Bored Bacardi

I love my dog so freaking much. He is so cute and fun and annoying all at the same time. Since I have been home more than usual you would think he would be able to come inside more often like he was able to when we would get home from work. Such is not the case. With our yard torn up and nothing but dirt, and him getting ready to shed his coat (seriously it comes out by the handfuls with just one shake), there is no way this dog is coming in. So he has become an outside dog except for one or two lucky occasions.

One day I was walking by the sliding door and noticed him on top of his dog house, which is where he is a lot. He just looked so bored and sad that I had to laugh and snap this pic real quick:

It makes me chuckle every time I see it. He's used to being by himself during the day so don't feel too bad. Plus he has the two dogs behind us to keep him company and the neighbors to bark at when they are out on their walks (thanks to the dumb rottweiler behind us, Bacardi has a really bad habit of barking at people through the fence - drives me INSANE!) and I do take him out for walks and go out and toss a ball with him. I promise he gets attention - but just that look on his face - PRICELESS!

Easter Festivities

This is more catching up, obviously, since Easter is done and over with. Meh. I get points for trying.

So Easter has never been something I get all hyped up about. I do LOVE the candy (not a good thing) and I do enjoy dying eggs. However, we stopped doing it at my house a long time ago (maybe once or twice in the last several years for the Bronsynn) cuz the kids all grew up and didn't care anymore. Last year, Paul and I didn't do anything ourselves cuz I just don't care about it. This year was a wee bit different however cuz I decided it would be kind of fun to dye eggs with just the two of us. And Paul hates hard-boiled eggs so I would get them all to myself - bonus!!

After that wonderful day full of yardwork and cutting down trees and taking junk to the dump, we came exhausted and showered and did our eggs.

He looks like he's not in a good mood but I promise he was a good sport about it:

Our wonderful speckly eggs!:

The next morning I thought I would be all cute and make us our little easter basket. Paul and I have a tradition that we go and get a new pair of shoes on Easter, but we haven't done that for the last two years (we're gonna have to do better, of course, if we are even to call it a tradition) and so instead I just got his favorite Easter treat (the Peeps) and my favorite Easter treat (the Reeses eggs) and put our eggs in with it. Very festive, I know. I'm amazing. Lucky for me, Paul's mom always gives us an Easter basket full of goodies so I didn't even have to think about getting one myself. Double bonus. I hate the thought of buying an Easter basket - it's such a waste.

No surprise here, but we always go to my parents home for Easter dinner and Strawberry Shortcake, plus the egg hunt for the kiddies.

The last time I had been out to my parents, I had noticed that the people down the street had their yearly addition of baby lambs. I love love love baby animals and I think lambs and goats are so stickin' cute and newborn foals would have to be my #1 favorite baby animal (we usually get a new foal once a year and it's my favorite thing in the whole wide world to play with their little newborn noses. Aww!) Okay anyway, I was prepared to snap a few photos of the lambs. As you can tell, they weren't too close to us but I tried.

(Don't they make you wanna do that stupid woman "awwwwww" thing? Yeah, me neither! just kidding - i totally do it...a little.)


When my siblings and I were younger, my parents only hid the eggs that we dyed the night before. Now, the kids get to find their own dyed eggs in the morning and when we all get together for dinner, we older kids go out and hide the plastic eggs that have hidden treasures. I get a kick out of watching my nephews hunt for their eggs since they are still so little and get so excited about the whole thing.

My adorable nephews, Aiden and Dallin, on the prowl:

Bronsynn is 13 - hence, she gets to work for the eggs she still insists on finding. So Gaven, in all of his geniusity, used his lacrosse stick to hide one of her eggs behind the porch light. Even standing on a bucket she still couldn't get it by herself!

These pics are random and just dang funny:

My nephews with their loot:

And Bronsynn with hers:

This war wound is from the stupid little rubber worms and catapillers that the boys got in their Easter baskets.

Gaven and Amanda found that you can flip someone with them a lot like you would an eleastic and it causes some pain. I wasn't even in this war! I was an innocent bystander, trying to clean up the kitchen to get ready for some homemade Strawberry Shortcake, and minding my own business when Amanda thought she'd be funny and she pelted me so freakin' hard. It hurt. It made me mad. It made me get even.

It was carrot wars all over again - except with rubber worms.



We were at worm war when my mom went and got the squirt bottle to make us calm down. But Amanda just went across the counter and got the water running in the sink and used the, uh, the thingy that pulls out of the sink and you can squirt water with it...I can't remember what it is called. I was forced to use my mom as a shield (hey - she started it) and all the while my mom is still trying to squirt me with the water bottle. Amanda shoots and aims and gets us sopping wet.

