The California Salway Sun

PINEWOOD DERBY

2010-06-11T11:42:00.000-07:00

This was the second pinewood derby Dallin has been in. When we heard when the pinewood derby was, we decided to take the car to Omaha with us on our vacation and see if Uncle Tommy could help get the car to win. Well....as you can see, it worked!! Dallin won first in every single race and therefore took first in the pinewood derby this year:) He was one proud fella!!

Happy 10th Birthday Dallin!

2010-05-22T19:40:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my first boy has turned 10! We are so proud of you, Dallin for all you have accomplished in just a short 10 years:) You are so special to us. We hope you feel how special you are on this your 10th birthday.

Nathan's 7th Birthday

2010-02-27T15:39:00.001-08:00

I am doing a little back-blogging if you cannot tell:) I am only a month or so behind!! So for Nathan's birthday, we had a Science Party. This kid sure loves SCIENCE! So we donned our "lab coats" and safety goggles and did some experiments. And we made a lab flask cake with trick candles!! The kids had a blast! It was definitely a hit! The other pictures are of our family party with Nathan's snickerdoodle cake. Another big hit:)

Olympics Par-tay

2010-02-27T15:32:00.000-08:00

For some reason, I always seem to plan my parties around food:) Go figure!! Well, I had seen these in a magazine and thought they were just so cute, so we decided to have our friends, The Greenlaw's, over for an Olympic party. Our kids LOVE to watch the Olympics! And it is so much fun to see them rooting for the Americans:) Go Apollo!! Anyways, they didn't much watch that night....too much fun to be had with friends. But it was a fun night and we think we will have to remember this one when the summer olympics come around!! Can you tell I am really into food?? I didn't even take any other pictures!!!

My Knight in Shining Armor

2010-02-27T15:20:00.000-08:00

Dallin tried out for the school play this year and made it! He was so excited! He put in a lot of hours of work into it and we could tell! The finished product was great! He was the knight in the play "Quest for Quasi". We are so proud of his courage in trying out and in getting up there on stage and giving his best efforts. He even made up a fake accent to add to the part:) Yay Dallin!! We are so proud of you!!

Valentine's Day

2010-02-27T15:06:00.000-08:00

So this is what we do for the kids for Valentine's day. I found this idea in a Family Fun magazine years ago when the kids were little and have done it ever since. They totally expect it now:) It is such an easy and meaningful way to show and tell the kids how much we love them. We put little sayings that are meaningful to each of them and tape them to ribbon and hang them outside their doors. Then we heart attack their doors and put hearts and kisses all over the floor. When they wake up, they are sure to know that we love them!!

I found this older picture of Amanda standing in front of her door after she was "heart attacked".

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

2009-12-18T10:03:00.001-08:00

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HAWAII

2009-11-14T14:02:00.000-08:00

WE MADE IT!! Some of you may not know this, but I got accepted to BYU-Hawaii back when I was making the decision of where to go to college. It was a tough choice, but I went to Utah instead...vowing that I would make it to Hawaii someday. When Mike and I got married, I told him this and he was totally on board! We planned it for our 10 year anniversary. But when that came and went, we started looking at each other and thinking, when are we going to go?? Well, just when it had been a while since we had had a "vacation", and Mike had racked up quite a few miles, we decided that this was our chance. We feel very blessed that we had this opportunity. So here is a glimpse of the bliss we felt in Hawaii!

This is the view from our hotel room. Not too shabby!
I got leied:)

The first full day, we spent at Pearl Harbor. It was such a neat day. The Memorial over the USS Arizona was a solemn and humbling experience. I couldn't stop thinking about the movie "Pearl Harbor" that made it so real to me. We were so glad we could pay homage to the people who died serving us and our country.

Hanauma Bay--this was some of the best snorkeling around. (or so they told us:)

This is the view from Diamond Head. Just a small hike for such an amazing view!

The Hawaii temple was closed while we were there. They are gutting and remodeling the whole thing, so it won't be open til late next summer. But we did get to tour the visitors center and take some pics. We met "Brother" Eubank from Utah otherwise known as "Mark Eubank--the weather guy". He works there. We were ok that the temple was closed--that just means we have to go back!!

