So long to an old friend

Jeff finally did it. He sold "Big Red" - his 1964 Dodge pickup truck. Well, he didn't technically sell Big Red but traded him for a new patio out back. Big Red's been for sale for a few years now but despite lots of lookers, we've never had any serious offers until a few weeks ago when a guy who has a cement business wanted to trade some work for the truck. It was a hard decision (for Jeff anyway) but in the end we figured we would get more use and pleasure out of a new patio (and hopefully new patio furniture) than an old truck we only use a few times a year. Jeff will probably kill me for spilling this, but he said he was so sad when it came down to actually turning Big Red over that he almost shed a tear and couldn't bear to hand the keys over so he just left them in the ignition.

Big Red's been a great friend. And I admit, I love the sound of a loud, roaring engine and Big Red had a great one (OK so we made out a few times in Big Red too - might as well fess up now before Jeff embarrasses me with his comments)! Jeff bought him from his neighbor before we got married and despite only getting, I swear 10 miles to the gallon, drove him everyday to work when we were in college. Then we moved to Bountiful and Jeff let his mom drive Big Red until we decided to start ripping out trees, fences, and shrubs in the yard. Big Red has been used to rip out an old wooden fence, too many fence posts to mention, and at least a dozen trees and stumps - the last of which was a cherry tree stump that was almost 70 years old.

So we say goodbye to a old friend and hello to a bunch of new memories, parties, and fun times! As soon as we get the roof up, you're all invited to a celebration party!

Out with the old....and in with the new! Just image a roof, lots of flowers spilling over pots, comfy patio furniture, some cute decorative lights, and a hot grill. I can't wait!!!

Reliving a Halloween nightmare

Let's make one thing clear, Jeff hates Halloween. Seriously, he hates it. Aside from the candy, Halloween is nothing but a reminder of a horrible childhood memory - the year he was a star. And not just any star, a cardboard star covered in tin foil. He was old enough to know that a star was not a cool costume to wear but set aside potential teasing for the chance of a pillowcase full of candy. And so the night began, knocking on doors and filling up on loads of sugary treats. For anyone familiar with the "island" in Logan and nearby Wilson Elementary School, you'll know that the school is surround by some pretty big trees. As Jeff and his older brother (who absolutely loved tormenting him) were walking past the school, his brother ripped the star right off him and flung it high into the trees. It scarred him for life...he hates Halloween.

So what do we do to our beautiful and innocent daughter? We dress her up as a star. And a really crooked one at that (not on purpose, I'm just a horrible at drawing stars), complete with tinfoil and everything. I had these fabulous intentions of making a ladybug costume, which after cutting out stars and covering them in tinfoil realized it would have been easier, but after Jeff giving me a hard time about not having it finished yet gave up. And so the Halloween nightmare has been passed on to the next generation. Luckily for Pearl, we all joined in the trauma and went to the annual Kohler/Jewkes Halloween Party as "Super Stars" - pronounced "supa stars" for added effect and coolness. Next year, we're thinking of being "rock" stars.Some of you may remember a few posts back that I was complaining about having no family traditions. I should have clarified - I have family traditions with my extended families but nothing that is just Jeff, me and Pearl. OK with that cleared up we can move on to the Halloween Party fun. My Aunt Denise throws one spooktacular party and I must say every year I am just as excited to see how she's decorated her house as I am to carve pumpkins and eat the traditional meal of clam chowder and other ghoulish treats. This year's decorations followed a mad scientist theme, evident from her costume choice. Jeff and I have typically been party poopers because we've never dressed up (everyone else does) so this year my aunt was thrilled to open the doors and see a "Supa Star" family! Yes, I somehow convinced Jeff that dressing up with Pearl would keep Pearl from suffering the same childhood fate. The stars didn't reuin Halloween for Pearl but my little cousins' freaky vampire, mummy, and grim reaper costumes. She was absolutely terrified of them and cried every time they got near. It took her a good hour at least to warm up to the idea that we were staying with these freaks. Even Carver the dragon scared her. There was Frodo Baggins and an elf princess, a mummy's Mommy, and the "Invisible Man" (aka Uncle Dan who was working in New Orleans). Even "bad" Santa Claus stopped by on his way to Bermuda.After a yummy dinner we broke out the carving tools and began the task of carving dozens of pumpkins. Jeff and Pearl grew ours this year and we had a gigantic one. It would have been even bigger had the vine not broken off a month or so ago. We tried to get Pearl to sit in it but she was still freaked out with every one's makeup.
Pearl had a great time carving her pumpkin (the triangle covered one). She made me slightly nervous with her excited stabbing. When she got frustrated with me taking away her knife, she decided to eat the pumpkin instead.After a night of yummy and gruesome treats, pumpkin guts and a giant pumpkin head, it was time to bring this party to a close. Hopefully after a few more years of these fun Halloween memories, Jeff will learn to like or at least tolerate the trick or treaters.

