Saturday, December 31, 2011

New Years Eve 2011

It is New Years Eve 2011.

The kids are in bed and I am relaxing watching a movie and writing this blog.

This year has been good for the most part.  We did have some deaths of family members that we miss dearly, but we know they are with our Heavenly Father and we will see them again one day.

We are excited for the New Year and we feel like it will be a good one!

Here are some pictures of our New Years Eve Celebration with Sweat and Sour Meatballs and Rice and cake with Candlelights.  The kids were singing Happy Birthday All through dinner and were excited to blow out the candles at the end of our celebrations.  And we played the wii and build with legos today.

Tomorrow we will get a visit from Grandma and Grandpa Burke.  We are excited to get to see them since we don't see them often.

Happy New Years Everyone and We hope 2012 treats you all well!











Sunday, December 25, 2011

Our Christmas Newsletter 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

This year has gone by so quickly and we are doing well.  Just a little update that of our family.

I guess we will go youngest to oldest....

Irene has grown and is talking so well.  She is also just about done with Potty training, and has done very well with it.  We love to hear her say each morning "Is it morning yet?"  Irene loves Princess and Dora

Ruth is growing and also doing well with her talking.  She loves her Belle doll and anything to do with Belle or Dora!

Both girls want to go to primary, but they don't turn 3 until January so they will have to wait another year to go.

Jennilyn is becoming a math wiz and she is only 4 years old.  Every time we go out she does the math of how many stops we have to make and how many we have left.  She loves her Barbies and her my little ponies.


Dillon started Kindergarten this year, and has really improved with his speech.  He loves Star Wars and playing the Lego games on the Wii.

Annette has been busy being a stay at home mom which she loves.  She has been enjoying learning to do crafts with her new toy that she got as an early Christmas/Late Birthday Present.

Dan has been busy with work.  He got to travel to Alaska, Mississippi and Washington State this year with work.  And to Pennsylvania for a computer certification class.  When he is not at work, he is usually studying to take more computer certifications.  Right now he is getting ready to take one in Jan and then one probably in Feb.

In July we traveled as a family to Spokane Washington, for Dan's brother David's wedding.  It was a wonderful event and we had a good time.  Dan had to travel back home to go back to work, while Annette and the kids stayed in Washington and went to the beach and had fun with Aunt Emily and Uncle Squire and kids.  They also got to spend a few days with Annette's grandparents and cousins in Kennewick.  Grandma Nova helped Annette drive back to Utah in time for Dan's cousin's wedding in Utah.

In August Dan's Grandma Burke passed away from cancer.  She will always be a part of our life, and we miss her very much.  Dan was unable to go to Minnesota for the funeral, so Annette went instead.  Papa Jack and Nana took care of the kids for the few days that she was gone.

As we come to a close of the year we think about the reason we celebrate the Christmas Season.  Christ came to earth to show us how to live and to make it possible for us to return to live with him again.  We are so grateful for the birth of our Savior and as we go through out this Christmas Season, we hope that each of us will remember the gift that was given to each of us from our loving Heavenly Father.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everyone!
Love,
The Burke's

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Are we done yet?

Six years ago we brought home our first child, and our world started revolving around diapers.  Just before Jennilyn was born we even started doing cloth diapers.  This last year as those cloth diapers have started to wear out after use with 4 kids we have gone back to disposable diapers.


During the last month we have been putting the twins in underwear during the day and diapers at nap time and bedtime.  This last week we decided to start putting them to bed in underwear as I was getting really low on diapers and was thinking I didn't want to buy more.

The first few days we had accidents during the night, and the girls don't like waking up to being wet, as Jennilyn still is having some accidents and will get up and change herself, the twins won't do that.  But this morning the twins woke up dry!  They were both so excited they woke up dry.

Now the goal will be to have all three girls wake up dry for a month and then they can all earn a new toy of their choice!

Way to go girls!

Friday, November 25, 2011

Black Friday 2011

I am recording this experience that happened to me for my kids to know what a adventure I had on Black Friday this year,  And just so you readers know, I did not get hurt and am ok.

