Free Food

Every Wednesday morning I can't wait to get up and check out the new deals on the Grocey Smarts website. It is So fun to get everything we need and spend only a fraction of what I usaed to. But even though I have been saving this way for a while now, this week's deals still BLEW me away!

FREE (no strings attached) Stuff this week: 1 box of corn flakes, 4 jars of roiasted peanuts, 7 packs of microwave popcorn and 8 microwaveable meals! WOW!

Decorating Pumpkins

On Monday night we decorated our first pumpkins as a family. (I use the term family loosely since Aaron was nearby watching Cailin but it was really Braden and I decorating). We bought some sheets of foam sticker paper. I cut out the shapes we needed and Braden put them on the pumpkins with a little (ok - maybe a bit more than a little) guidance. This is how they turned out:

Pumpkins in ordcer: Natalie's, Cailin's, Aaron's and Braden's

Credit Card Fraud - Take 3.

A few years ago the bank called me asking if if there was any chance Aaron had abandoned our marriage and was in Mexico spending over $1k at a store called "Mr Tennis." Since he had only left for work a few hours earlier I assured them it wasn't particularly likely :). We got the money back, changed credit card number and hoped we were done. Well, 2 frauds later I am guessing that we will never be done. Unfortunately our card doesn't seem to understand the "dont' talk to strangers" concept. I certainly hope we are better at teaching our kids!

Charming the Roosendaals

On our mountain walks we see a lot of people we don’t know but we finally ran into some that we DO – the Roosendaals. Lori is Aaron’s half aunt? (Lynn’s half sister) that we don’t see very often. Her youngest son will be leaving for a mission in Rancagua, Chile next week (the lower half of my mission) so they invited us to dinner last Sunday to catch up. Aaron talked to the men about politics and military. I talked to the women about movies, family history, food and Chile (you don’t have to twist my arm to talk about Chile!) Cailin was a bit cranky but everyone still thought she was beautiful and took turns holding her so I got a lovely break. And Braden – the favorite of all – charmed everyone but especially Grammy Pat and the younger women with good behavior and his way of matter-of-factly stating things such as “Hmmm … (noticing that his place at the adult table had a full set of silverware) they don’t USUALLY let me have a knife at the table because I shouldn’t really be cutting things.”

Parker Birthday Bash

My parents decided to try to make their birthday gifts to their adult children more personal so they asked those of us that live close to choose a fun family activity rather than a physical present. We loved that idea and made the most of it on Saturday, October 17th combining both Aaron’s and my belated birthday celebrations into one fun day. (Yes – we have had trouble scheduling SEVERAL things – not just the Austin’s coming to dinner…) For my part of the celebration my parents picked us up and we all drove down to Provo to take a 1 hour photography class from Leah Wright – one of my favorite local photographers. She did a GREAT job giving us a succinct lesson that everyone thought was very easy to understand. She gave us tips on an inexpensive lens that will allow us to take photos with less flash indoors and create the look I love with eyes crisp and backgrounds faded out. I am seriously considering following up with her Photoshop class when I can fit it in – so sometime in 2011 perhaps!

After class ended, we drove to Los Hermanos and had a delicious early dinner before heading to the Dinosaur Museum for Aaron’s part of the birthday. (My dad had never been so it was Aaron’s goal to get him there one way or another!) Although my dad ended up touring it mostly by himself as the rest of us were stuck at the water table we all had fun doing what we loved.

Braden and Cailin at the photo class. We still have a lot to work on to master the techniques she taught but it was a fun start. You can visit her website at http://www.thewrightfampics.blogspot.com/

Christensen Campfire Roast

On Friday, October 16 we left as soon as Aaron got off work to drive to the Heber area and meet Grandma and Grandpa Christensen at their campsite for a hot dog and marshmallow roast. The area was beautiful – even more so because we took a wrong turn and ended up driving thru the fall colors in the mountains a bit longer than we were supposed to. The food was fabulous. I had never had hotdogs with just mustard and onions before but I LOVED them. Braden got to roast his own marshmallow for the first time and actually did a really good job. And I even remembered to get out the camera! The evening ended sooner than I would have liked but then I guess getting kids to bed IS eventually necessary!

