I think I'm ready now

With Aleeya's b-day coming up (pinata fillings), Halloween, my sweet tooth, and OTHER

holidays coming up that I might need some candy to FILL things with (if ya know what I mean)......... I've been on the lookout for candy deals!

And...........last Friday, I think Rite Aid delivered for me, since I walked out (after going to 2 stores) with 24 bags of candy and $10 richer.

Yes, richer. I MADE money getting this candy. (I know my dentist brother-in-law will cringe after seeing the next 2 pictures)

Then this week, they're giving away (after rebates) free medicine. Here's what I EARNED $5 in taking off their hands....so now I'm ready for the cold/flu season.

Bring it.

But enough of that, let's get down to more important and healthier things.....like these:

Don't these look heavenly? I found the recipe on ourbestbites.com (quickly becoming my fav recipe blog). These are quick and easy turtles.

The recipe is HERE

They were super yummy, and I didn't do a THING!!! I had my slaves put the pretzels out, unwrap the Rolos, put them on top, and then throw the peanut M&Ms on top when they came out. See?

Aren't they good sports? (Before you think I chopped off Aleeya's hair, I didn't. That's just still the remains of her mullet Emerson lovingly gave).

I made a few with throwing another pretzel on top instead of the M&M and I think I like that better......it balances out the sweet and salty more for me. Seriously, super yummy.

What do YOU find in your laundry?

I DO usually go through pockets before I throw things in the wash. Really.

(Okay, the blue crayon a few weeks back was an exception because I didn't know should be checking Iris' pockets now too!!)

Buuuuuuuuuut.............

after Brooks' softball game on Thursday, I just told everyone to go right in and throw your clothes straight into the washer.......

and that's JUST what they did.

After I transferred it to the dryer and pulled everything out of the dryer, I found this.....or should I say, "THESE"....

All the beetles that Camden had in his pocket, that drowned to death in the the washer then cooked to a crisp in the dryer.

What a way to go.

You can BET I'll be more resilient on checking pockets next time!

What I'll be doing during Conference

Thanks to my friend Page for telling me about this service opportunity to help some ladies who have had it rough (understatement, obviously) down in Brazil. They're actually from a town we used to go once a month with Dad for Zone Conferences and I just LOVED it there. Anyway, I just checked her blog today and it looks like she would STILL love some more help making this simple scrapbooks. So if you're looking for something to keep your hands busy (like I always do), you could read this post on her blog:

http://barefootinthekitchen.blogspot.com/2010/09/give.html

Cuteness overload

These 2 pictures are almost too much.

Emerson LOVES loves LOVES preschool.

They didn't have it on Tuesday (field trip tomorrow instead) so they just had it Thursday and it was almost too much and too long for Emerson to wait.

Another mom was picking him up this morning and I found him on the porch waiting for her to come.....

Then 5 minutes later I looked out and he wasn't on the porch anymore, he was down by the mailbox looking down the road for her car.

HOW CUTE IS THAT?!?!?!?

Do you see anything wrong?

This is how the kids looked when we WENT to the store today and here were are getting back.

Did you notice anything a bit off?

Yes, Aleeya wanted to wear her witch costume, but that's not it.

Emerson doesn't have shoes, but he just took them off.

Anything else?

I didn't even NOTICE until we were IN the store that Emerson did NOT put on shorts!!!!

Those are his BOXER BRIEFS!!!!!

They just looked like shorts to me. I'm THINKING no one noticed.

And if they DID, I'm sure one thought might be, "Wow, she really likes her girl. Gets her ALL dressed up and leaves her other child in his undies. TALK about favortism!!!!"

Are you sitting down?

Because if you're NOT sitting down, you better for what I'm about to tell you.

Guess what we just did this last weekend?.........

We went camping!

I know, I know, any of you that knows Brooks, would think that was NEVER going to be on our family outing option list, but it happened.

And we actually had a GREAT time.

(Like I knew we would.....but I try not to be an I-told-you-so wife.......well, most of the time)

We went w/ our friends, the Wards. And the BEST part is, they rode up in the Yedi with us. When we pulled up the check-in people gave our van quite a look.

They're probably just jealous. :)

Here we are burning sticks. Which is what they did most of the time....well, that and throwing acorns at each other the size of apricots!

The weather was AWESOME, and we didn't spot a mosquito the whole time.

Aleeya and Will played and played......and we're STILL not sure when it turned into topless play, but it did.

