"Think of Me"

I can't seem to get a link on my site so here it is if you want to type it in:
www.americanidol.com/videos/?vid=1161
Last week on American Idol, the remaining contestants had to sing a song out of Andrew Lloyd Webber's collection (famous Broadway composer). This was really fun for me because I love his songs. David Archuleta sang, "Think of Me" from Phantom of the Opera and turned it into a modern ballad. It is awesome! I downloaded it off of itunes and it is a very moving, updated version of the song! He is the last of my favorite three still in the competition. Carly Smithson was another shocking elimination last week. Anyway, I'm trying not to be so caught up with it all but I'm starting to get butterflies in my stomach when they perform now!

Hook, Line and Sinker

I can't sleep so, I'm posting! There are some things my kids can do better than me, for instance, bowling, golfing and now you can add fishing to the list. In fact, I found a couple of quotes on-line that identify with how I feel when I fish: "There's a fine line between fishing..... and standing on the shore like an idiot!" It's as if the fish are saying to me, "Catch me if you can!" I have been told that my Father-in-law is a good fisherman. I thought of him after reading this one, "An old fisherman lives here and the catch of his life." I thought that was cute! Anyway, the kids had a good time and even came back with a tall tale of how the biggest one got away! Luke is showing off his second fish. WooHoo! Kate even caught one! She was very excited and helped clean and gut them when they got home.

They attended Cooley City's annual fishing frenzy! This will be our third year. It is a nice drive, it's free and they provide a sack lunch for everyone!
















"Our proud fisherman."















One more photo op.... and corny quote, I can't resist: "If wishes were fishes, we'd have a fish fry." I thought it sounded like Dr. Seuss himself.

"ssshhh!"

This post is just between you and me, ok? I don't want my oldest to feel self conscience or ambarrassed but we had a milestone morning. Austin and Alex were getting ready to go on a trip to the temple with the youth in our ward and I felt that Austin needed a haircut and a much needed lesson on how to shave his upper lip. Troy and I have gone back and forth on when would be an appropriate time to let Austin shave. Troy thought that we should wait until he's 14 and I think that his body is growing much faster than the number of years he is. Well, Troy took Luke and Kate fishing early this morning so, this was my opportunity. I really wish that Troy was here to be a part of it but seriously, it needed to be done! I got Troy's shaving cream and razor and showed him what to do. Alex got a kick out of watching and noticed a few spots that we missed. After fixing that, he looked great and a little younger! I think he likes it because he went right over and showed his uncle. "Yeah!" Oh, I decided to let Troy discover it on his own so, "ssshhh!"

Sniff, Sniff

Last weekend was the 4th annual retreat in Salt Lake with my sisters and mother. Every year we stay somewhere different. This year we stayed in Midway. We listened to the 80's station and shopped all weekend, breaking only to eat and get a facial at a nearby spa. Last year was our first spa visit together and for my mom, her first ever. We were in Los Angeles and Shannon set us up in a pretty posh spa. I'll just say that I felt like a country bumkin going to the city for the first time. Who knew their were such pleasantries? It was refreshing and very indulging! We had a great time! It was a little hard to come back to the real world and be responsible again but I missed my little family and couldn't wait to sniff Ellie's hair and kiss her little, pudgy cheeks and hands again.

"It's All Wrong But It's All Right"

I debated on whether to write about this or not but I love music and was very shocked to see Michael Johns get voted off American idol last week. Yes, I have to admit that I have been following this season pretty faithfully. I haven't done so in other seasons. In fact I have really only watched the last part of Season Two as faithfully but, all of these contestants are so talented! Of course I have my favorites. My top three were Michael Johns, David Archuleta and Carly Smithson. Michael and Carly can belt out the likes of Queen, Heart and Aerosmith (which is no small feat) while David sings with so much emotion for such a young kid or anyone for that matter, it is amazing. I thought I knew who would win but I can see that it is really up for the taking So, even though it was "All Wrong" for Michael to be eliminated, it will be "All Right" because I'm sure he will come out with a great album sometime in the near future.

What is that?

Well, I tried something new this weekend! I have to say that the word, "Sushi" never has sounded appetizing to me before but after going to a local restaurant I have changed my mind. Apparently, there are different kinds of sushi and I always thought it was just a whole, raw fish on a plate. I ordered something called Rainbow something or other which is rice rolled up in seaweed with several kinds of thinly sliced fish on top. There is also a sauce to dip your sushi in called, "Wasabi." It is very hot but you mix it with soy sauce to dilute as needed. I loved it! At one point I noticed tiny, small, orange things mixed in with the rice and I asked my friend, "What is that?" But, before she could answer I realized they must be fish eggs. I didn't know how I felt about that at first and then I decided that they were small enough to enjoy. It was delicious! I felt a little culturized from the whole experience!

We also watched Disney's, "Enchanted" this weekend. It was basically a spoof on Disney's animated classics. An animated Princess gets thrown into the "real world." It was a lot of fun and full of great Disney songs and special effects! A great family movie!

My American Idol

...until Tomorrow

You know the old object lesson of being able to fit rocks (tasks), rice (chores), salt (obligations) and water (responsibilities) into a jar or (a day)? Well, whoever thought of it didn't take into consideration all the distractions of children. Sometimes I feel like I have nothing to show for my day, (cleaning wise), except for entertaining, changing diapers, cleaning up after meals, refereeing, etc. I am not looking forward to potty training. That one is my all-time least favorite! I really enjoy spending time with my kids, I just wish I could wiggle my nose like what's her name on "Bewitched" and have everything cleaned. I actually wish that I had more time during the day to spend with them and just hang out. My kids are always so full of energy and conversation after school. I have tried to just stop what I am doing and talk with them because this seems to be the time when they want to chat with me. (" hi from Alex!!!") You see, that's my 12 year old. She is a lot of fun and once again full of energy right after school. I know that if I haven't accomplished what I have set out to do by the time they get home that it will probably not get done. But then again, they come home and help with chores so that helps me. They are awesome and I know that when they are gone and all I have to do is clean that I will miss them fiercely! So, my chores will have to wait .... until tomorrow!