Sister of the Groom aka Chopped Liver

The day is nearly upon us...Kirk's Wedding!! It is an exciting time around here. We leave tonight when Tyler gets off work to drive to Utah for the big shindig. It should be a lot of fun. But as Kirk is the one boy in our family and he has FOUR sisters...lucky guy...I have been pondering on what exactly is the role of "Sister of the Groom". I'll tell you what it is...Nada.

Brother of the Bride has a more prominent role...especially when filling in for an absentee father.

Kirk was a mini-groomsman at our wedding and filled in for any of those "Father/Daughter" special moments. He was so darn cute in his little tuxedo!! How is he old enough to get married?

At Stacey's wedding Kirk had the honor of escorting her down the aisle and then escorting the prettiest girl in the room...Reilly the flower girl...back down the aisle when the wedding was over. Look how little Reilly is...so cute!! Are you loving Kirk's hair color...the one and only time he has ever done something that drastic with his hair and of course he did it right before Stacey and John's wedding.

But back to wedding duties to fulfill...Tyler has a job to do...he is a Groomsman...and has the prestigious honor of holding Kaiden during the ceremony and Ailey is a flower girl. So what does the "Sister of the Groom" do? I guess sit around looking pretty without actually having to do anything and enjoy the wedding. I guess I could handle that.

I did buy myself a new dress for the occasion. Kirk informed me that even my cutest "church clothes" were too casual for the enigmatic "sister of the groom". Jayme picked the colors brown and pink for the wedding party. Her bridesmaids and Ailey will be in pink. The mothers will be in chocolate brown. Sisters of the groom were told to wear black. I hope we don't look like a murder of crows sitting in a corner or worse a coven of witches...since I'm sure there will be quite a lot of cackling going on. I thought it would be a fabulous idea that instead of groomsmen Kirk could have his four sisters stand up with him in our black dresses...that idea was quickly shot down. So I guess I will sit around chatting, eating, and dancing without a care in the world.

This will also be the first time in nearly 13 years that all the original McClellan family will be under one roof...mother, father and all five kids. AWKWARD!! Spending a long weekend with Larry could be um...interesting.

We are staying with Brett and Marissa again. They are so wonderful to always let us invade their house. We can't wait to see them. We are also so excited to see Lori (Tyler's sister) who is flying in for the weekend. We are packing so much into just a couple of days. Lucy...I was hoping to get to see you while I was in town but it isn't really looking like I'm going to be able too. There is just so much going on...showers, brunches, family stuff, rehersal and rehersal dinner etc. that it doesn't look too promising. But with Kirk and Jayme living in Utah I'm sure we will be back for another visit in the near future and hopefully we can get together before you move to Colorado.

See you in a few days!!

Book Review #16



I am really behind in the posting of book reviews. I will attempt to catch up. I LOVE Jane Austen...let me just get that out of the way. I have never met a Jane Austen book I didn't like. Including this one...bad rap though it may have among some.

From the Internet http://www.austen.com/: Mansfield Park has the dubious distinction of being disliked by more of Jane Austen's fans than any of her other novels, even to the point of spawning "Fanny Wars" in Internet discussion forums. Its themes are very different from those of her other books, which can generally be simplified into one sentence, or even one phrase: Sense and Sensibility is about balancing emotions and thought, Pride and Prejudice is about judging others too quickly, Emma is about growing into adulthood, and Persuasion is about second chances. The theme of Mansfield Park, on the other hand, can not be so easily described. Is it about ordination? Is it an allegory on Regency England? Is it about slavery? Is it about the education of children? Is it about the difference between appearances and reality? Is it about the results of breaking with society's morés? Any, or all of those themes can, and have been applied to Mansfield Park.

In this book our heroine...the occasionally annoying, goody-goody, timid, and much put-upon, Fanny Price, is taken in at the age of nine by her wealthy aunt and uncle to help out her large yet poor family. Fanny is raised as a second-class citizen in the family...not as one of the children...but as a step above the household help. Her only friend is her beloved cousin, Edmund, who takes Fanny under his wing and helps to guide her, protect her, and influences her morals and values. Fanny represents the late 18th and early 19th century value of sensibility. As Fanny grows up she becomes the backbone of the family, due to her strength and dependability despite her occasional priggishness.

Her uncle, Sir Thomas, is called away on business to the West Indies and while he is gone a brother and sister, Henry and Mary Crawford, move into the neighborhood which begins a series of romantic entanglements. Thus begins the moral decline of Sir Thomas' household into flirtatious and inappropriate relationships...including adultery...not usually a theme of Jane Austen. Edmund falls for the shallow charms of Mary Crawford (much to Fanny's dismay) even though he worries that she lacks manners and disrespects his profession as a clergyman.

Mary's brother, the charming and flirtatious Henry Crawford toys with the hearts of all the women at Mansfield Park. After breaking the heart of Fanny's betrothed cousin Maria, Henry transfers his attentions to the diffident Fanny and decides to amuse himself by making Fanny fall in love with him. The opposite occurs and he...Henry the heart-breaking cad...falls in love with the kind and gentle Fanny who does not return his feelings. Henry proposes marriage but Fanny's knowledge of his improper flirtations with her cousin and her romantic feelings for Edmund cause her to reject him. Sir Thomas returns from the West Indies and is dismayed by her causal rejection of a most advantages match for a poor girl like Fanny. Sir Thomas rebukes her ingratitude and sends her back to live with her poor family until she can realize how useful it might be to have a rich husband.

Fanny is no Elizabeth Bennett and Edmund is no Mr. Darcy but I still loved this book. The sharp wit of Jane Austen is sadly absent from this book but it did provide a most interesting peak into the social norms and values of the time. My favorite characters were the disgraceful Mary and Henry Crawford. I loved them and could identify with Mary and her irreverent sense of humor. It was interesting to learn that during that time her lively personality was considered a character flaw. I was even rooting for the redemption of Henry Crawford. All in all it was a great read!

