Easter Eggs

In preparation for Easter and doing some hard boiled eggs for the annual egg coloring I decided to look up exactly how long you are supposed to boil your eggs. I found this site: How to Boil Eggs- from What's Cooking America, a great and very resourceful site.

This is more of a PS-it is 3/27/08 and we just Barely got to our Easter Egg dying...John wanted to be there...and well McKenna doesn't care when we do these kind of fun things. Actually she didn't care too much about it all together, she really wanted to do all the eggs blue. I think the fun really started for her when we finished and the eggs were dry because she loved hiding them and finding them, carrying them around in her basket (without any grass) and my personal favorite-in her backpack. Needless to say a few of them got mashed a little but regardless I'm sure they will make wonderful Egg Salad Sandwiches.

The first movie I went to with McKenna I went with my Mom and sisters to see "Bewitched" in Sun Valley. McKenna was about 9 months old and I was told that she could crawl around and that having her there would be "no problem". Needless to say I spent most of the time in the hall and outside with her, mostly because the movie was too loud. We did most of my birthday celebrating yesterday since it was John's day off and so we decided to hit an early matinee. We heard "Horton Hears a Who" was good and McKenna seemed old enough that she would probably sit and enjoy it. We knew Tyler wouldn't sit still but we took toys, food and hoped for the best. It didn't actually go too badly, it was early enough that there were only a few families in the whole theater and my children weren't the only ones wandering around.John actually surprised me by getting the Biggest Popcorn and drinks I've ever seen. I was so proud because when your kids go tot he movies at least for the 1st time they should have popcorn because that's part of the experience right? What surprised us was how much Tyler loved the Popcorn. I think she at as much if not more than McKenna did. She just kept pounding her chest (her sign for please) and holding her hand out for more or she'd actually dig in when we weren't looking. Overall it was a fun morning!

My Lil helper!

The Bookcase John is making me!

True Seattle Spring Weather, Rain!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY To...

Me! That's right, it's my 33rd birthday and what's not to be happy about. I had a roommate who was so excited and celebrated her birthday all month long instead of dreading it which was so refreshing to me. I started to think about it and Birthday's are truly a celebration of life, of another year you have lived through and all the blessed experiences you've been given. This last year has been wonderful, I was thinking about my birthday last year and how nothing seemed to go right that day and I think things just got better from there. I also love Birthday's because like Christmas...you get cards, phone calls, text messages from friends and family. I actually have a wall I post the pictures on so I can see everyone ALL year long. You all thought I was going to say presents didn't you? I actually really love the well wishes! Christmas Cards, especially ones with pictures in them are one of My Favorite things!

2005-Never thought I'd be making my own cakes

& liking it!

To continue on in my celebration of life here is the rest of my list of joys: 1st and foremost Family: My sweet and ever supportive Husband, my energetic lil girls who keep me young, My parents, siblings and in-laws whose friendships continue to grow. Friends Old, Friend New, and Friends Re-united like Band of Brothers their sisterhood uplifts me! My old house because it is mine! My current state of health that allows me to run with my girls and on my own, not to mention dancing through the day whenever McKenna hears any kind of music. To have food on my table...and for today a cake! The internet that allows me to stay in touch with everyone and allows me to have a resource to the questions I don't have an answer to, and gives me an outlet. A washer and Dryer because I've gone without before and the thought of doing it all by hand abhors me!

A few of My Happy 2007 Moments!

He's the Man!

My Girls....Ahhh!

Harris Reunion 2007-Cancun

(See my last post for picture of Payne Reunion)

Soul2Soul2- Row 2, Yeah Baby!

Over and Over again

Does it seem like my family has been sick for over a month to anyone else? I know we all had the flu at the end of Feb, and then a few weeks ago is when Tyler came down with her cold and now I'm in full swing. Lost my voice and my energy and even took a dose of Nyquil last night so I could get some sleep. It worked like a charm, but I'm ready to move to the next chapter of our lives. McKenna's teacher wrote me, and they really aren't too happy that she hasn't been to school only once in the last few weeks. Tomorrow is picture day...so cough or no cough she's acting fine and begging to leave the house so off to school she goes. I think it might be one of the best birthday presents I could give myself. :) 2 hrs free of children (Tyler will be sleeping).

