Add to the Honey Do...

Well, I've finally packed up all our Christmas decorations, the tree is down, no more advent calendar or navity, it's all put away in boxes until next year! Nobody is happier then Pooski! The couch is finally back in front of the window where she can now spend her days barking at the casual passerby or sunning herself when it's a nice day. She could hardly wait to get up there and barely let me get the couch in place before hopping up to check it out!


On a much sadder note, I used one of those 3M designer hooks to hang up my Santa Christmas Card Holder. You know the ones, they don't destroy your wall when you pull them off. Amazing little things...
NOT... Ripped the paint and part of the sheetrock right off! At least the Santa Christmas Card Holder stayed up all holiday season!

Sorry Darrell, but you're just gonna have to paint the living room again! Or at least patch and touch up this spot! (I wonder if I can sneak Bryan over to fix it before the hubby notices?) Just another thing to add to the Honey Do List!

Something to cross off the "Honey Do List"

Fix snowblower!! Now it can snow again, lots and lots!!

Let it snow, let is snow, let it... STOP ALREADY!!

I cannot believe how much it has been snowing lately! With a broken snowblower my back is taking the brunt of the shoveling and it's killing me! Luckily the girls are here to help out! It also seems like just as we finish shoveling our massive driveway and walks it starts snowing again and the evil cycle repeats itself! I really want a white Christmas, but this may be overdoing it! I guess I won't complain too much come Lake Powell time next year!!

Here's some pics from yesterday...

Looking out our front door! Poor Windsock Santa if freezing!! With all the wind he's been seeing a lot of action the last few days!

Looking out our front door down the street.

The backyard neighbors pretty tree/bush thing all snow covered.

At least the snow leaves everything pretty and white, for awhile anyway!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Going private!

Darrell has always been concerned with this blog thing. He's always telling me to be careful and I thought "Why, only our friends and family read this" then my friend, Kristen, had a problem with a parent at the school she teaches at. This person went online and googled Kristen, found her blog and read the ENTIRE thing. In August she had to attend a training class and mentioned it was dumb, apparently offending the parent who read it. Luckily nothing happened to my friend, she just made her blog private so only those who are invited to look and read about her personal life can, and we're going private too! Please send me your email address so I can invite you to see our blog in the future!

Movie Nite!

These pics are from our Kinyon Family Movie Nite on Sunday (mentioned in the post below!)

This is Dad and Bryan watching the movie, Brock apparently watching Grandpa and Lo playing with a car!

Shawna, Grandma and Mya (notice Grandma in her PJ's and Shawna snuggled in her blanket!) Next time I'm wearing my PJ's too!

Brock thought a dog pile on uncle Bryan would be fun so he jumped on his back, poor Lo didn't understand the whole dog pile thing at first so I threw her up there (then her legs were too short to get up there on her own so I had to throw her back up each time she fell off!)

Movie night was sooo much fun! I can hardly wait to do it again! I see a tradition starting here!

I'm thankful...

I just wanted to say what a wonderful weekend I had! It started out with Saturday, Darrell woke up early and headed off to work so I thought I'd hurry and get the house cleaned while he was gone so we could just hang out when he got home. The girls jumped out of bed, ate breakfast and really helped get the whole house spotless. We were all ready for the day by 12:30p when Darrell got home. Shawna went to a friends house to play while I worked on Christmas stuff, Darrell and Annie just hung out watching some TV. Then I needed to run an errand so Darrell took me over to Wal-mart where I quickly changed my mind and decided Wal-mart on Saturday was way to scary so instead he took me to lunch/dinner. We just hung out as a couple for a short time which is so nice, I forget how to be the wife when I feel like the mom all the time! Anyway, we got home and I changed into my pj's, the girls went babysitting and Darrell and I had more time to hang out and watch tv. I love my hubby so much! He has been working so hard the past few weeks and to have this time to be with him was so wonderful!

