MY MAY DAY!

I love the month of May. My mom and I have birthdays 6 days apart in May, and I went into labor with Gabe the day after my birthday and he was born at 3am the day after that on the 17th, so May is a busy month around here. Mother's Day is in May. Its also the end of the school year, Memorial Day weekend, our first camping trip is usually in May, and its the month that most of the races start up here in Alaska. I love May! The kids and I have broken out the bikes and skooters and I love riding down to the bus stop with the boys every morning, and then Morgan and I like to ride down to get them in the afternoon.

So far, May in Alaska has been WONDERFUL! We had 70 degree days, with b-e-a-utiful sunshiney days. It was wonderful! We played outside, hiked, went on walks as a family, and ate dinner outside almost every night. (my favorite thing to do!) I had extra kids on Saturday, and I pretty much just turned them loose in the yard to play, while I sat out in the lawn chair and reread my Twilight.

Then yesterday, I had a Young Women's camp meeting and we had it out on the lawn at the church. (when we have nice days up here, we really know how to take advantage of them!) 2 1/2 hours later, and I was quite sunkissed. Again, it was WONDERFUL!
Sorry everyone in other parts of the US who aren't having as lovely weather... don't mean to brag, but up here, we don't always have this unique opportunity. Love ya!

A Proud Moment

Is it sad that when my son writes a scathing letter to my husband about what a mean dad he is, I'm not so much sad, as excited that he is actually writing of his own free will? I mean, this kid HATES writing time in school. Math, no problem. Reading, getting much better. Science, he's a genius at it. But for some reason, when it comes to writing, he's blocked. I am such a proud mother. He spelled 'meanest dad ever' correct and everything!

Also, does this mean that we're doing our job right as parents? I sure hope so. I know there were several times when I had the meanest parents ever growing up, and look how well I turned out? :) And to all of my friends who have sweet little angels who would never say something like that to you.... they either will one day, or your not doing your job right!!!

Alaskan Barbies

I found this the other day, and thought it was hilarious! I'm somewhere between an Anchorage Barbie and a Wasilla Barbie. No thanks to the slope or military ken though, I like mine just the way he is! :)

Anchorage Barbie:This fit Barbie has a graduate degree in science, resources management, and/or is an environmental lawyer. Comes with brand new Subaru with roof rack holding skate skis and a kayak. Accessories include running tights, cross-trainer shoes, a husky named Kobuk, and a cell phone. Boyfriend Ken comes in seasonally employed climbing guide, fishing guide, or Girdwood bartender models.Sold at New Sagaya.

Wasilla Barbie:This Barbie comes with big hair, country music CDs, a .44 Magnum and a bible. Weekender Kit includes snow machine, 4-wheeler, and fishing boat. Brand new duplex dream house and lake cabin are also available (sold separately). Ken comes with a Ford F-350 Diesel pick-u truck with gun rack and trailer, his own snow machine, 4-wheeler, boat, and .44 Magnum. Ken is available every other two weeks when he is not working on the Slope. Alternative Military Ken available by special order.Sold at Wasilla Wal-Mart.

Fairbanks Barbie:This graduate school Barbie kit includes a tiny cabin with detached outhouse. This Barbie has hairy legs, hat hair, and a fleece jacket covered with dog fur. Accessories include extra long johns, shower bag, head lamp, case of Ramen noodles, and bug dope. Also available is a beater, 1979 model Subaru, complete with plug-in, ice scraper, shovel, and set of studded tires. Ken is either at the Marlin, the Howling Dog, the Loon, out hunting, doing field work, or is long gone.Sold at Big Rays.

