4 Pocket Monsters

Been Lazy!

2010-10-07T17:03:00.000-07:00

Wow! Its been nine months since i've last updated this thing.. I think its time to start getting back into the habit of doing so!

Back in August my kids started school again, I can't believe how big they are getting! My little Paigey is in first grade, my Ethan boy a fifth grader, Ashlyn started middle school, and Aubrie is now in high school!! 10th grade I cannot believe that time has gone by so fast with these kids!

Ive been so caught up in work, sports, etc. Its always drive here, drive there! Lucky for me, Aubrie can drive now so i've been having her do so, and shes not that bad! Pretty soon she'll be 16 and I know there is already a list of handsome young men just waiting to take her on a date!

School is going good now for my kids. Ashlyn is no longer at Summit, and is at South Hills Middle, I must say thats the smartest decision I have ever made. Shes getting such great grades and everything.

Aubrie, my slacker, is doing amazing in school! On her mid-terms she had nothing below an A-.

I am so proud of all of them!

P.S. This post was written by Aubrie Blackburn...thus the uncapitalized letters!!

Look who is in the DOUBLE DIGITS!!

2010-04-19T07:34:00.000-07:00

My oh my...how time flies! My boy...my only boy...has turned 10 today. At 9:33 a.m. (mst) he will turn 10. I can't believe how fast it goes. Seems like only yesterday. Ethan has been such a joy. Can't imagine my life without him.

E- Enthusiastic...very passionate about stuff too...like his stories!
T-Tremedously smart. This kid can write a novel in about an hour. We have tons of stories!
H-Heartwarming. Very kind and loving...I love my hugs and kisses each day!
A-AWESOME....absolutely, no doubt about it! :)
N-Nice,neighborly, inviting, imaginative, ideal, caring, compassionate, embraceable....

Yes, I love my son!

Getting his BEAR badge!
Reading with Grandpa...one of his favorite things!

His cousin Dylan...he and Dylan have their futures planned together with college and all!

His favorite movie (YouTube Videos..I won't let him see the real thing yet!) He was Freddy Krueger for Halloween!

Dressed up in his uniform for school...the suspenders he needed for a play but BOY OH BOY, does he look like his Grandpa with those on!

Quick story to share about Ethan, (his teacher was in tears telling me this). At the beginning of the year, they were doing a read aloud in class for a play and the girl in front of him couldn't read very well, and his teacher forgot this. Well, Ethan stood behind the girl and told her the words in her ear and did it in a way that no one would notice, but his teacher did. Just a KIND HEARTED boy. I know great things will come from this boy of mine. I am so thankful he is one of my children. I love them all soooooo much!

HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY BUDBUD!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!

Ashlyn's 20th Century Performance

2010-04-15T19:30:00.000-07:00

Aubs and track

2010-04-14T11:42:00.001-07:00

Aubrie is on the track team at Riverton and she is doing great. She is running against Varsity in all her heats...she will be doing long jump today! I hope to get pics of that. She is spot on with all the other gals she is running with. She is VERY fast and I am so proud of her! She has really exceled and done great. Her grades are doing great. She is on the Honor Roll this month! SO EXCITED!! This trac team has been the motivation that she has needed. She also has a VERY wonderful Vice Principal at school who has really made a difference in her life. We thank you Mr. Stanley!

Go Aubs! :)

Happy 6th Birthday Paigey!

2010-04-07T05:16:00.000-07:00

My baby is 6...today I am sad! Why do they grow up so fast? They are really only with you a short time. I am glad that my life revolves around my them and that every minute is spent with my kids...darn, I even work at their school so that I can sneak in and get kisses and hugs! Paigey, you have blessed our lives. We love you very much!

6 YEARS OLD! WOW!

Christmas Fun!

2009-12-28T07:45:00.001-08:00

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Happy Holidays!

2009-12-15T20:04:00.000-08:00

So I am getting sick of seeing the Halloween blog. I don't have time for anything anymore. I have been working on all my Christmas gifts for work mates the past hour and a half. I am glad that I started making them early. It is a homemade Christmas. Sometimes those are the best gifts.

I am excited for a couple weeks of sleeping in (at least till 6:30 a.m.). I am also excited to just hang with my babies!

I love this time of year. I love the feelings you get of love and service. I love taking my kids shopping for Toys for Tots and I am so proud that they get so excited to do it each year.

This year Ethan has been involved in a Homeless Youth program, so he is collecting stuff for them. He wants me to use his Christmas money to buy stuff for these kids. That is the true meaning of Christmas.

