One moment in time

Last night at about 7:00 I was thinking about moments, and how we never get them back. So I grabbed my camera and decided to document what everyone in my family was doing at that moment. Nothing exciting, but it might be fun to look back on in a few years and see how things have changed. I wish I would have done that more when Dallin was little, or when we were first married because I don't have many pictures from that time period. We didn't have a digital camera then, so I'm sure that is part of it. Anyway, last night at 7 pm, Jason was outside getting ready to spread the playground bark in the kids' new play area where there will someday be a swing set. Our kids have never had any kind of playground equipment. They have been pretty deprived. I'm excited for them to have something fun to do outside besides throw rocks at the basement windows. I guess the rocks just have the coolest sound when they hit the windows, so you really can't blame them. I'm so excited to get our yard in. Last summer was so hot and the dirt and weeds didn't really improve my mood in my already uncomfortably pregnant state. Grass, I love you. Someday I will have you again. Next Thursday, actually, if everything works out. Dallin was finishing up his game of Super Mario Galaxy. I really don't like it when he plays video games, and I try to put it off all day, but he usually does end up playing sometime by the end of the day. Bad mom!
Mr. Luke was playing on Daddy's recliner.
Then he got down to dance like "The dino on the earf (earth)" I guess that is a character on the video game.
Little Babs was chillin' in the high chair with her new eye patch. She went to the doctor on Tuesday and he said she has to wear it for 2 hours a day until her surgery next month. They are supposed to call us and schedule the surgery and I wish they would hurry because I hate not knowing. Anyway, this is my little pirate, Abby.
And me? I was doing the dishes, and finishing up Jason's dessert. Does Jell-O count as a dessert? This is a topic of debate at my parents' home. My dad says yes, everyone else says no. I say no, but I serve it as dessert so my kids will eat the rest of their food first. And it's usually as close as we come to an actual dessert anyway. BTW, thank you Julia for your yummy lemon curry chicken recipe! I tried it last night and it was a hit.So that is my night in a nutshell. I don't know why people say things are in a nutshell, but it is a habit now so I say it, too. Nutshell. Weird.

And an honorable mention goes to Dallin for graduating from preschool today. Sniff sniff. I can't believe my little baby is already graduating. Again. He graduated last year, too, so you'd think it wouldn't be so hard for his mother, but I am really really sad that he is done with preschool. It was such a safe time in my life. No real accountability or responsibility (besides the 3 kids and the house and the calling...). I am so worried about kindergarten in the fall! How am I going to put him on the bus and wave goodbye? I'm not looking forward to it. Love you, little buddy. Please quit growing up! I already told him if he turns six he is going to be in time out. I think I'm giving him a complex. He says, "But Mom, I don't know how to stop growing!" I say, "Well, figure it out or your going to be in the biggest trouble of your life." I mean it, too. I've had it with this "get big and leave your mom" business. See what I mean? Way too big! Where's my baby?

Oh, and thank you to everyone for your yummy grilling recipes. Keep them coming if you think of more! I'll keep checking.

Sum sum summa time

Okay, is anyone else sick of the games the weather is playing lately? It's warm, it's freezing, it's hot, it's snowing, it's sunny, it's snowing again, all in the same day. And the wind, arg. Nothing is worse than a cold wind on a sunny day. It's so deceptive. I wake up and think I can be in a good mood for the day, then I go outside and realize there's a cold wind a-blowin, and bam, instant bad mood. I can't keep up with all these ups and downs! It's like an emotional rollercoaster. So as I sit here and plan my meals for the next week, I would like to focus on the grill. Ah, my little friend the grill, that will cook me summer-tasting food, even if if there is not the weather to back it up. On Monday, which was actually a beautiful little tease of a day, I barbequed chicken and pineapple on the grill and it was FABULOSO. Thanks to Costco for their always sweet $3 pineapples and also to my sister Kristen's mother-in-law Jolene (sending you a "Holla!" if you're reading this!)'s famous chicken marinade recipe. It has become a staple in the Price family. So, thank you, Jolene. I hope you don't mind that I'm passing it along to the free world. Basically, you take 2 cups 7-Up, 1 cup soy sauce, 1 cup oil and some garlic and marinate the chicken in a bag in your fridge. The recipe says to marinate for 24 hours, but sometimes I only have a few hours and it still turns out. You can also halve the recipe, I usually do. Now, I'm asking you, my beloved readers, for your favorite grilling recipes. Anything that is easy, yummy and basically reeks of summer will do. :)

Flashback Friday

I was born the day before my brother Ryan's first birthday, so we are the same age for one day. Ever since we were little, my dad has insisted on taking a picture of us on my birthday holding signs to say how old we are. I used to resist this little tradition, but now it is fun to look back on all the years and remember which awkward stage I was going through that year. I want to track down all of the pictures of all the years, but this many embarrassing moments will have to do for now.

I guess I won't worry so much when Dallin makes his 5 backwards. I turned out fine... right?

8, and about to get baptized. Bless my heart.

I loved that sweater with the numbers all over it. It had a wide neck and I would wear a yellow tank top underneath. A little provacative for the times.

18. Wow, that was a bad year. I should have saved that Lucky shirt. It would probably fit my husband now.

Ryan was on his mission when I turned 19.
Hike those pants up, sista!

And now the elusive 31. I'm not afraid of growing older. It can't be worse than my youth.

Tonight tonight tonight!

It's finally here! A new episode of The Office! Has anyone else been waiting for the last FIVE months, wondering what was happening with Dwight, Andy and Angela, Jim and Pam, Michael and Jan, Toby and nobody, and of course, Creed? Or am I the only one?

Tonight, 8 pm. Here is what to look forward to:

Pam and Jim find they have run out of excuses and are forced to go to Jan and Michael's house for dinner. When Andy and Angela are also invited to dinner, Dwight's jealousy gets the best of him.

I can't wait!!!!! Michael Scott, don't let me down. You never have before.

A great weekend at home

I just returned from the BEST weekend at home. It was so nice to be there and basically do nothing but hang out with my family and watch Conference. I realized as we loaded the car to come back that I hadn't been out of the house in two days and I hadn't even noticed! Talk about being a bum! Our whole family was there, except for two very important people (Kristen and Steve, we missed you!). It is always amazes me that even with the vast number of people in my family, it is still so obvious when even one person isn't there. You'd think with a total of 21 people in the house that one or two missing wouldn't really matter. But it does! That is what I love about my family. None of us are perfect, but there is such a feeling of love and acceptance and trust. We have so much fun when we get together. I'm so grateful to my parents for always giving us such great examples of love and respect for each other. It has paid off tremendously! I just love the feeling in my parent's home. It truly feels like home, and it helps me to recognize when I am doing the things I need to do to make my own home feel the same way. I also LOVED Conference. Conference is always good, but sometimes I think I am more prepared for it than other times. This time I felt like every word that was spoken was just for me. Jason and I had some conversations on our drive to Burley about different things, and several of the things we talked about were mentioned specifically in the talks. We kept turning to each other and saying, "There's your answer!" It was really cool. I especially loved the talk about mothers and I can't wait to print it out and review every word. I love being a mother and I am so grateful for the gospel in my life. I really don't know where I would be without it. I feel so renewed and ready to take on this week, fussy kids and ear infections and all!