So excited!

When I was little I was known for always peeking into my Christmas gifts or sneaking upstairs to see what Santa had brought. I have always loved giving gifts and sometimes couldn't wait to have the recipient open it so I would blurt it out before that actually finished unwrapping it. Well, not much has changed. I still have a hard time not peeking but more often than not I see my gift before I am supposed to. This could be because Aaron doesn't believe in hiding gifts. It could be all out in the open and I just a happen to open that cupboard that I haven't opened for years in the garage. But hey if he would hide them it wouldn't happen right?
This year my darling daughter has proved to be just as her mother. She has already found 2 gifts and now I am having a very difficult time not showing her my favorite. So since she cannot read or log onto my blog I am giving you a peek.
We wanted to get her a kitchen center but for $130 and up I had bagged the idea. That is until it was all she wanted for Christmas. So I looked around my basement and found some old cabinets from when we remodeled our kitchen and I had an idea. I would make her kitchen myself. So here it is from start to mostly finished. I'll have to put her reaction pictures and one with all the accessories after she receives it. That may be before Christmas just knowing how well I wait.

Please try not to notice the awful garage mess.

My favorite time of year!

I love Fall! The leaves, sweaters, and crisp cool air make me want to cozy up in front of the fire place. But I still get to enjoy the day outside too.

My kids were so excited to be able to have our own harvest since the is what their daddy is doing these last few days and the next coming week (we hope not weeks)  planted our garden this early summer and even after giving up all hope when the goats got out and ate everything we actually got our pumpkins!

We spent the next day or two paiting and re-painting, poking and re-poking in the eyes and mouth parts to fianlly come up with these wonderful creatures to decorate the front of our house. Oh what fun Halloween is!

Handmade/homemade

Alright I got this off of my friend's blog so here we go...

I promise to send something hand-made to the first five people who leave a comment here. You must in turn post this on your blog and send something that YOU make to the first five people that comment onyour blog! The rules are the item has to be HANDMADE by YOU and sent sometime in 2011! (or the first part of 2012...since I am doing this a little late in the year) How fun is this!

If I don't have your address send me an email regal@regalshuttle.com  and then wait for something to come!

and since no blog is complete without a picture here is an item I made for my daughter. She loves to be able to hang her own artwork.

We went camping in Driggs over the 4th of July for six days, and guess what!!! We had a blast!

Aaron and I made it to see Glen Beck and then fireworks.

Sari got eaten by mosquitos but could still smile (it really is her even if it doesn't look like it!)

All the kids caught a fish!

It was perfect weather!

The kids had a blast!

Even Lincoln!!

I think we need a bigger ride! Maybe next year!

Craft class on Aug 6th!!

Kali’s Craft Class

The following project is available to make on

Aug 6th at 3:00pm

Meet us at 2950 S. Frontage Rd. American Falls

for instruction, food and fun!

Picture Frame “Bulletin” Board.  

THIS PICTURE FRAME IS 20"x 34"  & HAS 3 SECTIONS (MAGNETIC, DRY ERASE, & BULLETIN) THE BULLETIN BOARD IS CRISSCROSSED WITH RIBBON FOR COLOR. THE MAGNETS ARE MADE OUT OF GLASS ROCKS AND THE DRY ERASE IS A MENU BOARD. I ADDED HOOKS TO THE BOTTOM FOR KEYS OR COATS.

THIS FRAME IS 14"X 18" AND HAS 2 SECTIONS (MAGNETIC & DRY ERASE) I COVERED THE SHEET METAL WITH FABRIC & MADE MAGNETS OUT OF CLEAR ROCKS. RIBBON SEPARATES THE TWO SECTIONS.

There will be a variety of sizes ranging in price from $20 to $45 depending on size and options.

Options include:

• Bulletin board section

• Magnetic section

• Dry erase section

• Coat/key hooks

• Paint colors

• Frame size

• Custom Vinyl Lettering

• Fabric

• Ribbons

• Magnets & rocks

Let me know if you would like to attend. The class is $5.00 plus the cost of your project. Send me an e-mail and I'll reply with an order form
or
Check it out on Facebook.com keyword:  Kali's Craft Class and message me!

Summer! FINALY!!!

Summer has finally peeked out of it's long slumber and shown us what summer can be like. Now if it will just stay awake and not slip back in bed like I do certain mornings. We have taken advantage of my decision to be a stay at home mom to it's fullest! I am truly enjoying being home and watching my kids grow up. I try not to dwell on the past and all the things I missed while I worked and instead enjoy seeing my little babes learning and growing everyday. I can't believe Lincoln will be in kindergarten in the fall. He will miss pre-school but can't wait for "real" school as he calls it.
A few of the things we have been able to do include:

1. Making many projects. (felt puppets, tents, etc.)

2. Painting bird houses. (who knew a $1 bird house could bring so much joy!)

3. Nursing animals back to health (gotta love those baby goats)

(Kim and her kids came to play for the day!)

