What do you mean I don't get a donut!

Hannah was our little hat model today. She had to pose with all these different hats so Sarah can post them on Etsy. This is my favorite of all the pictures. She is letting me have it because I said she wasn't going to get a donut if she didn't behave. Let me ask you... after looking at this picture who do you think runs the Bast family?

P.S. Sarah will be posting the pictures soon. She really is quite an amazing seamstress.

Sneek Peek

Hey everyone! Just thought I would give you a little sneek peak into some of the things I will be selling at the boutique this coming weekend. My sweet friend Jessica was so kind to take a few pictures for me. I am excited for the boutique and hope it ends up well. If you live close, stop by! There will be a ton of vendors that make amazing things! Hope you like them!

70,000 Words down about 20K to go

Not that anyone particularly cares, besides you of course Mom, but I just crossed 70,000 words on my book. To give you some context, Sorcerer's Stone was 87,000. Who knew that one could really write that many words about Mystical Pirates that fight an Evil Sasquatch. But here we are 70k words later and still chopping away on the old keyboard.
My secret is to use a lot of  unnecessary adjectives, adverbs and similes.
I'll give you an example;
         Pre- Magical Michael-fied
                              "The pirates sailed on their ship." 6 words
         Post - Magical Michael-fied
                               "The salty one eyed pirates silently sailed aboard the rickety termite infested ship, that happened to be theirs, like a giddy California sea lion plunging below and breaking above the mountainous white peaked waves."  34 words

Wham-o! Thats how you do it!

I should be done in a month or so and then I'll have to edit and tear it to pieces.
I am anticipating that I will self publish about 20 copies to send out to get  honest feedback.
The book is written for a 10 -12 year old audience, which matches my maturity and mental level so be aware.
If you would like to help me by reading it and then giving me about two or so pages worth of honest written feed back then please fill out the form below.
I dont need smoke blown up my tail pipe, that isnt going to help me write a better book.
Thanks!
P.S. The story really isnt about Pirates and a Sasquatch.

Fill Out to Help Mike
First Name *
Last Name *
Email *
Phone 1
Street Address 1 *
Street Address 2
City *
State *
Postal Code *

Update

I know we have been so bad at updating this blog, so here goes a little quickie!!

Caden is finished with his football season. They lost their first playoff game 8 to 12....so sad! They played so hard and I think all the boys cried a little at the end of the game. Unfortunately, they did not advance. They played one last game and came out victorious! What a season!

Halloween is over and boy am I glad I did not spend a lot of time on costumes this year! We only attended a very small trunk-or-treat with our ward, since everyone here was trick-or-treating on Sunday. We don't live in Utah anymore! Plus, our camera is broken! I am so sad. This meant no pictures for Hannah's Birthday. She did just turn 3! How sad! I did break down and buy a disposable camera for Halloween, so who knows when I will get those developed!

Here are a couple pictures courtesy of my adorable friend, Jessica.

Weston in his Daddy's OLD costume as one of the Three Musketeers. Hannah is a very simplified version of Strawberry Shortcake. They are standing with Jessica's two adorable girls, Addie and Callie.

And she took a picture of my magic 8 ball. This picture does not do it justice, but can I just tell you I have the LARGEST tummy around!? You would never guess I was not due until the latter part of January. It looks like I should be having the baby NOW!

I have been busy getting ready for another boutique coming up soon! I have made 39 hats...call me crazy and am making some beautiful headbands. Can't wait! If I get some pictures, I will post them. I hope it goes well and would love for anyone to stop by!


And that's all folks!

7-0 and off to the Playoffs

Captain Boodzer's team, the Palominos, just finished up the regular season 7-0 and outscored the opposition 240 to 60 over the course of the season. They are really a great team and are really exciting to watch except for the fact that they are usually winning 30 to zero by half time. That will all change next Saturday as the playoffs start.
If they win their next three games then they will play the top west valley team for the state championship. If they win the state championship then they will go to California to play some Southern California teams. Boods-a-holica really loves it and has a lot of fun.
Here is a picture of Boodzer running an interception back for a TD this morning.

Boutique

I am so excited about this! My good friend asked me to share a booth with her at this boutique that she was a part of last year. Apparently it is a pretty big boutique! I have put together some fun things and can't wait to see how it turns out! Stop by if you have time! There will be some super cute things!

So....

It's official. We are having a BOY! I knew a month or so ago, but it was still a little early to say for sure......even though it was pretty obvious. We are excited to add more stink to the house, but I must admit I am feeling a little out numbered! Bring on the eating, farting, burping and fighting 'cause here comes more!

