And this weeks...or last weeks...answer is:

Gina! She loves ALL shades of green but really tends to favor the more "olive" tones. Just one more way she is like her mom...it really gets scary when you think about how similair they are. Laney, who tends to be ALOT like Gina, is saying her favorite is green too BUT then her answers change DAILY...oh to be 3 again. Good luck with this weeks poll!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISABELLA!

We can't believe that Isabella is 12 today! It seems just like yesterday she was born. She came in to the world at 8:37 AM and weighed exactly 8lbs. & was 20 inches long. She had the CUTEST dimples in each of her cheeks as well as her chin. She also had a strawberry shaped birthmark on her belly. Because it was red and a little raised in places it was like a real strawberry. Izzy has the MOST nicknames! Izzy, Bella, Izzy-Bella, Izzy-B, Izzy-berry-belly (from the birthmark), Izzy-Bug, Izz, and Isabelita.

She plays the violin and has started to learn the cello...although the violin IS her favorite. She does so well in school and loves to go to church. She is a great babysitter & kids just love her. One day she wants to be a pilot & has chosen the Air Force to learn

When she was little she had NO fear! She could climb anything & was tough. She has frequented the ER the most out of all of our kids. She got the top of her finger cut off in the door at age 2 & just sat there with big tears in her eyes. When her toe got stuck in the exercise bike & all but came off she rode in the front seat quietly. She is TOUGH!

We are so happy that Izzy is a part of our family & we love her so much. Hope your day is great Isabella! Happy Birthday!

Christmas Music

No specific artist this week, just some Christmas music we like to listen to around the holidays. Enjoy selections from A Charile Brown Christmas & Harry Connic Jr. this week. A little taste of what we will be listening to in our home. Enjoy the music...

This weeks answer is:

Little Laney Loo Hoo! That's right, Elania was the youngest to walk at 7 MONTH OLD! We are NOT talking just a step here or a step there. She was 7 months when she was walking all over! One day is was just a few steps then she just took off! She really hasn't stopped since. She could give the energizer bunny a run for his money with as much as she runs around. We love her energy and love for life. Everything is fun and exciting to her & we love so see her litle face light up with excitement as she discovers something. She is a sweetheart who loves everyone & that makes her just irresistable! We are SO happy Laney is a part of our family :) Love you Elaina!

Jazzarinos Dance!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

The jazzarinos dance too!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Not so good news

It is with a sad and heavy heart that we announce the untimely passing of Beth Kantola. She is Mathew's Mom and Gram to all of our kids. We all love her very much and while we will miss her being with us here on this earth, we are greatful she is out of the physical pain she endured for quite a few years. We are very greatful that The Lord let us have her in our lives as long as he did. We are also grateful for all of the things she was to each and everyone of us. She was a kind and loving mother as well as mother in law & grandma. She always had a hug for each of us & it was hard to live so very far away from her. Some of the things we loved about her?

*She could look in a cupboard that looked bare & whip up a great meal

*She was very crafty & loved to share that with those around her

*She made beautiful flower arrangements & did all of the bouquets & boutonnieres for our wedding

*She loved to bake in the kitchen with the grand kids

*She loved nature & instilled in each of us that same love

*She had beautiful flower gardens and yummy vegetable gardens

*She loved music & taught that love to Mathew, who has taught it to our kids & startd a legacy of music

She was many things to each of us & we will miss her greatly...Love you Gram!

