I set a new record today

I spent $66.73 to fill up the Honda.  I had let it get to practically empty before filling it up because I was waiting until the end of the month.  (We have exceeded our gas budget for the month.)  So this weekend we will be fixing the bike tires and tuning the bikes up so that we can get around.  This gas thing makes me crazy. 

Happy to You Cole

Today is Cole's 1/2 Birthday.  Happy to You!  What an exciting addition this little man has been to our family.  There is never a dull moment, or quiet moment I guess I should say.

Cole can count to 8, sing the ABC's, and he can name every construction vehicle ever made.  He loves chips, rice, beans, and salsa.  His big thing right now is giving big hugs.  Kisses make all "owies" feel better and Cole gives out kisses freely.  He still sleeps in his crib and I'm happy about that, however he won't leave the sheet on so he just sleeps on that horrible, crusty vinyl.  He has two green blankets that he calls his "Green Loveys".  One was a baby gift from Aunt Brandi.  The other one was a replacement that we bought last year in Mississippi.  We had left town without the original "Green Lovey" so the first thing we did when we got off the plane was drive to Target and buy another green blanket.  Now he just sleeps with them both.  Cole is an outside boy, I don't know what we're going to do next fall when he can't spend every waking moment in the sand box.  Cole is a little bit stubborn and according to his cousins, Lance and Fisher, he's quite a bully.  He's a little bit of a clean freak and he's just a tiny bit obsessive, that must come from his cousins, the Hawkins.

Happy 2 1/2 to you   

Either you are a Memorial Day person or you are not.  I believe that the number of people who are Memorial Day People is a much smaller number than the people who are NOT Memorial Day People. 

I love Memorial Day.  And I love cemeteries.  I know that is weird.  But I always have loved cemeteries.  (Except that one time that Ryan Vande Graff took me to the cemetery on a double date once and we sat around and told ghost stories--WEIRD)  I think it just goes way back as long as I can remember.  When I was a kid I spent half my life with my Grandparents.  My

 Grandpa (I think) self-appointed himself as the Circleville cemetery caretaker.  I think about every 3 days we would go to the cemetery and water, prune, spray, mow and visit.  Circleville had the best looking cemetery that I can ever remember visiting, and I've visited a lot.  Then we would go to Junction and clean off the graves in Junction.  Man, that's an ugly cemetery.  But, we would go and weed and prune and Grandma would tell me stories about all of people who were buried in the graves.  I remember my Grandpa telling me stories  of his baby

 brother, Dwight, who was buried next to his mother in Circleville.  There was no gravestone or marker and I always felt badly about that.  Well,  few years ago my mom's cousin was trying to do genealogy work and he couldn't find out a thing about this one brother, Dwight.  I didn't know a lot about Dwight, but I did know that he was buried in Circleville.  That made it tons easier for Cousin Jess to find out his birth and death dates.  We found out that he had died as a child.  Thanks to Grandpa for talking about his brother as we cleaned graves at the cemetery.  

Every Memorial Day my mom and dad would drive to Southern Utah and visit all of the cemeteries where our ancestors are buried.  It was an annual ritual.  

So this morning we got up and drove to Orem to visit the cemetery.  We drove past the Provo cemetery.  There must have been 4 million dollars worth of flowers.  It was a beautiful sight.  As we arrived in Orem, they were in the middle of a military ceremony with a military helicopter doing some aerial maneuvers.  Cole was totally impressed.  We got out and went to my dad's grave.  There were some very beautiful floral arrangements.  We tucked our flowers in with the other flowers and random coke bottles.  The rain had stopped and the clouds parted as the sun peaked out for a few minutes. 

My mother and father in law have bought burial plots in Orem since my dad died and was buried in Orem.  I think that they know that because my dad is there, and they will be buried there that they will always have a little flower or something on their grave.

