Saturday, April 26, 2008
No. 14 UC Santa Barbara PROVO, UT W 3 - 0
Took the kids to the BYU vs. Santa Barbara men's volleyball game. RJ freaked out over the real-live "ninja turtles" (aka: Bobby Lawrence Karate School). The karate kids put on a really impressive half-time show complete with numchucks, knives, and acrobats. While Meggie was mostly interested in the cheerleading. :) It was a fun night. I don't know why I always think it sounds like such a feat to go to events like this. We always have such a blast once we get there!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
More Key West Pictures
Hi Everyone! As promised we have finally uploaded the pictures from our new camera. Here are some photos of Michael and I in Key West from back in January. We spent some time at a Butterfly Sanctuary which was right up the road from our Bed & Breakfast that we stayed at. The sanctuary was really beautiful and we were literally in awe as hundreds of butterflies of different variations in color surrounded us. I guess I am the "butterfly whisperer" because as you will see in one of the pictures a friend decided to join me for the duration of the tour. I felt pretty cool to be honest. In the other pictures you will see an amazing photo that Michael took of one of the butterflies and also one of my favorite pictures of Michael. I think he's pretty cute. Enjoy!
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Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
What I love about Meggie
1. She is sweetheart and very tenderhearted
2. She's an excellent big sister
3. She's very smart and wants to be an astronaut
4. I admire her determination to do well academically
5. Everything she tries, she gives it her best
6. She will definately "feel the fear and do it anyway!"
7. I love that she is brave enough to sing Karaoke, at the top of her lungs, during the American Idol Concert at the Energy Solutions Arena in front of hundreds of people....and she was FANTASTIC!
8. She's a friend to everyone and everybody loves her.
9. She thinks every animal is cute even when it's not.
10. She has no fear of scary amusement rides (i.e., that crazy roller coaster on top of the New York, New York hotel in Vegas).
11. Math and Science are her favorite subjects.
12. She never stops dancing.
13. She never stops singing.
14. She has the cutest giggle.
15. Even though math and science are her favorite subjects, she is quite an artist. She can paint, draw, and create beautiful things.
16. She hates tomatos.
17. She loves any drink with an umbrella and marishino cherry on top.
18. Sushi has been her favorite food since was 2 years old.
19. She has a flair for the dramatic, which has gotten her in trouble a time or two. :)
20. All the little 3 & 4 year old neighbor children ring our doorbell every day to visit her. I think she is the neighborhood "big sister."
21. She is adventurous and daring.
22. She's EXTREMELY persistent when she wants something (a trait that will surely payoff)
23. She believes a movie is only good if there's a kiss in the end.
24. She educates me daily on what's cool and what's not.
25. She loves her family.
26. Her favorite color is purple
27. If it's shiny and glittery, she loves it!
28. She is going to be a teenager next year! UGH!
29. She has the best smile EVER!
30. I think she is simply the GREATEST!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGGIE! I LOVE YOU.
Mom
2. She's an excellent big sister
3. She's very smart and wants to be an astronaut
4. I admire her determination to do well academically
5. Everything she tries, she gives it her best
6. She will definately "feel the fear and do it anyway!"
7. I love that she is brave enough to sing Karaoke, at the top of her lungs, during the American Idol Concert at the Energy Solutions Arena in front of hundreds of people....and she was FANTASTIC!
8. She's a friend to everyone and everybody loves her.
9. She thinks every animal is cute even when it's not.
10. She has no fear of scary amusement rides (i.e., that crazy roller coaster on top of the New York, New York hotel in Vegas).
11. Math and Science are her favorite subjects.
12. She never stops dancing.
13. She never stops singing.
14. She has the cutest giggle.
15. Even though math and science are her favorite subjects, she is quite an artist. She can paint, draw, and create beautiful things.
