Legos on Steroids

One of the Bears Cub Scout requirements was to go and see a model that is on display somewhere.
And.....it just so happened that The LEGO Americana Roadshow was at one of the malls in Salt Lake!!!

Field Trip Time!

9 Yr. Old Boys + Legos = Heaven! 

{White House}

There were giant replicas of our nation's landmarks made completely out of Legos! 

{Statue of Liberty}

{The Capitol Building}

Each Lego model had a sign by it that told how many "Lego Master Builders" it took to build it (ranging from 2-7), and how many hours it took to complete (ranged from 260 - 1440 hours)!

It also told the specs - height & length of the model, and how that compared to the real landmark

 It. was. incredible.

{Liberty Bell}

And I just HAD to take my favorite LEGO fan on the field trip with me, 

even though he's been out of Bears for 6 years! 

Because, did you know that Legos can still be heaven for big boys, too? 

I'm glad I had Kyle with me because my cub scouts had to go to the restroom TWICE during our

[40 minute] visit to the mall....and they're probably a little too old to come into the women's restroom with me....which I would've made them do (we WERE no longer in Mayberry anymore, after all) if I hadn't had Kyle for their escort!  ;)

These are a Few of my Favorite things -- THIS Christmas

My favorite "Neighbor Gift" we received:

It's Rudolph the Red-Nosed [E.O.S. lip balm] Reindeer!

The Christensens are always so clever/cute with their gift & "packaging."

My favorite reaction to a gift I gave:

Haylee was SOOO happy (like jumping around & talking giddily) about her PJ's this year!  Namely, she loved the hood, the pockets, & the owl print.

She opened them on Christmas Eve and actually said that she'd be JUST FINE if that was her whole Christmas!  She was fulfilled!

It reminded me of a Christmas several years ago when she had a very emotional reaction to a ROBE she received.

{She doesn't have extravagent wants!  I LOVE it!}

This is not MY favorite, BUT the kids' favorite Christmas wish came true:

The kids were having a hard time FEELING like it was the Christmas season because we hadn't had any snow in December - AND it had been in the 40's & 50's (no coat weather!)

But, THEN they got a WHITE CHRISTMAS.  

It literally started snowing late Christmas Eve, and we woke up to a blanket of snow everywhere. 

THEY thought it was the best thing ever!

My favorite part about Christmas 2014:

Talking to/Seeing Ryan (Elder Brenchley) via Skype!!!

We waited forever - he'd told us it would be in between 3-3:00p.m.......we finally heard from him at 6:05p.m.

BUT, it was worth the wait!

It was so fun to talk to him - we got to be reminded of his playful, amusing personality, but also got to see HOW WELL HE IS DOING and how mature and solid in the gospel he is becoming! 

He absolutely loved the #sharethegift focus this Christmas season.

He testified again & again to us that HE IS THE GIFT.
We got about an hour with him, and 10 min. with his companion (he talked to us while Ryan HAD to go to the bathroom - some things never change! ;) haha. 
We didn't want to hang up and have him call us back because it took SO LONG for him to do it the first time!!)
He also witnessed Haylee smack Kyle while we were skyping....he laughed his head off about that!
Like I said, some things never change!  ;)

**********

What were your "favorite things" about Christmas this year?

Is 50% a Passing Score?

I discovered Pinterest. Have you?
It has ideas galore that you can SAVE to your own "Pin Board" if you want to file it away for future reference. It solves the problem of having to remember where you saw something that you really wanted to try and you were for sure not going to forget.....but then you did!

Anyway, I came across this "Road Trip Questionnaire" for couples to play together. And since we had a road trip coming up, I printed it off. It took the. whole. entire. drive. from St. George back up to Farmington -- and we still didn't both complete all 50 questions -- because one of us (I'll let you guess which one) has to think....and think.....and think about every answer for no less than three minutes. And these were the answers about themself - shouldn't you be the expert on yourself? Shouldn't you be able to just rattle off your favorite dessert? Dream Vacation? Favorite meal?

I've been together with Matt for 18 years now - I was pretty confident I could get the majority right.

WRONG!

I got 50%.

What?!?

