Do temple workers swear?

I am not a big swearer. I think the last time I swore was in my sophomore year in high school. It was #18 from Rock Springs. hmm. Sheryl something. ( If you think this might be you, know that I still don't like you.) Last night, I came close. Ben and I were putting lights on our tree. I know it is less than a week away, I know that I already have 7 trees up, but I have been busier than normal lately. Anyway, all of a sudden, half of the trees lights went out. I ended up ripping out a couple hundred lights and throwing them. (It was one of my more stellar moments. I am glad that Ben is the only one who witnessed it.)

This is before the tantrum.

Last week when I wasn't searching for Oreo's, we took our family to see the lights at Temple Square. We haven't been there at Christmas for over a decade so we really wanted our kids to see it. It was beautiful as always, but it made me wonder if the workers ever swear and throw the temple lights at the nearest statue. I kind of doubt it, which means I will never get a Christmas Job putting up lights at the temple.

Nabisco, Why do you hate me?

Everyone knows that I have a small obsession with Candy Cane Oreos. So starting in Early November I started my watch. My heart would skip a beat when I saw the Nabisco truck. (Ok, just kidding I have never seen a Nabisco truck and since I don’t see Wal-mart trucks anymore this was a total lie.) Anyway, I waited and waited but no happy Candy Cane Oreos came to our little valley. So when I traveled to Utah this last week finding Oreos was my main quest. Besides the whole Grandma’s 90th birthday party. So you can guess how excited I was when my brother Jason called me on my cell and said that the Target in Centerville had them. I naturally rushed to Centerville and promptly bought 5 boxes of Peppermint Oreos.

Not the Candy cane Oreos of my dreams, but they had a candy cane on the label so they had to be close right?
Problem: I ate two of the boxes on my 9 hour drive home. (I did share a few of these with my family)
That only left me with 3 boxes; I ate one yesterday leaving me with only 2 boxes.
Never Fear, my friend Kristy sent me 3 boxes of the actual happy “Candy Cane Oreos”

Ohhhhhhhh, delightful little chunks of candy cane goodness in every bite. So I have discovered if you want the almost perfect “Peppermint” Oreos, you can move to Utah. For the ultimate “Candy Cane Oreos” you will have to move to Colorado, or become friends with Kristy so she can send you some.

32,872

32,872 Days ago:



Gas cost .10 cents a gallon


Warren Harding was president. (Who? obviously they didn't cover him in the 5th grade at Aspen Elementary)


Al Capone was on the loose.



Everyone was dancing the Charleston ( I actually taught the youth this dance last week)


Last but not least my Grandma Hatch was born.


Yes, for all of you who are not math majors that makes her 90 years old today. My grandma still drives around, makes yummy breakfasts, and remembers every single grand kid and great grand kids birthdays. I pray I get her genes. Even if my bad eating habits knock 5 years off, 85 is still really good. So Happy Birthday to my Grandma Hatch.


(Ok, she was only 89 in this photo, but you get the point)

All those years of Monopoly have paid off

Ben's favorite game is Monopoly. He owns numerous versions, and would play every day something bigger.

Ben: "Hey mom, I made 8 starbucks today" (remember the whole fake money thing at school. This earns them extra time for assignments, extra recess, prizes, etc. Also on a good day you might get one or two.
Me: "Oh my Nellie! That is awesome! How did you get so many?"
Ben " Huuuhh, hmmmm, I kind of started a new program"
Me: (starting to doubt)”Huh, what kind of program?"
Ben: “I got a few people to invest their starbucks and then I opened a bank"
Me: "What?"
Ben: (Again, looking at me like I'm a little slow today) When someone needs star bucks for an assignment or other thing, I loan them some and they pay me back with 1 star buck interest."

Now due to his skills at Monopoly, Ben will not have to do any homework for the rest of the year.
is someone was willing. I now realize that these years of playing have trained him for

Turkey Day High and Low

High: We reached a new high when it came to our deep frying skills. Oh yes my friends, Dave deep fried mashed potatoes. Why eat plain old mashed potatoes when you can add 3 kinds of cheese, onions, cream, and fry them.

