High School Tag

I have been tagged to talk about my high school years.

1. Did you date someone from your school? Yes, a few different people. But then I met Jon and stopped dating people from school.

2. What kind of car did you drive? A red Mitsubishi Eclipse sports car. I saved money waitressing at Doc's BBQ my whole sophomore year and when I turned sixteen I bought my own car. I loved that car. It had a short shift and it was fun to drive.

3. What was the most embarrassing moment of high school? I don't remember. We acted crazy a lot, my friends and I . We would dress up in all sorts of weird clothes and put on crazy 80's makeup and go around town saying hi to people. I am sure something embarrassing happened at some point. I didn't get embarrassed very easy though.

4. Were you a party animal? What I wrote above was probably the craziest we got.

5. Were you considered a flirt? I would say yes.

6. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? None of those but ......

7. Were you a nerd? I don't think so but I was in a ton of different things some might consider nerdy like yearbook, seminary counsel, National Honor Society president, Miss Santaquin 1st attendant and some other stuff I don't remember right now.

8. Were you on any varsity teams? Nope.

9. Did you get suspended/ expelled? Never

10. Can you still sing the fight song? I don't think I even knew it back then.

11. Who were your favorite teachers? I had fun in several classes. I like Bro. Troyer, Mr. Howden and Mrs. Bridges.

12. Where did you sit during lunch? Where ever we felt like it. Outside, inside, Taco Time, Wendy's, Hogi Yogi, Little Caesar's, my senior year I would sneak to eat lunch with Jon sometimes.

13. What was your school's full name? Payson High School.

14. School mascot? The Lion.

15. Did you go to Homecoming and who with? I went my Junior year with umm something Stringham. I can't remember his first name. Oh wait, Craig was his name. It snowed in September and we almost got in an accident. None of the girls really liked the guys they were with so the whole night we did girl against boy games. We had a good time though.

16. If you could go back and do it again, would you? I don't think I would do it much different because I had fun. Sometimes I wish I could travel back to those times for a day or two.

17. What do you remember most about graduation? That we got to drive little race cars in the basement of our school for our all-nighter. And I was sad and happy, I knew things were about to change forever.

18. Where did you go for senior skip day? I don't even remember having a senior skip day.

19. Were you in a club? What ever I mentioned above.

20. Have you gained some weight since then? Yes, a little.

21. Who was your prom date? Junior year it was Mike Arrington. He went all out for our date. We went to FastCart (I think that is what it was called) in Salt Lake and drove really fast little dune buggy things. We got lost on the way there and it took like 3 hours to get there. It was worth the drive though. They took us to some way fancy place in Sandy for dinner. It was soooo good. I had a blast with our group even though my date was so scared he didn't say a word to me the whole day. He was even scared to dance. I guess it was his first date or something and he was really nervous. It was funny.

Jon took me to my Senior Prom. We didn't go with a group because we drove straight home from Moab (we were at the Jeep Safari, so for our day date we hiked arches) and got dressed to go to Magleby's for dinner and then to the Prom at the Provo library. Of course we had a great time but my favorite memory of that prom was Jon making up lyrics to all of the songs while we were dancing. I was laughing the whole time we were dancing, people probably thought I was crazy or drunk ( I wasn't).

22. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion? Yes, I hope I get an invite.

23. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself? Go to more football and basketball games, get out more.

I tag: Anyone who hasn't done this that wants too.

Curtains for Calvin's room

I decided to try my hand at making curtains for Calvin's room. Jon's mom showed me how to use her sewing machine and off I went. Other than a few crooked lines here and there I was pretty proud of myself since I haven't use a sewing machine since 7th grade. I got the idea of the ribbon drawstrings on some random blog. I am not sure what to think of it. I do like it better than having the curtain just hand there. Do any of you have any suggestions? Let me know what you think.

The Blue Beast's first outing

We took the Blue Beast up American Fork canyon on Saturday to see how it does offroad. Our friends Joe and Jeri took their Samurai and we went up to Forest lake, it was a beautiful ride.

