Adventures of the White Family

Bryant's First Date - Post Date. For realsies.

2011-09-29T22:12:00.011-06:00

Last Saturday was a bit of a teary day for me. Could it be that I stayed up until 2am in the morning, and then went out and excersized and didn't take care of myself so I wound up dehyrated and pretty sick afterward? Probably. But most likely it was because my baby had grown.

Oh, he grew a few years ago. But I'm really startin' to feel it.

The boys decided to take the girls bowling and to Jamba during the day before the dance. I then imagined Bryant getting ready for the big night and me sending him on his way. I then realized, this is the beginning of the end. This is what it's going to feel like for the rest of my life. My boys are leaving me. I know, I know, I sound like Agnes Skinner, and I probably am. But the mom of the boy always sends him off and doesn't get to see the date in her cute dress, the mom of the boy sends him off to have some other gal take care of her baby, the mom of the boy "loses" a son when he gets married. It looks like this mom of boys is going to send her boys off and be left all alone. I know, I know, Agnes Skinner...

But I always thought once you become a mom, you always have kids in the house. So not true, and this part of my life is happening too fast. They were just little, I swear. I had all of the boys by the time I was 26, my days of empty nesting are approaching too fast. Some people might relish the thought, but my boys bring me delight every day. And I mean every day.

As I went down the dark path of my boys leaving me in my mind, I started explaining to Boyd what I was feeling as he was preparing a talk at the kitchen table. When I told him how it wasn't fair that the mom of the son always has to send her boy away I started bawling. Boyd froze and looked over at me like I had an alien growing out of my head. When I think about the look he gave me, it makes me laugh. In fact, all of the boys completely froze and looked at me like I was crazy. Okay, so maybe I am, but maybe not. I love my boys and don't want this stage of my life to end. Is that so bad?

Anyway, Bryant had a great time, and he went with a darling girl. She used to be in our ward so we know her family too. At least I sent him away with a good girl who was totally modest. I was very proud of both of them.

Catching up with him after the dance took me back to the days when I was in high school, just a mere 4 years ago...it seems like yesterday because it was. It's true, I swear.

I am glad the boys are growing up, but my how my heart hurts when I think about the time when are no longer under my wings and in my roost....

Bryant's First Date

2011-09-24T00:17:00.003-06:00

I have severely neglected my blog. Oh well, more important things, right? I haven't read any blogs, nor have I updated mine (obviously). Pinterest has taken my interest.

So, what's new? Well...Bryant has his first date...tomorrow! It's Homecoming and I can't believe he's old enough to go. He's a junior!! Lucky for me, he still can't drive on his own, however, that's not very lucky for him or his date. Good thing, my very best friend from high school -Toni - has a son Bryant's age and he just happens to be one of Bry's very best friends. They are all going to Homecoming together and luckily, Cameron can drive.

It's funny, I never thought in a million years that Toni and I would live by each other as adults, we would have sons the same age, they would go to the same school, and happen to be in a group of best friends. What's even crazier? We are old enough to have kids the age we do. I can't believe it. Time goes by too fast.

I love Toni as much as I did back when we were in high school. We still go on "dates" (we need another one soon), and she seriously hasn't aged a day. I, however, do not look the same, but she still loves me the same.

I had to have a talk with Bry tonight about "what to do on a date". Of course we always follow "FSOY" as we call it in our house. For the Strength of the Youth. But more than that, I have always taught my boys to be chivalrous. I NEVER open a door when I am with my boys, they always watch for others women who need their door opened for them. However, I realized tonight that I did not teach him he needs to open the car door for his lady friend. This is one thing I have negleted to teach them or have them do. Boyd always opens the car door for me, but somehow the boys have missed this. I found out tonight that maybe Bryant didn't realize he had to be "extra chivalrous" on a date - that means opening her door, always looking after the girl, never having her tell him she's hungry (he needs to be proactive on that one), making sure she's not too cold, hot etc. I thought I had taught him everything, but apparently I wasn't specific as I needed to be.

He's a good kid and I'm very proud of him. I am pretty sure I birthed him when I was 13. That's right, everyone in junior high missed me having a kid.

Yes, I'm still alive....

2010-12-27T23:00:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy latetly, and frankly, I've been jealous and super negative towards anyone who has the time to blog all the funny and cute little quips their rugrats make. Or how about those scrapbookers that have time to scrapbook "All about me"? That's just sick. And wrong. I live in a world of juggling a full time career and a growing family who think when I "cook" pasta with store bought sauce that I am the bomb. Keep their expectations low, that's my motto.
In an effort to diffuse my negativity towards those mothers who get to stay home and "live the dream", I thought I would blog and see if I feel any better. It helps that for the first time in my working life I have been able to take off the week before Christmas, as well as the week in between Christmas and New Years.
Boyd bought me "Xanadu" for Christmas....one of my favorite movies. As I watched it today, I realized my desire to look and skate like Olivia has not diminished over the years in the least bit. I still want to be just like her as much today as I did when I was little. If I could describe what is really in my heart in a few words it would go something like this:
Legwarmers
Olivia Newton-John
Roller Skates
Rainbows
Unicorns
George Michael
Bo Duke

My love for these things never fades. And, look at this movie poster? Can't you see why I love her so much? I mean, she's gorgeous and her skates with legwarmers can't be beat! Oh, and how she accessorizes her hair with beads and ribbons. I could just die!! I mean, where can you find a movie that will give you Greek Mythology, 80's punk, grown men doing the splits on a tight-rope, juggling, Gene Kelley, roller-skating, dancing, 40's big band, cartoon animation, and awesome music? Nowhere I tell you, nowhere!
One more thing, I can sing every word of every song in this movie too. Thanks to Amy who had the Xanadu record and a stereo complete with a microphone. We spent many days belting out the hits from this movie on the "rainbow" (how appropriate) on the Douglas T. Orchard playground. I own the cd now too....Olivia/Kira, wherever you are, I still love you at age 37 just as much as when I was 8!

My Old Man Turned 40...

2010-06-28T12:11:00.000-06:00

Boyd turned the "big 40" this last week. I met and married this guy when he was a wee 23 years old. Boy, how time does fly!

Boyd's sisters and I decided to throw Boyd a surprise 40th birthday party - you have to go out of your 30's in style, so we decided on a 80's themed birthday party. I lived the 80's and still love the 80's. Ask anyone - 80's music is my fav. Howard Johnson, The Thompson Twins, Janet Jackson, MJ, OMD, and the list goes on...Boyd too lived and loved the 80's, in fact I had to pry a triangle, circle, and square desiged bright sweater out of his hands at one point in time. True story.

Thanks to friends and family for showing your love and support for Boyd and our family. We had awesome costumes, sweet prizes (Adventures in Babysitting DVD, Hulkamania DVD's and 80's cold cereal)and a way fun time. Boyd was so surprised - here's some of my favorite pics of the evening:

And last but not least, my old man with his big gift for the night. He's gonna need these!! Here's to another 40 years - he definitely gets better with age!

Yes - I will make all your dreams come TURE!

2010-05-24T10:58:00.000-06:00

This post is completely random, but take what you get and don't throw a fit.

The epitome of Chinese to English translation:

This was a big booth at the Canton Fair - I don't even remember the product they were trying to pitch, and I wish I did, because I really do need my dreams to come ture!

Ahhh, it's been a busy few months, but it seems as though it never ends. There is never a lull in anything.

Boyd is almost done with the basement - he has done a BEAUTIFUL job:

My craft space/office...

Spencer's room

We'll also have another spare bedroom, and we left the other big space as our permanent storage room. The bathroom won't be finished, but we are calling the carpet guy this week. I am so excited to be able to send the boys downstairs and have friends etc. out of the main traffic area of the house.

Boyd has done everything by himself, with the except of Dan and his bro. doing the wall texture, and his dad and brother coming over and helping out where they can. He has worked hard, and it's taken a long time, but it's been worth it.

For more bits of random, I was going though photos and found these pics of a bouquet Boyd gave me for v-day. I did not realize I had some freaky eyes staring at me through the blossoms until now...

Gotta love those boys. Speaking of loving my boys, I was talking to my dad and relating to him how my boys have the same sense of humor I have, and the same sense of humor my brother and sisters and I had growing up. One of our favorite movies is Mr. Mom. I LOVE that show - it's such a classic!

We had my neices over and the boys were excited to show them the movie - they thought the girls would love it. When it was over, the girls said "it wasn't that great". Wasn't that great? What? They totally killed the boys!

Anyway, I will leave you with one of my favorite lines from the movie (aside from the clip). Can I....have a moment....to myself? Name that scene.

My boys - growing up...

2010-02-28T21:54:00.001-07:00

We had "the talk" with Logan last night - the last one of our kids. Boyd did so good, I hardly had to say a thing. I was glad for that, because I was having a hard time admitting it was time for by baby to hear it. Logan was so excited to finally get his turn - in fact he kept asking when he would get his turn at "the talk". Our tradition is to take the boys our to their restaraunt of choice after the talk - you know, to ease the horror that their little brains have just gone through. I'm surprised they've had an appetite after!! And I'm even more surprised Logan didn't pick a buffet. Yay for us!
Anyway, as we were getting ready to go, Logan was stepping into the shower and Spencer said to him "Hey Logan - why are you getting clean when you are just going to barf all over yourself?" We all had a good laugh...
Next, after we got home from church, Logan was so proud "Hey mom - I memorized one of the words we talked about - Vajayjay!" (except that wasn't what he said). Bryant almost spit his lunch out he was laughing so hard. He told Logan not to ever say that word again - he could say vampire or Virginia, but not that word again. EVER.
And lastly, after we watched the Olympic closing ceremonies (BOOOO - except for Michael Buble)we were excited to watch "The Marriage Ref" - from the commercials it looked pretty funny, and it was. My favorite part was about a couple that were fighting over having a stripper pole installed in their home. The wife DID NOT want one, but of course, the husband did. Spencer said he sided with the wife "because it's just one more surface to clean!".
Amen bruthah!

If you can dump it, dump it!

2010-02-19T19:40:00.000-07:00

A man? A friend? Rotten meat? No. What am I talking about Willis? I'm talking about baby poop in cloth diapers, peeps!

I work with the BEST people ever! We were chatting at work today and they told me I should write a book about my childhood. Really? Who wants to know about boring old Angie's childhood? I mean, I am so boring, I loves me the Olive Garden and I switch between 2 dishes there. I don't even mix it up!

2 childhood memories were relayed at different times to my co-workers today - don't even ask me how they came up:

1. I always wondered why our next door neighbors house was cold, or cool, in the summer while my house was always muggy and my sheets were damp. I always wanted to be at the Bezzants house in the summer because their house was magically cool. Little did I know that my wet sheets were not on account of some kid my mom was babysitting, but because I had a luxurious swamp cooler IN MY BEDROOM WINDOW! That's right - you heard me. West Valley is in the HIZ-OUS!I later learned that this cool phenomenon at the Bezzaants was central air. I vowed then and there I wouldn't have a swamp cooler in my bedroom window ever again and I would one day have central air. Check! One thing off my bucket list. It will probably be the only thing...

CAUTION, THE FOLLOWING CONTENT IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN AND/OR ADULTS WITH CLASS, MANNERS, OR GOOD TASTE (that should really be the title to my blog):
2. Having to go to the bathroom soooo bad, lifting up the toilet and finding a dirty cloth diaper taking a little relaxing dip in the toilet. AAAAAARGH! There was no way I was reaching down into the ice cold poop water, fishing out the grody diaper, and then ringing it with my bare hands. I had to do it enough when my mom made me. There was no way I was going to do it on my own without my mom forcing me. Mom's rule was if you had to go potty and there was a dirty cloth diaper in the toilet, you had to clean it out. No "smeller's the feller" here! I think her rule should have been "I decided to have these D kids, so I should rinse out their dirty diapers" right? As I was telling the story to my friends, Julie kept saying over and over again "Ohhhh, if you can dump it (meaning the poop), dump it - don't rinse it!" She had lots of experience with cloth diapers too. Poor thing.

So what did I do when I found a "non-dumpable" diaper relaxing in the throne? I just went on top of the diaper. Nothing like a turd on top of a turd filled diaper! I did get caught and reamed a few times, but in my defense, I was not the only one who did this. Many times I found a gift from someone else.

However, in an effort to be obedient, I went across the street to the neighbor's house and used their toilet. I would rather walk to another family's toilet than clean out the diaper in ours. That statement still rings true today. Some things never change.

It's about D time!

2010-02-12T09:52:00.000-07:00

I was reading my cousin's blog (thanks Eden!) and I couldn't have had more similar thoughts than hers. In fact, I thought about just copying her entry and posting it on mine. Great minds things a like I guess. Anyway, I have had nothing to say. NOTHING! My days all blend together, I spend too much time at work, my family does a great job of taking care of themselves, and I feel guilty every day. Who wants to read that? Nobody. That's who.
So, in an effort to at least keep my blog semi-active, here's what's going on. I'll save the best for last.

Sledding -the first picture looks nasty, but hey, we haven't had that much snow this year!

Talk about a skid mark!

My little LiLi had hernia sergery. Poor little lamb, but he's okay now...

Basketball games...

I got to babysit my little Lili and Addie. I absolutely adore them and I just want to eat Liam up! Isn't he the cutest?

Do I even have to say who'se daughter she is?

Addie always knows when she comes over to ask for hot cocoa, made with my sweet Cocoa Grande machine, with a candy cane for stirring, and popcorn. When I was making her her treats Boyd said "Geez, you don't do this for your own kids". He's right! I don't do everything my kids ask me too! That's what neices and nephews are for! My kids get the shaft, isn't that how it should be?
Speaking of "getting the shaft", I was tired of getting it from my kids. I was sitting in church on Sunday morning a few weeks ago and was madder than crap. We had spent ALL day doing deep cleaning on Saturday, And when I say ALL day, I really mean ALL day. Like 10 hours of work - and my house isn't bad to begin with! We deep clean every Saturday, and the boys have chores during the week. It's not like I've been featured on "Hoarders" or anything. At least that would have been a good excuse for why it takes the boys so long.
Let me even step back a few, both Boyd and I work all week, I usually get home around 7 or later, so I have time to crack the whip on homework and chores, snarf down some dinner, and by bedtime, I am completely exhausted. Completely. I would really like to spend some time on the weekend with my family doing something fun as there is no time for fun during the week. But fun doesn't come until after deep cleaning is done on Saturday.
Come Sunday morning, I've had it. We have no time for fun and relaxation. We don't get to enjoy each other like I would like. As I think about this, and think about everytime I would check on the boys and their chores and find them playing with each other, teasing each other, or just standing there, I was getting madder and madder. Not to mention, I had found lots of chores on Sunday morning that I was told were done, and they were not. Let me repeat, we had been cleaning ALL day on Saturday and didn't do anything else. I had spent the whole day watching over the boys' shoulders, telling them to hurry, asking them if they had done what they were supposed to, and I had HAD IT! Not to mention, a few months before this, I had made step-by-step charts for each one of the rooms in our house for deep cleaning Saturday. Each step has a check box, and I put the charts in page protectors and the boys use dry erase markers to mark off each step. These charts were made because again, I had told them 800 times how to deep clean a bathroom, but somehow they don't think that cleaning the edges of the tub are important, or the base of the toilet. or the....and the list goes on.
So, even with the charts, the boys were marking off each step, even if they had not done it. In fact, I'm pretty sure we had gone a few weeks without certain kids even reading the entire chart.
So, as I am trying to not to bring the entire ward down before sacrament, and also trying really hard not to go up to the deacons/teachers in their designated sacrament passing rows and knock some heads around, Boyd told me not to worry, he had a great object lesson to teach them. He could tell I was on the brink of explosion.
Enter in an object lesson for the ages.
Boyd and I "made dinner" on Tuesday night.

"Dinner" consisted of frozen hamburger, potato pearls, tuna fish, banana's, tomato soup (without the liquid) and corn.
We even covered the concotion with tin foil, set the table, called the boys in, and pulled out dinner from oven (the oven wasn't even on).
As we presented dinner, the looks ont their faces couldn't be replicated. Boyd and I pulled off Operation Shock and Awe. The government couldn't even do that. We are that good.

The camera couldn't even catch what we saw.
We presented dinner, and said "hey guys, we made dinner! Who wants the first serving?" They weren't sure what to say - they were all dead silent. I said again "hey, we made dinner, who'se first?"
Silence.
I then pulled out the charts, or in this case, the "recipes". I said "hey, Dad and I decided not to use the recipe for dinner, but hey we made dinner! We seem to have something going on in this house where we don't need to read or follow our recipes, and I figured, if it's alright for you guys to do it, it's alright for us. But hey, I made dinner, right? Just like you did your chores!"
Silence.
"You boys tell me your chores are done, but they are not, you haven't used your recipe, so I thought to myself, well, if the boys can do it, so can I. I decided not to make the potatoes or cook the meat, but hey I still made dinner. Finishing things just doesn't seem to be a priority, so I guess I don't have to finish my things either. Our dinner is done just like your chores are "done", right?"
Silence.
We then had a lengthy discussion (it was really a one way discussion) about doing things right, following the directions, and finishing completely. We also talked aout the dishonesty that was going on with marking the charts, but not actually doing what they marked done.
Next, they all went silently to their rooms, without dinner. I made dinner, but for some reason, nobody wanted any. Little did they know, I had Wendy's in the car for me, Boyd, and Spencer. Why Spencer? Because he was the only one who had taken the charts seriously. He was the only one I didn't have to constantly monitor, he was the only one who didn't have to be told twice to get his chores done. In fact, the first week I enlisted the help of the "charts", Spencer told me how much he liked the charts because it made him feel like he was really accomplishing something. So we snuck Spencer out of his room and fed him Wendy's - his brothers never knew.
Needless to say, the boys not only went to their room to ponder the night's discussion, but they each cleaned their rooms without being asked. It was a night for the record books - and so far, all we have to do is say "remember frozen hamburger dinner?" and they usually get to it.
I ended the discussion that night saying "Was it a surprise that mom and dad did this?" To which they all agreed it was. The last thing I said is "Well, there's more where this came from - dinner like this is just the start. If you want to behave the way you have been behaving, turn about is fair play. Just remember, there's a lot more where this came from."
Oh yeah, don't mess with a ticked mom.

It Really is a Wonderful Life

2009-12-13T21:07:00.000-07:00

We watched this movie tonight as a family, and I have to say, the older I get, the more I love this movie. It's my dad's favorite movie, and I always think of him when I watch it this time of year. Now I join him in declaring that this movie is one of the best movies. Ever. Period. I dare you to disagree with me. If you do, you are cold and heartless and I would really need to question if we should be friends.