Ketchikan Barbie:K-town Barbie lives in an old leaky sailboat that is moored down in Thomas Basin -- in a slip that is conveniently located just off the ramp directly below the Potlatch Bar. For basic transport, she runs a beat up old 18' skiff that has a rundown Johnson 30 hp outboard that leaks oil. She can out fish most any old Norwegian bachelor fisherman; can cut down old growth cedars faster than most any drunken old Swede logger; and can shoot and skin black tail deer that foolishly wander down to beach at sunset faster than any alcohol fueled Finn bushwhacker. Her Ken can be found anytime, day or night, on the deck of the Alaskan Bar pontificating -- often with wild, exaggerated arm waiving and finger pointing -- as to exactly where the Bridge to Nowhere is going to land over on Pennock Island

Sitka Barbie:Sitka Barbie has most of the same endearments as K-town Barbie except she recently shot her Ken in what is colloquially known as a Sitka divorce. She took the life insurance money and purchased a brand new 26' Hewescraft "Alaskan" with enclosed heated cabin and a 200 hp Honda outboard. Sold only at a kiosk on the cruise ship dock during June, July & August.

Barrow Barbie:This Barbie comes with blonde hair with dark roots, kuspuk and parka. Accessories include a 650cc Skidoo snow machine, tiny ulu and baleen carving kit. Ken alternates between being a whaling captain and working for the North Slope Borough.Available at the northern most KFC store.

Juneau Barbie:This Barbie comes with membership cards for the Alaska Democratic Party, AFSME/AFL-CIO and Alaska Conservation Voters, little red X-tra Tuff boots and an un-used fishing outfit. She lives in tiny apartment above an obscure bar and works as a secretary in the State Office Building. Drives rusty Subaru Forester, but has peeled the "Forester" lettering off because she feels that logging is evil. Ken claims to be a fisherman, but actually he is also a secretary in the State Office Building.Available in gift shop at the Baranof.Ft.

Yukon Barbie:This Barbie comes with a Honda Big Red, a 24 foot boat with ancient outboard that would better be kept in the Evinrude Museum, hip boots, little marten trapper hat and snogo suit. She lives in a nice little log house and goes to all the basketball games. A lot of her groceries are flown in too, but she is outfitted with a selection of knives and knows how to cut fish, skin a lynx AND pack moose. Ken is not in town much. He claims to be on the trapline or at fish camp, but someone saw him in Fairbanks.

Valdez Barbie:This Barbie was not born here, comes with an Alyeska modular or a brand new cookie cutter house by Stan Peterson. This Barbie is best accessorized with an Alyeska husband. She drives a brand new Chevy Suburban, or other large 4x4 vehicle, needs it to get her over Thompson Pass when it has snowed 5' overnight. Has 2.5 children and runs all over town shuttling them from event to event. She typically does not mind the snow or rain, but is always complaining about the weather regardless. Valdez Barbie also spends her weekends shopping in Anchorage although she could get the same thing at the Prospector or so the ad says.

Kenai Barbie : Kenai Barbie is just a weekend Anchorage Barbie that fishes.

Homer Barbie: Homer Barbie spends summers on the Spit and winters going from protest to protest, also hears voices in her head.

Copper Center Barbie:Lives off the grid, hauls water in a huge tank on the back of her vintage Ford pickup truck. Most often accessorized with Barbie's friend Midge, no need for a Ken doll, but enjoys having Allan, Skipper, Scooter, Francie and Ricky around to play cards on those long dark winter nights. This Barbie owns a 4-wheeler, solar panels and sometimes grows pot in her shed out back. She enjoys mushing dogs, and actually prefers them to people.

Rated NPGP - Need Parental Guidence of a Pre-Teen

WARNING: the following may be quite offensive to those of you who don't have boys, have never been a teen, or had a teen brother, or have had a stupid mom, or been a stupid mom.

