Wow, I may be back!

Here's just a few random, more recent photo's. I lost my camera months ago so these are stolen from Amy's blog (thanks Amy for always having your camera and always taking pictures)

Okay, I had truly sworn off blogging. I don't know why other than it started to feel like one more thing I needed to get done and I was feeling overwhelmed, I guess. Anyhow, I truly just want record of my girls, our family and the wonderful moments I never want to forget. A few of those things.....

1) My 3 year old, Zoe,wants lipstick on every minute of the day. She is OBSESSED with it! If you have on a great color of lipstick you are immediately her very best friend. Clear lip-gloss or chapstick don't even come close to covering it. The brighter the better. I drop her off at pre-school last week and her teacher asks me, "Every time Zoe comes to school, she asks me for some lipstick, is it okay if I get her some so I can put it on her each day". Let me remind you, this is my 3 year old we're talking about.

2) Ellie comes in my room tonight and asks, "Does Heavenly Father answer questions?" I reply, "yes" and she says, "good because I just prayed and asked him to tell me how he got made. I told him he can take his time answering me, like tomorrow morning is fine." She is so perplexed about this question and thinks and asks about it often.

3) Ellie won the storytelling contest in her class last week and went on to do it in front of the school, Monday. It was so great. She did such a good job.

4) Last night I spent an hour being John Grogan (aka Owen Wilson) of the movie Marley and Me, while Zoe is Jenny (aka Jennifer Aniston), with a baby up her shirt and Ellie, yes my 6 year old, is Marley - the annoying dog who licks our faces and jumps on us. Zoe loves being the mom and talking to and taking care of her baby and Ellie loves being an animal. They are as different as night and day!

5) I walk in to the bathroom 2 nights ago and Ellie is scrubbing her mouth with soap. I ask what she's doing and she tells me she's washing her mouth out with soap. I ask why and she says, "because I can't get a bad word out of my head" WOW! Self induced punishment at the age of 6.

6) Zoe on the other hand, walks into the house and sees the Christmas tree and says, "Holy S@*t, that's a cute tree!"

Our Farm

Every year without fail Matt gets animals for the girls around Easter. He thinks we live on a farm and we so don't. One year we got chicks, then a bunny, ducks, and chicks again this year. I'm at work and he texts me and says "were farmers again". I was sick. However, they have provided us and many others hours of entertainment and Ellie has loved them so much, she literally was awake the first few days at 6:00 ready to play with them. They're currently living in my basement (sick), but if we put them outside our cat will surely kill them. So down there, they'll stay until they get big enough to send out into the wild. No pics of Zoe with them, because as with all animals, she's scared to death.

EASTER TREATS

I'm over blogging at this point, but I copied some other girls idea of making these great cupcake Easter Baskets and had to show them off. They were so easy and the girls had a blast making them.

DISNEY ON ICE

We went to Disney on Ice and had a blast. The girls wanted to dress up like princesses and they loved every minute of it.

LAS VEGAS BABY!

We went to the dirtiest place on earth, Las Vegas, last weekend with Jake and Amy. We had such a great time! It's been forever since I've been there and will be a long time before I return. Although it was fun, the place is so full of filth and dirtiness!!! Makes coming back to Happy Valley feel like I've died and gone to Heaven. We did have fun though, we ate lots, went to a show, gambled a little (Matt a lot, it's a good thing we don't live there), shopped etc. etc. I've got the post vacation blues, so I better get planning my next one!

The Kindergarten Table

I came home from work today and was talking to Ellie about her day. She never says much at that time, but stuff comes out later, at random times. She's lying in bed and begins to tell me that a boy named Miles, who sits on her table, has a crush on her. I ask her how she knows and she says, "because he's mean to me". Of course, that's my fault because I have explained to her in the past that when boys are mean to you, they usually have a crush on you. Well she continues to tell me that she told him today "I know you have a crush on me". He said, "no I don't" and she says, "yes you do, because your kind of mean and that means you like me". So funny! Then she tells me that Morgan (a mean little girl, who also sits at her table) and Miles were saying they don't like themselves and so Ellie began lecturing them both about how liking ourselves is what Heavenly Father wants us to do and they need to. I've decided that the best place in life to be is sitting at a Kindergarten table, having deep discussions about love and life. If I could only be a fly for a day!

