cool sites

I discovered some cool websites today and wanted to pass them on. The first is for all of us that love lists. You can go to this site and click on a pre-made list before you travel. They have ones for camping, the beach, or international travel. Very cool.

The second is thebathroomdiaries.com The funny thing about this one is that just last night a group of us were talking about bathroom conditions in other countries. Never fear. With this website you can take a list of the nicer bathrooms with you and always know where to go.

vayama.com is a new website committed to bringing you the lowest price for international travel. I checked it out and it did seem to have some good deals.

the last site and my favorite is homeandabroad.com Here you can choose a destination and pick an itinerary. It is really fun. Chris and I are planning a trip to Puerto Rico next Summer. I loved one of the itineraries on there and may even use it. Tons of great ideas.

freshandvintage FAV

I have to take a moment and tell you about my girlfriend Eva. We grew up together in Coos Bay, graduated from high school together, went to BYU together, had our first children days apart, and sewed our first halloween costumes together. For me, the sewing of the Halloween costume is a funny memory. I remember Eva having to help me every step of the way. She has since gone on to become a major fashion designer and creator of a children's clothing line. It's her very own and called freshandvintage or FAV. (correct me Eva if I have any of this wrong). She sells on Ebay and you have got to check her out. Her newest auction is this. And this. She also recently started designing fabrics for Joel Dewberry. She was featured on the Oprah Winfrey show and since then her business has gotten very busy. I love you Eva. I'm so happy for you and that you are doing what you love.

lesson learned

My children (the youngest two mostly) have been bugging me since the first day of summer vacation to have a lemonade stand. I've been able to put them off mostly because of being busy or the weather. I didn't think sales would be very good when it's raining. Why do you ask am i so loathing of the childhood dream of a lemonade stand? Because it becomes MY project. Yeah, i am a bit selfish. I know this. As much as they say they "will do it all" I know that I will end up with a lot of the work. I put it off as long as possible but since school starts Tuesday I let them do it yesterday. They were so excited but their happiness quickly went away when they couldn't move the small table to the front of the house. I stomped out to the yard, slamming the screen door behind me saying,"see girls, I end up doing this for you! I'm busy canning and don't have time for this" This was followed by them needing help making the lemonade, needing help finding change for customers etc. I know you are cringing reading this. I can be a terrible mom at times! When it was all said and done they had made $6. Not bad for a quiet road in the middle of the day. I was immediately humbled when upon running into the house to show me their money they said quite breathless, "We got more money than we thought for the kids that need clothes and toys." Ahhhh.....yes, I felt so bad for not being more helpful and kind about the whole thing. Their intention right from the start was to do this and earn money for a primary activity they are doing at church. They are bringing in loose change and it is going to buy clothes and toys for children in need. My heart melted and I gave them big hugs. Please forgive me girls. I will be more helpful next time. No matter what your intent.

NOVEMBER 7TH

For about 18 years now I've been rearranging my life around this date. Nothing is allowed to happen on that evening. Nothing that can't be delegated to my husband, canceled or rescheduled. It's the night of the CMA awards. A big night for country music enthusiasts like me. It's the academy awards of country music. One of my favorite categories to watch is the Horizon award. Winners in the past include the Dixie Chicks, Sara Evans and Kenny Chesney. This year two of my favorites are nominated. Kellie Pickler who was an american idol contestant (listen to Red High Heels) , and Little Big Town (listen to boondocks or good as gone) who just has so much energy they are so fun to watch and listen to. As for entertainer of the year? I think Brad Paisley deserves it this year. He has had an incredible year. To see the complete list of nominations click here.

fun at the beach

Emma, Oscar, Sabrina, Makenzie, Samantha, Heidi
grandpa Jay, Antonio, grandma Ladda

We got back yesterday from spending 4 nights at the beach. A big thanks to my dad for setting everything up. It was such a nice treat. The girls had a great time with their cousins. We went to Mossy Creek Pottery which is one of my favorite places. And also to Alderhouse glass where we watched them make a lamp shade from start to finish.

We had fun playing games together......

Chris, Makenzie, Emma, Heidi and Oscar playing Pente

Shopping along the streets of Lincoln city was fun for everyone and I think everyone found something they couldn't live without. We also spent time every day down on the beach where the kids buried each other and played in the water.


And flew kites....

The crab shack on hwy 101

The trip wouldn't have been complete without pulling legs from a fresh cooked crab and sucking the meat out! Yumm!!!!!


