Oh January

I love all seasons. My favorite season of course is the fall, then summer, then spring and the winter....the winter I love right up until the first week of January, which is when I would gladly like to see it go. Although, last Saturday was a good day for January. We got hit with a fresh snow storm so we headed up the canyon for some sledding. We all had a great time!
Little snow bunny

Jeremy and Luke hittin' the slopes. After this run with dad, Luke was all about going by himself. He thought he was such a daredevil.


But today....today we find ourselves once again cooped up in the house with a little bit of the cabin fever. To wimpy to play outside for very long and to sick of the same ol' movies. Bord of coloring, reading, and games.
The other day put me over the edge. It was the day my kids found out why it's not a good idea to play ball in the house. A bouncy ball to my kitchen window, yeah a bouncy ball and CRASH! So now we get to replace a window. (Just another thing on my "things to do to the ol' house" list, windows.) Plus it amazes me how being cooped up makes my kids weirdly more bossy and whiney. Please let spring come quickly! Longing for the days of playing all day outside I am. (That sentence should give you and idea of just how much Star Wars we have been playing and watching lately. :) Scary.) But seriously I am longing for longer/warmer days. Days where I can have my own time to PLANT all kinds of fun things while the kids can run wild in the backyard! Oooh I am so excited to get out in the dirt again. I picked up this new herb book and I've already started growing one. Thyme. Can I just tell you how good it smells. Good! :)
As for my cooking resolution, I'm happy to say that I finally tried something new. Chicken Marsala! Sooo good. Jeremy found me the real Olive Garden recipes on line. Look them up and try 'em out. I have no idea how to link you to it or I would.

My new fun book and thyme

Doors and Stuff

My Christmas present from my sweet husband, new doors, one of the many things from my "things to do to this old house" list. I just love them! So as you can see I now have a very blank white canvas to spice up. I'm thinking of painting the walls. Yellow? Blue? I want to just take a chance and go for something fun. What do you think? Maybe next Christmas Jeremy will get me wood floors! :) Hahaha...just kidding.

Speaking of next Christmas, have any of you ever found yourself in this situation: You and your husband decide that, "this year let's not spend very much (like under $20) on each other." You stick to it and frame a picture for him or whatever, meaningful but cheep. Your hubby on the other hand, well.... goes and buys you new doors! I hate that! I feel like it happens to me every year. Has this happened to anyone else or am I just a really lame present giver? Does our little 'let's not spend very much pact' really mean nothing? You'd think I'd have learned by now. Anyway, I know Christmas isn't about the presents and that presents aren't a measure of how much you love someone, but come on, it does feel really good spoil someone you love and see them happy. That's why it's not gonna happen again to me next year... I have a plan to get the brat back.

Christmas Memories

It was a happy one! Thanks to all our families for making it so special. We love you all.

Ava and Luke's drawing easel made by Papa John. It now doubles as a fort. They love it!

Tractor sledding fun!

Beautiful Temple Square

Ava in her pretty Christmas Princess dress from Nana.

Just my kitchen window, but I thought it was pretty.

Luke and Ava waiting to set up the Nativity.

The cousins reading 'Night Before Christmas' with Papa John.

Opening presents with Papa John and Grandma. Luke got a cool old top that used to belong to Grandpa Chistoffersen. He loves it!

Oh...Chistmas is just so much fun with little kids.

Ava opening her ballerina outfit from Dian.

Luke filming Christmas Eve at Nana's home. (I just love his expression!)

A bedtime story from Grandma at their sleepover last week.

These two loved making gingerbread houses with Emmy and this fabulous train with mom (that's why it looked so bad):)

Short but Sweet

This was the first Christmas in THREE years that we have ALL been together!
LOVED IT.
Grandma and Papa John we miss you already! Hurry up and come back to stay for good. XOXOXO

Yes, I know I am totally obsessed with old family photos. Here is another favorite of mine of my mom's parents. I love it. Aren't they both just beautiful! It reminds me of an old Hollywood movie. Sometimes I wish I could dress like her and that my waist could look that teeny-tiny.:) I love and miss them both.

Our life has gone to the dogs...

I found my camera cord, FINALLY! I've been doing a little more organizing and little to no fancy cooking. Since my new years resolution post I can safely say that I have gone out to eat and baked more frozen pizzas than I have in the last two months combined. Off to a great start Annie! I don't know why I try.:)
Anyway at least I found the camera cord right. Picture over loaded posts here we come...


Just to catch up, a couple months ago we had a little friend come to live with us. Matt-Matt the wiener dog. Ava and Matt-Matt are inseparable. She tells everyone she meets about our small herd of dogs. Grandma Patsy hears about our dogs every time she sees Ava. They are her life, as you will see....
She eats puppy pancakes on a puppy plate.

She drinks from a puppy cup.

She takes this dog everywhere and anywhere I will let her.


This is quite the sight...Luke with his old and loyal Duce. Ava with her crazy little Matt-Matt. Followed up by me and the wild haired Fred-rico. Yes, people driving by slow down to stair and laugh. I am sure they are thinking what everyone else is also thinking...what is that lady thinking?!!

A little video from today: While I was vacuuming out the car Ava was taking poor Mattie for a little ride. By the time I went in to grab the camera the battery on the truck had run out of juice and she had resorted to Luke pushing the two of them around.

They don't call us the Barkers for nothing.

Can you guess what this little girl is eating?

The camera phone pic is hard to see so I'll give you two guesses:
1. It has eight legs!
2. It has chewy little tentacles on it!
Who knew a three year old would like octopus?
Yes, that's Ava enjoying her new acquired taste...or maybe just enjoying watching everyone else squirm (Okay, just her mom squirmed) as she ate them. Yes...THEM! She didn't just stop at one. And if anyone is wondering, NO, this is not some cool new octopus recipe I decided to try out. I am definitely not that daring. Grandpa Rice King took us out for some Mongolian Barbecue tonight. Mmmmm...minus the octopus. :)