Dr.? Dr. Who?

So I had to take this chance to be all braggy about my family. Well, not my WHOLE family but one in particular that has made a bit of a name for himself. My eldest brother Justin (pictured in the top center) has just gotten the green light to officially add the title of "Doctor" to his name. I swell with pride even though he won't hear me utter that title to him unless it is in some sort of sarcastic manner. Now, with this title he is not able to help the sick. That task will still be designated to myself or my sister with our nursing degrees. HOWEVER, if you need a bridge built or a structure tested to make sure the foundation will hold strong when a 5.8 earthquake hits...he's your man. My brother, the civil engineer with his shiney new Phd will now be moving his family to Auburn University to teach others with his doctery skills. Good job, bro. Much love.

Oh Christmas Tree

Every year my above average Joe tries to convince me that we should buy a fake tree. Every year he gets rebuffed. I remember as a kid always going to pick out and cut down our tree as a family and I plan on keeping that tradition alive for my kids. Yes, I know it's more work for my poor pack mule to haul the tree home, up the stairs and into the perfect standing position to please me but the smell that fills the house is SO worth it. As a youngster I remember watching my parents debate over the merits of certain trees. My mom always like the tall lean trees and my dad believed the fatter the better. I have joined both my parents likes and really enjoy tall fat trees. The pickins were a bit more slim this year than in years past so this year we have a bit shorter but fatter tree. My dad will be so proud.
This is was we started with. I put on the lights all by myself because it's easier that way. I have both white and color lights for the tree. Then the decoration crew came in to help out.
Now I know that as a mother I will not be able to decorate my tree to my perfect taste until I send them all off to college so I am just happy that they will have these memories of making their Christmas tree all pretty.

I have the simple ornaments that are very child friendly and I have some cute memorable ones as well. I also have the glass/plastic ornaments as well and had deep, resonating fear that Garrin would break all of them as soon as he could get his hands on them. Garrin has broken one of those ornaments but it was purely by accident so I'm not as worried anymore.

Garrin was really good about actually putting the ornaments on the tree. Of course, he couldn't quite master hanging them so they more just "set" on the limbs. And he prefers the "bundled" look of the ornaments so there are about 10 just sitting in this one little spot of my tree, but I think it adds some character. Everyday I take a few out and hang them again and every day he gets them off and lays them back where they belong. There are always a few stray ornaments on the table or on the floor but I'm not nearly as worked up about it as I thought I might be. In the end the boys did a great job and now they are just so excited to see some presents under there! Merry Christmas, everyone.

OBX 2008

Since a picture is worth a thousand words I will simply leave these many pictures to show you how much fun we all had on our vacation. I loved seeing my family and spending time with new friends doing things that we rarely get to do. I hope everyone had a lovely holiday as well.

ps. each poster may only use one crack about me in a wet suit!

These pictures are of us in Blacksburg VA where we spent a few days with my bro and his clan before returning home to UT.

The Secret

Alright, ladies. I'm gonna tell you the big secret. If you really don't care about who wins the "Holy War" such as myself here's what you do...YOU PLAN A VACATION FOR THANKSGIVING! I did it and all the poor men in my family must now suffer through the indignation of missing this life changing event for time spent on the beach. I know, I'm a cruel heartless woman that obviously does not think of others needs but ya know what? We're gonna have so much fun I don't care what kind of numbers are up on a score board. I'm more interested in how many waves my son, hubby and I can catch on our body boards!

We will be flying out tomorrow to the fabulous east coast (Outer Banks for anyone who wants to know) and will be staying there for almost two weeks. Plan to hear little to nothing from me while there and then be bombarded by pictures and stories of our awsome adventures when we return...

Enjoy the game while I will be enjoying this...

Clincally speaking

Alright, I have made it through 3 shifts of clinicals, a skills day and a week of 10 hour days listening to lectures. I am now qualified to take some tests. My classroom final must be done soon so that I can send in paperwork (and money) to the state that tells the powers to be that I want to take MORE TESTS!

It seems a never ending process...but I will prevail!

March of the Penguins

I am a bit late with the Halloween pictures, I know. Give a poor woman a break. I saw a penguin costum earlier this year and knew that Garrin would be adorable in it. When I mentioned the idea to Trevin he wanted to be one too (since it is his fav animal). Instead of spending the 40-50 bucks it would cost to buy both the costums I decided to dig deep down inside and channel my mothers talent and make them myself. This would have been easier if I would have finished them when I had orginally planned and not had to finish them amognst my hell week (last week). But they turned out and I think, rather cutely. I wish I got Garrin on tape because the kid actually waddled perfectly for a penguin.

