The Little Things

“The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. … I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less”

~Anonymous~

I'm going to pay more attention to this...
and love every minute of this...and adore that I have two little girls who are "best sisters"...

and be grateful I have a little bit of precious that can make me so mad and yet so happy...

and TREASURE that my Jada is going to be 5.

I hope I can remember to cherish the little things. Even though life can get SO hard with all the day by day challenges, I never want to forget the silly looks my kids give me, the innocence in their eyes and all of their random thoughts. Sometimes I wish time would just stand still....

Recessionista

How fun are accessories and cute shoes?? I found this site that is fairly new and has the cutest jewlery, hand bags, and shoes. Yes...I love it! Sounds like they are giveawayers and have some pretty incredible free stuff. Check it out! http://recessionistaparty.com/

Pumpkin Walk

One of my favorite community events, is the fabulous Pumkin Walk in North Logan. I really {heart} it! I love that it celebrates fall, it is free, gives cute little snacks (even the adults get one!), and inspires my creativeness. (ok, I'm sure I will never turn a pumpkin into an adorable little creature, but they are still amazing!) I am always surprised by what they come up with. It is a fall tradition that I look forward to each year. Jada's preschool took a field trip there today, so Brecka and I were able to tag along.

My little Ariel...aka...Brecka

This was one of the scenes that I just loved. Everything is made from a pumpkin or gourd. Even the corn is made up of tiny gourds all painted yellow. The tall green things are legs of the Jolly Green Giant. So darling!

Jada's preschool class. She is in the back with the white coat.

This scene was made to look like "The Wild Things" from the book and movie just coming out.

Brecka, Jada, and her friend Kaylee, all having a snack after the long adventures at the Pumkin Walk. Can't wait to go again!

Fall Favs

My friend Krystal agreed to take some pictures of our family. The girls were troopers ~ of course it had to be raining/snowing. It was sooo cold, and little Brecka only was smiling in the first few. After that she was GrUmPy! Jada- 4 1/2

Brecka-almost 3

B~F~F

Thanks Krystal, for braving the weather and mud with us!

Candy Corn Cookies

Happy Fall Everyone!! Even though I am very sad to see the warm weather leave, I do love the season of falling leaves, sweatshirt nights, and orange, yellow, and brown. So...being October 1st, the girls and I got busy to make candy corn cookies. My friend made these last year and somehow I remember them turning out a lot better... we did our best! You use regular sugar cookie dough and color it orange with food coloring. Then dip the triangle shapes in melted white chocolate and then melted milk chocolate. Yummy! I think they are so darn cute, I couldn't wait to make them this year! Bring on the candy corn!

(I was in a hurry and so didn't make my lines very even. They would turn out more realistic if you slowed down a bit... ) :)

TOU

Landon and I actually did it! This is a huge accomplishment for both of us since we just began training this past spring. We had intentions of running the 1/2 marathon, which Landon completed in August. I wasn't able to compete because of health reasons, and so we both set the goal to run the full 26.2 miles. Our intent was to FINISH; and we did! Here are the stats:

Darci DAY

NordicTrack Top of Utah Marathon 09/19/09
Racer Number: 2492 Gender: F Age: 29
Representing: SMITHFIELD UT USA

Actual Start Time: 07:04:39.615 Stop Time: 11:34:03.406

Final Time: 04:29:23.79

Landon DAY
NordicTrack Top of Utah Marathon 09/19/09
Racer Number: 730 Gender: M Age: 31
Representing: SMITHFIELD UT USA

Actual Start Time: 07:04:39.388 Stop Time: 11:50:54.658

Final Time: 04:46:15.27

Before the race we just wanted to complete one marathon and then we would be done. However, after the misery and pain of the first, we cannot wait to sign up again next year. I saw a few signs as I was running that made me laugh. One said, "Run like you've stolen something". Another one which was huge motivation for me said, "MUST BEAT OPRAH". Love it. The last said, "It takes an idiot to run, it takes a special idiot to run a marathon", which is totally true. I don't know what it is about the race. Maybe it is the empowerment that comes from 2500 other runners, maybe the view of the beautiful canyon at 7 am, and maybe just the mental illness that I have, and anybody else that likes to torture their body. All I can say, is TOU 2010, here we come!

