Tagged

I was tagged. Here's 6 facts (random of course) about me you may not know. Lisa and I actually keep a list of things about ourselves that make us, us- so I actually did 10.

1) I love to look at People magazine while I wait in line at the grocery store, sometimes I’ll even pick the little bit longer line so I can look at it for longer. I say look at it because I rarely read it, I just like to look at all the pictures. I read every magazine (People, Ensign, Reader's Digest) from the back to the front. I'll also wait in line longer at the Post Office for "fun" stamps.

2) I love chewy, hard food like bagels and hard licorice.

3) I have never gone to bed without brushing my teeth and I have only gone to bed once without washing my face. And I always have my toenails painted, always.

4) I still sleep with my baby blanket . . . everynight.

5) Being a good, courteous parker is important to me.

6) Yes, I’m one of those people that make up words to songs if I don’t know them. This drives Ansen crazy because he only sings when he knows the words and he ALWAYS knows ALL the words. But he says it’s one of the reasons he fell in love with me.

7) Cheesecake is my favorite, but there is cheesecake that is worth it and cheesecake that is definitely not worth it. You have to be selective.

8) My favorite color is purple, but I love hot pink too. Color is big for me. It may be a toilet brush, but if it’s pink then I’m thrilled to be using it.

9) I have what my family calls a “half laugh.” It’s a little laugh I do periodically while I’m talking. The guy I work for says it is character and I should never change because without character we’d all be the same. I don’t know if I really have a chance to change it anyway.

10) I love the smell of Johnson & Johnson pink baby lotion . . . especially on my babies.

Okay, one more . . .

I don’t chew gum very often, but when I do I can’t stop myself from constantly blowing bubbles (and popping them).

If you're reading this, you're tagged! This was a fun one. If no one does it, then I'll have to specifically "tag" people!

This is your WARNING

Hello! I originally started my blog so that, 1) our family in Maine, Ohio and Connecticut could keep up with us, and 2) since I have a hard time keeping up on my journal and scrapbooking I thought blogging could replace or at least supplement those. Since I have now verified (thanks, Marianne) that I can publish a book of my blog I will be including more memory lane posts, family history, methodical thinking, etc. So this is your warning . . . enjoy what you can!

We were almost late for church . . .

So, we were almost late for church (2:30 p.m. church I might add) since we took a getting ready detour to enjoy the sticky, perfect snow. I am not really a snow/winter person, so I'm glad I married Ansen who loves the snow to balance out our family and play with the kids. When we got home from church, our snowman was starting to deteriorate due to the sun and Addison had a little meltdown herself. It turned out she was only worried about her scarf, but it took a few minutes to translate between heart wrenching sobs.

Let the festivities begin . . . Carmel Apples!

Lisa came home for the weekend so we decided to dive into the Halloween festivities early and do carmel apples Saturday night! My dad decided that carmel apples really are worth the hour of work it takes to make them. We had no popsicle sticks so we used plastic knifes, which I think was probably better because you have a larger handle to really hold onto.

My family developed a joke several years ago about sacrifice. Here's an example of what a true "sacrifice" would be. Last year Ryan and Ansen graciously volunteered to go last or to sacrifice for the rest of us. It worked out that they could then use ALL the rest of the carmel, chocolate and toppings that the rest of us had used sparingly in some cases so that there would be enough for all. This year Dad sacrificed and went last. His apple ended up with about 3 inches (around and high) of carmel and chocolate at the base of his apple.







The half eaten pieces of art, which to be honest, none of us are going for an aesthetically pleasing apple, just a loaded apple. (Jeff opted for the St. Patrick's day sprinkles this year.)

Happy Haunting!

Halloween is my favorite holiday and I hope I'm never too old to love it! I was looking through the pictures of last year and I just love it! Addison has decided to be Mulan (Disney)-dressed up as when she meets the match maker -and I'm having Olivia be a 50's girl with a HOT pink skirt. Addison is doubtful that I'll actually be able to sew her costume this year. She has been literally praying that I'll be able to do it and keeps telling me that Banna (Grandma) can do it for me. Have a little faith sweetie! I've also learned that you can only pick your kids' costumes for about 3 years so I've got to make the best of it from now on with each child. I'm thinking this year I'll be Frankenstein's wife since I have the long hair for it. As much as I love the dressing up, I love the loads of pumpkin sugar cookies, carmel apples, carving pumpkins, taking the kids to Ansen's work all dressed up, a spider pretzel and bloody fingers for dinner, the ward party (most of the time) and trick or treating in the freezing cold. What do you do for Halloween?

The Day After the BIG Day!

This is the next-day result of a big day of playing at the scarecrow festival!

