10 Things I Can't Live Without

Tagged by Tasha...now for the 10 things I can't live without!!!

(Please understand that these are not necessarily in order of importance. My computer at work isn't cooperating and letting me rearrange the pictures. Although the first two are where they belong, the others make me look a little superficial. It's a tag, people...don't get too carried away.)

Kids and Hubby are of course intertwined here. I've had to try and live without Hubby from time to time and I'm no good at it! He's my best friend and the best dad ever.

And of course, as much as I gripe about the kiddos, I'd be lost without them. They are the reason I laugh and cry all day long.

I do EVERYTHING on my mac. It's my email, my bill pay, my picture storage, my music holder, my direction finder, my blog provider, and holds the 300+ pages of the book I hope to someday finish writing!

This is water to me. No other explanation needed.

The Manti Temple is one of my favorite places to go. It's a reminder, a reprieve and the only place on earth I feel totally at ease.

This is the greatest set of books ever! The more I read, the more I enjoy. I take them everywhere and when I start to think I can't do it anymore, I open them up and realize I can!


My tub. It's almost as peaceful as the temple, depending on who's on the other side of the bathroom door and what they're screaming, beating up on or decimating.

My Chi. OK, maybe I could live without it if I had to, but it wouldn't be pretty. I'd look like a white Tina Turner.

Duh. Who can live without one of these nowadays? I'd like to think I could but I know I couldn't. And I wouldn't even want to try.

And of course, my BMW (Big Mormon Wagon). This is where I spend 90% of my waking hours. It's big enough for the whole fam, the dog, a Costco and Tai Pan run all at once. Someday I'll downsize but in the meantime, I really like knowing that if you run into me, chances are I'm going to win.

Now, I tag Kelly, Lisa, Boo, Cam, Summer, the other Amy, Tamber, Nanette, Nicole and Debbie (and anyone else who wants to play!)

Warm Weekend and Josh's Pics

This weekend we got to go down to Kanab for Fall Break. Hubby and #1 and #2 spent all day Friday cleaning up Great Grandma's old yard for the new buyers. The boys worked so hard and made $50 each! The weather was warm and it was A LOT of work so I wasn't sure if they would do well but they surprised us. Nothing like a little cash motivation! I had my camera in my purse all weekend and still forgot to get any good pictures!

On Saturday we went to St. George to help Brooke and Dustin finish moving into the new place. I had the really hard job of shopping at Tai Pan for cute stuff to decorate the basement wall. Bummer.

Grandpa and Grandma took the kids back to Kanab for us and Hubby and I were able to do a little shopping at the mall and grab dinner at my fave...Cafe Rio...before heading back to Kanab ourselves.

Sunday we got to visit with Great Grandpa and Grandma Leach for a little while before heading to church to make faces at Grandpa McAllister up on the stand.

The weather was beautiful all weekend and even though Hubby didn't get much of a vacation, we had a good time and it was good to go south for a bit.

Josh and Kristen spent their long weekend at Zion's while Grandma and Grandpa Shelton tended little Leah. Josh sent me a few of the incredible pictures he took. I had to brag and post them here. He's got a knack.

DRUG FREE Wannabes and fRIdaY (wEdNEsdAy) NiGHt LIgHts!

Wednesday was Drug Free Day at school and they had a contest to see who could wear the most red. The McAllister boys took the challenge seriously. They donned their finest (PWT) red gear along with their red face paint and hair spray. They even duck taped their shoes red.

Mr. Stewart, #1's teacher, asked the class if anyone thought they could challenge #1 in the "Wear Red" day. One girl stood up and Mr. Stewart laughed and said, "Sit down...not even close." Then Mr. Heath, #2's teacher, held a vote between the top three red wearers. Apparently the other two didn't receive a single vote but #2 garnered every last hand in the class. It makes a Momma proud!

