the days after...

My house is still a whirlwind from Christmas morning. Shea likes it that way, and I'm giving myself a break. Plus, we really haven't been home. My dad's sisters have been in town, and we've done everything from bless my aunt's baby to play TV Scene It. My aunt from CA has a 5 year old boy, Jonah, so my boys have been loving a new playmate. They are getting jealous though since Jonah is staying at Grandma and Grandpa's house and having "a billion million sleep overs." Cooper informed me last night that he wanted to stay at my mom's house "forever."
In other news, for those of you whom I haven't talked to, my dad gave us a sweet camera for Christmas. Ben and Adam wanted one, so we got one as well. Got to keep things fair! (I love my parents for that.) We need to go to a class to figure out how to work it with all the features, lenses, tricks, etc. Watch out, Jane and Shannon, I'm going to put your 1000 pictures in 6 days to the test. If only I could figure out how to work it. Hmmmm...
Christmas was fabulous. We have been loving spending time with family. There's nothing better than family and good homemade food. I'm still getting back in the mood to make dinner. I've had so much time off, I'm out of practice.
We have a viewing and funeral this weekend. The Ceran family, who lost their mother and two children in a car accident on Christmas Eve morning, is in our ward, so Shea has been at meetings and been on the phone helping them through this heart-breaking time during the week. I'm so grateful he can serve and that he does it with such a willing heart. He is a great example to me. I'm hugging my family a little closer this week....hope you are too.

Taylor Tribune

So, we're ready for Christmas! We finished our last minute shopping today. We had to find something for Brent--who is another hard to shop for person on our list. He wanted to go to lunch with us today to give the boys their presents. It seems like he is always shopping for the boys, and sends them presents in the mail quite often. He is good to them, and they really like him. He is very generous to say the least. Today they came away with a fire station play set, a construction play set, tiny magna doodles and a gamecube! We don't have any games for a gamecube, so that will have to be another expense for another day. Shea got a Carolina sweatshirt and t shirt. Lucy got a glow worm.

We have spent the evening getting ready to go to Vegas for the bowl game. Shea is very excited, and I am excited to go to the malls there. We are leaving early in the morning, taking the boys to Jerry and Candy's, and driving down with Lucy. Hopefully, our luck will hold from our last long drive at Thanksgiving and she'll sleep most of the way there. I've had to pack cold weather things in case it gets chilly during the game. Luckily my dad's motorhome will be in the parking lot if she and I need to warm up. My parents, Matt, Marc, Ben, Olivia, and Audrey will be there. Ben's going with Olivia's family, but she and Audrey said they'd leave the game early if the babies needed to go back to our rooms. Depending on the weather and the score, we might be shopping in the evening too!

I'm excited to eat at Cheesecake Factory, and Shea's looking forward to Buffalo Wild Wings. It will be a good break for us to spend a little time together during this hectic time! We can't wait until we get a real vacation to somewhere warm , tropical, and without the kids. We're on the countdown!

We get home Friday afternoon, have a Burr family party that night, Nutcracker Saturday, Hansen party Saturday night, and then it's Christmas Eve! I can't believe how quickly this season has gone--even though Thanksgiving was early!

Happy Birthday Cory

So, I haven't posted in a while due to busyness, grumpiness, laziness...so here are a few pictures of what we've been doing lately.

Happy birthday to Cory; I'm waiting to hear how Ruth's Chris was.

I'm still not writing anything due to reason #2 above. Maybe I'll post more later--if I feel like it.

Spon*tan*e*ous

I guess I can still have fun as a mom. With the kids. Without a husband.
Jane and I took 9 kids to Spaghetti Factory on a whim last night. Neither of us wanted to make dinner, although Jane had started but was easily persuaded to stop. We loaded up the cars and embarked on our adventure.
It was an adventure.
The food was great--when it finally arrived--except poor Brigham had to wait forever for his mac and cheese, only to hear that they ran out of cheese sauce, so he waited for that. Then the waiter came out and said they didn't have any more little noodles. How does a pasta restaurant run out of noodles? Jane's sage advice should have been considered, "under promise, over deliver." The ice cream helped a little, and 90 minutes later, we left well fed and without cleaning up our mess. I think that was the best part. No dishes.
Here's to another day. The Christmas cards are almost done. I have to run some Christmas errands, and maybe clean the kitchen. It needs a little attention.

Getting better

I think there should be a universal rule that moms don't get sick. Life is crazy/hectic/demanding enough when you feel good. But, I am feeling better today. I can actually breathe, so that's a bonus. Now, I just hope my kids stay healthy.

