We’ve slightly revamped theulloms.com today. We are trying to make it a little bit more functional. If you have any comments or suggestions, send them here!

I have added some new pages today. I made a Father’s Day layout, with everything from recipes to poems to gifts to make and more. Check it out!

Ok, enough of the technical web stuff and onto some pictures!

The other night I put curlers in McKenzie’s hair before bed. I remember wearing curlers to bed when I was her very age. They were these foam pink rollers with plastic snaps that got tangled everytime I unrolled them. But it was worth it for the days that I was going for that Annie afro look, which was actually the popular thing back then ::wink, wink:: These curlers I bought are cloth covered rollers, that almost look like miniature pillows. You twist the ends around to make them stay. They were so easy and never tangled! I believe the set was about $6 for 30 curlers. I managed to have about 5 left over when I was done with McKenzie’s massive head of hair. I put those 5 in Bailey’s hair, because she always has to be just like sissy.

McKenzie’s stayed in all night - her hair looked so cute! And, Bailey’s, well… she woke up with just the very top one on her head still intact. The rest were laying around her on the bed LOL. Her hair is so fine, I’m surprised I could get them rolled up at all. Here’s a couple of cute pictures.

Thursday night was Gallery Night at the kids’ school. David got to take them this time, as I had just been to the middle school band concert and had McKenzie’s farm field trip the next day. We used to enjoy going to all of these events together, with the kids, but we’ve learned we lose alot less hair/get alot less gray hairs when it’s possible to not all have to go. I stayed home with K, T and B. Here are some pictures David took:

Also last week was the Farm field trip with Kenzie’s class, her second and last field trip of the year. Kindergarteners are a riot I tell ya. I had a group of three kids, one of them being McKenzie. She’s already getting into that “little miss independence” stage that she doesn’t want me on her case all the time. Very strong minded. If I tell her to put her coat on in the rain, she will take it off. She’s her daddy’s daughter ::wink, wink:: Anyway, these kids come up with the funniest things. We take a hayride up to the fields and it’s all strawberry patches. Farmer Bill asks the kids what is growing, McKenzie says “corn, pumpkins and watermelon”. Farmer Bill says “there is a jokester in every group”. LOL. Yep, that’s my girl - the class clown ::wink, wink:: We got to see all kinds of neat things, baby chicks that were born just that very morning, a bee hive that was disgusting yet fascinating at the same time. I held a bunny for the kids to all pet, which was fun - he chewed on my collar and I wanted to take him home with me LOL.

McKenzie came home with a strawberry plant that we are enjoying watching sprout and all hoping that Mommy doesn’t kill it like most every other plant that comes into this house ::wink, wink::

Here are some pictures:

I have to give my review of these delicious tortillas, we happened to find at Costco. They are uncooked tortillas, that you cook about 30 seconds on each side and let me tell you. Once you try them, you won’t go back to regular tortillas. They are THAT good. I made these cinnamon snacks for the kids today, just a tortilla, with a little bit of butter and cinnamon/sugar sprinkled on them. If you have a Costco membership, they are located in the refrigerated section, by the guacamole, taquitos and that type of thing. They are about $4.99 for a package of 36. I’m tellin’ ya though, they are worth it
David and I have been working on a Memorial Day page, to kick off our BBQ’ing season. We have BBQ’s and get togethers all the time during the Summer months, and it seems as though we do a pretty good job of feeding our guests and keeping them entertained, because they keep coming back. Check out our new page: The Ulloms On Memorial Day.

David had the opportunity to chaperone Ashlyn’s class field trip to PGE park earlier this week, it was HOT, they said, but they had a good time. David said Ashlyn’s class was VERY well behaved, though they were probably all just falling asleep from the 90 degree sun shining on them!

