{Still Busy}

I was really hoping once we got back to school and into the swing of things, life would slow down a bit. Well, guess what? It hasn't, actually I think it's been busier? Between homework and everything else we have going, it's been crazy round here.

I spent one day last week canning V8 juice. We don't drink it, but I use it in two or three recipes and everything I did last year is gone. I got 6 quarts and 9 pints and I really should do more.

Flag football season started for Brock a few weeks ago. That means two practices and a game each week. He is also taking tumbling, Karate and we have to fit scouts into the schedule too!

Carlie started tumbling a few weeks ago too, in fact all 3 kids go, but this is her first year. We had her signed up for the summer class, but she ended up with a broken arm the day she was supposed to start, so she had to wait. It's so cute to watch her, and she is LOVING it!

Our 15 year class reunion! Yea, that's one thing I'm glad to have over! I thought it turned out really well. It's always fun to visit with old friends and see what everyone is up to. Derrick has a group of his guys friends that he's stayed in touch with and we get together every now and then, so it's fun know their wives, and get to visit with them. Also, my brother-in-law graduated with us too, so my sister gets to come to my reunion. I hope everyone else had a good time!

It was pajama day in Mrs. Monroes class! Kaleb's class got enough points for good behavior to earn pajama day, and let me tell you he was one excited boy! He decided to take his stuffed puppy for show and tell to go along with the theme. He told me he wanted to wear the jammies Grandma Jeannie made him, but they didn't have sleeves and weren't allowed, darn it.... so he settled for his transformer ones, and looked pretty adorable, I thought!

We've been so busy, we haven't had time to play, but finally we found time to spend an afternoon at the lake this weekend. The kids had a blast exploring the rocks, caves and catching some pretty big lizards with dad, while mom enjoyed relaxing on the boat with a book.

Brock, Carlie and Derrick even swam a bit. Kaleb and I decided the water was a bit too cold, and were smart and stayed on the boat!

On top of all that, I've got preschool (which is still going well), I'm tending my niece, Tylie, 4 days a week and training to be our little towns planning and zoning secretary (a job which will only be a few hours a month), oh and trying to get ready for our Primary program.

I have a feeling life isn't going to really ever slow down, but that's ok!

{Flashback Friday}

15 Years?

Where have they gone?

This weekend the Millard High graduating class of 1994 is having our 15 year reunion! That definately called for a Flashback Friday. Derrick and I were both part of that spectacualr graduating class, (and no, we were not a couple when we graduated), but unfortunately I don't think we have a copy of Derrick's Senior picture. I really can't believe it's been 15 years.....where did they go? So many changes, and yet in someways I still feel like that 17 year old girl? I have to honest and say I'm a bit nervous. I do have a bit of an uperhand though. See, I've been helping plan this little get together, and I know who's comming and who is not. I was in charge of tracking everyone down (some were easy and some were not), along with the invitations and the RSVP's. At least we had a small class, and when I say small, well, I mean 94 people small....yep, 94 graduates in the class of 94! I've spent a big chunk of today putting together a CD of "back in the day" music.....wow, that brought back some memories. It was fun, and hopefully the reunion is too!

I just had to add our Junior Prom class picture. Can you find me?

{Anyone need any Stampin' Up! Products?}

Stamps, Ink, Paper, Envelopes, Punches, Ribbon, Vinyl for you walls??? Christmas is right around the corner and handmade cards and tags are sure to brighten any ones holiday season, not to mention our products make great gifts! The end of the sales quarter snuck up on me and I only have till the end of the month to make my minimums, so I'll be putting an order in on the 29th if you want anything. I'll even add on a 10% discount! You can check out the current catalog, along with the Definitely Decorative Catalog (our vinyl and stencil line) and the Holiday Mini Catalog, which is filled with fun limited holiday items, here. Click on "Our Products" and then "Current Catalogs". If you see anything you would like me to order, go ahead and send your order to deardenfamily@frontiernet.net and I'll get you a total. Thanks!

{FOUR!?!}

My baby turned FOUR today.....how did that happen?

We started two new traditions this year, and I think we'll keep them both. First, I made a "It's Your Special Day" bucket and filled it with some of Carlie's favorite things. Of course we had to have coloring books and crayons (she's a colorin' fool), Skittles, "Taffy Taffy's" or Airheads as the rest of us call them, a Tinkerbell Pez and a few other things. I also filled our picture ladder in our family room with pictures of Carlie. I thought it was a fun way to remember the past few years!
As you can see I went all out on the cake this year...or not! Star cupcakes on a two tired cake stand, Carlie thought it was great and it was super easy. I also made our favorite ice cream dessert for the grown ups.

All Carlie has been asking for was a "fishing cole" and Princess Polly Pockets. Of course she got both, and wouldn't you know they were the last things that she wanted opened up....isn't that the way it always works? Uncle Shad made her the cute balloon hat, that was a hidden talent we didn't know about.

