2A.M. Play-Date

12:00A.M. - Jason & Shanda roll into bed

12:01A.M. - Jason snoring

1:00A.M. - Shanda tossing and turning

1:30A.M. - Crew running through the room to go potty just making it in time.

1:50A.M. - Shanda finally doses off

2:00 Freakin' A.M. - Trip learns a new trick and climbs out of his crib stands in the doorway of my room and says "Hi, Mom!" and takes off running through the house.

2:30A.M. - Trip back in bed...Shanda thinks to self, "and so it begins..."

3:00A.M. - Crew walks in hauling everything but the bed frame itself into the room and complains, "Trip is being naughty...can I sleep with you?"

3:30A.M. - Crew is snoring in sync w/ Big J while Shanda & "The Midnight Misfit" go head to head.

4:30A.M. - Dosing off for the 2ND time sighing a breath of air into the pillow when....a little angry fist hit the bedroom door wanting "Mama!"

4:31A.M. - Jason waking up for the first time last night, puts the "misfit with a cool new trick" back to bed and FINALLY Shanda gets the blessed sleep she needs (well at least a few hours or so)....until we had to get up and get Crew to school. I am so looking forward to nap time today!

Handbag Give-away

Check it out!

New website.. { handbagplanet.com }

Giving away pretty, pretty bags!

What girl doesn't need, want, lust after a new handbag!?!

I may just be the new hangbag whore!!! Gotta have one!!!

Love Them!!!

Come One - Come All...

I am having a Scentsy Party this Thursday, October 16th at 7 pm at my house (come & go) and I want to invite everyone who might glance at my blog. I realize I am posting this a little late to really give anyone notice but better late than never, right! My friend sells these and I wanted to have an excuse to get together with the girls so I decided to have a party . . . and these are the cutest things ever! Here is a little blurb from the catalog:"Scentsy is the safest and hottest new thing in candles. The beautiful ceramic warmer houses a 25 watt light bulb that slowly melts the soft, fragrant Scentsy bar and fills your home or office full of one of more than 80 great, long-lastin scents!"You guys should check out the website!www.scentsy.com They really are way cute and fun! Hope to see you there!Oh! And if you want to come email me at shandawhiting@hotmail.com and I will give you directions!

Harvest Festival

50 mph gusts of wind, dirt in our faces, chicken attacks, tractor rides, Willis Farm, & pumpkin pickin'...this was Snowflake Harvest Festival 2008. First, the wind was ridiculous...cold, blowing dirt all around us, and lets not even mention what it did to my hair. Chicken attacks...while we were waiting for our tractor ride to the farm there was a little chicken coop the boys where checkin' out when dun dun dun...Crew's little fingers looked more like tasty worms to the Big Rooster when he snapped at them....which turned into a dramatic scene of tears. Tractor ride made out to be the most exciting ride ever for our little rebels. The farm & pumpkin pickin' was a hit (besides being pasted in gusts of dirt) and 4-picks of perfect pumpkins we were out of there and home safe from the cold wind and glad that we where finally done fighting the elements at Harvest Fest.

Locked Out

What do you do when your 2 year old locks himself in the bedroom, cant get out....and the room key is inside that room? Well you break into your own house from the outside and call on your 4 year old to climb through the bedroom room window to save the day! So a little panic set in the other day when I came down the hall after cleaning up the kitchen and realized that Trip had locked himself in my room...and the room key was no where to be found (because it was on top of the armoire in MY ROOM!) I knocked, called his name, pounded on the door, yelled his name, considered kicking the door down on try #3 when I screamed his name and he wouldn't respond!!! Yes, hysteria was setting in and every awful unimaginable thing ran through my mind in the 5 minutes it took me to figure out how to get into that room. A light bulb went off in my head when I remembered I had left my bedroom window cracked open and I could send Crew on a Rescue Mission and boost him through and he could save the day! So we did just that...and Trip thought is was great...he laughed and laughed when he saw Crew climbing through the window...the little booger was just fine...he was entertained with his bottle, snuggled into the pillows and blankets on the bed, and kickin' back watching cartoons. Should have known...one can't get in front of a little man and his 'toons!

