the the most busiest time of the year

Busiest??? Is that really a word? I'll have to check that one out. We have been busy at our house as I'm sure everyone else is. We had a fun Thanksgiving this year. We went to my parents house and everyone was there except Jenni, Josh, Abs and Parker. We missed you guys! As tradition, we all went around the table to say one thing we were thankful for. Shane went before me and said he was thankful for me and our family-so cute. Of course I was pretty choked up listening to everyone and feeling particularly grateful as we just got a letter from Connor's birth grandparents earlier in the month. In the letter she told us that Connor's birth mom had gotten married in the temple in August. That was such an answer to our prayers. We haven't had any contact since Connor was 6 months old so you can see how excited we where to hear such great news. Since we got that letter I have been overwhelmed by the sacrifice our sweet birth mom's made for our family. I look up to them with so much admiration for the faith they had to place Peyton and Connor with us. Now that I am a Mom I honestly don't know how they did it. They are amazingly strong and faithful women who we are so lucky to have in our lives. Anyway all these thoughts have been going through my head and I expressed my gratitude to them as the thing I was grateful for-of course I was crying. So then it came Connor's turn to say what he was thankful for-he said " I am thankful for wipes". The whole table started cracking up. It was so funny. Well my little buddy since you aren't potty trained, I'm thankful for wipes to. It's the simple things really.

The day after Thanksgiving I made a run to Target at 5:30 am. I ended up getting everything I was after, however poor Jeff didn't. Hollie and Jeff met me at Target and they were after the $199 LCD TV for their bedroom. Jeff is not the type to shove and push or make a fool of himself and run after merchandise. He's so nice and polite! By the time we made it back to electronics they were gone. I'm pretty sure the store only had like 20 of them since they were only on a small end cap. Poor Jeff. He said he was never waking up that early for a sale again. I felt really bad he didn't get one, and I even asked a guy hoarding 3 of them if he really was going to buy all 3. Yes- yes he was. Maybe Hollie will go with me again next year and Jeff can stay home with their new baby!! Happy Thanksgiving Jeff!

say hello to my little friend

I have acquired a new, greatly desired friend...my new Dymo Letratag. Oh my-I love it! I have been wanting one for a couple of years and never felt the need to shell out the $19.95 for it.

My cousin, Kelly came to our enrichment night this past week and did a great presentation. She is a professional organizer for Clear and Simple. She did such a great job! She totally motivated me to get moving and take on one project at a time. She had great tips and trick for making organizing better. I am happy to report that I took on a medium sized job (less than 4 hrs from start to finish) and my kitchen pantry looks awesome! I am thrilled with the results! Shane even said how nice it looks. I wish I had taken a before picture, because my pantry before was seriously out of control. I threw away a garbage bag full of things that I didn't realize had expired. Based on what she taught, it seems like I will be able to keep up this system and keep my pantry looking like this! I can tell that I will be going label crazy for a few days! My next project...the boys' closets. She had a great idea to maximize the wasted space in kids closets that is under the clothes hanging rod. I am super excited to get their projects done and weed through some of the "treasures" they keep in their closets. (sorry I still don't know how to turn a vertical picture so it's not sideways)

ode to my husband

My husband, Shane and I have been married for 13 wonderful years and I feel that I need to tell him thanks.

Thanks for being my confidant

Thanks for being the breadwinner

Thanks for toughing out PA school

Thanks for moving me back to Utah

Thanks for being silly

Thanks for being the best Dad to our two adorable boys

Thanks for being there during the process of getting our boys

Thanks for being my shoulder to cry on

Thanks for being the babysitter for girls night out, bunko, and various enrichment activities

Thanks for supporting my friendships

Thanks for spoiling me

Thanks for not caring when I don't feel like making dinner

Thanks for liking whatever I cook (I never hear a complaint)

Thanks for nurturing our marriage

Thanks for mowing the lawn-you know how it makes me cry to do it

Thanks for honoring your preisthood

Thanks for wanting to snuggle

Thanks for being level-headed when I am not

Thanks for taking out the garbage

Thanks for working on the basement

Thanks for paying the bills
Thanks for coaching Peyton in sports
Thanks for loving to go to the temple
Thanks for being you
Thanks for loving me because I am me
I am the luckiest girl in the world! I love you!

