burton burton who's got the burton

day 3: happiness

2011-11-09T21:22:00.000-07:00

my happiness=their happiness

day 9: inspiring person

2011-11-09T21:03:00.003-07:00

my little allie jane. struggled her first month of life. she is my little fighter. head strong, heart strong. love her.

day 4: leaves

2011-11-08T16:40:00.001-07:00

my burning bush in the front yard...didn't even know i had one until a few weeks ago!

day 8: favorite color

2011-11-08T16:39:00.003-07:00

that is the color of my walls in my family room and kitchen...i love it.

yellow

day 5: morning sky

2011-11-07T11:53:00.002-07:00

today's morning sky

day 6: books

2011-11-07T11:52:00.002-07:00

some of my childrens books. i love these.

starting with day 7

2011-11-07T11:27:00.005-07:00

i've decided to do this...30 day zoom in on gratitude

starting today. and maybe going back and hitting the first part.

so day 7: something funny

this was taped to the table this morning. and the funny thing is, is that he didn't do anything but put a bottle in the sink. it was leftover clean from the night before. he just doesn't want to do chores after school.

easter 2011

2011-05-19T19:28:00.001-07:00

waking up from naptime...

2011-03-26T15:46:00.001-07:00

this girl, allie jane

2011-03-11T16:46:00.005-07:00

at one year, this girl....

*has her daddy's smile (i think all the kids got the burton smile, which i am happy about!)

*has big blue eyes

*is the spitting image of anna! in all aspects...

*is a happy baby

*is 19 lbs 4 oz (25%)

*is 27" tall (10%)

*signs "more" and "milk"

*waves bye-bye

*sings "eensy-weensy spider" and i mean sings it...blah, blah, blah and she even does the actions

*sleeps through the night (has been since she got home from the hospital at 4 wks--granted back then it was for 6 hours, now we are up to a good 10-12 hours)

*crawls everywhere

*climbs the stairs (up, not down yet)

*keeps herself busy getting into things (i forgot what they can get into)

*is a bit of a mama's girl (new thing for me, the other two have ALWAYS favored daddy!)

*has three teeth (all on the bottom)

*loves to give big, open-mouthed kisses

*has a bit of a temper...gets mad when you take things away

*is loved by her older sister and brother

birthday girl!

2011-03-08T17:29:00.000-07:00

thanksgiving 2010 thank you notes.

2010-11-25T08:07:00.002-07:00

dear home,

thank you for being ours. thank you for your big spacious yard. thank you for your big spacious rooms and closets. thank you for your great kitchen (especially the cabinet space and huge pantry). thank you for inviting us in and welcoming us with such great spirit. i, we, love you. thank you.

with much fondness,
liz

dear layton construction,

thank you for laying-off my husband. it truly was a blessing in disguise.

sincerely,
liz

dear big-d,

thank you for hiring my husband. thanks for seeing his talent.

even more sincerely,
liz

dear epidural,

i love you.

love and much affection,
liz

dear lifeflight and accompanying nurses,

thank you for saving my baby's life. my heart always skips a beat or two when i hear a helicopter over head. thankful that mine made it.

humbly,
liz

dear pcmc (primary children's medical center)

thank you for healing my baby. she is most beautiful.

with a heart so full,
liz

dear new neighborhood,

thank you for giving my kids a great and safe place to play. they are so happy here and we are so glad.

happy mom,
liz

dear half-coke half-diet coke,

thanks for all the comfort and peace this year. i couldn't have done it without you!

really addicted,
liz

so i was thinking...

2010-11-15T21:37:00.002-07:00

.i have a new awesome craproom
.aka craftroom
.although it could mean bathroom
.and i have a new one, actually 2.5, of those as well
.in fact, i have a whole new house
.that shawn bought with his own money
.for me
.and the kids, i suppose
.and for himself, too
.we bought it almost a month ago
.i am very happy
.in fact, i love it here
.in kaysville
.yes, that is davis county!
.i can hardly believe it myself
.it's not another state, mom

a boy and his dog

2010-10-08T08:43:00.002-07:00

yes, this is truly how mikey and tucker fell asleep last night.

we finally moved mikey after about two hours.

and he left a big ol' glob of drool on him.
that would be mikey on tucker. yummy.

family pics 2010

2010-10-01T13:36:00.002-07:00

to do list for friday, sept 17th

2010-09-17T07:20:00.002-07:00

wht i NEED to do:

clean,
clean kitchen
clean family room
clean dining room
clean bedrroom
clean bathroom
clean allie's room
(because she can't mess it up, so it must be my mess).
do the dishes
do laundry
and more laundry
and even more laundry
clean myself
(you know, take a shower)
clean the babe

what i WANT to do:
get a coke
take a nap

what i am ACTUALLY doing:
blogging about it

very productive.

sweet allie jane

2010-09-09T11:32:00.014-07:00

i can't believe she is already six months old.

she really is such a happy baby.

i think she looks just like anna did (i wish i had some pictures to put up and compare, but those were the days of my 35mm camera and i am just not technological enough to scan them in myself).

she loves her excersaucer.

she loves baby fruits (not veggies...like mikey).

she is still toothless (which i am glad about).

she is a bit of a momma's girl (new thing for me)...but she always smiles for daddy.

happy 1st half-birthday, my sweet baby girl! i love you!

just for your information

2010-09-06T12:06:00.003-07:00

i have a button on the side.

it's important.

my little sis and hubby are trying to expand their family.

they would love to adopt.

so, please. spread the word.

i don't think you would get better parents than these two.

thanks.

lunch following at the golden colon...his choice.

