This One's Gonna Be A Doozy!

It's been over TWO MONTHS since I last blogged! My computer pooped out on me, but now (thanks to Ann and Steve) I am able to blog again! HALLELUJAH!!! I seriously went through some major blogging withdrawals, but time heals all wounds and it got easier each day. I am so excited to get back on the blogging horse! I can't wait to see what ya'll have been up to! I've got two months worth of stuff to catch up on, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the little ride I like to call CHAPMANIA!



October




Ethan was one out of only three fourth graders in his school to get straight A's in the first quarter! He's so responsible. He comes home from school every day and gets his homework done without being reminded.












Avery also got straight A's! She's only in sixth grade, but at her school they change classes like a junior high, so she has seven different classes. She has adapted to the schedule very well. Look how miniature she is. I really do feed her.










Avery had a choir concert. She was SOOO nervous, but she looked so cute up there smiling and doing the little actions. She did a great job!







This is the only picture I got of Halloween. The batteries died in my camera, but you can sort of tell that Jolie was a lion, Ethan was a scary hockey man, Avery put together this last-minute punk rocker get-up, and Aidan is a caterpillar - he went through a few other costumes, and this is what he decided on. We didn't have any trouble keeping track of him in that bright green outfit.






November

Three of David's beautiful sisters, Kelly, Liz and Ann, had birthdays this month and we were able to go out to lunch to celebrate with them. I didn't have a lot of cash to get them presents, so I had to get creative. I channeled Maria from "the Sound of Music", and turned my extra curtain pannels into aprons for each of them.

TWILIGHT! Avery and I went to the 9:50 showing on the 21st with Avery's friend Chyanne and her mom, Pam, and sister, Matracia. We got there 2 hours early and were already behind about 200 other die-hard Twilight fans. We had a fun time and enjoyed the movie. We can't wait for the next one to come out, but rumor has it our favorite guy, Taylor Lautner, may not be playing Jacob Black this time around. BOYCOTT! Start a petition! (All you Edward fans had better ZIP IT!!!)

We got to go up to Utah to visit my family for Thanksgiving! We had a great time catching up and eating lots and lots of delicious food!







We went to visit my cousin, Shareen, and her husband, Kevin and their kids while we were there. They have a farm with all sorts of fun animals, so my kids had a blast! I must admit, I had a great time too.

December

My mom's birthday was on December 2nd. I love my mom! Everyone loves my mom! I'll have to do a separate, special blog about her. I'm trying to hurry and get this blog finished and she deserves a little more thought and time. As does my Aidan who turned four on December 6th. Stay tuned... many more blogs to come. I also had a birthday this month. The big 3-0! Yep, that's right, twenty-something no more. I've been dreading this one, but it came and went without a hitch. We had a big birthday dinner the weekend before for myself and David's sister, Amy, who turned 40 this month. Thanks to Ann for organizing it!

My sister, Diana, and her daughter, Rowan were even able to fly in from Utah to be here for it! Here are just a few pictures from the fun night.

There's the past two months in a nutshell. I've got many more blogs to do, but they'll have to wait until another day. Christmas is just a few days away, so I'm sure there'll be many more, but I'm only one woman people.

My Marlboro Man!

In an effort to remain at the top of your "most recently posted" blog lists, I have been trying to post a blog every day! It's also a way to pass the time while I'm busy not cleaning my house, and neglecting my children.

I'm sure many of you are familiar with http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/. I know you are because I see it all over your blogs! On this sight the author of the blog, Ree Drummond, a country mom and housewife, shares her delicious recipes and beautiful photography, along with helpful hints and entertaining stories. It's my new favorite sight to go to. Growing up on a small farm myself, I'm a country girl at heart, and her pictures make me feel at home. She's living my dream life. Anyways, my favorite feature on her sight is "LOVE STORY - Black Heels to Tractor Wheels". Here she shares the story of how she met and fell in love with "Marlboro Man", which is what she calls her husband. It has been so fun to read! She has the funniest personality and has done a great job of writing it. Every couple weeks she'll add a new chapter to the story. I started reading it the other night, and I couldn't stop! I'm all caught up now and can't wait for the next installment! It's worse than waiting for the next Twilight book to come out! I've always had a thing for those cowboys in their Wranglers and boots! Funny how I married a man who wears baggy jeans. I've always wanted to get him in a pair of Wranglers and boots! I think that's what I want for my birthday now! He swears he's not going to sing to me, so maybe I can get him to wear Wranglers and boots! It doesn't matter what he wears though, he's still my Marlboro Man!

