Jordan River Temple

I'm making sure to go to the temple every month this year, so here it is Jan.31st and we made it!

The kids went to Mirinda Losee's and we went to Jordan River instead of Oquirrh Mountain. It was so relieving to find out that they start sessions every 20 minutes! At Oquirrh Mt, it's every hour on the hour, so if you miss it or it's full, you have to wait another whole hour.  

 They asked us to be the witness couple.  Patrick had cut his hair this morning into this faux-hawk that goes all the way down the back, too.  I wondered what the people behind us thought!

We picked up the kids, grabbed a Pizza Hut pizza for dinner, and watched "Super 8" before bed.  I cannot believe that one month of this new year is gone!

Stake Conference/Blockbuster Sale

For Stake Conference, Patrick and I took shifts.  It has always proven a nightmare in the past to even get a seat at stake conference, let alone wrestle the 3 restless ones for 2 hours!  So he went to Sat. night's session and I went to Sun morning's.  One speaker said, "Everything works out in the end.  If it hasn't worked out yet....it's not the end!"  Another said, "We all know how awful this world is but we don't have to live of it."  Also, "We all know that Christ is coming, but we don't have to wait to find Him."  President Ollis announced the year's theme as "Anchor in Christ".

This Monday morning kicked off Blockbuster's "Going out of Business Sale".  We went to check it out but were really disappointed in the sale.  USED video games for $50? We had to laugh b/c that was so ridiculous.  We got a few cartoon shows of Mario and the Justice League, which the kids love.  We didn't really find any great deals...but at least we got some sweet ones around Cmas time....  Including a Toshiba Blu-ray player for our bedroom for $50 for renewing our monthly pass...which they canceled for us, no problem.

Sleepover

Last night the Phes went to the Driazas' for a sleepover.  This was Phoenix's first friend sleepover.  They were so excited, and even though Phoebe was at first jealous that Phoenix would be going too....she quickly warmed up to it and decided it was a good idea. They both had so much fun.  We considered going out but ended up staying in and just enjoying the quiet.  I had got Patrick P90X-2 for Valentine's Day and we opened it up early.  We did the Yoga DVD last night (it felt great!) and a core one this morning.  We met up at Chik-fil-A for lunch today and let the kids play a little while longer.

Last night we got a sad text from Kristine saying she was 13 weeks pregnant but just found out it was probably a molar pregnancy, which means there's no baby, just a clump of cells, and that she would be having a D&C on Wed.  She seems to have a good attitude about the situation, but I feel bad b/c I know it's so sad and disappointing to expect a baby and not get one.  We are thinking of and praying for them.

Errands

Today was a busy day.  After swimming for only 30 minutes today (20 laps), I ran to Home Depot to pick up a new garbage disposal (because there is always the perpetual 'something wrong/broken in/on the house')....and some light bulbs.



Then we went to get the car's safety and emissions tests, and renewal sticker at Tunex.  Unbelievably, they charge $170/year for the license plate sticker...(in FL we pay $30-80/car). Also here in UT, you have to pay $50 for the safety tests, and if anything doesn't pass you have to pay to fix it or not get your tag.  So our wipers failed, that was $40.  Oh, and they charge $10 for the On-the-Spot Renewal convenience. That grand totals $270 just for us to be able to drive our car for one year.  UGH!




Next we went to JC Penney's to get Phoenix's 4 year old pictures.  OK better a little late than never? And his kindergarten pic will be his 5 yr, that'll be in about 10 months.  He was super cute.

All of them were so good during all the day's errands so I took them to eat dinner at Panda Express and have Frogurt for dessert.

Back to Classic Skate

Took the kids back to Classic Fun Center today b/c I had a coupon they wouldn't let me use on the holiday.  This time they got the bounce house ticket.  Xander was going on all of them like some kind of big boy....he always amazes me how competent he is, and determined to do whatever Phoebe and Phoenix are doing.

Afterwards we had dinner at Ikea because kids eat free every Tuesday.

New Necklace

I got this necklace in the mail yesterday from my mom.  I wore it to church today and all the kids in nursery were amazed with it, reached for it and played with it.  As you can see it's a real eye-catcher.  I love it. Thanks, Mom!

Go, Bee Guy!

Found this GeoTrax airplane on KSL today, and upon picking it up....found out the sellers were our neighbors, the Haltermans! Xander LOVES it, as expected. (He doesn't love being filmed, though, so when he noticed, he got a little shy).

Crochet Owl Hat

Saw this hat on Tiana's blog and it was SO cute I became determined to figure out how to make it for her.  It's cuter on, pics of Landon modeling it to come....

Phoenix's 'Big Boy' Bed

Phoenix has been sleeping on his crib mattress for 5 years, so for his birthday he wanted a 'big boy bed'.   We found an awesome one at a yard sale this spring but it was a full size. I paid $50 for it, sold it for $250, and started keeping my eye out for the twin size version. Finally found one for $150 (including mattress) and the guy delivered it right to our house!

Before-Toddler Bed

Before-still phasing out the Noah's Ark nursery decor.

After-Dinosaurs! Bedding from Target.

After-Dinosaurs!

          Cubby in the footboard!

He was thrilled!

Classic Fun Center

Today was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and no school.  We teamed up with the Driaza's for an awesome time at Classic Skate.  It was snowing when we were heading out so Tiana was sweet enough to pick us up and give us a ride there (our car does not handle in the snow).  They played on the jungle gym, skated, and did some arcade games. The kids had a total blast! You will not believe this-we stayed for about 5 hours! My friend, Tiana, is a die-hard- she didn't even seem phased....but I was so exhausted!

Phoenix brake dancing in the laser light show.

Phoenix's 5th TMNT Birthday Party

We were all looking forward to Nix's birthday party.  He knows the Ninja Turtles from video games and he got the 4 movies on Blu-ray last C-mas (Patrick got the collector's pack for $7!)  He eagerly helped think of who he could invite, what games they would play, and carefully chose the party favors himself (hacky sacks, ninja stars/disc shooters, and some Topps trading cards I had got at a yard sale last year...new in package and straight out of the '80s!) 

I practiced using my new Bake Pop pan.

We made a sewer tunnel. The idea was to have the kids come in the door, crawl through the tunnel, stick their hand in green ooze (corn starch mystery matter), and then turn into mutant turtles and get their costume on.

We had pizza and green ooze!

Patrick and I were April O'Neil and Casey Jones.

Josh Sainsbury, Korbin Halterman, Jared Young, Xander Slimak, Phoenix Slimak, Brandon Young, Coey Driaza, Phoebe Slimak, Calvin LaGrange

Pizza Delivery Relay Race through the sewers and in disguise.

Turtle, Turtle, Shredder.

Cake Walk with pizza boxes.

Musical Chairs with pizza boxes.

Favors were in personal pizza boxes.

That night the kids had a slumber party in the sewer!

Tepanyaki

For Phoenix's birthday we took him out to dinner at the Japanese steak house, Tepanyaki.  We thought the kids would get a kick out of the show. 

 

 

 

Each table surrounds a huge skillet and they cook your food right in front of you.  Good entertainment, great food!

 

Oh the FIRE!!

 

The kids love noodles and they were given specially adapted kid chopsticks (hinge was fixed with paper and a rubber band).

  

Nam, our chef, shot a shrimp right smack into Phoebe's mouth!

  I missed both of mine, and Patrick caught his, even with a handicap (Xand on lap).