Moving Day...Finally

Well I think that it is finally the day, we are going to close on our house and start the big move. Thankfully we have 90% of our stuff there and they have the same here so that should save us both some headach in the snow.
But at least we will both be in before Christmas, in but we will see how settled huh?

So it might be a while until I check back in...wish me luck!!!

Sad Day

Well I am a little emotional today and I debated wether or not to add yet another post today but since I am already bawling I guess I should get it all out...
A special little member of our family passed yesterday. Now I know many of you have heard me say that I hate my dogs and that they are the biggest pains but when you loose one it is hard they just become such a huge part of your family. They are always happy to see you and always love you. So yesterday when my aunt called to tell me that Ziggy had been ran over it didnt really hit me, then Ashlin called me at work, it was just getting dark,and she was outside looking for him. She was so upset because she didnt want him to get too cold...That is whem I lost it. So I ran home and consoled her and cried with her. Then Jeff came home and had to go get him and burry him...I told him to wait and he said he couldn't he didn't want him to get too cold...then I lost it again. It was really hard for Jeff to burry a pet that we all loved so much. Akeela our other dog wouldn't even pick up her head last night, I could tell that she knew what had happened they loved eachother. And this morning I am still crying over the little thing. He really was the best little dog and we will miss him dearly.

Our not so huge Christmas Tree

No our present are not that huge our tree is just the little...
This year as we have waited (4weeks)to close on our house swap we decided to wait until we moved to put up our tree but as the time has went on I felt more and more guilty about not having a Christmas tree for the kids(and me.) So last weekend we got a 3 foot tree and decorated it with pine cones and candycanes (that we have eaten already). You would have thought that it was the most beautiful tree on the earth Ashlin loves it and actually so do I. I guess the saying it true...
"No matter the size any Christmas tree is 30 feet tall in the eyes of a Child" So this year out not so huge Christmas tree will be just as wonderful and last years 9foot one...

Grandma & Grandpa Bowthorpe

I am one of the luckiest people in the world to still have one set of grandparents still alive at my age. My kids have been lucky to have grown a lot of thier life with them around and very healthy for most of it. However we are feeling the effects of thier age lately especially with my Grandpa being diagnosed with cancer and my Grandma with alot of different ailements. They have been there for everything and help me in so many ways, they have taught me so much like how to work hard, sew, quilt embrodery, crochet, cook, garden and so many other things, and Grandpa has always know how to do it the right way too. But most of all I have watched how they are there for each other and stuck through everything that has come thier way loosing childern, family conflicts, sicknesses, the years of struggling with money and just dealing with all kind of situations and still being there as the rock of our family together. We have alway known where to get a snack or meal and where to be able to kick back and relax or get a lecture. SO this year at our family Christmas party when I looked over and saw them holding hands it put it all into light for me that through it all that all they needed... eachother. They are the best example or true love. I want to be just like them when I grow up...

for those that asked

The sleigh was was all packed, the reindeer were fed,
But Santa still knelt by the side of his bed,
"Dear Father, " he prayed, "Be with me tonight.
There's much work to do and my schedule is tight.
My sack will hold toys to grant all kids' wishes.
The supply will be endless like the loaves and the fishes.
I can do all these things, Lord, only through You.
I just need your blessing, then it's easy to do.
I do this only to honor the birth of the One,
That was sent to redeem us, Your most Holy Son.
So to all of my friends, lest Your glory I rob,
Please, Lord, remind them who gave me this job."

The one I have has a longer story but it is still a very toughing story and I love it the ornaments are available at http://www.catholicsupply.com/christmas/kneelsanta.html and http://willowtreehome.com/Home-Decor/182-26779.html I am sure you can find it about anywhere

Fun for Christmas Time

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Love both!

2. Real tree or artificial? Fake. Bad memories of our first Christmas tree and smoke...

3. When do you put up the tree? Day after Thanksgiving...usually...not this year though

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually day after Christmas

5. Do you like Eggnog? Yup!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Cheerleader Kimberly doll

7. Hardest person to buy for? No one really I usually have something in mind for everyone... O wait maybe my Dad and Alisa!!