What kind of pathetic wife only half-way knows her husband? I believe 50% would earn my High School and Jr. High School kids an "F" on their report cards.....AND they'd be grounded until they got their grade up!!! Do I deserve to be grounded now? But, then I remembered in my High School Calculus class, my teacher's whole goal was for his students to PASS the A.P. Calculus test at the end of the year. A score of 50% would get you a passing score (a score of 3, with a 5 being the highest), so he gave an "A" in his class to all students who had 50% or higher, because that was good enough to pass the test! So, if I look at it that way, I didn't do so bad, huh?!?

AND, if you consider that my husband got a 32%, then I REALLY didn't do so bad! :) hahaha.

WAIT, should I be laughing now - or crying?!?

Some of the answers weren't completely WRONG, they were just probably in the #2 - #5 range instead of "the most" or "the best" or "the favorite" of that particular subject - and since you could pick ONE answer, we missed a lot.

But, I did not know that my husband's Biggest Fear is The Ocean.
Or that his Favorite Childhood Memory is Listening to Christmas Music.
Or that if he could go ANYWHERE in the world on VACATION, it would be Okinawa, Japan (his mission) (What happened to the Canary Islands?)
Or that he considers his Biggest Achievement to Date being married in the temple and having five children.

So glad we did this - I'll be ready next time! :)

I thought it was interesting that when he was asked what MY favorite candy is, he answered Ju-Ju Hearts or [fruit] Mentos (which I DO like, but it was not my official answer of Wild Berry Skittles). To which I wondered (out loud) If he thinks or knows those are my favorites, WHY did NONE of those make it into my "Junk Box" for my birthday a few weeks before?!? (?) (?) (?)

He also thought that my Least Favorite Household Chore was doing dishes. I guess he thought that since I never do them - he always does. It's not that I don't like it, it's just that he made a promise to always do the dishes like 15 years ago - and I wouldn't want to be the cause of him breaking his promise now, would I? :)
(My least favorite is really cleaning out the refrigerator. Bleahhh!)

He overestimated my goodness when he answered that my favorite magazine was The Ensign. How shallow I felt when it was revealed that I had written down People magazine. (woops!) (my "guilty pleasure" while standing in the grocery store check out line)

He also thinks that The Best Compliment I Have Ever Received is that I have nice, tan, shapely legs. Uummmmm.....has he seen me lately?!? Or does he not think I've had any compliments since that WAS true 25 years ago?

I had to laugh so hard when my answer to What Turns You Off? was told (SLACKER, narrow-minded, rude, egotistical people) and Matt replied, "Oh, so _________ turns you off?" {he inserted a real person's name that I won't put out there on this blog.} He thought I'd described that person to a "T" ~ hahaha.

So, excuse me while I go earn some brownie points with my man by buying him green clothes (his favorite color) or even better, green M & M's ;). I'm gonna make him Ribeye Steak & Sweet Potato Pie for dinner (his favorite meal) - better yet, let's just go to Ruth's Chris since they do it with perfection. Stock up his stash of Symphony [with toffee] bars (his favorite candy), do his weeding for him (his least favorite chore), walk around barefoot (his favorite physical feature on me), and let him watch Star Wars (his favorite movie) to his heart's content.

Also, I've got some studying to do, so I can get a more respectable score! :)

Warning: THIS Can Become Addicting!

Do you know about this website?

http://1saleaday.com/

Every day it features a GREAT DEAL -- Can you say 75% OFF? 88% OFF? 93% OFF? -- in each of these five categories: Random, Jewelry, Wireless, Family, Watches.

I bought this recently and L-O-V-E IT!



It is a Rachel Ray Furi Essential sharp and store 7" knife.
(The kids are fascinated with the ORANGE color - especially Kyle [his fave] but there is a STRICT NO TOUCH rule for children!)

It retails for $42.00-$58.00.

I got it for $17.99!!!

And I about started to cry when I was cutting my first onion with it. AND IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE [tear inducing effects of an] ONION!!! It was so smooth and easy and I hardly had to apply pressure = wonderful! What a difference a GOOD knife makes! And every time I store it back inside the "case" it will sharpen automatically!

I wonder what will be For Sale tomorrow?!?

