It's Back.......

TOP CHEF!!!!

Season 5 of Top Chef, my favorite show, starts in 5 min. The slicing, dicing, whipping da icing competition is on baby!

Postrace Pitfalls

Kim talked me into running this half with her last month. We had fun training and even more fun running the race. We took it easy and just enjoyed ourselves. The course was fun and the weather was perfect. I have to say....it was one of the best races I have run. I think running with no goal or expectations is a great way to race sometimes. :)It was good to see Robert and the kids on the route. The girls jumped out and ran a ways with us.
Brent and Savannah met us too. They cheered, gave us a drink, and Savvy even ran a bit with her mom. It was pretty cute. I am sorry I don't have a pic. to post.

Good times....so much better finishing without puking, being able to walk the next day, and even the next.

So, why do I have this ugly cycle of signing up for a race, working hard, running the race, and then taking a way too long break?

The experts say.....After your big event, it's critical to NOT stop running altogether. If you do, you're likely to pack on the pounds, and you'll have to work even harder to claw your way back into shape. (Woops!)

Plan your racing schedule well in advance so you stay on track after your big finish. You'll know what's next, and won't worry, "now what?" (Oh, no...I never do that!)

Why don't I ever follow the experts advice? I am back in a rut. My jeans are too tight and my mama belly is hanging over! It's time to get going again!

MILESTONE

Owen woke up yesterday really wanting to wear "unddie wear." So, Robert put them on. I frowned and thought, "Great this is all I need right now while we're getting ready for church, an accident to clean." Owen did the potty dance and we rushed him to the toilet. He was screaming the entire way, "No, I can't do it!" We sat him on the toilet and it just came out. You should have seen the look of shock on his face. It was priceless. He did it! We all jumped for joy and danced around the house. He has worn his "unddie wear" for two days now. He even went #2 in the toilet today! I am excited Owen is finally going potty in the toilet, but one thing is for sure....all this growing up by my baby boy makes me baby hungry even more!

Wish List

My kids are having a ball creating their Christmas wish lists. I feel bad though because I know it is a lot of false hope! But, hey they can dream, right? Oh, and so can I! Santa, please bring me the black, shiny item up above. Wouldn't Pay, Ave and I have a screaming good time whizzing around town in this? Hey, girls can dream and dream we will!

Payton Ally....I love you so....

your happy smiling face...........is such a joy to look at.........you make home a lovely place!

AND SCHOOL TOO........

Robert and I went to Pay's PTC last night, and I must take a minute to tell my girl how proud I am of her. It is so important to me that she is recognized and valued for being funny, smart and kind because it seems in our society today, these values are being erased. They are replaced with idolized images that most girl's can't obtain. How sad that even our youth feel this pressure today.

Payton's teacher beamed about how careful and meticulous she did her work. She even discussed her high scores on all assignments and testing. She said she gives Pay extra work and assignments, and she is afraid she is getting bored. She asked if we would have her tested for gifted and talented. Whew! Thank heavens, Pay has her dad's smarts!

It made me so happy that Pay works hard and is doing well because sometimes she comes home sad and says her friends won't play with her, etc. I think this makes me even sadder than it does her! I know life isn't easy as a second grader, and especially as a second grade girl, because girl's can get kind of petty, but at least it seems evident she won't struggle in the academic area, at least not this year.

But, MORE importantly, her teacher said how nice, respectful and KIND Payton is to her teacher and peers. This is what makes me the most proud. I guess my every day singing of, "I want to be kind to everyone.....for that is right you see......so, I say to myself.......remember this.........kindness begins with me!" is really rubbing off on her! KIDDING........

I feel blessed to be this little girl's mother. NOT KIDDING.......She is a big-hearted, well mannered, obedient, spiritual, fun, silly, snuggly, sweet, helpful, smart, dancing, loving, girl.

So, I tell her often.....

"Payton, I am so glad Heavenly Father has sent you to me!"

I love you.................MOM

Adults can dress up too

Brent and Kim throw an annual Halloween party every year. Yes, this is the same friend who throws the kid party each year too. She is, as my husband says, a "go getter!" This year the blue dress I found at Good Will inspired an idea....so, we went with it. Robert was the lucky polygamist husband,while Jake was the head wife, and Tessa and I were the pregnant other wives. It took some coaxing to get Jake to agree with our idea, but we were happy he did because it was cheap, easy, and really fun. That's the costumes, I was speaking of....get your minds out of the gutter!

Hey, we even won "most unique costumes!"

Here's the ladies sippin' on some monster margaritas! Kim giving out more costume awards.
Here's Our bishop (in real life too) and his wife and friend Michael Phelps (a.k.a Brian)

Kip (a.k.a Audra) wins a prize too!

Brandon and Echo.....the hottest couple for sure!

Oh wait, here's the hottest couple! Brent and Lufanda (a.k.a Jeff)!

Oh, and Flavor Flave and his Medussa showed up too!

