End of Year Wrap-Up

Wow! I have been slacking on my blogging! Partly due to my stupid Adobe Flashreader not working. It has been a VERY busy couple of months. It's hard to believe the holidays have already come and gone! This year has flown. I know I say that every year, but I swear time is going by faster and faster. I'm just going to do a post since there is so much to catch up on.

Halloween was wonderful! Stella was Cleopatara. I was about her age too. Funny. Tristan was a cop. He's a little obsessed with cops and still wears the costume around the house. I helped in both classes for their parties and it was so much fun! The weather was perfect. Dinner with friends was perfect. One of my favorite holidays!

My mom turned 60 this year! We planned a surprise 50's party since she was born in 1951. Music, food, decorations themed soda shop. She was really surprised! It was a total success and so much fun! I'm so lucky to have the BEST mom! She is one of my best friends and someone I rely on and look up to still. Maybe more now than when I was younger.

Thanksgiving. Food. Yummmmm. Love, love, love Thanksgiving! It's kind of the kick-off to the holiday season. We hosted at our house this year. Shaun & Family were able to spend the actual Thanksgiving day with us this year. In the past it's always been Friday - which is a great excuse to have 2 Thanksgiving dinners, but we were glad they could be up earlier! We all ate way too much.

Bill and I celebrated out 12th anniversary on December 1st! We didn't do anything too exciting. Bill's parents took the kids so we were able to for the first time in a very long time able to do to dinner AND a movie! I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful husband. He truly is my best friend, biggest supporter, and partner in life. I'm very blessed.

Stella had 3 - yes, 3 dance recitals on the same day. One with Jennifer's class and 2with mine & Miss Natalies. I am so proud of her! She was so pretty and did such a fantastic job! I love moments like this as a mother. These are the bigger moments, and I do cherish the small moments just as much...

My Grandpa Robbins passed away the week of Christmas. I saw him the week before he died. He had been in a care center for about a year and a half and has quickly deteriorated since then. He was bed-ridden for a long time and in the end couldn't eat or drink. He was so frail and had suffered too long. We weren't very close, but he's my grandpa and I still loved him. I didn't want to see him suffer and felt bad it lasted as long as it did. I feel bad for my dad and aunt who I know will miss them tremendously.
The funeral was nice. It was small. It was cold. It was just a graveside service. Many of my grandpa's loved ones came to pay their respects. My dad and someone who helped take care of my grandpa spoke. They said many beautiful things. The girls sang "A Child's Prayer" which was beautiful as well. Funerals are always a somber thing, but they make you gain perspective of what's important and I find peace that he is now with my grandma, Aunt Betty & Uncle Don again.

Christmas was amazing! Christmas Eve we went out to my parents for dinner. Shaun & Mistee were up, but left so they could be home Christmas Eve. We all got pj's and my mom made really cute covered pillows for each of the kids. The kids were so excited that night. They are at such a fun age! As we were driving home they kept looking out the window for signs of Santa's sleigh and yelling at us to drive faster so we get home before he gets there! Things are just things, but those are the memories I want to last.

Family Pictures

Last weekend we had our family portraits taken. FINALLY!! I have been wanting these forever! I was nervous because last time we had our pictures done I absolutely loved how they turned out. I worried I wouldn't like new ones as much. Well, let me just say I don't know what I was worried about! The kids were (fairly) good and we got some great ones of them and a several family pictures to choose from. I am so happy with how they turned out and can't wait to get some printed up!

First we went to this little walkway that was covered in these gorgeous red leaves.

Next we went to this apple orchard in someones backyard. No apples left but still such a fun place to get pictures done. I love how they look!

A special huge thank you to Peggy for sharing your talents with me and my family! We are thrilled!

9/11

I'm still catching up from September and now we're half way into October - well, almost. This is just a short blurb on the ten year anniversary of 9/11. I remember that day all too well as I'm sure any adult in America does. I was driving to work when I heard about it and at work when I saw the towers fall. Watching the footage still seems surreal of how many people died. It breaks my heart to hear the last calls to loved ones. I can only imagine the fear and hopelessness everyone in the twin towers and the planes must have felt. At the same time I feel immensely proud of our country. I feel so lucky and sometimes wonder why I get to live her with the freedom's I sometimes take for granted and others are starving or faced with war around them every day. It almost doesn't seem fair. It was moving to read the tags attached to each flag. And whether or not they had anything written about them other than their names I was sad for them and their families who they are not with now. At least not physically. Thank goodness for the gospel!

Back to School

This cute girl started 2nd Grade! She is in Mrs. Ramirez's class. She was so excited the first week that she would come home so ornery. When I asked her why she was so grumpy she said it's because she didn't want to leave school. This is something she did NOT get from me!

First day at her desk. Look at her getting all set up. I wish I could be a fly on the wall and see her throughout her day!

Pre-School orientation with Ms. Amy. Stella had Ms. Amy for both years of pre-school and we loved her! I'm glad T got to be in her class this year.

