Winter Wonderland Dinner

Christmas is far from over on this blog.

Because I am so far behind, I will be reliving our holidays through January!

Our first event was a Magical Winter Wonderland Dinner.

Binz {cute redhead below....not her real name, daughter of my best friend Ris} has a fun Grandma Sidney who put on a beautiful dinner for the girls in her family.

Binz got to invite a friend and we were the lucky ones chosen!

Sidney is amazing at presentation.

She charmed the girls with dresses, tiara's, necklaces, ballerina dolls, and tiny nutcracker ornaments. {Binz Ris and Sidney had gone to see the Nutcracker earlier that day}

She charmed us older girls with a delicious dinner.

It was a fun way to jumpstart our Christmas vacation.

11th

The amazing anniversary celebration that wasn't.

Darin and I had such great plans for our 11th anniversary. We were going to snowshoe in the middle of the night to watch a total lunar eclipse. Together, in the dead of night, surrounded by silence and each other. So romantic, and so perfect for us since a lot of our courtship has been spent gazing at the heavens.

Meteor showers {shooting starts} are the best in late summer, and we lived in an area away from city lights so the impact is very intense. We would lay outside watching, laughing, and talking for hours. We did it before I left for college, and then again when we were engaged. Darin proposed to me while looking at a full moon. We got up very early to watch the Leonids as newlyweds.

All memories I cherish. How perfect to add another one.

Alas, 6 + inches of snow made it difficult to get anywhere we could watch, with no visibility even if we could get out of the city.

Drats. Double Drats.

I did surprise Darin with cinnamon rolls and a love note {we served cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate at our reception}. Darin gave me an amazing gift {another post at another time}. We also spent some quality time talking about us. Our future, our family, where we are headed and what we want to accomplish. We haven't figured it all out yet, and I wouldn't call it a "cherished memory" but refreshing to be reminded of why we got married in the first place...and to remember that we made a good decision.

There are plans to do some snowshoeing over New Years and we will try out some new restaurant we have been meaning to visit.

All along the way there will be memories made.

We picked up Darin after work for a trip to Temple Square for the awe-inspiring lights and entertaining people watching.

Especially this little person.

He is so much fun.

I seriously feel bad for people who don't get to spend time with my children.

Totally biased, I know...but isn't it great I love them so much, since I am their mother and all.

then....

Grand America Hotel for their window alphabet tour.

With a shortbread cookie prize at the end,

and gingerbread delights along the way.

Very GRAND indeed.

Christmas Music

First of many {I hope} holiday concerts!

I seriously considered not doing neighbor/friend gifts this year.

If there was a year to bow out gracefully it would be this one...a baby year.

I just couldn't seem to do it.

I have such great memories of running treats around to neighbors as a kid. It's one of my favorite memories of Christmas. I just didn't realize back then the work my Mom did behind the scenes.

So, I thought we would just cut the list waaay down.

Again, I just couldn't do it!

I scrambled to make another batch of nutty buddies, more brownies, and even today while driving around the neighborhood there were so many I would love to give a gift to but didn't.

It was all worth it in the end. Bub and Mimi were so excited to deliver gifts yelling "Merry Christmas!" at every home. Bub would hide the gift in his coat and say slyly "We have a gift for youuuu!" pulling the treat out with a flourish. They ran from house to house happy as clams.

To see such joy in giving is for sure worth it.

Cookie Par-tay

Miriam's first {annual?} cookie party

Tangled and Tears

Our yearly trip to the movies!

We all loved Tangled. We all laughed, Miriam and I sobbed.

We so rarely go to the movies it's a super big treat to go. Blogworthy even.

We like it that way.

It was fun to go with friends and a good thing we did since they saved seats to the sold out show! Thanks J & O.

Sweetness

I've been up to my eyeballs in candy houses.

Some for the Young Women.....

.....and one big one for us!

Miriam and Bub worked on this house little bits at a time, from Sunday night till Wednesday.

(when I threw away the candy...it could have gone on forever!)

Masterpiece!

Miriam's school choir sang at the city's Christmas lighting ceremony.

Very cute, very crowded, very rainy.

Lots of Christmas fun I am too overwhelmed to take pictures of or blog about.

This guy is just along for the merriment. He is so fun to have around (when rested and fed).

We are all looking forward to celebrating Soren's first Christmas.

December 1st

We hit the season running.

Made our annual trip to the Festival of the Trees. This year was special because Miriam's school put together a tree in honor of a former student. It was exciting to wonder the trees on a hunt to find it.

We found a few favorites,

had a treat (or two).

We so enjoy this event every year.