I had told my sister W~ that I would go to Black Friday with her this year to help get the stuff.  Now just so you know I have done Black Friday a few times but it was not something that we grew up with, as our parents did not do it and I had not done it for 3 years when I was 32 weeks pregnant with the twins and went to Joann's with my mother in law (who I missed having with me this year!).  After talking with my other sisters we decided to divide and conquer at certain stores.  W~ and I got to Wal Mart just before 9pm.

Our closets Wal Mart is a smaller one, not a full super center.  Wal Mart did not close down so we were able to walk in and stand by our items.  At 10 pm they told we could touch the items we wanted.  I was right at the front of the display and reached down to get the two Wii Games that I wanted  and I got pushed down to the floor.  I couldn't get up because of how many people were crowded in on me.  I didn't get hurt other then when you bump your knee.  It was more scary then anything and it made me think of the stories in past years of people getting trampled to death.  But I got the games that I was trying to get and all was well other then being shook up a little!

 We got a couple of other items that we wanted and as we were standing in line back in the garden section to check out we noticed someone had put some cute Disney Princess Barbies in the cd bin, so we grabbed them for the girls for Christmas.  We were out of the store by 11pm and on our way home.

I got home and visited with my mom who had stayed the night so I could go out again in the morning and Dan could go to work.

I went to bed and got up at 5am and got to Joann's Fabric store and stood in line.  I was able to get the fleece that I wanted for the kids and then waited 1hr 20 min to get it cut. I really was missing my mother in law while I waited and was thinking of our shopping trip 3 years ago.  I even sent her text to let her know I was thinking of her!

Once I was cut (3 fabrics was all I had compared to peoples 25 or so) I walked right up to the cash register and paid and then I drove by Target which I knew there was a few items that W~ and I wanted there, but after Wal Mart we had decided to take our chances that there would be some later.  There was hardly any cars at Target so I went in.  I saw more employees then I did customers.  Target had opened at 12am.

I found what W~ and I had wanted and then a few other things to finish my Christmas shopping.  It was a lot less stressful waiting to go in 8 hrs after they had opened even though they might not have had the items that we wanted, but they did.

I was home by 9am and then the kids helped me put the lights on the tree and decorate the tree.

Now all my gifts are bought and I just need to finish making a few gifts and then mail the two gifts that need to be mailed out of state.

I am excited for the gifts that I was able to do for Family and Friends!  I really did try to think about each of them and what they might like!

I hope you all had a Great Thanksgiving and a great holiday season!

Annette

Friday, November 18, 2011

Happy Birthday 6th Dillon!

6 years ago today we welcomed our first child into the world!  Dillon you have grown so much this last year!  You are getting so helpful with your sisters and helping mommy when asked!  We love you and we hope you have another great year!






Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Halloween 2011

OK, I found our camera, but I am noticing that some of the pictures are not the greatest.  I think it is time to start looking at a new camera.

Some of these pictures are from during the month while they were deciding what they wanted to go as.  But when they saw mommy as a princess they wanted to be princesses too.  Some are from our church chili cook-off on Saturday were they were given candy as well.

Enjoy!


Friday, October 14, 2011

They are Growing Up!



It has been almost 3 years since these two sweet little girls came into our lives.  
They are growing up so fast!  They are talking in full sentences, telling me when they are hungry or thirsty using words.  

They are even Potty Training!  We really started our potty training 2 weeks ago tomorrow, and now they are running and going on their own without the timer.  I use pull ups for naps and bedtime as I don't trust them yet, and they are not staying dry during the night yet.
Also I will probably use pull ups for when we are going to be out and about until I fell that they really have the handle of it as we are still having at least one accident from one of them a day.  Sometimes the accidents are not their fault as they close the door to their room and then can't get out as they have a hard time opening doors in this house.

I am going to take them out on a family outing this evening.  I think I will see if we can do it without the 
pull-ups and  see how well they do.

I think I am going to have to break down and get them their reward that I promised them if they keep it up. They want Dora Dolls!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Slice of Life # 71 Festive Fall

I love fall, I enjoy Halloween.  We don't decorate or do much for it, I do enjoy going to my sister's house.  Her husband decorates all out.  Maybe when we own a home we will do this too.

