Chili Cook-off and Karaoke night

Here are some pictures from our lovely chili cook-off ward party. When we first got to the ward Charles went to Elders Quorum and no one could think of an idea for a party. Charles mentioned, "Hey, how about a chili cook-off?" they said, "Great! you're in charge!" So, Charles and the main activities commitee guy helped pull it off.It was pretty fun. Actually, a lot of fun.

It was also Karaoke night. There was a guy in our ward who had an awesome Karaoke set up with over 600 songs. He had a list that you could pick any song from. Anyhow, I had never seen a karaoke night in a Mormon church before. It was SO funny. Everyone got up there! I mean everyone!! The Bishopric was up shaking their booties and singing. The relief society women . . . everyone! Even me! Now, I love to sing - but I hate karaoke, because I stink at it. I love to sing when I am well practiced and prepared. Anyhow, I got up there with a bunch of the younger women in the ward and sang a song from Grease. Then after that Charles signed us up for a duet to the song, "If I had a million dollars". It was so funny! I could not believe I subjected myself to that! Charles sang Jail House Rock by Elvis - that was great! What a bunch of good silly people. If you ever want to pull a ward together I recommend karaoke night - it was SO awesome and funny!! : )

Swearing in . . .

I was able to go and see Charles be sworn in today. I was so glad. We finally (today) found someone who could watch the kids. We decided to just take William with us. I thought I would be the only one there with children. I was wrong. Tons of people brought their kids (though we were discouraged from it). It was pretty funny.

I was entertained watching these new wanna-be lawyers. The room reeked of ego. It was really quite funny. It was as if you could feel the student loan debt pressing down on the room. :)

William did well, except I needed to feed him and there was no where to go. So, I went to the bathroom and fed him standing up in the stall. I laughed at myself the whole time. Then while I was in the hall a distressed looking young mother came out with a little baby and asked if there was anywhere to go to feed her baby. I told her standing up in the bathroom - that was it. She hesitated, then I saw her later and she said "I did it! I had to do it!" Next time, when I am in charge, there will be accomadations for mothers and children. : )

I was very proud of Charles. It was way better than graduation because it means he has passed the Bar - hooray!

Now we can officially move on with life!! Yahoo!

Sorry the picture quality is lame. It was bad lighting and I was way far away!

Don't you just love Disneyland? It is a place where grown men are found wearing pink princess backpacks. I love it! We are trying to figure out when our next trip there will be. I have had such sweet experiences there with Charles. When he went with me for the first time he was really unsure about it. Now he can't get enough! We will start saving our pennies (and dollars) for our next Disneyland trip - not at Christmas!! : )

www.scentsy.com/amyL

If you are like me you like yummy smelling candles. Especially when you have your visiting teachers over. :-) If you are looking for an alternative to open flame candles you should visit the website: www.scentsy.com/amyL (Amy is my sister-in-law). These wick-less candles are awesome! I have been in her home and always wondered why it smelled SO good! Anyhow, you should check out the website if you are interested. You can get your home smelling great for the holidays! I know I love yummy smelling houses! Yes, I am a candle-lover!

Mornings. . .

I have never been a morning person. . . until now! I am starting to really love morning time. It is so beautiful in the morning around here. It is getting chilly, but you see the most amazing things as the sun rises. The glow of the sun hits the hillside and it is beautiful. There are always dew drops that make little rainbows on the grass. The air is fresh, the day is new, and I love it!

After I walk Sammi to school I go for a run. It is so nice. I have just Daniel and William to push, it is a nice change. I bundle them both up really well so they are comfy and warm. I love to get my run out of the way in the morning too, then I do not have to think about it at all - I find my days are much less quilt ridden and more full of life and joy!

So, Charles rides his bike to and from work and I walk Sammi to and from school. We have managed to only use our car on Sunday for church, and Friday night for grocery shopping. Our gas savings is awesome! Plus we are getting exercise and we get it done during the day. When Charles comes home at night it is our time. I LOVE IT!

We have been eating dinner together ever since we moved here. We eat in our lovely dining room. I have dinner ready every evening before Charles gets home - it is amazing! We have never had that in our whole 8 years of marriage. I am starting to understand the "giving up what you want now for a greater future good". After struggling through college - I am loving this family time!

Charles will be sworn in on Thursday as a licensed attorney. I am having trouble finding a babysitter - I may not be able to attend. :-( No kids are allowed. It is right as school is getting out and all of my friends here have 3 children (or more) and have to get them from school. Hmmmm. . . sometimes you wish family was around! We will see what happens. Charles will go no matter what!!

That is all for now!

Lots of love!

Mari

Our Last Alaska Trip

This time of year always makes me think of Alaska. Mostly because of the chill in the air. I have very fond memories of our family Denali trips we would take every fall. Lots of laughs and good family times. Alaska is a special place. It is full of unique and special people. I am glad to have grown up there, though I think it is a pretty hard place to be a teenager. It was character buidling - to say the least. I love it for what it is. More than anything I miss having family around. I do love my family so much! : )

Much Love!

The Hobbit

We have been reading together as a family for a couple of weeks now. Our book of choice is - The Hobbit. Now, I was not totally supportive of this idea at first. The scariest thing I have allowed the kids to watch is probably the Incredibles. The Hobbit is much more monster-filled and graphic. We have been gathering together each night with blankets and pillows and we all listen to Charles read allowed. He is a great reader. He is so expressive and he sings the songs in the book and the kids LOVE it. Whether or not they understand the story, I am not sure yet. But they love to hear their daddy read to them. It is a sweet time. I love it. It is so good for the kids too. At least I am hoping it is! :-)

Last night we rented the animated movie of the Hobbit. It was pretty funny. I was also unsure about showing it to the kids. I try to avoid freaking them out. They were not too scared until Gollum showed up. Sammi's eyes were huge as she was watching the show. She did not like Gollum at all. She was more afraid of him then the big nasty dragon. Anyhow, they lived through it and no one has had nightmares - yet. I just try really hard not to allow them to see things that would create unnecessary fear. :-)

Anyhow, we are speaking in church tomorrow. I am looking forward to it. My topic is a really a good one - I am grateful for that! I even invited a friend to come and listen. She is a lady I talk to everyday after school at the playground, while waiting for Sammi. We have become quick friends and so it seemed natural to invite her. We will see if she shows up! : )

That is all for now. I better go and get some good rest.

Lots of love!

Mari

Daniel and William - Brudders!!

I am so pleased with the way that Daniel treats William. He is a sweet brother. William loves to watch and be entertained by Sam and Dan. William is such a joy. He always smiles and coos and chirps like a bird. : ) I love all of my children. They are so precious to me! I look forward to having a whole team of them . . . someday
:-)

Hair . . .

Below are photos of my many different styles of hair over the years. Some people keep the same hairstyle their whole life, but me, I like change. However, since I have grown my hair long I think I will keep it this way for a very long time - it is way easier! Sorry the quality of pictures are not too good. They are also in no particular order. . .

I was getting worried about my hair because after giving birth this time, it started to fall out! That had never happened to me before. I am happy now that it seems to not be falling out so much, and I can see new little hairs growing in - thank goodness! I was getting a little nervous!

Enjoy the pictures! : ) Silly, I know.

Mari