......................sunderlages

2011-11-26T14:30:00.000-08:00

Roasted Turkey Enchiladas

3 Tablespoon veg oil
1 large onion chopped
1 28 oz can green enchilada sauce
1/2 can chopped tomatoes or fresh
2 chipotle chilis in adobe chopped (I used 3 and it was hot)
1 c. chopped fresh cilantro

2 cups shredded mexican cheese mix
3 cups coarsely chopped shredded turkey
3/4 c. greek nonfat plain yogurt

12 yellow corn tortillas
2 limes

Heat oil and saute onion until tender. Add enchilada sauce, tomatoes, and chipotes

Cover and simmer 20 mins. Stirring often
Blend the sauce with a hand blender
Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 c. cilantro
Season turkey with salt and pepper. I didn’t need to it was tasty as is.
Mix turkey 1/12 c. cheese, yogurt, and cilantro in bowl

Spread 1/3 c. of sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 glass pan and lay tortillas down and then layer the turkey mixture and then another layer of tortillas and then repeat ending with tortillas.
Pour the sauce over the tortillas and cover with the rest of the cheese. Cover the enchiladas with a pam sprayed tin foil and cook at 350 for 25 minutes and then uncover and cook 10 more minutes.

Serve with lime

Halloween and New York and Summer

2011-11-17T14:12:00.000-08:00

Top of timp

jump roping

he has their interest

Lagoon Frightmares

Hot dog

Greta

Olive and Ingrid

Cute

August and Greta

Halloween

I love him

Lyndsey and me in New York

My garden carrots

Camping with the Whitney family. Aunt Kim

Angela and Keech visiting

The best ride ever, whoever this was, he was great!

2011-11-17T14:06:00.000-08:00

water park

Hiking timp the first time.

Greta's first day of 4th grade

Sweet Sadee

sunderlage life

2011-11-17T13:54:00.000-08:00

Wow, it's almost Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday of the year if I don't think about how close it is to Christmas. Much has happened since the Peterson's left our neighborhood. Much.

we enjoyed pink skies

we swam with our pals

we white trash fished down by the river

The Petersons are moving on.

2011-06-23T15:43:00.000-07:00

It's hard when you leave a neighborhood to leave your friends and neighbors. It is even harder when your friend leaves your neighborhood. We love the Petersons and we will miss them uber much. They are moving across town but we still plan on getting together for days at the park and dinners and movies so maybe we won't miss them that much. Nevertheless, we will miss you guys!

Ropes with Zip Line and Swing and Climbing Wall

2011-06-21T19:08:00.001-07:00

This here is proof we did something this summer. I never have a camera with me. We even have a great little flip video I could be using. Here with my fabulous phone shots we see some daring and adventurous children doing the zip line 100 feet in the air and the climbing wall and a great big scary swing. We brought Ingrid's friend Bailey and the kids had a blast. Olive and I had fun laughing at the scared expressions on their faces as they zipped and swung and climbed.

Good times. I was most amazed that August was so brave and willing to climb way up on a telephone type pole to a platform in the sky with a strange woman at the top who would link him to a rope and send him flying. It was priceless to see him be so brave. The silhouette is 5 year old August.

Ingrid I think.

Telephone pole climb to the unknown.

Greta Swinging

Ingrid and Bailey racing to the top.

Greta climing to the top.

Father's Day

2011-06-18T12:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day Rob. We love you so much. The kids miss you when you are gone and love when you are home. They admire you for the things you do for others.

Rob can sport a mean mustache.
They love their Dad.
He gave me the best kids and loves them so much. He's always thinking of what would make them happy. He's just like that with everyone. He cares a lot for others.
My favorite man and father.
He does fun things with the kids that I prefer not to do like carving pumpkins.
He loves the outdoors and a challenge.

He supports me in the things I like to do. Here he had the kids give me flowers after a race.
I just think he is so cute. (and notice our hill without the white rocks. better no?)

Hair Cuts, why do they consume me?

2011-06-16T09:42:00.000-07:00

Cute girl, good hair but that length makes me feel like a boy.

Katie Holmes has cute hair. I like the long curly look here.

She can even do bangs which I can't do.

I really like Katie's hair here or do I just like her cool Levi's, old belt, and cardigan with white tee.

I have tried blonde hair. It was kind of orange really and I didn't love it. I am thinking of going back to dark brown. I think I look younger with the darker hair and Ingrid does too.

My Dad, I think he is funny.

2011-06-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest email from him....

We should wait until we know what we tell you that we are speaking Sunday, Father's day, at 9:00. YOur mom never prefers to talk in Sacrament, but she always does well, and it is better to get it done sooner rather than later, since then you can rest assured it will be a long, long time until you are put on the spot again. We were asked to speak on fatherhood and/or faith, so I guess it will be fatherhood. Don't feel constrained to come, but we thought it would be better to let you know in the event that you or some of you wanted to be there. After Sacrament, we go straight to our primary class, where we teach, and then to Primary, where we make hand signals. so that's about it.

Love, Dad

If you have any thoughts about the subject, any whatsoever, feel free to email us back. Even if it is " I wish you had done this, or not this. " As you might guess, it is not always an easy subject for the parent, mom or dad, to process. It is a continual learning experience.