At this Christmas time, I like to reflect on the birth of our Savior. I wish I could have been there to witness the star in the east. My favorite song is "O HOLY NIGHT". I love the feeling that song gives me.

I hope we all remember the true meaning of Christmas. I hope your days are merry and bright!

Halloween Halloween...TRICK OR TREAT!

2009-11-01T07:44:00.000-08:00

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Nothing new....

2009-09-21T14:11:00.000-07:00

Nothing new to blog about...other than, life has me down. WHY? You may ask. Just normal crap. Do you ever wish you could go back and change things? Why can't we just see the outcome of what we are doing when we are doing it? Make sense? Well it makes sense to me. So, here is what life has been dealing me:

If I didn't have my kids...I really wouldn't have anything to live for. Then where would I be? Well, not here...That is for sure!

Brie's Surgery!

2009-09-11T16:24:00.000-07:00

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First Days of School

2009-08-31T18:01:00.000-07:00

Ethan and Ashlyn started school on the 24th of August. Aubrie started on the 26th of August. Paigey started today, August 31. Now that I have all the pictures... I can finally share them!

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Friday (before school starts) fun!

2009-08-21T22:10:00.000-07:00

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Want to know?

2009-08-11T21:17:00.000-07:00

The Candy Factory

2009-08-06T15:26:00.001-07:00

We got invited to a candy tour a couple of weeks ago and couldn't go, so we went today. It was pretty fun. I really wanted to go and put my mouth under the streaming chocolate river. It looked so good. I can't say I would ever go do that tour again, only because, I don't think there would be anything new to see. But I am glad I went. Thanks Brit for the idea!

Do you have plenty of this?

2009-08-04T18:44:00.001-07:00

We love Zucchini, and thanks to Kathy's plentiful garden, we have enjoyed many dishes with it. I thought Iwould share with you a few things we have made that have been soo good.

1) Fried Zucchini..of course. Try coating it in Corn meal....it is so yummy.

2) Lasagna...yes Lasagna! I layer it with the the noodle, ricotta cheese, then the thin length wise slice of Zucchini and then the meat mixture. You can hardly tell the Zucchini is there!

3) Zucchini Spirals- cut the zucchini length wise and steam till transparent. Add your ricotta mixture, roll up and place in baking dish and top with your favorite spaghetti sauce. Serve over Orzo pasta, or Angel hair...so yum!

4) Zucchini fries. Cut into strips and coat in bread crumbs, drizzle with "EVOO" and bake! They aren't super crispy...but they are good!

5) Roasted Zucchini- mix with potato wedges, a chopped tomato and salt and pepper. Roast at 375 degrees for 40 minutes...soo good! You can also make it a little "unhealthy" by adding chopped bacon and it will cook up and coat your potatoes in yummy bacon fat goodness!

6) Fettucini- just add with your white sauce....very good!

7) Stuffed Zucchini- Scoop the insides out. In a bowl mix with one egg, salt, pepper to taste, and tomato sauce. Top with bread crumbs, or panko crumbs and bake.

Of course you can make Zucchini bread....but that I am not a big fan of!

Can you tell I am bored. I love Zucchini...keep it coming Kathy!

Summer...bummer?

2009-07-31T13:44:00.000-07:00

We have hardly done ANYTHING this summer! I feel so lazy. The only thing I have done, is waste gas driving back and forth from classes in Lehi and doctor's appointments. I am trying to get all that stuff done since it's almost impossible to do once school is in! We have had fun swimming and playing outside. Here is Paige at the pool. She is CRAZY in the water. She is not afraid of anything. I ended up swimming with her and we had lots of fun!

Today was the last day of Ashlyn's golf camp. She was the only girl on her team, so she won alot of balls and a really cool watch. She was the "best girl MVP" and got a cool pair of binoculars. Here she is waiting for the BBQ and awards to start. They had yucky hamburgers. I just ate the Doritos. My other kids had fun though...they love free food!

Here is Ashlyn with her instructor, Tim. Telly had to leave. She had a lot of fun. She is pretty good at it too. I just wish her dad would take her golfing. I guess Mom needs to learn to golf!

There is less than a month left until school. I go back on the 10th for Training. I am hoping to plan some fun afternoon activities with the kids before then. They grow so fast. I love my babies soooo much!

Jealous?

2009-07-30T11:50:00.000-07:00

This is what I am wearing for the next 24 hours....Jealous? It's annoying. I might have PVC. They also might be taking me off my meds....that would be nice, but worries me! Oh Well! Tis life! OHHHHH...they also said NO MORE CAFFEINE! What will I do? Luckily, I am not addicted to the caffeine, just the soda. I like caffeine free diet pepsi!

