Life Made Simple!!

So in efforts to save our family a little money in the food area I decided (and yes I'm just now doing this after being married for 5 years) to plan out all our meals for a week and make a grocery list according to that. Before I would just buy random things and then never really have all the ingredients for good meals so we ate alot of bean and cheese burritos.  So now I only buy what we need and have started saving and not wasting food. Also with preschool starting up I'm pretty tired in the afternoon so I figure if I'm going to make lasagna or something, might as well make 2 batches and freeze one. Oh how nice it has been. So this week I made lasagna, enchiladas, taco soup and this yummy crock pot chicken stuff (we call it yummy chicken). So now next week when I'm tired and lazy I can pull something out and throw it in the oven!! I'm sure most of you are doing this and think I'm a dummy for just now getting with it. But shame on you for not telling my years ago!! If you guys have any suggestions on some meals that can be frozen let me know. If you want any recipes for some of the things I made let me know. My recipes are WAY easy and very good.  

*disclaimer* these are not pictures of my food =) I wish I had the green casserole dish though!!

Ryker boy, oh I mean the spiderman

I just got some new crayons for Ryker and every time he gets a new box what does he do? Yes take off all the paper. So we end up with papers and little pieces of crayons where his nails (claws) have scrapped. Then after all that he colors for like 5 mins.  Oh well at least the unwrapping part took him 15 mins.  I do love this boy but we have good days and BAD days. Today started out bad, as we were at a Back to School Breakfast with ward gals. He was the only kid turning off lights, standing on a big box, with another kid in it, etc.. But at least he makes me laugh. Here are a few things from today.

*he is no longer Ryker, he is the Spiderman, as he says it and everyone else must be one to. I'm Leonardo from the Ninja Turtles, Aunt Kebs is the hulk, Aunt Wuggie is the Batman and so forth. He runs in the room very serious saying "come on superheros, lets save the day" then runs off and wants us to follow him as we save the world.

*i was cutting his fingernails (after the crayon incident) and as I was cutting he would say, "ow mom your cutting my claws off. I need them"

*I put a pork roast in the crock pot for dinner (I found a yummy recipe for shredded pork sandwiches) so he was hungry a little early so I made him a sandwich and of course he only wanted the bread.  I finally got him to take a BIG bite and as he was chewing and he was getting tears in his eyes, I said "what is wrong"  he replied "mom I don't like worms"  Shredded pork does look like a pot full of worms. I felt so bad and was laughing so i just made him chicken nuggets.

*every night we have to make sure his closet is closed because he says Randall for Monsters Inc comes in his room to take him.

*oh and Amelia is not Baby Sister anymore, she is super girl

Spidy and Super girl (her mouth is always open like a little bird)

Sew mama sew!!

So a few months ago I made Amelia a cute little dress. Well by the time I finished it, she was to big for it =(   (Amelia is a big girl, or my momba jomba as I like to call her)  But I got her first skirt done and it fit!!!  It is my first one and I'm not a great sewer, but I'm trying.  I love the colors navy blue and hot pink together!! No I did not make the shirt. I hope to keep making more, so easy and "sew" fun.  (I'm such a dork)

Handyman- smandyman

This has been my preschool room for the past 3 year. Well in July sometime, the toilet over-flowed and all that water crept under all this flooring. So we had to instantly move everything out and rip up all the flooring =(    Well with little time and little money I decided I would put in the new flooring myself!!!  

This is what is underneath, it made the room dark and dungeon like. No good for preschoolers.

So with the help of my mom, a little from my dad. Here ya go nice new flooring!! It took several hours and I have to measure and cute each of the outside layer of vinyl pieces. They are 18 x 18  better than the 12 x 12 I was going to do!!!!  It looks like real tile right, well it is just the stick-n-peel.  So now you are not as impressed with me but seriously it still took some work!!

Feeling Like I'm in Highschool Again!!!

So one of my most favorite things to do ever is go to the lake. Well I love the ocean, ponds, streams, rivers anything with water. I love H2O!!!  In Highschool I went to the lake often, with friends and my brothers friends. I'm happy just sitting and hanging out but I LOVE to tube as well. Thank you so much Porters for the fun time. You have no idea how much I  miss going. It has been years.  

The lake was beautiful and had such a pretty sunset! Ryker, Deli and Eden looking for fish.

Shaun went to the lake maybe 3 times his whole life, he knows how much I love it so hopefully I can convert him to loving in just as much. He tried wake boarding for the first time and got up on like his 2nd try. He did so good I was proud of him!!!

MEMORY!!

