I NEED YOUR HELP!

So we are updating our kitchen, first of all because it needs it and second because we plan to sell soon (in the next 5 years we hope) and we know that it will help the resale value.

My dilemma is this. The space for the fridge is very, very small. I can only fit a 20 cubic foot (33" wide) in the space for the fridge. To get one this small is more expensive than a bigger one by about $100.00 - $200.00. We plan to put in a new stove, microwave and dishwasher all in the stainless. My current fridge is black. Scott says that we should just keep the refrigerator we have because we can just use it as a second fridge at the next house and spend our money on a bigger fridge then. I say why not get the new fridge so that I can enjoy it? With the new fridge I could fit bigger platters and things in it instead or using the garage when it is cold or bringing up a cooler when it's warmer. When we sell the house it would be a great selling point to just leave the refrigerator with the house because nobody has one that small. (When we moved in I had to put my bigger fridge outside in the garage and buy a smaller one to put in the house.) Or if they are first time buyers they might not have a refrigerator at all.









You can see how close the fridge is to the dishwasher, so is it going to look bad to have the black fridge next to it?

What do you think? I need your advice! Stay with the black or go with the stainless and hope we get our money out of it when we sell?

SIX MONTHS ALREADY

We received a box from Daniel the end of last week with some discs that had pictures and videos that he took on his camera. We have had so much fun looking at them. One of them was of him burning a tie. I guess that you burn a tie when you reach the six month mark on your mission. I hope to find out more about this from him. I am also wondering which of his ties that he burned! (Isn't he so handsome?!)



I loved this scenic photo he took. I can't wait to go to Hawaii and see it for myself!

SOME NEW FRIENDS

I had this coupon for Build-A-Bear and I have always wanted to take Carter and Easton to build their favorite animal. We were in the mall, (which I rarely go to) and I decided now was as good as time as any so I took Carter in and had him choose his animal. He chose this cute black dog. The cute girl helped him fill it with the fluff and put the heart in. He gave it a bath and then went over to the computers. He didn't know what you were suppose to do at the computer but he knew that was next. He named his new friend Toby. The whole time Easton was watching on and I was watching his reaction to see if he would be interested. I could tell he was feeling a little left out, so we had him go next. He chose a darling little dog too and he was so cute as he watched the girl stuff it. He stayed his distance from the machine because it scared him. He put the heart in and gave it a kiss (without being prompted) when it was given to him. It was so absolutely darling. They had to get these cute red vests for them so that they could go to the cabin Carter said.

I really thought these would be a passing thing but Carter still carries his wherever he goes, and Easton is still liking his. It was so fun to do this with them and to see them be so excited about them.

FIRST WINTER CABIN TRIP

Well last weekend we went out to the cabin for the first time this winter and it was a trip full of surprises!

Scott, Carter and I went out early Friday afternoon so we could get the cabin warmed up and everything ready for the rest of the family. Scott had worked hard to get the trailer and snowmobiles ready and we were so excited for this trip.

When Scott and I finally got there that evening it was a little later than we would have like, but fortunately it was a warm evening and so the ride in wasn't too bad. Usually we have to ride the snowmobiles into where the cabin is from the parking lot which is about a 2-3 mile ride. This year they won't let us park where we usually park we have to park at the marina which adds another 2-3 miles. This isn't bad if you are just riding, but when you are bringing in all the food, water, luggage, etc., it makes for a long journey.

Scott, Carter and I got into the cabin and found the power out. This was disappointing and we soon learned that we need to get better light sources out at the cabin because it was really dark, especially in the bathroom! The batteries where low in every flashlight and the candles barely gave off any light at all. Between the wood burning stove and the fireplace we got the temperature from 31 to 50 degrees by the time everyone else arrived. We got everyone settled for the night and I kept Scott alerted every time the fire would go low and we needed more wood so that the cabin would stay warm. It made for a very sleepless night.

