Dressel Family Blog

My little Graduate!

2011-05-27T12:04:00.003-06:00

Ella graduated pre-school yesterday. I had heard her pre-school went 'all out'. But i had NO idea what i was in for. It was so darn cute. They had the kids all dressed in cap & gowns, they walked in 2 down a walkway, up steps and onto the stage, they sang songs, and did all that stuff, then their names were called they came down to get their diplomas. Then they had a big cake and platters of food etc. They also gave the kids, year books, books, crafts sets, and a cd of prof pic of their cap & gowns.. MMhh thats where my $100 a month was spend LOL SOOO cute, Ella loved it, but did not live the cap messing her hair!

girls weekend away!

2011-05-26T10:11:00.003-06:00

my dear friend bobbi moved to the philipeans a couple of years back for her hubby's job. I miss her tons. She always makes me want to be a better mother, wife, friend, and thats when you know you have a great friend. so she was back in Canada for her yearly visit, and we jumped right on the bandwagon to ogranzie a night away! We just headed up to Calgary, and we got a hotel, we arrived at went to Ikea, to the mall, it was so fun to shop without kids! I could just browse and not have to worry about losing kids, or them touching things, it was so relaxing. we headed to Peter's drive in for lunch. They have the best burgers and milkshakes.. deelish, but we ate too much and kinda regretted over eating.. not to worry we walked it off at the mall! In the evening we went out for dinner and had the best salad ever at Joey tomatoes!, and then we headed to a movie. We were so tired when we got back to the hotel. we went to bed about 1am ( I normally hit the pillow at 10pm)! and i slept, and slept. I woke at 6:05, pretty much the same time Ethan wakes up, but i refused to open my eyes, and i did fall back asleep til 9:30 woooohooo!!!!! We then went to do some more shopping, and then to the olive garden for lunch and oohhh i love their soup & salads and dessert!! we then headed home... what a great weekend. I love you girls!!

soo behind!

2011-05-18T12:10:00.002-06:00

I know, I know, It's been forever, and i have a bunch of cute pics and the works, but my camera has broken, and i can't find my cable to download from my phone...ggrrr

So, we had easter, i have cute cute pics! Lacie took some family pictures of us, the kids ones were super cute. I loved my girls outfits, twice a year i like to go all out, i really love to match them, however, Grace didn't want me to this year, sob sob. So they both had completely different dresses, but you know, i kinda loved it.. they are looking so grown up now. Ella starts kinder in the fall.. where does the time go?

So, biggest news is that i think we are going to buy a piano. We go see it tomrorow. Now anyone that knows me, knows that i want a piano SOOO bad. No-one in our family plays.. at all. But Grace starts lessons in September and i really really wanted one, but financially it wasn't going to happen. Not since i still need landscaping, railings, and my cement poured driveway... to cut a long story short a friend of my father in law had one going at a great price, and i'm going to see it tomorrow! I will let you know if i get it.!!!

So, sorry it's not a fun post. i read all your blogs all the time!!
heidi

super talented, super cute!

2011-04-03T18:21:00.004-06:00

I'm sure if you know me, you know I could talk all day about my best friend Rachel. She simply is one of the greatest people I have ever met. We have been best friends since I can remember. We met when my mum started coming to church, and aparently, I walked right up to her and asked if I could go to her house to play.. she said yes, and the rest is history. In the 30 some years we have been friends, we have never had an argument..like seriously. I am sure there were things we had different ideas about but never ever had a fall out. anyways, now i am totally off topic, like i say, don't get me started talking about her, you will be here all day!. but, did i also tell you she is SOO talented. i think she got my share!... she sews, crafts, makes anything, and it all looks soo great. She is a stay at home mom to her 2 little cheeky monkeys, and she started a little crafting business. She made my cake cup toppers for Ella's birthday next week. arn't they the cutest thing ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thank you rach, love you x

Fitness Challenge!

2011-03-04T17:54:00.002-07:00

Boy, oh boy, what did I get myself into? So,, last January I decided things needed to change. I joined a weight loss center, paid a few thousand dollors and pretty much starved myself, which = in 20lbs lost, feeling great, and not a healthy bank account. When the monthly fee's increased i decided that was enough and i would do it on my own.. fast forward to the end of the year and i had pretty much gained it all back. Moral of the story, do it the old fashioned way! I am sooo mad at myself, but with the stress of buildng the house, dayna was gone 24/7, i just fell off the wagon. Well now i am ready to get back on it!!

Dayna and I are going to do it together. By the end of June, I am going to lose 20lbs, and he is going to GAIN 20lbs. Wow, do i ever wish i could say that i needed to gain weight! LOL He has his moms genes! He cannot gain weight to save his life. And you must feel so sorry for his mother who after 6 kids now weighs 118lbs.. shock, despair, tears ( good job i love her)!!!!!

so, i am going to do it the old fashioned way. Eat less, work out, drink water. I know i can do it, i know i can. We have a fun filled summer and i want to feel fabulous! so here we go!

I need to get it together!

2011-03-03T09:51:00.002-07:00

ladies, I need some help! LOL
I am kinda feeling a little panick attack coming on...
So, grace turns 8 this year and I am really feeling the pressure! Both Dayna and I grew up on homes where we did not have FHE, or Scripture study etc, so when we first got married we talked about how it was so important for us to do this together, and guess what ... WE SUCK! We do well for about 2 weeks and then one night goes into 2 night and then a week has passed, and then a month, and then.. you get the picture. What is wrong with me. I know how important this is. I know how much we need to do it. I know my kids need it, so why can't i get my act together? Ugh, i am feeling like the worst mother in the world right about now. My little ones are getting bigger every day, and before i know it i am sure, they will be gone, and i will wonder why i didn't go the small and simple things? HELP!!!

Cambrie Faith Mitchell

2011-02-21T08:39:00.002-07:00

Here is a picture of Lacie & Dusty's new baby girl. Cambrie Faith Mitchell.. another cutie pie to add to my list of neices!

Guilty Pleasure!

2011-02-21T08:33:00.003-07:00

I feel i have a lot of guilty pleasures ( and some i actually don't feel that guilty about), but i have to say I love Lynette Scavo's character on Desperate housewives, she cracks me up! i seriously love her LOL. Last night she realised how she had babied her older kids and now they were mooching! I don't know why i find her so hilarious, but i do! So here's to a guilty pleasure!!

quick arrival

2011-02-18T17:07:00.002-07:00

This moring we were waiting for lacies baby, this afternoon SHE arrived! she was tiny also 5lbs 15oz. but did you see lace? seriously the smallest preggo lady ever, and she was back in normal clothes the dats after she had Brigham i swear!

So 3 girls for 3.. no name yet, i think they were really expecting a boy!! i can't wait hear

2 down, one to go!

2011-02-18T10:16:00.002-07:00

baby Avalyn

Emmie with her daddy!

Rachel my sister in law, and my sister kelly both had their babies. Rachel gave birth to a beautiful little girl Avalynn Dakota. She's a doll. Everything went nice and smooth, and both mommy and baby are doing well... my sister however was another story. kelly developed gestational diabetis this time around. she herself is a small girl, at barely 5ft tall, and tiny hips they started to get concerned at the weight of the baby. at 7.5 months they thought the baby was at least 7.5lbs. They decided to induce her 10 days early. She went to be induced and it took 3 times and 6 day stay in the hospital. when they finally decided to break her waters in day 6, she went from 5cm to having the baby in 8 minutes and of course is now in alot of pain!!! baby Esmae Rose was born, weighing in at only 6lbs 5onz and 17 inches long. she is so tiny. My sister was very upset that she went through that and the baby was tiny. But her main concern was Esmae's health. She is doing well. They were allowed to come home yesterday. Baby Esmae ( Emmie), is a doll too, i am so blessed to have these little ones in my family. I just wish i was closer in distance to them. So now we are just waiting for lacie, who is now 6 days late !!!!!!!!!!

How cute are these!

2011-02-05T16:56:00.003-07:00

I saw these cute spring crafts ona another blog and had to steal them for you all to see.. stinking cute or what!!

Ethan Joel

2011-01-28T15:36:00.003-07:00

Oh this kid cracks me up. seriously there is never a dull moment when hes around. I had no brothers, and didnèt grow up around boys, so i was really nervous to have a boy. The first few years was just like havng another girl, the girls dressed him in ballet clothes, pearls, he played barbies.. you get the picture. But as time went on, i tried to incorporate boy stuff. He now is SUCH a boy ( however, we still will only wear pink snow boots), but he climbs where he is not supposed to, he told me he was going to cut me in half with a sword, and has flooded my bathrooms twice!! BUT he is soo snuggly, hes my little buddy. he will be our last little one, so i try and treasure the time we are together!

Ella Victoria

2011-01-28T15:19:00.002-07:00

Well Ella, my little petite Ella. She is so cute, and emotional!!! she is my little girl, who is happy one second and BIG tears the next. she is now 4, and is finally sleeping through the night. yes, at 4!!!!!! She started pre-school in September and it has been great for her. She always hide behind Grace, and i really felt she needed her own time away from me and the other kids. She has a different personality to Grace, and is way was cautious about life. So, itès been a great experience to see her grow..a long with her attitude haahha she is still on the small side, sheès only 32lbs, but it seems my girls are gonna take after the dressel side. Grace is 42lbs and is 8 this year!! We are so happt to have her in our family, and we cant wait for APril to celebrate her 5th birthday!! Love ya Elle

Grace Avonlea

2011-01-28T15:09:00.003-07:00

here is a little update on all my kiddos...

