Saturday, April 28, 2007

Fried Chikin & Mashed Taters





K we found a new place to take our future guests... Mike's Farm (the restaurant). We've been to the farm a few times for tractor shows, hay rides, the pumpkin patch, petting zoo, etc. But last night we finally tried the restaurant for some down home cookin' and it was good! Some true Southern food (like I'm the expert). The BEST mac & cheese ever (Justin is the expert on that). So ya whenever you're ready to come, there are at least 15 rocking chairs on the porch so take your pick!


Friday, April 27, 2007

Katy's Turn

Happy Birthday!

Since we have met in person ONCE and that was before I really knew you I have no pictures of you. So I stole my favorite from your blog.

Do you remember when we did kind of meet? We were playing bunco at Becky's blue condo and you were a sub for someone who couldn't come. Preston was away (training I think?) and called during the game so you went outside to talk to him. That was at least 4 years ago. Crazy!

But anyway the weird thing is even though we haven't REALLY met I DO know you from all the emailing and blogging. And you know ME too! I always remember an email you sent the day Justin left for Iraq the last time around and you wrote something about how I'd probably be crying when I read it (which I was) and just to let the tears fall (which they were). It just meant a lot to hear from someone who KNEW how I was feeling from personal experience.

I have been apart from Justin on my birthday before and I know it's a day when I missed him more than normal. So you're probably missing Preston a little more than normal today. But I hope not too bad. And I hope all those awesome friends you've made in Kansas and those 4 great boys take care of you and give you the BEST birthday! And also that your hubby knows how to order you gifts online :)

Love ya!!!

Thursday, April 26, 2007

My Fishy Card



Tuesday night Owen came home from the store with Justin and told me he got me a card for my birthday. A little bit later he came back and told me it was a pishy card (can't say his f's). I love my pishy card. And the inside is even better. He can write his own O's but Justin helped him with wen:




So for my birthday, we went to Raleigh.

We spent the morning rotating at the Temple. While Justin was taking his turn we found a cute nearby park...



Then we went to a mall that has my favorite stores we don't have here (i.e., Nordstrom & Urban) and I found some cute clothes along with some new red glasses (eyeglasses, not drinking glasses Dad - and no, they don't just make those in the South). I'm not sure if I'm gonna keep em yet though. I like them but the brown version is more me I think. While at Urban at the end of a loooong day (a good day but a tiring one) Owen decided to stand up in the stroller and make it tip and spill my drink all over the floor. I had to keep reminding myself... fishy card, fishy card, fishy card.




When we got home at 10 last night I realized there wasn't one picture taken of me on my birthday. I really don't like pics of myself but you need a birthday pic at least. So I told Justin to take one. I was trying to recreate the lovely (sarcasm) one Katie posted of me but I couldn't stop laughing. And I was doing something weird with my hand. So I cropped it and this is the best I got. I looked like poo by then so I'm making it tiny. If you look real hard you can see my red glasses.



Monday, April 23, 2007

Birthday Boy


Hey this is what he WANTED to do on his birthday! I'm excited. That nasty raised brick planter has been sitting there empty at least 6 months. We planted corn, 3 kinds of tomatoes, basil, parsley, carrots, and bell peppers (red, yellow, and green). Basil and tomato plants smell so yummy by the way!

Blowing out candles faces are the funniest.
Justin turned the big two-nine!


Ice Cream Cake from Coldstone
That explains why it's not falling apart on the fork.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

The Force Was With Us

Emily and Justin came over Friday night to bring Justin this R2D2 cake. Emily made it using her $52 vintage Star Wars cake pan she bought off Ebay. So impressive!

We also played a new game that was so fun... Canasta Caliente! I just like saying the name of it. Look how cool the card art is. Maybe I should frame the cards. Oh wait I'm not hanging pictures anymore.

Friday, April 20, 2007

Decorator 911


After spending 4+ hours yesterday hanging these pictures (you know making sure they were level, spaced just right, centered, etc.) I'm in denial that the top row is too close to the ceiling and the bottom row is too close to the couch. I have sworn off ever hanging pictures again so I think the most logical solution would be to have the ceilings raised and to replace the couch with floor cushions.

OR if someone could just send over a rescue team to make these 3 rows into 2 that are more centered on the wall I'd appreciate it.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

For My Birthday

Dear Justin,

You always do great with gifts but just in case you're feeling a little stumped, here are a few ideas:

A new family portrait.
You might need to fly Kip here.

These swimsuits:

A shopping spree and makeover in Raleigh.
Or I could dress really bad for 2 weeks and you could get me on What Not To Wear.

New glasses.
These are 7-8 years old. It's time.

A new kitchen trash can.
Preferably one that has a lid. And one that Drew can't knock over.

The Method Omop


The above two items may seem unexciting birthday gifts. Not so.

A new purse.
Preferably a fun color like yellow or green.
No more black.
Items that must be able to fit in my new bag: diapers, 1-2 sippy cups, snacks, a couple small toys, sunglasses, cell phone, keys, pen, checkbook, and a million dollars (please include all those things in the new bag).

