Tiana Doll

I am looking for the "just One Kiss" Tiana Princess Doll for Syndey's birthday on January 2nd. Everywhere is sold out even on line. If any of you find it will you please let me know. Or pick it up and I will pay you for it. It runs anywhere from $25 to $30. Thanks so much. This is the ONLY thing she is asking for, for her birthday so I really want to get it for her.

Family Christmas Party

We had our Rhodes family Christmas Party on Saturday night at the church. All day long Sydney was very worried about Santa coming. She is terrified of him. She had her Christmas list that she wanted me to give to him, but I told her no (I'm a mean mom). I told her that in order to get her present from him, she had to go up there and at least stand by him to get it and she could then give him her Christmas list. So when he came she of course flipped out but she calmed down when she seen everyone going up there was ok with sitting on his lap. So when they called her name she went up there and gave him her Christmas list. Then the next thing you know she is up on his lap. She came back and informed up that she is no longer afraid of Santa and Josi took a picture to prove it. Thank goodness. But now Shelby is so we have to start all over again. Preston could have cared less about him, he didn't mind sitting on his lap at all.

Family Pictures.

We had a family friend take our pictures finally (now that Preston is almost 10 months).

Shelby, Sydney, & Preston

Shelby, Preston, Sydney, Hudson

Reiley, Cassie, Preston, Me, Shaun, Sydney, Shelby Husdon, Jeremyiah, Angie

Shaun & Me

2009 Calendar

Click here to view these pictures larger

Halloween

Well, I am finally getting out Halloween pictures posted. I wish Halloween was on Saturday every year. It was so nice to not have to rush home from work and school to hurry and get ready to go trick or treating. We left early enough that we were able to go to all of our friends and then on to our families. We were able to stay a visit awhile. It was nice not to have to rush. Sydney was Snow White, Shelby was a cat, and Preston was a cow. Sydney wasn't too happy that I wouldn't spray paint her hair black.

For my dads birthday the girls decorated pumpkins and took them up to grave. I can't believe that is has almost been 2 years since he passed away.

NASA Ares Shuttle a Sucess

NASA had a successful test launch of their Ares Shuttle yesterday. They want to replace the current space shuttle with the ares. A totally different look. Hopefully the current presidency doesn't put a cobosh on it like they are thinking. They want to pay the Russians to take us up to space. Anyway here are some neat pictures of hopefully our future.

Ares on it's way

Picture of the current Space Shuttle (background) and the new Ares Shuttle (foreground)

PLEASE Vote for my Kids

I entered my kids into the Gap Photo contest to win a Gap photo shoot and a resort vacation. I would really appreciate it if you would go and vote for my kiddos. I have one in each category so you can vote for all 3 and you can vote once a day. So the more you vote the more chances we have to win. Please spread the word if you can, thanks so much. Here is the link http://family.go.com/gapcastingcall/?cmp=OTC-Gap-Vanity it is in the lower left hand corner of the web page. Here is their pictures and ID numbers so you can do a search for them to make it easier. THANK YOU SO MUCH!! It would be so fun to win, or at least see how many votes we can get. You never know if you don't try!!

Sydney W.

ID: 656166045

Shelby W.

ID: 106166866

Preston W.
ID 446166191

Bountiful Baskets

Bountiful Baskets starts this Saturday in Garland. Pick up time is 9:45 am at the storage units across from the Garland Grade School (310 North Main). Go to Bountifulbaskets.org to find out more information. You do have to purchase your basket online at their website to get produce on Saturday. You have from Tuesday morning until Wednesday night at 10 pm. Also, if you would like to volunteer on Saturday to help distribute produce show up an hour early. Hope to see you there. Let me know if you have any questions or need help. What a way to save money and eat healthy! Please pass along to people and let them know. It does go year round to.

Free Night at the Theater!

Don't you just love going to the theater? Well, now you can for free! Free Night of Theater.net is giving away over 75,000 free tickets in more than 120 cities. Check out the schedule by selecting your state http://www.freenightoftheater.net/index.cfm

The Following are the ones available for Utah and are on 10/15/09 at 7:30 pm except as listed:
Master Class: Salt Lake Acting Company - 10/13/09
Radio Hour- Alice: Plan B Theater- Salt Lake City
School House Rock Live!: The Grand Theatre- SLC
Sister Dottie S. Dixon- Second Helpings- SLC
The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged)- Cedar City
The Tell-Tale Heart and Lost Boys- Covey Center in Provo

All tickets will be available starting 10/1/09 at 11:00 am for the Utah locations. You will want to do this right as they become available if you want to go. I imagine that the tickets will go fast.