CATS

2011-06-03T14:53:00.000-07:00

We have had these little poopers for a few weeks now and they are officially ready to go to their new homes. They weren't that bad to have around. The littler box situation is what really made me crazy. The kittens liked to poop right next to the box in the garage. They used the mop head as litter so I threw it away. I think we used up a few good blankets and perfectly good towels. (all thrown away)

Now I can say I have raised kittens, something I would never have chosen to do before becoming the Cat Lady. Good bye Fitzcaraldo, Panther, Pip, Scarlet, and Bill Murray. You were good entertainment for the kiddos.

Spring Planting

2011-06-02T21:43:00.000-07:00

We buried our hamster Cheddar right where those stones are behind the cherry tree. We have such sweet memories of living in the lush green Northwest.

I was amazed to see photos of my beautiful yard in Lake Oswego on the new owner's blog.

Under the Tulip Tree I am really inspired by the great things she has done. Everything is green.

I have high hopes that I will have a gorgeous blue blooming hydrangea next to my front steps thanks to Rob for doing the labor. I am loving my plants and my newer yard, meager as they are.

i like this

2011-06-02T21:27:00.000-07:00

http://vimeo.com/17552993

Love really, a good pair of jeans.

Hiking Mt. Timpanogos

2011-05-30T20:36:00.000-07:00

What Rob's been up to.......

Feral Cats

2011-05-12T12:08:00.000-07:00

My last post was really just a draft. I didn't even mean to post those videos. In order to see them I had to post and then watch and then delete. Somehow they were saved and posted. They weren't very appropriate for the web.

Anyhoo.........

I am the feral cat lady. Or so it seems my new reputation might be...... We feed a female cat out of our garage. Why? I do not know. Something must be wrong with the wiring in my brain. Several years ago I adopted a cat on Christmas Eve. I thought it would be the nicest sacrifice that I could give my children who had been begging for a cat for some time. She was a surprise on Christmas morning and I succeeded in making my children's most memorable Christmas up to that point. We named it Louise. After she started crying like a baby or more like a cat in heat, we had her fixed. Louise was mean and after about a year we gave her away to the Humane Society.

So, why do we feed a feral cat out of our garage? This might be a good question for a psychiatrist one day.

The story goes that we realized the cat was pregnant. She wasn't our cat. We named her Banksy after the mysterious graffiti artist. Even homeless feral cats need names.

Then, she wasn't pregnant anymore and we couldn't find her kittens and we knew that she was nursing them because it was very obvious by looking at her. The kids and I looked everywhere for those kittens. We even thought of using my Garmin watch to track Banksy and lead us to her kittens. We should have.

Weeks later. Today in fact I see a police truck pull up and an animal control woman officer gets out with a couple cages. Of course I am curious and I ask about the cages. Come to find out our new neighbors who I had not formally met yet had been doing some construction and had found kittens and adult cats living beneath their kitchen floor and all throughout the space between the basement and the main floor. There must be major damage down there. Gross, so gross. They are talking about filing an insurance claim.

I feel awful. I can't stop crying about being a feral cat lady and ruining our neighbor's home. They hope to be able to catch the cats and kittens but they are really well hidden. Let's hope they do soon and take Banksy along with them.

Greta Mae

2011-05-04T14:01:00.000-07:00

Greta had an imaginary friend named Inca when she about 1 1/2 years old. She would be entertained all day by her friend and would often be caught in deep conversation. It was cute, really cute. She can still be lost in her imagination several times a day. She is rarely bored. Loves to eat and to make her own food. She is good at pasta, quesadillas, cake, and top ramen. I hope that she learns to love vegetables again one day.

Greta is affectionate and likes a good snuggle. She is a smart and is learning to play the piano and loves dance. We are so glad that we have Greta in our family. Her glowing white hair and brown skin and cute little underbite smile is precious to me. Greta I love you and I hope that you have the best darn Birthday Week ever!!!

Dr. Stone at Elite Academy - October, 2010

2011-05-04T14:00:00.000-07:00

Dr. Stone at Elite Academy - October, 2010

This is why we live where we do.

2011-04-06T11:08:00.000-07:00

Rob's early morning and into the day ski adventure. see http://suncrestdug.wordpress.com/ for more great photos. I love my mountain man.

Moustaches

2011-04-03T20:41:00.000-07:00

I like the moustache. Nice. Kind of looks like a cop.

M & M Love

2011-03-28T20:45:00.000-07:00

Peanut Butter speckled eggs. I love you so. You have the most fabulous salty peanut butter around. Thank goodness for stretchy pants.

Elizabeth Taylor dies at 79

2011-03-25T09:06:00.000-07:00

Not that I was ever really a fan of Elizabeth Taylor but I just have to post a brag that my great uncle Lon Whitney made this yellow chiffon dress for Elizabeth's fifth wedding to Richard Burton. She married him four days after her separation from her fourth husband. That in no way makes this dress less famous.

I knew there was a reason I was drawn to trashy tabloid magazines in the supermarket isles. It is their designer clothing I am attracted to and now I know why. This attraction stays at the supermarket and is forbidden in my home but I do look forward to the check out stand.

Rice Pudding

2011-03-17T13:16:00.001-07:00

I just have to share this with my friends. This here Rice Pudding is delicious. It is creamy and sweet and has a dusting of cinnamon on top. So good. Go get one at Kohlers if you live close by and hopefully at your nearby market if not.

