New Do's

We had a couple hair style changes today:

Alli before: Alli after:




Kimber before:
Kimber after:

Thanks Kelsey for making us pretty!

We Are So Spoiled

Guess what?

Konrad and I are going to Hawaii!!!!! Yeah, a vacation to look forward to.

Not only do I get to go to Hawaii, but I get to go for super cheap! We're talking about only paying for food and entertainment!

The friends we are going with are letting us stay with them in their parent's time share...lodging FREE. Then we used my husbands wonderfully-collected-credit-card-points (thank you Pharmacy OneSource for letting my husband pay for everything; from equipment to dinner for the whole company, so that our points add up) to buy our plane tickets. Again...no money coming out of our pockets!

Whoo-hoo!

I even found my substitute. My mom is going to watch my sister's boys and she (my sister Stephanie) will teach my class. When I was teaching before, at a high school, my sister was an intern in my class...so she knows exactly how I do things and will do a WONDERFUL job.

Seriously, could it get any more perfect?????

Girls, Girls, Girls

I had a house full of girls today (I guess I do most days), but I figured I'd give you all a chance to listen to what I've been listening to NON-STOP for the last day and a half. Enjoy!

Figured I should add in a cute picture of Alli as well. She was out there "riding the whale" and her hair was blowing in the wind. I didn't catch that scene, but she's still cute!

100th Post = 100 Things About Me

Let's see if I can do it...

