life in happy valley

what's new with you

2012-01-27T09:16:00.002-07:00

I've had several people ask me what I've been up to lately. I pause for a few minutes and try to think, what have I been up to?

The answer is boring. Not much.

I had the worst cold of my adult life that I can remember. I easily went through six boxes of kleenex. SIX. I had to run to the store in the middle of it and I know the girl at the check stand was trying not to notice my raw red nose.

I read a couple of books at the beginning of January and that took up one week, plus de-Christmasing my house. Then I was sick for two weeks, and this week has kind of just been a lazy recovery week. I have managed to do a little sewing, so there's that.

Oh, and I started taking piano lessons again last fall. Owen was having issues sitting still during his lesson (one of my kids, seriously?) so his teacher and I decided to wait until next summer to try again. Then I got the brilliant idea that I would take his spot. It actually has been great. Other than I spend at least one to two hours practicing the piano everyday. I've made vast improvements, but I'm still not where I'd like to be.

My mom and I are taking a basic adult clothing construction class. I am hoping this will someday end with me on Project Runway. Not really, but I do want to learn how to alter my clothes so that they actually fit.

So I guess my answer has to do with expanding my horizons. Lots of people my age are going back to school. I'm creating my own type of school. Sewing, piano, and I'd really like to get back into pottery, but I think Wade would flip if I added one more hobby. Maybe someday I'll talk him into a mini-kiln to go with my un-used wheel in the basement. Or perhaps I can sucker my kids into becoming potters. That's a lucrative career choice right?

Exciting stuff.

Oh but wait! I am about to, at this moment in fact, take on the potty training of my youngest. He's way too old to still be in diapers. But I am lazy and as strange as it may seem, I'd rather change a diaper than have to use a public restroom with a toddler. Even though I rarely take him anywhere. You never know though. You know?

So what's new with you?

October

2012-01-15T14:30:00.004-07:00

Every year my parent's neighbor and her sisters decorate their barn and field with a whole bunch of Halloween crap. They have places to roast weenies, a spook alley, hayrides through the field and barrel rides for the kids. All for free. They started doing it for their own kids and then it just kind of exploded. We look forward to it every year.

I really like it because my mom feeds us and then I don't have to make dinner. Plus if it's not cold and windy it's a great photo spot.

The kids love the barrel ride. I rode in it last year and almost died. Well, not really, but man did my butt and back hurt. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone over the age of 12.

My grandparents have been members of the LGCC for 44 years I think. They invited the boys to the annual Halloween carnival. Where we got fish. I managed to keep them alive for almost a month.

Nathan is going to preschool. I wasn't going to put him in because if we decide to hold him back that will mean three years of preschool, but my friend talked me into it. I'm glad she did. It's been really good for him. He's kind of a mama's boy. Plus I get two and a half hours twice a week without any kids. Well, once a week, on Thursday's I help in the boys' class during that time. I need to get out of that. Anyway, his little class put on a performance for the parents. They sang songs and said poems. And wouldn't you know, my son participated. He didn't scowl and tell everyone to shut up. That's what he does whenever I try to sing.

He wouldn't wear his costume, but if you can see his little face he's quite pleased with himself for holding hands with two girls. The one with the pink hair is his Chloe friend. They kiss. Or so he tells me.

This is his original Woody costume. I got him to wear it for about three minutes.

He is winning.

August/Sept

2012-01-12T16:40:00.005-07:00

August

Holden finally learned how to swim. Kind of. It's a hot mess. But he doesn't drown so I'm calling it progress. Also, he dove off the diving board. Well jumped. I had to bribe him with a $50 wii game. Don't worry, because I know your are, I made him do it multiple times.

We spent a little time at the dam.

This might have been the end of July, but it's in my August folder, so it stays. Anyway, we headed up to Malad, ID for a little family reunion with Wade's dad's family. These here are the remaining siblings. Spend time in Idaho, talk like an Idahoan. I might could do this all day.

The unfortunate part of this little reunion was I was so sick I sat on a chair and pretended to smile for a couple of days. I hadn't been that sick in a long time. And of course we were in the middle of nowhere. Sleeping on the ground. In a tent. Which is fun if you're sure you aren't dying.

I didn't die. I did swallow a lot of Ibuprofen. Alot. This dog had a crush on me. I kind of had a crush on him too.

