Life's too short

I have a blog???

2011-10-24T13:16:00.000-07:00

Guess this thing is still here. (BTW my boys are a lot older now than they were in that pict.)

woo-hoo

2009-07-09T09:47:00.000-07:00

I just want to give a big shout-out to all you that keep your blogs current... I don't know how you do it but I'm glad that you do.

Let's see so far this summer we have been to the beach twice, disneyland for what we thought was our last time (looks like the stucki's might drag us back in) we've had cousins from Indiana and cousins from Oklahoma visit. Inbetween all this excitement we have done a whole lot of nothing but video game playing. (that's the boys I don't play video games) oh yeah and we spent the 4th in Kanab it was way cool I highly recomend it if you want to spend the fourth in a small town. The fireworks booming of the red cliffs were pretty cool.

summer vacation

2009-06-08T11:06:00.000-07:00

First day of summer vacation for the three oldest starts today. (well really last friday but we were at the beach) it's 11:30 and Brennen is still in bed... Dustin and Caden came down at about 10:30 and decided they would have a bowl of icecream for breakfast. Gotta Love Summer!!!

about the beach... Caden stayed home because of an important baseball game- whatever- the other three boys all got burnt. Brennen refused to put sunscreen on his face, Dustin got the end of the bottle and his back looks like a leopard and dillon I had to chase down, I'm sure all lifeguard binoculars were on us, so he had some spots that weren't protected. (apparently the sunscreen is cold) Dillon has been wearing a bed sheet since we got home on friday. (except for church and at school today) TOGA! TOGA!

do you know this guy?

2009-05-08T09:16:00.000-07:00

My sister Nan and I were sure we did. So after being introduced to him we (ok it was mostly if not solely Nan) tried to rack our brains as to who he was and how we knew him. Ricks... USU... we just couldn't put our finger on it. Nan even went and met his parents trying to figure it out. Turns out he was Hyrum in the Joseph Smith story and Alma in the Living Scriptures. He also was in Les Mis on Broadway as Jean Valjean and Phantom in Europe. Yes we are nerds but after we found out just how we knew him we had to get a picture..... this time with us in it.

If you look really close he has a tear in his eye. I think we may be his first Stalkers! He's either so happy it brought him to tears or scared to death. (or the lady that was talking with him before us told him a sad story)
I totally wanted to go up to him and say come on you couldn't have just said Alma or Hyrum instead of letting us make fools of ourselves?!
In case your wondering his name is Dallyn Vail Bayles. He has a cd out but I didn't buy it. I probably should have.

happy birthday to one "green" mom

2009-04-23T08:02:00.000-07:00

It was my mom's birthday yesterday. When Dillon came home from school he said mom guess what today is? I said- Grandma's birthday and he responded with- cool it's also earth day.

What a coincidence my mom was saving the planet before Al Gore even thought about how to make a butt-load of money off of it. My mom was recycling by loading the trunk of her car up with newspaper and plastic and driving down to the library to drop it off. We grew up reusing and recycling. However, I have to say that I'm a little lazy and don't do my part but if my mom's in town you know she's pulling cardboard out of my garbage and recycling it for me.

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Easter Message

2009-04-11T11:42:00.000-07:00

Just in case either on of you who view my blog missed the Easter message by Elder Holland I'm posting it here because I loved it...and it brought tears to my eyes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc

no pain no gain?!?!?!

2009-04-02T21:45:00.000-07:00

K- I just had a birthday and I'll admit I grew up in the 80's. No one exercised unless they were a jock (which I wasn't) or they danced (which my lack of cordination prohibited- I tried out for drill team, it was pathetic)

This is what exercise meant to me.....

Well my lack of exercise has been showing as I've attempted to do a body sculpting class at the church gym. I almost cried today....I'm pathetic....apparently my core is weak as are my arms. No Nan I'm not joining curves.

track break

2009-03-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

to the T to the R to the A to the C to the K to the B to the R to the E to the A to the K come on everybody grab your bikes and sing along...(or something like that)

We have track break for the next two weeks then Spring Break. Track break isn't what it use to be when I would load up the car and head to Utah. This year it's just Dillon. I still have to get up in the morning and take the other boys to school. I know "wtc" kinda takes the fun out of it. I've decided that I'm not going to let this one slip away with a whole lot of tv watching and video game playing so.....what to do? Kinda wishing he was a little more into shopping. We already did Target and Taco Bell on day one and one day is going to be devoted to cleaning out his room. So I'm open for any suggestions for the other 12 days. He does need to learn how to ride his bike...

"nacho" average heroes

2009-03-15T16:58:00.000-07:00

Looks like I need to wait for my tech support to make it home from mission prep class, the video isn't playing for me. I know.... the anticipation is probably killing you!!!! (if anyone is out there?)

This was our entry in the ward variety show last night. I was laughing so hard tears were coming out of my eyes. Pretty good for pulling out the camcorder the night before....

My "techy" hooked me up to youtube so I'm attaching a link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO2HD1Q6MVs but I don't know how to get rid of the clip below.

i'm mom.

2009-02-12T09:20:00.001-08:00

K- the other day I was trying to get the boys out the door for school and said, "hurry and finish your breakfast", or maybe it was "eat your breakfast so we're not late AGAIN", or it could have just been "eat your breakfast". Dillon suddenly became a little stressed and said "Mom your turning into dad" I was like "what", I know I didn't sound too mean (; He responded "your turning into dad making us eat even when we're full. Heaven forbid I turn into dad so I said "Sorry I didn't know you were done."

25 random things about me!

2009-02-05T08:26:00.000-08:00

I posted this on facebook and just copied it over-errors and all-(it's called killing two birds with one stone) I just realized I have two 15's...oh well....

1. this is the 2nd time doing this I was almost done and lost it!
2. I scrapbook once a year @ scrapfest in George @ the holiday inn. It's almost time!
3. I drive Brennen crazy because I don't use proper grammer or puncuation when on the computer. (I'm sure more of you are out there.)
4. I use to tell my sister Nanette that if Jon Bon Jovi walked into the RCIS and asked me to marry him I would. I'm pretty sure this concerned her because she would try to talk me out of it.
5.When I was younger I really thought I was a princess and would look out the window wondering when they would come and find me. Of course I would let my new family come and live in my castle with me.
6. I had awesome 80's hair.
7. I own more than one pair of skinny jeans and recently bought a baggyish sweater.
8. While at Ricks College I got put on probation and had an eviction notice taped to my front door in the same semester. I was really proud of both letters.
9. I hate being told what to do.
10. I need all facts proven to me, you tell me something and I'll question it. This drives Jake crazy! the two questions I think he hates worse are-"how do you know that?" and-"are you making that up?" He especially hates that last one. To everyone else he is TBK (the book of Knowledge).
11. I once took a clogging class and have some prettty sweet moves. The class ended for me the day she had us all sit down and only the preforming group practice. Me, my sister and my friend sat down looked around and realized we were it and quit.
12. One of my favorite childhood memories is when Nanette was yelling in her sleep "I want to be like Robin, I want to be like Robin!" I loved that.
13. I ran out of seminary once with teacher in pursuit after he told me that I make the spirit leave the classroom, I'm spoiled, I won't amount to anything in life and he didn't uderstand because he liked Rob (my older brother). I sat in with the secretary for a couple of days until the Seminary head honcho guy made him apologize. (My mom's response was- I think he thought you were Sandee.)
14. I hate making dinner. I'm not a food person I seriously could go all day without eating if my body didn't need it. But it does and so does the bodies of the rest of my family so I cook.
15.When I decided to go to Ricks my mom signed me up for my classes. When I got there and realized she had decided I would go out in Elementary Ed. I dropped them. I took stupid classes like business law. By the time I left I signed up fro the Elementary Ed program at USU. I hate being told what to do.
15. I'm a band booster mom. (never saw that coming in highschool) Go Band!!!
16. My mom hurt my feelings pretty bad in highschool when she told me she always pictured me in the cattle-i mean-color guard.
17. Since I was little I always wanted 6 kids. I have 4 awesome boys. When I realized I was only having four I sat in church and looked at the family with 5 and thought that looked perfect. I've come to peace with only having four and LOVE THEM!
18. I have a hard time keeping my opinion to myself and often hurt feelings I'm afraid. In my defense I take critism fairly well so I expect others do too- Just one of my bads.
19. I'm pretty sure I embarass my kids and I'm also sure Jake finds me annoying at times (good thing he loves me)
20.When I first met Jake I was chewing him out @ a USU dance, I think, for being so mean to my cute little cousin Christy, who was his neighbor and a freshman. He thought I was obnoxious and in highschool (I was a senior at USU)
21. I use to get told I looked like Nicole Kidman- a lot. The other day someone told me I looked like Reese Witherspoon. I'll take that one!
22. I crack myself up almost everyday. (I find myself very funny.)
23. I play a lot of brickbreaker on my phone. Jake is trying to convice me that it's harder on his storm since he can't seem to make it past 9000 and I have a high score in the 12000's. Did I mention I'm competitive?
24. I think that people get the wrong impression of me at first. Is it bad that I don't care, well I care- I want people to think I'm fun and friendly- but not enough to change?
25. I don't or can't hide my feelings very well. If I'm annoyed you'll know it. If you stink you'll know it. If you had a bad highlighting job I'll probably tell you. (sorry about that again amy)

