J.A.N.E.S. Concoctions

When All Else Fales, Make GOOP!

2011-09-10T14:09:00.000-07:00

Goop has such interesting qualities, it can be really hard, if you try and punch it, yet so soft that if you relax your hand, it sinks...these two pictures show a little bit of the strangeness of goop.

Not sure if you can see it but you can 'pull' goop apart.

This was our favvy part, it just drips off your hands but it feels so weird!

Noah asked me if we could make goop today since he didn't have anything else to do! I reminded him that all the windows need to be washed, the floorboards need a good dusting, and the floors needed a really REALLY good mopping, however he didn't think these chores sounded fun on a Saturday afternoon. So we headed to the store, not before Noah looked up on the computer for a good old fashion recipe for goop, and bought our necessary ingredients...Corn Starch! Goop is a box of corn starch, water, and food coloring. Who knew these three simple ingredients could be so entertaining for a 35 year old...I mean for an 11 year old.

Labor Day Get Away

2011-09-06T13:04:00.000-07:00

Jim and Spencer at the lake.

Spencer and Noah sitting on a chair lift...hopefully Alta won't mind.

Nine thousand, five hundred and fourteen feet baby!

The family at Catherin's Lake...we made it!!!

The boys taking a break...aren't they so cute!

Mom and the boys...I loved all the flowers and the granite boulders, so amazing!

The boys at 7:45 am...it was a little chilly to start the hike and of course, I forgot all the hoodies!

Since we didn't have much of a summer break as a family (per Jim studying for the bar exam), Jim and I decided to end the summer by spending time together, as a family. So we woke the kids up at 6:00 in the AM and headed to Alta to do some hiking. We decided to hike Catherine's Pass. It was breathtaking...I love being outdoors among the amazing flowers, the big granite boulders and with my family. The boys did a really good job not complaining but at the end, they started to get tired. The hike was up high for a mile and a half, then down for a mile and half.

We then headed to Snowbird to hang with Steve and Shelly. We were able to eat amazing German food, thanks to Oktoberfest, catch up with an old Westminster friend (we ran into each other at the pool and haven't seen each other for about 13 years), and of course just chill.

It was such a great day and it made me appreciate the beauty Utah has to offer and how much I love knowing that I will be with my family forever.

Family Pics

2011-08-23T06:05:00.000-07:00

I couldn't show our best pic...you will see it on our Christmas card and this isn't edited.

I love this picture!

So it has literally been years since we had a profesh take our family pictures. So my sweet and talented, and let me throw in patient because to work with us you must possess this quality, niece took our family pictures. I must admit I had a good chuckle at ourselves as we were trying to capture a loving family but behind the scenes: yelling, fighting, bribing, crying...so a typical day with the Potters.

First Day of School...

2011-08-23T05:44:00.001-07:00

Noah and Spencer

I had to chuckle to myself, when I took the boys to buy school shoes, they all picked out black high tops!

Elijah - 4th grade, Spencer - 2nd grade, and Noah - 6th grade.

So the summer break is over, the late nights of playing outside are done, the pools have been put away and the smell of chlorine and sun tan lotion is fading in the air. I must admit however, I have mixed emotions about school starting and summer ending. At least the kids will have something to do other than fight and cause me to get more gray hair. But I am sad because I really do have a lot of fun with my boys. I love taking them to the pool and we had so much fun going to Pineview for a day in the sun and swimming with friends. We had a little bit of stressful summer as Jim was studying for the bar but it is over, tucked away, history written, memories made. I love my boys more and more each passing day and I they are amazing young men. Have a great school year boys, we love you!

4th Of July Rain Dance

2011-08-23T05:37:00.000-07:00

The kids trying to catch the rain.

Uh Oh, Spencer has been in Colorado too long, he is flashing the peace sign...heehee

Elijah and Kohl literally doing the rain dance!

So my sweet, sweet sister Lisa invited us to her house in Colorado for the 4th of July. My other sweet, sweet sister drove 16 hours from Missouri to Colorado for the festivities...and to say we had fun is an understatement. All the kids were in a parade and they loved it...of course I didn't take pictures. We had a fun BBQ and I even wore cowboy boots...of course I didn't take pictures. And the kids did a 4th of July Rain Dance...of course Jim took pictures, I was busy napping!

Look Who Turned 7!

2011-08-23T05:27:00.000-07:00

The birthday boy and his bro's!

So classic Spencer.

Spencer and his presents.

Mr. Electric Cool Fireball (he insists we call him this sometimes) has turned 7! I can't believe Spencer is 7 but he is an amazing kid, always keep me on my toes. I think the best part of Spencer is his humor...yes he can be a little strong willed but the kid is so funny. He is constantly keeping our family laughing! Spencer, your Dad and I love you so much and even though you and brother's fight once in a while, they love you.

Good Bye To Sledges!

2011-08-23T05:22:00.000-07:00

Where's Spencer...he was being a bum and would not come out...whatevs!

I think the hardest part about moving wasn't taking 3 weeks out of my life to pack away our possessions. It wasn't cleaning a stove and frig for 5 hours. It wasn't even packing the truck and watching it drive away...it was saying good-bye to our friends. We made some amazing friends who will always be in my heart forever. One of those families was the Sledge's. For about 2 1/2 years, they lived 5 doors away and the kids were always running back and forth between our units. But they out grew their unit and moved to a house about 10 minutes away...we still ran back and forth between homes. But I must admit moving 900 miles away, has put a damper on the kids running back forth between homes. I miss them so much that it makes me get teary eyed on how much I miss them. So for you Sledges...we miss you!

Creighton Law School Gradution...Now What? Pay Back LOANS...

2011-08-23T05:12:00.000-07:00

Some of the gang that came...Lori's family, Mom, Ashley, Dave & Marianne and Jim's Dad!

I make such a cute law school graduate wife..and Jim doesn't look so bad himself!

The proud boys and their Dad!

After moving 900 miles to Omaha, after 3 years of studying, reading, and writing. After screaming, fighting, and kicking (me, not Jim) Jim graduated from Creighton Law School. I must admit that I started to tear up when Jim put on his cap and gown and I drove him to the Hooding. I admire that fact that at 35 Jim went back to school! It was amazing for the boys to see their Dad work so hard and accomplish so much. The best part of the hooding, when Jim walked across the stage and Noah yelled "Way to go Jimmy" and then Spencer turned to the stranger in front of us and sayed "That's my DAD."

So Much Has Changed and I Have Documented...NONE OF IT!

2011-08-22T15:20:00.000-07:00

Okay so Jim graduated from Crieghton Law School, we moved to Utah. While Jim studied for the bar, the boys and I played. We swam at the lake, the pool, and anything else with cool waters. We hiked, we played with friends, we even spent a few days in Colorado. All the while Jim studied, studied, studied...you get the point. He took the test, we continued to play.

The boys started school today, 6th, 4th, and 2nd grade; I read, Jim worked.

So really nothing has changed since we moved, just that I miss our friends so much it makes me sad. We are now poor graduated law students and well the boys keep making life interesting. I will post pictures as soon as Jim gets his work done...so that may be never.

Why The Road Trip Background?

2011-02-28T11:28:00.001-08:00

Well for starts, isn't life a road trip? You may plan for your trip but you never know what is going to happen on your trip! You could plan for sun, and it rains. You could plan on camping and end up in a hotel...you seriously never know what you are going to get! This winter I have certainly struggled with my road trip plans. I figured we would road trip to Nebraska for a few years, and then return home to a cush job, a lovely home...a lovely NEW home at that, and well pick up from where we left for our vacation. But hence, like I said before road trips rarely go as planned. Our cush job isn't that at all...it is all dependant on our government. Our lovely new home is well, the basement of my loving father-in-law, and well picking up from where we left is hardly as easy as you think. Friends go on their own vacations, people move on.

But the best part of vacation, is coming home, retelling all your unplanned stories and well looking at the pictures. Sometimes as you look at the pictures you think you can't wait to go back and sometimes you think I never want to go back. As I look back at our Nebraska pictures (okay the last 2 1/2 years of our life) I am not sure what I think. I look at the fact that I am older, fatter, and grayer...I look at the boys and see 3 young men in the making and when I look back and see Jim, I see an amazing man who made a huge sacrifice but showing the boys that it is never to late to start again...hence the reason for our vacation.

Vacations are good but really there is no place like home, wherever that home may be.

My Noah is ELEVEN...yes that is a One and ONE

2011-02-28T10:59:00.000-08:00

Noah turned 11 this past birthday and I just can't believe it! I can still recall his little feet pittering and pattering down the hallway to our bedroom to hop in bed with us. I can still hear his little laugh as a toddler discovering a new dinosaur. I still see that sweet and tender face looking at his new brothers each time we brought a new one home. Noah has such a tender heart and longs to make people happy. I will never forget when Jim was talking about poverty in Argentina and Noah got choked up when he realized how blessed he is. We have always received such glowing praises of Noah from his teachers about how amazing he is and what a good person he is. I am grateful that he is ours!

