Christmas Tree Hunting

Christmas Letter

I apologize for not mailing out an actual Christmas letter, but I hope this makes an acceptible substitute.

This year has flown by, I remember last June hoping for some sunshine when it seemed like the state of Idaho was floating away to the Pacific Northwest, and now the sunshine has come and gone along with some wonderful moments as a family.

Doug is as busy as ever, more than he would like to be. There actually is a downside to being so busy as a small business owner, so if anyone knows of a good Physical Therapist looking for a job send them our way. We, especially Doug, would welcome the relief. Even though work has been at neck breaking speeds, we have been blessed with fill-ins so Doug could spend some time with us on our many mini summer vacations. We've enjoyed boating with friends and family in Arizona, family reunions in Utah, a mini camping adventure with friends and most of family on both sides coming to visit with us here in our beautiful neck of the woods. Doug has even enjoyed hunting, unfortunately, the elk and deer and turkeys still outwit him.

My days are spent keeping up with the kids, okay, mostly Hayden. It still amazes me how a 21 month old can keep you running. All I seem to be able to do is get the basics done. I have a long list of extras, that just keeps getting longer, which will have to take a back seat right now. I was called to be the cub scout leader just in time for me to tell them that they have me until May when our LAST baby is due. Can you tell I'm excited about this LAST pregnancy. I'm excited about our last addition, but I will in no way, shape or form miss pregnancy, sianara, and good bye, now it's up to all the younger siblings to populate our gene pool.

Brock's big accomplishment this summer was turning 8 and being baptized. He had been looking forward to this big event for a couple of years and was so excited that the day also included his cousin Logan and family. He is now in 3rd grade and enjoys every minute in school, though I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with the academic rigors of school, but I am grateful that he excells in academics. He loves being in cub scouts and trying out different sports. He is saving up for a motor bike to be able to ride on his uncle's farm, I figure it will take him until he's 12, by that time I hope he is less reckless. He is still Dad's shadow, it's hard to keep him at home when he see's how exciting day's with his dad are. He's been pheasant hunting, ice fishing and even flying with his dad. You know, I think this kid has almost expirenced more in his short life than I have.

Emma is now a big 1st grader and loves going to school full time, she has been in speech therapy since before kindergarten and has made tremendous strides, we are so proud of her and how hard she has worked to improve herself. I keep telling everyone that her hard headedness is actually a blessing in disguise, I'm sure it will serve her well throughout her life as it has me. I never worry about Emma, she's so capable. She is my biggest helper when it comes to Hayden. Her and Hayden are best friends, they must have missed each other so much before Hayden joined our family 4 1/2 years after Emma. I also am the joyous recipient of a child prodigee of housework, she can clean a room like no other. Most of all though we enjoy her spunky outlook on life.

Our little Addison has become quite the grown up this year, in reverse. Before she turned 4 in January she was always telling people she was 23, or 67, or 81, or 73 or some other "older" age when they inquired, but as soon as she turned 4, she was 4 and you could'nt tell her otherwise. She continues to improve her vocabulary with long words, she's our very own "Fancy Nancy". She has learned to love her little sister Addison and they even get along most of the day now. This is her last year of pre-school at Miss Melia's and continues to inform us that when she turns five at the beginning of the year she will be attending kindergarten, oh if only that were true. But honestly I don't know what I would do if Addison were not part of my daily routine, she makes me laugh, even when I don't want her to, i.e., she was very naughty, but in a very funny kind of way.

And last but not least, Hayden Collette Ball. We have loved to watch her personality grow each day. Of course this year saw many firsts for our little girl, learning to walk quickly turned into running, her first word (as per protocal with all of our little ones) was not mommy or daddy, but her favorite thing, "Tonka" (our horse), she also quikly learned how to say each of the other kids names, and many other very useful words such as; please, thank you, woo hoo, move!, treats, water, swimming, bathroom (her word for potty), and she continues to amaze us with a growing vocabulary each day. She is one of the funniest kids we've ever seen and can't wait to see what the coming year brings.

