Flashback/Flashforward Friday - Geek

Flashback 1992:

Allyson, Kristin, Farrah

Flashforward 2010:

Farrah, Kristin, Allyson

No, I didn't title this Flashback "Geek" because we look like geeks in the top picture. Although, really, we do. And for the most part, we were. Some of us still are. But, I titled it Geek because that was our friend Kristin's nickname.

In the top picture, we are posing with our Seminary Scriptures because we were on our way to our Stake Scripture Chase. The same Scripture Chase Kristin won! And she wasn't even a Mormon at the time. But still, she attended 4 years of Early Morning Seminary and held the title one year as Stake Scripture Chase Champ.

The bottom picture was taken on New Year's Eve Day at Farrah's house in Texas. We thought it would be a cute picture with the three of us and our three little ones who are all about the same age.

That top picture brings back some fun memories. See that white Rabbit car in the background. That was my car. And at one time, all the door handles were broken, and you couldn't open them from the outside. So since Geek was the smallest of us all, we used to make her climb through the hatchback and open the doors for us (it's the price of being so cute and petite). That was until my friend Adrian took me on my one and only trip to the junk yard to get new door handles. Then he taught me how to install them. So, if you ever need help with your car door, I know how to take it apart and fix it. Yeah...anyways....

Monday Morning Musings - What Kind Of Person Tells Her Kid To Shove A Pencil Up His Nose, Really?

My sweet, crazy, spunky little Addy girl. She has this great propensity for getting hurt. She gets hurt about 100 times a day. I think it stems from A) The built in anti-grace, clumsy gene she inherited from yours truly B) Her lack of fear and C) Her determined, curious nature. I am always telling her to be careful and stop hurting my Addy girl. The other day she hurt herself and she came up to me with the most serious sad face and said:

"I'm tired of being Addy. I don't want to get hurt anymore. Will you be Addy for me?"

Oh Addy. It made me want to cry. Only you can be Addy, but I promise I will try to help you be the best Addy you can be with as minimal injuries as possible.


Zac and I were playing around one day last week. I don't know how it started but this is how our conversation went:

Me: Here, Zac, why don't you take this pencil and shove it up your
nose.
Zac: OK, and why don't you take this pen and shove it up yours.
Me: Well, at least I won't get lead poisoning.
Zac: (looking at me like I'm stupid) There is no lead in that pencil.
It's like 20% graphite and 80% clay.
Me: Why do you know that kind of useless stuff?
Zac: It's not useless, I know that if I shove that pencil up my nose, I
won't get lead poisoning.

So Steve and I started reading The Hunger Games on the way home from Dallas. We were almost finished with the first book when we got home. But we have had little time to read since our return, so it sits unfinished on my bedside table. Zac, who listened to most of the book when I was reading on our drive home, has now finished the first book, the second book and will probably finish the third today. He keeps telling me stuff though, and it is really making me mad. He will come up to me and say things like, "Hey mom, you know how everyone SAYS that District 13 was destroyed???" It's really starting to tick me off.

OK. So Zac bought an airsoft gun from his friend. Which lead Steve to buy himself and airsoft gun. Which lead to this major airsoft war in the backwoods of Missouri. Which also lead to Steve and Zac going with friends last Saturday to have another airsoft war. Which also leads to the story I'm abouta tell ya. I haven't told this story yet (and I'm still not gonna really tell it) because the people involved have kissed, made up, and moved on with life. But I kinda have to give you some parts of the story so you can understand what happened on Friday night when the old man and I were out on the town.

This story involves a new friend of Emily's, a crazy cat lady, a boy with an airsoft gun, a herd of feral diseased cats living in our chicken coop eating all our chicken food, and some yelling and screaming at a 13 year old boy who was trying to protect his chickens.

So Friday night, Steve and I went to see "True Grit" and then went to dinner. While waiting for our table, two couples walked in and one of the ladies came over to me and started talking to me. We exchanged pleasantries and then Steve and I were escorted back to our table. We got to the table and I whispered to Steve, "That was crazy cat lady".

A little later, the two couples were seated at a table just across the aisle from us. Then I made the mistake of asking Steve what he thought of the movie, since he is a big John Wayne fan and wasn't sure if he would like the remake. He said he really liked it and then told me why some parts were better in this one and others were better in that one. Then he proceeded to demonstrate for me how when the guy rides his horse into the group of bad guys shooting the two pistols (remember he is demonstrating with his hands) John Wayne did it with two rifles and he was cocking and spinning them (more demonstration).

