areyoutalking

Familam

2010-07-30T15:51:00.000-07:00

Pai Favorite at Cerny's and Parks'
Andy Nita at Mikhail's
Burns Ry Drew Bont Matt at Snapp's
Pai Favorite at Mikhail's
Pai Favorite Ry Burns at Arnold's
Quite a busy couple of weeks but
Where in the world is Sally Sandiego?
Probably with Dave eating corn at the Cobb's

The song says "I'll be home for Christmas"
Does anyone know where that home is?
Now think of the hit song by 'No Mercy'
"Oh where do you go? For Christmas!"
That's the question I now propose.

New Post

2010-05-24T12:04:00.000-07:00

Today is May 24, 2010. Anne Cerny will be 60 tomorrow. Amy and Cassidy are potty-trained. James likes punching things. Melissa is pregnant.

Funny James and Finn

2009-10-12T19:20:00.000-07:00

So Me and Me(lissa) were visiting family over the weekend (her uncle and aunt adopted a daughter and were sealed to her). So that was nice, we stopped by at Andrew's place to give him Finn's birthday present (we probably won't be back to Logan for his actual birthday). Finn and Nita were gone, but James was in a tree wearing a robin costume. Apparently they tried that on him as his halloween costume and he refuses to take it off for anything. He announced to all his friends, "this is my Uncle!". All his friends introduced themselves to me. It was great. Andrew LOVES white rabbits (a chinese candy that we bought in Victoria).

We were visiting 2 weeks before and James was in the primary program. He sang and did his part, Andy played the piano. It was nice. The funniest thing was that Finn saw his dad and brother up on the stand. The whole time he kept yelling really loud, "HI DAD! HI DAD!... HI JAMES! HI DAD!... HI JAMES! HI JAMES.... HI, DAD!
It was funny.
love y'all
-T.H.E.

Parachute fun at the Orem reception

2009-08-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

2009-08-27T01:50:00.001-07:00

Two of the little princesses: Amy Parks and Cassidy Cobb

2009-08-27T01:40:00.000-07:00

Hi. I'm Sam Arnold. I'm glad my mom flew in with me from Boston. Happy to be here!
A Good Start!

Ryan and Melissa's Wedding Invitation

2009-08-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

Coming Soon

2009-05-29T21:42:00.001-07:00

For those in the family who aren't aware, we are expecting a new arrival quite soon. Bonnie will be induced this Tuesday if our little girl hasn't arrived by then. We'll post pics on our blog as soon as we get to it (probably with her first nap). Just FYI. =)

Melissa's Birthday/ Engagement --- March 12, 2009

2009-03-18T21:41:00.000-07:00

From bottom to top (March 12, 2009):
Me and Melissa went to the Draper Temple open house. It was really pretty. Then we went to pick up Grammy from the Jordan River Temple. As we were pulling up, we called her, but she was still inside. So I asked Melissa if she would like to sit on a bench and read some scripture with me.

The scripture I chose was Micah 4:2, which says,
"And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."

So, from there, I knelt down and asked, "Melissa Lily Mikhail, will you go with me to the house of the Lord with me to be sealed as my wife forever?" She said yes, no hesitation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Inside the temple waiting room, Grammy had left flowers for us. In the car I had chocolates for her and birthday presents because it was her birthday. I got her a Dr. Suess book, a mad-libs 'in love', two things that I stole from her earlier, and a ring.

So then, Dad and Grammy came out and I was elated to see them and ran and gave Dad a BIG hug. Then I hugged Grammy. Then Dad hugged Melissa. Then I hugged Melissa. Then everybody hugged everybody and we forgot who was hugging who. It was WONDERFUL! After that, I called her parents and we went out to eat.

Life is gooooooood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so thrilled to have this special woman in my life. She means the world to me.

More Practicing

2009-01-24T20:30:00.001-08:00

Mom is Practicing

2009-01-24T20:18:00.001-08:00

This is Amy Catharine making her way through the books at Jim Bridger Elementary.

Hi. I've been working on the blog for the Paradigm High School Library It can be found at
www.libraryparadigm.blogspot.com I know for most of you this is easy easy but remember I'm an oldie. Here I go practicing posting pictures:

YAY POLAR BEAR PARKS!!

2009-01-22T12:48:00.000-08:00

Bonnie and Matt are going to have another daughter that means I (I=T.H.E.) am going to be an Aunt and an Uncle in the same year! Yay for Polar Bear and Sam! And I might as well yay everybody while I'm at it!

In other news:
Andrew Ben Armstrong made up a word game based off of Mastermind. Some of ya'll have played it, some haven't. Anyway, I'm pretty sure the record is six guesses and that three people hold it: Andy, T.H.E., and Melissa.
Here's a happy picture!

Ryan and Melissa

2008-12-20T18:14:00.000-08:00

Kara requested some fotos:
Sorry it took so long!

2008-12-11T23:17:00.000-08:00

2008-12-11T23:07:00.000-08:00

almost Christmas

2008-12-11T21:56:00.000-08:00

Christmas Memories.

1. What kind of a Christmas tree did you have while growing up?
My mother didn't go in much for Christmas trees. I remember putting up a white plastic tree with blue ornaments
2. What kind of tree do you have now? When do you put it up? A few years ago when my Dult children started throwing ornaments at the tree and thinking it was so funny, I quite having trees and just went with Nativity scenes. This year I have Amy's last year tree with stuffed doggies and candy canes hanging from it. I got it out of "the forest" (Aly's name for our crawl space)right after Thanksgiving
3. What significant life events happened around Christmas time?
I was proposed to on Christmas eve and accepted on Christmas day.
Bonnie was due on Christmas and came three weeks early.
4. What is your favorite Christmas music?
Handel's Messiah and Noel Noel
5. Christmas Eve tradition?
When the kids were little, they got out all the old games and played them in their bedroom. I seem to remember them wanting to all sleep in the same room. Is that right ya'll?

The following is copied from Bonnie's blog. I don't know how to change font or color on this thing. I need some lessons! HOW ABOUT ALL CAPS?
1. Did you date someone from your school? Yes. I had two boyfriends in high school - one for five months and one for 1 year nine months. So that took up most of my high school dating years. Despite my best efforts, no. I HAD A BOYFRIEND, PETER THAT LIVED IN PHILIDELPHIA. MET HIM ON THE AIRPLANE COMING BACK FROM YOUTH CONFERENCE AT BYU.

2. What kind of car did you drive? A dodge neon. Although I shouldn't have driven to school so much. We lived 2 blocks away and then moved to 5 blocks away. I was lazy. A 1975 yellow ford ranger with rust around the tires. A WHITE VW BUG. WHEN I WAS IN SEMINARY ONE DAY, THE BOYS IN MY CLASS DROVE IT UP THE BACK RAMP ONTO THE STAGE OF THE CHURCH.

3. Were you a party animal? In a way. I had my group of friends, and we loved playing together. But our parties were usually game nights, movies, or temple walks and porch sits. (I lived/ worked in a bed and breakfast, and we had an AWESOME porch.) No. Just, no. I LIKED DANCING, SINGING, ACTING, SWIMMING, READING

4. Were you considered a flirt? by everyone who knew me. I was out of control. More... awkward. Don't think I didn't try though! NOT REALLY FLIRT--SURE LIKED TO TALK,THOUGH.

5. Were you in band, orchestra or choir? Yes, yes, and yes. I loved all three. No, no, and no. Boy did I miss out! MADRIGAL CHOIR. 3 TO A PART. PERFORMED LOTS OF PLACES. RED VELVEL SKIRTS. LOVED IT

6. Were you a nerd? No question. Senior year I was captain of the math team. Despite my best efforts, I'm afraid so. SURE

7. Were you on any varsity teams? no way. no athletic ability here. Diving and Ballroom Dance teams. There weren't enough to have 'varsity' or any such categories. Probably why I was able to get on them! NOPE.

8. Did you get suspended/expelled? no. I was good. No. I think that would have mortified me. NO

9. Can you still sing the fight song? never knew the fight song, but I can still sing part of our school song. I had an embarrassing amount of school spirit and had lots of fun displaying it. That and the pep band made sporting events enjoyable for me. Otherwise I would have hated them. Bont, I'm pretty sure your school song *is* your fight song, hon. At least ours was. And no, I can't still sing it. But I do still know some cool high school cheers! Actually, our school song and our fight song were different. I know. I played them both on my big bari sax. MHS Forever was the name of our school song, and I knew all the words to both versus. The fight song I could just play. Don't know if we had words or not. ONLY WENT TO SOCCER GAMES TO WATCH A BOY I HAD A CRUSH ON NAMED PAUL. NEVER LIKED FOOTBALL. NO, I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THE SCHOOL SONGS THEN.