My conversation with my eldest last night, as I see him coming into the living room in his t-shirt and his boxers...

me- What are ya do'in?
Chandler- nothin.
me- Where's your pants?
Chandler- What?
me- your pants!
Chandler- oh, they had syrup on them
me- yes, but why aren't you wearing any pants?!
Chandler- they had syrup on them
me- I'm not deaf! Why didn't you just change your pants?
Chandler- I did
me- no you didn't. your not wearing ANY pants!
Chandler- (looking down at his skinny legs sticking out of his boxer shorts) yes I did, the other ones had syrup
me- (give me strength not to beat this child!) Chandler, you need to put some pants on.
Chandler- (looking around the living room like this is where I keep all the spare pants)
me- CHANDLER! GO CHANGE YOUR PANTS! PUT SOMETHING ON!
Chandler- I already changed my pants. They had syrup on them.
me- Go downstairs and don't come up again till your wearing pants.
(this is where I lost it with the child. He kept arguing with me, like I was an idiot, and didn't know what I was talking about...so I yelled down the stairs.)
me- Chandler, come here.
Chandler- why?
me- Chandler, come here!
Chandler- What are you gonna do?
me- I'm going to take you down to the crisis nursery if you don't get up here right now!
(finally, he comes up the stairs)
me- grab your ankles (oh my goodness, how I HATED it when my mom told me to grab my ankles when I was a kid)
he reaches down, about as far as his thighs, cause he know what's coming.
me- Chandler, grab your ankles.
he reaches a little lower, to his knees.
me- I said grab your knees. (he looks up at me, like, I am. What, are you blind?) Where are your ankles?
he knows he's not going to get away with a half crouch down to his knees, and so he thinks he can now outsmart his mom by squatting down to touch his ankles, with his rear so low to the ground there's no way I can take a swing.

Matt walked in about 10 seconds later, and I was at the laughing hysterically point. It was either that, or I was gonna cry. Is this what I have to look forward to as he enters the 'teen'doms? How do mothers make it through those years? Is it just my kid? And when did I get to be so stupid? Am I? I never thought of myself as stupid, but maybe I am.

Spring Time

I love Alaska in the spring. Its such a relief when the snow melts, and you get that first week of sunshine that's warm enough that you shed the jacket and feel like doing yard work. This last week I enjoyed the sunny days by raking, picking up trash, and cleaning off the patio furniture. We even ate dinner out on the deck a few nights. I love it! And the kids get a big kick out of it too. Morgan always insists on eating at her little table, and she likes to invite a family member who's lucky enough, to dine with her. This night, it was Gabe.

An "OH NO" moment

*Post your favorite picture of you, your husband or your kids misbehaving, making a mess or being naughty on your blog! Tag some friends and of course, leave me a comment here so I can see your pictures! I can't wait to see your "OH NO" moments...

I saw this on another blog and copied it. I usually wait to be tagged, but this one was so original, and cute, and the possibilities are endless if you have kids. I'm hoping if I tag Katie, Emily, Renae, Mom, Amy and Tiffanie, you guys will all have some fun stories to tell.



Morgan...need I say more? She decided to cut her hair one day, and unfortunately it was in braids. See the fistful of hair? Yeah. Those braids had been long enough to touch her shoulders.

I was just going to cut her hair at home. You know, be frugal and all that. I'd just give her a bob, and it would be fine. But her daddy and grandpa were horrified at the thought of chopping her hair off the rest of the way. I actually thought they were going to cry. So grandpa paid for Morgan to go to a salon and have her hair cut and styled so that they cut off no more hair than was absolutely necessary. Funny, hu?

She was quite pleased with herself.

Our little moose pooper scooper

This is what happens in the spring time in Alaska. The snow melts, and you discover all the little piles of moose poop that have been left all over the place by our winter visitors. Morgan made this discovery yesterday, and took it upon herself to be the official pooper scooper. (with one of the kids snow shovels)

We told her to take it to the forest and dump it, so it wouldn't be in the middle of my lawn. Most of the time she did a pretty good job, but a few times, she would get so carried away, and twirl while she was dumping the moose poop, causing it to fly in all directions.

Morgan scooping up moose poop in our front yard. Running back to her pile of poop...

All "pooped" out, Morgan decides to lay down and take a nap in the nice warm sun shine!