My eyes got really wide and without moving my lips I said, "STOP! STOP! STOP making gun signs with your hands!" A few minutes later I looked over and one of the members from the foursome was looking over at our table. I told Steve he was looking at us and I said, "You know how I said, 'That's the Crazy Cat Lady' as soon as we sat down at our table? Do you think she said, 'Those are the crazy gun people' as soon as she sat down at hers? And then the guy that was looking at us was saying, 'I know, he was just making shooting actions with his hands."

Aye, yai, yai. Anyhoo. I just thought it was funny. So Crazy Cat Lady, if you are somehow reading my blog, I only told this story because I thought it was funny. With my husband and his shooting hands at our dinner table right across from yours. And I only call you Crazy Cat Lady because that is what you called yourself when you were talking to me. And really, I promise, we are not crazy gun people. Crazy people, yes. Yes indeed. I'll give you that much.

Flashback/Flashforward Friday - Hats Off

Flashback: Christmas 1997

Flashforward: Christmas 2010

Steve's dad has a thing for hats. Military hats to be precise. When Steve was in high school going to early morning seminary, there was one month when he wore a different hat every morning to seminary. For a whole month. That is a lot of hats. So one year, when we were in St. Louis for Christmas, everyone was goofing off trying on all the hats. I took a picture. We decided this year while we were there it was time to recreate that picture. So 13 years later we rounded up all the hats and all the participants and had a little photo session.

Reception No. 2 in U Major

Sam and Teresa were married in Dallas on December 28th. Last Saturday, January 8th, they had a reception at our house in Utah. Here are some pictures from the event.

Addy, Lauren, Carla and Kay

Teresa's parents were able to come to Utah for the reception

The Larson Family

Teresa, Sam and our Aunt Verdene

The Roll Family

Sara and Brielle

Sam and Teresa with her parents and their friends that live nearby

My mom posing with her former Seminary Students

Amber and Lauren

Kami, Carla and Kay

Allyson, Aunt June and Uncle Buck

My mom showing everyone Sam and Teresa's Soulja Boy dance they did for us on New Year's Eve

The Fairbanks Family. Derron served his mission in Dallas when Sam was just 3 years old! He was very close to our family and we haven't seen him in forever. We were so glad to see him again and meet his family.

Oh, you gotta love my husband. The reception was scheduled from 2-4. At 4:01 he had the football game on (with permission from the groom). I was like, "Uhhh...excuse me? What the heck do you think you're doing" And he was like, "Uhhh...excuse me. The reception was over at 4!"

Deep In The Heart - Day 6

Friday, December 31, 2010

New Years Eve

On the morning of New Years Eve, we had a few friends over for a visit. These are ladies we love and haven't seen in forever. Above we are posing with our dear friend Susie that I've known my whole life, and my mother has know for most of hers. Her daughter Sara was one of my best friends growing up.

I was also able to visit with my friend Darcy, with whom I share some seriously fun memories. We were best friends in Elementary and Jr. High.

And our friend Kristin came by. She is just like one of our sisters because she was always at our house when we were teenagers. She was also one of mine and Farrah's bridesmaids.

Because it was the day of long lost friends, Lauren went to lunch with Cloe and Hallie. They grew up across the street from us and were best of friends with Lauren.
It was also a day of baking and cooking some of the yummiest food I have ever tasted. Emily getting an early taste of the ribs Bart was smoking.

Bart and Zac getting the smoker ready. Take note of Bentley in the background. This was only minutes before he and Addy had a little run in.

And here is Little Miss Addy. I just don't know what to do with this child. If it's gonna happen to anyone, it's gonna happen to her. She has been to the ER more times than the other 5 members of our family put together. Like I said, she and Bentley had a little run in, which resulted in 9 stitches. But don't worry, this little gal didn't let it slow her down. She still partied hard for New Years Eve.

