Laundry Day

Loads, and LOADS of good CLEAN fun. 

(Especially with my little helpers that like to sit on top of the dryer and spray the stains)

Newest Grandbaby

We had the pleasure of Mom and her new husband Barry coming to visit us this week. They got the pleasure of holding our newest addition- Ruth Anne. 

"I always loved a book"

In 1913, a ship arrives in Australia from London with a four-year-old girl travelling alone on board. She carries nothing but a small suitcase with a book of fairy tales inside, and she says she cannot remember her name. All she remembers is that a lady she calls The Authoress told her she would come back for her. In Brisbane, 2005, Cassandra inherits an old cottage in Cornwall from her recently deceased grandmother, a cottage of whose existence she had no idea. Her grandmother, Nell, was once the little girl on that ship. Cassandra follows her footsteps and travels to England to help solve the mystery of her past.

If you are looking for a novel to escape into this is the perfect one. Part history, part mystery, this is a lovely story weaving three generations of women together to discover their past and future. The book has the feel of magic without actually being  including any fantasy characters. Once I got into the story, it was hard to put down. Give yourself a treat and go pick it up today. 

A Friday Poem

 Pinky Ponky, The Shonky, Wonky, Bonky, Donkey

This is the story of Pinky Ponky.
Pinky Ponky was a donkey.
Pinky Ponky's tail was shonky.
Pinky Ponky's leg was wonky.
Pinky Ponky's brain was bonky.
And that's the story of 
Pinky Ponky, the shonky, wonky, bonky donkey.


 You can find this and other fine stories in The Cat On the Mat is Flat by Andy Griffiths

My super-sewing-sister Amber sent me this great slip cover for my camera strap this week. Late Christmas, early birthday, I'm not sure which. Isn't it darling? Now my camera will be better accessorized that I am most days. There's even a matching hair bow if I want to go ultra-cutsie. Thanks Amber!

And the winner is...

JODI with -17.8 lb


Alana -7.5
Jan -7.5
Janice -17 (Oh so close!)
Laura -7
Priscilla -4
Robbie -1
Sarah
Sonnet -5.5

Thanks for participating in my Biggest Loser challenge.If you want to know why you losing weight may be good for your loved ones click Here.  Read about the halo effect of changing your life style. Remember, even a modest weight loss of %5, has been shown to have significant health benefits. Happy Eating.  

* Jodie, email me where you want your gift certificate along with your home address and I'll mail it out to you. 25$ to a restaurant or store of your choosing. Congratulations!  


**P.S. I bought more storage space for this blog so I don't have to bother setting up a new one. 

AHHH I'M OUT OF SPACE

Apparently I'm out of space for my pictures on this blog so I'll be starting another one shortly. I'll get back to you on where the next blog is. Thanks for reading.

Nap time

This doesn't even look very comfortable but apparently it is a very soothing position for Ruth Anne. She falls asleep like this all the time. I've tried it on my lap before and it doesn't have quite the same effect for some reason. It's pretty cute though. Sweet dreams Chunkin.

Top of the Mornin' to ya

Lucky the Leprechaun strikes again

Leprechaun kisses on the head

David is giving his little sister her daily "Ruthie Ride".
He often asks to hold her and give her this daily treat

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May you have the luck o' the Irish with ya today. 

One Week Left- BL

Alana -7
Jan -7
Janice -15
Jodie - 16.2
Laura -5
Sarah 2.7
Sonnet -5
Priscilla

I saw this on Pintrest the other day and quite liked it:

A few of my favorite (baby) things

Wispy little eyelashes

These are a few of my favorite things ...