Dan and I were married Oct 29th so I tend to really enjoy fall and decorating in the fall colors, even though you wouldn't know it right now, but one day when I have a home of my own and can start decorating I am hoping that it will reflect this taste of mine! :)

For Thanksgiving growing up I remember all of my Dad's side of the family would gather together at a scout camp, we could snow show, cross country ski or just play in the snow and come in and play games and such.  Now that we are all married and have in-laws to spend time with too, we just have scaled back to just one party for everyone that we call a Winter party.  For my family who ever of my sisters and I can come and spend it with my parents do. 

One thing we do each year is each of us brings a dessert.  This carry's over from the big family get-together's from years ago.  I am not much of a pie person, but I do make a pie once in awhile.  Last year I took an Oreo pudding pie.  

This year I am going to make a dessert from my kids Favorite book right now.  We got this at a thrift store from Grandma Nova for an early birthday gift.


My kids have really enjoyed this book.  I am going to check with my library for others in the Albert series.

In this book is a recipe for Pumpkin Pizza Pie.  My kids have asked me to make it so I have decided to make it for Thanksgiving.

Have fun and Enjoy your Fall Everyone!

Here is the Pumpkin Pizza Pie recipe if you want to try it out:

Albert's Pumpkin Pizza Pie
(Makes 3  12-inch Pizzas)

Ingredients:

3 Pounds sweet Pie Dough (recipe below)
3 cups Mashed Pumpkin or 1  29-ounce Can Pumpkin
3 Eggs
1 Cup Sugar or Honey
1 Tsp Pupkin Pie Spice
1/3 Cup Wipping Cream
Pinch of Salt
1 Cup of Whipping Cream Whipped with 1-2 TBSP Sugar and 1 SP. Vanilla  (or use 1 can of Whipped Cream)

1/4 Cup of Each for Each Pie:
Chocolate Chips or Butterscotch Chips or Mint chips or White Chocolate Chips
Candied Nuts
Raisins
Mini Marshmallows

Method:

Divide Dough Into Three Pieces and on Was Paper roll each into a 12-inch round about 1/8 inch thick.  Put on a baking sheet or Pizza Pan.  Next, In a bowl Mix Pumpkin, eggs Sugar, Spice, Cream and Salt until well blended.  spread 1 cup on each pizza dough, leaving about 1/2 inch from the edge.  Bake in 350 degree preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes.  When it comes out of the oven and cools slightly decorate with whipped cream, chocolate chips, candied nuts, raisins and marshmallows.

Albert's Pumpkin Pizza Pie Dough
(Makes 3 Pizzas)

Ingredients:

3 Cups all-Purpose Flour
1 Pound Butter or Margarine
2/3 Cup Sugar
3 Whole Eggs or 6 Yolks

Method:
Cream the butter or margarine with the sugar in a mixing bowl, blending well.  Then add the eggs and slowly mix the flour and salt a little at a time.  Mix until a smooth dough is formed.  Chill for a couple or hours or overnight.  This dough can be made in a food processor.  (It also freezes well, but divide in three pieces before freezing.)

*Pumpkin Pizza Pie was created especially for Albert's Thanksgiving by California Chef Wendy Brodie.



Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Update

Well it has been a while since I just updated on what our family has been up too!

Dillon~
The end of Aug Dillon started kindergarten.  He is in afternoon and gets to ride the bus!  He is such a big helper and is really getting good at writing his name!

Jennilyn~
Jennilyn is missing her brother while he is at school, but her and Mommy have been doing pre-school together at home.  She is really smart at math!  Jennilyn also turned 4 in Aug, and again is being a great helper with things here at home!

Ruth & Irene~
The Twins are being potty trained.  The 1st day was a disaster, but since then we have been having some success.  (Who knows, maybe we will have them diaper free before their Birthday!)  They are using more words and are getting so big.  I keep thinking that my babies are all growing up!

Dan~
Dan is keeping busy with work and studying to take the Security + exam that he was suppose to take this week but it got canceled and he has signed up to take it in Jan.  He has also started to study to take some Microsoft certifications that he is hoping to start taking exams for those at the begging of next year.  We finally got Dan a smartphone so now we both have cell phones which is really nice!