Shea leaves today for Seattle. He only has to be gone until tomorrow night, but it's still a big deal to us because it's rare that he ever has to travel. So, to all you supportive wives whose husbands travel--I am impressed. The only benefit out of the deal is that I won't have to make dinner.

Speaking of dinner, we had cranberry orange glazed, bacon wrapped turkey with herbed angel hair, and sugar snap peas for dinner last night. It was so yummy! It was one of the best dream dinners ever. I love that place. Sunday night was parmesan crusted salmon with fresh green salad, wild rice, and lemon glazed poppyseed muffins. Another delicious dinner.

I just had to take a break to clean up the messiest blow-out in Lucy's history. It was a seven wet wipe, throw away the onesie, put her immediately in the tub, kind of problem. But, now we're better.

Today my goal is to get all the Christmas cards in the mail. I'm just hoping that they don't require extra postage. I ordered my photo prints online at Costco. It was fast, easy, and they were done in an hour! (I still haven't picked them up, but I figured I'd go today while the boys are at school.)

Have a happy day!

Christmas Blessings

Today I'm grateful for three beautiful kids who love each other.

After hours of holiday shopping as a family, we were eating lunch at Rumbi (oh man, it was good.) The kids had been so good for so long, and we were all happy to be eating. We had mostly finished and I was feeding Lucy some rice and beans. After her bites, she would start blowing raspberries with her tongue. The boys were laughing hysterically--you know, that laugh that they can't imitate. She would then start laughing at them laughing. Shea and I were laughing at the kids laughing. It was a sweet moment.

I am so thankful for the Savior and for my eternal family!

I'm dumb

Christmas 2005 photo
So, by clicking on the "compose" tab at the top of this page, I have a lot more blogging options. Maybe I should always blog early in the morning before my boys wake up! Duh.
Jane, now I can change text color, alignment, font, etc. Boy do I feel dumb.
I'm happy to report that I have finished a good part of my Christmas shopping. I have bought or know what I'm going to buy for most of my presents--with the exception of my mom who is the hardest person on this entire planet to shop for. Really, if there were a contest for that title, she would win. Any ideas would be appreciated!
This weekend followed by every weekend until after New Year's starts our partying. I look forward to all the parties and time spent with family and friends. It gets busy, but I love it!
Besides shopping, I still have to get our Christmas card picture taken. It would be much easier if I just decided to be in it to hold Lucy--but coordinating outfits for me and Shea sounds like almost as big of a nightmare as just taking the kids' picture.
Does anyone have good neighbor gift ideas? We have like 30 neighbors to remember. I'm putting your brains to work today! :) Now I expect some help from you organized, planned ahead, ready for Christmas people!
Have a great Thursday! My kids get to go to preschool! Yea!!!

Busy Monday

For those of you whom I haven't talked to in the last three days, Lucy is CRAWLING and her second tooth has come in. She is growing so fast! I love to watch her get around, although it just means she's heading for trouble. I didn't even have the tree up to motivate her, and she was moving. Needless to say, she doesn't spend any time around the tree alone.

The tree is up--it took us all afternoon/evening Saturday to get it picked out, lighted and decorated, but it looks awesome! Shea is right about the real tree thing. We have a lot of fun together lighting and decorating. Let's just call it our family tradition.

Sunday was busy as usual. Shea was at meetings/tithing settlement from 8 to 5 and then from 7:30 to 9:30. Long day! I got a new calling as a relief society instructor--prepare a lesson once a month--it will be a sweet calling! We had a family fast for my brother Cam who's been having a hard time lately in Japan. His companion is a retard and Cam has been having migranes every day. We then met at my parents' to close our fast and have a family dinner. That's what I look forward to on Sunday--visiting family.

Today was productive...laundry done, house cleaned, dinner made, out to lunch with Shea, visit Taylors, attempt to take Christmas card pictures (Jane--help!!!) eat dinner, FHE, birthday gift to Brooke, kids in bed, blog, bed! Here are some photos of my botched attempts. Cam's face depicts exactly how I felt. Lucy would not cooperate. We'll try again later, maybe earlier in the day.

Can't find pictures...Lucy crying...will try again later.

Wednesday night

So, I don't know about everyone else, but holiday decorating is not getting done around here. I do have all the boxes up from downstairs, and some of the easy stuff out, but that's it. The tree--for those of you who don't know, Shea is a real tree kind of guy. We can't have anything else. I can't even look in the general direction of the artificial trees at Costco without getting in trouble. His exact words were, "don't even think about it." So, since it's been snowing and freezing, we have no tree. We've got to get on it though and get one. That's my big hang-up. And, the village. I love it when it's out and glowing, but setting it up is a large, messy, frustrating undertaking.