We spent some time at the family cabin. And that actually made the blog.

Then we headed up to the Tetons for some fishing and hiking at Colter Bay. This I believe also made the blog.

Then the greatest day of the year came to pass.

Nathan turned three.

On Nathan's birthday we had a last hurrah with Wade's parents before they headed off to Oklahoma City. We drove to O-town, hopped on the train and headed to downtown SLC. We saw a movie at the IMAX, where I decided I wanted to move to wherever they were raising baby orangutangs and raise some too, and, now this is a big one, 3-D isn't as bad as I thought. Then off to dinner and a stroll around temple square.

This is Wade's whole family. And Mackenzie would be mad if I didn't give her the photo credit. Hopefully I spelled her name right.

September
We said goodbye to Wade's parents.

The boys were in the USU homecoming parade. Wade and I timed it a little off this year and missed them. Not to worry, I lied to them and said they were awesome. They said they couldn't find me. I told them we must have been on the other side of the street. I still feel kind of bad about this several months later. Missing their moves, not lying. I'm not sure what that says about me.

Right before the parade I participated in a little Crossfit Fight Gone Bad. I improved a lot from last year. Alot. This is a photo of me I stole from them. It is not doing me any favors.

Wade wrapped up his summer of pretending he was a cement contractor with the completion of a couple sets of stairs that surround our garden wall.

We cheered my brother in law on as he passed our neighborhood during the Top of Utah Marathon. They all looked miserable. And wet.

Holden took 1st place at his troop's pinewood derby race.

And I got to pretend I was a wound care specialist with Nathan's finger.

Recap part III

2012-01-09T20:11:00.003-07:00

I hope y'all aren't getting sick of this recap thing. I figure at this rate I might wrap up sometime in February. But hey! Yay! At least I'll remember what we were up to in 2011.

July

We celebrated the 4th with family at the local parade. At the end of the parade every year I swear we won't be coming back. Too many cars advertising their businesses, also, the band was in DC or something. We always do though. Come back that is.

Maybe it's because my grandma is a lot of fun.

That night we had our own firework show with the neighbor kids.

I played golf with my grandma in the annual LGCC mother daughter tournament. We took first place net for the over 30's. It was pajama themed. Ours were the wildest.

One of my favorite places in this little valley is the river bottoms in Paradise. I spent lots of time there as a kid, feeding fish, exploring, not swimming (gross), and watching other people fish.

We spent the evening there for a family reunion. The kids fed fish, there was skeet shooting, food, and ranger rides for all.

And of course fishing.

Recap II May to June

2012-01-08T10:07:00.005-07:00

We spent a few days in Maui. And after riding for the majority of the time in the back of a Mustang convertible, I can say without a doubt that my love affair with that car is over. Sorry dad. Also we saw the entire island. Including this lava flow that we drove through.

We hiked to an amazing waterfall. The boys were a little more brave than the girls. I don't know about you but when I read a sign that says don't stand under the waterfall because you could get pegged in the head by falling debris and rocks, I tend to listen.

We stopped for lunch on our windy drive up the volcano and got overtaken by the mist in this picture. Which made for some fantastic light.

June
The boys performed in their dance recital. Just because I can't seem to create little girls doesn't mean that we can't participate in girly things. Right? Don't answer.

Holden participated in his 2nd grade race and I think came in third or fourth. The kid may not be the most coordinated, but he's pretty fast.

Soccer turned into baseball. Which I know, but I kind of enjoyed it. Holden is not a bad little ball player. He pays attention, can run fast, and he can throw pretty far.

Owen is Owen.

And no June would be complete without a redneck father's day lunch. We got rained out so into the shed the tables went.

2011 Recap aka the longest post ever

2012-01-02T00:09:00.003-07:00

January

We rang in the new year at our house with my family. Fondue, party hats and our own personal theater room equals fun for all.

My sister had a baby.

And so did my brother.

February
Holden was in a little skit at school. He knew all his lines from memory.

Nathan finally got to drive his tractor outside.

I cleaned out and repainted the inside of my pantry. It was total chaos and only stayed organized for about a month.

Owen turned six. And was loved on by a lot of ladies at his party. Not to worry there were boys there too.

He also fell off the barstool that morning and split his forehead open. I couldn't get him into the doctors office, apparently it was a very busy morning, so Wade bought some steri-strips and we fixed him right up.