She is now 7.. when did that happen. she is now in grade one. she loves anything sporty, dance or things that keep her entertained!!! She is trying to control her OCD, and she has to see a specialist every few months, it`s great that we now are able to help her through certain things, but some days it`s super hard. She is so super smart, and has great report cards. I just love this little girl, she is soo tender hearted, she seriously the most giving person. We love you Grace

lots of new babies.. NONE ARE MINE!!!

2011-01-28T14:58:00.002-07:00

rachel

lacie

kelly

Between my family and Dayna`s we are expecting 3 new babies in the next 2 weeks. Dustin ( dayna`s brother) and his wife rachel, and expecting a little Girl Avalynn, she was due yesterday! my sister kelly is due in feb, but has diabetis in pregnancy so they are bringing her little girl early too. Then lacie ( dayna`s sister), is due early Feb, with a suprise..we can`t wait for them all to be here!!!

some catching up!! ABI's getting married!!!

2011-01-28T14:50:00.002-07:00

yes, my darling little sister Abi is getting married in July. I am really hoping to fly over, July is super expensive, but we will see what we can do. I am so excited for her. Sam her fiance, is a good guy. he had a kidney transplant last year, so he and Abi are gonna have to work stuff out with medications, and she will have lots to learn. I was super sad that i couldn`t be there when she went for her gown. Àll my family went, kind of a jackson tradition. She sent me `the`dress later that day. of course i am sworn to secrecy, all i can say is WOW!!!!! and i think the down payment on my first house, cost the same!!.. i need to start saving for my girls weddings now!!!

But Congrats, darling!!!

The new house

2011-01-27T10:50:00.002-07:00

well finally i took some new pictures of our home. We are loving it, though we still have a few finishing touches to do. I also am struggling to know where to put certian accents, pictures, etc. strange, i thought that would be the easy part LOL

I'm Back!!!

2011-01-25T19:45:00.001-07:00

Well after 1 whole year of not having TV, internet, or anything, I am back!!
We finally moved into our new home this past week, and are loving it. I promise full pictures really soon!

We are all well, time flies, Grace is now 7, and in grade 1. she is doing great.
Ella is turning 5 in April, is attneding pre-school, and cannot wait for kinder!
My baby Ethan, is no longer a baby, he's 3 now, and just went into Sunbeams!!!

I have been checking all your blogs, and i am so glad to be back!
see ya soon x

melted heart

2009-11-17T06:26:00.002-07:00

Sometimes as moms we are not sure if we teach our kids the right things, but this week Grace just made me feel like i was doing ok.

We were sat in church, sarcrament meeting was about to start and her little friend walked passed, obviously upset. Grace asked " lizzy, whats wrong", her mom replied that "lizzy cant find the picture she drew in primary". they sat down and i could tell grace was upset, she quickly got up, grabbed her picture and said, i will be right back mom, i want lizzy to have my picture". I was so proud of her. she has such a tender heart.

a Must see!

2009-11-14T13:31:00.003-07:00

Last year this great family moved into our ward. The Burton Family. It was soo funny, they had been building a home and it was taking longer than expected so for months we heard all about them. When they finally arrived, I felt like i already knew them! They are so cute. The mom Jasmine, is a doll. She is one of those ladies who always seems to have it altogether, though she assures me she doesn't ( i don't believe her ;) Her 2 daughters were in my activity day group and they were truly angels. Always friends, always obedient and just a joy to be around.
Now her husband will always hold a special place in my heart ( why, you are wondering), well a few years back Grace was very sick. we took her to the doctors and Dr Burton was on call that night. We didn't know them at the time. He was amazing with Grace. They suspected she had west nile virus, and she was so sick, i was scared beyone scared. He was amazing, Had her straight at the hosptial for tests and even called me late in the evening to give me the good news that all was going to be ok. He really went out of his way to make me confortable and happy.
Anyways, after they moved it i heard he also was an amazing songwritter/singer and had won various awards.
I jsut today stumbled upon his new song. I barely got past the first line without having a lump n my throat! It's about christmas and this is him in his home with his family..oh i HAD to share with all my friends!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbvAomsBVwA

Ethan turns 2

2009-11-12T07:12:00.004-07:00

Where does the time go? I feel like i was just posting his birth, and here we are 2 years later.

Ethan had a good birthday. We were in Rosemary with family. He loved opening his gifts and was not interested really in his cake at all this year. He LOVED his new CAT sit n ride and dumper, and adored his Thomas train. My sister got his a really cool loop de loop car thing, the girls loved playing with it for hours.

He is such a great little kid. He's soooo funny. He makes me laugh every day. HE still take a 1.5 -2 hr nap daily and is in bed at 7. BUT he does wake at 6:30am. doesn't matter what time he goes to bed that's when he wakes. ugh!LOL

we sure love having him in our home. It would not be the same without him!

a learning lesson.

2009-10-30T15:24:00.002-06:00

I have been not the greatest mom lately. You know when your husband is gone all week, and when he's back you are so busy catching up on everything that you don't feel like you have had a break at all. You are waiting for everything to be finalised on your house selling, however you still have no-where to live when that happens which is in less that 4 weeks.. you get the picture.

Well my patience has been thin to say the least. However, yesterday my friend Steph invited us over for a little kid party. I wasn't sure i could go, due to it been Ethans nap time, but i felt i needed to go, and off i went with them. They had a great time and as we visited, i learned a huge lesson from her. She was talking about her kids ( she has 4, aged 7,5, and twin 2yr old girls), she was laughing saying one of the twins was waking up every 20 mins inthe night, and she said, even when she does, i just have to smile at her, she's just so cute and sweet, and mine. i thought about that alot, there are so many times, where i know i have a frown on my face from a spilt drink, hitting each other, fighting. Or i am just trying to get something done and i have 3 of them calling my name at the same time, but i stopped today, and everything they asked for, needed, or whatever, i did it with a huge smile on my face, and it made a huge difference to my day. So Ethan got into my mandarin oranges yesterday = 4 poopy diapers, but every time i smile and tell him how cute he is. or Ella who cried because she wanted all the cookies her friend brought around, and i just smiled and told her no, but i loved her!

I really admire people who have the patience of a saint! My other friend alwyas tells how she never heard her mother raise her voice EVER. she's a mother now, and she's baffled how she did it.. but she did, can u imagine never having ever raised your voice to your children. How great. So, i am very inspired right now! thanks Steph for a great day ..oh and great food :)

SOLD!

2009-10-24T17:03:00.002-06:00

Yeah,

I am so happy to report we sold our house. Well we have an accepted offer, he said he has no trouble with finances, but the condition isn't off yet, should be this week. I am thrilled. It only tool 3 weeks, and in this market thats great. We got what we wanted and we move out in 5 weeks. AGHH. We have always had a deal when it comes to moving, ( and we have moved 8 time in 9 years) Dayna packs and I unpack. It has worked perfectly until NOW. Dayna is not here all week, so I am all alone left to do it. I am hopeless at packing, it's true. One great thing is i can throw away stuff and he won't be able to stop me. He is such a horder. He has assignments from school that he has had filed awya for the past 7 years. Never looked at them, but kept them.. aahh, no longer shall they be.

We might have found a place to rent/buy. It's small but it's cheap. We will live in it until our home is built. We were planning on renting, until we found out our mortgage payment would be $250 a month versus $1000 for rent!!! we will jsut either renting it out when we are done or sell it.

Now this week, since Ethan has been absent, I went looking at show homes. Oh, how i love to do this. I seriously could go daily. I liked alot, apart from one gastly ultra modern, WEIRD spaceage house. I guess i am very traditional!! I found a few plans i really liked, so we will see what happens. Too bad we can't just bu a house already new and built. Also when you are moving to a village of 300 people ( yes 300), then the options are more than limited! But we will get it done.. somehow.

boys will be boys

2009-10-24T11:21:00.003-06:00

Wow, Boys for sure are different from girls. Ethan has always climbed everywhere. He's had stitched twice in 6 months, fallen down the steps 3 times in one week. he's had a gooseegg for a month straight becuase he keeps bumping the same spot. He jumps off everything, if you are there to catch him or not. Seriously, my nerves are in tatters. So what do i do???... i sent him to Grandmas for a few days. He's 2 in 2 weeks, and he never spent the night away from me. Since dayna is there during the week, i felt really ok about it, as Dayna would still be with him inthe evenings. I can say, it's been blissful. It was so easy just having the girls. We went to the movies, out to dinner, looked at show homes, played lots. I have missed him like crazy of course, and he comes back tonight, and i can't wait to see him, but it was a wonderful break for sure.
Here are some pics i took last week, of course wearing my shoes!!!

feeling old

2009-10-03T19:31:00.003-06:00

me when Ethan was born

the day i went home from my mission ( 1997)

my mission.. LOVED IT!

me @ 16... boy am i glad for CHI products!

me at 12.. look i was skinny LOL

So i am turning 35 in December, and i am starting to feel really old. Today I was thinking, my skin is starting to look old, I have wrinkles and a few grey hairs. I burst of my micro dermerbration machine and scrubbed my skin til it was RED... ooops. My body aches, i swear sometimes bending over and then getting back up i feel like i am 100 years old!! I look back of photos from when i got engaged or my mission, and think, wow, i was 21 there, and 25 there, and now i am 35, where did the time go?? I also remember my mom turning 40 and I thought she was old.. and she was only 23 when she had me.. yikes, am i gonna be the mom at Ethans school where they think i am the Grandma? So, i am feeling sorry for myself. PLUS, it doesn't help, that i have to say i am still trying to lose 30lbs. what the heck is wrong with me. I can't get past this, and i have to, i 100% have to. I do not like how i look, i feel bad. I feel sorry for Dayna i told him he got stuck with the fat old wife ( he's 5 years younger than me)!!

