Christmas List - hehe! :)

If anyone was thinking about what to get me for Christmas - I have one little idea...

LOWES GIFT CARDS!!!

I don't want anything else - I love that place - it makes my heart feel happy - all of my dream house remodel/organizational dreams come alive there - it is my Disneyland!

No pressure though.

Disneyland Pics!

These are some of our favorite pictures! We have about 1000 more - we had the best time!

First Day of Disney!

I can't believe it ... we have been talking and planning this trip for about a year. Saving, scheduling, waiting and now we are here. We left for Disneyland Friday afternoon - late afternoon and got to Jill's house in St George that night. After a quick visit we were on our way.

This was the first problem, because our kids didn't want to leave their cousins - they absolutely love them. Amber is the oldest and takes care of their every need - she plays games with them and reads them books. Ashlyn is Emma's BFF and she adores her. Cute little Ky Ky (who turned 4 the day before we got there!) loves to play dress up, which happens to be Emma's fav thing to do as well - plus her and Car became little buddies - it was so cute! Then there is Kate, who is just a month older then Harry, but is running all over the place - he and her were very aware of each other - no major play dates, but they kept an eye on each other incase the other had a toy that looked fun.

But we had to go, so on top of leaving their buddies, we have found that OUR KIDS DO NOT LIKE THE CAR. I am pretty sure even if it takes us longer to save for our next family vaca.... we will be flying.

But after a way longer trip then google told us, we are in our 1st hotel and the kids are still asleep. I am so excited I have been up since 6... oh yeah and also that is when Carson climbed into our bed and started trying to cuddle so close he ended up boring himself underneath me. So at this moment I am sitting in the bathroom (not using the bathroom - let me be clear on that) waiting to hear them wake up.

Last minute we decided to get here a day early, so we stayed in this hotel tonight and will check into our planned hotel this afternoon. So hence our "1st hotel".

My sister is here already with her family, then later today my brother and his wife and my parents will arrive. How fun! We are missing one sister and 2 brothers that couldn't come - but at least we have our little group.

My Dad's 70th birthday is tomorrow and what a better way to celebrate then in the "Happiest Place on Earth", right?

Well just an update - I will try to keep you up on our daily comings and goings - but our laptop doesn't have a memory card place so I will have to show off the pics later.

Hope you all have a great week - if anyone has any Disneyland tips, feel free to comment them here.

AAAAHHHHHHH - wake up kids - I can't wait!!! Forget it, I'm going to wake them up!

Love ya all!

The Divine Calling of Motherhood

The last couple of days have been long, hard and patient-trying. I love my kids, but sometimes I feel like I am under a huge pile of professional football players all jumping on top of the pile and I have no chance of getting up. With housework and keeping up with 3 little ones and then add in canning peaches and pears before they go bad and getting ready to leave for Disneyland... I am feeling a little overwhelmed. That makes me a little short of patients and more stressed then I want to be.

Just in the perfect time of need, my sweet mother-in-law sent this to me... it was exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks T and Elder Holland for reminding me why my life is amazing - even when it feels crazy.

Christmas Wish

For those of you who have already started thinking about what to get me for Christmas, I just thought you should know...

You can now pre-order The Twilight Saga: Eclipse on DVD (or Blu-ray/DVD Combo). It will be released on December 4th, 2010!

Just letting you all know.

Super (Crazy) Saturday

Today started before yesterday even ended.
Got home way after everyone was asleep
and I don't think I actually fell asleep before having my alarm go off in the middle of the night
to run my next errand.
Got home from that just in time for the baby to wake up
and the morning started from there.
But guess what -
"I CAN DO HARD THINGS"!
Even crazy busy days.

Last minute all-nighter to make sure everything turn out great - worked like a charm,
My friends made it to the airport in time and are on their way to Cancun,
My Bountiful Basket is full of Super Yumminess,
Emma's Soccer game ended in a tie,
Super Saturday went off perfectly,
I even finished some of my own projects,
Finally home and everyone is napping, so I might even get to shower!!!

All in all, it has been a good day.


I do owe Jared a HUGE thanks for doing everything I couldn't, including watching the kids all day
and
An even bigger I'm sorry for not being patient with him while running around crazy this morning,
after an all-nighter. It's a good thing he already agreed to the "Time and All Eternity" part, or he would have kicked me to the curb along time ago. :)

Love you J.

Harrison is 1!!!

I can't believe he is already a year old! I really love this little guy - he is so dang cute. He loves his family. Carson and he are already best friends, Emma is his little helper and is at his call at a moments notice. Tyson is his clown and can make him laugh anytime or anywhere. We love his little smile and his adventurous personality. Happy Birthday Little Guy!

Pie Bake Sale Fundraiser

Hey I got this email today - thought some of you would want to help...

Dear Friends-

As many of you are aware, Cami J. (Corey & Carols) daughter recently had her apartment broken into and literally "every earthly possession of value that she owned was stolen, except her scriptures". Her handmade violin was stolen, her guitar, the laptop that she had saved up over a long period of time to buy was stolen, along with many other items that were very special to her.

We feel such a desire to do something to help. After the awesome lesson on Service yesterday encouraging us to "be observant" and help, we keep thinking about the Good Samaritan story and how the Priest and Levite just walked by. Our desire is to stop and help.

