The Torman Family

They grow up so fast!

2010-01-14T06:49:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that Aspen just hit her 20 month birthday. The thought that I already had a 3 month old when Ridge was this age just blows me away. It has not been easy having this 2 17 months apart and it still is hard but as much as I want it to get easier I don't want them to grow up. These pictures Justin took because of these Jammies she is wearing. He LOVES them. The fit her so snug that you can see every curve on her body. Her little belly sticks out with them and dang it is just cute. He had to take pictures because they are finally too small for her. He has pulled them several times out of the bin of clothes to giveaway because they are too small but I have to keep putting them back in. He never wanted to forget how stinking cute she looked in these!

A Torman Family Christmas!

2009-12-28T13:14:00.000-08:00

The before picture!
My cute Ridge as a cow at the church nativity!
All 3 of my darlings in Ridge's John Deere!
The After!!!
My cool Hunter and his "gangster" snowboarding hat!
At Grandma's house
All the kids with Grandma & Grandpa

I can't believe Christmas has come and gone. The kids were soo cute Christmas morning. They woke up at 4am and were sent promptly back to bed. Ridge kept asking if the witches had come yet. I think he was delirious because he was half asleep and thought he was asking about Santa.
But they got up again at 6:45 and it was so fun. Santa doesn't wrap gifts and so when they came up and saw everything it was so awesome. Hunter said "mom I don't even need to open the gifts under the tree, this is enough" then after he opened our gifts he said "you guys must have spent alot of money this year!" He makes us feel so good. We spent way more than we should have on the kids but the excitement of Christmas morning makes it so worth it. It was extra fun this year to have my brother and his family stay with us! I made my 1st prime rib roast for lunch (it was AWESOME) and then it was over to Justin's moms for dinner and more presents. Then Saturday we did the Tippetspalooza with my fam.

A Picture for the book!

2009-11-30T19:55:00.000-08:00

So this picture will go in the memory book for 2 reasons. 1st of all it is so dang cute of Ridge in his Power Ranger costume, the kids loves to dress up! But 2nd of all it is the last picture we have of his beloved blanket. About 3 weeks ago he lost his blanket at the church while I was playing Volleyball and we have never been able to find it. He has actually done really well without it but it just makes me so sad that he is now big enough to not need one. I can't believe that he is 3 and turning into a little man!

Go Lions!

2009-11-16T16:20:00.000-08:00

So I just got my hands on this picture but it was too cute to not post. Last November Justin and Hunter went out to North Carolina and went to a Panthers and Lions football game. Justin's brother Travis did his residency in Michigan and so they are a little sided to the horrible Lions. They had such a great man trip and Hunter loved all the play time with his cousins. They want to start making a tradition of it and maybe the Lions will actually win one of these times!

I am a big boy now!

2009-11-16T15:30:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that our little chub turned 3 on the 10th! He had a great party with most of the family and his one little buddy Landon. He has talked about his birthday for months and all he said that he wanted was a Scooby Doo cake. I normally make the kids cakes and love the chance to be creative but he talked about the cake from the store for months so I gave in and got this little round one from Target and then made a Kahlua Chocolate one for everyone else. We gave him a scooter that he just loves and as usual he was spoiled with too much!

Our sweet Ridge truely is a delight to parent. He is our snuggly, cuddly and lovable child. He has more funny sayings than any child I have ever seen and so much personality! He was the baby of my dreams! I also wanted a chubby, round child and the Lord blessed me with my 9lb joy! I love everyday of being his mom and love even better that he says daily "mom your number 1!"

2 posts! Halloween Cuties!

2009-11-03T16:04:00.000-08:00

These are pictures of the kids at Hunter's Halloween party. It was so fun this year to be in charge of the all of the games for the whole 1st grade. I used to love it when my mom helped for parties and I am glad that I get to do it now!

I am sorry but she is the cutest freaking Tinkerbell!
Ridge and cousin Jackson were both the same thing without any planning!
Dragon, Tinkerbell & Ninja
Justin's sister's kids and ours
Our "mean" dragon!

I keep telling you that you want to live in Eden!

2009-11-03T15:57:00.000-08:00

I know most of you have heard it but we have to remind you that we truely live in the best place EVER! We have great neighbors, amazing friends, high caliber schools and the best ward. One thing we love the most about our ward is that we are all very service oriented. It is not uncommon to have a major service project going on monthly. We all help one another LDS or not! Weather it is cutting logs for heat for winter, remodeling a bathroom for a wheelchair bound member, cleaning house and watching kids for a family with a child in the hospital, remodeling a home for and elderly family the list goes on and on. Justin is 1st counselor in the Elder's Quorum and so he is privileged to plan and find a great deal of these service projects. Hunter has helped with dozen's of projects sometimes willingly and sometimes not.

We are blessed to have Hunter's teacher live right at the end of our street. Our prayers were truly answered when he got Mrs. Anderson for 1st grade. Mrs. Anderson's sister Mrs. Cook was Justin's 1st grade teacher and she was his most memorable teacher! Well when Mrs. Anderson needed a new roof the ward and neighborhood was right there to help. So on Halloween Justin and Hunter went down and worked almost 10 hours with alot of others and was able to rip off her old roof and put a new one one. Hunter worked the ENTIRE time. He came home dirtier than I have ever seen him and he loved every minute of it. If I do anything right raising children it will be to teach them the act of service and to do it often.

I have to brag just a bit!

2009-10-19T14:10:00.000-07:00

So once again I played suzie homemaker this year and canned my little heart out. I started keeping track of everything I did but then there was to much to count. I do have to say that this years salsa I think was the best yet. Note to self though. ALWAYS use gloves when dealing with peppers. I have never had a problem in the past but this year 2 things. I touched the top of Ridge's bottle with my fingers after holding the peppers and then he drank from it and the poor kid cried and cried and I could not figure out what the problem was for the LIFE of me. Well by the night time my hands burned so bad that I actually had to take a benadryl because that is what poison control says to do and after hours of pain if finally felt better. So here is a run down of what I did:
10 bottle of grape jelly
12 bottles gape juice
20 bottles salsa
15 bottles canned tomato's
12 bags frozen corn
5 jars raspberry jam
and a partridge in a pear tree!

Hodge Podge!

2009-10-05T14:20:00.000-07:00

All of my kids have loved to ride on the lawnmower with Justin and Aspen just started. With this new mower Justin is actually able to set a car seat on it and then he puts head phones over her ears for the noise. She has been the best rider by far and loves when dad fires the mower up!
Hunter has asked for YEARS to do Karate but with having to drive to Ogden for it and the expense we have just never done it so when the Gym up in the valley started offering it we had to jump on it. He absolutely LOVES it and has already earned his 1st stripe on his white belt. The only thing I hate is that it is Tuesday's and Thursday's at 4pm and he doesn't even get home from school until 3:50 so its a mad dash and on nights that I have shows I don't get to see him much! But its worth it because of how much fun he has!
I realized that I never posted about Hunt's 1st day of school. I will be honest with you the 1st 2 weeks were a nightmare. He HATED going all day but we feel so blessed to have the most amazing teacher in the world and she along with us has really worked with him. I was so worried because we didn't work on his reading as much as we should have during the summer but he has done great and is right where he needs to be. The biggest issue that we have is school lunch. He is such a picky eater that we do have to send a lunch most days and on the days he does eat school lunch I worry he isn't eating enough. I am sure it will get better!
After 9 years of marriage Justin and I finally broke down and bought a TV for our bedroom. We have lived most of our married life with 1 tv in the family room, but we were sick of falling asleep in the basement while watching the news. So now the kids favorite hang out is our bed. I walked in this day and was just tickled by what I saw. Aspen all snuggled up to Hunter and he had his arm around her and all 3 of them were on top of one another! It just was too cute to not share!