My rating: EXCELLENT!! A great book to curl up with on a cold autumn night.

Only three more book reviews to go!!

Good-bye Young Womens...Hello...gulp...Relief Society?!?!

Since the big ward reorganization I have been on pins and needles wondering what my next calling would be...boy was I in for a shock! I was released as the second counselor in Young Womens and called to be the secretary in Relief Society. This is foreign territory to me. Some how I am now officially a "Church Lady".

Growing up in my inactive LDS household visits from the "church ladies" was something to be dreaded. No matter where we would move or how many times my mom would say that she wasn't interested in coming to church these ladies would track us down with the tenacity of bloodhounds. Inevitably they would show up on our doorstep in their sensible shoes and denim jumpers bearing baked goods and would question our inactivity. I used to feel sorry for these "do-gooders"...they seemed so hopeful...and then would leave disappointed...and I was left feeling judged.

As a small child I feared these "church ladies" both of my grandmas were "Church Ladies" extraordinaire and had some formidable friends. Their friends used to bombard us with questions like "Have you been going to Primary?" um...no "Don't you love Jesus?" um...yes "Then you need to tell your parents to take you to church!!" Easier said than done ladies. Most of the time I ended up feeling bad and dreaded seeing some of these well-meaning but still scary ladies.

As I got older my church attendance has on occasion been sporadic. I still dreaded the "church ladies" and their looks that seemed to imply "Look who only comes to church when it's CONVENIENT!!"

So as I accepted the calling from the bishop I was dreading the church ladies. I was nervous to go to Relief Society today and introduce myself. What if they didn't like me and judged me...what if I didn't like them and judged them. I have spent a large portion of my life trying to be the antithesis of a church lady...but then I realized today...I make a mean loaf of bread...there aren't any funeral potatoes that can compare to mine...I do love Jesus...I love to "visit" people...even less active members...gulp...I'm one of them...and that's ok.

Guess what? I was greeted with open arms. So many ladies hugged me and welcomed me to Relief Society and said that they were "so excited" to have me in the RS Presidency. I came away with such unexpected feelings of love and gratitude. Now...ISN'T THAT SPECIAL! ;)

Meanest Mom EVER!

We are two 1/2 weeks into the school year and the "meanest mom ever" that would be me (if there was any doubt) has already inspired chorus upon chorus of this particular chant. Why am I so mean? I am a vehement hater of after school activities. I hate them, I loathe them. That's why I love summer so much. I cave for certain things like: ballet, piano, t-ball, and afew other things. Other than that count us out. This doesn't win me any popularity contests with my kids. So far this year I have said "no" to: crossing guard, scouts, soccer, and BAND!! How anyone with half my DNA wants to play in the band is beyond me!

At the end of last year Reilly informed me that she would LOVE to be a crossing guard. Um...ok... after all I was a crossing guard in 5th grade too. Brad Roper and I made a heck of a team as we protected/guarded an intersection in Springville, Utah. Of course I only wanted to be a crossing guard because the cute Brad Roper was one. Anyway I said yes to Reilly and then got a taste of what life is like for the mother of a crossing guard. I needed to drop her off early and pick her up later and HOPE she was paying attention to vehicles. At the end of last year she was "training" which was terrifying to behold. I stalked her at various locations and found that all she did was chat with everyone crossing the street. Very little attention was paid to the cars that she was supposed to be keeping her eye on. One particular location...the water tower intersection was the worst. Dangerous...and I had to actually honk at her a few times from my secret location to make sure she didn't get hit by a car herself while she was deep in conversation with a friend. When school started this year and I realized that she only had 1 day a week free to stay after school and what was Kameron supposed to do while she was doing this and the fact that we BARELY make it to school on time as is I made her turn in her fluorescent vest. But here's a picture of her "training" just to document that she was actually a crossing guard once. Do note that she is posing for a picture not caring that a school bus is barreling right towards her.

Scouts... I have nothing against scouting but Kameron can do it when he turns eight and do it through our church. Something happened at school and I don't know if scouting representatives actually came to their school but whatever it was it was impressive. Kameron came home begging to be a cub scout. Sure I said...when you turn eight. Here began the hysterics...crying...fit throwing. But I held firm. I talked to the moms of Kameron's buddies who wanted to know if Kameron was going to cub scouts and I said no. Lucky for me that was what the other moms said too. But for awhile there were some mopey 1st graders.

Soccer...this is still a sore spot at our house. I'm not against team sports. I'm against every Saturday filled with soccer. I would rather do things as a family. Our motto is let the kids ski...water and snow, snowboard, mountain bike, boat...active yet something the whole family can do together. Tyler and I got burned out sitting through many many soccer games of Kirk and Jordin.

Now onto band. Again...apparently there was quite a fabulous assembly or something pushing the band and strings program at Reilly's school. Reilly came home quite excited to learn to play an instrument. I told her she already was learning to play an instrument...the piano that sits ignored most of the time and why didn't she sign up for choir. Here entered her hysterics. "BUT I WANT TO PLAY THE CLARINET!!" she bellowed. Excuse me? The clarinet? "Who are you?" I asked her and "how are we related?" Then came the buckets and buckets of preteen tears. I'm sorry but the last thing my frazzled nerves can take is the honking or should I say squawking of the clarinet!! (Please no comments from disgruntled clarinet players...It's a wonderful instrument...but not in the hands of my 5th grade daughter).