Does this picture not say "celebrate"? On Friday our little family officially finished reading the Book of Mormon for the first time. In the past our scripture study was always on and off, but we've really tried hard and our labors have paid off. Boyd and I told the boys we wanted to celebrate our big occasion and do something that we don't usually have the opportunity to do. We had planned to go to the roof for dinner on Friday but it was cold and snowy so we gave the boys a choice: The Roof or any other restaurant they could think of. And guess what, the White/Peterson gene prevails in my sons...they all unanimously wanted to go to....wait for it....wait for it.....Chuck-A-Rama. I know!? Crazy and true! So we went, saved a bunch of money (although that place is not cheap), and had the happiest boys in the universe. I haven't seen them that happy in a long time. I mean, icee's, hot chocolate, chocolate milk, apple beer, and chicken - and all you can eat of it. They were so happy, and guess what? It made me happy too.

With our Book of Mormon celebration over on Friday, we had a basketball game, template date, family pics and a ward party on Saturday and tickets for the Tabernacle Choir on Sunday morning. I had also agreed to substitute Primary. And as it goes with my family, during the wintertime, someone always gets the stomach flu. That someone happened to be Logan. Logan told me before I left for a quick errand Saturday evening that his stomach hurt and he was in his bed - which for those of you who have boys, they just don't randomly go lay in their beds. I asked if he went poop, he said he did, and I thought "oh, he'll be alright". I told the other two he wasn't feeling well and ran to Sam's. The next thing I know, I received a text from Spencer saying Logan just threw up. Oh no - our family always gets the stomach flu a few times in the winter and it's never a pretty sight. Luckily, he made it to the "barf bowl" - yes we have a bowl designated for barfing - and it even says "Barf Bowl" on the side. I keep it within easy reach underneath my bed for those late night barfing spells the boys seem to always get.
Boyd ended up taking the other two to the ward party, a long with our cheesy potatoes that Boyd forgot to put the sour cream in. I told him to tell the gal who was in charge, and is my good friend, that they didn't have sour cream so they need to be used last, and only if REALLY needed. But he didn't, so I should apologize to all those who got the White family sourcreamless cheesy potatoes. Unfortunatly, Boyd also decided to use a sharpie and write our name all over our dish so we couldn't get out of the gig unrecognized for our poor side dish. Oh well, the ward is probably not going to want me to bring food anymore, so maybe there is an up side to this.
With Logan sick, we had a slight change in plans. Luckily, he was able to play his basketball game and be okay for family pictures - it hit right after they were over.
My sweet sister Laurel did another awesome year of pictures for us. The shoot was fast, we're pretty sure we had them taken in front of a marijuana shed, and it ended with an impromptu snowball fight.

We had a great snowstorm today, with the biggest flakes I think I've ever seen!

So today, as I stayed home taking care of my 10 year old "baby", and watching the snowflakes fall, I got to comtemplate my many blessings. It really is a wonderful life, even if our cheesy potatoes don't have sour cream and my son is barfing, there's lots to be thankful for.

Merry Christmas courtesty of Wham!

2009-12-08T22:44:00.001-07:00

For any of you who know me very well, you may know that I love George Michael/Wham! I always have, and I always will. This posting should probably be titled "Things About Me That Are Embarrassing". But if you know me well, you'll also know I'm usually a little too honest, so I can't deny my feelings for George.

I heard this song going into work this morning, and it put me in the best mood. I LOVE this song, know every word, and LOVE to sing a long. I really get into it. I always sing in the car, but to this song, I really let it fly. I wish I could sing a duet with George, I really do.

If you know me REALLY well, you probably know that George Michael was the first poster of a "boy" I had in my room. Yes it's true, this poster DID come before Kirk Cameron in white blazer/turquoise tee shirt and pink backdrop. When my dad asked me who he was and why he was on my wall, I was so embarrassed, I tore the poster off the wall and threw it away. If my memory serves me correctly, and I'm pretty sure it does, I believe my dad was chuckling as he asked his questions, hence the embarrassment. So sad, I wish I still had it - George in his aviator shades and leather jacket. It was pretty sweet. I'm pretty sure this posting is going to be followed up with an hour of me watching GM videos on Youtube.

Anyway, nothing says Merry Christmas like hearing a good old 80's song sung by a good looking guy with a huge do. I just can't believe George gave "her" the same diamond pin he gave me for Christmas...

Funny!

2009-11-27T18:12:00.001-07:00

Yes, I'm Alive!

2009-10-05T17:09:00.000-06:00

It is true, I have not died and fallen off the face of the planet. I've just been super busy and not had a moment to either update my blog or read any of my favorites. My sister La said everytime she checked my blog she would get so mad to see "Summer Lovin'". I don't blame her, summer is gone. Sigh.
Here's a few pics of what we've been busy doing...

An early morning sunrise, getting ready for work!

Stampin' Up!'s 2009 Annual Convention. A few of my product lines...

Me dropping off Gatorade and sunscreen to Boyd while he volunteered at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.

Lara brought Reese home as he had a 4-day leave from the military. They best be getting hitched because I like Lara so much!

I now have a 12 year old...

And a 10 year old....

And three football players...
Spencer

That would be Spence, front left, the tall kid...

Spence making a sweet tackle.

Bryant
White, Black...ha ha!

Sorry, all of my action photos are blurry and I can never get Bry in the shot...

Logan

A dirty scout returns home with three new friends...

Lucky for me, 2 got out (outside thankfully) and I convinced him to give the last one to a neighbor so I am lizard free, the way to be!

Me and and my peep Missy take a trip to Wisconsin...

"Head. Pants. NOW!" "It's like an orange on a toothpick"

And finally, conference morning. Breakfast with the family.

Boyd "Would you like a round-house kick to the face while I'm wearing these bad boys? Forget about it!"

Summer Lovin'

2009-07-31T11:44:00.000-06:00

Does this photo not embody everything about summer? I think it's one of my all-time favs.

Boyd's mom and dad had a waterslide party for Boyd's dad's birthday - it's become somewhat of a tradition and we always have such a great time. I had to sit it out because of the leg. Boooo. But it was still so much fun watching.

The boys with their boy cousins on Boyd's side of the family...

Anyone that knows me, should understand how hard it was for me to not go down the slide. Torture I tell ya!

OH, and big news in the White household, Spencer got to sit in the front seat of our car for the first time. YOu need to be 12 to sit in the front, but he's taller than most kids his age and he will be 12 in 6 weeks. It's always a big day when they get to sit in the front seat. He's growing so much I can't believe it!

We also have big news in another area. For the first time in I don't know how long, Bryant's not playing fall baseball. We signed both Bry and Spence up for football. Practices started this week and they are kicking the snot out of Bry (he still loves it) and I've never seen Spencer happier. Seriously. He LOVES this sport and is doing so good! He's got some work to do on receiving, but as far as speed and tacking, he's kicking butt. He's always the fastest at any of the drills they do. I'm loving watching him play - it sure beats soccer! I feel like I'm cheating on my true love - baseball. I feel guilty we're not at the baseball fields, and I feel guilty that the boys are loving it so much. But not guilty enough I guess. Baseball has defined our family for a while, because of Bry's involvement. I don't think Bry will give up baseball (thankfully), but I'm sure he'll be a better player for this experience. IT's good for him. He's playing linebacker and learning lots of new stuff. However, I think Spencer has found his calling. Stay tuned...

Bryant is off at youth conference - and I miss him. He'll be home tomorrow, and I'm sure he's having a great time. Imagine, little Miss Molly (me) never got the opportunity to go on Youth Conferene. Pretty sad, I always had a job from the time I was old enough go. I can't wait to hear the report when he gets home.

Oh, and I can't forget, school started for Spencer (6th grade - in his own words "I'm going to rule the school!") and Logan (4th grade) this week. Argh! Summer's are for staying home and taking swimming lessons, and camping (although I'm on a camping strike until we get a trailer), and sleep outs. However, the boys only know year round school, so they don't mind. I must be getting old, I didn't take them to school the first day like I always do and walk them to class. I let them ride their bikes and they were as happy as can be. I'm a bad mom.

I'll end with a photo of Bellingham Bay in Washington, where I was at last week. Breathtaking!

Jackson Hole & Jellystone National Park

2009-07-17T12:05:00.001-06:00

Best vacation we've ever had! It really beats standing in line at Disneyland in the hot, humid, sun. Don't get me wrong, Disneyland is fun, but this kind of vacation is really my kind of vacation. We went with Boyd's mom and dad and we couldn't have had a better time. They were so incredible and treated Sarah as if she was one of their own grandkids. The best part was being with my family and coming home feeling relaxed, boot and all.

I just love this girl.....

We started the week with Sarah at Lagoon - one of our family's favorite places. What made it even funner was to have La and Addie, Taylor, and Amanda and Brad with us. They are all so fun.

We headed for Jackson Hole, where we had so much fun! We saw the Bar J Wranglers and took a tram to the top of the Tetons.

This would be Boyd giving 4 very tired and slightly ornery kids a little pep talk before the Bar J Wranglers show...

When we were on the top of the mountain Sarah kept saying how breathtaking everything was - and then she said "I'm never going to forget this for as long as I live - unless I get short-term memory loss"! I laughed at that for a few reasons...

The last time I was at Yellowstone, I think I was about 6 years old and all I remember seeing is a buffalo. I think my mom and dad woke me up from a nap to see it. So, seeing Yellowstone last week was really like seeing it for the first time. It was so incredibly gorgeous and peaceful. It was so relaxing, we enjoyed everything so much.

Old Faithful

Lucky for us, we didn't see a wild animal come out of this cave...

That's Grandma and Grandpa White in the car behind us...

Logan LOVES stuffed animals and bought this little cub that cries for it's mama in Yellowstone. He built a little house for him that he was pretty proud of..

We were so hoping to see a bear in Yellowstone and our wish came true! If only my wish for a million dollars would come true...

On one of the nights, we were reading scriptures and getting ready for bed. We were reading in Helaman about Christ's birth and how he would bring a "higher law" to the earth. I was explaining what the higher law meant, and also explaining how the people then were living under the law of Moses. Sarah then said "My mom lives by the law of Moses. When Kate hits me my mom tells me to hit her back. And you know, I am just NOT going to hit a 6 year old!" See, I told you she was heelarious!

We stayed in West Yellowstone and went to a Grizzly and Wolf sanctuary. It was so incredible - we learned so much about wolves and grizzlies and got to see them up close.

Mornings at the White house...

This wolf would totally listen to Boyd and come to him when he called him. It was so cool - I started to call Boyd Mowgli.

I love this picture of Sarah, she said she LOVES wolves, and I tried to get her in the shot with one - you can see if far off in the distance.

The end of a great trip - 5 of the people that I love most in this world!

The Miss. Adventures of Mrs. White

2009-07-02T11:11:00.000-06:00

I would have really liked to post earlier, but we have a rambler home, and the computer happens to be in the basement. Why would it seem that I could not get into my basement you may say? Well....

Yes, I fell and I fell hard. No, not for another man, just off the side of a door mat. I was so proud of La, she had a backstage pass, and by backstage, I mean backside, to the frivolity and she didn't even laugh! Anyone that knows me, her, or my family can truly testify that that in and of itself is a true miracle. A Christmas miracle in fact. I think she could tell I was really hurt. I even tried to laugh, but I was trying not to cry so I couldn't.
Fast forward 2 days and my mom finally forced me to go to the Dr. I didn't think I could break anything just stepping wrong and rolling my ankle. But, apparently you can, and I did.
Sorry, the leg's all swollen and gross. I wish my legs were like Gin's, and they don't show hair follicle spots. Gross. Oh well, I should have taken a pic from the backside, not of my butt, but the back of my heel. Black and blue and you can really see the softball on my ankle. I even have bruises on the opposite side of the break. Weird!
Now, just call me Bootstrap. For the next 4-6 weeks my lucky boot is my BFF, and it really is. It totally helps me not hurt, and for that, I am truly grateful. Truly. Madly. Deeply.

Steven McMuffin

2009-06-13T11:44:00.000-06:00

Logan's greeted me all day, every day not as mom, but last week I was "Bob", so I started calling Logan "Randy". This week it is Steve McMuffin, and now it's evolved to Steven McMuffin. I love to come home and hear "Hey Steven McMuffin, what's up? I"m so glad you're home Steven", or "What's that Steven McMuffin, you want a a drink of water?". He asked me on Thursday night if he was the class clown of the family. I think right now, the answer is yes.
What will next week bring? Stay tuned, he started calling me Freddy Betty last night so we'll see if it sticks...

Flight of the Conchords

2009-06-09T17:08:00.000-06:00

Heelarious

Frigid Sleepouts & Memorial Day Weekend

2009-05-27T21:35:00.000-06:00

Bliss - pure bliss! A long 4-day weekend! We "enjoyed" baseball in Payson, Alpine, and Highland. "Enojyed" meaning they got the crap kicked out of them 3 out of 4 games - but Bry hit a homerun, and almost hit a parked car!

This last pic is of him coming into home plate after his home run. His team comes out to congratulate him at the plate. He's the big one jumping up into the team....

Bry actually broke a windshield of a car 4 years ago - he hit the same car twice! It shattered the windshield! He likes to brag about that...did I leave a note? Yes, but then the other team mom's convinced me that it's a hazard of a baseball parking lot, so I sneaked over and took the note off. I know, I know, I'm bad.

Boyd and the boys decided to have a sleepout in 40 degree weather (at night). I am smart and declined the offer. It was so funny, because I couldn't see one head peeking out of the sleeping bags in the morning. Of course because they were on the tramp, in the morning it just looked like a big pile of blankets in the middle. What a good dad, and what a smart mom. I got to stay inside and watch Jon & Kate Plus 8.

Yes, there are 3 more kids in those blankets....

We had Boyd's mom and dad and sister over on Memorial day. It was a last minute thing, but totally fun. Boyd's sister had the idea to play dodgeball - it was great, and Boyd's mom played too. I however, was the only adult to get on the trampoline. I got out super fast. Booooo.

Grandma's totally targeting Spence...

Just a few extra action shots. Pretty sweet.

Bryant is practicing hard for the temple celebration. We are in the new temple district, and the youth are putting on a huge performance at the conference center that will be broadcasted on some channel - probably channel 11. It's so cool, they are all dressed in 40's garb - many of the boys have military uniforms, but luckily for Bryant, he has a mom who owns a letterman's sweater and he gets to wear it! They wanted a few boys to have letterman sweaters (not jackets), and they will be wearing the sweater, a bow tie, dark dress pants, and dark church shoes. IT will also be hi first (and probably only) experience with makeup! Let's hope! He says he's excited to wear a bow tie.
http://copperhillsstaketdc.blogspot.com/
Check out the blog above - it has a video in the latest post. Bryant comes in half way, is in the very middle, has no partner, and has a purple DC shirt on. It doesn't really show his part of the dance, but I think it's neat to see what the kids are doing. The lindy kick and the east coast swing. These are dances that the kids would most likely never have learned had they not participated in this. Even better, this is really a once in a lifetime opportunity for Bryant.

If any of you are going to the performance on Saturday, look for the cute boy with a Cyprus letterman's sweater that says "Angie" on the pocket

What do you get on Mother's Day when you only have boys?

2009-05-24T12:10:00.001-06:00

Sweet cards with hand drawn guitars and guns and amazing meals courtesy of Chef Boyd-ar-dee. Oh, and I cannot forget the excellent help he employed!

He really is the best!

Thoughts on Family

2009-05-07T20:33:00.001-06:00

I come from a big family. A good family. A funny family.

After reading my sister's blogs, I started to think about every member of my family....

Here's a quick snapshot:

Dad
Easter Corsages and Defiance

Dad always bought mom an Easter corsage for church every year. Well, we're driving home on 3500 S. in Best Valley in our Pontiac Lamans aka The General Lee (at least we thought it looked like it). Ours was red and definitely not this shiny.

Natalie and I start fighting over who got to hold the coursage on the ride home. Of course, we're both in the front seat, this was way before air bags, seat belts, or safety. I can't remember who was sitting closest to the door, but one of us yanked hard and out goes the corsage throught he window. Let's just say Dad wasn't too happy. Nat and I both had to get out the car and I swear, walk quite a long ways down the road to scrounge the poor coursage that had met it's untimely death.
I always obeyed Dad - at least most of the time. Well, with the exception of curfew in high school. I always knew I was dead meat if when I opened the door I didn't hear my dad snoring. Bad thing is, his bedroom was in the basement at the OTHER END OF THE HOUSE. If it was quiet, he was either on his way up, or already sitting at the table in his bath robe ready for "a talk". Dad's and my talks never ended with me in tears. He always made me feel better, and made me want to be better.
I also won't forget the ONE time I ever heard Dad swear. I was the lucky one who drove him to the madness we call cussing (okay, it was only hell). It was my sister's birthday and I got "kicked out" of the house. I thought, "Toni's parent's will totally let me live with her", "he's going to be sorry because I am SO gone". Next thing I know he is yelling at me from the front door to come back home - NOW! I got up the courage and TRIED to defiantly say no (the only time I realy told my Dad no). It sounded more like "NO?". He told me again- "get in this house". Again, I was not going down. "NOOOO?". Dad then just yelled "NOW", and of course, I turned around and went home. So much for defiance.

Mom
Canned Cherries and Barlow

Oh, every time we had a break from school we'd hear "time to move the food storage!". Argh! What was the best part of our food storage? Home canned cherries - NOT! Mom would make us eat this slimy/wrinkly things - don't forget to spit out the pit. We new we didn't have a lot of money when we were eating cherries for breakfast. Sick.

I also thought about how hard she makes us laugh when she uses a straw to fart. She sticks it under her armpit and walks around the house "farting". She'll pretend she needs to bend over to pick something up and Ooops! Did I do that? My boys look at her with sheer admiration, as do I.
Mom let us watch a show called "Salem's Lot" when we were little. The main vampire's name was Barlow and he scared the crap out of us.

Mom even hosted a neighborhood "get together" with poor Becky Bezzant and I can't remember what other neighbors were there - I'm sure Sam Sweet was there also. When we were in the middle of the show she jumps out from our stairs and screams at us. We all had to go check our pants after that. Mom was infamous for saying "goodnight - I love you.....watch out for Barlow!". Hmmmm, that must be where I get my sick sense of humor. Thanks mom, love ya!
She really liked to scare me, because I got scared the easiest. She took me to go see Invasion of the Body Snatchers with Grandma when I swear I was 5. I routinely heard "watch out for the pods"! She really liked to say it when she had turned out my light for the night and was getting ready to leave my room. I think I learned to jump about 5 feet from my door to my bed so the pods didn't get me.

