Youth Temple Celebration!

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

Now completed and doing tours!

May 30, 2009

Tanner was very fortunate to be able to participate in the Youth Temple Celebration. Our church put this HUGE production together to celebrate the two new temples that have recently been completed in our area. Red and I were able to attend the celebration which was held in the conference center and I have to say it was fantastic! After a few months of practices...late nights and long hours it ended up being a very special night. Thousands of youth participated in this production and it was so neat to see so many of them come together to celebrate their love for the gospel and the temple. The costumes were so elaborate and all of the numbers told a story. The production was mainly music and dancing. Tanner did the samba! When it was all over Tanner asked me if I cried during the production? (of course!) Then I asked Tanner if he cried?? And he coolly replied ...yeah a little. ;) Tanner was able to go in the tunnels that are underneath temple square, in between the Salt Lake Temple and the Conference Center. I think the part that touched him the most...was before the production began, when President Monson, our Prophet entered, apparently all of the youth started singing We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet. We weren't there yet, but I know it really touched Tanner. I'm so grateful for moments like this...when I know my children are being touched and changed for good while engaging in something wholesome and fun! What a blessing! I know Tanner will remember this night forever. We couldn't take pictures during the production, so I took a few after. President Monson went out on the stage after and shook hands with many of the youth. I love him! If you are interested in touring the new temple...anyone is allowed and it is free! You MUST have a ticket and can get them on LDS.org. Red and I are looking forward to taking our children through it and working there in July.

We have a teenager!!!

Tanner w/ friends Nick and Braxton dying their lacrosse heads with Rit dye! Three teenagers carrying boiling water in and out of my house in huge pots...Super fun!! ;)

Total goofballs!

Holy smokes! I have a 13 year old! Where does the time go?? It seems not too long ago he was a baby, a toddler, a little boy....... I really have mixed feelings about this on many levels! Tanner is a great kid and often my right hand man! But... I feel like this means I'm getting old and time goes by so fast it makes me realize...only five years and he'll be graduating from high school and off to college, mission or whatever! YIKES! I guess for the moment I'll focus on what a great kid he is and just say...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TANNER!!! I think Tanner had a good birthday! We had our neighbors, the Ereksons over for dinner to help us celebrate! Do you like how his dad wrapped a few of his presents in princess paper? What a dork! What's even funnier is he claims he didn't notice! Tanner got a new lacrosse bag for his birthday...called the Warrior/Black Hole! He drilled the name of it into my head for weeks before his birthday so I would buy the correct bag when I went to the lacrosse store. Really it's a body bag and as big as he is...but it fits all of his lacrosse gear and if he ever makes us super mad we'll just put him in it and zip it up...maybe roll him down the stairs or something! JK Tanner also got a dock for his ipod, some new clothes and money!! I love you Tanman! :)

Girls Getaway!

A few weeks ago...I was able to take a short trip with my girlie friends! :) We went to my friend Amy's cottage (if it's a cottage...my house is a shack!) up Provo canyon. So fun! We ate out, did a little shopping, saw a movie, got pedicures, talked and talked some more! It was so nice to worry about...NOTHING...for a change! No one to feed/dress/clean except myself! We had a great time! I love these girls. We've been getting together for probably about twelve years now. It started out as a bunco group...that has now turned into a once a month dinner group. Some gals have moved away...but the majority are still here and we always have fun with lots of laughing. It's like one of them recently said... It's a lot cheaper than therapy!!! Thanks to Amy for hosting! And... thanks to Nancy and Michele for the cute matching flip flops...they brought them back from NY! Thanks to all the girls for the laughs!!! Love ya! :)

***By the way...I've added a couple of new recipes to the the blog so be sure and check it out on my blog roll! Pina colada cupcakes and lettuce wraps...yummy! :)

My Bakery

So yesterday I pretended to be a baker and made 4 loaves of ww bread and cupcakes for a little friend's birthday. I was trying to recreate a cupcake I had at the Sweet Tooth Fairy last week only a little different frosting. My mom says I shouldn't post the recipe because secretly she wants me to open a bakery of some kind and become a millionaire. Ha Ha Ha! :) I love you mom! Anyway the thought I'm having today is this:  Do my children, or the twenty other children that are at my home appreciate my homemadeness? Seriously...as I was serving their peanut butter and honey/ham and cheese sandwiches on my fresh bread I wondered. HMMM??? I think I know the answer! My cupcakes were awesome (I thought) and the frosting although it doesn't look so cute was my own little recipe. Did the children recognize it didn't come from a can?? Actually come to think of it a couple of them licked the frosting off and left the cupcake for dead! I'm thinking someday my kid's will appreciate the fact that I put my heart and soul into my cooking/baking...right?! (like when they're on a mission or in college) That's okay-- I love to do it either way. So...I'm going to start posting a few recipes on my sister-in-law Kate's recipe blog. (Thanks Kati- you're the best!) It says recipe blog (shocking, I know) and it's on my blog roll. I was planning to put recipes on my blog but decided to keep it more like a family journal...so watch for new recipes...coming soon!