Sleep Tight

2011-03-16T08:17:00.000-07:00

If you ever wonder why we don't look very well rested. We have this wedge that makes it's way into our bed at night and kicks and tosses and turns all of the time trying to find a nice cool spot.

Why?

2011-03-14T17:25:00.000-07:00

Why is it so hard to pick up the phone to call people anymore?

Why do I drive 10 miles for an ice cream cone when I have good ice cream in the freezer?

Why don't I know how to apply eyeshadow?

Why does my laundry stink?

Why do my kids fight?

Why do I cook things that nobody eats?

Why do I talk to myself?

Why do I forget what I was going to say?

Why do I have so many t-shirts?

For Shannon

2011-03-14T17:23:00.000-07:00

A thought while cleaning...

2011-03-12T13:17:00.000-08:00

2011-03-11T08:28:00.000-08:00

Dr. Stone speaking about TrueScience

2011-03-08T09:55:00.000-08:00

Dr. Stone speaking about TrueScience

Survival

2011-03-08T09:47:00.000-08:00

Let's move in

2011-03-07T15:38:00.000-08:00

2011-03-07T10:57:00.000-08:00

I like these.......

Saturday

2011-03-05T10:49:00.000-08:00

August decided he didn't want to ski today with his family so I stayed home with him to get things done. Rob is meeting Kerry and Jim and their family and Matt, Alec, and Gabe and also the Lowders. Park city for $25 a day is hard to pass up. Rob really is a patient teacher and I am so glad he is willing to take the time to teach our kids to ski.

My goal today is to keep August away from the Wii for as long as possible.

Piano Recital

2011-02-26T17:45:00.000-08:00

Ingrid and Greta rocked their piano recital today. Their teacher Rebecca is so cool and funny. I think they relate to her very well. Jerem, William, and Caleb also performed and did a fabulous job. It's fun to see them progress and become little musicians.

There were about 15 piano students and they all played a pretty short piece. That's my kind of piano recital. When we lived in Oregon Olive's piano recital was so different. Her teacher was a Russian woman who rewarded Olive with "chocolate chips" for doing well. They were actually hersheys kisses. She had people doing acrobats and singing and dancing at her 3 hour long recitals. That's too long for me.

Rob Dawn Patrol

2011-02-24T08:33:00.000-08:00

http://vimeo.com/20313642

True Science

2011-02-11T18:33:00.000-08:00

Here's an interview with the Dermatologist who developed True Science skin cream if you were wondering about what it does for your skin.

http://www.lifevantage.com/documents/2010-09-13%20SABCall_Dr_KimberlyStone.mp3

Dr. Oz on Glutathion

2011-02-11T18:19:00.000-08:00

This is a recent show Dr. Oz had about the benefits of Glutathione. He called it the "Superhero of Antioxidants". Glutathione has been shown to help people with Parkinson's, Alzeheimer's, depression, anxiety, ADHD, schizophrenia, and cancer among other illnesses. You may not know, but Protandim increases Glutathione by 300%! This growth in Glutathione increases over 4 months of taking Protandim on a daily basis. Dr. Oz said to take Milk Thistle to help increase Glutathione. One of the ingredients in Protandim is Milk Thistle.

It is important to understand that it is the synergy of the proprietary blend of Protandim that makes it so effective. Protandim is made up of 5 herbs used in traditional medicine: bacopa, green tea extract, turmeric, ashwaganda, and milk thistle. These products are amazing alone, but the research shows that the specific combination or "recipe" of Protandim causes the biggest spike in raising the body's own enzymes (SOD, catalase) and the amino acid glutathione. The synergy of the ingredients is key! If you take any of the above ingredients in addition to taking Protandim, schedule to take them at least 4 hours after you take Protandim, so that Protandim's synergistic benefits are not lost.

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/superhero-antioxidants-pt-1

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/superhero-antioxidants-pt-2

The Kings Speech Trailer 2010 HD

2011-01-30T19:34:00.000-08:00

We eat out a fair share. For years a date consisted only of eating out. There was no time for movies or plays. Leaving the kids was expensive when paying a babysitter and eating out was the perfect activity to fill a couple hours away from our children. Now that they are older we have broadened our choices. Last night we saw a great move. The King's Speech. Fabulous. It was thoroughly entertaining and educational too. It had an R rating which I found pretty ridiculous. Movies like this should be rated for general audiences.

Protandim

2011-01-30T18:34:00.000-08:00

My new business venture! The product is cool and the company is based here in Salt Lake.

Check it out at my website. www.mylifevantage.com/wendysunderlage

I think the prime time episode is good and informative. There are also some scientific research that is really exciting. Read the press release and the peer review study.

Tell me what you think. Have you heard of Protandim or TrueScience Anti-Aging Cream?

blogs

2011-01-28T16:31:00.000-08:00

I follow a few blogs. My friend Jen is a great writer. Her blog is strayjuniormint.com. She is so funny and you know someone is a good writer when you can just hear their voice in everything they write. I also just came across another fabulous blog comingtogrips.net. Check them out, you won't be disappointed.

