Our Trip to Mesquite

Shayne won a two nights stay at a hotel in Mesquite, NV. (30 minutes drive from St. George). So a month ago, we went with some friends (another family that has two girls the exact ages of Clayre and Kate...how perfect is that!). It turned out to be a great trip. The first night we just hung out in our room and enjoyed being somewhere different. Then the next morning while the husbands went golfing....the wives with kids went swimming for hours, had a lunch break, and than swam some more. All the girls had a ball. Even Maggie enjoyed herself, thanks to the shallow kiddy area. Then it was back to the hotel room for some much needed nap time.... I think the kids fell asleep too. After dinner we went bowling. What else can you do in Mesquite? But it was a lot of fun! Again the girls loved it. And I loved it because it was inside and air-conditioned. After that we crashed in our room for one more night. Leaving the next morning was a breeze....it was so nice to only have to drive 30 minutes instead of 5-6 hours like most of our vacations.

Question: Is it just me or does it not matter if you are leaving for 1 night or 1 week, when you have a baby it looks like you've packed for a month?

Side-note: Parly is not in any of the pictures because she was in Logan (see her blog) with her cousin Lily and nana & papa. Perfect timing!

It feels like a Break-up!

So I just finished the final book, Eclipse last night. And now I don't know what to do with myself. It feels just like I broke up with someone and am not sure what to do or think about. These characters are just so vivid in my mind. I think I will just crawl into bed and wake up when the fourth book is out....next year. Sad!

This is actually embarrassing but I went to the Stephenie Meyer (the author of these vampire books) website and she had a chapter for a book she is thinking of writing called, Midnight Sun. It would be a companion book to the first book, Twilight....only written in Edward's voice (another character). Loved it! Although it made me a little sad only being able to read 1 chapter. I think I will call Stephenie and offer to babysit her kids so she can finish writing all these books for me. You don't have to tell me...I know...I've lost it!!!!

Well now that I am feeling a little blue I think I will go and watch one of my favorite shows at the moment. (DVRed it Monday night). The Closer. That always makes me feel better. And if your wondering what my children are doing while I am crazy about books and t.v. shows....that's a good question. I think some of them are in school....so at least those ones will turn out alright.

I am still here....really!

Okay, so I haven't posted anything for 1 month. Some of you probably have given up on me. Welcome back. Maybe you think I haven't been doing anything interesting so that's why I haven't written. Nope. On the contrary. I have been busy. And it doesn't help that besides my real life : kids, school, cleaning, cooking, running, etc. etc.... I have also been READING. (yes, siblings who have thought I was the illiterate one in the Reeder family). So blame these (and a few other books)......for not hearing from me for so long:



Don't start these books unless you can be prepared to put your REAL life on hold.

My Favorite Line Ever.....

So I decided that I need to get organized again when it comes to my meals. I hate figuring out what to make for dinner. In fact, I cringe every time one of my kids asks me, "What's for dinner?"
I also feel bad about my kids only having cereal for breakfast, mostly because of the guilt trip I get from my husband....cereal has lots of vitamins, right?
And then I also need to get more creative when it comes to snacks....instead of just sending the kiddos to the pantry for a granola bar (like cereal).

So here is my plan:
Breakfast-

• Mondays: scrambled eggs
• Tuesdays: pancakes (possibly with bacon---I don't want to get too ahead of myself)
• Wednesdays: cereal
• Thursdays: french toast (possibly with sausage--again a maybe)
• Fridays: cereal
• Saturdays: cereal or Shayne make something (I haven't talked to him about this yet, so it will probably just be cereal)
• Sundays: waffles

Lunch-

• Mondays: soup or Mac & Cheese
• Tuesdays: tuna fish sandwiches
• Wednesdays: deli sandwiches (that's just a fancy way of saying turkey or ham)
• Thursdays: pizza (the frozen kind-we like Totino's)
• Fridays: PB & Jam sandwiches
• Saturdays: hot dogs or deli sandwiches or Del Taco if Shayne's buying
• Sundays: toast

Dinner-

• Mondays: Mexican night (examples: enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas, etc.)
  
• Tuesdays: Pasta dish (examples: spaghetti, lasagna, baked ziti, etc.)
  
• Wednesdays: omelets or leftovers (this used to be the breakfast for dinner night since I didn't make breakfast...but now...well see.)
  
• Thursdays: chicken , pork, or casserole dish (examples: Shepard's Pie, uhmmm..., etc.)
  
• Fridays: calzones, pizza, or burgers
• Saturdays: something grilled (or eating out without the kids would be nice!)
  
• Sundays: Roast or pork chops (definitely with homemade rolls....well the frozen dough.)

So, that's the plan. We'll see how long it lasts . I did just plan all my meals for a month. Hooray! No more planning for 4 more for weeks.

