Over The River and Through The Woods...

...to Grandmother's house we go.

I thought I'd take some pictures of my parent's house. They live on a lake in Wisconsin. This is where we are spending Christmas this year. It is really beautiful here and really cold.

Front of house

Back of house

My Dad's woodworking shop and boat garage

What you can see of the house from the lake

If you look closely, you can see a squirrel in this bird feeder on their deck. They get a lot of deer, birds, squirrels and other wildlife in their yard. Even BEARS. Good thing it's hibernation season.

I Like Cookies

If I come back and I'm hardly recognizable, this is why. Judith really outdid herself when she decided it would be a good idea to make over 15 different varieties of cookies, 4 different kinds of breads, and half a dozen different kinds of candy.

I like cookies.

I like candy.

I like bread.

Don We Now Our Gay Apparel

Gay as in...cheery: bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer; full of or showing high-spirited merriment; given to social pleasures often including dissipation; brightly colored and showy; offering fun and gaiety;

Last night we had a fun evening with friends. We went out to eat and thought it would be fun/funny to wear an ugly Christmas sweater. Hopefully YOU don't own any of the sweaters pictured below. It's OK to be jealous.

L-R: Sally, Chris, Shane, Kim, Ben, Heather, Tiffany, John, Cousin Eddie...I mean Tom, Tiffany, Carlye, Cameron, Jason, Me

Some didn't participate (LEARNUS). But I think it was torture enough to have to be seen in public with me in my unfortunate ensemble. Who invented the ugly Christmas sweater, anyway?

Dance Like No One Is Watching

Chloe and Myah had their dance recital last night. It has been so much fun to see them participate in dance this year. They have both absolutely loved it and I think it does wonders for their coordination and self-esteem. Have a looksy.

Myah


Chloe


Great job girls! I'm proud of you.

Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk

Since Myah has turned 5, she is very much in the "I can do it myself" stage of life. For the most part, this new independence works out just fine. Today, however, we discovered that getting a gallon of milk off the top shelf of the fridge is still going to require parental assistance.

This is a gallon-sized puddle of milk on my kitchen floor.

I guess plastic milk cartons are not made to withstand a 5 foot plummet to the floor.

Piano Recital

This year was the first piano recital I've had since I started teaching lessons. My friend Kim and I had a joint recital which worked out good since I teach her boys and she teaches Chloe. I think everyone who participated did a fabulous job. All the hard work and practicing really paid off for the students.

These are my students. Cute, right?

Chloe's playing has really taken off this year. She's worked very hard and I could not be more proud.

This was Myah's big debut. I recently sat down with her just to see if I could teach her or if it was too early. She's a natural and is very eager to learn. The ideal student! As you can see, she was not the least bit nervous and was totally unaffected by the large audience we had.

Festival of Trees

The girls did a great job in their performances at the Festival of Trees. Myah's group danced to "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and Chloe's group danced to "That's What Christmas Means To Me". They have had such a fun time participating in dance. Now we're looking forward to the recital.

The Recorder Is Such A Lovely Instrument

For some reason, I can hardly control my laughter when 100 fourth graders are performing in a Recorder Concert. I think I have some sort of disorder or disease which causes me to laugh at inappropriate times. (I know, that's very immature of me and probably bad parenting.) I don't know if it's the high-pitched, off-key, ear-piercing sound or how serious they all are about it. I do have to say, whoever taught them did a great job. They were totally into it and knew every song. Here. Have a listen. Chloe is in the back row and you can hardly see her. :(

I had to stop recording so I could regain my composure. It's hard to keep the camera steady when you're laughing so hard. Sorry, Chloe. I really am proud of you.

Breakfast With Santa

Cousin Hannah, The Grinch, Chloe & Myah

Grandpa and Grandma Childs took everyone to Breakfast With Santa last weekend. It was lots of fun (except for the annoying Sugar Plum Fairy who pranced around like she really was a fairy). Grandma Shelley even bought all the girls matching outfits and crocheted hats for the occasion. Myah laughed her head off when The Grinch told them they looked like strawberry ice cream with whipped cream on top. But the highlight of the event was when Myah won a candy counting contest and walked away with 23 kit-kats. She guessed 22.

