Happy Halloween!

Meet the Flinstones.(Modern stone age family)
It's all about the candy.

Kids Say/Do the Darndest Things

I just wanted to share some of our recent pictures and video clips. These are some of my favorite, they really make me smile :)

These are my baby Mozarts. They are great musician, not to mention their incredible fashion sense.

I was folding laundry and I went to get the next towel out of the dryer and this is what I found!

Morgan doing her "workout" for the day, Pilates. When she got done doing her Pilates she went into my room and put my running shirt on and said to me "I'm going running, can you watch the kids?"

Morgan loaded up her toy truck and said "I'm going to grandma's house" I looked to see what she had packed in her truck. You can bet she only had the the essentials, brown sugar and a few snack packs!

The other night David was a little wired for some reason. He started playing with a measuring tape. He would pull it out then squint his eyes (just in case it hit him) and let go, then laugh. It was so cute. It kept him and me entertained for at least 20 minutes, which is pretty amazing for David.

And last is Sweet Morgan and her PRECIOUS smile!

These kids make me so happy. They really are my pride and joy!

Morgan's Room

I have a tendency to get bored with things the way they are. I am always re-arranging furniture, and when that fails to satisfy my need, I paint. I was starting to get bored with Morgan's room, so what did I do? You guessed it I painted, and redecorated. It went from this (this picture is old, from when she was in a crib, but it was the only one I had. You get the idea). . . .

to this. . . . . .

I found this fabric, I was so excited it matches perfectly. I think I'm going to make a bed skirt and a pillow sham out of the same fabric.
I am very pleased with how her room turned out. Now its time to move on to the next project!

The Big Fat Stump

We have had this HUGE stump in our yard. Since the day we moved in Jared has been wanting to remove it. He has been chopping away with his ax for the past year. Finally he got some guys together to help him take it out. Here they are hard at work, taking down the fence and clearing the ground. Making way for. . . . . The "Big Guy!"

Here are big boys playing with their toys. You think they are hard at work, but really they are just playing, having the time of their life. (It's funny David has that same toy tractor. Boys never grow out of their toys, they still do the same things, the toys just get bigger and more expensive.)

And this is my lawn, being completely destroyed. You say, Oh its just a little hole. Well my friends, this is just the beginning!
Finally after LOTS of digging you have. . . .

A very stubborn stump and . . . . Two very proud and very BUFF men!

What would the world be like without men? One thing is for certain it would be much cleaner!

Not only is my yard nothing but a pile of dirt (soon to be mud, because lets face it, we live in Washington!) My carpet has big giant shoe print in a trail down the hall. Men, what would we do without them? (Thanks babe for all your hard work, I love ya!)

Baby blankets

Lately I have gone a little fabric crazy. It all started when I was in the fabric section at Wal-mart, looking for some fabric for Davey's costume. I couldn't just get that and leave. I had to go look at the flannels and of course I found some super cute stuff. So I now am on a baby blanket making spree. Here are some of the fabrics I found. . . The one on top is my favorite. Now I just have to find some cute coordinating fabric for the back.Isn't that the cutest little girl fabric ever? I think so!

This one just needs the crochet around the edges.

Here is my most recently finished blanket. Now I just need someone to have a baby!

(I dedicate this post to Peggy, my baby blanket teacher/inspiration!)

Private

The time has come for me to make my blog private. I never thought I would have a need to make it private, but there has been a lot of freaky stuff going on with one of my close friends, that I decided I need to make it private for the safety of my family. So send me your email address, or you can email me at stoker_fam@hotmail.com, so I can add you. Don't be shy, if you read it and you still want to read it, send me your email address so you can continue to read!

100 things you may not know about me

My sister-in-law did this on her page, and I'm really glad she did because I felt like I got to know her a little better. I decided to do it so maybe some of you can get to know me a little better.

