Hanging Out at the Cabin

On Saturday we went up to Brighton to have a lazy day with friends at their cabin. 

We didn't have plans to ski, but the kids came prepped for sledding and digging snow caves. Our cars don't have 4 wheel so we can't drive up the hill to the cabin, so we parked at the ski parking lot and walked. I had the kids wear their gear. Even Natalie suited up, and there is not much in this world that is cuter than a toddler in snow gear. 

Natalie had us all giggling as she toddled around with her little self all poofed out even more with her snow pants. Love it.

We headed up around 1:30 and stayed until 9 pm. It was a nice short and cold walk up to their cabin. (The kids want us to get a cabin.) 

Over the road and through the trees to the cabin we go. We had to walk for like 10 minutes.

I told the kids they were just like pioneers, cause they walked in snow in freezing temperature for 10 minutes too. Once we got in to the cabin, the kids didn't want to go outside, they were too cold, so they snuggled up on the couch and watched the rest of the movie with their friends while they warmed up.

The kids all spent most the rest of the day playing board and card games.

And eating sugar cookies and cookie pizza

and more card games... Egyptian rescue, slap jack, solitaire....

Natalie was being a clown. 

And the kids played more and more games.

Joseph liked this one, Stratego. It's on his birthday wish list now. He said it's kinda like Chess, but you can't see what the pieces are, so you don't know what move they can make against you.

So the boys liked that one, and Sophi liked sitting in the baby chair in the kitchen.

She just sat there from her little perch looking around. Funny. But seemed to enjoy herself.

Everyone's new favorite game was Telestrations. We grown ups were over in the kitchen by the fire shooting the breeze and we'd hear the kids busting up laughing, it was cute to hear them all having fun and playing nicely together.

We feel very blessed to have such great friends, the parents and the kids, we all enjoy each other's company and have a good time. We're going up again for New Years Eve. We're all looking forward to it!

Merry Christmas!

I'm pleased to report that we had a very merry Christmas. First thing was was magically wonderful was that it finally snowed. 

We've had a brown December so far and the kids have been slightly depressed that they can't dig caves or make forts. They were hoping and probably praying that it would snow, and we checked the forecast regularly, and it was supposed to start snowing during the night and it did. We had about a foot by morning and the kids were very happy. 

As for presents, overall we did pretty good - only one child was visibly/verbally disappointed about not getting everything they wanted, so we were 10/11 - 91%, that's a percentage I can live with. (Poor Ethan texted us his large and costly wish list. One of the things he wanted a BYU sweatshirt, but his follow up requested specifications to Corey were such that he decided he didn't want to mess up and thus didn't get him one, but did get one for Joseph and Hyrum. We told Eth it's okay that he was sad. Mel was sad last year, so we've got a tradition of upsetting the 7th grader. Your turn next year Hyrum.

So Christmas morning; the kids woke up early at 3 a.m. Ethan's alarm didn't wake him up, but he woke up on his own as I creeped about the house, so he was awake and pretending to sleep when I took a picture of him on the couch. He couldn't fall back asleep, but stayed lying down until 3 and then woke up his siblings (except Joseph told him not to) to go see what was in their stockings. And then they went back to bed. We heard them being excited and happy kids around 6, but we didn't have anyone come knock on our door until 8. I told them to give me another half hour and make me some eggs. They did. Then Corey and I got up and had breakfast and then it was time for the party to begin. We began with the family tree in the front room - the kids had put their presents to each other under this tree.

Corey and I got coupon books and lego creations and the kids got presents that they had made or bought at the dollar store.

Then we went into the side room where the white tree is to see what Santa brought them.

Joseph and Ethan got a new saxophone mouthpiece to share. That was Joseph's favorite present.

Lily's favorite gift was Zig Zag the Zebra.

Abi spent the evening arranging all her new things on the shelf by her bed.

Mel likes her playing cards and earrings. The teenagers have been playing a game called Egyptian Rescue or something and having fun. 

Hyrum and Wesley got the Ewok village to share. Hyrum's done most of the work on it.

