Lately

"So you think you're a photographer?" I pretend I am! I love capturing all the little things with my camera. I am borderline annoying lately but I just can't stop snapping photos of anything and everything these days. One day everyone will thank me for all the memories!

We don't mess around here...... Everybody in this family has to earn their keep. We even go as far as to make our house guest chop firewood. Hey, times are tough and we can use all the free help we can get these days. Gone are the days of my beloved, "Conception" cleaning my house. Man, I really miss that woman. Jenna took her job very seriously and earned herself another night at the" Carson Casa". I may even throw in a Continental breakfast for sport..........

For old time sake..... these brothers still love to wrestle around like 12 year olds

Planks in the morning? This never happens in this house unless these two are in town. How cute are they with their vitamins, spammoosabi, and their morning exercise routine. More on the spammoosabi to come. It sounds disgusting but was actually really tasty! I'm a convert for sure..

Ivy just loves snuggling with Jenna and Uncle Ry Ry

The wooden bowl

THE WOODEN BOWL... This story touched my heart! here's to hoping it might touch yours. I just had to share this with everyone. Maybe I'm hormonal! Who cares, read it anyway. It made me cry for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in- law, and four-year-old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in- law became irritated with the mess. 'We must do something about father,' said the son. 'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.' So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?' Just as sweetly, the boy responded, 'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up. ' The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soil. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

In his own words

These are just a few of my favorites from, "The mouth of Jaxon" this month.

ON GOD: Jaxon was really frustrated the other day and kept saying that he just "couldn't remember" under his breath... I asked him what he was talking about and he told me that he was bummed out that he couldn't remember what heavenly father had whispered in his ear the night before. He thought about it a little more and told me that he thinks that it was something about his heavenly father being mad because he didn't have a picture of him in his room anymore because it must have gotten lost in the move. Then he looked at me and said, "Mom, Jesus is such a nice little fairy isn't he"?

POTTY TALK: "mom, come quick I think I just pooped out the cutest little poop I ever saw".

MY BREATH: "don't kiss me anymore because your breath is stinky and you need to brush your teeth".

SANTA: I have really been using the whole naughty list thing to my advantage this year. I threaten calling Santa at least a couple of times a day....Yesterday he said, "If you really know his phone number you would have already called him by now".

MANNERS: Ross asked him to go and get something for him and Jaxon replied, "My pleasure". I don't know why, but that one has been cracking me up for a few days now.

Epson Salt Candles......

So I know this chick who is a hairdresser/mom/retail biotch/babyfood maker who also happens to moonlight as a modern day Martha Stewart. She said I could buy candles at the Dollar Store...........Coat them with modge podge(I used elmers glue) and roll them in Epson salts, and I would have the most adorable and sparkly/snow like candles.... She was right.....I made some tonight and I can't believe how adorable they turned out. Dollar Tree here I come! P.S. Eat your heart out martha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Snow,more snow, and other important events..

Jaxy looks so hardcore in his uniform....... Not to long ago Jaxon told me that Dallin and him were going to "whoop" me with their hands tied behind their backs.... I told him that, "two against one was not any fun" and that I needed a team mate in order for it to be a fair fight. He said, " Okay then, you can have Aunt Calyn on your team". All I have to say is they better watch their backs because My sister Calyn and I don't go easy on anyone.....and that includes 4 year old's!!!

Merry Christmas you filthy animals....... and A happy new year too.

This was ivy's first time playing in the snow that she can remember... I love that it takes 20 minutes to get her dressed in her snow bunny gear for 10 minutes of play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks again mom and dad for having the patience to teach my sisters and I how to ski. Not until now did I truly understand or appreciate the time and patience stuff like that really takes!

Here's Ms. Ella in her reindeer get up. I just love torturing my animals for the sake of photography................................................................................................................................

Saturday morning Jaxon and I had breakfast with Santa... Jax was in heaven! I asked him what him and Santa talked about and he said that he wasn't going to tell me because he wanted it to be a surprise when he woke up on Christmas morning. Oh dear!!! He was seriously concerned about where Santa had parked his sleigh and if Rudolph was staying out of the snow!!!!!! I think he is a secret animal rights activist at heart!

This just may as well be our Christmas card... Why not?

I have this love for the two of them that is so intense that I almost have to stop my self from biting them. I have said this same thing about the "Big League Chew" bubble gum that comes in a weird pouch that looks like chewing tobacco. I really can't chew it like gum because it's so delicious that I have to swallow it within seconds of putting it in my mouth. Such a strange analogy but most definitely from my heart!!!!!!!!

SLUMPED???

You really want one don't you????????

"Simple elegance in entertaining"

Just what are these things?????????????

These photos do them no justice at all.........

They are cheese platters made out of slumped wine bottles!

I like to call it upcycling at it's finest!!!

These are my new hobby/moneymaking scheme! They are so much cuter in person. They are cheese platters made out of slumped wine bottles. They can also be used as a spoon rest, butter dish, change tray, etc.... They make such a great eco friendly and creative gift for anyone on your list..... drop me a line and I'd be happy to make you one. I have even figured out a way to attach a wedding invitation to the back of them so it's seen through the front. What a great wedding gift idea. I can also do this nifty trick to any glass bottle your heart so desires........

Happy Birthday Big Daddy

Happy birthday to Ross!!!!

29 reasons why I'm your biggest fan....

