Christmas and this week's goal

We had a fantastic Christmas. I want to wrap it up and open it every Christmas for the next ten years. The hype of Christmas met their expectations. We did have tears on Christmas Eve when Benjamin opened pajamas. That was my fault because I didn't prepare him adequately. I should have told him it was going to be very cool pajamas (and they were: Lighting McQueen!).

James' parents spent the night and had a fun dinner with us the on Christmas day along with my mom and dad and the Campbells, James sister's family. We headed up to the cabin for a great sledding party the next day. I wish I had gone out and recorded Addie on the hill. She is fearless and stayed out so long, James and she were icicles when they came back in. I hung out with the babies, and frosted sugar cookies.

About sugar cookies. I'm so addicted. I can't make them because I can't keep away from them. James actually is the sugar cookie maker. I head up the frosting and decorating. Yumm. This year it was the Christmas Trees with green frosting and tree sprinkles that just wowed me. Watch out Valentines.

About my cards. I finished them around Christmas eve and sent them out on the 27th. Better late than never right? I read the random sampler in December's Ensign about simplifying Christmas. I'm taking it to heart for next year. Kids get ONE present from Santa and I'm done with the shopping on December 1st. This goes for Christmas cards as well. If they are not made by then, forget it. Just enjoy Christmas.

This next week's focus is a joint project. We've decided to put a 1/2 bath in our laundry room right where this very computer I'm typing sits, so we need to set up a more central location for the home computer. I bought the ALVE secretary and addon from IKEA on Saturday and 4 hours later James had it put together. It holds a computer well and hides one too. But we had to order a flat screen monitor for it to fit and that will be here by Friday. So hopefully next Sunday I can post a picture of our new, aesthetically pleasing, non- laundering computer area, that utilizes our family room space effectively. I'm so excited about this because a new bathroom will lead to new flooring and that's the only hangup I have left about the upstairs. Yea, Yea, Yea.

Sorry no pictures--This major computer moving has already interfered with loading camera photos. I'll post some next week. What is every one's focus this week?

Paige is a happy Gal!

So my Christmas card goal...I'm starting to doubt I can do it. There are so many other things I want to get to.....I'll see. In the mean time here are some shots of Paige at Thanksgiving. She's sporting her first official Doot (hair clip that she didn't rip out)

Tonight James was saying what a Daddy's girl she is.....and then tacked on....I think she likes me so much because you're always holding Stuart. You know, he's right.

I Ordered the Couch!

I went to Bassett last week and decided to buy the couch. It's ordered and will be here sometime in January. I was going to take a picture of it but I had taken my camera out of my purse to get shots of The Boy who is now three months old! Here's one from the Basset web site. The picture doesn't do it justice. It's comfortable in a not overstuffed style.

Stuart has really mellowed out for an update on his mood. He's sleeping great! Still sometimes with me but digging the crib scene so I'll be sending the cradle down stairs.

I've been a slacker blogger because I keep getting lost in the jungle. You might wonder where that would be.... AMAZON.com... They've offered free shipping on most things. With no tax and no dragging four kids with peeping eyes around town I figure I'm coming out ahead. I've got some birthday and just because it was such a good deal stuff too so we'll see on the coming out ahead in the end.

This weekend we had a blast of a Christmas party with all my family. It started off calm enough with some graham cracker houses and candy.

Then we moved on to some pot luck souping and cheeseballing. Oh Missy yum. James and I have finished it off.

And then...the presents. The energy was palpable. Not only did the cousins all share presents but then Grandma Christy brought out her home runs.

Yea the shots are not the best.....Tom FORGOT his camera...I know.... a travesty. But we did have a lot of fun and there was a lot of Christmas Cheer. We missed you Arizona Prendergasts and Michigan Thackers.

So It's Sunday night and I'm ready to commit to this week's much needed focus. Christmas Cards. Last year we sent out a DVD and in years past I've done some crafty numbers...I really like getting them and putting them together will be fun too, so I'm putting it out there. Also I really need to start sleeping again, but that's just my self inflicted online shopping and nursing insomnia, very curable. What's your commitment for this week? Laurie, how's the mud room?

Merry Christmas everyone if I don't get back to posting until after the big day!

Failure!

Last week I went out only one day to RC Willy and it just reaffirmed that I don't like anything there. Yesterday I went to IKEA and it all just looked sloppy to me so I'm off to Bassett tomorrow to take a picture of the couch I've liked all along and I've been comparing everything too, and to order it. It'll take six weeks but if it's what I want then I should be willing to wait. Who cares if it's not here by Christmas? (I do) We can continue to sit on the floor plus, we'll have the two front room chairs because of the Christmas tree. I'll post a picture.

Putting it out there....

I talked with Robyn about getting things done. We came to the conclusion that if we said we were going to do something it might have a better chance at getting done. I did it today. Sweet Sister B. at church mentioned she had a gift for baby Stu and I told her to bring it to choir because I was thinking of joining.....low and behold I went. How many Sundays have passed when I mentally yearned.... and today I said it to someone and I went! Sister B. gave me a crocheted flannel burp cloth and this is the best ward choir I've ever been in. Equal numbers of men and women.