Thanksgiving 2010

Our Thanksgiving was mellow and easy and yummy. I was so in the mellow, being full and all, I didn't even open my camera bag.

Until....

balance practice.

My in-laws did all the cooking and insisted on the clean-up. This Thanksgiving was easy, easy like Sunday morning. Our first with Cristin's family. How fun to have cousins my kids ages on both sides of our families!

Goodness

Our monstrous forecast blizzard has been a regular ole' snowstorm so far. Perhaps the winds will pick up tonight, but so far just fluffy snow twirling to the ground. Darin and I were both hoping he would be snowed in from work tomorrow. Having admitted that, I have to add that I am so incredibly thankful for Darin's job, for his willingness to provide for us, and that I am able to stay home with the kiddos.

Speaking of being thankful here are a few gratitude flags that made me smile.

Mimi's school did a great job with Veteran's Day. She walks around singing "I'll gladly STAND UP...next to you and defend her still today. There ain't no doubt I love this laaaaand! God Bless the USA!!" I am sure that is what prompted this particular flag.

Bub is so much like his Dad. Tools are admired, desired, thought about, and dreamed about.

I made the thankful rolls I've seen around the blogosphere. Thankful promptings wrapped in tin foil baked in a fluffy Lion House roll. Fun for all, but Miriam especially LOVED this. She was tickled when she got the note that said "I am thankful for Miriam because______".

Like fortune cookies but better because they are fluffy!

I am thankful for my sweet Mim, my delightful Bub, and this hunka chunka burnin' love. In my opinion, he is one of the top three cutest babies ever.

Gettin our Gratitude on

Proof that we have moved on from Halloween.

The Beehives put on a Thanksgiving Soup dinner for the elderly in our ward {church}. Since we have zero $ the girls made soup with their moms and I got on the internet to find cheap decorations 12 year old girls could make.

Paper bags and old magazines can go a long way!

I carefully took down the decorations to take home and use as this years thankful list. I have to admit I had this in mind when I had the girls make them. I have enough flags to wrap thankful flags all around the house since no one else wanted to take them home.

Joy School was at our house this week so we got to host the Thanksgiving Party.

These kids are soooo easy, and so much fun. The easiest Joy School I have done yet.

What a kiddo feast!

I love love love Bub's alien turkey.

see a better version of the popcorn turkey on One Charming Party

Little b and big m had a grat time trik or treating.

It was so fun going I hope we go next hallowen.

-written by Miriam 6 years old

Its gray today, we need some promise of holiday fun!

Off to run errands in the cold...blagh blek ugh argh

Halloween 2010-The Year of RAIN

I Dream of Jeannie.

Na na na na na na na na BATMAN!

Horse? Giraffe? Cute whatever he is {and warm}.

Miriam went trick-or-treating with friends {as per her request}.

Bub and I got caught in a torrential down pour. We came back, changed shoes, got gloves and a hat, regrouped..... hit the pavement again. Bub and his neighborhood friends were troopers! Sticking it out through the rain and the cold. They were rewarded handsomely, 3-4 pieces of candy per house. Some households offered to give us their whole bowl, saying that not many people had ventured out.

Miriam came home and organized her candy by color. She says she wants to pick out some favorites and then trade the rest for owl pajamas at Target. She reallllly wants those crazy owl pajamas!

Bub was thrilled with his loot and kept telling me not to worry because he was going to share with "Elisa, and Darin, and Mimi". Until he saw M's color coordinated stash....she got kicked off his generosity list.

The kids are already discussing what they should be next year!

Pumpkin Carving Day

Miriam loves the goo

Bub not so much.

Ghoolish Masterpiece

Just today

Remember way back 3 months ago when I felt like Soren's unabashed growth had to slow down?

I was right.

He was 13 lbs at 2 months (95%) he is 16 lbs at 5 1/2 months (60%).

But we still get the "HE IS HUGE" comments...I think because his head is in the 90%.

He is the cut as a bug. He rolls both ways. Still smiles easily. He is eating organic peaches from my in-laws tree, and local butternut squash from Bangerter Farms across the street. He also chews on local apples. I made a bit babyfood for the other two kiddos, but I am actually enjoying it rather than dreading it this time around.

I may be turning into a 40's housewife after all these years!

My Mom surprised us with a visit just when I needed her (again). I signed up to help with M's Halloween party (don't ask me why) so she took Soren shopping while I played with 6 year olds.

Tonight Darin had Scouts and Miriam (after 2 Halloween parties) went to a carnival (THANKS FI and IVY!). So it was just me and the boys. The night had started off BAD. Darin came home to both of them screaming their heads off. Soren because it was the witching hour and Bub because one of those crack open glow sticks broke and sent that chemical reaction stuff all over his face and into his eye. Poison control said this situation was the call of the day. You are suppose to run a constant stream of warm water through their eye for 15 min. Hence the screaming. I am not sure if it's the stream of water that helps or the torture creating tears that works?