I was going to make Joe a sweatshirt that said "Director" on the back and a camera that said "March of the Penguins" but since I barely made it home most nights to see the boys before it was bedtime we just went with the cuteness we had.
This was the crew that went trick-or-treating up at my parents neighborhood (where full candy bars can be scored!) My niece Jessi, Garrin, Trevin and Hunter. My dad is the bestest grandpa ever.

Almost done...

I would like to take this time to thank all my friends and family who helped me (and my crew) make it through last week. For those who do not know what I was up to I signed up for a course to get my CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant). I did this because it allows me to actually get one step closer to an RN (registered nurse) degree and also allows me to work if I want or need. I just felt like having it couldn't hurt in these times...

The class was all week and 10 hours each day. Including an hour commute. It made for a long week but I MUST thank all of you who helped out in watching the boys for me. Thank you to Jessica, Julianne, Brock & Kim (even though we pulled out on ya!), Marilee, my mom, my dad and ESPECIALLY my above average Joe for reworking his schedule to make it as easy as possible for me to accomplish this. I am SO lucky to have such a supportive husband! (Secretly, he just wants me to get done so he can stay home and I can make the money...but still)

I now have 2 more days of clinicals to finish and then a few tests and I'll be all officialized. I am hoping to be done before we leave on our Thanksgiving vacation to the east coast.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU all again for your help, your prayers and your thoughts. I know that I would not have made it without you all.

9 Years In The Making...

Trevin is now in his last year of single digit manhood. This accomplishment was celebrated by friends and family on Sunday October the 19th. Because his birthday fell on a Sunday this year and because last year his birthday party nearly caused a chapter 11 filing of our bank book it was decided that a family party would be the course this year. For those thinking that I am a cruel and heartless woman...you are correct. Just don't forget to add cheap to the list. Trevin's items received are as follows:

~ Battleship (the boardgame)

~ Sleeping Beauty (dvd) (Trevin loves this movie but does think that they should have known each other a bit longer before they kissed...)

~ Iron Man (dvd)

~ Gameboy games of Clue, Battleship, and Risk

~ Build Your Own Lightsaber kit! This was the hit. Trevin already has about 6 light sabers but this one he can create and engineer. He has been playing with it all morning. I even had to kick Joe off to work to stop playing with it.

Because we are the cold cruel family that did a rather low key party we also agreed to fork out some of his inheritence and buy him a rather expensive birthday present. We will be picking up his new Nintendo DS Lite in Cobalt blue with matching carrying case and new game of his choice tonight. Seriously, next time you see Trevin, walk up to him and ask "who's spoiled?" and he will proudly answer "i am."

I generally stress much over birthday cakes because it is the one time of year that I really try to do whatever they ask. Over the course of the last nine years I have made Trevin a caterpillar, a monster, a pumpkin, Hulk, SharkTales, Spiderman, Scooby-Doo, and a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cake. And if I do say so myself, they rocked. One day I will post all the pictures. This year he did not ask for a specific cake. Since we were going to my mom's he asked, instead for her to make him "moon pies". These are pretty much, homemade oreo cakesters. And he wanted his Brownies on the Moon ice cream. So that's what he got. All in all a very calm birthday.

This is the youngest picture of I have of Trevin on the computer...I think he is 3. Happy Birthday my big boy.

...Because I am mom

...to a third grader in a public school there MUST be fundraisers. This weeks one is for Lehi Roller Mills mixes. So if anyone is interested at all in these cute little bags full of bread, muffin, brownie, pancakes PLEASE let me know and Trevin & I will be more than willing to come to your house and guilt you into buying more than you need. (They are great little Christmas gifts and run $6-8 dollars each)

Shanks, folks.

My Above Average Joe

1. Where did you meet? We met at work. We worked at a software company together. I was in marketing and he was in accounting. He was in charge of all my international accounts so we had to communicate daily. Took me about 3 weeks of shamelessly flirting before he realized he *might* want to ask me out.

2. How long did you date before you got married? Almost 2 years. We started dating in July of 2003 and married in April of 2005.

3. How long have you been married? 3.5 years. We totally celebrated that we made it past MY last standing record of marriage (which was 3 years) and now we have to beat Joe's old record (which is 5 years).