The sad news is that I lost my camera a few weeks ago and I am feeling lost.  I keep wanting to take a picture and can't.  My phone and I-pod just don't cut it!

I am hopping maybe we can find a really good deal with Black Friday or Cyber Monday on the camera that I want or at least one that will get me buy until I can save up enough for the one I want!

I hope all is well with all of you!

Netty

Monday, October 03, 2011

Slice of Life # 70 ~ Ugly Duckling

When I read this title I thought of this story!


If you have not read it check it out of the library!  My kids and I have loved this book.  It even came with a cd to hear the story being told.

I have always felt like the uglified ducky because of my hearing disability.  Even now I sometimes feel like I am the uglified ducky.

But I know who I am and slowly I am learning how to be the Moose that I am and not the Ducky!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Forget-Me-Not





"If we spend our days waiting for the fabulous roses, we

 could miss the beauty and wonder of the tiny forget-me-nots 

that are all around us.  Never stop striving for the best that 

is within you, but don't close your eyes and hearts to the


simple and elegant beauties of each day's ordinary moments

 that make up a rich well-lived life.  The happiest people I 

know are not golden ticket holders, but those who while in 

pursuit of worthy goals discover and treasure the beauty and 

sweetness of everyday moments." 

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf, RS General Conference  Sep 24, 2011

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Slice of Life # 69 ~ Following Directions

At some point we all have to follow directions if we want to get to were we are going.  In school we follow directions in obeying the teacher and doing our homework.  In life we have to do the same thing at work and such.

Also we give directions to people to help them find places they want to go, and hopefully we don't get them lost.

I am one of those people that likes to plan and then get there with time to spear.  Yesterday Texasblu called and needed directions to my house as they were needing to come and drop off a few things for me to work on for them, before they got here I printed them directions to their next destination from my home, the Zoo.  I thought since they were not as familiar with my area that they might appreciate it.   Today, I left to go shopping with my sister at a mall I had never been to 40 min from my home.  I decided to leave early so that if I screwed up the directions (which I have done before) I would still have time to get there.  I had no problem finding it and was there 30 min early!  I had fun with my sister and her family and left them to stand in line to meet Jimmer Ferdette (a basketball player).

I love reading the scriptures.  Both Bible and Book of Mormon.  I feel that it gives me direction in my life as I strive to become more Christ Like.

I hope that we can all learn to follow directions so that we can all make it to were we want to go, wither it be in our work, family, vacation, or in our spiritual lives.  It is important to follow directions even if we don't want to.

Until next time!
Netty

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Slice of Life #68: Beautiful YOU

This seems to be a tough one for my wife. Then again, it could be a tough "Slice of Life" for me as well on most days. A lot easier it seems to do what you do great and think of what you do wrong. So you see your faults and what makes you great is just lost in the clutter of life.

"How are generations later going to know about your terrific-ness if you never tell them?"

I must answer this first question with a simple answer. So the first thing that makes my wife beautiful is that she is a mother. A mother of four beautiful children. When I look at our children, I see evidence that they have a beautiful mother, even when she does not see it. From how they treat each other with please and thank you (when they aren't fighting like children do), to their beautiful eyes, healthy hair, and active bodies. And for each of those pregnancies, she has been quite healthy. For example, during the twins pregnancy, I suspect the doctors may have been willing to let my wife go to term without any panic, except Ruth was breach as the first baby. Some law or regulation or whatever dictated that they deliver a breach baby c-section.... So other than a breach baby, my wife had a very healthy pregnancy with twins no less while others we knew were being monitored closely with risk of bed rest. I think that healthy pregnancy speaks volumes, but that is just her loving husband writing here.

"What are your best features? Your eyes? Your legs? Your hair?"

If you ask me, I would say all of the above are great features of my wife. Sometimes I like to smell her hair. I realize that is the perfumes in her shampoo or conditioner, but that still speaks of the care she gives her hair. Not just a dandruff shampoo and done like I do. As for the other two features, please just take my word on it....