San Diego

2011-01-25T19:31:00.001-08:00

The best Gelato experience ever. In the gas lamp district there is a totally hip chocolate, gelato, crepe, delicious food shop. Alisha and I shared a tuna salad with greens and a spinach and ricotta crepe and topped it off with the most fabulous gelato. I had orange chocolate and Alisha had spicy chocolate. This shop is not to be passed by. We rented bikes on Coronado island and rode them around the island and saw some cool homes and rode along the beach and then down by the cool old Hotel. I need to go back with Rob and the kids one day but it was really nice to spend time with my old friend Alisha Rose. There is something about an old friend....

Arizona Family Picture

2011-01-25T19:30:00.000-08:00

2011-01-18T13:43:00.000-08:00

This about sums it up. This week has been one sick week. This beautiful depiction of doctoring is painted above the door at our doctor's office. August got a kick out of that. I am trying to ward off these bugs by taking zinc and downing vitamin c. I think I will try some airborne too. I want to be able to go to San Diego with Alisha Rose this week and I can't stand flying with congestion. Not so good on the ears.

August is 5 December 30th

2011-01-03T21:42:00.001-08:00

smashburger

This little man brings so much happiness to me I can't even explain. It is hard to see my youngest get older. It would be nice to keep him small for a while. This is a photo of August at Smeeks candy store in Phoenix on his birthday. Smeeks carries a lot of the old candy I remember growing up. My phone takes pretty good photos don't you think?

What does August love?

well me, and his dad, and of course his sisters and grandparents.

preschool and his teacher Kerry

the Wii

Nutella, peanut butter, marshmallow sandwiches.

Tom and Jerry

his friends

my butternut squash soup

pudding

prayers in the middle of the night to fight off the bad dreams

bar soap he discovered just a few days ago at Grandma's

bowling

playing board games

Taveuni Eye Project 2010

2010-12-01T06:54:00.000-08:00

See Jack and Jean serve during this great Service Project to fix the eyes of the Fijiians. What great people and what a need.

THANKSGIVING

2010-11-25T21:49:00.000-08:00

We had a great Thanksgiving Day with Rick and Rachelle and their family. I am so grateful for my family and for good days like these. The kids loved all of the fancy desserts at the Sundance brunch. The food was really good and it was nice to enjoy the day and have someone else do the clean up.

le chocolat

2010-11-20T22:06:00.000-08:00

photo stolen from Lyndsie's blog, talesfromtheuc.blogspot.com

Wondering why I look so proper? so emily post

Fiji

2010-11-14T17:07:00.000-08:00

Love this photo of Jack and Jean's place on Taveuni. Jean and a random dog.

salted carmel ice cream

2010-11-14T16:49:00.001-08:00

I made some ice cream today. It was a labor of love. Rob loves caramel ice cream. First I made the caramel, second, the custard, and then I froze the mixture and the machine did the rest. It was good, but not great. It consisted of heavy cream, eggs, sugar, and milk.

I will have to try a different recipe, maybe one that isn't so rich. (Rich is a funny word my Grandma Whitney used for her homemade fudge she kept in round tins.)

I also made sweet potatoes with marshmallow topping. It was sweet, something I would prefer as a dessert. Next I made brussel sprouts, which I think are so cute, those little cabbage heads so bright and green. My kids got excited about them which makes me happy.

I grilled some pork loin on the barbeque and used some of our favorite barbeque sauce Head Country that we order from Ponca Oaklahoma.

And I just love this picture of Greta on her way to school. What a great girl!

hair for kerry mine and others

2010-11-06T21:17:00.000-07:00

2010-11-06T21:10:00.000-07:00

Some hair I spotted at a great store on NW 23rd in Portland. The girl said "sure, take my photo, it won't be the first time, I get asked this all of the time". Seriously? Who has that great of hair? I am not sure about the faux hawk part but the cut and curl is nice. Maybe it's because she has a nice face.

Update post op

2010-11-05T21:01:00.000-07:00

Rob's surgery went well. He is still sleepy and nauseated from the morphine. The surgeon found that he had another tear in his shoulder tendons and did a repair to that also. He said he was successful at fixing his separated shoulder. It's hard to see Rob in pain and lying in a hospital bed. He is so strong and capable all of the time. We love him.

Law of Averages

2010-11-04T22:05:00.000-07:00

Today Rob fell.

Fell off of his bike.

Off the curb.

Into a hole.

All alone.

No one stopped.

Had an x-ray.

Saw a surgeon

Tomorrow Rob is having surgery to repair his separated shoulder. One would think that today was a bad day. It was actually kind of fun. Not for Rob, but for me. We spent the day together. I was in my pajamas, bra-less and sweaty in my down coat. I know, it sounds sexy.

Jack and Jean in Taveuni, Fiji

2010-11-03T12:37:00.001-07:00

Rejuvenation in Portland

2010-11-03T12:29:00.001-07:00

Wish I had pictures of all of the great merchandise at this fabulous store. They have old and new and refurbished furniture, fixtures, and housewares. Took a pic on the phone of this great table. Could I make it work as a kitchen table. We all know I need a different table, or at least I will when the crack completely separates.

Mutsumi and the old house

2010-11-03T12:13:00.000-07:00

Had to stop and see the old house. I thought it looked great. Mostly the same but with some great decorating. Made me cry. We lucked out and Mutsumi happened to be home. We got see baby Luther as well. And, April and Lyndsey at Piazza Italia.

