TAG!!!!

I thought this tag was especially fun because it was mostly about Jason and when our little romance began. Looking back, Jason and I have been together almost more than half of our life, CRAZY!!!Thanks, Stacie for the challenge this was fun!

What is your spouses name? Jason Philip Barney


How long have you been together? Well we have known each other since about 8th grade. His girlfriend Kelly was my best friend so we were always hanging out. We officially started being together between my 9th grade and Sophomore year.

Who eats more? Well I eat more junk. He probably eats more but, I would say I keep up with him pretty good.


Who said 'I Love You' first? I really can’t remember. I am sure it was in high school and it was probably me. It was so long ago I honestly can’t remember this detail.

Who is taller? Jason, by four inches.

Who Sings better? Well this one is a toss up because we are both pretty bad. But, I would have to say me because Jason is tone deaf. I am no Carrie underwood but, I like to pretend to be her every once in a while.

Who is smarter? Well I would definitely have to say Jason. He is always studying, loves to read, and would love to be in school forever—that is probably why we are headed back for two more years! I have to give myself a little credit, when it comes to problem solving and finances I am clearly smarter.

Who does the laundry? Me. I like to get it done and usually Jason is not around to help. If he is around he sometimes helps fold and put it away.


Who does the dishes? Jason does a good job of cleaning the dishes after dinner and most meals when he is around.

Who pays the bills? Me. Jason doesn’t even know how to write out a check or look up our accounts online. He is to busy browsing NPR, Pitchfork media, and D Mans music web pages to worry about finances. There is a benefit to me paying the bills, I have no restrictions and I am in total control of our finances, which I love.

Who mows the lawn? This is a sensitive subject if you remember from our summer blog entries. Jason is suppose to mow the lawn but, waits until it is up to our knees to do it so, I sometimes end up doing it. I refuse to do the backyard though.

Who cooks dinner? Me. However, Jason has a zest for Michael Chiarello, cooking shows, and fine cook books (which I keep getting as gifts). He has made a few meals but, his cookbooks for the most part are collecting dust.

Who is more stubborn? Both of Us are equally stubborn. We both enjoy a good debate and challenge. We are also very set in our ways.

Who kissed who first? Jason. My first kiss was Jason the summer before my Sophomore year on Michelle Measom’s front porch (so magical). Jason likes to bring up the fact that I kissed him first when he came home from his mission—the night he got home (just wanted him to know what he had been missing for two years).

Who asked who out first? Jason. Our first official date, Jason took me to Spanish Fork High Homecoming. Before that we just hung out a lot with groups of friends.

Who proposed? Jason. He proposed at the Spanish Fork Golf course (Ironic because Jason hates golf) where we had our first date or get together with friends (I was only in 9th grade so I don’t think it was a date???).

Who has more siblings? He does – 5 in his family-3 girls, 2 boys. There are 4 in mine- 3 girls, and 1 poor boy.


Who wears the pants? This is a hard one. I would definitely say me. But, I think Jason likes me to think I wear them, so he can secretly get what he wants.

Now I am tagging a few others: Aly Dart, Kristie Crockett, Suzy Keith, Michelle Chapman, and Heather Hansen

Valentines Day, Wild Beckham, and House is on the Market

My kids had a great Valentines Day. They had parties at school and got special valentines from their grandparents and parents. I took some pictures of the kids at school. Beckham just loves going to the kids classrooms. All the kids in Mckay's class were just laughing at him.

Mckinley and her friend Kayla

Mckay and Mckinley posing for a picture! I wish they were always this nice!

Beckham giving his famous kisses!

The kids surrounding Mckay's desk while he opens his Valentine's from his classmates.

Beckham is starting to get in a little trouble. He decided to take a marker to my newly painted walls. He knew he was in trouble. I would point at the wall and he would say "OH".

So we all know that Beckham loves food. His new craze is Spaghetti O's! I took him to the doctor last week for his 18 month check up and he is still big, weighing in at 32 1/2 pounds. Everything is in the 95th percentile and his weight is above the 95th! His genes have got to start kicking in.

Our house is finally on the Market! It has been on two days and I have had one showing and two calls. I am pretty much a basket case right now. I just don't know what to expect with this being our first time selling a house. Hopefully it will all work out!

