A Wonderful Weekend

It all started on Thursday. Only half day of school for Carter. It is parent teacher conferences. The PTA asked me if I would make a soup for the teachers to eat for lunch and dinner on Thursday and Friday. I said sure because I have a delicious chicken tortilla soup in my arsenal that is so easy and so good! So Thursday morning I threw all the ingredients in the crock pot and salivated the rest of the day as the savory spices wafted through my home. 

As I waited in the hall for our turn to talk to Carter's teacher (Mrs. Copeland), I snapped this picture of Carter's leaf art. Carter had been sick with a chest cold prior to this activity coming due. So, his sweet friend lent Carter a couple of leaves to throw this masterpiece together. I think it is adorable.

Carter's teacher said she thinks he is pretty brilliant, super nice and funny, but doesn't stop talking. I told her that I understood and just the night before wondered who Carter was having a full blown conversation with while in the shower when I knew certainly well that he was all alone in there. It is almost impossible for him to be silent. His teacher seems really great. 

While at the conference my mom sent me text letting me know that she, my dad, and Halle were outside of my house and needed the code to get in. I moaned a little bit because I had every intention of cleaning before they got there. I hate inviting people into a messy house, so I usually don't. I watched a movie that afternoon instead of following through with my every intention. But I most certainly couldn't turn them away. When I got home they had unloaded and loaded my dishwasher and had cleared a bit from my counters. What a nice thing to come home to! Visits from my family are  my most favorite thing and this one was quick and short and didn't disappoint! 

My parents treated us all to dinner at MayMoes. A newish southern, cajun cuisine. It was pretty delicious. Afterwards we went to the clubhouse connected to Josh's office and hung out for a bit, working on a puzzle that the residents had going. 

My mom and I then decided to take the kids to the mall (at their urging). The mall is almost across the street, so easy to run to without much of a hassle. We went into Herberger's because my mom wanted to check out some of their shirts. We let the kids kind of wander around and Cannon was so cute leading the way. He ended up picking out a shirt that Grandma purchased for him. And I found a Melissa and Doug pirate costume on major clearance for him...only 8.00!! They are usually $30.00...so I was thrilled and that is what we plan to have him wear for Halloween. My mom found some shirts and then we wondered around the mall a bit. She purchased Carter a new XBOX 360 game at GameStop and then let Halle pick out a few things at Claire's and get a cute little box of chocolates. 

Carter actually was still feeling crummy from his chest cold, so we called it quits and headed home. 

We met back up with Josh and my dad and visited a little bit more. My Dad offered to give Josh a blessing as he would be having a root canal in the morning. Josh accepted. Then they both gave a blessing to Carter and one to Halle for the new school year. It was very sweet. Then they took off and headed to Tremonton, where they were staying the night. But we got to keep Halle! 

Friday was kind of a sick day for Carter. He didn't feel up to much which just isn't like him. So he and Halle lounged around the house and watched TV and Vine videos basically all day. I ran some errands and then took Cannon and Halle to pick out a pumpkin since Carter already had one. Halle requested Breakfast Burritos for dinner and I obliged...she even made the eggs! Good job Hal! Nate arrived at our house at about 8:30 that evening and he and I talked while I carved a pumpkin. Cannon had fun painting a rock. We all just spent the evening talking and hanging out until bedtime. 

On Saturday morning we had breakfast at the the Waffle Iron. It was good. Then we headed up to Layton, UT for a quick stop at the mall before heading to a birthday party at Boondocks in Kaysville. At the mall I wandered into a bath bombs store and got suckered in at all the colorful, wonderfully fragrant bombs...I ended up buying a tube of them and felt perfectly spoiled...I also got a Snitch key chain from Harry Potter and I love it. 

I sure love this girl!!!

Cannon being very silly at breakfast!

We met up with the Ivys for Ethan's birthday party. It was a lot of fun. They had a party table at Boondocks and the host of the party was wonderful. She made the kids balloon toys while we waited for guests to arrive. We ate some yummy food and visited. It is so awesome that the Ivys live in Utah now! When we moved from Mississippi I thought we were pretty much saying goodbye for good and then a year later they ended up moving as well. They live in South Jordan...so about 2 hours away from us so we don't see them all the time but more than we normally would and it is awesome!! Carter and Ethan have been best friends since they were 2. 

