In-vain in the Membrane

I like word games, spelling games, and the whatnot. I'm also a reasonably good speller. Yeah... I'm that nerdy. Text Twist on MSN Games? Have you ever played it? I can play it for a very long time. Word Mole? I had a freakishly high score on that game.

You may not be as nerdy as I am, but there's a word game nearly all of us play. It's called "figure out what the vanity plate on the car in front of you says". Yes, it needs a shorter name. But, you know you do it. I do it. I even turn it into a competition to see who can figure it out first when I'm with another person in the car. I'm a nerd, and I'm also pretty competitive. Even over something as trivial as figuring out what a vanity plate says.

Some vanity plates are pretty humorous. Some are pretty creative. Some, like the one in the picture below, make me giggle. It could go two ways. Are you a fan of hockey? Or, are you a fan of hickeys? Maybe it's both, and you went for the ambiguity on purpose.



I was driving to work today and saw a vanity plate. I spent a second trying to figure it out. I could only give it so much attention as I was trying to maintain my 5-7 miles over the speed limit, put on my lipstick, and make sure I was properly groomed before getting to work. My distractions made me forget what it was. But, I had an ingenious thought. I want a vanity plate. I want one with random letters and numbers that make no sense. Just to confuse people. Make them spend time looking at it. Sounding it out in their heads. Trying to figure out just what in the H that license plate says.

That would make me laugh. Did I mention I'm a nerd?

And of course... There's a Seinfeld for that.

special sauce

I had my first Big Mac experience today. I've made it to this point in my life without ever tasting one. I decided earlier in the year that I would make it a goal to taste a Big Mac by the end of the year. Lofty goals. I know.

I had it in my mind that today would be the day. Well, today had to be the day. I'm running out of days in 2010. No more putting it off.

My train of thought throughout the day leading up to the Big Mac experience:

Big Mac
Mac daddy
Mac daddy make you wanna jump, jump
Kris Kross backwards day in school
I wore my Girbauds and my Gimmie shirt backwards
Could I get my jeans on backwards now?
Probably not after eating a Big Mac

It all came full circle.

Back to my Big Mac. It tasted about like I thought it would. It was kind of squishy. The middle bun piece slides out. I was pretty underwhelmed with my Big Mac. BUT I can put a big, fat checkmark next to my goal for 2010. DONE!

broken promises

Skinny jeans came back in style. I absolutely refused to own or wear a pair. Ever. For many good reasons. The 80's, and my short and unshapely legs are just a couple of them. Well, I own a pair. Okay, maybe more than a pair. I own a few, or four, or whatever.

Leggings came back in style. I absolutely refused to own or wear a pair. Ever. Again, for many good reasons. I wore leggings like crazy at one point in my life. I stopped wearing them when I was 10. And the people that wear them that just shouldn't be wearing them (shudder)... Anyway, after some persuasion from my dear Jess, I own a pair.

Now we have jeggings. The lovechild that resulted from skinny jeans and leggings getting together and...ya know... I swore these off for a while, but I wasn't as quick to judge as I'd already given in to both skinny jeans and leggings. I'm writing this post in the comfort of my jeggings.

Things have gone one step further, my friends. These have been introduced to the world. A line has been crossed. I absolutely refuse to own or wear a pair of these. Ever. This is a promise I intend to keep.

soccer mom

I have officially become a "soccer mom". Well, kind of. Tyce had his first soccer game yesterday. It was so fun to watch. He even scored a goal. He felt like such a champ!


And in case you're wondering... I haven't traded in my beautiful, gas-guzzling, giant carbon footprint leaving, full-size SUV for a Subaru or a mini van. Perhaps my transformation to "soccer mom" isn't complete.

the devil in disguise

Yes, it is that time again! I almost forgot about Girl Scout cookies this year. I wish I would have. These two little boxes are some of my biggest enemies. Girl Scout cookies are expensive for what you get. But some of them are just so yummy! I also try to justify buying Girl Scout cookies because they're for a "good cause". I did show some restraint this year and only bought 3 boxes.


Word of caution: Don't waste your money on the new Berry Munch cookies. BLEH!

drowsy dining

I guess she can get away with not finishing her dinner this time...

oh so shelvish!

Aren't they just beautiful??? I am so excited to finally have shelves in my fruit room/storage room! The food storage hasn't been put back yet. But, some of the beverage storage from the garage has already migrated to its new home.

What makes them even better? I helped! One of the few opportunities to put my awesome jigsaw skills to use!

put up or shut up

Yep. It's official. I put up this weekend. Not put out, mind you. Put up. Proof of my domestic skills? Please see below.

me and 2 of my awesome sisters "jamming":
(cute apron courtesy of jessi. thanks, jess!)



the fruits of my labor:

fallen soldier

Here's a little dialogue from our house this morning:

Me: Did you put a soda in the freezer?

Trav: Ummmm...

Me: You know that soda explodes when it freezes, right?

Trav: Ummmm... ooops...

Yadda, yadda, yadda...had a real good reason to clean out the freezer and ice tray this morning.

it was independence day

We had a pretty fun 4th and had great weather to go with it! Could you ask for anything better? We started off our morning by going to the Cherry Days parade in North Ogden. I don't think I've missed a single one in all my years. It was overcast and in the low 70's...perfect parade weather.

so excited... obviously too excited for a picture with mom it's a bird, it's a plane, it's the 419th fighter wing checking out the planes getting in a prime candy grabbing position myka got scared by the clowns (don't blame her!) hey, roger... thought you hated parades??? myka retired from the street after the clown incident myka and grammy laurie candy grabbers cute cousins
We took the kids to see Ice Age. I think this is the 500th Ice Age movie. Wondering how many more times they're going to attempt that one??? We spent the later afternoon and evening swimming at the Thompsons'. The kids always have lots of fun when we go swimming. Myka was so brave and let her daddy jump off the top of the rock with her. She wanted to do it over and over!

myka wearing the gobble-gobbles (myka for goggles)and a much too small swimsuit me and my baby hanging in the hot tub tilt your head to watch cuz i don't know how to rotate it...