So, a little pity party for me. Why can't we just stay at like 21!! :)

her are a few pics from the past.. fun to look and a little depressing LOL

My first birth as a doula!

2009-10-03T19:24:00.002-06:00

This week was so great. I attended my first birth as a Doula. 'E' called me at 6pm, to say she was sure she was in labour, and that her contractions were about 3-4 mins apart but only lasting 20 seconds. so she would call when they became longer and stronger, and things were going well at home. So i headed off to look at the new show homes with my friend Lana. we got thorugh 1.5 homes when the phone rang again. Her husband said they were now 1 minute apart, so i told them i would meet them at home ( she wanted to labour there as long as possible). I went and she was in alot of pain, so we headed to the hosptial. This was at 7pm. Her contractions lasted ALONG time, the poor girl stuck at 5cm for 10 hours!!!! she was a trooper though, and 17 hours later, a beautiful baby girl came to the world. she weighed 8lbs exactly and they named her Ambrosia 'Brosie'. she is as cute as can be. I never thought i would want to see what was happening. I never looked when mine were born but i just happend to be at her feet, helping her push, and saw everything, and i LOVED it. i thought i would be so grossed out, but i wasn't at all, i thought everything looked so much better than i ever imagined! LOL.

I really loved it. i was exhasuted. 17 hours without a break is hard work, but i loved every second, and i was so proud of her!

I can't wait for more to come :)

bedding..oh i love new things!

2009-09-18T17:20:00.006-06:00

Well since we are SOOO up in the air about what type of house we are going to build ( yep, we are back to the drawing board), i can't think about it anymore without my head hurting. So for this weekend, i am going to focus on all the lovely new things i am going to buy LOL. Actually the only things i will be buying for the new house is new bedding for us. i decided my sleigh bed set it just fine for now. We need a big boy bed for Ethan and i am getting him this one i think.. LOVE Ikea! lOL

So here are the bedding I am looking at. I want my room black and white, and Dayna will be so happy, since i am English I LOVE colour, so he will be happy that i am not making him paint it some crazy colour. So what do you think? Do you have a favourite, tips, any you have seen you want to share.. go right ahead!

* as of now, i have narrowed it down to 2, but i won't say til everyone has commented, it's fun to see what others would choose*, oh and as lynn pointed out about the colour, i forgot to mention i am painting one wall green, and having green accessories around!

Heidix

we have a house plan!

2009-09-11T09:28:00.002-06:00

Well we are still not 100% sure if we are going to build or buy a house in Rosemary. It looks more like we will end up building. Which is overwhelming and scary, but exciting too. After looking over 100 million plans, this is the one we kept coming back too!
http://www.nautahomedesigns.com/houseplan.php?HPID=292&PG=1&PLANNUM=TS165
I am useless with plans, i like to look around show homes and decide what i like and don't. So if any of you are experts and see something that doesn't seem right, PLEASE let me know! lOL I am changing the kitchen so it has a big island.

Ella starts pre-school

2009-09-08T10:18:00.002-06:00

Today was the day, i sent my baby girl off to Pre-school. She woke up and was so excited. She ate breakfast, which in itself was good. She got ready in her new clothes, and let me do her hair. It's the same one grace went to, so she knew the teachers, but as soon as she got there, her face dropped. We found her name tag put it on, read a story together and then it was time for us to leave. she didn't cry, but she looked so scared. I kept smiling and waving, and inside i wanted to pick her up and tell them i had changed my mind. I KNOW she will be fine. She needs something, and has outgrown nursery at church, so this will be great for her. doesn't she look adorable!

Jace & Jens wedding.

2009-09-06T19:30:00.006-06:00

Dayna's youngest brother Jace was married on Saturday, so an amazing girl. We are so thrilled to have her in our family. I am no longer the only 'in-law' daughter. Jen is from British Columbia, so we travelled there for the wedding. It started Friday, we packed up, and i have to say i was dreading it. 6 hr drive, with 3 kids, and especially Ethan who HATES his car seat, and I am very strict about them keeping in their car seats. We set off, and they did SOO good. Seriously, prayers were heard. The scenery was like nothing i had even seen anything like it. However, i am such a nervous passenger some of the windy roads with the HUGEST drops at the side of the mountain freaked me out!.. WE stayed in a hotel which was a first with the kids, and they loved it. Our room overlooked the pool, so thats all they wanted to do. Which was find with us. We spent alot of time in there.

The wedding was beautiful, Jen looked stunning, and Ella was soo precious, she did an amazing job as flower girl!

yeah for family weddings!

Grace goes to school.

2009-09-02T21:34:00.004-06:00

She has been waiting all summer for this day to arrive. We have been counting down the days for along time. SHe woke up early, and was pretty excited. She got dressed, and chose her outfit herself. Being Grace, we had a few new things for her to wear, and she chose what felt good that day. Ella was sad that she was leaving, but we kept telling her next week is her day ( she starts pre-school). So off we went. I wasn't emotional at all. We drove there, and then Grace looked scared. she said she was, but right at that moment another little girl pulled up. Grace looked soo happy. They went down the steps and met their teacher Miss Patti. She got them to find their little peg, and put there backpacks on it. Then they said say bye to your mom. The other little girl started to cry and Grace went and stood beside her, i was so proud of her. The other mom walked away, and kept saying " i'm not gonna cry, I'm not gonna cry, as tears are streaming down her face, i was ok til i saw her, and then i jsut bawled all the way back to the car. I was ok after that. Then when we picked her up, she said she has a great time, and could not wait to go back. Where does the time go, she's sooo small. It makes me realise that time is flying by.

we are moving!

2009-08-18T20:35:00.002-06:00

Well to say it's been a crazy week, is an understatement. Last week, I was out running a few errands, I arrived home and Dayna said, "so, umh, i was offered a job", i was like WHAT, WHERE, etc etc. He said it was for an oil company as an operator. He has 4 years of school in enviromental science, but the jobs were not easy to come by. It seemed they all wanted experience OR it was who you knew.. and we didn' know anyone LOL. So, then he told me it was in Rosemary. This is the village Dayna grew up in. It's TINY, 200 people, like 1 store, you can't even buy gas there! His parents and a couple of siblings live there still. Even though i am from a big city, i have always been drawn there. So, he went today to check it out, and well, he called tonight to say, let's do it! So, we are selling our house and moving. At the beginning of the week, i wasn't sure if i felt good about it, i was worried about Grace, we just got her in to a really good private kindergarden. I was worried about the changes, the kids, you know. i am still worried about the housing situation. There are non for sale that are suitable. we might have to build, and that just scares me! There might be one house available, which seems to be perfect, but we are not sure if it's really for sale. so, there you go. Dayna might be gone within a few weeks, i will stay here until we sell, and find sometihng new!

crazy huh!

pina colada trifle!

2009-08-16T14:58:00.003-06:00

my friend made this, and i am making it today, thought i would share, super easy and yummy!!

How ToHow to Make a Pina Colada TrifleTrifle is a delicious layered dessert that always looks very festive, but is actually quite easy to throw together.

EasyInstructionsThings You'll Need:
* One yellow cake (from mix, or use purchased poundcake).. i used french vanilla
* One 3 oz. package flaked coconut, or as much as you want
1 can crushed pineapple*
One 3 oz. package coconut pudding mix* ( not sure if you can get this in the UK, kinda like angel delight)
8 oz. carton whipping cream*
1/4 cup powdered sugar*
Maraschino cherries and sliced pineapple (if desired)

1.make cake as box states, and then cut it up in 2inch cubes, arrange half the cake in the bottom

2. put about 4 tbs pineapple juice over the cake.

3. Drain the can of crushed pineapple, then spoon half of the pineapple over the cake.

4. then add as much coconut as you like

5. prepare the pudding according to the package directions. When it has cooled a bit but has not yet set, pour half of it over the cake, pineapple and coconut.

6Place the rest of the cake pieces on top of the pudding layer. Then sprinkle the cake pieces with the remaining pineapple juice and top them with the rest of the pineapple, coconut and pudding.

7 Whip the cream in a bowl, stirring in the powdered sugar as you beat it. Using powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar helps the cream to retain its shape.

8Sprinkle the reserved coconut over the top of your Pina Colada trifle. You may also garnish it with maraschino

I ran it!