On Sunday we went to my mom's house for dinner and a movie. She'd bought Narnina early in the week so we all had dinner in front of the big tv downstairs and then ate tons of junk! It was a blast and I'm really thankful that we all get along as well as we do! My little nephew is growing to be such a big boy and I just love him to death! And my neices are such sweet little girls, they remind me of when mine where small! I love how Lo gets so excited when she sees me! She screams (and anyone who knows her understands she really screams!) "IT'S SHARA!" at the top of her lungs. She gets so excited and can't control herself (regardless of who it is really) she holds her hands out at her side and just shakes with excitement! And little Mya is just so sweet, yesterday I babysat and had her laughing like crazy! I'm just so thankful for my family, my brother, Bryan, and his wife, Kiersti. My sister, Becky and Mat, her hubby. And all the kids! I LOVE YOU GUYS!! Thanks especially to my wonderful parents, for without them our family wouldn't be what it is!!

Merry Christmas!

I am sooo excited for the holiday season I can hardly wait for Christmas to be here! I've just finished shopping for the girls (except a few little things), this is the earliest I've ever been finished! I just have a few homemade things to crochet and sew and then I'll be completely done! I've changed the background on my computer at work this beautiful scene...

Everytime I log on to work this is what I see and it makes me happy and excited. I also changed the background on Becky Warner's computer to this...

Which makes both of us laugh our heads off, and while it's funny, a larger version of this is scary too!

Anyway, here's a quick...

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE!

WOW...

This years Reflections theme was Wow... and Shawna did a project on nature. She took lots of pictures while we were on vacation and then she put them on a posterboard. It was really neat and (drum roll please...)

She moved onto REGION! YAY SHAWNA!! GOOD JOB!!!

This is Shawna's medal, a lizard pen prize and a rubber duckie prize that she picked.

Shout out to Kristen!

I just wanted to say Thanks to my friend Kristen! She is such a sweetie! I babysat her when she was a baby, changed poopy diapers, cleaned up massive vomit (she was a fire hydrant that kid!) and then when she was a little older, 5th grade I think, I drove her past the house where a boy she liked lived and we shouted out the windows at him! Now she's grown and married and turned into the most thoughtful person ever!

I was sick all last week. Darrell was working very hard and didn't have time to take care of me very well (although I was managing ok). On Saturday he was painting at Becky Warner's house and mentioned how sick I was. Lo and Behold my cute little Kristen jumped into action! She went to the grocery store and while she was there she got the stuff to make my little family dinner, and let me tell you... IT WAS WONDERFUL!!!! She and her cute hubby, Ben, showed up at 6 with a fabulous array of meat and potatoes, rolls and, my favorite course, DESSERT!! YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY! Thanks so much guys! I love you!

For anyone who's interested, I am still recuperating from my terrible cold! At least now I have my voice back and I'm feeling much better!

PS to Kristen, I need recipes!! That bundt cake was to die for! And those potatoes were yum yum yummy!

Yep, it's Halloween!

This is it! My last year as a mother with kids in elementary school at Halloween time! YAY!! And I only say that because there were NO other mothers in the ENTIRE 6th grade at Oquirrh Elementary who were willing to plan the stupid Halloween party! I have done the deed every year for at least 1 of my kids classes, and sometimes both! This year however, I had to plan the whole party for not just Shawna's class but the entire 6th grade! CRAZY! Anyway, it was actually fun! We bobbed for apples, played relay races and ate doughnuts and drank root beer! If anyone reading this ever needs game ideas and such just call me, I'm happy to share!

Shawna decided for Halloween she wanted to go "Goth". Her friends all loved her outfit and think she needs to dye her hair like this always! It's very very BLACK! I've made it clear that she won't be dying her hair and this is the last time she'll wear heavy makeup. Hope my stern words work!

Annie decided she wanted to go in her PJ's as if she just woke up. She wanted me to put a horrible slash across her neck so it looked like someone tried to chop her head off but I had to draw the line somewhere. She then wanted me to put bruises all over her face like she'd been beaten up and again I wouldn't do it. Don't get me wrong, I'm fine with the blood and gore of Halloween with the appropriate costume, but not with PJ's so instead she carried around her babydoll and now looks like an old worn out mommy!