The Lamb and the Lion

2009-07-28T15:47:00.000-07:00

By looking at this picture, who would you think is the Lamb and the Lion? You guessed it. It's the cute little kitten, Lillers. I call him "Lillers the Killer". He is always instagating situations and kicking KitKat out of his food and water. They constantly wrestle. It is quite entertaining at times. This cat can jump 3 feet into the air too!

This is for you Kathy!

2009-07-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

This year I thought it would be fun to see if I could grow anything. I definately need to make a bigger garden next year, but I was testing out my green thumb. I planted a tomato plant because Paigey loves tomatoes. This has got to be the biggest plant I have ever seen. You would think with the size of it that Pace Salsa would be contacting me for some tomatoes. NO! On this BIG HUGE PLANT there are only a couple of tomatoes and they have been green forever! My neighbors is HALF THE SIZE and has TONS of red delicious tomatoes. Can someone tell me what I have done wrong? Ashlyn planted carrots. I don't think those will make it to full size since the girls keep eating them. We grew sweet peas and those are scarce. What ones do sprout are quickly eaten. Then, I planted a yellow squash. The plant is small and lame and just now I noticed a tiny little squash growing. I am hoping that next year Rob will make me a spot in the back yard to do a garden and maybe I will be able to be more successful!
(click on picture to see how big)
The HUGE tomato plant...with nothing to show for!

Scout Camp and Wyoming

2009-07-26T19:14:00.000-07:00

We have been very busy. Last week Ethan had scout camp for 2 days. He had a lot of fun. He said that he built more confidence in himself for which I am proud of him. I am always proud of him. But he was trying things outside his comfort zone which was huge for him. Ethan always looks at everything analytically and thinks about the outcome of what could happen...should something go wrong. I love that about him but it makes it so he doesn't try very many things. On Friday, Pioneer Day, we went to Wyoming for a family get together. It was fun. As always, it is always awkward between some of the cousins and by the time it is time to leave, they are getting along great! Go figure. We did fireworks since you can do them all the time up there and Rob had a blast doing the kind you only see at shows here in Utah! And, Ethan got to ride a horse all by himself! All in all...it was a great weekend!

Make a Smilebox photobook

Chef Ethan

2009-07-20T15:37:00.000-07:00

Today I let Ethan make some cupcakes by himself. We all love S'mores in this family so, S'mores Cupcakes they were! Ethan did everything. I was so proud of him. He definately wants to be a chef when he is older, along with being a "Coca Cola" man and a "Video Game" programer...but Ethan is so smart, I am sure he can do all the things he wants to do!

Grinding up the graham crackers

Pressing them into the muffin pan

Adding the eggs carefully

looks good!

Putting the batter in the cupcake liners

They're out and almost done

You make a hole to add the next yummy ingredient....

Marshmallow Fluff...so yummy!

The Chocolate Ganache that goes on top...milk chocolate Guittard chips...HEAVEN!

The finished project! They are so good too. Great job Ethan. I am proud of you!

How do you take a family picture?

2009-06-30T20:37:00.000-07:00

You put it on Self Timer and RUN as FAST AS YOU CAN!

Oquirrh Mountain Temple tour

2009-06-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

Today we got to go to the Open House at the new temple. It is very pretty inside. Very modernized. I couldn't believe it. Such a different feeling from other temples I have been in.

This is Moroni. He was struck by lightning on the 13th of June. His arm and face are all black. I learned that all statues have a lightening rod on the top just in case stuff like this happens. He will be re-gilded before the dedication.

Front look of it. It is cloudly in Utah...again!

Aubrie was in Idaho so she didn't get to go. Here are the other kids.

Sometimes I like to get in a picture or two with the kids. Too bad Ashy had to take this.

All in all, it was a nice experience. It definately feels much more reverent w/o babies crying, people talking loud, being boisterous, murmuring...yes...murmuring. It never stops. Why even go huh? Anyways, nice to be in the Temple with my kids. Paige especially loved the cookie and water at the end!

Paigey pie

2009-06-06T11:04:00.000-07:00

Scaredy Cat!

2009-05-27T16:57:00.000-07:00

A Bike Ride

2009-05-18T17:51:00.000-07:00

So, Paigey loves riding her bike and yesterday I decided to see what would happen if I took of the training wheels...well...she took right off. No problem at all. She kept her balance and all. As if she has been riding for a long time! Way to go Paigey!

The Park with the Cousins!

2009-05-11T14:05:00.001-07:00

No work or school today! We got to go to the Park with our cousins. It was fun! It was windy...but the weather was beautiful! It makes me excited for Summer!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T12:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to my favorite Mom's!