1. You are ridiculously handsome


2. You finally gave in to rubbing my feet and are the best at it


3. You want more kids


4. There isn't a man I know who can organize the fridge or pantry better than you


5. You make me feel so beautiful


6. Jaxon wants to be you when he grows up


7. You have huge hands


8. you give a mean spray tan


9. you can fix anything


10. you make an amazing breakfast


11. you are a great kisser


12. my very best friend


13. you can dance


14. you change diapers and make baba's


15. you have such faith in god


16. you provide us with a great life


17. you are an adventurous soul


18. and an old soul


19. you love my cooking


20. you cuddle like a champ


21. you love my family


22. you are soo honest


23. did I mention super sexy


24. you are an amazing example to our kids


25. you have such a weak spot for animals


26. I just love love love your ever loving guts


27. you call to check on me and just to say you love me


28. you make me feel like I can do anything in the world


29. I love that I really feel like I can with you beside me

From the mouth of Rod (My Father in law) Part 2

What in the world?

Tonight as Jaxon was walking over to the dinner table he casually said, " hm mm, I never knew we were supposed to skin Cinderella(Our Rabbit) put her in a big pot and eat her for dinner?". Ross and I both looked at each other like,"What The heck"??.......... "Grandpa Rod told me thats what we had to do", he told us. I asked him if he would be sad if we ate Cinderella for dinner and he said, "I guess so, she probably would be sad if we did that huh, mom?" We talked about how you don't eat your pets in bizarre detail and it was over and done. Well that's what I thought until I tucked him into bed and he asked me if Grandpa was going to use a big knife to skin the rabbit and if he wanted to use one of his pirate swords for the gruesome task. Thanks again Rod for your grandfatherly wisdom. We just love it!

"Mom, am I famous"?

Even Ivy gets in on the action at Judo. Sweet little miss Hanna keeps her entertained for Jaxon's whole class. If it wasn't against the rules of the world I would hire this first grader up to be my new babysitter...........................................................

We live in a small valley and our newspaper only comes out once a week ( Thursdays). My friend, Jill showed me the paper and low and behold there was a picture of my very own little man. It is a picture of Jaxon at his Judo class with his sensei, (whom he adores) and his Judo homeys. I showed it to Jaxon and he said, "Mom, am I really famous"? I told him he was a huge local celebrity just like his mother (ha ha). Jaxon tried the Judo thing a little more than a year ago but was a little too young to really get it. We are on round 2 of Judo now and it is going so much better. He loves it and is so proud to wear his ghee. What is a gee? That's what I said and was promptly put in my place by his sensei and a couple of the Judo moms when I called it an outfit or even better.... a (costume). I am hoping to get him hooked up with the little toe head girl in the picture. How cute is she? The whole article is about his teacher recieving an award for being the local citizen of the month and it got me thinking that I have a lot of work to do to ever be nominated for that award. That is why becoming "Valley Citizen Of The Month" will be my new goal .... I will be accepting nominations now! "The Judo Tykes"

Thanksgiving (a week in review)

Let me just say that I am so thankful for all of the many blessing I have been given. I have such great family and friends. I am so thankful for my amazing husband who knows me so well and can almost read my mind. Our little family headed to Salt Lake city on Tuesday to meet up with my dad, Erin, brother and sisters for Thanksgiving. We had such a great time shopping, eating, relaxing, and laughing together... My Dad and Erin planned everything for us and treated us to so many great meals and fun things all week. Ross and I were so THANKFUL for a 100% free vacation for sure!!! Thanks so much Dad and Erin for such great family memories.We had Thanksgiving dinner at the Sundance resort. It was delicious. I really loved not having any dishes to do at the end of the whole deal.

We took all the kids to the Gateway Discovery Center and they had so much fun. We maybe had more fun than them pretending like we were news reporters and taking pictures of ourselves! My dad and I made a great news team.

Breanne and calyn Co-anchored the morning news together.

Ivy was a huge fan of the ball exhibit

I told you she was a big fan....

Ivy's looking for more scraps of stuffing under the tables.

Ross and Trev proudly sporting their new birthday snowboarding helmets.

"Cheese balls"

The Zachary gals............

The original Zacharys

I can't even explain my love for Tepanyaki. It's semi creepy really. Who doesn't love catching hibachi shrimp in their mouth? We love it.

Better luck next time Trev!

The legend prevails once again.

We even cruised up to park City for a day. I wish we were still there relaxing and pretending like we don't have any cares in the world.........

Let's get the season started already!

Is there anything better than pulling all your special ornaments out of the box each year?

Or redecorating with candles that smell like the holidays?

I need to get Ivy some special ornaments this year. I was noticing that Jax has about ten. These are the weird things that kids will talk about later to their therapist on why they are so crazy and why their childhood sucked!

This is my new wall mural thingy that I put up over the fireplace! I just love it!

I'm all ready to serve up a Christmas dinner with my new table decor. Come on over!

Last night we started setting up early for the Christmas season. We set up the tree, messed with the lights, hung the stockings and snuggled on the couch under the lights of the Christmas tree. I don't think there's anything I love more than Christmas Time so why not get it started a little early.

Jaxon and Ivy are becoming the cutest little friends lately. I use the term, "friends" loosely!

Another way Bubba wins the hearts of her grand kids is by letting them play in the dog food. This is Ivy and Drakes fantasy coming true!

YaYa and her sleeping angel!