Ryan
Powder Jackets and the Amazing Fall Guy

Ryan got in BIG trouble once and mom took him away to the "orphanage" aka store to buy him a powder jacket. We were so jealous - we didn't get in trouble and then get a present. No fair.

He also LOVED the show The Fall Guy. I did like the Fall Guy, it was a pretty good show but Ryan really liked the show. We would have to always turn from what we were watching so he could watch "his show". Not that I didn't mind it,but hey, if Bo Duke was on, I sure as hell didn't want to be watching Lee Majors. BOOOOOO.

Natalie
Man Beards, Kenny Rogers, and John

Oh Natalie, my lovely sister Natalie. The boy born in a girls body. I always admired her, still do. But when we were little she LOVED Kenny Rogers. She also loved to draw. Well, what do you get when you love Kenny and drawing? Lots of hand drawn pictures of Kenny Rogers - side profile.

Nat had a thing about men's beards and only drew men, and only men with beards. Thick manly beards (except when she drew a picture of Adrian Dantley).
In EVERY coloring book we had (especially our Barbie coloring books), Ken donned a beard. It made us laugh to draw in Ginger's Barbie books because it made her cry. We always put a beard on Ken, poop coming out his bum, and I always made Barbie's heels into folded down "Robin Hood" boots with heels. I then gave her a mini skirt, tried to create paint spatters on her tights, and gave her fingerless gloves and a cross earring. Some of you may say my Barbie's looked more like Madonna, and you would be correct. Oh, I can't forget I also made her have braces and put "makeup" on her.

Ahh John. John would be our old GI Joe Barbie we got as a hand me down from our neighbors the Dunns. He was missing one arm from the elbow down. He really looked like a Vietnam Vet. He was bigger than Ken, and only came with a camoflage rain poncho and a polka dotted disco shirt. Seeing as we didn't really want to see his package all of the time, we squoze some silver "Ken" pants from the Barbie and the Rockers collection on the poor guy. He really looked like he was wearing skin tight capri's. Natalie always played with John and I, of course, was always Barbie. Don't ask me why we named him John. Good memories of John and Barbie and the 4-foot high Barbie house.
A few years ago I got a Christmas present mailed to me from Nat - and what would it be? None other than a GI Joe that had been part of the first resurrection as he had both arms and had been returned to his perfect state. Best Christmas present ever.

Okay, I've got to run, so I'll try to finish Ginger, Laurel, Lindsey and Reese tomorrow. THis all evokes so many memories - Saturday night rituals, sponge rollers, Solid Gold, The Love Boat and then Fantasy Island. We always hoped it would be the mermaid episode, our favorite Fantasy Island, but we only saw it once. Maybe I'll have to see if it's on Hula or something...

My family is the best, as you can clearly see. We're one class act.

Courtesy of Bryant

2009-05-03T11:44:00.000-06:00

Logan's Wax Museum

2009-04-17T22:02:00.000-06:00

Logan's grade had a wax museum where they were all allowed to choose a figure in history to represent. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen. They had the lights turned down low and instrumental music playing so you really felt like you were in a museum.
All of the kids were dressed in their costumes and had to hold a "freeze frame" position. Logan chose to be George Washington. Thanks to an amazing dad who put his costume together because mom was working late, and a large photo of "The Prayer at Valley Forge" in our family room, Logan's costume was excellent.
HOwever, Albert Einstein was NOT happy to be there, and especially didn't want to stand still. Boyd and I were laughing because here's this little boy with a gray wig on totally throwing a fit by himself and no one was paying attention to him. I wish I had a pic.
Anyway, a few kids made fun of Logan's boots and I told him he should have said to the boys that he was going to kick their butts with his lady boots and then they'd be sorry. He gently reminded me that he was a wax figure and couldn't talk.
Anyway, I was thankful I got to go see the little guy, who really isn't so little any more.

Finally - Hawaii 09!

2009-04-10T07:19:00.000-06:00

After a busy 2 weeks, I finally have some time to post some pics!

BOyd and I had a GREAT time! We LOVED the Big Island. So much to see and do, with such different climates on the small island. It's also still very rural, which was my favorite part.

Our first view of the island...

The resort was INCREDIBLE!

Also part of our resort!

We rented a soft-top jeep to scoot around the island in.

We flew over to Oahu for the day and visited Pearl Harbor. Amazing.

The PCC - so dang fun!

A Buddhist temple on Oahu - part of Pearl Harbor was filmed at this location, and LOST was setting up to film here too this day!

Boyd exploring. My fourth boy...

The sunset on the night of the luau was GORGEOUS!

This was one of my favorite things, hiking down into the rainforest to go through the Thurston Lava Tube. It's where lava once flowed through to get to the surface of the island.

BOyd loves to golf - so how could we go to Hawaii and not have him golf? He spent one of the mornings golfing while I read by the pool. A bit of heaven you know...

Celebrating the end of a great trip. If you can't jump on beds at home, where can you jump on beds?

16 years - yesterday (4.9) was our anniversary! Love you babe! We make a great team after all!

Question of the Day

2009-04-04T13:43:00.000-06:00

Logan: "Can we go to Granny & Bomps when it's conference half-time?"

Laugh till you can't breathe....

2009-03-15T21:02:00.000-06:00

This would have been the kind of video we would have made as kids, and I would have cast Neal P. at the lead character!

Sexiest People on Earth - A Celebration o f the Perfect Portrait

2009-03-13T11:58:00.001-06:00

Meet Ronald. Ronald likes vienna sausage, his momma, and following little piggies all the way home. Seriously? I bet his mom was like 45 when she had him, so she's super old and he's an only child. What parent would do this to their child? "Hey Ronnie, let's take a picture with the brother you never had." Poor kid, I thought it was a girl and I felt bad. Then when I realized it's a boy aka "Ronnie", and I felt even worse.

Okay, so the funniest person on this earth, my sister Laurel, has the funniest website on her blog. How many more times can I say funny? I have to copy her so I can share the wealth of laughs with all of you.

www.sexypeople-blog.com

As Boyd would say "She's looking at me like I am a 20-piece chicken mcnugget!"

All I have to say I "heart" Robbie. MEOW!

Death of a Fridge

2009-03-13T11:35:00.001-06:00

So, I woke up on Tuesday to melted frozen berries and ice cream streaming out of the fridge.
The boys came running in saying something had exploded in the freezer. Boyd has a bad habit of putting soda in the freezer to get cold quickly and forgetting about it. What does this do? Soda cans explode in freezing temperatures. However, this was no soda accident!
The weirdest thing, the top 1-2 shelves of both the fridge and freezer were no longer cold. Boyd and I tried all day to figure it out. We turned it off, cleaned out the back of the fridge, underneath the fridge, took out food etc. We tried it all. So, we then went fridge shopping. Not the funnest when you are leaving to Hawaii in a week and a half. Oh well, things could be WAAAAY worse, and they have been, believe you me!
So, we had no milk for a few days and new Mr. Fridge was scheduled to arrive today. Old Mr. Fridge still wasn't working until late last night, when WALA! The water Boyd put on the top shelf (just a little pudddle, on purpose) finally froze. Although it started working again, we had already purchased a new fridge and we both decided we couldn't put up with a fridge that just gets cold when it wants to. That's just unnacceptable in the White house. I need my bon-bons frozen and my caffeine free Diet-Coke cold baby!
Well, the new fridge came today and guess what? It doesn't fit! Boyd measured everything before hand and we knew it would be a tight squeeze, but it's not squeezing anymore and has about 10 inches to go.
So, I sent the delivery guys home and Boyd will need to deal with it when he gets home. The good news is, Boyd can fix anything and I'm sure he'll figure out a way to get the fridge in it's rightful place.
Now, the rest of our appliances are calling for stainless steel and our floor is calling for wood! I wish it could happen tomorrow, but it won't, and I just have to be patient. I have a great kitchen, that I love. I shouldn't be so wanting and be more grateful. Boyd's been working on the basement for a year and we cannot do any other home improvements until that's done.
Stay tuned!

Winter Wonderland

2009-03-07T19:55:00.000-07:00

We had a small snow storm over night (I think it was Wednesday night) and I couldn't help but notice the beauty on the way to work. I pulled over a few times and snapped these photos.

NO matter where I travel, I always come home to Utah, where I think it's one of the prettiest places on earth.

Sweetest calling in life besides mom? Aunt!

2009-03-07T19:37:00.000-07:00

So I had the absolute privledge of having Lindsey and Ryan's kids over for a sleepover. I have never even gotten to babysit them before! Ellie's going to be 5! What kind of an aunt am I? Ever since Natalie and girls went away, and a quite a large part of my heart went with them, I just haven't been the aunt I was born to be. I always swore my siblings kids would love me and think I was the best aunt ever!
So, first off, it was so therapeutic to have little kids in my home. I have been struggling with the fact, for a long time, that I had all of my kids by the time I was 26, and the realization that having little children is really a small part of a big life. Although they are one of the best reasons to live, this time of my life was a super short period. I often find myself in tears.
Anyway, I loved having a little guy in the house with cartoon underwear, having to help him with his jammies, and a new experience, having a completely mature and darling little girl. Lindsey's kids are so loving, happy, and funny! They have been taught so well and have the best manners. Ben explained to me during dinner, that first of all, our stools were way to hard for his bottom, and that you have to say "excuse me" when you burp and "bless you" when someone sneezes. Even Bryant said "their parents taught them good! They have the best manners!".
I found that Ellie can be my gal pal and I look forward to indulging my barbie dreams with her. We were totally going to watch Enchanted when the boys "talked" (it didn't take much) Ben into watching Over the Hedge. We were out voted.
Anyway, we had so much fun and the Ben and Ellie readily give hugs and kisses and they reminded me so much of my own when they were little. Even the smell of their hair! Ellie had a nightmare and woke up screaming and I felt so lucky that she wanted to sleep with me for the rest of the night.
So after a night of making our own mini pizzas, watching a movie, and setting up a tent in the family room, we were ready for bed. We had such a great time!
I look forward to many more sleepovers with them and hope that I can find my "inner aunt" again with my neices and nephews!

My heroes!

2009-03-07T19:23:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since my last post and I've been meaning to get this up.

So, Boyd had to work a graveyard shift the other night and I could have sworn I heard someone jigglin the doors downstairs. Yes, for those of you who know me well, I am a paranoid chicken wimp.

Luckily for me, I birthed three sons and my oldest is now taller than me, so I needed to put them good use, right? I called the boys in my room and told them they needed to check downstairs to see if anyone was down there. It's true, I sent my boys to their potential doom/distruction.

So, after I swear, at least 20 minutes, they were finally ready to go and "check things out". I was pretty proud, not one of them told me I was crazy, they were all ready to go and fight for me. Lucky, huh?

Well, these picturs are real - this is their real attempt at facing a "robber". Okay, the poses and expressions aren't, but the get ups and weapons are.

I could hear them whispering as they were planning what weapons to take with them. Logan felt especially smart as he thought throwing army guys and balls at a potential thief would stop him dead in his tracks, and then he'd use a pencil to poke him to his death.

Of course, there really wasn't anyone downstairs. This experience made me think of when Boyd and I were driving home from our ultrasound with Logan. I was telling myself it wasn't true that I was going to have three boys. Me? Three boys? Yeah right. At that point when I almost started crying, Boyd said, "well, look at it this way, you'll be the most protected mom on the block!". It looks like he was so right, I really am the most protected mom on the block!

How fast do you type?

2009-02-26T20:12:00.000-07:00

This is super fun - I got this from my friend, Lauren's, blog. Give it a try!
84 words

Typingtest

Nike's, Angie, Natalie, and the 80's

2009-02-07T08:53:00.000-07:00

Prominent in international street scenes since the early 80's, the Nike Cortez is a true star classic and takes the reign for defining retro. Featuring a durable bottom and a lightweight nylon upper for easygoing comfort,the Cortez is clean cut and can accommodate any outfit.

If you haven't read my sister Natalie's blog, you really should. I have the funniest sisters ever, and she writes incredibly well.
So she talked about a story where her first pair of Nike's were mismatched, because my mom found them on clearance somewhere, and how I stuffed my feet into them, although they were a few size too small for me. Remember, mom bought these for Nat.
And yes, it's true, my feet are a slave to fashion. I have never cared about how shoes feel, just how they look. Case in point, I found these snakeskin stilettos this week, bought them, and almost fell twice at work. They were so hard to walk in - I bought them a little bit because my foot looked better in them. Man, by the time I walked out of the door at work, I almost took them off. I had to walk so slow as to not have them flip off and me biff it. Yes I always have been, and will be, a slave to fashion. Just don't look at any pics from my "ugly" era. Years 1994-1996/7. WOOF!
So, Nat's blog had me thinking about my first pair of Nike's. I remember when they were the coolest thing EVER! Well, when I finally got my first pair, they were from Grandpa Savage. He worked at a spa or something and somebody left their shoes and I was the sweet benefactor of their forgetfullness. I really felt like I was somebody after that day.
My second pair of Nike's were pink - had an odd style - but hey, they were Nike's, right? I bought them with my own money from Pick n' Save. Now that I think about it, I don't think Pick n' Save would have Nike's so I'm sure they were Mike's.

January Adventures

2009-02-02T15:38:00.001-07:00

Draper Temple Open House

Two Trips to Cali:
Palo Alto & Anaheim. No not Disneyland, but CHA - the Craft & Hobby ASsociation Trade Show. Sorry, no photos from the first trip!

Some of my favorite inspiration from the show...

Seeing Paris Hilton at the show...

Not that I'm a fan, but she's prettier in real life!

Meeting the 5th member of the village people...

Watching 3 of the 4 most handsome men walk home from church...

The missing 4th handsome man was with me at the emergency room with second degree burns:

Boyd, my brother Ryan and the boys all went ice fishing on Saturday, without sunscreen, and they were gone all day. After going to sacrament without Hell Boy (his new nick name), my neighbor convinced me to take him to the emergency room because she scared me about scarring. He's now on a heavy dose of steroids, not the muscle building kind, much to Bryant's dismay as baseball season is starting again :) (don't worry, we had the "say no to drugs" talk). He's doing better today, but we're back at the dr. tomorrow to look for signs of infection or scarring.

Ring in the New Year

2009-01-11T22:01:00.001-07:00

With illegal fireworks from Evanston and midnight Martinelli's!

Check out this sweet action shot of Logan with his poppers

The biggest kid of them all

After the New Year's kiss

Check out the leftover dinner in my teeth! GROSS!

What do you get when you let the boys sleep out together under the Christmas tree?

2009-01-11T21:59:00.000-07:00

This would be Logan, artisic renderings courtesy of big brother Bryant. Try scrubbing this off for an 8:00 dentist appointment the next morning!

Top Ten of the Holidays with the White's

2009-01-11T21:24:00.000-07:00

10. Nightly Candy Cane Hunts

9. Christmas with Valley Fair Santa

That's right, I said Valley Fair Santa. We drive out to Valley FAir Mall every year because there is never a line to see Santa. I guess all the gansta's know they've been bad, so what's the use? We had to force Bryant and Spencer to get in the picture, and after they saw Santa, who was very nice, Bryant laughed when Santa said "Mewy Chrithmath". I think that made it all worth it in his eyes.
8. Middle School Band Concerts

7. Sub For Santa
Unfortunately, we were so busy last minute, as we found out a family desperately needed help, I didn't take a moment to capture anything on film. However, we had the opportunity, thanks to Boyd's sister Amy, to help in buying Christmas for a family with three small children who had nothing.
6. Christmas Eve at Mom & Dad's

Neices and newphews: Ellie, Ginny, Addie & Ben all singing and calling out for Santa

Mom & Niece Hannah

Bro. Reese & Logan

Niece Ginny Joo Joo

Bry & Mom and Dad's 8th and favorite child, Deiter

Auntie La & Bry sneaking into the ham...
5. Grandma's Mouse House

Nieces Ginny & Taylor checking out Grandma's creation. I'm not sure of the story behind the mouse house, other than Grandma loves making things by hand, and she crafted this tiny house, complete with a picturesque snow scene outside the tiny window for her little hand-made mice. It's a holiday tradition to go over to Grandma's and see the house.
4. Christmas Eve PJ's

3. Putting out food for Santa's Elves

It was so cold!
2. Christmas Morning

Yes, it's true, that's a Batman figurine. Just like Reese...only Bryant doesn't strip down naked to poop!

1. Another Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa

The Misfortunes of Logan Owen White

2008-12-22T19:53:00.000-07:00

So, Logan came home the other day and told me the grossest story. He said he was sitting in the bathroom stall at school and a kid came into the stall next to him. He could see his feet, and saw the kid "shake a leg". Next thing he knows, the kid shakes a lump of poop out of his pant leg, bends down and picks it up with his bare hands, and then drops it with a "plop" in to the toilet. The best part is, he didn't even wash his hands. BOOOOOO!

Bryant really is a Hansen

2008-12-14T22:03:00.000-07:00

Runt candy for teeth, an empty "beer" stein, and that crazed look he gets when he's low on fried pig skins. Boy, he does a mama proud!

IDEO

2008-12-14T21:51:00.000-07:00

So, I just got back from an amazing work trip. We were able to spend three days in Palo Alto, California at one of the world's leading product design and innovation firms. It was amazing, but at times, felt like I was in another world!
Everyone rides their bike to work, they are very "green", and eat very healthy. Pretty much the oposite of me. I drank "Silk" for the first time, but passed on the coconut milk and unsweetened organic yogurt. HOwever, I did try the flash dried green beans and carrots - I think they were a replacement for chips. I REALLY didn't fit in!

We went to dinner the first night at an all organic, vegan and raw "restaraunt" called the Gratitude Cafe. It was interesting to say the least. Who knew almonds gave milk? I wonder what it's like to milk them?

It's a "community" restaraunt, so they sit you with other people, who you don't know, if there's no room. Um, I think I'd rather have my own table at Burger King, thank you very much!

Each dish has a "title", and you have to order by the title name. So I ordered an "I am beautiful" shake and I had an "I am fulfilled" desert. When they bring you your selection they tell you, "YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL" OR "YOU ARE FULFILLED". It was cheesy, but I did end up laughing a lot and feeling pretty good about myself when I left.

I really wish I was as cool as all those IDEO people. I wish I was more healthy and maybe I'll start to strive to leave a smaller "carbon footprint" on this beautiful place we call Mother Earth after my unique experience in Palo Alto, California. It was truly a cool place.

Yay Christmas!