The other good thing about Memorial Day is that it is the official kick-off to summer and boy oh boy do we ever need summer.  AND, we can finally wear shorts and white shoes and all of those other summer clothing rules that only apply after Memorial day!

Sunday update

OK, so Cole DID NOT get taken out of sacrament meeting today.  Well not until the fire alarm went off just as the last speaker was finishing up.  Hallelujah.   It was not Cole who pulled the fire alarm.  But, it was good practice to see how quickly I could pick up 7 tractors, 8 books, 1 teddy bear, 2 lace-up cards, 2 cheerios containers, 3 sets of scriptures, and my great big bag of everything.  So, pretty much it was a successful day at Church.  Although Rick can not tell you a thing that what said during that slightly shortened meeting. 

gardening

I spent a fair amount of time in the yard on Saturday.  I must have been sporting a nice plumber's crack because I have a seriously weird sunburn.  Enough said.

Sunday

So, it's Sunday at 2:25.  What that really means is that I am home on the computer instead of sitting in my Sunday School teacher development class.  Why is that, you ask?  Oh, I'll tell you.  This is the 3rd week in a row that R is working and I have taken the kiddos to church by myself.  This morning started out fine, but went downhill quickly.  Summer was saying that she can't wait until our church starts at 9:00 again.  I was moaning, thinking "how in the world do I get us all ready for church, dinner in the oven and out the door in time for church THAT early."  But, Now I'm thinking it would be a good change.  At least I wouldn't have all day for the kids to each have their own personal meltdown and THEN try to get to church in a spiritual state of mind.  If Church started at 9:00, I would put them to bed on Saturday night in their church clothes, put a pop tart in the toaster Sunday morning right before I wake them up and throw them in the car, buckle them up and hand them a pop tart as we drive to church.  They certainly wouldn't have time to create as much chaos as they did this morning as we were trying to get ready to get out the door.  It stared with Cole dumping an entire bottle of mouthwash down the sink.  For the third time.  By the time we got to Church (on time, horray! for us), settled in our seats, and folded our arms for the opening prayer--BAM.  Cole had his first meltdown.  Because I made him fold his arms, for Pete's sake.  I didn't even suggest that he close his eyes or sit on his chair.  Out in the hall--in the middle of the prayer--screaming at the top of his lungs.  Settled down.  Back into the meeting--for about 3 minutes--which is how long it takes him to eat a package of gummy tractors.  With 3 gummies left, Sierra asked if she could have one.  NO WAY.  Another tantrum.  As I walked past one of the ladies on the row by us,  I excused myself and told her that if I had to squeeze past her again it would be to get my keys.  And that was exactly what I did about 20 minutes later.  I had left Cole in the hall with a friend while I went back into the meeting to gather up tractors, books, and my purse.  I might as well have taken him in there with me because I could still hear him screaming at the top of his lungs--and so could everyone else.  I barely looked up long enough to see the looks on the faces of the poor people sitting behind us.  It was a look of irritation and gratitude.  Irritated that I keep walking in and out with my monster.  Gratitude that this will clearly be the last time since I am taking my keys with my this time.  

OK, I've vented.  I feel much better now.  I think I will go ready my Sunday School lesson while Cole has his much needed nap.       

Peanut Butter Bars

1 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. peanut butter

1 egg

1 t. vanilla

1 1/4 c. flour

1 cup oats

1 t. soda

1/4 t. salt

Beat together brown sugar, butter, peanut butter, egg and vanilla,  In another bowl mix together flour, oats, soda, and salt; add to peanut butter mixture.

Spread in 9 x 13 pan or jelly roll pan.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Do not overbake because the bars are not as good when they are hard.

Cool.  Spread with a thick layer of peanut butter and top with chocolate frosting.

Chocolate frosting:

6 T. butter, softened

2 2/3 c powdered sugar

1/3 c. evap. milk

1 t. vanilla

1/3 c. cocoa

mix together with mixer until smooth.

