Poor Beck

About a year ago Beck fell off his bike and smacked his mouth on the ground resulting in his four front top teeth being chipped. The dentist said all was well but to watch the teeth for signs of death. One started to go grey and then all the sudden one day it was totally black. Upon xray, the tooth was dead and there was an abcess up in the root. He never complained that his tooth hurt so I was pretty shocked. In the end, his tooth had to be pulled by a pediatric dentist who put him under to do the deed. Watching him wake from anesthetic was hilarious to say the least. Two other children's surgeries were started and finished AND sent home all in the time Beck was trying to wake up from it. He made no sense when he tried to talk, his eyes were rolling all over the place, and even fell off the couch and couldn't even move his face to be more comfortable. He obviously takes anesthesia pretty hard. Once he went back to preschool a few days later, I asked him how cool it was to show his friends that he already lost a tooth etc...and asked him "And what did Miss Tanya say about your missing tooth?!" "Her didn't listen about it." He seemed so deflated. Poor Beck!

Hee hee

Isaac: "Mom, what's the other ones name like vomit?"
Mom: "What?"
Isaac: "You know, Dasher and Dancer, and Prancer and ...is it Vomit?"

My New Obsession!

Look how cute these are! I started making these earrings for myself and my girls. I had so much fun making them and I don't want to quit so now I'm making and selling them...all for fun! I'll post some pics of my girls and myself wearing them so the different sizes are noticeable. I have the colors shown here and am adding a few more soon. You can't tell so well, but there is white as well as cream.

They are $3 a pair or 4 pair for $10. No pressure here, only if you're interested :) Isn't crafting so much fun?!

Reading the scriptures with kids is fun

This is what I love about reading the scriptures with my kids.
Last night Izzy is reading in Helaman 6:28 "...until he dragged the people down to an entire destruction, and to an everlasting," without taking a breath she turns to Andy and asks, "Can I say it?" Quick nod. "HELL." I remember feeling sheepish when reading those words in the scriptures:)

Oh Elsie....

The first time or two...it was funny. Now, not at all.

These were nicely folded...

Her latest, taking the cuptips and spreading them out one by one in a trail, all over the house. Like little crumbs of bread...

Yeah! The Circus is in Town!

I've always wanted to go to the circus...but growing up with 7 kids in my family we never could. Izzy got a bunch of tickets at school for winning 3rd place in an art contest so we decided to go. It was a smaller circus than I dreampt about as a kid, but it was a lot of fun. There were acrobats, magic tricks with tigers, motorcycles racing inside a round cage, pretty circus ladies, elephants and plenty of clowns. Isaac couldn't stop talking the entire time, Beck lost interest and only had eyes for his cheese and cracker handysnacks about halfway through, Elsie danced the first 1/3, sat still on my lap with a snack for another 1/3, and the last 1/3 impatiently was up and down from my lap. The girls were fascinated and quiet the whole time. We went with the Poulsen cousins and Grandma Adrienne came too. I would say we'll go again next year (if we get free tickets again).

The Poulsen's

Last weekend Rod surprised Erin with a planned weekend trip for their anniversary. We watched the Poulsen kids while they were away. We had such a great time! Erin's kids are pretty well behaved in general, but little Hankie was sooo good doing everything I asked, eating all his food, bringing me diapers for Elsie, and going to sleep when I told him to. He was really gentle with Elsie and careful while he played with her. The girls disappeared with my older three and played school, watching movies in sleeping bags, doing tricks on the tramp and so on...We made Halloween cupcakes and I let the kids decorate them. They did pretty good!

We went and saw Cars 2 at the Sticky Shoe and enjoyed lots of treats for about $10! Gotta love the Sticky Shoe:) The best of all, was Andy playing games with the kids like hide and seek. He tricked the kids into thinking he ate a poopy diaper (he added a chocolate cupcake to a clean diaper, smashed it, then opened it and ate it in front of them. Hank's reaction was the best...He was really concerned yelling at Uncle Annie saying, "We don't eat poop!" We had so much fun we might just have to have them over for another sleepover.

Snow?

Where did fall go? I haven't seen it yet. But somehow there is snow today. What? Skipping fall again this year...two days ago we were playing on the driveway in bare feet and today I'm wrapped up in full winter clothing and slippers on. So weird.

