Rimmasch Haus

Christmas 2011 highlights

2012-01-08T16:52:00.000-08:00

Every year Christmas seems to get better and better around our house. I'm not sure if it's because we have traditions that our family has created and now after doing them for a few years we are pretty smooth about it all or if it's that the kids are getting bigger and they are really starting to enjoy all the bits and pieces but we still have littles who find and point out the magic all around us all the time. Or maybe I'm just getting older and I'm not as uptight as I used to be. Everything does not have to be perfect and that is finally sinking in for me.

Any way you go around it Christmas just keeps getting better and better.

This year on Christmas Eve we went caroling and took treats to our family and friends

then we had

Our Traditional Christmas Eve Chinese dinner by Candlelight

The Christmas Mouse came and left new Christmas Jammies on Christmas Eve

We wrote Santa a letter and left him and his reindeer snacks

We read The night before Christmas. It was Kippi's turn so she picked which version to read (we have several)

Then we snuggled up and watched a Christmas movie before bed

after everyone was finally asleep SANTA CAME and he brought everyone a gift.

Kippi got a Guitar

Rieken a scooter

Kelten a keyboard (sorry no picture of him with it)

Tiernen- Smokey the fire truck

Bey got a vacuum but he pretty much slept through it all and I thought I got a picture of him with it later but I guess not-Mommy fail!

This year Christmas came on a Sunday so we got up early and the kids opened Santa gifts and stockings, then we went to church and it was AMAZING! After church we came home and opened the rest of our gifts. It was nice and laid back.

Some years I feel like the Santa gift doesn't really get the attention I thought it would because we rush right into the other stuff but this year the kids had plenty of time to just savor that one gift before anything else was opened.

Other noteworthy highlights of the day...

the epic star wars battle

Daddy's new Acer Tablet he got from his boss

Bey climbed up to the third shelf in the pantry. What your pantry isn't a hot mess like mine? Oh and I took him down before I took the picture because I'm a responsible mom but he was already looking to climb it again the turd.

The leather bracelets I made for the boys this year. This one is Kelten's. I love LOVE how they turned out.

floor puzzles

Kippi's hair extensions that she got for her -wear- gift

for real GLUE on fake nails to Kippi soup from Grammy.

We had my parents over for Christmas Dinner and to swap gifts but again I didn't get any pictures of it like I thought. BOO! Just imagine AMAZING food, good times, laughing and games. See it's like you were there.

After all was said and done I walked my parent's out to the car and when I came back inside this is what I saw...

the tent Tiernen got from Grammy set up on the hide-a-bed and jammed full with all the boys including Daddy
Needless to say it was a hit! the kids slept in it every night for the rest of Christmas break.

We finished Christmas off with our last Christmas movie, Mickey's Christmas Carol. It was pretty much the Christmas I have always dreamt of having it was that good.

I wish I would have taken more pictures but other then that, perfect.

Movies before bed

Today...

2012-01-06T03:46:00.000-08:00

Today I...

*took the baby to the doctor

*shopped the clearance section at shopko while waiting for prescriptions to be filled

*scrubbed and I mean with a toothbrush scrubbed, our one bathroom.. should be good to go for a day or two now. Ah the life of one bathroom and five boys.

*brushed the cat he seems to think it may be summer he is shedding like mad. Stinking wonderful warm weather

*put Tiernen in timeout (also know as sat him on the toile wt/ the lid down of course) at least five times just so he could scream the whole time. that kid is in my top two most stubborn and that is saying something.

*returned some library books that were Wee-heeellll past due. apparently there is still one out there somewhere that I missed

* "rented" 7 movies from the library. One of which is, Gone with the wind. I'm so excited to watch it because I have never seen it.

* did not do a single load of laundry... That is gonna bite me in the bum later

* opened one of Bey's birthday gifts early because he got shots today and needed something extra.

* ate a num dilly-is-ous meal that the handy man made for us...

*wrote up my January calender on our white board aahhhhh! oh yeah let the rumpus begin people ;) j/k

*paid bills yuck

*lost my patience with one of my kiddos and I am still feeling bad about the was I chose to handle it as opposed to the way I really should have.

* watched a late night flick and ate snacks with the Handy Man yum.

*got sucked into pinterest for way to long

*listened to the Handy man read scriptures and talk in detail about what was going on to the kids for an hour. He is amazing like that.

*ate mini ice cubes one by one out of the cutest little mini cube tray that I got for Christmas. LOVE.

*was told by a certain daughter that I was funny but in a mom kind of way.

*realized I am officially boring.

sheesh it took me like 20 min. to pull this list together
- I need to get out of vacation mode.

Until next time.

This makes my head hurt!

2011-12-12T20:32:00.000-08:00

Bey showing off one of his talents...Stealing his brothers snacks

I have five kids and each of them has a unique personality and set of talents.Some of them are super smart some are very musically talented, some are fashionsavvy and others are very athletic as for personality we have anywhere fromdrama queen to mamma's boy in there. I always find it so fascinating that Karland I are raising each one practically the same and yet they are so different.Here is Rieken doing his latest thing - Head spins. He has also been runningand climbing the walls, literally; I think he would be great at parkour. Hereminds me of the videos I have seen on it (Google it). He gallops through thehouse and climbs anything he can and if he isn't climbing he is jumping running spinning --- and I swear he only works in med-hi gear noslow motion or even regular for this kid. Anyhow, I hope you enjoy the video ohand aren't my boy's bunk beds great?! My dad and the Handy man built them. We have a super limited amount of space so webuilt the bottom bunk straight on the floor and they are shorter and morenarrow than a regular twin bunk. I need to paint them but I haven't yet... Ohwell they work just fine unpainted and they are sturdy enough to withstand my 5rambunctious beasties.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2011-12-08T13:49:00.001-08:00

Rimmaschaus Christmas count down
Idea from Dandee a few years ago and we love it!

it is so fun to watch Tiernen discover all
of the ornaments
He is mesmerized

Nutcrackers galore

sparkly trees

An insanely beautiful cross stitch made just for us
By Aunt Kat

a few pine cones,a handful of colorful tinsel and a couple of glass floats and
*BAM*
Christmas spirit in a basket

Our hand carved Santa made for us by
our SUPER talented cousin Arlene
He hides in a new spot each year

baubles and beads

Vintage Santa box + vintage books = perfection

peek-a-boo

No sew stockings thank you very much
Bey's isn't done yet so it isn't up but it will be by the end of the week!

Bedryn playing with the Nativity Oma made for the beasties.
I Love the fact that my kids have a nativity they can play with.
It literally puts the "reason for the season"
in the palm of their hands

Today

2011-05-28T23:56:00.000-07:00

Today I...

* slept in REALLY late

* went to the library and only checked out books for Beastie #1

* took Beastie #4 for a Happy Meal

* Went and visited my DAD
* Rented 3-- non animated movies and watched two... by myself...
(saving #3 to watch w/ the Handy man)

*spent some really quality one on one with Besties 4 &5

*Ate a salad for dinner and Doritos for dessert... It was all sorts of right

* didn't have to break up ANY fighting or dish out any extra chores...

* spoke with my Mom, sisters and a couple of friends all mostly uninterupted

* realized I really did have it good when I only had two kids...

* thought about my three oldest Beasties ALL DAY because they are gone camping all weekend.

* Decided although life is much quieter with only two I'm blessed and greatful to have five.

* wished with all my heart I had a for real dishwasher not just lefty and righty cause my kitchen looked like this...AWESOME! Um some of those are clean I just hate puting away as much as washing...

Life at the little yellow house

2011-04-21T22:50:00.000-07:00

Life at the Rimmasch Haus has been crazy lately. We have had so many things going on time just seems to be zooming on without me. I have really done a crap job of keeping up on the ol' blog but I thought I'd give you a peek of what a typical day can look like right now.

After the daily morning rush the house looks like a bomb hit it. What you don't have toys strewn about and random boxes of cereal left out? Oh and lets not forget the stray wadded up Kleenex on the floor or the fact that the kids left a huge mound of blankets on the couch and the wii stuff out and I think I see some jammies on the floor. The only excuse I have is that my kids are EARLY risers and I am NOT. So they get up at five am and get ready for school and eat and then they play wii or read or watch a movie before they have to leave at 7:25 am. So by the time I crawl out of bed at 6 something and prop my eyelids open the hurricane has hit, damage has been done and guess what I'm not complaining cause I got to sleep an extra hour!

Oh,

and and that may or may not get cleaned up before the lunch.
after the big kids leave Bey likes to hang in his Bumbo and suck on his fingers and smile and just be a good boy cause lets face it I am still on the couch "resting my eyes..."

after a while he gets tuckered out and falls asleep. What a good boy!almost every day we have some type of kid related thing. this is Kippi saying her lines (very well I might add) at the China play for her school
Then after school we have chores and homework.
By the time evening hits we just drop where we land...I spy with my little eye little feet do you?And yes this is the "Master" .

we are talking small space here guys

here is a close up of those feet I was spying:)

at least Bey made it to a bed, not his bed but a bed. Then on the weekends we have cousins over and we party like rock stars and stay up late and the kids make their own breakfast
(OK they do that every day but you get the gist)
Oh and here is a super cute shot of my Rieken boy just because
So now you have seen what a typical day might look like around here. What does it look like at your house?

down sizing

2011-04-20T23:47:00.000-07:00

One day recently Karl and I realized we could feed a small village on the money we were spending to feed our Expedition.

(we affectionately refer to Him as the Rig)

So we crunched some numbers and decided to downsize.

This was not an easy decision because we loved that Rig.

It fit us all with room for one more which is good because we would like to have another baby

(not yet sheesh!)

and he was paid off = nice.

But, it was the right thing to do for us right now...

We told the kids and they were all excited with the exception of Rieken.

Rieken cried off and on for two days.

He loved that Rig.

Here he is the day we traded in the Rig.

sad sad sad I tell ya. Here is our new to us Van

She is smaller not as fully loaded and she only seats 7 so we are full when we are all in.

But, she gets WAY better gas mileage, she is newer, she has WAY fewer miles She makes it a lot easier for us to load and unload the beasties and, she has stow and go!

We let the kids get in and try it all out (see Tiernen "driving her) and we gave Rieken the huge responsibility of naming her.

Wow looking at this pic I realized we hadn't even owner her for ten min. and she was already loaded up with a ton of our crap!

Oh well such is life with five kids:) Tiernen, Kippi Kelten & Bédryn love her

Mommy and Daddy love her
Even Rieken loves her.
In fact he loves her so much that after about a week he announced he was naming her Mini Rig because he loves her as much as he Loved the big Rig and he still misses him.

A Baptisim and A Blessing

2011-04-18T16:14:00.000-07:00

Oma, Opa and Aunt Mar came up from Wyoming to support Kippi at her Baptisim and Bédryn at his blessing.
Opa Dennis and Karl Bédryn wearing his blessing outfit that Oma made out of fabric that Kat brought home from China. It is the same outfit Rieken and Tiernen were blessed in too. No worries he was a perfect angle during the blessing and all through sacrament but by the time we got home and wanted to take pictures he was good and hungry can you tell?
Daddy and Bédryn

Blessing day

April 10,2011
Karl, the kids, Mar, Opa and Oma
Kippi and her Daddy the day of her Baptisim

April 9, 2011

Aunt Toot played the music

Mar was the chorister

Grammy Lanai and and Uncle Kim gave the talks

Opa and Uncle Ryan witnessed
Oma and Mar took turns on baby duty

Loads of family and friends and even a few ward members turned out for her on her special day. I didn't get everyone's pictures but here are a few. Cousin Catherine and her friend Miranda
Owona family
Aunt Kristy and Enri
Great Grandpa and Great GrandmaKippi and her Dad just before the Baptism Kippi's post dunk hair. Kippi showing off her shrug that Oma whipped up for her on the drive from Wyoming. The women is amazingly talented!

And of course after everything we held a littel party with cake and ice cream. She also recieved some pretty awesome gifts. Grammy Lanai got her a quad with her name on it, Aunt Toot got her a braclet and Karl and I got her a pearl braclet and a CTR ring which she promtly lost at school on Monday.

It was such a wonderful and special weekend and a long time in coming. Kippi turned eight in December but she really wanted her Oma and Opa and Aunt Mar to be there so she chose to wait until Wyoming's weather would be a little better.

And they came and we couldn't thank them enough

We feel so blessed to have a dughter who loves her Heavenly Father and his Gospel and chose to become a member of the our church by being baptized. We are also so thankful to have the privlage to have Bédryn
as a member of our family and for the oppurtinity to hear Karl as he blessed him. It was beautiful.

Bédryn 7 weeks

2011-03-16T14:59:00.000-07:00

I am a bit behind but here are Bédryn's 7 week shots. I will try to post a ton of pics on our FB page but until then these will have to do:) I do have other kids and I do take their pictures too but latley they have all been puking so...

TIERNEN watching movies in my bed while he was sick.

KIPPI in bed with her new best freind the puke bowl

She pretty much hung out there for 9 days!

Bédryn sleeping in his crib

Bey playing with his toy

Bey and Daddy
old man smile
Looking at the Angels
Bey and his cousin Enri

they are only one week apart to the day but Enri out weighs him

by at least 2lbs.!

Bey in his Bumbo

He loves that thing!

Holy Guts batman

2011-02-28T23:09:00.001-08:00

So, I thought I would update you all on my hole-y gut. Bey is six weeks and my gut is still open. Yup as in a big hole in my gut where a nice new shiny scar should be.The actual hole itself is not huge about the size of an egg but underneath is a pretty good sized pocket that is open and a big problem

This is my fourth C-section and I have never had this happen before and to be honest it's discouraging. I go in weekly to the Wound Care Clinic and my doc measures and debris my wound (think micro cheese grater removing dead flesh. yum) This usually takes an hour or so and wipes me out for a day. Then at home Each day we have to flush it to clean it out and pack it (stuff it full of special gauze rope) with fresh packing and bandage it. The whole process takes about 5 min. We have it down to a science. I can even nurse while Karl plays nurse HA!

Anyhow, last week it got all funky and smelly and nasty so my doc ran a culture and sure enough I have yet another infection so that means more high powered meds. On the bright side as of last week it has closed up a 1/4 of a cm. whoop dee dah. I guess given the fact that that is the first time in the four weeks I have been going to the wound care that I have made progress I should be happy but really a 1/4 of a frickin cm? Call me an overachiever but I would think I was more capable of producing numbers in the inches not cm! Also on the not so bright side since going to the wound care clinic and starting on my magic wound healing high protein diet I have gained back 8 of the 32 post baby #5 pounds I had managed to lose and according to my Doc I have more to look forward to regaining...

So to sum it all up , I still have a hole in my gut it stinks and its infected. I have to be on meds for the next ten days that will most likely exacerbate Bey's thrush situation (awesome), I am on a "special" diet that is causing me to gain weight and is only growing me back new tissue at the rate of 1/4 of a cm per month. I cannot work out because I have a holey gut and I am gaining back my pregnancy weight that I just lost. Oh and did I forget to mention my Latex allergy is making all of this so fun? Good times.

I would post a picture but it's kinda in a private-ish area and lets face it it's nasty and well, gross. So for your viewing pleasure I thought I would show you a picture of better days. Here is Karl diving. Great form old boy and talk about a farmer's tan:) Oh how I hope this wound closes up by summer I'm already being deprived of baths but not being able to swim would be truly tragic.

Six Weeks!!

