Keepin up with the Jones'

Actually the Dillons, Olsens and Parkers. We have officially joined the "Stitches" club. This was our first experience with stitches and kids. So today Preston was giving Emma (who is 2 years older but only 2 lbs heavier) a horsey ride. Well he decided to take her from the living room to the kitchen having to cross the entry way which is tiled. Well something happened and before I knew it, crying, screaming and then I saw it... the BLOOD. Initially I thought he just bit his tongue but then upon further investigation, I saw the deep slice in his chin. Luckily Justin was home because I panicked like any mother does in situations like these. He figured we could just stick a band aid on it and call it good, but after we stopped the bleeding and I calmed down a little, I decided to call the pediatrician. They said to bring him in cause cuts on the chin have a tendency to keep splitting open. So we took him in and WOW what a sport. No crying at all. He just laid on the table while they cleaned, numbed and stitched that little cut up. What a trooper. I don't know that I necessarily liked watching them stitch, but I wasn't about to leave my baby's side. He got a candy cane and a sticker and we were on our way.

All is well now and on Christmas eve we will be back in to have the stitches taken out. It seems that we aren't the only ones lately to have this happen. I guess I should just be grateful that it was only 3 stitches and nothing worse. Of course I am documenting this for my kids to read years from now, so there are pictures. This is a warning if you have a weak stomach. Too late though you've probably already seen them.

Emma was so sweet through the whole thing, so concerned for her little brother. Later after all the trauma, I found them like this.

Join in the fun!

Join in the fun! Copy and paste the list. Bold the things you have done...
Found this on my friend Moira's blog. I love stuff like this.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain depends on what you consider a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo Karaoke in my family room with no one listening
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea Does watching it on the beach in Tahiti count?
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables No, but I can grow some mean basil
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight every night with Justin. Oh was that too much info (just kidding)
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill does ditching school to go shopping count?
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
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 Well kind of
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing Aspen Grove's Rock wall
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke Oh yeah baby
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa (hopefully soon)
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance Yes... It was so "ER"ish
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 Wheelin' in my Pathfinder
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
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. Pieced a quilt
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
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 Front page of the USA Today
85. Read the entire Bible (I tried on my mission but not completely)
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous He wasn't famous when I knew him, but went on a date with Aaron Ekhart (two face from the new Batman movie)
92. Joined a book club (No thanks!)
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. Made amends with someone who offended you
101. Flew in a small Cessna plane with just you and the pilot
102. Ran out of gas While I was doing my drivers training.
103. Eaten fried okra
104. Swam in the Caribbean Sea
105. Peed in a swimming pool
106. Rented a beach house
107. Hosted an exchange student
108. Been a Secret Santa to a family in need
109. Worked on a political campaign I was president of my elementary school in 6th grade
110. Coached a sports team
111. Baked bread from scratch I don't know that it was edible though
112. Driven from coast to coast
113. Paid off all of your debt
114. Roast marshmallows over a campfire Nightly in our backyard in the summertime
115. Cut up a credit card Yeah, but then I taped it back together
116. Drove a car through a flood
117. Been on t.v
118. Seen the twin towers.
119. Been to ground zero
120. Been on top of the Empire State Building
121. Lived outside of the United States

Now add something that's not on this list and keep it going, if you'd like.

Oh, Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

Wow! What a busy month. I really have not had time to do much blogging between yearbook yourself, elf yourself and photo booth I have been busy. I finally have a chance to post some serious stuff. I will just randomly try to cover the real stuff that I've been busy with. First off, because I want to enter a contest on Tip Junkie, here is a post about my Christmas tree.

Story behind the tree... I am a light fanatic! For the first 9 years of our marriage we bought a real tree and I spent hours wrapping every branch with 100's and 100's of lights. I begged every year to get a pre-lit tree and finally 3 years ago when we moved into a new house, my husband gave in (granted I had to promise we would still have a real tree in the other room). Well we have a tall vaulted ceiling in our living room and I though it was perfect for a 12' tree. Does anyone realize how tall and wide a 12' foot tree is? It's giant! It is a beautiful tree, but I don't know what's worse, wrapping a 8' tree with lights or fluffing and decorating every branch of a 12' tall, 6' wide tree. It is a love/hate relationship.

It is a beautiful tree though and as long as I can keep my kids away from decorating it, I love it once it's decorated.

We have a snowflake theme going on and I am very into the glitter this year. I have a hard time keeping the same theme every year so at the end of the season I buy new decorations on sale that go with some of my ornaments so that I can rotate and get a different look every year without having to buy all new ornaments.




