Whadooya think?

If you could get
one new item
for your house what would it be?

Random Ramblings

I had a lovely last few days. My sister and I met at my parents house (so they could watch our kiddos) and we worked on getting our (family) blogs ready to print. I'm so excited! It's looking so great and it's a lot of fun going back through all those old pictures. I've been blogging since 2006 so I've got a lot to do. (That picture is my sisters first book she printed off. She's working on her year 2 now.)
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Are you into formalities? I'm talking names. Unless we're at school or church I generally tell my kids peoples first names. I realize though that not all adults appreciate that and would like children to call them Mrs. or Sister or something. What do you do? Would/Does it bother you when little kids call you by your first name?
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I've been up way too late tonight (Friday) ridding the world of zombies with my hubby and our friends. You know if it weren't for the good old Xbox 360 I wouldn't ever get to keep in touch with these guys. In fact I often talk more to my two brother-in-laws in the group than their wives. Plus there is the new 1 vs 100 game. Pretty sweet stuff. And streaming my Netflix movies through it to the tv. Heaven. I love my xbox!
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I like it

We go through a lot of different kinds of pens around here. I don't know if he does it on purpose but my hubby collects them (as I'm sure most artists do). These fine point sharpie pens are fabulous!

Super fun game. Even my kids get a kick out of it. We love having friends over and battling out our movie knowledge. Hubby got this for me a while ago. Isn't he sweet?

I have a handful of favorite scents but this is most definitely at the top of my list.
Black Raspberry Vanilla.
We have the car candle, bar and room spray. I love love the room spray. It takes 1 second and lasts several hours. Have you ever tried them?

Even my hubby is a fan of this stuff.
(Japanese Cherry Blossom from Bath and Body)

I hardly ever use dish rags anymore. A scrub brush and clorox wipes are all my kitchen needs.

I saw this at the store today. Took a little sniff and fell in love. I stuck it in my hubbys face and made him take a whiff. Then all my kids begged for a turn. Luckily [ha] I had laundry to to today so I got to use it, and I was right. I. Am. In. Love.
Madly.

What are some of your favorite things around the house?

First my car, now my computer

Do you see it? Has this happened to you? Bet not.

My lap top has been getting a little angry lately. It has bad a temper. It gets really heated. It melted this crayon behind it on my desk. Yikes.

Edited to add:
Check out the latest giveaway on MMB. (Some of my hubby's stuff is part of the loot this time!)

Random Ramblings

We have one less pull-up wearer in the family. Hooray. I've been housebound all week making sure my daughter was near a toilet at all times and she's been doing amazing. We had a few big bribes prizes she could have if she stayed dry for a week and she's about to cash in. Today's big adventure was swimming at the fun swim park. Hubby also promised her a microphone to sing on the xbox with and I promised her a Buzz Lightyear to go along with her Woody doll. Cha-ching.

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I have asthma. Generally a pretty mild case. Apparently it's aggravated by chlorine(which I found out just last year). I took the kids to swim lessons --my son and I were in a mommy and me class. That means every day for two weeks I was in a pool, in a room, with little ventilation, inhaling chlorine. The first week was fine. The second week I started hacking like I took up smoking. It's now one week later and it's just starting to dwindle away. I tried to go jogging a few times this week and each time I made it literally .2 miles and couldn't stop hacking. SO frustrating. I dont think todays swimming helped in that regard.

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My family is gearing up for a huge Disney vaca in November. It'll be my entire family; my parents, 2 siblings and families, and us.

When I was younger my dad was an accountant for Disney. Which meant we got all the perks. My moms favorite memory is her Disney credit card. For the first 9 years of my life we went to the park often. Not every-weekend-so-you-get-sick-of-it-and-all-the-magic-is-gone often. Often enough my sisters and I as children knew the park as well as our own neighborhood.

Tomorrow my sister is throwing our first party in celebration of this big trip. I'll have to let you know how it goes. I'm super excited. I've been promised one of my favorite treats! (Can you guess? I'll confrim later.)

