PUMPKINS, BIRTHDAY BOY, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!

JACOB TURNS 8..........

THE CHEERLEADER AND THE PENGUIN.............

MY JACOB IS A VAMPIRE.................

CORPSE BRIDE: THIS IS THE CLOSEST SHE WILL GET TO "GIRLY GOTH".......DON'T ASK!!!

Goodbyes and Hellos!!!

Goodbyes......Well, we have lived in Syracuse for almost 3 years now and have made some really good friends. Sadly, we already had to say goodbye to the best neighbors we have had in a long time. The Anderson Family, right next door to us, has twin boys Jacob's age and then another son 11 months younger. Add them to the rest of the kids in the neighborhood and there was always a party at our house or next door. The Andersons moved to South Jordan at the beginning of October to be closer to their jobs and family. This was the first time my kids were old enough to understand what it means to have friends move away. I have never seen them cry so hard. Even the twins shed a few tears. We watched the 3 Anderson boys after school for the past year or so, so we got to know them quite well. They were a part of our family. I was about this age (9-10 yrs old like Mackenzie) when we moved from Bakersfield to Pleasanton. I don't remember how much I cried, but it was an impressionable age, and I kept in touch with 4-5 of my Bakersfield friends all the way through college. It's amazing how much friends mean to you even at that young of an age. I hope we always keep in touch with the Andersons.





And, Hello to Winter???? I hope not. I woke up to Snow last weekend. In my 12 years here in Utah, I have never seen snow before Halloween. I hope this is not a new trend starting, or this California girl is not going to be a happy Utah camper. Thankfully it was warmer this weekend. Please, let the snow take its time. I would like to enjoy the Fall for a little while longer.............

Mackenzie and the Twins' Choir Performance

Mackenzie's 10th was on the 10th

So, I am a little late at this post. A lot has been going on lately. The kids are off track for the next 3 weeks (we go to year round school), so I thought I would catch up on my blogging. Mackenzie had a friend party this year for her birthday. She chose a Rock Star theme. Are you surprised? This girl is all Rock Star. Somedays I think she really believes she is a famous Rock Star and I am her Manager. She sure bosses me around like one. Anyways, as usual our cake designer, JP, went all out and made a Guitar cake for her. She absolutely loved it. Who wouldn't?? And of course the girls received their own inflatable guitars, rock star tattoos, and rock star bracelets. They played high school musical sing a long on the playstation and sang some cheetah girls and hannah montana karaoke. I think they had a good time. It's always quite the production. Thank goodness we only do friend parties every other year. I have 2 years till the next one!!!

Mackenzie finally made it on the big screen!!!

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First Day Of School!!!

I know they started school a couple of weeks ago, (actually, Mackenzie and Jacob have been in school since the end of July), but things have been crazy around here. I can't believe my little ones are in preschool for one last year. THEN KINDERGARTEN!! AHHH!!! Why does the time fly by so fast? I found a preschool that would let me teach part time so that my twinners could go for FREE, cuz heaven for bid am I paying for preschool for 2. I barely wanted to pay for one when I had the chance. That is why I taught out of my home. FREE preschool. Kelsey and Kayley absolutely love school. They get to go 3 days a week but wish it was everyday. I am glad for the breaks when I can still play with them at home. They have become the neighborhood socialites. They ride their 2-wheelers up and down the street looking for friends. One day a neighbor down the street called to say they had knocked on her door and wanted to play with her daughter. I didn't even know this neighbor had a daughter their age. They ended up playing for an hour. They have no fear and will do just about anything (except the things I ask them to do). I am having such a great time with them at home. I don't know what I am going to do when they are ALL in school!!!! I definitely will take advantage of this year with them at home.

16+ Meals in ONE Day!!!

I have been struggling lately with ideas for dinners. Because of my lia sophia schedule, I can be gone 2-3 times a week at night. That leaves poor JP with 4 kids and dinner. If I am really good and on top of things I will have a crock pot dinner ready for them. But, that is a rare occasion. Or, I will buy one of those Betty Crocker Dinners in a box. Now, how good and nutritional is that?? I am sure my kids, including JP, are just dying for a great home cooked meal. No wonder they like Grandmas house so much. Pizza, pancakes and cereal only last so long at our house.

So, I saw this infommerical on TV one night. It was for 30 meals in One Day. Apparently they have this system that helps you shop for, cook and freeze 30 meals all in ONE day. YEAH RIGHT!!! I can barely cook ONE meal in ONE day. I decided to buy the book/cd and give it a try. My mom was interested too, so we dedicated one day to put all the meals together. NO, we did not make 30 meals in one day, but we did manage to make 16 meals. 8 for her family and 8 for my family. Plus the dinners made so much, we might have leftovers. My mom printed all the shopping lists and recipes and brought all the food to my house. What an adventure!!! It took us 5 hours. My kids thought we were crazy. I have never cooked so much in my life. We could barely stand by the 3rd hour. But, we had a great time talking and laughing at each other. Two old women in the kitchen can be quite the comedy. The dinners will be a welcome treat to my hubby and kids when I am gone. AND, it only cost us $100 for 16 meals. So, $50 each. Cool huh??? I might do this once a month to save money and to help JP out when I am out doing my jewelry parties. Bon Apetite!!!!

Here is all the food we bought (minus the 10 lbs of chicken already cooking)!!!!!!!



Here we are after 5 hours of cooking (with our Diet Cokes of course)!!!!!!