It warms my heart...

This little guy really got into the spirit of Night Tag! It warms my heart to see my husband and children having fun, and playing games together. Even if its past bedtime. Sometimes there are more important things in life...

Last night I came home from the gym, to four kids playing flash light tag in the house. (I'm including my sweetie in the total) This is something Matt started playing with the kids this fall, and with the cold weather, they sometimes move the game inside the house. With 3 levels to our home, it makes for a really fun hide and go seek game. They even got mom to play. FIrst round...Gabe is the seeker, and everyone else hides in the dark, while he counts to 20 in the bathroom, then comes out with his flashlight, and tries to find everyone. I don't know where everyone else hid, but the moment I found where I wanted to hide, the dog decided he needed to hide with me. You should have seen me, trying to shove the dog out from under the bar where I was hiding. I sat between the wall, and a bar stool, and heard Gabe coming around the corner. "thats it," I thought. "The stupid dog is going to give me away". Gabe came around the corner, and I saw the beam from his flash light. "Gotcha!" he shouted. Just then bear came running from my spot, and Gabe's disappointment was evident. "oh, its just you bear". Gabe swept through my area 2 more times, and it took Matt out right telling him (Thanks dear) where mommy was hiding, for him to finally find me. Ha! I am the queen of Flash light tag!

Peannut Butter Cookies!

I was in a total baking mood last night. I had a turkey in the oven, overriped bananas that I made into banana bread, and then I read the pickey palate and got inspired to make some peannut butter cookies for the kids. Morgan helped me and we had a blast. I LOVE this book that my friend Sharon gave me. (Thank you Sharon) 6 Ingredients or less is an awesome cook book for anyone like me, who lives by being a semi homemade kind of cook. (Sandra Lee is my hero!) These are especially fun for the kids to make.

1 cup peannut butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp baking soda

Mix, roll into balls, and bake for 8-10 minutes at 350. I like to smash them with a fork. And I also added one of my new favs from the bakery isle. These toffee chips are to die for, and they were a great addition to the pb cookies.

Kids say the funniest...

Okay, so during Sacrament Meeting today, Morgan kept asking me for a snackament. I'd go through the bag, item after item, trying to find a snack that would suit her. Nope, she wanted none of it. She was quite insistant that she wanted a snackament. Then tonight, as I was putting her to bed, and she was talking about church, and getting a snackament, it donged on me. She was talking about the Sacrament, but to her, it was also a form of snack. guess we need to review the old Sacrament FHE again) I laughed so hard when I finally put 2 and 2 together, and realized what she was talking about. And all Morgan could say was, "oh my gosh mommy, you so silly!) Guess the ol' mom's getting a little slow in her old age.

Happy Anniversary Babe!

My sweetie and I went into Anchorage this weekend and stayed at the Captain Cook hotel. We had so much fun! We went to the movies, out for Chinese, (at my fav Panda resteraunt) did a little shopping, (I got a late anniversary present...my new beautiful necklace) and we walked through downtown Anchorage. Town Square is full of all kinds of ice sculptures, (yeah, Katie, Arizona's not the only frozen place). I guess the theme this year is Aliens, so that should help explain the picture of Matt and I sitting on one's lap. There was also a wookie, but it had melted a little, and it was hard to tell in the picture. We had so much fun. (Corny, I know) but we didn't care what we did as long as we were together. I even took Matt to Boarders...yeah, I know what turns him on. LOL

Yeah! Chandler's finally a Wolf!

Chandler is our first scout. He's the son of an Eagle Scout, the grandson of an Eagle Scout, and the great-grandson of an Eagle Scout. He has scouting in his blood. Now if we can just convince his leaders. (and mom) This was his first Blue and Gold, and Chandler received his Communications Belt loop, and is looking to get his Bobcat at the next meeting.

Heart Break

Well, it had to happen I guess. Our eldest experienced his first heart brake. On the way home from school, I was asking the boys how their Valentine's parties had gone. Later, he talked about his day with Matt, here's how the conversation went...
Chandler: "Some kids were talking today, and they said the Harlon asked Bailey to be his Valentine, and I got so mad I said I was going to hang him by his underwear in a tree! And a bunch of kids helped me write Bailey hundreds of letters. I don't like that Harlon...Bailey's been my bestest friend since we were in Kindergarden."
Chandler: "Dad, what does it mean to be someone's Valentine?"
Matt: "Well, at your age, it just means your friends."
Chandler: "Oh, that's not so bad, I thought it meant they would be friends forever!"

