Time Fly’s…

Well what they say about time flying is totally true. All though it has been a very normal last couple of weeks, we were very busy Blanda’s. Which I find myself saying more and more lately. Our weeks have been of full swimming lessons for Aynsley, hikes as a family, a pool party with the family, a cabin trip with the grandparents, swimming in the back yard, BBQ’S, and Aynsley’s first movie (I took her to see Up. So cute and funny). All in all pretty busy when you throw in the everyday stuff, but as I’ve mentioned this is nothing new. LOL. I am still waiting on a sighting of two pink lines, as of yet I have remained unlucky in this area.

The weekend of the 4th

This Fourth of July was a little lower key for the Blanda’s. This year we went to the block party thrown by Boyd and Carrie (family pretty much). Everyone brought their BBQ’s and meat, and then the rest was potluck. I would guess and say that about 80 people showed up, we took up the whole street. All of the kids were running around, riding their bikes, and playing with sparklers. Everyone brought fireworks so we had TONS!!! We had a 30-minute show with about 5-6 fireworks going off all at once. Aynsley really loved them this year; she sat on the front row with her two best buddies Fisher and Lilly. After the clean up it was time to go home.
On Sunday we had the whole Blanda family over to our house for a BBQ. Everyone got in the pool even grandma and grandpa Blanda. Everyone was having a blast playing water basketball, squirting each other with the water cannons. I think even at one point Jeff tried dunking Diane (grandma), of course he lost when his sisters came to her rescue. For dinner the kids had hot dogs while the adults had cedar plank salmon. Then for dessert we had cake, ice cream and cookies. The kids really got into their ice cream, LOL. It was so nice to have everyone over, and get everyone in the pool. Before everyone had left we were already planning the next one. Well that’s that, spread love.

Brady's Birthday Bash!

Back in February was Brady’s birthday; we had a really nice party for him. But Brady was not feeling so hot, and didn’t really get to enjoy his party. So now that Brady is feeling all better, and lots of family is in town. We are re doing Brady’s Birthday! And it was an over the top birthday Hawaiian luau, we will have balloon animals, fishing holes, water slides, face painting, bean bag toss, snow cones, crazy golf, a sponge bob sqarure pants piñata, and a some cake to top it all off. The party was so great! Hats off to Jill and Diane, you ladies are amazing. The décor had the total ambience of being in Hawaii; everyone at the party had worn their Hawaiian gear. I would guess that there were at least 20 kids all running around having the time of their life’s. I would say the water slide was the big attraction, but all of the other games were played. Brady even got to go down the slide with Grandpa Blanda. I manned the fishing hole, the kids had to fish in the pond to get a package of Swedish fish, a lot harder than you would think. After we let the kids have a sugar rush (quickly followed by a sugar crash) it was time for dinner. Diane made sloppy Joes Yum! Jamie had made potato salad, Perfect! Stan’s mom brought her famous Broccoli slaw, Loved it! I had brought the veggie tray and a chip dip I had wanted to make and try on a crowd. It seemed to be a bit of a success, I had no left over to take home. The party was perfect; it is definitely something I will always remember and think fondly of. We love you Brady boy!

Catching Up!