(Picture from our first trip to Dland with K. This was my oldests reward for potty training. At least thats what we told her. We just really wanted to go and it coincided around the same time.)

Let me introduce you

Blogland this is my family. Family meet blogland.

This is my hubby Tarl. He's pretty much awesome. And me. You know a little about me right? Then there is my kids. My daughter K is 6 and just finished kindergarten. My daughter M is 3.5 and we're playing preschool this summer. My son T is almost 2. He's my little dude.

They have a lot of fun together. I love being their mom.

I found this amazing photographer over a year ago and started stalking enjoying her blog. I wanted so badly to have her take my family's pictures. Problem is hubby hates having to stand around smile.

Once I convinced him how awesome it'd be (totally bribed him by taking him out to dinner) and how he'd have a HAPPY wife he finally agreed.

Jessica Kettle met us in down town Salt Lake to get these awesome urban shots. I had a hard time narrowing down my favorites and finally decided to do a huge collage on my wall of my favorite 7 shots.

Moving along

I had to post today because I'm already getting sick of my post yesterday. :) Well not really sick so much as trying to have happier thoughts/vibes.

Emily at Good Frau passed this on to me, sweet right? And now with this little saying below, I pass it on to: Shauna, Grammee, Erin, Wonder Woman, and HK.

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

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I'm having a book club (clickity click) with author Sydney Salter who wrote My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters. If you're interested in coming (there's gonna be cake!) let me know. It'll be July 11 around 7 pm in Sandy, Utah. (If you want to come play but haven't read the book I'm down with that.)

A few Boo's a few Yay's

You know when you're totally excited just for the anticipation of something? It's almost as much fun as whatever it is your anticipating? Totally riding that wave last weekend. I had some awesome plans all set for a busy Fri/Sat (see last post). But instead of riding the wave like a pro surfer I crashed hard and broke my board in two.

I drove a car full of friends (in a caravan with 4 other cars) up to Park City. We stopped in a parking lot to meet up with another and my car started smoking. Ugh. I shut off my car and a sweet friend jumped out of her car and fixed me all up. I took it all in stride, which I was pretty proud of myself for. We left my car there to settle down and think about what it had done while we went up to the cabin to have a fun girls night out (which of course we all got extremely little sleep--read 3 hrs or less).

The next morning I took my car in and found out it wasn't just a $60ish dollar repair to a hose I originally thought, but more than 10x that to replace the entire radiator. Ugh. Tired+Emotional. Ugh again. Totally hate having to pay for car repairs. I left my car in PC and had my dad come pick me up (hubby was home with the kids and I needed to head to Sandy for lunch).

I had a great time at lunch with so many fun blog friends. I sat next to Rachel and Jill and across from Alyssa and Kristina. So glad that I was able to make it after all the stress of the morning and the torrential downpour of the afternoon. It's so much fun getting to know someone more in person that you sorta feel like you know already. Even the ladies I didnt get to visit with for very long it's just nice to put a real live face to a blog (of which I can't wait to start visiting).

I had planned to run over (well not literally) to Kings English for Shannon Hales book release but decided that it would be in my best interest (considering I had no transportation and I most likely would have had to literally run) to skip out and catch a ride back home with my sister. (Still SO sad I didnt get to go, I heard it was a blast and her and her hubby even sang karaoke!)

I finally got home around 5 ate dinner and visited with my sister and at 6 sat down on the couch to catch up with hubby (while my sister was the awesome aunt and entertained the chitlins). I closed my eyes for a few seconds and what do you know but I fell asleep. So exhausted I didnt even wake up until 10am (sadly with a sore throat). Love that husband of mine to let me sleep.

Spent all of today back in PC picking up our car. I tried to make a sour situation slightly easier. Hubby took me to Squatters where we had a yummy lunch and he decided to try Calamari. I couldn't quite stomach the idea of tasting it though, especially since it basically looked exactly like what it was....all coated and fried in batter. On the way home we stopped to watch a movie, Land of the Lost. Probably deserving of it's rating but at least I got to laugh today.