If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all!

I recall a phrase that a wise, old mother rabbit once told her young son, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all". I come from a family of name callers! I'm one myself. Whether it be good or bad, we always end our sentences with a name, and not usually the one that belongs to the person we are talking to. Where, to most people a term of endearment might be "sweetheart" or "honey", ours were "poopy head" and "butt hugger". Anyhow, growing up I had some older brothers that liked to tease. I had red hair, crooked teeth, and freckles, so I was a pretty easy target, but for some reason, they always found the ugliest GUYS to name me after. I think I could've handled it a little better if they were at least naming me after ugly girls, which they did too, (a girl in our neighborhood whose last name resembled swine) but these are a couple of the meanest things they called me.

ROCKY, from the movie Mask. I mean come on, I'm sure he has a sweet spirit, but they didn't call the movie Mask for nothing.

MALACHI, from the Children of the Corn movies. One of my brothers would follow me around saying, "They want you too, Malachi." (a line from the movie)

Now days I'm positive that NAPOLEON DYNAMITE would've made the list.

As would CARROT TOP!

I'm sitting here, laughing my head off, but when you're a little, awkward, red-headed girl, it can do some damage. I'm all grown up now, and I understand that when we're younger we do some silly things. The problem is, I still do it!

When Avery's being a stinker, I've been known to bust out NELLY OLSEN.

Aidan has a HUGE head, and when he gets in front of the TV I might say, "Hey, JIMMY NEUTRON, could you move your noggin?"

I'm usually just trying to be funny, which sometimes backfires on me. Children have tender, little feelings, and I know I should be more cautious. Obviously, I'm setting a horrible example for my kids, and in turn they are name-callers themselves. I need to heed the advice of that old, mother rabbit and just KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT!!! It's time to break the cycle! If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all! We know I can't keep my mouth shut, so I'll try to think of something nice to say.

Mammy's Little Baby Loves Shortnin' Bread!

Put on the skillet, put on the lid, Aidan's gonna make a little shortnin' bread!

Aidan found some wheat and decided to make some bread...

He ground the wheat into flour...

(Pay no attention to the Fry's bag on the counter.)

Kneaded it and let it rise...

Formed it into loaves...

And baked it in the oven!

Mmmmm! We love homemade bread!

I remember reading a history of David's grandma, Elsie Burk Chapman, in which it talked about how when she was just eight years old, she would mix homemade bread, twelve loaves at a time, and she had to stand on a crate because she couldn't reach the top of the table. I may be off a little, but it makes for a good story. Anyhow, I figured if she was doing it at eight, it wouldn't hurt to start Aidan at three. We actually inherited Elsie's big, stainless steel mixing bowl. It still has her name on it on a piece of masking tape. It's obviously not the same one she mixed it in when she was eight, but I imagine she's mixed many a loaf of bread in this bad boy.

I decided to let Aidan help me make some bread to keep him from playing on the computer all day, which he would do if I would let him, and believe me, I have. He had fun, and while we were doing it, I was teaching him the song, "Shortnin' Bread". My dad used to sing me that song when I was little, and I can't believe I hadn't taught it to him sooner. It brought back good memories, and we got to eat some yummy, homemade bread in the end.

Show Low High School Football...A Family Affair!

We went up to Show Low this last weekend to visit our family up there, and to watch conference with Ann and Steve. Three of David's sisters and their families live up in the White Mountains now...Ann and Rebecca in Linden, and Kelly in Taylor. On Friday night we went to the Show Low High School varsity football game. Our brother-in-law, Randy Ricedorff, is the head coach, and our other brother-in-law, Brock Bevell is an assistant coach. Our nephew Rathen, who is just a sophomore, is the starting quarterback for the varsity team, and our little niece Gracie got to cheer during 2nd quarter and do a dance during half time with a group of 170 little girls in the "lil' line". Oh yeah, how could I forget Rhett winning the sit-up competition during half-time with 73 sit-ups in 60 seconds?! It was like a mini family reunion!




Tayvin and Beau showed off their SLHS "Bling"!






Catelyn, Elsie, and Darcey cheered from the stands!

