I'm Back......kind of

Ok so I thought I better at least write something and I will post some pics a little later. Nothing like taking 2 months off from blogging. It's not like I think that I have that many that are just hanging on the edge of their seat for my next post (and I would seriously worry about you if you were!) but I do know that some are wondering how I am doing and what I have been up to.

So Christmas was very nice, low-key but very entertaining. We spent time as a family and that's really all I wanted.

On January 5th - the first day that everyone went back to school, my boss called me into his office and said that due to budget cuts my job was being terminated, oh and by the way it was immediately and oh by the way he has known since October!! Yeah I was thinking to myself how that might have been useful information considering Christmas and all. You know we have a small office and we are all friends, or so I thought, so why wouldn't you at least give us all an idea that maybe a job might have to be cut??? especially when you portray yourself to be such an upstanding citizen and worthy Church member, etc........
Alright I will get back to the job loss......there is much more of a story but it would take quite a while to explain it all so if you don't know and want to know just ask me in person.
So I am now a full time mom at home and after the intial depression of losing a job I think I am actually liking it. I don't know if I can afford to like it but in this economy we just might have to learn to like it. I will probably look for something else but I think my kids are enjoying having me at home (at least sometimes). It's kind of funny because the whole time I have been working full time I have worried the most about my younger kids (especially Dalton since he was 2 when I went full time) but it seems like the older your kids get the more they really need you - there is so much more homework, games, events,etc and just the stress of middle and high school !~rememeber the drama??

So we will cut back where we can and maybe I will look for something part time so if you hear of anything please let me know.

I want to thank everyone for the LOVE and support throughout this ordeal. I'm sure I have driven my husband crazy with my ranting, crying, and mood swings but thankfully he is sticking around. Thanks HONEY!! Thank you to all my friends who have listened to me complain and have helped me sooooo much - you are truly the best!!

XOXOXOXO ~ Chrissy

P.S. I will try to be more regular on my postings - I am having to share a comp w/Steve and he gets first "dibs" cuz he uses it for work!! :)

Dinner Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Dinner Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

What the heck.....it's not like I ever win but maybe someday!!

So it was Kierra's 11th birthday on the 22nd and I'm just getting around to posting the pictures. She wanted to have a bowling party.......well let me tell you how much fun 8 eleven year old girls are bowling - quite a lot actually (once you get past all the giggling!!) I think her fave present was the cool hat - isn't she stylish??? Kiki is our middle child and hopefully she doesn't get lost with all the comings and goings of a large family and having your birthday so close to Thanksgiving but we love having her and couldn't imagine the family without her!! I still remember her first Thanksgiving........she was only a few days old and she had jaundice pretty badly - we had to take her up twice a day to the hospital to have her blood done so her first Thanksgiving was spent having her feet poked :( Well she's turned out pretty well now!! Love you KIKI!!

The Agony of Defeat!!!

Well we had a heartbreaker Saturday - Manti lost 31-28 in the last 2.5 seconds with a field goal! I could just feel my heart breaking for the players, coaches, and fans. Logically you knew someone had to lose it just sucks when it's YOU!! Manti had an incredible season - the coaches were so great with the players. Our family had a blast traveling the state watching them play. My son is already looking forward to next year - which will be tough with Manti going 3-A. Thanks Manti for a great year and we are excited for what the future holds for Templar Football!!

Life is Good

So I just had to post these pics of Dalton because this is such a good example of who he is......he enjoys life so much. On this day he kept saying, "watch me Mom, watch me!" so of course I watched him and had to take pictures too!!

Miss Smarty Pants

So I promised Breanna I would post her perfect 4.0 for the first quarter of school. Way to go Bree!! This is her 2nd 4.0 and now her dad owes her an additional $100 - better pay up!! Really Bree we are very proud of you and know how hard you have worked for this accomplishment. She just naturally does well in school and hopefully this continues in high school - keep it up Bree!!

Christmas

Ok before I get started I just want everyone to know about this really cute giveaway - it's on http://thenaulutribe.blogspot.com/ and she is giving a little girl's tutu - way too cute!!

Ok now my question to everyone is: with the tough economic times what are you doing to help alleviate some of the financial burden? Maybe for some of you this isn't a problem or even better some may already practice frugal giving. I know the Ray side of the family this year instead of the cousins giving to cousins or family to family (which was getting quite spendy) - we have decided to put our money ($25 per family) together and buy material to make quilts for Primary Children's Hospital - we are going to have the kids help tie quilts when we get together over the holiday. I am so incredibly happy about this because my kids can help make the gift and then actually give it to someone that truly needs it. I think the Shaw side of the family is going to do this as well but we are going to have the kids shop for the children of the hospital - Primary Children's has a list of toys, dvd's, books, clothing, etc. that they accept. To be honest it's not like my kids need more toys but what they do need is to learn what it means to give and to see that it's not about the i-pod or the xbox that makes Christmas special. Anyway I will get off my little soap box but I would love to hear from everyone how you teach your children what Christmas means and how you are going to do it this year - thanks for listening!!

