ONE OF MY PET PEEVES

There have been a few occasions that I have offered with a smile to return carts for others in need such as busy moms or cute grandmas. Sometimes I prefer to glare at dorks as I put their cart away for them because they just leave it randomly for someone to dodge!

It drives me crazy when people are too lazy to put their shopping cart back in the little area designated for its return. Really, how hard is it to take less than 60 seconds to put it away so some innocent bystander doesn't get a dent in their car? Well at Target today, some big guy shoves his cart across the parking area, hoping to land it onto the curb and of course it violently rolls back and dings this ladies door, I would have been mighty ticked off!!

The ironic thing is that the guys just got finished loading a bunch of workout equipment into the back of his truck ( I am certain he was getting a head start on his New Years resolution, as I was, thank you Reebok Step with 2 DVD's) but this jerk was too lazy to put his stinking shopping cart away!
There you have it, my little rant, and now I feel a lot better to get that off of my chest!! If only it would come off of my thighs or hips that easily!

A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

The crew calmly assembled and ready for the big guy to visit, aren't we a sight in our matching Disney P.J.'s?

O.K., maybe not so calmly as I would like, the little ones were bouncing off the walls!

"Can we PLEASE go see what he brought?"

Nice and orderly, what surprises await?

Braden waited patiently as everyone seemed to be opening a lot more than him, but he was VERY surprised to find his MacBook, it was worth the wait!

Chan was thrilled with his electric guitar, what was Santa thinking???

Hannah assessing the great mess and chaos

The BIGGEST and SWEETEST surprise of all... Shawn has been up half of the night for month's
and we all wondered what sort of crazy project he could possibly be working on, he was so quiet and so secretive. He presented the most beautiful letter and scrapbooks to Myself, Braden and Hannah. Of course all I could do was cry (as you can see, I am not a pretty crier)

It was perhaps the sweetest gift ever. Who knew my sweet husband had this great talent? I could not have been more surprised, it will be cherished for a very long time!! Of course he is getting harassed by the scrap bookers in the family (my sis) I think she is just jealous of his newly acquired skills. He admitted how he could see how people could get so addicted to this hobby, he says it is great stress therapy when looking back at life!

Yes, we were so EIGHTIES!!

Thanks for your comments regarding the big wedding pictures! Braden has done a tribute for us (obviously he thinks we are old and 80's) so check this out, if it sounds familiar it is from the classic "The wedding singer" and who doesn't still love Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore?

TAKE IT AWAY BRADEN!!!

HAPPY 19TH TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE!!

"DON'T MARRY THE PERSON YOU CAN LIVE WITH; MARRY THE ONLY INDIVIDUAL YOU THINK YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT."

"A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE REQUIRES FALLING IN LOVE MANY TIMES, ALWAYS WITH THE SAME PERSON"

Mignon McLaughlin

Check this out

Click here to see who is on Santa's List
(you will really want to do this with your kids!)

He knows if you've been bad or good...

The reason that he knows the answer to the bad or good question in our home is because several antique elves sit on our tree and watch the action in our home, they have the perfect view and can see and hear everything that goes on around them. They are sort of like Santa's own FBI agents. They have done this since Shawn was a baby (so they really have seen the naughtiest of the naughty) I would encourage any parent to get some of these little helpers for themselves. We are thinking of keeping them up year round to help solve daily quarrels and disputes, but that would be too much to ask of such nice elves!!

THE PRINCESS

HANNAH AND HER GAL PALS READY FOR THE WINTER DANCE

"A DAUGHTER IS A DAY BRIGHTENER AND A HEART WARMER"

ANONYMOUS

A FAMILY FAVORITE

Gingerbread Pancakes:

1 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

1 egg
1/4 c. molasses
3 T. cooking oil

In a medium bowl stir together the dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl beat the egg and milk until combined, then mix in the molasses and cooking oil. Add the dry ingredients and stir until blended but slightly lumpy. Pour about 1/4 c. batter for each pancake onto a hot lightly greased griddle or heavy skillet. Cook over medium heat until browned, turning to cook second sides when pancakes have bubbly surfaces and slightly dry edges. Serve with Lemon sauce. Makes about 10 pancakes. (so be sure to double or triple this!)