So then I pick up a rag and pretend that I am gonna come after her with it. Not the smartest move on my part because as soon as I did, her eyes lit up and it became a rag war. She is ruthless in these and it can be pretty scary cuz she doesn't hold back. In fact, she got me in the leg really really good and I almost had a cow. Everyone in the kitchen even did the shocked gasp! at how much it sounded like it hurt. Yeah...it did.

This is me in some serious pain...:


...because I just got this:

It hurt like a mutha' and this is what was left after four freaking days.

My siblings got such a kick out of all this they took pics galore and a couple videos. By the time I got hit three or four times, I just went at her with a vengeance - no sibling love could spare her at this point. :-) jk.


After the rag war, we apparently still hadn't gotten it out of our system and while we were sitting next to each other, we had a ring war. Never heard of one? Neither had I. We just made it up apparently because we were trying to hurt each other with our diamond rings. Props for creativity, yeah?

We ended the night with a bonfire and some Ukelele and we headed home around ten. It was a super fun day. Super super fun.

Kenny's B-day

K so I have some serious catching up to do. I have been quite lazy and haven't been up to posting about certain events and now a month has passed but I still want to get these up so I have them in here. Anyhoo - this particular event is Kenny's birthday.

My sister, Amanda, had arranged for a huge party to go and eat sushi at Takashi's on the day of Kenny's birthday, April 4th. However, there was a major miscommunication there and they could not and would not seat a party that big at this place. So while Amanda and Kenny and a few stragglers were still making their way through traffice, Paul and I went to Shogun's, which is right by Takashi's on Main Street, to see if we could get in there. Not easy to do on a Saturday night but they were able to split us into two groups right next to each other (which even Takashi's wouldn't do). It took awhile to get all these arrangements together and Amanda was getting pretty bent out of shape because, well, she wanted everything to work out for Kenny. She was finally able to breathe a little when we were all seated!

(That would be Amanda and Kenny there in the middle standing up.)

Paul and I hate sushi, as does most my family. Morgan was brave enough to try it for the first time - some he liked, some he didn't - but the rest of us all went with teriyaki and tempura. We get a lot of crap for that from Amanda cuz she doesn't understand why anyone doesn't like sushi, but come on. It's raw fish. How hard is that to understand?

Anyhoo! We had a grand ol' time in the restaurant - it was pretty chaotic with our huge party and another huge party right next to us. It was really fun though and afterward, most everyone went over to Kristauf's for drinks and dancing (we went for the dancing, of course, but there wasn't much of that so we left soon after).

We also got together on Sunday for dinner and cake and ice cream, this time with the parents and the young'uns. Kenny got a proper 'Madsen' birthday song and we all laughed and had good times.

(Clockwise from top: Benny giving the thumbs-up, Kenny and Amanda laughing at the birthday cards, everyone squishing in together for family bonding, and Gaven gracing us all with a little Jack Johnson.)

And finally, Amanda and Kenny became officially engaged that same Sunday, earlier in the morning. We learned that poor Kenny had the whole thing planned out to propose to her the night before at dinner with all of his family, her family and their closest friends together in one place. But when we couldn't get in to Takashi's...that changed everything. And then we were seated in two groups at Shogun and he didn't want to propose at only one table when the rest of us were near but not really in superior hearing and viewing distance. And he had one last hope for Kristauf's but it was so crowded and loud in there by the time we all were in that it just wasn't going to work out. I felt super bad for him - it would have been really cute! Instead, he proposed while they were alone that next morning (Bronsynn had slept over at my mom's, of course) and she came to dinner with a friggin' paper weight for an engagement ring. Seriously! it's over 3 karat's! It hurts your eyes, it's just that shiny! And it's very, very pretty. She's a lucky (spoiled) girl!

Oh I Get It...

I am 26 years old and I finally, finally watched Mary Poppins for the first time in my life. I don't know how it came to be that I have never seen this movie until now but it's true. I really really like watching old classics (I especially dig anything with Frank Sinatra) but I just never had the desire to rent the thing and spend two hours of my time watching it. Until now, I never understood "a spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down" even though I have heard it over and over. I always thought that in this movie they would actually be talking about sweetening up some cough medicine to make it taste better. Now I understand that it's a metaphor. How crazy smart do you think I feel right now?

Backyard Adventures

A long time ago (it seems anyway) we started on ripping out our deck as the first step in re-doing our entire backyard. Well with our most retarded weather we've had, it has come along a lot slower than we had hoped. But oh well.

