Autumn

Thanksgiving at Nan's

Our Pumpkin Patch

The Incredible's

Autumn Leaves

The Magic Kingdom

32 is HOT

A shout-out to my honey Herb to say Happy Birthday!

Daddy-Kid Date

Herb and I have decided to take the kids or a kid out on a "date" once each month to get some good one-on-one time with them. Herb started us out in August by taking the kids to Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Meet Emily the HSM Dog and Troy the Basketball Koala. This was our first encounter with Build-A-Bear. Tip: don't let anyone fool you that you can get a $10 bear...we'll need to budget more for the next "kid date" at BABW. All budgeting aside, Lizzy and Marty had a blast with their dad, he was Hero Herb for the day and a he can still be found collecting the pieces to Emily and Troy from around the house to ensure they are being properly cared for by their owners. :)

And the summer ends...

Is it the BEST weather lately?! I love 70-80 degree days. It is so pleasant to be outside. The heat of the sun even feels nice and there's a cool breeze. Love it!

Our summer is ending nicely, we're highly anticipating fall and our Halloween trip to Disney Land. Here's what we've been up to for the last month.

Emergency Room: August 24th/25th we had to take Marty to the ER in the middle of the night beacause his airway was so restricted that he couldn't breath. He just had the croup, but he always gets strider severely when he has croup. This time they had to give him a breathing treatment along with the steroid. The whole week whenever he would cough or feel his breathing strained he would say, "Daddy's has to take me to the hospital so they can help me breath." He was a good sport, we're happy her recovered quickly.

School Starts...again: Lizzy went back to school again on September 8th. She really loves her teacher, Miss Nielsen, who became Mrs. Rogers yesterday. Lizzy was so excited to go to the wedding reception last night. Mrs. Rogers promised the class that if they were good while she was away they could have a party and invite "Mr. Rogers." Lizzy had a tender moment at school the other day, they were writing what they were grateful for and Lizzy wrote "Jesus" and drew a Christus style drawing of Him. We've gotta remember moments like those, and save them up for the teenage years. :)

First day of Preschool: Marty started preschool on September 3rd. He goes for 2 hours on Wednesdays to Miss K's Preschool. So far he says he likes playing outside, singing time, and he always tells me what he had for a snack and who the Busy Bee was for the day.

YW movie: Oh boy...I made my first ever DVD photo slide show movie of YW camp and it quite seriously consumed the entire second half of August for me. I learned a lot about Windows Movie Maker, and the end result was quite pleasing. I hope the girls will watch it and remember the spirit they felt and the good times we had at that amazing camp.

Summer Reading: I've continued on my reading streak lately. I am such a sucker for romance. I've really been enjoying the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series the last week or so. Its' been fun to start a book group. Hopefully it will help me branch out into other types.

Lost teeth/new teeth: Lizzy lost her 2nd tooth at the beginning of September and Fran FINALLY got her 4th tooth about 10 days ago (at 16 months). We were wondering if her teeth were ever going to sprout out of her poor swollen gums. The top 2 are following close behind, with number 5 popping through yesterday. Number 6 looks like it should be here any day. She's a trooper though, she hasn't let the lack of top teeth stop her from eating the very best of stuff. She is a GREAT eater!

Fun Dinner Dates: At the end of August Herb and I were invited to attend a benefit dinner at LaCille. It was so beautiful there, we loved feeling like celebrities for a night. The following week we attended Beneficial's annual summer party at the This is the Place Heritage Park. It was a wonderful western style dinner with really fun musical theater entertainment about the history and heritage of Utah. We enjoy the fun little perks Herb gets as part of his job.

Grandma Carlson: Herb's grandmother (Glenda's mother) died this week. After over a year of being cared for constantly, this amazing woman willingly left to the other side. We attended her funeral today. How amazing to see the legacy she left. The mother of 12 children, you can imagine that the family easily filled the entire center section of the chapel. Grandma Carlson was so generous and thoughtful. She would write cards to all of her posterity for their birthdays (and that is A LOT). She always had something nice to say and always remembered something important that was happening in our lives. She will be greatly missed, but we are so happy that she is out of pain and reunited with her sweetheart in heaven.

