TODAY IS THE DAY!!!!!!!!
Breaking Dawn comes out in 12 hours and 3 minutes! I am so excited! My mom and some friends and I are going to the midnight release party at Borders tonight. I can't wait! Gonna be up all night BAWLING my eyes out. Can't wait!!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Picture time
Today I got to have some of my bestest friends over for a playdate! I took some more pics of Karlee. She is such a sweetie. Big brother Jaron even got in a few of them!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Another week
So, another week has gone by. It was a busy one for us.
Wednesday-Friday, Becka had Activity Day Camp at church. All the 8-11 year old girls in our stake went. This year's theme was "It's great to 'bee' me." They made several different craft (journals, picture frames, aprons, bookmarks, etc) and had some classes all based on President Hinckley's "9 be's." They also got to help tie quilts and make a quilt square and collect trial size toiletries for the needy. She had lots of fun! She was especially excited because the t-shirts for camp this year were light blue...her favorite color!
Wednesday-Friday I also had my nieces Ava and Lucia here. Jason and Cat went to Vegas for the weekend, so we took care of the girls. Lucia went to Camp with Becka, and Rachie had a blast playing with Ava. They play so well together. We didn't do much on the first two days, but on friday I took them to JJ Jump and then to McDonalds for lunch. Friday afternoon, I dropped them off at their neighbor's house and they stayed there until Jason and Catalina came home on Saturday.
Friday night we had the missionaries over for dinner. I was sick on Thursday, but I still went to the store and got food together so we could feed them something nice. When they called to confirm later that evening, Elder Bjorn told me that he has to have all gluten free food, and no wheat or oats, stuff like that. I about had a heart attack! So, I spent all night Thursday night worrying about what I would make that was gluten free. I was so sick and didn't feel up to making something crazy, so we ended up doing hot Mexican salad and instead of the chili, I used ground beef that I had seasoned with just salt and pepper because my taco seasoning ingredient list wasn't on the bottle. It worked out fine. That night, Jake was spending the night with a buddy, so the girls, Steve and I drove around looking for good places to take pics, and also looking for some old barns to shoot. I love that kind of photography...old barns, fun looking trees, etc.
Saturday I was out running errands and had just walked into Target when Steve called and told me that he had forgotten about a baptism he was supposed to be conducting right then! So I ran home to be with the girls while he was gone. After that, we ran errands as a family, then took the kids to the Ridgefield Wildlife Preserve. We got some fun pics of the different birds and animals there.
When we were done with that, we went to the church for the High Priest group dinner. The HP group activities crack me up. First of all, we are the youngest couple in there. Most of them are at least in their 40s, with the average age being 50s-70s. There are only two other couples with young kids, and they both have other kids old enough to babysit. I miss the Elders Quorum for activities. I feel so out of place with the others. One guy had brought a ton of stuff from his garage that he didn't want anymore and raffled it off to everyone in attendance. LOL! It was hysterical! I got a book called "Law for Dummies" (the guy is a judge) and poor Steve ended up with a 'Hilary for President" campaign button.
Sunday was a crazy day as usual. I still am having a hard time finding someone to sub for me in August. I only have the Junior Primary covered for next Sunday, no one for Senior Primary yet. Ugh! Best news is that Rachie wore undies at church the whole time and never had an accident. Thank goodness Melissa has been coming to our ward. Between Steve being in the bishopric and me in Primary, we haven't been able to go to nursery and take her potty, so poor Melissa went and took her every half hour for us! Thanks Eesa! You are the best!
After church, we had Melissa and the Fitzsimmons over for dinner and games. Well, we didn't do the game part, but we had a yummy dinner and enjoyed visiting. We haven't gotten together with the Fitzsimmons since Christmastime, so it was a treat. The kids were so happy to see each other again!
Today the kids and I went and got new backpacks and lunch boxes for school. Jake got Star Wars (of course) and Becka got a pretty blue/white backpack, and a blue/brown lunch bag. I spoiled Rachie and let her pick out a lunchbox. She chose Dora the Explorer. It is so funny to me that she likes Dora. We don't have cable, so she doesn't watch the show. I think we have one book about Dora, but somehow Rachie knows that Dora is cool!
Tonight is FHE and who knows what craziness will occur then?? I will have to fill ya in on our shenanigans later!
Wednesday-Friday, Becka had Activity Day Camp at church. All the 8-11 year old girls in our stake went. This year's theme was "It's great to 'bee' me." They made several different craft (journals, picture frames, aprons, bookmarks, etc) and had some classes all based on President Hinckley's "9 be's." They also got to help tie quilts and make a quilt square and collect trial size toiletries for the needy. She had lots of fun! She was especially excited because the t-shirts for camp this year were light blue...her favorite color!