Low: I made an extremely happy pumpkin dessert. So you might be asking "Why Jill is this considered a low?" Well, let me tell you. No one (including myself) even tried the happy dessert because Nate got tired of holding it and placed it on the front seat of the car where I then sat on it.

My Pilgrim skills are lacking

My pilgrim ancestors would be so disappointed. Someone just called and offered me their 50 pound turkey. It appears they let him get way to big and he won't fit in their smoker. Of course I would have to butcher him today. I don't really know how to butcher a turkey, but hey the pilgrims did it so I should be able to right? Or I might just use the one wrapped in plastic in my fridge.

"With great power, comes great responsibility" Spider Man

I have always believed Ben will either be extremely successful or in Jail for Ponzi fraud. After the Grantsdale Elementary Strike a couple years ago, and of course him trying to get his teacher fired last year, I thought he had calmed down a bit. This was our latest conversation.

Ben: Mrs. York said I can't use my search warrant.
Me: Uuhhhhhhh you had a search warrant?

Ben: Yea, I wrote one. I am pretty sure someone took the star bucks (old Monopoly money) we were trying to save for the class party. ( A party that I am providing everything for.)

Me: Why are you handling this?
Ben: (Looking at me like I just don't understand) Mom, I AM the class President.

Luckily Ben loves this teacher, so I doubt he will be taking a list of demands to the principal over it.

Everything is better this way

Food is so much happier if it is in the shape of Mickey Mouse. It didn't matter that it was 10 times more expensive than normally shaped food. We had the waffles:

It is the only time in my life I will spend $4 on a fruit snack size bag of pretzels.
Even though the picture doesn't show it. Dave really is excited about his snack.

.

Here is my friend Cory enjoying a Ice-cream sandwich.My all time favorite were the beignets.
Deep thoughts about the happiness of deep fried bread in the shape of Mickey.
Even though you couldn't eat this pumpkin, it was so delightful to have a pumpkin in the shape of Mickey Mouse. You can see Kristy is equally as delighted.

I even brought the joy home with me. I bought myself a Mickey Mouse toast press (easting toast will never be boring again.) I also bought a pancake mold. Now my breakfast everyday will taste better.

.

Good things come to those who wait

I hate waiting in lines. Something has to be pretty dang cool for me to stand in line. Fore example:

:Candy Cane Oreos (Oh, happy cookies when will you be here?)


: Raspberry cream Fudge from the Phillipsburg candy store.


:Cafe Rio (Oh, how I have missed you)


Yet, who in their right mind would wait over 2 hours to meet a teenager in a wig........ Oh, that would be me my friends.

After a trip to the Tower and Pixie Hollow, I wasn't sure if I had it in me to wait another hour and a half to meet Cinderella. Luckily I didn't have to make that decision. A secret door opened and out walked Cinderella, and her happy Fairy Godmother. She looked at Sarah and said, "There's a little princess. Would you like to go on a little walk with me?"

It was one of my favorite things of the whole trip, and I didn't even have to wait in line.

Happy Halloween Highlights

Halloween started at 3:45 a.m. when we left our Hotel and headed for the L.A.X airport. I love Halloween so of course I wanted it to start as early as possible. Due to my love of Halloween we also had a slightly scary flight Conversations during flight:

Plane tips to the left and then to the right.

Ben: Do you think our pilot is drunk?

Plane shakes: we bounce in our seat-belts.

Jon( with hands in air) Woo hooo, it is is just like the "Tower of Terror" (more on that to come)

We we finally reach Missoula we hit the runway and bounce a few more times.

All is quiet on the plane when Ben yells;

"Brace for Impact"

A few other passengers seated around us, told us how entertaining our kids had been on a not so calm flight.

We arrived in Hamilton just in time to celebrate my favorite Holiday.

Sarah's First costume of the night.



After building his own light-saber this week, Jonny changed his mind again and wanted to be a Jedi Aragorn (not to be confused with that impostor Aragon) and his friend Legolas

After the Teletubby of 2010, this was the best I could get out of Dave.

Oh Halloween, how I love you.

