Crazy But True

I looked over at Stephanie's blog (http://stephanieandaddison.blogspot.com/) today and low and behold she had somehow in a chain reaction given me this award. I know, crazy but true. I still don't think I'm all that great at this blogging business but ok, it made me feel good. Thanks Stephanie!

Anyway upon accepting this my prestigious award, I am to list 6 things that make me HAPPY and then send on the award to 3 more "Kreativ friends"


So here it goes. By the way it's a little stressful to think of all the things that make me happy and only choose 6-maybe it will be easier for some of you to do.


1.I'm stealing this from Stephanie but really it is true: TALKING TO FAMILY ON THE PHONE, it must be the same for her, when you live far away-I need connections.


2.NAPPING. On Sundays I need a big long nap to recover from church. Plus I had a meeting at church at 6:00 THIS MORNING so that means yes, I had to wake up at 5:oo A.M. I'm really tired on Sundays. Luckily my family must know this, because they are really good about letting me snooze for awhile.


3. PUMPKIN: I like anything pumpkin flavored, ice cream, muffins, bread, souffle, pies, pumpkin roll, you get the picture. Fall is right around the corner. Do you think September is too early for it. I'm kind of counting down.


4. My husband TRENT for not getting upset when I need him to still help me with some of this blogging stuff. He's so good at it though. And one other thing He's back from RENO. I don't know how I did it for 9 months.


5.Those rare nights when I actually have time to sit down and watch TV SHOWS I like. Somehow I'm always gone or busy with kids homework that it is rare when I do see them. (The Closer, Project Runway, House, Grey's Anatomy) I'm just glad for Saturday marathons, and series dvds.


6.I know this is maybe taking the easy way out. But my family, really they do make me happy(except when they are hitting, fighting, whining, complaining, tattle telling) But I love them and to counter all those bad moments they have a ton of good ones, that make me smile, laugh, think they are crazy, and proud. take a look below.



Ok so here I am ready to give this award away to people. My blogging circle isn't very big because none of my family does it (even though they could-hint, hint) and I just started. Anyway I choose my friends Melissa, Kristy(they inspired me to get this going,) and if she happens to read this, my cousin Melanie(such a cute blog).

Friday Favorites

Trent took the kids to the skate park minus Isabel. They absolutely love it. So here's a few pics of them doing their thing.

Phoebe posing and doing her own "tricks".

Miles down in a bowl and showing his moves on the scooter.

Oliver waiting to drop in and catching some air.

Thursday Thoughts

Here's a few things on my mind:

1. As much as I complained that I was ready for summer to end I almost want it back. I forgot about all the homework, the early mornings , activities that go into the night, and feeling busy, busy, busy. I long already for those lazy days of summer.

2.With the Democratic National Convention here in Denver this week no matter what side you are on- I felt inspired.

3. Where did my little boy go? I took Oliver to the doctor this week for his yearly check up and learned that he grew 3 1/2 Inches and gained 10 pounds this year. I couldn't believe it. He's soon not going to be a boy anymore but one day I'm going to blink and he's going to be a man.

Oliver at 2 yrs old

Oliver at 9 yrs old

4.I'm thinking about what I should do with my hair. Do I keep it long, cut it off? I'm never quite happy with my hair. I'm so undecided.

5. I wish that I could have family live closer. There are days that I would love just to sit down face to face with parents and siblings and just have a long talk. The phone is great but face to face is better.

6. I'm stressed out already about Halloween costumes. As much as I love fall and all that it brings. Costumes are one area I am not good at. I don't sew, I'm not creative in that area at all. Usually it somehow comes together, I just wish it wasn't so stressful.

7. Here are just a few things that I'm wishing I could have: for the upcoming season:

Halloween Countdown House

Glitter Halloween Wreath

8. I wish I had more time to read the books on my shelf that are waiting for me. Here are a few that are calling my name: Wednesday Sisters, Sugar Queen, The Way Life Should Be, The Godmother, Rachel and Leah, And Only to Deceive, Gossip of the Starlings. I just need a few quiet hours right?

Here is a few of the covers.

Now that I've emptied my brain, I can go to sleep. It's funny though, sometimes I can ask Trent what he's thinking about and he will say "nothing" Is he for real? I can't imagine that. This is just the tip of the iceberg of things I think about.

Long Weekend

During Mass Ascension

Well I'm back from a busy weekend. Trent's mom came to town last Thursday and I feel like we've been going ever since. The longest day and admittedly the most fun was on Saturday. We woke up at 4:00 in the AM to go to the Rocky Mountain Balloon Festival. The kids were surprisingly happy and alert.

Grandma Hart with kids

Checking out the balloons

We went down to Chatfield Reservoir to watch the mass ascension as the sun was rising. It truly was an amazing sight. We were there until about 9:00 and then we headed to the mountains for Winter Park, which in the winter is a ski resort but during the summer they have many activities going on. We chose to go on the Alpine slide-the kids had an absolute blast and ok so did I. We went to lunch and then we went down one more time before heading home. The mountains were so pretty and the weather was perfect.

The Alpine Slide

Top of the slide

We stopped in Empire at a little place called Lewis' Sweet Shop where we had ice cream and salt water taffy trying to stave off any meltdowns before we got home. It was such a long day that there were no complaints at bed time. We were so glad that Grandma Hart could come and spend the weekend with us. Sunday is never a day of rest, and if it is for anyone out there I want to know how you do it. Today we went shopping and out to lunch while the kids were off to school. Now the day is almost over, tomorrow Trent's mom leaves and I might just have to lay with Phoebe and take a little rest without even feeling guilty. No one said playing doesn't make you tired.