10. Who were your favorite teachers? my band director - Mrs. Whitaker. Band was one of my favorite things. Mrs. Walter. Was, is, and likely will be 'till I die.
MRS. HOFFMAN (DANCE), MR. ZEPEZOUR (ALGEBRA), AND CHOIR (CAN'T THINK OF HIS NAME RIGHT OFF.) REMEMBER, BONT, THAT HIGH SCHOOL WAS A FEW MORE YEARS BACK FOR ME. NOW THAT'S GOING TO BUG ME.

11. Where did you sit during lunch? I don't really remember. I often went home for lunch - sometimes served meals at wedding luncheons real quick while I was there, then back to school. Always played Ultimate Frisbee at lunch. Usually ate lunch during classes to have more time to play at lunch. But my friends never followed suit, so I always had to wait for them! Stupid friends. SITTING BY THE DANCE ROOM WITH MY FRIEND DEBBIE. SOMETIMES WE SANG FOLK SONGS

12. What was your school's full name? Manti High School Timpview High School
MENLO ATHERTON HIGH SCHOOL.

13. School mascot? Templar (It's a night, no relation to the temple. Go watch National Treasure.) Thunderbird MAYBE BEARS?

14. If you could go back and do it again, would you? Not thanks. As much as I liked high school - I really did - I loved college more, loved the mission more than that, and think that being a wife and mom are the best things ever! Nope. I most certainly wouldn't. High school wasn't pretty. ABSOLUTELY NOT. I'VE EARNED MY YEARS!

15. What do you remember most about graduation? I think that it felt weird to be done. Nothing sticks out about the ceremony and the graduation party wasn't really that great. I remember sitting next to my brother's really cute ex-girlfriend and I remember that she was sad for High School to end. She might have even cried. I didn't get her. I still don't. I WAS KIND OF SAD THAT I HADN'T REALLY BEEN INVITED TO ANY PARTIES. BUT MY FAMILY CAME OUT IN FULL FORCE TO SUPPORT ME. JERRY WAS THERE HANDING ME FLOWERS JUST AFTER I RECEIVED THE DIPLOMA.

16. What did you do for senior skip day? I think Lagoon, maybe. I don't know. I'll ask Emily. I don't remember going. You mean senior sluff day? I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure I went to school. DRAWING A BLANK.

17. Were you in any clubs? math club. band council. did a little speech and drama I did PHASE once. Don't really remember what that was. I was in Spanish club as part of my class. It got me extra 'pesos' - you know, those cheap ways teachers bribe kids to behave (not that I blame them!). JUST DANCE AND CHOIR

18. Have you gained weight since then?I don't remember what I weighed exactly. I gained weight and lost it on the mission and then during my pregnancy. Overall, I think I'm about the same size as I was in high school, when I'm not pregnant. I couldn't gain weight if I ate a pint of Ben & Jerry's every day for 2 months straight. I know! I've tried it! I WEIGH LESS.

19. Who was your prom date? I also went with someone named Lucas. Lucas Jones. Sophomore year. Junior and Senior years I went with my boyfriend - Aaron Bean. Jr. Prom: Anne Gardner. Sr. Prom: Bekah Baird. I WENT ONE YEAR WITH DEBBIE DELBRIDGE'S BROTHER. (ARRANGED)

20. Are you planning on going to your 20-year reunion? don't care really. thanks to blogs and such, I'm in touch with many of my high school friends and am not as interested in seeing the people who weren't really my friends anyway. I couldn't go to my 5 - I was out of town. This year was my 10th - I forgot about it. My track record is pretty poor, but I wouldn't mind going. IT'S LONG GONE.

1.What color is your tooth brush? Orange & White. It was gift from a 7-year-old. I usually buy myself yellow toothbrushes Blue and white. I HAVE A SOCCER BATTERY OPERATED TOOTHBRUSH THAT JAMES THINKS IS REALLY COOL.
3. What is your favorite candy bar? most anything white chocolate hmmm, reeses or milky way or 100 grand. SNICKERS
5. What is the last thing you said aloud? "Bye." I was video chatting with my sister on gmail. "Ok" "EXCUSE ME"--MOVED MY LEG SO RICHARD COULD OPEN A DRAWER.
6. What is the best ice cream flavor? Blue Bell White Chocolate Almond. I wish they sold it here. Hmmm - flavor? I have a few. All Ben & Jerry's of course. But I think I'd have to say B&J's Chocolate Therapy is my favorite. I PRETEND THAT I DON'T EAT ICE CREAM ANYMORE. I MADE SOME FRESH MINT ICE CREAM ONCE THAT WAS YUMMY.
7. What is the last thing you had to drink? Probably water. Water. About 64 fl oz of it. BARLEY WATER
8. What are you wearing right now? Jeans and a yellow shirt My coat.PJS AND ROBE
9. What was the last thing you ate? I'm munching on cheez-its right now. Some cheez-its from my lunch. Bont - why are you eating cheez-its next to the computer AND on the bed? You naughty head! ;-) BANANA BREAD
10. Have you bought any new clothing items this week? nope I don't think I've bought myself any new clothing in the last year (excepting a halloween costume and some new Garments). I hate shopping for clothes. MOST ALWAYS FROM DI
11. When was the last time you ran? right before I found out I was pregnant. I now switched to a prenatal water aerobics class - on the days I feel well enough Yesterday morning when I was trying to make it to my work meeting in time. HM, I DON'T RUN VERY OFTEN. MAYBE IT WAS WHEN I CHASED JAMES DOWN THE AISLE AT CHURCH WHEN HE WAS DETERMINED TO HELP DREW PLAY THE ORGAN.
12. Who was the last person to send you a message/comment on your blog? My friend, Lauren Your blog is my blog.
13. Do you take vitamins daily? if I remember. I sometimes forget to take my prenatals. If you mean candy, yes. SUPPLEMENTS AND ALL SORTS OF TEAS AND SEAWEED AND STUFF.
14. Do you go to church every Sunday? yep yes YES
15. Do you have a tan? No No, but when I take of my shirt I can give other people tans! WHAT FOR? I DID WHEN I WAS A KID AND SWAM ALL THE TIME
16. Do you like Chinese food over pizza? no, we have pizza a lot Chinese food on pizza? Gross! Fried rice and Kung Pao chicken have no business on a pizza. I LIKE THEM BOTH
17. Do you drink soda with a straw? rarely I usually get soda at fast food places, and they provide straws, so yes, I usually do. NO MORE SODA FOR ME. SOMETIMES ONE SIP OF ROOT BEER.
18. What does your last text message say? gotta check my phone - my friend, Emily told me I was awesome. She's nice. "Hey girls, I was seeing who got their visiting teaching done for Oct. Text me yes or no. Or give me a call. Thanks! Kim" - I think it was a wrong number. SOMEDAY, I'LL GET A TEXT MESSAGE. SOMEDAY I'LL GET A CELL PHONE
19. Are you someones best friend? Matt's Aaaah - cuuuuute. Yeah, I answer similarly: Bont's. RICHARD. MY BUDDIES ARE JAMIE, JOANIE, AND ROSEMARIE. AND OF COURSE MY FAMILAM
20. What are you doing tomorrow? play group. I want to go to a children's literacy class at Macey's my friends introduced me to. It's awesome. If I feel well, I'll go. Going to work! SURPRISE! Then I have a Primary quarterly activity (sounds fun!). Then I'll probably want to go to bed. TAKING ANDY/NITA/JAMES/FINN TO THE AIRPORT ON THEIR WAY TO CANADA THEN HEAD OVER TO PARADIGM HIGH SCHOOL FOR LIBRARYING
21. Where is your dad? at work. That's almost always true. One is in California probably just leaving work. The other is in New Zealand probably doing some errand for the Area President there (he's the Executive Secretary). HE'S IN THE WORLD OF SPIRITS STILL WATCHING OVER US
22. Look to your left, what do you see? the inside of my closet Cubicles. PICTURES OF RICHARD'S GRANDPARENTS, HIS PARENTS, AND A QUEEN SIZE MATTRESS LEANING AGAINST THE WALL.
23. What color is your favorite pair of shoes? I think my favorite are my yellow slippers. Who's surprised. My brown, air-conditioned, hol(e)y, normal, every day shoes. I've owned them before I was married, so probably 3 years now. Here's to another 3! ALL MY COMFY ONES, AND A TAN PAIR I GOT IN INGUISU, BRAZIL.
24. Do you use chap stick? rarely I prefer the stuff in the little tubes that you squeeze out. NOPE
25. Whats your favorite thing to do in your free time? read books and blogs, play with my family Don't remember. READ. PLAY WITH MY CUTE GRANDCHILDREN. SO FUN
26. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru? I prefer drive thru. Matt likes going in. We usually go in when we're all together. Bonnie covered it well. I'VE BEEN KIND OF JUST MAKING MY FOOD AT HOME.
27. Do you have a dog? No. I don't like dogs. But Amy sure does. Did all growing up - a few different ones. I suspect our children will prevail on Mom to get one, so I won't try. =) NO.
28. Last guy you talked on the phone with? Probably Matt. I don't remember. Brother Coleman. RFA
29. Last girl you talked on the phone with? I think BriAnne Some person asking for a Bonnie somebody. I remember because, well, obviously, but it was actually on my work phone and was a wrong number. Go figure. MY SISTER, FAYE.
30. Any fun vacation plans soon? next summer we're going to visit my sister and her family in Boston. "And I've never been to Boston in the fall!" GOING TO OHIO WHEN LAUREL'S SAM IS BORN. HOPING TO GO TO NAUVOO FOR THE THREE WEEKS I'M NOT BEING LIBRARIAN.
31. Do you dye your hair? I have a couple times, but Matt doesn't really like dyed hair. So right before the wedding I dyed it back to my natural color and haven't dyed it since. Nope. I've spraid it black temporarily for Latin dance competitions, but it washes out. That's about as far as I'll go. MAYBE SO I CAN QUALIFY AGAIN FOR BLOND JOKES.
32. Can you say the alphabet backwards? I think so. Absolutely. I've practiced it many times. YES. I DIDN'T KNOW I COULD UNTIL JUST NOW
33. Do you have a maid service clean your house? Nope. If I did, my house would be clean. Amy. Oh - clean? Oh. I thought you said terrorize. My bad. I HAD THAT FOR THE FOUR YEARS WE WERE IN SINGAPORE. I WOULD LOVE IT
34. Are you jealous of anyone? probably Bonnie Parks' husband. MAN he's lucky!NOT THAT I CAN THINK OF.
35. Do you love anyone? Yes - lots of people Ditto to what Bont said. YES, I DO.
36. Do any of your friends have children? Yes - most of them Yep. YES
37. Do you use the word Hello daily? who knows? I know I did as executive secretary. I wouldn't be surprised if I still do. YES
38. Do you like cats? nope kittens, not cats. NO.
39. Have you ever been to Six Flags? I think so. I've been to quite a few amusement parks. Yes. I THINK LAUREL PERFORMED THERE WITH ENCORE???
40. How did you get your worse scar? The only scar I can find right now I got swing dancing with a friend in college. Two words: Chicken pox. ON MY LEFT HAND. PLAYING A GAME IN THE GYM IN JUNIOR HIGH WITH A RUBBER BOUNCY BALL, RIPPED IT ON BRUCE STUBBERFIELD'S BINDER.
41. What is your favorite smell? when I'm pregnant I love to smell yummy, non-nauseating foods and things that smell fresh. Have you ever walked into a Ben & Jerry's scoop shop? That is my favorite smell. A FRESHLY BATHED BABY.
42. What is the last DVD you watched? North Avenue Irregulars. It was funny. Yeah - it was awesome! Go check it out from the library! What a funny movie! I NEVER REMEMBER TITLES.
43. Have you ever been to Disney World? Yes No. Never been to Florida. I DROPPED RICHARD, BONNIE, AND RYAN OFF AND WENT SHOPPING.
44. What is your favorite number? no idea 57 - the channel of cartoon network when I was a kid. I was always best at the seminary Scripture Mastery scriptures that somehow incorporated the number 57. COMPOUNDING INTEREST
45. Do you toast your pop tarts? I rarely eat them, but I like them either way. Not usually - too much cooking. POP TARTS???? WHOLE GRAIN WAFFLES, THANK YOU.
46. Have you ever waited tables? yeah, and it was one of my favorite jobs No - I just made the shakes. Surprised? Didn't think so. I REFUSED TO DO IT AT THE INN THOUGH I HAD PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES.
47. Where did you have your first kiss? Manti Temple hill. I was 18. (My mom doesn't believe me that I waited that long.) In front of the waterfall that runs down the Conference Center, 23-September-2005. Bonnie was my first kiss. HM,,,I WONDER IF I SHOULD SAY?
48. What should you be doing? Cleaning and doing the laundry Programming. GOING TO SLEEP.
49. Do you enjoy wasting time blogging? love it Aeh. Occasionally. SURE

