Happy Birthday Mom!

I feel so lucky to have been able to be with both my parents on their birthdays this year so that I could spoil them a little bit!! The kids woke up early this morning to make my mom birthday cards. They were so excited to give them to her that I had to hold them back from waking her up. While we let her sleep in, we made her Hootenanies and a smoothie for breakfast.

Hootenanies (aka German Pancakes)

This is one of our family’s favorite breakfasts! We have it at least once a week!

6-8 eggs

1 C flour

1 C milk

¼ C sugar

¼ tsp salt

While blending ingredients in the blender, melt 3 T butter in a preheating oven.

Bake for 20 minutes at 425 degrees.

Mom, I don’t know how I got so lucky to have you for a mom, but I don’t know what I would do without you! I have been thinking about some of the reasons why I love you and this is the tip of the iceberg…

MY MaMa:

- she taught me to love chocolate

- she knows how to smooth anything over

- she is a creative genius

- she truly considers her possessions just ‘stuff’

- she has an uncanny ability to tune out fussy kids (and grandkids ;))

- she has mastered the art of turning conversations

- she will drive a mile out of her way to turn at a light

- she never complains

- my friends growing up called her little mama

- she is one of my best friends

- she makes everyone in her presence at ease

- she always puts things into perspective

- she has an obsession with purses

- she doesn’t do things half way

- she can’t remember her kids names

- she uses knives to get things she can’t reach

- she always leaves things better than she found them

- she and her sister struggle to hear and talk but they understand each other perfectly

- sometimes I still cry for her

- she is more hip and up on pop culture than I am

- she isn’t ashamed to cry when she feels the spirit

- she tried really hard to teach me how to cook and sew before I left the house

- she is beautiful

- I have never heard her yell

- she is tough as nails

- she’s quirky too (eating m&m’s in bread)

- she has no idea how talented she is

- she owns 101 pair of glasses and still can’t find any

- she loves her husband and family more than anything

- she is MY mom and some days all I want is to be with her!

my favorite day of the week...

Sunday is my favorite day of the week! Every Sunday we wake up early, (correction: Damian wakes up early and I sleep in until the last possible minute that I think we might be able to get everyone fed, dressed and to church on time) and get to go to church. There are so many reasons I love Sundays at church: seeing our friends, the common values we share, the principles taught, my kids getting two hours of gospel-centered instruction by someone other than me, but mostly because of the feelings I feel there. Those feelings of peace, comfort and truth usually catch me off guard, but they are a tangible reminder of why I choose to live my life the way I do despite feeling overwhelmed and crazy at times. Okay, most of the time.

Today we went to my sister’s church in Draper at 9 am. We felt at home as we snuck into one of the rows in the back right after the meeting had started. I know, shocker. I was late. I was kicking myself for getting up and making smoothies for breakfast when Landon poured his all over his fresh out of the shower body and nice church clothes. Good tardy excuse, right? I was completely frazzled trying to keep 3 kids happy and reverent as we sat there. It was one of those Sundays when I wonder why I even attempted to go to church because I couldn’t listen and I was struggling to keep my good mommy face on. But like clockwork, those feelings came and I knew that I was right where I was supposed to be. Knowing I made the choice to be there despite the chaos made me proud. I love Sundays!

Another reason I love Sundays is because it is the one day of the week that I know we’ve been commanded to keep holy. Besides going to church, I cherish the family time without distractions of errands and keeping up with the pace of the world. When I can steal a Sunday nap like today, it is a guilt-free pleasure!

Surf's up!

As soon as we got in town I had a run in with my typical traveling to Utah illness. Like clockwork it happens every summer. I guess I stress myself out too much preparing to leave or something, but I was so bummed because it was the last couple of days I would get to see Damian and I had to miss out on a day of boating with my family.

The boys are going through some kind of weird fascination with their boy parts and anything that has to do with bodily functions. I know, it sounds like just a boy thing, but Carter and Landon have issues. They find potty talk of any kind absolutely hilarious. Today on the way to the lake, Damian was rockin’ out to some song on the radio, which apparently rocked Landon’s body. Landon said, “Dad, my johnson is dancing in my diaper!”

When they got to the lake, Carter was eager to jump in and surf with Damian. Damian bribed Landon with a pack of Skittles to get him to surf with him, but try as he might Eden wouldn’t cave. Eden came home mad because her brothers were making fun of her that they got to pick a treat out at the gas station and she didn’t. I don’t know how daddy’s little girl could let her daddy get away with that one. Deal or no deal, daddy that was naughty!

Are we having FUN yet?

It was so magical to be out of the close quarters of our all too familiar minivan! I finally got to see Macy and the cuteness of those chubby cheeks! Linds and Jeff adore that baby girl, and are such good parents already. I knew they would be!

As you can tell by the pictures of Landon sacked out, we played hard today! We met up at Draper park for a pizza dinner and some more play.

Draper or BUST!

It was hard to leave Kevin and Megan’s new place this morning. Of course because we love them, but also because they spoiled us! The moving company delivered their stuff yesterday, but that didn’t stop them from having a yummy BBQ dinner and soft clean beds ready for us to sleep in when we got there at 10 p.m.!! Then we woke up to the scrumptious smell of breakfast casserole wafting from the kitchen. The best part was that Megan had all the kids ‘helping’ her while we slept in. Wonder Woman! Thanks Megan!