This weeks answer

So last weeks poll was about who's name is the least common. Whom ever guessed Mary-Jocelyn you were right! Here are the official standings of our names:
Mathew: 97,867 with his first name & 42 with both names
MJ: 1.529 with her first name & 1 or less with both names
Michael: 4,038,929 with his first name & 1,737 with both names
Isabella: 12,235 with her first name & 5 with both names
Gabriel: 116,228 with his first name & 50 with both names
Elaina: 6,117 with her first name & 3 with both names
Isaac: 77,995 with his first name & 34 with both names

So there you have it. Some of the name we have are unique in the way they are spelled. Like Mathew with one t & Elaina instead of the traditional Elena & of course Mary-Jocelyn as one name. Regardless of how things are spelled each of us is our own person. It was fun to find out all of this info on our names & if you want to find out about yours here is the link we used: http://howmanyofme.com

The Month Before Christmas

I got this poem in a email from a friend & just felt so strong about what the message said. I feel it is time that Christians take a stand for what WE believe in especially at this time of the year, just like our counterparts are already doing and will continue to do. Just as they have that right so do we so here is our Christmas stand. Keep Christ in Christmas and in your heart always. MERRY CHRISTMAS to all who believe...*Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!*

Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!

Jack Johnson

This week we are mellowing out with Jack Johnson. We just love his quirky, folky songs. They make you smile, they make you laugh, you can identify with his lyrics and his guitar playing is melodic. He could be compared to this generations James Taylor...at least WE think so! His music is the perfect background for a party, hanging out, relaxing, driving...just to name a few. We chose some of our favorites for our blog & we will have to feature him again to put on even more.

Jack is from Hawaii & stared out as a surfer & thanks to a bad accident he eventually switched to music. His debut album was "Brushfire Fairytales" in 2001 & included fun songs like: Flake, Bubble Toes, Inaudible Music...songs we featured here...plus many more. Since then he has released 3 more albums: "On and On" 2003, "In Between Dreams" 2005 & "Sleep Through the Static" 2008 all of which are just as enjoyable as the first. He also did the majority of the "Curious George" soundtrack entitled:"Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the Film Curious George". Sit back, relax, listen, enjoy the music...

And the answer is...

Michael Moreno! That's right folks Michael has the most common name out of our family is the US. He shares his name with 1,736 other people. Even though his is the most common, he is definitely unique. Some of the things that make him Michael???

*He is an amazing musician on the sax and all percussion instruments

*He loves to cook and one day wants to make Banana Jam that can be canned for his food storage.

*He loves to play with Laney & Isaac

*He is the first one to wake up in the house ALL of the time & always has been...at least now it is around 6AM as opposed to 5AM when he was a baby...it never matters just HOW late he gets to seep!

*He has the coolest eyes in the world...they are Amber & so full of insight and knowledge

*He is the ONLY quiet kid in our house...he can get loud but not on a regular basis like the rest of them

*He is a computer genius and anytime something goes wrong with the computer all we have to do is call for him & it is fixed in minutes

*Even though he doesn't play any sports he has amazing accuracy when he plays catch...both football & baseball

We really just love Michael & if the site we used to find out the popularity of our names used middle names he would have had the mot unique name ever! We love you Michael Matilde Moreno & we are happy you chose to be a part of our family...we are better people because of you in our lives.

OINGO BOINGO

Most people know Danny Elfman as the guy who wrote the music for Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, Beetlejuice, Batman 1 & 2, Edward Scissorhands, Good Will Hunting, Mission Impossible, Men in Black 1 & 2, Spider-Man 1 & 2, Big Fish, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, Wanted, Hellboy 2, just to name a few...plus many TV themes: The Simpsons, Batman: The Animated Series, Desperate Housewives, Tales from the Crypt, Sledge Hammer!, and The Flash (TV series).

Well unless you are old like we are you may not know he was the lead singer for Oingo Boingo...Formerly know as the Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, which was a musical-theatrical troupe formed by Danny's older brother~Richard & wife~Marie. Danny was just the musical director at this point but when Richard left the group in 1976 Danny took over as the lead singer and director. In 1980 Danny turned the group into an 8 member "rock" band and shortened the name to Oingo Boingo. I say rock band loosely because they really had an eclectic sound...New Wave, Punk, Ska, Rock, & it just worked! Their first release was "Only a Lad" hence the first song on our play list this week. They went on to release 7 albums through out the 80's & then shortened their name to Boingo, released one album, and separated on good terms after their annual Halloween concert at the Universal Amphitheater in 1995. While it is sad to loose such an amazing pioneering band, at least we can still enjoy Danny's brilliant music on TV or in the movies. He has also branched out in other aspects such as Serenada Schizoprhrenia, which debuted in Carnegie Hall in 2005, and Rabbit and Rogue, a new ballet that he created for choreographer Twyla Tharp and The American Ballet Theatre, performed at New York’s Metropolitan Opera House, June 2008. Really can we say anything else other than "Brilliant". Enjoy the music...