Thanks Heather!

Cerny/ Armstrong Trivia

2008-12-02T08:34:00.000-08:00

1. How does someone stow away?

2. How many members are in the O.C.C., and how do you get into the O.C.C.?

3. Name the person and the performance event, or talent shared, that made you laugh the most at a Packer reunion?

4. When the man fell off the bike, he was gone with the ________.

5. Who thought he didn't have a middle name?

6. Who is H.B.?

7. How did John and Aly meet?

8. Who said, "I'm so glad there's friendship between Anne and Katie? What was the friendship referred to?

9. Are we hanging out?

10. Who served a mission near Cape Cod?

11. What did Kirk call his pillow?

12. Who invented the care-meter?

13. Who is Anne Tankersly?

14. Who always ate the most candy at Easter?

15. What was the name of the convience store down the street from the Armstrongs' house?

16. What was Katie doing when her water broke when she was pregnant with Bonnie?

17. What was written on the driveway at Spillers Lane house?

18. What is the largest number of people to stay over night at either Cernys' or Armstrongs'?

19. According to your memory, what was the funniest saying or song of both Grandma and Grandpa Packer? Say some of the words.

20. What did Richard throw on Aly's chinese friend, causing her to almost drop baby James?

21. What was the Cernys' phone number at Thornwick?

22. Why did Ryan have a chemo haircut?

23. What did LoRane sell from the porch of the Manti House Inn during pageant?

24. How did Catharine say yes to Richard's marriage proposal?

25. What is the translation of "Tan I dit"?

26. "Shootin' at the walls of heartache BANG BANG I am the ______."

27. What movie did we go see when we left Ryan at Armstrongs' house?

28. Who was Gearmo?

29. What is Irish and stays up all night?

30. Who got a bean up his/her nose & blew it out?

31. What person in the family broke who's tooth? How?

32. Bossy B. _____.

33. What are some of your options if the parents say NO TRADE?

34. Why did the Energizer Bunny go to jail?

35. This is how Scott and Melissa rode home from football.

36. What restaurant had all-you-can-eat sopapillas?

37. Name LoRane's children.

38. Bonsteen________.

39. Name at least 3 things naughty children used to say about the "bench"?

40. When you land on your back on the trampoline with your legs out to the sides, and it feels like you tore your groin, what is the name of the move?

41. What part of Nathan's body did Richard bite?

42. What were 2 events done at the Easter fair at Armstrongs'?

43. William loves this movie with John Cusack: The Sure _____.

44. Name one of Que's children.

45. Who fell out of the car on the way to school for picture day?

46. How did Kirk become Firtle Kirtle?

47. What is Luby's?

48. Who baptized Bonnie? Andrew?

49. Complete the phrase: "Feet in the ______, _____ ___."

50. If you ask Orion, "What kind of pie do you want, Daddy?" what would his answer be?

51. When you drive to Colorado, beware of Rocky Mountain _____ _____.

52. Name all the grandchildren of both families.

53. Who is to blame for introducing benching to the Packer family?

54. Who in the family is named after someone?

55. Gallery Furniture really will _________________.

56. Who came up with Ayzh Pozh?

57. What was the name of the church/ school where we played football on Christmas? It was next to Valley Oaks Elementary.

58. What instrument was practiced in the back yard neighbor's at the Armstrongs'?

59. How did Kirk cheat at Monopoly?

60. "The _____, oh twist the _____."

61. Nathan's weapon/ stuffed animal monkey is named _____.

62. What street is a shortcut from Cernys' to the church on Bering Drive?

63. The Armstrongs decorated Cernys' house for William's _____ birthday.

64. Who said, "Good morning to you!"?

65. Who was livid?

66. Where did people go on missions?

67. What is the name of the fundraiser party at Valley Oaks?

68. Who swallowed 2 nickels?

69. "I can call you Betty, and Betty, when you call me, you can call me _____."

70. Which missionary wrote in his letter that he farted in a foreign country?

71. What was the name of Nathan's toy monkey?

72. What was our favorite reason for eating at Panchos?

73. Who retrieved balls that went over the fence, and what was the great danger?

74. The Cernys and Armstrongs kids were walking from A to C. What did they ditch?

75. "[Kara] won the race. [Kara] won the race. [Kara] won the race 'cuz [she] was on ______'s team."

76. Who visited the hospital (a kid) most often, and what was one funny reason for being in the ER?

77. What was Richard's worst Thanksgiving accident?

78. What is a DDT?

79. Name one way to cheat at PIT.

80. Mayor of Houstong: Cathy ____

81. What is a honeymoon salad?

82. Who was the youngest kid to go on the white water rafting in Colorado, and which kids did Kate watch?

83. What costume did Katie make a long time ago that William still wears to work on Halloween?

84. What is "Camp Kick-a-kee"?

85. How many days between Andy and Aly's birthdays? Who is older?

86. "Hey Bont, I changed my name again." "What's your name?" "_________"

87. What is the 2nd verse to "I'll never do it again?"

88. "Take good care of my _____."