Because it’s so inexpensive to prepare and a big hit with the whole family, we have BFD (Breakfast For Dinner) quite often here. Last night, I planned to make pancakes and cheesy eggs for dinner for the kids and I (David was working), but I realized we were running a little short on Bisquick. I got this pancakes from scratch recipe from my friend Kimberly and gave them a try. The kids all gave them thumbs up, they were really quite tasty and just as easy to prepare. I threw in a splash of vanilla to give them just a little OOMPH, I do this with french toast also - it’s my little “secret” ingredient, though probably not as secret as everyone seems to do this
Here is the recipe: Pancakes From Scratch
Bailey woke up with a touch of some stomach bug this morning, she is fever-ish and throwing up. So please keep her in your thoughts today that this is something that moves quickly through her and that our entire family does not end up with the stomach flu. Thanks

Happy Birthday Daddy! David has this fun little game he plays with Bailey, where he asks her how much she loves everyone (ie. mommy, sissy, Katie, Tanner, Ashlyn, etc) and to most everyone but Daddy and almost all other adults, she loves us as much as her arms can spread apart, like she’s ready to give a great big bear hug. For Daddy, she puts her hands together and says “this much”. I told her that today, for Daddy’s birthday, she can love him as much as she loves me. Just for one day. LOL. I think she feels like she betrays me if she loves another big person, as much as she loves me. Even though, I’ve told her over and over, it’s OKAY to love all of us the same LOL. She’s a mama’s girl, what can I say. So we’ll see if she cooperates and loves daddy as much as mommy just for today. David’s birthday dinner is my homemade lasagna, salad, garlic bread, and my best ever carrot cake for dessert. Tomorrow, he is going on a field trip to PGE Park, with Ashlyn’s class to watch a Beavers game. That should be fun.

It’s supposed to be record breaking highs today, pushing 93 degrees. A little to warm for me! We had to run to the store and about died walking outside. Good thing it’s not supposed to stay too hot, I have my central air on right now. But my electricity bill is supposed to be LOWER in April/May/June - with having no heat/no air conditioning running. I’m too much of a wimp to leave the air off today though, especially doing all the baking I’m doing. I’d be dying!

We had a fun Mother’s Day yesterday. David had to work all day, so the kids and I took my mom, sister & nephew to the park for a picnic. The kids played, we enjoyed the beautiful weather; and the kids had a blast with the water fountains, when they weren’t clobbering each other with their lacrosse sticks and being totally uncooperative when I wanted to take a picture of the 5 of them. I did get a few good pics though, and I added them to our photo album under April/May Pics. Then, we had dinner at my dad’s, with my grandma and everyone — crab, salmon and prime rib - I was stuffed like a pig!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Kati. Happy Birthday to you! Kati is the big 14 today!! Where has the time gone?!?! I can’t believe how quickly Kati is growing up. 2 years, she’ll be driving (or should I say have the ability to) and in 2 more years after that, she’ll be graduating (and out of the house ! My oh my, how the time flies. Everyone is always telling me how much Kati is just like me, she looks like me, talks like me, acts like I did when I was that age (and at times still act that way LOL). And, this is why she is my most challenging child.

chal·lenge ( P ) Pronunciation Key (chlnj) n.

A call to engage in a contest, fight, or competition: a challenge to a duel (with Kati)
An act or statement of defiance; a call to confrontation: a challenge to the government’s authority. (mom & dad)
A demand for explanation or justification; a calling into question: a challenge to a theory or rules. (that mom & dad have)
A test of one’s abilities or resources in a demanding but stimulating undertaking: a career (being a SAHM) that offers a challenge.

Parenting in general is a challenge. Toughest job one could ever have is being a parent. It’s also the most important. If I fail at being a parent, I will fail at the most important job I will ever have. So, I am constantly trying to become a better parent, be a better role model, push my children to “do better” because they are “capable of more”. I do not have the answers as to how all these things are met, how to be that perfect parent, I only raise my kids to the best of my ability. I hope and pray that when they are grown ups in the world, they are caring, responsible, honest, happy people. All I can do is try to give them the tools that will push them forward in that direction. And I tell you I learn something new daily, about parenting and discipline and raising a family. Kati… is the oldest of 5 children. She is the first teenager that David and I will ever raise. I question all the time whether we are parenting in such a way that we are giving them the tools they will need as adults to be that caring, responsible, honest, happy person. Only time will tell I suppose.

