7 THINGS

7 Things...

Okay, JR had to remind me several times over the last couple of months to get this done so here goes.

7 Things I can do

1. Cross Stitch
2. Water Ski (not very well, yet)
3. Paint- as in walls- putting color on walls made me happy!
4. Play the piano (not very well, yet)
5. Type really fast
6. Cook with my kids
7. SLEEP

7 Things I Cannot Do

1. Tell a lie- or at least a believable lie
2. Play the violin, yet
3. Make rice krispie treats, for whatever reason the gods conspire against me every time
4. Find the phone when it rings!
5. Anything with my right hand
6. Two things at the same time
7. Wake up early to excercise

7 Things I Love About JR

1. He updated the blog and take great pictures (not very well, yet)
2. He does the sweeping and mopping
3. He has great taste in jewelry
4. He laughs so hard when he watches America’s Funniest Home Videos
5. He always says “I’m sorry,” first
6. He is a great dad
7. He is passionate about everything he does (ask him about the pinewood derby)
8. He is a handsome son-of-a-gun, and humble too!

7 Things I Say The Most

1. Have you brushed you hair? Brushed your teeth? Made your bed?
2. Erin, eat your dinner (this is a constant battle)!
3. Erin! No more candy (again, a constant battle)!
4. Hello, Iron County Attorney’s Office
5. I don’t know (when JR asks me where his stuff if)
6. Stop fighting!
7. Let’s go. I’m running late!

7 Celebrity Admiration's

1. Steve Carrell- he is so funny
2. Christina Applegate
3. Amy Poehler & Tina Fey- funny and funny
4. Gary Allan (He sings country music, Stacy)
5. George Strait- Gorgeous George
6. Patricia Arquette
7. Will Smith

7 Favorite Foods

1. Dutch Oven Potatoes
2. Pineapple
3. Crab Legs
4. Pizza
5. Cheese
6. Popcorn- you know the run of the mill Carmel, Super Buttery, & Kettle Corn
7. Chocolate- I have a piece every day
   

TAGGED

When you do your tag copy the list, things that you have done need to be bold if you havent done it do not bold it.

1. Started your own blog (I agreed to start Amy’s blog and didn’t know what I was getting myself into).
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than could afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a Praying Mantis
10. Sang a solo0 every day in the shower.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child (sometimes I wonder if Erin is adopted).
16. Had food poisoning (I still cringe and the thought of a cherry turnover).
17. Been to the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on a train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch Hiked- When your brother throws the motorcycle keys into the hay field there aren’t many other options.
23. Taken a sick day when you are not ill (The longer I work the more convinced I am that I must be sick in the head).
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (We had an irresistible pond behind my home when I was a kid).
27. Run a Marathon (Thought this would be a good idea… for a minute).
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset (Enoch affords ample opportunity for this).
31. Hit a home run – Dido on Jarod’s comment; I assume we are talking baseball but I guess it is yes both ways.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (Cedar City is as far back as I remember any of my ancestors).
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.
38. Seen the leaning Tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo's David.
41. Sung karaoke – I couldn’t keep the microphone from shocking me while taking a shower.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling- Mexico jellyfish don’t play fair.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater (with my mom... as a kid and stiill scarred for life at extra curricular activites going on all around).
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the great wall of China.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served in a soup kitchen.
61. Sold girl scout cookies (black market in the MTC. Hey, maybe I have done #57).
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Got flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood- desperate times call for desperate measures in the mission field.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a check.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Tied a quilt- not the whole thing. My attention span was too short.
73. Stood in Time Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon.
80. Published a book.
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
85. Read the entire bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had Chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life- arrested this sweet soul 3 weeks later.
90. Sat on a jury – they don’t like me, ha, ha, ha.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Join a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby- helped make one though.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.9
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Visited Italy.

After conferring with the boss it was decided that Stacy, Amanda, and Julie are the lucky ones to be tagged.

Tyrel's Mom Is How Old?

It was an eventful week at our house. Most historic was Amy’s 25th birthday. I signed a contract limiting any further comments about this event. This contract does not forbid the use of a snappy post title. Someone forgot to read the fine print.

Saturday was Tyrel's day- all day. We started the day bright and early with the ever popular Pinewood Derby race. These past few weeks we have held intermittent building episodes. Erin, was insistent that she get to build a car too. When the dust settled from our craftiness we had two distinct and unusual cars. I felt lucky that we escaped this event making only 2 cars with no last minute catastrophes; last year Erin dropped Tyrel’s finished car the day before the race.

So the Cub Scouts raced away and a good time was had by all. It wasn’t until after the race that I realized I had not used graphite on Tyrel’s car. We weren’t sure where he placed but we do know he won some races and lost 2.

