LANDIN CLAN

The Cruise

2012-01-22T23:13:00.000-08:00

Get ready for an onslaught of photos! Here's the last bit of exciting news (it's true we're all over that by now) I'm a little late in getting this posted, say 6 weeks late. After Thanksgiving Jared and I went on a cruise!

Really we did- no kids- and we went with a group of friends- so so so so much fun!

Jared booked this cruise before Katie was even born and I told him then that she would only be 7 months old and I'm not leaving her! In the end we found out we wouldn't be allowed to go on any excursions with a baby so we opted to leave her with Jesse and Kathleen. My mom stayed with the rest of the kids. (THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU)

I never thought I would be "that mom", you know the emotional one that can't handle leaving the kids... Yes, I was that mom. I was an absolute wreck the days leading up to the trip. It didn't help my nerves when Katie got sick and feverish 2 days prior to the trip, or when I found out "Occupy" protesters were camped next to my kids' school (don't worry the city made them leave shortly after).

In the end I got on the plane, the kids had a blast - all of them- and so did we!!

I was taking pictures of Katie just before leaving as if I'd never see her again. Not kidding, I was a MESS!

Onto

THE CRUISE!!!

I had no idea how much we needed a vacation until we were there. It was awesome! We played, we laughed, we danced, we sang, went swimming, I read 2 books in a week (aaack!! I never get to do that!!!), we took naps, we ate, ate, and ate some more, I did my hair more than once in a week, we saw so many amazing things, got real sun burnt, and loved every minute of it!

It was really nice not having to prepare or plan much at all for the trip. You just get on the boat and have fun. Usually when we travel we're visiting family, or camping, going to hostels, the good old fashioned "broke" methods of travel which take a lot more planning and effort. Broke or not, the budget goes farther and you often get the best stories from those trips! This time we were so spoiled and it was very nice. I can't say I'll become a regular "cruiser" though.

1. I would be so so fat.

2. the time at each port is so limited and we couldn't explore as much as we would have liked to

Additionally, after having gone myself, I don't recommend bringing kids on a cruise. Other than that it was a riot and it was the perfect trip for us here and now.

We left Miami Port and had 2 1/2 days out at sea (we had to skip the port at Grand Cayman because it was stormy and the swells were too big to tender in.)

There's Jared holding his "sippy cup". Ya, Matt treated him to a drink card - all the food is included in your ticket but soft drinks are extra and they are not cheap so for a fee you can get a drink card that allows you unlimited soft drinks. Jared doesn't drink water unless he is literally dying of thirst and there's no other option. In the first half day we counted oh, 19 refills!!!! And no one ever saw him go to the bathroom? What's that all about?? Wherever he went on the boat he had his special cup.

First stop - Mahogany Bay - the island of Roatan, Honduras

Zip lining and beautiful beaches!! Zip lining was rad, tubular, sooo cool! (unlike this writer) I can't remember how many platforms there were, 13, 19, there were a lot.

ZIIIIIIP- BREEEAK- unhook-hook-ZIIIIIIIP!!!!

Speeding through the treetops with a view of blue oceans and exotic forests makes for a pretty exciting day!

Matt and Jared - Debbie and I kept joking that we weren't sure if they came with their wives or each other...

The beach... I love the beach...

Matt and Debbie dancing on the beach - are they not the cutest couple?? 19 years, 6 kids later, still so in love. They are the funnest people I know.

This is Nick and Jessica - they're kind of like our couple double - except that Jess is taller, thinner, younger, blonder, braver, prettier... I'm OK with that. They were a blast to have on the trip.

There. Now you've seen a picture of me in my bathing suit. Tell your friends.

Next stop:

BELIZE

This was hands down my favorite part of the trip.

Belize City is a real place, not a just a tourist location for giant cruise ships. We arranged for a trip to see Lamanite ruins - more familiarly known as Mayan ruins.

It was an hour bus ride from the port, and another 1 hour speed boat ride - and I mean SPEED boat ride- to the site.

People:

I WAS IN THE RAIN FOREST!!!

CLIMBING LAMANITE RUINS!!!

AND I GOT BIT BY MOSQUITOS THERE -

AND I DIDN'T DIE!!!!!!

We saw so many incredible things in the rain forest. Exotic wild fruit, tree cactus, plant life I've never before seen, rubber from a tree that was used to make bouncy balls - just form the rubber-it's bouncy, another plant that secretes a glue like substance, we saw wild monkeys in the trees, HUGE dragonflies, a big white crane, a shy crocodile - most of us didn't spot him in time- fascinating birds, it was an experience of a lifetime.

This is an Amish settlement that we passed along the river. Apparently they settled there in Belize about 60 years ago and now because they are so industrious and have built such a strong infrastructure in their communities they are very wealthy among the Belizians. I don't think they let it go to their heads though.

One very interesting thing our guide told us was that the name "Lamanai" has remained through the years. If you don't already know, that's very significant to Book of Mormon history, for more details, see The Book of Mormon. But you really shouldn't read it, because then you'll want to be a mormon and church is like 3 hours long. Don't say I din't warn you.

Climbing the tower - you could see out over the whole lagoon from the top. The "stairs"- a word I use very loosely - were super steep!

There's a shot of all of us -

left to right it's Jared, Matt, Jim, Tianna, Jessica, Nick, me, and Debbie.

*And right here*

is where I forgot to upload the picture of the wild monkey in the tree. Maybe I'll get around to that later. Too bad...

The Jaguar

Last stop:

COZUMEL, MEXICO

We spent a relaxing day in Cozumel. If you're a diver, apparently there is a world class reef there and it is the place to go. Jessica and Nick did just that. I on the other hand absolutely love water but I'm a little afraid of diving so we were not a part of that. I would have liked snorkeling though, which is what Jim and Tianna did that day.

Matt, Debbie, Jared, and I shared a dune buggy and took our own tour of the beaches.

Years from now (or days...) when I am finally diagnosed with skin cancer I will refer back to this day at Cozumel and know that this day was a contributing factor. I swear I put sunblock on three times...

nice sink hole

You know you're in Mexico when there's a dirty dog sleeping next to your table...

That salsa was soooo yummy, and incidentally, so authentic...

And that's all folks, really, I tried to be choosey about the pictures and not post too many but I didn't manage to condense it any further than this. 7 days and nights just Jared and me in the Carribean= pure awesome. Good times, good times.

23 Lay Cold and Dead

2012-01-11T20:37:00.000-08:00

23 lay cold and dead.

This almost deserves an awful gruesome poem -

note* please read with giant coffee cup in hand*

Upon the cold unfriendly slate

no air nor water shalt thou insufflate

gills of lead

now purposed only for consumption

flowing under scales breeding worms of corruption

inky paper extremities,

at last traverse the atramentous way

among companions

twas folly to have trusted

thy bitter wintertide has left thee desolate

(bongos, snaps***)

OK, OK, no more no more!

Jared took this shot with his iPhone after fishing them out (pun intended). Last year we only lost a couple of fish in our back yard pond. Jared keeps a heater in through the winter so the water doesn't freeze through. The kids tried to help their friends by breaking up the ice for them. Sadly, this is what killed them. Instinct tells them the temperatures are warming and they come up to the surface for warmth only to die a bitter cold frozen death. How sad...

Goodbye fair ones.

You are however infinitely replaceable at the pet shop.

Christmas pictures 2012

2012-01-01T20:39:00.000-08:00

Christmas was lovely and quiet this year. I like to have Christmas at home at least half the time. It's nice that we live near enough to my parents and Uncle these days that we can have Christmas at home and still see family. Our day was filled with the magical excitement that comes with kids at Christmas, reverent moments of love and gratitude, delicious goodies, thoughtful gifts, and even nerf wars.

My mom made these stockings for Dominic and Adam. I have to agree with my dad in his sentiments that they are works of art! She cuts every little figure out by hand and embellishes them bit by bit. She made one for Tyler years ago and now she's working on the rest of the grandchildren (she's up to 9 now). She likes to wait until they're old enough to pick things out to fit their personality. She's so wonderful. Grandma extraordinaire.

I have to tell about Soli's new kitchen. The kids always want to get each other gifts, which is sweet but I don't have the energy, nor the financial inclination to help each of them get gifts for every one else in the family so they usually pick out old toys, wrap them, and give them to each other. I just smile and turn a blind eye to the roll of wrapping paper they use up because I think it's sweet. This year I suggested that they make something for each other. Quite characteristically, Tyler decided to think big and wanted to build a kitchen for his sister. My answer was, "ask your father..."

So the boys, Dad and Tyler, spent some time out in the garage coming up with a kitchen. Jared had an old cabinet as well as a small sink he had pulled out of some one's house and held onto. They put together a little kitchen and Tyler was so proud. I tried to talk him into painting it telling him that girls really like things to be pretty. He said, "Nah, I'm done, you can paint it with her." How do you like that? What if he had actually gotten to build it from scratch like he wanted? At any rate, I think it's cute and Soli loves it. She's already broken a dish trying to wash dishes in her sink. We cook together in the kitchen now. We'll work on painting it together soon.

And Santa brought Soli her Minnie Mouse!

Katie managed to get her hands on some candy. She loves to crawl and Christmas Day is a good day for finding left overs on the floor from big brother's and sisters.

Since Christmas fell on a Sunday this year we got to go to church in the afternoon for a nice musical Sacrament meeting. Soli wore the new dress Grandpa Ray sent her. Nice one, he found something that both Mom and Soli like!

Among the wreckage - it's raining nerf darts!

Crawling faster and faster every day!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I wrote a New Year's post on our founders blog - it took me three days to post it! Good grief! Little by little we are working our family's computer issues out. I'm happy to say I was able to post these Christmas pictures with no issues. Thank goodness!

Alex Boye sings "I Want Jesus to Walk With Me."

2011-12-21T23:44:00.000-08:00

In case I didn't get you anything for Christmas, (quite likely) let this be my gift to you. This is Alex Boye. I saw this performance on GBTV and immediately recognized this guy from Soli's favorite video of I Am a Child of God. Something about him reminds me of my brother in law DeWayne (more so on other videos we've seen of him) Even the kids think so!

This isn't the kind of music I'm typically attracted to, but Alex Boye is amazing! This song just wrenched my heart. You can't just hear it, you have to watch him sing it! This video comes from GBTV and it begins with a very emotional introduction from Glenn Beck. You know I love him and I know it's a big joke that he cries all the time, it's worth seeing it through to Alex's song.

Thanks to Alex Boye: a rare and incredible talent!

More exciting news

2011-12-21T23:33:00.000-08:00

GUESS WHAT?!

I HAVE AN IMAC!!!!

HA, HA,HAHAHA! I feel strangely powerful.

Normally I am not a fan of opening Christmas presents early, but not this time!!! Especially considering I have a few things to figure out... And technically speaking a new computer was my birthday present but the laptop didn't pan out so this is the "do-over"

I know you've been waiting for more exciting news, so here it is: after Christmas, I am homeschooling my kids!

Aaaaaah!

Noooo!

We're gonna be freaks!!!!

Yup, yup, it's true. Our kids won't get "socialized". Be afraid for them. As home schoolers we will apparently be required by some law of nature to become hermits and start eating our own young. I'm sure that happens when people work from home as well. It goes without saying.

Why?

Well, there are many reasons. In short, I want something for my kids that public school and possibly even private school can't offer them. My initial motivation was that I was tired of the constant stressful runaround. Regardless of my efforts to simplify and get organized our life still felt so chaotic, under pressure, overextended, etc... When the kids are home and we're not running around, even if we have a lot to get done, our life is better. There is an art to staying at home. We are all calmer, more patient, I find time to teach the kids, to clean the house, to cook better meals, even work on projects, and the babies are even healthier because they get to sleep. During the school year the simple act of having to get out of the door to take kids to school and pick them up several times a day dominoes into the exact opposite affect on our household. I have felt like a slave to our schedule.

The second great motivation is the freedom to choose our own curriculum! Our kids go to one of the best elementary schools in the district, and though our district is not the best in the state our close neighboring district is the best in the state and I do think there's some measuring up that goes on there. But the best is not enough. Our kids have great teachers, all of them, we've never had a bad one. Truly, GREAT teachers, but they have no control over the curriculum in their own classrooms. I don't think that's good enough. It seems a shame to pull them away from great teachers and I assure you, I don't think this is the "easy" option, but the deficiencies and strain on our family is not worth it to continue, at least for now. We are spitting ourselves out of the system.

