Sometimes...

I just need to keep my mouth shut. This is something I have trouble with sometimes. I think something and it comes out my mouth. It has come back to kick me from behind so many times! I had a great conversation with my mom this morning about this. Have I mentioned that my mom is awesome! I couldn't have thought of a better way to start what will be a busy day (we are going out of town from tonight until Monday) than a good conversation with my mom. She really helps me put things into perspective and sugar coats it just enough so I don't feel like she is taking a jab at me.

Cutest girl ever!

I do believe that I gave birth to the cutest girl in the whole world. Seriously. Not just because she is mine either.

I rest my case. Even with boogers crusted on her face she is precious as can be. She has been just so much fun lately. Wanting to sing (her new favorite is Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star), play, and point out facial parts. I love to hear my kids laugh... especially if I am the one that induced the laughter. Maddy has this hilarious gutteral laugh that she does when she is highly amused that could easily be mistaken for crying (in fact she makes almost the exact same sound when she gets frustrated). I have especially enjoyed playing with my kids (not only Maddy... Hyrum just gets more annoyed with me more easily lol) since the girl I babysit has been sick yesterday and today. While I don't want anyone to be sick a break from anyone's kids besides my own is SO refreshing. Anyway, Maddy is wanting to get down from her highchair, so I better head out. I'll leave you with this picture of an amarillis that I took today...

A little piece of heaven!

Ok, two pieces of warm heaven with butter and homemade blackberry jam on them. I started making the bread dough on a whim while Jay was hometeaching today and Maddy was sleeping and Hyrum was coloring. I just barely finished eating two glorious slices fresh from the oven. I can think of nothing that would have tasted better. I have tried and tried to bake a really good loaf of bread. I've always used the same recipe (what was I thinking???) that I got from Jay's step-sister after hanging out over there and the four of us eating almost an entire loaf in one sitting. It was SO good so I knew it wasn't the recipe... maybe she did something different... I don't know. I realized today that I didn't have all of the directions. I didn't know what temp to cook it at or how long to so I pulled out the good ole' Better Homes and Garden cook book (actually, it is my mom's old one that she gave me when she got the newest version). If you do not have this cook book and enjoy baking or cooking at all, I would highly recommend it! I looked up the white bread recipe and followed the directions that came after making the dough. I realized that I hadn't ever let it rise twice. Something I saw before, but didn't think it would make a difference. Boy was I ever wrong! It made the biggest difference IN THE WORLD! The bread was light and fluffy and, well, just perfect. Aaaaaah. I can hardly wait until morning comes so I can have another slice or two. I have a feeling this is the start of a bread baking phase for me. So, if you live anywhere nearby you should probably expect a homemade loaf of bread (can't guarantee what kind though) in the near future.

Family pictures

We've been wanting to get a good family picture taken that we can put up on our wall for a while yet (or maybe it was just me???). Anyway, Kara needed to get some couples pictures for her poster or sample she is making to advertise making wedding announcements/invitations. She asked Jay and I if we would be able and willing to and we were, so what better time to get family pictures taken as well. Anyway, here are the best ones. I am soooo excited to get these on my wall!

Thanks again Kara! They turned out SOOOO cute! :)

Whoops!

I must've forgotten about the previous post and went to pick pictures out and left it without them. Here's the pictures I was going to post.

I also woke up early this morning and made a layout before my kids woke up. Quick, simple one, but I really like how it turned out.

Pool time!

Yep! Jay brought out the pool on Monday that Hyrum got for his birthday. It has been in the high 80's this week and with no AC or swamp cooler it has been just downright HOT! They played in it yesterday as well and Xander and Max came over and played with them. I took some pictures on Monday and Jay took some yesterday (although, not when Xander and Maxton were here). Anyway, here are some of them...

Alphabet Info.

I stole this from someone's blog I was reading today and thought since I can't think of anything really interesting to post about that I'd do this.