1. I don't have a middle name
2. I was born in SLC, Utah
3. I love to eat and much of my life revolves around what's for lunch and dinner (especially on vacation) (My favorite places to eat out are: Thai Chef, Cafe Rio, Q'doba (or Taco Del Mar or Chipotle...all the same), Cheesecake Factory, Sconecutter, and Wendy's)
4. I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and for probably a total of 25 or so years have had one almost every day
5. I like to pick berries and have a hard time stopping, I always want a few more
6. I picked blackberries today and made a very yummy blackberry cobbler
7. I wear contacts
8. I am obviously very random in my thoughts...
9. I have a college degree
10. I like to teach preschool age children
11. I have 3 children
12. I don't think I'll have anymore children
13. I like to play volleyball... the church season starts next week, I can't wait!
14. I'm not very good at volleyball, oh well, it's still fun
15. I've been married for almost 9 years
16. I've been a mom for almost 8 years
17. My oldest daughter was born on Konrad and I's 1 year anniversary
18. I really want to go to Hawaii in October, but will have to find someone to substitute teach my preschool class....any takers??? :)
19. I love going on vacation
20. I love camping
21. I hate packing for camping
22. I don't mind packing for regular vacations
23. I don't like feet
24. I'm not a huge fan of massage's and would never pay for one
25. I like cheesecake
26. I like brownies
27. I could go on with all the desserts that I like forever
28. I'm not a very patient person, especially if I ask someone to do something and they don't start right away...my poor kids and husband
29. I really want to be more patient with them.
30. I'm much more patient with other people...sad, huh?
31. I love working in the Primary at church
32. I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the direction the church gives me
33. I like to read
34. I like to read "fluff"
35. I'm waiting to read the 4th Twilight book...it's with my sister's sister-in-law and then I'll get it...hurry and read Laura! :)
36. I don't like scary movies
37. I like chick flicks and Ocean-11-type-movies
38. I always wanted to be a lifeguard, a post office worker (the one who separates all the mail), and a checker at a grocery store
39. I love self-checking
40. I worked in the mail room at BYU, but didn't get to sort, just fold and label
41. I used to work at a donut shop that was owned by my friend's dad
42. They make the best Maple Bars EVER (Chuck's Donuts in the Renton Highlands)
43. I used to manage the boys baseball team at my high school....I only got hit by a flying helmet once
44. I used to bring donuts to the baseball games, which is what made me think of being a baseball manager
45. I was a cheerleader in high school
46. I wish I would have played volleyball and basketball in high school instead.
47. Then maybe I wouldn't be so bad at volleyball :)
48. My 2 sisters were also cheerleaders and when we get together we still do cheers sometimes. 49. I'm getting old though and can't remember as many as I used to
50. There is no way that I'd fit into my cheer uniform anymore
51. I went to BYU
52. I lived in Heritage Halls
53. I used to eat plain raman noodles with a can of corn mixed in all the time in college
54. I worked at Hogi Yogi during college
55. I loved working at Hogi Yogi, all my good friends/roommates worked there as well, so it was fun
56. I get to go to the New Kids on the Block concert in November
57. New Kids Rock!!!!
58. I have made up countless dances to Hangin Tough and Cover Girl
59. I really wish I still had my big Joey pin...and a jean jacket to hang it on!
60. The only concerts I've been to are Amy Grant, Alabama, and Leonard Skinard (sp). That's a really odd group of artists
61. I love non-twangy country music
62. I love listening to 92.5 so I can hear all my old-school songs (I can't believe the old-school-songs of today are MY songs)
63. I love to dance and wish they had adult stake dances or something similar...I'm not really into the whole club scene, you know?
64. I love to go on cruises
65. I like to lay in the sun and read a book
66. I like/need to have a vacation to look forward to, at this point I don't have one and that makes me sad
67. We own an apartment complex in Texas that really needs to be sold
68. We have an offer on the said complex, hopefully it all works out
69. I like to have a clutter free house
70. I am going to teach preschool, which doesn't lead to a clutter free house
71. I love storage containers
72. I need better storage solutions though...if only I was rich and could have someone come in and build me wall-to-wall units, I think I'd be in heaven!
73. I love to shop at thrift stores, but only on 50% off days
74. I love to shop at garage sales, but only big neighborhood ones
75. I buy too much stuff at thrift stores and garage sales...again not helping with the clutter-free-dream
76. I'm going thrift store shopping on Monday morning...it's a holiday, which means 50% off!!!
77. I have to shower everyday or I go crazy
78. I was to the point I had to workout everyday or I'd go crazy, but that fell apart over the summer, which makes me sad
79. I'm hoping to start walking/running everyday after preschool
80. I like to do step aerobics
81. My friends actually let me teach step aerobics every other week (once school starts again)
82. I can't wait for my girls to get back in school
83. We had a great summer and there were only a few days my children drove me nuts, which surprised me.
84. I love having "older" children
85. I still have my baby blanket on my bed...all though it's really just a big ball of knotted of fabric.
86. I love Reality TV - especially Survivor, Biggest Loser, American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, and Amazing Race
87. I love to play games and watch game shows on TV
88. I talked to Bob Barker once (well kinda...my friends and I all yelled to him and he told us he would come work out with us)
89. My friends and I helped a guy win 3 cars on the Price Is Right, we didn't get on stage, but we did get camera time
90. I really want to be on the Wheel of Fortune
91. I don't eat fish, plain tomatoes, mushrooms, steak, ribs, pork chops, or sausage
92. I didn't try apple pie until I was 20, same with cooked peas
93. I love pretty much all vegetables (again not eating many of them until I was a grown adult...the veggies I grew up on were corn, potatoes, fresh pea pods, and carrots...oh green beans too) Now I prefer veggies to all other foods (not counting peanut butter or dessert items of course)
94. I love to email and blog
95. I am slowly getting over my fear of calling people. I know, it's a weird phobia. I'm just glad it's so much better now. I will even call to order a pizza if needed...pretty sad that I used to have a problem with that
96. I can't decide if I should chop off my hair or not...what do you guys think??? if yes, how short?
97. I am letting my daughter get a perm on Friday, she's pretty excited about that.
98. I miss my friend Carrie and her daughter Bailee...the neighborhood just isn't the same
99. My girls start soccer tomorrow. Guess what? I think it's going to rain, surprise surprise! What am I thinking????
100. I love to cook and bake...someday I would love to go to cooking school and learn how to be a real chef

Wow, I did it. Sorry if it bored you. You should have just stopped reading!

We Survived and Loved EVERY Minute!

Well we survived our first long camping trip. We did cut it short one night (we ended up staying an extra night, in the Portland area, with my sister b/c it was still raining in Florence), so we only did 3 nights, but had there not been rain we easily could have done another one or two nights (we are fair-weather campers).

We loved Florence. I had been there when I was 11 or 12 and it was my favorite camping trip ever. I was worried that it wouldn't be as great, but it was. There was so much to do, we never got bored. I actually never even went to the playground in the campground...which if you've ever been camping with us, you know that is what we end up doing for at least 1/3 of the time, if not more. My dad was nice enough to take all the kids each night while we made dinner, so they still got to play, just not as much.

We did realize that a camping spot with sun is essential down there. We had stuff on clothes lines for the entire camping trip, that we brought home wet. It got chilly at night, but not too bad. Luckily we were over prepared for it and had to take off blankets during the night.