TNT- dynOmite

2009-01-22T10:13:00.000-08:00

I think I'll take 2 dozen!

it's still rock-n-roll to me

2009-01-13T17:08:00.000-08:00

I got a fancy new ipod for Christmas last year and hardly ever used it so I gave it to Brennen and took his old one which he inherited from Jake. The only music I have on it is my new twilight cd that Brennen loaded on for me. I need more tunes and must wait until Brennen is bored so I can give him some more cd's. It's not that I can't figure it out it's that I don't want to take the time. Is this a sign I'm getting old?

Yeah!!!

2009-01-06T21:45:00.001-08:00

I got all my Christmas taken down today. Yeah!!! I've decided that although I love my Christmas decorations, especially my tree, it feels so nice to get it all down and go back to a simpler decor. Everything looks so clean and fresh and somethings just don't make it back out. I was planning on doing it yesterday but had to sit still all morning due to an oops with my insulin. It took me all day today but I did it. Yeah!!!

How many days till Christmas?

2009-01-02T12:02:00.000-08:00

I'm thinking about cleaning up my Christmas today while I have helpers. I may wait until Monday.
I did think this was funny though.

Here comes Santa Clause...

2008-12-23T15:58:00.000-08:00

...in his HELICOPTER!!!

Dillon got to go to his dad's Christmas office party and Santa Clause was also invited!!! He showed up in his helicopter!!! He handed all the kids presents and then anyone who wanted got to go on a helicopter ride over the strip. WAY COOL!
I asked Dillon so did you think that Santa was going to give you a present and he responded, "at first I didn't think he was the real Santa I thought the parents brought the presents and then he called my name and I knew he was real because you didn't bring a present."
So of course I had to ask, "did he smell like beef and cheese?" "No," Dillon said excitedly, "He smelled like peppermint!"

twilight & turkey

2008-12-03T08:21:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving night the girls + John (the photographer) headed to the movie theater to see Twilight. Thankfully there was a show that wasn't sold out. (the one before ours and the one after was) Since we had an hour before the next showing they let us form a line. That's right we were the first in line so we took some photos getting our vampire on.

We had so much fun and I LOVED IT! It might have been because we were in George and when Edward walked in we all woo-ed (Emmy & I woo-ed extra loud). When Bella walked into the Biology class we all laughed and also @ the spider-monkey comment.
All the negative stuff I read about it made me love it more. I loved the low budget feel of it and by the end I was sold on Edward, Bella, Charlie, Esme, loved Jasper and Alice, thought Emmett was perfect, even started to see why they picked that Rosalie, and forgot all about all the powder they used on Carlisle. Loved it so much that michelle, megan, and I went again on monday and than I have to admit I got the book out yesterday and read the whole thing in one day. (I hardly ever read the same book twice)
Can't wait till it comes out on video, or if anyone wants to go again I'm game.

I also had a great Thanksgiving it was fun to see everyone and thanks mom and dad for the sweet condos!!!

what happens in Vegas i will post

2008-11-21T12:26:00.000-08:00

My friend Missy from highschool is in town. YEAH!! So last night we went to the show blue men. Had a great time her husband even got to be part of the show. Somewhere there may be a giant canvas of his body imprint in blue. (although my guess is they washed it off for the next show.)
Anyways after the show we grabbed some dinner and began to walk around. That is when we spotted her. A girl passes by and we all are thinking what the crap because she appears to be completely topless from the back. So of course my first impulse is to take pursuit I had to see what she was wearing. As we followed, and this girl was booking it, we noticed she left a wake as people stopped and turned in unbelief. Just like a speedboat making it's way through water. As we rounded the corner we saw she had been headed for the nightclub but we lost her. Then we spot her at the entrance so we hurry over and I catch a glimps of what looks like a scarf wrapped around each breast. My curiosity not satisfied I turn to the bouncer and ask "what was she wearing?" His response was "I don't know but it's a little early for that to come out." so of course I had to ask "was she using double stick tape?" he chuckled and told me that would require some further investigation. So I told him to keep me posted to which he responded that it was a first for him too. We left and this morning I'm still wondering...it had to be double stick tape and a lot of it!

calling all lazy kids

2008-11-17T12:22:00.000-08:00

Just following up on my last post.
My kids had way too much candy! They weighed it! We still have a lot left so if you know any lazy kids out there...well send them on over! (especially if they like dum dum's and nestle crunch)

tee hee hee

2008-10-28T16:42:00.000-07:00

Just a little halloween laugh! I'm sure we all can laugh at this one.

where's the truth?

2008-10-18T19:22:00.001-07:00

I've been waiting for this story to break in the media. Now I know that it won't. Pretty scarry to think where this country is headed. http://ldsmag.com/ideas/081017light.html

i'll huff and puff

2008-09-30T22:16:00.000-07:00

So I decided if Brennen is going to join the track team we need to get him in shape. Sooo I made him go out running with me. Only I could only run-well, not so far until I was pooped! So we walked at a brisk speed the rest of the way and I was the only one out of breath. What was I thinking 15 yr old boy, 30 something mom. Yeah, I'll be rethinking this one. We did have a nice talk though.

dillon's turn

2008-09-22T22:28:00.000-07:00

Birthday season has came to a close and we celebrated it with a bang!

Dillon turned 9 last Sat. Can we get another woot! woot!
The day started with a Dillon running into my room first thing and stating "It's Saturday mom" and I said "yes it is Dillon" trying to think fast what he was getting at but before my mind could even get started he stated, "It's my Birthday!" So I started singing and the day went like this...

8:30 leave for Dillon's soccer game which started @9:15
10:05 get the call from Jake that I have Caden's player card that he needs for his football game that starts @ 11:00 so miss the end of the game and send Dillon home with a friend
10:30 get to the football field, watch them warm up and catch the first half of the football game
12:00 leave the football game and get to the swim meet in plenty of time to watch Dustin swim in all four of his events. He qualified for state in two events! It was a good swim day for Dustin.
4:30 leave the swim meet and head home for the bowling party. I let Dillon, Caden and Dustin invite a couple of friends and we took them all bowling @ 5:30.
8:30 party was pretty much over and I was spent! What a day!!!

Getting three birthday parties over in one night...this may be the start of one of those tradition things.

caden is 12...can I get a woot woot!

2008-09-16T22:03:00.000-07:00

Caden turned 12 today!!! Can you believe it? No more pimary, although he has agreed to be in the program next Sunday (he isn't a deacon until they set him apart after sacrament meeting). He also says he's going to the articles of faith sundae bar. He's looking forward to loading up his ice cream with all 13 toppings. YUMMY!

The cute little cake topping is actually a gift card from Target so he had to lick it clean!!!

Caden has started football and is really liking it. His dad gave him his old highschool football jersey to practice in. His first game is this Saturday. Go Caden!!!

Caden is such a responsible boy! He's a really good example to all his friends and I'm so lucky that he is mine!!! (all mine, at least for now)
I love you Caden hope you had a great day.

why me?

2008-09-10T08:06:00.000-07:00

I have jury duty today, again. I am not looking forward to it. We have to go all the way down to freemont street, park in a garage blocks away and walk to the court house. And on top of all that OJ is on trial so I'm sure there is going to be a mess down there. Maybe I should put on my halloween costume and just fit right in. Look for me on the news channels!

icky tv

2008-09-09T09:51:00.000-07:00

Did anyone watch America's Next Top Model? I started to and then deleted it and went ahead and deleted it off of my dvr. Seriously talk about Sodem and Gomorrah!!! I hope the little girl from Alaska is strong enough to make it out of there in one piece. What is Tyra thinking? great role model for girls, my opinion of her plummeted to nothing. If you didn't catch it don't! It was seriously that bad.

what's wrong with your mom??

