Baking

4 double batches:

dark chocolate mint

chocolate chip

peppermint cocoa

oatmeal semi-sweet chocolate chip

=

23.3 Dozen

=279.99 COOKIES

(and don't tell me we'd never use our math skills!)

Event- Tomorrow!

I am hanging up my apron and going to bed.

ps. I must admit that I glean large amounts of satisfaction from making people happy by sharing my cookies. move over mrs. fields.

Finishing Touches

A few finishing touches on our kitchen.... been done for a while, but never took photos...

a new (narrower) kitchen table & chairs, & roman shades
painting of Mink Creek, Idaho- courtesy of Larry Rigby
chandelier courtesy of Tanya Andres (a bday present!)

A Weekend Together

We had a truly lovely Thanksgiving weekend. Jeremy all but ignored his studying for the weekend- and spent the entire time with us. It was heaven! a few highlights... Jer and the girls went bowling while I did a service project with the young women. (we collected, sorted and packaged more then 1300 toys for an orphanage in Columbia). Spent Thanksgiving with Jeremy's family- including playing flag football (my personal highlight of the day), and watching movies together. I shopped early Friday morning. That's my tradition. Jeremy thinks im crazy to fight the crowds on the busiest shopping day of the year, but I think there's some adrenalyn working on my part- plus there's no one on the roads that early, there are pallets of what you want, and every employee is working, trying to help, every register open, and its crazy, but its all over with by about 9am, and ive got virtually everything for christmas! And Saturday, we drove to the Uintah's to cut our Christmas tree. We've done this every year we've been in Utah since we've been married. This year was a bit unusual because there was NO SNOW! It was hilarious- our kids bundled in thier snowsuits- freezing, in the dirt! But we got to drive roads that are normally closed because of snow- and explore some of Utah we haven't seen before. The bonus was- we arrived in a beautiful meadow with lots of Spruce that looked to have potential for our Christmas tree, and Viola! Someone had cut a tree and left it by the side of the road. (not a very green thing to do), but it was perfect for us and we took it home, and didn't even have to feel a bit bad for cutting a tree down! (we usually feel a little bit bad when we count the tree rings and realize its lived for 30 years to die in our living room in one month, but we still do it every year) But this year, we saved someone else's waste, and got the perfect tree!
















ps. that is NOT naomi's real hair (top), and yes, Olivia really did chop down the baby tree.

Do you know where your telephone is???

Have you ever misplaced one of your portable telephones? We do. All of the time. We have 3, and frequently one of them gets shoved under a bed, or couch cushion, and runs out of batteries- and is found at a later time when we're cleaning its hiding place. No harm done- no reason to be concerned about a missing phone. Well, today we learned about a rather interresting adventure of our most recent missing telephone...
Jeremy happened to be home during the middle of the day- packing for a trip to Denver. I was at Addie's school teaching science and Jer was hanging out with the other girls at home, when he recieved an interresting telephone call (on his cell phone). A man called and asked Jeremy if he was missing a Uniden portable phone. Jeremy paused and recalled that I mentioned that one of the phones was missing. He told the caller, "yes". "Why do you have it?" He walked outside to see if the man was in the front yard calling him. No one there. I am not sure how the actual phone conversation went, but the man was a few miles away from our home, calling from a public phone. He had noticed the phone in the gutter of the 13th East on-ramp to the freeway for several days. (what in the heck is he doing on the on-ramp of the freeway? Begging?) He finally picked the phone up, thinking it was a cell phone, and pushed redial. Lo and behold, Jeremy's cell phone number appeared on the screen. He took the number and walked to a nearby public phone and called Jeremy. He arranged to drop it off at a lost and found at a public library. How in the heck did our phone get there? How did the battery power last for so long? He obviously couldn't call on that phone, but I am amazed that the redial worked from so far from our home. And the phone wasn't run over, or destroyed from sitting in the gutter of a freeway for several days??? Good thing my last call wasn't to the doctor's office, or the pizza guy. If phones could talk, I would sure like to hear that one's story. I can only imagine that I must have put the phone on the car after talking to Jer on his cell phone. Then drove off, and lost it a few miles later as I entered the freeway. Who knows? I never will... So, now we'll see if it appears in the library lost and found. And don't worry, i'll give that clever little phone a good bath before we welcome him home!

Under the Knife

Our sweet little patient is hernia free! She had surgery a week ago friday, and the worst part was trying to get her to relax and take it easy. She must have a high tolerance for pain because she never even complained more than for a minute. She seems to be doing well and things are healing fine. Thank goodness surgery has been so smooth for us. And the procedures routine and nothing major.