In the past my girls have gone as Winnie the Pooh and Tiger, Snow White and the Old Hag, Hershey's Kisses, Unicorns, Bunnies, Dalmations, Kitty Cats, Spiders, An Oompah Loompah (from the old movie with orange faces and green hair!), Mad Scientist, A Witch, and I'm sure I've missed a few. I keep all my old costumes so in future years keep me in mind!! Now I'm going to make my house SCARY for all those little trick or treaters! HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

Annie

Annie is in her first year of Middle School!

That one sentence scares me to death!! It's so exciting to see what a beautiful young lady she's turning into, and yet it's so scary to send her out in the real world everyday with all those juvenille delinquents! HAHA!

Seriously though, I'm so proud of the smart young lady she's turned out to be! She's so kind to everyone and she loves the diversity in people. She knows who she is and doesn't let others tempt her in things she knows she shouldn't do, but at the same time she doesn't judge others. It's truly amazing to see how people are drawn to her. She has such a bright personality. She's so smart! She loves to read, and while she hates math she still strives to do her best (not to mention she's in the top math in her grade and the top of her class!)

She's a wonderful daughter and a loving sister and I'm glad she's a part of our family! WE LOVE YOU ANNIE!!

J and Kiersti I accept the 4th tag!!

J and Kiersti have a tag on their blog, it's the fourth tag. You go to your pictures, open the 4th folder and upload the 4th picture there. Here it is...

This is a picture of me with one of my favorite Hoge cousins, Mandy! It reminds me of how blessed I am to have the In Law family that I have. My mother-in-law is one of my best friends and she came from the most amazing family! They might not get together often (because there are sooooo many of them spread all over the place!) but when they do it's like they've always been right there! I just love them so much! And Mandy gives the most WONDERFUL Massages! I love you Hoge Family! Thank you for making me one of you!

Now I tag anyone who wants to do this! It's fun!

Recipe Blog

Ok, the new recipe blog is ezrecipes4u.blogspot.com check it out!!

Farwell Recipe Blog

I'll be changing my recipe blog. The blog people sent me an email saying they thought it was a spam blog but obviously it wasn't and because I couldn't figure out how to request a review I've decided to delete it and try again. Look for my new and improved recipe blog soon!

Lake Powell Pics!

Annie decided she was going to turn brain dead and become a teenager on this trip! She gave attitude to go with her new brain deadiness but I think she's growing out of it quickly!

(I hope so anyway! I like my sweet girl not this bratty teenage stuff!)

Sisters having fun in the water!

Our Fabulous camping spot in Face Canyon!

While this looks like the end, it actually winds around up ahead and keeps going for a long time! This is another spot where the water is really deep and the canyon walls are way above our heads! It freaked me out, especially when Darrell and I actually high centered the wave runner in a spot like this and I thought I'd have to try and swim for it! Luckily we did get loose and neither of us took a swim in here!

Eddie and Riley on the wave runner. We took rides through the canyon, at some points the water is hundreds of feet deep, the canyon walls rise hundreds of feet above and there's barely enough room to squeeze the wave runners through! It's completely amazing and so breathtakingly beautiful the words and pictures don't really describe it!

Crevassing in Face Canyon, everyone went except me, Lana and Annie. Even the dogs tried to join in but there were some spots they couldn't climb to so they stayed behind and whined like big babies! We even heard them back at camp!

More crevassing!

Shawna the fisherman (and the dogs wishing they were!)

Darrell driving the house boat to Face Canyon, we were hurrying to get to our spot before dark since it's pretty dangerous to be on the lake when you can't see!

Amanda and Shawna on the wave runner in Navajo Canyon, yes they're wearing sweatshirts because it was a little chilly that morning! But by the afternoon we peeled off our extra layers and really enjoyed the water fun!

Darrell and Eddie trying to figure out where the "stairs" and arches are in Navajo Canyon. We never did find what we were looking for, but the ride was nice and the scenery GORGEOUS!

I was tagged...

Kiersti tagged me to post 6 querky things about myself so here it goes...

1. I hate feet, I hate the look of feet, I hate it when anyone's feet are close to me and I especially hate when they touch me! I really hate it when they're bare because that usually means I can smell them and I really really hate that!

