Beach Blogger

Hunger Games Book Club

2010-10-30T09:09:00.009-07:00

Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and caldron bubble
Our book this month, for Book Club, was the Hunger Games! What a great discussion we had. I think this was the most we have ever discussed a book before. Usually we talk about the book for about 5 minutes and then 2 hours about life in general. I LOVE BOOK CLUB!!...and you already know how much I love Halloween, so I EXTRA loved this girls night!

On the menu:
Worms
Mummy Stomboli
Spider Web Cookies
Carrot Finger Stubs w/ dip
Apple Fangs
Candy Corn Bark
Witches Brew

Jello Worms

First pull the bendy part of 100 straws then place a rubber band around them to keep together. Put in a tall container. Pour your prepared jello over the straws. Let the jello set. Squeeze the jello out of each straw. It's pretty time consuming and I'd probably never do it again... it was a lot of work and my fingers are still a little red. Oh! You can add cool whip, or sour cream, or sweetened condensed milk to give the jello a more pasty color. I used cool whip and it all settled to the top.

Candy Corn Bark

Melt a bag of white chocolate chips, spread on to wax paper. Squeeze a few drops of yellow food coloring around and swirl with a butter knife. Sprinkle with candy corn.

Spider Web Cookies and Apple Fangs

You can top any cookie or cupcake with these webs made from white chocolate. Melt the chocolate, fill a ziploc baggie and clip the end. I piped the webs on to wax paper and put them in the fridge.
Core and slice your favorite apple, dab a little peanut butter in between two slices. I used string cheese for the fangs.

My 2 Most Exciting Halloween Treats!

2010-10-30T08:23:00.008-07:00

I'm as happy as a witch on Halloween after she's found her final ingredient for her witch's brew! My gravestones turned out perfect! I LOVE THEM!!!

The Beach's are related to Lydia Gilbert. She was tried and convicted for witchcraft and sentenced to death by hanging. She disappeared shortly after her trial. So there is no record of her death. Her husband moved away also. It is thought that Lydia met up with him later but nobody knows for sure.

I have broken a Halloween commandment. I coveted my neighbor's halloween decoration. Last week I was driving past the Dimond's house and this fantastic chomping skeleton was illuminated and actually moving (chomping) in their front window. I was intrigued and thought, I'll have to ask them about that later. As luck would have it, I was helping out another friend and needed to pick up something from the Dimond's, so I asked and complimented them on their awesome decor! (They has gravestones too!) They told me they found this skeleton at Disney the last time they were there. It's a necklace and people were wearing them around their necks. COOL! So I went on my merry way, thinking I would never have one of my very own. The next day I dropped off my sister, Erin, and niece, Annika, at the airport. They were going to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios... only in Orlando Florida. Erin and Annika say that the frozen butter beer is the best thing they have ever tasted. The Wizarding World was totally awesome!

I called Erin when she was in Florida to see how it was going, she said that her husband, Nat, was still in his conference so she and Annika were going to go to Disney World by themselves first. Still not thinking, I wished her well and ended the phone call. HOLY COW!!! Disney = Super Cool Halloween Decoration... so THEN I texted her and asked if she happened to see one, please bring me home one of the super cool decorations. Erin didn't mention anything about it the rest of the trip and Monday night I went to pick them up from the airport. On the way home, she started unwrapping something and guess what it was!?? My Halloween is complete!! The pictures don't do it justice, but the skeleton "chomps" his jaw up and down.

Look at those spooky glowing green eyes in the bottom of the window... NOT a halloween decoration, just Buddy wondering what the heck is going on outside.

My Favorite Holiday... HALLOWEEN!!!

2010-10-23T21:29:00.009-07:00

Todd n' Erin (from a local radio station here in UT) made one of my Halloween dreams come true when I saw that Todd had posted a Gravestones 101 FB photo album.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=2066698&id=1210836853
Here is my version.
For years, I've been wanting to make some gravestones of my own to add to our Halloween decor. I knew this was the year when I happened upon a lot of styrofoam off the side of the freeway - FREE!
I cut out my stones and started to paint them. I used the Gripper Gray Primer from Home Depot ($10)We had a 2 x 4 and some plywood in the garage, so I (yes, me) used our circular saw and cut out 5" blocks from the 2 x 4 and large enough plywood to back the gravestones. I screwed the blocks to the plywood like so. Then I drilled a hole in the middle of each block for the 8" nail to anchor the gravestone in the lawn.

I also found some liquid nails in the garage and slathered up the back of the gravestones using the "gun". Thankfully, I knew from previous experience that you do not want to get the liquid nail goop anywhere except the places you need.

8" nails at Home Depot are 45 cents. Here is what the back would look like if we had a see through lawn.

Painted Gravestones. Now I just need to let them dry, write on them and add some more shading.

If you stop by our house you will see some of the following decor...

... and be greeted by our 6 Foot Vampire!

We have 3 trees in front of our house with these skeleton apparitions floating in front of them.... ooooooh!

Spooky Stormy Cloudy Full Moon tonight! I love it!

Christmas Lights!

2009-12-30T20:21:00.006-07:00

Of all the gifts this year, I think this is the one that really "MADE" my Holiday!
On our doorstep one night we found a bag of Christmas M & M's and a note that read:
We love Christmas here at that Beach House and have fun decorating our house! It was nice to know that someone else enjoyed our efforts!

Christmas Eve

2009-12-30T19:26:00.018-07:00

It's Christmas Eve and John is dressed in his favorite Christmas shirt and ready for the day!

Kevin & Corban

A nice picture of all 8 Worthington Cousins

How they normally look...

I love the girls funny faces...
Grace & Ella can pull the best faces...
Parker got some Blue Antonio Banderas Cologne... it smells really good! We were all ooohing and aaahing about how all the girls are going to LOVE him and he was blushing!
Dex always loves some Legos! Lego announced this year that they would be discontinuing the BIONCLE line!
Mom knows the lady that sold Nat's parents their current home years ago. She was in her house and recognized the painting and asked about it. They gave her a copy and Mom framed it and gave it to Erin & Nat. It is the home that Nat grew up in. Great Gift Mom! Way to GO!

I gave allllll the nieces and nephews on both sides (Worthington's & Beach's) Marshmallow Shooters! They were a big hit! For some reason they weren't allowed to start an all-out Marshmallow War!

Annika was HIDEOUSLY excited about the toe socks Grandma gave her for Christmas. Annika kept touching me with her toes and totally grossing me out, which only led her to do it more! Her toes felt so long and she definitely has MONKEY Toes now!
Grandma brought homemade pitzels and Corban WENT TO TOWN on them! He loved them and couldn't eat them fast enough! We grew up with my Grandparents Meme & Pepe Martino making Pitzels. My grandpa would make them a lot thicker so they didn't crumble so easily. I'm not a fan of Anise flavoring, so one bite was all I could ever take.

We are home now. John dressed Brillo in his Christmas Pajamas...
and the boys unwrapped their Christmas Lounging pants...

and it was off to bed to wait for Sugar Plums to dance in our heads!... I mean for Santa to come.

Oakwood Christmas Sing-A-Long

2009-12-30T19:00:00.007-07:00

This was our last Elementary School Christmas Program... the boys are growing up! :o(
And this new camera sure is sensitive, the slightest movement and I get blurry pictures!

Luckily, our cute Ashley (niece) goes to Oakwood too, so we'll get to enjoy the Christmas songs from her for the next 6 years....then Aaron!!

Christmas Orchestra Concert

2009-12-23T21:41:00.008-07:00

Dexter started playing the Viola last year and is quite a superstar... especially when you know that he NEVER practices. Never. Ever. EVER!
I told his Orchestra teacher and she laughed and said that she was the same way. Her mother would always say, "Just think how good you would be if you actually PRACTICED!"
The day started out pretty hectic with Brillo (our dog) being sick and I was at the Vet with him at 8am. Dexter called me about 8:30 to tell me that, "Aaaa, Mom, I forgot that today is the Orchestra Concert and I forgot my viola and I need nice clothes and it starts at 1:30. okay. At 11:30 when I dropped off all his "supplies" he told me that the concert didn't start until 2:30. okay. So after taking Brillo back to the vet for more tests and running in to work, I made it back to the school at 2:20, only to find out the concert REALLY didn't start until 3pm. UGHGH! I still hadn't showered and was suppose to be at my part-time Holiday job @ 5pm. So I ran home, took the quickest shower EVER and made it back to the concert on time with camera rolling...
Oakwood Orchestra Christmas Concert

Dexter performed as a trio with Reid Dimond & Ethan Anderl. They played We Three Kings.

Bye Bye Bye Baby Rex

2009-11-28T21:07:00.013-07:00

Chris, Jessi and Rex had to head back to Texas to pack up and move to North Carolina. Chris will be stationed in Fort Bragg.

The cousins came over to say their goodbyes. Lucas entertained himself until Chris and Jessi got there. We could hear Darth from the kitchen...just breathing...breathing that scary Darth Vader breathing!

Brillo wasn't too sure about this black mask thing that sounded like it needed an inhaler!
As soon as Rex got there he ran to Kristen and just wanted to cuddle. He was just clinging to her I think he didn't want to go home to Texas!

Back again for more hugging!
Oh! or maybe it was because he thought Aunt Kristen could get him through the gate ;o)
We had to do a little bit of unwrapping of Christmas gifts. Yes! We HAD to! and this was not regulation "Beach Family Christmas Gift Opening" but this was a gift that might break on the trip home and needed to be properly packed, so we HAD to have them open it! A glass pie plate for Jessi with the BEACH name etched into it and the Army Strong Star.
Rex got some trains to play with on the truck ride home
Mike Beach Family
John Beach Family
Steven Beach Family
Good Bye Chris and Jessi and Rex! Drive Safely!!! Good Luck in your new adventure! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Candlelight Christmas

2009-11-28T20:25:00.029-07:00

Haley invited us all to enjoy the Candlelight Christmas at the This is the Place Heritage Park opening night on November 27. It was chilly but it was so much fun... pioneer living warmed our hearts! First a train ride to see Father Christmas...and the reindeer, but they weren't out...it was opening night so we decided to give them a break.

Beach Grandkids
Beach Boys
Hi John! (the flash is pretty bright when it is pitch black outside!)
Beach Girls bundled up!
Steven Beach Family
Aaron loves his Cuz'n Parker!

Throughout the park they had different areas where you could go inside the buildings and make some pioneer crafts. This stop...
Keegan made a Christmas Spider
Miss Ashley did too!
Dexter and Parker made a beeswax candle...
and a wooden ornament...
There was a live nativity...
complete with the stable animals...

The next craft stop we made candy cane ornaments...
and John was the master Danish Woven Heart Basket maker!
Elf Wonderland!
Aaron kept running under the ropes to play in the playhouses. In the summer these are open for the kids to play in.
The kids got to write a letter to Father Christmas and then they could burn it and the smoke would take their wishes to the North Pole. Parker and Dexter didn't want to write Father Christmas until they heard the word "FIRE"... "We get to BURN something?"... THEN they were up to the task!
Lucas's picture for Father Christmas
Dexter asked for his brother to be nice (nice request)
Parker just asked for his brother to disappear (naughty request)
BURN BABY BURN! Sending our wishes to the North Pole
Even Lesley sent a letter to Father Christmas asking for a boyfriend. We told her she better be specific... "a boyfriend that is marriage material, treats her like a queen, not gay and has a good job", then I reminded her she better put a time frame on this. So HOPEFULLY, if Lesley has been a VERY good girl this year and Father Christmas grants her wish, she'll have a FABULOUS boyfriend by next Thanksgiving!
I think Keegan was saluting his wishes off to Father Christmas and the fire was quite mesmerizing and warm!
By the end of the night Lucas was crying for Parker and Aaron was crying for Dexter to carry them on their shoulders... some wishes were granted immediately!
Happy Christmas to ALL!!!!

Let's Give Thanks for...

2009-11-28T20:01:00.015-07:00

...FAMILY
All the Beach Family was together this year! Chris was home from the Army and the California Beach's made the trip up north and we had so much FUN!!! Dexter looked at me after a few mishaps (broken goblet and spilt gravy) and said, "Mom, this is the best Thanksgiving EVER!"

All 17 of us met at the John Beach Home! WE put 4 tables together and all sat at the same table. What a spread we had!!!
...and FOOD...

Everyone got to drink from a glass goblet... even the kiddies and they loved it!

...and DESSERT...
Haley made pumpkin, banana cream and chocolate cream pies. Kristen made a tangerine, cranberry cheesecake and Parker made a pumpkin roll. They were ALL DELICIOUS!!!!
Parker is becoming quite the baker! He actually made this pumpkin roll! Way to go Park and OH MY GOSH... I'm craving some right now! It was sooooo good and Grandma Beach's favorite! It was "almost" too pretty to eat.