Josh got all bundled up to watch the big game!

Gracie was so cute and did such a great job cheering and dancing with the Lil' Line!

We love going up there! I'm a country girl at heart. There's nothing like sitting outside on the porch in the morning, listening to the elk bugling to each other, letting your kids run wild all day, and then later that afternoon, having your neighbor bring you a big bag of freshly-picked produce from his garden. That's how I grew up, minus the elk bugling, and that would be my ideal life ... slower-paced, more simple. We go up there every chance we get, and if we could, we would move there in a heart-beat. Thanks to Ann and Steve for always letting us impose on them and being the BEST HOSTS EVER!!! Ann is quite the domestic goddess! Every meal is a production. Even something as simple as preparing a green salad, which to me means opening a bag and dumping it into a bowl, ends up being a gourmet dish - Spring mixed greens, red onion, apple slices, crumbled blue cheese, and last but not least, candied pecans (which she candied herself) all topped with a strawberry vinaigrette dressing. So good, and no big deal to her, but to someone like me who doesn't cook much, it's PHENOMENAL!!! She also made delicious enchiladas with cilantro-lime rice, a fresh peach pie, homemade bread, a lemon cheesecake, and our favorite thing she makes every time we visit - yummy buttermilk pancakes with buttermilk syrup, just to name a few things. The thing is, I really think she LOVES doing it! It's no wonder they have guests all the time. But it's not just the food. The tone in their home is one of family, love, and happiness. We just love to be around them. Watching conference with them is the best. David came back down to the valley with Steve to attend the priesthood session with Steve's dad, brother, and brother-in-law. They went out for sushi afterward. Not to be left out, Ann and I got take-out sushi that evening. Jolie really liked it, and Avery and Ethan both were "daring" enough to eat a fish egg or two. Anyways, we're back home now - Reality check - back to arguing and fighting over our cold cereal and Top Ramen. Okay, I'm not really that bad. Actually, I've been so inspired by Ann that I've got bread rising in the kitchen, I'm making a peach cobbler for dessert with the beautiful peaches Ann and Steve gave us, I ran three miles this morning, and I'm planning our FHE lesson for tonight! I'm not even kidding! Hanging around with great, positive, productive people tends to rub off on you sometimes, and being fed spiritually by our Prophet and other leaders of our church just makes you want to be a little better. Hopefully I'll keep it up! We love you Ann and Steve! Thanks for making our weekend so great!

Run Forest! Run!

So, David's sister, Amy, is going to run a half marathon in February, and has challenged all of us sisters to run it with her. I haven't moved a muscle in years, but I figure I've got four months to train, so I may just take her up on it. I ran today for the first time. It showed me just how out of shape I am. My nine year old son, Ethan, ran with me. We left at 10:40 am, and got back at 11:05. We only went about 2.25 miles and it took us 25 minutes! At this rate I'll be able to finish the half marathon in just under four hours! It was the wrong time of the day to go running. It was stinking HOT, but there was a strong breeze that felt pretty good, until it became a dust storm and we were blinded and eating dirt. Baby steps. I'll work my way up. I'm just proud that I actually got up off of my big bootie and did it! We'll see how it goes.

* If anyone out here in the QC needs a running partner, I'm looking! I need to be accountable to someone.

Aidan's First Trip to the Dentist

Aidan had his first appointment with the dentist today. He was so excited about it! We've been trying to prepare him for it for the past couple weeks. He's been to the dentist's office when Avery and Ethan had to go, and he's seen the toys and stickers and new toothbrushes etc. that they get. Well, he was ready. That is until Ethan started teasing him, telling him that the dentist was going to give him shots and pull his teeth out. When it came time to go, he wasn't feeling so confident anymore. We reassured him that Ethan was just trying to scare him, and after a little coaxing, he was back on board.

He fell asleep on the 5 minute car ride to the office. Here he is snoozing in the waiting room.

He was still pretty groggy when I carried him back to the examination room.



He was so good while they took the X-rays. He held so still. They couldn't believe he was only 3 years old. He really wanted to see the "skeleton pictures" of his teeth.

Aidan liked the way the chair went up and down. Who needs Disneyland?

He knew he was going to have to open his mouth really wide, so as soon as he sat down in the chair, he opened up his mouth. The dental hygenist and I kept telling him, "not yet", but when it came time to really open up, he opened his mouth up so big like a crocodile! Here he is squinting from the bright light.

