Saturday Night Live Video Clips

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/palin-hillary-open/656281/

If you have not seen the clip from last Saturday Night Live's Palin / Hillary discussion ... click on the link above! It will be the best 5 minutes you have today for laughs.

PS - It takes a minute to load and you may see one commercial.

In Come the Spiders!

Yesterday morning I was working here at the computer and of course Max is crawling all over me, the chair, the desk, etc. The next thing he says to me, "Are we going to get the big big spider?" Of course this gets my attention. So I said, "what spider?" Less than a foot from my feet and my chair sits a big old juicy nasty looking spider! Yuck! So, I tell Max "don't move!" I'm going to get a book to kill it with. Of course, after I kill it and remove it ... I then have to go find the Resolve for the carpet. Yuck... I hate spiders. Then we hear a cricket just chirping away. Max says, "what's that sound mommy?" So, then we end up pulling the couch and chairs away from the wall, kill the cricket, vacuum up more whispy little spiders along with chips and crumbs from who knows what ... and we hope we got them at least for this week! I am completely amazed at how many spiders turn up each spring and fall. While fall is really my favorite time of the year, I do not care for the little creatures that decide to join our family each year. Thankfully most of them can get vacuumed up quite easily!!

48 Years and Still Going Strong!

Yesterday was a BIG day for my parents Karl and Marie Tippets. They celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple and have been through many years of joy, triumph, trials and success. I guess you could say they did have a great "blind date" that has now lead to the following history.

Dad was released from the Army just after they were married and continued his education at the University of Wyoming. They have lived in Wyoming, Washington, Utah, New York, Virginia, Delaware and now bounce between Utah and Wyoming. Dad has been a cowboy at heart and has supported his family with his hard work and commitment in the field of Mechanical Engineering. Mom received her diploma from LDS Business College and has used her business and general accounting experience throughout her adult life. Mom has supported our family and has been a wonderful example of service, kindness and a great cook!

I am the youngest of three. I have two older brothers Mike and Scott who served faithful missions and were happily married in the Manti Temple and Washington DC temple respectively. Mike & Angie have 5 children and Scott & Angela have 3 children. Mark and I have two children.

Mom and Dad served a full time mission in Sydney, Australia working as the Directors of the Member Locator program for all of Australia. They also served in the temple while they were there. While in Australia, mom and dad were able to see much of the great land down under and met some wonderful people. Friends that they now consider life long friends. Dad learned how to weave on his mission and continues this hobby today. Both mom and dad learned how to drive on "the other side of the road" although dad did most of the driving!

Since returning back to the states, they also served in the Washington DC temple as full time temple workers. They studied and learned by the Spirit in the Washington temple and loved serving the Lord in the temple. They worked the early morning shift which generally started at 6 am each morning with the exception of Sunday. On Friday's they lead a shift to make sure that all the appropriate temple workers were in place and helped make the temple run smoothly.

Mom and dad have served throughout their entire lives in the church. Dad served a full time mission in the Northern States Territory when he was 19 years of age. He has also served as a high council man, a bishopric counselor, a bishop, along with various other priesthood callings. Mom has served as a primary president, a counselor in the Stake Relief Society, the Relief Society president, the ward organist along with many other callings throughout her life. I remember distinctly many years of service that both mom and dad have given while growing up. They have taught us all to have a prayer in our heart and to give willingly to help others.

Both mom and dad are very active and enjoy many outdoor hobbies. Gardening has always been a passion for dad and he loves to figure out how to keep natures animals out of his garden! Each of them enjoy riding bikes and have traveled 1000's of miles by bike throughout Utah and Wyoming. Dad has competed in the Senior Olympics in St. George completing a mini-triathalon. Even with his flat feet he was able to do the running! Mom has an incredible talent for cross stitching and crocheting. She can cross stitch like no other woman I know. If you ever want to see some of her art, stop by any of our homes. She has helped create beautiful art in each of our homes that we will treasure forever. She has also created beautiful baby blankets for every new baby in our family. So it is true, I have artist for a mother and athlete for a dad!

I know that if their parents were here today to see and know them personally, they would be so happy and proud of them. And although they are no longer here on Earth, they are happily smiling down on them and send their blessings to not only them but to all of us.

