It's not often you see...

Norm and Cole are gone to an overnight Scout Camp.  It's just me and the girls.  We talked about a few options of what to do on girls-night.  Go to the dollar movie, grab a bite to eat, get a Redbox and stay home and pop popcorn.  The girls didn't want to go to a movie.  They were playing so good together with their babies they didn't want to leave.  There was not a movie to rent from Redbox.  So we were left with grabbing a bite to eat.  We are lovers of the "choose three things off the dollar menu"  Our whole family can eat for $15!  So the girls started coaxing me to take them to a restaurant that doesn't have a drive up. They really wanted Olive Garden.  It's Friday night and we didn't feel like fighting a crowd so I convinced them to go to Pizza Factory.  We love their twisty breadsticks that they serve on a a stick.  You can choose your own pasta and your own sauce so we were in carb heaven.  I did have a salad, but there were plenty of croutons. 

The funny part of this story happened on the way there.  We had to drop some movies (that were late) at the library on 13th East.  Since we were that far east I decided to mosey along the side streets and avoid the rush hour free way traffic.  We traveled mostly down 9th east.  So we are sitting at a stop light and out of the corner of my eye I see a bright yellow vehicle.  Maddy says, "It's not often you see a cab and a guy with a pink phone."  I turned to look and sure enough, there was a cab, a Suburban cab, no less, with the driver, a guy, talking on a pink cell phone.  So, I agreed with her that it is not that often you see a cab and a guy with a pink phone.  I am sure in big cities, maybe New York or LA, this might be a more common occurrence, but here in good ol' Sandy, Utah, we just don't see that that often!

Funnies...heehee and a Funley

I have been meeting to capture this memory for quite sometime.  Sometime after moving in with my parents in April 2009 Tenley became addicted to the funnies.  She was obsessed with reading them with breakfast and lunch.  We put the kabosh on her reading them at dinner so we could have some good quality family time, but she would read them at dinner too.  She likes to linger while she eats and reads.  I can relate, as I quite enjoy a bagel (no diet coke for me anymore) with a crossword in the morning.  When we knew we were moving out we kept asking her how she was going to function without the funnies?!?  She started stockpiling them to take them to the new house.  We keep a manilla folder labeled "FUNNIES"  on the computer desk and she pulls it out at every meal and reads and rereads her funnies.  Grandma is so thoughtful and sets them aside for her so when we see her Tenley gets a new stack.  It's like Christmas!  The funny thing is is that she never laughs.  I will have to notice if I even see her smile.  She just goes into this zone and reads.  We always ask her if she gets the jokes and she says sometimes, but she just loves those funnies.

Baby Blues is one of her favorites

Herein lies the Funley... we have a new dog (I guess I need to do another post). Her name is Betty and we have been taking her on walks every night to exercise her and us.  One night I did not go and Tenley came home and said "Mom, while we were walking Betty, I saw newspapers in other peoples driveways!  Did you know we can get the paper here?"  All the way in Sandy, huh... I didn't know. It's a long way from West Jordan.  I think she must have thought that only Grandma's neighborhood gets the paper.  I don't know, but I cracked up.  I told her we would just keep getting the funnies from Grandma.  I don't like getting the paper.  Half the time we don't read it, we throw it away... I guess the funnies would get dug out but that is a lot of money and a lot of wasted paper just for funnies.  But it is funny...hee hee

Downtown.. fun in our own backyard

So, how is it that you live in a place your whole life and we don't experience all the sights and entertainment our city has to offer?!?!  We always want to run off somewhere else, yes I have been itching to go to Disneyland again, but I must say that we made two trips to downtown Salt Lake on Tuesday and it was so nice!  In the morning we did the Temple Square/Visitor Center scene.  We are speaking in church on Sunday on Temples so we thought it would be appropriate to take a visit.  With all the neat resources, visuals, art work, etc... I am ashamed to say that it had been a year since we had been there with our family!  There was a really neat display of the Salt Lake Temple that had the side cut out so you could see what the inside looks like.  It had all the tiny furniture and everything.. Funny story...  There was a lady looking at the display, she was not a member of the church, and I know this because of the questions she was asking the sister missionary... like "Why are there cattle in the basement?"  Sister missionary "That is the baptismal font and they are symbolic of the twelve tribes of Israel."  Good answer, I thought, but I also thought she should have clarified that they were oxen.  The lady then said, "Oh, they are statues?"  The sister missionary, speaking over her giggling, "Yes, they are statues, they are not real cattle."  I chuckled to myself thinking of how odd, and smelly, that would be to have twelve live oxen under the baptismal font.  The kids loved seeing what the inside of the temple looked like.  I did not know that the four corner spires were spiral staircases.  So I learned something new, among other things.  I always enjoy seeing the beautiful gardens and the different plants and flowers they have.  We took some pictures so hopefully we could replicate some of the looks in our struggling flower beds at home.  We will see how that goes..