I loved the view and sound of the ocean from my bedroom. I slept with the window cracked open every night so I could hear the ocean as I fell asleep.

what I did today

I was woken up early today by a phone call from the principal at a school I applied at. I was excited to find out that I had an interview later that morning. I quickly got all the paperwork done for the application and headed out for my interview. My interview went great and I'm waiting to hear if I got the job. It's as a special education assistant in a kindergarten class.

When I got home I had 42 lbs. of peaches waiting to have something done with them. I also had blackberries. I ended up spending the rest of the day canning. I got 9 quarts of peaches, 4 pints of peach jam, 2 half pints of peach jam, 2 pints of smooth peach jam (emma doesn't like chunks or seeds) 1 half pint of smooth peach jam, 3 pints of peach freezer jam and 4 pints of seedless blackberry jam.

To get the chunks and seeds out I use a contraption called a squeezo. It's super easy to assemble and wash. The girls had a fun time feeding the fruit into it and turning the handle. The juice runs out one side and the peels and seeds run out the other side. It's much easier than a lot of other ways of doing it.

I'm tired. But I have to go wash the sticky goo off my arms because I'm not too tired to go to the movies tonight. Which is what I'm gonna do!

Blackberry Cobbler

Each summer when I take that first bite of blackberry cobbler and feel that sweet/tartness in my mouth I immediately think of my childhood. When I was a child my mom's sister, Auntie Pat would come visit us in the summer from Utah. The main reason for her visit to Oregon, besides to see her sisters, would be to make as much blackberry jam as is humanly possible in a week! My mom and auntie pat would pack all of us cousins down to the far end of the cow pasture to pick ripe, juice drippin' down your arms, blackberries. We all hated it! We weren't allowed to leave until every bowl in the house had been filled! We would complain and whine the whole time. But that afternoon as the house smelled with the aroma of jam cooking on the stove we would feel like we were in heaven. I do think that will be what my heaven will smell like. We were allowed to eat the foam that my mom would meticulously scrape from the top of the cooked jam. We would slather it on homemade pieces of bread along with homemade butter. Looking back I feel like I grew up in a different world. Homemade bread? Maybe once every two years in this house. But I can make my mom's cobbler. And I do.

2 cups blackberries
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter

combine sugar, flour, milk and melted butter. Stir until smooth. Pour into greased square baking pan. sprinkle blackberries on top. Cook at 350 for 30-40 minutes.

book club

Last night was book club. I had so much fun like always. I am so grateful to each one of these ladies in my life. We live all over the place but once a month we all know we can count on a good time of catching up. Last night I was sitting there listening to the conversations and thinking how great it is that we can get together and talk about things that are important to us and some things that aren't so important. I feel very relaxed when we are all together and I know it's because I can completely be myself. My life is made better because of the things I learn from each of you. I know I'm being sentimental but I'm good at that!

Merilee- You are such a gorgeous person inside and out. I know that sounds cliche but it's true. You have a true sense of goodness about you.
Amy- I'm so happy that you moved back here. We wouldn't have re-started book club if you hadn't of moved back. Thank goodness we have you to keep us informed.
Aundrea- You are hilarious. You keep all of us laughing until 2am. Last night you said you were a loyal friend and it's true. I know I could count on you for anything.
Jodi- I'm so glad I've gotten to know you. You are so fun and have a beautiful smile. You make people feel comfortable around you right from the beginning. Thanks for having us last night.
Alissa- You are probably the strongest person I know. I admire you so much. You have such an incredible amount of faith.
Katie- I love your laugh. You are such a good sister and aunt. It inspires me to do more for my nephews.


When the core of our group moved a few years ago I didn't think I would ever have those great book club nights again. I'm so glad we re-started when Amy moved back And now we have new faces and new lives to torture! We missed a few of you last night. I hope I see you next month at Jen S' home.

Are you missing these?

For a few days this week I smelled something yucky in my car. Each day when I would get in my car it got progressively worse. I finally pinpointed the smell and realized it smelled like a pair of wet underwear. After looking for a few minutes I found the smell. Wrapped tightly in a wal-mart bag was a pair of boys boxer briefs. I have no idea how they got there! I have all girls. The only thing I can think of is that there was another mini-van just like mine parked two down from mine at cheerleading on Monday night. Someone must have put their boy's wet underwear in MY car thinking it was THEIR car. So if these belong to you give me a ring.