My beautiful grandma who I miss so much!

My mom, who I love so much!

And my beautiful GRANDMA GILBRIDE!!! You are awesome and I love you!

Thanks for all you do!

Ethan and his WOLF!!

2009-05-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

Hooray! Ethan has received his WOLF in the Cub Scouts Program. He just started Cub Scouts in January. Since we were moving so much, I didn't get him in a troop. He has received his BOBCAT and WOLF in a matter of 4 months! WAY TO GO ETHAN! He is already thinking what his Eagle Scout Project is gonna be. I hope time doesn't go that fast!

Here is Ethan pinning my WOLF pin on me. I got this really cool necklace at the Boy Scout store to put all my pins on! ( wish I would have thought it up!) Not to say, the BADGE magic stuff is wonderful. Peel and stick your badges on! How cool is that!

Here is Ethan with his leader, Sis. Powell. I love this lady! She helped him get his BOBCAT and WOLF all from starting the program in January! I am sad he is moving up and won't be with her anymore! (Sniff sniff)

Here is Ethan with his WOLF hat on. I love the Pack Meetings. I have learned so many fun "cheers". They do a great job! And the games they think up are so fun!

Here is Ethan, Paige and I. We love you Ethan! We are so proud of you!

Primary Children's Hospital!

2009-04-30T19:58:00.000-07:00

So on Monday, Paigey got her Kindergarten shots. They were all boosters, so I didn't hesitate getting them all at once for her. Well, the next morning, her leg looked awful deformed. It looked like a muscle had ruptured or something. Then the redness started. It started out at a nickle size and just continued to progress. By the time I got her to the doctor on Tuesday, the stupid doctor there told me that it could be "Necrotizing Fasciitis" and that she could lose her limb. She told me this in front of my kids! So the lovely doctor just sent me home saying "if the redness goes beyond these lines, come back in". Well, Wednesday she woke up and it was still spreading. Called the Dr's office again and told them that I didn't want to see that other doctor (mine was off that day). I ended up seeing a very good doctor and she sent me up to PMC. I thought I was only gonna be there for a couple of hours. It turned into a 24 hour stay. They had to admit Paigey to the RAPID TREATMENT UNIT. They still couldn't tell me what was wrong with her, but ended up with the diagnosis of "Cellulitis". This is caused from bacteria entering the shot area. So, here is my question....I wonder if I can sue the doctor's office for not cleaning the area properly? Anyways, here are some pictures from our stay. They were absolutely wonderful there. And yes, there was PURE PANDAMONIUM with the Swine Flu. The ER was PACKED! I am just so happy that she is doing better!

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Oh Paige.....

2009-04-26T16:49:00.000-07:00

So today Paige went to church. I didn't attend so when she got home I asked her what she learned about. She said she "learned about when Joseph Smith was in his bed and visited by a fairy...or was it a butterfly". It was so funny! Just had to share "out of the mouth of babes"!

HAPPY 9th BIRTHDAY MY BOY!

2009-04-19T13:08:00.000-07:00

Today is Ethan's 9th birthday! Where has the time gone? It has gone way too fast. He is such a great kid! We are so lucky to have him in our family. We love you Ethan!

E-Extraordinarily SMART !

T-Thankful and thoughtful!

H-Handsome!

A-Awesome, of course!

N-Nice and cuddly!

Thank you Grandma Gilbride

2009-04-18T18:22:00.001-07:00

Hi Grandma...the kids just want to thank you for the birthday cards. Sorry I haven't called...I will probably end up calling after I write this. Life has been hectic. Work, broken car, work, softball, school reports...etc. but I want EVERYONE who reads this to know what an AMAZING GREAT GRANDMA and GRANDMA you are. You are sweet, kind, generous and loving. I am so blessed that I am able to call you GRANDMA and have you in my life! LOVE YOU LOTS AND LOTS!!! We all love you LOTS AND LOTS!!!

Ashlyn's State Fair

2009-04-15T19:41:00.000-07:00

Ashlyn had a State Fair at School. This was a big report. She had several weeks to do it and I am ashamed to say that she waited almost to the last minute. Did I help her? I confess....I helped her get everything together...although she did the work. The report was on IOWA. I know alot about Iowa now...but don't want to visit! It was fun though!

Sitting in front of her Tri-Fold

Ashlyn's Tri-Fold

Ashlyn with a sample of the "food of Iowa" Cornbread. Since they harvest lots of corn...the eat tons of this!

This was the State Float...so cute!

Another picture of the float!