Tyler is in her "copy-cat" phase of life...at least the 1st one. Yesterday as we were eating dinner McKenna had finished her food and wanted some Cookie Crisp cereal so I put some in a bowl and she sat on the floor and ate it. As I tried to feed Tyler some Fruit & Oatmeal she flipped and started pointing towards McKenna and the floor. Apparently she wanted in on that action, so I got a bowl out and put a small amount of cereal in it and they had a lil dessert picnic on the kitchen floor. For the next 10 minutes whatever McKenna did she followed suit, cracked me up!

Oh yeah McKenna's new smile includes teeth and closed eyes, one she's chosen for herself and uses when we ask for a smile. She actually sits in front of the mirror and looks at it when she's all dressed up in her "princess" dress. The funny thing is, it reminds me of a dear friend of mine who used to "Practice" the smile she wanted to have. I won't mention names in fear of embarrasing her, but I think it was One of her cute lil quirks.

This would be another "silly smile"

This would the "real deal", nothing like Spontaneity

Happy St Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day – Celebrating the Green

St. Patrick is believed to have driven the snakes from Ireland. Once a pagan himself, St. Patrick is one of Christianity's most widely known figures.
The modern secular holiday is based on the original Christian saint's feast day also thought to be the date of the saint's death. In 1737, Irish immigrants to the United States began observing the holiday publicly in Boston and held the first St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City in 1766.

Today, the tradition continues with people from all walks and heritages by wearing green, eating Irish food, and attending parades. St. Patrick's Day is bursting with folklore; from the shamrock to the leprechaun and to pinching those that are not wearing green.

I love this holiday which I believe stems from my childhood. I have memories of Green Pancakes and other breakfast foods, including finding the gallon of milk in the fridge turned green. Since my birthday is quite close then I also had a few birthday cakes as a child with a leprechaun and gold choc coins decorated on them.

I made Green Eggs from Deceptively Delicious...but they weren't very deceptive and were a lil too strong so they were quickly discarded. :) There's always the t-shirts, cookies and artwork to be done.

You can't see but this is the affect of green sprinkles on a sugar cookie

I'd like to wish my Sweet Mother and Father-in-law a Happy Anniversary! I think the Luck of the Irish may have been with them...as they have survived raising their 8 children and are now on to enjoying the stories of our own trial. We love you Mome & Dad!

The Payne Family 2007

(missing Michael's family, Elle, Jennifer, Steven & their families)

Sonia & Don Payne

This last weekend I was surprised and saddened by my release at church as the Beehive teacher. Of course they don't release you unless they have plans to put you somewhere else so they asked me to help teach...the nursery. Obviously...or maybe not so obvious but I do believe that the Lord either thinks I need to see what it's like to have more than 2 kids and that 2 isn't too bad. :) or maybe since I couldn't "control" or demand respect from 12 yr old girls that I'll be starting with 18 mo-3 yr old kids. Either way you look at it I think it will be good experience and I'm actually quite excited despite being sad to leave the Young Women's.

We went to the Old Cannery to find the Easter Bunny but found these cute Rocking Horses instead.

We'll have to go back to visit them as the girls loved them

The girls are almost over their colds. Tyler has surprised me by starting to pick up on the sign language we have been using. Sometimes it sounds like she's actually even trying to say the words she's signing, ie.. "More Please" and "all done". She started giving High 5's this morning which was fun. We found out that McKenna's Nursery teacher Sis Whitemarsh is her new Sunbeams teacher which we are very excited about! McKenna got to go shopping with Mommy for groceries on Saturday and was a very good girl and she got a new Toothbrush that she loves! It's a Hello Kitty motorized toothbrush and I was surprised to see that she loved using it...in her mouth. She usually doesn't like motorized stuff.

Change of Plans

This last weekend we had a guy, Paul come out for a "Free Estimate" in regards to drawing up plans for the renovations on the house this summer. Nice guy who we decided to hire because he knew Engineers he could work with so when we applied for the permits with the city and turned in our plans all the i's would be dotted, the t's crossed and it would be free sailing. We've thought and re-thought this through for the last several months and actually decided to stick with the simple addition of a bathroom to the master bath and to remodel the kitchen. It seemed simple enough and talking with Paul everything was looking good.