2008-12-03T19:34:00.000-07:00

Now that we're done with Thanksgiving, it's time for Christmas! That means decor, music, shopping, you name it! Okay, so shopping isn't that big of a deal. We only give the boys 3 gifts, and Santa gives them one. We relate the number of gifts back to the "reason for the season", and hey, what kid can argue with "Jesus only got 3 presents, what makes you think you're so special?".

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I LOATHE Christmas music before Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas music, but I feel like I'm looking over poor little Thanksgiving and not giving him enough attention if I focus on big bad Christmas, who gets all of the attention, before his time is due.

Speaking of Christmas music, if you really know me well, you will know my FAVORITE Christmas song. Any of you yahoo's Wham fans? If you are, you may know where I'm headed...

My favorite Christmas saying!(Pay no attention to the man in the white suit...)

Thanksgiving at Home

2008-12-03T19:00:00.000-07:00

We were so lucky as to have Thanksgiving at our house this year. This is only the second time I've done a full-blown Thanksgiving dinner. It wasn't that bad or hard! However, I wasn't adventurous, we ate the same-old same-old, but I thought it turned out great. I have to admit, I feel like less of a woman because I did not make my own pie shells!
The absolute best part about Thanksgiving is that my Grandma & Grandpa Savage came over! It was the best part, and I was TRULY thanksful to have them be a part.

Every year we put three candy corns on each plate, and before we eat, we each say three things we're thankful for. After we each had said our part, and shed a few tears, my dad had stuck his candy corns on his teeth to make it look like he was retarded. Okay, so it wasn't that hard to do, but my mom followed suite, and then everyone else did. Unfortuantely, I only got a pic of my mom. We always wonder why we all are so nuts. Now we know!

Boyd-o bought me a roaster. IT was so nice - I was telling him I was worried about having everything hot and ready at the same time. He had mentiond getting a roaster earlier, and after I said what I did, he brought one home!

Boyd absolutely loves Thanksgiving, and he always seems so happy to "carve the bird". I think it's because he can't wait to dig in.

And a family gathering wouldn't be complete without DOUBLE D. THat would be Deiter, but I call him Double D, as in Demon Dog. He's mom and dad's dog, and I have to admit, he's getting less satanic lately. He's so cute, and it's fun to let him and Sarg run around in the back yard. Sarge gets tired of him pretty quick, and Deiter just wants to play non-stop. It's hilarious when Sarge snarls at him. Deiter jumps away - and Sarge NEVER barks or snarls. Just at Deiter, especially when Deiter chases Sarge's tail and bites it!

We had a great time, and I think I need it's time to throw my leftovers away. BOOO!.

The Return of Annie Bates

2008-11-26T10:19:00.001-07:00

Annie Bates has mysteriously disappeared from our famly for the last 10 years, but she has mysteriously returned with the birth of the newest member of the Hansen family - Little Abby J.

For those of you that don't know, the part of Annie Bates, in years past, was played effortlessly by my sister Ginger when BRyant was born. She loved that boy and wherever she was, he was. We all called her Annie Bates because of the way she always kept Bryant hostage. See exhibit A.

The roll of Annie Bates is now played by Angie White. I don't know if I will be able to play her quite as well as Ginger, as Abby J. resides in Oregon, but for the few days she was in SLC, I think I did a pretty good job.

Family Pics

2008-11-14T07:48:00.000-07:00

So, my lil' sis is turning into quite the photographer! I like to tell myself I inspired this talent to blossom in her bosom, as I believe I was the first one to say "hey, I"ll bet you can take good pics, I trust you, do you want to take our family photos?". That was, I think, 4-5 years ago. She's since taken 3 our of the last 5 years of family photos, and I'm telling you, she's done every bit as good, if not better, than any of the professionals we've used.
So here you go, the loves of my life. Thanks Laur - you the beyst!

I love this one- it truly captures the essence of my three little "steps". It's a memory that I'll always have. When I think of having three boys, this is exactly what I'll think of (including farts & burps, you know...).

Halloween 08 - Part Deux

2008-11-07T09:17:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this was really Part 1. We (Sales & Marketing) dressed up as Thriller, including decorating our area like a graveyard, complete with an abandonded street and movie theater (yes the billboard in the photo was actually in our area)! We had a blast- what creative, fun people I get to work with!

For those of you who haven't seen, here's Stampin' Up!'s attempt at Thriller for Halloween.

3 words for you: RESPECT THE LEGWARMER!

Another view....

Night School Musical

2008-11-07T09:12:00.000-07:00

I think I grew up with most of these people...

Take a trip with me now, down the hallowed halls of Cyprus High School - Night School....

I swear "Wolf" was Natalie's dream man. Probably still is....

You can pause the music on the blog at the bottom so you can hear the video.

Halloween 08

2008-11-01T14:17:00.000-06:00

All the boys made huge hauls, so I'm not sure if they've eaten a full meal since yesterday. My philosophy? Let 'em eat the candy and get it out of the house ASAP. Good luck tomorrow, Primary Teachers!

What's my philosophy on Trunk or Treats? I like to make my boys earn their candy the hard way. Heck if they're going to eat unusual amounts of sugar in an impossibly short period, I might as well make them get exercise while doing so, right?

Dad and Reese came over and I made navajo taco's and we also had doughnuts and root beer floats. We then watched Halloween H20 (edited version), which was hilarious. Whenever Michael Meyers came around, my dad's eye's were huge and it would be hard to get his attention. I wish I would have taken a picture.

Spencer trick-or-treated with about 4 other boys his age (poor Bro. McBRide who took them all around), and Boyd took Logan and Bry. Bry ended up ditching them when he found a group of girls from our ward and ended up finishing out the night with them.

It was a pretty quiet, but fun night. Now - I'm fully focused on Christmas - scary!

I WANT YOU!

2008-11-01T13:55:00.000-06:00

To be in a cat fight....

That would be the boys' version of a cat fight. Lovely.

Disneyland 08

2008-10-24T18:21:00.001-06:00

We were able to go to Disneyland last month and had such a great time. We spent time at the beach and also hit SeaWorld. We were ALL so excited to go and ended up having such a great time. With the exception of almost losing Boyd and Bryant to the ocean....

We spent a day at the beach in Seaside and decided to buy a boogie board for the boys to play with. Boyd kept hollering to Bryant to go out further, and I kept getting after him as the waves were pretty rough and he doesn't know how to "swim in the ocean". Boyd finally went out to show him how it's done, and they both started to drift farther and farther out. We were by a large man-made rock pier and as they drifted farther, they got closer to the rocks. I started to get really worried and finally stood up to yell for them to come back in. Just as I stood up, Boyd started to scream for me to get help. It was the scariest moment of my life! I started running (Bryant informed me I "wasn't even running", but trust me, I was running as fast as I could!)down the beach screaming for anyone to help me. Finally, someone came to help and I guess someone called Baywatch. David Hasslehoff showed up in a yellow truck. However, Boyd and Bryant were able to get up on the rocks without getting tremendously hurt (I swear it was a miracle)before David could slow motion jump into the water with his red dinghy (that sounds bad!). Boyd and Bry had a few cuts and scrapes but were okay. I was mad at Boyd for a few hours, and traumatized for a while. It was one of those: "I'm so freaking glad your okay, but now I'm going to kill you!". Bry was shaken up and didn't really want to talk about it and Boyd definitely received a few "I told you!'s" from me. The scariest thing, was hearing my husband, who always seems a bit invinsible, screaming for help. I will never, forget that for as long as I live. Now, onto better memories...

We went with Boyd's family - his mom and dad, sister Amy, Brad & Amanda, Rebecca, Young, Alyssa, and Helen, Bart, and finally John, Angie and Jaxon. Boyds mom and dad really made this happen, as we had been planning the trip for years - truly. They got a condo for us all in Seaside and paid for all of the grandkids 3-day passes to Disney. We are so thankful to them - things like this don't happen for our family very often.

I LOVE Disneyland - it reminds me of being a kid, and as we walked through the main gates and down Main street, me being a true Hansen and having the waterworks gene, started crying. I mean, how many more times was I going to have an opportunity like this, with my little family and my kids still under my wing?

Boyd's mom and dad reserved a morning for us at "Goofy's Kitchen". It was so cool - the characters come and visit you while you eat, and the food spread was amazing. Peanut Butter & Jelly pizza, huge chocolate chip cookie pizzas, hot dogs & macaroni & cheese (even in the morning!), made to order omelettes, Mickey Mouse head peach cobbler, Mickey Mouse pancakes (of course), and basically any other breakfast food you can imagine! Of course, it was a buffet.

Boyd's sisters, Amy and Amanda, brought everyone a huge gift bag stuffed with presents before we left. They had (or Dad had) written a poem that went with each gift - snacks for the trip and customized White Family Disenyland Trip 08 t-shirts. They were darling and everyone asked us where we got them. Most thought we had them made for us in Disneyland!

So here's a glimpse into a great memory our family will always have. Here's to the White's - Amy, Brad & Amanda, Mom and Dad, Young, Rebecca, Helen and Alyssa, Bart, and John, Angie and Jaxon. We had a great time!

Free at last...

2008-10-24T16:07:00.000-06:00

FREE AT LAST! What does a mother get when she only has sons?

Boogers on the wall, jock straps in the car (or purse), toothbrush "bans", basketballs, footballs, baseballs, soccer balls and even volley balls, Indiana Jones, Star Wars and Rocky trilogies, and weekends alone when scout camp comes along.

Bry and Spence are at scout camp tonight - it's Spencer's first overnight camp and he was so exited, especially after we spent a boatload of money at the Army Navy Surplus store (I had no idea how cool that store is, we found many treasures). That's another sign I only have boys: I think the Army Navy Surplus is "cool".

Boyd decided to go, and at the last minute, Logan decided to go too. I think he mainly wanted to go because we let him buy an Indiana Jones hat with his own money from the ANS (Army Navy Surplus) and he couldn't wait to really break it in. I have to say, he got many compliments on it today as we ran errands - but you need to take the complimenter into consideration. The door guard at Walmart, the overly knowledgeable Scout man that works at the Scout store. Need I say more?

SO, I have 4 boys in seventh heaven tonight and I'm going to eat Oreo Double Stuff cookies and watch one of my many chick flicks. Calgon take me away!

Briant the Giant

2008-10-18T21:26:00.001-06:00

So, I got a letter from the National Babe Ruth Little League home office, and they've asked for Bryant's photo and stats for their 2008 edition of "The Best Players in Babe Ruth Little League" book. The letter goes like this:

Dear Parents:
Congratulations! Your child, Bryant, has been selected to be included in the 2008 Edition of "The Best Players in Babe Ruth League."
This book has been created to recognize the accomplishments of those players who have been named as an All-Star for play in local district competition. These are the best playes in Babe Ruth League!

Blah Blah Blah....

We would be honored by and look forward to receiving your acceptance of this honor and your permission to have your child, Bryant, included in this book, the 2008 Edition of "The Best Players in Babe Ruth League."

The book will become part of the permanent libraries and archives of National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and Babe Ruth Hall of Fame in Baltimore.

Apprarently, the players were selected "based upon their accomplsihments as players during the year of the edition in question. The names of these outstanding players were supplied to us by your league based upon their accomplishments in the field as a player and/or leader which enabled them to be chosen as an "All Star" at the local level. Players who are included in any given year's edition as an "All-Star" are the elite players of their league and represent less then 5% of the total of the players in their league".

So, I think it's an honor, but also a way for all of us parents to buy the book! Who knows how much it really means...but I think it's pretty dang exciting.

Bry's been given some amazing opportunities - our neighbor coached college baseball and wants to take him with him to some of his practices to play with his current team. He says he plays with a bunch of x-MLB players. He was also able to get play with one of the pitchers for the Arizona Diamondbacks 2 weeks ago. His All-Star coach is his brother, and now that it's off season, he came to give the boys some pointers and play ball with them for pratice.

I hope Bryant can learn how important his grades are and continue to develop his talent. He was definitely born to play!

Mini Diapers

2008-10-14T21:15:00.000-06:00

So, Boyd, Spencer, Logan and I were at Wallgreens picking up some Alka Seltzer Cold & Cough. It's our drug of choice for the long, cold, winter months. We're at the checkout stand when Spencer, in his Spencer way, says "COOL! MINI DIAPERS!".
I looked over to see what he was talking about, and saw that he was holding a package of Panty Liners.

I started to laugh, holding it in, trying not bring further attention to him. Because I didn't respond, he said again "COOL! MINI DIAPERS!". Both Boyd and I look at each other and we are laughing so hard, but again, trying to keep it under control,when AGAIN, Spencer says "LOOK! MINI DIAPERS - FOR LADIES!?". At that point, everyone around had heard him and I am doubled over trying not to scream out in laughter. The cashier heard it all and finally said "It's okay, I have three boys". Enough said.
Boyd and I ended up walking out laughing so hard, but never told him what they actually were. I think when he realized they were for "ladies" and saw that we were laughing, he knew he touched something he probably wanted to stay away from.

Boges turns the big 09!

2008-10-10T12:31:00.000-06:00

So, Logan's birthday was September 11th - the day after Spencer's. I never thought it would be a big deal - in fact - when I was in labor with Logan, on Spencer's birthday, the nurse said "You don't want to have two kids with the same birthday!" I didn't say much, but thought "Whatever - at this point, I would really like to have them on the same day!" Well, it's pretty dang hard. I refuse to make them share days, cakes, or anything else. I've always made sure their birthdays are very separate. I have to admit, it feels a little like Groundhog Day when Logan's day comes around.
Logan wanted an air soft machine gun so very bad for his birthday. Boyd and I got him one, but it promptly got taken away that night. Now, Logan is no stranger to air soft - he's the youngest of 3 boys. He's been around it for a long time, and has owned his own pistol for a few years. He always wears his goggles and has always been quite responsible. However, responibility went out the window the day he got the treasured "machine gun".
Let me set the scene for you:
It's 9:00 in the evening on Logan's birthday. We've had dinner and cake and are wrapping up for the night.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
I throw on my robe and think "Who the heck is coming over unannounced at 9:00 at night?"
I open the door and it's the neighbor who lives behind us.
"Hi Sister White. Um, I think one of your boys was shooting at my boys when they were in the backyard playing tonight".
Mom: "GASP" "Oh no - my boys were out there....LOGAN!"
Logan is on the pot down the hall...
Logan; "What Mom?"
Mom: "Where you shooting at the neighbors behind us tonight?"
Logan: "Yeah, but I'm pretty sure I didn't hit them!"
Neighbor: "At least he's honest!'"

Yes, the gun is gone, hidden in the hollows of my closet. When will it return? Maybe when he's 21. I think I'll make him take Hunter Safety before I give it back. Then at last he migh be able to hit his target!

Luckily, Logan wanted double chocolate cookies and mint chocolate chip ice cream for his birthday dessert. I always try to get one of them to pick something other than cake - even if it's cup cakes. Logan usually does. But that would be typically Logan - he is so extremely easy going, everyone loves Logan.

How would I sum up Logan in 1 word? I think it would be either "sweet" or "love". He truly slept through the night at 3 days old and always slept through from them on. H hardly ever cried as a baby, and when he did, I would always explain how he cried like this: his cry sounded like he was trying to say "Um, I'm getting a little hungry. Just to let you know. No pressure, but when you get a chance, please remember that I'm here and pretty hungry". His cry wasn't demanding - you know how some babies have such demanding, loud cries? Not Logan.

He is so tender and kind to everyone (with the exception of the neighbors). He gets you right in the heart - I have people tell me all the time "I don't know what it is, but there's just something about Logan that get's me". Yesterday, Reese told me he has a really hard time getting mad at Logan, but can get mad all day long at the other two. It's true - he hardly ever gets in trouble, and when he does, he's not used to it, he just sobs. I would say Logan is a champion for justice and fairness for all. He really gets concerned when he sees others breaking rules, or kids treating others unfairly.

He's a lot like Bryant, in that, he usually likes whatever Bryant likes. He loves choclate, chili, doughnuts, chicken, riding his bike, "getting my hair", snuggling, giving kisses, football, and playing with his brothers, no matter what the play is.

His easy going temperment can also be a curse, as I thought something was wrong with him before he went into Kindergarten. I couldn't get him to memorize his alphabet. The other boys had it all down at 2, and I swear I didn't even have to teach them! Turns out, he's just fine, he just didn't really care to learn the alphabet. You know how kids go through a stage where they insist they do everything on their own? Not Logan! He's just fine to have others do things for him - I'm sure he'd love it if I still spoon fed him. He didn't walk until he was 15 months, and again, I'm pretty sure he realized he had a pretty sweet deal having his mom tote him around everywhere and didn't really care to go anywhere that I didn't go!

So, here's to Logan, the angel sent to our family! I truly believe that with all of my heart.

Butser Turns 11!

2008-10-10T11:48:00.001-06:00

Spencer (or as Katie used to call him, Butser) turned 11 on September 10th! We had an employee visit from China and she asked which one of my boys was my favorite? I told her I loved them all for different reasons. Spencer, I love how incredibly smart and analitical he is. I love that he has his own mind and really analyzes everything and doesn't take things necessarily at face value. I mean, the kid wouldn't read fiction books for the longest time! They weren't true, so he stuck to the dictionary and encylopedia. No kidding!
He was such a good baby - he hardly ever cried and didn't really talk until he was 2. I really think he didn't say anything because he felt he didn't have anything profound enough to say yet.
How I would sum up the birth of Spencer? Love at first sight. I absolutely adored him the minute I saw him (I think you can see a little of that adoration in the picture above).
I wish I could go back in time - I often wonder how I didn't just sit and love and play with my boys? How did I ever get anything done? If I could go back, I'm sure I wouldn't get anything done, but I also wouldn't care if I did.
Spence is incredibly funny, he just doesn't put it out there like Bryant does. He can do GREAT impressions (ask him to do the impression of the farmer on Napoleon Dymanite. It cracks me up).
A typical conversation with Spencer is as such (this is a true conversation):
Mom: Wow! Look at the sunset - it's gorgeous!
Spencer: Actually mom, it's really sad because the colors are created by pollution. The more pollution, the better the sunset.
You have got to love him.

He LOVES the Packers (we didn't teach him to love them, he just does!), anything with sugar, twice baked potatoes, math, science, the game Apples to Apples, Funniest Home Videos (who doesn't love a good kick to the crotch?), and the Beatles.
He is incredibly sensitive to the mood of our home, particularly to the mood of his mom and dad. He can sense everything, no matter how hard I try to hide things. He has such faith, he is my example (we used to call him the Prayer Police) and he is an extreme perfectionist, almost to a fault. He's a such a good boy that I am proud to be the mother of. I love you Spence!