2011-02-25T23:28:00.000-08:00

Smokey and Bédryn carrying on the family tradition

Bédryn six weeks old

Bédryn and his star blankie... see he looks like a star in it:)

Today marks Bédryn's sixth week birthday. It seems to have flown by. Usually I get all weepy and post partum-y with every little milestone until my meds kick in but since I started them earlier this time I haven't. On the one hand yeah no tears and drama on the other I feel like because I wasn't hyper aware of every little milestone I missed out on something. Whacked out logic I know but it is what it is. So to celebrate my lack of tears and Bédryn's sixth week I would like to point out the milestones that have occurred thus far that I did notice and that made my heart catch but not break.

+ Nurses like a champ
+ Belches like a sailor
+ grew out of newborn diapers and clothes
+ Hates car rides with a passion
+ drank out of a bottle successfully during first at home alone with daddy
+ finally took a Binky for longer than a min
+ slept for a four hour stretch during the night

+ starts to loose some of his hair
+ got his first little cold
+ had his first poopy blowout (and only so far)
+ sort of conquered his gassy tummy (thank you Gripe water!)
+ lost his umbilical cord
+ had his first shower - LOVED IT
+ mostly grew out of size one diapers but He still has to wear them cause I have like 5 packs left (he just gets changed more often)
+ finally starts cooing and will even smile now and then
+ slept in his crib for the whole of nap time
+ got his star blankie as a gift and took to it like an old friend
+ sat in his bumbo and loved it
+ shows preference to Kippi over brothers (made her year)
+ started giggling in his sleep (sigh and maybe a tear)

+ got thrush

+ grew an inch since birth and gained 1 pound 11 ounces too
+ took his first non-screaming car ride (thank you Binky!)
+ was babysat by Aunt Eden for the first time
+ took his first nap with Smokey the crib thief
+ Loves tummy time
+ had first taste of ice cream (thanks daddy)

+ stole all our hearts and wiggled his way right into his place as a member of our family (sob)

Birthday bashing

2011-02-19T20:12:00.000-08:00

So this last week has had it's ups and downs but for the most part it's been good. Conner and Caleb my Nephews had birthdays last month and for various reasons didn't get their party until this week. We all went to Chuck -e -Cheese and the kids had a blast. They remodeled the place and it not so dark and dirty but it was still full of runny nosed kids and parents wearing clothes that where WAY too young and tight for them (nice).So, Bey stayed in his car seat all tucked in and away from the germs and stripper mommas wanting to get a good look at the new baby. The other kids were on their own because well for one they have decent immune systems and two I didn't feel like carrying in all the car seats because that's what it would have taken to hold them down. Sometimes I wonder what the point of a place like Chuckee's is. The food isn't great not bad but not great and you pay an arm and a leg for it then there are the games. the tokens are a rip off and half the time the kids don't get any tickets because all the good games don't give you tickets. Then when it's time to go and the kids want to "get their prizes" you have like 60 tickets to split between five kids Sa weet! To top it all off the only thing 12 tickets is gonna get you is a tootsie roll (the little one) which no kid in their right mind is gonna choose or a plastic toy that falls apart before your kids are even buckled in leaving you (the parent) locked in a car having to listen to said kids cry and pout the whole way home. But lets no get carried away here it's the experience an the memories that count right? Well at least the kids got cousin time, something we haven't had a lot of since we moved back out to Burbank and the adults got time to sit and gossip ( my favorite part of any family gathering). Not to mention the fact that we all got a good reminder of why we only do this whole Chuck-E-Cheese thing for those we love the most and even then we have a once a year limit on it.

This picture is of Kippi in her blessing outfit. Isn't is GORGEOUS?! My mother in law made it. She is pretty much a genius seamstress. This reminder of her so small just makes me kind of sad because in just a few short weeks she is going to get baptized! Can it be that she is already eight. Well yes and she has in fact been eight since December but she chose to wait to get baptized until March so that her Oma, Opa and Aunt Mar could come up from Wyoming and be here for both a baby blessing (Bey's) and a baptism. It has been a hard wait but it's almost over. Now I just need to find her a white dress for it.

* Keeping it Real *

2011-02-17T00:36:00.000-08:00

Niki at the hospital right before having Bey.Uh yup there was only one kid in there. It makes me think of Jon and Kate plus eight and when she had six babies in her belly.. Look how small my boobs look and how short my legs are! Today looking at this makes me feel grateful I'm not pregnant right now. It was hard at the end this time.

* I thought by now I would be back to a "normal" schedule when in fact my new "normal" is up all night sleep till noon.

* We made home made valentines this year and they rocked but I forgot to take pictures

* Rieken says I smell like sour milk... Well guess what that's what happens when you breastfeed and produce enough milk to feed a small village. It's called overflow, get used to it, I have.

*Kippi and Kelten have been screaming a lot lately at each other and anyone who ticks them off and I just don't have the energy to care until I have had enough and then I scream too. Awesome. Quality parenting going on round here.

* right now I have four boys sawing logs in my bed -Karl, Rieken ,Tiernen, and Bey. Thank heavens for California King beds!

*My wound is still open.. It stinks.. Literally and figuratively.

* Kelten woke up this morning and barfed all over and all I could say was, please tell me you made it to the toilet? again mornings, not my best parenting prime time right now.

*I filed our taxes.. they should come this week... too bad they will be gone by next.. BILLS SUCK THE LIFE OUT OF ME sometimes.

* I haven't taken a single picture since Bey turned three weeks and we are in his fifth week because I'm too lazy to charge the camera.

*My laundry is DONE (has been since I left for the hospital) all washed, folded and put away even the hanging clothes. This is HUGE!

* I love netflix Karl and I have been watching Lost from season One together. We never saw it when it was out. so far it is taking forever we are only 12 episodes in because Karl only has so much time to spend on TV with his wacky schedule so In the meantime I am watching bones from the start and i like it. I'm almost done with season two... Oh and did I mention Tiernen can watch Dora in my room so I can keep him close while I sleep until noon?. Oh yeah Netflix is a lifesaver.

* Karl got me a sewing machine for my birthday and it is still in the box three months later... I have great intentions and no motivation.

* I need to shave my legs ...you know it's too long when it hurts when you rub your legs in your blankets. Sheesh

* I kinda hate going anywhere in the car because Bey screams the whole time and by the time we get where we are going I am soaking wet. Seriously. I even leaked through my jacket before a DR. appointment last week. Guess what I couldn't bring myself to care that much. so my clothes are soaking wet and plastered to my body in the shape of my ginormous boobs I obviously have a new baby who is screaming at the top of his lungs put two and two together quit staring and give me a break!

* Today I ate fake sushi and I liked it I can't stop thinking about it actually.

* Tomm. I am going to do homework, clean the bathroom and possible mop the floors. after I crawl out of bed in time for lunch of course.

* Karl keeps talking in his sleep it is so funny. He totally talks about work all serious and stuff. Good thing he's not some spy or his secrets would be out!

* Kelten got glasses and he is so cute in them.He got gold frames because the cute lady who was helping him pick them out suggested they looked good with the gold highlights in his hair. Funny!
*Kippi keeps talking about the hot boys at school. I think that is trouble waiting to happen! Kelten thinks it's annoying

*Tiernen is officially potty trained even through the night. FINALLY!

so thats it our life in a nut shell right now
the end.

Little miss Momma

2011-02-09T12:38:00.000-08:00

Kippi and Bédryn

Kippi is such a great helper . She loves to snuggle Bédryn and change his diapers. One day she is going to be a great mommy, she has such a great heart and she is so empathetic. Since Bédryn and I got home from the hospital she has helped so much around the house with chores and with the other kids as well. She reads to Rieken every night and she makes all the beds in the morning. Each child has chores they have to do but I rarely have to ask her to do them and if I do she does them happily. Kippi got invited to a friends house yesterday and when I picked her up the Mom told me how much her daughter looked up to Kippi and wanted to read all the time so she could read as well as Kippi could. I know Kippi is awesome but it was thrilling to hear that from another parent. It was a proud Mommy moment. We sure Love our Little Miss Momma.

Introducing Bédryn

2011-02-04T21:44:00.001-08:00

Make your own photo album

the doubts of this mom...

2011-01-04T23:14:00.000-08:00

Today I had a Doctors appointment. Rieken and Tiernan came with and it felt like work for me. I don't usually think of my kids as work but today it felt like a job... and one I didn't like very much. I was so tiered and I just didn't feel well. I feel bad about that. I think Tiernen is starting to sense a change in the air or maybe he is just showing his age (2) but he has become a tyrant and a screaming screeching horrible one at that. I'm afraid I don't do well with kids that scream at me I have this massive desire to scream back but I can't their just babies ya know?... Anyhow we are at the office in the bathroom doing the good ole' sample in a cup business and to keep T. from opening the door for all to see I gave him a wipe. Ya know the little towelettes in the bathroom for uh ya know wiping? Well anyhow we finish up flush wash all that jazz and I high tail it outta there and he starts screaming at the top of his lungs. The waiting room wasn't packed which almost made it worse; no other kids to drown him out. So he just throws this massive fit and Rieken bless his heart ignores him and sets off to play. I tried talking to him, I tried snuggling him, I even countingto three which usually produces pretty prompt results with my kids. No such luck. Finally I just sit there holding him upside down because he has thrown himself backwards and I let him scream it out. When he stopped to take a breath I said to him. " what are you screaming about I can't read your mind you have to use your words. I can't fix it or help you if you don't tell me." I was at my whits end and I was just verbalizing my frustration. He stops screaming and looked at me and said, "I dropped my wipe in the bathroom." Are you kidding me it could not be that easy?! I told him I would go get it if he asked nicely which he did and if he apologized to me for screaming at me and throwing a fit which he did so I did, I want back into the bathroom and found his unopened wipe on the floor and gave it back to him. Sometimes I forget he is only two. Sometimes I expect him to talk to me like the big kids and sometimes I am rushing and trying to do too much that I forget to listen when he tries. I knew he was cranky we have all been so sick lately we are just now starting to bounce back and he is taking the longest. His latest bought withfevers and ear infections really wore him out. I knew he wasn't 100% but I forgot and because I didn't focus we all suffered.I feel really bad that I got selfish and cranky and just wanted to close my eyes and go to sleep right there in the doctors office. Anyhow they put us back in a room for an NST it's where the hook you up to a monitor to measure fetal movement, contractions and fetal heart rate. So were back in the room and the belly is out on display and T climbs upon the table right between my legs pops his thumb in his mouth and rests his sweet little face on my belly, monitor goo and all. He almost fell asleep about three times but the baby kept changing spots and the nurse (Grammy Lanai) had to come in and fix it which of course perked him right up each time. Rieken was a doll and I really appreciated his understanding and patience with me and Tiernen and the whole situation. So the point of all this was it occurred to me not for the first time but definitely for the most impactful time that my baby is not going to be the baby anymore and it's going to happen soon. We haven't really prepared him. He is still sleeping with Karl and I. He is still the sole owner of my lap and belly which he loves to lay his face on and snuggle. He is still the one we focus on when all Hell brakes loose because the big kids know better and they know we know it. What is going to happen here in a few days when this new baby moves in and takes over his territory and at the very least his time? I'm feeling the heat the pressure the squeeze. But most of all the stress and the guilt. Did I do him a disservice by snuggling him whenever he needed or letting him sit on my lap whenever he wanted? Did I not spend enough time trying to help him prepare for the new baby by making it more real somehow? But most of all did I not give him enough attention so that when this new little baby comes home with us he would have no doubt that he holds a corner of my heart the same as all of my other kids and nothing and nobody could take that from him?... I know I can love all of my kids, but do they know it and feel it the way I do? Have I somehow forgot to make that clear? How do I fix it how can I assure them all that no matter what goes on no matter if I'm mad or nursing or dealing with someone else their needs are important to me and I am not Not listening I am just taking things one at a time because thats the only way I know how...

Christmas 2010

2010-12-26T19:19:00.000-08:00

The night Before Christmas and all through the house

not a creature was stirring far from the couch

(because they were all sick!) We dined on Chinese by candlelight

and had only one puker and it was a fright

stories were read by the children this year And the Christmas Mouse came bringing Holiday Cheer

(New Jammies)

We each opened one teaser gift and Daddy was thrilled!
He got a Case of Orangina to be savored and chilled The stockings were hung,

The tree was a Beautiful sight
Some cookies and a letter for Santa made it a magical night! On Christmas morning it was crazy and fun the big present sorting had already begun The loot was divided and inspected with anticipation Then all the presents were opened and it was a great celebration! The Rest of the day we played, ate and rested
We talked about baby Jesus and his special message.
We had a wonderful Christmas maybe even the best yet
It was a day we will treasure and won't soon forget.

Big impact small space!

2010-12-23T20:53:00.001-08:00

Okay so I am a copy cat decorator and I'm not afraid to admit it. I came across this amazing idea for a stencil wall here. I highly suggest that if she is not in your daily reads put her there. She has so many creative and thrifty ideas for just about everything. I LOVE HER SITE! anyhow on to my wall. I pretty much had this itty bitty wall that is the only wall we can put our T.V. on.I have always felt like it was a wasted space because I can't put much there with the T.V. and all. You know me I can't have an empty wall it's against my religion (not really). An empty space on a wall in my home draws my eye and hoards my thoughts until I can find something out there to fill it. Some people think it makes things cluttered I prefer to call it cozy. OK so really this time I am on to the wall for realz! So I picked my stencil traced it and cut it just like the tutorial said then I set to work. Luckily for me I can't sleep much being a cazzilion years pregnant so I pretty much did this in the middle of the night. I took me two days because I underestimated how much paint I would need. In the end I LOVE it and it makes my cozy making brain happy when I see it. So without further ado here are the shots. I would love to hear what you have to say on the matter.

Before... see what I mean small space. Oh and do you see that little pop out circle in the top right corner. That used to be a chimney I guess. It was my biggest concern because I knew the stencil wouldn't lie flat but because I freaking rock It looks AWESOME! Oh and don't mind my outlet hanging out of the wall, I had the handyman switch out an ugly black one for a nice pretty white one while I had the wall cleared.

During.... yeah I left that pop out for LAST

After... So I know these are not the best shots but I couldn't wait to post it so you get what I got:) The actual color of the wall is more like in the before shot then the darker tan thta shows in the others. I am thinking of taking the handles on the entertainment center and painting them red too. See I already took one off to test it out on. I will update you all later on what I've decided. This is not our final set up as far as stereo components go but it will have to do until after the baby is born and I am just fine with that. Oh and notice the pop out? Yup I didn't think so . I think the stencil actually hid it really well.

So here is here cost break down for ya...

4 pk of clear folders 2.50 @ walmart

copy of image blown up @ Kinko's .50

4 jars of Christmas red stencil paint @ 3.47 ea. from Hobby Lobby 13.88

stencil cutter from Joann's 7.45 w/ 50%off coupon

Elmer's spray adhesive 0.00 I had it already still have about 1/2 can left too :)

total = 24.33

And I have an amazing stencil I can re-use, a sweet new multi tool I can do tons with and a wall that has a huge visual impact with out all the "clutter" . I'm loving it. What do you think?

Bench Finished FINALLY!! And new Coat Rack!!

2010-12-02T23:38:00.000-08:00

Before

After

So I started my bench re-vamp a while ago when the weather was still nice. I got tangled up in about 5 different projects and I lost steam.