We're partnering with a school, Columbia Virtual Academy, which I'm excited about because they are very supportive of parents. I have a great deal of freedom to choose curriculum and do all of the teaching and we receive funding for materials, athletics, and arts classes. The school gets about $10,000/year/student. It doesn't seem as though Dominic has had a $30,000 education, or that Tyler (including preschool at the base in Germany) has had a $70,000 education! It seems that I'll be able to offer all three boys more with $3,000 of funding for the year for all of them.

There you have it, we're doing it, induct us into the freak family hall of fame.

And just for kicks and giggles, check out this video of "The Homeschool Blues" by Tim Hawkins - he may be my new favorite comedian.

The Latest News

2011-12-08T14:16:00.001-08:00

Woa! No posts for almost a month! I have so many exciting things to tell about! Really, many exciting things, do I tell them all at once, or string you along for a bit?

It's unanimous, I've just asked myself and we've decided to string you a long. Mostly because I only have time for one. My wonderful laptop was mercifully returned to the store because it was rendered unusable within a few months time so I'm back to using Jared's office computer (a computer whose days are also numbered...). Just imagine going out to the garage every time you need to use the computer, that's about how convenient this is. Not to mention the temporary disuse of digital photography. (What will I do??) Perhaps Santa Clause will be bringing me a Mac for Christmas. Maybe he'll even make an early delivery... I can't even post anything because of the strange virus this computer has. I can write and save pots but I can't post anything. The "publish post" button will have been pushed from an alternate source. Tough to be a blogger with an broken post button.

Here goes, the first bit of exciting news:
I am the proud mother of a new blog!!
A few friends and I have gotten together to start
Hearts of the Founders
a resource and inspiration blog to aid in raising the next great generation of Americans! Yes, that needs an exclamation point because I can hardly contain my excitement about this! It's about history, traditions, teaching, it's about challenging our selves and our kids. It's a place to find little gems for you and your family to be stronger, closer, better. To shed the insignificant and build up the significant. Our premise is to look to the founding fathers- their knowledge and their examples and find ways to apply those lessens in practical, relevant, and interesting terms to our kids.

I absolutely LOVE these women that I'm working with on this project! I am joined by Kim, Rebecca, Beth, Annika, and Kemy; all fantastic, intelligent, ambitious, fun, wonderful women!! If you're half as inspired by them as I have been I know you'll love them!

On a personal note, I love what this project does for me and my family! If readers both strangers and friends alike can gain from what we write, I'm thrilled, but I can almost guarantee I'm getting more out of this than they will. It's a way to hold myself more accountable, to study more and study better, to put my energies into the most important thing I can do, namely teach my children. I'm already learning and teaching more.

Enough chit chat! Go visit heartsofthefounders.com - it's only just begun. Many wonderful posts yet to come. I hope you enjoy it and visit us often; there will be something new every week and most holidays.

More exciting news yet to come! Ta ta for now!
-Kelly

The Best Apple Butter

2011-11-12T23:59:00.000-08:00

Wonderful, gorgeous apples! The best part about living in Washington is those marvelouse Honey Crisp apples. They're so so good!
I ordered four boxes of different apples for canning. From that we got :
5 quarts of apple juice
6 jars of apple jelly
16 quarts of applesauce
16 jars of apple butta
12 jars of apple pie filling
+
2 bags frozen apple pie filling
2 fresh apple pies
8 carmel apples
lots of apples for eating fresh
and 1 happy Kelly! Oh! And I learned the best method for applesauce and butter. So good I had to share! Get your hands on a steamer juicer. I was fortunate enough to be able to borrow one from my friend Mischonne, the canning master and learned this from her(don't tell her I told you, she never lends it out!!). Cut the apples into quarters - leave the cores in for apple butter, cut them out for sauce then toss them into the juicer pot and steam/juice them. Instead of being watered down by boiling them they are steamed. I used the juice for jelly and... juice... then I was left with wonderful flavorful apple pulp that I put through my crank seive. It makes the most wonderful, thick, smooth applesauce! I even added more juice back into the applesauce because it was too thick fo me.
The apple butter was so good that I call it ~ apple butta~.

It's worthy to take to the state fair.

I just used a plain old recipe in my Ball preserving book, added lots more clove and cinnamon and used this fabulous juicing method. I made a second batch so I could give some out for Christmas.

Now I'm wondering if I can be generous enough to give them away!
If you can't use a juicer I think you could still accomplish this by simply steaming your apples. For sauce, just peel and core them first then mash or blend your steamed, softened pulp. For butta, don't peel or core them and hopefully you can use a seive of some kind to process your pulp. Use a basic recipe. I think I had a big potful of pulp and I added 6-7 cups of sugar, lots of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg and cooked it down until it was good and thick. Watch out - that part's messy! Apple splatter everywhere!
Soli was my kitchen companion through our apple canning fun. It took me a good week or two to get through it all - not sure, I got tired and lost count!

She's likes fabric, just like Mommy, and she loves to wrap up her stuffed animals and her baby in pieces from my fabric stash. She always tells me, "I need fabric." and has to grab more every time we go downstairs to do laundry (that's where the fabric shelf is).

She has a bib on here - that would be evidence of her being jealous of baby Katie... She started with kleenex, then moved up to the fabric.

She would lay it all out on the kitchen floor and meticulously spread and straighten over and over again, layer after layer of fabric.

Then she lays her baby of choice down and wraps her up...

Then, this is the best part, she picks up her baby, sits down with her and sings to her! She loves to sing "I am a Child of God" and knows it word for word. Oh be still my heart! I love these sweet toddler days!

Soccer and punkins

2011-11-12T23:48:00.000-08:00

SOCCER!!!

All the boys got to play soccer this year. I'm so glad we did it! I'm also so glad it's over. I couldn't possibly keep up with that schedule all year!

Adam loved it and may have had a little crush on his coach - she was a tall blonde Gonzaga player, Dominic totally rocked and Tyler had fun too.

Dominic was so good. Forgive me, but the games are even funner when your son is one of the best on the team and all the other parents are cheering for him too!

Jared really gets into their games. He didn't sign up to coach because he was shceduled to be out of town a lot during the season but I'd say he was the honorary "extra" coach for all of them. Just look at that face on Dominic. What a triumph! Good game, good game, good game...

Tyler was a good sport. They had a rouch start. The coach was a real nice guy that knew nothing about coaching or soccer so they all learned as they went. It was a good season that ended well though.

Ahh, the Katie bug. I love that face!!

Soccer ended just in time for us to have an open Saturday before Halloween. It was one of those evenings that the kids will always remember the smell of. Pumpkin guts, apple pie, even two surprise visits from relatives which, incidentally, has a smell of it's own.

I didn't even take a picture of the finished products. Jared's so good at his pumpkin carving gig. The best I can manage is some Charlie Brown triangle eyes and a crooked smile. This year there was a transformers symbol (my favorite), a batman sign, and even a Laker's punkin.

I've been working on lots of "de-stuffing" for, well, a while. I'm mean; the kids have no toys in their rooms, I've taken almost all of the toys away, I even limit the amount of clothes all of us can keep out. There's a lot of stuff that comes with 7 people! I'm going to keep being mean, no toys this Christmas, just socks. Things of necessity is where it's at! Excess=mess.

The latest organization project was to get out the winter gear and organize it. Good thing I did because we just got snow! I had to take a picture of this pile of coats, gloves, hats, and boots. Good grief! Soli had fun trying on every body's boots and hats. We are now ready for the winter! Let it snow!

I love the smell of rakes in the morning.

2011-11-06T00:59:00.000-07:00

Good day today. The church joins in with Catholic charities in the fall to rake leaves for seniors around Spokane. It's cold and fallish and all those wonderful deciduous trees are shedding their leaves. After a late night of canning apples and tending to waking children my pillow felt especially deep and warm. Thankfully a memory flashed through my mind of why the alarm was set to wake me early this Saturday morning.

Leaf Raking blitz... Catholic charities... meet at 8:30...

Wake up, wake up, don't go back to sleep. You have to have time to pump milk for the baby and get the boys ready! My eyes flickered, then focused, then flickered again. Focus!

Waking the boys, I was greeted with the expectant grumbling. Ignore the grumbling... They're kids.

"Please don't wake the babies," I pleaded with them. Jump in the shower, the first in 2 days, just couldn't wait any longer, focus, be fast, we need to go. As I finished my shower and began to dress I can hear through my door boys shouting as grumpy or excited boys will and they have indeed woken the babies.

The babysitter is knocking on the door.

Time to go and the girls are up and calling for me.

I helped Soli get changed and carry them both downstairs. Forget the pumping, feed the baby quickly while barking at the boys to "please get your socks and shoes on- no you have to wear a coat it's under 40 degrees outside- get your gloves we're leaving, you have two minutes, I'm not telling you again, please get your shoes and socks on, I've already asked you three times, get your shoes one, if you don't get your gloves I'm not going to feel sorry for you when your cold, would you please get your socks and shoes on..." Uughh, kids make me so ugly...

We finally make it out the door and to St. Aloysius church.

Aloysius - fun to say and fun to spell.

We find our way into the hall where everyone is meeting. We're greeted with smiles by friends dressed in warm sweatshirts, hats and gloves, enjoying muffins while waiting for their assignments. It feels good to be with friends in this setting.

A few looks of surprise, "Why are you here? I thought Jared was gone on Reserves?"

Yes, yes, I just nodded and smiled and answered "we're here to eat muffins and rake leaves."

We were soon raking with our old Bishop, his wife and grown up son. It was a bright, cold fall morning. Feels like Thanksgiving time. I was glad I insisted on those gloves.

Many hands made light work.

The boys took turns at working hard and well and grumbling and playing.

Ignore the grumbling. They're kids.

We finished 2 houses quickly and earned ourselves an extra house. The boys perked up with a warm ride in the car and a few extra degrees of warmth as the sun rose higher. On our last house they were all raking and laughing and jumping in a great pile of maple leaves. Don't look now boys, it looks as though you're having fun. That's the stuff that fall is made of.

We soon returned to the church for a hot lunch and more smiles.

By noon we had filled over 3o bags of leaves.

By noon the grumbling had ceased.

By noon we all felt great from getting up early and working together to do a small service to others.

I know we could have opted out because Dad was gone and there are two little ones at home. The boys I brought to rake are young and not always helpful. I know we have 10 or so deciduous trees of our own raining in our yard. I know I was tired and had countless tasks and responsibilities put on the back burner. I know no one would have missed us.

But, I know it feels good to do something good. I know how good it feels to teach those boys how to be worker bees without having to preach.

By noon it was all worth it. It's the only way store bought chili dogs and peanut butter cookies can taste so good in the basement of a catholic church.

It reminded me of something Julie B. Beck said,

"Focusing on relief will always build sociality, whereas focusing on sociality may not always bring relief."

It was more important to come to this church activity than 20 chili cook offs or Christmas parties. Don't forget today, Kelly. It feels good to do some good.

Halloween 2011

2011-10-31T22:42:00.000-07:00

We spent Halloween partying and trick or treating with friends. Best costume of the night goes hands down to Matt!
Meet Matt.

He and Jared are best friends, brother's from another mother, all that Jazz. Matt dressed up as Jared. Colored his hair black and drew on a scraggly goatie, and wore the outfit Jared wears every day: his 1st Response Plumbing T-shirt, cargo pants, and boots. He even drew a Lakers tatoo on his arm! It took me about 20 minutes into our get together before I looked at his shirt and it registered. I just about died laughing!! I'm still laughing!
It seems to happen the same way every year, I'm determined to get some good pictures but the day is so busy and the kids are always so anxious to get to trick or treating that all I can manage is a quick shot after dark and a few post trick or treat shots when make up is rubbed off, faces are sticky, etc etc. This year was no different. They were all so cute though!
Tyler was an old miner, Dommy was a ninja, Adam was the Looone Ranger!, Soli was Minnie Mouse, Katie was a polar bear cub, Jared was Elvis, and I was a witch. Happy Halloween! Don't forget to brush!

