the kitchen needs a moppin'.

I've got to do some shoppin'

The laundry needs a foldin'

(at least that's what I'm toldin')...."Mom!" I don't have anything to wear!!"

My bed it needs a makin'

Some dinner needs a bakin'

The toilets need some scrubin'

The husband needs some lovin'

The children start to wonderin'

Where is their mother dear???

But heck...

They could be sick or sleepin'

They could be down right bleedin'

But since I picked up this here book

all I've done is readin'........ and readin' and readin'

Ah...I love a good book.

Going once...going twice....

Come on people...you know you want to pay some big money for these Annie originals!!

This Elephant was Annie's first time using Charcoal as a medium.

Mike named this picture, "Girl who just broke up with her boyfriend." Maximize the picture and look at her face. She does look a bit distraught. While you have it zoomed in, take a look at all the details! The shadowing, the knuckles, the swing of the pants. Annie the Amazing strikes again. :-) (The flower clip in the girls hair was not in the original that Annie was looking at. She added that herself. That's my girl. :-)

Annie told me that while she was drawing the lady walking, she got very frustrated. She was having a hard time getting the hair just right. She explained how she felt her throat getting really tight and she had to walk away from her work for a little while. Then she calmed down and decided to start in a different place. (the feet) What a sweet girl. And what a good lesson for her to learn.

Let me hear a woot woot....

Yes, the prodigal camera has returned. There was much rejoicing, and merriment. We even slayed the fatted pig. It was fun up until the blender stormed off claiming, "I've been the good guy!"

So let me start off this post by giving a huge shout out to all the friends and family who supported Mike this weekend. Thirty five people came to see him suck his thumb and snuggle a blue blanket as he lisped his way through Your a Good Man Charlie Brown. (...he was Linus..duh) He did such a great job! EVERY conversation I have had with the director has been FILLED with accolades for Mike. She loved working with him and went on and on about his talent...(tell me something I don't know. hee hee) So, THANKS family and friends for coming to see the show.

Mindy and Kyles family were among the show goers this week. They stayed with us that night and all the next day. My kids LOVE it when their cousins come. We even checked Casie out of school early so she could spend more time with them. They had a blast.

Jack especially loves Aunt Mindy. She is so good with babies and they all seem to love her too. Here they are after reading a book before bed. Jack got a little curious about the ball on Mindy's necklace. (sigh....we won't mention the crying he did when we put him in bed after this picture was taken....that's a whole different post.)

These next two photo's are just me having fun with photoshop. :-)

But while we have this picture up...look at my gorgeous niece! It's so amazing how much she looks like Mindy. (Casie you are gorgeous too...)

This was the FIRST picture I took with my newly restored camera. Even though it looks like we are in a psychedelic 4th dimension,... we are actually in the parking lot of Best Buy.

I couldn't WAIT to start snapping pictures of little J. Just so you know, I am in LOVE with this little guy!!!!! Even though lately he wakes up almost a million times a night, I still scoop him up in the morning and love every minute of him!!! I mean, come on...look at those eyes and little chip monk teeth. IRRESISTIBLE!!!

When you sleep with frogs...

Annie has a monstrous wart on her right index finger. Through an email from my Mother-in-law, (you know, the one's her sons delete without even reading) we learned that banana peels can get rid of warts. So last night I used electrician tape (don't judge) to wrap Annie's wart with a banana peel. This is the witty conversation that followed:

Me: OK Annie, you now have a nice big bandaid on your finger.

Annie: (without missing a beat) Actually Mom, it's a Banandaid.

We both laughed.

I don't have a picture of the wart, the electrician tape, or the Banandaid because my camera is STILL not back. But rest assured the wart is big, the tape was silly, and Annie is adorable. :-)

Last group photo....

A couple of months ago when I was posting about our trip to SC with Voice Male, I saw this picture and thought I looked goofy in it... I decided not to put it on my blog. While looking through some pictures last night I found it again. We didn't know at the time that this would be our last "family" picture with Phil in it. Now I love this picture and am grateful to have it.