I often think my boys are too good to come from my loins. Now the truth comes out, pictured above is Spencer's birth parents.

I love this pic- it reminds me of before Ginger and DJ had kids - Ginger and DJ both ADORED the boys and loved to spend time with them. I never had to watch my kids or change a diaper when Gin was around!

Sarah P. and Spencer on their first day of pre-school. They are the best of friends/cousins.

Bryant decided Spence needed a trim. This is the result of me fixing his hair - having to save it all off!

I just had to throw this one in. Evil Spice a.k.a Sarah P cracks me up in photo. Spencer's like "What the....?"

So much to do, so little time!

2008-10-10T11:19:00.000-06:00

Oh my- it's been much too long! I had this false impression that I could keep up on my blogging this summer - the kids are out of school, it's the lazy days of summer, right? Oh how wrong I was!
Bryant started 8th grade, and while he's on a traditional school schedule, the other two are on year round. Spencer started 5th grade, with Boges starting 3rd.
Me, being the horrible mother I am, didn't even take a picture of Bryant on his first day of school. How could I forget that? Meh - at least it's not as bad as when Logan was the only kid at his teddy bear picnic at school without a teddybear OR a picnic. Good times, good times.
We've kept busy with baseball all summer and fall, football for Boges and soccer for Spence and sleepouts and Logoon and birthdays, and not to mention, our big family vacay - Disneyland! I thought about Jr. Jazz for all three this winter but then again, I think I'd rather have some sort of sanity in the next couple of weeks. They can play out on the driveway, right? With Boyd, we've almost got a full team built into our family!

Summer Memories - the 80's edition

2008-08-06T08:44:00.000-06:00

This time of year always brings back such memories. Getting ready to start school again, pooling all of my babysitting money together to pay for registration (Bry's lucky, I just wrote an 80.00 check for registration and he didn't have to do a dang thing!), and hopefully having enough left to buy some school clothes and maybe even a $7.00 Trapper Keeper from TruValue.
I do believe I did not have the $7.00 it took to purchase a sweet Trapper Keeper with a sunset on the cover from TruValue, but I do believe I found one at the DI. The end was ripped and the cardboard was bowed, but who cares, it was a real Trapper Keeper!
As for school clothes, my mom sewed many of my clothing items that I sported my 7th grade year, although the "clam diggers" she swore were totally popular (I guess she forgot it was the 80's, and not the 60's), I saw no one else wear and it only took me one time of wearing them to figure out they weren't cool. Too bad it took me even once! I really think she just didn't have enough fabric to make pants so she tried to convince me into believing they were cool and that Salt Lake really was one of the "fashion capitals of the world". Boy, could she weave a story! What a great mom to make the best out of no money or fabric!
I do remember being able to save up enough money to buy some white cat eye sunglasses that got stolen the first week of school. I was really bummned, because it was one of the few things that I owned that wasn't fake or second-hand!
Oh, and the $1.00 section of Hallmark in the Valley Fair Mall where you could find every color of bead and matching earrings in garish bright colors coudln't be beat.
Speaking of Valley Fair Mall, my friends and I would ride the bus to the mall all of the time. We'd see a movie, visit Hallmark, and then, we'd all go and get our pictures taken in the photo booth. I wish I still had the photo where we were all wearing neon colored, zebra striped bandana's around our necks. Do you remember what I mean? You didn't roll the bandana up, but kept it in a triangle, and tied it around your neck so it came up to your chin. Then, if you were really cool, you'd hang your sunglasses from your ears below your chin as well. You couldn't open your mouth really wide or they'd fall off.
To top off our Valley Fair Mall experience, we'd always make a stop by the Keyhole to peek at all of the naughty stuff they offered. I couldn't believe they had a lightswitch cover sporting a man opening his overcoat and where his pepe was, was the light switch!
I wish I had all of the cassette tapes I recorded my favorite songs on. "Real" tapes from the store were so much money, so I constantly listened to my radio, with my tape set at just the right spot, to record my favorite songs. Most of the songs on my tapes missed the first few seconds and had a DJ talking about the weather over the instrumental introduction. If You Leave by OMD was featured multiple times on both sides of about every tape I owned. I also remember the Karate Kid song by Peter Cetera (Glory of Love?), True Blue by Madonna and It's a Dead Man's Party by Oingo Boingo frequenting my recordings. Ahhh, the good life.
So, hopefully you share some of my memories, and if you don't, here's some that may stir the heart strings...

You know you are a child from the 80's if:
You have a tendency to turn the collar up on your Polo shirts.
You know where to go if you "wanna go where everybody knows your name."
Partying "like it's 1999" seemed SO far away.
You wore the little bootie socks with the colored balls on the back.
You had a crush on Jon Bon Jovi, or know someone who did.
"Poltergeist" totally freaked you out.
You never questioned why the A-Team were always imprisoned in places that had sufficient tools to build an armored tank.
The Dark Crystal is still one of your favorite movies.
You remember when Deborah Gibson was "Debbie" Gibson.
You remember when Ricky Martin was a member of Menudo.
You actually believed for a minute that K.I.T. (The night rider) actually was real.
Ooh, you could crush a Grape!
You remember the original version of Windows: Macintosh.
At one point during your teenage years, you walked with a noticeable tilt to one side due to the number of plastic rings on that arm. (Mine were always sorted in rainbow order....)
You own any cassettes or records.
You rolled the sleeves of your suit jacket up
You remember when film critics raved that no movie could ever possibly get better special effects than those in the movie TRON.
You remember Michael Jackson when he was still black.
You know how to use a rotary phone.
You knew what Willis was "talkin' 'bout."
You yearned to be a member of The Babysitters Club, and tried to start a club of your own.
Punks actually "shocked" people.
Once, while spending hours in the arcade, you actually lined up quarters on the top panel of the game -- to "reserve" your spot.
If you ever said "I pity the fool".
Schoolhouse Rock played a HUGE part in how you actually learned the English language
You fell victim to 80's fashion: big hair, crimped, combed over to the side, and you wore spandex pants.
You ever owned a thin, black leather tie (and were proud of it), or worse it was patterned like a piano.
You actually saw Ted Danson as the MacDaddy he played "Sam" to be.
You ever wore fluorescent?neon if you will?clothing...
You know who played Uncle Ned, Elyse?s brother, on Family Ties.
You remember when you could buy half cans of soda (great for field trip days!).
You can, right now, hum to yourself the theme to 'Inspector Gadget'
You had top-of-the-line Commodore 64s in your jr. high computer lab
You had to stay after class to scrub your desk because your silver Outliner pen leaked through.
You thought Molly Ringwald was REALLY cool.
You remember when the A-Ha video was the pinnacle of modern technology, and you can still sing all the words.
You sat on your back porch, playing with your "My Little Pony" , "Rainbow Brite" , and "Strawberry Shortcake" dolls
You can still sing the rap to "Fresh Prince of Belair".
You even wore fluorescent, neon if you will, clothing.
You HAD to have your MTV.
You wore a banana clip or one of those slap on wrist bands at some point during your youth.
"Alternative" music actually was...and not popular Top 40 tunes.
You wore biker shorts underneath a short skirt and felt stylish, or know someone who did.
Cerise pink, electric blue and banana yellow have ever featured in your wardrobe or make-up collection.
You inserted the word "like" into, like, every sentence.
You remember with pain the sad day when the Green Machine hit the streets and made your old big wheel quite obsolete.
You remember when Betamax was at the cutting edge of technology.
Not that you'd do it personally, but body piercing captivates your attention
In many of your childhood photos you are wearing something plaid.
You know, by heart, the words to any "Weird" Al Yankovic song.
You believed that "By the power of Greyskull, you HAD the power!"
There were days that the homework just had to wait until the ABC Afterschool Special was over.
You know how (or wanted to be able) to Moonwalk!
You wanted to communicate with Synergy, or you wanted green hair like that lead singer of the Misfits.
You actually thought "Dirty Dancing" was a REALLY good movie.
The first time you ever kissed someone at a dance fell during "Crazy for You" by Madonna
You wore biker shorts underneath a short skirt and felt stylish.
You think there should be a Kids Incorporated original cast reunion.
You have heard of "Garbage Pail Kids" (and perhaps still have a collection of them).
you're starting to dread your 30th birthday, and have even begun going into denial about it's possibility
You remember when McDonald?s served their burgers in styrofoam boxes.
You knew all the words to Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire", but it really didn't hold any meaning for you until about the third verse
Atari, IntelliVision, TelStar and Coleco were the ultimate gaming systems to own.
U2 is too "popular" and "mainstream" for you now
You have seen at least 10 episodes of Fraggle Rock.
You hold a special place in your heart for "Back to the Future."
You wondered why you and your mates never encountered diamond thieves whilst out on your BMXs.
You made Star Wars shrinky dinks in your oven.
Poltergeist freaked you out.
Your best party dress was either a ra-ra or puff-ball skirt.
You know who Mr. T is.
You ever uttered the word "Radical!"
You got a Little Professor calculator for Christmas.
You were disappointed when an episode of 3-2-1 Contact didn?t include a Bloodhound Gang segment.
You still know the Big Mac song. "Two all beef patties, special sauce?"
There were at least three people in your school that voluntarily went by the names of "Skip" "Buffy" "Muffy" or "Dexter."
You were in Cub Scouts or Girl Scouts but now you have no idea what all the badges you got were for.
Your hair, at some point in time in the 80's, became something which can only be described by the phrase "I was experimenting."
You know who Tina Yothers is.
You skipped school on the day Luke and Laura got married on General Hospital.
You owned a *realRubik's cube.
While in high school, you and all your friends discussed elaborate plans to get together again at the end of the century and play "1999" by Prince over and over again.
You had a poster of Rob Lowe, Kirk Cameron, Michael J. Fox or Don Johnson on your wall.
You can't remember when the word "networking" didn't have a computer connotation to it as well
You were a "wanna be". Madonna, Duran Duran, Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, Boy George, etc.
You always wondered why Tootie always wore those skates.
You were afraid of the Sleestacks on Land of The Lost.
You were sad when the "Where's the Beef" lady died.
You ever owned one of those embarrassing crimping irons.
The phrase "Where's the beef?" still doubles you over with laughter
One word: Izod.
You owned a doll with 'Xavier Roberts' signed on it's butt.
You watched Mary Lou Retton win the gold.
You remember when Madonna was just hitting the scene.
You remember the episode of Good Times when Flo broke down after James' funeral.
You ever wanted to be gagged with a spoon.
You ever owned a pair of "Pop-Wheels"?that handy little combination of shoe and roller skate that lasted about a year on the open market.
You remember and/or owned any of the Care Bear glass collections from Pizza Hut.
You have ever called 867-5309.
Leg warmers and headbands al᠐at Benatar once looked really cool to you.
You held the top score on Pac-Man.
You knew "The Artist" when he was humbly called "Prince."
Your hair defied gravity.
you remember when music that was labeled "alternative" really was
You remember when cellular phones weighed 15 lbs. and had to be carried over your shoulder.
You can name at least half of the members of the elite "Brat Pack."
You ever dressed to emulate a person you saw in either a Duran Duran, Madonna, or Cyndi Lauper video.
Words: "Atari" "IntelliVision" and "Coleco". Sound familiar?
You can remember watching Full House and Saved by the Bell for endless hours.
You wore tights under shorts and felt stylish.
You had a crush on one of the New Kids on the Block members.
You thought that Transformers were more than meets the eye.
You remember exactly where you were when you heard the space shuttle had exploded.
You know the profound meaning of "Wax on, Wax off."
You watched Purple Rain over and over again.
Pierce Brosnon will always be Remington Steele, not James Bond.
This rings a bell: "and my name, is Charlie. They work for me."
Your first Walkman weighed about as much as a brick.
You've recently horrified yourself by using any one of the following phrases: - "When I was younger" - "When I was your age" - "You know, back when..." - "Because I SAID so, that's why" - "What the HELL is this noise on the radio?" - "Just can't (fill in the blank) like I used to"
You wanted to be a Goonie.
you remember the days when "safe sex" meant "my parents are gone for the weekend"
You had a crush on Bo Derek.
You were shocked by the controversial plot lines in Degrassi Junior High.
You used to own a Snoopy Sno Cone Machine.
You wanted to be on Star Search.
You remember any or all of the following: Echo & the Bunnymen, Cutting Crew, Scritti Politti, or Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark.
You carried you lunch to school in a Gremlins or an ET lunchbox.
You are still baffled by the "day glo" clothing trend.
You ever had a Swatch Watch, and a Swatch Guard for it.
Jelly bracelets & shoes!
You were led to believe that in the year 2000 we'd all be living on the moon.
You tried to convince your Dad to fit a strip of red lights on the front of his Capri so it looked like KITT.
You could have got away with it if it hadn't been for those meddling kids.
Your first computer was a Commodore 64 or an Atari 800.
You wrote your boyfriends name on the side of your canvas Keds.
Four-square was THE playground game.
You wore French rolls on the bottom of your splatter painted jeans.
Never let them see you sweat.
Your dream car was either: the A-team van, KITT or The General Lee.
You were convinced for years that Batman was a mildly overweight man with a moderate beer belly who wore his under wearoutside of his clothes and talked strangely
You thought eating Reese's Pieces would attract your own Alien.
You used to hold in your head the thought that all those gold chains on Mr. T actually looked kinda cool and the thought that Mr. T made millions seemed rational to you at the time.
You know what "Push Up" ice cream is.
You played with Lego's when they were just blocks of various sizes, not any of the special little parts.
You know that another name for a keyboard is a "Synthesizer."
Guys: You remember when a guy piercing his ear was radical to the max, but did it anyhow.
You were only cool if you hung out at the Roller Rink and actually knew how to skate.
Chevy Chase was really funny in those Vacation movies.
You carried a big colored comb in your back pocket.
You could go through a case of Aqua Net hairspray in a week.
Your best friend had a soda stream at home and you were jealous
You can sing the McDonald's Big Mack Filet-o-fish, quarter pounder, French Fry song while jump roping.
You thought "Weird Science" was a masterpiece.
You remember when Molly Ringwald was on Facts of Life.
You know what "sike" and "not!" mean
You have worn a Banana Clip, or knew someone who did.
you were shocked and horrified at the Challenger explosion (which you were probably watching in school at the time), and yet,when someone mentions the name "JFK", the first thing you think of is "Oliver Stone"
You owned a T-shirt that said, "I shot J. R. " or know someone who did.
You had slouch socks, and puff painted your own shirt at least once.
Spend a majority of your time in your late 20s & early 30s obsessing over how much better things were "back then".
You hid out behind the gym during recess to read "Are you there God, it?s me Margaret?" with your friends.
You know who He-Man and She-Ra are.
You remember Dirk Benedict as Starbuck long before he played Face.
You wore loafers with everything, and you put the laces in those little rolls.
You know who Max Headroom is.
You can't remember a time when "going out for coffee" DIDN'T involve 49,000 selections to choose from.
You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the ONLY female Smurf.
You have ever po-goed or space-hopped.
You've ever shopped at a Banana Republic or Benetton, but not in the last five years, okay?
You know what a "Whammee" is..
You jammed to the Miami Vice theme and thought Jan Hammer was cool.
You thought being a latch key kid was completely normal.
You had MALL Hair.
You remember the first time "Space: Above and Beyond" aired it was called "Battlestar Galactica"
You remember "Friday Night Videos" before the days of MTV.
Parachuting Action man was your favorite toy.
"Celebration" by Kool & the Gang was one of the hot new songs when you first heard it at a school dance
You remember the aerobie scare.
You wanted to have an alien like Alf living in your house.
Dungeons & Dragons was your favorite cartoon.
You know what leg warmers are and probably had a pair.
You remember the days that hooking your computer into your TV wasn't an expensive option that required gadgets - it was the ONLY WAY to use your computer!
You knew who Max's boss Jonathan Hart was.
You still love to play Pong!
You freaked out a little when you realized you fall into the "26-50" category of most surveys.
You actually spent countless hours trying to perfect the care-bear stare.
You had Wonder Woman or Superman underoos.
You thought UTFOs "Roxanne, Roxanne" song was the bomb!
Your all time favorite movie was Footloose and you actually thought that Kevin Bacon was HOT in it!!!
(Girls) You owned a pair of Pixie Boots, generally worn with leg warmers.
You know what a Doozer is.
You layered your multi-colored slouch socks, and added suspenders to make your outfit complete.
You remember when Jordache jeans with a flat-handle comb in the back pocket was cool.
You just had to have a Trapper Keeper to stay organized at school.
You're starting to believe that maybe 30 isn't so old after all, and it's those people over 40 you have to look out for.
You could break dance, or wish you could.
You know who Derek Wildstar, Mark Venture, Captain Avatar, Nova and Desslock are.
You know all the words to "Ice Ice Baby".
You, yes you, sat down and memorized the entire lyric sheet to "It's the end of the world as we know it"
You wanted to dress like the Hulk or She-Ra at Halloween.
You had to come in the house when the street lights came on.
You wanted to be either Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys.
You can remember the words to the theme song of "The Greatest American Hero." ("BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I'M WALKIN' ON AIR... I NEVER THOUGHT I COULD FEEL SO FREE-EE-EE...")
You wore a feather roach clip in your hair from the local carnival because you didn?t know what it really was.
You totally LOVED Barbie's cooler, punkier counterpart, "Jem" and her "Rockers"
When someone mentions two consecutive days of the week, the Happy Days theme is stuck in your head for hours on end.
You ever did the top toggle of your coat up around your neck without having your arms in the sleeves, and knew you looked like a super-hero.
You owned/operated a 'Trapper Keeper'
The TV movie "The Day After" still scares the heck out of you.
You remember when ATARI was a state of the art video game system
You know who Fat Albert is.
You tried a can of clear Pepsi but hated it like everyone else did.
You know who Spuds McKenzie, The Noid, and Joe Isuzu are.
You owned a Jordache anything, or you remember when Jordache jeans were cool.
You wore 3-8 different colored socks in layers and thought that the more you could wear the cooler you were.
You actually know who Rick Springfield is
Shiny grey flecked suits.
You wanted to be The Hulk for Halloween.
you watched HR Puffenstuff as a child, but now that you're older, you really understand that it would have been much betterhad you known about drugs at the time
Your name is Jennifer or Jason.
You had a crush on one of the Corey's (Haim or Feldman).
You know all of the words to at least one of the Schoolhouse Rock songs.
Your first date took you to the roller rink and you held hands for "Couples Only" skate.
You're parents wanted you to attend medical school, but you decided it was pointless since Quincy got all the babes, anyway.
You like the guy who played Freddy Kruger better as Wilie on "V".
You can't remember a time when "hitting the outlet stores" didn't mean going to an electrical warehouse

Okay, so the above list brings back so many memories I can't even begin to write them all. So, over the next little while, while living out the dog days of summer, I'll write a few memories related to the above list. Stay tuned!