Then Darin left and it was me and the boys.

We had an hour and a half to get ready for bed. I took my time, put essential oils on their feet and chests. Maybe it doesn't work but it smells nice and makes Soren giggle. I read many many books and did every action rhyme I know. While doing "Where is Thump kin" Bub's Pointer Man kept attacking me so my fingers would run away screaming. I let Bub stay up later if he promised not to squirm while I trimmed his fingernails. We ended up watching Kideos until M came home (THANKS AGAIN FI and IVY). I put them both quietly to bed so we didn't wake Soren.

I had the tuna salad scared out of me by Darin, who was downstairs for I don't know how long, sitting in the dark....avoiding helping with the kids.

He had just spent an hour and a half with Cub Scouts so I don't mind.

2010 Primary Program

My Dad just got back from CHINA...as in "made in China".

He has been really sick ever since, and my Mom has been taking care of him as well as a whole host of other sick relatives while working, keeping house, babysitting....all the millions of things she does everyday.

I didn't think they would make it to Miriam's Primary Program, and didn't expect them to.

But they did!

They brought with them Miriam's wish come true. A "China Lady" dress, plus a Thomas Train toy for Bub. It was so fun to have them and Uncle Mark with us for the day.

Miriam did a great job in the program, she memorizes easily and speaks clearly and confidently. In our ward, the kids are given a topic and they write their own talks. Here is M's, although I have to admit I added the scripture, it was too good not to have it recited.

From the story of Jesus raising Lazrus from the dead, I learned that because Jesus is the Son of God he can do miracles. He can resurrect us. In John Chapter 11 verses 25 & 26, Jesus tells Lazurus's sister Martha

"I am the resurrection, and the life: He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die"

Witch Hat Soiree

My sister-in- law hosted a delightfully fun Witch Hat Soiree for Mom's and daughters.

I was busy that night helping with the craft I was in charge of, as well as helping Mimi cycle through all the other crafts so I took very few pictures....which makes me sad.

LUCKILY Cristin is featuring the party on her blog all this week.

Cute and sassy Mimi witch

Our hats, featuring ric rac. Since my goal was to spend 0 dollars I was forced to get creative, which is good for me. Daily grid seems to consume my thoughts, making time for creativity is fairly exhausting but always rewarding.

My mom made the hats years ago {when i was younger than M} I sewed ric rac and felt from Grandma's stash I have on hand. It can all be easily picked off returning the hats to their original state.

One of the yummy crafts.

Seriously, keep checking Cristin's blogs to get spooky ideas!

It was also fun to see Alicia and get all the details about her BIG NEWS.

UEA Weekend Frenzy

I don't know any teachers who attend the United Educators Association meetings, but I appreciate the days off!

We hit the Ogden Eccles Dinosaur Museum on Thursday.

Bub's into "terrible lizards" these days so I wanted to take advantage of the beautiful weather to further his interest.

We always seem to go during the Halloween season when there are not only huge dinosaurs (as well as recorded sounds) but also skeletons, bloody body parts, spiders and the like.

Thats all I can handle by way of haunted places.

{Proof that Soren and I went too!}

Friday My friend Ris gave us friend passes to the Children's Museum.

Apparently we were there for about 4 hours but it felt like 2.

THANKS RIS!!

Saturday was a Grandma's Girls weekend at Gardner Village

We spent the entire day together and I wanted to stay longer!

Watching Anna and Miriam get so excited about the witch scavenger hunt made me realize how fast they are growing. Soon all the "girls" will be too old for stuff like that. Somehow I've got to keep M from growing up.

We had a great time, but thought a lot about those girls who couldn't be with us. We look forward to future Grandma days when they can come!

Guess where the best husband ever was during all our witchy fun??

Having a boys day in. He watched Bub and Soren while fixing a kitchen cabinet and painting the fence. He even did some father son bonding with Bub who can now track a few animals by their poop. If that isn't a boy thing I don't know what is.

Sunday Miriam denied my attempts to keep her young and lost a front tooth!

I am not good with loosing teeth, it makes me nauseous. I could hardly look at Miriam the whole day....especially since she kept popping the tooth out like a hillbilly.

Lucky for our kids Darin is okay with it all. Although not the case with this tooth, he can even yank em' out if need be.

Picture day was today so we will have the quintessential toothless 1st grade photo.

She is super cute with her toothless grin, and has a darling little lisp.