Temple photos

2011-10-17T23:21:00.000-07:00

Women are funny creatures, aren't we?
Our church women's group - known as the Relief Society - is full of funny women. We are known for our need to make things pretty. Don't get me wrong, what goes on is 90% good solid substance but because we're women we just need 10% fluff. Can't teach Sunday school without a tablecloth and a center piece after all.
We have a craft night coming up and my friend is organizing it. She wanted to have a nice picture of the Spokane temple for people to put together. Naturally being a church function we make things as cheap as is humanly possible and there isn't much artwork out there for our little local temple so we needed to take our own picture.

This morning I drove out to try to get a good shot. The temple is closed right now for remodeling so I figured that would work out great - empty parking lot, no people, perfect.
Not so much.
I drive the 30 minutes and arrive to find a work truck parked front and center and there's a man working on the roof with a bright yellow ladder! I had no time to wait around because I have a 1/2 day kindergartner to pick up soon and I don't photoshop! Aaaah! I had to get a little creative to get a decent angle - lots of obstacles - lamp posts, ladders, etc...

By the end of my trip I decided I HAD to get higher for a picture of the front so I pulled the truck around to use it as a ladder. Next thing I know I'm standing on top of the suburban in the middle of the parking lot to take a picture! The things we do for Relief Society!
These are the results, they'll be modge podged onto painted boards. I think the last one is my favorite.

Be prepared- Glenn Beck's list

2011-10-16T02:14:00.000-07:00

I'm posting a list that originated with Glenn Beck. It's a practical, specific list of things we all can do to be prepared for hard times. I find it to be in harmony with common sense and the teachings of my religious beliefs.

I'm not going to mince words and I'm not going to try to convince any one here to see the elephant in the room. The writing's on the wall, you want to see it or you don't.
I think we- not just the US but because we're all economically tied together- the world is headed for collapse. What does that mean? Well, it doesn't mean the end. But I do think we're going to be in a serious state of crisis for a while. When or exactly how or how long that crisis will last is any body's guess but I suppose you could look at examples like Japan's tsunami, Haiti, or Katrina as to what a crisis can look like and what it could take to rebuild. Although I'm not talking about natural disasters I think we'll see some similarities.

We will rebuild and I am very very hopeful of the future when we come out on the other side.

The point here is that if "ye are prepared ye shall not to fear." I think the most important thing anyone can do is prepare spiritually. It doesn't matter to me what church you go to or don't go to. Do you have a relationship with God? Do you pray? Can you recognize answers to your prayers? Are you flexing those spiritual muscles now so they are of use when it really counts? Do you know what you believe?

I'm not concerned with preserving wealth, at least not in my circumstance. Retirements and the like, we'll make up for it later. What I am focusing on is protecting my family. I would hope to be a shelter and a rock for them rather than be confused and afraid.

Hopefully this list can be helpful to you. I think it's worth your time and consideration. This aired on his show Oct 13th. You can watch it for free at gbtv.com and he explains these items in greater detail. I've explained just a few things in red. Thank for your time friends, it's going to be all right, it really is.

BUY FARM LAND
GROW YOUR OWN FOOD. LIVE NEAR PEOPLE AND BEGIN TO MAKE ALLIANCES OF SKILLS (BARTER) LIVE NEAR FARM LAND

ELECTRONICS FREE
PAPER COPIES OF IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
KNOW WHERE YOUR DEEDS ARE. TAKE THEM IN EMERGENCY

COLLEGE/SCHOOL
APPRENTICESHIPS ARE THE FUTURE.
DISCUSS THE VALUE OF SCHOOL FOR WHAT YOU CAN EARN.
DO NOT LOOK FOR LABELS THEY WILL BECOME MEANINGLESS (YALE)
FIND OTHER FORMS OF SCHOOL. ON LINE.
TEACH YOUNG CHILDREN NOW THAT COLLEGE IS NOT A GIVEN
DEMAND MERIT FROM SCHOOL AND STUDENT OR PULL YOUR TIME/ $
EDUCATE YOURSELF AT ALL TIMES. ALWAYS READ.
HAVE A HARD COPY OF IMPORTANT BOOKS AND DOCUMENTS
LEARN OLD AND OR LOST PRACTICES.
-MENDING/CANNING/FARMING
LEARN TO FIX AN ENGINE
RE-LEARN READING A MAP
KNOW THE NEWS. LIFE CAN CHANGE QUICKLY.
BE ABLE TO DEFEND YOUR POSITIONS BY KNOWING THE OTHER SIDE

TRADITIONS
PRESERVE WHAT IS IMPORTANT. SHED ALL OTHERS. CONSERVE AND
PRESERVE. RECLAIM AND RESTORE.

MONEY
GOLD, FOOD, CIGARETTES, LIQUOR, SUGAR, AMMUNITION, GUNS, SEEDS,
SKILLS (BARTER) KNOWLEDGE
HAVE 30 DAYS CASH ON HAND
BUY A HOUSE
STOP ALL EXCESS SPENDING. BUY QUALITY ONLY. FORGET FASHION
MEASURE TWICE – CUT ONCE. DO NOT WASTE.
CONSIDER A FUEL EFFICIENT – SUV/TRUCK
CONSIDER SOMETHING PRIOR TO 1979 FIX YOURSELF

LOCATION
LIVE NEAR LIKE MINDED PEOPLE.
- TEXAS, MOUNTAINS OR WHERE GOD STILL PLAYS A ROLE IN REAL LIFE
IF YOU CANNOT MOVE (NO PLACE WILL BE UNTOUCHED) CREATE NETWORK

BUSINESS/WORK
BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE. BE THE ONE EMPLOYEE NO ONE CAN FIRE
SMALL BIZ – BE THE PRODUCT OR SERVICE NO ONE CAN CANCEL
CONSERVE AND PRESERVE
LEARN FROM THE DEPRESSION -
ADVERTISE WHEN NO ONE ELSE IS: CHEVOLET
STAY IN BUSINESS BUT DOWNSIZE AND PRESERVE (ARCH)
HONESTY, INTEGRITY AND CHARITY.

BE GEORGE BAILEY
SPIT YOURSELF OUT OF THE SYSTEM. TURN UPSIDE DOWN NOW
PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR HEART IS
DO BUSINESS IN SYMBIOTIC WAYS – WE NEED EACH OTHER
DO NOT TRY TO PUT OTHERS OUT OF BUSINESS, LET THEM DO IT.
GIMBLES AND MACYS
NEVER BE THE SMARTEST MAN IN THE ROOM (in other words, surround yourself with good/better people- as he put it "you're not Jesus" you can't expect to remain strong and true if you are surrounded by weakness)
TAKE CARE OF YOUR EMPLOYEES THE BEST YOU CAN.
TAKE LESS AND GIVE MORE
READ FRANKLIN AND WASHINGTON

LIFE
DO NOT PLAN YOUR LIFE AND THEN MOVE. PLAN, PRAY, LISTEN AND OBEY
PRACTICE AT LEAST FRANKLINS AMERICAN RELIGION (which is: There is a God and the best way to serve God is to serve his children)
SERVE
HONOR ALL OF YOUR OBLIGATIONS
PRESERVE – FOOD, TIME, MONEY, ENERGY
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN THE BASICS. VALUES/PRINCIPLES

DO WITH LESS NOW. LESS OF A SHOCK IF IT COMES LATER
SERVE/SHARE
JOIN A 9.12 GROUP.(or make connections with people you can trust and will be of help to others) LINK ON LINE. PHONE AND LOCATIONS
HAVE A MEETING PLACE ESTABLISHED FOR FAMILY
READ THE BIBLE
HAVE A GUN AND KNOW HOW TO SHOOT IT. (I hope you never have to use it but you better have a way to protect yourself)
RESOLVE THOSE ISSUES THAT ARE HOLDING YOU BACK
STOP ALL BEHAVIOR THAT DOES NOT EXPAND YOU OR OTHERS INTO GOOD
MAKE AMENDS FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE
FIND PEACE AND GET TO WORK
TEACH CHILDREN WORK ETHIC
TOLERATE NOTHING THAT YOU FEEL IS WRONG BY REMAINING SILENT
LET YOUR CHILDREN SEE YOU STAND
BE HONORABLE IN ALL OF YOUR DEALINGS
UNDERSTAND THAT ANGER IS A PART OF LIFE BUT NEVER FEED IT (even if you feel angry and it is justified do not be confrontational, look for the good in individuals and stay away from potentially bad situations)
THE FIRST LOOK IS NOT A PROBLEM. IT IS THE SECOND LOOK.
NEVER BE THE BEST MAN/WOMAN IN THE ROOM.
BE HAPPY AND OPTIMISTIC. LIFE WILL GO ON. MAKE PLANS FOR THE
FUTURE. GET MARRIED. HAVE CHILDREN.
And the final item he did not post, he felt inspired to write it but thought it a little ridiculous. I think it should be said - it reminds me of the pioneers -
SING SONGS

That Soli Girl

2011-10-16T00:26:00.000-07:00

That Soli girl. I can't help myself I am so in love with this little girl.

I remember the very day the "baby" was gone. It was the first Sunday in February, I remember going to bed that night saying to Jared, I can't believe we're having another baby soon, Soli's still so much of a baby. Babies can't have baby sisters. ( I know they do, I was just in denial about this one...)

The very next morning, I kid you not, she woke up and she was just older. Her very demeanor was different and she hasn't looked back since.

I know this is a little bit of a love fest but she is such a delight. She seems so easy after seeing three boys through toddler hood. She's so full of personality and yet is so agreeable and sweet. She's so shy that very few people get to see her personality but we do and we think she's pretty fantastic.

She sings all the time, she loves to draw and color, she loves to boss her brother's around, she loves junk food, stickers, baths, and, of course, "doggies". But what Soli loves most of all are BUTTONS. That's right, buttons. It's a comfort thing. She'll hold a button and suck her thumb and she's happy. Who'd have thought? She prefers that they be attached to some article of clothing, but other than that she's not picky, big, small, plain, colorful,

she

loves

buttons.

When she gets dressed, she always wants a button and she'll even accept one in the back of her shirt. She says, "button in the back?" and reaches behind her head to touch the button with one hand and sucks her thumb with the other hand. She can even do it all while walking down the stairs. My how her talents amaze. Once in a while she's even impressed by other people's buttons and she just has to touch their buttons. Like the guy sitting in front of us at church, my what nice buttons you have on your jacket sleeves...

Soli sure fits the "girl" profile. Everything they say is true. Easier to potty train, calmer, picky about her clothes, really into shoes. She's getting to be much sassier. This summer while at my parents she settled the question of whether gender is innate or learned once and for all. She loves my parents dog, Moose; he's a big meaty black lab with a big meaty bark. He's a goofy teddy bear and literally injures himself over his love of fetch.

He's like an addict, just one more throw, come on, one more, please one more, it's the last one, one more, bark, bark, bark, one more... all day long.

There they were, he's asking Soli to throw the ball for him but she wasn't throwing it far enough for his satisfaction so he's barking and wagging and keeps asking for "one more". He's as tall as she is so she was getting a little intimidated when he wouldn't stop barking and I could see her across the yard putting her hands to her face and sort of shrinking in her nervousness. Just as I expected the tears to start she squares her shoulders, stands up tall, and, no joke, she puts her hands on her hips, sticks her lips out and asserts,

"NO DOG!"

Just like that, no training or anything, it came to her naturally and moose backed down and took his ball some where else.

"Some where in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good..."

Mawwaige

2011-10-03T00:56:00.000-07:00

"Mawwaige.

Mawwiage, is what bwings us togeva today..."

If you don't know what movie that's from, especially with the picture, I just don't know if we can be friends.

Holy cow, it must have been some kind of grand practical joke when God created both man and woman and said guess what, you're getting married and your sharing a room!
I remember when that seemed like an absolutely brilliant idea.
Ok it's still a brilliant idea but good golly miss molly you could make a toddler's "book of opposites" out of a mawwiage.

I have this husband who has the WORST taste in movies/tv. No really, the man likes Chuck Norris. Need I say more?? He's absolutely shameless about it too. The minute he reads this he'll be thinking in his mind, "Man, I wonder if Walker Texas Ranger is on Hulu...?" What am I supposed to do, watch it with him? No, that is way too much to ask. My vows saying nothing about tolerating Chuck Norris.