End of the Season

2008-07-24T23:04:00.000-06:00

Bryant's baseball season has ended for the year. His all-star team he played on did amazing! They wound up 4th place in the state tournament. Not too bad!
For those of you that don't know, and most of you probably do, Bryant has loved baseball since he could walk. When he was little, he watched Sand Lot almost every day, or Angels in the Outfield. He wanted to name Spencer "Roger" after the boy in Angels.
I enjoy watching him do something that he loves and is really good at. Most of these pictures are from a great game - Bryant hit two home runs, and they were not in-field home runs. They more than cleared the fence. It was amazing. Let me set the scene for you:
It's our last up to bat and we are down by 1. Bryant gets up to bat with 2 guys on base. He clears it, and we score three. The opposing team (Hunter/Cyprus!) was last up to bat and scored 2 runs to tie the game. We went into overtime and Bryant gets up to bat, with 2 guys on base again. What does he do? He not only hits a homer, but it was so far past the fence I don't think I've ever seen anyone hit so far. It was amazing and all of the parents were jumping up and down screaming! I was screaming!
At the next game, against the giants of baseball, Taylorsville, he also hit another homer, but we ended up losing by 1, which is amazing because Taylorsville always beats everyone by at least 15 points. Needless to say, the next time we met up with them, it wasn't pretty and I can't remember by how much they won, but they creamed us.
The photo of Bryant giving his coach a high five is as he was rounding third after a homerun. I love that photo!
He's at scout camp right now, and has been since Monday and won't be home until Saturday. I miss him so much! He's swimming the mile in Bear Lake and it seems like just yesterday my little bro Reese was doing the same thing. When he told me he was going to swim the mile I got really concerned. I didn't think he could swim THAT well, but Boyd assured me he could and Bryant was pretty insulted that I was worried. So, I told him that there are parts of Bear Lake where they haven't found the bottom so it was best if he stayed on top of the water. I also told him about the rumored Bear Lake Monster, to which Bryant replied "like Nessie? Sweet!". I could tell by the look on his face he was a little concerned, but obviously I am not above scaring my kids half to death to try and keep them safe.
Reese and Bryant are scarily similar. Their body style, their sense of humor, and all around personality seem like they were twins separated at birth. Scary.

Supreese!

2008-07-24T21:44:00.000-06:00

As the boys say from Nacho Libre, SUPREESE! (Surprise with a spanish accent). Well, I threw a surprise party for Boyd for his 38th birthday. Let's just say I had a lot of angst about lying to him that day.
Bryant's baseball team was playing in the state tournament in Bountiful so our baseball schedule depended on whether he lost or won each game. Needless to say, we ended up having a game scheduled right smack dab during the party!
I told Boyd I wasn't feeling well and that I would stay home and get things ready for Mom, Dad, Brian and La to come out.
Now, the fun part. Trying to get him home.
I called and told him the washer was leaking water everywhere. I had to be very tricky about what I told him as I did not want him to rush home and get in a car accident and die. That would make for a very bad party.
Boyd told me to turn off the water in the house and clean it up and everything would be fine. Not what I wanted to hear. So I hung up, sat there for a minute, and then called back. Because I was "sick", I really played it up saying I really needed him to come home, water was everywhere, and I just needed him. This is not the type of girl I usually am. I am pretty independent and can handle most situations, which I think Boyd appreciates. He did not appreciate having me whine and have him make the 45 minute drive home.
So, he got home, walked in the house with the most ornery look on his face, to which everyone yelled "SUPRISE"! He did not look amused.....I walked up to him with a nervous "he, he, it's a surprise party for you he,he" thinking "wipe that look off your face and be a good host, he, he". The "he he" is a very nervous laugh.
It took him a second and then he warmed up. It's a good thing!
I rented a waterslide that is so very fun and we bbq'd. We had a great time, as I think everyone else did. It was fun just hanging out with the family, and it ended up that Boyd felt grateful for everyone who came out, just for him!

My OTHER Birthday Boy

2008-06-23T11:30:00.001-06:00

Boyd C. White
Born: June 23, 1970 Salt Lake, Utah

Boyd is the cutie in the middle - I love this photo! I'm pretty sure none of my children got any of my genenetics (thank goodness). He is so cute, and I'm sure that's where my children got it!

Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Food: Pie Goo Fan (Chinese breaded pork chop)
Favorite Dessert: Bing (Chinese shaved ice)
Favorite American Food: " Taco's ha ha ha, those aren't American. Well, I guess they are North American! Okay, Steak."
Favorite American Dessert; "Klondike bars - I'm not really a dessert fan"

Sweet bellbottoms!

As Bryant says: "we like short-shorts!"

Boyd-Taiwan Taichung Mission

Boyd 38 years - and he gets better and better every year!

Favorite Movie: "Haaaaa - there's a lot of movies I like! Such as, Count of MOnte Cristo, Incredibles, Cars, James Bond Casino Royale, Star Wars, Indiana Jones"
Favorite Band: "I like the Beatles, but they're probably not my favorite. I like Billy Joel stuff pretty good".
Favorite thing to do: "Ha ha ha, work I guess, that's all I do!" Angie: "Okay, now for real". Boyd" "YOu know I like fishing and golfiing!" Okay, I thought he was going to say something perverted....
Favorite TV show: "How it's Made and How Do They Do That" (Discovery Chanel Junkie)

Well Boyd, we've been together 15 years, and you're nearing 40. I have to say you really are like a fine wine - (I am the cheese that compliments your whining) you get better with age! I love you sweetie!

Birthday Boys

2008-06-23T10:44:00.000-06:00

I've been too busy and it's been too long! We're having a birthday boy bonanza this weekend!
My baby Bry is now 13 - an official teenager! I keep teasing him that I see pimples growing every time I look at him!
Unfortunately, he was sick for his birthday - he had a baseball tournament game he had to miss, and I had to stay home with Logan who was also sick while Bry, Boyd and Spencer went and saw the Hulk and then went to a Crashup Derby. They had a blast, but we all agreed it would have been more fun if we were all together!

Here's a snapshot of Bryant at age 13:

Favorite movie: "Iron Man"
Favorite color: "Blue"
Favorite Sport: "Duhhh, Tennis. Come-on Mom, it's baseball!"
Favorite Dessert: "Ice Cream" (we had Superman ice cream for his birthday)
FAvorite thing to do: "Play with my friends/hang out"
Favorite band: "The Killers or Poison" Mom: "Poison, what? How do you know who they are?" Bryant: "Poison! I know who Poison is, they're like 80's singers!"\
Things he hates most: "Chores and working in the yard outside"
Favorite food: "Chinese! Of course Mom!"

Bryant, by Mom
Twinkling blue eyes
Mischevious grin (ready to break out at any time)
Braces that I'm always telling him to scrub
Ultra messy room
Doesn't complain so much when I ask him to shower anymore
Getting more into clothes/shoes
Funnier than all get-out
Loves baseball
Enjoying scouts more
Loves to jump on the trampoline
Enjoys air-soft wars with the neighbors
Loves to babysit (and the kids he babysits in the ward love him too!)
School still really isn't his thing
He's absolutely delightful to be around (when he's not bugging his brothers)
Loves to bug brothers!
Loves to be with his family
Honors his Priesthood
Cleans the kitchen very well
Super smart
Distracted easily
Excellent impressions (ask him to do his Waterboy, Goonies, Nacho Libre, Napoleon, Benchwarmers, or Happy Gilmore impressions, they're hilarious!)
Kind
Loves to stick his head out of the car window like a dog!
Good photographer
Loves to ride his bike (let's not talk about his Dad's bike that he left to be stolen!)
All around good kid!

I Love you Bry!

What a great weekend!

2008-05-04T22:19:00.000-06:00

I am home! What a wonderful weekend indeed! We had such nice weather! We attended one of Logan's friends' baptism's yesterday, and today we were able to go to Carrie and Sam's baby blessing. I'm so glad that I get to induct them into the 3-boys club. I am the official President and new members don't come along everyday. It's a very prestigious club, and it's pretty hard to get into. Well, we all can't be winners, right? These are the things I tell myself to not be so sad about not having a daughter...
I just have to post a bit about little Sammie. First of all, I didn't realize he's the second counselor in the bishopric! Are we really that old? Oh my gosh!
Secondly, I saw Sam really as a grown up today. What a neat sight! He bore his testimony and I was so proud of him! I just cried and cried!
He was always such a good boy, but to see him grow into a wonderful dad and husband is such a neat thing. Who would of thought that the boy that taught me the f word would now be serving in the bishopric?! Or the boy that would take off his diaper in the road and run around naked? Or let's see, the boy who got into his mom's candy from her candy store and gave our free baseball bubblegums to the neighborhood? Ahh, or the boy that hit his sister in the face in a pillow fight, but "forgot" there was a book in his pillowcase and gave her a bloody nose? I also remember the "bird lover", Mr. Clumsy, his doll, or dumping turkey grease all over the Morphin's newly washed truck. Shauna kicking down our huts, eating dry jello powder from the downstairs bathroom (I know, the Sweets always had jello in their downstairs bathroom!) and spending lots of time in the ditch behind our house. Now those really were good times!
It was so good to see all of the Sweets today. I feel myself very lucky to have friends such as the Bezzants and Sweets that truly are family. We really coudln't be any more related or any closer than any family member.
How I wish I had a photo of Sam when he was little to post. He was such a doll!
Kudos to Carrie and Sam - they have created such a strong and wonderful family. They are a great example to us all!

I just had to add a photo - what's a posting without one? I love this one of Laurel, me and Ryan. 3 of the Notorious Hansen 7.

I'M PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!

2008-05-02T17:42:00.001-06:00

'CAUSE I'M PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN
WHERE AT LEAST I KNOW I'M FREE!
AND I WON'T FORGET THE MEN WHO DIED
AND GAVE THAT RIGHT TO ME
AND I'LL PROUDLY STAND UP
NEXT TO YOU
AND DEFEND HER STILL TODAY
'CAUSE THEIR AIN'T NO DOUBT I LOVE THIS LAND!
GOD BLESS THE USA!

I know, the thought of this song makes you shed a tear. Me too.

Okay, the best way to describe China is to liken it to a phase I went through in 6th grade. I used to only do the front of my hair, hoping that no one would pay attention to the back of my hair. China's the same.

Here's a photo of one of the hotels we stayed in. Gorgeous right?

Then inside it's a different story. Our room in this hotel smelled of old smoke and mildew so bad. The carpets were filthy, the walls were filthy and it looked like someone had barfed on our ottoman. Here's a toilet in one of our rooms:

You could also purchase men's triangle underwear with matching woof socks in one of my rooms. The socks are of the "human fashion". It's a good thing.

Here is the "shower" in my friend's room. There wasn't one! It just had a shower head sticking out of the wall and you shut the wooden bathroom door and the water just pounded against the door and flowed out of the bathroom onto the carpet. The carpet was all black and moldy outside the bathroom. The smell was so bad in this hotel I woke up a few times I'm sure because of it. Shudder.

I walked for 2 weeks straight and didn't want to eat a thing. If I could have one wish it would be that the feeling of not wanting to eat would stay with me forever.
However, unfortunately it hasn't. Dang it.

A few of the delicacies:

Now you can see why I didn't have an appetite. I saw some of the grossest things I have EVER seen! We basically went to a pet store and we were told to pick something from the grimy fish tanks to eat. The man kept pointing to a turtle and saying "good". I said "No way! That's a pet!" They eat shrimp with their heads on and their eyes sticking out. It was so gross...

The pollution was so terrible. I went to all of the big cities in China, with the exception of Hong Kong. Shanghai, Beijing, GuongZhou, Shenzen and a few others I can't remember off the top of my head. All of the cities had terrible pollution, Shanghai being the least. We all thought that a major storm was coming through which is why it was so gray and dark. But no, that is how it is. It's terrible and I can see why there's so much hullabaloo about the Olympics. There's no way I would want to run (I don't want to run in clean air either) over there!

The English translation was hilarous. Here is a sign in the "bathroom" (it's a hole in the floor and they don't flush their tissue. The smell was awful! Boyd said they are called squat pots. Needless to say, not all ladies have a good aim so it was frequently hard to squat while my feet were slipping in pee. I can't believe I didn't take a pic! I'm a Hansen, right?):

And here's lunch. I guess you could describe much of the food as "dump" aka poop!

It was really a great trip. We did so much. Now it's time to be serious. Something that I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around is how we are all children of our Heavenly Father, and he loves us all the same. But why are some given so much more than others? It makes me feel guilty and grateful. It makes me never want to ask for another thing.

I'm so glad to be home to my family! Boyd was so sweet and we often got teary eyed the few times we got to talk. Boy, does absence make the heart grow fonder!

Goodbye China, Hello America!

2008-04-28T08:54:00.000-06:00

23 hours and counting until I'll be leaving!

Things I can't wait to leave:

Cigarette smoke

Pee soaked squat pots

Chinese food

Sore feet

Dirty air

Dirtier hotel rooms

B.O.

No English

Stinkiest smells EVER!

Sweat/Humidity

Things I can't wait to see:

My family

Blue sky

Clean air

Clean bed

Clean carpet

Clean people

Good food

My friends

My home

Things I can't wait to smell:

Everything not in China

P.S.

2008-04-16T03:25:00.000-06:00

I am leaving for China today! I'm going for business and am looking forward to opening some direct business relations there. However, I'm really struggling with leaving the boys. All 4 of them. I miss them so much when I'm gone and I was just gone to Bermuda! I hope the time goes by fast, but gone nearly 2 weeks and sharing a room probably won't go too fast.
I went to Walmart tonight (which I NEVER do) and bought some last minute things for the trip. Well, I thought my boys had grabbed the bags (everything was relatively small), but didn't realize until we got to the car that they hadn't! We ran back in and the checker said she didn't have our bags and said that she even checked when we left. Well, we didn't have them! Needless to say, I have to go in at 7:00 in the morn and have the manager watch the security tape to see what happened. If it shows that the person after me took the bags, they'll replace my stuff. It was about $100.00 worth of stuff!
So, ching wada pigu (I have not idea how to spell chinese) and hun cho! Translation: kiss my but, how smelly! I'm sure I'll make lots of new friends!

NERD PATROL

2008-04-16T02:37:00.001-06:00

I couldn't put this in the last blog, because it really deserved a posting of it's own. For some reason, I didn't catch a pic of Camie - sorry, but you should be actually pretty glad I'm not adding you to the Nerd Patrol.

We rented scooters on the island for the 4 days we were there. I thought "Hey, it has to be safe. The island is only 20 square miles, the top speed limit is 25, and they let retarded tourists ride their scooters. It has to be safe, right?". Well I was wrong, horribly wrong.

To start, if you want to pee your pants laughing, just stand outside the rental shop and look at all the tards in the helmets. Then it gets better, everybody's helmets are on crooked, or 80 feet higher than their head, and they are all trying to ride a scooter for the first time. Either they start way too fast and then immediately do a brake check, or they totally wobble and almost loose it for a few seconds. It's so hilarious.

So, the locals drive cars, big rigs (yes, big trucks)and scooters and they do NOT DRIVE 25 MPH! They are going around you extremely fast, or tailing you from about 2 feet behind (I'm not kidding!). The roads are extremely winding and almost every curve is a blind curve. There are no shoulders or sidewalks on the side of the roads and no turn lanes either! We also had to get used to driving on the left hand side of the road.

I thought I was going to loose it when I saw Dad trying to show off to Brian and Laurel by passing them. As he was going around them and laughing at them he totally hit the curb and started wobbling. I thought he was going to biff it. The funniest was to see how freaked out he was trying to control the bike. It was so dang funny. I laugh even now as I think about it.

THEN, Camie was trying to make a right handed u-turn when she went straight into a wall/sign. I couldn't stop laughing then either.

I missed Mom's biff in front of the "trolley" that takes everyone from the ship to the dock yard. She had to stand up and get back on her bike in front of everyone. Pretty sweet.

So, the best part is, I thought to myself "this is going to be a piece of cake! I'm totally going to show off my sweet riding skills and leave everybody in the dust. They are going to be so jealous of how cool I am". Well, let's just say my skills are so incredibly awesome that I decided to amaze everyone with a stunt of my own. I PURPOSELY took my hog about 5 feet up a palm tree. I then PURPOSELY landed on my back and decided to see how much weight I could take on my legs. I MADE SURE my scooter landed right on my leg, and yes you guessed it, I was awesome. I only got a scratch on my toe, that's how good I am. I know, I know. You now you feel the jealousy that my family felt when they saw me pull that death defying stunt. Hot Rod, eat your heart out. Next time I'm going to charge admission. (Or at least make sure somebody has a camera so I can win America's Funniest Home Videos.)
My Boydie didn't look like a nerd! He's my stud on the road hog!

Bermuda 2008

2008-04-16T01:51:00.001-06:00

Our cruise to Bermuda was so much fun. Not only was Bermuda really like the last photo I posted (stunningly beautiful), but the company was fantastic! It was my favorite cruise we've been on so far.

We sailed out of New York (I love NY) and stayed the entire time in Bermuda.

I had to post this photo, I look totally freaky, but hey, we flew the red eye out and hadn't had any sleep the night before! I post it because I kept making my dad laugh by saying "Please sir, can I have some more?" Check out the hat and stringy hair, you'll get it....

I have to admit, we only had 1 day of really good weather. This is what our first day looked like, however, it was still amazing.

Luckily, Laurel and I spent the 1 good day at the beach while the boys and Mom and Camie went deep sea fishing. Check out Laurel's blog to see the craziness that ensued at the beach. We spyed this chick in a short sleeved wet suit (let's just say she shouldn't have been wearing any sort of tight fitting ensamble) with long stringy hair that could have been a mullett. However, we couldnt' really tell because it was under a cowboy hat.

> The history of Bermuda is amazing, and many of the old buildings from the 1600's are still standing. It's so incredibly beautiful - the scenery and the historic buildings make an amazing combination. We visited the oldest church in the Western Hemisphere! Who would have thought it was in Bermuda!

Laurel kept me in laughing the entire time and I really just enjoyed Boyd and my family.

Heaven Awaits.....