"What makes you stand out in a crowd? Is your laugh contagious, your smile warm, or your hugs sincere? Your ability to quiet a child in a grocery cart?"

Does four children in a grocery cart count? That does tend to stand out when so many others have only one or two.

"What tastes do you have? Is it your taste in music, your love of art, or picking good books to read?"

Romance. Definitely romance. Though, you must add in Harry Potter. We read those together. My wife had read the books that were out before we dated and married. She was collecting them. We then read them together as a couple, and it was a great experience to read the books as husband and wife. She also listens to books on CD. One such that isn't quite the romance is centered on some characters that are supposed to be Navy Seals. And, yes, there are some of her romance books on CD that I have enjoyed listening to. But I don't think I have ever listened to the entire one of her books from beginning to finish. So I mostly recognize the stories by fitting the characters and current plot line into the puzzle pieces I have previously listened to.

Almost forgot the LDS themed series, such as Faith of our Fathers and The Work and the Glory.

"What talents have you acquired (or would like to)? Cooking? Running a business? Home decor?"

My wife has her bachelor's degree in accounting. She is creative with preparing our meats with spices and marination, it doesn't always work out tasty but her successes far outnumber her failures. Soon as it becomes available, we are planning to purchase her a special cutting printer for crafts--I cannot think of a better way to describe it. It has a blade. It cuts out shapes. And it looks a lot like your desktop printer. And thinking of things she wishes to learn, my wife would like to go back and get a Master's Degree in accounting. Being the big, bad, mean husband that I am, I have a couple stipulations on that, the first being that we actually pay off her current student loans. For some reason I got this get out of debt bug, and I am grateful that she has been very patient with this different way of thinking. In fact, if I were to include another skill in here because her accounting, she has been very good at learning and applying a different method of money management. Under her improved skills in sacrifice, patience, and financial management, we paid off her car early and have not had a car payment since (even though we sold her car and bought a mini-van). We are paying off her grandfather. So we almost to the point that the loan we have left to tackle IS her student loan. Even when we hit a bump in our finances and I asked my wife to stay with it, that I believed she could fix the error, I was so pleased to be proven right. Not just because it brought us back current with our financial plan, but because I was pleased to be proven right about my wife. I believed she could and she DID. That was a great feeling. Now I realize that managing personal finances can be different for many of us as opposed to managing business finances. We can be great at one and terrible at the other. So I am hoping to learn to build a business. Why does my goal matter here? Because my wife told me once that it was her dream to teach future generations to be the business builders of the future (I forget what the organization was called that excited her so as a youth). See, that is the other part of why I am such a big, bad, mean husband. Not only do I insist that we pay off her student loans, but I remember her dream and I will hold her accountable for it when we have the means to make it reality. And since I envision her accomplishing her dream, I want her to be the best person possible to share and teach the entrepreneurs of the future. So I want her to achieve that Master's Degree and I want her to have experience. If I can build a business, then she wouldn't even have to wait for the kids to all be in school to start on that personal experience. Of course, being such a meany, I have no compunction against sharing one of my wife's dreams online for all to read. That way I can build a team of people to remind her that she has a beautiful dream, and to encourage her so that she holds on to her dreams.

Monday, August 29, 2011

A New Chapter in Our Lives


I am starting a new chapter in my life today!  It is called "Sending Kids to School"!
We have been in the small child chapter with 4 little ones so close together in age, and now we are starting to send them off to school!



Three Months ago Dillon graduated from Preschool.  Today my sweet little boy will start Kindergarten.  The years seem to have flown from the time he was born.

 Last night Dan gave Dillon a Father's Blessing in preparation for the coming school year.
What a wonderful spirit we had in the home after this was given.

Dillon I hope you make lots of new friends and have a great school year!

Go Class of 2024!


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Slice of Life # 66 ~ Under the Sea

Biking Under the Sea!


When Dan got home from his mission, everyone in his family that was old enough became scuba dive certified.  Here is a picture of one of his sister's riding a bike under the sea.

I want to become certified to scuba dive and Dan wants to get re-certified.  One of these days we will become certified and we will take a really cool trip!