Do you ever do that?
I am the QUEEN of great intentions but also a master at procrastination.
I have said it before and I will say it again, it’s a miracle anything ever gets finished by me because I have a ten track mind.
Well I am pleased to say I finished this beauty and although it took me Foreva I love how it turned out. Oh and BOnUs I also finished the coat rack I have been meaning to do since we moved back in the Little Yellow house in September.
I know right *sigh*
but now I have a great functional entry way and since I don't have a coat closet I have room for my people to hang their stuff so it doesn’t clutter the teeny tiny space left once everyone is inside the house:)

So here's the breakdown... (My Fav part)

BENCH
Bench *free had it for years (originally 25.00 on clearance)
paint * free had it all from previous projects
glaze* free also had from previous projects

Coat Rack
Old weathered fencing * 2.00 dollars
10.00 at a yard sale (thank you Jodi!) Oh and I still have about 8 full panels left, well 6 if you count that I gave 2 to my mom last year. So if you count what I paid per what I used it broke down to about 2 bucks per panel so that makes this project about 2 dolla my people.
hangers* 2.02 each for a total of 10.10

Total for my new entry way... $12.10

Crafty Clique Thankful Thurdsdy!

2010-12-02T21:35:00.000-08:00

This week I am thankful for TIME!

+I'm thankful for the Time I had with my Grandpa before he passed away on Tuesday

+I am thankful for the Time I got to spend with my Family for my Birthday on Wednesday

+I am thankful I have Time to get a few more things done before this new baby gets here

+I am thankful it only takes a little Time to make a cup of cocoa in the Microwave

+ I am thankful there is only a little Time left and finals will be over

+ I am thankful for the Time I get to spend each day with my kids

+ I am thankful for the Time I get each day without my kids ;)

+ I am thankful I am a night own so I can spend Time with my Husband after he gets home

+ I am thankful I have more Time to get ready for Christmas

+I am thankful for the Time I live in and a Heavenly Father Who gives me Time to learn and grow

spur of the moment

2010-11-22T18:25:00.000-08:00

The other night I came across a deal for free holiday cards. I got on the site to check it out ended up finding one I liked and then realized I had no recent pictures of the kids... So what was I to do, not get the cards, get them w/o a picture or hurry and go take a few?....You know me I am the Queen of spur of the moment decisions:) I only had about 30 min before dark and I wanted to take them outside so I hurried and dressed the kids in semi coordinating outfits with what they had in their closets and we ran (literally Karl had the car) down to the school to get some shots on the toys. My kids work best when at play. It was cold and it was dinnertime but they id great! We got a couple (2) good shots before the dark really hit us and my camera has a horrible problem with night shots because of shadows (see my big head shadow oh yeah nice). Well to be fair it could just be me who doesn't know how to work it in the dark. Any how, here are some shots we took. They had fun playing and I had fun snapping away. The grayscale shot is actually the first shot I took. The camera was on night shot and I didn't realize it. I know I'm no pro but guess what? This whole thing cost me zero dollars people and it made for a fun

mid-week activity that my kids will be talking about for months, plus I got to put pictures of my beasts on my free holiday cars yippee!

Holiday Cards for FREE!

2010-11-22T18:13:00.000-08:00

Shutterfly is offering a deal for 50 free Holiday cards for bloggers who write about it (taxes, and shipping and handling will still be charged). Their site offers many great services, such as, a Premium Video Plan, and products like photo books calendars and cards. I’ve been browsing their site and I have my eye on a few cute things for gifts this year. I can't wait to send them to our family and friends! I especially like having the option of using photos! It will be the perfect way to share our updated photos of the beasts with our loved ones' for the Holidays. I've never ordered from Shutterfly before, but have many friends and family members who have, and all have loved the products and services. I've been told the quality is excellent and the service is speedy! I think their new Holiday collection offers so many fun and beautiful options - it's too good to pass up! If you're interested in the promotion, check it out here! Fill out the form, write about it on your blog, and then you'll receive your codes through email in 3-5 business days. Happy shopping!

P.S. To check out the Shutterfly Holiday Card collection, click here!

check this out!

2010-11-22T17:44:00.000-08:00

A sweet give a way is happening over here. Go check it out.

Halloween 2010 bout stinking time!

2010-11-19T17:56:00.000-08:00

So this year Halloween was pretty great.

Kelten wanted to make his own costume which when you see the pics you will LOVE. he was supposed to be a pirate. (cough cough ) but the Handy Man and I think he looked more like a female medicine man from the 70's. He loved it and wore it proudly and that was what counts. We had a great time laughing at him all night too :)

Kippi was a wizard, Rieken was Iron man 2 (don't even think of forgetting the 2) and Tiernen was a lion just like his brothers before him.

We had a great weekend carving pumpkins, making treats for the neighbors and passing out candy for the fist time ever since they didn't go Trick or Treating on Sunday.

All in all it was great and I was SOOO happy to call it a done deal by the end of the night.

P.S. We still have candy left YIKES!

Keeping my head above water

2010-11-17T20:58:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been so wrapped up in school, bills, cleaning, house projects and EVERYTHING that I am having a hard time being present in the moment for my family. I noticed a few weeks ago my temper has been shorter my voice has been louder and my outlook a lot gloomier. But no matter what I couldn't seem to flip the switch. I was starting to go all, "life sucks" on myself until after a particularly silly- unnecessary row with the handy man in front of the kids (not our best moment) he left with beastie # 4 to right the wrong I had so thoughtlessly laid at his feet and I went in to put the kids to bed myself. When I walked in they were all snuggled up on one bed listening to Kippi read her latest baggie book. They were comforting each other and It dawned on me that's my job... I just kinda stood there and listened in awe and realized no matter what seems to be going wrong in my life I have four beautiful healthy beasts whom I have been given the sacred responsibility to love and nurture and shelter and be there for. It occurred to me I was focusing on all of the preconceived crap life was dishing me and not enough of the real treasures I had right now in this moment.That night I spent extra time reading our bedtime books even though it meant the kids lost some sleep, I apologized for fighting with daddy over something so silly and asked for their forgiveness which they gave unequivocally and with out judgement. I tucked each on in and whispered something to each about why they were special and how grateful I was for something they had done that day. As I shut the door for the first time in many many nights I felt good and clear and sort of happy. My kids went to bed without a single complaint and with smiles as they snuggled into their cozy beds none the worse for wear. Later after a long talk with the Handy Man and some apologies around the table we snuggled up for a late night movie and just enjoyed time together. We shut off the phones, popped some popcorn and we didn't worry about the undone dishes or swapping the laundry. It was Kinda heavenly. As we went to bed that night I thought back over the last few weeks and I had to acknowledge to myself I was sinking. I do that, I sink every now and then especially when I'm pregnant. Life overwhelms me and I get snippy and I quit functioning. This time instead of sinking so far under I was able to to SEE that I need to be there. I need to be present, I need to function for myself and my family, I need to Love and be loved. I'm not going to rosy it up and say that since that night all had been peachy Keen but it's amazing how quickly a frown can turn upside down when I stay calm and use kind words and don't make assumptions. (things most people learn in 3rd grade!) It's amazing how helpful my kids want to be when I praise them often instead of snapping about the things that didn't get done. It's amazing how nice married life can be when My husband has clean laundry and the house is at least sort of clean when he comes home or when I truly listen to him and let him talk instead of dumping all my issues on him every time. It's amazing how I can stay afloat just by by being present in the moment instead of dwelling on everything that has passed and everything to come. So, although my head is above water my goal for right now,this moment is to keep it that way by being here in the now. It's may not seem like much but it's working and that's enough for me RIGHT NOW.

Happy Turkey Month

2010-11-04T15:39:00.000-07:00

************Gobble Gobble************

Rieken checking out the turkey Or maybe the Turkey checking out Rieken...

Thanksgiving in Utah 2007

I know I haven't posted about our Halloween yet but I will:)

You know me, not one to do things in order that's for sure.

So in the mean time I just wanted to say how much I love November.

The month of the Turkey or at least that's what the beasties think.

This is the month I get to...

* start listening to Christmas music

*Put up Christmas lights on the house

*take pics of our family for our wall

*Go to Portland to visit friends and attend an amazing conference

*go shopping EARLY on black Friday

*Have a turkey dinner and hang out for a full day with my family playing games and chillin.

Yup we love Turkey month around here.

who is who???

2010-10-21T22:31:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking about this new little baby that we will be bringing home in a few months. I have been wondering what he will look like. Will he have red, orange, black, brown, or blonde hair? Will he look like me? I doubt it:) I think anyone looking at our kids now could tell them apart mostly because of age difference but their hair is a dead give-a-way too:) But looking back at their pictures of when they were all babies I can see that we always use the same "mold".

You know, the one baby mold we like to use in this house. The one with the round head and big cheeks. Oh yeah we like tht one:) Will this baby break the mold or will he be another clone to add to the troops?

So here is the question of the day... can you tell who is who?

Oh wait that's not our biological baby so his "mold" is a little different but still cute eh'

Rimmasch tid bits***

2010-10-18T14:45:00.001-07:00

Rieken has been on a roll lately with his little self. Here are some of his finer moments.

"Mom are you grumpy like this all the time or just when you have a baby in your belly cause I can't remember."

"knock knock"

(me who's there)

" Rieken"

(Rieken who)

"Mom it's me Rieken with the orange hair and big muscles can't you even remember anything!?"

"I think for dinner dad should cook cause you need a break."

(oh thanks buddy)

"yeah you look tiered like a great gramma so you should go to bed"

last week we got up a little late one morning and it was rush rush to get everyone out the door and just as they were walking out Rieken turned around and ran back to me and said,

"you didn't even snuggle me this morning how am I gonna be brave?"

(sniff sniff)

Rieken is*** stubborn+ honest and he loves with every ounce in his little orange headed well muscled body and to me that's Perfect.

Weekend to DO..**

2010-10-14T20:41:00.000-07:00

This weekend we have TONS to get done. The kids have no school Friday so we have a whole extra day to accomplish it all. Here is our list.. I'm hoping this will keep me accountable.

*Pull weeds (we have loads)
*Mow the lawn
*CLEAN & I mean really clean the bedrooms
*Clean out the Rig in for sure out if we have time
*At least 6 loads of laundry with all the bedding from the rooms YUCK
* Make homemade dinner rolls YUM
*Go to our ward activity***movie night! Take above mentioned rolls
*Decorate for, bake for and get ready for **Kelten's mystery Halloween birthday party (finally)
*Take down a set of bunk beds to sell on craigslist (anyone interested?)
*Clean sectional sofa to post on Craigslist (my big red one **anyone?)
Maybe possibly go to Wenatchee to see my Grandpa... We may hold off until next weekend so we can have all weekend and not just a day trip.

**That is about it**

It's going to be busy, It's going to be fun and that's the way we like it round here.

Weekend RundownLong post***

2010-10-11T12:53:00.000-07:00

This weekend seemed just about as close to perfect as I could have asked for...

Friday was our 12th Anniversary so we took the kids to Yokes and picked up some yummy dinner fixings and rented a red box. We came home and Karl and the kids made dinner while I folded like 6 loads of laundry (hey it's my party I'll fold if I want to:) then we had a FABULOUS dinner of Rib eye steak, sea scallops, HUGE shrimp and baked potatoes with the works of course. Oh and it wouldn't be a true celebration if we didn't have a cheese course and Yokes has such a great selection of stinky cheeses so each of the kids picked one and we had olives from the olive bar. *** heavenly***. I wish i had thought to take a picture it would make your mouth water but I didn't think about it... In fact all I could think about was the food. Hm wonder why:) I have to say I was killer good and so rich** but sooo worth every bite.

I think now would be a great time to mention how much I I love having a husband who can cook like nothing else. We get exactly what we want and the whole family can eat "out" for a fraction of the cost not to mention we don't have to dress up if we don't want to,the kids can be themselves, and we don't have to wait for a table bonus!

After dinner we popped in our movies Karl and I on the couch and the kids in their room and we had pumpkin pie after wards for dessert. It was one of our best Anniversary dates yet. Low key fun and just us as a family.

Saturday brought the rain and tons of it. We stayed in and did Saturday chores then headed to town for errands.TONS OF THEM! The highlight was the kids all got to pick a pumpkin:)

I forgot what a big deal running to the store is when you live and extra 15 min outside of town. We are a one car family right now so we have to really schedule our town time carefully not to mention the whole gas issue. The first week we were back out here we were running in and out three or more times a day and it took us a week and a HUGE chunk of our monthly fuel budget to remember we can't do that anymore:( It has been really hard for me to adjust. I am am used to running to Walmart or the red box to pick up any little thing on a whim but when you drive a gas guzzler ( that I love by the way, well the rig not the guzzling) and you live way out yonder, that's just not really a good idea. So,after our big several hour long errand running expedition we were all beat. We decided to hang it at home once again and watch a movie. We had picked up The new Karate Kid from a Red Box and it was great. The kids loved it. I think I might try to find the originals for them I think they would love them.

Sunday was our first week back to our Old/New...New/Old ward here in Burbank. Our ward in Pasco had asked us if we would mind teaching our class until they found a replacement so we just got released the Sunday before Conference. I have to say for a ward that felt like it never changed a lot of things have changed in the last year. So many new faces and quiet a few of the old ones gone. We also have the building to ourselves again for how long I don't know but for now it makes it nice on the after church crush. It was nice for the kids to walk into Primary and have a built in friend base from school and from before. So many people came up to us and said "Hi" and wanted to chat. I had friends to sit by during relief Society hey I got to go to R.S. I haven't done that in ages because of our primary calling:) It was nice to know they were excited to have us back and it made the whole experience/transition smooth and comfortable. I think going back to the ward here has made our move feel official and real (I can't believe it took so long!). This Friday is a big ward activity and the kids are really looking forward to going so hopefully we can work out the car schedule so I can take them. I think that will be great. One thing I will say about the Burbank ward is they have always made an effort to have great ward activities and they are fun. Anyhow, after church it was still raining and Karl had to go off to work so the kids and I had a cozy afternoon of games and books then we ate a nummy early dinner got all ready for bed and for Monday then we snuggled up on the hide-a-bed and watched two Harry Potter movies. Oh yeah that was like 5 hours of Harry Potter. I had tons of homework so I only watched parts of both but they all sat and watched and ate popcorn for hours. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect way to spend a rainy gloomy weekend then the way we did it.

Movies, food and family time.. You just can't beat it.

Overheard

2010-10-05T12:01:00.001-07:00

Over heard from
Rieken:
I think momma's sick cause she keeps drinking that dr. pepper so the Dr. must of gived it to her.

mom did you put on Ass cara? your eye lashers look all fat and black.

Tiernen you better brush and floss all your teeth or your gonna have grandpa Bang teeth. (None)

Today I’m tiered because I was so cold I got goose bumps so big I couldn't sleep on them.

Tiernen I'm saying the pledge of allegiance your supposed to shut your trap and cross your heart.

(huge sigh) I think I need a popsicle, it’s been one of those days.

Over heard from
Tiernen:

Here go mom.. It's a booogrrr , Iss wet. Welcome. Say thanks mom say thanks.

I was in the kitchen and I heard Tiernen taking inventory of all His things and shoving them into his backpack
Thas my packpack.. Thas my car.. thas my keys... Thas my nother car.. Thas my mokey (the cat smokey)Hey mokey quish up and get in my pack pack. Muaam, Mokey won't listen.

(Talking to my belly) Hey baby! Baby? Nope iss not home.

