The Lego King

The countdown has been killing Justice. He has been looking forward to his birthday for the last 6 months! What a crazy boy. He wanted a Lego Birthday party. Hmmm...sounds fun!

So we made a chocolate cake and decorated it with his name in Lego's. He totally loved it. He was spoiled as usual with clothes, tons of lego's, Wii games and board games, and 3D chalk that he can't wait to use on the driveway.

Took the friends skating and they all had a blast. Justice wore his birthday crown & felt like a king! They announced his birthday on the loudspeaker. He was beaming from ear to ear. Later he wanted me to help him request a song. So of all the songs in the world to pick, he chose...All the Single Ladies by Beyonce. I had to laugh. But that is so him. It didn't come on for quite a while and he was getting upset about it. So when it finally did come on...he was off like a shot, skating and smiling! Happy Birthday Justice!




Most of these pictures turned out crappy due to lighting & motion...but, better than none I guess.

Date Night

Montana's Activity Days Group sponsored a date night. Her date (AKA Grampa Dave)was her escort for the evening. He came to pick her up & had a coursage for her and everything. It brought a tear to my eye...so sweet! They had dinner, pictures, & games at the church. It was a fall/farm theme and they dressed accordingly. From what I have heard, the guys had to do the girls hair and make-up. Tana said she looked like Cindy Lu Who from the Grinch. Then the girls shaved the guys with shaving cream & a tongue depresser turned sideway. Grampa said she started out being careful & then went to whackin' his nose and lips. haha. Sounds like they had fun.


Sierra had her Sadie Hawkins dance at school the same night. The theme was "Beauty & the Geek". They had shirts made that said "I'm with the Geek" and "I'm with the Beauty" and arrows pointing to the other person. I thought that was cute! The girls wore glasses with the lenses out & the guys wore tiaras?? OK?? Anyhoo...her and a bunch of her friends went together in a big group. Movie (Blind Side), Take-Out from Olive Garden at one of the girls houses (they had a room all decorated for Sadies), The Dance, and an afterparty at her dad's complete with Chocolate Fondue & a movie. She really wanted to go with Mark but he is not allowed to "date" until next year. So she went with another kid who took TWO WEEKS to answer her. She was really PO'd at him by the time he finally answered her, which was only a couple of days before the dance. Lame-o! Then he found out that she didn't "like" him, that he was just a friend date. Apparently, he is really into her and had his feelings hurt. So I guess the date was awkward...but they still had fun with everyone else in the group. Still waiting for pics from her. Will post soon I hope!

Waiting, waiting, waitng!!

I was heading out to meet Eric to drop off the kids for the weekend & we got stuck in traffic for literally TWO HOURS!! There was an 8 car pile up & it took them forever to clear it out. We were just parked there. Everyone was out of their cars socializing and roaming around. I let the kids sit on the hood of the car for a while just for kicks. It was one of those experiences where there is literally nothing to do but wait. So we had some good conversation & laughs. Then the traffic FINALLY got moving again & it felt weird to be going 65 MPH again.

Sierra's dance team performed at the Jazz Game Halftime, which means we had our annual Downtown Day!! So I checked the kids out of school early & we headed out. We were able to go down to the floor with the team for rehearsal and so I got some great close-up pics for a change. We had fun waiting around, roaming the tunnels & sitting in the LEXUS CLUB seats way down in front. After practice we roamed the city a bit and then we met Mom & Dad for dinner before the game. Eric picked the little kids up & then the adults went and enjoyed a FANTASTIC game! It was a really fun day!

Hair & Teeth

It's been an eventful couple of days! My friend Diane asked if I would put highlights in her hair. I was a willing hairdresser although I have never done it before. I asked her if she would put some in Montana's hair also because she has been wanting them for a really long time. So we were entrenched in bleach, fumes, dyes, and hair for a couple of hours. Once Tana had her hair done, Justice really wanted his done too. I was leery, but we did it. They both turned out so cute. And Di turned out as well...thank goodness!! I was nervous! It's always fun to learn a new skill! Sierra found out that she can start a cosmetology license through school next year. By the time she graduates she will have her official license to style!!! She is pretty excited about that! I told her that learning a skill like that is fantastic because you can take it with you wherever you go...whether you work for yourself or someone else...and everyone needs their hair done-especially me!!




Then later last night Tana told me that her tooth was loose. Tana has a track record of 24 hours from a tooth being loose to actually being out of her head. I don't know what the deal is, but it is weird. So today after school she was crying about it hurting her, pulled on it a couple of times, and WHAM!! It was out! Maybe she has a high threshold for pain?? I think she only has 3 more baby teeth and then we can think about braces- ugh!!

Justice is a poet...and we didn't know it!

I received a phone call a few days ago notifying me that Justice had won 2nd place in the Literature division of the Reflections contest at school for the 2nd grade. I was very surprised because I didn't know that he had even entered. Apparently his whole class submitted individual poems & his was chosen as a winner. They had an awards assembly today to honor the winners. He was beaming with pride! The theme was "Beauty Is..."

Beauty Is....
by Justice Nugent

Beauty is a walk in the park.
Listening to the birds.
Swinging with the wind in your face.
Being pulled by your dog.
Watching the sunset.





We are so proud of you buddy!!

So you think you can dance!!