8. Easiest person to buy for? Kids

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes Thanks to Ann, Megan & Ashley (I LOVE MY NATIVITY SCENE)

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Usually hand made cards mailed... I am a little lacking in all areas this year...

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I have liked them all


12. Favorite Christmas movie? I want to say movies there are several, Elf, all 3 Santa Clause's, Its a wonderful life, A Chritmas Carol, and all the original cartoons

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I like to go when the stores and malls are all decorated and there are alot of people then I go home and order from the internet

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No but I have recycled gift bag and stuff like that

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? food

16. Lights on the tree? duh who wouldnt????

17. Favorite Christmas song? I love them all and was so thrilled when I figured out which channel was all Christmas all the time on Serious plus I have a huge selection of CD's and about 180 songs on my IPOD


18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home please!!!!


19. Can you name all Santa's reindeer? Yea!

20. Angel on the tree top or Star? Star, or big bow or spikes just depends on how I feel when we are am putting it up

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or morning? One or two gifts on Christmas Eve. the kids think they are getting ripped off because they know the gift I let them open is going to be PJ"S

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? People thinking that they need to be too extravagant with thier gifts

23. Favorite ornament? I have one of Santa looking at baby Jesus with his hat off it has a really neat poem with it but I love my nativity scene the most

24. Favorite Christmas dinner? we have a family Christmas party every year and this years was today and I think that it will be remembered as a favorite...i was really touched to look over and see my Grandma and Grandpa (who are both getting very old and my grandpa has cancer... they might not be around for many more family Christmas parties) holding hands. I took a picture of thier hands together. They are my favorite people in the whole world and I am afraid that I have not done a very good job showing them that.

25. Favorite Christmas cocktail? Cocktails no but I love Christmas Tea's ones with pepermint or cinnamon or citrus and ofcourse Hot Chocolate

26. What do you want for Christmas this year? To unpack...

27. What don't you want for Christmas this year? More stuff to find a place for

28. What is something you have never done that you want to do for Christmas? Some day I want to take a vacation for Christmas, to spend it a totally different way like on the beach or something like that

It's CHRISTMAS time EVERYONE should do this it was fun!!

This one was funny THANKS DONI

My Eight Alter Egos
1. My rock star name: *Gidget Nitro*
{First pet and current car}

2. My gangsta name: *M&M CC (Chocolate Chip)*
{Favorite candy bar and favorite cookie}

3. My detective name: *Black dog*
{Favorite color and favorite animal}

4. My Star Wars name: *Atwst of None* (that one makes no sense for me)
{First three letters of last name and first two letters of first name then the word "of" then a medication you are on}

5. My superhero name: *The Pink T*
{2nd favorite color and favorite drink with "The" in front}

6. My Nascar name: *Thelma Leona* (Now that didn't sound like a Red Neck!)
{First names of your grandmothers}

7. My "lover" name: *Love Spell M&M*
{Name of your favorite perfume/cologne and your favorite candy}

8. Witness-protection name: *Dan* (My Mom doesn't have a middle name)
{Mother's and father's middle names}

Tag to Everyone!!

sorry for the delay

Well I know that everyone who reads this blog has been on pins and needles wondering what in the world has been going on at our house and I am sorry for the delay... And alot has been going on first so Jamie doesn't feel bad I didnt get to go to the Twilight movie and the super fun girls weekend in SLC we thought we were going to be closing on our house(next story) and so I stayed home and Jeff felt soooo bad, that I had to miss the fun time so he tried to make it up to me by buying tickets for the friday night showing. It was fun and I loved the movie (not like the books) and Jeff even said he liked them movie and would go see the next one with me.
Now the house thing, we are in the process of making a house swap with some people we know, they love our house and have loved it ever since we finished it so they approached us about a trade and so we are in the process of doing this it is taking a little while and we have a few hoops to jump through but the end result will be a simpler life for us with alot of financial burden lifted, although there is a basement to finish we will have about the same size of home. We are ready fot the move and are looking forward to being settled and getting the basement done. Anyway that is about it, a quiet Thanksgiving and hope for a quiet Christmas too.

You Belong in 1983

Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day.

What Year Do You Belong In?