Dear Winter,

Please come soon. Visiting St. Johns made me miss you more than ever. The days were beautiful with highs in the 70's and a little rain here and there. Every time I walk out my back door, the heat hits me in the face like an unforgiving wall. My grass is more yellow than ever and the garden is dead. I miss the green and the cool days when I can sit outside and watch the kids kick the ball around. I don't mind the cicada's singing to me most of the day, but to be honest, I don't think I will miss them when they are gone. I miss you. Please return a.s.a.p.

Your friend,

Sarah

P.S. I don't particularly enjoy driving a non-air conditioned vehicle while a bun is in the oven either. Just sayin'.

Well I am finally doing it

It happened a week ago Sunday.  Sarah, my Mom and I were all sitting on the couch in our front room, chatting about one thing or another and my Mom dropped the bomb on me. Thirty three years..... Thirty three years of deception, lies and inaccurate details.
In my heart of hearts, I had always thought that I was different, perhaps let's even throw around the adjectives like "unique, special, one in a million", but until a week ago Sunday, I didnt realize how unique, how special, how one in a million-ie.
You see, when I sank down on my incredibly comfortable, brown polyester couch that evening, I had no idea that an emotional hydrogen bomb was going to go off. I didn't know that without leaving the soft embrace of my sectional from heaven that I was going to be taken on a journey, a journey that could rival Alice's trip down the rabbit hole or Gulliver traveling to the land of the midgets.
You see dear friends I was told a tale spun with suspense, the finest faux fur money can buy and heart break. I was told of a baby, a baby found off the shores of Mazatlan in a basket woven of rose petals and honey comb. A baby that had been given a better chance of life than being surrounded by the pressures of the future that had been in store for it.... or should I say in store for him. Yes, it is true, I was that baby. I was the one found washed upon the golden sand in a basket made of unusual materials to make a basket with. The truth is, I am not really a Bast, but through a series of highly complicated tests involving DNA, Photosynthesis and other un-explainable science we were able to determine, within these last few days, that I am actually the love child of Stevie Wonder and Julie Andrews.

How did it happen, why did it happen? Some cases are best left un-solved, but never the less this new revelation has certainly made things a lot clearer.

Well it didnt happen exactly like that, but this story seemed so much more interesting than what I was am about to say so... whatever.

Last Sunday we were sitting in my front room. My Sarah said, "Dude get off your butt, write a book"

My mom said, "Yeah lazy a$$, amount to something in your life." so I said "Fine" and I am writing a book.

I am about 25 pages in so I am pleased with myself, but still have about 70 thousand words to go, give or take a thousand here or there.

The Best Trip EVER!

Getting ready for the long drive!

We recently traveled to California to take the kids to the happiest place on earth, and boy was it ever! We had so much fun taking all the kids on our first ever family trip. We went during the week, which was perfect! It was a little cold, due to the cold front coming through. Luckily we took our jackets to keep us warm enough to have the best time of our lives!

Weston was our little trooper! He went on everything possible! He rode on Space Mountain and the Tower of Terror several times. He walked all day without asking once to ride in the stroller. He wanted to walk. Hannah did great as well. She loved meeting all the characters we could, but very sad that Snow White was not there. Caden was Michael's right hand man. They rode all the big rides together while I took the kids on the little stuff.

All in all it was perfect! I would not have changed a thing. Michael is finally getting back to normal. He went through a withdrawal phase. He was the best daddy with the kids! What a great husband he is. I couldn't ask for more! So enough talking, here are some pictures in no particular order!

On the shuttle excited to see Disneyland for the first time!

Weston and Hannah in Tarzan's treehouse.

Weston with Woody and Jesse.

Daddy taking the kids on a ride that makes mommy sick. Aren't they cute?

Ready to see Captain EO with his 3d glasses.

The little ones with Chip and Dale.

Donald Duck was definitely in character. He grabbed Hannah's head to turn it for the picture!

Weston and Mommy on the Bug bumper cars.

Daddy with Hannah on the bumper cars.

The kids on the Chompie ride. This is one of my favorites!

Daddy and Caden on California Screamin lovin' every minute!

Daddy ready to lose his lucnh in the ferris wheel. His age is catching up with him!

My handsome Caden with a lego Darth Vader. He was in heaven looking in the lego store!

My sweet and sticky Hannah waiting for the shuttle to take her to the hotel and swim.