...More KraZy KeLsIe

I don't really know what to say about this...except it's just Kelsie! She walked in the other night with this gettup that included our cute;) dog! She has on: her dad's hoodie, her hello kitty backpack (full of junk) a scarf, a purse and sunglasses! Then she has poor Daisie in the stroller w/ her Hannah Montana hoodie on (the dog) and her baby in the back! She is a NUT!  I love it! She was having so much fun playing quietly by herself!

I promise to get the dog groomed soon...just waiting for her to heal completely. Then I'll post a "cute" picture of her!

History Fair...WINNERS!

Anne Frank...A Young WWII Victim

Back in February, Allie and her good friend Audree won the history fair at school. So, they got to take their project to the regional history fair. They did such a great job on this project! Their chosen topic was Anne Frank. They had to do a tri-fold display and a written report. They both read and studied a lot about this famous girl and WW II. I was so proud of them! These girls were so cute and excited about the whole thing. They got to miss school for the day to sit with their project and answer questions as the judges came around. One reason I was so proud of them was, they did this project on their own. As I walked around looking at some of the other projects it was pretty obvious to me; this was not the case with many of them! When the judge came over to ask questions, she had me walk away so I just watched from a distance. Allie and Audree were able to answer all of her questions and looked very confident. The girl's did not place at the fair and move on to state...but, we found out a few weeks later they came in 5th place! I thought that was pretty great! We had some extra time after their project was judged so we did some shopping and went out for lunch. It was a fun day with the girls! Did I mention Allie and Audree are hyper and slightly CRAZY?! I love spending time with them! :)

Biker Chick!

This weekend Red took the training wheels off of Kelsie's bike.... Ten minutes later she basically took off! Figures! It's kind of like crawling and walking. You're happy your child is mobile...but now you have to watch them like a hawk! At just four years old I definitely feel that way about Kelsie riding her bike! After just a couple of days she is pretty much riding like a pro! She's very proud of herself and wants to show everyone that comes over. So....if you come over you might get the live show! This video is not that great, it's just from my regular camera. But, I thought it would be fun for the grandparents to see! No more getting big Kelsie! I thought I already told you that you have to stay little for me!

Happy 'M' Day!

Our Mom's! My mom on the left w/baby Kelsie

Red's mom on the right

All day McKenna's been saying "Happy 'M' Day" to me so, to all of you mothers and other special ladies out there...Happy 'M' Day! She's also been singing "mommy's the champion" to the tune we are the champions! Such a funny girl...thanks for making me feel special today. I've been thinking a lot about being a mom as this day was approaching... Some days I think being a mother is what I was born to do. Other days it is one of the most frustrating parts of my life. I remember laying in recovery after having all of my children...nauseous, itching, shaking and aware of the pain that would soon be upon me. But still, just wanting my baby to hold and give him/her a thorough mom exam! (When you have a c-section you don't get your baby right away. I didn't see Kelsie for probably 5-6 hours.) Recovery gave me time to realize the miracle that had just occurred and that this precious child just left their Father in heaven to be with me. (Not just me, I know!) And have me as a mom....forever. Such a miracle. I am blessed to be the mother of four wonderful, healthy children. I'm trying to be conscious of this every day and not take them for granted. I love being a mom and I'm working each day to be the best mother I can! :)

This mother's day I also feel a little sad...I feel sorrow for those who have lost their mother and those who have either lost a child or long for a child to come. I know this can be a hard day for some. For me...I am also missing my mom today! I'm wishing she could be here (she lives in SC) so we could properly celebrate and my dad could cook for us!  Because... when Red cooks it's a little sketchy! :) We can talk about that another time! 

Happy Mother's Day mom! My mom is truly my best friend. (I know I'm your fav. just admit it!) She puts up with a lot of yapping from me! When I need to vent...I call her! I know she loves it! ;) One thing about having my mom far away is we enjoy our time together that much more. Precious time has been spent when she has come to help care for me and my new babes! She would usually stay for at least a couple of weeks...while I was down.  And by down I mean shopping/lunching/showing off my new babe. So fun...the worst was when she left and I cried my dang heart out after dropping her at the airport. Mom...you are awesome! I love you!

