Random Post

Random post today - probably not 25 things tho - that's too much pressure.





First - is it really bad to turn on your A/C in February? I know this may be hard for those of you in the colder climes but... really it was too hot to sleep (82) so I got up and flipped the switch from heat to cool - Its still THERE!! It was 87 yesterday. I love this weather - not too hot and not to cold.





Next - I found these at Costco - 120 calories for 9 crackers - I can't seem to stop at 9 but...

I have been sick to my stomach for 3 weeks - anything that sounds good I try because food is not too attractive right now - so I tried these (I am soooo tired of saltines) they are FABULOUS!!!!

If you meet me and I smell like garlic....

Next - I should comment on this blog http://snarky-belle.blogspot.com/ because she is the one that started me thinking but I am not sure I could add anything she or her commenter's haven't said and I don't want to repeat. I will just bore you and my posterity.

Headaches

are my mountain - not even my headaches (which are bad enough) but the headaches of my beloved daughter. They are squishing her. Keeping her from meeting her potential. Hurting her, hurting her Dad and I. She is the most amazing thing - she has always been that way. When she was little and people would compliment her to me I would just say "she came that way!" And she did - she was a complete "arrow" from the get go. And I can't launch her into the world because she is unable to manage it. Now on one hand, I like that she still needs me at 18 - but on the other, she is such a capable person, so together, she would do well on her own and find all the fun, painful, lessons I learned on my own. So how do we get past this "mountain"?

I don't know!

Ok - on to better thoughts!! Logan - he is an animal!! He wrestling intramurals for his Jr High, and doing the freestyle club. This means that on Mon and Tues he stays after school until 5 pm or so to practice wrestling with his Jr High team - he then rides his bike to the High school and helps teach the grade school kids wrestling. Then he has freestyle practice from 6:30 - 8:00 and then he rides home, has dinner, does homework and goes to bed. On Wed he has piano lessons and scouts. On Thursday he has intramural matches and on Saturday he has freestyle tournaments. Not to mention keeping his room clean and mowing the front yard. How is that for a 13 yr old?! He is loving every minute. Luckily intramurals only lasts a month so he should not get too tired.

Guess I should brag on Dallin a little too - We got the pictures of the wrestling team...only he was allowed to smile. His nickname is Smiley - most of the kids don't even know his name is Dallin. The parent ask who my child is - when I say "Dallin" they look at me funny, because there is another Dallin on the team and we look nothing alike (I guess) - then I say "Smiley" and they all go "OOHH!!" we love him! So he is the only one allowed to smile - every one else looks tough. Poor Dallin - Jethro is still giving him fits - but he is learning a good skill (auto mechanics). I think he is tired of it - I know I am!!

I did get an email from Dallins English teacher telling me how much she likes Dallin, how smart he is and that she enjoys him in her class. That is such a nice thing to hear, even when they are 17!!

I think that is it!! My random post. I would like to post more - I seem to have a hard time coming up with something (until I start anyway). I will get better.

Kobus and Zara sitting in a tree....

This is Zara - our Rhodesian Ridgeback

This is Kobus - her new boyfriend

Yes, they look really similar. He spent Friday night at our house romancing Zara, although unsuccessfully. He is such a nice dog and was really sweet to our Zara (not sweet enough) so tonight she is staying at his house. We thought maybe he would be more dominant at his house. We want puppies. All the stories I have heard about male dogs jumping the fence and impregnating females seems a little far fetched right now - these two have no clue what they are doing. Of course it is their first time (ours too, for that matter) so a little bit of which end is which is in order. Hopefully nature will take its course.

Brenn and I keep dreaming about puppies - we are a little excited. Ridgebacks tend to have 12-14 puppies (holy cow!!) so if you want one let us know.

Other than that excited news we are all SICK!!! Dallin stayed home all week, Brenn is iffy, and Ken and I have colds. I am ready to be well - its been about 2 weeks - I have stayed in so I don't spread my germs, but I am bored!!

Also my Sister in Law Lisa Cole is doing some hair at my house on the 28th if you are interested, she does great cuts and really great color, just email me and I will get you in touch with her.

Lurking

Is that a word?

Do you lurk?

I do.

I love to peek into peoples lives. See the kids of my cousins, friends and even people I don't know but have been touched by their writing. Does that make me equal to a peeping Tom?

NO! Please no!

I figure its like a year round Christmas letter, I love those.