So as summer closes, I am again extremely happy to be healthy and blessed. Life is good.

It's about LOVE...

Diva Girl make-up set $10.00
Glitter finger nail polish $1.00
Make-up remover wipes $4.00

A make over with daddy.....PRICELESS!!!!

Joy's blog site

http://www.mygirljoy.blogspot.com/

Have you heard...

Have you heard the release date of the Twilight Movie has been changed??? Earlier!

11.21.2008

Get this widget!

Summer

The Herb and Season's household has had a very exciting summer! I can hardly believe it will be over in just a few weeks. Though I do enjoy summer, I'm not sure why it isn't my favorite season. Maybe because of my major heat sensitivity as a red-head, it gets pretty hot here. I'm not sure how people tolerate living in even hotter climates. My skin and my head are pretty wimpy when it comes to 90 degree + days.

One thing is for certain, I have never enjoyed my life and health as I have enjoyed it this summer. As I have reflected on the circumstances I found myself in last year, I have a whole new appreciation of summer and the beauties I missed in 2007. The excitement and smell of fireworks on July 4th. The smell of sunscreen and OFF (necessities for the camping trips we've been on this year). The splashes of water as the kids play in the pool. Amazing sunsets. Laughter & fun with family and friends. And something I missed most of all in my "missed-summer" is the satisfaction and joy of watching our beautiful flower and vegetable gardens grow, change, blossom, and thrive. It's like watching a tiny part of God's creation happen before your eyes.

Our Hibiscus and Lilies have been in full bloom this last week. Last summer, in an attempt to lift my spirits, Herb came in the house and announced that our lilies and Hibiscus had begun blooming. Watching them this year has been a sweet reminder of recovery, strength, and blessings. Just as the buds and blossoms in our yard swell and blossom toward the sun, my heart truly swells with gratitude to my Heavenly Father and to my loved ones who cared for me last year. I know I never thanked everyone properly...THANK YOU all for whatever part you played in my care (prayers, babysitting, healthcare, housework, spending time with me...), I truly could never thank you all enough, especially my husband, his parents, and my mom.

Ok, so, now onto the fun...

In June, to celebrate our 10th anniversary, Herb and I had a down-town overnighter at the Hotel Monaco. We went to dinner at the Roof and went the Salt Lake Temple where we were married 10 years before. We had a wonderful time. (Thanks to Julie for babysitting). I can truly say I love Herb more today than I did then (which I never thought was possible on my wedding day) and I can see how a marriage that is nurtured is strong and gets better with time.

July 1st, our miracle nephew was born to Pam and Shawn. We are SO happy for them. He is such a gorgeous little guy.

For July 4th we went to Colorado to my parents’ ranch. We had a wonderful time working on the ranch and spending time with my parents. We went to a tiny town called Redfeather Lakes to watch fireworks where they literally show a fireworks display over Redfeather Lake. I loved it. Good memories!

Mid July, Herb and I went to Young Women camp (thank you AGAIN to Julie for babysitting). We took the girls to Jackson to go white water rafting on the Snake River. It was truly the BEST girls’ camp I have ever attended. The weather was perfect, the girls were wonderful, the river was great, the food was the BEST, and the spirit was AMAZING.

A few days after YW camp, we headed back to Jackson for our Nordfelt family trip. We camped for 4 nights and it was a lot of fun. The one flaw...about half of our family (including Herb and me) passed around a stomach flu bug. Not the best circumstances for being sick... Besides that, it was a wonderful trip.

Lizzy went back to School when we got back from Jackson. I can hardly believe we have a first grader! She was exhausted the first week, but is getting adjusted now and feeling so big and important to be in school all day. We're still working on the morning routine...will that ever get easier??? This is Lizzy on the first day of school. She was so exhausted that she couldn't stand up for the photo.

So, with a neighborhood party planned and successfully executed, AND a couple of Relief Society activities planned my busy summer is winding down...graciously. And let's be honest, Breaking Dawn has really added to the summer nostalgia, afterall, there's nothing like a little Edward Cullen and vampire action to make a summer complete. (Check this out).

The guilt of the infrequent blogger...