Kati pushes every button, bends every rule, drives me completely insane, but at the same time she has a big heart and has the biggest creative energy I’ve ever seen. She loves to talk and chats my ear off all day long. One big loveable, TEENAGED, boy crazed, music loving, silly girl. I love her bunches… being a parent, truly is like watching your heart walking around outside of your body. Anyhoo, enough ramblin’!

Plain Grandma and I took Kati and her best friend Erica to the mall last night. Shopped for a little bit (I love the looks I get when I go into Old Navy and buy 7 pairs of flipflops (2 for me, 1 for each of the kids) - like I have a flipflop addiction or something LOL) and Kati got the second holes in her ears re-pierced. Then, we went and saw Just My Luck, cute movie. We had planned on doing dinner, but we were all full on popcorn, so we just stopped at Taco Bell. Little does Kati know, she escaped total humiliation by not going to a restaurant that makes you stand on your chair while they sing Happy Birthday

I can’t believe it. Chris Daughtry got the boot on American Idol. When Ryan separated the final 4 into 2 groups last night, Taylor & Elliot in one and Katharine & Chris in another. I thought for sure Elliot was gone. From the getgo, I predicted Chris to go all the way. I’m not a rock music lover. I love country music, as a matter of fact. But, I never once voted for Kellie Pickler. I am in love with Chris Daughtry. I love his voice, his personality, his presence on the stage. I love that he excelled with every single genre thrown at them. He’s the only one that did that. Simon is famously quoted for saying “Thank God for Chris”. And it’s the truth. He was always the one, whether he sang first, middle or last, that you could count on for a good, entertaining, solid performance. EVERY time, without fail. He’s AWESOME.
My thinking was that Chris had a sure fire seat in the final two. I did call in for him on Tuesday, a few times. It rang busy all but once or twice. I decided I wanted to vote for who I’d want to sit next to him… so I voted for Taylor about 25 times (no busy’s) and Elliott about 25 times (a few busy’s). I really can’t stand Katharine and wanted her go. So, if I could take back my 50 votes and put them all to Chris, I would in a heartbeat. I learned my lesson. And I’m sure that others who didn’t vote at all or voted for who they liked 2nd best because they thought Chris was guaranteed in the final two…. if they could take their votes back, they would too. The shock in everyone’s faces just shows how much they thought Chris didn’t deserve to go. America got it wrong. And no, I do not think American Idol is rigged. I think too many of us, were sitting on the thought that Chris would be in the finals, with or without our votes.

At first, I wanted to girlcott AI… forget watching the semi/finals, but then I remembered I am still a Taylor fan, and I did vote for him Tuesday night, so I will see him through. I will be kicking myself that I didn’t vote for Chris instead, but I will watch only to cast my votes against Kat, should she be in the finals.

The one good thing? If Chris had won, he would have had American Idol’s hands in his pocket for 5 years? 7 years? Whatever their contract is for…. Chris can go make a record and be WONDERFUL and have them in his pockets less. So this, is the one GOOD thing about him going last night.

What’s on the agenda today? Laundry day. I am just a wee bit behind, which seems to be happening more often than not lately. So, I’m going to wash as many loads as the day will allow.

Now if only the kids will cooperate with me this afternoon and get them put AWAY! We have a busy week ahead. Four  softball games, an extended softball practice, mother daughter afternoon at school for Ashlyn, getting ready for Kati’s Birthday, Mother’s Day, and David’s Birthday. I’m sure I’m forgetting something. But, anyway… lots to do. I’m a

Well we survived the Dog Walk. Our team consisted of my sister Myndi, her almost 2 year old son Lane, her blue heeler/shepard mix dog Maggie, myself, Tanner, Libby, and my mom’s llahsa apso Shelby. We had our hands full! There were lots of super cute dogs at the park. Even a few other furry friends, like some miniature ponies, dogs as big as houses (English Mastiffs and the like). I can’t even imagine having a dog that size. They are gorgeous, but SOOOO big!! You’d need a horse trailer to get them anywhere LOL. Tanner participated in the who’s dog has the best smile contest with Shelby. The lady asked Tanner “and what kind of dog do you have”. He says “I don’t know” LOL.

