Catching Up

Katie and Becky got to go to a birthday party for one of their neighborhood friends, Hailey. They were pretty excited to get to go to "Sweet and Sassy". They got to have their hair done, nails polished and make up applied. They even got to dress up. When I came to pick them up one of the things they were most excited about was getting a certificate that "officially" makes them a PRINCESS. I believe they were even considering having me bow when I was in their presence. TOO CUTE!!!

Our friends the Duves, went to Mexico for a week and a half. So we said we would take their daughter, Madi, for a few days. So after school on Friday Madi came home with the girls. Belle was tickled pink to have her best buddies spending the night at our house. Once evening began to settle in, the kids slipped in to the jammies and the sleeping bags came out. All the girls decided they would sleep in the livingroom while spending the evening watching High School Musical and eating popcorn. At 7:00 am this what how much life there was in the house. Knowing my girls, they stayed up quite late wathcing tv and giggling.

I just had to share this cool bowl we got in the mail. About a year ago, Steve's Uncle Art and his grandson was here in Utah and contacted us. We met them at a park and visited for an hour. While we talked, Uncle Art mentioned that one of his hobbies is turnig wood into bowls. Steve mentioned how cool that sounded and he would like to see his work. Well, a box arrived last Friday from Uncle Art...we were surprised to open it up and find this beautiful walnut bowl inside.

Baby Birds

There is a small window in my laundry room. For the last few weeks, whenever I have started the drier, I have scared a little bird out of the bush that is right outside the window. I kind of figured there was a bird nest out there, but it wasn't until this even that Steve discovered the nest with some brand new baby birds. So of course I grabbed my camera and climbed up on dry and hug out of the window and took some pictures of our little babies.

I am going to try to check back in a few days and try to record their progression.

Salt Lake City Marathon/5K

Steve and I drove into Salt Lake City Friday afternoon. Before going to my parent's house, we stopped in at the Salt Palace and picked up our racing packets. We walked around after picking up the packets and shirts and got free samples of all sorts of "energy foods". Some were kind of yummy, some just plain strange. After leaving there we went to the Salt Lake house and ate the spaghetti I had made that morning. We decided to stay in Salt Lake to make easier on us Saturday morning getting to our starting areas.

This year I ran in my 2nd 5K, but Steve decided late last year he was going to attempt the marathon this year. He has spent the last 7 months training for the marathon, only to have problems with his knees about a month ago. He did get a cortisone shot a few weeks ago, but I know he has been very nervous as to whether or not his knee was going to hold out for the entire 26.2 miles. He was at the starting line at the University of Utah at 6:30am this morning. My parents dropped me off at my starting position at Liberty Park at 7:00 am. I was a little nervous to be doing this all alone, but I did not focus on that too much.

Jogging/walking was how I made my way through the streets of Salt Lake. I knew I would not be able to run the whole thing, but I did want to better my time from last year. I believe I did. At the time of this posting they had not officially posted times. I did run into the long strip at the Gateway while I listening to "We Are the Champions" by Queen. I looked for my parents and my kidlets so I could wave at everyone, but did not see them. Once I crossed the finish line I had my timing chip removed and got all the goodies, especially the WATER!! After kicking around back there I called mom to find out where they were only to find out they had NO IDEA I had made it in. I was a little disappointed, but TOTALLY understand, there is so much going on, so many people running in at approximately the same time. Once I caught up with everyone Pop took a picture of me to prove I had been there.

We then settled in to watch for Steve's arrival. As the marathoners began to trickle in, we saw some people so exhausted they literally could not cross the finish line on there feet. I watched 2 runner actually fall down within feet of the finish line. One man crossed the line on his hands and knees and then was helped into a wheelchair. HOLY HANNAH!!! After watching these couple of episodes, I was so nervous I might get a call on my cellphone saying his knee had given out and we needed to pick him up, but I am ecstatic to say I GOT NO SUCH PHONE CALL!! At about 3 hours and 28 minutes, we saw Steve coming toward us. I put my camera on rapid fire and just started shooting and screaming!!! I am actually more proud of his accomplishment than I am of my own. I know he was not the "official" winner of the marathon, but in my eyes he was the winner. I watched Steve in the last few months work so hard and struggle with minor setbacks and it was incredible to watch him accomplish this INCREDIBLE GOAL. I have always had this deep admiration and respect for Steve and that has increased after watching him cross that finish line this morning.