Portland in October

2010-11-03T11:47:00.000-07:00

What a fun trip with two great friends and Rob. Thanks Rob for making the trip and driving us home.

Mark Lanegan and Isobel Cambell were great in concert.

The food was wonderful.

We tried Koi Fusion, a Korean Mexican taco traveling street vendor. We had it twice. We had to eat at Bombay Cricket Club, Piazza Italia, Alotta Gelatto, and Voodoo Donuts. We even had some rain to make it Portland. We found some great shops. I think by far my favorite was the Lounge Lizard in the Pearl.

Plants

2010-10-08T16:03:00.000-07:00

I planted a row of shrubs and it felt very good. Something about accomplishing something and doing the labor by myself. Digging in the dirt and sweating, it's all good. I need to get some pics on this here blog.

Taveuni, Fiji

2010-10-08T15:55:00.001-07:00

My mother and father in law are in Fiji serving a mission for the LDS church. We already miss them and they haven't been gone a month. It is so fun seeing them on the island with the Fijian people. I love that Jack will wear a sulu and that they will eat crazy food. Thanks for being great examples for us and for our children. We love you Jack and Jean.

Augi

2010-10-03T20:32:00.000-07:00

August graduated from preschool as a 3 year old. He was so lucky to have his aunt Kerry for his very own teacher, not to mention his mother once a week. For his talent at his graduation he decided to surprise us all with a front flip. After two bounces he flipped over just like he does on the trampoline, only this time it was on the hard floor. He didn't shed a tear but I think he was in shock from the impact.

Greta

2010-10-03T20:27:00.000-07:00

Greta turned 8 this year. She is a beautiful girl. I love how Greta is a friend to many people, young and old. She was baptized in June and it was such a sweet time. Thanks Greta for all of the happiness you bring to our home. She can really make us laugh.

Lovely Ladies

2010-10-03T20:22:00.000-07:00

Family

2010-10-03T20:19:00.000-07:00

Fireworks on the 4th

2010-10-03T19:29:00.000-07:00

Fireworks on the 4th

2010-10-03T19:26:00.000-07:00

Fireworks on the 4th

2010-10-03T19:23:00.000-07:00

Portland in July

2010-10-03T19:19:00.000-07:00

2010-10-03T19:15:00.000-07:00

Amanda Winn and Mutsumi. It was so great to visit. It had been 3 years since we moved away.

2010-10-03T19:09:00.000-07:00

We walked to the park to play on the new play structure after a professional japanese meal by Mutsumi. We met the Winns at Hallinan park.

Portland this summer

2010-10-02T17:06:00.000-07:00

Yep, it's a Banksy We just came across this fine beauty while strolling Northwest 23rd.

2010-10-01T22:09:00.000-07:00

If you haven't had a Rob's Bagel, you are missing out. He is the master bagel man. I love him.

2010-10-01T22:07:00.000-07:00

The night the girls made dinner. It was amazing. So proud of these creative and smart girls.

2010-10-01T22:04:00.000-07:00

This was a fine dinner. Sometimes we have a darn good looking meal. Homemade bread, fabulous tomato salad, zucchini stir fry and cod. I know cod sounds gross but it was good.

2010-10-01T22:02:00.000-07:00

We love the canyon winds. You never know what you will wake up to.

2010-10-01T21:58:00.000-07:00

Came across this great photo of Greta and her friend Ella in gorilla wear. Love the orange faces.

SOURDOUGH

2010-09-29T13:44:00.000-07:00

This is my second attempt at sourdough bread. I think it is pretty good. It smells so great and is soft inside and crispy on the outside. I only wish it were a little toastier looking. I will have to read up on getting that just right. Also, this image is sideways. Will have to figure out how to turn pictures one day. Thanks Deanne for the sourdough start and for all your tips. I might need to try whole wheat next time.

Band of Horses

2010-09-28T23:41:00.001-07:00

Photo of Band of Horses with the blackberry. Show was so great. They were so "tight" as Rob says. Love them. Went with Kerry and Jim for Jim's birthday tonight.

2010-09-18T21:54:00.000-07:00

It's funny that I even blog, I do it so seldom. I just think sometimes I need to sit and record happenings from my life that I am sure to forget by maybe even tomorrow.

Today was a beautiful day, It started with an early morning run with Kerry and April and then to August's soccer game in the sunshine. It was so nice today. August is such a cute little soccer player and I think he has assigned himself goal keeper. He is definitely better on the defense. I am encouraging this sport as I think it is easier to understand than american Football and for many other reasons I won't go into for fear of offending my father.

After August's fabulous soccer match, in which his entire neighborhood is on his team, it was off to the splash pad for fun with our new friends the Ercanbracks. They are such a fun family and Greta and August enjoy Nadia and Liam so well. Lindsay is pretty cool and she reminds me so much of Shannon, my sister in law who is so genuinely lovely.

After sitting in the sun and enjoying the man-made stream, we decided to pick Rob up in Park City. He has been wanting to ride his bicycle from our home to PC for a long time now. I think it was a bigger feat than he realized. He went up American Fork Canyon down into Cascade Springs, down a dirt road above Dear Creek and over the mountain into Midway and then to PC via Hwy 40. (He has lost his taste for Hwy 40, loud and bumpy) By the time I made it up to Park City I found him lying in the grass at the Top Stop with a 64 oz soda. He was beat but nothing stopped him from shopping at the outlets with all of our children and also April and her children.