Lemon Sauce:

1/2 c. sugar
4 tsp. cornstarch
dash ground nutmeg
1 c. water

2 T. butter
1/2 tsp. finely shredded lemon peel
2 T. lemon juice

In medium sauce pan (or microwave in a bowl) stir together sugar, cornstarch and ground nutmeg. Stir in water. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat. Add butter, lemon peel and juice. Stir and serve warm with pancakes. Makes 1 1/4 cups

2 BUSY 2 BLOG BECAUSE...

We had to try out the new and oh so cool ride "Toy Story" at Disneyland (cool shades included)

Hannah spent 4 glorious days in San Fran with gal pals (who are just lucky enough to own a condo 2 blocks from Union Square) Hannah enjoyed girl time, retail therapy and a visit to the NEW Academy of Science Museum. The days went too quickly with laughs, great food, miles of walking and a chance to take in so much of my favorite city all dolled up for the holidays!
Am I jealous you ask? I'm not. Nope! Not one bit! O.K. .. I can't lie, I am just a little green with envy!
We then took a break for Thanksgiving and spent some really fun time with my Mom, Grandpa and my little sisters family-it was great to have them down, it was just too short.
We had such fun that the camera never left its case, we had such of a great time that we are ready for them to come visit again soon!!

Then joy of joy's Maisy finally got to visit UCD for a little "female surgery". We are loving this new look on her. Does she look like she has a halo on her head or a satellite? One thing we know for sure, is that she is much better behaved in her new hat and it is practically impossible for her to pull nasty things from the garbage. Perhaps it will be a permanent fixture on her!!

This weekend Braden invited Elyse (this darling gal he met at EFY) to Prom. She brought her friend Jenna to join in the fun with Braden and his good friend Geoff.(B is going to Europe with Geoff for 6 weeks this summer) They enjoyed playing games, walking the Aboreteum,dining at Crepeville, hanging out in Old Sac, a stretch limo to eat in downtown Sac and of course the dance.(Even if I say so myself, they make an adorable couple). Oh, the girls are both from So Cal so the weekend went way too quick!

"I only have eyes for you" do they look like anime cartoons or what??

After Prom, they returned to our home for my very favorite. . . . gingerbread pancakes and sausage (I will post the recipe later), followed up by a good dose of junk food that included bean dip and homemade guacamole YUM!

A contest making gingerbread houses ended the evening. A great time was had by all!
Mina and Jay-Jay joined the group. They won the "most likely to be trailer trash" gingerbread house-very clever I must say and it was good for several laughs! Sunday aka"the day of rest" we attended church, rushed the girls to the airport, rushed back to a voice recital for Braden ( I was so proud my buttons about popped, or maybe it was too much good food?) We then rushed to the beautiful "Creche Festival" sponsored by our church, a great chance too see many incredible nativity scenes from around the world. Shawn was invited to sing at it and did a beautiful job, as always. We then rushed to go do a ministering visit to a family after which we helped out my incredible Relief Society Pres. and delivered her yummy persimmon cookies to a college gal studying for finals (if I could clone Heater our Pres, I would be because every church would be far better off because of her... those of you that know her will completely agree with this!) We finally made it home, put on our most comfortable clothes and chilled!

So there you have the scoop on a very tiny portion of our busy little life!

PARKER AND I SUGGEST. . .

My little reading machine Parker often gives me leads on great books. This is the lastest. "The invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznik. This would be a fun adventure to read aloud to children of any age, but probably ages 7 and up would enjoy the story as well as the amazing drawings. (the books looks like a 1000 pages but a good portion is filled with pictures) So, if your are lucky enough to have a few hours of extra time this crazy season, this is a fun story!

HOW ADORABLE IS THIS?

I am happy to announce that I now have 4 adorable Scouts in the family! My great husband consented (after years if saying no way, no how) to being a scout leader. He was just released from the college singles Bishopric, a calling that he loved and they loved him. I know he will be fabulous and enjoy his new calling. The bonus is how cute he looks in his uniform! I am certain he will be a true scouter because he even bought the matching Scout socks, Happy Scouting!

IT'S A GUY THING

Over heard this weekend:
Braden: "Chandler, turn down the volume it is way too loud!"
Chandler: " I like it this loud" Braden then turns it down for Chan and takes the remote from him to which Chan replies: "Please just let me just hold it, it gives me comfort!" Spoken like a true man huh? YIKES! is what I say to all of this!