The day before, Farrah was talking about making pizza on NYE. I suggested making personal pizzas and letting everyone do their own toppings. She thought that was a great idea. Now, this is where my sister and I differ. Had I been the one in charge, we would have had Pillsbury pizza dough outta the can, spaghetti sauce, shredded part skim store brand mozzarella cheese, diced ham, pineapple, black olives, onions, tomatoes, blah, blah, blah. Farrah. That ain't the way she rolls. She is Martha Stewart in disguise. She made pizza dough. We had sun dried tomatoes and pesto sauce. Fresh sliced real mozzarella cheese, kalamata olives and a whole bunch of other fancy schmancy stuff.

Here is how my pizza turned out. And lemmetellya. It was the best dang pizza I have ever had. For REALS. I have been craving it ever since.

The kids played games

Oh yeah, baby! I have been hearing about Coren's carrot cake for years. It even has it's own facebook fan page. And it deserves it's own facebook fan page. I was finally able to have a little slice of this heaven. Who are we kidding? It was no little slice.

We played the dance game on Kinect. Sam and Teresa were able to show us their dance moves they worked on during their honeymoon. We all got a good laugh outta the white boy who thinks he can dance.

The adults played games. I can't remember what this game was called but we had fun once we PG-13nd it up.

Addy and her new best friend, Gordon

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

We came back inside from yelling our New Year well wishes and had an impromptu dance, but Coren and Gordon showed us all up.

It was a fun night. And that is the end of our trip to Dallas. The next morning we woke up, loaded the mini van one last time, and headed for the snow. It was a long 2 day drive home. And it was nice to be home. We were gone for 17 days. They were the best 17 days ever! It was epic. We had so much fun and made so many memories that will last us forever. We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. We are so blessed to have been able to visit both Steve's family and my family. Thanks for all the memories, y'all!

Deep In The Heart - Day 5

Thursday, December 30, 2010

My sister Lauren's Birthday! Farrah made the most delectable stuffed french toast for breakfast in honor of the special day.

It was my cousin, Michelle's funeral that day. Here is a picture at the cemetery with my grandma Tolman.

Michelle's daughter Nevaeh and Aubrey. I've always thought they look so much alike.


After the funeral we decided to look for my Grandpa Snow's grave. I love this picture of Matt and Addy walking together through the cemetery.

It took us a while to find it. Even though we had a map with his grave circled.

Finally! Steve found it. Remember those shoes I wanted so much? I'm about ready to burn them. I don't know how someone is expected to walk upright in such ridiculousness, so I toured the cemetery barefoot style.

My grandpa's grave. This is my dad's dad.

Emily, Addy, Aubrey, Zac, Matt and Gabe by his grave

We also drove back to the Tolman plots so I could take a picture of my grandfather and great grandparents headstones.

My grandpa's headstone. This is my mom's dad.

My sister Lauren spent the day at the Maldonado's house. This is the house on Quadrangle that my parents lived in for 30 years before they moved to Utah. Farrah's in-laws bought it when they moved. My kids were so excited to go back and see the place. Such fun memories there. Here they are out back.

My mom and Lauren in front of the house

We went out to dinner to celebrate Lauren's birthday. The plan was to go to Trail Dust. However, on the way there Farrah called to make a reservation and there was a recording saying that the location we were going to was closed. For forever. We were sad. The kids were excited to go on the slide. I was too. Oh well. We went to Snuffers instead. I finally got to try the cheddar fries I have heard so much about. They were so yummy. I wish I had some now.

The Newlywed's joined us for dinner.

Addy in her usual place. Right between her two favorite people.

After dinner Teresa's parents met us at Farrah's house and we watched Sam and Teresa open their wedding presents.

Why have birthday cake when there's a Sprinkles in town?

Matthew eating his Sprinkles Cupcake

Playing with the Leapster

When we came home from dinner, Bean-O had a huge gash in his leg. We don't know what happened but we think he might have been chasing a squirrel under Farrah's gazebo or something. Bart and Zac took him to get staples. This is the trip that keeps on giving. Since being home in Utah he has pulled out all his staples and had to undergo surgery.

And since it really is the trip that keeps on giving, on Friday I opened my mail and had a ticket from Richardson City in it. It had a picture of my van. Running a red light. I remember running that light. We were on our way to the funeral. We were just approaching the intersection as the light was turning red. There were no other cars around. We were running late. I had to say the opening prayer at the funeral. I was afraid I wouldn't be there on time. The light was changing. Steve took his foot off the gas to prepare to stop. I yelled, "DON'T STOP! WE'LL BE LATE!" That was a $75 mistake. But hey, I made it on time for the prayer.