Tippets Family Reunion/Balloon Festival

2009-09-18T06:49:00.000-07:00

Well once again this year the Ogden Valley Balloon festival came around. I decided earlier in the year that I wanted to offer this as a chance to have all the Tippets family get together for a family reunion. So many of my neighbors have all of their families over for huge campouts and I thought we should be no different. The main reason is because the festival is in the field behind my house. You can't get any closer than where I live to see the balloons. We had so much fun. We played old fashioned games with the kids, talked, laughed and ate way too much. The only bummer is that the balloons were not able to fly Saturday morning while all the family was here because of the bad weather but we had fun in spite of it. Maybe next year we will get lucky!

Our Family Trip to North Carolina!

2009-09-08T16:49:00.000-07:00

I know that I am a bit behind with these but I had to share these fun pictures. We asked the kids in the spring if they wanted to go to Sea World for family vacation this summer or to North Carolina to see their cousins (Justin's brother and family) well without hesitiation the answer was North Carolina. So this was our 1st trip on a plane with all the kids! Justin and Hunter go every year and have a great time and I was so excited to be able to go myself. The plan ride was about how you would expect it with 4 kids (yes 4, we brought our niece Savannah back with us who had been visiting in Utah. But it is all forgotten when the fun begins. We were able to spend a whole week and my kids and myself truely had the times of our lives. Justin and Travis went wakeboarding 2 times a day (morning an night) everyday. They live in a beautiful home that's back yard is Lake Hickory. They have their own boat dock and all sorts of toys. The kids LIVED in the water. Hunter got up on the wakeboard and Ridge (yes my baby boy) got up on the ski! We were able to even get an adult night out for dinner and a movie and a trip up to the smoky mountains which were gorgeous. Hopefully we will be able to do this EVERY year!

Ridge, Hunt, Cameron, Aspen, Savannah & Austin in the Smoky Mountains

Justin and Ridge
Aspen and Travis

This was what Ridge did 900 times a day. Jump in the lake, swim to the side, come up on the dock and do it again!

This is my favorite picture of her yet!

Busy Summer Days! A full update!

2009-08-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

I am embarrassed to look at our blog and think that it really has been since the 4th of July since I updated! Well we have been busy for a reason and boy have we been having fun. So here is an update of our crazy, busy summer that is coming to an end since Hunter's 1st day of school is today!

This was my last year as Girls Camp Director (they put me in the RS presidency) and I am going to miss it so much! This year because we only had a couple of girls going we did an overnighter in Salt Lake and visited all of the historical sites, made lunch's for the Ronald McDonald house and spent the night at the Marriott (I know aren't we roughing it) It was so much fun to spend time with the great girls!

SO once again this year I made my annual trip to Chicago for Pampered Chef's National Convention! It is a jam packed trip that is full of lots of great training that is so helpful to my business but also a little bit of shopping (did I mention Chicago has great shopping)! This has been my best PC year in the 6 years I have been selling. I think with the economy being so crappy more people are cooking at home and are looking for cheap, great tasting recipes and the awesome tools to cook them with!

Me and one of my super cute consultants Destine!

One of the kids chores this year is to water my flowers in the front yard and almost daily it turns into an excuse to get one another wet. Even Aspen follows the boys outside to join in the fun. Here are a few cute pictures that I caught of them!

Poor Ridge was born just like his dad with NO BUTT! I can not keep a swimsuit on the kid to save my life. But I LOVE the little white butt hanging out the back!

Justin and I have been talking about going to Lava Hot Springs for years with the kids so at the last minute I invited the the whole neighborhood to join us for a weekend camp out and much to our surprise everyone wanted to go. SO with about 7 of our favorite neighborhood families we went for the weekend to Lava. The kids had a ball!

Who knew a $25 slip and slide could be so fun!!! Justin's mom bought the kids the fun toy at summers beginining. The kids were so excited to pull it out and break it in. The boys were right at home and I never thought about even bringing Aspen out to use it. After she woke up one day I brought her out to check on the boys and she crawled right over to it. (still wasn't walking at that point) She slid right down and sat at the bottom of the slide in the freezing cold water and much to my surprise she had a BLAST! She loved every minute of it!

In July we made our Annual trip to Lagoon with Justin's family. Our cute niece Savanah was here from North Carolina and we had so much fun spending time with her! Hunter was finally tall enough to ride some of the BIG rides like Wicked and the roller coaster. Apsen actually was able to ride quite a few and Ridge thought it was GREAT to go on anything that moved!

Savanah was so cute to ride in the cars with Aspen, her long legs didn't even fit, she had to squish in!

All the kids with dad, grandma and cousins on the little tidle wave!

Apsen and Maddie in the boats!

Another place my kids just LOVE is the Roy Aquatic center. So 2 days after Lagoon we went with Justin's family again to the pool. (boy are we lucky for grandma) Ridge is such a fish that he won't leave the water even for a second. And Aspen was just getting ready to walk and loved just splashing around in the pool. Hunter felt so big because he can actually swim this year and loved the freedom to go on the water slides, diving boards and big pool without mom!
Aspen eating her Icee and loving every second!

Jaxon and Ridge
All the cousins having an ice cream
Grandma and Aspen
Mom and Apsen

4th of July 2009

2009-07-09T10:11:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite family traditions is the 4th of July. Justin and I decided a long time ago that we were going to stay close to home because of all the fun things to do up in the valley for the 4th. We started off once again this year by heading over to the Huntsville park for a pancake breakfast, carnival rides and games and the famous parade. There honestly is nothing better than a small town parade. Kids on their decorated bikes, 100 year old tractors, civil war ear cannons and muskets and lots of candy.

We were lucky this year to have my great friend Stephanie and her family come for the weekend from Idaho and then my friend April from Morgan and her family come over for dinner. (these are my closeset Pampered Chef buddies, I am so blessed to have them) We spent the rest of day on our deck stuffing ourselves silly with food. The temperature was so nice. It never got above 80 degrees. The kids swam, played and ran crazy!
Then about dusk we took our boat out on Pineview to watch the fireworks from the lake. The kids always look forward to that and we have front row seats to the spectacular show!

My Husband has a problem!

2009-06-21T18:54:00.000-07:00

Okay I had to take these pictures last week because my husband has gone CRAZY! So its getting to be the big joke in our house that Justin has to have hot sauce on EVERYTHING! His problem now is that he can't get anything hot enough. He goes to the store just to buy new hot sauce. When we had dinner last week this is a picture of what he pulled out. 3 different hot sauces, jalapeno's and chili's and he had all of them on his dinner! And he wonders why his stomach gives him problems!

Gall Bladders, Temples, Camp Fires, Mothers & Graduates oh my!

2009-06-11T19:33:00.000-07:00

So yes it has been several weeks since I have posted but with much good reason! I had my Gallbladder on May 26th. Yes it was done rather quickly (I only had a weeks notice) but I have been having problems for 9 months. When they finally ultrasounded it they found over a dozen stones. Thus the problems! It has been a far harder recovery than I expected it to be. I was basically in bed for 5 days. I couldn't have done it without the help of my sweet mother-in-law and Michele. Plus I had some good drugs.
So let me give you a rundown of the past few weeks and what our family has been up to! The kids have been so excited for the warm weather and have loved playing outside. Even Aspen plays on the deck in her little playhouse. This picture was taken Mother's Day night after everyone left our house sitting around the firepit enjoying the warm summer air!

Justin's sister and us take turns every year having mother's day festivities at our homes. This year it was our turn and we had them up for a BBQ. It was so nice, we just sat on the deck while the kids played and even got in a mean game of kickball with the adults!

Here is Justin's mom with all the grandkids and yes that is Ridge covering his eyes!

My darling sister Shanae graduated from High School on the 4th of June. I was lucky that Justin was able to get away from work that day and come. Although I felt like crap from my surgery that day it was so nice to spend time with my family at the graduation and then a nice lunch at the Country Club without the kids! I think we are a couple of hottys if you ask me!

Last Saturday we toured the Oquirrh Mountain temple open house. I have really wanted Hunter to see this temple because I didn't know if he would ever get a chance to see inside a temple again until he was an adult. Justin's mom and Mike joined us as well as Mike's granddaughter Brianna. The kids actually did pretty well and I am so glad that we went!