16. She hates tomatos.
17. She loves any drink with an umbrella and marishino cherry on top.
18. Sushi has been her favorite food since was 2 years old.
19. She has a flair for the dramatic, which has gotten her in trouble a time or two. :)
20. All the little 3 & 4 year old neighbor children ring our doorbell every day to visit her. I think she is the neighborhood "big sister."
21. She is adventurous and daring.
22. She's EXTREMELY persistent when she wants something (a trait that will surely payoff)
23. She believes a movie is only good if there's a kiss in the end.
24. She educates me daily on what's cool and what's not.
25. She loves her family.
26. Her favorite color is purple
27. If it's shiny and glittery, she loves it!
28. She is going to be a teenager next year! UGH!
29. She has the best smile EVER!
30. I think she is simply the GREATEST!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGGIE! I LOVE YOU.
Mom
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGGIE LULA!
Trip Down Memory Lane.....
Her Favorite things...
1. Hanah Montana 2. Pink Flowers 3. Dancing 4. Her iPod 5. Best Friend Megan 6. Being an Astronaut 7. Animals of all kinds 8. Sushi 9. Shopping 10. Singing 11. Volleyball 12. Sister Summer 13. Begging for a cell phone she won't get until she's 16 14. Sweets 15. Birthday Parties 16. Aunt Cori (who is a bigger celebrity than Kelly Clarkson)
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Jr. High Orientation
Wow, I knew this day would come, but I didn't think it would come so quickly. On the one hand, I'm so excited for Meggie. She is going to have such a ball in drama club, playing sports, and being challenged academically. She's smart as a whip and will thrive on the higher education. On the other hand, my baby girl is growing up....time flies too quickly, dangit. ;) In any case, she began picking out her elective classes for the fall. She wants to take EVERYTHING, of course, but so far has settled on a Spanish class. I'm so excited about the possibilities that lie ahead for her. She's an amazing girl.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Little Sneaker!
RJ is a little schemer! He was supposed to be in bed sleeping almost 2 hrs ago, but was just caught doing this instead!!! He hid his sister's DS in the sheets of his bed, waited for me to go downstairs, and then whipped it out for two hours worth of Mario Party. He was so quiet I thought he was asleep. That is, until he got frustrated and mad at the game and starting screaming at it. Then his gig was up! It was too cute to get mad, but he will receive a bed search every night from this day forward. :) This little one is going to keep us on our toes.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Why Buy Expensive Toys
Omigosh, this is so cute. Thank you Terilyn for the cutest video. I'm just in love with this little boy. I want him to come play at my house...We have lots of paper here!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
My 100
This is for everyone who has tagged me for my "100 list" - I FINALLY got it done. Enjoy!
1. I was born in Lander, Wyoming
2. I would much rather write 100 things about other people than myself.
3. I'm sensitive and get my feelings hurt easily. But I forgive and forget quickly.
4. I nursed RJ for 20 months. Something I’m extremely proud of and thankful I could do considering his allergies.
5. I would rather be my children’s parent than friend.
6. I have anxiety attacks and worry about everything
7. My four year old swears. Ric and I blame each other for this.
8. I’ve made a lot of bad decisions, but I always try to learn from them.
9. I want to be a better mom, wife, sister, daughter, daughter-in-law, and friend.
10. I wish I had a better singing voice or could play a string instrument
11. My dad has sent me flowers every Valentine’s Day for 15 years. He is also my first date.
12. I wish I had graduated from college. It’s probably my greatest regret.
13. I lied about my qualifications to get my first BIG job. It didn’t take long to discover I was a sham, but I worked hard and I’ve been with my boss for 15 years.
14. I am very proud of my career accomplishments, but gave it all up to be home with RJ - a decision I will never, ever regret (even though it would take years to climb that ladder again).
15. I have learned to make amazing cupcakes and cookies that are dairy-free and egg-free
16. I will never ever stop trying to make my dad proud of me.
17. My mom taught me one of the most important life lessons – how to do cartwheels.
18. I always thought my mom was the most beautiful woman in the world with her gorgeous long red hair. She is a great mother who always took us to the park to play, to feed the fish, or picnics in the canyon. She is the best example of what a stay-at-home mom should be.