What an adorable little gal she is, we sure love her!

Happy Birthday Carlie Girl!

{Lovin', Hatin' & Sittin' the Fence}

Things I'm Lovin'.....

Clean wood floors! I love my wood floors, but I am horrible at keeping them mopped. Thankfully they hide dirt really well. Anyway, yesterday I spent the better part of the afternoon, moving all the furniture and rugs and cleaning them good, and I was exhausted. Yippee for clean floors!

Yea, isn't that candlestick gorgeous? Love it! Especially since my bestest friend, Ann gave it to me! It looks great between my piano and my red couch, and it makes me happy every time I walk by it!

Know what else makes me happy? Ann and her cute family stopped in to see us for a little bit on their way home Sunday. It wasn't long enough, but still it made me happy!
Carlie rockin' her cute haircut! She looks adorable and she sat so still for Aunt Katy! A bonus, it's my turn on Monday....nothing is better that haircut day!
How sweet is that lamp? Guess what, I got it at a yard sale today for $1....happy dance! Now I just need to find the perfect shade for it!
Fall! Yep, I love fall. The colors, the leaves, the cooler temperatures! Love it!

Things I'm Hatein'.....
Remember these adorable Easter chicks?
Well, 4 out of the 5 are ROOSTERS? and I'm hatein' them! I'm sick of the unwanted wake-up every morning from 4-11. Really? The sun isn't even up at 4! But I'm not sure what to do with them. Kill em or keep them in case we are quarantined to our houses because of a pandemic and need food? I'd have to be pretty hungry to eat them, but you never know?

Sheep (or Maa's, in Carlie speak)...... the neighbors sheep, who won't stay out of my yard! Seriously, I've chased them out of my yard 4 times today (it's only 2:00), and Derrick was late for work this morning because he had to chase them. They are eating my tree's, flowers and grass, not to mention pooping everywhere! I've had it, stupid stinkin' sheep!

Things I'm Sittin' the Fence on.....
The kids pet toads?!? Derrick took the kiddos on a four wheeler ride up the canyon, and they came home with these toads. The kids love them, and I do have to admit, it's fascinating to watch them eat ants, bugs and flys, but I don't know that I love them in the dining room?

The other fence sitting issue. There is a cocoon on the ceiling in my bathroom. I got up to potty in the middle of the night a few weeks ago. When I woke up I remembered seeing a Caterpillar in the bathroom? Hmmm, did I really or was it a dream? Well, I must have since there was now a cocoon on the ceiling. Now what to do? We have no idea what will come out of it, but my kids are fascinated by it and I have to admit I am too, but just a tiny bit. But it bugs me at the same time and then again the thought of squishing it or even touching it make me sick too? What would you do?

{Sunday Drive to Mayfield}

A few weeks ago we decided to go for a Sunday Drive. Derrick's been wanting to go check out Mayfield canyon without snow, ever since he snowmobiled there with his dad this past winter. We headed up the road and it started out pretty good, but it got rocky pretty fast, it was bumpy, but not bumpy enough to turn around. I had to laugh when Derrick said, it was a lot smoother when we were here. Ummm, really? Could it be that all the rocks were covered with SNOW? It really was a pretty drive, and I liked it even better when it connected with the Skyline Drive at the top and we had a much smoother ride down the mountain!

When we got almost to the top we ran into the prettiest little lake. It was really shallow and we couldn't see any fish, but the kids still had fun exploring.

My boys
Miss C

There may not have been any fish......but there were frogs!

What cute kiddos!

If only I could get one picture with all of them looking?

Carlie kept wanting me to, "Take just one more picture, mama!"

And then we had to have one of just the girls.

One of the many frogs the boys caught.

This one was so tiny and adorable, and fast! What a fun, memorable, Sunday family afternoon!

{Miss Monica's Preschool}

to......Miss Monica's Preschool!
I feel like all I've done the last week, is preschool, preschool, preschool! I guess that's what I get for leaving it all to the last minute. I got everything finished in my room only hours before our little back to school night. Talk about cutting it close!?!? This is the view from the door. (yes, Ann, Misti & Tierra, that is hand sanitizer in the window... just sayin')
The play corner.

Our art wall.

At back to school night I had the mom's and kids paint their hands and make hand prints. Then today at our first class we read "The Kissing Hand" and added heart stickers, or kisses, to our hands.

Isn't our robot adorable? He has so much info on him....numbers, alphabet, colors, days of the week, months, shapes, even a clock!

All I can say for my first day is.....I made it through it! We had lots more play time than I had planned on and I was exhausted after that very long two hours, but I truly enjoyed it! All 6 of my kids right now are only 3 and this school stuff is new to all of us....we'll work out the kinks and then I'm sure a few more will pop up, but as long as we are all having fun, it's worth it!

And judging from that smile on her face, she's happy.....and that makes mama/teacher happy too!