Look for us at the 5th Annual Salt Lake Marathon in 2008.

rAndOm tHouGhTs

* This is a picture of the apple blossoms on my macintosh tree I took just 2 days ago. The weather has been BEAUTIFUL!! But then today dipped into the high 30s and it actually snowed. I feel like I pull out my flip flops and capris and start thinking about storing the snow clothes and then the weather changes. I know we need the moisture, our lawn was just beginning to look a little dry in areas.

*So, I am excited. In the last few weeks my kidlets have gotten a little lazy about putting away their things. So I came up with a plan that if I find something laying out, I take it and put it in a box in my room and if they need/want it back they have to do an extra job to earn it back. So in the last 2 days I have had both my plastic cupboard and pots and pans cupboard organized, my floors swept and the floor boards wiped down. The way I see it, its a win-win situation: they will either learn to put away their things or I will end up with a CLEAN house!!!

*Today is the 18th and Wendy and I did all of our Visiting Teaching. That is a BIG deal. We are usually scrambling during the last week of the month to get it done. We had a really good visit with all of our ladies. I feel so blessed to have that program...sometimes it seems like one more thing to have t do ever month, but once we have done it I feel so good. One of the women we visit is a little bit older and an empty-nester and I know I probably would never have "really" gotten to know her if she was not assigned to me. And I am just love the little conversations we have with her.

*Have I ever mentioned how addicted I have become to the library? I use to purchase any book I read, but in the last few years I have been checking out all sorts of stuff. Today I went there to drop off a load of books that we had checked out and walked out with my arms loaded with just as many books:

• 1000 Quick and Easy Organizing Secrets
• How to Raise Confidant Girls
• Trading Spaces $100-$1000 Makeovers
• The Presidents of the United States
• Better Home and Gardens Style on a Budget
• The Civil War Documentary Video
• Losing It! An LDS Guide to Healthy Living

So once I am done updating my blog I am going to slip on my jammies and begin flipping through the books.

ANASTASIA JOSEPHINE SANSEVERO

My "little" brother Vito and his wife Mabel are celebrating the arrival of their 1st child. That would make me an AUNT to a beautiful little girl named ANASTASIA JOSEPHINE. She arrived on Friday, April 6 around 11:00 am. She weighed 6 lbs. 1 oz and was 18 inches long. What a little peanut!! My mom and dad drove to California to be there for the event. All my kids are so excited to have a new cousin and can't wait to meet that little bundle of joy.

The brain is a funny thing. I know I have been married for 12 years and have had 4 babies of my own, but it just blows my mind that the little boy I grew up with is actually a DAD!!! To me he is still that little boy.

Since we were unable to be there, my mom was sweet enough to share with us some of the pictures from her birth. This is one of my favorite pictures that my mom emailed to me after Ana was born. The back of my brother's t-shirt says:

"Together we are more powerful than we could ever be apart."

I am sure that he will realize just how true that is now that he and Mabel are officially a family

SCRAPBOOK USA expo

Yesterday was the Scrapbook Expo at the South Towne Center. These happen twice a year and I have gone every year since we moved here. Unfortunately Steve had to work this weekend so I was unable to attend both days like I usually do.

I woke up at 3:00 am with thoughts of what I should bring and the excitement of 15 hours of scrapbooking. I tried going back to sleep, but just couldn't so I unpacked and then repacked my scrap bag. Dayna, Sandra and I drove together. We arrived at the expo center to get in with the "Early Birds". There was already a HUGE line there for the doors opening at 9:00 am. We planned on a couple of other friends joining us. And my usual accomplice in these scrapbooking events, Suzanne, went to Boston with her husband.

We all took a couple of classes. I made a couple of different mini albums. For one we used envelopes and cards to make the album and the box that the set of cards came in was altered to be a carrying case for the books. I also made some 12x12 layouts using some great papers and felt flowers. My friend Sandra made some cute "chach-kis" using wooden blocks.

After the kids got out of school Sandra and I had both of our daughters, Kara and Belle, dropped off and the hung out with us and did some cropping of their own. They all had a great time. They participated in the dance contests and even did one of the make and takes.

Sandra's very cool husband, John, picked up Cafe Rio for us and brought it to the Expo Center. That was a HUGE treat. Cafe Rio's Pork Salad is one of my favorite meals. Of course we had some chocolate and other goodies.

Probably the best time for me was doing the macarena with Sandra and then being a little bi silly as we did the Chicken Dance and the YMCA. I am so blessed to have such good friends to spent time with laughing, sharing ideas and thoughts.
Can't wait until the next one, the end of September. Some of my friends from Maine are suppose to be coming and participating with me and my neighbors.

