Christmas Jammies

When Eric was little, his Aunt Diana would give him and his sister pajamas, a toothbrush and an ornament to open Christmas Eve. She has kept that tradition alive by doing it for my kids! We look forward to it every year and we always say "we need to take a picture of the kids in their pj's and send it to Aunt Diana" but for some reason that never happens!!! This year I am dedicating a whole post to the PJs.

Kroff Christmas Party 09

Again, a huge THANK YOU to Marianne and Dana for their hard work to produce the party again this year (I helped a little; however I have requested more work for next year). I was pleased that so many cousins were able to make it this year! I'll try to list them off the top of my head..All of Uncle Jerry's kids were there! Out of Uncle Bob's family was Diane; Susie and Ron; Steph, Mike and Donna made a special appearance,they were driving back to Montana from Vegas. From Uncle Paul's family was Stacy, Shelby and Shalese. We missed all the cousins from Uncle Brian's family, Uncle Joel's family and Aunt Kathy's family!
We ate soup, had a visit from Santa, had an amazing lady do face painting for the kids and one adult... and of course we had the pinatas. So much work goes into this family get together and I know that Grandma and Grandpa are watching and smiling knowing that we keep the tradition.
I only got a couple of pictures and then the batteries on my camera died!!

handsomeness

isn't he handsome?!?

Lynx of the month

Archer brought this home today!

I was so proud; I even cried a little.

We made 3D gingerbread cookies today.



And Ethan was diagnosed with a rip roarin' case of strep throat. HE IS SO SICK! poor kid. He is mad because he missed school today and he has had perfect attendance for two years and this ruins his record... darn germs anyway...

16 degrees

and this is what the boys are doing!


I remember making snow forts.. fun stuff!


this bird was in my yard today, eating a dead bird..


I have been keeping the DIET CHERRY PEPSI in the garage and look what happened!!!
can you see the frozen goodness??? H.E.A.V.E.N

help wanted ASAP!

Well, my family and I are in the process of looking for a new couple/family to take over management of my parents motel. Eric and I were there for 2 years and absolutely loved it. I would jump at the chance to go back but we have only been back in our house for 4 months and I don't feel good about uprooting my boys again.
The couple that has been managing it for the past 4 months are moving out on Saturday and we need someone as soon as possible. The longer we go with out live-in help the longer my dad and mom (who has alzheimer's disease) have to take care of it.
This is a really great opportunity for a couple or small family just starting out. Or any family for that matter. If you or anyone you know might be interested please leave a comment; email me or call me.
Thanks friends!

11/20 weekend update

So the big surprise was that my big sis, Kim, was flying in on 11/19 and would have arrived at 9:30pm, just in time to go the the midnight N ew M oon movie. Long story short she missed her connecting flight and had to spend the night in DETROIT instead of at the movie with her sisters! Needless to say, I was very upset because I had built this whole thing up in my head. I did go to the movie with my sis Angie, my (i-hope-to-be-soon-sis-in-law)Marcie, my bestest friend Stacee and her sister.
My parents didn't know Kim was flying in so after I picked her up from the airport I went to their house. There was a big commotion due to the wildness of my 3 boys and the 2 dogs at my parents house. Kim stayed in the car and called my dad's cell phone. She asked him what he was doing and he told her he was making a bowl of cereal for mom; as this is happening Kim is walking into the house and mom is looking directly at her and turns to my brother and asks him "who is that?" I think she thought it was me for a second and realized that I was behind her. So Kim is on the phone with dad and she is standing within 4 feet of him and he still doesn't realize; he turns around and there she is.. IT WAS GREAT!!!
We did have a fun weekend full of bumming around and doing our toes.
I love my sisters and I am grateful that I got to spend some time with them.

Countdown begins...4...

I don't get "silly" over things, I really never have.

I am so looking forward to Thursday night, of course for the movie, but for more!

It is a secret that I cannot tell.

Who else gets to spend 5 whole days with their best friends with nothing to do but have FUN??!?!?!?

I love my husband for letting me be "silly" about this, I know he doesn't understand it fully, but because I want it he is willing to play along.

