Diggin' in the Dirt!

I finally came to the realistic conclusion that an underground sprinkler system is something we might never get around to. So, I decided to go ahead and do a little landscaping in the front yard. After a lot of hard work I think it is mostly done...maybe a few more plants in a couple of spots. Anyway, its amazing how a few plants and some fresh bark makes you feel so good! I love the sound of our water feature when we sit out on the front porch. Grandpa is enjoying it also. He likes to sit on the front porch after he goes for a walk.

Talent in the Family!

The boys performed at the ward talent show Friday night. Jesse sang a song called "Cliff Diving" by a group called +44. Mckay sang two songs that he wrote himself called "Everyday," and "Go Away."

I think they did a great job!

Mission Organization!

Okay, this might not be the most exciting post, but I have been organizing my office lately (among other areas of the house) and I thought I would post a few pictures of the progress.

"Sewing Area"

The cute little "suitcase" acts like a recharging station for my phone and PDA. I picked it up at a secondhand store for a few dollars.

Finally, some organization to the sewing drawers ( I have two of them.)

I found these shallow wooden trays at Value Village for 99¢ each. I added some wooden dividers to the one on the right to hold my bobbins.

One of my four cupboards.

On the top shelf are some Snapware containers I got from Wal-Mart to hold all of my greeting cards. I love them!

I picked up this wooden thing at Value Village and sprayed it black.

On the same visit, I found plastic cups that fit perfectly. The whole unit spins around.

I already had this rack that I use for 8 1/2 x 11 paper.

I got it when a store was going out of business.

I've had fun collecting various jars from secondhand stores to house various items. The one with the metal lid is fun. When you pull up on the lid, the pens come up with it. I think it usually holds straws. Only $4!

My scissor racks were from the same store close-out.

The spice racks were from a secondhand store and sprayed black.

I finally broke done and bought spice jars at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, only to finally find the plastic ones that I had in storage a few days later. Now that I'm organized, that won't happen again...hopefully!

One of the cupboards above the sewing area. The drawer units are handy for holding all sorts of stuff. The boxes I covered myself with secondhand wallpaper. I added ribbon trim around the top and bookplates to label each box. These boxes actually have cardboard inserts that divide each box into six sections. It makes it really handy for extension cords and other cables.

More boxes covered with a different wallpaper (I ran out of the first roll.)

I ended up covering 19 boxes altogether. They cost me about $1.25 each to make.

I know, these jars are clear and you can easily see what's inside them, but I thought the tags added to the look!

The shelf above the sewing area.

I love having a place for everything!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

That was Then!

Honeymoon, February 1990

This is Now!

19th Anniversary, February 2009

Monty and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary on valentine's Day. We enjoyed a weekend at the coast cabin and had lots of fun! The weather was great and it was very relaxing. I had been working on a scrapbook of our wedding and honeymoon pictures to surprise Monty. When Hyrum saw the pictures of our wedding he asked, "Who's that?" I told him it was mom and dad. He replied, "Well, that's you (mom), but (pointing to dad), that's someone else and you're going to marry him, and dad is going to say, no way, you can't marry my life." (He calls a wife, "life" for some reason.) Anyway, it was pretty funny. I think I have finally convinced him that it is dad in the pictures and not some stranger. I feel so blessed to have a wonderful husband and am so thankful that he is my eternal companion! Life is great!!

Ammon's Band Concert

This is Ammon's latest, and last, high school band concert. This featured four drummers on four different drums, hence the name "Four for Four." It was a university level piece and I think they did an excellent job! Eli and Isaac should enjoy it, as its over five minutes of pure drumming!

Hyrum's Latest Antics

1. Well, the other day while I was gone, Hyrum decided he was old enough to cook frozen mac and cheese in the microwave. By the time Jesse discovered the burnt smell and smoke billowing out of the microwave, there was still 42 minutes on the timer! There was a completely black lump of something resembling the shape of mac and cheese in the middle of the microwave. Needless to say, our house has smelled bad for a few days now, and continues to smell every time we use the microwave. (Imagine the smell of burnt popcorn x10!) The inside is stained yellow. I have had to do some research on the internet to solve the dilemma. Its not back to normal yet, but it is getting better. By the way, non-acetone fingernail polish remover works pretty good at getting the yellow stains off.

2. Hyrum needed some help a couple of days ago, but I didn't have my glasses readily available. I finally found them and Hyrum told me that I needed to wear my glasses when my eyes "get cranky!"

3. The same night as we were watching one of his TV shows, he laid his head on my lap. Apparently, I made some sort of noise. He said, "Mom, why do you make a noise when I push hard on your stomach?" I asked what kind of noise. He proceeded to make a sigh/grunt. It was pretty funny. I told him it was because sometimes it hurt when he pushed hard. He told me it didn't hurt him.

4. He's a better driver than Grandpa...at least on Mario Kart.

5. At the dinner table last night, he was crying over something. I asked him if he wanted to say prayer. He responded, "No, because I'm crying." (Insert pathetic crying sounds here.) Grandpa looked at him and started smiling. Hyrum starts laughing, which makes Grandpa laugh. You would think all would be well, but instantly he's back to his pathetic crying. He's so dramatic!

It's Snowing!

It's cold, cold, cold! But the kids are having fun. They finally went to school today, after having snow days Monday and Tuesday. Most likely they will be out on Thursday and Friday also. Talk about a long Christmas Break!