The Great and Random Ramblings of Cannwin

Movie magic! This is us playing with the webcam embedded in my new laptop. Once the kids figured out it could do fun things like this it took me a bit to stop them from using elbows, knees, teeth, etc. to get in front of each other. No, they weren't that bad.... no one actually used teeth.

The kidlets went hiking with Ralexwin last weekend. This is the picture he emailed me. They are getting so big!!!

Ralexwin has come home to us yet again!!! The kids are pumped and the Mischievite keeps reiterating how his dad isn't leaving again.... We'll have to discuss that one.

I bought a new iPod. I shall name her Blanca, because she is white. She will be Rosa's bestest friend. This is a picture I took when figuring out how Blanca works. Isn't Vicbowin just divine!? My girl is gonna be gorgeous! Ps... I'm typing this on Blanca!

On Monday I started college officially. I had four classes and tried my darndest not to look over-eager. Vicbowin told me I looked too pretty to be going to school. My friends husband said I looked too nervous. But no one said I looked too old, or too eager, or too out of place. In fact, I'm pretty sure that the only people who even noticed my existence were the other people my age. Like a silent acknowledgement that we aren't alone on campus--even if that realization is coming from a professor. It's been nice so far. In fact, I'd go so far as to say, I LOVE IT!

#30  For Christmas Vicbowin got a doll and a pocket knife. It was such a funny combination that I had to take a picture.... so I said smile and got this. My daughter scares me just a little. #31 This is what the Mischievite got for Christmas... Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease. Ouch Now you see why I haven't been around.

I like being 31.

Me... just before LASIK surgery and pumped up on Valium.

Big girls wear DORA PANTIES!!!! Not quite as fun as her Rapunzel panties that she keeps telling people about. "I got Tangled panties!" Yep... I haven't corrected it yet because I think it's so dang hilarious.

Conversation between Albowin and me at the eye dr. "Oh look! Harry Potter glasses! We should buy these ones." "No." "Why not!? You'd look so cute in Harry Potter glasses." "No, Mom." "Well, try them on and I'll take a picture." "::sigh::" "Smile for me!" "No." "Why not?" "I don't like smiling." (Obstinate child.)

The kids Uncle WeArWin came over the other day to set up a trampoline in the backyard. One that he sold his mom (my mother-in-law) for cheap. You can imagine how cool this makes Uncle WeArWin. I'll be back next week. The thing that's nice about blogging breaks is it makes me totally hungry for you guys.  :)

What I do when I'm supposed to be getting the kids ready for church. Yes... I'm a fantastic mother. :)

By request today's photo is also my first ever recipe post. This is  not my recipe, I think I got in the mail once (junk mail) but it's THE BEST potato soup in existence. Potato Soup 3 Medium red potatoes 2 C water 1 Small onion, peeled and finely chopped (I'm not so big on the finely part) 3 TBS butter 3TBS all-purpose flour Crushed red pepper flakes Ground black pepper 3 C milk 1/2 tsp sugar 1 C shredded cheddar 1 C cubed ham   (you can get cubed hame at the store already cubed... it's a bit tricky to find sometimes though, but it's there) Cut potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Cook potatoes in the 2C water until tender. Drain, but remember to reserve 1 C of the liquid for later use (water may be added if needed). Set both aside. In the pot you're going to cook it all in melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook stirring frequently until onion is translucent and tender, but not brown. Add flour to pan, season with pep...

Left to Right: Grandma the Geisha, Albowin the Ornery Army Man, Vicbowin the Queen Amidala/Princess/Thingy Mabob, Cousin Zetum the Resident Evil bad guy that I can't remember the name of, Remewin the baby in the orange clothes with whiskers, Cousin Detum aka Cinderella, Aunt Fancy, The Mischievite Spider. Happy Halloween. (whew I'm glad that's over with for the year)

Ralexwin had a 4 day pass from the military this last weekend.   We didn't tell the kids. He got in at 4 AM.  This is them realizing he's there. Priceless.

I accidentally took this picture of my eye. I can't remember exactly what I was trying to get a photo of, but this is what I got instead. SCORE! I recently heard this song by Beyonce that says: I was here I lived, I loved I was here I did, I've done, everything that I wanted And it was more than I thought it would be I will leave my mark so everyone will know I was here I just want them to know That I gave my all, did my best Brought someone to  happiness Left this world a little better just because I was here For some reason, that's what this picture reminds me of. I was here. And if you're wondering... that little white scar on my nose is one of two that I have on my face. That one is from a grocery cart flipping over on me when I was so little I barely remember the event. The other is on my upper lip... it's from a fight I got into in high school. PS.  I completely forgot my photo for this past week. I guess I was so busy wit...

What a soldiers job really entails. (Albowin 2011) PS. All the red scribbles at the bottom are the already dead bad guys.

I took this.

What are 31 year old girls made out of? A strong desire for complete silliness any chance we get.... including in the bathroom. This is one of my bestest friends in the whole wide world. Kaz (like Cage.... but with a zh) . Waaaay back when we were seniors in High School together. And as only the best of friends go, it really doesn't matter how long it's been since you've seen one another, you just settle back into your old familiarity. PS.... Kaz and I have birthdays ten days apart.

Fantastic week here in my life. So far 31 has been #1 on my list of years. This weekend I'm headed up to Salt Lake to hang out with two of the best women in the world. Shopping, friends, fun and photos! Pst... today is Ralexwin and my 11th Anniversary.