7 Random Facts About Me

I was picked by Garin and I usually don't participate but this one seemed simple and not too taxing on my brain so here goes:

1. It "grosses me out" to drink from a plastic ie tupperware type cup, especially milk
2. I would rather read than watch T.V.
3. I have always had a fear of walking into a public restroom and finding someone dead (I wonder if this could be one of the reasons I was attracted to Shawn?)
4. I cried tears of sadness through smiles on "Soarin' over California" @ Disneyland, I was flooded with all of these amazing and happy memories of flying with my dad (the passionate aviator) and how much I miss him. So many memories and great times!
   
5. I would really like to learn to surf
6. I have zero, zip, nada musical ability
7. When the weather gets cold I would be content to eat soup 24/7

So now you have a few very random thought on me, I pick...Jo, Kirsten, Chris K.,Bart and Desi

Escaping to. . .

The "Happiest Place on Earth" will return next week!!

When you go 100 mph all week. . .

My Athletic Artist

Today is the last soccer game for Chan. I think we will all be happy, we have soccer burnout! Chan's favorite thing about soccer is the snacks after. Often you will see him on the field chit-chatting with other players or he will chase the cobwebs flying in the air and sometimes he gets his aggressive soccer face on and really plays (none of my children have and ounce of competitiveness in them). Sometimes after practice when Chan is all sweaty he loves the look because it makes him "look like a real soccer player"
This is his true passion- anything to do with art. His teachers are amazed. He proudly tells me that any projects he does the teachers always want to keep extra long so they can show other students and teachers (it is true). This picture was done for a postcard that they had to make for a story read in class. He loves the fact that often during lunch kids from other classes will commission him to draw the one of a kind piece for them. I see a future here!

There is hope

While helping where I could with the "Yes on 8" campaign here in California to protect marriage, it has been a bit discouraging in our little liberal city of "all things right and relevant" where people are proud to be tolerant and welcome diversity. I find that they are only tolerant when your opinion lines completely with their views, as in protecting marriage. I have felt our efforts have been somewhat wasted in my city. I was so excited when I left work in Fairfield today, in pouring rain the street was lined with hundreds of Yes on 8 supporters. I honked and waved and gave them all thumbs up and a smile as I passed their diligent faces! What a contrast and what faithful people it has taken to take a stand on this issue, one I fully believe in!! I am not a "hater" but I will take a stand to protect the definition of marriage, for me and for my children. I believe that same sex couples should have the benefits of a traditonal married couple (and they do in CA), but I think it is wrong that they think they can redefine marriage.

Party Animals

Me with my "crazy Eyes" contacts-they were really creepy and fun. A great way to intimidate any boys crushing on my girl! This picture does not do the eyes justice, it really freaks out everyone when I wear them.

We hosted about 40 9th graders at the F.H. for a Halloween bash, it was such fun with great kids. Hannah and her friends did all of the planning for it- they did an fabulous job and everyone had a lot of fun dancing, playing games , grubbing and just chilling out. The talk on Hannah's facebook is that it was the best party ever, her friends were all so thankful, as were parents to be able to party without alcohol being served and have a supervised fun place to be on Halloween. After all, it's not everyday that you get to party with a mortician at the Funeral home right?

Shawn and I were able to go as vampires to several events this year, it was great fun, we drove the hearse to a party in Sac and got a lot of strange looks!

The party planners after the event-hence the tired looks. I am so lucky to have a fantastic daughter with really great friends- we would certainly host another party with her pals!

All dressed up...

This was one of my favorite "family" costumes! Shawn had these Nike shoes that we painted bright red and glittered up, we got a lot of laughs! Someone loved our costumes so much and borrowed them, but never returned them and I can't remember who borrowed them, so that was the demise of our "OZ"
The only thing Hannah wanted to be was a "Snow Princess" , as Shawn was ready to shell out big $$$ for a costume, I cringed and said "Oh, I can make that really cheap!" It all worked out and Hannah won best costume and she still remembers me making the costume.
This was Braden last year as "Sir Elton John", I think he looks pretty authentic.
Shawn and I went to a fun party last weekend, but my scanner is sick, so no photos yet....

TOP REASONS FOR BEING A SLACKER TO BLOG

1. My handsome Senior is busy putting in college applications all done online-note to self: budget for additional Mac computer, everyone wants to use it, my time is usually early a.m. when the rest of the house is asleep.
   