We hope this has given you a small snap shot of our growing family. We hope this season finds you surrounded by family and friends, and the love of our Savior as we celebrate His birth and life.

We love you all.

Nutin' much here

I've got to say that there really isn't much going on in our lives right now, kids in school, Doug busy at work and me, I'm just trying to mark things off on my to-do list. And, because of my long to do list, I just don't have time for deep thoughts. So until I can think of something brilliant to say or do, I'm just going to leave you with nutin' much going on here.

Question

I would like to know what you think of a 4 day school week for kids? I know that my audience is pretty small here but I still would like your opinion. I'm doing an informal research project. Thanks for your imput.

Summer Fun

Welcome to Lydia's, may I take your order?

Addison: "Mom, can you bring me a cup of water with ice in it?"

Mom: "If you stay in bed for 5 minutes, then I will bring you some."

Addison: "Okay."

Emma walks up beside Addison and asks for the same thing.

Addison: turns to Emma and says, "I already ordered it."

Post note: I was not even given a tip.

Just to Clarify

Apparently a few of you missed the message encoded between the lines of my last blog. So, just to clarify, we haven't actually moved to the Pacific North West, it just seems like the state of Idaho was annexed into that region. We have had constant rain since the beginning of June, but alas, today it is sunny and expected to stay like that all day, whoopee. I guess with all the rain the state may have floated back to it's original locale. I hope I didn't mess with your minds too much.

We've Moved ! ! !

Just wanted to let everyone know that we have moved to the Pacific North West, however, we still have the same address and phone number. As always we invite anyone to come and visit us and enjoy our beautiful slice of America.

Dan Dan Noodles

This is a wonderful, super easy, super yummy, kid friendly dish, what we're all looking for right?!

PF Chang's Dan Dan Noodles

Noodles
1 tsp oil (I used some peanut and some sesame)
1/4 ounce green onion, minced (I excluded because the kids don't like them)
1/2 tsp. garlic, minced (I quadrupled, because I like garlic)
1/2 tsp. chili paste, (be careful and adjust accordingly)
4 ounces ground chicken (I grind my own with my kitchen aide, better than storebought)
1 pkg rice noodles, about 1/4 inch in thickness, or you can use spaghetti, cooked

Liquid Mixture
2 ounces soy sauce (I used less sodium version)
1 ounce rice wine
1 tsp oyster sauce (again, I quadrupled)
1 tsp sugar
1 Tbl. cornstarch

8 ounces chicken broth

Heat oil in wok or large skillet on high, add garlic and chili paste and saute for 10 seconds. Add chicken and cook till done. Add chicken broth. Combine remaining "liquid mixture" ingredients and add to chicken mixture. Cook until mixture is thickened, you may thicken more to your liking by making more cornstarch slurry with cold water and cornstarch. Add noodles to chicken sauce and serve hot.

I like to add more chili paste and some rice vinegar after I dish up my plate. But that's just me and authentic to the orient.

I doubled for leftovers. This was a huge hit for dinner tonight. Enjoy.

Hayden's Birthday Bash

Obituary

We just had a very sad happening at our house this morning. I was headed to pick Brock up from piano lessons and I accidently ran over Cream Scicle, one of 2 family cats. It's a very sad time for all.

Back in the olden days

I had to hurry and post this before I forgot.

Brock: "Mom, what year were you born?"

Me: "1972"

Brock: "Wow, that was back in the olden days!"

Me: chuckle . . . "Yep, I guess it was."

Brock: "So did you only have black and white clothes to wear?"

Me: "We had a few colors."

Brock: "You probably didn't have very many stores then."

And this is coming from a kid who lives in a town of 990 people with 1 gas station, 1 very small grocery store and 1 very greasy burger joint.

Until next time, have a good laugh.