New Furniture!

As sort of a goodbye present to Matt and Bethany, we are sending our old living-room furniture to Seattle with them. So since the only furniture left in our front room was a piano, a curio cabinet and a grandfather clock, we had to go get something else to sit on. (The piano bench seats only two, and that's not very comfortably.) So here are pictures of our new stuff.

Here's the couch we ordered (which, unfortunately, I couldn't get a bigger picture of):

But it will be covered in this fabric:

And we have two of these chairs (no waiting):

This table is on order (not to scale in this picture, either):

And this table is already home:

Both lamps are here:

As are two pillows similar to (but not exactly like) this:

We'll miss the old furniture, but know it'll have a good home with the Hillarys. (Good luck keeping that white stuff clean, however. Notice it was always in our food-forbidden room!) And good luck in all your adventures up north! We love you!!!

Another sign of Mom's old age

FYI: Heater hugging and hot flashes don't mix. Not that anyone else needs to worry about this problem. But it's a sad day when I have to practically run screaming from my favorite place because of a spontaneous combustion problem. Good thing this is only a temporary condition (this time around). Not looking forward to when it settles in for real.

No Cheating!

I rarely hear anyone outside of our family use "doofus," but now I know where we get it from. I love Calvin :)

Knock Knock!

Hahaha, I find this funny.

Signs you're playing to much Wii

Here are the signs you're playing to much Mario Kart/ Super Smash Bros.

a) You wake up with the Mario Kart or Super Smash Bros. Theme song stuck in your head
b) You have dreams you're playing those games.
c) Your thumbs hurt because you've been playing them so much.
d) You've passed off almost everything on the levels
e) It's all you can think about
I haven't quiet gotten to letter E yet. . .

Mom's (Theoretical) Quirks

I have no quirks. I am not quirky. But if I had any, they might be these:

1. Heater hugging. I have been a "heater hugger" since I was little. I happen to know that at least some of my children have learned this from me because there is competition for the best heater space in our house (the girls' bathroom) on winter days. (Heater hugging is sitting next to or over a heater register to get the maximum heat effect.) I especially like to do this when I read a good book. And I hate to get displaced when the girls actually need to use the bathroom to get ready in the morning!

2. Snow/frost removal. When I shovel snow or scrape the windows of my car, I want every bit of snow and frost gone, from one edge to the other on ever surface. I love it when Mark does the shoveling for me with the snow blower, but it always leaves some along the edge of the driveway and the sidewalk, so I have to go back and shovel that myself. And I just hate seeing people drive their cars when they haven't cleared all their windows--especially those people who try to just use their defrosters and wipers and end up looking out a tiny little spot and endanger the rest of us on the roads!

3. Long stride. I take abnormally long steps for someone my height. It is my theory that this came about from having three much older and taller brothers along with a tall mother when I was growing up. I think I must have just realized I could take fewer steps if I made them longer. Don't have any other explanation for it. But my stride length is about the same as Mark's and the same as my other 6-foot tall friend. (I'm 5'6".)

4. Stairs. Probably related to number three, but I take stairs two at a time (mostly going up)whenever possible. I also take them as fast as possible to get them over with. I do not like stairs, and I think it is less tiring and less painful to just get through it as quickly as I can. I notice that my husband does not do this and I end up looking silly, but there you go.

5. Putting on my coat. Since I was very little, I have had an odd way of putting on my coat when someone holds it out in front of my. I cross my arms and put them in, then basically flip the coat around over my head to get it on. My mother couldn't figure out how or why I would do this. I had no explanation since I was too young to understand myself.

6. Happy endings. I love happy endings. I prefer to read only books that have them. I also prefer movies that have them. I wish life only had them. (Books and movies are more cooperative than life.) It's why I love Jane Austen (books and the movies made from her books). And along those lines, I hate to be scared. Give me happy. Just happy. Must be why I love Andrew. He keeps me happy with that great, big smile!!!

There you go--none of those were quirky, were they?

Quirks!

Bethany Tagged me to share 6 quirks.
but I have more than 6. So I will restrain myself.

