Finally I figured out my photo dilemma!! Well actually my cute computer genius did. I will have to remember to tip him well.! These are some of the pictures from our Vegas trip and Christmas.

We had a great time in Vegas. This trip we actually stayed with Chris's parents. His sister Dana

and her family are living with them right now, so we had 6 adults, and 12 children all under 1 roof! Crazy, but we all get along well and the kids had a blast.

We did some shopping, eating, visiting with family, movies, Chuck E Cheese, Shooting and visiting the Hoover Dam. UUUGGG! What a nightmare!! Hoover Damn scares the crud out of me! Seriously scares me. I had nightmares and panic attacks all of the night before we left. I had visions of kids leaning over too far and falling. I am happy to report that out of all of the 30+ family members that went, none took a sledding trip down the DAM..................................................

I cant believe that it is already almost Feb. Where in the heck did the time go? I thought for sure we would be in Utah by now, but this lovely economy is keeping us here in beautiful California a little longer. I am more then fine with that! This past week we enjoyed 70 degree weather------in January!!! Go figure. Well I need to go get some food on the table. I have been kind of lazy all day. Good times!

Here are some pictures. You will have to click on them to see thm bigger, not that they are exciting, but unless you have supersonic vision, they are hard to see. Also my computer is making me type goofy, sorry. I guess Blogger is getting back at me for bein g a FB traitor...hehe

NOT GONE AND HOPEFULLY NOT FORGOTTEN..................................................................


It has been a hundred years since I have blogged. I have tried several times to upload my pics from our Vegas trip, but for some reason my computer is not letting me. I will blog more when I get those up. Who wants to read my post with no pics????????? Not me!

I have also been quite hooked on FB. I have been keeping up with a good chunk of my peeps that way, but will always be a blogger. I hope everyone is great! I will be back as soon as my pics are up. (my computer man, ie.. my hubby is on a "mans golf weekend" trip) He is back on duty the second he walks in the door! hehe Have a great weekend!

Vegas Baby!!

So after weeks of ho-humming about if I want to go to Vegas this year or not, we decided that we had better go. blah blah! I am sort of dreading the drive, the packing the non-planning of events and so forth, my kids love seeing their cousins and Grandparents and so do I of course. It is just a pain in the butt. I guess I am just getting old and crotchetty. hehe

We had a fun Christmas. It was nice and relaxing and alot of fun hanging out with the kids--yes! I really did type that. No, I really do have great kids and enjoy them, I am so thankful for such a wonderful family.

I hope you all had a great Christmas and thank you for all of the cute Christmas cards. Dont think that you were off of the Smith Christmas card list this year, I just didnt get my act together in time to get a picture done. I am planning a family picture with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background sometime before we move. I think it will be a nice memory for the kids to have to remind them of our fabulous years here in California.

I will post some pics of our Christmas festivities when I get back. I of course will be keeping up with my blog reading and stalking thanks to my hubbys laptop, and for sure Facebook. So fun.

Have a great week!

FUNNY LITTLE STORY.................

Well, not really, but I kind of thought it was. Now keep in mind I am the worlds suckiest story teller, so try to keep up. :)

A couple of months ago, I was getting ready to board a plane home from my Utah trip. I was finding my seat and had noticed it was next to a man who looked very familiar to me. I couldnt place the face, but I knew I had seen him before. ( I hate when that happens!) After a little while, I finally realized who he was. He was the husband of one of the many bloggers that I stalk. I mean serioulsy stalk. This chick has NO idea who the heck I am.
It was the strangest feeling. It is almost like you are sitting next to a celebrity of some sorts. I almost said something, but was afraid that he might call security on me or something for being crazy.
Ok, so I guess it really wasnt that funny, but I just wanted to write it down.........I owe you all a big Diet Coke for boring you to death..............

Im still alive.... barely! I havent been much in a blogging mood or any mood lately. I am in a slump. I cant describe it, but I feel like a cross between Debbie Downer and Uncle Scrooge. That is a lovely image isnt it?

I should be more in a festive mood, but I am not feeling it, trying, but failing. HHHHHMMM! Oh well. On to more exciting things....

It has taken me a hundred years to post these pictures of our wild party with the Hales and the Bracketts. Christina and her cute family stopped in for a visit a few weeks ago, it was her bday to be exact. We had a great time. We havent seen each other face to face in many years, but it really didnt seem like it. Between my 6 kids, Christinas 4 and Rachels 5, we had quite the group of rugrats. The kids all got along great and we had a blast. Let just hope it isnt another 8 or so years until we see each other again!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAWSON

I cant believe that my baby is 2 years old today!! Where did the time fly? He is the cutest stinker and he brings so much joy to our family. Everynight before he goes to bed he has to "hug" everyone. It is so sweet. He is the cutest little guy. We are not quite sure where he got the blonde hair from. Chris says he is still waiting for the DNA testing results to come back . Funny guy!! OH! Not that he doesnt drive us insane with his 24/7 naughty antics (watered down makeup bag, kitchen watered down with the sink sprayer, etc. etc..)