Me: "Tiernen do you need to go poo?"
Tiernen: "No I just parted (farted) an it was nassy.. Ooh stinky nassy"

First day of October 2010

2010-10-01T10:38:00.000-07:00

~~This is what the first day of October looked like at our house~~

Snuggled up on the couch

chillin in our jammies watching Cars.

October you are welcome anytime!

Halloween sn-EEK p-EEK 2010

2010-09-28T16:47:00.000-07:00

Halloween is by far my most favorite Holiday. I love all the spooky* candy eating* costume wearing *bits and pieces of it. In fact when Karl and I got married I already had a huge box of stuff to decorate with. Each year I try to add a few little pieces; nothing to over the top or major spendy. Just something that will add a definite scream to the old collection. This year I found a few mega finds at the Dollar Tree and I re-vamped a few oldies I already had. So thought I would share :)

A pkg of mini skulls (d.t)

perfect to accent my old warped party light candle

A med sized black bird.(D.T)

I LOVE LOVE HIM!

sitting on my ten plus year old Pier One pumkins

Two mini skeletons I pulled apart for a jar of bones (d.t.)
Two freshly painted silver (used to be bisque) Jack-o-Lantern luminaries
that have seen many a year.

Nothing actually new here,but I took some old spice jars I had just about thrown away and filled em' with candy and Vwa- ha-ha-la just like that, a cute little treat for the eye and the tummy

So what about you? Are you decorating for the holidays yet?

The big D, Babies, and Mini me

2010-09-27T18:58:00.000-07:00

Okay so we are going on week two of the flu. I felt so bad but last night we had to cancel Kelten's family birthday celebration because fevers chills and the big D (the bathroom one) just don't say party ya know? Well anyhow, today I totally sent all the big kids to school because they are at the tale end of it all and I had a DR.'s apt and Karl and T stayed home sick and nasty. I came home after sweating/shivering it out for hours at the office waiting for my O.B. feeling like death. My poor Dr. walked in took one look and said are you sick, have you had the flu shot how bout we do that and then you won’t even notice if you get it cause you already got it:) Oh so thoughtful. I kind of sneezed in his direction on purpose after that. On the upside, I had an ultrasound and it was great. No more placenta previa! Whoop Whoop. And the baby is looking great, still a boy which I'm not complaining about, just restating because I can't quite believe it. I really thought this was girl number two for us but another boy is just fine as well. Besides, I think if I got another girl as uniquely wonderful and special as Kippi I may just have to call it at five and that would be a shame because my OCD about odd numbered kids would drive me nuts for life, just saying. This way we can go for six with out the fear of a third "little angel" ya know. Oh that sounds like I don't like my Kippi but I do I adore her. In fact I love her and it takes every ounce of me not to love her to death some days. I think the main problem is that she is just like me. Seriously a Mini Me...And frankly as wonderful as that is, it’s a little hard to swallow. Well thats abo0ut all I have time to pout I mean post about. So, until next time may the germs avoid you all. - N

THE BIG REVEAL!

2010-09-22T17:53:00.000-07:00

I know she looks a little blah with no decor and up against my very neutral toned wall but I didn't want to dress her all up just to have to re-dress her this weekend when I whip out my Halloween decor. Lazy hmmm I prefer practical and time saving. So on to the details:)

Here she is full on and I didn't even notice until I uploaded all my pics that one of her handles was flipped funny sorry.

For this lovely Lady I decided to go with a more neutral pallet as she will be in my living room and I would rather accent with color then have to repaint all of my furniture when I decide I'm bored of my color choices.

First as you saw before she got a good sanding. I could have primed her but when it came down to it, I could prime her for around 15-20 bucks or sand her for and a little more muscle and time AND 3bucks (actually less since I still have several sheets of sand paper left for another project or five:)

It was a no brainer for me.

Next she got a coat of white. Now most people would use cream but I had white and frankly I love how it turned out. Then came the distressing, glazing and varnishing. Like I said before this is how you get your details and that's is where it's all at people. I gave her hardware a little face lift with some silver paint to match all my silver fixtures and lastly she got some felt strips on her feet to protect our new floors.

Ah I just love her don't you? seriously what do you think? I am dying to hear.

So here's the cost break down...

Dresser an awesome hand me down from my parents (from their original wedding set) =FREE

Sand paper BIG pack = 3.00

White paint left over from previous projects but originally 20.00= FREE

Glaze left over from previous projects originally 10.00 = FREE

Silver spray paint for hardware left over from previous project originally about 3.50= FREE

felt strips mega pack as we needed it for just about everything on the new floors =10.00

So total if I was getting everything just for this project =46.50

but since I didn't ... I paid= 13.00

(and that's with the whole price of the felt strips which I am using on tons of other furniture as well )

but even at 13 BUCKS you can't beat it!

Next up I have a treat... My free coffee table from this gal I refinished to match. Ooh La La It's was love at first sight so make sure you come back and see it for yourself.

Furniture project # 2

2010-09-21T15:46:00.000-07:00

Please don't mind the mess in my pictures I decided that in order to be the most productive I could be I would do multiple projects at one time... Hows that working out for me you say? Uh can I get back to you on that one? Here are the before shots of my old bedroom dresser not the one I posted about below that is my "new" bedroom dresser but the one I used to have in my room that is currently loving it's new life in my living room. This is after a good sanding and all the hardware had been removed. Come back tomorrow for the after shots. I think you might be surprised, I was:)

It's official!

2010-09-20T09:06:00.000-07:00

2010 Flu season has begun at the Rimmasch Haus.
First victim... Kelten
Things to curse... having only one bathroom and it being occupied when the vomiting starts
Things to be grateful for... Hardwood floors that clean up nice and quick
Things to curse… chunks in the washer
Things to be grateful for…Lysol
Things to curse… 1 down 5 to go
Things to be grateful for… cool weather that I can open the windows to and let the fresh air back into my little yellow house.

From something old To something new...

2010-09-16T14:35:00.000-07:00

I have been on a "project kick" lately. I recently acquired this 30 plus year old dresser from my SIL Eden. It had great lines and was in sturdy shape to begin with but it just wasn't my style with all its dark wood and bronze hardware not to mention it was showing it's age. I have to admit I am sick because I think I deleted my "before" pictures; who does that?! I can't find them anywhere but I decided to share the "after" shots anyhow because I know you can use your imaginations and because I can’t believe it turned out even more beautiful then I had anticipated. I love it when that happens. I sanded, primed and painted her then sanded the edges I wanted to leave raw to give it that old worn feel then I glazed her and finished her off with a clear coat of varnish and a few coats of silver for her hardware. It took me a week because of weather, life and unpacking but I got her done and I LOVE her! Please keep in mind I have a very limited space to take pics in so some of the angles are wonky but you can still see her in all her glory.

Without the mirror front view. Isn't she a beauty?

with the mirror from the side. I can't decide if I will keep it on becaue if I center it it will cover our window. It's growing on me off to the side though...

I painted all the hardware silver and I love the way it pops!

It's all in the Details... The sanded edges the glazing and the curves. Oh how I love it!

So tell me what do you think?

Eleven!

2010-09-15T10:42:00.000-07:00

Kelten,

It's hard to believe you have already grown from this...

a sweet little
8 1/2 month old!

To this...

An intelligent, witty, and charming young man.

(Kelten 9-15-2010 11 years old!)

We are so proud of who you have grown into. Each day you bless us with your humor, smile, sensitivity, and thoughtfulness. We feel privileged to be part of your life. Happy Birthday bud!
Love,
Mom, Dad and the Beasties

Happy Birthday Babe

2010-09-12T19:56:00.000-07:00

May The Force be With You Karl

Happy 36th

First day of school

2010-09-10T09:57:00.000-07:00

Kelten and Kippi started school last week and they were both really excited to be going back to Burbank! They love the school and have such great friends here. Kippi's new favorite color is blue and she wanted all blue school supplies backpack and everything. Imagine my surprise when she walks out wearing all grey for her first day. Where was the cute blue dress she had laid out the night before? Apparently it was, “too much color" so I just sat back and let Kippi be Kippi. She has her own sense of style and I can't say it's awful so I guess it's no biggie :) Kelten was a little more willing to let me help but when it came to his jeans he wanted to wear the old ripped ones instead of the new ones he just got because they are already comfortable. So funny they are both becoming so opinionated /independent and I usually can’t find fault in their reasoning’s so what do ya do? So we (the whole family) walked them to school. Kippi was not happy she just wanted to go and not have Mom and Dad there. On the other hand, Kelten was pleased because he was a little nervous. In the end we got to walk Kippi who went all shy to her room and Kelten made a mad dash for his friends and took off before we new it went in with his class *sigh* Oh well they made it safe and sound and that’s what counts right?Kippi age 7 ** 1st day of 2nd grade 2010Kelten age 10 ** 1st day of 5th grade 2010Kelten and Kippi walking home on the 1st day of school 2010

Rieken started school on Wednesday of this week He has been chomping at the bit for a week! We found out on Friday before school started for everyone last week that he would be in all day kindergarten!!!I was thrilled and a little nervous but mostly just excited because that meant only on kid home until January when we add the next one. Rieken was very excited to get to walk to school and eat lunch at school and walk home with his big brother and sister. So it’s a win- win! We all went in to take him to his first day and met his teacher Mrs. W who he thinks is beautiful and smells soooo good. We walked him to the playground so he could play before the first bell and he came back and gave me a big hug and whispered I love you momma. That is when I lost it. I just couldn’t believe it! I have sent two kids off to Kinder before and I never cried but the damn broke and I was all puffy with tears streaming by the time we got to the front doors. Stinking embarrassing hormones right?
He had a great day it was long and he came home and conked out but other then that he LOVES it and so do I! All in all it was just what we both needed.

Rieken age 5 ** 1st day of Kindergarten 2010Rimmasch Beasties 2010
Rieken with his teacher Mrs. W Rimmasch beasties walking home together after Rieken's first day

BIG NEWS!

2010-09-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

A few things have been in the works here at the Rimmaschaus...

First, we have finished (mostly) working on our house in Burbank and we decided to move back into it! So off we went the move was official about a week ago. The kids started school out there last week (post to come) and we love it.

Second, for those of you who didn't already know we (ME) have been working on growing baby number for about oh 5 months now. We are even more excited to actually share this news with every one because we had a lot of the same issues as last time and I was on bed rest for ages! So we didn't want to share until we had better news. I still have placenta previa but it looks better every visit. We are due in January and.... It's A BOY!!! Yeah I'm not sure how I feel about the thought of 4 boys and 1 girl but, we feel like we still have at least one more baby in us so maybe we will have another girl who knows. Right now we are just happy to add another beastie to our chaos.

Well that’s all for now but I will post the details of the first day of school and all that later this week. Be sure to check back for it because this year we have a new Kider and he starts on Wednesday for FULL TIME ALL DAY kinder!! Can I hear a Whoop Whoop! So...

Until next time, Niki

Today..

2010-08-26T23:06:00.000-07:00

Today- I woke up early and just laid in bed listening to Karl breath until I fell back to sleep.
Today- I talked to my neighbor for an hour about nothing important.
Today- I bought a new fridge
Today-I worked on our house in Burbank ...AGAIN. Yes we still have it.
Today- I decided to craigslist a bunch of stuff but not until next week
Today- Karl and I talked about Inception for at least 40 min.. It was so good.
Today- I was home for the first time all week to feed my kids dinner
Today-I had to hold Tiernen on the couch for a time out because he won't stay in it otherwise.
Today-Rieken gave me a wet kiss and told me I smelled good
Today-Kippi begged me to stay home to tuck her in which I didn't do because I had to go back out to the house in Burbank and work on it again.
Today-I wish I would have waited an hour to tuck her in
Today-I hardly saw Kelten at all
Today- I found a wad of Smokey's fur on the ground from one of the kids loving him a bit too hard
Today- I am a little grumpy from really bad spam comments
Today- is almost over and I am kind of glad
Today- is the 3rd to last day we will live in Pasco... At least for a while.

summer lovin' picture post

2010-07-17T22:31:00.001-07:00

Summer has been Great! so far we have ...

had a double (Rieken *5* -Tirnen *2*) birthday party in the park

Made our traditional crab pot dinner with a little extra love in the form of some super yummy Lobster tails. Sooo SOoo good

Topped it with Karl's home made four layer cake with cheesecake filling and choclate ganache frosting. I know quadruple yum!
Had a *kids only* cook dinner night. It was supervised and really quite nice
played at the park

had a few sickies and TONS of breathing treatments

watched some fireworks and lit some off too.

played a few rounds of settlers of Zarahemla

and dominos

enjoyed free movies at the fairchild, swam @ the new pool in pasco and warmed up on the sidewalk

took the kids the the last airbender thus creating a frenzy for the need to bend.

and go bald

that pretty much sums up what we have been up to how about you?

Welcome Welcome!

2010-06-01T15:53:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the newest member of the Mike and Jaime Sydnes Family

Max Duane Sydnes

6Lbs. 8 Oz.

June 1, 2010

Congrats Sis, You do great work!

Monday Blahs

2010-05-24T09:54:00.001-07:00

It's Monday... Nuff said..

spring break 2010

2010-05-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

This year we...

Danced on the tableshad an Easter Egg Hunt

Worked on our little Yellow House in Burbank

( Look at those new floors)
Got put in time out on top of Lockers
(does he look like he's being punished?)

Played at Grammy's

and

Climbed trees

better late then never.

2010-05-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

I know I'm late posting this but we have been really sick around here so better late then never right? Rieken Turned 5... FIVE! on May 12th.. Can you believe it's been five years since we had him? Me either. A few of my favorite things things about Rieken right now are...

He loves the outdoors. He loves to climb trees, ride his bike, swim and dig in the dirt

He Has tons of funny facial expressions

He is handsome and whitty and can always put a smile on my face

Happy Birthday Rieken. Thanks for being just the way you are. We woudn't trade you for anything.

2010-05-09T10:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day
I will be spending it
~~~Not teaching my class for primary because I get to go to R.S for Mother's Day

~~~Chocolate Truffles
~~~Not cooking because we bought meats, cheeses, rolls and the handy man is gonna whip up a fruit salad and veggie tray.

~~~Chocolate Truffles
~~~Not doing dishes because we love picnic wear. Who doesn't?

~~~Chocolate Truffles
~~~Getting to rest and relax with the other Mom's in my family. My sis Tiffany, My MOM. my SIL's Eden and Sheri.

~~~And did I mention Chocolate Truffles?
I'm thinking this is rounding out to be a great day. I hope yours is great too.

Rimmasch Haus Funnies Day Two

2010-05-08T18:30:00.000-07:00

Tiernen

our 23 month old

I asked him if he wanted a snuggle and a ni-night and he said ...

Nope

he was obviously VERY sleepy so I asked him again and he said...

NO!

"hmmm... Well then" I said, what about just a snuggle?

His reply?

Yup! and he climbed into to my lap as fast as he could. .

My sweet beastie is tricky, he wanted the snuggle he just didn't want the ni-night.

that's okay I'll take it.

if you ask him where his nose is he gives you a blank starebut, if you ask him to were his honk is he will point right to it.

He Loves backpacks but can't really stand Dora. So the whole time he watches Dora he says,"NO My Pack Pack , No Dora! It's awesome!

Every week at church with out fail we drop him off at nursery, He starts to cry, we leave and then he falls asleep, pretty much instantly. The nursery workers love him. I can't decide if he does it because it's his defense mechanism or if it's just pay backs so he naps at church and then I don't have any down time after church while he naps...

