my 80's dream come true

For the last long time (years) I have wanted a perm. Every time I tell people this they think I am crazy. But...having had really straight hair my whole life...I couldn't stop dreaming of one. So this last weekend...my wonderfully talented sister-in-law agreed to give me a perm. Hahaa. It was so funny buying a perm and telling people you are getting one...and then the smell. I think Nicole described the smell as sausage country gravy thrown up. We had a great (long poor nicole) night of eighties music...and eighties hair. It was funny. But we did it. So far I have only styled it a couple of times...and I am still getting used to it but I think I love it.

This is not me...hahaha...although it does kinda look like my sister Cali. But this picture was my inspiration. I was going for loose, messy wavy curls.

So I thought I would do a picture similar to the inspiration photo...this is funny I know that. Please don't think that I take myself that seriously. I know that I am not a model. Trust me. Because lets be honest I would give almost anything (except giving up delish food and actually having to excercise) to have arms that looked that skinny.
In these pictures I had just woken up and hadn't done anything to it but kinda comb through it. (I need a pick...hahaa isn't that what people with perm's use??)

We'll see how it turns out and how I get used to it. But today when I went out in the rain I didn't have to worry about my hair getting wet. The rain just made it curlier...before the rain was not my friend. So yeah for me, I finally got my wish of a perm.

Oh and by the way. I love conference. Today was awesome. I loved loved Elder Holland's talk. Today has been great. I slept in (we all did...the boys woke up at 9:00) and watched a wonderful session of conference. Then I met my Merrell girls and Cali at Mimi's Cafe and we talked and ate for two whole hours. We could have gone on all day but we all had to be back to watch the afternoon session. Ohhh man there is nothing like eating out with girlfriends, and getting to spend the day cozying up on the couch and listening to modern day scripture, while it rains outside0 (oh and with a new perm...hahaha).

Game Day

So it is another BYU game day.

We put up our flag...as we do on game day. My neighbor across the street puts up a Ute's flag so I feel like...now I really have to put up a Y flag.


I made some cookies for the party tonight. They turned out pretty dang cute...considering...I don't have an icing bag (not to mention a pretty short attention span).

Go COUGARS!

I used pioneer woman's recipe found here
They are so cute...and you paint the cookies before you bake them with tinted egg yolks.
So fun to do with the kids. I bought some halloween cookie cutters this week so we can make these again halloween style.


*****NEW NOTE*****
My friend Natalie mentioned in the comments that she doesn't use this recipe very often because it has raw egg whites in the frosting part. I had forgot this...so now that I remember a couple of notes on the frosting. I too thought the raw egg white was freaky so I left it out. And the recipe for the frosting uses a whole bag of powdered sugar. So that is obviously WAY WAY more then you need for these cookies. I just made my own recipe...I wasn't crazy about the one I used. Next time I will find a better recipe. But for now leave out the egg white and cut the frosting recipe AT LEAST in half.

pj's

So I stayed up pretty late last night reading....and because of that I slept in and woke up 20 minutes before Oli needed to be to school. As we were getting ready to leave he said;

"mom, are you going to wear your pajamas to school today?"

Me: "yeah, why?"

Oli: "well, I don't want people to see you in your pajamas"

Me: "Oli, no one will see me (I am saying this absolutely dumbfounded), I will stay in the car"

Oli: "well, yesterday you didn't. (stay in the car that is)"



What???? I hardly ever wear pj's to Oli's school...but I did yesterday and they were not the cute kind of pj's. Cortney's flannel pants and a bright green t-shirt. I can't believe that I embarrassed Oli. I can't believe that he even cares. What is that all about??

another reason

Oliver told me that a lot of kids have to go to time out in his preschool class because they cry for their mom. It has made me so grateful that I decided to wait to put him in kindergarten. So glad he is the oldest instead of the youngest. He is one of the only kids (if not the only one) who can go into the school by himself from where I drop him off at the curb....and as little as that is it changes my life. Because he can find his classroom by himself...I don't have to be dressed every morning. Not only that but before...I would have to find a place to park, and make sure that Rob was dressed and had shoes on. And Rob would always say "my stomach hurts" from having to walk too far and then I would have to carry him. So...I am just saying I feel good about it.

rexburg

So we are back. We had a great time. I love it there...it really feels like home to me. I should have tons to write about but my allergies have been so bad that I can barely do anything.

Saturday was Carson's baptism. It was great to see. All of the cousin's are so good with my boys and they love playing with them.

