Happy 5th, Smack-Attack

Jackson had a 2 part birthday celebration this year. There was cake and ice cream with grandparents the night before the big day. Then on his actually birthday, a party with his cousins.He is obsessed with Halo right now. Everything is Halo. But, because Halo has a Mature rating you cannot find little kid "stuff" anywhere. I ended up finding some guy on line that sends you files of printable birthday paraphernalia so that Jack could have a Halo party. I set up an obstacle course for the boys, gave them dart guns, turned on some Halo music, and let them have at it. His best birthday ever! :)

Happy Late-o-ween

Our Halloween this year was pretty normal. Pumpkins, trick-or-treat, trunk-or-treak, and a new twist (thanks to Brian). Carmel apples! He did it completely on his own with the kids. (Honestly, I think I was asleep) He bought all the stuff, got the kids excited, and went at it. Every once and a while he has a really good idea:)
Sheridan:rockstar
Madelynn:white wolf
Jackson:Indiana Jones
Kennedy:puppy

Trouble

Sheridan was disapointed with my lack of enthusiasm on her birthday post. So, here are a few more pictures. Just for you my darling child:)and anyone else who care to take a peek.

Our summer

I took a break from a few things this summer. You may have noticed, the blog was one of them. Here are a few things that happened.
In July Kennedy turned 2. We went to the zoo. She loved it. (i know my picture is lame)We went on a few camping trips. This is a shot of my favorite place to go. My family goes to Bridger Lake every summer. My dad goes where the fishing is good. So we follow. This year all the camp grounds on the mountain were closed because of dead tress (beetle infestation or something). So we tried something new and made our own camp site. I actaully liked it alot. No people.In June, Sheridan turned 10. (i suck at taking pictures)
We also spent many a day at the P.G. pool. (more than I would have liked) And unfortunatley for you, I have no pictures of that wonderful experience.

Your opinion please.......

Sheridan and I got into a "disagreement" last night. I came to a conclusion late in the night. Of course when I told her about it this morning she completely freaked out. So, I would really like to know from you mothers out there (or fathers if you wish) what you would do. Here is the back story:
Sheridan decides a month or so ago she wants to be Cleopatra for Halloween. Ok, no problem there. Put that one on the back burner. (At the time Halloween wasn't for a few months) We find out a few weeks ago that she has to do a report in class. Kind of a big deal. Class presentation one day, then for the school a few days later. She was suppose to pick someone (an American), dress up like that person and do a presentation. Table display and everything. She picked Selena Gomez. If you don't know who that is, then you don't watch enough Disney Channel:) Basically she wants to dress up like a pop-star. Ok, she needs a costume. Apparently she had a VERY specific picture in her head of what this "out-fit" was suppose to look like. I guess I didn't "get it" because last night she tried on the dress I had made her and it was all wrong. The neck line, the length, it wasn't fitted enough. Complaint after complaint. So, we got into a little fight about it. To me it is a costume. To her it is everything!
So, as I am sitting at the sewing machine at 11 o'clock last night taking the dress apart and trying to make it more of what she wants, I start thinking about the situation. I am putting a lot more time and detail into this costume than I planned or wanted. And right after it is done, I am going to start working on ANOTHER costume. Her Cleopatra costume for Halloween. Why? Should I really be making another costume? She will have a perfectly good, nice costume already. Can't she be a pop star for Halloween?
Like I said, when I told her my idea this morning she freaked out. Tears and everything. I am pretty sure I have made up my mind on the situation. But I would really like to know, what would you do? How would you have handled this? Am I doing the right thing by "ruining" her Halloween and making her be something she doesn't want?

Good bye house:(

As some of you well know, we moved out of our lovely home about a week and a half ago. I am very sad. Still. I miss it. I miss my huge kitchen. I miss my big bathroom. I miss my sewing room. (My sewing machine finally had a room to live in and be happy. And I could go visit it and we could be happy together. And ALL of my stuff had a space of its own.) I miss my neighbors. We weren't the most sociable of people, but I still miss the people that lived around me:) I miss the elementary school being a block away. I miss Maceys!
These things are not suppose to happen to people we know, let alone our selves! I know there are a lot of worse things that could have happened to us. I know it shouldn't be a big deal. But it was a hard thing for me. I think I did a pretty good job of being strong (on the outside anyway).
So, for those of you who don't know. We are currently living with family. Brian's parents to be exact. We don't really have much of a plan at this point. Just happy to have a place to stay for a while until we figure out what it is we are suppose to be doing:) A few months is the plan, but you never know I guess.............I sure don't.