Gaige

Well it is a special time for us because for the past 3 years we have fought and prodded and begged and pleaded and cursed and threatened Gaige to brush, wear rubberbands make it to his appointments and finally the blessed day came...He got his braces off!!!!! Celebration! He was pretty excited and way ready to get them off. And I am sure that the staff at Dr. Jacksons office will be happy with a little space in between his visits, he thinks he owns the place. Now the fun with the other two kids begins! I did get pictures but my camera cord is packed...

Twilight

Twilight

When Doni wants something she gets it and she wanted to be first to see twilight so she pre-bought us tickets to go see it in Salt Lake! Can't wait for our little girls outing!

Ashlin is lucky to have friends with nice Moms and I am lucky to have nice friends too!!! Megan picked the girls up from school Friday and got them all ready for Trunk or Treating. I met them there and she was all decked out for the haunting and spooking. They had a blast and then they had even more fun when they got to go back to the Hawkes the "work" at the spook alley!

Halloween and Birthdays? a good mix!

Keenen is sooo lucky... well that is what some of his friends said Friday night at his party (Halloween) We decided to get the trick or treating done early enough so that for once Keenen could have a birthday party on his birthday. So we went to Trunk or Treat and was home in time to welcome all the party guests. Ashlin went with The Hawkes to thier house to "work" at the super fun Spook Alley that they had set up. They had a ton fun taking care of the trick or treaters. Keenen had invited a few friends over for night games, snacks, hot tub and movies. They had a great time and actually stayed outside most of the time playing night games. It is sometimes hard to have birthdays on holidays but this year turned out to be a hit. Thanks Megan for letting Ashlin "work" for you while I held down the fort with 11 13 year old hooligans...
The family party was just as exciting on Sunday with Hot Fudge Sundays and all the cousins. Keenen got the new Indiana Jones movie, and lots of money to spend as he pleases. Jeff and I got him a Supped up Honda 50, he was pretty excited. It is pretty muddy now because of the rain right now but we'll get some photos posted soon.

Get Lost!!!

Well another Fall tradition is the corn maze we all love it. it has become something that as soon as it starts to cool off my kids start asking about when we are going. We caught an amazing fall day last Saturday and it was beautiful the perfect day to go traipsing through a corn feild and then for a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch. Grandma Atwood had the whold thing planned out for a super Fall Grandma Party (parties that Jeffs Mom plans for all the grandkids) and we all had a great time. Ths kids ove to get together with all the cousins. There were a few missing Kami and Maroni, Gaige (he mountain biking with friends in Moab), Allen and Darshelle. But we still had a super time and everyone came home with the perfect pumpkin.

looking out from our house

We love out town and it is so beautiful in the fall.

I know its fall but...

I know it is fall but I am not quite ready for summer to be gone, I am a huge baby when it is cold...
SO here are a few photos from my hard this summer to cheer warm all of our hearts!

Sugar Cookies-Pizza-Carmel Apples

Yesterday Caradie, Carter, Riker, Baeli, Amy, Ashlin, Keenen, Gaige and Myself made Sugar Cookies, Carmel Apples and Homemade Pizza. We started getting together around this time a few years ago to do all these festvities and so when the kids started asking when we were going to do it this year we had to do it. It just inadvertnatly became a Fall Holiday Tradition I guess. They alway have fun decorating thier cookies with all the fun stuff we find. And someone always leave sick to thier stomachs because they ate too much cookie dough(Amy that is you). One of the favorite things though is for them to each make thier own pizza even Riker knew exactly what he wanted on his pizza. It was so fun and with it being such a nice day they also enjoyed playing outside.

DONI IS A SPAZ SO AM I...

WELL I GUESS I AM JUST As SPAZZY AS DONI AND I NEEDED TO KNOW WHO I WAS ALSO, I DID READ ALL THE TWILIGHT SERIES BOOKS IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS (THE FIRST THREE I READ IN THREE DAYS) SO THIS WAS FUN TO CHECKOUT AND I AM EXCITED FOR THE MOVIE, SO, SORRY FOR CALLING YOU A SPAZ DONI
AND I AM ALSO AN ALICE!!!