Rex has a favorite Aunt... Auntie Kristen. Lucas and Keegan wanted in on the love... I think it might be time for a baby brother, or heaven forbid a SISTER!!!!
Aunt Kristen brought a Thanksgiving Bingo game... Reese's Pieces were the bingo chips. See! She is the best!
These were the only tears of the day! Rex was TRAPPED. He just wanted to get through that gate and go down the stairs.

Don't you think Lucas looks just like the old man, Carl Fredrickson, from Up-the movie? and Brillo looks a lot like the dog!

Welcome Home PFC BEACH

2009-11-24T23:05:00.006-07:00

Jessi is so nervous and excited to see her husband!!!
YAHOO! Chris is HERE!!! The happy Lil' Family together again!

Rex is happy to see his Dad again, but I think he would much rather run the smooth floors of the airport!

Beauty Is...Adventure

2009-11-24T19:12:00.006-07:00

Dexter wrote a song for the viola entitled "Adventure" for the Reflections Contest this year. He won a trophy for his musical composition! Congratulations Dex!

I'm trying to figure out how to upload the music so you can hear it.

Georgia Surprise!

2009-11-11T14:08:00.057-07:00

My Mom thought it would be fun for us to surprise my Aunt Tina for her 60th birthday... so we hopped on the midnight train/plane to Georgia..and since almost ALL our relatives live in Georgia....the SURPRISING began!

First stop to see my Aunt Kathy at Berry College. We couldn't remember which building she was in, on campus, so I called my Dad and he led us right to her. The first thing she said was, "No wonder my brother was so weird on the phone!" SURPRISE #1! Uncle Mike also works at Berry College so SURPRISE #2... no one knew we were coming, so this was lots of fun!

Berry has such a beautiful campus, so we took a little drive to see the Old Mill.

I was in Georgia 2 years ago, right before I had my Lapband removed. I was so skinny and unhealthy and feeling quite sick, so I had to put this BEFORE and AFTER in. Kind of cool to see the difference in the colors of the trees. The first picture was in June of 2007, the second in November 2009.

Recognize this Country Gravy mix? That's the Old Mill at Berry Colleg on there! "Built in 1930, Rome Georgia"

This is the Frost Chapel, isn't it beautiful?

Look closely, the roots are growing straight out of the ground.
Yes. This is all on the Berry College Campus, it is huge and absolutely breathtaking!
LUNCH BREAK - Krystal Hamburgers Worthington's grew up on Krystal Hamburgers. When we moved to Utah in 1978 I knew there were no Krystal Hamburgers and no Little Debbie snack cakes (at the time) I was for sure I would DIE! (As you can see I did just fine, filling up on Crown Burger and Mrs. Backer's Bakery)
Krystals are small hamburgers on a dinner sized roll. They've been around since 1932. "There's nothing like the steamed-in onion flavor of an all beef patty topped off with mustard and a pickle!"

Aunt Kathy gave us the keys to the old house in Lindale, Georgia. With my grandparents in a nursing home, their home is up for sale. So sad to see it go, but it is time. Aunts, Uncles and Cousins have been fixing it up and it is on the market along with 4 acres of land for the astounding price of just $119,000. Let me know if you are interested!

Freshly painted and newly tiled Bathroom
One of the bedrooms
Looking into the living room
From the living room looking toward the front door. Through the double doors is the dining area. Check out those gorgeous, shiny hardwood floors!
Papa has several fig trees near the house. We picked some and took them for Papa and Muriel. I tasted this one, but decided I'd rather eat a fig newton cookie instead.

When we were walking the property I found this dead scorpion. I kicked it out of the way and realized.... SURPRISE #3
It wasn't so dead..................

Then we were off to visit Papa and Grandma Muriel. They looked so great and seemed in really good spirits! SURPRISE #4

Papa turned 89 years old this year!
"Uncle Andy just lives 11 feet away" from Papa. He was out of town though, so we didn't get to see him.
We were POOPED by this time. Had some dinner at Bill's New York Pizza and headed over to Aunt Tina's house. I called her on the phone and told her I was calling to wish her a Happy Birthday and wondered what she was doing? We knocked on the door and she said, "Hold on, there's someone at the door!" SURPRISE #5... it's US!!! After a short visit we were headed to our hotel for a good night's rest... we were POOPED! We've been up for over 24 hours! So tired!!

The next morning we woke up early and decorated Tina's house. SURPRISE #6

SURPRISE #7 - Tata Tina (that's french for Aunt) has never had a professional pedicure before...after 60 years, we figured it was about time!
I miss my Piggly Wiggly... I wonder if that is why I started collecting pigs when I was younger?
After a long day of pedicures, shopping and eating we headed back to the house for SURPRISE #8 - Uncle John and Aunt Leslie flew up from Florida for the Birthday weekend!
3 Siblings together again - Joan, Tina & John. Pepe (Grandpa Martino) passed away in 1996 and Meme (Grandma Martino) passed away in 2002.

We had heard that their was a new restaurant in town, so we all wanted to check it out. The food was fabulous and the ambiance was wonderful. Tata Tina kept saying she didn't feel like she was in Adairsville! I forced everyone to order some dessert. Coconut Cream Pie and Pecan Delight. As we started pulling out the cameras and flashing some pics, we joked that Aunt Leslie might accidently just finish off the pie... oops? where did it go? We had everyone laughing! It was lots of fun!
What a nice picture of the remaining Martino clan! Mom has tricep tendonitus, thus the arm sling. OUCH!
Tina & Mike Culberson

The next day, Sunday, November 8, Tina's BIRTHDAY!!! After a little persuasion we convinced Tata Tina to take a ride with us all! On our way to Blue Ridge, Georgia we stopped at this Apple Barn. The aroma was amazing! Apples! Apples! Apples!

I couldn't resist taking a picture of this...
Tata Tina & Uncle John on their way back from buying boiled peanuts & pork skins! I don't understand the phenonmena of the peanuts or the skins.... they both gross me out. There are stands every few miles on the roads to buy all the boiled peanuts and pork skins you want....or don't!
Just seeing this picture makes me start dry heaving... moving on.....

Once we reached Blue Ridge it was a cute little town, similar to a mini Park City Main Street. My favorite store was the Christmas Store. This is the Whoville Tree and I LOVED IT!! Notice how the top curls over?
For Lunch we enjoyed some French cuisine.... Uncle John and Mom enjoyed some Crepes, while I loved my Asparagus Quiche and (not so french) Chicken Tortilla soup!
We didn't realize it existed until we got there, but they have a Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. It is a 4 1/2 hour trip and would have been lots of fun, but we weren't ready to invest that much time... maybe next time. It looked similar to the Skunk Train in California or the Heber Creeper in Utah.
Erin and I were in one car and Mom, Leslie, John and Tina were in the other. On our way home, I experienced my first ever SUN DOG. It was really cool! Something I had never seen before and didn't know existed until Erin told me what is was called.

Once we got back to Adairsville, we were going to take Tina for her birthday dinner to Olive Garden, but then my Mom reminded me that The Cracker Barrel would have FRIED OKRA! Yum-O! I HAVE to have fried okra while I'm in Georgia or my trip would NOT be complete! Cracker Barrel did not disappoint! Mmmmmmm! Fried Okra! Yahoo! Here's what it looks like:
Fried Okra

They brought out Coke Cake for Tina's birthday and it was delicious! Yummy, warm, thick chocolate frosting! The waitress, Jenelle, didn't know why it was called Coke cake, it just was. Apparently, it does have Coca Cola in it: Coke Cake Recipe from Cracker Barrel

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINA!!!

Halloween

2009-11-11T13:52:00.007-07:00

Parker wanted to be Mike Myers from the horror movie series Halloween. I didn't want ANY of that. The week before Halloween John recorded Pee Wee's Big Adventure on TV for Parker.... and then Parker decided PEE WEE was IT!!! People were surprised how much Parker resembles the character. Parker was a perfect Pee Wee! His voice is getting too low to pull off Pee Wee's obnoxious sayings like: "I know you are but what am I?" "I'm TRYING to use the phone!" " I don't make monkeys, I train them!"
TEQUILA!!!

Dex decided he wanted to be the Godfather for Halloween. He definitely can pull off the "mobster" persona! "Youse gonna be livin' with da fishes, Capeche?" "You can get far with a smile, but you can get farther with a smile and a GUN!"

This was my FAVORITE costume for Halloween 2009. Mrs. Harper is always creative! Swine Flu...

Edward was my date for Halloween. Are we cute together?

Brace Face No MORE

2009-09-15T15:29:00.011-07:00

Parker got his braces OFF today!!! Woo Hoo! He was sooooo excited. He was very careful for the last week to not eat things he wasn't suppose to (never stopped him before) but he did not want to prolong their removal by popping off a bracket...AGAIN!
The appointment was schedule for 8:30 am and Parker was ready to go by 8:15 (it only takes 5 minutes to get there, so I made him wait a little longer).

June 2008-Before Braces

After

September 2009 Last few minutes of Braces

Allllll Gone! It was weird seeing his white teeth down the hall, while I was in the waiting room!

Dr. Spurrier gives the kids a bag of candy after they get their braces off. Parker almost had the entire bag finished off before we left the parking lot! He enjoyed a KitKat first...them some tootsie rolls (bracket popper-offers..we know first hand!)

The next day we went back to get Parker's retainer.

This is Dr. Spurrier...he's SO nice!

My! How they've GROWN!

2009-08-24T08:00:00.009-07:00

Sitting here in front of the computer...all is quiet. Knowing they aren't downstairs still asleep makes me a little sad. My babies are growing up and school has started again. Besides the fact that my boys are so stinkin' cute when I see their new shoes in the first picture, I remember getting a new pair of tennis shoes (I never played tennis, why'd we call 'em that?) for school and wearing them when they were all stiff and clean and you wanted to wear your most favorite new outfit (boys don't wear "outfits" as John always tells me) for the first day of school.

First Day of School - August 23, 2004
5 Years Ago
Parker 4th Grade
Dexter 1st Grade
Yellowstone T-shirts from our summer trip

Back to schoool - August 24, 2009
Parker 9th Grade
New shirts from Dad's trip to South Carolina

Back to schoool - August 24, 2009
Dexter 6th Grade

Dex loves his new "back pack". He said this one makes him feel so grown up. When I hugged/kissed him goodnight, last night, he stopped and just looked at me. I asked him, "Can you believe you are in the 6th grade? Do you feel like you are growing up too fast?" and He said, "Yes! I don't want to get old."

Something I NEVER thought I would see

2009-07-08T22:58:00.003-07:00

In the last few weeks I have received 2 of my greatest compliments..."Do you have artificial nails? When did you get your nails done?" These are so wonderful to me because I have been a nail biter for 38 years!!! These are my VERY OWN nails! On my birthday this year I decided to stop the habit....3 months and counting. I think they look so pretty, and I'm proud of myself! I've done it on my own without any promise of reward, like going to Disneyland. My boss tried to cure their daughter of nail biting by taking her to Disneyland. She said as soon as they got there...chomp, chomp, chomp... she still bites them.
One reward is that the boys, especially John, LOVE me scratching their backs and arms now too....well, it's a reward for them, not me.

Worthington Wednesday #2

2009-07-08T18:58:00.039-07:00

Worthington Wednesday we were staying at a time share in Jeremy Ranch!

We headed up to the Olympic Park Museum first.

7 Man Bobsled
Ella wouldn't turn around because she was SCARED TO DEATH by this hanging over head...

Then it was up, up, up the chair lift to the Alpine Slide. One of the highlights on the way up, were the bras and underwear we saw in the trees. It was funny that a few of the cousins decided to write about that in their journals!

All 7 Cousins slept over at the condo. Kids everywhere and of course they ALL wanted the top bunk of the one bunk bed there!
I YI YI! We tried to watch the movie, Stardust... 7 different kids, I want cheetos, now I want chips, I don't want this, I want a cookie, can I have more chips? It's a wonder that only Grace got sick! Grace started throwing up at 3am and every 20-30 minutes after that. Thank goodness Erin was able to take care of her. (It would have been a barf-fest if I was involved) Erin said Grace is "the best thrower-upper EVER!" She made it to the toilet every time and pulled back her own hair. She's only 4 years old! Poor thing. The rest of the kids eventually woke up and headed down for breakfast. Grace was a trooper but still didn't feel good. So Kristien drove back up and took her home. She threw up 3 more times in the car. Poor Gracie was really sick. I think just a 24 hour thing. Thankfully, no one else tossed their cookies!

Worthington Wednesday #1

2009-07-08T18:27:00.003-07:00

My awesome sister, Erin, decided that it would be a great thing to get all the Worthington Cousins together each Wednesday (for the summer) for some sort of Activity. She bought them journals and each week they write a few sentences about the things they did.

The first week they decorated their journals and wrote in them. Played around at the house and then we went to Sprague Library, checked out books, and took pictures in the rain. Pictures to follow soon....