I don't know what more to say. But then...as I mentioned before my brain isn't working too well. So instead a couple of pictures from the trip. I will post more tomorrow.

On Sunday night we had a bonfire at Nicole and Ty's house. I love them with all of my heart. They have a great house in the country and man...what I would give for open country like they have.

Just look at the kids roaming and playing. Every time we go home to Rexburg I start looking at real estate there. I would love the chance to let my kids grow up in a small town. Oliver said "hey mom...why are we the only car on the road??" I can't believe he is a city kid. (I know, I know the city we live in isn't that big...but it sure is compared to where Cortney and I grew up)

Just a really pretty (or should I say handsome...and manly) picture of my brother Tyler and his dog dottie.
Rob got this HUGE carrot out of Ty and Nic's garden...he held on to it the entire night.

Nicole did my hair while I was there...pictures to come...maybe tomorrow.

home

So we are leaving tonight to go to Rexburg. Ohhh I love Rexburg in the fall. I can't wait to see all of our family. We are going up for Carson's baptism. A very exciting day. Well. I will post when I get back.

love

Oliver told me

"two girls told me they loved me today at school."

I kinda just told him that girls are like that...always loving people...and stuff. (I don't know what to say...I am sure my mom would have an idea at what to say)

Then he went to tell Cortney and he said

"two girls told me they loved me today at school, One girl also said....oh nevermind."

What?? I asked Cortney why he didn't pry it out of Oliver...but I guess it just isn't Cortney's style. (although in the meanwhile...I am dying to know what the girl also said)

Can you blame those girls??

grand slam

We had a great weekend.

Cortney got to go to the game again with Ethan this week...lucky.
Cali and I watched the game at her house. It is hard to pay attention when you have 6 kids to watch. But we won. And it wasn't even close...so it wasn't too stressful watching the kids.

After the game we wanted to get out and do something. I decided we should go to Denny's
I know...Denny's is a funny place to go. But...it was one of our families favorite restaurants when we were little. It is where we went when we went to a really "nice" restaurant. I crave it sometimes. Plus on Saturdays (and Tuesdays) after 4:00 p.m. you can get two kids meals for free with every adult entree. So Cali and I packed up all six kids and met Cortney over there. And for all 9 of us to get filled to the brim it was 16 dollars and change. Man...you cannot beat that. It was so yummy. And so funny to see the kids go crazy for their jr. grand slams. When I am pregnant I want Denny's breakfast...everyday. My mom took me once when I was pregnant with Rob...and she couldn't believe how much I ate. So good.

Then tonight we headed up to Cameron's house for dinner. He made some delicious enchiladas and I brought rolls and zucchini and some peach cobbler. It was all very yummy and we always have the best time when we go up there. I love them. They have the most beautiful house...and it is right next to the Draper temple. We all went for a walk...

Me and Oli...(I dread the day when he doesn't come and hold my hand).

Cam is so good with my kids.


Such a pretty temple. Rob screams look mom a temple EVERY single time we drive past a church...which here in Utah is every minute. Then I say no honey it is a church. He won't believe me. Tonight he was SOOOO excited to see the real temple and to see the angel Moroni on top. Although he did say to me..."mom the angel is naked". Hummm.


Please notice my beautiful husband minus the mustache. Ohhhh when he shaves it off it makes me so happy. He seriously looks about 20 years younger and about 20 times less creepy.

Oliver spying on some kids we saw on our walk.

Cam is looking at buying a house in his neighborhood and this is what the backyard backs up to. I don't think I have ever seen something so beautiful. Wow. How would it be to wake up to that everyday??

6 words a mom never wants to hear

"mom Rob pooped in the tub"

Awesome

peach heaven

Cali and I bought a couple of boxes of peaches on Moday. I love peaches. Here is my favorite peach recipe. I can barely live without this and I think about it all year long until peach season rolls around.

Cortney always whips up the crepes...because I don't have the patience for making them thin and pretty. Once when Carolina was blessed Cali and him cooked up over 200 of these little babies, for the luncheon afterwards. So he has a real crepe talent.

I just use a basic recipe from allrecipes.com

Basic Crepe
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter, melted
DIRECTIONS
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and the eggs. Gradually add in the milk and water, stirring to combine. Add the salt and butter; beat until smooth.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each crepe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly.

Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side. Serve hot.

I add a couple tablespoons of sugar to this and this time a little almond extract. This recipe is fail proof. It always turns out and it is really yummy.