And I won't ever be the same...

pick-o-the crop

Note to self:

Don't pick your butt when someone is taking a picture. Especially when that picture is going to be used to sell your motor home on the KSL Classifieds. Do you know how many people look at that stuff? Seriously!



I found the picture here

thank you for bea-ing a friend

Tragedy! Bea Arthur passed away on Saturday. I was always a fan of The Golden Girls and remember watching it after school when I was young. If I happen to see a rerun on, I will still gladly watch it. While as a young girl I always imagined myself as Blanch on the show and NEVER wanted to be Dorothy (Bea). Being older I have much more respect for Dorothy and really enjoy her wittiness and humor. So, here's to you, Bea Arthur. Thank you for being a friend!

i can relate

pack mule

Travis and I are leaving today for NY and VA for a week. We are going with my sister Missy, her husband Roger, and my parents. The trip should be a blast! I am definitely excited to go places I haven't been before. And, a little nervous about leaving my kids for an entire week (and a little excited for some grown up time).

While I love to go on trips I HATE packing! I hate trying to plan what I will wear so far in advance. Especially since the weather can be so different and change so frequently. Here is snippet of last night's packing:

Me: Trav, have you seen that white shirt?

Travis: What white shirt? One of these on the couch?

Me: No, that one I just went and borrowed from Hailee.

Travis: Did you bring it in the house?

Me: Yes. I put it on the table with that Hurley jacket. Will you help me look for it?

Semi-frantic and frustrated searching ensues...

Me: I have no idea where that shirt is! How can I not find it?!

Travis: (walking in from garage with shirt in hand) You mean this shirt that was in the car?

Me: Um, yeah... That would be the one...

I hope this isn't an indicator of what the trip will be like.

birthday bowl-o-rama

Today is #1's birthday. He is the big 4 years old! We decided it would be fun if we took him bowling for his birthday. We picked him up from the sitter's and went bowling and for lunch. We had such a great time! He thought this was pretty cool!

Be impressed - I actually took pictures and uploaded them in the same day! I'll do another post with pictures of his birthday tonight. Be prepared to see some adorable cupcakes!

The birthday bowling boy:


Getting some fatherly guidance:


Me and #1:


Trying to figure out those tricky finger holes:


Action shot of dad:


Action shot of mom:


Action shot of birthday boy:


Sheer anticipation - this was his stance each time he bowled:

on a boat or with a goat?

Yesterday I decided to make my kids a little St. Patrick's Day dinner. My mom would sometimes make us green potato pancakes for St. Pat's and green jello. Being short on time (mainly just late thinking about it) I decided to go for green eggs and ham. Plus, Tyce loves the book.

So, the kids had green scrambled eggs and ham (really canadian bacon) and green pudding for dinner. I know this doesn't scream "nutritious dinner" but they really liked it. A late Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!

#2 turns 2! - pictures now included

Happy Birthday to my princess Myka! She is the big number 2 today! She was so excited that today was her birthday. She wanted to open all of her presents this morning. She even tried to trick me and Travis into letting her do it. She asked Travis and he told her to ask me. She came running in telling me "Daddy said yeah!" So, we couldn't resist how cute she was being and we let her open one. I'll update the post and add pictures after her "birfday party" tonight.

The birthday girl - she was so excited this was all I could get her to hold still for:


She loved opening her presents:


Happy birthday to Myka....


Get ready...


Make a wish!


One of her super cute cakes - shout out to my friend Quinn and the Clearfield Baskin Robbins!


The party table


Lipstick - her favorite present! Thanks Cody & Katie!

tyce's first primary talk

Tyce gave his first talk in Primary today. He did such a great job and was SO excited! He looked at the audience, kept his voice loud, and spoke into the microphone. He wasn't shy at all - go figure! We recorded him doing it this morning before we went to church. It was so cute we had to share.

snowy day

It was a really wet and snowy day yesterday. It snowed pretty heavily throughout most of the day. We had about 7 inches of new snow when we got home from work. While Travis was out taking care of the driveway the kids and I had fun playing in the snow!

Myka thought it was pretty fun the eat the snow. She didn't really move around too much when she was in the snow. Tyce, on the other hand, decided to trek across the whole front yard. His boot got pulled off at some point and he walked through the snow in his bare foot and the other boot! We made some mini snowmen that the kids just loved.

Here are some cute pics:

Sew What!

Lately I've had an increased interest in trying to sew. A couple of weeks ago I made a pillowcase dress for little miss Myka. Although, I didn't accomplish it by myself. My sister Mandy and her daughter Tayler were there to supervise and make sure I didn't screw things up too badly. Being my first sewing project in quite some time, I was quite pleased with the results. So, I thought I would attempt to make a few more cute clothing items for my princess.

I bought the pattern here. This is what I bought. I made her the wrap skirt last night. I don't really care for my sewing maching, so I went to Mandy's house for a little help and to use her machine.

The fabric I used was darling and I think it turned out rather well. Here are some pictures of princess this morning wearing her new skirt. I must apologize for the poor picture quality. I took the pictures with my cell phone and everyone kept moving so things were blurry (very fitting for a morning in our house).