So a TON has happened in the last two weeks, so I’ll start from the beginning. Two weeks ago my little brother had his bachelor party up at my parents cabin, and of course Jeff went. So that left Aynsley and I alone for a girl’s weekend. Friday night was spa night and girl’s night for mommy (once a week I hang out with my girlfriends from high school, so fun.) Then on Saturday morning we went to IHOP (Aynsley’s favorite place to eat, she is a huge pancake fan) then we took the train to down town to finally see the children’s museum, at gateway. Aynsley LOVED the train ride down and LOVED the museum even more. It’s really a cute and awesome place, thanks Rocky for telling me about it. I can’t wait to take her back again. That night we watched movies and went to bed early. We were both totally pooped. Jeff came home on Sunday; he was wearing the same clothes he left in. I guess that means they all had a really good time. On Monday we had the rehearsal for the wedding and the rehearsal dinner. The dinner was at Carver’s, so YUMMY! It was really nice to get to meet all of Randis family. Tuesday was the big day! I had a hair appointment for Aynsley so she would have cute flower girl hair, she screamed through the whole appointment. I was so worried that she was going to be same way at the wedding, but I guess she got it all out because she did PERFECT! Jeff and I were so proud of her. She walked all the way down the aisle stood right were she was supposed to and waited until Randi was all the way down aisle then came and sat quietly next to Jeff and I. Randi looked GORGOUS one the prettiest brides I have ever seen, Joe didn’t look to shabby either. LOL he actually looked quite the stud in his pinstriped suite. I was a perfect wedding I think; they had a yummy sundae bar with ice cream from cold stone. And as most everyone knows weddings at Millennium falls are always so pretty. Joe and Randi have been together for 5 years! I know that they are perfect for each other; I am so excited that they decide to make a life together. And I am even more excited to have Randi as a sister. I forgot my own camera so I will have to post pics later when I get them from Randi.
On Wednesday I packed up our trailer and headed to Fairview for fathers day weekend. Jeff and I hadn’t been camping yet, which is pretty odd for us. It was really nice to finally get camping, it was a bit rainy but I wont complain. We were able to get in some fishing, four wheeling, and some card games with the whole family during the rainy times. It really was an awesome long weekend; Jeff’s whole family was there which always makes for a fun time. So after a busy two weeks I decided to take it a little slow this week. I finally did get to finish painting Aynsley’s big girl room. And we got to the pool with Jamie and her kids this week to. Well that’s that! Until next time spread love.

P.S. There is still no baking at the Blanda’s! Keep your fingers crossed for us that it will happen soon

OUCH!

Last weekend was filled with yard work and working on the trailer, getting it ready and such. And on Sunday afternoon Jeff and I learned a parents Murphy’s Law.
Murphy’s Law
105- when it’s a Sunday afternoon just before a Monday holiday children will hurt themselves, badly! No pediatrician or dentist until TUESDAY morning.

I have to say that Aynsley is one tough little girl; out of the whole experience I was more upset then she was! Silly mommy! Well Sunday afternoon I had some brownies on the counter, Aynsley being a normal toddler just went and grabed one of her kitchen chairs dragged it into the kitchen to the counter were the brownies were and what I’m guessing (I was not in the room when it happened) tried to stand on the chair it slipped out from under her at some point and she hit her teeth on the counter. OUCH!!!! She came running out to the trailer were I was, Jeff was running after her. He looked so worried! And that totally freaked me out! After we all calmed down, got the bleeding under control, got Aynsley to open her mouth so I could even look in to see what was wrong, and then called Grandma Johnson aka my mommy. She came up gave her a good look down then gave her some pez. She finished calming me down and told me that it was really not that bad. In the end after talking to the dentist, and my mom we decided to go with the recommended advice, which was to wait until Tuesday. Something about letting the gums settles before they can do anything to them. But like I said before Aynsley is a tough little girl. At her dentist appointment we found out that there was no nerve damage and that the gums would go back to normal all on there own. He had us make another appointment in two weeks to double check. Wow I was so thinking it was soooo much worse. Silly mommy! I have to say that Jeff and I are lucky, she made it three years before her first big OUCH!
Well after that the rest of the week was really tame, lots of spaghetti O’s, side walk chalking all over the pads in the back, a little cleaning and laundry which is always super fun, bike rides to pick up Jeff aka daddy from work, BBQing dinner in the back, and really fun Friday afternoon hikes. Aynsley and I like little cottonwood. When we get there Aynsley calls it the jungle, and then says we are on an adventure. She is so cute with her little backpack and boots, I’m glad to have my little hiking buddy.




