February Randomness

2/3  Justin helped me make yummy lo mein noodles.  

Sat in with him for the kids' PPI's.

We saw The Impossible yesterday.  I love natural disaster movies and I love Ewan McGregor.  

A win win.  

Made a new job chart for the kids.  So far so good.  

Expecting a month or two out of it before it wears off.

REALLY kicking around buying studio lighting.  It's hard to justify when I have zero business.

Plus I'm not sure where I'd set up a studio.  It's so cold downstairs.

I've been feeling depressed almost every Sunday.  It's not a good thing.

Not loving our ward yet.

2/4 Got my Kindle back from the high school.  Sigh of relief.
Been helping Allison with her science fair project.  She's trying to determine if people like brand name soda pops the same as store brands.
Wanting to get my studio equipment.  I had a long talk with Justin about it and came away more frustrated than ever.  It comes down to no cash.
Which is making me feel a constant battle with our cash flow.
Which in turn is making me feel depressed.
Equaling not wanting to make dinner or basically do anything.
I need to snap out of it!
No more pity party!
Isaac won a case of A&W root beer from his bus driver for guessing the closest score for the Super bowl match.  He was excited to say the least.  That boy loves pop.
2/9 Subbed a first grade class yesterday and came home w.o.r.k.e.d.
NOT worth $7/hour.
Justin took Isaac and Jacob to a fight/boxing match last night.
Jacob said there was a heckler that yelled, "pull his armpit hair!"
I stayed home and helped Allison with her science project that is due Monday (almost done!)
My laptop is working again.
I was able to update my photography income/expenses and am now in the black!
It's unbelievable!
It might only be $20, but it's something!
I guess that's why I've been feeling impressed to get a studio started; can't stay in the black.
2/14  Justin and I ate at Del Taco for our Valentine dinner.
We were going to eat at Cafe Rio but it was packed.  Packed.
Allison had a nice birthday.  That girl is rotten.  Spoiled rotten.
I subbed for Jacob's high school English teacher today (although Jacob didn't have him today).
It was my best subbing day so far.  It was great!  Much more independent students.
I teach Ammon's class tomorrow.  That will be three full days this week.
$1000 to fix Justin's car this week so it would pass inspection and emissions testing.
I bought a studio light and soft box :)
I also got two props tonight.
2/18  Justin is in Seattle for the day.
I know, right?
His work flew him up the for the day.
Allison had her first day of Young Women's and seemed to really like it.
Our family went on a hike Saturday night by the Draper temple.
Isaac, Allison, and Ammon all took sleds on the hike and loved it.
2/21  It was so windy last night that it blew away all of my kids tracks in the back yard.
Finished crocheting around two flannel blankets for Humanitarian Day.
Allison is sewing dolls for it.
2/27 I've been really wanting to go to Disneyland.  Now that we're a 10 hour drive, it's almost attainable.
Justin informed me that I'm the most excited to go and should go with his family this May.
I wish Ammon wasn't such a boob with rides or I'd take him in a heartbeat.
Isaac's birthday went fine.  We made him roll four dice to = the number 15 (his age).
If he didn't get 15, he had to do a push up.
He did a lot of push ups.
I got my softbox yesterday.  It took me ages to figure out how to set up my lighting, but I finally got it.
Now I just need to get Justin to build me stuff (back drops etc).  I also need to figure out which wall I'm going to use.  That light is huge, HUGE I tell you.

January Randomness

1/1/2013  It's a New Year.  We have nothing planned much for the day except take down the tree (which is already naked).  And do our 2013 goals and All About Me papers.

Tree down.  Christmas boxes carried downstairs.  Shelf put up.  Kitchen sparkling.

Kids went sledding.  I took a nap.  

Painted two dresses for Allison's room.  Read lots more Book or Mormon.

All in all, a good day.