Camden, Emerson and Jonah crammed into this TEENY TEENY tent. It was so funny.

The night:

If I told you it was my favorite part, I would be lying. And SINCE we don't have any camping supplies, I thought my couple of "puffiest" blankets might be enough under us.....on the tent pad......that was under an acorn tree. Let's just say, I slept HORRIBLY! After waking up over 10 times with my hips falling asleep no matter what side I slept on, I decided to sleep in the Yedi. The seat belts were a WELCOME bump to sleep on after those acorns.

Truly, I'll be better prepared next time.

On the bright side, I woke up feeling freshed. Weird huh.

(they had hot showers and clean bathrooms as an added plus!)

And the kids made it through the night too!

(and of course asked again for S'mores)

We went on a hike down to some waterfalls, because the lake/swimming area was closed.

But the kids still had the best time.

I know what you're thinking.....first a topless picture, and now pantless, but this girl doesn't seem to care............AND she STILL has the guy, so whatever she's doing is working.

Lessons learned:

1) WHEN we go back, it will be for more then one night. That's a lot of work for one night and we seriously could've stayed a few, the kids loved it.

2) I need to watch Craigslist for some camping supples (as in a TENT, sleeping bags?, eggshell pad, propane lantern, and camping chairs). I never wanted to buy anything before since I wasn't sure if they'd ever be used, but I could see them being used QUITE often in our future......and Brooks feels the same (as long as there's a shower)

3) My kids LIVE for being outside and free. Camping fits with our family and better yet, no phone ringing or emails to pull any of us away from each other.

And to top it ALL off, I got to come home, head down to the church, eat some fruit and chocolate and watch the General Relief Society Meeting with my chicas. Wow....is all I can say.

If you missed it, at LEAST watch President Monson's talk....reading it just doesn't do it justice.

You can watch it HERE

Today

Yep, that title shows EXACTLY how creative I'm feeling right now. :)

Can I start by saying, I'm soooo glad to have the Yeti back.

Let me also state that TIRES ARE STINKIN' EXPENSIVE!

Maybe I shouldn't have added the spinners and neon lights....hmmmmm.

Today in preschool we made butterfly homes for the 30 (actually they sent like 50!) larvaes I got in the mail yesterday. It will be fun to watch them go through the life cycle!

They were sooo excited to paint them pretty colors because according to them, butterflies "love a lot of colors"! (I didn't mention that butterflies can only see yellow, red and green...but whatever)

They're just missing the branches put in them to hang the cocoons on once they form.

I used this guide here:

http://www.pbase.com/weed30/image/21184264

but I was SO glad I used the Chinet plates instead of the cardboard circles, because the branches kept slipping off of the cardboard circles.

On an entirely unrelated note, one of my favorite things to do is check on the kids right before I go to bed. Everytime I see them I get warm fuzzies all inside my belly, but last night might just take the cake.

Check this out

And no, they're not supposed to sleep together (unless it's a holiday) but Emerson must've snuck down after I put them in their beds.

My boys can just be so sweet.

The Yeti's maiden voyage

What BETTER way to break in the Yeti (btw- that's another name for the Abominable Snowman) then to pile a bunch of sistas in it for a

TEMPLE TRIP?!?!!?

The temple trip was so neat. Spiritual. Uplifting. Peaceful and greatly needed.

Just to WALK on the temple grounds and feel like how we did...............

WAIT

WHAT AM I TALKING ABOUT?!?!

That's not what happened......

THIS is what happened.

9 awesome ladies.

Stranded.

On the side of the road.

Missing. that. temple. session.

Okay, so here's what REALLY happened:

-we got off late

-The Yeti's A/C was awesome

-We got about 20 minutes away from home and it started shaking.

(let me note, I didn't think too much of it because our old van shook when you hit 65 mph. So I thought this van might have a little shake zone as well, right?)

-I thought it was the rear-end massage feature I added when I bought the car, but it wasn't.

-We pulled over and I called Brooks

-Cami checked the tires, for what.....we're still not sure.

-The tires were intact, and full so we started off again.

-Once again we did the shaky achy heart dance at about 30 mph.

-This time I got out and looked at the tires.....once again they looked fine, I guess.

About 1/2 mile after starting up we heard a nice pop sound and I knew a tire blew. After pulling over, it didn't just blow, it popped a hole in the thing and SHREDDED part of the tire!!!!

So, what option did I have but to change that darn tire, right?