We had a blast and will probably go back every couple years! I can't wait!

Here are a few pictures that I took while we were at Michelles house...we had a great time with the Kenyons. We really miss not seeing them very often!

Alli while we were waiting to eat at Costa Vista (or something like that) a place just like Cafe Rio!!!!!! Kenna, Alli, and Sam
Samantha the bear...this costume is a size 18 months...Sam is 5!!!! She cracks us up!
We went to a place called "out of this world" where they have bouncy houses, little scooters, a big climbing toy, and a rock wall. The kids had a great time playing with their cousins.

Jack and Alli on the scooter
Konrad, Richard, Steph, and Michelle

The First Day at North Jetty Beach

We went to check out the ocean right after we set up camp. We went to the North Jetty Beach where there was a crazy current that knocked many of our kids down. We went home with very cold, soaked clothing, sand covered children.

Right after Sam got knocked down

Konrad and Kimber heading inSam FINALLY got to fly her kite...she's been waiting for a year or so, poor kid!
Kimber and Sam buried in the sand

A Day at the Lake

We spent the afternoon at the lake beach on the second day. The water was pretty chilly but the kids and Konrad got in. The boys tried sand boarding as well. We also created a few animals as well...

The Dances and my mom

Grandpa gave rides in the raft...Alli and Jack LOVED it!
Konrad and Doug trying to sand board
Jordan and Steph
Sitting was easier :) Kimber's on there too....
My dad even gave it a shot

Samantha the 'turtle'

Samantha the Alligator
Kimber the frog (or a cowboy???)We were full of sand, but we had fun! Thank goodness for free warm showers back at camp!

Fun Center/Beach

My mom, the girls and I went to the Fun Center in Florence, while my dad and Konrad went golfing. We rode the bumper boats, the train, and a played a very competitive game of miniature golf.

Sam watching the boats...she wouldn't go on them (AGAIN for those of you who remember the last experience with bumper boats and Sam)

Kimber, me, and Alli enjoying the boats
Riding the train

Wishing someone could get their ball in the hole! We all gave up on this one! :)

We had a blast at the ocean the second day. We all ended up wet (except for my mom and Alli...well they did get their toes wet)...Konrad went all the way in. Crazy man. My dad and Konrad "helped" me in...I almost got away by claiming that my phone was in my pocket, but they figured out I was lying. I was wet to my waist. Burrrrr!

We had fun building a sand castle, running from the waves, jumping the waves, and of course looking for shells.

Konrad body surfing (he says next time he's bringing his wet suit)

Konrad, Kimber, and Grandpa jumping waves
Sam running from the waves
Our sand castle...that even I helped build (I HATE sand!)

My Head Is Spinning!!!!

Seriously, can I have anything more to do?

-pack for a 5 day camping trip...what was/am I thinking????
-figure out Primary stuff for the upcoming stake activity as well as for the Primary Program
-take care of 3 girls (and their friends) (and the kids I babysit...luckily I had a break today from that)
-wash clothes
-do dishes
-clean bathrooms
-get oil changed
-make banana bread muffins BEFORE Konrad eats my ripe bananas (this may be the hardest one to accomplish...he's on the phone now, I should go do it quick)
-run to the library
-go grocery shopping for camping trip
-start a preschool in two weeks
-sign 2 more kids up for my preschool (supposedly I have 2 committed, I just have to get the paper work)
-hang up bulletin boards, white boards, name strips, helper charts, birthday lists
-put together 3 little shelves
-type up a list of all my childrens books...that could take awhile
-figure out the best way to store all my preschool stuff...do you know how much stuff it takes to teach preschool?????

Wow...I really shouldn't be blogging. I'll claim I'm just waiting to switch the laundry.

New Toys

The girls and I went to my favorite teacher store...Lakeshore...and the girls each brought money to buy something. They found their little treasures, which took FOREVER. It's amazing how many times they change their mind. It's like it's a life or death situation.

Anyways, after that we headed to Target, where the dollar spot was having a 50% off sale. Needless to say the girls ended up with more stuff.

You know this was a special day b/c Samantha's prayer included this sentence..."please bless that mom will be nice again tomorrow and buy us more stuff"... they must think that their "mean" (or should I say stingy) mom is starting to change...heading into that "sure you can have whatever you want" direction.

