Catching up!

{I have tried to format this post and align the pictures with no luck. I'm accepting and releasing.}

My blogging has been a little sporadic lately and I need to catch up on some of our family’s events. This might be lengthy – I’ll throw in a smattering of blackmail pictures of my children and husband so you aren’t too incredibly bored. Blackmail pictures always seem to make me smile

In September, the girls and I went to CATS. As a background story - when Larissa was 4 years old, and I was newly married to her father – she would always want to make ‘kiddie’ houses in her bedroom out of blankets. After a while, it donned on me that she was actually making ‘kitty’ houses. Ahhh! The lights came on for me. I soon realized that this cute little girl was CRAZY about cats and I wanted to take her to the Broadway production of CATS. I had seen it before and loved it!! So, CATS finally came to Salt Lake and I was able to take my pretty ladies.

Another exciting event in our household is this -


After 4 years – Elora finally had her braces taken off! And there was much rejoicing in the land….

Connor made his high school’s swim team! Some days he has swim practice twice a day – he is very dedicated. We went shopping for Speedo’s last week. I asked him if I could see and he said “no”. His first meet in October 23 and he won’t be able to hide from me and my camera for too long.

I am the young women’s coach in my ward and we have been playing volleyball.

Here are my superstars:

Todd, Connor, and I dropped off Elora and Larissa at their mom’s house last weekend and we headed up to Yellowstone. It was cold and it snowed!! It was a wonderful weekend. Of course, I’ve never had a bad weekend up there.

By Sunday morning – we hadn’t seen a single animal.

Just as we were about to turn around and head back to the motel – we saw this jaywalking critter.

After seeing the coyote, we were encouraged and ventured further into Yellowstone. A little bit later we happened upon a herd of Buffalo.

The motherload

I think this guy was ticked that I was invading his personal bubble.

They are huge creatures

We even saw elk - so beautiful.

This bozo was a little special. He was looking for the bathrooms and kept looking in the wrong direction.

And I've saved the best for last!

I finally met my first blogging friend.

I had dinner with Jody! We went to Mi Ranchitos in Sandy. She and her husband are a lot of fun. Go check out her blog here.

Would love to meet anyone else who lives in the area, btw!!

And.....drum roll, please....

I won Lisa's Chocolate giveaway!! Woot!!

I got a phone call from three bored kids on Friday who said, "Mom - a package was just dropped off and we think it's the CHOCOLATE!"

I made them take pictures and send them to me at work.

Yeah baby!

I actually took this picture today. A lot of the chocolate has been eaten! It surely wouldn't last long in this house!

Life is good!

THANK YOU LISA LOO!! You are such a sweet gal. Her daughter just had hip surgery last Friday. I can only imagine what she's been going through. Go visit her blog here and send her some good wishes.

Well, that's all I got! Have a great Monday tomorrow.

So gross...

A house full of teenagers is never dull - and mine is certainly no exception! Just now, I witnessed something so heinous, so truly disgusting, I had to post about it.

My daughter, who will unfortunately remain nameless, was enjoying chips and salsa. As she made it to the end of the salsa container, I watched her as she eyed the last few tablespoons of the salsa juice left in the bottom.

Now - to preface, it wasn't the kind of salsa that is pictured here - it was the fresh tomato chunk kind of salsa. So all that was left was the juicy debris at the bottom.

I saw her drink the salsa juice.

I know it seems as though I'm picking on my kids lately - but I'll have you know that there are many many funny things they do that I just shake my head at. I show an incredible amount of restraint by NOT posting the volumes of shenanigans that occur in my house on a daily basis.

INCREDIBLE RESTRAINT, I tell you.

Now I just have to know - would you drink the last few tablespoons of salsa? Do you have strange food fetishes?

Embarrassing brothers

Growing up, I was sandwiched between two brothers. One was five years older and the other was five years younger. Now that I'm in my older and wiser (cough!) years, I can say that I have the greatest brothers in the world. But back when I was in high school - they were horrifyingly embarrassing and were especially ruthless when a guy showed up at my door to take me on a date. Oh, I dreaded those times like a fiery, burning pit in my soul.