2. Darrell thinks it's querky (and gross) that I kiss my family on the lips. I kiss Annie and Shawna, Lolo, Mya and Brock on the lips. I kiss my mom and dad, grandparents, sister (although it might be weird to kiss my bro on the lips, i don't recall the last time we kissed) but I kiss everyone on the lips, it's just natural for me. They're just little pecks but Darrell says "Kissing on the lips is for Lovers" and he thinks it's querky that I kiss everyone on the lips.

3. Becky Warner thinks my thumbs are querky because they look like big toes, so I guess I'd agree.

4. I ruthlessly tease, to the point that people might even cry, but only those I really really love. And if I've made someone cry by teasing them mercilessly I always feel bad, but I still do it because in some sick way it's funny.

5. I never thought it was querky, until Kiersti mentioned it (and I'm not as OCD as she is), but I will only wash my towels and rags after I've done a load of rugs. I certainly would NEVER wash any clothes right after a load of rugs, only towels and rags!

6. I envy my kids and Darrell their IPODS. It's silly really, I can use theirs anytime I want but I really want my own and I refuse to buy it for myself so I just go on being envious of theirs.

I'm sure whoever reads this can think of tons more querky things about me and I'd love to hear them so feel free to share!

Also, I tag Becky, Susan, and anyone else who might read this that has a blog!

Give me a break, I was on vacation for a week!!

Mat and Kiersti, I tried to update my blog last night with fun Lake Powell pics but couldn't get them looking right so I'll try to get more on there today sometime. I guess I deserve it since I harrassed you!

Also, if anyone knows how to request a review of your blog let me know. My recipe blog has been marked as possible "SPAM" and not the kind you fry up and eat! I got an email from the blog people and they said to request a review or they'll delete my blog w/in 20 days (that was about a week ago) so if anyone can figure it out let me know! If not I might just delete that blog and start over!

Thanks! Look soon for Lake Powell highlights!!

YUMMY FOOD!

I've thought about starting a blog where I can post recipies or my friends and family can too! It's a great way to share some yummy food recipies and if you want to join in just email me your recipies and I'll add them on! Check it out! ouryummyrecipies.blogspot.com

I know you're tired of hearing it...

I know everyone is tired of hearing it, except maybe Eddie and Lana, but there are only 4 work days until we leave!!!! YAY!!!! And a special thanks to Becky Warner and Gladys who will be holding down the fort while I'm down south basking in the sun! Don't work too hard ladies!

SPIDERS AND LP!!

I was downstairs in the office, minding my own business, when out of nowhere a HUGE spider tried to attack me! I fought it off with all of my might, and about 10 tissues, then pinched it good in my hand so I felt, and heard, it's HUGE spider body POP!! ARGH!! I hate spiders!

The picture is a little blurry because I was shaking in my boots while trying to snap a picture! Boy was this SCARY!!

And now for a much happier subject... ONLY 9 DAYS TIL WE LEAVE FOR POWELL!!

WE ARE SOOOOO EXCITED!!

12 DAYS!!

Thanks to Mat for this awesome picture from our trip in 2007! We sure wish you guys were coming this year! Bummer for you!

16 DAYS UNTIL LAKE POWELL!!

We are getting soooo excited!!

Shawna

S is for SMART, she loves math!

H because she's HAPPY, most of the time!

A her smile is ADORABLE!

W She always WINS at games!

N NICE, she thinks of others often!

A ABSOLUTELY OUR PERFECT SHAWNA!

It is so unbelievable that my baby is in her last year of elementary school! She has become such a beautiful and smart young lady and I'm so proud of her. She makes me laugh with her jokes, she bores me with her stories (but I still love to hear them!) and she is a best friend to her big sister! I am so grateful to have her and I hope she knows how much she means to our family, it wouldn't be the same without her!

SURPRISE!!

August 25th is my mother-in-laws birthday. This year we got together and threw a big SURPRISE party and boy was she shocked! It's been a long time since all her kids and grandkids were in the same place at once and I think it meant the world to her! WE LOVE YOU GLADYS! Hope your bday was memorable!

Time flies... OREGON!