We shopped and headed to The Pie pizzeria where we were treated to some cheesy breadsticks by the people at the table next to us. The dinner was great. Their chef salad is loaded with mozzarella and ham and veggies and of course blue cheese dressing. The pizza is always so good, laden with garlic, cheese and massive amounts of pepperoni. We love it. Ingrid was excited to see that her signatures were still there from the last time we enjoyed the pie with the Woodses.

Oh, and did I say how cool Rob is for riding to Park City in his totally cool capri pants? And did I mention that he is making bagels tonight?

We came home to some Rocky Road ice cream and good conversation. Today I love my life. I have a great family and wonderful friends!

2010-02-09T20:56:00.000-08:00

Greta reads to August.

2010-02-09T20:35:00.000-08:00

Putting August to bed tonight, I read a story from the FRIEND magazine. It was about a boy who's dog was hit by a car. This boy prayed to his Father in Heaven to save his dog. He felt like everything was going to be fine only to find out that his dog died. This spurred on a conversation about death. August was tearful. I explained that Christ died that we might live again and he wanted to know why he died. More explaining.

August then said, "I don't want to die." I told him that it would be ok and that we all get to live with the ones we love after we die. He said, "like Great Grandma?"

I told him that he would live a long long life.

What a blessing to be able to teach him about life and to see how interested he is in such simple truths. This is what happiness is.

2009-11-06T20:46:00.000-08:00

HALLOWEEN

2009-11-06T20:32:00.000-08:00

Costume party at the church was so great. Rob won the award for most disturbing costume. My friend April and I wore sous chef outfits, thanks to Rob for stopping at the uniform supply store. Rob went on a Halloween night right - in costume right after the party. He got pulled over by the police and he had his scary childsized doll in the front seat with his gas mask on. The policeman was happy when he realized it was a doll, not a small child. Rob felt pretty creepy I am sure.

Olive was a super girl. Awesome. She matched her friend Natalie Scott.

Ingrid was a poison fairy and dressed up as Pocohontas for a school assignment.

Greta was Cruella Deville, in jazzy outfit.

August went as a duck to preschool and trick or treated in a Fireman costume, like last year! Olive said it was "like so wrong to let him wear the same outfit this year."

Rob set up an awesome spooky door a few minutes before trick or treaters came knocking. They were frightened I am sure.

Overall Halloween was one of the best times of our lives. August was excited when I told him that Halloween comes around again next year.

SAINT GEORGE MARATHON!

2009-10-20T11:15:00.001-07:00

So, the marathon was so great. We stayed in the Christiensen's home in Saint George, which was so accommodating with a pool and beds and bath for everyone. Rob was great to drive four women runners down and listen to their nervous rambling. Saint Goerge is really an a fun course. I love the hills and for the most part the downhill! We had perfect weather, the only problem was arriving late for the last bus to head up the canyon and miss a chance at the bathrooms before the race. Not good.

Before the race I thought I might want to take a break from the marathon training but afterward I felt a renewed energy and I want to run another while I am trained for it. The Phoenix Rock and Roll is in Janruary, hmmmmmm. We'll see. I am going to get Rob to do the next one with me!

2009-10-01T13:37:00.000-07:00

This weekend is the Saint George Marathon and I am totally excited. This will be my second marathon and my first Saint George Marathon. Kerry my older sister and April my great friend and Rob are all driving down tomorrow to Saint George and are meeting some great friends, Jen and Derek Smith from Washington. It's going to be so much fun and I might even run it faster than last time. We'll see, and we will post some great photos when we get back. Thanks Kim and Eric for letting us stay at the Christensen's this weekend!

2009-09-25T15:55:00.000-07:00

I think I might actually post today. It's one of those days. I just got back from borrowing Kerry's vacuum, our central vac doesn't reach the basement bedroom and I haven't wanted to buy one so I occasionally borrow my sister's vacuum. She lives across the street which is really convenient. On my way back from across the street Ingrid came running up to me paniking that Greta couldn't breathe and was choking on something. I ran to the backyard where a birthday party was taking place for our neighbor and proceeded to help dislodge her butterscotch candy. My neighbor Mark was right there with good suggestions. We tried milk, it came back up, so did the root beer from the party next door. She was screaming so I knew she could breathe. I tried 911 for suggestions. They wanted to send an ambulance until I assured them she was breathing and that I needed help getting the candy to move on.

Something Mark did helped and she stopped crying and then I started crying. Let's just say that I am glad she can breathe and that she is ok.

I might just post a few photos if I can remember how.

I want this cute thing.

2009-05-18T08:41:00.001-07:00

2009-05-18T08:38:00.000-07:00

2009-03-04T18:48:00.000-08:00

/PHOTOS/2008/2008-12-24/DSC_0046.JPG

nothing ever

2009-01-21T21:28:00.000-08:00

Okay, I never post anything ever. It is lame I know. It would be nice to just record my "wild and crazy life".

2008-11-19T11:14:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I have written anything. Life has been full and interesting and tiring and fun since my marathon. I have been enjoying early cold morning runs and have started doing yoga again and am loving it. I am not flexible let me tell you. I love to do yoga but am working on flexibility.