2. Spent 2 nights making phone calls to voters for"YES on Proposition 8" (who said the pioneers were faced with tougher challenges than us?)
3. Scout training meetings 1/2 a day worth-not my idea of fun!
4. Work, Work and more Work (if it weren't for the $, I would not be there!)
5. Attended a very fun "Standards Night" for Young Men/Woman
6. Chatted with gal pals at Little Prague enjoyed dessert and gushed over Melanie's beautiful new baby.
7. Actually spent most of the day Saturday with Shawn seeing "Forever Plaid" at the Cosmopolitan Theater, strolling downtown Sac, enjoying the grounds of our beautiful state capital and gorging ourselves at Vallejo's (Yum to all of the above!) Note to self: Must do this stuff more often. To top off a great outing, I came home to a perfectly cleaned house that had been very neglected all week-Did I say how much I love my kids? Bathroom cleaned and everything!!! I must be doing something right!
   
8. Accepted invitation from darling spouse to see chick flick "Secret Life of Bee's"-all his idea, am I lucky or what?
9. Spent considerable time stressing over Primary and other small stuff
10. Any remaining time was spent catching up on neglected things and sleep
    

Feeling like this lately!

Ode to Trader Joe's

I am pledging my devotion to Trader Joe's
What would I do without it, no one knows!
They are fast, easy and really cheap
Sometimes I dream of them in my sleep.
Chimichurri rice makes all of us smile
Or the frozen pineapple is a delicious style.
Penne Arabiatta or Pasta Medley are yummy
Mango Lemonade is great-rainy or sunny!
You must try their applesauce-raspberry or apricot,
Give it a try, you'll like it a lot!
Scramble some eggs into their chicken chorizo,
Roll into a tortilla, it's a fabulous burrito!
Either Butternut Squash or Roasted Red Pepper Soup
It's a delightful way to feed my troop!
Yogurt, Cinnamon Grahams and Snapea Crisps
Will always be on top of my shopping list.
I could go on like this all day,
But what is your favorite? Don't be afraid to say!

I have to say. . .I

DIETER F. UCHTDORF

Funeral Fun

Ever wonder what happens when you leave children at home alone? Now I know. Click here to take a peek see what these crazy girls do unattended. I would say Hannah and her friends are not afraid to stay here alone! (Yes, that is a casket in the background-it is not occupied currently just in case you were worried)

Take My Advice...

Go see this. Take your husband. Make it a girl's night out. Laugh. Cry. Laugh til you cry. Just do it-you will be glad that you did!!

Who's your Momma?

Snack soccer momma that is. Whenever we are in charge of snacks we take the same thing. It makes the other mom's think that I am like the Martha Stewart of soccer mom's and the players LOVE it! Follow these instructions or get creative and come up with your own delightful combination, you will be the envy of all other soccer mom's! You don't need to tell them how super simple and easy it is, just graciously thank them.

• Get cute cello bags ($1.00 @ the dollar store and they are adorable. These are covered in cute little candy corns) presentation counts, they all want to know where I bought the darling treats.

• Fill with a yummy "sweet, salty, sour mix" Today's combo was: goldfish crackers, pretzels, Capt'n Crunch cereal, dried fruit, golden raisins, M & M's and popcorn.

Hand them the cute bag with some ice cold juice and they will be mighty happy players. Chandler tells me this is his favorite snack ever and that really the snacks are the only reason he plays soccer.

Gathering Inspiration

As if I have not felt busy and overwhelmed enough, please say hello to the new Primary President. I have served in primary before (where are you Andi Battisti when I need your ear? she was an amazing gal to serve under) I love primary but I read an article this week that contained a phrase which perfectly expressed exactly how I feel right now..."nagged by inadequacy" that pretty much sums it up. Sadly, I have NO musical ability whatsoever, very little patience and feel consumed with just routine tasks in life--what was the Bishop thinking? I know, I know, most callings are to help us grow and for our benefit-YIKES! So all of my clever friends , family and anonymous readers I am soliciting the following:

1. IDEAS
2. ADVICE
3. ENCOURAGEMENT
4. PRAYERS
   
5. WHATEVER ELSE YOU MIGHT FIND HELPFUL
   

"I can't wait until I'm eight..."

On Sunday Chandler was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (to learn more of this ordinance and other principles of our church just click here.)
He was baptized by Braden and confirmed by Shawn. All of the family helped with the program, which was well supported by wonderful ward members and "The Moore's" flew out to celebrate this occasion with us. It was a beautiful day. How grateful I am to have so many blessings in my life -the gospel of Jesus Christ, family, friends and amazing leaders that try to make me a better mom, wife, friend and person. May we all strive to live each day with more integrity, less judging, more compassion and understanding and with the pure love of Christ in our hearts.