Wednesday-Friday I also had my nieces Ava and Lucia here. Jason and Cat went to Vegas for the weekend, so we took care of the girls. Lucia went to Camp with Becka, and Rachie had a blast playing with Ava. They play so well together. We didn't do much on the first two days, but on friday I took them to JJ Jump and then to McDonalds for lunch. Friday afternoon, I dropped them off at their neighbor's house and they stayed there until Jason and Catalina came home on Saturday.
Friday night we had the missionaries over for dinner. I was sick on Thursday, but I still went to the store and got food together so we could feed them something nice. When they called to confirm later that evening, Elder Bjorn told me that he has to have all gluten free food, and no wheat or oats, stuff like that. I about had a heart attack! So, I spent all night Thursday night worrying about what I would make that was gluten free. I was so sick and didn't feel up to making something crazy, so we ended up doing hot Mexican salad and instead of the chili, I used ground beef that I had seasoned with just salt and pepper because my taco seasoning ingredient list wasn't on the bottle. It worked out fine. That night, Jake was spending the night with a buddy, so the girls, Steve and I drove around looking for good places to take pics, and also looking for some old barns to shoot. I love that kind of photography...old barns, fun looking trees, etc.
Saturday I was out running errands and had just walked into Target when Steve called and told me that he had forgotten about a baptism he was supposed to be conducting right then! So I ran home to be with the girls while he was gone. After that, we ran errands as a family, then took the kids to the Ridgefield Wildlife Preserve. We got some fun pics of the different birds and animals there.
When we were done with that, we went to the church for the High Priest group dinner. The HP group activities crack me up. First of all, we are the youngest couple in there. Most of them are at least in their 40s, with the average age being 50s-70s. There are only two other couples with young kids, and they both have other kids old enough to babysit. I miss the Elders Quorum for activities. I feel so out of place with the others. One guy had brought a ton of stuff from his garage that he didn't want anymore and raffled it off to everyone in attendance. LOL! It was hysterical! I got a book called "Law for Dummies" (the guy is a judge) and poor Steve ended up with a 'Hilary for President" campaign button.
Sunday was a crazy day as usual. I still am having a hard time finding someone to sub for me in August. I only have the Junior Primary covered for next Sunday, no one for Senior Primary yet. Ugh! Best news is that Rachie wore undies at church the whole time and never had an accident. Thank goodness Melissa has been coming to our ward. Between Steve being in the bishopric and me in Primary, we haven't been able to go to nursery and take her potty, so poor Melissa went and took her every half hour for us! Thanks Eesa! You are the best!
After church, we had Melissa and the Fitzsimmons over for dinner and games. Well, we didn't do the game part, but we had a yummy dinner and enjoyed visiting. We haven't gotten together with the Fitzsimmons since Christmastime, so it was a treat. The kids were so happy to see each other again!
Today the kids and I went and got new backpacks and lunch boxes for school. Jake got Star Wars (of course) and Becka got a pretty blue/white backpack, and a blue/brown lunch bag. I spoiled Rachie and let her pick out a lunchbox. She chose Dora the Explorer. It is so funny to me that she likes Dora. We don't have cable, so she doesn't watch the show. I think we have one book about Dora, but somehow Rachie knows that Dora is cool!
Tonight is FHE and who knows what craziness will occur then?? I will have to fill ya in on our shenanigans later!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Hooray!
Waahoo! Rachie is pretty much potty trained! She does so well now. She even pooped in the potty at church yesterday. I am impressed! I still put her in a diaper at bedtime and naptime, but we will work on it. For now I am happy with her being "day-trained." I promised her some Abby Cadabby panties when she could stay dry all day long, so now I need to go on a hunt for those.
Yesterday we spoke in Sacrament mtg at church. Our topic was FHE. I think we did a pretty good job, felt like I was giving a report! :) I thought Steve did AWESOME! He was happy because usually when we give talks together, mine is super short and he has a ton of time to fill. This time I took more than my share and he only had about 15 minutes.
Today hasn't been very good. Jake and Becka are fighting and Becka has been especially mouthy and rude! Save me!
Yesterday we spoke in Sacrament mtg at church. Our topic was FHE. I think we did a pretty good job, felt like I was giving a report! :) I thought Steve did AWESOME! He was happy because usually when we give talks together, mine is super short and he has a ton of time to fill. This time I took more than my share and he only had about 15 minutes.
Today hasn't been very good. Jake and Becka are fighting and Becka has been especially mouthy and rude! Save me!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
So, I am changing things up a bit. Can't figure out why my Twilight widgets aren't showing up. I will have to fiddle with them later.
Anyway, here are a few pics from the last couple of weeks. We had so much fun!!!!
Becka and her new bike!
Nathan and Jake
Rachie
Fireworks!
Rachie and Kylie looking at the fish. They are bestest buddies!!
