Almost Didn't Happen This Year

You know, the whole 'Oh Christmas tree' or 'boughs of holly' evening where you put up your tree. It almost didn't happen. I put up a little tree for the kids to put little ornaments on but only being home 2 1/2 weeks before we left again for the holidays and Nathan being gone over half of that- didn't bode well for the big tree. Last minute we gathered around- I handed out ornaments as fast as I could to 3 eager little children and Nathan helped them hang a few higher up and kept Aly from poking her eye out. I so wasn't looking forward to this job this year (as told by the neglected branches sporting the "just outta the box look" and the haphazard sprinkling of ornaments) but I am still surprised how much fun we had and I am so glad we did it.

I got out my Barbie ornaments this year. I am sentimental about these little things. Growing up my Dad gave me (and I believe his mother) a collectible Barbie ornament each year for, well 6 years. I don't think it was meant to be that big of a deal but hey- you give a girl a pretty present...I think it had to do with being the only one to receive a special gift each year. I really did feel special. I doubt my Dad meant it to be anything remarkable but each year when I see these pretty ornaments I can't help but feel that way.

Care To Listen?

I would like to request permission for a mini-vent. I don't know if anyone is still reading at this point but I am going to assume permission granted. There is a day every month nearing a certain time of month when I get ridiculously emotional. Three months in a row now I have actually cried on this day. I hate that. It is so stupid. I know why it is happening and I think that annoys me even more to think that the reason I am crying (something I rarely do, minus this day) is because of dang hormones. I mean, so what does that even mean? Does that mean my feelings aren't real? Kind of I think.
Take today. I woke up on a Sat. morning and bounced happily out of bed. Let's stop right there. See that? Bouncing out of bed? That is not normal. For several hours as we did Saturday morning chores together as a fam I practically whistled around the house. That's not normal either. Then around noon the clouds rolled in. I read something online and totally got my feelings hurt (and no, it was not you). I stood there in the kitchen and totally wanted to cry. I mean really wanted to. But then a light bulb went on and I realized it was hormone induced and that was it. I told myself 'Stiff Upper Lip' (not to be confused with "Stick Up Your Lip" like Kennedy thought the saying was) and refused to cry. I am not going to let some breaking dam of hormones make me cry over stupid stuff anymore. It is stupid. Now the uncontrollable laughing that happens sometimes, that can stay...

On a brighter note. This is my favorite picture of the month. Nathan was playing "Oh Holy Night", our favorite Christmas song and the kids were dancing. If I could choose one thing to be amazing at it would be singing. I love, love, love to sing but it isn't anything that anyone would love, love, love to hear. I'm best in a choir if you know what I mean. I once dated a guy who was an amazing singer. I couldn't sing around him. It would be like me showing up to the Indie 500 in a Dune Buggy. Comical. Anyway- I have a point, I swear- I married Nathan obviously, and I am free to sing to my heart's content and believe you me, I do. I never feel judged or inadequate, in fact I think Nathan might actually be hard of hearing. Here's why. He really. Really. loves me to sing. Especially when he plays our afore mentioned favorite Christmas song. I am blushing even writing this because I know who reads this and you are probably scrolling to the top to make sure it is me writing it. But Nathan will insist and even coax the kids into coming and and asking me with big doe like eyes if I will come sing the song. It makes me feel good. Even if Nathan is the only one in the world who enjoys it -and he very well may be- I love him for allowing me the freedom to sing without shame in our home.
And I am posting the picture a second time because I really love it that much.

Gingerbread Cookies

I was grateful when I got a call from a friend to come let Kohen and Aly decorate some gingerbread cookies with their little friends. Anything to avoid household chores, right? So Kohen was the oldest one there and probably the only one who was interested in decorating AND eating the cookies. I always love his little creations.

After the decorating the 3 little girls and Kohen went off to play while the mom's got to talking when Kohen rang the Aly Alarm. He is so helpful like that. It happens probably several times an hour Kohen will start shouting, "ALY'S INTO TROUBLE! ALY'S INTO TROUBLE!" And off I will go to find whatever mischief she has gotten into. Anyway, I was more than a little concerned to hear Kohen say that when we were at someone else's house. I discovered Aly applying butt balm to her lips/face and she had also wiped it all over a book case.

After the clean up the girls were all playing princess and it was Kohen's job to come wake them all...Had to include it because of where Aly's finger was.

Thanksgiving Day

~Kohen got up early and went Turkey Hunting~

His quote of the day came as he watched my mom rinsing the turkey and the turkey's 'cavity' *yucky shiver*...she was filling up the turkey with water and Kohen was like, "Why are you putting water in there? Does he need a drink?"