Every week or so after putting kids to bed and I have an entire living room floor full of laundry waiting to be folded and I walk in, I NEED to be in he living room, right, and he's already turned the TV on.
Oh crap.
9 times out of 10 it's crap.
And the man has no moral compass or at least a weak one when it comes to movies.
The other night it was "Triple XXX". If you've never seen the movie, no need, it's stupidity is all in the title. It's triple X and the X is still written 3 times. Stupid. No story, just men with pecs, guns, and chicks.
He's says, "what, there's nothing wrong with this one, oh ok, well except for that one cuss word. Er Ok, there's 10 more, but I'm sure they're done, and the club full of hookers, that's no, pay no attention to..."

Stink eye...

We're talking about a man who, as a young trouble making bachelor back in his drafting days kept a swearing jar at his desk and would tell his boss to watch his mouth or pay the fine.

I just. can't. stand it.

Why do you make me into a nag wife? It just falls out of my mouth, "what are you watching??" And it's not merely a curious inquiry, it's toned, utterly toned, "what are you watching!"
Dangit, Kelly, that's 50 lines for you! With Umbridge's quill! I must not nag, I must not nag, I must not nag....

Jeez, and the hoodies and hats. Does he really need 10 hoodies and 20 hats and still wear just 2 of them most of the time? Jared is such a neat freak. I hear women complain about picking up after their husbands like they're one of the kids but I don't. He doesn't make a mess, hallelujah, that makes 1! However, he thinks hoody sweatshirts, his baseball caps, and his motorcycle helmets make a house look cool. Not kidding. If he sees a hook, he's going to hang a hoody or a hat on it. Doesn't matter where it is, nice little decorative knobby hooks on a mirror, that needs a hat. Ya. My Lakers hat. Ya.

When we moved into our new house, you know the charming old craftsman, we're unpacking, I'm in the kitchen, putting things away in the cupboards and I look up. What do I see? On top of the charming heavy duty french countryish shelf that should be holding cool antique copper pots and baking stones, he's lined all his motorcycle helmets. Seriously you have one head, why, why, why???
10 feet away, where you enter the back door, there's a mud room. A whole room, designated, lined with hooks, and totally copacetic for hoodies, hats, and helmets!!

Grumble grumble, I'm pulling the helmets down one by one and putting them away in the mud room.
He walks in, "what are you doing with my helmets?"
Do I even have to answer this question or explain myself?

Evidently I did, so I did. And somehow, can't understand how but I offended the man into thinking I was going to take over our new house that we bought together and this is our house and you won't even let me put my stuff where I want or help with the decorating, and the helmets will get cold in the mud room, and they're temperature sensitive..."

So I put the stupid helmets back.
3 years later I have made no effort to decorate my kitchen, yes, I said my, I do all the cooking and the dishes, it's my kitchen, and the stupid helmets are still there.

Helmets, hoodies and hats all over the house EXCEPT for the front door hooks and the mudroom. Yup.

Honestly I wouldn't have to be so annoyed if he wouldn't do annoying things.

I don't know how I can live through the eternities with a man who likes Chuck Norris and Triple XXX . I'm banking on no TV's in heaven. Assuming I get to heaven after writing this blog.

Big picture right? It all comes into perspective though when we go to Dommy's soccer game and Jared knows the name of every kid on the team and is cheering for them all. He really gets into their soccer games. This guy doesn't even remember the name of many of his relatives and he knows the names of all the kids on the team. He's been making it home to take the boys to practice 3 days a week for the last month. That's not luck, he's making time to do that with them.
"I must not nag, I must not nag..."
This guy has never asked me to work, no matter how broke we are, he has never, will never ask me to work so we can have more. He's always supported and encouraged me in staying home with our kids and works really hard to make that possible. What more can a mom ask for?
I must not nag...
And he's crazy generous. He loves to give to others. I watched him hand almost $200 to a kid to put toward his eagle scout project at a time when work was really slow and our savings was dwindling. That's just 1 of 50 stories just like it.
I must not nag, I must not nag.

Ya, he's not so bad, I guess I can remember the big picture. Jared might work overtime and forgo a retirement so he can give eagle scouts and missionaries and homeless men wads of cash and keep me close to our kids, so I suppose I can let him watch a lame movie after the kids go to bed
or at least get to the living room first...

How to make a knot hat

2011-09-24T22:27:00.000-07:00

Have you ever tried making one of those "2 hour" sewing projects only to emerge 3 days later, bags under your eyes, dishes overflowing in the sink, there's a new wrinkle in your forehead, the kids are all asking, "what happened to mom..?"

You've never tried that?

Oh.

Well this really can be done in 2 hours. If you can make a flannel blanket in 2 hours, you can make a knot hat in 2 hours! I love these little hats, they're so cute and comfy for wee ones and they only require a small amount a fabric. Really you could use an old t-shirt to make one! This is also a great beginner project because it's very forgiving. Step 1: measure your baby's head.
Measure around and the top - crown to forehead.

Ahhh, she's hungry. I love those faces.

ooh I love that one too!

Before you cut out your hat pull at your fabric to see which direction is stretchier. The brim of the hat should stretch from side to side more than up and down. Also, if your fabric has a pattern and you have enough fabric to work with cut it so that both sides match up.

Step 2: cut out your hat.

Take the diameter of baby's head, divide by 2 and add about an inch for seams.

My hat here is about 17 inches from top to bottom. The body of the hat is about 10 inches - double the measurement of the top of Katie's head.

Ta da - if you don't have enough fabric or you were not clever enough or too distracted to match up your pattern - no worries, neither did/was I. Still looks great.

Looks like I have a nice clean workspace, yes?

Sure...

Step 3: sew all the way around the perimeter of the hat leaving the bottom open - don't sew your hat shut. As always right sides together, wrong sides out.

Step 4: pink your edges (I don't have a surger, I don't surge) fold up the bottom of the hat (the inside of the brim is about 3 inches long. Sew in place. Again, you don't want to sew your hat shut. Just sayin'. I used a zig zag stitch there.

That's it! You're done. Turn it right side out, tie knots in the ears, and voila, you have a cute little knot hat!

Soon, your baby will be happy and adorable and smart enough to jump on a trampoline just like mine, all because of a knot hat.

And it only takes more than 2 hours if you stop in the middle to feed a baby, clean up after lunch, fold the laundry in the living room so people can walk through, get dinner started, hold and read to a couple of crying kids, have dinner, hold crying kids some more, clean up after dinner, make phone calls, play with kids, help other kids with homework and bathe, read stories to and tuck in said kids. That might take longer.

Beware of distractions. Although, let's be honest, the knot hat is the distraction here, not the kids!

Happy sewing!

School Is In

2011-09-21T23:13:00.000-07:00

Ah, the first day of school,

which was over 3 weeks ago...

I so admire people who can post things like this when it's hot and fresh off the press. It's been such a whirlwind since the start of school, as I expected it would be. This is such a busy time of year. We decided to let all three boys play soccer this year and Jared is helping coach one of them. The teams are divided by age groups so that means 3 practices a week and 3 separate games + multiple locations on Saturday. Not to mention, cross country at school, homework, scouts, meetings for mom and dad, and that's just the evening time. We have another half day kindergartner this year (oh how I loathe the half day kinder schedule...) somehow I'm squeezing in morning scripture study, a little exercise, a lot of laundry, dishes, dinner, nursing the baby, holding Soli, and helping 3 kids with homework. canning and photography are taking a big backseat this year. I think the first Saturday after soccer season will find this whole family sleeping in - it may take an earthquake to wake us. Thank goodness soccer is only 6 weeks long.

Jared has been a huge help making it home to take the boys to soccer most nights. I might be reduced to a straight jacket by now if I had to get all the kids loaded up to make practices during dinner hour every night.

Adam has hit the big time and is now a kindergartner!

And the crowd goes wild!!!!

Yes he is so pleased with himself, you can see it in his face.

Adam is a kindergartner!!!
We have the best kindergarten teacher in the world. She makes the half day run around worth while and Adam seems to have a whole new energy level, he is so psyched about school. He's been telling me for a while he was going to stop sucking his thumb when he got to kindergarten. Then when it started he said "only I won't suck my thumb and school - only I'll only suck my thumb for six more days..." He says only a lot.He's still sucking his thumb at home. For six more days, right?

Good morning girls.

These little sisters get drug around so much. When the boys were little we would get together with playgroups and such all the time. We have no desire for that anymore. I think they cherish their at home time as much as I do. Here they are in the bike trailer headed for school. Katie's not quite sitting up well enough yet so we just propped her up with a boxing glove. Kids like boxing gloves. It puts hair on their chests.

wet and snotty: the best kind of kisses.

2011-09-18T22:55:00.000-07:00

Soli was a little under the weather this weekend, nothing serious, just a little cold. She's at such a ragamuffin age, transitioning from baby to child with short, thin, fuzzy, baby "bead head" hair, insisting on picking out her own clothes, usually a jolly mix of mis-match quirky favorites, not to mention changing 4 times a day. Hot pink and brown polka dot socks with a denim and red dress and sandals was today's flavor of choice. Oh yeah, the days of Mommy unceasingly shopping for cute outfits may be over. Due to her cold she added to the look with a nose as runny as a raw egg and goopey eyes that would make a swarm of African flies' mouth's water. Do flies' mouth's water I wonder...?

Halfway through church (there was no fever, mom and dad both had responsibilities, of course we took her, that's life) the tears began to flow and soon Soli melted into a puddle of wet and crusted goop, snot, and tears. Daddy, our hero - swoon, swept her off her, uh, puddle, and took her home.

Later, while up late, thanks to her long afternoon nap the little girl was bouncing all over the couch, full of energy and spunk in contrast to all the other kids who were sleeping in their beds resting off another busy week. Still the picture of a ragamuffin, breathing through her mouth she jumps on me, throws her arms around me and lays a big smooch right on the kisser. It was wet, snotty, and in all honestly if she was not my little girl, I'd be running for the tissues! But instead it was absolutely and perfectly delightful. Squeeze her tight, bring the wet kisses on again and again between giggles delightful.

Let's face it, being a mom can be one dirty job. The faint at heart need not apply. I really need to learn to use rubber gloves like my sister does... I think my hands age at least twice the rate of the rest of me. But no matter how hard or disgusting the reality of it all may be, there is nothing more wonderful and joyous than being some one's mommy. That's me, I'm Mommy. Before I had kids I thought I knew what love was. I never imagined how little I knew. I love that little girl so much that I don't care what's all over her face, when she throws her arms around me to give me a kiss, the world stops, my heart skips a beat, I hold her tight and we sing a song of giggles. That's love. That's happy.

There's a passage of scripture in the Book of Mormon about the resurrected Jesus Christ visiting the people in ancient America and in one part it says,

"And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did kiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears."

Think of that.

They bathed his feet in their tears.

The thought of a multitude of people bathing my feet with their tears is not a pleasant one. But knowing how I feel about my daughter, knowing how beautiful she is to me no matter what, I feel like I get a glimpse into the love God has for his children. Not just the love He has for his children, more than that, the love He has for me.
I'm a Mommy, five times over. Thank you God. With tears of joy welling in my eyes and a chubby little ragamuffin in my arms, I thank you God.

Just me and my Kate

2011-09-15T20:28:00.000-07:00

I'm always telling moms not to put off getting your pictures taken with your family until you "lose ten more pounds" because the next thing you know the kids have all grown up, it's too late, and mom doesn't exist in the photo albums. My mom did it, you're mom may have, and the truth is I'm talking out of my hat because I do it too!

We were fixin' to get family pictures when I realized after a DECADE of having a baby or tot in my arms I think I can count on one hand how many snapshots there are of me and my babies.

Really? No pictures because of a lousy 15 pounds? Let's be logical, Kelly.

So I called up my friend's daughter, Ashley Alley - Starving Artist Photography, who was home from school for the summer and made an appt.

I got up at 4 am so we could shoot in the morning light- I love the morning light, and I had beautiful morning with my sweet baby Katie. I was so tempted to include all the kids but in the end decided against it. It was the most perfect, quiet, serene morning, just me and Katie and Ashley. I am so so glad we did it.