1/4  A phone call from the high school informing us that our child has not bought a year book yet.
A.N.N.O.Y.I.N.G.
I've been sick in bed for three days.  Caught up on all my tv shows.
Funds are getting tight.
My house makes me jumpy: static electricity.  KaPow!!
dog hairs dog hairs dog hairs
1/6  Do you ever feel like you were supposed to email/call someone, but don't remember if you did already?
There is a missing 55 year old woman that lives about five houses up from us.
Police, search parties, helicopters.  Scary stuff.
I got to babysit our neighbors little girl for a couple hours when they went out to search.
Allison is almost done with her Faith in God booklet.
Made very yummy egg rolls.  Made not yummy chicken lo mein.
I don't like chinese five spice.at.all.    And maybe not hoisin sauce either.
Ammon is MVP in his class this week.  Got to make him a poster.
I only have two...TWO pineapple lumps left!  Disaster!
1/7  Our neighbor was found in a construction site, VERY close to where Justin was searching.
I am thanking Heavenly Father that he didn't find her with all my boys.
What was I thinking?  Sending Ammon out on a search party?!
My heart truly does go out to this poor family.
1/10  It is blowing snow outside something fierce.
I had a teaching assignment for tomorrow but smartly cancelled it this morning.
It's going to be ugly out there.
And Justin is out of town.  Which means I get to shovel when the boys are gone.
Also means Justin will be driving on the awful roads with even more awful tires.
I have substituted two days now.  Both happened to be at the same school.
Yesterday went well; it was a half day.
Today, well...today was more tiring.
I woke got up after not much sleep with a nice headache, so didn't have a good start to the day.
Came home exhausted.  I don't know how teachers do it!
And I earn pretty much minimum wage.
1/15  Worked a half day today.  Cha-Ching!
Finally made it to DI and found a few good finds.
Justin went snowshoeing with Kevin and saw a pack/herd of mountain goats.
Isaac got his new glasses and was amazed at the clarity around him.
1/18  I've been a working mama the past two weeks.  I've logged in five substituting jobs.
It's making me tired though.  And our house is messier than ever.
End of the semester for Jacob and Isaac.  Isaac did okay.  Jacob on the other hand, well one F and two D's, plus other random grades.  We spent several hours trying to get something figured out.  I'm upset with the school.  They were supposed to have someone tracking him and his school work.  FAIL.
Although I take 90% of the blame.
1/21  Ammon played with a neighbor friend this morning.  The rest of us -Justin walked to get him then walked the loop home; a little over a mile.  It is a nice day out.  The kids had fun playing with icicles and sliding on the ice.
1/28  Mannequins freak me out.
Finished a valentine pillow.
Justin is in Las Vegas.  He got to ride with John Tomack.  Justin was in star heaven.
He also got to see Blue Man Group for FREEEEEEE!
1/29  Woke up to a large amount of snow on the driveway.  Justin knows how to time his overnights.
It's snowing about an inch every half hour.  I cancelled my sub job/volunteering.
1. So I don't kill myself on the roads.
2. So I can pick the kids up from the bus stop so they don't get killed by drivers.
(They don't plow the sidewalk very often so kids walk in the road.)
Update:  about 18" so far.  We have to shovel our piles so we can shovel the driveway.
The kids look forward to Toasty Tuesday.  They get free hot chocolate from the HOA.
It's nice fantastic now that Ammon can put his snow clothes on by himself.
1/30  Jacob was getting himself milk for cereal and noticed we were all out of whole so he had to resort to skim with a "gross."
Claimed my kitchen table back after a week of puzzle building.
Justin brought me some presents from Vegas.  A pad of paper and pen from Monte Carlo Hotel.
And a few hotel toiletries:  soap, body wash, and a shower cap.
Justin was getting the mail and helped a neighbor (never talked with or seen) get a new snow blower out of their truck.  He gave Justin their old one that needs a carburetor overhaul.
Wonder if it's going to work. (not yet as of Sunday)

Ghost Falls Hike

In September, our family went on a Sunday hike after church to Ghost Falls.