 

Happy Mustard Day

This is what Cole said to me this morning.  I just want to freeze him right now and keep him 2 1/2 forever.  (which is NOT how I felt last winter when he was making messes faster than I could clean them up and I wanted him to grow up with a snap of my finger.)  His vocabulary and language skills are developing at lightening speed.  This week he has started asking, "Whatcha doin' mom?"  He's very polite.  A few days ago he was playing outside and I asked him if he wanted a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch, he said, "No tanks, I OK."  So every time anyone asks a question we answer the same way:  "No tanks, I OK." 

Anyway, Happy Mustard Day to all of you.  Even if you don't know me.  If you do, thanks for all you do.  Thanks for being a mom to my little kiddies and helping me out with this huge but rewarding job.  Thanks to all of my children's aunts who help me out with this mom business.  Some of you don't have children of your own but you make a difference in the lives of my children and that's a big job.  Thanks to my mom and mother-in-law.  I have the best.  And thanks to my Grandma's.  It's been 31 years since I've seen my Grandma Robison and 22 years since I've seen Grandma Ethel.  I wear my nerdy little aprons every day and think of her.  They did a great job and taught my parents to be the best.  I have learned so much from both of them and I hope I can do my best at teaching my own kids to reach their potential, be productive human beings and lead Christlike lives.  

Thanks for the help everyone has given me, It takes a village to raise a child.  I'm starting to understand what that means more and more as the years go by.

Happy Mustard Day 

Happy Mother's Day to me

We just packed away 600 lbs. of wheat in the storage room.  Sure would be nice if the storage room shelves were reinforced and I was ready to start loading them up.  But it does feel good to have that item checked off my food storage/emergency preparedness list.  

Now I just need a wheat grinder.  I hope I get one for mother's day (hint, hint).

 

Kerli and my girls

This was taken after the free Kerli concert that we went to last week (see earlier post).  You can still see her makeup where it ran down her face when she started to cry.  She was really sweet with the girls and with all of the people who waited to greet her after the concert.  She's only about 2 inches taller than Summer.

I've done it again...

I have this little habit of trying to be organized and in doing so create "a special place" for very important items.  For example, right before my wedding I wanted to make sure I was organized for the big day.  I made "a special place" for my living ordinance recommend that I needed for the temple.  I got up at 4:00 am to get ready for the big day and what do you know?  Time to get ready to leave and I do not have the recommend.  We looked EVERYWHERE and by everywhere I even mean driving to Arctic Circle to look for it, since I had spent 40 hours working the week before I got married.  UGHH.  No luck.  We didn't find it.  However, because my family had been to the Provo Temple to be sealed to our parents just 3 days earlier, the Provo Temple had a copy of my recommend.  Whew.  We called and they were able to fax a copy to Salt Lake just in the nick of time.  The funny thing is that about 5 days later I found my recommend tucked away neatly in a little box that I had planned to take to the temple but decided not to at the last minute.  I still have that original recommend in my scrapbook.  I was later accused of faking the whole event just so that I could have the original to put in the scrapbook, can you believe it?

Anyways, the special item that I cannot find today is the checkbook.  I'm sure I put it in a special place so that I would know exactly where it is when I need to pay some bills, but I have looked everywhere I can't seem to remember where the special place is.  Darn, I guess I won't pay the bills.

Have a good day.   

update:  I am also missing my thick silver band ring in size 8 that came from Overstock if anybody needs something to give me for mother's day.  I have looked in all of the special places I can think of and I still can't find it. 

update:  I found the check book.  I guess I'll have to pay the bills after all!