Then for the filling:

I melt 1/4 cup butter with 1/4 c brown sugar in a sautee pan. As soon as the butter is melted I add sliced peaches. (I used 5 last night but you could probably add up to 8). Once you add the peaches the butter and brown sugar combine together to make the most delicious caramel butter sauce. You only cook the peaches like a minute. You don't want them cooked but just get warmed. You still want them to taste like fresh peaches. This is so easy and is a favorite of any one that has it.

You have to serve with whipped cream (the real stuff people)...and I always top it with tons of powdered sugar. My kids loved this.

Now go out and get some peaches...I think we have a couple of weeks of good peaches still here in Utah so, seriously get your hands on some and make this.

poor miss PJ

Oliver said that..."Miss PJ has tons of bruises".

Apparently the dunk tank wasn't as innocent as it seemed. She had bruises on her arms and legs from the thing. Oops.

lunch

My kids eat a lot of ramen noodles. They love it. And of course it is cheap and easy and fast...so it is always a back up lunch. I always feel bad though because how healthy can it be??? I mean really. So today I changed it up just a little.

I don't know why I hadn't thought of this earlier...I just hadn't. But, today I added some of my favorite stir fry veggies (costco, Oh how I love thee).
Blurry picture...oh and the color is weird on all of these (i don't know how to work the settings...apparently I needed to change the iso or the white balance or something like that). But doesn't that look so much healthier? Oh and I love seeing my kids eating big bowls of weird veggies.

Even if it is with their hands...and not the spoon.

Yummm.

Cortney has a crazy crazy mustache right now. Or as R.O.B. would say musbeard. Oliver told him today to shave it off. He must not like it. I have never seen someone grow facial hair like my husband. Every time I see him it is something different.

Here he is today after work. Man he is always so tired. I couldn't resist taking these pictures. Especially of his mustache.

Cortney I hope you realize how much we appreciate all of the hard work you do every day. I love you and am so grateful for all that you do so that I can stay home and be a mom. You really are the greatest.

but seriously...the mustache has got to go.

Look at that thing...man he twists it all the time too trying to get it to grow out to the side too.
Cali and I were looking at some pictures of his ancestors and there was a great grandpa somewhere down the line that had this exact mustache...Cali said "so that is where he got it". I wish I had a scanner because I would put the picture here for a side by side comparison.

Today Cali and I went to Walmart...and I got this shirt for super cheap on clearance. Yeah for me. Cortney insisted he take a picture as I went out the door for enrichment. Wearing an all stretchy outfit like this can be very dangerous. So comfy...more so then sweats. It really makes me hate putting jeans on.

And lastly Cali and I made peach jam yesterday. 8 batches. 18 cups of sugar. Oh man...I love peach jam.

My first bake sale

One of the things that goes along with having a child in school is school functions. Today was the PTA Carnival fund raiser at Oliver's school. The kids were so excited all day. We went this morning to drop off our food for the bake sale (Molasses Cookies...and I must say they were one of the first things to go. They were so good. ). While we were at the school this morning we bought our dinner tickets and the event tickets. Rob had to hold them almost the whole morning. He just couldn't wait for the carnival to start, although...he happened to think it was called a purpleade (parade). All four of us went for a great Family night out. It was a great night.

Rob while we were waiting in line for one of the games.

Rob and Oliver in the donut eating contest. They were hilarious. I have always thought that Rob could have a good career in competitive eating...but I am sorry to say he was the last one eating the donut tonight.

The hardest part was picking a prize after ever event. Man...my kids would want to look at every single item in the box. But I will say they came away with a great haul...they had tons of fun little toys.

Rob and Me...walking around

A picture of Cortney to prove he was there too. I want him to get points for this someday.

Oliver's teacher was in the dunk tank. Oliver took this headband/"sweatband" out of his pocket as it got closer to his turn to try and knock her in the water. This kid is all business.

He was ready to knock her in...
Oh man can you see the ball...it was sooo close all three times.

He didn't hit it but since Miss PJ was his teacher he got to go press the paddle to dunk her.
Here she goes...

Ohhh I felt so bad for her.

Oliver got soaked. He couldn't believe it.


Playing with one of his prizes...a mini skateboard.

It was a great night! Go Cubs! I love how I am holding Rob to the drinking fountain in the backround. Man I spend so much time doing this. ROB CAN DRINK. He was drinking a minute straight (or so it seemed).

Oh...and I wanted to add...Oliver says miss PJ is the best teacher ever. I am so happy he thinks so.

does it get any better than this???