89. What is Anne and William's anniversary (including year)?

90. Who is goat?

91. Name 1 bishop of the Memorial Park ward.

92. Name college majors of as many Armstrongs, Cernys, and spouses as you can.

93. Who lived across the street from 1614 Monarch Oaks? What did he/ she call his/ her grandmother?

94. Explain the phrase, "Are you talking?"

95. Which child stowed away the most?

96. List all Cernys including spouses and kids. Now Armstrongs.

97. Why did Laurel sleep most of her first 3 weeks of life at Cernys'?

98. What are some naughty things we would do when Kate would leave us home alone?

99. What are Grandma Packer's 4 names?

100. Name everyone who is pregnant right now.

101. This is the town where Schlitterbahn is.

102. What did we drop on the garage floor (food) and then ate it?

103. Share a funny kid quote.

104. Name as many territories in Asia as you can, according to RISK.

105. Who is Koo Kah Kee?

106. On what street in Houston was the pool with platforms?

107. What movie were we watching when Nathan was born?

108. Is it possible to eat a whole package of Big League Chew at the same time?

109. Who would call someone, wait for them to answer, then say "what"?

Family Relations

2008-11-15T20:22:00.001-08:00

So I was going to play Racquetball with Melissa on Tuesday (November 11, 2008) right. So I was standing at the door of the women's locker room waiting when Melissa walks out with another girl. She introduced me (or at least tried) to Natalie Brower!
I shook her hand and told her that we're related. She was dumbfounded. I went on to tell her that her family members' names are Lorna, Mark, Daniel (with a wife and kid), Kevin, and Mitchell. (I forgot about Patrick.) She was totally stunned and apologized that she had no idea who I was. I explained the connection. It was a lot of kicks!

Gems from the mouths of my children

2008-09-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

1. Lillianne has recently learned the word "cute" and she is using it often. Last week she said, "Lillie cute. Daddy cute!" I was changing her diaper a few minutes ago and she was giving me a customary list of people she calls cute (usually everyone in the family.) Partway through the list she got to, "Neemy [Amy] cute. Bonnie cute. Jesus cute."

2. The other day at lunch Aly and I had this conversation:

(Aly) "Do you know what has just one nose?"
(Me) "What?"
(Aly) "An elephant!"
(Me) "Well what has two noses?"
(Aly) "Me! And a gorilla!"

Id ma Birddey!

2008-08-26T16:36:00.001-07:00

This is a tribute to my awesome family who I love dearly! For 24 years ya'll have given me so much support and love throughout my life! I am so immensely grateful to all you. I love to have people to rely on and serve and play with and celebrate life with!
I love being an Armstrong!!

Pictures from our Utah trip

2008-08-08T06:23:00.000-07:00

Hi Family,

Here are some pictures from our latest visit. We had such a good time. We love you all so much. James, you ruled with that book cover on your head. It reminds me of "Where the Wild Things Are." A lot of these pictures are from Aspen Grove. The kids all caught their own fish, then brought them to the kitchen, where the staff cooked them so the kids could have them for breakfast the next morning. Yum (it was actually really good). These pictures went up in a funny order, but you can still enjoy them jumbled, right?

P.S. The crazy masked figure is me before playing paint ball.

I painted my kitchen cabinets!

2008-07-08T15:57:00.001-07:00

Here's the before and after of the kitchen. I'm so happy with how much brighter it looks. It took me 4 months of working sporadically to finish the cabinets. In both pictures, please ignore any dirty dishes you may or may not see.

Armstrongs vs. Parks Field Day

2008-06-03T12:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, for Mom's birthday, I got a wonderful surprise.

First a little background:
I had just gone to the grocery store to pick up most of the food we will need for the month. Before that, Amy had had a doctor's appointment. We had been gone doing errands since 9:30, and now it was about 2:00. I knew Amy wasn't going to want to be locked in the house while I unloaded groceries from the car. She would be safe, but not happy about me leaving and coming back so much. But I had to get all the cold stuff in and put away. So I was feeling bad about that as I went and got the first load of food out of the car, knowing that Amy was crying inside the house, when I heard, "do you need some help?" It was Mom!!! Perfect timing! So Mom played with a much happier Amy while I unloaded and put away the groceries.

She had come to Orem to help Anne with some Cookies For Dinner stuff. And she couldn't resist stopping to see Amy. While she was at my house, we decided that it would be very fun to have Dad take the bus down to Orem after he was done working. Then he and Mom could join us for dinner and Family Home Evening. Mom and I were pretty much jumping up and down when Dad said ok.

When everyone was finally gathered at our house that evening we ate some tacos and ice cream (Mom ate some because it was her birthday) and then headed outside for our activity. Laurel inspired me earlier that day by telling me about the field day Tyler had had at school. So we had a field day too. It was better than I even could have imagined. (That's saying something because with my fun husband and parents I imagined a really fun time.)

I was a little concerned because
1) it was trying to rain, and I didn't want weather to ruin our field day
2) Amy was acting really cranky, and I didn't know if she would last
3) Matt was very tired.

As it turned out, it rained very little while we were outside. Amy calmed right down and sat on the blanket the whole time with whoever would sit by her. She was just thrilled to be outside. Matt got really into it and had a blast. In fact, he and Dad were the last ones to come in.

So the teams were the Armstrongs vs. the Parks.

The first event was a relay race. We couldn't all do the race at the same time because we wanted someone to hang out by Amy. So we timed each other. That was better because then we got to watch each other and film. The way our relay was supposed to work:
one teammate hopped on one foot to the hula hoop, twirled it three times on the waist and three times on the neck, then hopped back. The other teammate crabwalked to the hula hoop, did the same twirling, and crabwalked back. Then we were supposed to wheelbarrow each other. Matt and I were bad at that part, but Mom and Dad did great! After the relay race, we just all made up funny events. Here's the footage:

Matt and me in the relay race:

Here are Mom and Dad taking their turn doing the relay race:

Matt Hopping:

Dad made up this event and the cool strategy:

Dad showing Matt how to do this trick:

Matt not doing the trick so well. (Notice you don't see me trying the trick at all):

We also did a ring toss that Laurel told me about. You try to get the hula hoop around your partner from increasing distances. Mom turned it into a game of donkey. So you could miss 6 times before you lose. Sometimes I was just laughing too hard to throw the hula hoop.

Then there was the who can hula-hoop the longest contest. Mom got bored of me hula hooping and declared me the winner after like 3 minutes and one lap around the blanket while still hula hooping.

When Amy was starting to get done and we were finally heading in, Matt and Dad stopped in the breezeway to have contests rolling the hula hoop and getting it to come back past you. See who can get it the farthest back. (That doesn't make sense how I explained it.) So we stopped and all tried that game too.

Finally we went back in the house for popcorn and starbursts and a great lesson by Matt. (We lit a candle and sang to Mom as we brought the bowl of popcorn in the room. I had written 55 in starbursts on the table.) It was almost 11 when Mom and Dad headed home.

Happy Birthday, Mom, and thanks for sharing it with us!

T.H.E. went campin'

2008-06-02T14:27:00.000-07:00

We had to balance on these logs to get to our campsite

My impression of a chipmunk

The place was called granite flats. hmm. no pictures of me swimming. The lake was made of glacier water. Ahhhh-so coooold.

Dangerous poop

2008-04-07T07:58:00.000-07:00

Dad sent this in an email and asked if someone could post it to the blog. Is this what you wanted, Dad?

The other day I was talking to Andrew on the phone, and heard him say to James to get off Finn. He was reaching for something on the other side of Finn and just crawled up on him. I laughed a lot, and explained to Andy why I laughed so much. I said I remembered we were always telling you (Salli) to get off your little brother. He would be in a baby carrier on the floor and you used to get on him. That's something I remember besides you climbing up on an arm of the couch, spreading your hands upward, and while balancing precariously say, "Da Daaa", kind of musically and triumphantly. Be sure besides pictures you jot down a lot of the funny things your children say when they were little. My mother did this and delighted us forever afterwards telling us things we said and did and tiny stages.

I took Andrew and Nita and the boys to the SLC airport last Thursday night as they were about to fly to be with the Nita's mom in New York City. I turned to James and asked him to say something funny so I could laugh. He replied, "I can't, I'm in my car seat." Then I asked him a riddle, Where do bees sit? Answer: On their bee-hinds. Nita explained that means the butt. Then James said, while still in his car seat, "That's where I have dangerous poop."

All she wants for Christmas are . . .

2008-03-31T07:43:00.001-07:00

Malia's other top baby tooth was loose yesterday. She made it wigglier by wrapping a string around it and yanking. Then she and Tyler decided to knock it out with a crayon, so she held still and he bopped the crayon up against it saying, "Upsie daisy, upsie daisy . . ." until it popped out.

Later, Malia made this sign. She taped her tooth to it and taped the sign onto a plastic golf club. The sign says:

"Spacey smile,
Spacey smile,
Spacey smile,
2 teeth missing"

She drew a picture of her tooth coming out and wrote, "Pop!" next to it. I love this .