The Diva is 1!

2009-05-18T22:34:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that Aspen turned 1 on May 1st! More importantly I can't believe we survived a whole year with 3 kids! We had a cozy little party at the house and she got so many cute outfits and toys. My favorite tradition for my kids is me and Justin (yes he is a huge help) make a custom birthday cake. For hers it was a barbie cake. She was so funny about eating it, she just kind of dabbed her little fingers in it and sampled it. She never really dove in. I took her in for her 1 year check up and she is still in the 20th percentile for her weight. She is such a peanut. She is finally starting to stand a bit on her own and I think in the next 6 weeks she will walk. I feel so bad I have all these cute summer outfits and are shorts and she crawls around and cries because her knees hurt because she has no padding. I really am in no hurry for her to walk but it would make things easier for her. She really is a good girl and just figured out the sippy cup this week and thinks that is the cats meow. She loves the juice!

I still love getting her dressed every single day and doing her hair (it is finally long enough for a tiny pony on top) it is like having my own barbie doll! How blessed I am!

I Turtle mom!!!

2009-05-08T09:50:00.000-07:00

So Ridge is well known for his standing in a corner, raising his body to his tippy toes, and grunting and turning red. You can imagine why he does that right?!?!?!?! Well a couple of days ago I said "Ridge, are you going poop?" and he says "no I turtling" in shock I look at him and say "what????" he says "I turtling" So thinking the worst I call Justin in sheer disgust and say "what are your teaching my son???" now I say this because my boys burb, fart and do all sorts of other yucky bodily noises and laugh because there lovely father has taught them to do so. So I say why wouldn't he teach him this. I am imagining it is in the same reference as the term "prarie dogin" which if you need further elaboration on I would be happy to explain privately. So Justin says "Jori I think he said he is turding" after much thought I think that is probably what he means. So now EVERY time Ridge has a bowel movement he confesses "I turtling!"

Its finally out! Not just one but 2!

2009-05-08T09:41:00.000-07:00

So after several months with several loose teeth Hunter FINALLY lost his bottom tooth. When we were in Georgia with my brother the two of them were trying to tie his tooth to the hotel door knob and yank it out because it was so loose. Well last week Hunt ran through the door from school and said "look mom" and low and behold he got it out at school. This kid next to him told him to twist it and so that is what he did and out it came. Its fun when they loose teeth at school because the teacher makes a big deal about it and they send them to the office to get a cute little tooth box to keep it in. The tooth fairy even left him $5 that night (only because it was his 1st) then the next day he came home from school and saud "look mom" and the next tooth over was out too! So he has now lost 2 and I haven't been there for either one. Little bugger!

Lake Powell Easter 2009

2009-04-29T20:05:00.000-07:00

Famiy Picts!

2009-04-24T18:15:00.000-07:00

I just thought that I better post these pictures that were taken at Christmas with my family. Yes Aspen's bow is as big as her head and yes I look like a freaking cow. Good thing I am already down 15 pounds from then. We are going to get them retaken in the summer when Aspen is just a little older. But the large group picture of my entire family turned out great!

Poor Aspen!

2009-04-21T14:20:00.000-07:00

So I will write more about our trip to Georgia and Lake Powell but thought I would give the 411 on sweet Aspens 2 weeks of Hell! So the day I got back from Georgia Justin said that she had been running a really high fever for the past 24 hours. Well Monday morning she was still miserable with a fever aroun 104 with tylenol. So I took her into the doctor and he said after examining her that she had a infection in her right ear but that she was more sick than that would cause so he said she needed a chest x-ray because her lungs sounded so tight. They also did a UTI test and that came back negative as well as a RSV and FLU test. Both negative. Her chest x-ray confirmed phnemoia in her left lung. So after two shots we were on our way back home from the hospital. Then Tuesday we had to take her back in for him to examine her again and give her a perscription for her earn infection. Then Thursday morning the day we left for Lake Powell she wakes up with a rash. So on our way out of town I take her back to the doc and she now has Rosseolla (I know I spelling all of these medical terms wrong) which is a rash that follows a high fever but not serious and they give us the okay to leave town. So for 5 days in lake powell she is an angel and of course nothing goes wrong because Justin's brother the doctor is right there with her and could look at her if there was (murphy's law!!!) Then Wednesday morning we get up to leave (his brother left the night before) she has a HORRIBLE rash all over her. Very different from the other one the week before. So I call the pediatrician and he says he will wait for us to get back in town to look at her. So we did an 8 hour drive with 1 stop (the kids did great) and get to his office (we looked like a bunch of unshowered white trash, it was quite the picture) and the doctor comes right in because "the nurses say she looks horrible" and low and behold she has a allergic reaction to penicillin. I KNEW THATS WHAT IT WAS! So the sweet thing itches all over her body and the rash gets worse the next day. The pictures I posted are right when we got home, it got worse later. Well that was Wednesday, Friday morning she wakes up and I notice when she breathes her chest is caving in around her ribs. Not good. So I go back to the doctor and after a full examine and breathing treatment, dun dun dun dun...... she has Asthma and is having an asthma attack. And she will have it either till she is 5 or the rest of her life. She we know how to treat her with 2 inhalers twice a day and steroids. I then go back in Saturday for a follow up (she was much better) and have to go back Thursday for another follow up to talk about her long term treatment. Plus she cut 2 new teeth in this time and has had a cold! She also gave me, Hunter, Ridge, Justin's brother and mom her cold too!

So if you aren't keeping track that is 6 visits to the doctor in 10 days, 6 perscriptions, 1 visit to the hospital and 1 very sick little girl. This is what happens when she has never been sick ever before 11 months!

I hope we are over it now and am praying for health!!!!

Trouble with a capital T!

2009-03-29T14:50:00.001-07:00

Generally where ever you find Ridge you will find Aspen. She has taken to loving her bottle, thumb, blanket and need for mischieve all courtesy of our sweet chub! She now has figured out how to climb up into the cabinets looking for sweet things to eat. Remember she isn't walking and only has 2 teeth, but that doesn't seem to hold her back. I had to add the one of Justin because is the biggest trouble maker of them all!

Cousins, Cousins Everywhere!

2009-03-22T14:15:00.000-07:00

These pictures are a couple of weeks old but I just got my hands on them and had to share. Hunter looks forward every year for when Justin's brother, Travis and his family come out from North Carolina. We spend lots of time at my in-laws and my sweet mother in-law Terry feeds us till we are stuffed pigs. (we all gain 5 pounds when they are here) Once again this year we got our annual family ski/snowboard trip in at Snowbasin. Hunter is an incredible boarder (one of the smallest kids on the mountain) and mom does the best she can to hang with everyone. This year we were lucky to have Justin's mom and Sister go with us. I can't wait until next year because chub will be big enough to ski and we can go as a family (well almost!)

Travis and fam is flying into Las Vegas and driving into Lake Powell to spend Easter with us on our houseboat. My kids, including Ridge ask every day how long until we go to "yake powell"!

Our sweet little sis!

2009-03-10T21:26:00.000-07:00

So I thought I should just brag about my baby girl this post. I took her in for her 10 month well child check up last week and she is up to a whopping 17lbs! We have always joked that she is a peanut but she is only in the 2oth percentile for her weight and 45th for length. She is still wearing her 6-9 month clothes and she just looks so little when she is standing up against things. She still can't seem to crawl like a normal baby, she just army crawls all over the house. She can climb up to things but has no intrest in walking. She is working finally on getting a few more teeth and is eating a bit more table food with them.

I just can't belive that in less than 2 months she is going to be a year old. She is the best baby and everyone that is around her says how pleasant she is. She does love her mama though and I do have to say that it doesn't make me feel too bad that if someone else is holding her and I walk away she cries (I love that she wants me!) Ridge LOVES her and asks every morning "sis wake up yet?" He is always the 1st person in her bedroom to greet her when she gets up.