John got the call yesterday that he had already talked to a few of his engineers and well there is some structural concerns with the foundation and our planned additions and the engineers didn't think it a good idea to continue. We've been praying for direction and I think this is our answer. If we do nothing as in don't add the 5' to the kitchen then the structure I believe is fine. John believes we can still do cosmetic improvements and maybe move a wall or 2 and utilize the space better. It beats trying to get permits and working with the city, although an attached bathroom to my bedroom would've been nice. Oh well I guess this means we'll be looking for a new house in a few years...when the market decides to get a little better for those trying to sell their home. Until then a new kitchen will be fantastic!

As I write I notice how quiet my house is. Both kids are sleeping and I've opted for no music, nothing but the sound of...trains. Actually it's still pretty quiet and I realize there's something tranquil that comes with the silence. The opportunity to hear one's own thoughts and to maybe even relish in no thoughts at all. It's a great lil moment which is almost over...my house is as cluttered as 2 lil kids in a tiny space can make it, but I don't mind because when I clean it I can see a difference.

Once again, I LOVE MY JOB!

Job Description

My Job Description today is as follows: Wipe noses & butts/change diapers, Movie Director (change movies), timer/potty reminder, story teller, craft teacher, Launderer, cook, recliner/chair (somehow I'm better than the couch). It's not a bad job, I'm actually ok with it. A lil stressful at times, but nothing like the feeling of being needed.

It was inevitable but McKenna now has Tyler's same cold. It started yesterday so we opted out of church for the day as to prevent spreading it, we've shared enough with the world. It's ok to watch movie after movie when your kid is sick and miserable right? Whatever makes her happy, her mind occupied and maybe she'll get this whole tv watching thing out of her blood...Right? :)

We started getting the Friend Magazine in January but didn't really realize the wonderful stuff that's in it until our 1st sick day yesterday. They have coloring pages in the book and online, stories, games, and other things. It was the 1st day that I didn't have to read Finding Nemo or Alladin at naptime in about 6 months.

It's ok to watch movies all day when your kids are sick right? It's ok to watch movies all day when your kids are sick right?

We did turn the TV off long enough to make these air freshners.

Got the idea off SugarDoodles

They obviously do not taste good...definitely NOT cookies.

Tim Hawkins...anybody?

It was a great weekend overall. I got out and went running Saturday morning, I think I got in about 6-7 miles. John went to a Birthday Party with McKenna at the Super Jump for a classmate of hers named Owen. 1st Birthday party for someone I didn't really know. McKenna had a blast! If you haven't been to a Super Jump I would suggest looking one up, especially if you need to get out and not outside. They are big blow up toys: slide, obstacle course and then either a boxing ring or a basketball court.

Has anyone heard of Tim Hawkins? He's a good, very funny and very clean comedian that John and I went to see last night. We actually heard of him when I was checking out a blog by a Woman named of Dawn who lives in Chicago. I don't actually know her and many of you might have heard of her when you received an email about a Mom-with 6 kids, who was selling Pokemon cards on ebay. Anyway she kind of inspired me to start blogging because she writes about her life with 6 kids and well she's quite normal and honest.

Anyway back to the topic of Tim Hawkins-John and I have decided that we are going to try and get out on a date like once a month :) and so when we saw that Tim was going to be in town, well 45 minutes away, but in the state and that he was playing at some church for only $10 we couldn't let the opportunity pass us by. I haven't laughed that hard and that long for quite some time. Well with the exception of funny things your kids/husband say and do. I couldn't go without writing and letting everyone know that you need to check him out.

Tyler is slowly but surely becoming a Daddy's girl, Here are the remnants of frosting cupcakes with Daddy on McKenna

Home & Reflections of a Good Trip

So much to write about, so much that I feel a little overwhelmed and the procrastination bug starts itching. We all know where that'll get me, in deeper or hotter water, not a good place. So here goes...

We are back home in Washington the girls and I. We had great time in Utah as we were able to see my family and a few friends. The only down-side was my mother got sick on Tuesday and then disappeared...meaning she didn't want to get anyone sick and so she locked herself in her bedroom and would only open the door for food when no one was around. It sounds kind of funny, but it was really sweet of her. Too bad Tyler also got sick at the same time with what I think is the same crappy illness. I was not as sweet as I didn't know how I would be able to lock Tyler in a room and instead I selfishly took her out on our last day in Utah. I did try and keep her at bay from all other children, adults, and things... in a nutshell here are the highlights from the last few days there.