DC Picture Matching Game

2008-03-30T09:56:00.000-07:00

Let's see how well you know your Washington DC landmarks. Match the name with the picture!

1. National Zoo
2. National Cathedral
3. Riding the Metro
4. White House
5. Tired kids who've just walked from the White House to the Lincoln Memorial
6. Lincoln Memorial
7. Korean War Memorial
8. Vietnam Wall
9. World War II Memorial
10. Washington Monument
11. Lillianne and Aly doing tricks
12. Washington DC Temple
13. A bald man doing ballet
14. Lillianne saying "Cute!" because I've been taking pictures of her at the pool
15. Air and Space Museum
16. Iwo Jima Memorial
17. Arlington Cemetery
18. Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
19. Capitol Building
20. Supreme Court
21. Thomas Jefferson Memorial
22. Mount Vernon

Email me your answers and I'll tell you if you are right.

Our Washington DC Trip

2008-03-30T07:55:00.000-07:00

We just got back from Washington DC last night. Ry spent the month of March there for a radiology seminar, and I was able to bring the kids to join him for spring break for the last 9 days of his stay. It may have been our best family vacation ever. I loved it.

Ry had to sit in class until 5 pm every day, so he missed a lot, but the kids and I walked our feet off sightseeing. Several of the days, we drove from the home where we were staying (a vacant basement apartment) to the train station, parked the van, and took the Metro into the city. That was a fun adventure.

My favorite day was the day we visited the monuments. We took the train, walked to the White House, then walked from there to the Lincoln Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam Wall, the World War II Memorial, the Washington Monument, then walked to a train station and went home. That's a 4 mile walk! (It's a mile just from the White House to the Lincoln Memorial.) Luckily, I had my double stroller. Occasionally, I'd kick Aly out to give Tyler or Malia a ride, but they both walked almost that whole distance. They were troupers!

Anyway, I was in awe when I first saw the White House. It represents so many good things to me. Even though we haven't always had great presidents, the office of President of the United States is inspiring. That feeling of awe grew in me as we walked from place to place. The Lincoln Memorial is set up to inspire awe. The building has a classic feel, and you have to walk up the steps to see the statue, which is enormous. Then if you turn around, you see the reflecting pool that draws your eye to the Washington Monument, half a mile away.

The wall at the Korean War Memorial was etched with hundreds of faces of men and women, and was alongside several statues representing soldiers with battle-weary faces. The Vietnam Wall only had names on it, but the magnitude of personal sacrifice became apparent as I walked by and realized the volume of names I was passing. All this time, my emotion was building, and it culminated as we arrived at the World War II Memorial.

It was beautiful, with two large towers representing the war in the Atlantic and the war in the Pacific, then smaller individual towers representing each state's contribution to the war. There were fountains in the middle and a wall covered in gold stars, representing soldiers who died in the war. There were amazing quotes etched into the stone. And I just walked through crying. I told Tyler and Malia the story of their great great uncle Mervyn S. Bennion, a posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor, who was one of the first American heroes of World War II, having died at Pearl Harbor on the ship he commanded. The kids were amazed by the story. Tyler said, in a choked-up voice, "He was courageous." Malia wanted to know all the details I could give her. She asked me repeatedly to explain exactly how she was related to him.

Anyway, we ended our trek for the day by walking up to the base of the Washington Monument, which is so tall. Its grandeur was a perfect cap on a nearly perfect day.

The rest of our sightseeing was also wonderful. Here are some of the places we visited or at least saw from the car:

Museum of Natural History
National Zoo
White House
Lincoln Memorial
Korean War Memorial
Vietnam Wall
World War II Memorial
Washington Monument
Air and Space Museum
Iwo Jima Memorial
Arlington Cemetery
Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Pentagon
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Capitol Building
Supreme Court
Mount Vernon
National Cathedral
Washington DC Temple and Visitors Center

Tyler said he'd give the trip a 98%. I was so happy, because that's a major accomplishment as a parent, to produce a vacation that gets that kind of approval rating. Then I asked him to go to bed, and he told me, "97%."

But after we got home yesterday, Malia hugged me and said, "I loved that trip. Thank you so much, Mom."

Hooray! It was wonderful!

Dad's Memories

2008-03-24T12:51:00.001-07:00

Dad wrote this to Salli and forwarded to others:

Those were some really fine pix. Is Cassidy retaining her ample dark hair? Does Michelle have two L's? Does she do really cute ways, besides showing her tongue? When you were a little baby, Salli, your stretch always had an open hand with fingers spread wide. I always thought that very cute, since many babies clench a fist when stretching.

The other day I was talking to Andrew on the phone, and heard him say to James to get off Finn. He was reaching for something on the other side of Finn and just crawled up on him. I laughed a lot, and explained to Andy why I laughed so much. I said I remembered we were always telling you to get off your little brother. He would be in a baby carrier on the floor and you used to get on him. That's something I remember besides you climbing up on an arm of the couch, spreading your hands upward, and while balancing precariously say, "Da Daaa", kind of musically and triumphantly. Be sure besides pictures you jot down a lot of the funny things your children say when they were little. My mother did this and delighted us forever afterwards telling us things we said and did and tiny stages.

I took Andrew and Nita and the boys to the SLC airport last Thursday night as they were about to fly to be with the Nita's mom in New York City. I turned to James and asked him to say something funny so I could laugh. He replied, "I can't, I'm in my car seat." Then I asked him a riddle, Where do bees sit? Answer: On their bee-hinds. Nita explained that means the butt. Then James said, while still in his car seat, "That's where I have dangerous poop."

Anybody else want to share a funny memory?

Dad

Picture of Malia

2008-03-12T11:15:00.000-07:00

Malia asked me to take this picture of her.

Little Ry's on YouTube!

2008-03-05T19:39:00.000-08:00

If ya'll search under the name kakoi8017176414 you'll find me playing the guitar. My buddy put these up.

Rolla Zillie the Snowgirl

2008-03-04T11:06:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, my friend Julie came over with her two kids and we played in the snow. We build a snowgirl and I told them that our last two snowmen have been named Billy so Julie suggested Zillie. We were hanging a "Winner!" medal around Zillie's neck when Julie's daughter Jenna suggested calling the snowgirl Rolla, "because that's a 's name!", so she's now Rolla Zillie. Rolla Zillie is exactly the same height as Lillianne. I had Jenna and Aly try to take pictures of me and Julie with our snowgirl. You'll know which pictures they are because you can't see all of us. I finally gave up and took the picture of us myself.

It was warm yesterday and Zillie was melting as soon as we finished building her. And now it's been raining all day (freezing rain - the twigs on our tree look amazing). I looked out the window a few minutes ago and saw that Zillie now has a neck! I've never seen a snowperson with a neck before. I think she looks great.

I'm also throwing in a couple pictures of our ice-coated yard because I love how it looks.

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P.S. Every time Lillianne sees me use the camera, she says, "Dyoot!" (Cute!) She said it just now when I was taking pictures of the grass.

Aly is funny

2008-03-02T14:48:00.000-08:00

Today in sacrament meeting, I had this whispered conversation with Aly:

"How much do I love you?"

"So much"

"Yes. Why?"

"I've got this cute face! And you love the way I say thlipthlopth (flipflops) . . . thlipthlopth!"

Ry left after lunch to drive to Washington DC. He's somewhere in Pennsylvania right now. He's attending a month-long seminar in DC, and I'm dreading having him away so much. He'll be coming home for the next two weekends, then I'll bring the kids down there for their spring break, so there is something to look forward to. Still, I could use your prayers this month, because it won't be easy for me.

I love you guys!

Burnsie

Malia's Birthday Party

2008-03-02T14:44:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

Malia actually turns 7 tomorrow, but we had her party yesterday. It's great to see how much children love their birthdays. She was glowing the whole party.

The last picture is of Malia with her best friend, a darling in her class named Deborah. (We were figuring out backwards names last night and decided that Deborah is lucky because she has the coolest-sounding backwards names we've ever heard - Harobed Elocin Ekmel - say it!)

Love you guys,

Laurel

Parks Family Foto-right side up

2008-02-19T13:10:00.000-08:00

How's that Bonsteenaleenies?

My interesting injury

2008-02-12T07:10:00.000-08:00

The other night, the kids and I were acting out a scripture story (where Sherem says he was lying all along, then dies, and everyone watching falls to the earth). I fell back dramatically onto Malia's bed, and a second later, so did Malia. The problem was, her head landed exactly where mine was. So the back of her head smashed into my eyebrow, popping out the lens of my glasses and giving me an enormous lump on my eyebrow. I've been wondering if I would get a black eye, and so far there hasn't been much discoloration. Then last night I looked in the mirror to see if my eyebrow was still swollen (it is), and saw what looked like some very interesting eyeliner. It looks like I lined my upper eyelid in dark red. The must have pooled under the skin right along the upper rim of my eye and out to the side. It's sort of impressive. Here are some photos of my eyes right after a shower so I'm not wearing any makeup. Do you like my new look? (The last photo is of my non-injured eye, for comparison.)

