if you buy so many packs of jello. We got one and had fun making them. They were a hit at dinner. The icing on the cake, they all came right out of the mold.

STINKY !!

2009-12-15T09:25:00.000-08:00

When I take the little guy to the changing table to change a stinky diaper I always plug my nose and tell him STINKY. Today he came up to me and I could tell he wanted something. When I asked what do you want he didn't do any of his normal signs, I could tell by the smell that he needed to be changed so I started to pick him up. While my face was at his level he plugged my nose. I guess he knew what he wanted. Now to just teach him to make the sign on his nose.

Nativities

2009-12-09T22:17:00.000-08:00

I love Christmas Nativities I think it has something to do with my mom who has like 80+ that she sets up each year, yes we counted them once and she gets new ones every year.

I also love the ones that children can play with. I have some that are kept up safe but some are meant to be played with One of my favorites is this one from fisher-price

I love to see my kids playing with it or setting it up as the bigger ones do. My little guy likes to give baby Jesus a ride like this. It makes me laugh every times I see it.

Sunday Tradition

2009-12-06T18:53:00.000-08:00

We have a Sunday tradition, I know most people are talking about Christmas ones but this is one that we enjoy all year. Sunday evening we bake. It could be Chocolate chip cookies, or maybe eclairs, sometimes even a cake. Tonight it was rice crispy treats. Three simple ingredients and they taste great.

Our Tree

2009-12-03T23:01:00.000-08:00

The kids and I set up our tree tonight. Some year I will have two one with all of their ornaments, that yes I love and one that I get to decorate. A tree that is less cluttered. I wouldn't even mind if it looked something like this.

Mini Trees

2009-12-02T08:11:00.000-08:00

Who wouldn't love to fall asleep with this in their room.

For December we have a little tree in the kids bedrooms. They get to decorate it. Sometimes over and over. It is their tree.

This is a Christmas tradition that my kids love, But then who doesn't love falling asleep to Christmas tree lights.

Ten Things

2009-11-30T09:32:00.000-08:00

Novembers 10 things

Great Parks

Swings

Celebrating a 6 year old

Celebrating a 60 year old

Great Food and Family for Thanksgiving

Soccer season OVER

Modern Medicine and ear tubes(tomorrow)

New Moon

Warm Fires

New Nephew

Surpise Surpise

2009-11-23T08:14:00.000-08:00

Thursday morning My hubby and I slept in and let the kids sleep in. The first child to wake up was our oldest. She came in our room about ten minutes before we normally leave for school. "Mom we are late for school!" my hubby's response was "If you were going to school. Lets go on vacation. If you could go anywhere on vacation where would you go?" she said that she would go to see Grandpa and Grandma. Ok we will go there, go pack. Then the 8 yr old boy came in we again asked him if he could go any where on vacation where would he go? He said that he would go to him favorite cousins and we said ok, go pack. Then came in the 10 yr old girl. We asked her and she said that she wanted to go camping. We said that we weren't going camping but what else would she like, she said that she wanted to see her cousin we said ok, go pack. I then went in to the little girls room and asked them one said Grandpas and grandmas and the other Nanas and Poppies. My hubby soon left for school and the kids and I packed and loaded the car. Then picked up daddy on our way out of town. At about 9:15 that night we got to the town where grandpa lives and went to the hotel. A few minutes later Grandma came and gave us the key to her house for the next day. Grandpa thought she was at walmart.

Friday we had a lazy morning then went and got over the hill birthday balloons for grandpas 60th birthday and went to Grandpas. He was at the doctors. At about 1:45 the oldest boy showed up with his family. They moved a few things in from their car and moved it around the corner to where ours was parked. No more then 5 minutes latter Grandpa and Grandma got home. We all said surprise. He was still a little loopy from the meds from his procedure that he had just had done and didn't really comprehend all the people in house. Just the two lasagnas on the counter and why they were there. I watched him over the next few hours as the med more off and he just glowed. the third son showed up latter that day with his family. While eating dinner Roger(my father-in-law)jokingly said that he had everything a man could want except maybe a telescope. After dinner we had cake and Ice cream and then had grandpa turn around while we brought in his present. He was so excited to have a good telescope. The evening was spent looking at different things in the sky. And a DVD that grandma made of pictures of grandpa from the time he was a baby until he was 60.

Grandpas graduation photo

The last time that all of my father-in-laws family was together was about 9 yrs ago. He was so excited to have everyone there and we just all enjoyed each other.

Saturday we had a Thanksgiving lunch with all the trimmings even grandmas homemade rolls. yummy. Then in the afternoon we had a family picture taken. It was the first one with all of his grand babies.

Sunday was a travel day again, most went home. My hubby flew home and the kids and I drove to my parents where we are now. We plan on spending the week helping them pack up their house so they can leave on their mission in 13 days.

It was a great surprise.

Busy week

2009-11-18T11:27:00.000-08:00

This week has been too busy I haven't even had time to check blogs let along blog myself.

I took two days off from being a Mom this weekend and did a small craft show.

It wasn't really profitable but I very much enjoyed the vacation and the women that I spend the time with. Sorry Sweetie for leaving you with so much to do. I have spent the last few days catching up on things. I am looking forward to next week with the kids and hubby home to enjoy some down time.