A-Age: 22
B-Bed size: Queen
C-Chore you hate: Laundry and dishes... they never go away!
D-Dessert you love: Anything chocolate!
E-Essential start your day item: Breakfast.
F-Favorite actor(s): Tom Cruise (ok, NOT!)
G-Gold or Silver: Gold
H-Height: 5'2"
I-Instruments you play: Hm, none.
J-Job title: Stay at home mom, house cleaner.
K-Keeping track of your day: To do lists are a must for me to get ANYTHING done!
L-Living arrangements: Husband, son, daughter, and puppy.
M-Mom's name: Karol
N-Not liking right now: My extra weight.
O-Overnight hospital stay other than birth: Giving birth to my two children
Q-Quote you like: "You are who you choose to be." -From The Iron Giant
R-Right or left handed: Right handed
S-Siblings: Two younger brothers and an old sister.
T-Time you woke up today: 7:05am... AKA WAY too early!
U-Unique habit: Ummm... popping my back before I go to sleep every night.
V-Vegetable you hate: Oh, there's this one that tastes like boogers, but I don't remember what it's called. I like every other veggie I've tried.
W-Worst habit: Yelling.
X-X-rays you've had: Teeth and ultrasounds.
Y-Yummy food you can make: Oooooh... brownies and cookies are my favorite, but I guess those aren't considered food. I make a mean chilli too.
Z-Zodiac sign: Leo

The weekend...

Yesterday was David's birthday and we had a barbeque over at my parents' house to celebrate. I just love my family. It is always so good to just be with them. I was pretty camera happy this weekend and this is my favorite out of all the ones I took...









Maddy will sometimes do this when you ask her where her nose is. It just totally cracks me up! I can't wait until she is 16 and bringing boys home so I can show them this picture of her. I know, mean mommy I am, huh? Here are some more pictures from the weekend that I just love.

Poor Grandma in that last picture! I made the mistake of telling Xander to "get Grandma" while he was holding a dandylion about to blow it. Instead of tackling her like I meant for him to do he blew the dandylion RIGHT in her face! Max quickly picked up on it and they thought it was hilarious. Well, I'm off to clean some and then maybe scrapbook... we'll see.

Sorry!

Hyrum and I just finished playing the game "Sorry!" Boy did that ever bring back memories! I remember while we were visiting Utah when I was a kid (and living in Texas) that we would play it with the cousins that were around my age (I think I remember playing with Travis and Mandy) and Kara. I made a few alterations for Hyrum. Well, only one alteration... we only played with one piece each instead of the usual 4. We both had so much fun and I think it's great practice for him to learn his numbers and practice counting. He got SOOOO excited when he got "home" and we both clapped and cheered. Then Hyrum got a bit worried and made sure that I made it "home" too so he could cheer for me. It was the cutest thing ever. It certainly makes me want to buy more board games for us to play together. I think next time we play I will have to be sure and take some pictures of him.

Anyway. Kara's coming over in about a half hour to have lunch (split a frozen gormet pizza yum!) and scrapbook. Tomorrow is National Scrapbooking Day and I have gotten permission from Kara to be able to shop the sales (we are doing a contest to see how long we can go without buying any scrapping supplies). I'm not sure what I want to buy or if I'm even going to buy anything for sure. I've avoided looking at all the new stuff, so I'm not entirely sure if there is just something I have to have. I'm sure Jay would appreciate me not spending the money. I guess we'll see if I find anything I "need".

Well, I'm off to kinda get ready (makeup and hair) before Kara gets over here. And I'm sooo excited it's the weekend! Happy Friday all!

Oh, and I had to come back to edit that I got my first pedicure and manicure last night. Jay gave me a gift card at a place in the mall (that I didn't even know was there lol) for valentine's day. I have to say that I absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED it! Especially the pedicure. But I suppose because I needed that more. I picked a cute mauvey pink for the polish and my hands and feet are still sooooo soft and smooth! I think I might have to keep getting the pedicures every now and again. I love to have my toes painted!!!

UGH!!!

I am so pissed off right now! Our puppy hasn't had any accidents in at least 2 weeks and then yesterday AND today he pooped TWICE on my kitchen floor! Both times about a half hour after I took him out in the morning. And I know he knows what he's supposed to do because he does it and then goes and hides in his kennel like he's in trouble or feels guilty. I think I have to deal with enough poop (from my kids and the one I babysit) without having to clean up dog crap because he doesn't feel like doing his business outside. SOOO frustrating!!!! Ok, I feel a bit better now and I think I can let the dog back in without gritting my teeth when I look at him.