2008-01-20T22:50:00.000-08:00

Now my friend Janae knows how to post images on blogs.

2008-01-19T14:00:00.000-08:00

Amy had this to say: " hsm nbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb "

One fun thing

2007-12-14T07:20:00.000-08:00

Ry and I went to the temple while we were in Boston, and it was while we were there that we definitely decided that we were choosing to accept the position in Boston. Afterwards, we went downtown for dinner and a show, feeling pretty good. We had dinner in Chinatown - yum! I don't like fortune cookies, so Ry opened and ate both of them. The fortunes were:

"Lucky you made this choice. Everything comes out for the best."

and

"Pat yourself on the back for making that right choice."

Needless to say, we keeping those little slips of paper.

My wall

2007-12-12T11:48:00.000-08:00

I finished painting my kitchen and I love it! This is my most daring color choice yet and I think it makes a great impression from the front door (even though the picture from the front door turned out blurry. The third picture is the neutral color I'm using all over the house. I was talking to Bonnie and told her how happy I am with the way the kitchen turned out, then hurried and took this pic and emailed it, then I decided to share with the rest of you. (The roses are from Ry to me just because.)

Boston pics

2007-12-06T14:11:00.000-08:00

OK, so I figured out that blogger will only let you upload a few pictures at a time but you can include several batches of uploaded pictures in a single post.

Pics 6&7&8 - Ry's going to Harvard!

Pics 9&10 - Me at the beach where I watched the sun set

Pic 11 - This house is so cool. There's the regular house, then attached by a breezeway, there's a lighthouse room! It looks like you go in on the main level, then take the stairs up to the circular room surrounded by windows. Can you imagine if your bedroom was a lighthouse?!

Pic 12 - I like this interesting old house built by a rich sea captain in the 1760s

Pic 13 - Ry at the beautiful Boston temple

We're going to Harvard!

2007-12-06T13:31:00.001-08:00

Most of you know that Ry and I spent 4 days last weekend in Boston, trying to decide whether to do fellowship there or in Cincinnati. And the winner is . . . Boston! We loved it there. People were so nice, the city is so fun and interesting, and Ry will receive excellent training. He'll be working at Childrens Hospital Boston, which is the children's hospital affiliated with Harvard School of Medicine. It's on the same city block as the medical school and about 4 other enormous hospitals. It's a great facility with great people.

Ry and I had a fantastic trip. I spent a day alone and drove to Cape Cod to see lighthouses and go to the beach. Wow, I loved it. It was a carefree day - perfect.

Thanks again to Merv and Devonna who were amazingly generous in flying here to watch our kids so we could get away alone together. It made a wonderful 10th anniversary trip.

See you all in 2 weeks!

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Pics 1&2 - Plymouth Rock (Mom's right; it's just a rock. Did you know that they're not even sure that the Pilgrims ever stepped on Plymouth Rock? And they used to keep a chisel nearby so tourists could take a souvenir. And once, they tried to move it to a museum and the top half broke off. Years later, they brought the top half back and stuck it together with mortar. Not to mention that the whole rock is smaller than my couch. I find it all very funny.)

Pics 3&4 - the fabulous hotel where I ate lunch. On the menu: New England clam chowder, fresh catch of the day, and Boston cream pie, of course.

Pic 5 - Boats anchored for the winter at Cape Cod

It won't let me upload any more pictures with this post, so I'll put the rest in the next post.

T.H.E. Halloween

2007-10-31T20:50:00.000-07:00

Yeah. I was Uncle Sam. Random people stopped me on the street and asked for fotos. It was awesome.

and and... I've been requested to tell these funny stories from my biology class:

First, we were learning about Rh- and Rh+ blood and how Rh- mothers carrying Rh+ can be a problem, BUT if the father is negative that can't happen. Since all of us are negative, I turned to my friend in the class and said "Ok! We can get married!" and She shouted out "OK, let's get married!!" and then "Maybe I said that a little too loud."

Second, there are these two girls that look a lot alike (they're not related, they met each other in the class). So, recently I had to do my term paper and while I was doing it, I saw one of the girls (Megan). So, I stopped and chatted for awhile and she told me she wanted to read my paper. So, the next day I showed up (late) with my paper ready to turn in ONLY to find out it was supposed to be e-mailed, by 5 that day.
So, I gave the hard copy to Megan (or so I thought). I just said, "Hey, would you like to read my paper?" So she took it. The next monday Megan came to me and asked if we had had a quiz; I gave her a puzzled look and said "Weren't you here?" No, she told me, she was working on her paper. "But I gave you my paper on Friday." "No you didn't" she replied. Hmm.
So, a couple days ago I saw Katie and asked her (thinking she was Megan) "Are you still interested in reading my paper?" "Yes, I want to." So I let her know that I would get her my paper as soon as Katie was done reading it, "I gave it to her because I thought she was you" I explained. "No, I am Katie, and you did give to me." Oh

Amy's Photo Shoot

2007-09-23T15:36:00.001-07:00

Look at the other blog.

Scott Hiked to Squaw Peak. It was Fun Here are fotos.

2007-09-18T20:47:00.000-07:00

Xiaomin Hu took these pictures, but she was too embarrassed to be in them. All these people live in the Foreign Language Student Residence.

Parks girls

2007-09-15T12:29:00.001-07:00

This is another reference to the pelicanparks blog, which I hope is ok, but I just added a post "No Question". I don't think any of you should miss this one. It's just great! Click on the picture to get a better view.
-Daddy Parks

Amy Catharine Parks

2007-08-31T19:12:00.000-07:00

Amy Catharine Parks is here! We love her and are SO excited to have her! We have posted a few photos on pelicanparks.blogspot.com . Yay for babies! Yay for our first! Yay for Amy!

RyGuy's Birthday Pictures

2007-08-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

I have so many nicknames that no one knows what to call me. I love it! Also included are pictures from the post-graduation celebration at McGrath's fish house. The only picture of Brent has is face cut in half by a straw-lame. I like Brent.

____________________________________That food is so getting eatern

___Pregnant and pregnanter_____Like Father like Son, we like 'em

______Carl came to my party__________

Find out about Amy!

2007-08-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

I posted again on the pelicanparks blog. Check it out.

Guess who got glasses!

2007-08-06T10:32:00.001-07:00

From PaPa, as James calls me

2007-07-29T21:19:00.001-07:00

I am trying to post a few of my favorite pictures I have archived so you can see I am a blog-head, that is blog literate, not a block head. I tried to import a picture but don't know where it went. I am going to be teaching computer technology to high school chils, so I better know something about blogging. If you get to see the pictures I selected, then I will think it is good.

Laurel asked me to share a silly poem I wrote in my 20's, but she hasn't shown me which notebook it is written in. When a Mae (MaMa) gives the notebook, I will endeavor to type it in. Only 2 more weeks, and I start back to school. Wish I had 2 more months still. I spent so much time on a linear algebra correspondence course that I didn't leave enough time for preparation in the subjects I will teach, all new to me: computer technology, word processing, accounting I, entrepreneurship, and 2 Spanish I classes. How am I going to stay on top of all that and prepared adequately? I am worried about that, too, and don't have a clue yet. Well, I'll add a couple more pictures, and see if this gets from me to the world.

Your lovely Dad

Apricots and barley water

2007-07-29T21:03:00.002-07:00

Hi Ya'll,
We just picked a bunch of apricots. (Richard up in the tree shaking the branches he couldn't reach, Anne and I on the ground picking up the raining apricots)
Andy, Nita, Bont, Me, and James were garage sailing. I offered James a drink from my water bottle. He said, "Oh, barley water!"
When you are doing something that annoys him, he says, "stop it". He plays in freezing cold water right from the hose. "James, are you cold?" "YYYYessss" in a shivery voice "Do you want to get out?" "NNNNNooooooo" He loves chasing his Papa
(Richard) and his Dad through our sprinklers.
Congrats to Matt for landing his cool new job. (Library software) He and Bont have Big Bang parties. They invited me down to label boxes and help clean out their storeroom. (NOBODY thinks that's fun but me.)

We miss you

2007-07-21T13:04:00.001-07:00

Aly just put on her Barbie backpack, then walked over to me and asked, "Mom, why we are not going on the airplane?" I laughed and asked, "Where would we go?" She answered, "Where?" I said, "Where do you want to go on the airplane?" "To Grammy's! To her real house, not that other real house, but her real home, where that's muddy and have pools and play on her bike." And there you have it.

more fotos

2007-06-05T20:26:00.001-07:00

__This is the inside door at the Parent's____________Lakewood, WA

Larry-The nice guy that gave me a ride from Toledo to Canton

________________________outside Malia's school____________________

_______________________Ryan made a cool disc swing outside____________________

_____________________Large Marge spinning so fast_____________________________

The two women on the left Marilyn Low Schmitt and Phyllis Low Cameron-Dr. Abraham A. Low's daughters! Meeting them for me was like meeting General Authorities!