Rimmasch Haus funnies day 1

2010-05-07T15:14:00.000-07:00

As you all know I have been gone (from blogging) for a while and I thought I was back but I guess I wasn't so here I am popping in to share a few highlights in my life lately so you don't start having withdrawals.

Rieken 4 yrs:

singing his version of the Back Yard Again's scurvy pirate song at the top of his lungs...

wait for it...

~~~~~~ What do you do with a purvey pirate? ~~~~~~

Yeah I almost peed too:)

Saying thank you in Spanish

~~~~Grouchy ass~~~~

Telling me what kind of birthday party he wants

Him: Vanilla Me: Vanilla what do you mean vanilla?

Him: Uh I thought you went to college already...

During church about a month ago he was plucking out my hair one by one and he wouldn't stop!

Me: (all threatening mad and whispery)...Rieken I swear on all that's holy if you don't stop pulling my hair...

Him: shh you can't be mean in Jesus's house or you won't get invited back...

Man I love that kid!

Come back tommorrow for Rimmasch Haus funnies day 2 .

It's that time again...

2010-03-13T09:01:00.000-08:00

Allergy season. Every year about this time Karl starts coughing, hacking, wheezing and puffing on his inhaler and doing breathing treatments on the nebulizer which we affectionately call his crack pipe. This year is a little different because he got sick at the end of January and all February it lingered by the time March came around he was in already weeks into a cycle of breathing treatments, inhalers and meds. So now we are in the middle of March and the man hasn't slept through the night in months. To top it all off he has asthma so it just makes it worse and harder to get ahead of his breathing. His body just isn't getting a break. So,this year I am taking a stand and making an appointment for him at the allergy and breathing clinic. He is going to be irritated at first because he has homework and a job and kids and blah blah blah! He isn't afraid of the doctor he just doesn't see the point in going when he can power through on his own. Well tough. Not only am I officially worried, I have gotten to the point that I can recognize him from isles away by his cough the clearing of his throat. Nice I know. So off I go to paruse the phone book so on Monday I can call around and see if someone can squeeze him in...Soon! Any recommendations?

Trash Master

2010-03-07T22:16:00.000-08:00

For those of you who have never met my husband, I’d like to introduce you.
His name is Karl but to those who know him best he goes by the Trash Master or Trash. He is a full time student and he works as well (yeah I know makes me tired too!) His favorite pastimes are a good book, Eve ( a game no t a girl), Family time, and cooking. He grew up in Wyoming and somehow managed to only ever wear cowboy boots during a college production he was in (gals and dolls I think). Some of my favorite things about him are…
He is:
· Amazing
· Smart
· Strong (physically and spiritually)
· Fun
· The best Daddy
· Hard working
· Loving
· Kind
· Giving
· Good looking
· Open minded
· Flexible
· Persistent
· Dedicated
· Athletic
· Witty
· Understanding and Forgiving
· A True Friend
· The Best Husband

So, the next time you see him, feel free to say “Hi” now that you’re practically best buds and all. Oh and lets keep this post between you and me he doesn’t know k’.
-until next time,
Niki

home work & home - work

2010-02-03T19:17:00.001-08:00

This week I had Two HUGE papers due, one test, one quiz, and a whole unit in math to complete. As of today I have finished one test,one quiz,two papers adn 1/2 a unit of math. I now have 1/2 a unit to complete and although I finished the original papers due at the beginning of the week I now have the joy of adding anotherbut it's not due until next week Oh and another quiz that is due by Sunday( I can take that one online bonus!) Thank Heavens for small favors. This is all on top of regular life. Ya know, kids piano, scouts( pine wood derby coming next week), chores,bills,dinners, laundry, family time and the list goes ON and ON! I think I have been a little spoiled the last several years getting to stay home and work on my own schedule. Oh well this too shall pass and it had better be with a freaking A!

--brothers--buddies--best friends--

2010-01-31T21:40:00.000-08:00

Rieken and Tiernen have been pretty sick over the last week. It is so sad and a little pathetic too. Last night they both slept in our bed because they were coughing so badly they were waking every one else up. At first they couldn't sleep and then they slowly migrated towards each other and finally when they were touching they zonked out. It was so sweet. I think they got the best nights sleep they had had in days. It helps so much to be comforted by someone who knows your pain don't you think?

You do NOT want to miss this!

2010-01-29T19:36:00.001-08:00

Go check this out. Seriously It is an AMAZING give a way .
So don't wait around here... the clock is ticking... scoot scoot!

So far so good.

2010-01-28T13:42:00.000-08:00

So far school has added to my stress like a thousand times but, I am really enjoying it. I got my first college level English paper back and I got an A! I was so stressed I can not even tell you. I almost wrote the whole thing over but, it took me 2 weeks to write in the first place so, I didn't. I am actually enjoying phsycology which I really didn't think I would and I am not even sure I spelled it right. I LOVE LOVE LOVE choir so much I am in 2 diffrent ones and, although my instructor is a bit unconventional he is stinking amazing. Math sucks and that is all I have to say about that. SO there you have it. Until next time-N

School Haus Rocks!

2010-01-03T23:14:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow all the kids go back to school and as much fun as we had together over winter break I am a realist. If we all want to survive and be a "Happy Family" this is really the best thing for all of us. In other big news...Karl and I also start up tomorrow. He's like, oh back to the grind while I am a puddle of nerves. I haven't been to school since 1997 and frankly I haven’t missed it since. But as I just said I am a realist and I know it's important to have a back-up and an education so here we go. I'm crossing my fingers that I'm not late, I don't fall asleep during class, and that I can find my missing drivers license so I can get my student ID. Wish me Luck! -N

overheard...

2009-12-30T10:54:00.000-08:00

I was in the kitchen when I kept hearing these little snippets of conversation:

Kelten : Never underestimate the baby!

Rieken: But I want to ride the donkey not the oxen!

Kelten: take off your helmet man you are in the presence of a king!

Kippi: where is my gun who took my gun I'm telling!

Kippi: quit pointing that finger at me

Rieken: I can't stay on the donkey he's slippery

When I went in to see what they were doing it made perfect sense

does this outfit make me look fat?

2009-12-29T02:43:00.000-08:00

Today it snowed. So, we got all bundled up and off we went to slip and slide and get our extra energy out. It was during this oh so fun and exiting time that Tiernen reminded me of someone but I just couldn't put my finger on it. In fact it took me about half way through hot chocolate and marshmallows to realize who it was...Can you guess? Look at that sweet face and Oh the total puffiness! Only a baby could pull this outfit off don't ya think?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scroll down to see

It's the little brother from a Christmas story ya know the Red Ryder BB gun show. I think his name is Jimmy but I can't remember we didn't actually watch that one this year. I know blasphemy! Anyhow what do you think? Can you see the resemblance? I will tell ya one thing. That snow suit sure didn't slow him down much and here is a video to prove it. He was telling Kippi and Kelten off a bit because they left him high and dry in the road and he only really liked scooping the walk. Rieken is nowhere in sight because he was mad at me for not letting him slide in the snow first and It just ruined the whole experience for him.

Make sure to pause the music player on the side bar.

Christmas perfection

2009-12-26T08:51:00.000-08:00

This year for the second time in our marriage

We were home alone for Christmas.

It was Perfection.

I love the big family get togethers with the games and food and all nighters.

But somehow this topped them all.

In fact I think we just made a new Rimmasch family tradition.

This is how our holiday went down.

Chinese food by candlelight for Christmas Eve dinner

after dinner crafts for the girls after dinner Star Wars extravaganza for the boys Baking and decorating cookies for Santa Christmas mouse visiting for the first time ever in WA and bringing new jammies and a note Daddy reading Twas the night before Christmas Opening the traditional teaser gift Setting out a plate and note for Santa and and his reindeer then Off to bed to wait for the Magic to happen

Christmas day we slept until 7am and then when the big kids could stand it no longer we grabbed the baby and went to see what Santa had brought.

But this year the kids had asked Santa to wrap their gifts and so he did.

They didn't think how this would prolong the waiting.

AHhh the agony!!

Kippi's Rieken's

Kelten's

Tiernen's

We took our time and read the Christmas story out of Luke and then the kids went to town. Each one loved everything they got and we didn't hear a single complaint or wistful wish that they had gotten something else.

It was really perfect.

Kippi and her skateboardRieken and his scooter

Kelten and his Mp3 player
Tiernen and his music table
The rest of the day...

The kids played with all the new stuff they got.

We made phone calls to family

Hung out with Uncle Ry and two cousins who popped in for an hour

Mommy and Daddy relaxed.

We ate fancy cheeses and cold meats for lunch

played and rested some more

For dinner Daddy made a delicious Christmas turkey with all the fixings

We topped it off with pie.

Christmas day ended with

The Beasties snuggled under the new blankets Grammy made them

a bowl of popcorn, and a family movie

Like I said total perfection.

I hope your Christmas was Perfect too.

Christmas wish list revision

2009-12-23T18:07:00.000-08:00

Dear Santa,
Ya know how this year the beasties were on top of things and got wish lists out to you at the very beginning of the month so you had time to prepare? Well, I just want you to know a lot has happened between then and now (new toys books and the like) and as you know kids can be fickle little turds (at least mine can be). Well apparently, they don’t get that it is just plain RUDE to change your mind after having put in an actual list in writing so, if all they get are things from the original list no tears will be shed or this Mommy will be boycotting presents. I'm just sayin'
So here’s the scoop…
Rieken's fondest wish is no longer a scooter. I know, I know he talked about it NON STOP for months. But, he has had a change of heart and he would truly love a snake eyes costume if it's not too much trouble. I did a little checking for ya and there are a couple left at Target just in case you are all out at the North Pole.
Then there is Kippi. I have tried to explain to her that Santa can only do so much but she still wants me to put in a word for a DSi so here I am putting in a word. Although, I want it on the record, I TOTALLY feel she is a bit young/irresponsible for one. In fact I would prefer you to stick to her original list. Oh and yes she does know where I stand on the matter and would be VERY happy with the skateboard that she originally asked for.
Kelten Has been up in the air for some time and unfortunately just decided today (2 days before the big day) what he really wants. I did some scoping for you and I'm not going to lie, I think you may just have to fall back on his list of previous options. It is really very hard to find metroid prime fusion for the game boy advance at this late a date. I have already explained to Kelten you mostly work in toys so when it comes to video games and electronics you have to do it the same way we mere mortals do... You go to Best Buy or Amazon or EBay and sometimes things are just plain out of stock.
Now Santa I would like to express my Thanks for your understanding in this matter and please know the Rimmasch Kids fully understand that they are blessed no matter what they may or may not get because well frankly Christmas isn't about the gifts. That is just a happy perk. I hope this letter finds you well and ready for the big night. We will be waiting with baited breath for you to work you Christmas Eve magic.
Merrily yours,
Mommy Rimmasch

P.S. If you happen to come across my camera battery I would LOVE to have it Christmas morning.

Do you hear what I hear?

2009-12-18T10:43:00.000-08:00

Upon hearing the news that they needed to actually get dressed and ready for school on a weekday after having a week of 2 hour delays and cancellations this is what we heard all morning long.

Kelten:
What! Are you sure there isn't a two hour delay, that ice still looks pretty bad to me!

Kippi:
OH NO!!!!(total drama) Mom did you get a present for my teacher!?I can't go to school without a present I need to make her a card I think I better hurry and make her a card Mom are you listening I have to have a present for my teacher and OH NO Mauuaaam what about Mrs W. ( the SUB) and Mrs. Wheatley (the Music teacher) and Oh man I'm never gonna get this done in time and (finally takes a huge breath and then on the verge of tears stomps up the stairs.... and finishes off with) Kelten get outta of my way I have cards to make cause I have to do everything myself!
( Good thing I am a pro at tuning that bit of loveliness out and that I totally made treats last night PHEW!)

Conner:
Mom -huff huff puff (running around looking for her)
MOM -Huff Huff
MMOOMM!
this goes on for a good 5 min.

Eden:
What Conner?

Conner:
Oh your still here? Never mind then.

Kelten:
I think you should check again and make sure school isn't cancelled I think I saw a snowflake. This could be bad...

Oh yeah Today is the last day of school before winter break I think we are all feeling it.
Until next time, N

No longer the black or shall I say, brunette sheep...

2009-12-13T22:40:00.000-08:00

Last week for a belated birthday present my Sister in Law Eden took me out and we got our hair cut and colored (by a pro. Not me doing it from a box..)then went to lunch. We had a great time even though I got a call from my babysitter saying my babe was screaming his ever loving head off. Unfortunately there wasn't much I could do as we were in the middle of highlights. (Sorry Maren!) When it was all said and done Maren and Tiernen were at least on friendly terms, Eden had bangs and I had mostly blond hair! I know right?! I have always been the lone Brunette girl in a family of pure true blonde's. I have never even consider being anything but a brunette with the occasional Carmel highlight here and there. I admit I tried red highlights a couple of times but is was a bust. Not today. Today I feel like I have beautiful hair. who knows I may just stay

this way. The way I hear it blonde's have more fun anyhow...

As for my teaser post sorry to leave you (all 2 of ya) hanging I wanted to post pics and my camera was down so here ya go. Oh, by the way did I mention I am going to school full time winter quarter? I am signed up and ready to go. Like I said people, changes.

Until next time, N

~Change is in the air~

2009-12-10T12:20:00.000-08:00

Some big changes have been taking place.

I don't have time to go into details but let's just say, I'm stepping out of the box.

Until next time-N

In the blink of an eye and a twinkle of time.

2009-12-07T02:11:00.000-08:00

Today was one of those days when all of the sudden it was as if I felt time moving. I was sitting at the counter watching Kippi Laugh with her Daddy while learning how to use a star tip to decorate her very own birthday cake when it hit me. Seven years ago today we were blessed with a beautiful healthy baby girl. SEVEN YEARS! It seems like well, I won't say yesterday because frankly yesterday was traumatic enough to be fresh in the old noggin but it sure doesn't seem like it's possible for seven whole years to have literally flown by without my noticing. So that got me to thinking about what I have done with my life in the past seven years that I wouldn't have noticed... hmmm... well... Uh, I have had two more babies and moved 3 times. Not to mention all the day to day fun that no, I didn't take the time to stop and sniff just in case it smelled like roses and I really didn't journal about it either. Now one day when I am an empty Nester and have five minutes of "me" time I can't even sit back and laugh/cry at it then. SHEESH! So here I am back at my computer putting down the things that were good,bad and wonderful about today.

Today- Kippi turned 7. She had a Christmas themed party with a heart shaped cake with snowflakes on it that she and her Daddy made.
Today- Kippi's ears stopped hurting from getting pierced on Friday night (hooray!)
Today- Rieken smelled my neck and told me I smelled beautiful
Today- Kelten woke up and the tooth fairy had forgotten to come .. again.
Today- I sat in the rocking chair and spent a whole 40 min of peace with my baby boy just snuggling him , tracing the little bluish veins on his arms and face and watching him sleep.
-Today the wind blew so hard that when I took the garbage out, the door hit me in the butt on my way out.
Today- Karl rubbed my neck for no reason and didn't ask for anything in return.
Today- I left my peppermint tea in the microwave for 3 hours before I finally found it
Today- I was given a very generous and unexpected gift that I think will be amazing . (piano lessons)
Today -I told my lilttle sister I would call her back and forgot to .. again!
Today-I cleaned our bathroom for the first time in too long and now I want to lock the door so it stays that way.
Today- Aleah didn't have a single major issue with anything really.
Today- Caleb did... Markers ... everywhere
Today- Kelten was willing to give the tooth fairy one last shot before he gave up all together. Thank heavens for that!
Today- I am going to bed with a clean house and a happy family.
Today- I start fresh

Do you have a hidden talent?