2008-08-27T09:59:00.000-07:00

This morning was Brennen's first day of seminary and he never got the call to let him know who his teacher will be. As we were speculating I threw out what if they ask me to be your teacher? He basically let me know I would be better than Chuck Norris, Chucky or the bride of Chucky, and Barney the purple dinosaur. Should I be offended?

summer dreams ripped at the seams (or back to school)

2008-08-27T09:14:00.000-07:00

Summer is over and I decided we needed to go out with a bang! So we took off Friday night and headed to Disneyland and didn't get home until 3 in the morning on Sunday. So when school started Monday morning we were not so prepared. We made it there on time but no pictures and I actually pulled up to the fence and before kicking him to the curb told Dillon there is no way I will find a parking spot and make it to the playground before the bell rang so I love you and have fun and if you can't find Sadie after school don't walk alone wait inside the fence. Yes, Dillon is soloing it at Elementary this year. Caden moved up to Junior High and they won't be together again until Dillon's freshman year when Caden is a senior!! WhAt!!! Brennen is a sophmore so Monday morning went smoothly for him. Caden and Dustin had each other so they were fine. And I came home and thought nice- alone at last, but kept hearing noises in the house all day.
Monday at 4:00 I ran to do some quick little inactive birthday visits ran into some drama and didn't get home until 9:00 that night. Of course when I got home I realized that Dillon hadn't done his homework so the 2nd day of school Dillon and Caden are doing homework during breakfast and we are headed out the door for school later than the day before. As I'm driving to school laying out the law like you guys need to get up, get ready, no laying on the floor crying, no waiting to finish homework during breakfast, nag, nag, nag. Dillon pipes in, well maybe if you weren't so rude we could leave sooner. Whatever Dillon, as I send him through the tardy door.
They did do better this morning they woke up on their own and we made it to school on time. YEAH!!! Still no pictures but we did have fun at Disneyland.

Dustin turned 14!!!

2008-08-19T20:01:00.000-07:00

It was Dustin's birthday on the 10th and true to form all his friends were out of town so we are still waiting on the bowling party. But that doesn't mean that we didn't celebrate in our own little way. Jake, Brennen and Caden were out of town so we invited Uncle Mike and Aunt Michelle and went out to dinner @ Outback. (Dustin's fav)

Why do you look forward to your 14th b-day? So you can get a dance card and go dance with the ladies. Dustin's doesn't currently have possession of a dance card but who needs it. He already went to two dances @ EFY. Thanks to Aunt Tauna I have pictures...

Dancing with a cutie and then dancing with his Aunt Tauna...(there were a lot of boys with crushes on Aunt Tauna but she only dances with a lucky few, right Tauna?)

He is such a good (and handsome) boy and I'm lucky to be his mom.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUSTIN!!!

utah and the class of 88 reunites (@ least the important people do)

2008-08-05T19:04:00.000-07:00

We had a great time in UTAH!!! I was gone for 2 1/2 weeks so we did a ton but I'm going to try to recap it with some picts.

We partied it up while in Utah.

We hit the "This is the Place" park...
We had 17 cousins there!? Don't ask me where the others were but we did leave with all 17.

Then the boys (yes they let Dustin go at the last minute) and their cousin Jessica from Indiana all attended EFY at USU. Uncey John was the session director and they loved having him and Aunt Tauna there. It made them very popular. As it turned out Dustin didn't have a roommate and his room was right next door to the 16 & 17 yr. olds and they kept telling him to make sure his counselor knew he was there. I left him more than a little nervous. As it turned out he was fine he even made it into the variety show. He put his leg behind his head and stood up!!! I know, I had no idea he had such a talent.

This was the crew when we dropped them off. Emily (in the pink) is only 12 ): she didn't get to go this year but we are thinking she will squeeze in under the deadline next year, Dustin did the squeeze this year. The dark kid is Brennen's friend Adam.

We hit Lagoon hard! Some went twice, a lucky few went three times and the efy'rs went once. And this is the only picture I have...

Sitting at grandma's waiting for a ride to Lagoon. These are the lucky few who went 3 times minus Mathew plus Richie.

We had a lot of fun and then everyone left and it was just me waiting for the big reunion. Although I freaked out a little when I found out the dress was business casual and went and bought a new outfit. As it turns out Cache Valley's interpretation of business casual is a little different then here in Vegas and I could have worn the outfit I brought. (I orginally was following Chel's advise with the wide leg jeans) but hey, I got a new outfit! I had a lot of fun seeing everyone and I loved that it was at Sky View because it brought back some good memories. I even found my locker from my senior year. I had to laugh because when it came right down to it I just sat and laughed with my friends. Missy, Robyn (with a y) and we saw Erica at the park earlier that day. I hope that doesn't mean we are stuck up? Just a little self centered, right?

Anyways this was us then....

(Robyn, Robin, Missy & Erica)

and this is us now...

(Robin, Missy, Erica & Robyn)

TWENTY YEARS LATER!!!!!

I've added some other picts just for fun.

senior day @ Lagoon

graduation night (I think we were a little tired)

gotta love the jackets!

Sorry Erica I looked everywhere and couldn't find the senior picture we had taken that I promised I would post. I'll keep looking.

new floors and a waxy kid

2008-07-16T10:10:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't posted in awhile and this is why...

It was a lot of work but I'm so happy to get rid of my white carpet. Jake still has the stairs to do and the baseboards but it looks so good. I'm so happy!!!

On a side note Caden's class wrote reports on a great American and today they had "Mr. Skinner's House of Wax"

Caden did his report on Brigham Young and he looked awesome...

He's such a good little missionary.

And I'm extra proud because I spent zippo on the whole costume. (the beard is a mop) And yes that's a duplicate of a first edition Book of Mormon he has in his hand. Don't you all agree? He looked awesome!!!

I'm going to be out of town for the next couple of weeks. Brennen has EFY at USU next week and the following sat. is my class reunion. I know, What the CRap! But apparently it has been 20 years. I'd appreciate any input on what to wear. I'll let you know how it goes. Who knows maybe I'll even post on the road?

how dill and I roll

2008-06-30T09:29:00.000-07:00

Last week Jake and the older boys were at scout camp so what did Dillon and I do?

Monday: Dillon had a choir concert. Uncey Bert was in town to watch and was impressed. (Dillon was posing not singing in this pict.)

Tuesday: pool party and pack meeting.

Wednesday: finished all homework and went miniture golfing.

Thursday: got home from school and headed to California baby!!! (with Michelle and Connor) arrived at Disneyland at 8:00 bought season passes and stayed till 11:00.

Friday: Disneyland all day long.

Saturday: hit the beach!!!

And that is how dill and I roll when the rest of the boys leave us.

Hopefully I'll post some picts of how the rest of the family spent the week.

analyze this

2008-06-17T18:36:00.000-07:00

While Jake's parents and sister were visiting his mom makes the comment, "happy anniversery last week, did you do anything fun?" I think my exact words were "what the?!" as I ran and checked the calender. Sure enough it was last weds and we both totally forgot. Not that it's not the first time we flaked it but definately the first time an outside source had to remind us.
So what did we do last wed? Well there was a baptism and Jake asked if we were going and I said why don't you and Brennen just go I don't feel too well. (The night before I worked at the temple and impressed the lady with my pickle wrapping ability so she pulled me off dishes and had me scoop and wrap icecream.) Anyways back to my story, so neither of us went to the baptism and we sat and vegged and I'm guessing watched a little So You Think You Can Dance.

Happy Anniversery Jake!!!

too much tv

2008-06-12T22:06:00.000-07:00

I wasn't feeling great today so I watched a lot of t.v. It got me thinking of why I'm finding it so hard to jump on the I love Obama band wagon even for a second. The media totally wants me on board but there is just something about him that I can't trust.
First off I've heard all the blah-blah-blah that Hillary supporters have spread around and I'm not one to believe all I hear. I don't believe he hates America or any of that other stuff. (He has been wearing that flag pin lately)
So I've decided that perhaps it's because I was raised a conservative and have a hard time trusting liberals. Maybe?
Could it be his Pastor? or old Pastor, I don't understand who would go to church to get yelled at.
Or could it be because the media keeps comparing him to JFK. I have not been a JFK fan since I was in grade school studying history and my mom made a comment on how she didn't like him. He had affair after affair even having his two little "secrataries" in the White House. Then he had his "doctor" prescribing him drugs so he could handle all the big decisions he had. But I decided that my opinion of him was bias, I like my leaders to have morals, so I pulled out my president book to read up. It basically said he was young and attractive and the people loved him and his cute little family. He did handle the Cuban Missile Crisis. I'll give him that. He created the Peace Corp. and he helped out with civil rights but I really don't think he deserves much credit it was Martin Luther King that gets the credit.
So what do I think of when I hear that Obama is our JFK. I think, I wonder if Scarlett Johansson will be singing Happy Birthday Mr President at the White House anytime soon?