Happy Birthday, Myah!

Dear Myah,

I cannot believe you are 5. I hope you know what a joy you are to us. Life with you has been wonderful! Know how much you are loved, Myah. Dad and I wanted another baby so badly and we are so grateful to have you in our little family. You were an answer to our prayers. You are a great daughter and such a fun sister for Chloe. She loves you very much. At this point in your life, here a 5 words that describe you:

1. adorable

2. feisty

3. friendly

4. obedient

5. bright

Happy Birthday, Myah! Love, Mom.

This was Myah's cake. Her party was supposed to have a ballerina theme. But my frosting was so fluffy that my ballerina candlesticks look more like synchronized swimmers.

Too Much Information...I Know!

Yesterday, the girls and I went to Hobby Lobby to purchase some items for Myah's birthday party and a school project I'm, I mean, CHLOE is working on. Among those items was a package of feathers, which reminded me of a funny thing that happened one busy day, not so long ago:

Do you ever have one of those days where you are so busy that you never once sit down? I mean, not even to go potty? Well, this was one of those days. All throughout this particular day, I kept feeling a sharp poking sensation in my nether-regions. (Yes, "nether-regions" are what you think they are.) It wasn't a constant poking, just an occasional, annoying poke. I figured it was probably a fingernail or something of that nature that had attached itself to my unmentionables in the wash. Well, after my long, busy, poke-filled day, I finally had the opportunity to investigate what it was that had caused all the discomfort. Imagine my surprise when I discovered a long, white feather in my unmentionables.

(this is NOT the actual feather)

When I say, "long, white feather", I'm talking about the kind of feather that would have once been used to make a quill pen. Why was it there? How did it find it's way into my unmentionables? Where did this long, white feather come from? To this day, it remains a mystery.

The moral of this story is: No matter how busy you are, if you experience a sharp, poking sensation in your nether-regions, be kind to yourself and don't wait until the end of that day to investigate the source of it. I guess I should be grateful it was just a feather and not an entire bird!

Normally, at this point in a post I would ask if this has ever happened to you. I'm certain it has not. Feel free to leave a comment anyway unless I've left you speechless.

Armadillos

As Chloe was getting ready for school the other day, Myah matter-of-factly said:

"I don't like those earrings. They look like armadillos."

cRazY 8's

Here you go Tiffany!

8 T.V. shows I love to watch:
The Biggest Loser (Vicky & Brady suck!)
Next FoodNetwork Star (when it's on)
American Idol (when it's on)
Grey's Anatomy (but I probably have to stop since it's naughty now)
Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making the Team 3
Barefoot Contessa
Divine Design
What Not To Wear

8 of my favorite Restaurants:
Costa Vida/Cafe Rio (Costa Vida has better tortillas)
Mimi's
Taco Time
Sweet Tomatoes
Maggie Moo's (totally a restaurant)
Chick-fil-a
Outback
Oregano's (in AZ)

8 things that happened Yesterday:
Taught 2 piano lessons
Cleaned up dog poop off my neighbor's floor (we're dog-sitting and apparently not good at it)
Played cards with friends
Did lots of laundry
Hoped John McCain would've won
Kicked Myah's butt in a game of Trouble
Almost forgot I was supposed to make funeral potatoes
Went to Relief Society Social

8 Things I am looking forward to:
No more election talk
Thanksgiving
Myah's birthday
Christmas
Going to AZ
Leer finishing all the CPA tests
Leer's Christmas work party
Meeting Heidi's baby

8 things on my wish list:
A pressure canner
A Cricut
Photoshop Elements
Double ovens
The food processor attachment for my Bosch
To lose 25 pounds
Patience
That my husband and kids are happy

8 people I am tagging:
Cindy
Cedar
Lindsey
Tammy
Stacy S. (SS minnow)
Amber
Nicole
T Turnbow

Happy Halloween!

From the Beekeeper and his bees!

Have You Seen This Face?

