Since my camera broke, I feel like I've had nothting to blog about. But I'm going to sit down and bring you up to speed. Without pictures. My camera is in being fixed so I guess that's reason enough to post.

Ashton and his team has done so well with football. Up until this last saturday they had only lost one game. The game on saturday was a battle for the number one team to beat with playoffs. But they lost. Barely! 1:30 left to make a goal. 8 yards from the endzone....but the other team held them back. They boys played really well that day. They now have to continue winning until they face this team for the championships.

My big giant pumpkin is still connected to the vine. I'm not sure that it's growing anymore. But we're going to wait a little longer. Maybe at least until the vine dies. It weighs in at 71lbs. and measure 59in. around. Not huge, but not small either. The second largest pumpkin weighed in at 34lbs. That one is still definitely growing!

With canning and harvesting this year. I bottled: Tomatoes, Dilly beans, Salsa, and Pears. I still am waiting on my grapes to sweeten up to make jelly with. We have dried potatoes and apples. My next canning attempt will be applesauce.

In the last 3 months, Jared has lost 30 lbs. His method was exercise and smaller porportions. When Ash has his football practices (3times a week) Jared would just walk and run around the field for the 2 hours Ash would practice. I'm really proud of him. He also goes out on some nights with the kids and runs. It's fantastic for me, because he wears them out right before bed and makes nighttime routines that much smoother.

The road construction in front of my house is even worse than it was before. (I didn't think that possible) But the road has been since torn up and there's a lot of dirt ALL the time. And cars are now coming (after construction crews go home) and peel out in the dirt. Really bugs me! They are also leveling the lane where they want to extend the freeway lane and it's like THISCLOSE! It's less than 100 meters from my doorstep! With winter months coming up quick, I know that crews will work less, therefore prolonging it all. OR...if i'm lucky. Take 3 months off while a beautiful blanket of white covers up all the ugly.

Kid update: Mykael, I believe, has settled into junior high nicely. Parent teacher conferences showed that as well. Jaden is living up his last year of elementary and "ruling the school". Ashton incorporates football into EVERYTHING. School work, recess, cleaning the house, running with dad, and constantly tries to talk his little brothers into "playing" with him. Eli LOVES preschool. He got into the program they have at the school and his teacher adores him. I have to say his paintings are really cool! Dylan had a hard time adjusting to loosing Eli to school, but quickly got over it when he realized it was just him and I.

I feel like I need to say, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year now! So I'll just end it before I get any more cheesy.

Oh! and my Last Supper cross-stitch...I'm still working on the table cloth! (Once every few months!) So it doesn't look any different from the last picture I posted of it....forever ago. I was hoping to have it done by the same time I started it...November. Not going to happen. I'll just be more realistic and shoot for finishing it within 2 years!

Jared and the Giant Pumpkin

Sometimes when my husband gets an idea, the best thought I can describe to you, that pops up into my mind is "here we go again." Because I have a dreamer of a husband. And sometimes they don't really pan out the way he originally plans. But thinking back now, I could say the same for myself as well as a few others. Some might say, "That's life".

So when my husband decided to plant 3 small "giant pumpkin" seeds in the rocks in front of my house I "pa-shawed" him and went on with my business planting sunflowers. Those little seeds did NOTHING all summer long, and was starting to think that they were duds. Then one by one a single little sprout popped up in its own individual spot. So cute. So pathetic. To tell people it was going to be a "giant" was kind of a joke.


But a joke it no longer is. Those little seedlings have made their presence known. And my sunflowers too!!! :o)

It's already over 100lbs. We're going to weigh it tonight to see how much for sure. So stayed tuned.

*ok, so he weighed it and it's only 70lbs. But Still! 70lbs! I look at it like a pregnancy. You gain the most the last trimester. Since we have a good two months left, bring on the weight!

And it IS a pretty color huh? I hope it doesn't fade as it "stretches" to larger porportions.

Time with Dad

I don't have to say much. You get the picture.