I mean, could this changing be any different from the 2 door Sentra's tire changing lesson I had in Young Women's over 10 years ago that I never got to touch a thing?!?!

Now remember, you're dealing with a girl that has gone 7.5 years STRAIGHT of daily changes......they were diapers, but hey, I could do it, right?

I will have to admit I was relieved to see the spare tire had a nice gash in it as well (meaning, I didn't have to TRY to change a tire). On the OTHER hand, we. were. stuck.

I love having friends with phones (since I don't have a cell phone) and immediately we had a few husbands lined up to pick up parts of the lady herd.

We were there all together for maybe 45 minutes. We laughed, enjoyed the nice breeze and graded the irritated cop that stopped to tell us the van couldn't be on the side of the highway (he got a C- if you were wondering). To tell you the truth, it was fun hanging with those ladies, I just hate we missed the temple session over it.

EPILOGUE:

So what exactly HAPPENED to the Yeti, you ask?

Well, that starts back when we bought the van a long time ago (8 days to be exact) when the man told us we should probably get new tires. Okay, Brooks and I thought. But as you walked around the van and looked at the tires they looked brand, spankin' new with the tread even looking new.

Brooks called Brother Joe in ward who owns/works in a tire shop. He met Brooks at the van last night and asked what we were still doing w/ those tires on the van. He said it doesn't matter how it LOOKS, but the fact that they are 15 years OLD is the issue here!!!! Hmmmm.

Moral of THAT story:

No matter how good or intact a tire might look, it doesn't mean it won't blow out at anytime, especially if it's 15 years old. (Just try that out yourself. Go up to any girl that is 15+ old and even though she LOOKS okay and intact, it doesn't mean she won't break down right then and there when asked how she is!)

Advice:

Don't drive tires that are older then how long you've have your license.

YES, we never made it to the temple.

YES, plans were changed.

and YES, tires for a van that size are more expensive then all my youthly allowances put together.

But really, I feel truly blessed. To say we were all watched over is a complete understatement. The tires were going to blow....it was a matter a time.

I thank my merciful Heavenly Father it didn't happen when I was alone w/ the kids, on a hot day, w/ empty bellies. That the tire didn't blow while going 70 mph and could've caused.....who KNOWS what. That the nice men that helped Brooks put on a new tire with the RIGHT tool happened to live 2 houses down from the exit. That the ladies I were there with were so enjoyable to be with. That the weather was perfect, and that IT WAS JUST A TIRE!!!! There are a WHOLE lot of other things that could've gone wrong with the van that would've been a lot trickier to handle.

I can't deny I have a Father that watches out for me and for that, I'm ever grateful.

Our new ride

It is with GREAT hesitation that I write this post for all to see.

I just CAN'T get over the guilt that I might feel KNOWING

that by showing you these pictures, there will come an overwhelming feeling of covetousness

that will fill your whole body and soul.

Yes, I KNOW you'll wish you had our new ride, but try to really think of all the good qualities that your's DOES have, and it might make reading this post more bearable.

Let me start with our vehicle history:

2001: Toyota Supra and a white station wagon

2002-2004: Toyota Supra

(a 2 door sporty car that had our seats pushed ALL THE WAY forward to make room for Bronson's infant carseat)

2004-2007: The Buick Regal

(the car we bought from my grandparents....the white boat that Brooks still drives today)

2007-present: Dodge Caravan

(my brother GAVE this van to us, and it has served us well)

However upon taking our van into the shop a month or two ago the guy just shook his head saying how it barely passed ANY of the tests and it's a wonder it still runs......truth be told, the guy couldn't BELIEVE Brooks let his wife and 5 kids drive it everyday.

It just NEEDED to last until we found the right car......and it did.

We've filled every seat and when this baby comes we knew we needed a new car.....but I was a little picky and had 2 requirements:

#1- needed to at LEAST seat 9.

(if we have our wish this baby won't be our last, so it would be silly to just upgrade for one baby)

#2- no car payment.

YES, we could afford a car payment, but we've never had one in the past and would like to pay cash for the vehicle. Plus, I'm not a fan of debt if there is a way around it.

AND WE SUCCEEDED WITH BOTH OF THOSE REQUIREMENTS!!!!

Drumroll please.....................

Ta-Da!

We haven't officially named it yet, but Brooks calls it the Beast. I can't figure out why.

It's a 15 passenger van, 1989, with 61,000 miles on it!

CAN YOU BELIEVE THE LOW MILEAGE?!?!?