Our FAVORITE TV show came to life for us on the stage of the E-Center! We bought tickets several months ago and patiently waiting for the day! It was dancing heaven. Absolutely talented guys & gals wowed us for the evening! We had the time of our lives...except Justice fell asleep in the 2nd Act. With all of us screaming girls I have no idea how that was possible. In his defense...it was waaaay past his bedtime! Can't wait for next year!!! These pics aren't the greatest, and I took way too many, but they capture the excitement of the event & the memories we want to save!

Funny Word of the Day

Montana told me that "Hanakuhns" don't celebrate Christmas.

I explained to her that Hanakuh is a holiday, not a people. HAHA

So to make my point I told her that "Christmasans" don't celebrate Hanakuh. We had a pretty good belly laugh.

A few of our favorite things

We each have our totally favorite things that make us smile & feel good. I thought I would note a few of our favorite things at this point in time, because it most certainly won't be the same list 5 or 10 years from now!!

Sierra-
Loves: driving, sleeping, dancing, texting, spaghetti(actually any pasta dish), garlic bread, red bull, rap music, & although she wouldn't admit it...hanging out with her brother and sister.
Hates: cleaning, complainers, haters, all green vegetables, mushrooms, mexican food, & sleeping in her bed.

Montana-
Loves: Food...except vegetables, being with friends, talking on the phone & texting, school, doing her own hair, sneaking make-up application, reading, singing & dancing, tv, skinny jeans, popcorn, & hot cheetos.
Hates: when mom does her hair, when Justice complains or cries, change of plans, sleeping alone when Sierra is gone, anything scary or startling, redoing anything (like chores or homework)& sleeping without a tv on.

Justice-
Loves: bread (alone & made in any type of recipe), apples, mom's tuna casserole & french toast, dancing & singing, school, rearranging his furniture, art projects, any toy with wheels, Star Wars, board games, card games, & earning money.
Hates: waking up, taking a bath, cleaning his ears, being told no, homework, running out of time, & when Montana complains or cries

Mom-
Loves: sleeping, blogging, dating, being home with the whole family, good movies, good books, saving money (w/coupons especially), my job, hanging out with friends.
Hates: complainers, driving, when my kids are away, junk mail, phone sales pitches, waking up, a messy house, doing laundry.

As a Family-
Love: Blowing raspberries on bellies, tickling & teasing each other,eating dinner together, watching movies together, washing the car, doing chores (we groan the whole time- but it's nice when it's done, and we all enjoy the house being clean), singing in the car, watching our favorite TV shows (Jon & Kate, 18 kids, paranormal state, SYTYCD, America's Funniest Videos), going to Grama & Grampa's
Hate: When someone is ornery, being late, when mom has to work, doing laundry, vacuuming dog hair off the couch, doggie duty in general,& being rushed!

<3 is a home & family to share it with!

Halloween Hootenanny

Our fun filled week is coming to an end. :-(

Wednesday was our annual Pennies by Inch Drive for the Primary kids. They dress up in their Halloween costumes, and we go door to door thru the neighborhood in groups asking for Donations for Primary Children's Hospital. It is always a huge success. After is the ward party, complete with Chili Cook-off and spook alley/activities for the kids. Face painting, cake walk, fishing pond, games, and of course the spook alley that justice went thru several times. Montana looked in, but didn't go thru. Fun was had by all...and I am tracking down the recipe for the White Bean Chicken Chili, it was absolutely delicious!

Thursday was the costume parade at school. They fly by in a matter of seconds. But it's always fun to see everyones costumes. And the smiles on my kids faces! I was surprised that Justice was the ONLY Harry Potter this year...and sooooo cute in those glasses! Montana looked adorable. Her costume evolved a bit as the days went, added a turtle neck, new boots...and she was the cutest.

Friday the kids were out of school. J & M were with their dad, but Sierra and I enjoyed the day just being TOTALLY LAZY. Literally, we slept, ate, & watched TV. Then she was off to a costume party & slept over at her friend Tiffany's. She looked so adorable in her costume! It turned out even cuter than I thought it would.

Saturday Sierra and I went to see Paranormal Activity. Advertised to be the scariest movie of all time. I thought it was a total let down . It was good, and suspenseful, but only scary for the last 5 seconds of the show. We had a good time. It was fun to watch Sierra plug her ears almost the entire movie...waiting for me to scream!! Hahaha. Then Justice & Tana came over for the evening. We made cookies, and decorated pumpkins. We headed out for trick or treating around the neighborhood. GREAT WEATHER. Such a nice change from the usual frigid cold we usually have this time of year. Justice was having a blast, but Montana has apparently decided she is too old for this nonsense. She was a bit of a stinker the whole time & mostly stood by my side and didn't even bother going to the door. She had half a bucket of candy already so I didn't push the issue. We took Roxy around with us and just enjoyed seeing the kids and neighbors. Sierra went off with her friends and hung out for the night. I had to work that night so I decided to take the kids to work with me for a bit and show them around the station. I was showing J & M how the cameras work and how they do the weather. And then the Technical director asked if I would like to run a tape with some funny green screen stuff. Of course, I said yes. So we have a dvd of the kids goofing around with a dancing chicken ( a man in a suit) The kids are working the camera & taking turns at the screen. It was really a fun time for them. I was hoping to show them how we do a newscast, but the baseball game was running long and it looked like we weren't going to end up doing news at all that night...so I had Eric come pick them up. A fantastically fun night!


Kids on our deck in the awesome weather!


Doin' the news!


A pro already!