You have to get this book!

2009-03-08T14:29:00.000-07:00

So I am a freak for systems! I have a filing system, storage system, banking programs in other words I am an oganization freak. The one place I just couldn't seem to get organized in was my budget and paying off debt. I seem to get the job done but I know there is a better way out there to do this. WELL THIS IS IT! This book is amazing it has a debt and budget program in it that actually has me so excited to pay my bills each month (that and bill pay thanks for Jen!) I bought it at Seagull Book for $10. It was worth every penny I spent. I now know exactly the date I will be debt free and what my budget is each and every month so I have something to stick to. It is LDS faith based (it actually was written by some people I know form my childhood ward) but if you aren't LDS it is still worth it. After you read it I want to know what you think!

Speaking of money many of you have asked how Justin's business is doing with the economy. Well we have been so blessed. The condo's he is building is on fire. He has been leaving at 4am the past 2 weeks just to stay caught up. He is picking up little side jobs here and there and we have enough money to pay all of our bills. I have a testimony of tithing. Sometimes it is a hard check to write but I know my family has been more than blessed because of our dedication to the law of tithing! We feel so fortunate for what we have, we have many friends and neighbors who are loosing their homes and businesses because of no fault of their own just with homebuilding not being as good as it was they aren't making it.

The only upside to the economic crap is that my Pampered Chef business it doing amazing. I had the best January and February I have ever had in 6 years. People still have to eat and more and more people are choosing to do that at home! Yes peoples orders are a bit smaller but I have more shows (people want to know how to make budget friendly meals and learn how to save money doing it) and have more people at those shows. Everyone keeps asking me if the economy is hurting me and I am thrilled that I can say no at all!

I have the stinking cutest kids!

2009-02-24T06:13:00.000-08:00

I took these pictures of the kids in the past few weeks and just had to share and give a quick update.

So Aspen and Ridge are the cutest best little friends. As soon as he wakes up in the morning which is about 6:30AM he always asks "sis wake up" When she finally does wake up he is the 1st to go in her room and great her for the morning. He always goes over to where she is playing on the floor and loves on her and plays with her.

Aspen still just has 2 little bottom teeth and looks like a peanut. She is only 17 pounds and will be 10 months on the 1st. She army crawls all over the house and can't seem to get those knees under her and actually do it the right way.

Ridge is a ball of fun. I tell Justin all the time that I want to just bottle him up and keep him like this forever! He is so stinking cute and has the querkiest personality. Yesterday he was walking around the house singing "na na na na I start a fight" (this is the song from PINK)

Hunter has loved the past week. Last Tuesday we got 32 inches of snow in about 12 hours. This kid lives to be outside. These pictures are of one day when he played outside for almost 8 full hours. Only coming in to eat, change clothes and got to the bathroom. I even took a picture of what time it was when he came in. 7pm! He lives to play with his friends. He and Ridge have started actually playing together and play pretty well!

I believe in miracles!

2009-02-22T14:36:00.000-08:00

Well most of you know that I am a pretty decent cook, in fact I cook for a living! Well many of you also know that my baking abilities with bread SUCK!!!! I can't make anything rise. Justin affectionately calls my attempts "pound cake". I have tried every recipe known to man and every type of rising ingredient and method. Well about 2 months ago I went to a bread class in Ogden and learned how to make the most amazing bread that can be used for wheat bread, pizza crust and cinnamon rolls. The only catch was that the guy used a BOSCH mixer. Well my dear hubby bought me one for Christmas I believe in hopes that someday he would benefit from the outcome. So last week I headed up to Brigham City to buy all of the necessary ingredients to make this amazing recipe (they have a Honeyville Grain outlet up there and I needed vital wheat gluten and dough enhancer) My great in-laws gave us 100 pounds of wheat for Christmas (it is what we asked for) and I inherited my mothers 30 year old wheat grinder. So on Friday I mad the recipe. Well when I looked in the oven to see if they bread had risen (fingers crossed) this is what I found! I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing! The most plump beautiful bread ever! So after I baked it up it was like a dream come true! Soft, moist, amazing bread! I would love to say it is my amazing baking abilities but I think it was the great recipe and the BOSCH! Now I can finally start making my own bread for my family instead of ever having to buy store bought again! ITS A MIRACLE!!!

Safety 1st!

2009-02-13T15:32:00.000-08:00

Well Justin and I have been talking and we have decided as much as I hate to that we are going to make our blog private starting the 1st of the month. We hope everyone who is reading it now will email us or make a comment with your email address so that we can invite you in to it when it is private. There are just too many scary things out there in the world to not protect our family!

We hope to hear from all of you..... our email address is tormans@juno.com

AAAGHHHHH!

2009-02-11T14:00:00.000-08:00

So all of this destruction is courtesy of our lovely Ridge. This child can find a marker ANYWHERE! He has ruined my walls, couch, chairs and himself. This isn't even all on one day this is over a period of a few months. I keep putting the markers up but he must have them stashed somewhere because he seems to keep finding them!

I'm a big girl now!

2009-02-07T18:17:00.000-08:00

So 9 months to the day little Aspen pulled herself up on for the 1st time. How appropriate that is was a Pampered Chef box! She has been so behind for so long we are thrilled to see some catching up. She is getting around the house quite well with this funny little Army crawl. And check out those 2 supper cute front teeth!

Sick, Sick, Sick, Sick, Sick

2009-02-07T17:55:00.000-08:00

Boy oh boy have we been sick this week. I think it all started with me about 2 1/2 weeks ago I had a scratchy throat and kept loosing my voice well it never went away. All last weekend little sis was so cranky and running a mild fever, so I called the doc on Monday to get her in. Well when Hunter came home from school he complained that his chest hurt when he coughed. So luckily I was able to get him in to. So Hunt had an earn infection and pneumonia in one lung, Aspen luckily tested negative for RSV and the doc said Ridge looked okay. Well all week things kept progressing (many, many nights of waking up with sick cranky kids) and finally this morning I had had enough. I took me and Ridge in and after 2 1/2 hours at instacare (I got there 15 minutes after they opened) Ridge has 2 ear infections, starting with pneumonia and I have bronchitis and a sinus infection plus pulled muscles in my back from coughing so hard.

Hunter is feeling great after his antibiotic thank goodness. Justin and Apsen still feel like crap but seem to be surviving. I still think the worst thing about being a mom is being sick yourself. No time to take care of yourself.

I had to take this picture today. This is right after we got home from the doctor. Ridge isn't asleep but he is just worn out on the floor. You know he must be sick if he is not running around like a wild maniac!

You hate to say I told you so!!!!

2009-01-28T19:29:00.001-08:00

I got these pictures in an email today and had to share. You know how you always tell your kids not to run with a fork/knife/scissors well this is why!!! The email said this little boy was just fine but very lucky. I showed it to Hunter and I guarantee he won't ever be running with anything sharp in the near future!

So help me god......

2009-01-25T07:21:00.000-08:00

Now I know that I am much the minority in the area but I have to mention how my heart and mind is filled with hope since President Obama's election. I know you can't expect one man to change everything but I feel a sense of pride and optimism. I just wanted to remember this past week in history and the link below has some amazing pictures of the Inauguration. I hope in 4 years that I am just as excited about who our president is as I do at this moment!

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/01/the_inauguration_of_president.html

From St. George to Denver!

2009-01-17T12:35:00.000-08:00

well our lives have been a whirlwind since Christmas. We decided a few days after Christmas to go to St. George with a few friends for the week. It was great. We shot guns up in the mountains, golfed (Hunt got new clubs for Christmas), swam, shopped, and relaxed. I included a few pictures from that. Then 3 days after we got home I flew off to Denver for a Pampered Chef Leadership convention. I had a few consultants in my downline come and met up with several friends. It is always great for my business to go to these trainings. Its helpful for my selling knowledge as well as training my consultants (I have 22 now)! Plus the best part is that they gave us a raise! Just when people are getting laid of PC dishes out even more money! I truely have the best job!
So 2 other highlights of the trip were we went to the club Coyote Ugly (some of the girls were dying to go) so of course I didn't take my ID because I didn't plan to go anywhere that I would have needed it. So when we walk in the of course ask for it and this huge bouncer picks me up and says anyone who doesn't have ID has to dance on the bar so this is the picture of my shaking my huge booty with all of the cute dancers on the bar. I guess I still have it! I have to say its way more fun to be sober watching all the fools who aren't!

