Gardens

I LOVE to garden!!! I love to dig in the dirt, watch it grow, water eat, and just plain enjoy my gardens, whether they are my vegetable or flower gardens. I love watching anything grow, as long as it's not ME!!!

Stephen made four raised beds for me. We filled them with beautiful soil and compost. This year we had an incredible year with our peas, cucumbers, tomatoes, tomatillos, squash, zuchini, and strawberries. However, our apple blossoms froze and we didn't get a single apple. And for some reason our corn and carrots never came up that well. All in all we had a wonderful year with our veggies.

One night I harvested 6 cucumbers and had Jacob run three over to our Korean neighbors. She told Jacob that it was her husband's birthday and that she was getting ready to run to the store for cucumbers to make Kimchi. How fun to have extra to share.

I also had beautiful flowers this year. We sent a huge dahlia to each of the teachers at school. Those are the flowers that Ashley is next too. You can see next to her face how big they really are!!! Then I took my visiting teachers gladiolias, those are the ones next to the scarecrow. Anyway, it was just a fun year to grow!!!

Journals

Yes, that is our family's journal basket. We keep everyone's journal in here and then on Sunday afternoon get the basket down and everyone writes about special events that happened in their week. It's so much more fun now that the girls can write well. Sometimes we share what we have written and talk about things that have happened during the week.
Well, as I was writing in mine yesterday, I skimmed through the pages and thought how boring this is going to seem to my posterity. They will all be asking why Grandma Shauna did the boring journal and didn't have a blog with pictures and video clips. Plus, it makes it so much more fun to share with family and friends! Now don't get me wrong a journal is perfect for sorting out thoughts and feelings, but a blog sure can bring your life TO LIFE. SOOOO here I go again, I won't run from it! I am excited to share things that we have done and are doing!

Running

OK, this is what I looked like 4 months ago. Let's just say "rather BIG!!!". So it's time to Runnnnnnnnnnnnn. I figure if my sister, Alesha can run a 24 hour relay I can at least run for 5 minutes. Anyway, I've been working on it and will give you monthly photo updates. I've got my jams, and Shadow that keep me going. I have lost 30 pounds since Jerrica, just need to lose a little more. I will say little when I really mean a lot, but saying "little" doesn't make is sound so bad!!!!

Break Activities

We were able to do a lot of fun things during the break. We went to Mr. Magorium's Wonderful Emporium. It was such a fun movie with such a deep meaning. After the movie Rebecca said "Mom I believe in myself! I just know that I can do anything!" I thought that was so cute of her. Anyway, other activities included swimming, roller skating, playing games, playing the Wii, and making too many goodies that were ALL eaten!!!!

Christmas

I know this a little after the fact, but had to journal our Christmas.

We had a fun party the night before with friends and family. We played our chimes, ate doughnuts on a string, acted out the nativity and then opened our new PJ's. They are such fun traditions that we try and do every year. The kids remind us of any that may be forgotten.

The kids were so excited! I think I was as excited as they were. The boys got a Wii, the girls little Hello Kitty digital cameras, Ashley got a bouncy horse that is huge, and Jerrica got a fun floor toy.


10 minutes before our Christmas dinner was to come out of the oven, Stephen announced that he couldn't take it anymore and had to go to the ER. He had a kidney stone, and from the looks of things, he was in pain!!!! He was shivering and throwing up on the way. Thanks to Kim, she came over and saved the dinner and played with the kids.

I saw the neatest quote at a friend's house this season. I have to write it down before I forget it. I hope I have it right.

There were two groups that night in Bethlehem
The "INN" crowd and the few at the stable
Which group are YOU in?

Breath of Heaven

Christmas Lights

Tonight we drove around looking at the holiday lights. The Gazette had listed the top houses with the most lights. Stephen was glad that we were not on the list. He isn't much of a holiday light putter upper. Plus, that would mean our utility bill would be even more, another negative aspect according to Stephen. Anyway, it was fun we sang Christmas carols as we drove around. Ashley was chanting "Ho, Ho, Ho" the entire time. We were lost at one point and I called Kim for directions. She had just made Bunco Bars and told us to come and get some for our FHE treat. As always they were divine!!!

Cool Christmas Carol

The Movie

Friday I took the kids to see Enchanted. It was really a cute movie. I knew the girls loved it because as soon as we got home they ran up to their rooms and put on their princess dresses. Thanks again Aunt Kristy for making those, they love them. Then they danced and pretended all afternoon. Anyway, go see the movie, it was cute!!!

Up and Blogging with no where to go

Just testing this out to make sure it works on a Saturday night with most of the mix of six in bed asleep.

Here you go Shaunita have fun blogging!!!