Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Ward Campout

I've finally gone through all the pictures from our Ward Campout. It was only one night, but it was a whole lot of fun. Actually, one night was just right with two little kids. Liv slept like a rock... she thought it was the coolest thing, actually, to be sleeping in a tent as a family. Gary wasn't as easy going about it. He wakes up a lot through the night so whenever we're in a new place it's real tough on him since he gets startled when he's not at home. Understandable for a little one. But that meant I spent a lot of time walking around trying to calm him down. It didn't take long for him to crash after we got home... he slept for three hours to catch up. It was a whole lot of fun, I can't wait to do it again!

Monday, July 30, 2007

Spring Beads

I've been busy working on my dots... I decided I'd try to learn the nature of stringers through doing something I'm more familiar with & then try lines and other stringer decorations! More other goal was to match the sizes, so that the bead set would be the same size. I was real proud that, except for a few, they are all about the same... YAY! These'll be heading down to Texas shortly so my aunt can have a shot at turning my work into a nice piece of jewelry! The more I learn and conquer the technical parts of this trait the more excited I get to make more. These are so beautiful yet, but I'm on my way!

Friday, July 27, 2007

Rainstorm and Flashback

The rain finally came... it's been trying to for the last couple of days here in Utah. We've had a lot of thunder and dark clouds, short sessions of sprinkling that has created humidity uncommon to Utah. Last night, though, it finally dumped last night. For a half hour it rained hard. Our streets, despite the steep hill, was like a river, the spout bubbler was overflowed (first picture) and our empty pool was now filled for us (the second picture), plus there was a waterfall coming from our rock wall turning our backyard into a river/swamp area. It was frustrating cause I couldn't work on my beads because the wind was cooling the glass too fast. Todd couldn't play his game because the satellite signal was destroyed by the forceful rain. Of course, our frustrations were so minor, I know there were people dealing with serious problems out there. Our neighbor's window was broken in because his window well was filled with water so much that the pressure was too much for the glass, so Todd went over to help them board it up. It's great timing, though, since I told my friend Heather I liked her idea of "Flashback Friday"... I have always loved lightening and thunderstorms. I grew up in a split entry so our house looked over those around us. On nights like last night we would turn out all the lights and watch the storm together. One time my mom turned on the Garth Brooks song "Thunder Rolls"... I didn't understand the words, which might've ruined the feeling, but the music created the perfect mood so much so that I'll never forget that night's atmosphere!

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Pioneer Day

Tuesday was Pioneer Day here in Utah... the day that Utah became a state and we celebrate those brave pioneers that withstood the weather and other trials to escape religious persecution. Mostly, another day to do fireworks! We had a great time watching our own little show this time since the kids, mostly Gary boy, had time to warm up to the sparks and noise after independence day! We had bought some drag racers, small tanks, and one giant tank. Gary thought those were so cool and liked to play with them like cars. It's almost impossible to forget that in ten plus years he'll have that same giddy smile on his face but for totally different reasons... I know I can't escape the boy's need to blow up stuff! Liv loved the sparklers and the Hula Girl firework that we let her pick out. And I just had to post that last picture since I am so grateful that I finally have a camera that can take this sort of picture... on purpose, when I choose! It was a good celebration thanks to my brothers and their pyrotechnics, good food, good family, and good friends! Happy Birthday Utah!

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Wordless Wednesday

"Gift"
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Monday, July 23, 2007

East Canyon Getaway

I've finally gotten pictures all together & edited so I can share with you all the fun time that we had at East Canyon (which is up a canyon before you get to Park City, Utah). This is one of my all time favorite traditions ever! I'm not sure when my grandparents first got the time share, but I can't remember a year we didn't go to the mountain condo! This year was just as fun as always... My brothers and I headed up Friday night, I left the kids with Todd (my night off)! I had a really good time just hanging out with the boys. We had some good chats, I got Nate hooked on Twilight, we played games, & laughed a whole lot! Then I brought the rest of the family up Saturday. Of course I had to stop by the bookstore first since I got Nate into the book I was reading and Harry Potter came out which Aaron loves to read! My kids are so fun to watch explore the outdoors & my dad is their favorite buddy. We went on a nature walk, ran through the fountains (Liv was scared of them first, but warmed up after watching Gpa run through them laughing all the way), went swimming (it's no fair my little brothers are bigger then me... I had to beg for air sometimes... and I know they'll never grow out of it since my dad pulled in his little sister, Kim, too), played games with the family, ate dinner, then dragged our tired kids home! It was great! The rest of the family stayed up for another day or two, but we were worn out... kids is so much work, but their expressions are so worth it!

