Flowers

How nice was that . . . my husband surprised me this morning by having these delivered after he left for work (yes he usually works Saturdays). I thought we weren't going to be celebrating much since we have a tripped planned in place of it. But I guess he was in a romantic, generous mood or something! As usual - NO CARD but I would have been really shocked if there had been. I'm just glad I have them to enjoy. I need to go clean my kitchen now so I can enjoy them without being surrounded by breakfast dishes! Happy Valentine's Day everyone- I wish I could send you all flowers to enjoy today too!

Tough Guy

I hate facial piercings! I think they are gross and can just imagine that in 30 years time (or much sooner) what disgusting skin these people will end up with after they come to their senses. Collin bought these magnetic rocks a few years ago at Yellowstone though and kids of all ages seem to think they neat! Cameron has done this before but I finally took a picture of his "though guy" look with his fake big ear rings, lip ring? and nose rings!!! Can you believe people have this look for real?!!

Speaking of tough guys- Last month Cameron and some friends/brothers went on a Harley ride starting in Vegas. First they spent one day at the Eletronics show down there before going out on the guys ride. Here are some pictures of the tough biker gang that he hangs out with now! (not that he didn't before -he's just turned into a biker recently)

Barbies

This picture makes me think of lots of things - first off - what a mess! But then -0oooh - to be a little girl again! I loved playing barbies when I was little. I don't really remember playing them at my first house but when we moved to the Graystone Lane house I remember playing for Barbies for hours in "the cubby hole." Which probably was nice for my mom since the mess was contained to a small closet of sorts with a low ceiling. But I love listening to my girls pretend. There little scenerios can be quite entertaining! In some ways - my house now without a real playroom is better because I can hear them playing pretend. At the old house I didn't hear it as much since they would shut the door of the playroom and I'd miss out on the make believe happenings in the house. My girls asked for Barbie stuff for Christmas and they got it. Hear is one of their set ups in early January. Doesn't it just bring back good, carefree memories of being a girl?

Pinewood Derby

Alex Zirker, Ben Calaway, Collin, Joe Witters and Christian Zirker

It was our last pinewood derby and Collin really wanted to win this year . . . But it just wasn't his year. His car was super fast and I think probably the top 5 were just about equal but someone had to take the top 3 and his wasn't it. I think he ended up 4th and he was disappointed. Probably more so because since Cameron is cubmaster and he ended up helping 3 of the other boys on their cars (2 of which beat Collin's and the other was his cousin Ben). Why didn't Cameron make his the fastest? Well that is life- and he got over it! It was fun to watch the boys race. The boys were animated with the excitment of the races. I think Cameron did a good job of trying to keep things fair. I wish the track had a sensor like the fancy ones do but they do it old school out here on the farm and you get what you get. I still can't believe my first baby is old enough to be doing his last derby! I hope all the other cubs had fun making and racing their cars. Collin loves working on projects with Cameron and they had a good time designing and building this car in Val's woodshop again. Father and Son bonding time really what it's all about! Congratulations to Jesse, Christian and Ben for being the top 3 racers!

Chelsea loves scouts because she gets to play with all her church/school friends!

Mia's 3

Mia was so excited that it was finally her birthday. Unfortunetly I just didn't feel like throwing a party like I did for my older 3 for their 3rd birthdays. So Mia and I went to Tri cities on her birthday (Jan. 21) and met some friends at McDonalds playland. We made it a party playing with Debbie and Meredith's kids that were not in school- Jocelyn, Avery, Afton, Bruin and Camryn. They all got happy meals and had a great time going down the slide. That's a great party right?

After dinner we had Mason (cousin) and his family (Kip and Gigi's family) came over to have cake and ice cream and help us celebrate. She was very excited about her Mermaid Barbie - it's what she'd been asking for since she gave Morgan one for Christmas. And now there are fewer fights in the tub. Mason gave her a cell phone. We were sad that Val and Jane were too sick to come to the party. I made a delicious ice cream cake - although it wasn't too pretty. It was a chocolate cookie crust with chocolate ice cream, hot fudge, peppermint and whip cream layers!!

We are so glad Mia is in our family! She makes us smile with her cute voice and crazy energy! She seems so grown up playing pretend with her sisters. We love how she shakes her stuff when she dances in the dance outfits (or swimsuits) that she ends up in almost daily. She still sucks her fingers and her silky blanket still comforts her but she is a big girl who knows what she likes. She trys to get everything she wants and is pretty spoiled but how can you say no to such a cute tiny little pixie! She makes horrible messes (but fewer than she used to) but what would life be like without her or them? BORING! Happy Birthday Princess Mia!

25 Random Things about me . . .

I got tagged for this on Facebook and thought I'd add it here too. I guess I should add to the list that I was nick named Random in high school by Jared Lynch. My senior women shirt said Random and Rebecca's was Tamdon (that's what Jared called us - the Random Tandom). So here is my list.