Then the best highlight was that I went to see Josh Pack and family. Many of you know him (his blog is linked to mine) and about his spine injury. Well they are only 10 minutes from my hotel so I extended my trip a day to spend some time with them. I got to love our cute Marne (Josh's sister who is my kids favorite babysitter) and share some laughs with the whole family. I can't imagine being stuck in a hospital bed all day everyday but if anyone's faith and family bond can get them through this their families can!

One for the record books!

2009-01-12T06:56:00.001-08:00

I simply had to put a picture of this on my blog since I don't think we will ever see gas go this low again. I was looking in Hunter's baby book the other day and when he was born 6 years ago gas was $1.45 a gallon. I have to say the high gas prices really had me stretching my checkbook to the max just like everyone else. I started thinking every time I went to town how much it was costing me to get there and back.

With the economy the way it is I know that the prophet was encouraging us to all get a food storage and get out of debt for a reason. It makes me feel good to know that when I look in my storage room I at least will have something to eat even if I can't drive anywhere!

It's Great to be the big sister!

2009-01-07T10:27:00.000-08:00

I have added a couple of postings today so be sure to check them out!

I just had to put this picture up of my cute siblings. This was taken at Hunters b-day (I am not quite sure where I am)

Let me tell you why I am lucky to be the oldest sister of this crew.

Shanae (18) far left 1st off is just gorgeous. When she was a little girl she looked so much like me. She is kind, compassionate a ball of fun and is turning into a beautiful young woman!
James (26) is the only boy of all us girls. He was the cutest little fart when he was little we use to dress that kid up like a girl all the time. He reminds me so much of Jim Carey. He has the heart of gold but is always the comedian. He is a Captain in the US Army and he and his wife are expecting their 1st baby in May.

Jen (27) is only 17 months younger than me. She has always been so photogenic. She is gracious and kind and so sweet she could give you cavities. She would give you the shirt off of her back if you asked her for it. She is the most amazing mother and always surprises me with her patience. She is a stay at home working mom and a read hot real estate agent (anyone buying or selling a home?)

Misty (14) the baby of our family. She is 15 years younger than me and I was so lucky to get to grow up with her. She taught me so much on how to me a mother! She is so fashionable, I love to see what new hair style of clothes fashion she is going to have next. She is a great aunt to all the little nieces and nephews and loves them to pieces!

Christmas Festivities

2009-01-07T09:23:00.000-08:00

Well Christmas this year was a whirlwind as usual. We went down to Salt Lake on the 23rd and went for Family pictures with all the Tippets on Christmas eve (my brother James is here on leave only for 2 weeks) Then it was the Annual Tippets Christmas party with all of my dads family. Then we dash home to try and get our kids to bed at a decent time. (Aren't they cute int heir matching jammies?!?!) We set up all of santas gifts upstairs (santa doesn't wrap at our house) and we told Hunter that he couldn't come upstairs until we woke up so we could all see the loot together. Justin stayed up till 4am putting together the air hockey table the his mom gave us and at 7am we hear Hunter screaming from the bottom up of the stairs MOM, DAD!!!! Aspen slept through the whole morning wich was just fine with me. The kids were so excited for their presents. Hunter got a wakeboard and a sled that will fit 2 (he asked santa for a sled that him and his brother could both ride), Ridge got a little tykes play house/kitchen set (I know he is a boy but he loves to play pretend and he thinks it is awesome) and Aspen got bedding for her crib. My wonderful husband bought me a BOSCH. I have been told by all of the amazing bread makers in my ward that you have to have a BOSCH to make great bread. That and Justin is sick of eating bread that is more like pound cake!
That evening we went to Justin's moms and the kids got spoiled there with lots of toys and clothes plus she always makes the best Christmas Day food. Then the day after Christmas we went back to my parents and did presents there. The kids got even more presents (there was more than they ever needed this year) and us big kids got an Itouch which was a HIT! Michele makes an awesome snack/dip bar for us all to munch on and we played a Wii all night and then had a big sleep over!
It was so much fun crammed into 4 short days!

A Week of Birthday's!

2008-12-21T17:46:00.001-08:00

So on top of the busy Christmas season we always have a busy birthday week on top! Hunter turned the big 6 on the 14th! We had all the family up for dinner and a party then the next day had all of his friends over for some good old fashioned games and cake. All he wanted for his birthday and Christmas was an Ipod well he got his wish. It was so hard for us to decide if he should have one or not but I am so happy with my purchase. My sister gave him an Idog and with the 2 together has had a ball listening to all his favorite Disney toons and primary songs! I still can't believe that he is 6. I still remember the discomfort of pregnancy as if it were yesterday. He has brought so much joy into our home and reminds me so much of myself. We have always said that he has more Tippets in him than Torman.

Then my last year of being in my twenties was Tuesday and my parents took us to my annual Outback Steakhouse dinner (thanks guys!) As a huge surprise Justin gave me a Garmin GPS for my car (I have been begging for one for over a year) no more getting lost going to hosts/customers homes YEAHHH! My parents gave me this AMAZING map to hang in my office. I know if sounds lame but I really wanted a world map that I could put a colored pin in each time we went somewhere new.

He put it away!

2008-12-07T13:15:00.000-08:00

Well much to my surprise the morning after my post about Justin's suitcase I awoke and it was emptied. While it did sit at the top of the stairs awaiting me to put it away (I can't ask for perfection can I!) in the basement. You all had such fun comments, Mindy yours was the best!

Who will win?

2008-12-01T19:45:00.000-08:00

Now if you know me well you know that I don't like to lose so let me share a story with you about how I AM NOT GOING TO LOSE. This is Justin's suitcase and you will notice that the whole bottom section is filled with clothes from his trip to North Carolina in which he came back from 2 WEEKS AGO! I took out all the dirty clothes and washed them all that is left is the clean ones. This is sitting at the foot of our bed and he has to walk over it several times a day. I have only asked him a couple of times to please put them away and he said "I was waiting for you do do that" so I am holding my ground, I am not going to say anything but lets take a bet on how long it takes to put these away as well as the suitcase! ARGHHHHH!

So much to be Thankful For!

2008-11-30T18:04:00.000-08:00

Once again another Thanksgiving has come and gone. I do have to say that this is one of my favorite holidays. I think mostly because I get to be with everyone I love and there are no worries of present buying, plus my hubby usually is home with me for 4 days in a row! YEAH!!! This year we started with a 5k run/walk that was done right in our neighborhood to raise donations of food for the needy. It was gorgeous weather and we had a great time. Hunter ran the ENTIRE way. We then went to a great dinner put on my my dad's sister at her church house. I love to see all of my cousins, aunts & uncles and their kids and catch up. Then we spent the night at my parents and me and my sisters got up at 4:30 for our annual shopping adventure. I really didn't have much to buy but it is fun to be with my sisters. We spent the rest of the weekend as a family putting out all the Christmas decorations and shooting clay pigeons. When we woke up Thursday morning we all laid in our bed and said what we were thankful for. It went something like this: Hunter: Ridgey, Apsen, Mom, Dad, Lake Powell, Granny, Papa, Grandma Naeg, Panka, Grandma Tippets & Grandpa Naeg Justin: Only 2 things because without those nothing would be possible, Jori & My grandma & Grandpa Jori: A husband that works so hard for our family, down comforters, Tivo, blogs, sleeping past 7am!