Stay at the Flamingo

2009-05-15T22:53:00.008-07:00

I loved our room!

View from our room of the 2 separate pools...the one on the right was open for everyone... the one on the left, the Topless Pool, or 21 & over only.

Viva Las Vegas

2009-05-15T21:46:00.008-07:00

John had a 3 Day conference for work in Las Vegas this year, so when the opportunity to go with John came up, I was ready!

Even with John in meetings from 8-4pm everyday, I had a blast! One of the highlights was accidently walking on to a movie set in front of Planet Hollywood. Jonah Hill and Russell Brand were filming the movie, "Get Him To The Greek". I spent more than an hour just hanging out and watching the scene they were filming. Chatting with people and people watching are 2 of my favorite activities!

Jonah Hill
has been a ton of movies like Superbad, Knocked Up, Evan Almighty and in the Night at the Museum 2 (opening May 22)

Russell Brand is a british actor/comedian that you may know from Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Bedtime Stories.

After walking around for 4 hours in the morning in the 99 degree heat and having lunch I went back to the room and slept....for TWO & HALF HOURS!! It was AWESOME!!!

Later that night John and I went to see one of the shows playing at Planet Hollywood, Tony & Tina's Wedding. It was cute and interactive! It was fun having the family members sitting at your table and talking with you. Frank Marino, a famous Las Vegas Drag Queen stopped by our table too! Pregnant Bridesmaid + Gay Brother + Father of Groom with his stripper girlfriend + drunk bride + nun + cheating boyfriend of a bridesmaid = A big FAT Italian Wedding. It was great fun, plus they fed us dinner and served wedding cake for dessert!

After the show, we were walking down the escalator and with my keen celebrity eyes, I spotted Jonah again. I quickly handed John the camera and said, "TAKE MY PICTURE!" I asked Jonah for a quick pic and here's what I got... not bad! Thanks John!

Old Mother on Mother's Day

2009-05-11T10:12:00.003-07:00

Yesterday was Mother's Day and I just wanted to write down this quick little memory.

In Sacrament Meeting, each Mother's Day, the Primary Children sing songs to their Mother's. In 2007, Parker turned 12, but not until the end of May (after Mother's Day), which meant, he was still in Primary and GOING to sing to me. Parker HATES to sing! Right after the sacrament, Parker headed to the bathroom and didn't come back until AFTER the singing... that was SO Parker!

So this year, I pleaded with Dexter with my puppy dog eyes to sing to me for the last time, and how his brother had broken my heart and I'll remember it until the day I die....

Dex went up on the stand, sang to me, made eye contact, smiled and even pointed at me when they sang "That's my Mother!"
BTW, one of my favorite lines is "Baking Bread All Day Long, Could be someone else's Mom" (Yes, in my case!) I wish I would have stashed my camera and recorded it!

That was my last Mother's Day Program from my Primary aged son! *tear*tear*sigh* My kids are growing up!

Here's another little Ditty from Dexter...
Last week during Testimony Meeting, Bro. Jim Woodward was bearing his testimony. He is a grandfather now and watching several of their grandkids while the parents are out of town.

He said, "I am remembering raising my own kids and would like to honor all you young mother's out there."

Dexter leans over and says, "He's not talking about you Mom, cause you're old."

Later, as the same man was finishing up, he said, "So again I would like to honor all the Mother's young and OLD..."

Dexter pokes me. Gives me the look like, "did you hear that?" "NOW, he's honoring you!"

I still love him.

An Easter Story by Dex

2009-05-05T07:59:00.002-07:00

The Easter Bunny and his army of ducks, rabbits and chocolate bunnies were marching to Santa's castle because the Easter Bunny was going to overthrow Santa Claus and make two Easters!

Little did the Easter Bunny know, Santa Claus was vacationing in the Amazons.

When the Easter Bunny got to Santa's castle, he destroyed the castle, only to find 50 elves had stayed behind. The elves flew off on the reindeer. In the rubble of Santa's castle, the Easter Bunny found a note saying: "I'll be back in September! P.S. I'm in the Amazons!"

So, the Easter Bunny went to the Amazons, only to be met by the harsh traps and attacks from the natives, elves and creatures. 500 Chocolate bunnies went in... Zero came out.

Seeing he was outnumbered, the Easter Bunny surrendered.

The End

This story came along with illustrations.... This was a keeper!!!
What a boy I have!!!
Watch out Steven Spielberg!

Getting Ready For Easter

2009-04-05T17:38:00.016-07:00

The boys and their friends uncovered this gem last night, it was taken 11 years ago!

The boys together again...I really wanted them to do the same pose, but I thought just having them sit next to each other was "pushing it"!

We've been getting ready for Easter at our house.

I don't know if it is European or what (I was born in Germany) but I grew up always having an Easter Egg Tree. I love them and had to stop myself from buying more little ornaments this year. One of Parker's friends asked me what that was because he has never seen or heard of that before...then I he realized... "You have two???!!??" YEP!

My flowers have really "weathered" the last 5 snowstorms really well! It is suppose to get up to 60 degrees this week, but stormy a few times, and most likely to storm on my birthday on Wednesday.

For years, my sister Erin and her family have painted wooden eggs for Easter. We painted our first in 2004. We started back up the tradition. This year, on General Conference Sunday, we had the Carson's over for cinnamon rolls, painted eggs, ate lunch and watched Madagascar 2. Kevin, Layla and Grandma Worthington came over too! We all had a great time!

This is the the eggs start out like...
Wooden Egg

Skier Egg

Cracked Egg

Pineapple Egg

Ant Farm Egg

Quilt Egg

Glitter Eggs

April Fool's Day!

2009-04-01T18:33:00.009-07:00

Besides Mother Nature's cruel joke of pelting us with snow this morning, April Fool's Day 2009 hasn't been so bad!

I paid cash for my groceries at Ream's today and the cute cashier tried to tell me they weren't giving change back to the customers anymore and that they would be donating the money to charity. I didn't believe her for a second because she tried to tell the customer in front of me that Ream's no longer accepts personal checks...the lady about had a heart attack.

Here's what I served for dinner: Fish Sticks & Peas

and for dessert: Chocolate cake with
vanilla frosting!

The "fish sticks" were chocolate covered wafer cookies. I spread peanut butter on the outside and then rolled them in crushed graham crackers. For my NON-PB kid, I used honey. The "green peas" were Watermelon Airheads ~ Put in the microwave for 10 seconds, cut with scissors and then roll in to peas. The "Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Frosting" was meatloaf cooked in cake pans and then "frosted" with Mashed Potatoes. I made the cake last year and it was a HIT again!

John reminded me that I forgot to make the drink...and Parker said, "Oh! Yea! The Jello....that was a year ago? that seemed like just yesterday!" Last year I put orange jello in tall drinking glasses with a straw and let it set up.

Pedi Time!

2009-03-28T12:30:00.004-07:00

This is what it looks like when 3 SIL's are huddling in the freezing wind trying to take a pic of our toesies!

Thanks Kristen & Haley... and PK Nail! I had a lovely time!

Stake Spring Sing

2009-03-26T22:53:00.015-07:00

Our Ward participated in the Stake Spring Sing. The Theme was Back to the 50's

This is a short video of the song that Parker was a part of...

This was the Jailhouse Rock that the Young Men did. Brandon Forsey was "Elvis". Parker is the last boy pushed back and forth on the table before Elvis steps back up!

While Phil Forsey sang "Love" (L...is for the way you LOOK at me.... O....) Several couples from our ward danced...quite well I might add! (glad it wasn't me!)

The Young Women sang Mr. Sandman (so cute!)
Even a few Men from the Ward sang in a quartet...they were really good!

Cameron Forsey sang Splish Splash
and then the curtains opened and the YM & YW danced and then the primary kids came out too for the BIG finish! Way to Go Barbara & Nicole! It was a GREAT evening...3rd Ward REALLY was THE BEST!!! (No Lip Syncing!...Everyone sang and you could hear and understand EVERY word!)

There's my boy, Parker, in the back to the left of the girl with the blue towel.

Good Job Park! I'm so glad you decided to be a part of the Spring Sing! (Admit it...you had FUN!)

For John

2009-03-24T07:24:00.015-07:00

People smile and tell me I'm the lucky one,

Think I'm gonna have a son (or 2).

And we've only just begun.

He will be like me and he,

as free as a dove,

Conceived in love.

Sun is gonna shine above.

And even though we ain't got money,

I'm so in love with you, honey,

And everything will bring a chain of love.

And in the morning, when I rise,

You bring a tear of joy to my eyes

And tell me everything is gonna be alright.

We've made it through 17 Years... joyous, struggling, happy, winding road years!

I love you Honey!

Twilight Movie Release!

2009-03-20T23:35:00.013-07:00

Parker and Heather and I just got back from Dan's with our copies of the Twilight Movie. Parker saw the movie with his friends 2 weeks ago and came home and started reading Twilight immediately! This is his 1st ever novel-sized book. He read the whole thing in 10 days... this is a miracle! Thank you Stephenie Meyer for making my son WANT to read!

When we pulled up to Dan's at 11:00 pm the parking lot wasn't full and the lights were mostly out in the store! We walked in and they had a big movie screen from the ceiling and people were sitting in the aisles watching the movie! There were 3 sets of balloon bags tied to the ceiling. Around 11:30 they let the balloons drop and there was a mad dash to grab a balloon and see if you won something! Woo Hoo! I won a free paperback copy of Twilight and Parker won $1 off the DVD...so it was only $14.99!

We had a blast...as you can tell!

This is what Parker REALLY wanted to win... so we had to do the next best thing, take a picture with Bella. He looks just as nervous as he would if she was REAL!

Heather LOVES her some VAMP!
Mmmmmmm! She wasn't even cold! He just made her HOT HOT HOT!!!

Parker said He'd kill me if I put this picture up on Facebook...so I put it in my blog! hee hee! (Heather was still a little excited over getting to see and touch a cardboard Edward!)
We are such DORKS... especially Heather, I don't think she realized she was showing the BACK of the DVD!
We saw the Brady's and Fairbank's from our neighborhood. What a fun night! After we took the nasty black licorice off our front teeth (I'm not a fan of Black Licorice) Heather was laughing super hard cause our teeth were green! DORK!

Green Mania

2009-03-19T06:15:00.011-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day 2009!

I was asked to help out at our RS Birthday Dinner on St. Patty's Day evening.... so I came home from work and threw together a lovely GREEN meal for the family!

Green Chicken from the Bar-B

Heather says it looks like I left the lid up on the BBQ and a bird flew over...you get the visual...

Twice Stuffed Green Potatoes

with onions & yellow peppers...mmmmmm good!

Green Gravy

Broccoli (that was easy)

and for dessert....Green Pudding...it was lemon flavored and I topped it with whipping cream and green sprinkles, but I forgot to take a picture!

Here's the finished plate. I had to run out the door, so John put the dinner on a plate and took a picture for me to post.

Here's my little Leprechaun and his GREAT find from the local Deseret Industries! Only John can "pull" this off!

Hope you had a great day and didn't get pinched!

Whatever

2009-02-27T10:04:00.006-07:00

Whatever. That's my additude right now and obviously for a while now. I haven't had any motivation to do anything. No bloggin', no nothing. I just want to do my stuff and come home and veg out...at least on Facebook anyway. Geesh! February is almost over and I haven't even blogged since the first of January. I have hardly taken any pictures either. Great Mom I've been.

I did manage to make it to Dexter's Science Fair and learned that regular soap, without sanitizer isn't killing many germs. Are these good or bad germs...do we need this bacteria to help ward off the bad bacteria? It's too much for me to handle right now...and the petri dish pictures are GROSS!

The pics are pretty self-explanatory. The left is Dexter starting his project, just wiping his fingers on the Petri dish, no washing, just Every-day-Dex. The one of the right is playing in the Legos and then wiping on the dish.

The picture on the left is after Dex played with his legos and THEN washed his hands with just Dial Soap. The picture on the right is the same scenario with the legos, Dial, AND Hand Sanitizer.

There are lots of different things to take into consideration. Will something grow on the dish if it isn't touched at all? Yes. After each time of washing, is your hand less dirty when you begin to play in the Legos again? Did you wash as well the last time? What kinds of bacteria are growing on the dish? They are all different colors! The Petri dishes are fun. If you need some for future science fairs let me know and I'll get you the phone number. They are just off of State Street and 7000 South.

In the past Dex and Parker have used the Petri dishes to determine which fast food restaurant has the cleanest bathrooms (testing, toilet handles, stall doors and restroom door handles)If I remember right it was Wendy's. They have an every 15 minute cleaning schedule (Yea! Right! But that's what they said was their cleaning policy) Another Fair included the Petri dishes to determine who's bathroom is cleaner, our home or the school....and the results were appauling!...The School. Dexter's hypothesis was that the school would be dirtier because there are so many kids, but in fact, ours was much grosser. My reasoning is because the school bathroom is cleaned daily with industrial strength cleaners and is lighted all day (it's bright in there) and everything is metal. At home, weekly cleanings are a rarity, we have some plastic fixtures, it's dark in there with the lights off, and it gets warm and steamy everyday with 4 people taking showers! (Sounds good, doesn't it?)