I was a bit scared to tow the beast on this trailer, seeing as how it does not fit! But there was no telling Jon any different. It was quite the show watching Jon drive the beast onto the trailer without any ramps, it lifted our truck off of the ground.

We got up the canyon just fine, but then the beast wouldn't start, so here are the boys after they pushed the beast off the trailer and messed with it for 20 minutes. The problem was simple, way to simple. You see this switch, it was turned off. That is the fuel tank switch, so we weren't getting any gas.

We invited our neighbor Ed to go because he loves the Beast.

We had one more problem along the way. When we locked in the Hubs for 4-wheel drive Jon could no longer steer. So we did the whole trail in 2 wheel drive and it did great.

Here is Joe showing off in his little Sammy!

Jon was so happy we made it!

This deer was just walking around us like it was no big deal that it is hunting season.

Here is the destination, this beautiful, peaceful lake.

Relief Society Super Saturday

I went to Super Saturday a couple of days ago and I loved it. It is always so fun to try making things you haven't done before. I made this necklace and 6 cards.

Biking to the library

The other day I decided that I would take the kids on a bike ride to the library. When I got out to the shed and saw that my bike was behind the lawnmower, a stroller, two other bikes and some other junk Jon had in there I thought, I can do this. After a 1/2 hour of wrestling everything in and out of the shed I had already had a good enough workout to not go on the bike ride, but the kids were excited, so I pushed the bike around and up the drive way only to discover that it would not get past the trailer we were borrowing. So I had to get my neighbor to help me lift the bike and bike trailer over the other trailer. And finally we were off!

It was really a fun ride. We got some good movies and books for the kids and some books on CD for mine and Jon's trip this weekend. Yes, I finally planned our Vegas trip to see Phantom and Mystere. We are really excited but I was not so excited about the drive. So, whenever we have a long rode ahead we get books on CD, it makes the ride more fun. I got DaVinci Code, The giver, and the 8th habit. This is how I will catch up on "reading" good books, because actual reading in the car makes me sick.

The bike ride home was the best part. Calvin sang his little heart out the whole way home. He was making up the funniest stuff, everything from I am a Child of God to High School musical. I thought I was going to fall off the bike laughing.

I think his song went something like this:
( sorry I can't give you a tune to follow along because he was just doing his own thing, but he was singing the whole time.)
Bob the builder, can we fix it, yes we can! LoooooK at that BIG green tree
Smmertime, it's our vacation, what time is it, library time, get books and read and movies and I am a child of God and Jesus wants me for a sunbeeeeeam! To shine for him each day. Mom, there's a big truck, look at that digger and 4 wheeler. Will you buy me a biiiiig digger? Dragontales, dragontales, it's almost time for dragon tales. Book of Mormon stories that my teacher tell to me!

This went on for about 20 minutes and I loved. Next time this happens I hope you are around, Buy your tickets now for the Calvin extravaganza concert!

My first canning experience

We have had so many tomatoes and peppers in our garden that I decided I was going to research and can salsa. I have never canned anything in my life, so this was all new to me. I read about how acid levels in the jar need to be just right or you can get botulism, some of the websites made you think you were going to die. After talking to several people, I figured I would just follow a recipe and try it out.

My neighbor let me borrow her water bath canner and I went at it. Blanching and peeling the tomatoes, seeding and chopping the peppers and onions, measuring everything, putting it in the blender ( I like smooth salsa) heating the jars and lids, heating the salsa, and water bathing each jar. I chopped about 20 peppers and my hands were on fire. I even wore gloves and I was in a lot of pain until about 1 a.m. After following the recipe I decided it called for way too much vinegar and lime juice and so we added some more tomatoes and when I open the jars I will even add a couple more tomatoes. But other than that it was fun and it turned out great. I made 12 jars of salsa.

However, it was quite labor some and I decided I am just going to can tomatoes from now on to help on time and the burning of hands. Then when I want salsa, I will open some tomatoes and add some peppers that day.

Wow, Lily!