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Sunday Spotlight

So I was hanging out over at Suzanne's blog & loved all her silly little quiz results then found myself lost at blogthings taking all sorts of goofy quizzes. Turns out they're really fun, so that's my Sunday Spotlight for today. If you're having a glum day just go check out some of those silly things & it'll lighten your mood a bit. I've always been a sucker for these types of quizzes anyways. I remember, back in the teen days, when my girlfriends and I would sit around and take the quizzes out of magazines... now there's just one site loaded with them, kind of nostalgic!

People Envy Your Energy
You've got the drive and determination to keep your life in order, and you are on track to be a huge success.People tend to envy all you've got in life, but they don't understand the work that goes behind it!
"What Do People Envy About You?

You Are Rock
Powerful and overbearing, you intimidate people with your presence.People know they can't push you around, and they respect that.Deep down, you are calm, confident, and unmovable. You take everything pretty seriously, and you think deeply about all aspects of your life.
You tend to feel smothered by paper people.
You don't mind crushing the spirit of a scissors person.
When you fight, you: Use all of your strength
If someone makes you mad: You're likely to throw something at them

You Are a Fortune Cookie
You're a rather normal person, except that you have extraordinary luck in life.People want to be around you (even when they're a little sick of you), in hopes of being lucky too!

Your Superpower Should Be Mind Reading
You are brilliant, insightful, and intuitive.You understand people better than they would like to be understood.Highly sensitive, you are good at putting together seemingly irrelevant details.You figure out what's going on before anyone knows that anything is going on!
Why you would be a good superhero: You don't care what people think, and you'd do whatever needed to be done
Your biggest problem as a superhero: Feeling even more isolated than you do now

You Are a Brownie
Decadent and intense, you aren't for the weakhearted.Those who can deal with your strong flavor find out how sweet you really are.

Friday, July 20, 2007

So You Think You Can Dance?

We have had a great time watching the show So You Think You Can Dance? the last couple nights because Gary has been dancing right along. It just started out of the blue and was so stinkin' cute. He likes to twirl in a circle, and it'd so crack you up because he looks just like a row boat with only one arm. He waves his left arm about and spins in a pivotal circle! It is so hilarious! I sure do love this happy little boy!

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Getting My Butt Kicked

Stringers are kicking my butt! You might think I'm kidding, but really I'm not. FYI - stringers are just like the glass rods but thinner for more detailed design on the glass. I read up on them before I got involved, and was told to not place the stringer into the flame, but I just couldn't get it to melt outside of the flame. I started to get the hang of that, but decided to ask my original teacher about it the next time I saw her... she suggested that I'm not getting the bead hot enough. So I made the adjustment & was only working with black as the base bead since you can see the temp. of the bead easier. But I must've gotten the bead too hot because when I'd place the streamer onto it it'd just keep going into the bead... no good. It's been real frustrating & I know many of you that come by my blog won't know or care what I'm talking about... but in case any beginners stop by I want them to know their not alone in their frustration. So I'll keep practice, practice, practicing & I know one day I'll be like "ah-ha!" I just wish it would've come sooner. Can you tell I've got a real issue with patience!

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Wordless Wednesday

"Bliss"
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Monday, July 16, 2007

Liv's Birthday

So I'm finally getting around to letting you all know how super awesome mine & Liv's birthday party was! Okay, well in real life it was really all for her, but my name was on the announcements too ;) The theme was Princess! Of course it was, don't I just have the most pretty princess of all? (and just as spoiled ;)) Well, she loves Cinderella & I just thought that would be so perfect for her to get all dressed up. As the little girls came in they were also adorned with beautiful ribbon crown & the guys were given little swords that light up. At 7:30pm, just after cake & just before everyone could head to the desert buffet, Princess Cinderella called to wish Little Liv a happy birthday! She got all shy-like & was overwhelmed to hear this favorite person of hers on the phone. But shortly afterwards I said "was that Cinderella on the phone?" Then she gave me a great big smile & nodded her head... that's what I was waiting for! After we filled everyone with sugar, Liv was showered with gifts (some for me too, thanks!)... she was so excited for all the fun stuff she had to play with & the mom (me) was so grateful for the Dora movies especially since we have the four hour plane ride coming up! The pinata was a hoot & it just wouldn't be one of my parties w/out it! Although, this one was built real tough, so eventually Todd just ripped it open. I liked that every now and then a kid could just hit out a few, it made it last longer w/ excitement in between! It was a wonderful night & I'm grateful to all my friends that made the trip out to celebrate with us!

Friday, July 13, 2007

I Like Being 23!