Connor Bonner

So to explain #10 on my prior post......Last night I had to run across the street to my neighbor's house to drop off some things for the humanitarian center (they work @ the dist center across from the hum. center). Anyway, I told Shane I would be right back. I was about 10-15 mins and when I came inside Peyton was in the family room and Shane was back in our bedroom reading a book. I ask Shane where Connor is and he tells me that he is with Peyton. Ummmm-no. So I went to the top of the stairs because I thought he was in the playroom watching a movie. I yelled for him and no answer. So I went downstairs totally expecting him to be there and he's not down there. So panic starts to set in just a little bit. I run to the back door to look in our backyard (which doesn't have a fence) and I see the dead bolt is in the unlocked position. Note-at this point it is about 7:15 PM and it is totally dark outside. I yell in the backyard, and no Connor. At that point I really don't know where to look and I am really feeling panic and then I hear the doorbell ring. I run to the door and it's my cute neighbor across the street (not the neighbor that I had gone to) Judy. Judy is darling! She is a cute grandma type that is widowed. She had a really cute box of prizes that she keeps for grandkids and neighbor kids to chose a prize when they come visit her. Well in Judy's arms is Connor-totally fine and unharmed. I about died!!! Apparently Peyton asked Shane if they could go to Judy's to choose a prize and Shane told the kids no since it was late. Connor decided he would go on his own. He went out the back door, went around the house to the front yard, crossed the street by himself in the dark, and rang Judy's doorbell. She let him in and immediately called us, but I was still at her next door neighbor's house and the ringer was off on the phone in our room where Shane was. When she couldn't get a hold of us she grabbed Connor and ran over to our house. Connor and I must have just missed each other when I came back to our house. Luckily Connor wasn't hurt or lost according to him. He knew right where he was headed. So, I put a child safety lock back on the doorknob. I think I need a back-up lock. Any ideas?
Seriously-I was sick to my stomach thinking of the possibilities. Shane felt so bad that he didn't hear Connor slip out the back door. Heavenly Father was looking out for our little Connor Bonner.

random thoughts

I was inspired by Kim's random thoughts so here goes....10 random thoughts

1. I need to get the laundry done in a really bad way

2. Heather and I are going for our annual Christmas shopping trip this weekend and I can hardly wait!!!

3. I have to buy presents for Nate, Daniel, Burton, Kevin, Jason and Josh...could I have a harder list??

4. I have to get organized for next week's Enrichment Meeting with my cousin Kelly-a professional organizer

5. I still have one bathroom, dusting and vacuuming before the house is clean for the weekend

6. I should probably iron the boys' Sunday clothes today since I won't be here on Saturday

7. I am really excited to put up my Christmas decorations this year which is weird since I usually don't get excited until after Thanksgiving.

8. I am sad about the state of a friend's marriage.

9. I am so grateful for my husband! I can trust him and I know he loves me unconditionally.

10. I need to get a better lock on the back door to keep Connor inside.

good reads

I have read some really great books lately so I thought I would share some. My sister-in-law Holly sent me a link where you can share your books on this website, but I am too lazy today. Oh and by the way have you ever gone to the library to check out a couple book that are in a series only to realize when you got home that you brought home two of the SAME book? Yeah me neither-only a idiot would do that. Seriously-I need a good nap! And the bad part it was book two-so I couldn't even start the series. Ok so here is my list:
(these are in order incase you want to read these, if by the same author they are a series)
Under Currents-Traci Hunter Abramson
Ripple Effect- Traci Hunter Abramson
The Deep End- Traci Hunter Abramson (haven't read this, but the 1st two were good-I am on the hold list)

The Bracelet-Jennie Hansen
The Emerald -Jennie Hansen
The Topaz-Jenni Hansen (haven't read this yet, as I am on hold for it-1st two were so good!)

Until the Dawn-Gale Sears
Autumn Sky-Gale Sears
Upon the Mountains-Gale Sears (also haven't read-have it on hold-great books!)

The Barrington Family Saga-Anita Stansfield (I have read books 1 and 2, #3 isn't due out until Nov, both books were excellent! I kind of got sick of this author awhile back, but I have loved these new books)

A bride most begrudging-Deanne Gist (so good! not an LDS author, this was about "Tobacco Brides" in the late 1600's who came to the Colonies as a punishment for committing crimes in England. They were forced to marry men here to try to populate the colonies. Very interesting, but light)

Of course: Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer. If you haven't read these-where have you been? Sooooo Good.

So that is my recent book list. Most books are LDS in nature and very light reading. That is mostly what I like to read b/c I do it for pleasure. Nothing too heavy!

And on a side note-who is following Dancing with the Stars? I about started to cry when Sabrina got voted off. Seriously I thought she would take the top prize! I felt so bad for her!

so much to do...so little time

ok I know that I have been a lame blogger lately, but seriously so much to do....

1st of all Fantastic Friday went well....fantastic! I am so glad it is over with and I finally have all the projects delivered to people who couldn't come that night. My feet hurt so bad when I finally got home that night. I was basically on my feet from 3:30 to 10:00. The next day Shane was so nice and let me sleep in until right before Peyton's soccer game, even telling me I could stay in bed and miss his game, but I wanted to watch him play, so I drug myself out of bed and went to his game which was so fun!

