Crafty, crafty, crafty.

Which will sell better? Let it begin.

Ok, I was born and raised in Utah so it was bound to happen. I got the itch to be crafty. For my birthday I got a sewing machine which I am completely in love with. I've made a few stuffed animals and some articles of clothing but my master piece are these flower hair clips. They are so fun to make that I decided to make Christmas ones that were poinsettia flower ornaments for neighbor gifts. I also gave the clips to coworkers for them and/or their daughters. I have so many people asking for them I've decided to sell them. They are going for $5.00 which compared to the ribbon bows is quite cheap. I'm not really making anything on them, I just can't afford to give them away all the time.

You will notice the BYU and U of U bows. I'm making a ton of those and am very interested to see which will sell better. I'm going to keep track.

Some bows are bigger than others, some have bling-bling buttons, some are bold and some are subtle. I love them all. Jaycee has at least a dozen and loves wearing them. If you want any let me know. If you want a certain fabric I can make it custom. You can bring me the fabric and I'll only charge $3.00.

Like I said, this is a small sampling of what I have. There are tons to choose from.

Ethanisms and Jayceeisms

We have a little thing in our family called "Ethanisms and Jayceeisms." These comprise all the funny things that the kids say on a daily basis. I often use them in my "quote of the day" section but when I change it to something new, I often forget what was said and loose it forever in cyberspace. So I've decided to add these "isms" as simple little posts in the future so they can be saved for all time, never to be lost.

Let me start with a Christmas Ethanism that was said at church today. It all started with Ethan's primary teacher saying he was going to report the kid's behavior in class today to Santa's elves. After church Mike asked Ethan how he did and if the elves would be happy with how he behaved. Ethan's answer, "I was a little bad, but a lotta good." Actually, that is a good way to describe his behavior in general. How does that play out in the scheme of things you ask? Well, there is the naughty list, the nice list, and the lesser know, little bad and a lotta good list. That's the one Ethan is on.

Family Christmas Party part I

Every year when my mom's family gets together for our Christmas party we are visited by Mr. and Mrs. Claus. There was definitely a void this year with my grandpa's passing in October (Mr. and Mrs. Claus were close friends of my grandparents) but his spirit was there. We had tons of fun as usual. Our family is anything but perfect, more like a carnival side show, but there is never a dull moment when we get together. Let the show begin!

What a good looking family

After years of planning my entire family was able to get together for pictures. We went on location to Wheeler Farm where you have an amazing variety of backdrops including the usual fall foliage, barns, broken down cars, lakes, you name it. I highly recommend it although it may be a mite cold now.

I love this picture of my family. From left to right: My mom and dad (they are the best), Mike and me, Ethan, Jaycee, Riley, my brother Jeff, his wife Jessica, my sister Heather, her husband Jamison, and they are holding the newest addition to the family, Libby.

Disneyland Part I

Love the Candy Corns!

Ethan loved his Mickey ears. We called it the Mickey butt hat since that is pretty much what it is. They were my favorite so I'm glad he picked them.

Gotta love Mickey!

Jaycee and Tink

Me, Penny, Jaycee, Haylee, Judy, Ethan, Shelly

Front row: Jessica and Riley

Riley, Ethan, Jaycee, and mommy at It's a Bug's Life

Disneyland in October is the best! I love Halloween and Disneyland decks out the entire park with Halloween decor and bring out the villains. They change some of the rides to Halloween themes and do an amazing Halloween light and firework show. I wish we were still there. I must mention that we got season passes to Disneyland and are planning at least 3 more trips in the next year. They will be quick and cheap, but who cares...it's Disneyland!

Cowboy Guy

Stetson hat and bolo tie.

Sunday best, 'cause he was a cowboy guy.

If grandpa wasn't home, nothing was wrong.

He had cabin fever all year long.

At the cabin the grandkids ran awry,

While he watched from the porch with a smile, 'cause he was a cowboy guy.

Fishing, hunting, going exploring.

He made sure life in Fruitland was never boring.

He would come over for dinner or just to say hi.

Then home to watch bull riding, 'cause he was a cowboy guy.

And bring on the food, 'cause grandpa could cook!

Though I don't think he ever referenced a book.

Who needs instructions to get a turkey to fry?

He didn't, 'cause he was a cowboy guy.

Grandpa taught me a lot, like how to care.

How to work hard and how to swear.

How to plow snow with a tractor, how to build a shed.

How to shoot without aiming and kill the "blankety-blank" rodent dead.

He taught me all politicians are liars and crooks.

And how sometimes you got what you wanted 'cause of your rugged good looks.

But most importantly he taught me to help others, rather then stand by.

And that's what he did, my grandpa, my cowboy guy.

