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Photoshop fun...

2011-12-13T14:37:00.000-08:00

Palmyra Temple

2011-12-12T22:00:00.001-08:00

7 on 7/7 Happy Birthday Rylie

2010-07-11T11:46:00.000-07:00

We had a lot of fun celebrating Rylie's birthday this year. In fact we got to have two pre-parties and cakes before the day actually arrived!

I (daddy) took Rylie fishing with Tanner and Jocelyn at Dierkes Lake (pronounced deer-keys). Idaho Fish and Game was sponsoring a free fishing day and they provided rods and bait for everyone. All we had to do was just show up! It was great!! Rylie was the first to hook a small bluegill but it got away just before she could pull it out of the water. Jocee's was the lucky pole that day and we caught two bass.

Mommy did a rockin' awesome job no the birthday cake which was inspired by a real life observation of the circle of life by Rylie in our back yard several weeks earlier. In case you don't get it, the lady bug is eating an aphid. It was the best tasting cake ever! Chocolate cake with cherry fluff layers and a sweet cream cheese frosting and icing. Rylie certainly has a flair for the morbid realities of life.

Rylie loves riding scooters, horses and her daddy. She is also reading lots of books and loves to play her new leapster Didj.

The Farm

2010-07-11T06:11:00.000-07:00

One of my memories as a kid was going to the farm. My grandma and grandpa Rich's farm in Ashton Idaho. There weren't animals on this farm... only potatoes. This never seemed to phase us though... for there was always so much to do.

As I got a bit older I was able to work for money picking dirt clods from the conveyor belt. One year I bought a bike that way. Nathen would move pipe for money. I was always jealous of what he could earn... but NEVER wanted to do that job.

When I was younger, too young to even think about working, it was just the best place on earth to play. There were barns to hide in and chicken coops to break into (never succeeded... in fact I caught Tanner trying it this year to no avail) tractors to ride and hay bails to climb.

There were also old toys. One of which were the old tractor bikes. I loved these bikes. I would ride them around that farm as if they were full size. So many games were centered around them.

With each baby I've had I take a picture of them on the tractor at Great gram's and Grandpa's. Its fun to see them all grow up and do the same things that I used to.

It's funny that to a kid, it must be so obvious what to do there. I watch them explore and play in all the same ways Nathan and I did. Eventually every kid will try to climb the ladder that leads to the hay loft in the old white barn. Every kid will try his hand at swinging on the pulley (when no one's looking) that lifts things 20 ft up to the loft in one of the other buildings. The 4-wheelers must be rode. The chicken coop is the untouchable building with the door buried down just enough to never be able to open.... everything inside looking the same as it did 40 years ago. Each kid will spend hours playing pool in the ancient echoing basement. The little closet full of games upstairs must be thouroughly investigated. And every kid, without execption, loves the little tractors.

Bedtime Carol

2009-12-12T18:57:00.001-08:00

Tonight I was reading a sweet Christmas story to Rylie and Jocelyn before bedtime. It was about a little orphan boy who heard a cricket making music of christmas carols and led the boy to be blessed with new boots, a new coat, food and finally a loving family. While I was reading I had to stop and explain what an orphan was for Jocee. Then she interrupted me and said, "Daddy, if you and mommy died, then I would just go outside and find a dandilion and blow a wish on it. Then you and mommy would be here!" As tender and touching as the story was, that one really got me!

YELLOWSTONE

2009-11-15T08:44:00.000-08:00

The condo had a very nice pool area. Not only was there the huge pool and two hot tubs, but also a wadding pool perfect for the little kids. All we heard every night was

"can we go swimming, can we co swimming".

Our first sighting of wildlife! Little did we know we would see this same heard twice a day as we entered and left the park. They seemed to stay put in one certain little valley by a stream. Seeing how it was our first sighting though, everyone was particularly excited. Tanner jumped out right away to start snapping shots with his brand new camera.

That would be me running up a steep hill from Fire River... not so "fiery" though. It was beautiful however, and in the summer, I'm sure it would be a lovely little swimming hole. We were there in mid/late October though.... not so much swimming weather. I was a little bummed because I was imagining a nice dip in a steamy hot oasis.

We all told Dan it was HOT, but would he believe us??? Of course not. I'll say this though.. that was the last hot spring he tried to touch... hee hee.

Lot's of walking in cold weather. It was fun to see Yellowstone this way though.

The contrast of hot and cold, steam and snow was amazing.

It SNOWED!

At the Bear & Wolf Discovery Center we were able to see wolves and bears! Shocking I know. It was nice for the kids to be able to actually see some though, seeing how to catch a glimpse in the park you have to drive to the northeastern boarder (about 3 hours away) at dawn (about 5 or 6 am). I know Jaxon and Tanner would be fine with this... but not the rest of us. Tanner and Rylie also got to hid food in the bear enclosure. As part of their enrichment they have food hidden around that they get to find. In the summer months there can be as many as 30 kids doing this. One of the perks of off season is that Tanner and Ry were the only ones doing it that day. Jaxon and Jocelyn would have loved to join in the fun, but there was an age restriction of 5 and up. Something about electric fences and little kids.. blah blah blah... lol

One day we caught the wolfs during an enrichment. They were given a bucket of trout in their little stream. It was neat to watch them catch the fish. One was particularly good at catching them, but not good at keeping them. Once she would catch one, someone else would steal it.

Here's the kids getting the wildlife talk before they entered the bear habitat.

More SNOW!

2nd animal sighting... this time closer, but still elk.

You wouldn't know it to see these beautiful pictures of West Thumb, but it was a full on blizzard when we started down the path. I didn't think it was worth the walk. Luckily a few minutes in it blew past and cleared up. This was probably my favorite area. I remember going there as a kid and arriving just in time to see the rangers hauling off a baby moose....

fall off the bone tender you might say.

3rd animal sighting: Mr. Whiley coyote waiting for handouts obviously. This guy just camped out at the paint pots area in the parking lot. It was a little alarming to get out of the van and unload Jocelyn then look over and not 10 feet away is this guy staring at me. *yikes*

Finally some BISON!

lots... and lots.... of bison. RIGHT in the middle of the road!

Ben and Jocelyn... so cute.

more to come... dinner calls ;)

Safety for the Soul

2009-11-08T09:16:00.000-08:00

It's 10:15 on a Sunday. Ben, Tanner and Jocelyn are at church. I can see the church clearly from my front office window as I sit and type now. The sun is glistening off of all the cars parked in a row. Frost still clings to every shadow.

Rylie and Lenore are asleep upstairs. The house is quiet. It's an odd thing to be in a quiet house, at 10:00 in the morning. It's a nice change to be able to hear myself think. I'm taking the opportunity to actual do that at the moment.

Last week in primary we taught the boys about the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum. Two men who died for what they believed was true. I was reminded of a talk in this last Octobers Sunday morning session. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke with more conviction than I think I've heard in quite some time.

I quoted him in the lesson, this is what I read:

As one of a thousand elements of my own testimony of the divinity of the Book of Mormon, I submit this as yet one more evidence of its truthfulness. In this their greatest—and last—hour of need, I ask you: would these men blaspheme before God by continuing to fix their lives, their honor, and their own search for eternal salvation on a book (and by implication a church and a ministry) they had fictitiously created out of whole cloth?

Just pause for a moment here. I like to believe the best in people. Benefit of the doubt is something quickly disposed of these days. Our first inclinations are of cynicism and doubt. But pause here to realize the seriousness of our doubt. These two men were on their death bed. They knew it. They were being held in jail by men who were in team with the mob of over a hundred people surrounding the jail. The implication that they would die testifying of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon is profound. Such love, such goodness and such a foundation of knowledge could not have come from such fictitious beginnings.

Never mind that their wives are about to be widows and their children fatherless. Never mind that their little band of followers will yet be “houseless, friendless and homeless” and that their children will leave footprints of blood across frozen rivers and an untamed prairie floor. Never mind that legions will die and other legions live declaring in the four quarters of this earth that they know the Book of Mormon and the Church which espouses it to be true. Disregard all of that, and tell me whether in this hour of death these two men would enter the presence of their Eternal Judge quoting from and finding solace in a book which, if not the very word of God, would brand them as impostors and charlatans until the end of time? Theywould not do that! They were willing to die rather than deny the divine origin and the eternal truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.

For 179 years this book has been examined and attacked, denied and deconstructed, targeted and torn apart like perhaps no other book in modern religious history—perhaps like no other book in any religious history. And still it stands. Failed theories about its origins have been born and parroted and have died—from Ethan Smith to Solomon Spaulding to deranged paranoid to cunning genius. None of these frankly pathetic answers for this book has ever withstood examination because there is no other answer than the one Joseph gave as its young unlearned translator. In this I stand with my own great-grandfather, who said simply enough, “No wicked man could write such a book as this; and no good man would write it, unless it were true and he were commanded of God to do so.”

