Christmas Catch-Up...

In no particular order...I promise I'll post pics of the pink room as soon as I am completely finished...maybe when she is 4.

My mom and dad spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning with our family! What a treat for us all!Such a ham...

Our cute neighbor, Selena, gave Emma this darling Santa hat with her name embroidered on it...
Christmas Eve jammies! Princess style...

Merry Christmas!

Paint Update...

So...Emma will have a pink room for Christmas. Thanks to my Mom (are you surprised?) and my sweet niece, Ashlee. They came over the weekend and we painted the entire room in one night! It looks so adorable! I will post a picture when I get the finishing touches done :)

Christmas Craziness...

The week before Christmas is crazy enough as it is (I tell myself every year not to let this happen...). Then....

Somebody....
asked for a pink bedroom for Christmas.

I haven't even started...

Making Lemonade out of Lemons...

Pedaling gave me this blog award! The idea behind this award is that the blog author has shown a wonderful ability for finding the silver linings and making the best of a bad situation (making lemonade out of lemons). I am to pick 10 sites that show this silver lining philosophy approach. Hmmm....I know I have more than ten friends that fit in this catergory. Here are a few of my favorite blogs full of creativity and inspiration:

• Pedaling - can I give it back to you? If I can, I will. Her blog is full of both creativity and inspiration. I hope to be half the mom she is.
• Danielle - the best (and most creative) mom on the planet. She makes the rest of us look bad. (her blog is private, sorry.)
• Pepper - of all the people I know, she has made the most lemonade!
• Leeann - so inspiring with her work for Autism. Did you see her in the newspaper yesterday?? So cool.
• Abbey - my cute single friend who sees the best in everyone.

Okay, so that is only five. But I gotta go. More on what is keeping me crazy later!

Flashback Friday...

We have always tried to have at least one family picture taken each year. Here are a few early ones for you to make fun of...

Spring 2000

Fall 2000

Spring 2001

Winter 2001

Oh, Emma....

New Pink Pants worn EVERYDAY: 1/2 price at Gap
Shirt worn backwards: end of clearance .99 at Old Navy
Purple Socks: "borrowed" from Aunt Nell
Flip Flops worn in the winter: left at our house so claimed as "mine"
Seeing the biggest smile on your two year olds' face for dressing herself: PRICELESS!

I think she needs to wear a sign on her shirt that says, "My mom had nothing to do with this outfit".

Slacker Mom...

Gabe lost another tooth yesterday at school - and I forgot to play tooth fairy! I usually stay up late at night doing my own thing. I was so tired last night, I snuggled down shortly after the kids went to bed, and playing tooth fairy didn't even cross my mind! Now, mind you, Gabe knows who the real fairy is, but still expects his payment. So this morning he comes running up the stairs with his tooth in hand, and says, "Mom, you forgot." Oops.

Getting to Know Me - Christmas Style...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Depends on what it is...if it is too hard to wrap, then a gift bag.
   
2. Real Tree or Artificial? Artificial - if I could I would leave my whole tree decorated and store it that way! (I know, so lazy...)
   
3. When do you put up the tree? Usually the day after Thanksgiving. This year, um, today.
   
4. When do you take the tree down? A few days after Christmas.
   
5. Do you like eggnog? Disgusting.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My cabbage patch.
   
7. Hardest person to buy for? In-laws
   
8. Easiest person to buy for? My kids
   
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. My in-laws gave it to us years ago from Jerusalem.
   
10. Mail or e mail Christmas cards? Mail
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I have no idea
    
12. Favorite Christmas movie? Polar Express
    
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? November
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I can remember
    
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Anything chocolate mint
    
16. Lights on the tree? Of course.
    
17. Favorite Christmas song? Oh Holy Night (preferably sung by Lisanne Lee :))
    
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home
    
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Not sure
    
20. Angel on the tree top, or star? Star
21. Open presents Christmas eve or morning? One Christmas Eve - the PJs, the rest Christmas morning.
    
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Crowds (I am so grateful for the internet!)
    
23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color? Reds, golds, and greens.
    
24. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? Can I say anything chocolate mint again?
    
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I don't know. How boring is that.
    