I do need to add a disclaimer I'm not saying that I believe that Obama is anything like JFK I'm just trying to figure out why I don't trust him.
I do have to say that McCain is looking better and better everyday and out of the two liberals I will most likely vote McCain.

a little "ketchup"

2008-06-07T18:37:00.000-07:00

I just need to post because you all were harshing my mellow over that last post. So I decided it's time for a little catch up.

Caden's team did really good in the TOC. They didn't have to play the first night so their first game was on Sat. They won, barely. They had to wait out the others team"s "ace" pitcher but caught up and passed them in the last inning. In the semi-final game it was the same thing we were up against their "ace" pitcher but couldn't over take them. ): All in all they did awesome. But the best part was that the TOC tournament was before the regular one so baseball ended sooner. YEAH!

Brennen and Dustin are out of school and the party is on full force. I think I'm going to kick them outside next week and make them get a tan.

Dillon and Caden had their first piano recital with Aunt Michelle Thurs. (Dillon's first ever) They both totally rocked, in my humble opinion, I think they were pretty much the best.

Just wanted to add a little shout out to Steve, just in case he found my blog. (;

dead-beat

2008-06-03T21:48:00.000-07:00

So I get a phone call today, one of those unknown name unknown number calls. The man on the other end asks, "is Robin Marshall there?" This is her, I say. And then he introduces himself as Steve from the Washington State division of child support and lets it rip. Asking me why I haven't paid my child support for my seven year old son Nicholas. I was waiting for this call because he left me a message. I'm like dude you've got the wrong number and he insists No I don't! So I let him know that my youngest son is 8 and his name is Dillon. And he's like no his name is Nicholas and why haven't you paid your child support. So I'm starting to get a little upset I mean really this guy is calling me a liar. But the more I denied the more forcefull he got. So I took a deep breath and said, I'm not a liar what do I need to do to prove to you that I'm not the Robin Marshall your looking for? I've never lived in Washington, I have 4 boys, only been married once, I grew up in Utah ect. I could tell that a little bit of doubt was in his voice when he asked me for my address, he had the same address. He asked me my job, I told him I'm a mom and haven't worked since my oldest was born back when I was 22. I told him I went to college at Utah State in Elementary Ed. He's like ok, casually asking if the state of Nevada has contacted me yet, then asked my birthday which didn't match. So he's started to apoligize "if" he is wrong but he would need proof like my SSN. I agreed with him that it wasn't a good idea giving out that info over the phone so he gave me a fax number so I could fax him my drivers license. I took down the number and being pretty upset I just wanted to end this so I went upstairs to fax a copy of my proof. Only when I fax it off someone answers so I call the fax # to let Steve know he gave me the wrong number only it's not Steve. So since he called from unknown I have no way to call and get the right fax number. In the meantime my real kids are walking home from school when it's 97 degrees out because, for some reason, I didn't realize what time it was. They only made it to kids-r-kids but their faces were pretty red. Hey at least they have a mom, somewhere in Washington some little boy named Nicholas has some dead-beat mom who obviously doesn't want anything to do with him. I really feel sad for him and hope they find her but she is not me.

an "a" yeah!

2008-05-30T12:28:00.000-07:00

While making Brennen head to the "ditch"(panguitch) for memorial day he informed me that he had a science essay & project due when he got back to school. He wrote the essay and after getting home @ 9:30 monday night this is what I threw together. I know. I'ts pretty good, so good that he got an A and the teacher kept it. (check out the baby spotted owls in the tree) My first A in a Biology Honors class. Go Me!!! (got to give granny credit for harvesting the bark) Go Granny!!! And of course Brennen for writing the essay. Go Brennen!!! (even if he didn't use my great line about the spotted owls failure to adapt has lead to it being on the endangered list. Or Mike's that it is just good at hiding.)

in like a lion....out like a lamb?

2008-05-28T10:42:00.000-07:00

We have had a lot going on so I'm going to quickly recap the spring...

Dillon played football. He was the best ball hiker ever!!!

Caden played Little League. His team is headed to the TOC (tournament of champions) keep you posted on how it goes.

Dustin is still swimming. Got his first cell phone today!!!

Brennen gets in Nintendo Power again!!!!

Jake meets Lance Armstrong, Wolfgang Puck and listens to an inpromptu Stevie Wonder show all in less than 4 days.

...and me, well I'm what keeps this show rolling!!! (I am anxiously awaiting my new blackberry pearl (red) that should be arriving in 2-4 business days)

bitten

2008-05-19T11:22:00.000-07:00

Went to bed late only to be woken up in the night by dillon. Seems he has been bitten by a tummy virus. As I was heading up to survey the damages phase "2" hit, yep didn't make it to the toilet. So I got to shampoo carpets and now I'm going to have a nap.
Caden is heading on a field trip to the Grand Canyon in the morning hope he hasn't been bitten.

my luchadors

2008-05-13T09:44:00.001-07:00

Hope all you mom's had a happy mother's day.

Jake was making his way home from Mexico and got in town at about 6:30ish sunday night so my boys had to take control. Dillon was so excited he woke me up before 7:00 to say happy mother's day. I told him "how about you let mom sleep in on mother's day." He agreed and 30 min later he and Caden came back with a whole lot of homemade cards (one was from Caden the rest Dillons, the plain white piece of paper pops up m-o-m)

They made their own breakfast and got ready for church on their own. It wasn't till we pulled up in the church parking lot that I noticed Caden had forgot to comb his hair.

After church they made lunch (spaghetti) and Dustin decided to make some homemade peanut butter cookies. It was prettty funny as he was hunting down the granulated sugar (had no idea what it was) and the brown sugar (he was confused because the package said cane sugar) but he did it and they were delish!!!

When Jake finally did make it home he brought presents....
can I just say Nacho Libre!!!

This is what we call Sunday Night Smackdown!!!!

i'm back

2008-05-09T12:46:00.000-07:00

I'm back! We had a great time at Women's Conference. This was the second year with the sisters and the first with mom. We had so much fun.

Every year Shadow Mt. puts on a concert thurs night. Last year we skipped out on the service project. (because I wasn't feeling well, that's legit right?) Well this year we SERVED and yes we were mainly doing it for the good seats at the concert but got much more out of it. We quilted until our fingers were numb (not really). Then got to sit smack dab in the middle about 14 rows up. Yeah!!!!

This was our favorite group Eclipse. They totally rocked and we gave them a cell phone.

We also got to see Jenny Jordan Frogley, Micheal McLean, Kenneth Cope and Hillary Weeks (she's hillarious).

We stayed in the dorms and mom walked into our dorm and made me take a picture of the shoes I brought. (Yes we were only there for 2 days but... you never know) The yellow ones I bought in the BYU bookstore. Best shopping ever!!! They do squeak a little but not as bad as Nan's red ones. (however Nan's are really cute)

Loved the classes and we thought that the concert was totally worth the price of the whole conference until the final day.

I've met President Monson at one of my dad's mission conferences and always knew that he was a great man. However, I was not prepared for when he walked into the MC. I was in there with 17 thousand other women and when he walked in it fell silent and tears came to my eyes as the spirit testified that he is the living prophet.

It was awesome!

CAN'T WAIT FOR NEXT YEAR!!!!

i'm off

2008-04-29T21:16:00.000-07:00

I'm headed to Women's Conference tomorrow. Hope the boys survive without me :) Jake's mom is headed to help out for a couple of days so I'm sure they will be fine. If anyone happens to see Brennen making the long trek home from school with his 50 lb. backpack feel free to offer him a ride. I'll post our adventures when I get home!
I'll miss Jake's birthday on Sat :( but to get me back he'll be in Mexico fishing on mother's day. (It helps with the guilt)

a little "M.I.T."