Beck

Yesterday as we turned into the parking lot for Walmart,
Beck says: "Here? Oh no! I hate this store!"
Mom: "Why? You love Walmart, we get fries or chicken nuggets here."
Beck: "No I don't, I hate this store! It BUGS me!"

Today turning into Target parking lot.
Beck: "Oh this store today? I LOVE this store. This one doesn't bug me mom."

Funny Things They Say 2

Okay so last weekend I watched my little sister's two kids. Rach is 4 and Logan is
6. As soon as I picked them up to come to my house, little chatty cathy Rach (who normally is not chatty with most people but her parents) is going on, and on, and on, and the next thing I know I hear, "When Beck grows up to four, then he might know some stuff." Hmm...funny. Then when Becca calls my phone to talk to her kids, I think they were outside playing and so I told her I'd have them call her back in a bit. Once I got to Logan I told him his mom called and asked if he wanted to call her back. He says, "Umm, no thank you." Hmm...again, funny.

Canning Fool!

Okay so who loves to can? I love being able to put up some food to keep on my shelves. I feel so domestic while doing it, and I love looking at it. Sitting there so pretty making my pantry full. So here is my latest...spaghetti sauce! I tried this recipe for the first time and it's pretty good. I'm in search of a really mouth watering mmmm kind of recipe so I'll try another one maybe in a few weeks. Here's how I did it.


I filled the sink halfway with as hot of water as I could get from the tap. Added tomatoes. Then poured 2 big pots full of boiling water over them. Then I let them sit while I prepared the other ingredients. After I prepared all the other ingredients, I pulled the skins off the tomatoes which at this point come off easily.


I added water to a small pot and boiled my jar lids slowly.


I added about 2 carrots, 1 large zucchini, 2 onions, about 3/4 cup brown sugar, 2-3 cloves minced garlic, and two blenders full of pureed fresh tomatoes. I added some shakes of Italian Seasoning with a heavy hand. This barely fits in a large pot. (If using a true stockpot you could double this to fill it.)


I chopped everything except the tomatoes with this wonderful little gadget. I got it at Target for maybe $15 and LOVE IT! Chopping time is cut by at least half!


I cooked the sauce on med/hi for at least 45 minutes, boiling. Make sure to stir it consistently. While the sauce cooked, I prepped the jars with 2 TBs lemon juice each.

Then I poured the sauce into my quart jars, wiped the rim completely with a hot rag, added a boiled jar lid, tightened a ring onto the jar, then stuck them into my waterbath canning pot. Once the water is boiling in this pot, (water was being brought to a boil in it all during the prep work) I set the timer and let the water bath boil steady for 30 minutes. I know the jars are sealed once out of the pot by pressing my finger in the center of the lid...if it flexes back it's not sealed. If it's tight and doesn't move or pop then it's sealed. Wah-la!

Pickles!

Oh my yummy!! If you like pickles, then you'll LOVE these pickles! With garlic, dill stalks, and some onion, they sit and cure up nicely on your food storage shelves. I made them several weeks ago with my sister Erin and Aunt Cathy. Andy and the kids couldn't wait to have some so we opened a bottle a few days after. They were really good. Then about a month later we opened another to let a neighbor try them out, and they were AWESOME! Come January, they will be out of this world good! If you want the recipe leave me a comment and then I'll post it.

Busy Summer!

Holy cow! I haven't posted in forever! I kept thinking the last several weeks of school, that once everything got done, books returned, projects turned in, class party responsibilities accomplished, etc. I'd be a little freer and more laid back. It's been quite the opposite since the last day. I accomplished my triathlon...doing much better than I'd expected! I had such a blast doing it and I'm definitely doing it again next year.
We've frequented the pool on an every other day basis as well as had numerous sleepovers with cousins, playdates at McDonald's, picnics at the park, bike rides, and late night runs (those are for me of course). The most exciting part of school being out, is the kids dentist appointments! I have no idea why, but going to the dentist has always been something my kids look forward to in a very weird way. They beg for me to make the 6 mo. cleaning appts. and contest with each other who had a cavity and who didn't. Weird. I couldn't stand going as a kid and dreaded it like a pop quiz.
The most news worthy event of the summer so far, Andy through me a half birthday party last weekend! I couldn't believe it. He went to so much effort, for me, it was the sweetest expression he's ever made. It was such a fun night. I love you Ang.