I don't know that I've ever heard a better quote speaking of the Book of Mormon. No wicked man could... and no good man would... unless it were commanded of God. Amen.

I was reminded of this talk from Elder Holland as I sat and read this morning. The article I flipped to was from the Ensign June 2007 issue. The Quest for Spiritual Knowledge by Elder Robert Wood. I sat reading of a story when he was 16 years old and finding his own testimony of the Book of Mormon. It wasn't his humble prayer to know if the book were true that touched me. He had an experience that you hear a lot about in the LDS church.

He read one day and the stories touched him in a new way. He answered Moroni's challenge which is:

"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost" (Moroni 10:4)

He prayed and received a witness of the Holy Ghost more clearly and powerfully than any other knowledge that he had ever received. It wasn't this that stood out to me however.

At school the following Monday, he spoke to a friend, not a member of the Church. He said that he had a list of 50 anachronisms in the book of Mormon that demonstrated the book was a nineteenth-century invention. An anachronism refers to something that is chronologically out of place, a bit like saying Julius Caesar drove his SUV into Rome. He told his friend that it was too late, for he had received a witness of the truth of the Book of Mormon. But he took his list and he kept it.

Over the years as more research was done by various academics, one item after another dropped off the list.

A few years ago when I was speaking to a group at Cornell University, I mentioned my list and noted that, after these many years, only one item remained. After my presentation a distinguished professor said to me, "You can remove your last item, for out studies indicate that it is not an anachronism."

Here is where I was touched my Elder Wood's words. Read the following carefully:

What would my life have been like had I withheld my conviction of the Book of Mormon until I resolved all the questions my friend had given me?

I have often said that when it comes to the most fundamental truths, I have no doubts... although I have some questions. There are some things for which we must have a certitude that transcends our incomplete understanding and immediate questions.

Why is it important to know with certainty? Why is it desirable to have strength in and understanding of the Book of Mormon? John 8:32 says that we "shall know the truth, and the truth shall make (us) free".

Free of what? Free of ignorance, sin, and the pangs of death. Not once have I ever in this church someone told to believe what is said. It is only said, pray to know if it is true. The lord blesses us through the Holy Ghost to have first hand confirmation of all truth.

What would my life be like? I think that this is a profound question. I'm grateful to be able to establish a framework of understanding in my life. It's this understanding that not only provides an unshakeable intellectual and spiritual foundation, but transforms my life for good.

Elder Holland finishes his quote that I mentioned earlier by saying:

I testify that one cannot come to full faith in this latter-day work—and thereby find the fullest measure of peace and comfort in these, our times—until he or she embraces the divinity of the Book of Mormon and the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom it testifies. If anyone is foolish enough or misled enough to reject 531 pages of a heretofore unknown text teeming with literary and Semitic complexity without honestly attempting to account for the origin of those pages—especially without accounting for their powerful witness of Jesus Christ and the profound spiritual impact that witness has had on what is now tens of millions of readers—if that is the case, then such a person, elect or otherwise, has been deceived; and if he or she leaves this Church, it must be done by crawling over or under or around the Book of Mormon to make that exit. In that sense the book is what Christ Himself was said to be: “a stone of stumbling, . . . a rock of offense,” a barrier in the path of one who wishes not to believe in this work. Witnesses, even witnesses who were for a time hostile to Joseph, testified to their death that they had seen an angel and had handled the plates. “They have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man,” they declared. “Wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true.”

The only way to know is to study, learn and ask. The only way to deny the truth is thereby the same.

Elder woods finishes his article stating:

Sanctified by the things we know, we attain the certitude that banishes doubt and fear. We may confront the challenges of life with "a perfect brightness of hope" (2 Nephi 31:20). And we shall know that nothing "shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39).

It's been a good Sunday morning. I feel my saviors love and am blessed in my life. I testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. I testify that Joseph Smith truly was a man of God directed to translate these ancient plates so that we in this day could learn from them together with the Bible, both the word of God. I have a testimony that God loves us, that he is present today and everyday in our lives if we allow it. I know that if we do choose to ask the questions, and listen for the answers.... peace and happiness is what will be found.

What would you do to save a buck?

2009-10-30T13:50:00.000-07:00

Would you load up your baby in 38 degree weather and head to Old Navy at 8:00 in the morning when they don't open till 10:00????

Well I WOULD!!

Today they had a sale to beat allllll sales! Whitney and Jolyne came with me (so nice to have some company to help me scowl at all the line cutters). The first 50 in the door got a special little bag. Anything you could fit "in" that bag was 50% off. Thankfully they accepted our "loose" interpretation of "in"... we thought, if you can pull the handles together it's alllll good. Still, can you believe I got it alllll into that puny little bag?? I ended up saving 257.59 and spending 153.50... that's 411.09 worth of items for the bargin price of 153.50!!!!

Might I add that I got 63 items.... which breaks it down to 2.43 per item!!!

I love a good sale *grin*

2009-10-18T19:49:00.000-07:00

Tanner Bruce Marchant

Favorite Song: Life is Like a Jump Rope - by Blue October

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Toy: Bakugon

Hobby: Collecting things: cataloguing, sorting, classifying anything

Tanner Loves animals. He still wants to be a field biologist when he grows up. When he's not tormenting his sisters he loves to torment the cats. The boy is still horrible at making decisions... but he's learning this about himself and is inclined presently to practice the fine art of delegation. This year he got a camera for his birthday and is determined to take a photo of every animal he sees... so he can remember them all. He's enjoying the math club and gifted programs that he's involved in at school. They are working on making a hovercraft among other things. Tanner is very loving, full of energy, bright, caring and compassionate. We've had a very FULL year of memories. Thanks for the laughs Tanner! We love you!!

halloween 2008: Alien Abductee

Easter egg decorating

Tanner at his first spelling bee!

Up at the microphone

We spent a LOT of time in the sprinklers this year

Going for second!

Llamas in Logan... wait, their alpacas!

A summer full of bowling in Filer

Shoshone Ice Caves during our June "staycation"

Snakes at the Live History Days in Jerome

Sometimes he gets frustrated

But in the end he's such a good big brother to all his sisters

One of the resident "Pretty" Mantises (as Jocelyn calls them)

Tanner's New Camera

Yogurt 101

2009-10-11T19:57:00.000-07:00

This is an absolute MUST try.

Ever since I saw someone making home-made yogurt on her blog... I've been intrigued.

Mainly it was the idea of producing a gallon worth of yogurt from a small little container of starter. I have to admit though, there's something about the pictures that just make it appear delicious.

So... when Whitney tipped me off to this recipe from 365 crockpot cooking, I had to try it. Easy doesn't even describe it. If you can pour a glass of milk, leave it on the counter and forget about it overnight... you can make yogurt!

That's right... you've probably been making it for years right?

Well, there's just a few more steps, but really it's very simple. If you like your yogurt thick like in my picture, you'll have to strain it through cheese cloth as well. Amazon sells something called a cheese maker for yogurt that I want to purchase. It basically does the straining for you in a container... I think it would be a bit less messy than the cheese cloth.

We've enjoyed putting on big scoops of failed jams and mashed fruit syrups from this season's canning. Also a bunch of granola adds a great bite to it.

Anyways... ENJOY, the result is YUUUUUUMMMMMMMo-lishious!

Ingredients:

--8 cups (half-gallon) of whole milk--pasteurized and homogenized is fine, but do NOT use ultra-pasteurized. (Debbie recommends starting with whole milk until you get the hang of yogurt-making)

--1/2 cup store-bought natural, live/active culture plain yogurt (you need to have a starter. Once you have made your own, you can use that as a starter)

--frozen/fresh fruit for flavoring

--thick bath towel

The Directions.

This takes a while. Make your yogurt on a weekend day when you are home to monitor.

I used a 4 quart crockpot. This is so exciting. My fingers are shaking!

Plug in your crockpot and turn to low. Add an entire half gallon of milk. Cover and cook on low for 2 1/2 hours.
Unplug your crockpot. Leave the cover on, and let it sit for 3 hours.

When 3 hours have passed, scoop out 2 cups of the warmish milk and put it in a bowl. Whisk in 1/2 cup of store-bought live/active culture yogurt. Then dump the bowl contents back into the crockpot. Stir to combine.

Put the lid back on your crockpot. Keep it unplugged, and wrap a heavy bath towel all the way around the crock for insulation.

Go to bed, or let it sit for 8 hours.

In the morning, the yogurt will have thickened---it's not as thick as store-bought yogurt, but has the consistency of low-fat plain yogurt.

Blend in batches with your favorite fruit. I did mango, strawberry, and blueberry. When you blend in the fruit, bubbles will form and might bother you. They aren't a big deal, and will settle eventually.

Chill in a plastic container(s) in the refrigerator. Your fresh yogurt will last 7-10 days. Save 1/2 cup as a starter to make a new batch.