Grandma chasin T Tyler n Cousin Kierra
Tuesday morning while my sister and I ran to Wal-Mart and our 1-yr olds took naps my sweet Brother-in-Law Gregg took his daughter Maddie (age 2-1/2) & McKenna to the park. The sun was shining it was beautiful, and it was FREEZING! He was such a trooper! I had to laugh when my sister called to ask him a question and found out that the girls had convinced him they were hot and needed to take off their coats. I don't know that they lasted too much longer after that, although maybe that was his strategy. :)

That afternoon my dear friend Ashlee Dorius took me shopping. Ashlee cracks me up! She's always so happy, positive and full of energy despite having 4 kids...yep 4; 3 boys and 1 girl! She tells me she's going crazy and with some of the stories she has to tell I almost believe her. We stopped at Rumbi's for lunch and then headed to the mall to look for jeans. She'd found this place called Skinz in the Layton Hills Mall that only sells levi's. They had every brand imaginable...brands I'd never heard of although I think Big Star is a common name. They even had jeans that were $200-$300. Really? People pay that much for levi's? I went through a LOT of levi's to find some long enough and that were comfortable and I have to say I'm THRILLED with my purchases. Ashlee actually bought me a pair of Silvers and I bought a pair of Joe's. Never heard of them, but they are really comfortable and almost worth the insane amount of $$ I spent on them. My sister Shelly had been nice enough to keep an ear out for my sleeping children, unfortunately I think they have radar on me because both of them woke up unusually early. Murphy's Law right?

Symptoms of a cold began to appear with Tyler Tuesday night and come Wednesday morning she wasn't doing too well...which left me with a delima. I had made plans to see my old roommate & dear friend Tiffany and last minute plans to see some high school friends. I called and chatted with them about Tyler and after talking it over we decided we'd keep the kids in a public place with lot of air and space between them.

Tiffany & I didn't do much mostly ran errands (bank, Target, beauty Supply, of Course McDonald's for the kids), but it's what we do...even as roommates we used to go grocery shopping together and clean the apartment and we always had a great time doing it, although Wednesday we had too good of a time as we lost track of time and I found myself late for lunch with my high school friends. I was very excited as during our errands I got a new flat iron (Thanks Tiffany!) and a plethora of new shirts due to arrive just in time for my birthday!

Matthew, Tiffany & Faith Kirkham

Between already running a lil late, a last minute diaper change and the commute to the restaurant being longer than expected I was an embarrassing 45 minutes late. Sadly I'm usually about 5-15 minutes late, something I thought I was working on but 45 minutes? I think I learned a lesson that day...about rudeness!

Blogging really has been a wonderful experience for me as I've had an outlet for my rantings and through it I have been able to catch up with friends I haven't seen or talked to in 15 years. I can't believe I'm old enough to say that...but it was fun to meet up with Jelina (McIntire) Petzinger, Kristy (Rigby) Major, and Susan (Allen) Mooney, we definitely missed Carrie (Gale) Cooper who we also hung out with in High School but is currently living in CO.

We got together at TGIF with our kids, 2 a piece (with the exception of Kristi who has 3, her oldest was in school). It was a lil chaotic but the waitor's were really nice! I couldn't believe how great the girls looked. I think we've all echo'd the same thought that everyone of those girls hasn't aged and looks as good as they did when they graduated. Even Jelina who's pregnant, her baby being due in June, her belly was a bit rounder and bigger but other than that she looked fantastic. The kids were adorable...see for yourselves:

Mel, Jelina, Susan, Kristy

Pry not even 10 minutes after my last post requesting snow, my wish was granted. I got snow, a LOT of snow. I Love watching the snow fall especially in big storms and if I had my snow boots, pants, gloves, coat etc...well I like to play in the snow almost as much I like looking at it. Warmth is a big issue for me. McKenna on the other hand doesn't need all that fancy gear, she just wants to be IN and AMONG the snow. I thought I liked it but she shows me what passion really is. She loves to sit in it, make tracks, and just be apart of the snow, and the cold! Tyler isn't too far behind her, she just LOVES to be outdoors. Can't say I blame her, but it always amazes me how much babies and children love nature and the outdoors. They just can't seem to get enough of it, like it's something they remember? Hmmm...