I am not against band. I see it's value. I was in band for two horrible years in junior high. My mom signed me up (without my knowledge) and gleefully picked out my instrument...THE FRENCH HORN!! She was so excited at the first of those two years. She even bought me a french horn sweatshirt so I could feel extra bonded with my instrument and boy was she ever excited at the end of those two years to let me quit. Maybe one too many times having to accompany me on the piano at solo night did her in. I was HORRIBLE. The french horn and a girl with braces do not mix. I could never produce the "buzz" that then would cause the proper sound to come out of the instrument. I was lucky to get my lips over those braces!! I dragged that instrument home every day for two years and had permanent bruises on my knees from where the large and cumbersome case would whack me. I could barely lift that case and would've missed the bus every single day (I was always late and had to run for it) if Tom Buss (high school neighbor) hadn't taken pity on me and lugged it for me as we would both run for the bus. Oh the memories!! I did learned to appreciate classical music and to love the symphony...and it did build character.

Reilly already gets a lot of that from ballet and piano. She also has a lovely voice, loves to sing, and I think she would really love choir. But this is the argument that refuses to die. Oh the allure of shiny instruments. I said no when she first told me about it. I said no when she brought home the note from the school. I said no when she called me from school twice on the final day and said "I'm calling you so you don't make a terrible mistake by not signing me up for band. Whatever I sign up for I have to stick with for two years and I would hate for YOU to feel bad later on that you had made the wrong decision". Thanks Reilly! Then I just had to say it all again yesterday because apparently band is about to start up and Reilly wanted to "double check" that I was o.k. with choir because she sure wouldn't want me feeling guilty if she missed out on the great talent she could have had with her clarinet!! I'll take my chances. But for now the crown and sash as meanest mother EVER still belongs to me.

Good News and Bad News

Good News: I have thought about blogging a lot this past week.

Bad News: I didn't do it.

Good News: I attended Camry's Baby Shower

(L to R: Rita our Laurel advisor, Jayni, Valynn, Me and Camry)

The shower was a lot of fun. Rita was so sweet to host it at her house and it was catered by Shari H. She did a Mexican Fiesta. Jayni won a catered Mexican Feast for ten in our Relief Society Service Swap. The food was fabulous. Glenrose Ward you are lucky to get her!! She is a fabulous cook. I had a great time.

Bad News: It was our last official get-together as a Young Women's Presidency. Sad. Out of all the people at the shower Jayni and I are the only ones in the new ward. :( Losing Valynn, Camry, Rita, all our advisors, and Melody and Hannah P. is a BIG LOSS!! So the night was a little melancholy for all of us.

Good News: Look how cute Camry is and she is due in about 5 days.



Bad News: This is what I look like pregnant at about three months!!

Good News: I had a Garage Sale this weekend.

Bad News: I had a Garage Sale this weekend.

Good News: I sold a load of junk and made money.

Bad News: It was excruciating, mind-numbing hellish torture to do it.

I have NEVER had a yard sale before and believe me I am in no rush to do it again!! I had it on Friday and Saturday. Friday is a BIG yard sale day in our part of the world. Thanks Kelley for taking all the kids to school...even Ailey. You were a HUGE help!! The idea was that Tyler was going to help me with the running of the yard sale...umm...didn't happen. He ended up being very "busy" on Friday at work and having to work on Saturday too. So that left me with all the pleasure. I had the idea that Reilly could help me on Saturday but as each and every man who came to the yard sale looked like a level 4 sex offender I quickly kept her inside on babysitting duty.

Let me just say that I have seen a slice of life that I thought only existed at parades, the Fair and Carnivals. Now I like a Carny as much as the next person but people...THEY WERE AT MY HOUSE!! I LURED them there with bright yellow signs. Scary. Now I like to go to garage sales. But my way of doing it is cruising by...looking to see if they have any good furniture to redo for Sisters Creed and moving on. I rarely get out...I send my minon, Reilly, if I need a closer look. I NEVER haggle...and that is the extent of it. I'm not usually mingling with the other shoppers. Boy have I have been missing out.

Here are a few of the highlights:

-People stealing from me.

-People attempting to steal from me...I got more savvy as the first day wore on.

-People smoking in my face and throwing their cigarette butts in my yard.

-People bugging my dog...had to put her inside. Apparently Mrs. Beasley was freaked out by the scary people too.

-A rude lady who while complaining that $1 for a Ralph Lauren coat was OUTRAGEOUS her flea bitten dog peed on my box of books.

-The man who yelled "WHERE'S THE MAN STUFF? THIS IS ALL GIRLY $%@!"
(Well kind sir... the man of the house wouldn't part with anything he owned so "girly $%@!" it was).

-The woman who "tsked tsked" me for all the "nice" stuff I was selling and how people just don't keep anything anymore and it's that kind of attitude that is ruining America.

-The man who kept asking me if I was divorced...NO...Did I think I would be getting divorced anytime soon? (Uh...maybe if I ever have to do a garage sale by myself again!!)

-The well-dressed and bejeweled middle-aged lady who bought an Ann Taylor Sweater for .50 cents and a Banana Republic Shirt for .50 cents and 4 books (new titles) at .25 cents a piece... who when I told her the total was 2 bucks she said (big sigh) " Well...I guess I won't eat today".

-The two motorized wheel chair ladies who kept pointing their canes at things and yelling at me "What's that?" A rice maker. "I want it!! Get it!!". Those two had me jumping and fetching everything I had all the while yelling at me. Tyler came home on his lunch break to see how things were going during this little dog and pony show and nearly keeled over laughing.

These were but a few of my many "interesting" experiences.

I did get the truly poor elderly living on social security who were counting out their nickles and pennies who broke my heart and I gave away lots of stuff for free.

I also met the coolest brown-haired elderly southern lady from Texas. I recognized that soft Houston accent right away and we seriously bonded.

So it wasn't all bad...not good...but not all bad. But it felt pretty bad. I do have a clutter-free garage and basement now. Yay me!