Why I named you Everett Lauren

2009-11-11T10:37:00.000-08:00

I have a great love for my grandfather on my mothers side. I was fortunate to live in the same town and spent many hours at his house. Grandpa did there main things that I remember. One was sit at his big desk, one was work in his workshop,and the third was help people. He was an amazing man born in 1914 the day after Christmas during a snowstorm. He grew up a hard worker on a ranch just outside of a little town. He meet the love of his life at the pencil sharpener in third grade, and loved her till the day that he died. He server our country with honor during world war II so, when you were born on veterans day 6 years ago I wanted to name you after him. I like the name Mark but there are a lot of people that are named mark after Grandpa and I wanted sometime else. I like the name Franklin, for a turtle but not a sweet little girl so Everett is was not traditional for a girl I know, but you are not a normal girl.
I meet your dads grandfather a year after we were married when I went to go see him baptized. Even though he was in his last years of his life when he found the truth he wanted to be baptized. He too grew up working hard a youth in northern California where he spent a lot of time up in the mountains. Grandpa also severed in WWII and meet his wife while in Brazil. After the war he went back and brought her home with him, What love that they shared. William just isn't a girl name but Lauren is now days.
I hope and pray that you will have qualities of these Grandpas. Everett I love you Happy Birthday.

Not Me Monday

2009-11-09T11:20:00.000-08:00

I know that there is a place to link up for this but don't have the time to look it up.

My 6 year old did not call me into the bathroom just to show me how BIG her pooh was.

My hubby did not call me to say when you get home can you put a band-aid on me and while I was not cleaning up his leg he did not tell me that I could do the stitches that were not needed. And this Friday I do not get to take out the stapes that are not in his leg.

This last Saturday I did not have my kids clean the whole house to have it look like it does today.

I did not go the ER last night and my baby is not on his 5th round of meds for ear aches.

What did not happen to you the week?

Catch up Friday....

2009-11-06T20:11:00.000-08:00

Okay I really don't think that anyone else does this but this past week has been too busy to post anything and now that Friday night is here and all is calm I thought I would take a minute.

Halloween was great we had a blast at the church party, My Hubby along with the youth put on a great spook alley, A little too scary for some but fun for them and it got the teenagers involved and at the activity. Followed by trunk-or-treating and then Trick-or-treating in the neighborhood.

Got to love my little mechanic. Grandma made the costume for my hubby when he was a kid.

Monday we had a awesome FHE where we talked about John 1:5 and went out to the grove of trees by our house to do it. I hope that it made an impression.

Tuesday I had a MRI on my wrist and now I am waiting for tricare to ok a referral to a hand specialist, It appears that one of the bones in my hand/wrist is out of a lineament. I just want to not have the pain. Slowly we are getting there but waiting on tricare between every step is slowing things down.

I also had 6 of the young women from church over to work on making their own purses. I think one more night should get them all done.

Wednesday the kids get out early from school. The weather was great so we finished moving some mulch from our trailer to the front flower bed. It looks great and I am glad to be done with it.

Training this week has been good I am running more and more. So far I have only run on a treadmill So that I can control the speed. I have also really enjoyed riding a bike. One less week until the race and things are going well.

I know that my life as a mom and wife is busy but I wouldn't trade it.

Eye Balls

2009-10-30T13:15:00.000-07:00

My son has the fruit and half time and the treat after his soccer game tomorrow and I couldn't resist. I googled Halloween cupcakes and found these. I love them and soo easy.

1 Cake mix made in to 24 cupcakes
2 one tube white frosting
3 2 tubes red gel
4 blue food coloring
5 M&Ms
When the cupcakes are cooled frost with white frosting then draw the red lines. Add food coloring to what is left of the frosting. I put it in a baggie and piped a small blue circle then added the M&M to each one.

I only grabbed one tube of gel and next year it will be 2 for more sore eyes.

Clip it

2009-10-27T22:38:00.000-07:00

We are new to cub scouts in our house, Our oldest boy turned 8 this last June. Tonight was pack meeting. The once a month meeting when the boys get the awards that they have earned and have some kind of activity that goes along with what they have been doing this month. My son being the normal 8 yr old that he is could not find his neckerchief slide so we looked around for a few minutes and still came up with nothing. So I turned to my cupboard and pulled out a twixtit clip and snapped it on. It worked great. Dad do you have one in your collection?

Witches Fingers

2009-10-25T20:36:00.001-07:00

We have made these for years now. When October starts my kids start asking when are we going to make witches fingers. We had 4 12 year olds here Saturday and they had a great time making them when they weren't playing tag in the circles of our house.

Sugar Cookies
2/3 c Butter
2 c Flour
1 egg
3/4 C sugar
1 T milk
1 t baking pd
1 t vanilla
Green food coloring

cream butter, sugar, eggs. Add remaining ingredients roll in to fingers/snakes.
Die almond slices with red food coloring in zip lock bag. It only takes a few drops, then shake. Place almonds on the fingers.
Bake 375 for 8-10 min

Mummy ,Mummy,Yummy,Yummy

2009-10-21T09:31:00.000-07:00

I saw these Here and had to try them with the kids. We all had fun. They turned out way cute and yummy too.

Tri training week three

2009-10-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

Week three....

Yes the training is still on. This week has been much harder to get to the gym, Thanks to Fall Break and having 6 kids home all week. Run/Bike days have gone great, I am running 2 minutes at a time with a 2-3 min recovery which for a non runner is great and I am feeling good while I run. Biking has also gotten better but then I got some bike shorts with padding.