2010-08-11T11:23:00.001-07:00

uh, the golden corral. moo.

and how hungwee ah you?

2010-08-07T14:43:00.001-07:00

mikey: "mom, i am stahhving! i weally need a booffay."

birthday boy!

2010-07-28T10:04:00.002-07:00

i can hardly believe that my baby boy is eight!

eight years ago i was in heaven (really just cottonwood hospital with a nice epidural and ice chips).

and eight years ago i got the sweetest boy a mom could ask for.

mikey is smart, handsome, athletic, loving.

he is a thinker...wants to know the why and how.

he is thoughtful...especially in his prayers.

he plays hard, really hard.

he loves his cookies and cakes.

he used to be a quiet boy. and we were worried...but not now.

i LOVE this boy and i am glad he's mine.

happy birthday, mikey!

just cause she's so cute

2010-06-25T22:49:00.002-07:00

i love, love, love her little face!

and yes, i know the flower is larger than her head. so is my boob. she's used to it.

made it in the paper

2010-06-18T12:11:00.003-07:00

so the kidlets ran a 1-mile race in mesquite with grandpa and grandma on memorial day.

they made the paper--virgin valley times.

anna is #623 and mikey is standing next to her in the utah hat.

they both came in second it their age groups.

mikey even had a couple of pit stops at the slides.

good job, kids.

ps. apparently they take after their dad in this area.

allie jane's big day

2010-06-08T08:17:00.002-07:00

so cute...

2010-06-04T07:30:00.002-07:00

she has found her thumb. and she LOVES it.
and i think it is so cute.

but will it be cute in years to come?

i can cut a slit in the binky and say it's broken (that's what i did for mikey) and be done with it.

but i can't very well cut off the thumb.

oh well.

it's still cute for now.

how embarassing, but really kinda funny

2010-06-02T09:00:00.002-07:00

shawn found some old fertilizer in the garage.

he could not find a spreader thingy.

so he did it by hand. not even knowing if the fertilier was still good.

apparently it works great.

but only on the spots where it landed.

you could write obsenities in people's lawn if they made you really mad.

but i would never do that.

never.

time to get my butt in gear...

2010-05-27T17:11:00.005-07:00

anna and mikey had track & field today (obviously shawn's doing). immediately after she had activity days.

we stopped at home so she could change.

i told her to put on more deodorant. she told me she already did. i told her she should always put it on after she works out.

"do you put it on after you work out?" she asked.

"yes i do" i replied.

then she asked, "well, do you workout?"

i replied emphatically, "yes i do."

or i used to. and maybe i will soon.

she's got solutions to everything...

2010-05-22T10:31:00.004-07:00

anna was helping me bath allie this morning. she got talking about how hard it would be to have twins.

"two of everything, mom." and she proceeded to list "and two carseats, oh and two cribs."

and then she pauses.

"oh, i know. one of the babies could be nocturnal."

today's allie

2010-05-18T16:31:00.001-07:00

so i know it's been a while. a long while. but most of you have been kept up-to-date with all the goings on (if not, too bad). so i am just going to start from here and maybe or maybe not add goings-on from before. did you get that (if not, too bad).

allie is doing so good. i can't hardly believe that i got myself a baby. and a super-cute one at that.

anna and mikey love, love, love her. and i am so glad.

things are just going good. no, great. i have been so blessed. thank you all for your prayers, and love, and goodness. thank you.

there were never such devoted....

2010-05-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

randomness from an overly tired super pregnant crazy lady

2010-03-05T07:16:00.003-07:00

*pam had her baby
*i want to have mine
*i am so done with snow
*and look at it outside
*i got a cold
*and last night was the crappiest sleep i've ever had
*mikey thinks he can wear two different boots to school today
*i almost don't care
*if i were pregnant with mikey, he would be born today
*he was 15 days early...see my reasoning?
*if not, oh well. too bad for you.
*alice thinks the crib is her new bed
*now i have to wash the bedding again
*at least tucker can't get into the crib
i think mikey's matches to his boots are in the backyard, covered with snow.
*does anyone want to break my water?
*i have a crochet hook somewhere.
*i don't think i can reach myself.
*but maybe...
*we still don't have a name
*we haven't even talked about it for a long time
*i am really hoping for inspiration
*maybe she will come out with one of those sticker name tags that reads "hello my name is...." and it will be filled out
*that would be nice
*really nice
*when i cough, i feel like my uterus is going to fall out
*and it hurts
*oh well
*life must go on...

and what feels good to you?

2010-02-18T10:40:00.002-07:00

last night mikey actually slept through the night. he usually gets up a least once to pee. and he feels it necessary to come up to my bathroom and announce to me (while i am sleeping) that he has to pee. and he pees. boy, does he pee. and for a long time. and it is always loud.

well, this morning at about 7 am he and anna came running up. anna beat him to the bathroom. and he danced and danced around.

finally, it was his turn.

and i heard, in a sing-song voice with the echo of the pee going into the water, "ahh it feels so go to pee, ahh it feels soooo good to pee."

he was happy. so was i.

and how are you?