More Family Pics...

Thanksgiving 2008...

Emma after our Thanksgiving Feast at Little America...

Today I am Thankful for...

Photographs . I love pictures. Not having my own picture taken, but looking at them. I do love having a family picture taken every year. I love having a camera on hand to snap a shot of a moment I don't want to forget. I love looking back at old photographs and being able to relive a memory.

I am highly incapable when it comes to the art of photography, so I am grateful there are others out there who make up for where I come up short. Such a person is my friend, Becky. She took our family pictures last year (see them on the side bar) and once again did a fantastic job this year! I love how she captures the true feelings of a moment ! Take a look...

Home of the Dragons!

Malad High School - Class of 1994Carrie posted this on her blog, and I thought it looked like a fun tag! Especially after reconnecting with all of the other Dragons!

Fill this out about your high school! The longer ago it was, the more fun the answers will be!! Re-post with the name of high school and graduating year.

1.Did you marry someone from your high school?
No.

2.Did you car pool to school?
Shenell and I drove together and any other girls that were sleeping over at the time. Usually Jenny Anderson or Kathy Daines.

3.What kind of car did you have?
We drove my mom's silver Corsica - "The Mouse Mobile"

4. What kind of car do your drive now?
Nissan Maxima

5.It's Friday night...where are YOU (then)?
Cruisin' with my friends - how that was cool, I just don't know.

6.It's Friday night..where are you (now)?
On a date with my cute hubby - probably eating sushi.

7.What kind of job did you have in high school?
During the summer I cleaned buses. I had two jobs some summers - buses and movie rentals or Flying J gas station.

8.What do you do now?
Mom, teach aerobics, Robert's Media Team

9.Were you a party animal?
No way!

10.Were you considered a flirt?
Probably

11.Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?
None

12. Did you get suspended/expelled?
Gasp! No!

13. Can you sing the fight song?
With the actions...."Joyous and ever loyal...."

14.Who was/were your favorite teacher(s)?
Mr. Cockett

15. Where did you sit during lunch?
On the stage, usually eating candy bars and Mountain Dew. How did we ever learn anything in class???

16. What was your school's full name?
Malad High School

17. What was your school mascot?
Dragon

18.If you could go back and do it again, would you?
Um, I'm not sure. I loved my high school experience, but love where I am at now.

19. What do you remember most about graduation?
Sitting in the hall during our graduation party with all of my High School best friends and making a list of who would get married first, what kind of car would we drive, how many kids, etc...

20.Who did you take to prom Senior year?
Josh Atkinson

21. Did you have fun at Prom?
Of course! He is such a great guy.

22.Do you still talk to the person you went to Prom with?
I read his family blog - does that count?

23.Are you planning on going to your 20 year reunion?
Absolutely! (and the rest of you better be, too!)

24.Do you still talk to people from school?
Yes! Especially now that we have found each other through the wonderful world of blogging!

Okay - now your turn. What do you remember?

Today I am Thankful for...

The gym AND its amazing MEMBERS!
I love my gym. I know, I am biased. But I do. I love it. But what do I love more? The members. And I am not saying that to brown nose (like 3 of the members have even visited my blog.) I am thankful for them! They keep me motivated to continue on my health quest! Reasons I love them and the gym:

• You are complete strangers standing in a class one week, friends the next, buddies the next, know each others families, doing lunch, buying each other birthday gifts, Christmas gifts...you get the picture.
• How can you not get close to other women when everyone comes with no make-up, hair a mess, sweaty...I mean, come on! Gotta love each other!
• We all have a common denominator - we want to be healthy!
  
• EVERYONE notices when you are gone.
• When you get back, we all want to know why you were absent.
• We have been through much together - weight loss/gain, holiday stress, marriages, baby births, divorces, miscarriages, heart attacks, cancer, vacations, rebellious children, and even death.
• I especially LOVE the members who come to my classes - I feel a special connection with them. I hope they feel a little bit of the same for me. I love to hear about their ups and downs. When they are going to be gone, they tell me, because they know they will the third degree when they return! I actually had one lady call during a class to let us know she had had her baby!!
  