I took these pictures for you-mom! Nothing better than cruising around Oahu with the top down in a red stang!

Polynesian Cultural Center. By far, the most fun day we had.

You CAN'T pick your friend's nose, Mike!

This was actually a funny story. When we checked into the hotel, the bell boy asked us where we were from. When we said Fresno, he asked if we were here for the game, in which our reply was..."what game?" He then informed us that Fresno State was coming to play against Hawaii that Saturday. What a coincidence!! So sure! We were indeed there for the game:) We spanked them. And we got rained out! But it was still fun!

more pictures

Mike being daring! That is actually him jumping!

Truly a memorable trip. We are ready to go back!!

Disneyland

2009-11-12T11:07:00.001-08:00

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My baby is ONE!

2009-09-09T10:17:00.000-07:00

CAMDEN. He is just a wonderful baby! I don't think we go a week without someone telling us what a good baby we have. And boy, do we know it!! He is the easiest baby to get to smile or laugh. In fact, we just had his pictures taken the other day, and it took all of about 5 minutes to get the shots we needed. (I think I deserve a discount for that!!) He loves to play peek-a-boo, watch baby mozart, and crawl all over the place. He is definitely a climber! We love you, Camden! And are so glad you are part of our family! What joy a baby brings into a home. Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Carter!

2009-09-09T10:08:00.000-07:00

So I am a little behind. That's okay....it gives me time to upload the photos of their actual birth day:) Here we are celebrating Carter turning 4! I can't believe he is 4 already. Going to preschool, having playdates, getting dressed by himself, having an opinion about what to eat and where to go and what to watch! We love Carter and can't imagine life without him. He is the peacemaker of the family. He is so sweet to his younger brother. He loves cars, dinosaurs, and Disneyland!! We love you, Carter!!!!

School Days

2009-06-01T16:49:00.001-07:00

Dallin had his big 3rd grade passport project this month. He did a great job, and learned lots about his ancestors from England. The teachers (& parents) always think it is the coolest thing when we whip out the journals from 2 of our ancestors that we have in print in our own library:) Way to go Dallin!

Nathan had "career day" in kindergarten. He had to dress up as who he wanted to be when he grew up & dress a paper doll. He dressed the paper doll as an astronaut because that is what he REALLY wants to be when he grows up. But unfortunately he doesn't have the craftiest mom. I looked all over the house for something "astronauty" hehe, but came up empty-handed. So we found something else. He also wants to be a veterinarian, or what he calls a vegetarian:)

Easter 2009

2009-05-23T17:42:00.000-07:00

I am doing a little bit of back-blogging. All you moms out there can relate:) Some times of the year are just busier than others!

So here is our Easter. We had a great time trying to get everyone look at the camera at the same time (& SMILE)

I had to post these pictures of the eggs, even though most of them are blurry. You wil just have to trust me that they were so cool! I definitely won the egg-decorating contest this year! I found this idea on a blog. You die them with silk ties...cool, huh?

Happy Birthday, Dallin!

2009-05-22T09:33:00.000-07:00

If you didn't know it was Dallin's birthday today, then you haven't talked to him in the past month!! He doesn't let a person pass without telling them that it is his birthday:) We love you Dallin and wish for you all the best this year.

Spring Break

2009-04-10T11:09:00.000-07:00

This year for Spring Break we decided to stay put in Fresno and have a "StayCation" as some would call it. I think the kids have had a fun time, and I am not yet pulling my hair out:) We have slept in, gone to the library, the movies, McDonald's (actually twice:), the zoo, rented movies, fought, laughed, and cried! What are big families for, anyway?? Mike has taken each one of the kids out on their own to do some activity of their choosing. Dallin got to spend some time with Dad at work, and see what he does all day. And what he has to look forward to:) Amanda got to go to a new breakfast place in town. Nathan got to take a long bike ride with just him and his dad. And Carter gets to get a special treat with Dad. The kids just love this one-on-one time they have. It doesn't happen very often, so when it does, it is a real treat. And we have discussed the last week before Christ's crucifixion and resurrection each night. Last night we had our Passover dinner in the family room. It has been a wonderful week. I am actually not looking so forward to the kids getting back to school and all the hustle & bustle that includes. There is something to be said for sleeping in and not having a schedule, and just going somewhere on a whim.
I didn't take pictures of everything, but here are a few at the zoo.