Paul's brother, B.J., came over on a Saturday after a flag football practise and the two of them busted out the rest of that deck in no time flat. It was sure awesome.


I found it pretty funny that, once we had all the boards up and started working on the deck trusses, we discovered that our deck was being supported merely by a block of concrete sitting on dirt. Cool.


We spent a lot of time cutting down all those boards to take them out in smaller loads and soon after that we were able to get three truck loads of topsoil delivered.

Some time later, in between snow storms, my dad came out with the bobcat to move all that costly dirt around and tear up some trees in the process.


We had two medium-sized and one extremely large quakie in the back all piled up on top of each other. It was quite a bit of work (mostly for my husband!) to cut all that wood down and get it moved out but the good news is we have a nice head start on our firewood - booyah!



More to come!!

23 1/2

Paul and I took a trip to the dump a couple of weeks ago to drop off a trailer full of junk we've acuired from ripping up our backyard. I have actually never been there. My dad has had to take several trips out there over the years of my life but I have never been able to go. So I found hauling a trailer out there with Paul in the passenger seat, having no idea what to expect, when I came across this:

How freaking hilarious is that? 23 1/2!!! What happens if I decide I want to walk on the wild side and go 23 3/4? Is there a Dump Patrolman on a little moped that's gonna come get me? Oh the hilarity!

I'm Not Dead

so i haven't been blogging lately - i didn't think it had been that long until i read when my last post was and holy cow time has frickin' flown. i guess i haven't been in the blogging mood lately and haven't had the motivation to do it. it probably has something to do with the fact that i haven't had a computer staring me in the face all day long - which is actually really nice. even though i do have a computer and the internet at home, i just don't get on it as much as i thought i would. but i do have fun things to report about my Easter weekend and a birthday party and other such things..those will be coming. i know, i know...you have all been in desperate need of updates on my most exciting and thrilling daily happenings. but for now, take comfort that i am still here and i am not dead...just so you don't worry about where i've gone (not that you were).

Safely Gathered In Rocks My Food Storage World!

Thanks to this blog:

We are on our way to becoming Safely Gathered In!

Paul and I have been buying bulk items at case-lot sales (thanks to Macy's gigantic case lot and food storage extravaganza's!) to add to our long-term food storage, but I have always felt overwhelmed at the thought of getting everything I needed, how I was going to make meals out of pantry-friendly only food and learning how to make bread out of your own wheat and all the good stuff. It was just too much to wrap my mind around at the time and when that happens, my mind shuts down and automatically files it to "Later." I kept putting it off and adding to my storage in cans for the time being. But then I happened upon these ladies awhile ago and I am hooked!! I love that they have made it so easy! It's like 'Food-Storage for Dummies!' and it's GREAT!! I have been so enthralled with all the information they give and the recipes they share and the way they let you follow along with gathering and rotating long-term storage items and emergency car kits.

I am working on getting my three-month supply together. I love the plan these girls came up with! I finally don't feel overwhelmed (well...as overwhelmed. I still have to think about where to stick all of this stuff)! I have my menu's all planned out and have figured out everything we would need to make all the meals on those menus and have even created me a little system (although I just discovered they have one as well) so I know what I have and what I still need. I have had so much fun getting it together and even found recipes of my own that will work. I am excited to test drive all the recipes I haven't used yet. Now I can add to my 3M Supply a little every time I get groceries and watch out for sales on the items we need. I have never been so excited about food-storage in all my adult/married/responsible life!! Over time, I plan to get myself a wheat grinder and become a Master Wheat Bread Magician and other equally cool (or dorky but still important) stuff!

I am so excited to make myself a cardboard oven and cook us up a meal or desert! Ooohhh cobbler would be delicious. I think I just might do that! Peach Cobbler.

I invite everyone to go over to this blog and read up on everything. I am sure that even those who are better prepared than most can still find some useful tips and information. They have wonderful 'How-To's' and give step by step instructions and pictures on everything. And March's Ensign has several articles on Self-Reliance if any one hasn't read it yet and would like to get themselves psyched about food-storage. I read those articles and found this blog at about the same time - it was like a heavenly thump on the head and an answer to my prayers!

Landscaping Highs and Woes.

Paul and I had a superb little weekend. We are tearing up our entire backyard and re-doing it. Last week we started ripping up our yard little by little when the time allowed. And the weather was just awesome for yard work. I loved being outside working so very much - and the snow today is putting a big cramp on my plans for the week. Oh well - can't complain when the Lord decides to give you 'moisture', right?