CHRISTMAS 2008

New Nightgowns made by Grandma Ni.

Spongebob jammies from Grandma Ni

Zoe and her FurReal Puppy

Ellie modeling her new vest

Christmas Eve Nativity program (Ellie's the grumpy shepherd)

Clinger Christmas Eve Party

Crazy faces with Grandpa Mike

We had a wonderful Christmas. We got everything we wanted and more. But the highlight was going to SLC the day after Christmas to stay overnight. My mom and Doug got 9 rooms at the Embassy Suites and all of us went up, saws 2 movies, swam, ate and played Blokus until all hours of the night. It was great. The best part about the holidays for me are being with family and giving to those in need. I know it sounds cheezy and generic but it's true.

THANKSGIVING POINT - CHRISTMAS PRINCESS

We went to see the lights at Thanksgiving Point on Friday Night. For those of you who haven't been, there's tons of lights and you drive through really slow and there's music playing and the kids love it. Well I took some great pics and then accidentally deleted them (and am so angry about it) but it was so great because Ellie came up with the idea that we were driving through a Christmas Parade and we should open the sun roof and she could be "The Christmas Princess of Thanksgiving Point". She was still in her red Christmas dress from her school performance and she hung out the sunroof waving, blowing kisses and telling us how "they might ask her to come everynight and wear her "fancy" coat with the fur and put furry gloves on her and have her wave and perform for all the people". Matt and I were laughing so hard. It was so great! I got out of the car and took some pics of her, but they're gone, so this will have to create the memory. We also saw the reindeer (real ones) and it was a great night!

My Early Christmas Present to Myself!!

Bought myself a Dyson Vacuum! I've wanted one forever and finally bought it. Whipped it out on Saturday and it's so great! It's even Pink (Breast Cancer Edition) and yes I feel very good about it and the fact that Target donated $40.00 of my purchase to Breast Cancer Awareness / Research! That totally justified buying it and breaking it out before Christmas! Currently looking at my fresh vacuum lines and enjoying every minute of it!

TO RUN OR NOT TO RUN????

I have run the Moab Half Marathon the past 2 years and it's given me the motivation I need to work out and get in shape. However after the last 1/2 I did (Hurricane) I made a pact with myself that I wasn't going to run another one for a very very long time (nice). It was hard and painful. However, I've gotten very lazy and inactive and am seriously considering registering, just to get myself moving again. Sad that I have to be signed up for a race to motivate myself, but it seems to be the only effective solution for me. I haven't done jack crap in months and it would be brutal to start training. However, it is a very beautiful run through the canyon and I love running with my friends Kat and Suz and going down with Maren, Nate and Matt. We've had a great time the past couple of years. Maybe the 5 mile instead of 13? Not sure, just throwing it out there. I think the reason I'm also making a public announcement about it on my blog, is another attempt to motivate myself. Sad!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

With our Thanksgiving Weekend coming to an end, I was laying in bed reviewing the last week and feeling so blessed and grateful! I love this time of year and we had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! We ate dinner at my Grandma and Grandpa Holmstead's, who are truly my biggest hero's and greatest examples!!!!! We spent most of the day with family. The girls and I got some Christmas decorations up while Matt hung the outside lights and we saw Madagascar 2. It was a wonderful day.

My best memory of the week, and one I want to write about so I don't ever forget, was Ellie not having school Wed. - Friday and so Tuesday night, after everyone had gone to sleep, she and I stayed up until 11:30 playing "Hi-Ho Cherrio" and eating treats with the finale of "Dancing with the Stars" on in the background. She kept saying "this is the greatest night of my life". You would have thought she was at Disneyland. I realized how it's the small things, my undivided attention and a cheap board game, that make her the happiest. It was a needed reminder for my need to spend more time with my girls and how grateful I am to have them to spend time with.