4. Exploring the yard. (who knew there was so many lady bugs in our yard!)

5. Spending time with friends!

Brynlee, Jace, Sari Austin and Lincoln warming up after a quick swim

6. Visiting the library!

7. Riding our pony!

8. Learning new games. (Frisbee, kickball, and even made up a few!)

9. Playing in the water!

10. Planting flowers and the garden

11. Going to the Hogle Zoo in Salt lake!

12. The kid's first 3 hour car ride

13. Branding cows (working with daddy is always so fun!)

We love summer! Now let's have some more!!

What to do if you find an owl

In case you are wondering what to do if you happen to be driving home after a wrestling tournament for your 5 year old son, and you see an owl get struck by the car in front of you.

Here is what to do in the above hypothetical situation.

Do not stop. Do not show your 5 year old, 4 year old and 2 year old the "poor little hurt owl". If you do stop to show them the dang bird, then you will only be setting yourself up for a "loud" ride home. Do not decide that maybe this would be a neat learning experience for your kids and scoop up the owl and place it in the small compartment in the back of the company minivan. If you choose to opt for the "learning experience" then just know when you get home at 9:30pm you will have to try and put those little kids of your in bed after they have checked on the owl in the dog crate 10 times.

By the way don't forget that your 4 yr old daughter has a huge fear of owls since they have been stealing your chickens for the past 2 years. She may picture being picked up by the talons (which may or may not have been described to her as "cool" once. She probably will have a few fears about an owl being in the dog crate on the kitchen counter, maybe not just saying...

Oh yea, and don't worry about being a total redneck and having an owl on your kitchen counter. It is totally normal for rednecks to have alligators in their bathtubs once in a while, or to be seen chasing chickens in their underwear while 8 months pregnant at 5 am.

FYI:

The wife of the owner of the reptile was convinced to put to aligator in the tub only after being told that it would only be there for a day while the tank was moved from one place to another. (You may feel sorry for the wife, or say it's her own falut for marrying the guy after knowing him for only 3 months, you decide but don't tell me which option you chose)

Having an owl in a dog crate on the kitchen counter is nothing compared to those things. Who would do that?...

Anyway,

after you have calmed the fears of your daughter, and put your sons to bed for the umpteinth time you are finally ready to call the Fish and Game just to make sure you won't get in trouble for having a protected wild bird on your kitchen counter. Since it is after hours at the Game warden's office just leave a message and hope they don't wake you in the morning with hand cuffs for poaching.

In the morning when you wake with only 30 minutes to get 3 kids ready for pre-school you may wish you had gotten up earlier. well, by then it will be too late for wishing for more time so just get the kids dressed and don't worry about breakfast. After you explain to the 2 littlest kids that the owl may die because it is hurt so bad prepare yourself for your 5 year old's comment.

He may or may not tell his brother and sister that it's okay if it dies,

"Cause, we can just have it for dinner."

When he says something like this don't panic or laugh out loud, simply move on and hope nobody heard him say that. If nobody wants to move onto another subject you may spend the ride to pre-school talking about what is ok to eat and what is not.

But remember that is only in case YOUR 5 yr old makes a comment like that. Does my 5 yr old look like he'd say something like that...Never mind don't answer that.

Remember, this a hypothetical situation...

When you finally get those little kiddos dropped off to school don't think for a minute that they will have forgotten about it. They won't. Even after a trip to the library to see the "Sensory Safari" wildlife display of real (stuffed) lions, leopards, snakes, and even a zebra

they will still think that the live (broken) owl at home on the kitchen counter is still pretty cool. Be prepared when the fish and game calls you back and asks you to bring the dang bird to Pocatello so they can check it out. Don't worry if you do not want to make a trip to their office you can always tell them that you are a farm girl and that you know how to "take care of it".

If the warden asks you what you mean just tell him about when you were little and your dog had had her 3rd batch of puppies for the year that you knew what it meant when your dad would say he was going to "take care of them"

The game warden will by then catch on to what you are saying and almost sound a bit relieved about not having to deal with 3 hopeful kids and a sensitive mother. He probably will give you permission to go ahead and "take care of it".

Don't think for a second that you can do just that without the kids wondering what you are doing. You may think they are down for naps and that they were not looking as you sneek out the back door but they are sneeky themselves. They actually may be jumping to the window as soon as they hear the door click. If you forget that the owl may still have some life left and leave your gloves inside next to the dog crate, just drop it on the ground outside. It's wing is broken after all so it won't get too far. Just remember to look up and notice that your kids are watching from the window of the living room so you don't do something as grotesque as drop kicking the bird when it's talons slash the pad of your thumb.

No this would not go over very well if you do this. If you do get caught in your moment of weakness, your 2 year old may come outside saying "bird okay?"

You may have some explaining to do if he sees you stuff the poor owl in a plastic bag.

Even though there is really nothing you can do for the "poor birdie", you may feel a bit like a monster as you tie the bag shut. Your son will be fine after awhile.

After all,

this is just a learning experience. He learned that you, his mother who at times seems like such a sweet woman who reads books and sings songs is really nothing but a "bird hurter"

I am sure you may feel like more than a "bird hurter" but remember if your 2 yr old knew more words he may have come up with something much more dramatic.