Pasta Carbonera

ok so some of you may know this already but I love to try new recipes much to the delight or dismay of my family depending on the latest dish. Well this is a dish that I have been wanting to try for a long time so I did and it was a HIT! The best part about it was that is was sooooo easy to make which is always a bonus in my house. I found the recipe on the Pioneer Woman blog and I "tweaked" it to fit our family so without further ado I give you PASTA CARBONARA - here's what you will need:


1 lb linguine (more or less depending on your family size)
4 eggs
1 lb bacon
1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese
8 cloves of garlic
1 onion - chopped
2 C. chicken stock
1/2 stick of butter
fresh parsley - chopped ( if you have it)
1-2 TBSP black pepper

First, slice up the bacon into 1" wide pieces -toss them into a large skillet - cook until brown and crisp.
While the bacon's cooking, set a large pot of salted water on the stove for the pasta. When it comes to a boil add the pasta and cook until al-dente or tender firm. Next, chop the onion. When the bacon is cooked, scoop it out with a slotted spoon and set it on a paper towel lined plate. DON'T get rid of the bacon grease - you will need that stuff. Throw in your onions in the pan w/ the grease - give them a stir and let them cook down for a few minutes.
In the meantime, thinly slice your garlic and add them to the onions - don't let the garlic burn. Cook for a few minutes - you will be able to smell all the yumminess. Now remove the onion and garlic to the same plate as the bacon. Again no dumping of grease - just place the pan back on the burner on high heat. Pour in 1 C of the chicken broth and begin whisking until the pan is throughly deglazed and all the chunky bits are off the bottom of the pan. Add the remaining stock and the bacon/onion/garlic - turn the heat down and let it all simmer.
Crack 4 eggs into a large bowl (big enough to hold all the pasta) add 1 C of the cheese and parsley-mix this all well with a fork.
Drain your pasta - now make sure your pasta is still hot - add it to the egg mixture and then add the bacon/onion/garlic mixture. Finally throw the 1/2 stick of butter - mix it all together really well - add the pepper to taste - garnish with the remaining cheese and parsley. You're done just add a green salad and maybe some french bread and you have yourself an authentic Italian meal!! YUM-O!!!

Another tag

Ok so I guess I was tagged again - thanks Whit! Here it goes:

8 TV Shows I love to watch:
ER - really bummed it's the last year!
CSI: the original
Criminal Minds
House Hunters
CSI: New York
Food Network - pretty much anything on this channel
American Idol - we pretty much just like it when they show the try outs but we did love following it last year with David Archuletta
can't think of anymore so just 7

8 Favorite Restaurants
Cafe Rio
Bajio
El Mexicano
Mimi's
Ruby River
some Chinese "dump" that Steve took me to - it was delish!!!!
Cheesecake Factory
Los Amigos

8 Things that happened yesterday:
Went to church
watched a movie w/ the family
took a nap
cooked some dinner
read a book
online shopped for costumes
watched Rays vs Red Sox
talked w/Steve

8 things I'm looking forward to:
Christmas - I'm trying to get myself psyched for it
my 40th B-day - NOT really!
getting some food storage
a new bed and mattress
Our annual couples trip
summer to be here again
friends visiting :)

8 Things on my wish list:
lose 30+ lbs
no DEBT
a full food storage
better paying job
a tropical vacation
my arm to look and feel normal again
all the house projects done!

8 people I tag:
I don't know 8 bloggers that haven't been tagged so anyone that reads this please feel free to consider yourself tagged!!!

Pumpkin Picking

It was a gorgeous day and the pumpkins were great!! I ended up getting way too many but they just looked so good.












Taylor couldn't go with us he decided to go on a scout trip to the Green River instead - I'm pretty sure he wasn't too upset about missing the little excursion but he did make sure that we got him a pumpkin!!

So we went to the pumpkin patch on Friday but we ended up posing for pics more than we worried about picking pumpkins but we had fun anyway!

TAG!

Ok so this is my first tag - I had to go to my 4th folder and take the 4th picture.
This is Bree when we were at the planetarium in SLC pretending to "walk on the moon" - this was taken 2 years ago - I think it was UEA weekend 'cause we went to "This is the Place" park and the pioneer village as well - it was a fun day.
I'm just getting used to blogging but I guess I have to "tag" people so I tag:
Kristen, Katie, Jan, and Jo Lene

So this is Steve's new toy or is it a mid-life crisis thing? It does only only sit ONE person so I'm leaning towards the mid life crisis - either way the thing sure hauls butt!! The kids think it's the neatest thing and they can't even ride it!! Well you have to be able to "let your hair down" while you still have IT!!

MHS Homecoming 2008

Wow what a game we had on Friday.....Manti played the defending state champs N. Summit and came out victorious but not without a bruise or two!!!!After the game singing the school song - the players always do this no matter the outcome of the game - I think it's a nice tradition.

Here's Taylor doing his part of the singing!

TEMPLAR PRIDE!!!!

Taylor on the sidelines.....he has gotten to play in some varsity games this year but he knew his chances on getting into this game were pretty much zero so I asked him before the game if he was ok with that and he said, "Mom I know my job is to support my team and cheer them on!" What a smart kid!!!!

DEFENSE!!! - that's what won the game for Manti!

end of 1st quarter

end of 2nd quarter

end of 3rd quarter

Warming up before the game

Of course earlier in the day we had the Homecoming parade - Taylor rode on the Student Council float and Steve and I got to pull it - it's been a long time since I have attended a homecoming parade - I had forgotten how excited the school gets around Homecoming.

The saddest part about the theme: "Remember When" is that I used to dress like the girls on the float and I do "remember when"!!!!!

Our kids with Dylan and Carson and some friends having a good time at the parade!

The football team rode the fire truck and sprayed the spectators - it was so hot that I'm sure it felt good!!

The holy terror Dalton!! Just like this picture....he is full of fire and always ready to go!! But I can't imagine our family without him!!

Sweet Emma on her baptism day - I can't believe that she is 8 - she is getting so grown up - I'm not sure if I'm ready for my baby girl to do that yet!!

Kiki is so photogenic! Under this sweet exterior lies the heart of a lion!!! So not kidding!!

Bree is such a poser! My girls don't have any problem hamming it up for the camera! Actually I really like this one of Bree :)

Here's Taylor and his manly pose - it's so hard to get him to have his picture taken but I thought it turned out good despite his objections!