So I'm copying many of my friends who have this on their blog.  Leave a comment about a memory you have of me!!  It can be nice, mean, sad, happy,  whatever. If you thought I talked to much in highschool (Megann) tell me about it!! =)  I would love to hear what you all have to say. So don't make me look like a fool with no friends, leave a comment!! =)

A Whole 5 Years

Yesterday was our 5 yr anniversary. I can't believe it has even been that long, because I feel like I just graduated from Highschool.  I wasn't going to blog about this but after what happened last night I couldn't help it. So I'm on the Enrichment committee  in my ward and we had and activity last night of course. It was way fun and I went because I knew we were going to go out tonight to celebrate. Shaun worked on wedding stuff anyways. So I get home at 9:00 which was a first and Shaun was finishing up his work. I hear Ryker still awake in his bed.  So of course Shaun and I wanted to spend sometime together but Ryker keep getting out of bed etc.  Shaun and I always watch our wedding video on our anniversary, so I go to pull it out and Ryker is asking what we are going to watch. We told him we got married 5 years ago and it was a video of that day. We started to watch and Ryker loved it, when I came out of the temple in my wedding dress he yells, "mom you are a princess".  Then we hear Amelia waking up. I usually wake her up at 11:00 to feed her but she just knew she was missing out so I went and go her out of bed and feed her as we all watched our video. As I was holding my sweet baby girl and watching Ryker make cute faces during the video. Shaun and I looked at each other and can't believe how blessed we are 5 years later. I normally don't like when people get on their blog and make everything seem perfect, don't get me wrong has it been work, yes. Would I trade it for anything, no!! Marriage is hard work, raising children is hard work but we know the wonderful rewards that come from it.  Ok this is way to long and if you are even still reading this, thanks =)

July 17th, 2003  (yes we were crazy to get married in the summer)

Newlyweds. This was 6 months later. We both worked full time and went to school in the evenings. We saw each other on the weekends. Seriously.

2 years later 2005, we welcomed Ryker into our family. 

4 1/2 years later 2008 we have our beautiful daughter.

July 2008- I wonder what will happen in the next 5 years!!

Cali Trip....Lots of Pictures!!!!!

I finally am getting my Cali pictures up. First few are Disneyland, we spend 3 days there, well not full days but randomly through out the day we would go. One of the nights Leann stayed at the "high tower" (hotel) as Ryker called it and Me, Shaun, Missy, Nolan and Doug went out for a fun night without kids.

Yes Shauns mom made us dress in green for a family picture. It is going to be for her Christmas card.

We meet up with Shauns 2 cousins and their families. They live in Idaho and we had so much fun. I really wish they lived here because they are major crafters like me!!

Shaun and I on the new Toy Story ride. No those are not our cheap sunglasses, the ride is in 3-D.

The Amelia ride. Since she could go on anything, we found a ride that goes 2 mph and lasted like 2 mins.  She thought it was fun.

So on our kiddless adventure it was like 10:00 pm and we went on Splash Mt. I'm the fool who sat in the front and had never seen someone get so wet from this ride. I was soaked, dripping wet. Needless to say I was a cold and bitter the rest of the night. Yes even at Disneyland you can be bitter!!!!

Come on Muscle Men, make me a Queen!!

I forgot how hard it is to drive these suckers. My foot and leg was dying.

BEACH TRIP!!!

It was really windy and Amelia didn't care for that to much (she is like her mama) 

Some of the cousins diggin' in the pit.

My little sand crab!!!

LegoLand

So I don't know about Legoland. It is a place you will probably only go once. You will go once and realize you should have just gone to Sea World that is 30 mins away.  Most the rides you have to be 42 inches so about 6 yrs old then after the age of 8 I don't think the kids will think it is to cool. Ok it is not that bad, it had some fun play areas which Ryker loved, but to pay $50 bucks for a play area, not worth it!!! 

We waited in line for over an hour because it is their cool new ride!! LAME!!! I seriously couldn't believe we waited that long!!!! For Space Mt. yes, not for a dumb kiddie ride!!!!

So their is lots of neat things built out of Legos.  I love the Do Not Climb sign right on front. What is my child doing of course.... climbing!!

Oh such daring boys going out on a jungle safari. Beware of the animals made of Legos!!!

This was Ryker favorite. A car they could drive around. He was not a very good driver but had fun none the less.