After being at Boondocks for several hours we made a quick stop into say hi to Aaron and Calene and family since they live so close to Boondocks. Then we headed back to Logan. We went straight to Takara Sushi where Nate had a table waiting for us. We met up with our second cousin, Rachelle Miller, and her husband. It was so much fun to sit and talk with them and indulge in some awesome sushi rolls. It always feels so good to get some adult conversation in and some good laughs. I left feeling refreshed. We said out goodbyes and promises of getting together again and hung out at home again until bedtime. It is really fun having Nate and Halle stay at our place. Halle and Carter get along so, so well. They also act like teenagers when they are together...a bit scary for the future. 

Sunday morning we took it easy and just hung out...ate donuts and watched "Twister". Nate and Halle took off around 11:30. We can't wait for them to come back again! Then my boys and I got ready for church...which isn't until 1:00. I know most people groan about 1:00 church but I absolutely love it!! I love being able to sleep in, snuggle in bed for a while. There is plenty of time for everyone to shower and even run a load of laundry when Carter find his church pants all crumbled in the bottom of his closet. We can eat breakfast and then even eat lunch before church. I usually have time to make cookies or dinner rolls and Josh has time to plan his lesson. I will be so sad when we switch back to 9:00 church at the new year. I want 1:00 forever!!! 

Well this is certainly long enough. But I absolutely had such a wonderful weekend that I wanted to write it down. Now...if I can figure out why all my pictures wouldn't post we will be golden!

Gumbo, Guitars, and Gut-Busting

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I really cannot believe it is 2008!! I really do not like the way time passes as I get older. When I was a kid a day would last 24 hours...and feel like it. Now they are just a blur and I get up in the morning just in time to go right back to bed...that is what it feels like a lot of times!

Anyways...after a not being able to celebrate on Christmas and Christmas Eve I was feeling left out and in need of some serious game playing and and the buffet of finger food that accompanies it. So we decided to head to Twin to welcome the New Year with my family.

To start things off I stayed a night with Julie...we got some serious girl talk in...indeed we did staying up 'til 4:00 in the morning just to make sure we didn't miss anything. That is not an easy thing to do anymore...as mommies sleep is precious...however so is our friendship and I am glad that is a sacrifice Julie was willing to make! The next day Carrie came over for a visit which was the cherry on top of it all! I never see Carrie...only about once a year at this time. It was so good to see her even for a short time and see Maxon as he has grown so much since last Christmas. Carrie took a pic of Carter and Max which I hope turned out so we can compare this year with last.

Then on New Years Eve my family all congregated to the parent's house for Gumbo. Gumbo is a southern, Cajun style stew/soup if you will. My mom usually makes it every Christmas Eve...but since we all know how well that went this year she decided to make it New Year's Eve instead. That kicked off the evening.

Then Megan and Nate were kind enough to share their Christmas present with us all. PlayStation 2 and Guitar Hero! We are all addicts and played that for hours on end. I was able to advance to Medium in just a few songs (go me!) My mom came in a picked up a guitar and caught right on and totally rocked out!(this is now on the top of her birthday wish list) My dad on the other hand has been the snail of the bunch but he will get it! I can't wait until my mom gets her system! I think it is hilarious to think of my mom and dad spending evenings in the den rocking out! Nate, Megan, and Jake can all play pretty well on the Hard level. Megan, however, is the one to beat. My only regret is that she can practice daily while I will have to settle for getting better in my dreams! Oh...and we didn't get any pictures!Dang git!

The rest of the evening between spurts of getting our fix of the guitar was filled with games and laughter. That is the "gut-busting" part of the evening. I love getting together with m y family and just laughing.

It was a really fun couple of days and I am glad we were able to get away for a little bit and hang out and laugh.

Now I am going to sit down a write myself some resolutions for the year and pray that I can keep them!

May 2008 be filled with much love and laughter!!

A Really Good Weekend (another novel by Laura)

If you look close you will notice that only half of the tree had ornaments. Carter just does not have the self-control yet to resist such temptations. He broke a couple of ornaments before I finally moved them all up out of reach.

Family hanging out during our get together.

Grandma gave Halle her first doll house.