Birth Announcement

2009-09-14T09:58:00.000-07:00

I sent this out last night. I LOVE photoshop. I also LOVE email, and digital stuff. Sure it's no in your hand announcement... but it's created and sent. More than I can say for Jocelyn's birth announcement. FYI on that... I'll probably make it this week and post it here... she'll never know her mom procrastinated that one for 3 1/2 years... oops!

How to make Pepper Spray.

2009-09-14T09:30:00.000-07:00

We have a bounteous garden this year. I'm getting SUCH satisfaction from harvesting and canning anything I can. One of the wonderful items that has far exceeded our expectations is the three little jalapeno plants that almost died in the last frost. Instead of dying though... they thrived. This would be such an amazing thing if I could actually eat any. Turns out (when nursing) hot flavors travel through your milk where they reek havoc on poor babies tummies... not to mention the funny flavor going down. You should have seen Lenore gaging and spitting. Well, since I'm not touching the things, Ben's been left to his own accord to consume the lot.

So on Saturday the kids decide to have a potato bar, complete with all the fixings. Ben thinks at this point "hey, I'm gunna fry me up some peppers". He cuts out the seeds (because he discovered for the first time recently that these are the HOTest part lol...) and thinking he's avoided all evil, he plops his jalapenos into the very hot oil waiting in the pan. Ever heard of dry roasting?? Ever heard of pepper spray?? well let's just say, one avoids the other. Before long that pepper had aerosolized all over the house and we had a lovely dinner on the lawn.

It was really quite funny. Ben started hacking in the kitchen... then Tanner comes down and starts coughing.... then Rylie.... when Jocelyn joined in I must admit I was getting irritated. I thought they were all just copying him (as they sometimes do) and I was worried they would wake the baby who was sleeping near bye. Well when I got up (from a near bye room that wasn't effected yet) to go give them all a piece of my mind, it hit me too. It's hard to even describe... but I know all my less than law abiding friends out there know exactly what I'm talking about. It's a blast of nasty strait to the throat that makes you cough somthin' fierce.

So... there you have it. How to make pepper spray.... bottling the stuff for your late night inner city walks.... ??? you've got me. That will be another post for another day. I'm pretty sure you can't use a hot bath... maybe the sturdy pressure canner? lol

Oh, I almost forgot. A funny side note. Ben put this small bowl outside on the grass while we were eating... you know so the house could air out and all. Well, in the middle of dinner he tells the kiddos.. "be sure you put on some veggies". No one notices as Jocelyn grabs the bowl off the grass and dumps a big spoonful on top of her potato. Soon we hear shrieks of hot, hot, toooooo spicy!!! Luckily we had a tub of yogurt on hand that did the trick. Of course, this just made Rylie and Tanner want to try a bite, after all if Jocelyn could do it so could they. Secretly I know they just wanted some yogurt though.

Blessing Day

2009-09-13T10:32:00.000-07:00

I can hardly believe it's been a week already. On Sept. 6th our little Lenore Eileen Marchant was blessed. Ben's dad and step-mom Laurie as well as his Mom were able to make it. We also had his two sister's Maggie and Helen and his brother Geoff with us. We were so glad to have all the family in town to see Lenore. Sunday we had a big lunch... how happy was I to use up a few of those cucumbers that have been running us out of house and home. It's finally feeling like we're getting settled into our little spot on earth. I think I must just be turning into a homebody... but it's just so reassuring to know we won't be moving "again" anytime soon. I'll actually be able to watch the fruit trees grow...

Here's a few highlights of the day. I actually made her dress (no, I'm not usually a sewer...) and I knitted her booties. Those booties are my new favorite pattern and if anyone ever needs a pair let me know, and I'd be happy to oblige... (yes, I'm an avid knitter)

She's a keeper all right!

2009-09-11T20:35:00.001-07:00

Lenore Eileen Marchant

Sleeping Beauty

2009-09-11T10:51:00.000-07:00

Jocelyn is our little Sleeping Beauty.

Lately Joce has been falling asleep in the middle of the day. She must be going through quite the growth spurt (something long in coming) and it seems to be taking a lot out of her. I'm wishing that we had taken a picture of all the events... but really the list is getting longer every day, and that would be too many pictures. Usually she succumbs to the exhaustion in the midst of being shy and hiding when someone comes by for a visit that she doesn't know very well. This is unbelievably cute *AFTER* we've spent 30 min or so searching for her. During which time my postpartum paranoia has already pictured dredging her out of the deep canal that runs through our back yard.... it's just what happens to me now a days. The saddest occurrence was when Ben and I went out the other night and the kids had a sitter. I know she hadn't been there long because Rylie and Tanner had just seen her in her room, but when I found her.... she was wedged between the shower and the toilet in the master bath with her pants at her ankles, fast asleep. Apparently she had wet herself and didn't want to show the babysitter. Besides that time (which was kind of sad to come upon) we've gotten quite a kick out of her "hiding" aka napping spots. I also can breath easy knowing that if anything this child is consistent and she sticks to 4 or 5 spots which I regularly check first now... instead of the canal.

2009-09-11T06:28:00.000-07:00

Morning Moo does not a good yogurt make.

Well, I was hopeful, but alas, you can not take morning moo (a dry milk) mix in a little cream and have a good concoction for making yogurt. The other day my friend Whitney tipped me off to a wonderful website:

crockpot365.blogspot.com

The lady who created this site spent entire year of 2008 cooking a different dish in her crock-pot. One of these recipes was for yogurt. I LOVED finding this because I've been eyeing a yogurt maker for quite some time. BUT! if there's a way to avoid adding yet another appliance to my cupboard, I'LL TAKE IT! Here's the link to the actual post:

ckpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/you-can-make-yogurt-in-your-crockpot.html

I'll be trying this again very soon with the CORRECT ingredients. Wish me LUCK!

yummmmm.... fresh yogurt with home made jam! I can't wait!!!

Welcome home Lenore!

2009-07-23T12:51:00.000-07:00

She's here! She's really here!

Presenting the radiant Lenore Eileen.

Lenore arrived Monday, July 20th on the 3:23 p.m. delivery train (just as Randi had scheduled over a month ago!). She came perfectly bundled at 7 lbs 11.5 oz with lots of curly hair and plump round cheeks. Tanner, Rylie and Jocelyn love holding her whenever they get the chance. She doesn't even cry as much as Jocelyn feared she would. Randi is doing well and is especially glad have Lenore in her arms instead of in her tummy. And Ben is getting back in the baby burping groove.

Guess who's 6 fyi in a few day's I'll be reposting this to the appropriate date... you know when I SHOULD have written it.

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

It's RYLIE

Here's the annual list of favorites. We love you very much Rylie and are so proud of the little woman you are becoming. You are amazingly compassionate, insightful and tender. You might try to convince us all that you're a hard little nut, but under that shell you're such a softy... and dare I say it... as girly as they come! And we LOVE you for it!

Favorites:

color - Red

food - Mexican, usually a quesadilla or a big DOUBLE cheese pizza

animal - Cheetah

hobby - Riding her scooter

flower - Red rose

This is "Sunny" Rylie's horse that she's riding every other week. Her teacher says that she is a natural. She can steer, start, stop and trot. All without a lead from the first lesson. When we were waiting for her lesson to start last week we were able to watch the "big girls" jumping on their horses. Rylie is very excited to be able to do that one day. All I know is that be it ballet class or wrestling... that girl can do what ever she puts her mind to.

When you give a mouse a CAMERA...

2009-05-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

this is what you get....

view from Rylie and Jocelyn's window... facing the front of the house

Daddy and Tanner caught unaware

Tanner giving Rylie a piece of his mind...

Tanner's attempt to look innocent... not very convincing huh?

shrubs at the front corner of the house

Jocelyn caught blowing MORE dandylions into my lawn... "sTOOOOOP!"

Flowers that our lovely friends the Watson's brought by on Sunday

The very cool new picnic table that my mom bought us from Costco... it even folds flat for storage!

Fred Meyer special, my 7.00 pool... hours of fun ahead. We already broke it out an had it filled up twice in the last week.

um... yep, that would be the washer. maybe it was cool to her because her blankey is in it?? who knows.

And finally... the bane of my existence... the Polly/littlest petshop bucket.... this was one of the rare occasions that it was in the bucket and not scattered throughout the room and house.

And here's the mouse...

Time Warp

2009-05-16T20:38:00.000-07:00

Little Jocelyn... no longer little. It's amazing how much bangs can change the way someone looks. Tonight while getting ready for church tomorrow... ie.. washing hair.. blow drying and such. I got a little bored with the same ol' same ol'. Next thing I knew we had the scissors out and Joce got some bangs. I'm really liking it on her. She "LOVES" them. I've never seen her so attentive while having her teeth brushed. Really she just couldn't take her eyes off herself the entire time..... but really, can you blame her??

What a Beauty!!