What an awesome patient! Look at that big, healthy smile! See you in another 6 months!

Cheeser Love Songs

I love cheesy love songs! The cheesier, the better! Give me a sappy duet over a rock n' roll song any day! I told David that all I want for my birthday this year is for him to sing me a cheesy love song, but he has to be serious about it. I'll count it for my birthday and Christmas! And he has to do it in front of people too. I've made a playlist of some of my favorite cheesy love songs. I know I've forgotten soooo many, so please help me add to it! I want David to have a good variety to choose from. Yeah right, I know he'll never do it, but I want to be prepared just in case. So leave me a comment with your favorite, cheesy love songs, so I can add them to my list! Thanks!

Happy Birthday to my Sister, Cheryl!!!

I stole this cute picture of my sister, Cheryl, off of her blog. It's her birthday today! Cheryl is 7 years older than me, and now that we're adults, the age difference doesn't matter, but growing up, it was sort of a big gap. Cheryl was a cheerleader in high school and she was my idol. She always took the time to teach me dances, and do stunts with me(dropping me on the ice a few times). She even took me to basketball games and other fun events with her. She even coached my jr. high cheerleading squad. I used to spy on her with her boyfriends and read her journals. Cheryl has a beautiful singing voice, and she shares her talents with others. She has three beautiful daughters. She is a fun mom and is always doing fun things and going fun places with her girls. She is uninhibited and hilarious! When we get together, which isn't very often because she lives in Montana, she makes me laugh my head off! She always sends my kids and I cute little cards and gifts just for fun. I haven't seen her in over two years, but hopefully we will both be able to go home to our parents' house for Thanksgiving. I love you Cher! Happy Birthday!

New Day's Resolutions

At the beginning of each new year, most all of us make a few New Year's resolutions. Lose a few pounds, be a better parent, stop a bad habit, start new, good habits etc. I always mean well, but more often than not, I find that a week or two into the year I have already broken most, if not all, of my resolutions. In years past I've just given up and waited for the next year to roll around to make some new ones, hoping that "this will be my year", but I've come to realize that I actually make new "resolutions" every day. I want to try harder and do better than the day before. Let's face it folks... I'm not perfect. I make a mistake every now and again, and again, and again. I'm just glad that I can go to bed each night, and wake up to a brand new day, in the morning, that I can make better than the one before.

David the Divine

When David gets home at the end of a long day of hard work, all he wants to do is just take a little time to kick back and relax, but the kids always mob him and want him to play with them. This is how he kills two birds with one stone. He usually gives Aidan a pen and lets him draw on his back. Aidan has a blank canvas to go to town on, and David gets his back scratched, all the while "interacting" with each other. Then, of course, Aidan wants a turn being the canvas. Don't be surprised if Aidan gets inked later on in life. Well, the other night Avery was playing in her make up when David got home, so this is how they spent a little time together.

Look at the pleasant look on his face. Doesn't he look so comfortable and relaxed? Everyone loves a facial! I love the color scheme Avery chose. The blue eyeshadow really contrasts with his hazel eyes. It also matches his periwinkle wrap (bedsheet).

And for the lips she chose a pink, shimmer gloss. David has big, full lips, so I think she was going for a more subtle look here. She also applied a pink blush to the apples of his cheeks. It goes really well with the scruffage of his beard.

She topped it all off with this beautiful, deep green, yarn wig that she fabricated herself with a bit of yarn she had been practicing her crocheting with. (Yes folks, she's not only a great make-up artist, she also crochets.) All in all, David was very happy with the results as you can tell by the big, cheeser grin he has on his face. He's such a good sport!

Blog Update

The stomach flu has swept - more like crept - through our ENTIRE family the past two weeks. I was the last one to get it, so at least I was able to take care of everyone else, but when it was my turn, I was down for the count. I couldn't get vertical even long enough to sit up at the computer to check emails/blogs, let alone post anything. There were a couple things I wanted to post during that time though, so now I'm back-tracking. Bear with me.