2010-02-16T11:10:00.003-07:00

it's tuesday. and i went back to bed after the kids went to school. maybe i should feel bad. but i was tired.

i need to shower. but it takes all my energy and i need to clean.

tucker was hit by a car on friday. he's okay. but we found out yesterday that he has a couple of small fractures that should be surgeried on (can't think today). at a cost of $3000-$6,000. even if shawn had been working for the last 3 months, i don't know that we could afford that for a dog. the vet did say that if surgery is not financially possible, then we can keep him on strict bedrest for 4-6 weeks. funny--that's like keeping anna or mikey on strict bedrest. but that is the route we are going with, it's cheapest.

i've got less than 5 weeks left of pregnancy. i am getting anxious. i want to meet this little baby. plus, i want to be comfortable again. i want to walk without having contractions. and i want to be able to walk and breath at the same time. and i want to be able to move around without feeling like everything inside me is going to come bursting out from between my legs. you know that feeling, don't you? and i want to stop having to pee all the time.

there are a few things i will miss with being pregnant: expectant mother parking spots, sit-n-shops, and feeling the baby move inside. i think that is amazing. really amazing.

i am really wishing i had a magic fairy to come clean. and i really wish the sun would shine. and i need a coke with pebble ice. and also, just a cup of pebble ice. yum.

any guesses on when the new baby burton will be arriving? i prefer march sometime. early march. on an even day. we all have even day birthdays: 22, 14, 4, 28...

back to work

2010-02-09T15:18:00.003-07:00

shawn has a job! temporary, contract work, but a job none-the-less.

and that means i have to go back to work.

like housework.

because i do consider myself a "homemaker". (most of the time, anyway.)

yesterday i played with my mom and sisters in the morning and took a much needed rest in the afternoon.

today, i have worked.

yep, you heard that right.

shawn is no longer around to do the laundry, the dishes, the vacuuming, the dusting, etc.

and i did all those things today (except maybe dusting--just sort of dusted).

he spoiled me while he has been home the last three months. and i mean really spoiled me. he loves me.

so now, i am (mostly) happy to be doing those things again.

but i do miss him. i have no one to go get a coke with me at break time (10am-ish). i have to eat lunch alone. and i have no reason to go back and get in bed when the kids leave in the morning to sleep just a little longer (but i might anyway).

anywho...guess i better start thinking about dinner.

maybe.

too much free time?

2010-01-22T17:17:00.003-07:00

the kidlets have been off track for forever...they finally go back on monday...yeah!

anywho, anna discovered the ipod touch. really i am not that technically aware and i had no idea what it was although i have heard of it, i think.

until last night.

after my trip (by myself) to the store.

anna put together a power point presentation (something else i know little about)entitled:

"the ipod touch: why anna burton should get one"

she then provided me with all the information i needed:

facts--i now know what it is
tech specks--i know it's dimensions, colors it comes in, how many "jiggy-bites" it has, how many photos, songs and videos it can hold.
apps--games, gps, calendar, blah, blah, blah
why she deserves one--she has been very good and she thinks she deserves one.

she even downloaded pictures of one for me to see.

and the last page:

"hope you were convinced. don't forget to donate a $1 in the cup. thank you."

she really needs to get back in school.

a little randomness...

2009-12-17T08:18:00.002-07:00

*today is thursday
*it is neither here nor there
*i had a leg cramp last night
*painful, excruciatingly painful
*my first one of this pregnancy
*my leg still hurts
*now i am going to have to remember to flex my foot before i stretch...in the middle of the night, in the middle of my sleep...ugh
*i get up way too much in the middle of the night to pee
*i hate it
*kids were up a 5 am ... i was not too happy
*i got a pedicure yesterday
*it's been a long time since i had one
*my friend gave it to me for christmas
*great gift
*we went together
*even better
*shawn is still looking for work
*i am liking having him around
*too much
*mikey wants him to get a job at in-n-out
*i don't think shawn would mind that
*did i mention my leg cramp last night?
*i am now into my third trimester
*that means 3 months to go
*holy crap
*3 months...
*i watched a show last night
*a girl had a baby in prison
*but the kicker was that she got to keep her baby with her!
*poor kid when he is asked where he is from "i was born and raised in prison"
*and i am sure that as tax payers, we pay for it
*stupid. she needed to put him up for adoption.
*i will now get off my soap box.
*i have a decision to make right now
*should i
a. be done and go shower and start my day; or
b. go climb back in bed and start it later
*big decision
*i better go think about it, but you have a good day now!

dog, it's wintertime!

2009-12-15T08:47:00.003-07:00

apparently it has been too cold outside lately for this dog of ours. or maybe he is just getting lazy.

he stands half-in and half-out of the door. all the time. it's a new thing.

i threaten to make him start paying the heating bill (yes, we do have one). but it doesn't seem to work.

oh, what can you do for a couple of bucks?

2009-12-07T20:19:00.002-07:00

so i got these gingerbread houses last year on christmas eve at costco for a couple of bucks. who knew they would last an entire year...and not one broken piece of gingerbread or candy. and the icing worked great. except the green but we didn't need that.

we pulled them out for some sunday night fun.

and they did have fun.

and it didn't matter that the kits were a year old. the kids couldn't taste the difference.

and i don't think tucker cared. he just liked being in the middle of it all.

gingerbread houses: $4
eating year-old candy: priceless

in honor of his 35th birthday...

2009-11-22T15:03:00.003-07:00

things i love about shawn...

1. his smile. i fell in love with it the first night out in that bowling alley in enoch, utah. i tried to get him to dance after every strike but he only smiled. it was good enough for me.