Dancing Queens

2009-05-16T20:26:00.000-07:00

Rylie and Jocelyn had their first dance recital Friday night. Neither had any stage fright (I was suprised about that). They did wonderful! We spent some time getting them allll dolled up for the fancy occation. Here's the highlights.

You just gotta love the faces on these two!

Just Practicing

2009-05-12T21:38:00.000-07:00

Jocelyn is so excited to have a baby sister. Our friends the Henderson's came by with their new baby Elinore. She's such a cutie! Jocelyn LOVED holding her... and looking at her... and ever since she's been saying "I can't WAIT till ours babys pops out mom!"

I just thought these pics were adorable and I had to share.

Wellness Challenge 2009!

2009-05-11T10:40:00.000-07:00

Well, it's begun. I'm starting a wellness challenge with some friends and here are the guidlines:

1 7 hours of sleep
2 48 oz. water
3 45 minutes of exercise (not necessarily consecutive)
4 2 servings of veggies, 2 servings of fruit
5 No soda, beer, wine, unhealthy snacks, or bad fast food [anything FRIED]
6 No sweets [desserts, pastries and sugary snacks & cereals] * sugar-free alternatives are ok
7 No eating after dinner/8pm
8 15 minutes of scripture reading (or other spiritual text if you don't do scripture)
9 One journal entry (any length)
10 Express sincere appreciation or praise to your spouse (if single, to another person)

Basically you get a point for each good habit you preform each day. At the end of the challenge the three with the most points get to split the pot (you know... just some extra incentive to form those good habits). I'm just excited about having a set list to accomplish... then, I'll have the sense of actually getting something done at the end of the day.

Well, now to take care of #9. I expect that I'll be the avid blogger for the next few months as I do this... seeing how this really is my journal of sorts. The kids and I had fun a week back when we broke out the sprinkler for the first time this season. It was actually in the 80's those two fabulous days. Of course it's been in the 60's since... but I'm not complaining. I finally got my tomatoes, eggplants, butternut squash, and herbs in the ground this weekend. Hopefully we're in the clear for frost in this neck of the woods... though I've heard rumors that they've gotten frosts as late as the end of May.

Well... WELCOME SUMMER I say...

I can't wait for more days like this!!

Tanner's Spelling BEE

2009-04-22T15:08:00.001-07:00

So we just got back from Tanner's school. He represented his class in the school wide spelling bee. (much to our surprise.. no offense Tanner) It's just that the boy had a D in spelling first semester and with all that moving and baby and what not... I can't say that we've been the most supportive parents at home to improve that grade.

Well.... he turned that D into an A all on his own and won 2nd in his class in order to get into the school wide spelling bee... WOOO HOOOOOO!!! We couldn't "bee" prouder.

In the end the poor boy got out on the word "knock". He sat and thought about it for about a minute... the suspense was killing everyone... then he spelled it "nock". He actually thought that both were words and told me later he was trying to decide which one to say. He knew that it was spelled "knock" some times.

Surprisingly enough, the most interesting parts of the spelling bee had nothing to do with spelling. Little mister casanova was winking at girls in the audience. I was a bit shocked until he shot me a "hey there" wink. I'm pretty sure that he thinks it's just saying hello in a "cool" way and that he has no idea he's making the little girls swoon.

mental note: Have Ben talk to him and explain how his winking might be interpreted.... lol

3rd times a charm!

2009-04-21T12:58:00.000-07:00

Ben and I always looked at the gender of our children as a competition of sorts. First he was ahead... then we were tied. Jocelyn was the tie breaker... and now...

WE'VE CREAMED THOSE BOYS!!!!

That's right, baby #4 is another Girl!! We're so far ahead now we've decided to call the end of the game on a mercy win. I'm sooooo excited to be doing all this for the last time. Not that I don't love every minute (ok.. well most, I'm human after all). It's just such a wonderful feeling to really have finality and a sense of closure... I'm completely at peace with it.

Here's a video of the 4d ultra-sound. A bit disappointing I have to say. The doctor said she wasn't facing the right way for the best image.... in the end... it's just a bit scary. But for all those that have wondered what it's like... just as I had.... here you go.

I must admit though... I was sooo convinced it was a boy that I've been thrown for quiet the loop. The biggest adjustment is names. If it had been a boy... easy peasy... it was going to be Maxwell Neil Marchant, our little M n' M lol. Well, some how I just don't like Maxine in quite the same way. I think it just reminds me a bit too much of gigantic women with a bobbed hair do and whisky drinking horses.... you get my drift?

Now we're faced with picking another girls name. The problem isn't that I can't find anything I like... rather, I can't figure out what I like best.... and by I, I do mean Ben as well. We're pretty much on the same page with this one.

I'll post the list of front runners as of now... of course it changes daily. Feel free to voice your opinions... just keep in mind I might not listen *grin* but then again... you all might have some good thoughts to consider... or other names to add to the list.

;)

here's the names:

Hazel

Avery

Talia

Dellilah

Loren

Eliza

obviously I lean towards the old fashioned names... but not horribly common. k... have a blast picking them apart *grin*

Name sakes....

2009-03-06T21:01:00.000-08:00

so... Ben and I are up tonight listening to music.. reminiscing about our teen years and such. Then I remember... hey, I'm named after a song!

Well... technically I was supposed to be Brandy not Randi.... but grandma thought that sounded way too much like alcohol. For years I've thought... well, that's kind of a stretch grandma... but oh well I like the name Randi better anyways.

lol... then I listen to the song... haha! hummmm are we surprised grandma made that connection? I mean she is a bar tending broad.

have a little listen to my name sake....

So Ben thinks... on this precedence that we really need to come up with something that has deep meaning...

He's thinking Jeremiah

forward emails... not me... but I'll post some of my recent favs.

2009-03-06T13:51:00.000-08:00

I know I've been here before!

This is just cool... saw it the other day... sooo worth watching. It was presented at an AARP contest.

One last final randomness...

Washington DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 mins a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 mins later the violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the till and, without stopping, continued to walk.

At 6 minutes, a young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 mins: a 3 year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly, as the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced them to move on.

45 minutes; the musician played. Only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace.
He collected $32.

1 hour; he finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, on a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments .... how many other things are we missing?

A SpRinGy resolve.

2009-03-06T12:47:00.000-08:00

So, this is the way it works right? I fill my life with brighter colors and some general spring time pizzazz and my yard magically turns green and the daisies start popping... right?

Well... anything is worth a try seeings how I woke up to SNOW this morning... I'm not bitter... just sick and tired of this winter. It's MARCH for pete's sake!

Well, we definitely have come in like a lion... so I suppose I'll just hope that the end of that saying is true as well.

Here's some pics from the last few months.

This is a canvas I just finished and shipped... I loved the way the two tone worked out on this one. The canvas is a gift for the college (I think) football guy in the red of course.

Here's Rylie Claire on one Sun. where I obviously had more time than normal. She wanted to try out her Shirley Temples look.

Pine Wood Derby.... enough said. We'll do better next year!

Just a cake I made for the School Carnival cake walk. I was happy with how it turned out though. YUM YUM!

2009-03-05T09:14:00.000-08:00

I'm back!

well... soon I will be.

The last month has been filled with packing, moving, buying a new home, unpacking, and sooo many other things.

Of course in the middle of it all... I've been sick sick SICK!

I tell you what, if this isn't a boy, I'll be soooo shocked! This pregnancy is just like the one with Tanner. I've only actually thrown up once (just yesterday actually) but the problem is that I feel like it at all times. I'll tell you what, it's almost better when I do because I feel better for a bit.

anyways... enough about my aches and pains... I'm getting better! I've been getting more and more energy back and thus... I feel the urge to start blogging again.

Of course, I've been looking at the blog and I'm feeling a bit brighter these days... I'm thinking a face lift is in order. I'm going to have to revamp it before I can jump in with two feet... but I figured I better post something here before you all completely write me off for good!!

k... this isn't gunna be the last of me ya'all!!

2009-01-06T20:51:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Jocelyn!

12-21-2005

This might be late... but it HAS to be up here!!! Our little Jocelyn turned 3!! I can hardly believe it. For her birthday we went to Hop-to-It. This indoor bouncy land was just the ticket for our over active wiry little girl. She LOVED it. We love her little personality... heck what am I saying we love her GINORMOUS personality. Seriously the only thing little about Jocy is her size. Spunky just doesn't describe it. One of my favorite Jocelyn sayings right now is.... when ever she hears us mention something she likes.. she says " (fill in the blank) I LOOOVE that" or him her... whatever. The inflection in her voice is priceless... it's like she's discovering this love for the first time all over again. She's sooo serious that you can't help but reallllly believe her. It ranges from "blueberries, I LOVE those" to "Jesus... I LOVE him" HILARIOUS!

Jocelyn Thea Marchant

loves: play food, candy, Santa, playing tricks on people

Favorite color: Pink, Pink and more Pink

Wants to be: Ruler and Controller of all in her dominion

Favorite Pastime: cooking, play dough, painting, taking baths... as long as she doesn't have to wash her hair

Favorite ice cream flavor: all.

