Never Say Never

You want to feature me???

2010-04-06T13:52:00.000-07:00

Go check this awesome blog out, you might find someone you know?

Hello, anyone there?

2009-09-22T16:19:00.000-07:00

Yes people I am alive...

Like Father - Like Son

2009-06-14T15:41:00.000-07:00

My computer is broken and my camera is acting funny - But my sister took these great pictures for me! Hopefully the electronic wizard will get my computer up and running and then retrieve all my pictures. At that time I will update all the unblogged events and past adventures! Until that time, what offering might entice the computer Gods?

Sergeant Bear Turns Eight!

2009-04-19T12:35:00.000-07:00

Last month this handsome kid turned eight. He had an Army boot camp party,(actually a Marine not Army party) his Dad is quite partial. When I can figure out how to download the pics off my daughters camera- since mine broke mid-celebration, I will be posting the fun event. Until then this is what I got.

We love you Bear!

Favorite color: green
Favorite food: steak
Favorite movies: Jurassic Park and Bolt
Favorite activities: friends, video games, football, bike riding, Lego building, and hanging out with his Dad.

A New Project

2009-04-17T20:35:00.000-07:00

Doesn't every kitchen need a fantastic chalkboard door? I thought it would be fun to write shopping lists, recipes, or fun quotes on. What do you think?

Mount NeverRest

2009-04-17T09:49:00.000-07:00

Because of this ever growing mountain...

I have been living in here...

doing this....

over and over again and again!
I am quite positive life has more glorious things in store for me - if only I can just reach the summit.

I guess I should be grateful that I don't have to do it using this!

Excuse me...I just heard the dryer beep, dark colors and jeans you're load number 11.

Funk

2009-04-17T09:42:00.000-07:00

I've been in a funk. My camera has been in a funk and my computer has been in a funk.
....I'm coming out of it. I'm sure posts will follow.

Sweet Sixteen!

2009-03-19T18:08:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Kenisha! Can it really be true- Sixteen?

A 'get out of school early pass' started her birthday day off. I picked her up and we headed out to the spa for manicures and pedicures. After we were finished with our pampering we were off to spend the rest of the night shopping and finding just the right unique items. Kenisha has her own individual style, if someone else has it she doesn't want it! So instead of trying to find just the right gifts, we decided it would be fun to have a Pick Your Own Presents Day. We had a great time and found some cute things.
Thanks for letting me be a part of your special day! We love you!

Do these two silly girls look like they could consume an entire 9x13 cake by themselves? Well they did! What a great way to be initiated into the Sweet Sixteen Club, good idea Christine!

and He Has Struck Again

2009-03-17T14:41:00.000-07:00

Sometime in the wee midnight hours that sneaky little leprechaun invaded our fridge and deposited an assortment of items in his favorite hue. You know, the legend says if you consume green milk, delivered by a leprechaun himself, on the morning of the emerald sun you will be transformed into one of the little red bearded, clover loving, knicker wearing, rainbow lurkers...

I'm starting to see some signs, Should I be worried ???

Maybe the green eggs and ham we will be having for dinner, along with our version of 'Irish Beer' will reverse the adverse side effects?

An Irish Prayer

2009-03-16T21:33:00.001-07:00

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

Wherever you go and whatever you do,
May the luck of the Irish be there with you.

Wishing you all a Happy Saint Patrick's Day tomorrow!

To Say No Would Be Down Right.......... Un-American!

2009-03-08T18:25:00.000-07:00

Well, I wouldn't want to be that!

Words to Live By

2009-02-28T14:07:00.000-08:00

Goodness is the only investment that never fails.
~Henry David Thoreau~

Character is doing what's right when nobody is looking!

Circumstances do not make you what you are... they reveal what you are!
~John C. Maxwell~

You can stand tall without standing on someone, you can be a victor without having victims. ~Harriet Woods~

You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.
~James D. Miles~

No change in circumstances can repair a defect in character!
~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

Character is not made in a crisis it is only exhibited.
~Robert Freeman~

My grandfather once told me that there are two kinds of people: those who work and those who take the credit. He told me to try and be in the first group; there was less competition there. ~Indira Gandhi~

Love All, Trust Few, do wrong to None.
~William Shakespeare~

and last but not least...

