Celebration of a nation

We had our own little celebration for Australia Day yesterday. I wish we could have been at the beach, had such snaggas on the barbie and watch the sky show but we just did what we could given our location.


We all started with a regular around here - some vegemite on toast for brekkie!


Then I drove over to World Market to get some more Aussie goodies ( how sad that the huge stash that my family brought over is already gone). This was going to be our snacks for the day. The plan was to have fish n chips for lunch but I starting eating this licorice, and then ate some more and more, until the bag was gone and then I was too full for lunch - WOOPS!


I gathered all of our Aussie books and let the kids choose some to read after school



O.K. so these arent quite as tasty or look as good as the ones from a bakery but they did just fine. Nothing like a good old meat pie and some tomato sauce for dinner!


For dessert we had mini pavlovas and strawberries - mmm mmm good!

Throughout the day we played all Aussie music (except in the car) - a little Cold Chisel, Crowded House, Waltzing Matilda, even the National Anthem - you name it! We then ended the night by watching Kangaroo Jack - Happy Australia Day!

I Caved!

I gave in, I relented, after 14 years of being nagged I was done, I was weak and worn down, I couldnt handle the pressure any more, I let up, I complied with the wishes and desires of my family AND we got a dog!

In shock yet? - me too!




Name - Snickers
Age - 2 years
Type - Terrier and chihuahua mix - he has one ear that sticks up and one that droops down

My kids and my husband are in Heaven, I am still undecided - what have I done!!!!!!

Its an antelope, its a gazelle!

No its just a bunch of middle aged adults going rock climbing and forgetting how old they are really getting! For Jasons birthday we went down to this cool place in Poway to go rock climbing. We started by being outfitted in some really flattering and comfortable harnesses, could never really get used to those!

Jen and Dyana having a rush of blood to the head!


Belaying or climbing - both required concentration and alot of work. Really I would come down from a climb and be shaking because my muscles had been working so hard and be huffing and puffing - it was quite the workout.

Just to get this shot of the girls - Jen, Luella, myself and Dyana - required alot of work.

Jason showing us how it is all done - mission impossible style.


Chad was a great sport and a natural but he was still recovering from his trip to Hong Kong and was still very jet lagged - he actually curled up on a mat and took a little power nap while we climbed.

The after shot - fun fun night. WOW was I sore for the next 2 days straight, I didn't feel it anywhere except my fore arms and they kept cramping even in my sleep. So whats next on our adventure filled outings - I am ready and up for it!

Projects projects projects

Last week of school it seemed like everyone of my kids had big assignments due. Everyday it was measuring this, decorating that, printing pictures of this! AAAH projects drive me crazy, it is so a family ordeal and it causes so much stress on the poor mother - meaning me! I am glad to have the week over and all of the assignments turned in!


Abby did a big measuring project on our pet tortoise Pablo - she measured him a bunch of different ways, charted it and then had to present it to the class, he was not a very willing participant by the way!



Luke and I decorated a snowman whom he named Snowdrop. He felt like quite the expert on snowmen after our trip to Utah where we had made so many!

Sorry to my older children that I did not photograph I was just glad to get the project out of my house and off the to do list!

Reunited and it feels so good!

This year we got World Tour for Christmas - I knew the old band members had to get together to work on some new songs. This time we decided to rehearse in costume to help us feel the groove. Oh we felt it alright!

Ringin in the New Year!

I was so glad the Fifields planned a big New Years bash. The rest of my family left earlier in the evening and I was happy to see all my friends and not feel sad about when I will see my family again - this last year I have been incredibly spoiled and I know it will not be like that maybe ever again!
The plan was for a bunch of the kids to stay at my house and have a little party while we went across the road to Club Fifield. As always they put on a great party, with good music, good food, a little dancing, good music and some great entertainment from Ty on the piano - major talent! The kids joined us to see the new year in by the fire pit and then it magically started snowing to add to the moment (a snow machine on the top of the patio cover, very clever!)



Saying our goodbyes after our yummy dinner at Claim Jumper


Brad and Chels with Jack and Luke right after midnight


Another year together - I am one lucky woman!