These are a Few of My Favorite Things (Part 3)

**Are you feeling like the commercial..."But, wait! There's more!!" (?)

Kleenex with Lotion

Especially during this lovely Allergy (sniff, sniff) time of year! I have to keep reminding Katelyn, these are NOT the ones to use for squishing (then flushing) unwanted spiders in our home!

Norman Rockwell

(The Art, not the Man!)

It's all about OUR lives!
I could look at them again & again!
Ya gotta LOVE this one...


And this one...

And how about this one?

This one just makes ya go, "Aaaaahh!"


My Mom has a couple of big Norman Rockwell "coffee table" books.
Perusing through them as a youngster started my love affair w/ Norman.
I call "dibs" on those books! I'm SO inheriting them! SORRY, bruthas & sistas! :)

LIVE Theater/Broadway Shows



Saw this one in Vegas at the Mandalay Bay BEFORE they took it away!
Dancin'-in-the-aisles good time!
Anyone have some suggestions for my NYC vacation in the Fall?


Sandals
(this is different from my flip-flops of a previous TAAFOMFT post)


Sandals allow me to slip into them QUICK, ditch the socks, and they're CUTE - what more can I ask?Should I get these?


Or how about these?
Or these?



Cleaning Wipes




I'm not partial to any particular brand - they can be Clorox, Kirkland, or "no-name," too - I don't care!
Somehow, my family can clean better with them (as opposed to a regular wash cloth & cleaning solution) and that's what I care about! :)



Little League Baseball



{And as you can tell, it's one of Kyle's favorite things, too!}

Of all the sports my family plays - THIS IS THE BEST to watch!
**Notice, I said, "Baseball" NOT "T-Ball" which I can't stand! That's too painful to watch!**
Soccer? It's alright. (I very well may be disowned by the Brenchley's for revealing that, but I cannot tell a lie!)
Basketball? I could get more excited about that when the players get good.
Football? I can't ever keep track of where the heck the ball is.
Dancing? We haven't experienced that, yet. Next year.
We seriously have 5 baseball games a week right now. Sometimes multiple games a night. And in a couple of weeks, all 3 kids have a game on the same night (on different fields) which should be FUN. But, I will enjoy watching them all!




Another treaure that tells the story of our lives!
Here's one of my favorites:





Silicone
~cooking utensils, that is! ;)

A friend gave me one of these wrapped up darling for a birthday gift once -

And I L.O.V.E. it. I'm always glad when it's clean & I can use it!

It's so forgiving when I place it on the hot stove (by mistake) unlike my Tupperware, plastic crock pot lid (X2), and cookbooks! ;D

Fuzzy Socks

You may think I'm contradicting myself with this and my sandals. These babies are for colder temps (which are teasing us w/ it's coming & going lately). I wear them IN & AROUND the house (and sometimes out & about without realizing it!)

Post-it Notes

Especially these specialty shaped ones. This star was stuffed into my Christmas stocking one year & it's just delightful!

These are a Few of My Favorite Things (Part 2)

No compensation was received in full or in part for the "advertising" of these products!

Slippers

We have a "no shoe" rule in our home, so all winter long, (and it's still winter - DANG!) I'm in these babies! You see, I have icicles for feet! I've been known to show up in public wearing them, too, unintentionally.

Quilts

Preferably the homemade kind. Aunt Nicole made this one for Miss B. Isn't it just YUMMY? (she thinks so - literally!) I'm in heaven wrapped up in one myself! This baby makes my list, too!

Pajamas

Is there a pattern here? Right off the bat, my first few things are all "sleep" related - I must be deprived and in need of that "long winter's nap" I never got! Seriously, my favorite part of the day is when I get out of my [sometimes unforgiving, tight, uncomfortable] clothes & get in my cozy PJ's and slide under the covers of my bed...mmmm!! **Aren't I lookin' good modeling the PJ's above - The Biggest Loser contest really paid off! :) ...Sorry, not me - just my impersonator!**