A Moravian Church owned it (hence the letters you can sort of still see saying "Mayodan Moravian Church" on it.....look to my left in the picture) and took great care of it. The inside is pristine!

The kids couldn't be MORE excited!!!!

After seeing the van Camden came back and said, "Mom, you've just GOTTA buy that van!"

And he didn't even WHINE about going to school this morning (his new thing....he's not a fan of school, and I hear it EVERY morning) because I drove him in the new van to the bus stop.

Yes, we're thrilled and very thankful our prayers have been answered.

And plus, it's not THAT much bigger then our other van, right?

Btw- I have to add, that all those options in the poll were SERIOUS options that we were looking at. (I should've included pictures of each one) I'm not too prideful to drive a short bus, no sir-ee.

NOT useless.

I used to tease Brooks that his choice of Pathology has proven to be useless to me.

(Of course it's a living and he loves it, and he provides for our family, but that's not what I mean)

Not that I don't think what he does in IMPORTANT.....because it is (take a look at any of your recent doctor bills that you had some lab work done, you'll probably see a Pathology bill as well), but as far as the family uses. For example, an OB would be SUPER useful right now, or sometimes more Pediatrician contacts would be nice. But seriously, unless I'm dead and need an autopsy, he can't professionally be of much help to our friends here or our family.

UNTIL LAST WEEK.

So I will NOW take back it ALL! Every last word of what I've EVER said.

Brooks' profession is quite handy afterall. And I could repeat that a few more times even.

Our sweet Emerson lately has had an itchy hiney. (Betcha didn't see THAT one coming) He does this weird dance while sitting on his bum even to try to help. It has hurt him too. Even upon inspection (I'll spare those details), there was nothing that looked out of the ordinary.

So Brooks said he's going to put some packaging tape over Emerson's bum while he sleeps at night. Why, you ask? Well, Brooks wanted to rule out the idea of Emerson having pinworms in him. And I was THEN taught that pinworms live in your intestines and will come out at night and lay eggs around the.......eh hm.......area, where Emerson was itching. Sick huh.

I chose not to be privy to the tape-placement moment, but then Brooks told me when Emerson woke up in the that I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT OFF!!!

The LAST thing I wanted was to rip off tape and find little worms.

(Just so you know, I looked online and found some GREAT pictures of pinworms....but they were all REALLY gross, so you can thank me for sparing you all)

Next morning: Picture me, pregnant, sensitive to smells, a weaker stomach in the morning, getting ready to peel a piece of tape OUT of (he apparently got it stuffed up INSIDE during the night) Emerson's back side and hoping NOT to find what I think I'm going to find.

To my surprise I didn't really see anything....but then again, it was all fogged up because the tape ALSO retains any smells that comes its way during the night. Lucky me, right?

Brooks wanted to see the tape and check it out under the microscope.

Then......I lost the tape (in the van, then when I found it, it was covered with OTHER stuff from the van floor, so I threw it away)

So the next night we were going to try it again, but Brooks wasn't going to be here for bedtime, and I was NOT going to put the tape on.

We (meaning Brooks) got around to doing it the NEXT night, with me, ever-so-lucky again getting to take off the tape in the morning.......which I did.......AND took it to Brooks' work (try driving down the road with a piece of bum-tape sitting next to you.....it makes your morning not so pleasant)

Next thing I know, I get an email from Brooks saying under the microscope it was CLEAR AS DAY that Emerson has pinworm. (GASP!)

SICK!!!

However, the doctor over Brooks said that if you take 100 people and tested them, more then HALF of them would have pinworm, and not know it (or some DO and won't admit they have itchy hinies). So just think, half of you reading this have pinworm. Doesn't that make reading this post worth it by itself?!?!?

So what do you do? THANKS to my BEYOND USEFUL husband (and his trusty microscope) in finding this out, we got an OTC drug to kill those darn pinworms. But the WHOLE FAMILY has to take it (except me, because I'm prego).......AND WE (meaning me) needed to wash all the sheets, bedding, undies, etc.

So THAT'S what I was doing ALL DAY SATURDAY and Friday, was washing and washing and washing. (While Brooks was splitting, chopping and stacking wood!) But now everyone is treated with their single dose and I don't hear Emerson complain anymore (that part is worth all the laundry by ITSELF!)

And this was ALLLLL done w/o taking my child into ANY doctor or having another doctor call in a prescription......because afterall, haven't I ALWAYS said, being married to a Pathologist can ALWAYS come in handy?!?!?!