Okay - to be fair, it was mostly my older brother Ken. But, younger brother Brian, I have not yet forgiven you of the air freshener incident that caused the minor fire in the brand new car for which I have taken the blame all of these years.

But getting to the point.

My sweet daughter Elora had an experience this weekend that she will not likely forget due to the embarrassing antics of her brother.

The story goes like this:

Elora: Hey Larissa, take a picture of me wearing the hat that "L" gave me
Larissa: Why?
Elora: So I can send it to him. He wanted me to send him a picture of me.

The photo was taken. The photo was sent to "L".

Hours later, Elora had a better look at the picture, and shrieked at the top of her lungs....



*The above photo is posted by permission. Elora's authorization and release are on permanent file in the family archives.

I'm so sorry Elora.

Brothers aren't always embarrassing - it's just that they usually are when we don't want them to be. (deep thought, I know).

News Challenged

My dear husband sensing that I'm a wee bit obsessed challenged me to not watch or listen to the news for an entire week.

An entire week!! (Not a typo).

Normally, when I'm not grounded, I like to watch the news while getting dressed and ready for work. Toggling between channels 5 and 13 provides the visual stimuli needed to start the day.

Then, in an obstacle course worthy of American Gladiators - I flip off the tv and run down the stairs, while I simultaneously grab my purse, pet my cats, and yell at to Connor that I'm out in the car. I feel a little thrill when I finally turn the key in the ignition and I hear the soothing sounds of my beloved news station - KSL 1160.

Lunchtime news gives me an added jolt through my work day and I unwind with KSL again on my drive home.

Is this behavior a little abnormal or do you feel as addicted as I do? With the economy and the presidential elections and the OJ Simpson trial - are you drawn to the radio and the tv like I am?

I'm not sure I'll survive the week - I'll let you know. But looking on the bright side - I did find a music station that plays 80's music during my lunch hour.

Duran Duran just may keep me sane!

Autumn in the air

I love this time of year. Here are some of my favorite things.

The smells of cinnamon and spices.

General Conference. I loved President Monson's talk during the Sunday

morning session. The choir sang my favorite song -

"I Know that My Redeemer Lives."

Mmmm. Pumpkin Pie. Mmm.


The changing of the leaves.

My Nancy Drew game that comes out each October.

Black cats.

The first hint of snow (from this morning).

But there are two things I'm definitely NOT looking forward to...

~

SNOW! I'm not ready for this!

~

CHRISTMAS!! AHHH!!

Are you ready???

Have you started your shopping?

Sicko

<--- This is me today.


Can you believe I called in sick to work? I haven't even been there a month yet. It's killing me.



I feel awful!! I've slept all morning and haven't even felt well enough to play the Nancy Drew game that showed up on my porch yesterday.

It occurred to me yesterday that I haven't had the flu or a cold for about a year because I haven't worked for the past year. Working in an office is like the daycare syndrome. When one person gets it - we all get it.

So this weekend, I'm stocking up on all things anti-sickness - hand sanitizer, vitamins etc etc.

What do you do to fight off evil germs?

Bloggy Love

Each day on my way to work I see a cute little mom walking her three kids to school. I love seeing her because she always has a smile on her face as she is talking with her kids. The kids obviously love being with her because they are usually laughing and smiling too.

The first day I saw them I just sat and stared. I was waiting at a light and they were walking through section of road that is under construction. The kids were listening intently to something their mother was saying. Then came the smiles. I tell you - each day I see them it is the same scenario! And it warms my heart. I look forward to seeing them each day. I sometimes have the urge to pull over and give her a hug.

This is how I feel about my blogging friends!

I can't wait to read your posts. I love hearing of the fun and exciting things in your lives. I laugh when you share embarrassing stories and funny events. I hurt for you when you are hurting or experiencing hardships.

Each one of you brings something to my life. I love all of you and your blogs for so many reasons. You inspire me. You make me laugh. Really laugh! You make me stop and think about the important things in life. You've even made me cry.

So, if your name is on my sidebar, you inspire me. You make me want to be better.

Thank you!

So, gather 'round everyone for a great big group hug - redhoodoo style!