So I confess - I am a lurker. I look at blogs everyday. I get a little frustrated when my favorites do not post for a month (of course that doesn't apply to my posting because I think maybe 3 people look at my blog and one is not even my mother!). I like pictures! Seeing how much the kids have changed/grown, what is important for the moment and I really like pictures of food. It makes it seem possible that I can continue to cook for my family for the next 30 or 40 years (YIKES!!) without going insane. Mostly I think in this day with my busy schedule, my friends busy schedules, my family's busy schedule, and the distance between us, I can keep up with what is going on without the hours on the phone, or the writing of letters (which I am really bad at, ask my brother who got maybe 2 letters on his mission).

Although I think I creeped out a lady I know when I mentioned something that she posted on her blog...she looked a little uncomfortable and then her blog went private....hmmm. On a side note, how do you ask someone to invite you to their blog? IF it is a good friend usually I get an excited email, kinda like a birth announcement, inviting me to look. But if it is someone who I know is cool, or heard about this great blog and it is private what is the etiquette of asking? When is is considered creepy to ask? Where is Emily Post when I need her?

Just a few thoughts while I have been laying in bed with the flu and had to pull my self up today to catch up on my daily blog reading!!

Here's hoping for better next week.

What kind of driver are you?

When you see this up ahead how do you feel?
Brenn and I were driving to EVIT (more about that later) and we drove thru the cones...she asked how it made me feel...I love it and usually speed up as I go thru (safely, of course) because I love the feel of having the barricades whiz by my head!!! She said it made her feel tense and she did not like it - me I love it - that is the only time I wish my truck was closer to the ground, something about the speed which they go by my peripheral vision which gives me the buzz. So which are you? Brenn made the comment that is why I love roller coaster, I think she is right.

Here is Brenn being honored at EVIT for being the east rotary student of the month, actually I am not sure I would document this here if not for what happened only moments before...

We entered an empty room at the school board meeting and sat in the back (why is that?) as the room began to fill with people and I was sitting next to Miss O'Connor (Brenn's teacher) the marketing lady for EVIT came in and came over to meet us - she looked at me and without even pausing said "Are you Brenn?"

I said, with a big smile on my face, (my 42 yr old face) "No, but Thank You!!"

Then later in the meeting as they recognized Brenn and had her say a few words, they mentioned it again - I really wanted to ask if this was going on the meeting minutes and could I get a copy, but I thought that my be pushing it a little! Of course when I got in the car I had to look in a mirror - yep still flat hair from the day and no make up - maybe the lady needs glasses.

Anywho, Brenn was honored and the Vice Chairwoman came out of the meeting and shook her hand and thanked us for letting Brenn attend EVIT. Really it is such a good program with a wide range of classes - I wonder if I would have done better earning money for college if I had some kind of training. Luckily Brenn has the opportunity to be a licensed massage therapist...so much better than selling fries!!

Winter Formal 2009

Both Brenn and Dallin went to Winter Formal. It is a girl ask guy dance. So Dallin got asked and Brenn had to do the asking. Both went with different groups (Brenn thinks it would be weird to be in a group with Dallin.)

Dallin went will a cute girl named Taylor:

She was really nice and they had a great time.

Dallin was a little nervous getting "pinned."

Looks like it turned out okay.

Brenn asked a boy named Jack, they were not in her usual group and it was kinda fun to meet some of her other friends.

Brenn and Becca - they had so much fun planning the date. Becca's dress looked like Cinderellas dress!

This is Becca's date Josh. They were really fun. After dinner (they tried escargot) they actually danced at the dance for about 2 hours, and then came to our house for a rousing game of Mad Gab....did I mention LOUD?! It was actually fun to lay in bed and hear the laughter.

Zara was helping Brenn put on her shoes!

I don't think the camera did Brenn's dress justice - it was so sparkly and such a great color on her, Lisa came and did her hair - she looked so pretty. On Sunday at church the little girl in front of us just stared at Brenn all during Sacrament meeting, I know it was the sparkles!

Ruined a good, righteous anger!!

Ok it's only been about 2.5 hours since we left the Doctor's office.....and they called. Can you believe the nerve?!!

All kidding aside - it's a no go...Brenn's heart is normal, no PFO, no cure for the headache.

RATS!!! and DOUBLE RATS!!

I am glad not to have to wait one whole week, but I cannot help but feel a little disappointed. Strange I know, but I would really like to have a concrete cause for Brenn's migraines, and then be able to do something proactive. Instead I have to sit and watch....yes it stinks!

