Always follow the recipe!

If anyone knows me and cooking you know that I don't necessarily follow everything exactly as it says in the recipe. If I don't have something I might do without, if I need to measure exactly I just shake the measuring cup until it looks good. For the most part I follow recipes, but I'm no stranger to adjusting as needs be. Just like all of you, right? Well, I made cookies the other day that I've made a million times. I didn't realize that I had run out of flour and so I thought maybe I could substitute with bread flour. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Should have borrowed from my neighbor. Look below to see the disaster. Linc still wanted some and turned the pan every which way trying to get them off and then finally resorted to scraping them off with a spatula and his fingers. They are completely flat against the cookie sheet except where the chocolate chips stand up. The good new is that the scraping bits they we were able to salvage are great in vanilla ice cream!

The true side of my children

I found these videos from a few months ago, that are so classic to each of them that I had to post them.

Scout doing what she does best, copying people. In this case I think she's copying me. What?! I don't talk on the phone when I should be with my children! The scary part is that she is so good at talking on the phone now. She talked for 5 minutes on my cell phone the other day when I just let her go until she was done.

Linc at a Christmas party with our friends. They held it at the church and they played dodgeball. If you look closely you can see Linc wrestling with a 6 year-old to get the ball. He won, of course, but surprisingly without hitting her. There may be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Would you report me?

I'm thinking of stealing one of these lockers from the station. With the exception of some minor self-inflicted wounds from trying to get out, this could be the perfect "Lincoln naughty seat". Can you imagine if someone actually put their child in one of these. Yes, I know my child is in one...but you know what I mean.

Trying to bust out of his prison.

Scout and Lincoln love when we visit the fire station. This happened to be on one of Dave's days off and we were in Orem so we went by and washed the car. Obviously the kids were way into washing the car too.

Firefighter Fun

It's no surprise that Lincoln worships the ground Dave walks on. Dave left his fire gear at home the other day and Linc couldn't help himself. He kept telling me that he had to go help people. He kept trying to "rescue" Scout by pulling her down on the floor and then dragging her to safety. Needless to say, she was not amused. However, the picture of her was taken about .5 seconds after she was crying uncontrollably. I just took at my camera and she looked up and said "Cheese!".

A Great Winter Activity for Free

Our friends introduced us to the wonderful world of Lowe's and Home Depot free kid's clinics. A couple of weeks ago at Home Depot Linc made a Super Bowl football stool, then later a fire truck, and today both he and Scout made bird feeders. They get cute little aprons, goggles, a pin or patch, and a certificate of completion. Lincoln absolutely loves it and Scout just enjoys tagging along. What kid wouldn't love to use a hammer, nails, screwdriver, and glue. Lowe's is actually in Dave's area so he was able to come in and help Linc while he was on shift. Very fun. I would highly recommend this to anyone with little kids and one of these stores nearby.

Anything you can do I can do too

A few weeks ago when when got a lot of snow, we were out yet again for a romp in the snow. Linc and Scout love it when Dad is home to play in the snow because he's nice enough to make snowmen.

Holy Poop!

So, I feel as a mom, it is my duty to report the following...however gross it may be. For all you non-moms, look away, it's hideous. So, I answered Shay's phone call the other day just as I was discovering the present that my son left for me. We are quasi potty-training Lincoln currently. Actually, he's kind of doing it himself. He has done awesome with #2 for almost 3 weeks with only a couple of problems. However, that day he decided to go up in my room, take off his diaper, go under my bed, and poop on the carpet, wall, and in a bowl (that who knows why it was under there). Why the bowl?! Why the carpet?! Why the wall?! Why under my massively heavy bed that takes two people to move?! Why when Dave was working?! Yes, needless to say, there was a lot of emotion going on all at once. But, it didn't stop there. I threw him in the bath tub while I tried to pull the mattress and box springs off to attack the disgusting mess. While, I was doing this he took my body soap and dumped 3/4 of it in the tub, so he could have bubbles. When I discovered that and took it away and returned to the mess, he secretly ran and got toothpaste. When I walked back in to check on him, he had toothpaste in his hair and mouth he smiled and said, "I being naughty." Did I lose it? I think that may be an understatement. I have loads of stories, but now I want to know yours. Do tell on blog or comment. I know young and old mommies have stories. Please, make me feel better. Beka and Nat have loads just waiting to be told.

