Random Post

I have had a blogging block lately. I really don't know why. I just have not been into it lately. I thought I would try just posting a random post to see if it will jump start me back to blogging. Even though most of my blogs have been random and boring. There is just no creative juice flowing right now.
On to the randomness-

PURPLE mashed potatoes

We received some purple potatoes in our brown box last week and we made purple mashed potatoes. I thought they were so pretty. The purple in them is the same antioxidant that makes blue berries purple so I felt like they were better for me too. There is a mystery to these however, when I steamed the potatoes the water that was left in the pot was green. Why on earth would it be green? Green isn't even in purple. Does anyone have a guess to why purple potatoes create green water?

Barbie

Meet Barbie. Alex decided she is barbie. If you call her Alex she gets very mad and says "no, I'm Barbie!" until you apologies and call her Barbie. Along with the name she also needs the wardrobe so she wears this dress everywhere! I mean everywhere. She wears it to the gym, the store, to take Ayden to preschool, to friends houses, to the park, out to dinner and even to bed! It is driving me crazy since it has been going on for two weeks now. I just keep waiting for it to get old to her but it is not. It is looking very raggedy now and it is a fight every time I need to take it off to change the clothes underneath or wash it. I have only managed to wash it twice when it really should be washed everyday. We have other dress ups but she only wants this one. I guess it could be worse.

Naughty Children

One night Brad and I were enjoying some quiet while the girls were coloring at the table. I knew it was probably too quiet for too long but I had no clue this is what they were up to. They color with markers all the time with no problems so why did they decide to do exactly what they know they are not supposed to do this time? It is a mystery. It was all over the walls in the hallway too and the sliding glass windows in the kitchen. At least it was all on easy to clean surfaces except for their skin since they were not washable markers (forgive me for being cheap and buying the ones on sale).

Also, I was tagged and since there is nothing else to blog about I will give it a go-
Here are the rules: I have to answer the following questions with one word answers and one word only!

Here are the questions:

1. Where is your cell phone? bed
2. Where is your significant other? work
3. Your hair color? bred (that is brown and red together)
4. Your mother? amazing
5. Your father? playful
6. Your favorite thing? chocolate
7. Your dream last night? Odd
8. Your dream/goal? health
9. The room you're in? mine
10. Your hobby? framing
11. Your fear? kidnappers
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? happy
13. Where were you last night? boating
14. What you're not? quiet
15. One of your wish-list items? odyssey
16. Where you grew up? PC
17. The last thing you did? diaper
18. What are you wearing? clothes
19. Your TV? newer
20. Your pet? river
21. Your computer? hp
22. Your mood? tired
23. Missing someone? Hillary
24. Your car? outback
25. Something you're not wearing? socks
26. Favorite store? anthropology
27. Your summer? great
28. Love someone? Brad
29. Your favorite color? green
30. When is the last time you laughed? night
31. Last time you cried? oprah

Just Vote

So I did not register to vote in time for the last election and I felt horrible about it! It really didn't feel good not to exercise that right I have as an American. I think this election is one of the most important ones we may see in our time so I think it is super important to vote. Today I just remembered that I needed to register for this election so I thought I would send out a little friendly reminder to anyone else out there like me. You need to re register if your address or name has changed since the last time you registered. If you aren't registered don't wait too long because every state has a deadline. In Idaho it is October 10th. I found an easy way to take care of it. Go here to http://justvote.org/ and the first page will be a form you fill out and then when you submit it they will email you your registration form. You will then need to print it out and mail it to the correct address and depending on your state it will supply that information for you. Hope I helped someone!

Family Night Surfing

I just love a surprise!

As most of you know, we get our fruits and vegetables from a local company called BrownBox Organics. It is exactly what it sounds like, a brown box full of a variety of the ripest, freshest fruits and vegetables of the season from local organic farmers arrives at my door weekly. It is nice because I get to try and experience food I normally wouldn't buy and it is a good way to get variety in our diets. I am used to getting veggies I am not used to but imagine my surprise when I cut open a mini watermelon and found this:

It was YELLOW!
I really do consider myself educated when it comes to food and different varieties of things but I had no idea watermelon could come yellow. I thought I knew everything there was to know about watermelon coming from a home where it was a major staple in our diet thanks to my Dad but I guess not. At first I wondered if it could be a mistake and if it was possible the watermelon plant cross pollinated with a squash or something but when I tasted it I knew no mistake could taste so heavenly. It was the sweetest watermelon I have ever tasted. I've since learned thanks to my pal Google that it is a yellow crimson watermelon that is known to taste sweeter than the traditional red watermelon and has a more honey like taste. I would agree. It was so great. If you ever have a chance to try one I certainly suggest it! Thanks BrownBox.