Scarecrow Festival - Round 1 & 2

Last Thursday was a big day out! Marianne, her boys (Rhett & Jack), and me and my girls went to the Scarecrow Festival at Thanksgiving Point. I was seriously thinking Marianne and I were going to spend $20 and then the kids would last hopefully an hour and we would call it a day. We were pleasantly surprised and it was a lot of fun. At first it wasn't looking good since we spent a good half hour watching people drive remote control cars, but then we found the blow-up toys . . . All in all, it was great fun. So . . . Ansen and I went back that night for more family fun.









The best part of the night for Olivia and then having to share the best part of her night.

Information Only

Two things for you. . .

1. FOR MOMS: My mom and I have worked with Addison to teach her the letters and sounds for 6 months now, with some good success. I bought Leap Frog Letter Factory (DVD) and she learned them all in 35 minutes. Now I've ordered Word Factory 1 & 2 and Storybook factory. You can get them all on Amazon with free shipping if you order them all together for about $30. At first, I felt torn about leaving the teaching up to the TV, but I've decided whatever works I guess. We can move onto others things or more fun things now, right. Addison came up with the idea of writing the letters on her magna-doodle as she watches it so she's learning to write them too.

2. FOR BARGAIN BUYERS: People who know Ansen and I know that we are bargain shoppers, coupon clippers, comparison shoppers, sale watchers, etc. I wanted to share with you one of our favorite websites if you're in league with us and our shopping habits. It's slickdeals.net It's a blog where people post random deals and sales. It has odd stuff and you have to check it everyday, but we've found some awesome deals. My brother, Ryan, introduced us over 1 year ago and now my Dad, Ryan, Ansen, and my sister-in-law, Jackie, are always calling eachother to see if they saw the new post. I don't check it often, I leave it up to Ansen (since I take care of blogging), but we've got some good deals- 2 great prices on lap tops, Ansen got paid $20 to walk out of a store with a new router, free pizza from Dominos for dinner last Friday, $11/box huggies diapers . . . and more.

My Real Life Edward

Andrea and Kari did this, so I thought I would too.


What is his name? Willard Ansen Hatch III, but he's just Ansen. And as a side note . . . not the best pictures of us, but if this shirt doesn't scream "ACCOUNTANT" I'm not sure what would.

How long have you been together? We met August 1998 in Logan the day after I moved into my apartment and went on our first date in October 1998 (USU Homecoming) though just as friends. Then we just hung out (A LOT) until December when SUDDENLY things came to a head. I went to Maine to meet his family over Christmas. We got engaged in February and married in July. So 9 years together, and 8 years married.

Who eats more? I eat more fruit, vegtables and chocolate. Ansen eats more of everything else.

Who said I love you first? He did, but he waited to say it long after he knew it since he knew I wasn't ready to hear it. He actually knew he was going to marry me before he even told me he loved me.

Who is taller? Ansen of course. He's 6'4" . . . didn't really have a chance there.

Who sings better? Definately him, has anyone heard me? The first time he sat by me in church he thought I was joking with how badly I was singing. He's not just better than me though (since that's not saying much), but he really is a great singer.

Who is smarter? Ansen knows a little about everything (and I'm not exagerating). He proabably has more common sense too. But I know more about . . . ummm . . . taxes, domestic things, and parenting.

Whose temper is worse? Depends, mostly me though. Ansen never has a temper with me, but can get quite mad with anyone he deems to have done something "stupid" like drive slow in the fast lane.

Who pays the bills? I write the actual check, but he makes the money.

Who does the laundry? Me always. I'll have him fold if I know there's a game on he's going to just be sitting and watching anyway.

Who mows the lawn? He does and I think he enjoys it. I do the weeding and gardening (unless I drag him and the kids out for "fun family togetherness").

Who cooks dinner? Me mostly. When I have class at night right now he does, but it's a completely prepared frozen dinner I made that I leave for him. He's very capable though and used to cook a lot when we were both in school and working.

Who is more stubborn? No contest . . . me.

Who asked whom out? He asked me to USU's Homecoming (above).

Who kissed whom first? I kissed him since I told him not to kiss me because I was still figuring things out (meaning I was 18 and this was moving way too fast).

Who wears the pants in the family? Depends on the situation. I'd say it's mostly me. He rarely draws a line, but when he does, that's it and I respect it.

What I love most about Ansen (I added this one): My top 3 things . . . First, he has such a great way with people. It's a true talent. Second, I love the passion he has for things (the Yankees, Rolling Stones, music in general, golf) And third, he supports me in everything I choose to do (and I do a lot) no matter what. I know that he loves me unconditionally!