GG - YOU ROCK!

My grandma / a.k.a. GG / has been here this entire week. I have LOVED having her here as she instinctively knows how to add her two hands to my two hands and we've gotten so much done! I literally had Christmas taken down by Friday at 11:00am - and my china cabinet was cleaned out too! That seriously would have taken me two days to get all that done! Not only that but GG has been a great shopping partner, mani/pedi accomplice and she gives some of the very best advice around. She should totally have an advice booth at the fair - people would walk away feeling so loved and so empowered!

GG also helped me get over my fear of the English Toffee recipe the failure of which has haunted me every Christmas since I got married (story is that my mom has made it every year since forever - it's not really Christmas without it - only when I have tried to do it myself, RUINED - an entire pound of butter scorched! Turns out I was making it far more complicated than it actually was. Who knew?!!!).

Mostly I'm just grateful that GG takes the time to sit and chat and that she uses lots of flowing adjectives (lovely, wonderful, gorgeous, exceptional, adorable, the list goes on...) that just make me feel good about myself and the little life that Eric and I have created here. She has a talent for talking to people, making them feel appreciated and leaving them better than before. My boys have LOVED having her here...she has played with them, hugged them, fed them and when needed, scolded them (she's never has much patience with an ungrateful child!). Mostly GG has just LOVED 'em and that was all they needed.

Last night, after a fun dinner and movie, Drew took one look at GG as she came around the corner and said "WHOA! You are having a bad hair day!" Eric and I couldn't stop laughing - GG had her hair done just before we left to go on our date - it was a little bigger than usual. But how does a 3 year old know what a bad hair day is??? GG just laughed and told him how cute he was.

Oh, and her favorite channel is Hallmark which means that we've been watching lots of "feel good" movies that make me grateful I'm not some washed up childhood actress - thanks mom for ignoring my pleas to go to the Barbazon School for Modeling and Acting - that totally could have been me!

If you have a GG, consider yourself lucky! I'm forever grateful for her wisdom, her energy and that she shared this great week with me! LOVE YOU GG!

Merry Christmas!

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

Love,

The Daniels

Seven Days

Christmas has been pretty crazy around here. I thought that I was super prepared. But as we tore another link off the chain tonight - I counted just SEVEN days until Christmas. WHAT???!!! That means that December is nearly over and I have been so busy getting Christmas ready that I forgot to worship Christ. That sounds a little sacreligious and I certainly don't mean to be but I'm pretty sure that lots of you feel the same way I do. Every girl/lady/hot mama that I have talked to over the last few days has said that exact same thing: "My house looks like a bomb went off and I have so much to do!" or something along those lines. While I'm so glad to know that I'm not alone in my quest for perfect holiday house, treat plates and Christmas cards - we've got to do something about the chaos. And so I share this link with you - one I stole from my friend Angie (who is super good at putting things into perspective) - and I beg you to read it. Take ten minutes out of the next seven days to put Christ back in Christmas. I feel better already.

Lucky!

Feelin' sorta lucky these days. I have healthy, happy kids - three of 'em - with big blue eyes and silly-ness that is just part of them. We laugh everyday with these guys. And I can say this now as they are tucked quietly into their beds snoring away...they are pretty dang cute (says their mother.)

I have a husband who still thinks I'm cute and laughs at/with me even when I probably deserve a time-out (the ultimate punishment/reward depending on the offender).

We have a house and a job and lots of opportunities to serve and be served. And while I'm feeling a little crazy because of this....

I'm feeling extra blessed because I know that win or lose, it's what I'm supposed to be doing. So mark your calendars all you Gilbert people - March 10th is THE VOTE. To the inevitable question, why in the hec are you doing this? My pat answer is because I have lots of spare time. The real answer is because I simply don't think that we can the leave the values and morals of our communities in the hands of other people. For the long and lengthly version of this answer, just call me.

Blogging Failure

I just want to let everyone who still reads my blog know that I am actually admitting the true and undeniable: I SUCK AT BLOGGING.

I am overwhelmed and let's face it, we're understaffed around here. The cook hasn't been showing up and when she does it's just chicken nuggets and mac & cheese. The maid has thrown in her dusting rag and it looks like she hasn't washed the windows for months! The nanny spends all her time driving kids around and is always one step behind the kids messes. The groundsman, landscaper and part-time janitor have colds - the miserable kind that makes you whine and beg for breakfast in bed and hack up some stuff. As you can see, I have lots to blog about but just not enough energy to blog it.

I think the bottom line is that the people who are good at scrapbooking (i.e. my friend Amy - who is pretty much good at everything) are also good at blogging. So much for my hope that blogging would become my new scrapbook. No pressure.