28:15

No, Its not a scripture reference. It is my new 5K time:) Yesterday I ran a 5K with my sister-in-law at the Homestead in Midway. And, as you can see it went well. My last (and first) 5K was back in February. And I came in at 35:something. That is 7+ minutes off my time! 7 minutes! That is a lot for such a short distance (3.1 miles). So, Yeah for me!

Honing my skills

So I like to make fun cakes for my kids birthdays. Some turn out a little more elaborate than others. (any of you remember the castle cake? That was a doosie!) It just all depends on the child, what they love at that moment, how lazy I feel at that point in time. One decorating concept that I have never really been comfortable with is fondant. Everything I do is self taught. And dealing with fondant has always been intimidating for me. I tried using it once about 6-7 years ago and wasn't happy with the results so I declared it "too difficult" for me and I have never tried it since.
Well, I finally "officially" leared. A sister-in-law of mine has an aunt that is a professional. Cake decorator that is. So we went to Coalville one night last week and she taught us. We each made our own lump of fondant from scratch, colored it, rolled it, and smoothed out on our cakes. It was exactly what I needed to boost my confidence. Because really, its not that hard."So, after all the "teaching" she made us decorate our cakes. I had learned what I was there for and not feeling very creative. So, I did polka dots. Lame, I know. But it was fast and easy:)
*I know, I know! My cake turned out pretty lame. I still need some practice. But, pretty good, I thought for a first try. I have high hopes for next time:)

Jackson's last day of school:(

Today was Jack's last day of preschool. I don't think he really understands that he will not be going back any time soon. He has really loved going. As soon as I pick him up after school he immediately wants to know "how many sleeps" until he can go back.(he counts days in "sleeps")
I was sad to say goodbye to Ms.Cathy. She is the BEST and we love her a lot. So far she has had all of my kids for their 2 years of preschool, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Thanks for loving my kids too Missy Caffy!

A Tea Party with Madelynn

Yesterday Madelynn's 1st grade class invited all the moms for a Mother's Day program and Tea Party. It was so cute. And she was so excited! Which made it even more cute. She wore a dress to school (for those of you that don't really know Madelynn, that is a big deal. She is a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl) and the moms were "suppose" to dress up as well.

Side note: what a bunch of lame-o moms! Sweats? Really? I cant even wear my sweats to the grocery store with out feeling like an idiot.

As you can see I received a very nice hat, made especially for me from Madelynn:) She walked me to my seat, then the class sang us a few songs and recited a few poems. After the program each child served their mom a little cake and water. They even cleaned up:) It was very nice, and sweet. And I loved it:)

Hooray for the 10k!

In celebration of Earth Day yesterday................ok, so I didn't really celebrate Earth Day but I did run the South Jordan Earth Day 10k. Does that count? I don't know either.
*For those of you interested-it was was a really small group. Only about 50 people. Most female. There was this group of CRAZY ladies (the majority of the group) that just took off and with in minutes were out of sight. Never to be seen again. Then me, then a small group behind me. I literally ran the whole thing by my self. There was no one around. So, it ended up getting a little boring, and lonely:( And that group of Crazies, finished in 45 min! 45MIN! Insane!

Anyhoo, I was ready for the distance, I was ready for the time. What I wasn't prepared for.................Hills! Lots of hills. Steep hills, gradual hills, lots of ups and downs:( So, I was disappointed with my time.
A 10k is 6.2 miles. (our course was 6.4 I overheard some one say)
I ran it in 1hr7min. For those of you that don't want to figure it out, that is an average of 5.7 miles per hr. And really, that isn't so bad for my first time. But, I just keep thinking, I could have done so much better if it wasn't for those retched hills! So, I guess you could say I have mixed feelings about the adventure.
And with it all behind me I am glad I did it. I know I will do it again in the future.
And now the big question is: Do I want to try for a 1/2(marathon)? (that is a 10k twice) Right now, I am quite unsure of that one. We shall see:)

Ta-Dah!

The wait is over. I know, some of you have been waiting for what, like a week:)
Even though we had the craziest spring break ever, I had to get it done so she could wear it to church today. It was really easy, and fast. And I think she was the cutest thing EVER today in her new dress!So, anyone want one? I am taking orders:)

Behind the scene

Spoiler Alert! Some of you might not be happy about these:)This is a tidbit of family fun "behind the scenes" of our Bishop family pictures.