Late last night, we believe our beloved Daddy Pumpkin was pumpkin-napped! This morning when we woke up he was nowhere to be found. We're pretty sure he's been pumpkin-napped because we were such a happy pumpkin family and we can't think of a reason why he would just run away. Plus, he doesn't have any legs. He was last seen on our front porch about 10:00 p.m., Halloween night. The only possession he seems to have left with is a candle, which further supports our pumpkin-napping theory. (It's just not like him to leave home without his wallet or keys.)If you see him anywhere, please return him to us. His place of honor on top of the flower pot is waiting for him and so are his pumpkin wife and pumpkin kids.

This was the last pumpkin family picture we had taken. This was Halloween at about 5:00. I know his face may not look like he was a happy pumpkin, but I promise he was. He may have aged in the past few days and might appear slightly shriveled by now.

Please come back, Daddy Pumpkin! We miss you!

Should you choose to join in the search for our missing pumpkin, here is a detailed description of what to look for:

Orange

Round

Hollow

About 9 lbs.

About 14 inches tall

Sharp features

Pointy teeth

Long stem

Candle inside

beep! beep!

Chloe came home from school the other day and proudly announced, "I passed my hearing test! I heard EVERY SINGLE beep".

I thought that was odd considering she never hears a SINGLE word I say!

If I could only speak "beep"...

Infomercials

I don't really like infomercials. I find them ridiculous. Every time I watch one, some smooth-talking salesperson is trying desperately to sell me something that I really don't want or need. It's always a product that you know is too good to be true. You know what I'm talking about: some cleaning solution that will make your home/car/laundry cleaner than ever, a cream to rid your face of wrinkles, an exercise video that will make you look like a supermodel, some book that shows you how to get rich quick through real estate investments...I could go on. And on. What's most annoying about infomercials is how they make you think your life will somehow be so much better if you buy what they're selling. Many times, they even include freebies to try to entice you. And if you ever do give in to the smooth-talking salesperson, you find out soon enough that what you bought is really no good at all. It hasn't made your life better. In fact, it's made it worse because now you feel foolish and you're out the money. I've learned my lesson, and am now skeptical of anything pitched to me through infomercials. Though sometimes I still catch myself watching infomercials, I don't buy things featured on them anymore because, products sold on infomercials turn out to be disappointing and never what I need.

Tonight, I found myself watching yet another, ridiculous infomercial. It was a lot like other ones I've seen in the past. It had a smooth-talking salesperson, touching stories, promises of an improved life, even background music. I wasn't fooled this time though! I knew that what this smooth-talking salesperson was trying desperately to sell me was once again not at all what I needed. I knew it wouldn't make my life better. It would make it worse. Voting for, I mean purchasing what was available on this infomercial would also come with freebies like universal health care, the right to choose to terminate an innocent life, same-sex marriage...I could go on. And on. But none of those things will in any way enhance my life. Barack Obama, I mean this smooth-talking salesperson, even tried to entice me with the promise of lower taxes. (Now, I know that's too good to be true. Democrats don't lower taxes. Doi!) But lower taxes aren't enough to entice me to buy what he is selling, anyway. Remember, I learned my lesson about infomercials and I don't want to make a foolish vote, I mean purchase, because things featured on infomercials turn out to be disappointing and never what I need.

Before you make a foolish purchase, I mean vote, check out some of these topics and how they relate to Barack Obama:

infanticide - abortion
William Ayers
Acorn
socialism
spreading the wealth (possibly yours)
universal health care
off-shore drilling

I could go on. And on.

I would just feel terrible if anyone made a bad vote, I mean purchase, as a result of a misleading infomercial.

Grandpa Great

Last Saturday we went to visit Leer's Grandpa(Chloe & Myah's Great Grandpa). We LOVE him. You would too if you knew him. For your reading enjoyment, (and for my posterity) allow me to share some of my favorite things about him along with some pictures we took while we were there.

My favorite thing about him is his house and barns. Everything he has is old. He has several barns and garages that are filled with old farm tools, old military uniforms, old bicycles, old furniture, old soda bottles, old rollerskates, old typewriters, old toys and games, old books...really anything you could possible think of, but old. It's like taking a step back in time. However, he always has a NEW, fancy truck.









