Our Taxes Are Done! Our Taxes Are Done!

So, if you know me well...you know that I wait until the very last minute to work on/file taxes. I'm talking like October or later. Just like mom. Except I don't think I wait as long as she does! However, this year I was determined to get them done ASAP! And though it is about 2 weeks later than I had hoped...they're finished!!! YES!!! (huge sigh of relief) I e-filed about 10 minutes ago and I am just pleased as punch with myself. Now I can get this big paperwork mess out of the living room and life can get back to normal...maybe even better! I am also excited at the prospect of keeping up on paperwork at least weekly so next year will be even easier.

3 Reasons I Can't Wait For Warmer Weather

1. My kids can play outside!
2. My kids will play outside!
3. My kids DO play outside!

Stinky Clothes No More

In the past, I have been one to let clothes sit in the washing machine a little too long. Then of course the clothes would come out smelling a little mildewy and I'd have to wash them again which of course didn't always help. I came across an article somewhere that gave me a simple "laundry recipe" for getting the smell out. You put in 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar into the wash and add your regular detergent and your clothes. I tried it and it worked like a charm! However, much to my chagrin, I think the smell was pemanently embedded in the washing machine itself since the laundry seemed to come out of there stinking even after taking it out immediately to put it in the dryer even after applying this "recipe" and running the machine with bleach water several times.
Then a couple of years ago, we got a new washing machine from Mercedes (she had barely ever used it and it was sitting in storage for quite some time). After this, I vowed to do my best to not let clothes sit in the washing machine anymore. On a rare occasion, it happens, and I just use the baking soda and vinegar. Voila! Fresh again!
Then this weekend, Ty took Aidan and Brogan on an overnight hunting trip to Lahontan, where they built a campfire. They came home reeking of campfire smoke. As I was about to wash these stinking clothes, I thought I should maybe add something else to them to help rid of the smell. Maybe a Tbsp. of bleach? Just enough to get rid of the smell but not ruin the clothes. No. Didn't want to take a chance. So I reached for the Borax and poured some in hoping it would work. Well it didn't. As I was tossing the clothes into the dryer, the smoke smell was still overpowering. So back in the washing machine they go. Trying to think of what I could do, I remembered the "laundry recipe". Not having enough baking soda, I decided to just try the vinegar. It worked! Hurray!
So if you ever have problematic stinky clothes, just remember the "laundry recipe".

Brogan Says the Pledge of Allegiance

Since Brogan was a student of the month for December, he got to say the Pledge of Allegiance over the intercom at school yesterday morning. He was so excited to do it and he did a great job! Unfortunately the video wouldn't start until half way through the Pledge. He also got to say the School Pledge. However, I think he thought he was done because he backed away and Mrs. Diesner, the principal, had to finish it. She is a great principal! She loves the kids and was really excited to have Brogan say the Pledge.

The Snowblower

Early in January, we got some decent snow storms and some much needed snow. Over the couple of days from the storm, we probably had about a foot of snow at our house. The first day it snowed, Ty got our neighbor's snowblower (her husband died in 2005 and Ty takes care of her sprinkler system, mows, snow removal, etc.). Let me just tell you that he started at about 5:30 and didn't come in until 9:30! Once when he had come in to change into dry clothes, I asked him if he was done, because I knew it was just going to keep snowing and he said, "No, I'm having fun." He did everyone's driveway on our little court of 8 houses (except the nasty people next door!) and then he did the street except in the middle where he was blowing the snow. He went around and around and around and around!!! That weekend after he had to do it again the neighbor told him to keep the snowblower since we've done so much for her and help her out whenever she needs it. Ty said, "OK!" Thanks Joan!

