Ethan's Flag Football Season

I'm sad to report that Ethan's last flag football game was last Thursday night. Going into it I wasn't too sure how Ethan would like it as he really hadn't ever played anything like it before and I wasn't too sure how fast he would catch on to the rules, etc. Well, as it turned out, I really had nothing to worry about. He absolutely loved it! Last night he scored a touchdown and was so cute doing it. He was well ahead of everyone and yards before his touchdown you could see his HUGE grin start creeping from ear to ear. It was like he was thinking "I'm going to make a touchdown, nobody can touch me, I'm the man!" Now if that isn't adorable I don't know what is.

The video Chad captured of Ethan playing was a few games ago and Ethan was playing really good and pretty aggressive that the opposing team had put a couple of boys on him to try and stop him and get him all flustered. I thought it was pretty funny how chippy these little boys were starting to get with each other. I'm actually pretty excited for this sport to become a part of this family. Really, who doesn't want to be a football mom?!

I Just Don't Understand

So here goes my little RANT for the day . . . We signed Ethan up for a flag football league that our little town decided to start up this year. He has absolutely loved it. In fact, the majority of the community seems to have enjoyed it as they have had quite a great response in those wanting to participate. Because our little town does not have a football field or sports arena, practices and games have been held in a small subdivision that has a large and well kept grass area that has been perfect for these young boys.

Two nights a week for one hour we all cheer on our boys as they learn a great sport and get some exercise. This lasted about a month before we were informed that the location was changing due to complaints from the Home Owner's Association for the subdivision. REALLY?! What do you have to complain about? Yes, the sides of the road are full during football but only two nights a week for ONE hour! Oh, and since when do you need to park on the side of the road . . . you have a garage or two! Too loud? It's hardly any louder than the kids next door playing in their backyard! For a community that cries that there is nothing for their youth to do in our small town to keep them out of trouble, why do you feel the need to cry and complain when something has been provided?! Seriously, I just DON'T understand.

HALLOWEEN is almost here!

HALLOWEEN is almost here! One of my favorite times of the year! I don't know what it is about this time of year but I can only describe it as one of those moments when you stop and take a big breath in and then let it all out while a smile creeps along your face. You know one of those moments when you are completely satisfied?! It might be the cooler air (which we haven't experienced yet and I'm totally okay with), the changing of the leaves, soups returning to our evening meals, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, Halloween goodies spread throughout the stores, decorating sugar cookies, and the long awaited Halloween party that we throw every year (one of my very favorite events in the Wolff household)! I really can't pick just one but I get all tingly when it comes to thinking about fall.

I've been wanting to decorate for Halloween since the beginning of September. Waaaaaaay to early in my husband's book and he probably is right. So I've been really trying to reign myself in and wait. Oh dear has the waiting been really long and unbearable. Well, not really, but it's like being a little kid at Christmas who is beside themself with giddiness the night before Christmas morning. Sooooo, do I or don't I pull out my Halloween decorations today?! It may be some sort of crazy but I've been battling with this dilemma for a few weeks now. Oh, and another dilemma, what to transform myself into this year for Halloween! Funny thing is, I'll probably resort right back to the few costumes I've seemed to rotate through for the past few years. Not a big deal in my books. However, the big deal is that I'll actually dress up! I was never one who dressed up as a teen or as a young adult. Never wanted to embarrass myself, too shy or was it that I was just too cool to do that kind of nonsense. I have no clue. But now...you can't hold me back! Weird how your perception changes and I'm glad it has as I can now fully experience the season with my children as it should be experienced. So here's to seeing if I can wait one more week before I head into the garage and start hauling in my Halloween decorations!

THE DIRTY DASH

This has got to be one of the funnest races I've done yet! Who wouldn't think that running a 10K through obstacles on a long ski hill, that went on for eternity I might add, and finishing off with a dip in the mud wouldn't be a fun time?! Well, to be honest, I did have my doubts. On our car ride up to Bogus Basin I was all nerves! I seriously had a pit in my stomach the size of a basketball.

At 10:10 our wave took off! We ran until we hit our first obstacle, the gigantic hay bails. Jumping up and scooting our bare legs over them was a piece of cake! OUCH! Then came more running until we hit the tunnels. Not bad, but not pleasant either. At least I got to stay on my feet for that one. Next up was a massive hill. Well, at the time it definately felt massive to me. It just went on and on and on and on and on, well, you get the point. Oh, and why not throw in a million tires to jump through while we are running up a hill! That sounds great! I hope you can hear my sarcasm right about now. LOL. Actually it wasn't too bad. At the end of the tires we got to take a small pit stop to drink some water and then off to run up more hill. Next came the walls to climb up and over. I really wished I was taller! It backed us up quite a bit since only a couple of people could go at a time but it was fun watching others conquer and others struggle.