Just had to post a picture of the orangutan, cuz their my favorite!!

MOM: "Carter, what was your favorite thing about the zoo?"
CARTER: "The animals"

Nathan's favorite thing at the zoo--the reptiles

Dallin's favorite thing at the zoo--the prairie dogs

To all of the people in Fresno: that was a pretty good zoo.
To all of the people in Omaha: that was no Henry Doorly!

Cami

2009-04-10T11:00:00.000-07:00

Poor Camden. He had to be born into a family that really wanted a girl!
Don't get me wrong...I can't imagine not having Camden in our life, but when you have a daughter who loves babies, loves to hold them, dress them, play with them, and takes them for hours on end, beware! They may come out of her room looking like this!

Disclaimer: I, as Camden's mom, had NOTHING to do with this. I gave no suggestions, ideas; only frowned, then laughed, and then took the pictures.

Father-Daughter Dance

2009-03-09T10:26:00.000-07:00

I think this is the one night that Amanda doesn't mind being the only girl in the family! She gets her dad all to herself tonight! They had a fun night of dinner and dancing and dessert at the end. Mike was just showing her how a lady is supposed to be treated on a date. But we won't think about that just yet! She is growing up way too fast.

Happy Birthday Nate Dog!

2009-01-30T08:20:00.001-08:00

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Camden's Gingerbread House

2009-01-26T09:12:00.000-08:00

Every year at Christmas time, my mom and sister, Melanie, make a gingerbread house for the newest grandchild. This year was for Camden. They come up with a new theme each time, too. I think this one looks pretty amazing! Way to go Grandma and Melanie:)

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T09:07:00.001-08:00

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First Lost Tooth

2008-12-09T14:37:00.000-08:00

Nathan lost his first tooth! Of course, he was afraid that it might hurt if Mommy pulled it out, so he waited until it basically fell out! It was so tiny that he actully lost it before the tooth fairy could come, but we assured him that if she saw a plastic baggie under his pillow, that she would know. Then when she didn't come the first night, (cuz maybe she didn't know!), he was excited to get double the money the next night!!! Dang tooth fairy!

Camden Blessing

2008-12-09T14:25:00.000-08:00

We had the opportunity to go to Utah for Thanksgiving this year. Camden was only going to be a couple months at the time, so we decided to wait and bless him there with Mike's family. We were so glad Christine and Harrison got to come, too:)
This was the same blessing outfit that all of my boys wore. (Thanks, Mom!)

4 Reasons Why I Haven't Blogged

2008-11-28T10:20:00.000-08:00

I have heard too many people lately asking me when I am going to start blogging again...so I feel the need to explain. So here are the 4 reasons I have not blogged for the last few months.
Reason #1: If you haven't heard...I just had a baby for goodness sakes! And for those of you that have had kids or have had 5, then you understand, don't you?! So give a girl a break!
Reason #2: Something happened to my camera. I had been having problems with it lately...and somehow all the pictures I had stored on it got erased:( So while I am still trying to figure out how to bring them back, we have to deal with no pictures.
Reason #3: I also at the same time I was having a baby, got a new calling. I am now the Enrichment counselor in the R.S. So anyone who has this calling or has had it in the past, any great ideas would be appreciated:)
Reason #4: It is the holidays, you know!!!!! Anybody have any EXTRA time? Yea, me neither. And that's why I haven't blogged!