The first to go was the totally ugly retarded brick pathway, then the rosebushes surrounding the deck were dug up and thrown out and the Quakies were poisoned to keep them from coming back when we rip them out, and finally, we worked on ripping out the deck. Initially, Paul and I were only going to sand down the deck, replace a few boards, and re-stain it. However, it was brought to our attention by my mother that the best thing for us would be to get rid of it and put down a concrete patio. Why??? Because my neighborhood has a little rat problem. I don't like admitting that but whatya do? Anyway, we can poison to our hearts content, but they will still keep coming back...because they have built homes under our deck. And the more I think of it, the happier I am because the deck was retarded, too and we didn't really like it but didn't really want to do something about it either. But this will make our yard look so much more spacious and lots lots cuter. We are really excited.

So our progress on our yard so far:

This is the retarded brick pathway mentioned:

All gone!!

Our deck before we started and different phases:




And this is why we are getting rid of the deck:


Paul was working on loosening the bolts to a board that runs along the house when he saw something move and he shouted "Mouse!" I thought: Well that would be weird...too weird, actually. So I said "Was it a mouse or a rat?" And Paul said "Mouse - and there's another one!" So I came and took a closer look and said "Babe - those a baby rats. And Ew." (Amanda, I almost called you because I know how much you love mice...how much more would you love a baby rat?? I know I know, I am too kind!) Paul had uncovered the babies nest and there were quite a few of them. We gathered them up and put them in a bucket - and I will spare you the details of how we disposed of them.

See all the junk gathered together? That would be a rats nest. Ten points for whoever can find the baby rat in the picture!

Nine babies total. NINE!! And nine less rats for us to deal with later on!

Daily Rant #6

So my sister is getting married in July. It's going to be a really private small affair in my parents' backyard (that's two weddings in a row, there!) and my sister just wants it to have a really intimate feeling- which I love. She's already been married once and she doesn't feel the need to throw an extravagant wedding again and I agree. That's just retarded. But since Kenny hasn't been married before, and doesn't plan on marrying anyone else, he couldn't narrow down his groomsmen. So what was going to be a best man with a groomsman and a maid of honor with a bridesmaid turned into FIVE bridesmaids and groomsman. All is well though - Kenny can have whatever he wants. So that means that my sister and I are now bridesmaids. We have to find a short dress that is any shade of a softer yellow. Well yellow is supposed to be the color of the summer this year, especially in weddings. But can I find a short yellow bridesmaid dress that is not too casual and not too formal but most of all MODEST?? Of course, not. There is lots out there that is strapless, halter top, spaghetti straps, low cut, really really short and backless. But there is NOTHING with sleeves, nothing that is long enough and nothing that looks good modest!! It is SO frustrating!! Does everything have to be so sleezy? Grrrrr! It's really annoying. Now my mom and I were able to find a pattern and material that will be really great but that's just one more thing to do on top of everything else! She's already making the wedding gown, having to keep up her backyard, cater the food, still do a garden and help with all the other wedding stuff. Is it really too much to ask for designers to make something with sleeves that goes down to about your knees and is CUTE? Honestly.

Bowling - Yeah I Got Nothing Clever This Time.

Last night my family got together to do some bowling. I love going bowling with my family. We go to the All-Star Lanes in Sandy and get two lanes and my parents treat us with the alley's pizza, nachos, fries and drinks. Everyone has a smorgasborg and we have so much fun goofing off, being competitive and chasing the kiddies around.

My hunny pie on the left and my bro Morgan on the right:

My brother snapped this beautiful photo of me - gorgeous, yeah?:

I love the look on Aiden's face!:

Amber and Bronsynn gettin' their swing on:

And a few others of my fam:

This is sexy Benny. Actually he's really just a part of the family. He's my brotha from another motha fo' sho. He's at all our family get togethers. If he's not there, everyone asks where he is.

The girls in my family are constantly trying to get a good photo of my dad, as I have stated before. Tonight was no different:

Attempt #1

He thought he was clever by picking up his cup in a hurry.

Attempt #2

Not so subtle attempt to hide this time.

Attempt #3

You have to enlarge the picture and look between the laughing ladies.

As you can tell, it did not go well.

I was so sucky by my second game, which usually happens for me, so Aiden and I bowled together until I could no longer persuade him to stay and bowl with us. He wanted so badly to go to "Chuck E. Cheese" Chuck E. Cheese is next door but what he meant was to go to the arcade in the bowling alley. So I took him down there and we played Ski Ball till we had enough tickets to get him a prize. He was so freakin' adorable when Bronsynn earned him his last eight tickets by getting 300 points on Ski Ball. He was so excited. I just love that kid. He's my favorite little boy, I must admit.

I had such a great time. It's a chill way to spend your Monday night!