"Cook-eee"

Pearl must have been extra good at the grocery store to talk her dad into coming home with this!

She loves Cookie Monster and was way excited to have her very own "Cook-eee" as she lovingly refers to him. It didn't hurt that Jeff also has a fascination for Cookie Monster, although the recent "let's get our kids healthy and lose some weight" undertaking by Sesame Street is not his favorite. I mean who ever heard Cookie Monster say "cookies are a sometimes food" (it's true, I've seen the episodes)?

Super Saturday + Super Heroes = Super Post

Prepare yourselves for a super post! I'll try to keep the details to a minimum otherwise this post will be super long. "Super Saturday" began bright and early for me as I actually went to my ward's "Super Saturday" or for any non-LDS friends, a day of craft making with all the women in our stake. This wouldn't be such a big deal except that I never, ever go to any RS Enrichment Activities. And a few years ago, Jeff must have been feeling like I wasn't being a good Mormon wife because he signed me up for a craft on Super Saturday without telling me! I reluctantly went and actually had a good time making something crafty for the house. Jeff was so proud that I try to relieve this memory every few years when they have some fun things to make. I think I was more proud of my accomplishments this year than Jeff was! Aren't they cute? Seriously though, how do women come up with these ideas? I can't wait to find somewhere to hang them now (not really because Jeff and I argue over everything that gets hung on the walls). Oh and the shelf picture is to show off a project I did a few months ago, mainly because I was avoiding my homework, but once I saw the projects available for Super Saturday, knew I could really make Pearl's room cute with a matching frame.

After a morning of painting and sanding, we headed off to Gardner Village with my family for some witch watching and window shopping. Boy was I stupid for thinking this would be a fun excursion for my family! Unless you are 16 months old and thrilled to have grandparents and aunts/uncles to hold you (poor Kimmy, Pearl wouldn't let her hold or even get too close to Ruby without getting jealous and crying for her). There must have been 20,000 people there! It was crazy!!! While I love Gardner Village in October, it was a bit crowded to really see much, let alone try and get a good family photo. Pearl was kind of grumpy and not in the picture taking mood so these are as good as they get. We did have fun in the petting zoo even though Pearl was terrified to touch anything but waved at all the animals and snorted at the little pigs. And Jeff forked over a couple of bucks and a lot of creativity to make Pearl and Ruby these cute little broomsticks made from three sticks and some paper. Anyone who hasn't been to Gardner Village in October really needs to take a trip out there, even with the 20,000 strollers, witches, pumpkins, and families.

Try as I might, I just can't seem to get that perfect family photo!