2009-09-09T20:26:00.000-07:00

For FHE on Monday we decided to have a big food filled Labor Day dinner and a talent show put on by the kids. It was very spur of the moment so nothing fancy was expected or needed. In fact the idea was to have each of the kids think about something (a talent) that they are good at and enjoy doing and have them share it with us after dinner. Each of the kids got really excited and thought (talked) about it pretty much all day. Kelten decided he would play a song on the piano, Kippi decided she would show us how well she could ride her bike, Rieken wanted to do summersaults, Aleah and caleb where going to dance ,Tiernen was going to do high fives and cheer for everyone And Conner was going to duel with light sabers. All very talent show worthy and exciting to boot. Well, as we were sitting down pigging out on our FABULOUS meal I kept hearing a cow munching (someone eating with their mouth open). Now I ask you this who in their right mind can enjoy eating while listening to someone else do it and loudly at that? Not me. It has to be my numero UNO biggest pet peeve of ALLL TIME!!! I know very petty and hard to image given I can handle boogies, blood, belching, crumbs in my bed (sometimes it happens people), and all sorts of nastiness. But it is. Now I need to fill you in on a little secret. We have assigned seating because 11 of us are bound to have issues if we aren't careful who sits by whom and I have been assigned to sit by my nephew Conner. I think it's only fair at this point to mention I did the assigning and it seemed logical at the time but that was before... Before the munching and crunching that is. Holy Hannah that boy enjoys his food VERY audibly. Now this has been a real trial for the both of us as he is constantly chomping and smacking and I am constantly asking him to pah-lease chew with his mouth closed.
So back to Monday at Dinner :)
Here he is chomping away and here I am asking him over and over to stop when Kelten got asked to leave the table for less than stellar manners. Well I couldn't help it. I asked Conner if he wanted to move over to Kelten's spot and finish Dinner there. I really thought I was being all sly about the whole "get your chompers as far away from my ears as possible thing" by being all ,”ooh look you get to sit in Kelten’s spot” thing. Apparently I’m not as sly as I like to think because Conner goes off and asks why. (Of course he would) “Well” I said, “wouldn't you like to sit over there by Rieken?” Conner says, "Yeah I guess but is it because I chew with my mouth full?" (Gulp) now I feel bad about being so petty and then he says, “Because it's my hidden talent you know I love to do it and I'm really good at it too."
Now I ask you how a person can argue with that.
And so he did (munch and crunch…LOUDLY) and I didn't mind one bit because really who am I to deny someone from using their talents even if it annoys the daylight out of me? (Especially when they are clear at the other end of the table :)

Soap in the mouth anyone?

2009-09-08T08:12:00.000-07:00

The other day all of the kids were outside playing (PHEW) when Conner and Kippi came rushing in to Aunt Ede and tattled (oh yes they did) on Rieken about saying a bad word over and over. Aunt Ede being the nice person she is decided to talk to Rieken and see what he had to say for himself (so thoughtful don't you think).
"Rieken" she asked, "were you saying a bad word?"
and do you know what that little booger replied with a dead straight face?
"No I wasn't I was just saying Son of a B*$@!"
Now aunt Ede (being the kind person she is) pointed out (with a straight face) that said word most certainly IS a bad word (oh yes it is!)
And my sweet Ginger headed boy assured her it most certianly was NOT a bad word cause his Daddy says Son of a B*$@! all the time ( not all the time).
Now that Aunt Ede ( trying oh so hard not to laugh) told Rieken Yes yes it is a bad word and because he didn't know this time she would let it pass but next time there would be soap in the mouth.
Rieken (oh my Rieken) said, "Okay I promise I won't say Son of a B*$@! anymore cause I don't like soap in the mouth."

It's been a Blistery kind of day

2009-09-04T08:54:00.000-07:00

On the First day of School

Kippi Soup wore her brand new shoes.

Did she slow down when they started to pinch?

Nope.

Did she take them off and see what was causing all that discomfort?

Nope.

after a summer long hiatus she played hard on the Monkey bars.

Did she stop playing after the fist pinch?

Nope.

Did she stop playing on them recess after recess?

Nope.

When she got home she finally decided to check out her feet.

what did she have?

2 big ol' fat blisters that's what.

She also showed me her hands and what did she have 5 big ol' blisters and only one of those hadn't torn open yet

On day two of school

she woke up and was determined to wear yet another pair of brand new shoes w/o socks because they matched her outfit...

As her mother you may think it was my responsibility to MAKE her wear more sensible shoes.

As her mother I must respond, next time I'll call you and let you give that a shot.

On day two of school she was sure she couldn't get any more blisters so she figured what they hay?

When she got home from school she Finally checked her feet out and showed me her hands and what does she have?

Two nasty torn blisters that got even bigger and hands that look like hamburger.

On day Three of school

same thing

On day Four of school

My sweet Beautiful Kippi soup woke up and said,

"It feels like it's gonna be another blistery day but maybe I should wear my old tinnies just in case. "

Day 2 after school

Day 3 after school she even has blisters on her fingers

To make a long story short...

2009-09-02T21:04:00.000-07:00

We moved...

To Pasco....

We are really enjoying it.

We can't decide if we want to sell or rent our little Yellow house in Burbank...

Decisions decisions.

Life's' been insane...

But in a good way.

I feel like I forgot to do something important...

I mean really important...

If It was for you or about you or you know what it might be,

please call me and let me know.

Maybe it was a bill or a Dr's appointment? Do I have all my kids (kidding) hmmm...

We love our new ward and have met lots of new people...

The kids started the year in a new school...

They LOVE it!

and

They hate it...

There are 11 of us living under one roof!..

what can I say?

I'm really greatful for good friends and great family...

I'm starting to feel alive again, it's been a while...

-N

New Traditions

2009-08-31T13:55:00.000-07:00

After seeing this Amazing Idea on This gals blog, My sister in law Eden and I felt like this would be just the thing to start the new school year with. We tweaked it a bit here and there to make it just right for us but in the end Nie Nie is to credit for ALL the good ideas. We even loved the idea of a theme so much we decided to borrow it.

Listen and Obey
(double click to enlarge)

As for our Menu, each one of our little ones got to put in their "order" and we made them whatever they asked for. here is how it came out

Kelten

Dinner ~ spaghetti, garlic bread , raw carrots & Italian soda to drink

Dessert ~ Crepes with Nuttella filling

Conner

Dinner ~ Cheeseburger tater tots and corn on the cob & cream soda to drink

Dessert ~ Chocolate mousse

Kippi

Dinner ~ Steak, mashed potatoes and corn on the cob & orange smoothie to drink

Dessert ~ Raspberry Cheesecake

Rieken

Dinner ~ BBQ chicken wings, broccoli, tater tots & pina colada to drink

Dessert ~ Birthday cake

Caleb

Dinner ~ chicken nuggets french fries, corn on the cob & cream soda to drink

Dessert ~ cake

Aleah

Dinner ~ chicken nuggets fries corn on the cob & cream soda to drink

Dessert ~ cake and Mousse

Tiernen

Dinner and dessert ~ a little of everything

We ended our night with Fathers blessings for each of the kids. It was an AMAZING start to our new school year in fact we have decided to make it a tradition.

Thanks Nie Nie

hanging on...

2009-06-15T03:38:00.000-07:00

Do you ever just feel like you are hanging on as hard as you can but no matter what you do you fall?

Sometimes I do...

bbbblog bbblahs

2009-06-12T09:09:00.000-07:00

Lately I have noticed that blogging just isn't pulling me in like it used to. Sure I still read every one else's blogs off my reader and I may throw a comment out here and there but, in general it just doesn’t call me the way it did say a year or so ago. I'm not quite sure what or when it happened but one day I realized I was having to REALLY work to take the time to sit and blog and when I finally did I found I was getting up and checking my site for comments about every 15 min. and then I would analyze those comments and my posts.
Can we just say obsessed!
It was around that moment of revelation that I noticed a major decrease in comments left on my posts which let’s face it; is devastation to an obsessed blogger who blogs for the people. Just kidding! But seriously it is a huge part of the fun of blogging at least for me. So instead of feeling guilty about the things I didn't get around to blogging about and then feeling bummed that once I do no one cares.
I am going to grow up and move on :)
So from here on out
I will
Post when I can.
I will
Shoot for at least once a month but I'm not going to stress about it.
I will
Try to comment more often on those blogs I check regularly.
I will
Enjoy the summer with my kids’ friends and family and NOT think about blogging
I will
Go to sleep at night and not want to check and see if anyone commented.
I will
Make a real effort to actually call and get together with friends and family instead of waiting for them to call me.
I won’t
Waste our summer inside in front of my computer when I could have been making the memories that blogging is all about

Love, N.

Belated Birthday Wishes

2009-06-10T22:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Happy Birthday Tiernen Boy Were wishing you a year of Love and Joy What a blessing and a gift you are to Me
So Have a Happy Happy
Birthday
Love, Your Family

blind as a bat and mad as a hatter

2009-05-30T02:29:00.000-07:00

Lost
One pair of glasses
(Last whole pair)

Did you know if you lose your glasses in the middle of the night it is EXTREMELY difficult to find them as you are most likely needing said glasses to find them?
I do...
Did you know that 5 year old glasses may come in handy in case you lose your 3 year old pair that you have been using since your 1 year old pair broke?
I do...
Did you know that 5 year old glasses are almost as bad as no glasses but not quite?
I do...
Did you know headaches may occur if “old" glasses are worn for long periods of time?
I do...
Did you know after looking for 2.5 hours for "new" glasses the "old" glasses and I have yet to spot them?
I do...
Did you know I can swim w/o glasses and be fine?
I do...
Did you know I may have to swim all day tomorrow to keep from going mad?
I do :)
Happy weekend Friends, N.

And the winner is...

2009-05-13T20:11:00.000-07:00

Scroll down throught the b-day post of beastie # 3 and get the answers to all those burning questions.

Run run run fast as you can you can't catch me cause I'm the Ginger Head Man

2009-05-12T14:46:00.000-07:00

Rieken's Blessing day~~~ Rieken almost 1 yr.

Rieken 2 year Birthday party

2.5-3 YEARS

3 -3.5 yEARS

RIEKEN MAY 12,2009

Happy Birthday to The newest 4 year old Ginger headed boy on the block!
On this very day four of the shortest most dog-on long years ago, we were blessed to welcome into our little family of this and that’s a certain little ginger headed man.

Rieken Balian Rimmasch is a one of a kind modern day kiddo. He walks tall, runs fast, talks loud, hugs hard, spits far, learns quickity quick quick and passes the buck like no other.

HE is an adventurer who refuses to conform to ANY ol' rule book and a dreamer who doesn’t sleep. When he talks he mesmerizes you with his little cutie of a lisp and he might just walk right up to you and decide you are his very bestest friend for this very now second. My how he has grown, when he blessed us with his presence that not so long- ago day he was a mere 8 lbs and 7 oz. and he had cheeks to make chucky-cheese proud. Speaking of Cheese he was also the color of it for a week or so while he was deciding what color he really wanted to be.In the end he chose pink with a few Freckle dee sun kisses and a little Ginger on top cause he heard somewhere that Ginger was the Color for only the bravest of the super heroes in training. But alas the time whooshed by in a blur of life and adventures and the next thing you know here we are celebrating how big and strong he is for a newly made 4 year old. Why I don't think we could find another Riekey just like him any where no matter how hard we tried. And that’s just great with us because really, he just IS all that and a super sized bag of Scooby snacks.
We hope your day is filled with happiness,love,laughter and a suprise or two of course.

Love, Mom Dad and the siblings

The answers To those burning questions

2009-05-11T10:40:00.001-07:00

Thanks to all of you who entered or just popped in. I had a great time reading all of your answers. Now let’s get down to business.

#1 B
I heard Tiernen crying and found him in the tub covered in soap and wet shredded T.P. The curtain had been pulled and the lights had been shut off. I asked Rieken if he had put him in there and at first he totally denied it but as we were the only two people home who could have put him in there he finally fessed up. He said "Uh I needed privacy PUleese." When asked why he left him there he said. I forgot he was in there. (NICE)
#2 C
She also wrote "I love daddy" on one of our other cars. Nuff said
#3 C
Oh yeah the kid got an F on his third quarter report card. The funny (not) thing was none of his teachers requested a conference and in the little side area for comments (right next to his big fat F) his spelling teacher wrote all great things about Kelten... Not a peep about the big bad F.
#4 A
It really happened! We had been looking 4-Ever! Then Kelten says a prayer gets up and walks straight to them outside in the grass! What a great testament to the power of prayer and faith. We still aren't sure why they were in the grass to begin with.
#5 C
He toted that lotion around all day long and about every 15 Min or so would slap some in whatever spot "itched". He still thinks lotion is the best itch stopping trick in the book.
#6 A
She learned REAL quick that Mom means business when it comes to the Goodwill basket. Whatever gets put in does not get to come out at my house EVER AGAIN!
So if you looked in the comments you will notice we have something of a dilemma... We have a TIE! Paula and Angela both had three correct answers. Seriously I never thought this would happen. So to be fair to you both, my beasts have decided to draw straws.... literally. So here is the break down
Angela 5 straws .

1 for each entry (1)

1 for each correct answer (3)

1 because the Kippi felt very strongly you needed to have a pink one

Paula 6 straws

1 for each entry (2)
1 for each correct answer (3)

1 because well Kippi is very persuasive and fair is fair.

Each of the "big kids" picked a straw

I took a ton of pictures and they just wouldn't stand still!

This is the best one and it's still pretty fuzzy sorry,

and so by a pull of two out of three. the winner is ...

P-a-u-l-a !!!!

Congrats and again thanks to everyone who entered. Paula let me know what kind of dessert you would like and I will have it to you by next Wednesday the 20th of May.