Well on to the next great Idea, what ever that will be.

Do they not understand???

I know Doctors are busy, I know that there are more patients and problems than can possibly be addressed, but 1 whole week to find out if Brenn has a hole in her heart or if she has other problems. Really the echo cardiogram took all of 20 minutes, I know they record it and print some pictures - how long does it take to view? The nurse asked how long we knew Brenn had a heart murmur....does she know something we don't? or did she just assume that was why we were there? I tried to get a peak at the notes on her chart but the nurse lady was to savvy. The technician seemed to know something, she got awful quiet, was she just concentrating or keeping a secret?

Boy do I sound paranoid!! I have been worried all week, didn't sleep last night (cold medicine is supposed to help you sleep, right?) and now another week to see if we can finally get my daughter out of the dark world of migraines and back into her real life.

Now I sound dramatic! I guess I want a reason for the headaches - something they can fix without to much trouble, but a definite "House" ending, with everybody recovering for a normal life.

Now is that too much to ask?

Dallin is 17...Whoa!!!!

Dallin is 17...it is really hard to believe how fast the time goes. He was such a good baby, really easy going, just hated to be left alone in a room (except his bed). He always loved to push the buttons on any appliance (dishwasher, stove, etc), really liked to play on the computer.

As a kid he was really easy going and well liked by his classmates. He couldn't sit still and think at the same time but had some really good teachers who understood (except for 4th grade, we did not really like her.) He played baseball for a number of years and grew to hate it. I guess the last year we shouldn't have pushed him to play. He was a great swimmer though, he was on the swim team for a few years.

When he hit Jr high, he found out what homework was all about and that not all teachers are nice. But played in the band (cornet) and when he got braces switched to the baritone, which he really liked, too bad the band teacher that year was so mean. He did change the world in 8th grade, he never practiced his instrument (who wants to lug a baritone home?) but had to turn in practice sheets signed by his parents, the year before piano practice counted but the new band teacher did not accept that (I think she hated he was the best one she had and he really didn't need to practice to keep up.) Well he turned in fictitious practice sheets for a little while until his mom (yes, I caught him) figured it out and made him confess and apologize to the teacher. From that day on as long as you turned in a signed practice sheet you got credit, even if it had 0 minutes. I hope that taught him to be honest.

He also discovered wrestling in Jr high, he lost most of his matches in 7th grade but really improved in 8th grade. He was doing well in 9th when he got the shingles. Yes you can get the shingles even when you are young. That made him sit out the rest of the year (ouch!).

In high school he continued to wrestle and must still really like it because he wrestled a tournament all day on his birthday. He went 3-1, they did not finish out the consolation matches because it was getting so late.

See his muscles? He has really gotten strong this year. Isn't he cute?!!

Does Dean look jealous or what?

Dallin has a new strategy for blowing out his candles...really slow, steady air.


Still blowing....did it all in one breath.

Here he is pinning his guy. He did really well on Saturday. It is hard to wrestle that much in one day, he was pretty tired. Logan also had a tournament that day and we sat in the stands for about 12 hours. I would like to think I was as tired as they were but....

It is a good thing I really like to watch wrestling, we have spent a lot of time the last few months watching. On Wed (1/28) Mesa and Red Mountain will be at Mountain View - It should be a really good match to watch. Mesa and Red Mtn will start at 4, then Mtn View will start at 5:30 or so...You should come and watch, these are the most dedicated athletes around.

Happy Birthday Dallin, I sure love you! Mom

Lost and Found!

At my house I seem to be the only one who can find anything. Even Ken will ask for help in finding things he lost, of course he claims I "moved" them so that he needs me..... !RIGHT!

Sunday morning getting ready for church (at 11, YEAH) Brenn was speaking so we were trying to get there early and Dallin could not find his belt.

"Celcee must have put it somewhere, because I had it on the floor." Typical Dallin. That darn Celcee cleaning his room and all.

So everyone else leaves and we are looking and what do you know, right on his shelf.

Then last week Brenn lost her retainer, she really thought it was in her bed because she put it in and when she woke up it was gone. So she figured Celcee (magical person she is) would find it. No such luck. Once again yesterday it is up to me to find it, we looked and looked... finally Logan comes in and starts suggesting looking in other rooms, as Brenn disdainfully (is that a word?) informs him she never leaves it out like the boys, she is careful, she is OCD, I pick up her retainer case and open it...Yep there it is, caught on the side so it doesn't shake.