I love that when he grows up he wants to be a Biology Professor, I love that he already thinks about his mission, I love the he already thinks about being married. He is a very deep thinker, for being 11, and I love that he comes and talks with me about life. I love listening to Jim talk about sports with him and I love that he loves the Yankees. I love that he can't wait to go to New York City again...he is truly my child!

3 Hours To Make...3 Days To Eat

2011-02-28T10:55:00.000-08:00

Every year we make a gingerbread house and the boys have a ton of fun making it. However I think the best part for them is eating the gingerbread house and I have noticed that as they get older, the fast the house disappears...this time, the house was literally gone in 3 days! Three hours to make, 3 days to eat...sounds about right!

Christmas 2010...yes CHRISTMAS

2011-02-28T10:44:00.000-08:00

The boys running down the steps to open Christmas Presents. This was our first and only Christmas in Nebraska and we had a lot of fun just chillin, eating, and not getting dressed until the next day! We did leave on the 26th for St. Louis to spend 5 days with Dave and Marianne (yes, we stayed at my sisters house...thanks Lori!) and we had a great time. How many pictures did I take with our new camera while in St. Louis so I could post them on our blog...zero, yes the big fat zero...next time!

Merry Christmas and Happy 2011

2010-12-21T06:14:00.001-08:00

Because I didn't send out a Christmas Card this year, due to a rabid case of laziness, I know, I am on medication...it was THAT scary! Anyway if I hadn't suffer from this horrible, horrible disease, our Christmas Card would have looked something like this (see picture above) with some witty written on the bottom (see below)...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May 2011 bring you Peace, Joy, and Laughter...We are lucky, we have all!

Love the Potters

Zip Line in The Yard

2010-11-30T12:01:00.000-08:00

Jim...and I am not sure if he meant to do this pose or not?

Mom...

Spencer looking like he is holding on for dear life

Elijah

Noah

When we went to Warrensburg for Thanksgiving, my Aunt Janice's friend graciously let us stay in their home while they were in Oklahoma for the holiday. It was a huge home with a newly remodeled kitchen, 2 dogs, a lake and a zip line...yes a zip line. On Friday, before we all came home, the Haun's and the Potter's decided to have themselves a good old time and ride the line for a while. Seriously, so much fun...so I got the worse wedgie ever known to man but still, it was fun!

Thanksgiving Pic's

2010-11-30T11:37:00.000-08:00

my honey Pots...lol

Lori and Dan

Yes...the Omaha air did make me grow, why do you ask?

me and Mom

We ended up spending Thanksgiving in Missouri with my sister Lori and her family, my Mom who flew in from Sacramento, my Aunt Janice and Uncle Bruce (wwbpd...sorry that is an inside joke) and three of their 5 sons. We were in Warrensburg MO which is about an hour outside of Kansas City...I am not really sure if we were south, east or west of KC because I was completely lost the entire time we were there. But we had a blast...we ate a ton, played some killer (literally killer) dodgeball and had an overall great time.

Elijah...the 9 Year Old

2010-11-30T11:25:00.000-08:00

Jammin on his new blue guitar...Jim is teaching him Blackbird

Elijah turned 9 years old on November 23, 2010 so I thought I would write 9 things I love about Elijah.

1. He has the softest hair...it may stink from time to time (well he is a boy what do you expect) but I love to play with it and I love that how in the winter it is brown and in the summer it is blond!

2. He has the driest humor and can make us all crack up with his witty comments and his 'crazy face'.

3. He is the most inquisitive child I have ever met and I am pretty sure that in the next 2 years he will be smarter than I could ever hope to be.

4. He is an amazing artist and I can't wait to see his work in a museum one day.

5. He writes the funniest stories and his teacher always tells me that whenever he reads his stories to the class they are always laughing and cracking up.

6. He is rather musical and wouldn't be surprised to see in print and lights "Elijah Potter..ROCK STAR"

7. He loves his brothers...no matter what he tells you...he does.

8. He is a rather smooth with the ladies...just ask him to sing...trust me, they will swoon someday.

9. He gives the best hugs.

Pictures With The Potter Boys

2010-11-30T11:22:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas...from the Potters

All I wanted was a nice picture of the boys for our Christmas card...that's it! Well, needless to say, 25 pictures later, tears (my part), yelling (my part), and laughing (the boys part), we got one good picture...so here it is.

The Fab Potter Guitar Players

2010-11-30T11:14:00.000-08:00

jammin...

jammin with their rock face

For those who may not know, Jim loves to play the guitar and in the last two years he really hasn't found the time to play. However, to help with the stress of law school and being married to a highly spirited wife (yes, I just called my self highly spirited), he has to find some sort of stress relief so he has turned to his guitar. The boys think it is so cool that there dad plays the guitar, was in a band and at one time in his life had a mohawk. Luckily for me, they just want to play the guitar like him...let's just hope they don't mimic his haircuts!

Halloween...Yes it HAS BEEN THAT LONG

2010-11-30T10:57:00.000-08:00

The scary group...long gone are the days of my pooh bears, dogs and other cute and cuddly things for Halloween

Ninja...comin' to get ya...well at least your candy

Death...DEATH...death by candy

Headless but not candy-less

Because I have like 50 posts to post and like 60 seconds to do it, I am going to make these short, sweet and to the point...just like how I like everything...except for shopping! But here are the kids in their Halloween outfits. We had awesome weather Saturday for trick or treating...yes we went Saturday...our non-Mormon neighbors were so confused, it was rather funny. However Noah insisted on sitting outside and handing out candy on Sunday. However, I really only had enough for Saturday so Noah, being the sweet and gentle spirit he is, grabbed his candy and dumped it in the candy bowl and handed out his candy that he got the night before. I must admit, this really melted my heart...BTW, I just dumped about 2 or 3 pounds of candy in the dumpster...the kids had finally had enough, after about a month.

Camera Lazy...But Not Mom Lazy

2010-10-25T09:49:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know I don't have any pictures but just because I have been camera lazy doesn't mean that I am being mom lazy so I thought I would catch you up on all our doings:
1. We carved pumpkins on Thursday and Elijah declared himself a "pumpkin carving extraordinaire" Do you think he could put this on his resume one day?

2. Now you may be wondering where we got our pumpkins so Elijah could declare himself a "pumpkin carving extraordinaire" Well, I will tell you...I had planned on taking the boys to Vala's but they threw such a stink about going that we ended up at Walmart...buying pumpkins...do you not see how wrong...SO SO SO wrong this is...I tried to explain how wrong this was but much to my chagrin, they didn't care.

3. We, as a family, went bowling, laser tagging, and go carting...and for some weird reason I came in last in all three events. And this was not so I could make the boys feel better about themselves, I tried, I really really tried and I STILL came in last in everything.

4. We went to the Josyln Museum and all that Noah had to say about this was "Well, that was highly inappropriate" Yes, I must admit there were some pictures that were a bit scandalous in my eyes so we quickly took the boys to the children's section...it was better but they were pooped and ready to go.

5. We had a blast roasting over sized marshmallows at our friends the Sledge's cabin. It was so fun and we loved it! Granted we all smelled like smoke and had to take showers so our house didn't smell like a campfire but all in all...it was so WORTH it.

We had a great weekend and I promise, I won't be so camera lazy.

The 6th Birthday Party...just 3 months and 19 days later...

2010-09-27T13:47:00.000-07:00

The boys congratulating Spencer on his gifts.

All the boys at Bounce U

Ethan Hogge, Ethan Bate, Spencer, Nick Sledge and Kale Johnson

When Spencer turned 6, we were in Utah for the summer and we did NOT take one picture of this great day in Spencer's life. I know, I know, his therapist will have a hay day with this one. However to help me win browny points with his therapist and to save face as mother of the year, I finally threw him a birthday party. He invited his 4 besties in Village Green (okay Tyler and Jansen, you were so missed!)we went to Bounce U and then came back to the house for cup cakes, which nobody liked except for me and pizza, which I ate most of it. Regardless the boys had a fantastic time!

Spencer, I love you and I am so grateful that you are apart of this family. Your Dad loves you and your brother's love you...and our family just wouldn't be the same without you. Thank you for your funny one-liners and I know when you are a stand-up comedian that only tells dentist jokes, we will be in the front row! (sorry, just a little inside joke!)

In the Black Hills of South Dakota

2010-09-19T15:19:00.000-07:00

This was our first trip as a family to South Dakota. The kids and I had never been to South Dakota. Jim went when he was around 7 years old to pick up his grandparents (Mary and Joseph Young) who were finishing their mission there. I loved the Badlands. This is the first pic we took in the Badlands. In fact, it was the first pic we took in the great state of South Dakota. I loved South Dakota. We stayed in Rapid City and it reminded me so much of Montana.