Grandpa Bud

As today is Veterans' Day, I would like to honor, my Grandpa Bud Slagle. He recieved an award on Friday for his courageous service in WWII. It was such a neat ceremony @ the U of U union Building. Here's the highlights- and thanks uncle Guy, (I stole your pictures!) I was lucky enough to be able to "run" into the ceremony quickly while Addie, steps away was having her hernia surgery (more to come about that later). It was perfect timing!

From the Deseret Morning News Article:Each year around Veterans Day, the University of Utah selects nominated military veterans to be honored during a special ceremony. This year the University Veterans Day committee chose to honor World War II veterans because of their "advancing" years and "enormous" contributions they made to their country.Luman P. Slagle went into the Army in 1942. He served in the 60th Artillery of the 9th Infantry Division. Slagle landed on Normandy two days after D-Day. He was given the duties of radio operator on an artillery forward observation team. Slagle and company advanced through France and captured the Remagen Bridge, which was the only one over the Rhine left standing. Slagle was awarded the Silver Star.

(enlarge pic to read very cute poster)

Grandpa kissing his sweetheart! They are the cutest, couple. I am so lucky to have them in my life, and so proud of Grandpa. And to Grandma for always being my biggest fan (and all of her grandchildren's too, I am sure). You are both amazing and I love you both!

We're All in This Together

A photo update of the most recent 7 year old High School Musical Birthday Party!

The lovely and infamous birthday girl (don't ask me why she chose pjs to wear, but it was her party- the rest was part of a game)

We did karoke to HS Musical- they all loved it- some WAY TOO MUCH!

We had a giant E birthday cake

We did basketball relays coach Bolton style
We made a giant letter "E"
played musical dress-ups (thanks mostly to old EHS cheerleading & pepclub uniforms)

Things that were great about the party

-I used my church- so i didn't have to clean up my house and so everyone could be invited! Addie is very good about not ever wanting to leave anyone out.

-Addie shared her birthday party with her best friend Millie. Her birthday is a few days before Addie's- so it was half the cost, half the work!

-we had more than 35 kids at the birthday party, and got away with saying "no gifts please" because how could you possibly watch 2 kids open 35 presents each! And the birthday girls were fine with the idea!

Boo!

lots of fun on halloween! Always one of my favorites! We sure missed Jeremy this year!

12 Miles

I decided to turn a new leaf on Saturdays. I spend almost every Saturday, cursing Saturdays. Jeremy is studying, we have soccer games, and spend the rest of the day doing chores. (each child is assigned as many little jobs as they are old) So I spend the day helping Oly do her 5, Addie do her 7, and Naomi do her 2, (as well as my 31, and Jer's 32 jobs!) And of course I NEVER EVER get it all done, and its only fun when the kids are happy to do thier jobs quickly and painlessly. And I am always so disappointed that we aren't out being the outdoorsy, adventurous family everyone thinks we are but we really aren't. So, for now, I decided to try and do jobs another day (we'll figure out which day later), and spend Saturdays doing something new or fun as a family. So today we planned on going on a bike ride with Mimi and Papa (Jer's parents). All I knew was that it was flat, and beautiful. Something new?- yep, we'll do it! SOOOOOOOOOOO, to make a very long bike ride short, I started the day by crying because Jer is out of town and I don't (didn't) know how to change a flat tire, or hook up our bike rack. (learned how, got it done), Then before we even started riding Olivia was throwing one of the biggest tantrums of the year because she didn't like the helmet I brought for her. She uses the excuse that it hurts her. It may hurt her, but she uses it so much, and for everything, that I can't tell if it really hurts, or if she is using the tactic to win her battles...I won that battle.... back to the story. So by the time we had gone 2 painful miles down the Union Pacific Trail from Kamas to Wanship, Larry (papa) said, "we've already gone 2 miles- only 10 more to go!" Needless to say, that was a huge slap in the face- I had no idea that ride was 12 miles! I am not sure that my patience would last 10 more miles. It wasn't a hard ride, Adeline rode in front of the family the entire way "blazing the trail". It was a beautiful fall day. The scenery was lovely. We watched a cowboy herding his cows, we counted snake holes, watched migrating birds, and looked for trolls under every bridge we crossed. BUT, boy was it a challenge for little Olivia. Everything itched, she was so tired she couldn't keep her eyes open, she was so hungry she couldn't go on (she was holding a bag of m&ms so don't think she was starving), but if I said, "ok, lets stop and rest" she'd bark "stop trying to make me stop! You're going to make me fall over! We have to keep going..." For 12 MILES! But guess what? She did it! and Addie did it! and I'll bet that neither of them thought they could! And they were both so proud of themselves as they finished the ride. Jer's grandparents took our cars and drove them to the end, and we ate lunch (OK dinner by then) at the Spring Chicken Inn in Wanship. I am SOoooooooo proud of my girls! They are AMAZING, STRONG, and can do anything! I don't know why, but it thrills me to have them discover that about themselves despite the pain they put me through to do it. I must be a glutton for punishment!
then we went home and went to a ward halloween trunk or treat party and had lots of fun, but I didn't take any pictures all day because first- I had no idea what i was getting into on the bike ride and came very unprepared, and because we cram our days so full that we were late getting to the party! So ill be sure to take pics of the kids on Halloween in thier cute costumes!