Oh the joys of Halloween. Here are some of my highlights so far:

Positive: Setting up a new door bell that has 4 different screams, and ghost sounds
Negative: Jonny ringing the door-bell 30 times a day

Positive:Being able to order anything Halloweenish from Oriental Trading.
Negative: I didn't realize that when I ordered a dozen slime filled toilets that the slime would actually come out.

Positive: Jonny decided instead of Bobby Flay he would be Mario for Halloween.
Negative: This comes with Jonny trying to sound like an Italian 24 hours a day.

Postive: I finally finished making Ben his Aragon costume complete with leather duster thing and cloak.
Negative: Conversation with Ben concerning the costume:
Me: "Hey, I finished your Aragon costume today"
Ben: "What! I told you I wanted to be Aragorn not Aragon"
Me: "Seriously! I thought you wanted to be the guy from Lord of the Rings
Ben: "Yea, Aragorn!"

I then went to a middle earth web-site and realized that they are indeed the same person.

All in all, it is still my favorite time of year.

Too much Reverence is a Bad Thing

Having to travel 4+ hours to attend a temple is a new thing for us. I realize I didn't have to sell everything I own and travel on a bus sitting by a chicken, but it was still a long drive. So we packed up our Oreo's and Nutter butters and headed north to Spokane.
While Dave and I were in the temple Nate was in charge of the kids at a church house across the street. There were plenty of activities planned and we just asked Nate to help keep the kids fairly reverent. When we came out this is what we found.

I am so glad they had such an uplifting day.

Like Father Like Son

For Homecoming week (bigger than the Superbowl here) the school had the typical days where the students could dress up. I tried to get Nate to dress up each day but he was totally not interested until Thursday. Nate walked into the kitchen looking like this The best part about Nerd Day was that Nate found his entire outfit in his Dads closet.

Haven't heard that one before

It's good to share what's on your mind, Right? I mean, how much better would society be, if we were just honest all the time. I think some in Montana have mastered this concept. Some of my more memorable conversations go like this.

"I think it is your personality that I just don't like"
"Are all people from Colorado like you?"
Yet, I think my favorite was this last week at church. We like many of you have been studying the Apostle Paul.

Unknown offender: "I think if the Apostle Paul had met you, he would have really hated you."

Huh, that's a new one. I think we should follow their examples and strive to be honest in all our daily doings. Or, maybe not.

You told Sarah What?

In a couple weeks I am planning a gigantic "Tangled" party for a cute little girl in my ward. So being the smart parent that I am, I decided to post-pone Sarah's birthday until that week. This way after I've built towers, made wigs, etc. I can have Sarah a little party with a few of her friends and just use the same decorations. Brilliant Right!

So my evil plan was to not tell Sarah it's her birthday today. Don't think bad thoughts about me, she's 3 and has no concept of time. Little did I know that both older brothers would remember that today is the day. This morning while I am still in bed, and I thought the boys were eating cereal, this is what I heard.

Nate and Ben in Unison: Happy Birthday Sarah!! We've made you a special Birthday Breakfast

Sarah: (muffled but I can understand) It's my birthday!!!! YEAAAAAAA!!!!

So, I just called one of her little friends to come over to a princess tea-party at 2:00 today. This will test my great skills at party planning with only a few hours, and no Wal-mart.

Now, all of you who I told not to call Sarah today on her birthday are free to do so.

Happy Birthday my sweet princess (or beast as I sometimes call her )

That's Ravalli over there in the Maroon jersey

I always thought it was a bad thing when you showed up at a party in the exact same outfit as someone else. Yea, no one cares about that rule here. The most disturbing thing about Nate's last game was I was the only one who seemed to notice that both teams were in identical jerseys.

Luckily, Nate is a foot taller than anyone else on the field, and of course the announcer kept me informed by saying " that was #58 Ravalli"

You're never as cool as you think you are.

Planning Birthday parties is one of the "Perks" of being a mom. The problem is there are only four a year, so I was so excited when I was able to become an "Official Party Planner" and create a "Little Mermaid" party for my friend.

I Decorated

I Made cute "Sebastian" party favors

I was starting to feel like I was all that and a bag of chips when Jonny walked in and said:

Jonny: "hmmmm I think I need a party planner for my next birthday."

