Ah, the memories

First let me apologize about the quality of the photos.  I came across a few pictures I thought I would share as I was cleaning out my "stuff" boxes.  The first is a before shot from the infamous video of all of us falling down Grandma's stairs.  It looks like Amber was the one who caught it all on tape!  Let's point out a few highlights: Nat, always with the colored socks!  At least when there was a package of socks purchased, the purple and turquoise got just as many turns as the white and black.  Notice Stevie's face: a little bit of an actor if I do say so myself, and are those pink short he has on?  Autumn and Age, loved those polka dot outfits!  This event still brings a smile to my face!

Next we have the picture of a reconnaissance mission.  The only one missing from the picture is Moq.  Where were you Moq?  I believe this was Easter (notice the candy bags, although I am shocked Ryan has anything even left in his baggie), and the majority of the family was on their way back from California?  The car broke down, and several of us had to come and rescue the stranded family.  Smashing bibs Joe.  You know those were hand me downs, that he was just praying would be his one day.

Do any of you have pictures you would like to share?  Age in particular, something with a bonnet on it? 

IT'S A BOY!

Nat & Aric are having a boy!! We are so excited!  That means 3 boy cousins all the same age.  Congratulations!

A Must Read

For those of you who have not watched the news seen Oprah or even surfed the internet lately let me introduce you to Randy Pausch. Randy was a professor of computer science at Carnegie Melon University. He was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer and only given a few months to live. He was asked to give a "last lecture" at his university. He decided to give his lecture on achieving childhood dreams. Anyway I was introduced to this book and his last lecture at work. Soon after I read his book "The Last Lecture" I read it in like a day I could not put it down. So anybody who is looking for a great read I highly recommend this book. It has to be good for me to learn how to use this blogging thing to recommend it. If you really enjoy it let me know. Also, Randy is still alive he recently spoke at the Carnegie Melon commencement and his next goal is to make it to Fathers Day to spend it with his three kids. I guess I can say after reading this book I truly have been counting my blessings.

Baby Crew is here!

Crew Jake Behling

May 20, 2008

6 lbs., 1 oz.

18 inches

Congrats Autumn & Jake!

Recipes

I am trying to make a menu for the next month or two! I need all the recipes I can get! Anything will do, grilled cheese sandwiches will even do. I really do enjoy cooking, it's the coming up with the idea part that I dislike. When I have compiled my menu I will share it with those who would like.

A Note to the Parents

Mom and Dad:

We would sure like to hear your comments on our blogs.  The kids would too.  They look at the pictures and read the comments as well. I'm threatening to say some more mean stuff about John Denver and possibly Marty Robbins if you don't start commenting.

My cleaning and organizing must haves!

I thought I would share a few of the things that make my life easier.  I would love to hear what makes your life easier too!

I have this dry erase calendar board in my kitchen (it's also magnetic).  Every family member is assigned a different color so that it makes it easy for them to see their weekly schedule.

These clorox drop in tablets are placed in the toilet tank.  It keeps your bowl clean for weeks at a time, and really cuts down on scrubbing!  Just be careful if you have little hands that still like to swish around in the toilet!

These wipes I cannot do without!  I have them under each sink in the house.  The kids are expected to wipe down their sinks and toilets each morning (this really cuts down on my scrubbing time).  Also great for counters, doorknobs, lightswitches.  Anywhere that kids get germs.  You can get different brands that aren't as expensive, and they also have them in bulk at Costco.

A lady in my ward recently told me she organizes her whole closet with these cascading hanger organizers.  She hangs a pair of pants or a skirt and then all the shirts, jackets, etc. she wears with the pants above it on the same hanger organizer.  So it makes it really simple to find an outfit to wear. Each organizer has 2-5 outfit possibilities.  It also really cuts down on closet space.  You could also just organize it by clothing type: all pants, all short, all T-shirst, etc.  I haven't tried this one yet, but I'm going to.  I am going to do Brityn's closet as well to cut down on mismatched outfits she puts together.  You can get these at amazon.com, but they might even have them at Walmart or Target.

What are your must haves?