To be or Not to be

2009-05-10T13:25:00.000-07:00

As A kid I didn’t realize the daily struggle my mom went through just to get through the days and raise us right. Every day she had to decide weather To Be or Not Be,
~~~To be a Mom who led by example
~~~Not to be too hard on those precious little ones in her care when something went wrong

~~~To be a pillar of strength
~~~ Not to be angry
~~~To be an amazing cook, interior decorator, lullaby singer, owie kisser, taxi driver, bum spanker, easy going and hard loving Mom
~~~Not to be worried about being our Best friend but being our Mom
~~~To be a mom who made life interesting and Fun
~~~Not to be afraid to apologize
~~~To be active in her Church and callings
~~~Not to be a judge and jury but an ear to listen and a parent full of words of wisdom and counsel
~~~ To be a Wonderful wife and friend to her spouse
~~~Not to be a critic of others

~~~To be a true friend to others
~~~Not to be willing to get caught up in herself
~~~To be active in all aspects of her children’s lives
~~~Not to be upset at having to work all our lives but to be proud that she could continue to use the skills she had worked so hard to gain.
~~~To be full of laughter and love

~~~Not to be just a mom but be the best Mom who loves all 5 of us monsters with every pore in her body
~~~To be willing to let us go and make our own decisions when the time came
~~~ Not to be critical of our choices
~~~To be the best Grammy Lanai ANY grand baby could every ask for
~~~Not to be offended easily
~~~To be a wonderful Mother in Law and friend to her new sons and daughters
~~~Not to be overbearing
~~~To be the women my sisters and I all want to be when we grow up.

Happy Mother’s Day Mom, We love you!
Ryan, Sheri, Ashley, Aaron,
Kim, Eden, Conner, Caleb, Aleah,
Jaime, Mike, Jack,
Niki, Karl, Kelten, Kiprianna, Rieken, Tiernen,
Tiffany, Bernard, and Oni

Problem solving Give-a-way

2009-05-06T12:33:00.000-07:00

Lately we have had what seems like and abnormal amount of problems (as the kids like to call any incident or non -planed mishap), so we have encouraged the kids to "help" by trying to solve the problems on their own first and then come to us unless it's a big one. I thought it would be fun to play a game of problem solving with you guys too. I will give you the problem scenario and multiple choice answers for the solution. At least one will be the true answer. Whoever gets the most correct answers will win a fantastic prize...

A dessert of your choice from below made by my husband.
Trust me on this he is an AMAZING cook.
A: French silk pie
B: éclairs filled with (you choose)
C: surprise dessert

If a non-local wins you will get a surprise pkg. of goodies with a theme of your choice from below.
A: Chocolate
B: culinary
C: Summer time

if there is a tie the problem will be solved courtesy of our personal problem solution team aka the beasties.

Problem #1

Rieken needed privacy in the bathroom but Tiernen wouldn't go out so he...

Solution:

a: Yelled at the top of his lungs for five minuets (Mom was outside cleaning the car so of course the windows were open and all the neighbors could hear) for mom to come get Tiernen so he (Rieken) could go poop.

b: Picked Tiernen up put him in the empty but still damp tub gave him a roll of T.P. and a bar of soap to play with, shut the curtain on him and went on with his business. Mom found Tiernen in the dark in the tub crying covered in wet t.p. And slime from the bar of soap.

c: shut the door and got on with his business only to have Tiernen start crying because he wanted out and Rieken was a little to occupied so Rieken sang songs and made farting noises to drown him out and pelted Tiernen with rolled up wads of T.P. . (Mom stood outside the door listening and trying not to laugh)

Problem #2
Kippi was trying to write her name in the dirt on the back of our car but it was not working so she...

Solution:
a: Got a permanent marker and wrote ---Kippi iz prte (Kippi is pretty) all over the drivers side door for mom to see .

b: Found a bottle of nail polish and wrote her name on the tailgate, windows, and on her seat inside the rig.

c: Took a rock and scratched her name in the paint where it will remain to immortalize her.

Problem #3
Kelten lost a spelling packet at school so he...

Solution:
a: told his mom who told him to ask his teacher for a new one

b: took one from someone else in class when they weren't looking and then lied about it when initially asked. Then felt really bad about it so he fessed up which then got him into trouble at school for stealing and lying not to mention the trouble he got in at home...

c: told no one figured no big deal and got an F on his report card because of that ONE packet which was apparently more important then he thought

Problem # 4
Dad lost his work keys and had to leave SOON. After Mom and Dad had searched everywhere and retraced everyone’s footsteps and asked the kids multiple times if they had seen them Kelten...

Solution:
a: suggested a prayer and then got right up and looked outside in the lawn and found them.

b: opened the front door and found them still in the lock then proceeded to give dad all sorts of advice on how NOT to lose his keys next time i.e. take them our of the door and hang them up.

c: fesses up that he put them in the fridge because he wanted to see how long it would take us to find them.

Problem # 5
Rieken was grounded from scissors because of multiple infractions. He had a tag that was really bugging him so he...

Solution:
a: Asked Kippi to cut it off for him because she wasn't grounded and when she cut it off she cut a hole in the shirt too.

b: Turned his shirt inside out and refused to wear it any other way.

c: Walked around caring a bottle of lotion for hours until finally mom asked what it was for and he said, " cause my back is itching me and the lotion makes it not itchy anymore. "

Problem#6
Kippi needed to clean her room before mom came through with the goodwill basket so she...

Solution:

a: Got on it right away and for the first time (since starting the basket) had her room picked up and nothing went to goodwill.

b: bribed Kelten and Rieken to come and help her by promising they could have all her left over Easter candy. They fell for it and got her room done but didn't have time to clean their own room and ended up losing some things that were left out and Kippi only had two pieces of candy left. (Which she hadn't told them)

c: didn't clean much and when the time came, offered to be the one who went through with the goodwill basket so Mommy could relax. Sadly Mommy didn't take her up on it and as she hadn't listened she is now shy 2 barbies one littlest pet shop and a whole bag of papers and markers.

Have a super fun time and I think you may be surprised by what the True solutions were. Contest will end at midnight on Mothers day.
Please be sure to leave your e-mail address with each comment so I can contact you if you win. There are three ways you can be entered.

A:(one entry)
Leave your answers by putting prob. # with solution letter you think it is. For all 6 problems

B:(One entry)
You post about this on your blog and then come back and leave a comment that you did.

C: (one entry)
Comment on Face book about this and then come back and leave a comment that you did.

We’re moving

2009-05-01T01:29:00.000-07:00

Now, let’s be honest…Your reaction to that title was

A: Thank Heavens one less loud mouth to deal with. Now I can finally have some peace!

B: um okay, where ya going?

C. WHAT!?

D. When’s the open house I’d like to come take a look around.
Or
E. Yeah right I’d like to see you try.

Now I’ll be honest… That title was just a titch deceiving. When I said we’re moving what I really meant was Tiernen is moving which in reality means more movement from the rest of us ya follow? So if your answer was B,C,D,or E please click below to see the cutest new mover in town. If your answer was A keep it to yourself and feel free to click below:) Who knows after witnessing such an amazing act of grace and balance you might decide keeping us around is worth it. Oh, the second clip is mostly because he walks and talks. In the past he has consistently said: get it, go get, look it, kip kip, mom momma, dad, daddy, ow, sip sip, this,that, and oh oh. In the clip he says, go get and get it very clearly. He may be a few months behind our other three little beasts in the walking department but he defiantly has my gift of gab.

Clip # 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuOaHNoOX_8

Clip # 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRq4GBd94f0

p.s. my floors are not dirty they are just nicked and scratched which by the way I love and think it gives them character. And as soon as I can I will fix that with a fresh coat of paint because really we have enough character living in our house .Really.

p.s.s. I'm really not a mean mommy He was just super Tiered and he wasn't falling for the usual.

a glimpse

2009-04-28T14:09:00.000-07:00

Have you ever just wanted to peek into someone’s window and see what’s going on at their house? I know I have.
Well, here is your chance to get a peek at our life over the last year. Happy snooping friends.

double clickpicture to enlarge

Opinions needed

2009-04-21T09:55:00.000-07:00

Every year I try to take pictures of the kids for our wall. This year I can't decide on color or black and white. My decorating style is very Hodge podge a little of this and a lot of that so either looks fine in the room. I just can't decide. Oh and I like two of the shots I got of Kippi I'm having a hard time picking there too . What do you think?Please please please let me know I just can't make up my mind here.

Kelten is so sensitive to light he has to have all outdoor shots in the shade and not facing the sun.
not an easy shot to get because he is so fast! I would have loved something more full on but ya get what ya get. Oh by the way it is official Tiernen is taking steps. I wouldn't call it walking really but three or four steps at a time and getting braver every second as is proven by the big fat scratch on his face:)

Um Ya I just Love him. Isn't he so darn cute.

the first and second are the same I just cropped the b&w shot. and if I keep it in color I will crop it too. The 3rd is the one I can't decide on though. which one do you like better shot one (top) in color or B&W or shot three (bottom) in color or B&W?? She is such a ham and that's just one of the reasons we'll keep her.

check this out!

2009-04-07T22:37:00.000-07:00

I LOVE coupons !! Here is a local gal who has it down to an art and she is having a give-a- way to boot. So do yourself a little Easter dance and "hop" on over there and maybe you could be the lucky winner.

lost and found

2009-03-26T20:34:00.000-07:00

So in high school I had this friend Myrihe. We were inseparable. Seriously, we did everything together. We even dated best friends and I talked her into going to a private school with me. Well we lost touch over time and it had been YEARS (8) since the last time we talked and even longer since we last we saw each other. Through that time I have thought of her often, and talked about her to Karl, done internet searches for her, and in general just wished I could go back in time and not be such a crappy friend. A friend who say, actually returned calls or never missed Weddings. Well about a month or so ago I discovered Face Book and guess what? I found her! We got in touch and talked like no time had passed A few things had changes i.e. she got married (which I missed) had a son (which I missed) and almost died (which I missed) I was and still am so sad that I missed such life altering moments with her but in the end she was still the same. We picked up right well almost right were we left off :) We talked non stop for days setting up plans for our families to get together. We waited all of two weeks and then off to Portland we went for her to meet my family and my family to meet hers. I will admit I was a little nervous that maybe we would get there and it would be a bust After all over the phone is so different then in person. What if her kid was a turkey and worse yet what if mine were? Would our husbands get on well? Would we sit there all awkward or would we pick up just like we were before? I seriously got heartburn and by Mt. Hood thought I was going to barf. There was no going back though so power through I would. We got to Portland to our designated meeting place and it was like a time rewind. I couldn't believe how very much the same she was. She has always been very down to earth and funny and we are so on the same wave length it is scary. She gets me she always has and how I had missed her! It was perfect. The kids were wonderful the Husbands on their best behavior and we even got to spend time with her Parents who I love just about as much as her. We went to dinner, swimming at the Hotel we took the kids to a HUGE indoor play place and then to top off the weekend Karl made his super fab Crab Pot (seriously to die for) for everyone. When the time came to go we found ourselves planning the next trip. It was amazing. I find I am feeling more whole it's quiet odd really I didn't realize how much a best friend fills in those empty little parts ya know the ones that say your not the only one who has the exact memory or yes you did look that bad I was there:) Yup life is grand and here are some pics to prove it. We had a wonderful time and can't wait to do it again.

Kippi Chillin after a good swim it the hotel pool

all of the kids at our hotel hanging out. They hit it off right away and Dougan stayed the night with us at the hotel. They had so much fun they where all up until after 12:00

Here we are at the kids indoor play place. It was AMAZING I highly recomend going if you are ever there. It was so big adults could go in and play with the kids. Karl, Myrihe, and I were all in there off and on. The kids played so hard they were red and dripping sweat.We even had to take off the baby's pants he got so warm.

The snake slide and the black slide.

The snake slide was this huge super tall curly slide that had a big open snake mouth you shoot out of. So fun!

The black slide was so fast I couldn't even get anything but blur for picture when they came out. I dared it and flew so fast my stomache did a little flip when I went down. Thank heavens for the padded shoot you fly into !

Myrihe and Niki just like old times. Not our best shot but hey we had been swimming.

the rainbow slide

Dougan and Kippi, and Kelten,Tiernen and Dougan

The Eric and Myrihe Ness Family 2009
My camera died right after that shot of the family so those were the only ones I got and we didn't get any of the crab pot or the parentals. Next time I will not forget to charge the batteries and I might even take an extra disk.

Myrihe and her little man Dougan.I love that cheeser.

Tiernen and Myrihe hit it off and they played together all weekend.

Tiernen Loving the little play place just for non and new walkers. He had a ton of fun in there.

Over heard

2009-03-21T16:55:00.000-07:00

Kippi:
Oh Rieken (sigh) you just don't get it do you?

Rieken:
Uh hu I do to get it!

Kippi: Well then?-------------Nope I'm afraid you don't. (bigger sigh)

Rieken:
Yes I do too! MOMMMM! (running out of Kipp i's room to me)

Kippi:
well wonders never seats he got it.

Me:
What are you talking about what didn't he get?

Kippi:
I wrote him a note in a cruiseve writing to get out of my room...

Rieken:
See Kippi I told you . Mom Kippi won't tell me what the note says!

Kids survey

2009-03-13T15:09:00.000-07:00

I couldn't post this on FB for some reason so I thought I would put it here because it is so cute!

Kid QuestionnaireAsk your child(ren) to answer the questions and type their answers in.
Tag other moms with kids who might have fun with this. :)
( just type what the kids said...)
by: Kelten, Age 9 Kiprianna, age 6 Rieken, Age 3
I asked them each individually

* I need your help writing a note.
Kelten-to who? Seriously who’s it for? Why?
Kippi - TO who Mamma TO who?
Rieken- Oh….

1.What is something mom always says to you?
Kelten- do my homework
Kippi- clean your room
Rieken- I don know

2. What makes mom happy?
Kelten- a clean house
Kippi-giving you a present and saying I love you mom.
Rieken- Uhhh I don know ummm write notes?

3. What makes mom sad?
Kelten-Kippi getting into your make-up
Kippi-breaking your favorite necklace…I’ve broken three of them and thats all though.
Rieken- uh fighting

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Kelten- by tickling me
Kippi- tickling me
Rieken- Tickle-ee me

5. What was your mom like as a child?
Kelten-Oh my gosh I have No idea
Kippi-I have no idea.
Rieken- uh uh ummm daddy tickled you and you laughed.

6. How old is your mom?
Kelten- 30
Kippi- give me a clue I don’t know
Rieken- uh you tell me mom

7. How tall is your mom?
Kelten-5 feet
Kippi-Hmm I’m almost as tall as you so lets say an inch taller.
Rieken- Your little mommy, remember Tiernen came out of your tummy and you weren’t big anymore remember mommy?

8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV?
Kelten-Alias
Kippi- Alias
Rieken- Uh Alias

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Kelten-That I don’t know because I’m not around you when your not around.
Kippi-play something on the computer
Rieken –take a hot baf maybe wif bubbles . can I have a baf?

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Kelten-Singing
Kippi- a movie star or singer
Rieken-I don’t know can I have a baf I'm really cold.

11. What is your mom really good at?
Kelten- singing
Kippi- being pretty
Rieken-putting bubbles in my baf

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Kelten- playing video games
Kippi- hmmm I don’t know
Rieken- scratched up shows (making them work in the dvd player)

13. What does your mom do for her job?
Kelten- I know you don’t go to work but you keep us healthy and keep the house clean mostly
Kippi- watch us and clean the house
Rieken- make food puts bubble in bafs

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Kelten- weight watchers food?
Kippi- those ones in the freezer you won’t share (smart ones ie: wieght watchers food)
Rieken- olive kind of food

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
Kelten- that your nice
Kippi- when you help me clean my room
Rieken- umm kissing my hurts ( I always tell him how proud I am when he is brave)

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Kelten- Minnie mouse
Kippi- Silver mist (a fairy on tinker bell)
Rieken- Tom and Jerry

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Kelten- play games and talk
Kippi- go to lunch and get our nails done
Rieken- read books

18. How are you and your mom the same?
Kelten-we both don’t like it when Kippi is rude