Magic Grandpa

Magic Grandpa (a.k.a. Jack Daniels) came over and helped us set up the head on a table magic trick. We had this going on Halloween and made lots of new friends while people stood there and tried to figure it out. Can you guess?

It's a little more impressive when it's live but you get the point. The kids are all about magic and it's really funny because lately, they have been making my money disappear. :)

Halloween Pics

We had a fun Halloween. Three little boys - high on sugar - into costumes simulateously is no small task. I had plans to get dressed up but didn't quite make it. Here are some pics from the Ward party and then the big night.

You have to click on the picture above to get the full effect of exactly how 3-year-old boys act when they've eaten an entire bag of skittles.

Pies for sale!

But not the kind you really wanted.



Sent the Ethan and Drew with their buddy Carson outside for some sandbox time. Ended up with this. Good thing I grabbed the camera.







I'm pretty sure that this is what little boys in heaven do all day long. You've never heard such laughter! Wanna know how we got them cleaned up? A garden hose and a swimming pool. Good as new!

PROP 102 PASSED!

....and now we can all sleep for a few days before it's back to work! Seriously how blessed we are!

Happy Halloween!

Eric and I had our "sometimes" annual Halloween Party last Saturday. It was SUPER FUN!!! Thanks to the Wallins for making it all come together...it seriously woundn't have happened without them. The decorations were spooky, the food was yummy and the Karaoke was off the chiz-ain! We took lots of pics to prove it.

See if you can find Eric in the mix. He stayed in character all night which made for some very funny moments. Kinda reminded me of Eric D. 1999-ish - for those of you who were around then you know exactly what I'm talking about. You'll appreciate the fact that 10 years later, it only takes a costume and a Red Bull for the "good-time kid" to reappear. We're not so old after all.

Adios Mullet!

Gotta document the mullet being chopped off. He still doesn't have much on top but he sure had a party in the back that I just couldn't wait to get rid of. Ty was so excited to sit in the driver's seat but when those clippers started buzzing he just about jumped out. I should have expected it from the kid who is deathly afraid of the vacuum. When it was all over, I think he liked his new 'do.

Before....





After... Ty is a constant source of entertainment. We just love this little guy!

Everything I Needed to Know - I Learned in Conference

Last weekend was another inspiring weekend - I just love General Conference! I wondered today (when I spend the majority of the time chasing Ty through the church halls) why we don't always have church in our pajamas in front of the TV. Then I remembered that little thing called The Sacrament. (Plus I'd probably get fat(ter) because it's so easy to run to the kitchen during the choir songs)
I learned lots...here are the highlights.

The BEST is yet to be.

Teach patriotism to your children.

Be a missionary.

PEOPLE are the most important.

Find your own Waldon Pond.

A testimony is a process.

Hope fills our lives with happiness.

Reach out to others.

I'm a good shopper - therefore I found a good husband.

Ponder.

Be a peacemaker.

"True disciples of Christ speak with quiet confidence,

not boastful pride."

Virtue matters.

Boys wear a white shirt to church.

Care for yourself and sacrifice for those in need.

"You don't know everything, but you know enough."

Pray that the gospel will be spread to every corner of the earth.

"You pile up enough tomorrows and you'll find

you have collected a lot of empty yesterdays."

Peace be unto thy soul...

CHECK IT!

My sister BECKY is rockin' her food blog this week with BROWNIE WEEK. Go there and sign up to win a cookbook - I can't win 'cause I'm her sister but I want someone that I know and love to win.

P.S. I will not be held accountable if you gain weight or break out just from looking at her DIVINE bites of chocolate lovin' - that's my disclaimer :)

Good Morning Fall!

TODAY is the first day of Autumn - I'm ready for pumpkin bread, soup, sweaters, some leaves and yes, cozy socks.

My boys found some "cozy" socks in my drawer. Yes these are mine...but for the record, they were gifts that were given to me. 'nuff said about that. After some "skating" in the kitchen, the boys begged me to wear these to bed. Nevermind that it is still stinkin' hot around here.

My 1st Climber

Ethan and Drew were never ones for climbing. They found little use for chairs and tables until they were old enough to sit and eat. Now older, of course they climb everywhere. Just the other day I caught Ethan trying to walk down the banister of the stairs. I had to explain that someone created stairs for walking down and so trying to balance on a 3 inch piece of wood isn't necessary anymore.

Ty is a completely different story. Perhaps he has learned from watching his brothers. I am constantly pulling him off of chairs, tables, stairs, couches and most recently BUNK BEDS. I guess the little fear of heights I was worried about does not exist. No sooner has Ty been dragged back down then he is right back up. And so I find this picture a little disturbing

...and now the ladder has been tucked away.

Silly me...who needs and jungle gym when you've got bunk beds.

P.S. See the cute stripe that my friend Annette and I painted on the wall? It goes all the way around and it was super easy - with Annette's help anyway.