Later that afternoon the little people and I made the 4 hour drive down to San Juan for the last regular season football game. We stopped in Monticello to see my two favorite families there. We stopped at Alisa's first where #3 made fast friends with cute Ellie.

Alise and I only had an hour or so but it was worth the four hour trip to see her and meet Kooper for the first time!

Loren (#1's first love) and baby Kooper. #1 was pretty excited to see a pic of his toddler crush all grown up!

Here's #4, Jade (who's only two months older than #4), #3 and Ellie (who is two months older than #3). My kids can't wait till we can go back for another visit with their new friends.

After the quick recap session, we headed down to the game where Sumer and fam met up with us. Emmry and #4 are both the youngest and only girls with three older brothers. Look at their poses...they are two peas in a pod!! (and only 4 days apart)

Sumer with Emmry, Brayson, Austin and Gage. Austin was mortified that I would stand in front of a football crowd for a picture...all in the name of blogging, baby!

#1 and 2 were the water boys for the game. They didn't change out of their sweet red gear but did a great job keeping our team hydrated! We lost the game but because of the way other games in the region played out, we took second place in region! GO RAMS!! We get a bye this week then it's State Football. This is our best season yet...congrats, boys!

Alise and Sum- I miss living close. It was a highlight to see you and your families. We need another girls trip soon. Any good concerts headed to Chicago? Love ya!

Labor Dayin', Piano Playin', Pumpkin Weighin' Kids

Once again my pics are all backwards! I'm too lazy to mess with rearranging them once I upload them! Some of these are a little late but you know what they say...

For family night a couple of weeks ago, my brother Josh and his wife Kristen joined us with their cute little Leah at the pumpkin patch. We all took a hayride through the field and then picked the biggest pumpkins we could carry. After the hayride, the kids rode around in the kiddie train.

#3 guarding his treasures from any unforseen pumpkin bandits.

The worst picture on the post of #3 and 4 riding in the train after the sun went down.

Goofy, I mean, #1 showing off his indian corn.

Why I love this little girl...

#2 and his big ole' squash.

#1 and 2 at the corn field.

Kristen and Leah on her first trip to the patch.

Pumpkin Heaven!!!

Leah Lou Hoo hoards her gourds.

Dorkus and Leah

Josh, Kristen, Leah, #2, #3 and Hubby on the hayride.

Yummy indian corn!

"If I try hard enough, I KNOW I can unscrew this cob!"

Leah Lou Hoo with her pick.

The McAllister clan after a successful pumpkin spree.
(Check out #4...pretty proud of herself!)

For Labor Day this year, my parents came down and we all went on a hike up Bullion Canyon in Marysvale to to this awesome waterfall. Thank heavens we have Josh to tell us about all this cool stuff around here! Even granny Shelley made the treacherous hike without falling and tearing, breaking or bruising anything. We were so proud. The only bummer was missing Lisa and her family. We'll have to do it again sometime...

The little fam at the falls. It was a great day!

And last but DEFINITELY not least, #2 started piano lessons against his will last week. It's hard to get in with any local teachers and since #1 is back in guitar, #2 got the only spot. He told me on the way he wanted to quit piano. I told him you can't quit something you don't even start. After I picked him up, he was all grins telling me how awesome it was. He's even practiced every day without being asked. I'm so proud of ya, Jarr!

Flag Football

The 2008 flag football season came to an end last week. Hubby, the football coach, won't let them play tackle yet (even though the only one who could is #1, but that's his rule) so they live for flag.

#2 trying to avoid any flag handlers.

#2 throwing down field.

#1 running the ball. Notice the tongue pushing against his cheek. He gets that from his dad.

#1 trying to decide his next move.

This is a less than ideal picture taken with my phone (Guess who forgot her camera...again!). #1's team ended up champs in their age division. #2's age doesn't do a tournament but they took 2nd overall. It was a pretty fun season! Thanks to the great coaches, Jamen and Jed who took the time out to coach these boys!!

