Happy Birthday to my Little Miss LU and her 5 lb. of FAT!!!

Every Thursday is an important day for Lola. Thursday is show and tell at her preschool, and she loves it. 

A few weeks ago during breakfast she asks Andy to help her find something perfect to take (wrong person to ask) Andy smiles and says " I have just the thing" ( instantly I'm worried ) He doesn't disappoint me with baby doll, pony, or anything else appropriate for a little 5 year old girl to take. He gives her a Medical model of 5lbs. of fat. (WHAT!) I don't know why we have this or where it came from but it's been kick'n around our house forever. I thought Lola would quickly rebuke this idea, but to my surprise she was over the moon with excitement.

Week #2...show and tell... Again, 5lbs of fat.... I apologize to Mrs Hartman ( lola s  teacher )

Week #3... show and tell... Again, 5lbs of fat. This week Mrs. Hartman was ready for her. She had planned a whole lesson on nutrition and healthy eating. I picked lola up from school and apologized once again. I told Lola no more 5lbs of fat.

week #4... They are celebrating Lola s Birthday at Preschool. I make some cupcakes to take... I notice her backpack is extra heavy... I open it up... once again,  5lbs fat.... Please lola says, it's my birthday!

All she wants for her birthday is 5lbs of fat. All I want is to loose 5lbs of fat. How can I refuse.

Maybe a lesson on what not to eat comes next?...NOW have a cupcake children...

I doubt that Mrs Hartman is a blogger or a blog stalker... but on the mere chance she stumbles across this little post I once again offer my most sincere apology for the FAT.

Does anyone else out there dislike taking family pictures as much as I do?

So... I know I'm not alone when I say that I absolutely despise taking family pictures. I think all moms and wife's out there feel the same. (If they don't their either crazy or lying) Trying to get a husband and a bunch of hooligans to cooperate can sometimes be a daunting task.
The complaining starts early Saturday morning  when I say to everyone "after chores Aunt Jen is coming over to take our family pictures" Immediately I have ruined everyones life!! you'd think I just told them their dog died or something.

After all of the crying, wailing and gnashing of teeth is over, these are their responses...

Isabelle... "I can't believe I won't have time to play with Anna, and why do I have to shower anyway, the       camera can't smell me!! ( my pretty little Bella doesn't like to bathe )

Mack... "I hate my life today. My friends are gonna be so mad that I can't play. We were suppose to build a ramp. And mom... I'm not wearing that dumb sweater" (later he decided he loved his sweater. He thinks he looks cool.)

Lola... Lola has actually become quite fond of the camera and is excited to pose in pictures but only if she can wear her hair down with a headband!

Andy... Andy can't believe he had to do 6 hours of yard work and then take pictures. Andy hates pictures but with the promise of a TRADe... he agrees to behave.

I Iron everyones clothes and lay them out on my bed. I overhear Andy telling the kids " Lets just put on the clean clothes mom picked out, let her do your hair and don't complain. we'll go see Santa afterwards. I  set out a couple of shirts for Andy to choose from and of course he picked Mr. lumberjack (the one I didn't want him to wear) then he buttons it to the top and tries to look like a GANGS-TA'. Please take it off I say. Just one picture he says... it'll be your favorite...Not really, this is what I think of it

Me and My Lu!

 Worth all the drama!

s

They turned into perfect little angels and ate up the camera...

Ju

I ask Andy all the time... Why do you dislike taking pictures with me. It seems almost painful for him and it hurts my feelings. His answer is "because I know my mug is going to end up on some blog with cheezzy captions!"... Have I mentioned that my very private man dislikes blogs, facebook and anything else that shares private info. It leaves him feeling a little overexposed!! I guess it is a little weird if you think about it.. sorry Babe! This ones for you...

Why isn't Andy jump'n?

Skip, Skip, Skip to my LU...

Merry, Merry Christmas... Love us.

In the end... we all made It out alive...Thanks to some photoshopping we even got a couple of cute pics. Thanks Aunt Jen!

Alexander C McMaster...