If you can't read the purple sign, it says "Pearl's Potion Palace for all your poison needs." Couldn't resist a picture with Pearl!
Next on the agenda, the last RSL soccer game of the regular season and second game in the new stadium. Jeff was able to get discount tickets from work so my whole family came - mom, dad, Kurtis, Kimmy/Nick, and Jesse/Emily/Ruby. The stadium was really cool and there isn't a bad seat in the house but the food was your typical expensive and crappy stadium food. I should have snuck in dinner or at least snacks in the diaper bag - the security guys didn't even mess with it because I had it so jam-packed with diapers! I spent the majority of the game trying to keep Pearl entertained which meant several walking trips around the stadium. Luckily a bowl of ice cream kept her fairly happy for about 20 minutes - just long enough to get ice cream all over her face. It was hilarious because she kept wanting to share with Kimmy and Nick but anytime I would try to get a bite, she shoveled it in her mouth and laughed at me. That little twirp - she's too much like her dad! In the midst of keeping Pearl happy, I did see a couple of goals scored and the best part is RSL won! In my last post I complained about not having any traditions but when I sat down and thought about the game, I realized that my family gets together for one RSL game a year so I guess after 3 years, it's a tradition now. Again, could we please get a good family photo that actually documents how much we love each other and that we do have fun?
Funny side story about this picture. It was just Kurtis, me, and Pearl in our seats when a popular song came on and Pearl started dancing (see below). I was dancing too and Kurtis was shocked that I even knew what it was. OK so I admit I didn't know the band's name but hey my little bro thought I was cool for liking his kind of music. Am I really that old to not be cool anymore?
Jesse, Emily, and Ruby enjoying the game.
The after game celebration. And no, that black thing is not a piece of food stuck on my teeth, it's my actual tooth - well fake tooth that is. Haven't wanted to go through the ordeal of getting a bridge there like the other side has so it's still the ugly fake cap.

Super Saturday turned into Super Sunday as we ventured up to Logan for Jeff's nephew's 18th birthday party. We don't see Jeff's brother and his family very often and we sort of complained about it to Jeff's mom. Well, now we get together once a month for dinner. It's really fun and hopefully we'll get to know each other better this way. Plus Jeff's dad is a fantastic cook! Pearl had so much fun running around the house with two older cousins and climbing all over Grandpa.

And finally, the "Super Heroes" portion of the post. A few days ago when it was too cold to play outside - and yes, there was snow on the ground - Jeff decided it was high time to teach Pearl the intricate art of playing super heroes. After searching for a couple of safety pins, my super heroes were off flying around the living room. It didn't last long, just long enough to have all the pillows thrown off the couch and every single book strewn across the floor. But did you know super heroes also have power to turn ordinary grapes growing in the backyard into yummy and very healthy grape juice? Well, it's true!!! Jeff made 12 jars of grape juice and is planning on even more later this week. We have so many grapes that he figured it was time to learn how to be self-reliant and make grape juice. I was totally impressed. Who needs to worry about the economy tanking, our house being worth nothing, and the fear of losing your job when you have a super hero husband who can make his own grape juice?

Traditions

My creative mind just isn't there today or lately at all! Thus the lack of blogging on my part - sincere apologies for my adoring fans :)! So I've been thinking, what traditions do you have with your family? I'm not sure that Jeff and I really have any traditions that are just our own, well except for the New Year's Elf. Remind me how cool this tradition is come 3 months from now. I'm pretty sure in one of my ridiculous and irrational moods that I've cried to Jeff because we have no traditions all our own and this must mean our marriage is doomed. Now it can only be worse because we have a child depending on us to make her childhood memorable. But how do you really start a new tradition, one that's meaningful enough that you actually remember to do it so it becomes a tradition? Sigh....any ideas post them please!

I guess this thought came about on Sunday when my family got together for the Annual Fish Fry. I really can't remember how long we've been doing this but it all started because my aunt and uncle caught too many fish to eat themselves one summer so they decided to share with the rest of the family. Plus who doesn't like to get-together with a crazy and fun bunch? The Fish Fry entails eating as much fish (or chicken for those of us who aren't crazy about perch) as humanly possible in the span of an afternoon. You would think they were feeding an entire starving nation with as much perch, salmon, chicken wings, and of course fishy crackers (aka Pepperidge Farm Goldfish) and gummy worms that we had. After stuffing ourselves, we engage in one of several activities - laughing so hard that we cry or pee our pants, chasing the little cousins around the yard or more accurately, running away from their latest game of guns/dinosaurs/lacrosse/wrestling, dog piling on top of any unsuspecting family member who wanders into the yard, and wishing that the night didn't have to end.

Oh and last but not least, I'm posting the famous "lemon water" recipe from the Fish Fry. Try it, it's divine!!!




If the picture is hard to read, here's the recipe:
1 Tbsp citric acid
1 Tbsp lemon extract
2 cups sugar
5 quarts water
Mix and refrigerate. Serve with ice. Lemon/lime slices add color. If you want to half it, then mix 1 3/4 tsp citric acid, 1 3/4 tsp lemon extract, 1 cup sugar, 2 1/2 quarts water.