Treasure Rice Sachnoff- Treasure Rice's daughter. Amazingly friendly woman! So were Mrs. Schmitt and Mrs. Cameron

___Too bad it's blurry_______________________proof that I've been to Toledo

The Elevated train moves likes spokes out of downtown Chicago_______me in lake Michigan

These are the people from Utah and Idaho_________Claudia Finn and her mom. I kind of went on a date with her.

_nice people that invited me over to dinner my last Sunday in Chicago, Nicole (far right said she would add me to her friends list on facebook but it hasn't happened yet! ok bye.

Pictures from Scott's trip (haphazardly organized as usual)

2007-05-30T14:57:00.000-07:00

Our wonderful Tyler

2007-05-20T14:47:00.001-07:00

What a great day.

Bonnie's Prego Pictures

2007-05-19T11:56:00.001-07:00

I don't imagine you guys check the Pelican blog regularly. You shouldn't; we don't post there regularly. But I just like to let you know this way when we do put posts up. And I just did. There are monthly pictures of my pregnancy up there. We love having me get fatter.

Aly busted her lip

2007-05-19T10:31:00.000-07:00

Ryan took Tyler to Fathers and Sons last night so the girls and I went to a friend's house for a Mothers and Daughters party. We were having a great time until Aly fell off a couch, hitting her mouth on the arm of a chair. I was sitting in the chair nursing Lillianne and used my free hand to catch the blood coming out of her mouth. I yelled for some of the other moms to come help me, then had to wait for someone to bring me something to wipe off the blood that had pooled in my hand, before I could follow Aly and the moms into the bathroom. It looked really split, so I decided to take her to see if she needed stitches. I left Malia at our friends' to spend the night and went to statcare, where the doctor left the decision to me. It was still bleeding an hour after she bumped it, so he said he could put a stitch in to stop the bleeding, or we could just let it ooze blood and it would have stopped by morning. I wasn't going to traumatize the poor girl just to avoid a little bloody sleeping, so I just took her home. She was actually asleep at the doctor on the bed for about half an hour, and slept in the van, and then I carried her to bed where she slept til morning and woke up feeling fine. The doctor said to feed her soft foods, but she only nibbled at her pudding for breakfast, then asked for cereal, so I'm just letting her eat what she wants. In other words, she's totally back to normal and I probably over reacted by taking her in, but I wanted to be safe and not sorry. The doctor said that it wouldn't scar either with or without stitches. In these pictures, the dark part at the bottom of her lip is the cut. The rest of the discoloration is just bruising.

Fotos, fotos, fotos

2007-05-12T21:06:00.000-07:00

This is a James fix for Large Marge! These fotos are haphazardly unorganized. Enjoy!

Pelican Pics

2007-05-06T14:01:00.000-07:00

We're slow moving, but I finally am putting up Pelican's ultrasound pictures. Well, I just did. So go look at them.
pelicanparks.blogspot.com

Guesses about Pelican

2007-04-23T07:38:00.000-07:00

I know Matt and I are not good about keeping the Pelican blog updated. I lost my steam with it. We have monthly pictures of me to put up as well as pictures from the last ultrasound. Obviously after tomorrow, we will be putting up more ultrasound pictures. We thought it would be fun to have a post on there for guesses. (I know this is a little late considering we find out Pelican's gender tomorrow.) Anyway, everybody go to pelicanparks.blogspot.com to put in your guesses about:
1. Is Pelican a boy or a girl?
2. What is the date that Pelican will be born.
Hint: I am due Sep. 7.
(Even though nobody wants babies to be born late, you can make guesses that are after the due date if you think that is when Pelican will be born.)
Note: Other important dates in the beginning of September on the Armstrong side:
Merek's birthday/ Mike and Kara's Anniversary - Sep. 2
Camryn's birthday - Sep. 5
Labor Day this year - Sep. 3 (Dad suggested that this would be a funny day to have a baby but that he would rather I be in labor on a different day to bring two distinct holidays in that time period for this year.)

The 2 Alys

2007-04-20T10:14:00.000-07:00

Hi Family,

Here's my latest scrapbooking attempt for Aly's album:

family book club, financing

2007-04-15T23:37:00.000-07:00

Hi ya'll,
What cute Easter pages. Fun, Laurel.
Richard and I have reserved My Name is Asher Lev at the library. It's the next book for family book club. (Laurel's already rereading it) We'll be discussing it in when Laurel's here in early July. (we can sleep after we all get back to our own houses). Scotland for Grandpa and Grammy is on hold until we get this financing for the house figured out. If any of ya'll have money you may want to loan us for the downpayment, we'd pay you 6%. (it is better than you'd get at the bank). I just don't like paying some money lender all that interest. I guess I'll go try to sleep again. Money plans keep going around and around in my head.
Love to all,
Katie Mom

Malia's picture

2007-04-14T20:59:00.000-07:00

Are you talking spanned another generation-Goofy Grandpa said it to a whiny Arnold kid-I don't remember which one-I don't have a very good memory

Scrapbooking

2007-04-14T20:14:00.000-07:00

I made a 3-page series. You've already seen the photos but I created my own layout. It's fun.

Digital scrapbooking

2007-04-12T14:37:00.000-07:00

Hi Family,

I bought some new software that will help me to create photo albums for the kids. I've created my first ever scrapbooking page digitally:

Arnolds Easter 2007 Continued for the last time

2007-04-08T20:06:00.000-07:00

Finally, Tyler's turn:

1. His clue egg was on top of the van
2. He found it!
3. Still wearing his shark slippers
4. This picture best captures his intense level of excitement
5. Find your Easter basket is pure bliss

Arnolds Easter 2007 Continued Some More

2007-04-08T20:03:00.000-07:00

Malia's turn:

1. Her clue egg was in a tree
2. Tyler went looking for it first (He runs faster)
3. But Malia saw it first
4. But of course he was the one to knock it out of the tree. She didn't mind; she was too excited

Arnolds Easter 2007 Continued

2007-04-08T20:00:00.000-07:00

It only lets me publish a few photos at a time, so here are some of Aly:

1. Ry put clues in eggs for them to find.
2. She got some Little Mermaid figurines, which she had been asking for for a long time. She didn't even notice the basket of eggs and candy.

Arnolds Easter 2007

2007-04-08T19:50:00.000-07:00

I just sent emails with Easter photos to most of you, but I know not all of you can or do look at Kodak gallery. So here are the highlights:

1. Two matching sisters
2. The Arnold kids on Easter
3. Lillianne in maybe the cutest dress ever
4. She couldn't stop licking the flower on her dress
5. She got this turtle in her Easter Basket Treasure Hunt

Plans for this weekend

2007-03-20T08:51:00.000-07:00

(In answer to Drew's comment on my last post): I have a Young Women calling too, so I've been debating attending the broadcast on Saturday night. I don't know if I can bear to spend time away from family when we only have 10 days there. I may watch the rebroadcast online after I get home. If I do attend in Utah, I'll just go to the nearest ward building.

As far as this weekend goes, we only have a few specific plans. Ry's planning to spend most of Friday at Primary Children's Hospital with the radiologists there. I'm hoping to get to the temple Saturday morning. We haven't made any specific plans with Ryan's family but I want to make sure they don't get slighted, which is why I haven't made Armstrong plans for this weekend since we already planned on the following weekend. Basically, I can't say one way or the other, but I want to spend us much time as possible with everyone. So come if you can. I say, the more the merrier!

I am so excited!

Clever Church Sign

2007-03-19T06:10:00.000-07:00

How do you spell that word "marquis" that means sign board? You know how lots of churches put cute sayings on them? Yesterday I saw my favorite so far:

"What is missing?

C H - - C H"

Sick Kids

2007-03-18T12:49:00.000-07:00

Lillianne had a yucky nose and wanted to be held (even during her naps) all day yesterday. Aly woke up crying this morning. I put her in the bath and she was sad, then she fell asleep just in her towel on the bathroom floor. At that point, I gave up on going to church and just put her back to bed. She was pale and just didn't feel well. I would have just left her home with Ry, but he walked in the door just in time for Aly to go back to bed, after working for 18 hours. The man needed to sleep. So all our getting ready for church plans came to a screeching halt. Poor Aly. She's doing better this afternoon, though.

Arnolds are coming!!

2007-03-16T12:55:00.000-07:00

I'm just excited that's all. And procrastinating. Ha!

