Video of house and the wind

So you can see I got a little video happy these last couple of days. I personally LOVE video clips on blogs. Normally I like to explain what is happening in the video and then you can watch it without commentary. I do this becuase I don't love the sound of my voice on tape. However, last night I received feedback that some of our friends want commentary on the videos. I still don't love the talking, but I did it anyway. In the first video it worked, in the second video, it was so windy that you can't hear what I am saying for part of it.

Last night when I was trying to get to sleep, the wind was blowing so loudly, that we could hear it over the TV. Throughout the night, it continued to blow and this morning when I got up I actually thought it was louder still. Since I haven't gotten any pics of the house on here, I decided to start with an outside tour of sorts, that way you could see where we live as well as hear the wind that I love so much. Here are 2 videos for you.

A NEW TEMPLE IN THE GREATER KANSAS CITY AREA!!!!!!!!!!!

I think one of the highlights of the Saturday morning session of General Conference was when President Monson announced the new temples. The one that caught my attention was "The Greater Kansas City Area" !!! How exciting is that?

Right before he announced them, I joked and said "Great Bend, Kansas!" Our friend Ben said, "I'd settle for Wichita." Then when President Monson said the Greater Kansas City Area, we all cheered, you'd think we were watching some sporting event. We actually had to rewind to see where the last 2 temples were being built. Thank goodness for DVR!!

So Ben made the comment that is was still 5 hours away, as are the OK City and Winter Quarter's temples, BUT we go to KC more often than Oklahoma or Nebraska! It seems closer in my mind.

Anyway, it's super exciting. Here is a news clip that I found on the net this morning about it.

Announcement: 4 October 2008

Though the specific location was not indicated, President Thomas S. Monson announced that a temple will be constructed in the greater Kansas City area.1 The Church first attempted to build a temple in this area in the 1830s. Early members of the Church dedicated a temple site in Independence, Missouri in 1831 with visions of building a city of Zion. The temple was never constructed, however, as the Saints were driven out of Missouri persuant to an extermination order issued by Governor Lilburn W. Boggs in 1838.

Words of Wisdom...okay not really.

It is isn't very often that Ken allows me to video him when he is being himself--a ham. This morning I was outside taking video of our surroundings and Ken came outside and was ready to be the star. I videoed what he had to say, then he had more to share with us, so I hope you enjoy both short clips. I know I did! Of course, I am biased. I think he's funny all the time.

Making Cake

Last night during the Priesthood Session of Conference, my friend Liz came over with her 2 kids. While the guys were being enlightened, we were making cake and stamping. It was uplifting for us, if not enlightening. Sharing techniques in scrapbooking is always enlightening right?

Anyway, instead of just baking a boring old cake, I make personal sized cakes in my waffle iron. This is one of my kids' favorite treats for FHE and they wanted to share it with Liz and her kids.

Incase you have never tried it, you should! It is fun, and they turn out just as tasty, plus it takes less time for the cake to cool. Each cake cooks for about 90 seconds. We also make fried eggs, grilled cheese sandwiches, and of course waffles in the waffle iron, but I'm up to try new things if you have any suggestions! Here are some pictures.

Cheap Entertainment

This is my new favorite game. It's called get the cats out of the drier vent. All you have to do is patient enough that all 3 vermin climb into the drier vent. Then, you sneak out with a video camara and motion for one of the kids to turn on the drier. Next thing you know, little mousers are evicted from the vent. Sometimes they actually shoot out, depending on how long they hold on before the air pressure pushes them out. Enjoy!

Riddle...

How long does it take for a train with 88 cars to go by? That is such a weird riddle or not really a riddle at all, right? Well, here is the answer...


When I was in third grade we lived in a town called Dundee. (not the one in Kansas, it is located in Oregon.) AnyWAy...sometimes we would be LUCKY enough to see a train go by. It would race by SO FAST that my brothers and I could hardly count the cars, it was going so fast. We always had to have my Mom count too so she could settle the dispute. Unfortunately, that was not the case today. Not the case because I had no brothers with me, and my Mom is not here...YET, but I watched a train go by. A train with approximately 88 cars. I didn't need my mom to help me because it took ELEVEN!! minutes to pass. That is approximately 8 cars every minute, 1 car every 7.5 seconds. I watched it go by, counting diligently, and I thought I was going to throw up. I was getting dizzy, the smell was not fabulous, and it was SLOOOOW, going at an angle if that makes sense. I would have taken video of it, but I left the camara in the van yesterday. I won't do that again!

Anyway, I just thought I'd share. That's what blogs are for, right?

There aren't any trees in Kansas!

"Why are you moving to Kansas?" "There aren't any trees there!"

When we were getting ready to move to Kansas, we heard that questions ALOT, followed by that comment, often by the same person who asked the question. We heard it so often, that at times I began to worry. Growing up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, I LOVE having the trees around and took them for granted.

Well I am here to tell you, there are trees in Kansas! They aren't 60 + feet tall where we live, and most of them are not evergreens, but we have trees.

Yesterday I went to Salina with Ken to take a body to the crematory and I noticed some trees that I thought were pretty cool, so on the way home I took pictures of them. Enjoy the trees from Kansas! As a bonus you can also enjoy how amazingly flat it is here. Just so you know, it's not like that everywhere in KS, just on the western side--where we live.


This tree is my favorite, because of all the nests that are in it. Infact, it was my inspiration for this post. I LOVE IT!!


There is a little bit of rolling hill in the photo. That's about as good as it gets until you get closer to Missouri though.

Bag Sale

At the beginning of each month, the local consignment shop has a bag sale. All the items in their store with a specific color tag are $5.00 a brown grocery bag full. This is how I buy almost all of my kid's clothes. I also try to get at least 1 book that has the right colored tag for Ken and I to read.

I barely buy anything new for them besides undewear, socks and shoes. Here is a picture of my loot for this month. I bought 4 pairs of pants, 3 shorts/capris, 5 short sleeved shirts, 1 long sleeved shirt, 1 pair of pajamas, 3 dresses and a book for $5.00.

Normally that would have cost $73.00 USED! I couldn't afford to buy it new. I don't know how bigger families do it, I only have to buy for 2 kids, and sometimes I can't even imagine having to buy for more. Luckily for now, we don't have to worry about it.

Matthew

Matthew could also be an American Idol.

Monday night after we sent the kids to bed and the 3 adults, I use that term loosley, were visiting, here comes Matthew down the hall to perform for us.

I'm not sure what is funnier...that he was wearing a bike helmet while showing off his talent, or that he came out in his underwear. Thank goodness for that guitar!

This is my friend, Jessica

Jessica and the sisters came over for dinner and FHE on Monday. After we ate way too many BLT's and too much Cheese Fondue, we had our lesson. Then, after the sisters left, Jess stayed for a while and visited with us. Here is a little video of her showing off her vast musical talent using both instrument and voice. She very well could be out next American Idol! Once Again, I'm sorry it's sideways. I start to get the hang of videoing, and then this happens...