TONS &TONS OF PHOTOS & CATCHING UP

I have been slacking on posting photos so here are a ton from the last 2 months. I have put them if a few different posts, so just keep scrolling.

Preston, loves the tub, just like the girls did. Hes is 7 months now and is rolling all over the place. He has started to get up on his hands and knees the last couple of days so I am sure it won't be too long before he is crawling and getting into the cupards. They are so fun at this age. He is growing up too fast. He is by far the tickelish baby I have had. It is so easy to get him laughing and he doesn't stop. I love it.
Sydney going to her kindergarten assessment interview with her teacher. For some reason they have the kids go the 1st week of school then they get a week off. Odd. After she got ready she asked her dad if she looked like she was 8. She just can not wait until she is older. Boy time does fly. She is taking tap and ballet again this year and we have added Cheerleading, she loves both. She is also doing soccer again this fall, she is getting the hang of it a little.

Shelby, Preston, and Sydney on Sydney's first day of school
Shelby is now 2 1/2 and is talking like crazy. She loves to dance and wishes she could do everything Sydney does. She still loves Mickey Mouse clubhouse. She is the one that gets to stay up with mom and dad after Sydney and Preston have gone to bed. She is almost potty trained. Most days is does really well and has no accidents. Sometimes she wears pull ups, others she wears her panties, just depends on her day. Every once in a while she will go and get one of Prestons diapers and she has to wear it to bed. Silly girl, she makes us laugh.

Sydney's first day of kindergarten 8-31-09. She has Mrs. Ashley Anderson and goes in the afternoon. She loves having a girl teacher.

Fair and Water Fight

This year we were only able to go to the first night of the BEC Fair. I was so disappointed. I love our fair. We decided to go with Shaun to Winnemucca, NV for the Northwest Regional Finals for team roping. We bought a new horsetrailer so we were able to save some money and not stay in a hotel. I am already ready to upgrade to a bigger one. It was really fun and the kids all did great sleeping in the same place. I was worried that they would wake up Preston, but they didn't.

Preston at family night at the Fair. He is too little to ride rides so he got to be a spectator with mom.
Sydney in her queen shirt she just HAD to wear that night.

Sydney, Cousin Hudson, And Shelby on their first ride. they love the merry go round.

I bought some curler formers at sallys for the girls and they love them. they actually sit still why I put them all in. They actually work pretty well. I haven't tried them on me yet.

Sydney at the water fight during Wheat and Beat Days

Shelby trying to walk on the fire hose at the water fight.

Wheat and Beat Days

This was almost 2 months ago and I am finally getting around to posting pictures. Sydney rode the hi-stepper float in the kids parade and Shelby, Preston and I walked behind them. Afteward they got popcicles to cool them off.

Shelby, Cousin Addie, and Sydney at the Firefighters water fight. They loved the foam the best.
Preston taking a nap after the Parade. He knows how to relax!

Preston Chill'n at the kids parade on Wheat and Beats Weekend

The girls and Rusty getting ready to be in the kids parade. Preston is fast asleep in the stroller

Curler Formers Giveaway

Go the Babes in Hairland blog spot and enter to win the curler formers. I have put them in my daughters hair and they work really well. Good luck! I hope me or someone I know wins!! http://babesinhairland.blogspot.com/

If you would like to buy these, you can purchase them at Sally's Beauty supply. That is the only place you can get them.

Bountiful Baskets Is Coming to Garland

It's offical Bountiful Baskets has finally got a drop-off location in Garland. Our start date is Saturday, October 3rd, and it will be everyother Saturday. Pick up location is Main Street/Wasatch Storage on 310 North Main in Garland (right across from Garland Elementary). I don't know when pick up time will be yet.

For those of you who haven't heard of bountiful baskets, it is a volutneer food co-op that pools all of our money together to buy quality produce at the fraction of the price. You pay $15 for a basket of produce that would normally cost you $30-$50 in the store. They cut out the middle man. You get on line at www.bountifulbaskets.org on the Tues or Wed before (so this Tues or Wed) and you pick up on Saturday at the drop off site. Once you sign up you DO NOT have to do it everytime, you get to pick and choose. So if you don't want it one week you just don't get online and sign up. You can also change site from week to week if you need to. You do have to pay online at the time of checkout. They also ask, that when you can, please show up an hour early and volutneer to put out the produce in the baskets.