We had barely recovered from Pinewood Derby when mania when it was time for basketball. Tyrel and the Bolts played to have fun. It is funny to see how each boy perceives the progress of the game. One boy had played the entire game up to that point (nearly half-time) and had made several points (no passes, just points). With 9 players on the team it is a bit of a juggling act to see that they each get equal playing time. It was time for this boy to come out. Curious and maybe a bit frustrated he asked, “Why did you take me out? I was doing good!” Another boy announced to me after 2 consecutive sprints up and down the court that he was ready to come out. He promptly exited the court, sat down, and started swilling Gatorade from his sports bottle. Yet another player told me of his problem- everyone would run to him when he had the ball and he couldn’t “…shoot or nothing.” My favorite is the little player who always rushes to take the ball out of bounds after the other team scores but will only pass to you if you agree to pass it right back to him. This all reinforces the fact that basketball is indeed just a game.

Finally, there is our weather issue. The typical January thaw has extended itself to the point where I now have spring fever. A couple of days this week it has nearly reached the 50’s followed by rain Thursday and Friday. Here is to hoping for more rain but knowing it will probably be snow by morning.

Tagged

JR has been after me to finish the couple of times I have been tagged. Here is my first:

Rules are: Anything you have done has to be in bold. How much have you done?

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii- Jarod & Stacy were gracious hosts
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you could afford to charity- Does buying Girl Scout cookies count?
7. Been to Disneyland :)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a Praying Mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Been to the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill- Persective is key. I choose to call them preventative care sick days (aka going to the spa)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb- They don't taste good raw.
26. Gone skinny dipping- Don't knock it until you try it ;-)
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse- My eyes have never been the same.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance(not for myself)
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud- #52 degraded to #53.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies- Usually just buy my food storage here instead.
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Tied a quilt- I am from the "Mother Town"
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person- this is a big hole.
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox- this is a better experience when you share.
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Visited Italy

I tag the husbands of Amanda, Stacy, & Julie. Getting this information may be painful but I believe in you girls.

Writers Block

Admittedly I have experienced a drought. Although there is no lack of material and happenings in our family for whatever reason I have been unable to reduce them to words on a page. With more effort than I care to admit I am going to charge blindly ahead on this entry.

Tyrel lost another tooth but opted to wait to put it out for the tooth fairy until after he had the chance to gloat in front of Erin.

Tyrel and I have been busy building pinewood derbies. We decided to get an earlier start on the cars (yeah, I said cars, plural) this year so we aren’t spraying the final coat of paint and then baking it in the oven to cure ½ hour before race time. You’ll notice I also mentioned cars. We prescribe to the philosophy that if one is good two is better and so on. Truth be told, we will probably have 3-4 cars built and Tyrel will race whichever one he likes the most.

Basketball for Tyrel is also in full swing. His team has struggled to say the least. So far each team we have played seems to have one kid who is about a foot taller than everyone else and plays ball like Michael Jordan. Bloodletting is the word that comes to mind. The boys on Tyrel’s team don’t seem to mind and are happy to be sweaty and tired after each game.

Erin never seems to have any fewer than 3 art projects going at one time. Without question, the smallest person in the house monopolizes the most space. Lately there seems to be a painting project on the bar, a couple of coloring projects in the works on the table, and drawing going on in her bedroom. We fight a losing battle to get her to clean up just one of these in any given day. There is little question she will be doomed to live a life of poverty as few artists make enough money to be wealthy.


While helping Erin brush her teeth I gave her a toothpaset unibrow. We both thought it was funny but lost control when she posed for this photo.

Finally, Amy and I have self-diagnosed ourselves with the winter blues. With memories of Hawaii still fresh in our minds and no planned tropical vacation in the future we have agreed to be discontents with winter.

HOW 'BOUT THOSE UTES!

CHRISTMAS, EARLY TO RISE THEN EARLY TO BED

Christmas festivities began early at the Robinson abode. Amy stated she heard Tyrel scampering around early in the morning. At one point, she opened her eyes to see Tyrel standing in our bedroom doorway just waiting. As it was too early, Amy told him to go back to bed.

After an eternal 15-20 minutes Tyrel was up pitter-pattering about again. His strategy had changed and he opted to wake Erin. If one thing could be said about Erin it is that she in NOT afraid.

Without a second thought, Erin was in our bedroom and getting us up to start the day’s activities. Amy and I could see we would have better luck trying to hold back the tide, so the fun started.

Without question, gifts were bestowed on Tyrel and Erin beyond any credit they had banked during for being good during the last year.

We then made a pilgrimage to the Mother Town for breakfast at my parent’s house with extended family. I look forward to these gatherings as it gives me a chance to catch up on the family scoop. I am sure Amy would vote that I use these audiences to air my latest stories from work. Either way, it is engaging conversation.

More visiting and food followed at the Amy’s parents long after the sun had set. We then made our way home with 4 very tired people in one car.

Our Christmas ended with and unplanned event; the power went out. We broke out the candles and portable DVD player as the kids wanted to watch their newly acquired movie, Horton Hears a Who. As this was the only activity going we were a captivate audience for a while. When the battery of the DVD player went dead it was a natural time to go to bed.

Our day ended with everyone in the Robinson house going to be around d 7:30 pm. As none of us had a chance to take a Christmas Day nap, how can you write a better ending to a Christmas Day?