Jim and Spencer just hanging out at the Badlands.

Jim and the boys at the Badlands wall.

And Jim and I at the badlands wall.

The boys throwing Jim over the railing at the Badlands Wall. Those silly boys. We really missed Jim the rest of the trip.

The boys looking for their dad at the bottom of the Badlands wall.

Yeah, this should go at the beginning, you may be thinking, but au contrair monfrair, because this was us leaving Badlands National Park.

As you can see, Jim finally caught up with us at Mt. Rushmore. Besides growing a beard and learning to speak Chipmunkese, everything was fine. We made him cut off the beard.

To kill time Jim planned to carve the family into Mt. Rushmore, but he was only able to finish Elijah.

All the boys under Mt. Rushmore.

Elijah making a break for it.

Spencer making the boys laugh while being a ham on the other side of the camera.

Make that both sides.

More of Spency's work. Spencer brings out the best in all of us.

Noah, the king of the hill.

Spencer showing his dad a very green pinecone.

All the boys posing near the Utah engraving (all 50 states are engraved along the walkway to the main viewing area of Mt. Rushmore) - all these boys were born in Utah.

Here I am with my home-state Montana!

And of course we had to pose with our current state Nebraska....umm, why didn't anybody tell me I look 6 months pregnant when I am not!

Mt. Rushmore from the highway that runs behind the monument. On the way to Crazy Horse.

And the crazy Crazy Horse exhibit, which we refused to pay 3x as much as Mt. Rushmore to see (Mt. Rushmore $10 per vehicle, Crazy Horse $27 per vehicle), as it is not even close to being finished. It was started in 1939, and only the head is carved. Eh... not so much.

This One Is For You Grandma Jones

2010-09-02T07:52:00.000-07:00

The side view...how cute is this rocking chair

No I am NOT going to paint this...it is perfect...

I love old stuff...I don't know why, I just do and I always have. Since I was about 12 I have wanted an old trunk, the older the better, however, after 22 years of wanting, I still don't have one. I have quite a collection of enamel boxes, I love, love, love them, however I have too many and not sure what to do with them all. I love old windows, I have four now...again not sure what to do with them, but I love them. And now I have an old medal chair. I remember, with great fondness and much sadness, sitting on medal chairs at Grandma Joneses home, chatting with cousins and aunts and uncles about life in Montana. So Grandma Jones, this chair is for you. It did not come from your home, but it comes from my memory...

Yankess vs. Royals vs. The Potters

2010-08-16T19:52:00.001-07:00

Jeter...ya, he was trying to hit on me but whatevs!

If you notice all the 'water' on Spencer's face, well it is sweat...it was like 100 degrees with the heat index and it was so freaking hot!

Walking out of the game...hot, sweaty, but happy...we love our Yanks!

The Royals Stadium...

So for a little last hoop-la and for part of the kids Christmas, we drove to Kansas City, about 3 hours a way, to watch the Yankees play the Royals. It was so fun! We had killer seats, we were right next to 3rd base and got to see the Yankees warm up right in front of us (okay, Derek Jeter is really cute!) We got some great pictures, got Curtis Granderson to sign Spencer's Yankee shirt, and we even got on TV...what else could you ask for in a trip.

Noah the Photographer

2010-08-16T19:43:00.000-07:00

Noah has been talking a lot about photography and has expressed the desire to learn more about the art of taking pictures. His cousins, Lexi and Alli, have inspired him to take up the hobby...thanks girls! The other day Jim gave him a few pointers and set him loose. Here are a few of his pictures.

5...3...1...And The Summer Ends

2010-08-16T19:34:00.000-07:00

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!! I can't believe another summer has come and gone and my children are leaving me home once again. I was in the kitchen and noticed the garbage needed to be taken out and I started to yell "Noah...can you please take the garbage out" but then I remembered...Noah is at school! I am excited to see how much the boys will grow this year and all their many adventures. They are wonderful boys and I am so blessed and feel very grateful that Heavenly Father blessed me with three amazing, handsome, and smart boys.

Omaha At Sunset

2010-08-10T09:52:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, August 8th, we were walking home from our friends house when the boys noticed this amazing sunset. I must admit, we have had some amazing sunsets to marvel at while living here in Omaha. It makes me appreciate the beauty that our Heavenly Father created for us to enjoy.

You Know You Are A Mormon When...

2010-08-10T09:46:00.001-07:00

You start putting things in your Jello! Elijah has taken a liking to making jello and with his jello-aficionado-ness, he decided to put blueberries in his jello. He did say the next time he makes jello however, he wants to put grapes in it, I think I am fine with that but I do draw the line when he starts asking to put carrots in his jello. Sorry Mom, but that dish was so gross! But Spencer did ask him to make some jello this morning and Elijah answered by saying "I only make jello when I am bored, and I am not bored...yet"

Lucky Number 13!

2010-08-07T15:34:00.000-07:00

a perfect explanation of what i think of the last 13 years together

we're hot!

Happy Anniversary Jim, I love you! I can't believe we have been married for 13 years...how have you put up with my for 13 years? You are my best friend, my son's father, my husband, and everything else that I need. Thank you for my life...I owe it to you!

Family

2010-08-05T16:34:00.000-07:00

Who said you can't be two places at once...whatevs!

The ladies...we are so cute!

The gang at The Botanical Gardens

The full gang at the Winter Quarter's Cemetery

Alli and Spencer at the Zoo

Dusk at Kenefick Park

We were so excited that we had family come and see us this summer. My sister, Lori, brought her 3 kids (she left the baby at home) and then my niece from Colorado and we had a great time. We swam, did some walking, did lots of talking, and took no pictures...check out her blog if you want to see the pictures. She was the smart one

But we also had Jim's sister Shelly and her daughter Alli come from Utah. We had lots of fun and we were so excited that they made the 14 hour trek to come check out Omaha. Thanks guys, we had so much fun with all you and we love you for driving to see us!

Pictures of The Boys

2010-08-05T16:23:00.000-07:00

How cute are these boys...seriously...how cute!

Noah...

Spencer...

Elijah..

I have a very talented niece Lexi who took some amazing shots of the boys and just wanted to share them with you. But I must admit, when your models are as cute as the Potter boys, would expect anything else!

Some Cute Pics

2010-08-05T16:16:00.000-07:00

I better see this in your wedding video Alli...just not to Spencer!

Spencer has had a major crush on his cousin Ashley...however she decided that she wouldn't follow in Kentucky's footsteps and marry her cousin, so she married Ken. Spencer was a little upset by this betrayal and every time he would walk by their wedding announcement in the house, he would glare at Ken. He even has gone as far as calling Ken, Kevin.

But since Ashley left Spencer high and dry, he had to move on...so he did, to her sister, Alli. Spencer loves his Alli, Alli does love her Spencer, but in a very non-Kentucky way.

The Space Museum

2010-08-05T16:07:00.000-07:00

Spencer and Aunt Shelly

Mr. Spencer...thanks Lexi for the great shots of the boys.

Noah

Elijah chillin...

Right before we left to come back to Omaha, we spent the day with Shelly, Lexi and AFlo...Alli, if you didn't know about her Aflo name change. Anyway we had a lot of fun checking out the planes. But the funnest part was the boys found a stage with a podium and they were 'talking'. Spencer kept saying "My name is Spencer Potter, I am man, I am not afraid" It was rather funny.

The Cabin

2010-08-05T16:00:00.000-07:00

My what handsome boys we have!

The grand finale...I am not kidding, you must go to Evanston and check out the fireworks, they were fab! TNT DYNAMITE

For the 4th of July we headed up to Papa's Cabin and had a great time with cousins in Evanston. I must admit, if you want to see a great fireworks show, go to Evanston...I know, who knew? I guess they get all the fun illegal fireworks. Anyway we had a great time hanging out at the cabin and enjoying the fresh air and most of all family.

Hiking in Layton

2010-08-05T15:34:00.000-07:00

Elijah struttn' his stuff along the trail

Noah and his walking stick

Spencer and his quiet observation of nature

Me and the boys

Dad and his boys...well at least 2 of them

Okay so I haven't posted anything for ever and even longer for pictures but I am not sure anybody cares...if you care, thanks you are the only one, if you don't care, thanks join the group. But for you one person, who cares, this is for you. Over the summer Jim and I had plans of doing some major hiking...however when Noah was diagnosed with osteiod osteoma, we quickly changed plans and decided watching endless hours of Sponge Bob Square Pants was just as good. Lucky for you, I did not get any pictures of the hours upon hours of the boys watching SBSP.