Me: (thinking... did he already forget the rock-star Star wars party 3 months ago?) " Well ya know Jonny I'm kind of a party planner."

Jonny: "No, I need a good one."

Spell check has failed me

You would think someone would have pointed out to me that their Hatch Patch invoice says " I am proud to be a Moron" instead of Mormon. Yea, I am that cool.

Hanging my head in Shame... AGAIN

Ok, so this hasn't been my most stellar month, it has almost been as bad as this day. After Ben's latest mishap I decided to be more proactive in my children's injuries. So, I promptly made an appointment for Nate to have a planters wart the size of a quarter be removed from his foot. I know it's gross to be talking about a wart, but if I said "growth" then some of you would panic. Anyway, on the way to the Dr's this was our conversation.

Nate: So, how is he going to take it off?

Me: hmmm they burn it

Nate: THEY BURN IT! Are you kidding?.

Me: No, but it will be fine, I will be right there with you the whole time.
Nate: hmmmm ok.

So as we waited in the office, I realized they were running kind of late and I needed to pick up Ben. I went to the receptionist and asked how long she thought it would be. The nurse assured me that I had plenty of time before he went under the knife so I ran to get Ben.

In my car rushing back to the Dr's

Ring ring Ring

Me: Hello

Nate: Hi, hmm can you come pick me up?

Me: What! are you done?

Nate: hmm yea,

I hung my head in shame again.

At least they won't starve

Sunday afternoon I asked Nate and Ben to make lunch for Jonny and Sarah. A couple minutes later a horrific smell started drifting down the hallway. I walked down into the kitchen and the smell was so strong I started to gag. Here are my four children enjoying sardines, and pickled herring on tortilla chips.

Me: "Seriously... Have you heard of PB&J?"

Ben: "PB&J is gross"

They all need therapy.

Another reason you shouldn't leave your children in my care.

I grew up with my dad who whenever I was hurt in anyway would say, "Well, it's a long way from your heart." I always wondered as a child if I had punctured my left aorta or something would I get a reaction from my dad?

Unfortunately, I have picked up a bad habit of not nurturing my children when they are injured.

Example 1 ( A couple years ago)
Nate: Mom, "I really hurt my shoulder today playing soccer at recess."
Me:" umm, I am sorry, would you like a Tylenol... What did you have for lunch today".
4 Weeks later when I try to get Nathan off the couch
Nate: "Aahhhhh ouch!! I told you I hurt my shoulder last month!"
1 day later in Dr's office
Dr. giving me a dirty look while starring at x-ray. "Well, it looks like he broke it, (another dirty look) It should have been braced, because now it has healed crooked. Wasn't he in a lot of pain?"
Me: "uhhhhhh" I hang my head in shame.

Example 2 (last week)
Ben: Hobbling in after football practice. "Mom, I really hurt my foot."
Me: "Your probably just rolled it. Walk it off, it will be fine."
3 Days later Me: "How are we supposed to go up the canyon if you don't try to put weight on it?"
Ben: "It really hurts."
7 Days later: The only foot doctor in Hamilton is having dinner at our house and looks at Ben.
Dr. Dickemore: "Hmmm you should bring him in, it looks broken. Don't let him put any weight on it."
So now I am looking at Ben who's entire leg is braced up to his knee and hanging my head in shame.

It's 2012 in Hamilton

I used to think it was the end of the world when:

: The moon is a different color than it should be

: You can't go outside due to poor air breathing conditions, hence causing all Recess, bbq's and sports practices to be cancelled..(actually maybe that isn't a bad thing)

:You can't turn your swamp cooler on in 90 degree weather

: I can't take my morning jog... ha ha ha just kidding

But I have now realized it is not the end of the world. It is just living in the middle of a forest when it is on fire.

A first time for Everything

We have had a lot of "Firsts" in the last couple weeks.

We explored an old mining ghost town. Sadly the abandoned school doesn't look that different from Grantsdale Elementary. Ha ha I am just kidding.. I love the school here complete with chicken coop


Thanks to Uncle Mike a.k.a. "Maverik". Nate went on his first plane ride.


This last weekend Dave and I went on our first date to a gas station. Yes, you heard me right. You would go on a date there too, if your gas station had a new cool machine that can make happy Reeses shakes out of nothing but a machine and 2 inches of frozen stuff in a cup.