Mom, Please Let Us Have a Dog and Expanding Waiste Line

So, I am on the outs with my family because I won't let them get a dog. Jason has been begging and begging me to let him get a dog. He has persuaded the kids that we need a dog and that it would be so much fun. So, last night my sister Becky came over with her brand new Lab (7 weeks old), which they named Sadie. After they left Jason and my kids were pouting for a dog. I will admit the dog was cute and I even let it snuggle with me but, they grow up and will soon be big, wild, hairy and a pooping machine. My friend Suzie (major dog lover) agrees that I am just not ready for this time commitment or change in my life. I am trying to convince Jason that maybe after he finishes school it would be a better time for our family to get a dog. He seems to think that our family can't wait and that the kids need one now to help with the move. We will see who wins????



Here are some funny pictures of Beckham. Lately he seems to be having major plumber bum. I think his waiste line has expanded making his pants and diapers a little small. There's something about buying that next size up in diapers (size 6), you get less for the money. He was running around last night and we were just laughing at his bum peeking out of his pants that we had to take a few pictures.

Beckham the Little Helper

I have been doing a few renovations around the house to get it ready to put on the market and Beckham seems to be creating more messes for me to fix. I was cleaning the floor and Beckham, whose new craze is Clorox wipes and wiping down the floor and walls, got a hold of my Lysol with Bleach and sprayed it on the carpet leaving two bleach spots. Luckily I caught him before it was too bad and we do have light carpet.


I have been in a frenzy of getting rid of "stuff" and everything I put in the bag to give to Good Will Beckham takes out. This is his way of teasing me, which he loves to do. Last week we decided to put in new closet doors with thicker trim. My brother-in-law DJ did all the handy work but, left me with the painting. So this week we have been busy painting. Beckham loves to help so, I gave him a paint brush and let him pretend to paint the shelves and walls. This literally entertained him for a good hour. Hopefully Beckham and I will survive having my house on the market.

The final product!! (minus the handles)

Reality Check and Finally Time to Post

Reality has set in, that we are going to be moving in the next couple of months. For those that may not know, we are moving to Indianapolis. Jason is going to do an endodontic (specialist who specializes in root canals) residency for the next two years at the University of Indiana. I know this is probably a shock to some because we seemed to be settled here in Grand Junction. It all kind of came as a shock to us as well. Jason has always wanted to specialize and when our practice plans didn't happen as planned we looked at other options. Going back to school ( I do not know why) just seemed like the right thing to do. Luckily Jason got in to the University of Indiana. It seems like everything has fallen into place (hopefully it will continue to do so)and this is definitely the direction the Lord wants us to go. So we are headed back to the Midwest, which excites yet scares me. I am excited about living in a bigger city and a new adventure. However, I am fearful of the Midwest weather, student life with no money, and sad to leave family and friends. I have been busy the last couple of weeks meeting with Realtors and getting my house in order that I haven't been able to blog. In the mist of all the chaos we have done some fun things.

Here are some photos of Jason's trip to New Orleans. Despite the heartbreaking loss Jason and Mike had fun. They hung out on Bourbon street, ate at many of New Orleans famous restaurants, saw the city sights, went to the Buckeye pep rally, and of course the game.

Yesterday we went to Rabbit Valley and went four wheeling with friends. We had a bomb fire and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. It was so fun. Mckinley and Mckay loved four wheeling. Beckham even got in on the action. I got on the sled with him as the four wheeler pulled us and he just chuckled. He loved driving the four wheeler with Jason and walking in the snow.

This January we have been blasted with a lot of snow and cold weather. Beckham just loves to play outside and walk outside in the snow. Jason was shoveling our walks and the kids went out and played at 7:00 PM. It was too cold for me.

Eating at Stone Drug and a Snowy Weekend in Utah

Grandpa Mike started a new tradition this year by taking all the grand kids to eat cheeseburgers at Stone Drug. Stone Drug is a personal favorite, since my working days at Nebo Financial (our family finance business located right next to Stone Drug). They sure do make great cheeseburgers and have real fry sauce(which is a Utah speciality). The kids had fun but, I am not to sure about the Stone Drug staff, the Erickson crew can be one wild bunch.