Anyway, here are a few pics from the last couple of weeks. We had so much fun!!!!
Becka and her new bike!
Nathan and Jake
Rachie
Fireworks!
Rachie and Kylie looking at the fish. They are bestest buddies!!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Catching up!
Well, it's been a long time! Seems like things have been going in fast forward lately. Here is a recap of the past several weeks!
I think I mentioned that all of Steve's family was in town together. We had lots of fun playing with everyone and seeing them again. I feel bad that I miss out on knowing some of my nephews and nieces because of the distance that separates us. So, I got in a lot of hugs and snuggles. Well, at least from the littler ones. I didn't want to freak out the older kids...creepy, scary Auntie Heidi! We had fun visiting and playing and going places. Took lots of pictures, I can't wait to scrap them!
Because of gas and food prices being so high, we have been hanging out at home as much as possible. I actually went a whole two weeks and one day without filling up my van! I am amazed, because we drove out to Multnomah Falls, and the Bonneville fish hatchery, and Steve's parents' house a couple times on that tank of gas. I guess Heavenly father knew that we wanted to be with our family and he helped us get really good gas mileage! It is hard paying 100 bucks each time I go to the gas station.
4th of July was fun. Steve took the day off work, he hasn't ever done that since we have been married. We rode our bikes to a breakfast at a ward member's home in the morning, then had everyone from Steve's family over for a BBQ (well, everyone except Andrea and Dave, they were back at home, and Mike and Erin had other plans). Melissa and her brother Josh also came. We did dinner, played games, visited, and then had the kids do their fireworks out on the street. After that, we went over to another church member's house for an awesome fireworks show. I hate to admit it, but I am a bit of a pyro and love fireworks. It was hard for me to sit patiently and watch while Steve and the other guys lit everything. I wanted to be in there lighting stuff too! :) We got some great pics. They are up on our website.
Let's see, what's new with us? I started subbing in Primary as the chorister for the rest of the summer. It is a lot of fun! I am teaching the kids to sing "Called to Serve" and they just give me the chills every time we sing it! I had forgotten how strong the spirit is in Primary. I am glad to know that my future is in their hands. They are certainly a strong generation. Shhhh! Don't tell, but I am getting a new calling next month, so I have begun the search to find a sub for myself in Primary. Ha ha! A sub for the sub! Do you know how hard it is to find someone to commit to teach Primary music for the month of August? Everyone is going on vacation!
I finally bit the bullet and starting really working with Rachel on potty training this past week. She has been doing fairly well, but still doesn't tell me before she has to go. She finally likes wearing panties, so that is a step in the right direction. Before, she would refuse to even put them on. I think part of it is the bribery. She gets an Abby Cadabby sticker each time she goes pee in the potty and if she poops, she gets two big marshmallows and gets to choose who to call and tell about it! So far, my mom, Melissa and Steve have been the lucky recipients of an "I went poo-poo in the potty!" phone call. I am hoping she keeps it to those few...not sure how some people would react to that kind of a call. LOL!
Our garden is doing well. We finally have some peas (the squirrels kept digging them up) and have enjoyed munching on them while we are outside playing. We have lots of green tomatoes on the plants, just waiting for them to turn so we can enjoy them also. The broccoli was good, and my beans are close to ready. My cucumber is getting big, but so far I have no blossoms. I am hoping it starts producing soon, I love cukes!
Steve got to go spend an evening at girls camp this past week. He had fun doing that. He has been asked to go along with the young men from three wards in our stake as the "official" photographer" for their Deschutes River rafting trip next week. I am not feeling very happy about it. He has said that he doesn't think we can make our trip to Roy and Rexburg this summer because of cost, but he is taking three days off work to do the raft trip. Grrr!
Becka has Activity Day Camp next week, and is looking forward to that. Jake is just Jake. He is having fun playing outside and riding his bike. We are hoping to get a chance to visit Grandma's beach house this summer. I need some beach time.
I have been walking with Melissa almost every day for the past month and a half or so. This past week we started running. Oh my heck! I am so out of shape! Part of my problem is that I am wearing cheapo shoes while doing it, but that is the smallest of my worries. We are hoping to work together to lose some weight. So far, I feel better, but the scale isn't budging, which is frustrating. I am exercising and eating better, just wish the scale would cooperate! I joined her work softball team and we play every Friday night. I am terrible, but it is a lot of fun! I also joined a walking team through her work and we are competing with other teams to see who can walk the most miles. Jake is very good about reminding me to wear my pedometer! This week I think I hit about 32 miles. That is huge for me!
If you want to see the family pictures, you can look at my dropshots, but the best place is at www.candentphotograpy.com . They are under portraits, then Ard family. The password is ard, all lower case letters. We got several pics of each family, I just wish we had been able to do some of our family. I also forgot to try and get some of Grandma and Grandpa with the grandkids. It was happy chaos though and we got some fun shots!