Happy Birthday Makenzie

Happy Thoughts

* The nurse bringing you to me in the hospital from the nursery. You hated being wrapped so tight.
* Packing you to my classes at BYU when you were only 3 weeks old, sitting in the back in case you cried but you never did.
* Many trips in the car and you would just sleep. You are still the best traveler in the bunch.
* weekly trips to chuck E cheese with all your friends at age 2 and 3
* spending the summer at 7 peaks in provo just you and me.
* Your first day of pre-school at Albany First Christian. You were so cute with that back pack.
* Seeing you walk into primary for the first time and waving goodbye to me.
* Taking violin lessons in first grade, hating it, but still being so dang good.
* Watching you play soccer. You are such an incredible goalie.
* Seeing you and Nana together. She loves you so much
* I love that you love country music even though you won't admit it.
* Getting into ACMA even though it was so much work.
* Finishing a year at ACMA even though it was so much work.
* You are accepting of all people no matter their differences.
* I'm in awe of how you can play the piano with no musical training.
* You always would rather spend time with family.
* Singing a solo for your 5th grade talent show. You were so nervous but great.
* Seeing your art projects
* Your beautiful cake decorating
* You are respectful towards adults.
* You love the gospel
* You are such a great eater. I can always count on you to eat anything I give you and not complain.
* You love dark chocolate.
* You don't take the things you have for granted.
* You understand when we say we don't have money for something, and don't complain about it.
* And finally.....not minding eating your birthday dinner alone while dad was at school and I shuttled girls to cheerleading and took Emma to soccer. You were so happy to just have your favorite dinner I made for you before I left.

I love you Makenzie. Thank you for 13 years of parent-hood.

lesson on reverence

Today in Relief we had a lesson on reverence by Bishop Johnsen. It was really good and I went home with my handout ready to do our weekly family home evening on that very topic. Our lesson went something like this:

Darilyn: Today we had a lesson on reverence in Relief Society. The bishop taught it and I wanted to share some of it with you.

Heidi: Can I show you some of my cheers now?

Darilyn: Not yet Heidi, in a little bit. What are some of the things we SHOULDN'T do during sacrament meeting?

Emma: stick your tongue out at each other.

Chris: yeah that's good

Heidi: (while jumping up and down) not do kung fu moves like this (she then proceeds to show us)

Makenzie: Heidi, you don't do it like that you do it like this. She then goes over and get's into a martial arts combat with Heidi.

Chris: Girls sit down your mother is trying to teach you about reverence.

Heidi: lays on the couch moaning, "when can I do my cheers?"

Darilyn: After our lesson,
will you read this scripture Emma?

Chris: Heidi sit up and pay attention

Heidi: When will the reverence lesson be over?

We did get through the lesson and it ended up being pretty good. I just had to share how crazy it started.

missing genetic trait

Today when I was in Target and my cell phone rang I sighed, reached for the phone and answered it. Not because I knew it was my oldest daughter calling me but the reason I knew she was calling me: "Mom, Emma hit me. Can you come home RIGHT now?" I put the phone away in my purse...it rings. "Hello?" Emma through tears says, "Mom, Makenzie kicked me really hard." I was heading to the register to check out when I got these calls so soon I was on my way home. On the way my thoughts were that, unlike MY mother, I don't have eyes in the back of my head. Do you remember your mom saying that to you when you were a kid? I do and I somehow missed that genetic trait. I HATE IT when they come running to me saying that one of their sisters hit them. Because in our house there will always be another story. Who do you believe? I have to take both of them at their word and they both get consequences. If I had that missing pair of additional eyes then I wouldn't miss all the stuff they seem to hide from me. But then again, maybe I don't want to see it.

pp. 190-192 of Eclipse

Edward Cullen is the absolute best! This is the most romantic part of the three books yet! My heart was leaping out of my chest and it's too late to call anyone and talk to them about this part of the book so I had to put it right here. Okay...now back to reading. It's getting really late but I can't put it down.

more musings

After the ceremony at the wedding there was a moment when the parents each said something to Sara and Lucien. After they were done anyone could stand up and say something if they wished. Micah (Sara's brother) stood up and said the one thing he learned while traveling the past 18 months was how important family was. And how great it is that you can go home to them. I agree with that as I'm sure all of you out there do as well. There is nothing like our families. They bring us our greatest joys as well as our greatest sorrows. I'm so grateful not only for my husband and children but also for my extended family. My cousins who are like siblings to me (because we grew up that way) and for my aunts and uncles who would do anything for me as I would do for them as well. I love that I can call any of my aunts at anytime and stay with them at a moment's notice. While at Sara's wedding I realized that Chris' family has become just as dear to me. I was soo incredibly happy to see Micah after a year and a half. And to meet his beautiful girlfriend. I fell in love with my nephews, Connor and Ian during the past week as we went camping and to the wedding. I truly wished they lived closer. I also love meeting my friends' families and being allowed a corner of space with their lives. We really are all connected in this great big world.