Capitol Reef Field Trip

Every year the fifth graders take a day trip to Capitol Reef. This year there are so many 5th graders that parents were informed that while they were welcome to come, they would have to drive themselves as there was no room on the bus. I asked #1 if he wanted me to go and he said, "Nah. It's no big deal."
The night before, as I was getting ready to work my night shift, he asked if I would PLEASE go. Luckily, the girls at work helped me out and I was able to get home by 3am and to the elementary by 6:45am.
I was a little worried about driving the hour and a half alone on so little sleep but Kelly offered to drive us both. I have to say, that was a blessing. I had the BEST time riding with her, laughing the whole way there and back. Not to mention, she is the sole reason I am back to blogging. She reminded me of all the wonderful reasons we blog, even though it does take up some time. Thanks, Kell, for a great day, great inspiration, and lots of laughs. (Oh, and thanks for the pictures I stole off your blog since I forgot my camera...AGAIN!)

Kycen, Koy and #1 deciding it's probably not very cool to do the polka. Kelly, being the good friend that she is, didn't get a picture of me doing my rendition of the polka, embarrassing the snot out of these three boys. (Well, maybe she did get a picture but she was kind enough not to post it on her blog!)

Mr. Stewart's class sitting in the first school house in Fruita. The kids were able to go to several workshops and learn various things about early life in Utah. Oddly enough, there was a ceramics class taught by none other than Mr. Andy Watson, my high school ceramics and jewelry teacher.

In an attempt to completely plagiarize Kelly's blog, I want to thank Braxton for letting me come. There won't be many more field trips that I'm invited on and I thoroughly enjoy hanging out with him and his friends. He has the greatest group of friends that crack me up - and luckily - still don't get too embarrassed by my dance moves.

Gooseberry, baby!

For those of you who aren't fortunate enough to live in our area, let me explain Gooseberry (pronounced goooz-berry). Every year the third graders load a bus and head up the canyon to the Gooseberry camp ground for an overnighter. The fact that there aren't rules or laws against this in this day and age is a miracle in itself. The fact that every third grader makes it home alive the next morning is another. Parents are invited (begged) to attend and chaparone their child and a small group of parentless kids (hoodlums).

Here we have Lucas (left), Brodee and #2. They're showing how tough and prepared they are to take on Annie Bangs. Annie Bangs is the ghost of a young girl that died at Gooseberry in the 40's who comes to the third grade camp every year, scaring the holy crap out of the kids. No lie - teenagers come and dress in a red dress and long blonde wig and streak through the camp after the kids all sing songs about her. Right before bed. Again, how this is legal is beyond me. But I pray they never change it. It is HILARIOUS to watch these tough kids hide behind their moms and dads when Annie dashes through the forest. It's a rite of passage that every third grader in the district looks forward to. They get back to school the next day and start scaring the living daylights out of the second graders that will get to go next year.

#2 and I sitting at an ATV class. The majority of the two days at Gooseberry are spent at classes like Stream Ecology, Forestry, ATV Safety, Mapping, Fire Safety, etc. They really learn a lot in two days.

#2 and I lucked out this year. All of the boys usually sleep in a giant rec hall with all the dads. All the girls get smaller cabins they share with their moms. Since moms can't stay with boys in the rec hall, and boys can't sleep with the girls in the cabins, #2 and I stayed with Haley and Brodee in their trailer. We had a blast! The boys zonked at around 10pm and Haley and I stayed up talking. Around 1am #2 sat up and asked,
"Are you two ever gonna shut up?"
At which point Brodee woke up and said,
"Jar, that's why you never go camping with girls!"
At least we're providing good morals at an early age!

As luck would have it, we got rained on almost the entire first day. Add cool mountain temps and you get pretty nippy! Haley, Kenzie, Kamree and I all huddled close to stay warm.

After a successful Annie Bangs encounter, the boys once again show what they're made of in Haley's tub.
Thanks for letting me come, Jar. I had a blast...rain and all!