This is written for Slice of Life.  Feel free to read more or join us for Here!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Slice of Life #65 ~ Eye on the Prize

Have you set a goal or dream and then worked hard to achieve it?

I have set several goals and have several dreams that I have worked hard to achieve.  I dreamed of going to collage and graduating, going on a mission for my church, getting married, having kids.  I have achieved all of those dreams!  Now it is time to set some new goals and dreams.

Some new goals to do:

  1.  Organizing  and de-cluttering my apartment by Christmas!
  2. Do one craft project a month start to finish
  3. Read one new book a month
  4. Go to the temple once a month

This is written for Slice of Life.  Join us Here!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Happy 4th Birthday Jennilyn!

Happy Birthday to my Princess!



4 years ago today, I gave birth to my first daughter, Jennilyn Annette Burke.  She was my biggest baby at 9 lbs 2 oz and 21 inch long.

Jennilyn you sure have grown and love to talk!  You are now showing interest in writing your letters.  This year we will be doing pre-school.  You have started to swim on your own and having a great time!

We love you and hope you have a great day!


Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Grandma Irene Burke

This is Grandma Irene Marie Burke. Born on Dec 17, 1926 and died Aug 9, 2011.

She is one of the sweetest ladies I have ever meet. We even named one of our daughter's after her. She will be missed, but now she is in Heaven with her husband and our Savior Jesus Christ.

We love you Grandma and will miss you! Thank You for being a part of our lives!



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Monday, August 01, 2011

Slice of Life # 61 ~ Grand Theft __

Have you ever had Identity Theft?  It is amazing how easy that can happen to us.

Back in 1997 I was working in the Student Services offices of DeVry University-Phoenix campus.  One day as I was helping new students get checked in and such I meet a girl with the name Ann Dillon.  My name then (before marriage) was Annette Dillon.  It turned out that we lived in the same apartment complex, banked at the same bank and went to the same school.

I first had problems with getting her email, as the schools assigned email addresses were done such that we would both have the same one, so instead of her doing anything about it, I had to request a new email address.  You would have thought since I had been going there longer it wouldn't have mattered and she would have been assigned something different.

I then would every now and then get her mail in my mail box and would then take it over to her apartment.  Then I moved to another apartment complex the following spring and things seemed to clear up.  Until July 1999 I was getting ready to go on my mission and was getting a debt card for my credit union account.  They told me they couldn't give me a  debt card because I had an outstanding balance from a Wells Fargo credit card on my credit report.  Now I did bank at Wells Fargo, but I never had a credit card with them, so I go down to the credit bureau office in Provo, UT and get a copy of the report and file a complaint. They also told me to check with the bank, so I went around the corner and talked with someone who was so rude and had me in tears and told me it was my fault and that there was nothing he could do for me.  The Credit Bureau said it should take 2 weeks to clear up which was pushing it for me leaving on my mission.  I try calling in two weeks to find out if it was all taken care of and they said they didn't know what I wanted to do, I was so mad!  I told them what had all the paper work I had filled out two weeks earlier was for.

My mother and I then went to Wells Fargo with a copy of the offending information.  This time we talked with the Assistant manager of that branch and she was so helpful, I told her what happened two weeks earlier and she then told me that the man that helped me then was no longer with them.  She looked at the info and found out that the credit card that was on my history belonged to the "Ann Dillon" that I had gone to school with and such.  For some reason when the bank filed the info with the credit bureau someone was lazy and said oh this must be the same person, lets just stick it on her info and not the right person.  This manager at the bank stayed an hour past closing getting it all worked out and correcting the mistake and giving me info to take back to my credit union so I could get a debt card.  We sent the lady that helped us at Wells Fargo some flowers the next day as a huge Thank You!

I have not had a problem with "Ann Dillon's" info since!

More recently I have to give a big Thank You to Chase Bank for catching something before it hurt me very badly!