2008-04-23T08:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday after I picked Brennen up from school we grabbed a late lunch and he told me this story. I'm so proud of him...
He said that in one of his classes they were divided up into groups and he was in a group with two of his friends. One of the boys says, "pretty funny we are sitting here a Jew, a Christian and a Mormon." So Brennen responded with, "That is pretty funny since Mormons are Christian." The boy (who is "the" Christian) said, "No your not." Brennen said "Yes I am". I'm sure this went back and forth a few times and then Brennen said, "Well what is a Christian then?" The boys response was, "Someone who believes Jesus lived and died for our sins so we could be saved." Brennen said "I believe that." The boy said "Well you have to believe in the bible." Brennen said, "We believe in the Bible." His response was, "No, not your bible the real bible." Brennen's like, "It's the same bible." Then the boy pulled a fast one and said, "You can't believe in the Book of Mormon." Brennen said that they finally agreed to agree to disagree. (I'm sure the Jewish boy was relieved)
Then later he was sitting with his friends at lunch and the boy walked by and jokingly said "Your wrong." And Brennen's like, "No your wrong." So his table was like what was that about. Brennen explained that the kid didn't think Mormons were Christians. His table that consisted of 3 or 4 Christians 2 Mormons and 1 Atheist got into the same little discussion. It ended with his good friend who is Christian saying, "One good thing about the Mormons is that they have to pay their tithing." Brennen's like "We don't have to pay our tithing. The bishop just calls us in at the end of the year and chews us out if we don't." (he's trying to keep the conversation light) Then the kid says, "And they are highly organized." Brennen responded with "Maybe a little too organized I'm teacher quorum president over myself because I'm the only teacher."

I was so proud of my little Brennen sticking up for himself like that. I told him that this is all part of his M.I.T. (missionary in training) I also pull that one out when we are having something for dinner that nobody likes. I also think it pretty cool that he is friends with "Christian", Jew, Atheist, whoever, something I missed out on by growing up in Utah, (not that that's bad, I'm not bashing Utah and I'm sure Utah is a little different now.) But.....
Go Brennen!

boys?!? part II

2008-04-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

My boys, well Caden and Dillon, keep asking when I'm going to do the funniest things they said. Although the two of them have tried to stage some funny stuff, which is pretty funny in itself, this is what I've come up with.

Brennen: (this one is only funny if you like to laugh at someone else's misfortune, which I do on occasion)
His Wii got tipped over while playing his new Smash Bros game and his disk got scratched. So since he has such a nice dad he got another game which also got scratched because the wii is malfunctioning. So he called nintendo and handed me the phone. The conversation went a lot like this... nintendo guy "what does the scratch look like" me "Bren, what does the scratch look like" brennen "dashes" me "dashes" nintendo guy "continual dashes" me "Bren, continual dashes" brennen "yeah"...anyways you get the picture. Who needs me I don't even speak their language and since I'm already running late to get Dustin to swimming I decide to hand the phone over to Brennen. So as I'm telling the guy that I'm just going to let him talk to my son he's like ok but how would you like to pay for the repairs. So I hand Brennen my Visa and head out the door. Brennen said he got a sweet discount because he has a my nintendo account. We'll see when the bill shows up. So Brennen has no wii for 11 business days. ( : Whatever will he do? homework!

Dustin: as we are out for dinner on a Saturday night.
Jake, "Dustin did you comb your hair today?" Dustin, "Nope." Jake, "I'm surprised your not still wearing your pajama's." Dustin, "Mom made me get dressed."
I count this as a blessing. If they don't care what they look like you know they aren't worried about girls. YEAH!!!

Caden: coming home from a baseball game.
"Mom, I won the game for our team! It was the last inning we were tied the bases were loaded we had two outs and I was up to bat and the pitcher hit me on the head!"

Dillon: As I pick him and Caden up from school and inform them that they are starting piano lessons (the first for Dillon) in ten minutes so hurry. "But mom, remember, I'm going to play the triangle."

"POP"

2008-04-10T18:43:00.000-07:00

My sil Michelle worked at Anthropologie for a season. It was great fun and I totally enjoyed it while it lasted. She let me in on a little secret that they tell their employees... that each outfit should have a "pop" piece, something that your eye is drawn too. So I've been trying it and wearing fun shoes or jewelry I've bought and never thought I had the right outfit that matched. Nan you might want to sit down for this but... apparently you don't have to match. It tons of fun although I do realize my wardrobe has to expand to have more fun. I will say I get more comments on my shoes when they pop out of my outfit. (and yes I do realize that not everyone is sincere, some respond from shock because they don't match) So try a little pop it's actually kinda fun to think about as your getting ready each day! If you need a little insight I'll include a web site that my friend gave me. Most Parisians have no pop but keep looking you'll find it. CLICK HERE

april fools

2008-04-01T19:49:00.000-07:00

As the boys minus Dustin, who was the only one who had to go to school today, were in the car driving I was reminded it was april fools day. So I had to think fast and this is what I came up with....
"Oh, I forgot to tell you guys that someone at work offered to take us all to Mexico for two week." no comment from the back but Brennen started in with we don't even speak spanish and that doesn't sound fun. To which I responded "Well we have to leave on Monday and dad needs to know right away so what do you think?"
Brennen response was "you know what I think, I think that it is a stupid idea I just can't miss two weeks of school, I'm in honors classes and I will totally flunk." (or something to that effect)
Thinking fast I said "I know but dad and I think that it's a once in a lifetime trip so it probably would be worth it even if you all had to repeat this school year."
This one perked up the ears in that back but they let Brennen do the talking. And talk he did with "you know what no, I'm not going" and a whole lot of other stuff he was getting pretty mad.
So I added, "I know Brennen but I'm having dad look into a foreign exchange program for you. I'm sure everything will work out."
His response was a lot of the same but with more force so I said, "April Fools" to which he responded "that was the lamest ever, I don't think your funny at all!"
"Of course you don't because you got played!!!" I said.

So am I a terribly mean mom or what?
And who wouldn't want to skip school for two weeks to play on the beaches of Mexico. Oh I know, the Marshall boys. You should have heard the fit they threw when I told them we were checking them out of school for 3 days to go to Disney Land a couple of years ago.

happy birthday to me!

2008-03-30T20:05:00.000-07:00

Since I don't seem to be on the Relief Society birthday calendar I need to shout out my birthday each year so here I go...
Today is my birthday... but I've been partying since Thurs.
My friends from church had a birthday luncheon for me and my sil Michelle. I hope everyone got the word and nobody reads this as news because I told them to invite everyone. (everyone wasn't there but I'm sure they had good excuses)

On Friday Michelle and I had a manicure/pedicure it was a lot of fun to get pampered and sit in the massage chairs while we gossiped. (we plan on making it a monthly event, we'll see)

Then we headed up to George to see my parents who are making their way home from their mission in D.C. It was great to see them and I'm so excited that they are home so I can see them more often, I hope! (that's my little niece Kaylee w/her tongue sticking out, such a cutey!)

Jake and the boys came in this morning as I was getting ready with a cute homemade card (boy style) and a present.
They bought me a new camera!!!
I know everyone else is getting fancy big camera's but I wanted a tiny one I could fit in my purse. I'm so excited. My hope is that since it fits in my purse I'll always have it and will take more picts. We'll see if my theory holds up.

Today at church all the primary kids sang to me, (and the other birthday kids.) Little Olivia was so excited for me. After I sat down she, who is 4, was saying, "Wobin, it's your birfday? Today? How old are you?" and to that I answer 29, again.

Let's just say that I wasn't alive when the first man walked on the moon but I do remember walking home from school singing Jimmy Carter is a farter! (very rude)

I have to shout out to Chaun who's b-day is tomorrow! Happy Birthday, are you 29 too?

spring break

2008-03-25T11:32:00.000-07:00

Can I just say Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Schmauderdale. You haven't seen anything until you've seen spring break in Vegas, mainly in my backyard. We had so much fun. I only pulled the camera out towards the end but my sil Michelle and my sis Nan have picts of what I missed.

We started out the week by taking 11 kids to the adventure dome at Circus Circus. It was their big Vegas Strip experience and I snuck them in the back roads so they don't believe us. But they had fun. The three 3 year olds road every ride and only cried when the mean man would try to get them off. That is until the frog hopper, that one was a little much for the twins but Connor loved it!!! The older kids just ran from ride to ride, that's who I was in charge of. It was more my speed put them on a ride go and get a diet coke then meet them when they got off. (I also had the baby) We pretty much rocked the park.

The rest of the week consisted of playing...swimming...shopping...and eating nachos!!!

Soakn' up some sun!

Chilln' in the house...

Playn' at the park in Bloomington....

Our newest little cousin Jake! Isn't he cute!!! I drove to St. George just to see him.

Then the party ended... :( Alicia said it best, and I quote, "I wish we could stay a little bit longer...like a week." Ditto to that!!!

The Easter Bunny did find us. He was being sneaky this year and left the baskets right by mom and dad's bed next to the empty candy bags stuffed into the target bags. That sneaky bunny, but Dillon found them first thing! I woke to the sound of footsteps hunting them down.

