The Forts

Just enough snow to build a fort yesterday. 

Oldest and Youngest (excluding Kendra) VS.

The Middles

Judging by how many snow balls the Oldest/Youngest has, I think they might win. 

Let the games begin!

Did it have to snow on my night?

It snowed all day yesterday. Not strong, but steady.  Steady enough to blanket us with a thick layer of the white stuff!  A really thick layer so that at exactly the time that my favorite show was on... my satellite dish could not get reception.  So You Think You Can Dance was MISSED!  And I didn't know it until I got comfortable in my jammies, washed my face, got my blanket, my bowl of warm oatmeal cake, my glass of milk and snuggled in my chair.  Oh, the frustration when I turned on the tv and found the message..."Your satellite has not had reception for 1 hour."  Click on my show, it ends after 1 second.  AAARRRGGGHHH!  You know that Charlie Brown sound when he tries to kick the ball and Lucie snatches it away... that is the sound I made.  I proceeded to try and watch something else because I wasn't ready for sleep.  No reception. So then I was mad and went out to my satellites and tried to hit them with a broom to dust off the snow.  Only to get snow dumped on my head! Stupid, stupid, stupid! Lets just say I went to bed very upset.  All over a show, you say?  Yes, because I was looking forward to it and remember... I am alone with 5 kids for 2 weeks.  I needed some good ME time!

The Juice

So I finally was able to juice my grapes.  I didn't even have to take off the stems or anything.  Love it! They were just steamed to release their juice.  We had our first glass today and it was luscious. I wished my parents had been here to help guide me along with the whole process... they are pros at the whole grape thing.  They probably would have gotten bored fast though-- I only have one vine and so I could only get 5 quarts out of all my grapes.  They usually get tons from their grapevines in Texas.  I made some mistakes, but will definitely do it again next year.  

Grapes and grape juice remind me of 5 things... 

1.My dad insisting that we take grape juice on campouts ( with tons of ice in our green coleman thermos)

2. My dad swirling his grape juice in his cup with ice so it gets really cold then drinking it and saying "ahhhh, good"

3. My parents garage in Texas filled with bushels of grapes (startin' to turn into wine)

4. Passing a plate of grapes around the table at every family gathering (and then passing it again cuz no one took any)

5. And finally my kids gettin' the runs/rash/leg burns from too much acid from eating too many grapes all summer at Grandma and Granpa's!  

For the love of grapes!

I love...

My Cutco knives!  I got them for Christmas almost 2 years ago.  Although it took me a while to not cut myself, I absolutely love them now.  I was cutting with them today--loving how easily I could chop.  They are a great investment (and a great gift, you men readers out there...although I don't know many men who read blogs).

My Mother!  She called me today and I got to chat with her for awhile.  I miss her.  She is in Armenia serving a mission with my Dad.  She has been through it all and taught me so much in the process.  She is the one who I get my love of recipes from, my love of making bread, my dirty brown hair from, my love of entertaining, my love of buying more and more dishes to entertain on, my love of old movies and my love of mowing the lawn.  Things I wish I had from her are her crystal blue eyes, her hairless legs, her "going with the flow" and just how solid she is... I call her a rock-- nothin' shakes her!  I love her and can't wait for her to come home in September.

My Yukon XL.  And I say this today because it has been snowing all day.  Every time I get in it in the snow, I just love it more and more.  It has all wheel drive, it has seat warmers, it has tons of cargo space for all the snow gear, it has tons of people space for all my family, and it has an auto start (we put that in... thanks to living in Alaska).  It was such a smart purchase... a vehicle that we now own (WooHoo!).  Now mine doesn't look this nice anymore, but you get the picture!

Great website!

Ever wonder what is exactly in a movie?  Why it is rated a certain rating?  Well, I absolutely love this website!  When your kid's friends say that "oh it is not that bad"-- now you can find out how really bad (or good) it is.  It breaks it down completely-- especially violence, gore, profanity, sex and nudity.  It is all there.  It rates it by how many times these things happen, by severity of words and it actually tells you all about the show and what happens at those certain parts.  It is a story spoiler for you as an adult, but it saves the heartache of going to see a movie that some friend of a friend said was "not that bad".  Check it out!

Sad and Happy!

My hubby is gone... for 2 weeks!  It is Alaska all over again.  He is in New York for a dental sedation course.

I am sad because I'm all alone with 5 kids and no one to talk to when the day is done.  I'm sad because I get tired and there is no one to help me get stuff done when I'm tired.  I'm sad because I haven't had a good meal in days.. I know it is my fault.  I'm sad because my kids miss their daddy.  I'm sad because there is no hubby to snuggle with after I finish watching my girly shows that get me all... fluttery!

But you know I am happy at the same time. I don't have to cook nice meals... it is a good break.  I'm happy because I can watch whatever girly show I want to late at night-- no sports every night! I'm happy because my kids will love their daddy that much more when he comes home.  I'm happy because I know it will be a good reunion when he comes home... he he he! I'm happy because I know that there needs to be a husband and a wife... together.  The plan is right!

Wish me luck... on my own... for two weeks!

The Seal 6/9/09

Got a great tip from friends that said this was a worthwhile ride.  It was fun seeing the sights of San Diego.

You get the best of both worlds-- driving on land and sea. It got so cold out on the water.

These guys were stakin' their territory.

Padres Game 6/8/09

Thought it would be fun to go to a Padres game while in San Diego.

Are we having fun yet?

This is how much fun we are having!

Well, at least we got to spend time with Grandpa Mack and Uncle Levi!  Better luck next time, Padres!

San Diego Temple 6/7/09

Random pics from our visit to San Diego.   We love to see the temple!  Collin is always posin'!

Eric's cool sister, Kristin!  And she is not just cool because she wears shades!

Kendra kept reaching to pick the flowers.

My boys... actually sitting still for a quick moment!

I've been robbed!

Every once in a while I find that I have been robbed... of my camera!  

I guess they don't realize that being this close does not make a pretty picture!  Gotta get her in Photography 101.

She is totally her father's daughter.  I would have taken a picture with hair fixed and her smiling beautifully... with fake teeth in place to cover the lack thereof.

Summer

I love summer!  For the bounty. Toasted tomato sandwiches are a fave!  But I do have to say we got tired of zucchini.  Somehow we got one/two plants too many.  Now my freezer is stocked full of shredded zucchini. So glad I learned that tip. I just picked my grapes two days ago and hope to juice them soon. Where is my mom and dad when I need them?  Oh yeah, in Armenia being faithful! Now the summer is officially over for me-- we had our first snow today.  Most of my beds are barren and will be for a long winter.  This post is a start to our summer activities. (Yes, I know-- I am behind, but I will catch up fast...I will definitely have it done before Christmas!)