I'm just a good complainer/procrastinator. Bottom line.

My boys are writing letters to Santa right now. Cooper wants a transformer, and Camden wants a tractor that he can ride--a real one that he can fit in. Good luck, Santa. I think they're just trying to think of cool toys--they really have no idea what they want. That makes it nice though. They'll be happy with whatever. They're such good boys.

This week has been nice. It's nice to be home, and thinking about the holiday season. I have the best intentions to get my shopping done early. I always do, but it never seems to happen. This year...

Tomorrow is a dr. appt for Lucy, poor baby. School for the boys. And tithing settlement.

Happy Thanksgiving

We had a great meal at the Hyatt today. It's not the same as homemade Thanksgiving dinner--but it was fun to have some new dishes. We enjoyed crab legs, shrimp, prime rib, pork loin, a yummy salad bar, assorted cheeses (Shea's personal favorite), and too many desserts to try. I had fruit cobbler, pumpkin pie, creme brulee, and strawberries dipped in the chocolate fountain. I passed up the caramel apples, cheesecake, chocolate cake, bread pudding, and others I didn't recognize. I also happily passed up oysters and pate. I've tried both before and didn't enjoy them--I'd rather save my calories for pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. There were three different kinds of mashed potatoes to choose from!

The hotel had a magician, a ballonist?, and a face-painter guy visiting the tables for the kids. The boys had fun--and enjoyed the day with their cousin Jonah. They are bowling right now with him, and Grandpa and Grandma. Shea, Lucy and I were ready to come back to our hotel. We have been enjoying our time with our family here--there have been lots of laughs!

Yesterday we took the kids to Sea World. It was fun to watch the boys watch the shows--they and Shea loved the Shamu show. I liked remembering the times I had visited as a kid. We had a fun day--but probably don't need to go back anytime in the next 20 years.

Tomorrow might be shopping--there are way too many great stores here. I hope the boys find something equally exciting to do. I'm not too worried. They could just drive around and comment on and drool over all the cool cars they see. Shea's favorite is the Porsche Carrera GT. But we've seen a few Lamborghinis, Lotuses, the Saleen S7, and Ben's sweet Freelander, and Adam's sick Yaris.

Jane, I don't know where you've been the last 3 days, but I took the food pictures for you. It's as good as I could get without looking ridiculous. I'm wishing I didn't take them now because I want to pick at leftovers and can't.

Safe in the OC

We're here! We left at 4:30 a.m. which ended up being the smartest move ever. Lucy either slept or ate her bottle until we got to Vegas. Only then did we get her out while we ate breakfast at IHOP. The boys watched almost four movies--and they were so good during the 11 hour drive. Getting to Vegas was easy--the last 4 hours to Newport seemed long because of traffic and construction. But, we're here. Crying was at a very surprising minimum, and the boys have already been in the pool.
Our hotel is amazing--thanks Mom and Dad. We're still waiting for the rest of the party to arrive. Mom, Dad, Matt, and Marc are on their way and should be here in a couple hours. Ben and Olivia and Audrey will stop in Vegas tonight and get here tomorrow morn. Adam and Ashley will get here late tomorrow night. She has a dr. appt. to find out what grandbaby #5 is! So, we'll know that tomorrow, and then they'll join us.
We're looking forward to swimming, shopping (well, at least I am), being with aunts/uncles/cousins, Thanksgiving at the Hyatt, and just not being home! We will miss our family there, though. But, here's to some new memories and maybe traditions!

A blog before we go...

So, Suday afternoon. Not my favorite, but we're getting by. My parents actually came and picked up Lucy and had her while we we went to church. Ours starts at 11; theirs starts at 2. I got to sit with just my boys and kind of enjoy sacrament meeting. Boy it seemed long though! I was missing her, and I was forced to listen.
After church, I hadn't made plans with my family about where/when to pick up Lucy, so I had to track her down at their church. The boys and I just sat in the foyer for a few minutes. Luckily, Matt came out and then he went to get Lucy for us. Now, we're home and getting ready to start packing. Shea wants to leave at like 4 a.m. so the kids will sleep for most of the drive. Early morning for the parents though!
I got released from my calling today. I've been pretty sad about it. All the rest of the old presidency got new callings except me. That doesn't help, but I'll just wait and see what happens. I've done my share of complaining to Shea--obviously he doesn't know how to help me. I think I'm paycho--a little bit. But I'm used to it.