The new additions this year include brown and blue stripe bows which I haven't had for years and my cute chandelier ornaments that I bought 75% off (thank you Tai Pan).


Oh, isn't it beautiful?

Of course I would feel bad if I didn't put a picture of our real tree on this post. This one is for the kids to decorate and is all theirs. The only way I participated in this was going to the store with them to buy it. The rest was them. They like it and take resposibility for it. They even remind us to water when we forget.

Another great combo

My brother posted like 10 of these on his blog. I had to try out some his styles. They just keep our family laughing.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Combining two of my favorite things

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

elf yourself

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Photo Booth

I can't find the cord for my camera to download pictures, so I haven't posted anything lately. But here I am and guess what, we have discovered photo booth. I don't know why I think this distorted pictures of my kids are so funny, but we just can't get enough. My kids come home from school and sit for an hour at a time and do this. Our computer is full of them. 



Here's a few more




I guess Justin and I even have fun with it too.

Thankful Tree

We had a "Thankful" family home evening last week. Each of the kids came up with an activity that had to do with Thanksgiving and being thankful. First Dane drew a picture of a turkey and we took turns hiding it and finding it. I was quite impressed with the hiding places they came up with. Maggie ended the game by making the paper into an airplane and hid it with the rest of the airplanes that my kids have been making (Dane has a whole laundry basket full of paper airplanes). We then did a Thankful tree (thanks Julie for the idea). Here are a few of the things we are thankful for this year:

Hugs

people that help me

trees, grass, flowers

rabbits

my house

food, water

kids who make me laugh (as opposed to those who make me mad Ha Ha)

family

army

the world and fun places to visit

beds

house

mama, dada

jobs, work

We ended the night by making hand turkeys. It was a really fun time and I loved that each of the kids played a part in the night and helped with this night.

   At this time of year I am especially thankful for my family. For a husband who supports me and loves me unconditionally. For wonderful kids who make me happy. For parents, siblings and extended family to lean on, to laugh with and to go to during times of happiness or sadness. I'm thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the opportunities it gives us to serve, to love, to grow and to learn. I'l thankful for health and the many blessings we enjoy. That we never seem to lack for the basic necessities of life. I'm grateful for friends (you all know who you are). For the many ways that you strengthen me and give of yourselves to me.  I AM GRATEFUL!

   OK, so that was a little out of character for me, but I got it out. I did my duty and now have cramps in my fingers for this long post that I have written. Signing off for now.

Fun with the Office

So I hope I'm not the only one who wastes hours and hours on this stupid computer. I have a billion other things that I should be doing right now and instead, I am mixing up faces from the office on Photoshop. I have to admit, it has been very entertaing and I have had some great laughs, but really is not what I should be doing right now. Take a look.

I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

Whooo Ahhhh

This one is dedicated to Shane.

Twilight

So I have to admit I was one of those twilight freaks who went and saw the midnight showing of the movie. It wasn't necessarily that I was counting down the days, as much as it was that I wanted to be part of the hype. My friend had rented out a whole theater and I bought 10 tickets from her and invited some friends to go. We went and had some appetizers first and then headed to the movie. It was a fight to stay awake and attentive through the whole thing, but I managed. I have read the first 3 and can't seem to find time to get through the 4th, but am really wanting to. I am a fan and I will say that I enjoyed the movie. It was entertaining, but I definitely think it could have been better. I thought Bella was great and Edward grew on me, but Carlisle and Jasper, what the heck? Did not care for them at all! I felt like they left out so many details, but I guess they couldn't make the movie too long. Over all, I liked it and would probably see it again.

I was just reading some blogs and I found this little quiz. I normally skip over these, but this one intrigued me.

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

I have to admit I think it is pretty much me. And I really liked her in the movie too. Thought Esme was great!

You are thoughtful and care very deeply for your family. A loving home is of great
importance to you and you always try to make people feel welcome. Although you have a great capacity to love, you also have a great capacity to hurt, so at times you can be
sensitive. You're firm when you need to be, but people trust your judgment and
appreciate the kind way you always handle things.

Here's something you don't see every day.

So maybe I'm searching for something to write about, but this was so bizarre, I can't stop thinking about it. I was driving home yesterday and I slow down as I pass my neighbors yard. I notice some kind of black animal on the sidewalk in front of their house and as I get a little bit closer, I notice that it is not a dog or a cat but a Pig, a big black pig. What in the heck is a pig doing wandering around our neighborhood.  Well as if that wasn't weird enough, we were coming home again today and low and behold, there it was again.  I don't know why, but I think this is so strange. So there you have it, my weird thing for today.