2. his quiet nature. it is such a calming influence on me. and we all know that calmness is what i need regularly.

3. his humor. he is quite funny. but you have to really be listening to hear it...beacause of #2.

4. his thoughtfulness. a text here, a note there. he loves me, i know.

5. his energy. he is ALWAYS doing something. used to drive me nuts, now i appreciate it.

6. he works hard. always.

7. his loyalty. to me. i would have left me a long time ago.

8. he is a great dad! a better dad than i am mom. he lets the kidlets help him in the kitchen, yard, garage, where ever he is. i prefer to do it myself. the kids love being with him.

9. his creativity. he serves the kids mac & cheese in wine glasses and lights candles for a special dinner night for them.

10. his willingness to do anything for our family. he even applied for a job at byu...his dad gave him the okay as long as he doesn't start cheering for them.

11. his laugh...his outloud, belly laugh. it doesn't happen very often (again, see #2) but when he is with his brothers...

12. his driving skills. i know i often make fun of his "grandpa" style of driving, but i know we will always be safe.

13. his love.

happy birthday, shawn! i love you...

what? huh? really?

2009-11-17T23:05:00.003-07:00

so i took this quiz here.

i thought i might be a sugar cookie, or even something a little chocolately with some nuts. especially some nuts and i am okay with that. but NO!

i am oatmeal raisin.

ugh.

don't get me wrong. i like a good oatmeal raisin cookie. but it is not my first, or even second choice. it's a little boring. and raisin-y.

and shawn doesn't even like raisins. in fact, he despises them. especially in cookies.

and i am an oatmeal raisin cookie. what am i suppose to do about this new revelation? do i tell shawn?

i could retake the quiz.

but that would be cheating.
and i don't think oatmeal raisin cookies cheat.

Hey! Here's what I want for Christmas!

2009-11-14T09:54:00.003-07:00

i received an email with that title from anna this morning. here is the email:

Disney - Pixar - UP! It is available on Blu-ray and DVD November 10.
nintendo dsi
a guitar
a guitar
beetles
new music
new music
cool posters
new clothes
new shoes
some books
some cool movies
a new dog
smecils and japanese erasers

i am happy to see there isn't two new dogs on the list.

daddy daughter derby date

2009-11-10T19:28:00.003-07:00

for activity days, anna got to have a pinewood derby with her dad. she designed the car, he cut it out and they painted together. shawn made sure it was up to code and had plenty of graphite in the wheels. and guess what, they came in second place. but more importantly they beat the cougar car!

don't they make a cute couple...

reduction of force

2009-11-04T17:20:00.002-07:00

that's what they called it when they laid shawn off yesterday.

oh well.

it sucks.

but what can you do?

i have been brainstorming now that i'm all cried out.

here are a few of my ideas...

*switch to margarine instead of yummy, yummy butter. it's quite a bit cheaper. but i don't know if it would be worth it...

*get double use of clothing by wearing everything twice or three times before washing...including underwear (you can wear it twice by turning in inside-out the next day).

*shower in the dark.

*air dry all hair...so please don't ask if i did my hair or anna's hair when you see us.

*eat leftovers...i know some of you already do and you still have your jobs but this will be new to us.

*darn our socks.

*dress extra warm this winter...although i already keep my heat pretty low, don't know how much this will help.

*don't go anywhere...save on gas. home is best anyway.

*save all of tucker and alice's hair and weave it into sweaters.

just a few ideas. more are welcome, please.

and if he still doesn't have a job in a few months, does anyone know how to do a home delivery. i just don't think i could deliver my own baby. yours, maybe. but not my own.

one more thing, if anyone has any extra prozac, please, pass it my way, please? i might need it in a month or two when my supply runs out.

really, we will be fine. i know we will. let's hope.

a word or two on emesis

2009-09-24T07:46:00.004-07:00

**read this post at your own risk. perhaps having a bowl or barf bag nearby wouldn't hurt. or just make sure you have a clear path to the nearest toilet**

otherwise known as vomiting, puking, spewing, hurling, ralphing (i would hate the name ralph, but it might be considered if we have a boy), upchucking (chuck, another possibility), retching, barfing, and just plain old throwing-up.

i have become an expert on this.

it is what i know these days.

not that i want to know it.

but i do. and they say you should write on what you know, so here goes.

this is a list of my least favorite things the throw-up and why. maybe you could learn something, especially if you are pregnant, sick, or thinking about becoming bulimic.

in no particular order...

*milk. and i love milk. i used to drink a couple of glasses every day. but not now. milk goes down as a liquid and comes up as a solid. it curdles in your stomach, which doesn't take long, and comes up chunky. and sour. very sour. but not like sour cream. sour chunks. it makes me sad. no more milk for me.

*rice. you wouldn't normally think that rice would be bad. it's pretty bland and uneventful. however, don't be deceived. rice is little. and when you chew it, it becomes smaller. then when it is spewed, it feels like little maggots coming out. and they get stuck in your mouth. they stick everywhere. and you have to swirl your tongue around and spit to get them all out. and still you will find more. they are just so little and there are many little crevices in your mouth. you get the point.

*popcorn. similar to rice, in the fact that it comes up as small little pieces. and there tends to be little pieces of popcorn kernels stuck everywhere. if you are going to eat popcorn, don't bother picking out the yucks from your teeth, you will be doing it again after the big upchuck.

*orange juice. this is something i crave. but it burns coming up. not worth it.

