the Skidmore Skunk Farm

Enough is enough!

For the second time in a month, we have been graced with the beauty (and aroma) of one of God's most powerful creatures. The impenetrable force field that such a small animal possesses is actually quite impressive. I just wish that someone would have told my dog what happens when you attempt to cross over it.

These little super-villains are starting to get on my nerves.

And so I'm left wondering...what is it about this house that skunks find so appealing.

Run off, skunk, and tell your other stinky friends what happens when you enter MY backyard
You mess with the Skidmores, you get the hose!

Portraits From Fia's Party

I never posted Fia's 4th birthday party pics, so here are some of the faces that made the night so much fun;

Happy birthday, my mermaid princess!

To My Mom,

I have Elle, Sofia and Lila here, playing right now. I know you would love to see them all being so silly together. Fia reminds me of you. I know you'd get such a kick out of her sassiness.

I'll give them all a big hug from you, today, (even though I know you give your own when they're sleeping).

In The Sticks

This Labor Day weekend, the Skidmores decided that we needeed a break. So, we all packed up our kiddos, blankets, air mattresses (our cabin isn't furnished yet), ice chests, bikes, running shoes, playing cards (what's a Skidmore vacation without Hearts and Scum), and headed for Show Low.

On Saturday, Carol and Ray Woodhouse invited us over to their cabin for some college football and IBC's.

I love this beast!
Sofia loves her grandma.
We were really hoping that Heidi and Greg could get some much needed relaxation, but 11 kids under 1 roof may have made that a longshot.
Cousins!!

Casey helped out a ton.

We learned that Lila is allergic to wool.

Even the kids get in on the card action. Hopefully their skills will pay off in the casino one day;)

We Will Miss You Forever

You have taught us the kind of strength that helps us to go on at times like this. We love you painfully, Ethan Randall Skidmore.

*Ethan's service has been set for Thursday, 10AM at the LDS church building on McDowell, east of Power.

For Love of the Game

Football season has begun:(


Goodbye, Casey. It was fun to spend family nights together on Mondays and quiet Sundays together.


I'll always love you.
See you in 2010...

At least our son is having a blast!

Max and Cade ditched school and spent Monday with their amazing Grandpa at the Cardinals' practice, this week.

Out of the two of them, can you tell who's the more aggressive?:) Cade was grateful for Max's ability to squeeze in front of people.

Freedom!!

I love, love, love my kids! But, I also love, love, love when summer ends and I get to scoot them out the door and onto the bus.

This year, it was really time. After a fun summer (Wicked, Makutu's Island, Park City, Vegas, etc.) they were starting to get bored and I was starting to go crazy.

However, I miss my little helpers and just pray each day that when I send them off, they have the kind of days that I remember having in Elementary school, days where they are safe and happy.

Thanks to Natalie for the fresh new haircuts to start out the new year!

Here's to another school year...

Our 4th of July ended with a bang (or more like a blllllaaaaahhhhh...)

This year was the first in a long time that we have not spent July 4th soaking up the California beach scene. So, we, at least, had to get out of the heat!

We headed to Dad's cabin in Happy Jack.

Saturday morning, Casey, my dad, Cade, Max and Phoebe (aka. the BIG cousins) got up before dawn to go fishing. In the meantime, Sara, Lance and I walked the 'little' cousins down to the Blue Ridge Fire Dept.'s craft fair. The kids had fun painting big paper butterflies but, shockingly, there was nothing that quite called out to me, so we came home, empty-handed.

That afternoon, we drove back down to Payson to see 'Ice Age 2' eat at McDonald's (yum:/) and watch fireworks at the park.

It felt the way that I thought a small-town Fourth would feel...easy.

BTW- On the drive back up to the cabin, Phoebe began puking all over the middle row of my car. When I thought she was done I reached back to grab the baby wipes and she started up again, all over my arms. That was 30 min in to a 60 minute drive. Fun times;)

A little much?

OK, maybe. But, it's better than what I'm working with.

Another day, another plan.

I have gotten a new, WONDERFUL trainer to set me up a workout plan (that is already kicking my butt) with one goal, to get ripped.

I'm really not into the whole beanpole thing. It does nothing for me and actually makes me quite sad to see how weak and unhealthy women are striving to be.

After losing my mom to pancreatic cancer, fighting my personal battles with skin cancer, watching my dear father-in-law suffer the pain of rhumatoid arthritis and standing by helplessly as my sweet, little nephew battles his way through the first few months of life with practically half a heart, I have come to realize that our bodies are so fragile.

It is now my mission to become as healthy and strong as I can be.

As my trainer puts it, 'If you don't take care of your body, where else will you live?'

(I know this post must seem funny coming from the girl that constantly blogs cupcake recipes and ideas, but, what can I say...making salads just isn't quite as fun.)

Swim bags

For all of you swim team moms or moms of girls that just love to swim, here's a really fun tutorial on making these. My girls are so proud of their custom bags.