Day 292 (10/20/11) - Flu Shot

Lies. This clinic is NOT a minute and we didn't exactly feel better because we just got flu shots. I have been trying to get into my doctor for a flu shot and haven't been able to work it out with my sharing a car with Maelen now that she is working and going to school. So I grabbed Maelen and we went over to CVS to their clinic to get our shots. She was less than thrilled but with her allergies and asthma and now that she is working with kids, she really needs it.

Day 291 (10/19/11) - Our Bird

I love this bird. It comes around most days and just flies over the pool and dips in a little and head over to the cement. He does it several times before he goes on his way. When I went out to take this picture, he flew up on the wall and just started chirping loudly at me like he wanted me to back off. I still love this bird.

Oh...and I can't even blame the camera for the blurred picture. I had to be so far away and he was moving so quickly that this was totally user error.

Day 290 (10/18/11) - Activity Day

Kendall came home from activity day today with this cute pumpkin bag they made. It is just a brown bag that they painted. She has so much fun going there every other Tuesday.

Day 289 (10/17/11) - Stake Day in the Temple

Today was our Stake's day in the Newport Beach Temple. I ended up providing the snacks from the Stake again. We scaled it down and it was much easier, but I think we really needed more of some things. I have been working on my friend, Victoria Clark's, family names. She did some family history before she passed away and didn't get a chance to get to the temple, so I am trying to help out by getting their temple work done. It is all very exciting. I can't wait until next year when I can do her work.

Day 287 (10/15/11) - Dia De Los Muertes

I stole this picture from Matt. I freely admit it. I just cannot believe this is a Spanish 2 homework assignment. Seriously? I'm not sure how Jared is learning Spanish from this but it makes me glad he is not taking Spanish 1. What in the world would the be doing in that class?

Day 285 (10/13/11) - Water Polo Snacks

The parents take turns making treats that can be sold at the snack bar during water polo games. Jared thought cupcakes would be a good seller and he decided on the water polo ball decoration. I was excited about that until I started doing them. I'm still not convinced they look like water polo balls, but they sold well and that is all that matters. I was also going to make cake balls, but since we were having a heat wave of about a bazillion degrees, I opted to make chocolate cut out cookies decorated like skeletons. Jared later told me they were a big hit as well. And as if that were not enough, I made oatmeal cookies for our leadership training in the evening. Oatmeal is our canning item of the month so we thought that would be a fun idea. That was one long day, but all turned out well.

Day 284 (10/12/11) - Here We Go Again

Since Kendall didn't get voted in to student counsel, she opted for class rep. This time only one poster and on a smaller scale. Also, we decided laminating would be the best after the rain storm ruined Kendall's other election posters and basically broke her heart.

Day 282 (10/10/11) - Baby Blaire

So I had been trying to find the perfect gift for baby Blaire Morphy, whose mom is the most creative thing on earth and just an all around great person. I made a rag quilt with my scallopy scissors, but when I washed it, it frayed. Boo. So I opted for a cute little onesy that said Little Sister along with leggings and cute socks and made her a "taggy" blankie. The very next day, Jenny sent me this picture. I have decided to keep it because if I am ever feeling down, this little face will make me smile every time.

Day 281 (10/9/11) - Sock Monkey

Vicki and Kris went up to Utah for a wedding and to visit Emily at BYU. I knew they arrived safely when I received this picture on my phone. I'm not sure how are thing with sock monkeys got started but it is always good for a laugh.

Day 280 (10/8/11) - Great Aim

Not sure if it's a cold or allergies, but I went into Maelen's room to talk to her and this is the lovely sight I beheld. Good thing she played field hockey and not basketball.

Day 280 (10/7/11) - Good Luck

Here's proof that my kids might actually care about each other. Jared wrote this note for Kendall at 5 a.m. before seminary. He knew she was nervous about the election and wanted to give his support.