32 reasons why I love my DAD ... 1. I love that you are the only person other than Magnum PI who can wear a mustache...why?

2. I love that you twirled me around the dance floor in your wheelchair on my wedding day.
3.I love how you slap your forehead and say "aahhh GEEEZ" when your frustrated.


4.I love that you always took me on daddy daughter dates when I was little.


5. I love that you let me be your crutch when you walked with a cane.

6. I love that you think I'm perfect.

7. I love that you love to watch chick flicks.

8. I love that you are so intelligent yet still so gullible.

9. I love that you never get offended.

10. I love it when you talk about how studly you once where.

11. I loved when after a girls shopping spree you would open the NOrdstrom bill and sometimes say a "bad word" when you thought no one was listening.

12. I love that you love peanut butter and cheese sandwiches just like grandpa.

13. I love it when you say your ship is in the harbor.

14. I love that you never gave up!

15. I love that I know you never will.

16. I love that you never complain even though your always in so much physical pain.

17. I love that you let me tease you.

18. I love when mom and I can't stop laughing at something you did or said you say "yuck it up girls, yuck it up...your out of the will" then we laugh harder!

19. I love that you spoiled me.

20. I love that you still do.

21. I love how much you love your VAN

22. I love that you taught me how to drive my little yellow convertible.

23. I love that we had to pack your vest full of ice so you would stay cool because I wanted the top to stay down while we drove. I know now that that was hard for you but you did it anyway without complaint because you love me. 24. I love that you laughed as we rolled backwards down the hills because I couldn't shift.

25. I love that you still believe I am teachable.

26. I love that you let me take mom away for days at a time even though you need her more.

27. I love that you are never afraid to say what's on your mind.

28. I love that you call me princess.

29. I love how much you love my mom...and who wouldn't, she is such a babe.

30. I love that you call me on the phone just to tell me how perfect and beautiful she is.

31. I love your undeniable love for the SAVIOR and his teachings.

32. Last but not least... I just love you and feel so blessed to call you dad!!! Happy Birthday, we wish we could be there.

Aspartame poisoning...Dehidration perhaps?

Its the burn I love and miss when I've gone cold Turkey. The burn I feel as that poison slips down my throat. I know it's bad for me... I've read all the emails and listened to all the stories of aspartame being linked to MS (of which I am prone) I don't care... I love it, it had me at hello and never let go!!! No matter how I try (and I do try) I just can't seem to kick this nasty habit ( my diet coke with 4 lemon wedges ) Which is why I cut way back to just one sonic daily. No more stocking my fridge full...that was until the labor day sale anyway.

Labor Day is the best day to buy POP for cheap. Andy and Mack were on A mission for Grammy and papa, trying make it to as many grocery stores as possible, buying as much soda as possible to fill the vending machines at the Milano's. They delivered 60 cases to papas store. Mack made $35 bucks (papa pays well!) and Andy brought home a 24 pack of diet DR.P
DP is not my vice... Just diet coke with lemon, so he considered his beverages safe.

Almost 2 days later...

I couldn't figure out what was wrong. With a list of chores to get done and errands to run I felt overwhelmed. I was so tired, I felt so weak and so so so weepy. PMS... no I knew it wasn't that. I called Andy a few times at work that day and asked him if he could bring dinner home. Whenever I'v had a bad day or I'm feeling a little melancholy I can count on Andy to stop and get me a POP on the way home from work.

Andy comes home pop in hand. My eyes red and puffy I say thank you.

Andy...laughs and gives me a hug. what is wrong with u

Me... I don't Know, I can't figure it out.

Andy... goes to retrieve a cold Diet DP from the fridge. where did u hide all the soda.

Me... I didn't hide it... I drank it

Andy... All of it!

ME... yes, all of it

Andy... I just bought it yesterday, you couldn't have drank all of it. Continued...

