It's Been Awhile Comin'

Well, we got some exciting mail today! Andy said, "This represents the last 8 years of my life." Last October he took the test to become a Professional Engineer so he can sign and stamp documents. The end of December we found out he passed!!!

So - if you need a PE - I've got one for you! (And, Dear, it's been almost 10 years - not 8, and yes, I have been by your side the ENTIRE time!) We're just glad all the studying for that test is DONE!!!

Another Time Consumer...

This weekend blueberries were 'priced to sell' at the wholesale produce place downtown. That is $2 for a 12 pk flat. By the time I bought extras and a friend ran back down to get more, I ended up with 172 6 oz packages of blueberries - I paid $28!!! Our family LOVES blueberries! So, the time Andy and I weren't running kids around or at the temple on Saturday, we washed, sorted, and froze blueberries. My freezer was already full because of freezer meals this weekend, but it is now packed with 10 gallon bags of beautiful blueberries!!! I think we might have our year supply...

And - I was nervous that I wasn't going to be able to preserve them all before they went bad, so I shared 42 packages with others. I still need to take some to the gal I visit teach, some back to my sister (I froze hers for her), and make two batches of blueberry jam to teach another friend. I'm hoping to end up with 6 bags leftover! I love preserving food in its prime!!! Here's to great deals!!!

**If there are any fabulous deals on Valentine's and you would like a piece of the action, let me know and I'll send you an email next Friday morning - assuming you live close to me :) **

Getting Ready for Church

I always put this in backwards! Andy typically leaves for church around 7:45 because of early morning meetings. He gets home around 5 or 6, depending on what is going on after church, which makes Sundays VERY long days for me and the kids. A few weeks ago, I decided to blow dry hair and we spent about 2 hours getting ready from baths to finished products! Everyone was in a great mood and we just had fun being relaxed! ***Note to self - RELAX more!!!*** Ben is normally irritated by some piece of clothing, so this is a picture I love!!!

Annie kept putting in and taking out a hair clip over and over. How I wish my hair would do this...if only I had someone to spend 30 minutes blow drying it for me each day... :)

Annie First Ballet Class

Okay, so I forgot to take my camera to Annie's first ballet class last week. As soon as I got there, I was totally kicking myself. Why? Apparently we weren't completely prepared. Annie has a few tutus, but rebels against tights (we've had to force the issue for church the last few weeks because it has been so cold lately - and I finally bought her the sparkly black shoes from target if she would wear tights. it was worth the $9.99 price tag!). So, Annie wore her leotard, with these clothes over it, her pink Hello Kitty socks pulled up to her knees, and her sparkly black shoes. I thought she looked adorable! Next week she will look even cuter with the standard leotard, tights, and ballet shoes. Sorry Annie that your mom doesn't know what she is doing!!!
While we were at ballet, Dad and Ben built a city of Lincoln logs while trying to protect it from Emily (no easy feat!). I thought it was awesome!

Lack of Post Reasons

Well, I feel I must explain my lack of posts. I have several completely ADORABLE pictures on my camera waiting to be uploaded, but I've been busy...on the New York Times.

I am SO TIRED OF DISHONEST people. Really - is it that hard to do your taxes properly? If you make enough money you are confused by the process, you should probably have enough money to hire an accountant. Alas - on my comment this morning I was accused to being new to Washington. It's not supposed to be like this PEOPLE!!! Where is your INTEGRITY?!?

Look at me throwing stones - I'm sure I have a mote in my eye for something else, but money is not something I can cheat on - there isn't a gray there - just black and white. 10% to the Lord - then about %20 to the govt and the rest to live on. Is it that hard? Apparently...


***Now that I am off my fence post, NOPE - not there yet!

Why was Obama 'absolutely' backing someone who admitted he was dishonest to his country? Even worse is the other Punk already in. Even if they are brilliant in their fields, they can't be honest about this - how do you know they are going to be honest to the millions of people counting on 'change?' I hope poor Abe isn't rolling in his grave....

Now I am off my fence post. Thanks for listening because I have no one else to complain to that would listen. I tend to beat the horse even after it is down...and dead...***

A Major Milestone

Apparently, we don't need this page any longer for our first child!

Waiting for the bus

Today I realized I finally need pictures of Annie going to school! It was such a beautiful day, that we put out the mail and then just waited for the school bus to take her to her speech preschool. I tried to get them to pose for me, but it just wasn't happening!

This is typical Emily - doing whatever Annie is doing with blanket in tow. I'm surprised that blanket is still in such good shape after it has been washed over and over again. Emily had 4 teeth break through last week and is working on two more. She is such a happier child this week than she has been. I am VERY grateful for that!

This is Ms. Barbara, the fabulous bus driver! Ben had her also, and we all just love her! She takes such fabulous care of these little preschoolers!

Bye Annie! Have a great day!

Now, I am trying to come up with fun things to keep me busy until Andy gets home from his meetings tonight. I got Debussy for Dummies from the library this afternoon (see; Twilight did enrich my life!) and am listening to that - it got me to do the dishes and clean most of the kitchen.

Also, I must just share my love of downtown produce shopping one more time. I went to pick up produce for our group and took a little extra money just in case I found a super deal; I did! 12 containers of blueberries for $6; I bought 48 for myself! We've been freezing berries like crazy and eating them with almost every meal. Although I am finding that isn't the best idea for children. :) Never fear, you may buy some yourself at Sprouts this week for $0.99 per container; still a great deal! Speaking of, I need to go and freeze one more batch...

Last thing, I need a book for my book club in March. Suggestions please?!?

Questions answered...