Ginger's funeral

2007-03-15T21:13:00.000-07:00

hello everyone.
We made it back to Utah after a very quick trip to Missouri. (we had lots of carbuts and carlegs and carthighs) anyway, it was good to be with family. Mary
gave the talk about Ginger's life and David gave the sermon. Both excellent. The choir of her grandchilden was huge (42 grandchildren---only 3 missing) We drove to Denver then went the rest of the way with Harold.
So we're glad we went to pay our respects.
Phil (Armstrong) had open heart surgery--triple bypass) on Monday. He's recovering well.
It looks like Ruth has leased Pastimes to someone who will put in Subway. Good.
Love to all of you.
Mommit

Updated Armstrong Photos- Everybody will like this-Everybody

2007-03-15T16:32:00.000-07:00

One size does not fit all. Ask Richard why he's holding a rabbit. I don't remember where that picture came from. I love my family!! I love Matthew Parks and Pelican! What about T.H.X.?

2007-03-15T15:48:00.000-07:00

Weekend Visitors

2007-03-12T15:24:00.000-07:00

Matt and I were delighted this weekend to have Andy, Nita, and James spend some time with us. They met us at the Hunger Banquet at BYU and then spent the night at our house. Sunday, Nita and James came to church with us, and I got to bring James with me to nursery. I've wanted to do that for a long time, and I was delighted to have him with me. He hugged the two kids and all the adults left in the room right before we all left nursery. It was really cute. We played games that night and just enjoyed having them with us. James was being adorable. He always seems to be happy and hyper when he comes over, and this time was no exception (especially when he can run around naked for a few minutes). He calls Matt, "Tio" (Uncle in Spanish, I think), and he really likes his Tio. He made a funny game out of putting pick-up sticks between his toes. We love you guys. Thanks for coming to our house!!!
Hope everyone else is doing well too!
P.S. The moment Andy saw me on Saturday, he said "You're showing." So I am not just making it up; my belly really is getting bigger. And just recently, it seems like it has gotten a lot bigger in a smaller amount of time in the past. I am very excited about this as I think it is a fun part of being pregnant - at least while I am still as small as I am.

Cerny

2007-03-08T19:17:00.000-08:00

The Cerny blog is www.welovenathancerny.blogspot.com
We're going to be glad to see the Arnold kids soon.
And James in two days. James talks to me on the phone
now. He calls us Ammy and Poppa.
Love ya,
Mom

Fam fam family

2007-03-06T11:28:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,
Good for Large and her YW calling. Also good for Ryan Arnold and his assistant ward mission leader... Will do a wonderful job.
Anne and I have been working on Cookies for Dinner business. Anne is definately
"on to it"---and you know what that means!!!
I'm also working on some proposals for All One People, a Venture competition and through the hunger banquet at BYU.
We're looking at houses--bidding on HUD homes that need a bit of fixing up.
Love to all,
Mommit

Overheard in Church . . .

2007-03-04T16:31:00.000-08:00

Today in testimony meeting, a man meant to say this:

"Our posterity keeps growing."

Instead, he said this:

"Our posterior keeps growing."

Awesome.

By the way, I was sustained as Young Women 2nd Counselor today.

Sorry for not posting more

2007-03-02T12:24:00.000-08:00

Those frogs were a christmas present and I love Aly either way. Happy Birthday to Malia Nicole Arnold, The Little Princess!!!

Nita and Drew and the Blog

2007-03-01T15:53:00.000-08:00

"No Posts"

1 Comment - Show Original Post

anita said...: still don't know how

this is drew

Someone needs to fix this. We NEED posts from Nita and Drew on the blog. Can someone help them be able to post? Was it Matt who first got me on the blog? Will you get Drew and Nita on too? I need my James fix.

Amazing Sidewalk Chalk Art

2007-03-01T15:45:00.000-08:00

Click on this link then scroll down to see the most incredible 3D chalk art. I simply can't convince my brain that I'm looking at a flat surface.

Scotland

2007-02-28T20:34:00.000-08:00

Here's the Scotland plans.
I'm working on joining a travel club to get very cheap tickets. Hopefully that works out. Matt & Bont can leave on fri 22 June. Drew and Nita are thinking about it. I'm going if anyone else does or not. I'm just going!!!
Love to all,
Mom

Getting Closer

2007-02-28T20:24:00.001-08:00

The Arnold visit is getting closer. I've been waiting. They arrive Friday morning the 23rd. On Tues 27th we will have a royal party for all the little princes and princesses. This includes Armstrongs, Cernys, Arnold cousins. Then on
Thurs the 29th, we plan to Dance with Grandma Anne. General Conference is the 31st and 1st. Arnolds return home on Monday the 2nd. Of course we have to share----it's going to be so fun. I'm getting my knocking together.
Love,
Grammy

Getting Closer

2007-02-28T20:24:00.000-08:00

How to Get Fat

2007-02-28T06:21:00.000-08:00

You should try three months of bedrest with nothing to do but eat the good food your mom brings to you. Actually, I only gained a few more pounds this pregnancy than before. I've only gained under 40 once out of the four (Malia) and that time I gained 36 pounds. My secret? I feel really hungry so I eat all the time. Sorry, but that's it. My body just naturally does what it needs to do to put on weight.

Actually, almost all of the weight goes on in the last trimester. I usually go into the last trimester having gained about 15 pounds, then put on 25+ in three months. Crazy.

So, I don't really know what to tell you about gaining weight other than eat a lot. Good luck!

Latest Doctor's Appointment

2007-02-26T15:46:00.000-08:00

I had another doctor's appointment today. I like going to those. We couldn't hear Pelican's heart beat with the Doppler thing so we had to go to the ultrasound room. So my doctor printed off pictures for me. I love that ultrasound business. Pelican looks more like a baby than a nut now, and I was excited about that. So I'll ask Matt to scan the ultrasound pictures in, and we will post them on the Pelican blog when he gets around to it. The doctor told me I need to get fatter because I haven't gained any weight yet. I asked him how he recommends I do that as I am not very good at gaining weight. He said to eat ice cream and french fries with fry sauce (I opt for ranch instead) and to drink Carnation Instant Breakfasts. Mom thought that was a terrible idea. (I loved it, personally!) She said I should ask Burns since she is good at gaining weight during pregnancy. How do you? I am not successful although I feel like I am eating fairly well and more often than I used to. And I have been eating so much cheese and drinking so much milk lately. Cheese is supposed to help. But nothing. I am still 110.8 as of today on the scale at the doctor's office. Hope you are all doing good.
Bont

Aha!

2007-02-26T13:07:00.000-08:00

You said "he":

"He is 12 weeks and supposedly 2 inches big now."

No Posts

2007-02-25T18:29:00.000-08:00

Everyone keeps not posting on here. I always check to see what everyone is doing, and nobody's doing anything. Matt and I are doing good. There isn't much to tell with us because everyday is school and work and long hours for Matt and student teaching for me. Pelican is doing good. I have doctor's appointment tomorrow. He is 12 weeks and supposedly 2 inches big now. That's all about us. Love you all!
Bont

James at Kara's

2007-02-17T10:10:00.000-08:00

Hi fam fam family,
Bon wants her husband on the pedigree! I think Scott's cool for putting it
up. Bont says her tummy's bigger. Logan's fun. Richard is getting some
temple names done.
Love,
Grammy, Kate, Catharine etc etc

Arnolds are awesome

2007-02-14T13:02:00.000-08:00

My kids are funny. Here are picture explanations:

1. Malia had her 100th day of school. She was supposed to come wearing a shirt with 100 of anything attached. So we took 5 different headshots of her cute face and printed 20 of each onto address labels, making 100 Malia stickers!

2 and 3. We came home from church and rushed around getting lunch on the table, leaving Lillianne in her car seat in the den for a while. She started crying and we found her with her headband over her eyes. I'd cry too.

3. Malia's learning to give piggyback rides.

4. We're totally snowed in. We've gotten nearly 2 feet in 2 days. No school yesterday or today (as well as no school 2 days last week due to subzero temps.) I've never known a kid who loves playing in snow more than Tyler does. I can barely get him to come in the house.

Love you all!

Wind the Frog

2007-02-13T06:13:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Aly opened a birthday package that came in the mail from Uncle Scott. It was a squeaky frog. She says thanks.

Family Pictures- Everybody will like this, everybody

2007-02-12T12:27:00.000-08:00

2007-02-03T19:26:00.000-08:00

I know I just posted, but you have to see these pictures I took of Lillianne today. Love you guys.

A Tribute to Anita!

2007-02-02T18:11:00.000-08:00

Wait! My Camera didn't take any pictures of Anita at her birthday party! Bad Camera! Bad Llama!

Everybody loves Rachel Harmon, Everybody

2007-02-02T18:08:00.000-08:00

More pics

2007-02-02T09:47:00.000-08:00

Nobody knows how to post more than 5 pictures at a time. Here are the other ones I meant to include. I took the second one an hour ago.

Arnold pics

2007-02-02T09:29:00.000-08:00

I just posted on the Cernys' blog. Here's the link. And here are some of our pictures. The kids (especially Tyler) love playing in the snow. They go sledding at Beverly Hills (aka our driveway) and I watch them out the window.