Happy Thanksgiving to all

So despite all of the hectic things going on in our lives we do have a lot to be thankful for. While it seems like the world just keeps getting crazier and scarier with the economy, politics, war, etc. we feel extremely blessed. So we just wanted to let you all know that we feel blessed with health, love, family & friends. In light of these blessings we want to thank you for participating in our lives through this blog. It has been a fun new adventure for us & a great way for those that we love and care about to keep in touch with us over the many miles that physically separate us. Plus it has been fun to share a little bit of who we are with those who may not get the chance to know all of our family.

May you all take the time to reflect & give thanks on you own lives and the good things that are there...even if they are covered with some bad things, there is good in all of your lives. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

A new fun thing on our blog

I have been wanting to add something "fun" to our blog for a while & thought... "what about a poll"? Of course I had NO idea what to poll about until my friend Heidi gave me this idea: How popular is your name? So I did a little research & got the results. Our numbers range from 1,736 down to 1 or less people named what we are named in the US. So for this first poll we are seeing who's name is the most popular. Go ahead and vote...we know you are ALL going through with drawl from NOT having a presidential race so maybe THIS will help ease the with drawl pains... The answers will be posted next week after the poll closes. Hope you enjoy this new aspect of our blogspot & participate. We WILL keep doing the poll regardless ;)

Green Day & an update on life...

So life continues...we try to get by & sometimes things fall by the wayside in the process. At least this time it was 2 weeks as opposed to 3 with the Peter Gabriel post...sorry but at least it is progress. Mathew's Dad is in the ICU struggling to stay alive, Mathew is there by his side & I am taking a "vacation" from work because I don't have anyone to watch the kids. Honestly I am grateful Mathew was able to get out there in case his Dad looses his fight. It's been 2 years since any of us have been back "home" & that has been TOO long...even though it feels like just a short amount of time...

The kids are doing well. Gina is in the winter color guard at school & was good enough to make the rifle line :) Izzy started the cello in orchestra at school but is still doing the violin too. Gabe had his wax museum at school and was Pat Garrett...he killed Billy the Kid. Laney is completely potty trained during the day...still drinks too much through out the night to have the training done then too. & Isaac & Michael are just along for the ride.

So it is Thanksgiving week & while it sometimes feels like we don't have a lot to be thankful for...we do. As we come to the end of this year we are still wondering what happened to it all because lets face it, wasn't it just New Years??? Time seems to be gaining speed and we seem to be slowing down... Over all though we can't complain. Over all we have a good life full of many wonderful things. We just need to remember to take the bad along with the good...

So in honor of Thanksgiving we're playing Green Day this week...I know...odd choice...not really a group you associate with Thanksgiving...but it is based on one song: "Macys Day Parade" Which when you listen to it really has NOTHING to do with Thanksgiving or even the parade... Just the title & the first line. Still it felt appropriate. Mostly because when I am bogged down I need to listen to something that has a driving beat...screaming guitar...that has lyrics that aren't always the most uplifting...but are identifiable: attention to Basketcase...it is my theme song currently...or even Paranoia would fit me...ANYWAY it's time to sit back, crank up the sound...because it just works better that way...& pull out of the freakin funk. Really though some of their songs just fit life &the things that happen. Plus since their debut album "Dookie" in 1994 we have been raising our family so I can identify each child's birth...minus Ginas~she's just old... & life events with a Green Day song release. Best was "When September Ends" because I was due with Laney the beginning of October & I just wanted September to END when they released that song on the radio.