Easter dresses

I know Easter was 2 days ago, but I am finally getting all caught up. One of the things I truly enjoy about Easter is buying the girls new spring dresses. BUT this year Easter just kind of creeped up on me. We were gone for the 1st part of last week and then once we got home we moved out of our house or those 2 days. So I spent Saturday trying to find 3 Easter dresses that hopefully are coordinated.

I finally found these 3 dresses at Smith's Marketplace. Then I found a Sears and bought Zack a new outfit. I can't believe how grownup he is looking. My little man!!!

Once I got home with the dresses, I showed the girls. They all got so excited. That is definitely a cool part of having girls. When Zack opens a box and finds clothes, he says, "Move on." BUT the girls squeal and get excited for their new outfit.

Belle's 9th Birthday

Sunday was Ysabelle's 9th birthday. These 9 years have gone by so quickly. I remember very clearly the day she was born. I was being induced...my blood pressure was a little high at my last doctor appointment. I am sure hoeing and gardening in the back yard right before the appointment did not help. Once her induction began it took no time for Belle to come into the world. Actually she was quite eager to get here. My parents and Steve's parents tended Zack while I spent a couple of nights in the hospital and Steve stayed with me to help out. Our last evening there, the hospital fed us a nice candlelit dinner as Belle stayed in the nursery. After the dinner we went back to the room and Belle joined us. We turned on the radio and dance, the 3 of us. I keep that one moment on the top of my collection of memories. Steve, me and our beautiful, perfect baby girl having a quiet moment, just the 3 of us.

This year for Belle's birthday we decided to not get "things" for her birthday, but instead to "do" things. It all began with Belle getting to make and decorate her own birthday cake. She was so excited after church when when announced what her 1st gift was. Then after dinner and while we enjoyed the cake and ice cream Belle opened the rest of her presents. I gave her a gift certificate to goto a salon and get a pedicure and manicure. Then Steve's certificate was to go on a date with him to Cabelas. She did get a few gifts from the grandparents which she thoroughly enjoyed.

3rd Annual "DUV-BER" Egg Hunt

Saturday morning was our third year hosting, along with our friends the Duves, a neighborhood Easter Egg hunt. Flyers were distributed early in the week to all the houses in the neighborhood. Then the families that were participating would bring 6 filled plastic eggs to either our home or the Duve's home. This year we had 16 families participate.

The night before the hunt. Our family spent the night at the Duve's home. Due to a small flooding in our kitchen back in February, we needed to get our wood floors sanded and refinished and decided to have it done this same weekend. The Duves were kind enough to let us stay the night at their home. Our other friends the Nighs came over also for games. We played a round of Hand and Foot (btw-Steve and I won)After the Nigh's left to put their kids to bed and get a good night's sleep, both we and the Duves decided to stay up a little longer and play another card game named Nertz. We finally went to bed at 2:00 am only to have to get up about 7:00 am to hide the eggs for that morning's hunt. YIKES!!!!

We had a few of the Duve's neighbors also allow us to use their yards to hide the nearly 300 eggs. Dayna and I were in charge of hiding the ones for the little kidlets and Steve and Ryan took great pleasure in being creative with their hiding of the older kid's eggs.

People began to gather on the street outside both of our cul de sacs at 8:15 am. The children were obviously excited to begin the quest for candy filled eggs, while the parents looked a little less excited. We allow the little ones, age 6 years and down, a 2 minute head start to find their eggs before releasing the hounds, I mean the older kids, to find theirs. With in 20 minutes everyone had met their limit of 6 eggs and many of the kids were seated on lawns going through their booty.

Definitely this event is counted among one of the cooler things about living in a neighborhood. Hope you all have a fabulous Easter!!!

Viva Las Vegas!!!

Steve and I are back from our road trip to Las Vegas. We left in the a.m. on Monday. I have always thought that the drive and conversations Steve and I have on our road trips are the best part of our vacations. I was not disappointed this time either. Before I knew it we were in Vegas and looking for the "Flamingo exit". Once off the highway it was easy to find The Palms hotel.

I had never stayed at The Palms, but had read some good reviews in a guide book and was not let down once we arrived. Our room was on the 12th floor. There was a bouncer that stood outside of the elevators and wouldn't let you upstairs unless you had your rooms key. The rooms were nice and roomy. We had 2 double beds in the room that was decorated very contemporary. HUGE bathroom with a good size jetted tub. (this came in quite handy after a day of walking the strip) These were by far the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in away from home.