Lawson isnt quite the talker yet. Chris says that he sometimes feels like he is in a Lassie Show. He is jibber jabbering about something, we just cant quite understand him. I guess it is a good thing. It will prolong the sassy mouth and potty talking right?? :0

Lala, we love you, you bring so much love to our family. Happy Birthday!

TWILIGHT MANIA

So a bunch of us crazy girls all got together and went to the 12:01 showing of Twilight. There were about 25 of us that braved the masses of teeny boppers.
Even though I was not crazy about the quality of the flick, I greatly enjoyed a night out with my friends. Good times!!!!!

Here are just some of my thoughts about the movie that irritated me:

1. "Climb on my back Spidermonkey"! Need I say more????

2. The hideous makeup and hair on ALL of the Cullens

3. The way Edward "sparkled" I would say he looked like he was sweaty

4. Why did the Cullens drive a JEEP? I imagined them driving a Porsche or Mercedes.

5. Jaspers "crazy" eyes. He kind of looked like he had rabies.

Ok, I will spare you my more of my thoughts on the movie. I did find it entertaining, but very cheesy. I would have to say my favorite part of the movie was when Edward was going in for the big mack-daddy kiss and told her to "hold still and dont move". That was rather hot.

I would love to hear your thoughts on Twilight. What was your favorite/worst part? Who did you go with? Did you brave the masses at the 12:01 showing?

OH NO HE DIDNT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh! How I sometimes want to sell boy number 6 on Craigs List!

Today as I was right in the middle of something extremely important-----------blogging! I was disrupted by the sound of running water. An almost 2 year old and running water are never a good combination... I opened the bathroom door to this!
This picture does not do the moment justice, but this is my makeup bag FILLED TO THE BRIM with freaking water! Oh how I wanted to scream, but instead I went and grabbed my camera and took this picture. I think the camera actually saved his life! hehe
Good thing I love this kid to pieces!

RECIPE ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


ok! So last night I must have had a bee up my butt because I decided to put away the box dinners and frozen deliciousness I usually call dinner and make my family a "real" meal. I know, I am shocked also! I havent made this recipe lately, but it is a family favorite and trust me it is SO GRUB!!!! So put your diets aside and your calorie counters away, because this one is NOT low calorie or low fat, but so worth every fat roll you will gain from enjoying it. So here it goes and Bon Appetit!!!!!


Outstanding Chicken Dinner

3 TBS butter
1(8 oz) package mushrooms
3 cups chicken broth
5-6 chicken breasts
1-1/2 (10 oz) can of artichoke hearts, drained and sliced
3/4 c butter
3 TBS flour
2 1/4 cup of half-half
1 1/2 cup Parmesean cheese Not the green can!!) :)
1 1/2 tsp dried Rosemary (optional, I do not add)
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper


Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325. Melt 3 tbsp of butter in skillet over med. heat and saute the mushrooms until tender. Remove and put in 11X13 baking dish. Add artichoke hearts to mushrooms in dish also.

2. Place the chicken in skillet and poor broth over it. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked. Add cooked chicken to baking dish, but reserve 3/4 cup of broth.

3. Melt the 3/4 cup butter in pan and wisk in flour until smooth. Gradually add in the reserved broth and the half-half stirring constantly until thickened. About 5 minutes. Turn off heat and add cheese, herbs, salt and pepper and add to chicken mixture.

4. bake uncovered for about 25 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand for a few minutes to let sauce thicken. I serve with rice or serve with noodles.

Make sure you serve with some yummy crusty bread, because you will NOT want to waste one drop of this sauce. SO good.

This recipe makes about 6 servings.

THIS BLOG IS BEING HIJACKED. KEEP CALM AND NO ONE WILL GET HURT!!!!!

This is Chris, Linda's husband, and I have hijacked her blog today since it is her birthday. Happy Birthday Linda, I love you!!

How did I hijack her blog? Let's just say it pays to be an IT guy. Sorry, dear you will have to be really nice to me if you want me to reset your password.

First a confession. I am a blog stalker. Is there a twelve step program for that? I never admit it to Linda but I do occasionally read her and some of her blogging buddies blogs. I think that keeping a blog has been rather therapeutic for Linda over the past year or so. Heaven knows if anyone qualifies for therapy it is a mother of 6 boys and wife to 1 borderline adult husband.