While Jason is basking in the warm weather of New Orleans I am enduring the snow in Utah. Yes we have been blasted with a lot of snow and it is supposedly going to snow more tonight and Monday. I am glad for the timing of the snow storm because it caused one of my best friends, Aly, flight to be changed until Tuesday. I am excited to spend more time with her and also relieved that I will not be so bored while in Utah. Today, Aly and I went and watched a cheer competition and I took Mckinley. I thought she would love all the dancing and tumbling, which she did. She has been yelling cheers and doing high V's all night. Wow it seems like years since I was a part of that scene. Mckinley could hardly believe that I was once one of those girls or that I used to coach them. All she sees me do is run, make dinner, and clean the house. It was fun to be reconnected with a few friends I cheered with in college, reminisce of old times, and remember the love I once had for dance. While we were at the cheer competition Beckham stayed home with Grandma Marilynn and shoveled the snow. He had been eyeing the snow all morning and kept pulling at Grandma Marilynn's legs to go outside. I had his coat in the car so, Grandma Marilynn had to improvise with a coat, gloves and a Utah hat (sorry dad and grandpa Phil this is all we could find in a house of Utah fans). Anyway the kids are having a good time here in Utah and I think Jason and Mike are enjoying New Orleans.

Christmas 2007

We had such a great Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve sledding with friends and eating a Christmas Eve dinner prepared by Jason (Jason has turned into the chef in our household). We woke up Christmas morning opened presents and ate breakfast with my family. Christmas afternoon we drove to Utah to spend Christmas night with the Barney's and spend the rest of our break in Utah. It was fun to visit with family at family parties and Ohio friends at the Ohio Christmas party at Kelly's. It was also fun to see friends from High School at our annual friend Christmas party at Sam's. New years was a little uneventful because Beckham was sick with the croup, double ear infections, and Conjunctivitis (yeah it was fun). Jason did go to the Jazz game with Nick and then we did visit with Kyle and Aly as we brought the new year in the old fashioned way watching Dick Clark and the ball drop on TV. While in Utah we also celebrated Jason's Birthday at Brick Oven. He turned 32 years old. For his Birthday he is going to New Orleans with Mike to watch the Buckeye's play in the National College Football game (Hopefully they will play better than last year). Even though the kids got sick we had a great break. It will be hard to get back in to our old routine.

Christmas Cookies and Christmas Party at School

Every year my kids love making Christmas cookies. I hate the mess but, it is fun to eat the dough and decorate the cookies. Mckinley had to take some cookies to her school party so I decided we would take the plunge and get the kitchen dirty once.

Mckay had a Christmas breakfast at school. They had reindeer pancakes with bacon antlers. They had Christmas around the world and then went caroling to the local business's.
Mckinley also went caroling, ate hot chocolate and had a visitor from the North Pole in her class. Even Beckham got to sit on Santa's lap. He did a little better this time, he still wasn't too thrilled with the idea but there wasn't any crying.

Christmas Caroling

Since we have moved to Fruita it has been a Christmas tradition to Christmas Carol with The Lynn's, Chapman's, and this year the Keith's. We had a fun time and the kids love running to the doorstep and singing songs.

As you can see the dads always stay in the back. I didn't hear too much singing from them.
I have such great friends. I love caroling because it is so fun to spread a little Christmas cheer while hanging out with great friends.

I know next year we will miss this caroling experience. Thanks guys for the fun memories.

Santa at the Mesa Mall, Christmas parties, and the Light Parade

So it has been a yearly ritual since living in Colorado to visit Santa at the Mesa Mall. Last year Beckham didn't mind Santa but, this year he wanted nothing to do with him. He has loved Santa and every time we see a picture or see an inflatable Santa on someones lawn he says HO-HO-HO. Obviously he only likes Santa from afar. After the kids told Santa what they wanted we went to the Giving Tree to pick out a few names to give Christmas to. My kids loved picking names that were their age and it has helped a little in sharing the true meaning of Christmas. However, our shopping experience in Target turned into a nightmare. All three of our kids at different times were in tears because they too wanted toys. Hopefully, one day they will get it.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Last Saturday we went to our ward Christmas party. It was fun to visit with close friends and eat pancakes. Beckham loved the pancakes, which is evident in the pictures. We played basketball and the kids ran around. Beckham just loves basketball and our friend Kenny was lifting him up so he could reach the tall rim. He really didn't know what to do.

Saturday night we went to the annual Fruita Light Parade. Our kids just loved this parade and I just like hanging out with friends. After the parade we had a friend Christmas Party at the Keiths. We exchanged wild white elephant gifts and ate a lot of yummy appetisers. We were all pretty pooped after a wild day of Christmas celebrations. Mckinley and her friend Chloe both fell asleep in the middle of the toy room.