The deep meaning of loneliness

Yesterday, we had a lot of family here visiting. But only for a brief time. To make up for that I cooked a big dinner. (Maybe with alterial motives.) Lots of food keeps people around, right? Not really but it was still nice. I even came up w some yummy healthy dishes that when I'm not so depressed, I'll share.

I had so many people coming and going that when all is over w, that instant emptiness quickly overcomes oneself. I am now w only two children while the others are making the most of what's left of summer. But the biggest contributor to feeling so alone is when Jared pops in "real quick". The reunion is always received so enthusiastically by little and big ones running up to see daddy. But before we know it, he's gone! Dylan no longer tells jared he loves him because that is what is said right before daddy hangs up the phone or leaves. He plain out refuses. Amazing how quick he made that connection at such a young age.

So while my husband and 3 of my children are not w me right now, I know the two I've got will keep me preoccupied. Until that happens, I will go take a nice nap and wake up happy.

I'm so glad when daddy comes home...

(Sorry, couldn't help it. *old primary song for those of you who don't know). The kids LOVE it when dad is able to come home briefly and soak up every second with him.

I took these pictures of Dylan yesterday with daddy.

He was so scared of it when he first saw it. Hiding in between my legs and trying to scramble up them.

Obviously he warmed up to it once he tried it.

THIS is the face that I was trying to capture. But only got it while they were in motion.

This one's for daddy

We made these treats after "family night".

There is: a cupid, a heart, a "daan daan", a mug with "hot chocolate", a chinese bowl with sppon, and one for you!

Can you guess which is which? And WHO made what? (Everyone else can play too.)

OH! And It tasted REALLY good.

XOXOXOX

We Love you Dadddy!

Burrrrr... It's cold outside!

I decided to visit Jared because the kids had a day off. For some reason when you get in a car to travel a long distance, the tummy starts to growl. I made the kids wait till we at least made it to the next "town". We stopped to get some food and when I rolled the window down, it started to clink and scratch and grind. In my most observant thought, I thought it was weird.

Once food was received, I went to roll it up. It made it about 5 inches and stopped. Oh, NO! SO with my ingenious, I tried it again. Same results. (big surprise) I went ahead on down the road and just figured that I'd keep trying it over and over. (reminds me of the scene in the Bee Movie where he keeps trying to fly through the window.) Didn't work.

Anyhow...I told the kids to put their coats on. By this point the thought of driving 2 more hours was not going well with my fingers, which were now frozen, curled around the steering wheel. My eyes kept peering up at the thermometer on my rearview mirror, hoping against hope that the 26 degrees it was reading would rise a few more. Like 55! Sadly, it kept declining. Thoughts of duct tape and plastic started to run through my head and cursed myself for not having any of those on hand. (Must be a guy thing.) I knew there was a Lodge up ahead and decided to stop and ask a "big strong man" to pull it up for me.

AND...I sure did. He tried to figure out how to get inside the door but didn't want to break it. BREAK IT!!! I'M FREEZING! Without breaking into it he must have done something because with the help of his arm muscles, it went right up. His advice to me after that, "Don't roll it down." Got It! No Rolling!

Now....we finally make it "there" and Jared decides to go driving into a field of snow. (Gopher hunting is better from the comfort of a warm vehicle. Right?) I don't know if it's related but my power steering goes out and he's stuck in the field. (It's good that there was a tractor to use. It was unstuck before I even knew he was stuck.)

My over-nighter may have turned into a two-nighter. (Depending on how long it takes the mechanic to fix it.)

Kids aren't complaining!

An eventful trip, indeed.

On the trip home, Jaden made the comment that it was quite an eventful/lots to see, trip home. Looking back, it sure was. And I only got one picture. (I know I'm a bad blogger. Where is my commitment?) First off, we saw ice fishers on the lake and I listened to Jaden as he expressed how he wished he could walk out and do it to, while I was thinking, I WILL NEVER walk on a 'thin' layer of ice. Even if it is 10ft thick! A thin layer of ice at a skating rink is sufficent. I know there is solid ground just beneath it. I'd allow my toes to get a wet.