I have so much to be thankful for: Matt, my girls, being born and raised in this free country, my home, food to eat, clothes to wear, freedom, my membership in the church, my testimony, friends, sisters, Matt's job, my job, my education, my mom, Doug, grandparents, heat, air-conditioning, a car to drive, my health, my family's health etc. etc. etc.

My grandma read this to all of us before we gorged ourselves on Thanksgiving Day! You've probably heard it, but it never hurts to hear it again!

I AM THANKFUL FOR THE WIFE: who says it’s hot dogs tonight, because she’s home with me and not out with someone else.

I AM THANKFUL FOR THE HUSBAND: who is on the sofa being a couch potato, because he is home with me and not out at the bars.

FOR THE TEENAGER: who is complaining about doing the dishes because it means she is at home, not on the streets

FOR THE TAXEX I PAY: because it means I am employed

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY: because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG: because it means I have enough to eat.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME: because it means I am out in the sunshine

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING: because it means I have a home.

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT: Because it means we have freedom of speech.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT: Because it means I am capable of walking and I have been blessed with transportation.

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL: because it means I am warm.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY: because it means I can hear.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING: Because it means I have clothes to wear.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY: because it means I have been capable of working hard.

AND:

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN EARLY MORNING HOURS: Because it means I’m ALIVE!!!!!!

TRIBUTE TO FUSE BEADS

Our Collection

A Beginning Fuse Beader's Work

Intermediate

Current - Advanced Level Fuse Beader

I have been cleaning up massive amounts of fuse beads. I swear I have one in my mouth, chewing on it, at any given time during the day. They are all over my house and my vacuum can only pick up so many. But I love these things and wanted to thank them for the countless hours in which they have entertained my daughter. My sister, Marsh, told me about them probably 6 months ago. I bought them and Ellie would work on them for a couple minutes and be done. Then she got more into it and would complete a whole one. Now she spends countless hours creating, color coordinating and designing. I love it. She's always so proud of herself when she's finished. Zoe will put 4 on a board and want me to iron it, even though there's not enough to iron together. We love these things.

First Snow

We got our first snow of the year today. Of course the kids are so excited, while I'm not sure I'm ready yet. Ellie was out playing in it this afternoon and making small snowman (the snow wasn't hard enough). It does always feel like a new start, a clean slate and the start of winter. I love that the days are shorter, it makes me relax earlier and enjoy the evenings with my family.

CAMPAIGN '08 - OBAMA WINS!

I really don't know how I feel. I had told myself all along that I was voting for Obama. After every debate I was impressed with him and thought he'd be the change this country needs (and Sarah Palin didn't help sway me to vote for McCain). When I got to the poll I just couldn't do it. I don't know why, for sure. Not because I believe he's a "terrorist" or the "death of this nation" like my husband does. But I had several reservations. I think my biggest problem was the fact that he's so stinkin liberal. I have a hard time voting for someone who's values are so different from what I believe and know to be true. With that said I also am hopeful that he's going to make some positive changes we desperately need to see. I believe he's extremely intelligent and I really like Biden. I hope he proves himself to be trustworthy and follows through with a great deal of what he's promised. Good Luck to all of Us!

HALLOWEEN

I was so bad at getting Halloween photos this year. Arrgghhh. I don't know why. Anyway here's a couple. Zoe did wear a shirt, although she doesn't have one on in the picture. Ellie loved being "Brainwashed" (her and cousin, Carson). And I got sucked into entering a contest at work (no harsh feelings Kat) and was the crazy patient being sought after by "Dog the Bounty Hunter" aka: Silvia, and his hot wife "Beth" aka: Kat! We did win a prize and will all be going to Outback to celebrate our win!!!

Our Little Trip to St. George for UEA

We went to St. George for UEA and had a blast. We drove with Alex and her two friends and I was taken back to high school. Talk of boys, "wanting to be kissed", singing in the car the whole way there and back etc. It was great!