Welcome to my Saturdays

Most people LOVE Saturdays. It's a day to hang out with Dad, have fun, and most of all, no school. We are a bit different here at the Sanders Household. I DETEST Saturdays! Why you ask? Since we have been in this residency, Owen has been moonlighting on Saturdays to help compensate for the money UNLV decided last minute not to pay us. So a days work is much needed to feed our family since Owen is in his program everyday during the week.
Each Saturday it's pretty much the same routine. It starts with teasing by Maggie, crying by Audrey, and whining by Drew. No sleeping in either. Even after I beg the kids to quietly go downstairs and watch cartoons so I can sleep until Miles wakes up-which can sometimes be 8-8:30 if it's quiet. The problem is that it never happens. I'm always suddenly woken up by someone screaming or crying. So much for that.
But the real story begins today when I assingned the kids their jobs. They get some kind of satisfaction out of completing the job and then crossing it off the list. So I must write it down, or it won't get done. They get 3 jobs and then they are free for the day. Wii time, a friend over etc. Drew is usually a pretty good cleaner and he really gets in and does it quickly so he can have his Wii time since that is what his whole world revolves around. But....today he was extra whiny, and would not stop complaining about how he wanted different jobs. The whining went on for about 30 minutes and I just ignored him. I did tell him that I was worried about him not getting any presents this year because he's on the naughty list. He didn't care. He went to his room and got in bed and whined and complained some more. So by now, I'm done!I finally had to put him in time out in the bathroom which is where it always is. He wouldn't comply, so I said if you don't sit down, you'll go to the garage. 1..2..3..alright mister, you're going to the garage. Then the screaming begins. They don't like the garage because I lock them in there. After locking him in I went about my business and did the dishes all the while listening to Drew bang on the door while yelling and screaming. After about 10 min. it was quiet, so I decided to check on him. I opened the garage, and well.....he peed all over the floor--not a little puddle either, it was a fire hose! He said he had to go and I wouldn't open the door and well you gotta do what you gotta do!~ Well...if you would have stayed in the bathroom from the beginning, you would have had a place to pee. I threw him the roll of paper towels and told him to clean it up. 10 min later, I went inside to check on him, and he was in the car going through my purse eating all my gum. Now I was fuming! Lets just say it got ugly! He eventually cleaned it up, but I had to go out with pine-sol and the hose to really get it up, or it would have been sticky--which meant another job for Mom. Was it my fault he peed in the garage? I'm going to say no. These kids like to push our buttons don't they? Someday, Drew will read this and realize that he was a little bugger sometimes. He's a good kid. I think today he was extra tired because he doesn't sleep through the night anymore because of the floating heads he sees in his room at night. But that's a whole nother story. All I can say is 7 more months and then hopefully I'll have Owen back home with me on Saturdays.

Boo To You!

Halloween 2010. Here are my little monsters!
Miles the cowboy!
Drew is crazy obsessed with Indiana Jones! He loves all the movies and the Wii lego game. So it was no surprise that this is what he wanted to be this year.
Audrey the scary vampire!
I think she looks so scary she could be in Twilight!
Maggie's always got to be something scary and gruesome! Lets see..mummy, skeleton, Vampire, and this year is is a dead pirate. I've tried the ballerina/cheerleader idea, but it will never be a go for this scary-lovin girl.

15 years ago today

October 18, 1995. It was a beautiful fall morning in Provo, Utah. The weather was warm. The leaves were bright yellow and orange. There was a feeling of excitement in the air! This was the day I entered the MTC as I was about to embark in one of the most challenging, amazing, and spiritual experiences of my life. 3 weeks in the MTC to prepare for my mission to the Pennsylvania Harrisburg mission. I was excited, and ready. Little did I know what was to come....amazing spiritual experiences, a threesome companionship, and an awesome zone to share the journey with. This was right after my arrival. Waiting in my room for my companions to show up.



My Comps Sister (can't remember her name) she went to Spokane, WA. and Sister Varley who went to Charleston, SC.
My Zone--I was the only one from my zone who went to PA--the elders went to Canada, Alabama, Florida and Washington DC.

Keep out!