SO, this Basketcase with sever Paranoia is going to kick back, watch the Macy's Day Parade...this I really WILL do...and hope you have the Time of Your Life...I really do...& look for a Welcome to Paradide When September Ends...I know that was a stretch...not to mention cheesier than the Twilight movie... but I just couldn't end this on such a downer! Enjoy the music...

Paramore

So, it's a new week & a new band. Really I wasn't sure WHO to feature so Izzy suggested her favorite band: Paramore. I was really hoping that Playlist would have their two songs that are on the "Twilight" soundtrack. I am guessing that they are too new, as they weren't on Playlist. Although we have seen the video, very fun with teasers for the movie included in it :) Just under 2 weeks... Regardless, Paramore is a fun band that we like to listen too & hope you do too. Enjoy the music...

Where have we been???? NOT vacation...

So, it's been a while since we posted...sorry to all of you who have been forced to listen to Peter Gabriel for 3 weeks...OOPS! We have just been incredibly busy these past few weeks. Doing what? You name it...we did it...well, almost ;) Debbi & her family came to visit us over UEA for a week & we had a BALL! Movies, Frightmares at Lagoon(amusement park for those Non-Utahns~every fall they have fun/scary stuff to replace the water rides), family get togethers with the other siblings, marching band competition, it was fun to say the least. Best part is they will be moving back to Utah this weekend! WOO HOO!

Gina wrapped up marching band & is looking forward to Winter Drum Line. She managed to have THE most costumes this year, partially in thanks to the HS having dress up days the whole last week of October: She was "Clash Girl" for superhero day...looked exactly like Jenna Rink from "13 going on 30" for decade day, was a zombie for the Halloween concert, one of Charlies Angels at school on Halloween & then went to a Halloween party with Jared as a mobster...Mathew even let them post with his guns for pictures...Jared was in HEAVEN & holding the sniper rifle DEFINITELY made up for Gina making him to pictures;) Gina has the sniper in this photo though...sorry Jared!

Mike was a ninja & Mathew made an awesome sword for him out of wood. He went out with friends trick or treating & ended up with his pillow case 3/4 full! Yes he had a stomach ache by Sunday & surrendered the rest of his candy to me.

Gabe actually stayed with Laney, Isaac & me for trick or treating but we brought along a few of his friends. He was a zombie.

Gabe in the Halloween parade
Izzy was a pirate & went trick or treating with friends also...not quite as much candy as Mike but had fun none the less.


Izzy & her best friend India
Laney was Sleeping Beauty & had enough after 1 hour as she ran the whole time before that! Isaac was a penguin & rode in the stroller the whole time. Neither one would sit still for a picture :(

So now it is November, we have decided who our new president will be, gay marriage was banned, gas is under $2.50 & we got our family pictures done. Not bad considering it is only the 5th! Hopefully we will be more diligent about posting this month...just a few more days with Peter Gabriel so get your fix now!

Peter Gabriel

This weeks artist...Peter Gabriel...why did we choose him? Just feeling a little nostalgic. Watched Say Anything this weekend & just thought...Why not? What is it about 80's power ballads that are epic & at LEAST 5 minutes long. Sit back, imagine John Cusack standing in your driveway holding a boom box, or that YOU are John Cusack standing in some chicks driveway holding a boom box & enjoy the music...

Dave Matthews

So, in our honest opinion, Dave Matthews is BRILLIANT! Not to mention the rest of his band. Of course we couldn't find some of those rare songs on Playlist that really showcases their musicality but we found a few that we really love. Enjoy the music...

I did WHAT????