So, here we are...parents of a second grade boy who's not quite ready to say he likes girls, but doesn't want other boys to like them either. Here's a funny thing about both boys classes. They're incredibly lopsided. Chandler's class has 15 boys and only 5 girls. Gabe's class, on the other hand, has 15 girls and 5 boys. To say the least, Gabe's in Heaven!

Mom's vaca

May RS had a ladies retreat this weekend out at our Bishop's wife's house. It was great. No kids, no husbands, no dogs, or pets, or homework, or housework. Just some fun women, doing whatever crafts or projects we want. Some quilted, some did scrapbooking, sewing, painting, family history, whatever we wanted. We ate, and ate and ate. We stayed up till 2am, talking, giggling, it was great!
So, since I was leaving the kids with their grandpa and dad, I thought it only fitting to fill them up with some good old fashioned sugar. The kids helped me make and then decorate this cake. They had a ball, and it wasn't half bad.

H2O Family

We were invited to a birthday party at the school yesterday. The kids had a ball! notice my kids are still not little fishies when it comes to the water. I think they get it from Matt, cause I was doing the dead man's float, and diving from the high dive by the time I was Chandler's age.

Jenn's Triple Berry Cobbler

Here's my delisioso (you Dora fans know that word well) Triple Berry Cobbler. ITs a tried and true family favorite around my house. Simply take the frozen Costco triple berry blend, mix in some sugar and flower, and a drizzle or so of some lemon juice. then poor into your cooking dish. Then I take a cube and a half of butter, softened, then add one yellow cake mix, some oats, and nutmeg. then I just take a fork and combine it. Keep it nice and crumbly. You don't want everything mixed together like a cake mix. Then I take handfulls, and just crumble them on topof the berries. Bake at 350 till golden brown. (30-45 min.) We like to pull ours out of the oven, wait maybe ten minutes, then dish it up with whip cream. YUMMMMMMY! (I had to cut Chandler off after his third helping)

We love our dentist, Dr. Engibous. He's got to be the best Pediatric dentist ever! What's more, is the kids love him too. The boys love the video games they get to play, and mom loves that nobody goes in, or comes out with tears, or tantrums, like in past dentist visits. Here's the boys playing the video game while they wait.















Looks like some torture devise, hu?

Morgan and her artwork she has been doing this week in pre-school. I try and take pictures of their extra special, and usually, extra big treasure that the kids make at school. That way, if something should 'accidentally happen' to them, we've got a record of what they did.

Why is it, that the smaller the kid, the larger the art project???

Clean your room!

This is what I get when I ask the boys to take pictures of their clean room, instead of going down to see for myself. They thought they were very clever though. Only taking one picture of a small piece of cleared away floor in their room. Oh well, at least they had fun...

So I asked the boys to go clean their room last night. They kept telling me, "it is clean, it is clean". I was busy trying to get dinner ready, (this is where my lazy parenting comes into play)so I actually handed them the digital camera, and said, "here, each of you take a picture of your room to show me how clean it is, then bring the camera back and I'll see". These are the pictures that Chandler took. One of gabe, and one of a square yard of carpet.

If you know me...

For those who know me really well, you know I was a political science major in college. You know I actually had a double major, in pre-law. You know I LOVED to argue. You know that I can argue with pretty much anyone, over pretty much any subject given the opening. Over the years my sweet husband has tamed some of the fisty-ness in me. However, I still love to sit down in the evening and get my fix of political satire. I love listening to Rush, watching Sean Hannity, and Glenn Beck, and even more, watching other stations and program with hosts that I DON'T agree with, simply so I can sit there and make comments back at the TV, as if they could hear me. I recently watched the Glenn Beck show, (Monday night,) and was impressed that he took the time (unlike every other national show out there) to pay tribute to the man we called a Prophet of God. It wasn't flashy, (Pres. Hinckley wouldn't have wanted that) there were no trumpets, or big shows of emotion, or tears, but he in essence shared his testimony of Pres. Hinckley. How many of us have taken time this week to follow this example? I've been reading that talk that was given at BYU Hawaii by Elder Ballard where he encouraged the young adults in the church to use things like the internet for good. To share our testimony's on our blogs, for others to read. At the news of his passing, I felt not so much saddness, but a peace of mind, knowing that our sweet prophet was being reunited with his eternal companion, and was being embraced by our elder brother, Jesus Christ as he passed through the vail. I know this church is true. I am grateful that I have always had a strong testimony and knowledge of the plan of salvation. I have never sobbed my way through a funeral, but shed tears of gratitude for a loving Heavenly Father who allows us to come to this earth to learn, grow and be tested, and then to return to Him, to our loved ones, to be with them Forever. As Gordan B. Hinckley wrote in the song we sing on Sundays, 'I know, that my Redeemer lives'. I know He died for us. I know He lived the supreme example of how we should treat others. Maybe if we thought a little more of His example, and of Pres. Hinckley example of kindness, it would help us to be a little more patient with our children, our spouse, the people we come in contact with every day. So, while none of us are perfect, (most certainly not me) we can be striving for that. So that one day, when we are called home, we too, can be embraced by our Savior and told, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant".