No Words

2009-01-02T01:02:00.007-07:00

I have No Words for this...

Description from the website where you can order this "Sweater Onesey" and be a part of fashion history.

"This hot unisuit will keep you warm in the winter and will show off your figure too. Its made out of wool. You can wear tights or shirts under it for added warmth or skirts over it."
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=19140320

Family Pictures are...FUN!

2008-12-26T14:07:00.009-07:00

This is THE Beach Family, in our perfect form! The photographer had just told John he didn't need to turn his butt so much toward the camera and John said, You mean like this? and FLASH he took a picture. It was great! I loved the pose so much I paid for one. Yes, I'm crazy, but it was PERFECT! Notice Ashley doting on the baby and Parker is just thinking get me the crap outta here, your jokes are NOT going to get me to smile.

I'm not in love with this pic, but it will do.

Did you happen to see the most beautiful boys in the world? Well, here they are?
I love, love, love this picture of my boys! (JayLynn Studios took the professional pics)

Trying to find some pictures to use for our Christmas card this year was... fun, yes! That's the word for it! We tried to do our own family pic. I set up (balanced) the camera on top of a lamp, hit the timer button and then ran over for the pose. Here are a few of the non-winners. Don't let Brillo know he didn't make it to the finished product, okay?

Merry Christmas from The Beach Family 2008

2008-12-26T14:04:00.003-07:00

If you didn't receive one of these, I'm sorry. E-mail me your address so I have it for next year...thanks!

I cried on Christmas Eve

2008-12-26T13:41:00.002-07:00

Before we played our annual Christmas Eve "What time do we get to wake up Game", Dexter asked, "Can I write a letter to Santa?" I said sure. He found his own paper, grabbed a pencil and proceeded to write Santa a letter. This is what I found in his stocking:What a sweet, sweet boy. Merry Christmas Everyone!

Christmas at Temple Square

2008-12-10T13:56:00.013-07:00

The Beach's bundled up (well, I did, the boys still think it is warm outside!) and headed down to Temple Square to see the lights and try to encourage Parker & Dexter to have a little Christmas Cheer!As usual it was beautiful and unusually warm! (no snow)

17 Years Ago on Christmas Eve, John took me to Temple Square and proposed! (Try not to gag!) I had no idea and was totally surprised. He asked me at the Seagull Monument, which is currently drained and boarded up. So there really weren't any "photo ops" for that.

I love the hundreds of luminaries that line the COB walkways.

Parker jumped on John in the parking lot and had a little fun!
Then we headed to Chili's for some nurishment. I don't catch Parker off guard (of the camera) but I did tonight, so I had to post it!Dexter is ALWAYS happier with a full tummy!

Another Beach Boy!

2008-12-09T15:35:00.010-07:00

John's Brother, Chris and his wife, Jessie had a baby boy in August...Rex Alan is his name! What a cutie!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving all the Beach's had a family picture taken at JayLynn Studios and then afterwards John blessed Rex at Waldean's home. It was another great Beach Occasion to get together and play some games!

I know this isn't a great picture of Jessie, but Rex looks so cute!

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving all the Beach's were in town, so we all got together for some games at Waldean's. Beach Games are serious business! According to Mike, and usually if he isn't winning, it's not considered "REGULATION". If something is turned wrong or you go out of turn, it is a "NON-REGULATION GAME" and therefore, does not count. This was Jessie's first time "playing as a Beach" so she was a little nervous and intimidated, but she held her own! Mike, Jessie and I won the first game of Sequence! We are so cool!

Here are a few words and phrases you can hear during EVERY Beach Game of Chicken Foot with Dominoes:
GRIDLOCK, COUNT 'EM UP!
BLOCK THE DOUBLE ZERO!
KRISTEN, did you pick the double zero AGAIN?

During Sequence (A card game with a game board):
"Now what do the Jacks do?"
"Did you take your card?"
"No Cabitzing!"
"What do the Jacks do again?"
"Did you take a card?"
"SEQUENCE!"
"If I have a 2-Eyed Jack, I can do what again?"

We joked that we should just record us all playing one night and then just play the tape the next time we play again!

We all have a lot of fun and a lot of laughing!
Parker worked up an appetite and had some leftover turkey. There's the Sequence board and chips on the table in front of him.

The Cousins had a great time wrestlin' Parker and Dexter and horsing around!

Ashley LOVES Rex and wants a baby of her very own to be a Mommy to.

Thanksgiving in Pocatello

2008-12-09T09:43:00.012-07:00

We left early Thanksgiving morning to drive up to Pocatello Idaho to have Thanksgiving with my family. We pulled in around 11:30am and checked in to The Holiday Inn. The hotel was great and Parker didn't want to leave. In the "Holidome" they had a swimming pool, a Foosball and a Ping Pong table. It was surprising how many "out-of-towners" there were. That evening the Holidome was filled with families gathered around tables playing games and you couldn't have fit one more person in the hot tub! I guess it was the "HOLIDAY" Inn!

The Worthington Clan was alllll here.... Joan, Tasha, John, Parker, Dexter, Erin, Nat, Annika, Thomas, Ella, Keith, Kristien, Grace, Jessica, Kory, Kevin, Janelle (& lil' unborn Cache) and Layla. Jess had some friends over that you will see in the pics too C.J and Davien. It was a GREAT Thanksgiving in Idaho filled with family and friends and not too many family fights! We started making a list of all the subjects we couldn't bring up...politics, religion, health, etc. etc. etc.

Kory is DONE...and now trying to figure out how to rig up a beer line to drip right into his mouth. No, really, that is what he was contemplating, he told me.

The next morning we went back over to Jessie & Kory's and had a big yummy breakfast! Then we played some Rock Band!!

We even brought our own "Groupies" (Kristien in the back)

Here is some of my Thanksgiving decor outside my house...check out that green lawn!

Enos Sounds Like Penis

2008-11-19T09:03:00.010-07:00

This post is dedicated to Dexter and learning a little more about him.
Have you ever seen another kid so excited about receiving books for Christmas?

Dexter was been described as "wise beyond his years" by Mrs. Luka, his kindergarten teacher....so yes, when he was just five years old. In 1st grade he was tested and found to be reading on a 5th grade level. Dexter is an avid reader...to the point of needing to be grounded from reading. Can you imagine? During Summer Recess from school Dexter has said, "I miss school, I miss learning!" Parker, his 13 year old brother, thinks he is a "FREAK!"

In 4th Grade Dex would come home crying because "the kids don't respect him". (I tried to explain to him that kids don't think that way. They make fun of you and you are all friends again by the next recess.)

During a check up last year his pediatrician took him by the shoulders and looked him straight in the eyes and said, "Dexter, what you've got to understand is you are just an old man, stuck in a 10 year old body." I wish you could have seen the sigh of relief Dexter took, finally feeling like someone understood him.

Dexter is a great kid. He is grateful and thanks you for any kindness you show towards him. He gives compliments. He does NOT lie. I consider him my own General Authority. He gets upset with me when I swear and really tries to keep everyone "in line and obeying the rules". He will NOT swear (unless pushed to the extreme edge by his brother when he will yell, "Shut the HELL up! Parker has it recorded, for proof, on his cell phone. It cracked me up) Dexter will still hold my hand in public, give me kisses and makes kissing smooch sounds when saying goodbye to me on the phone. At night, we have a ritual, that he started, of me kissing him on one side of the face and him kissing my cheek and he kisses my other cheek and I kiss him goodnight.

Dexter has always been a kid that can make you laugh. He has what I like to call: Dexterisms, it's not a tic, or disease, it's just the funny things he says. Here are a few Dexterisms:

This story was told to me by Dexter's Primary Teacher.
Dexter has always been the only boy in his Primary class at church, all the rest are girls. One Sunday in his 4 yr. old Primary class, the teacher announced they were going to talk about Enos. Dexter, reverently raised his hand and announced: "Enos sounds like PENIS." Taken back the teacher tried to proceed and just said, Well, today we are talking about Enos. Dexter said again, "Well, it does, Enos sounds like penis. Thank you Dexter, you are right. Dexter just thought it was something you needed to know. He wasn't trying to be funny and didn't look for a reaction from the girls, it was just knowledge he had, and NEEDED to share.

For Christmas 2007 Dexter received a Book Case. It was his favorite Christmas gift and he wrote a paper about it for school.

Here are a few more recent stories:
I never really listen/catch/understand the words in songs, I just like the beat. I was listening to a song on the radio in the car and actually understood and processed the words to a song. I'm sure you've heard it. Ray J's - Sexy Can I (if you dare listen to it) I hear the lyrics, "sliding down the pole, no panties, no shirt" and it hits me this chick is naked! So the next day, John, Dexter and I are driving in the car. I turn on the radio and it's playing Sexy Can I...the questionable lyrics play and I turned to John and say, this is the song I was telling you about. Then, I turn to Dex and say, Do you ever think about a girl like that? Dexter says, No. (I turn back around feeling so proud of my son, then he says) "No. I don't think about A girl like that I think about A LOT of girls like that!"

This year Dexter needed to write a paragraph about a subject. The subject was Sports. Here is his paper, word for word. I saved it cause, it's THAT Good!:

"My favorite sport would be fishing. I don't enter tournaments and stuff like that, but I like fishing. I like the peace and quite, so that I can read while fishing. After you catch your fish, you will always feel very proud of yourself! I hope you enjoy the sport of fishing."

One more:
Dexter received his Arrow of Light award last week. This is the last award in Cub Scouts. During the week his Webelos Leader called to see if Dexter would like to help make the plaque that holds the arrow that is given to each recipient. Dexter wasn't home at the time and we made plans to try to get them together later in the week to work on it. That never happened. The Pack Meeting came, a wonderful Arrow of Light Ceremony took place and Dexter proudly brought home is award. As we were walking into the house I told him that his leader wanted him to help make the award earlier in the week. Without skipping a beat and not trying to be funny at all Dexter said:
"I'm glad I didn't help make this because that would have been like the Groom seeing the Bride BEFORE the Wedding."
Is it me, or does this kid CRACK YOU UP??? He loves his award and considers it his current bride.

Dex receiving his arrow during the ceremony

Dexter walking across the bridge from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. Each of the "graduated" scouts signs the bridge with a wood burner. Dexter's brother and Uncle Chris are listed on the same bridge! We found names from 1993, pretty cool tradition.

Dave Johnson, shaking hands with Dexter and welcoming him to the Boy Scout Troop!

Happy HALLOWEEN!

2008-10-28T09:52:00.014-07:00

I love Halloween! I think because for me, it's the start of "THE" Holidays when I get to be around my family more and the world is full of good cheer!

Once you drive by our house you realize just how much the Beach's LOVE Halloween! It is a lot spookier at night with the orange lights glowing through the spider webs and the purple lighted spider webs on the trees and the glow in the dark skeletons. Anyway... here's a taste of what you would see.

My pride and joy of this Halloween is my brand new 6 Foot Vampire from Sam's Club. It was on sale for only $29... I HAD to have it! I made myself leave because they had some other killer halloween inflatable things for the yard...on sale!

The Witch's Inn...THE Witch (me) is IN! Do stop by for a visit my sweetie!

And of course, I'm one of these freaky dog moms that love to dress up their dogs for Halloween. Buddy, loves to wear clothes all the time, so he won't be a problem. Is his witch's costume not the cutest ever???
Brillo, on the other hand, hates to wear clothes, so we never do it. I bought this Frankenstein costume a few years ago for $3.50 at Petco. He wore it for about 30 seconds. Since Buddy was in the spirit of dress up, I tortured Brillo for a little bit and took one good picture. I didn't realize he was lickin' his face until after I printed the picture...still so cute! Actually, now that I see it, I think he's sticking his tongue out at me! What do you think?

W I L L I E S ! I've got the Willies!

2008-09-05T08:46:00.006-07:00

Willies, Heebie Jeebies, Shivers, Goose Bumps...etc. As I'm preparing this post, I have labored breathing and can't put my feet under the desk where I'm typing. The pictures are putting me over the edge.

My friend just called needing some help. They got new carpet a few days ago so the heat vent covers were off around the house. Her son, has a python snake...can you see where this is going? Well, the son left the snake aquarium cover off and now the snake is missing! It's in the heating ducts!!! They have constructed a wire and mirror system to find the snake in the vent but can't reach it. Have any suggestions?

I don't like snakes. I'm freaking out! I would have had to stay at a hotel last night, oh WAIT! No, I wouldn't....I WOULD NEVER HAVE LET A SNAKE IN MY HOUSE IN THE FIRST PLACE! I hate snakes, always have!