Favorite food: blueberries, strawberries... basically fruit.

I almost Forgot!

2008-12-10T07:47:00.001-08:00

This was by far the best picture! Thanks Alan for taking it!!

2008-12-10T07:11:00.000-08:00

So Tanner's Baptism was a SUCCESS!

We just wanted to say ThAnK YoU! to everyone who made such an effort to come! It really did mean so much to us. This was a big day in our family. I still can't believe I'm old enough to have an 8 year old!! The scary thing is just how fast it seems to be moving along. Why is it so easy to picture him in middle school and high school already?? The very fact that I've been married for 9 and a half years and in that much time Tanner will be graduating is just beyond me! It all just needs to sllllloooooow down.

After the baptism we had a luncheon that was a hugh success as well. In the hectic morning I had no time to gather everything for it and put Ben in charge. The poor guy barely knew what the plan was in the first place and was some how able to get EVERYTHING that we needed to that church regardless. I was soooo impressed. We had a few batches of those crock pot classics (which if you haven't had them, they're the best... especially the chicken and dumplings) and my mom brought some rolls from a local restaurant... YUMMY!

Patrick (my bro) and Helen (Ben's sis) ended up staying with us for the rest of the next week until Thanksgiving.... awwww... but that will be part of my next story....

anyways...

CONGRATES Tanner on a very wise decision in life! We love you and are so proud of the young man you're becoming

Tanner's Baptism Video

2008-11-20T08:24:00.001-08:00

This is the video that I'll play while we're all waiting for Tanner and Ben to get dressed and dried off after the big plunge!

The city museum

2008-11-10T14:57:00.000-08:00

I just love this picture. Shucks... I'm such a lucky gal to have a guy who loves me ;)

This is in the under the sea room

Roller Slide: super fun, but a bit of a bumpy ride

The whole gang at the museum! SUCH GREAT PEOPLE ;)

sumo dude... you're NO match!

I think this was my favorite thing... a skate park without the wheels! ingenious... lol

k... I'm like 2 stories up here.. at least

Aren't they sooo cute!! I LOVE these guys! hmmm.. I can't remember who stuck their finger in the picture... Ben or Wendell... oh well I'll just have to yell at both! lol

I just love this pic! So... we can start and end with it *grin*

A bit late in the posting of this... but none the less enjoyable!

Right before we moved from MO Ben and I did something completely unheard of.

we went on a DATE!

Amber, Craig and Unc. Wendell came along too. The big outing was to go experience the city museum. This place is UNBELIEVABLE!

Some guy just put this place together with recycled things he found all over the city. Just think of a children's playland for grown ups.

you can see all of their pictures here, worth a peek

The City Museum

So here's the highlights:

We first went to Crown Candy.... this total hole in the wall (seriously in the middle of the projects, a little scary) but totally worth it! It has a 50's diner kinda flair. The food was amazing. On the Dahle's recommendation I got the BLT. This puppy had about 3 inches of crispified bacon deliciousness! sigh....

After some yummy ice cream treats we were off to the city museum. I don't even know where to start.

There was a great magician entertainer guy

4 story slides to zip down

wire tubes that you climb through that are like 100 ft in the air

a ball pit with kick ball size balls

jungle gym type mazes to climb through

an entire area that looks like underground caves (seriously you can get lost!)

a room of street skating half pipes and such (SO FUN)

sooo many artifacts from old buildings

and under-the-sea area with aquariums

vintage gaming stuff

an old vault and mirror room

and I'm sure I'm forgetting like half the stuff.

Anyone on their way to the midwest really has to go here. My only regret is that we didn't go till our last week in town. I would have loved to bring the kids back during the day.

SO FUN!

Rylie Rocks!

2008-11-05T11:18:00.000-08:00

Rylie's got a new post!!

Everyone go check out her cooking show... it's up and ready to watch on her site!

http://www.chefrylie.blogspot.com/

ENJOY!

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T20:50:00.001-07:00

Tonight was a huge FUN fest!!

Ok... first off, I'm not going to procrastinate costumes this much next year!! We had quite the ordeal getting it all together today. In the end it all worked out though.

Jocelyn: We asked her what she wanted to be this year and she said a "vampire skunk". I know where the skunk comes from... but not the vampire fascination... We obviously nixed the vampire idea. The skunk side of things comes from a Clifford book we have. In it Charlie's dad tells all the kids about Wiffy the Skunk Ghost. It's really her favorite story, so it was a good fit for her. She loved chasing the cats and "stinking them" as she called it... lol so funny!

Rylie: Rylie might seem abrasive at first glance... but she's my softy in the family. She loves anything sweet, cute, girly... Her favorite animal is a pink poodle. I found this costume and she was in love. The poofs are made with those bath scrunchy ball thingys... She told me as she was running around the back yard that she thought she was turning into a dog... her stomach was making her bark!

Tanner: Tanner wanted something unique this year and I think he got it. Of course all credit goes to Family Fun.com but hey, I think the execution was all right... He of course is a little boy being abducted by an alien. He got soooo many comments while we were out tonight... and he soaked up every last one of them... If he even thought he heard or saw someone noticing him... he'd stop, and preform. His costume was a real hit!

Welcome to the new look of MAYHEM!

2008-10-30T09:46:00.000-07:00

Isn't it beautiful?

I just found that song to the right... I think it's fitting. After all, my greatest ambition is to resemble June, and of course we all know Ben is Ward right?? lol

well... I like the message... none of us are really that way... order? control? what's that? But it doesn't matter because the beauty is in the mayhem.

PLEASE leave comments and let me know if you have any trouble viewing the new blog.. the music... if the formatting looks right on your computer.... It looks great on mine.. but that's never a guarantee.

HAPPPPPY HALLLLLOWEEEEEN!

Wish me LUCK!

2008-10-29T09:44:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of Rylie's new blog...

It's super cute if I say so myself. (thanks to Tiff for finding that great website of backgrounds)

We're making pumpkin pie today when she gets home from school... we'll see how it goes ;)

Rylie... possessed? or just mad?

2008-10-23T06:52:00.000-07:00

So, this is Rylie's new face for when she's upset with us.

I think it's purpose is to convince us that she's displeased or angry.

Perhaps she's trying to strike fear into our hearts and bend our will to her wily ways???

Well, it might not be working... but it sure makes me pause. *yikes* "they're baaaaack" is all I can think.

disturbing, disturbing, disturbing.

Tanner's first two reports.. just thought I'd share

2008-10-22T20:17:00.000-07:00

So Tanner stewed and toiled about two reports that he was assigned for an entire week. True to character, he waited till today (the last day) to work on them. The hardest part for him was just deciding which two explorers he would write about. Not many passed his scrutiny. Finally he chose Marco Polo and Jacques Cousteau. He typed out most of the first until I finally showed mercy and was his scribe. After 4 hours of guiding him through how to write a report... we're all tired.

here they are...

Marco Polo

Marco Polo was born in Venice, Italy in the year 1254. His father was a merchant. But Marco’s mother died when he was little boy, and his aunt and uncle had to raise him. Marco polo left on a trading mission with his brother to China. The name of the ruler was Kublai Khan. The Khan was interested in the Polos. He invited Marco and his brother back to China. In 1271 Marco was now 17 and was starting his journey back to China. He started by going from Venice to Acre by ship. The rest of the way he traveled on camel across the deserts to China. After 3 years from leaving Venice they reached the palace. And the Khan gave them a warm welcome. Marco and his brother were getting worried about going home safely. They thought that if the leader died then his enemies would capture him. So they left China back to Venice. They didn’t go strait there though. They went to Singapore and then to Sumatra and then to India. They went across the Arabian Sea to Hormuz. They traveled through Turkey and Constantinople and then they arrived back in 1295. They went almost 15,000 miles.
They had been gone for 24 years.

I think that it is weird that he traveled so far. His father must have been pretty worried about how long he had been gone.

When they got back to China they had lots and lots of jewels. When they were in Venice there was a great war going on. In 1296 the Genoese captured Marco Polo and put him in a jail. No one knows why, but that’s where he wrote about his travels.

His book was called Description of the World. Lots of people in Europe have read his book. When Christopher Columbus discovered his book it influenced him. He didn’t like his estimation of Europe to China.

I think Marco Polo was so great because he went such a long distance from Venice to China. Then, he did it all over again.

Jacques Cousteau

I found out something that is amazing. I discovered that Jacques Cousteau wrote a book called The Living Sea, which is a book that I have and have also checked out from the library. The book had mostly types of fish and species from coral reefs.

Jacques was born in France in the year 1910. He was an underwater explorer also called an oceanographer. He wrote books and made movies of the life underwater. He was also an inventor. He invented a ship for underwater exploration called the Diving Saucer. He also invented something called the Aqua Lung which helped divers breath underwater. In 1960 Jacques Cousteau stopped the French from dumping radioactive wastes into the Mediterranean Sea.