Another birthday has come and gone, and it sure was a good one! My family did a really good job at making me feel extra special on such an occasion! A bunch of us gathered together at The Training Table, my choice... when my Grandma Norma called to ask if I'd like to be taken out for lunch on my birthday I knew right away where I wanted to go since I had been craving their turkey and bacon sandwich! So Grandma and Grandpa gathered together with me, my kids, Grandma Betty, Kim, Khaled, and my dad for a crazy and yummy lunch! After Todd got off work he brought home a cake and ice cream... all chocolate, of course! My dad and brothers came over & we had our own little celebration. I was very spoiled... the guys gave me a video ipod! Yay! And Todd totally broke the bank by buying me the Cannon Rebel! Remember the whole orange juice-mom moment? Well, it's really been a pain since then to borrow my brother's camera or use my old, stupid, slow, grr one. So Todd decided that this is what I needed most! I was so overwhelmed by these gifts, it was a real humbling moment. I have been going through a picked-on feeling phase & good grief, could this not prove me all wrong. I can't believe that I was so spoiled all day... surrounded by family & feeling so loved, what a PERFECT BIRTHDAY!

Thursday, July 12, 2007

I Love Flowers

I got to where I was feeling real comfortable with dots, so I moved on to stringers and creating lines. This hasn't gone as smoothly, I haven 't posted the last couple bead sessions because they are a mess. But last night things were going real smooth, so here's what I did! Plus, I decided to give those flowers a try (the first ones posted). I love their look, but I do need practice on how much glass to place in the dot to be squished & the pressure applied to flatten cause, at least the white one, is too thin. Always learning... PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!

Monday, July 9, 2007

Independence Day LO

I'm working on balancing out my hobbies, so I've been working on some scrapbooking lately! Here's my Fourth of July Parade layout, I like it lots! I just have to comment that I'm falling in love with digital scrapbooking! I never thought I would, but the ease of it is so convenient! I don't have to haul all my crap out of my son's room into the front room to get pages done & I don't have to wait until the kids are asleep (cause they always get into the stuff when they are around). So nice!

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Sunday Spotlight

So, I LOVE MUSIC! It has always been there for me... through the good and the bad! My true friend forever and ever, if anyone can stick with me through my bad singing they are devoted... trust me! So, I loved this movie, I thought it was really cute. At one point Drew Barrymore's character says:
"The melody is seeing someone for the first time, it's the physical attraction, sex. But then, when you get to know the person that's the lyrics, it's their story, who they are underneath. It's the combo that makes it magic."
It's so true. The melody gets your toe tapping, gets that tune stuck in you head all day. But as you learn the lyrics you fall in love, or decide to be just friends (as my little brother, Aaron, put it). Everyone can find a song to fit their mood, and no one can say that they don't like music... that'd just be weird. My favorite songs of all time are Drops of Jupiter by Train and Ocean by Blue October, and that's being very specific or else it'd be a real long list! I'd love to hear your guys' favorite songs, too... I think they can tell you a lot about a person.

Thursday, July 5, 2007

What a Celebration

Happy Fourth of July everybody... a day late, as is normal for me now days! I hope it was an enjoyable and safe holiday for everyone. We started our day out quite early at the Murray parade. We have attended this parade for the last few years, since Nate (the older brother) joined the junior high marching band. Aaron carries on the tradition by marching the two miles and playing his trumpet! I love getting the kids dressed in red, white, and blue fashion & teaching them to gather candy & wave to the "pretty princesses" (as Liv calls the beauty queens)! Except it took a while for Liv to get into the whole candy catching & Gary just wanted to run and dance in the middle of the road... kids'll be kids :) Then we went home, crashed (sleeping) for a couple hours, hung out with my brother-in-law, Tyler, and let the kids swim. Reconvened at my Grandma and Grandpa's house for a traditional barbecue and fireworks! I was so amazed by how many illegal fireworks were on display by those not certified. Plus, between all that and the fire in the canyons, it was like driving through fog on the way home from the grandparents. Anyways, I really enjoyed the holiday & I love the annual traditions that have become foundations for my family!

Monday, July 2, 2007

Bad News

I've got sad news to report... usually when we go somewhere I put Minnie in the basement so her and the guinea pig don't get into trouble with each other. But yesterday we forgot to because we were in such a rush to get to church that we didn't even notice Minnie sneak past us and out the door. To get to the point, she got run over and her back to legs were paralyzed. So I took her to the 24 hour vet hospital & and had her put down. It was so tough to drive her out there, she's so cute and was so confused and it's frustrating not being able to do anything for her. Plus, I think it's amazing how in three weeks we have become so attached to her. I'm so used to her pouncing on my feet as I walk down the hall that the absence is very noticeable. Oh and don't worry, I took this picture the first day I got her, she's sleeping & I loved how stinkin' cute she was!