I thought this was cool, it is kind of blurry because of the gas coming up from the fire pit. Ty was on top of the patio cover taking pictures of everyone - musician and photographer - nice!


Me, Chelsea, Susan and Julie - missing some of you - but I am happy for good friends - heres to more good times this year!


The group that lasted till midnight - alot of people went home a little early - but they missed the snow, too bad for them!

I cant even believe that it is 2009, I really must be getting old because each year goes by faster and faster just like they say! I have broken my New Years resolutions already - I am a loser. The no junk food thing was out the window by lunch time and the running thing has only happened once - AAAH! I need some major motivation! Happy New Year to you all!

not just dreaming...

With some family in Utah and my nephews baptism we decided to head up for another white Christmas again this year. We took the kids out of school a little early so we could get to the Saturday morning baptism and drove all day hearing reports of snow storms, and driving through some places covered in snow that you would never expect. Really driving through the California desert it looked like Utah, and snow all over Vegas was just weird. Anyway we drove as far as we could and then the storm hit us in Fillmore at night - we had to stop it was just too dangerous. The roads were still bad in the morning and with 2 hours still of driving and a 9 o'clock baptism time (have you ever heard of one that early - only in Utah!) we seriously missed my nephews baptism. Now let me explain - I was supposed to be giving a talk, Hayley a prayer and the kids were supposed to sing. I have missed all my niece and nephews baptisms on my side except one and there is finally one sort of close - AND WE MISSED THAT ONE TOO. How sad is that, they tried to change the time and they just couldn't so the trip started off on a little bit of a sour note. Oh and did I mention in the not so fancy hotel that we found to stay in, both Trent and Luke spent the night throwing up - fun for us, I truly felt sorry for the poor cleaning staff because lets just say Luke didnt have the best aim!

So the rest of the trip got way better and fast - thank goodness - here is a little of our outings and fun times.


We went bowling in the Wilkinson Center, which is a tradition. So you tell me who has the best form - I'll tell you who had the best score - ha me! My record 144!

A little ice skating action! What happened to the outdoor rink at 7 peaks from when I was in college, its been replaced by this nice indoor rink, I was ready for a little trip down memory lane. Seriously Utah is so cheap for 4 of us to skate with shoe rentals it was only like $24 - so great!





The top of the Joseph Smith building where we went to church, we were hoping that the prophet would be in this ward like President Hinckley was last year when we went - no luck but worth a try

We attended music and the spoken word in the conference center and were lucky to have President Monsen attend this so we had the privilege to see and wave to him then!



We stopped to take some pictures with the cougar and seriously how random - the Brays just happened to drive by, so they got out and joined us in the snow in their church clothes to play for a while

Hayley and Riley - future cougars - rrrr





We sledded and practiced skiing up at Rock Canyon park because the group that was going skiing couldn't get up the canyon because of yet another snow storm. On the bright side they got some good practice time and by the next day barely needed to go on the bunny slopes first.



The day was apparently a success, Trent did great on his first day of skiing. I hear it was freezing but they are all pretty much pros now!


Christmas Eve day we headed up to Park City for a little tubing, we love this place it is always so fun. It was quite crowded, but still fun, The Brays even joined us for some sweet runs down the mountain!





I took this picture in Deer Creek on the way home - it was truly majestic, the snow is so beautiful (for a few days) I have decided I need to be a photographer, this picture belongs in a magazine or calendar





Christmas Eve we all ate at Olive Garden and then as part of our little tradition we opened our new PJs all in our little hotel room. Chad dressed up as Santa, I will spare those photos and we all sat on his lap to get our 1st present. Hayley and I enjoyed our matching one pieces!



Christmas Day after opening presents we made snow men and a huge snow cave - both of which we were quite proud. Mum was intent on making a good snowman that was decorated properly - she got her wish!


Abby is not afraid of a little dare or a good photo op for her mother. After a little fun in the snow the kids had a little fun in the pool and then back to the snow again.


We ended up having a great time despite the rough start to out trip. You cant beat fun times with family and I love mine. We didnt just dream of a white Christmas but had one - it snowed every day we were there. Snow is so pretty and so fun but I am glad I do not live in it, we were ready to come home to sunny California.