Next we saw this! HOW FUN!!!



....Anyone out there that knows what this is called, PLEASE let me know so that I can look it up and then wish that I had the upper body, arm, and leg strength to do such a thing.

After that we stopped at this super cool lodge, at the top of a pass, that had snowmobiles zooming all over. I almost felt out of place with my car, there were so many! Oh, how I wished that I was there snowmobiling.

Following that, Jaden noticed a HUGE bull elk (I know, Tom...I should've pulled over and turned around to get a shot!!! Regrets.) that was stuck between two small trees, up the side of a mountain fairly close to the road side (perhaps that's why it didn't continue walking. It would just get closer to the road and the "unnatural" things in its life). All it had to do was continue walking through the trees to get unstuck. I turned to look but only for a split second. (We were driving down a hill on snow covered roads and a semi in front of us. My priorities were elsewhere) but I did see enough of the animal to see its head. It was later confirmed by my mom and Kael that they too saw it also. And it was HUGE.

And the last thing we saw which was more of an unfortunate event but definitely demonstrated the dangers of driving on icy/snowcovered roads... (I LOVE my 4-wd vehicle even more!) A car that had rolled. We had to sit there in front of the wreck while the officer allowed the oncoming traffic to get through the one lane that was opened.

And in closing....drive safe this winter season! ;o)

It's really been THAT long?

Because it's almost our anniv soon... I saw this tag on a friends blog, and wanted to share some tidbits about him/us. Not tag anyone. It's more of a momento for my sweet hubby.

*What are some of his nicknames: Papi, daddy,

* Where did you meet? On the internet

*How long did you date before you were married? 5 months

*How long have you been married for?6 years

*Who said I love you first?I think he did.

*When and where was your first kiss? Ummm in my bedroom. grrrrr

* Who kissed who first?I don't remember! I think we met in the middle.

*Who proposed? Jared.

*What's your favorite thing to do as a couple? Watch sunday football. (Never thought I'd EVER do that!!!)

*Do you have kids? Yes... many.

*What does he do that surprises you? Makes sure he comes home from ANY store with something for me. coke, chocolate, shirt...etc.

*What's your favorite feature about him? His hands.

*What's your favorite quality about him? Loyalty

* Does he have a nickname for you?Dree

*What's his favorite color?Blue, green or red

*What's his favorite food? Roast and mashed potatoes and gravy (or that's just what he always wants me to cook)

*What is his favorite sport? College Football

*What's a hidden talent that he has? Drawing

* How old is he? 34

*What do you admire most about him? The sacrifice he gives to provide for his family.

*What's his favorite past time? Reading.

*Who eats more? I do...

*Who is taller?He is but only by an inch.

*Who sings better? I'll have to say me cause he won't sing for me (although i've heard him in the shower a time or two and I was impressed.)

*Who is smarter? Depends on the topic/subject/situation...

*Who does the laundry?Me.

* Who pays the bills? I do, when he tells me to.

*Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does

* Who mows the lawn?I do...I love being in the yard.

*Who cooks dinner? I do

*Who drives? We both do. He has his car, I have my "family wagon."

* Who is more stubborn? Me.

*Who controls the T.V. remote? Who ever is furthest away from Dylan.

*Whose temper is worse?If you make him angry enough...he does. But I find the littlest things (which is most of the time) to be angry.

*Who does the dishes? The kids!!! Whoo whoo

*Whose parents do you see more often?Mine...He works with my dad.

*Tidbits about us;*One of my fondest "dating memories" was laying in the park on a blanket looking up through the leaves. Such a simple activity, but means so much!

*When I held his hand for the first time, it "fit"!!! It was the coolest thing.

* We "order" sunsets for each other.

* We both have a love for the outdoors and find it SO important to instill that into our children.

* Some day we want to go to Fiji for our "honeymoon".

* We both look our best in camoflauge. ;o) (ok...not really, but we love it!)

