Tuesday, December 29, 2009

The whole month of December!!!!!

Ok, this is going to be a very long post.  I am going to try to break it up with pictures.  It seems there is so much to remember and when I get writing I write.  This will be my journal entry so I am going to brag about my kids and really play catch up so it will be long and I am going to pretend no one will read this until I die, just like the 30 other journals I have.  Yes I am a journal writer since the ninth grade and I would fill up a journal a year for a long time.  Since the kids I don't fill one up as fast but still fill them up.  So here goes my long entry.

I am going to try to remember everything.  First, my JJ.  He had a busy December with basketball and soccer, piano and school choir.  I have some video of him so I will have to have Megan help me with that.  He performed with the school choir at Barnes and Noble and also for his school.  He enjoys doing that.  I am glad.  He gets a little shy at times but he does sing.  Grammy and Bapa got to see him when he sang for the school and Meg and Curt came to Barnes and Noble.  It was fun.  Gets us in the mood for Christmas even more.


His soccer is still going.  He had practices on Monday and futsol on Fridays.  It is ok.  He always has fun.   Basketball is on Tuesday and Thursday with games on Saturday.  He is loving playing basketball and it is fun to watch him.  He is like his dad when it comes to sports.  He is a natural.  His basketball team have fun and I love the fact that there is not a lot of pressure to win or be the best or any of that.  It is just very enjoyable.  Jessica says we get intense so I  have to work on that.  I love watching them play and want it to be fun and no pressure.  Parents tend to make sports full of pressure for these young boys and I really don't want that.  I want him to just have fun and if they win, they win.  If not, no big deal.  So it has been fun watching him play his sports.

We have been supporting the Utes as well so that adds to the busy life.  But it is always fun to go to the games.  Jessica is in the Muss along with Curt and Megan.  Curt hasn't made it yet I don't think because he has had class.  Megan has and makes it more fun for Jessica.  There have been times when she has sat down there with all those noisy kids and cheered all by herself.  I admire her for that.

On to Jessica.  She studied so hard and finished up her first semester of college.  She did very well.  I am so happy for her.  It is amazing what she has done this quarter.  Her work is going well.  She works a lot and I know she does a great job.  She has been enjoying her sorority and the activities they have.  We have so enjoyed her and her sweet spirit.  She has been sweet with JJ (most of the time) :) and its just fun to have her around.  Glad she didn't move out.  When she is gone I miss her and don't want her to move out just quite yet.  :)  That's a mom for ya.  She is just such a great example to all of us and such a fun person to be around.  Lights up the room when she walks in and I am just so proud of her and all she has overcome and how she has overcome it.  She is definitely a spiritual giant and very special person.  She will make a great mom someday.  So good with the little ones.  Can't say enough good about my Jessica.


Megan had her graduation for her internship at the U in critical care.  She also got to go where she wanted to work at the Medical ICU at the University of Utah.  The graduation ceremony was great and so many came up to us and told us how wonderful Megan was.  It is a great mommy moment.  Moms need these moments.  I do anyway.  I am just so proud of what she has accomplished and in such a short time.  She is very good at what she does apparently.  The head management of a couple of units came up to us and told us how they so wanted her to work for their unit.  It was nice.  The main person told us she was a keeper.  I knew that.  Megan is kind and compassionate and I know she is a wonderful nurse.  So happy for her.  Now she will work for a couple of months before starting more school.  Never stops I guess.  Glad she likes to learn.  It was fun taking a tour of her unit and see where she works and some of the people she works with.  So interesting and fun.  Great job my nurse.  MICU nurse that is.  :)




Curt took the LSAT and we are waiting on scores for that.  Excited for him.  He is getting his school done and working towards law school.  That is so exciting.  It was so fun having him and Megan here on Christmas.  I sat there watching my son-in-law and silently thanked the Lord for him and his happy way.  He is so good with JJ and my parents and just fits with us.  I love that boy like my very own.  Yup I do.  So glad he is a part of our family and my daughters life.

We had the Christmas Eve family party on the 19th because that is when Lynn got off work.  We had everyone (except for Dixie) for the first time in years.  Once Dean arrived it was just perfect.  I just couldn't believe it.  It was a wonderful afternoon and evening.  I know it was long for some of the little ones but thank you to everyone who made it.  Lynn has been so sick this past summer and fall and still is and it was so good to see him.  We had like 34 people in our little house.  Now Jeff and I want to expand the house  Need another room to fit everyone in.  We just love doing the party and loved having everyone here.