We're Not Lost nor Confused...Just In Utah

2010-06-01T19:54:00.000-07:00

I am not really sure where the last two months have gone but for some reason it is now June 1st? What the heck...seriously it should be, at least by my internal-always-on-time-okay-not-really clock, April 30th...not June 1st. However due to the forces of nature, time has swiftly passed us by and so I am going to bullet our happenings the last few weeks:

Jim finished his second year of law school...relief you say....haha, we laugh at your ignorance, relief only comes after taking the bar and that is till a year a way.
Noah is officially a 5th grader....wait did I just say 5th, shouldn't it be 3rd...see time is flying! Elijah is officially a 3rd grader and Spencer is officially a 1st grader going on 17...he may be the oldest 1st grader on the whole darn planet!
We, being Jim and Ann, flew out to our nieces wedding, SANS the kids. It was such a great wedding and felt very honored to be there on Ashley and Ken's wedding day. They are a great couple for sure...and oh pb, I will always be your j (sorry inside joke!)
Spencer finished his second year of soccer and did a great job because of his amazing coach "Coach J" Thanks Coach J, you were amazing with the kids!
We left our home in the ghetto for 2 glorious months in the Beehive State so Jim can work. We are staying with family...they are glorious for having us and so far so good...other than letting the dogs out of the yard ("Mom, they just needed to roam") clogging the toilet ("Mom, it takes a lot of toilet paper to wipe") peeing in the garage ("Mom, I just needed to go and the bathroom was too far away) it is going well...oh BTW all those adventures, brought to you by none other than Spencer!
While driving we went through Denver, very cool and went hiking in Moab. The first day of hiking we had a great time, but forgot the camera. The second day was horrible and we remembered the camera...lesson learned don't go hiking with three kids when you can't figure out the trail.

Well, all, have a great summer...I always love summer; watermelon, the warm night air, kids playing late, swimming, ice cream, lazy days chillin evenings...I hope to achieve not much except for a great tan!

Spencer and his lost tooth and his loosey tooth

2010-04-19T05:51:00.000-07:00

Spencer and his new smile...

The 'lost' space and the loosey tooth next to it

Sunday morning we woke up to Spencer freaking out...in a good way, he lost his first tooth and the tooth next to it was 'loosey' as well. So he pulled it out, yes HE pulled out his really loose tooth and left the other one in...let it get real nice and loose first. My Spencer is growing up!

Pinewood Derby...The Circle of Life?

2010-04-19T05:41:00.000-07:00

Noah and his first place car...the funny thing, the boy who took second also had an orange Ferrari and the boy who took 3rd also had an orange and black car...it was the year of the Orange!

Elijah and his rocket!

So I have finally figured out why father's overtake their sons pinewood derby cars...because their father's did the exact same thing! So even though the boys designed their pinewood derby cars, Jim painted them and relied on the power of graphite to take 1st place and 4th place. I figure 1st and 4th isn't too bad, since there were 18 cars in total. And don't worry boys, you can paint and fiddle with the graphite when you have boys!

St. Patty's Day

2010-04-10T11:01:00.001-07:00

The Lucky Leprechauns

Noah

Elijah

Spencer...but you will notice he has a P...for Potter

Yes, St. Patrick's Day was like a month ago but I thought these pictures were a must share. Noah insisted on green hair and because he is idolized by the other two, they insisted as well. It will be a fun tradition that I am sure will stop after elementary school...well at least I hope.

Totally Calorie Free, Fat Free and It makes You LOOSE Weight...that is my kind of cake!

2010-03-31T07:19:00.000-07:00

Ya right, I wish...this was my birthday cake given to me by my bestie Debbie...I think she just gave it to me so I could add a little bit more jelly to my belly! I ate about a 3rd of it, by myself and in one sitting...

25 Never Looked So Good

2010-03-31T07:09:00.000-07:00

The ladies...why yes...yes we are HOT

Rididng the saddle and the best part waving a white flag over my head...seriously!

So embarassing...luckily there were only about 4 people in the restaurant and I am pretty sure, they were totaly waisted...which I keep thinking their conversation went something like this in the morning "dude...do you remember an old lady waving a flag on a horse or something?...dude, we were so drunk!" No, no you weren't!

For my birthday a few of my friends and I went to dinner to celebrate. The first restaurant we went to, we got kicked out of (not in the way you think, we showed up at 8 and they were closing at 8) we then headed across the street to Texas Road House. Of course my friends were quick to tell the hostess/waiter/patron/anybody who would listen, that it was my birthday. Well in Texas you celebrate your birthday by 'riding' in the saddle while kids who are not even legal yet hoot and holler for you. When our waitress, who was probably 18, asked me how old I was, I told her 25...she looked at me and said "wow, you look GREAT for turning 25" the sad thing is...25...was 9 years ago.

The Zoo for Two...okay more like 4!

2010-03-31T07:03:00.000-07:00

The boys in the Dome...

Elijah

Okay this pose just makes me laugh...model in the making?

Another activity I engaged my children with was a trip to the zoo...I was hoping to break up the monotony of another day off and it worked. Needless to say, 3 displays, 2 hours and 1 tired mom later, we came home...only to realize that we have never seen the entire zoo and this was like our 10th trip to the zoo!

Pump it UP

2010-03-31T06:53:00.000-07:00

This pictures cracks me up because the two friends are looking somewhere else...or just realizing that I am really stinky!

Spencer on the climbing wall...he climed like 3 feet and said he was done

Noah was bookin' it up this wall...I was rather impressed as it takes a lot of strength to get up a climbing wall.

Elijah seriously looked like a spider monkey climbing this wall...I think we have a natural climber on our hands.

Over the kids Spring Break they were all invited to go to Pump It Up for a birthday party. Here are some pictures...see I told you my creative juices were not flowing...I was serious!

So I Went On Vacation...Not Really But It Is An Excuse

2010-03-23T09:26:00.000-07:00

For some odd reason my creative and humor juices have literally stopped flowing. Unfortunately this has prevented me from posted and blogging...well fortunately if you look at it with the cup half full attitude. But I promise that in the days to come I will update this blog with pictures, tales, and pointless banter. I just need to unclog!

A Conversation of Misunderstanding

2010-02-17T16:56:00.000-08:00

An example of the typical conversation between Noah, Elijah, and Spencer, tonight at dinner:

Elijah: "Spencer, you want to be an Astronaut when you grow up."

Noah: "Spencer, you do NOT want to be an astronaut. You'll be abducted by aliens."

Spencer: "I'm not a duck head!"

There ya go folks! Any of you ever been "ab-duck-head" by aliens before?

Memories from Olympics Past OR my Olym-PICS

2010-02-15T10:24:00.000-08:00

Ann and Elijah...he was 3 months old!

Jim and Noah...he was 2 (I actually think this was on his birthday or right around his birthday)

I don't think there has ever been a time I HAVEN'T watched the Olympics. From watching them when I was a child to watching them with my children, I just simply love them. Of course I love watching any American Athlete win...you feel the joy of when they win, and feel the pain and sadness of when they loose. I always have wanted to be an Olympian, however not being athletic and having absolutely no athleticism whatsoever has put a kibosh on this dream. However, I am a spectator and without the fanatical spectator, there would be no Olympics. I have been once, the Salt Lake Games in 2002 but I am hoping to go someday, somewhere with my family.

I must say, I really don't have a favorite memory of the Olympics because I love them all but I must say, every time I hear the Olympic Theme Song, tears seriously erupt in my eyes...Enjoy the pics and of course, Enjoy the GAMES...GO USA!!

And Realism Is All That I Gave Him...

2010-02-02T15:13:00.000-08:00

I am a realist, plain and simple. I have often wondered which of my three boys would inherit this oh so great and realistic genetic disorder (Yes, Lisa I know it isn't a real disorder, but sometimes it certainly feels like it) and well my years of wondering have finally ended...Spencer! Yes Spencer is my realist. "How do you know...the kid is only 5" you say with a shake of your head. Well, this may answer your question...

At school Spencer was to answer the age old question "When I am 100 years old I will.." and then the child answers the question that leads to a drawing. Well Spencer didn't say a doctor or a super hero with super strength...no, his answer was (drum roll please) "Be Dead" followed by a colorful drawing of his funeral...Therapy please!

The Ghetto is Finally getting to me!

2010-02-01T12:18:00.001-08:00

This is how we do it in the ghetto...crinkly bangs, check, lips like a duck, check...doing some weird finger moves, check...wondering how I ever ended up in the ghetto...I think about it every darn day!

The Jones Family...2009

2010-02-01T12:13:00.001-08:00

Mr. and Mrs. Potter out for a little walk on a chilly, chilly Missouri day

"It's so nice to have the family back together again"

The Jones Sisters...Ann, Lori and Lisa...ya, ya I know where the heck did I come from, my siblings are still trying to tell me I was adopted...and now I am thinking "is that really a bad thing" just kidding, you know I love you all!