There is no pillow so soft as a Clear Conscience!
~French Proverb~

I'm proud of you Kenny!

Do you have plates also?

2009-02-20T22:22:00.000-08:00

In fact I'd like to buy an entire table setting!

This was my Valentines Day Breakfast, bowl and all! Thank You Baby!
In case you didn't know,
Valentines Day rule #1: You eat whatever you want for breakfast!

P is for Pink

2009-02-20T21:56:00.001-08:00

Pink is for Valentines Day!
Valentines Day is for Pleasing Precious little People with Plenty of Pink Pizazz for breakfast!

Can You Feel the Love?

2009-02-20T14:16:00.001-08:00

Thanks http://bunnycakes.typepad.com for the super cute Valentine card printouts!

Sluffing ???

2009-02-20T13:36:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: ( Gentri would like all who view this to know that she was in the process of straightening her hair and was just taking a break - hence the weird hairdo.)

The Thursday before Valentines Day was deemed an official sluff day for our family. Between all of our hectic schedules, it was the only available day we could attend the Draper Temple open house together. Also, finished valentines were needed on Friday and they were not even in the start phase yet! So after thinking it over, I decided to let the kids stay home from school. (Except Kolby it was his preschool Valentine party and he couldn't miss that!) We worked on Valentines and hung out in our pajamas all morning. Then later that afternoon we went to the open house together as a family.
4 Unexcused absences didn't keep us from having a great day!

6 Years and Counting

2009-02-14T19:07:00.000-08:00

This is what we'd have liked to have done! - Next year Baby!

Although this is a bit belated blog post, Happy Anniversary to Us!
Thanks for the incredible journey thus far, and here's to the untraveled road before us!

Just A Little Taste of Vintage Bliss

2009-02-07T13:40:00.000-08:00

If you want a full bite visit vintageblissonline.blogspot.com

Years have gone by,

2009-02-07T13:26:00.000-08:00

But when you reunite with good friends it just seems like yesterday. Here's to lasting friendships, classic memories, and unforgettable moments. I had a great time seeing you all, can't wait till we get together again!

Oh Happy Day, The Cord Has Been Found!

2009-02-07T13:10:00.000-08:00

I delved into the Pit of Despair and came out alive, but cordless! So after sending the children on a mission of their own, the cord has been retrieved from the playroom downstairs. Who'd have thought, don't ask me how it ended up down there. I'm sure it had a good time being a dog leash, or a Indiana Jones whip, or whatever imaginative thing the children thought up for it. Either way I'm just glad to have it back, now on to blogging!

Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Cord Gone???

2009-01-19T07:14:00.000-08:00

Oh where, oh where could it be? I cannot find my camera cord anywhere, how on earth can I update my blog without pictures? I have searched far and wide, inside and out, over and under, and I am stumped! Maybe it is time to conquer the pit of despair, I dare not think it ventured into that horrible room. We may not come out alive, wish us luck, I'm going in.

Officially A Teenager!

2009-01-03T07:39:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Gentri! I can hardly believe you are thirteen already, it seems like you turned into a young women over night. We love you!

So You Want to be a Photographer

2009-01-01T21:23:00.000-08:00

Bear and Kolby absolutely love taking pictures. They could do it all day if they could only talk someone into being their model for hours. Me and Kenny somehow ended up being their subjects. Here are a few of their best work, What do you think???

Christmas Eve Traditions

2009-01-01T20:53:00.000-08:00

Thanks Bear!

2009-01-01T20:42:00.000-08:00

Bear made me this darling ornament for Christmas, I love his self portrait!

Oh Christmas Tree

2008-12-26T22:06:00.000-08:00

Gingerbread Construction Crew

2008-12-26T18:09:00.000-08:00

Now there's a high quality home!

Christmas Choir Concert

2008-12-26T17:13:00.000-08:00

Gentri is in beginning choir this year at school. She really enjoys singing and shares it with all who will listen! They really put on a great Christmas concert and it was a fun way to start the season!