Kennedy and Aly with their favorite Uncle Shayn. Poor Shayn, he brings out the rowdy in my kids...and then is too nice to make 'em settle down.

Aunt Ashley with Kohen- Ash made a ton of yummy food which of course solidifies her place in Kohen's heart- which is obviously, found through his stomach.

After dinner we headed to Jeremy and Polly's house to hang out and play with all the Jensens' and let the kids run wild with their cousins. And of course, eat some more :)

My Parents Computer Wants Me Gone/Happy Thanksgiving!

Please, if you have to read this post out loud, please whisper because as I am typing this right now in the dark my most light sleeper Kennedy, is about 3 ft away from me in a dream state which for her is never too far from an awake one. I am loathing my last second choice to leave my lap top at home when we left for Boise the other day. I must've been feeling optimistic about my relationship with my parents 'ol Desk Top. He hates me. I think of him as a grumpy old man even though it isn't an old computer or anything. He just always gets belligerent when I am in town. I swear, he'll be working 'fine' and then I hop on and all of a sudden he blows a gasket, throws his virtual back out. I am very careful not to do anything that would make The Ol Guy grumpy- I don't eat and drop crumbs over the keyboard or other disrespectful things young'uns do to computers but he still hates me. Anyway, he hasn't helped me get any blogging done since I've been here. I know he chuckles to himself while I am sleeping.

When we got here all three of my little ones had the cough/cold combo and I had just barely gotten the cold- we got the 'Fight 3 Get 1 Free' and you know I always love a bargain. But it wasn't that big of a deal until Sunday night when I kept waking up through the night wheezing/honking and really having a hard time breathing. Monday I sounded SCARY, a lot like Chewbacca actually. Finally by Tuesday I listened to reason and went in to the dr. I pretty much have the Croup. The dr. gave me, among other scripts (btw this dr. is known in my fam for throwing scripts at ya like cards at a Black Jack table) an inhaler which was like a modern day miracle in a little tiny can. I didn't remember a ton about when I used to get the Croup as a child except that I still got it older than most and I missed a Field Trip and a Valentine's Day party a couple of years because of it. But I have a renewed appreciation for when my babies get this. It is scary when you can't breathe and then you start in with the honking cough and your larynx is so inflamed you literally can't get any air through...wow do we ever take breathing for granted.

Kennedy came home from her last day of school all dressed up from her Thanksgiving Feast. I distinctly remember wearing the same thing in Kindergarten for a feast. Nathan and I told each other for like the 10th time -we seem to do it every Thanksgiving- about the two different ways we each got to make candles in Kindergarten for our respective feasts. It must have been pretty cool because we both remember it and get excited telling about it decades later.


This Thanksgiving season I am thankful for everything. Here are just a few in no particular order:
I am Grateful for...

~Every minute my family is together
~My newest nephew who arrived safely Monday morning
~Kennedy, Kohen and Aly
~Good Books
~My BIL Taylor for the service he did us this week
~True Friends
~For a certain extended family member who has accepted the invitation to be baptized
~All the Service men who are selflessly serving our country- their risk is disproportionate to their personal pay off.
~My testimony of Jesus Christ
~Heat in the winter...hard to imagine there are still many places in the world where heat isn't a given
~My husband who is the BEST best friend
~Blogging and my friends and fam who make doing it worth while
~Mary Poppins who gave us this sage advice which is applicable to Thanksgiving I believe, "ENOUGH IS AS GOOD AS A FEAST"

I think that is enough for now. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Aly the Part Time Italian

As a parent sometimes you become desensitised to some of the things your children do on a regular basis. Take Kohen, for example. I don't even realize anymore when we go out in public and he has on some get-up, that this may draw attention to him. So it has only newly dawned on me that Aly has been speaking in an Italian accent for quite some time.
At dinner she might ask, "I need-a my cup" or to a sibling, "that's-a my doll!" or even "STOP-a Kohen! Dat hurt-a my fwee-wings" (feelings). Anyway, Nathan and I were laughing about this the other day, how our most blond and fair colored child is the one who seems to be fully embracing her 1/16th Italian heritage wholeheartedly, if not unknowingly. We don't really care where it comes from, it's kooky and cute and we love it.