Grandma(my mom) and Halle Bean. One of the sweetest, smartest, most wonderful 2 year olds I know! Look at her sweet little face!

This is what happens when I say "Show me your teeth!"

My brothers! I took 5 or 6 pictures and Jake looks like this or worse in every one! Love him.
(Cody, Jake, Nathan)

I am sitting here late Sunday night feeling very cozy next to the Christmas Tree. What is fun about our sofa set is that it is red...so right now the whole living room just fits the Christmas Scheme. I am feeling in the Spirit...we had carolers come by our house tonight which was so much fun and then some goodies brought to us. I put Carter to bed and decided I had some time to blog about the great weekend we had. So here I am, laptop in the proper position, Christmas music playing softly...let's begin.

First of all...huge relief and weight lifted off our shoulders as Finals Week came to an end. Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah HAL LE LU JAH!!!(sing it right people!) So far I have 2 A's for both of my education classes and a C+ in Math. In all other times of my life I would have been appalled to see a C+ on my report card...but at this time in my life that C+ stand for...ummmm.... "Cheerful"(any other suggestions?) Math and I do not get along and this class was all on computers and there were people in my class taking it for the 3rd and 4th times...so I am thrilled to have passed! Now I am just waiting to for grades to post from 2 other courses.

On Thursday Josh and I were just hanging out and talking away (I love our conversations and we often make jokes of how weird we would seem if someone happened to be eavesdropping on us...we are quite hilarious but I must admit I would be a little embarrassed for someone to hear us...we say weird things and use weird voices and have a little language of our own...like I said...weird..)Anyways...I just decided right then and there that I was sick of my hair and that I was going to cut it off. So, right then in an act of spontaneity I picked up the phone book, flipped through the Yellow Pages, and decided on JC Penney Salon (we live just a couple blocks away from the mall so I wouldn't have to go far and in the past my experience with Pennies has been pleasant) It was set...10:00 on Friday.

So, on Friday we wake up and have a relaxed morning for the first time in months. Carter and I slept in until 9:00...which was so wonderful because Carter almost always wakes up at 7:00. We all got ready and headed to the mall. I went into the salon for my haircut and Josh and Carter went mall walking. I originally thought I was just going to trim my hair up and try a style with my long lock...however, I am not talented when it comes to hair and I knew if they styled it for me that day, then that would be the ONLY day it would look cute. Not only that but I have fine hair which doesn't allow to pull off a lot of the hairstyles I want to. So...we looked through some books and every cut I liked all pointed to the same basic thing...Short with Layers.

After combing my hair out the stylist was like "Wow let me measure because I think you have enough to donate" My heart leaped (excuse the cheesiness of my word choices) This was an added bonus! I was so happy at thought of being able to give away my gorgeous, curly, silky locks to someone who needed them ...hahahahaha...okay I kind of feel sorry for whoever gets my hair because it is so hard to manage...but maybe in the process they fix it so it doesn't have to be managed.

So, she measured and sure enough I had plenty to give away! I was so excited! My stylist braided my hair into 2 braids and then cut them off. I think the braids are only 10 inches long. Altogether I cut off about 13 inches. So, my hair didn't beat any records but it was a lot longer than I had realized. As soon as she cut the braids off though my head felt like it just unloaded a couple of pounds...so yay for my head for having a successful weight loss weekend...maybe the rest of my body can learn a thing or two from my smart, diligent, charitable head. Anyways...pictures included on this event...oh and eeeew at the picture of my long hair...it is sopping wet and just looks stringy and greasy...maybe they will have to donate it to a horror movie.

Anyways...She finished my cut and styled it and Josh liked it...and so that is all that matters...I do like it as well. Not much different than all the other times I had short hair (it sits just right at my chin)...so not uber short and not a drastic change for me. It is my comfort cut and hope one day to venture out and see what other cuts my head looks good with.

After that we got Carter's picture taken with Santa. He gave Santa five, high-five, and pounded it...all without cracking the slightest smile...or any expression for that matter....see picture.

Then we went to trusty 'ol Great Clips and got the boys' hair cut. They looked handsome of course! Carter hated it when she used the electric clippers...but he was okay after that.

