PJ's and Lipstick

These are two of Ellie's favorite things. According to Ellie, one can never have too many of either thing.

Today I took she and Greyson to Wal-Mart to do some grocery shopping. After getting everything on my list and then some, we headed to the front of the store to check out. Right there at the front of the clothing isle were a pair of pink and yellow Spongebob pj's. Ellie's pj radar immediately went up and she ran over to investigate. Not only were they pink and Spongebob, they also had a little heart that lit up every time she moved the shirt. It was love at first sight.

"Please, momma, please can I have the pj's?"

"Ellie, you have 18 pairs of pj's. You don't really need another pair."

"But I don't have any Spongebob pj's. Please can I have them?"

"Oh ok. What's one more pair of pj's."

Off we go to the checkout isle. As I am unloading all the groceries from the cart she finds a container full of 10 different kinds of lip gloss.

"Please, momma, please can I have the lipsticks?"

"I thought you were getting new pj's?"

"I can have both."

"Uh, no, you can't have both. You can chose....the pj's or the lipstick."

Big dilemma time here. What will she chose? The 19th pair of pj's or the case of 10 lipsticks?

Finally after 5 minutes of intense contemplation she chooses the lipstick.

I saved $11. Priceless!

Long time, no blog

I am the worst at keeping this blog updated. It's not like we don't do fun things because we do. I just forget to write about them. So today will be a catch up of what has gone on in our home over the last few months.

In January Ellie turned 4. She is an amazing little girl! She is so happy all the time and so easy going. We are so blessed to have her in our home. Happy Birthday Ellie!

A week after Ellie's birthday Clark and I ran the half marathon at London's Run again. This is such a fun race to run because it is right here in our backyard and where we have spent countless hours running through the dirt fields. The biggest bonus is that it benefits a wonderful family every year that lives here in Queen Creek. We just got an email setting the date for next years run. We will be there again I'm sure!

In February Spence turned 6. He is all boy and just knew that he would be getting a dirt bike for his birthday. Mom shot that idea down so he had to settle for a cousins party at Peter Piper Pizza for his birthday. I think he had just as good a time at PPP and I don't have to worry about a broken arm or leg from the dirt bike. Is he handsome or what?

So, I think that just about covers what we've been doing. We are just not exciting people I guess. LOL

BUCKET LIST

Thanks Alicia! Way to get me to update my blog. LOL

OK HERE I GO.....(Just copy and paste this to your blog and bold the ones that you HAVE done.)

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain~ Does a "mountain" in Arizona count?
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked ~ uh NO! Doesn't anyone watch those scary movies??? Who does this??
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a 1/2 marathon ~3 to be exact and 2 full marathons
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise ~ 5 thankyouverymuch
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke ~ I totally ROCK Playstation Rock Star. Oh yeah!
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing ~ Clark has.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching ~ Alaska cruise, baby!
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar ~ NASTY!
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Merry Christmas to all!

So it is a little after 9:00 here Christmas Eve. The gifts are wrapped and under the tree, stockings are filled and the Wii is ready for assembly. Just waiting for the oldest child to hit the hay and vacate the tv where the Wii will be stationed. Christmas is here! Where has the time gone??

We have had a blessed year. Indeed there were trials, and many will follow us into 2009, but we are thankful for a wonderful, giving family and supportive friends. Most importantly we are grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ, for His sacrifice on our behalf and for giving us the TRUE meaning of Christmas. I am thankful for the trials in our lives that bring us back to what is really important: the gospel of Jesus Christ and our eternal families. Without these two core things everything else just wouldn't mean a thing. They truly are what this life is all about.

Our family wishes all of you a very happy and healthy holiday season and a blessed 2009. We love each of you so very much!

And because I was such a bad mom this year and didn't get my Christmas cards out, here is a gratuitous picture of the kids I took before our family Christmas party last night. I think they are the three most beautiful children in the world. Not that I am biased or anything! ;)

Merry Christmas!!

Student of the Month

Spence got his first Student of the Month nomination today. At 8:30 this morning I headed out to the school for the awards assembly to watch Spence get his award. I've done this several times as Kendall is nominated every year, but it is always such a neat experience to hear a teacher say nice things about your child and it *always* makes me cry. This is what Spence's teacher had to say about him today:

Spencer is one of those boys who is all boy on the outside, but all heart on the inside. he likes to be "rough and tumble" playing with the boys on the playground, but is also nice and kind to his friends.

He is also one of my "go to" students in the classroom. he is always eager to participate and remembers to raise his hand. Whenever I need to get a great answer, Spence is one I know I can "go to".

Because Spence's hands are so large it has been really difficult for him to write with a pencil and stay in the lines. He worked hard and has really improved. His handwriting is so nice now!

Spencer writes great sentences too. He's quick to figure out how to sound out a word. he is also good at counting to 100 and has now mastered writing to 100 as well.

One of the best things about Spencer is that I rarely have to fuss at him for not following the rules. On some days, that is a real treat for his teacher. :)

All in all, I'd say he's just a great student, which is why he is our Student of the Month for December. Way to go Spencer!


I am so proud of Spence! He is such a great little boy and I am so so so happy to be his momma!

The BIG 1-2!

Just between you and me, I am in complete denial that I have a 12 year old daughter. I couldn't possibly be old enough to have a child that old could I? LOL

Kendall decided to have a birthday party for this birthday. Kind of out of the normal realm for our family. I never had a birthday party growing up, so I am not sure how to actually throw one. But a mall scavenger hunt was proposed so we took that idea and ran with it. Kendall invited 9 of her bestest friends, I suckered my mom into being my 2nd chaperon and we headed out to the mall. Each team of 5 girls was given a list of 10 items to find at various stores through out the mall. First team to find all 10 would be the "winners"

A pair of pink high heel shoes.

Ice cream for everyone.

An expensive pair of jeans.

Some fun in the play area.

Type on the computers at the Apple store.

All together again!

I think a good time was had by all!

I'm amazed and blessed by the amazing person Kendall is becoming. She is a wonderful daughter, sister and friend. She is a 4.0 GPA student at her middle school and is currently in her schools production of A Christmas Carol. She is excited to have graduated from Primary with her Faith in God award and is eager to start Young Women's. Where did the time go? Where is my little girl? I watch in awe as she grows more beautiful everyday, both inside and out. I love you Beans!

All is well in my world today

There is music blaring on our back porch. Neighbor children are here playing and Kendall is teaching them all a new dance. I hear laughter and squeals blending with the music ~ Taylor Swift's Love Story to be precise.

The turkey is cooking in the oven. Cakes and salads are made. Clark is on a QT run for a Dr. Pepper. Yum!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We have much to be thankful for.

Words to Live by

Stolen shamelessly from my sister Alicia's blog because I think it is important. And because Sister Hinckley is one of my favorite people and her words are always great to live by.