So, the big question is- what's should we try next Saturday? Any ideas???

disclaimer: making your kids ride long distances really isn't child abuse- the pioneers made thier kids walk and walk and walk and walk AND walk- and think how strong they were. It REALLY wasn't a hard ride! And there really only was one kid making it painful, the older was a superstar champion bike rider and tree climber every time she saw a good one, and the smallest girl was with her other gramma trick-or-treating at the zoo!

Super Seven

Happy Birthday Addie!

Adeline had a birthday yesterday (Oct. 16). I think she had a great day...

A wake up call from Daddy in Texas:(

birthday presents before a lovely hootenany breakfast (a vanity & paint set)

i spent a few hours with her 1st grade class, brought homemade pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, read her favorite stories, and played limbo

went to the toystore to pick out a present with Mimi

I cooked a special birthday dinner with some of our family members- we had some of Addie's favorites- broccoli soup & bread, homemade mac'n'cheese, french-fries, chips&salsa, more cookies, and an ice-cream cake!

More presents!

Oh, and don't forget- a friday afternoon high school musical birthday party with 25 1st graders! And dinner with daddy, when he finally gets home sometime this weekend! People in this family are sure special and lucky on thier birthdays! I guess that's because they are so well loved! I hope you had the best birthday ever Addie! (i think i need a nap!)

My 3 Little Mountains

NAOMI ELIZA ADAIR:
named after the mountain Jeremy and I were engaged on
obedient
sweet
funny
sister and friend admirer
super talker
Never gets out of bed
always makes me laugh
loves eating gum, frozen berries, any treat
loves to laugh



olivia eva:
named after the Mount of Olives where we lived in Jerusalem- full of priceless memories I wish to NEVER forget. Oly always asks when we will take her to visit her mountian. I wonder too...
joyful
passionate
exhuberant
loving
thoughtful
spiritual
perceptive
very possessive of her uncles, aunts and cousins (and thier pets)
recently decided that friends matter to her
sings in the shower, on the toilet, skiing, building sandcastles, etc.....
an aggresive soccer player
a surprisingly LOVELY singer
an amazing care taker
patient puzzle doer


check out the praying mantis on her sleeve watch out- Oly will pummel you wheter or not you are on her team-
anything to make a goal

ADELINE DENALI

NAMED, OF COURSE AFTER mT. mcKINLEY, OR DENALI IN AK. tHE TALLEST MOUNTAIN IN NORTH AMERICA. A PLACE THAT JEREMY FELL IN LOVE WITH WHEN HE WAS 15 AND STARTED SPENDING SUMMERS BACKPACKING THROUGH THE TUNDRA. i LATER HAD THE CHANCE TO SPEND PART OF THE SUMMER THERE WITH MY LOVE, AND HIS BEST FRIEND. IT IS SUCH A MAJESTIC, PEACEFUL PLACE. aDDIE ALSO ASKS WHEN WE WILL VISIT HER MOUNTAIN. WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO CLIMB IT WITH HER WHEN SHE IS AN ADULT.

AN UNCANNILY AMAZING CLIMBER

GRACEFUL BALLERINA

EXCITED READER

SENSITIVE OF OTHERS NEEDS AND FEELINGS

A KIND, SELF-LESS FRIEND

FAST, HAPPY SKIER

A QUICK FIDDLER

LOVER OF GOOD STORIES, DRESS-UPS, AND CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES.

YES, she really did climb this herself- she climbs everything
you never can tell what that little girl is thinking- she spends much time in quiet thought.......


This is my life. My three little mountains bring me more joy than I could ever put to words. They challenge me, teach me and make me realize what life is all about. Raising them is literally like climbing a mountain. It is such a struggle to get to the top, but it is a wonderful place to struggle, and the views while climbing are breathtaking- and so very worth the work. A place to get nearer God's creations, and sit back and be amazed........

Happiness Is...