Posh campers: Simba, Cailin and Grandma

Braden perfectly toasting his marshmellow without making it all sticky which he thinks is gross.

Bumbo Princess

We bought Cailin a Bumbo so that she can sit up and look around until she can actually sit up and look around in about 2 months. If that seems like a waste you either don't have kids, you've never had one that wants to be held all the time, or you have some secret you need to share with us! The Bumbo works pretty well but the best thing is that Aaron thinks it is hillarious. Cailin usually has this serious expression that reminds him of a mini princess scrupulously surveying her kingdom from her throne nad ordering her serfs around. We laugh and laugh at that "silly anaolgy" until she decides she wants out and then we go back to running in circles to keep her happy .... :)

The little princess

Lunch with the Austins

You know when you dream that you are running but your legs feel like they are moving thru tar? Some things in life just seem to work that way. We had been trying to have the Austin family over for dinner since April I think. Between the remodel, Chani having her baby, us having Cailin and a million other little events it seemed like it was never going to happen. Even this month it looked like we were going to have to put it off again until we decided it just HAD do it at all costs. To make it work, the Austins raced to our house between Craig’s morning meeting and Brynn’s afternoon dance recital (1 ½ hrs of driving!) We fed them a hurried garlic burger lunch (YUM!) on the deck in the freezing wind with all of the kids teeth chattering and several of them begging to be excused so they could go inside and get warm. After finishing the food I got to spend a few minutes with Chani (showing her the house) and Aaron and Craig played a game of pool. Then I realized that they were going to be late so we stuffed them with a few brownies and hurried them out the door – causing them to forget their baby blanket. I can't believe they were willing to do all of that but I am so thankful. It was fun to see them and in the end life may have gotten in a few punches but WE WON!

Books to Africa

A week ago an empty post office box showed up on my kitchen counter - evidently to be filled and sent to Africa. That night Aaron and I de-junked our book collection and easily filled the box until it was over flowing. We debated whether sending heavy, used books in English would really be as useful as giving $20 toward buying books for school children ... but in the end the donation was VERy helpfup to us. Now I can fit all of my most important and loved books in one large bookcase which makes me SO happy and puts me one step closer to being organized!

Extreme Story Makeover

Even though I know that having a baby changes everything I really didn’t expect Cailin’s birth to alter the storyline of our favorite fairy tales – but it did. I am not a person that can feed a baby and read a book at the same time, so since Braden wanted me to read to him I started telling stories from memory while Cailin ate. At first it bothered Braden when I didn’t remember the stories perfectly but then he decided that changing the stories was a great idea – only HE needed to be in control. Now he will ask me to tell him the story of the Three Little Javelinas (Arizona’s version of the Three Little Pigs) and every few minutes he will redirect what happens. Sometimes the Javelinas go their separate ways to build their houses. Other times they all go together. Sometimes the Coyote chases them but other times it’s just the wind that knocks their houses down. When the coyote IS in the story, sometimes he is conquered by the Javelinas and vanishes in a puff of smoke – other times he decides to be good at the end (like Darth Vader) and they all sit around singing and playing the guitar. Even though it can be a little tiring having to think of ways to weave his ideas into the story it has become a really fun thing we share that I hope I never forget.

Healthy Snacks at Preschool?

We knew Braden would get some sugary snacks at preschool, so the other day when he brought home a red sucker I wasn’t surprised – I just asked him what flavor it was. He looked around thoughtfully and told me it was probably tomato – maybe with a little chocolate. After a good few minutes laughing at his crazy creativity I thought to myself – “well, at least I can pretend they are giving him vegetables!”

Tomato-licious!

Braden in Bloom

Braden started preschool this fall and had his first ever field trip to Engh Gardens. What happened there? I am not really clear on that. I know he came home with a decorated pumpkin but when I ask him what they did he just says “I don’t know …”

Braden truly excited to do something or other on his fieldtrip.

