Project Update

Remember project #2? Well, the powder room is really a work in progress. Here's the progress:

My younger sister spied a clock at Kohl's and called me. She sent me down there to investigate. Well, I loved the clock. It was absolutely perfect for my powder room.

As long as I was at Khol's, I took a minute to investigate their home decor. Would you believe I found the best rug? I love this rug because it really blends the cool blues with the warm maple cabinet.

I found this set of plaques at (guess where!) Kohl's and knew they would be perfect....somehow. After consulting with the ever-creative Amy J., I had Randy build a frame for the plaques. We used some wood trim that was here when we moved in and I painted it white with the same paint as the bathroom trim. We attached it to the wall and then centered the plaques in it. Wa-la. Decoration. It would probably look better with a wider frame, but I wasn't going to spend any more money on wood.


It would probably also look better if the plaques were straight. I apologize for the crooked plaques. I didn't bother to check their straightness before I took the picture. Randy suggested I put tape on the backs so that I don't have to continue to straighten them all the time. I think I better take his suggestion. Here's the view from across the room:



All that is left is this wall:

What am I going to do with it? Anyone? I also think a fake plant (think tall and thin. palm trees anyone?) would be nice on the counter, but before I follow my own thoughts, I'll consult those who really know (Amy, Vicki).

Then again, a big bushy plant in the corner behind the toilet could be fun. Guests would feel like they were doing their duty in the great outdoors.

No? Not a very good idea? You people aren't any fun (all five of you).

I should probably buy new hand towels, too. Something that isn't grass green... Don't want my guests thinking it's a broad-leaf plant while they are in the great outdoors.

She Didn't Cry, but I Did.

And suddenly my little girl grew up.

Fifth Grade American History Program

I was not prepared for this at all. Tanner had been talking about it for weeks. He was singing songs at home and I was quite prepared for a boring evening sitting in a school gym listening to lousy singing by a bunch of 5th graders.

The worst part of the program was that I was sitting on the wrong side to get a picture of my son when he had his moment at the microphone. So this is the back of Tanner's head:

At least the other guy is smiling.

But then the program went on and a variety of presentations made the time fly by. There were several songs that all the 5th graders knew.

Speaking parts moved quickly and were well-learned. This is Lincoln's Gettysburg address; an excellent choral reading if you ask me.

In addition to Tanner's singing part, he also participated in his class dance. Good luck finding Tanner in the following video. If I were the Pioneer Woman, I'd give away a prize to the first 5 people to spot Tanner (that would be all five of you that read my blog). But I'm not Pioneer Woman so you're out of luck.

This one, though, takes the cake. Let me remind you that these are 5th graders.

After living on the Indian reservation for seven years I expected to be disappointed with the Indian dancing. But I wasn't. They had a few natives come in and teach these kids the proper way to dance. I'm sorry I didn't get a video of it. It was really good, too. The last song made me laugh. Perhaps President Obama needs to hear these words of advice:

I have to say that it was the most phenomenal 5th grade program I've ever been to (and I've been to a whole three). I was so impressed with the kids and their performance. Kudos to the teachers. They have a lot of patience.

I keep wondering why they were able to pull off such a huge program with these 5th graders. Is it because they're 98% Mormon and used to doing primary programs? Is it because they are 98% Mormon and music is a big part of their lives up here? Is it because of our proximity to BYU-Idaho (100% Mormon) so that makes us all a little more cultured? Is it because we're cold here and there is nothing better to do in the winter? I'm not sure what it is, but I know I'm impressed.

Happy Valentine's Day

I wanted to fix a nice dessert for Valentine's Day. I've never made a cheesecake so decided to attempt it. I spent some time online searching for a recipe and then reading pages of tips to make a good cheesecake. I thought I had it all figured out. I had some help from a certain 3-year-old so I was a little concerned, but not terribly. When the cheesecake was finished baking, I was excited to see that there weren't any cracks in the cake. However, two hours later when I checked on the cheesecake (still cooling in the oven), there was a large crack. I was disappointed. Several hours later, I removed the cheesecake from the oven and left it on the stove. A few minutes later, I came back to put it in the fridge and discovered that Randy had been about his antics again. Even my cheesecake is disappointed about the crack.

