Yamo's wedding!!!

We're back from St. George and my brother (James, Yamo, Ramo, Jamo.....yeah, we call him all sorts of names) is now a married man! We stopped at good old Cove Fort on the way down. We needed a little stretch and a little pioneer appreciation.☺ Let me say, after driving through some pretty crazy storms on the way back home I really DID gain an appreciation for those pioneers who actually lived at Cove Fort. Brrrr!

Saturday was the wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony and the bride and groom were just beaming!

Sierra's wedding dress was so beautiful. It had beautiful taffeta flowers all over it. All of the groomsmen (AND even Sierra) were all wearing RED VANS ! I must say, my boys were looking pretty darn sharp in their wedding/Christmas sweaters!

Landon had a royal meltdown. We're not sure exactly WHY. He pretty much ruined all of our family pictures because of it. I think its because he wanted to marry Sierra. (hehe) Grandpa Rock helped calm him down.

If you know James, this next picture will make complete sense!

We had a fabulous luncheon afterwords in Washington City. It was a wonderful day. I'm SO happy for my little brother..you did good Yamo!

Then they were off! The new MR. and MRS. ROCK! Part 2 of the wedding will take place in Boise in a few more weeks. It's gonna be a party!! My brother is refering to it as the ROCK-ception!

Grateful

Thanksgiving is a week away and I've seen lots of "grateful" lists this year. Today I have been thinking..... REALLY thinking about my blessings. I have much to be grateful for so I wanted to write some of those things down today.

I'm grateful for LIFE and for the health of my family. My dear friend and neighbor gave birth to a 27 week old baby 2 days ago. I've had the opportunity to help her out by helping take care of their 3 year old while they have been in the hospital. Life is so fragile. I can't stop thinking about this precious little baby boy who is so tiny and helpless. Even though they have a long road ahead I am praying constantly for this little life, and for his worried parents. We've had health scares of our own in the past and I know that prayers are answered. I'm thankful we are healthy this year and that I can reach out and help a friend in need.

I'm grateful to be a wife. I know I always go on and on about my husband. What can I say? I'm crazy about him! He's my very best friend. He sacrifices so much for me and for our children. He loves me unconditionally even though I have many quirks. He makes me laugh so hard it hurts. I love that he is a fantastic father and provider. Nothing warms my heart like watching him playing with our boys, coaching their sports teams, or teaching them with love. Not to mention, he is VERY handsome. ☺

I'm thankful to me a mother. I'm humbled that I've been entrusted with these little men. They teach me every day. I recall a moment years and years ago when I was talking with my own mom about what her life was like when she was younger. She said, "My life didn't really begin to have meaning until I had children." I thought it was a strange comment at the time. Through the years I have come to understand what she meant. I know that my life took on a very significant and important meaning when I became a mother. It is a special and sacred experience. Not all days are pure bliss but I do love my boys.



I'm grateful to have a support system. Our extended family and friends are of utmost importance to me. I have fantastic parents. (Both through blood and through marriage) I'm blessed to know that when the storms of life beat down on us, we always have them to turn to for help and guidance. Not only that but they are FUN to be around! My boys have some pretty amazing grandparents!

 I'm grateful for siblings. I'm grateful to have a sister. Yeah..I admit I was sure mean to her back in the day! She put up with a lot of crap dealing with me. Even though I am older, I look up to her in so many ways. She is talented, beautiful and we understand each other. I also have the BEST sister in laws. We sure know how to have a good time when we are together. It's pretty amazing to have sister in laws that you love as much as your own sister. I am also grateful for brothers. I can't believe my James is going to be a married MAN by this weekend. I can hardly wait to be there to see him sealed to Sierra. We've grown very close over the last few months since we moved to Idaho Falls. I've already told James and Sierra they CAN'T EVER move away. We love having them close. I'm also grateful for my baby brother. He is the BEST uncle ever. I miss not living close to him but am ENCOURAGING him LOUDLY to attend BYUI next year so he will be closer to us. ☺

I'm SO grateful to have my Grandma EE. She is an angel on earth. She is my adventure partner and one of my very best friends. I admire her and strive to become like her each and every day.

I have INCREDIBLE friends. I think it is pretty fantastic that I still talk to and see my best friend since the day I was born on a regular basis. We grew up together even though we've lived apart for most of our lives. We would write letters to each other in elementary and were each other's bridesmaids when we got married. We call EVERY birthday and hang out every chance we get. The CRAZY thing is....we are both  AUNTS to the same kids . Such a SMALL WORLD!

 I love that I still keep in touch with my friends from the high school days and that we can still get together and DIE laughing from the ridiculous things we did and the music videos we made back in the day. I love turning back into a 16 year old when I see them and how we look around at all of these KIDS and wonder WHERE the time has gone!

 I adore my college friends. It has been fun watching them all grow up and become wives and moms. We all had to rely on one another when we ventured out into the world on our own. We made some fun and crazy memories back in the dorms and at the good old Square!  I love how we can pick up like no time has passed when we get together. I'm grateful for each of them and the examples they were and continue to be.