Day 279 (10/6/11) - Subway Art

Love, love, love this. I bought this stand at the Women's Broadcast and thought it would be fun to change out the fall decorations with each season. Well, when I found this bead board with interchangeable subway art, I was thrilled!! Seriously? Another thing that has to be changed? But the good news is that it doesn't have to be stored!

Day 278 (10/5/11) - Team Pictures

Jared's team pictures came in today. What a good looking kid! I love this picture because it was taken at the beach with an actual sunset! That's better than any backdrop you can find!

Day 277 (10/4/11) - Boots!

It's raining already and it's only October! Maelen is thrilled when it rains because of the rain boots she received for Christmas last year. She has so few times she can wear them and takes advantage of it when she can.

Day 276 (10/3/11) - Campaign Time

Well Kendall not only has come out her shell, but she was very passionate about running for student counsel at her school. Having to give a speech scared her a little, but she was brave and did it anyway. She was, however, a bit devastated when she did not win. I'm just thrilled she was willing and tried.

Day 274 (10/1/11) - Enchilada Night

Another family tradition...every General Conference, we wait for the men to get back from the Priesthood session and then we enjoy an enchilada dinner together.

Day 273 (9/30/11) - Advent Calendar

Thank you Pottery Barn Kids for having sales before the holiday is even gone. We have loved this advent calendar year after year although I keep questioning why I am buying candy at a time of year my children are inundated by it.

Day 272 (9/29/11) - Water Polo Continued

Waiting to get some play time. Jared has had few home games so I do my best to get there when they have them. So fun to watch my kids do what they love.

And the waiting pays off. Finally some play time.

Day 271 (9/28/11) - My Birthday Continued

Look what I just got in the mail! Bonnie made one of these for Mom for her birthday and I fell in love with it. I was thrilled when she sent me one too! Happy Birthday to me! (P.S. It's a bag - you can't see the ribbon handles. I LOVE the scallopy edges.)

Day 269 (9/26/11) - Happy Birthday to Matt

We celebrated Matt's birthday after his long day of work. Maelen got him the "Awkward Family Photos" game. Can't wait to see what that's all about.

Day 268 (9/25/11) - Wedding Flowers

After the Broadcast dinner was cleaned up last night, Maelen and I hightailed it over to the Old's wedding reception. It was unbelievably beautiful! Before we left, Kelly insisted that we take a centerpiece home to enjoy. We were more than happy to oblige! We were able to enjoy these flowers at home for a little over a week!

Day 267 (9/24/11) - Women's Broadcast

I found out just how much time and effort goes into decorating and planning the annual soup dinner our Stake has after every General Women's Broadcast. This was the outcome and I thought it was absolutely beautiful. I think the women appreciated how nice everything turned out and they enjoyed the fact that the decorations were for sale after the evening was over for a very reasonable price.

Day 265 (9/22/11) - Shoe Port

When I was a kid, my mom used to get frustrated that everyone would leave their shoes under this counter top near the kitchen. She nicknamed it the "shoe port". Now I get it. I really get it. Nothing is more annoying than trying to get outside to water, weed, etc. and having to hurdle 20 pairs of shoes along with some miscellaneous stinky socks.

Day 263 (9/20/11) - Spell Check

Seriously. It's called "spell check". Look into it before you print billions of flyers and banners to display at the park.

Day 262 (9/19/11) - Shy?

Either Greg is not as shy as Maelen claims or else we just bring out the crazy in him. He and Maelen are two peas in a pod for sure.

Day 261 (9/18/11) - Family Party

Yet another family party. This time we celebrated Matt and Kendall's birthdays. Matt had a carrot cake birthday cake and Kendall had a chocolate peanut butter trifle. And what family party would be complete with some wild made up game. Kiffy and Jared created "frolo" for the gang to play. It was an on land water polo with a frisbee. Greg braved the wild dogs next door and scaled the fence to retrieve equipment.

Day 260 (9/17/11) - Bridal Shower

My friend's daughter is getting married in the wedding to end all weddings. For her bridal shower, I decided to make a "utensil boquet" that I saw on Pinterest. The shower was a lot of fun and we got to meet Marie Osmond, the groom's mother.