First day of Pre-K. I can't believe he's only got one year left before he starts Kindergarten! Tristan loves pre-school and is always so happy when I pick him up. We even hear him singing silly songs he learns. I love it! It makes me feel good to know my kids love their teacher, class, and look forward to school. Don't you just want to squish his cheeks here! I do.

The Help

I don't normally blog about movies even though I absolutly LOVE movies. However, I am adding this movie to my top 10 all time favorite movies. It is funny, moving, inspiring, anything you could want in a movie. Almost all of my favorites are based on history or true stories. This movie reminded me of just how thankful I am that my children do not have to deal with the challenges that black people had to face not too long ago. I know there will be people who will think and say ignorant things, but I know because of the passion and courage so many others had our challenges are much smaller. I can't wait to see it again!

New Adventures

About a month ago we bought a boat! We had been talking about it for a couple of months. Bill obsessively checked out KSL every day for probably 3 weeks straight until he found our boat. We got a great deal and have enjoyed taking it out! We took a little first trip to Deer Creek to make sure everything ran good. Then our first big trip was Yuba with Shaun, Mistee & kids. That was a lot of fun! We had to boat all our camping gear to our campsite, which was some extra work, but so much nicer than the other campsites. The water was nice and it was just so great to catch up with each other! It's been too long since our last trip together. Aside from our huge wind storm that blew our tent down it was a really fun weekend!

Our next big trip was to Jordanelle with the Eichelbergers. I think Melissa was as excited as the kids! Our kids have so much fun together it makes experiences like this so worthwhile. The lake was pretty dang busy, but it was really pretty. The weather was great and Bart was the first person so far to get up on the wake board! We will definitely have many more trips like this in the future!

This summer seemed to come and go so fast! I wasn't ready for school to start already! I tried to cram some extra summer fun into their last week off. We went to the Bee's game with Emily, Cole and Dylan. I probably watched 2 minutes of the actual game. It's a fun change of scenery. The kids even got to go on the sweet train ride. We also did father/daughter & mother/son dates. Stella and Bill went swimming while T and I went to the nickelcade. I don't think I've really been on a date with T! I'm alone with him most of the time, but it was a lot of fun to sit down and eat and talk with him. As well as go somewhere that was something he would enjoy. I love my dates with the kiddos! It makes parenting feel so rewarding. And it's great to see their personalities away from each other. Goodbye summer! Hello holidays? Oh, no.

This Summer Thus Far...

This summer has been really nice so far! The weather seems a little cooler than most summer's which I love. I hate the heat! We haven't done too much. We've only been camping once, with the exception of girls camp for me! Hopefully we can get in a few more trips before school starts next month!

Stella's last day of school! She's officially big!

Fairview Rodeo for the 4th of July. Feelin' the American Pride!

Sweet neighborhood fireworks! (Can't complain. We didn't pay for them! And the kids loved it!)

Tristan is now riding his big boy bike!

Lots of trips to our local library. Keeps our summer educational and gives us something to do each week.

A little nature walk at Strawberry.

A pretty overlook of Strawberry on one of our evening drives.

Tristan's big catch. He thought it was a whale, but it was this big umbrella! He was pretty proud. And it was the only thing we caught that afternoon.

This was a rainbow/sunset I saw leaving the library last week. It was so bright and pretty. Luckily I had my camera with me so I could capture the view. It only lasted a few minutes, but it was amazing! God is great!

Day 30!!!

I finally made it! It took me 2 months (instead of 30 days) but I have finally completed my 30 day blog challenge. I am suppose to post a new picture of me and 3 good things that have happened since starting my blog challenge. Here's my self-portrait:

#1 - We had an amazing trip to California

#2 - I finally got my own desk at work after being part-part time for 7 years now

#3 - Stella graduated the first grade and Tristan has mastered riding the kids 4-wheeler

OK, technically that was 4 things, but I'm counting the kids combined as one. Ahhhhhhh. Sweet sigh of relief.

Day 29

Something I could never get tired of doing:

I never get tired of listening to my kids laugh.
I never get tired of listening to my favorite music.
Seeing new things and places. Something I want to do more of!

Day 28

My favorite movie(s):

I guess if I had to pick an overall favorite movie it would have to be Braveheart. I saw this movie 6 times while it was in the theatre. I LOVE war movies and this one is full of history, action, and a great love story. This was before Mel Gibson was crazy and is one of my all time favorite actors. He is in almost every favorite movie of mine. I also love We Were Soldiers & The Patriot. Other movies on my list would be A Beautiful Mind, Gone with the Wind, My Big Fat Greek Wedding and the classic, Dumb and Dumber.

Day 27

A picture of me one year ago and now:









One year ago

Today

So? Have I changed much? Maybe a few more fine lines.

Day 26

A picture of somewhere I've been:










Bill and I went to Kauai on our honeymoon a hundred years ago. Someday I'd love to go back and do more. We pretty much just hung out. We loved to drive around the tiny island and just take it all in. Everything there is so lush and green. It's a little piece of heaven.