Love you Grandpa.

See you in heaven.

Love, Kimber

Wasatch Back

It has been a fun summer so far, but one of the highlights has been the Wasatch Back relay I ran with some old friends and some new friends. I was recruited by my high school buddy, Ginet, who's family had signed up. Thanks Ginet for talking me into it. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Wasatch Back (I was until this year) it is a 188 mile relay race from Logan, UT to Park city, UT. Our team name was, "Runs N Roses" because half the team's last name is Rose. We dressed like 80's rockers and had a blast. It was 2 vans full of adults acting like teenagers with some running involved. Nonstop running as a matter of fact. There is always one person running and you rotate through 12 people. We started at about 10:22 on Friday June 19th, ran all day, all night, and finished on Saturday afternoon. We were tired, smelly, and hyped up on adrenalin. I plan on doing it every year. I love running and participate in multiple races every year but this was by far the most fun.

Mike put together a short video of our exploits and here is

the link for your viewing pleasure:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgAxGy2KakA

Team Runs N Roses at the finish line

An interview with Jaycee and Ethan about DAD

I saw someone else do this awhile back and thought my kid's answers would be intriguing. 20 questions with my 8 and 5 year old about their dad.  Just in time for father's day. Here are the results:

1. What is something dad always says to you? 

Jaycee:  I love you.

Ethan:  I love you.

2. What makes dad happy? .
Jaycee:  When I give him lots of hugs and kisses.

Ethan:   Giving me hugs

3. What makes dad sad? 

Jaycee:  When I jump off the couch onto the love sac.

Ethan:  When I don't do stuff he wants me to do.

4. What does your dad do to make you laugh? 
Jaycee:  Throws me on the love sac and flips me on your bed.

Ethan:  Throws me on the love sac and pretends to punch me.  That's so fun.

5. What did your dad like as a child? 

Jaycee:  He loved to  camp.

Ethan:  He had a bear he loved when he was little.

6. How old is your dad? 
Jaycee:  36

Ethan:  68

7. How tall is your dad? 

Jaycee:  Almost as tall as me.

Ethan:  100 feet

8. What is his favorite thing to do? 
Jaycee:  Take us to good restaurants 

Ethan:  Work 

9. What does your dad do when you're not around? 
Jaycee:  Works

Ethan:  The same thing, work.  He works at his work and that is boring.

10. What is your dad really good at? 
Jaycee:  Taking pictures

Ethan:  Sports.  Wait, does dad play sports?  He's good at soccer and golfing.

11. What is your dad not very good at? 

Jaycee:  Doing the splits.  I'm way gooder.

Ethan:  Going in deep oceans.  He'll get hurt.  That's why he's not good at it.

12. What does your dad do for his job? 
Jaycee:  Shoots pictures

Ethan:  He does email.

13. What is your dad's favorite food? 

Jaycee:  Pizza and spaghetti

Ethan:  All the stuff I don't like.

14. What makes you proud of your dad? 
Jaycee:  He's a really good dad to me.

Ethan:  He likes to do stuff I like to do.

15. If your dad was a cartoon character, who would it be? 

Jaycee:  Donald Duck because he can do his voice.

Ethan:  Aladdin

16. What do you and your dad do together? 

Jaycee:  We go to stores and get good stuff.

Ethan:  Go to fun places like IKEA and McDonalds.

17. How are you and your dad the same? 

Jaycee:  We both have brown hair but mines dishwater brown.

Ethan:  We have the same skin.

18. How are you and your dad different? 

Jaycee:  He's WAY older than me.

Ethan:  We have different hair.  His is really dark brown and mine is brown blond.

19.  What is your dad's favorite place to go?

Jaycee:  He loves to go to Chadders.

Ethan:  His work.

20. How do you know your dad loves you?

Jaycee:  He gives me lots of hugs and kisses.

Ethan:  I just know.

Baptisms, Ethanisms, and other Goings On

What a special week it has been. On Saturday, April 11th, Jaycee was baptized and confirmed by her daddy. She had been so excited that Easter was on the back burner, and that is saying a lot. It was great having so many friends and family there sharing the experience with us. Jaycee is such a good example to her brother, Ethan, who can hardly wait for his turn to be baptized. We are very proud of our little princess. Jaycee has also been busy with swimming lessons, cheer leading, and tumbling. She has about as much coordination as her mom, so those cheer teachers have their hands full. It is so cute seeing her little chicken legs in workout clothes. She is working so hard and leaves the gym sweating every time she finishes practice. It will be a fun journey for her as she develops her cheer skills.
Ethan has also been busy. He is in swimming lessons, he practices his Power Ranger moves every day (with lots of sound effects), plays with(aka. torments) the dog, and pretty much runs non-stop all day long. He has also been contemplating the finer points in life. This morning he was eating Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal and asked me, "Mom, what if it was called Cinnamon Toast Chewy?" I wasn't quite sure what to say to that.