Saturday we had a wedding, my cousin Heidi and the love of her life Jay were married in Ogden. I got to see her before she walked down the aisle, all pretty in her dress. Which was gorgeous I think, it had a super cute ribbon and bow around the waist. She seemed so excited, happy, and full of love, I thought for a monument she might fly away! Afterwards Jeff and I went to dinner with my younger brother Joe who was also at the wedding. We went to Rock Creek, which is always yummy and fun! I love my family, and I really love doing things with them. Well that’s seems to be all the exciting news I can remember from this week and last. Until next time……spread love.

Where does the time fly?!?!

Ok so I know! Holy cow it’s been like two months. I have been a really busy bee lately with Easter, birthday’s, anniversaries, bridle showers, hours of yard work, and mother’s day. I hope my little brain can remember everything.

Easter
Easter was pretty normal with us. We went up to Grandma Diane’s and dyed Easter eggs with all the cousins. Which is always super fun, thanks Grandma Diane for the 5 dozen eggs we got to dye. That night the Easter bunny hid our eggs in the back yard for Aynsley to find in the morning. And boy did she have a total blast finding them all; she was so cute out in the back with her little pink robe holding her basket. Freaking out every time she found another one, so the best! And to finish off our holiday we had Easter dinner at Grandma Johnson’s, always yummy! Aynsley walked away with yet MORE candy then we know what to with. She just finished all her Christmas candy, we are a one to two pieces a day kind of family. I’m thinking that between the two Grandma’s I will never have to buy sweets and treats every again. LOL!

Birthdays!
In April we have four family members birthdays! My brother Miah, my sister in law Jamie, and her two boys Hunter and Fisher. For my older brother we all got together for dinner at my mom’s. She made BBQ chicken with all the fixings. YUMMY! For Jamie’s, Hunter, and Fisher we did one big party up at Jeff’s moms. We had a pirate-teamed party; we all had hats and patches even some scary teeth if you wanted to. There was buried treasure to be found with an old map that X marked the spot. The kids had so much fun finding all the clues and the treasure. There was pirate piñata and the coolest cake I have ever seen, shout out to Jill “the cake master”. It was a really cool party and I can’t wait to see what we do next!

Anniversaries
Jeff and I celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary this April 27. Because we had our trip earlier this year we did a low-key celebration. We went to lunch at Paradise and then we were supposed to go to the tulip festival but it was rainy and cold so we went shopping for more fun things to put in the yard. Then we came home to change for dinner, we went to Carvers (yummy prime rib). Then we picked up Aynsley (my mom watched her during the day after lunch) went home and did the PJ, movie thing. I did do one little thing, a couple of days before Jeff and I got married I recorded a video of myself singing a song that I thought best fit Jeff and I (and us getting married) then on our wedding day I sent the video to his changing room right before the wedding so he could watch and listen to me sing to him (being that I was way way to chicken to sing in front of everyone.) I also had a cute little speech to, but anyways! Every year I always find a new song to sing to him and this year it was Halo by Beyonce. I LOVE that song!!!! It’s exactly how I felt when we got together. If that song was out when we got married I would have sang it front of everyone, bad voice or not! We did get to the tulip festival, it was wonderful! All the tulips were in bloom, none were dead yet. This was the first year we have been so we were impressed.


Baptism

Hunter was baptized at the beginning of May! HOLY COW he’s 8!!! What a little man he has turned into, I am so proud to his aunt! Go Hunter!!

Bridal Shower

My mom and I threw a bridal shower for our soon to be Johnson Randi! My younger brother and Randi are getting married this June! WAHOO!!! The shower took A LOT of yard work to get ready for; it was in my back yard! But all of our super hard work totally paid off! The shower was a success! The weather was perfect, the chocolate fountain worked, and all the food was prepared and out on time. My mom and I thought we weren’t going to pull it off, we were running around like chickens for the last hour. But we did it!! We did need a margarita after but it was a victory drink!