Boy does it make a difference. It is the swimming that is hard mostly because of the pool hours and having the kids home, not to mention a power outage, When you get to the pool and the building is Black, no swim. I Want to pick it up on Saturday which is normally a rest day we will see how tomorrow goes with soccer.

I am feeling great when I exercise and am Really enjoying it.

If you missed that I am training for a triathlon check it out Here
Proudly posted at Fat Butt Fridayon 4 nuts in a nutshell

Pumpkin, Pumkin

2009-10-13T23:24:00.000-07:00

Wordless Wednesday, I will let these speak for themselves. But it was fun.

We got lost

2009-10-12T18:23:00.001-07:00

We Got lost in this, but we had fun.

This corn maze was great. We had a blast and learned a thing or two while we did. We each got a map as we went in. There were 27 points in the maze that you have to find. Each point has a word to enter in the story on the back of the map. The kids learned about reading a map and how to get from one point to the next. The 4 year old didn't keep up once and got lost for real but a great big brother went, found her and brought her back.

Fall Break

2009-10-12T07:50:00.000-07:00

Fall Break? I had spring break as a kids but not fall break, OK as I think back we did have that week where the teachers went to some conference so I guess we did have one. I am excited for the week and the things planned with the kids. Today hubby is off school too. Thanks Christopher Columbus. We are all going.... come back tomorrow and see.

Kid Friendly Ghost Craft

2009-10-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

We had a great time after school today making these, all my kids were able to help. Well maybe not the baby but he enjoyed being outside while we hung them.

These Cute ghosts are easy to make and quick.
the thing that you will need.
Garbage bags
scissors
thick thread
small hook
Black Marker
Paper if wanted.

Cut bag in quarters.

Use one quarter or scrunched up paper to make the head

Tie the neck.

Use the hook to pull thread through top of bag as hanger

Make face

Hang

Who's schedule do we follow?

2009-10-07T10:09:00.000-07:00

In our house life is very busy and 9 out of 10 times we do things when the big kids need them done, Like take them to soccer practice or cub scouts, but this morning the baby won. We got the kids off to school while Daddy worked out then when he got home off I went to work out, I got home again just in time to take daddy to school, My schedule was running just the way I wanted. The plan was then to head off to the commissary but when I looked in the back seat my little my was asleep. So home we came and to bed he went. Maybe we will still make it before the kids get out early. If not we got a nap in.

Crazy

2009-10-02T13:07:00.000-07:00

I think that I am crazy! Excited but crazy. Last week my Hubby asked me if I wanted to join him in training for a triathlon. My first thought was "Are you joking?" then he told me about triathlon sprints, the one that I am training for is 1/4 mile swim, Easy I did that in 10 minutes this week at the pool, I know its not in a lake which it will be on race day but I still have 7 months until then. Next is a 9.6 mile bike ride. This is probably where I will struggle the most, mainly because the course has a ton of hills. The last leg is a 2 mile run, again not my strongest sport at this point in time but give me the 7 month and things will be better, not to mention that this is the last part and I can walk if I need to.

So for the next 7 months these will be my friends. I have really enjoyed this week. I have actually run on a treadmill, not just walked and I really enjoyed being in a pool and swimming. Biking was OK but I will enjoy that a lot more when I get a pair of bike shorts with the padding.

The Bet Was On

2009-09-30T16:35:00.000-07:00

Seeing my Hubby drink one of these made my kids curious to what they tasted like. But we didn't think that they would finish once they started. So the bet was set, If they could drink the whole V8 then they could forgo the veggies at dinner, I laughed to myself as 3 kids drank and said that they liked it. Not one of then asked what it was, they just wanted to have what Daddy was having.

Three Women I know

2009-09-26T22:01:00.000-07:00

I have been brought to tears three times today twice by strong women who have lived through things, one cancer and one the suicide of her husband. Both are now stronger and have been great examples to me as they have shared their stories with me. They both have a great love our savior and with him have made it to where they are today. The third time was as I walked back to my car after dropping of a child and giving her mother a hug, I did not know what to say I could only hold her and hope that she feels my love and our saviors. Her husband lost his battle with cancer yesterday and she was very traditionally wearing black.

We never know how life with change from day to day, we can only trust in our faith that all will end up well Please as you pray today ask for a extra blessing for Bevy and her three little ones.

Letter Board

2009-09-24T16:48:00.000-07:00

I was out and about this morning and saw this and had to get one for my 4 yr old. She loves "doing her homework" while the big kids do. I am very impressed with her and how well she is writing. She is left handed like me and did get a little frustrated that her hand kept wiping off what she had written, Oh well she will learn that that is just the way it is for us Lefties. What a cool dry erase board. Things sure have changed from the slate and chalk that kids used in the old times.

International night

2009-09-22T08:15:00.000-07:00

We had a International night last night. My hubby invited a family from Japan over for dinner and decided that we need to serve Brazilian food as that is his heritage. We made Patsles and greens, along with a great fruit salad. They brought sushi. I was afraid that my kids would not touch it and if they did that they would say something like "yuck that's gross" but they were great and some even had seconds or thirds. It was fully cooked and very yummy.

My husband is attending a military school that has students from military's from all over the world. I can't wait to invite more over and get to taste other parts of the world.

Beach

2009-09-18T08:20:00.000-07:00

My sister in law is here with her children so after school yesterday we drove the 5 minutes down to the beach. I know we have lived here for over 10 months and this was only the second time we have made it to the beach, Did I mention that the water is COLD.