Late last night Cali called me and said that Joey had an extra LEGACY ticket to the BYU vs. UCLA game...and was wondering if I wanted to go. Cortney already had a ticket thanks to Ethan up in the boxes...so I was soooo excited and jumped at the chance to go to the game. These seats are GOOD 40 yard line a couple rows up right behind our team. They come with all you can eat deliciousness...they are amazing. THANKS JOEY! Then thanks to Corrinne my fave babysitter for agreeing at such short notice to watch the kids. They love her and she is AMAZING.

So anyways this morning Tyson was baptized. It was such a great thing to see. It made me miss miss miss my parents so much. When I was blessing them in the closing prayer, I could barely speak. It was so great to be gathered as a family (Park's and Emigs included in my big family). What a great blessing to see the baptism of a child. I am so proud of him and can't believe that little guy I met 8 years ago is old enough to be baptized.

Cali and Joey scheduled the baptism so we could have it, and still make it in time for the pre game buffet. Ohhh I ate and ate and ate. I was so nervous and excited for the game. Right when it started up Cosmo came near our seats. Now...I have a weird crush on cosmo. I know that he is a man in a cougar costume but I just love him. He can do some sweet tricks and just has so much BYU pride. So as he came by I screamed as loud as I could (which is loud by the way) "Cosmo I love you"...He looked over and pointed at me then started to make his way over. He came over and gave me a huge hug...I told him I loved him (hahaha) and Cali said "she really does." It was awesome. Then there was the game. AMAZING. 59-0 we slaughtered them. It was supposed to be a close game too. We played so well. OHHH I can't say it enough it was a great game. Thanks to JOEY, ETHAN, and CORRINE, for making it possible.

nap

Yesterday when Oliver got home for school Rob and I laid down to take a little nap. Um...two hours later I woke up and came up stairs (Rob was still asleep) and Cortney was home and asleep on the couch and Oliver was asleep on the recliner. We were all exhausted. Rob woke up around 4 (three and a half hours of sleep) so we went over to visit the neighbors while Cortney and Oliver napped on. Oliver slept until 5:30. With all of the hours of sleep we all got I knew they couldn't go to sleep at 7 like usual so we decided to go to the park.

Oliver got a bike for his birthday but it has been really hard for him to find time to ride it. I don't have a bike so I can't really go with him and there is no where for him to ride by himself (one of the many downfalls of living in a "city"). Cortney recently got a bike from his dad so he hooked up the kid trailer and the three boys headed out for a bike ride. Once they got going Oliver said "this is WAY funner than playing the computer, I wish I could do this everyday!" How sad is that? Sad. Oliver loves playing the computer it is his favorite thing to do...but I guess he had never felt the wind in his face, he must be a Boice after all. We had a great night at the park(oh...I met them at the park...I drove). (man I really need to get them out more.)

Go Cougs!

In preparation for Saturday's big game...

I love this picture (taken two weeks ago). The kids were pumped up for the game. Tyson had his jersey signed by Fui Vakapuna and Brandon Bradley (#5) and he wears it every game. I doubt he will ever wash it...although it it is looking like it could use a good wash. That kid is totally in to BYU football. Isaac said..."why are all of these kids wearing BYU stuff, just to watch the game at home??" Like he had to ask.

burn...or as Rob would say Buhhhnnn

Today we were in Macey's enjoying ice cream cones...and Cortney said
"hey do you know who sings this song"
Ash: "Madonna" (after a couple of seconds contemplation)
Cortney: "why don't we keep it that way"

Ohhh burn. Man I forgot all about that burn.
Good one Cort.

painful...really painful

I was seriously stressed out during todays game. The whole time too. That was too close guys...too close.

Junior defensive lineman Jan Jorgensen comes through the middle of the line to block Washington's potential game-tying extra-point attempt, and securing BYU's 28-27 victory over the Huskies. (BYU Photo/Mark Philbrick)

nine

With allergy season kicking my bootie right now, it has upped my nightly pill intake to 9 pills. And almost every night I go to sleep with my hydroxycloroquin pill lodged right there in the middle of my throat. I don't know why it won't go all the way down. Then I can't sleep because I am tracking the slow progress of the pill as it slides down. Fascinating I know. But it is totally annoying me lately. Luckily I am the kind of girl that can take pills on an empty stomach and I feel no side effects ever.

Dark Knight

Cortney and I went on a date on Thursday with our friends Nat and Ethan. We had the best time...dinner, great conversation, a little target, and then on to see the Dark Knight.

well hello Christian Bale...(oh how I love you...why oh why did you have to assault your mom?)