*hot dogs. now i know many of you wouldn't even bother eating one. but i love a good dog. but not anymore. no matter how much chewing you do, they still come up super chunky. i do not like hurling chunks--it hurts. another thing, they really stink the second time around.

*onions. okay just kidding. just checking to see you if you are still reading. i wouldn't know what it is like to throw these things up. i don't think they are worth eating in the first place.

now this list is not complete. but i am done for the time being. these are the worst for now.

and some of you might think that perhaps i shouldn't eat anything at all. but the worst thing to do is retch on an empty stomach. when your insides are trying to eject its contents, it does it with such force and violence that it will find something to bring up. and it is called bile. and it burns. and burns. and you can feel it eating away the enamel on your teeth. and brushing your teeth doesn't help that feeling go away. bile is the worst. you may as well make a meal of the previous list of items and inhale them before you consider not eating.

i used to say that i wouldn't ever eat anything a second time if i threw it up. however, that plan quickly faded when i realized i soon wouldn't be eating anything at all. i would venture to say that there is not a food i haven't thrown-up that i have eaten. lucky me.

i thought about making a list of things are okay the ralph, but i don't think that list exists.

now, go eat something good. you'll feel better.

baby preparation?

2009-09-22T14:39:00.002-07:00

so i wonder if my children are trying to get me ready for the baby.

almost since we have moved here, my lovely and darling children have not slept through the night. particularly the last few nights. they aren't just getting up and shifting and getting water and going back to bed. they are getting up and staying up. for a couple hours.

i don't get it.

i don't know what to do about it.

i am frustrated.

especially because i know that in a few short months, i will have to get out of bed for a baby that really needs me.

i need to get all the sleep i can NOW!

i have thought about locking them in their rooms, handcuffing them to the bed, or drugging them, but then i don't think that is considered being a good and loving mother. which is something i think i should at least pretend to be.

we have a bedtime routine. we leave nightlights on. we say prayers...lots of them. they have bedtime snacks. and drinks. and potty time. i just can't figure out why they are still waking up in the middle of the night.

and i don't know what to do about it...any suggestions?

this is not a teaser...i promise

2009-09-02T19:36:00.004-07:00

i am pregnant.

yep. you read that correctly.

i am pregnant.

with a baby (you know, a fetus, a teeny-tiny human being) in my uterus.

and it moves a lot. i saw it. a lot. i heard it's heartbeat. "158 beats. perfect" she said. really it is there.

the baby is due to come somewhere around march 21st.

we don't have any baby stuff anymore. my baby is 7 years old. i am starting over.

but it is great.

really great.

anyone? anyone?

2009-08-27T18:37:00.001-07:00

just a teaser to see if anyone is still out there...

please, just come as you are.

2009-04-28T07:36:00.003-07:00

anna wants to have a luau hawaiian theme for her birthday party. well, i made the invitations non-hawaiianish. i used what i had. she got worried.

"mom, they won't know to come in their hawaiian clothes. what if they come dressed like someone from england?"

does this invitation say "dress like your from england" to you?

this one's for gramma rhonda

2009-04-27T16:51:00.002-07:00

anna said to me the other day:

"mom, i want to go somewhere really good to eat. like taco bell."

self-potraits

2009-04-24T06:35:00.003-07:00

she has started young. when we, my siblings and I, were younger (okay we still do it--but it's not quite the same with a digital camera) we would take self-potraits all the time. my mom would get so mad when she developed the film and there were self-portraits of us. "waste of film" she would say. but i say they are my favorite pictures and i think she secretly adores them now.

i heart mother earth

2009-04-22T16:18:00.003-07:00

these are a few pictures i have taken over the last year and a half. most are in colorado and a few in utah at arches national park.

it really is a beautiful world we have here.

there is a reason it's called the mud season

2009-04-22T07:15:00.001-07:00

so the ski season if officially over and the mud season has officially started. shawn took the kids (including the dog) down to the river to play. and they all looked like this when they returned. i didn't think to take a picture of the others until after they were in the shower. oh well. i am sure they will be back there soon. happy spring.

easter 2009

2009-04-21T06:24:00.002-07:00

it was wierd not having family around on easter this year. and it snowed. and i burnt the ham (i tell you my culinary skills are nonexistant). and anna wore the same dress as last year (i felt it okay since we were in utah last year).

but the kiddos still looked cute.

it's all make-believe, anna

2009-04-16T06:59:00.003-07:00

anna asked me yesterday if oprah was the same kind of doctor as dr. crane and niles*.

yes, anna, she is. the exact same.

*that would be frasier and niles crane, from frasier--my favorite show these days.

here's to life and love...

2009-03-06T17:42:00.003-07:00

5 years ago today, shawn picked me up and took me home. i had not been home for a week. and was scared to go. but ready to go. it was time. i had no idea what was to come but i was ready for the fight. well, maybe i was just not ready to give up completely.

and here i am today. and i am happy. still on some meds. still need my sleep. still have bad days. but i am happy. no thoughts of despair hanging around in my mind. no dark, gloomy clouds hanging overhead. i get out of bed everyday and i do the things a stay-at-home mom does. and it does get monotonous but i am grateful. i wouldn't want it any other way.

i am grateful for life. for my life. for me. for who i am and what i do. i have purpose. and i love.

a far cry from where i was 5 years ago.

so, here's to life and love.

proof...

2009-02-07T20:13:00.001-07:00

there was a deer in our backyard. tucker don't poop like that...i would post a comparison picture, but that would be gross.

i just can't do anything right...