Day 259 (9/16/11) - My Geriatric Daughter

You would think some serious allergy symptoms would remind Maelen that she needs to take her Zyrtec every night, but that is not the case. She finally decided she needed a pill box to help her remember. While she is at it, she sticks a vitamin in their to remember to take that every day as well.

Day 258 (9/15/11) - Food Storage Cooking Class

Tonight was the first night of our food storage cooking class. Tonight's topic was "rice" and we had the lovely and talented Jenny Morphy teach us.

And let's not forget her lovely assistant, Emerson. Actually, she sat with me most of the night, but contributed with questions for her mom, the chef.

Day 256 (9/13/11) - Sparkly Nails

Danielle and Kiffy gave Kendall nail polish for her birthday and she couldn't wait to try it out.

(This was taken with my cell phone and thus, the resolution.)

Day 255 (9/12/11) - Hurry...take a picture!!

So this picture isn't actually from this day, but let's just go with it. I got a wee bit behind and I'm trying to fill up space. Here is Maelen and Todd holding Graham and Simone. Mae and Todd were saying, "hurry...take a picture! They like us!" Graham and Simone have become a little more discerning in their tastes and aren't always wanting to be part of the Hoi polloi.

Day 254 (9/11/11) - Kendall's Birthday

Ten years ago today this sweet little girl came into the world. Her birthday will be remembered by all forever due to the horrific terrorist attacks on the East Coast. We were saddened by all that happened that day and feel truly blessed to have such joy in an otherwise tragic time. This little girl has filled our home with light and laughter ever since.

Day 253 (9/10/11) - Strawberry Pancakes

Pancakes with fresh strawberries. Need I say more?

Day 252 (9/9/11) - Game Shirt

Here is my cute Jared in his "game day" shirt. I still can't believe he is in high school already.

Day 251 (9/8/11) - Mourning the Loss

Oh so sad. One of my yellow broom plants did not make it. I can't bring myself to dig it up just in case it is like my Mexican Sage and revives. And I only have myself to blame. When I transplanted several of my plants, I was watering frequently so they would take root. I found out later that yellow broom can't handle that much water.

Day 250 (9/7/11) - Guess what ball...

Believe it or not, this is a basketball. Jared goes out several times a day and shoots hoops for awhile. Even after two hours of water polo practice. That kid just has tons of energy. I guess it's time to buy a new ball.

Day 249 (9/6/11) - Kendall Starts 5th Grade

First day of school for this little girl. She has been so excited about this skirt. I can't believe how fast she is growing up. She keeps reminding me she will be in junior high next year. Unbelievable.

Day 248 (9/5/11) - Matching Hats

Tonight we got together for a Labor Day Barbeque. Dad bought this new hat when he and mom went on their trip to Great Britain. Kiffy just happened to be wearing one as well. If only Todd had been there....he has one too.

Day 247 (9/4/11) - Tea Party

Today we had my family birthday celebration. Mom and Vicki put together a darling tea party! Everything was so nice and so pretty! And of course it's always fun to get together with family.

Day 246 (9/3/11) - New Plants

Matt has been bugging me for some time now to put plants in the back planter box. I keep putting it off for several reasons: the soil up there is not the greatest, it is a HUGE space and it is just a pain to get up there to do it. I finally bought some plants and we went out and had them all planted in no time at all. When they grow a little bigger, they will look so great against that white vinyl fence and maybe take a little glare from the white away.

Day 245 (9/2/11) - Picnic

I had to run some errands today and when I arrived home, this is what I found. Even though they were all running in 50 different directions, when it came time for lunch they ended up together having a "picnic" lunch.

Day 244 (9/1/11) - Mani Day

Kendall has been wanting to go get a manicure for a while now. She is all girl! Maelen told me about a place that charged $3. When we got there, it turns out it was actually $5, but that was still a deal. Kendall's turned out really pretty but the lady I had filed my nails into a weird shape and as far as a hand massage or anything like that, let's just say you get what you pay for.