To show people what it’s like underwater with ocean life and to promote conservation, Jacques Cousteau had a television show. The show was called “The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau”.

I thought this was cool because I love the life of undersea worlds. I like to check out sea books at the library. My mom and dad have both scuba dived before. I want to be a land biologist when I grow up, but I still love to swim and look at the animals in the ocean. What I wish to do some day is go to the beach and find a tidal pool in the sand and rocks. I think I might find sea urchins and star fish and many other creatures that Jacques Cousteau talks about.

Tanner Bruce Marchant ---- Happy 8th B-day!!!

2008-10-19T20:09:00.000-07:00

Four score and twenty-eight months ago, our Tanner graced us with his sly, witty, exuberant, precocious and humorous presence, filling our lives with a passion for exploration, adventure and discovery. Yesterday, Tanner turned 8. What a milestone!!! We celebrated with games, gifts, Uncle Geoff, several of his school mates and lots and lots of LEGOS! It was a LEGO party to remember. There was a LEGO building contest, a LEGO tossing contest and there was even (an exquisitely baked) LEGO cake eating extravaganza with ice cream, root beer and cherry topping to boot! Everyone had a lot of fun, especially Tanner (of course). For dinner he took the family to Gertie's Brick Oven pizza in Twin Falls where the servers bring a variety of pizzas to your table buffet-style (only you don't have to do any of the work!). Tanner is very excited about all his presents and has played with everything from his new LEGO sets to his Bakugon games and a crazy machines computer game.

Tanner Bruce Marchant

loves: Animals, Legos, Bakugon, Indiana Jones, books about Mythical creatures and legends

Favorite color: Green

Wants to be a: Biologist

Favorite pastime: jumping on the trampoline, playing on the computer

Favorite ice cream flavor: Cookie Dough

Favorite food: Pizza

If he could travel anywhere it would be to Austrailia....

"there's lots of cool varieties of animals there:

Thanks for the memories!

We LOVE you!!

holy MAGNETS! batman

2008-10-15T11:32:00.000-07:00

So, I've spent forever working on these, but I'm finally just about done...

There's a ton up at my etsy shop now if you'll would like to check it out

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5315408

Seriously great and inexpensive christmas gifts... *wink wink*

If you don't see any you like... let me know what you would like.

I can pull images from anything... or send some photos.... whatever!!

k... I'll get off my box now ;) let me know what you think!

2008-10-12T20:54:00.000-07:00

ok...

so my very cooooolest most awesome MO friend Amber just posted on her blog about a lil' girls weekend we had. Because my life is well, full, and because she's such an awesome writer... even though "snarky" at times... I'm just going to tell you all to go to her post about our weekend of unbelievable FUN! And there's lots of GREAT pictures and even a funny animoto video...

as for the squirrels... and the bras... don't even ask my friends... you don't want to know. lol

k.. here it is.

http://thedahlefam.blogspot.com/2008/10/laughter-ice-cream-small-woodland.html

enjoy!

Rylies new Dew

2008-10-09T08:17:00.000-07:00

This last weekend I went to give Rylie a trim... just a trim!

She got SOO excited and wanted to chop it.

I tried in vain to convince her otherwise (my girls hair grows sooooo slow, unlike Tanner's which grows like weeds... it's sooo unfair)

Finally I did the dirty deed... but, after it was done, and since then, I've decided it really does fit her personality. The best part, was how happy it made her. She really does act so differently when she feels good about herself whether it be clothes, hair, nails, whatever. While it's a delicate balance to teach her not to value her outward appearance above certain other more important things in life... I think I'm going to concede early in her life that we don't have to do it "my" way. I'd rather see that "glow" she gets when she feels good about herself. Besides, happiness in exchange for 6 (sniff) inches of hair.... a good deal I say.... (sniff) ok... so it's still a bit sad.... but I'm not letting on.. ;)

My Girls... My Girls... la la la.... myyyyyy girls... MY GIRLS!

2008-10-09T07:37:00.000-07:00

yup... I've got sunshine on a rainy day.... when it's cold outside....

well, you get the point, ;)

just thought I'd throw up some picks of my girls...

Yesterday we went shopping for halloween costumes... and food shopping. Really it was an exhausting 4 hours of shopping at Costco, Target, Michaels and Wal-Mart. We got everything we needed though.

I've been so sick and tired of trying to figure out what to make for all the meals & snacks that this time I just went to

www.kraftfoods.com

signed up for their free account, loaded my recipe box with all the things that looked good, hit shopping list and I was off. Now all I have to do is go look at all the pictures in my account (and they make it all looks so good) and decide what looks yummy for the day. Easy peasy...

Funny story:

So when we're getting out of the car to go into Costco, I accidently shut the car door on Rylies hand. No, that's not the funny part... so sad... though it was very slow, not a slam, and her fingers were mostly in the soft sealing part... it wasn't too bad. But, it was enough to make her cry. I sit down and comfort her for a bit and as she's feeling better I feel it necessary to say

"You know Ry, in the future it would be good not to put your hands there"

in her infinite wisdom she glares at me and says...

"MOM! in the future there won't BE doors... cars will fly and be round!"

it took me a minute to realize what she was talking about, then through suppressed laughter I had to tell her... no Ry... not the fuuuuuuture... just like, tomorrow and next week.. lol

gotta love her.

Grape Pie

2008-10-06T07:42:00.001-07:00

The home we just moved into her in Jerome has grape vines!

I was so excited to see them because we had just come from a family reunion in New York where grape pie is widely known. The local winery there makes and sells the pies and the fillings.

I was skeptical at first, but must say that it is now my very favoritest pie ever!!

I of course set out at once to make my very own. The crust, a new recipe, was exquisite! My best yet. The pie... well, I liked it. It was a bit like sour cherry pie. It was best with ice cream.

I'll admit... the green was a bit to get over... but it was tasty. I really want to get my hands on some concord grapes though, so that I can make one just like the New York pie.

yum yum yum...

2008-10-06T07:33:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Ben and I gave talks in church. An opportunity that many are blessed with in my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or mormon church). Usually just not so quick after moving into a new ward. I was grateful for it though. I had the opportunity to do some soul searching and learning... and yes I needed a wee bit of humbling too.... ( I know... I know hard to believe! lol... for ME too! lol)

Well, for years now I’ve thought... boy it’d be nice if I kept a talk or two then when I’m called to give another, or teach... I can have somewhere to start. Of course I just never get around to recording it... but not TODAY my friend!! NOT today ;)
I know it’s a bit long, but if you have a chance to read it, it’s worth it. The words and thoughts below touched my life for good.... and heck, who couldn’t use a little good?
enjoy ;)

When I was given a talk on the Plan of Salvation, I really wanted to find a way that made it applicable on a day to day basis. Ben just gave an amazing overview of the Plan, and we can attest to it’s truth, but how does it affect us here and now?

I started thinking about the Plan of Salvation and I thought, another name for it is the Plan of Happiness.

So.... are we happy?

President Hinkley once said “Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured”

So.... are you enjoying it? really?....

If we really are using the Plan of Salvation in our lives then we should be happy. So, if your not happy.... why? And who wants us to be sad?... well, Satan right? and the way he does it is with sin.

Satan is good at what he does too. He starts with a shade of grey so bright that you can hardly tell right?? It’s kind of like when you don’t bleach your socks for awhile and then hold them next to a new pair. They aren’t quite as white as you thought right?? But you had no idea how bad they were. Just with Satan’s flaxen chords, he points out the iniquities in others and shows you things that are way worse than what he wants you to do. Until that flaxen chord is your new standard of white, and thus it continues, the flaxen chord getting thicker and thicker until he has you bound with chain. Make no mistake, he’s patient. He’ll help you along that path and stick with it how ever slowly you need to take it.

Even the prophets of God aren’t free from this torment.

Think for a moment about the story of Jonah.

Jonah was a prophet of God who was commanded to go to the wicked Ninevites and preach repentance. Jonah sins because he doesn’t like the Ninevites and doesn’t go. Rather he flees on a boat to Tarshish. Along the way God, who is angry with Jonah, causes there to be a storm. Jonah is thrown overboard and of course swallowed by a whale. Jonah repents and is saved. He travels to Nineveh and preaches repentance. Nineveh repents and is saved. Jonah of course climes that hill and waits for Ninevehs destruction because he doesn’t believe that they could be saved.

Now before we judge Jonah too harshly you have to understand Jonah didn’t like the Ninevites because of what they had done to his people, AND because of what they were yet to do.
In Jonah’s day, Nineveh was a major city within the Assyrian empire, soon to be it’s capital. The Assyrians were brutal, war-mongering people, feared by all around them.
By this time the Assyrian empire included almost all of present day Iraq and Syria and much of present day Jordan and Turkey. For a time they even controlled Egypt. The assyrians had been raiding the borders of the northern kingdom of Israel for years, collecting tribute from them as well. Jonah knew from fellow prophets that the Assyrians would soon destroy the northern kingdom and lead his people into captivity.