You know you're really over tired when: You write a note excusing your child from school & don't remember it!
Yes, it's true...Izzy had a headache and asked to stay home from school right after I got home from work and so when I woke up later on I assumed she had stayed home. When I got a call from her to let me know she was over at her friends house around 3:30Pm I was confused!
"What? How come you are over at a friends house when you didn't go to school?" I asked.
"Mom, don't you remember writing me a note to get me back into school late?"
"WHAT?! I didn't do that." I insisted.
"Yeah you did Mom."
I was blown away. I think I would remember that!
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah. I woke you up to tell you my headache was gone & I needed a note to get back into school & you said sure. So I got ready for school & went to get the note & you were asleep so I got paper & a pen, woke you up & you wrote a note for me to get back into school."
"Really?" STILL blown away by this fact and really having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I wrote a note in my sleep.
"Yeah."
"Ok then I guess I'll see you later then."
Immediately I am running out to the garage to talk to Mathew.
"Did I write a note for Izzy to get back into school?"
"I didn't so you must have. She had a note."
Needless to say, 13 hours later I am STILL blown away that this even happened.
You know you are tired when you do something like that...silver lining???? I don't DRIVE her to school!

TV Themes

Since last week was for the marching band...who got 3rd in their class over all and the drumline got 2nd (just 1 point behind 1st) in case you were wondering...we missed premere week on TV. So in honor of the shows that we are happy to see back on the TV...and happy there is NO strike this year...we have the themes we could find on Playlist. Enjoy the music...

Happy Birthday Laney!

Here she is last year..
...here she is now...big hazel eyes just like her Dad's...

...what a difference a year makes...she looks so grown up now with her curly blond hair...

...full of wonder and awe of the world around her...

...full of fun and games...

...full of smiles & laughter...

...now she's three & quite the big girl she will be...

...Happy Birthday Laney Boo! Have a fun time being 3...Love Dad, Mom, Gina, Mike, Izzy-Bella, Gabe & Isaac

The Beatles Marching Band

This Saturday Gina has her first Marching Band compe-
tition so in honor of them we will be playing the songs they will be playing for competition.
Here is the line up:
Magical Mystery Tour
Hard Days Night
Yesterday
Eleanor Rigby
Hey Jude
Unfortunately Playlist doesn't have the marching band version so we will just have to listen to the originals from The Beatles themselves.
Go Skyhawks! Oh yeah...and enjoy the music cause we love The Beatles here in our house!

TAG! I'm it...

...I feel SO honored and would like to thank my good friend Becky for nominating me for this prestigious position on her blogspot. http://www.pixieandtoad.blogspot.com/ This is my first nomination and I just feel SO honored to join the group of millions of people out there who have been tagged by their fellow bloggers. I hope I can hold my head up high and let you know a little bit more about my quirky self...really I know I am being very tongue in cheek about this but I do love reading these things, so honestly...Thanks Becky!

Rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules on your blog.
3. Tell about 6 quirks of yours.
4. Tag 6 fellow bloggers to do the same.

OY! I have to limit it to 6? Really if you know me I am just basically quirky. Here it goes anyway...

6. As you can tell by this countdown of quirks I like to do things a bit differently. So because of this quirk I am starting at 6 and ranking my quirks down to #1.

5. I have a tendency to over explain everything and it turns into a saga which no one really ends up understanding. So instead of just saying something you get a whole story on why I chose turkey over ham for my sandwich.

4. In writing as well as texts I use ... A LOT! I really don't understand my obsession with ... but they definitely put a style on my writings... or at least I think they do!

3. I associate people with color... Each one of my kids is a different color. Some of them their favorite color, some of them not. I don't know WHERE this came from but it really is just a feeling I get from people and their attitudes.

2. Are OCD tendencies quirky? I think they are & I have a few of them. Not ready to share them though. You will just have to pay close attention to me and see if you can figure them out.

1. Only in Utah is this quirky but I am reminded of it on a daily basis by friends, family, strangers... my accent!


Here are my tagged blogger friends:
Carla
Dawney
Diana
Heidi
Kim
Ross

Things Gina shouldn't tell Laney...because she believes them!