2009-08-16T14:26:00.002-06:00

Well I am so excited to say that this week, I ran my 1st 5k. It wasn't in a race or anything, but just running at the gym. 6 months ago, i culd barely make it around the block! It feels great. I really am happy that i started running. I can't say i LOVE it, but i love the feeling i get when i accomplish something. I am now aiming for my next goal of 8k. I want to up my time too, i swear my time was super slow, but hey, i made it!

beds, beds, beds

2009-08-03T17:27:00.005-06:00

*** above it what i am planning to do with my master room... or something like it!

This is the white one that i really love

this is the set we have now

expresso chocoalte

I would really like to do some work on my guest room. No one hardly ever stays, but I do want it to look nicer. So i was thinking of putting my cherry sleigh bed down there and then getting us a new one. which comes to my next thing. I really want to re-do my master bedroom. I know, i know, didn't i just do it like 18 months ago.. yep, and thats the English in me, always wanting to change things. Right now, it's chocolate & amber, very warm looking, but i am thinking i would like to go brighter, and refreshing. So, of couse been married to someone who owns his own painting company, i know i can get that done cheap! ahha. I think i want antique white on 3 walls and then either wallpaper or an brightish apple green, then with black & white accessories. If you scroll back a few pages on my blog you will see the idea of what i would like. So here are some bed sets i like. I do relaly love the white, but i wonder if 1) if will wreck to easily and scratched up, and 2) will it date way quicker that the others? mmhhh choices!! and i have to bed and plead with Dayna first! haha

Air show

2009-07-26T19:50:00.003-06:00

Every year here in Lethbridge there is a air show. I have never been to it before, but my brother in law Dustin won tickets and he was in Utah, so he gave them to us. I was pretty excited and thought the kids would have a good day. Well,it would have been a good day, but it was pretty hot for us all. The show didn't start til noon, which is Ethans nap time, and Ella was scared of the large overhead jet planes. I must admit it was VERY loud. WE stayed 2 hrs, and went home with cranky, scared, tired, and sunburned kids! Oh well, least we tried. It was pretty interesting to see all the different planes!!.. maybe next year!

Swimming time

2009-07-24T20:30:00.002-06:00

Her swim instructor walked right in the way! lol

Grace passed her swimming class today. I am so proud of her. She only has 2 things to mark off from her next class too. She loves the water, and is not afraid to try new things. I am so glad she does not take after me in the water. I have tried really hard not to pass on my fear of it. Ella is for sure way more nervous, but I am hoping to get her started soon. Yeah Grace, well done baby.

Family fun @ Henderson Park

2009-07-24T20:22:00.003-06:00

We went to the new Park a few minutes from our house. It has been crazy busy there, but we were really lucky, we took them when it was pretty hot out, so i think everyone else was in the Henderson pool!! The kids had soo much fun. It's so nice to have a new park, I LOVE Gyro right by our house too, but it's always fun to go to new places, and then especially here, Grace can ride her bike, we can walk around the lake etc. I LOVe where we live. I Love this part of Alberta, I never want to leave!!

Gymnastics camp.

2009-07-10T13:03:00.002-06:00

I enrolled Grace this past week in a fun gymnastic camp. She is naturally really athletic, and really enjoys any type of activity. From been a very young age she was always climbing at the park, swinging, can throw a ball further than I can! So I thought this would be fun. It was at the local Gymnasium. She was there from 9-12 and loved it. They did different activities and things with the kids. She is already taking swimming lessons, which she really enjoys too. I do not want to overschedule my kids with a bunch of activities, but yet i want them to experience different things and learn new things. PLUS they don't fight with each other if they are busy! haha. It's hard to know as a parent what things you choose to do with them, and how often etc etc. I already told Dayna that when my kids are old enough they are playing the Piano, it's not an option! lol The pictures are a little dark..sorry!

Boating at St Mary's

2009-07-07T20:45:00.003-06:00

Friends of ours bought a boat recently, and invited us to go boating with them this weekend. It was so fun. A little scary at time ( i will tfill you in on that in a second). I am not the biggest fan of water at all. I knew that this would be fun, so i packed up a picnic and off we went. The boat was so fun. They had these seated tube things, with 3 seats, Grace wanted to go out with Dayna and Hayden our friends son. So i was on the boat with the other kids, and they were been pulled along, when all of a sudden it literally sunk, it was the weirdest thing i have ever seen. Grace got flung off into the cold water, by herself. Before i could even scream, Dayna dived off and got to her. The tube did go over her and push her back under for a second. Dayna said he wasn't scared until he got to the back of the boat and she still wasn't up, but a second later, there she was. Coughing, spluttering and LAUGHING, asking if she could go back in. I was shaking, nausious, and trying not to cry!!! THEN a few hours later, we were all just relazing onthe boat, Ethan kept looking over with Dayna and stood on the wooden bench at the back of the boat, then i hear 'splash' and then dayna leaning over fishing out Ethan who had toppled over. UGH, he was too laughing. Seriously, my heart could not take it. Even though we all had life jackets on, i was scared! Apart from that we all did have fun! lol

Ellas cute cute bob

2009-06-27T16:12:00.002-06:00

So yesterday i took Ella to get her hair cut. It was getting long, but bone straight and a little stragly at the ends. She always had food in it! lol So i got a cute bob.. love it

Ella is home!

2009-06-22T13:26:00.002-06:00

Ella spent 3 nights with her grandparents, she has never been away from me this long. It was hard on me, but she LOVED it, and didn't seem sad to be away!. IT was kinda nice that there was no fighting with Ethan! lol But i'm sure glad she is home!!! No more long trips for a while!

**and look at her shirt, soo dirty, this girl can't keep clean to save her life, SOO different from Grace.. I LOVE IT ***! lol

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-22T13:21:00.002-06:00

We really celebrated most of it on Saturday. Dayna's parents came in, and we had a nice dinner etc. On Sunday morning, Grace cut and coloured a bunch of hearts and we stuck them inthe shower, then Grace told her dad to look in there ( so much for a suprise) ahah. We went to church and Grace was singing with the primary, as i looked when she was going up to the stand, there was Ella going on right up there with her! I guess she won't be scared next year when she goes to sunbeams. We came home and had dinner and chilled. Dayna is such a great dad. He plays so much with the kids, he never says no to hide n seek, playing on the trampoline, or anything. He's put me to shame on this! lol He so different from me in so many ways, but we work well together! He's such a sweetheart.

sleeping beauties!

2009-06-22T13:18:00.002-06:00

Ella finally arrived home on Saturday after been at her grandparents for a few days. I was so happy to have her home. I took his pic on saturday night, sooo happy to have them both sleeping under my roof again!

My sister Abi

2009-06-19T20:46:00.003-06:00

I just wanted to show this gorgeous picture of my sister Abi. Isn't she beautiful. Abi came to live with my family as a foster child when I was on my mission. The day I got home, she asked " when are you going back"! I guess she was a little scared of me coming home, incase there wasn't room for her. She was only about 5 at the time! She was soo cute, and I fell in love with her then! My parents fostered her for years, and then we finally got permission to adopt her. It takes YEARS in the UK. WE finally got her sealed to us about 3 years ago. She actually was sealed in the Cardston Temple. Since my parents & I are the only active members of my family ( my other 2 sisters are not active), we thought it would be great to do it here, when they came over for Ella's blessing. So that was so great. She was also taught the discussions from Dayna when she was 8! Thats how my family got to know him pretty well, though i didn't know him at all really back then.

so anyways.. she is turning 18 soon!, i can't beleive it!

My doula Training

2009-06-14T19:45:00.002-06:00

As some of you know, I recently decided to do something for myself. i have been searching for that something for awhile, and the second I saw it I KNEW!!! I wanted to be a Doula. Now some of you are asking, What the heck is a doula.. so here is an explanation.

What is a doula?
The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.
Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily

WHY WOULD I USE ONE?
Women have complex needs during childbirth and the weeks that follow. In addition to medical care and the love and companionship provided by their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement and respect. They need individualized care based on their circumstances and preferences.
DONA International doulas are educated and experienced in childbirth and the postpartum period. We are prepared to provide physical (non-medical), emotional and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth, as well as to families in the weeks following childbirth. We offer a loving touch, positioning and comfort measures that make childbearing women and families feel nurtured and cared for.

Now i know from my 3 birthing experiences. That 1) all of them were different 2) I KNOW without a doubt, especially with Ella's birth, I could have benefited from having a doula. Now firstly i want everyone to know, that we are not saying the dads suck! We are not, Dayna was great in labour, and I could not have done it without him been there. But he was not sure what he was supposesd to do or his role. And wouldn't it have been great for both of us, if he didn't have to worry about 'coaching' and doing and saying the right thing, but just be there for me, with no worries. Plus, then i didn't have to worry about what he was worrying about!! With Ella's birth, It was very strong and very fast, and I was seriously out of control. I could hear myself and i was thinking what am i doing. Dayna was shocked and didn't have a clue how to respond. I was hysterical, and just having someone there, who knew how to calm me, who knew some things that would get me through...ooohh i would have been bliss! lol

So i took the course, it was long, and intense, but so rewarding, emotional, and just right for me. I can now attend births :) I have to have 3 births as part of my certification. Until i get some experience the charge will be very minimal. So if you know anyone who wants a Doula, pretty much free of charge, give me a call!! In lethbridge right now the rates for Doula's is $500-600 per birth. In Calgary $900 per birth. So my rates right now... SWEET! lol

Anyways, I truly am thrilled to be doing this.