A story about grease and the Girl

I just had to help Shaun shoot a wedding. First off, I don't know how he does it. Standing on my feet for more than 3 hours and hauling all the equipment around kills me. I only have to be there for 3 hours, he is there for 8 or more. Anyways so it was finally time for me to leave and it was way on the west side so I knew I needed to get something to eat for the LONG drive home (good thing I made a little mixed CD for me to listen to) but since I didn't know the area I thought I would just stop at the first place I saw!! The big red box caught my eye so I pulled in and right away I started to crave 2 Jack Tacos mmmmm. So I order 2 tacos and to add a little more grease I also got french fries. So I get my food and I start to eat the greasiest fries ever, if I squeezed them the greased would have dripped out into a huge puddle. Did that stop me.... No so I continue to eat and then I start on the tacos. The first bit, wonderful. Second bit, delicious. Third bit, my stomach is saying "ok that is enough". So why is it my taste buds crave the tacos and my stomach wants nothing to do with them. Bottom line is, I need a little something called will-power because my taste buds always win and I feel like crap the rest of the night. This is a way dumb post but I'm waiting for Shaun to come home and that is all that is happening right now.  

Who wants to sign up with me.

So my Ryker NEEDS to stay busy. I found that out this summer. On days we wake up and have something to do, the rest of the day is not to bad!! But I was looking at the Town of Gilbert's Parks and Rec ad and saw this cute little class. Now you don't have to be a boy to like this, sports are good for girls as well but if anyone wants to do either class let me know. Ryker is 3 so he can go to either one, I don't care I just want him to have a friend. Oh and the class is held at the Library on Greefeild so not to far. Also if you live in Mesa, I can sign us up through my parents, so no worries their!!!  It is 10 classes. Or if any of you are signing  your children up for something else, I'll tag-along with you!!!

4th= Friends, Fun and Fireworks!!!

Happy 4th of July!! I love this holiday!! Shaun is home, BBQ, swimming, popsicle's, fireworks!!  Even though it is HOT in AZ it is fun to be outside.  I forgot to turn on the flash so the pictures are dark but they are still to cute.

This year we decided to go to the Town of Gilbert's firework show. It was at Mesquite HS.  Poor Ryk has no cousins and everyone seems to hang out with their fam on all holidays, but luckily the Porters feel bad for us so they invited us to join them. We meet at the HS and Amanda brought a ton of goodies. I'm more of a dud and didn't bring as much, so thanks to them we had fun people to hang out with, fun thing to do and yummy treats to eat!!

I have no idea where they are all looking but that was the best shot I got =)

If anyone needs a balloon man for a party, Lee Porter is the man to call, he made flowers, swords, rockets (well not to Rykers liking) and a few other things.  

So I wasn't going to post this terrible picture of me but hey that is the real me and not much I can do about it. Before we came here we went swimming. So did the Porters but they look good!! =) Oh and if you are wondering where Amelia is during all this, we left her with Nana, since she goes to bed at 7:00pm. Yup she's a party pooper.

I tried to get Ryker's reaction to the fireworks and missed his big smile, but look at Eden in the back, she thought they were way cool. Then we have Delia who probably found some candy or something!!  Thanks again Porters!! If anyone else feels bad for us and would like to invite us along to fun events please feel free =)

Bring on the Tissue!!!

Yes I'm blogging at 1:00 in the morning, I'm getting things done before we leave on our trip and really wanted to post about the night I had so I can encourage some of you to go out and see 1856: The Musical!!! It is playing at the Mesa Arts Theater June 28-July 3rd. It is a wonderful play about the pioneers crossing the plains. It was such a great spiritual booster and everyone can use that right!!  I went with 2 friends from my ward and what made the play extra special is my close friends the Porters were apart of it. Eden this little cutie, plays Ester the youngest of one of the families. I'm so lucky to also be her Sunbeam teacher and loved watching her in perform, she was amazing.  Well Thank you Porters, Rogers and everyone else in the play, the spirit was so strong and I'm so grateful for our pioneer ancestors.

Candice, Eden, Amanda, Me, Wendy

Wendy, Candice, Me anxiously awaiting for the play to start!!

It wouldn't be a girls night without food right. So we stopped by Mangos just down the street for some yummy food before the play. Thanks you 2 for introducing me to this place. I must go back!!

Fun Activites

I'm leaving for Cali early Sunday morning and will be back Thursday.  I will then start posting a few fun craft projects to do with your kiddos. 

Beatin' the Heat

So for the past few summers I have done a preschool summer camp but wasn't as motivated this year. I have some way cute summer activities: under the sea, fourth of July, watermelons etc. So of course Ryker is not that interested yet in my projects but he does love to paint and cut.  

It is worth the 5 mins of cleaning when he will sit and cut for 30 or more mins. No joke.  Yes I thought I would just let him get use to cutting. A great tip for all your soon to be preschoolers. Cutting takes lots of practice, first let them cut whatever, so they get use to the opening and shutting and holding the paper. Then drawn a thick line and tell them to try and stay on the line. When they master that move on to wavy lines, curvy lines etc.  They will be cutting like pros in no time. (well it does take a few weeks) =)  

If anyone has bored kids I have LOTS of summer crafts.  If anyone is interested I'm willing to post some ideas.  Or you can just come on over =)