Calling All Elves

2008-12-12T20:20:00.000-08:00

The Christmas tree is finally up, the decorations are in place. The scent of goodies fills the air and Christmas music plays. I'd sit by the fire and enjoy the lights if only.........
I had my Christmas shopping done, or even started!!!!!
Oh Santa could you spare a couple elves and send them my way??

Happy Birthday Baby!

2008-12-07T19:09:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday to a handsome husband, fabulous father, fantastic friend, confident coach, humble hero, and an all around extraordinary guy!!! We love you! By the way gray is very distinguished!

Blog Slacker, Very Behind Must Catch Up

2008-12-07T18:43:00.000-08:00

The kids were in charge of making the place cards and nut cups for Thanksgiving this year. The boys practiced their writing skills and decorated the name cards with darling turkeys. The girls helped steam ice cream cones and constructed them into cornucopias to be filled with goodies. We had Mom and Dad, and Jamie and Levi over to our house to eat on Thanksgiving. In all the hoopla I forgot to take pictures of the finished tables or food or people, oops! We had a great feast with fabulous food and good company. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful family and so many things to be thankful for.

And the Winner Is......

2008-11-22T07:29:00.000-08:00

Harlee Wendel!
Harlee decided she wanted to enter the school Reflections contest. She asked Grandpa Kelly and Grandma Debbie to take her to shoot pictures of birds and wildlife. They woke up early and went up to Antelope Island. She had a great time and took some awesome shots. She definitely has some of her grandpa's genes because she truly enjoyed every moment and now wants a camera.
Grandpa helped her put the pictures together in a collage and it turned out quite fabulous - the judges thought so too! Great job Harlee, and thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Coming Soon.........

2008-11-18T20:25:00.000-08:00

Soon to be in Lehi........

2008-11-18T20:07:00.000-08:00

Vintage Bliss!
Tis the season for change, and in December I will be making a big one. Keep posted for updates and info about my new business adventure - a nail spa and gift gallery!

Happy Birthday Harlee!

2008-11-02T21:05:00.000-08:00

In honor of the big Eleven, here are eleven fantastic things about Harlee.

1. Harlee loves to talk! She could talk for hours about pretty much anything.

2. Harlee loves to ask questions! This could also go on forever, so Kenny decided on a new policy of giving her a daily limit - she always meets her quota!

3. Harlee is extremely helpful. She is always willing to help anyone with anything they need.

4. Harlee is creative and artistic. She loves to draw, color, scrapbook, do crafts, and create.

5. Harlee is an excellent student. She always does her best work and gets good grades.

6.Harlee's favorite colors are pink and green.

7. Harlee really enjoys ranch dressing, I think her favorite food is probably ranch with a side of crispy chicken strips.

8. Harlee loves to read, especially fairy books.

9. Harlee loves nature and the great outdoors, she has recently decided she likes photography.

10. Harlee loves shopping, I am teaching her the art of deal and bargain finding.

11. Harlee is a fantastic daughter, sister and friend!

Still Cleaning up Glitter and Tufts of Fur

2008-11-02T19:47:00.000-08:00

Halloween is definitely one of our favorite holidays, but this year it seemed like Halloween went on forever. Between trunk or treat, Hee Haws preschool field trips, never ending costume making, school costume parades, pumpkin picking and trick or treating, I was somewhat glad to have the actual day finally end.
I think the boys were happy with their werewolf costumes, at least they loved wearing them. Whenever they put them on they went right into werewolf mode, growling and howling. Harlee and Gentri were happy with their butterfly fairy costumes, and I am happy to be done constructing them all! I am sure I will be finding little bits of glitter and fur all over the house clear until next Halloween. Yesterday I even discovered Kenny had a bit of a glittery glow to him, luckily I caught it just in time before he went to the gym. I'm sure the guys would have never let him live it down!

Young Entrepeneurs

2008-11-02T19:08:00.000-08:00

Gentri and Harlee's Grandpa grows pumpkins for them to sell each year. It is quite the little business, they spend a few weekends at the roadside stand and earn some spending money. We took the boys over to pick a pumpkin and support their sisters. We ended up with 3 really cute little pumpkins and one tiny green one.