What's more disturbing is that my friend was trying to calm ME down..."It's a nice snake, it's not poisonous."

I say...who the HELL cares? It's a snake. A snake is a snake, poisonous or not.

In high school, my friend, Rina, would chase me around her house with their black snake. I would cry, seriously, real tears and run outside and she would still chase me...yes...I call her my friend???? Well, years later they told me the cat FINALLY got the snake and killed it... uhhh...too bad? I'm all torn up about that...NOT! (Still love you Rina!)

What's at the top of your list of fears? Me, in case you can't tell? SNAKES!!!

What's the Deal with the Wig?

2008-09-02T21:33:00.008-07:00

Many people have asked lately...What's the deal with the wig?
It's purely vanity...and heredity...well, the thin hair part anyway. This is Christmas Day 2005, outside my Mom's home. We really let the kids go nuts with their hair. Parker's is permed...YUCK! and long! Dexter has always wanted dark hair...so I let Erin have at 'em. Dex loved it...YUCK! I love my baby with blonde hair! And I love my Big Baby with no hair at all! But as for me, I don't need so much forehead!

I have complete strangers ask/tell me..."Did you know you've got really thin hair?" DUH! or "Wow! Your hair is thin!" NO! REALLY? THAT MUST HAVE JUST HAPPENED! (Well, it did after I got pregnant. It all started falling out and never came back.)

So that's why I wear a wig. Which do you prefer? Long or short?

This was my first ever wig...it is human hair so Erin colors it whatever color I want! The guy who sold it to me hacked it up and Erin has done her best to fix it. The bangs are really still heavy and we've thinned the crap out of them. Alot of it was me, getting use to THICK hair!

This was my 2nd Wig...also human hair (that really grosses my BIL out!) We are staying with a brown color...but I REALLY want red. I'm gonna have to talk to Erin about that!
Best Wig Outlet

And this is what I wear now. I love the short and the color. It is synthetic hair, not human. So it burns up easily...really, I'm serious. I have singed a couple from opening a hot oven and using the BBQ before. You should see me now...it's quite a site! I'll lean over to open the oven and remember my wig and rip it off and throw it across the kitchen as far away from the 350 degree air that is gushing out of the oven straight for my hair that was shipped to me in a box!
Paula Young Wigs

Wild Woman

2008-08-15T21:07:00.009-07:00

I should have posted this one earlier before my hair faded so much!
I've been wanting to do this for a long time! I wear a wig all the time so I thought it would be fun to show off a little of my wild and crazy side! I had my sister color the ends of my hair green. It's kind of faded to a turquoise now. A month ago it was a super dark greeny emerald color. I love it!

My dream is to get a short pixie cut and color the tips hot pink...It'll probably never happen, but I can dream!

Dex was looking pretty shaggy, so it was time for a cut. He didn't want one, but he was leaving for Mill Hollow Camp for 3 days and I can only imagine the greasy mess...eeek! So off to Erin's we went.
As close to a mullet as I (or my sis) will EVER let one of my children come to!
That's alllotta hair Dexter!

Just a random picture of my cutest dogs!

Breaking Dawn is Here!

2008-08-09T08:24:00.017-07:00

July was my month for book club, we read The Wednesday Letters and were suppose to meet on July 31....but I knew that Breaking Dawn was being released the next day, so I changed book club to the next night. We met a bit later, a handful of people came and we had a nice time chatting and discussing the book. The real excitement started after 10 pm. Anyone that wanted to, met at my house at 10 pm and we car pooled to The King's English for the Breaking Dawn Party.

When we got there we got received our pieces of paper saying that we had pre-ordered our book and then check out the goings-on. It was fun to see all the crazy, vampire-werewolf-lovin' women. There was a contest for Bella's wedding dress (which wasn't even really described or talked about in BD), a Trivia Bowl (I hadn't even heard of some of the questions or know what they heck they were talking about) but there was a ton of girls and women that did! They had cookies for sale Edward vs. Jacob (the Edward Cookies sold out). Oh! And tons of people had shirts printed and made things themselves!

One of my favorite parts was getting a picture with the Volturi that were in town to make sure no rules were broken!!!!

One of the printed shirts...My SIL, Haley, and her twin sisters, Allison & Lesley waiting for midnight! (Notice The Host in the background)
My BFF, Heather. Yes, I know I look like I'm going to bite someone...but I didn't. I was just so excited!
Looking back at all the people waiting around for Breaking Dawn to be broken out!

Haley didn't pre-order a book, but she did get a BOX!! She cracks me up!

This was my vote for Bella's Wedding Gown

This was my sister's vote for Bella's Wedding Gown

Yes! We are freaks!

Huckleberry!

2008-07-30T22:23:00.009-07:00

Huckleberry is our family's new favorite word.

This is what a huckleberry really looks like:

Last Saturday we went to Arctic Circle after the Osmond Reunion Concert and ordered some shakes.

While we were waiting, 2 elderly couples were sitting in the booth next to us. John swears he heard them say HUCKLEBERRY at least 10 times. They were talking about the Huckleberry Shake that Arctic Circle was advertising. So, John kept saying Huckleberry, Huckleberry, Huckleberry...and he wasn't being quiet about it either. It made Parker and Dexter and myself crack up. John started using it in a sentence and saying it over and over again. He wouldn't stop. We all started using it like it was a swear word. "Would you get your huckleberry hands off my shake?" "I'm gonna kick your huckleberry butt!" I find this word funny because I had never heard of a huckleberry berry before.

Then Dexter made up a song and sang it on the way home. "I'm just a huckleberry boy stuck in a huckleberry world..."

When ever I say Huckleberry it comes out in "Southern-talk" and I can't stop! It makes Parker smile, so I continue to do it and talk Southern for a while.

I asked Dexter if we could change his middle name to Huckleberry, he said he wants to change his first name to Huckleberry. I said, "You can call me Huck or you can call me Berry, or you can jus' call me Huckleberry!" Huckleberry Beach has such a nice ring to it! (It's much funnier when you southern-style the whole thang!...Stephanie would understaaaaand! You have to drawl out your long vowels...once you start you cain't stop!)

Since we aren't having anymore kids, we decided to just name our next dog, Huckleberry. We aren't getting another dog until one kicks the bucket though which hopefully won't be for a long time.

So today I took the boys to Arctic Circle for lunch...and we got a huckleberry shake. Dexter and I liked it. It was pretty good, a flavor I can't explain. Dexter calls it a shake with 5 different berry flavors...and grape flavor. The only thing I didn't like is the big pieces of huckleberry skin in the shake, but I chewed it up and swallowed anyway.

I didn't realize there were so many huckleberry things!

P.S. If we would have had one more baby and it would have been a girl we were going to name her Malibu Barbara Beach....and call her Malibu Barbie!...I often wonder if that is why we didn't have anymore kids?

California Adventure, continued...

2008-07-21T20:34:00.020-07:00

I got a little distracted from Breaking Dawn, so here's some more of our Family Vacation. This was on the Canoes. Our guide asked us not to take pictures, just to keep rowing. This is her catching me...oops!
The Beach Boys outside Tarzan's Treehouse
This was the parade at California Adventure and it was AWESOME!! A lot of the characters and floats squirted water at the guests...it felt great!!! Here is one of the Toy Story themed floats
Tow-Mater from Cars!
Hey Buzz Lightyear!
Jack-Jack from The Incredibles!
Heimlich from A Bug's Life
Dex always is entertaining. This is Dex being "candid"
Rock Climbing in Bear Country. Parker made it to the finish again!
California Screamin' roller coaster...one of Dexter's favorite rides.
Dex enjoying the swings in the Big Orange
Toy Story Midway Mania...our favorite ride in California Adventure. It was more of a game than a ride. It was great! 3-D and kept your score! Check out the roller coaster doing the loop!
John and Tasha. Dex really wanted to take our picture.
Oh! Wait, this was my favorite part, but it was a show, not a ride. Crush was AWESOME!!! Don't miss it when you go. It is in CA Adventure, across from the Muppets 3-D. Crush is interactive and talks with the audience...TOTALLY AWESOME DUDE!

Muppets in 3-D (California Adventure)

2008-07-16T20:06:00.006-07:00

As some of you know, in high school I was a lover of the Pig. I was a pig collector and Miss Piggy has always had a special place in my heart. At Disney California they have a Muppets in 3D show, outside they had these movie posters. They cracked me up...here are a few.

PIGGY WOMANTHE SOW OF MUSIC
JURASICK PORK
PLUMP FICTION
...and my favorite: BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER AT TIFFANY'S

Code Adam Alert

2008-07-10T07:54:00.003-07:00

Have you read the E-mail about Sam's Club, as well as other businesses, using the Code Adam alert for missing children in the store? My SIL sent it to me today and it prompted a memory of mine:

I first read this E-mail about 5 years ago...and then a week later I saw it in effect with Dexter! I knew John would think I was an idiot, so I never told him about this E-mail until...after.

We were at Wal-Mart. I had Dex in a cart and John had Parker. We let the kids out of the carts to look at toys. In a matter of minutes, Dex was gone! I was starting to freak out and John was totally calm. The Code Adam E-mail starting coming to mind. We walked up and down every single aisle (this is before the Super Wal-Marts...thank goodness!) We both were at the front and talking to some workers. I described Dexter to them and told him that we cannot find him. They looked at each other and said, "Should we call a Code Adam?" I gasped and burst into tears.

A little boy in a near by check out line was listening to what was going on and said, "Is that your little boy over there?" (pointing towards the door) We all looked over and there was Dexter, sitting calmly on Ronald McDonald's lap, waving to all the people, trying to be a Wal-Mart Greeter.

By the way, Albertson's also has a "Code Adam" and it is "Code Yellow" at Target. How do I know this? Because Dexter. Thankfully, every time, Dexter was found and usually he was looking at Toys...(so we started checking there first). Dexter is now 10 years old (almost 11) and a still loves Toys...especially Legos.

I can't find a picture of Dexter on Ronald, but here's one so you remember what I'm talking about. I'm sure if they have them any more.

Hats Off To Disney

2008-07-08T22:12:00.005-07:00

Growing up I was always so jealous of my friends that got to go on family vacations and always came back with "Ears" from Disney...and with their very own name embroidered in it! Luckiest kids in the world! That was the coolest thing! I grew up poor and the oldest of five kids, so spending money on 5 different Mickey/Minnie Mouse hats was not an option and quite a luxury!

I was definitely a kid at Disney in 2008! It was basically my first time being able to enjoy all the rides and do what I wanted! We all got Disney Hats! I love my Ears and will wear them whenever possible...and not too embarrassing. John got a baseball cap that says "Grumpy" on it...perfect!

After trying on a few different styles, Dexter opted for the "Goofy" hat.
Parker, trying to be the 13 year old teenager he is, went for the "You Say Grumpy like it is a bad thing" hat.

**Embarrassing Hat Story***
Many of you know, if I'm not wearing my wig, I'm wearing a hat. The only thing I can see from my view is the brim of the hat I'm wearing. After our trip I went over to my bosses house. I walked up to their door and saw my reflection in their storm door... Great! I was wearing my ears! Now that was embarrassing! Keep on the ears or let them see my hat head? I opted for the ears. Steve & Robyn just thought I was rubbing in the fact that I got to go to Disney...what ever works!

Ding! Ding! Get out of OUR Way! The Beach's Are Going To Disneyland!

2008-07-08T20:55:00.010-07:00

June 22, 2008 - Disneyland

As soon as we walked into Disney, the fire department truck whisked us down Main Street. The conductor asked Dex to ring the bell to warn people we were coming! He was a little stressed about all this responsibility at first...he didn't want anyone to get hurt on account of him not ringing the bell loud enough. We made it to our destination without any pedestrian injuries.

The Parade of Dreams Disney Parade. Welcome to our Family time, welcome to our brotherly time, welcome to our fun-to-be time... Great parade!

Jedi Training! Soooooo Exciting! If you have a son or daughter "in to" Star Wars, you don't want to miss this!

I am the mother of an official Padawon...here's the certificate to prove it!

S*P*L*A*S*H Mountain! Aaaaaah!! My first time (like you can't tell by the look on my face!) and it beats the hell out of the Log Flume at Lagoon!

I love my Hunny!

The Host

2008-07-08T08:30:00.004-07:00

I'm reading The Host, by Stephenie Meyer. I'll finish blogging about our vacation when I'm done (less than 100 pages to go)! The Host was hard to get into and under stand the first couple chapters. I'm not a Sci-Fi fan AT ALL but I am loving this book! Another great one from Stephenie!

Book Club is at my house this month - The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright

Horrible Horrible Mother!

2008-06-28T23:45:00.006-07:00

Don't ever ask me to rub sunscreen on your back. Our first day of vacation, we stopped at the beach and I squoze out some sunscreen and rubbed it on Parker's neck and shoulders. I got another load on my hands and started from his waist line and went up. I obviously got distracted and this is what happened...

