Jesus is the reason

Sometimes it is hard to remember just why we have Christmas. Well this year when we decorated our baby Jesus was missing. After looking high and low we found him in an extra decoration box. We didn't want to lose him again so we are taking extra care to remember why we are celebrating this year.

Elf on the shelf

Before it was a craze, we had this little guy watching out for our tree. Every once in a while he would leave us treats or cookies or even small presents. I was so happy to find him in the bottom of a box I got from my moms house. He has been fun to put on our tree and tell the littles lots of crazy stories to go with him.

Tis the season

Well, when isn't the season for quilting? This month three quilts have been started, two have been finished and one is so close. Now I just need to enlist the help of baled quilters...

Someone is missing

This year after decorating was done, someone was missing. There are only so many places to look and places to hide.

Summer came

Summer went.  It seems that things around here this summer have been busy.  I have been dabbling in a few new activities that have kept me pretty busy.  I am gladly enjoying fall and the fact that life seems to settle down once the leaves start to fall.  I am promising to start spending at least one evening a week blogging something.  You know, I used to blog all of the time as a means to keep others up with what we are ding.  Then I started to facebook.  It is not as fun as blogging but it is a bit more convenient because I can send things there right from my phone.  Well, I'm done being lazy and I'm ready to blog like crazy.  I'm making a list of important things I would like to blog and then some fun things to post about.  Stay tuned for the upcoming stories.

It's been a hard days night

I have not been here for so long.  You see, work has started consuming  eating me alive.  I don't really like that but I guess I am happy to have a job.  Now I just need to find the balance in work and family life.  John, I guess was starting to feel like he was not seeing me or that I was always stressed or still working while I sat at home.  So he decided he knew a way to help me find the time I need for him.  He tore his meniscus.  I know that sounds like a lot.  It's basically a hang nail on his knee.  Next Tuesday he will go in to have it repaired.  That means on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, I'm not working.  We'll see how well that goes over.  It has been pretty nice coming home at night and having him here and awake and not stressed about going to work.  Even when I'm freaking out or loosing my cool because work follows me everywhere.

Cheaper by the dozen

I think I was really meant to have 12 kids.  Some where something got messed up but this is a much happier home when it is full the the brim and everyone is laughing playing and noisy. Dinner is better when cooked for a crowd, bath time is funner when you have to share one bathroom, SUNDAY morning is a bit hair raising when everyone has to be ready at the same time but fun none the less.  It has been a great week having all of the beds in the house full of family.

Music and Funnel Cake

Sunday was the day.  We have been taking this funnel cake mix around with us for a few years to make, and we always bring it home with us.  Well, all it took for us to make it was Jake and Sherina to come from Texas and for John to hook up the one burner.  We headed to the back yard and planned on how we could become millionaires while making funnel cakes and fry bread.

Flip my switch

Out with the OLD

In with the NEW

A few weeks ago I figured I would try my hand at electircal wiring.  I already had completed one hanging light so I figured that changing out a switch wouldn't be too bad.  I turned on all things electrical in the room so I could know when the power was dead.  Turned off two of the breakers and when the power went I dared myself to touch the switch.  I pulled out the old button switch and put in a new white plate switch.  Ten minutes tops we were back in buisness and now we don't have to push the switch just right to turn the light on or off we just flip it.

Lumber Jack

Saturday John cut a few logs into chunks.  He came inside and told me he thought he cut a cord of wood and we should have plenty for camping.  Today I went out  back and split most of the wood that John cut.  It only took me about two hours and then I pulled a bit from the other pile and split it also.  I am not sure it is all of the wood that we will need but it will be nice for burning.  It's kind of funny how stubborn some pieces of wood can be.  Some of them took me 25-30 swings to split.  Some of them after the 25-30 swings I gave up and put them in another pile.  Toward the end of the pile of logs I was wondering if I should try my shoulder at an ax.  I used to chop wood with an ax.  That's all I knew growing up.  Then I started using the splitting wedge and hammer.  I'm feeling a little rusty on the ax but I think I'm going to buy one tomorrow.  I thing swinging one large ax one or two times would be better than having to swing a sledge 30 times. 

Why did I buy you that camera?