1) Nearly everyday while I'm daydreaming in class I dream about being invisible and all the things I would do. Such as:
a) I would curl up in a ball in the middle of the hall/class so kids/teachers would trip over me.
b) Throw the white board markers at my teachers. or move the projector while they're teaching.
c) Whisper creepy things in peoples' ears. (evil laugh) Mwahahaha!
d) Go into a store and randemly pull things off the shelf and put them in peoples' carts

2) I like watching the spanish channel even though I don't speak spanish. It's rather humorous :)

3) I cant sit regular in a chair. It's not physically possible. I have to put my legs on the chair, under me or cross them on the chair. And that's not allowed in school, so I'm often left scrambeling for a comfortable position

4) I want to go to the weirdest places in the world. Ever since I was little I've had this obsession with maps and the world. I also cant spell half of them. The countries I want to go to are:
-Madagascar
-Jamaica
-Norway
-Galapagos Islands
- Greenland
- United Arab Emmarates
- Antartica (yes, Antartica)
- Russia
- Ireland
- Egypt
- Isreal
- Peru
- Singapore
- Philipines
- Tanzania
- New Zeland / Australia
- Tonga
- Zimbabwe
- Morocco

5) I like ice with water. But I have to have the ice floating. Ice sitting at the the bottom of the cup bugs me.

6) I can't wear sunglasses or watches. Okay, I can, but it bugs me to. I'm not sure why.

Now I tag Katrina. and Mama.

Halloween

After pep band, a game of twister, and eating pizza, some friends and i sat down and watched this show for Halloween:

Pretty scary, right?
(note the sarcasum)

Vampire Andrew

So today I was holding Andrew while he played with my hair.
Then randomly he grabs my nose, leans over and bites my neck.
It hurt.
Bethany gave birth to a vampire baby.

Taggadoo

I've been tagged.
So I've posted the fourth picture in the fourth folder.
TADA!!!!

I like cupcakes :)
well since i've been tagged twice, I'll do the fifth picture in my fifth file!

No. That's not my real report card. :)
Now I tag mori!

Mom Got Tagged by Bethany

Bethany tagged me to post the 4th picture in my 4th folder and provide a description. And what a great picture it is! This is from our second Boston marathon trip. Dad and I are near the top of the stairs with our backs to the camera and carrying our suitcases (I'm on the left, Dad's on the right), Bishop Duffin is looking at the camera, and Linda took the picture. It's at one of the subway stations. Pretty exciting picture.

That picture was so boring that I'm going to cheat and put in a better one that includes all our faces. This one was in front of the Boston Temple.

I think at this point these pictures (especially the first one) come under the category of bringing back good memories for those on the trip, but not so interesting for others to look at!

Since Bethany also tagged Katrina, I could tag Dad but I don't think he even has a picture folder. So how about Camilla?

Bippity Boppity Boo

It only took 5 tries to get one where he was actually smiling, but I think this picture was worth it! Thanks for wearing such an awesome shirt, Mom :)

In honor of the election. . .

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As if he hasn't had enough pictures taken of him. . .

The Real Reason

This is why I did not give birth to any boy children. They are all like this, I just know it. God knew I couldn't handle it. (That's why He will give me sons-in-law instead. Then I will have no choice but to grin and bear it and let their wives deal with them!)

Jenny!

Just want everyone to know that my Jenny is here in Utah! And she wants to stay with us. And she wants to meet you. And I'm VERY happy about this fact. :)

So I've been thinking. . .

Maybe I'll add music to our blog.
Just to bug my older sister.
teehee =D

It's a jungle out there

We love Monk. That's why it was ultra tragic when we were unable to decipher his final words in the season finale. Here's what we thought he said:

Dad: "I get it"
Mom: "I don't get it"
Matt and Camilla: "Oh well"
Bethany: "Okay"

And Grandma simply asked, "What did he say?"

Luckily, I caught the ending the next day, and Andrew hushed his screams for the split second necessary for me to hear, "I don't get it." Mama wins!

Stride Gum

I saw this commercial.
It made me laugh.
Hard.

Musings of a newly "old" woman

I'm still wondering if I really want to turn that particular age which it is rumored that I have recently turned. Think I'll stick with the alleged 39. And the lessons of life which I have learned to date?

1. You'll never change another person's opinion

2. Don't even try

3. Boys and girls (hence, men and women) are different, pretty much from day one

4. Don't even try to change that, either

5. Mama lectures go nowhere fast

6. So do Daddy speeches, but don't tell Dad

7. Band-aids don't have the same magical effect when you grow up

8. Neither does cotton candy

9. Corn on the cob, however, is still one of life's greatest joys

10. And grandkids are as great as everyone said they would be!!!!

Um. . .

Someone said I could have this.