You just HAVE to love the older siblings! Whenever we go to Spanish Fork we drive by the Lotus Temple where they have a huge Llama farm. Laney LOVES the Llamas...not sure WHY but that is because I am NOT a fan! It never fails that she points it out to me
"Look Mom, the Llamas!"
Gina: "hey Laney, when you die, you'll turn into a Llama"
Me: "GINA!"
Laney: "Mom I be a Llama"
Me: "No Gina was teasing"
Laney: "I be a Llama tomono" (tomorrow)...EVERYTHING is tomorrow with the kid!
Gina: GIGGLING
Me: "No Laney you won't be a Llama"
Laney: "I die tomono & be a Llama"
Gina: GIGGLING
Me: "I give up"
Of course we tell this to Mathew when we get home & he joins in...I give up at this point
Mathew: "Laney I thought you wanted to be a bird"
Laney: "I be a bird?"
Mathew: "That is what you wanted to be yesterday"
Laney: "Gina! When I die, I be a bird not Llama"
Gina: GIGGLING
SHE STILL THINKS SHE WILL TURN INTO EITHER A LLAMA OR A BIRD WHEN SHE DIES
...Later that same day...
Gina has Jared over & laney keeps bugging them. Of course we ALL know how Gina likes to talk...and talk...and talk... Well, Laney can give that girl a run for her money! So she keeps telling Jared & Gina stories...probably about turning into a Llama or a Bird...and Gina keeps telling her to be quiet & stop talking to them. Does Laney listen??? Jared finds this all very entertaining as opposed to Gina's frustration. Finally Gina says "Laney, if you don't stop talking you're going to blow up!"
BIG HUGE crocodile tears well up in her eyes and she runs away crying. Jared scolds Gina for saying that...I REALLY like this kid...and Gina goes to calm her down.
Moral of the story, 3 year olds believe EVERYTHING! Maybe I can convince her I know EVERYTHING...just like I convinced the other ones...SHHH they still think I do!

Journey

It's homecoming week here in Salem...I know...homecoming in a school that just opened??? LOL Still it is making us reminiscent of those days long ago when WE were going to homecoming. It was the BIGGEST game of the year followed by the BIGGEST dance of the fall. Now here in Utah you dress up for homecoming...small town North Branch didn't. It was still the same excitement though. You remember, waiting for that perfect song to dance with your current infatuation/love, AKA power love ballads, getting the guts to walk over to them as you heard the beginning of the intro, the joy when they said yes...it was like a dream you had in your head every time you heard that song on the radio. Journey was one of the biggest power love ballad players of the 80's, so we chose them to honor Homecoming this week. As an added bonus they are from San Francisco & I REALLY miss the bay area so songs from them remind me of college too. Gina gave them her approval because each day last week someone reminded her of Journey so maybe it was a sign... Enjoy the music, grab your loved one & dance the "hug" dance...you know hugging and swaying around in a circle...remember the "dream". It'll make you feel young again!

What the... moments

...you can finish that sentence however you choose. Here are a few of those instances where you just want to say "What the ..."
#1: Sometimes progress just SUCKS! You get used to something & then technology makes it obsolete. Now they are messing with how I sign in on MY OWN COMPUTER! OY! Now I don't get my fun little window where I can choose which account we sign in on that has been customized for each person. You have to sign in separately to messenger too. Technology is moving WAY to fast for me to keep up and now it's a process to sign in on the Internet... What the...
#2: I will proudly admit I am a HUGE fan of Stephanie Meyer & her wonderful stories. As I read Breaking Dawn I was very sad to see the whole Edward/Bella saga end but I had the hope of reading Midnight Sun which is from Edwards point of view...SHUT UP ROB! I know it isn't REALLY from Edward...how can a girl write what a guy thinks... ANYWAY, I just really was looking forward to reading this side of the story. So when Carla let me know that her rough draft of 264 pages got put on to the Internet by someone she trusted I was HEART BROKEN! How can someone do that? How can she be reacting like this, by halting the writing indefinitely. Don't we as fans DESERVE to read the whole story like she PROMISED?!?!?! What the...
#3: Actually is a "Where the...is" So even though I am EXTREMELY disappointed I have been reading the rough draft of Midnight Sun & am really enjoying it...VERY bitter sweet to do as I REALLY want to get the WHOLE freakin story. So it was pointed out to me that it ends and there is NO chapter 13...here's the "What the...." Chapter is like one of the BEST chapters in the whole freakin book...HELLO! So..."Where the...is chapter13" Dawney and I are making sweatshirts to advertise our frustration, contact me to order yours...maybe Stephanie will get the hint!
#4: Staffing REALLY should call us off earlier than 5PM. Really I am just about out the door at that time...after getting dressed, making lunch, kissing EVERYONE goodbye, UGH! Granted I am EXTREMELY happy to be put on call, Just one hour earlier would be sweet. "What the..."
#5: Gina had to write a novelty piece for percussion ensemble with the class. She had an awesome idea that Mr. Larsen thought was great but she kept getting ignored by the class. So this week someone...name is being held...brought up this idea and EVERYONE in the class thought it was an awesome idea. Gina was like "What the..." I have been saying this all along! Of course she was told that maybe if she didn't talk so much maybe they would listen more. "What the..."