It was fun working with another photographer. I could describe the picture in my brain and she could capture just that and more. She did a beautiful job. Thanks Ashley!

Oh and hey, hey- I edited this in my new Adobe Lightroom program, yup, I finally got it. It's pretty sweet!

Seriously Gourmet Polar Bear Meat

2011-09-14T23:02:00.000-07:00

Now everybody knows that the purpose of Canadians is to provide meat for the Polar Bears in the great circle of life, ey?

Amber and Aaron got the surprise of their lives when at the very moment they were putting an offer on a house here in town when they found themselves with a new job in Canada! What a whirlwind. You guys are so cute, you're going to make some seriously gourmet polar beear meat. Here's to a super talented, fun, awesome, adorable family - they're even adorable in a very last minute photo shoot.Amber wanted tracks and found a great spot. I think I see some tracks in this photographers future. Love you guys!

A Lesson to Remember

2011-09-12T21:59:00.000-07:00

Hello, hello, I meant to post this earlier but as usual I'm posting after the fact. What can I say, we keep pretty busy with our real life around here.

For me, one of the great lessons of the Old Testament is to "remember". That traditions, symbols, and teaching are vital to our salvation and particularly our children's salvation. This Sunday was truly a day of remembrance for our family.

September 11th. The 10 year anniversary was this weekend. I was surprised to find myself feeling rather emotional about it. Ten years it's been. I remember, where I was, we all remember where we were when we heard. My little Tyler was 12 days old and my mom was getting on a plane that morning to come meet her first grandchild. She was the first to call me and explain why she wouldn't be coming.

I was like most other people, utterly shocked and confused. I couldn't understand that kind of hate. I had never even heard the name Osama Bin Laden. I was asleep.

I'm not anymore.

I found myself feeling so sad and so angry this weekend. 10 years later and where are we? Those towers STILL have not been rebuilt. The enemy is still at large and we're not even aloud to define them. When I heard firemen, policemen and clergy were excluded from the memorial service in New York I was outraged. And as usual I felt a little helpless asking myself, "what can I do?" I know I can't change any of that. It's so easy to feel powerless and that's so uncomfortable.

So I decided that what I could do was affect those in my small sphere of influence. My kids. It always comes back around to the kids, they are what matter most. Our kids didn't know much about what happened because they're young. How will they know if we don't show them? It was time to teach them.

After church on Sunday we talked to them about what had happened that day. Then we showed them videos of the attacks. The explosions, the towers falling. We had to remind them that this was not a movie, this was real. Both Tyler and Dommy later, on heir own asked the same question I did years ago. Why? Why would they kill themselves and want to hurt all those people?

Evil is real.

Afterwards we talked to them about hope. About the goodness and sacrifice that was so evident through this horrific event. We made cookies and the boys all made cards and posters and we went to our local fire department to shake their hands and say thank you.

I know it's not New York and nothing changed at ground zero but I believe it is by small and simple things that great things come to pass. What if every family took the time to teach their children our history? What if every fire department got a homemade card and a plate of cookies on that day? Knowledge is power, goodness is power.

The scripture comes to mind, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve; as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Wrapping up summer.

2011-09-04T00:05:00.000-07:00

It's so sad to say goodbye. The first of September came and we felt an instant drop in temperatures signifying to all of Spokane that summer is over and fall is on it's way. Septembers are lovely here but the warm days only last for about 2 months of the year so we don't exactly tire of them.

This summer we learned the art of staying home and an art it is. We kicked off June by taking full advantage of activities and outings in an effort to have fun and learn together like a good mom should... and we soon found that having all that fun was getting to be a lot of work and not feeling so fun. Outings should be a treat, shouldn't they? So I swiftly changed gears and we decided to just stay home. So we've spent a lot of time cleaning the house together, playing in the yard, reading a little, I fed the baby a lot, you know the drill. The outings are back to being special and the house is a bit cleaner. We still live here, so just a bit.

Summer was filled with simple memories that ought to be somewhere in every families register, things like home projects,

(Honestly I think Jared loves any excuse to climb up on the roof..)

Swimming with friends, this was one of the best parts of summer, swimming with the Schupps! Let's not forget to mention Dominic's first lost teeth - 2 in the same hour!

Nice, here's Jared slamming a 14 year old boy at the pool who Jared also happens to teach at church. This is how guys hug, right?

Dommy got his first stitches which he's pretty proud of. He was sawing through cardboard making a castle or hotel out of a box and ended up sawing into his finger. Gross.

On the list of injuries includes Soli (how does she always get hurt?). She had 25 splinters in her feet and knees one day, most of which were on the top of one foot. We had to dig all but 2 out with a needle. People, it is not fun to "remove" 25 splinters from a 2 year old. Just ask Soli. She was a real trooper. Every time we got one out we'd say, "Yay! we got one, that one's all gone!!" and she would just grin through her tears, I wonder if she'll remember that when she's older.

Summer was filled with birthdays as it always is for our family, the last one is this week, we enjoyed huckleberry picking in beautiful Idaho bear country, we said goodbye to two dear friends who moved away, Jared made new additions to the tree fort, and many little things inbetween. Jared and I had lots of date nights including a few trips to the temple even though Katie doesn't like taking a bottle. Life is grand.

In two short days the kids will be back in school. Party's over, eh?

I leave you with pictures of Adam and Soli's nutella faces. Doesn't that sound good? Mmm... nutella face.

Coming soon, this blog is getting a makeover! It's about time. Now, just as soon as I have time...

Mommy, I go potty!

2011-09-03T23:49:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it, Solilita is potty trained! I can't tell you how much I dread potty training- truly, I want to hide under the covers at just the thought of it. But after buying 2 boxes of diapers (different sizes) and a box of wipes from Costco costing almost 100 smackeroos I felt a little more motivated this time.

Like I said, I don't like potty training. My expectation was months of coaxing and accidents and twenty trips to the bathroom a day and not being able to go anywhere without a disaster but Soli just blew me away! She is on it. The potty that is. She got it in about 3 days! Something just clicked and she's got it! Amazing!

Soli, you're amazing.

Not even 2 1/2 yet and she is amazing.

Love that girl.

Gotta give credit where credit is due. This drawing was done by Jennifer Williams
Honestly I know nothing about her, I just came across this and thought it was really cute. Nice work Jennifer. Thanks for being talented.

Thanks girls!

2011-09-03T22:30:00.000-07:00

Thanks gals for a great great craft night! Let's not forget thank you Jared for sweeping the kids up and taking them swimming for the night as well. I had a swell time. I just love it when a plan comes together - even if I did have to borrow Kristina's and run to JoAnne's for more glue just before closing!
We had an awesome turn out and it was cool seeing every one's different designs. We had a few mother/daughter teams too which was pretty fantastic. I have finally cleaned up the last remnants of the mess so I can move on to the next project, er, projects!
When's the next craft night?
No date yet but we'll do it again before Christmas so we can all get a few gifts knocked out! Keep an eye out close to Halloween time.

Crafters Anonymous

2011-08-11T16:59:00.000-07:00

The first meeting of
Crafters Anonymous

will commence August 25th 2011

Get excited! After many requests, it's here, come on and get your craft on! We're making
boutique hair clips
The first class is all about these fabulous rosettes.

Love these.
Really, L-O-V-E, love these.

Maybe it's a mistake to start with the best, just doesn't get better than this, but these are so fun and you won't believe how easy they are!

This a great opportunity to get together with the girls and learn something new. Already know how to make them, great! Join us anyway because it's a great bargain, and did I mention fun?

These babies sell from crafters on etsy for anywhere between $15 to over $35!!

Yowza!

And you can easily spend $20 making just 1 or 2 on your own.

So let's get together, ya ya ya, and defray that cost a little bit while having some fun!

How about this:

With access to le' fabric stash,

you can design your own and make:

1 large clip

or

2 small clips

-up to 5 rosettes-

and your choice of barrette or metal headband

for just $10!

Are you excited yet?

Be there or be square -August 25th Thursday night 7 pm, my house- don't miss it!

Send me an email - kellylandin@gmail.com or

call (509)413-9346 to reserve your spot.

Pass it on, all are welcome!

For those wanting an adjustable/interchangeable elastic headband - great for babies add $1.
I'll also have a few handmade clips available for purchase

This is fun, and this is fleeting. Please sign up by August 20th, I will accept late comers but only as many as materials and time for preparation allow. Soccer and canning season starts soon and I won't attempt another class until it's all blown over! Can't wait to see you there!

This just in: We're Repeating History

2011-08-10T21:35:00.000-07:00

Mark Twain said,

"It is not worth while to try to keep history from repeating itself, for man's carachter will always make the preventing of the repetitions impossible."

Here we go America, repeating history.

I have always thought, since my teenage years that I would live to experience another great depression in America and since then, despite many people thinking I'm a paranoid, cynical loon for it, I've always felt very strongly about being self sufficient. I always thought you've got to have a recession "proof" career, you gotta know how to make your own bread and soap and jam because there may come a time...

When I heard the news of our credit rating being lowered, which was so sadly appropriate- thanks a lot Washington- something told me, "this is it", it's here. Whatever "it" is, I think it's here. Does that mean hyper inflation, unemployment, civil unrest, all of the above? Maybe. How fast it will all come on is any body's guess. But the biggest stock market crash in 112 years preceded by a long recession and coupled with current world events and a, shall we say "frustrated" citizenry cannot mean we're headed into a happy times boom year.

Geez what a mess.

It's funny though, after assessing our preparedness and all things within our family's control I'm not too worried. I think things could get really really bad, I mean more than we've imagined bad but we'll pull through it and I can't help but think the other side of this could be so so good. I feel more hope than fear. I think our generation needs to be "refined by fire."

About 2 or 3 years ago I was getting really worried. My thoughts were consumed with concern, anger, and fear for my country and my children's future. I felt helpless and powerless. I started to look for answers, to figure out what I could do. I read and I prayed. A lot. I read anything I could get my hands on that I thought might give me answers or perspective, everything from The Tales of Uncle Remus, to scripture, to poetry, to the Constitution, and I kept praying.

Lo and behold I got an answer.
My answer was first and foremost to

teach my children.

Good answer.

That should be my first priority. Beyond that I felt that I should get involved where and when I can, remembering that my family comes first, and speak up when I need to. That I can do. I can teach my kids, I can be brave.

Education is a vital piece of this puzzle. I'm just as big a fool as I ever was but I'm learning and I'm asking questions more than ever. One of my favorite books that I read during this time was The 5,000 Year Leap by Cleon Skousen. I love that book because it's simple fundamental history relating to the founding of our nation. It should be in every American history class in the country.

I have to tell you though, I got about a third of the way into the book and I was MAD! Mad because I had never learned this stuff before! I was a good history student, always liked it, and I found out I was clueless. It was so simple, so fundamental and I had never learned it. And I always among the top of the class in my history courses!! Mad.

This book was one that shifted my thinking and transformed my viewpoint. Another 2/3 of the way through the book and I found myself turning a 180 on my foreign policy views. Did you get the memo? I no longer support the war and it will be a rare circumstance to find me in support of one ever again.

I highly recommend it, hopefully it won't make you mad, it's really a great book. I think most of us have some studying to do. I no longer focus on the news an current events like I used to. I now look backwards to look to the future. I try to stay informed but I've mostly unplugged from the news. My cousin likes to accuse me of hearing things from Fox news and I love to throw it back in his face, what if I did? But I never do because we don't have television. I like my world better unplugged.

Life will go on and great things are in store for us. Be prepared, stay strong, stand together, and spend some time on your knees. The future is bright.

Stand By Me

2011-08-02T23:55:00.000-07:00

There's a great deal of talk about the debt crisis lately for obvious reasons and I can't help but write a few thoughts and even ask a few questions. I can't possibly address every component of this issue but I think people should be discussing their beliefs, ideas, and solutions together.

Before you come to this conversation you have to drop any party affiliation or bias at the door. Regardless of anything I've said in the past, I won't align myself with republicans or democrats. They are politicians. Period. Both are full of liars and hypocrites and both are severely to blame for our situation and I will defend neither. Regardless of who we've voted for, it's time for a more enlightened people that expects something greater than we have and no longer accepts the lack of integrity that has become the norm in our time. The time has past for playing that game. Don't play it on my blog.