March
I didn't take many pictures in March. Which is ironic considering it was the month I got a new camera.

April
We spent spring break at home. I took the boys to the treehouse museum. We froze our butts off at soccer games. Easter happened and my parents found hilarity in giving my kids bunnies.
Oh and the easter bunny got crafty. Owen colored himself. Holden got glasses.

I'm going to pick up on the rest of this tomorrow. Also, I switched over to the new interface on blogger, does anybody know how to switch back? As you can see my post is a mess.

for my last few remaining readers

2011-12-19T19:16:00.002-07:00

merry christmas

2011-12-15T23:34:00.004-07:00

I'm thinking holiday cards aren't going to happen this year.

And if they do they might just be hand delivered to relatives.

I am too lazy for the post office.

So anyway, Merry Christmas from us!

And also thanks to my aunt who snapped this image of us after thanksgiving dinner.

baby quilt

2011-11-19T21:44:00.003-07:00

I whipped this up a couple of weeks ago for a friend
and her fourth baby girl.

I was inspired by this quilt, but I did an extra row of pinwheels and left off the prairie points.
Prairie points are not my favorite.

I am getting much faster and better at completing projects.

ninety five minutes

2011-11-18T21:54:00.003-07:00

So you know how I said Holden's pinewood derby car was our "six hundred dollar car?"

Let's just make it an even thousand.

We plan on renting the car out next year, and the next, and the next, and the next, and the next, and so on and so forth.

Moral of the story:
The ER and Insta-Care are equally evil.
Shoot for after hours kids care if you can. Cry and plead with them until they agree to see you. You'll thank me later.
If you have no idea what I'm talking about it means you don't live by me.
And if it wasn't for the foot of snow that just covered my front lawn, I'd feel bad for you.

Also, Nathan's finger is completely crooked. He can't even straighten it. Nothing like dropping a grand for some bandages, a swig of loratab and some cleaning sponges. Hopefully my two hundred dollars in x-rays were actually read correctly.

And end rant.

why i love my middle man

2011-11-17T10:04:00.005-07:00

I need to write about this kid more often, good things, so that when I am about ready to kill him every blasted morning, I can reflect on the good.

He will still kiss me on the lips. Sometimes I don't really want to kiss a first grader on the lips though, one never knows what really goes on at recess. Plus he likes to catch snakes. I don't think he eats his boogers though, so there's that.

He is reading like a champ lately.

Last year during his school's food drive he got his own cans out of the pantry. I didn't even know until the last day for the drive and I told him he probably ought to take a few items. He already had. Olives, black beans and some corn.

Hopefully that will get me through tomorrow.

11/11/11

2011-11-11T19:29:00.002-07:00

Just so happens to be my eldest child's birthday. He's turning 11. Minus 2. Which is almost the same.

Not to be a traitor to my other two but he is by far my smartest. And most obedient. And loudest. And also my mother's favorite.

in case you were wondering...

2011-11-10T08:10:00.002-07:00

ten minutes is not an adequate amount of time for the hot water heater to reheat.

november 8

2011-11-08T22:34:00.004-07:00

My poor husband has been sick this last week. My two oldest children have been sick for at least six weeks. At least. And now the baby is starting to look like he is going to join in on the fun. Or else he's just really sleepy. So far I have managed to avoid all this coughing nastiness.

I think it's because I never wash my hands.

I'm just kidding.

things I like more than I should

2011-11-07T22:27:00.002-07:00

milkyways, seriously, I can't stop eating them.
ok, so I had more but in the time it took me to walk downstairs
and turn on my computer
I forgot.

november 6

2011-11-07T08:04:00.001-07:00

We awoke to snow Saturday morning.
Which is great if you love snow.

And snowball fights.

I personally like to stay inside.

november 5

2011-11-05T22:54:00.003-06:00

Today is my mother in law's birthday.

Happy Birthday Judy!

Even though it will be over by the time you see this.

She and my father in law are
currently having an adventure in Oklahoma.
If you're interested in reading about what they are up to you
can find them over on my blog roll.

november 4

2011-11-04T21:27:00.003-06:00

So I'm trying for this NaBloPoMo thing again. It is day four and I'm already out of material. Since I've minimally posted for the last six months I'm afraid this is going to be a struggle. And that means I'm blogging about blogging which equals blah. You know what else is a struggle? Typing one handed because I'm too lazy to use both hands.