Hopefully my next blog entry in a week will contain lots of fun pictures of "silly" girls.

NOV is Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month

November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month
According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2009 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, there are more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and as many as 10 million family caregivers.



BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Every day, millions of American families experience the difficult reality of Alzheimer's disease. The physical and emotional demands of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's can be overwhelming, but no one should face this disease alone. During National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, we recognize all those living with Alzheimer's disease and honor the caregivers, including families and friends, who support them. We also renew our commitment to research that is improving treatments for this illness and may one day prevent it entirely.

Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible and progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. Symptoms usually appear after age 60, but many scientists now believe damage to the brain may begin decades earlier. Research conducted and supported by the National Institutes of Health and the Veterans Health Administration has shed light on these early effects and identified genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's. Doctors are now able to start treatments earlier, slowing the loss of brain cells and the progression of debilitating physical and mental impairments.

As we seek hope for families struggling with Alzheimer's disease, we must leave no avenue unexplored. Embryonic stem cells may hold the key for us to better understand, and possibly cure, some of our most devastating diseases and conditions. That is why I signed an Executive Order lifting the ban on Federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, with proper guidelines and strict oversight to prohibit abuse.

We must continue the urgent work of giving substance to hope for all who dream of a day when words like "terminal" and "incurable" are finally retired from our vocabulary. Until then, we must strive to ease the burden of every individual struggling to recall a spouse's name; every parent unable to recognize a child's face; and every family member or friend who brings them comfort and care.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2009 as National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

Ethanism

"mom, do you think I should join the military and be a ninja? I have pretty good reflexes..."

kind of home made Halloween

2 of the 3 costumes were homemade. Ryder's was a hand me hand me hand me down. Ethan's consisted of bed sheets. I made most of Archer's costume with poster board and bubble wrap. We had a very fun night!

They're creepy and they're cooky

Tonight was the fall carnival at the elementary school (we missed you so much this year aunt kelly!) The boys wanted to wear their costumes, but since I am attempting to make them this year they won't be done until the 31st..My friend Christin Saling has been teaching a Halloween face painting class this month so I enlisted her help. We got so many compliments! And the best part is I didn't have to do anything but sit there and watch : }

my NEW favorite show

Ok, this show is "great tv". It is uplifting and for the whole family. This man finds birthparents and children that have been adopted and all different senarios. I seriously cry at the end of every show. It is funny but I was watching it the other day and telling Eric that this is the only "show" I have ever watched that is truely uplifting and it reminds me of D&C 98:16 (Therefore, renounce war and proclaim peace, and seek diligently to turn the hearts of the children to their fathers, and the hearts of the fathers to the children.) It is litteraley knitting families together. You should check it out!

Liz's GIRLS

This picture was taken at around midnight after a VERY long day.

I just have to share how much I love my sisters...They are truly my best friends and the women I look up to most. Kim is always ready for whatever mommy questions I throw at her and always good for a laugh at the funny way she seems to hurt herself..falling into a crawlspace opening..sewing through her finger and having to pull the needle out of the back of her finger..you get the point.
Angie is a strong, smart, amazing women. Everyone loves to be around her because she is the life of the party.
I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have these great women as my sisters. They have both seen good times and terrible times and continue come out on top. They are such a support during my low times and especially with everything that goes along with having a mom with Alzheimer's Disease. I love them too much for words!

trampoline + big brother = OUCH!!

Poor Ryderroo, he hurt the ligiments behind his knee the other night.. he was on the trampoline with E. I am just glad he didn't break his leg, or neck for that matter. He is being as patient as a 2 year old can be. He can't put any weight on it at all. At least I can take it off at night.
He has been begging to play in the sandbox so I took him outside for a "picnic" and decided I could let him attempt standing between the sandbox and the stairs and he did great!

shiny girly stuff : }

When my sister Angie comes to town we always have fun doing girly stuff. She is awesome and always finds the greatest stuff to do. check out the funness.. is that a word?!?!

This is hair bling. it is really fine tinsel that you tie into a couple of strands of hair. It is really fun! I am kind of worried to do my hair curly because these shiny things don't have natural curl.