Mother’s day!

For mothers day we did brunch up at Jeff’s parents, his mom made yummy fiesta quiche! Then we had dinner with my parents, we went to Red Lobster, double YUMMY! I got a really cool water fountain for my patio from Jeff and Aynsley. It’s so my favorite place to sit now in the mornings! Thanks Babe!

Well I guess that’s all my new news! There is still no baking going on at the Blanda’s. For those of you who know what I’m talking about.

Saturdays with Grandma, a month long birthday, and a big girl bed!

Holy cow the Blanda’s have been busy! We had Aynsley’s third birthday at the start of the month, which took three weeks to celebrate. She had three separate parties! And of course the grandparents spoiled her, it was like Christmas number two. Let’s just say Aynsley has her own grocery store complete with shopping cart and teller.
With the weather being so nice (while it lasted) we were doing a lot of outside yard work, going for walks with Aunt Jamie, going to the park, and coming up with reasons to run errands. Which didn’t leave a ton of time for blogging. Aynsley and I have also been spending our Saturday afternoons with Grandma Johnson. We went to the gateway and took the train, Aynsley LOVED it. We were shopping for dresses to wear to the upcoming Johnson wedding (YEAH GO JOE AND RANDI). The funny things is that my mom and I got more excited about going into Sur La Table than any of the other clothes store. The next Saturday we hit up a few craft and hobbies stores to start getting ideas for Randi’s bridle shower. I am so excited about this shower, it going to be super cute!
On another new note Aynsley has finally graduated from the crib to a big girl bed. I know I know, what took us so long. I’m not really sure what we were waiting for. Maybe another baby, but being that it’s taking a little longer than we hoped. We thought it was time, plus Jamie gave me a free twin bed. It was just a plain wooden bed, so it needed a few changes first. After some cute pink crackle paint it looked perfect for Aynsley. Now I just have to work on painting and making it a big girl room instead of a baby room.

Can you believe she’s three!!!

So our sweet little angle baby is turning three today!!! I cannot believe it, already so soon. Where does the time go?? It seems like she was just learning to walk and now she is running circles around me. She is such a big girl now, doing most everything all on her own. She is very independent, from picking out her own clothes and getting dressed in the mornings to being able to completely communicate what she wants to eat, watch, play, and were she like going. She is quite the toddler these days, and I love/hate it. I love it because she’s my little side kick/buddy and I hate it because she growing up and I don’t have my sweet little angle baby any more. She is now my sweet little big girl. There was book I was given that is perfect for her and the day she was born. I cry every time I read it. I couldn’t have put it better myself.

On the night you were born


On the night you were born, the moon smiled with such wonder that the stars peeked in to see you and the night wind whispered, "Life will never be the same."
Because there had never been anyone like you… ever in the world.
So enchanted with you were the wind and the rain that they whispered the sound of your wonderful name.
The sound of your name is a magical one. Let's say it out loud before we go on
It sailed through the farmland high on a breeze..
Over the ocean…
And through the trees..
Until everyone heard it and everyone knew of the one and only ever you.
Not once had there been such eyes, such a nose, such silly, wiggly, wonderful toes.
In fact, I think I'll count to three so you can wiggle your toes for me.
When the polar bears heard, they danced until dawn.
From faraway places, the geese flew home.
The moon stayed up until the morning next day.

And none of the ladybugs flew away.
So whenever you doubt just how special you are and wonder who loves you, how much and how far, listen for geese honking high in the sky.
(They're singing a song to remember you by.)
Or notice the bears asleep at the zoo.
(It's because they've been dancing all night for you!)
Or drift off to sleep to the sound of the wind.
(Listen closely… it's whispering your name again!)
If the moon stays up until morning one day, or a ladybug lands and decides to stay, or a little bird sits at your window awhile, it's because they're all hoping to see you smile…
For never before in story of rhyme
(not even once upon a time)
has the world ever known a you, my friend, and it never will, not ever again….
Heaven blew every trumpet and played every horn on the wonderful, marvelous night you were born.