I can't believe how fast time flies! We went to the Oregon Coast almost a month ago and I haven't found time to blog until now! WOW! Well, here's a quick synopsis of our trip, and thanks to Aunt Mickey and Uncle Gary for inviting us to crash their vacation!! WE HAD A BLAST!
July 25th we left and headed towards Oregon, we stayed in Boise the first night then headed to Portland. We stayed in Portland the second day/night and had so much fun there. We took an awesome jetboat ride, it was so fun cruising around the river and then they'd swing us around and do 360's! WOW What a rush! And we got to see a ton of sights in a short amount of time! This is a picture of the girls and Darrell in front of the Willamette Falls. Then we went to the Saturday market, a bunch of street vendors with good food and merchandise, YUM and FUN!

After Portland we headed to the beach and a bunch of fun in the sun! We stayed at the beach in the background of this picture. It was pretty cool outside, highs in the low 70's, and the water was freezing but the girls still insisted on swimming in the ocean!

We also saw a bunch of wildlife, the neatest things were the starfish and sealions!

There's so much to do! We went to the Lewis and Clark Museum which was so neat! We also went to Astoria (where I had the best fish and chips in my life!) And the Cannon Beach shops are so quaint! We also saw where the end of Goonies was filmed in Cannon Beach, the Goonies house in Astoria and the school where Kindergarten Cop was filmed!

We also drove across this scary bridge, TWICE!!

Our beach house was really neat too! It was nice to get up in the mornings to the sound of the ocean, the nice cool temps, relaxation and fun! You gotta go!

What is this world coming to...

So, I did it! I ran out of gas for the first time in my driving history! What a nut I am. My Mother-in-Law gave me great advice, the top of the tank runs just as well as the bottom does! I think I'll keep that in mind! Anyway, I was on my way to Sam's for gas, it's literally around the block from home. On 7800 south just before the right turn to Jordan Landing BAM my car quit. Lucky for me and Annie (she was with me) I was able to get to the side of the road, turn on my hazards and call for help because of course I didn't have the gas can with me. In the 15-20 minutes we were waiting we sat on the lawn in the shade and talked. I'm amazed at the number of people who traveled that road while 2 women (1 just a kid) sat there with an obviously broken car, and didn't stop to see if they could offer a hand. There were 2 men in a car who did stop, and while I didn't need help I thought that was nice and thanked them. But 2 men out of the hundreds who passed is amanzing to me! The worse case was a man in a pick up truck who yelled obscenities at us while he was stopped at the light. He was screaming about pushing the car out of the road (remember I said I was able to get it to the side of the road) and yelled swear words at us. I just wonder what kind of world we're living in when 2 women who have obvious car trouble are left to push a car (a big heavy car I might add) out of the road by themselves while some jerk yells at them. I just hope all of us raising girls and boys are teaching them the value of helping our neighbors (and even strangers when needed!) not to mention the Golden Rule!

Girl Scouts, YAY!

We went to Girl Scout Troop Camp this week with our troop, it was a lot of fun! We went to Trefoil Ranch, the horse camp up Provo Canyon.

Shawna and Annie rode Lucky, the pretty black horse. My horse was also black, he's named Fisban.

We also did eachothers hair.

And of course we ate GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!!

With 8 girls and 2 leaders there were bound to be squabbles but all in all it was a really fun time!

Celebrate, Celebrate, Celebrate!

We started our 4th by Celebrating at the West Jordan park. We walked around and looked at the booths, ate dinner and had ice cream, and walked around the Veterans Memorial thinking about those who fought for our freedoms. Then we found our spot for fireworks. It was awesome sitting on the grass watching the bursts explode right above our heads.

On the 5th we were lucky enough to spend the day with Crystal and her family, celebrating her 18th birthday! Happy Birthday Crystal!! We had so much fun at Park City, riding the Alpine Slide, the Alpine Coaster and the Zip Line! We love spending time with Crystal and her family, we're so proud of what a wonderful young woman she's grown up to be!

And finally we finished our celebrating by going to the Western Stampede and cheering all those cowboys and cowgirls while they rodeoed it up! It's becoming a yearly tradition and we have such a great time!