A few months ago I went and spent the day with my kids and a friend in Orem, UT.  I did my normal Friday/Payday shopping while I was there.  The next day at 8am on a Saturday morning Dan and I were talking about what to do that day, what I still needed to get done and such when I got a call from Chase Bank.  After verifying that it was really Chase and that I was who I was, they proceeded to ask me if I had my debt card on me.  I said yes.  They asked if I was in LA, CA the previous day, I said no.  They then verified the charges that I had made the previous day to make sure they were charges that I had made and I said yes they were.  They told me that someone in LA had tried to make a $300 purchases with my debt card info the day before but since it was at the same time I was making purchases in UT they declined their transaction. They then canceled my debt card and issued me a new one.

The following Monday when I looked at my account online (I check it almost daily) I noticed an ATM fee for checking the balance.  I called up the bank right away and in talking with them it looked like who ever had gotten my card info had tried to check the balance to see what was there on Saturday, but when  I told them I had not used the card since Friday since we had canceled my card on Saturday morning they credited back the ATM Fee.  Thank Goodness for technology that they were able to verify were the ATM fee was at.

I hope never to have to go through this kind of stuff again!

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Slice of Life # 63~ Games Kids Play

Well it has been awhile since I have written for Slice of Life.  I took a family vacation for a month and fell of the weekly writing experience.  So I am back!


Growing up I remember playing red-rover, London Bridges, sorry, Life, Risk, Monopoly,Candy Land, extra....
I remember getting a computer in our home when they first came out for home ownership.  I remember playing Organ Trail, and a few other games.  Then when I was 11 my family moved and my dad needed to take our home computer to his office and use there, so since it was Christmas time, we got the original Nintendo with Donky Kong, Mario Brother, Duck Hunt and later we got Tetris.  I remember spending hours playing Tetris.

We never upgraded our system, and I don't know what happened to it.  I just remember I got busy as a High school student and stopped playing.

Many years later, I meet my husband who had a PS2 and loved to play video games, but didn't have much that I enjoyed.  Then we got Lego Star Wars and I started playing.  Then the new systems's came out and they quit making games for the PS2 so a few month's ago (just before they dropped in price) we bought a Wii.  Even though we would have loved a PS3 we felt that with the ages of our kids the Wii had more games for them to enjoy too.  We have collected all of the Lego Games wither it is PS2 or Wii (we have kept our PS2 as it still works).  Our recent additions have been Harry Potter Years 1-4 and Parites of the Carribine.  I have even put down a hold for Harry Potter Years 5-7 which will be out in time for Christmas and will be our family Christmas gift this year.  Dillon is mastering all of these games, and I am slowly putting in time playing them as they are fun for me too.  We did just finally buy a 2nd controller so now we can have more fun! :)

See you next week on Slice of Life!

Friday, July 29, 2011

It has been awhile!

Well it has been a while since I posted, so now I am back on the bandwagon!  We had a great trip to Washington State during the month of July.  Thanks for all who made the trip wonderful!  Here is just a couple of pictures!

Kids playing with the kitchen!


Dillon and Jennilyn riding!


Our Family picture at Dan's brother's wedding!


Ruth and Irene Riding



Emily and I in Ocean Park, WA



We had fun on the beach!








We had a great time flying kites on the beach!



Dan's Mom's maiden name!


Dillon swimming with the help of a noodle!


Jennilyn swimming with the help of a noodle, they became little fishes!


Irene having fun with chalk!

Van all ready to head home!

Our picnic with cousins in Dillon, MT


Dillon in front of a Dillon sign

We are on our way home!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Slice of Life # 58~ Chocolate

Chocolate Candy I made for Valentines 2011


This weeks Slice of Life is on Chocolate....Well I love a good dark Chocolate candy or even making my own candy,  I also enjoy brownies and chocolate ice cream at times.

But I HATE Chocolate Cake!  

And of course at my wedding the large cake they made chocolate and the cake we feed each other was chocolate!  I wasn't the happiest about that!  But I will eat chocolate cake if it is the only thing served.

Our wedding cake

Pretending to cut the cake!

Feeding each other chocolate sheet cake since the wedding reception had not started when we did the pictures.



For me if I had my way my stress reliever food would be Swedish fishes or Cinnamon Bears!

I am glad I like chocolate and will give anything with it a try, but I don't make chocolate cake unless it is my husband's birthday and then I make him Devil's Food Cake ~ which is one of his favorite cakes!

Until next time....