Then with us all cleaned and clipped up we headed to Sears for family pictures...ugh...not fun...didn't really like any of them...though 2 of Carter were cute so I ordered some to hopefully send out in January with our Newsletter. I don't ever want to go back to Sears though. We only go there because we got a SmileSavers card there when Carter was born so we don't have to pay any session fees and we get good deals....but the service left much to be desired and we all left irritable and eager to get outta there!

Then my family came up and stayed the night. It is always fun to get together with my siblings and reminisce about our childhood. We have some great stories and we tell them over and over and over again every time we get together! I want to blog about some of those one day so that I can have them written down to remember.

We had our family gift exchange which is always lots of fun. Carter was already asleep when we opened gifts so he got to open his when he woke up the next morning. My mom got him the Fisher Price Spin and Bounce Zebra which he loves and is one of my favorite toys. (and I cannot understand why there isn't a picture of him on it when I uploaded my pics??) Casey and Cody gave him a really fun spinney, lighty wand thing which he loves and so wonderfully turned on for all of us at 4:00 this morning...I was tired but it made me laugh.

Halle Bean got a fun dollhouse from Grandma and a spinney wand too. We gave her "My First Barrel of Monkeys" which everyone seemed to have fun playing with.

My parents gave us a game and an envelope with something very nice indeed tucked inside(Thanks Mom and Dad!) You guys always take care of us! We love you so much!

Nate and Megan gave us a movie basket with a DVD and some treats! Thanks Nate and Meg...you guys are our favorite! We can't wait to come play with you!

Casey and Cody gave us some racquetballs and goggles. Josh and I love to play racquetball and Casey and Cody love to play against us.

We gave my brother Jake a Pooping Reindeer. It poops jelly beans. Perfect for the 14 year old male. And yes he is goofy...just as he looks in the picture. But he is my favorite too!

Then the next day was the BEST! Casey (my sister) got to go through the Temple for the very first time. She chose Idaho Falls Temple...which is great because it is only an hour away from my house. So we all went up there and went through the session with her. It is hard to explain the feelings I had but I just felt so much love being there. When I walked into the room and already saw her sitting in the front row my heart was just full. She is such an amazing girl! I was just so happy that she was there and sitting next to her was my wonderful mom. Then looking around the room I saw my Josh and my Daddy and my big bro, Nate. Of course Cody was there and my Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Tresa and Uncle Curtis, Aunt Amy, and Debbie and Keith Brown, and Jenny (Brown ) Hinckley. Then right next to me was Megan. I just adore Megan and I am so happy she is my sister-in-law! I have so much fun talking and joking with her and playing games and all that good stuff. It was great to be there with her. It was just awesome to have so many people there that mean so much.

(Sensitive Thoughts and Feelings Section...please understand this is sensitive to me and proceed lightly;)

After the session we all started to gather and wait for everyone to make it through. It was just so wonderful to reunite and hug and talk. After a few minutes Josh still was not there so I went and stood by the entry way and waited for him. I was having some major feelings while waiting for him. I looked over at my family and thought to myself how much extreme joy they bring me. How wonderful it was to be there with all of them, but then I also realized that I am not complete without Josh. I had the thought of me being in Heaven and feeling so amazing with reuniting with family and friends...but waiting for Josh to come and meet me and realizing that without him, I am not whole. We need each other. We have made promises that extend beyond the bounds of this Earth. It was never more evident to me than it was at that moment how deeply and intensely I love my husband. I was anxious and my heart was beating fast as I waited for him. When he finally walked in I threw my arms around him and just let him wrap me up and hold me. How thankful I am for that moment. May I keep those feelings with me forever.
We all met in the cafeteria and ate lunch...it was yummy but the conversation was better. I liked being able to visit with family members I see less than often.

Then we headed home to make sure our little rascal hadn't destroyed the house...completely. He was such a good boy for my cousin who watched him...but he sure let us know he was upset with how long we left him. That is okay with me. I can take the venting from him because is means he trust me and loves me!

Everyone left Saturday evening. It was all too short and we wished they would have stayed longer. They bring lots of life and laughter to our house which is way too big for just the three of us, so it really seems empty once they all leave. All is well because we are spending New Year's together so I look forward to that and then we will all be together once again when Casey gets married on January 4th(my birthday:) It will be a great day....just as was this weekend.