Here are some things I love about Linda:

- She is beautiful. For some reason she is pretty hard on herself when it comes to how she looks. I don't get it. She is HOT! Smokin Hot! (think Talladega Nights - Ricky Bobby)
- She is a pop trivia queen. If you want to know who was in what movie, which star is dating some other flunky, she will know it.
- Linda loves music. Whenever I get in my car after she has driven it the stereo is cranked and usually pumping out some top 40, hip hop who knows what. I swear that sometimes it feels like I'm married to a teenager and that is a good thing.
- Linda loves chocolate. I don't think love is strong enough word. I think that if I were made of chocolate, like in the Axe commercial, that would be a tough dilemma for Linda but in about a week she would be a widow.
- She is a social person. I say that because basically I'm not. She makes friends, good friends, wherever we go. She is down to earth and supportive. Great friend qualities.
- Linda loves her sleep. But only at the proper times. The proper times for her are from 1 AM to 11 AM. Unfortunately for her the rest of her life is not cooperating with that sleep schedule. On days when I'm there or she gets to sleep in there is hell to pay if anyone dares to make a peep or walk to loudly before 10 AM. Of course I'm exaggerating - but only a little. Our neighbors have a gardener that comes by on Saturday morning and sometimes he has the lawnmower, etc. going at 7 AM (way to early) and I think that if we had a gun in the house I would be posting about our periodic conjugal visits.
- Linda is an awesome mom. Especially lately when I'm gone for 3 days at a time. I do not know how she does it. When she leaves for her periodic girls weekends I put on a good show like it is no big deal but holy crap it wipes me out. She is tireless in keeping the house clean, us fed and clothed, being the WWF referee, keeping on the boys to get their homework done, etc... Linda you are the bomb. Totally amazing.
- Linda is the peacemaker in our relationship. Early on in our marriage it became clear that I was the one who would hold a grudge and be a jerk just to prove a point. Linda has always had a great ability to put the petty stuff off to the side and help us both realize what is important - us. That does not mean she is a pushover, she just has the ability to put pride aside and make the first move toward ending any squabble we may have. I can also truthfully say that in 17 plus years of marriage we have never had a big fight. Lots of disagreements to be sure but it is because of her that we have a very harmonious relationship.
- Linda is the greatest thing that has happened to me. I loved my mission, I love each of my children and I love the church but they all pale in comparison to how much I love Linda. (Notice I didn't mention golf? Truth be told I love her way more than golf too). We were engaged two weeks after we met basically because I knew she was the right woman for me. 17 years later I can't believe how lucky I am that she is my wife. Seriously, how many women would even consider, let alone be on board, with having 6 kids? If it were up to her I think she would even be OK with one or two more. I cannot imagine my life without her in it. The promise of being together forever with her is AWESOME!!!

Linda, Happy Birthday. If you look at the bio on this blog it says her age, 39. Hard to believe. I hope you have a happy birthday. I'm trying my best to make it one.

Love Me

Why ask why????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Things I am thinking about at this moment:



Why does Lawson insist on taking his diaper off all day long?

Why do I have a headache for the 2nd night in a row?

Why isnt it bedtime (for the kiddies) yet?

Why isnt my house sold?!!!!!!!!

Why do I want to attack my kids Halloween bags for candy?

Why do I have to turn 39 this week???????? Where did the time go???

Why do I always have a huge pile of laundry to do??

Why is my computer so slow? Helloooooo, I am married to an IT guy!!!

Why am I so addicted to Facebook?

Why did Obama (or as Hayden calls him- Jomamba or Omama) win???

Why am I making this stupid list instead of doing my dishes? :)


AAAAAHHHH! Alot off of my chest, I do feel better now.

A WHOLE LOT OF NOT MUCH.....................................................



I have been smack in the middle of a serious bloggers rut! I try to think of something exciting to post about, but my mind goes blank. I feel that I am just going through the motions of life and I am trying to stay afloat. I am in no way saying that my life is bad at all. It is just seriously in chaotic mode and I dont see it slowing down anytime too soon.

It doesnt help that I am a single mom during most of the week. I am doing it all and all by myself. I know, go call the Wambulance, because I am totally whining. People out there have it MUCH worse then I do, but this is starting to bite the big one!! Our house still hasnt sold. Not a huge shocker with the economy the way it is. I am ok in the fact that it is keeping me here in California longer, but it is getting old and Chris is tired of the traveling. Oh well...