While we were all together we attempted family pictures...Chaos insued, crazy faces made, but no lost kids so all in all, it was a good photo shoot.

2010-02-01T12:09:00.001-08:00

The Jones kids...Lisa, old, Ann, young, Lori, kind of young and old, Erik, kind of old...okay okay we are all kind of old and kind of young

My mom with my family

Oh Jimmy, how I love you...and your Utes hat

The Jones Family 2009

The Jones Cousins

Finally...the other half of our Christmas Break

2010-02-01T11:55:00.001-08:00

Mom next to her birthday cake...oh so good!

Total shock...I mean TOTAL SHOCK

She kept wondering why there were so many cars in the church parking lot but we couldn't tell her until we got to the room!

I have been patiently...PATIENTLY...waiting for my lovely, yet oh so busy with life sister to download the pictures of the other part of Christmas break. For those of you who don't know, we spent a couple of days in St. Louis surprising my mother, who turned 70 on January 2nd, with all of us kids coming to the great state of Missouri and having us a really good time now...

I had told my mom we would be spending her big day in Atlanta...haha...and my brother told her that he would spending her big day in warm weather...hahaHAHA! It was so fantastic so see her surprised...it was so fantastic to see her so upset that it took 2 hours for my sisters to get soda (they went to the airport to get my brother)....it was fantastic to see her scratching her head trying to figure out why all of the kids were off shopping...without her (buying all the decorations and the food for the party)...and it was equally as fantastic to know that my sister was in the same store at the same time buying last minute party things while I was with my mom shopping trying to get her out of the house so they could get decorate. Wow, I think I just grew some gray hairs just reliving that crazy day. But all in all it was equally fantastic to see my Mom being overtaken with joy to see all her friends and family (that could make it) on such a momentous day.

Love ya Mom...may you always be so trusting that your kids can pull one over you and you suspect nothing...maybe that is why we got away with so much as kids...anyway moving on...love you and thank you!

They Get It From...Being A BOY

2010-01-26T20:37:00.001-08:00

So last night we took the boys out to celebrate their amazing grades (they get that from their father's side). They were being so good (they get that from their mother's side). They were being so cute (umm, both sides). They ate their dinner (they get that from me, I am still a human trash compactor). And then they got silly (they get that from being a boy). The kids menus had a fill in the blank story...and well only a boy would have come up with these answer:

Elijah's story: (the all caps is what Elijah put into the story)

Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls welcome aboard the BLUE POTTER. I will be your tour guide today along with the marvelous BUTT. Thank you for joining us for your safari adventure! we will be traveling through the POOP desert on our journey today. We are guaranteed to encounter many WEIRD animals, including the famous ELIJAH BUTT the silliest one in the world. We're about to take off, so sit tight and hold onto your BUTT!

Noah's story:

Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls welcome aboard the BROWN POTTER. I will be your tour guide today along with the marvelous BUTTCAKE. Thank you for joining us for your safari adventure! we will be traveling through the TERD desert on our journey today. We are guaranteed to encounter many RED animals, including the famous BUTT APPLE the silliest one in the world. We're about to take off, so sit tight and hold onto your ?!

Umm, after they read these, chaos ensued (defiantly from their father's side) and they could not stop laughing (certainly from their mother's side). Boys...the only things on this planet that find these words funny!

This One is For Ashley...

2010-01-23T13:54:00.000-08:00

Dear Ashley -
I will never forget the first time I met you. Jim, who was driving his black Honda Civic SI, came to pick me up from work in Salt Lake. I remember running out of the building with a big smile on my face as I ran to greet him however I quickly noticed he wasn't looking at me. His attention was focused on an innocent looking 9 year old, blond, blue-eyed, Ashley who was sitting in the front seat. I quickly observed that you were looking at him in awe and wonder...Uncle Jimmy...the uncle that would play mario kart, hide and seek, and every other crazy game you could think of.

I almost hated to ruin the moment by opening the door but then again I didn't want to stand outside in the cold forever. As I opened the door you looked at me like who is this stranger but you quickly hopped out and got in the back. I remember trying to talk to you and you were so quiet and shy but you instantly won me over by the love you had for Jim.

Through the years, I have watched you become this amazing, smart, funny, talented girl that still puts a smile on my face. I wish you the best of luck as you embark upon this new chapter of life. Ken is a lucky, lucky, lucky man and my hope for you is that you will always be happy together, that you will always love each other and that you can always laugh with each other (frankly I think the last one is the best and certainly the funnest).

Congratulations to the both of you we love you and can't wait to see you!

Love,
Auntie Ann

Miss and The Mrs

2010-01-15T17:26:00.000-08:00

This one is for Haley...

The Tradition of Self Portraits 09

2010-01-15T17:18:00.000-08:00

okay...just a little bit to the left? or is that to your right....wow what nice eyebrows we have

at least we got Caleb

And laughing so hard Marianne got cut off completely

So the last two years Marianne and I have started a tradition...taking self portraits with a camera that weights at least 20 pounds and then laughing our heads off. So here is this years tradition dash attempt. Maybe next year we will actually get one with US in it!

A Man...His Puffy Coat...And of course, HIS GRILL

2010-01-15T17:09:00.000-08:00

You can take me heat...but you will never take my GRILL!!!

I love that he had to shovel just to get to the grill

So as many of you know, or rather have felt the rather of mother nature, we have been on the chilly side of the thermometer...Okay who am I kidding it has been seriously 'snot freezing in your nose' cold here in Brrr-ma-a-ha (aka Omaha). But yet a man cannot stay away from his grill for too long. There is just a magical bond between grill and boy, one that cannot be broken or understood. So Jim has a love of grill...I get it, because I get to eat it...I mean come on, at least he was safe by wearing his apron!

The Rock Band that...WASN'T

2010-01-04T18:46:00.000-08:00

The Singer...Suave Dave The Drummer...Jimmy Jams

The Guitar Player...Spence the Menace

So the potters were able to live out a fantasy this Christmas...to be in a rock band because really, everybody, at least once in their life, has thought about being in a rock band. Well, Christmas is all about fantasy so we got to live ours out...guitar hero style.

You know you are in the South when....

2010-01-03T18:38:00.000-08:00

...when your kids start to eat everything fried...I know you can't tell but this is a deep fried orange.

...when you go to a restaurant and they employees yell at you "What'll ya have"

...when you go for a nice Sunday hike and find a bright yellow "Lynard Skynard" tribute truck parked right next to you

...when you feel the need to make this face...what the what-what?

Dahlonega...loved this town

2010-01-03T18:30:00.000-08:00

Downtown Dahlonega

Marianne, Caleb, Ann and Alyssa

what a cute couple...

Jimmy-Bob...that you?

yaaaa....banjo music!

Dahlonega is actually where Haley goes to school...it is a quaint little college town with lots of fun shops. However we got there at 4:00 on Christmas Eve and there wasn't much open but we still had lots of fun.

With the Turning of 8...Elijah Gets Baptized

2010-01-03T18:20:00.000-08:00

Ann and Marianne

Elijah and Mom...

The whole Potter group...notice Jim's nice 'janitor' outfit, I know, I was jealous too...

The family...Christmas Eve 09

The boys...Josh, Elijah, Spencer, Caleb, and Noah...all the boy's who will carry on the Potter name.

We decided to baptized Elijah in Georgia. I am glad that we did as he will not soon forget the amazing day that he had. He decided to get baptized on Christmas Eve and have Josh and Caleb talk with his Papa confirming him. It was a special day for all of us and we are so grateful that we got to share it with family.

Hiking and Riding the Tire...Orange Shoals We Heart You

2010-01-03T16:12:00.000-08:00

Noah on the tire swing about to nail Jim...luckily he didn't!

Elijah and his stick and his dirty knee

"we live in a van...down by a river"

Spencer on the swing...

Football in the Yard...this is why I love Georgia

2010-01-03T16:08:00.000-08:00

Spencer made a touch down!

getting ready for the play

And HIKE

The boys were playing football while it was dumping snow in Nebraska...how can you not love a place where you can play football outside 2 days before Christmas!

Christmas in Georgia 09

2010-01-03T15:59:00.001-08:00

Josh and his 'gingerbread dump' aka our mexican shantee town...complete with...

the broken down house...

the worm garden...

and other adobe like structures only to be eaten...by Spencer of course

And we even had our church that Caleb made...only to be eaten by Spencer of course!

Spencer being...well Spencer

2010-01-03T15:33:00.000-08:00

If you have ever wondered what it is like to raise Spencer, well, this picture sums it up...all his glory can be summed up with 4 q-tips. BTW the next picture was of him putting the q-tips from his nose into his mouth...I just couldn't put it up, it makes me throw up a little bit in my mouth every time I see it!

