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!