Oh here's something. Today I raked leaves. I have these giant trees in my backyard. They are only four years old. I got them in the mail as sticks and I kid you not they are almost 40 feet tall. We planted seven of them along my backyard fence, which seemed like a good idea at the time. And for now they work for amazing screenage and shade, but I have no idea what is going to happen in two more years when they start breaking apart my backyard neighbor's patio or my foundation. These trees are huge. And they just lost all their leaves which means I really really need some type of window covering in my bathroom again. I'm hoping the glare of the sun is adequate. Otherwise the old people community behind me may be getting an eye full. But that's ok, because they probably don't see well anyway. Lets just hope the kids in the apartments don't have binoculars.

Ha ha! Done with day four.

out my window

2011-11-03T19:33:00.004-06:00

There is a residential deer herd that live and nest? (do deer nest, I have no idea) near us. I think they are starting to get less fearful of the area because I see them out all the time.

We always get made fun of for living in the city. Well who has city kids now? Also, I don't live in a city. I live in a bedroom community.

dollhouse

2011-11-02T22:12:00.004-06:00

A couple years ago I found an online tutorial for a fabric dollhouse.
I had one as a kid that my stepmom made me, and I remember loving it.
I played with it all the time.
Mine also had matching furniture and a little family of bunnies.

I am not ambitious or smart enough to make furniture, or animals,
but I did try my hand at the house.
I got the tutorial from here.
I made mine a lot bigger.
Because I have little man syndrome.
Except I'm not sure where I'm inadequate.
The instructions on the other blog are not great,
especially if you have inadequacies,
so if for some crazy reason you want to make your own,
give me a call and we can make some more together.

I know my picture is terrible,
but I didn't finish this thing until it got dark and
then it was no longer mine.

Halloween, happy valley style

2011-11-01T21:17:00.003-06:00

So it's November.
Which means Halloween happened.
Again.
And like always I waited until two days prior before acquiring my kids' costumes.
Or as Owen says 'coshtumes'. Speaking of which, does anyone watch Dance Moms? They all say coshtumes. It makes me crazy.

The boys wanted to be Angry Birds. I didn't want to pay for them. Luckily wally-world came through in a pinch. Everyone was happy. Except Baby Nate. He wanted to be Buzz. We worked all week to talk him into Woody.

Bad guy Woody, that is.

And just because he's so darn cute, here are a few more.

Oh and one more. Because little dudes with old man faces never get old.

October 1

2011-10-01T21:48:00.005-06:00

Posting has been a little light here lately. I have been playing nurse, house painter, organizer, food preservation specialist, laundress, and personal chef a lot. The nurse thing has taken up most of my time.

Last Sunday I decided I wasn't doing anything for anyone all afternoon. I threw on an old Dan Fogelberg cd and started what I hoped was to be my final day in organizing my craft room. Fast forward 4 songs when I hear blood curdling screams coming from the kitchen.

I bolted down the stairs and found Wade holding the baby with his hand over the sink.

$#!+.

Wade looked at me and said 'It's bad.' Nathan was missing a good chunk of the inside of his right ring finger. I grabbed him, told Wade to get the boys and meet me in the car. Then we decided it was just best if I took him myself.

The poor kid, he screamed and screamed and all I could do was hold his little foot while I drove like a maniac to the ER.

He's fine. No broken bones, just a really bad burn. Down to the tendon in one place. Oh and a strong aversion to doctors and anyone in scrubs. I just have to change his bandages once a day and let him sleep with me. Well I don't really have to let him do that, but I enjoy getting kicked in the face repeatedly at night.

What caused this you ask?
The treadmill.

But Jenny, surely you've taught your kids treadmill safety.
Nope, it's just for looks at this house.

Except for when your husband decides it would be a perfect way to test the wheels on Holden's pinewood derby.

Luckily, the pinewood derby car won the race.
I call it our $600 car.
I think we should dip it in gold and put it on our mantel.

2011-09-09T18:00:00.007-06:00

So I am in a conundrum.

Firstly I have no idea how to spell conundrum, but thankfully there is a thing called spell-check.

Secondly my oldie Holdie wants his own room. He's almost nine, ALMOST NINE, and apparently it is no longer cool to sleep on the top bunk.