Pictures of the Past...well 2009 Past

2010-01-03T15:26:00.000-08:00

Noah and Elijah...brothers, crazy face makers, piano players extraordinaire!

Noah announcing what he was playing...I can't believe I forgot to tell him to take off his coat, oh well he did amazing!

Elijah in his new blazer and tie...yes, yes he is the fashion divo I always hoped for!

Piano recital...it was the first, and most definitely not the last!

Missionary Predictions

2009-11-30T21:17:00.000-08:00

China for Elijah and he has some mad chop-stick skillz

Italy for Spencer...that boy can down the pasta

And Hawaii for Noah...sweet sweet sweet Hawaii

While at the visitors center in Independence, the boys found (and enjoyed immensely) the display with many different translations of the Book of Mormon...the boys each found one in which they may be reading one day in the far off future.

A Little History Lesson

2009-11-30T21:11:00.000-08:00

The crazy spiral church in Independence

Sitting at the base of Liberty Jail

The infamous clay county...luckily nobody came after us with a shot gun but we did get some nasty looks...

When we drove back from St. Louis, we stopped in Kansas City, MO for the evening so we could take the boys to Liberty Jail and to Independence to see the church history sites. I must say it was amazing to be at Liberty Jail...if you ever have the opportunity to go, GO! It will deepen your testimony of Joseph Smith and what an amazing prophet he was. I think the thing that touched me the most was that he never complained!

Thanks To The Turkey, The TV, and To TODAY!

2009-11-30T21:00:00.000-08:00

Drake...seriously, this kid is so freaking cute!

The Sisters...Lori and Ann

Noah and Kohl...

Chase and Spencer

Elijah and Brynn

I was trying to go for a whole T theme title but it really doesn't make sense, but then again does engorging on high calorie foods to show our gratitude make any sense as well? Maybe, maybe not but I do know that driving to St. Louis for the Thanksgiving holiday made perfect sense. We drove down Tuesday morning (not realizing cooked fish from Sunday night was still sitting in the microwave...only to be discovered 5 days later...whatevs!) and came back Saturday. It was so nice to hang with family, laugh with family, eat with family, and just chill with family. A big thanks to Lori who made it all possible...seriously that woman can cook...who knew?

A Little Birthday Magic

2009-11-23T14:45:00.000-08:00

Group HUG...

Elijah and his two buddies Sidney and Diana (they are our neighbor's)

Elijah and Shae Lee...yes he is SO a ladies man!

Elijah and his friend Kevin...

On Saturday Elijah had his friend birthday party. He has never had one before because his birthday is always so close to Thanksgiving that it has always been really hard to plan one. But this year, we made it happen. We took a few of his friends and brothers to The Amazing Pizza Machine and well the name says it all. He had lots of fun playing, eating and just being with his friends. The best part, he told me, was when he won 100 tickets and of course getting birthday presents from his friends.

Elijah Allen Potter...You're 8, Now A Little Poem

2009-11-23T13:58:00.000-08:00

Umm...the shirt says it all

Elijah got a lazer tag get-up for his 8th

Saweet...presents!

That's how many...baby!

Elijah's favorite things...presents and his brothers

I can't believe you are 8!
You are so great.

Maybe we should have named you Nate?

But you will have a good fate.

When you go fishing, always take bate.

I hope you find a great mate!

Maybe her name will be Kate.

But you still can't date

Don't hate

Cause, your only 8...

Love your rhythm and blues motha...

Self Portrait Magic

2009-11-23T13:51:00.000-08:00

Is this my best side?

Spencer and Mom...and sucker stick!

Noah and Mom...I swear I didn't look that old 10 years ago!

Mom and Elijah...and dirty face...yes, yes I do make my kids wash their faces...just not for pictures!

This is how we do family pictures...ghetto style!

Dance Dance...Dance Yo Pants...OFF!!

2009-11-23T13:42:00.000-08:00

I was dancing, my hands were a snapping...even my lips were a bouncing...

Noah and Spencer having a dance off.

Just bust a move Noah, just bust a move.

Think Pulp Fiction...but with all your fingers!

Our last name should have been 'twinkle-toes' because my kids LOVE to dance...they are always busting out their moves and so I thought I would finally get some on camera! Noah has a certain 'latin-flare' about his dance moves and Spencer is more of a 'hip-hop' kind of guy. Elijah, well, he just watches and laughs at all of us.

27 Has A NICE Ring To It...

2009-11-04T21:09:00.000-08:00

We are Yankees fans, they just won the World Series...for the 27th time...enough said!

It's...Well...RED!

2009-11-02T11:46:00.000-08:00

My new hair...ya dig!

The Great Pumpkin Escapade

2009-11-01T16:07:00.000-08:00

Okay so this is after...see below for the before.

Elijah drew the face, I carved the face...we're thinking of going into business together "The Potter Pumpkin Design Team" it's catchy...

Noah presenting his pumpkin...he designed it and cut it!

Spencer is trying to tell you that his pumpkin is a self portrait...right, maybe it's the triangle eyes or the fact that the pumpkin is orange, but I see it...I see the resemblance.

Noah and the guts...hmmm, sounds like we just found a name of his band!

This was the before...why yes, Noah is trying to feed the pumpkin his Icee...why do you ask?

Last year, I was eager to 'dress up' our two concrete steps with cute Halloween decor, so natural we bought 5 pumpkins. Little did I know the wildlife, and I mean literally, would eat away our pumpkins so that come Halloween night, the pumpkins we so carefully picked out of the patch would be gone! So this year I was smart...I waited until Halloween day at 1:00 in the afternoon to go buy our pumpkins, I would out smart those critters this year! Little did I know that this fall would be known as 'the great pumpkin shortage of 2009'. To make a long story short, 3 stores, 3 really, REALLY, upset little boys, and 1 hour later, we would come home with only 3 pumpkins...at least the wildlife wouldn't be eating my pumpkins this year!

BTW: after all the trick-or-treaters came and went, so did the wildlife, and lets just say while my kids were inside gorging themselves on candy, the wildlife was outside gorging themselves on my pumpkins!

Halloween 09: You Know Your Kids Are Getting Older When...

2009-10-31T07:08:00.000-07:00

Death, Bones, and Ninja aka Noah, Elijah, and Spencer
Elijah walking in his schools costume parade
Death...coming to get ya...
At Spencer's school, they got to go trick or treating around the zoo and wow, did he come home with a loot of candy.

As I reflect upon Halloweens past, I recall three cute little boys, dressed up in fun cuddly costumes ie: Pooh Bear as a bumble bee (my personal favorite), Tigger, a jaw-wah (okay not so cute and cuddly but not DEATH!), of course Harry Potter and a few other Star War character favorites thrown into the mix for good measure. However, this year I finally realized that my boys are growing...by the costumes they choose. I guess that's the problem right there, I let THEM pick their costumes but you know I have to loosen the reigns eventually. I figured Noah would probably be beaten up if I made him dress up as Christopher Robin. But how cute would that be for Noah to be Christopher Robin and Elijah as Pooh Bear and Spencer as Tigger...okay, okay, yes they would ALL get beaten up if I did that but still a mother of three can dream can't she?

Actually I think more appropriately they should have dressed up like the 3 Stooges...again a mother can dream can't she...

Yup...It's Official...

2009-10-26T17:53:00.000-07:00

No, I am not pregnant and I certainly did NOT win the lottery, however it would come in handy, anyway, the official part is I am like my Mom. I am sharing a scripture that just seems to hit close to home and maybe it will hit close to your home as well:

Mosiah 24:14 "And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions."

I say that I am officially like my Mom because she is always sending us scriptures and little tid-bits from the Leadership of the Church so yup, it is official!

Potter Monster Mash

2009-10-24T20:21:00.001-07:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

A Typical Conversation About a Typical Topic

2009-10-24T14:12:00.001-07:00

The other day I took the boys to Mahoney State Park, when we got home we were all starving and this was the conversation that I had with Spencer...it was rather humorous:

Spencer (yelling at me from bottom of steps): Mom, MOM, I'm hungry, are you going to fix dinner?
Mom (yelling at the top of the steps being a smart A): Well, I thought you were going to fix dinner tonight?
Spencer (yelling, with a little bit of attitude): But it IS nightime!
Mom (chuckling and yelling at the same time): Well, I thought YOU were going to fix dinner!
Spencer (putting his little hands on his hips and getting a little agitated): ME?
Mom (laughing and hamming up just a little bit): YEA!
Spencer (yelling and getting even more agitated): I'm not cooking dinner!
Mom (wondering how long I can drag this out): Why not?
Spencer (not missing a beat): Cuz, I'm not the MOM!

We ended up eating corn bread and taco soup...prepared NOT by Spencer.

A Letter To All....