Just so none of you are offended...Thank you for checking our blog periodically to see how our family is doing. We love you all and are grateful we can keep in touch a little better through blogging:)

Baby's First Day

2008-09-08T09:15:00.002-07:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Welcome the newest member of the Salway Family
Camden Rowe Salway
Born on September 9, 2008
7 lbs. 4 oz.
21 inches

Carter's Birthday

2008-09-08T09:15:00.001-07:00

All Carter wanted for his birthday was a "kitchen". He loves to go over to his friend Megan's house to play in the kitchen. So even though it was only about 3 or 4 years ago that we got rid of one of those plastic kitchens because it took up too much room, we bunkered down and got another one! As you can see in the picture, he loves it! He had a super-fun day. His birthday landed on Labor Day this year, so even dad had the whole day off! (He spent most of it putting together that blasted kitchen:) Then we had cake with some of his friends. You know me and cakes. This one was super easy, and the kids liked it. I think all-in-all it was a good birthday. Sure fire way to tell is if a week later they are still playing with their toys they got. He is!!

Back 2 School

2008-09-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

Back 2 school...back to a routine...back to homework...back to busy.
School and I have a love/hate relationship. I get so excited at the end of the summer for a routine back. For trips to the grocery store with less than 4 kids. For a little bit of quiet, and not so much fighting! But then again, we get back into math facts, and the dreaded homework, and being too busy to cook dinner, or having one-on-one time with anyone! You get the point. I think the kids have the same love/hate relationship with school that I do. They get to see their friends more and their siblings less:) They definitely can't say they're bored anymore! Yet they have the dreaded H word, and they get too busy to even have friends come over to play. No more playstation, computer, swimming all day. I guess we all have to come to grips. School & Summer are all a part of life...so look on the bright side of things. As soon as you get used to your kids having a routine and being back in school, it will be summer again!!!
BTW...Aren't these kids totally cute?!

Oh What Do You Do In The Summertime?

2008-08-21T11:27:00.000-07:00

It's amazing how you don't have to go far for the kids to have a fun summer. Here are a few pictures of the kids at Avila Beach, and then at The Island Waterpark. Mike got to go with us on the last day. The kids looked forward to this probably more than anything! I think they were ready for someone who is NOT pregnant to go down the slides with them!

We didn't have any BIG plans this summer. Just the usual water park, movies, etc. So we let the kids pick one summer camp that they wanted to go to. Dallin chose basketball camp (which ended up being the same week as scout camp, but different times) He had a BALL (hee, hee) and found that this just may be his favorite sport. (Sorry no pictures) Amanda chose horse camp (surprise,surprise) Her and a friend got to do this one together, and at the last day, they performed for parents. Her horse's name is Smoke. We are so excited to have found her love of horses:) Nathan chose The Little Gym Camp. He learned lots of fun tricks on the uneven bars. The theme for the week he went was SPORTS. He felt like a big kid getting left for 3 hours each day! (No pictures there either. What a great mom I am!)

And last but not least, this is a picture of Carter AFTER the waterpark. Can't resist the pictures of a zonked out child!

Walk Down Memory Lane

2008-07-26T16:26:00.000-07:00

I saw this on a couple of my friend's blogs, and it has been fun thinking up some good memories with friends and family that we've had over the years. So have fun!!!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew/know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Happy Birthday, Mandy!

2008-07-15T13:37:00.001-07:00

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Our big girl is 10! I can't believe that we have had her for so long. Looking at these pictures makes me think it was just yesterday that we had her. We are so grateful for Amanda in our family. I don't think you can look at these pictures and not realize that she has a love of babies and animals!! We are certainly very lucky parents!! She will be a great mom some day! We love you, Amanda!

4th of July

2008-07-11T15:17:00.001-07:00

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We spent the 4th of July in Las Vegas with our friends, the Poulson's. We had exciting times visiting the water park, Hoover Dam, and setting off fireworks. As you can see by the pictures, Nathan is our one afraid of fireworks. He has always been sensitive to loud noises. I don't blame him! I remember many a 4th of July spent down in my basement while my dad lit off M-80's!!! Good times:) Another Independence Day come and gone; and we would just like to say how grateful we are to live in such a wonderful, blessed nation. And thank you to all who sacrifice their lives for our freedom.