Dillon did go to church he just can't have his suit on for one second longer than necessary.

let the games begin

2008-03-15T16:03:00.000-07:00

It's spring and that means game on! Dillon is playing football, Caden is in little league, and Dustin is still swimming. It's workable unless all three have a game, practice or meet at the same time. Last week we had all three. Luckily Dillon has good friends on his team because dad had to leave at half time to get Caden to practice and I'm designated swim mom. I was hoping to post some pictures but I never have my camera. Maybe next time.

On another note we are currently on Spring Break!!! We are so excited because my sister Nan and her 6 kids are headed to Vegas-baby! Can you say party! Dillon's excitement is due to the fact that I bought a big can of nacho cheese and the biggest bag of chips Costco had. His plans involve eating nachos all week with Richie. Brennen, being one of the first in the pacific time zone to buy the new Smash Bro's game, plans on playing wii all week. If anyone has any other good ideas of what to do with 10 kids I'm open for suggestions. The (two) girls and I are already planning a shopping trip. P-A-R-T-Y!

it was only a matter of time

2008-03-06T09:46:00.000-08:00

When I went to drop Dustin off at school today he surprises me with "um...I forgot my shoes". So I had to play with him a little. I told him not to worry I would have dad drop them off. He's like "mom I am not going to school without my shoes!?" So I offered him my slippers. He relaxed when I made the corner and turned towards home. But he couldn't find them once we got home and I thought crap he left them at the pool, but they were in his swim bag. After all that I still got him there on time. He's so la-dee-da you can't help but love him!

life in the hood

2008-03-04T19:30:00.000-08:00

-k- last friday I pick Brennen up from school and he tells me that he called his friend, who goes to another high school, during lunch to see if he could get him in trouble. He was surprised when he answered the phone and said that he left half day because someone had posted something on myspace that they were taking a gun to school. Of course Brennen was bugged because nothing exciting ever happens at his school. Then I pick Dustin up at the junior high and there are at least 3 different police cars circling, not pulling anyone over. Then Dustin tells me that there was hardly anyone in his 6th period class because someone had heard that after they finished shooting at the high school they were heading over to the junior high. I was like nice, why didn't I know all of this was going on and good thing my boys have bullet proof iron in their blood. Turned out it was just some kids wanting a longer weekend. (You should have heard the teenage girl version I got on the way to swimming, one of her friend's boyfriend's sister's boyfriend's friend's cousin was one of the boys who was arrested, it was good stuff.) But then today after school I was talking to my friend who is a counselor at the junior high and I was like "what's going on?" And he told me that as he left school today he heard that they had just shutdown Liberty (the "exciting" high school) because of a threat of gun violence. What's a mom to do?!?!

On a lighter note I did get a little spring cleaning done last week. I cleaned out my pantry, then on to the hall closet (you should have seen the load I took to the salvation army) and last friday I cleaned out Brennen's closet (you should have seen the load I took out to the garbage! he is such a pack rat). Now onto the back yard!!! CHARGE!!!!

boys?!?

2008-02-23T19:39:00.000-08:00

My favorite sayings this week:

Brennen (as I drop him off at his friends at 3:00 fri.)
"I'm going to be here for awhile, so don't be knocking on the door at 7:00 to get me... You probably won't see me till tomorrow...I'm predicting a sleepover"
(it is now 8:50 on sat and I haven't seen him, don't worry he's with his orcha-dork friend Nathan and I'm sure they are having fun. Like talking Mario, Zelda and the new Smash Bros. game that's coming out all while singing the BYU fight song and talking trash about McCain)

Dustin
"It comes to 7 hundred and 75 dollars."
as he was filling out his next registration form for his upcoming swim meet while I was trying my hardest to get him to swimming on time. He took my $2.25 to mean $225.00. (when I was telling Jake the story I realized I was feeding him bad numbers and we owe another $5, not $500, thank goodness.)

Caden (answering my question of who's black underwear are these?)
"If they have Dustin's name in them they're mine. I know it's disturbing. (pause) I wear his socks too."

Dillon
I had to delete Dillon quote, oh it was a good one, but I'll add he's second best quote which was stated minutes ago.
"Mom if you paste that I'm not going to church tomorrow or ever or scouts. "
(since he's suppose to give a talk and I have to conduct I've deleted it, it was really funny though.)

a little glooming and dooming

2008-02-20T11:13:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on the last remaining candidates.

Hillary:
She looks like she's done but you can't count out the Clinton's. I am going to miss Bill though, he gave me some good laughs. Someone once compared him to an alcoholic uncle. Fun to have around and laugh at but you might want to lock him in the closet when company is over. Also seriously if Obama was to have an "accident", if you were to be honest, the Clintons would be first to cross your mind.

Huckabe:
He was only in it to make sure a Mormon didn't become president. Now that Mitt pulled out he is just staying in so it won't be painfully obvious.

McCain:
Has temper. Really old. Married to a grandma barbie doll. Totally ticked me off when he attacked Romney. But, the only candidate that will protect the country.

Obama:
Seems like a really nice guy if I was voting for class president he would totally get my vote. But, he opens his mouth about policy and totally scares the CRAP out of me.

So here I am and my options don't look good. I will be voting for McCain at the convention now :( but I predict Obama will win the big race. So I'm taking inventory on food storage, just redid our 72 hr. kits and saving for the rainy days to come.

revisiting the island of sodor

2008-02-15T16:23:00.000-08:00

-K- I just thought this was cute.
The other day Connor came over to play and the boys made him a little train track. Well, after he left the boys continued to play with the track for about three or four days. I even heard comments like, "don't ruin the track while we are at school." They had different little houses set up for their trains and I just vacuumed around it. It definitely took me back to when they were little. Brennen got his first Thomas train set on his 3rd Christmas (just before he turned 3). He was so excited when he came into the room that he stopped breathing. Santa brought Dustin a Sesame Street set and he wouldn't even look at it. He was 15 months old and had an opinion. Good thing Boompa had bought them each an extra train. Caden and Dillon would play with the track a little but it was definitely more lively play and I would put it up so the track didn't get broken. However, the train set hadn't seen a lot of action over the last couple of years and besides offers to buy and Jake asking "why?" I've kept it, it's quite an investment. Now Connor loves to come to the boys house and the first thing he says to me when he walks in the door is "trains".

hot off the press

2008-02-12T16:33:00.000-08:00

Brennen has been published! He has sent in about 5 different e-mails and finally got one of his letters to the editor published in Nintendo Power magazine. They made it the biggest one on the page! Oh in case your wondering his pseudonym is Henry Sanchez Gonzolas? Don't ask. But I promise it was him they sent him an e-mail to let him know he was in. He's been checking the mail everyday since and today it arrived. Yeah! His dream job would be to work for Nintendo Power testing out all the new games and rating them. He was wired for that job! GO BRENNEN!!! YOU ROCK!!!
Here is what the front cover of the magazine looks like just in case you want your own copy. I bet you can even get him to sign it!
p.s.
he was sure a bunch of 30 yr. old mom's wouldn't care. but i let him know that not all of us are 30 some of you are still in your 20's ; )

new pet?!?

2008-02-04T21:58:00.000-08:00

Caden is taking an enrichment after school class called Interesting Insects. When I picked him up from his first class he told me he got to eat a cricket. Sweet, I was thinking our 72 hr. kits might last a little longer if the boys will eat insects. Then today they sent him home with a new pet cockroach!?! He was so excited when he got in the car, he was like "mom look at my new pet Madagascar hissing cockroach". I was like what?! are you suppose to eat it? He's like "no it's a pet". I told him that it will be his pet until I step on it! He let me know that if the parents didn't want it, or were going to kill it, (he might have just added that last part) they needed to take it back to school tomorrow. I told him it could live in the garage till morning but apparently it won't survive because it's too cold. So somewhere in the house, hidden from mom, we have a new pet cockroach.
And this is what it looks like....

...........................................Gross!!!

On another note, I loved everyones response to the last post. However, the best had to be at church last Sunday when while in the hall during primary I hear a little voice say "Sis. Marshall I loved your dance." Then while we were waiting for closing exercises I had a lot of fans. One even chimed in with "I really don't think you can wear that dress to the dance". I was like "you all know that wasn't really me, right? it was just my head." I think they are all in the know and I'm more aware of who reads my blog. I'll have to add posts just for them every now and then.

get your groove on

2008-01-30T18:04:00.000-08:00

After a couple of lessons from Ryan and Megan, and a lot of practice, Jake and I are finally ready for our stakes Valentine Dance.
They won't know what hit them!!!

Don't send a lame Starring You! eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

Ok it was suppose to say
"Warm springs stake valentine dance here we come!! Groovy"

addicted

2008-01-29T09:45:00.000-08:00

OK here it is...
62%
Not sure if this is a bad thing or a good thing, but I am sure that it is a FUN thing! Come on Nan time to join the party!!!