Lily hates having her hair in any sort of restraint. She is always pulling her piggy tails out or her barretts or anything I try to pin it back with. So she always has funny hair. The day this picture was taken was particularly funny though.And just for the record, the whole no binky thing didn't work so well at nap time. Lily won and got her binky back for naps. It is so nice to have her taking long naps again. I also felt bad because she has been teething for about 2 months and she loves to gnaw on that thing at night. She now has 4 teeth poking through on the top. And she is still taking about 6 steps at a time and then crawling. This has been going on for about a month. I wonder when she will decide walking is better. She said Nana yesterday when she saw a picture of BreAnna which was fun to hear. It will be fun to hear her say Calvy one day.

Calvin's first day of Preschool

Calvin has been waiting and waiting to start preschool. His first day was last Tuesday. He was so excited to go to Miss Janae's class at the Nae-borhood Preschool. She does a great job with the kids, I stayed for about a 1/2 hour and decided he was in great hands. There are only three boys in his class which is kind of sad. But he told Miss Janae after I left that "At first I was scared of preschool, but now it's just fun!" I thought that was funny since he never showed one bit of nervousness. Last week when we went to the preschool open house he walked right up to Miss Janae and said, " C-A-L-V-I-N, that's how we spell Calvin." He has been on a spelling kick lately and he just wants to know how to spell everything. "Mom, what does monkey start with?" So I say mmm and he says "oh ya, M says mmm." I think he will have a blast in school, he is always wanting to learn.

He was so excited that he wouldn't hold still for a picture, so this is the best I could get.

He loves free time for the first 15 minutes, that is when he gets to play with the tool bench.

I survived my first Primary Activity

All the planning and organizing came down to the test last Tuesday. We had 100 kids show up to a water activitiy in the park. We had so much help from parents and teachers that it really wasn't that crazy. The kids had a blast and I felt like it went really well. Hooray, for that being done with! Next up, the Primary Sacrament Meeting Program. I am a little worried about the writing of and organizing of this project but I am sure it will turn out alright. Everyone loves the primary program.

Fire in Microwave

I feel like Betty Crocker or something! On the day BreAnna got married we were heating some bacon in our microwave and all of the sudden there are sparks and flames and the inside of our microwave is on fire. The bacon was untouched but the side of the microwave was ruined. So I sat on the phone forever making an appt. with the Whirlpool technician for the next week. Needless to say, they did not show up the day they were suppose to and they were extremely late the next day. Then when they got here they said they would have to order parts and they could come back in 10 more days. Aaaah! How did our mothers and grandmothers do it. I mean just heating up leftovers takes forever! I am washing pans like crazy because everything has to be heated up in a pan. Anyways, I jokingly asked the bishop if he had an extra microwave and this morning he called and said he found one in his basement. It has only been hours and I am loving it already. I can't wait to get ours fixed but this large, older version of a microwave will do great for now. Thank you Bishop. Go ahead, I dare you, do not use your microwave for 10 days and see if you are going crazy!

Funny Talk

I love some of the things Calvin has been saying lately.

He doesn't quite know when to use her/ she and him/he yet. So he says things like "I want she to stop" when Lily is bothering him.

He also learned the song "Book of Mormon Stories" in nursery last week and all I have heard for a week is:

Book of Mormon stories that my teacher tells to me
Long ago their fathers came from far across the seas
give this man righteously

He is only missing a couple of lines but I love hearing it nonetheless. I have taught him the actions and all of the words but he likes to revert back to his version unless I am singing with him.

On Saturday we were driving up to Fairview to spend the day with the cousins and Calvin Says "Mom, will my princess Ambree be there." I said "No, we won't see her today" and Calvin replied "Well, I guess I am just going to have to get a new princess then." and he proceeded to ask who would be a good candidate of princess for the day.

I love listening to all of the things he comes up with, I need to remember to write more of it down.

Lily still isn't saying much. She is saying Uh-oh, hi, mama, dada and all sorts of gibberish. She is taking about 5 or 6 steps now before she decides to get back down and crawl. I will have to post a video sometime, it is pretty cute. We also lost her binky at BreAnna's wedding so we decided to not buy another one and just be done with it, she has been quite the grouch at nap time, but other than that she has done great.