No, actually my favorite thing about him is that the Gospel is an essential part of his life. The scriptures are always sitting on the table next to his recliner. He is always willing to serve. He served as the bishop in their ward for over 6 years, and has also been a counselor in the bishopric and a High Councilman. He was instrumental in helping to get the Stake Center built in their small town.

Or maybe my favorite thing about him is that he's a really good grandpa and I feel like he's my OWN grandpa. (I didn't really ever get to know my own grandparents very well considering I was the very last grandchild born on both sides of my family. My grandparents have all passed on.) He's always been kind to me and is always genuinely interested in what we're doing. He is sharp and keeps up on current events like politics, the economy, cars, and of course, BYU football and the Utah Jazz. When you visit with him, it's like talking to someone who's your own age, not someone who has lived 83 years. He remembers to send birthday and Christmas cards to Jason. He will sit patiently and listen while Myah shows him how she can count to 100. He is never grumpy.



No, my favorite thing about him has to be that he's a REAL cowboy. Picture the Marlboro man, without the coffee, cigarettes and alcohol. He has owned and maintained a 250 acre cattle ranch all his life and still does this back-breaking work EVERYDAY (remember he's 83). He was raised on this farm and bought it from his dad and this is how he supported his family. This is the only life he's ever known and he loves it.






Well, my favorite thing about him could be that he's popular. He has lots of friends. You would want him to be your friend too. He's always telling stories about his friends and you can tell he truly enjoys their companionship. And I love that his friends all have "cowboy" names like: Jarvis, Garn, LeRoy, etc. He is the one that they call when they need something like a ride to Priesthood or to know how to program their cable box. He is a loyal and reliable friend.

No, this is my favorite thing about him: his name is Grover. Yes. I said Grover. Grover Childs. It's awesome! We call him Grandpa Great. And he is GREAT!

Truly, my most favorite thing about him is the example he is to us. He lovingly took care of his wife who suffered from Parkinson's Disease for over 35 years. He never complained about having to take care of her and you could tell how much he truly loved her. She passed away a few years ago and he misses her terribly.

We need to be better about visiting him more often.


Me and Myah.


Me and Chloe.

Ryan and the girls on the 4wheeler.

Jason and his brother Ryan. He's single, ladies. Not Jason...Ryan.

I've been known to shoot guns on occasion when we've visited the farm. Turns out I have pretty good aim. Just puttin' it out there.

Childs Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Old photos - Family pictures

Childs Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Kids'll Say The Darndest Things!

1. What is something mom always says to you?

Chloe: "You know...some kids don't have funny moms."

Myah: "GO TO BED!"
2. What makes mom happy?

Chloe: The cards I make you.

Myah: When you play wis me and I give you kisses, and I say "I love you", and we do puzzles.

3. What makes mom sad?
Chloe: Ummm, when I don't clean my room.

Myah: When I don't play wis mommy.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?

Chloe: When she says, "you look so pretty, like model...cheerleader...something pretty!"
Myah: When she puts funny teeth in her.

5. What was your mom like as a child?

Chloe: How do I know that??? Huh???

Myah: Oh, just so cute.

6. What is her favorite thing to do?

Chloe: Cook.

Myah: Make flower barrettes.

7. What does your mom do when you're not around?

Chloe: Call people.

Myah: Just go on the computer.

8. What is your mom really good at?
Chloe: Making cards.

Myah: Playing wis me. She's good at winning me.

9. What is your mom not very good at?

Chloe: You're not good at knowing what boys like.

Myah: Knowing how to make chocolate chip cookies. Really you're not. You just know chocolate chips go in em.

10. What does your mom do for her job?

Chloe: Makes dinner.

Myah: Be's nice to dad.

11. What is your mom's favorite food?

Chloe: What is it? I think it's salad.

Myah: Orange Chicken I fink. Or Red Chicken, ok?

12. What makes you proud of your mom?

Chloe: She takes me to school.

Myah: Let me fink...when I clean my room and she likes it. I don't have a big closet you know.