Next week in Thanksgiving and I am in the process of deciding if I should host at my house as the actual day is a week ahead. I have gone online to check out recipes and things to do ahead. There was even a shopping list provided with menu and this totally stressed me out. I would have had to start making things a week ago. I don't even like roasted turkey. Well, I do like the soft dark meat but the rest of the turkey is usually dry. I think I will brine my turkey and buy an organic one. On my list of things to do last week was to order an organic turkey. I hope that I am not too late. I also think I will do a smaller turkey. It always seems that we have way too much turkey left over and I prefer to eat maybe one day of leftover turkey.

Any great ideas for thanksgiving meal preparation? I am sure all of you have cooked all of the stuffing and soups etc. and have them frozen in your freezer waiting for the big day. Is it lame to try new recipes on Thanksgiving Day? I love the idea as I cannot seem to make a recipe more than once when serving anyone besides my immediate family. Truly.

Also, isn't there always too much food on Thanksgiving day? It just seems glutenous. Maybe a good thanksgiving day run is in order.

26.2

2008-09-22T06:03:00.001-07:00

(Following post by Rob)

A selfless accomplishment for Wendy.

A lot of people run marathons - but a lot of people focus on themselves in the weeks /months leading to the event. Wendy didn't. She trained often - but she did it in the wee hours of the morning before any of the family would get up.

She would start her runs early in order to get back in time to snuggle the kids as they woke up, make breakfast, finish leftover homework, get them ready for school.

She made this exciting for all of us as it lead up to Saturdays race.

The girls and Augi were anxious to see her finish. They encouraged her along at the 14, 17 and 26.2 mile markers.

What a great example for them to see their mom setting her mind on something like this, work hard, and do it...do it well.

Thanks Wendy.

Great job.

Wendy and April Scott - Mile 17

Finish Time: 4:25:11

April Scott, Wendy, Rachelle Chase

2008-09-11T16:11:00.000-07:00

Ingrid had a pajama party for her 9th Birthday. She had friends from Alpine and friends from Highland and had a disco party complete with disco ball and music. Ice cream sundaes were a hit in stead of cake. She is a wonderful girl and we love having her in our family. Our great neighbors the Morleys made her polka dot cake and we enjoyed it with Jack and Jean and Rick and Rachelle and kids.

Bike Ride

2008-06-16T14:44:00.000-07:00

Today in 90 weather my kids and I and a couple of neighbor friends rode to Kohler's grocery store to load up on candy and rode home. Greta, who is new at the two wheeler, was a superstar. She rode up an down curbs and crossed busy intersections and stayed far to the right and away from traffic. I couldn't have been prouder. I pushed August in the jogger and tons of water bottles and then a large container of otter pops on the way home. Thanks Olive. The kids did a great job but I don't think they are ready for the trek on their own.

I'll have to clock the distance, but it was much farther than Greta has ridden in her life. I considered it a great workout and am able to count it as my 11th mile today. I am training for the Ragnar Relay Wasatch Back from Logan to Park City and it takes place this Friday. I am a little nervous about my first leg as it is 6 miles with lots of hills at noon. The weather is supposed to be cool so I think I'll be okay. I have had a great time running with my sister Kerry and some great girls from my new neighborhood. We have a great "coach" who constantly encourages us and keeps up quite the pace. I think my pace has increased a bit.

Happy Fathers Day Rob

2008-06-15T06:59:00.000-07:00

Rob - Happy Father's Day to my best friend and love. I know you are the greatest Dad for our little family. So encouraging and positive, the kids admire you in so many ways. Who else would promote a love of music, a love of the gospel, a love of outdoor fitness, a love of movies, of being a good friend, of helping anyone in need, a love of staying up to enjoy the rest of the day, a love of driving across country, and a love of laughter. (To name a few) You are such a great example to them. They love your mission stories and your Clammy McButter Bugs. Thank you for being such a great Father and for giving us such a great group of people to grow old with.
I love you, Wendy

Soda Sale

2008-06-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

Today the kids are selling soda, water, and gaterade door to door. It is a great way to make money. Thanks to Uncle Matt who spent $50 on drinks at Costco and let the kids set up a stand on their corner in Bountiful. They made enough money to pay him back and now we have drinks to sell! The kids have already made $30 in an hour and 1/2. That's pretty good money. I think we'll get ice creams and drinks next time and try it on a hotter day. Today it is in the 50's, much too cold for a June day in Utah. Last year when we moved here it was in the 100's quite a few days in June. I think I prefer the colder weather, suprisingly. The only time that I wish it were a little warmer is on my morning run. I'll have to get a photo of these entrepreneurs and post. August is quite enjoying going along for the ride. He is sitting on top of the cooler in the wagon as the girls pull the drinks along. Summers are great. Now if I can just figure out why my house smells like burnt bacon - seeing as I have only cooked oatmeal and quesadillas today. Hmmmmm.

Grettie

2008-05-31T22:28:00.000-07:00

Greta on her 6th Birthday. She wore that crown all day. We brought treats to her class and we picked out some really crazy ones at the bakery with rings on them - the ones with the crisco frosting and the airbrush coloring. They were a hit. Greta has become very social. In the last few months she has had many playdates with kids from her kindergarten class and insists on having a playdate everyday.