ALl kids banned from my room! Especially Miles! Unless you want to cuddle in bed of course, but otherwise--KEEP OUT!
THe amount of toys I collect on a daily basis from my room is rediculous! Why do they insist on bringing toys into my room? hmmm...because it's clean and they need a nice wide open space to play on? I've had it though! ANd the biggest problem we have is 1. Miles gets into the bathroom garbage.(see previous nasty post) 2. Miles gets into the toliet. 3. Miles turns the computer on and off over and over again. --one of these days it's going to be broken. 4. Miles turns the printer on and off over and over again. 5. When I'm getting ready, Miles manages to open the drawers and dump all my stuff out like hundreds of Q-tips. I really want my room to be a nice quiet place for me to come and relax and it's impossible with all the toys they bring in, so it had to come this.
SOrry guys! Unfortunately, the big kids just climb over, but at least it keeps Mr. trouble out, even if he's not happy about it!

36 in review

Yep, I turned 36 on the 30th! What an old woman I'm becoming--here is a recap of my day.
1. Awakened by my kids with singing, lots of handmade cards, and tons of hugs and kisses. ( I think they're more excited about my birthday than I am.)
2. Read my candybar poster realizing that I'm going to have a hard time losing weight if I have this thing around. Must share!


3. Opened my new willow tree figurine that the kids picked out. It's the same one they broke about 2 months ago, so now it's replaced.
4. Went to Body Sculp that kicked my butt!
5. Picked up lunch from Panera for Drew and I and broght it home--enjoyed the overcast day we're having--still very hot though.
6. ate milky way from candy bar poster--good thing I worked my can off at body sculp for that! Worth it?
7. Lots of Birthday calls from Mom, Dad, Marga, Robyn Susan and Cari.
8. Lots of Facebook wishes.
9. No cleaning today!
10. No cooking today!
11. Quick and easy throw in the oven chicken cordon bleu
12. Cheesecake for dessert! Yum!
13. CLinque Happy from Owen--my favorite! And 3 pairs of new shoes! Thanks!
14. When putting Audrey to bed --telling her thanks for wishing me a Happy Birthday so many times today--literally it was in the 30's!
15. Ended the night with a backrub from Owen while we watched 30 Rock and the Office.
Great day with a Great year to come! Tomorrow it will be lunch with Owen at Serendipity with no kids!

Which is more disgusting?

Which is more disgusting? A. sucking on a one of your moms used tampon applicators. or B. sucking on a used floss pick found on the floor at Office Max?
Can't decide? well..unfortunately, these 2 things were both done by Miles and I thought I was going to lose it! The floss pick has to be the worst for me considering I don't know who's dirty mouth it's been in. The tampon on the other hand well...at least his mouth has been in that vicinity once before. But nontheless, I guess we need to keep our eye on this one a little bit more. (the tampon incidence was because I was at the store and Owen was supposed to be watching him--when I came home, Owen was passed out on the couch and Miles was roaming freely. I went upstairs and my bathroom garbage was everywhere. I know..grose!

School Dayz & a few other Happenings

ok, so the kids have been in school for 3 weeks now, I guess I should post pics. I'm such a lazy butt.

Audrey 2nd grade--this girl was so excited to wear these little leopard shoes. She was a little hesitant to be in Mr. Huff's class (the man issue)+ her 2 BFF's Brooke and Brooke are in another class. But she actually loves her teacher and he is supposed to be the best, and I can already tell that he is. Plus, Lexi is in there, and she is her other BFF.

Maggie 4th grade. We had to pull her out of her scary teachers class on the first day of school because he was the most disorganized man ever!. She is now in Ms. Ponte's class--the lady with the tattoos. She loves her and she selected Mags to be on the student council--this is huge since she was the only girl selected from her class. She also made Drama club which she is totally stoked about.
look at those ginormous feet!

My little Buddy Drew started his 2nd year of preschool--he has a new teacher this year, and so far so good! He's getting to that bored stage and I'm not sure 2 day/half days are going to cut it for him.

flip flops to preschool? Vegas baby--we won't be pulling out the warmer clothes until at least November, if not December.

Here is Miles after I dropped Drew off on his first day--finally, mom all to myself!