We collected our goodies, a dog food scoop, bandana and actually won a couple more things, some dog treats, pig ears, frisbee, tennis ball, clickers, etc. and headed for our walk. We weren’t sure how long we’d make it. It was a 5K walk, which is no big deal when you don’t have 2 strollers and 3 dogs to tend to. I couldn’t tell who was walking who, Myndi or Maggie. . Thankfully, Shelby rode peacefully in the basket of Bailey’s stroller for the most part. Libby was really good the whole time. She’s fairly used to being on a leash, and really has pretty good manners in general anyway, but… she did end up pooping on the sidewalk about 5 minutes into the walk. Yes, I had my poop scoopin bag. And yes, I begrudgingly took care of it. I couldn’t believe she just let go right there on the sidewalk like a horse. She had been in the grass just seconds before…. what the heck?!?! Shortly after, we decided we’d had enough and went back to the park to walk around LOL. Yes, we are quitters! I don’t think we would have made it to the end of the walk… so Maggie got her nails trimmed and we went to get some Mexican food!

Then it was 3 hours at the ballpark and off to take pictures of my dad’s girlfriend’s son as he was heading off to Prom, and then onto dinner with Dad and Elaine and a late night game of dominos. What an exhausting day. Now onto the pictures….

Need some ideas for a Mexican Feast in honor of Mexico’s Independence Day? Check out my Recipe Page Not sure what we have on the menu tonight. We have these yummy tortillas from Costco, that are the best I’ve ever had. YUM, I think we will use those with enchiladas, burritos, meximelts - something like that. And I am hoping I will have time to make some sopapillas as well. YUM.

That sandal deal I posted yesterday? Well I didn’t notice this BUT… they also have MEN and KIDS styles on sale for $10.90 shipped. So I’m including the links to those below. I keep reading reviews how these sandals are like walking on clouds, and they last forever, etc. etc. I bought one of each of the kids’ sandals. The kids need them anyway, and these look like they should hold up all summer! Got the purple ones for McKenzie, the black for Ashlyn and the boys style for Tanner.

And one more time, here is the link for the women’s sandals! Women’s Teva Olowaha Sandals $10.90 (with free shipping)

My other Good Deal of the Day Announcement. I love candles, and my favorite ones by far are Yankee Candles. My favorite scent is clean cotton, and I really like the strawberry lemonade ones! I don’t buy them very often, because when I have them around I burn them all the time! Everyone is always making fun of me because I use this little mini torch to light my candles. I’m usually just a Glade Scents girl, but I do splurge on these wonderful candles when they are having a sale. I don’t know of any retail stores in my area, so I watch for sales on their website - and they have a $5 flat rate shipping too! Right now they are selling votives and tarts - 12 for $12 - so basically a buck a piece! There is also a coupon code for $10 off $25. REQ71, you can get about 25 votives/tarts for around $20 or so SHIPPED. Great deal! Stock up! I believe it ends May 14th.

Ashlyn and McKenzie are two MAJOR horse lovers. There is not a day that passes, where my girls do not ask if or when we can buy a horse. They LOVE to draw pictures of, write about, talk about, dream about, and watch movies about HORSES. Our next door neighbor has several smaller Shetland pony types of horses. One little guy named Barney, who Ashlyn started riding about 6 years ago. The second time she fell off Sugar, she was too spooked to get back on. But, they still ride them at birthday parties and the when Lana is nice enough to bring the ponies out to ride. Today, she had some lessons going on, so she invited McKenzie over this morning to take a quick lesson. She did really good and had a blast. She LOVES Barney, but as you can see she is getting quite big for the little guy! But she was so tickled about this… made my baby girl’s day

We were driving in downtown Battle Ground and I try to show Bailey and McKenzie Mt St Helens. They don’t look quickly enough before we drive past a building that blocks most of the view. Bailey says “Mommy can you lift up the van so I can see Mt St Helens? When I tell her that I’m just not quite strong enough, she tells me that she can do it because she’s a “super baby”