-Glenn Beck talking about Pres. Hinckley Mon. Night.
http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/200/5127/

Found this...

http://www.canewavetribute.blogspot.com/

This is such aa cool idea. If you live in the SLC area, or even if you live across the world from this event, you can participate. Make sure and take a picture, then post it. It'll be something your kids and family will always remember...a tribute to this wonderful man. Thanks to his wife and children for sharing their husband and father with the rest of the world!

Well done, thou good and faithful servant.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Pres. Hinckley...it was taken during the last General Conference, and I love the look on his face. I love that he always appears so approachable. President Hinckley has been the General Authority and Prophet of my youth. As a teenager I had the privilege of singing in the choir at our Regional Conference in Anchorage, then afterwards, shaking his hand as he and his wife Marjorie made their way out. I have never forgot that day, it made a very big impact on me and my life. I'm sure all of us have similar stories of this beloved man. He will truly be missed, but thanks to the plan of salvation, I have no doubt that he is with his sweet wife again.

I love this picture for another reason. If you look behind Pres. Hinckley, you see another hero of my youth. Pres. Monson. I love this man, and his gentle giant manner. I love this gospel, I know it is true, and that a prophet of God leads us and guides us. I have a testimony of Prophets. There are no elections. No politicking. No soliciting. They are truly called of God.

Happy Anniversary Sweetie!

Matt and I celebrated our 9 year anniversary on Wednesday. I can't express in words how much I love this man. He has given me security, love, understanding, my three beautiful children, and he is my best friend. I truly love this man of mine.

Gabe and I at the end of our fishing trip...no fish, but we had fun anyway,and learned a lot about ice fishing. (not that I'll ever be going out on a frozen lake again anytime soon) The cracks in the ice and shifting feeling really made me nervous.

Still waiting for that fish to bite. ...

OK, I just reread my last blog, and have to apologize, I really was on some serious painkillers, and that entry didn't make any sense....

So onto this last week. I was a parent volunteer for Gabe's Ice Fishing trip. (I really must love my kid to spend an hour out in single digit weather, doing nothing but spearing shrimp on his hook, and cheering him on, as he jigged the pole up and down...I had no license, so I couldn't even hold his pole) But Gabe had a blast, even if all he caught was some seaweed. (150 kids stomping across the ice, and the fish weren't jumping up through the hole in the ice...what?)

Catch up time

So, if you haven't noticed...I've posted several times today. Well, there's a reason for that.
1. I had several series of pictures, and stories from the past week, that I've tried to post, but my signal was bad, and Matt just fixed it tonight.
2. No time
3. Had an emergency root canal this afternoon (thank you Dr. Christensen!) and had nothing but time on my hands this evening, as I'm no longer in pain, but due to the great drugs I'm on, can't move the rest of my body. Matt wouldn't let me lift a finger if I could...so I sit here, and blog.

This was my first root canal...can't say I would do that every week, but not nearly as painful as I was always led to believe. The worst part is when the numbing wears off, and the feeling in your teeth and gums comes back. I'm told it should be better tomorrow...I hope so, cause I had to miss Taebo and Cardio Sculpt tonight, and I feel absolutely dreadful!

Matt was working late the other day, and I had made a nice turkey dinner with all the fixings, but as I was getting ready to bring the kids in to eat, the phone rang. It was my RS Pres. And it ended up being a very long, involved conversation, during which several kids were tugging at my legs, asking about dinner, I'm hungry, he's not sharing, you know, the usual stuff, and I just kind of ignored them, because I had a minnie crisis on my hands regarding a planned activity. By the time I got off the phone, and rounded the corner to the kitchen, Chandler had a butter knife, and was trying to saw the drumstick off the turkey, and had already dished up plates for his brother and sister. Suffice it to say, the kids were hungry, and digging in, and prayer was skipped. Well, about halfway through the meal, my perfect one says, "you know what would make this meal even better mom?" (uh oh, here it comes, I knew it. Don't you hate it when your kids catch you being less than perfect?) "PRAYER" Chandler Morgan and I all stopped, mid chew. "sure Gabe, would you like to say it? Chandler, put down the turkey leg and fold your arms. Morgan, stop shoveling, fold your arms, and close your eyes." Gabe was in the middle of one of his incredible long, but very thoughtful prayers, and I glance up to make sure the other two are behaving...And I see Morgan, with one arm folded, reach over to her plate, eyes still closed, grab a little hand full of corn, and quickly cram it in her mouth. Then fold her arms back, like a little angel. But then I look up, and she's doing it again. All through the prayer! I guess I need to feed her more, if she's so hungry she has to hoard vegetables during prayer.