Although the Willson's didn't make the final crop...they actually were in the picture too.

Maybe having my camera back would help.....

My camera is still in the hospital. :-( Maybe that's the reason I haven't posted for a while.

A borrowed post

This was a funny post I had to steal from my clever sister Mindy. I thought it was cute.

Dear wooden spoon,
I miss you desperately. Over the past 14 years you have stirred my fudges, rice puddings and kool-aids. You've helped to form a soft ball, hard ball and balls that crack when you put them in cold water.You have even assisted in child rearing with your swats on the bum (or at least the threatenings of them). Why did you have to leave? I last remember seeing you during the holidays. Amidst the hustle and bustle you left me, unnoticed. I hope you find it in your tiny wooden heart to come back. Are you lost upstairs in the bottom of the toy box? Are you sitting in some church house drawer cold and alone? Were you spoon napped during a potluck? There were just so many toddlers opening and closing things. How could I have known? I hope you weren't listening when Kyle said he didn't even know you existed. It was always you and me, you and me.
With all my love,Mindy

One of Heidi's friends made a list of tributes to Phil and put them on her blog. I really enjoyed reading all the wonderful thoughts and feelings that were shared.


http://banterblogging.blogspot.com/2010/02/drawing-on-others-words.html

Phil Kesler 1968~2010

"Sing, of good things not bad....Sing of Happy not sad"

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"I've got two good friends on my left and my right...."

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"I know deep in my heart, it's never to late for love to start...oh I love you so..never gonna let you go."







Now when we remember spring, all the joy that love can bring....
We will be remembering, the shadow of your smile.



We'll miss you, Phil

Tonight at dinner Mike asked us what country we would like to visit. Here are our answers:

Dad: New Zealand
Mom: Greece
Casie: France
Annie: St. George
Ellie: England...(but then she changed her mind to St. George after Annie said it.)

While we're on the subject of Ellie...

Tonight while we were trying to memorize the third Article of Faith, I found out,.from Ellie that...

"We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all KIND men may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel."

She is always making us laugh.

And now a word about Annie.

Grandma Madsen is coming over tomorrow to take Annie out on a special "Grandma Shopping trip" for her birthday. Annie has been close to the emotion of AGONY waiting for this blessed day to arrive. Now that it's only 15 hours away, she has a plan. And I quote:
"Mom..in the morning, try to keep me asleep. I don't want a lot of loud talking and moving around. If I sleep until 10:55 then it will only be 5 more minutes until Grandma comes!"
She keeps mentioning that she really really really wants to sleep so those last few hours can speed by. My prediction is that her excitement will wake her up abnormally early and she won't be able to go back to sleep. :-) We shall see.

And now a word about Casie.

Casie is seriously amazing! She is such a great helper and sister. She's been babysitting quite a bit for us lately and doing a wonderful job. (She's also earning a small fortune) I love that I can totally depend on her. She also has a gift for knowing where things are. I don't think she EVER says, "...oh, I saw it somewhere, but I can't remember where"..If she has seen it, she can find it. It's great! (I won't mention that Annie and Ellie can take their shoes off..leave them on the floor...and not be able to find them again in 5 min..) Casie is so smart and level headed too. Our family is so blessed with her agreeable attitude. I also LOVE the way she treats Jack. She is so sweet with him and appreciates his cuteness as much as I do. He always reaches for her and goes to her as eagerly as he does Mike and I. They have a special relationship. He really brings out the best in her.

And now a word about Jack.

I don't think I have EVER met a more content baby. He just wanders around all day in search of new and exciting things...(today he found a whisk and a plunger) He will come to me every so often and say,(while doing the sign) "nack nack". Then I give him a "nack" (snack) and he's off again. (PS I love that he knows some sign language! I truly think that contributes to his happy disposition. He can usually communicate his needs to us without crying. It's great!) He will also snuggle with me! If he gets hurt, or if he's tired, or sometimes, if I'm lucky, he will snuggle for no reason! He loves his blanket and carries it with him everywhere. He really brings so much joy into our home. We all ADORE him!