This past weekend we had super fun weekend with Shane's family. My in-laws came to stay with us starting on Thursday night (10/25). My kids love it when Grandma and Grandpa come to stay with us. Anyway-they picked our nephews Kole and Braydon up at the airport on Friday morning. They flew here for the Kjar Halloween Party. We checked Peyton out from school early (by one hr) on Friday as I had promised him if we did anything fun we would come get him from school. G&G (grandma/grandpa) and I took the kids to artic circle for lunch, then Shane met up with us and we all went to a park by our house. We then went to Glover Nursery by our house and had the best time. They had pumkin painting, face painting, a spook alley, and a hayride. It is seriously the best kept secret! We were seriously the only ones there. While there Shane and I had to run to Peyton's parent/teacher conf (which by the way-he did so good! it was every parent's dream-he's such a smart, good student). G&G kept the kids at Glover's and kept them entertained. We got to do the hay ride for free since Shane and I bought 2 shrubs for our yard. What a deal! Shane then took us all down to IMC to see his new office and the cardiac ICU and operating room. It was very cool! The facility is beautiful! Shane is very excited to be working at such a nice hospital, especially since it will cut his commute in half. It was really cool to see the OR he will be working it. Let me brag for just a bit-my husband is so smart! I couldn't believe all the technical stuff that was just 2nd nature to him. I was overwhelmed by the fact that he really stands in an OR and harvests vein from patients legs. Honey-you are amazing! Thanks for working so hard for our family! Ok-so after about 1 1/2 hrs at the hospital we were ready to go home! The kids were tired and hungry. So we headed home and finished the night with pizza from Little Ceasars.

Saturday (10/27) Gay and I got up early to do some shopping at JCP (that woman can shop!) then we all went to Peyton's last soccer game where he scored a goal! Way to go buddy! He played really good. Kole and Braydon seemed to have fun seeing him play. After that Gay and I met my Mom at the mall from a little more shopping (did I mention that Gay know how to shop?) Shane had arranged for us to go horseback riding Saturday afternoon. A lady he works with lives in Grantsville and has horses. She has told us that we could come anytime to go horseback riding, so we took her up on her offer. We had such a blast! All the kids loved riding on the horses. Even Shane and I took a turn riding horses. It was so much fun! By the time we got home, it was late and the kids went right to sleep.

Sunday (10/28) all of Shane's siblings and their families except his youngest brother and sister came to our house for the PARTY! Grandma Gay planned the cutest games including: mummy wrapping, balloon popping, and bobbing for apples. The kids ran around like crazy but they had so much fun. We had sloppy joes, chips, and great salads for dinner. Monday Kole and Braydon flew back to Denver, and later that night Connor told me he forgot to give Braydon a hug and kiss. The boys had so much fun with their cousins for 3 crazy days. A HUGE thanks for Grandma and Grandpa Kjar for making this fun filled weekend happen. It was awesome!

Monday night (10/29) we went up to my parents for the Vick family Halloween party. This was a new tradition this year, and one I hope we continue. I made homemade chicken noodle soup (yes-with homemade noodles) and if I can say-it was so good and so easy to make! (I have to say thanks to Merwin for guiding me though the noodle making process and for cutting them out for me) My mom made 2 kinds of homemade bread, lentil soup, and chili. It was great! We played musical chairs-which my 2 yr old nephew Easton loved! His response to the music stopping was priceless! All the adults (except Shane and I) even dressed up. I think by Monday night we were too tired! My mom wore a dance costume that my sister Hollie wore when she was in 9th or 8th grade. Way to go mom-she looked HOT! My dad did it gansta style with his umbro's, cubs jersey, and his cubs hat sideways-so cute! (Forgot my camera for this event)

Tuesday (10/30) I took the kids with my friend Katie to Cornbelly's in Lehi for the cornmaze, etc. We had a blast but do you think I could remember my camera? NO! Luckily Katie (who is always prepared for anything) thought to bring a disposable, so I will have to get doubles from her. Seriously-if you didn't go to this-go next year. The corn maze was ok, but the other attractions were so much fun. The kids loved the giant pillows you could bounce on, the spider web, the "cow train" ride, and our favorite was the hay ride. It was so bumby, but the kids were laughing all the way, as well as Katie and I. Good times!

Yesterday-Halloween Connor and I went to Peyton's school in the morning for his costume parade. Can you believe these are the only pictures I remembered to take of my kids on Halloween? Peyton decided to be Batman to school b/c his Spiderman costume was to hot to wear to school. Connor was Bob the Builder. They both looked darling! Connor really got into trick-or-treating this year and was amazed that you could ring someones doorbell and they would actually give you candy! He didn't really get tired of walking around. Peyton actually wanted to go home before Connor did.

All in all you can see we have had crazy good times, and we are tired. I think I need a nap!

OH-by the way I learned how to make homemade apple pie! My sista Jenni has the best recipes. Shane teased me that the only reason I made this pie was so I could take a picture of it to post on my blog! I didn't hear any complaints when he ate it!