Olivia's Got Talent

At the ward talent show last month Olivia did this Hula Hoop routine. It was so fun, and funny too, but I'm so proud of her!

Before and After

My vegetable garden before (this is March):



And my deliciously edible garden after:



Though I don't know what to do with ripe pumpkins in June that came up unannounced. Otherwise, the tomatoes, yellow squash and cucumbers are divine and there's a cantaloupe in there that hasn't produced yet, but it will.

And my kitchen before (notice the average sink and formica countertops):



And here's the after---the happily ever after, as I have one pretty sweet kitchen!

A dog in the family now

Eli has always loved animals and all sorts of creatures and has always wanted a dog of his own. I've resisted the notion as I've always been realistic that I have enough mouths to feed, but as Caleb is our last baby, I promised that when he was potty-trained we could get a dog. Was that the reason he didn't get out of diapers till well over 3 years old?

Anyways, Eli helped some boys with their Eagle projects at a local animal shelter and the push was on to get one of his own. He liked "HB" at the shelter, found at the HEB parking lot, but then decided he wanted a puppy, specifically a furry black puppy. Now I have not wanted a large dog as I like my backyard and don't want all the destruction and hassle that I imagined a larger dog would bring. And I have no inclination to spend hundreds on a breeder's pure-bred animal as there are so many mutts that need homes and will do just as nicely.

And without further ado, meet "Macy" our sweet, female, mix of a dog:





She's Eli's dog as he got to pick her and her name and has the most responsiblity for her as he's a pretty responsible kid. Thinking of names, I suggested Suzy, or Sammie, but as we're driving home with her, he suggests Cindy and then Macy. I say those are both nice names and he likes Macy the best and so be it. He indicates that he saw the name driving along, past Willowbrook Mall and then I realize that is where he saw the name Cindy as well. If you know the area, we definitely don't want to name our dog Cindy, and we'll leave it at that.

No doubt, we've got one cute, sweet dog. Though people always have to ask what kind. The vet thought part german shepard, maybe lab, maybe chow, but who cares? She's probably has as mixed a heritage as most of us. And she hasn't growled at anyone and loves to run with the kids in the backyard and even poops in the far corner. We got her at already 4 months old and about 20 lbs and the vet predicted 40-50 lbs, which I know is large, but she's a keeper and now a member of our family.

Spring Dreams

I seriously love spring and not being cold anymore. I love planting my flowers and vegetable garden. I love wearing normal clothes and not needing coats and extra blankets. I love not having to warm up the car before I drive kids everywhere every morning. I generally have more positive thoughts and am more excited about life. I start dreaming and planning. So here are my big plans: a pool in our backyard, right here--can you picture it here?









It would be just lovely. I've been dreaming and drawing up shapes, looking at companies on the net and I might just call one this week or next. As you know, our kids are swimmers and since we usually don't like to take them anywhere more than 5 miles from our house, this would create hours of healthy entertainment for them and lots of friends and relatives. Just as I can picture how beautiful a pool would be in my backyard, I know I am a realist and worry about the upkeep. I'm also cheap, and concerned about the initial cost but also the increase in our electricty bills and all the chemicals we'd need to buy. So now I'm not thinking happy thoughts --- I'd better go spend some time outside in the beautiful spring weather, and who knows, we may just take the plunge (literally, get it :-) I know.

Guess Who?

So, Happy Valentines Day! When my niece, Makana, announced she'd like to throw a Valentine's Party, my reply was, okay, go ahead but my husband responded by offering to have it at our house. Then she said it was to be a dress up party and we were to come as an "iconic couple". I guess not showing up at a party at our own house wasn't really an option so we decided to go all out. See if you can tell who we are:

Yes, I dyed my hair a semi-permanent red and that really is Chris behind the wig and glasses. This next picture is full-length and you should be able to get it. Here's Chris with our friend from Grease.

Yeah, Ozzy Osbourne! Who knew we had it in us!

So here's the Grease couple, aka The Ashmeads.

And my niece, or Mary Poppins with the chimney sweep Bert.




And the Leas family went all out as the Addams
(yes the little baby has a little mustache)



Makana threw a fun party, with the food and games enjoyed by all. Below playing the "newleywed game" we had Clark Kent and Lois Lane; Hermione and Ron Weasley from Hogwarts; the Addams Family and the last couple who said they were dressed as Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain.

And finally, our children, this is our daughter as a young Osbourne. Just when we thought we were getting old and boring, we spice it up and win for the best costumes--who knew!

It's a Start

We arrived in the afternoon and it was my first time being picked up by someone at the airport holding up a sign with your name--it was Chris' name, but still, we're a team and a new experience for me. The hotel is in a working-class area, not the touristy part of town and not much English spoken around here. The beds are more firm than firm and the plumbing is loud, but Chris hadn't given me any impression that it was a fancy hotel, so it's actually better than expected. We get some shabu shabu for dinner--no forks--so with chopsticks I did eat.

This picture is actually lunch the next day, a similar thing, but they did have plastic forks. After lunch, Chris and his co-worker had to go back to work so I was shown the MRT (subway) and let loose (well they showed me the map). I'm a country girl, and this is one of the things I thought I would never do, but do I did! By myself, took the subway to a nearby shopping district, purchased a few items and made my way back.

These pictures are the scenes that greeted me coming up from the subway. Do I turn left or right? Right and 3/4 or maybe not quite? Well, with brains in my head and shoes on my feet I'll make my way any direction I chose--oh, the places I'll go! (that's a little Dr. Suess lingo).

Off On the Wrong Feet

Monday morning, Jan. 10th, awake @ 5:15, yes, Colton has got himself outta bed and his ride to swim practice shows up--yes! One down, three to go. I hear Eli's alarm go off too early, but he usually gets himself up. After 20 minutes I check, he fell back asleep. Oops, get him going and his ride shows up and now it's 2 down, 2 to go. Wake Jake and Livvy, get my shower and dressed. It's chilly still, too cold for bare feet so I'll put on my slippers till it's time to go. Get breakfast, pack the last few items, put away some dishes, load the dishwasher, a quick wipe-down of our bathroom--it's time to go! Chris warms up the suburban, get Jake, Livvy, Caleb, Makana, Jaedyn, Chris and I in the car, drop off the kids at school and it's off to the airport for a 10-day trip to Taiwan, via Tokyo. Traffic is heavy and we worry we're running late. But we're here now and I get out to help Chris get our luggage and something's wrong--I look down at my feet

Oops, forgot to put on my low-heel black boots, I guess slippers it is! Though it wasn't quite as noticeable as the picture as I had jeans on then. Unbelieveable! The check-in line is loooong, but Chris has platinum elite access status so we're able to get in the short line, which is not moving hardly. Hmmm, something's wrong. We find out the airline delayed our flight 5 hours in order to switch planes so we get to hang out at the airport, then fly 13 painful hours to Japan and stay the night--have to go through customs, get our bags, ride a bus (and they drive on the opposite side of the road--a first experience for me) to a hotel, sleep a few hours, get back on the bus to the airport, go through security again, and fly the final four hours to Taipei, Taiwan. But we're here now and I have two stamps on my passport and I feel somewhat tall around here--lucky me!