2nd Half, Higher Altitude

To see what we were up to Sunday click here. Sunday night Nathan's Convention started -picture lots of nerds converging on the Park City Marriot. But apparently nerds of the forensic variety are really generous with freebies which never hurts. Plus Nathan would bring me fantastically sinful chocolate desserts each night because he felt bad leaving me to try and get the kids to settle down every night. I am easily swayed by chocolate and all was forgiven.
So on Monday while Nathan was busy with work the kids and I went over to Midway to hang out with the Furni who came up to their timeshare up there. First we went for a walk in the rain and went to check out the craters that were right around where we were. This one Kohen and I are by was filled with water that was warm enough to be steaming. It was pretty cool- when's the last time you saw a crater with thermal water in it when you were taking a walk, right?

We searched high and low for any remaining snow and found a small strip for the kids to play in for a few minutes. After everyone lobbed a few snowballs without gloves we were all ready to go in and warm up.

Kenna -ever my lover of leaves- was pretty stoked with the size of this one

After lunch and an attempt at naps we headed over to the pool where Nathan was able to meet up with us. I think the kids all would have been content to stay in the pool all night. But alas, the steaks were calling.

The 6 pack ran around in their pj's while the boys worked on dinner. It is funny when we are all together, sometimes the four adults will pause, look around and then start laughing at the crazy brood we have created in such a seemingly short time. It's great.

A rare, totally unorchestrated moment when the kids have been corralled. Okay you got us. There was a movie on, lol. What an awesome long weekend it was. And now instead of Nathan being gone for 6 days for work, it's only been 2 1/2. That, I can handle.

RISE AND SHOUT!...

THE COUGARS ARE OUT!....We just had the most awesome extended weekend. Nathan had to go to the PFIC Conference (Paraban Forensics Innovations Conference) up in Park City this week so we decided to go together a few days early to play. Nathan's extended fam who we lived by and hung with all the time in VA are all crazy athletic. Two of his cousins from this family are playing at BYU so we were so excited to see their games. Plus *Bonus!* Rosie was coming into town too to see her kids play so we got to see her too.
Friday we started out in Nathan and I's old stomping grounds of Provo. We had a late lunch with Rosie, Marianne and her new man Brad before meeting up with more extended fam. The kids had been waiting forever and were SO excited to see Rosie. That was worth the trip right there. After, we raced out to see the Furni and they had a arranged a sitter so we left our combined 6 kids with some 'lucky' sitter and went to dinner to laugh and stuff ourselves. We left Aly with the Furni that night (thank you!) because they were watching her for us while we went to the game on Sat.

First let me say it was so weird/nice to just have the two older kids with us on Sat. Two children ages 4 & 6 is so do-able. Why didn't someone tell me!?, lol. Aly was busy at the Furni's house following Eric around and calling him Dad. The football game was an afternoon game which was perfect and the weather was beautiful. Nathan's cousin Jeff #58 was playing which made it extra special. Kennedy got so excited every time she tracked down #58 on the field. And Kohen kept everyone around us entertained, if you've met him you know what I'm talking about. He loved the food and the fight song and thanks to the Cougar's many touchdowns Kenna and Kohen had ample opportunity to show off what they'd been practicing with us at home.

After the game there was a ceremony on the field for the graduating Seniors. We got to go down on the field and see Jeff and pretty much make Kohen's life. Both kids were in a awe of Jeff (Kenna was 'a little shy') which is funny considering how well they know him well and are typically wrestling and playing around with him. I guess the players do look formidable in their pads and stuff though. Took Kohen only about 10 seconds to get over it.

This is us with Nathan's Uncle Ray (who Nathan used to work for) and one of his daughters Jessica who came down from Boise to see the game.

While Jeff was getting changed we hung out on the field and Kenna & Kohen played with some other kids throwing footballs around and chasing each other. Kohen was loving his life getting covered in blue from the field...not a bad price to pay :)

Of course on our way to go pick up Aly Kohen passed out- he had been playing hard all day. A while after we had picked up Aly I was trying to wake up the little guy because it was late in the day for him to be sleeping. He was SO OUT. He started mumbling stuff in his sleep, our favorite was "tough game. tough game." lol. When he finally came around he looks over at Aly and asks, "when did she get here?"...

So now we were racing to pick up a babysitter of ours from VA who is at the Y to watch the kids in our hotel while Nathan and I joined up with everyone to go see his cousin Marianne play Basketball that night. The stands look empty because well, they were, lol. Well, actually there were quite a few people there but all on the other side. Of course we won and Marianne even got to play, yay!