19. Sometimes I think I’m too hard on Meggie. I just want her to succeed and be happy.
20. I am addicted to Starbucks.
21. I am scared to death that I will not be able to retire comfortably. I don't want my children to have to provide for me.
22. I have an irrational fear of getting into a fatal car accident.
23. I LOVE my big SUV because I feel safe in it.
24. I wish Ric and I had more friends. Living in Utah is very lonely.
25. I feel guilty about everything and I second guess myself all the time
26. I wish my car was more “green.”
23. I LOVE my big SUV because I feel safe in it.
24. I wish Ric and I had more friends. Living in Utah is very lonely.
25. I feel guilty about everything and I second guess myself all the time
26. I wish my car was more “green.”
27. I love sushi dates with Ric.
28. I’m terrible with faces. When I run into my neighbors at the grocery store, I can’t remember where I know them from. It's very embarrassing.
29. I believe public schools, in general, need a complete overhaul
30. I would love to adopt another baby. Maybe even two.
31. I HATE to be cold. It actually makes me angry.
32. Spring and Fall are my favorite seasons.
33. I wish we could afford to travel more with our kids.
34. I once saw George Strait in a local coffee shop and thought I knew him personally (see #28). I talked to him for five minutes like he was my long lost friend before I walked out of the shop and saw his tour bus parked outside.
35. I am keenly aware of the fact that Meggie will go to college in only six years. I’m going to miss her and panic just thinking about her leaving home.
36. I love going to concerts, especially when it’s an 80’s band!
37. I love that Ric is willing to go along with me to my favorite 80’s concerts….and even buy me a concert shirt and collectors program (thanks for the Duran Duran album, Ric)
38. I love my babysitter Kristy and hope she will want to babysit RJ until he’s 12 (and she’s 27)
39. Ric and I have spent only one night away from RJ since he was born (he’s almost 5).
40. I would really love to take a week vacation with Ric. I miss being alone with him.
41. I wish the kids and I could have a dog or cat, but allergies prevent this from happening.
42. RJ’s food allergies have been extremely difficult, but I’m a master chemist in the kitchen because of it!
43. I could live on chips and salsa.
44. I love a good Pino Noir or a dirty “v” with my sister.
45. As a child, my Grandma and Grandpa Carper were my very best friends and spent hours upon hours playing Go Fish with me. I felt very very loved by them.
46. I owe my passion for Days of Our Lives to my Grandma Carper. She made me popcorn and root beer and made me promise not to tell my parents we were watching it. She is also responsible for introducing me to Dallas.
47. I look up to all of my YOUNGER brother’s and sister (and, yes, they are all taller than me).
48. I wish someone would nominate me for the “Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style” show. I want a style makeover so bad.
49. I wish we could spend more time with Ric’s family.
50. I am so grateful that Ric loves Meggie like his own daughter. And she loves him back.
51. I love to play volleyball.
50. I am so grateful that Ric loves Meggie like his own daughter. And she loves him back.
51. I love to play volleyball.
52. When I was in high school, I walked around a varsity basketball game with my dress stuck in the back of my pantyhose and nobody told me.
53. Sometimes I hate being the oldest. It’s all unchartered territory.
54. Even though I talk to Lolly once every 10 years, I still think she is my sister and love her so much.
55. I absolutely LOVE my sister -in-law Kristy. She is the most sweet, honest, loving, thoughtful person I know. I will forever be grateful that my brother and his children have her in their lives.
56. I am extremely proud of my brother Greg for paying his way through college and fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a pilot. I also think he’s a pretty skilled fisherman, bow hunter, and cook. If we were ever stranded in
the woods, we would eat like kings for life.