The week before school started, the kids and I went to Long Beach to visit Owen's parents. Owen was in NYC at a conference (loser!) CA was having a heat wave while I was there, so it wasn't as relaxing as I was expecting. We did escape to the beach a few times to cool off though.

They lovew collecting shells
Maggie had some obsession with the kelp

We visited cousins in SImi Valley too. Here the kids are making lemonade together after gathering 50+ lemons from their lemon tree.
The kids love their Opa and Oma!

Miles insisted on Walking Zoe the dog
and of course Lex the cat is their favorite one to play with

Now that we're back into a routine, Miles enjoyes his ice cream cones
and swiffering the floors for me

So now I've had pink eye-AGAIN! I've had that stupid thing at least 15 times in my life. And now I am sick with a cold that's kicking my butt! I've missed 2 weeks of church, and I NEVER get sick!

take a look

Take a look to your right--what do you see? It's a school countdown clock with less than 24 hours to go. The day has finally come! It has been a long, busy summer, and frankly, I'm exhausted. We had a lot of fun in Utah for the month of July, and in California last week, but I did these trips all by my lonesome since Owen had school. 4 kids+ all day, every day= crazy mom! No more boredom, teasing, extreme messes, complaining about chores, constantly in the fridge wanting to eat, cooped up inside the house because it's too hot to go outside, and the question of the day, "mom, what are we going to do today?" I'm done! We had a fun summer with lots of action packed adventures, but I'm pooped! Back to schedules, no more sleeping in, packing lunches, lots of homework, big projects and dirty shoes (Vegas is a dirty place.) BRING..IT..ON!

July in review

June 2, 2010-last day of school=first day i was about to pull my hair out. How do I entertain 4 children now? Too hot in Vegas to go to the park or even play in the backyard. Swim every other day for the whole month of June. Got old really fast! July 1st--go to Utah ---stay the WHOLE MONTH! It was great! Now I'm home, and wishing I was back, but actually the summer has flown by. At first I thought I'd never survive those first few days out of school. Now, I'm actaully enjoying having the kids home. No schedules, no homework, no major school projects. Just chillin and playing. Ask me in a couple of days though if I still feel the same way--now we're cooped up again in the house until we go to Cali in a couple of weeks. We had sooooooo much fun in Utah--we played hard. Here's a recap of July.
Yes, this is my home town. Isn't it gorgeous?
A tradition for years is to go to the Balloon festival where they launch 20+ hot air balloons. We got up at the crack of dawn to hit this. Well worth it!


Then off to the 4th of July Provo Parade--another tradition.


Tin foil dinners and smores up the canyon with our friends Mark and Tracy, and then fireworks




Rode the ski lift at Sundance to the top and hiked to Stewart Falls with Maggie's friend Renee and my nephew Chris


Philly girls reunion Me, Melinda, Deb, and Stacy at Olive Garden in AF. Love these girls!
Dinner with my cousin Dan and then somehow he coaxed my kids into helping him wash his car.

Lots and Lots of play time in the backyard at my moms house
Day trip to all the church stuff in SLCDrew pretending to be a missionary (his idea)
hung out with cousin CHris for 3 weeks. Funny kid. talks A LOT!
Picnic day and playing in the river with My friend Maria and her kids Gavin, Kesly and Jenna and of course Jake the dog.


Ate here at our fav restaurant several times
and here of course(even though we have one in Vegas) And of course here 3 times --missing this one in Vegas went bowling at BYU Twice went swimming here and here twice
adn Lindon pool too (couldn't find a pic, and I never take my camera to the pool)
went to the dinosaur park in Ogden
Audrey lost her front tooth FINALLY! HUng out with our good friends Cari and Emily for a couple of days at the pool, bowling, and Jump on it

Hiked with Maria and her kids to my favorite spot up the Grotto
Then up to Payson lake where we were totally unprepared. FOrgot suits and saw everyone having such a fun time in the lake that we just let our kids strip down to their skibbies and they had the time of their lives even if we were totally ghetto.

Finished my last evening off at Marias for hot dogs, corn on the cob and watermelon and reminissing of mission days (Maria was my trainer)
So....now my kids can't say "I had the most boring summer and I didn't do anything!" Here is proof that July was a blast!