Dinner at Bamboo Club.
Looks like you can send me to Arizona, Florida, or Michigan for that.

A pink CHI flat iron.



That should do it. It should only cost about $1,008,750.00. I realize your birthday is this Saturday. I'll spend at LEAST that much on you I promise...that XBOX 360 you've been wanting, a new suit, a new laptop and MAC computer... just for starters.

XOXO,
Shauna

Sunday, April 15, 2007

100% Chance Of Rain



That was today's forecast
(I like using these videos way too much now)

Like the birdfeeder? Came free with the house.

The intersection by our church building was totally flooded. I didn't dare even attempt it (other cars my size were going through with water up to their headlights). So I parked in a nearby bank and Justin came and got us in his tough '88 SUV. Sally and I had been talking about what teachers for primary would show up because one already said she wasn't going to attempt the rain. Sally wasn't too worried because she thought there wouldn't be too many kids showing up anyway. First thing I saw when we pulled up to the church parking lot was one of the missionaries holding an umbrella for a primary girl that recently has become active. I almost started crying! It was so cool. Both elders were helping people in from the parking lot. Cause that's what missionaries do... help people out of the rain, right? Like my deep thought?

Father & Son

Our stake father & sons campout was Friday night...
They have 2 a year here. Lucky me! That's why I had boys, you know. For 2 free weekends a year. Except it didn't quite work out that way... Justin wasn't ready to take Drew (plus Owen would have more fun without Justin chasing him the whole time).

Also...

Justin was planning on leaving work at noon... that turned into 6:30 and then they didn't leave our house until an hour after that.

I had planned on dinner with some girls from church (and Drew of course)... that turned into Drew AND Owen due to Justin working late.

It all worked out though. They had fun camping and I got good food even with 2 crazy boys (Japanese Hibachi mmmmm).

2.2 Mile Bike Ride


Yummy Oatmeal

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Mrs. Burr

Once upon a time there was a girl named Karen (my sister pictured here with husband Jared, who normally loves the camera, and son #2 Max). She doesn't have a blog. So she has no way of getting me back..
When I post pictures like this:

And like this:

Not having a blog also means she can't show off her funny kids. So I'll do that for her:

(my mom is doing the filming and Briant is son #1)

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Jason's Little Miracle - Updated

In the words of my brother, Jason, who is on month 3 of his Knoxville Tennessee Mission:

first things first, i got my bike stolen on thursday. we locked our bikes to a street sign (7 feet tall but missing the top). we figured we wouldn't be away long enough for anyone to slide them off the top. we were wrong. so when we were walking back to where we left them all we saw laying next to the pole was 2 helmets, missing their bikes. what an awful awful feeling it is to see your beloved bike is gone and that it would be a long walk home. i was in denial for a while and thought someone was just messing with us. so i kept laughing and saying "they are just joking i know it, i'm sure it's just hiding behind this bush" i said that as we walked past each bush bigger than a bike. we then walked past an old decaying house. i thought for sure it would be hiding in there. it wasn't. so we went to this man's house who we taught first thing that day and asked to use his phone. he was very generous and gave us a ride back to our apartment. he wasn't very happy about our stolen bikes either. then that night as we were planning for the next day i looked up at elder neary and i said without a trace of humor in my voice "we are going to find our bikes tomorrow." i wasn't joking. the spirit spoke to me giving me a sense of peace and i knew we would find our bikes the next day. that night we called our district leader, who lives about 30 minutes away, and he said "what? that's awful, we are coming up tomorrow to help you in your time of need." what a good man. so they came up and we had a search party. we were just out of the door of our apartment when i ran back inside to grab our bike rack that is made for cars. and said we were going to need it today. we filed a police report and even stopped by a couple pawn shops to see if anyone tried to make a quick buck with them. then one of the elders from rockwood suggested we go back to the scene of the crime and as we drove past that old decaying house i spied some handlebars just barely visible above the window sill. we ran over to the house and saw our bikes laying there still locked together. the Lord is on our side and that's a fact. we left the thieves a note on a finding faith in Christ pass along card that said thanks for watching our bikes and that we forgive them. i would love to see their faces as they went back to recover their loot.

Jason sent these pics to my mom a couple weeks later...


I was mourning over my stolen bike and it depressed me to see the empty space where my bike should be, so I drew my bike on the bike box to fill the vacancy in our aartments. It did not however fill the vacancy in my heart.


The old decaying house where our bikes were recovered. I'm so grateful that all crooks are complete idiots, because it made getting our bikes back a lot easier.

After our glorious reunion with our bikes. Isn't she a beauty? what a beautiful bike to match such a beautiful missionary.

That Leftover Easter Ham

I couldn't find my mom's recipe so I found this one at allrecipes.com. It's probably not cold where you are but it's still cool enough for soup here. And this one is YUM! Comfort food.

Now I still have enough ham for one more dinner... Ham-fried rice? Ham pot pie? Recipes please! Also I bought 4 lbs of strawberries from Sam's Club and I need a healthy recipe to use those that is not strawberry-spinach salad
(already made that) , a shake, or a dessert (trying to lose pounds not gain them). Does such a recipe exist?