The Assyrians had actually done many harsh things. They were actually sinful.

So what was Jonah’s sin??

Well, first he ran to Tarshish which was of course disobeying the Lord. But what was his sin after that? After he repented and came to preach to Nineveh?

Is it wrong to think that people have wronged us?

Well, lets look at the story again.

The book of Jonah is actually written as a chaisim. A chaisim is a Hebrew style of writing that is formated in an A-B-C-C-B-A pattern. Everything points to the center.

Here’s what the book of Jonah looks like.

   A. The Lord commands Jonah to preach against the wicked Ninevites.
   B. Jonah sins, not wanting Nineveh to be saved.
   C. Jonah repents and the Lord saves Jonah.
   C. Nineveh repents and the Lord saves Nineveh.
   B. Jonah sins, not wanting Nineveh to be saved.
   A. The Lord asks Jonah a question: Should not I spare Nineveh?

So, in order to answer the Lords final question we look at the center. If Jonah answers the Lord by saying, “No! they don’t deserve it.” then what is the implication about Jonah’s salvation?
But that’s not fair you might say. Jonah was a prophet of God. He had done so much good in the world. The Ninevites were clearly bad. They were clearly worse right??
Remember when I said that satan will point out the sins of others to make us feel good about ourselves?

Whether or not Nineveh is righteous is critical, but only for Nineveh. It has nothing to do with Jonah. If he thinks it does... if he thinks he is more deserving because he is somehow better than Nineveh than in that moment, he has been led away by the sin of others into his own sin, just as Satan would hope.

Really this is the way to look at it.

We are all unworthy of Salvation. No one merits it. Salvation is an act of mercy for Nineveh, but mercy for Nineveh is no longer in question. The mercy that remains in question is mercy for Jonah.

So the implication of the Lords question is this:

Mercy can be extended only to those who are willing to extend it themselves.
The very center statement of the book of Jonah reads, “They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy”

Jonah has forgotten all his prior sins, he’s forgotten the mercy that he’s already received, and feeling no persona mercy, he’s locked in despair.

He’s unhappy right? He isn’t letting the Atonement fully work in his life because he’s denying it from others.

Many of these insights about the atonement I got from reading a book called “The Peace Giver”. In it the author also references a story found in Samuel chapter 25.

David is living in the wilderness, he’s fleeing from Saul who would have his life. There’s little food and supplies for them to live on. David hears of a great man with 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats who’s name is Nabal. David hears that Nabal is having his sheep sheered in the wilderness. Well, in a dangerous time where little food is to be had David and the hundreds of men who have flocked to him protect the shearers and the flocks.

Verses 15 and 16 read:
15 But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields:
16 They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.

Well, after all is said and done David sends a small group of young men to go to Nabal and let him know of the service they’ve provided. They ask him for provisions for the men to which Nabal says in verse 10 & 11:

10 ¶ And Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.
11 Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?

Well, of course these men came back and told David and the others what he had said and in verse 21 David says:

21 Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.

He’s wronged me! Right? That’s what David is saying here.

So in verse 13 he says

13 ...Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.

Well, Abigail, Nabal’s wife, is told by one of the servants what has happened and she quickly prepares all the provisions and more that David has asked for. She then goes down to meet with him.

verses 23 & 24 read:

23 And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,
24 And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.

She pleads with David no to seek revenge.

2 Nephi 11:4 says
4 Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses been given; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him.

If all things typify Christ, lets look at Abigail for a moment. In what ways did she typify Christ in this story?

1. She brought to David all that he needed just as Christ does.
2. Just as we sin and need intercession, Nabal sinned and needed intercession
of Abigail.
3. But perhaps the most importantly, was this. When Abigail approached David
she didn’t say forgive Nabal. She literally took upon herself his sins and said
forgive thy handmaid. Forgive me.

If all things typify Christ, as the scripture says, then Abigail here is illustrating for us how Christ has taken upon himself the sins of others and stands before us as it were with living bread and water. He comes to us with that offering, inviting us to accept of his atonement for others’ sins.

The story of Abigail suggests that the Atonement is as much for the benefit of the sinned against, the victim of sin, as for the sinner. Her story goes beyond that though to suggest that one of the effects of sin is to invite those who have been sinned against (David, Jonah, you me...) to become sinful themselves.

This of course is what leads us to be unhappy. The Atonement, however, provides an escape from the temptation to sin.

Usually when we think of the Atonement we think of how the Savior bridged the gap for our own sins. We think of it as something he has done for us. Which is right... he has... but the story of Abigail invites us to look at the Atonement from a different angle. Not from teh perspective of how Christ has atoned for our own sins, but rather from the equally true perspective that he has atoned for the sins of otheres.

Part of the Atonement, Abigail suggests, is the idea that the Lord offers to those who have been harmed or potentially harmed by the sins of others the help and sustenance they need to be made whole.

-Those deprived of love, can find love.
- The companionless can find companion in him.
- Those with a cross to bear can find another who carries and makes it light.

The Lord has already atoned for the sins of all. When you are wronged, whether in the past currently or in the future, Christ has atoned for that sin and it is He who stands before us asking for forgiveness.

What greater cost for justice could we demand than what he had to pay?

Our peace and happiness is not determined by others, whether they be righteous or not, but by us, and whether we choose to come unto Christ. For when we come unto him, he blesses us with his mercy and basking in that mercy we find peace.

I invite all of you to think of the Atonement in this new way and let the Plan of Salvation lead you to true happiness. I testify that these things are true, that the gospel has been restored upon the Earth today and that the power of the Atonement will cleanse us from bitterness, sorrow and pain, if only we allow it to.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

It's a sickness

2008-09-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

Well, it seems I've had two seconds to myself and heavens knows I can't have that!

So.... I decided to come up with a new product to sell on etsy.com. It's still in development... but almost done. I figured I'd give you all a sneak peek.

big fan fare please.....

tah daaaah!

it's Fridge Flair!

Now... I'm sure your all aware of how this surely will change the world... but calm yourselves down... it's just a bit of fun to decorate with.

I'm planning to offer 3 different sizes. People will be able to order their fridge flair magnets with either a picture that they provide, or their favorite flair from facebook.

I'm in the process now of making all the full size fridges which measure 4.5 x 9.5 and I'll also be selling mini fridges (or maybe I'll call them ice boxes) that are 3 x 4.5.

They have magnets on the back and so can be attached to any metallic surface i.e. the fridge, your cubicle, a steel door, well... you get the point. They can also be opened and just stand on any surface, like your office desk, kitchen.... again... you get the point.

OK.... now Here's where you guys come in....

What the heck should I charge for them?? I welcome any and all thoughts on the matter.

I'm also not sure if I'll sell the cases separate from the flair or combined... or both... anyway.... let me know your thoughts please!!

here's some bigger pictures so that you can see it more in detail

Happy Birthday to ME!! ;)

2008-09-29T07:43:00.000-07:00

Well, I had an awesome birthday this year!

Our wonderful friends that we love, the Hendersons, came down from Boise for the weekend. We had a big ol' Mexican fiesta Friday night. I must say that I made some darn good mole (from scratch even). I slow cooked chicken all day and the final result was amazing shredded chicken tacos with ALL the fixings!

So what if I didn't get it all on the table till like 7:00.... So what if the fridge repair man who was supposed to show up all day didn't get there till 6:00.... So what if I was fixing dinner in my very small kitchen getting a workout as I jumped over his legs every other second and dodged 5 little ones who were all very hungry by this point.... *grin* it was all worth it.

Well, we played ticket to ride that night (a VERY fun game for anyone wondering) and then spend waaaay too long watching funny commercials and video on youtube (gotta love it).

The next morning, after picking up a package at Fedex (woo hoo) Whitney and I drove the town and hit a garage sale (does it get any better??). When we got back to the house the boys decided it would be a good idea to head to Shoshone Falls for a picnic... and was it ever.

We had a blast and the kids LOVED it. We had our little picnic, complete with cake and silly string (the guys just couldn't resist themselves at Wal-Mart). The falls weren't exactly raging, but it was still beautiful. I'll include a picture in this post of what they look like when the dam behind it is letting the water flow.

We also found a lake up above that will be super fun to come back to in the summer. There was a dock shaped like a big U that enclosed the swimming area... so you can walk all around it. There was even a diving board off a rock in that area as well! I know we'll be spending many a summer vacation day out there.

After we got back the Hendersons headed back to Boise and I was off to the Relief Society Conference where Elder Ukdorf gave an amazing talk about creativity... gotta love the man. Here's a link to his talk

http://broadcast.lds.org/genconf/2008/10/60/GRSM_2008_10_600_Complete_ReliefSociety_04903_eng_.mp3

I topped the weekend off with giving a talk on Sunday. I've always wanted to actually keep my talks... I guess for posterity or something. I'll include it in my next post. It was a good talk for me about the Atonement. Most of my thoughts came from a book called The Peace Giver, which I highly recommend for one and all.