The Brady Bunch

I had a date with this show every day after school. I always felt awful that I ruined our family's chance of having a "Brady Bunch" family. If I would've been a BOY (the "Peter"), then we could've had it - six kids: boy, girl, boy, girl, boy, girl. But, NO, I messed it up - I'll always have "issues" about that! :0 On a brighter note, did you know it's back on Ch. 11 again, now? And, yes, when I discovered this, I recorded it every day until I filled a video tape (which will be obsolete when?) In fact, if Brookelle would've been a baby boy, her (his?) name would've been, "Brady." Yep, I'm a fan! Don't even tell me about all the scandalous things that have happened to the cast since the show - I don't want to hear it - I'm in denial! Every thing's still just as peachy as I saw it on T.V. It is. IT IS! My favorite episode of all time was:
#073-The Fender Benders - Carol's minor accident in a parking lot turns into a court case. To make matters worse, Bobby and Cindy fear they will have to testify against her. Guest stars Jackie "Uncle Fester" Coogan.
Do you remember? The other guy was faking a neck injury and was donning a brace in court and everything. Well, Mike throws his briefcase on the floor so it makes a startling noise and the guy turns his head immediately (in front of the Judge), thus proving he DID NOT really have an injury! So GREAT!

Little People

I had them when I was little (the smaller wooden kind that have since been deemed a choking hazard) and I get them for my children now. They had no choice but to like them! Just so adorable!

The Bosch

I know there is the NEW "Universal Bosch" model, but I have the one shown here. And as a side note, doesn't that slushy look de-lish? Do some people really make things by stirring or kneading by hand? Why? If I didn't have this, I would just stop baking! In fact, my old mixer broke last summer and I was having some High School friends come over for Sunday dinner, so I went out and bought my Bosch just for that - because I HAD to make rolls, right?! ;)

The smell of a Clean, freshly bathed Baby

It only lasts through the night and then they mess/stink themselves up again, but I enjoy it while it lasts.

GAMES

Gotta new game you wanna share with me? I'm game! The one above is a fun one I've always enjoyed - we've got laughing quite hard playing it before. It's sort of a get-to-know-you type, which I like. I really can't handle the ones that are too complicated or "deep" - Case in point: Heroscape that my boys like & have. Matt, for some reason, can't ever remember how to play games from one time to the next. I guess that means we need to play MORE!! :) Santa always brings my family a new game every year. I love it that some of my kids ask, "Can we have a "Game Night" tonight?" Anyone want to get together and play some games soon?

Chocolate covered Pretzels
There's just one problem (besides the calorie count) - Katelyn L.O.V.E.S. them, too, so I have to fight her for them - or hide them! ;)

A couple of Avon products
Hand Cream - like my lips, I just can't stand the feel of dry, even slightly unmoisturized hands! Beware of where you are when you apply it, though. I was at work once and got it out to use and a co-worker complained that I couldn't do that because she was allergic to all perfumes. What? It's not even fragranced! It's perfect.
and
Nurtura - it's feels so good after my shower when my face feels all tight & dry! I use to have an Avon lady who kept my name on a Call-whenever-Nurtura-goes-on-sale-list because I'd always buy it. Doesn't it just look like peach colored whipped cream? Mmmm...

These are a Few of My Favorite Things (Part 1)

Lip Balm

Those of you who know me or who've ever spent any time with me KNOW that I always need my lip balm! On the rare occasion I don't have access to any -- it is traumatic! I do not like the feel of dry, even slightly chappy lips!

I have one in my purse. I have one in my nightstand drawer. I have one in a kitchen drawer. I have one in my home computer desk. I have one in my work desk. I have them in our cars. I even have one on my Laundry Room shelf. (because ya never know when you're gonna need it! And for me it is OFTEN.)

I seriously get all giddy about lip balm, in particular, Lip Smackers brand! I'm even excited now just writing about it!

I just enjoy so much looking at all the different kinds in the store or on their website! Did you know they even have Skittles & Starburst flavors? :)

I have my year's supply of lip balm. I will NOT be unprepared in that category. Seriously.

My absolute favorite flavors has got to be the Dr. Pepper. With 7-up and Cherry 7-up as the runner's up. Currently, I'm using the Dasani (flavored water) lip balm - and I'm VERY pleased.

Greg Olsen Art

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!
It reminds me of me & my little sister or how it may be my daughters' future.

Ever since I saw it, I dreamed of hanging it above the piano in my own home!

Costco had a Greg Olsen Art Show just before Christmas of 2007. I dropped some major hints to "Santa Claus" about it. On one occasion, one of our friends conveniently asked me in front of "Santa Claus" what I wanted for Christmas and I mentioned this picture. I even pointed it out to "Santa Claus" at Costco one day.