Thinking back to when I met Jared seems like such a different life because of how much we have changed. Not only in my constant expansion of produced children ;o) (btw...I'm done for now for those of you who may question) but the experiences that have brought us to where we are now. I will honestly say that it wasn't the most easiest, but definitely A LOT of growth and learning accompanied. It will be six years this monday and look forward to what the next six will bring! I love you papi!

I could use some suggestions of what we could do. The same old dinner date, just sounds so boring! He's working out of town so it might be tricky and may need to involve all the kids. (Unless you want to babysit!) ;o)

True Thanks Given

Because I miss my love, I went to see him after I stuffed myself, to full capacity, with all the "good stuff" Nov. 27th brings. (Flattering, I know, but he still welcomed the visit!) And got to see exactly what it is, he is now doing. I'm grateful for the sacrifice that he is giving to ensure security for the family. I love you papi!!!

Of course when a picture presented itself, it did not go untaken. And gave me more to be thankful for. I'm thankful for the beauty of the natural world so that I can take a picture of it... and blog about it later. ;o)

Strawberry Res. This was the coolest cloud formation. There were highlights in the water from the sun rays but I didn't do a very justifiable job capturing that. (I need a camera/super lens like Alisha.)

Close-up

Full view. (which one do you like the best?)

Kenney Res. Colorado

Top of the "mountain" near the oil rigs. Somewhere in Col.

I've fallen behind...

...when it comes to this blogging thing, I always feel that a picture is needed for each post and when I don't have one, I make sure the next posting has enough to make up for it. BUT...the world has continued to revolve and things continued to happen....

First off, Sunburst has "passed," and Ra (I TRULY BELIEVE) is mourning the loss of his friend. (They were the "guppies". Fish with really fancy tail fins. Reminded me of Figero) Everyday since he got the "royal flush" (hee hee hee), Ra only comes up from the bottom of the tank to eat and then nestles himself/herself back down in "it's" little spot. It just happened to be the spot that Sunburst took his/her last 'gulp of water'. Call me crazy, but I'm convinced that fish have feelings. (At least I think that mine do.) I just pray that Ra doesn't decide to join his friend due to a broken heart. I love watching him swim around.

Aaron, Omner, and Himni are doing absolutely fabulous. (Ishould be more careful throwing that optimism around too often, I believe I may have said that about Ra and Sunburst.) Omner's fins have grown back to ALMOST full size. (Remember when Jon was "feasting" upon them?) The triplets just swim around together like a happy little school. Makes me happy to see them so "content" (i.e. not dead!)

Oogie has yet to be replaced, still waiting for my tank to get super icky.

The neon's (yo-yo, pickle, pip squeak, and princess) still doing well. (Again, better watch those cursing words) Little pip squeak has settled down, "hormonally". (if you know what I mean.) My tank is still colorful and "active" and I thank those of you who have requested to see them when you have come to visit. The fish would be quite pleased to know of the fan base that seems to be accumulating. ;o)

Next on the list.... Is an update of Eli's Vegas trip with daddy. I was waiting for pictures to be developed before I blogged more about him, but unfortunately they were too dark and only about 5 turned out. Nothing of him "bititng" the "IBM big shots". I know....I'm TOTALLY bummed! I do have another "Eli fish story" from his adventure to the "shark tanks". This is how I found out about it...

Jared: "Did I tell you about Eli climbing into the pirahna tank?"
me: "WHAT!????"
Jared: "Oh, I guess I didn't. I'll tell you later."
me: "WHAT!??? Pirahna tank?"
Jared: "Yeah, it was pretty funny. But I'll have to tell you later."
me: "ELI CLIMBED INTO A PIRAHNA TANK!?"
Jared: "Yea, I gotta go. I'll call you later!"
Click.....
Ok...So of course you can tell that I may have been a little takin' aback and thoughts were racing through my head.....
"Well, he must not have gotten hurt because I've talked to him and nothing was said about the fish biting HIM!"
"I find it interesting that a place like Mandalay Bay in LAS VEGAS! would have access to a Pirahna tank by a three year old." and
"I'm SOOOOO NOT going to let Jared "forget" to tell me this story!"