Light bulb moment...(24 cans downed)that was it... that was my answer! Note to self...Tons of soda and no water= a very bad day! Andy... laughing you are such an aspartame junkie!
Andy... I'll give my little junkie a much needed rub down
Me... I know what that means.
Andy... Just a massage... I promise.
What was the point of this post u say... I don't know, but I admit to having a problem and I got a 2 hour massage because of it... (yes ladies just a massage no monkey biz involveD)

A STORMY DAY...

One of our favorite things about living in sunny AZ are the crazy storms that roll through... Though they are few and far between, when they they hit... they hit big and we love it. The kids feel it necessary to get bundled up and drink hot coco (even though its still 90 degrees out)


Miss Lola Ann riding in the rain
Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain.

Drinking hot coco...

They decided not to use the hot rain water and just do it the old fashion way..the microwave!

A stormy night

The thunder was so loud it made our whole house shake rattle and roll! The lightening seemed to be striking right outside our windows. Andy and I woke wondering why the kids hadn't come running and screaming into our bed. We soon found big bro mack snuggled right up to his little sis protecting her... or was it the other way around? Either way... It made me happy!

When I showed Macky the picture the next morning he said "mom, please promise not to show my friends" OK I thought... I'll just show all mine!( love that boy)

Kayaking around!!!

Taking a break from Saturaday chores to kayak in the Gessels pool.

King of Kings (Pilate's Lament) By Benjamin McPherson, oil on canvas. Church Ensign... Sept, 2009...Yep its Uncle Rick...CREEPY!

I'm sorry, I know this is a graphic an intense pic...

Imagine my surprise... as I was flipping through this months issue of the Ensign only to discover my Uncle Rick on page 43 in this painting... being portrayed as the one... the only... PILOT. I imagine it must have been a somewhat strange and creepy feeling to model as such an infamous character. I'm not sure that's how I would want to go down in the history books...that being said... I still think its pretty cool to be part of the church's art history, ,even if you are being portrayed as Pilot.

The artist walked into Taylor Maid, saw Uncle Rick and said that he was exactly what he had envisioned Pilot to look like. He asked him to if he would model for the painting.(don't think he took it as a compliment but .. he agreed.) The painting now hangs in the conference center in SLC until October 11, 2009 as part of an art exhibit....

Beautiful words from a friend... about a friend we have never met...

She took my breath away...
pure beauty. If you've followed the last year of this amazing woman you would know a story unlike others. courage, faith, agency, love, determination, progress, survival, great effort, pain, friendship, music, nature, romance, family, powerful prayers, spiritual strength and testimony. She has touched my life in ways, she'll never know. I've prayed for her at times when she needed them so. I hope one day that when we meet, she'll know how much I cared That by her faith I was lifted up, to know our savior is there. infinite beauty.
Posted by J Brewer at 11:54 AM

I love great garage sale finds!!!

The young women had a Garage sale to help raise money for the leahona ward missionary fund. So much was donated and so much was left when the sale was over... I walked away with some of the cutest finds including this cute little entry way table... all it needed was a little paint and wala!!! so cute.

Oh yes I did... the countdown has begun!!! Tam if you wanna be in my club u better do your homework!!! you know what I mean.

New Moon Countdown Official

I need some props please.. only 1 week home and already I have posted pics. Im so proud! stay tuned more summer time fun pics to follow, I'm on a roll

Uncle Shane and Aunt Summer invited us to go to lake mead... so much fun!!! Thanks guys.

Here are some pics from our trip... we had such a great time... the only thing missing was our dad... again. We were so sad andy couldn't go.

Driving from one hot desert to another... we were kinda expecting the lake to be somewhat unrefreshing. When we got there we were pleasantly surprised.. the weather was perfect.

We stopped to take a picture on the way

This is the cutest picture of my lola... I just want to eat her!!!

Me and LuLu

Me, my bros and cute nephew Ryder!!

.Shane and Mom

Taking the Sea Doos out for a spin!!!

Ryder and Mack

Frank, Uncle Shane, and Mack

Me and Mama

Just hang'n out float'n on the lake!

Summer and shane
Macky

Madison and Charolotte
Bella be

Little lottie

Me and summer

Miss Bella

Isabelle and Mack getting pulled by the sea doo!