We're still praying, and Morgan is still eating!

Ahhhhh! Bad picture of me...but Chandler was so cute. We all went out to clear off the trampoline last night. It was piled with wet, heavy snow, and it was raining. (Thus, my wet doo) The boys had fun building snow forts, while Morgan and I took snow from the trampoline, and threw snowballs at the boys. It was so much fun, just playing and enjoying this time with my kids. It seems like yesterday, I was a paranoid new mommy, who wouldn't let anyone come within 10 feet of Chandler without proper sanitizing.



I came home from the gym the other night to find my sexy, handsome hubby out shoveling the driveway with the boys. This is actually one part of winter in Alaska that I do enjoy. Fresh fallen snow, the boys helping their dad shovel the driveway, while I get to work out in a nice warm gym. :)

Gabe, after a little too much shoveling, got pooped out, and decided to take a break...I think he's still out there.

Its Snowing Its Snowing!

Chandler took one misstep, and found himself up to his neck in snow...watch that first step Chandler, its a doosy.

New Challenge

My SPT challenge this week...how did I come up with my blog name? (which blog?)
I have three blogs. This one is the most frequented. And the name is pretty simple. 5-because there are five people in our family...and I figured if I put down a number, Matt would take the hint that for right now, its a permanent number. Stastny-kind of obvious? 4-for . eternity-we believe that families are forever. And because Matt and I were sealed in the temple, our little family can be an eternal family.

My other blog is new, and still under construction. It's called www.mndcreations.blogspot.com
The name, is from Mother & Daughter Creations. This is the name on any tags for crafts that mom and I sell. Feel free to check it out.

I won't tell you my other blog name, cause it really is under construction. But when I'm done, it will be my craft and cooking corner, with everything from tips, digi scrapping, projects, to what I made for dinner. I'm gathering pictures to post right now. I'll let you know when its ready.

Brother Bear

So I'm complaining to my mom yesterday, about how the boys have kind of lost interest in the puppy. (His name is Bear) They're not leaping at the opportunity to take him out in the cold to go potty. They don't sit and wrestle and play with him in the living room (totally driving me nuts). So, apparently Gabe heard all this, and came up to me after I got off the phone..."mommy, can I play with Bear?" I smiled, loving the fact that my middle child loves to be good, and please his parents. "Sure" I said. "Why don't you take him down to your room, and you and Chandler can both play with him?" Problem solved. The puppy was going to play, and my kids were going to get some pent up energy out. I went about my normal stuff...cleaning, doing projects... About an hour later the boys come running up the stairs. "Mom, mom, you gotta see Bear!" I look down to see our 2 month old black lab wearing one of Chandler's t-shirts. He says, "Mom, doesn't Bear look just like me?" (Apparently if wearing someone else's cloths makes you look just like them to an 8 year old. Wish that really worked...I'd wear Heidi Klum's cloths. So here they are. The three Bro's.

P.S. I love you

Okay, while I (unlike all my friends) did not cry through the whole movie, I really did like it. And I actually think Matt would have gone with me, and liked it as well. It makes you think about your marriage, and try to be a better spouse all the time. I also really appreciate Matt for all he does for me, and our little family. (although, with 3 kids, a dog, and a cat, its not as little as it once was) We all had a discussion after the movie, about what if's. I honestly don't know what I would do without Matt. He's my other half. Not a day goes by that I don't thank my Heavenly Father for this wonderful partner. Maybe that's a big part of why I'm so grateful. Because we truely are partners. And I've learned through the years, that a lot of people don't have that. Its not the norm, and I shouldn't take it for grantid that Matt really would do anything for me. And I'd do anything for him. (except go out in -20 weather to start the car) :) Love ya babe!

27 Dresses!

Totally love this movie. I went with a bunch of friends. It was definately a chick flick, and while Matt would have gone with me if I'd asked him to, there's some movie's that are just more fun with girlfriends. Really cute.

Girl's Weekend

I just love these girls!



We went on our annual trip to Anchorage this weekend. Its Karlie and Kandice's birthday, and we always spend the night in a hotel, and shop, watch movies, and eat out. The birthday lunch is at benihauna's. It's always fun. The men watch the kids, and we spend the money. What is better than that?
This is a picture of "The Gang" (we miss you Sharon.)