Scensty Drawing and FREEBIES!!

Okay, so for those of you who love your house to smell great (who doesn't?) and want it at a very reasonable price, you've got to try Scentsy. They're like candles, without the fire hazard and they last a lot longer for a fraction of the cost.

Right now, I'm having a special for the months of April and May. Leave a comment and on May 15th (my birthday) I'll draw the lucky winner of this fantastically cute Gerber Daisy Warmer. Also, if you book a party with me during the next 6 weeks, I'll give you a free PLUG IN WARMER... these things are great! You can plug them into small places like 1/2 bathrooms, and kitchens and they serve as a night light as well.

Don't forget to leave a comment!!!

Our Busy Saturday and the New Store.

Last Saturday was a crazy day for our family. We went to the store with Matt first thing, to help him get all set up for the day, I had to decorate a cake, and the kids participated in the Kids Cooking class that day. Then, we had to run some errands for the store, and me, ran home, changed into our play cloths, and worked in the yard to clean up the mess of winter and having a big lab in the yard. (you wouldn't believe the mess he made...he dragged 4- 60lb bags of gravel around the yard,) and it also looked like a chipping yard. Trees, logs, and various branches all over the place, chewed up and scattered.

This is the 2nd Grand Opening last Saturday. The store looks amazing, and we are very excited to be a part of the Allen & Petersen team. I just had to take a picture of this kitchen. I am in LOVE with the Viking Kitchen in Matt's store. I love going there and cooking things. I have been known to run over there to bake a cake, make Matt his lunch, or cook dinner there for the fam when we know its going to be a late night for Matt and the kids really want to have dinner with him.

Morgan and Gabe love the kids classes on Saturday mornings. They usually do some cute kid friendly recipe that my genius sister in law Karin has come up with.

Gabe getting his pizza ball all ready to put in the oven. Gabe loves peperoni (he's my best eater) and felt his pizza ball had enough pepperoni, and he was about to eat the extra piece.

Chandler loves to just hang out by the counter with Matt. This is the cake Matt had me decorate for the second Grand Opening Weekend. I know, my penmanship is not the best.

The New Store...before its been painted. That's supposed to happen this week. Since the store was built in the winter, we had to wait till it warmed up to paint. It has to be over 45 degrees, and sunny days for several days after. This week should be perfect!

Comic Relief

A funny thing happened while my mom, Morgan, and my niece were in the waiting room at the hospital this morning. (long story, but my dad had a mild heart attack, and Matt was there to help give my dad a priesthood blessing and kids aren't allowed in the ICU) Any way, I guess Morgan decided to climb up on one of the recliners and make herself comfortable. My mom asked if she wanted her coat off, so she removed it. But that apparently wasn't good enough, so she started to remove one of her boots. My mom said "no, Morgan, not the shoes". Morgan looked my mom right in the eyes, and promptly took off one boot. My mom got up, to reprimand the little stinker, and Morgan pointed her little finger right at my mom and said "don't even think about it!". (I guess the old man sitting next to Morgan nearly peed his pants.)

You got to find the humor in situations like this, right? Thank you Morgan for providing Grandma with a very much needed giggle for the day.

As for my big strong dad. He's doing better tonight. There was a slight blockage, which was taken care of with a stint. He should be home hopefully tomorrow night. Right now, he just needs some rest. Thank you, for all the kind thoughts and prayers. I know my mom appreciates it. I'm just grateful that if this was going to happen, it did the way it did. For instance, my mom was set to fly to Phoenix tonight, and might have been gone when he had the episode. Luckily, my dad was home with mom, and Matt was home to help get him in the car and off to the hospital. (they didn't know what was wrong at the time, just that his back was hurting, and he was pail and sweating a lot)

I Should Have Been SPANKED!

Matt got a kick out of this.

