sledding in flagstaff

This is becoming tradition. Going up to Flagstaff with the Nielsens on the Martin Luther King holiday. It is something my kids look forward to all year. They have so much fun. We go up Sunday night and check in to the residence inn in Flagstaff and drink hot chocolate, play games, and talk. All the kids are up bright and early terrorizing the patrons at the free breakfast. Than we hit the little slopes right outside the hotel. Then we check out and find other fun hills. We went to this snow park (I think oak creek, or something) and than went to another hill at Fort Tutthill. The weather was perfect! We had 13 crazy kids and amazingly no broken bones. Above is Jacob in the last run of the day. Below is Dave and I, with me cackling all the way down the mountain. This was the ONLY time I went down and I have a huge bruise on my be-hind to prove it. The real reason I put this one below on is Leah going down after us. So funny, and so Leah. You gotta love her. There are tons of other funny runs, but I haven't learned how to splice my videos. I got Flip video for Christmas and it is the coolest thing EVER! I love it. You can carry it in your pocket it is so tiny. It is so easy to use, and than you just plug it into your computer and it downloads. Truly AWESome. I have been videoing all the time now. love, love, love it!
off, off, and I gooooo!

A great quote on this historic day.

"Nowhere in the world is presented a government of so much liberty and equality. To the humblest and poorest amongst us are held out the highest privileges and positions. The present moment finds me at the White House, yet there is as good a chance for your children as there was for my father's." -- - -Abraham Lincoln

So much Fun!

What a fun family! I really enjoyed just watching them play! Their happiness and positivity are contagious. The world would be a better place with more families like this one. Thank you Mamola family. Hope you love these as much as I do! (your images are in the mail and coming your way! smile.)

I really think this little girl could wrap anyone around her finger.

look at that face!

i love this one.

i am a little obsessed with lens flare. I think it is the coolest.

i love this style of black and white. oh, and I love the picture too.

How I want my husband to feel. always.

"I have steak at home. Why would I ever go out for a hamburger?" -paul newman

(in reference to his wife)

I love this quote. When I shared it with dave, I said it wrong. I started by saying

"Why would I ever go out for a hamburger, when I have steak at home." He started laughing and said, "I thought you were going to say, "when I have the cow at home." Isn't he a card?!

I really want dave to always feel this way. To be so happy to come home because he is appreciated and treated kindly and given all the love and attention that he needs. That he is treated with respect and consideration, and pampered even. Did you notice that I didn't say that he would come home to a supermodel. I don't think that is what that quote means. That his wife is better looking than all the others, therefore he will never look anywhere else. No, that isn't why a man wanders. A man simply wants to be cared for, loved, appreciated, and respected as the provider and head of the home. In return, he will always be loyal to his family and want to give you anything and everything that will bring you happiness.

That is a tried and true recipe for a happy man. I am afraid I don't always use this recipe. I get lazy and want to make something fast and easy, or even worse , order out. The problem is, that isn't nearly as healthy, or satisfying.

So, have you told you man "thank you" today? Have you told him that you appreciate all he does to provide for you and your family? Did you look him in the eyes and say, "you are so the best! I love you." Did you speak to him kindly today, and ease his burdens, and calm his soul? Or did he just get pushed aside in your busyness, and given a command like he is one of the kids.

I'm afraid, I am guilty of the latter today. Did I mention that saying "I'm sorry often" is the icing on the cake for the above mentioned recipe? Don't forget the frosting. It just wouldn't taste as good without it.

Thank goodness Dave has his own special recipe that includes patience and forgiveness.

"Forever Obsessed"

I am a woman who tends to get obsessed with one thing for awhile. Meet my latest. Waffles. I can't stop making them. I have always wanted one of these professional Belgium waffle makers. I always want things that remind me of vacations. You know how they have those free breakfasts at the Marriott? and how they always have waffle makers with the Styrofoam cups of batter that you make yourself? It is always a special treat. Well, guess what? I can now make my special treat every day. Dave got me one for Christmas (that means... i bought it wrapped it up and wrote on it... to my wonderful wife heather, from your adoring husband Dave. ahhh.... isn't Davey sweet?) We have had waffles almost every day since than. My brother and fam visited right after Christmas. As they were leaving my brother said, "This has been the vacation of waffles." That's what happens when you visit mid obsession. I had all kinds of other food planned to prepare, but I just couldn't think of anything better than one of these waffles. But, no one complained. I mean, who could resist a perfectly cooked Belgium waffle with strawberries and whipped cream. Not I! Oh, I forgot. It was always accompanied with hot chocolate made in a hot chocolate maker (my pre Christmas gift to myself. smile) that froths it. It is truly wonderful. I had a very merry Christmas. Now, off to bed. I need to get up early and make waffles!

