And now I'm even more excited...

Don't tell my kids - it's a secret... Doug will be flying into SLC on Christmas morning to surprise the boys. Since we can't take much of anything with us as far as gifts go, Doug is going to be the big present! Santa might have to drop a few things off here in Alaska to surprise the boys when we get back and I am sure I will do a little shopping in Salt Lake before the big day arrives, but I thought having daddy there would be such fun! (And now I have some help for the flight home!)

I'll be home for Christmas!

I am so excited! The boys and I will be flying to Utah for Christmas. We leave Alaska December 16th and arrive on the 17th. We will be there until the 30th and arrive home on the 31st. I just bought my tickets and feel like I got a great deal - and non-stop flights at that (they are nearly unheard of). Doug might tag along sometime in there if he can ever peel himself away from work. Mandi, I fully expect to meet up with you during that time! Plan accordingly! (Oh, and the garage comment was mostly for your benefit the other day - a picture WILL COME!)

Yesterday we came home from church to find one of the famous 3 little boys in our house playing Brenden's Leapster. Brenden has now decided to heat the house on high just like Nolan. For a little while yesterday I thought I had radiant floor heat and then realized that no, it was just Brenden's stifling room below me.

It was 36 degrees when I dropped Brenden off at the bus stop this morning. We are finally at 43. Chelan, which of the two is worse, 110 or 36 in September? We warmed ourselves up yesterday with a bike ride, during which I think Cosmo ate someone's goose, he had a fluffy white feather hanging out of his mouth. I drove back to their house to see if he did and there was a dead goose, but no one home to ask them how much I owed - they sell geese, chickens, turkey, ducks, and eggs.

My mom also told me yesterday that she will be here for Halloween. That excites me as well. This morning one of the seminary girls asked me if I was okay. I asked her what she meant and she indicated she meant "mentally" okay. I think they all think I am nuts because I get excited over the little things - like scripture mastery songs.

I feel like this is a random post where I am jumping from topic to topic, but now you understand how the poor seminary kids feel. Maybe I AM nuts!?

Super Saturday

No more advertisements, I promise.  Thank you to those of you who purchased something (um, that's you Amy), but I will no longer be telemarketing, or whatever the proper term for the online version is - Doug was not fond of my humor.

Today was tiring.  Doug, after working over 50 hours this week, had to get up early and head out with the scouts to teach them how to canoe, motorboat, and fish.  He was not impressed with the boys' outdoor skills, especially for being Alaskans.  

The boys (mine, not the scouts) and I went rock hunting this morning, which according to Brenden required sticks in order to kill a moose should we see one.  We took Brenden's wagon around the neighborhood and filled it with rocks several times.  Brenden also informed me the wagon was to haul the moose or bear back to the house when we killed it.  I then proceeded to "plant the rocks" - I do not expect they will grow.  I was just trying to spruce up the flower beds which have very obviously been neglected for years.  I am in pain after several hours of digging up rocks and then hauling them around the yard.  I wasn't able to finish because I was also trying to get the yard ready for the first snow which is to be expected in about a month.  I figure rocks are something people desire in flower beds other places and I can get an endless supply for free, so I might as well.  Next week I am hoping, crossing my fingers and praying we can move our green house.  The previous owners kind of just put it in the middle of the yard and I hate it where it is.  I suppose we also need to take down the trampoline if we are going to keep our homeowner's insurance.  The fence bids were too expensive.

The dogs have been eating the fish guts along the edge of the lake and stink.  Not only that, they have been throwing it up in the dining room.  (Doug's mom is currently gagging, I am sure.)  This would not be a problem if we had a normal dining room, but no, it has carpet.  We have only had probably 3 meals at our kitchen table because of our mess making heathens (this time I mean the children) - and that was only because we had company.  Other than that, we always eat at our bar in the kitchen.  So, today, as I was cleaning up after the dogs for the 4,324,567th time, I told Doug I didn't care what the new flooring looks like, we are getting new flooring ASAP, something that wipes up easily.  I am also working on cleaning out the garage so the dogs can live in there - I am ashamed to say it still has boxes in it.  For the first time in our married life we WILL park our cars in the garage.  I just need Doug to be home for more than 10 minutes at a time to help me.  I have a very long list, so Doug, I am guessing you are reading this at work - I'll prioritize that list for you!

As I was vacuuming today, Ethan decided to help me.  He crawls along in front of the vacuum and pushes it backward.  It is so cute, but very frustrating.  I will have to get a video.

Item of the day...

Today's featured item of the day is this fabulous "metal slicing holder."  It slices, it dices, no wait, it does neither of those things...  It holds the food so you too can slice and dice!  Safely slice tomatoes and onions, and more, with this sturdy device that uses a slicing guide and locking mechanism. Dishwasher-safe.  I know, I know, you are all so anxious, but wait, there's more.  As an additional bonus for reading my blog today, you can have the opportunity to purchase this ridiculous looking folding colander.  Cabinet space a problem?  This full-size colander folds flat for easy storage.  Holds up to 5 pounds and features a handy pour spout.  Made of dishwasher-safe propylene.

Have no idea what I am talking about?  I am really trying to keep Brenden from going door to door for his silly (our favorite substitute for "stupid") school fundraiser.  See blog post below.

I keep forgetting...

I think about it all of the time and then get on my blog and forget to mention it.  Plus, I should have a picture.  Are you ready?  Drum roll, please.  Doug SHAVED.  He has been beardless for almost 2 weeks now.  It is really rather odd - it has been a long time since I have seen him like that.  Last month when he had to go to Anchorage for work, they broke the news to him that it is against store policy to have a beard, but a mustache is okay.  Doug would look ridiculous with only a mustache.  He shaved it down to a goatee at the time and it was like that for several weeks.  One evening, he walked out of the bathroom and there was no more facial hair.  I was in shock.  He looks so much younger!  Trudy, I told him he should have done it before the wedding, but I think he loves your reaction to his hairiness.  I wish you could see him now.  You would be so proud...

Gross, Gross, Gross!

Why is it that babies love plungers, toilet scrubbers, and all sorts of cleaners?  Why is it that they MUST play in the toilet, most especially the toilet where someone just "eliminated" and failed to flush?  Why is it that babies must eat everything they come in contact with including dog food and the toys they just used to stir the toilet water?

Nolan just informed me that Ethan is calling China.

Fundraiser

I HATE school fundraisers, but Brenden's school is doing one and they win all sorts of cool prizes for what they sell.  (My theory, forget the prizes and the fundraiser and maybe they would even each other out...)  Anyway, if you want to support him, you can shop online at the fundraiser website at www.qsp.com.  Brenden's student number is BOE1 so if you purchase something, make sure you use the number so he gets credit.  The school number is 710312564 and if for some reason I messed that up, the school is called Nikiski Northstar.  The fundraiser is through Reader's Digest and they have decor, magazines (such as O, Better Homes and Gardens, Everyday with Rachel Ray, Parenting, Health, etc. etc. etc. and even some kids magazine), chocolates, your standard wrapping paper (where you get almost nothing for a small fortune - at least with most fund raisers - I haven't looked too far into this one), gift ideas, and other stuff.  To be honest, some of it looks pretty cool (like something you would buy from Pampered Chef).  They even have bulbs (like flowers, not like light fixtures).  You really must check out the pink roadside emergency kit (Sabrina, I think you need this!).

And who doesn't want a duck shaped floss dispenser?  Tell you what, just for you, I will feature an item every now and then.  Lucky you!