Well, I'm finally the big 30... and all I have to say about that is.... "it's about time.... I've felt it for like the last 8 years!" heee heee....

Thanks to everyone for your birthday wishes!!!

i LOVE you all!

I'm an Idahoian?

2008-09-28T21:02:00.001-07:00

Home at last

This picture Ben took of Rylie is at a point only about 15 miles from my front door. Not too shabby eh?? There really are some breathtaking spots here in Idaho. There is a huge waterfall just to the right of where Rylie is sitting and a dam behind that. Down in the river there were hundreds of fish that we could see from above.... these things were HUGE! They literally had to be at least 2-3 feet to look as big as they did from some 400 ft above. It was an awesome view.

We actually went here for a picnic and little party for my birthday... I'll post more about that later. ;)

Finding that Perfect Tree

2007-12-01T16:52:00.000-08:00

This was definitely the marathon day of the season.

We started by going to see Santa. Old Town St Peters has a day with Santa at an historic log cabin each year. The Santa is nice and they give the kids a bag of goodies. There’s even hot cocoa and cookies for us old farts. The Dahle clan and Spencer Henderson came alone for the fun.

Next it was off to cut down a tree. Except for the fact that Jocelyn (who at this point had decided on her own that she was only using a potty) was working on something that required frequent (unfruitful shall we say) visits to the toilet, it was a great time for all.
We found our tree right away.... at the very furthest edge of the lot. It was just sitting there, glowing.... angles singing.... we knew it had to be ours. Little did we know this tree was in dire chiropractic need. We soon found out that the trunk bent to the side by about a foot.

It’s actually funny to see it all set up now because the tree skirt isn’t centered under the tree. We love him anyways though!

After so much excitement we were all ready to head home. Our friend Spencer that was living with us for a few months passed on his family tradition of making chocolate kiss trees to count down the days till Christmas.

What a day, what a day!!

2007-11-22T13:34:00.000-08:00

One year ago I had an idea. I thought, wouldn’t it be nice to rent the club house so that we could have a little elbow room for Thanksgiving... invite a few friends. Well, turns out others have that idea too. I didn’t get the club house because the association president always rents it that day. When I heard that I told the lady who makes reservations... “put me down for next year then!!”

Long story short we waited a whole year to have our Thanksgiving BaSh!! It was a blast though. Three turkeys and enough fixin’s to feed a small army (well, 40 or so at least). There was much work involved... we had fun decorating and setting up a children’s room for all the kiddo’s to play in.
I don’t know when I’ll do this again but boy am I glad we did it. It was really nice to have so many friends around when we’re so far from family.

We've got a Spencer in the basement!! how fitting for Halloween ;)

2007-10-26T21:05:00.000-07:00

For those that didn't know, we have a house guest as of lately. This, is Spencer Henderson..... we can't explain him. It's kind of like in Harry Potter how the Weasleys have a ghoul in the attic. Well, we have a Spencer in the basement haa haa. We decided that it was best put to pictures. There really is a story behind this photo, but I thought it would be better to see what you all could come up with. So, have fun everyone with a little game I like to call "name that photo". Give me your best one liners...

KWV Channel 4

2007-10-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

The kids have just created their very own Blog.... aka, web vision channel. They are so excited. It started with Tanner writing news reports for the last few days. I mentioned that he could put it on a blog and from there he decided it needed to have a cooking show, an animal show... a news show and it could be just like a channel on the tv. We spent the better part of today filming. Dinner?? what??? no it's only 5:36... we don't need to eat.

Check out the side bar for a new link to their site.

We Survived!

2007-10-21T14:33:00.000-07:00

For Tanner's birthday we spent a night in the Illinois wilderness of Pyramid State Park. As part of the birthday experience we decided that Tanner could take along two of his friends Isaac and Andy.

I don't think that I've ever really had a glimpse of what boys are like until this weekend. Half the time I spent repressing gasps of disgust, the other half was spent channeling that unique explosive energy that only three 7 year old boys can truly possess.

In retrospect it really was a great weekend and we had a lot of fun. But all things are best in moderation right?? hehe hee
Here are the highlights of our camping adventure.

We got there late Friday night and had to set up camp in the DARK. It was hard to keep the boys calm and quiet because they were so excited.

Finally we decided to divide and conquer. Ben told ghost stories which kept them hanging on his every word constantly asking "is this true, is this true", while I got some of camp set up. Finally it was time to go to bed i (girls in one tent, boys in the other). The girls were fast asleep within minutes. The boys stayed up for quite some time scaring each other with stories of ghosts and swamp monsters. Finally Ben's threats of no fishing in the morning persuaded them to get some rest.

For breakfast we had hashbrowns and bacon... in other words, dutch oven train wreck minus the eggs and cheese that Ben forgot at home. I think we'll call this new dish Ben's wreck... hee hee. It was good though and with full bellies it was time to fish.

No suspense... I'll just tell you we didn't catch a thing. This couldn't have been for lack of effort however. Those boys tried everything to tempt those fishies. First it was a cricket.... ok, kind of gross good thing Ben can put it on I thought. Then it was a grasshopper. Yuck, and double yuck. It was a BIG plump one that I'm sure made a pop when they skewered him.

But what truely set me over the edge was when they got the bright idea to try those little frogs. I thought I was safe. Ben was gone. They wouldn't be brave enough to stick a frog on themselves..... well, something definitely scary happens when three boys are together because they started catching frogs to bait their hooks and casting out lines. The dirty deeds had already been completed before I could pick up my jaw and quiet my queazy stomach.

Well ben got back from fishing accross the way a few minutes later and when I told him of my horror... he just scoffed and said " humpff... I just tried that, it didn't work at all." Well, I guess boys will be boys.

After the novelty of fishing wore off we went for a hike and saw all kinds of wild animal tracks including deer, raccoon, and possibly mountain lion tracks, ok maybe they were dog tracks but either way they were big! However in all the wilderness we romped through the only wild animals we saw were Tanner, Andy and Isaac. After some more fishing, frog catching and a hearty lunch of hot dogs (no fish), we headed back.

My soft bed and frog free home have never looked so lovely

It's happened!!!

2007-10-18T20:07:00.000-07:00

Today I sent out my very first order. All completed and lookin pretty! I even made business cards (that is what is tucked into the twine) Let me know what you think!!! I'm very excited. Click on my links at the upper right of this page to see my web site (be kind, it's a work in progress) that has all my products I offer, or check out my Etsy.com site.

WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO! did I mention I'm excited??? Now I get to start on my next order of 2 16x20's... I'll post some pic's when I'm done.

Tanner is 7!!!

2007-10-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

Last years gift "Paco" helped to unwrap this years!

Today was Tanner's b-day, here's some pics of the festivities this morning! I'm sure I'll post more about our trip we're planning on taking this weekend. Tanner wanted to go camping and take a few friends... Ben's planning on taking them all fishing... we'll see how it goes.

The great CHOCOLATE bandit!!

2007-10-18T13:21:00.000-07:00

Getting everyone ready for church Sunday morning can be quite the task.... certain members of the family are left to their own devices from time to time.... This is how Jocelyn chose to capitolize on the moment

I think these pictures say it all!

Gap casting call

2007-10-17T10:25:00.000-07:00

What do ya think??? Aren't they gorgeous :) I certainly think so.

Gap is having an open casting call via email photos, so I sent these in. What the heck right?? hmmm problems in posting the pics... here's one, I'll add more soon!

2007-10-17T06:02:00.000-07:00

2007-10-17T05:45:00.000-07:00

I've finally compiled all the prices for my new business Kalispell Canvas. I'm really excited (and anxious) about it all. Besides the order that is just about done and in the mail, I need to make two 16x20's for my new associate Beth in Florida. When I finish those she's going to include them in her shows that she hosts at her home. We'll also be ready then to creat the post cards that will be mailed out to all of their clients (she owns an equestrian insurance agency). I know it's 500 different policies a month but I'm not sure how many total it will be in the end. Here's hoping I can recupe my start-up costs!!

Fashionably Late

2007-10-14T18:46:00.001-07:00

This picture is a bit old, but it's something we like doing. We'll take another circle pic soon. I'm hoping for one a year. This one, if you can believe it was last Oct.

Let's see if we can actually keep up this blog.... I'll try, really... with all my free time between home schooling Tanner, babysitting for a 4 month old baby, being in charge of our wards enrichment program, teaching Rylie her ABC's and soon to be potty training Jocelyn.... not to mention Tanner's B-Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Jocelyn's B-Day and Christmas all in the next three months

hee hee so when I don't post anything, be sure to ask me about it in January 08. HA!

Here's for good intentions!

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