Off for more running and next was the beer/rootbeer chug. Ummmmmm, we passed on that. I can't even imagine anything worse to drink, let alone chug, than soda while you are in the middle of running. Just the thought of it made my stomach clench up. So on we went with more running until we hit the slip n' slide! Loved it! I think more so because I knew that not too much further and we would be at the finish line. But wait, that meant the lovely mud pit! Hmmmmm, was I ready for that yet?! We got to the tip of the mud pit and all I thought was "well, this is why we are here!" and realizing that turning back was not an option, I dipped one foot in and then all of a sudden I'm completely immersed! Now how did that happen?! Thanks to awesome friends a roll in the mud couldn't have been any funner! I seriously laughed so hard I thought I was going to die! Definately going to do this next year! Hope you enjoy the photos! Thanks DIRTY DASH! Don't forget to click on the photos for a better view!

Grandma Belle

I've been wanting to do this post for some time now and not too sure why I've been putting it off. It might just be that I didn't think I could express on paper (well, computer) just how I really feel. So here I am giving it a try.

On April 21, 2010, at 7:30am I received a phone call from my mom letting me know that my grandma Belle Forsyth Smith had passed away at the age of 96. Yes, we all knew it was going to come but no matter, the news still rattled my heart.

I remember while living in New Jersey I secretly wished she would still hang on with each breath so that when Chad had graduated from NYU and it was time for us to head back to Canada that she would be around so I could spend some time with her. When we arrived back home last summer, we had a family event out at the ranch where I grew up and where my grandma and Aunts were now living. It had been over 3 years since I had spent any time with my grandma and I was very anxious to see her. As my aunts led me into her bedroom they had mentioned how her health had really declined and that she would most likely be asleep. As I entered the bedroom my heart stopped. As I looked over the bedrail at my frail grandma Belle tears began to drop as I realized just how bad of shape she was in. I had never seen her in such a helpless state before. Immediately my secret wish had changed from a life for my grandma to a different life where she would feel no pain.

Days before the funeral, my sister and I, husbandless, decided to drive the 12 hours up to Canada together with our kids so that we could make it to the funeral. It was a long drive but in the end it was worth every hour. It was great to be with family and to really celebrate my grandma's life. There is just so much comfort in replaying a loved one's life and remembering all the wonderful things they did and said that touched your's.

I can't remember if it was a day or if it was two before the funeral but I got a phone call from my aunts who had a special request. It was definately one I didn't see coming. A request that when immediately spoken had brought tears to my eyes. My aunts had asked if my sister, Shaneen, and I would be willing to be pallbearers with my brothers, my dad and uncles. Wow, that was a tough one to swallow. I was very hesitant as I knew that it would be a very emotional thing to do and I'm pretty sure I would have a tough time holding it together. After, a moment or two of silence, I hesitantly agreed.

The funeral was beautiful and couldn't have been more perfect but when it was time to carry the casket my nerves were shot. Thankgoodness for a father who knew when it was time to put his arm around a daughter's shoulder. One, two, three . . . we hoisted the casket up and yes, I lost it. I don't know who's blubbering noises were louder, mine or my sister's, but we did it. Even though I was a mess, what an honour that was to be able to perform such an act. It is truly one that I will never forget.



I don't know why I've been thinking so much about my grandma this week and missing her like crazy but one thing I know is that I am so blessed to have been able to have had her be such a big part of my life. I miss her smile, I miss her peanut butter and honey sandwiches, I miss shelling peas in the back yard with her, I miss driving by her home and seeing her playing in her garden in her red puff jacket, I just miss her!

Before I wrap this entry up, I just wanted to thank two very special people. My Aunt Susan and Aunt Marcheta. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a pallbearer. It was emotionally challenging but an experience I will treasure forever. But more importantly, thank you for the years of hours and hours that were spent taking care of grandma. I'm sure it wasn't easy and that there were a million other things you could have been doing but instead you put your lives on hold. I'm positive a nice reward in heaven awaits you both for the selfless sacrifices you made daily for the mother you loved dearly. You are both amazing women and I only hope that I can follow your examples and in doing so become a better person. Thank you again, I love you!

Edyn Turns SIX!

I'm sooooo behind on posting that it's ridiculous! Oh well, I guess it's better late than never. Edyn's birthday was June 25th and again she wanted a Hello Kitty party which we didn't have until the 28th. On her actual birthday we decided to have a Edyn day and do whatever she wanted. So we went to Pizza Hut for lunch (her favorite), she got her nails painted at Velvet Touch (a cosmetology school right beside Chad's office), and then Toy Story 3 to end the evening. She was so cute getting her toenails painted. After the lady was done painting her flowers on her big toes, Edyn exclaimed in her cute girly voice "They are just perfect!".