After the basketball game we all went out to eat and laughed and chatted for what must have been hours. It was wonderful. A long but awesome day. Turns out to enjoy sports I don't have to be uber-athletic...just know people who are! ha ha

Aly and "Pretty's"

You might be surprised to know what I'm irritated about first and foremost from these pictures. Um, how is that my two year old is able to apply mascara more astutely than me!?? And if you've ever been around whilst I try to force my lashes to conform- you know I'm hardly exaggerating.
Seriously. How does she actually get it on her eye lashes?! Without a mirror?! I need a lesson. Maybe next time I walk in on Aly getting into my makeup (so like, 5 minutes from now...) instead of being frustrated I should just ask for a lesson.

Can You Say Fiscally Conservative?

What an important and amazing election this has been for our family. Having just moved to California and unknowingly into the Prop. 8 war zone you can imagine the conversations we have been having mostly with our 6 year old Kennedy. It started with her asking what the Yes On 8 sign in our yard was for which- just think about that for a second. How do you explain that one to an innocent child? But it opened up some great opportunities for us to teach her what we believe.

The real story begins last Thursday when Nathan picked up Kennedy from school and she told him about how they voted for President in class that day and Barack Obama had gotten 26 votes to McCain's 6. Nathan asks Kenna who she voted for and she answers proudly "Barack Obama." Picture the camera zooming in on Nathan's face twisted in shock and horror. On the 3 minute ride home (which must have seemed much longer for my first born) Nathan lectured Kenna on how and why he supports McCain and had her repeating things like "experience", "lower taxes", and "fiscally conservative."
When I learned of Nathan's little lecture I was quick to reassure Kennedy that it was just fine she had voted for Obama in class but we did discuss how in real life it is important to find out what the person stands for first- since she had voted for Obama cuz he looked 'nice'. Fair enough.
Thinking it was over I was surprised when Kennedy looked at Nathan and I last night at dinner with genuine concern and said, "I'm worried Barack Obama will win tomorrow." After shooting Nathan a look that would kill if only they could- I explained to Kennedy how both men were good and worthy candidates (*cringe* waiting for lightening bolt to strike) and after the vote mom and dad would wholeheartedly (maybe 3/4's?) support whoever wins because we believe that either Obama or McCain will do the best they can to lead our country. And we even threw out a few people she knows and loves who were voting for Obama to try and put it in perspective. I'm trying to say politely: I think I undid the damage a well-meaning father had done.
That is why it was so important for us tonight to take our kids with us to VOTE. Kennedy sat with me and asked questions as I marked the ballot (thank goodness I had studied the 12 propositions before hand and knew which way I wanted to vote) and even got herself an "I VOTED" sticker, of which she is extremely proud. Anyway, I guess I don't need to write verbatim every conversation we had but this election has truly given us so many opportunities to teach our children about this promised land that we live in.
Please forgive me if my only lingering frustrations with Obama's win is that it = Oprah's win. For once. Once! I wanted to see Oprah NOT get her way. Other than that I'm good.

Halloween 2008 California Style

Aly declared herself "Tink-uh-bell"
Buzz Lightyear! To the rescue!

Kennedy was Ariel sans red hair...
We were invited to a party at a friends house and I am glad we went because it was fun to trick-or-treat in a group. Aly pooped out first but we just threw her in the stroller with a sucker and let the other two keep going for a while.

After Trick-or-treating we went back and had hot chocolate/cider and more treats with friends. The party ended abruptly for us when we discovered the chocolate on Aly's leg warmer was not in fact chocolate...yeeeah.
On our way home I told Nathan I was curious to see if our YES ON 8 sign had managed to stay put in our yard seeing as many of the YES signs in our neighborhood (and everywhere else) have been stolen. Nathan, ever my dear optimist didn't think it would be gone. My cider cup being half empty-I figured it would be. Sadly I was right. Someone had stolen it. I'd like to think that people voting YES ON 8 have more integrity than to steal peoples signs, whereas the NO people don't seem to count this stealing of someone elses property as morally deficient- one of several areas we would disagree on morality. But never fear- we have a back up sign. Take that! sa-kai!!!

Because There Aren't Enough Treats @ Halloween...

For the first time ever this year I decided to try roasting the pumpkin seeds that came out of the pumpkins we carved. I found this recipe on line and it is super good. Sweet with a hint of salty which in my opinion is the best of both worlds.

*Toasted Pumpkin Seeds with Sugar and Spice*

1 cup raw pumpkin seeds, rinsed and dried (for the record I used almost double)
6 tablespoons white sugar, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Spread pumpkin seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until dry and toasted. Larger seeds may take longer.
In a large bowl, stir together 2 tablespoons of white sugar, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Set aside. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pumpkin seeds and sprinkle the remaining sugar over them. Stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar melts, about 45 seconds. Pour seeds into the bowl with the spiced sugar and stir until coated. Allow to cool before serving. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.