Kerli - Walking On Air Live In Orem UT 1019 The End

We are a little crazy when it comes to the radio station we listen to. They were celebrating a big milestone: they were about to play their 1,000,000 song. And to celebrate they were giving away a car and having a free concert at that car dealership. The concert was 4 songs by a new artist named Kerli. She is from Estonia. This is the first concert that she has performed as the main attraction. After her first song she became so emotional that she started to cry. Tears and mascara were streaming down her face while she sang the last 3 songs. Summer and Sierra were able to meet her before the concert and afterwards they got to get her CD, have it autographed, and get a picture with her. We had a ton of fun hanging out, listening to music and enjoying the free concert.
Check out Kerli. 101.9 the End in SL is the only station in the country playing her song. We hope she makes it big.

Eating veggiess

This was Sierra a few days ago as I was trying to get her to eat some cauliflower.  I think her plan was that if she was dramatic enough to make Cole laugh until he spewed Cauliflower across the kitchen that she would somehow get out of eating her veggies.  Guess what?  It didn't work.  It was a long night.  She finished all of her veggies.

But, the real story is this...

I have been trying to do the good mom thing and be involved in my children's lives.  You know, asking questions that require more than just yes/no answers.  Eating dinner together.  Less TV.  Asking the kids about their day.  Well, with Summer it's easy.  She just comes home and gives me a play by play of every event, every conversation, every minute detail until I want to scream.  Not Sierra.  I have to pry information from that child.  She'd rather skip home from school the long way, find a bug to play with and then sit at the kitchen counter and draw for 2 hours while I cook dinner.  So, we had a conversation last week that went like this:

Me:  Sierra, how was your day?

S:  Fine.

Me:  Did you do anything special at school?

S:  No.

Me:  Tell me about your day.

S:  It was a regular day, then I went to  Miss Day's class.

Me:  (I've never hear of Miss Day)  Oh, who is Miss Day?

S:  She's the gifted teacher.

Me:  (proud of my little smarty pants!!)  Oh, Sierra that's neat that they moved you into the gifted class.  I'm so excited for you.  That will be so much fun.

S:  Mom, I've been going to that class all year.

Hum, so much for the daily questions, Maybe I should consider just calling her teacher after school each day to find out what's going on with Sierra.   

Kennecott Pictures part II

The tire that Summer and Sierra are standing in front of is the same size as the ones on the trucks on the left.  Visiting the copper mine was a blast.  It was $5 per vehicle (which they say is donated to a local charity).

It was a cool spring day when we went.  Even though it was sunny, the winds really blows so it's quite chilly--be sure to take a jacket if you go.  We thought it was a fun afternoon activity and recommend it to anyone who needs something to do this summer.  Give us a call, Cole would love to go again!

Bingham Copper Mine

During Spring Break we went to visit the Bingham Copper Mine.  We had planned to go for Cole's birthday in 

November, but it is only open part of the year.  It just so happened that we went on 

the first day it opened to visitors this spring.  It was COOL.  

Here are some facts about the mine:

The Bingham Canyon Mine has produced more copper than any mine in history--17 million tons.

The mine is 2 1/2 miles across at the top and 3/4 of a mile deep.  You could stack 2 Sears Towers on top of each other and still not reach the top of the mine.

The mine is so big, it can be seen by the space shuttle astronauts as they pass over the US.

By 2015, the mine will be at least 500 feet deeper than it is now.

If you stretched out all the roads in the open pit mine, you'd have 500 miles of roadway--enough to reach from SLC to Denver.

The tires on the trucks cost from $18,000 to $26,000 and last for approx.  9 months.

At5 1,214 feet tall, the Kennecott smokestack is the highest structure in Utah.

 

My favorite Fact:  Gold and Silver are some of the by products of the mining process at Kennecott.  Tiffany and Co. has had a contract with Kennecott since 2002 to use their silver for their jewelry because of its fine quality. 

  

Cole has sand

Cole finally has a sand box.  He gets up in the mornings and wants to go outside and play in the sand.  I dump five pounds of sand out of his clothes every night when it's time for bed.  It makes me crazy, but I have to tell myself, Oh well.

I haven't posted any pictures for a while because of some computer technical difficulties.  They are partially resolved for now, so be prepared for lots more pictures over the next few days...