This is the cutest picture of aunt summer!



Mom and I were modeling our new floppy hats... why doesn't mine look floppy?
We both decided we look like the lake witches! Maybe next time well add color?


Little Lola Ann

A hot grandma with her lola and lottie

Frank and mack had such a great time playing together Frick and Frack! as robyn would say

Mom was trying so hard to get everyone to stop jumping off cliffs and boats... I think she was having flash backs to when bry broke his neck.

Shane and ryder

A bunch of little hoodlums jumping off the boat right after reading in bold print... NO JUMPING OFF THE BOAT... why can't the McMasters just follow the rules... haha

Summer

Wyatt

Me

Isabelle and Uncle Shane having some bonding time after the rest of the boat fell asleep... What a sweet uncle he is... We love you uncle Shane!!!

Uncle Shane told Isabelle he would teach her how to fish... He did a good job. I believe the final score was Isabelle 4... Uncle shane 0

Mom, Madison and aunt Summer

This was the sunset on the way home. It was so beautiful. We left the lake late, I probably shouldn't have driven home by my self with the kids. I'm not used to driving that way. Andy always drives everywhere we go and I don't pay attention... so I did get lost... kinda scary driving through the desert... lost... in the middle of the night with 3 kids. We made it home at 2am safe and sound!!!

CAMP LO'MIA

This was the bus ride up to camp. Andy had been telling me all week that I had to ride up on a school bus with no AC. I don't know why I still fall for his tricks and lies. I was pleasantly surprised to find 2 air conditioned charter buses in the church parking lot!

THE GROUP!!

5 MILE HIKE WITH THE GIRLS

ME AND MILA

ON THE WAY UP.

IT WAS SO GREEN AND LUSH I FELT LIKE I WAS IN FORKS,WA... I KEPT WAITING FOR MY EDWARD TO APPEAR BUT HE NEVER DID. MAYBE IT IS JUST A STORY AFTERALL!!!!! SAD

AT THE TOP!!!

CAN'T BELIEVE I'M POSTING THIS PIC AFTER I GOT MAD AT MILA FOR TAKING IT... THE PICTURE IS NOT THE ONLY SCARY THING THAT HAPPENED AT CAMP. ONE NIGHT WE DECIDED THE GIRLS NEEDED ONE GOOD SCARE BEFORE CAMP WAS OVER. AFTER ALL OF OUR NIGHT PROGRAMS AND PRANKS MILA ,AMY AND SANDY TOOK THE GIRLS IN THE WOODS FOR NIGHT TIME DEVOTIONALS/SCARY STORIES... KAREN AND I STAYED BEHIND CLAIMING TO HAVE HEADACHES. WE GOT IN BLACK SLEEPING BAGS AND CLIMBED THROUGH THE WOODS TRYING TO FIND WHERE THEY WENT... THE JOKE WAS ON US. WE HAD NO LIGHTS AND GOT SCARED OURSELVES... FINALLY WE FOUND THEM... RAN THROUGH THE WOODS MAKING SCARY NOISES. WE SOUNDED SO RIDICULOUS WE THOUGHT THEY WOULD JUST LAUGH...THEY DIDN'T.... SCARY STORY TIME HAD TURNED INTO VERY SPIRITUAL TESTIMONY TIME... WE HAD NO WAY TO KNOW... THE GIRLS WENT RUNNING, SCREAMING ,CRYING, ONE GIRL WHO WAS ALREADY ON CRUTCHES FELL AND GOT HURT AGAIN. WE FELT SO AWFUL! I GUESS THIS IS WHY THEY SAY NO PRANKS AT CAMP... MAYBE THE LEADERS SHOULD FOLLOW THE RULES!!! WE DECIDED WE PROBABLY WON'T BE ASKED BACK NEXT YEAR.

The next morning we were up with the birds... WITH A REAL HEADACHE!!

Skit night

Bow and arrow... I hit my target

Our banner... the girls did such an awesome job painting it!

Abby was feeling the music!!!