57. I am extremely proud of my brother JD who has made the 5-hour drive every other weekend to be with his kids for 7 years WITHOUT FAIL. I have never seen a man that dedicated to being with his children (and Kristy does it with him, which is another reason I love her. See #50)
58. My sister is just the most beautiful and funniest girl I know. She is my best friend. (Mom, all my begging for a baby sister definitely paid off!!)
59. I love to cook and want to keep getting better at it
60. I wish I could have a huge career and still be a perfect wife and mother. I have found that women truly can’t
have it all or something suffers.
61. When it comes to my family, I take FOREVER to make a decision because I worry so much about it being the “right one.”
62. I am constantly fighting a battle against my natural instinct to have a career in order to be a better mother.
63. The thought of something bad happening to my family worries me to the core.
64. I have some sort of cosmic tie to Marie Osmond. She is the first celebrity I ever met - the last one I’ve seen - and everything in between. I literally run into her EVERYWHERE!
65. One of my most vivid childhood routines included…..Filling up the Chevy Impala with gas ($0.59 per gallon), picking up “little hamburgers and little root beers at A&W,” taking the car to the “Robo Wash” and then racing down the highway to dry the car off. All in that exact order. I thought that was a fantastic day spent with mom!
66. I wish I felt safe letting my kids ride their bikes without fear of someone snagging them.
67. If Ric doesn’t want me in the afterlife, I’m marrying Elvis.
68. Some of my best friends are Stila, Bobbi Brown, and Mac.
69. My Grandpa Loer would not let me use his microwave until I read the instruction manual first.
62. I am constantly fighting a battle against my natural instinct to have a career in order to be a better mother.
63. The thought of something bad happening to my family worries me to the core.
64. I have some sort of cosmic tie to Marie Osmond. She is the first celebrity I ever met - the last one I’ve seen - and everything in between. I literally run into her EVERYWHERE!
65. One of my most vivid childhood routines included…..Filling up the Chevy Impala with gas ($0.59 per gallon), picking up “little hamburgers and little root beers at A&W,” taking the car to the “Robo Wash” and then racing down the highway to dry the car off. All in that exact order. I thought that was a fantastic day spent with mom!
66. I wish I felt safe letting my kids ride their bikes without fear of someone snagging them.
67. If Ric doesn’t want me in the afterlife, I’m marrying Elvis.
68. Some of my best friends are Stila, Bobbi Brown, and Mac.
69. My Grandpa Loer would not let me use his microwave until I read the instruction manual first.
70. He also wouldn’t let me load the dishwasher until he gave me a lesson on the “correct way” to load it.
71. My Grandpa and Grandma Loer were the smartest people I know. They knew everything there is to know about physics, rocks, fossils, geology, Indian artifacts, and birds.
72. I loved Little House on the Prairie so much I used to wear a pair of underwear on my head to bed (just like Laura Ingles….they were clean, of course).
73. I am MUCH happier when I have something to look forward too (vacations, date with Ric, lunch with friends, family get togethers…..)
72. I loved Little House on the Prairie so much I used to wear a pair of underwear on my head to bed (just like Laura Ingles….they were clean, of course).
73. I am MUCH happier when I have something to look forward too (vacations, date with Ric, lunch with friends, family get togethers…..)
74. I love surprises – even if I have to ask for them. :)
75. I am a Leo.
76. I am a huge fan of paint color decks and own one from every paint store in the valley. I absolutely love color and color combinations.
77. I want to become a better photographer and plan to take classes.
78. I am going to learn to play the Cello someday
79. I wish I had more confidence in myself and did not allow the fear of failing to stand in my way of trying.
80. I have no family in Utah and it makes me feel lonely and sad.
81. I don’t understand what is so hard about potty training for a certain boy in our house (and it’s not Ric)
82. I have had 5 surgeries on my stomach and 1 broken arm from a motorcycle accident
83. I love to have my toenails painted and my nails done
84. I LOVE to be tan, but I'm scared of skin cancer.
85. I love the sun and want to live somewhere tropical.
86. I love facials, but can’t afford them.
87. I love to wear dresses and skirts with sandals in the summer.
88. I don’t like the weight I’ve gained over the past couple years and worry constantly that (due to certain circumstances) I will never be able to lose it.