Blast from the Past

I can't even count the number of times I slept with these curlers in my hair as a kid. It seemed like a Saturday night ritual that I would stack pillows so I could sit high enough and have my Mom sit and curl my hair. The most common outcome was a high side pony tail that my Mom would spray and make ridiculously poofy. Now it is my girls' turn! They actually LOVE the curlers, and get so excited to make their hair "gorgeous". How fun to have little girls! Brecka & Jada

Good Old Blackfoot Fair & Parade

My family traveled back to the days of my childhood. We went to my hometown to visit the exciting sights and events of the Eastern Idaho State Fair. To begin this one-of-a-kind celebration, it is kicked off with an hour long parade right in front of my grandparents house. This is exactly the same picture that would've been taken back in 1984, consisiting of my siblings, cousins, and friends. Ok, maybe it is slightly different, afterall, we were raised in the 80's. I really need to fix the date on my camera. I guess we didn't travel back in time, we traveled to the future!

I don't think Brecka quit waving the entire parade. Would someone please wave back? Today is also my Dad's birthday. Happy b-day Dad! Thanks for making the weekend so much fun.


I really appreciate Landon putting up with my obsession of the fair and parade. I honestly don't think there is a trashier place then the fair, but isn't that what is all about? Half the fun is just watching the people! Alright, that and the food. Here's the confession: scone nuggets, teriaki chicken, sweet & sour chicken, curly fries, cinnamon roll, pull aparts, cotton candy, kettle corn, tortatoes, a bite of Landon's deep fried snickers, a bite of Landon's hamburger, a bite of Jada's hot dog that slid off my shirt and on the ground (so I guess I didn't really have a bite) and my all time favorite raspberry splash drink. I make myself feel better that this was consumed over a two day period. .....Hence why I am running races.

Chore time!

I finally realized it is time for a chore chart at my house. I am tired of cleaning up toy after toy all by myself when "I didn't even play with them". Or, better yet, walking and tripping over them time and time again. I found this cute idea from Sugardoodle. How fun would it be to create a chore/ job chart and have the kids work for an allowance and earn their own special money?? You could decide the value of it, or as they get older, use it to teach the value of real money. I am trying to make a chore chartusing a magnetic board. Does anybody know of where I could find pictures of chores to use for magnets? Since my girls are not reading yet, I would like to use pictures they could recognize. This is the siteto find personalized money: http://www.festisite.com/money/

Race + Parade = Tired Family

This past weekend Landon and I had the opportunity to join thousands of other runners and participate in the 24th of July race in Salt Lake City. It is a feeling that is hard to describe when you are running with so many others--all with a similar motive. Some want to get in shape, some want to accomplish a goal, while others may be running for the challenge and competition. There are times when you feel that you are the only one exercising, whether it is running, doing a video at home, or just working out. And then you get to the start of the race where literally thousands of people are doing the exact same thing. There is definitely power in numbers. You almost feel unstopable. And then, of course, the race begins and you remember how weak you are. I am excited to continue training and prepare for the half marathon in August. Any takers for the full marathon in Sept?

Gloria brought the girls up after the race and we watched the parade downtown.

The girls had fun playing cards waiting for all the floats.

We even got to see Pres. Henry B. Eyring. He pointed and waved right at the girls!

The whole day was a blast...but very tiring. We headed back to Smithfield where we all crashed and rested. I absolutely love July...I am so to see it go already. Is it seriously about to get cold again???

Bear Lake Fun

We figured the water at Bear Lake would finally be warm enough for us to enjoy a day at the beach. It turned out to be a normal cloudy, and somewhat cool, day. That doesn't matter to kids. They still have a ball playing in the sand and water. Jada enjoying some sun.

Brecka giving her usual "cheese".


Jada has hops! (It's actually just the angle of the camera)

This boat is ready to sink! Everyone abandon ship!

Krystal and Barney...two peas in a pod.

Jada and Brecka thought it was so fun to get all covered up with sand. Thanks for being a good sport, Barney!

This is what some people pay $$$$ for a relaxing day at the spa. Your very own body treatment!

Back to the Past...Girls Camp!

I don't think I ever realized how much work and planning it takes to have girls camp. This year was my first camp as a leader instead of a YW. And even though it was so fun to sit at the tables and visit while the girls cleaned the bathrooms, or finished certification...it was a ton of work to prepare. We did, however, have a great time, made new friends, and lots of memories to remember. Maybe I just have the best YW ever and I love hanging out with them! Thanks girls, for making camp run so smoothly! Amber, Courtney, Carli, and Emily

CieAra, Annalee, Shannleigh, Rachel, Amy, Jeanette, and Ashley

Annalee, Amber, CieAra, Courtney

Cami, Emily, Amanda, Ashlyn, and Tracey

Kelsi, Amanda, McKenna, Ann, and Erika

Brother Toolson, Erika, Kristen, Jeanette, and Lucinda

Ashlyn, Cami, and Amanda

Me and Krystal

Most of the girls in front of Rosie's Mine.