A family walk!

2009-06-11T15:48:00.005-06:00

Dayna didn't have to work today, so we packed up the kids and drove a few minutes to Pavan Park to walk one of the trails. It was soo fun. Ella was sad that she didn't see rabbits? and Ethan was happy picking up sticks, and it made Graces Day that she got to ride her bike everywhere! I love days like this, when we are together as a family, just chilling out, no stresses, the kids can just wander around, and it's not too hot/cold!! I love my little family. They are growing up so fast. Ethan was our last baby, and i feel like i just had him, but when i look at him i wonder where the time has gone!

Grace's Pre-school graduation!

2009-06-11T15:36:00.002-06:00

Where has the time gone. Grace graduated pre-school yesterday. She has had the most amazing time at 'Noah's Ark'. I cannot say enough about them. The owner Mrs Slomp truly loves these little children. She was ontihng but amazing with working with Grace on her speech and her OCD. We became good friends, and i knew Grace was in the best possible hands, Grace has been there for 2 years now. She had a late November birthday, so I decided not to send her to Kindergarden last year. She will start this September.. yikes! Her grad was so cute, they made little books with lots of pictures they had taken over the past year, and then gave her a certificate, we then had treats, stories, and they sang some songs. Of course I was emotional, thats me! lol But not to worry, Ella starts there in September!

ugh gross!

2009-06-09T16:43:00.002-06:00

So, I was kindly woken up by Ella this morning, she had her face next to mine and said " mommy, i dont eat my boogers anymore, i know how to flick them" sooo gross ella~

She's so cute!

2009-06-09T16:41:00.001-06:00

I picked up this dress for my brother in law & his fiances wedding. Grace LOVES it. Then she asked " can you buy me another dress exactly the same, so i can wear this one now".. too cute.. i said NO, she has to wait til the wedding! lol. I got it on clearance for $20 from Winners.. score!

buzzzzzzzzzzzz

2009-06-09T16:38:00.002-06:00

So, Dayna has been asking me for awhile if he can buzz Ethans hair. I have always said NO!, but he asked me this week, and i said OK ( since his hair grows super fast). But I LOVE it. it's so easy, well i do NOTHING.!! He looks sooo muich older to me. I put these pics on facebook, adn everyone has said how much he looks like my dad!.. so cute! lol

oh, and Dayna taught him to drink the milk from the bowl.. NAUGHTY dad!

A trip to the ZOO!!

2009-06-06T13:04:00.005-06:00

On tuesday, we got up and thought it was a perfect day to go to the zoo. We already had tickets, so I sent Dayna to the store to get some snacks, i packed, and off we went. It was sooo much fun. The first hour was a little bleh, Ethan refused to sit in his stroller, he didn't nap on the way there, so he was pretty grumpy. I was like " I KNEW we should not have brought him" i was getting a little annoyed! But then i just let him do his own thing, he just wandered around, and ended up having a blast!!! He didn't quite get that he could look at an animal and move on to another, when we tried to take him away, he cried and cried, until he saw another one. he caught on pretty quickly though!!

The weather was perfect, and it wasn't very busy, compared to when we have been before.

WE saw Elephants, tigers, bears, hippo, giraffes, lions, monkeys ( with a brand new baby... it was out favourite thing), koala, kangaroo, oohhh it was sooo fun. One of the funest famiyl trips we have taken. the REALLY sad thing was, I brought out my camera, and then realised I had left my memory card int he computer at home.. i was sooo sad. But i stole these pics from my friend Kari's blog ( is that ok, Kari)!, she was there this week too! lol

After that, we went to visit Dayna's sister and her family. It was lovely to hang out with them, and visit with Brigham, he's sooo cute, and growing like a weed. We had dinner with them, and then took all the kids to the park, and then came home. It was 8pm when we left, and , my kids go to bed at 7, so the 2 little ones were asleep before we even drove 4 blocks. Grace stayed awake the whole way home, we were soo shocked. We stopped off and grabbed some drinks, and had a nice 2 hr drive home. really was a great day.

Fishing!

2009-06-01T08:41:00.004-06:00

Dayna bought the girls fishing rods last week, and Saturday morning came, and at 8am he was running around shouting, everyone get ready we are going fishing in 20 minutes.. SUCH A GUY thing to do, it takes me 20 minutes to pack my diaper bag. But he insisted we would grab breakfast on the way, jsut grab some juice boxes and lets go. So we did, i realised half way there, we had not even brushed the kids hair!!! well since it was sat morning EARLY, i didn't think we would see anyone!

We went to a lake near by, and fished, it was soo fun, the girls loved it, though we didn't catch anything, we had a few bites, and Dayna loved every second of it. I had the task of entertaining Ethan which was quite the task!! he's at a crazy age! But we had fun, and all enjoyed it. Ethan had more fun sneaking the marsmallows out of the bag!!! Lots more fishing trips i am sure this summer!!

oh which one should i choose?

2009-05-25T17:22:00.006-06:00

Ok, I seem to be at a stand still with my weight loss. I lost so much last year, and this year, I can't seem to lose a dang thing. So, with by Brother in law getting married in September, i decided to get my butt in gear, and lose at least 20lbs. I have found this great place with wonderful modest dresses. So this will be my reward, new dress, new shoes, purse, you get the idea!! Now which should i choose?

The day had arrived...

2009-05-24T10:25:00.002-06:00

Look at that lip! lol

Handsome boy!

Getting his hair done with daddy

Ethan turned 18 months old. I was SOOO excited. Ethan got to go to nursery in church. No more hall walking. I wanted him to look like a big boy, he was dressed in his 1st shirt & tie, yes, I know, I am a dork!! He looked so handsome. I cannot belive that he is 18 months already. He is such a joy, and a stinker too. Seriously, he climbs everywhere. Growing up with no brothers, I didn;t know what to expect. He is in to EVERYTHING. He's so darn cute though, and WAAY more cuddly than the girls were. He loves to come up and give hugs ans kisses. SO anyways.. off to nursery he went and had a good time, he was a little shy and even cried for a second but then was happy. I think it helped that Ella is still in there too. I got to enjoy all my meeting :)

Mother day

2009-05-24T10:23:00.002-06:00

Sorry, this is a bit late, i lost my camera there for ahwile!
Well i had a lovely day. Dayna let me sleep in, then woke me up to breakfast in bed! Sorry about the terrible pic, but yeah, whatever! lol
We got the girls ready for church and then tackled Ethan, it was the best gift ever, Ethan went to nursery for the 1st time. I actually got to go to my lessons and not walk the halls for 3 hours! Dayna made dinner, cleaned up, and what an angel all day!. I Love been a mom, the best thing ever :)

Mothers day @ pre-school.

2009-05-12T09:41:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was Grace's annual Mothers day Tea. It was too cute. They had little tables set up with chocolates and cupcakes out. The children took us to the tables, we got to eat a snack, they sang songs, and poems, and said Happy mothers day 1000 times ( sooo cute), and then we all ate a lovely lunch. They presented us with photo phrames with pictures of us with our children, and the questionaire below ( this is my fav part)

Grace's talks!

What is your moms name : Heidi

What makes your mom special: she is very pretty ( ooohhh bless her heart)

How old is your mom: 18 ( BONUS)

What color is your moms hair: orangy brown

What color are your moms eyes: brown

What is your moms favourite colour: yellow

What is your moms favourite book: all of them

What does your mom like to do: watch TV ( oh, thanks alot Grace)!!!

What does your mom like to play: she likes to play cards ( mmmhhh not really)

Where does your mom like to eat: Humpty's ( ROFL)

Who is the boss of your house: my mum and dad

how cute hey! i love these things!

I'm home safe and sound!

2009-05-03T10:05:00.004-06:00

He didn't like this ride! lol

me & my sister Kelly

Little Ava

My dad & Ethan

My parents

Well it's been awhile, but I had so much fun in England. The journey there wasn't too bad. Ethan was pretty well behaved and slept for 3 hours. The pilot also got us in there an hour early, sooo nice!. Jet lag was the hardest part with Ethan, he didnt sleep very well at all whilst we were there, but he was such a good boy, and loved visiting with Everyone. I finally met my niece Ava, oh she's as cute as can be, i could not get enough of her. She looks soo much like my sister when she was a baby. Ethan & Ava played really well together, i wished they lived here!

On Saturday we went to the ocean, what a great day. 2 of my 3 sisters came with their families too, and we had such a fun time onthe beach, at the fun fair, playing in the sand and eating lots of good things.

I also got to visit with my friends, it was such a fun night, reminissing about our youth days, and the stuff we got upto back then. I didn't get home til1am, and Ethan woke at 6.. ugh, i am soo old, i can't handle those days anymore!!!