Ok, I’ve gotten some emails about the need to update this website. Seems I’ve fallen a bit behind. Cut me a little slack… people! It’s baseball season. Busy, busy! Both girls are having a good time. McKenzie is loving the catcher position. She’s a little on the brut side, so it’s like putting the chunkier kids as goalie in hockey, she makes a great catcher. She also pays attention and gets that ball on the tee as quickly as it rolls into her glove. She’s good! Ashlyn, is loving her team. They are the Purple Panthers and all a great group of kids. They get along really well and we are having fun watching her games. They have won 1 game and lost 3 so far, but they get better every day! Ashlyn LOVES playing pitcher, she’s pretty good at it too! She’s one of the younger ones on the team, so she’s got a lot of growing to do

My spider story…. ok, if you know me… you know that there are 2 things in life that I’m horribly afraid of. Spiders and bees/wasps.

I hate spiders, see them and I freak out. Sweat profusely, heart beats out of my chest, feel like I’m gonna faint, etc. Living in the country has been a real test to me, because there are some butt ugly nasty spiders around here. I try to spray that Home Defense stuff around the doors, windows outside etc, so that the spiders stay outside. But occasionally, we get one inside.

Today, there was one on the ceiling in my living room. These are the worst, the ones above my head. They send me into a panic attack. Probably because an old friend of mine held a small glass over a spider on a ceiling once and the darn thing jumped into the glass. SO… now I think that spiders have this amazing jumping ability - I mean they seriously do.. they fly, jump, whatever they need to do to attack me - simple as that LOL. On some spider phobia website, I read that vacuuming the spiders is the best way to kill a spider that you are afraid of smooshing. My vacuum is missing the little extender wand and I knew the hose would not reach from floor to ceiling. I had to get a chair and I had to stand about 3 ft away from the spider and look at the floor and wave the wand around hoping it was strong enough to suck it up. Nope. I had to get the damn thing directly over the spider, and I’m shaking like a freaking leaf. WHERE IS MY HUSBAND WHEN I NEED HIM!!!

I suck the damn thing up and it’s crawling around in my canister vac… I’m watching it crawl around and I keep the vacuum turned on to keep the suction moving. I was afraid to turn it off, for fear he’d escape if I left it alone LOL.

So I vacuum part of my house, thinking maybe I could pile some dust bunnies on top of him. My floors never have much accumulation due to the fact that I vacuum every darn day, sometimes 2 or 3 times, LOL… so that didn’t work. I go get the Home Defense spray and I spray it on the floor and vacuum it with the hose. Nothing. He’s just crawling everywhere all over the canister. You might ask why I didn’t take out the canister and go dump it. Well, I’m a wimp.. I couldn’t do it. And I certainly couldn’t call in my 10 yr old son — to rescue his wimpy mama from the killer spider. I was also afraid in the time it took me to open the canister he’d be up there ready to pounce ROFL.

I ended up taking the canister out, tapping it really hard on the floor to make sure he was knocked down on the pile of dirt/dust/lint and then I spray the Home Defense stuff inside the canister. Just one quick spray and I put the lid on and put it back on the vacuum LOL. I then very SICKLY watched the spider moving it’s legs… and they got slower and slower and pretty soon he sort of curled up into a ball and went to spider Heaven lol.

So I’m a big wimp and I have to say if you are wimpy like me, that Home Defense is a MUST HAVE!
Thanks for reading. LOL. Have a great evening!

My family has, in the past, used the services provided to the Greater Clark County area, by the Southwest Washington Humane Society. I, along with my pup Libby, am doing a walk-a-thon for this wonderful group this Saturday. I set my initial goal at $200, helping to provide medical care to 7 animals through vaccinations, treatments, etc. I am only at $31.00. LOL. Of course, I have told my husband that I’d better get my donations up there just a little bit… so that I don’t have to fork out $169 to reach my $200 goal! So I’m reaching out to all of my dedicated readers (or those just passing through) in hopes that I can get that just a little higher! I will post a thank you to you here on this very website, YES! Your name published on the famous theulloms.com website! This is worth a buck or two, isn’t it? Really, I’m only kiddng… but, just take a minute to think about the cause. It’s a good one!! Thank you much!! http://www.firstgiving.com/supportlibby
To find out more about the SW WA Humane Society, click here: www.southwesthumane.org