I will post some pics from our outings here in another post. I have some great fireworks ones and fun ones from the fish hatchery too!
I think I mentioned that all of Steve's family was in town together. We had lots of fun playing with everyone and seeing them again. I feel bad that I miss out on knowing some of my nephews and nieces because of the distance that separates us. So, I got in a lot of hugs and snuggles. Well, at least from the littler ones. I didn't want to freak out the older kids...creepy, scary Auntie Heidi! We had fun visiting and playing and going places. Took lots of pictures, I can't wait to scrap them!
Because of gas and food prices being so high, we have been hanging out at home as much as possible. I actually went a whole two weeks and one day without filling up my van! I am amazed, because we drove out to Multnomah Falls, and the Bonneville fish hatchery, and Steve's parents' house a couple times on that tank of gas. I guess Heavenly father knew that we wanted to be with our family and he helped us get really good gas mileage! It is hard paying 100 bucks each time I go to the gas station.
4th of July was fun. Steve took the day off work, he hasn't ever done that since we have been married. We rode our bikes to a breakfast at a ward member's home in the morning, then had everyone from Steve's family over for a BBQ (well, everyone except Andrea and Dave, they were back at home, and Mike and Erin had other plans). Melissa and her brother Josh also came. We did dinner, played games, visited, and then had the kids do their fireworks out on the street. After that, we went over to another church member's house for an awesome fireworks show. I hate to admit it, but I am a bit of a pyro and love fireworks. It was hard for me to sit patiently and watch while Steve and the other guys lit everything. I wanted to be in there lighting stuff too! :) We got some great pics. They are up on our website.
Let's see, what's new with us? I started subbing in Primary as the chorister for the rest of the summer. It is a lot of fun! I am teaching the kids to sing "Called to Serve" and they just give me the chills every time we sing it! I had forgotten how strong the spirit is in Primary. I am glad to know that my future is in their hands. They are certainly a strong generation. Shhhh! Don't tell, but I am getting a new calling next month, so I have begun the search to find a sub for myself in Primary. Ha ha! A sub for the sub! Do you know how hard it is to find someone to commit to teach Primary music for the month of August? Everyone is going on vacation!
I finally bit the bullet and starting really working with Rachel on potty training this past week. She has been doing fairly well, but still doesn't tell me before she has to go. She finally likes wearing panties, so that is a step in the right direction. Before, she would refuse to even put them on. I think part of it is the bribery. She gets an Abby Cadabby sticker each time she goes pee in the potty and if she poops, she gets two big marshmallows and gets to choose who to call and tell about it! So far, my mom, Melissa and Steve have been the lucky recipients of an "I went poo-poo in the potty!" phone call. I am hoping she keeps it to those few...not sure how some people would react to that kind of a call. LOL!
Our garden is doing well. We finally have some peas (the squirrels kept digging them up) and have enjoyed munching on them while we are outside playing. We have lots of green tomatoes on the plants, just waiting for them to turn so we can enjoy them also. The broccoli was good, and my beans are close to ready. My cucumber is getting big, but so far I have no blossoms. I am hoping it starts producing soon, I love cukes!
Steve got to go spend an evening at girls camp this past week. He had fun doing that. He has been asked to go along with the young men from three wards in our stake as the "official" photographer" for their Deschutes River rafting trip next week. I am not feeling very happy about it. He has said that he doesn't think we can make our trip to Roy and Rexburg this summer because of cost, but he is taking three days off work to do the raft trip. Grrr!
Becka has Activity Day Camp next week, and is looking forward to that. Jake is just Jake. He is having fun playing outside and riding his bike. We are hoping to get a chance to visit Grandma's beach house this summer. I need some beach time.
I have been walking with Melissa almost every day for the past month and a half or so. This past week we started running. Oh my heck! I am so out of shape! Part of my problem is that I am wearing cheapo shoes while doing it, but that is the smallest of my worries. We are hoping to work together to lose some weight. So far, I feel better, but the scale isn't budging, which is frustrating. I am exercising and eating better, just wish the scale would cooperate! I joined her work softball team and we play every Friday night. I am terrible, but it is a lot of fun! I also joined a walking team through her work and we are competing with other teams to see who can walk the most miles. Jake is very good about reminding me to wear my pedometer! This week I think I hit about 32 miles. That is huge for me!
If you want to see the family pictures, you can look at my dropshots, but the best place is at www.candentphotograpy.com . They are under portraits, then Ard family. The password is ard, all lower case letters. We got several pics of each family, I just wish we had been able to do some of our family. I also forgot to try and get some of Grandma and Grandpa with the grandkids. It was happy chaos though and we got some fun shots!
I will post some pics from our outings here in another post. I have some great fireworks ones and fun ones from the fish hatchery too!
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