Tag! Your IT!

Okay, Matt and I giggled all through this one...

1. Your Rock Star Name-- Nana Kia
(first pet and current car)

2. Your Gangsta Name-- Peppermint Macadamia (sounds more like a porn name)
(fav. ice cream flavor, fav. cookie

3. Your Detective Name: Pink Cheetah
(favorite color, fav. animal)

4. Your Soap opera Name: Provo
(middle name, city where you were born)

5. Your Star Wars Name: Staje
(the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)

7. SUPERHERO NAME: The Red Gatorade
(”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink) -


8. NASCAR NAME: Donald Gail
(the first names of your grandfathers) -


9. STRIPPER NAME: Lovely Cheesecake Kisses
( the name of your favorite scent/perfume/cologne, favorite candy) -


10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: Gay Scott (sorry mom)
(mother’s & father’s middle names ) -



11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: Shelly Scottsdale
(Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) -



12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: Christmas Rose
(your favorite season/holiday, flower) -



13. CARTOON NAME: Peachy sweats
(favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) -



14. HIPPY NAME: Eggs Lilac
(What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) -



15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: The crafting summer Tour
(”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”) -


Okay, I'm tagging Katie, Kirsten, Jess and Amy. Have fun ladies!

See Matt, they are yours! :)

It sounds really bad, but its kind of a joke with Matt and I. People are always telling us how much Morgan and Gabe look like me. And other than their love of reading in the bathroom (a total Matt thing to do) they are pretty much carbons of their mom. We always knew Chandler looked and acted like Matt. Thanks for the idea Katie. It was fun. I also tried a couple different pictures, but got the same results. Kind of cool. I think I might try it with some of my relatives. (ie; Grandparents and mom, me and my parents. Should be fun)

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Family photos

I love these things!

My piano student brought me a new scent today. Gardenia. I totally love these Reed Diffusers. At Christmas, I had a Christmas tree smell. If you haven't tried these, they're awesome! They last a long time, and you don't have to worry about the smoke or fire from a candle.

Newest addition to the Stastny home.

Well, Matt and the boys got their Christmas wish. Goosebay's Grizzly Pirate (we just call him "bear") arrived from Idaho last night and was delivered by Grandma and Grandpa Christensen. The kids were so excited! Morgan kept asking..."can we keep him?" Bear is a 22 lb Black Lab. (just a puppy) Matt hopes to get him field trained and certified. (in other words, he'll be Matt's huntin' dog) It's like having a toddler again. He chews on everything, and we have to take him to the potty every 45 minutes. Matt even got up in the middle of the night when he heard him crying!

Ok, I know I've already posted today, but in Lieu of everyone going back to school on Monday, and getting back into my own routine, I am recommitting to my life at the gym. I start up Monday with cycling in the morning, then I go back at 6:45pm for Taebo and stay for the Cardio Sculpt. All awesome classes. (we've been on break from the gym during the holidays while Alina's been on vacation...something about a honeymoon she never got...blablabla...whatever...I just know she can never go away for that long again!) Now in addition to weight I already needed to lose, I've got the bonus 5 Holiday lbs! Okay, now I feel better. Its here on my blog to remind me for the next few days.

Hooray for Grandma!

Don't you just love grandma's? I feel sorry for anyone who doesn't have a grandma nearby. My mom dicided to take pitty on me and my SIL's today....she took all 8 cousins (minus new baby Jackson) for an afternoon of Grandma camp. This enabled Renae and I to go tanning, run errands, do whatever we wanted to pretty much. It was great. Thanks Mom!

Fireworks on New Years with the Cousins

Here's the pictures I promised of the kids doing fireworks with me and Jeremy on New Years Eve. Matt was still at work. Renae was inside with the baby. And the old people were too cold, and watched from the window inside the warm house. So it was just Jeremy, me, and 5 kids running around with sparklers, Roman Candles, and Rockets.

Happy New Year!

A Day Late, and a dollar short, I know, but there ya go. We did fireworks at Jeremy and Renae's house. I took pictures, but will have to post them later...I can't find the connector right now to get them off my camera. (hey, that's one of my new goals...to be more organized!) My other goals? Well, they're kind of things I'm always working on, with some new ones thrown in there.
*Get to my goal weight for my 30th birthday. (I'v lost 40 lbs so far)
*Beat my time for 5 mile run at the Women's Run this year.
*Compete in the Pink Cheeks triathalon in Seward this year.
*Be more patient.
*Get my mom and I's burpcloths business up and going. (I'll have pictures soon...they're super cute)
*Catch up on scrapbooks
*learn a new skill

Good luck to you all on your New Year's Resolutions.