2009-01-28T17:05:00.004-07:00

the other morning...

anna (tear-stained face, red eyes and screaming...): "mom, i am just trying to live a happy life and it's not working because of you!"

all because i make her wear clean clothes and non-sweat pants (jeans) to school.

she's only eight.

a quest for some optimism in january

2009-01-27T16:06:00.002-07:00

redeeming facts about january...

*excellent tv...jack bauer, biggest loser, american idol, psych, monk, the bachelor, etc...i know it seems like a lot of tv but when it is too stinkin' cold to go outside and do anything else...

*it's only one month of the year and it's first, so it's out of the way.

*kids are back in school.

*elk are around in abundance. i think they are beautiful in their herds, all nestled down in the snow.

*hot meals...when i do cook, which i have been doing lately.

(at this point, i am really trying to stay positive. i can think of a hundred things i hate about january but that defeats the purpose of this post)

*fresh snow

okay, i'm done. and i don't think this exercise helped at all. ugh. can you share any positivity with me?

a post worth sharing...

2009-01-25T18:02:00.002-07:00

thanks mandy for sharing...

ahhh...

2009-01-22T17:08:00.000-07:00

here is my little skier...i love these learn to ski days.

poor anna is home sick.

please act your age

2009-01-09T10:18:00.002-07:00

i saw a mom or maybe a nanny get mad at her two maybe three year old yesterday at the post office. she told her she was acting like a one year old and should be embarrassed.

i just don't get it.

one smart carrot...i mean cookie.

2009-01-08T15:24:00.001-07:00

anna: "mom, i'm pooping. but i'm constipated. could you get me a couple of carrots?"

what a good mom am i

2009-01-07T07:14:00.003-07:00

i told anna monday to let her teacher know that i could help out with the field trip if needed. i tend to wait until the last minute to volunteer--intentionally or unintentionally, i don't know (you see, if you wait until the last minute your chances of actually helping are slim because most people are on top of things but i don't really do all of this on purpose...i am a great procrastinator). anyway, the teacher called to see if i could help out. sure.
well, this field trip was to sylvan lake state park. an outdoor field trip. in the middle of january. with 500 feet of snow. in 20 degree temperatures. for five hours. and it snowed. and i did it.
with my four layers of clothes (not including my long underwear). my coat, my gloves, my boots, my hat with neck gator, and my snow shoes. tromping around sylvan lake. standing the whole day. because i was afraid if i sat down i wouldn't be able to get back up (due to the snow shoes, of course)--and i was right. i couldn't get back up when i fell. the instructor guy had to help me up. quite embarrassing. but i survived. barely.

all i want for christmas...

2008-12-08T15:44:00.003-07:00

he has lost his first tooth! and ain't he cute. it's been loose for about a week and today when he came home from school, i "checked" it and with a little twist, out it came! the one next to it is super loose too...i will "check" on that one tomorrow.

ps. sorry about the picture, it's from my phone...remember, my camera is gone?!

tis the season

2008-12-07T19:17:00.003-07:00

*so i lost my camera. at the chili's in glenwood springs. all my thanksgiving photos. plus the photo of mom biting into her bigmouth burger.

*my new camera should be here on tuesday. shawn had it sent to his work. why? because we only have a po box and shippers just get confused.

*my turkey was beautiful (i would have had a picture to post, but...ugh). and i think it was de-lish!

*this year was the first thanksgiving shawn and i and our family have had with my parents. since shawn & i were married, we have always gone to mesquite for thanksgiving (it's only fair since we used to have sunday dinner EVERY sunday at my parents). and while we missed the burtons, the golfing, and the warm weather, it was nice to have it at home.

*i have been sick. it makes me depressed.

*because i have been sick and depressed i gave into a fake tree. don't get me wrong, it's nice and all but it is fake. maybe when i feel better...

*i didn't get out of bed until about 6 pm today. thanks shawn. i love you.

fa-la-la-la-la

birthday boy!

2008-11-22T20:28:00.003-07:00

today is shawn's birthday.

he got himself a ski pass and skis.

the kids and i got him a helmet...to keep his little noggin safe.

and the utes got him a win!!

happy birthday! i love you!

surprise!!!

2008-11-17T16:00:00.003-07:00

so last wednesday or so i called and asked annie to come visit. i had been feeling a bit homesick, missing my fam. and she said she could and would! hurray! i think i asked katie too but knew that she probably wouldn't be able to come.

well, friday annie and dan showed up. and about 15 minutes later i heard a knock at the door. i thought it was probably the neighbor kids. but then i heard anna exclaim "erin!" after she opened the door. i was so surprised and even more happy!

even though it was a quick weekend i am so grateful to have such great sisters who will drop everything and come cheer me up!

we played in vail. we made turkey dinner. we shopped a bit. it was so fun. thanks for coming!

moab

2008-11-13T16:16:00.002-07:00

last weekend we met shawn's parents in moab for a quick get-away. it was fun but way too short. highlights:

*we hiked negro bill canyon

*we hiked in arches national park. we did delicate arch, double arch, sand dune arch.

*mikey was so excited to hike to double arch and look for indiana jones' footprints.