What an end to a crazy coupla days, huh?

How was your weekend?

Random Ramblings

Every now and then I gotta test my skills. Last nights score came out at 87 wpm.

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You know that "about me" on the blogger profile? Yeah, well I've probably read yours lately. I've been wanting to revamp mine. I've been having these moments lately where I feel like that little snippet ultimately defines me. I know a small percentage of people even actually see it so why should I care? But I'm feeling like I need to be more expressive of who I am and not just who my family is. Still working on it.

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I've been reading Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind, by Heidi Ashworth. I'm 1/2 through and really enjoying it. I'd recommend picking it up if you haven't yet.

One of my favorite quotes so far: "She knew now that he was everything she thought he could never be..."

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It really hasn't felt like summer yet. Not really, not for me. School got out two weeks ago but the very next Monday we started swim lessons, for all three of my kiddos (little man and I have been doing mommy and me classes). Totally love swim lessons, but driving out there for two weeks everyday really means the end is a thrill for me. Ah summer I welcome you with open arms.

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Big plans for me in the next two days. Going to a Relief Society Retreat in Park City. Good friends, lots of laughs. Then off to Kristina P.'s bloggy lunch. Wonder if The Hoff will be there (in cardboard form of course)? Meeting friends, lots of laughs. Also stopping by Shannon Hale's book release/signing, wish she was my friend, she totally makes me laugh! Should prove to be a grand few days!!

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Speaking of Shannon her friend Libba Bray posted this hilarious video. Watch it, literally. Tell me if you laughed or not.

Things that must go

A while ago I saw a 'things that must go' post and I loved it so much I wanted to try my hand at my own. To keep it light I'll also add a 'things that must stay'.


Things that must go: Garbage bags that get pushed down so far you have to put your hand in the garbage to dig out the bag to pull it out of the can.
Things that must stay: Cute shoes!

Things that must go: My kids waking up to nightmares.
Things that must stay: Finding a lovely email from a friend in your inbox.

Things that must go: Sticky floors (especially within the first 24 hours after you've mopped).
Things that must stay: Random rainy days.

Things that must go: Drivers who hog the entire road (or who don't use the road properly, or basically as I think they should).
Things that must stay: Sweet children who want to cuddle and love and say precious things.

Things that must go: Stuffy noses. And colds.
Things that must stay: A thoughtful hubby who brings me home a surprise gift after he's been gone all day.

Things that must go: Cameras that are breaking....booooo!
Things that must stay: Friends who stop by my blog and say hi!

Pants on Fire! & Do you need a good read/laugh?

My 3-yr-old is liar. A big one. Luckily it isn't about anything to serious...yet. Mostly it goes something like this (you gotta read it in a sweet tiny little voice):

K (my 6 year old): Dad, guess what? I got to pet the dog at Melanie's house!
M (my 3 year old): Uhm Kalyana, there are two dogs at my school. My teacher brought them to school. Their names are Jack and Jill. I petted them even.

OR

M: My school carpet is sometimes messy like our carpet and we have a vacuum there.

OR

M: My other mommy lets me sit in the back seat sometimes on the way to school. (I particularly didn't like this one.)

OR

M: We have this drink at my school too. My teacher makes it for us.

Didn't necessarily see anything wrong with that did ya? Thing is, my 3 year old doesn't go to school. So whenever her stories include 'my teacher' or 'at my school' we're pretty sure she's yankin' our chain. For the most part we think it's pretty cute she's got a good imagination or that she's trying to come up with stories to be included in our conversations. I just think it's funny that these little peoples minds are so active and vivid already.

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Brodi Ashton is having a contest on her blog this week. There are a handful of great prizes I'm willing to bet there is something to strike your fancy. Seriously all of her posts I read are knee slapping funny but may I suggest a few like speeding tickets, no trekkie here, and teeth whitening.

