Sunday, March 29, 2009

TMI

Here goes another "too much information in one post" but the bright side is we will be caught up in our journaling efforts! Some of the best news in the last two weeks is that our little city finally has a store!
We attended the Grand-Opening/Ribbon-cutting on March 18th before school. Christian said it was "the best day of his life...free cinnamon rolls and going late to school!"
We can't believe it is finally here after years of trying to get a "commercial zone" going! Our city required Walmart to do an "upscale" exterior. Don't you love the brick, dormers and copper plating:)?
The kids were there to help lead the Pledge of Allegiance after the kids from the other Elementary school sang the National Anthem.
Miss Utah was inside to sign autographs.

The giant scissors for the ribbon-cutting.

We made the news!
Mikelle with one of her 5 friends named Maddie!
Blurry pics of the speakers...but Mayor Mike McGee was funny.
Pulling out the big guns with Thurl Bailey speaking! It was a day of personal victory for those of us who have fought for years at city council meetings, passing out flyers at election times for commercial zone rules and also helping people get elected who would help us get this done! (Some residents were highly resistant to a store forever even though the property had been zoned commercial for years!) YEAH!!! Finally we can have a tax base in our city and also only have to drive a minute or two down the road for milk!
Moving right along!...Ever since aunt Kimi was enjoying her weight loss victory at Thanksgiving, Kennedy has been imitating this famous pose!
Looks like you've got the fan base Kimi!
It has been hilarious as she will do it randomly!
Even a 2-handed demonstration!
YW has been keeping us hopping, this past week making scripture reading pillows.
That is two sewing projects in the last few months:)
The first one was a quilt for the YW President surprise baby shower we gave her. For someone (me) that has to pray before threading the sewing machine (limited knowledge), I'd say we are doing pretty well:) Thank goodness for that Humanitarian calling I had several years ago where I had to put together the quilts to work on as RS or I still would have zero clue on sewing:)
Steve had a conference in St. George, so Kennedy and Mikelle came to YW.
The girls did a great job and came away with some cute pillows!
I am eating up every moment of having almost 2 weeks off work (I was canceled one night and had someone cover a night with Steve out of town). It has been heaven to get to some things I never can get to. This weekend has been busy pulling together last minute letters of recommendations for people at out school we are nominating for the Huntsman Excellence in Education awards! I would love it if someone from our school gets it this year! OK-and we also took some time out to go see Monsters vs. Aliens (cute).
I have been wanting to clean out the kitchen drawers forever--so stuff like that is getting done!
Mikelle had a b-day "tea party" to attend yesterday and got matching dresses with her friend Ashley to wear to the party. They looked so cute and had a fun time helping each other with their hair, nails etc. They look like sisters or twins to me and I think they will have fun being locker partners next year at JR HIGH!!!
Cute!!
Kennedy keeps me "hoppin" with her social schedule as well. She also just had a b-day party to attend and wants a friend over 24/7. With the pre-school and dance carpools and playdates, it stays busy. I am trying to enjoy every moment of these last 2 years before everyone is in school all day:)
Cameron advanced to orange belt and also received an invite to try-out for the demo team (I have probably already said this eh?) We want to try it next year (if he is invited again) just so he doesn't get burned out.
Congrats Cam!
A few days before the district science fair, Mikelle was informed that she was one of the alternates who would be able to attend!
We got her all set up at PG High.
She won another Honorable Mention at that level! I was so excited for her as it was so neat she was even able to move on and then be recognized again! Way to go Mikelle!
So I guess that is it for tonight! Caught-up until tomorrow:)!!

Friday, March 20, 2009

65 Years to the day! Happy B-day Dad!

Today is Dad's/Grandpa Gus's B-day! We officially celebrated last Sunday at my bro's & sil's fun new house! For the full birthday boy scoop on my awesome dad, check out my sister's tribute to him on her blog: enjoyingajourney@blogspot.com (Thanks Jen!) We all love Dad and hope he had a wonderful day!
I know all the cousins had a ball with each other! Thanks Jon & Cami for hosting!

The tramp was the hit!
Kennedy & cousins watch as Mikelle practices her back handspring with Kimi!
Kimi & Aiden with one of the other hits of the night...Annissa's Rocky Road brownies. I made them for dinner group this week and haven't even bothered to step on the scale for a few days! I believe the recipe is now on her blog: whitehousewhippersnappers@blogspot.com
Very Yummy!!
Mikelle's years of trying to get her back-handspring come together in minutes with Kimi giving a few more pointers! Thank you so much!! Yeah!!

Good Job!!


The whole night was perfect!
Happy b-day Dad!
We love ya Gus's!

Wii Caved on St. Patrick's Day!

We have put off "video game" purchases our whole married lives as we knew there was "so much more out there" that needed to be done in the world besides "time wasting games":). We have soon discovered though that friends aren't coming and staying at our home anymore because other homes are "funner!" We have realized we had to adjust to keep supervision on the kids and also take our turn with play dates! Hopefully we are cool enough for everyone now:) We opted for the Wii system as you have to actually move with so many of the games! Wii have to admit that it is pretty fun! Kennedy is so cute with the cow race game and of course the boys and Mikelle love it all. After I catch my breath from the week, I will try Wii Fit this weekend!
We had a fun St. Patrick's Day all sporting green! Pop even whipped up the green waffles that morning before he left for work.
Cute Christian!
Yes I did get into the spirit of the day and even wore my wig Visiting Teaching that morning. I am sure it was a little inappropriate, but my VT group "knows me":)
I keep trying to imitate Mikelle's "model -pout - Oh-no-you-did-n't" look but she is the pro!
It was a great day! The kids were in heaven with the "pot of gold" (new purchase) and we just feel "LUCKY" to have such sweet little leprechauns!--awwwww

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Grandparents and Glitter Toes!

With the Dimond side of the family getting so BIG (4 generations at family gatherings), we recently "re-vamped" the gathering schedule a little but still have dinner with Grandparents scheduled once a month. We thought it was a perfect time for both sets of Grandparents to be here and visit! We had a ball this weekend visiting as Steve whipped up a choice of Salmon, Talapia, and Grilled Chicken for our main dish!
Our camera is on it's last leg but we had to get a picture with our "Mums & Dad's!"

Since I can't compete with Steve's cooking skills, I just change out the decorations for the next upcoming holiday, set the table, plan the meal, arrange the details, and pick up the dessert from Marie Calenders:). It works out great for everyone!
We also had a fun week with the Beehives here for a night of Glitter Toes, recipe boxes (my cute friend Kristin did the vinyl lettering for the girl's recipe boxes), a demo on carmel corn, Personal Progress interviews, and a lesson on beauty and hygiene!
I can't believe we didn't have any paint spills:)
Cute girls!
Everyone helping each other get gorgeous toes!
Katie and her mom took their turn for recipe night demonstrating one of their quick but fun family favorites (carmel corn).
It brought back the fudge making memories...cooking it until the soft ball candy stage etc. What stage do we cook the fudge to Mom? Is that right?
The girls showed up with their Ipod and I Home and cranked up the tunes for our "spa night." Steve was a great sport to fold laundry in our room while all of the girls had a party! It was a great week and even better now that I made it through teaching the combined YW lesson today too! What a busy but very fun calling!