We didn't take towels, or have them put on suits, no they were just going to put their feet in. They had a blast and definitely got their feet wet, and their legs and their body's and even the hair, OK next time we will take towels and have them change. Everyone had a blast.

We even found some sand dollars.

We hosed then off to come inside.

After the beach and a spray down we made soup and bread sticks. Everyone needed a bread stick with their initials. What a cool Aunt.

Before we went the boys loved our climbing tree.

A month of What ?

2009-09-17T13:21:00.000-07:00

I hurt my wrist it in January and off and on since then it hurts when I move it a certain way but the last few week it has hurt a lot. So today I finally made it to a doctor. Now I get to wear this for a month and then see her again. I hope that it works I would like to do things with out the pain.

The kids are playing Where?

2009-09-13T18:27:00.000-07:00

This week I could hear my little two playing but the noises just didn't sound right. This is where I found them... In the shower.

Sponge Curlers

2009-09-13T18:15:00.000-07:00

I love to do my girls hair. They love to have curls. Sponge curlers are great, and easy to use. Didn't her turn out great?

New Washer

2009-09-13T18:10:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I went to home depot and walked out with a piece of paper. It just didn't seem real but then on Thursday when a big delivery truck showed up at my house it was real. I now have a washer that cleans clothes not pretends to. I love how big it is and how much I can fit in it without over loading it.

Thanks Sweetie.

Before

After

New Kid Necklace

2009-09-13T17:46:00.000-07:00

While I was at Joann's last week I saw these frames and had to pick up 6. I love the way that the necklace turned out. I love wearing my kids, and lockets that hold 6 are hard to find.

Zzzzzzzz They fell asllep How?

2009-09-10T08:08:00.000-07:00

My 10 yr old has been know to sleep walk, she mainly does it when life changes, like moves. When she was 4 1/2 we moved from Germany to Kentucky. We also had just had a baby and Daddy had just gotten back from a 6 month deployment to Iraq. So life had definitely had some changes for this little girl. One night I had gotten up to nurse the baby and when I went to put her back in her crib I felt someone else in it. I put the baby down on my bed and went back to the crib. There sound asleep was my little girl. I guess that she felt safe there. I moved her back to her bed and put the baby down. She did not remember a thing.

I am please to post this on Emmy Mom--One Day at a Time

Finished Project

2009-09-05T14:49:00.001-07:00

I picked this bedroom set up at a post yard sell for 25$. I sanded, primed and painted it. It now looks great in my little girls room. I love the way that it turned out.

Grades Online

2009-09-02T21:10:00.001-07:00

I now have a jr. High student and her school uses a great web site. It let me see her grades any time that I want, and what she got on every assignment. It also sends messages right to the teacher. I love it. Too bad one teacher has his own web site that I have to check just for his class. But one stop shopping for three different classes is great. There are some things that modern technology is great for.

New Toy

2009-09-01T08:23:00.000-07:00

I got this toy for my baby last week for his birthday and he loves it. But then so does everyone else. I did not know that there was a toy that my hubby would enjoy as well as my 1 yr old and everyone in the middle. There are so many things you can do with it and ways to manipulate it. Well worth the 10 bucks. But then it is Fisher-Price.

Cute Quote

2009-08-31T20:17:00.000-07:00

This week my son, after eating one bite of something new, said "This is so good, I'm going to have thirds". Seconds was enough, But I wish I could remember what it was.

Date Night

2009-08-28T22:02:00.000-07:00

We have a friend that also has 6 kids. We trade babysitting every Friday for a date night. Yes I know that I have 12 kids here every other week but it is sooo worth it when we have a night with just us.

Today we went golfing well my hubby golfed and I walk and talked. I enjoyed the night and the company. Yes it is worth the Fridays when I have extras. Here are some pics of my "backyard".

I missed it

2009-08-27T09:33:00.000-07:00

My life is busy I understand that but still I feel a little cheated when I miss something that I wanted to celebrate!!! like maybe my 100th post, Sorry life was too busy yesterday and I didn't even realize it so here's to my 101st post, complete with cake.

This is the cake that I decorated for my daughter Tuesday for her 4th birthday,

Tomorrow I will post the one for my son who turns 1 today!!!

Do people think?

2009-08-26T08:10:00.000-07:00

Some times I wonder just what people are thinking, today as I dropped kids off to school. A hassle in and of it self due to traffic at and between the 2 schools. The city decided that the Cross walk at the light between them needed to be repainted and that it needed to be done during drop off times. Hello!!! What where they thinking? Or were they?

4 Today

2009-08-25T08:32:00.000-07:00

My Baby Girl turns 4 today!!!!

Four years ago during my husbands R&R we went to the hospital and 12 hr later had a beautiful little girl. Not only was this my best labor but it was also me shortest. Thanks to a great doctor.

I love the age of 4 for some reason there seems to be a click in the childs brain where they are now ready to have conversations that are more enjoyable on both parts.

What I do for my Sweetie

2009-08-24T08:26:00.000-07:00

I love to do little things for my sweetie especially since his main love language is service. He is a golfer. Well has been for the last few months. Thanks to the army, live on a golf course at the 4th hole. My sweetie will call as he tees off on the third hole to let me know he will be coming by soon. This is when I pull out the blender and mix up a smoothie.