I also wanted to say Happy Mother's Day to my mother-in-law! I'm so glad to have her around. At least we have one of you in the same state! My MIL Dorothy is a very caring and loving person. One of the nicest things she has done for me was after I had Allie. She hired a lady to clean my house for ?? at least three months, every week! It was so wonderful...I'll never forget it! Also, she has been taking a turn with each of the kid's going out for a lunch date and a little spoiling. They have loved spending alone time with her! I love you Dorothy and hope you have a Happy Mother's Day too!

Happy day to you all! :)

 

Bedtime Fun!

Problem:

Tanner & McKenna = Sleep

Allie & Kelsie = Night Owls

A few months ago we decided to put Allie's queen size bed in McKenna and Kelsie's room and move a twin back into Allie's. So the two "littles" have been sharing a bed! I'm really not sure what we were thinking because it has pretty much been a nightmare ever since! Here's the problem...we have two night owls and two that actually like to go to sleep at bedtime. And...currently we have four bedrooms. It seems to me that should be enough, but it really isn't working out very well! 

I feel like we need another wing on our house for the night owls! Really I can't get totally mad at them because Red and I are the same way...we prefer night! I swear Allie rearranges and organizes her room between 10-12:00 pm!! (it is always clean!)

So...here is the reason for this post in the first place! Last night we heard some raucous going on up in the "littles" room. Pretty soon McKenna came down and we hear Kelsie sobbing and saying, "mama, mama!" (total drama)

We ask McKenna..."what's going on?"

"She is driving me crazy!!! She (Kelsie) says she is scared and her tummy hurts!" (whatever)

I ask..."so what did you do?"

"So I pinched her and told her to SHUT UP!"

Well isn't that sweet. That didn't make her feel better? I can't imagine!!! 

I'm not really sure why...but this cracked Red and I up! I couldn't stop laughing! It really isn't funny if you think about it. Shut up is considered a swear word at our house and pretty much reserved for me when've had it up to....here! 

Why am I posting about this? I'm not really sure. My new found hobby of blogging is certainly not to show off my parenting skills or lack thereof! I decided when I started this (blog) that I was going to try to keep it real. No sugar coating! So...here it is!!! Our children are not snugly tucked in their beds and sound asleep at 8:30 pm. Some nights we feel lucky if they are at 10:00! Again...I'm trying to enjoy it...I will miss it someday! :)

Solution:  ???

My Sister

Kelsie & Aunt Katie

Today is my sister's 20th birthday! Cinco de Mayo...so fitting for her! Can I just say how special she is to me?! When I was probably around 10 or so years old (and my brother's were driving me crazy!) I wanted a sister soooooooooo bad! So, one night I prayed for a sister...and many subsequent nights after. :0) I begged my parents. They told me no. I gave up hope. Then...magically when I was 16, Scott 14 and Matt 12 years of age, she came. A precious little gift from Heaven. There never was a child so loved or so beautiful. We fought over her, woke her up late at night to hold her and argued over who got to change and bathe her! In 1999, (I think) my parents and sister moved to Florida. I missed my sister soooooo much. But now...she works two minutes from my house cutting hair and I see her all the time! I love it! She is so great, my kid's love their Aunt Katie and are constantly asking when she's coming over. Katie is a total SPAZZ and so much fun to be around. Even though we really weren't raised together, we still have so much in common. So Katie... on your birthday I hope you have a GREAT day! Come on over for a Mexican Fiesta and we'll celebrate you...MY sister! We are blessed to have you in our lives. I love you.

***A couple more things...I am now lucky enough to have two great sister-in-laws Kati & Kami...I love them too and consider them just like sisters! I guess putting up with my brothers was worth it after all! ;) And... it was not a coincidence my sister was born on our Grandma Alger's birthday. She passed away a few years earlier and they now share the name Kathleen. :).

Post Edit: I've taken a little flack from Red's family because I also have another wonderful sister-in-law named Leslie! I did not forget about her or leave her out! :) In this post I was referencing my side of the family and how my brothers drove me a little CRAZY (I was no angel!) growing up, but it was all worth it...as I now have 2 sister-in-laws because of them!! As I continue blogging ...I'm sure I'll have a chance to mention all of the special people in my life! It's going to be fun! :)

ToP TeN + FoR tHe WeEk...

