House Building - leave it to Carpenters!

I thought it would be fun to build a gingerbread house with Cooper and Savannah. They were so cute as they carefully placed the candies where they wanted them. I told them it was their house and they could make it however they wanted to.I have been big on that since my dear friend, Becky Cox, gave me one that she had specially made for me. I just loved it and I think of her every time I do this project. I have made many kinds, from tiny graham cracker houses to sugar cookie dough, to gingerbread. I baked several models for Nick's 6th grade class, and then did several for Becca's 5th grade class. As of late, I have found it quite nice to just buy a kit and forget about making the dough, pattern, cutting, etc. It is pretty nice to just slip it out of the box, have the frosting already made and just piece it together and decorate! The kids had quite a good time, and our house is done. Right after I snapped this final picture, the roof slid off! Ha! That is why I say leave the building of houses to carpenters. I did get the frosting and re-stuck the roof. 3 hours later, it is still intact, so I think the house will be around for a little while. It kind of reminds me of the story of Hansel and Gretel, on of my favorites. But if you think about it is quite a gruesome story, huh? I mean a witch that eats kids and then they push her in the oven to do away with her? Glad our Christmas Gingerbread houses have just a little different feel to them...

Thanks is Given!

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. I love the family togetherness and the tradition of all the wonderful food. I can remember many wonderful Thanksgiving dinners in my mom's kitchen, in my Aunt Rouvoe's basement with our cousins, and in my own home when I became the mom. My favorite Thanksgiving was in California when Katie came home from college. Just Katie, Julie, Becca and I were home. I fixed the whole big dinner with turkey, cranberry cloud salad, dressing, pies, orange rolls, the whole sha-bang. We had turned the dining room table into a calico bunny factory, making gifts for Katie's college room mates, so we moved the little red picnic table in to eat on. We lined up all the food on the counter and had ourselves a wonderful feast and a day of watching videos and having lots of fun together. Today I made Thanksgiving dinner for Katie, Ryan, Savannah, Cooper and Julie. Katie doesn't like turkey, and Ryan doesn't like ham - so we made a marvelous roast with all the trimmings. We had a great time together and enjoyed our new little baby, Luka.

He looks like a little chocolate chip! Last night, Cooper helped me make some wonderful golden graham s'more treats. Julie and Luka snoozing after dinner.

Ten things I am thankful for: 1. A wonderful and supportive husband that brings me more joy than I could ever dream of. 2. The gospel of Jesus Christ that gives my life so much purpose. 3. Three beautiful and sweet daughters that are filled with goodness. 4. Four of the most beautiful grand children on the entire earth. 5. Health. 6. Running water. 7. Electricity. 8. Food a-plenty. 9. The Internet (great way to stay in touch with family!). 10. Hiking.

Today is somebody's birthday and I missed the Party!

Last night Katie called me and we talked for about 40 minutes. She said how ready she was to have her baby and that she just needed a couple more days to have everything ready at the house. It was so much fun to talk to her! While in a deep sleep my phone rang (3:30AM) It was Katie! She was rather excited, sort of crying. She said her water broke that she wasn't ready for this - she still had not done her laundry! I just laughed at her and told her to have her baby! I would get there as quick as I could and I would do her laundry! I laid back down and then it dawned on me what was happening. I couldn't go back to sleep, so I got online and got a ticket to Salt Lake. I was able to change the itinerary I had since July to fly to SLC the Friday after Thanksgiving to be there for Luka's birth. Rod took me to the airport for my 10:55 am departure, but I go there in time to make the 8:25 flight. I was sooooooo glad! But I was still too late. Julie kept calling me and giving me updates on the labor as we made our way through the Phoenix traffic. When she called and said Katie was dilated to 8 cm it was only like 7:15 AM. I knew there was no way I would be there and I got very sad. I have been present at the birth of all my grandbabies. Julie called again at like 7:30 and said "The party has started!" I knew for sure I would miss it, but I was on my way. My brother, Dave, picked me up and took me to LDS Hospital straight away. We found our way to the room and there was tiny (5 lb,14 oz) baby Luka in his little isolette. Katie was sitting up in bed as proud and pretty as a picture. She had a fast and fairly easy delivery. Ryan was so happy and excited about his new son. What a great event!

Cooper was so careful and sweet.

He was fascinated with Luka's little hands and face. Katie was so sweet as she helped Luka's brother and sister get to know him. Savannah was thrilled with her new brother and took charge right away.

They were delighted with his tiny toes.