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

Some of our other hikes

HERE ARE A FEW PHOTOS FROM SOME OF OUR OTHER HIKES THIS SUMMER. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED TO HIKE AND NOW THAT THE KIDS ARE BIG ENOUGH TO NOW GET SO TIRED WHEN WE WALK FOR EVER IT IS A SUPER FUN FAMILY TIME AND ALL THE KIDS LOVE IT TOO. THERE REALLY ARE A TON OF GREAT PLACE TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS RIGHT HERE SO CLOSE IN OUR CUTE LITTLE TOWN

Mount Timpanogas

Our hike to Timpanogas Cave this summer was super fun it was a hot day but we all enjoyed every step. The drive up to the cave was so pretty with trees almost touching from one side of the road to the other in some parts forming tree tunnels and the beautiful streams flowing along the road there were so many picturesk spots. The hike to the cave is a mile and a half straight up. Jeff and I had went about 15 years ago when Gaige was only 4 or 5 months old and he stayed at the bottom with my Aunt Pam. They give you a few time restraints and you have an hour and a half to get to the top for your tour, but with Jeff Atwood around there is no need to take an hour!!! We made it to the top in 29 minutes! It was hard, but even Ashlin made it in that time. I was so proud of her she wanted to stop and rest a few time (so did I) but she kept on truckin'. The view from up there is amazing and breathtaking (that is after we caught our breath from the hike), and we all loved it. It amazes me that someone was up there just hiking or hunting when the caves were found but I am glad they were, because it is now open for everyone to enjoy. And just as we thought we were going to die of heat exhaustion we were able to join the tour 2 spots before ours and cool off in the cave, it was so nice in there. It was also simply beautiful. It is just amazing to me the things you can be witness to in so many places here in Utah. The beauty that is so abundant that we take such huge advantage of.

This was just one of many amazing and beautiful hiking trips we took this summer.

Tagg from Doni

I have been tagged by Doni
Eight TV Shows I Love to Watch
1: Lipstick Jungle
2: Scrubs
3: Mad TV re-runs
4: SNL re-runs
5: Dancing w/ the Stars
6: Days
7: Extreme Make Over Home Edition
8: That 70's show

8 Things That Happenend Yesterday(in no order)
1: Went to Work
2: Took Ashlin to Dance
3: Laundry
5: cooked dinner
6: helped Ashlin with homework
7: painted my toenails
8: Made me s delicious cup of peperming tea


8 Favorite Places to Eat
(Not in any particular order)
1: Texas Road House
2: Ann Stewarts
3: Rumbi Island Grill
4: Whimpies
5: Olive Garden
6: Home
7: Palisade Brewery
8: Chilies

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To
1: Vacations
2: new Prowler
3: Spring (yup already)
4: No yard work for a fw months
5: lunch today
6: Keenen's b-day Halloween!
7: a bike ride today
8: being in less debt

8 Things on My Wish List
1: world peace
2: no more stock market crash
3: tummy tuck
4: A Maid/Cook
5: Jeff a new Harley
6: snow only in the mountains
7: boat
8: To laugh... at everything... i love to laugh

8 People I Tag
1: Megan
2: Ash
3: Abby
4: Jamie
5: Kandice
6: Sherrilee
7: Ann
8: Annette

Thoughts on my Teenagers

Well as this days starts I feel the need to express about my teenagers...This may take a few minutes... Now as I parented through my younger years I was soft and sweet to my little darlings and I played and disciplined and giggled and well you get the picture. Now the I have 2 teenagers and one tweenager all that has went out the window because after the kind words and no response 5-10 times what comes next?, the yell and then the "well Mom you don't have to yell" See what I mean ?!? Everything I thought I knew about being a good parent went out the window...And then there is Gaige who tells me what he is doing (not ask) and informs me the he is going with his friend and his friends grandparents to Park City Mountain Bikeing for the entire UEA weekend...well you know I celebrated but then again I realized he didn't ask he just told...
Now I am not sure if you are familiar with the song "Hands in the Aire" Gaige hates it so that means that I like it right (just to make him mad) well then there is another song that Gaige likes that says "throw your hands in the er" He proceeds to tell he the other day that it is impossible for us to see eye to eye when I put my hands in the AIRE and he puts his in the ER...My life is a comedy sketch show... And I am afraid that this is just the beginning...