Pineapple Addicts

2008-11-15T19:00:00.000-08:00

I had to just share a fun little blurb about our family. For a few years Justin and I have been buying whole pineapples from Costco. (they are around $3) Well our kids have fell in love for the tropical fruit as much as us. It has become quite the event to cut the pineapple up. Each kid now uses their own knife and we whip out the big cutting board and cut away. I always get a large bowl out to put it in but we end up only filling it up half full because the kids eat so much of it. As you can see we are training Aspen for the days to come!

I'm a a big boy now!!!

2008-11-15T18:40:00.001-08:00

Well on Monday our sweet Ridge turned 2! So this gives me a great chance to brag him up a bit. Our sweet boy was born via c-section at 8:47 am on November 10th 2006. He made his debut into the world after a bit of a struggle. He simply didn't want to come out. Even though I had a c-section they couldn't get his bit head out. During my entire pregnancy I kept saying how big he felt in my stomach compared to Hunter. he felt so long and so heavy. The doctor predicted that he would weigh about 7 lbs. I kept telling Justin he is going to be 9 lbs. So after they got him out (after 20 minutes of 2 doctors pushing on my belly and pulling on his head and the use of the vacuum) out he came and the doctor said "you are going to have to name him buba!" He was the baby of my dreams. Anyone who knows me well knows I always talked about wanting a chubby little butterball (just like I was). And guess what he was 9lbs even! The kid was an eater and nursed nonstop for 9 months! He was the brother of Hunter's dreams and they are the cutest little friends. Justin and I are always commenting on how well the play together.

Ridge is the most polite easy child now. He says thank you after dinner, throws away his garbage in the garbage can without being asked, says please for everything, closes the screen door when he goes in and out and always wants to throw Aspen's diapers away. He is a ball of fun and is very rarely in trouble. He started sleeping in the bunk beds with Hunter about a month ago and hasn't had a bit of trouble.

He loves Scooby Doo, warm milk in his baba, his blue balnkie and thumb, chicken nuggets and playing with all of his friends!

I have included a dew of my favorite pictures through the last 2 years!

It's Like Having a Barbie!

2008-11-05T14:16:00.000-08:00

So everyone had told me that having a girl would be soooo fun. When Aspen was born she got so many cute clothes that she really won't need anything till she is 18months. Well the little fart isn't growing fast enough. She is already 6 months and still barely wears 3-6 month clothes. So I thought she might need a few more things to wear so a shopping I went. I bought the boots before she was born but the dress was too cute to pass up. I feel like I am 5 years old again with Jen playing barbies in our old basement. I thought this picture was too cute to not share!

A Week of Halloween!

2008-11-04T17:22:00.000-08:00

I don't think we have ever had so much going on for Halloween but we did! It started with our annual tradition of going to my parents the Sunday before for my dads famous potato soup and a costume display of me and Jen's kids. This year they gave Ridge his birthday presents because they will be in Greece for his birthday. Then we carved pumpkins for family night while we learned about the creation (Hunter was quite interested in how Heavenly Father made everything in 6 days). Wednesday night we went with Justin's parents to their ward halloween party and did trunk r' treating there. Then on the big night Justin took the boys out for 2 hours. It was around 50 degree's even in Eden and the kids had a ball. They got way more candy than they needed but had a blast. Hunter was Indiana Jones, Ridge started the week as a super cute duck but when we all laughed at how cute he was he would not put the costume on so I broke out Hunter's old Tigger costume and he loved that. Aspen started as Wonder Woman but my cute neighbor found this little bug outfit and she wore that on Halloween.

What's College!

2008-10-25T19:36:00.000-07:00

So today I took Hunter to a cooking class for kids and on our way to town he started talking to me about school and was asking about my sisters (Shanae and Misty) and what grades they are in and wanted to know about college. I explained that college is not required but it is great to continue learning because it will help you get a better job and make you smarter about lots of things. So he asked something along the lines of if college taught me to "do Pampered Chef". I explained no that I wanted to be a police officer and that is what I went to school for. We started talking about how some moms work and some moms don't and he was asking about what the children do so that have moms that work. (Now before anyone burns me at the stake everyone should remember that I was raised by 2 parents from the age of 11 who both worked full time jobs and provided a wonderful life and lots of love for me. ) I explained to him that most of them go to daycare and proceded to explain to him what that is. He then told me how glad he was that I stayed home with him during the day so he didn't have to go to daycare.

So with that said I have to say 2 things. How grateful I am to have a husband who works his butt off for our family so that I can wake up every morning with my kids and be the first person Hunter see's when he walks through the door from school. I have an amazing husband!

Secondly, I am grateful for my 2nd job (next to a mom) as the Pampered Chef lady. I never dreamed when I was a little girl that I would be the home party lady but I have to say after 5 years it was one of the best decisions of my life. My original reason for doing it was to make my car payment and so I didn't throw me or Hunter out the window (everyone remembers what a horrible baby he was right). I truely believe it saved my life because I was really struggling with him. It has given me a night out each week to talk to potty trained adults, have a kitchen stoked with thousand of dollars in high end cooking tools for free and provides me with a pretty great paycheck ($1000-$2000) per month. (I only tell you what I make because someone asked me the other day if I get paid with free product!) I use to be embarrassed that after earning all those college degrees people would think I had failed and become a salesman but it was a great choice even if Hunter thinks I went to college to "do Pampered chef!"

Yes you can tell me I am Betty Crocker!

2008-10-25T19:17:00.000-07:00

So I have this sweet neighbor/friend Trisha who has family who have pear & apple tree's and grape vines. So she asked if I wanted to use some of the apples to do applesauce and apple pie filling (I made the most amazing canned filling last year). Well Justin and I have really been trying to get a full year of year supply of food storage so how could I pass it up. Plus I complain all the time at the fact that I pay to buy the food to can when I could already buy it precanned. So I have always canned but this year I have canned more than I ever have. So here is the rundown this far:

5 Pints of Grape Jelly (1st time I have made Jelly and it was YUMMY!)
10 Quarts of Grape Juice (1st time for this too and it was way good with lemonade)
8 Pints of Raspberry Freezer Jam (Hunter calls this my "famous deeeelicious jam"
12 Quarts of Apple Pie filling
10 Quarts of Stewed Tomato's

Still plan to do applesauce and dried apples

This has been so fun, I am starting to get more and more concerned about what food my family eats and where it comes from so to look at my canned food and know that it is so much better for my children. Plus Hunter loves to help and I feel it sets a great example to him!

Lake Powell

2008-10-21T11:32:00.001-07:00

We had so much fun this past week in Lake Powell. We had GORGEOUS weather. Low 80's the whole week. The houseboat ran great and 5 days just didn't seem like quite enough. We were lucky to go with 3 other families in our ward that we just love. Plus my darling sister Misty came as well! I even got my fat butt up skiing after 3 years off due to pregnancies. Hunter got up skiing too and once again was a maniac on the tubes! We only had a few minor issues. Hunter fell into a thorn bush and had to have 100 thorns removed from his hands, then on the last day he was showing off and cracked his head on the concrete. Aspen had a severe diaper rash so bad that we had to go into Page to get some special cream and our sweet Ridge nearly drowned to death in the blink of an eye. Other than that we can't wait to take Stressless out again in the Spring with Justin's family!

Hallaluja!!!!!!

2008-10-07T08:33:00.000-07:00

Well as many of you know Aspen has not been the easiest baby. Well I am happy to report that a miracle happened, she found her thumb. She now can self soothe when she is upset and oh my it has made all the difference in the world. She seems to be so much more content. And then Sunday we had our next miracle, she took a BOTTLE! She woke up won morning in July and decided that she no longer liked bottles and wasn't going to take them. So I haven't been away from her for more than 3 hours in the last 3 months! Now maybe Justin and I can get a date once in awhile or I could run errands without having to dash home.

Horray for fall!

2008-09-22T21:26:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let everyone know in case your interested that the fall colors in our valley will be at their peak during the next week. If you feel like a gorgeous drive this is the time to take it! And don't forget we love drop bys. We don't get much of those living up here in the sticks!