They live in a great condo right next a really nice park that the kids loved playing at this morning, and I am positive Kevin and Megan were relieved to get their energetic little bodies out of their house before too many things got broken. It was fun to see them again and I love that I will be able to visualize where they are now. The mountains were gorgeous and the weather was actually a little chilly this morning…a welcomed break! They sent us off packed with sandwiches and treat for the last leg of our 9 hour trip to Draper. See, totally spoiled! Love them! Miss them! Can’t talk about them anymore or I’ll cry.

We made it to Draper! Seriously, phew. I am so done with road trips for a while! My brother-in-law, Steve, brought 3 of the cousins over when we got here. Isn’t family the best? We got to hear all about their recent 2 week trip to Thailand and the cousins were so excited to play. Now I can’t wait to get my hands on baby Macy, my brand new niece, tomorrow!

sOggY bRitCHes!!

We have had to cancel four swimming lessons due to rain, but our yard needs it and this is the next best thing... here are some pictures of the kids playing in the recent downpours!

hair poos and Excedrin...

You might be asking yourself, “Just what is a hair poo?” I believe the term hair poo was coined by my grandmother, Doris Dudley. The history behind the hair poo: Grandma would offer a small amount of money in exchange for a relaxing and thorough scalp massage. Most of the grandkids would jump at the chance to earn a few shiny coins to spend in Dudley’s laundry mat vending machines, to play Pac Man with or get a treat at Tastee Freeze. A coin or two was enough incentive for us that Grandma was put to sleep almost every night we were there on vacation with a hair poo. Well, that is until Grandpa spoiled all the grandkids by supplying us with rolls of quarters whenever we visited.

The hair poo then went from being a paid chore to a service of love for all who were willing to spoil Grandma. If you knew my Grandma you would know that she needs lots of relaxing and can always use a little more TLC! (Both she and Grandpa are 85 and still work everyday to help to run their family business!)

Desire to be the recipient of a hair poo must be somewhat genetic, due to the frequent requests I have received from my dad. I never minded playing with his silver hair though because I would do anything for my dad, and also because I felt like it was in my job description as his favorite daughter!

I, too, inherited the need for hair poos gene. I guess I somewhat expected my children to fill their hair role like I dutifully filled mine, so tonight I asked for one. You would have thought I asked them if they wanted ice cream they were so excited. Eden had me lay down, told me to relax and brought me a magazine. She then instructed Carter to ‘keep her busy’ and she disappeared. Ten minutes later she had the whole family room covered in hair paraphernalia. Two hours later, it was not quite what I expected but it was fun despite my massive headache and severe loss of hair.

meet Toadie

Toadie, any one of our resident frogs, was captured this morning after a long battle. Poor Toadie.

Toadie suffered poking with several blunt objects (including but not excluding fingers, sticks, and straws), near squashing with a wooden spoon, incubation inside a pitcher, and most definitely trauma.

Toadie made several valiant escape attempts but he was clearly outnumbered.

After surrendering, Toadie willingly posed for pictures and was then released (dropped) to go lick his wounds. For his sake I hope Toadie only comes back to eat the bugs when it’s dark.

Happy 4th of JULY!

What an awesome country we live in! How we celebrated America's birthday... we swam, had a BBQ with Kevin and Megan (who just drove back into town for the weekend to pack up their stuff and make us miss them even more), and just spent time together as a family enjoying the many freedoms we have!

As soon as it got dark we headed outside for fireworks with our awesome neighbors. Texans know how to celebrate Independence Day! We sat in our cul-de-sac and enjoyed fireworks from all the other streets, they seriously spent some cash but we enjoyed so thanks! Then we ended our celebration with Chocolate Chocolate Chip Bunt Cake (our favorite chocolate cake recipe, thanks Bridgette!) and Blue Bell Millennium Moo ice cream! The perfect ending to a great day, and the best way to cheat on a diet!

Damian’s Grandma Hunt sent this email. I couldn't believe it was Jay Leno who wrote it, but it really hit home! We are blessed and happy to live in this beautiful country...God bless the USA!

" As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been,
but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to
hit the mark 'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across
some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the
source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67percent of Americans are
unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the
country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of
the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle

dragger I am, I started thinking,

"What are we so unhappy about?''

A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a
week?

B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer
and heating in the winter?

C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see
more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific
Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present
identification papers as we move through each state?

F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the
way that can provide temporary shelter?

G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around
the world is just not good enough either.

H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and
provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to
take you to the hospital.

I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.

J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a
group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use
top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your
family, and your belongings.

K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar
or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest
will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

L. This, all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias
raping and pillaging the residents, Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own
cell phones and computers.

M. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy
that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S., yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no
plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval
rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark
days after 9/11? The president who cut taxes to bring an economy out
of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every
name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats
safe from terrorist attacks, the commander in chief of an all-volunteer army
that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this
news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around
for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about
it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you
personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss
your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it. The
troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases
may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this
country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up
with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge
or, worst case scenario, a "dishonorable" discharge after a few days in the
brig.

So, why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of
Americans?

Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads
and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with
blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner?
The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They
offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by
'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a
murderer like O.J Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife,
but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!

Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of
your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the
most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.'

Jay Leno