*it was cloudy the entire weekend but no rain...in my opinion, the best way to hike down there.

and since we were on vacation, we did not live on our food storage. oh well.

all part of the "snowed-in" experience

2008-11-11T16:57:00.005-07:00

here is my friend, the little red hen.

and here she is making bread.

and here i am enjoying the yummy, hot-from-the-oven bread.

i was supposed to be learning to make the bread. but i don't think i could do it yet on my own. particularly because i don't have a fancy-smancy mixer. i guess we will just have to do it again.

food storage? what?

2008-11-04T11:17:00.003-07:00

we were given the challenge at church on sunday to live solely on our food storage. what? we are to pretend that a big snow storm has cut off all access into the eagle and gypsum area, which could really probably happen (not the best sentence, i know). well, okay...

got any suggestions?

and if you think we have plenty of pepsi, think again. this has to last shawn TWO weeks. and we cheated and bought milk.

actually, i think we will survive two weeks pretty okay. i have been working on food storage little bit by little bit. i bought milk simply because we don't even have powdered milk--which is on my list now.

and cold cereal needs a stocking-up. mikey told me he is getting bored of stuff we have. okay.

and seeing as how anna has strep throat, i have learned that i need to stock up on over-the-counter meds. i have gone to the store to get motrin (the bishop said we should not go to any extremes with this challenge).

and i am hoping our toilet paper lasts--i am limiting everyone to four squares per number one and eiaght squares per number two. and if you come visit this week or next, bring your own tp or go before you come or hold it.

that's all for now. i wil maybe keep you updated.

october fun: part HALLOWEEN

2008-11-04T11:08:00.003-07:00

we had a great halloween. here are some photos of the day. highlights of the day:

*school parties

*trick or treating trot in vail village with friends

*lighting our jack-o-lanterns

*neighborhood trick or treating with friends

we all had a great night. and i even think that the kids were in bed and asleep at 8:17...earliest time for the week. mikey even put himself to bed.

just for the record...

2008-11-04T10:51:00.001-07:00

the gloves were NOT my idea. anna found them.

october fun: part III

2008-10-31T11:56:00.002-07:00

here we are carving our pumpkins. we have taught our children well in the proper usage of sharp knives...

october fun: part II

2008-10-30T12:03:00.002-07:00

actually, this should probably be part I because it happened first. but, i am not that organized.

we hit a pumpkin patch in silt a few weeks ago. the kids had fun. the cat made me want to be a cat that day. perfect. mikey kept trying to throw the pumpkins like a ball. and anna was the boss of the wheelbarrow.

october fun: part I

2008-10-30T11:19:00.003-07:00

last saturday was the annual halloween fest up at beaver creek. we went up for the fee ice skating. the kids love it. it was a beautiful day for ice skating. i even donned a pair for a little bit.

just in case you forgot what we look like...

2008-10-22T15:22:00.002-07:00

these were taken just up the street a bit. thanks to my friend kathy for taking them.

tagged

2008-10-22T10:24:00.003-07:00

fourth picture from the fourth folder of my picture files.

anna on her 8th birthday.

my good friend

2008-10-18T11:15:00.000-07:00

for a great story read here. it's amazing and she's even amazinger.

i should be fired. but that's impossible, now, isn't it

2008-10-17T11:17:00.006-07:00

so for being your typical, stay-at-home mormon wife and mom, i suck. i thought i wasn't very good at homemaking because i always had a kid around. boy was i wrong. mikey and anna are in school full-time now, that's 7:50am to 2:50pm--seven full hours of alone time, and my house is still always a mess. dinner is hardly cooked (although i have improved immensely on this one since moving to the middle of nowhere) and when it is cooked, it ain't that great. laundry seems to still always pile up. and for some reason i thought it would change after the kids started school. what's wrong with me? i need some inspiration! or some serious consequences. or maybe i should just come to terms with the fact that i am not that great at keeping house.

now, don't get me wrong. i am not depressed. i just wish i had little magic fairies to come and do my work so i could play or rather so i would not feel so guilty about playing. anyone know where i could find these little fairies?

in the meantime, i guess i will go do my dishes. so i can make something scrumptiously yummy for dinner. oh wait, it's friday. i don't think i cook on friday. and besides that, i cooked last night. so maybe i don't have to do my dishes now. wow. i feel great.

enjoy the saturday drive

2008-10-06T10:40:00.002-07:00

on saturday we drove up to aspen and over independence pass. it was beautiful.

enjoy.

how much is that doggy in the window?

2008-10-02T17:04:00.002-07:00

just call me the queen of domesticity

2008-10-02T14:11:00.003-07:00

this is what i did this week. hah.

25 quarts of peaches for me.

and for my friend, double that. plus, a few quarts of tomatoes. maybe two batches? crazy.

who'd have ever thunk i could be so home-mecky.

more stay-cation

2008-09-23T13:46:00.003-07:00

right outside our hotel: (made me feel a little safer).

oh, and i told him to look really mean when i took this picture. he did a good job.

and i ran into this important person. lucky me. he was all smiles.

and there was a bomb scare. they had a big area of the 16th street mall blocked off with these threatening looking men.

apparently there was a suspicious package in an alley and it was blown up. pretty freaky.

stay-cation: denver 2008

2008-09-17T16:22:00.003-07:00

we had a little stay-cation this year to denver. we hit the broncos game.

from left to right, top to bottom:

*riding public transportation--part of the stay-cation experience
*cute poser
*invesco field, where a couple of days later was part of the dnc
*cute bumbs
*the city
*proof that we were three rows from the top
*proof that she was not happy to climb to our seats located 3 rows from the top
*and they say this is the nose bleed section...never a drop (except the boy in front of us bled a bit)
*the statue
*proof that a cheese head and a bronco head can be friends
*shawn gave in and bought him a hat
*the statue at night
*the pyromaniacs
*look closely...that bird's got the best seat in town
*my view
*the team (filler picture, really)

here is the statue from another angle. not sure how i feel about it.

welcome to our family...