I'm walking down the hall in church yesterday, and I pass Morgan and her primary class heading to the bathrooms. Her teacher (a sub this day) was a cute little old lady who I absolutely adore in our ward. She looks at me, and says "is she (pointing to Morgan) just like you were when you were little?" "I think so", I said. " At least, that's what they tell me" (pointing to my mom, the Primary President). Then the teacher says with a half grin "oh, you should be spanked!" I laughed and said, "I probably was!"

Yes, from her 'drop dead you worm' look that she loves to throw Jeremy's way down to her little stomp the one foot when she doesn't get her way move, she's definitely my daughter. Take it or leave it, she's a mini me.

Gabe's Opening line.

Gabe gave a great talk today on how Jesus Christ made it possible for him to return to his Father in Heaven. I wrote the entire talk. I'd ask him questions, and he would give the best answers, and we would combine it all into a talk. But before his talk began, he found a joke on the Internet he wanted to tell, to kind of get the kids attention, and give him confidence.

There was an old man who used to keep a Book of Mormon in his front pocket all the time. One day, while he was out walking, a man approached him with a gun, and pointed it at the older man. He pulled the trigger and shot him. The old man fell back, stunned. Then he reached into his pocket, pulled out the Book of Mormon, and turned to the place where the bullet had been stopped. "You see my friend", he said, "nothing gets past 2nd Nehpi."

Thanks Gabe, for being a great example of being willing to give a talk at the last moment. Your one awesome kid!

Its a MAD MAD MAD MAD life!

This has been one fun week in the Stastny household folks. And since this blog serves as somewhat a journal for my family, I'm posting some of the memories from our daily activities. Some were frustrating, some were wonderful, some taught me lessons on how to be a better wife and mother.

My carrot/banana muffins I tried out this week. Really good. Moist, and I made these little bite sized ones, that were just perfect to grab and eat in the car as the kids and I ran around to various activities. First of all, its been a bad week for mom. I've had major PMS, long hard days, hubby hasn't been around as much as we'd like because he's still settling into the new store and putting out fires there, and the kids have had major spring fever. Chandler and Morgan can't seem to be in the same room without fighting. And one day, I'd just had it with the bickering. So, I took a page from my mother's book, and taped my two fighting kids together. At first, I think they were shocked. Then, they decided they'd have to work together if they ever wanted to do anything again.

This was the grin Chandler had on his face when he realized he could stand up, and Morgan would be dangling on his back. At this point, I decided the object lesson was over, and I cut off the tape. You know, they've gotten along a little bit better since then.

This is the kids Easter basket they got Saturday morning. (our Easter bunny comes on Saturday so the family can focus on the real reason for Easter on Sunday) The kids also tend to get one big basket that they can share all the stuff from.

I made oh so yummy chicken and shrimp kabobs Tuesday night. The marinade was easy. Wershtesire sauce and pineapple juice. Then I rapped bacon around the chicken. Add onions, peppers, and cherry tomatoes, and yummy to my tummy kabobs.

This was our wonderfully yummy meal that night. The only thing that would have made it even better, is if it were warm enough to eat our on our deck, and do the cooking on the grill. Hmmm, maybe in another month.

The kids also have been learning to have more responsibilities lately. So this week, I added the task of matching socks and folding them while I folded the rest of my whites. Gabe decided he was the expert, and was giving Morgan tips on folding the way mommy liked.

I went to escape to my sanctuary one day (for most mothers, this is the bathroom... the only place she can have a few moments to herself if she's lucky) and instead of the solace I sought, this is what I found. Apparently Morgan was bored with simply just washing her hands, and decided to make the worlds largest spit wads in my sink.

This is in honor of my brother Jacob, who's middle name is Pete, and that's what his wife calls him. And also for Chris, who's raising lots of these little critters to do exactly this! Happy Easter Bro's!

Bunny Butts

These are my attempt at Easter cupcakes. Its supposed to look like grass, with little bunny butts sticking out. They didn't turn out exactly like I would have liked. But I couldn't find any white circus peanuts. The bummer about living in a more rural area, is I don't have all the convenience of variety.

