Best of Buds

Carlee and I are the best of friends. It all started when she came to visit me as my visiting teacher through our church. At Christmas last year she made these really yummy garland-like rice krispy treats. It was super impressive. I don't think I have ever attempted to make anything special like that for Christmas treats. I guess I've always felt too "busy" and have always just done sugar cookies or brownies.

What's interesting is how our families have come to match up so nicely.

Michael and Paul get along great. And they have the "silly bone" in common.

First Paul:



Now Michael:




My Amanda and her Kirsten are great friends - even though Amanda is a 2nd grader and Kirsten is a 5th grader. They write elaborate stories together and act them out. They both like doing crafty stuff and boy can they both sing. I'll post them singing later...

Hayden and Kyler have this special connection. We don't really know why it is, but from the first time our families all hung out together Kyler paid special attention to Hayden... and Hayden's face just lights up like a Christmas tree when he sees Kyler. Not too long ago Kyler was riding in the backseat with Hayden and I caught this on tape:





We sure are glad we know the Pursells... they're super cool!

Samantha at 2 months

Oh my, has it been 2 months?!?
Here she is in all her cuteness.
I couldn't post just one - I can't decide which one I like the most!
She was very smiley and happy today!

... and a few of and with the sibs

Layoffs

Know of any job openings for architects?
No? Hmmm...

I don't suppose the government would feel inclined to bail out all the architecture firms - when they're finished bailing out Wall Street and American car companies...

No, seriously - I'm not that cynical. I have faith that Michael will find a job. It will all be good and we'll learn some sort of ubber big lesson from it all. That's life - we'll roll through it with big 'ole clown smiles painted on our faces! :)

Christmas came early - WAY EARLY!

I don't think I've ever been so excited, surprised or shocked... my big sister Wendy sent me an early Christmas present. It's the RCA Small Wonder digital camcorder and it TOTALLY ROCKS! I've been near tears for over an hour now. I can't wait to record our family this holiday season. Oh, the blogs I will post!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, big 'sis!

All boy... all redneck boy...

Hayden is 2!

Things

Things I Have Done.
Bolded things = Things I've done. Alissa got me started on this...

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland (but I've been to Disneyworld)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables-tomatoes --the deer loved 'em
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb (but I've held a baby goat!)
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy - tooth fairy pillow with my initial on it. Amanda uses it now--- a lot.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle - right after burning my leg on the exhaust.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby x 3!
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake - it was gross
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

samantha at 1 month

So these pictures mark the 1 month birthday of our little Samantha. We got her all dressed up for some quick pictures. She was a totally sweetie about letting me take her picture - I think she is going to be like Amanda - always lovin' the camera!

and a few pictures of Hayden and Amanda as well!!

Voting - Disney Style

I'm anxious to vote this election, but mostly because after seeing the long lines at the library and city hall every day, I wonder how it will be possible for me to vote with three kids in tow. I'd get a babysitter but one of the Gove kidlings loves to nurse ever hour and a half and from the looks of it, I'd be lucky to make it through the line in 2 hours minimum.

You know, if Disney was in charge of voting in Florida moms wouldn't have these problems. They'd have FastPass set up and some sort of handicapped back entrance for mom's with overflowing strollers to get to the head of the line. OH YES! And entertainment for those unfortunate souls who have to wait in line. TV screens every 10 feet with cartoon characters of the candidates battling it out Tom and Jerry style.

I bet Disney would have had it all thought out and completely avoided that whole embarrassing "chad" thing too.

Just Imagine...

Halloween

Samantha's first Halloween! Grandma MoMo sent the cute jack-o-lantern onesie, totally saving the day! I had wanted to go all Martha Stewart and dress up as a spider web and dress Samantha as a spider, but it just wasn't happening. Mary Jane socks completed her outfit - she sure was a cutie!
Amanda went as a Pink Princess this year. It was fun doing her hair in a crazy bun - and she loved it!
She had a blast at the ward party and played carnival games over and over!
We went with the Pursell's trick or treating in a neighborhood near their house.

























Hayden was a super cute pirate - I didn't get a picture of him in his complete costume... he had a cool hat and a sword and wore his camoflage crocks. He was super cute - but super asleep at the end of the night when I thought to take his picture. We decided against it though - we have a strict rule against waking a sleeping monster, eh umm, Hayden.

Oh - and the hillbilly pacifier... it didn't make it to the ward party or on the trick or treat trail. He hid it in one of his many hiding places around the house and we still haven't found it.

Hayden had a blast trick or treating. He was a stealthy double dipper and when he did get caught everyone thought it was cute and gave the rest of the kids extra candy too.