That's me....SUPER FINDER!!!


PS. I do not know how to post this video on my blog but check it out on my friends... I am still laughing. http://thebuckleyfam.blogspot.com/

Trying to be a better blogger - but BUGGED

I am inspired by some of my counterparts who blog almost daily, and since this is supposed to chronicle my life (or my families) for future generations (yeah, right) I am trying to post more often. I am a little intimated by not posting pictures, what do I say? Actually talking is never a problem for me, I can talk to a wall, so I am trying to get over it (we'll see.) But I figure if Nie apologized for missing a day (plane crash recovery and all) I could probably step up my posts.

So here goes.... The last few weeks we have had the construction workers outside our house digging up part of our street - it is noisy (trucks, my dogs bark, digging, etc) they keep blocking my driveway, and there are lots of truck, tractors and trailers parked up and down the street which makes it hard to navigate, and strange men watching me take out the trash or get the mail. ITS BUGGING ME!!! I know they are replacing the lines for SRP but still - I am bugged.

Other than that we are getting ready for Dallin to turn 17 on Sat with lots of wrestling in between. Unfortunately, we did not get to go to Page with the Varsity team so Dallin will be wrestling at Mesquite High School (Mesa Dr/Elliot) instead. Logan is at Marcos all day too. I think it will be hard to celebrate a birthday so maybe Sunday will be better. Brenn is doing her Day date that afternoon so maybe we will have some great pictures.

I guess the best news is we went to the cardiologist yesterday for Brenn to see if he would look for a PFO (a whole between the upper chambers of her heart that might cause migraines) and I was prepared to argue, convince, plead, you name it to get the test she needs and he was the nicest, most caring Doctor we have seen in a while. Her test is scheduled for next Thursday and he said he would be happy to help her if it turns out she has a PFO.

Now this must be my Epiphany #2 - Sometimes you pray for the strangest things!

Should you really pray that your daughter has a hole in her heart?!!

Well, apparently, yes you do.

Patient and Careful....yep that's me!!

Okay - if you know me personally you know better right? Well apparently Jenny and her sweet husband Brad were talking about how long we have been friends, and Brad commented that he thought I was Careful and Patient....When Jenny got off the floor from laughing her guts out, she asked him if he really believed that.

Well I have known them for a little more that 12 years, in fact the first time I invited them over it was to watch the Super Bowl. So either Brad is dumb as dirt (no, I don't think that) or somehow that is what he sees when we are together (lost at Lake Powell for 6 hours). How great is that! I like that someone sees me as I would like to be but probably won't be until after I die. Long after.

This made me laugh hysterically when Jenny told me but then to really think about perception. We think we present ourselves to the world, but who speaks the same language? Surely my husband and I sometime seem to be confused with each other, or the kids, or what about the ward member who I think I know her name but have never really had a chance to talk to her. Do I choose to think the best of those I think I know? Do they think the best of me? Or is it somewhere in the middle?

Anywho... this has been on my mind of late and I thought maybe it would help to put it on paper, of course no one may understand the ramblings but....

I figure if Jenny is having Epiphanies so can I. So I guess I will list this as #1
See here http://http://www.bjdentonfamily.blogspot.com/ If you want to see hers.


Except I am not the deep thinker she is so maybe I will only have one.

I Cheated!

Ok - you see I have blogged this year I just figured out how to pre-date the entry so it could go in the published book for 2008. So really I am only a slight slacker! (and a little cheating)

As far this year goes we are still having a little trouble with our house - the upstairs bathtub faucet refused (well I do have teenagers) to turn off. So Ken came home and tried to fix it and made it worse. To be honest I think this is the only time he has ever done that, I mean even Jethro turned over the first time and is running well, and that was a whole engine replacement. So I called the plumber and the whole faucet had to be replaced, see the whole in my tile? So now we get to re tile the shower.

But I cannot decide which tile - I was thinking white with a few black ones or a black border because this would be so neutral (we have painted that bath at least 5 times in 5 years so think flexible).

But Ken is not too keen on white so I picked up some travertine to see if I liked it - eventually we will have to replace the counter top and I want it to be easy to pick out.

So what do you all think?

Christmas at the Cole House

Christmas morning we wake up - not to early this year (all teenagers!) and line up, Dad goes in and turns on all the lights, then lets the kids in. They line up according to age, that means Gma is last this year.Grandma was a good girl her stocking was full of good stuff.

