Happy Holidays

We didn't get a chance to send out Christmas card this year (or last - now that it's 2010). So.... I sent out an email card. For those of you who actually read this blog (I'm not sure if there are any at all) - here is the email-card we sent.





Jason just finished his first season with the University of Utah football team as an Administrative Assistant. He has loved it so far and is sad that football season has come to an end. But wait.... we still have recruiting.... spring ball.... recruiting.... summer camp... this is a never ending sport. (not what I initially thought).

I have been keeping busy with the kids, my few jobs (PotteryBarn Kids, Gap, University Hospital Emergency Department), and trying to keep a positive attitude and be supportive about football (keyword is "trying")! It has been a challenge, but I know this sacrifice will all work out in the end.

Taliana is 7 and in 2nd grade. She LOVES school, learning, socializing, ... the whole lot. Taliana is keeping busy with piano, dance, soccer and drawing.

Ammon is 6 and in 1st grade. He loves recess and lunch! Ammon is involved with soccer and flag football and keeping us all entertained with his great sense of humor. (as you can see in some of the photos above).

Malia is 2 and WISHES she was in school, but she is home with me (and Grandma Kaufusi). She is growing up too fast. She is learning to talk more and more, and honestly... there is NO WAY to get her to stop! hahaha. Malia is 100% girl. She keeps busy by playing with her dollhouse, dolls, coloring, and doing someone's hair (whether they like it or not).

Meesha (our dog) is 4 and just lays around the house. She is definitely living the life! :)

As you can see, we are all doing well. We wish to send our love to you and wish you a late Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Ofa atu!
-The Kaufusi Family

Hello again!

Well.... my life has somewhat clamed down since my last post. We sold our townhouse (which is a TRUE blessing in this market). We tried selling it on our own for 2 and 1/2 months and then decided to list it with a realtor. Just 2 days after putting it on the market... we got an OFFER! We are now living in Jason's parent's basement (with a beautiful remodel job by my husband and my brother). THANK YOU!

Jason is now living the football life. He is eating, drinking, breathing and sleeping football. Honestly... we don't even see him anymore. He is working 7 days a week! I know I need to keep telling myself that this is just TEMPORARY (and I know it is), but this has truly been a test of my faith. I struggle everyday, but I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I hope I make it there. hahahah.

As for the kiddos... Taliana has just entered 2nd grade and is LOVING it. And Ammon is now in 1st grade. Malia wishes she is in school and asks throughout the day if we can go to school and get Taliana and Ammon. She misses them so much.

I am keeping myself busy by working my several "jobs" and being a single mother. I am SO thankful that Jason's mom is upstairs to help me with the kids. It has been so nice!

I am so excited to get back to the blogging world. Check back for updates!

Living Without!

So... we have decided to cut back on our expenses.  We are sad to say good-bye to cable & the internet.  When I told the kids we were going to be shutting off the cable they were pretty sad, but when I said we would be turning off the internet as well.... they were hysterical!  My kids love to go on the internet and play games.  But... they can find other things to love now.  I am pretty sad to say good-bye to cable because I love love love TLC, Discovery Health, and HGTV.  But... I too became a little hysterical when Jason said we would be turning off the internet.  "WHAT?!?  What am I supposed to do all day?"  Jason's kind response... "um, you can play with the kids."  ha ha ha ha.   

But now that I think about it... it is for the best.  I do spend quite a bit of time on the computer, so now I won't be tempted to sit and surf the net all day long.  I will be able to finish up my MANY "unfinished" projects.  I know it is going to be an adjustment, but it will be for the best.   

Okay.... I won't be completely without internet.  I will be able to get on with my iphone and also when Jason is home I can hook up the internet from his phone.  (thank goodness!)

Wish us luck!

ps... I will be doing weekly posts for updates, so just check back from time to time.  

playing catch-up

okay... life has been pretty crazy for the past little while, so I have neglected updating my blog. So.... here you go. It will be a short version because I should really be doing other things right now, but of course, I am procrastinating. That's what I do BEST!

Taliana turned 7! What?!?!? Where has the time gone? I can't believe she is sever years old already. But... believe me, by the way she acts she should be turning 12. hahahah. She is such a great student and LOVES school. She is still dancing at Tanner Dance. (FYI... they have their show on Saturday May 9th @ 10am at Kingsbury Hall - if anyone is interested). Taliana is also playing soccer and taking piano lessons. She has been very busy lately, but she is really enjoying it all.

