Keeping Warm

As I remember back to last winter there is only 1 thing that I remember clearly. That is COLD feet! I bought my very first pair of boots 2 years ago to try and keep snow out of my shoes. Well- sadly they were not well insulated and not water proof. I ended up with freezing feet.
This year I made it some what of a goal to get WARM boots to keep snow OUT and hopefully keep my toes warm. This has proved to be VERY difficult! Most boots are made for fashion, not warmth. Then there are boots made for warmth, not fashion. So to find ones that were both was difficult. I ended up compromising. I got 2 pairs for less then $50 (also, most boots were VERY VERY pricey!) I think what I have should hopefully keep my feet a little warmer. The ones are leather (water-proof) and insulated and they have heels so I can wear them with dresses. The others were not exactly the cutest, but they were only $10- so I had to get them! They are very cozy and warm. I will have to try and water proof them though.
The girls have always had boots every year. Little legs get buried in snow FAST so you really have to have good boots on little people.
End of the story- now that I am a Utah resident of 8 years I think maybe I am on track to keeping my feet warm and snow free. About time huh? Can you believe I have lived here 8 years? That just blows my mind!

New Hair Cut

We cut off about an inch and a half. (maybe 2 in the back) What is the point in growing little strings anyway!? ;) I have my doubts that with my need to cut that Livs hair will ever be long! She told me after I cut it "I love it Mom! I always want my hair short!" (The curly picture is what it did naturally after we cut it- so cute!)

Latest Projects

I am finally getting around to making pillows for the living room couches. I did piping for the first time on them. (piping is the white edging) I also made Liv a skirt. I saw the fabric in the store, loved it and decided I needed to make something with it. I like how it turned out. I've also made 2 little Halloween skirts for the girls. I will wait to show pictures until Halloween! Those are the latest sewing projects. I love to sew! It is so fun to have a complete project to show at the end!

Fortune Cookies

Tonight we went out to a Chinese restaraunt. Claire was being her usual difficult self. There was the high pitched screaming, whining, crying, trying to stand on the table, etc, etc. We were trying our best to hurry eat and get out. So finally our waitress brought the check and some fortune cookies. We handed them out- and here was what Claire's said:
You constantly struggle for self improvement- and it shows
hahahaha, we had a good laugh over that. Seriously. Poor Claire- she is just at a hard age for just about EVERY thing! I just love the part that say "and it shows".

Twirl Dress

Gramma 'K' made Liv a beautiful dress. She is so talented! Olivia loves dresses, and she especially loves that Gramma 'K' made her one. As she ate her oatmeal this morning she said "Can I wear a bib? Gramma would be SOO mad if I got my dress dirty!"

Highlights

Olivias 4th Bday from Sarisker on Vimeo.

Here are some video from Liv's B-day. Ignore the fact that it goes on for like 2 minutes AFTER the video is finished... Sorry ;)

Torture

I am training for a 5K. I do not think I have ever put myself through so much torture in my life. I hate running with a passion. I want to do it just so I can see for myself that it can and will get easier. I am excited for the race- and I am excited for it to be over! Maybe by the end I will enjoy running!? Every one tells me the first 5K is the hardest.
So- any advice you have when it comes to running would be helpful. I know little, and I could use any help! Thanks! Oh- and if you are interested in running the race with me let me know! So far my sister-in-law Britta, and my sister Emma are coming! We would love to have a whole pack of runners!! It is Oct.19.

Bananas and Orange Juice

It is a tradition in the Knerr family to eat bananas and orange juice. I think my girls love it as much as I do!

Recipe:
*Cut bananas in slices
*Put sliced bananas in a bowl or a cup
*Pour Orange Juice on top
*Eat with a spoon (it is like eating cereal, only it's not)
*Enjoy.

I have thought a lot about these days and the world we live in. Some times I have wondered if having too many children in a world like this is worth it. It is so scary to think of what the world/Satan can do with a precious soul. As scary as it is though- I can not imagine NOT having children. It brings more happiness, more learning, more living and more faith in good. The thought of having no baby brings tears to my eyes and hurts my heart more then I think I could possibly explain. I have been INCREDIBLY blessed to be able to have babies pretty much when ever I choose (so far). I do not take this blessing for granted. I think I am more thankful for this then most of my blessings.
What hurts the most is knowing that there are people out there who want, but can't have. I only have empathy for the hurt they must be going through. I have SOO many friends who have not been able to have children on their own. I am so thankful for adoption and some times random miracle children that just come. The latest story that has touched me I read HERE. Get out a tissue. It is touching.

Turning 4

Olivia turned 4 on Aug.15 this year! She had quite the birthday. On Saturday we had a butterfly party for her. Sadly only 4 of the 14 girls came. ;( And it just so happens 2 were twins, and the other 2 sisters. Good thing Livie could care less ;) All she cared is that she had some friends come! We made a butterfly cake- learned how HERE. We had a pinata, played in bubbles, and opened gifts. It was a fun little party. Livie got a bike for her birthday! It is her first bike and she is so excited to ride!

On Olivia's actual birthday we headed up to the canyon and invited family to have a BBQ with us. We had a good time making hamburgers and tinfoil dinners and enjoying eachothers company. We had Brett's parents, his brother Scott and his family, and my sister Emma and her family.

Here are some 4 year old questions I asked Olivia:
What are you most excited about?
"My 4 year old party!"

Tell me about Daddy.
"I like to play with him. He goes at work and basketball a lot."

Tell me about mommy.
"I like to play with her. I like to go to the museum with her."
(who knows where she came up with that answer!)

Tell me about Claire.
I like to play with Claire in the water and splash!"

Who are your friends?
McKenna, Anna, Neleah, Morgan, Jillian, don't I have a lot of friends?! Oh, and Gramma K is my BEST friend, right?"
(seriously Gramma- she really said that!)