Primary Teacher Improvement Lesson

I taught my first teacher improvement yesterday. We teach it during sharing time so I had to teach it twice. I spent a lot of time preparing and I was kind of nervous given the fact that all of the teachers are older and way more experienced then I am. Why would they want to listen to a twenty four year old tell them how to improve their classes.

I studied the book "Teaching, No Greater Call" and I learned a ton of stuff. I love that book. I found a great example that Elder Packer did at a mission zone conference in one of the chapters. I brought a cake in and I said who wants the first piece of cake before we get started. Of course I had some volunteers. It was a beautiful trip chocolate cake. I said " I hope you don't mind but I left my knife at home" and I proceeded to dig my fingers into the cake and plopped some on a paper plate. The teachers looked stunned. Then I said "Well, let me go see if there is a knife in the kitchen." I came back with a knife and cut a nice slice and set it softly on a prettier plate and said "would anyone like this piece?" Then I told them our theme for the day was "Serving" our classes. And we talked about "serving" our lessons in a way that the kids want to eat it up. It turned our really well. But I am glad it is done!

Josh and BreAnna Nixon

My sister BreAnna got married on Friday 8-8-08. It was a beautiful wedding despite the down pouring of rain right before the ceremony. Calvin was the ring bearer and Ambree was the flower girl and they did such a good job. They looked so dang cute I am sad I didn't get better pictures of them at the wedding. I can't wait to see the photographers pictures. My dad got to perform the ceremony and he did a great job. He told them to always make home a place where the other person looks forward to going at the end of the day. One of my favorite parts of the wedding was right before Calvin was suppose to give Josh the rings he went and stood right in between the bride and groom and looked up at them. It was so cute. It was a really nice day. Congrats BreAnna and Josh!

Here they are at the rehearsal dinner the night before. We went to Brick Oven which was really fun and delicious.

The Blue Beast

So, I sold my high pinion Dana 60 to some guy in Colorado on Saturday for $1000. By Sunday night, I had already found a way to spend it.

For family home evening on Monday, I bought a '76 Chevy stepside for $1000. The cool part is that it already had a Dana 60 axle swapped in the front. And I drove it home, albeit narrowly escaping the police. It's not everyday one can sell a Dana 60 and then buy another one for the same price that has a running truck on top of it.

The poor guy I bought it from was almost in tears when I drove away. He had owned the truck since he was 16 and, evidently, was very attached to it.

This truck is truly the pinnacle of redneck engineering. Most of the roll cage is made from Uni-strut and capped with Uni-strut spacers. The brake system was plumbed with compression fittings (leftover from the swamp cooler install) and the bed floor is Home Depot's finest 3/4" particle board. All unnecessary sheet metal has been removed, including the rocker panels and floor. The grill has been painstakingly crafted from some very heavy duty fencing. It even came with a CB radio which can be heard over the roar of the engine thanks to the lavishly appointed interior carpet courtesy of the living room remodel. The only things missing are the Hula dancer on the dash and the trucker girl mud flaps, but the red mirrors sort of make up for that. I think it looks great in our driveway, but Chrissy is not so sure. Hey, if the shoe fits...

Garden Success

I can't believe we have actually had a really successful gardening summer. The last 2 weeks I have eaten so many tomatoes that my mouth has canker sores, ouch! But I can't stop making salsa. We have yummy peppers and squash and our corn is almost ready to pick. This is really fun, everyone should have a garden.

6 years and counting

Jon and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary yesterday. We didn't plan a whole lot because we want to go to Las Vegas in a few weeks and see a play or some sort of show. I am rooting for Phantom of the Opera. We did drop the kids of at Grandma Nancy's and go to dinner and a movie. We have not been to a movie together for I don't even know how long. We saw Iron Man. Jon of course loved that show and I thought it was entertaining. We ate dinner at a little cafe in American Fork called Flour Girls and Dough Boys. It was really yummy. Everything is made from scratch and they gave us free sugar cookies. I am grateful to have such a helpful wonderful husband who provides for our family. Love you Jon!