Ammon is playing soccer and has become quite the athlete! We all know where those athletic genes came from. (not me!) He is doing great in school as well and can't wait to go to first grade.

Malia... well... she is still our little princess. (aka... drama queen). She definitely rules the roost around here. She experienced her first sleepover at Todd and Alesi's last weekend. I was worried that she would miss us, but nope.... Alesi said she was an angel. Okay... I'll admit it... I was affraid I would miss her too much. However, I did almost go and pick her up on Saturday morning. It was just too weird having her gone. Taliana and Ammon on the other hand... we couldn't wait to send them over to Todd & Alesi's. hahahah. It was a great weekend, and we were able to get a LOT of stuff done.

Well.... we have decided to make a few changes in our life. We are going to sell our house so Jason can go back to school in the fall. He has wanted to ge back to school for over a year now, and we have finally found that NOW is the time to do it. Honestly.... I am sort of jealous that he is going back to school. I wish that were me. There is just something about going to school and learning new things that thrill me. I know.... I'm weird. Anways... for all you readers out there (all 3 of you) ... we are moving. That's the only exciting thing that is going on in our life.

okay... there you have it folks. Consider yourself updated!

**ps... the top picture of Malia was taken by my friend/neighbor Renee Bath. She gave me a mini photography lesson. Thanks Renee!

Advice from Ammon!

While we were in California this past weekend we had time to burn while Jason was in meetings.  We stopped at a Target so we could walk around and "look" at things.  I stopped in the shoe isle to see what they had for clearance (which is always my first stop at Target) and I picked up some REALLy cute shoes and said, "Oh, these are WAY cute!"  And Ammon just rolls his eyes and says... "Mom, you need to stop wasting your money."  There were too other women on the same isle and they started laughing.  And one woman said to the other, "Oh no that boy did NOT just say that to his mother. HAHAHA!!"

Yes... thank you Ammon for your insight, but I think I am doing okay with not "wasting" my money.  

Happy Birthday Meesha!

I can't believe it has been four years already.  I remember the night she was born.  I was just leaving the Jazz game with my mom and her friends when I got the call from Jennifer saying that her dog (Sammie) had her puppies.  I was SO excited!  The first thing I said was... "I get the runt!"  I went down the following week and held her for the first time.  It was love at first sight.  I knew we were meant to be together.  Then... after waiting for 8 long weeks I finally took her home with  me.  Of course Jason knew nothing about me bringing home a puppy until I called him about 10 minutes before I came home with her.  Jason was never excited about getting a dog, but I knew Meesha would grow on him.  

The first day we got her we went out of buy her a bed.  She had fallen asleep on our bed, so Jason (being that wonderful father that he is) puts pillows all around her so she won't fall off the bed while we were gone.  It was SO cute!  Then at the store he had to feel every single dog bed to see which one was going to be the softest for her.  And then when it was time for Meesha to get her vaccines, Jason (of course) had to take her into the vet.  I hate it when the kids get shots and so Jason is the one who takes them, so it was only fitting that he do the same for Meesha.  I remember one time Jason had to work and so I was left to take Meesha in for a check-up and they told me that they had to draw blood for a blood test of some kind.  I called Jason and he came over immediately to hold Meesha in the room while she has getting poked.  He says he doesn't really like her, but I catch him from time to time cuddling with her.  I know he loves her!

The kids LOVE Meesha too!  Meesha loves Taliana and Ammon and tolerates Malia.  Meesha had always been my baby until Malia arrived.  Meesha has been very jealous of Malia, but Meesha is getting better.  

Happy Birthday Meesha!  We love you!

I've become my mother!

The other day while I was doing Taliana's hair we had an interesting conversation...

• Taliana: "Mom, why do you always talk to yourself?"

• Me: "What do you mean?"

• Taliana: "You know... when you are moving your lips and nothing comes out but you are moving your head and eyes."

• Me: "Oh, all moms do that."

• Taliana: "Does your mom do that?"

• Me: "Yep!"

• Taliana: "Oh" -- then she says under her breath... "I hope I don't do that when I'm a mom." Funny thing is... she JUST DID IT! hahahaha!