For her actual birthday party we decided to do a party at our subdivision's clubhouse at the swimming pool and have pizza delivered and cake and icecream. It was the easiest party I've ever done and it came with no stress. I didn't have to worry about cleaning my house, which would be destroyed in 10 minutes after the guests arrived anyway, and I didn't have to worry about making all kinds of different things for dinner, and didn't have to think up any games to keep the girls busy. The girls swam for 3 hours and I think they could have swam for three more. They had so much fun and I loved just sitting in the sun and being the referee between the girls and Ethan and his friend. Oh, was he such a pest! I really think Ethan thought it was his job to reak havoc. I guess that is what a big brother is for. LOL. Good thing the girls were pretty good at dishing it out too. Anyway, I think Edyn had a really good time and she's so funny when she sees people now. She always has to announce that she is now 6. Here it is 3 weeks later and she is still doing it. I sure love my little girl! Hope you had a great birthday Edyn.


Sorry for the bad quality of the picture above of Edyn getting her toes done. My silly phone just doesn't compare to our Nikon.



Oh, how I love photoshop and making my own invitations. This one was especially easy since I took the one from two years ago and just tweaked it a bit with a swimming hello kitty and added those cute little paw prints. I think the only thing that stayed the same was the poem and the pink background. Not to shabby, I think.

Ethan's Baptism Invitation

For the past few years when there is ever a need for invitations I've really enjoyed using photoshop and creating something a little more personal. Especially love that when I'm all done I can upload it to Costco from my home computer and then pick it up an hour later. Now that is service!

Anyway, I got this idea online somewhere of putting faded words in the background of a primary song and so I decided to play around with it and see where it took me. So here is the end result, what do you think? I think I really like the old photo of Ethan! Don't you think it reaks of Ethaness?!

Ethan's Baptism

We made the 11 hour trip up to Canada so that we could visit family and have Ethan baptized out at the Wolff family cabin in a little creek. He was pretty excited but I think more so to see his cousins and grandparents. That is one disadvantage of living in Idaho but I guess 11 hours isn't so bad. Ethan was baptized on Sunday, July 4th and oooooeeeeee was it cold! He was quite the trooper stepping out into the freezing water, I think I would have chickened out. It sure was a special moment--one that warms my heart just thinking about it. The support of family was truly amazing and Ethan and his tender heart were a joy to watch! I love my boy.

2 1/2 months gone and NO posts!

I know, I know, I'm really sorry! I think I just got a little burned out there with trying to think of posts or maybe it was just actually sitting down to do it. So hopefully this summer will be full of things to do that we can blog about.

That is one thing that has been different in our lives here in Idaho compared to New Jersey. New York just seemed to be full of things to do where here in Star it's been completely opposite. Well, I'm sure there is lots to do but because we are so new we just don't know about it yet.

We did go to an airshow last weekend in Caldwell which was really cool and we were so happy that the rain decided to go away for once! One item on Chad's bucket list is that he wants to get a pilot's license and be able to fly. I don't know what to think of this but you could tell at the airshow that his desire seemed to get even stronger. The more I think about it the more I like being able to jump in a small plane and get to our destination in half the time, or less, than driving a car. So we'll see if that ever happens--Chad tells me there is NO doubt. So here's a few pictures Chad took of some of the planes putting on a show and some of the military vehicles that were on display. (Don't forget to click on the pictures to enlarge them!)

This is Absolutely Shocking to Me!

Yes, I'm sorry that this is another post about my couponing but I think this is the best one yet! It consisted of 4 different Albertson's stores, 7 different trips through checkout, 16 separate payments of $0.36, a whole lotta cereal and doubler coupons, and 3 hours of my Wednesday morning! The result:

80 BOXES OF POST CEREAL FOR $5.76!
And the total cost wasn't even for the boxes of cereal. It was to pay for tax. That's right, all these boxes of cereal for our family were FREE! And the the TOTAL dollar savings (according to the receipts) was $376.80!


I can hardly believe it myself. Right now I have them all thrown on the floor in the living room trying to figure out where to put them all so every time Chad comes in the front door it's followed by a laugh because he is still shocked by the mounds of cereal we got for nothing! All I have to say is if you have an Albertson's close to you, head over there before Saturday is through for the Post Cereal sale. Even without coupons it's still a really good deal. Fabulessly Frugal tells you how it's done! The best thing about this is that I don't have to buy cereal for at least a year! Now that is some thrifty living right there!

*** UPDATE ***
So, I found a place to put it all!

Who says I can't store cereal in our entertainment center in our bedroom?! It has doors that can close so when it needs to look neat and tidy, wallah--I shut the doors! Oh, and I love how I can see all the expiration dates for each box. Now tell me you wouldn't want to walk into your bedroom and open up those green doors and shop for cereal?!

P.S. - I sure hope Chad doesn't want to buy a tv for our bedroom anytime soon!