With the Mom's Club, we went to tour and visit a fire station. The firemen were SOOO kind! We had a great tour and asked all the questions that we wanted. I learned that they buy food with their own money - they each put in $8 for the 24 hour shift. We often see the trucks when we grocery shop, and I just assumed the city paid for their meals. WRONG!!!
This is our introduction - from the fireman that is lowest on the totem pole. :) The kids also got to walk through the ambulance. We also learned there is a definite hierarchy in each shift. Seniority is a big factor in where you sit on the truck/ambulance, your pay scale (obviously, but even in a shift if captain isn't there and you each shift up a seat), what 'house' cleaning jobs you are assigned to, who cooks, etc.

This is half of our group with the two firemen who gave us the tour.

This is everyone AFTER Emily fell out of the stroller she was climbing in (the back part). Notice three things - 1. fireman's hand on little girl next to him 2. Ben's non-interested look 3. Annie isn't even phased...
Tonight we made a flag cookie for our Family Home Evening treat and had a short lesson (about 90 seconds) about honoring and sustaining the laws of the land - in preparation for tomorrow.

Playing with Aunt Jamie

Raking the masses of leaves while Andy and I bagged on the side of the house. A fun bench at the Arboretum.

Completely together...

It was a beautiful cold day!

Thanks for playing with us!!!

Playing Dress Up

A friend passed on some fabulous dress ups for the girls. Annie LOVES the Sleeping Beauty outfit and Emily loves whatever Annie will let her wear. :) They are blowing kisses here.

Family Vacation

We didn't really take a family vacation until the last week of the year and went to spend the after-Christmas holidays in Phoenix with Grandma and Grandpa Maas. Our last night we found time to swim a bit in the hot tub. (both pools at our hotels were broken) I love this just random sweet picture. The weather was INCREDIBLE, and the kids had a great time playing outside every moment they could!

Uncle David brought a cooler full of snow, so we had a snowball fight in 75 degree weather; it was fabulous!!!

This was the sweetest Christmas picture. Annie LOVES her jammies from Aunt Christina, but David got the big hug.

David brought down some helicopters that won't fly up north, but I could never tell who had more fun flying them...

We spent a great afternoon at Rawhide - a real western town that is a MUST if you are ever in the Phoenix area!!!

Waiting for the train...

Ben and Annie each picked one ride; Annie chose the train. Ben chose the Burro ride (of course!).

We spent another day at the Zoo, which I completely LOVED!!!

Emily learned to get shoulder rides from either Dad or Uncle David by patting herself on the head. Her sweet little legs carried her most of the way around the zoo.

I am a total sucker for snow cones. In high school I worked at a popcorn store that also sold the BEST snow cones, and I would make a grape/coconut snow cone most afternoons. It was heaven! Only one other time have snow cones been that good. These definitely didn't have the most flavor, but I couldn't be the best judge as mine was quickly swiped...

Our last day we did a stuffed animal factory tour and a candy making factory tour. Both were fabulous! The kids got to make breakfast, and we all had several samples!

We also did a little family hike on The Mormon Trail. The kids did awesome!!! Annie totally kept up with Ben, which shocked me. I now call her my little mountain lion.

Family picture at almost our Family Peak - we didn't make the entire trail, but we were happy with where we got to!

This is the Pirate Tree - so named by my little explorers. This tree created many hours of fun outside play; I would love to have brought it home!

The End! Thanks all for the fabulous vacation! We had a wonderful time and can't wait to compile all the pictures together...someday!

Christmas Morning

This posted backwards! Grrrr!!! This was at my parents house around noon. We'd already had a huge waffle breakfast and a rousing game of Dodge Ball. Growing up, my dad always hands out the presents one by one. Annie got a complete baby set, which she loves. So does Emily. And Ben! And the friends who have come over to play...

The kids had such a fabulous morning; it's so heartwarming to see...

Andy read the Christmas story to us all on Christmas morning. The night before, Ben was so worriedthat Santa Clause would come while he was awake and not stop at our house; we didn't even put out cookies and milk! They just went to bed; kind of disappointing for me...

BYU Football

Wow! Just read some headlines and was a little bit shocked. Apparently BYU's first football game next season is against Oklahoma. That would be OU - the #1 ranked team at the moment. Not only that, they are playing in the Dallas Cowboys brand spanking-new stadium in Arlington, over Labor Day weekend!

Me thinks we might need to wait another year to go to school...

And yes, I have about a thousand other things to post for the last three weeks. Soon...as soon as Christmas is put away!

Ben told me today he wants to be a Librarian when he goes up so he can just read books to kids each day.

We LOVE Santa's Village

We finally scheduled in our family night to Santa's Village that the city puts on. It is so fun for the kids - and us too! We took pizza went around 5:15 and ate there. We didn't want to wait forever for the Santa line which is long to the extreme if you wait much after 5:30 to get in! We didn't get a family picture because the kids were T-I-R-E-D, so I insisted on at least one with me in it! Annie trying on a fireman's coat. Ben came in with us, but that was way too far into his personal space!

I pretty much fell in love with this sweet little puppy! It easily would have fit into my hands! Available for adoption on 12/21!!!

Ever since our first time (two years ago), Annie has loved Frosty the Snowman! She saw him walk out of his house and ran to give him the biggest hug!!!

This is the REAL Santa! He's been the same one for the last 3 years and looks awesome! Emily wasn't so excited about sitting on a strange man's lap...but she did get candy from him!

Annie got to be a reindeer and pull the sleigh.

I love the sweet sibling pictures!!!

Annie couldn't get enough of this kitty. See any similarities???

Emily was very concerned watching the kittens wrestle with one another. She feels the same way when anyone is wrestling. That's how I normally escape being tickled because Emily gets very concerned and comes to save me.