I was on one of my many trips to the Sports Park today picking up kids from football practice and my sweet little Bowen asked me what was for dinner. I told him the meager choices and he asked me when we were going to have REAL food for dinner. WHAT??? He wanted to know why I dont cook anymore..... Gee, let me ponder over that one........ Good thing he is cute. :)

Here is a collage of some of the events from the past week or so. It is pictures from our Trunk or Treat last weekend and from the Pack Meeting last night. Landon received his Arrow of Light. So awesome. Way to go Landon!!

Well I am off to try and get my kids to bed. I have been going to bed WAy too late and I need to stop. Waking up at 5:45 to get Dallin off to Seminary is not that pleasant considering I had just went to bed 5 hours earlier. Dummy! Goodnight!

How do you spend your Friday Night Date night?????


Last night we had the chance to go and be street walkers for a day. It was actually alot of fun. There were about 35 of us and we got alot of support. Of course there was your occasional ice throwing, bird flipping and yelling, but all in all a good experience. We are all entitled to our opinions and I hope that I dont offend any of my blog buds out there. That is why we live in this great country, to have the ability to stand up for what we believe in.

Afterwards, we went to my favorite Indian Restaurant with Christine, Devin, Cheryl and Jim. Good times. Thanks Tristan for the yummy cookies and for letting me steal your photos off your blog! :)

I found this picture on somebodys blog and I had to share. I thought it was pretty comical----ENJOY!

Peace out!

I am out of here. I am heading to Utah for the weekend. I am so excited. I need this trip so bad! I am physically and mentally exhausted. I am in serious need of me time. I just hope that I come home to 6 kids still. Heehee. Lawson is into EVERYTHING! I kid you not. I cant explain just how into everything he is. Just in the past 2 minutes, I have gotten him off the counter, out of the garage and then I had to get him out of the bathtub where he just turned on the shower!!!! 2 minutes!!!! I just hope that Chris can keep his cool with him for the whole weekend. I am sure he will.

I am going to hang with my sister Julie and nieces and my parents. They are driving up to Provo today for my nieces bball games. I am just excited to shop and eat! Party!!

Ok, I need to get packing. I will check back when I get home--that is- IF I come home....... hehe

The Haps...........



Since I am knee deep in a PMS episode and getting my butt spanked by the raging hormones of my Aunt Flo this month, I am going to just make this post short and sweet (hopefully) so I wont seem like such a Debby Downer. I have been so stressed and crabby lately. I feel like I am so crusty and mean to everyone. Sorry to those of you who have had to be around me lately..":0
So here are a few of the events and "happenings" in my neck of the woods.
















Me and my hot man before our Anniversary date.
I always tease him that he looks like he is posing for a hostage photo.

















This little stinker who kicks my butt on a daily basis. He is
killing me, but I love him to peices.
















UUUGGG! I wont go into detail about this photo.
This was a "non-date" Homecoming Dance photo.
No he is not 16, and yes it is TOTALLY against our house rules
that you date before then. In my defense, there was a group of about 30 kids that all went
together. Does that work? We made it clear to this sweet little Amazon in the back of
this photo that it WILL NOT happen again until he is 16!!!!!
You would die if I were to show you what all of the girls were wearing!!!!!!!



GNO for Christine and Maressas Bday.
So much fun. We went to Tomatinas (grub)
and then some of us true party animals
went and saw Eagle Eye afterwards
Great time.


ok, I am going to take me some Advil for my
raging headache. Thanks Aunt Flo for another great
month! ;0

DISTURBING DIAGNOSIS********


Today I went to my hairdressers for my "usual". After I sat down in her chair for our normal consult of what I wanted done. I was srprised by an intervention of sorts. She told me that I was in need of more then a trim. That my hair was getting too long??? What??? I told her that I didnt think it was THAT long. Now granted it is just past the middle of my back, but it doesnt feel that long to me. She told me that she thinks I have "longerexia" and that I needed help. She told me that my hair was weighing me down. Whatev! I was dying. I thought that was the funniest thing I had ever heard.

Long story short, I succumbed to the peer pressure and she did cut. It does look better. It is still plenty long, but just looks a little more healthy and fresh. Still I am mourning the loss of my precious dead ends.....

I am writing my story in hopes that I can help anyone out there that is suffering from the same illness as I. If I can help at least one person out there I will be happy. So for all you "Longerexia" sufferers out there. There is help!!!!

COULD THIS REALLY BE MY KID?????




















OH YAH!! He is my kid all right. He is not even 2 yet and is the biggest Yuk mouth like his mom. I went into the kitchen the other day and found this little boogar had gotten into the freezer, pulled out a spoon and started mackin down on my ice cream. He does this all of the time. I finally had to put a little kiddie-lock on the freezer to keep his paws off of the hard stuff. Now if only they made an adult-proof refridgerator lock for me!!