My kids and Ken always give me a hard time because my stocking is the biggest. I just tell them my mom made it and she knew what kind of kid I was and I was always really GOOD!

Ken got a new shirt he loves. The Grinch is part of our Christmas traditions. We always string popcorn for the tree and watch the original Grinch movie.

Logan was excited to get the Inkdeath book and a new MP3 player.

Brenn got a kickn' new coat. BYU here she comes.

Dallin got the season 1 dvd of Psych - if you don't watch (Friday nights on USA) you should, it is one of our family favs.

Also some sun glasses for when we get Jethro fixed!!

Ok this is my attempt at photography - it rained so much on Christmas that my poinsettias (which I kept alive for more that 3 weeks) had the most beautiful rain drops and I wanted to get a cool picture. I am not sure I succeeded but....


Okay - Brenn will not be happy with this but they were so cute! Arms hooked same expression, aren't they cute?!



I just wanted to end the year with a little about my testimony of Christ. I am so grateful to have a knowledge of the true gospel and to know my Savior. I want my kids to know that I am SURE in the knowledge of the Atonement and that we do have a living prophet and he leads us. I know the key to living a gospel centered life is to do the little things read your scriptures and pray EVERY day, keep the commandment as best you can, and attend church regularly. If you keep up with these things the rest goes much easier. Repentance is set up so we WILL use it, not can, but will, we all have to repent, that is the beauty of it, no one can lead a perfect life except Christ, but each of us can start again and again. I have a SURE testimony of tithing, the best way to receive blessings is to pay your tithing. I believe in eternal families, I know I will see my family again and rejoice in the goodness of our Heavenly Father with them. I am glad Christmas gives us time to reflect on the life of Christ and to once again dedicate ourselves to following his example.

Happy New Year!!

I have been slow to document our Christmas this year - things have been really busy at the Cole house. I will post the pictures and a little about it probably a little later.

Ken and Dallin have been working on Jethro...they tried to start it tonight and the battery was almost dead! Whoops!

My brother Ryan and his family have been visiting and boy are they fun! The new baby Abbey is such a good baby and we have enjoyed having them hangout at our house for a few days. Tonight Garrison got baptized and Abbey was blessed. It was sure nice for them to do it here where both families can be a part of it.

Then last night Ken's mom offered us a hotel in Las Vegas for the rest of the week. We said yes, no, yes, no... trying to figure if we could swing it time wise and money wise too. But it was to fun to pass and so we are leaving in the morning and coming back on Friday. The kids are being left alone and in charge of Grandma, I am not sure if she thinks she is the boss but really Brenn is the boss. I can't help but wonder if it is a good idea to leave 3 teenagers alone for New Years Eve but...... I am sure they will be fine. Dallin is wrestling on Sat and I am in charge of the snack bar and the door, guess I should be there. Anyway I think Las Vegas should be really fun for New Years and since it coincides with Ken's birthday I am sure we will have a good time.

Ken said he would have my blog bound in a book for Christmas so I need to finish the year and then find a place... Does anyone know of a good place? This will be my first official journal! I am kinda excited.

I wish you and yours a Happy New Year!!! See you in 2009!

Merry Christmas!!

A couple of years ago I had what I consider one of my best ideas! After years of composing the Christmas letter (yes I am one of those people) and running low on steam I asked my darling daughter if she would like to write our family letter - she being a great writer complied. The result was the best letter ever! I loved it from her point of view.

The next year thinking I would go down the line I asked Dallin if he would draft the Christmas letter. He looked at me like I was an alien. "Why would I want to do that?! It's like homework!" So I went on the the youngest and made it sound more like a privilege and he did a great job.

So this year is Brenn's last year at home full time so I asked her again and she delivered beautifully:

Merry Christmas from the Coles!

Here is the year’s happenings according to Brenn…

Ken: is still working for DMJM Harris, but the name has changed to AEcom. Same job, new name; does that justify as a new job? I don’t really know…He has been working lots of crazy hours on some pretty cool projects this year, including AEcom’s space port project in New Mexico. He finally graduated from primary, and is now a Teacher’s quorum adviser. Somehow I don’t think it was coincidence that he was the last one in that family to get out of primary. He’s keeping all those boys in line, and loving every minute of it.