Megan and I had show and tell tonight.  We went cloth shopping so Megan can have something to fill her summer hours with.  We grabbed for a camera phone to document our finds.  John asks, "I'm so glad I bought you a new camera."  I glanced out of the corner of my eye.  There it was.  Laying sadly on the buffet where it has been for weeks.  I have not carried it around with me like I did the old one.  I grabbed it and started taking pictures of things.  John had better watch out.  You never know what, where, when or why I will be taking photos.  Back to keeping up with the good old blog.

Before and After

So many of you don't know but in our bedroom the only closet was about 3 feet wide and about 4 feet long.  You couldn't walk into it broadside because it was too narrow.  A few weeks ago a friend of ours came to look at the idea we had about making the closet bigger.  After about ten minutes of looking he said it was a very doable project and would only take a week. 

This is the nook we got rid of to make the closet bigger.

This is the tiny closet. 

We went to work.  I found a place for all of the items in the nook.  This was an overwhelming project but we made it through.

Here is day two of the remodel.

The new wall and cupboard space

The old wall coming down.

In only a short 6 days including the weekend we were back in buisness.  We got to move our clothes off of the floor in the spare room.  Despite a few set backs and some disagreements on where or how things should go we made it.  Tonight I put in the new light for the nook.  I have to admit I was a little nervous when I killed the power to this light and started undoing what had just been done.  It took me a second to find the "bare" wire but I got it and hooked the rest right up.  In all it took me about 15 minutes.

My light

Wall number one in the new closet.  See the whole bare wall?  That used to be all of our closet.

wall two.  Upper shelf

Wall two lower shelf and shoes.  Bella just can't stay out of the photo.

There is still a bare wall right there also.  See the box?  That is the next light to put in.  If  I could have figures out how to reach the 10' ceiling tonight and not wake John up you can bet this would be in the ceiling and the box in the garbage going out.

Spring is here

This is the day we have been counting on since about December 21st.  I do enjoy winter but I love when the days become longer, I don't want to be in bed by 5:00pm, the flowers peek out of the ground, the oak tree blooms, the grass is green again, birds are chirping, kitties frolic, a fleece and shorts make a great afternoon outfit, and CAMPING is fun again.  I do dislike that my kitchen floor is messy with dirt and mud, Bella brings in lots of muddy prints, the rain makes everything wet often, allergies pop up again, but I guess I'll take it because that means summer is just around the corner and I'm in love.

Will you still need me, will you still feed me

When I'm 74.  Happy Birthday Mom.  I heard this song today and it made me think of you.  I would still feed you, love you and need you.  There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of you.  You have left this world with a great legacy.  Your children and grand children and great grand children are doing a great job at keeping this world on it's toes.  Every day there are glimpses of you in things all around.  In my front garden are your bird houses.  In my front room there are your angels, your family history book, photos and your hymn book.  In my dinning room I have your bowls, your deacon's bench, and your art work.  In the kitchen I have mixing bowls and I have your ability to store food. We could eat for weeks just out of the cupboards. The marble slab you gave me and the pressure cooker you bought me have been put to good use.  In my bed room I have a little tea cup that you put your rings in.  Each night I see it and think of you as I drift to sleep.  If only I can amount to 1/3 the woman you were.  That would make me great.  Happy Birthday Mom I LOVE YOU!!!

Good Morning Sunshine

Who wouldn't want a wake up hug and kiss from this face? (I mean the one on the left) He was so lovey this morning and the it was time to bust out the tunnel and trains and make our best choo choo choo choo chooooooo chug all through the house.  The "trains" got dressed, made breakfast, raced down the hallway, and woke brother up for school. All in all it was a very fine morning.

Rub a dub dub

It's time to whip up a new batch of laundry soap.  I love the way it makes my clothes smell.  The even better part is...my skin is not breaking out.  You see I have always had to use unscented laundry soap or it would make my skin be one big rash.  Now I can have clothes that have a fresh "felsnaptha" smell to them and I don't suffer with a rash for the week.  It's easy and it makes laundry soap cost pennies a load.

In my pretty garden

The flowers are nodding.  How do you do today? How do you do they say. In my pretty garden the flowers are nodding. 