What is your favorite food?
"Hot dogs."

Favorite treat?
"tootsie rolls"

What is your favorite thing to do?
"pick flowers and jump rope!"

What is your favorite thing to wear?
"my yellow shirt with the strawberry on it"
(this is now Claire's shirt, but oh-well!)

What is your favorite season?
"I like the snow to make balls!"

Do you want more brother and sisters?
"yeah"

What do you think we should name them?
"maybe Connor? But I don't know... or maybe Stawberry Shortcake!"

Favorite game?
"Sorry"
(the board game)

Do you like boys?
"A couple"

Who are you going to marry?
"not a girl, a BOY! ... maybe Ryan?"
(Ryan is in her primary class)

railroad

I don't think I ever posted this pic of the girls. It is too cute not to share!

Over-Sized Muffin

We indulged at Costco and bought some ginormous muffins. Today Liv thought it sounded yummy- so she took a whole muffin off the counter and started to eat. She left the bag out so Claire could get one too. So- now both the girls were running around with huge muffins. Instead of getting irritated that 1- Olivia did not ask first, and 2- now there are muffin crumbs all over the floor and anywhere they decided to run off to- I decided I'd take some pictures ;) I love my new blue walls as a back-ground!
Yes- I will post pictures of the house soon enough. I was trying to get up a video I made of the house, but apparently it is too big of a file.

Claire's First Piglet

Yesterday I called Liv into the bathroom to get her hair done. She came, told me how she wanted her hair styled (I always let her choose). Then she asked me "Mom- can Claire have a pig?" We call anything in a pony-tail a pig. I thought about it, and decided Claire may just have enough hair to shove into a tiny little pig. Claire did not like me tugging on her little bit of hair and kept slapping at my hands and screaming. We got it in though! And it was right on the very top of her head so she couldn't feel it to pull it out! Great!

Busy Busy Busy

Well- we have been so busy, and the busy times are still not over... It is has been lots of fun though. We have been in Oregon for a long 2 and a half weeks, came home to do a surprise party for Brett's Dad. All of his children and their families came into town to surprise him (it was his 60th birthday). We had a dinner party, and the next day we all went to the lake. We rented boats and a skidoo. It was a perfect day at the lake. For the next few weeks we will have Brett and I anniversary, Dr's appointments for both girls, Olivia's B-day, and another family reunion with Brett's extended family. It is just crazy busy lately! I have been bad about daily schedules and working out with all the comotion. Not good!

There was lots of "getting to know you" time for Claire. By the end of the trip she was okay with her Grandparents. She is just so shy though (and at a very crabby age! At least I am hoping it is her age and just a stage!!)


Livie had a great time. When I ask her what her favorite part of Oregon was she will quickly respond "playing with Grandma!"

This is 2 of my sis-in-laws. There are 5 boys in the family- so there are lots of sis-in-laws! They are all great, and we love to chat! It was fun to see them all! (Val- we missed you ;( )


This is the latest from our garden (Amy- you've got to start coming to gather your little tomatoes!) Our garden is doing pretty well. We are still waiting to the larger tomatoes to get red, but we have had zucchini, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and we are watching 4 watermelons grow really fast! Sadly we had an infestation of squash bugs on the zucchini plants. It was SOOO distgusting. I had to hand pick each large beetle bug off the plant and drown it in water. I kept screaming and getting chills every time I picked one up. There was about 50 of them. AAAH! They were just so nasty. The plants seem to have survived though and are doing well despite the bugs. Phew!

Playing with Aggie

Olivia loves my parents dog, Aggie. This is saying a lot since in general she is usually scared of dogs. Aggie is very gentle and doesn't jump or lick you though. Liv had fun throwing the ball for her for about an hour!

Fun in Springfield

all the kids together... I think they love it!

Hannah (Kim's baby)Liv and Connor

Connor (Lindsay's son)

We are in Springfield (where I grew up) and we are out visiting friends! My two best friends Kim and Lindsay have little ones of their own and it is so fun to have everyone together. They have CUTE kids that are very sweet and Claire and Liv had lots of fun with them. Livie especially loved Conner (maybe someday they will marry!!)

Beach House 2010

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We got to rent a beach house and be with my family for a long weekend. We had fun hanging out, talking, eating, and playing in water! It was a good time. I wish we could see our family more! It is quite the drive though (about 14 hours)

Miss Claire-Bear

Little miss Claire. She is growing up so fast. We still call her baby- even though she is now 18 months old. Time is flying by. She is still very quiet. She does not use words. She will say a few here and there, but for the most part she only babbles. She loves a good snuggle. She is our sleeping beauty. She sleeps a LOT. She would probably still take 2 naps if I let her. She sleeps an average of 14 hours at night. Her latest trouble is biting. She just discovered the effects of it. She really has GOT to start using words instead of biting!! Liv bit for awhile too. I have hope she won't do it long- she gets in big trouble. She is terrified of other people. I mean if ANY one gets within touching distance of her she starts to freak. This includes Grandparents, friends, just about ANY one that isn't mom, Dad, or Liv. She is rather shy. She loves to be like her big sister. She copies most things. She is good dancer, and loves music. She LOVES to eat. She follows after her sister and will eat just about anything. She eats more then Livie most of the time! She is a sweet heart. We love you Claire!

Happy 4th of July

wathed fireworks with Em and Gisco, ate some good food, played with a light up sword, had special 4th of July hair... It was a fun time!

Photo Shoots

I've done a few photo shoots in the past few weeks. These are some of my favorites! I just think it is delightfully fun to take pictures. I wish they all turned out the way I envision. Remember- if you ever want me to take some photos- please ask!! I know I'm no pro, but I love doing it, and with time I'm getting better.