Birthday Moments

2008-06-20T16:18:00.001-07:00

I took a couple of pictures that I just had to add to the blog! 1- Dallin in his scout uniform. Isn't he so cute?!! This is our first scouting experience and many more to come!! The other pictures are of Dallin opening his birthday presents, and having his "crazy cake" that Dad made for him. This is a tradition from the Salway side that I have to admit, makes cake-making very easy. Just throw on whatever sweets they pick out on the top, and there you have it...CRAZY!!!!!
The last picture is Dallin the night before his birthday. He insisted on wearing the birthday hat to bed, and actually kept it on the whole night. Kids are so darn funny!

SPRING SPORTS

2008-06-20T16:18:00.000-07:00

Still in the process of back-blogging:) Amanda participated in Track this year and really enjoyed it. She is definitely a short distance runner.
Dallin played baseball for the second year in a row. Last year was t-ball, and this year he played pitching machine. We played with the same coach, and most of the same players as last year. They have done a really good job of teaching the basics, and of being encouraging and optimistic for the kids. We think they are the greatest, and think that it gives Dallin a positive start into sports. As much as we enjoyed the seasons of track and baseball, we are happy they are over! The weather starts to get miserable so soon out here that no one wants to be outside watching sports, let alone playing it!!

My Baptism Day

2008-06-13T14:21:00.001-07:00

I wish I could've put a baptism song to go with this!
Dallin's baptism was on June 7, 2008. Grandpa and Grandma Bartlett came all the way from Omaha. Grandma and Grandpa Salway came all the way from Utah. Chance Petersen, Dallin's cousin, came with Gma &Gpa from Utah. It was a very special day. We are so proud of you, Dallin!

Nathan's swimming lessons

2008-06-12T17:16:00.001-07:00

Nathan finished his swimming lessons with SwimAmerica just in time for the summer!
He had a private lesson each week because of the new center, so he got a lot of practice!! He was just learning the back stroke. His favorite part was at the end when they got to go down the twirly slide:) Now we have three swimmers...yeah!!

Bad Sleeping Habits

2008-06-12T17:16:00.000-07:00

Okay...so you all will have to be patient with me as I slowly but surely back-blog the past month or two. It has been kinda crazy around here, but summer is here now! And I may just have a second or two to sit at the computer and fill everyone in on the happenings at our house.
We moved Carter into the bunk beds (finally!). But I had to take a picture of how he was sleeping in his crib. This is pretty ridiculous as I look at it now, but it was getting him to sleep, and that is all that matters in the end...isn't it?! He had to have his cars (especially the Slug-Bug), Shamu, bunny, books, his dolly, Lulu, and anything else he could find before we sent him in his crib. We obliged, and I have to admit that it hasn't really stopped in the bunk beds. It's just that there's so much more room in there, it doesn't look like as much! I think every parent can attest that one of the greatest times is going in to their child's room and seeing them fast asleep. No matter what else is in their bed:)

Happy 8th Birthday Dallin!

2008-05-29T09:34:00.000-07:00

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The One and Only ME

2008-05-05T21:15:00.002-07:00

HowManyOfMe.com

There is
1
person with my name
in the U.S.A.

http://howmanyofme.com">How many have your name?

This is kinda cool! I am unique after all!!!

The Love Triangle

2008-04-15T13:43:00.000-07:00

So my little Carter has 2 girlfriends already! Anyone who is around him for more than 2 minutes is sure to hear one of their names come up. He asks every day to go see Megan or Lydia. I approve of both of them:) He is a little flirt! He wonders if they are going to be at nursery or at the baseball games or if they are "coming to our house". He has friends that are boys, but he only talks about these two girls. I am starting to wonder if it is a sign of things to come!

EASTER 2008

2008-03-27T15:45:00.001-07:00

We had a very enjoyable Easter break at home this year. We realized we hadn't been home for Easter since we first moved to Fresno, so we made the decision to stay home and enjoy a relaxed vacation. The kids played with friends, went to the park, colored Easter eggs, and had a great time! We had some families over for Easter Sunday to celebrate with us. And yes, we had the annual egg cracking contest! We blended our traditions and I think it worked:) We are so grateful to have such a wonderful extended family (who we missed), wonderful friends, and especially grateful for the wonderful blessing of the Savior in our lives. We hope you all had a wonderful Easter as well!