I have just been using this simple recipe from the better homes and gardens cook book. Does anyone have a special waffle recipe that is especially delicious?

p.s. oh, and to explain my title. It's an inside joke I have with one of my mission companions. We used to die laughing because one of the young 19 year old boy missionaries that we served with had a girlfriend and on the envelope of the letters she would mail to him, she would write, "forever obsessed." We thought that was so hysterical, ridiculous, corny, and so so typical of a young girl (probably 17) writing her 19 year old missionary. We of course would tease him so bad! I am sure she dear johned him by the end of his mission. Is to get a "dear john" letter just a Mormon term for getting dumped on your mission? Or does everyone use that expression?

PPS. I went to "imaging USA" at the Phoenix convention center today. It was awesome. I learned so much, and was able to see first hand all the products that I see online. Than, choose what I like best. Specifically albums, and different looks for printing images. Very very exciting. More on that later. I always say that, and than I never mention another word about it. One of my goals is to go back through my blog and find all the times I said that and than finally report more on every subject. That goal, as you can imagine, is pretty low on the list though. I should probably just focus on trying to make dinner every night. How about WAFFLES!

doggy update.

Her name is Roxy.

She is an outside dog. and yes, I will buy an air conditioned dog house during the summer if I need to. They have those here in Arizona you know.

And she is being kennel trained from day one. Until she is goes potty only out in the rocks by the side of the house (where the pool equipment is) she will be in the kennel.

Don't worry she is out all the time playing with the kids.

In fact, she is the type that just wants to be with people and follow you around. very cute.

and a big thanks to Maegen Martineau who is now on speed dial as my personal puppy training coach.

I've gone and done what I said I'd never do!

Own a DOG! REbecca has asked me every day of her life if she can have a puppy. She has begged and pleaded. It didn't even phase me. I had just in fact told her on Thursday that we will never ever ever buy a dog, so just stop asking. Well, Rebecca and I went on a bike ride on Saturday. She asked it we could stop by at the feed store near our house. It has horse and animal supplies and cowgirl supplies (which she is. smile). I said ok and we stopped at the store. As we rode up I noticed that there were a few people giving away puppies for free in the parking lot. They came in from Whitman and had two different litters. There were 12 in all. I called Rebecca over because this of course is her favorite thing in life and they were letting anyone hold them and play with them etc. (So, I guess it is my fault!) Anyway, it took about 10 seconds for Rebecca to fall in love with this sweet little thing. I must admit, I was quite smitten myself. At least as smitten as a person can be that doesn't ever want to own a dog. ha. Well, it is just one of those things. We just happened to stumble upon the right dog at the right time (and for the right price. smile). She is very calm and sweet and like a little teddy bear. She is content and happy. She never makes a peep and is as cozy as can be. Her fur is super thick and soft. SEriously! Even I like holding her, and that has never happened before. She will just let you cuddle her like a baby. I am sure that won't last for too long, but she is very calm and tolerant. She would have to be with our family. In the end, I just couldn't say no to the two faces above. I mean really could you? Isn't it crazy how they look alike. The dog has little white eyelashes that are so cute. Little touches of white like my Rebecca Mary.

The women who brought her own both the mom and dad. The dad is both chow and coyote, and the mom is an English Shepherd. She seems to have gotten her mom's temperament and her dad's cozy fur and hopefully the stomach of a coyote. Meaning they have strong stomachs. English shepherds are very friendly happy dogs that love children. I just read about them that they are medium sized dogs with big hearts and that they are such personable dogs that many owners have said that by the time they are five or six, you can carry on a decent conversation with them.

So, after I caved. I left Rebecca there and rode home and brought the rest of the family back in the car to see what they thought.
(and no that is not our dog's mom in the background. There was another litter of a German Shepherd mix.) (oh the coziness)It went well for some.

Not so well with others. (Dave could have said No to both faces easily! ha ha) He is so funny. He is still in denial. I think like the rest of my siblings they think I won't last very long with the dog and will return it within the month. ha.

I don't know.....she is pretty darn scrumptious, and hard not to love. She lets everyone hold her and play with her and is just so sweet.

Plus, she has made one little girl the happiest little girl on the planet. You have never seen someone so happy and radiant. I really don't have to do anything. The kids do everything. I also loved loved this morning just looking out the window to the backyard and Leah was out by herself with the dog laying on the grass just playing and loving on her. She was so happy. Leah is having a hard time right now. She has been driving everyone crazy. It was so wonderful to see her getting unconditional love from this little pup. Leah has been so happy and nice for two days. Something I haven't seen for months. Could it really be the dog?

So, we are happy with this new little addition to our family.

and I think she is pretty happy with us too.

What is her name you ask? It is kinda still up in the air. Want to help?

The owners called her china, because of her little china doll face.
It was Carmela for a few hours because she has that carmel color.

Rebecca thought of Joy.

The kids had a long list of names and settled for now on ...

Sophie "truly scrumptious" Ives.

Really just Sophie, but we like to sing to her the song from chitty chitty bang bang "truly scrumptious, my dear, you're truly scrumptious."

Would love to hear your ideas! So comment! Although it is hard when you don't see her personality also.