Newport--get ready! I'm in serious need of a break from real life!

Lucy's Busath Photos--don't tell Candy yet! She's getting one for her birthday next week!

a 2 hour nap!

Yes, everyone. My sweet Lucy took a long nap this morning. I can't believe everything that I got done! I cleaned the main floor (minus mopping) and I totally cleaned the fridge, blinds, lights, etc. It was so nice! I got up and got ready first thing--I was going to meet Jane and Shannon, but was running 15 minutes late, so I didn't go. Sorry girls! I had good intentions, but then let my excuses get the better of me.

A BIG THANK YOU to Shannon for cutting Shea's hair. He is a hottie! It was so sweet of you to fit us into your busy schedule before you leave. We'll miss you! And the boys had so much fun on the go kart and scooter. You're awesome! They have such great aunts (and uncles--spoiled kids!

After the haircut, we came home only to leave again. I took the kids to my mom's and Shea and I went to dinner with my Grandma Burr for my birthday. It was nice to talk to her one-on-two and hear a few stories. We had a good dinner at Thai Village--it was really good this time, Shannon and Jane. I had the yellow curry. Shea had the lemon chicken, which he didn't like that well. My grandma had the best beef and noodle soup. We all tasted it. It was very good! But I wouldn't recommend the fried tofu.

Anyway, Shea's at a bishopric meeting, and I'm getting the kids to bed. Once that feat is accomplished--two loads of laundry are waiting to be folded. Yuck.

Biker Boys

I'm a slacker. That's it--plain and simple. I do stuff; I just forget to blog it. Or I'm too tired. Or Shea has already turned off the computer for the night, and I think it will take way too long to turn it on again. (30 seconds is too long in my mind, I guess.)

Yesterday was cleaning day. I got the upstairs bathrooms cleaned, then last night I noticed that the boys bathroom somehow got "uncleaned" if you know what I mean. Two 4-year-old boys does not equal clean toilets. Gross. Thank heavens for Lysol wipes.

Yesterday was also run errands day, do laundry day, and grocery shop day. And I made dinner. Chili with breadsticks and rootbeer floats for FHE. Yep. We had FHE. I guess I'm doing more than I realize--but still not blogging. I did email Cam in Japan, so that was good.

Today is more cleaning, reading with the boys, preschool, and a hair appt. for me. Yea! I love getting my hair done--I'm tempted to go dark--but I'm also a chicken. It'll just be a surprise! I'm also sick of long blonde hair everywhere, so I'm tempted to cut it, but I probably won't do that either.

Here are photos of the boys learning to ride their two-wheelers! They are getting so big!

PUMPKIN GINGERBREAD TRIFLE

2 (14 oz.) packages gingerbread mix (I used only one spice cake mix)
1 (5.1 oz.) package cook-and-serve vanilla pudding mix
1 (30 oz.) can pumpkin
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 tsp. ground cardamom or cinnamon
1 (12 oz.) container cool whip
1/2 cup gingersnaps, optional (I used two crushed Heath candy bars)

Bake the gingerbread (cake) according to package directions; cool completely. Meanwhile, prepare the pudding and set adside to cool. Stir the pumpkin, sugar, and cardamom into pudding. Crumble half of gingerbread into the bottom of a large trifle bowl. Pour 1/2 of the pudding mixture over the gingerbread, then add a layer of cool whip. Repeat layers. Sprinkle the top with crushed gingersnaps. Refrigerate overnight.

The boys went to school today. We then went to my parents' house to watch the BYU game. I wish it were more of a game--I only had to watch the first 8 minutes to know what was going to happen! Go cougars!

My mom wanted PF Chang's for dinner, so we all had take-out at her house. Yum!

A TWO car family!

Yea! After too many hours of researching, shopping, talking to salesmen, and looking, we bought a car last night. Cam and Coop were just as excited as I was. I think Shea would have gone home and thought about it for another week or two, but I'm a bad influence. I put a little pressure on him to make up his mind a little faster than he would have without me, (the salesman did a very good job meeting our requirements, I might add.) So, now I can go to the store while Shea is doing deliveries or other work stuff.
In other news, I voted yesterday, went to a RS meeting, but didn't cook dinner. Shea and I were starving by the time we got home at 8:30! So, I've been kind of a slacker.
Tonight Lucy and I are going with my "Jerusalem" girlfriends to dinner and to hang out. We usually go with our husbands, but whoever planned it, decided to have a girls' night. So, while I'm in SLC, Shea and the boys can go wherever they want! Knowing them, they'll head to Weinerschnitzel--mmmmmmmm my favorite!