Boutique Time

I am preparing for two fun boutiques that emmie cakes will be participating in this week and thought it would e cool to highlight some of my favorite products from each. The first one is Sassy Mei which is held is Kent Washington, this weekend November 14-15. Check out these great things..Darling Dress by Maisy DaisyGreat Baby blankets by Baby CrushEveryone can always use another clock. Great home decor from RMBLove this fun advent calendar from simple sprinkles
If you live in the Seattle area, be sure to make the trip to Sassy Mei
November 14 and 15th
Friday:10-8PM
Saturday:10-4PM
Kent, WA~Norris Model Home


Tom and Lucy's Art Shoppe is the next show on the calendar. This is a brand new show and looks like it will showcase some great products. Of course Emmie Cakeswill be there.But check out these other fabulous products...

I think these are awesome for little kids from Quite Sweet.



These are a great idea. Love these napkin rings from A is for Apple



I know everyone of you Twilight fans needs one of these. (Just in time for opening weekend.) Home Studio

These are just a few of the great things waiting for you at Tom and Lucy's Art Shoppe
Friday, November 21 9:30-7:00
Saturday, November 22 9:30-5:00

1889 N 1700 E Lehi, UT 84043 brand new beautiful home centrally located between Lehi, Highland, American Fork.

I'm so excited to participate in these shows. It is a fun new experience for me and I am learning so much. Wish me luck!!!

Happy Birthday Justin

Happy Birthday to the greatest Dad and Husband in the world.  Justin had to work late on his birthday which didn't leave us much time to celebrate, so the kids and I made a plan. He gets 3 hours for lunch, so I decided to pull the kids out of school early enough to get home before he did and then we would surprise him and take him out to lunch. Well I think he changed his plans about 3 times and I had to think fast and make adjustments and still try not to let him know anything was up. 

Well after he said he would go get gas and meet me somewhere, I insisted that he just go straight home and then we would leave from there. He knew something was up, but he didn't know what, so he was still surprised when the kids jumped out from their hiding places. They thought it was so great. 

We had a fun lunch together and then he took off yesterday to go ride quads with friends. Hope he had a fun birthday.

Happy Birthday!

We love you!!!

I loved Preston's hiding place. He just laid down the beanbag and covered his eyes. He's at that stage where if he can't see you, you can't see him. He does is all the time. He was right out in the open.

I so need to be done catching up

So I am done with Halloween. But I feel this weight on my shoulders because I still have not even posted pictures of my kids in their Halloween costumes. We had a fun night. We started at the church with trunk or treat, which I am so anti, yet I find myself there every year dumping candy into buckets. What happened to the good ol' fashioned trick or treat? Well we got back home and Justin decided the kids needed a real Halloween experience and they went around our neighborhood to all the same people who just gave them candy at the church and gave them more candy. We then invited some friends and neighbors over for Hot Chocolate and dessert (as if we needed any more sugar). We enjoyed a fun evening and I think by now, my kids have forgotten all about the candy that I've hid (unfortunately I haven't)Emma and Brooklyn 
Alyssa, Camille, Maggie and Amber
I don't know if I'm just biased, but this has got to be the cutest girl ever!!!
Our Yee-ha guy. That's what he told me he was. This is the costume he picked out. I had nothing to do with it. He wanted to be a horse. It was pretty sweet.
The kids at the Trunk or Treat.

Still catching up

So I bet you thought I was finished with my crazy week. Sorry, there is still more to come. I wanted to put some pictures of our halloween decor, I took pics of some of my favorite things, but should have included some of the kids favorite things like the talking crow that says... "Candy? Got anything rotten?" or the talking caldron that cackles like a crazy witch. Emma likes to open her mouth wide and act like she's the one laughing.

Catching up

So much time, so little to post about. Strike that, reverse it. What a week. It has literally been one thing after the next. Since I'm not much of a writer, I think I'll just post a bunch of pics for you to enjoy and if I actually have some time to add in a few thoughts then extra bonus!!!
We went with Julie and kids to Cornbellys. The kids think this is a great place. They basically run from one fun activity to the next.



Maggie had a piano recital on Tuesday. She was asked to dress up in her Halloween costume to perform. What happened to my little princess. She's gone scary. She performed 3 numbers one of which she got to perform with Justin. They played Linus and Lucy from Charlie Brown, a favorite of our family. She did a great job and we are proud of how well she is playing.


Here we are at the Youngs. We were invited over to carve pumpkins. We had a great time. I actually enjoyed carving this year cause the older kids wanted to do it on their own, and the younger kids were totally happy just sticking Mr. Potato Head parts in theirs. Thanks Youngs for such a fun night.