Another way I know this child is mine is because he is a Diet Coke monster also. I know you are all cringing and ready to call CPS on me for this. Dont worry, I never put it in his bottles-----YET. He is still young. There is still time to corrupt him. He can hear my Diet Coke can or bottle opening from a mile away and come running. If I get one from the Drive-thru, I have to hear "mom, mom, mom-----GINK GINK"! In the most annoying, nails on a chalkboard scratching voice-ever heard.

He can also tell when I am opening a fresh bag of my precious M&Ms or any other chocolate delectable that I am shoving in my pie-hole. Good thing I have now turned to the "special" new M&Ms in a box. I think I have tricked him--for now.

Good thing I love this kid!

17 YEARS OF PURE BLISS

Can you believe that these 2 lovebirds are Chris and I???? I know, I know, I still look the same blah blah blah! Just kidding. Tomorrow, September 20th, Chris and I will celebrate our 17th anniversary. I cant believe how fast it has flown by.

I think that I have told the story about how Chris and I met, but I will tell it again so I can relive those fun days again..... ;0

It was may 1991. I was feeling like I was never going to get married. I was an old maid at 21 years old!!! Isnt that funny??? I really thought that. I would joke around that I would be so old and single that I was going to be going to the dances with Berlynn who was only 3 at the time!!!! What a dummy I was.

My mom told me one day that Ron (my BIL) had hired this new kids just fresh off his mission and that he was really cute. I rolled my eyes and said " Mom, I know everyone in Vegas and there are NO CUTE guys here" So caulky, I know. My mom would tell Ron that he needed to hook us up. (Ron didnt think that Chris was my type). Who knew I had a type? I was just willing to go out with anyone that had a pulse! :)

He finally did. He played city-league baseball and told Chris to go and he could "check me out" . Same thing for me, and boy did I check him out! He sat in front of me on the bleachers and I remember thinking to myself "he has such a sexy neck" I am such a perv! He still has a sexy neck by the way...... We all went out to eat afterwards and when we were leaving, he asked me out for later that week. We went out and had such a great time. He was so nice and fun to be with. Long story short, he asked me to marry him 2 weeks later and we were married 3 months after that!!! Good times, Good times!

It has been an awesome 17 years. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this man so much. He is a great father and husband. At the risk of giving out TMI, even after all these years and 6 kids later, we still have the fire!!! This man is HOT!

Hopefully I didnt bore you too much with all of the details, but it was fun thinking about it again.

Happy Anniversary Chris! I love you!

What to blog about?????????

I have been racking my itty-bitty brain, trying to think of something to blog about. Nothing exciting comes to mind. I have been so busy reading everyone elses blogs lately. So many people have had some trying things happen in their lives, I should be very grateful that I am having such a hard time thinking of things to blog about. I have been so uplifted and blessed by so many people out there, it is amazing. So many sweet, kind and generous people out there, it inspires me everyday to be a better person. Thank you!

I guess one thing that has been on my mind is the many different emotions that I have been experiencing lately. I am one big pile of stress. This whole house selling and moving thing is going to send me on a one way trip to the nut-barn for sure!! We are so in limbo-land at the moment. We know we are moving, we just dont know when, or where? We have had to list our house at lower then what we paid for it--sucky! At least we are not upside-down on it, that is a blessing for sure, but it still stinks. Another big think that is hard for me is having to keep this house clean all the time! It is hard!!!!! On one hand it is nice that it is clean, but trying to keep up with a 22 month old is what is going to drive me insane. He is into everything. I have a lock on my refridgerator, locks on the cabinets, table moved out of the way so he doesnt use it as a step stool to the counter top. Today he managed to climb on the counter , and turned on the garbage disposal! Talk about a Heart-attack! Good thing he is a sweet little cuddle bug! That saves me from wanting to sell him on Ebay!! :)

I have to say that life in general is good. I have a great hubby and sweet boys. I have had to grow in many ways also this past few months, and not just size wise from eating too much chocolate either!! I have been the sole parent sometimes and it has been so stressful. 6 kids pulling at me in all different directions. Do I look like Gumby? I dont do well in those situations. I do know that having our family prayer faithfully at night has really helped me out. I am so thankful for that.

Ok! I am sorry to have rambled on and on. I bet you are thinking" dang, for a girl who had nothing to blog about, she sure has rambled on and on" ! Sorry

Here are some of the beach pictures from our Labor Day trip a couple of weeks ago. We had a great time!