The Deed Is Done

After months of speculation...hours of conversation....our ward boundaries were revealed yesterday, our ward was split, and new bishops were named. As is always the case when a ward splits there was drama and some trauma and some SHOCK for all involved. All in all I'm pretty happy with the split. We lost some great families but gained some wonderful new ones. My ward is a new ward and it is made up of people from three different wards. My old ward also gained people from another ward. Pretty much all the wards in our part of town either gained people or lost people. Ward names were shifted around. I am now in the 6th ward and the original 6th ward is now called something completely different. Crazy.

A new beautiful church has been built but we are still in our old church. That is ok with me. I like the old church and it's close proximity to me. Our new bishop...Bishop Finn...was a SHOCK but I will adjust. I hope. ;) But the deed is done and now we can all move on.

We had a fun weekend. A nice respite after a busy week. Friday night I met Andrea and Carolyn at the new church to help prepare for the open house. After that we all met our husbands and went out to dinner at the best Thai restaurant in town and had a fun dinner.

Saturday morning Stacey came early and dropped Dane off while she went shopping for a dress for Kirk's wedding and got a pedicure. A pedicure feels heavenly when you are nearly 8 months pregnant and can't reach your toes. (I have yet to find a dress for the wedding...aahhh!) The kids had a ball playing with Dane. Kelley came over in the afternoon and Stac and I got to meet Kelley's new boyfriend, Victor.

That evening we attended the Open House for the new church. I think it went fantastically. The church looked beautiful and all the booths representing the different auxiliaries of the church looked great. I was very impressed.

Sunday morning at 9 am was our "special" meeting and then we had the dedication at 2 pm. The church in our area is growing rapidly and it has been fun to be a part of it all. Thank goodness for Jason and Andrea who were so kind to invite several families over to their house for dessert, discussion of recent changes, and a fun game!! We had a GREAT TIME!! Thanks!!

Now I have kids to get off to school and a week filled with ballet, piano, joy school and much much more. I am really looking forward to book club on Tuesday!

Behold The Whirlwind


Summer is over, Labor Day is gone, the kids are back in school and I am spinning out of control...so much to do, so many places to go and no time to do it all...and no time for blogging or reading blogs. I'm waiting for our routine to kick in. Give me another week and I should be on top of things.


School. I know there are lots of moms out there who are so happy when the kids go back to school. I am not one of them. I LOVE SUMMER! I like not having schedules, bedtimes,commitments and most of all AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES!!


Our Labor Day Weekend got off to an early start on Thursday when I met KariAnn and Rebecca for a much needed pedicure...and then afterwards we met Andrea for a delicious lunch at Luna's. A day of fun, friends and pampering before the kids went back to school. So nice and so necessary.


Saturday night was our ward Corn Feed. The kids had a great time! Our ward is splitting this weekend so it was our last hurrah.

Ailey and Reilly doing the three-legged race

One of my favorite pictures of the night--Julie and Carolyn after the egg toss! ;)

We then went up to my Mom's house to help her move over the weekend. She is moving from her log house to a house on the other side of her town. So we labored on Labor day...not too exciting.


The kids went back to school yesterday and the crazy mornings have begun. I have started rising before the sun because that is the only way to keep on top of things anymore but the sad result is me sacked out on the couch by 8:30pm. Yehaw! I might as well be 80 years old.

The kids were really excited to go back to school and to see all their friends. Reilly is in 5th grade and Kameron is in 1st. Kameron was so excited to get to stay all day and to EAT LUNCH AT SCHOOL!!








We have a family tradition of going out for dinner after the first day of school...the kids picked Dairy Queen as their restaurant of choice. We got off easy as I know a family that does the same thing and they were off to PF Changs. Dinner at Dairy Queen was delicious! ;) I was quite excited that my all-time favorite blizzard was back...




These are so good!! Thanks Lori for introducing us to them a few years ago. The sad part is they only appear once in awhile. So it was Cotton Candy Blizzards all around! I LOVE cotton candy and these actually taste just like cotton candy unlike most cotton candy flavored ice cream. Could I say "cotton candy" any more times? COTTON CANDY! It must be the inner-carny in me that just can't get enough of it!

But I digress...the kids had a wonderful first day of school. Both were really happy with their teachers and classes. Both Reilly and Kameron had their best friends in their classes with them. Always a worry. They were both chatting my ear off. I am so glad that things went well.

They weren't the only ones to have a "First Day of School". Ailey had her first day of Joy School today!!


I decided to do Joy school for Ailey this year and then she can go to Preschool next year. She LOVED it!! I teach every Wednesday which isn't bad and then I have a 2 1/2 hour stretch on Fridays for volunteering in Reilly and Kam's classes or doing whatever I want. Fun fun.

People We're On a Roll

Even though these aren't the BEST PICTURES due to the early morning light and shadows I do believe you can see quite a difference in our deck, stairs, and breezeway. Check it out.

The stairs and breezeway to the deck before:




And After:




The side part of the deck before:



And the side part of the deck after:




The back of the deck before:




The back part of the deck after:




Hopefully you can see a big difference...because there really is a huge difference and it makes me wonder how we lived with such an eyesore before. Our big wrap around deck was a huge selling point to us when we bought our house and with the way it is situated and with our big pine trees part of the deck is in shade all day. It is so nice!! And now it looks nice too! We still have the back stairs and the railings to stain but we are getting things done around here. Yay!

Weekend Fun

This has been a busy weekend. It didn't go exactly as I planned...no visit to the lake for us...my Grandma's cousin is in town and staying with my Grandma so we ended up having time to get things done around our house. It was so nice! Getting projects done makes me happy!! Getting projects done makes me happy!! Getting projects done makes me happy!! (I'm singing with joy if you can't tell).