So here is to all of those "What the..." moments we have in our lives. I know you get them too!

Relient K...car

Remember those cars? Did you ever think they would have a band named after them? Yeah me either. A few high school friends owned these vehicles & really I don't think they even make them anymore. Really it was just a plain boring sedan...that cannot be said about the band though. Honestly they named themselves after one of the band members car...the Relient K. I have to say their music is just really enjoyable. You know: good beat, fun melody, and good lyrics. Currently The Birds and the Bee sides is in my CD player in the suburban & I'm not sick of it. Sadly a lot of my favorite songs aren't on playlist but enjoy what there is.

It's SO hard to be 3...

...or ALMOST 3!

You just HAVE to love how the minds of these little ones work. In little miss Laneys mind if she is told "no" by anyone other than Dad or Mom the they are being mean to her. She literally gets upset and comes crying to one of us. You know the big huge crocodile tears that just rip your heart out. She is visibly upset & thinks that whomever said "no" is out to get her. Ahhh...gotta LOVE the passionate/drama types, huh?! Of course you have to acknowledge that her issue is legitimate because you just can't understand anything she says other than "______ is being mean to me" and call for the said "meanie". 9 times out of 10 it's because she was being told no so you have to explain to her that being told "no" isn't being mean and then she is fine...we'll talk about the 1 time out of 10 that someone is being mean to her in another post!

This being said, I called home from work to say goodnight to all and she was in hysterics in the background. WHY???? Dad said no! OY! She is progressing onto us! Mathew & the boys are ripping out their wall due to water damage...another story...and she just can't go in there. You have to feel for the little tyke because she hasn't been able to "help" with fixing this whole water mess since Friday when it was discovered. It's just SO hard being too young to help. Life is just too rough when you are almost 3.

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Our kids have grown up with the Red Hot Chili Peppers as they hit it big right as we were in college. Needless to say they are big around our house. One day Gina just might be able to play the bass like Flea...probably not naked though. By the Way is MY personal favorite Alblum and Cabron is my fav. on that one. Of course like most things my favorite isn't on Playlist...GRRRRRR
Really their music is just fun and we like them. Enjoy the music...

August 17 - August 23

Remember when August USED to be considered a part of Summer & NOT the beginning of school????? Well maybe the people who grew up in Utah never really had that but growing up in Minnesota school doesn't start until the day after Labor Day. I feel like school starts earlier each year & we just are overloaded the week it starts...doesn't help that we have a few Birthdays! LOL


So Sunday was Mikes 13th Birthday. We had a nice relaxing day, had Mathew's famous BBQ chicken...he's STILL keeping the secret...corn on the cob...oh it was SO sweet...chocolate cupcakes & rainbow sherbet. Most of the day was spent with the kids playing Air Soft with the new birthday gifts. Can you believe they went through almost 5000 air soft pellets?!?!?! OY! Our lawn is now green & red...looks like Christmas!

Monday was a busy day of visiting the new schools and teachers. Everyone is pretty happy with who they got. Izzy just isn't happy with the kids in her class!