The time is passing all too quickly for me despite my single parenthoodness...which isn't as bad as I expected it to be. Saturday night my older sister Shelly declared since both of our husbands were gone we were going to have a life and so after we got the kids in bed we headed to the movies with my younger sister Amber and her "friend" Brent. We saw August Rush which I thought was really quite good. Shelly said it best, "not all believable but very enjoyable."

Yesterday was a blurr...I do remember sunshine, a small glimpse of church, I made it to Sacrament meeting but McKenna very tired as she woke up at 4 am, and as much as she loves to sing in Primary and it was naptime therefore I skipped out, put the kids down and took a nap myself. I had promised McKenna that we would go back outside after naps and she doesn't forget a thing, so true to my word we all bundled up and headed back outside. (I have a bunch of pictures but since this isn't my computer these are the only ones that are horizontal and I can use...if that makes any sense.)


Today Shelly and Maddie, her 2 yr old and I with McKenna had a lil mommy daughter date. We took the girls to the Treehouse Children's Museum in Ogden and then we went to Artic Circle for lunch. It's been so long since I've been able to spend one-on-one time with McKenna and fun to watch her run around exploring the place.

John's brother Steven and his wife Silvia and cute lil Nicholas stopped by today to say Hi. It was soo good to see them and I can't believe how big Nicholas is getting. I forget he's only a few months older than Tyler he's soo advanced running and talking! I'm kicking myself for not getting a picture of them since it will be Thanksgiving before we get to see them again but I'm realizing how quickly the time continues to fly.

Last but not least the girls have been getting along pretty well. There is still lots of refereeing going on meaning between McKenna and all the other lil kids in the family (Maddie, Kierra & Tyler) but today McKenna did something that shocked the socks off of me. McKenna and Maddie had come in from the deck where they had been playing in the snow/ice. McKenna took Maddie's coat off and gave it to her Mom and then Maddie who'd sat on the floor was pushed down where McKenna proceeded to sit on her and then Fling her arms back and forth almost as if she were beating the crap out of her. The only thing missing was the actual contact between McKenna's hands and Maddie's face. I was horrified as I tried to think of where she could have learned something like that. Funny enough it didn't phase Maddie, her mom said due to her younger sister beating on her so often. Time out did proceed as I quickly grabbed her off her, but seriously...is this really my kid? One day I'll look back and laugh...at least I hope so.

Made it...

We're back! In UTAH that is, greatest snow on earth right? Well um I really expected more or maybe I was hoping for more snow but sadly in Davis county it's almost gone. I also forgot how brown it can be here in the Winter. Makes me appreciate the green, tall trees I left in Washington. It's a short trip as we are only here until Thursday morning but nonetheless...happy to be here! McKenna is so funny she's been more excited than I have been to come. She's asked me several times over the last few days if it was time to go to the airplane yet. All day yesterday she'd say, 'Come on Mom, car...airplane." After explaining to her that we had to go to bed first and we'd go in the morning she finally asked to go to bed. In the past week I think she's really grown up as she gets things and communicates so much better.

I've had anxiety for days about traveling with 2 young children by myself and yesterday I did start to panic, you should see the stash of DVD's and treats I had packed. Airports have gotten better as the Seattle airport had the best lil play place for the girls and since no one was there at 7:30 this morning the girls had free reigh.

We were lucky enought to get the 2nd to last row in the plane, the only one with 3 seats together. When Tyler wasn't playing Peek-a-boo with the guy behind us or smiling at the flight attendants then she was looking for food. I think I spent almost the whole 2 hrs feeding her. The flight overall was really good. The girls were better behaved than I could've imagined. There were only a few screams when Tyler was stealing McKenna's pretzels...

Once we got here well I have to mention we kind of got stuck on the elevator. Talk about weird...the door closed and then the elevator wouldn't move, and then the door wouldn't open and then it would only open about 4 inches and it was moving really slowly. After yelling help and not getting any I was finally able to push the door open enough to get ourselves out. Last place I want to be stuck with my kids, my husband maybe...but definitely not kids.