Conversation

So I found this conversation saved in my gmail account from a loooong time ago before we knew Andrew was a boy.




4:24 PM Katrina: Grood
4:25 PM Bethany: i added Cami to our chat so she can chat too
i've never tried group chat before
Katrina: ok
me: :D
Bethany: secret family meeting!!!
me: Eeh!
I feel so special
Bethany: i have an announcement
i'm having a baby
it's currently kicking me
Katrina: haha You're pregnant?!
4:26 PM me: Tell it I say hi
Bethany: yes i am; not fat like you all thought
Katrina: I didn't think that, you looked stunning
Bethany: baby says hello to the world's greatest aunt and the good looking aunt
stunningly fat
Katrina: No...astroid-ish?
me: hahaha
Baaaaaaaaaaby!
4:27 PM Bethany: run away run away!
4:28 PM Katrina: baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaby@
Surround sound
Bethany: :(
Katrina: baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaby
Bethany: go away
dop it dop it
Katrina: We wants the baby
4:30 PM me: I wants baby now! Go into labor. . .now! okay that was a joke please dont.
Bethany: oh okay
sometimes i wish i could just be done with being pregnant and be "mommy" instead
but then i realize how tricky life is going to get pretty soon
4:31 PM Katrina: Pretty soon!
Bethany: ugh, true
i can do it!`
Katrina: Si!
4:32 PM me: I'm eating a bagle
Bethany: whatcha two doing?
me: It's good
Bethany: ooh, i just ate one
4:33 PM me: BAgle twinners!
4:34 PM Bethany: indeeeeed
i had a plain one with plain cream cheese
how bout you?
brb
4:37 PM Katrina: gtg
Home-ick
Bethany: bye
Katrina: byelovesyou
4:38 PM Bethany: lovesyoutoo
Bethany has left
4:39 PM Katrina has left

Dream

I had a dream that our family had to go into hiding in Arizona, because Voledmort was coming after us. And the only food we could pack was dry raman noodles and peanut butter.
I guess that's what i get for staying up late and reading Harry Potter 7

Oregon Vacation

Some pictures of our fun time and beautiful scenery in Oregon! Columbia River Gorge, Multnomah Falls, Mount St. Helens, a covered bridge, lighthouses, and the beach. Good times. Great memories.

Our Names

So I was bored, and looked up what each of our Family members names mean in different languages:

Mark:
Italian, Spanish: Warring
Latin: Warlike; hammer; defender

So, apparently dad is a Warring, Warlike Defender who likes to use hammers

Kathleen:
Greek: Pure
Celtic: Little darling

So mom is a pure little darling. Perfect.

Matthew:
Hebrew: Gift of God
Scandinavian: Gift from God
Hebrew: God's gift

So, Matt, I guess I should treasure you more since you are a gift from God

Bethany:
Hebrew: House of mercy

So, Bethany, your house is full of mercy. . .I guess. . .

Katrina:
Greek: Pure
German: Pure

So Katrina, you're very, very pure.

Camilla:
Latin: Attendant at a religious ceremony
Arabic: The perfect one
Italian: Miracle
Russian: Dear one

So I'm a Dear, perfect miracle who attends religious ceremonies.

Mori:
Italian: patronymic form of Moro.
German (Möri): from a pet form of the personal name Morhart (see Morath).
Hungarian (Móri): habitational name for someone from a place called Mór in Fejér county of Hungary.
Hungarian: patronymic from the personal name Mór, from Latin Maurus

Yeah, no idea. There was a japanese translation, but it was a whole paragraph

Andrew:
Greek: Valiant, courageous

So, Andrew, you are going to be a very valiant, courageous baby

Beverly:
Old English: Meadow of beavers

Oh yeah. That describes grandma perfectly.

Joyce:
Latin: Joyous

Well, Grandma Stimpson is a very joyous lady. But so is my other grandma.

And so, those are the words that our names mean. How oh-so-accurate (especially on my name).

Our strongest Family member

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Memorial Tag (Sounds official that way)

I'm passing along the tag that Bethany did. You can leave a memory about any one of the Stimpsons (Mark, Kathy, Bethany/Matt/Andrew, Katrina, Camilla or a combination thereof--although technically Bethany's clan probably ought to go on her blog).

1. As a comment on our blog, leave one memory that you and the family member(s) of your choice had together. It doesn't matter if you knew us 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. If you leave a memory about us, we'll assume you're playing the game and we'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

P.S. I'm only posting this because I'm following directions. I'm so obedient.