Funny Things They Say

This morning I made myself a hot breakfast of an egg cooked inside a peice of buttered toast (you know with the whole cut out of the middle of the bread?). I had just gotten back from the pool working on laps (my triathlon is in two weeks) and I was hungry. Isaac comes down the stairs and says, "I must be turning into a dog because I can smell that all the way up in my bed. And it smells goood!"
After a chuckle I explained nope, you'll always be a boy, no dog.
Now a few hours into the day, I'm feeling pooped from my early swim and so I said that allowed. Beck then says, "You pooooped your PANTS!!???"

Funny.

Really???

I swear when it comes to cooking for my family, I just want to pull my hair out. This is what happened this morning during breakfast.

Addie: "Oh gross! What is that?! It looks like throwup!"
Me: "Addie, that's not very nice to say. Just try it, you'll like it."
Addie: "Are you serious?"

Izzy: "What is that mom?"
Me: "It's a smoothie. It's really healthy for you. Just try it. You'll like it I promise."
Izzy: "No thanks."

Me: "Here Andy. I made pancakes and a smoothie. Come eat with us before you leave."
Andy: (sees the smoothie) "Wow. Hmm."

REALLY?? I would never dream of saying anything like that to my mom growing up. And my dad would NEVER utter such words.

After informing everyone that no one was leaving without trying the smoothie, I finally had some takers.

Addie: "Oh yum, is there anymore?"

Izzy: "Oh that's good. Why didn't you tell me it tasted like a regular smoothie?"

Beck and Isaac both had refills.

Andy....his went in the sink half full.

(fyi it was a "green smoothie" with spinach. It was quite tasty!)

Family Pet...dog? or chickens? or maybe bees...

So. We decided to get some family pets after our most recent conversation with the children where Isaac decided it was best if dad died so we could get a dog...(if you're lost, scroll down a few posts and read the dog entry). We went with chickens. Oh and some bees too. Although we absolutely love our farm scenery, we are not trying to become farmers. Instead, we thought we'd get our own chickens to produce eggs, instead of robbing Brother Jones of all his eggs every week. Brown eggs are great! They are brighter yolk color and taste more rich. I hear they are better for you, but then I've also heard they are the same. I must admit that little baby chicks are super cute, and even a little fun to hold. Although extremely germy. Once the feathers start growing in place of the fuzz, not so cute. Kind of gross. I'm looking forward to full feathers. For some reason that doesn't gross me out nearly as much.

Here are some pics of the chicks, and the coop that Andy built. I do love having a craftsman at my disposal.
The only thing left to do on the coop is add an arch window (no glass) and a window box under the arch for flowers, and one under the plexiglass window. So far, it's been great having the chicks. The kids love them and are more than happy to go check on them, refill their water, fill their feed, and open the door to let them roam on the grassy part. It's kind of funny when you do open the door, they just look at it for a few minutes. Then one will be brave and take a step or two down the ramp, and then run back up. They get nervous! Soon, they'll love it when we open the door and let them run out.
Now the bees....I know it sounds totally crazy that we intentionally put thousands of bees in our backyard, but let me explain. Not sure where or when Andy got the first idea to raise bees, but after a lot of research and visiting some beehives and watching a live beehive inspection, I guess it really got Andy's attention. It's quite fascinating to watch them do their thing...when it looks like all they're doing is climbing all over each other. Andy has bad allergies and consuming local honey is suppose to help improve them. We decided to try it out, and if at any point we're not liking it, we'll just get rid of them. We've had the bees for 24 hours and they are already building honeycomb. Kind of exciting. I could see the sacks full of pollen on several bees' legs. Little creepy, but quite cool at the same time. When I was taking these pics of the bees, all I could think of was the movie Candyman! Remember the swarms of bees coming out of the guys' mouth?!??! Gross!! And for those wondering about the bees stinging the kids...we have read several places that they won't unless you're stealing the honey or you knock over the hive. If left alone, they do their work. So we'll see how it goes.