I was so worried about my passport issue, but it went well, mainly because Ethan threw up the WHOLE way home. I am not kidding, as soon as we boarded he fell asleep, i was like SWEET, then when we took off, he opened his eyes and threw up and didn't stop. I have never stunk so bad in my whole life I was covered from head to toe literally. I was soo worried with the whole swine flu, luckily we had a row to ourselves, which was good otherwise people next to me would have been covered too. Again we got in 1 hr early, and as i was waiting in customs, he started again, and so they rushed me through, i was sooo happy to see Dayna & the girls, i just burst into tears, i think it was a stress reliever. I kept it together on the flight. The next morning, i took him to the Er convinced he had swine flu, they are so good, rushed me striaght back, and all had masks on, the poor thing has a doble ear infection & throat infection. He's doing soo much better now.

So a dramatic finish to the week, but it was so great, i loved it.

i am going to do it!....

2009-04-18T16:52:00.003-06:00

Well I've been searching for something that i have been wanting to do for awhile. I love been a stay at home mom, and would not change it for the world. There are days however, that I feel like my mind is turning a little or alot mushy, and the most conversation i have is about High school musical ! ahah. So i heard that Doula training was coming to my town. I was so excited. I wanted to go into midwifery when I was living in England, but the thought of going through all that schooling put me off ( well i totally regret not doing now), PLUS, if I am honest I am a little bit squeemish.. or alot actually, i can't even watch CSI! lol But this way, i still get to attend births, but i stay up my the mom! lol I am so nervous about it. I finished high school 18 years ago, and i was not a fan of school, of course we finish at 16 there, and who really loves school then.. well maybe some people do! So the course is in June.. I better go and pay my fee whilst I am thinking about it!! I LOVE the birthing process. It was my favourite part of been pregnant. I know people think I am weird. I would have had more kids IF someone could take the 9 months of pregnancy ( I am soooo sick). But i LOVE the labour, and it wasn't easy, Grace was 30 hr labour no pain meds, Ella was 5hrs no paid meds, Ethan 10 hrs, Epidural, PURE HEAVEN.. BUT terrible headaches that I still suffer from :(.. so anyways, thats what I am upto!

Good luck Holly!

2009-04-18T09:32:00.004-06:00

My friend Holly is running her 1st marathon today. I am so proud of her. She was not a runner, and then decided to do this. She ran a 5k then worked up to today.. however, it's not all been plain sailing for her. After she ran her 20 miles, she got a stress fracture. We are still not sure if she will be able to do the marathon. she's had some steriod shots to help her foot heal, and she's been on crutches last week. She is so determind than no matter what, she is going to be at that line. She really has inspired me this year, that NO matter what you set your mind to, you can do what you can do make it happen. I know she will do this, she is sooo determined :) , she has faith, and she has a huge cheering squad! GO HOLLY GO!

Holly grew up in the same stake as m in England, , she was just a year or so older, and she was someone you could look upto. every girl wanted to be her, and every guy wanted to date her !lol ( sorry if this embarasses you Holly)! lol She married a guy from California and moved there about 12 years ago, and they have 4 lovely children.

So my thoughts and prayers are with her today, and i will give you an update on how it went later!

**** update, she jsut posted on FB and she did it!!!!!!!!!! i will post her story later of it**! :)

Darling girls!

2009-04-12T17:35:00.001-06:00

OOOH, you know I could not blog without putting up a picture of my girls in matching dresses!!! Oh, how i love to match. How i vowed i never would! haha. LOVE IT! They were so darling in their dresses, and we painted their toes and nails in the morning. I love been so girly with them, it's so much fun!

Easter Egg hunt

2009-04-12T17:26:00.003-06:00

It was so fun to do a little Easter egg hunt in the yard. The girls loved in, and once Ethan got the hang of it there was no stoppping him. We had such a nice day. The kids were so well behaved today, plus i helped out in nursery and i love it there, there is such a sweet spirit with the little children. I've had a really good day!

Easter morning

2009-04-12T09:06:00.002-06:00

The Easter bunny made a visit to our house last night. We told him, not to bring alot of Candy this year as mommy is trying to lose weight! lol He brought they cute little baskets filled with goodies and a new neclace and skipping rope. The girls thought it was so cute. Ethan was more excited carrying his basket around. After church we are going to have an easter egg hunt, so check back for pics!!

Only Ella

2009-04-12T09:04:00.001-06:00

I put Ella to bed last night before we went out, and I went to check on her, here is how i found her.. HILARIOUS!!!!!

Coconut lemon cake... yummy!!!!1

2009-04-12T09:00:00.002-06:00

Ok, so i can make a pretty great yummy dessert if i say so myself! ahah, but I had never made a layered cake before. Last week I went to my book club and the host made a gorgeous cake. I got the recipe and thought I would give it a go.. I don't think cake making is my forte! It was a bit lopsided, and i think i put too much stuff int he middle, i had a hard time getting the icing on.. ( my friend Heather, told me to invest in good tools.. i will take her advice, love ya babe). It turned out ok, but it for sure didn't look like my friends PERFECT looking cake, BUT it tasted sooo great. Here is the recipe!!!

Lemon coconut cake
1 box French vanilla cake
1 instant vanilla pudding
1 cup mayo
3 eggs
1 cup water
Mix and cook as directed

FILLING ( double this is you are making 4 layers) I didn't and it was fine
1 cup sugar
¼ cup corn starch
1 cup boiling water
4 egg yolks slightly beaten
2 tsp grated lemon rind
1/3 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 tbs water
1) combine sugar and cornstarch in a medium saucepan whisk 1 cup of boiling water. Cook over med heat stiring constantly for a bout 2 mins, until sugar and corn starch is dissolved. Gradually whisk in 1 forth of hot sugar mixture into the egg yolks, add remaining hot sugar mix, whisk all the time stir in rind and lemon juice.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
½ cup butter
1 pck cream cheese
16 onz icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Beat butter and cream cheese @ med speed with mixer until creamy, add icing sugar and stir in vanilla
Toasted coconut over the top!

let's go to the park!

2009-04-12T08:56:00.002-06:00

we spent a few hours at the park on Ella's birthday, the weather was perfect and the kids loved it! Especially Ethan !

Happy Birthday Ella..3 today!!!!!

2009-04-12T08:40:00.005-06:00

I cannot believe my baby girl turned 3 this week. She is such a sweet heart. It's kinda sad, I don't remember alot of her infant days. She had terrible colic, and screamed all day and night for months on end. It was brutal. Good job she was so dang cute. Even in the hosptial when she was born, the nurses came in and took her for a few hours, because she cried so much! lol!!

Here are some of the things i love about Ella.

She has the cutest smile ever

she is a tom boy, she can never stay clean.. so not like Grace

she can be girly when she wants to be.

she loves to dance and sing barbie songs.

She comes out with the funiest things ever, she cracks me up daily.

She only this last month or so, has started to sleep through the night ( occasionally) not so much love this one, but it's what i think of when i think of her!

she loves her sister & brother.

she loves hats, seriously, she would have one on 24/7 if she could.

she doesn't care what she wears, again not like Grace

she has the biggest tears ever, and it usually gets her what she wants! lol

For her birthday we bought her a new shiny Dora bike, strawberry shortcake helmet, and a balerina tutu. She got a Leeds United soccor uniform from UK, and tinkerbell bath robe. My parents and sister sent her $$, so i took her to toys rus on her birthday and told her to choose. I then took her to the mall, got her some new clothes, she got an ice-cream, we came home then took them all to the park, it wsa a gorgeous day. WE asked her where she wanted to go for her birthday dinner she replied " old Mcdonalds" so we took her to BK, and she was happy. WE came home to cupcakes the girls decorated and bath tubs and she was exhausted! A fun full day!

Happy Birthday.. oh and if you asked her how old she was she always said 16... scary huh!

i'm going home!

2009-04-07T10:26:00.001-06:00

I just found a flight to England for $500! amazing. i am flying on the 22nd april, and staying a week. i am super excited. I wish Dayna could come with me, I am dreading taking Ethan ( 30lbs) on a 9 hr flight alone in 1 seat! aaagggh, but it will be worth it!

just a cute pic!

2009-04-06T19:55:00.002-06:00

I took this pic of Grace and jsut thought it was so cute, I caught her just staring out of the window at church! lol

Spring has finally arrived!!

2009-04-06T19:49:00.003-06:00

We have had such a cold long winter. I thought it was never going to end. However, today was glorious. it started out a little windy, but by mid afternoon, it was lovely. After Ethans nap, we bundled the kids in the car and went to the lake. We love this lake. We used to live a block away, which was heaven, now it's a few minutes drive, but really still around the corner. Grace was riding her bike ( without training wheels)..EEEK, and Ella was having fun collecting sticks and feathers. Ethan LOVES been outside, he is so much like his father in that way!. he gets so excited when he see's a dog, he's soooo dang cute!

it was so nice to finally get out, get some fresh air and let the kids play!. :)

Grace's Easter Concert!

2009-04-06T19:44:00.002-06:00

Grace has her Easter concert at Pre-school. it was so cute to listen to her sing. She goes to a christian Pre-school, and some of the songs she sang were 'happy clappy'. Like Jesus is alive today, jesus is alive, jesus is alive today, jesus is alive ( to the tune row row row your boat).. SWEET!!!!! Ella has been singing it since then. I left Ethan home with Dayna, so Ella and I played with the camera whilst we were waiting. The pics i took of the concert didn't come out they were so dark.. dang it!

weddings.. if i could do it again!