Here is Ashlyn and her friend Marisa. They both have broken arms! One red and the other blue!!! Good Job Ashlyn!

Easter in St. George!

2009-04-13T16:23:00.000-07:00

Well...I put my fears of hitting another deer aside...and packed up the car with the kids and headed to St. George! The kids hadn't seen their grandparents in a while. It was fun to visit. We got to see old friends and neighbors! Aubrie got to see her best friend when she was little...Lindsay. We saw Aunt Jeri, the Easter Bunny and Aunt Teresa. We had yummy food. I am glad we went. The weather was nice. It rained...to be expected when a Blackburn goes somewhere! I just love Easter. Candy...food...candy and of course...the meaning of it all! Too bad their Church was "Starve and tell your story day". I wish it would have been a Easter program or something! Oh well..hope you had a great Easter too!

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Happy 5th Birthday Paigey!!

2009-04-07T19:37:00.000-07:00

Well, the past 5 years have seemed to go so fast. It is unfair how fast it goes! All my kids are grown up...I will never have a 4 year old again...no more diapers, no more waking up every 3 hours to feed. WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE? Well, Paige had her birthday today. Pancakes for dinner. McDonalds for lunch. Spaghetti for dinner. Cake for dessert. A scooter for a present! OH, and funny thing she did today. She whistled at a guy at Walmart. You know the "woo woooo" whistle! He said he didn't know whether to be flattered or embarrassed! Too cute. I look forward to many more adventures like that!!

P-Perfect in every way (some days more than others!)
A- Always smiling
I- Incredibly Smart
G-Generous and GORGEOUS
E-Extremely a wonderful daughter!

Happy Birthday Paige! We look forward to another exciting year as you will be starting Kindergarten soon....sniff sniff!

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Scary moment!

2009-04-07T13:45:00.000-07:00

So yesterday, I was coming home at 8:15 p.m. from getting my hair done...when....BOOM! A deer runs out in front of me and smashes my new car! Now, pretty depressing. I was scared "shitless". Sorry for the word, but that best describes it! There was ABSOLUTELY nothing I could do. By the time I saw the dang animal, it was in my headlights. Nonetheless, he most likely got up and ran away. He caused a few thousand dollars damage to my new car! But, good thing we have insurance. Everyone says's it could have been worse. I just wish it didn't happen. Now, we are waiting for insurance approval and to the body shop she goes! Yes...there is still hair STUCK to my bumber! But I am ok and people say my hair "looks great!"

Paigey's Party!

2009-04-04T20:38:00.000-07:00

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Do you have one of these?

2009-03-30T18:08:00.001-07:00

A BUBBLE Monster! Be careful next time you take a bath!!!!

School Days

2009-03-24T16:49:00.000-07:00

Today at school was funny! The kids make me laugh. During group, we were in a small breakout room. Well, we were doing very well when...all of a sudden...someone just passes gas! A very, very foul smell. We don't have any ventilation in this room. We can't open the door because we are in another teacher's room and we would be too loud. Everyone but one kid is covering their nose...some are gagging. There is a cute little boy in there, (Cannon). He was very doing so great at answering questions when all of a sudden...the smell hits him. He looks at me about to cry (or throw-up) and says "Teacher Miss Kristen---that smell is gonna make me so sick". It was so funny. We all had to plug our noses (except the one child) for about 5 minutes! It was nasty! The smell appeared later in our classroom. It wasn't so bad in there because the room is bigger. He looked at me and said "can you smell it again". It was funny! I am glad that kids can pass gas and not care what other's think. It reminded me of the bumper sticker that says, "what would happen in the whole world farted at once". Well, that ONE child let me know what would happen! We would all DIE!

4 Pocket Monsters?

2009-03-22T19:52:00.000-07:00

You can pat Ethan on the back for the new name of my blog. After all, aren't all kids little monsters? And what better way to name them, then to give some credit to Pokemon? "Pocket Monsters" is the "Pokemon" name in Japan. Ethan is a HUGE fan!!

Well...another week...another dollar!

Can you say "DUH?"

2009-03-17T20:37:00.000-07:00

So, I told Ashlyn NOT to wear Aubrie's rollerblades because she could get hurt...well...here is what happened to her! Do you think this was her "aha" moment?

Again...back for another roll!

2009-03-17T17:04:00.000-07:00

Well, we disappeared because our lives are boring....but...my kids said we needed to get back on the blog! Also, want my grandma to be able to see what boring lives we lead! Right now, I am off to see if Ashlyn broke her arm....hmmm. Wish she would have listened to me when I told her not to wear the roller blades!