Just a quick little catch up of what has been going on. Last weekend me and a some friends and a bunch of other ladies were in St. George for Srapfest 2008. That's right it is a national event. If anyone wants to join me next year I would love it. We stay at the Holiday Inn and scrap in the convention room. Most were scraping Big Time a few of us were just slap-n-scrapping. It is a lot of fun! Sarah you are awesome to set this up. I've decided that my boys each need one book of their childhood. So they each get one layout for each year until they are 19. I have the pages done now I just need to add pictures and journaling and ribbon and all the other stuff that makes the pages cute. I've decided that this may be a 5 yr. project, that's just for the layouts can't add the pictures until I take them. Then I headed home early for church on Sunday and our wards Great to be 8 fireside. It was so fun to watch how excited these little 7 yr. olds are. Then I got up and cried, nice huh. After that I just had to rest and I'm still resting. Scraping can take a lot out of you, or maybe it is just hanging with the girls for a weekend. Fun but exhausting and I can't wait until Scrapfest 2009!!!

Baby Mckay

2008-01-21T11:22:00.000-08:00

My sister in law wrote a little blog about my nephew Mckay. Since a lot of you are asking me how he is doing I decided to add a link. Grab some tissues.

The Roe Family Adventures

my caucus

2008-01-19T20:06:00.000-08:00

Voted in our caucus today. Had a great time, most of the people in the room were ward members. The precinct went for Romney and I got voted in to be one of the delegates. Yeah!!!! It was fun but kinda like voting in Utah. Actually the democratic caucus sounded a little bit more exciting. Our only excitement was when the Huckabee supporter got up with her bible and told us that Jesus was for Huckabee so all Christians should vote likewise. Uncomfortable...I wanted to say something but being a good Christian I didn't. You could tell that it was heart felt and she really meant it. But seriously if Huckabee is to win I couldn't vote for him. (that's why I'm for Obama on the other side) Who wants someone in the White House who hates your religion? Sad that Hillary won but loved all the drama going on on the democrat side and not just because I'm republican. It was good stuff!!! Bill was accusing Obama supporters of not allow Hillary voters to vote and everything. I decided it's not as fun for them when the unions aren't on their sides. As a republican you have to deal with the unions tactics every election, they are a major pain in the rear. I have to say I love the elections and love to be a part of it.

YEAH MITT!!!!

Tag, I'm It!!

2008-01-15T09:37:00.000-08:00

I tag Brynnley (I can't find your site, found it), my way cute sil Tauna, and my spazticly awesome cousin Christy.

What's his name? Jake

How long have you been together? 17 yrs.

(does that make me sound old?)

How long did you date? 8 months

How old is he? 35

Who eats more? Jake!!!

Who said I love you first? I'm pretty sure it was Jake.

Who is taller? Jake, but barely. The whole hair thing throws it off. (I can't get too poofy, guess that means we better not be moving to Utah (;

Who is smarter? I will have to say Jake if you count being smarter in the traditional way. However, I've always considered myself pretty smart in an out of the box kind of way. If we were to take an IQ test he would win hands down.

Who does laundry? I do. Jake is not above it and does do a load here and there. Kids put away their own cloths though, or they are suppose to. I think they all have laundry baskets full of clean cloths from last sat. OK I'll be honest so do I.

Who does the dishes? I do. Jake will always help if he's around and does do his fair share.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? That would be me due to Jake has a bad shoulder and can only sleep on the left.

Who pays the bills? That would be me again Jake has never and I'm sure will never take over this job. I've tried to talk him into it but ignorance is bliss. Not even sure he even checks our bank account.

Who mows the lawn? Jake or one of the boys, mostly Caden.

Who cooks dinner? It all depends on what we eat and how I'm feeling. I usually cook but Jake comes through more than I would like to admit. Not even sure who is better we both have our specialties.

Who drives when you are together? Jake, it's his personality, sometimes I sneak in behind the wheel. But honestly I like chillin' in the passenger seat.

Who is more stubborn? That would be me.

Who kissed who first? Jake? I think it was a mutual thing.

Who asked out who first? Jake

Who proposed? Jake, in the park right after we picked out the ring.

Who has more siblings? most definitely me. I have him by 7 brothers. We both have 2 sisters.

Who wears the pants in the family? I say Jake. I'm sure he would say me.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-06T21:02:00.000-08:00

Well I survived Christmas! All I was thinking all week is who's bright idea was it to have the New Year right after Christmas? Whoever it was wasn't primary president at the time. However I survived church today too! yeah!!!

A little recap of our Christmas adventures.
A week before Christmas we find out that my little nephew, Mckay, was in the hospital because of a grand-maul seizure which lasted 45 min. I think he slept for at least 3 days before he woke up and they let him go home. We love you Mckay!
Then the Wednesday before Christmas Jake got a phone call that his uncle had died. We went to the funeral that Sat. These two experiences really put the season in perspective and it was humbling to see the true reason for Christmas and observe the Atonement in action and realize how much our Heavenly Father loves each one of us and is looking out for us.

On a lighter note "Yes" Santa came through once again and made it to the Marshall house we had a sword (legend of Zelda), a guitar hero, a Steve Smith Jersey, camcorder, ds lite (red & black) and Dallas Cowboy stuff awaiting when we woke up.
I know I'm horrible but I didn't get a picture of the younger two. Jake got them on the camcorder though. Then after Christmas we headed up to Utah for a little snow fun!! It was COLD!!! We were suppose to go skiing but temps of 4 degrees were scaring me a little. Alas, Brennen came to the rescue with a broken arm and skiing was off. His last words as he headed out the door was. "I'm going to rub some little kids faces in the snow." (jokingly) They were having a snowball fight and he went to jump out of the tree house and got his feet caught in the ladder. He suffered a buckle fracture on his wrist and should be all healed in 3 more weeks. We took him to the clinic and walked out in less than an hour cast and all. You've got to love Utah!! When the lady asked me his birthday I said today! And the doctor said well you can't say I never gave you anything for your birthday.
Happy 15th Birthday Brennen!!!
We did make it home in time for Brennen to head to the New Year's Eve dance and for me to fall asleep on the couch only to be woken up by Jake with minutes to spare. Luckily they play it all over again so I watched Dick's Rockin' New Years Eve till the wee hours in the morning! All while Brennen again managed another dance without having to dance with a girl (I think he means slow dance but who knows).
And that about raps it up. For all you who took the time to read this WHOLE thing. SWEET and I'll treat you with my Christmas picts of my decorating which I never posted.

Here are my boy's elves. We bought Brennen's when he was one and we were visiting Aunt Sandee back in D.C. It's guarded our star every Christmas since. The rest I got at Marshalls. (I love that store)

And this is my house minus one little tree upstairs for the boys. And yeah it's all down now!!!!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

2007-12-21T09:05:00.001-08:00

For the last couple of years we have had a little "concert/recital" at our house. It use to be a chance for our boys to show of their skills to unexpecting guests. Now, since Michelle started teaching piano, we get to hear from her students. This year we got to hear Dustin play Allstar on his guitar (this was self taught). We were treated to all the verses and just when we thought it was over his eyes darted back to the front page. It was awesome!!! Caden tickled the ivory's with a few of his favorite Christmas songs. Then some of the guests surprised us with some outstanding piano playing. We probably should have warned them that we only invite kids that we can outshine, so there might be some openings next year. Dillon decided against running upstairs and giving us a drum solo this year and Brennen has turned in his french horn. Then at the end of the evening Santa stopped by. I'm sure he heard the music and couldn't resist. It was a lot of fun. The highlight of the evening was little Connor with Santa Clause. (mike and michelle's oldest) He was so cute. He kept giving Santa hugs and telling him he wanted whatever the other kids asked for. Now we get to anxiously await Santa's big arrival in just THREE MORE DAYS. As the chipmunks say "hurry Christmas hurry fast, we've been good but it won't last!"

this ain't my 1st rodeo

2007-12-12T09:02:00.000-08:00

Jake and I went to the NFR monday night. It was a good time and I broke out the red boots for the occasion. I don't think they have been out of the closet for years but the dust just added to the atmosphere. I have to say that when I get to go to the rodeo it makes me a little home-sick for the "ditch" (Panguitch). These red boots have seen a lot of rodeo and dances afterwards. When we would go to the rodeo out at bryce canyon my sister and cousins use to take the cadillac and pull it right down to the fence with the all the trucks. The cowboys laughed but it always managed to climb back out. (hope grandma doesn't mind) Then there was the 24th of July, the rodeo would go on for 4 or 5 days and they had dances every night. Now those were good times.
The best thing about the red boots is that grandma has a pair just like them!