I'm grateful for our law school friends. Those were some really tough years for me. I felt very alone with very little babies stuck at home all day but was always thankful for the few good friends we had. It was always nice to know that we had people who knew exactly how we felt because they were going through the same crazy adventure.We have some great memories from our Spokane days.

I LOVE and MISS all of my friends in Boise. I appreciate that they call me as if I am still right around the corner. They continue to check up on me ALL the time! They have been there through the highs and lows of this past year and there are absolutely NO words to express how much I love each one of them. They have all helped me make the transition over here so much more bearable. I miss seeing them on a daily basis but know that no matter how far we may be, friends are friends no matter the distance.

 I'm grateful for the wonderful people and friends I have made over here in Idaho Falls. They have been phenominal as far as dealing with an emotional basket case goes! They have been understanding and kind when I've needed a place to vent my frustrations. They are always quick to help wherever they can. It's wonderful to know that even though we aren't living by our families anymore, we have found great friends who are willing to be our "family." I'm excited to continue to get to know the people over here.

Sheesh....I didn't think I'd be rambling on for this long! There are so many things to be grateful for but today, I'm thinking of the people I love and the joy each and every one brings to my life. If I don't have a picture of you on here.....KNOW that you're loved! I've spent 2 hours on this blog and I am SO done!

Sorry about your watch dad........

Today I heard some crying from upstairs. I told Landon to come downstairs and tell me what was wrong."You're gonna be mad mama," is what I heard through some sobs. Then I turn around and see Landon SLIDING on his stomach down the stairs. "I think I got something stuck on my feet," he cried.
This is what I see:

Somehow....Landon slipped Nate's watch over his feet and onto his ankles. Sigh. "It was Parker's idea." Yeah, I bet it was. Seriously.....sometimes my kids are just idiots.

I tried slipping it off....but it wasn't budging at all plus it was hurting him. I got out my scissors and tried to cut it off. Then I tried some pliers and tried to break the thing off.

Even THAT didn't work. As Landon started crying harder and harder...I started getting a little frantic. What do I do....call 911? I can only imagine it now, "Ummmm......yeah, this isn't really a life or death emergency but my foolish child got a stainless steel watch STUCK around his ankles."

THEN....it came to me. I ran to bathroom and came back with...........

Dallin and Parker were both like, "What IS that stuff Mom?"

"It is LOTION kids.....a special lotion...that's all."

I rubbed it all over his feet and luckily both of his feet slipped right out.

KY Jelly to the rescue. ☺

The Idaho Potato Museum.

Nate is out of town for the weekend and the boys are out of school today. After spending the morning cleaning and getting caught up with everything I decided that we needed to GET OUT of the house and go for a mini-adventure today. The longer we stay home....the quicker it turns into a huge mess again! I swear I take after my Grandma EE just a little too much. I get stir crazy and have to get out and see something new. Some people are content staying home all day....as hard as I try, I am definitely NOT one of those people!

So.....we packed a few items and headed down to BLACKFOOT to go to the Idaho Potato Museum. Bahahaha! Potato Museum??? Really?? Sometimes I really CANNOT believe we live here!!

I recall the first time Nathan drove up to Boise with me when we were dating. (About 11 years ago.) He thought Boise was a "frozen tundra" land with nothing but potato fields. I laughed and assured him that Boise was NOTHING like that! Fast forward to today. We DO live in a potato field "frozen tundra" land and I am taking OUR children to a POTATO MUSEUM! That would be considered a very IRONIC full circle moment for me!

Anyway.....it was fun, educational, and the boys thought it was pretty darn interesting...they especially LOVED the biggest Pringle potato chip in the world!

 Me, with the wall of antique potato mashers behind me.

Potato museum.....check. We can cross that one off the list of things to

experience over in Eastern Idaho!

Thankful Turkey!

It's that time of year again! Last night for family night we made the annual Starnes GRATEFUL TURKEY! The turkey is BIGGER and BETTER than ever! We decided to make it a little EARLY in the month so we could enjoy it a little longer.

What we're thankful for in 2010:

Dad: eternal families, a good job, a sexy wife, 3 great kids, B of M, great parents and in laws, answers to prayers, playing as a family and OF COURSE.....GINA (the name I have given to the "other woman" in his life....his blasted BIKE!)

Mom: Dad, my boys, church, extended family, friends, living in Idaho Falls, trials that make us stronger.

Dallin: the 3 members of the Godhead (this one made me chuckle...I love how his mind works), workbooks, shelter, friends, school, grandmas and grandpas, cousins, clothing, and soccer.

Parker: Jack (that dumb cat that thinks it lives here now), eating food, repentance, brothers, EE, neighbors.

Landon: Jesus, family, Sierra (That kid ADORES Sierra), Parker, EE, and of course....ART! hehe..funny kid.

I love my sweet boys. I'm so glad we continue to do this silly little tradition each year. It is always so endearing  and funny to hear the things that come out of their mouths!

SNOW!