I remember observing my mom when I was younger. She used to talk to herself while she did the dishes (probably because she was upset that she was left doing them by herself - SORRY MOM!) and she used to talk to herself while she was driving. Which is what I have adapted to doing. I used to be SO embarrassed that she would do that (but NOW people are talking to themselves all over the place (aka. bluetooths)).

Anyways... I just thought it was funny and a GREAT observation on Taliana's part! Don't worry... ALL moms do that!

ps... Mom, I still love you. I now understand why you NEEDED that time to talk to yourself!

Rude awakenings!

This morning was a COLD morning in our humble abode. We all woke up complaining that we were freezing, so Jason went down stairs to check the thermostat. Low and behold... our gas went out some time during the night. Yep... we didn't even have HOT water to warm up our bodies. Jason tried to restart the pilot light several times but no luck. Then we decided to check the outside meter to see if everything was okay. This is what we found....

Our poor little meter was burried under an inch of ice. I don't blame it... I would have shut off too if I were covered in ice. So... we got out all our pans and filled them wih water and started heating them on the stove. We boiled the water and pored it over the frozen meter to try and help the gas come to back life again. (I'm not sure if we are actually allowed to do that, but it worked so I'm not complaining).

I don't know how people can actually survive living in COLD weather. I don't know if I can take much more of this COLD. I need to head to the beach and unthaw.

Sundance Film Festival 2009

Jason worked security at Sundance Film Festival again this year. He worked at the Phoenix Gallery on main street that hosted private parties for the celebs. So... I went up Saturady night to hang out and see if I could spot a few stars. Jason was able to see a lot more, but it was all good. You know... where there are stars there are GREAT sponsers giving out FREE stuff. We came home with a TON of great goodies. (ie., shoes, lotion, make-up, headphones, etc.) Here are a few pics of the stars that were seen.... (we are missing Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon, Cuba Gooding Jr., Lenny Kravitz, Jennifer Aniston, Chris Rock, Hubastank & Pierce Brosnan)

Kristie Brinkley

Deidre Hall (aka Marlana on Days of Our Lives) -- don't you just love how Jason is standing there casually as his friend (turned poparazzi) snaps the picture?? hahahah

Westley Snipes (& some other guy, I can't think of his name.)

I can't remember what this guy's name is. I will update when I find out.

So... for those who know me... you know that I LOVE the TV series Criminal Minds. So, I will SO excited when I was able to meet Matthew Gray Gubler (Dr. Spencer Reed). I also met A.J. Cook's (JJ -Jennifer Jereau) husband. He is from here in Salt Lake. Did you know she is LDS?? She went of a mission and was married to her husband in the Salt Lake temple. She was unable to come because she just had a baby (Makai). Her husband was AWESOME! Jason got his number so we could call him the next time we are in CA. He even said he would take us to visit the set. AHHHHH! He shouldn't have said that... I am DEFINITELY going to call now!

Morris Chestnut & his lady. Why do I always look like a ghost in pictures?? (and my face looks puffy)

So... there you have it folks!

Happy Birthday Keikikalani!

Just wanted to give a quick shout-out to my sweet niece, Keiki. Happy Birthday! I can't believe you are 12 years old. She is always a big help when she is around and I always look forward to the summertime when Keiki and her sister (La) come and stay with us for a week (or maybe two this year).

Taliana writes, "We love you Keiki. Thank you for being such an awesome cousin. I can't wait until you come and visit us again."

Ammon writes, "Happy Birthday Keiki. Thanks for showing us the 'gummybear' song on youtube."

Here are a few pictures I have collected over the years. (however, there are a few GREAT ones I am unable to find without tearing my closet apart.) Also... I know there are a few gaps in the ages of the pictures, but oh wells.

Keiki and I were the best of friends when she was younger. Those were great times!

(ps... remember when those necklaces were cool?? wow... have times changed. hahahah)

Taliana is dancing

Taliana was accepted into Tanner Dance. We are SO excited for her. She has been beggin to dance for a while now but it just hasn't been in our budget. Thankfully Tanner Dance offers scholarships so we applied and we were SO happy to hear it all worked out.

Taliana was so worried about what to wear she made me call the school to see what she was supposed to wear. After getting all the info (and after calling Jennifer so see exactly what a leotard was) we headed off to Target to get the dance clothes. Taliana was so excited that she barely slept the night before. (it was like Christmas morning all over again.)