For you are fearfully and wonderfully made....
Psalms 139

Happy Birthday Brady Boy!

My nephew Brady had his birthday yesterday, he turned three years old. We will be having a party for him later next week so there will be more pictures later, but had some cake for his special day. Happy Birthday little man.

What a Wednesday!

Wednesday started off like any other, Aynsley had school in the morning and all the kids exchanged valentines. And of course as we have been doing for several weeks Jill and I went to Jamba juice (my new addiction) and all a dollar. Afterwards Aynsley and I go into work and have lunch with Jeff. Well Jill and Jamie talked me into going to the DI. I have to admit that going to the DI was not really my idea of fun. But boy was I WRONG!!! I had so much fun, and I had no idea that they actually had some nice stuff in there. As Jamie said rich people don’t have a yard sale, they just give it to the DI. Some of the clothes still had the original price tags on them. I found some really great maternity sundresses from motherhood and a few other things that were still brand new (we are not pregnant yet but I am keeping my fingers crossed for soon. Negative tests are so hard to take.) After the DI we did lunch with Jeff, then it was off to go clean the house for the basketball game (we are big Jazz fans). We had invited Jamie, Erick, their kids, Jill, Stan and Brady, and Zack (one of the warehouse monkeys that has been working for us for about 3 years now.) We all had spaghetti and salad for dinner and watched the Jazz beat Kobe I mean the Lakers. It was a great game, a great dinner, great company, and just all around a great day. I am so lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life. Thank you Jill and Jamie for everything you guys do, you’re the best! I really don’t know what I would do without you guys!

I wonder if there’s any relation?? LOL. Just a funny picture of Aynsley and her uncle Joe. What a pair of goof balls. Excuse the bed head, Aynsley had just gotten out of bed.

Just a cute picture I had to post. I guess every kid falls asleep on the potty. What a tired little boo bear.

Sun, fun and relaxation!

We just got back from a little slice of heaven were it was 85 degrees and clear blue sky’s. The cruise was AWESOME!!! Everything we had hoped for. We got to go on a submarine ride in Aruba; tour caves and see some stalactites, stalagmites, columns with pools and waterfalls in Curacao, see the Dutch and French side of St. Martins as well as a lovely day on the beach (where we had the BEST quesadilla EVER), snorkeling with turtles in St. Thomas, sunning ourselves on deck with many frozen fruity drinks and so much more! It was a wonderful trip, but as they always say nothing makes you appreciate home more than a vacation. I missed my little sidekick so much, I just kept thinking the whole time how much Aynsley would have loved everything. She missed us to and was so happy to see us. She hugged us for about 30 minutes and kept giggling and giving kisses. Aynsley stayed with my mom on the weekends and with Jeff’s sister Jamie during the week. We have been told that she was perfect and got totally spoiled as well. Jeff and I can’t wait to go again and go as family; hopefully we will be able to talk the grandparents into coming with us as well.

40 pounds down!!

I am just way to excited and had to share!! As of this morning I have lost 40 pounds!!!!! Yeah go me!!!! Sorry for the self back pat, but like I said I was just way to excited! Thanks Jill and Stan for telling me about HCG diet and giving me the courage to do it!! Not only did I add 5 healthier years to my life (fitting back into my skinny jeans is also an added plus). I also have a better understanding of what exactly it takes to lead a healthy life and the drive to do what I need to to stay healthy. Only 4 more pounds to go until I reach my weight goal.

