Birthday Eve- I'm special and spoiled

First off, let me just say, it was quite the ordeal to get these pictures of me. I had to make a special effort. I am always the one behind the camera. Anyway, on to bigger and better. My 31st birthday is tomorrow. Since we don't party on Sunday, Daren took me out yesterday. He had scheduled me a massage, manicure, and pedicure at the day spa at Gardener Village! Does it get any better than that? What a good man. Then we got to eat at Macaroni Grill. I LOVE real italian food. Wait, there is more! We also went to a play at the Hale theater. Such good times. Unfortunately, we left knowing that Noelle was getting sick and we came home to her even sicker.

Now, just for fun, some random facts about me:

• I love olives- not just plain, old black olives. I'm talking about green olives, kalamata olives, etc. There is nothing better.
• My favorite movie is Nacho Libre. I never read a book twice (except for the Book of Mormon) and I rarely watch a movie twice. Nacho Libre is the exception. I love it. "My life is goood. Real goood."
• I love music. No, I really mean I love music. I can't name a favorite. Do you have a favorite child? Of course not! So, likewise I can't choose a favorite song because I love them all for different reasons.
• I love a good deal. I've been known to talk about the good deals I have found, probably way too much. I can't help but tell people about the awesome deals I find. Along the same lines I love to turn "trash to treasure".

Ok, that's about all I can handle of that. Every once in a while I have to do something like that just to make sure that I exist as a person outside of being a mom. Thanks for humoring me.

Love,

The birthday girl

Look Mom, I did it!!!

Ta Da! An apple pie made by yours truly. Today should not have been a day for baking (Noelle was sick), but I just had to prove to myself that I could make a pie without my mother standing by my side. Last week I attempted to make an apple pie and the result was horrible. This time, however, it turned out pretty good. It doesn't look perfect, but it tastes great. The crust is nice and flakey. Thanks Mom, for teaching me how to bake.

Clever Homemaking

I recently stumbled upon a blog that I really enjoy: www.cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com. I was initially impressed with her chore chart that she has created (and is currently doing a give away for), but I also was impressed with other tips about meal planning, organizing hair accessories, etc. Check it out and enjoy!

Dancing at S.V. half time. It was COLD, but they still had a good time. I can't believe Noelle is old enough to start doing this stuff! She can believe it and is ready to do anything Libby does.

Not a photo from the dancing at half time, but one I had to include. This was the day of school pictures. Like I'm going to pay for anything but the class picture if I can get a photo like this at home!

Office Make-Over

I painted Daren's office and did some re-decorating. I think it looks pretty good. I wish there wasn't so many wires all around, but I can't mess with his "system", so I did the best I could.

Shy Noelle

Noelle REALLY enjoyed a chocolate creamie the other night. She didn't, however, enjoy having her picture taken. I couldn't resist.

What a week!

I have no pic's to post tonight. Just some thoughts. Daren is already in bed and I am a little lonely. Last night he sprained his ankle. We thought it might be broken, but a trip to InstaCare this AM confirmed otherwise. Either way, it's going to be a long recovery time and he has a nice, fat, purple ankle. I may provide pictures at a later date-- when he is in the mood to be photographed. It's been quite the week. Such a miserable one that I don't even care to recount the incidents that made it that way. We did have one nice highlight. Thursday evening we went to the play The Scarlet Pimpernel. Daren's parents came with and it was really enjoyable. President Monson was there!

A quick "funny" before I go. Actually, I'm not sure that it's all that funny. Noelle will randomly come up to me and pat my stomach and say: "Your tummy is getting bigger, right mommy?" She has done that at least three times this past month. I'm not sure what to think of this. I am not pregnant. Is my tummy growing? I'm exercising harder than I ever have before, but I still get this nice comment from my very HONEST 3 year old. What do you think?

Birthday Party

On September 11th we had a "friends" party for Libby's b-day. I think she had a good time and so did the other kiddos. We had 17 kids, including Noelle and Libby, running around the yard.

The favorite game of the day was "pinching pennies". I guess anytime you give a child permission to play in jell-o, they are in heaven.

Not quite the whole group in this photo, but some happy faces none the less! Next year, no friends party. I'm too tired.

Preschool is fun!

Ellie started pre-school last week. She loves it! I love it too! Two hours is not very long.

Good Old Camp Steiner

The Rupp family traditionally spends Labor Day Weekend in the Uintahs at Camp Steiner. It's usually pretty cold, but we sacrifice and it pays off. This years highlights included: Liberty's 7th birthday, Isabelle and Lila's baptism, french cuisine (some sweet nutella and berries,etc.), Mom's soup and bread, Grandpa Wally's ouchies (he took a fall and a rock met up with his head), and many more memorable moments.

Tanner is tricky!

Brown eyed beauties.

Daren was a good sport, even though he slept in the Pilot.