...in no particular order!

10. Red being in Colorado :(...Red getting home on Thursday!!! :)

9. Jump roping with the kids! Tanner, Allie and McKenna can all "jump in" and jump at the same time!

8. No one has the "Swine Flu!" ;)

7. Watching Joe Biden on the Today show....watching the White House scramble to explain what Joe Biden really meant to say on the Today Show. I know... I shouldn't get political but I found it hysterical! I think Joe missed his mark...he should have been a comedian!

6. Finding the two little sunbeams that decided to leave church today and head to the park over by the fire station! (Can you say...heart attack!) I LOVE PRIMARY...KEEPS ME HOPPIN'!

5. I got some new sandals.

4. Getting warm after lacrosse games.

3. Attending Connor Lee's baptism (in our ward) and feeling the spirit so strong...such a special time!

2. Someone...an anonymous donor? is paying for a man in our ward to finish the sheet rock in our basement...mudding/ taping/ sanding...the worst part!! Can you believe that!! I'm still in shock!

1. Our dog being rescued by Amy Hone after being hit by a car...and she's okay! Walking, eating, barking and pretty much acting like her normal lame self! ;) Really I'm glad.

Okay...I guess there are more than ten! My brother Scott and his wife Kate brought the kids: Savannah, Avery, Sam and cutie pie Brooke over for dinner last night! We made homemade pizzas and Italian sodas! So delish! We even put some of the pizza on the barbecue...even yummier! Had a great visit...wish Kati felt better.

:( Love you guys!!!

So...what a great week! Today I even got to listen to/smell the rain! Does it get any better?

I'm still cool!

Feel lucky if you're reading this post as it might get deleted as soon someone reads it! I'll try to hide it under a few new posts! So...let's just call this person Banner to keep his/her name anonymous for this post. So... Banner is always telling Red and I we live in the dark ages and how NOT cool we are! He/she might be about to turn 13 so this is probably par for the course! Recently he/she came home from school one day and said: you listen to such lame music! You probably don't even know who Oingo Boingo is!!! To this I was happy to reply: actually I went to an Oingo Boingo concert once. (I didn't mention it was like 18 years ago and I didn't even particularly enjoy the concert!) SHAZAM! I rock!

Another time...sitting in the kitchen he I mean he/she says: you don't even know who the band Journey is! To this I say...actually I have Journey's Greatest Hits in the cabinet in our bedroom. I love Journey. I have them on my ipod too, if you want to check it out!

Hot Dog! I'm not such a dork after all!!! ;) ;)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

LaCrOsSe In ThE CoLd!

So the last couple of Saturdays have been spent watching lacrosse games. Six total! Allie's team has had double headers the last two Saturdays! I love watching my kids play sports. Really...I love it! What I don't enjoy is being cold, so this tends to be a problem. Last Saturday I honestly thought I would never be warm again! This is why I have never enjoyed Winter sports and have gravitated to Summer activities! Seriously these Spring and Fall sports are going to kill me! So...I'm dreaming of basking in the sun in a t-shirt and sunglasses watching my kids rock it on the lacrosse field....It will happen I just know it! :) My pictures of the kids aren't that greatest...I'm still mourning the loss of my favorite camera and trying to get used to my new one! :(

1st Grade Field Trip ---> Children's Museum

On Thursday I was privileged to be able to go with McKenna's class to the Children's Museum downtown. It was so fun to ride the bus and spend the day with Kenna all by herself. I loved it! We were together the whole time and even snuck Swedish fish on the bus! Naughty, I know! She was so cute and says the funniest things! This is a sample of one conversation we had while on the bus... 

McKenna: "so mom, did Grandpa Alger,you know your dad, did he like live in the olden days?" 

Me:  "The olden days? What exactly do you mean when you say 'olden days?'" 

Kenna: "You know...like back in the 80's!!!!" 

Hello...Now I feel old! (Sorry dad!) So, I explained to her that I was actually a little girl like her (well almost) back in the 80's. I still don't think she's totally convinced that the 80's aren't the "olden days!" She did say that by "olden days" she meant back when people didn't have cars...that made me feel a little better! 

The Children's museum is the bomb! The kid's had a blast in their matching t-shirts. They had shirts made with all of the kid's pictures (drawn by themselves) on it. So darling! So, it was pretty easy to keep track of the group. I was in charge of a group of four:  Kenna, Christina Lindquist, Lexi and Braxton. I think we pretty much saw it all! They liked the life flight helicopter the best!