Once we were settled in the room, we headed out to the strip. I will share with you some of the high points. Our first stop was at the Riveria Hotel. We needed to get our tickets to see La Cage and then we just walked around and made it back to get seated for the show at 7:30 pm. I had never seen female impersonators other than on tv. They are incredible. There was a person impersonating Brittany Spears and he looked better than she currently looks. We also so Bette Midler, Diana Ross, Cher, Judy Garland, Celine Dion, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire. I laughed so hard at this show. It was an impressive show. I tried to take a picture of Steve with the "star" of the show in costume, but the picture turned out blurry-BUMMER!! On Tuesday morning we went to the Aladdin hotel and partook of the buffet they had set up for breakfast. We ate so much there we did not eat again 8:00 pm for dinner. One of our 1st stop that day was to M&M World. They have thought of absolutely everything that you could possibly put the M&M logo and have done just that. We shopped all 4 floors and even watched the 3D cheesy M&M movie. Believe it or not we spent an hour there. We peeked into many of the hotels, but we run out very often due to the amount of smoke there was in some of them.

We browsed some of the stores at the Wynn. It just blows my mind that people could actually shop there. I did go into one of the shoe stores and had a brief encounter with a beautiful pair of shoes that cost $650. It was a short lived relationship. We got to the Luxor around 12:00, which was the same time my feet were telling me that the sandals I had been wearing we not great for walking up and down the HOT sidewalks of the strip. So Steve volunteered to walk AL THE WAY BACK TO THE TRUCK and retrieve my shoes and socks. He took my sandals with him so I was stranded sitting on a pillar at the Luxor reading my Las Vegas guide, barefoot. He finally returned with my comfy shoes, which made it possible for me to complete the remainder of our walking trip, 50 minutes later. We walked back to the Bellagio and watched the fountains do their performance. It was absolutely beautiful. After the fountains we found a place that they gave foot massages and Steve offered to pay for one for me. I took him up on his offer and received a much needed foot massage for 10 minutes. IT WAS FABULOUS!!! After putting my shoes back on to my refreshed feet, we ran into an Elvis impersonator. I got my picture taken with him as he sang "Love Me Tender"...too funny. To make the whole Vegas experience complete we even found a showgirl for Steve to get his picture taken with.

We definitely determined that this was not a place that we would want to EVER bring the kids. Just walking down the street there are those little guys that try to hand people what looks like business cards, but have pictures of scantily dressed women "for a good time". We began to refer to them as adult Pokemon Cards. Steve got so frustrated by the whole concept that he decided he would "trade" them for the one the last guy we walked by had handed him. At the Rio Casino they has a free show. It had a Mardi Gras feel. Great music, but there were these dancers on the stage that little by little stripped down to panties and a bra. The dancing was quite provocative. I actually enjoyed the show, but was surprised by the parents that had there little kids watching the show. YIKES!!!

We truly had a great time in Vegas. Like I have said before, the best part is just the time Steve and I spend together.

Don't forget to look at the slide show on the right and check out some more of teh photos from the trip.

Tomorrow is Steve's 38th

MY BABY TURNS 38!!!

We celebrated Steve birthday one day early. He worked most of the day at the pharmacy, but this morning the children presented him with the salt dough sculptures that they had made a few weeks ago. Zack made him a turtle that Steve could put his loose change into, Belle made him a photo holder in the shape of a snail, Katie made five daisies that represented me and the other four kids, and Becky made a pencil holder that once you get the pencil stuck it him, he looks like a porcupine. Very cute.
While Steve was at work, the kids and I watched the two Sunday sessions of General Conference. I tried something new this time. The kids would pick a word before the speaker began and they would have to listen for that word. Every time the speaker said the word and they heard it, they would get an M&M. Once they got 5 M&Ms they could trade up to a miniature candy bar and after 5 candy bars they would trade up for a toy I got from the dollars store. It really seemed to keep their attention. When I would ask what the talk was about or what they had learned they could answer me.



After Steve finally got home, we had a yummy Sunday supper:

Bar-B-Que Steaks

Baked Potatoes

Corn

Green Salad

The best part was for dessert I had made a Peach Cobbler. I have NEVER made a peach cobbler, but Steve loves fruity desserts. So I thought that would be better than a birthday cake. He was pretty happy with it too. He tried to wait until everyone had finished their dinner, but then couldn't wait any longer and finally broke down and dug into the cobbler.

Tomorrow morning we leave for our Anniversary/Steve's birthday trip to Las Vegas. My Mom and Pop are watching the kids while we are gone. Since..." whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas..." we'll see if I can share what happens during our trip.