We cooked pioneer style on the wood burning stove the next morning. It made us realize how awful it was for those women to cook around such heat, especially when the temperature was 90 or more outside! I literally slaved over a hot burning stove! The power came back on around 10:00 that morning and we were so happy. It wasn't a great day for riding on the snowmobiles because it was raining so hard. We spent most of the day just playing games and taking naps. It really got warm in the cabin during the Settler's Of Catan game! The competition between Brad and Christine gets pretty heated sometimes! They crack me up how competitive they both are!

We settled down for a good nights sleep Saturday night and about 2:30 in the morning I heard some beeps. I woke Scott to ask him if he could hear them. I was concerned that they were the smoke detectors or the CO2 detectors. We heard two more beeps and then the power went off again. We then realized that the beeps was the microwave coming back on as the power was spiking. We again spent a sleepless night as we had to keep fires going and the answering service at the power company barely knew her own name let alone anything else and so we had some troubles with wrong phone calls coming in. It was nice of Uintah Wireless to call, but it wasn't our wireless service we were having trouble with!

We awoke to about 12 inches of snow that had fallen overnight. It was a beautiful sight! We again had to cook pioneer style. Some people did some riding and playing in the snow. We played some games and then we got Brad and Christine off since Christine had to be home for a meeting. Scott, Jason, Cole and I stayed for a few hours more which was a mistake. It just kept snowing all day long and by the time we got out to the car we had over a foot of snow to dig out of. We couldn't get our vehicle and trailer out of the parking spot. We tried for almost 45 minutes to get out and we were totally stuck. I was beginning to think that we were going to have to stay at the Inn there at the marina when a very nice man came with a huge truck and pulled us out. Jason then slid off the road as he was turning onto the highway. All the rain from the day before had turned to ice and then there was the snow on top of that. Luckily his car hadn't got in too deep and Scott and Cole were able to get him out without too much trouble. It was a nail biting ride home, but we made it without any more incidences.

Despite all that happened, we are anxious to go out again!

I'VE BEEN TAGGED

I've been tagged by my sister Jenny.
(I'm only doing this because I love you so much!)

8 THINGS ABOUT ME...

8 THINGS I DID YESTERDAY:
1-Wrote a letter to the best missionary son, Daniel.
2-Answered some emails.
3-Worked on some ideas for a poster I have to do for R.S.
4-Picked up my friend Jann to go shopping with me.
5-Made some copies.
6-Purchased a new sewing machine
7-Picked up the last of my Bunco gifts.
8-Bought a birthday gift for my sister Suzanne.

8 FAVORITE T.V. SHOWS:
1-Monk
2-Burn Notice
3-Psych
4-The Closer
5-Law & Order Regular and CSI
6-The Andy Griffith Show
7-Rockford Files
8-Matlock

8 THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO: to
1-Going to Wicked.
2-Eagles concert.
3-More trips to the cabin.
4-Being over mono.
5-Going to Hawaii to bring Daniel home.
6-Going to wherever Jason is going on his mission to bring him home.
7-Taking golf lessons this year so I can golf better and do more of it.
8-Losing 15 more pounds.

8 FAVORITE RESTRAUNTS
1-Texas Roadhouse
2-Market Street Grill
3-McGraths
4-Kneaders
5-Paradise Bakery
6-Brick Oven
7-Tara Humara (Midway)
8-Crown Burger

8 WISHES
1-Lasik surgery.
2-That I was a better sister and friend.
3-Disney Cruise with all my kids and my grandkids.
4-That I had six more tickets to Wicked so I could take all my sisters and my Mom!
5-A new house.
6-A best friend.
7-A European vacation.
8-That I could find more information about my great grandma Kendrick so I could finish her genealogy.

8 PEOPLE TO TAG:
1-Sharon
2-Stephanie
3-Melinda
4-Libby
5-Kimberly
6-Suzanne
7-Danielle
8-I have nobody else!

So, I'll be looking for your answers soon!

1- Post rules on blog
2-Answer the six "8" items
3-Let each person know by leaving them a comment.

SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO!

I am so excited! Not only do I get to go see Wicked in April, I get to go see The Eagles in concert in May!!!! I've never wanted months to go by so fast in my life. Especially since I turn another year closer to that 50 number in April. It doesn't seem that bad since I have such wonderful events to get me through the depression of that thought.