For him, that was dramatic.

So in summary, DON'T PICK UP AN INJURED OWL AND BRING IT HOME! (but, if you do make sure to get lots of pictures.)

Disclaimer:

The people portrayed in the following pictures are based on fictional characters. Any similarity to real people or animals is pure coincidence.

The end

Big Kids!

Today was Sari's birthday! Wahoo she is "FINALLY" 4 years old as she says. Who knew it would take so long! She loved her pinata. After the kids were in bed I finished it up. This morning after they woke up I asked Lincoln what he thought of our pinata. He said "it's not very good mom." I said "What?!" He said "mom, it just doesn't look very good" I asked him if he didn't think it looked like Dora and he answered, "no, It's doesn't even look like it" I was trying not to be offended and kinda just moved on and he went back to watching cartoons. I got breakfast on the table and when he came in the kitchen he saw the pinata on the counter. " wow mom that looks just like Dora!" It was my mistake to take into consideration that he hadn't seen it when he woke up and came upstairs.

Sari's party was pretty low key. I was trying to decide if I really should hang up the Dora head pinata from the ceiling of my garage, and then let the kids take turns smacking the crap out of her... I let them. And they loved it. I was just hoping the neighbors didn't see the head hanging from the ceiling and think we had gone crazy or something.
Today was also Lincoln's first wrestling match. Lincoln loves going to pratice and loves to wrestle with his daddy. He absolutly will not wrestle with Sari. They did once and the first 2 seconds Sari was too aggresive for him and he ended up bawling. So I was very nervous to send him to a match. In fact, Aaron and I and talked about not putting him in any matches this year. At least not until he knew what he was doing. So 5 minutes before they left to go "watch" the match, Aaron decided that he would let him do a match today. So we all loaded up and went to Lincoln's first wrestling match. He loved it!! I would tell you all about it but instead here is the video. For those of you who aren't his grandparent or family member I understand if you skip the video. it's kind of long and done with my camera, since Aaron was so excited he forgot to get out the camcorder.

He had a second match as well and won! Of course the battery on my camera died. I know that when Lincoln is older he will accuse me of the exact same thing my brother Wylie accused my mom of.( the only difference is that in this case, Lincoln will be right!) Wylie would always say, "Mom, why didn't you record the one that I did so good in?"

Lincoln, Next time I will bring the camcorder and make sure someone records you! Way to go buddy! I am so proud of you! Love, Mom.

Birthday Girl!!

So now that I have a bit of time on my hands I have been able to do some of those fun mom things. I also have decided that I need to be more frugal. Who knew it could be kinda fun too!

Tomorrow is Sari's birthday and she wants a Dora pinata. Lincoln had a (store bought) lightening McQueen pinata and loved it so of course Sari thinks she should get what she wants. Who am I to say no to her? Well you may be thinking that "you are her mom, you are supposed to say no sometimes." Well this isn't one of those times. Sari, Austin, Lincoln and I spent the last couple days up to our elbows in flour and water mixture making a homemade pinata. You should see my kitchen. ooo scratch that! don't look at my kitchen. there are puddles of white stuff all over and scraps of newspaper scattered everywhere! But, we made a pinata!!!

I put the kids to bed and then got to work painting the dang thing. I have to say, it looks more like Dora than I thought it would. Now if it will just last more than 3 wacks! Oh Sari insisted that we have birthday hats! So we made those too!

I'll let you know how the party goes! Whew, I'm gonna have a 4 year old to go with my 5 and 2 year old. Wahoo! lucky me!

Am I done yet?!

I have heard it over and over that a person cannot grow with out a few trials.

Well, I'm sick of growing!

Life has seemed so difficult lately. In times of trial my mother so kindly reminds me to think of my blessings. After some groaning and murmuring I have decided to take her advice. (Don't tell her)

Blessings I am so grateful for

1. An awesome family who is always willing to come to my rescue.
   
2. My amazing husband who still loves me and wants to spend time with me.
3. Three beautiful kids that like to remind me that they "wuv " me.
4. My youngest son's hugs and the way he pats my back.
5. Sari's helpful personality and peace making abilities.
6. I am so grateful for Lincoln and his wonderful imagination and his many questions that make me think and ponder new ideas
7. A wonderful mother who seems so happy to visit with me even though I have called 4 times that day already
8. I'm grateful for in-laws that make me feel like one of their own.
9. I love that I have a creative mind even though it often gets me into bigger things than I think I can handle.
10. I am so happy to live where I do.
11. I am grateful my husband supports my ventures and then supports me when they may not turn out like I had hoped.
12. I am grateful for my wonderful childhood.
13. I am so lucky to have such good friends that call just to chat.
    
14. I am so glad to have a father in heaven who answers my prayers.
    
15. I am grateful for a husband who does what it takes to provide for our family.
16. I am grateful for good neighbors.
    
17. I love that we can be self sufficient if need be.
18. I love that my kids get to grow up in the country.
    
19. I feel so lucky to be able not to have to work outside my home.
20. I am blessed to know that the Lord won't test me more than I can handle.