I could go on forever with the memories so I'll stop.

(Nan the boots fit fine, even though you stuck you big foot in them to wear to the Chris Ladoux (sp?) concert)

"tis the season"

2007-12-08T14:18:00.000-08:00

Last night we had our ward Christmas party. We had a great time and came home and chilled on the couch. Then this morning Caden comes into the bedroom and tells us that he threw up 3 times last night. Jake jumped right up and I heard the shampooer going so I stayed in my nice warm bed. (shampooing is a one man job, right?) Anyways, it turns out that he threw up once, came in and we were sleeping so peacefully (or I was he claims Jake was snoring) that he decided not to disturb us. Then he continued to throw up twice more. I can't believe we, or Jake, didn't wake up. So I went over the rules with the boys like it's easier to wash bedding then to shampoo carpet and pillows are disposable. Now the rest of us are anxiously awaiting our turn. But I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that it was salmonella or botulism and he was the only one that partook. If not at least we will all be a little skinnier come Christmas! HO HO HO

Broke out my Kenny & Dolly Christmas CD today. Now it's really looking (or sounding) a lot like Christmas.

"a little work done?"

2007-12-07T16:17:00.000-08:00

Michelle and I thought that the family website needed a little spice so we spiced it up. I thought it was hilarious so.... I've decided to share.

Robin's Procedure

Michelle Roe - Dec 5, 2007

The last 4 days I've been pretty tired, cause I've had the Marshall boys. Robin didn't want anybody to know but I'm sick of this. For an early christmas present she got a little work done. She looks fabulous. With her upper area bigger it totally made her lower half of her body look that much smaller. (even though she's already tiny) She said the pain was almost unbearable but only lasted about 3 days. I think she looks fantastic. And when I'm done having kids I think I might get an enhancement also. Way to go Robin you look great!

Read what others had to say:
(my sister responded first only after calling me to let me know Michelle was a snitch. She thought I might want to make Michelle remove it before mom and dad saw.)

Nan Roe - Dec 5, 2007

What??? Way to do it before Mom & Dad get home! I didn't think Robin was so vain! She gave me crap for getting my eye brows done and called me vain!

(I realized that everyone had viewed but no replies so ...)

Robin Roe - Dec 5, 2007

Way to go Michelle!!! When you have a secret you can bet it will be safe with her!

j/k michelle and i just thought this site was needing some spice. it was getting pretty dull. but thanks for the call nan i can't believe you fell for it. i've always said it's not that i'm not vain, it's just that i have a problem with "elective-surgery". there is no way i would elect to have surgery and my vanity is wearing off the older i get. lol! michelle i was laughing so hard when i read this good job.

Nan Roe - Dec 6, 2007

Ahh, Robin, you gave in too soon before we saw everyone's reaction. Were you getting worried about your reputation?

Michelle Roe - Dec 6, 2007

i don't think people thought it was as funny as robin and i did. i'll have to work on my lying skills.

Megan Roe - Dec 6, 2007 (sister-in-law)

Umm. Your lying skills are perfect. I totally believed it and called Ryan right away. I just didn't know what to say on the Web site. Congratulations Robin?
I just couldn't believe that Michelle would out Robin on the family Web site.
Hilarious, girls. You definitely fooled me.

Tauna Roe - Dec 6, 2007 (sister-in-law)

ditto what megan said! Thats exactly what I did..... I called john and said "okay....are you ready for this..... and then I read it to him. John was mostly concerned about you michelle..... telling a secret on the family web site. but then I thought that maybe that was a planned thing cuz, how was robin going to let us know what she just went through..... she's not just going to get on the site and say "hey family... guess what I just did!" So I thought that this was a good way to let us all in on what was going on in her life.
wow.... that's what I call some spice'n up the web site!! so funny!

Nan Roe - Dec 6, 2007 (sister)

oh my heck Michelle. I laughed and laughed my head off once I knew it wasn't real. You and Megan should go in together to write a book. I just don't think anyone has been on yet.

Jim Roe - Dec 7, 2007 (sister-in-law)

I still think it could be real. Robin next time i see you I will sure be looking(better not wear a tight shirt) -- kara

Judi Roe - Dec 7, 2007 (mom)

I fell for it. This is great and it did spice up the web site. You all are so great.

Yeh...the boys stayed out of this one but it was a good laugh. Can't believe my dad didn't respond? (sarcasm) And yes I did get my Christmas up. I'll post picts as soon as I take them.

fa la la la la... la la la la

2007-12-04T22:00:00.000-08:00

Well I've been decking my halls for the last two days and I want to be done. But I'm still in a mess and only almost done. Maybe some Christmas elves will come in the night and help me out.

Anyways, we've been pretty busy here at the Marshall house. Dillon has been in the soccer tournament and we think that they had a chance to take it but...they had to move the final games to Sunday, due to rain, and we forfeited. Let's hear it for the Shooters!!!!

Dustin had a swim meet on Saturday. It was outdoors and COLD!!! Dustin said that he couldn't feel his feet when he was on the starter block and when he hit the water they were burning. He still managed to shave a second or two off of all his times. 6 seconds off of his 100 free. He got 4 fourth place ribbons!!!

Caden and Jake headed to Kanab to go on a hike with Jake's family. They had a lot of fun and the pictures are great. The hike they went on was called "the wave" I guess they had to draw out on it. Which means that not just anyone can go on it at anytime. Don't have the picts on my computer to post. Sorry ):

I topped it all off with two way fun Christmas party's and a poorly planned primary activity (the kids had a lot of fun, I got a headache).

And because of all of this I am still decking my halls.
Fa la la la la la la la la!!!!

gooble,gooble.....charge!

2007-11-27T21:48:00.000-08:00

Did anyone else think it would be a great idea to get up at 5:30 last Friday morning and go shopping? Jake and I did, only we had two hurdles to jump. 1-we were in Utah (St. George) so 5:30 was really 4:30. 2- we were too late because those who got the great deals had been up since 2:30 if they slept at all. It was crazy, we walked into Target and walked right back out. Nothing was cheap enough to endure that mayhem!!! Luckily Michelle had stayed in Vegas so she was able to get one item for us. (thanks Michelle) Then we hit two more stores, mainly to see if I could find my cousin Suz. I did, she and Tony got a screaming deal in Staples. We then went to breakfast it was only a little after 7:00 (I think). I did make it to Tai Pan, didn't get any screaming deals but got some way cute Christmas stuff and a free platter for being there before 8:30. That and the dollar off prize I won at Old Navy made it worth it. NOT!

Jake was in awe at the Utah hair in Tai Pan. He decided that they have two main hairstyles, short w/birds nest in back or poofy on top then straight down. I just laughed but he was serious and he says they run in packs. Hey, I just have to give him a big shout out for actually staying in the store with me for 1 1/2 hours. He's awesome!!!

fish tales

2007-11-20T21:22:00.000-08:00

last week-end the boys and i were on our own since jake went to new mexico to do a little fishing. this is a pict of his big catch. yes, that is a real fish no fancy editing. the guide told him it was the biggest catch of the season. he had a lot of fun and i'm sure will be planning a repeat trip. he was gone thurs to sunday and we all missed him. however, as we were getting into the car after church dustin asked "where's dad?" i was like, seriously you've just noticed dad's gone. he said he was just wondering "where" he had gone but i noticed he had brought jake's scripture's. he's really good at grabbing scripture's if one of us forgets. i'm not saying that he doesn't love his dad it's just that he has a one track mind when it's the weekend and if video games aren't involved he might not notice. jake and i had a good laugh.

...lean your ear this way

2007-11-16T20:16:00.000-08:00

i'm not sure what i'm doing or why, for that matter, but here i am! i would like to give a big shout out to my friend chris and her foto skills. i'm anxiously awaiting to view my photo shoot. i've added the preview picts she e-mailed me (hope that's ok). as you can tell she is very talented and i highly recommended her. but enough of the introductions let's get down to the nitty-gritty.

ho! ho! ho! i know it's not even thanksgiving yet, and i'm the last person to try to rush Christmas but i have a story. i asked my boys what they want santa to bring. dustin, of course, has no idea nor will he anytime before Christmas which makes it fun because i get to pick what he doesn't even know he wanted. caden wants a cam-corder so he can make movies, doable. brennen wants surround sound in his bedroom. what!? and dillon, my 8 yr old, wants a red and black laptop, not a toy but a real one so he can do his homework on it and play his games anytime he wants. what have i created?