OK, so I knew from the beginning that it would be a challenge to take time to blog. I go in and out of the blogging mood. I have ideas for great posts. But when it comes down to it, I just use my time in other ways. So, my fellow bloggers, please forgive my inconsistent posting and commenting. I do love the connection this thing called "blogging" creates. An instant kinship with old friends or relatives I rarely see, even with strangers for that matter. Who's idea was this anyway? Did they know we would get hooked into it so easily? Well whomever it was, nice work!

Anyway, so May...May, May, May. What a May it has been. Fran and Lizzy's birthdays, Mother's Day, Dance Recital, Soccer Starting, School nearing end, Summer lurking. I enjoyed it, but can I say I am also glad to see it go.

To add to the randomness of this post, I'm just going to list some random things I've been doing:

I read the Host by Stephenie Meyer in about 8 days (I love audiobooks and my new ipod).
I was called as camp director...I eat, breath, and sleep camp!
I am finally experimenting with Photoshop elements, what FUN!
I booked our hotel for our upcoming disneyland trip--wahoo!
I've been working out on my new Wii Fit (mother's day gift). Who knew you could get an amazing workout doing virtual hula-hoop???
I've been enjoying my free Wednesday nights since being released from the YW presidency.
I finished another successful year of nursing.
I feel happy and blessed.

Happy Mother's Day. Happy 1st Birthday.

Oh Joy!

I’ve gotten a lot of compliments and inquiries about Fran’s cute flower cap featured recently on my blog. (see side bar photos of the girls and My Blue Eyed Girls post below).

My amazing sister-in-law Joy makes them and they are sold in a few retail stores in Layton. I’ve had so many people ask about them that I’ve decided to have Joy over for an “open house” for her cute caps, headbands, flower clips, jewelry, etc. So feel free to come on over and see Joy’s darling creations, then you won’t have to drive all the way to Layton (though that may be close for some). She has great prices and DARLING items.

Open House

Tuesday, May 6, 2008
2 PM to 4 PM

Caps, Flower Clips, Headbands, Jewerly
Sizes Infant to Adult

Finally I am completing my Tag assignment

(Jen tagged me on March 15th, the wait is finally over--see "Bad Habits section")


Ten years ago...
I was working at Jean Brown Associates, Inc. as an accounting assistant (my “college” job). I was attending the University of Utah. I was planning my June wedding to my sweet Herb.

5 places I've visited (most recent 5 places outside of Utah)...

1. March 2008-Chicago, Illinois to work at a Time Out For Women event.

2. September 2007-Boise, Idaho to attend a Time Out For Women event with my sisters-in-law Pam & Mandy.
3. March 2007-Houston, TX to work at a Time Out For Women event.
4. December 2006-Disneyland!!!!! The best family vacation ever! Can’t wait to go again in October.
5. June 2006-Washington, DC to work at a Time Out For Women event.

I enjoy...

1. Dates with my honey
2. Happy moments with my kids
3. Good friends, both old and new.

4. The change of the seasons. I’m always ready for the change. I love living here for that fact. Just when you can’t stand the heat any longer, autumn comes along and gives you relief…and so it goes… At least that’s how it’s supposed to work, and when does spring begin????

5. Creative outlets: scrapbooking, home décor, etc.

6. Being organized.

7. My job.
8. My new minivan.

9. My church calling with the young women.
10. My home.
11. Audiobooks

3 bad habits...

1. Procrastination
2. Munch, munch, munch in the afternoon.
3. Teeth clenching while I sleep (and 2 cracked teeth to show for it, OUCH!).

5 things you may not know about me...

1. I have had 11 siblings in my life (including half, step, and ex-step). Now that makes for an interesting family tree.
2. I have a birthmark on my right knee that looks like a man and woman ballroom dancing.
3. I’ve never colored my hair.
4. I had a seriously disturbing infatuation with Jerry Lee Lewis as pre-teen (Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire!).
5. I played the accordion in 5th grade.

5 jobs I've had...

1. Clerk at Raging Waters.
2. Dance Teacher
3. Reservation agent for Holiday Inn
4. Teacher’s Aid at Rick’s college5. Sr. Accountant for events at Deseret Book Co. (8 ½ years and going strong)