:: I've Read 50+ Books GIVE-A-WAY ::

I made a goal at the beginning of the year to read 50 books by December. I thought it would be harder than it was but then I was introduced to the joy of Young Adult Fiction and I was whipping out a book a day (read: neglecting my housework and letting Cohen watch excess of Spongebob). I was excited to reach my goal a few weeks ago, the idea was to give away the 50th book I read. However, book #50 was LAME so I kept reading until I found one to give away. After a few duds, I decided I'd give away one of my favorites of the year instead.


I loved the Shannon Hale series of Goose Girl, Enna Burning, and River Secrets. I thought they were fantastic and cannot wait to share them with my children in the future. WONDERFUL! So, because I love it so much, I want you to love it, too. I am giving away Goose Girl, the first book in the group. It is not the version posted above, it is just the paperback but it is brand new and still in the Barnes & Noble bag.


And... it will come wrapped up in this cute little book bag tote that was made by moi. Lucky you.

If you are interested in this stuff, just leave me a comment below with your name and your favorite book (besides the Twilight Series) that you've read this year. If you have a suggestion for more books, I'd love to hear it. I'll pick a random winner on August 31st.

I'm glad my love for books has been resurrected, and I am glad Mike is supportive with it. You can tell a good man when he says, "I'll take Cohen to the park so you can read your book." Love you babe!

:: Puttering Around ::


So, I realized it has been awhile since I've written here, even though I've written LOADS in my personal journal. Right now I just like the feel of ink on paper. We've been pretty busy just puttering around and watching the Olympics. I don't even really have much to say. We did visit Central Utah for our friends Sam & Andrada's wedding. I've never really been through the part of Central Utah that is not along the I-15 corridor. If wasting gas is ever in our budget again, maybe I'll go explore more. I hear there is a lot to see off of those back roads. Anyway, until I am ready to post something more blog worthy, here is what the happy couple would look like if they were a neon sign in Las Vegas.

(I think this is one of Photoshop's most random Filter options.)

:: Man... I Miss That Hair ::

I was just going through some old pictures and found a bunch of Cohen with his long hair last winter. I sure miss that hair. I just asked him if he'd like long hair again and said, "It is too itchy." Do you think he really knows what he is talking about?

:: The End ::



So - I am sure that most posts in blogland today will be about this stupid book. :) My thoughts are that I thought is was pretty good. There were a few too many "Are you kidding me?" type moments, but at least I only found about 3 typos (compared to the first book... yikes!). I thought it ended very sweetly, especially the last two pages. The last chapter is very appropriately named "Happily Ever After". I don't want to give anything away for those who haven't read it. It didn't end the way I predicted, but at least Meyer kept the vampire/human/wolf conflict going. I was glad to see that didn't end. But, it is always a little sad when I anticipate things almost to an obsession and they end. I think that is the worst part. What are your thoughts on it? Does anyone know of a good series that I can read?

:: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ::


Holy 6 years, Batman! It has been a fun 6 years being a Van Wagoner. Mike is the best. He is letting me spend my day reading Breaking Dawn. Love that man.

:: And He is 4 ::
I start this post how all mothers start birthday posts... "I can't believe he is already (insert age here)." Really though, has that much time really gone by?!?


Cohen couldn't decide what kind of birthday party he wanted. First he suggested Build-a-Bear. We looked into it... No thanks. Then he said Transformers. Fine. I bought Optimus Prime plates and napkins. Then we went on a hike and decided he wanted a "Walking" party. Fine. I can lead kids on a "hike" around the neighborhood. Then he decided he wanted to have a swimming pool cake. Fine. I left that up to Mike, though.

When Tim (my now 25 year old brother) turned 6 or 7, my mom planned a "hobo" themed party for him. It always stuck out in my mind as a pretty funny idea. I decided Cohen was a good age to go gallivanting across the great wide open (read .19 miles from the church parking lot to the little park around the corner) and live the life of a hobo (for 1.5 hours with plenty of processed snacks and parental supervision).


We packed up our lunches in rucksacks (look at how confused the kids all are in that picture) and started out on our journey. I thought that herding 8 4-year-olds wouldn't be too hard, but my niece Bekah, Mike, and my neighbor Nicki all had to help make sure they kept up. It was a fun time, but they were so ready to dive into their lunches after their long trip. My nephew Rhett (in the yellow shirt) said to me, "That sure was big hike. I sure am thirsty and hungry for Chips."

I'm so glad that Mike took the day off of work to help me out. I underestimated my powers. The boys happily ate their lunches... of course Mike had to challenge them to the a "Biggest Bite" contest. By the way, have you ever tried Uncrustables? DISGUSTING! They have as much fat and calories as a McDonald's cheeseburger. Blech!


Mike was better than any other entertainment I could have possibly come up with... at least for a bunch of 4 year-olds. Seriously though, I cannot even express the gratitude I had for him that day.


Cohen got his "swimming" cake. Mike decorated it to look like the deck of a pool, complete with floaties. AKA sour apple rings.

Overall I think it was a success. Cohen got to take his friends on a hike, eat lunch at a park, eat his swimming cake on Optimus Prime plates and wipe his dirty face with Decepticon napkins. He couldn't have been more thrilled. However, in the future, I don't think I'll be as accommodating.