THE BATTLE OVER PILLOWS

Okay, so call me weird or o.c., but I have this way I make our bed and I like it done that way. I love lots of pillows on my bed, on my couch and chairs. I just think it makes it more cozy looking. My two boys have complained so much about the pillows on the couch and chairs that I have finally removed them just so I don't have to hear it anymore. Scott is still perplexed at why we have to have so many pillows on the bed so when he makes the bed the pillows just get thrown randomly (okay somewhat in place) because he just doesn't get it. Since he could never get it right I told him that I would always make the bed and he could find something else to do to help out.

Well, Saturday he asked if he could do anything to help me since I was struggling to fell well that day and reluctantly I asked him to make the bed. He was somewhat shocked that I would ask him to do this, but he was kind enough to accept. I was in the shower when he did it and I came out and this is what I saw.

I nearly laughed till I almost wet my pants. The graduation of pillows was hilarious. He rolled up a throw blanket that I keep in a basket in our room. A yellow bean bag that I use to put between my legs when I sleep and then he rolled up a pair of my socks to finish the waterfall effect.

I knew he was in the other room just waiting for me to yell out his name in frustration. I wasn't going to at first but then I knew I couldn't disappoint him since he had gone to so much trouble. So I called out his name in an angry voice and he came in laughing his head off. We had a good laugh over it. I guess I deserved it since I have given him so much grief over his bed making skills.

ONE SPOILED DOG!

Each morning when Scott gets up and has his breakfast there is a ritual that goes on in the kitchen.

Griffin who sleeps under the covers with us hears the tinkle of the cereal being poured into the bowl and he immediately jumps out of the bed and heads for the kitchen.

He then sits at Scott's feet patiently waiting for the milk to be poured and the toast to be put into the toaster. Scott will eat a few bites and then the begging begins.


Griffin will raise one paw off the floor and look at Scott with this pitiful look. Scott will then find a small piece of his cereal and give it to him. Then Griffin will beg again and he will get another morsel of cereal.


We have told Scott that he has ruined this dog because now every time we eat he thinks he should get a taste of what we are eating! I have always tried to not give our dogs food from the table because it is not good for them, but Scott claims that this little bit won't hurt him. Scott actually looks forward to this morning ritual with Griffin. He babies this dog more than I do! It's so pitiful!

THE BATTLE OF THE SEXES

Jason had the opportunity through Best Buy and Sony to purchase a t.v. at 60% off the price. Because it was Christmas time their prices were already lowered for sales so we got a GREAT deal on this t.v.

We were all in agreement that we needed a new t.v.. Ours was about 12 years old and was small for the room it was in. We had been eying a big screen for a few years but just couldn't justify putting out that much money. But at 60% off, we took the leap.

The battle came in the size it should be. Scott and Jason wanted a 52". I told them that it would over take the whole room. I was going for a 42". I told them that would be big enough for our family room. The battle continued for weeks until we finally decided to meet in the middle and go for a 46".

The thing is huge! It takes up the whole cabinet that it sits on and it seems to completely take up the room. It is nice though, and with the surround sound we have you can almost feel like you are at a theater! Pop some popcorn and get your diet coke and wow!

I still think it is too big, but when we move into another house, which I hope is soon, it will probably fit our new family room just right. In our new house, which is only in my dreams right now, I WILL have a bigger family room and kitchen so that we all fit for family dinners and get-together's!

(Daniel, you will appreciate the golf pictures I took that were on the t.v.. It was a tournament in Hawaii! We thought of you the whole time! Next week the tournament will be on Oahu, this last one was on Maui.)

DAN ON EASY STREET

Daniel sent us this cute picture of him on Easy street in Mililani Hawaii. He wrote on the back that this is probably the coolest street in the world. Here is hoping that on that street everyone treated them nice! Isn't he so cute!!!

This is a picture of Daniel with Michael one of the newest members of the church in Mililani Hawaii as of the first part of December. Daniel was fortunate enough to baptize him. There is an incredible story that goes along with this baptism that just sends chills down you but it is too special to share on the world wide web. It was a great experience for Daniel and Michael. Daniel has another baptism this Saturday. He is being so blessed!