Friday started off great. I had a "date" with Kameron that morning. He was feeling a little left out that Reilly got a big night out and he didn't get to do anything. So I planned something for the two of us to do that was fun but not "as fun" as Reilly's event since hers was her BIG REWARD and the last thing I wanted to do was get Reilly all in a twist. Oh the joy of being the mother of an emotional tween!! Anyway we went to the morning "free movie" and Kameron ate a healthy breakfast of popcorn, cotton candy, and mt. dew. The Mt. dew was mine...that movie starts at 9:30 am and was a children's movie...that mountain dew was NECESSARY for this "fun mom" to keep her eyes open. But Kameron ended up sucking down most of it and that was the highlight of his "date" with me. "I GOT TO HAVE MOUNTAIN DEW!! I'VE NEVER HAD MOUNTAIN DEW BEFORE!! IT WAS AWESOME!!" (I don't let the kids drink pop very often and espcially not caffinated...I'm not crazy...I like bedtime and naptime). But I forgot to take a picture of us. Shoot.

Then my sweet sister Kelley took all our kids out for a big pizza dinner as a back to school treat. They were so excited!! I'm still laughing at the sight of Kelley driving our big ol' Suburban packed with kids.




As this is the gazillionth picture of Kameron in this shirt...and in case there was any doubt....this is his favorite shirt! He does have others...but you would never know it. He tries to wear it every day and I have to pry it out of his hands to wash it. Boys!!

After they left Tyler and I were off for a romantic dinner ourselves. Mexican! Yum.




After dinner we went to the video store (is it still called that?) or should I say the DVD store to rent a DVD. There wasn't anything I wanted to see which caused Tyler to get a little testy. He can be very happy watching movies that he doesn't necessarily want to watch but will watch just because they are available. Not me!! I need to REALLY want to see a movie to have the patience to sit down and veg out particularly at home. So as there was nothing anyone REALLY wanted to see we went home. Exciting huh? The kids were back with ice cream and new toys and love and praise for their wonderful Aunt Kelley! You really are a wonderful and loving aunt. Thanks Kelley! We put the kids to bed and watched "The Illusionist" that has been on our DVD shelf for months and I have never really wanted to see. I actually really liked it. Shock.

So since the lake was off we decided to get some projects done. This has been a total eye sore for quite some time...the cement on the side of our garage and the side wall of our yard. I used my Home Depot Gift Card that my mom gave me for my birthday (did I really request that? Yep!) And I am so glad I did. Check it out:

Before

After

We also bought a new house number that lights up and installed it and today we are restaining our deck. Yay! We did manage to sneak away from our projects to go to a big rummage sale at the local senior center. One of the little ladies from the senior center is in our ward and she totally hooked me up with all the good "junk". I love Eileen. She asked me what I was looking for and she was my "personal shopper" I got some great stuff for our Sisters Creed Christmas Sale...lots of great vintage Christmas stuff... a present for John's stocking (I have his stocking to fill for Christmas) and my favorite purchase of the day:

The Samsonite overnight bag!! Stacey, Kelley and I collect these and I am sure they are very JEALOUS right now!! We LOVE these bags. I have a red one and one that I'm getting for Christmas from my mom (she has my stocking) that she purchased from Stacey at our last Sisters Creed Sale that is a floral black and white bag in perfect condition and the inside is orange polka dots! I can't wait to get my hands on it. We sisters use these as our overnight bags...I use mine as my temple bag...they come in very handy. Kelley...does your blue one have the front pocket like this one?

And on Sunday...we went to church...EXCITING!

I've also been eating WAY to many of these (see recipe). They are my favorite cookies. My second favorite kind of cookies are Rice Krispy Cookies made with Fruity Pebbles which Tyler and I call "Kiddie Cocaine" we eat a lot of those on Sundays too! But they are pretty self-explanatory.

Lemon Drop Cookies

1/2 c shortening
1/2 c (1 stick) butter, softened
2 c all-purpose flour
3/4 c sugar
1/3 c milk
The zest of one lemon, grated fine
Juice of 1/2 a lemon

Beat the shortening and butter in a bowl until light and fluffy. Add 1 cup flour and mix well. Add the sugar, milk and lemon zest and mix well. Then add the juice of 1/2 a lemon and mix well. Add 1 cup of flour and mix well. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes or until very lightly browned...don't want to brown them too much. Cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Frost the cooled cookies.
Yield: 4 dozen small cookies or 2 dozen large cookies

Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 (1/2 stick) of butter, softened
3 1/4 cups powdered sugar
the juice of 1/2 a lemon
1-2 drops of yellow food coloring

Beat the cream cheese, butter and 1 cup powdered sugar in a bowl until light and fluffy. Stir in the lemon juice. Add enough powdered sugar to make of spreading consistency about 2 1/4 cups (I think I use a bit less) and mix until smooth. Stir in the food coloring.

Enjoy!!

**What's your favorite cookie?**

KELLEY? GYM? CALL ME.

My 100th Post: Reilly Did It!!

Reilly accomplished her goal and finished the her summer reading list! I am so proud of her. She did such a great job and just breezed through the books. She not only read my list but read ten more books and is still on quite a roll. We went to the library on Monday and she picked out a new batch of books. She is becoming a discriminating reader too...by passing ones that are easy and don't have much of a plot for the thicker, more challenging, interesting books. I am thrilled.

I kept my end of the bargain and let her pick out her BIG REWARD ...her answer was a Girls Night with me. Yay! I'm all for that. She decided that she wanted to go out for dinner,a movie, and ice cream afterwards. Throw in a pedicure and that would be my perfect day too.

Where did she want to go out for dinner? The Food Court at the mall...so many choices. I told you Reilly is easy to please. (I could've easily been out the cash for an Ipod or dinner at Luna's.) Reilly got pizza and I hit my food court favorite...Edo's.

After our tasty dinner we wandered the mall. Sheer heaven for a soon-to-be 5th grader. We hit her favorite shops: the candy store and Claires. Then we were off to see the movie Hairspray. Reilly and I both LOVED it and left the movie singing and dancing. Reilly was all a flutter over the dreamy Zac Efron.