Random Ramblings

Merrianne is giving away a package of her favorite things. Doesnt that just sound exciting? I'm pretty sure whatever it is I want it cause this girl has got some good taste. Plus what a fun idea right? I'm gonna pick up a few of my own favorite things and do one of these myself. So fun!

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I haven't been sleeping well lately. It seems each night is for a different reason but it's the end of the week and it's really hitting me hard. I wonder if I'll crash Saturday night with the kids at 8pm?

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A SUPER nice gentleman helped me out today. Just cause he was kind and could tell I was in need. It would have been easy to look the other way or think 'someone else will help', but he didn't. He went out of his way to ease my burden.

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Gramee is always finding out about these really cool giveaways. She had a shout out to Book Giveaways on her blog. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have to check out this site more. The current book up for grabs is this one pictured here.

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I over did it a little with my upper body workout on Wednesday and I'm really feeling it today. It hurts to even lift up my 20lb 2 year old. C'mon muscle grow faster, you're killin me.

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My oldest is 6 and for the first time I had an unrelated babysitter come over to watch the kids. Does anyone else completely clean the house for the babysitter? A little stressful trying to get ready today but I came home to a clean house and kids in bed. Ahhh what a good feeling.

Red White and Blue Swap

Check out this awesome swap! I saw Mamarazzi's swap last time on Merrianne's blog and was so sad that I missed out on the 'favorite things swap'. I can't imagine what it takes to orgnaize something like this but talk about super fun to get to play along!

The Girls that are Golden

Hubby and I have been Netflix-ing The Golden Girls and we're almost finished with Season 3. I metioned it on facebook a few weeks ago and a friend was surprised I'd admit it. I'm still not completely sure why but I have a guess or two.That show cracks me up. In fact just hearing the theme song makes me all giddy inside. Still, even after hearing it several dozen times recently. (I've included it below for your hearing pleasure.)

What's even more intriguing to me though was that I remember watching the show a few times as a young child (I had to have been seven or younger). Interesting considering the main plot lines.

Of course I couldn't help but imdb a few stats about the show. I love that fabulous database of answers/trivia. We are always checking that site. (Maybe this is why I love love love Xbox's Scene It games.) Just the other day my kids were watching Elmo in Grouchland and hubby says, "You have to go imdb Princess Bride and cross it with that movie, I think Inigo Montoya was one of the voices." Sure enough he was right.

Ok, enough with the tangents.


We got a little curious and wondered how old the ladies really were...


Want to take a quick guess....














Last chance.











In order of oldest to youngest
Rose, Betty White January 17, 1922
Dorothy, Beatrice Aurthr May 13, 1922
Sophia, Estelle Getty July 25 1923
Blache, Rue McClanahan February 21, 1934

I gotta admit, I'm still surprised about Sophia.

Shot Glasses for the Virgin Drinker

It all started about 9 years ago during my freshman year of college. I was on the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH) for BYU and every year they have a get together with all the officers. One of the perks of the conference was that we swapped school stuff, basically anything with a school name on it to keep for ourselves.

Some kid had a Colorado State shot glass and I knew my roommates boyfriend collected them so I traded him something for it. But my greed got the better of me and instead of actually passing it on to him I began my own collection (I know it's kinda random considering the strongest thing I'd ever put in these is Diet Coke).

After that whenever I went on vacation I found myself a shotglass and on rare occasions my family have picked me a up a few. My talented hubs made me this kickin' display for Valentines Day a few years back.

I have shot glasses from Finland, Italy, Germany, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Disneyland, Seattle, La Push, Vegas, Star Trek, Dodgers, Survivor (I believe it was season 2--I haven't watched it since), Hollywood, Washington DC, Idaho, Utah, Hawaii Hard Rock Cafe, Colorado, Niagara Falls, Busch Gardens and a few other places.

My other collection is postcards. I've been collecting those since I was 6ish.

Do you collect anything?