We didn't have much time since we had hair appointments to get to so we rushed a little. But, all the more reason to go back sooner than later.  It definitely won't be a year before we head back.  The kids love going and as long as they are excited about going there we should be going!

While we were walking back to the car we were crossing the grounds of the conference center and I saw a poster about the concerts in the park.  Apparently on Tuesdays and Friday nights during June, July, and August they do free concerts at the Brigham Young Historic Park.  I wish we would have discovered this earlier in the summer.  When I saw that the concert that night was a bagpipe band I knew I had to call my Mom and Dad.  My Dad is in love with bagpipes.  He always says he wants them at his funeral, which as I have been thinking lately, that he won't really enjoy them there so we should go see them as much as possible while he is still here!  So, we pulled off a last minute plan and met at Winco at 6:45.  Grandma and Grandpa hopped in our minivan and we headed downtown.  We parked next to City Creek park which was a beautiful little park with the creek running through it, bridges over the creek and huge shade trees.  We enjoyed walking through this park on our way to the Brigham Young Historic Park.  It was pretty full when we got there but we found a spot, set up our chairs and laid out a blanket.  The kids played Go Fish and Old Maid while we were waiting.

As the concert started and the pipe & drum band marched in it was so exciting.  They played for about an hour and it was amazing to listen to.  If you didn't notice I said listen and not see.  They don't have a good stage just one row of risers so we couldn't see anything except the drummers from the waist up.  So, what we could see, was the girl drummers that twirl and spin their fluffy drumming instruments in unison.  I know that is not any of the correct terminology but I don't know how else to describe it.  Their precision and synchronization was amazing.  Tenley was very sad that we couldn't see the dancers.  I learned something else new at the concert... that the hymn "Praise to the Man" is from a Scottish tune called "Scotland the Brave"  It was very cool to hear in with the drums and pipes.  As we walked out I couldn't resist trying to get a picture even though 1300 people were trying to stream out of this little park... hee hee gotta love a blogging mom!

10 minute miracle

When Norm and I met with Bishop Swallow of our new ward I noticed he had a while pillow with "Ten Minute Miracle" stitched on it sitting on her desk.  I wondered what it was but luckily he brought it up so I didn't have to ask.  He shared his testimony with us about the youth, but I strongly feel it applies to all of us.  He said that he knows that if we can get our youth to spend ten minutes in their scriptures and in prayer each morning that a Ten minute miracle will be performed.  That ten minutes will protect them and strengthen them and guard them from the evils of the world.  They will have their testimonites strengthened and will then have the strength to withstand temptation.  Ten minutes, who doesn't have ten minutes.  We had a family night about this last week.  We decided to read the Book of Mormon, three pages a day to finish it all the way through in about six months.  So, we will finish in January.  Sometimes we have read together, like at the cabin when it was 11:00 at night, I would read outloud to the kids in bed.  Sometimes we read on our own.  I hope we can develop a daily reading habit and that we can experience the ten minute miracle in our home and individually.