Go online and read more about it. And please leave a comment, call me 257-8236, or email me if you have any questions or need some help. It is such a great deal!!

If you would like to buy in this week there is drop off sites in Cache Valley and in Brigham City. I will be going down to BC and volutneering if anyone would like to ride with me or if you need me to pick up your basket I will. I will be leaving about 9 am (unless they change the time). Have a great day!!

Spciy Chicken Enchiladas

I found this recipe the other day online and tried it. It is really good and easy. Thought I would share it. Not like your normal chicken enchilada's that you make with sourcream and cream of chick soup. It really isn't that spicy (unless you use hot salsa). An easy way to shred your chicken is to use the Pampered Chef food chopper if you have one (or the salad chopper). Cut the breasts in about 1/3's and chop away.

If you want to fill a 9x13 I would double the recipe.

Spicy Chicken Enchilada's

1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 TBL oil
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breats, cooked and shredded.
1 1/2 cup salsa
4 oz cream cheese, cubbed
1 TBL chopped fresh cilantro
1 tsp ground cumin
1 cup shredded cheddar and monterey jack cheese
1 can (4oz) chopped green chilies
flour tortillas

1. Preheat oven to 350. Cook and stir onion and garlic in hot oil in large skillet on med high heat for 2 mins. Add chicken, 1/4 cup of salsa, cream cheese, cilantro, and cumin; mix well. Cook until heated through, stirring occassionally. Add 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese and green chilies; mix well.

2. Spoon about 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture onto each tortilla; roll up. Place seam sides down in baking dish; top with remaining 1 1/4 cup salsa and remaining shredded cheese.

3. Bake 15-20 mins or until heated through.

Bountiful Baskets

A group of us are trying to get Bountiful Baskets to start a drop of site in Tremonton. If you are interested please post a comment or contact me, this way we can get an estamate for the higherups on how many we could have. If you don't know what Bountiful Baskets is here is a rundown.

Bountiful baskets is a produce co-op currently serving Brigham City, Weber and Davis County and starting next Saturday in Cache Valley. Every other Saturday morning you can pick up a "basket" of produce from a designated location. You pay $15/basket (on their website) and receive approximately $50 worth of fruits and vegetables. You don't get to choose what fruits and vegetables you receive, but you will get quite a variety. On a recent basket purchase this is what I was given: apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, strawberries, asparagus, lettuce, tomatoes, zucchini, avocados, and potatoes (I probably forgot to mention a couple of others - there were so many different items)! The quality of the produce is excellent. The produce is purchased through a large food distributor that sells produce to local restaurants and grocery stores. Just go to http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/ to learn more and purchase a basket. You do not have to commit to purchasing a basket every time - you just purchase one on the week you want to. If you try it once, I promise you will be hooked. You can also volunteer to help out in your area.

You can also purchase large quantities of items depending on the week, like peaches, apricots, pears, tomatoes, etc. Also you can purchase bread. I pick up at Honeyville Grain in Brigham City right now, but really want a stop in Tremonton so I don't have to travel this winter to get fresh produce. Let me know if you have any questions or would be willing to help out. Remember this is all run by volunteers.

Summer Fun!!

Preston trying to sit up. Some days he is really good and others he just can't seen to stay up straight, but he is coming along.

As you can tell, he likes Sweet Potatoes a little better. Shelby has decided that it is her job to feed Preston. It's a circus when we are both trying to feed him, but it is either that or listen to bawling and whinning the whole time. She is a good big sister, but tries to help just a little too much sometimes. Shelby is by far my most independent one (I thought Sydney was independent at that age, Shelby has her beat by a mile.)

Preston's first enco unter with food!! He did ok, didn't fuss too much but the girls adapted to it a lost fast than he did. He loves his bottle. On his 4 month check up he was 17 lbs, big boy, but we love him. He is 80% in his height and weight. At least he is proportional.

We went to the Oquirrah (sp?) Mountain temple openhouse a couple of weeks ago for activity days and Sydney was able to go with us. Her favorite part was where " The Dead People are Baptized". I then explained the real meaning and she seemed to under stand somewhat. I loved the star chandaliers and the stars in the windows, such a beautiful temple.

