The family that bowls together stays together {aka more FHE Fun}

Mesmerized

Gavey-Goo sat here for a good little while trying to figure this one out.

1-800-CANTFIX

Q: What do you get when you cross an accountant, a housewife, and a broken kitchen faucet?

A: Well, you get a broken kitchen faucet.

We're not what you call "handy" around here. Now, I can quite humbly admit that both Steve and I possess a great deal of redeeming qualities and even talents. We are both very intelligent people, I am sure of it, and I have always thought we were both really well-rounded. And, while I don't want to diminish my husband's manly-ness, repair and installation are not among his forte {Though he is quite able in other manly things such as mowing-the-lawn-like-nobody's-business, taking-out-a-mean-trash-bag, lifting heavy things and the like--am I mocking? I hope not.}

Then we became homeowners and things started breaking at our house....and it scared us. When this happened, we would proudly admit "we can't fix it", and without hesitation, we would whip out the phonebook {or type "dexonline" in Google} and find ourselves a plumber, electrician, or other able-bodied handy-person.

Well, yesterday that all changed. Not knowing my own brute strength, I accidentally broke off the handle to our kitchen faucet. We thought: Okay we'll just not use it until we can get someone over here to fix it. Then, after many accidental "turn-ons" resulting in a drenched accountant and a sopping-wet ceiling--yes, ceiling--we decided to take a family trip to "The Depot". {We have a pet name for it now that we are so handy and plan to frequent "The Depot" more often in areas other than the paint section.}

After some only-somewhat-helpful men in orange aprons "helped" us, we found a faucet and decided we could install it. After we stopped for a boost of sugar at Cold Stone, we headed home, got the kiddies in bed, and began our date night which lasted well into the midnight hour and looked pretty much just like this:

I had to document this momentous occasion. I just had to. This picture is gross. But I had to.

I give you.............a Handy-Man.

The real fact of the matter is, it was I that spent much of the time down here. That was certainly not the original plan, but husband was a little frustrated at not being able to reach all the nuts, bolts, and other what-nots, and he said my dainty arms and hands could fit under better. {Sigh and blush.} So, he muscled the extraction of the old faucet, and piloted the logistics. Then I insisted on doing the dainty work --it was kinda fun, and I was soaking up all the admiration coming my way from husband.

Bottom Line: We are just so stinkin' proud of ourselves.

Other Bottom Line: If you have a faucet that needs to be installed, give us a call. {Disclaimer: Our righteous pride only covers the installation of Delta model#: 468-SSSD. We know those instructions upside-down and sideways. If it's anything else, forget it.}

Rain and Lovin'

I came across this darling card--how cute is it? I do delight in all things crafty and quaint so maybe this won't delight others as it does me. It reminds me of two things:

* Rain
* Lovin' my hubs

We had the craziest monsoon storm last night--the lightning was like strobe lights outside, with no thunder. Love, love, love the rain. I love it more these days since we live in AZ and don't get a whole lot of it. It so fresh and romantic.

So last night, during the storm, I was feeling yucky with chills and aches and stuffiness and couldn't sleep. I crept over and snuggled with my own personal heating pad (husband) to help me take away the chills....then he got me some Tylenol and offered to take over the night feeding with baby Goo who is also sick.

Rain is fun. Love is fun. Chills and aches, not so fun.

Prayers for the Nielsons

Some of you may have heard of the Nielson family from Mesa who experienced a terrible accident last week. Christian and Stephanie, the parents of four beautiful children, were in a private plane crash and were severely burned. They are expected to go through months of painful and extensive skin graphs and rehabilitation. Visit the site her family and friends started about the Nielson's here and then check out Stephanie's blog, NieNie Dialogues.

I heard about this separately from a friend this weekend, and then I came across her blog today. This tugs at my heart, being a mother of four young children myself. The accident happened the day after her last post. She is so cute, and her personality shines through her blog. Just say a few extra prayers for them and their family. I have also included a place to donate to a family fund on the side there---->

Hiking the Y

I just stole these pictures from my sister, Christi, and I love them. This is from our Utah trip in July when Steve took Paige and some of our nieces and nephews to hike up to the "Y" by BYU campus. I was so proud of my Paigey because I've done this hike and it's not as easy as it looks. Anyway, I hope this was a fun memory with Daddy and Uncle Steve!

Weapons of War

A person might think these are merely innocent household items, but that person would be incorrect. For my two boo-yas, they are archery weapons. It is a daily occurence for me to find Trev and Pres in our closet stealing hangers, and then chasing each other around the house aiming at each other.

It's quite inventive, really. Also, disturbing. I used to be the mom who said I would never give my children toy swords, toy guns, and the like because they "encourage violence". Though, now that I have a small brood of boys, I realize this would be in vain. The fact of the matter is that they will create these on their own out of whatever the heck they can find layin' around. Even when all I let them watch is "Blue's Clues" and other various, innocent, preschool-age-appropriate shows. So, Steve and I have created rules of weaponry in our home:

* You can only play "swords" if your opponent also possesses a "sword". This would be mutiny, and just unfair to beat on an unarmed person.
* No hitting the face. Please try and aim for the other person's "sword"--not their body.
* Realizing that "weapon"-to-body-contact is nearly impossible, the "weapon" will be confiscated if your play has caused bodily harm--or screaming.
* During the make-believe, please don't use the word, "kill".