John said, "Well, I guess sunscreen REALLY does work!"

Parker has the complexion of an albino. He does NOT tan, only BURNS.. FRIES, BURNING FLESH! His only color are all his freckles (thank you John!) The poor kid would burn during recess in elementary school, so we are very good about the sunscreen! I feel horrible! He was already peeling by the end of our vacation. I'm sorry Parker!

He did, however, have some fun in Grandpas' pool!

Here's another one of Parker's proud moments. Building a house out of drink coasters on the table at Chili's Restaurant.

A Universal Quickie!

2008-06-28T15:20:00.008-07:00

The whole reason we decided on California again for a vacation this year was that we got a great deal on "City Passes" from Costco. For $217 each they included: 3 Day Hopper to Disney/California Adventure ($189), 1 day at SeaWorld ($59), 1 Day at Universal ($65) and 1 day at either San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park ($34). That is a $131 savings!

A few years ago we had a year pass to Universal so we weren't too worried about spending loads of time at Universal again this year. The only thing we HAD to do was ride the brand new Simpson's ride. Yes, I have to live with Simpson's Fanatics! So after sleeping in, going to the beach and TARGET to buy some flip flops for the growing boys, we finally arrived at Universal at 5pm...they closed at 7pm (not to worry). We got to do everything we wanted!
We ran to the Simpson's Ride (awesome! much better than the Back to the Future Ride, Simpson's replaced) then down, down, down the escalators to Revenge of the Mummy ride (my favorite ride at Universal) and back up, up, up the escalators to get

Pictures with Bart and Homer (by this time it is 6:30 pm)

a quick stop to the Kwik-E-Mart
Moe's Bar

and on the way out we noticed they were still showing Shrek 4-D so we ran for the last show. (always great!)
The 3 Little Pigs in Shrek 4-D (It is really cute!)

My favorite part of Universal is actually the Universal Citywalk. You walk through this to get to Universal Park.
There are tons of shops and restaurants and tons of people. They have fountains and a stage where bands play. I wish SLC had something like this, I think the closest thing we have is Gateway, but maybe Universal is a novelty to me because I don't live there.

By the time we left it was after 8 pm. We hadn't eaten dinner yet and were starving. We didn't want to wait for another hour until we got to Palm Springs so we stopped at a Chili's which took FOREVER!! It was around 9pm before we were served and then we didn't get to Grandpas Ray & Rey until after 11pm.

The next morning we woke up, Grandpas made their famous and favorite breakfast, Parker swam and we went to Johnny's house. He has a beautiful home and an awesome pool that we all relaxed in. I, of course, forgot to take pictures, DANG IT! Then we all went to see Get Smart at the Mary Pickford Theatre (Mary and I share a birthday). Then it was off to the Casino for a delicious dinner.

Since I forgot to take pictures with my Dads, here's one from 2005 when we were together at Universal. We ate at Buca De Beppo.

We were back on the road again by 9pm and headed back to Anaheim. The boys were pooped (we all were!) and begging to sleep in...so we did until 10 am!!! What??? It is our Disney day we need to get going!!!

Parker Beach Doin' the Beach Thang!

2008-06-28T14:46:00.003-07:00

It was time to go and Parker didn't want to leave. He was a little spaztic. You don't have to watch the whole thing but he cracked me up. Especially when he tried to jump on his castle and fell on his butt. He looks over to see if the girls next to us saw him "biff" it!

Beaches at the Beach

2008-06-28T14:02:00.015-07:00

That's alotta beaches! We stopped at different beaches on our travels down to San Diego and back. We visited Newport Beach, Oceanside and Long Beach.

Newport Beach

Long Beach
Some friends we made at the beach. They just live a few blocks away from here. The one that is standing is 14 years old today. I told them to enjoy this time at the beach because I know, being my age, I don't ever want that much sand touching my body EVER AGAIN!

I have memories of my Dad teaching me how to make drip castles on the beach, so I taught Parker and he had a blast...a little too much fun with the kelp & seaweed! Eeewww!

The aftermath of the sand fight!

I realized after seeing this picture that I don't like this new swim suit at all. That gold strip on the bottoms looks like my white belly...Gross! I hope I haven't burned your eyes out!

JUST KIDDING! Here I really am, walking past Dexter on the Beach!

SeaWorld-San Diego

2008-06-28T13:09:00.009-07:00

June 18 - SeaWorld

The next morning we woke up and drove down to SeaWorld. The last time I've been to SeaWorld was in 1996 in Orlando. It was fun sharing this with the boys and seeing their amazement at the cool things the sea animals did.

Dolphin Discovery Can you see the dolphin on the other side of the yellow rope?Shamu's Believe ShowCirque De La Mer

Dex and I rode the Journey to Atlantis water ride...we're the only ones that dared but I didn't want to get too wet that late at night so I bought a poncho (wimp!)

We enjoyed lots and lots at SeaWorld, I'm not going to bore you with all the pictures. Most of this is for my own memory because I know I will never remember everything. We also saw the Pets Rule! show (John's fav) and Clyde & Seamore's Risky Rescue. We got to pet sting rays and star fish, play in the Sesame Street Bay of Play (Parker's fav! Yes we got our 13 yr old to pose with Grover), cooled off in the Penguin Encounter, Wild Artic and Shark Encounter. On the way out we saw the Budweiser Clydesdales...they are HUGE!This picture does not do their size justice at all.

Beach Family Vacation June 2008

2008-06-28T09:31:00.005-07:00

We had such a fun trip! It went by fast! We played hard and are completely exhausted! It's hard to get back to reality!

The plane trip was relaxing. Usually flying stand-by can be a real downer (as was the trip home) but it was a breeze and I was pleasantly surprised.

We stayed at the Portofino Inn and Suites, just 2 blocks away from Disney. We booked the Kids' Suite and it was totally awesome! A king size bed for me and the hubby, and a separate room with a bunk bed for the boys! At night we could just close the sliding doors and they could watch their own TV shows while John and I watched whatever we wanted! It was wonderful!

June 18 - Medieval Times
Our first night in California we went to Medieval Times. Our knight was the Blue Knight. He did really well and won a few of the events. We were served tomato bisque, garlic bread, roasted chicken, spare ribs and potatoes! We had to eat it all with our hands NO utensils and only one napkin! It was a challenge and was really fun!

The knights jousted and fought with swords and killed each other...it was great fun!Dexter is such a sport...he loved letting me take pictures. This pose was all Dexter's idea. This is how he wants to be buried, with his Blue Knight shield he bought from Medieval Times and the sword he bought from Disney!

Look Who Got Braces!

2008-06-02T15:53:00.004-07:00

B E F O R E

A F T E R

New Addition

2008-06-02T15:49:00.003-07:00

John and I put in a new fence on Saturday afternoon. It took about 4 1/2 hours. I love it and think it looks beautiful!

Today I Mourn the Loss of...

2008-05-16T08:16:00.005-07:00

John and I were driving out to the sleep study place to have his C-pap machine adjusted. My cell phone rang and I answered it to hear someone crying on the other end..."Mom....I'm so so sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.

Parker, yes, it was Parker... was making Top Ramen in the microwave above the stove. He does it all the time at least 3 times a week, but Tuesday was the day of doom! He was taking out the glass bowl of liquid sodium (Top Ramen) from the microwave, it burned him and he dropped the whole thing down onto the stove top.

John kept me calm. I worked myself through the initial shock and walked in to see the damages. I was just expecting a crack or even a divet. Nope, even worse. The impact broke a hole all the way through the glass and into the element. These pictures are after we cleaned up the Top Ramen noodles.

Mourn with me over the loss of my beautiful stove...

Calling Sears to replace the part I would have spent $325, if they only charge the initial $65 to come to the house (yeah, right!)

I found this great place online called MyApplianceParts.com They have the part for $49 less, I can get an upgraded shipping for $7.95 and it will be delivered to my door. John is going to attempt to install it. I'm sure he can do it. I called 800-310-5150 and talked to Kim and Pat several times. They were so nice!

We took the whole thing apart the other night and the element seems to still work, Thank Goodness! (that would have been another $119 and I definitely would just be buying a whole new stove!)

We just bought this stove a couple of years ago and I have loved it. I feel like my kitchen is a little cleaner because I just wipe the top off. Believe me, there is heavy scrubbing involved sometimes. I don't have to take apart all the elements and dripper pans, etc. What a mess that always was...and I never did it often enough!

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-12T07:29:00.004-07:00

I've been busy playing and downloading things to my new iPod Nano that I got for Mother's Day! Why didn't anyone tell me they were so cool?

I'm loving my videos from American Idol where David Cook sings right to ME!...and David Archuleta and Jason Castro. (I love Billie Jean & Hello that David Cook performed and Jason's Over the Rainbow and I Don't Wanna Cry songs)

I've also downloaded a few free podcasts, what fun! Two of my favorites are Flight of the Conchords and Happy Tree Friends! (Warning! If you don't like horrific and hilarious cartoon violence, Happy Tree Friends is NOT for you!)

John MADE me open my gift on Friday night. He and the boys were so excited for me to open it. I've always been like: "Whatever MP3 player, iPod hub-bub? What's the big deal?....now I know!

Thanks guys! John made dinner for me too.

Here's the poem Dexter wrote me:

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Mother I love you mother I do,
nothing will take my heart from you

You're a good cook and and a good mom,
I love you so for all the things youve done for me

You've helped me and given me things,
And now its my turn to give to you.

Thanks! I Love all my boys!

I licked my dog because I'm sexy and I do what I want!

2008-04-25T20:36:00.002-07:00

Pick the month you were born:

January-------I kicked
February-----I loved
March---------I karate chopped
April-----------I licked
May-----------I jumped on
June----------I smelled
July------------I did the Macarena With
August--------I had lunch with
September--I danced with
October------I sang to
November---I yelled at
December---I ran over

Pick the day (number) you were born on:

1-------a birdbath
2-------a monster
3-------a phone
4-------a fork
5-------the grass
6-------a gangster
7-------my mobile phone
8-------my dog
9-------my best friends' boyfriend
10-------my neighbor
11-------my s cience teacher
12-------a banana
13-------a fireman
14-------a stuffed animal
15-------a goat
16-------a pickle
17-------your mom
18-------a spoon
19-------a smurf
20-------a baseball bat
21-------a ninja
22-------Chuck Norris
23-------a noodle
24-------a squirrel
25-------a football player
26-------my sister
27-------my brother
28-------an ipod
29-------a surfer
30-------a llama
31-------A homeless guy

Pick the color of shirt you are wearing:

White---------because I'm cool like that
Black---------because that's how I roll.
Pink----------because I'm crazy.
Red----------because the voices told me to.
Blue----------because I'm sexy and I do what I want
Green--------because I think I need some serious help.
Purple--------because I'm AWESOME!
Gray----------because Big Bird said to and he's my leader.
Yellow--------because someone offered me 1,000,000 dollars
Orange -------because my fam ily thinks I'm stupid anyway.
Brown---------because I can.
Other----------because I'm a Ninja!
None----------because I can't control myself!

Now type out the sentence you made in the subject line.

Bloggin' about Movies...

2008-04-21T08:48:00.003-07:00

When John was a the library last week he saw a DVD of a movie we haven't seen in ages...and love! Being a DVD it had special features and interviews and games that you never get on old VHS copies. So we watched it Sunday night with the boys. I love love love this movie and didn't realize how much of it I have memorized. I kept saying lines before and with the actors and John kept saying: Would ya quit? I'm trying to enjoy the movie too! I couldn't stop! I'm not going to tell you the movie...just some quotes. Can you guess the movie??

"You mocked me once, never do it again! I DIED that day!"

"Stop rhyming I mean it! ...anybody want a peanut?" (do you know it yet?)

"Marewij is what bwings us togevwa today"

"Wuv....Tawoooo Wuuuv..."

"My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!"

"Boo. Booooooo Buttercup! Bow down to the queen of putrescence!"

"As You Wish"

"Inconceiveable!" (you have to know it now!)

Here are some of the characters, in case you lived in a cave for the last 20 years! (Yes, it came out in 1988)

Buttercup, Westley, Inigo, Fezzick, Prince Humperdink, The 6-Fingered Man

Come on, you have to know it now!!! Do you have some favorite quotes from the movie?

Okay, the game is over. I'm going to upload the picture. The cover has an awesome ambigram on the front where you can read the title upside down. It's really cool!

If you see this 20th Anniversary in the store, let me know! I have to have it!

Did you just turn you head over so you could read it? I did and popped my neck just now...it actually felt kind of good...that little stretch...now the other way...

93 out of 204

2008-04-21T00:07:00.003-07:00

SUPPOSEDLY if you've seen over 85 movies, you have no life. Mark the ones you've seen. There are 204 movies on this list. Put an X next to the movies you've seen and add them up.