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD!

2008-09-22T21:19:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that my baby brother officially is sworn into the United States Army tomarrow morning. He leaves for Ft. Jackson, South Carlolina for 9 weeks of basic training and then to Georgia for 12 weeks of Officer training school. Then to who knows where. The big news is that him and Bethany just found out they were pregnany last week and she is due in May. So please keep them both in your prayers because anyone who has been pregnant before knows how hard it is and I can't imagine doing it without someone to wine to around!

Yes this is my very serious baby brother showing his true colors at the hospital when Aspen was born!

My baby started school!

2008-09-14T20:53:00.000-07:00

So September 2nd Hunter started his 1st day of kindergarten. He was more excited about riding the bus than anything but my fealess little man hopped on and never looked back. I even drove over to the school behind the bus and he had gotten off and in the school before I ever got out of my car. I still can't believe I have a child in school. While I was so sad to see him leave my little nest he was so ready to go. On Friday he even got rewarded for being one of the best behaved kids in the class for the week. I know my Hunter is sitting still and listening, its shocking!

I have also included some pictures of a little party we had before school started. At a suggestion of Family Fun magazine we hosted a back to school breakfast for the whole neighborhood. The kids all came over early the Friday before school started for donuts, juice and fruit in their pj's. They had a ball and it was fun to have one last horah before school started! You know I love any chance for a get together!

More Good Days Than Bad!

2008-09-14T20:44:00.000-07:00

Well the last week has been one of the hardest of my life. I never thought I would be burrying one of my parents at the age of 28. While we new my mothers death was coming it still was hard for those that she left behind. She had a beautiful service with lots of gorgeous Hawaiian flowers that she would have loved. Although some people thought that my mom would not have enough friends and family to justify a viewing, the line went out the door and down the hall the entire evening. The outpoor of support warmed our hearts. Thank you to everyone who has expressed their concern. All 3 of us kids have been overwhelmed by the love so many have shown. My mom lived a several lifetimes of adventures, trials, joys and sadnesses in her short 64 years. I am surprised at what little things seem to remind me of her and flood me with emotion. While our realtionship has been strained much of my adult life it doesn't hurt any less to not have her here. I love you mom!

Sad News...

2008-09-05T17:43:00.000-07:00

As many of you know my mom has been sick with what we believe to be breast cancer for the past year. She finally lost her battle Wednesday afternoon. Jen, James and I were all at her side as she quietly slipped back into Heavenly Fathers arms. I know my nana and gramps were anxiously awaiting her arrival greeting her with open arms.

I would love to share more with everyone about my mom when I have a bit more time.
To view the obituary visit www.desnews.com and find Louise Lundell.

Summer Projects

2008-09-02T21:44:00.000-07:00

We have been busy little bees this summer. I tell Justin all the time I don't know what we would do with our time if we didn't have 1 acre to take care off. This year Justin finally finished our timbers in the front of the house. He had to rent a scissor lift and put 3 pieces of wood in weighing about 200 pounds each. Then we finally stained them (only took us 3 years). Justin also put a water fountain in the back yard for the kids. made out of scrap pipe from an old job. We also finished ladscaping the fron corner of our house that we weren't able to finish the curbing on and grass because an irrigation pipe had to be installed. Justin also built a little landing about 4 feet off the ground in the boys room and is building a ladder up to it. This is Hunter's Lego playing area (I think Justin is living out his childhood dreams through our children) The icing on the cake has been his Theatre room. He has been working on it here and there for 3 years. We finally finished it up and all we need is a screen and we are set to go! good thing winter is coming so Justin can give himself a weekend off. I am just worried when there are no more projects left to do what is going to tear apart and start over on!

Girls Camp & Graduation

2008-09-02T21:21:00.000-07:00

I truely feel I have the best calling in the church. I am girls camp Director. I know its hard to believe that I like to be in control (ha, ha) but I have told Justin for years that I would love to be camp Director. So last year I got the calling and I didn't even have to beg for it. I had a whole year to plan and it went wonderful. We were spoiled to be able to stay in a cabin up Monte Cristo. Since my lovely daughter will not take a bottle right now off to camp with me she went. She was the PERFECT little girl. She slept wonderful and even went along on out 6 mile hike. Our camp theme was BOOT Camp. Build On Our Testimonies. I thought it went great, even though we had 3 girls end up not going at the last minute and had to take one home at 3 in the morning after she threw up everywhere (Our fearless priesthood leaders slept through it all). Hopefully next year will be as great!

By baby brother James finally graduated from BYU last month too. He has been working hard (or hardly working) on his degree for the past 5 years. He actually has been living a life many would be jealous of. His passport reads like a novel he has lived in more countries than I can pronounce and has been all over western & eastern Europe. He is off to Basic Training in the Army on the 22nd and then to Officer Training School! Hooaaa!

I LOVE CORN!!!

2008-08-04T22:29:00.000-07:00

So a I have cooked corn for dinner a few times this summer. Each time we eat it Ridge looks at us like we are crazy. In the past I have cut his corn off of the cob for him to eat. Well last week I decided that I would stick some prongs in one, butter the sucker up and hand it too him. The kid scarfed it down! (why that comes as a surprise I don't quite know since the kid is huge) I had to cook him a second piece because he liked it so much!

I also have to through in that he is saying the funniest things lately. He says "up dog" for whats up dog. The cousins chant "go Ridge, go Ridge" when ever they play with him so now he says "go Ridge" to himself. Hunter has also taught him that when you jump off of something like the couch you say "dive bomb" well now he says that as he catapults his body off of the couch! There is something everyday with that kid!

Aspen's Blessing

2008-08-04T22:11:00.000-07:00

Grandma & Grandpa

Hunter & His Cousins

My Brother James & Aspen

Desi & Aspen

So yesterday we blessed our beautiful baby girl. I have to say it was one for the memory books. During sacrament meeting the power went off over 20 times. It would go off stay off for a few minutes then come back on. So in the middle of the blessing the microphone stopped working while Justin was blessing her. Then in the middle of my testimony it did it again. It was actually a bit funny. The only funny part was that the power finally stayed out for good from about noon till 4pm. So the food that was at home keeping warm didn't stay so warm. But I think everything turned out okay. We were so lucky to have so many family and friends attend. Justin's brother Travis and his family were even here from North Carolina. Aspen was so amazingly good the whole day. She slept in about everyones arms. The older kids had a ball playing in the backyard and on the water slide before a hole tore in it!

A special thanks to my amazing friend Sheila who made her this gorgeous dress!

Off to the Windy City.....

2008-07-16T11:42:00.000-07:00

I am just getting ready to head out to Chicago for a Pampered Chef convention and realized I needed to make a post this week. I think the best way to sum up my life for the past week or so is something like this, listen to Aspen cry, catch up on my laundry and cleaning, listen to Aspen cry, go to Salt Lake and visit with my fam, listen to Aspen cry the whole time I was there, take the boat out on the lake and not get up skiing again (its been 3 years since I have tried), listen to Apsen cry the whole time on the boat, spend hours working on getting ready for girls camp, listen to Aspen cry. In case you haven't noticed my little monster in sheeps clothing CRIES ALOT! I honeslty think that if I didn't have Pampered Chef one night a week to make me leave I might be writting you from the looney bin right now.

Wish my amazing husband luck with the kidlits. He is always so supportive of me attending these conventions. I promise I make more money with Pampered Chef because I go. (and I keep my sanity for 3 more days) So with 30 bags of breast milk in the freezer and trusty breast pump in tow off I go!

Update for the Past Week

2008-07-08T20:24:00.000-07:00

So its been a fun few days around our house. We started off our 4th of July like every year and headed to the Huntsville Park for breakfast and then a parade. Several years ago Justin and I decided that we wanted to start a tradition with our kids of going to breakfast and watching our small town parade and hanging out all day until fireworks in the park that evening. I am so glad we did. After we left the park that morning Hunter looks at us and says "this is the best day of my life!"