 Welcome to my NEW reality! I've been warned about the winters over here for months and months. I'm kind of excited to experience it for myself. I'm trying to stay POSITIVE and remind myself that sometimes things aren't as BAD as people say they are. The first snowfall of the season is always so much fun and incredibly EXCITING! They boys had to get their boots on and play asap! It was all fun and games for about 5 minutes anyway...until Landon realized he SHOULD have listened to mom and put his snow gloves on!

Of course we had to come in and warm up with some warm (not HOT) cocoa!

Bring it on winter.

THE eclair recipe

Tonight we had the missionaries over for dinner. I totally forgot about it until a few hours before they were coming so I threw some things together and hopefully fooled them into thinking I was 100% PREPARED!
We had some apricot chicken, rice, green salad, rolls, jello and OF COURSE......eclairs.

I've had quite a few people ask me for the eclair recipe over the years so I thought I would just put it up here on the ol' blog. I am not a great cook, and I don't claim to be....but I fool people into thinking I am when I bring these over to a neighbor or friend!

This recipe is actually my mom's best friend's recipe. Her name is Ann and her daughter Ashley just so happens to be MY best friend!

So....here it is!

YUMMY ECLAIRS

Bring one cup water to a boil in saucepan. Add a cube of blue bonnet margarine. Wait until melted and take off of heat. Add 1 cup flour; mix until it becomes a sticky ball. Add 4 eggs one at a time and mix each egg for 30 seconds before adding another. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a dark pan with shortening. Shape dough into 2 inch ovals. Cook for about 20 minute. Check them. If hard on top then take them out. If soft...cook for 3-5 more minutes.

Filling:

1 box instant vanilla jello pudding

1 tub cool whip

Make pudding as directed on package. Wait until set and then add 1/3 tub of cool whip. Mix together and chill for a few minutes. After shells are done cooking, wait until cooled before cutting tops off and filling with cream. Spread your favorite chocolate frosting on top. (I like Betty Crocker Chocolate WHIPPED frosting!) Add sprinkles (accordingly for each season..hehe) and ENJOY!

The QUEST for the red heels....

My little bro is getting married in t minus 2 weeks. YIKES! His sweet fiance asked my sister and I to be her bridesmaids (or bridesMATRONS if you will...)

I'm totally excited! This is the dress we're wearing:

Isn't it SO cute?? All of the groomsmen are wearing RED vans and we are supposed to wear bright red shoes to match.

I've been on the hunt all day today for some cute red heels. It shouldn't be THAT hard to find some right? After all, Christmas is right around the corner.....don't women wear RED shoes at Christmas time????

Apparently NOT!

Perhaps my shopping venture would be a whole lot more enjoyable if I had someone over here in Idaho Falls to go with. Sigh....I need a sister or sister in law or a SHOPPING FRIEND to move over here. (hint hint)

Here is the list of the places I have been tonight:

Payless (had some...not the right color of red)

Old Navy (had flats...not fancy enough)

JC Penny

Macy's

Dillard's (Found some! O wait...they are $120....never mind!)

Sears

TJ Maxx

Ross (Found some......size 10...nope!)

Target (had maroon colors...no red)

Famous Footwear

Kohl's (size 5....I think not!)

And FINALLY, yes finally... I found them:

TAADAA!!!!! I almost started CRYING when I spotted them on the bottom rack. Pretty sure I heard the heavens open and the angels start singing HALLELUJAH!!

They are PERFECT and CUTE and I absolutely LOVE them!

AND they were only 20 bucks!

You'll NEVER in a MILLION years guess where I found them:

The store that is less than a mile from my house that I rarely ever step foot in:

I'm baffled, thrilled, and relieved that my entire day QUEST was a success!

 Perhaps K-mart really is smart.

GIRLS at my house!

What? WHAAAAAT? Yeah...that's right, I can't hear you. After having nine 8 and 9 year old GIRLS at my house this afternoon its safe to say my eardrum has burst!

The screaming more specifically the PITCH of screaming.....mind blowing.

I love my new calling with the Activity Day girls. They are SO cute and sweet. Today they came over and we talked about being modest. Then the girls were able to "design" their own modest clothes.

For snack we had some YUMMY carmel apples. I found a cute poem that talks about when Eve partook of the fruit and how she realized that she needed to cover up. Basically it was a reminder that we should all "partake" of the apple to remember to be modest!

The boys didn't know what to think about all of the girls being at the house. I kept hearing them say "SHHHHHHHHHH!" downstairs!

The funniest part was when Parker and Landon started setting their trophies out at the top of the stairs. Trying to impress the ladies with their athletic accomplishments. hehe

More PARKERISMS!

(While sitting in the hot car with his coat on) "I feel so HOT mom......I'm like a crispy fish stick!"

(While playing at the park) "Hey Mom....I tasted a little bit of that tree over there and it tasted like BUGS!"

"Sticks are SOOOO important! Except for that they can WHIP you and then it hurts pretty bad."

"I wish I lived at Grandma and Grandpa's house....except if we had to live there it would mean Mom and Dad DIED."  (I guess its true.....just kind of took me by surprise! YIKES!)

(Trying to wake Parker up for school) "I can't go to school mom....It takes SOOO long....and it's pretty much KILLING me!"

This kid says some seriously funny things. He keeps me laughing and I love him for it!