Thoughts for the day...when my kids were little

My thought for the day are as follows. As I finished my 8th load of laundry with a mere 3 more to go...and as I finally get to set down for the first time in weeks to fold the socks I long for the simpler days of my little kids... when my kids were little I knew who thier friends were, I knew where they were, Iknew where thier match to the sock was, I knew thier toys were safe and that if they got hurt I was only a room or two away to make them feel better. I knew that if I couldn't make them feel better a cookie would. I knew that a bath and some clorox wipes cleaned up most messes they made. I knew that they wanted me when they were sad and that a time out was devistating. I knew that in the night all I had to worry about was who was going to pee the bed and which one would sleep through then night and when one of them came into my room at 11:00 it was not because they were just getting home it was because they need thier mommy or daddy. All those days that I dreamed about when it would get easier,"it will be so much easier when they are bigger", it was an illusion those were the easy days. Now it is driving, girls, boys, dates, friends whose parent I don't know, all the joys of teen agers, puberty, and the list goes on. But as I folded the last of the 67(litterally, with 17 mis matched ones) pairs of socks that were there I fell in love again with being a mother and being in the moment, It is always easier to see the clouds and rain but I chose today to dance in the rain and relish every drop...so my house is not clean, so dinner won't be a hit (I made soup...no one around here likes soup) so ALL the laundry didn't get finished. I have the most awesome life, friends, family, kids and I like it even in its imperfectness...

alright megan...

So alright Megan I will update but I can't imagine that any one is waiting on edge for a post from me...but I guess it is ok to talk to my self or is it???

Anyway after a long summer it is good to kindof have a bit of a slow down, I love the fall. It is my favorite time of the year, I love fall clothes, scarves, beanies, sweaters, jeans and jackets I love the colors I love the fall holidays.
But looking back over the summer I thought at the time that it was a boreding summer and that we did nothing but actually it was quite busy... there was, hiking, biking swimming, camping picnics, parks, and all of the other summer things. So it was full we just didn't have any big trips which was ok, cuz I am not sure that we would have been able to fit anything else.
Keenen did take a trip to Boise for a week which he loved, all of the kids love to go to Uncle Rulon and Aunt Auloras house where they are treated like royalty. Alaura took them to every museum in Boise, the Discovery Center, the make your own pottery place, she taught him to sew and quilt his own blanket, picket fresh raspberries every day, and let them have the run of the house. He loved it.
Ashlin kept going to dance all summer long and loved it, they were able to walk in the parades and loved it even in the heat of the Fourth of July.
Jeff and I stayed busy too we did a couple of extra little fence jobs so that we could get a new Hot Tub which we are thoroughly enjoying almost every day.
Gaige had his share of fun too but worked alot so that he would be able to buy his (new) 1995 lime green Jeep Wrangler which he loves and can hardly stand that he can't drive legally alone until March!!! But he did take drivers ed and has even passed his driving test already... now we just wait...
Anyway that is it for now I hope that Megan is happy now...

Stars Dance Comp

Well last weekend was the last in the line of dance competitions and it was a little bitter sweet, we have had so much fun at all of them but yet we are all tired of driving and the girls are all tired of the same dances. It has been so fun watching the girls bond a little more each week and see to see them really come together and be a team has been amazing. Ans the Moms have had fun bonding too. Last week we bonded a little too much and ended the Stars competition with a bang staying up until 3:00 in the morning laughing our guts out (and for some of us (me) laughing until we peed our pants) We even put on makeup and danced, I think that we reverted for a few hours. But it will go down as one of my favorites times.
Ashlin has really loved this dance season and has improved so much, she is so much fun and I love these dance times with her.
The team has also came a long way this competition really showed all the hard work they have put into these dances. The Minis got 1st place, the Smalls (ash's group) took a 3rd and 1st, the Supers took 1st and 2nd and the teams 70's dance took 3rd. The solo girls did super too Ashlin took 4th, Addie Queen, Gabby 3rd and Chelsea took both Queen and 1st in her group.
This week will end it all with the review on Thursday night at the JR High.
It really has been a fun experience and one that I know Ashlin has really enjoyed, now we can't wait to get started on next years dances!!!