Christmas Survey

I got this survey from Aunt Dixie and though I emailed it, I also thought I would post it. I would love to see everyone elses answers, too, on their blogs or an email.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial - though this is only the 2nd year for it.
3. When do you put up the tree? Three days ago, but that's only because we have an artificial tree. With a real one, not until sometime the first week in December because I am really bad about keeping it watered.
4. When do you take the tree down? Usually New Year's Day
5. Do you like egg nog? YES!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I really have no idea.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes
8. Hardest person/s to buy for? Ty
9. Easiest person to buy for? Finn, because she likes and wants everything!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Unfortunately neither. I am not organized enough to send Christmas cards.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I wouldn't say worst, but most unusual and funny. The Christmas after the twins were born, Ty gave me 2 cushioned toilet seats because when I was pregnant with the twins, one day when I sat on the toilet seat.....it broke! I can't believe I am telling everyone this!
12. Favorite Christmas movie? A Christmas Story
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? 2-3 weeks before Christmas.....aye yi yi!!!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Fudge
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Colored are my favorite, but since we have the artificial tree it came with clear lights.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Do You Hear What I Hear
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Yes
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning, but a tradition we have just as when I was growing up, the kids get to open their new Christmas jammies on Christmas Eve.
22 . Most annoying thing about this time of year? People ignoring/not realizing the real reason we celebrate Christmas.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Santas
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Well, depending on when we get together with my family, Christmas Eve or Christmas night, we usually have deli sandwiches. Everyone likes it and it's easy.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? An MP3 player
26. What do you like most about Christmas? Everything!

The Great Reno Balloon Races

Every September, Reno hosts The Great Reno Balloon Races at Rancho San Rafael park and people from all over the country come to participate in this event. It is pretty cool seeing a hundred balloons (or more) filling up then floating above you in the sky.

We haven't gone for a couple of years and this year we decided to get up early so we could see the Dawn Patrol. The traffic to the park is CRAZY! Ty dropped me and the kids off while he tried to find somewhere to park. We missed seeing Dawn Patrol on the ground but made it in time to see them in flight. Five hot air balloons light up on the ground and it looks so neat. Then they float up and they all light up in the dark morning sky.

A beautiful sunrise

Starting to inflate

Ty and the kids

Heading up

Finn says these two are kissing

Goofball brothers

Brogie lovin' Dad

Finn...walking like an Egyptian?

We had a really great time together!

Twins First Day of Kindergarten

Finn and Brogan had been so excited about starting kindergarten. I was too, since they got into the full-day kindergarten class. They walked hand in hand to the classroom.
When they got inside the classroom, Finn was still pretty happy about being there, but as you can see, Brogan was starting to have doubts about being in school ALL day.
They came home and they had a great time and really like their teacher, Mrs. Saulsgiver. They also made a lot of new friends. Finn's best friend is Isabell and Brogan's best friend is a girl named Kaylah, who happens to be 11 inches taller than him!
One day in the following weeks after school started, Brogan came home one day and said it was the "Best day I've ever had in my whole life!" I guess he likes it after all.

Sprinkler System

So after 12 years, we are finally getting grass in our backyard! I don't like admitting that it's been that long but it seems like with all projects, when you have the time you don't have the money and when you have the money you don't have the time. Well whether or not we had the time or money, we decided it absolutely couldn't wait one more year! We have had the trees and a patio for several years. We are fortunate enough to have a really large yard (we live on almost 1/3 acre) now we can start enjoying it.
Brogan likes to dig, so he helped with the trenches.

Connor helped Ty with a lot of the pipe - glueing, fitting corner pieces and laying it.

Ty spreading the humus.

Ty's friend Antonio tilling the humus into the dirt. Antonio helped out so much and probably did most of the prep work for us to be able to do this this year. We traded his labor for one of our trucks. What a great deal! He is such a hard worker and a really good guy.

Sand Harbor

Over 2 months into summer vacation and we finally made it up to Lake Tahoe. Usually we get up there sooner than that. Just Grammie came with us this time. We didn't get to Sand Harbor until early afternoon, so we didn't have a lot of time to spend there that day because I had to go home to get ready to go play Bunko.
It is so nice up there. The water is so pretty and clear but soooo cold (as you can tell from one of the pictures of Brogan). It's not so bad though and actually feels kind of good once you get your whole body in and over the initial shock of how cold it is.
Grammie buried Aidan in the sand - one of his favorite things to do at the beach. Finn had fun playing in the pool of water they made with the sand and the log. They like playing with the log out in the water or sitting on it at the edge of the water. Connor found all kinds of rocks to take home (not sure what his plan for them is - he always has to be finding something from somewhere to bring home). Aidan brought his flippers and goggles and had fun with those. Brogan didn't venture too far out in the water but Finn went out really far with me on the fun noodles while Grammie stayed with the boys on the beach. That was a fun little girl time for me and her.
We had a really great time!