It is so nice to see the little flowers poke out from the snow bank.  You wouldn't believe me if I told you I trimmed this garden down last fall to bare nothings.  I did, all except two plants that were still blooming when I was trimming. Now this winter has not been a winter like usual. We have not had much snow this year.  The flowers have been growing all along.  Now spring is really here.  These little crocus are peeking up and ready to shine. 

Pizza Heaven

We have been making a lot of home made pizza as of late.  It is so much fun to hang out in the kitchen together and make a master piece of pizza.  It is fast and so delicious that you can't say no to it. 

Bella loves when the humans are in the kitchen. When they focus on their projects I get to hang out and sneak a treat.

A day out with Owen

 Owen Gregory Camacho joined our world a bit earlier than planned.  He was born on 2/18/12.  Everyone was expecting him in March but he came when he was ready.  (I think thats the Israelsen side)  I got to spend the day with  him.  He is so cute and little and he had the most fun hair to play with.  His big brother Gavin is a real cheese and likes to tell you all about what he is doing, thinking and learning.

You woke me up?

Ok I'll laugh for you.

Gavin and Owen

Owen looking for Gavin

Happy Family!

Turning a new page

Some of you know that two years ago we were hoping to bring a baby into our home.  Things didn't work out the way we planned and we never got to bring the baby home.  I had started collecting baby items and had a bit of a stock pile when we thought it was possible.  It still amazes me how much stuff you can collect in just a few weeks.

Today as I was looking for things to take to my nieces baby shower on Saturday I had a great idea.  Why not clean out a few of the storage bins downstairs and get that baby stuff to good use.  So, I have been sorting and crying, crying and sorting.  Part of me feels excited to be emptying boxes from the basement.  Part of me is mourning that things didn't work out differently.  I am trying not to look at it as giving up.  I would love to be pregnant and give birth to a healthy little baby but part of me longs for closure and a way to move forward.

Life has taken a lot of turns in the past few years and I know that healing is a very important time of life.  Getting to the healed part may be hard but once I get there I can only imagine how much better I will feel.

Good thing Emily and Kaitlin are having babies. I have the perfect gifts already.

Climb every mountain

or at least your local climbing wall.  Megan, Lena, John and I went to irock last weekend to climb.  It was a lot of fun.  There was a group of scouts working on badges and it was fun to see them loving learning new things.  John and I relate well because we also love to try new things.  Then we were over run by a rude group of teenagers.  Again, glad that I know so many good teens because these kids gave teens a bad rap.  Anyway, we climbed and bouldered and had a great time.  After our muscles were pumped up we fed them a healthy fruit smoothie and enjoyed hanging out together. 

Happy Valentines Day

Kitchen Witch

Today I was visiting my Aunt Connie.  She is a dear lady that I love to visit.  It's like going home to my mom's house.  I can open cupboards and she always has a new gadget or project to share with you. 

Today was no exception.  We were in her kitchen when we found a little witch like doll.  We thought maybe it was a Halloween decoration or project that stowed away in the kitchen.  After we inquired what it was Aunt Connie exclaimed, "That's my new kitchen witch." 

Lori and I looked at each other with amazement.  I had never heard of a kitchen witch.  Aunt Connie told us that she keeps evil out of the kitchen and keeps things from burning.  I told her that I was a week to late in learning of a kitchen witch.  I just burned the day lights out of my favorite medium size sauce pan. 

I came home and looked her up and this is what I learned....


A Norwegian kitchen witch: A kitchen witch, sometimes called a cottage witch or a "Scandinavian" kitchen witch doll, is a poppet or homemade doll resembling a stereotypical witch or crone displayed in residential kitchens as a means to provide good luck and ward off bad spirits.

There is some debate over the exact country in which the kitchen witch originated, some claiming Norway and others Germany, but consensus points to it stemming from older European customs.

"Look who's landed in your kitchen.  Bringing fortune to your home.  It's nme, the lucky kitchen witch your special little gnome.  I'll end burnt pots.  I'll keep meals hot.  I'll do such magic chores.  For I'm your lucky kitchen witch.  Keep me safe by your kitchen door."