I liked what my Uncle Neil wrote, one whose I opinion I really respect because he's ever a student of history and reasonably open minded and thinks critically. He said, "We have sown the seeds of our own destruction. Greed, selfishness, and lack of basic integrity have doomed the greatest nation in the history of the world to an implosion the likes of which we can not even imagine. We as a people no longer have the will, guts, or courage to stop it. We willingly don blinders, because it easier than facing the truth. Our apathy has created a governmental beast we can no longer control, one hell bent on taking us down the road to starvation and ruin. And all the while we will blame "those Liberals", and "those Conservatives", as the real culprit gazes back at us from the mirror. When each looks to their own narrow self-interest, no one is justified..."

It's no surprise that America is in bad shape right now.

Let's ask ourselves why is that?

Some blame capitalism and our system of govt. I think most of us can agree that corruption is rampant in our government. So is it that our constitution has failed us or have we failed it? I dare say that our republic has been greatly corrupted and that we are barely adhering to capitalist principles.
I feel very strongly that America is a great nation. It is a special place that gave birth to freedom and opportunity as no other country has experienced in our recorded history and it became a light on a hill throughout the world spreading a thirst and pursuit for what was accomplished here. Sadly we have not preserved this union as it was established.

Look, this has never been a perfect nation. It is full of imperfect people who make mistakes, some big, some small but America was and I believe still is a good nation, full of good albeit imperfect people.

The question is what made us great?
Is it the wealth of America?
No. How could that be?
Were we always wealthy? Certainly there has been great and unheard of prosperity here. Why? Why did this nation prosper?
Is the American dream to have wealth?
Do you think that our ancestors crossed the oceans sacrificing all for money? Some may argue that they did. Certainly impoverished starving masses fled for a better life and money is a part of that equation but people don't sacrifice all for just money and stuff.

The pilgrims were no treasure seekers, they left to seek freedom. They left seeking a home were they could live in peace and worship God according to their own conscience. They wanted to be able to believe, live and raise their children in the way they believed was right without the risk of being imprisoned or held captive through taxes imposed by a king. It's quite simple, they wanted to be free to make their own choices.

America was the first nation where it was possible live according to the dictates of ones own conscience. It's not about money, it's about the pursuit of happiness. Prosperity is a natural result of hard work, perseverance, and industry.

The story hasn't changed. This nation's independence was established to escape a corrupt government, a king who usurped power and imposed his will on the people. Our government - not the people - has become the monster it defeated. It has been corrupted . I want the same thing our forefathers did. I want the freedom to choose. I want to pursue my happiness in my own way. I don't believe we've lost those freedoms entirely but the threat of such loss is very close and very great. I don't need or want the government to be my safety net. I don't need the government to be educated. What will I gain from holding my hand out at the door of the great public collection for ease and comfort in my pursuits? What good has that done for our country?

Sacrifice can be such a great blessing in our lives. What kind of people would the pilgrims have been if they hadn't sacrificed so greatly? Half of them died in the first year. Children were left to build homes and plant, hunt, and harvest food. They didn't turn back nor did they petition England or Holland for emergency relief. They rolled up their sleeves, they suffered a great deal and in the end they established a strong settlement and they achieved what is now known as the American dream. True freedom. And naturally they prospered.

That brings me back to our debt crisis. Our govt's debt is as much as the whole country makes in one year and they've spent and spent repeatedly against the will of the people. Close your jaw, and ask yourself what happens if we continue on our current path? How do we pay for that? The interest alone will crush us. What are we truly gaining from that? You may think Social Security is brilliant, worthy, even essential, but what does that matter if the money is not there to pay for it? Everything has to be cut very significantly. Nothing can be exempt. Not defense, not education, not health care, everyone has to reduce spending in much greater numbers than our dear politicians are even willing to talking about. If we spend $2 for every $1 of revenue and we're only willing to reduce spending by 10 cents for every $2, we're not going to change anything.

Strip away all the fat, I don't care if I lose my house, my car, everything I own. Sure I would be distressed at the lose of my home but ultimately it doesn't matter. I care about my family. I care about serving my God. I care about preserving this union in the way it was established. Of course I want my children's bellies full but I know that my life can be just as meaningful in a crude shelter of mud and grass. I'm not afraid and neither should you be. If I or my children need food I will grow it, hunt it, gather it, work for it just as my ancestors did. I am no less capable. Do you believe your strong enough?
Of course you are.

What do you want?
What are you going to do?

It's never to late to do the right thing.

Those in power seek to divide and conquer. Are we going to let them win? I don't expect to agree with everyone. I can't even agree with my own husband on what to make for dinner. Let's focus on the points and principles we can unite on. What do you believe in? Leave a comment, if nothing else, state something you can personally unite with me on. It's a place to start.

"The" Announcements- paper lovlies

2011-07-31T23:09:00.000-07:00

I'm finding that I'm in this "carpe' diem" mode with little Katie. She's our bookend baby so it's our last chance to enjoy the little world of babies. In other words, I'm going for it! I shop at Baby Gap, even with their ridiculous "sale" prices, I take tons of pictures, I hold her a little extra, and I simply had to do birth announcements. I even managed to get them mailed out within three months. A bonified miracle, I tell you.
Not only did we do birth announcements - which is something I've only managed once before - baby #3, Adam- but I had my incredibly creative friend Melissa make them. She's so talented!
Check her out, making stationary, prints, and designing more fabric with her sister. Together they are Melimba-Beccabury
You're going to want to click on that to check out they're cute site and see what they're up to.

I just love these little cards. I was a little lazy about photographing these so they look a little washed out in these pictures. They're a bit brighter and creamier in person.

I wish I had ordered more. I only had enough for family and a small handful of friends. They're all gone now so to anyone else (yes, especially you, Megan...) sorry and congratulations, you've just received an announcement.

Thanks Melis, for doing such a bang up job on these! Let's hear it, tell Melissa what you think!

Camping at Grandma's

2011-07-31T22:02:00.000-07:00

I did it. I broke my promise. I swore I was not taking the kids camping by myself this summer. I said over and over, no way not going to happen, no camping without help.

Then the kids asked if we could go camping.

And that was all it took. I can't let a summer pass by without a camp out.

We did it the easiest way possible and we went camping in my parents yard. They have 5 acres in beautiful North Idaho and it was the perfect camp out for this year. We were not exactly roughing it but we had perfect weather, lakes and hiking nearby, safety, privacy, a little help here and there from the family, and a house full of anything I happened to forget. Thanks Mom and Dad, the kids had a great week!
Double thanks to my brother - Uncle Andrew or as the boys call him, Uncle Legendary Awesomeness- he was a great sport and went on a hike with us. He carried the big baby and I carried the little one. Couldn't have done it without him! Dominic, by the way was a monster on that hike. He carried the backpack - the only kid carrying weight and he was still way out in front the whole time running along the trail. That kid's a future Iron Man.

Soli could not get enough grapes. She ate at least half of that container and screamed at anyone who asked her to share.

I recently acquired a dutch oven at a garage sale (big fat score!!!!) and it is my new favorite thing. I love cooking with this baby. Yup, I think I have a new hobby for the summer.

The cherry on top was when Jared was able to come out and join us Friday night for a little fun. So nice when we're all together.

Not a mohawk, not the faux hawk, it's the Katie hawk~

The British Came and Went

2011-07-31T21:31:00.000-07:00

Two of my favorite people in the world.

Jesse and Kathleen
Jesse is my cousin. Kathleen is his wife and my best friend.

They just got back from their year studying abroad in Kent, England. Code for awesome fun fairy tale year of travels and good times with masters degrees on the side.

I missed these guys so much! We got to see them for a quick weekend and I'll just have to keep on missing them because they've moved back to Oregon. A state that is now infinitely more appealing to me.

We set out to do some pictures while they were here. Instead we just fooled around for an hour while shooting the camera off.

Let's call this one "I'm too sexy for this grass..."

Kathleen likes to wittle things with her teeth. Don't tell anyone, they're really dentures.

Still making the same stupid machine gun sound affects he did when he was 6. Way to keep to the bro code. This is also why little boys don't get to play with paper parasols...

In honor of your return from your year abroad, I think it appropriate to share a little something Mark Twain wrote during his travels to the Holy Land back in the 1860's. (Mark Twain liked to swear occasionally and I don't so I'm butchering his quote with my prudy word "dolt". Purists will just have to get over it, I don't care to be a hypocrite to my kids.)

"We wish to learn all the curious outlandish ways of all the different countries so we can show off and astonish people when we get home.

We wish to excite the envy of our own untraveled friends with our strange foreign fashions which we can't shake off.

The gentle reader will never never know what a consumate 'dolt' he can become until he goes abroad.

I speak now of course in the supposition that the gentle reader has not been abroad and therefore is not already a consumate 'dolt'."

Love you guys! Miss you again.

3 Months and Counting

2011-07-27T00:03:00.000-07:00

Katie is absolutely delightful. I think she may be the smiliest newborn I've ever known. She makes great big open mouth smiles and even laughs with a little tickling and peekabooing.
At 2 months she easily doubled her weight and the rolls keep coming! She's getting so nice and chubby. She's almost sleeping through the night and is surprisingly tolerant of her siblings. She loves attention from them almost as much as from Mama. The kids sure love her and it is truly amazing that this kid is still alive. We're trying to keep her in one piece long enough for her to defend herself. Maybe Soli just wants to make sure she's the pretty one...

Adam at 5

2011-07-22T22:53:00.000-07:00

5 years old. No longer a little tot.

Our little Padawan Jedi Adam.

He's a cute kid.

Still clever and curious,

not to mention sneaky,

still a momma's boy,

still quiet, except of course when he wants to be heard,

still my little buddy.

Back in the Saddle Again

2011-07-11T22:47:00.000-07:00

In times of transition or change during my life, I often have a "theme song" running through my mind. Please tell me other people have theme songs and I'm not completely nuts. As is the rule, I have a song lately and it goes like this:

"I'm BAAAAAAACK in the saddle again!"

No no, not the old Gene Autry moseying cowboy "Back in the Saddle Again." That's very cute and all, but that's not what it sounds like.

Try Aerosmith screaming in my head all day long.

"I'm BAAAAACK in the saddle again! I'm BAAAAACK!"

Doesn't Steven Tyler have the biggest mouth?? I wonder if he does some special kind of lip yoga so he can stretch farther and scream big.

I've got to say it is so good to be unpregnant and there's a new energy knowing that I'm not going to be repregnant (God willing, please be willing). I'm perhaps a little over zealous and anxious to be back to my old self though and that translates to ~impatience~ and naturally Steven Tyler screaming in my head.

"I'm BAAAAACK!"

I hear it especially when I'm excited or nervous. At times I hear it when I feel really pumped up or motivated or when I do something right. Other times it's a frantic, "say it out loud so I can believe it" kind of scream.

I started early morning walks then jogging at around 4 weeks postpartum and I think I caught myself singing along out loud. I'm sure the neighbors enjoyed that.
Heard it while shopping. It sounded pretty frantic in the middle of Costco on a busy Saturday morning with all the kids.

Heard it at the gym, pretty frantic feeling terribly out of shape and worrying about whether Soli stopped crying, or if the baby started crying in the child watch, and whether the big boys were behaving OUT of the child watch.

Heard it at church half frantic, half excited when it was my turn again to conduct Primary and teach Sharing Time hoping the baby wouldn't wake up and want to nurse before the 2 hours were up.

Heard it some more on a couple of photo shoots, thankfully it was excited.

Frantic when the house is a mess, Frantic when I'm late and some one pooped in her diaper or spilled their drink, Excited on my birthday date with Jared, excited when the house is clean, excited when I do something right.

It's true sometimes I want to scream, "I'm not BAAAAAAACK!!!!" Especially when the schedule gets too full, or too many kids are crying all at once and I'm burning dinner, or when Jared pulls a 60 hour work week, then leaves town for a week a day earlier than I expected, then comes back and pulls two more 60+ hour work weeks and counting and I just want a shower- "I'M NOT BAAAAAACK!"