At least I can say that I (notice I said 'I' not anyone else) do not spoil my kids, they see it as a miracle! I got a million thank you's on the way home, which NEVER happens. I guess I'll have to withhold dollar spot items more often, just so they appreciate them when they get them!

Samantha and Pain

Samantha + shots= nothing
Samantha + watching her own blood be drawn= nothing
Samantha + getting her ears pierced= nothing
Samantha + sticker bushes/stinging nettles= TEARS

We finally found something that Sam can't handle. Sticker bushes and stinging nettles.

Today we ventured over to the Soos Creek Trail (which for some odd reason we'd never been to...it's only like 2 seconds away from our house too) for a walk/bike ride. Kimber and Sam rode their bikes. We'd just started and Sam started heading towards the left side of the path. It was one of those slow motion movements. She was heading right towards the bushes but we thought for sure she'd stop. The next thing we know she disappeared. Seriously, if she hadn't been crying we wouldn't have known she was there. Poor girl was so buried in the sticker bushes and to top it off the bike was on top of her.

Once we realize she's gone Konrad takes off running. He skids to a stop trying to find her and finally sees her. He had to climb down through the bushes to rescue her and the bike. All three came out with green little burrs (not the prickly kind, thank goodness), vines, and branches stuck on them. Sam kept saying that parts of her that weren't noticeably scratched and bleeding hurt. I couldn't figure out why until Konrad mentioned the stinging nettles that he had touched. Poor girl had 5 or 6 spots (it could have been worse) covered with stinging nettle bumps.

So we cleaned her up. Not mentioning the blood on her chin and cheeks, of course. Put her back on her bike and away we went. So even though she cried, she's still tougher than most, she got back on and kept going. What a trooper.

Ocean Shores

Konrad and I got to spend the last 2 nights in Ocean Shores. We signed up to listen to a time share presentation. This one was different b/c we got to go to the resort and stay for 2 nights, and take 90 minutes of our vacation to hear the speal. The crazy thing is that this one almost has me convinced to buy it. We didn't let the guy know that, but this one was cool b/c all the resorts it owns so far (7 of them) are in Washington and they are hoping to expand to Oregon and Idaho, which would also both be within driving distance. They also have connections with other companies and you can use your points to go to anywhere else in the world...lalalala. Anyways, sorry, I'm sure you all really care about it! :)

For those of you who haven't been to Ocean Shores all you are missing is the cold and wind. We got there Sunday night, it was 50 degrees...can you believe that? Monday we wore sweatshirts and jeans all day b/c it was really windy and foggy. Today was absolutely gorgeous. Sunny and warm, with just enough wind to fly a kite, but not to bug you. So really it wasn't all that bad. We went expecting to to be cold, which helped us not be disappointed when it was. Plus, it made today a bonus!

We pretty much walked everywhere we went...breakfast, lunches, movie (the Dark Night), beaches, shopping, icecream, etc. It was nice and helped to work off some of the junk we ate.

I love mom-and-dad-only vacations, they are wonderful.

Thanks Steph for watching our girls!

Our resort. The brown w/ white trim.

The view from the resort.
Sunset



you always need a stretch-out-your-arm picture

Konrad flying his kite

He can make it do all kind of tricks

I actually learned how to fly the kite as well. I found that it is pretty tricky to control, it took some practice, and I am no where near good at it yet, but I was able to keep it up for awhile. The best part of my learning experience was landing the kite, pointy side down, directly on top of Konrad. It would have nailed him on the top of his head, but he had time to duck and cover so I just go the top of his back. There was a guy next to us that witnessed it...if only we got a picture of that, it was hilarious!

My Day So Far

I've got my two nephews for the weekend and this is what I've done so far today...

-Changed 3 poopy diapers
-given Jack a bath b/c his diaper leaked last night
-washed Jack's blankets
-washed Jordan's blankets and bibs b/c he keeps spitting up like crazy
-cleaned up a huge puddle in the bathroom, thanks to Alli...one more load of laundry
-did 3 regular loads of laundry
-attempted to get the preschool room put together

I wonder what this afternoon will bring....

Meanwhile, Konrad is playing volleyball...when's it my turn????

"Oh good, we're going this way, maybe we'll see the cute boy!"

Seriously, this is what came out of the mouth of my 5 year old daughter. I guess Kimber, Sam, and their friend Aleigha have named the teenage boy next door the "cute boy". I couldn't stop laughing. Made me think of all those drivebys we used to do, just to catch a glimpse. I don't think I started as early though!