89. Whoever invented SPANX is a GENIOUS!
90. I hate cowgirl references when I tell someone I’m from Wyoming.
91. I am harder on myself than anyone else could ever be.
92. My favorite sound in the world is the sound of RJ and Meggie playing together.
75. I am a Leo.
76. I am a huge fan of paint color decks and own one from every paint store in the valley. I absolutely love color and color combinations.
77. I want to become a better photographer and plan to take classes.
78. I am going to learn to play the Cello someday
79. I wish I had more confidence in myself and did not allow the fear of failing to stand in my way of trying.
80. I have no family in Utah and it makes me feel lonely and sad.
81. I don’t understand what is so hard about potty training for a certain boy in our house (and it’s not Ric)
82. I have had 5 surgeries on my stomach and 1 broken arm from a motorcycle accident
83. I love to have my toenails painted and my nails done
84. I LOVE to be tan, but I'm scared of skin cancer.
85. I love the sun and want to live somewhere tropical.
86. I love facials, but can’t afford them.
87. I love to wear dresses and skirts with sandals in the summer.
88. I don’t like the weight I’ve gained over the past couple years and worry constantly that (due to certain circumstances) I will never be able to lose it.
89. Whoever invented SPANX is a GENIOUS!
90. I hate cowgirl references when I tell someone I’m from Wyoming.
91. I am harder on myself than anyone else could ever be.
92. My favorite sound in the world is the sound of RJ and Meggie playing together.
93. My least favorite sound is RJ and Meggie fighting. UGH!
94. I want Ric’s brother’s to hurry up and get married and have kids so that my children will have some cousins before they go to college!!!!!
95. In Jr. High I requested a haircut like Michael Jackson’s and got it! It was not good.
96. I had a different pair of leg warmers and set of plastic beads for every outfit I owned in high school.
97. I still love the movies Weird Science, Breakfast Club, and Sixteen Candles….they just don’t make movies like they used to (or music, for that matter).
98. I had a HUGE crush on Andrew McCarthy and every member of Duran Duran in High School.
99. I don’t know what is so great about Denzel Washington.
100. I can’t wait for my sister to have her baby.
101. It took me a week to come up with this list. It’s not easy!
102. I’m grateful for my life and every single person in it!
Ok, Cori, Terilyn, Delia, Michael, Ric....it's your turn!!!!
Ok, Cori, Terilyn, Delia, Michael, Ric....it's your turn!!!!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
MJ and CJ from Randy's Wedding
Here is a photo from Randy& Jen's wedding day down in Key West. You can sort of see my belly but it has gotten much bigger since then. The wedding and reception took place out on the pier at sunset and was so beautiful. The bride thought to provide pashmina scarves and flip flops for all the ladies so I was in heaven. She's a genius in my book. The vacation we took down to KW was just what we needed for some r&r and sun. I was so pale that I am pretty sure I was transparent. Michael knows KW very well from all the years he spent going down there with his family so he took me to some really great restaurants. I will post more pictures as soon as we get them uploaded.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
The "Cookin' with RJ" Show
This is one of RJ's favorite things to do.....He does a "cooking show" while I video tape.
Dairy-free, Egg-free Pumpkin Pie
Holy Cow this is yummy! As you all know, recipes are a little tricky in this household, especially when it comes to deserts. Normally, I have several disapointing failures before I figure how to adjust a recipe to where it works out. Since discovering RJ's allergies four years ago, we have had no pumpkin pie during the holidays and, boy, have I missed it!! Tonight, I FINALLY made a successful recipe and it was SO GOOD! I decided to post this recipe for anyone needing a dairy-free, egg-free pumpkin pie recipe. Enjoy!!