Then we went to Baskin Robbins for ice cream. I am old fashioned. In a world of Maggie Moos and Coldstone I love my 31 flavors. I guess I have passed that on to my kids. As much as I like mix-ins it doesn't get better than Daiquiri Ice, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Pralines and Cream, and Chocolate Mousse Royale! Yum. We had a FABULOUS NIGHT!!

And...lucky for Reilly. Her Aunt Kelley sweetened the deal and promised her a pedicure for reading beyond my summer reading list. What a nice aunt!

And now for...REILLY REVIEWS:

Eldest
By: Christopher Paolini

Eragon & Saphira have just won their battle against evil King Galbatorix's army/Urals & Eragon slade the kings highest servant, Durza the evil Shade in Farthen Dur with the Dwarfs help and now Eragon and Saphira go to Ellesmera / the land of the Elves to continue his training as a dragon rider and pick up were Brom left off. But more war clouds are covering up Eragons sunny days. Meanwhile Eragon's cousin, Roran returns to carvahall to see that his father is dead, unburied and his house is burned to the ground and finds out that his cousin has run off with the crazy old story teller. But more trouble his heading Roran's way. When the Raz'ac and Urals come for Eragon and don't find him anywhere they go for his cousin, Roran. So while Roran's fighting a war in Carvahall and Eragon is fighting another war in Alagaesia, what will the world come to? Find out in, Eldest!
I loved this book so much because it's Shocking, Surprising, Exciting, Full Adventures, and full of fun! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPOINTED! I would rate this book my highest rating and much, much more! You must read this book

Number the Stars
By: Lois Lowery


One of the books I've recently have read is Number the Stars, by Lois Lowery, who wrote the books, The Giver, A Summer To Die, & Find A Stranger And Say Goodbye.

This book is about a girl named Annemarie who used to have two sisters but soon that changed when the German Nazis came to her town. One day, Annemarie's older sister named, Lise got run over by a Nazis war car on purpose. But Annemarie was lucky to have her younger sister, Kristi & her best friend, Ellen. But when the Nazis are looking for the Jewish people, will Ellen and her family & all the other Jewish people be safe? Find out in Number the Stars!

I liked this book because I know how hard it can be to stand up for your religion. This book will get a 5 star rating. READ!

Book Review #15

I just finished The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. This was a past book club selection that I didn't read and so I have been playing catch up. Carolyn picked this book and I was quite interested in reading it. My Aunt Margaret is a voracious reader and has been telling me that I need to read Interpreter of Maladies and The Namesake for a long time. She is a big Lahiri fan...unfortunately I am not.

From Publishers Weekly:

One of the most anticipated books of the year, Lahiri's first novel (after 1999's Pulitzer Prize-winning Interpreter of Maladies) ... Hopscotching across 25 years, it begins when newlyweds Ashoke and Ashima Ganguli emigrate to Cambridge, Mass., in 1968, where Ashima immediately gives birth to a son, Gogol-a pet name that becomes permanent when his formal name, traditionally bestowed by the maternal grandmother, is posted in a letter from India, but lost in transit. Ashoke becomes a professor of engineering, but Ashima has a harder time assimilating, unwilling to give up her ties to India. A leap ahead to the '80s finds the teenage Gogol ashamed of his Indian heritage and his unusual name, which he sheds as he moves on to college at Yale and graduate school at Columbia, legally changing it to Nikhil.

I am not a fan of this book. I wish I was but I'm not. This book didn't appeal to me in any way. Not on my nightstand and not while reading it. I found the characters likable enough...Ashima, Ashoke and their new life in America. I even found Gogol likable. It is the story or perhaps lack of story that I dislike. I kept asking myself "OK...when are things going to start happening and start to get good" unfortunately for me it never did. Following Gogol through his years of college and failed relationships was just plain and simply....a bore. Poor Gogol...he hates his name, is embarrassed by his parents, can't find true love, can't find himself...boring boring boring. I would've liked to explore the story of Ashima and Ashoke and their arranged marriage more and how they managed to grow to love one another and build a life together.

There were certain aspects of the book that kept my attention...I enjoyed reading Lahiri's take on what it is like to work in the Architectural field (Tyler did this for 12 years) they even had a diabetic draftsman...how true to life...right Ty? But the image of Gogol drafting at his drawing table with pencil in hand had me laughing. Architects and draftsman pretty much do everything on the computer now...very little hand drafting is done anymore.

I liked Maxine but merely because her parents were foodies and she had a lake house. I loved this quote from the book where Gogol explains how Maxine feels about the lake:

"She speaks reverently of her summers here. This is her favorite place in the world she tells him, and he understands that it is this landscape, the water of this particular lake in which she first learned to swim, is an essential part of her...It makes it easy to imagine her past, and her future, to picture her growing old...he sees her returning here...teaching her children to swim in the lake, leading them with two hands into the water, showing them how to dive cleanly off the edge of the dock".

The part where Gogol's father dies unexpectedly of a massive heart attack caused my own heart to ache thinking back to when the same thing happened to Tyler's father (also a professor) and, like Gogol, Tyler was the one to get the call...go to the hospital...identify his father...and clean out his apartment. Truly heart wrenching.

Even though this book had moments of poignancy it just wasn't enough to carry the lackluster story along. I closed the book at the end feeling depressed and disappointed.

My rating: Disappointing

What We've Been Up To Lately

I've been a bit behind in blogging due to all the birthdays so I have kind of a rambling post today. Full of all kinds of different things and topics.

1.) Mountain Biking

I have had so much fun biking this summer. We went biking quite a bit last summer as a family but this summer Tyler and I have been going biking as a "date" and it has been so much fun. We absolutely love going and have had a blast! (nice 80's word)




AND...Valynn and I still go once a week too. I am going to miss our bike rides when the weather gets cold.