PS - It still tasted wonderful.

Cheerleader for a Day

There are some drawbacks to your children learning to read. In the past when Kilee brought home a flyer for a cheerleading clinic, I would just toss it in the garbage. Well, this year she is quite the reader and was excited about going before I even read the flyer. It was only four days so I consented. It helped that Kilee's best friend, Sydney, was also going to the clinic.

For three days after school, they practiced with the high school cheerleaders. Then came the big performance Friday night. I had to pay a whopping $5 to get into the boys BB game to watch my daughter for two minutes.

The girls started out waiting patiently.

Then Sydney got bored over on her side and came to visit. Suddenly it was time to start. And there goes Sydney.

They did a cheer and a little dance routine.

Kilee enjoyed it and wants to do it again, but I think she'll be too busy with soccer and ballet and piano and activity days to do cheerleading again.

Missionary in Training

Cute Stocking Feet

Thank you, Aunt Bear, for the cute valentine socks. They are perfect.

Love,

Kilee

Visitors!

BYU-I has a barbershop festival in January and when I found out about it, I called my dad and asked him and Mom to come up and go to it. They braved some snowy weather getting here, but my kids were so excited when they saw the truck pull in the driveway.


Friday evening we spent two hours up at the university listening to some outstanding student quartets and also the BYU Men's and Women's Choruses. By the way, Elko folks, Steven Johnson is on the second row, far left, of the men's chorus. We were totally excited to see Steven, but we couldn't find him after the performance to say hello. Then we got to hear a nationally known group called FRED and my kids laughed harder than they have in ages. It was great family entertainment.

Following the show, we grabbed a bite to eat and came home to have a belated Christmas with my parents. Then it was time for bed. Nana and Papa had to leave early Saturday morning to go to a funeral so we got an early start on the day.



Nana helped Kilee make cinnamon cream syrup (yummy!) and we ate it on whole wheat pancakes.


McKay would not let Papa out of his sight. Papa had to sit next to him at breakfast....


...and when I tried to get a picture of my parents, McKay wouldn't leave his side.


We were sad to have Nana and Papa leave so soon, and we can't wait for them to come back (maybe when there is less snow).

Teenager on the Loose

I am the mother of a teenager. I think I sprouted gray hair over night.

Braxton turned 13 today. His birthday celebration started Monday with a family dinner at Texas Roadhouse. Braxton has been begging to go to this restaurant for a long time.

Even though he is 13, he isn't too old to color.

Braxton is a carnivore and Randy and I weren't a bit surprised when he asked to order the half rack of ribs. That's more food than Randy and I can eat together.

In true teenager fashion, he managed to clear his plate. And he still had room for dessert, which he kindly shared with his siblings.

This morning started early. Randy was headed out of town again and we wanted to open presents before he left.

Once again, the teenager appeared when Braxton would have rather slept than open presents.

He requested a marble cake with white frosting. I don't recall being that fussy as a teenager, but perhaps this specificity is also part of being a teenager. I wanted a better picture of him blowing out his candles, but I was too busy holding my hand over McKay's mouth to keep him from blowing out Braxton's candles.

Braxton will be able to drive in two years. He goes on a mission in six years. I was ruminating to my class today that I only have him for six more years and they gently said, "If that, Sister Stocking." Then they kindly reminded me that once they hit high school, they are busy with school, activities, jobs, and friends, and I might get to see him for only a few minutes a day.

I would like to stop time and keep my kids here forever. I would like my little 13-year-old to not get any older (and certainly not any more teenagery). But I'm also excited for what life has in store for them, for him. He has a world full of opportunities, and now, he's one year closer to having them.