All fruit Smoothie

2 Oranges
1 banana
1/3 pineapple
5-6 frozen strawberries
Mix in blender, If you don't have a vitamix(I don't) put the oranges in the bottom.

Easy to make and he feels my love.

What do you do for your sweetie?

Banished

2009-08-23T08:32:00.000-07:00

This is what happened to a little brother when he got in the way of this.

Toys in a Row

2009-08-22T10:11:00.001-07:00

Do you have a child that spends hours setting up toys? Mine do I don't think that they play once everything is set up, it is the setting up that is the fun. Today it was potato heads. My girls got them all dressed and in a line. Then decided that they wanted to dress the dolls. Along came Dad stomping his feet and teasing that he was going to get the potato heads. Cover your ears, here comes the NO!STOP!DADDY!! I was ready for it but what I heard was "That OK dad you can get them." He looked crushed as he responded "But its not as much fun", and only one went down.

Dashboard, Do you use it?

2009-08-21T08:17:00.000-07:00

The more that I blog the more that I love my Dashboard, and I was wondering if people know what it is and how to use it. For those of you who don't use your dashboard here is a simple explanation of what it is and how to us it.

When you find a blog that you want to read again look at the top of the page and there are little buttons that says search blog, flag blog and follow blog. If you click the follow blog. A pop-up window will appear and ask whether you want to follow publicly or privately, pick one and you are now following that blog. What this does for you is add the blog to your dashboard. When you sign in, your dashboard is where you change things up on your own blog but at the bottom is a window that tells you when something new has been added to the blogs that you follow. This lets you check one spot to see if anyone has posted today or since you checked last. You don't have to click every blog that you want to see whats new on, just your dashboard and from there you can click directly to the blogs that you want to read.

Do you use your dashboard? Will you now?

Sports

2009-08-20T22:48:00.000-07:00

I believe that kid should be involved in the world around them and that they should be active. Some times I think that I bite off more then I can chew. Yes it is that time of year again... soccer started this week. Only three of the kids are playing this season. My oldest can't because she is too old for the league that they play in. Now I only have 6 practices a week all at either 5 or 6 and some are at the same times others back to back and none on Mondays I think that I will be looking forward to Mondays. Yes I know that it is good for them, it just is a big time commitment for me, at least I have a hubby that is around now.

Books on tape are like reading the book?

2009-08-18T11:55:00.000-07:00

I grew up listening to books on tape on family vacations and have continued as I have had my own family. My oldest also loves Harry Potter and enjoys listening to the books as she goes to sleep. But since her older sister likes them my 10 yr old wanted nothing to do with them until she had to share a room again and was all but forced to listen as she went to sleep. She has discovered that there are parts that the movies left out and has enjoyed listening to them with her sister. Last night she came and asked me. "Mom, are the books on tape like the books?" I told her it was someone just reading them and she went right to the shelf and got book one. She read the first couple of chapters and is excited to see what else the movies left out.

I survived

2009-08-15T20:20:00.000-07:00

I survived the first week of school. There were some things that helped and some that would have helped had I done them. First normally I start switching back to early to bed early to rise a few weeks before school starts and I didn't this year and paid the price. The kids will be better next week and hopefully so will I. I did take a short nap Monday through Thursday and thanks to a great Hubby who took a 1yr old and 3yr old out to lunch on Friday I got a hour and half nap. Which I really needed. I think he could tell I needed one when he got home from golfing and found me half asleep nursing on the couch with the 3 yr old watching Dora. He even brought home some tacos for me. yummy.

The other thing I wanted to mention was how the Lord puts people in our paths to help us. I was told that there was another family near by that also had kids that attend the same school as my oldest,which is a 20 min. drive each way. And the best part for me is the mom wants to drive there every day, and all I have to do is pick up her youngest at the same school my three attend a mile a way. This may sound like it is all to my benefit but really it is for both of us as neither would be able to be in both places as close together as we need to be for pick ups and drop offs. Yes I do have to watch her daughter for about an hour our everyday but she is right between my two little girls and they all play wonderfully together.

Next week will be better... even if soccer starts, and yes we will survive.

My Sunset

2009-08-13T20:37:00.001-07:00

I love my view out my back windows and tonight as I was sitting at the computer and saw this and I had to share.

Can I sleep Yet?

2009-08-13T16:36:00.000-07:00

I know that the first week of school is the hardest for the kids as they get back into the swing of getting up early. But it is just as hard for me and I have had a 15 minute nap almost every day this week, yes I am still up once a night nursing and making kids use the restroom. I am exhausted and looking forward to Saturday when I can sleep in.

School Traffic

2009-08-12T08:30:00.000-07:00

First I want to preface this that with the new California budget that my kids elementary school has NO buses. The school is about 1 mile from my house and has two different campuses, about a block apart. One for kindergarten and one for 1-5th grade. I left my house at 7:30 and dropped off at both schools. Just dropped off nothing else and got home at7:58. that is almost 30 minutes for 2 mile trip. Got to love the traffic.

The Home work is for Who?

2009-08-10T21:18:00.000-07:00

I like many other mothers dread the first night after the first day of school. I am sure that the school needs my information and that it might have changed from last year. I get that, I just wish that they would only ask for it for one child say the youngest? They still bring everything home and show the parents right? I have 4 kids in school and have to fill out the same papers for all of them with just the name at the top changes, I have thought of photo coping these but the school in its effort to keep things organized have printed them all on different color papers so I can't do that. Oh well will write my cell Number yet again and as my Honey says I will smile and be glad that we are not moving mid year and I will not have to repeat the process until next fall.

pastles

2009-08-09T21:03:00.000-07:00

A Brazilian friend came over to teach me how to make pastles, My hubbies grandmas recipe. yummy

first fry pork

Add Cashews and onions

Grind (process) I think that next time I will only do this to the onions and nut then add to the meat.