Tuesday we celebrated the last day of "summer" by going to the pool for the last time. I HATE saying goodbye to the pool. It's just SO much fun! I really want a pool in the back yard more than ANYTHING...a BIG pool that is ;) Please no little plastic pools...the dog just pops them! Going to the pool and wearing everyone out was a good idea because they ALL went to bed early & got enough sleep so they could wake up early. Sorry Dawney no night before "I'm so excited I can't sleep" over the first day of school. Or did I just come up with a cure for the "I'm so excited I can't sleep" issue???? Try it, you might LIKE it!

Wednesday was such a double edged sword for me. Where I was able to get MY computer time back & it is SO much quieter with just Laney & Isaac at home...I missed having the older kids at home with us. Could it be possible to LIKE the constant chaos in our home when it is full of kids? Or am I just PSYCHO?! I am leaning towards the latter & I am sure the rest of you are too...IF you truly know me, that is! True to my own memories of the first day of school, there as at least 1 teacher that both Gina & Mike had that gave homework. Ahhh, Izzy & Gabe were REAPING the rewards of still being STUCK in elementary school...and giggling about it too.

Thursday was, well just Thursday & nice...Friday was very similar...Saturday NOT SO MUCH!

Mathew went into the boys room to look at something on their wall & discovered that it was MUSHY!!!! Did you know their bedroom is underneath the kitchen? The trap under neath the disposal had rusted through & was leaking like a sieve & we don't know for how long. SO while I slept all day (I worked all night Friday) Mathew fixed the drain, dried it all out, replaced drywall, the floor of the cabinet under the sink, insulation...next is the boys bedroom wall. Don't even want to THINK about that one right now because the washer quit spinning around too. Was anyone expecting rain & sent it our way instead???? Just so you know, its POURING! PRAY for just needing a belt replacement (we have a front loader) & not more than that. Although it is still under the Sears repair plan, whew! If it is just the belt Mathew will do that so we don't have to WAIT for the repair man...GRRRRRR
Over all it was a week & we all got through it with a smile...mostly in part to Laney's success in potty training :) She only had 1 accident! WTG Laney! Hope your week was a good one! Enjoy the weekend...or what is left of it!

Movie quotes

When she was 2 years old we should have known...Gina is HUGE movie buff & loves to spend a lot of time watching movies. I am sure this is our fault for letting her watch movies at a young age! Because of this she is a HUGE movie quoter & has her favorites. Of course this all started when she was 2 & The Lion King came out. Gram knew she loved it in the theaters & got a copy for her little sweetie pie when it came out on video (Do they even sell those anymore?!) Since then we have NEVER heard the end of movie quotes.

When she was 2 her favorite was "Hey! Whats going on here" which is what she woke us up with EVERY morning! She was quoting Timone the meerkat when he comes upon the grown up Simba playing with the grown up Nala after she almost ate Timone...if memory serves me correctly. She would wake up & come bounding in on her tip toes (can you bound on tip toes??? the downstairs neighbors seemed to thing she was bounding) & hollered at us. Since then it has been a never ending line of quotes from her mouth. Does it surprise you that most of the ring tones on her cell are...you guessed it MOVIE QUOTES!

Death Cab For Cutie

So this weeks artist is Death Cab For Cutie. The awesome print above is the art work of Travis Bone who screen prints posters and art work & was the poster he made for the latest show they had here in Utah. Check him out with our link to his website: Furturtle Show Prints on the right.

Anyway, I was able to go see this show with Gina, my brother & Travis...thanks for the tickets Travis! We had a lot of fun...even though I read The Host through out the wait in line & wasn't much fun. I was really impressed with them. They put on a good show. You just NEVER know how good they are live versus in the studio. I am always impressed when they sound just as good & you can tell they didn't lipsync...which they didn't!

I know they are an "Emo band" but I just really love listening to their music. Its nice and mellow but with a good beat that keeps you going. Enjoy the music...