But overall things are good. I love love love my baby Katie, and wouldn't trade her for the world. I remind myself that the madness is a relatively short phase and to relax and enjoy the ride and that it's all worth it.

Maybe when I drop a size and I can fit my clothes again the screaming will stop.

So, in the spirit of positive visualization and forward thinking,

cheers,

"I'm BAAAAAAAACK!!!!!!"

So uncool it's cool, er, not, but that's cool.

2011-06-30T23:35:00.000-07:00

I'm rather partial to the month of June, after all, it's my birthday month. Did you know I had my birthday? Yup. I hit the big one. You know, the big 3-0. Thirty. Am I really thirty? I know what you're thinking, "you don't look a day over 35." It's true, I'm just now hitting 30. I have reached the age where make up is no longer an option.

I got a card from my parents that read "Red rover red rover your young years are over." That should be sung really. I love that game. If I were a teacher and I were fired (as if you can fire teachers these days...) but if I were to be canned as a teacher I'm sure it would be because I broke some kids arm playing red rover with my class. I remember when I thought 30 was old. That was about a year ago. But I feel, Ok a little old, but not OLD. Am I OLD??

I think I can concede that my cool years are over, assuming I was ever cool. I'm not cool enough for a lot of things now. Things like Beyonce'. Definitely not cool enough for Destiny's child, or Lady GaGa. Honestly I have no idea who this woman is- she is a woman, right?- I hear the name all the time and apparently according to the media she's one of the most influential people in the world but I don't get it. She sings some stupid songs that I've never heard and her name is "Ga Ga". I feel so moved by her powerful influence. Not cool enough for you Lady blah blah.

I could make a whole list of things I'm not cool enough for:

starting with hip hop music,

let's go ahead and add in hip hop dancing

skinny jeans

~honestly they ought to be called FAT jeans because no one looks skinny in those things.

Goji juice. It just tastes weird.

Zumba- I'm willing to go to Zumba class with a friend but the truth is I feel like a stupid x-cheerleader turned mom trying to get in touch with my uncoordinated sexy side which results in a blatantly obvious" look at me, I'm so very post thirty" to every stranger in the gym.

wearing high heels with jeans- never really was cool enough for that. I don't know if you can like Pearl Jam and be comfortable in girly fashion trends. Those girls look beautiful, I'm just not one of them. Even if Oprah made me over and a giant audience screamed in my favor, I would feel utterly naked and out of place. Not only that I'm extra uncool because my feet are getting old and supportive shoes are no longer an option. Rad.

It's a proven fact, I'm uncool. I'm old, I'm tired, I'm acquiring wrinkles at a rapid rate,I listen to talk radio, the only new movies I seem to know about are kids films, I just called them films, and whenever I don't wear make up some one asks me if I'm feeling alright.

But you know what the cool thing is, I'm actually cool with all that (except maybe for the make up thing...). I'm excited about "my next thirty years." I'm having fun, and life is only going to get better from here. Besides, as long as I always have older friends, I'll always be the young one. HA! I'm 30 and I'm so cool with being uncool. Cheers!

Porter's Portraits

2011-06-25T22:28:00.000-07:00

What a sweet squishy little bundle!

Disneyland!!!!!

2011-06-21T22:00:00.000-07:00

DISNEYLAND!!!!!!

I don't really know, but it may be illegal to take a trip to Los Angeles with your kids and NOT go to Disneyland. Even if you have a new baby that you have to stop and nurse every couple of hours, even if you have a 2 year old that will be scared of all the rides, even if you're only going to go for 2 days, it simply must be done!

Even standing in lines can be fun at Disneyland. Everything is fun at Disneyland. The boys were in heaven. I think we pulled a couple of 12-14 hour days. Uncle Joe and Uncle Ray Ray even joined us for some fun at the park.

FYI: The new Star Tours rocks! I've been telling everyone I got to go to the Wookie planet and Adam was the rebel spy! We all loved the Toy Story ride, Space Mountain is still the bestest ride ever, and if you ever go, buy a turkey leg and eat it, I know, eating giant greasy turkey legs from a roadside cart is normally somewhat grotesque to me but THEY WERE SO GOOD!! How many exclamation marks can I write in one paragraph??!!

Soli's favorite part of it all was the parade and the lollipops. That girl has a major sweet tooth. So spoiled.

And another lollipop for the little girl. This one for breakfast while waiting for her brothers to finish their big kid ride. Hey, it's Disneyland, it's literally the land of "sunshine and lollipops" so you can eat them for breakfast!

TEACUPS!!

I love the look on Adam's face hysterically giggling in this picture!

So much fun! I'm so glad we went! You're so welcome kids. We were there for you. Not for Mom and Dad, no no, it was all for you.

This is L.A.

2011-06-16T09:15:00.000-07:00

This is L.A.

You remember that Sheryl Crow song, right?

This is our LA anyway. Almost all of Jared's relatives are from and live in the LA area and we decided it was time to show up at the family reunion picnic for the first time in about a decade. We packed our bags (as lightly as we could) and took the family on an airplane ride to Los Angeles.

There must have been a sign over our heads in the airport because everyone and their mother felt the need to remind us that we have a big family. "Boy, you have a lot of kids, whoa, you have your hands full, geez, 4, no 5?!" and my favorite, the male flight attendant that says to me, "you better slow down, girl." Thanks for the advice everyone, really, you've changed my world.

Oh and loverly the gal at the car rental who "upgraded" us from our van rental to a "better" van. As we approached our van for the week I saw first thing that it was a Mazda. Great, I thought. We have an older Mazda at home and I know from experience they are designed to be compact and not so much for my woa, geez, you have 5 kids and 4 car seats big family. What are these car companies thinking anyway? It's technically a 7 seater but car seats take some real creativity and the trunk space is smaller than that of a Camry. Hello!!! We shop at Costco!! We need a little space left for groceries and sometimes luggage. So we found space between each kid and sometimes on top of them. Dommy had a great ride to Grandma's with a suitcase on his lap. Sorry bud.

Right, back to our trip - I loved Katie's reaction to Mema! Great Grandma Landin (pictured above with Katie) held that little baby girl first thing upon arrival and I couldn't believe the reaction she got! Katie was squeaking and smiling and cooing up a storm! That was the first time she talked that much and she hasn't spoken nearly as much since. I think she's in love.

Here ya go family! Picnic pictures!

just have to say, this is Jared's favorite part of it all, playing horse shoes! This time he partnered with Uncle Ernie, they did so good until they were beat out by Uncle Ron and Alfred who won in the end.

Hi Cuz 2011!!!

Mema and Papa, you can pick which picture should be sent out, I can't narrow it down any further.

Naturally we couldn't go to California without a trip to IN-N-OUT! That would be positively UN-natural.

I'm not exactly a burger lover but even I can appreciate this place. Our children are getting the full indoctrination of everything their father loves about LA- from the Lakers to in-n-out. I can't fight the tides. Yes, we all walked away with IN-N-OUT T-shirts.

Next up- Disneyland pictures - oh yes, we did Disney!!!!!!

Welcome Porter

2011-06-09T22:31:00.000-07:00

This is my dear friend Becca. Oops, my dear friends Becca and Brian. Becca is my jogging buddy. I managed to get back to running/shuffling in the mornings with her and I could keep up (barely) because she was only 9 months pregnant. She was running in the early morning even the day she gave birth to this little man. 5 hours of labor - as a woman who has 30-48 hour labors, I'm a little jealous.

Becca is one awesome Mama and I'm so excited to see them with their first beautiful baby. Oh yes, Brian is awesome too, sorry bro, Becca's my gal pal and your not, no hard feelings.

In the Merry Month of May

2011-06-09T21:43:00.000-07:00

This year for our Family Home Evenings Jared and I came up with 12 basic topics that we thought were especially important to teach our kids and every month we learn about those topics. The topic for May was temples so we had a family night field trip to the temple in May. It was a beautiful evening (which has not been the case this spring). We had a short lesson and talked about how we all have to do our part to be a forever family. Then we sang and danced to a few favorite songs for Soli and played in the grass as the sun set behind the temple. I love days like this!

We had a fun and busy month and there's so much to post! We just got back from a trip to Los Angeles for a reunion with Jared's side of the family. I have lots of pictures and even more to remember.

I caught a little sewing bug lately and didn't get the dishes done much while I tried to finish what I started. I've made a couple blankets for the baby. I experimented with this one and tried an applique. I thought it turned out great until I washed it and the little birdie is now tearing away. Oh well, I guess I have more experimenting to do with appliques. Once I get caught up on all the recent happenings I'll post some pictures of projects.

Katie's growing so fast! She doesn't even fit this little gown since I took this picture. I splurged on this little newborn gown when Tyler was born. I think all the kids wore it when going home form the hospital. Now it's time to pack it away. If you are ever handed this as a hand me down from me, feel extremely special.

Memorial Day at the Mudhole

2011-06-09T21:40:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day weekend prompted Jared to take some time off and we met our friends the Schupps at their campground. We came home at night since it's not yet warm enough around here to take a baby camping. Between our two families there were plenty of players for a ball game so play we did. Ok, I didn't play, I held the baby and took pictures.

She's Two!

2011-06-09T21:31:00.000-07:00

Soli is 2!!!!! I can't believe it! For Soli's birthday we had pizza and cupcakes, two of her favorite things! We played freeze dance and best of all she was a cowgirl shooting her bubble gun! Here she is giddy about birthday cake. She likes bags so I let her pick out some fabric and I made her a bag to hold her favorite puppy in.

She'd make a great Texan, don't you think? Happy Birthday baby!

Katie's Blessing

2011-06-09T21:21:00.000-07:00

We took advantage of the weekend when all the relatives would be around and had Katie's blessing. It's our religious tradition to give a special blessing to a new baby and give them their name. We don't baptize children until their older and can choose for themselves so the babies get a special blessing.

Daddy blessed her and the sweet girl didn't even cry during her blessing. It's kind of sad but I hardly remember what was said in the blessing except for one thing and that is he said she would be a beautiful woman. I suppose I remember that because it's a little unusual to say that. Remember that little Katie, Daddy says you're beautiful. We love you!

Famdamily

2011-06-09T10:05:00.000-07:00

We had a fun filled weekend with lots of family in town and all for Dominic's birthday! (At least he'd like to think that was the reason for it all.) We had Grandpa Ray (whom Soli adored), Great Grandma Thorson, Aunty Jeris, Uncle Bob, and Glenny and Heather, all in from out of town. There were so many pictures that I'm just dumping most of them into a collage. Many more pictures to come!

"Co0o..."
Soli just loves her Granpa Ray! Jared's dad is the nicest man. He is so helpful and generous, we love having him visit. My Grandma sent me a note after the visit to say: "Ray, who was right there at my elbow every time I took a feeble step.....didn't know they still made gentlemen of that quality." Indeed.

Check out Aunty Jeris guys! She's accomplished so much in the last year! She's lost a whole person worth of weight, she finished her paralegal degree at the top of her class, and so much more. We had such a great visit with her!

Father and son cuddling up for a picture...

Goofball

The Outtakes

2011-06-09T08:13:00.000-07:00

Picture Day

2011-05-21T22:47:00.000-07:00

Wow! I can't believe Katie is already 5 weeks old. This month has flown by!

About 3 weeks ago the girls and I had a little photo shoot while all the brothers were at school. Boy did I need a personal assistant that day! By the time I had the room ready, both girls cleaned up and dressed up I was about out of energy for it all and I hadn't taken a single picture! That's when Soli started in on the toddler games. You know games like "look mom I'm all ready and I'm spitting my drink all over my dress and the floor! Isn't that funny mom, what are you gonna do about it mom?!" Or games like "wake the baby", or "poke the baby", or "I'm going to dance circles around the baby on the bed and drop every 3 seconds and tear my dress and not cooperate" kind of games. Love those games.

I should post the outtakes. No these are not actually the outtakes. Little Soli. What a riot. She could care less about staying in my "frame". After much dancing, rolling around, under, and over, coaxing, and nearly burning the baby with the space heater that I put a little too close in an effort to keep her warm, sleepy, and happy, oh brother, I finally gave up just in time to shove them both in the car to pick Adam up from preschool. Thanks, girls, for a silly, stressful, fun morning. I love these pictures if nothing else but to remember silly Soli that day.
(These look a little pixely once I uploaded them, don't know how to fix that.)