Make dough

roll out dough

this is where the camera died on me but we had left over meat so I made more dough today and finished it off. But I only got a picture of the fished product.

Girls Camp

2009-08-07T15:53:00.000-07:00

My oldest attended girls camp last week with our church. She had a great time camping and making new friends. I loved girls camp as a youth and was excited for her to go. today we learned another blessing of her attending.

Due to the quality of the local Jr High we have her in a school in the next town. I have been very worried about her and friends or lack there of since our move here. Today at the orientation she sat with three girls that she knew from camp. It was great to see her with girls her age that she knows and has bonded with who also have the standards in their homes that we have here.

Tide Pools

2009-08-05T17:14:00.000-07:00

WE went to the tide pools today, low tide was not until almost 4 so it was later in the day but fun

Busy Week

2009-08-05T08:02:00.000-07:00

The last week before school starts is always super busy, not only are we trying to get what the kids need for school but trying to fit in as much fun as possible. And to top that off I started a new blog (well kind of). It is not a story blog it is a recipe blog, more like my recipe box. I have been trying to figure out the best way to store them and have come to the conclusion that with tagging and blog search the easiest way to find what I want was to put them all in one blog. come check it out and see Who is in the kitchen.Please leave a comment with your favorite recipe so that I can add it. Please even those of you who normally just read and leave. Thanks

Teeth grow in, Teeth fall out

2009-08-01T20:31:00.000-07:00

This week we have been dealing with teeth. My baby is getting his top teeth. All four bottom one came in in a week now its the top. The worst part was it caused a ear ache and very little sleep for both of us, at least we aren't camping like when the bottom ones came in.

My five yr old is very excited to have her first official loose tooth. She had two taken out after a fight with a slate floor, the floor won. She won't let me wiggle it. And when it comes out, the tooth fairy just might come.... I think That there are teeth under two other pillows now. When it got that bad growing up we would put them under moms pillow and then she might visit. Maybe all it will take is a good nights sleep?

Pizza Bubble Bread

2009-07-31T15:07:00.000-07:00

This is one of my kids favorite lunches to make. They love to get their hands dirty.

2-3 tubes biscuits( the old small ones)
1 can pizza sauce
Grated cheese
Topping optional

Cut biscuits in quarters, dip in pizza sauce, arrange on pan,

sprinkle with cheese and other toppings if wanted. bake 350' for 15-18 minutes, enjoy

This is what was left.

Mom's needle work.

2009-07-30T08:16:00.000-07:00

My mother has a needle work on her wall that reads

"Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow for babies grow up we've learned to our sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs dust go to sleep, I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep."

My little guy is my last one as as I do thing with him I think this is it last time...

Playing peek a boo with a diaper as I change him.

Staying up at night while he is teething.

Holding him while I nurse.

Watching him discover his world as he learns to get around.

Taking him out of the bathroom, no playing in the potty allowed.

Oh what joy kids are. I love all of mine.

Did I do that?

2009-07-29T08:51:00.000-07:00

On the way to take my Sweetie to school today I yelled at another driver. There are times when I think it but I don't say it. And the driver I yelled at was just being nice to someone else. I'm sorry, I feel really bad. I have a long drive to make today and I promise that I will not yell at any other drivers.

Do you yell at other drivers?

Banana Bread

2009-07-27T19:15:00.000-07:00

Last week my 5 yr old asked if the bananas on the counter were good for Banana Bread?
I had just bought them so sadly the answer was no but for some strange reason they didn't all get eaten. Yesterday she asked again and I said that we could make it today. It turned out great and disappeared very quickly. Too bad bananas don't go bad more often around here.

13 Years

2009-07-26T09:26:00.000-07:00

Thirteen years ago today my sweetie and I entered the temple as best friends and came out as Husband and Wife. I still Love you Sweetie...

New Game

2009-07-24T20:37:00.000-07:00

We got a new game and the kids LOVE it. Well not the 3yr old but everyone else. I have always enjoyed playing the normal version, and recently found out that it came in Jr. version. I am very glad that many companies have Jr versions for great adult games. not only are they easier to play but take less time.

Wind Sun and Sand

2009-07-23T18:29:00.000-07:00

Our recent vacation was mostly for a family reunion on my Hubby's side. All three boys, two wives, Grandpa and Grandma and 13 cousins. Can we say fun. Camping at the koa. We were the first ones to arrive and got to pick our spot first, not that it really mattered. We set up tents and waited around so that we could help everyone set up theirs.

Food Mack style
Each family was to cook dinner one night and their own breakfast and lunch. What really happened was everyone cooked the group dinner and shared it but also every other meal was eaten by who liked what was being made. Or it was all combined and we all ate. I think that everyone brought enough food to feed everyone by themselves. Needless to say we had plenty of food. But it was good.

Games
We love to play games, all kinds, some that we played were settlers, skipbo, boggle.
I was surprised with three boys age 8-9 and the words that they came up with. They didn't connect letters just used all the letters that they could, one game they all wrote down "cute". Not all the games were finished some were ended by bedtime or 1am... or the wind.