These are glitter toes, it involves accrylic, a UV lamp, fine glitter and layers of other stuff. It usually lasts for about 3 weeks and so far I've had a golden sand color, bright silver and now this cool purple.

I wonder what we will do next?!?!?

kids say..

Yesterday I was walking Archer into the school when a little girl (she was very chubby and cute!) came running toward the door. As she passed me she said "I hope I didn't miss recess!!" I had to giggle :}

Finally!!! Arch is in K

BEFORE:

AFTER:

He did so great! I know he will make lots of friends :}

E-dog is a 3rd grader!

little brothers waiting for big brother to get home from school

monster in the lavender

She has caught at least 3 honey bees and 1 moth already today. It is huge and gives me the heebee jeebees!! If it were sitting in my hand (blahhhhhhh!!!) it would take up my whole palm.

catching up

The past couple of weeks have been crazy!! Run down of events.. moving, reunion, lagoon, playing and getting ready for school.

We are loving being home again. Eric says it feels like we are on vacation but I have fallen right back into the swing of things. It is wonderful to be just a mom and not have to worry about renting rooms or answering the phone. The boys are doing great! They run around the neighborhood all day from house to house playing and going to the park. I do miss the 3rd ward and I'm sure I always will.

We attended the anual family reunion this year but did not camp out. I am sure the other people that did camp out appreciate this due to Eric's snoring problem. We always hear about it in the morning "Who was that snoring last night?" "You should get a sleep test done" He gets really annoyed with it. We thought about handing out earplugs but decided it was best to not camp out. I loved catching up with Aunts and Uncles and Cousins. I especially loved watching all of the little kids running around and playing together. I can't forget the dogs, almost everyone has dogs and brought them so it was fun watching the dogs play together too.

I got to go to Lagoon with my sis Angie for her work lagoon day. I didn't have to take any kids!! We went on almost all of the big rides. Angie is a ride freak so I couldn't let her down by not going on all the rides she wanted to go on. It got really hot in the late afternoon so we headed back to Tooele and she fixed my glitter toes (love them!) and at about 7pm she said she needed to head home to Orem. Come to find out she went back up to Lagoon with out me!!! She is in so much trouble! I love spending time with her and we had a blast! We will have to do it again soon.

Stacee came down to our house and played with us for a little while and I got really cute pics of Ry and Miss Belle.





Now I have to get the boys ready to start school in a week and a half. E will be in the 3rd grade and Arch will be in Kindergarten.

We are in!!

We are all moved back in, well almost, we still need to bring the trampoline and the sandbox but other than that WE ARE HOME!!

In other news Archer lost both of this two front bottom teeth this week.

Did I mention how busy we have been?!?!?!?

More to come later..

too much family fun!!

It was my mom's 66th birthday so of course we took her to the zoo in 90 degree weather! My dad rented her a wheelchair so she didn't get too tired out before the real party began. We had a great time..looking at the animals but always finding shady spots to cool off in.
After the zoo, we prepared for the birthday party. My dad, my hubby, my brother and brother-in-law were all out in the garage putting the porch swing together that we all bought for mom.. mom kept asking where dad was (that is her new "thing" he can not leave her sight for long before she is wondering where he is). We kept telling her that he was over to the motel fixing something.. I don't think she ever really believed us. When the swing was finished we all went outside and waited for dad to bring her out. She came out of the front door and we were all wearing those silly glasses and crazy cat hats, it was a great sight to behold. She walked through the front door and we shot off confetti rockets -big ones- the neighbors weren't very happy I'm sure but we had a blast and so did she. We finished it off by singing happy birthday and setting the sparkler candles aflame. She deserves it all!!

mom & dad, brothers & sisters

I am so blessed to have such great parents and best friends for brothers and sisters.

something you just don't see everyday..

"working"

Notice how he "starts" his mower and how he yells "good job dada" to Eric..
SO CUTE!

Fun Stuff

Friday morning we hit the pool for swimming lessons and it was COLD!!!!
Saturday Ryder got his birthday present and I do have to say it was a BIG HIT!
Random picture of Eric's garden..looks good huh?

Sunday we had dinner out on the picnic table.. fun times were had by all!