Karen: has been pulling her hair out at all the calamities at our house this year. She’s currently going through what Dad calls her “dark period” – she’s painting things black left and right. When our washer freaked out and flooded our house, we needed new flooring; but Mom knew we couldn’t stop there. We painted, and painted, and painted some more, then we scraped ceilings, and painted a little bit more. Mom and I painted our kitchen table black –it looks fabulous if I do say so myself. She is still over the MiaMaids at church, and keeps our house running smoothly. She has joined the blogging world, and has a really cute blog; you can visit it and be amazed at k2cole.blogspot.com.

Brenn: I have been enjoying the benefits of officially being an adult! I turned 18 last September, and am so excited to finally graduate this year. I’m taking massage therapy at EVIT this year, which I absolutely love. I graduate from Mountain View in May, (senior-itis has already hit hard) as well as get my massage certificate so I can become a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) this summer. I’m trying to figure out where in the world (or maybe just the States) I’m going to go to college -- Dad’s hair gets grayer every time he sees a tuition price. I’m still driving “my” Jimmy truck, and am heartbroken at the thought of leaving it when I go to college.

Dallin: has learned a very important lesson about his truck: if you don’t put oil in it, it breaks. He ran his truck out of oil this year, and has been working very hard to get it fixed. He turned 16 this year, and loves driving “his” big Bronco (it’s a sweet old ’77). He’s working hard to secure a spot on the Varsity wresting team this year, and is a Junior at Mountain View. He is still playing piano, and sounds beautiful. He loves to play guitar, and can mimic almost any song that comes on the radio – he’s awesome. We love his big smile, which earned him the nickname “Smiley” at wrestling camp one summer.

Logan: is in 8th grade, and will be 14 in May. He loves going to Poston with his cousin, Jake, and has all the girls swooning. He is still playing the piano, cello, and harp, all with some considerable skills. He loves to get his friends together to play “judge,” a hide-and-seek-in-the-dark game they made up. It’s a rare weekend we don’t have his friends running all over the backyard in the pitch dark. He is by far the biggest texter in our family, and thinks he is pretty hott stuff with his cool slider phone. He is also wrestling this year on a club team, and just finished playing (insert position here) on his Pop Warner football team.

Grandma Young: is still living with us, and we love every minute. She loves to sit in her chair and watch all the birds in her beautiful, big window. Zara has claimed her, and is almost always in her room, or by her chair in the kitchen, hoping for a bite. We have really enjoyed having her live with us, and the opportunity it has given us to get to know her better.

We hope this Holiday Season finds you all thankful for our Savior, healthy, happy, and full of love. We love you all, and wish you a Merry Christmas!

Love,
Ken, Karen, Brenn, Dallin, Logan, Grandma, Fritz, and Zara

I love the Christmas letters I receive in the mail (that's why I send one, I guess). I am always glad to see the way the kids are growing and have a little window in to the lives of those I love, that must be what fuels my blogging addiction (reading, not so much writing).

I wish you and yours the Merriest of Christmases and a Happy New Year!!!

Aren't they CUTE!!! Go Suns!

My Mom made be a scrapbook of pictures she had - some were of my early years (the olden day by my kids own words!!) and some were of their early years. I really liked the gift and had to share these fans.

It is hard to believe how much they have grown in what seems like a short time. What great kids I have.

Thanks Brenn for the hijacking post. Isn't she so sweet! Love ya Girl!

Hey Mom...I love you!

So my mom doesn't know I've secretly hacked into her blog to write her a super secret Happy Birthday blog.  I won't tell you how old she is (that would get me in trouble)  but I just want to let anyone and everyone who reads my mom's fabulous blog that my mom is awesome.  

Mom, I love you so much, and am so grateful that I don't only get to have you be my mom, but also my best friend.  Thank you so much for all you do -- you're the best.  Ever.  I hope you had a great birthday, and I want you to know that I feel like the luckiest girl in the world all because I get to hang out with you everyday.

Love,

Brenn

Can't get a break - Or maybe we can.....

Has 2008 ended yet??!!! This is my stove... Dallin was cooking and the jar with the oil fell out of the upper cupboard and crack, my stove is now broken.


Now in Karen world this means both good and bad. Bad is the money to fix or replace, right before Christmas, right after an engine for Jethro, a garage door, a new retainer, etc.