Sand
All Macks are fish. We had a great time at the beach, it was so nice to have a warm beach with great sand that went out forever shallow.

We buried kids up to their necks, made sand castles, and holes.

Wind
The wind at the beach was great for flying kites. I think that the little ones enjoyed this the most, there is something about holding that string while watching your kite up in the sky.

The wind also had its downfall too. Two nights it started to blow and blew for about and hour each time but it was strong. Just look at our dinning fly. It didn't come home with us. It did calm down and we were able to sleep in peace. It made it hard to have a campfire, at least it wasn't cold. but no smores.

Other actives
while at the beach we rented a skidoo. Everyone that went out had a blast on it even those that got a little more wet then they had planned. Miniature golf at the KOA was a nice treat and the pool the afternoon we didn't go to the beach. They also had a bounce bubble, think really big tramp. Blowing bubbles both little bottles and a huge big bubble wand that got some big bubbles, even by little ones. Water balloons were a hit once one cousin figured out how to blow them up.

We all enjoyed each other and just had fun.

Posted on

How Things Work

2009-07-22T07:49:00.000-07:00

I know a lot of people that have male and female jobs around the house. Well here is a different story. There is not a job that I won't do if I can do it and very few that I can't. If I can do it I do. I take out the trash, I don't think that my hubby even know when trash day is. I change light bulbs, cook, Hang pictures, clean bathrooms, take the car to get the oil changed, kiss boo boos, Do mounds and mounds of laundry every week, But I only put away mine and my sweeties the kids do their own. vacuum, sweep and mop , wash wall. Mow the lawn (when we have one), wash windows. You get the picture.

I have tried to teach this to my kids also and they do every thing that they are asked to do.

Is there any job that you won't do? how do you split up the work at your house?

Cake Balls

2009-07-18T15:55:00.000-07:00

I saw these on a friends blog a few months ago and have been wanting a reason to make them. Tonight a friend is having a ladies night so...

These are super easy and yummy.

Cake Balls
1 cake mix and ingredients to make it
1 can frosting
dipping chocolates( I used 2 Wilton bags)

Bake cake, cool. crumble cake in mixing bowl add frosting and mix. Form into balls mine were just bigger then a quarter. Chill this hardens the frosting and they stay intact for dipping.

Melt chocolate and dip.

I used different chocolates so I used different sprinkles to tell them apart.

I had a little chocolate left over so I dipped some strawberries I had on hand, for my Sweetie.

Food Experiment

2009-07-17T13:20:00.000-07:00

Food Experiment 101 Fruit leather. We had a great time making this and it was super easy. First peel fruit and put it in food processed

Blend until smooth, add cooked squash (no one will know)

Smooth on dehydrator tray

Put in dehydrator

Wait until dry and enjoy

Things that I learned, spread it thick and don't dry until crisp.

Sprinklers

2009-07-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

Wordless Wednesday

First sewing project

2009-07-13T19:32:00.000-07:00

I finally helped one of my girls sew. I know that I should have sooner, and maybe the next one will learn at a earlier age. Wow was I impressed She did great, straight lines and really controlled the machine well, not too fast and not too slow. Now we need to go get a pattern and have her sew it. I did the cutting out and the pinning but she did ALL of the sewing herself.

I think that she did great. Maybe PJ bottoms or a tiered skirt will be next.

Cold Day

2009-07-11T14:35:00.000-07:00

I find that it is funny how different the two coasts are in the US. My sister lives almost straight east of me on the east cost and she just posted pictures of her family playing at the beach today and here I am cold on the west coast, it is overcast and threatening to rain. I even turned on the fireplace, and put on socks. Stay warm and have fun where ever you are.

Cooking Lessons

2009-07-10T07:01:00.000-07:00

My girls love to cook and my oldest loves lasagna. Not to mention the comment made last week that I once Made lasagna. I decided that It was time for a cooking class, everyone should know how to make their favorite food right? So the last shopping trip I got the supplies:

Chunky spaghetti sauce, What's in there hides better in lasagna
Whole wheat lasagna noodles, I switched to whole wheat noodles about
18months ago. Only one kids commented but she eats them.
Ricotta cheese
Cheddar cheese, I buy it in bulk shredded from Costco

My 12 yr old did the rest with a little help from a 3yr old who couldn't be left out. She did a great job. We did do something new we never drained the noodles just took them straight out of the hot water and one less dish to wash. Plus they never stuck together.

Everyone enjoyed the meal as a family. What a great out come.

Singing in Round

2009-07-08T18:35:00.001-07:00

We have a great book that all of my kids love. Think classic tune with new fun words.

My kids know some of them by heart and after dinner tonight While cleaning up I heard this one.

Stinky stinky diaper Change, to the tune of twinkle twinkle little star.

Stinky stinky (Dad)
diaper change (12 yr old)
Boy My brother smells so strange ( 3 yr old)
He made something in his (10 yr old)
Pants (3 yr old)
Sure hope it doesn't attract some(12 yr old)
Ants (3 and 5 yr old)
Stinky stinky diaper change (12 yr old)
Boy my brother smells so (8 yr old)
strange ( all)

Not only did they all sing different lines but they were in several different room while singing.

Alan Katz also has a second book I'm still here in the bath tub But I like the songs in the first one better.

And I thought getting ready was the work

2009-07-06T11:23:00.000-07:00

Well after 2 1/2 weeks of vacation, it is nice to be home. But I thought it was a lot of work to pack. It is just as hard to unpack, This is what my kitchen and mud room looked like last night.