So, we are having a bake sale of Marie Callender's Pies! If you would like to order a pie (see list of 25 varieties below), you may purchase each pie for a minimum of $15.00, and all proceeds will go to Cami. Of course larger donations are also appreciated and you do not have to buy a pie to donate :). There are 2 days left of the Marie Callender's Pie sale, SO YOUR ORDER MUST BE IN BY 9pm ON TUESDAY EVENING. Email Michele at lewismichele@mac.com, or Julie at jwsessions@comcast.net. The pies will be delivered on Wednesday. You may also call us to pick up any donation or just put it in an envelope with Cami's name and deliver it on your own.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO ANYONE YOU KNOW BECAUSE OUR CONTACTS ARE LIMITED. Our Delivery boundaries are Cedar Hills, but people outside of Cedar Hills are welcome to order and come to our home to pick up their pies.

If you get this message too late for the pie order but would still like to donate, that would be great.

THANK YOU!

Pie Menu

Apple
Tart sliced apples, sweetened and lightly-spiced with cinnamon.

Berry
A variety of only the finest plump, ripe berries, baked in this double crust pie.

Blueberry
Blueberries enhanced with flavorful apples

Cherry
With juicy, tart, red cherries.

Chocolate Satin
Rich chocolate fills a chocolate cookie crust, with a rim of freshly-whipped cream.

Cream Cheese
If you’re a lover of cheesecake, this pie is for you. A melt-in-your-mouth cream cheese filling in a graham cracker crust, with a pure sour cream topping.

Custard
Real vanilla and a dash of nutmeg accent this rich egg custard.

French Apple
Our traditional apple pie with a crumbly cinnamon streusel topping.

Kahlúa Cream Cheese
Try the special taste of Kahlúa mocha throughout our velvety cream cheese pie in a chocolate cookie crust.

Pecan
Lots of buttery, caramelized pecans baked in a luscious filling.

Key Lime
The tart flavor of Key Limes, blended creamy and smooth in a graham cracker crust.

Lemon Cream Cheese
Our melt-in-your mouth cream cheese pie with a tangy lemon topping.

Mince (seasonal)
Holiday fruits and rum accent the authenticity of this festive holiday pie.

Peach
With thick sliced peaches.

Pumpkin
Our famous pumpkin pie has just the right amount of spice.

Razzleberry
Raspberries and blackberries baked together, with a hint of apples.

Rhubarb
Tart and refreshing Rhubarb.

Sour Cream Apple (seasonal)
Baked apples, sour cream topping, sprinkled with cinnamon and buttery pecans.

Topped with meringue or whipped cream.
Lemon Meringue
Our most popular pie! Slightly tart, slightly sweet, topped with a light golden meringue.

Chocolate Cream
Chocolate blended with our creamy vanilla custard.

Banana Cream
One of your favorites. Fresh ripe bananas, rich vanilla cream, fresh whipped cream or a fluffy meringue.

Coconut Cream
Coconut folded into our rich vanilla cream.

German Chocolate
Chocolate cream, coconut and chopped pecans over a layer of chocolate.

Double Cream Blueberry
Creamy vanilla custard and sour cream top a bed of savory blueberries, enhanced with flavorful apples.

Double Cream Lemon
Layers of rich lemony custard with a sour cream topping – light and refreshing.

Deep Covered Baker

Pampered Chef will be changing the availability of the Deep Covered Baker
After July 1st it will only be available as one of the Host Specials!
This is great for those of you interested in hosting a show,
Not so great for those of you who are happy being Pampered Chef customers without hosting. So if you are interested in getting this great item - do not delay!
Let me know and I will put an order in at the end of the month.

If you are interested in hosting a show -
let me know and I can help you get this and much more for FREE, Half priced, or at a discount!

Camp

Dunk and Smack

Will teach your kids the skills they need to excel in the games of basketball, Soccer/Kickball, Softball/Baseball, and many more. We will teach your children to have good sportsmanship in the games they play, and the rules of these sports.

Camp Weeks: Softball/ Baseball June 7^th –June 11^th

Basketball June 14^th – June 18^th

Soccer/Kickball June 21^st – June 25^th

All Stars Week June 28^th –July 2^nd

Camp Pricing: $18 for the first child and $15 for the second child/ week).


For all the weeks we are charging $50 for the first child and $40 for the second.

Times: Mon, Wed, and Fri 9am- 10:15am

What Provided: Wrist bands (needs to be worn every day), water bottles, sunscreen, and the balls.

What to bring: Closed-toed shoes, hats, shorts, gloves (if doing baseball/softball), shin guards (if doing soccer), swimsuit (for all stars week), and a great attitude.

Times: To be decided based on number of kids and age groups will also be based on the number of kids signed up

Counselors: Rachael Schoonmaker, Taylor McIntosh, Becca Curtis

Assistant Counselor: Elijah Schoonmaker

We also need to have the child’s information (phone #, address) when you sign your child up.
To sign your children up please call 1-801-717-0881 or 1-801-763-8857.
We look forward to having your child participate in this summer camp.
There will also be an information sheet that will be emailed to you once you have signed up.