Tagged--My Husband

2008-03-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by another friend, but this time it was about Mike. I actually had a hard time finding pictures of just him, but lucky him, I found this one of him IN SPANDEX!!! He's gonna love me for that:) So here goes...

What is his name? Michael Edward Salway

How long have we been together? 12 years:)

How old is he? 33 (right, honey?!)

How long did we date? We started dating in February and then left each other for the summer...so together about 4 months...apart about 2 months.

Who said I love you first? This is actually a fun story...but I'll make it short. I was taking a sign language class at the time and was teaching him some along the way. So we were sitting at a devotional at the Marriott Center and he signed it to me. I think that counts.

Who is taller? Him, but we both got the short end of that deal!!

Who can sing better? Lalala...me:)

Who does the laundry? Me, but he helps out when he sees it has been a long day:)

Who pays the bills? Me, and he doesn't help out with that.

Who sleeps on the right side? Mike

Who mows the lawn? Mike, and I have never helped out with that.

Who drives? Mike

Who kissed who first? He definitely went in for the kill first.

Who proposed? Mike

Who is more stubborn? This may be a toss up, but realistically, it is probably me.

Who has more siblings? Mike has one more in his family.

TAGGED!

2008-03-11T19:40:00.000-07:00

Where was I 10 years ago:

I was living in Provo, UT going to school full time, pregnant with my first child:) Wow, that seems like so long ago!!

Things on my "To Do" list today:

Breakfast @ Melissa's, Costco stop, organize toys (which didn't get done), laundry (as always!), pick up kids from school, make dinner, take back movies, get gas, work on church file system, read,...Man I live a pretty boring life!!! (Except for the breakfast of course!)

Things I would do if I became a Billionaire:

Take my kids on all those fun vacation spots like the Bahamas and a Disney cruise line of course. I would hopefully visit our families a lot more than we do now. I would hire a maid and a cook so I could spend all my time hanging out with the kids!!! Oh, and a personal trainer:) And I would give the BEST birthday presents.

3 of my bad habits:

1. Wasting time.
2. Jumping to the wrong conclusion.
3. Gossiping. ( I hate that word! EWWW!)

5 Places I've lived.

1. Omaha, NE
2. Provo, UT
3. Orem, UT (big stretch)
4. Reno, NV
5. Sparks, NV (another big stretch)

5 Jobs I've had.

1. Newspaper carrier:)
2. Kindercare
3. Dip'n Dots
4. Babysitter (stretching again)
5. Concessions at UVSC (Thanks J.D.)
Wow, I really had to stretch that out. I haven't had many jobs in my day. Of course Mom for the past 10 years should've made the list on numbers 1-5!!!!

Something most people don't know about me:

I got this idea from Kendra! I am actually a closet "Prison Break" watcher. SSHHHHH!! Don't tell anyone, though. It is my dirty little secret. I have watched it since it came out, and I just can't stop. It doesn't hurt that the main character, MICHAEL SCOFFIELD, is H-O-T!! (Which is another dirty little secret, so don't tell anyone.

Well, hopefully you all learned SOMETHING new about me. Now it is my turn to tag some of my friends!! I TAG Melissa, Julie W., & Jamie.

The Meaningful Chop

2008-02-08T13:40:00.000-08:00

So I happen to have a daughter who doesn't mind having long hair, but also doesn't mind having short hair, either. I know....just lucky:) Anyways, we were planning on getting her hair cut, and thought...hmmm. I wonder if we could go short enough and donate it to a good cause. So we checked it out and there is an organization called "Pantene Beautiful Lengths" that allows you to donate 8 inches (instead of the usual 10 that Locks of Love requires). So we actually ended up with 9 inches cut off, put it in a plastic baggie, and shipped it off with love to someone who will put that hair with others and make a wig for someone who has lost it due to cancer. Amanda felt really good about it, and feels like she has made a difference in someone else's life. It is amazing what little things we can do to make a difference in the world.