2009-03-28T13:56:00.003-06:00

I would of course still choose Dayna, but wouldn't it be fun to go back and do things again. I LOVED everything about my wedding, it was perfect, and seriously i loved it!!! But nearly 9 years on, styles, fashions change, and when we were at the temple with friends last week, there were weddings going on, and we all talked baout things we would do now. So this is the dress i would wear! lol I LOVE IT! also here is a pic of my actual wedding.. Such a happy day. We had our wedding photos in an old abbey, i love them!
if i was gonna pick a dress for today, i would choose this one below.. LOVE IT!

http://www.ldsbrides.com/blahnik-details.php

OOH bargains!!

2009-03-23T12:00:00.002-06:00

I am really trying to get my 3 months food supply in stock. I went to 'superstore' today and here are some of the bargains i picked up. BBQ sauce $.53 cents for the 1st 2 bottles. Baxters soups originally $3.19 each.. BUT if you buy 6 this week they are $.53 cents each... that's like buy one get 5 free!!!!! ooohh i stocked up, and then went back on way way to cotsco and bought another 6!!! and Hamburger helper ( my kids love this, gross, but it comes in handy some days), on sale for $1.98 and if you buy 3, there was a manufactures coupn for $2 off.. so 3 boxes for $3.97 :)

It's getting so excited to see it growing. woohoo.

you go girl!

2009-03-23T11:57:00.002-06:00

On saturday I had a RS temple trip, we had soo much fun, it was a blast. When i arrived home Grace was sooo excited to show me her new 'trick'. Well she learned to ride her bike without her training wheels! I am sooo proud of her!! woohoo... PS, can u see how Dayna Dressed her... oh my heavens! lol and i KNOW they went to the grocery store like that lol!

The winners are...

2009-03-23T11:56:00.003-06:00

Michelle, Heather ( from lethbridge) & Kari. Look out for something arriving on your door step in the near future :) and don't forget to pay it forward :)

pay it forward.. with treats!

2009-03-20T08:55:00.002-06:00

Pay It Forward …..So, here’s how it works: the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point in the near future, a little treat from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well. You could write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going (or copy and paste like I did), or if you're not really a blogging person, maybe just pass along the fun by giving a treat to a neighbor or someone you think would enjoy a little lift. Please submit in an e-mail or on the comment your address, if I don’t have it already.Remember that only the first 3 comments will receive a gift from me, so be quick! Have fun!

please either put your address, of if you don't want to do it on here, you can e-mail me @ heididressel@hotmail.com

have fun!

Dressel fun weekend

2009-03-16T20:58:00.003-06:00

most of Dayna's family came down for the weekend. We had a fun time. On saturday we had everyone over and played the Wii, it was so fun and the girls loved it. They have been asking for one ever since! We then went bowling in the evening, the girls had never been so they loved it. it was a bit of a handful chasing 3 kids aged 5 and under around, but worth it! It's so fun when everyone can get together and have a fun time! I am glad i took lots of pics!

water baby!

2009-03-16T20:54:00.001-06:00

Grace is in her 2nd set of swim lessons, and she loves it. It is so fun to see her progressing. She is now swimming by herself. I am so proud of her, she is such a water baby, always has been. She gets this from the Dressel's for sure! She has the cutest teacher, he's a guy, and just a sweetie, he's so good with them. I can't wait for Ella to go next year!

oh spring dresses!

2009-03-16T20:49:00.004-06:00

One of the reasons I LOVE spring is that I can bust open the girls spring wardrobe of dresses! oh, If you know me, you know i LOVE to dress my girls, and spring/summer i LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! :)

my sweet baby boy!

2009-03-16T20:45:00.004-06:00

He loves Ella's pink sippy cup! lol

Oh i jsut love this little boy sooo much. He seriously cracks me up every day. His new thing is to walk around with his eyes closed if he doesn't want to listen to you. Hysterical! He's such a boy, climbs everywhere, gets mad & throws things, and yet a second later he's hugging and kissing and snuggling. I was so scared to have a boy, I don't have any brothers, but oohhh i could eat him! I love him soo much!

ooh finally a date!

2009-03-16T20:42:00.002-06:00

ON Friday night, Jace ( Dayna's brother), and his amazing fiance Jen came to stay the weekend and they offered to babysit Friday night. We were so excited. We went out for dinner, took flowers to my good friends mom, who has been very sick in the hosptial, and we went shopping to look for Ella's borthday gift. It was so nice to be able to eat a meal without having to cut someones meat, or telling someone to stop throwing food, or to sit down etc!! It was so fun jsut to spend time with Dayna. Thanks Jace & Jen!

it must be spring...soon! RECIPE!

2009-03-09T21:25:00.003-06:00

I wish i had a picture of this dessert, I love to make it when it's sunny out, so i am hoping Spring is around the corner!

Tropical better than anything cake

1 box of french vanilla cake
1 tin of crushed pineapple ( with juices)
1 cup of sugar
1 box of lemon pudding
2 cups of whipping cream
1 cup toasted coconut

make cake as directed on box
in the meantime, boil pineapple with juice and sugar together and simmer until all the sugar has disolved.
whenthe cake is done poke tons of holes everywhere and pout pineapple mixture over and put in fridge. then make the pudding as directed and when cake is cool add pudding and back in fridge, and then when set ( about 1hr), add whipping cream and coconut!.. sooo deelish. i also add a cadburys flake chocoalte bar ( you can buy them at superstore)

sooo yummy!

I'm in LOVE

2009-03-09T13:59:00.004-06:00

I still love Dayna, don't worry, but I saw this ( I can't remember when i saw it, but i saved it), isn't this the cutest room ever..even though i am not 100% on the night tables, i am not very 'modern' and prefer a traditional look. I love to change my decor, much to Dayna's annoyance. It's the English in me. I can't help it. My parents deocrate their house from top to bottom every other year, including carpets, and usually furniture.. It's an English thing, it must be! lol So i am trying to convince Dayna, that I would spend HOURS in the bedroom if it looked like this. You would think this would be a HUGE incentive for him.. but i doubt he will let me! lol

Book Club

2009-03-09T13:55:00.002-06:00

I attend a book club once a month, I look forward to it so much. In January I hosted it, and it went well & we had tons of fun. So Grace has been asking if she can have one. So this week, her friend Bridget was over, and so she had her book club with her and Ella. It was so cute! I love seeing them do things like this, makes my heart melt!

Sorry Grace, I just had to!

2009-03-03T10:16:00.002-07:00

Last night I was getting Grace ready for bed, and she said to me " mommy, why doesn't Daddy take baths"? I replied " he prefers showers".. she then pipes up " is that because he doesn't want his penis to get soggy?. ( i am not a fan of kids been inthe baths too long, they get on pruneish, and i HATE that feeling!!)... I cracked up laughing, actually hysterically laughing, and then she got realy embarassed and i had to totally fake that i was laughing at Clifford the big red dog! lol I HATE using the correct terms for those areas'. Infact, i usually don't, i just call them private parts, but I laughed sooo hard. !!

OOH the anticipation!!

2009-03-02T13:01:00.002-07:00

Ok, So my guilty pleasure ( well one of them), is the batchelor. EVERY season I promise myself I am not going to watch another one, and every time i get sucked in. I am soo excited for the finale tonight. everywhere shows a few sneak previews and I have narrowed it down to 3 things...

1. He chooses Deanna ( but I really don't think he will)

2. He chooses Molly, and then changes his mind.

3. He chooses Melissa, and since the airing of the show, she's seen how he made out with all the other ones and has since broken off the engagement...

NOW, I am SOO mad, Grace has her Kindergarden open house tonight, and I have to attend, and also pay her school fee's.... HELLO, does she not know what tonight is! lol

I can't wait, seriously! sad, i know!

Out of the mouth of babes!

2009-03-01T19:30:00.002-07:00

Ella was a nightmare in church today. She would not sit still, she was in and out, and got louder with every passing minute. I blame the time! We have church from 12:20 to 3:20.. so the kids are hungry, cranky, and tired. Plus we have sacrament last, so by then, they are SOOO done. Ethan made it about 5 minutes before Dayna took him out. So anyways, we had about 15 minutes left, and I had had it with her. I was soooo cross. I marched her out ( for the 5th time), and gave her a swot on her bum, sat her down and talked to her. She said she wanted to go home, I replied " too bad".. she pipes up " too bad, so sad".. i didn't know if to laugh ( which it was funny), or give her another swot.. i chose to ignore her. I then, made her stand outside, she took off the second she saw her dad, shouting down the hall as she went " Daddy, I am going to look for a new mommy"!!!!!! Dayna laughed, along with about 5 other moms also outside. He said he would help her go look. They came back 5 minutes later, and she gave me a hug. I guess she is staying after all!! She's not even 3 yet! yikes!

Finally some pics of me!

2009-03-01T16:50:00.007-07:00

I noticed the other day that nearly all my pictures are of the kids. I am always the one taking them, as i HATE having mine taken. However, I thought today about the future, I don't have many pics of me growing up and NONE of me with my parents, so i took some today! It was kinda fun. My kids are getting so big. Our family is complete now, and i can't wait to see how we all grow and change in the future years!!