4. What does he do that surprises you? Joe is a pretty laid back guy so there aren't a lot of surprises but I do think it's adorable that he genuinly LOVES being a dad and is always so wrapped up in it. Sometimes, he listens to me too. That can be surprising.

5. What is your favorite feature of his? You know, he's just a hottie. How can you not love that big build with dark curly hair? makes my heart all a'fluttery.

6. What is your favorite quality of his? Joe would do anything for his family.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Occasionally...he has called me kitten but otherwise, just the standards.

8. What is his favorite color? not sure...blue maybe?

9. What is his favorite food? Well, as my post before explains he has a pretty intense palate. You're always safe with dishes he learned from the resturant (Ottavios, the REAL one in Provo, NOT! the one they tried in AF). Any high scale meal will satisfy him. Course, there are times he craves his moms tater-tot casserole as well. He runs the gammit.

10. What is his favorite sport? Volleyball. And the boy ain't bad at it. He used to compete.

11. When/Where was the first kiss? crap. Seriously, Joe is better at remembering this stuff. It took him a while to kiss me. I think we had been dating almost a month when he finally planted me one. I'm pretty sure it was the parking lot of our employer. Wait, no at my house...crap. Well, it was on July 31st, I know that much!

12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? We love going places (traveling) together. I love experiencing new things with him. We're also pretty happy just doing the movie/dinner gig...if we ever get to do that again.

13. Do you have children? Yes. Trevin is from my first marriage but Joe has never once treated him as anything but his own. Our little one, Garrin is 14 months old and Joe is anxious for more.

14. Does he have a hidden talent? hmmmm. He cooks, but that's not hidden. He plays volleyball well, but that's not hidden either. OH! (he's gonna be mad at me for this one). Joe has a great singing voice.

15. How old is he? *giggle* he just turned 38. There is an 8 year age difference between us.

16. Who said "I love you" first? I did. New Years Day of 2004. I was planning on doing it right at midnight but we had gone to a party that was miserable and had really killed ANY type of good feeling so after we left and it I just started crying and told him how I wanted it to be romantic and special. I can't remember if he said it right back to me.

17. What is his favorite type of music? I don't know that he has a favorite "type". He likes a lot of genres. His favorite band is BareNaked Ladies, though.

18. What do I admire about him? How easily he handles me. How tender he is with me (even though everyone thinks he's scary). His devotion to his family.

19. Will he read this? Probably. He likes to correct me when he comes home from work.

Food Snobs

Let me explain to you what it's like to live in a world of food snobs...

Neither above average Joe or I were raised in this way. There were other kids (in Joe's fam LOTS of other kids) to feed so casseroles abound. The luxuries we had were Sunday dinners and the occasional outing for special occasions. It was not until later in life that I discovered the real joy of food. My first experience with really good food was with my first love Chris who has gone on in his life to become an AMAZING chef. He is currently in Spain training under some top chefs at an internationally acclaimed restaurant. Now, I should also tell you that above average Joe is fabulous in the kitchen. (Ask anyone he has cooked for) He has the touch, he has the taste. It is something he has picked up in his older years. I, myself, cannot cook. I can fake it enough to feed my family, but that's it. Luckily, I bake pretty well. Which means above average Joe can cook a sensational meal then I'll come in with a warm your heart dessert.

Because above average Joe has taken to being a food snob or "foodie" as known in the industry there are things that happen in my house that do not happen in normal homes. Let me explain. This big foodie is now teaching his palatable ways to Trevin. Trevin is a good eater, most the time. I do feed him contrary to what he may look like. But he has developed his own tastes to certain things. For example, when we have Italian nights and there are noodles around you CANNOT open the fridge and find the Kraft grated Parmesan cheese and sprinkle that onto my son's food. OH NO, he must have fresh Parmesan (that thankfully, Costco sells) and it MUST be at least 9 months aged. I kid you not. I have tried to fool the kid and he has called me on it. He can tell the difference in cheese. Thank you, Joseph.

Also, if we happen to be eating at your house and you serve mashed potatoes please have above average Joe come early to handle them. Because if garlic, cream and "good" mozzarella cheese are not used my son's potatoes will remain on his plate all night and you will hear of how "Joe's are WAY better". I think Joe basks in that one a bit.

Don't get me wrong. Trevin will eat bologna sandwiches and Ramen noodles as well he just has learned these few things and it's starting to expand.