13. What do you and your mom do together?

Chloe: Play Skip-Bo. And Phase 10.

Myah: Umm, we like to play and we like to look at baby pictures.

14. How are you and your mom the same?

Chloe: We both have green eyes.

Myah: We look like eechudder.

15. How are you and your mom different?

Chloe: You have yellow hair.

Myah: We don't have big hands togedder and you don't wear sparkle toes.

16. How do you know your mom loves you?
Chloe: She buys things for us.

Myah: Cuz she has a heart.

17. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?

Chloe: Umm, Sweet Tomatoes.

Myah: Our house.

Dear Leer,

Thank you for the shiny new computer. I really enjoy typing with BOTH hands now instead of having to hold the computer cord in awkward positions being so careful not to move even a hair while typing with my other hand. This shiny new computer doesn't burn my leg when I use it either. It even turns off/on every time I push the power button. And thanks for transferring all my pictures and itunes over to my shiny new computer and for setting up my email in such a spectacular new way. You are my most favorite computer nerd. My life would be so much less technical without you. And technically, I love my life with you.

Now, if I could only figure out how to print...

Get Busy!

We are in trouble.
The population of this country is 300 million.
160 million are retired.
That leaves 140 million to do the work.
There are 85 million in school.
Which leaves 55 million to do the work.
Of this there are 35 million employed by the federal government.

Leaving 15 million to do the work.

2.8 million are in the armed forces preoccupied with killing Osama Bin-Laden.

Which leaves 12.2 million to do the work.
Take from that total the 10.8 million people who work for state and city Governments.

And that leaves 1.4 million to do the work.

At any given time there are 188,000 people in hospitals.
Leaving 1,212,000 to do the work.
Now, there are 1,211,998 people in prisons.
That leaves just two people to do the work.
You and me.
And there you are...
Sitting on your behind...At your computer...
Reading jokes/my blog.

Nice.
Real nice.

Do You Haiku Too?

hai·ku [hahy-koo]
–noun, plural -ku for 2.
1. a major form of Japanese verse, written in 17 syllables divided into 3 lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables, and employing highly evocative allusions and comparisons, often on the subject of nature or one of the seasons.
2. a poem written in this form.

The other night we went out to eat at Chili's. I confess I'm a people watcher and enjoyed watching a young couple on a date. (I'm guessing a first date by the awkward body language.) I noticed the guy had a shirt with writing on it. So, curious, as we were leaving, I walked slowly enough so that I could read it. It said:

Haikus are easy

But sometimes they don't make sense

Refrigerator

Chloe and I had a good laugh about that one. Anyways, I didn't want to forget about that funny shirt...and so I post.

I'll also take this opportunity to share some Haiku poems that my little Chloe has written. You see, she's quite the poet (I'm biased, I know). Prepare to be amazed:

Butterfly

by Chloe Childs

She flies through the sky

Oh how beautiful she is

What a sight she is

Rain

by Chloe Childs

Pitter patter rain

Falling from the sky down, down

Oh so beautiful

Mushrooms

by Chloe Childs

Growing on the ground

Spotted, striped and growing slow

Grow mushrooms, grow now

The Beach

by Chloe Childs

It is very fun

Playing in the sun all day

Collecting seashells

And while I'm at it, here's her newest poem for your reading enjoyment. This one's not a Haiku, but totally blogworthy. I think it's really cute.

My White Kitty

by Chloe Childs

My white kitty is soft and cute.

She likes it when I play the flute.

She plays all day and then I say,

"I'll love you, Kitty, always."

And then I tuck her into bed,

"Meow, I love you too!" she said.

Precious, I know. And to think...we don't even have a white kitty or a flute! I love having Chloe for my daughter! (sigh)

Star Mill

Me and Myah took my parents to the Star Mill in American Fork on Tuesday. They have tons of cool antiques. Sadly, though, they're only open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, so I wasn't able to purchase anything. But it was still fun to look at all the treasures and take some fun pictures of Myah and some of the sights there.

Lindsey, we need to go here next time you come to visit.