The movie was so good....I know we are like the last people on this Earth that haven't seen this movie. Hey....we don't get out much. Natalie had seen it before and Ethan had seen it twice. I felt bad...plus on top of that Cort and Ethan work together so they were both pretty exhausted...considering they wake up at the crack of dawn. It was a super fun night. Man there is something to be said about getting away from your kids...making your hair real big, putting on your tightest jeans and some heels and getting out and having fun. We had a great time.

girls camp pictures

I just got some of the girls camp pictures...because I am supposed to make a slideshow of them. Here are a couple.Beautiful Mia Shalom. It really is such a pretty place. I love it up there.

I love to play games...and I am always trying to get a game going. In this one we are playing don't guess the number and if you guessed the number you would get squirted in the face with a syringe full of water. It was so fun...especially fun because the relief society presidency was up a girls camp and agreed to play the game with us. I love how I am laughing and POINTING (rude...I know) in this picture, plus all of the other leaders laughing in the background is priceless.

It rained really hard...sad to say I always was glad when it rained...than meant we could hang out in the cabin and talk and play games instead of craft time, singing time, or hiking. The rain was my friend...and luckily for me it rained everyday.

When it rained I got an excuse to pose for pictures like this one. Hahaa. These long johns have seen me through a lot of days at girls camp. One of our young women always always wears high heels...I loved that she brought these heeled boots and couldn't help but take them out for a spin. Now mind you....in this picture I haven't showered for 4 days...so cut me some slack.

I had a great time.

lice check

Oliver came home today and said that someone came in and checked all of the kids in his class for little bugs that get in your hair. They didn't have to check his because he has such short hair. Hahaa. I thought it was so funny. I remember getting lice checks...and praying that I wouldn't have any lice. I remember sometimes a girl would immediately get sent home and everyone knew that she had lice. I also loved the way the wooden stick they used felt...one time we asked if we could keep the stick and we kept checking each other on recess. They also did a hearing test on him...he said it was "super easy".

I am a little concerned because I keep asking Oliver "what did you learn today???" To this he always replies..."nothing. Teacher said this isn't a school for learning this is a school for fun". I don't know if she is trying to trick them into learning or something. But I told him "when your teacher says that say...my mom wants me to learn"...hahaha I know, I know. Anyways the strange thing is his teacher is in my ward...her house is almost directly behind mine. And this month I got assigned as her visiting teacher. I never knew her before Oliver was put in her class...I didn't even know she was a teacher. So who knows??

He did say to me on the way to the dinosaur museum as we saw the windmills "windmills generate electricity"...when I asked him where he learned that he said "school". hummm.

late

I have nothing to post about. I have been so bored lately. Then today as I was driving "All I wanna do is have some fun" came on the radio and it made me think of my dad...he used to always say that was my song. Haaha. It is true...I do want to have fun.

Anyways, I bought some paper plates the other day...for the first time in like a year. I can't believe how much they simplify my life. I know, I know I should have known this...but sometimes I go on kicks where I don't buy them because I don't want to spend the 3 dollars for 100 plates. I am never going on that kick again. I am obsessed with them now.

And I sit here late at night in mourning as I eat the last slice of sourdough bread. I wish I had some more I could probably go for like 3 more pieces of toast.

Sorry weird post....but both sourdough bread and paper plates have been on my mind.

Rise and Shout

Yahoo...the day is finally here. I can't wait. My boys and I will be geared up in BYU apparel and this year we have a flag to hang on game days (thanks to Justin and Angelique). Cortney is gone hunting (since Tuesday)...so my day is pretty shot. Usually if we don't get to go to the game we can always find a multitude of people to hang out with and watch the game. Unfortunately everyone I know is going...I am spouse-less and I am watching Cali and Sam's kids. Cali was going to get a babysitter and I was going to watch Sam's so they could go to the game but I convinced her that I might as well have all of the kids if I am watching any. So lets just say that the opening game day, isn't going to go quite as I had imagined but at least Cali's TV can be paused so I won't miss any of the game as I am changing diapers and breaking up fights. SO don't call me tomorrow and tell me who won...I will be behind actual time I can tell you that. Anyways I am rambling. GO COUGARS!

And I am missing Cortney desperately. Man it feels like months since we have spent time together. When he gets back I have GOT to go on a date with just him. Sheesh, I am so excited for everything to be slowing down now that fall is coming.