Such was the case yesterday. I was making a simple pb&j sandwich for myself when Trevin asked for a sandwich himself. I asked him what kind and when he FINALLY decided it was on peanut butter and honey. Now to understand the depth of this particular story you must be aware that we have a beekeeper in the family. That's right. So we get the perks of fresh honey that is usually free and has come from a variety of places. Did you know that it depends on what the bee's are pollinating as to the flavor of the honey? Well, it's true and there are MANY flavors. Because of this we have a "few" different honey's in the house and this trickle down effect has affected them in my foodie world. I had the peanut butter on the bread and grabbed one of our honey bears only to be informed that that was "alph-alpha honey" and was not suitable for my son's gentle palate. He didn't want orange because it's too bitter and wasn't in the mood for sage (either from Delta OR California) either. He must have the Clover honey. Are you serious? So I found our clover honey and made him a sandwich. Afterwards I went to find my above average Joe and slap him silly.

Little Joe's Wrangler

We had the opportunity to spend conference weekend down in Delta with above average Joe's parents. They have a beautiful big house to tempt all of their children to come down and visit. Especially those with little grandchildren.

Joe has often told me the story about when he was little his dad would sing him a song called "Little Joe Wrangler". I had never heard of this song before. While were down on this visit the few kids that were there decided to go out in search of the old records of their youth. They were told they were in the garage which means "good luck on finding them" but they did. I got to see the record collection that raised my hubby. In this treasure trove was also discovered a copy of the song "Little Joe Wrangler". Apparently it has about 16 versus and Joe's dad can still remember most of them! The story of the song is that a young cowboy is torn from his home to go to war, I think, and is "lost". The thing about this childhood story that I LOVE is that Joe's dad would have his little boy on his lap and sing to him and at the end of the song my little Joe would look up at his dad with tears in his eyes and say "Did he die, dad, did he die?" The WHOLE family knows this story of my above average Joe because everytime his dad would sing it Joe would have the same reaction. You wouldn't know it to look at him, but Joe is quite the softy.

So, on this trip we got to hear the song that is legend in the Western family. I was distratced from the song only to run for my camera because my sister-in-law found it suitable to make Joe's little boy a wrangler himself.

Grand Ol' Flag

Trevin is going to turn 9 in 10 days. Last Tuesday he had the opportunity to present the flag in his cub scout meeting. This was a great thing to me because he'd never done it before and I had my camera handy! He asked so many questions about how to do it to his leaders because he wanted to do it right. He is a very detail oriented boy with things like this. That night he was awareded his Wolf. I have no pictures of that presentation because Joe is the one presenting the awards to the boys and they always have the scouts mom's up with them as they are awarded. I even get my own little pin. (They know who is home making sure these boys get these things done.) I was very proud of my little man. He did a great job and has really loved being in scouts for the last year.

All that is Super Saturday

Alright, Juli has geniously set up a blog for all the crafts you can make on Oct. 18th under our direct care. There are pictures of all the things along with pricing. Feel free to ask questions galore and/or "quasi" sign up. We cannot guarantee product until payment has been made and that payment needs to be made out to Jeneece Westerns Family Vacation Fund...j/k. But make checks payable to me so I can pay down the credit card before my accountant husband has a coronary...
Thanks Ladies! It should be a blast. Please link this to anyone you know in the ward!
Jeneece & Juli

http://www.enrichmentpfun.blogspot.com/

Little boys & lace

Garrin has MANY blankets. It comes from having a family talented in the sewing department. However, one has been chosen as the bestest in little Garrin's world. This was not one that he came home from the hospital in. Not the one that mom, grandma, great-grandma or uncle made and gave to him. It is one that was given to him at an odd time. When Garrin was about 4 months old my grandmother Rasmussen died (on my mom's side). It still saddens me that my baby boy will never know that the reason that his family is how it is, is ALL HER FAULT. We love my grandma dearly, but really, if you knew her...you know of what I speak.

Anyway, at her funeral Garrin was bundled into his carseat sleeping the evening away when a great-uncle of mine (i think) came over and asked if the baby was a boy or a girl. I said it was the latest of grandma's grandsons. The last one she met. He sighed, smiled and turned to walk out the doors. I thought very little of it and went about speaking to other family members. I noticed this great uncle (i cannot remember his name) coming back in with a bag but was engaged in conversation so that was the last I saw of him. When I went back to check on Garrin the bag that was carried in by this uncle had been placed right above him and I saw that it was a beautiful baby quilt. A blue one with airplanes that had been tied and finished with a lace edge. I'm a great lover of blankets and was sad that I did not get to properly thank the generosity of this relative of mine. I have no idea if this gift was intended for Garrin or they just happen to have a baby boy quilt in the car. Either way we've been very happy to take care of it.