• There is a special connection with those who don't come to my classes. I love to catch up with them when I can on the fitness floor - even if you don't know their name. We know each others faces and connect.
  

Today I am Thankful For...

Falling Gas Prices.......and pray they will continue to fall. The price I saw this morning at 5:00am at a local station - $1.77! Keep comin' down, baby!!

Today I am Thankful For...

Food.......especially bananas. I just can't get enough of them lately! I am grateful to always have food in the cupboards! I can't imagine living in a third world country where I had to wonder when my next meal would be. So blessed.

Today I am Thankful For...

A Car...
Any car...I don't really car what year, make, or model. Just "a car". I chose this image because the first car that was "mine" was a white 1990 Geo Prism. It had power locks, and I thought I was su-O cool! Anyways, back to being thankful... If I lived in downtown SLC, had no children, and didn't need a car, I would be content with a bike that had a big basket on the front to pedal to and from home, the school, the gym, grocery store....you get the picture. But, alas, I do not live in downtown SLC. I live on the side of a mountain....in Utah....where it snows.... a lot....with two kids....and no grocery store for at least a couple of miles. So today, I am thankful for a car to get me to and from one destination to the next and delivers me safely home each night.

Today I am Thankful For...

The Magic Bullet...
That's right....I am thankful for my blender. It ranks right up there with the Cocomotion machine. In fact, it comes in first place! I use this magic blender SEVERAL times a day! And for what you say??? Smoothies, protein shakes, eggs, crepes, dressings, sauces...I simply can't live without it!!

Today I am Thankful For...

My Health...I am all too aware that there are many out there who are suffering from illness. Today I am grateful for my health and hope that I never take that for granted, either. I know that unaware, your body can be carrying disease that is slowly killing you. I also know that we can intentionally damage our bodies. I am thankful for a body to take care of and do my best every day to keep myself healthy so I can play with my children and grandchildren for years to come!

Today I am Thankful For...

Date Night!And why did I put a picture of Sushi for "Date Night" you might ask? Because that is our favorite dinner of choice on our night out. For 3 1/2 years we have been doing a Babysitting Swap with three other families each month. We babysit all of the kids one night a month, then three other nights that month are ours to go on a date - and FREE babysitting. It truly is heaven, and I look forward to spending some alone time with Jesse every single week. In fact, my kids look forward to it! I think all couples need a date night each week - it is good for our relationships. Things we like to do on date night:

• Dinner (sushi, usually)
• Movie - at home or theater
• Thanksgiving Point Gardens
• Shop
• Barnes and Noble - we just wander and read for hours!
• Color me Mine - this is a ceramic art place we tried last night. Very fun!
• Hale Center Theater
  
• Hanging out with friends

Flashback Friday...

Last Friday, Cindy posted a "Most Likely To Succeed" picture of her and Willie from High School. A flood of memories came rushing in, and I was on a search for my own "Most Likely" picture from the Class of 1994. This is big hair me with Eric Horsely. We were voted "Best Dressed".

Today I am Thankful For...

Our Freedom...
I am SO grateful to live in this great nation. With Veteran's Day this past week and the priviledge to vote last Tuesday, my thoughts have been on our Freedom and those who fight to keep it for me. I hope I never take this for granted.

Today I am Thankful For...

Sleeping Children...This is how I found Emma last night at bedtime....fast asleep on the kitchen floor! My house takes a sigh of relief every night when the kiddies go to bed. Not that I don't love having them awake, but when they are asleep I can really get things done! Probably a bad habit, but I love to stay up late and be productive. And then get up early and be productive when they are still in bed. I know, not healthy, but it is what it is!

Today I am Thankful For...

Good Books...
One of my guilty pleasures in life is to escape into a good book. And this book is one of them. Staying up late at night, soaking in a hot bath, curled up in front of the fire....that's how I love to read my books. "The Secret Life of Bees" was my most recent read. I read it a few years ago and just re-read it for book club. It is a must read if you haven't picked up this gem yet. You get sucked right into the story and fall in love with the people in the book.

Today I am Thankful For...

My Cocomotion Machine...I know...shallow. But I love this little baby. Have you tried this thing? It mixes your hot chocolate perfectly and to the perfect temperature. Mmmm.....I might have to go make yet another cup right now. And the best part? You can get this sweet gadget at Wal-mart for pretty cheap.