Decorating Eggs

The kids are totally into decorating eggs. They spend so much time coloring, making layers, and then doing the finishing touches. I made this one to look like Matt. (hee hee) Serves him right for not being home in time to help me out with the messiness!

Easter Sunday

Our colors this year were pink and black. Morgan's dress usually dictates what the color theme will be every year, and then I try to coordinate everyone else around it. (don't laugh!) The boys weren't sure about this, but I assured Matt they would have very masculine pink ties. He laughed and said, "is there such a thing?"

Morgan walking away from our photo shoot.

My little Easter Princess. All ready for the parade, wouldn't you say?

Our own celebrity.

This has been a busy week in the Stastny household. I've got lots of pictures on my camera I plan to download and post tonight sometime, but till then, check out this link. http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=10148104

Channel 2 News (our NBC station) came to the store this week, and did an interview with Matt about the break in. He let me know about 30 minutes after it aired that night. (thanks sweetie!) Luckily, in this day and age, it was easy to go to their website and watch the video. If you listen to the beginning, and know anything about Matt's career path before Allen & Petersen, you'll realize the irony in it all. (since Matt was in Security for over 7 years.)

Its been funny, since the interview aired, we've had lots of reactions from the community. People that know both of us from school, neighborhood, and church have been very supportive. Some people get confused, and think his name is Matt Petersen now, which has been kind of funny to us.

You are cordially invited to a wedding!

So a few months ago, I don't know how it happened (mom!) but I ended up being hired to make a wedding cake for some friends in our stake who's daughter was getting married. I've done a few, mostly for enrichment, young women's SIL's and stuff like that. But this was my first full on wedding cake!
Now, this picture was too close for my comfort, you can see all the little mistakes, and dings from placing it there, which weren't all covered by flowers. The bride didn't want fondant covering it, so its harder to make a perfect, seamless cake. The ribbon around each base is, however fondant, and almost proved itself to be my demise.

That left corner of the middle tier was supposed to be in the back, where you couldn't see my mistakes, oh well. I credit the bride and her mother with the color scheme. Orange and blue are not two colors I would have picked, but that's probably why I'm not a wedding planner. I think in the end, everyone was quite pleased though.
The cute couple cutting their cake. Jake and Bergen were so adorable. She couldn't have been more than 5 feet tall in her shoes. At first the plan was to separate each tier with columns and flowers, but due to lack of time, and me being scared the whole thing would come crashing down, I made the executive decision not to separate the top two. I'm glad in the end, that I didn't. She's so short, I think Bergen wouldn't have been hidden behind the cake.
My wonderful mom helped with the flower arrangements on the cake. Didn't she do an awesome job? Thanks mom. By the time I got done making it, I was so sick of looking at this cake, I would have just tossed the flowers on and been done with it. You saved my bacon for sure!
Each layer was a different, very delicious flavor. The bottom was my mom's recipe for carrot cake, with a cream cheese filling. The next was chocolate chocolate, that was so rich, and moist, and wonderful that I have had people ask if it was fudge cake. (nope, just a doctored cake mix!) Then the top was lemon, and by far, the most popular of the evening. I have had more people ask me for this recipe since that night. And really, it was pretty easy as well. You'll never guess what I added to doctor up a white cake mix and make it the yummiest, tangiest, lemony goodness cake!

Grandma's just not old enough yet.

We were watching conference on Sunday, and Gabe started asking questions about the choir as they were singing.

Me: Hey Gabe, I bet your Grandma and Grandpa Stastny are there in that room listening to the prophet, and the Mormon Tabernacle choir.
Gabe: how do you get to go sing there?
Me: You have to be really old
Gabe: who's old?
Me: well, Grandma's not old enough yet.
Gabe: really?
Me: really. And if you tell her that, I bet you'll get an extra big Christmas present.
Gabe: (after a long minute of thought) So, should I tell her now, or closer to Christmas?