The poppet is supposed to depict a "good" witch who inspires productivity and safety in a kitchen, but also counteracts any ill-will directed to the home. It is considered good luck to give a kitchen witch to a friend or family member. So that those unfamiliar with the kitchen witch can understand its meaning, sometimes a note will be hung around the witch's neck stating something similar to:

"The Legendary Secret of Goof-Proof Cooking:
For centuries, Norwegians have hung this good witch in their kitchen. They believe she has the power to keep roasts from burning, pots from boiling over, and sauces from spilling."

I have the smartest Aunt and I am so glad that she is willing to share a bit of her knowledge with me.

Pyro maniac

That's what your neighbors may start to think once you have two fires at your house in less than a week.  I just call it Murphy's Law.  Our family has never been one do things one at a time.  It seems we die in threes, are born in fours, live in sevens...you get the picture.  Matt called me early on a Saturday.  His first words were, "What do you know about home owners insurance?"  This is not what you would like to hear from your brother.  He proceeded to tell me about his garage burning down in seconds flat and then told me about last weeks chimney fire.  He has had his share of fires in the week.  We just happened to be heading to the Valley so we stopped by for a visit.  It was great to spend the afternoon with he and his family.  Visiting, laughing and helping each other.  My favorite part was the saying good bye.  Wayne would tell you I am not one for good byes because they always make me cry.  Well, I did good.  Matt and I said good bye three times.  We used to enemies but I guess what they say is true....Time heals all things.  Matt is a great big brother and I wouldn't trade him for any one else.  I love him and know he loves me.  I know he would help me when ever I needed help from him.

Super Bowl Sunday

Thank goodness the Gillies came by on Sunday afternoon.  We had buffalo wings, Carmel pop corn, street tacos, chips and a great game.  We didn't really need to watch the game because we knew who was going to win.  The commercials were good.  Half time was a great time for Lori and I to go through the cook book and plan ahead for the next meals we had to cook.  In the last few minutes of the game I found the "men" sleeping and not even knowing what was going on.  I say that because I ran into the front room when I heard the Giants get ahead to flaunt my victory and found them asleep and unaware that I was about to win dinner out. 
It was a good day and nothing beats having family stop by for a Sunday visit.  I am reminded of my childhood when my parents would hurry home from church to make rounds to the married kids houses to visit or make treats so the married kids could come for dinner.  Oh, how I loved those Sunday afternoon visits.  FAMILY isn't it about time? 

Dr. Camacho

A few weeks ago this little fellow came to play.  He was so much fun to have here.  He came in and headed to the basement to look for the "coolest" toys ever.  I never knew cheap toys would entertain the littles as much as they do but I guess they don't get to play with them often so they are "amazing".

We fixed this for breakfast.

Delish.  Even the grown ups liked it.  Then Gavin found all of the treats on the shelf.  He asked me,  "where is the little bot that lives here?"  I told him that Uncle John was the only little boy that lived here.  He just couldn't understand that.  Uncle John is not so little in his eyes I guess.

Next we played.  There were lots of trucks to drive and a train to toot, but best of all he liked the Doctor stuff.  "What kind of heart do you have?"  He thought he could hear it and told me it was a BIG one:)

We brought lots of toys up in the big blue bucket.  It was fun to put the toys in them and dump them out up stairs. 

Auntie M thought that it would be cool to go to the train museum.  Once we got there, Gavin informed me that it was not as cool as the Thomas Station.  I guess next year we are going to have to go to the Thomas Days at Heber Creeper.

I love to see the temple

There is something magical in the air when temple square in SLC has its Christmas lights on.  The cool night and walking in the lights makes you feel small.  If you ever get the chance you should go walk through the area and then go out for hot cocoa.

One in the bed

and the little one said,

roll over.

Some nights after John leaves for work, this is where I find Bella.  Some nights like tonight once I am ready for bed I look for her to make sure I don't leave her out side and this is how I find her.

Now if only I could teach her to sleep on John's side of the bed.

Family Photo Time

Da Boys

This is our family.  You can't see the little Garcia in Jen's belly but when they get here it will be a good reason to do this again.

Jake and Sherina came all the way from Texas for photos.

Aren't we cute?

John almost has a smile.  At least his hands are down.

Quinten and Toby's family

Josh and Jen's family

Nash, looking great as always.

M and the girls

Gramps and the little boys

The whole fam damily.