PB, Restoration Hardware, Red Envelope Discards Heaven

So, the Down East Clearance Center was quite amusing. Now remember, I don't like to shop...used to when I had the money, but even then I could literally feel myself shrinking into the clothes racks from boredom. But, this was fun. Now, it could have been who I was with. Allison is a bargain hunter. We ended up spending two and half hours there. Partially because she knew someone that was there (who is a regular) and was giving us tips. So, these clerks would bring in these HUGE boxes and just start opening them in the middle of the store. Women were going crazy! Diving, yes, I said diving into these boxes to pull stuff out first. There was a woman there who apparently goes every time they get a shipment and she was nuts! She was pulling out stuff and throwing it into her cart without even looking at it. Then later at the register she would decide whether or not she wanted it. She spent $3000 there just that day. I guess she sells the stuff on eBay and makes moola off of it. I just kind of stood back giggling at these women. This said, it was kind of fun to find stuff there that I only ever think is cute but entirely too expensive in the catalogs and stores. It's mainly stuff that has either been damaged (however minor) or personalized in some way. So, I decided to get stuff that I needed anyway. I got some Christmas gifts for my brother's family since I know that I have them already. Some things for my kids. The cutest wood stool from PB kids that was only $5. I got Ya and Ana birthday gifts. I'll have to blog pics of them. I know you few who read my blog are just waiting with baited breath to view them. So, here's my wrap-up. I think it's definitely worth going at least once to see if it's for you. I will never dumpster- dive into the box and I will most definitely never spend $3000. But, it was fun to come home and see how much I would have spent if I'd bought it full price. And it was so much fun to be without my kids. Sorry, that's the truth of it. I think I enjoyed it most of all because I didn't have to pull Linc out from between the racks. Ooh, maybe I should take him next time I go.......he would love to do the dumpster-diving. By the way, this place is in West Valley City. Melissa, if you like things to be a certain way, probably not the best option for you. Beka, you would just simply love the thrill of trying to find Tyse, Emitt, and HenryOllieJoBob's names. =) Nat, you would like this place just because it was fun, even if you didn't buy anything. Ginger, I think you might get a kick out of this place if you have the time, and aren't pressured to be anywhere (which is hard when you guys are here). Thanks for the comments chicas, I feel so blog-goddess like.

Do I really like a deal that much?

So, if any of you know me well enough, you know I'm not one for shopping. I have to be in a real mood to WANT to go shopping. Well, today, I'm ditching the kids and going to the outlet for Down East. Why am I blogging this? For no reason in particular, except that I will report if this place is worth going to. My friend Allison is taking me and she is obsessed with it. She keeps bringing me home cheap things that are so fun. Today we are going when the truck arrives which apparently is a big deal. I guess women line up to go through the first stuff and buy tons of it and then sell it on ebay for a lot of money. Well, rest assured I will not be doing that. But, if I find any fun things I'll be sure to pass along the info to you all who may care. This is really probably just for Beka, one of the only other people I know who love to shop all over the place to find the best deal. I am too lazy to do that. Is there anyone else who is like that? I know you're out there. I mean who doesn't love a good deal. But how many of you are willing to hunt for it?

Sled Heads

Scout was probably screaming "I can't put my arms down", but no one could hear her since her mouth was covered by her hat.

Linc and Ana enjoying some warm time in the car in between sledding runs.

Does anyone know how to....?

How to change their template without losing all their extra stuff? Maybe I can figure it out this time, but last time I lost everything extra. Any hints from the very few people who blog who read my blog? Amber maybe?