2 cups pumpkin puree
3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 1/2 cups water
6 1/2 T. corn starch
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ginger
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients. Cook over medium heat until mixture begins to thicken, stirring constantly. Pour into pie crust. Bake 30 minutes or until firm.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Super Tuesday - Rock the Vote!
24 states are holding their primaries and caucases today. What an exciting day in our country!!
So I copied Deb and wrote a little ditty about Michael
His name: Michael Douglas Jones
How long have you been married?: A little over a year
How long did you date?: Almost 4 years. 2 years of that was long distance. Ew.
Who eats more?: Now that I'm preggo definitely me!
Who is taller?: Michael! He is 6'4"
Who sings better?: Definitely me! I am especially good at singing Phantom of the Opera songs. He's really good at dancing.
Who is smarter?: That's a loaded question and I'm awkward about it. Michael's brain is a sponge and he is so smart. I am a genius but I'm also very modest. Ha.
Whose temper is worse?: I have a shorter fuse than Michael. He's very calm and I love that about him.
Who does the laundry?: We both do the laundry. We disagree on how to organize the loads of laundry as we have recently discussed... :)
Who does the dishes and cooks?: Michael is an awesome cook and usually has amazing meals prepared when I get home from work so I do the dishes. I will cook on weekends.
Who pays the bills?: That is Michael's department.
Who mows the lawn?: We don't have a lawn but Michael waters the tomatoes and basil plant on the fire escape.
Who drives when you are together?: I don't have a drivers liscense but I still feel at liberty to sit in the passenger seat and point out all of the terrible drivers that we are surrounded by.
Who is more stubborn?: Definitely Burrito
Who is the first to admit when they are wrong?: We always discuss whatever issues we might have immediately so we don't let it get to that point.
Whose parents do you see the most?: We try to make it equal but Michael's parents are close by so we probably see them a touch more.
Who proposed?: Michael did and it was fantastic.
Who has more friends?: We both have a nice group of friends.
Who has more siblings?: I do, I have 2 older brothers and an older sister. Michael has 2 older brothers.
Who wears the pants in the family?: Burrito
How long have you been married?: A little over a year
How long did you date?: Almost 4 years. 2 years of that was long distance. Ew.
Who eats more?: Now that I'm preggo definitely me!
Who is taller?: Michael! He is 6'4"
Who sings better?: Definitely me! I am especially good at singing Phantom of the Opera songs. He's really good at dancing.
Who is smarter?: That's a loaded question and I'm awkward about it. Michael's brain is a sponge and he is so smart. I am a genius but I'm also very modest. Ha.
Whose temper is worse?: I have a shorter fuse than Michael. He's very calm and I love that about him.
Who does the laundry?: We both do the laundry. We disagree on how to organize the loads of laundry as we have recently discussed... :)
Who does the dishes and cooks?: Michael is an awesome cook and usually has amazing meals prepared when I get home from work so I do the dishes. I will cook on weekends.
Who pays the bills?: That is Michael's department.
Who mows the lawn?: We don't have a lawn but Michael waters the tomatoes and basil plant on the fire escape.
Who drives when you are together?: I don't have a drivers liscense but I still feel at liberty to sit in the passenger seat and point out all of the terrible drivers that we are surrounded by.
Who is more stubborn?: Definitely Burrito
Who is the first to admit when they are wrong?: We always discuss whatever issues we might have immediately so we don't let it get to that point.
Whose parents do you see the most?: We try to make it equal but Michael's parents are close by so we probably see them a touch more.
Who proposed?: Michael did and it was fantastic.
Who has more friends?: We both have a nice group of friends.
Who has more siblings?: I do, I have 2 older brothers and an older sister. Michael has 2 older brothers.
Who wears the pants in the family?: Burrito
Debbie thanks for letting me crash in on your blog, this is so much fun!
Mike Jonez and I in Key West for Randall Pink's wedding. This picture was taken the night of the rehearsal dinner. I ate my weight in shrimp and conch fritters and turned in early while Michael fully took on his duties as best man and kept Randy out until all hours...
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