Some Sticky Icky Halloween Fun, Carmel Apples Anyone?

2008-10-20T08:50:00.000-07:00

We decided to have a Halloween fun day with my sisters(minus Jamie, we missed you)and all the little cousins. We had been craving Carmel apples and wanted to try making them. The first thing we didn't realize is that 15 pounds of individually wrapped Carmel's takes a really long time to unwrap! The second thing we didn't realize is that if you eat every fifth Carmel you unwrap not only does it add minutes to the unwrapping process, it also gives you a big tummy ache a few hours later. Third, Carmel will stick to any object in its path. Fourth, 15 pounds of Carmel makes a lot of apples! Fifth, children- many children, lots of sugar, sticky Carmel, little helpers, Halloween nail painting, and dancing our hearts out to groovy music makes for a really great Halloween Fun Day!

It's Time to SPOOKY the Place Up

2008-10-20T08:12:00.001-07:00

I absolutely love decorating for Halloween. It is Kenny's favorite holiday so he also likes it when I turn the house haunted for a month. The kids enjoy it too! Some of their favorites are the eyeball jar and our pet rat Gargamel.(fake of course) Last year we had Kolby convinced the eyeballs were real and he would keep asking "How'd you get them out of their heads?" This year he is much older and wiser and is not falling for it. "They are totally just gum Mom, Right?"
My sister and I decided we must have a 'Spooky' banner and some poison potion bottles. With a little help from Martha Stewart and some creative juices of our own, we made the cutest bottles ever! Our bannner turned out pretty cute too I might say! I just wish I had a good camera, these pictures don't do them justice. Thanks for the fun day of creativeness Katie, it was a blast! Move over Martha here we come, Ha ha ha...... Next project is figuring out how to construct werewolf costumes for a 4 year old and a seven year old??? Wish me luck, I'll let you know how it goes!

Elk and Buffalo and Bears, Oh my!

2008-10-18T14:56:00.000-07:00

We decided to pack the kids up and head out on a family vacation to Yellowstone. The drive wasn't too bad thanks to the DVD player and the new Transformers movie. The weather was wonderful and we all enjoyed the beautiful surroundings. We went to the Bear and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone. The kids got to do the Keeper Kids program there. They went out into the bear habitat and hid food for the bears to find and eat. The boys thought it was pretty cool plus they got a special Keeper Kids button, definitely a highlight for the day. We were able to visit Old Faithful and the geysers and saw plenty of buffalo and elk in the park. We walked up to Upper and Lower Falls, which was absolutely amazing, and we even saw two wolves crossing the road. The kids had fun swimming at the condo and it was nice to have a little get away. Until next time.....

Why did the elk cross the road?

2008-10-16T18:47:00.001-07:00

???? Well, look at what was on the other side. His odds were pretty good. Hello Ladies!

Remember Paint with Water?

2008-10-16T17:38:00.000-07:00

When I was little I remember loving those paint with water books. Awhile back I found some at the dollar store - What a find! Last weekend it was a torrential downpour so I decided to bring them out and have some indoor fun. We made some halloween cupcakes and the boys painted their little hearts out. As a mom I've renewed my love for paint with water, much less messy! We will have to make a trip back to the dollar store in search of more childhood treasures.

Long Time No Blog

2008-10-16T16:22:00.000-07:00

I need to play a little catch up, I truly have no idea how people keep these things updated. I've vowed to be better!

The soccer season is now over. The boys had a great time. Bear decided his favorite position was right shooter, and he got really good at scoring goals! He even perfected some tricky moves that I'm sure would impress David Beckham. It was Kolby's first year, (he barely made the deadline by a couple days) but he was a serious goal scoring fool! He definitely wasn't intimidated by the older, bigger kids! Although it was extremely fun it was time to be done! Kolby's last game was during a blizzard, the poor kids were frozen solid. Great season boys, you made us proud! Go Lizards, Go Dragons!!

Always Better When We're Together

2008-09-07T19:42:00.000-07:00

The other night Bear and Kenny were having a conversation, it went like this.