25 Things about Me . . .

1. I have 4 children. I always thought before I was married that I would want 4-6 kids and right now I am very happy to just have 4. I don’t have plans for more at the moment and get sick of being asked if and when I’m going to have more now that Mia is 3.

2. I talk to my twin sister, Rebecca, just about everyday or multiple times a day about everything and nothing important. I wish we lived in the same place but I am happy she at least lives in the same state.

3. I love to bake. . . Cookies, brownies, pies, rolls. But I hate to make dinner or at least deciding what to make for dinner.

4. I love ice cream with hot fudge!

5. I only have an associates degree – much to my parents disappointment- my 6 siblings all have either a bachelors, masters or doctorate degree.

6. If I could go back I would have gone to beauty school instead so I could cut hair from home since I am a stay at home Mom anyways. I wanted to do this but didn’t have the guts to tell my parents I didn’t really want to go to college.

7. My husband says I snubbed him the first time he tried to talk to me. I hear I’m stuck up still but really I think I just don’t know what to say or am feeling shy. I would rather say nothing at all then to say something fake.

8. I love to blog. It’s been a great journal and scrapbook for me the past 1 ½ years that I’ve been doing it.

9. I miss playing volleyball. My biggest regret of high school is that I decided not to play on the team my senior year. Not sure how I got talked into that one. I wanted to tell the coaches the first day of school that I’d made a mistake but I didn’t think they’d take me back. (my twin and the other set of twins on the team decided not to play that year- we were sick of warming the bench). When I lived in Tri-cities I played fairly regularly but not since I moved back to the farm.

10. I love to dance but realize over the years I’m very out of practice and not as coordinated as I used to think I was.

11. My 3 girls all love to play barbies and dress ups just like I used to as a kid.

12. I’ve been on 2 cruises and would love to go again.

13. I have never had a drink of alcohol or tried smoking or drugs thanks to the example of my alcoholic, drug addicted relatives. In high school I thought if I ever did I’d end up with sad lives like theirs and I wasn’t going to risk that. Better just not to try it at all.

14. My husband makes me laugh. Even when I think I’m mad. I think that’s why I married him. He’s just fun to be around.

15. I love having leather seats in my car.

16. I will never go back to regular radio after having satellite radio in my car.

17. I love to listen to Sirius Hits 1.

18. I watch too much TV.

19. I loved the Twilight series books. I’ve read them all twice.

20. My Dad taught me to ski when I was 4. We started taking our kids skiing 3 years ago (Collin decided to snowboard –he was 7, Morgan was 5 when she started, Chelsea started when she was 4). I love to watch my kids ski!

21. I love to get pedicures! I got my first one about 8 years ago and I’m not sure why I never had one sooner. I still only get them a few times a year. Maybe if I lived somewhere that I could wear flip flops year round I’d get them more often.

22. I love to drink hot chocolate on cold mornings! Sometimes on warm ones too!

23. I think I’m artistic and crafty but don’t use my skills as often as I should.

24. I also talk to Debbie Ashton on the phone most days and I’m glad I can be myself around her. I hope one day we live in the same city. Hint, hint. Luckily we’ve never lived more than an hour away.

25. I love high heeled shoes . . . maybe to compensate for my height! I also love flip flops because they are comfortable.

My Day Today

Outside my window.....It snowed a bit this morning but now is just gray and cold. I wish it would just snow or warm up not this inbetween stuff.

I am thinking....that I miss living in Tri cities and my old ward friends. That I should be cleaning up or excercising instead of blogging.

I am thankful for....my husband who spoils me - Takes me out on lots of date nights every month, usually including dinner out. I've always had a car with leather seats and keyless entry (since he bought me my Honda accord in 1998). He's let me shop without questioning my purchases. And he works so hard so that he can build me my dream home.

From my kitchen....I'm dirty! but at least the dishwasher is running. The girls have a friend over and they are making bracelets and eating candy at the table.

I am wearing.....my favorite gray sweats and purple shade t shirt. And slippers to keep my feet warm. I miss my fireplace!

I am creating....a blog book but currently have too many pictures to upload it to blog2print and don't want to not print the whole thing. I created a calendar for the Calaway family that I still need to deliver to everyone.

I am reading....nothing at the moment. Which really is rare. I read alot before Christmas and have just decided not to start up again until I get more organized.

I am hoping....that I am up to the challenge of getting all the bids on house and staying on top everything that goes along with that.

I am hearing....the xbox game Quantom of Solace that Collin is playing with his cousin Ben and the girls playing with their friends Danielle. Plus the very noisy dishwasher.

One of my Favorite things.... is my computer. Obviously.

Plan for the rest of the week...I think we're having the Harkers over for dinner tomorrow after church. No school Monday but no plans yet. I need to go visiting teaching, work out at least 3 times, probably shop in Tri-cities.

I got this idea from Kim's blog.