We took a picture of her with her hairdresser, Brittany, who also happens to be a good friend of ours.

My Little Photographer

2008-01-10T13:21:00.001-08:00

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I just had to do this....sorry for those of you who may think this is a silly one. But little Carter just loves to get a hold of my camera and take pictures. And sometimes I let him because1-he is too cute to say no to, 2-it gives him something to do and makes him happy and 3- it is a digital camera:) (What did we used to use??!!) Anyways, so someone mentioned that I should keep some of these photos just to remember that he liked to do this when he was 2! So I was looking through the ones he took over Christmas Break, and some of them are really funny! And he does have some accuracy in his photo taking. So here they are. Hope you get a good laugh!

Christmas

2008-01-10T13:21:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve
New Jammies:)

Sitting in the airport in Denver.

Thanksgiving Break Travels

2007-12-02T18:54:00.000-08:00

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Thanksgiving

2007-11-22T16:36:00.000-08:00

10 Things I am thankful for:

(not in any particular order)

1. Good Food (of which I partook of today especially)

pumpkin pie

sweet potatoes

cranberry sauce

Without these, it just isn't Thanksgiving dinner:)

2. The Thanksgiving Day parade: because it gives me a reason to be lazy on Thanksgiving morning.

3. Running toilets: because I really don't know what I'd do without them!

4. A warm house to come in from the cold.

5. A loving family: immediate and extended. For the love you feel around them.

6. Apologies: because we all make mistakes and need to be forgiven.

7. A body: They really are amazing things. I think most of us take for granted the way they move and function without even realizing it.

8. Friends at home: Because they are my family in Fresno.

9. Transportation: all the different kinds, but mostly for cars and airplanes because it allows us the chance to visit family and friends faster than if we didn't have them!!

10. A nearby temple: because we have always lived within 30 minutes of one, and I sometimes forget what a blessing they are. It is where I feel the best.

Party Halloween Style

2007-11-02T14:33:00.000-07:00

The annual Salway Halloween Party!!
We had such a fun time this year with lots of new friends and costumes!! Never a dull moment. We split into teams this year and made videos. The winners of the costume party were the "Bun in the Oven" with the Cook. So cute! It is so amazing what people come up with!! Thanks to all for a terrific night.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Time Out for Women

2007-10-20T14:24:00.000-07:00

I love "Time out for Women"!! This is our second year going up. It is in Sacramento, about a 3 hour drive, which is fun to do in and of itself with no kids!! We stay in a vacant house of one of the girls' family's. We stay up late and talk and talk and talk and then talk some more. Then we all battle for the showers and head off, trying not to be late:) We get to listen to people like Hilary Weeks (who is hilarious), Jenny Frogley, John Hilton III, Cherie Call, Laurel Christiansen, and more. We cry, we laugh, we shop Deseret Book, we eat:) Then we hit the road again to travel back to our families that have missed us sooooo much:) One of the girl's daughters asked us why we had to have a "time out"...she said "why don't we just go sit in the corner?" chuckle, chuckle...Mom's do need a time out sometimes, and we do need longer ones than our kids usually get. I am so grateful at this time for wonderful friends and for the experience that we had. I will treasure it.

Chop Chop

2007-10-19T14:24:00.000-07:00

I was getting sick of my hair, so I chopped it off. I haven't had my hair this short since junior high!! Mike wasn't too fond of the idea, but he says he likes it. I actually got it colored, too, although you can't tell in this picture. And most people can't tell without the picture, but I did ask for subtle:) New haircuts always take some getting used to, but I do like it.