So I'm starting a Sunday night routine. You're welcome to join me. I'm putting out there the thing that most needs attention for the week. Yea. So I'm accountable and pictures of the goal finished could follow (maybe) No, pictures will be the proof!

This week.....I will decide on some furniture for the family room. I'm so determined at what I have envisioned and disappointed at what I've seen so far... I will stop being picky and just go and find something that I like and that looks good.

There it's out there. The world knows and I know that y'all know and now I have to do it. Any suggestions?

Happy Turkey Day! James was reading the kids, The Friend, and they saw this and wanted to make it. He turned out cute, don't you think? Addie cut feathers and wings. Ben did gluing and stuffing. He's a very large centerpiece.

The Family Tub

I am so thankful for a huge tub that can make quick work of the most patience building experience I do as a mother on an every other day basis. BATH TIME.

It's really a swimming pool.....what are you thankful for this time around?

Stuart Stats!

Here is Stuart taking a bath. He loves Benjamin so he was focusing on him. Here he is remembering he doesn't really like to be splashed on by Benji.
He went for his two month check a couple of weeks ago and he now weighs 13lbs 6 oz. He's gained 5 pounds since birth. He's still wound up as tight as a clock (do we wind clocks now a day?). We visited my great friend Jennifer two weeks ago and she has a big baby too, a week older than Stu. We sat and nursed and talked and after, adorable little Samuel had that drunken happy baby look and Stuart looked concerned. I didn't realize I hadn't seen "the look" on Stuart till I saw little Sam. Maybe it's a sign of an addiction free future. He's growing and looking so big and he's Addie's favorite toy, she'll do anything to hold him.

Yesterday I didn't realize Paige had been MIA until we found her in the pantry. I had a bag of Tootsie Rolls opened for convenient snacking (4 for 1 point) and she had found them. She lined up the wrappers for evidence, can you see them by her hand. I really thought she couldn't handle chewing them so I've been giving her little tiny bites. She downed 6 in a row and only one saliva slurp on her shirt.

I've been tagged...

What I was doing 10 years ago!

I was long distance dating James and loving that every time I came home from Cedar, he'd be the the first one to call.

What I was doing 5 years ago!

Addie was 6 months old, our calm happiness after some real serious sadness with not raising Charlotte.

What I was doing 1 year ago!

Teaching preschool and just getting used to three kids. Little did I know Stuart would be scheming how to make his way into the world unplanned but very welcomed nonetheless.

What I was doing yesterday!

Just catching up on stuff around me. Julie Hadlock came for a wonderful visit. She brought Stu a sleeper that he's almost fitting into. I also made a roast that was so good and James came home with a temperature of 102. ewww a sickeee.

Three facts/habits not many people know about me...

1. There is not much because I am an open book.

2. If I didn't have a family I'd love to get into local politics or be a stand up comedian.

3. I'm a pretend gardener.

An Escape!

On the way up to the cabin. Loving the in-drive movie.
Just happy to be going.

The weather has been just unseasonably warm. I feel like it's a bonus gift after the long, hot, pregnant summer. Last week James was in Las Vegas for a conference for four days. I survived with easy dinners and early bed times. He had Friday off so we took off to the cabin to cook out and ride the Yurf Dog. It was glorious weather.

Benjamin and Bentley were inseparable. Addie and Emma played too. Kim and I went on a walk up the hill. You can see the cabin in the background!

Yes, Stuart is still sporting the Skelly Jammies. On Saturday there was a turkey trot at the fitness center in Kamas. It was free and the first and second place got a turkey or pumpkin pie. Kim ran the 5K and took third! So close. I did the one mile walk with Stuart in the Conestoga wagon (gigantic stroller) and we took second. I'm not normally competitive there were only 4 of us in my age group so I turned on the heat. I finished one second behind red sweatshirt lady who had stopped to take off her black jacket. I should have just ditched Stu and gone for the kill (win). I talked to her after and she said every time she slowed down she heard the stroller wheels on her heels....hee hee. There was a drawing for door prizes and they took a picture of all the winners for the Kamas newspaper. It was a fun weekend. Thanks Kim and Tom for cooking all the great food and letting us spread out up there.

Now all you blog readers might be wondering, "What it's like at the cabin?" Call me, we'll go! It's so fun because the kids disappear to play and there isn't any West Jordan housework to do.

Halloween and some complications......

First off--Here's my little Skelly! He has so many moods ! He helped me pass out candy and he was a really celebrity in his glow in the dark PJs.

I took the kids over to my mom's to trick or treat earlier in the day and we took some pictures. I'm so glad we did because then the craziness of Halloween set in and I didn't take anymore pictures.