2.) The Dementor's Kiss aka Back to School Shopping

I know I have read ALOT of Harry Potter this summer but nothing describes back to school shopping for me more than "dementor's kiss" because it has literally sucked all the life and joy out of me for the past week. I did try to do most of it by myself but there comes a time when the kids have to be with me to try on clothes and shoes and thus insues my migraine. Trying to find shoes, jeans, shirts, school supplies that everyone likes is impossible. I gave up and said that what I pick goes and they can all just lump it. Kameron wants everything superhero, Reilly wants everything glamorous and trendy, and Ailey just howls because she isn't getting anything. I did break down and buy her a package of socks to shut her up and who knew a pack of plain white socks would make her so happy but it did.

After a trip to Old Navy, The Gap, The Children's Place, Ross, and Target I still had to go to Wal-Mart for the actual school supplies and that is where my mental breakdown occurred...were it not for the package of white socks!! It nearly happened at Ross...a place I loathe. (Sorry Kelley I know you love it and you dress very cute but I cannot stand that place) I went there for the sole purpose of getting cheap Sketchers for Reilly. Valynn told me that they had some and that she had gotten a great deal on shoes for her kids. By the time I got there the shoes were wiped out and there was just a huge mess of clothes everywhere. Kameron was freaking out because HE ONLY WANTS VANS!! (Thanks Uncle Kirk) and Reilly was crying because I wouldn't look for any clothes in the huge freaking mess that is Ross. But fear not dear reader....I held it together...barely!!

Wal-Mart was another story...people everywhere scrutinizing school lists...nothing that could be located...supplies already sold out...people blocking aisles...Ailey screaming....Kameron mad because I wouldn't buy superhero folders, notebooks etc, Reilly fuming because I wouldn't buy "pretty" folders, binders, notebooks not realizing that her list called for SPECIFIC things. Finally Ailey feel asleep in the cart and her head was wobbling back and forth when an "oh so kind" lady informed me that I should just carry her because "she can't be comfortable like that" apparently not getting it from my glare that I am just happy she is QUIET!! She shook her head at me and then I felt like a horrible mother and picked Ailey up and lugged her through the store with Reilly pushing the cart.Then if it weren't for the kind man in electronics who saw me staggering with Ailey in my arms, tears in my eyes, Reilly and Kameron fighting over who should push the cart and me swearing trying to find the stinking memory stick and specific calculator Reilly needed who took pity on me and took my list and found everything else I needed I would've lost it. There are competent people at Wal-mart. I can't believe I've just said that but I have. Will wonders never cease? Now I only have a gruelling visit to the ballet shop and I am all done! Whew!

3.) Mrs. Beasley is a woman now.

Yes...this is gross but true all the same...Mrs. Beasley started her period this weekend. I have never given a moments thought to dog menstration...gag. Our previous dog, Grendel, was spayed so we didn't have this problem but we haven't fixed Mrs. Beasley yet because we'd like her to have one litter of puppies sometime. Well...thank goodness we have a dog expert in the family....John...dog trainer extrodinaire who informed me that Mrs. Beasley was "in heat" not "on her period" as I explained to him. Tomato/Tamato. Same thing. Apparently you can buy dog maxi-pads that you strap onto a belt...uh...I don't think so...She can just stay outside or in her crate for a few days.

4.) Another project completed.

We spent all Saturday powerwashing our house. Wow!! What a big difference. Slacker homeowners that we are we haven't done it once since we moved in. Our house is so sparkling white now. We also did the deck and the concrete foundation which were both peeling. So this week we will be restaining our deck and painting the cement foundation. I love getting projects accomplished.

5.) Reilly is growing up.

I forgot to include this in #2 but in my back to school shopping I had to buy Reilly a training bra...AND...size 7 shoes!! Holy crap! I was shocked. I wear a 7 1/2 to an 8 depending on the shoes. Where has my "little girl" gone?

6.) Kirk is moving to Utah in a few weeks.

The biggest blow...I should've seen it coming. I just want all my family to live close to me...is that so wrong? Kirk, Jayme and Kaiden are going to be living in Utah after the wedding in October rather than up here. Suckaroo.

7.) Sunday was raining and depressing...sort of like the book I just finished.

Therefore...comfort food was needed fast and in large quantities. I was talking to Hannah, Stacey and Wendy and we were talking about blogging and what we liked to read in blogs and recipes were something we all liked so I have included two delicious recipes for you guys. All of which I ate to alleviate the gloom on Sunday. Since it was rainy and cold I wanted to try the soup recipe that Stacey gave me. Stacey made this recipe for her Dining Divas group (I can't remember what the theme was) and she has been raving about it to me ever since...especially because it is a vegetarian recipe. When I went to her house for our Sisters Creed sale she made it and even though it was about 100 degrees outside and her house has no a/c it was a huge hit! My kids were very skeptical...and by the end of dinner they were requesting it for their birthdays! It is truly fabulous!!

Since autumn is on the way...here are two great fall recipes to try:

Stacey's Amazing Cream of Cauliflower Soup (Double it for a family of more than 4)

1 head cauliflower--coarsely chopped
1 large onion--diced
1/4 c butter
1/2 c olive oil
6 cloves garlic--minced
5 c chicken broth
1 c heavy cream
salt and pepper
lemon wedges for garnish
parmesan cheese for garnish
homemade croutons

In a large stock pot sauté onion and garlic in olive oil and butter until soft. Add cauliflower and sauté until browned. Season with lots of salt and pepper. Lower heat, cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add broth, cover again and cook for 20-30 minutes until cauliflower is tender. Stir in cream. Garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese, croutons and a squeeze of lemon juice.

To make homemade croutons:

Cut up a loaf of French bread into cubes. Sauté in a large hot skillet with olive oil, butter, and freshly minced garlic until crisp.

