I lost my chickens :(

If your wondering at all why I haven't written anything for a while...it's because....becasue...I can hardly say it...I lost 4 chickens quite recently to a wild beastly animal (of what kind, I know not)! I am mourning the loss, because these chickens not only made eggs for my breakfast...they always liked to cheer me up on a bad day by playing a mean game of "bagel rugby" ( just imagine a game of rugby, only with chickens...and bagels....you get the picture)! This all happened while Rick was away on business....so it was up to me to suck it up and take care of the "mess". Then to top it all off....my mouse traps in the house caught 2 mice yesterday....of which I debated calling my neighbor to dispose of. But I persevered once again, put on my hair-coloring gloves and went to town unloading the mouse traps....I am growing up!!! (wipe a tear). So needless to say, my life has been full this past couple of weeks....full in a way I NEVER want to repeat again. So there you have it....hopefully the spring brings less snow, and much less of whatever killed my chickens...thank you.

Sammy's Suzuki

This first picture has nothing to do with the post...it just makes me laugh!! ha ha

Sam warming up!

~Silly Sam Smile!~

Another silly Sam smile!

Serious Sam getting ready to play...he promptly made his program into an airplane...so much for keeping it forever!!

For the past 3 years, our home has been filled with the melodious screechings of our Clarissa on her violin. Since that has gone over so well, I decided that Sam should take up the cello...it's screeching on much lower notes...nicer to the ears. Anyway, on Saturday, Sam graduated from his Twinkes, French Folk Song, and, Allegro. (Twinkles consists of learning 6 different rhythem variations to the song Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.)

I just want to say that Sam ROCKED on his Cello (litteraly rocked his stool so hard on stage I thought he was going to tip over and send the other 30 kids that were playing with him flying! We had a talk about that after!). I'm am so so so so so proud of him. Both of us have worked so hard the past year....I feel like I'm a twinkle graduate my self. Now, its time to finish book one! At this rate he might catch up to his sister before long! GO SAM GO!

Seriously though..I can't believe that my kids are actually playing these instruments. We practice very hard all week. Some days I wonder what the heck I'm doing this for, and then other days, I realize that my kids are really doing well and enjoying the world of music.

Valentine...or not to Valentine...hmmm?

So Valentines Days is upon us. What does this mean? I'll tell you what it means in our house. It mean another holiday of sugar-hyped kids yelling at me, "MOM, can I eat the 5 lds of chocolate and candy that I got at school today? Please, please, please mom? What did YOU get me mom? Do we have more candy mom?" In which I reply," No, I do not have anymore candy children, but just wait another week, then the stores will have all of their Easter candy out so we can go through this madness all over again." I think I am going to start celebrating holidays with our favorite meats. Like the fourth of July Salisbury Steak, and the Easter Black Forest Ham. But I think my personal fav would be the St. Patrick's Day Cornish Game Hen....just an idea.

Valentines also marks "Rickers least favorite holiday". In Feb. we are still comming off the craziness of Christmas, then in Jan. it's my birthday. and by Feb. poor ricker just doesn't have anymore to give....who can blame him?

So instead of celebrating with the traditional traditions of Valentines Day...I'm going to honor it by cooking up a big crock pot of Sweet Pork...HAPPY SWEET PORK DAY RICK!!! I think it will go over well with everyone!

What a sleepy joe

It is currently 9:33A.M. Utah time....this is what Thomas is doing right now! He went to bed at 8 last night. So his current total sleeping time Is (drum roll please)...13hours and 33 minutes!!!! (he did climb into bed with me around 5:30...but still...that is AMAZING!) And yes...he is wearing cow jams.

Sam's Sledding

I want everyone to know that my son Sam is crazy!!! If you didn't already know that, then you will after you see his display of sweet sledding skills. Yes, that is Sam flying through the air with the greatest of ease. He has no concern for his personal well-being at all. But one cannot deny his incredible form as he catapults himself through the wild blue yonder! Rick's form is just as equally awesome.

Clarissa and I need some work :(

Thomas had some pretty good moments...

Here is Sam...again...I think this was his 50th take off that day!

Ahh....the joys of sledding!!!!

Hawaii...but my kids call it Who-aii! Weird

Snorkeling...saw some sea turtles...greatest moment of Ricks life! I did not see the turtles. I was on the beach nursing my foot (note to self: don't kick a coral reef....they fight back!)

Nice hair Rick....maybe we shouldn't drive a convertable around....it has reeked havic on your hair (and maybe your eyes a little) !!!!!

Just bragging on my new blog. Rick and I went to Hawaii in December for out 11th anniversary. Our last Anniversary (the big 10) was spent at a Chilis resteraunt....it was a little dissapointing, mostly because Rick spotted some neighbors of ours and we ended up eating dinner with them. Normally this would not have bothered me, but they have been married for like 55 years and all they talked about was how they used to make out all of the time when they were dating. Keep in mind that they both weigh a good 300 lbs (mental picture!). So you see how the 10th anniversary was lacking in awesomeness. So this years was much, much better. Rick had to go to Hawaii on business, so I hopped on a plane and met him there! Gotta love those wires in the background!

That was a good day!

The Temple! No...i am not pregnant!! It just looks that way!

Eating breakfast on the beach....I should eat all my meals wearing a swimsuit...I think I would consistanly make heathier eating habits....but thats just me!

Patience?

So here is the conversation driving home form Cello lessons:

Clarissa: "Mom, have you lost your patience yet?"
Mom: "Not yet."
Clarissa: "It's only 3:15, I'm glad you still have your patience. What time do you usually lose your patience mom?"
Mom: "Oh...about 4:30-5:00"
Clarissa: "We still have a lot of time left!"

I decided that I will not lose my patience today...apparently my kids don't enjoy me as much when it's gone!

The kids are currently building their own volcano...no seriously, they just came and asked me where the white vinegar and baking soda is! YIKES!

WOW! I can blog too!

This is so out of character for me....ya know...to be blogging. It's just that so much has been happening in our lives the past 6 months, and I need to write somethings down. So here goes nothing.....just kidding...I've got to pick up Thomas from pre-schoool. here goes nothing will have to wait!