Good is no cooking!! Now those of you who know and hopefully love me know I do not really like to cook. I think it stems from the fact that I really don't like to eat all that much (of course I still have 15 lbs of fat from things going into my mouth but...). I like to snack, I love Pepsi, and most chocolate, but big meals are just ok...better if someone else cooks it, and so-so if I have to do the cooking. Somehow that should translate in to me being a size 2 right? Well maybe if my stove stays in this condition we will see..... The other purpose of this post (besides hoping you will feel sorry for me), is to warn you. If you have a ceramic top stove be careful of what you store above it. I can't believe the stove broke and not the jar of oil. Also, in talking to the repair people, having a pan go dry will weld it to your stove top. I have had a flat stove for about 10 years and this is the first problem I have had. Guess you live and learn!

3am...and the 4th Angel

Ok - so at 3:15 am my best bud Jenny shows up and off we head to Kohl's to start our Christmas shopping. Our Goal is to finish TODAY!!!! Usually we come pretty close. So we wait at Kohl's for about half an hour, with part of the Morris clan (Callie, Kara, and Annie) and shoot in and out in under 15 mins. See that is the trick to Black Friday, in and out really fast, other wise you get stuck waiting in line to check out for an hour or more. If you want to shop and look around then go back later after the bargain shoppers have moved on. So on to Target for an unmentionable (you never know who reads this:)!) we decided to forgo the stores that opened at 5am to get the good stuff at 6am. Not as cold this year but still a little chilly. Anyway, after all of the doorbusters we then shop for the gifts we are not sure of and by 8 or 9 am we are a little punchy!!

So I believe Charlie lost one of his angels... dig the denim jumpsuit, complete with tie belt and big bell bottoms!! I swear we almost peed our pants!!! I had to take the above picture with my phone and with the awesome help, in the Jacklyn Smith pose, of the gorgeous Jenny Denton!!

What is it about good friends that bring out the need to either make fun of the ugly stuff or search out and try on the really cute stuff?? I really think shopping is more fun with someone who gets your sense of humor.

Anyway, great day until about 2pm, home to make sure all is well and off to a fun wedding reception and then dessert at Sonja's. Full day and Full life. Love it!

Wrestling, Black Friday, ETC...

Dallin had his first wrestling match last night. He did so great - He tech pinned the guy. For those not wrestling schooled that means he scored 15 or more points than the other guy and they stop the match and declared the dude PINNED! Dallin was stoked. Mountain View handily won both the JV and Varsity meet.

On to Black Friday....I love this day!!! My good friend Jenny and I have been shopping for years on this special day!! As the week progresses we get more excited as we plan how to outwit the others!!!! I found this great site here http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=1014365 This is an excel spreadsheet, you can sort by price, item or store. It is so helpful!! I am so glad Kohl's is opening at 4am - that way it is out of the way and we can go on to the next one that opens at 5am. I know, crazy, but this is a tradition and Jenny and I don't feel right if we are not out there. Over the years we have scored the best deals...$20 gameboys...$45 color gameboys a few years later..$5 legos...I can't list them all :) and frozen our selves a few times. I can't believe it is raining! Oh well, it just adds to the fun.

Things at our house are never dull - Logan was wrestling (OK, messing around) with his cousin who will remain nameless on this blog for now, and was dropped on his head...concussion - (at the Denton's house, what is it about their house? broken arm, concussion,....) he has been out of commission this week, which is kind of sad since he was scheduled to wrestle (really) in the Grand Canyon State Games this weekend.

Kens brother Mike and his family are coming for Thanksgiving, we are hoping the girls will stay with us so they get a good visit with Brenn. She is out numbered with Sonja's 4 boys and our 2, at least Mike evens it out with his 5 girls!

We had a fun night at Linda's for the December birthdays. We at Turducken - turkey stuffed with duck stuffed with chicken stuffed with pork stuffing. It was really good, part of it was really hot and spicy and the rest was delicious. We enjoyed the adult only atmosphere (we don't get that too often). I have such a great family, we always seem to have a good time when we get together.

Tagged: "I am the luckiest woman alive"

Ok - Sera tagged me and I have had to think about it for a little while. Since this has been the year of Pestilence and Famine, I have felt a little picked on, but here goes....

1. I am married to Ken...Gma Petersen always said the most important decision she ever made was who to marry, and that she did a really good job of it. I think the same thing, Ken works so hard, especially since the a fore mentioned year, and he is willing to try most of my outlandish schemes, including but not limited to: roofing, scraping and texturing ceilings, laying floor, taking out tile, going to Spain, building a gun cabinet (soon, I hope), and taking out an engine and replacing it with a new one. He still thinks I look the same as I did when he married me 20 years ago and that I am beautiful, what's not to LOVE about him!!!