2009-10-24T13:43:00.000-07:00

Dear All,

So I have been thinking about a lot lately...okay not really but it makes me sound smart and sometimes I need a little intelligence added to my intelligence. Anyway, I have been thinking about how I am not taking the time to communicate with you, our loved ones and distant friends. It's not that I don't love you, or consider you close and personal friends of the Potter family, it's just that I am always, ALWAYS, on my phone dealing with the latest and greatest problem in our ward. For the two of you who don't know, I am the Relief Society President, little did I know that this calling would turn into Person On The Phone 24/7 Dealing With Other Peoples Problems.

In fact before I received this calling, I had the 1500 minute plan on my phone, I never went over on my minutes. But now, with this calling, Jim put me on the unlimited phone plan...I have used 1205 minutes and I still have 2 weeks until my billing cycle ends. Any questions?

So why am I making this post, I will tell you why...If you don't get a call from me for a while, or an email, just know it isn't because I love you or I am not thinking of you, but by the end of the day, I am so tired of talking that I just can't talk anymore. I know, me...tired of talking...who knew?

Love and kisses from the land of corn and cows, or in other words, corny-cows!
Ann

A Weekend Update

2009-10-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

The happy family...Noah, in typical fashion, will not look at the camera...BOYS!

Somebody making some random comment about this weird and random ceremony!

A distant memory of a distant conversation:

old lady at church: WOW! Three boys, you are going to learn to love Scouts.

young lady at church (aka, me): What's scouts?

Well, I have learned quickly what scouts is...um, maybe I will be able to tell you by the time Spencer has entered the sacred tradition of blues shirts, weird badges, and skits that make NO sense. Until now, I just know that scouts is a tradition of blue shirts (really...blue polyester, come on!), weird badges (that I seem to always sow on in the WRONG place) and skits that make no sense (left hand grater, right hand cheese...let's give them a big GREAT!...what?)

Even though I am absolutely baffled by this long standing institution, the other night Noah received is tiger...no his lion...um, no, oh ya, his Wolf! I now have two pins, a Bear and a Wolf. Wait, three pins. He has a Bobcat too. What an animal!

A Worthy Read...A Total Birkin!

2009-10-13T19:23:00.000-07:00

I just finished "The Book Thief" for my first ever book club...book club, club...anyway enough with the books and the clubs, it's all about the book...the BOOK. Please read this book, it is so good and it is so unique that I would be constantly thinking about what I had read the night before. I don't want to give a lot away, but just read it. I am now going to start rating the books I read but of course I have to do it on my scale:

A 3 star book, a must read will be called a "Birkin" because I feel that the ultimate bag would be a Herme Birkin bag hence a must read...got it.

A 2 star book, is just okay, or wait until the movie comes out, would be a knock-off or a "Prodo" it may look like the real thing, but honey, it just isn't...you know it's fake, your friends knows its a fake, everybody knows its a fake.

A 1 star book, oh good gravy I didn't even finish it, it just wasn't worth my time will be a "Wal-Mart" bag...just like a 1 star book is not worth your time, a Wal-Mart purse is NOT worth your money.

So there, my rating system has begun, you may not agree with my rating system, but frankly I don't really care...it's my blog and I can rant and rave if I want too...

DISCLAIMER: Please note that this website is not an official site representative of Jim Potter but is instead a private, unsponsored website for Ann Potter's rants and raves. While Ann Potter has tried diligently to provide accurate information, there may be inadvertent inaccuracies including technical inaccuracies, typographical inaccuracies, and typographical errors and other possible inaccuracies, for which I apologize. Thank you Jim Potter

A Quick Glance Into Insight.

2009-10-08T21:21:00.000-07:00

I am usually not one to throw religion into the faces of my loved ones but I must take this minute and toss a few religious thoughts out there. This past weekend was General Conference and because only three people read this blog, and all three are LDS, they know what General Conference is. I loved the talks, I love the spirit that was felt and I loved the way it rejuvenated me, spiritually, physically, and mentally.

I was most impressed with Jeffery R. Holand's talk, maybe it was because he was talking a little bit louder than most, but he talked with such zest, such zeal that you couldn't but help take notice. I love how he is so black and white, I create a lot of gray and get boggled down by my own weaknesses but with such talks as this, it wipes away the distorted.

I must admit, I miss President Hinckley. I just never thought I would miss a man that I had never met, that I had never talked too, that didn't know my face but he knew my problems, he understood my fears...I miss him and I easily get choked up when I see his picture as well as hear his voice. I do love President Monson however and I always love his stories...he has lead an incredible life.

I am so grateful that we have this inspired weekend to look forward to every six months. I remember as a kid, teenager, not to long ago, that I always looked forward to conference because I could sleep all day, now I look forward to conference to receive guidance, inspiration, to feel the Spirit. I hope all of you...okay the 3 of you, felt the same way.

Just...For...The...RECORD

2009-09-27T19:33:00.001-07:00

Okay so if you start to notice some crazy songs on our blog play list, ie any song by Toy Dolls, this is all Jim...well a throw back to his skater punk days. I told him I wish I had some pictures to go with these songs but atleast I can give you a visual. Jim, 1987, ripped up jeans, (before they were ever popular and you had to spend $150 for them to be ripped) Mohawk...yes, I said blond, curly, MOHAWK, think Mr. T, just not as cool...don't tell him I told you that. Of course he had to have the quintessential skater shoe, Airwalks, and of course the multi-colored flannel shirt over a t-shirt that expressed his musical interests at the time...again, ie Toy Dolls or The Exploited.

I was joking with Jim about whether or not I would have 'noticed' him during these so called skater-punk-days (which I know there is still a skater-punk inside of him bursting to get out and do an ollie on his board), I must admit I like boys that were slightly different...think Gap, khaki's, hair that didn't resemble a washed-up 80's icon, and polo's...wow, I am SO glad my taste changed...as Jim is sitting in khaki shorts, a polo and hair that resembles...well, still working on that but like most things in this life, I usually DO get my way.

WATCH OUT PEDISTRIANS....`

2009-09-22T13:52:00.000-07:00

How can you NOT love that face!

Riding through the puddle

Just hanging out on the bike...

Guess who can ride a bike?

This One Is For Tammi...Gray Mary-Janes

2009-09-22T13:26:00.000-07:00

My new Grey Mary-Jane's...what do you think

Should have been a shoe photographer...oh well, I'll just buy them

So these where the shoes I bought while talking to you...So we were 912 miles away from each other while I bought them but we did the next best thing, chatted on our cell phones! And our husbands thought our shopping escapades would chill after I moved...ppp, whatevs!

Creative Juices...SO NOT FLOWING

2009-09-22T13:02:00.000-07:00

Over Labor Day weekend the boys and I went to a Military Park to honor our country, Jim labored over the law...we all have our ways.

Spencer the Kamikaze

Noah and Elijah...walking, talking, eating chips (you can't see the bag)

My cute friend Dana and I at a shower the other day...see, I do have friends...well as long as they get their checks.

Katie and I at her shower...ya, I look like a dork and I am not even the one who is 8 months pregnant.

Usually I will write corky little blurbs about all things Potter; you may laugh, you may roll your eyes, you may flip me off via telekinesis, whatever, but lately those creative juices have so not been flowing. It isn't due to a lack of creative things we have been doing in this family; I pin it on the oh-so-stress of life. After spending all day trying to solve other people's problems and worrying about other people's problems, I am humorously tapped. So I will let the pictures do what they do best...sit there and look pretty while people wish they had been there and done that.

Why Yes, Yes I Am A Triathlon Athlete...Why Do You Ask?

2009-09-01T07:43:00.000-07:00

Ann and Debbie...The Trantastic Triathlon Athletes

Swimming, Biking, and Running...take that suckas!

Crickets...For Snacks?...Only In Iowa...

2009-09-01T07:32:00.000-07:00

Shoot...I always put the pictures in the wrong order but this was after they ate the crickets...well, at least Spencer and Noah, Elijah was still debating.

Ohhhh, that is so gross! By now, I was gagging!

Yup, crickets with legs and and eyes and everything covered in sour cream and onion.

They are real...for REALS!

When we went to Amana, Iowa Noah found crickets in the candy shop. Now I know what you are thinking "disgusting" but the crickets he found were packaged, flavored with sour cream and onion, and were only $4.99! Of course being a boy, he had to have them...sorry, I had to go throw up. Spencer, spat his out, Elijah started gagging, along with me, and Noah said "that was gross" really, you actually had to eat one to find that one out...BOYS!