 Isaac is a sweet brother helping Ammon by the Falls.

Justin commandeered a post for his work bench in the garage.

November Randomness

11/1  I'm hoping that none of our pumpkins were smashed last night.

Kids had successful trick-or-treating.

Allison went with two friends from school.

Jacob, Isaac, and Ammon went on their own.

This is the first Halloween Justin and I have spent together in years.  

We watched an episode of Psych.

11/7 Still in shock learning that Justin's friend, Jim, his wife passed away from a massive stroke at the age of 32, leaving five children behind.  We were able to visit in the hospital Sunday night.
Justin is in Vegas Tuesday-Saturday for work.
11/8 Arg.  Why did I register to vote!?
Got "randomly" selected for Jury duty again.
Why didn't I listen to myself?
At least this time I don't have a newborn.
11/9 Thankful for heated seats in our new car.
Great.  Just great.  Rain right before a huge snow storm.
Missed the funeral due to a blizzard.
11/15  We're having a house warming party on Saturday so I've been rampantly slowly getting the house ready.  I work best under pressure so will probably be a mean crazy lady Saturday.
Justin and I hung pictures last night (most of them).  Makes our home feel more like a home.
I painted our pantry door a lovely shade of robin's egg blue.  I am in love with it.
I'm planning on antiquing it when I have more time.
Allison's school play was super cute.
Jacob and Isaac are grounded from all media until they can get their grades up.
Why can't they ever turn in assignments on time?
11/29  Does anyone else LOVE getting boxes at their door.  It's like Christmas!
I always forget what I ordered.
Now that I live 'in the mountains" I've been doing a lot more online shopping.
I got hired as a substitute teacher in the Alpine School District.
I'll make a whopping $60/day.
I can't believe the amount of paper work they need.  Piles and piles.
Fingerprints.  Reference letters.
You'd think I was applying to be a real teacher or something.
Allison got straight A's on her report card.
Ammon did almost as well.
Jacob and Isaac are playing catch-up again this semester.  I hate it.
Makes me a grumpy momma.
I love all the sparkly Christmas lights.
Justin and I met up for lunch at Rumbi's.
In the evening, we went see The Bourne Legacy - not so great- ($1.25/ticket), then ate dinner at Del Taco.
THEN got ice cream cones at Iceberg.
I should eat only carrots today.

December Randomness

12/6 Got my email down to six emails in my inbox.  Happens about once a year.

Justin is in Las Vegas this week.

Allison has a fever.

We are getting caught up on Once Upon a Time.

I've been crafting it up in Christmas gifts.  I love Pinterest for ideas.

My blog is too full for more pictures again.  *running in circles pulling hair out*

All of our basement windows leaked (one quite badly) during a rain storm the other night.

Our toilet kept running (clean water) and over flowed.  

I think that was why water leaked in our basement on all of my crafty stuff; a different water leak.

I bought myself a Silhouette Cameo for Christmas and because I'm rotten.

I opened it already.  I'm using it to make presents.

Did I mention I'm rotten?  Well I am.

I also got a new pair of leather boots at REI on clearance.  They're mostly like these, but all one color, and were WAY cheaper.

They are the most comfortable pair of shoes I own.

We started the tradition of a Christmas Elf.  Ammon loves LOVES it.

We bought Christopher Pop in Kins because he's not so creepy looking, and he's cheaper.

The first night he was found playing Wii, second putting cotton balls on Ammon's Santa beard advent calendar, and third playing Isaac's bells (xylophone).  

