Christmas Eve

Today is Christmas Eve and we enjoyed a lazy day together. Cass, Andy and Lu are battling a runny nose, so just one more reason to take things easy. Early afternoon we started preparing to go to Aunt Gloria and Uncle Tom's for some Christmas fun. Lu and Cass were all decked out in their pretty Christmas dresses and Jack was spiffed up (as much as a 5 year old boy gets decked out without complaining.) We pile into the car- and Lucy starts saying her throat is hurting. Andy's had been bothering him yesterday so I figured that was what was causing it... however in the back of my mind I remembered Jack telling me once (when he was about her age) that his throat felt funny shortly before he threw up. In the hustle and bustle of it all, I just dismissed the thought and continued buckling seat belts. Lucy told me a few more times her throat hurt so I told her we'd stop at Walgreens to get some drops for her to suck on. She said ok and we were off. We get about a mile from home and I hear again, "Mommy, my throat hurts." Then 3 seconds later "mommy I'm throwing up" and next thing I know there is vomit running down the front of her coat. I calmly (don't quite know how I was calm but I do remember being so) pulled the car over, told her it would be ok and turned the car around. We got home, cleaned up the car, and plopped her into the bath tub. Andy took care of the rest of the clean up and the rest of the kids and I piled back into the van and headed back over to the party. Andy reported when we arrived home a few hours later, that she had kept a few saltines and some gatorade down- and she didn't seem sick at all. We are still taking precautions, but are hoping the vomiting was due to the draining down her throat upsetting her stomache.

Here's to a happy, healthy holiday!


Lu opening some gifts at home

Silhouette Ornaments

Have you seen these cool silhouettes? I really liked them and wanted to make some of my children. I just wasn't sure where I'd put them since we live in a cracker jack box (and since I have a few photos of the children already posted throughout the house).

I just didn't have a place for them. So I came up with this idea: silhouette ornaments! I had been trying each year to buy a frame ornament so we could look back and see them through the early years. The silhouettes fit in nicely with this tradition.

I got some canning jar lids, some pretty paper, and took a profile photo. I printed it off and then cut out the pictures of them- colored them in black with a permanent marker- glued it all together with a fancy pipe cleaner and TA DAAAAAA! I'd have to say I am pretty happy with the results.

tappy shoes

I have always had a thing for shoes. And boots. Pretty much anything that covers my feet. I don't know why... I might have inherited it from my dad. Well and I think Lucy and Cassidy inherited it from me. When Lucy first moved into her big girl bed- shortly before she turned 2, she would call me in hysterics 20 minutes after I put her down- only for me to find that she wasn't hurt - just needed help getting her shoes on. Once she could get them on by herself, she would wake up in the morning with shoes on. And she has always been particular about what shoes she wears. We were going camping and she needed some tennies so I found a pair at a rummage for $1. Almost brand new (not to mention I refused to buy new ones because she NEVER wears tennis shoes... only the pretty ones). She would not wear them... that is until I put Dora band aids across the front. And Cassidy. She is enthralled by shoes. If she sees some, she has to try them on. Well, I think her pretty patent leather shoes took the cake. She realized that not only are they pretty but they also make noise! She has thus far refused to walk, so she sits on her bum and taps her feet on the floor. And every so often she picks that foot up, adorned with shoe, and brings it real close to her face to relish it. It is really all too funny. But not really. Because I probably did the same thing. :)

Daddy's Christmas Party

Today we headed over to Andy's school to celebrate the season. There was a lot of fun, friends and food.

sssssssssoooooooooooddddddddaaaaaaaa!

want some sprinkles?

Jack, Dax and Lucas in their "fort" under one of the tables

Lucy was brave enough to sit on Santa's chair after he was gone

Jack's Christmas Program

Reindeer Jack

We were all excited to get to see Jack's first school Christmas Program. He was so excited too! The JK sang two songs and were just adorable. Jack was so pumped up to do the "Reindeer Pokie" and shake his tail at us.

the look of elation when he found us in the crowd

(most of) Jack's cheering section: Jenny, G-ma R, Lucy, Carter, Cassidy, and Elaina


This little guy liked it.... do they come much cuter?!

Gingerbread house

Last night we made a gingerbread house with Abby and Kaleb. The kids enjoyed decorating -- and Lucy ate more candy than she put on. Andy created the ghetto chimney. I guess he wanted it to be big enough for Santa to fit down.

Family Portrait

Jack came home from school with this family portrait he painted. It shows all the members of his family... and then a whole bunch more. I am hoping the others are cousins.... or friends... because I really don't want to disappoint him, but I am not planning on having 7 more children.

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas

Jolly old Saint Nicholas,
Lean your ear this way,
Don't you tell a single soul
What I'm going to say.
Christmas Eve is coming soon,
Now you dear old man,
Whisper what you'll bring to me,
Tell me if you can.

When the clock is striking twelve,
When I'm fast asleep,
Down the chimney with your pack,
Softly you will creep.
All the stockings you will find,
Hanging in a row,
Mine will be the shortest one,
You'll be sure to know.

Johnny wants a pair of skates,
Susie needs a sled,
Nelly wants a storybook --
One she hasn't read.
As for me, I hardly know,
So I'll go to rest;
Choose for me, dear Santa Claus,
What you think is best.