Home for a while

July was a totally crazy month for us.  I think I may have already posted about this but since it was so crazy I forgot.  Our last adventure for July was a trip up to Bear Lake.  Me and the kids left Thursday afternoon and arrived in Bear Lake about 5:30.  We waited for Grandma and Adrienne to show up and had dinner.  We drove through rain most of the way and it poured rain most of the evening at the cabin.  It was very windy and there was some thunder and lightning.  We decided to watch movies and do pedicures.  Since Cole was the lone boy that night he watched Get Smart on Adrienne's laptop while the girls watched Steel Magnolias and did pedicures upstairs.  Smart move Cole... I love Steel Magnolias, but it is the epitome of chick flicks!  I was surprised the girls watched it and said they liked it.  It is definately an old school PG movie... lots of the minor swear words and I totally forgot about the football locker scene.  Lots of naked rear ends!  Not just a flash of one either, the scene goes on for several minutes and the whole football team is just walking around.  Adrienne brought up her little massaging foot bath so she gave us all a mini pedicure.  Friday we just hung around the cabin.  Lauren and Tanner and Bridget came about lunch time.  We played Foosball and Ping Pong, did our crossword with our bagels.  Kam, Brandy and Grandpa came about 7:00.  We bbq Bruschetta chicken for dinner.  We decided to watch a movie that night again and by the time we got the kids watching their own movie up stairs and all the adults finally sat down on the couch in the basement it was nearly 10:00.  We were into our movie about twenty minutes and the power went out.  We had to use our cell phones for a little light.  I went upstairs to rescue the girls and we all just went to bed.  Grandma had two flashlights so that was helpful.  The power stayed off all night long until about noon the next day.  We sealed all the logs inside the cabin in the morning.  Kam cooked us a breakfast, good thing for gas stoves, before we got to work. He makes the best hashbrowns.  I think it might have to do with the amount of bacon grease he cooks them in.  It tooks us about three hours to seal all the logs.  It looks so much better and we all wondered why it had taken us four years to get that project done.  We hashed and rehashed about taking the boat out on the lake that afternoon.  According to the weather forecast is was supposed to be crappy weather all weekend so we didn't want to get down to the lake and have to pack up twenty minutes later like we usually do.  After an hour or so we decided to just go down to the beach, take a few snacks and our towels so that if we had to pack up it wasn't that big of a deal.  Well, with eleven people, eleven chairs, eleven towels, beach tows, a stroller, one small coller for drinks and four beach bags we still had a lot of crap!  We didn't take the shade tarp but we took everything else.  Grandma and Adrienne drove a four wheeler down and we packed eight people in Lauren and Tanners Pathfinder.  Tanner drove, Lauren and Tenely sat in the other front seat.  Cole and Maddy behing Tanner, Bridget in the middle and Brandy and I were behind Lauren.  It is a two minute drive from the cabin and you needed four wheel drive and we didn't want to make trips so we piled in.  We left the other four wheeler there for Kam and Grandpa, which wasn't the best idea, but they were working in the boat and we didn't want to wait anymore.  After we got set up on the beach grandma took the other four wheeler back so they wouldn't have to double up.  When she got there the boat was gone.  Apparently there was some more hashing and rehasing.  But the weather turned out great and we stayed out until 5:30!  Brandy and I rode the tube together and then Lauren went.  I have been so sore after tubing.  Apparently I need to do some more bicep curls!  We played 500 out in the water and we all need to work on our catching skills.  We had so much fun. I love a good beach day.  We BBQ hamburgers and had corn on the cob and baked beans that night.  We ate out on the deck and it was perfect weather.  Not that we are complaining but it was the complete opposite of the forecast.  We played password and blurt.  Love a good game of password.  We always have good laughs when we play that.  This time the joke was Panda Plant.  The password was bamboo so I gave the clue Panda to Lauren.  Adrienne gave the clue plant to Mom.  She kept saying panda plant and we were all imagining her imagine a black and white plant.  Well, she didn't guess it so I sait Eat to Lauren and she guessed correctly... Bamboo.  So if you want a really cool plant in your yard go to a nursery and ask for that Panda plant.  hee hee...  We were all so tired that we cut games off at 10:30.  We wanted to get to bed early since we were leaving in the morning to get back for church.  It was after 11 before we turned off the lights and 7:30 came too quickly.  We made it home about 11, unloaded, showered and headed off to church. 

Tea for Two

The library is a magical place where you can learn about any topic in the universe.  Our typical visit to the library usually involves Cole finding about ten books that will last him seven days.  Both Maddy and Tenley usually find three to four chapter books and head straight to the non-fiction animal section.  Our library bag consists of information on how to train a horse, how to give a dog a bath and how to choose the best parakeet for your family.  Our kids have lived vicariously through library books in the pet department.  Well, one day, we had a fresh new surprise in the library collection... princess tea party books.  Madison and Tenley each found a cook book with fun little foods for a great tea party.  They started making lists: menus, shopping, activities, etc...  When I saw how simple the recipes were and that we had most of the ingredients I happily consented to helping them carry out their tea party activity... I was MOM of the DAY for saying YES!  I kept waiting for them to ask how many friends they could invite, but they never did.  They were perfectly content enjoying each others company.  I was tickled pink knowing that they were so excited to do this together, just the two of them.  We planned to do it on a Saturday afternoon at 11:00.  We spent Friday making the foods that could be made ahead.  The girls picked out their outfits and were anxiously awaiting Saturday morning to come around.  The sun came up and so did the girls.  They began setting the table, using some of Great Grandma Slack's old tea-cups for decoration.  They found a fancy table runner and picked fresh flowers in Grandpa's back yard.  They dashed downstairs to put on their tea-party dresses and sandals.  I finished up the last minute food and they met in the piano room promptly at 11:00.

They looked perfectly adorable for a tea party and they were practicing their very best manners.

They each picked three items to make and I will let the pictures speak for themselves:

These are their desserts: Fairy Forest Mushroom Cupcakes, Fairy Mints and Heart Shortbread.

Their lunch time finger foods were ham and cheese circle biscuits and Bacon & Parmesan Crescent Roll ups.  We made a delicious smoothie with berries and bananas.

It really was a fantastic little tea party.  They were so excited and it was a fun afternoon for two sisters who are truly best of friends.

So much to say, So little time (not really)

It's been a little over a month since I have documented anything that has happened in the Warren family and ALOT has happened!