Okay I know my links down below aren't working. I guess I haven't figured out how to do them yet. sorry

Whata Weekend continued

After getting home at 2 in the morning I had to get up a few hours later to get ready for Chris' sister's wedding. I quickly showered and then Emma and I took off to get pedicures. This was a treat, something I rarely do and it was WONDERFUL. Emma loved it. She had a grin on her face the entire time. When we got back home we scrambled to finish getting ready and then we were off for Eugene. Sara and Lucien have been together for 10 years. They met in high school and have been together ever since. They are a great couple and we were all so happy when they decided to get married. The wedding was amazing. It was held at a small vineyard in Cheshire Oregon. The setting was gorgeous, the weather perfect and everyone had such a great time. I've never seen Sara look so beautiful. We arrived at 4, the wedding was at 5 and we stayed until the sun went down. After the ceremony there was a dinner catered by Holy Cow. It was amazing. I told Chris I wish I could come up with a really good reason to have them cater something for me. EVERYTHING was organic and beautiful and tasted so good. My favorite thing was this giant salad bowl they had. It was on a table by itself with several dressings to choose from as well as garden fresh cucumbers and bell peppers. Check out the bowl it was in. Below is a picture of the girls with their uncle Ross. He got home 2 weeks ago from his mission and they are so happy to have him home.

Whata Weekend

I've had the most incredible weekend. On friday Merilee and I drove to Sweet Home to the Oregon Jamboree. Although there were other performers at this event we only cared about the man in black. And no I'm not talking about Johnny Cash. I'm talking about Dierks Bentley. He has an amazing voice and he's not bad looking either. I love his music and I'm a devoted fan. Merilee decided (and I agreed) that our #1 goal for the evening was to get a picture with Dierks. I of course wholeheartedly agreed while inside my head I was thinking it was a long shot. You see this isn't Merilee's and I's first Dierks Bentley concert. It's our third, and we had been unsuccessful the previous two concerts. Although the first concert we could have gotten a picture if we HAD a camera with us. When we got there we found my cousin Kathy (thanks kax! ) and we found our seats she had saved for us. While Dierks was performing we moved up some on the side but got kicked out of that section. That is another whole story but I'm just going to tell you about AFTER the concert. The concert ends and we are hanging around, hanging around, watching them tear the stage apart. Dierks never comes out! We can see his tour bus through the gate but there is security everywhere. After about 40 minutes of hanging around after the place has cleared out we decide we will have to find another way in. So we walk out of the grounds and down a road into an area where motor homes are parked for people that are camping. Now we have one fence between us and nobody watching us. Merilee wanted to scale the fence but I wouldn't do it. It was one of those temporary fences and I know it would have toppled over when I attempted to climb it. So we leave the motor home area and to the right we see an opening in the secure gated area. Someone didn't close it all the way when they drove through it. So we just walk walk walk walk and next thing we know we are inside. The security guards were having a meeting in a tent right beside us so we walk along the fence behind some motor homes and then nonchalantly over to dierks' bus. He has three buses and we decided to stand between the two farthest from the security people. Seconds later the door of the bus opens and out walks Dierks with a member of his band. We ask him for a picture and he gives us one. Mission Accomplished.

Indian Mary

When I was a little girl growing up my best friend Tonya and another friend of ours would go to Indian Mary every summer to go camping. They would come home and I'd have to hear about how fun it was and how they couldn't wait until next summer. I always wanted to go too. I felt so jealous. I'm so blessed to have married into a rafting family. Because of that it has led to our own families' summer tradition of spending 3 days camping at Indian Mary. We camp for 2 nights and raft the rogue river 2 days. It's so much fun. I love hearing every year on the way home "when do we get to go again?" I mentioned the other day to my friend Tonya (we are still very close ) that we were going to Indian Mary soon. She said she was jealous that I get to go. HA!. I laughed at how life works. I'm so glad that my children get to experience the magic of Indian Mary now.

This year Chris' mom wanted all of her children there. So Chris' sister Melissa and her family flew out from Salt Lake, Cameron flew in from Minnesota, Aunt sue flew in from L.A. and Ross just got home from his mission two weeks ago. Two of his siblings couldn't make it. We missed you Micah and Matt! His sister Sara came for the day on Monday and rafted with us. It was fun spending time with everyone.

This year we also got to go rafting with our friends the Camerons. Merilee even got me to jump off a cliff! Last year I climbed up there to jump, looked down and chickened out. This year I couldn't chicken out because she jumped. I still wasn't as brave as she was because I went down to a lower ledge. But I DID IT!

my jump

Emma and grandpa Scott at Rainie Falls