Our Family

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Cookies!

We made the best cookies the other day! Carlie LOVES to decorate anything, but especially cookies!

She ate most of the frosting before it made it to the cookies. Mmmmmmmmmm!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

We decided to make Fairy houses the other day. Soooo much fun! We went to the craft store and Carlie and Alex each picked out their houses and decorations. We spent hours decorating them! Then we had an elaborate ceremony inviting the Fairies to live in the houses. We put a piece of chocolate by the doors along with something blingy for the Fairies. Carlie was so excited the next morning to see if anyone had moved in. She can't wait to see a Fairy!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Zoo.....

Having a Mommy day at the Zoo.

Checking out the cave.....

She talks to these Oxen quite a bit!

Pioneer stock

It was a beautiful day!

Cute! Cute! Cute!

She loves the Hippo sculpture.....

And the iguana.

Can't miss the Carousel!

One of her favorites.

Snow Lepoard cubs. Very cool!

Goofing off!

Bye little lion....

Inviting the lion cub to come home with us.

Putting on her own seatbelt. I can't believe she's so big.

Zonked out! What a fun day!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Carlie times two!

Can you see the resemblance?

I've been meaning to post these pictures for a while now. Margaret taped 4 pieces of large paper together and had Carlie lay on it. They traced Carlie and colored it all in. I think it looks fabulous! Margaret is so good at just about everything she tries. I know if I had done this, you'd be asking what the heck is that? Great work Margaret! Carlie has it hanging in her "princess" room.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Valentines Day!

I can't believe it's February already. This is a good month because we have Valentines day, my birthday and Alex's birthday all this month. I love Valentines day. I don't remember any extraordinary Valentines days with boyfriends or anything, but I do remember all the special things my mom has done on past Valentines days. Mostly I remember the fabulous cookies she made! I try to make them every year, but they take 3 days to make, and more counter space that I've ever had. I'll see what I can do this year and post a few pic's of them. Until then, Happy Valentines Day!

Monday, January 12, 2009

The Old Utah West is Alive!

My Dad "Freemont Bob"

Here's a picture from the blog Bob sent me a link to. This blog is written by a 5 year old Australian Shepherd named Rosie. In today's day and age I'm pretty sure I can say it's not the only blog written by a dog, but I'm sure it's one of the best!
What a great read! Have fun with this one. I was hooked from the first entry. I especially liked learning what my Dad's nickname is. Freemont River Bob.

Let me know what you think!

http://redrockrosie.blogspot.com/

Monday, January 5, 2009

Thinking out loud....

The new year is always a time for reflection. Mostly I reflect on how much I spent on the Holiday that I probably didn't need to. I then go into guilt mode for being so materialistic. I have to say I'm a lot better than I used to be with spending, maybe it's because I have everything I could possibly need and want, or maybe it's the 67% pay cut I took when I decided to take a less stressful job. When it comes down to it, we can not escape stress because we create it for ourselves. I now have stress because I have no money!

My mother once told me she always wanted to give us everything she never had as a kid. She grew up in a family with 4 kids and a disabled father. They did their best, but didn't have a lot of "stuff" or vacations etc. My mom did a great job giving us everything we wanted as kids. I really can't think of anything I wanted that I wasn't able to have. (except my parents refused to ship me off to live at gymnastics camp for a year. But, someday I'll get over it!) Now my mom says she wishes she would have worked less and spent more time with us as kids. And, I've always said I want my kids to have everything I had as a kid. (except the camp thing - sorry Alex and Carlie) Kind of funny, huh? It doesn't matter what background you come from you want your kids to have things to be happy. It doesn't matter if it's a toy, or in my case I want lessons for the kids, and vacations with the family. We can never get it in our heads that all the kid wants is a box, a stick, some dirt and mom and dad. No money. They'd be happier living in a tent with both parents home. (the yurt is NOT dead yet!) However, for me it's not just about providing for the kids. I really do love the thrill of making a deal, and I love working when I'm making a lot of money. I'm torn because I also LOVE being a mom. I really do want it all.

So, back to the stress. Now I have stress because I have no money. I shouldn't say I have NO money, I still make more myself than a lot of 2 income families. My deal is that I love money! There, I've said it. How horrible! I'm suposed to be non materialistic. I do yoga, I do Reiki, I study herbal medicine, I want to begin Tai Chi. These people do not love money. I do love money, I love making it, I love collecting it. I love spending it too.

So, in all my reflecting I think I'll just stop my struggles with the whole money thing. I am not Buddah like. Never will be. Nope. I want to go to the Bahamas instead. I'll just have to accept that this is who I am. I'm not going to take anymore paycuts for less stress. Some stress is good, it motivates me. So, here's a cheer to a prosperous new year for everyone who wants one! Happy New Year to you all!