1. I am #5 of 8 kids. 5 boys 3 girls.
2. I have always been the black sheep of the family.
3. I was born in the front seat of a dodge caravan in the hospital parking lot. The doctors said I was contaminated and they wouldn't let me in the nursery with all the other babies.
4. I never attended a public elementary school. I was home schooled all through grade school.
5. Throughout High school I did a correspondence high school along with attending Public High school and I graduated a year early.
6. I was fourteen when I had my first full time job, working at a fruit stand. At sixteen I was working two full time jobs, during the summer (fruit stand and taco time).
7. I worked at Taco Time through high school and that is where I made some of my best friends.
8. I was "almost" engaged before I met Jared. I'm sure glad that didn't work out, because Jared is my One true love!
9. When I was fifteen I went and lived with my aunt and uncle in Colorado for a few months, to "get away." (Thanks Peg and Lee for taking care of me!)
10. I was in a typing class in Jr. High and I was so advanced that my teacher moved me to the class a grade older.
11. I was seventeen when I started college.
12. Jared left me at a drive in movie on our second date.
13. A vacation in my family consisted of a LONG drive and camping. We have been to Zions, Goblin Valley and the Arches at least twenty times (that's at least once each summer almost my whole life).
14. The only time we ever ate out as a family was on vacation. We would go to Wendy's and my dad would give us each 3-5 dollars, if we went over we had to pay the difference.
15. We never had TV when I was a kids, in fact my parents still don't. The only time we got to watch TV was at Grandma's house.
16. I have always loved Babies. Anytime there was a baby around you had to fight me to get a chance to hold them.
17. I still love babies and Jared and I want lots of them. Yes, there are more to come. No, this is NOT an announcement.
18. I hate the smell of popcorn, but I love to eat it.
19. I love being a stay at home mom, and feel very blessed to be able to do so.
20. Someday I would love to travel.
21. I workout five days a week and absolutely love it.
22. I started gymnastics when I was five, and did it on and off until I was fourteen. I was on a competition team. I could do anything from a back flip to a double back flip to a front pike.
23. I hate oatmeal, but I eat it every morning for breakfast because I know its good for me.
24. I love to dance, even though I can't. Someday I want to take a ballroom dance class with Jared.
25. I love music. It has always been a big part of my life. I have taken piano, violin and recorder lessons. I have always wanted to play the flute and harp.
26. I really enjoy singing although I don't have that great of a voice. My knowledge of songs is endless. I have even been called a walking ipod.
27. My parents have always been health fanatics and I have now adopted some of their "weird" ways.
28. I love decorating.
29. I started scrap booking when I was young and wasn't very good at it. I now scrapbook and I'm not to bad at it.
30. I'm not much of a morning person. Never have been and probably never will be.
31. I eat pretty healthy and I'm contemplating becoming a vegetarian, but I'm wondering if it's more work then it's worth?
32. When I was little I took a painting class and painted some pretty amazing portraits. I gave them to both my grandparents so I never even get to see them.
33. I have been in four plays (Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Wizard of Oz and the Christmas Carol).
34. I enjoy blogging but I will never be as good at it as Sharese, AKA Wonder Woman.
35. I really love summer and the sunshine
36. I am not a fan of rain and wind, lucky for me I live in Washington.
37. I love fall, all the pretty colors.
38. I like it when it starts to get cold because I LOVE sweaters.
39. I don't like the snow except for when I want to go snowboarding.
40. I am a people watcher. I could sit for hours just watching people.
41. I absolutely hate grocery shopping.
42. I cook the same 10 meals over and over and over. . .
43. We never have goodies at our house, because I eat them.
44. I HATE meat loaf and hamburger pie.
45. I think Thanksgiving is a strange holiday. I think its great that we remember and express our thanks, but the big feast? I think it's a ridiculous tradition. Not to mention I don't even like turkey.
46. I worry about my kids all the time. I worry about their safety and worry that when they are older they will make bad choices and mess up their lives.
47. I don't have very much patience.
48. I hate doing dishes. If I had to choose between doing the dishes and scrubbing toilets, hands down, I choose toilets.
49. I love watching my children learn and grow. Being a mother is the best.
50. I really love the Gospel and am very grateful to my wonderful parents who taught me to live it by example.
51. I like crafting and making things.
52. Water is the only beverage I drink.
53. I am very sensitive.
54. I really love having a clean house, and I work really hard at it, but for some reason it never seems to actually be clean. I clean a room and I turn around and it's a mess again. Sometimes I think I'm losing my mind because I wonder if I ever really cleaned it.
55. I use to be a waitress at a restaurant. One time a accidentally dumped an entire drink on some guys lap.
56. I worked in housekeeping at a Crystal Inn. One time I walked in on a naked guy passed out on the bed. Awkward!
57. I miss Utah and living close to all my family.
58. I really like Washington, its really beautiful here.
59. Jared and I have our fair share of struggles, but all in all I think we have a pretty great relationship.
60. I almost called off my wedding because I thought I was making a mistake. I called my mom many times in tears asking her what I should do. Thank goodness for a wise mother!
61. I can't sleep if I haven't brushed my teeth.
62. I really like getting new clothes.
63. One of my favorite things is when Jared laughs. I don't know why but I get butterflies in my tummy when he laughs.
64. I love having my arms and legs rubbed, It can literally put me in a trance.
65. I am the only one out of my siblings that like asparagus.
66. Me and my brother Brett are the only ones in my family that wear contacts.
67. I have never had my fingernail painted. I think it looks silly on everyone, but especially me.
68. I took piano lesson for 8 years.
69. I think that feet are gross.
70. I love popping people fingers and toes (only if they have clean socks on).
71. I got kicked out of a class in High School (permanently) for talking back to the teacher. (She was teaching about evolution and how we evolved blah blah and I said "I think your ancestor probably were apes, look at you!" she wasn't to happy about that).
72. I missed more classes in High School then I attended (not really, but I did sluff a lot).
73. My first boyfriends name was Jared, and I married a Jared. Not the same Jared.
74. I read stories to my kids for hours each day, and Morgan loves to go to the Library because their book and puzzle supplies are endless.
75. I have lots of shoes, but I wear the same 3 pairs.
76. I don't really have a favorite food. I'm not too picky.
77. I'm always up for trying new foods. You never know if you like until you've at least tried it.
78. I want my kids to be smart. I work with Morgan everyday on her alphabet, and I am pleased to say she knows and can identify all of the letters both lower and upper case.
79. I have never been very good at math.
80. I love playing sports, such as soccer, basketball, tennis, racquetball, volleyball etc. . .
81. I don't like watching sports. Especially football, I don't even understand the game and I have no desire to.
82. I have a dream of walking barefoot on a warm beach, in the moonlight, holding hands with Jared.
83. I have spent way too much time working on this post.
84. I love hiking.
85. Once when I was snowboarding for a date, I was boarding down the hill and I biffed it and my date biffed it right behind me and his snowboard hit me on the head. I was spitting blood the rest of the day.
86. I really want to go on a tropical cruise.
87. Jared is reading this so I'm hoping he will get the hint and take me.
88. I hate it when people read over my shoulder.
89. When I was younger me and my cousin would spend the night at my Grandma's house. We would get up to watch the price is right. We both said that some day we would be on that show. That is still something I would really like to do.
90. I lived with my in-laws for a month before Jared and I were married. As much as I love my in-laws it was a little weird.
91. I hate the office. I know there are lots of people out there that think its so funny, but I think it's stupid.
92. I don't like playing board games.
93. I really like soft serve ice cream.
94. I want to do something that makes a difference in someones life.
95. I hate it when I'm walking around in socks and I step in water. I hate wet socks.
96. I have TMJ. I don't really know what it stands for but I know I have it. Its some sort of jaw problem and it hurts. I have to wear a mouth guard at night, and sometimes during the day.
97. I love to listen to the rain on the roof. I love thunder and lightening storms.
98. I love my family more than anything.
99. I have a really bad habit of biting my fingernails. I am sure it is a big part of why I have TMJ.
100. I can't believe I just came up with 99 things about me, my brain hurts and I'm tired.