We were lucky to have my brother James and sister-in-law Bethany staying with us that weekend. James just found today that he has been comissioned into the Army and leaves for basic training in Ft. Knox on September 22nd then to Ft. Benning, Georgia in December for Officer Candidate School. After that we are not sure where he will end up but he is so excited and we are excited for him.

The night of the 4th we took our boat out on Pineview with Justin's family and watched fireworks from the boat. It was so fun!

Today Jen and her kids stopped and picked up my mom and they all came up for a fun day of swimming. Mom didn't look good at all today. She looks so swollen especially in her face. Her legs do look better, the edema must be settling down a bit. She just was so mellow not talkative a busy like normal. She just kind of layed around. Her clarity was so-so. She still thinks that Aspen is a boy, its a bit funny with her in all her pink and all.

I do have to make a comment about my cute Hunter. He has been night and day different since those tonsills of his came out. His voice has changed both Justin and I have noticed that. But his attitude and helpfulness have just goine through the roof. He has always been helpful but now he is amazing. In the morning he will get up get Ridge a bottle out of the cupboard, fill it with milk, warm it in the microwave, get Ridge out of the crib (which is no easy task) bring him and the bottle into my room and put him in bed with me. All without being asked. He has offered to help me more than normal and has been so darling with his brother and sister. He told me yesterday "I could just eat Ridge's chubby little cheeks" Where does he get this stuff? He is sleeping in the morning till 8:30 and sometimes 9. And for those of you who know Hunter he is my early riser. I think his tonsils must have caused him alot of discomfort!

The Kids

2008-06-29T11:17:00.001-07:00

My Mom

2008-06-28T21:38:00.000-07:00

So here is the latest on my mom. Let me give everyone a quick recap on the past several months. In August of last year she was diagnosed with metastasized cancer. It was actually found in her pelvis on an x-ray. Being metastasized means it has spread to her bones but did not start there. After having mammograms, blood work and a CT scan her Oncologist believed (let me say that again BELIEVED) it has come from her breast. (She has lumps all over her one breast that have been there for quite sometime come to find out but the one person who saw her on a regular occasion never thought to send her in for a mammogram, we believe she hasn't had one in many, many years) In order to give a definite diagnosis she would need to have a biopsy of her breast which would be done in a doctors office and be minimally invasive and cost around $400. The oncologist said there was some evidence that it may have come from her colon. Well that person decided it was in my moms best interest to not have a biopsy because they weren't going to treat it regardless and why spend the money (Us kids have offered on many occasions to pay for it but have been told NO). "She was terminal". Now in all fairness me and Jen and James have always known that my mom if diagnosed with a terminal illness would choose not to have extraordinary measures to fight it. The problem we feel is that we do not know what she has and how far it has progressed. From all of the research us kids have done once the cancer has spread to the bones you are given no more than 6 months to live. Well that was almost 1 year ago. In that time my mom has not been to a doctors office since that meeting with the Oncologist (do I sound bitter). She has been taken home and is waiting to die. It is very sad to watch.

The other issue for her is her Alzheimer's. She has a fraction of the mind that she used to. Some days she can comprehend who we all are, what year it is, who the grandkids are etc. Because of her depleting mental state she really isn't able to make any medical decisions for herself. She is a handful to care for I know this. Her husband works 3 days a week and does have 2 college girls living with him helping care for her during the day. Hospice is coming in (an aid see's her a couple of times a week and helps her bathe and do her hair, she also sits and talks to her and many of you know how much she likes to talk.) I don't believe an actual doctor from hospice has been in to see her at all and I know a nurse comes on occasion. She is on ALOT of drugs. Anti psychotic, sleeping meds, anxiety meds, morphine and much more. So we think what little mind is left is greatly altered by them. I do think she needs them, without it she is running around a million miles and hour and having a bit of psychosis.

Physically she looks so thin, maybe 100 pounds, she has edema in her legs (that means they are very swollen and full of fluid) and walks hunched over. Remarkably she looks pretty good for someone who is dying. She still has a fun witty personality even if she is confused about what she is talking about.

I talk to her several times a week lately. She calls me sometimes 5 times a day and can't remember she called me 10 minutes before. She does the same with Jen. I try to see her weekly. I know us kids are openly criticized about how little we visit but we try hard. One of us is there once a week and we talk to her on the phone frequently. Jen has had her at her home a couple of times for several days but Jen has her hands full with her own kids, daycare and trying to get her realtor license. James is living in Provo, finishing school, working and does the best he can. I try once a week to see her and would like to have her at my home more but she literally runs around and is harder to watch than Ridge. I have alot of guilt about not being able to do more for her (I only live 15 minutes from her). Most kids in there 20's don't having dying parents. I try to raise my family, work, hold a very busy church calling, and so much more.

This week I was going to bring her up to watch Hunter's baseball game but the game was cancelled so I picked her up and we went to Brigham City to the fruit stands, well they are closed. So we went to Leatherby's (who new Brigham City had a leatherby's and we went to Maddox and got take out for her to take home for dinner and went on a drive. After about 2 hours my kids were sick of being in the car so that was it.

If anyone has any grand advice on my mom I am open to hear it.

All About Ridge

2008-06-22T21:34:00.000-07:00

Ridge is the most enjoyable and purely delightful child. He hasn't always been that way. But Justin and I commented when he was about 16 months how easy he was getting. There are a few things that Ridge truely loves. At the very top of that list is his blue blanket. Many of you know that he can't sleep or ride in a car with out it. He has become so attached to his "Bankee". With the blanket comes the thumb. We may regret later that he has become so attached to it but I don't see anything wrong with it and he only sucks it when he has the blanket.

The next love Ridge has is food. Now I know that is hard to believe because he is so skinny and all. He is getting pickier as he gets older but there still is alot that he likes. He loves Oreo cookies but the little stinker opens them up eats the cream filling and throws the cookie part on the ground. He loves his bottles of warm milk which he has 3 -4 times a day. He enjoys sweet potato pancakes, moms roast, potatos and gravy, brownies (he gets that from mom), yogurt raisins and much more.

Ridges greatest love is for people. He has so much personality and with that is a love for everyone. There are a few that he worships. His dad is at the top of his list. The kid is amazing he can hear the garage door open and he comes running "dada". He would follow his dad anywhere. He rides on the riding lawn mower with his car seat strapped on the front just to be with his dad. He loves his grandpas. "Panka" (my dad) makes his eyes light up. He will just sit in his arms content as can be (but its even better when panka has some sort of sweet treat he is sharing with him). He also love Grandpa Naeg (Justin's step-dad) and loves to play with him and his dog. Another love of Ridge's is for a good friend of ours Trisha. If she comes over to our home or he sees her at church her runs to her and just throws his arms around her. When she trys to leave he just sobs like he has lost his best friend. I think it is his 1st crush.

Hunter's Surgery

2008-06-22T21:07:00.000-07:00

Hunter had his tonsils and adenoids removed on Wednesday. For those of you who aren't aware, Hunter has had throat problems since he was just a small child. With over 6 strep throats by the age of 2 the doctor actually wanted to remove them at that time. We opted to wait for one more case of strep and then we would go ahead. Well we went one year without and episode. Every doctor that as ever looked in his throat has commented at vast size of his tonsils. Things have gone down hill since he turned 5, with 3 cases of strep since then. He was has always snored and was starting with sleep apnea. He had marble size lumps on top of his tonsils. So the time had some!

When the nurse called us back to the recovery room after his surgery there he was wide eyed and melancholy looking right at us. Unlike all the other children his age who were crying and moaning, Hunter was the picture of the perfect patient. He has dealt with the surgery in stellar Hunter fashion. The doctor told us to keep him down for 10 days with no running, jumping, sports, etc. Within 1 hour of getting home from the hospital he was running from one room of the house to another.

We have only had a few meltdowns and pain complaints but he has done remarkably well and is itching to get back on the tramp and baseball field.