Mommy and Caden bored waiting for Indiana Jones to get fixed.

Meeting Rosetta. I think she was my favorite.

Hannah and Tinkerbell!

Hannah with her half smile on Belle's lap.

Hannah with Jasmine. We finally got her to kind of smile.

Daddy and Hannah on It's a small world. Grandma loves this ride and we had to take a picture to show her we took the kids.

Hannah ready for the 3d Muppet show. I think it was nap time.

The last picture I got of Hannah and Weston while we waited for Daddy and Caden to go on California Screamin again.

We had a blast and I can't wait to go again. We made such good memories!

2 Can Play That Game

Since everyone is commenting on how wonderful Sarah's little crafts are and how talented she is and how creative she is and my posts are like the toilet paper of blogdom, good for crap. I decided that I was going to put my craft capabilities on display and let the blog world vote.
See Sarah! Your not the only crafty one in the family!... It's like living in Van Monet's shadow and I am tired of the shade! Behold my latest creation!!!!
Unlike Sarah, I didnt need any special pattern or instructions, this whole ensemble came from my soul. So you decide! Mine or Sarah's?

My new love

Well, I just noticed that Michael posted, so scroll down and see what he put up. It is very disturbing if you ask me. Any how, I just wanted to quickly post my newest creation. I LOVE IT! I found this seriously cute pattern for a hat a month or so ago and I had to get it! This is an Izzy and Ivy hat pattern if you are interested. It has the pattern from newborn to adult. I had purchased it with the intent of making one for both myself and Hannah. I just finished mine and I had to share. Who knew that you could sew/make a hat? You can wear the hat with or without the flower. And you can make the flower smaller. I just liked the gargantuan flower.

see the little button hole? that is where you clip the flower in.

School Play

A friend of mine emailed me a link to this children's production. What do you think?

Weston turns 4!

My sweet little Weston turned 4 a couple of weeks ago. We had a very low key celebration, but he seemed to enjoy his very special day! I am so proud to be this sweet little guys mother! He is so protective of his family and lets me know how much he loves me several times a day. We are all so glad he is in our family and couldn't ask for a better little boy! I love that little munchkin!

Blowing out his candles and making a wish!

Loving his new knight armor.

I just love this little face!

My not so creative UP cake....but that is what he wanted and he loved it.

Happy Birthday to the sweetest four year old around! We love you Weston!

You are all in luck!

Another Unicorn Wars post! HERE

Happy Valentine's Day!

M.I.A.

Well, here I am trying to get back on the blogging wagon.....once again. Maybe I am just not meant for this? I like doing it, because it is some form of journal keeping for me. I really want to print this baby out some day and make a book out of it for my kids. So, I guess it would also be my form of scrapbooking as well.

I am going to blame all of this M.I.A. business on Young Women's. I know I shouldn't, but I want to. I was called to be the secretary at the end of October. I figured I could do it....not much to it, right? Wrong. The Young Women's president is a fabulous women, but she holds high standards that I am still trying to reach. So, all of that combined with the Holiday Season was very busy.

I went through all of my pictures that I have taken over the last while and picked a few in regards to what I have been doing. Nothing is in order and I don't have the patience to try and fix it right now. Which brings me to thinking....maybe I shouldn't be the secretary?

What have I been doing?

Making these trifold Personal Progress Book holders for all 16 girls.

Mod Podging and creating Value Baskets with goodies for when the girls complete a Value Experience.

Getting a non-professional family portrait taken at Christmas time. Non-the-less, I am happy to have a family picture that includes Weston outside of the womb as well as the not so new addition, Hannah.

Enjoying Christmas Day with my kids at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Finally finishing my quilted stockings that have been sitting around for over a year. I'm happy with how they turned out.

Enjoying every minute with this beautiful sister-in-law during Christmas vacation. She truly is beautiful inside and out. I wish she lived closer.

Asking my husband to stop playing football. He seems to get injured every season. Finger on the left was shattered, fixed, but still looks mangled. Pinky on the right jammed and still looks a little crooked. Knees banged up and still has a LARGE bruise after two months of healing.

Watching Caden in the School Spelling Bee.

Going to see the Temple lights and getting some yummy Dairy Queen while we waited.

The last day of football season. What a handsome boy!

Playing in the snow almost every day on Christmas vacation.Finally getting our sprinkling system in! Green grass is on its way!

That is my life in a nutshell over the past while. I loved the Holiday Season and I am sad to see that Summer is creeping up on us. I don't think I am ready for the A/C to be on 24/7.