The party was a blast. We played some pretty fun games, and I have to admit, I haven't laughed that hard in a really long time. My only regret of the night was forgetting to bring my own camera! I would have had a pic. of the food table. It was decorated so neat, very spooky and ghoulish. I also would have snapped some fun photos of everyone laughing so hard that I could have sworn someone was going to wet their pants!

Good times.....hmmmm....now what to dress up as next year??????

Happy Halloween

Halloween 2006.....Look how small Owen is! Halloween 2007.....A baby, a turtle, and Clifford the dog. Avery is in pure heaven being Clifford the dog!
Ewwww......Do you recognize the scary vampires? Halloween 2008! Peyton Manning, a cowgirl, and Tow- Mater!


Our hoot-hollering, hectic, happening, Halloween holiday!

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The Phantom Ghost

One of our favorite Halloween traditions is delivering The Phantom Ghost. This is a fun poem and goodies you leave on friend's doorsteps without them seeing you. So, we made, frosted and decorated sugar cookies in the shape of pumpkins. Then each kid chose a friend's house they wanted to door ditch. We all had fun taking turns hiding in the bushes on the side of the house, or dropping the treats on the door, knocking real loud, and running as fast as we could!
A few years ago when I was pregnant with Owen, Payton, Avery and I dropped the goodies and ran for Robert in the getaway car. It was raining and I slipped. I was running so fast that when I slipped I rolled into the street. Oh, boy was it a site to see. I was so embarrassed. I don't know if anyone saw me, but if they did, they certainly had a good laugh.

This year I went to a door with Payton. Robert, Ave, and Owen hid behind a car where they could see the action. I was running too fast for my own legs, and one of them gave out on me. I almost fell but caught myself this time! Whew! No embarrassing moments this year! I am thinking I might be getting too old to do the door ditching. Next year I will stay in hiding with the little ones. Ya, right. Not a chance!

Oh, and tonight, we never were caught. This year's Phantom Ghosting was a Spooktacular Success!!!!!!!

Craziness

Check out the lovely, large feet on this sweet girl.

So, Pay and I went to get new shoes. They measured our feet. We wear the same size! Craziness! My little girl is only in the second grade! She is going to be so tall and pass me up before I know it. For now, we'll have fun sharing flip flops, we'll see how long it lasts. I am sure she'll outgrow my shoes in no time!

QUIRKY

Isn't that a funny word? It sure fits its definition. Angie B. tagged me to post my quirky habits. Hers cracked me up. She doesn't use a micro-wave. I couldn't believe it! She also loves to bust a move but won't do it anymore. That is a crying shame because that girl can get down! Anyway, I thought it would be interesting to think of mine. I couldn't really come up with any besides me talking to myself all day long, etc., so I asked Robert. He immediately came up with seven quirky things about me. So, here they are.....

1. I am a sugar-free, diet, fat-free, low-fat phobic. I won't eat or drink anything with these labels. My friends tease me for drinking kid's drinks and tell me I need to get with the times. Sorry...you'll never catch this girl ordering a Diet Pepsi!

2. When I try on new clothes I stand on my tip-toes and poof up my hair. This made me laugh. I do this. I didn't think anyone noticed, but Robert did! I do this because I want to look taller and have fuller hair!

3. The first thing I do in the morning is EAT. I roll out of bed and head downstairs for breakfast. I can't function without food in the morning. I feel sick if I don't eat immediately. I think I have passed this on to Owen. He is up first every morning. He comes into our room and says, "I want cereal!" "I want cereal!"

4. I have an obsession with ear lobes and noses. I always have. I love to rub my fingers on soft ear lobes and cold noses. I love kissing them too. My favorite spot to kiss on my kids and hubby is the corner where their noses meet their cheeks. Mmmm......love it!

5. I wear ugly robes. I have had the same one for years. All our friends have seen me in my "Potter" robe at one time or another. Brent gave it its nickname. It is a big, blue, zip up robe with a hood. It has stars and clouds all over it. It is such an eye sore, but oh so warm and cozy. It just takes me a second to slide into it in the morning and run down to eat my breakfast. It is all about comfort and convenience!

6. I sneeze a lot! I sneeze all the time! I had a record in college and now I can't remember what it was. Molly.....you'll have to help me because I know you were there and counting! I think it was like 38 times in a row or something!

7. And the last one isn't really quirky in my book. Robert says it is and it drives him crazy! I never put anything away. I make dinner and the kitchen is a mess. I make a sandwich and all the fixings are left out on the counter. I get ready in the morning and my hair and make-up products are scattered on the vanity. I come back later and clean up, but just not at the moment. Yes, I would probably make my life a lot easier if I would pick-up after myself as I go. I think I am going to work on this one!

So, I obliged to Angie's tag and listed 7 quirky things about me. Please do the same so I can read your quirky habits! It is kind of fun!

I tag........anyone and everyone who is quirky and willing to share!