Apple Hill take 3

2007-10-13T14:24:00.000-07:00

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This is just ridiculous how long it has taken me to figure this out today!! Somehow I was confused and forgot how all this video blog stuff was done...and so it took my husband coming home and fixing it for me and then me fixing his mistakes and pheww. Here it is.
Anyways, the text that I had written out before was somehow deleted, so this is the shortened version of the happenings at Apple Hill...
We had our fill of apples:) Everything from apple doughnuts to apple cider to apple butter and don't forget the apple crisp! YUM! The kids had fun with their friends--Amanda was in her element with the babies! The little blondie with the red shirt you may not recognize--that's Nash. He was throwing apples at everyone and I started egging him on...so it became a game for him. I know that you all must remember that scene in the Wizard of Oz where the trees are mad that the people are picking the apples, so the scarecrow starts making faces at the trees so that they will throw apples. This is what I did (and what I imagined) while he was throwing the apples. It was hilarious! And he really does have a good arm for a not-quite-two year old!! It is so nice to live here in sunny California where there is lots to do not so far from home. The kids went through a corn maze and everything! It was a blast! Thanks to our friends for making it all the better!

Apple Hill

2007-09-20T14:24:00.010-07:00

Free MySpace slideshows, photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Horseback Riding

2007-09-20T14:24:00.006-07:00

There is a gal that works with Mike who owns a horse and is always telling him to bring Amanda to the ranch where she keeps her. So we went a couple of weeks ago and of course Amanda LOVED IT!!! So we signed up right there and then for lessons. The company is called Too Hot 2 Trot and is owned by this young couple with 3 kids. ANYWAYS...here are a couple of shots I got before the camera died. I'm sure there will be more to come:)

Centerpiece

2007-09-20T14:24:00.004-07:00

This might not mean much to a lot of you, but for those family members that have this same centerpiece, I am always looking for ways to make it fun...so here is mine. I have dried black beans in the bottom and then eyeballs on top of that. I used a spider stamp and stamped the outside of the glass for an added effect. (It comes off:) Anyways, I want you ladies to show me what kind of fun things you do with your centerpiece!

Boating with Friends

2007-09-20T14:24:00.003-07:00

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Thanks for the fun times, Flandro's!! The only thing we didn't take pictures of was my attempt at water skiing! Which, believe me, was not even worthy of a single picture!

High School Musical 2 Party

2007-09-20T14:24:00.002-07:00

Thanks Heather!!
As you can tell, the boys weren't too into the movie, but they loved the microphone cupcakes:)

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

2007-09-03T14:36:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness! I can't believe I have finally entered the world of blogs! Mike talked me into it. It is so much fun to look at everyone's pictures and keep in touch with family and friends, so here it goes:) Pardon my beginning blogger mistakes. I am learning!

My Baby Turned TWO

2007-09-01T14:36:00.001-07:00

Before & After the big two-year-old haircut!

I can't believe my baby just turned 2!! He is so much fun! Whenever we asked him how old he was he would hold up his hand and with five gingers in the air, say "TWO!" I also cannot believe that we have had 4 kids and have never had one of these big red & yellow hideous buggies!! Where have we been?

I was with a friend the other day (she will remain anonymous) and she said that she had only made one of her kids birthday cakes (gasp). (she has 4 kids) I think I have bought maybe 2 or 3 birthday cakes for my kids in their lives, and felt guilty as I was doing it. But this is only because I love to bake and think this is one of my duties of motherhood. (Whereas laundry and the things that get left because I am baking and frosting all day, are not:) Anyways, I tell you this not to poke at a friend who may not have a love of baking cakes, but because I want to let you in on a part of my life that probably most of you know already. I love sweets!! I love to make them and to eat them. Enough said.

First day of school

2007-08-20T14:36:00.000-07:00

The kids had a GREAT first day back at school.

We had to celebrate with CAKE!!

Amanda's Birthday

2007-07-25T18:26:00.000-07:00

For Amanda's birthday this year, I took her to the American Girl Place in LA with her best friend, Emma. That place is amazing! The girls were in their element. We spent the whole day walking around shopping, and had lunch at the cafe. It was a day that they will remember always!

Sea World

2007-07-20T14:36:00.000-07:00

We took the kids to Sea World for the first time. They had a ball. Our favorite was the Shamu show. Carter couldn't stop chanting "Shamu, Shamu", so we picked him up a little Shamu souvenir at the shop. He has slept with it ever since.

Half Marathon

2007-05-19T14:36:00.000-07:00

Emily's first half marathon in Palos Verdes. It was such a beautiful run. Totally worth it!