Bear: Dad we don't get to hang out together anymore cause you always have to go to the gym.

Guilty Feeling Dad: I'm sorry man, but dads gotta work hard right now so I can spend a lot of time with you later.

Bear: Ok, but I sure miss you.

Guilty Feeling Dad: I miss you too man, maybe we can do something fun this weekend.

Saturday afternoon Guilty Feeling Dad decides a trip to Boondocks might be necessary.

Boondocks + Dad + hole in one = One Happy Bear

And They're Off......

2008-09-07T12:56:00.000-07:00

......Off to school that is. The kids were all excited to go back to school. Bear was overjoyed to finally be able to go with Aidan and Harlee was quite happy when she found out her new teacher was a man. "My first boy teacher!" was her exact exclamation. Kolby started preschool this year. He was so glad to be 'big enough' to go to school like Bear. Gentri headed off to the new world of Junior High and Kenisha is trying out charter High School at the newly built Charter school. Have a great year kids!

Backyard Camp Out

2008-08-23T06:25:00.000-07:00

One of the boys favorite things to do is to go camping. Lay in the dirt, play in the dirt, have food on a stick covered in dirt falls in the category of complete bliss for them. They love it! But...when you don't have time to pack up the suburban, drive to the canyon, hunt for the perfect pitch your tent spot, unload, get settled and then drive back home, we've found a great alternative! The Backyard Camp out! It is fabulous, the boys love it, I love it and everyone is happy. The bathroom is just right there, the kitchen sink is just right there, the shower is just right there. Forget something, that's ok, it's just right there. There is no packing, no canyon pull over car sickness, no "are we there yet" comments and not quite as much dirt. Works for me!

More Summer Fun

2008-08-02T08:47:00.000-07:00

This summer has been a little different, we haven't had any big vacations because we opened the gym and Kenny lives there! We have been able to do a lot of activities around here, playgrounds, hiking, canyon cookouts, and BBQ's have all kept us busy.

It sure seems like summer came and went so fast, the kids start school in less than 2 weeks. That's my next project- getting the kids ready. It is quite a job, between school clothes shopping, finding just the right backpack, filling out all the paperwork, paying school fees (what happened to free education), figuring out the car pool and making sure they all have a fresh new school haircut.... I just might lose my mind! Now multiply that by five kids- enough said! So if you see me at Target with a glazed look on my face towing five children, one screaming, down the shoe aisle tugging two carts full of school supplies, one being the giant red limo cart because heaven forbid Kolby sit in anything else, I will totally understand if you decide to detour down another aisle and I apologize in advance for the commotion!

Our other family members

2008-08-02T08:27:00.000-07:00

Kilo and Kora are our two beloved rottweilers. They are such great dogs, we love them and are so glad they are part of the family.

2008-07-31T21:43:00.000-07:00

Summer Time Fun

2008-07-31T20:05:00.000-07:00

My sister has a yearly pass to Thanksgiving Point and took us to check out the Dinosaur Museum. The boys had a ball digging for dinosaur bones and building Jurassic park replicas. It was crazy busy, I think every mom of the world was there trying to get a few "last of summer" outings in. There were a lot of kids all trying to build mini dinosaur metropolises, thus there was a shortage of building materials. The older kids were using their superior building skills to dam up all the water, so Kolby took to hording the dinosaurs to make sure he got his share. Should I have made him share them??? Maybe- but the water hording children's mothers weren't making them share!......... Well, actually I did ask him to share a couple of dinosaurs with the two nice boys next to him, which he did happily, I thought that was good enough??

All in all we had a great time and we will definitley go back again when it is not so busy! Thanks Aunt Katie for including us in the fun!

2008-07-29T19:31:00.000-07:00

2008-07-29T19:20:00.000-07:00

So we finally had our gym's pre-opening celebration. We had a great turn out, everyone mark your calendar for the Grand Opening-August 9th!

So I've Been Told I Need a Blog

2008-07-17T21:38:00.000-07:00

My friends and sisters say I need to get with the times, even Kenny says we need one of those blog things. So here goes nothin.......