Goggles and GG

Fun: watching Braden grow up and get excited for things like Halloween. Not so Fun: Braden changing his mind every few days about what he wants to BE for Halloween. He has rotated between wanting to be a Jedi because of the cool light saber, a Jawa because of the cool gun, and Batman because Braden just thinks he is cool. Unfortunately he NEVER rotated thru wanting to be Buzz Lightyear – the costume we HAVE for him which fits him perfectly and will never fit again after this year. Never, that is, until we cleverly took a drive to the Disney Store and got him a COOL pair of Buzz Lightyear light up goggles that he will get to use with the COOL light up gun Grandma and Grandpa Christensen brought him from Disneyland a few years back. What’s more – GG (Great Grandma Yonally) lives just a few blocks away from the Disney Store so we got to surprise her with a visit.

Picture Perfect

Anyone who really knows me knows that I have no taste. In the past I have left my walls blank because I know whatever I put up will probably look bad and have to come down – leaving a hole in the wall. Once we finished the home remodel I felt compelled to hang pictures but even more afraid of messing up the perfect paint. Solution: Command picture hanging strips. I still think forever about everything I hang but now I know that if I need to take it down – I can – without even leaving a mark on the wall! Thank you 3M!

Arizona water - upstairs bathroom

Food Storage Makeover

A few weeks ago Aaron tore out the old shelves in our cold room and I put up the ones that I got for my birthday. I love them. Not only do I have more shelving space – but the shelves aren’t as deep so I can access everything on them. One more step toward my goal of having every door and drawer open to an organized space :). (Granted there are about 1,000 steps left but hey – a step is a step!)

New cold room shelves - Natalie's birthday 2009

Rolling shelves in laundry room - Natalie's birthday 2008

Saturday Hikes

Most Saturday mornings we go for a family hike. Hiking may not sound like something you can do with a 3 year old and 3 month old but then what we do probably wouldn’t be considered hiking to most people :). Aaron has found several short trails in the canyons close to our house that are stroller accessible and we just enjoy the beautiful scenery at Braden’s pace. When we started it was just fun to look at the streams, trees and rocks. Now with the fall colors there are countless other families getting pictures taken so we usually stop to watch and get some pointers. A few weekends ago Aaron and Braden even ran into the Roosendaal Family - some of Aaron's relatives that we hadn't seen for a while. I had no idea that hiking could be so relaxing, educational and social all at the same time!

Aaron and Braden climbing rocks at Temple Quarry Trail.

Cornbelly's with Sarah and Tyler

On September 26th we nephew-napped Tyler and went to Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point. Tyler and Braden had great fun covering eachother in the corn pit, follwing eachother thru the kids corn maze and jumping on the huge bouncing pillows. (By the way, I thought those would be fun to own so I checked them out when I got home - the cheapest, smallest one is over $12k! OUCH!) When Sarah could break free she met us there. With her we all shot pumpkin cannons, rode a very uncomfortable train and drank slushy drinks in the shade of a tent. We were so glad she could make it! The next time Braden goes he wants to take Auntie Sarah again so that they can use her phone to light up the dark hay bale maze. We love you Auntie Sarah!

Aaron, Tyler and Braden jumping on the medium sized pillow

Braden watching Sarah and Tyler demolishing a pumpkin

Jason Turns 25 Again!

Many of you know that my father has turned 39 over and over again. The fact that I am 38 makes this very interesting :). But is Jason now trying to hang onto his youth, too? No. I just got it wrong last year. Evidently he is really 25 this time. And of course I didn't get a photo. Early New Year's resolution - I am going to remember to get the camera out when we spend wtime with the Christensen and Parker sides of the family! (I often forget because we see them both so regularly).

Toyfest with the Nelsons

We had the Nelson family over for dinner a few Saturdays ago. We ate bacon-wrapped turkey kabobs and Aaron and I talked to Rene and CoreyEllen while the boys (Braden, Elijah, Enoch and Noah) played with toys. It was a really nice evening and we enjoyed their company so much that none of us noticed what was going on. When the Nelsons decided it was time to go we found the boys surrounded by an explosion of toys. There was toy debrtis all over the house. No photo could do it justice but I took one anyway because I thought it was hillarious.

Noah, Elijah, Braden and Enoch - don't try this at home - they are professionals!