Benjamin was a very cool T-Rex that I borrow from Vanessa. What a hoot of a costume. Addie was 'The Little Witch', it's a mixture of old dance costumes given new life. Paige was a kitty and I bought two of the fleeces and used one to make ears, tail and the cuff of her pants. AND she can wear the fleece and pants for the rest of the winter--two in one! Here's one of the pumpkins we carved. We even carved the cumkin which is the green one. It was grown next to the cucumber plant and hehehe.

Right before the kids left Paige threw up all over the kitty suit. She kept throwing up all night so I set up a puke station in the entry way so she could greet the trick or treaters. She loved all the kids, and the doorbell ringing. It truly was one of my craziest hours ever. Stuart was in the sling because he could not be happy anywhere else....And we had a lot of trick or treaters. This past summer I found a box of beanie babies at a yard sale and the lady sold them to me for $5. I kept a set for preschool of some very cool ones and then we gave the rest of them out to the little kids. It was so fun. A little after 9pm we turned out our lights to start our chocolate milk/popcorn tradition and to play cards (after having a great debate over referendum 1). The bell rang over and over and we tried to ignore it but then James went to tell them we were out of candy and it was a little girl in our ward that wanted a beanie baby too. She got home and saw what her sisters had and wanted one too. Her mom brought her over to see if we had any left. We had ducks left.

So to sum it up--anyone who came trick o treating to our house got a great treat but probably a trick as well. We'll have to wait to see who ends up with this particular stomach distress.

We went to a pumpkin Garden! It was a little crazy--I usually don't go anywhere public with all four but I went with a friend and she helped keep an eye on all of them. This place had a teepee, pirate ship and hay maze. We were entertained and then we bought the little tiniest white pumpkins ever. $1.25 for a gourd no bigger than the seed it took to grow it. I didn't even take a picture because "it was not a good deal" I really need to teach them about value vs. product.

Stuart and Man's Breast Friend

James and Addie caught this. They kept it a secret until I put the pictures on the computer. Addie thought it was really funny and really...he was even wearing his puppy suit.

THE BOY SMILES!

These are a little blurry--I think I'm too close....
But whenever he gets done with this crying phase...
He'll be a really happy guy to take care of! By the way he's sitting in the recalled baby bumbo seat. I read that if you have one to let the company know so they can mail you a warning label to stick on it. I thought that was funny too.

Cute Couch Kids

After church today I piled all the kids on the couch to do a baby blessing picture. Stuart had just eaten so he was not in a great mood but everyone else looks good. When we look back I'll just think in my head that that was the day we blessed Stuart (even though it was two weeks later). Aren't they a cute bunch?

A Conversation On Birth

Ben: "Ian, I know how babies come out"

Ian: "Do you push it out?"

Ben: "No, the baby pushes"

Ian: "You push it..."

Ben: "No it pushes and pushes and then it pulls out.."

Ian: "The belly doesn't break open.. huh.."

Ben: "No"

They are so funny when they tell each other stuff. Their knowledge is so simple.

33 and Counting!

So I'm now 33! This is the cake I made and believe it or not it took me all day. I can't think of a better way to spend a day. I kept getting distracted with other things and the cake was a little over baked. Our friend Dave commented that his mother's cakes were very dry and she had 10 kids! Correlation: The more kids you have the more over baked your cakes are. Although my mom had 9 kids and her cakes are great. She has amazing focusing skills. I did have a special afternoon rescue by Robyn who came over and whipped my kids in to cleaning up everything and she loaded the dishwasher. TRUE friend. I took a shower while the ganache chocolate cooled. Here's a link to the recipe. It was divine.

http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=59a35e7c716e0110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=sweet%20and%20salty%20cake&rsc=ns2006_m2

Blessing and a good laugh!

No wonder he's so fussy--he has his pants up to his neck!

I was a little bit out of it yesterday and completely forgot to do the formal family shot after the blessing. They're never very good and we don't have couches yet so where would we have sat?

I did pull the camera out after almost everyone had left. Here are a few of folks just hanging out.

Bevan, Donna, The Boy, Addie and Dave playing Trumpet. Addie was Donna's card holder. She was very proud of it.

James, Paige in the highchair and Dave. Card Sharks....

Kim and Tom but Tom was crunching some potato chips...

And this is Ben sporting my lily pads on HIS "nursehers". He's so proud of them and Paige is very curious. It almost looks bad but I think it's hilarious.

Look What Paige Can Do! Feed Herself! Hallelujah!

Sorry I've been out of the blogging world for so long. Bless you who keep checking up and find the same old boring post. It's been crazy around here. I took my kids in for flu shot and had Dr. B look over the boy because he was crying so much. Especially after he ate. He suspected reflux or a protein sensitivity. He suggested to try Zantac and I opted because--it was either that or go off of dairy completely and I knew the meds would be a whole lot easier. I think it has cut his crying in half and he can fall asleep easier and sleep a little longer. Anyway that's where I've been. We went to the cabin over conference and had a blast! Tomorrow is the baby blessing and we can't wait. This little guy will get all the glory he deserves. I'll post some pictures for sure.