CALL 911!

Dinner was cleaned up, the kids were bathed and playing and I was getting ready to do a little bit of scrapbooking when Drew yells "Mom!!! Mom!!! Fire! Fire!" As with any emergency alert, I rush into action. Hmmm...doesn't smell like fire...I knew at that point that there wasn't a fire but Drew keeps saying, "Mom, there's fire! There's fire!" With an eyeroll I go over to where Drew is sitting and say, "Where is the fire?"
"Right here!" he says pointing.

"Oh," I laugh. "A spider."

"That's what I said. A fire."

Either I need my ears checked or we really need to work on Drew's pronunciation. Disaster averted...again.

Back to School

Ethan and Drew both headed back to preschool a few weeks ago. Ethan goes Monday, Wednesday and Friday and Drew goes Tuesday and Thursday. Am I crazy? Who wants to drive to preschool five days a week? I guess the answer is me. On the brighter side, they are both LOVING it! Just put a "taxi" sign on top of my car - I'm going to need it for the next 18 years or so.

What's a spurt?

I go in “spurts” – do you? Do you know what I mean? For the past couple’ov’weeks my house has been clean, the laundry has been done, there’s been something representative of dinner on the plates of my fam. Errands? Check. Grocery store? Check. Relief Society calls made? Check. Exercise? Check. Hair straightened? Check. Check. Check.

But today…(after having cleaned the 3rd bath of the morn) I sat down and absolutely could not {would not} get up. And so, the house has fallen apart around me. But here I sit, BLOGGING the afternoon away.

Today is not a “spurt” but hopefully, for the sake of the health department and CPS, I will wake up to a spurt in the morn. Today I am just plain ol’ tired and my couch was so happy to see me.

The Procrastination Continues

So once again, I've totally fallen off the blogging-wagon. I don't mean to. I can't believe how fast time goes. I've been a little busy with this

and this

and some of this too.

I've been watching a lot more of this

what with the hurricanes and election and everything.

Most of all I've been happily working with these...

Life is good. Just extra FUN and extra busy. Muah!

What do the Daniels do in August?

Oh we've been busy...chop your head off, run around like a chicken, BUSY! So here's the round-up:

IOWA - We visited Eric's darling Iowa family who treated us like royalty and spoiled us rotten. We went to the Iowa State Fair, Eric came in 2nd place in the Adel Sweet Corn Festival Corn-Shucking Competition [he lost to his sis-in-law Brandy who shucked 18 ears of corn in 1 minute!!! Take that "America's Got Talent"] we went to the parade, rode 4-wheelers and golf carts, took our annual trip to the toy store, we bbq'd and swam and enjoyed great company. A terrific trip that we've been taking every year for the last five years or so. We look so forward to re-connecting with family and we sure appreciate all that they do to make us feel right at home.

This is the playhouse...that I want to move into.
Ethan got his golf cart driver's license - I'm still not sure about riding with him.

All-you-can-eat sweet corn - is anything better?

Grandma Mimi won 1st place at the Iowa State Fair for her Gypsy Wagon in miniature. Great surprise!!! We were so proud!

Learning the ropes at the Iowa State Fair - we call this "training" for their future summer jobs.

WE CELEBRATED A BIRTHDAY

a little boy turned 5 ... and we celebrated like crazy. Ethan - we love you. We think you are so funny and sweet and you have such a sensitive heart that makes me want to squeeze you. You are a great brother and such a happy kid. You are smart and you figure things out so quickly. You have an amazing memory and you are the high-energy, spirited kid that I like to think your Dad was when he was your age. You'll do great things and I can't wait to be there to cheer you on! Happy 5th Birthday Ethan!

Ethan got a "big kid" bike.

The traditional breakfast in bed. Ethan ordered eggs, bacon, sausage and steak. (we skipped the steak)

We spent the morning at Bounce U for a little bouncy fun!

No one was really sure about the firecracker candle...especially when the smoke alarms started going off! Ethan and Uncle Scott have close birthdays so we celebrated together!

WE TOOK A TRIP TO CALI!

We took off for a weekend and went to California. We hung out with some of our favorite people...Tony and Michelle (+kids), John & Kelley (+kid and they even had another baby while we were there - welcome to the world little Georgia!!), the always amazing Kraus family and we even got to spend a few minutes with some of my family that were there for my cousin Chris' mission farewell (HE'S GOING TO ROME!!!) We spent a day at the beach and took a day to go to Legoland. Our trips to Cali always seem to be rushed and so fast but we sure pack the fun in!

Rock band is a fun, albeit slightly embarassing game.

Who doesn't want to be friends with this guy?

This is the one ride that Ty got to go on...the rest of the time he pretty much hung out in the stroller. But he was such a good sport about it!