Daniel is still enjoying 80+ degree weather! Look at the picture, he is in a short sleeve shirt!! His friend from our ward is serving in Canada and is experiencing -60 degree weather. I am sure the blessing are the same. But if I had to be blessed, I think I would take the 80+ degree weather!

NINE NEW NEIGHBORS

This year we have acquired some new neighbors in our back yard. We have nine deer that have made their home on the Country Club this year. We have had the most wonderful time watching them. The most interesting was last night when there were only four of them. One was definitely the mother figure, the other three were small and most likely the children. The mother would watch carefully as the smaller deer ate. She would keep a most watchful eye on our neighbors two dogs which are half wolf and half husky. (They are incredibly beautiful and gentle in nature.) These two dogs hardly ever bark, unlike our dog who barks at everything and anything!

Over time the curiosity of this mother deer got the best of her and she cautiously made her way over to the fence line of these two dogs. All of a sudden she started lunging at them. Over and over again she would lunge at these two dogs hitting the fence as she did. She walked away after a while and then a few minutes later she walked over and did it again. Of course Tekon and Kari thought she was ready to play. Scott and I still can't figure out if she was being protective or if she was playing herself and taunting these dogs.

The funniest thing of all was that our neighbor heard the dogs getting excited and walked out to tell them to be quiet. Although, why he did is beyond me, he has two yappers himself. It was only then that the deer got spooked and took off. They weren't that afraid of the dogs but when a human comes into the picture, off they go! Amazing!!!

CARS, CARS & MORE CARS!

Well for the first time in my life I have more cars to drive than I have drivers. Every day for the last three days I could have my pick of cars to drive. I don't know how to deal with such a luxury.

Scott got in an accident just before Christmas in that bad snow storm and it totaled his Mercury. No sadness on my part, but it was his Dad's car and there was some sentimentality for Scott. Scott was fine, but the car was gone so we got a rental. Meanwhile, Jason's car would no longer past inspection and it would take more money than it was worth to hopefully get it running. Then the power steering went out on my car. Could we have had worse luck with all of our cars all at once?

So we headed out to visit Brad to buy Scott a car and a car for Jason and then for Daniel when he returns. (Jason is helping with the payments for his car. We don't spoil him that much, contrary to what you might hear.)

So here is Scott's new (used) car. Wow am I glad that we have a Honda again! I love Honda's. They just last long and are good, good cars! It's a 2002 Honda Accord and drives so much better than that Mercury he's been driving for the past couple of years. He has been through three cars in the past 6 years. This one better last longer!


This one is Jason's and Daniel's car. It's a Corolla and is in very good shape! Jason is taking it down to have his new stereo taken out of his old car and put in this one this week. I told him that I better not ever hear his stereo up so loud that it shakes the windows when he drives by or he will have it taken away. (That is a big pet peeve of mine!) This actually was the car we bought for Scott because it is newer and has fewer miles on it. But Scott being the kind, giving father that he is said he would rather have the Honda and gave the better car to the boys. It really is a nice car and drives so good! You push on the gas and it about throws you through the back seat it has so much power! (Another reason I was concerned about giving this car to Jason instead of Scott!)

Well with the insurance settlement on Scott's car we only ended up paying for one of the cars. My car will be fixed and almost like new today. The rental car goes back today and so tomorrow instead of having six cars here we will only have five. Oh, did I forget to say that Brad brought a car and left it here to sell along with the old Honda of Daniel and Jason's. (We live on a busy road and it is a great place to sell anything! Great garage sale area!) It's actually quite hilarious. Scott plowed a place for both cars on the grass in front. We already got comments about people seeing him plowing his grass and asking if he is just having so much fun with his new snow blower. With all these cars around, I am beginning to wonder what the neighbors are going to think!

Well, I have probably bored you all to death. I do this more for Daniel than anyone else so sorry. Here is hoping that these cars will last a very, very long time! I hate car problems!