Things to be Thankful For...Edition 2008

1. Road trips in a big car (so worth it)
2. Car DVD players
3. iPods and really big headphones to block out any unwanted sound
4. Joseph's Grandma, Yolanda, and her amazing cooking abilities
5. Joseph's sister Vicki and her family
6. Swimming three nights in a row
7. Clean hotels with showers
8. Joseph's past family...they came from Italy and Portugal
9. The beach!!!
10. Cassidee learning to play cards
11. Kennedy teaching modern technology to an 91-year-old
12. Joe's new video camera
13. Sicily making life a constant adventure

Saturday was awesome!

Joseph bought the girls Ute shirts. He is a dedicated fan. By the way, I was a Ute before him. I have had so many people ask me if I cheer for them because of him...No Way! I don't love everything he loves...Xbox, Lakers, golf, stupid television, loud music with too much bass, The Raiders. I could go on, but will spare my fingers from typing non stop for the night. I sure do love those girls though. We had a great day at Barnes and Noble. It is so hard not to buy so many books. Let me tell you what a nice person I am: A friend called ME and asked ME if I wanted two Ute tickets. Of course I said, "heck ya!". Then I discovered that I couldn't find a babysitter. So do you know how nice I am? I told Joseph to take my little brother. I'm sure glad they had fun.
I guess you could say that we had a blast too. The girls kept running in when they heard my sister-in-law, Kim Lee, and my teacher friend, Kim Wood screaming at the top of our lungs. We love Max Hall.

If you look close, you can see all the way down my throat. Wow, cameras capture so much!

I really had low expectations for "Twilight". I am really not a fan of gushy love stories. But when some ladies were going I decided I could concur my fear of public movie theaters and head to the movies. I was pleasantly surprised. All the characters matched exactly what I pictured from reading the novels. I really like this film and hope the other don't disappoint.

My girls are brainwashed

Let me start this post by telling you that I have had the past three days off of work and no car to do anything with. As I have said before, I am the world's worst driver and my new car is getting fixed. As most of you know, I also am in the house with two babies for a good chunk of the day. I'm starting to go just a wee bit crazy.

Anyway, I have never been a hater! I have always shown appreciation for others views and beliefs....Are you wondering where this is going?

So, yesterday Peri came over to play the Wii with Kennedy. She took one look of Joseph's Lakers stuff and said, "You like the Lakers? The Lakers suck." To which Kennedy replied, "No, the Jazz suck. We like the Lakers." I thought that was hilarious.

Then, I was on Facebook today (of course) and one of my friends had this You Tube video about BYU being the "Lord's School". He didn't create it, he just put it on as a "What the heck is this about?" I couldn't agree with him more. That is why is was so funny, just minutes later, I heard Sicily in the other room while I was putting away laundry. She was doing this all on her own, until of course I got the camera. I'm putting another one on Facebook...I am a Ute and proud to be! My parents are Utes, my brothers are Utes, my husband has finally become a (Californian) Ute!

We went to Southern California to visit Joseph's sister and her new baby this weekend. It was so fun! Here is a play by play...if you're interested :)

Friday-We hung out with Mike and Sue. Mike has been Joseph's friend since they were eight. I wasn't sure we were going to do anything because I was so tired from working all day. But after resting in the hotel for a bit, we went to dinner and dancing at an "Asian Night" club. Some drunk guy told me I was hot. It made my night.

Saturday-We finally got to meet Jackson. He was sososo little! I went with Darci to a baby shower then we shopped and organized baby stuff. Saturday night, Joseph went to play with his friends and I hung out in the hotel...all by myself...it was heaven!

Sunday-Swimming in November. I must move to LA! We visited Paul and Shirley's grave site too. All the times we'd been there, I had no idea there was this awesome historical mural and other ancient artifacts. It was amazing! Then, lunch with Greg and Krista and meeting their little baby boy too.

So much fun!

Dearest Stringham,

Forgiveness is a funny thing
I really think I can do
We've been through so much
So much, me and you

I will forever be in your debt
To your kindness and your time
Getting me Desperate Housewives
Really sounds divine

The time you stomped on Joe's white hat
Will forever be erased
And calling our boat "small"?
Well, fretting about it, such a waste

You and me are like peas and carrots
BFFs we will be
The good times will take over
And happy I will be

Thank you Stringham!