2. I have really great kids...yes they are ALL TEENAGERS, but they are good kids who still tell me they love me and will hug me in front of their friends. They are all sure of their testimonies and share them with me.

3. I have the gospel of Jesus Christ to help me be a better person. I am sure in the knowledge of what comes next and that my family is eternal. What is more lucky than that?!

4. My Grandma Young lives with me. She has been the best Grandma ever!! Lots of sleepovers when I was a kid, lots of crafts, cards, candy, popcorn and dogs!! I have been so lucky to have her here for almost 4 years, I am never lonely, and she has the best sense of humor... if I am yelling at my kids and totally frustrated, I can hear her laughing at me and at the situation in my house. This never fails to help me see the other side and relax and enjoy my kids. She has taught my kids to serve and how to treat an older person, that they are people too. She has been such a blessing in our home, and in my entire life.

5. I have indoor plumbing and hot water!!! I know this is not quite as deep as the others but.........with that comes a washer and dryer that do all the work themselves, a dishwasher (not just the kids), and a shower whenever I feel the need.

Indeed I am the Luckiest Woman Alive.


I tag Lisa Cole and Jenny Denton

Car Repair

So how many men does it take to change a light bulb??

or get out 1 engine??

Or should the title be

"Ken knee deep in Jethro"
Notice that both Kai and Jake are underneath unhooking the transmission.

Brian - my adopted step-brother (ok my dad's friend who is usually at their house) was amazing in his knowledge of how to do this project. I am sure it would not have gone as smoothly or as quickly if he had not donated his time on Saturday!! Thanks Brian.

I tried to get a picture of Dallin sitting under the truck and hunched over with Kai and Jake underneath too but he was too fast - those boys labored really hard!!!

Success!!!!!

Halloween, Football, ETC

Ryan and Risa Naughton welcomed Abby Ann into this world on Thursday the 30th of October.

Isn't she really cute - Ryan has the cutest kids!! I can't wait until Christmas to see her and attend Garrisons baptism.

Football has ruled our Saturdays for the last few months - Logan is #76 - here he is running in with his best bud Ben Denton #74. Logan loves to play football which really pleases his Dad who also loved to play football!

Logan plays defensive line - hard to believe since he only weights about 90 lbs. He id 3rd from the right on the line.

Wrestling starts today for both Logan and Dallin, seems like we are always somewhere watching some sport. I think they will both be sore for the next week or so!

Halloween was fun this year - Brenn complained we did not have enough decorations and the ones we do have are old. So I went and bought this web and 3 scary spiders (Brenn hates spiders). I thought the front porch looked great - notice the dead plant, it died just in time to be used for decoration.

I even dressed up the dogs!! Zara loved her pirate costume - it is hard to find one big enough for her so I just winged it (so what else is new!).

Fritz thought he was hot stuff - the minute I put this on him he was so careful - he left the hat on for a long time, I was surprised at that. Of course Zara would not leave Fritz's hat alone but we tried. The kids who came to the door thought it was fun and I think they were a little less afraid of Zara the great big dog.

No pictures of my kids (does that say something or what) actually they didn't dress up much for Halloween - the older kids went to the football game, Dallin did wear a wig, but I did not get a picture, and Brenn just tried to look cute (she always succeeds at that). Logan went home with a girl!!!!! and went to her neighborhood party and dressed as a spy. He wanted to be Monk (from the TV show) so I bought him a suit, but he did not think anyone would know so he was a spy with a suit and a pair of sunglasses.

Since this is supposed to be my journal of sorts I need to record what happened after Halloween.

I want to preface this with, Is there anyone who knows us, who do you think is still up at 12:30am? All with one voice "KEN!!" Okay in our family I go to bed at 10 pm - Ken stays up until all hours, he is a true night owl. Okay, so everyone knows this EXCEPT our son Dallin.

So it is 12:30 am Halloween night, Jethro (Dallins car) breaks down, no oil, (yes, another obvious fact that escaped our son) and who does he call?? Dad?? NO, of course not we call Mom, who is asleep. Really, REALLY, asleep. What can I do for him? I tell him to call DAD! And Dad, being the superdad he is, went and rescued him.

Well, we believe Jethro threw a rod, (yes it is still the year of pestilence and famine at the Cole house), so the next morning we call my Dad, the engine repair guy, and decided Dallin could do to learn how to rebuild an engine. Too bad Rob DeWyze doesn't live a lot closer!!

We will see how it all turns out - I will document with pictures and fun comments from this peanut gallery!