Go Kart racing...

Friday night we ventured outside of our comfort zone.  Normally our family Thanksgiving holiday activities include board games and movies.  This year we took a walk on the wild side and did some go kart racing.  These were no ordinary go karts, they were high speed machines designed to slide around a slick track.  Needless to say, riders were required to wear the crash helmet and four point seat belt harness.  I don't know what was more fun, the actual racing or watching everyone try to squeeze into those little helmets and tight racing seats?

Volunteering at Sophie's school...

I took the entire week off of work, it's been good to spice up the routine a little. Today Wendy, Jack and I went to Sophie's school to volunteer. We helped the kids create a turkey out of Nilla wafers, chocolate icing, chocolate covered cherries and chocolate chips. The kids had fun, Sophie told me I embarrassed her and the "turkeys" looked nothing like birds. It was a good day!
(Notice that Wendy does not leave home without her Diet Pepsi)

Jack has an addictive personality...

Jack got a Nintendo DS for his birthday last month. I don't think he has put it down yet. This makes me worry about a few of his apparent personality traits, I truly hope he never picks up a cigarette.

Never a dull moment at Disney on Ice...

The Disney special effects are pretty impressive. Jack is sitting next to me mesmerized.

Recession??? I don't see any sings of one.

Disney on Ice is expensive and they don't miss an opportunity to market the Disney goods. It's no surprise that Sophie inherited her mom's shopping gene. The Energy Solutions arena was packed, apparently $8.oo snow cones and $10.00 popcorn didn't scare anyone away.

78 Things About Me...

Okay, evidently I am a victim of peer pressure. Several of my blogging friends have kept this going, so I thought what a challenge to come up with 78 things about me! NO, Brian did not have any part of this, he wanted me to put in that disclaimer!