Why Semi's Should Really Avoid U-Turns

Big J's story of the day: Why semi's should really avoid u-turns even IF on a country road. On my way into work this morning I got caught for about 20 minutes at a stop light. The line moved slowly forward and I could not see why it was taking so long. Well my frustration increased as I rounded the bend and noticed a semi parked across the road. My first thought was what the ---- is this guy doing, hurry up. Then as I got closer my frustration turned to application. This guy was at a total stop and was not going any where any time soon. Apparently the driver had a high dose of intestinal fortitude and tried a U turn. That was not happening today or any day for that matter. One word came to mind as I drove past the trailer.... Classic!

Flower Power

Sisters, mothers, granddaughters, & nieces....flowers, hot glue, clips, & beads....these are a few of my favorite things. Hot Glue is a wonderful thing... except all those wispy thread things that get everywhere! I went crazy (along with my mom, sis, & nieces) this weekend with some fake flowers and hair clips and barrettes! We all had a great time acting like we were crafty women for the night. Looks like we found a new hobby!!!

Lake Tahoe, California 2008

One week at Lake Tahoe translates into: 13 hours drive time - Whiting family of 4 jam packed into "The Sardine Can" - potty pit stops in every town along the way - Staying at the "Hancock Rest Stop" in Vegas (thanks Dawn & Wyatt...with out our pit stops, both coming and going, at your fabulous su casa, Big J and I would have most likely lost ALL sanity with one another and with the little rebels) - Dawn & I waiting 45 min. in the drive though at Fat Burger while Fat Burger employees had to go out back and kill the cow - Arriving a beautiful Lake Tahoe and meeting the Ortiz Family - Climbing, dragging, and sweating our way up our 4 flights (60+ steps) of stairs to our room - Taking in the tourist scene at Inspiration Point - Daily beach visits - Swimming, goofy golfing, sand castle making, bird feeding, and snorkeling - 2mile hike to the Lake Tahoe Castle - Late nights with Morgan & Elizabeth reminiscing about Jason and his missionary days with them - Riding the Gondola at Heavenly Ski Resort up 9,000 ft - souvenir shopping - discovering my new favorite pizza place "Blue Dog Pizza" yum - running away from bees & getting stung - many many laughs, jokes about peanuts, & fireworks shopping - and unforgettable memories. Can't wait for Family trip #2 with the Ortiz Family...a great combo.

"Pioneer Facials" (achievement days)

HOMEMADE FACIALS: We made home-made facials with our "Achievement Days Pose" from recipes I googled. The girls paired up and smeared each others faces. While we were letting the facials set, we painted our nails, talked about the importance of good grooming, & jammed out to music. The girls had a blast putting avocados all over each other's faces! Here are a couple of recipe fav's:

*Oatmeal Face Mask
1/2 cup of oatmeal
1 smashed avocado
1/3 cup of honey

In a bowl, mix smashed avocado with the honey, then continuously add oatmeal. When all ingredients are mixed well, apply to face and relax. After 10-15 minutes, wash off with warm water. Do this once a week or when you desire relaxation. You won't believe the difference!

*TIP: To loosen blackheads, combine equal parts baking soda and water in your hand and rub gently on your skin for 2 to 3 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

*Breakfast Mask
1/2 cup rice krispies
1/4 cup of strawberries or strawberry juice (like Welches)
1/4 milk
2 Tbsp. cornstarch

Mix and let sit out for 10 minutes to get soggy (it'll stick better!). Put on face for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water to open the pores and splash with cool water to close them!

Sweet Corn Festival 2008

A little sweet corn anyone? Labor Day weekend we stuck around town for the Sweet Corn Festivities. The parade, craft show, games, horseless rodeo, cook off, bounce castles, and of course to pick up some of that delicious sweet corn to take home with us. Good times, Good Corn, Good Memories together.