2008-03-27T22:50:00.000-06:00

Ahhhh, heaven awaits us on the sunny beaches of Bermuda! Boyd and I take the red eye to New York tomorrow night and arrive at 6:00 in the morning. I'm so excited. Mostly because some of the funnest people I know are going. It's going to be such a blast, and I'm super excited to see Laurel's first time on a cruise ship. She and I are a lot alike so I know she'll love a cruise as much as I do. Sleeping, relaxing, sunning and eating all you want - now that's heaven baby! I know I'll do a lot of laughing because Laurel will not fail to keep me in stitches.
I have to admit, my heart is hurting to leave the boys. Truly - more than it ever has in the past. I feel so guilty! I will be waited on hand and foot and my poor boys will be fending for themselves. (Actually, they are so super excited because Uncle Reese is going to spend the week with them. Please send all of your prayers their way....)
I am mostly excited to show off the new bikini I bought. It is so cute and goes so well with cottage cheese and stretch marks. It's a good thing, because can you imagine if it didnt? Woof! I just hope I can keep the men off of me....probably not. But oh well, what happens in Bermuda, stays in Bermuda, right?

It's been waaaay too long...

2008-03-18T21:02:00.000-06:00

Life has gotten too crazy the last little while and I haven't had a second to park my butt in front of the computer!

Okay, life gets even crazier - baseball season started for the White family. What does that mean?
1. Staying outside until nearly 10:00 freezing your butt off. And when I say freezing, I don't think I've ever been so cold as I have been at the boys' games.
2. Yummy snack bar nachos and churros. The best!
3. Jock straps, cups (not the drinking kind), socks, boxers, tightie whities, half eaten hamburgers, stale french fries and sticky spilled soda in the van at all times! At least we'd be able to survive on all the stale food in the van if we were ever in an emergency situation. I could probably use a cup and jock strap to prevent frost bite from forming on my nose. See, there's a positive in everything.
4. Speeding home from work, honking the horn in the driveway, and shuttling the two boys to their practices and games. During this season, I live in a van down by the river, I mean, baseball field.
5. Best part, I haven't even mentioned Spencer's soccer games and practices!!

I really shouldn't complain because it is my chosen life. I just don't ever want the boys to look into the stands and see no one cheering for them. THEY JUST BETTER TAKE GOOD CARE OF ME AND CHANGE MY DIAPERS OFTEN WHEN I'M OLD!!!

Things I should have blogged:

1. My sister Natalie is one of the funniest people ever. Proof: check out her blog at petonfamily.blogspot.com. Her list of 20 regrets is hilarious, and the best part about it is that I think I was there for roughly 19 of them. After reading her blog you will see why we had the BEST childhood and why Natalie and I will be linked forever with the most awesome memories ever!

2. Boyd got romantical for Valentines Day

3. And then showed the boys how it's really done....

4. Super Boy paid us a visit and didn't realize that when he's looking in the mirror, his proclamation to the world on his chest was backwards (it runs in the family...)

5. I got to babysit my cute neice. She has the cutest curls that I just want to pull like Ramona and the "boing boing" curls.

She is so stinkin' cute, but it kills me that she won't cuddle. It really does. Could you resist cuddling this?

However, she makes up for it in her fearlessness with the dog. I've never seen a kid love a dog so much bigger than themselves and have absolutely no fear. It's darling!

6. Boges got glasses!

7. Is this a sign of things to come?

Boyd and a little girl? Oh, it looks like it's meant to be....
Wake up Angie, wake up. It was all a dream!!

My Funny Valentine

2008-02-15T19:26:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I got the most exciting thing this Valentine's Day. A secret card appeared on my desk at work. I can't believe it! It says it's from ?????. It's hand made and someone must really care about me....

Besides the exciting "secret" valentine, I took my valentine to Tepanyaki. For those of you who haven't been there, it's much like Benihana. We had never been there and it was so much fun.
The best part of the night was when the chef threw a piece of shrimp into each of our mouths (I use the term mouth loosely....). Let's just say Boyd was the only one who caught the shrimp in his mouth. Logan was lucky though, his landed right on his eye! It was hilarious! He just picked it off and popped it in his mouth! We all laughed, even the chef.
You may have noticed that Bryant wasn't present for the night's festivities. That's because he was at Young Mens and had what he described was "pretty much a date". Apparently, the boys were assigned to certain girls in the ward, who they had to pick them up from their home and escort them, on their elbow, to the church. Once there, they then opened all of the doors for the girls, pulled out their "date's" chair, and ate a spaghetti meal together, using what manners a 12 year old boy has. Apparently, Bryant has such fine manners that he came home covered in sweat. I'm sure the night involved jumping, running, and probably throwing rolls in the basketball hoopes. At the close of the evening they then escorted the girls home, and much to Bryant's dismay,it didn't end with a smooch (He's going to kill me for saying that!). However, I am proud of the boy, some of the boys refused to get the girls so the Young Men's President counted on Bryant to do the "dirty work". Ahhh, young romance....

I finally found a secret to help me loose weight...

2008-02-15T19:11:00.000-07:00

Brace Face

2008-02-05T20:28:00.001-07:00

Well, my little boy is now officially a brace face, or as he prefers to be called, "Metal Mouth" or "Iron Mouth". Apparently, he has some missing permanent teeth and the braces will bring his teeth together and we'll never know he was deformed - lol. He has also just corrected me in letting me know he's not little. Okay, so he'll always be little to me, even if his feet are size 12!

Our Wintery Wonderland

2008-02-05T20:11:00.001-07:00

With the help of my lovely sister-in-law we were able to get away for the weekend. We stayed in a condo at Wolfcreek resort. It's a beautiful place up Ogden canyon. We had such a great and relaxing time. We watched President Hinckley's funeral beside a crackling fire with no distractions. It was peaceful, serene and our view was spectacular to say the least!
When we woke up Sunday morning, it had snowed at least a foot and a half from between ten pm and eight am! I have never seen so much snow accumulate so fast! I was really worried - we were skipping church to be at the condo and we had to drive through a canyon in some of the worst weather I've ever been in. Heavenly Father forgave us and watched over and protected us on our trip home.
I love a good snow storm - just ask anyone I work with. Anytime it snows when we are at work I cheer while everyone else complains about driving home. Luckily I have a short commute home, and with a little common sense, most people are okay. Rules to live by: keep an extra safe distance from any car in front of you, don't speed up fast or try to stop fast. If you start to slip, don't brake! Now, that I say this, I'll probably get in an accident!
My theory is this: if everything is going to be gray, brown, and dead, let's cover it up with some beautiful snow!

The snow behind these pictures is not snow on a hill - it is the actual shoveled snow off the sidewalk! It was so crazy deep!

My north star - President Hinckley

2008-02-05T19:53:00.000-07:00

Wow - what a spiritual week it has been. Saturday was so amazing. I cried and cried, but not really because I was sad, but because I will miss our prophet terribly. In a world of constant change and uncertainty, he was truly my "north star". Testimonies are built line upon line, precept upon precept and I feel my testimony of President Hinckley is one of the cornerstones or foundations of my overall testimony. Through times of trouble and turmoil I have always been comforted by him and his counsel. I am so happy for him to be reuinted with his sweet wife, his mother who died when he was nine, and his father and many others who went before him. I envision our Heavenly Father and our Brother welcoming him into their arms and saying "Well done my good and faithful servant". I truly hope I will get the chance to put my arms around him as well and thank him for his testimony and the way in which he lived his life which allowed him to receive direction and guidance from our Father in Heaven, which in turn, he gave to us.
Many of you probably don't know that Bryant was named for President Hinckley's father. When I was pregnant with Bry, President Hunter passed away and President Hinckely was sustained as prophet. I was sitting on our bed reading an Ensign article about President Hinckely's life when I learned his father's name was Bryant. What a wonderful man he must of been to raise a future prophet! I thought the name was strong and traditional yet not common and that my son would live up to the legacy that has been left to his name.
Logan once asked me how I knew the prophet was a prophet of God. I thought about it and told him that whenever I followed his counsel, I became closer to the Lord and happier. How could he not be a true servant of the Lord if he brings us closer to Him? By their fruits, ye shall know them...

Go Greenbay Go!

2008-01-26T16:14:00.000-07:00

Spencer LOVES the Packers - this is not something we taught him. I went to Wisconsin a few years ago and brought him back a little bear that had the Packers insignia on it. Ever since then he has loved the Packers. Well, Boyd took him and bought him a jersey to wear during the big game last Sunday. We were all sad that they lost (we all now like the Packers because of Spencer). It was a bummer but a great game. A few days later, Spencer came downstairs in his jersey and was giving the peace sign with both hands saying "PACKERS!". Well, I laughed my head off at what I saw....
Now, you can't laugh at Spencer, which I couldn't help but do. I wasn't trying to be mean, it was just hilarious. This picture is so sad, because he felt so bad he had put the "G" on backwards.
After talking to him he finally settled down. He still loves them Packers!

Most memorable moments - Christmas at the White House 2007

2007-12-28T08:40:00.000-07:00

Wow, this Christmas was a great one! We started it off right at my Aunt Diane's and Uncle Kent's. What was really nice this year, is that we got home before 1:00 in the morning! That's a new one! We were able to get home, the boys got Santa his treats, we then tracked Santa on the Internet (when we checked he was in the Gallapagos Islands and had already delivered presents to the Eastern side of the US - the boys were freaking), read Luke chapter 2, laugh our butts off at Spencer, and finally put the boys down.
We had opened our traditional Christmas Eve pj's - you can tell the boys knew what to expect on Christmas Eve because Logan stripped down to his boxers and said "are there any presents for us to open?", hence the photo of him opening his pj's and it looks like he's naked...

The best is we found Logan feet pajamas - now we haven't had these in our house for at least 5 years. They were so cute and he was so excited. He was the designated person who ran boxes out to the garage because "my feet don't even get cold outside!". He was in 7th heaven.

After we finished reading the scriptures, we always discuss what we've read. Spencer is ALWAYS the first to point out what he understood. We then ask Logan, who says, "I didn't understand" and then we ask Bryant who says "Spencer already said mine". It's become somewhat of a joke at our house. Anyway, Christmas Eve was no different. Spencer started by saying "An angel named Lo come down and told the shepherds not to be afraid". Boyd and I looked at each other puzzled, I turned back in the chapter to see where he got that and saw the verse that started "And Lo, the angel". We laughed so hard (of course Spencer wasn't meaning to be funny so he didn't appreciate us laughing).

I've been telling the boys about Christmas at my house growing up and how excited my brothers and sisters and I always were. We always got up at least 2 times during the night to peek at the presents - my mom and dad never put their presents for us under the tree before Christmas, so Christmas morning was a huge surprise! Well, Boyd and I finally finished and went to bed around 2:00. Not even 30 seconds later we heard someone in the front room. This is the first year our boys have ever done this - we usually get home too late and they are OUT and don't wake up until 7 in the morning. Needless to say, it's always been a dissapointment to me because I want them as excited as I was when I was young. Anyway, Boyd and I sat there and listened and heard it was Bryant. We heard him try to wake up Spencer (he couldn't) and then he woke up Logan. We sat and listened to both of them - it was so fun. Boyd and I finally decided to take a peek at the boys. It was the sweetest sight I've ever seen. I hope it's one that I don't ever forget. Logan and Bry had drug out a blanket and a pillow and were both sitting next to to each other not saying a word and looking at the tree. We were able to catch a photo:
Bry and Logan begged us to start the unwrapping of the gifts, but Boyd, always the thinker, said no. They then asked if they could sleep on the floor in the front room. We said sure so they dragged more blankets and pillows in. Spencer finally woke up around 3 and was trying to tell his brothers about all of the presents - but of couse, they already knew.
Santa had left a note with the leftover treats he wasn't able to eat (he always leaves the boys a note)and Logan freaked because Santa changed our countdown to Christmas to 0 days. He thought that was way cool.
And of course, since the boys were tiny, Rudolph came in their rooms and gave them kisses. It's great because they clean their rooms really good because as you all know, Rudolph won't go in a messy room.

I think my favorite part of Christmas day is when Boyd opened his BYU stuff. He was raised as a BYU fan, I married a BYU fan, but over the last few years, he now owns so much U stuff it's crazy. It drives me crazy because he switched! I didn't sign up for a traitor! I always give him a hard time and he always says he still likes BYU, he just likes the U better. He finally said he doesn't have anything BYU because I haven't bought anything for him (great excuse), so I took care of that. Boyd collects jerseys (hockey, basketball, football - you name it), so I bought him a BYU football jersey and a Cougars hat. Here's his reaction when he opened them:

Okay, I have two other favorite parts. Nat gave me a GI Joe doll just like the one we played with when we were kids (we named him John and he was missing his forearm). We were too poor and didn't have Ken dolls so he had to do. Of course, Natalie only played with John. Her tag on the gift said " To Angie From Natalie Thanks for the memories". She also gave me a pack of candy cigarettes. If any of you know me, I have always been obsessed with smoking. Mom always told us it was bad to buy the candy ones because pretending was almost as bad as doing. So we always had Becky B. buy the cigarettes for us. I'm having a hard time not opening the pack Nat gave me. After I saw her gifts, I started to cry because there are very few people in this world that know me as good as Natalie and I'm thankful for our relationship. I don't have a memory of being a kid that doesn't involve Natalie in some way - and all of my memories are good!

Then, Laurel gave Boyd and I the most precious, tender gift with a card that, per Boyd, will always be saved. Which, I agree with, it was just funny on how he insisted that we save the card forever. We both sat there and cried after we read her card and saw her gift. She gave us a statuette of a couple embracing. The boys weren't quite sure what to do so they all stood their holding their next gift quietly. Logan finally said: "Can I open my next present now?" We shook it off, but Boyd said that hands down, Laurel made his Christmas. Laurel has always been the sweetest and most kind hearted person I have ever known, and she lived up to her reputation on Christmas. I love her so much and am so thankful for her love and support. I have the BEST family!

Then, my two last favorite quotes of Christmas:

I gave Boyd some Titleist golf balls for Christmas. They were the most expensive so I guessed they were good. When I asked Boyd if they were after he opened them he said: "Oh yeah, Titleist are good. My two balls are Nike and Titleist". We ALL laughed at that one!

Spencer LOVES black people. He wishes we could adopt a black little brother for him. He always comments on how cool black guys are. I asked him the day after Christmas if he wished he was black and he said he did. The funny thing is, Boyd and I always see little black boys that remind us of Spencer and when we did Spencer's look-a-like on myheritage.com, half of his look-a-like's were black, one of them being Oprah! Anway, after he said he wished he was black he said: "I can even talk like I'm black". Then he proceeded to say "Yo baby, what's up?". We laughed our heads off. Again, Spencer didn't think he was being funny, just serious, and he didn't appreciate us all laughing at him.

Okay, so finally, that's it. Our Christmas. It was great!

Live In Concert - One Night Only!

2007-12-20T14:08:00.001-07:00

Get ready - you've heard him whail on his brothers and quote Nacho like no other. Now it's your turn to see, live (okay, not really) what you've all been waiting for - my son, the band geek, semi-live in concert! Yes, after a fun filled 10 hours of work, it's a joy to sit through a jr. high band concert. Actually, it was really nice and Bryant was really excited. I was so proud of him - he looked so handsome! He seemed genuinely excited to have our family come and see him in front of his friends at school. It was sweet - we were on our way over to the school and he told me he was nervous because he rocks his upper body to the beat (think of a handicapped person rocking while they're sitting still - it's true - he showed me!). I asked him what rock stars did when they performed and noted how they move to the beat and it would be okay. Then I realized I was aiding and abetting in him possibly being embarrassed so I told him I'm sure he would keep it under control and no one would notice. Bryant told me he wanted to be in the jazz band (7th graders aren't allowed), but after seeing them perform I think not. The beginning band did much better - I couldn't even tell what they were playing! Now a rocking handi boy in the jazz band - that's not a good idea! And, in true Hansen fashion, I couldn't resist this photo op:. It's unfortunate, he had a big wedgie and you can't really tell from the photo. Ah, well, you know I tried!

Christmas present

2007-12-16T22:26:00.000-07:00

Our Christmas, so far, has been so fun. The family went up town to see the Bell Choir at the Conference Center (it was Logan and Spencer's first time, so they thought it was pretty cool to be in the same place the prophet speaks to us from). I have to say, I love the bell choir when we go to the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Concert, but I didn't realize I probably like them so much because they play maybe 2 songs in between the concert singing. Well, an evening of all bells for over an hour is a snoozer to say the least. I'm glad they are sharing their talents with us, but dang gina, it was pretty boring.
Every night we are home together as a family - which isn't that many - we choose a DVD from our vast collection of Christmas movies to watch together. We just watched one of my favorites today - "Buzz your girlfriend - woof!" That's right, Home Alone - a Christmas classic. I never get tired of that movie.
Also, when we are all together we have a Candycane Hunt. Boyd or I hide a candycane on the tree and whoever finds it, gets to eat it. The boys love it - it's a family tradition. Logan has kicked bootie this year - Bryant has only found it once and Spencer's found it twice. The last time Logan found it Spencer stomped off because he's getting sick of Logan finding it. All hail, Logan, the Candycane King! We decided to switch it up a bit today and Logan hid the candy cane. I found it - Boo Yah!I guess I know where Logan gets his coolness...

I went into the front room the other night and found Logan looking at the tree. I ran and got the camera and snapped a quick photo...
I love Christmas with the boys. Spencer and Logan are so excited this year - more excited than I have ever seen them. I told them today about how Ryan would always wake me up around 2 or 3 in the morning. We would then round up the rest of the kids and go peek at all of the presents under the tree. Having 7 kids, there were always a ton! We were so excited and always stood there shivering. One of us was the designated "wader" and we pointed out presents for them to go see who they were for. We always freaked out over the big ones. Dad would always hear us and yell for us to go get back in bed. After laying there for another hour, wide awake and excited as all get out, Ryan would sneak back into my room and we would round the kids up again. After looking through all the presents, I remember all of us sitting on the couch just looking at the tree and the presents. I remember holding one of the little ones on my lap and we'd all be whispering and wondering what was inside all of the gifts. Christmas was the best in our house. I still get excited as an adult, just because of the feelings I had when I was little. It's those memories that make me so thankful for my big family. Althought we were poor, we sure knew how to have fun!

Tenderoni

2007-12-16T22:19:00.001-07:00

Well, after I finished my last post, I went upstairs to find this...

Logan had made my bed, vaccuumed my room, written me a note and put out the books he would like to read me. I have a pile of notes that he has written me just in the last few months. He always draws me pictures, makes me home made books and when I'm on the phone he writes me notes instead of asking me things. He's so tenderoni!

Happiness is...

2007-12-11T21:35:00.003-07:00

WHAM!