LOTOJA 2008

LOTOJA 2008 was a success.
This past weekend Brad completed the 206 mile bike race from Logan, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyoming for the second time (see last years race here). This year there wasn't a crash involved so hooray for that! Brad did very well and it is seriously unbelievable that people do and finish this race. What is even more unbelievable is that when it was all over Brad didn't even act tired. I don't think he pushed it hard enough. Or maybe he is just that incredible :)
I am so proud of Brad because not only is doing this race unbelievable but the hours of dedication and training that goes into it is too. Brad is one strong man physically and mentally and it shows in every aspect of his life. He works so hard to accomplish every goal he has ever set for himself. That makes me a very grateful and proud wife. Way to go Brad!!!!
We were lucky enough to have my great parents come again this year. My Dad was Brad's support driver so he made sure Brads water and other drinks were filled and he prepared food for Brad at every feed station along with cheering him on and motivating him. He basically kept my husband alive. Thanks so much dad!! My Mom rode with me in the car doing the most superb job ever helping with the girls and keeping them entertained with her "grandma bag" full of snacks, books and toys. Thanks Mom! We really appreciate both of your love, help and support and we had a wonderful time with you this weekend!
Thanks also to our great friends, Hayley and Josh, for allowing us to over run your house for a night again this year! They let 9 of us stay in their beautiful house in Logan and they were unbelievable hosts doing everything they could to make us comfortable. Thanks for all your hospitality. It was also really great to get to see you guys.

Now on to the pics...This is my great mom reading a bedtime story to all the kids. (Drew, Ayden, Alex and Will)

These are our great friends and hosts for the first night, Hayley and Josh.

The kids all had so much fun playing together. Here they are going crazy wrestling, jumping, and running around.

My parent and the girls at one of the feed stations waiting for Brad to come along.

Here he comes!

The girls needed some hugs before he took off again. What a good dad.

I stopped on the side of the road at one point to cheer him on.

Grandpa and Ayden walking to the finish line. Ayden was dealing a little crack.

Brad coming in for a strong finish!

Brad with his proud girls!

Jeff Bastar (who brad road most of the race with), Brad and Jeff Sherrod (our bro-in-law).

On our way out of town we stopped for a picture with jackson in the background.

We decided to try a different route home and made a stop at Craters of the Moon National Park. It was pretty impressive and Ayden loved hearing about the old volcanoes and how all the cool formations came about. She refused to enter any caves because, "WHAT IF THERE IS LAVA? WHAT IF!!!" We climbed one of the largest Cinder Cones in the world. This peak you see in the picture is only the first one but it keeps going up.

We made it to the top! The girls decided give dad their cheesy smiles in this picture.

Ayden and Dad on the top.

Brad and Ayden skipping down the cone.

Go Palin!

I just have to say that I am so impressed with this women! I first heard about her back in January from a popular Alaskan blogger and was intrigued with what she wrote about her so I started googling her and soon became very impressed. I was impressed that she is a very strong women who cares about doing what is right first and foremost. She is tough and can stand up to anyone and anything no matter how enormous. And she actually gets the things she sets out to do done. She is not afraid to say what she means and is very genuine in her politics. She doesn't play the game. However, when McCain announced her as his running mate I thought it was cool but I was kind of skeptical that it was his smartest choice. I don't know how the rest of you feel but ever since Romney was out for the running my hope has dwindled for the near future of our country. I didn't dislike McCain but I didn't love him either but I knew for sure I couldn't stand Obama and it is unbelievable to me that people don't see right through the creep. I hoped that McCain could defeat him in the coming election but I haven't been so sure he could. So the only reason I wasn't ecstatic about his choice was because I wasn't sure she would boost his votes. I thought it was kind of risky. At the same time I was impressed with McCain for his choice and it helped boost his approval in my eyes but I was still a little skeptical as to whether they could get elected. After hearing Sarah Palin's speech tonight I think they can do it but I really don't care because in my heart I know they are the best candidates for our country and I finally have hope again. I really feel like they have a chance and that is exciting but in the end I am just happy to be for someone again. With Palin by his side I think McCain will do a great job as President. I feel if people really find out for themselves what they are about they will know that they should be the next President and Vice President of the United States and I am excited to be able to really feel passionate about my vote this November.

If you missed her speech tonight I highly recommend you watch it here. You won't be disappointed. She is one tough cookie who is not afraid to fight!!!!