Remembering Grandpa Chapman

September 5th was David's Grandpa Chapman's birthday. He passed away in May of last year. He was ninety-one years old. Our family lived with and cared for Grandpa for 2 1/2 years until he required more care than we could provide, and he was moved into a lovely nursing home. I always had a special place in my heart for Grandpa. Growing up, I didn't have a grandpa. My dad's father passed away long before I was born, and my Mom's father passed away when I was very young, so I didn't have that relationship that a granddaughter has with her grandpa. I tagged along with my cousins and "adopted" their Grandpa Worthington as my own, but it still wasn't enough. After living near Grandpa Chapman for several years, we built that relationship that I thought I had missed out on. During the time we lived with him, Aidan was born. From day one, Grandpa couldn't get enough of his little "Punkins". He was constantly by his side. Aidan gave Grandpa a reason to keep going those last few years. Grandpa's first words every morning were, "Where's Punkins?" Grandpa was always feeding him, and not always things he should be eating either... hot sauce, steak off the end of a knife, a mouth full of Milkduds. They had a special relationship though. Grandpa loved to take Aidan on walks. He would put Aidan in his wheelchair and push him up and down the street. He was so proud of him. We made some great memories in the short time we had with Grandpa. I cherish the time we got to spend with him, and I know my kids are greatful for the experiences they shared with him. We sure miss him, but we know he's so happy to be back with his "Darling Little Bride" who preceded him in death by ten years. We love you Grandpa!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad Chapman





September 6th was David's mom and dad's 46th wedding anniversary. Right now they are on a trip across the country. They got to spend their anniversary at the Grand Hotel from the movie "Somewhere In Time". They returned this April from a two year LDS mission in Colorado, and are soon headed on another one in January to Charleston, West Virginia. They have a huge, beautiful family... Nine children + their spouses, and I think the grandchildren count is nearing forty. Actually, over forty now with all the inherited grandchildren! They have always been such great examples to us. They have spent their lives serving each other and those around them. They are also still so in love. We love you Mom and Dad! Happy Anniversary! Thank you for setting such a great example for us to follow! Well, TRY to follow. Nobody can do it like you two.

Happy Birthday Old Man!

Happy Birthday to my David Burk! He is thirty-one years young today. I'm so glad he was born! What would we do without our David? Here are 31 reasons I love David...

1 - Avery McKenna
2 - Ethan Burk
3 - Aidan Peter

4 - Jolie Olivia
5 - He is a great father to our children!
6 - He is a loving husband to me!
7 - He is generous!
8 - He used to always buy rocks from a homeless man near his work.
9 - He is a big tipper.
10 - He is a hard worker.
11 - He has calloused hands.
12 - He has surprisingly soft feet.
13 - He is a natural athlete.
14 - He is a great artist.
15 - He has a lovely opera voice.
16 - "It would be my pleasure!"
17 - He has some funky dance moves.(Must be where Avery gets hers.)
18 - He's not afraid to make a fool of himself, and he does quite often.
19 - He is hilarious!
20 - He is sensitive.
21 - He loves babies.
22 - He used to dress his grandpa for church.
23 - He loves his family... all of his family. (6 sisters, 2 brothers, their spouses, 37 nieces and nephews, and his mom and dad.)

24 - He loves MY family...most of them. J/K

25 - Captain Morgan pose.

26 - He'll watch the Notebook with me over and over.

27 - He loves to shop for his clothes at thrift stores.

28 - He has twinkly eyes.

29 - He was my high school sweetheart.

30 - He loves music.

31 - HE ROCKS MY WORLD!!!

Feel free to comment and add to the list. These are only a few reasons I love my David.

Happy Birthday Baby!

Avery Mac

Happy birthday to our sweet Avery! She is eleven years old today, going on twenty-five. I thought I would post eleven things I love about Avery, but there are WAY more than eleven, so here are just a few. Avery is beautiful. Avery is smart - sometimes too smart for her own good. Avery is hilarious! She is so responsible and helpful. She is such a great big sister. Her little brothers and sister adore her. Everyone is drawn to her. She is a leader. She is a good example. She is energetic and excited about life. She is sassy and feisty. She loves to learn and absorbs information like a sponge, then she can spit it back out at you in great detail. She loves animals and knows a lot about them. She is sensitive and kind. She has a beautiful singing voice. She has funky dance moves. She is creative and artistic. She is forgiving. She is strong. (there's a lot of fight in that little body.) She is brave. She made me a mother. These, and so many more, are the reasons we love our Avery Mac! Happy Birthday Princess!