Shayne's B-day

So Shayne had his birthday yesterday. You may think that I am a horrible wife and that I forgot his birthday. Not this year (a story for another time). I purposely did not post this entry until after his birthday, see Shayne does not like to make a big deal about his birthdays. In fact, a perfect birthday to him would probably be just be like any other great day that includes: 18 holes of golf with friends and his new totally awesome golf bag, possibly a dinner out, definitely no fights with his wife and maybe even little something/something later, BUT most especially....a day without any mention of his birthday. Side note: Except from maybe his children ....another excuse for him to get kiss and hug.

Okay since it is not his birthday I can now safely say, "Happy Birthday, Shayne!" (I did say it to him yesterday, but not so everyone could hear...read.) Now I want to take this time to say how awesome Shayne is.

1. He could not be more funnier. Proof: his blog and Christmas cards
2. He is a great dad. Proof: I am devastated when he leaves for more than a few days, because I will miss him? No, well a little. But mostly because I won't have his help with taking care of the 4 little brats at home.
   
3. He is good at his job. And works hard when he's not....see #4
   
4. He plays hard. Enjoying golf...a lot.
5. He's smart. Proof: he can knock out those Sudoku puzzles in minutes and don't forget the good old crossword puzzles.
6. He has great taste in T.V. shows, movies, and music. Proof: an amazing music collection, also we enjoy most T.V. shows together: The office, 30 Rock, King of Queens, Amazing Race, So You Think You Can Dance, just to name a few... J/K on the last one.
7. Some say when it comes to spending money, he is stingy, thrifty, cheap, tight, maybe even a tightwad. But I will say he is frugal. Sometimes this trait is hard on ME...not always getting what I want, NOW! But his careful, penny-pinching, pocket preserving ways are what got us to where we are today. Living in a beautiful home in an amazing neighborhood, enjoying a great life... on a budget mind you, all because of his hard work and practical ways.
   
8. He is a great husband. Proof: for one thing he is very thoughtful MOST of the time...like when he surprised me for my birthday. And then for all the reasons I said earlier (see #1-#7). Shayne likes to tell me that I have it great, being married to him ... and maybe I don't like to admit it to him right then, because I would be agreeing and then he would win....But right now I will say it....YES, I DO HAVE IT GREAT BEING MARRIED TO SHAYNE!

So...Happy Happy Birthday!

Fun times in Logan

We just came home from spending 5 days in Logan. What fun! I love going back to Logan especially in the summer when it is 115 degrees here and climbing. We went to the park a lot, went to Bear Lake, and just played and played. Oh and ate lots of great food. Thanks mom and dad.

I also was able to see friends that live far away and I haven't seen for a couple of years. Now that was fun!!!!

Relief Society Reunion night

The other night I had an Enrichment meeting at a park (yes, outside in the 108 degree heat). Crazy! It was nice though. We had yummy food: dutch oven potatoes (without the onions-how did they know I don't like onions), chicken, lots of salads, fruit, and desserts. We played a fun game, Speed Questions (kind-of like speed dating) where we asked someone across from us a question that we then each had 30 seconds to answer before moving to the next person and then ask another question. This was fun to get to know each other a little more.

But the best part was the volleyball-water-balloon-towel game that turned into plain old water fight. I haven't been in a water fight like that for a long time. It was so fun. All these moms running around throwing water balloons at each other, looking for anyone that was still dry. Of course the best thing about a true water fight, is that it is spontaneous and that means very one is in their clothes (not swimsuits). It was fun to come home and tell Shayne and the girls all about it and explain why I was soaking wet!

This is good, but will be even better....later.

I love it when my kids say something that I can use....to mortify them when they are older.


Yesterday Kate asked her dad if he would help her practice kissing. Nice! She will love to hear that when she is 15.




A couple of days ago, Kate, while wearing a princess dress and a veil, made her dad get in a white shirt and marry her. Parly was the officiator. It was a beautiful ceremony.

Going along with the marriage theme here's another: At night Kate also likes to tell me or her dad a secret. She whispers in my ear, "Tell daddy to marry you." But then today at lunch Kate told me not to marry daddy because he has a bald head. (Shayne recently shaved his head...short.)

Any guesses?

So Maggie has learned to crawl. The first couple of days she stayed close, mostly in the kitchen living area. I thought, This is great! She just went from one toy to the next, keeping herself busy. But it wasn't to last....soon she found there where more exciting places to go. And has found her way around pretty much all of the main floor....including the stairs.

Well tonight she found herself a tasty snack, thanks to her new found mobilization and a lazy mom. Any guesses? Anyone can play...except Shayne and Nana in Logan. Good Luck and I'll let you know soon.

Maggie is talking!

So Maggie has said her first word. Not just sounds, either. I know she looks like she is 6 months here, but she is really 10 months. She can sit herself up and even crawl a bit. The funniest is that she always seems to end up hugging the couch or chair leg...and then she's stuck. She continues to be a very happy baby. Lucky for her she can entertain herself while I blog, read blogs, cook a few meals here and there, and keep track of the Others...playing with friends, tennis, swimming, Safety Town, and dance.

Question: What is on Maggie's face? Oreo cookies of course.
Here is Maggie hugging the chair. I'm glad somebody (something?)loves her.