A day in the life

2008-05-31T21:50:00.000-07:00

August has started telling me he loves me. Oh how precious is that? He says it so appropriately too. Mommy I love you. It makes me melt.

When August gets hurt he cries for a short while - has tears and a runny nose and then quickly wipes his nose with his hand and says "Better now!" He then continues to do whatever it was that cause the tears in the first place. A boy.

His favorite activity is taking his ride toy down the sidewalk at high speed. It is so great - he catches speed and conveniently slows down at the corner of our street and turns around to do it again.

His "hat" or helmet is his favorite item of clothing. He wore it all day and in the car and to the store and than fell asleep with it on. When I tried to take it off he reached up to make sure he still had it on. Could it have been comfortable?

He is enamored by our 14 yr. old neighbor Morgan who he calls "Organ" She will ride him down the street over and over. The girls love her too. She is the perfect neighbor. She loves kids and likes to babysit. We like that her paretns are next door if anything should happen while we are gone.

Olive is spending the night with her grandparents. She needed a little one on one time and that is what I am sure she is getting at Jack and Jean's. She will go to church with them in the morning and we'll pick her up tomorrow night. This is great for Olive as she is usually our babysitter. Olive's report card had one B. She was so bummed. I didn't tell her that I was so happy to get all B's. She doesn't need to know that. Olive is taking piano again from a great teacher. She is having a totally different experience as her last teacher was Russian and was very hard to understand. This teacher is a great teacher and I think Olive will learn a lot from her. Ingrid is taking piano from her daughter and I am excited for her to start lessons this week.

Greta learned to ride a bike today. Rob is the best teacher. He is so patient and encouraging. I am lacking in those departments so I decided to mow the lawn so that Rob could go on a bike ride when he was done with the lesson. Greta shed no tears until I started to help her. She insisted that she needed her Dad. I was so proud of her. She rode around the block several times by herself. I remember the day each of the girls learned to ride their bikes. Olive was so persistent. She just decided one day that she needed to learn and we took her to Waluga park and had her ride on the baseball diamond. She just got on that and took off. She is persistent. It went so well that when Ingrid was ready we took her to Freepons and had her ride down the slight hill on the grass and she took off immediately. It's so fun to watch them try new things and to see them in their success.

New Things

2008-05-13T21:01:00.000-07:00

Up these stairs is the girls room. It is big enough for their three twin beds with room to spare. There is one small closet that Olive has claimed as her own. It is her room I guess and the girls have their clothes in another bedroom closet. Having a new house doesn't mean it all makes sense. One day when they are more brave and want their own space, someone will venture to the bedroom in the basement. I am sure it will be August. We have this unfinished part to our basement and we have some old furniture and some boxes that we haven't emptied scattered around. This is where we have all of the kid's toys and the treadmill. There are large windows that passersby can peer down into. This is the scary part of the basement.

Dumb Ass. We have started eating hummus again. August loves it. It's great except for the breath it leaves you. He calls this great snack "dumass". Love it.

So we have a new house in a neighborhood that feels like church camp. The houses are all about the same age, the people are all about the same age, and 98% of us go to the same church. I am not worried that I won't get to know my neighbors. If I don't meet them at the park or pass them on my run, I am sure to get to know them when I work with them at church.

2008-01-13T20:56:00.000-08:00

We just got back from Sunday dinner at Jack and Jean's with Rick and Rachelle and their kids. It's much different than our Sundays in Oregon with our little family. We used to go to the park with friends and that was really nice - but in the winter we were pretty much stuck inside like Dr. Seus's Sally and Conrad on that wet wet day. We quite like the white snow but mostly to look at and recreate in. It isn't so great to wear heels in or to fetch the mail in.

We enjoy our recreation center where Olive goes to swim team and where I bring the kids to run around the indoor track or play on the machines. Olive is swimming faster every day and she has earned several ribbons. She is also in the Aline school play Calamaty James which she enjoys very much. She goes to practice at 7:30 in the morning which is early for her. It makes for long day when we have swim team in the evening.

Ingrid is busy playing in the snow. She is a great example to me. She started reading the Bible recently and does so before she goes to bed. I am inspired by her persistence. She wants to do Basketball and play the drums. I think we'll start her in gymnastics again because she does handstands nonstop.

Greta is learning to read. She and August are playing together very happily lately. She dresses him up and builds forts for them on the kitchen table. The other day I walked in and they had a comforter spread over the top of the table with pillows to lay on and a pile of all of their stuffed animals at their feet. She fed him lunch there, read books, and took a "nap".

The Christmas Card that Wasn't

2007-12-23T21:04:00.000-08:00

Yet another year that we didn't sent out a Christmas Card...I quickly snapped this just before heading out the door for Church today (photo at 9:13...yes church starts at 9:00.) The plan is to send it out and hope that it gets to everyone before too long after the holidays. Maybe we'll just send out an email to everyone that say's goto: sunderlages.blogspot.com

There. Done. Merry Christmas.

First Snow

2007-12-23T20:44:00.000-08:00

August was apprehensive about his first 'real' snow storm...for about a minute.

Windstorm

2007-12-23T20:26:00.001-08:00

The kids were caught in a windstorm when hiking around Snow Canyon in St. George over Thanksgiving.

Some thought it was fun. Greta did not.