General Conference

As I have listened to the talks given by the Elders of the church, my heart has been touched. I love Conference and all the wonderful messages that are shared. It is a chance for me to reflect where I am at in life, and where I want to be. I am so grateful for the Restored Gospel and the part it plays in my life. How blessed we are to have such a wonderful organization, with God at its head. We are so blessed to have so many righteous and inspired men, to help direct this church. Every time we are privileged to hear their wonderful words of wisdom, I am given new convictions to be a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and neighbor.

As I was listening to the talks today, I was trying to think of a time when I knew the gospel was true. I couldn't think of one particular incidence, but I realized there has never been a time in my life when I have doubted the truthfulness of the gospel. I realized that I have always known and believed every aspect of the gospel. When our dear Prophet President Hinkley passed away, and Elder Monson was made the new president, I thought I would have a hard time making the adjustment. It seemed like no one would ever be as wonderful as Pres. Hinkley. Although Pres. Hinkley was truly an amazing prophet/man, Pres Monson is just as amazing. He is an inspired Prophet of God. He can do so much for our church, just as Pres. Hinkley has. I love and sustain our Prophet, President Monson, and look forward to the many years of his leadership and council. I hope that all of you were inspired and touched by this General Conference as I was.

"Clean up on isle 2"

This afternoon I was running errands, I drug the kids to a couple different stores. We were in Target, our final stop before home. I was pushing the cart down the isle, when suddenly I noticed my cart was leaking. I look up to find Morgan with a look on her face that says "ah oh!" Yeah ah oh is right. So all sorts of thoughts are running through my head like, do I grab her and run and try and find a bathroom, or do I just stand here and wait? . . . I just stood there waiting for her to finish, watching as her shoes fill up, silently praying that no one will walk by. It seemed to go FOREVER!. Finally when she finished her business I push the cart as fast as I can out of the store (without looking to obvious), once again praying that no one with notice that Morgan is drenched or that the cart is dripping. I walk past a cashier as I'm leaving and politely say "clean up on isle 2." By the time we get outside both of the kids are crying and I'm trying to get them to the car, when a sweet lady ask me if I could use some help, . . I thought to myself , do I look like I need help? Did she notice that Morgan is drenched in her own urine, or is it simply the fact that I'm trying to carry (almost dropping) two screaming kids?
That was my adventure of the day. It was a little stressful at the time, but someday I'm sure I will look back and laugh! I guess next time Morgan tells me she needs to go potty, I'll be sure and take her to the potty, RIGHT THEN!