**The homemade croutons MAKE this soup extra special and hearty. This is a great meal with a salad on the side. The crouton recipe is my mom's...also good made with sourdough bread...fabulous in Caesar Salad which is how we usually use them.**

Next we made our family's old stand-by...Chocolate Chip Cookies. My mom found this recipe years ago and it is the only one we ever make. It is SO GOOD. I don't add nuts though. You can substitute m&m's, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips...whatever you like. This recipe makes 5 dozen large cookies. More than enough for our family and we took 2 dozen cookies to two other families. Enjoy!


Steve Young's Chocolate Chip Cookies

4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 c quick cook oats
2 t baking soda
2 t salt
2 c Crisco
1 1/2 c granulated sugar
1 1/2 c brown sugar, packed
2 t vanilla
4 large eggs
4 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
nuts optional

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Stir the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt together in a mixing bowl.

In a larger mixing bowl, beat together the Crisco, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla. Add the eggs one at a time, mix thoroughly. Gradually add the flour mixture, beating until smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let sit for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool. Makes a ton!!





As you can see Ailey LOVED THEM!!

Birthday Palooza

August is full of birthdays for our family. Kirk, Jordin, Grandpa M., Brett and Marissa all have birthdays in August. Today is Tyler's brother Brett's birthday!! Happy Birthday Brett! We love and miss you. A card is on the way...but late...blame Tyler. ;)

Tyler and Brett

There are many things we love about Brett but here are just a few:

• He is a loving brother and brother-in-law.
• He is a beloved uncle...Reilly, Kameron and Ailey adore him.
• He is tall and handsome.
• He is slightly intimidating with penetrating eyes...he must get that from his Uncle Lew.
• He is extremely funny...he always has us laughing.
• He is generous.
• He is chivalrous.
• He married the FABULOUS Marissa.

• Growing up he was Tyler's partner-in-crime ...the stories I have heard about these two!!
• He was one of two neighborhood terrorizers (Tyler being the other one)...just ask the Bybee's (Tyler told me to put that in).
• He is successful and has accomplished much.
• He has lived an interesting life.

We love you Brett!

Then a few days after Brett's birthday it is Marissa's Birthday. Happy Early Birthday Marissa!!

Marissa is an amazing person. Here are some reasons why we love her:

• She is beautiful inside and out.
• She is so sweet.
• She is a loving aunt...also adored by Reilly, Kameron and Ailey.
• She is the best thing that has ever happened to Brett. :)
• She is a wonderful sister-in-law.
• She is the only other person who has had the same experiences and been just as traumatized as me by "The Judie".
• She is smart and successful.
• She loves to garden and is extremely talented at it.
• She is an amazing hostess.
• She is generous and supportive.

The wonderful Brett and Marissa...below with Reilly, Kameron and Ailey

We love you very much Marissa!! Have a great birthday!!

The 15th would have been my Grandpa M.'s birthday. He died a few weeks before Kameron was born. He was an amazing man. I love him very much and think of him often.

Happy Birthday Pops!


Love, Your Snot-Nosed Brats XOXOXO

Family Reunion 2007

It's been family reunion time at the lake. We have had a ball visiting with everyone. Cousins, Cousins and more Cousins!! There is so much to say but I will let the pictures do the talking. After going over my pictures I realized there were lots of people that I didn't get a single picture of...like about half the people there. Here were some of the highlights:

The house was packed, the yard was packed, the beach was crowded and so was the dock!

Ailey playing with her cousins...do admire her neon swimsuit...it used to be Reilly's and Ailey was DETERMINED to wear it. It was helpful...we could see her anywhere.

Stacey and John

Kelley and Ailey

Dane

Jen and Hannah

Grace and Kameron on the boat

Ailey Eva in her pink sunglasses

A sight I haven't seen in a long time...Uncle Mike waterskiing. He looks good!

Maeris and Slade

Dennis and Margaret

Kameron and Breckley

Tyler

Brienn

Gabe and Kam

Addison

Addy and Ailey

Kirk, Justin and Tyler...and tons of fresh CRAB!! Courtesy of Justin! This was one of the best nights ever...it was a crab orgy...butter, butter and more butter. I had it dripping off my hands, my face and I even had butter up to my elbows. It was DELICIOUS!! Absolutely heavenly! Thanks again Justin...you mighty fisherman!

A few cousins: Jen (who waxed us all yet again), Me, Justin and Wendy

Some more cousins: Addison, Grace, Miley, Kameron, Ailey, Reilly and Haylee. They looked so sweet in their jammies!!

Kameron and Reilly out on the sleeping porch

Aaaahhh...the kids are all in bed and now it's GAME TIME!! We had the wildest game of "Loaded Questions" I have ever played. I have learned things about these people that you wouldn't believe! ;) But "what is said in the game stays in the game" isn't that right Tyler and Bonnie! Let's just say I laughed so hysterically that night that I cried, snorted and nearly peed my pants! I am related to some SICK puppies!

The gamers are as follows (left to right): Tyler, Jen, Hannah, Wendy, Justin, Uncle Mike, and Aunt Bonnie. Where is the perfect "8" on the photogenic scale? Taking the picture of course!

The next morning Tyler and Reilly took a bunch of the little guys on an early morning canoe ride.

The grand finale was...Kirk's Birthday Party!!

Happy Birthday Kirky! I left out a few nicknames from his birthday post: Alfred E. Newman, Quirk and "The Donny". Forgotten but ever so fitting! ;) I voted for party hats and tooters for his birthday party. I guess my Mom took pity on him and refrained from purchasing them. Delicious Dirt and Worms made by Gracie and me.

Congratulations to our cousin Kellen and Sam (antha) who got married on Saturday!

Jen you need to start a blog asap...you too Kelley (I think your "unibrow sportin' cousin" had a nice ring) and the best blog name ever...Justin..."The Mane-less Lion"!!