2008-09-17T16:12:00.001-07:00

dear little honda pilot. i am looking forward to spending many hours and many miles with you...

12 years...and one day

2008-09-15T14:40:00.005-07:00

that was then...september 14, 1996

and this is now...september 14, 2008

happy anniversary to my love...thanks for a great 12 years!

oh what do you do in the summertime...

2008-09-12T08:08:00.005-07:00

when all the world is green?
do you swim in a pool to keep yourself cool?

or go to a dermatologist
and get your spitz nevus removed?

so does she...

anna had a black freckle appear about christmas time. well, it started to grow. and people often tried to wipe off the speck of black pepper on her nose. i decided to have it checked out by the doctor. and her black freckle was deemed a spitz nevus.

and they took it out. it was deeper than the doctor anticipated and thus we have a blue stitch (great for the first day of school).

if you zoom in on the first two photos you can see the lovely spitz nevus on the right side (her left) of her cute nose.

oh. what do you do in the summertime

2008-09-10T12:28:00.004-07:00

when all the world is green?
do you fish in a stream, or lazily dream on the banks as the clouds go by?
is that what you do?
so do i.

actually mine don't.

here is what my children did this summer:

apparently mikey's bike needed a make-over. and didn't you know, gold is the in-color this summer.

i especially like the white racing stripes on the back.

and they were especially thoughtful in the process. they put cardboard down on the garage floor to catch the overspray. and i am impressed with the quality of the job...not a lot of extra paint on the wheels or seat. except up close i can see that they painted the seat as well. i guess it wasn't black enough for them. maybe it was a little faded.

but this was not the first time they experimented with the spray paints. our bushes out back were not just green...and the rocks...rainbow of fruit flavors.

so if you need a little painting done, i am willing to hire them out. just give us a call!

what's your name?

2008-09-02T15:40:00.003-07:00

this is my married name:

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
657
people with my name in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

and here is my maiden name:

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
2
people with my name in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

help, please.

2008-08-27T15:04:00.003-07:00

i am preparing for the long winter ahead. i know, who can think of winter so soon...but i need to be prepared.

i am looking for songs for a new playlist. songs having to do with sunshine...any ideas?

thanks for your help. maybe i will send you one if you help me. that is, if you want one. and i can't guarantee it will be done soon. but definitely before winter.

mt. evans, my only 14er...

2008-07-31T10:47:00.006-07:00

here we are at the top of mt. evans. we went on july 26th when my parents were in town. it is simply beautiful. although i wish it had been a clear day.

a view of a bunch of other 14ers around.

these little baby mountain goats sure captured mikey's attention.

another view.

the line on the mountain is the road...creepy!

the sign (obviously): america's highest auto road.

a yellow-bellied marmot:

a little lake part way up:

if you click up close, you can see my dad driving up the mountain:

shawn & mikey at the summit (only he and shawn climbed up to the top):

mikey b.

2008-07-30T14:38:00.002-07:00

this boy just turned six years old on monday (a bit late in posting...).

*he is a good boy.
*he loves anything with wheels...bikes, cars, scooters, 4-wheelers, motorcycles...
*he loves anything involving a ball.
*i have even caught him watching baseball and golf on tv.
*he is thoughtful, especially in his prayers.
*he loves to be with his dad.
*he loves donuts, cookies, cake...anything sweet.
*he will still snuggle with me in the mornings.
*he loves his "blue owls" (blanket) and takes the fringe of the blanket and twists it in his ear when he is tire.
*in fact, when he is tired and no blanket is around to twist in his ear, he will make do with anything...even my finger.
*he loves to play with tucker (or as he says "tuckuh").
*he loves life.

happy birthday! mikey!

colorado state flower

2008-07-26T08:18:00.002-07:00

the columbine...very beautiful.

scenes from our morning walks...

2008-07-23T09:38:00.002-07:00

well, tucker and i walk. the kids ride their bikes.

my favorite chore...

2008-07-18T08:34:00.002-07:00

don't be deceived...there are no angry feelings here.

and there were hardly any tufties when she was done...great job anna!

mt. elbert

2008-07-14T13:26:00.002-07:00

this is the one shawn did last saturday, july 12, 2008. mt. elbert is the highest peak in colorado.

mt. elbert: 14,433'
trailhead elevation: 10,040'
elevation gain: 4700'
trip length: 9 miles

mt. sherman

2008-07-14T13:12:00.001-07:00

shawn decided to start hiking some fourteeners. he started here with mt. sherman on june 28, 2008.

mt. sherman: 14,036'
trailhead elevation: 12,000'
elevation gain: 2100'
trip length: 5 miles

friday night fun

2008-07-14T10:19:00.003-07:00

we went up friday night to yeoman park. it's about a little ways up the road here. beautiful.

shawn made some super yummy dutch oven pineapple upside-down cake.

de-lish!

one day...

2008-07-12T08:44:00.001-07:00

my dream come true! (zoom in)

breckenridge, colorado

just a note:

2008-07-10T09:57:00.001-07:00

i have tried to catch up on the last few weeks of our life. so, there are a lot of posts...just keep going if you wish...