She did great for her first day and can't wait until next Saturday.

**The only thing that bumms me out is that her class is every Saturday @11:30am. So... that cuts into our weekend travels. Oh well... she only has to do this until May and then she moves up a class and attends during the week. Yeah!

update

okay... I've finally updated my blog. It has been a hectic few weeks with the holidays and last minute sewing. I'll post some pictures soon of the quilts I made for the kids for Christmas. They all turned out great!

Sorry for all the slide shows, but I had a lot of great pictures. Hope you enjoy!

Christmas

Well... we did it! We survived Christmas! We had a very low key day. We woke up and opened presents then had our Christmas breakfast (omlets and potato casserole - my dad's tradition). Then Jason went to work and the kids & I hung out and watched a movie. When Jason got home we hung out some more. I made chicken noodle soup for dinner (my grandma's tradition) and took some over to Jason's mom's house and then came back and ate and hung out some more. It was a PERFECT day!

The kids all dressed in their Christmas pajamas

Christmas morning - all ready to come down the stairs

It looked like a tornado has ripped through our house with all the wrapping paper everywhere. I tried to be more organized like my mom always was. (she always had a garbage bag ready and a bag for the bows and a place for the boxes to be saved for the next year). But... it didn't happen. I was able to get a garbage bag, but it wasn't really used until everything was opened.

Malia got a new baby from Ammon for Christmas. She screamed until it was finally free from the box. She loves her new baby and gives it loves constantly. Thanks Ammon!

Santa brought Taliana & Ammon ipod shuffles. They were SO excited to finally have their OWN music to listen to. Unfortunately.... Ammon's ipod was washed in the washer with his jeans a few days later. However... he didn't seem to mind. Maybe Santa should have thought of something different for him. hmmmm.

The kids always love spending time with Grandma Kaufusi. They begged all day long to go to her house so they could tell her all about Christmas. But they were able to talk to her throughout the day on the phone, so that was good.

New Years Day

Temple lights

We were able to see the lights at Temple Square this year. (Although... we caught them on their last day). We missed the last few years, so we were excited to be able to do it this year. We went with Todd, Alesi and kiddos. Fun was had by all and can't wait for next year!

Here are a few of the highlight pictures....

New Years Eve

They are FINALLY out!

Taliana FINALLY lost her front teeth! We have been waiting for one of them to fall out for quite a while. (the permant tooth was already coming in behind it) So... with a little bribing and a LOT of pulling... it came out, ROOT & ALL! We felt so bad. Taliana kept saying it was hurting her, but we just figured she was being dramatic. But, after it ALL came out we felt really bad. Don't worry... the tooth fairy pays REALLY well for teeth like that. Then... the day after Christmas she was outside trying to put her gloves on and she bit her glove and the second front tooth popped out and into the snow. This is the only time I was happy her tooth had been capped. It was easier to find a silver tooth in the snow. Or else we would have had to wait until spring to find it (when all the snow melts). Big thanks to Jason for going out in the cold to find it.

Hawaii Trip

Malia and I just got back from Laie, Hawaii. I went with my sister in-law Alesi to surprise her sister (Kristina) who is going to school at BYU-Hawaii. We had a GREAT time! It was a quick trip, but it was nice to get away.

Things I miss about the island....

• The long scenic drive from "town" to Laie. The one hour drive didn't seem that bad when you are spoiled with the beautiful landscape of O'ahu.
  
• The beach. Hukilau Beach was just across the street. It was SO great to be able to go to the beach in December.
  
• PCC (aka... Polynesican Cultural Center). We hung out at the Fijian village with Kristina and her friends. Malia loved the attention from the girls and I loved watching Alesi visit with friends she new while going to school there.
  
• Relaxing and hanging out with Kristina and the girls. Malia was in heaven with all the attention she got from all the girls. It was SO nice to be able to relax while Malia was being entertained.
  
• Listening to Alesi speak Fijian. (by the way Alesi... I don't care what that Tahitian boy said... it doesn't sound like you are throwing up when you speak Fijian. hahahah)
  
• The Aloha stadium swap meet. We woke up at 6am to be at the swap meet by 7am. I think we were the first ones there. We had TONS of fun walking around and trying to narrow down our purchases.
  