1. An IMPROMPTU lunch
with 3 good friends and all of their babies
what did we eat??? Sunday leftovers
TOMATO BASIL ORZO PASTA &
CHOCOLATE CHIP PUMPKIN BREAD

2. Gorgeous FALL weather
and lots of outside time

3. TEXT MESSAGING! now that i've learned how, I can send one group text to all of my young women and tell them about our activity in less than 30 seconds! What used to take an hour of my busy wednesday...

4. Primary children's hospital: Addie has another hernia, and today we found out she will get to have another operation next month to have it fixed. I am so happy that she gets to go to Primary Children's to have the surgery. They make everything such a positive experience for kids that my six year old is excited! (she did this once before last December and had such a positive experience) ANd the place is very close, so, it really is something to be happy about!

5. jeremy
is sitting next to me working! I can sneak a kiss any time I want!

PS. Sarah-willy, I can't remember your blog address, Im lost and I can't find it!

Oh What a Job!

Don't get me wrong... I love my job being a mom, but I watched this funny video, and realized how ridiculous 95% of the things coming out of my mouth must sound to my kids! If only I could get more than 5% of useful, meaninful things conveyed to my children each day. I'll have to work on it! Enjoy!

Escaped!

There comes a time when another's life is so much more interresting...

that I just can't help but escape

to my

beloved books!





My young women were all reading the Twilight Series and I'd heard so much about it, I just had to find out what all the talk was. After a few pages, I was hooked! (possibly a little mature emotions for most of my young women to be reading), but an awesome, thrilling ROMANTIC story nonetheless. Then, when I was finished with the 3rd, I couldn't stand to not have somewhere to escape, so I devoured the classic "the Good Earth". I decided I was going to read all of the books I loafed out of reading in high school, by getting the cliff notes. Amazing- that I missed out on so much, just to gain the skill (and very skilled I was) at sliding by with very decent grades- having never learned a thing. Now I am sorry for it and try to remind my young women how important it is to make the best of that time of life!

What was that???

I haven't written for a few weeks. There is a reason for this- although nothing exciting to report. I've been hit with the worst case of the stomach flu (or something like that) ever. Haven't been able to eat for 2 weeks without being totally sick! I caught it on my birthday (had a great party in the bathroom!), the 12th- and haven't been well since! So, I apologize for not having something more wonderful to write about, but I'm just doing my best to get out of bed! (no I am NOT pregnant!) Today is the first of many wonderful days to come that I have not been sick, and have been able to eat something! More to come...

Spiderwoman!

I have something important to report. Last week I was suddenly bit by a poisonous spider. At first I was worried that my skin might begin to decay, but on the contrary, I can now climb walls, and swing from building to building on nearly invisible web I spin! I am very excited about my new talents!

Haha, I wish. But I was bitten by a spider last week. I was picking basil in my mom's garden 5 minutes before young womens started. There must have been a spider on one of the basil leaves, because all of the sudden there was a terrible pain on my thumb. I shook my thumb and jumped up and down. Unfortunately, I shook the spider off. But in examining my thumb I saw 2 bloody fang makrs about 1/2 inch apart. Immediately my thumb started to swell as the poison moved in my bloodstream. In 20 minutes my thumb and hand down to my wrist were huge and red. I took Benadryl my parents took care of my kids. To make a long story short, that happened on Wednesday, and by Friday the swelling and throbbing pain had moved to each of my fingers on my left hand, my whole palm and half way to my elbow. I finally relented and went to Instacare and got a wonderful antihistamine and itch cream to keep the swelling down. Now, i've just got a nice pair of fang marks in my hand! But I survived. After researching on the internet, I learned I was probably bit by a small jumping spider- mildly poisonous, but terribly painful. But there are several spiders whose bites are much less painful, but the effects of the poison are much worse. SO, if you're not mildly afraid of spiders, YOU SHOULD BE.

First Signs of Fall

Fall is always an exciting time around here. In the last few weeks we've celebrated Jer's birthday #32, Olivia's #5, both kids have started school, each prospective dance classes, soccer games (not Naomi). We've said good-bye to our friends Chris and Stacy, who moved to Missouri to become farmers! I am amazed that they were able to break out of the societal rutt- and am jealous. We spent a few days at a cabin in Mt. Aire with good friends. We're experiencing wonderful, COOLER fall weather. We tried to see the wildflowers today at Albion Basin, but Adeline has an ear infection and the elevation change hurt too much, so we turned around and explored the salt lake temple quarry at the base of Little Cottonwood, and Jer and I had a wonderful evening last night with his parents. We went to an awesome Spanish restaurant for traditional Spanish Tapas. Then we ate spanish flan in their hot tub with them! They were so fun to hang out with. Thanks for treating Nancy and Larry. Hope you enjoy the slide show. I wonder when life will slow down?