Look at how baggy his knees are! Here is the whole family. Sweet baby Luka. Happy Birthday!

Band Season is Over...

For the last 3 months, our Friday nights have been scheduled around Cortez High School football games. But we don't go to watch football - we go to watch the band and particularly the drum line. It has been so much fun to watch Nick play with the band. It has required much sacrifice and hard work on his part - 6:30 am every school morning he has been there to practice. Monday and Thursday nights - extra practices. One morning as he was driving to school, he told me that when he was with the band it was like being with his second family. They have really gotten close this year, and he has made some good friends. Last Saturday was the last performance for the State competition. Nick said there would be lots of tears on the bus. I asked him if he was going to shed any tears and he actually said "probably," with his cute smile. I have included a clip or two and some photos. It has been fun for use to support him in this activity and now I ask you: What are we going to do on Friday nights?!?

This photo is of Nick with a special award the percussion line received at one of the competitions for "Best of Show." He got to bring it home for one night.

Becca's Birthday

Due to all the drama and business of last weekend, I did not post the things I wanted to about Becca and her birthday. So before a whole week past her birthday passes, I want to tell her how much I love her and what an incredible young lady she is. She was so excited to open her gifts, that she convinced me she should do it Friday before Nick went to his game so he could be there to see instead of waiting until Sunday. She said she would have such a boring weekend if she couldn't open her gifts NOW!

Hmmmmm. What could this be?

Becca tends to be very animated when she wants to for pictures.

She was trying to look very quizzical and puzzled about what this present would be.

Deep in her heart she really knew what it was!

It was her guitar Hero III game! She wanted it so badly!

We went to the Texas Roadhouse for her birthday dinner on Saturday night. Here she is pictured with Nick and Allen. Nick and Becca have acquired a taste for prime rib, so that is what they ordered. It was sensational! Becca sat on the birthday saddle and everyone in the restaurant gave her a big "Yeeeee Haaaaa!"

Here's my birthday girl with her cake. She asked for an ice cream cake, so we went to ColdStone and she picked a chocolate mint ice cream cake. It was fabulous! I think maybe the cake was the saving factor in the whole disastrous birthday dinner. You can read about that on my prior post "Ox in the Meyer." Let me just say that I hope I never have another dinner party like that!

Life is always interesting with Becca around. She has such a great sense of humor - always has - even when she was too young to have one. She is a tremendous example and leader in her Young Women's group. Her leaders adore her and the bishopric have all commented on what a sweet and genuine young lady she is. They all love her.

I love having her around, too! It is so fun to go for our evening walks. That is when she will open up and really talk to me. I treasure that time ... even though some nights I am just too worn out to go. I love hearing her play the guitar. Her talent amazes me. She is very supportive of my church calling and is quick to respond to little favors and tasks I ask her to perform. She is always sharing dramatic and hilarious stories about school at the dinner table. It makes our family life quite exciting to hear the latest escapades of the "Nerd Herd" and Becca and her friends. I am so thankful to have Becca in our family. She know I love her more than my luggage!

Here is Becca with McKaela and Mirium. They were the Jonas Brothers for Halloween.

Aren't they so cute!?

Tag - I'll play along

I have been "tagged" by Katie. I am supposed to list 3 things about me and then say what my favorite things are when it comes to the 5 senses.

Here are three facts about me:

I love to read books. I always have more than one book going, and if I don't, I feel rather panicky. I would rather read than watch TV (wonder where my kids get their love of reading?) In fact, when I read I zone out. My girls used to say, "Mom....Mom....KARLA!" in order to get my attention when I was focused on a book.

I love to hike and camp and bee outdoors. It has been so much fun hiking with Rod the last few years. And the hike I took a couple of weeks ago through the fall leaves with Katie, Julie and grandkids is absolutely one of my most favorite memories. Also the Christmas day hike that Rod and I did last year in the white tanks. I also fell in love with the Grand Canyon last summer - wonderful hikes there.

One of my favorite things is having company. I enjoy cooking, especially on weekends when I really have the time. And it is so much fun to have company and it is a good way to get to know people and make friends.

Sight: I love to see the sky - sunrise, sunset, clouds, rain, all of it. I really love seeing the beautiful array of colors that God uses in the sky. When I see a magnificent sunset, I know he loves me.

Hearing: The laughter of my husband, children and grandchildren - nothing better except when any of them say "I love you." The sound of thunder - one of my favorites! I love to hear good music like Chicago, Simon & Garfunkel, Mozart, Bach, Beethoven. I love the sound of the front door opening each night when I know that Rod will walk through it. I love the sound of Savannah's voice when she calls me on the phone.