One of my more recent adventures. Last year and this year we were able to go to Disneyland. I love everything about it (well, except the prices & crowds)! Nowhere else on earth can a grown man get away with wearing Mickey ears without getting his butt kicked. For me it is one of the happiest places on earth! Next year??? I hope.

Day 25

What's in my purse???

The question should be what isn't in my purse!

Isn't it cute? The kids gave it to me for Christmas. I love it!

Here it is. All my dirty secrets. I have about 5 lipglosses, lotion, tissues, sanitizing wipes, hair things, wallet (w/o money), brush, pens, a notebook, gum, IBuprofin, and a redbox movie.

Catching Up

We did a little fishing at East Canyon. We even caught 8 or 9 fish!
Celebrated my Grandma Olsen's 80th birthday. This is a book that my mom and Emily put together. Aren't they the cutest old people ever! 4 Generations
We got a new driveway poured.
Stella's dance recital up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Cold, but fun!
The chair dance was adoreable!
A little backyard campout on a Friday night! My kind of camping. Full utilities and cheap.
Telling ghost stories before bed. Does it count as a ghost story if it starts with "Once upon a time..."?

Spent the day at Antelope Island. Did a little hiking. Played on the beach. Beautiful.
First grade field trip to The Museum of Ancient Life.
2 More weeks of school until summer! Yea!!!

Day 24

A photo of something that means a lot to me:

These pictures for me go hand in hand. My home and the temple. I think home truely is where the heart is. I want my home to always be a safe place where my children look forward to being. This is where we have built most of our memories together and spend our days. Even though I don't have the biggest, best furnished home, it is a place that I love and I'm grateful to call my own.



The temple is where we became a forever family. That is something that is most important to me. One thing that has been a blessing of adopting our children (among so many!) is the opportunity we had to kneel across the alter from one another and have our beautiful children sealed to us. Those are my most precious memories! This picture represents what we believe in and strive toward. It's always an ongoing process, but something worth working toward, I think.

Day 23

15 Facts About Me:

I am skipping day 22. I am suppose to write a letter to someone who has recently hurt me and I just can't think of anything I would dare write on my blog! You know who you are and you know what you have done and you should be ashamed of yourself. If you are feeling guilty right know then you know it's you I'm talking to. Totally kidding! Nobody has hurt me lately and I am glad for that!

All about ME!

1. I have been married to the man I love for 11 1/2 years and love him more than I did back then!

2. I couldn't have created 2 sweeter, more beautiful children if I tried. I love being a mom.

3. I want to go to Italy. I have wanted to for as long as I can remember and someday I WILL go! And I want to know the language when I do go!

4. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

5. I love the movies! I consider it a hobby. I love to go to them. I love to rent them. I even love the previews. And I love to eat funnel cake fries while I'm watching them.

6. I'm crued. And I wish I was sorry about it.

7. I want to do humanitarian work in Africa. Someday I'll do that too.

8. I want to have a hobby that I'm really good at! I have several that I'm OK at but nothing that I'm GREAT at.

9. I'm messy. But not to the extent as when I was a teenager. Just ask my sister.

10. I'm addicted to sugar and diet coke. But you know that from a previous post.

11. I love the outdoors. I love camping, 4-wheeling, going to the beach, sitting by a campfire. Pretty much just taking in the magnificence of it all. It's amazing to me sometimes!

12. I like to make people laugh. It makes me happy!

13. I'm also a magazine junkie. I use to buy them all them time but now I've discovered checking them out at the library. That has helped me broaden my variety of reading and save tons of money. I would rather read a magazine any day over a book. I don't have the time or patience to read a book lately!

14. Christmas Eve is my favorite day of the year. I love the anticipation of Christmas. Wrapping presents while drinking hot chocolate and watching A Christmas Story for the 50th time. Having dinner with my family. It's the best!

15. I often let my fears of the unknown hold me back and I wish I didn't. I'm not one of those people who think "that will never happen to me". I'm in fact the exact opposite! I don't know why but I am.

There. Random thoughts. That was actually really hard for me! It's hard to narrow down 15 things to share about yourself.

Day 21

A photo of something that makes me happy:



These 2 faces are what make me happy (90% of the time). Some people wonder if they are ready to have kids and how they could ever stand being home with them day after day. I love my job as a full-time mom! It's what I have always wanted and better than I ever expected. That's not to say that I don't have my challenging days - because I do. Every parent does! But I am grateful that I have the opportunity to stay home with them, teach them, watch them grow to become the little people they are today! I love these kids and I never grow tired of them!

Day 20

The meaning behind my blog name:

Lame. Duff Stuff. Not too hard to read into. Not much rhymes with Duffin except muffin so hence 'Duff Stuff'. Let it soak in people.

Day 19

Another photo of myself:



Me and my cute husband at Universal Studios. Fun stuff!