Houston...this is Apollo...Do you copy???

Why is this feeling so foreign? I took a little blogging sabbatical, but with the parents leaving on a 2 YEAR MISSION I am forcing myself to begin anew so they can keep up with us... This is my first attempt...can I actually do this?

January blues

Anyone else feeling the January blues? This is my favorite Far Side cartoon. I found it in some boxes I was unpacking and had a good laugh. If anyone can't read it it says,

"The Bluebird of Happiness long absent from his life, Ned is visited by the Chicken of Depression."

New house

We are in! It's been a blissful week of unpacking. There is a space for every thing and a thing for every space. This house was meant to be ours. Although I haven't taken any pictures, I will. Expect a full update this week--complete with pictures.

My Top Ten for the week:

1. I am sitting in the office, door closed, and my kids are...somewhere else, happily playing together.
2. I have multiple doors...that lock!
3. If my kids are in the bathroom, I have 2 other bathrooms to choose from! HEAVEN!
4. I have put things out onto shelves that have been boxed up since I got married.
5. I could not keep up with the tempo of the first song at church today!!! No more HALF tempo singing!! Drove me crazy.
6. Haven't heard a loud muffler drive by once--and probably NEVER WILL!
7. I can't sleep during the night because I am TOO HOT! There is a vent in every room!!
8. I do not have to turn any lights on during the day because of all the natural light! Remember how DARK my old house was?
9. I can lay down in any room and not touch all 4 walls.
10. Did I mention I can go into a room and CLOSE A DOOR and not have 3 kids banging on it within 2 seconds!!!

WE LOVE IT HERE! We finally have a little room to move!! This last week this old video clip has been stuck in my head. It's a claymations cartoon where they are interviewing zoo animals. I relate to the lion who needs "SPACE!" or "E-SPACE" as he puts it with his Brazilian accent. "We need e-space to feel like we are a part of the world!" Check it out here:

www.atom.com/funny_videos/creature_comforts/

I wish I new how to add it as a link, but I am computer challenged. It's worth checking out!

5 THINGS I DID TODAY...

1. Sold a house

2. Bought a house

3. Got a short haircut

4. Sold a car

5. Sucked it up and had my wedding ring sized 1 size LARGER

Gavin's BIG debut

Gavin loves art. As I have said before, I have always kinda nudged him that way, but he genuinely LOVES art. What he wasn't lovin was the karate class we had him in, so this fall I took him out of it and enrolled him in an after school art class and he has been in heaven. Last night he debuted his collection to rave reviews from his entire family and Grandpa Smith.

Can't...bring...myself...to...blog...

I have some major catching up to do, but as Gavin would say, "I am A---Z-O-S-S-T-E-D!"
So, I think I'll sum things up with a few pics...

Jenna does mom's hair...again...make that everyday!
This is her new "favorite" thing to do--and it kinda hurts! Although, she has enhanced the experience with free body decor.

DAD HAS A BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday Dad! We love you!

Gavin and Kesley BOTH earn "The Citizenship Award!"
I couldn't ask for better kids. Both these guys are just GOOD kids! Gavin recently befriended a little girl at recess who was sitting all alone and looking very sad. He asked her if she wanted to be his friend and they went and ran laps around the playground together! LOVE these guys!
Carving pumpkins with Bonnie!

Thank you Bonnie for making it a fun night, and thank you Brent for the face--always a thrill to see another picture RUINED!

Halloween!...4 days in a row!

Halloween felt more like Halloween week. Jenna had to dress up Wednesday for preschool, the kids dressed up Thursday for school because there was no school on Friday, but Friday we had our ward dinner and trunk-or-treat so we had to dress up anyway. By Saturday, everyone was so sick of doing makeup and dressing up, I really had to push them to get ready for the REAL Halloween! We had a GREAT day starting with breakfast at Grandpa's (YUMMY), cookie decorating at Ambers (Double Yummy) and then dinner and trick-or-treating at Tami's! Here is a picture Amber took in her studio of all the kids--SO FUN!

And to "round" out my update...

BIGGEST LOOSER CHALLENGE!!! No need to ask, "why?"

Tami saved us all by starting a Biggest Looser Challenge. It started November 1 and runs through January. We are taking a trip to Vegas the first week of February and the winner of the contest gets a NEW OUTFIT and a NICE dinner! Kesley was nice enough to take this shot of my behind and, well, why I am sharing it?...MOTIVATION!

Wonder of Wonders, Miracle of Miracles!!!

I hope that little Fiddler on the Roof jingle stays in your head all day...

WE SOLD OUR HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Dr's office next door made an offer we couldn't refuse. It's a good deal for them and a good deal for us so, YAY!!!)

Three things I will NOT miss about this place:

1. Raking 40 freaking bags of leaves this fall.... I'm leaving every one of them on the ground and feeling pretty good about it.2. My dark kitchen. This one little window is all I've had and it doesn't provide much light. It also would not open. Actually no windows in this house open...I hate this house.3. A yard full of #*!@. I think Brent is more excited than I am to have a fresh start. The Hoarders Disease is a thing of the past, all we need to do now is deal with the aftermath... Anyone need a Jimmy--we'll throw in the windows and the swamp cooler!
Things I WILL miss about this place:

1. My favorite tree. I call it the octopus tree. It is so unique and I have spent 4 years dreaming of the amazing tree house we could build in its branches... Chop, chop.2. The pergola Brent put up last year. I love how the grapes are growing over it. This yard really does have a lot of potential, but dreaming and doing are two VERY different things. 3. Sadie....if I get my way. No offense, Tiffy. Anyone need a wonderful family dog? She's gentle, spayed and a good watch dog! We may be in a new house by Christmas!!!