Delicious Ham and Potato Soup




INGREDIENTS:
3 1/2 cups peeled and diced
potatoes
1/3 cup diced celery (didn't have, so used sliced carrots)
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
3/4 cup diced cooked ham
3 1/4 cups water
2 tablespoons chicken bouillon
granules
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon ground white or
black pepper, or to taste
5 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
DIRECTIONS:
1. Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, ham and water in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the chicken bouillon, salt and pepper.
2. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour with a fork, and cook, stirring constantly until thick, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form until all of the milk has been added. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick, 4 to 5 minutes. (I added a handful of sharp cheddar cheese to this sauce)
3. Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, and cook soup until heated through. Serve immediately.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Can You BARK?





This took FOREVER how to figure out how to post. Sheesh! Okay so anyway I wanted to film Drew saying his favorite word, and the only word he'll say on demand. We always spy at our neighbor's dogs since I'm a mean mama and don't want one. But both neighbors have dogs and we have the chainlink fence (blah) so they just play through the fence with the dogs :) No pooh to clean-up! That's what Drew's trying to look at... the neighbor's dog. The tongue sticking out is him panting.

And at the end of this you notice Drew falling. Ya... last week they were playing outside and I go check on them. Owen was saying, "My Drew! My Drew!" I heard him screaming but didn't see him anywhere. I feared the worst thinking Owen got him over the fence somehow (Owen climbs over it all the time). Then I saw his little head poking out of that hole he fell in. It was filled w/leaves so I never knew how deep it was! Some sewer line or something. So that's why the cone is there - the city is coming to fix it one of these months!

Monday, April 09, 2007

The Festivities

Saturday was egg dyeing day.
No clothes = no stains.

Sunday


The Petersons came over for dinner (a very yummy one at that). I ate so much I was seriously sick. We also did egg hunting with them. After all the eggs were found Justin and Aric would take eggs out of the baskets when Owen and Addie weren't looking and just drop or hide them real fast and act surprised that, "There's another egg!" So the hunt went forever.


Owen & Addie went to town decorating a bunny cake. That's supposed to be the bunny's bowtie at the bottom, got a little demolished.


Happy Easter!

Saturday, April 07, 2007

Countdown Begins

Justin found out yesterday July 27 is his deployment date for Fallujah, Iraq. Lucky him gets to leave with the advance party 2 weeks ahead of everyone else.

Easter Bunny Came Early To Our House




My Easter Eve (eve) brought CLEAN carpets, professionally cleaned that is. Hence all the furniture in the kitchen.

Thursday, April 05, 2007

It's About Time


It's New Tonight AND 45-Minutes Long!!!
Starting earlier at 8 (7 in AZ)

Justin Passed the DLAB!

He just got his score this morning.... 110!
So he can re-enlist as an Arab linguist if he so desires.
Which is why he joined the Marines in the first place...
to learn Arabic.
YAY! 4th time was a charm.

Is This Normal?

I looked out the window and what did I see?
A lizard snapping another lizard in our little dead tree.

Yesterday I was showing Drew the neighbor's dog and saw these 2 lizards snapping at each-other. I thought they were flirting at first and maybe it was part of their mating ritual. But um ya I don't think this is mating. I don't know maybe it was? The mama grasshopper gets killed after she's done mating or laying eggs or something (learned that from "The Cosby Show") so maybe...? But we went outside and I watched them for awhile. They were like this for 10 minutes and then somehow that poor lizard got free and they were both going up and down 2 different branches. So at least he survived!


Free Stuff

No, not giving anything away.
Though I'm sure I could find some stuff!
We just inherited this little bike trailer from Amy. We've been wanting one forever. So Justin gave them their first little ride yesterday. Owen really did love it despite his facial expression. Maybe he's bummed cause he put his pants on backwards.


Wednesday, April 04, 2007

In Baby News

Scott & Melissa (Justin's brother and his wife) had baby boy #2 last night in AZ... Blaken. He was 3 weeks early which makes him 11 months younger than his older brother Quade. Brave woman! Congratulations! No pics of the new little guy yet but here's a pic with Scott, Quade, anda few others (Justin's Dad, Owen, Justin's Grandpa Webb, Justin, and Drew!) - 4 generations are represented.
Grandpa Webb's House Dec 1, 2006

Sunday, April 01, 2007

Mormon Tab

Just had to give a shout out to my uncle Loren who sang w/The Mormon Tabernacle choir during General Conference this weekend for the first time. He sang in both afternoon sessions so he was there when they rededicated the new Tabernacle. He made it into the choir in the last 6 months since the last session of conference. He was shown on TV a lot (though I wouldn't know since it's not on TV here, I listened over the Internet and every now and then byutv.org would work and we could watch). I tried to get a good pic of him singing via the replay on the Internet but no luck. He just emailed these screen shots his friend took. He is on the top row in the right hand corner. Pretty cool! Congratulations!

Temple Square in SLC