Dark gray-blue eyes that will inevitably turn hazel like my other three children

 

The soft brown hair behind her ears

Sunday Dinners

Tina: "Best out of two, best out of two"

One thing that I will sorely miss if we leave Utah is our Sunday dinners. It doesn't look like we will be leaving for at least another year though so I'll get to enjoy them for at least a little longer. Even though it's usually more work than I would like to spend on a Sunday meal, it's such a pleasure when it rolls around. Zach's sister Tina brings over his BYU niece and nephew, Tanner and Naomi (from different families) and we squish 8 people around our 6 person table and just have a good time. More often than not one of my small children are dozing off in their food, every one is chowing down and saying yum because they haven't eaten much all day, Tanner is teasing Tina,  and Tina is threatening Tanner with having to walk back home. After the kidos head off to bed its time for a game or two with the over 18 crowd. Hopefully this tradition will continue many more years to come. If we ever get a house, perhaps we'll be able to finally fit the Lindon Hutchins crew of 7 and they can join in the fun. Cheers!

Bossyboots

Meet Bossyboots. This is Mac. He is two years old. That means he likes to boss things around. If we had pets I'm sure he would boss them around, but we do not. The only thing smaller than him in this house right now is Ruthie so occasionally he tells her, "Rufie don't cry." Who gets the majority of his bossing? I do. " Mommy, don't sing," "Mommy, don't feed Rufie", "Mommy don't go." And my favorites, "Mommy, don't shake" (when he sees me dancing) and "Mommy, don't pray me" (when I'm holding him and my arms are folded over him). I think he just wants to feel like it's a two way relationship where I tell him what to do and he tells me what to do. Most of the time it just makes me laugh and I call him bossyboots. 

Love Notes

"Dear Mom You Make Good Food" by Gabe 5 1/2, just because

"Dear Dad I hope that you feel better soon" also by Gabe
Isn't he a sweet boy? True, he needs a little help on the spelling and keeping his letters going the right direction, but I wanted to keep these notes forever so here they are.  They are the first ones he's made on his own without being asked and without any help. Thank you Gabe, I treasure mine. 

Chunkin

She's 8 weeks old today. My how time flies when you are having fun. Ruthie's little cheeks are filling out so we like to call her chunkin. I made her put back on her fancy do-dads so mommy could take a picture of  her before she grows out of her blessing gown.

2 weeks left

Amber -1
Alana -7
Jan -7
Janice -13
Jodie - 14
Laura -5
Sarah
Sonnet -5
Robbie -5

Remember: you burn more calories sleeping than you do in front of a screen. When you are at rest at least your body is repairing and rebuilding. Sitting on your duff snacking mindlessly is the surest way to pack on the extra pounds.

Getting all dressed up

 Ok. So its a little fun dressing up a girl.

Richy Rich

This is Zach's illusive Connecticut brother who is running for Busiest Man of the Year award. Between the ten kids, traveling for Pfizer, and being stake president we're not quite sure if he actually sleeps at night. We were graced by his presence for one night on his stop-over trip from California. His BYU daughter, Naomi, horded him the other two nights. Selfish ;o) Good to see you Rich, come again soon and stay longer.

He boys just ate him up

Los Hermonos- can you see them trying to be the tallest?

" A smile is the window of the soul indicating the heart is home."

A Birthday Poem

This is a story
'Bout a girl named Cori
At first there was one,
And that was no fun
On a best friend search,
I met her at church.
A humorous gal
That's why she's my pal
High school was rock'n
In college, no stop'n
Roommates and buddies
Always dance'n and bop'n
But in love she was fall'n
And now she's a Wallin
A personal touch,
'Cause I like her so much
Just wanted to say
Happy Birthday!!!

It's all the same

Nice cozy blanket, bathroom rug- it's all the same

Soft toddler mattress, hard tile floor- its all the same

10 am, 2 pm- its all the same

Mac stayed home from Church on Sunday because of an ear infection/cold that will just not clear up. For some reason they don't like these little germ incubators to go to nursery if they are sick- can't imagine why. Zach stayed home with him and when he stepped out of the shower this is what he found. A very sweet and sick two year old catching up on some much needed rest.

BL Week 5

Amber -1
Alana -6
Jan -6
Janice -11
Jodie -11.2  (New Leader)
Laura -3
Priscilla -4
Sarah
Sonnet -4.5
Robbie

Get Moving. That's my tip of the week. It is recommended that people who want to lose weight should try to exercise 60 minutes a day most days of the week. That's a lot so work up to it. Remember, the best kind of exercise is the one that you will do!