Easter weekend

Family, eggs, hunts, cookies, baskets of candy..............what more need I say?

Happy Green Day!

On St.Patricks Day the kids woke up to a green breakfast. Green pancakes, and eggs. Brian even made their milk green. Although they thought it was fun, they didn't eat as much as usual that morning:)
This is one "holiday" I could do with out. I don't mind the wearing of green and such, it is the whole Leprechaun thing I could do with out.
It all started when Sheridan was in preschool. She learned about Patrick the Leprechaun. She learned that he is naughty and likes to play tricks. She also learned that if she didn't pick up her toys before bed he would come steal them:( (don't ask me why her teacher did this to us. I do not know. But I don't think she does it anymore) This had Sheridan COMPLETELY freaked out. For many years. To the point that the night before the 17th we would have to write a note for Patrick and leave it on her door because she was so scared that he was going to come in her room while she slept! The poor child. But on the nice side, she still feels the need to clean before she goes to bed so that she doesn't loose any toys:)
Then there is Madelynn. For 2 years (around age 4-6) she was completely lost. She thought we were talking about Patrick the star fish (from sponge bob).
And this year, Jack thought we were going to a birthday party for some one named Patrick. We know no one named Patrick. But he was excited to go.
So, as you can see this is a frustrating holiday for me. There are so many different way to celebrate! And everyone does it different. Does anyone out there even know why we celebrate it? I actually didn't until this year. I was so frustrated with it that I finally did the research to find out why I am even going to the trouble:) And even though I am now full of knowledge, I still am not sure why. We don't drink, and we aren't Irish:( So what are WE celebrating?

A wonderful opportunity

Today I attended a very special wedding at the Draper Temple.Way back in 1999 I was called to serve in the Young Womens. Because I served in that organization for 5 years I had the amazing opportunity to watch the little beehives grow and learn and gain their testimonies. One in particular I became quite close to. I felt so blessed that I could remain in YW with her and be a part of her growth, and learning. I was released from my calling the summer that she graduated high school and left YW. We have kept in contact over the last 6 years. And today I went to the temple to attend her wedding. It was a wonderful experience, and I am so glad that she wanted me there for that special occasion.

It was an accident!

Earlier this week, during a routine after bath hair drying, I poked Sheridan in the eye with my pinkie finger. Apparently she was more mad than I realized. I found this note on my mirror later that night. Ahhhhhhh, gotta love my hyper-sensitive 9 year old.

What do I love about my husband?

His sunny personality! He is warm, and caring, and full of all sorts of emotions. You see, it is his birthday and look how happy and excited he is!

I did it!

I ran my first 5K this morning! Yeah, for me.
It was a perfectly overcast, chilly, drizzle-y morning for a nice little run. Bountiful had a "sweethearts" run that my brother signed me up for a few weeks ago. I have been really excited and nervous. I ran with two of my brothers and one sister-in-law. But she doesn't count because she left us at the starting line, and we never saw her again:( the jerk.
Anyhoo, I did it in 35min. I know that is nothing spectacular, but it was my first and I was just doing it for fun anyway. My brother wanted someone to run with him because he knew his wife would run too fast. So, I used it as a little "try out" of sorts. I wanted to see if I would even like that sort of thing. And guess what? I do! I loved it. And I felt amazing afterward! So, next up.........10K with my cousin in a few months:)

Happy Birthday, Madelynn!

Madelynn turned 7, on the 7th (haha). At her party we played some bean bad tossing games, doughnut eating (on a string, no hands), and did a balloon stomp. Of course I have no picutes of any of that!:( I am so lame. She got some really awesome presents from her friends, and grandparents. And from us, she got a turtle(forgot to include a picture of that one-oops). She was a happy girl. It was a good day:)

Was it worth it?

AHH.....Brian and his snuggie:) Thanks to Jamie and Scott for this awesome Christmas present. It gets much use at our house. But I want you to know, I risked my life to get this picture. So I ask you, was it worth it? The possible loss of ME, for one shot of Brian in his snuggie? I say YES!

she's at it again!

This is a common occurrence at our house. She loves to play in the dirt of my plants. I have no idea why. If given enough time unnoticed (like this particular instance) she empties the dirt onto her head and shoulders. By the handful. Why? I know not. Unfortunately she is not picky about where we are when she decides to play in the dirt. She emptied one of my grandma's plants out when we were visiting my mom last weekend:(
And look at her face. She doesn't even look happy. Just her ever-present pout. So whats the point?