Smell: Grandma Clark's house, of course! and babies necks. The smell of the desert plants after a good rain, the smell of Christmas, Hot chocolate, ginger snaps baking and homemade bread baking. I love good smelling lotion. I know this is rather twisted, but I love the smell of rubber cement, paint, and magic markers, too! There are so many wonderful smells, how could we ever do without our sense of smell! They say that smells can even trigger memories...

Touch: I savor the feel of Rod's hand in mine, or his hand on my knee when we are sitting close. I so enjoy the feel of those squirmy little bodies that house my beautiful grandchildren - there is nothing like hugging them. I love the feel of holding a new baby and just enjoying their warmth. I relish the feel of the piano keyboard under my hands as I play. I love the feel of new fabric when I am sewing (the smell too).

Taste: Hmmmm - I like the taste of just about everything, but if I had to narrow it down, my favorite would be really good salsa and chips (I mean I founder on that stuff when we eat out for Mexican food), then mint chocolate, then Ice Cream, then homemade soups, then pizza, then . . . well, I guess I better stop there because I could list HUNDREDS of tastes I love. ;o]

Now comes the fun part! I am tagging Diane (Asplund), Kim (yes, McNamara!), and Amy (fly on the wall). So go for it girls! Let's hear all about you.

Ox in the Meyer?

November 4, 2007 Today was Becca’s 14th birthday. The day started out like any typical Sunday morning: get the kids up; get ready, go to church. We came home and enjoyed a nice Sunday afternoon nap. About 3:00 I started dinner – Becca requested a special chicken dish that she likes – we call it sweet and sour chicken. I got the chicken browned, the veggies chopped and sautéed, and the dish in the oven to bake. I then cleaned strawberries and cut up the traditional Sunday pineapple. I set the table (we had 10 people) and got ready to make the rice. I decided to use minute rice in the interest of time. When I added the rice and stirred, to my dismay these little corpses started floating to the top. This was a BRAND NEW box of minute rice – one of the big ones purchased at Sam’s or Costco. Well, I had some regular rice (a 5 pound bag), so I got some water going and measured the rice out. When the water boiled poured in the rice and stirred. Yep, you guess it, more weevils. I had to send Rod to the store for minute rice – after all how can you have sweet and sour chicken without the rice? I was almost afraid to pour the rice when he got back, but no little corpses came floating up. I got ready to throw the salad together, and opened the new package – expiration date 4-10-07. The salad had so much wilted and spoiled leaves that I had to pick through it to get enough to serve. (I did this while Rod was out buy rice on Sunday). That made me so mad! Finally we sat down to dinner. The meal went well and everyone got enough to eat. Time to clean up – Allen and Ashley did the dishes. All at once Allen said the sink was clogged. I mean, this was par for the course today. So I went and got the plunger and plunged away. He turned on the disposal and things seemed to be moving. A couple of minutes later, Rod said, “Hey, what’s all this water on the floor. Water was oozing under the laundry room door into the dining room. We opened the door and the whole laundry room and pantry floor was flooded – Like 2 inches of water and it was moving fast! I yelled at Allen and Ashley to turn of the water now! It as really gross – bits of rice, salad, plates scrapings, were floating in the water. Nasty! I ran and got all the beach towels I could find and we started sopping up water. Brother Wheeler was in his white shirt and tie but just pitched in and helped. We had to clear everything out of the pantry that was on the floor, boxes of stuff from the cannery from our food storage. The boxes were wet, but will dry out quickly. And everything in the boxes was canned, so there should be no damage there. We went to Home Depot after our company left and got some Drano. We hoped it would work over night. It didn’t. Rod is calling a plumber today and we will have to have the line cleaned out. Thankfully, our bathroom lines worked and could shower and use our toilets. I’m sure the Wheeler’s will never forget their Sunday dinner experience at the LaMunyons! Hopefully the will come back another time and it won’t be such a disastrous day. By the way, Happy Birthday, Becca!

Color Code Test - Fun!

you are plum #DDA0DD

Your dominant hues are red and blue. You're confident and like showing people new ideas. You play well with others and can be very influential if you want to be. Your saturation level is low - You stay out of stressful situations and advise others to do the same. You may not be the go-to person when something really needs done, but you know never to blow things out of proportion. Your outlook on life is bright. You see good things in situations where others may not be able to, and it frustrates you to see them get down on everything.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

This is me according to the color code test. What do you think?