This was Sydney's first year of playing t-ball and she had so much fun. She went from taking a ton of swings to hit the ball to only needing a few. She has so much fun no matter what she is doing.

Photo's

Well I finally got to Kiddie Kandids and got Shelby's 2 yr pictures taken and Preston's baby blessing pictures taken. They turned out great. Shelby didn't want to stop posing.

She seen this chair and just had to have her picture taken with.

This is the most serious she has ever been. I can't believe the photographer caught this. We got it in black and white. It turned out so cute.

We are lucky his blessing outfit still fit. I was only 2 months late on getting his pictures taken.

All 3 together. They turned out really cute.

Boy, I haven't been on in forever. We have just gone, gone, gone since getting back from San Diego in May. As soon as we got back from our Taylor Swift Vacation I had to turn around and pack for Alabama. I had to go for work for 2 weeks. Then I get home and we have ball games 4 nights a week so busy, busy, busy. But hey, is that what summer is for? I am now back to work full time and we are slowly getting into our normal routine.

Preston is sleeping through the night!!! Sometime he does wake up but I just put his binkie in his mouth and he goes right back to sleep until 7 am!! We are working harder on pottly training Shelby, she has seemed to have lost interest in it. But we keep working at it and she is now in pull ups or panties depending on the day and what she wants to wear. Sydney is playing t-ball for the first time and loves it, I think she likes the social part of it the most. She has a hard time staying focused. She is the only girl on her team, thank goodness she likes people and gets along with all the boys.

I just got updated pictures from our friends in Australia, Bindi and Craig, so here they are. I can't wait to see them again! They have 2 cute kids, Jack and Lucy.

Taylor Swift Concert in San Diego

We we survived the fast paced trip. We left Friday the 22nd and returned home on Monday the 25th. Friday we flew into San Diego and then drove up to Los Alamitos to go to the horse races. It was really fun. Saturday morning we drove back to San Diego and went to the Aquarium at Scripps. Then we went and checked into our hotel at the Sheraton on Harbor Island. The room was so nice it reminded me of Ralph Lauren design. Anyway Saturday night we headed over to Petco Park and went to the Padres and Cubs game. It was really fun. We actually go to sleep in on Sunday we had a late breakfast and then swam all day until it was time to get ready for the concert.

We showed up at the concert and went on the Taylor tour. Taylor's mom gave us the tour, she is really nice and down to earth. Then we got to meet Taylor and have our picture taken with her. That is the only picture we got of her. They are very strict about no one taking pic's with their own camera's. Sydney gave Taylor a lucky penny that she had found earlier that day. It was so sweet. Taylor loved it and gave her a big huge. She is as nice as she is made out to be. Anyway after the meet and greet we headed up to our seats to get ready for the show. Our seats were just off the floor on the 7th row. They were awesome.

After the concert we headed to the verizon tour bus where were we to pick up our pictures, and other Taylor memorabila. We got there and they had everything but our Taylor Swift autographed guitar so she said she would have Taylor personalize it and fedex it when they got to SLC. Well when she found out we were from Utah she gave us 4 tickets to the SLC show and then pick up the gutiar then. So Tuesday we went to see the concert again and it was just as good. We got the gutiar and headed home. What a great trip!! THANKS VERIZON!!

Begining of "Love Story"

During the concert they played a really funny clip about her writing song about all the men in her life. When it was over she started singing and she was up in the audience. It was really neat. She sang and then walked down throuh the crowd and hugged people.

Singing "Tear Drops on My Guitar"

Jam'n out. I love her guitar. I wish we would have won one like this.

One of Taylor's guitarist's.

Taylor singing her opening song "You belong to Me"

Kellee Pickler sang right before Taylor Swift. She did really good, I love her shoes!! She didnt' sing in SLC because she has broncitus, I guess she will be out for 2-3 weeks. Which is sad because was really good, if you like Kellee.

In our seats waiting for the concert to start.

In front of the Verizon Tour bus. This is the bus that all the Verizon employees ride on from concert to concert. Everyone thought it was Taylor bus, but it isn't. Hers doesn't even have her name on it. So you wouldn't even know it was her if you passed it on the road. They wouldn't let us take a picture of it.

Getting ready for the concert.