1. I am an only child, but have a half brother & half sister from my mom, and a half brother & half sister from my biological dad.
2. I have only met my biological dad twice, once when I was 5 years old and when I was 19 and he was dying.
3. I have never shed any tears from his death.
4. I have a bad habit of laughing at inappropriate times, such as my dad's funeral.
5. Sophie, myself, & my mom all have the same middle name, Marie.
6. I love living in Utah, because of the seasons.
7. I love living on Heartland Cove, because my kids love all of the neighbor kids & I love all of my neighbors!
8. I have a fear of earthquakes & being unable to get to my children.
9. I drink 7-9 Diet Pepsis a day!
10. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.
11. I play the lottery every time we go to Colorado, $2 quick pick powerball.
12. If I won the lottery, the first thing I would buy is knee surgery for my dog!
13. The second thing I would do is pay off my house & totally gut it & start over.
14. I have lived in Salt Lake for 7 years and never been to ski resort during the winter.
15. But, we go to the different ski resorts 2 or 3 times in the summer.
16. I love my church calling, because I get to spend time with my husband.
17. I love my husband with such an amazing level of passion & respect, he will never be able to comprehend.
18. Sophie acts like me as an adult, but as a child, Jack acted like me.
19. I failed college 101 economics twice, finally the third time I passed with a D.
20. I switched my major in college 7 times, social work, sociology, business, hotel & restaurant management, elementary education,general ed., finally family studies & human services!
21. I met my husband at a party in college.
22. I told my friend I thought he talked to much.
23. He told me he thought it was cool that I worked at a mexican restaurant.
24. Brian proposed to me in front of that restaurant.
25. It's one of my most cherished memories of our beginning.
26. I have to eat baked goods everyday
27. I also have to eat dark chocolate everyday.
28. I sing Hush Little Baby to my kids almost every night.
29. I am a night owl.
30. I have to take something to sleep.
31. My daughter loves mornings which make it easier for me to get up.
32. I love working out at the gym 4-5 times a week.
33. I love to feel sweaty, i feel like i've accomplished something great.
34. I have to get new running shoes every 6 months, its a quirky thing!
35. My favorite month is October.
36. My favorite holiday is Halloween.
37. I have a crush on Kid Rock!
38. I would love to get a tatoo if i could take it off.
39. I love raunchy reality TV.
40. I miss having a cocktail occasionally.
41. I miss going clubing, with my girlfriends.
42. Even though I miss it, I love my life so much more now than a night out.
43. When Brian & I got married I told him I would never become Mormon or live in Salt Lake City...HaHaHa!
44. I took 5 years of french & if needed to, I couldn't find the bathroom, sad!
45. My favorite all time movie is Urban Cowboy!
46. I make the best chocolate chip cookies, ever.
47. If I had money to blow, I would keep the plastic surgeon busy.
48. I fear my hair is going to fall out.
49. I love to watch my kids sleep.
50. I learned this year " I must accept the things that I cannot change"
51. It gave me a whole new perspective on my life, that I am truly grateful for.
52. I love to laugh aloud when now one is at hame.
53. Even though, I come across as a loud mouth, do it my way or else, I really fear confrontation & am a people pleaser.
54. Since living in Salt Lake we have gone to Cafe Rio on average 2 times per week, that totals out to be 728 chicken salads, pork burritos, tostadas, chips & queso.
55. My first car was a 1973 baby blue Pontiac Grand Prix.
56. I never changed the oil so the engine blew up a year later.
57. I live for warm weather.
58. In the summer time the kids and I live at the pool.
59. Smelling sun tan oil makes me miss my mom.
60. My favorite part of Christmas is a Nativity Scene. I can sit for hours and just look at it.
61. My favorite vacation spot is St. Thomas, USVI
62. I have never been to Hawaii.
63. I have no desire to visit Asia.
64. I have a fear that people won't like me.
65. Our first apartment cost $350 a month to rent and it had aquamarine green & orange shag carpet.
66. Our second home was 100 years old and we were the 3rd owners.
67. Our third home, is where Sophie was born. I was so homesick, I cried for 2 years.
68. Without that experience, I would not have joined the church, i would have not move to Salt Lake City, or gone through the temple with my family.
69. When Brian goes out of town I sleep with a knife under the bed & a golf club next to me, because I have a fear of someone breaking in.
70. My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip.
71. I ate it every night when I was pregnant with Sophie, & so did Brian & he gained 30lbs!
72. My favorite junk food is KFC or Taco Time.
73. I miss my suema so much it hurts.
74. I am constantly trying to get Brian to move back to Kansas, his response when pigs fly, if that was to happen Kansas would be the place.
75. I have an annoying habit of talking through movies!
76. I also have pop corn, no butter, add a box of Milk Duds to the popcorn & a Diet Coke with a shot of lemonade when I am at the movies.
77. I hope one day to be able to travel to Europe with my husband & kids for a summer!
78. I love to make lists!

Five year old's having fun at Fat Cat's

Jack and his crew did some serious bowling at his 5th birthday party.  Jack really likes to hang out with his buddies.  Thanks again to everyone for the awesome gifts and making the trek out to the bowling alley to share Jack's special day with him.

Baby hummingbirds

Baby hummingbirds
Originally uploaded by utahmike07

My nieghbor Mike took this picture, all credit to him. However, this nest is in a tree in our yard. Jack discovered it this summer. As I look outside and see the last of the leaves falling off the trees and the birds long gone, I thought it would be nice to revisit a pleasant summer memory. Thanks again for the awesome picture Mike.

Halloween was good...

Halloween finally came and went. It seems like the build up has been all month long, we've been to a scarecrow festival, a witches festival, a corn maze and a haunted house. The trick or treating almost was anti climatic. The weather cooperated (mid 60's) and the kids had fun. Jack did wear down early and I carried him most of the way. Come to think of it, I've carried Jack every Halloween of his entire life! In case you are wondering, Sophie was a "good witch" and Jack was a "bad cop".