Thursday, September 30, 2010

Cozy Mystery Challange Wrap Up

Thanks for this challenge, I absolutely loved it because I love cozy mysteries. They have become my favorite genre, especially the holiday themed books. I read 11 books, although I would have loved to read more, but with a baby under 1 years old plus my other 3 kids, that was the best I could do.

I started 3 new series; A Domestic Diva Mystery Series, A Manor of Murder Mystery Series and the Coffeehouse Mystery series. I liked each new series and plan to continue reading them.

I completed the following books:
On What Grounds (Coffeehouse Mystery #1)
Dearly Depotted (A Flower Shop Mystery #3)
The Diva Runs Out of Thyme (A Domestic Diva Mystery #1)
Carrot Cake Murder (Hannah Swensen #10)
Mother's Day Murder (Lucy Stone #15)
Cream Puff Murder (Hannah Swensen #11)
Plum Pudding Murder (Hannah Swensen #12)
Apple Turnover Murder (Hannah Swensen #13)
Bookmarked For Death (A Booktown Mystery #2)
Grace Under Pressure (A Manor of Murder Mystery #1)
Trick or Treat Murder (Lucy Stone #3)

Friday, September 24, 2010

Arrow of Light




Last night ZMan was awarded his Arrow of Light in Webelos. They had a fun ceremony for the 3 boys who received their award. We are so proud of ZMan. Tonight Randy and him are going camping with the 11 year old scouts and he is pretty excited.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Baby Ru's 9 month Well Check

Weight: 17.9 lbs (33%)
Length 27.5 inches (49%)


Baby Ru has been such a sweet addition to our family. She has 5 people totally and absolutely in love with her, especially when she gives us her big smile. Ru is crawling all over and pulling herself up. She loves to clap her hands and play with all her toys.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Denver Vacation


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We have never been to Denver so we decided to plan a little trip and fly to Denver and then take the Amtrak home. Last Thursday we flew out and it's such a nice short 1 hour flight. The kids thought it was cool to fly and loved it. Princess Izzybee did have a little freak out just before the plane took off because she was afraid but once we were in the air she was fine.

After arriving we went to the Downtown Aquarium in Denver. The kids loved it and saw lots of fish, sharks and we even experienced a flash flood through a narrow canyon. We had dinner at the cool restaurant in the aquarium with a huge water tank next to our table. When were finished up dinner a diver was in the tank to feed the fish and he played around the with kids and the kids thought that was super funny. He played Rock, Paper Scissors and pretended to sleep and just made it fun. Also for dessert the girls ordered a paint shark rice krispie treat that they were able to decorate and paint.

The following day we took the bus to the Denver Zoo and spent the day there. It was a lot larger than our zoo in Salt Lake City. We used public transportation and took the bus to and from the zoo. I had to constantly remind my kids to "not stare".
We also went to the Children's Museum of Denver and the kids really like the bubble room and building projects. The two younger girls liked the center for young children. After the museum we took the bus to the 16th Street Mall of Denver and walked a few blocks looking for a place for dinner. There were lots colorful people especially since the Beer Fest was in town a few blocks away so I had to keep reminding the kids to stay close and "not stare".
Sunday morning we took a cab to the Amtrak station and boarded the train for our first train ride (besides the commuter rail and the Heber Creeper). I was surprised at the extra room in the seating area compared to a plane. I wasn't sure what kind of people to expect to travel with but we met and talked with several nice families. The kids and Randy really enjoyed sitting in the observation car with all the windows and looking at the scenery (including people along the Colorado River mooning the train as it went by). The trees were already changing colors so the view was beautiful. The train ride was long (about 15 hours) but the kids did good and it wasn't to bad. By the end my fanny was pretty sore and I was ready for my bed.
We had a fun vacation, of course, Randy always makes sure we have a fabulous time. It was a fun experience and we are already planning our next trip.

Fall Into Reading 2010


Katrina at Callapider Days is hosting Fall Into Reading 2010. For the challenge you put together a list of books you want to read between September 22nd and December 20th and then simply read them. Your list can be as long or as short as you like and you can modify it at any time during the challenge. If you would like to join along you can sign up here, Fall Into Reading 2010.
My Reading List:

Trick or Treat Murder (Lucy Stone, #3)
Wicked Witch Murder (Lucy Stone, #16)
A Catered Halloween (A Mystery with Recipes, #5)
The Help
The Fairy Thorn
Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven, #5)
Knock Out (FBI Thriller #13)
Gregor the Underlander (Underland Chronicles #1)
Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane (Underland Chronicles #2)
Candy Cane Murder
A Blink of An Eye
Between the Lines
Maze of Bones (39 Clues #1)
Dangerous Connections
The Christmas Quilt (Elm Creek Quilts #8)
A Time To Die
Cold As Ice
Murder by the Book (Kennedy Killingsworth, #1)
Freefall
Ghost of a Chance
Murder by the Book (Kennedy Killingsworth, #1)
All's Fair
The Thanksgiving Day Murder
The Christmas Box
Finding Noel
Don't Cry Wolf
Final Act: A Novel

The Gift
The Friday Night Knitting Club (Friday Night Knitting Club #1)
Disney After Dark (The Kingdom Keepers #1)

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Weekly Update


  • With our 3rd week back in school we are finally getting on a schedule that is working. The kids like their teachers and school is going okay for them.
  • Princess Izzybee starts up with piano lessons tomorrow and is excited. ZMan continues with his fall lessons tomorrow and he's not as excited. I think as he gets new music to learn and challenge him he will settle down about piano.
  • Princess Izzybee is also in a girl's performing singing group that she is liking. I hope she has fun with it. I'm trying to decide if I should sign her up for a dance class along with The Doddle.
  • ZMan is playing soccer and having fun. He is on the recreation league and loves to play goal keeper.r
  • Ru is crawling all over the place getting into everything. I haven't realized how cluttered my house was until I watch her find every object that can go in her mouth, go into her mouth. She is at a fun stage as she interacts and laughs with us, claps and just has fun. The crawling stage is not my favorite so I can't wait for her to walk.
  • This week we are flying to Denver as a family and hang out. We are still planning our trip but it will be fun and we get a break from life. Sunday we will take the train home and this will be a new and I hope a fun experience.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Baptism


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Princess Izzybee got baptized yesterday. What a special day it was. She looked so beautiful in both of her white dresses and many of her cousins, her grandparents, and friends attended. I am so proud of her and she is such an example she is to her sisters and brother. Our family is so blessed by each one of our children.