I'm coming home!

Hi my family!

I'm coming home!!

I'm excited to see you so soon!

Don't worry, I got you all gifts, including my Trini Smile!

Dance movies

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Tagged

Bethany tagged me, so I'm being a good sport. Here's what I know about my friend, Mark.

1. What is his name? M. Phillip
2. Who eats more? Mori. Actually, Mark.
3. Who said, "I love you" first? He did, but only because I used self restraint.
4. Who is taller? Him. By almost 6 inches.
5. Who is smarter? He is when it comes to economics, history, and church stuff. I am when it comes to grammar and math.
6. Who is more sensitive? I'm more moody. He's more romantic.
7. Who does the laundry? Absolutely me. He's very appreciative, though.
8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do (from the perspective of being in the bed--he does if you're looking at it from standing at the foot of it).
9. Who pays the bills? I do! He did it for a while when I was was pregnant with one of the babies--never again!
10. Who cooks more? Ha! He barbecues. That's about it.
11. Who is more stubborn? C'est moi.
12. Who is the first to admit they are wrong? Me, because I always am. He never needs to.
13. Who has more siblings? He has 5, I have 3.
14. Who wears the pants in the relationship? He'd just look silly in a skirt now, wouldn't he?
15. What do you like to do together? Laugh and travel.
16. Who eats more sweets? He cut out candy in the past year, but he still likes cookies and popsicles. But I do eat some candy bars and can eat plenty of sugar. (Probably why I have the diabetic child!)
17. Guilty Pleasures? Him - family history; me - reading to the exclusion of all other duties.
18. How did you meet? He rang my doorbell and I answered it. He was assigned to our apartment for home evening and as my home teacher.
19. Who asked whom out first? He asked me to a Christmas party, but I don't think that was an official date. I think the first official date was to a play. He asked me to that, too.
20. Who kissed whom first? He kissed me, of course. Can you imagine otherwise????
21. Who proposed? Duh. He did. Not a very romantic setting, but it has worked out so far.
22. His best features and qualities? Sense of humor and testimony. (Keeps him loving me and married to me!)

Auntie!

Can't wait to see you Auntie Trini!

Love, Andrew

This one's for Trini

Hehe, I thought Trina might enjoy this picture :)

No Capes!

Too bad Edna wasn't around to tell Calvin the dangers of capes:

This doesn't matter to most of you but. . .

13 years ago, on Christmas day, we opened a present to reviel a nintendo 64! And with it, (I'm assuming) came the Lion King game. And yet, till this day, we have not been able to pass it.

Just about four years ago, we finally defeated level six, which had an evil ape that threw cheese balls and slapped Symba. And now, Camilla the great nintendo defeater is on the second to last level! Success!

You're goin' down Scar. . .

Aunt Trini's Heritage

Andrew doesn't like peas by themselves--have to mix them with other food. (And who would that be like??? Although some people won't even eat them when they're mixed with other things.) Here he is after his mom fed him at our house, and then after she had to bathe him because of the ensuing mess. (Recognize the towel he borrowed, Trina?)

Psych You Out

Getting excited for the new season? Since my family lacks cable, click on this link to some great commercials on USA Network. (It's the commercial I told you about, Dad!).

Make sure you watch the Shawn-isms and Gus-isms, Dudeisms, Nicknames, and Dancing videos.

Last week's N64 adventures

Okay Katrina, this is for you! We convinced Grandma to play N64 with us again so she could be videotaped just to show YOU! She did great. . . although she was going the wrong direction much of the time. At least she was going!

Drew: "I don't think Grandma knows what she's doing, but okay."

Halloween for Baby

Never too early to start thinking about Halloween costumes!!

Andrew heads for Austria

I took this (rather dark and grainy) video of Andrew and he seemed to be "riding his bike" so intensely for so long, I was just sure he was trying to ride all the way to Austria to see his Aunt Trini! About halfway through you can hear him squeal, and a little after that he seems to pant, like he's been working really hard. This one's for you, Trini!!

Sunday's Number 1 Quote

Mom: "Oh Mom, I forgot to bring The Russians are Coming!* for you."
Grandma: "Who's coming for me?"

*a movie

snip snip

Hey, I was just telling the Hillarys last night about Katrina's bangs + scissors adventure, and look what Calvin I got via email today!

Why Cami is Andrew's favorite Aunt

Who would you rather have as an Aunt??