Going up the mountain

Friday's Favorite

PHOEBE

My niece was playing around with photshop and sent this to me.

Feelings

My feelings:

I feel happy: when my house is totally clean, the first diet coke of the day, talking on the phone with my family.

I feel worried: about being a good mom.

I like: really good sunsets.

I hate: whining, a bad hair day, being hot, an unmade bed.

I feel nervous: making phone calls to strangers.

I'm excited: for fall to begin, the colors, the smells, the decorations, the food, the holiday, the whole bit!

I'm afraid: of failure, mice & cats(I know it's wierd and irrational but I have my reasons).

I'm glad: that this day is finally over.

I'm frustrated: that sometimes the days are too short, and others are too long.

I feel at peace: when I go and check on my kids at night and watch them sleep.

I feel stressed: that I haven't got everything done before my mother in law comes tomorrow.

I feel proud: when people compliment my children.

I feel enthusiastic: about cute projects that I see and want to do, trying out a new recipe.

I feel sad: when I see other people struggle, when my kids get their feelings hurt.

I feel bored: watching sportscenter for the umpteenth time.

I feel tired: when I watch my kids fight.

I love: my family, raisenets, and the smell of a new book.

Homecoming

While I was in Utah this weekend I was able to go home. I know I shouldn't call it home since I don't live there anymore but in some ways it will always be home to me. I took this picture from my parents backyard. This is what I miss most about Utah, is living so close to the mountains. They are right in your backyard.

My parents backyard

Anyway about coming home. My nephew, Alex who is my sister Nan's son came home from his mission to Houston, TX. I was able to go to his homecoming which was great because I missed his farewell. He has grown up so much in the two years he has been gone.

Alex

It was wonderful to see him and hear about all his great experiences. It was also nice to see all my sisters and their families. I haven't seen them since April, which seems like forever ago. It was the icing on a great weekend. Every time I go home it seems like everyone has changed and grown. I will always remember my nieces and nephews at the ages of when I first got married and moved away. I go back and they have all grown up. It seems like we are in a cycle now of saying goodbyes to missionaries. I also have a nephew, Elliot who is serving his mission in Tokyo, Japan and I have a nephew who leaves for the Dominican Republic on Thursday. What great guys they are and I'm grateful for the example they set for my own boys.

Cathy - my oldest sister

Nan - My second oldest sister

Jenni- my third oldest sister

I missed my brothers, they were not able to come.

Trent - relaxing at the homecoming

Kids playing with their cousin Max

Phoebe playing

Miles goofing around

Family Reunion Part Two

My Grandmother (Matriarch of the Chatterton Clan) and my Uncle Jerry.

On Saturday of the family reunion they had rented out a place not to far from where we staying where there was a huge water slide. The slide started up a hill which was probably 100 feet high with 300 yards of slide. My kids had an absolute blast. We stayed for 5 hours! and they were still sad to go. You would think some of them would have been nervous but no. Every time and I mean every time Phoebe would come down she would get up and say "Again, Again" They had to climb to the top of the hill every time, I thought they would get tired but they didn't they ran every time. I had a hard time even getting them to stop and eat.

Phoebe running to get to the top again

Miles getting a face full of water

Oliver trying new tricks

Isabel with cousins

Trent leading the 'Hart Train'

Isabel & Phoebe after their train run.

They finally at the end of the day talked me into going, I was happy just watching and had not dressed for the occasion. I have to admit it was really fun. They also had a swing that you could swing off of. You swing off of a rickety platform probably 3 stories high. The boys thought it was great, they both went twice.

Oliver goes off first.

Miles is lovin' it.

It was a great day. It was the highlight of the reunion. On the way home to Denver they all asked if we could go back next year. We had lots of fun, I know because I'm tired and I feel like I need to recover from all the fun. It was sad to see it end. What a great weekend! And no toys, computer, or Wii, who knew.

Family Reunion Part one

This past weekend we made the trek to Utah for a family reunion of my mom's family. I haven't been for 7 years due to living away and kids in school. This year I said "we are doing it anyway, no matter what." I need my kids to feel their roots and to have memories of family other than their own. Anyway, we left on Wednesday night and drove to my sister Jenni's house where we stayed until Friday when the reunion started. The reunion was in Paradise, Utah which is just south of Logan, Utah. Most of my mom's family live in Cache Valley. My kids were so excited to go camping they couldn't stand it.

The area was beautiful and it was great to reconnect with cousins, aunts and uncles. All of my cousins now have families so there were lots of friends to be made with my own kids which didn't take very long. Most of the time I just saw my kids at meal times, they were usually off with others having fun at the creek or running around all over the place.

The only thing missing were my parents, so that gives me a reason to go back next year. More to be continued.

This is the typical face of the kids all weekend!

Notice the lack a picture of Isabel. She found new cousins and could never be found except for dinner.

Eye Candy

I got a new magazine in the mail today from a company called Viva Terra http://www.vivaterra.com/. It is considered a eco living style company where either the products are from recycled material or made from earth friendly materials. Totally cool stuff to look at. A little pricey but it doesn't ever hurt to look does it?

Timber Stools (recycled timber tables)

Root Ball Bowls (discarded root balls)

Misprint Messages

Onyx Pears

Ruler Table

Misprint Waste Cans