Hiatus...

I'm not sure why but it has been several months since I have logged on here and added anything new... I am going to recommit myself to adding something at least once a month... Sorry for the delay... Life sometimes happens and gets in the way of us doing what we truly love...

Easy money...

So as most of you know Arnold and I have sold and bought things off of Ebay for several years now. From time to time we have found the best deals bidding on items at the last minute and enjoying our victories! Recently we posted several things we had laying around the house and were amazed at what we were able to sell them for! The first item was a Pokemon Character Twin Sheet Set that we purchased on clearance from Target in 1997 for $6.44. On Ebay recently we sold it for $46.01 plus $8.00 shipping!!!! Can you believe it? The second item was a pair of Doc Martens leather shoes I found at Goodwill for $4.99 but it was BOGO Free day so I found another pair of shoes and got them for free. Then after I got home I realized the Docs didn't fit. I was looking at the UK size and not the US size. So I threw it up on ebay and they sold for $48.00 plus $8.00 shipping! Needless to say... we LOVE Ebay!!!!

Jessica and those A's....

Jessica was awarded A Honor Roll and Perfect attendance again at her school's Honor Assembly last month! She is at Dawes Intermediate in the 5th grade. Her teacher is Mrs. Neidhardt and the Principal is Mrs. Whiston. We are so very proud of you Jessica!

Wedding in Nauvoo...

Arnold's youngest brother got married in Nauvoo this Christmas! We are thrilled to have another Schloemer SIL in the group! She hails from Wisconsin and is a senior at BYU where they both met. Welcome to the family Megan! Congratulations to you and Steven!

Chillin' with the Spanish Elders...

There's this new yogurt place in town and we've decided its the best thing since...well since ice cream! Over 25 different flavors and 70 different toppings. Most of the yogurt is low fat, no sugar added, or non fat! It is a dream! You make it all yourself too and then weigh at the register when you are ready to pay! Of course, you're able to sample as many of the flavors as you'd like before you decide. And sometimes deciding is the hardest part of all! Elder Burningham, Elder Cockrell, and Elder Orgill can attest to that!

And with age comes responsibility...

Turning 18 meant a lot of firsts for Lisa Nicole! Her first time voting and her first time at giving blood for the Red Cross. We found out that Lisa is just like her dad with AB positive blood which is one of the rarest kinds out there. They make up only 3.2% of the population. So the Red Cross LOVED having Lisa donate to them! For her it was all about the snacks afterwards and the voting thing... well she kept trying to cheat off my paper and stole the pencil from her booth... Some people's children! Her favorite part of voting? Getting that cute sticker that says she VOTED! Welcome to adulthood Lisa!

Lisa's 18th Birthday...

Well...it was bound to happen sooner or later! Lisa Nicole finally turned 18 years old! Arnold and I were in Hawaii on Vacation at the time so Jessica was in charge of the festivities! Looks like she did a pretty good job! Thanks to her and some English elves (Rob and James) who covered the lawn in balloons and left a cute little gift basket for her! Happy Birthday Lisa! 18 never looked so good!!!

New Year's Celebration 2011...

As in years past we had the elders over for fondue and fireworks to ring in the new year!

Just Chillaxin...

Going for yogurt at Chill was a highlight of our fun night after Jessica's Student Council dance. Kenny had babysat Weston (a down syndrome 6 yr old) so his mom could chaperone the dance with me so he got in on some of the good stuff after we picked him up! Jessica, Isabel, and Lindsey all had a great time!

Jessica's first dance...

So the Student Council held a dance at school for all the 4th and 5th graders. Jessica said she wanted to go and I ended up as a chaperone, helping with the set up, decorating, and the concession stand. I'd have to say everyone seemed to have a really good time! Julia, Amanda, Logan, Karoline, Livvy, and Christian. Also, Hannah, Isabel, Lindsey, and Sydney.

Lil Red Riding Hood...

As I get older I can't help but wonder when this motherhood thing is going to start to get a little easier! Jessica was invited to a Mystery Party and was asked to come in character. She was given the assignment to be Little Red Riding Hood. Let me tell you I have never been one to sew. My mother was a great seamstress, I on the other hand would buy a new shirt rather than try to mend one. Even if it were as simple as a loose button. I know ... I know ... How wasteful of me... But I'm learning and Jessica's costume will prove it. We purchased nothing extra for this costume and used everything you see out of my odds and ends craft box! Now that's being creative! And thanks to Madeline for the invite!

Losing to a bunch of girls...

Who knew that losing to a bunch of girls could be so much fun? I was invited to join a bunco group made up of women from our Ward! It was hosted at one of the group member's home where we had dinner, played a few games, ate way too much dessert and enjoyed each other's company! Yay for Bunco and an excuse to hang out with the girls! PS I made this cake out of fondant to take with me to the game so the others could try the marshmallow fondant. I am certainly a long way from being on the tv show Cake Boss but it was fun to put together nonetheless! And boy was it yummy!!!

Jessica's Friend Party...

So I guess it sometimes pays off to be the youngest in the family! Jessica ended up with several different parties this year to help celebrate her birth 11 years ago. One was a family party with the elders and the Dunn's. One was a friend party at the bowling alley. One was with her two friends who couldn't make it to the bowling party because they were out of town. And of course my favorite... the Super Bowl party... since Jessica was born in the hospital during the Super Bowl! Livvy, Addison, Hannah, Amanda, and Jessica! PS Jessica and I made our very first cake out of marshmallow fondant! Too fun!

Jessica's 11th Birthday...

Its hard to believe Jessica is already 11 years old! After church on Sunday we had our good friends Johnny and Linda Dunn come over and join us and the missionaries for Jessica's birthday dinner! She asked for Chicken and Shrimp Fettucine Alfredo and salad for her dinner! It was delicious! Happy Birthday Jessica! We love you!





Elder Barney, Elder Crawford, Elder Thurston, Elder Cockrell, Elder Burningham, and Elder Orgill

The year of the Rabbit...

We invited the missionaries over to celebrate Chinese New Year with us on Thursday, Feb. 3rd. We had them help us make the mandoo (dumplings) and enjoyed several Korean dishes including Chap jae, Duk pokki, and Duk Mandu Guk. We also made some Bang Bang Shrimp for them which they absolutely LOVED! We also taught them the traditional Sei Beh (Korean Bow) and had the ZL's present fake Money to the other elders. Even the kids got involved with it too! We ended the night with Arnold giving them some words of advice and sharing our testimonies with them. What a great way for us to spend the Chinese New Year! Elder Crawford, Elder Thurston, Elder Orgill, Elder Burningham, and Elder Cockrell