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, You gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special

Once bitten and twice shy
I keep my distance but you still catch my eye
Tell me baby do you recognize me?
Well it's been a year, it doesn't surprise me

(Merry Christmas - make sure you whisper this part) I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying "I Love You" I meant it
Now I know what a fool I've been
But if you kissed me now I know you'd fool me again

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, You gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special, special, whoa!

JINGLE JINGLE!

Random thoughts by Angie...

2007-12-11T21:35:00.001-07:00

I CAN'T COOK SAUSAGE!

It's been too long...

2007-12-11T21:12:00.000-07:00

Dang Gina, we've been busy!
A few of the things we've spent our time on:
1. Church. Ahhh, I'm the Personal Enrichment leader and my counselor in the Relief Society doesn't let me plan. At least, I have meetings and then she tells me what to do.
2. Young Men's. Bryant is in Young Mens and they are preparing for the Klondike. He insists his leader wants him to sleep outside before they go on the trip. I'm sure he's telling the truth, but, I can't conciously send my baby in the backyard (BY HIMSELF - WE ARE NOT CRAZY ENOUGH TO JOIN HIM)and live with myself.
3. More scouts. All three are in scouts and I'm not a fan. Just one more thing I don't have enough time for.
4. Cleaning. Does it ever end? Logan cut his foot somehow and didn't realize he was bleeding until he tracked blood all over the carpet and sat there for a while while a blood stain grew beneath his feet. Okay, it sounds really bad, but it wasn't. While it's all true, it's not like there was a puddle of blood beneath his feet. By the way, will there ever be a time when I don't have a set of blinds that have to be cleaned? Every time I turn around, they are looking crappy again.
5. Homework. Ahhhh, I read a chapter in Bryant's Utah History book just because I like history. While he was finishing his worksheet I stole the book and read. I just got done helping him research the Titans.
6. Reese got home from his mission. Poor guy. He has 6 mothers and a dad telling him what to do.
7. Work. If I start going on about this I might have a nervous breakdown. Managing over 1,000 sku's, and products in 33 publications, not to mention developing new products, can make your head spin.
8. Obligatory functions. Enough said.
9. OH yeah, Thanksgiving fell in there. We had Thanksgiving with Mom and Dad (Reese came home the day before) and had the first Thanksgiving as a entire family in (more than?)2 years. It was great.
10. I then did Thanksgiving for my own little family the Saturday after. Everything turned out great - even my pumpkin pies!
11. Christmas shopping. We did one big outing. Now the fun part comes - a million different outings to get 5 things. You know, those things you don't think will be a big deal, but as the "day" gets closer you realize you have no time.
12. Christmas card designs. I was putting together a design for our Christmas cards. I have to do more with it tomorrow. Hopefully I can get cards sent out by next Tuesday.
13. I finished the book "For Retards Only", um I mean, Eclipse.
14. I'm now reading "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz
15. Decorating - Christmas Tree. Check. Christmas Lights on the house. Check.
16. Neighbor gifts. Check. But I still need to make tags.
17. Gift for dads. Not checked. Gift for gals at work. Not checked. I more present for Bry. Not checked. Presents for Boyd. Not checked. Present for Grandma. Not checked.

Anyway, I'd better quit wasting my time. We need to have scripture study and prayers before bed and it's 9:48! Yikes!

100 things about me

2007-11-19T19:58:00.000-07:00

I got this from Natalie and Laurel's blog. I laughed my head off while reading theirs...

1. I really should be cleaning my house instead of wasting my time on the computer.
2. Even better, I should be having family home evening with the kids instead of wasting my time on the computer.
3. I love to watch my kids when they don't know it. It gives you a better appreciation for them.
4. Boys are messy, stinky and and funny.
5. I love rainy days.
6. I love food way too much. In fact, I don't know if I've ever had a food that was too "rich". I hate it when I'm eating/wolfing down food with skinny people and they say "Oh, that's too rich. I can only handle a bite". I usually pretend I feel the same way, even though as I'm "agreeing", I look down at my plate and realize I've nearly polished off my "rich" dessert. When that happens, I usually say "Oh! Now I'm so sick". I'm really not, just trying not to look so fat.
7. Like Laurel, I think the funniest thing in the world is when people fall. It makes it even funnier when the person tries to act as if nothing happens and looks around to see if anyone saw. That cracks me up.
8. My funniest moment seeing anyone fall is in high school. Toni and I were walking from out lockers to Seminary. Toni had her scriptures and we both had our Spirit Club uniforms on. Toni fell down the stairs (it was icy), and her scriptures went about 7 feet in the air as she landed on her butt with her skirt around her waist. I laughed so hard she was mad at me for the rest of the day.
9. I love to laugh.
10. Another funniest/laughing moment was in 11th grade. This big girl that wore a unitard to school with a football jersey over the top and no shoes sat about 5 seats in front of me in history class. Well, we were silently reading when she was leaning over her book and she totally farted. The thing that put me over the top was that she looked around very sheepishly trying to see if anyone noticed. I laughed so hard the teacher asked me if there was a probelm. Well, everytime I pictured her face looking around I would start to laugh. 5 minutes later the teacher told me he was going to move my seat if I didn't stop. Well, I couldn't stop and got moved. I still couldn't stop laughing so he told me he was going to dock my grade if I didn't stop it. Needless to say, my grade got docked. I still makes me laugh to this day.
11. One of my most embarassing moments is when a missionary in our ward returned home who was totally hotttt(Shout out to Ed Hegemann). Well, being a senior in high school, I felt I was a prime candidate to be hottie's future girlfriend/wife. Church had ended and I saw him leaving with his family. I thought I would get his attention by being playful with Reese by racing him to the car. I knew he would see my future mothering qualities by this display of frivolity. I ended up biffing it in the church parking lot and put a huge hole in my white nylons and had blood and dirt all over my legs. It was a bad biff.
12. One time I farted in front of an IT guy at work who was trying to fix my computer. I totally acted like nothing happened.
13. I love huge snow storms.
14. My biggest gross out thing is men with long fingernails.
15. If they are dirty it makes me want to barf.
16. If I wasn't LDS I would totally be a smoker.
17. I'm obsessed with pretending to smoke. I still blow out matches really quick and put them in my mouth to pretend I'm smoking.
18. I love water as in swimming pools, streams, etc.
19. I am a huge chicken. I hate scary things.
20. Bryant is a huge chicken like myself.
21. If it were my last meal in prison, I would ask for movie popcorn with extra butter, warm crab with drawn butter, and a virgin lime margarita. Heck, it's my last meal and I'd probably need something to take the edge off, so make that a regular margarita. Oh wait, I'm dying so I probably aught not to commit another sin. Oh wait, I'm in prison so I'm probably going to hell anyway. Make it a martini, extra dry with two olives.
22. If I drank, my first drink would be an extra dry martini with two olives.I know, everyone says that is the worst thing to drink but it's always sounded so good and looks so sophisticated.
23. My favorite cd right now the new Maroon 5.
24. Logan is giving me a play by play of I Robot right now.
25. Sonny died, which according to Logan is a good thing.
26. I love girly things and always have. Most girls say their 16th birthday is the most important birthday, but mine was my 12th birthday as that signified the date in which I could wear makeup.
27. I'm sad to say my makeup choice at that time was purple and pink eyeshadow, blue eyeliner, and on special occasions, blue mascara.
28. I love being a mother to boys.
29. I loved making sandwiches out of everything in the fridge and make Josh Bates eat it. He wanted to be a part of everyone so he always did it with a smile which made it even funnier.
30. I always wanted to do naughty things but never dared to do them myself so I had the littler kids do it and I would sit and laugh. Like the time we tore shingles off of the garage behind the Hill's house.
31. Like the one time we decided to throw rocks at the Evan's house because we thought they were gone to Disneyland. I saw their front door open so I grabbed Natalie, who was closest to me and we hid behind the dump truck wheel. Ryan totally got busted mid throw with a huge rock in his arms by Dean.
32. I loved it when Sam made his doll (I can't remember what he called him, Mr. Crazy or something) do funny things. He made a parachute for him out of a grocery bag and would throw him off things. For some reason I thought it was really funny. The best is when he dipped his doll's hair in a big tub of grease that was in the Sweet's back yard (I know, what the he..) and then "painted" the Morphins newly cleaned truck with grease.
33. My favorite thing growing up was making huts in the Sweet's backyard. It sucked when Shauna came home and always kicked them down.
34. Sleepouts were the best when I was little. Brandon got caught wearing my bikini and running around our tent in it when Dad came out and made me and Natalie go in the house.
35. Another sleepout memory is when we decided to have a pillow fight and Sam nailed Audrey in the face but didn't realize there was a book in the pillowcase and gave her a killer bloody nose. She just sat there and let blood gush down her face and we all stared at her until Charlotte came out and took care of her.
36. Favorite tv shows growing up: Dukes of Hazzard, Facts of Life, Diff'rnt Strokes, Scooby Doo, Fantasy Island, Solid Gold and The Love Boat.
37. Another sleepout memory: Brandon and Randy doing naked dances. I always wanted to look but would take peeks with my eyes almost shut so I really couldn't see any "details". Becky was always starting wide eyed with a big grin on her face!
38. Toilet papering. The best is when we ran fishing line from Dymocks house to the fence of our house (before we lived there) across the street. We were wishing for a bicylist to come by (why would anyone be riding their bike in the middle of the night?) when, not kidding, one really did. I don't even remember what happened to him and all I can remember is laughing my head off and the anticipation of seeing him totally biff it.
39. I told Lance Dymock that we had midgits buried in our front yard and be believed me.
40. I told a guy I met on state street that I was half mexican and that my mexican dad owned a hubcap store. He believed me.
41. I told a kid from Viet Nam in jr. high that I was a blackbelt in karate. He believed me.
42. I told Josh Philpot that my mom and dad had to live in the hut we built at our old house because our house was too small, which is why we moved down the street. He believed me.
43. Logan just came to tell me that Sonny realliy is alive and that he's not really bad.
44. I had a awesome childhood.
45. I love all of our awesome neighbors who are now really family. Shout out to the Bezzants and the Sweets!
46. The uglier people/kids are the more I can't look at them. I know that's terrible, but one time I was interviewing this guy that I couldn't even look at he was so ugh.
47. I really need to work on not judging people's appearances. And then not talking about them and trying to make people laugh about them.
48. I try not to lie. I even don't say a baby is cute if it isn't. I always say it's sweet, because all babies are sweet, right?
49. I always wished I could be in a music video when I was in jr. high and would pretend to lip synch in the mirror and act like I was in the video. Okay, who am I kidding, I still do that!
50. I am terribly self-concious and critical of myself.
51. I always wished people thought I was pretty and that a famous director would see me at the Valley Fair mall and ask me to be in a movie or music video.
52. When my mom would paint my fingernails when I was little I would pretend to be a Price is Right model and would "showcase" products around the house.
53. Even though Nat and I fought a lot, I absolutely loved her and really looked up to her.
54. Ryan and I decided to get back at Nat because she would always get me in trouble. Mom would say "You are terrible and you must have said awful things to her to make her cry because Natalie doesn't cry!". Natalie would be behind my mom laughing at me as mom was yelling at me so Ryan and I would secretly spit on her pillow to get her back.
55. When we would get really mad at mom growing up (we weren't allowed to talk back), I came up with the idea to throw things at her picture in our basement. That is how we got back at her! Ha!
56. One time my cousin was babysitting us and she told us if we would get get away from her and go downstairs (so she could watch tv) we could do whatever we want. I remember saying "Whatever we want? Okay....." We dumped all of the clean laundry into a water bucket and threw it all over the basement.
57. I hate kids who scream.
58. I hate it when kids don't acknowledge that you are talking to them, and to me, they seem retarded. But I really know they are just bratty which makes me dislike them even more.
59. I love to read and think the author of the Twilight series is a terrible writer. Okay, not terrible, but really, for the millionth time, I know that Edward is so handsome it aches and I know his amber eyes can pierce right through Bella. Seriously.
60. I have a soft spot for Harry Connick Jr. What a hunk.
61. I really did experience love before I met Boyd.
62. I have always liked boys and never went through a "boys are gross" stage.
63. I love great smiles with great, straight, white teeth.
64. I try to be grateful for everything I have and to see the positive.
65. Expect when I'm dealing with screaming or "pretending to be deaf" kids.
66. I hate it when people say "sorry to interrupt" and then proceed to interrupt. No they are not sorry or else they would stop and wait their turn!
67. I love the people I work with.
68. I love that my family is getting older and we're feeling the need to become our own little unit with our own traditions. Not that I don't love my extended family, but in all honesty, as everyone gets their own families they are not as fun anymore. I am going to proudly and boldly state that I did not get boring when I had my own family!
69. The good old days are when my sisters absolutely smothered Bryant when he was little and would fight over who got to feed or change him.
70. I am so thankful I grew up in a big family.
71. My mom and dad were and still are the best examples I could ever ask for.
72. Guilty pleasures: People magazine, George Michael, Hannah Montana.
73. I am a very independent person and always have been.
74. The downside to that it no one ever thinks you need anything.
75. Becky Bezzant and I once shot their neighbors tent with Brandon's bee bee gun about 100 times.
76. I've learned that there are things you never thought you would be able to deal with/get through, but if you are faced with them you can and just have to.
77. Never say never.
78. Sarah Peton is the closest thing I'll probably ever have to my own daughter.
79. I love all of my nephews and neices, especially because they are a part of my brothers and sisters whom I love so much.
80. I'm a people watcher.
81. I hope my nephews and neices think I'm cool and funny.
82. My favorite smell in the whole world is Downey. I wish they made a Downey perfume.
83. I'll bet if I washed my clothes more often, I might smell like Downey and wouldn't need a perfume.
84. I hate it when I realize my boys have long fingernails in church, or look at them in church and realize they haven't brushed their teeth. Or smell their disgusting breath and about barf and realize I don't have any gum in my church bag.
85. I couldn't believe I had to have this conversation with my boys: "You never put dirty underwear and/or socks on after getting out of the shower!"
86. I LOVE the fall and Thanksgiving. Especially this year as my entire family will be together!
87. The harder you have to work for something, the more worthwhile/rewarding it is.
88. I love taking naps with my boys.
89. I wish I could go back in time when my boys were younger.
90. I have loved every stage my boys have ever been in.
91. I used to love to cruise state street. I did a few dangerous things there.
92. I was sooo excited for my first stake dance and had visions of some cute boy asking me to dance (or a few cute boys asking me to dance) and dreamed that they would think I was cute. Here's what really went down: I didn't get asked to dance until the very end. Then, the BIGGEST nerd (who was in the Cyprus High School band - I was 14) asked me to dance. Unfortunately it was a slow dance so I made sure to dance at full arm's length distance. As I was walking to the dance floor with him, I mouthed to my friends to help me. Becky Baumgartner came over to us in the middle of the song and said her mom was waiting outside to pick us up and we had to go. It was the best save ever, but then we had to wait outside for a long time before her mom showed up.
93. I was the biggest nerd magnet EVER. Every grade in high school had a few nerd stalkings. I just wasn't as nice as Natalie and I usually thought of an excuse to say no.
94. I only went to 2 stomps in high school because I knew I wouldn't get asked to dance for most of the dance and the only dance offers I would get would come from nerds. I would leave the gym whenver a slow song came on so I wouldn't have to go through another painful nerd dance session.
95. I have always known to my core that the gospel was true and that my Heavenly Father exists and loves me.
96. I know Heavenly Father loves nerds too and so should I.
97. I am going to finish colledge. Ha! I thought it would be funny to misspell college as I haven't graduated!
98. I love to tease.
99. I wish I never would have given up dancing.
100. I wish I had more time.

P.S.

2007-11-10T18:34:00.001-07:00

Boyd and I always say Spencer looks like a black boy in a white boys body. Well, after doing the celebrity look alike, yes, we are correct. Most of his celebrity matches are black. We just didn't know he looked like Oprah!

I know, it's been forever!

2007-11-10T18:30:00.000-07:00

I know, I haven't posted forever! Not only have I been crazy busy, but our computer broke. Boyd's nice brother-in-law fixed it for us and we are now up and running! Yehaw!
I got the idea to do a look-alike meter from Laurel's blog. We always have people telling us that the boys look like either Boyd or I, but never both. They are always firm on "Spencer looks just like you!" or "Spencer looks just like Boyd!". I've never looked at my boys and thought they ever looked like me, especially Bryant. Apparently, he does. Crazy!

Whose boy is he?

2007-11-10T18:12:00.000-07:00

Whose boy is he?

2007-11-10T18:11:00.001-07:00

Who's boy is he?

2007-11-10T18:05:00.000-07:00

BBB Triple Threat- Bogie Bears Baptized

2007-11-10T17:30:00.000-07:00

Well, Logan, our baby, was baptized. It was such a great day! His Grandpa White baptized him and my dad confirmed him and gave him a beautiful blessing. It was such a wonderful day and I felt the spirit so strong! Logan is the best surprise our family ever received, and on a day like this, it reaffirms Heavenly Father's hand in things.

He hardly seems old enough to be baptized! It's funny how your oldest seems pretty old, yet as we get around to our youngest doing the same things the older boys did, he just seems so much younger. Probably because we baby him! :)

We so appreciate the love and support everyone showed us by sharing this amazing day with us. It was good to have family, and all of our friends who are family as well, surrounding us. We love you all!

Conference Candy and French Toast

2007-10-07T17:45:00.001-06:00

We had Conference yesterday and today and I cannot tell you how much I LOVED staying in! Especially yesterday because it was so cold and rainy!

We made french toast today for breakfast (cooked breakfast doesn't happen too often in the White house, at least THIS White house). I also got "Conference Candy" for the boys to eat during conference. I try to make conference a fun event for the boys.

I told the boys they couldn't have any candy until I could see that they were watching/listening to conference. In years past, I've put together conference activity packs (I was Primary President at the time and did it for the whole primary) and the boys LOVED it! Well, I'm no longer Primary President so a blank notebook will have to do. Logan decided (on his own) to take notes. The following is a recap of his October 2007 Conference notes:

Presadent Hancly

Story of Jothof Smith (maybe Logan doesn't have a lisp?)

Chrch

Promis

Efert

God

Vishin

Spoke

Father and Son

Erth

Find a way

Understand

Tabernacl

Articl of Fath

Goldn Platse

Gave

Bibel

Pramis

Transladed

Explare

Prestood

Profit

Toching the Herts

Loveing

**Please note, this was just a small portion of his notes. He had 4-1/2 pages!

Spencer followed his little brother's lead and took notes as well.

Bryant decided to play with Legos. Nice. (I made him stop.)

Pup-a-Roni watched too. He looks WAY interested. I'm so glad he's trying to do better.