Oh the Joy of Boxes

We brought back a ton of produce from AZ and we are loving it. We have given a ton a way and we had a lot of empty boxes. Jake (my hoarder) wouldn't let us throw them away. We consented to keep them until recycling day. Here are a few of our creations. This picture is so freaky to me, but funny all at the same time.

Jake and Ethan working on their "tank"


Mark with Andrew. Mark actually got really into making an amazing box fort for Ryan and Andrew since Ethan and Jake insisted that the little guys stay out of their tank.

Andrew sneaking into the tank.

Here they all are. Yes the boxes on the left are the result of Mark's imagination.

On a side note-- I usually tell people they don't have to remove their shoes when they come into my home because I never clean. And I often tell others what is a little mess here and there when you don't clean. I know many think I am joking but sadly I'm not. Well I do clean it just doesn't feel often enough seeing how a mess is made before one is even cleaned up. I have come to accept that this is a stage of my life and it just might last my entire life, since I am married to Mark :) However I called my mom, the queen of organization, and figured out how to organize my life so things can run a little more smoothly. We have now been on our new schedule for a week and a half (I know not that long) but I am feeling great about it. Thanks mom.

Here it is.

Ethan and Jake must make their beds before they can eat breakfast

Ethan puts my dishes away before he goes to school every morning (or there will be no wii, xbox, or movies when homework is done after school)

Jake vacuums my kitchen every morning before he goes to kindergarten in the afternoon (with the same consequence as Ethan if not done)

Jake also does his homework before school. ( I just can't focus on two kids at the same time doing homework and 2 others running around wild)

Every night after dinner we have help clearing the table and getting dishes done. We also spend 15 min. every night picking up the house.

On Saturdays the Ethan and Jake divide up the basement and get it vacuumed as well.

So I know many of you are thinking, it took you how long to figure this out? I know, I am a little slow. When am I actually cleaning? Hmmm I have been trying to fit that in one or two mornings a week just after homework with Jake. I then do my grocery shopping on Saturday mornings with no kids. I know the stores are crazy but it is worth it to not be fighting the kids.

So there is a little order to home now, not too much though, we still live in mostly chaos :)

belated birthday post

So I had the most fabulous birthday (minus the fact that Ryan was sick so my big party got cancelled)

My mom and sister Emily came and got me on Wednesday before my birthday. It was a fabulous surprise.

We went to Shauna's (my aunt's home -- she has an in home salon) and Emily cut and colored me. LOVE IT

After the hair cut we went to Cafe Rio for lunch. Yummy and a lunch out without kids AMAZING!

After lunch we went to fashion place mall and shopped until we dropped. We started out at Nordstroms. I got the most fabulous pair of jeans I have ever worn in my life. They are as comfy as p.j.'s and ever so stylish. Then we went down stairs I got some dang cute Uggs for this winter weather. Then we went looking for the perfect top. Found it in Banana Republic. It is such a cute sweater. I love it. (I actually wore the whole outfit in AZ when we got family pictures, hopefully we'll be getting those back soon)

Emily and Max. He's a little tuckered out as well.
Here I am with my mom. We were worn out. Thanks for such a great day.

I have to mention that Mark worked until 8 the night before and then worked from home that day so I could go. He is such a great guy.

My birthday was on Sunday. We were going to have everyone over for cake and games but then Ryan got sick on Saturday so it was cancelled. We had Mark's parents and his Sister Janni and husband Danny (the only ones who were still going to come regardless of Ryan) over for dinner and then we had cake. It was so fun. Thanks for all who remembered me. Turning 30 is great.

Gave 'em a try

Did I mention that I brought back a bazillion boxes of citrus from AZ. I have had fun trying new things. Here is this mornings.

Fresh Orange Muffins

1 orange
1/2 C O.J.
1 egg
1/2 C butter
1 3/4 C flour
3/4 C sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda

preheat oven 400 degrees and line your muffin pan with muffin cups or grease well

cut orange into quarters, leave the peel on, put into blender with orange juice and blend until pureed.

add egg and butter to orange mixture.

combine dry ingredients together in a separate bowl. Add all at once to orange mixture.

stir to combine.

fill muffin cups about 3/4 full.

bake in preheated over for 20 min.

I topped mine off with a little orange glaze consisting of powdered sugar, orange juice and vanilla. My family enjoyed them. Hope you do too.

a little scatterbrained

Ethan's lost hearing aid -- check

my dinner plates -- still missing

How do you lose an entire set of dinner plates? I'm not quite sure. We eat on Christmas plates the whole month of December. When I put my Christmas plates away I couldn't find my regular ones. Ha Ha. We have been eating on our small plates instead. I guess that helps with portion sizes :)

We had a wonderful Christmas, anniversary and new year's. I don't think I got pictures of any of it.

On Christmas morning we opened our presents and then drove down south to AZ. It was so fun to be with the fam. Emily got there on Tuesday. She and her family were the last ones there. It was so fun to have everyone together!

Tuesday was our anniversary. We went to Mi Amigos (where we had our wedding dinner) and then to the temple. They were pretty full and we weren't able to do sealings so we did a session. It was nice. We then went to Bahama Bucks and got shaved ice. LOVE IT! I can't believe we have been married 9 years. It goes by so fast. Mark is my best friend and I love having him come home to our family every night. Here are a few things that I feel are golden about Mark and I didn't really know before we got married.
-He is more supportive of me than I am of myself.
-He is a really hard worker and can fix almost anything!
-He is a great dad
-He is an amazing spouse.
I love you Mark!

For new years we hung out at my parent's home. Well we packed up our van so we could drive back home. After we got the kids in bed we played guesters. Highlight of that game was my mom doing pucker (as a lemon face not kissing) and her acting out Mermaid on the table. We drove back New Year's Day. It is nice to be in our own beds. Only wish school didn't have to start. I feel like it takes me a week to get back in the swing of things. I think I will be doing my grocery shopping FINALLY today and then we will be back in order.

Happy New Year Everyone.