Can't get these to line up.  Dean with Jacob, Jenz and others while Bry plays the guitar.  The rest of us and Jes, Meg, Curt.












Grammy and Bapa were with us for Christmas.  Meg and Curt were too and it was just a lovely Christmas day.  I sound like my mom when I say lovely but it was.  :)  We played games all day and ate and just so fun.  Saturday we headed to Helper to see Gramps and arrived to a full fledge dinner waiting for us.  Aunt Colleen and Gramps had cooked all morning.  It was so nice.  I felt guilty because I usually am the cook and it was weird just sitting down to the meal.  I loved it and it was so nice visiting with Gramps for a couple of days.  Did go to church with Grammy and Bapa so saw them for a few minutes but really just spend the time with Gramps.  I was surprised when I didn't leave.  I told him I was there to visit him.  I will make a trip to Grammy's in a couple of weeks.  I told Grammy how nice it was that they traveled up to see us and come for the holidays.  It really is a wonderful thing.  Love the holidays.


Now we will relax sort of.  Jeff is back to work tomorrow and I have a primary activity on Saturday but this is not a busy sports or piano or school week so that is nice.  I really enjoy this time of year.  2010 is quickly arriving and lots of plans for the year.  It will be an exciting year.  Ok, I think that about does it for this post.  I know I will think of things I missed but I will just have to add.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

JJ's Shoes!!!


So here are JJ's shoes that he will not give up.  Today, he wanted to wear them in the snow.  I absolutely forbid it.  His feet would be so wet and frozen.  He has worn the bottoms completely off.  He loves these shoes. Do you think we should go shopping?  JJ doesn't.


Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow..........

This morning I woke up at 5:15 when I heard Jeff walk out the front door.  I heard the shovel against the railing and knew my honey was shoveling snow.  When he came in I asked him if there was much snow and he said a lot, and still coming down.  Yipee, I thought.  I love running in the snow.  (Well walking now since I don't run much.  But I did do a few quick steps just to keep up with Becky.)  It was a beautiful morning and soft fluffy snow to crunch down for an hour of walking.  Tonight, I can tell my legs are tired from the workout this morning.  I am so out of shape.  But, I enjoyed the brisk air, and falling snow in my face and the crunch of snow at 6 A.M. Ready for Christmas now.  It just gets one in the mood.

Later I will post a picture and a little blog about JJ.  Funny coming right up.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Recital Time!!!!!

Today I have been baking again.  Didn't I just do that a week ago.  It is my recital for my piano students tomorrow and so I decided to make muffins for everyone.  I have about 75 people that come to the recitals so I need a lot.  I have baked Brown Sugar Muffins, Lemon Poppyseed Muffins, Cream Cheese Banana Bread (so yummy), Chocolate Zuchunni  Bread (how do  you spell that), some Whole Wheat Banana Choc. Chip Muffins, Lemon Struesel Muffins.  Hope it is enough.  I am excited.  Everyone should do well.  It is always a nervous time for me because I want each student to be pleased with themselves.

Ok off to print program.  Good luck to everyone!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Yummy Brownies.......

So after Thanksgiving I was looking at the pictures we took and I just couldn't believe how I looked.  So I decided that I needed a steady exercise routine, which I try to do but have not been good since the first of October, and watch what I eat a little better.  Be more careful and conscience of what I am putting in my mouth.  So I have done really good especially since it has only been a few days that I decided to do this.  Anyone who knows me knows I hate to watch what I eat.  I am not good at it.  But I really don't over do that much.  I just need to work out harder.  :)  Ok, so anyway like I said, I have been trying to be more conscience  and Monday I looked at one of my favorite cooking blogs called "Sisters Cafe" and a yummy brownie recipe was posted.  She said it was a one bowl one spoon recipe and yummy so I had to try it.  And, yup, it was great.  So I decided I would post the recipe so you could try it.  (Megan)  Here it is.  I had to bake it longer than I thought but I was very careful to not let it get over done.  YUMMY!


Perfect One Bowl Brownies
submitted by Melanie

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
4 eggs
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 cup flour
1 cup chocolate chips (although I never measure--I just sprinkle them on top)


Preheat oven to 350. In a medium bowl melt butter in microwave, then stir in oil, sugar and cocoa. With a wooden spoon stir in the remainder of the ingredients except for the chocolate chips. Spread into a 9x13 pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top. Bake in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. If your toothpick comes out clean you have cooked them too long! DO NOT OVERCOOK!