My Life is Better because....continued....

If you want to learn more about one of the most amazing families I've ever known check out this blog. I wrote about them in my previous post. It will bring a smile to your face and a tear to your eye...I promise.

mytricuspidatresia.blogspot.com

My Life Is Better Because....

Have you ever had someone touch your life in a very profound way, and they didn't even know it? I have a friend who is experiencing trials that are beyond what most people can even imagine. Her husband is at the very top of the list to get a heart transplant and every time I talk with her my spirit isn't saddened as you would think it would be, but lifted. Both she and her husband have the most amazing attitudes. They cherish every moment together and with their daughter. They take nothing for granted. And most amazingly, they are always thinking of others. His blog is full of inspirational stories, humor, and hope. He recently put this quote on his blog regarding attitude and it describes their family in a nutshell. It brought tears to my eyes and I had to pass it along. Notice the references to the heart:

“Despair drains from us all that is vibrant and joyful and leaves behind the empty remnants of what life was meant to be. Despair kills ambition, advances sickness, pollutes the soul, and deadens the heart. Despair can seem like a staircase that leads only and forever downward. Hope, on the other hand, is like the beam of sunlight rising up and above the horizon of our present circumstances. It pierces the darkness with a brilliant dawn… Hope has the power to fill our lives with happiness. Its absence—when this desire of our heart is delayed—can make ‘the heart sick.’” (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Member of the LDS Church First Presidency)

I'm a better person because of you both and I'm blessed to call you friends. Thanks Lynette and Paul.

My Valentine

I do enjoy this time of year. Valentines has always been one of my favorite holidays. Not so much in high school where I would have loved to have a boyfriend to actually celebrate it with, but never did. Now, however, that I'm married to an amazing, Supermanish, husband, Valentines rocks because we can celebrate our love for one another with little gestures of indearment. So now I will make a tribute to the man I love: He is a hard worker with ambition and drive who works day and sometimes night, to perfect his work and provide for our family. For those of you who don't know what he does, Mike owns his own businesses, yes that is plural. He has a company called Mike Chenoweth Films, where he does cooperate video production and marketing. He also owns a business called Reel Classroom, where he developes training videos within the film and video relm. He amazes me with what he does and he is brilliant in his industry. He is also a one-of-a-kind daddy. He has an office in our home where he can do a lot of his work, thus making him very flexible to the needs of our family, particularly the kids. I work 2 days a week and Mike works out his crazy schedule so he can be available to take care of the kids on the days I'm working so we don't have to worry about babysitters. This is just one of the many ways we compliment each other.
Mike is also very selfless in his callings in church. Right now he is the Elders Quorum President and devotes many hours every week to make sure the members of our ward are taken care of. He never hesitates to voluteer when help is needed. Everyone knows he is a "go to guy" because you can go to him if you need anything whether it be hard labor or advise.
He is loved and respected by so many people that if I made a list it would go on forever, but of all of his admirers I put myself at the top of the list. Mike, thanks for your love and companionship. I look forward to spending forever with you.
Love,
Kimber

Welcome to our family!

Since Mike isn't ready to have another human child yet we have adopted a canine child instead. This is Apollo, like the Greek god. The name is appropriate since he has little dog syndrome, and he is the newest addition to our family. He is 4 1/2 months old and has as much energy as our kids. We are hoping they all wear each other out. He is very smart and already knows a bunch of commands like sit and shake and best of all, he is already potty trained. We have fallen in love with the little guy already, how can you not, just look at those eyes. The kids are beside themselves with glee. They are so excited that if they were dogs there would be little puddles all over the house if you know what I mean. He is acclimating to our house well and we are very happy to have him.

Winter so Far....

I would call this winter a success thus far. We've been blessed with a boat-load of snow (and I say blessed because I love it!) and have enjoyed every minute of it. Well, not the 1 1/2 hour drive home from Salt Lake on snow packed roads the other day, but for all intents and purposes we have enjoyed it. The kids are back in school and post-holiday life goes on. We have had a few near-death experiences sledding, my kids are adrenaline junkies, followed by the all important hot chocolate fix. Christmas was, of coarse, wonderful and News Years comes with many resolutions, all of which will be completely followed (for a few days). We've even managed a trip the the Utah Museum of Natural History where the kids loved the bugs and dinosaurs. But being inside my cozy home surrounded by my family while the snow flies outside has been my favorite activity of all. I love this time of year.