Cutter Cookies

This week Grandma, Jenny, Elaina and Carter and the kids and I got together for a tradition we have had for as long as I can remember - making cutter cookies! In days past it usually occurred on a snow day. Mom would get the early morning phone call (she was a teacher) - and we knew it meant school was called off. So out came the Andy Williams and Perry Como albums, the sprinkles and cutters and the day became a whirlwind of sprinkles and snowflakes.
Memories like this make me smile.

I am so glad that Jack and Lucy get as excited as I do to make these cookies. As you can tell from their shirts (and Jack's hair...), they really take their cookie making seriously.

yes... he is licking out the bowl...

I don't know what was more fun- picking out the cutter shapes or adding the sprinkles. Now that I reconsider- the sprinkles really made this venture what it was. If you look closely I think you can kinda make out the depth of these cookies. We aren't talking stingy in the least. These cookies have SPRINKLES on them.

The Domes

We were invited by some good friends to go to see the Holiday Domes... to enjoy and take some pictures. When I told the kids they were so excited! However when we got there and the camera came out, Jack yelled, "YOU tricked me! You never said there were going to be pictures!?" I admit, I may have conveniently left that part out, but I was only hoping to capture a few candids and perhaps one of everyone together. Most of the pictures of Jack are streaks of him running by but he did cooperate for a few nice ones.


I like to call this one "Joy to the World"


The girls


making a wish at the koi pond
Jack didn't like being in this dome for too long. "I'm sweltering mom!!"

All I want for Christmas

I love all things primitive... especially my feather tree. I bought it on ebay last year. It is about 3 feet tall and fits nicely into our window sill. (This is the best picture I could get with the terrible light. Doesn't do it justice. )And I love the chain link too. I wanted to be able to tie the Savior into the Holiday as much as I can For a FHE activity we created a personal chain by writing on each link what we are thankful for. We have one interesting list.... from church and Grandma and Grandpa to fountains, chairs and giraffes. I am always curious to see what the kids come up with.

When I asked Lucy what she wanted for Christmas this is what she told me:
1. A Candy cane ... because mine broke.
2. A Tinkerbell
3. Princess stuff
4. A rainbow pony

Jack's Christmas list:
1. Star Wars movie
2. A Nerf gun
3. A Remote Control Tarantula
4. "No princess stuff because we have too much of that".

The Zoo in the winter

It was a pretty darn cold day on Saturday, but we needed to get out of the house so we decided to head on over to the zoo. Yes- it was only about 30 degrees but we had a really nice time. The nice thing about our zoo is that there are many buildings with exhibits so we were able thaw out in between our outside expeditions. Most of the smart animals were inside (what does that say about us?...)-- but I wondered what the African Elephant thought of the snowflakes that were landing on her back. She didn't seem too concerned at all.

How to turn a bad day around

I had been having a terrible morning.

And quite honestly I was a walking grump.
I snapped at the kids multiple times because they weren't moving as fast as I would have liked and was pretty unpleasant to be around.
I left as I usually do about 10 minutes before we leave for school to complete my morning cleaning in the building (part of my managing duties).
I came back and stopped dead in my tracks when I found this waiting on the counter for me:

Tears came to my eyes and I was immediately humbled.
Andy told me that Jack came to him and said that 'mommy is really sad and I need to do something for her'. So he told Andy what to write and then he signed his name.
And that is all it took.
My heart melted and I grabbed that little boy and held him.
Held him so tight and thanked him.
I am thankful for a boy who is sensitive enough to know what his mommy needs- and is getting old enough to know how to help her when she needs it.

Snow in the forecast

When the weatherman included snow in the forecast I didn't know that would include our enclosed back stair well.

Only 6 more months of dealing with stuff like this!
I am so done with disrespectful, careless college kids.

I don't love it

Lucy has come up with her very own one liner- illustrated below.

"Mom, I don't love this dress."

"Mom, I fell off of Cassidy's rocking horse,
and I hit my head right here,
and it hurt...
...
and I don't love it."

Me: Lucy you need to finish your dinner.
Lu:"But Moooooommmm, I don't love it!"

"Mom, Cass smells yucky- like a poopy elephant ... that poops. And I don't love it."

Thanksgiving Day

We started the day off with a favorite of mine- The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! Lucy and Meela quickly got into the spirit dancing with a broadway show number.


Then Andy provided us with not one, but TWO reasons to be thankful.... no I am not having twins. Here he is with a few deer his family got! I know it was because I told him he would not be able to hunt Friday morning since I would be out at the black Friday sales. (And I wasn't joking.)


I was surprised at how nonchalant Lucy was with the deer in the back of the truck. "Ohhh- his tongue is dirty and ooooooh look at the blood- hehe!" as if it was not at all out of the ordinary. It must run in the genes from her father's side.


Jake provided me with yet another reason to be thankful. He gave me an hour of peace and quiet while he took the kids to the river to throw stones. Gotta love brother-in-laws :)

Jack shows the ropes

Jack decided to teach Lucy and Meela about shooting.(fake gun- obviously) He actually posed for a few pictures too.

Usually he just gets really mad if I try to take pictures of him- but I think he felt cool that the girls were interested.


When I had reached my photo limit , Jack let me know, subtly.