Good Friends

Tonight we went to dinner with some great friends. Derek and Taryn live here in San Diego and were so kind to pick us up at our hotel for a great dinner. We went to a beautiful restaurant on the ocean and our table was in the outdoor section facing the water. The water glistened and sparkled from the lights on all the sailboats and yachts docked just a few yards away from where we were. Absolutely gorgeous! We took our time eating and enjoying the company...what's better than friends and good food? Here's to great friends! Thanks for such a fun night!

I Want To Move...

To San Diego! We are here just Andy and I for a quick R&R few days and absolutely loving it! The weather is so beautiful. Mid 70's and a slight breeze are perfect for reading by the pool. This morning I went running along the boardwalk right by our hotel and I instantly fell in love with living by the water. There are these darling shops in a little spot called Seaport Village right near our hotel also that we explored last night. At a little book store we ate the most scruptious cupcake I've ever had. It was the richest red velvet cake that was so moist it left wet marks on your fingers, with the creamiest cream cheese frosting piled a mile high on top. Of course Mr. figure conscious scopped off half the frosting but I could not let that go to waste! He was thoroughly disgusted by my consuming a glob of frosting. But it was divine!! Today we are sunbathing and tomorrow touring a giant naval ship and riding the flight simulator. I'll post pictures later. The pool is calling!

NieNie

For those who wanted a link to NieNie's story , there it is. Happy reading!

BYU Women's Ed Week

It's that time of year for BYU Women's Education Week . I've actually never been, but I've wanted to attend for sometime. Finally, this year I am going! I just found out that Stephanie Nielsen and her sisters will be speaking this year on Friday. I love reading Stephanie's blog... NieNie Dialogues ...she's an amazing person. She lived to tell her experience of facing death from a plane crash with her husband. Her story is incredibly inspiring. Reading her entries, you feel like you know her. Like she's an old friend. Check out her story if you haven't heard it already. Anyway, see you there.

Homemade Yumminess

Who doesn't love some homemade jam? Elsie took a great nap today which left me a good amount of time to put up several jars of strawberry jam. My Nana used this recipe and this is the kind of jam I grew up eating. I love raspberry too, but this strawberry takes the cake. (isn't that the saying?) For anyone who is searching for a new jam recipe, I used the MCP brand pectin. I follow the directions inside the box for the strawberry, quick and fast set. Super easy. I love the little high you have after you've completed something really domestic :)

To have a dog....Or not to have a dog...

Aren't kids just hilarious? Sometimes my kids will say the funniest things and I find myself laughing long after it's over. The other week we had Grandma over for dinner and at the table we were talking about Uncle Rob passing away and how we miss him, and sometimes we're sad, but we'll see him again and yada, yada, yada. Now a quick little Epperson history lesson--frequently Andy and I find that we are discussing with the kids the topic of getting a dog. Really it was dad just telling them "No way in you-know-where are we getting a dog." The kids get upset, they say it's unfair, and I'm the one who's caught in the middle. I really don't want a dog, or any pet for that matter...why would I want one more thing to clean up after? ...BUT, they are my children and they LOVE animals. I hated and still do dislike many if not all animals I think mainly because I didn't grow up with them and don't know their behaviors etc. I don't want my kids to be like that. So...I guess I want a dog too. So, back to the story. At the moment there is a slight lull in the conversation of loss and sadness, my darling 6 year old son says, "It would be sad if dad died too", and then following one quick breathe, a huge smile unfolds as he says, "But at least we could have a dog!" Hmmm....maybe we should just give up and get a dog.

Epperson kids...Beck, Izzy, Addie, Elsie and Isaac
Well, this is us. Originally I didn't love this picture. (Sorry Kristy) I didn't like how I was laughing, but over time I've come to love it. Andy loves a good gag and always seems to be joking around about something no matter where we are. He makes me laugh so it's quite fitting that our great friend and photographer to have captured what it's like being around my husband.

First things first....

Alright. I FINALLY started a blog, after hearing "You should start a blog jeni." But, don't get your hopes up just yet. I might bag the whole thing if it becomes too time consuming, or if i forget to post all together. We'll see...