A Trip Down Baby-Lane

2009-08-31T21:41:00.001-07:00

All three of the boys in 2004...the first day we brought home Spencer
Spencer
Elijah...the funny thing is, he still makes this face!
Look how young and preggo I was...pregnant with Noah 2000 (BTW that is Jim's shirt)
Noah

If you live where I live and you are the age that I am, you will possibly find yourself in a precarious situation, everybody around you is at least 10 years younger and having babies. Not that this is a bad thing, it just makes me realize that I am old and that I...am...old! I can't change the age thing, I certainly have tried but you know, you can get in a lot of trouble by lying on you driver's licenses...not that I know...because I don't...because I tried...because I need to change the subject now! And I can't really change the baby thing however I can look at baby pictures of three little boy's that possibly could be the cutest babies in the world...okay, okay maybe not in THE world, but certainly in MY world. Enjoy, I certainly do...

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

2009-08-18T12:58:00.001-07:00

My 4th, 2nd and K kids....

Spencer showing off his Kindergarten Muscles...he was 'weight-lifting'

Is this not the face of a pre-teen...how did Noah get so old, how did I get so old!

Elijah showing of his Jedi-2nd grade moves...

Instead of 'down by the bay' I like to say 'down by the hood'

When most people hear this song, they automatically think of Christmas...I however, do NOT. I think of kids waking up early (since they haven't in three months) putting on clothes that their parents spent too much on...really $25 for a T-shirt, and shewing them out the door only to hear something parents haven't heard in 3 months...quiet...the sound of nothing! Okay, okay I am being a little dramatic but I was excited for the kids to start school this year just because that means Jim will start soon, which means we will start our 2 year of law school, which means we will only have one more year left, which means we then can start real life...somewhat...okay back to point.

No, I was excited for the kids to start school after a great summer of traveling and swimming. I must admit that when I dropped off Spencer, at the zoo mind you I mean come on, he is one of 19 kids in the NATION to go to kindergarten at the zoo, I was fighting back the tears. When I got home, I made my bed, cleaned the kitchen, and then looked at Jim and said "Now what"! I miss my boys and I miss their little feet, their little hands, their little faces but I love how they are growing up into little men, with big hearts, amazing minds, and fun personalities. I love you boys...now get to school!

35 Questions That Don't Mean A Thing But To Take Up My Time and Yours

2009-08-08T21:53:00.000-07:00

One word answers...hmm, I will give it a try (thanks Wendee, I always think your answers are humorous, honest, and insightful. I think my answers will be annoying, dishonest and so therefore equally insightful...not really)

1. where is your mobile phone? in my purse...i think?
2. relationship? amazing
3. your hair? dirty, curly and blonde
4. work? hate it
5. your sister(s)? funny!
6. your favorite thing? shopping
7. your dream last night? weird, bizarre...so normal
8. your favorite drink? coke...but it make me gain weight
9. your dream car? Porsche
10. the room you’re in? an office with a bed in it
11. your shoes? toms
12. your fears? crippling
13. what do you want to be in 10 years? not 43...
14. who did you hang out with this weekend? my favorite 4 boys in the world and the coolest neighbors ever!
15. what are you good at? dodging questions about what I am good at
16. muffin? chocolate-chocolate chip
17. wish list item? burberry trench coat
18. where you grew up? montana
19. the last thing you did? explain a simple situation in the most complex way
20. what are you wearing? the kramer t-shirt
21. what are you not wearing? a burberry trench coat
22. your pet? still thinking....
23. your computer? a second-hand, hand me down dell that i love
24. your life? busy
25. your mood? anxious, i should be sleeping
26. missing? a burberry trench coat
27. what are you thinking about? why i am answering these questions when i should be sleeping
28. your car? honda mini-car grocery-go-getter-a-go-go
29. your kitchen? funkdafied 70's dream kitchen
30. your summer? swimming and tanning
31. your favorite color? red
32. last time you laughed? 2 seconds ago...so i crack myself up
33. last time you cried? 2 seconds ago...so i make myself cry
34. school? still paying off
35. love? my boys

A Vivid Memory of 12 Years Past...

2009-08-07T17:10:00.000-07:00

12 years and counting...

My new red Kitchen Aid...isn't it so nice, I love it!

Jim thought it was most appropriate to get my the Anniversary Edition of Kitchen Aid for our 12 year anniversary...come on, how romantic is that!

I have a vivid memory that flutters into my mind quite frequently. It is of me praying that I would someday find a best friend; I was 9 at the time. As I grew older, that one simple prayer grew in detail. Yes I wanted a best friend but I wanted somebody to share my secrets with, share personal jokes with, shop with, blah, blah, blah...everything a best friend was supposed to be. I must admit this prayer was answered with a few people who have entered my life that definitely met all the criteria but yet, something still was off. I continued to pray and too hope that one day I would find this person and I did...after eleven years of waiting, I found my best friend. I laugh with them, I cry...a lot, with them, we share secrets, we have our personal jokes...I even SHOP with my best friend but the blah, blah, blah is now defined. I share 3 amazing and handsome sons with my best friend, we go on trips together, we eat dinner together, we do everything together...we even have had the opportunity to be married for the last twelve years together. Jim is the best friend that I always prayed for, I am just so blessed that he not only carries the title of best friend but he carries the title of husband and father. Thanks Jim, for twelve wonderful years, I love you and I can't wait for the next twelve. Let's just hope they entail a big house, wonderful trips and a really great Porsche...and oh ya, a huge, ginormous yellow diamond (remember square cut, 3 carrots?)

This One is For Marianne...

2009-08-03T14:18:00.001-07:00

Ann and a strange Man in New York...on Ellis Island 2008 (BTW I bought my shorts in the GIRLS section at target and then I saw him two more times on the city...he was so embarrassed)

Ann and a strange boy in Chicago...on top of the Sears Tower 2009 (BTW I will never take these shorts on another trip...NOT EVER EVER NEVER EVER...and this time I was embarrassed)

Yes... there are more!

2009-08-03T08:23:00.001-07:00

Elijah 'haning ten' over Chicago...

We have the Potter's, we have the Ford Angelia, now, where the heck did I put that Weasley?

Ya, I know...I crapped my pants and you would too...

My heaven...Michigan Ave.

I'm pretty sure that just by looking at this thing you will gain weight...shoot, I just gained a pound...

Good Gravy More Pictures from Chicago...

2009-08-03T08:04:00.000-07:00

Jim's acrobatic skills being shown to the city...1300 feet ABOVE THE STREET!
Mom and the boys at Navy Pier
Pirate style...at the Field Museum
The skyline...which I must say Chicago as the coolest skyline!
The family standing on the shore of Lake Michigan

Yup, there is more...

From California to Colorado to Chicago...We Have A Thing For C's

2009-08-03T07:38:00.000-07:00

Eating Deep Dish Pizza at Edwardo's or something like...all I remember is that I could hear myself getting fatter while eating that pizza ... the pizza was like 5 inches thick

Standing in front of King Tut...ya, I think we were good enough for the king!
Standing at Carthage Jail, which was a very amazing experience to see where the Prophet was martyred.
Yes, more descendants of Brigham Young...
The kids hanging in some sort of cellar...in Nauvoo

Case in point...we went back to College to Creighton. We live in the Cracks of the City, known as the ghetto...and we have Crazy boys that love Chocolate and have had a major case of the Chiggers, do you believe me now?! And, AND, our summer plans have all centered around places that start with "C" California, Colorado and now Chicago. (I would list Utah as we did spend 2 months there however it doesn't start with C but again, however, we had crazy fun there so I can at least use that).

Chicago was a lot of fun however we started with Nauvoo and gained a greater appreciation of what the Pioneers achieved and an even greater appreciation of what they left behind. We then headed to the big city and had lots of fun seeing all the amazing buildings that line the skyline of Chicago. We looked and looked and looked at even more museum's that one would care to count...okay 3! Jim's favorite was the Oriental Institute, mine was The Field Museum because it was in a building that was built for the 1920-ish World Fair, I read about it and was so excited to actually see the building. The boys favorite was when we were leaving all 3 to go swimming! We also walked out into a clear box 1300 feet above Chicago, then I had to go change my underwear. Road on a water taxi, chilled at Navy Pier and the best of all, walked Michigan Ave..aka my heaven...okay, okay more like all the shops that I love that I will never be able to buy...anything...ever! Actually I was geeking out most about Burberry but I didn't go in...I didn't want to start hyperventilate!

We then headed to Amana, Iowa which is this great little village in rural Iowa that if you ever have an opportunity, go!

All in all it has been an amazing, crazy fun, memorable summer...one I hate to end but I figure putting 3,000 miles on the red-grocery-go-getter-a-go-go is enough...well, at least until Christmas.

Crazy Face

2009-07-26T20:25:00.000-07:00

I just have to say, Spencer is the funniest kid. He can drive me absolutley crazy, but he is funny much like his Uncle Dave, well, not quite but maybe...one day? Anyway he loves taking pictures and making crazy faces, example A!

More Family Pictures

2009-07-26T20:04:00.000-07:00