Today I am Thankful For...

A living prophet....
I received my General Conference Issue of the Ensign last night, and I can't wait to read all of the talks again! Some...I, uh, kinda... missed the first time around...got a little drowsy. Oops...

Today I am Thankful for...

This guy...He has been so supportive of me this week while I have been crazy busy. He never complains, just picks up the slack. Thanks, hon!

A Week in Review...

Some things that made me smile this week...

• Sitting in front of a warm fireplace.
• Hot Chocolate.
  
• Hot baths.
• Having an "I love you" war with Emma.
• Reading to Gabe.
• Hearing about a note written to Gabe to a friend that read: "You are the best GF" (girlfriend)
• Visiting Steph in the hospital to hold baby Cruz.
  
• Finding more MHS blogs!
• Getting ready for the Scrapbook Expo.
• Travelling to St. George with the talented women that I work with for the Expo.
• Going to bed early.
• Listening to a talk by Bishop Burton about focusing on the important things in life that lie straight ahead and not what is to the sidelines to distract us.
• Mom taking Emma for a few days - really, could I be any luckier??
• Getting up early.
  

Flashback Friday...

August 1, 1997

This week was my Mom's birthday. Every day I am so thankful for a loving mother who loves me unconditionally. She still would do anything for me - and does. Happy Birthday Mom, and I love you!!

To Grandmother's House We Go...

Emma spent a few days last week with my parents in Idaho (thanks Mom and Dad!!) Emma loves to go to their house for many reasons. Here are the top three:

1. They have cows in a field next to their house that Emma was insistent on petting. (don't worry, she didn't.)


2. They have a four wheeler. (Grandma drives MUCH slower than Grandpa)

3. They have a dog that will let Emma do WHATEVER to him/her (I'm not really sure what JJ is??)

Flashback Friday...

Staci's Wedding 1995

Can you tell which one is me? I am to the left of the bride - why am I wearing white to someone else's wedding?? My two roomies are to the right - Heather and Pepper. We were all good friends at ISU. I wonder where Staci is now...

High School Musical 3...

Did you see it? Did you like it? Well, I haven't seen it yet, but word from Gabe and Jesse is that it was great! Gabe went on Friday, and we let him choose who got to go with him. Can you believe he chose Jesse over ME? Huh - interesting.

So crazy story to go along with the movie...they got to the theater, got the goodies, and watched the previews. The movie comes on and Jesse is thinking, "This is an interesting beginning. Isn't this rated G?" A few minutes in, he immediately pushes Gabe's head to look at the floor, says "don't look up", and runs out of the theater to tell them to shut off the movie! It was playing "Sex Drive"! What??? There was a programming error. They opened up extra theaters that night for HSM 3 and apparently this particular theater was previously playing Sex Drive. Needless to say, there were some ANGRY parents!

Elder and Sister Madsen... aka Dad and Mom

My Mom and Dad came to visit this weekend. I sure am going to miss those visits... And they took Emma home with them - she couldn't get out of our house quick enough when she found out she got go to their house!Well, I promised to tell how my parents go their mission call. Dad retired a few years ago from teaching Auto Mechanics at school and now continues to work at his "shop" from home. He always had a business while I was growing up. He is very popular among the farmers. It's hard to find an honest mechanic sometimes. Anyways - they planned on serving a mission sometime in the future...maybe in a few years. Well, they were very surprised when they were called into the Stake Presidents office and told that the First Presidency was calling them on a service mission to Missouri - specifically Adam-ondi-ahmen. Wow! Needless to say, there were a little shocked! So the process of going on a mission for them went in reverse. They got their call and then they did all of the paper work. Dad will be doing mechanic work and mom will do Family History Work part of the time and help take care of the grounds. I don't think they could have been called on a more perfect mission! I has "Frank and Donna Gayle" written all over it! I am so proud of them for accepting the call and grateful for their sacrifice, service, and example to my children! xoxo

Flashback Friday...

Why should I be the only on to be embarresed on Flashback Friday? This is just how I picture him when I remember the first time we met.

Jesse - Senior Year