Base Ball Come Back

well if you didn't know Keenen had a bit of a set back the Monday before Baseball tryouts this year, while having a family practice Jeff decided to hit a pop fly as high as he could for Keenen to catch, well ... it went really high... and Keenen caught it... but not with his mit... he caught it with his nose... there was a lot of blood, a ruined shirt and a trip to the Urgent Care to take care of it and get the diagnosis of a nose broken in two places.
There was a moment for Keenen when he stated that he would never play base ball again but after some talking and one attempt Jeff brought him home and a bit more talking we got him back to tryout and he did great. Even with two black eyes and one still swollen shut. I am so proud of him for having the guts to ge tback out there and trying to over come his fears. So now we are on the 5 game or so and he is lovin it. They have won a few and lost a few but they still have fun and he has really gotten better baout that darn ball.

So here I am getting around to updating not that every one that reads this doesn't know what is going on in our lives!!!

So the past month has been filled with dance competition and more dance comptitions... Super fun though.
The first one was at the Energy Solution Arena which Ashlin though twas super cool and it really was! she was super nervous since it was the first time ever that she had done a solo, she did good and took home a 3rd place which she was thrilled with... the teams did great also it is so fun to see all thier hard work come together and especially to see the girls having so much fun with it. It was a great start to the competition season.
The next competition was just at Juan Diego High where they all had another great time and the hard work in between the competition really showed.
The next one was at Syracuse High where they blew the judges away withe group show dance and came home with a PLatinum as well as a 3rd place, a 2nd place, a 4th place, a 1st place, a best coreography and the solos were jsut as amazing Ashlin got 1st attendant, Gabby got Queen, Addie got 1st attendant, Lainy got Queen, and Chelsie got Queen and high points trophy. It was a ton of fun and the girls knew then that all the work they put into practices was really paying off. They are a great team and all of them work well together and get along great. It is so fun for me to see Ashlin enjoy dancing and the friend she is making in these girls will be friend for life.
The Moms are all great and help out where with who ever and the teachers are amazing and really care for our girls and it shows.
This weekend will be the last of the season and then we will get to get started on next year!!!

Did I forget?

well I bet you all were wondering if I had forgot that I had a blog... well I did there for a little while, well actually I got busy and now I am getting things under control and I am ready to start being better at posting...hopefully... so look forward to seeing some more of our crazylife!!!

Once again for us "no news is good news" I have not posted for while and it is because we are so boreding! I love it though! I still have Levi quilt stuff setting out, I still have bead waiting to be strung and I have floors that need mopped and toilets that need scrubbed, and that is the extent of our excitment...
Well ok there have been a few things going on...Ashlin is getting ready for a few months of dance competitions with the first one on April 4th where she will compete with her team as well as in a solo then they are about every other week for the month of April and May. She is really excited.
Keenen got signed up for baseball he is a bit nervour since he has to go through a tryout process at this age.
Gaige is still working at the bike shop and is ready to get his bike out for some summer riding.
Jeff has had to work a little overtime this past couple of weeks since his partner had to have emergency gall bladder surgery and will finally get a day off after 4weeks straight.
We are all looking forward to spring and just seeing glimpses of it around us is exciting, our grass is almost all melted now... I can't wait to be able to not freeze!

This week we had quite the party, we had the Hawkes kids stay with us while thier Mom and Dad were out of town and then Trevin and Ginia were here for a visit also... It was tons of fun , Grandma Atwood had a donut making party, we went to the dollar store and played for hours!!! Gaige even had some one to play littlest petshop with him!!! We had so much fun! I even fed them and bathed them! (contrary to Anns belief)(she checked on us a few times)
However... It is a good thing that I stopped at 3!!!

Valentines Dinner

This is the table that Megan and I decorated for our Valentines dinner at the church, our ward does it every year. Each table is decorated by some one, some are fancy and some are fun, ours was both...We had fun both decorating it and having dinner. We went to see the movie 'Fools Gold' after dinner, it was a fun night with our honeys and friends...