It's all about me!

I've been tagged! Unlike everyone else, I love these things. Not because I like writing about myself (secretly I do) but because I get to find out more about you all!

1. 10 years ago: I was working at my parent's bookstore in Roseville, CA. I was going to American River Junior College and hanging out with Amber all the time. I was pretty much living with Mamoo (my grandma) helping take care of her. And when I wasn't there I was on a road trip to somewhere exciting (like Utah!). =)

2. 5 things on my to-do-list today: In no particular order: 1. Take the scissors away from Linc. 2. Think of something to make for dinner. 3. Stop eating the apple cake that I made yesterday. 4. Go grocery shopping. 5. Get some work done. ( I mean for my job, not like you know a face lift or a boob job!)

3. Snacks I enjoy: Um, dessert, dessert, dessert. I swear I have eaten so much lately. I love ice cream a lot. But I wouldn't mind if someone threw some other chocolate stuff at me. One of my favorite things to snack on though is fruit...any kind but I love strawberries, cantelope, apples, and pineapple the best.

4. Things I would do if I were suddenly made a billionaire: I agree with Ginger. I would love to travel. Dave and I were actually talking about this a little while ago. It may sound cheesy, but I would go some place really remote and do charity stuff there. I mean, if you're a billionaire what else is there left to do, once you've done it all. But, in between doing that, I would love to travel the world. There is nothing better than learning to appreciate another culture by immersing yourself in it.

5. Places I have lived: California, Utah, Uganda (just a little bit)

6. Jobs I have had: Cover to Cover Books for probably 7 years or something like that, Old Republic Title for almost 5 years

7. Things people don't know about me: I am horrible at home organization, but I was super-organized at work. I love when I can catch an episode of Law and Order or any show like that. I used to have a crush on Zack Morris.

If you want to be tagged, you're it.

Any Rash Advice?

Help! How do you get diaper rash cream out of upholstery? Any advice? Thankfully it's on the back of the futon, but aaaaaaah!

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Dave took Ya (Eliah) up to Sundance last week and yesterday to enjoy some of Utah's rockin' snow. We have had an incredible winter already. Ya, is re-learning his craft and doing amazingly well. Dave is just taking up skiing and is loving it. Does this mean that his snowboard will be gathering dust? I think, probably not. I'm sure he will maintain a love for both. I actually think his ultimate goal is to be a good enough skier that he can convince me that he needs to get and train a search and rescue dog, so that he can be a full-time ski bum that waits around for people that need saving. This is of course....after he retires?! We are going to be so busy after he retires. I don't know if there are enough years in a lifetime for my husband. In fact, he says that. He has so many skills he wants to learn, so many places he wants to go, so many mountains he wants to conquer. Very inspirational. Maybe someday it will spill over to me.

Oh, and did I mention that he has now decided that because Linc is free until he's 5, next year is the year that Linc will start skiing lessons?! He's 3! Whatever, I guess. I find comfort in the fact that he will be wearing a helmet and attached to a cool backpack that allows Dave to help steer him as he learns. I think we are in for a bumpy ride.

Ode to my Sister

I'm following Beka's lead, with an ode to someone I love. I was just wallowing in the fact that I didn't have a nanny when my sister came and saved my life yesterday. It's amazing how by just taking one child from me for the day, how I can accomplish so much. While Dave and Ya were skiing again this week, she helped me with the kids. I could not ask for a greater wish to be granted. I was giddy with fact that I was able to clean two bathrooms, mop my downstairs, clean the kitchen, get some work done, have phone conversations uninterrupted, and even do laundry (which I hate most of all). And I was even happy after I had done all this. That doesn't happen often. None of this could have happened without a sister who dealt with a poopy diaper and no spare diapers in sight. She also braved a grocery store with my little sprinter. That's huge! I am truly grateful for family in my life, near and far. It may sound sappy, but Tami will never know what a wonderful gift she gave me yesterday.