This morning was our first day of school. I know it is late by comparison to the entire nation, but we can't get in the way of the Ravalli County Fair can we?

Jonny introduced himself to his teacher by saying.. "You can call me by my french name Jean... you know like Jean val Jean". Ok, no more musical theatre for Jonny.

The joys of summer

We have had an amazing summer. There is so much to blog about, I am not sure where to start. Just this last week we had an amazing visit from my Aunt and Uncle(aka MAVERIK) and oh yes, I was able to re-live my Top Gun days again. We picked huckleberries, ate lots of food, and saw some of the happy wilderness here. (It is so much cooler seeing our little town from the air, it almost looks bigger from a plane)


Earlier in the summer one of my bestest friends came out to see for herself all the craziness and hopefully meet the lady who is in love with John Wayne. Even though we didn't meet the Duke lover we did have an amazing time. We traveled to the happiest candy store ever, played lots of cards where I totally dominated, and just enjoyed all that my little town has to offer. Since she describes it so much better than I can I will refer you to her.
Big Sky Country

The Return of Little league Football

Oh Yes, I know you are all excited that we started another Montana football season yesterday. For some, you might not remember me trashing on the coach last year to the crazy be-dazzled hat football mom only to find out that she was married to the coach. I thought my first day yesterday was an improvement.

Crazy mom sitting by me "So we are so lucky to get "so and so" for a line coach."

Me: uhhh, why is that?

Crazy Mom: (Looking like I should know already) He was a Bobcat!!

Me: (In my head I am saying.. bobcat, bobcat...yea, that means nothing to me)
So, should I know who the Bobcats are?

Crazy Mom: (another look) They are the hated enemies of the Grizz!

Of course how could I not know the small college in Missoula has hated enemies called the bobcats and they used to have a player in the 80's who is now our line-coach. We are indeed lucky.

Sidewalk chalk.. not just for pre-school

When I went out to see if my fire pit had miraculously returned, I found this instead right by where the the "stealing of our fire-pit" occured. Upon closer observation I realized that instead of hauling irrigation pipe the boys channeled their pre-school selves and spent the hour playing with side-walk chalk.

Even Dave got into the spirit by writing a 20 foot " I love Jill" in our drive-way. Maybe they will break out the play-dough tomorrow.

The Fire Pit Felony

Doesn't everyone realize that today is National S'more Day? So you can imagine my distress when I went out into my backyard yesterday and realized that someone has stolen my fire pit.

Exhibit A.

This is wear the fire pit used to be.

Now, I admit it wasn't the most glamourous of fire pits, but it did the job. How are we supposed to have our anual "Last day of School Book burning party" So, I hope whoever stole my fire pit is reading this and feels bad that I will not be able to make s'mores on "National S'more Day" and I will have no-where to burn our books.

A Culinary Masterpiece

Some of you probably prepare your steaks the old fashion way. A little dry rub and throw them on the grill right? Well, my friends, today I will share a culinary secret that will change you life. Last night we deep fried our steaks. I don't think I can ever go back. Trust me, it now ranks right up there with the deep fried Twinkies. If any of you come and see me, I will deep fry a steak for you. (I know your all running to pack your bags)

The Goose Attack

We have a hit and miss record when it comes to life changing Family Home Evenings. Lately it has been all of us watching "The next food network Star" Jonny gets so upset every week that Vic Vegas might go home. So last night we were so excited to be invited to go fishing with the Hawkes family (a.k.a. happy gas station owners) for FHE. There isn't a lot to do besides fishing for FHE, (well except the food network) Anyway, we were just minding our own business enjoying nature...

When from out of nowhere a very aggresive goose started to attack. What is up with me and crazy animals trying to kill me? examples: demon squirrels from Denver, Pitbulls, and now this crazy goose. I am not exagerating when I say he was chasing us. In fact Brian saved us all by running to get the riding lawn mower and forcing it back to it's demon pond.

I know he doesn't look vicious, but trust me, when this thing is chasing you it is quite scarry. I think next week we should invite the Hawkes over for a safe evening of watching the Food Network.