I am grateful tonight for my parents. For the love, service, endurance, support, guidance, intuition, education and example I am forever grateful. Happy Anniversary and we love you very very much.

Growing Up So Fast

While we are still without a digital camera .... I thought I would share some photo's from the past 2 1/2 years that I currently have saved on my laptop. Both Max and Justin have definitely done some growing up! Enjoy!

Max & Grandma Tippets in Wyoming

(I think his first trip there May 06)

Bath time is still so much fun! Just more toys and no chair!

The first haircut was quite traumatic!

Just before his 1st birthday we said goodbye to the long curls!

A little ham... this was down at Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Christmas 2006 Winchester, Virginia.

Max learning patty-cake with Grandpa Tippets

Max and Aunt Jenny (about 5 months)



Max with his first Elmo.

First hayride for Max - October 2006

Boys enjoying some football and looks like chocolate - no doubt!

Max & Justin Fall of 2007



Max's first Halloween - October 2006

Max and Dad have a first ... swimming at the pool.

A favorite - My handsome boys ready for church!

Justin working on becoming a great quarterback!

Hershey Park June 2008.

Well that should provide a little history on our family over the past couple of years. Someday, I'll get all of the best photo's in a scrapbook. But for today, I am grateful for a healthy and strong set of men in my life.

Bronco's Opening Game... Tonight - VICTORY!

Well, football is in full swing and so Mark is more than happy! Joyous is almost the perfect word for him. Did you know that football is on Sunday, Monday and Thursday's? Mark likes to tell me that football season is really only three or four months long - so we really need to soak as much up as possible. I must disagree with him with the following arguement:

1. Preseason starts in August
2. Full swing of football in September, October, November, December
3. Playoffs in January
4. Superbowl in February
5. Probowl - February / March
6. Draft - midway between seasons
7. Watching all the games that we did not see originally April, May, June
8. Watch all the previous superbowls from the past including anything that John Elway played in. July
9. So, there you have it - August pre-season starts up. . . .

Football is available for the entire year ... am I making a case for a 2nd tv in our house? Mark did tell me while we were dating that he was a football fan and that I should be aware that when football is on ... life will be great... especially if the Bronco's are winning. :)

The Rains Came Down and the Waters Came Up ...

Today we had quite a bit of rain pass through our area. I was glad it was only rain and not hurricane winds! Several hurricanes are making their way up the East coast and we certainly pray for the families that have been effected.

Last night I successfully canned 6 pints of salsa from our garden. I was able to use our own tomatoes and jalapeno peppers. The recipe called for 3 cups of jalapeno's which was great because we have soooo many peppers. Next year, I think I will only plant one jalapeno pepper plant vs. three!

Max turned 2 1/2 this past week and I'm not kidding when I say this but, I really think a little button turned on in his brain that started his defiance mode! My patience has been short, I know, but his ability to look me or Mark straight in the eyes and say "NO" is getting old. Somedays I feel as though I say to him 80% of the time "do this or that otherwise you can go to timeout"! I really do not want Max to spend 80% of his life in timeout . . . perhaps I should be the one going to timeout but, he has definitely been more challenging. It really is a good thing that Mark is here. Mark was great last night and today to take Max with him on our errands for the weekend and to take him to the park last night. It really gave me a much needed break. And of course, Max loves to go for rides in the truck with dad!

Sarah Palin, VP Nominee

Well, after watching last nights speeches, I must say I am a Palin fan! I really like the idea of someone who can help keep McCain on track, down to Earth and remind him about the average family here in America! I think Sarah has the energy, drive and experience that will help Washington get a few things straightened out. I like the idea that she questions the status quo and is not afraid to ask why things are done a certain way to the old beltway club. I love that she declined the private jet, the personal chef (which would be a nice perk and hard to give up) along with the personal driver! Good for her and good for the state of Alaska!

I also loved hearing from Mitt, Mike and Rudy and to hear their comments on the ticket. I think they are truly a class act on coming out to support McCain & Palin.

I'm looking forward to tonight's speeches and to hear how John McCain will take on other initiatives besides keeping us on the offense with the war.

What are your thoughts?