This is what the kitchen looks like now. If only I had the mud room done too.

Prepwork/ Lists

2009-06-27T17:10:00.000-07:00

I have done a ton prep work lately. Packing for trips, laundry to pack for trips, packing diaper bags, shopping and packing for camping, packing for camping. The list goes on and on. As a mom I think that I do more prep work then work after the fact.

Some of the things that I have forgotten lately are towels for camping at the lake, cutting board for camping, and I'm sure that my husband can add a few things. Anyway, my point is list work only if you add every thing to them. I now have a master list for camping. I can only hope that I won't forget anything major in the near future.

What have you forgotten and left at home?

Funeral potatoes

2009-06-23T13:07:00.000-07:00

Only in Utah would a delicious side dish be called after a funeral but it is. Another name is sour cream potatoes. It is one of my favorites.

8 med potatoes, skinned and grated.

Heat together
4 T butter
1 C cream of chicken soup
1 pt sour cream
1/4 C grated onion
1/2 C grated cheese

Mix all ingredients together and place in 9x13 pan, top with grated cheese.Bake 350* for 30 minutes

Things my kids learned this week

2009-06-17T22:18:00.000-07:00

My kids have learned some of the basics of life this week.

First is how to install batteries, that they have a (+) and a (-) end, and it matters when you put it in the Geo trax train. Which we love by the way.

Second, Don't play with matches. I was cleaning out the camping box from a recent camping trip and had collected all the matches into a Ziploc bag but that didn't stop my 10 yr old GIRL, I came out of my room and smelled that distinct smell. She had only lit them and blown them out but... she did get to hear her daddy's story about setting a whole field on fire. I don't think we will have any more problems with matches.

One Word

2009-06-16T20:23:00.001-07:00

I was thinking today about my life and the thought entered my head, What one word would I use to describe my life. Many would work:

Crazy, Well with 6 kids and a hubby yes
Busy, yes that works too
Stressful, I must admit that at times this is the case,
but the one word that stuck out was content.
I love my life, I love being the mom to 6 kids, Getting them to school, Church, sports, playing with them, reading to them..., I love being a wife, talking with Brian about our kids, his school, or even golf,and spending time with him. I love to do my craft projects and I love that I have space for them here. I am just content.

What word would you use?

New Sunday Movies

2009-06-14T07:53:00.000-07:00

We TRY to only watch uplifting things on Sundays, We have fallen in love with Liken the Scriptures. They are reenactments of scripture stories that are musicals, along with modern day kids learning something. I think my kids favorite is Daniel and the lions. It has a great song about eating meat and then vegetables, sung by the lions. They love to sing along and when we have things like stake for dinner then the "meats in the menu" song is also in order.

I got a few new ones this week and am ready to put them on. I wonder what the songs will be. I was just checking out the web site and you can even download mp3's of the songs, but they are not on I tunes.

Girls New Room

2009-06-12T19:17:00.000-07:00

I just finish all of the sewing/quilting for my older daughters room. They are very excited not to have baby blue and pink any more. I love the way that it turned out. I still want to do something for the wall but that will have to wait. I have another project that needs to be done before a friends baby gets here.

10 yr olds bed

12 yr olds bed

Up close of the quilts

Curtains

Keepsake boards

Reading Hour

2009-06-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

Summer is now here, the kids are out and we have a few weeks until Daddy finishes and we can take a vacation. So what to do to keep the kids busy and not the TV or Computer.
Ok I will admit that they do use both but I also do other things.

We have a reading hour everyday. The older kids either read a chapter book or they can read books to the little ones. I also use this time to do reading lessons with the ones that can't read or are beginner readers. I love the book, How to teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons. If you decide to use it I would strongly recommend having it spiral bound first. I am on my second copy and need to get a new one.

FHE Resource

2009-06-08T18:56:00.001-07:00

I have found a great resource for Family Home Evening lessons. It even comes from the church. It works great for my kids even with the 11+ year spread. It is the new nursery manual, Behold your little ones. The lessons are simple and easy to give, and each comes with optional extra activities that you can choose which one works best for your kids. My older kids can even give the lesson. I know that this is what the church wanted the book to be used for and it works great. We are on a roll we haven't missed a week in 2 months and yes that is a record for us. We are trying and this manual is making it easier.

Free Books

2009-06-07T17:00:00.000-07:00

I love summer reading programs. I think it started as a kid being drug to the local library to do the summer program. Thanks mom!! I now take my kids every summer to the local library to participate. This summer Barnes and Noble is getting in on the fun. They have a great program for elementary kid ages. Go to http://images.bn.com/pimages/bn-junior/resources/2009/Summer_Reading_Journal.pdf, print out the paper, have your child read 8 books, have them write their favorite part, and take it in to Barnes and Noble to pick out their book. I understand that the list to pick from is short but there are some great books on the list. By participating you also get entered to win a free signed copy of a book in the Olympians series by Rick Riordan. These are a favorite of my 12 yr old. They are great for both boys and girls.

May the summer reading begin. Enjoy.

New Camera!!!!

2009-06-04T21:28:00.000-07:00

Well we finally got around to getting a new camera, I am very excited. My favorite feature is the zooooom! I am still getting to know it but soon pictures will be popping up on my blog. I cant wait to show you my girls room as I finish it along with other projects.