I have been dragging my feet for the last two months over this. I was hoping maybe he'd forget. And he has, but now, NOW I am ready to make the switch. For several reasons. All benefiting me. I'm a good mom, I know.

One- I am going to de-guestify the guest room and put the queen bed in Nathan's room which will be Holden's new room. This leaves me an empty guest room. And since we've only had guests twice (hi amy and chad, come back, I'll kick holden out of his new room! also aunt wendy, the little boys room will always be open for you) I figure there is no need to have a guest room.

Speaking of empty guest rooms, I will now have a space all to my self. You know, besides my laundry room, my scrapbook loft and my sewing nook. ALL OF MY OWN. It is yellow, and small, and it has A/C all the time in the summer, and there is a closet. A real live closet with shelves and doors.

Two- I am going to finally dip my toes in the trend that is gray paint. I have about a hundred swatches and it is proving difficult to pick the right one. Warm, cool, blue-gray, blue-green, gray-taupe, almost white!?! How is a girl to decide?

Three- I am going to move all my sewing crap out of my family room. Sure it's cute and kitschy to have sewing out all of the time, even if it isn't being used, but enough, I'm done having crap everywhere.

Four- I am going to also move all my scrapbook/card making supplies into my new room. This way it will have a real home and Wade will no longer walk by it everyday and shake his head at all the money I've wasted on rubber and paper.

Five- once I get the loft cleaned out this will be turned into Nathan's new play area, this way I will have a way to entertain him while Wade works and I pretend that I am busy and important. This new space involves a freshly painted dollhouse. I was going to use it as a book shelf, but no, they want a Ken house. Next thing you know they'll be trying on their aunt's old clogging shoes and running around in spandex. Wait, what?

But it is all on hold until I find the perfect shade of gray. This involves hours and hours of pining away on pinterest and wandering the paint isles of Lowe's and Home Depot. Not to mention the awesome people at Bennetts loaded me up with 12 fandecks of every color Benjamin Moore ever made.

Wade thinks I should leave it brown.
He is boring.

I think I should get off the computer and get to work.

the cabin

2011-09-04T21:51:00.004-06:00

This little cabin is a place I have spent many an evening. It was one of my grandpa's favorite spots, and now is a favorite place to stay for my hunting brothers. We make it up about once a year.

It has also been a favorite place for vandals. Twice it has been broken into. The first time was the worst as the vandals took an axe to the ceilings, the cabinets, the windows, and even left us a note in the guest book. And I quote 'We was here and we had fun, thanks for the stuff.' Touching. They were eventually caught.

The second time I think the people were just lost. Instead of breaking out a cheap window, they decided to kick the door in causing quite a bit of damage. They were also caught because a bank statement fell out of their car identifying them. Obviously they weren't particularly bright.

(us trying to take a family photo. holden is always cooperative)

We spent the evening there a few weeks ago with my family. We ate, I played with my camera, we rode around in the ranger and the boys went on a short hike where they ran into a rubber boa snake. They look like a big piece of poo. Not that that has anything to do with anything.

My favorite time . . . .

Sunset.

a dam photo essay

2011-08-16T14:37:00.005-06:00

We got invited to go boating a couple of weeks ago with some of our favorite people.

And I took it upon myself to be the unofficial photographer of the event. This way I could stay dry and play with my new camera and lens.

I have it rough.

My husband is a bad ass. With sexy legs.

And so is our friend. A bad ass that is, I haven't spent much time checking out his legs.

I have taught my eldest the proper way to spend time on a boat. Relaxed, with your eyes closed.

We make good decorations.

little ones

2011-08-01T23:10:00.002-06:00

So I've been kind of crafty lately.

And by lately I mean this last year.

I've made quite a few baby quilts.

And by quite a few I mean three.

I finished this one a couple of weeks ago for my neighbor's fifth child.
Five kids!
Yikes!
I am always impressed when people can handle that many kids.
I can barely handle myself.

Anyway, I used this pattern,
purchased all my fabric at the local fabric store
and quilted it on my new machine with my mom's walking foot.

I backed it in flannel, which I pre-washed to avoid uneven shrinking issues, to make it snugglier.

I love how it turned out,
and not to worry I bought enough fabric to make another one.
I do that a lot. It makes it easier to give them away.