12/11 Sick.  This house has sickies.  Ammon: cold.
Allison:  fever, sore throat.
Justin:  chills, diarrhea, nausea.
Stay away!
Grandpa Cardon passed away about a week ago.
It's sad, but happy to be seeing family.
Isaac had a band concert tonight.
12/19 Jacob had a band concert Monday night, but thought it was Tuesday.  Lame.
Grandpa Cardon's funeral was very nice.  Great talks and music.
Reconciled with my high school boyfriends mom (she was helping at the luncheon).
Tried to make regular pants into skinny pants.  I'm on the fence.
They look a little like jodhpurs.  Probably works better with stretchy fabric.
Got a new game called Lost cities.  I LOVE it.
The kids last day of school is today.
What am I supposed to do with them until Christmas next Tuesday?
I've been making a list, that's what.
Justin needs new tires.  His car is a menace to himself, and other drivers.  Might as well be a sled car.
Made roasted cinnamon almonds.  Oh my goodness, they are so good.
12/27 Christmas was great.  Quiet.  Everyone was happy with their presents.  We didn't go overboard with the kids.  I was a little spoiled though.  Allison did say she wanted more skinny jeans.
Kids went sledding today.  I stayed home because I feel under the weather.
Cancelled our trip to Las Vegas/Arizona due to a two day snow fest.
Made quiche for the first time, twice in one day it was so good.
Trying to get my Etsy shop in better working order.
I love getting the mail in December and opening Christmas cards.
I have all things Christmas boxed and ready for deployment to the basement.
Justin is in charge of the tree.
Finally found some inspiration pieces for start decorating Allison's room.
Excited to do some watercolor artwork for it.
Although, Justin should be doing it, the lazy.
12/28 Spent half the day updating my Etsy shop.  Not getting much accomplished.
Why are things never as simple as they seem?
Kids had fun sledding down the luge-y sidewalks.
12/31 Justin and I saw Les Miserables.  One of the best movies I've ever seen In.My.Life.
AAAAAmazing.
We took the family to see Wreck it Ralph tonight and that was a good movie too, worth seeing.
Lots of funny quotes, one of my top favorites being: Milk my Duds!
We have several feet of snow on the ground.  Yes multiple feet.  It's beautiful.
Allison skyped Gracie, her bff, for about three hours or more today.
I love to hear her so animated and happy.
I've been reading a lot of books on Allison's Kindle.
It is a HUGE pain to get Jacob and Isaac's medication in Utah.  WAY stricter rules.
Moving the Wii downstairs really has been one of the best decisions.
I want to make my house cuter next year.  Worthy goal?  or Worldly goal?
I've been trying my hand at water colors.
Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE paper?  It makes me giddy.
So does waxing my 'stache.  I like doing Isaac's uni-brow too.  He's grows a great one!
Did I also mention that Justin and I were asked to be parents for our stakes Trek next June?
I never got to go as a youth, so am excited about it.
I am extremely nervous about my health issues though.
Anyway, our Bishop wants everyone to prepare:  walk 2.5 miles/day + read the Book of Mormon.
By June.
This includes Jacob, Isaac, Allison, Justin, and ME.
So far, I've read four chapters and walked maybe 1/2 mile today, Day one.
It will take a miracle if I finish the Book of Mormon.
I'm not going to push myself to walk that much all the time:  too much time commitment.
Ammon saw me and Allison reading our scriptures and said, "I want to read my Book of Mormon."
He read six chapters in his.
This year has been full of changes for our family.  I think that most of them have been great.
 I'm thankful for Heavenly Father watching out for us.

School

Allison was in a 6th grade play called "Dig It".

I was impressed with everything about it:

music, costumes, props, back drops.  

Allison was too shy to get a speaking part.  

 

Random Dittmer Stuff

We have a kid raffle for doing their jobs and keeping their personal basket empty that resides on the stairs.  Huge motivation for these guys.  Highly recommended.

 Playing Apples to Apples.

 We had to redo our front office due to the previous owners' dog urine issues.  So stinky.  We took out the carpet, painted, new flooring.  We have a new desk and working on a place for the kids to put their back packs.  I love this room.  Justin and I redid a bookcase with pallets.  Huge job.  Huge!  I did the easy part of chopping them to size and arranging.  
 Walks in the woods by the house.

Went on a walk with my dad.

You can see a little how steep our driveway/road is.