Kippi- were both girls
Rieken- we bof have boogeries

19. How are you and your mom different?
Kelten- You’re an adult and I’m a child
Kippi- our face and hair
Rieken- Uh our boogeries ( he was totally picking his nose when I asked him this)

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Kelten- You tell me
Kippi- cause you tell me ALL the time. Sheesh.
Rieken- uh because… uh because your really nice

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
Kelten- He’s tall and he has a goatee
Kippi- that he’s cute
Rieken- Uh Kissen him cause you got married in the temple

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Kelten- your mom’s house
Kippi- Wal-Mart or target
Rieken- uh the temple

This was so much more fun then I thought it would be. I just want you to know...because we don't have cable I have been "renting" from the library A TON. so, that is where the whole alias comes in I have watched all five seasons in the last three months. I would love to see anyone do this.

2009-02-12T18:26:00.000-08:00

The first five people to leave a comment on this blog will receive something made by me.

However there are some limitations:

1. I make no guarantee that you will like what I make. (just remember I have good taste :)

2. What I create will be just for you.

3. It will be done this year. (might take a while)

4. You have not a clue what it is going to be, poetry, shoes, bags or a little invention of my own. I may bake something and mail it you . Who knows? Not you that's for sure!

5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange. It may blow your mind!Here the catch...if you choose to do this, you must post this on your blog and be ready to make something for five people too. This will be fun! When you receive the fabulous item I make you, you must post a picture of it on your blog.

Tiernen's first's

2009-02-11T11:46:00.000-08:00

Tiernen Mckai's First's

Held your Head up for several min. the first day you were born

smiled for real at two weeks

giggled when you thought someone was silly or if you got tickled at seven weeks rolled over for the first time at 4 1/2 months (Halloween)

Sat up on your own at 5 1/2 months (Thanksgiving) First visit to Wyoming to see Oma and Opa 6 1/2 months started scooting while we were there.

First Christmas December 2008 in Wyoming 6 1/2 months

First time bowling for the Rimmasch New Years tradition almost 7 months

started crawling 7 months

started pulling yourself up on furniture and walking around it 7 1/2 months

first 2 teeth on the same day 8 months and 5 days

You are getting so big so fast but, we are all loving every second of it.

Well Overdue

2009-01-22T15:43:00.000-08:00

I was tagged by my friend Rachel eons ago and I promised not to let her down… So here we are almost 5 full months later and I’m feeling a bit sheepish and like a giant LIAR! Um yeah those posts I promised, not happening. Blogging with no internet is kind of hard people. The Library and I get on for all of 10 min. while my kids run around and I get some dirty looks from the librarians. In the end we feel like we have to check out a cazillian and one books to make up for it and then the next time I go back ( late as usual) I get to pay a fee, log on (takes 4ever) and skim all 400 updates. No time for commenting and NONE for posting. So today must be my lucky day. All the kids are sick I am sick and my husband is sick….Lucky right? Yup because I get to go to the library alone with my overdue books, my Kleenex and my germ X. Oh, and I get to post this TAG from Rachel FINALLY!!!
So, the rules are to tell 5 things that nobody knows or are unique about you. I think I share every detail of my life with everybody, so this might not be very interesting but I will try to think of a few.

1. When I was in 7th grade I was asked to sing a solo at a state wide teacher’s conference in Spokane at the Opera House. There were TONS of people and I almost peed my pants. Oh yeah they paid me and paid all travel expenses. (I felt like a professional.) I made it through without any mistakes and got a standing ovation… and was never asked back…hee hee that sure kept me grounded.

2. My big ambition in life was to get married and have kids... I never really dreamt any further then that until I got married and had kids is that weird?

3. I know this is a well kept secret but that fact is I used to be skinnyish. No really, I am telling the truth. But alas it was just a phase.

4. I love to floss… but it is really not good for me. I love it so much I can’t stop and then I have sore ripped up gums. It’s like scratching a mosquito bite you know you shouldn’t but you just can’t stop except I know I should but when I do I just can’t stop. I do floss although only bi-weekly gross I know but hey it takes about that long for it to heal.

5. When I was in 7th grade I was in an accident. I was riding one of our horses and I got trampled. I can’t tell you all the details as I have only a few memories of them but apparently my sister saw me lying in the dirt and thought I got bucked off .Being the wonderful sister that she is she told me to get up and get back on the horse and show it who was boss. She was so ticked when I stood up and walked like a drunken sailor inside (In her defense she really didn’t know I had been trampled.) So I went inside and puked everywhere and passed out. I woke up a few days later in the ICU with all sorts of monitors and wires hooked to me and only a few flash like memories of what had happened. Oh and like fifty hoof print bruises on my body from head to toes and not a single broken bone... I got to tell ya 7th grade was a defining year for me.
Ok so there you go. 5 weirdish things about me.

I am tagging both of my sisters Jaime and Tiffany because I know you both have so much time on your plate (hee hee ). Amber Grannis, Alicia L. and last but most assuredly not least, Kristen P.
Good luck Ladies and I will read all about in about 3.5 weeks just in time to get that overdue fee in honor of all things routine and just a tich weird about me and mine.

Back To Basics...

2008-10-16T21:56:00.000-07:00

I'm sure some of you have noticed my lack of posts lately. (at least my sisters have) We have decided to trim down and get back to the basics in our lives. We have gotten rid of our cable, land line, and our Internet. I know shocking! It was really hard for the first week but now I find we are spending more time together and I am getting more of those projects aka painting my living room floor (Love it!), laundry (So nice to be on top of it instead of buried under it) & dishes done. I know I have promised posts on birthdays (Karl's and Kelten's) and I have our 10 year to post about not to mention Tiernen is 4 months old people. Yup, He is rolling and scooting in circles and he talks non stop. Hmmm wonder who he gets that from? I will be posting once a week for sure, maybe more. I am hoping to get the "promised posts" done and set up to post every couple of days so at first it may look like I am back full time but in reality I will have finally figured out the delay post option :) I have also been tagged and will be posting this soon! I promise Rachel you did not waste a tag on me:) I also what you all to know I will still be reading your blogs but as I will only be doing this once a week I probably won't have much time to comment so they may be far and few between.I'm sorry but it is what it is. So until my next date night with the Internet peace out.

Favors...

2008-09-20T09:37:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Life has been INSANE! Lots of good along with plenty of bad. This month we celebrated Karl's 34th and Kelten's 9th Birthdays. I am feeling like a total slacker Wife and Mommy for not posting about them on their special days but I have been caught up in life, Love and change. I will take time next week to celebrate both of them with pictures and shout outs and post about Kippi's "new room".
But for now I have a favor to ask. Last week both my Grandpa and Grandma found out they have cancer. It’s looking pretty bad for both of them and our whole family has once again been set on it head with this news. You would think we would be used to hearing this in our family but it is still a shock. Grandpa is a spry 80ish man with White hair and easy attitude he works hard and loves hard. He is an orchardist who loves his work and is still out there ever year doing whatever needs to be done for his crops. Nanny is a young 60 something who is as strong as she is gentle. She stands by her man and helps him day in and out in the fields and behind the scenes within the home and family. They are such a great team and really amazing grandparents. They got the news within days of each other and really this shouldn't surprise me they seem to do everything else in life together too. I know some people may be thinking,"Well at least they have lived long good lives." But really should that make it any less of heartache to know your family is hurting and will have to fight for their lives? Nope, it doesn’t. So, I ask you this favor. Please pray for them. We as a family would really appreciate it. I have a strong faith in the healing power of prayer weather emotional or physical it helps in every way. Thank you and I will be back to my blog-o-diction here in the next little while. Until then, happy weekend.

our summer in pictures~~~~

2008-08-29T12:52:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

take it or leave it.

2008-08-17T15:22:00.000-07:00

We have been crazy busy between family in town for the blessing camping and the normal summer fun. I have fallen behind on my blogging and commenting... I have loads of pictures but no time to post them. My next post will be just pictures because I want to avoid the phone call from my mom asking why I haven't posted them yet. Until then Here are a few little moments of my life to get you through the rest of your weekend.

Rieken: Mom can I have a Jolly Rodger?
Me: You mean a Jolly Rancher?
Rieken:Yeah that's what I said a Jolly Rodger.

Me: Kip go change into dry pants so we can go to town.
Kippi: I only have my supremes (Capri's) left in my drawer so I'm never gonna be able to go because they aren't pants! ( Totally Dramatic)
Me: Capri's count just as long as they cover you up.
Kippi: Well why didn't you just say so!? (exasperated)

Kippi: Mom can I be done eating? (hardly touched her food)
Me: You need to eat five more bites of dinner.
Kippi: ( eating the very smallest five bites possible)
Me: those don't count because they were so small.
Kippi: Well you never said how big you just said five so take it or leave it.
Me: to slow to react before she cleared her plate.

Tonight we are doing this for dinner so no worries about a repeat performance from the dinner diva.

confessions & progress

2008-08-11T11:02:00.000-07:00

Progress is the activity of today and the assurance of tomorrow. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

After a little reflection I have some confessions to make...

Confession #1
A few weeks ago I was exhausted (quick trip new baby nuf said) so I slept in. unfortunately for me my older kids didn't. They needed to be fed so I asked Kelten to handle it (meaning microwaveable oatmeal since we were out of cold cereal). A little later they came in and asked it they could have A as in 1 popsicle and I said yes if real food had been eaten. When I re- joined the land of the living I found a little surprise in the kitchen. Loads of Popsicle sticks and wrappers. I asked Kelten how many they ate. His reply, we each ONLY had 8 since we had to divide the box evenly. Yup 8 and I have 3 older kids that makes a whopping 24 popsicles downed for a post breakfast snack. Kippi's two cent on the matter... That’s what happens when you sleep in mom.

Progress?
I'm stocked up on cereal and milk for next time and we are officially out of popsicles.

Confession #2
Wifely duties...Currently uninterested.

Progress?
Willing to bargain

Confession #3
I have always nursed my kids in bed at night. I am too tired to get up. this however leads to baby in bed all night at the all you can eat buffet. I have been determined to sleep #4 in his crib with very little luck.

Progress?
Last night baby started in his crib and returned there after each feeding until 6 am when I awoke in a puddle and couldn't take it.

Confession#4
I hate doing dishes and laundry. In fact sometimes we end up eating off of picnic wear and wearing the cleanest of the dirty clothes.

Progress?
Last week two loads of laundry got done start to finish each day and we only ate with picnic wear because we wanted to.

Confession#5
I love the game Mozaki blocks. Time seems to fly while playing though. I find myself playing when I should be doing other things like cooking cleaning and the like.

Progress?
I got the new high score and see number 4

Do you have any confessions you want to make? I am all ears.

A blessing and a name

2008-08-07T23:12:00.000-07:00

Tiernen McKai Rimmasch was blessed on Sunday August 4, 2008. It was a wonderful spiritual moment that I will cherish always. He is lucky to have a Daddy who loves him so and does such an amazing job at being in tune with the spirits of each of our children. We are so blessed to have you in our lives Little Tiernen I can't even remeber what life was like with out you. Thank you for choosing us.

Love, Mommy

Lazy days of summer

2008-08-01T15:26:00.000-07:00

Today has been one of those great relaxing days we are just hanging it at home. I didn't even make my bed and it’s a good thing because I think it's much more cozy with the blankets all waded up to burrow under and apparently so do my kids.

To Be or not To Be...

2008-07-29T23:00:00.000-07:00

Warning brag session ahead!
When Karl and I decided to get married I will admit we didn't know all the ins and outs about each other. I knew I loved him and he was a great guy but other then that we were going on faith. Throughout our life together he has had to choose to be... or not to be in various situations for example.

On our wedding day he chose to be... himself

At the birth of all four of our kids he chose to be... the proud daddy At the hospital when times were rough he chose to be... by my side
With each of our kids he has chosen to be... A teacher in the kitchen and in quiet times
When sickness hits he chooses to be... my helper and the kid’s comforterWhen he has a few free moments he chooses to be...A parent who spends time to bond and play with his kidos. When he was working four jobs and going to school full time he chose to be... there when his little girl had an important event even though he was exhausted.When he had to work Christmas Eve he chose to be... a few minuets late to hold the angel in the sky for our traditional Nativity.

When work (school, house or job) needs to get done he chooses to be... A good example and do it.

When we go camping he chooses to be... the best marshmallow roaster around.

When family wants to take silly pictures he chooses to be... a good sport

He chooses to be... A worthy member and a great example to our children.

He chooses to be... In Love with me...

I am so blessed to have him by my side as a partner and a best friend. Thanks babe for everything you choose to be.

With love, Snot Nose Joe and the Beasties

Friendships thicker then water

2008-07-28T17:06:00.000-07:00

Last week Kippi and Kelten got to invite a couple of friends over to stay the night. Boy did they have fun! We went swimming a few times, played the Wii, ate spaghetti for lunch (kid’s choice) went to the playground of dreams, played in the water park and had snow cones all in 24 hours! Then we went to our wards 24th of July bash to see all the fun we had go here. It has really been a great week. Did I mention Tiernen is smiling all the time and he even laughs when something really tickles him :) What a joy my family is. I am so grateful to be home with them every day and experience all these fun little summer time adventures they are having. I'm off to clean house for family that is coming all the way from Wyoming and Utah to be a part of our Tiernen boy's blessing this weekend. Anyone who wants to come is welcome! 1:00pm Sunday the 3rd at the Burbank building.

My Life in 6 Words

2008-07-26T11:55:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the tag Marilyn I'm sorry this took me so long.
Six words that describe my life:
1. chaotic
2. Blessed
3. intense
4. JOURNEY
5. melodious
6. golden

Rules state that I now tag 5 others and leave them comments notifying of them of this tag. Tagging is just as hard as making the list. Here goes.
1. TIFFANY O.
2. LINDSAY B.
3. RACHEL
4. CHRISTIN
5. AMBER

Rimmasch Haus

Christmas 2011 highlights

Today...

This makes my head hurt!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

***Today ***

Life at the little yellow house

down sizing

A Baptisim and A Blessing

Bédryn 7 weeks

Holy Guts batman

Six Weeks!!

Birthday bashing

*** Keeping it Real ***

Little miss Momma

Introducing Bédryn

the doubts of this mom...

Christmas 2010

Big impact small space!

Bench Finished FINALLY!! And new Coat Rack!!

Crafty Clique Thankful Thurdsdy!

spur of the moment

Holiday Cards for FREE!

check this out!

Halloween 2010 bout stinking time!

***Keeping my head above water***

Happy Turkey Month

who is who???

Rimmasch tid bits***

Weekend to DO..**

**Weekend Rundown**Long post***

Overheard

First day of October 2010

Halloween sn-EEK p-EEK 2010

The big D, Babies, and Mini me

THE BIG REVEAL!

Furniture project # 2

It's official!

From something old To something new...

Eleven!

Happy Birthday Babe

First day of school

BIG NEWS!

Today..

summer lovin' picture post

Welcome Welcome!

Monday Blahs

spring break 2010

better late then never.

Rimmasch Haus Funnies Day Two

Rimmasch Haus funnies day 1

It's that time again...

Trash Master

home work & home - work

--brothers--buddies--best friends--

You do NOT want to miss this!

So far so good.

School Haus Rocks!

overheard...

does this outfit make me look fat?

Christmas perfection

Christmas wish list revision

Do you hear what I hear?

No longer the black or shall I say, brunette sheep...

~~~Change is in the air~~~

In the blink of an eye and a twinkle of time.

Do you have a hidden talent?

Soap in the mouth anyone?

It's been a Blistery kind of day

To make a long story short...

New Traditions

hanging on...

bbbblog bbblahs

Belated Birthday Wishes

blind as a bat and mad as a hatter

And the winner is...

Run run run fast as you can you can't catch me cause I'm the Ginger Head Man

The answers To those burning questions

To be or Not to be

Problem solving Give-a-way

Today

* Keeping it Real *

Keeping my head above water

Weekend RundownLong post***

~Change is in the air~