Have fun! (I barely don't have a life...how comforting to know its the movies fault!)

(x)Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest
( ) Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End
( ) Boondock Saints
( ) Fight Club
( ) Starsky and Hutch
(x) Neverending Story
( ) Blazing Saddles
(x) Airplane

TOTAL ALL TOGETHER: 5

( ) Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy
(x) Napoleon Dynamite
( ) Saw
( ) Saw II
( ) Saw III
( ) Saw IV
(x ) White Noise
( ) White Oleander
(x) 50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries
(x) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
TOTAL ALL TOGETHER: 10

(x) Scream
(x) Scream 2
(x) Scream 3
(x) Scary Movie
( ) Scary Movie 2
( ) Scary Movie 3
( ) Scary Movie 4
(x) American Pie
( ) American Pie 2
( ) American Wedding
( ) American Pie Band Camp
( ) American Pie Naked Mile
TOTAL ALL TOGETHER: 15

(x) Harry Potter 1
(x) Harry Potter 2
(x) Harry Potter 3
(x) Harry Potter 4
(x) Harry Potter 5
( ) Resident Evil 1
() Resident Evil 2
(x) The Wedding Singer
(x) High School Musical
(x) High School Musical 2
(x) Lilo & Stitch
TOTAL ALL TOGETHER: 24

(x) Finding Nemo
(x) Finding Neverland
(x) Signs
(x) The Grinch
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
( ) White Chicks
( ) Butterfly Effect
(x) 13 Going on 30
(x) I, Robot
( ) Robots
TOTAL ALL TOGETHER: 30

(x) Dodgeball
( ) Universal Soldier
(x) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
(x) Along Came Polly
(x) Deep Impact
( ) KingPin
(x) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
(x) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
( ) Joe Dirt
( ) King Kong
TOTAL ALL TOGETHER: 37

(x) A Cinderella Story
(x) The Terminal
(x) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
( ) Dumber & Dumberer
( ) Final Destination
( ) Final Destination 2
( ) Final Destination 3
( ) Halloween
(x) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2 (too afraid!)
(x) Surviving Christmas
(x) Flubber
TOTAL ALL TOGETHER: 44

( ) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
(x) Practical Magic
(x) Chicago
( ) Ghost Ship
( ) From Hell
( ) Hellboy
( ) Secret Window
( ) I Am Sam
(x) The Whole Nine Yards
(x)The Whole Ten Yards
TOTAL ALL TOGETHER: 48

(x) The Day After Tomorrow
(x) Child's Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
( ) Bride of Chucky
(x) Ten Things I Hate About You
(x) Just Married
( ) Gothika
(x) Nightmare on Elm Street
(x) Sixteen Candles
(x) Remember the Titans
( ) Coach Carter
(x) The Longest Yard
( ) Gridiron Gang
( ) The Grudge (the previews gave me nightmares!)
( ) The Grudge 2
(x) The Mask
( ) Son Of The Mask
TOTAL ALL TOGETHER: 57

( ) Bad Boys
( ) Bad Boys 2
(x) Joy Ride
( ) Lucky # Seven
(x) Ocean's Eleven
(x) Ocean's Twelve
(x) Ocean's Thirteen
(x) Bourne Supremacy
(x) Bourne Ultimatum
( ) Lone Star
(x ) Bedazzled
( ) Curious George
TOTAL ALL TOGETHER: 64

(x) Independence Day
( ) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
( ) Darkness Falls
( ) Christine
(x) ET
( ) Children of the Corn
( ) My Boss's Daughter
(x) Maid in Manhattan
(x) War of the Worlds
(x) Rush Hour
(x) Rush Hour 2
( ) Rush Hour 3
TOTAL ALL TOGETHER: 70

( ) Swimfan
( ) Miracle on 34th street
(x) Old School
(x) The Notebook
( ) K-Pax
( ) Krippendorf's Tribe
(x) A Walk to Remember
(x) Ice Castles
( ) Boogeyman
(x) The 40-year-old-virgin
TOTAL ALL TOGETHER: 75

(x) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(x) Lord the Rings Return Of the King
(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(x) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
TOTAL ALL TOGETHER: 81

( ) Basketball
( ) Hostel
( ) Waiting for Guffman
( ) House of 1000 Corpses
( ) Devil's Rejects
(x) Elf
( ) Highlander
( ) Mothman Prophecies
( ) American History X
(x) Three kings
TOTAL ALL TOGETHER: 83

(x) the Jackal
( ) Kung Fu Hustle
( ) Full Metal Jacket
(x) Shaolin Soccer
( ) Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc
TOTAL ALL TOGETHER: 86

(x) Titanic
(x) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
( ) Shaun Of the Dead
( ) Willard
TOTAL ALL TOGETHER: 88

( ) High Tension
( ) Club Dread
( ) Hulk
( ) Dawn Of the Dead
(x) Chronicle Of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
( ) Orgazmo
( ) Phantasm
(x) Waterworld
TOTAL ALL TOGETHER: 90

( ) Kill Bill vol 1
( ) Kill Bill vol 2
( ) Mortal Kombat
( ) Wolf Creek
( ) The Hills Have Eyes (Hell NO! This one even freaked Kory out!)
( ) The Hills Have Eyes 2
( ) I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
( ) The Last House on the Left
( ) Re-Animator
( ) Army of Darkness
TOTAL ALL TOGETHER: 90

(x) The Matrix
( ) The Matrix Reloaded
( ) The Matrix Revolutions
( ) Evil Dead
( ) Evil Dead 2
( ) Team America: World Police
(x) Silence of the Lambs
( ) Hannibal
( ) Red Dragon
(x) Anger Management
( ) Silent Hill
( ) Teacious D and the Pick of Destiny
TOTAL ALL TOGETHER: 93

NOW: Put title as how many movies you've seen out of 204"

More Twilight Chatter

2008-04-19T08:15:00.004-07:00

I didn't know they were this far in filming the movie, but if they are opening in December of 2008, they'd better get on it, I guess!

I don't know what I've done, but I can't upload videos anymore...I suck! Here's the link. There are a few trailers on youtube claiming to be "trailers" for the movie but it looks like something some one put together because several have pictures of Edward as Cedric Diggory in The Goblet of Fire. Here's the trailer that I liked best. Enjoy! Twilight Trailer

Me

2008-04-18T09:37:00.005-07:00

Most of you that actually visit my blog probably have never seen me with my "Sassy" hair...so here I am!

Yikes...could I grit my teeth any harder? I was just so excited to take a picture of myself and share my hair!

What's your Superhero Name?

2008-04-18T09:13:00.006-07:00

I should be cleaning my house, but everyone knows I would rather blog hop 'n stalk.

Okay, here's another tag. At first I thought these were hokie, but I'm starting to enjoy them. Someone, if they cared enough, could probably figure out and determine who you are and steal your identity and that's already been done to me so here it goes:

1. My rock star name (first pet and current car):
Shadow Sonata

2. My gangsta name (favorite ice cream flavor and favorite cookie):
PB Choco Chip

3. My "fly" name (first initial of first name and first three letters of last name:
T Bea said with "Attitude"

4. My detective name (favorite color and favorite animal):
Purple Pig

5. My soap opera name (middle name and city where you were born):
Renee Bitburg

6. My Star Wars name (first three letters of your last name and first two letters of your first
name):
BeaTa

7. My superhero name (2nd favorite color and favorite drink with "The" in front):
The Green Limeade

8. My Nascar name (first names of your grandfathers):
Charlie John

9. My stripper name (name of your favorite perfume/cologne and your favorite candy):
Romance Skittles or Sexual Chocolate (Okay, I don't really wear Sexual, it just sounded good with chocolate!)

10. My witness-protection name (mother's and father's middle names):
Renee Ray

Cast of Twilight

2008-04-15T21:47:00.005-07:00

I had to copy this from my SIL's sister's blog. I'm a lover of the Twilight Series too. I am undecided as to whether I am excited for the movie or not. Pictures of the cast members are on a video posted on YouTube.com so I don't know how legit it is but here's the link. Twilight Cast
I don't want the movie to change my opinion of the book. I hate the fact that I can't go back to the characters I had come up with in my own mind for the Harry Potter series before the movies. If you are the same way, maybe you better not look at the link...but they are such beautiful people!

I'd go ahead and post the video but it doesn't seem to work for me. Have any of you been able to upload a video to your blog lately?

The Beach Zoo

2008-04-13T16:10:00.006-07:00

My friend, Stephanie's blog is called the Morgan Zoo. A zoo is what it has been around our house lately. Let me share the different animal sitings at our house lately.

I took Buddy to get groomed on Wednesday. I didn't recognize him when they brought him out! He was really cute and more gray with all that shag shaved off! I went crazy with some new outfits for him too!

You all know Brillo and Buddy...I was trying to take a nap on my swing and the dogs thought it looked pretty comfy on my swing too!

For the last couple of days this gorgeous orange cat has been tormenting Brillo! None of the neighbors know where she came from, but she is definitely well fed. I picked her up and she is chunky under all that hair. She struts down the sidewalk and the barking from inside the house starts. Then, with all the "gall" of this cat she prances right up to the porch and sits in front of the door. Brillo is going berzerk and clawing at the glass door to get THAT cat. (Buddy feels that is free time to bark too, so he joins in on the fun) The cat just looks at Brillo like he's an idiot.

On Saturday we were outside working on the fence and gate. All the sudden Brillo & Buddy went tearing past John and I....the cat was back. She just stood her ground against Brillo. Brillo barked and barked. Buddy was a little freaked out and left the confrontation. Brillo kept barking and barking at the cat. She meowed that low menacing meow and just looked at him, like "Bring it on Big Boy!" Brillo would stop so the cat took matters into her own paw and charged Brillo and swatted at him.
Brillo wouldn't let me grab him so I picked up the cat and walked back to our house and Brillo followed me. I had to put him back in the house 8 times! He kept getting out and it was driving me INSANE!!! Brillo wanted at that cat so bad he taught himself how to open the kitchen screen door! That was promptly fixed! Thank you John!

Also while we were working on the fence, the horse came over to investigate. She loves visitors. Killian is not our horse but she lives on the property behind us. It's cool having a horse in your backyard and not having to pay for the feed!
So two dogs, one cat and a horse...that's a lot for the Beach House!

Doggy Visit

2008-04-13T15:54:00.007-07:00

Ashley loves to come see Brillo. She often asks to just come over and see him, and that's what she likes to do..."See" him not really play with him. Aaron, her little brother enjoys Brillo too. He gets down on the floor and wants to see him too, but when Brillo comes near to investigate, Aaron freaks out a little. Well, Aaron has definitely gotten over his fears! Aaron was practically attacking Brillo, but Brillo loves it and knows that any visitor is here to see and love on him!

Ashley & Aaron brought their cousin, Valerie over with them. She totally freaked out screaming that 4 yr old scream, you know the one, the ear-piercing scream? John and Steve sat down with them all and taught them how to act around Brillo. You see, when you run from Brillo he thinks you want to play and he will chase you. If you sit down, Brillo thinks you want to rub his belly.

Ouch!

2008-04-13T15:50:00.005-07:00

Burns hurt! I hate 'em! I was helping out at work, trying to steam a pleat in a wedding gown and look what I did! If I'm ever in a fire I will be breathing deeply for find some other way to kill myself before the fire gets to me. I seem to burn myself a lot. My other injuries include my knees...stitches...3 separate times.

How do you hurt yourself or am I the only klutz?

Love of a Lifetime

2008-04-04T23:06:00.002-07:00

I just read a post by my friend Angie about her & Willy's "SONG". What a great idea! I want you to know mine and John's sappy little love song! It kind of started out as a joke...."I FINALLY found the love of a life time" This was funny because John & I were engaged only 3 months to the day we met and married 3 months, to the day, after that. The other reason is because John was SO old when he did finally find his love of a life time! Aaaaahhhh *SIGH*

I can't get the video loaded for the life of me....any suggestions? What am I doing wrong? I've done a video before!! whine whine Help! Click on the video button, copy my site from you tube and press upload, right? What am I doing wrong???? Help!

Pet Peeves

2008-04-04T09:37:00.003-07:00

Most people know what a stickler I am about spelling. I'm a secretary through and through and I love to make "things" look good and correct! So if you ever see me spell something wrong, I might question you on it, but let me know, please!

My #1 Pet Peeve is spell my name RIGHT!!

T A S H A

Every other way just looks plain stupid...like you are trying to add enough letters to "look" smart or some kind of phonetic spelling.

Tash rhymes with Wash, how easy can you make it?
This is my most hated spelling TOSHA sick! What's the deal with the "O". If you want me to stop talking to you...spell my name with an O!...Now I might question that and think you are just trying to get "a rise" out of me. Believe me, it will!

This is the most creative I've seen someone use for my name...it was actually printed in the ward directory when we built our house in WVC (oh, there's the reason)
TAUSCIA - What the crap?
Even more hysterical is that they didn't list John and because we were just building the house we didn't have a house number or phone number yet...what was the point?