When he finally decided to tell me the story this is what had happened.....

There was a Pirahna tank that was about 4ft high with a 2ft step at the bottom. (WHO ON EARTH KNOWS WHY!??? Maybe the "fish feeder" is only 2 1/2ft tall.) BUT, to be fair to the aquarium people...it WAS roped off and there WAS a "guard" standing there.
With a mischevious boy like ELI, his timing was perfect! Daddy wasn't paying attention and Mr. Guard man was "daydreaming". Eli was successful to the point of crawling up onto the "step" and pulling himself (I assume with one leg draped up and over) up to the edge of the tank to "reach" in and "catch a fish." FINALLY, at that point, daddy and Mr. Guard man took notice and the race was on! Poor Eli, having two grown men screaming at him, didn't understand what he could've possibly done wrong. "What daddy? Fish?"
Needless to say, I'm grateful that he didn't fall in or that the "flesh eating fish" weren't "hungry" enough to jump up and out of the water to nip a finger or HEAD off!

One more on the list....I woke up to about 6 inches of snow this morning. (With more in the forecast.) NOT something I'm ready for yet. The leaves haven't even fallen yet and I was waiting for the rain to stop and the leaves to dry up enough to go and play in them with the kids. I guess, we skip the fall play and head straight to angel making and snowball chucking! The only downfall....when unexpected storms like this roll in, it's a mad dash to the store for snow gear. Of course stores have that all thought through and hike prices up to the most possible amount, and IF anything is even left by the time I actually have shoveled my way out of my driveway...I can't swallow the cost of clothing and turn around and go back to my little igloo. (Of course not without grabbing a bit of chocolate on my way out!)
Side note: If there is anyone in my "area" (those of you who know where that is) that just happen to have size 11 or 12 children's snow boots, I've got some feet here to occupy them. If they're girls, I guess I'll take them. Nothing that spray paint can't fix! ;o)

That's about it for my silly stories and rantings. Stay tuned for more. (whenever that may be!)

Mandalay Bay

Jared had to go on a "run" this week and the "exciting destination" he was sent to was Las Vegas. He had decided that he was going to take Eli because he just really needed the company.

While they were there, Jared (being in tuned to his son's interests) opted to take him to see the "sharks" as Mandalay Bay. (I was completely jealous at this point! I've always wanted to go) Anywho...what father doesn't feel the need to heighten their child's experience by buying some ridiculously over priced "souvenir"? Well they just HAPPENED to have those trigger activated shark heads that "chomp" down. (You know the kind that has a trigger handle with a 3ft pole and then the chomping shark head at top?) Well, he just HAPPENED to buy one for Eli. Now mind you... any OTHER child would probably use that toy responsibly? (ok maybe not, but for arguments sake...work with me here.)

There also just HAPPENED to be some kind of IBM/computer convention going on as well and a LOT of people in stiff business suits. Probably having a "lunch break" and decided to see the sharks for themselves. (you know where I'm going with this, don't ya? Oh it gets better!) Unfortunately for THEM...ELI was on the loose with his "chomping shark head". I don't know why, but every time I talked to Eli on the phone, he would say, "sharks" and then growl REALLY loud. Sharks don't even growl, so who knows where he got that from. Perhaps big mouths make big noises. (right, Oli? hee hee hee) Well now lets put the two together....

Eli's little shark head must have been super hungry and there just HAPPENED to be A LOT of business men to be devoured. He was going around"biting" them and growling as loudly as he could! (I wish I was there to see it!) I wonder if he nipped any one's bum?

Utah State Fair

Jared and I took the three little ones to the fair this morning. I'm such a fair junky it's ridiculous. Growing up our parents took us to the fair to see the tractors, animals, and of course the "commercial" building. We never really ventured over to the rides, (as a parent now, I think I've figured it out.