We're tryin', people.

If only the real wars in the world were fought with plastic hangers and pencils....uh, actually, nevermind. Lead poisoning can be pretty bad, I guess.

Legolas about to attack....his little brother.

Best love stories ever

Anne and Gilbert

Bella and Edward

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett

Jim & Pam

and, of course, Steve and Lisa
(also, we are not a fictional couple--bonus!)

Happy 9th Anniversary Steve!

You are my favorite person ever. Thank you for all the bliss.

Yay for Preschool

Our handsome Trevor started his second year of preschool today.

Here are his friends in Miss Jaimi's class.
"Self-portraits"I think he's enjoying himself--what d'ya think?

Rock the Vacuum, Man

Can't you just hear the music in his head?
Trev, you are too cool for school. Rock star--and his #1 Groupie.

Back-to-School

Paige starts Second-Grade Paige loves school so much. She loves having a routine and learning. She is my girl who sets her alarm, gets showered, does her own hair, and gets ready on her own in the morning. We love this about her. I hope this enthusiasm lasts through the teenage years, but only time will tell.

What is this? Arabia???

Look who I found crawling toward my baby last week----

I found this darn thing about 8 inches away from Gavin before I scooped him up. I scooped Gavin up, that is. I left the scorpion on the floor while the kids and I stared him down, deciding what to do. This is the biggest one I've seen and so I was too grossed out at the thought of squishing it. The kids came up with some very inventive ideas to help with his demise:

T: I know Mom! Let's get scissors and cut him up!

Pr: Let's kill it!!

Pa: We could cover him with a cup and let daddy get him later.

Pr: Let's kill him!

T: I could just shoot him with my bow and arrow! (ie hanger and pencil)

Pa: Mom, this is really good. You have to do this idea. How 'bout we spray him with hairspray and put him in a sock and then suffocate him.

Pr: I'm going to KILL him!

If you are on pins and needles I will keep you in suspense no longer. I sprayed it with Lysol (to paralyze him, obviously), then I scooped it onto a piece of paper, took the picture, then covered it with liquid dish soap. I had the kids open the door and we quickly took it outside and dropped it on the sticky traps we have in the garage. He started to move, so I poured additional soap on him to really glue him down. That'll teach 'em.

Peanut Butter Heaven

Some of you have requested the recipe for Peanut Butter Frosting so here you go:

1/3 cup peanut butter

4 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar

1/4 cup milk (you will need 2-3 TBSP more for better consistency)

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1. In a mixing bowl, beat peanut butter. Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar. Add 1/4 cup milk and vanilla.

2. Slowly beat in remaining powdered sugar, then more milk if needed (I always, always add more milk to make it creamier.). This frosts the tops and sides of two 8-9 inch cakes.

This is amazing with chocolate cupcakes with mini-choco chips on top. The other day, Paige and I tried a yellow cake mix, 2 rounds with chocolate frosting in the middle and p.b. on top. Yum-orific.

The end

I finished it last night! (As difficult as it was, I tried to only read when my kids were sleeping which means my hubby didn't get a lot of quality time with me this week!) I tried to read really slowly as I got toward the last few pages because I didn't want it to end--yet, the jury is still out on if I liked it or not. I think I did...It was just such a different book than the others. Um, who wants to talk about this with me??? How intense was this thing?! After "Book Two", I had to close the book, take a deep breath, and prepare for the rest--if you've read it, you know what I mean. Seriously, this girl can write! Well, now I can get on to more productive living and actually spend time with my husband...until she comes out with another book, that is.

*Warning: Some comments may include spoilers!!

"Okay, so who got into the frosting?..."

"I don't know what you're talking about, Mom."

Snips 'n snails 'n...lizard tails??....

Boys are fun.

*Note: No lizards were harmed in the making of this post. Remember--lizards can grow new tails.

FHE Fun

Here are our Nephites with the Title of Liberty. The kids favorite part was ripping ("renting") the sheet before we wrote on it!

Tender Moments

My babysitter-in-training.
For some reason, Preston wanted his bedtime story on the stairs.

Paige unloading the dryer without being asked.
Mini-chefs.
Gav 'n' Mama

Ode to Bonnie

This is Bonnie--our white-visor-wearing-swim-guru. Because of her, Preston and Trevor are fearless little fish in the pool ... ...and we love it!

31 is totally the new 23

So, I'm 31 today and this picture depicts how it could feel--over the hill and heading down.
However, this is how I still feel about my birthdays:

Really happy--and wishing I had a tiara to wear all day. I really like my birthday and still think I'm a kid when it comes to this day. Also, this year is kinda special because it's my Golden Birthday (31 on the 31st). So, seriously, can someone please hand me my golden tiara?? This is me and my little bro, Jared, on our birthday many moons ago. (We share the same day--exactly one year apart! Happy 30th brother!).

Um, so as I was typing this post, my cute Paige went and made me a tiara to wear!! I love that girl. (She also took this photo.)

Thirty-one years, and here are my favorite accomplishments!

Steve came home from work early today with a baby-sitter in tow and said, "Alright, let's go!" I didn't know where we were going until we drove up to a spa, and he let me know I had an appointment for a massage! Then, a divine dinner at my fave, Cheesecake Factory. Then back home for cake and gifties! I love birthdays!!!!