• Fabric Mart. For those of you who know me... I LOVE FABRIC! We found this store that sells nothing BUT hawaiian print fabric for such a GREAT price. I wanted to spend ALL my money there, but unfortunately it was only our second day on the island and I had to budget. So... I acted with self-control and only got two different fabrics. Next time though... watch out!
  
• L&L's. For those of you who've eaten at L&Ls either in Salt Lake City or in Hawaii. You know what I'm talking about. YUMMY! My favorite L&Ls is on Waikiki Beach, but I found my second favorite... Pearl City. And the great thing about the Pearl City one is... it is in the same parking lot at Wal-Mart. How great is that??
  
• The Caf (aka... BYUH cafeteria). They had YUMMY food and it almost tasted like it was a home-cooked meal.
  
• The humidity. I know... I'm one of "those" people that LOVE humidity.

Thank you Alesi for allowing Malia and I to tag along with you. We had SO much fun and can't wait until next year!

Hawaii 2008

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Playing tag

Okay... so I saw this tag post on a friend's blog (thanks Emily) and wanted to do it. So... here it is...

Here’s a list of 100 things. All the things I’ve done are highlighted in red. Copy this list on your own blog and come clean on everything you’ve done. Do it. You know you want to.

1. Started your own blog
   
2. Slept under the stars
   
3. Played in a band (6th grade band class counts, right?)
   
4. Visited Hawaii
   
5. Watched a meteor shower
   
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
   
7. Been to Disneyland
   
8. Climbed a mountain
   
9. Held a praying mantis
   
10. Sang a solo
    
11. Bungee jumped
    
12. Visited Paris
    
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
    
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
    
15. Adopted a child
    
16. Had food poisoning
    
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
    
18. Grown your own vegetables
    
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
    
20. Slept on an overnight train
    
21. Had a pillow fight
    
22. Hitch hiked
    
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (who hasn't?)
    
24. Built a snow fort
    
25. Held a lamb
    
26. Gone skinny dipping (shhh, don't tell)
    
27. Run a Marathon (does a 1/2 marathon count?)
    
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
    
29. Seen a total eclipse
    
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
    
31. Hit a home run (wahoo for YW softball)
    
32. Been on a cruise
    
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
    
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (does Hurricane, UT count?)
    
35. Seen an Amish community
    
36. Taught yourself a new language
    
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
    
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
    
39. Gone rock climbing
    
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
    
41. Sung karaoke
    
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
    
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
    
44. Visited Africa
    
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
    
46. Been transported in an ambulance
    
47. Had your portrait painted
    
48. Gone deep sea fishing
    
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
    
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
    
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
    
52. Kissed in the rain
    
53. Played in the mud
    
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
    
55. Been in a movie
    
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
    
57. Started a business
    
58. Taken a martial arts class
    
59. Visited Russia
    
60. Served at a soup kitchen
    
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
    
62. Gone whale watching
    
63. Got flowers for no reason
    
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
    
65. Gone sky diving
    
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
    
67. Bounced a check
    
68. Flown in a helicopter
    
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
    
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
    
71. Eaten Caviar
    
72. Pieced a quilt
    
73. Stood in Times Square
    
74. Toured the Everglades
    
75. Been fired from a job
    
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
    
77. Broken a bone (Thank you Jennifer)
    
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
    
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
    
80. Published a book
    
81. Visited the Vatican
    
82. Bought a brand new car
    
83. Walked in Jerusalem
    
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
    
85. Read the entire Bible
    
86. Visited the White House
    
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
    
88. Had chickenpox
    
89. Saved someone’s life
    
90. Sat on a jury
    
91. Met someone famous
    
92. Joined a book club
    
93. Lost a loved one
    
94. Had a baby
    
95. Seen the Alamo in person
    
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
    
97. Been involved in a law suit
    
98. Owned a cell phone
    
99. Been stung by a bee
    
100. Visited Italy

Isn't it crazy that I have lived in Salt Lake City now for 9 years and I have NEVER swam in the Great Salt Lake?? hmmmm.

So I’ve done 56 out of 100 things. I guess that means I'm sort of adventurous, right? However... I did most of those things while in high school and during college. Thank you mom and dad for giving me those GREAT opportunites of traveling.