It still is not hanging above my piano. I guess I was on the "Naughty List" that year. (and the next?)

O.P.I. Nail polish

The names are the best! They make me smile.

• Don't Socartease Me
  
  • Blushingham Palace
• Cosmo-Not Tonight Honey!
  • I'm not really a waitress
• You're a Pisa work

I found some new ones on their website that are "calling my name" (literally) and I better try out:

• It's a Doozi, says Suzi
• Suzy say Da!
• Suzi sells sushi by the seashore

GREEN PENS

I had a 9th Grade English teacher, Mrs. Bean, who used green pens on our papers.

That was when I became a "green pen fan."

She used them to write positive remarks/compliments about our writing.

She said it gave the meaning of "Go." And that's what she wanted us to do...

Not just to keep on GOing on the roll with our great writing, but also to...

GO do some good. GO do our best. GO FOR IT!

These are sacred writing utensils at my home. Not to be used by the children.

They are mine and I don't want them lost!

Papa Murphy's Gourmet Chicken Garlic Pizza

Creamy garlic sauce topped with almost a full pound of cheese. Grilled chicken, Roma tomatoes, green onions and herb & cheese blend.
Need I say more?

Flip Flops



Hey, my feet ARE my best asset - I gotta show 'em off! :)
Seriously, I'm so sad every year when Winter comes (I still try to wear them all through Fall) because I can no longer wear them! How many more days 'til I can get them out again?!? :)
But, I still try...My friends make fun of me that I show up to workout in my Flip Flops every night. (I just take them off for the aerobics part!)

Ranch Dressing


I will admit right now, that I am a "Ranch Dressing Snob!"
The GOOD kind is Hidden Valley Ranch that you make from the packet.

I'm the proud owner of TWO Hidden Valley Ranch dressing shakers - gotta have one in use & one ready to use when the other runs out!
The bottled stuff of the same brand is NOT the same - I don't get it!
The "ranch" packets that Fast Food places give out are TERRIBLE! Some restaurants ruin it, too! (SO disappointing!)
The GOOD kind goes great with just about everything!
My mom used to make that Spinach salad - ya know the one with the bacon, fresh mushrooms, & drained cottage cheese? Well, I would make her WAIT to put on the poppy seed vinegar dressing until I dished up MY portion first...and then I'd put Ranch on mine. Apparently, this was a major eating faux pas because my family sure gave me crap about it! At one point, my mom refused to let me have it that way, so I simply did not partake anymore. (I have since learned to enjoy the Spinach salad the way the recipe is written.)
My babies got it directly through the umbilical cord and they are all born hooked! (I'm so proud!)
The fact that this commentary is the longest should be a clue about how much I LIKE IT! :)

CHARMIN T. P.



I'm old enough to remember those awesome commercials..."DON'T SQUEEZE THE CHARMIN!"
You may think this is a dumb one, but all I can say is, "All Toilet Papers are NOT created equal!" After delivering 10 lb. babies, I need something that is soo kind on your behind. :)


Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper


How many of you are thinking I'm such a sinner, now? :)
Have you tried it? You should, you'll like it! :)
Did you know the Kicks 66 turned 7-11 on Parrish Ln. & Frontage Rd. in Centerville has it in their fountain? (better than the bottle or can!)
I actually haven't had it for a while. I am experimenting to see if refraining from carbonation does anything for my waistline & The Biggest Loser contest I'm in. Unless it's drastic, I'm back on it next month!

blessed event...for mother




Maternity Body Treatment

But, you don't HAVE to be pregnant to use it! :)
From the label: It relieves the discomfort of stretching, dry tight skin. Helps keep it supple and lovely; and is ideal for use as an all-over Body Creme before and after baby is born (doesn't that cover all times?) Also makes a superb Hand Creme.
I find this at Cuddle Haven in Kaysville (formerly the Mother Hen Maternity building).
The only other place I know of is on their website http://www.maynardinc.com/
Can you say soothing? Love it!

**Come to think of it...My timing's all off! Why am I posting this 2 1/2 months AFTER Christmas and 6 1/2 months BEFORE my Birthday?!? ;)