Happy pancake day!

2009-02-28T13:44:00.003-07:00

Tuesday we celebrated 'Shrove Tuesday'.. AKA PANCAKE DAY! It's huge in England, and I try pretty hard to keep my traditions going. So I made pancakes ( the American style), and the kids toppedit with syrup and Nutella ( really healthy I know)! Then Dayna made sausages. I am proud to say I had 1 pancake!! The kids loved it!.

Stinking Economy

2009-02-22T09:10:00.003-07:00

Funny how things can change in a year. This time last year, I was not really concerned about $$. We had a nice little chunk in the bank, I was happily paying bills without thinking about them, and spending quite alot on.. well nothing! lol

Dayna is in the building trade, he owns a painting company, and we all know how crappy that is right now. He has not worked for nearly 3 months. Luckily he has a house he starts painting tomorrow ( phew), but it really has been a wake up call. I went through out budget and I could not belive how much we spent of things like groceries/household $900 a month, $100 eating out, $500 on this and that etc. Wow, talk about eye opening. I LOVE the money expert Suze Orman.. she is soo smart. I was watching her show a few weeks ago, and it made so much sense. She said the problem in todays world is we don't talk about money enough, it's always been a taboo subject about how much one earns, but really, if we talked about it more, there would not be the ' keeping up wit Jone's' You would NEVER expect your friends ( if you knew), earned tens of thousands less that you, to join the country club, go on this vaccation, or spend on this or that.. but people don't talk, and then your neighbour presummes you have the same $$ and then you feel like you have to keep up etc etc... fortunatly, I have never been one for keeping up with the Jonses at all.. BUT I do like to shop, I admit it, but I am also a HUGE bargain shopper. I love when i find a great deal.

So as our bank account dwindled this past few months, and i began to panick, i now realise how wise our church leaders are. Get your food storage together, reserve money for times like these, and get your house in order! A great wake up call for me!!!

recipe swop night!

2009-02-15T17:50:00.001-07:00

Thursday I am hosting my 3rd recipe swop night ( 19th ). The theme this time is 'soups & crockpots'. Basically, i know in advance who is coming, they all bring a dish and the recipe copied a certain number of times ( to give to the people who are there). In the end, we all visit, have great food, great company,and we go home with a bunch of new recipies! I am so excited. So if you read this and you want to come, just let me know!!

Grace got her 2nd hair cut!

2009-02-12T12:46:00.002-07:00

My poor baby. She longs for hair like barbie! but she is hair follicly challanged. Her breaks off sooo easily, and she's had 2 hair cuts her whole life, and it was barely to her shoulders. Ihave been trying to convince her to cut it off, and one day she came and asked if we could cut it ( i think it also helped that 2 girls in primary got theirs cut short).. phew! I made an appontment and here is the results, a little 'a' line bob.. super cute!

My new wall.. in progress

2009-02-12T12:41:00.002-07:00

I am doing a collage on one of my walls, it's looking cute, but not finished yet. I still wanted to show how it was coming along, and also to give a shout out to my new friend Tiffany, she has a great Vinyl lettering business... http://thevinylboutique.blogspot.com/

she did the lettering for me!.. I can't wait to get my act together and finish it all! lol

' War Wounds'

2009-02-10T18:47:00.003-07:00

Ethan with hiw ''owie' patched up

In the ER waiting to see the Doc.. i had my camera..weird!

my nice fat lip!

On sunday morning I was reading Ethan a story, i was trying to turn the page and he was been a turkey, i pulled one way, he another, and SMACK, it hit me right in the mouth, i felt it split, and it started to bleed. I had a huge fat lip for church, and I've never had a split lip before.. let me tell you it stinking hurts!!

THEN today I was typing on facebook, Ethan was on my lap and he lunged forward, i tried to catch him but i was too late, and he Smacked his head on the computer hard drive. he was screaming and as I picked him up I saw the blood pouring from his head. I am usually not calm in these situations, but I just ran up stairs with him, yelled for Dayna, got a damp cloth, tried to stopthe bleeding etc. We got it to slow down, and cleaned it up, it wasn't big but deep. Dayna said we needed to take him to the ER, so i took him 3 hrs later, they told me he needed 3 stitches, but he wouldn't sit still, so they just put glue & tape on it, and off we went. he wa soo brave!! His first real big owie!!!..oh and as i was telling Dayna how calm i thought i was, he rolled his eyes and said " Heidi, you were near on hysterical" ! lol

I can't wait for Easter!

2009-02-10T18:44:00.002-07:00

Ok, Ok, I know we just had christmas, but i went to the mall today, and saw these adorable dresses. I could not believe my eyes when i saw a size 3 & 5.. oohhh matching dresses. I am REALLY trying hard not to spend $$ now, so i justified it by putting them away for Easter. When i got home, i was browsing on E-bay looking for a flower girl dresses, and the exact same dress was on there for more than double the price!.. then i was really pleased with myself, i love a bargain!!

Cute hair & she's so grown up!

2009-02-10T18:39:00.003-07:00

I feel so bad, i am such a girly girl, truly I am , but i cannot do hair for the life of me. My poor girls, So my sis inlaw to be was up and i got her to do Graces hair, it's so dang cute!

Grace is getting bigger by the day. I wanted to do a little post about her. She's so funny. I have to tell u this story, i will try & keep it short. So i was doing her hair on Sunday and she said to me, " mommy, how do babies get in your tummy".. oh crap, here it comes i thought to myself. At 5 i thought she was way too young to have the 'birds and bee's' talk, but i wanted to be honest, so i just said ' well there is an egg and a seed and they are all inside and when they get together they make a baby. She looked content with that, until she realised what i said and she said " but mommy, i HATE egg's, how am i gonna have a baby?"! lol I just burst out laughing!!.. oh the joys we have with our kids!!

PS

2009-02-09T11:38:00.001-07:00

I am feeling much better today :)

This is gonna be a big whinny post!!

2009-02-08T17:57:00.002-07:00

Ever had those days, no, weeks, where all you feel you do, is clean up spills, clean up period. Your children are fighting constantly with each other. All I seem to do is take turns putting one kid or another in time out. 2 out of the 3 have become the pickiest of eaters and have decided that they do not need to eat food, however come bed time, or even at 2am, they come crying that they are STARVING, and that their tummies are hurting becuase they are STARVING! I'm tired of never sleeping through the night, I have tried everything, belive me, I don't get up numerous time a night for the fun of it. I'm tired that they have decided that they don't want to share anything with each other or anyone else, and i feel like I'm 'THAT' parent, who's kids are a nightmare, and people pretend not to notice. I guess I am just feeling so overwhelmed today by it all. 3 kids in 4 years, I wouldn't trade them for the world, but some days i am just so burned out. I wonder if others really feel like this too?? I hear so many people say, 'oh you need to take a break'.. well thats all well and good, but if you have no family living near by, then it's hard to do that. Don't get me wrong, I go out a fair bit, i have GNO, and book club, plus enrichment, that i love, and feel blessed to be able to go, but i still have them all day, put them to bed then go out. I would love to go on a holiday with Dayna, but when you have 3 young kids, 2 that don't sleep through the night, it's hard to plan it, and if i did, i would just worry about them the whole time, or should i say whoever has them!!

so, tomorrow is a new day, i should be grateful that i have them. I do love them with every peice of me, but it's jsut been a hard week i guess!.

I've been tagged!

2009-02-07T12:17:00.003-07:00

1 Word Answer...
1. Where is your cell phone?
none
2. Your significant other?
Dayna
3. Your hair?
Short
4. Your mother?
shopoholic
5. Your father?
hilarious
6. Your favorite food?
Italian
7. Your dream last night?
Weird
8. Your favorite drink?
diet coke
9. Your dream/goal?
Skinny
10. What room you are in?
Computer
11. Your hobby?
reading
12. Your fear?
dying
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years?
settled
14. Where were you last night?
Home
15. Something that you aren't?
Skinny
16. Muffins?
mmmhhhh
17. Wish list item?
Food Storage
18. Where you grew up?
England
19. Last thing you did?
cook
20. What are you wearing?
jeans
21. Your TV?
Beverley hills 90210
22. Your pets?
none
24. Your life?
Great
25. Your mood?
Bored
26. Missing someone?
Yes
27. Car?
minivan!
28. Something you are not wearing?
diamonds
29. Your favorite store?
NEXT ( UK)... sorry had to add www. next.co.uk
30. Your favorite color?
pink
31. When is the last time you laughed?
Today
32. Last time you cried?
wednesday
33. One place that I go to over and over?
Fridge
34. One person who emails me regularly?
bobbi
35. My favorite place to eat?
moxies
Now I would love to see any and all my wonderful blogging friends out there to do this especially
nancy, Kari, angie, ali,julie, carmen, marie, michelle

this weeks menu!

2009-02-06T19:31:00.002-07:00

Friday- grilled chicken, alfredo noodles & steamed veggies

saturday- breakfast for dinner ( and i will have a salad wrap.. dieting)!

sunday- Roast beef dinner

monday- beef & broccoli stirfry

tuesday- lasagna and salad

wednesday- chicken, rice & veggies

thursday- sweet & sour pork