Omnipotent

Ellie: " Mom, if two people say a prayer at the SAME time, how does Heavenly Father hear both of them?"

Mom: (I gave a short answer because this question came in the middle of my Sunday nap)..."Because He can do everything."

Ellie: (without a moment of hesitation..and with a bit of a challenge in her voice).."Well, can he jump up and do the splits in the air?"

Thanks Grandma!

Apparently Grandma Madsen has forgiven us for the Christmas Morning Throw Down, because not only did she take the girls to see The Princess and the Frog, but she invited us out to her house to make the Beignets that were featured in the movie. She and her friend Dave took a trip to New Orleans last year where they had "real" Beignets. After seeing the movie, (which was set in New Orleans) she wanted the girls to taste the yummy treat as well. They were a hit! Ellie was especially pleased that they were dipped in powdered sugar. :-) I am grateful to have a Mother-in-law that takes the time and effort to create memories for my children.

This is when Jack should have been taking a nap....he doesn't look tired at ALL does he?

Here is the recipe my Mother-in-law emailed me! How nice is she??? Now you can all feel like you can make a special "New Ah-lins" treat!

Ingredients:1 envelope active dry yeast 1 1/2 cups warm water (approx. 105°) 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon salt 2 eggs, beaten 1 cup evaporated milk 7 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup shortening, softened oil for deep frying powdered sugar

Preparation:In large bowl, sprinkle yeast over the warm water; stir to dissolve and let stand for 5 minutes. Add sugar, salt, beaten eggs, and evaporated milk. Whisk or use electric mixer to blend thoroughly. Add 4 cups of the flour; beat until smooth. Add shortening; gradually blend in remaining flour. Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 4 hours or overnight. Roll out on floured board to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 2 1/2 to 3-inch squares. Deep fry at 360° for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly browned on both sides. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle generously with powdered sugar. Serve hot with coffee. Dough can cut and frozen, separated in container with waxed paper.

I'm sensing a theme

I've been looking at old photos again. I know that throughout the years, some people strive to get ONE picture where all their kids are looking great. I however continue my quest to get ONE good picture of me and Mike. ONE of us is making my task very difficult!

Ok, I admit that I look fairly hideous in many of these shots, but it wasn't on purpose!

You're not invited to my Birthday

In the kitchen right after school......

Ellie: Mom, Hailey and Alli aren't my friends anymore.
Mom: Why?
Ellie:(all in one breath) Just because I wouldn't let them butt in front of me in the line and you're not supposed to let people butt you in line and I was just following the rules.
Mom: Well, maybe next time you could say, " Well, I can't let you butt, but I will come to the back of the line so we can all stay together".
Ellie: (in a DUH tone) Mom, I love being in the front. You know how I roll.

I do know how she rolls.

Oh, and five minutes later she asked if she could call Alli to come and play. :-)

Missing my babies

I remember hearing my Mom say that the happiest time in her life is when all her kids were little. I am just now starting to understand what she meant. Of course it's so fun to see my kids grow. I love watching them develop their talents and personalities. I love seeing them make new friends and learn new things at school. I love getting to know them as they begin to develop their adolescent personalities. But nothing quite compares to the sacred feeling of the sheltered and blessed life we lived when they were all at home. Looking at old pictures sometimes gives me that little ache for the past. I look at these little faces and realize that these children are gone from my life now. I have older, wonderful, more mature versions of them, but the children in the pictures have disappeared. It makes me a little melancholy, but it also makes me grateful that I get to keep them forever.



These pictures were taken in 2004. We wanted to give Grandma Madsen some cute pictures to hang in her bathroom.

Back before Ellie lost her sweet tooth

Well, my NEW camera is broken! I need to take it to the camera instacare, but in camera land "insta" means 4 to 6 weeks. Luckily though, I have an awesome plan! My computer is full of adorable pictures that have adorable stories behind them. Until I get my camera back, (and maybe even after) I thought it would be fun to record some of my memories from the past.