Bucket list

The "Bucket" List.....Things everyone should do before they die. I put an X by the things I have done, a great list though to get started on, I have now realized there is a lot I haven't done yet that I want to do.
Started your own blog X
Slept under the stars X
Played in a band (I played in an orchestra for 7 years does that count??) X
Visited Hawaii X
Watched a meteor shower
Given more than you can afford to charity X
Been to Disneyland X
Climbed a mountain X
Held a praying mantis X
Sang a solo
Bungee jumped
Visited Paris (I want to so bad I can taste it)
Watched a lightning storm at sea
Taught yourself an art from scratch X
Adopted a child
Had food poisoning (Hasn't everyone?) X
Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
Grown your own vegetables X
Slept on an overnight train
Hitch hiked
Taken a sick day when you’re not ill X
Held a lamb
Gone skinny dipping X
Run a Marathon (That’s on my list for next year)
Seen a total eclipse
Watched a sunrise or sunset X (both many times)
Hit a home run X
Been on a cruise X
Seen Niagara Falls in person
Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
Seen an Amish community X
Fired a rifle, shotgun or pistol X
Michelangelo’s David ( I will)
Sung karaoke X
Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt X
Bought a stranger a meal X
Visited Africa
Walked on a beach by moonlight X
Been transported in an ambulance X
Had your portrait painted (drawn)
Gone deep sea fishing
Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
Gone scuba diving or snorkeling X
Kissed in the rain X
Played in the mud X
Gone to a drive-in theater X
Visited the Great Wall of China
Started a business
Taken a martial arts class (also something I will do for sure)
Visited Russia
Served at a soup kitchen X
Sold Girl Scout Cookies X
Gone whale watching X
Got flowers for no reason X
Donated blood, platelets or plasma
Gone sky diving
Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
Bounced a check (oddly enough I haven’t)
Flown in a helicopter
Saved a favorite childhood toy X
Visited the Lincoln Memorial X
Eaten Caviar
Pieced a quilt
Stood in Times Square
Been fired from a job (I have been laid off a few times but never fired.)
Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
Been on a speeding motorcycle
Seen the Grand Canyon in person X
Published something
Bought a brand new car
Walked in Jerusalem
Visited the White House
Had chickenpox X
Sat on a jury
Met someone famous
Joined a book club
Lost a loved one X
Had a baby X
Seen the Alamo in person
Swam in the Ocean X
Owned a cell phone X
Been stung by a bee X
Seen Mount Rushmore in person
Learned to play an instrument X (played for 9 years)
uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment(I’m a nervouse laugher) X
Had a food fight X
Had a snowball fight X
Screamed as loudly as you possibly can X
Ridden a roller coaster X
Visited all 50 states
Taken a road-trip X
Milked a cow
Been in a movie
Crashed a party
Made cookies from scratch X
Gotten a tattoo X
Rafted the Snake River
Performed on stage X LOVE IT
Been to Las Vegas X
Eaten shark
Bought a house X
Been in a combat zone
Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
Touched a stingray X
Broken a bone X
Ridden a horse X
Eaten sushi X (hated it)
Had your picture in the newspaper
Gone back to school
Eaten fried green tomatoes X
Killed and prepared an animal for eating (ewww never!)
Dyed your hair X
Caused a car accident X
Saved someone’s life (I drove a friend to the hospital after she tried to OD on some pills, does that count??)
Held a tarantula X
Touched an iceberg
Changed a baby’s diaper X Just a few
Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
Tag, your it, see how you do on the bucket list!

Welcome 2009

2008 went by in flash, I still can’t believe its 2009. 2008 brought many wonderful memories and laughs. We had birthdays, anniversaries, camping trips, yard work and fence building, a new dog named Sadie, weight lose for me, watched Aynlsey change from a baby to a toddler, and so much more. I am really looking forward to what 2009 will bring us; there are a few hopes for a little blue bundle if you know what I mean (fingers crossed). This years resolutions for me are
1- To be a healthy person in mind, body and soul. (You can never stop working on that)
2- To start a cooking club FINALLY!
3- To hike and back pack more this summer!
4- To watch less T.V.(I used to NEVER watch tv, I'd like to get back to that)
5- Become the Zen master I know I am!
Well I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year. May all the blessing we seek find us this year.