Making Room

2011-04-30T22:54:00.000-07:00

There's nothing that puts a household into commotion like a pregnant woman. There's something about welcoming a little 20 inch soul to ones family that creates a need for new paint on the dining room walls, not to mention the reorganization of everyone's sock drawers. These are strong urges - two weeks before Katie was due I was calling a friend to borrow their sander so that I could stay up all night sanding and painting furniture. Considering we hadn't been able to do much with our house since we moved in 2 years ago I've spent most of this year bursting with some serious nesting syndrome. Many many projects have been underway, the largest of which was the room remodel to make a fourth bedroom.

At some point a small bedroom in our house was converted to a walk in closet connected to the master bedroom and we decided to convert it back into a bedroom. Remember our house is almost 100 years old which always makes things interesting.

My plan was simply to fill in all the holes left behind by the closet shelving and paint the room. Jared's plan originally was to leave all the shelving up, some of it still in use, and shove the crib, the playpen, and a dresser into the closet/room. However when he looked at all the cracks in the plaster walls and examined layers of peeling painted over wall paper and my determination to make the room nice for my babies he decided that we had to peel the wallpaper off and fill in the cracks, then texture, then paint.

SO, Saturday arrives and Jared begins to peel wallpaper. The thing about Jared is he does not like to do anything that is slow, methodical, or tedious. He's a demolition kind of guy. Let's just say he could never be a curator. Within 2 hours of beginning to peel wallpaper he comes downstairs, tromps out to the garage and re enters with a bucket, a shovel, and a hammer. He then informs me that he can have that wall knocked down in a quarter of the time it would take to peel back the wallpaper. Sure you can, but don't you have to put a wall back up after that? Ya, but dry wall is cheap, the wall needs to come down, we're starting over.

At this point, the man had the hammer in his hand, his mind was made up, the wall was coming down. Goodbye wall paper layers and goodbye wall...

OK, two walls down, now what? Jared then decides that since we've (or he) opened up the walls, we might as well expand the room. OK, here we go!

Insulation. Check!

Floor. Check!

Electrical outlet. Check!

Commence operation drywall!

At this point we were 3 weeks away from baby day. Jared put up as much drywall as you see in the above picture and decided to hire a guy to come out and do the dry wall. Jared goes back to work and in come a team of guys that made a huge mess in our house for a week and did a sloppy job of putting up drywall. Long story short and time running short, the drywall was up, imperfect but done and it was time to move forward and paint.

Enter my mom to save the day!

This is Pammy the painter!

Truly, could not have done it without her. She was the master of the stripes!

The prep work was the hardest part. Lots of measuring with a yard stick and a level, pencil marks, tape, paint bleeding, and in the end voila! We have stripes!

We lucked out when we lifted the ugly old green carpet up to find the original wood floor in good shape. Flooring - double check!

After lots and lots of work, we have a really fun room for the girls. Here it is!! There's still a little trim to finish but it was otherwise done just in time for the baby! (who naturally will not be sleeping in there for a few weeks just yet... but at least Soli has a room now.)

I've been wanting to a fairy tale whimsical room since we had Adam. It started with this book by Scott Gustafson. We got it as a going away present from a friend when we left Germany. The art work in this book is gorgeous and I immediately fell in love!

His prints are pretty spendy so I cut out a couple of pages from the book and modge podged them to canvas. It's a shame you can't really see the detail in these photos. Gustafson really is a fantastic artist.

Painted the old crib white. Nice new paint, still rickety. Let's hope it makes it through one more baby. Never did get around to painting the dresser, maybe this summer.

This is the closet. I know, we remodeled and didn't add a closet. We decided to use the new space as a play area instead.

This is where the wall was knocked down and the room expanded. New carpet and a chalk board! Big kudos to Soli, she chose herself to start sleeping in the toddler bed and miraculously, she stays in it! Even at nap time. Absolutely amazing! Never happened before when transitioning kids from the crib!

The kids all love the chalkboard, especially Adam. See the letter A? A is for Adam. He leaves his trade mark wherever he colors. That comes in rather handy when he colors in places he shouldn't.

It was all so much more than I bargained for. Let me just say this: I'm glad it was all Jared's idea and I'm glad we did it. I love the results and so does Soli and now she can say the word "room".

The Last First Bath

2011-04-30T22:37:00.000-07:00

This is one happy kid.... I swear she didn't cry the whole bath time, rather the whole time the camera was in her face. Adam and Soli were pretty intrigued by this little venture and we all squeezed into the tiny bathroom to wash the babe. Soli will be thrilled the day that I give her the green light to jump in with the little sister; she's not into sideline baths.

Memories in the Making

2011-04-27T21:52:00.000-07:00

Where do I even start? The last two weeks have gone by in a blur. We were pleasantly surprised when little Katie showed up right on her due date (as opposed to a week later) and the time has been wonderful and fleeting since that day. I've been taking pictures and trying to enjoy every minute but I fear time is not on my side during these happy days.
Two weeks full of excitement getting to know the new baby sister. I know there were a lot of diaper changes, lots of watching a baby sleep, I know we some how made it to preschool and to doctor appointments. There was a sleepover at Grandma's while I rested in my hospital room, there were visitors, there were sweet gifts and dinners. There were sweet kisses and flowers from Jared and even sweeter moments watching Daddy with his little girl. There was even homework, laundry, piano lessons, cub scouts, even tantrums, and so much more.

Little Katie is already a pound heavier and growing. I wish I could slow it all down.

I am the lucky one. No one gets to see what I see in the wee hours when that little one wakes up. When it's quiet and dim and we watch each other. Do the others see what I see in her eyes? It's like our own little secret. Does any one else see every preciouse movement of her fingers, her lips, her eyebrows as the hour hand rotates around. Is it morning already? Another day has passed. When will I ever find time to write it all down without missing it right now. Can I even write it down?

I'll never understand how we forget it all. Those first smiles. How teensy tiny they are. It's too wonderful to forget.

It is too much fun seeing Soli with her baby. Everytime she sees Katie whether she's passing the room she's in or notices I've picked her up she smiles and says, "Hi, hi, hi baby." It's fun having two babies. Although Soli isn't much of a baby these days. She is a whole new person. Hopefully I'll write more about her soon because she has transformed into a toddler right before our eyes.

Before I close this huge post I think I'll squeeze Easter in. We had a very nice Easter. After church we drove out to my parents and my Dad made a very nice BBQ rib dinner for us all. Nice job Dad. He even had a visit fromt he Easter bunny at his place so the kids had fun collecting more eggs.

I wish I had this on video. Soli in sequence is saying "Happy Easter" right on que in her cute little voice. Pictures don't do it justice. but maybe maybe years from now I'll be able to hear it in my mind when I see the pictures.

At Katie's first doctor appt. our doctor said something about her probably not getting dressed up for Easter, her being too young and all. I laughed! I'm ridiculous with my girls I said, of course she has a dress! My friends Sharyl is very talented with her crochet needles and she made this one night just becuse. So cute.

So much has gone on in the past month, I still have so much I need to write about! I hope I get to it soon. So soon to come, pictures of the room remodel and other house projects, happenings with the kids, and another photo shoot of the new sisters. Here's a little preview of our crazy shoot.

It's only 10:30, I think I'll sqeeze in a shower and cuddle a warm baby. Life is good.

Buddies

2011-04-27T21:45:00.000-07:00

Adam and Soli.
These two are so much fun together. Adam is always so sweet to Soli, even when Soli is not so sweet to him and I love watching them play and laugh together. She is going to miss him so much when he goes to kindergarten. They are bonified buddies.

Count my blessings

2011-04-27T21:32:00.000-07:00

I can't hardly believe it. These are all my kids.

My kids

50 fingers

50 toes

(that's a lot of nails to clip)

5 big smiles

so much to love

I am complete.

Look who's here

2011-04-16T22:46:00.000-07:00

Introducing Katherine Jane Landin.

Born April 14th, 2011 7:44 am.

6lbs. 2 oz, 19 3/4 in

My little Katie Jane. I'm so in love. So much more to come.

Caroline Weldon, the hospital photographer, took some great shots of Adam, Soli, and Katie. You can view them at http://www.bellababyphotography.com/ The password is 0414katielandin. They'll only be up for 2 weeks.

If I could rewrite the alphabet, I would put U and I together.

2011-03-23T11:13:00.000-07:00

You've heard talk about hot Moms, right? I think there's even a show or two on TV about hot Momma's. What if you have a hot Dad? I don't know how cool that is if you're a little boy.

Jared went to watch Tyler in a school program and Tyler came home telling us that all the 5th grade girls admired his Dad. Not only that, he says, they were "doing pass it on with the 'H' (hot) word!"

Enter Mom LAUGHING and both Jared and Tyler red in the face and laughing. Does this mean I have competition?

2 Thumbs Up For Vacation

2011-03-15T21:32:00.000-07:00

It's half way through March already! Time is flying by! I have so many things I want to write about, perhaps they will never make it past my mind. I have this habit of not posting things I say out loud that I'm going to follow up on, such as vacation pictures or baby showers or whatever else I let slip through the cracks. Here's one for the books, pictures from our vacation!

Over President's Day weekend we took a snowboarding trip to Silver Mountain in Idaho. Fun, fun, fun! It was very short and sweet but much needed and appreciated. The big boys got to take snowboarding lessons, Jared got to ride, we all relaxed in our hotel, ate out, and best of all we played and played in the indoor water park!

I have to admit most of the pictures are pretty overexposed but I kind of like them. On a side note, I'm really working on boosting my technical knowledge of photography- not my strong point...

Soli loved having Dad around a little extra that weekend. Here she is bouncing up and down on Dad with her baby.

And this here is three little boys soaking up all the cable they could while in the hotel. Afterwards, I think Jared, Tyler, and I all separately commented that cable is so lame and such a waste. Thanks to our hotel room for the reminder.

Bright and early Friday morning, we all rode up the Gondola, aaaaaalllll the way up to the top for the much anticipated snowboarding!!! There were mixed feelings inside our gondola trolley/car/box. Adam was downright gleeful riding up high. Dommy a little nervous, Tyler a little more nervous though made a noble attempt at hiding his fears. Soli, how shall I put it? Soli despised the gondola. I wouldn't call it fear so much as anger emanating from her person.

Just look at this face. That's an angry Soli babe.

At last time for Snowboarding!!!!!

The boys did great and had a lot of fun. Adam was a little disappointed that he wasn't quite old enough to be in lessons or big enough to fit any rentals but in the end he had fun with Mom and Soli.

Once again, Soli greatly enjoyed the snow from my hip, but not so much from any other position, especially not standing in it. I didn't even bother dressing her in her snowsuit or boots because I already knew how it would play out.

Now we're having fun. Sugar through a straw.

We went out to eat after our big day of snowboarding and waterparking at this restaurant called Noah's right there in the resort village. Yum, good food. I know just where to eat now whenever we're in Kellogg. We were seated really close to their welcome sign and Soli kept walking up to it and rubbing/erasing letters and no joke, this was the result. Naturally we left it just like that.

Have you ever danced with a chalkboard. You should try it some time. I helps to release one's inner creative juices.

What a view!

Our final morning, the boys squeezed in a little more sledding right outside the hotel. I still can't believe what perfect weather we had! There was no snow on the ground when we left Spokane and less than 2 hours away we had 9+ inches of fresh snow and temperatures in the upper 20's and 30's! It doesn't get much better than that.

This was snow much fun! I have to thank my friend Collette who hooked us up with the deal of the decade making it possible for us to make this trip for about 60% less than what it should have cost us. Thank you!!! We had a blast!

All buckled up and ready to go. Soli all set with her baby wrapped in her blankie. Oh how she loves that baby of hers.

Hope we see you again next year, Silver Mountain! Thanks for the good times.

Flashback: Caught Red Handed

2011-03-03T23:54:00.001-08:00

Who colored on the window seat pad??!!!!

This picture is actually from January of 2010. I came across it and realized I never posted this.
It's true he actually did the deed and layed down for a nap right on top of it. No denying that one kiddo.
And it's also true, it's so much funnier later.