So, as I might have mentioned, Miss Ellie has QUITE a sweet tooth. As this story will prove, she developed that sweet tooth very early in life:

When we were living in West Jordan, we had the Swan Man ( a magical man who brings ice cream right to your door!) visit us from time to time. One of the most delicious treats we ordered were mint chocolate chip ice cream cones. Of course the kids LOVED them! (especially two year old Ellie...who's sweet tooth was in full force!)

One day, I came into the kitchen to find her eating an ice cream cone. I scolded her and reminded her that those are special treats and she needed to ask me first. ( Plus she had already had one that day. ) Twenty minutes later I heard some peculiar noises coming from the kitchen. Little feet tip toeing across the kitchen floor.....the freezer door opening....the freezer door closing....the pantry door opening...and the pantry door closing.

Because I knew EXACTLY what I would find when I opened the pantry door, I grabbed my camera. Simultaneously, I swung open the door and took the picture.

Just LOOK what I found inside!

All I could do was bust up laughing at my naughty, crafty, adorable little two year old. I think she was glad that I was laughing too. :-)

Fast forward to present day. That naughty, crafty, adorable six year old informed her Grandma that she "lost her sweet tooth." She is pretty sure it was the one that fell out a couple of months ago. Although, in my opinion it grew back twice as sweet!

A conversation

Yesterday Mike's Mom took us to The Princess and the Frog. The girls knew they were going right after school. Annie came bounding in the door, and this was our conversation:

Annie: Mom! Are we going to the movie now??!!

Mom: Yep, I am just going to go change and we are outta here!

Annie: (as I turn to go up the stairs to change)..Mom, can I play the Wii?

Mom: No, cause we are leaving as soon as I change.

Annie: Where are we going?

Spinners Film Festival

Ok, now that you've seen the video, let me explain why it was made.
Shortly after the break out hit, "Chuck Chuck you Rock", my Brother-in-law Kyle and I thought it would be fun to have a family film festival. After all, the Hyde's are notorious for the their home videos, why not create a festival to show case them!? So Kyle proceeded to designed the logo, created a website,(where individuals could read up-dates on the festival, register their films, see previews of registered films, and even order "Spinners Gear"). He also organized the event, invited (and hosted) the family, and made the awards. (Wasn't I a big help?...and yet Kyle kept referring to, and quoting me as The President and Founder. ha ha)
The festival had three different movie categories: Music Videos, Documentary, and Feature Film.
During the screening, (which we kept calling the Viewing...and tried not to) each audience member was given a voting ballet containing the name of the film, and each of the actors/actresses who appeared in the film. Then we all rated them on a scale from 1-10. We also scored our overall enjoyment of the film.
We finished the night off with the Golden Spinner Awards. We had an MC (Stephen), musical numbers, ( Topp Hennessee (aka) Dad, Mike B. singing Any Dream will Do, The Beardens (us) sang, " A tribute to Cheese", and Sarah's family sang a song called "Believe"). We had presenters, (Mom and Kent, Dad and Pam, Amy and Jessica, and a special guest presenter...Chuck) And even beautiful models (Casie and Keri) to give the trophies to the winners. It was such a fun festival, and we can't wait until next year!

I am not sure why these are so small, but here are a few shots from the evening

Kyle explaining the voting procedures

I was so proud of the family for dressing up for the Awards!

Mike singing at the ceremony

Maybe we have a little too much time on our hands

My little family put together another video masterpiece! I must warn you that there is some violence, and some VERY cheesy dancing involved. In fact the cheesy dancing is what brings on the violence. SOME people just can't stand to see people dancing in such a cheesy manner. (this will make more sense after you watch the movie. :-)

............... AND NOW.........................

Bearden Family Productions presents....Christmas Eve

In case you were wondering, my brother is the "other man" in the film...he's cute AND single AND did you see those dance moves??