All those "carnies" pitching their best schpill on WHY we should pick their VERY overpriced-can't-win-for-the-life-of-you game which you keep forkin' over the doe just to prove them wrong! HA! Who's the one laughing now? Them of course!!!

Now I can't afford that $4.00 funnel cake I was SO craving when we first arrived. No, I'm not mad, just really REALLY bitter!)

Sorry, we got off on a tangent there....back to the 'family memories in the making'. Once through the gates, we happened upon a NEW (can you believe it, something NEW at the fair?) show/act/exhibit... whatever you want to call it. "Tigers from India". Actual bengal tigers ALL the way from.... you guessed it, Florida. WHA Wha wha. (FLORIDA? What's with the India?) I'm not going to ask, I'll just assume that they are there for the winter. Ya know, like all the other snow-birds. Right?)

It was cool to see that there are so many different colors of bengals.

And being a sucker for cats (you'll see in the next blog posting) that I wanted to run into that pen to cuddle, hug, ride, and feed those amazing beasts too.

Next, we decided to devulge our pallets into all that....greasy food. Jared had a hamburger, I had SUPER yummy pizza (I really wanted to go get another piece, I was having a continuous argument in my mind about should I? or shouldn't I?) and the kids...corn dogs. (Ok...so you're probably wondering what happened to the funnel cake I was going off about earlier, but to be honest, I have never had one...just used it as an example to make my point. It worked because everyone knows about those funnel cakes.) We did have kettle corn, (Insert Homer-Simpson-seeing a doughnut sound effect here...) ice cream, and fresh lemonade.

I finally made it to the crafts building and the first thing I noticed was three women making lace. (Be sure to double click on the pictures to get a closer look!)

I have never seen it done homemade the way that they were doing it. I was shocked to see how detail oriented it was. I've seen my mom crochet doilies but nothing like this. I HAD to take a few pictures just to show YOU, my blog stalkers, what they were doing. Talented, that's for sure.

This woman was so sweet while I bombarded her with questions.

When asked, "how long does it take you to do this?" She said, "Usually 1 inch per hour." WOW!!! I don't think I will EVER have that much patience. The particular piece she was working on, (I assumed it was a lace collar) she was hoping to have it finished by christmas. I thought that she had plenty of time, but her goal of one "loop" (in the picture above, a loop is one 'scallop') per week was far from being reached. She was still on the same "loop" three weeks later. (Maybe Christmas isn't so far away.) Hats off to these women for continuing an old tradition of hand woven lace.

After walking around for a while longer we were starting to feel the heat and sore feet and decided to call it quits. Good thing, the crowd started to become more congested as we pulled out of the parking lot. All in all, it was an ok visit. Next year, maybe we'll make it over to the animals.

So, Jaden came home from school today and when Jared asked him how his day was, he said that it wasn't too good. Jared inquired some more and Jade said that during recess there were some boys that started reciting mama fat jokes and adding the "daddy's" too. Jaden took great offense to that because he felt that Jared, me, Bonnie, and Randy (Bonnie's BF) were all being insulted. Mykael said that Jaden had his hand in his fist and was ready to start punching. (Sweet little thing, protecting the parents like that!) But thank goodness for that bell!!! I didn't want a phone call from the principal today, or ANY day for that matter! I explained to him that those kind of jokes really don't mean anything and I (for one) was not insulted. So I started to tell him a few more just incase this little occurance continued tomorrow. I told him that if they started up again, he would memorize some more so he could say, after one of the boys told a joke, "Oh! Here's a good one, listen to this.....(You're mama...)" That way, turning a possible aggressive situation into a more "guy friendly conversation." That is why I'm on the internet now, I'm "researching"!

Why, I Love This Family!...

"I will never completely let go"...

...I once heard that quote by someone's husband. I just wished that it was MY husband that had said it! ;o)

(Note: No babies were harmed during this stunt. Just a minor heart attach from the mother. She is recovering well. The baby was smiling during the whole ordeal.)

See? He's still happy. (I think)