On June 18th, one of Madison's friends, Emily, had a going-away party for her.  They took pictures of each other, printed them out on their computer, made scrapbooks, had pizza and I am sure there was lots of giggling.  I am amazed at how quickly kids can make "good" friends.  We were at my parent's for a little over a year and Madison had made some really good, close friends.  I haven't made any good close friends for years.  Sheesh, what is wrong with me. 

The following week and a half I spent painting with Shelley.  I helped her finish a room at her house and then we had a faux painting job at a ladies house in her neighborhood.  I enjoy painting. I enjoy getting paid.  I miss my kids while I am away all day and I do not like trying to copy Shelley's technique.  I can faux and make it look good but getting it to look like Shelley's artistic work is impossible.

We wanted to see some fireworks since we were going to be at the cabin for the 4th so we headed on over to Taylorsville Dayzz on Friday.  We brought Subways, our camp chairs and ate at the park while we listened to Imagine - a Beatles copycat group.  They were pretty good and it was fun to be outside and listen to the music.  The fireworks after were amazing.  They lasted a good 20-25 minutes and had great music to go along with them.

Airbrush Tattoos were the item of choice for all of the kids

Cole getting ready at Gateway

This week was also Cole's last week of early morning Orchestra practice.  He had a concert Monday night at a park in Magna.  Tuesday they performed at the Gateway plaza by the fountain.  Grandma, Lindsay, Ryder, Ruby, Madison, Tenley and I all watched together.  Their last performance was at the Salt Lake Library outdoor plaza. Norm and I were able to meet there to watch Cole play.  All the concerts were outside and it was hot.  The day at the Gateway we had clouds to keep us "shaded".  At the library, the girl sitting next to Cole almost passed out! Technically it was a symphony since there were strings and brass and percussion.  They played extremely well and it was very enjoyable listening to them.  I was very proud of Cole for his desire and determination to participate in this symphony. He auditioned back in May and practices started the first Monday after their last day of school and went for three weeks.  We had to get him to the Junior high at 6:10 every morning.  He got himself up at 5- something and Norm or I set our alarms at six, rolled out of bed, dropped him off and came home and went back to bed.  He would get home a little after ten every day.  It was a great experience for him and I am glad he had the opportunity to participate.

That weekend was the 4th of July.  The girls went up to the cabin with my Mom on Thursday July 1st.  Norm, Cole and I stayed and drove up on Saturday afternoon.  Cole had his Granite Junior Youth Symphony day at lagoon on Friday and he was NOT missing that!  Norm also had to work until Saturday afternoon.  We made it up to Bear Lake on Saturday just in time for dinner.  We took a 60 mile four-wheeler/ranger/rzr ride up Fish Haven Canyon on Sunday.  We took a picnic lunch and were gone for about 7 hours.  It was a really fun day but we had about an inch of dust on us when we got back to the cabin. Norm left early Monday morning to head back to work and the kids and I stayed until Tuesday morning.

Tuesday begins our moving saga...The girls rode with Grandma and Grandpa in the truck (Riley's truck with their boat).  Cole, adrienne and I rode in Grandma's Murano with their empty four wheeler trailer through Logan canyon.  We met Norm in Brigham city and aDrienne drove Norm's montero back to SL.  Norm, Cole and I headed straight up to IF to load the U-hauls, yes it's plural, we had two.  We met at the storage unit with our two trucks and Bill Donnelly cam to help.  About an hour later Steve Miller and another YM leader and two teacher boys showed up to help too.  Luckily could just back the trucks up to the storage unit.  We were done by about 8:30. We stopped for gas, ran by Norm's parents so say hello and drop one U-haul and Cole off.  Norm and I left, he driving a truck and I driving, my Mom's car with the trailer.  We got back to SL after one and crashed. We were exhausted.  Cole stayed in IF to ride down in the truck with Papa on wednesday afternoon.  We got over to our new house and about 4:30 Norm and Taylor started unloading the first truck.  Between the hours of 6:00 and 7:00 we accumulated about 15-20 people from our new ward to help so we emptied both trucks by about 8:30.  We got our bed set up and settled just enough so that we could sleep that night.  The girls slept in sleeping bags and Cole went back to Grandma and Grandpas to stay.  He had to be to youth Conference at 7am on Thursday.

Adrienne came over and helped me unpack the kitchen Thursday morning and I couldn't have done it without her.  I have limited cupboard space so I was very nervous about finding places for everything to go but we did it.  Cole was off to youth conference so it was me and the girls around to unpack for a few days.  The girls worked on unpacking boxes in their rooms.  You would have thought it was Christmas.  They were running back and forth between each other's rooms yelling "Look what I found".  It was adorable listening to them. Oh, to be kids again.  Needless to say, I was not that excited looking at the heaps and mounds of boxes I had to maneuver through.