Since that time that blanket has been used on Garrin's changing table because it was so soft. Not long ago Garrin started to notice the pretty lace on the edges and became obssesed with feeling the lace on his face. He would pull it down to him when it was naptime and you could not get it out of his clutches when he wakes up. He carries it around for comfort and when he gets tired he rubs the lace across his face over and over. He will not sleep without this blanket now and I think it's adorable! Thank you great uncle for the comfort you have provided my baby boy.


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Back from beyond the heat

Well, we made it back from St. George all safe and sound. I've just been slacking on the blogging of it. We did enjoy some lovely times. We ate well, we shopped well, we enjoyed our theater time. Life was pretty good down there. It wasn't AS hot because they are entering their "fallish" weather so it stayed in the high 80's to mid-90's. I was terrified of this because my jeep is having some A.C. issues but riding with the windows down reminds me of being a kid, so it worked.

Above Average Joe and I decided that we MIGHT buy a vacation house down there if we had, like 5 million dollars. The home in Carmel, flat in NY and house in Tuscany come first though...

St. George

Typically I avoid this place. It's hot. And not just the "Oh, would you mind closing the door and maybe we should go swimming today" kinda hot...the "OH MY CHEESE! DO NOT GO LIGHTLY INTO THE OUTSIDE! MAKE SURE THE AC IS CRANKED TO THE HIGHEST!!!". That's right, 3 exclamation points hot. You heard me. Apparently, it's getting better since "fall" is starting it's treck to Utah, though. We decided to go down because my baby sister is part of the Lonely hearts club right now. She is down there studying her little heart out and is far far away from her family and loved ones. She's not loving that part so much so for various reasons we decided to take pity on her and go down to the land of hot. There will be other family down there as well this weekend so we get a few bonus visits.


There are a few selling points to St. George, I won't lie. Above Average Joe and my mom will enjoy a lovely little golfing game (along with Trevin), there is some fun shopping outlets down there (and close to Vegas shopping as well) for my sister and myself. There are specific eateries that are well liked such as In n' Out (for AAJ) and Nielson's (for me). But the best selling point to this weekend is the fact that St. George is home to the Tuacahn Outdoor Theater. Right now they are putting on Les Miserables. I LOVE this play. AAJ LOVES the music and has never seen it on stage so we figured this was a good time. The first time I saw it was in Chicago. I've also seen it in SLC. It's a fabulous story/book (which my pHd brother has read...in FRENCH ((SHOW OFF))). Since it is an outdoor theater, this hotness of the land may make the night show a very comfortable place to be, I'm hoping. I will report back about how our weekend went when we return.

The Craftiness Within

Alright, ALL of MY projects for super Saturday are done! This is the other memory board that is NOT a memory board. This board will be used to put Christmas cards that the family receives! The ones that will be made will be bigger than this one. The material is a green and red gingham and then I just alternated the red and green ribbon. Jingle bells are the diamond edges.

Here is the memory board that I posted earlier that is "girly" inspired with brown material and pink pock-a-dots and the diamond corners are little pink roses.

Here is the "scrapbook name frame" This was the one that gave me the most grief. 3 trips to Roberts and about 2 hours of sheer frustration just trying to get this to look "ok". I am NOT a scrapbooker but I know a lot of women are so I tried to make it somewhat inspiring.

This one I love for it's pure simplicity. People have been making comments about Joe and I being married since 1950. This one I made for my in laws who, as of TODAY have been married 58 years, raised 11 children and are still as much in love as ever. They are SUCH an example. Too bad I can't give this to them until Oct when super saturday is over...


This is the one that I came up with myself while trying to be crafty and am pretty proud of it. The "name size frames" (like above) are tricky to find or really pricey so I got the idea to use a more widely available size. This is the 11x14 document floating frame that is pretty common. I just added some wedding pictures to really bring it together. Sorry about the flash/light spots. I'm not a photographer either...

...SO GLAD TO BE DONE!

Garrin's 1 Year Photo Shoot

I can't stand how cute these turned out. Tiffany Moody PhotographyROCKS!