Christmas Already

I love Chelsi to death. To death I tell ya. It was bugging her that my header didn't match my background so she made me a new one...a Christmas one. "Ba Hum Bug" is what I say. But I couldn't not USE the new header because it is so super cute so I had to update my background as well. However, I refuse to do the Christmas music until December. I love my friends!

My Issues for the Day

First of all, this is my new baby nephew. His name is Jackson Hamilton Wilson. He has been in the NICU for a week. I can't wait to hold this little guy! Darci is a trooper. She had so many complications with her first pregnancy and still pulled through. Way to go Darci!
WE LOVE YOU! And second...Please don't judge me!

I am a total Desperate Housewives junkie!

It all started last year. When you have three kids and it is winter time, there isn't a whole lot to do. Joseph put "Grey's Anatomy" on our Q because we were having a "lack of movies to watch" problem. I absolutely fell in love with this show. The characters, the relationships of the patients, the hot guys :)

Anyway, when we got all caught up, I was going through withdrawals so Joseph put Desperate Housewives on. At first I thought, "No way! That show is total trash!" but we started to watch anyway. It took me some time to actually like it but now I love it too! It is so scandalous. (I still think it is a teensy trashy...don't tell the bishop I watch it!)

My problem is this...I am currently watching last season on disk. I recorded all of this season to watch when I am finished but accidentally deleted ALL 7 episodes last night. When I told Joe, who has been in bed for three days (get him outta here!), he lacked any kind of sympathy and said, "It's your fault for being so anal and always wanting to delete things." I went online and they only have episodes 4-7 to watch. But I can't even watch those until I finish last season and by the time I get done with last season, even more will be taken off the Internet! What am I going to do????? I am having anxiety just typing about it.

I guess I am asking...does anyone have these episodes? I am probably the only person in Utah (besides my dear BFF, Kim) who watches this show.

What a dumb post...except Jackson!

10-0 is way cool

I'm not sure but I think this may be my new crush. I realize he is a little young for me; and oh yeah, I'm married but how cool is this guy? Very cool. Karen, I won't be checking out your hottie anymore! I think Joseph has the coolest boss in town! DeWaal was so much fun to hang out with.

The blackout was really cool. I like the black attire and especially rushing the field!

This guy, well, I guess, um.....he's PREtty cool too!

You're Gonna Die, Santa!

Yes, we got the Santa in our yard. We were so excited (sarcasm implied). The girls and I sorta wanted to fight him. He was an easy target.











Sicily didn't even want to be 10 feet from Santa. When I told her "hug Santa", she would run as fast as her little legs could carry her!





Jack got a bit closer, but this was just about it.










This afternoon, I thought our cat was outside, so I opened the door to let her in. The babies bolted for the open door, so I ran inside to get my shoes. It took me maybe 15 seconds. When I came back to the front yard, they were gone. I found them in the back. They had gotten on the tramp all by themselves and were singing "Ring Around the Rosie's".

Deep Thoughts...by Rachel Banks

Last night, I dreamt that I had a cricket in my hair. It was just sitting there right at the top and it was very disturbing. I think it stems from Stefanie's blog and her "deep fear" of crickets. I don't share in her fear, but I hated that dream!

I also wonder why everybody is having a baby boy. Why didn't I get that baby boy? Joseph's sister just had a baby boy and named him Jackson. I can't wait to meet him. All my neighbors seem to be having boys as well. Even Bethany is getting another boy. Is one boy too much to ask? Don't get me wrong-we are done and I am grateful for each and every one of those girls. However, Joseph is the last Banks in the family so I guess the Banks are going down!

Halloween Weekend

My better half. If you know Joseph, you know why I call Bethany my better half :) So bad, but a little funny.

Joseph just being crazy. He does that too well.

High School Musical: Mia, Kennedy, Sloan, Cassidee, and Jeni. (We love Troy!!!)

Don't be alarmed: Mike D, Ad Roc, and MCA are in the house. (Or is it Jon on drums, Jenn with vocals, and Joe rocking the guitar.)

P.S. New slides at the bottom :)