So here you go...test your spelling for me, but don't worry, I'll still love you and be your friend, I just might correct your spelling sometime!

Your Spelling is Perfect

You got 10/10 correct.

Your spelling is excellent. You also have a great memory and eye for detail.

How's Your Spelling?

I'm Golden!

2008-04-03T07:27:00.002-07:00

My how I've changed...

You Are A Gold Girl

You're dependable and hard working. You never miss a deadline - and you're never late.

You have a clear sense of right and wrong. You're very detail oriented.

You get frustrated when your friends are sloppy - or when they don't follow through.

You're on top of things, and you wish that everyone else was!

What Color Girl Are You?

April Fool's Day Dinner

2008-04-02T18:43:00.005-07:00

I made dessert for April Fools Day dinner.

Meatloaf Cake - I made my meatloaf mixture and baked it in 2 cake pans, squirted on the raspberry filling (ketchup) and frosted it with whipped vanilla icing (mashed potatoes).

I also made a Chocolate Carmel Sauce to pour over it, if anyone wanted it. (Beef Gravy)

I also served Orange Kool-Aid for the drink (orange Jell-o, put in fridge with the straws so they harden in the Jell-o)

We also had orange sticks (cooked carrots...that was the best I could come up with)

The boys absolutely LOVED it! What a hit!

My sister served the same Cake but made it in a Bundt Cake Pan. She went all out and colored some the potatoes pink & some green and using a cake decorating tube fashioned some lovely pink roses complete with leaves! She also had Sushi (rice crispy treats)

For APD 2009 ideas or for any old time Google April Fool's Day recipes or try this link. I can't wait to try the "Cheerios!"

It's a BOY!!!

2008-04-02T18:30:00.002-07:00

This is NOT an April Fool's joke.

John and I definitely thought we were done, but it happened... and once it happens how can you go back?

We didn't want to tell anyone until we were sure.

We've actually thought about it for a while. We didn't tell the boys at first because we didn't want to get them too excited.

He is very needy and loves to be held.

We thought he would be hairless, but he has hair...and we've named him Buddy!

Buddy is a Chinese Crested Powder Puff. Chinese Crested dogs are the ones without hair. He has siblings that are hairless, but luckily for us, he is a cute little powder puff.

He reminds me of our childhood dog, Roxy. She was just walking down the street and stopped at our house and never left. She was all blonde. Buddy also reminds me of an inlarged Yorkie. When he was born he had the same coloring as a Rottweiler so his owners named him Rottie. We've changed it to Buddy... Buddy & Brillo. Isn't that cute?

Brillo doesn't seem too concerned about him. We've all been extra nice and paid a little more attention to Brillo so that his feelings don't get hurt. Brillo is a great big brother and I'm sure he'll whip Buddy right into shape and show him the ropes. Brillo has really helped out with the house training aspect. When Brillo pees on something outside, Buddy has to go and investigate and pee there too!

My friend, Angie, is pregnant with her 4th, and 1st girl! She posted pictures of the cute little baby girl clothes. I thought I would post some of Buddy's first clothes.

Come on! Gimme a break! He needs to be dressed! He's a hairless breed...he could freeze to death! Plus, he likes it! He feels pretty! Brillo has never been a fan. I'm sure he looks at Buddy and just thinks, "What a pansy!" (hee hee) I do that alot now...making up Brillo/Buddy conversations.

ABC Tagged!

2008-03-29T22:20:00.004-07:00

If you read this, and have a blog, copy this and fill in your answers. Consider yourself TAGGED!

A- Attached or single: Attached for 16 years!
B- Best Friend: Heather Ann Hart Tisor Berets (in case of any confusion with Heathers)
C-Cake or Pie: Chocolate Cake
D- Day of Choice: Saturdays!
E- Essential Item: Tweasers (don't ask)
F- Favorite Color: Green & Purple
G- Gummy Bears or Worms: neither, just give me chocolate.
H- Hometown: Lived in Salt Lake City the longest
I- Indulgence(s): I have too many to name
J- January or July: July
K-Kids: 2-Parker & Dexter
L-Life is incomplete without: laughing, sleeping & friends (that's AND friends, not sleeping with friends ;o)
M- Marriage Date: March 24, 1992
N- Number of Siblings: 4 - 2 sisters and 2 brothers
O-Oranges or Apples: Apples, fresh & crisp. I don't do bruises
P-Phobias or Fears: snakes, snakes, snakes
Q-Quote(s): "With boys you only have to worry about one penis...with girls you have to worry about allllll the rest." ~ J.A. Jance
R- Reason To Smile: vacations, Dexter's prayers & the "essential information" he needs you to know
S-Something new: 2007 Light Ice Blue Hyundai Sonata sitting in my garage
T-Tag: Haley, Stephanie, Angie, Hiroko, Nicole, Steve& anyone else who chances by to read this blog!
U-Unknown Fact About Me: I was voted the "Most Spirited" in high school (Stephanie might know that)
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: Carnivore
W- Worst Habit: Procrastination (but it is when I work the best, under pressure!)
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds are more exciting!
Y- Your Favorite Food: Carnita Fiesta Grande Salad from La Cocina
Z-Zodiac: Aries

Heathens that we are....

2008-03-27T15:06:00.002-07:00

We did make it on time for our 9 am Church Meetings early Easter Sunday morning. I think subconsciously we were trying to be good, because deep down we are such Heathens...we had made reservations for Easter Dinner, at a restaurant, on the Sabbath! We went to Black Angus for their Easter Honey Baked Ham Dinner, but only John and Grandma Beach ordered the ham. I ordered Salmon, Dex-chicken and Parker, you guessed it, Steak!

Dexter and I searched for the eggs that the Easter Bunny hid (Parker wanted none of that business!). I remember growing up, the oldes of 5 kids, and each Easter we would take turns hiding the eggs for each other. Parker didn't want to play, so Dex and I hid them for our next door neighbor kids.

At 6pm we went to Haley & Steve's for dessert. I had made an Apple Crisp dessert for a funeral the day before that we didn't use, so I baked that up and Haley had ice cream for us.

Erin & Nat called and said they would be out for a visit around 7:30pm so we headed home and saw them for a bit. Then the Carson's took both Parker and Dexter home to their house for a sleep over...leaving John and I allllll alone. Now this was cool for 2 reasons: #1- Break for the boys & #2- The next day was our 16th Wedding Anniversary! Woo Hoo! 16 years?? That IS a LONG time!

I've been

Comment Graphics and Myspace Layouts at pYzam.com

for 16 years!!

So what is a couple to do with a night without kids? Go see a movie!? Right!? That's what we did! We went to see Vantage Point. The movie started at 10pm and we got there at 10 pm. I ran to the bathroom and John ran to get us some seats. I finished my business and then walked into the theater. I could hear that the previews had already started. I peeked around the corner, expecting to see people all over and have a hard time trying to find John but I spotted him immediately, right in the very center of the theater in the middle seat. What great seats!!! John waved his arms and said, "Honey, can you see me? Here I am!" John being so loud was just fine, because we were the ONLY ONES in the entire room! It was great! We took our shoes off and kicked back and were totally relaxed! How romantic...John rented out the whole theater just for us! Just Kidding, it was a Sunday night and Easter, so it really wasn't a busy evening, but I would suggest it to anyone, it was fun! The show was really good and it was cool because I could talk to John and make comments about the movie without worrying if I was bothering anyone else! (I hate movie-talkers & texters!)

I hope you had a great & Happy Easter! Only click on the Easter link if you are familar with Happy Tree Friends. It may be a bit graphic and offensive to some, but the boys and I just laugh and laugh and scream GROSS!

Does Life Ever Slow Down?

2008-03-27T09:35:00.003-07:00

Geez! Where has the time gone? The last two weeks have a been a blur with Dex's ear infections (meds twice a day going on 20 days now), my bosses daughters wedding (I helped out with the name cards & flowers it was gorgeous! Ann Bowen is an artist, not just the "woman who did the flowers" (I'll post some pics), a funeral in our ward that I helped out with, Easter, working at the Perfect Dress, MaggieGownsOnline.com and Garden of Elegance, John going to school, the boys in scouts, Ward Lip Sync, Lia Sophia parties, book club (I actually read the book this month!), researching used cars, buying a used car (Hyuandai Sonata), 16 yr anniversary... blah blah blah! Aaagh! Oh! and we just got the results from John's sleep study... he only stopped breathing 121 times that night! yes, they have ordered a C-Pap machine for him and he is going in tonight for an overnight sleep study.... 2 Boys and a husband are enough for me to handle. P.S. It is freakin' snowing right now!!! Where is my spring!!!????

This is the Head Table. Ann taught us how to make the lampshades out of rose petals and orchids...isn't it stunning? She is sooooo creative. I stand in awe of Ann Bowen!

Okay, this was the coolest, EVER! These were on the throw bouquet! When Alex threw the bouquet it split into five different bouquets so five girls got the delight of catching flowers! Each one had a message and ring attached: "You will marry the boy next door, a millionaire, your prince charming, your best friend!"

Time for a Visit to the Doctor

2008-03-06T18:05:00.004-07:00

I figured Dexter's illness was "just" the flu. I know there is nothing the doctor would do except take my co-pay and send me back out the door with instructions of plenty of liquids and tylenol and hand washing, so (man this sentence is getting long!) sooooo, we dug in for a few days of the flu.

Dexter's fever went away but then he was really complaining that his ears hurt. This morning he woke up crying because they hurt so bad. He said it felt better to keep his hands over his ears. So I called the doc and they got us right in at 9:40 a.m.

Double ear infection. Poor Dexter! I've had an ear infection as an adult and it was not pretty! UGH! I understand why babies cry so bad and are so miserable when they have ear infections. Their ears hurt and want it to stop so they cry and cry hoping that their Mom will figure something out...I wanted to just jam something in my ear to relieve the pressure, only I knew that could turn out badly.

ANYWAAAAYY!!! Dr. Baar (filling in for Dr. Bancroft) gave Dex some yummy pink antibotic and some numbing ear drops. He is doing A LOT better! Whew!

It's my big TiVo night. I only have 2 tuners so I don't get to TiVo the results show from American Idol. I can't stand that they moved LOST to Thursdays...I know they did that on purpose to interfere with Survivor, Celebrity Apprentice, The Office, etc. etc. What's a girl to do? Give up a show or two? NEVER!!! I'll figure out something.

It's our turn

2008-03-05T09:44:00.005-07:00

Several friends have blogged about their kids being sick and I thought I had luckily avoided that mess, BUT, the Influenza A strain has hit the Beach household...only Dexter so far. Monday night temperature of 101.5. Dex said his head felt like it was going to explode and his shoulder felt like it was going to pop out (achy joints). Now (Wednesday) his throat his killing him. "Mom, I just can't keep my throat "hydrated". I got him some V-8 Fruit juice and it is almost alllll gone. I know he doesn't feel good cause he doesn't want to watch TV or play on the computer. Poor Guy.

Last fall, Erin and I both participated in a Flu Research Study ($80 woo hoo!) Erin got the flu, I so far haven't...I'm keeping my fingers crossed! Erin is for sure she DID NOT get the real vaccine, I think I did...maybe. John calls it my Research-Study-Money-Making-Scheme. My first was the birth control pill research (didn't get pregnant & made $250) and this is my 3rd flu research and haven't gotten sick yet! The first 2 studies were $150 each. Not a bad gig! If you are interested you should ask your doctor. The studies I participate in are at Foothill Family Clinic. They always have several going on. I think there is one for kids with asthma, or acne and I think there is one on cholesterol too. You can just call them and see what studies they have. Call 801-365-1032 and ask for Research. (No, I am not being paid for this advertisement)

Raccoon Free

2008-02-28T01:16:00.005-07:00

I got the chimney tops capped off this morning. Brillo keeps running to check on the basement fireplace and I'm pretty sure we are raccoon-free! My Dad sent these pics and said..."Be glad you don't have a bear in the chimney!" YIKES!!!

I'm a Proud Mama!

2008-02-28T00:55:00.006-07:00

Dexter's 4th Grade Science Fair Project
Boy or Girl? Feet are Feet!
Can you tell someone's sex by just looking at their feet?

Out of the whole 4th grade, Dexter won Best of Show! They gave out 2 ribbons per grade and Dexter won! There is a little more info on Dex's blog. John and I tell the boys, do good at the Science Fair, but not so good you have to go on to Regions...luckily they don't go on until 5th grade. Whew!!! (We are so bad!...I just don't want to do the extra work...one science fair a year is plenty!)

Thanks to all the relatives that were able to come out and see Dexter's project! Grandma Worthington, Grandma Beach, Aunt Erin, Aunt Haley & Cuz'ns Thomas, Ella & Aaron, that was so nice of you!