Wesley's been practicing his archery skills and flying his helicopter that Grandma Wride gave him. All the boys got one, they love it.

Ethan got a skateboard that he can't practice on now, but is excited to give a whirl in Spring.

Sophi got a few Elsa things that she loves, but the Elsa dress was not a hit, which surprised us. Natalie didn't know what was going on but loved Uncle Marks candy cane fudge. And we gave the kids one present on Christmas Eve - we told them that they have a new sibling coming at the end of July. :) And I'm glad that I don't have to try and pretend that I don't feel like death, but hopefully the morning sickness is half over? That might be wishful thinking. Anyway, I'll share more about that news later. The new baby will be my favorite gift, once the torture to ship it is over.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas 

at Eleven o-Three

My kids were not sleeping yet.

Too bad for me.

They were much to excited 

To fall fast asleep

So I put their energy to work

and the kitchen they did sweep

Then up to the bedrooms

to vacuum the floor

I was glad for this chance 

to have them do chores

They worked hard and quickly

So Santa could see

That they've been tidy children

since January

Then they still were not tired,

so they played cards and had fun

Around 11:30 I said

"Ok, time to be done"

 

They hushed up and layed still

While I bided my time

By laying in bed

and making up this rhyme

Now it's 1:49

and the stockings are ready

Time to unload Corey's car

of the spoils it does carry.

 I turned off Ethan's alarm

that was set to sound at 3

(He'll probably be a little bit

upset with me...)

But I can live with that

if it means I'll get some sleep

But now around the house

and sleeping children I must quietly creep

They started this tradition
of sleepovers under the tree
I like them making memories
I love my family!

 I hope not to wake them

And that in the morning they'll see

Lots of love for them

Under the Christmas Tree

Merry Christmas! :)

Unofficial Christmas Card Greetings

Tonight we had carolers come by for the 3rd time. Abi was in tears yesterday cause she missed it (she had to change clothes since they had just been playing a game where she was the boy and of course you can't be seen like that in a dress shirt and tie and everything... she changed quickly, but by the time she came down the stairs they were on their way to the next house. She was a wee bit inconsolable for a half hour...)

So anyway, Abi wants us to go caroling. I don't think it's gonna happen. It's a nice idea, but it's cold out there and we got little kids that would make it hard for them and hence for us. Maybe the older kids could? I guess we usually divide and conquer anyway. Still, not very likely to happen. Our last caroler were wonderful neighbors and they brought by treats too. And a holiday greeting card with it's family update. Then Ethan started giving us a hard time about doing a family card, cause we keep getting them in the mail... "Where is ours? You guys are slackers!!" I told him I've done pretty good for the past 10 years, but now I blog, and so people know what's going on with us if they want to know. And I did pass out Christmas treats last year, thank you very much. That wasn't too hard... I still have the gift bags I used, we could do that again on short Christmas Eve notice... I'd just have to run to the store in the morning for white chocolate chips and pretzels and a few other items. That might help us save face.  Ethan continued to tell us we had to do a card, and came up with all sort of ideas of what we could wear and what we could do. It's a little late to get those done in time for Christmas, but there's time for a New Year's Greetings card I guess... Corey told him to be our guest, you want a card done, you go right ahead. And then lookey here what Ethan did - He came to the computer and whipped this out. Not bad Eth.

Not a totally recent picture, but it could do. I still don't know that we'll print them up and mail them, but I'll post it here and share it on my facebook. Does that count as a half effort? Hey, we do what we can. Er,.. we'll do what we can with what you did. Although I guess to make it official I need to give a 2014 sum up or something of that sort? Hmm. I told the kids to go to bed, so that's not something I want to do right now. It will have to wait, I shall send out our "official" Holiday Greetings Card later.

(Ethan's had a class at school on photoshopping and he's got a good knack for it. He made a birthday card for Melodie (that I'll post here when I find it) and has made coloring books for his little sisters for Christmas with printed and a few photoshopped Disney princesses. This boy may come in handy for next year's holiday card, knock on wood.)

Yogurt Pie

We had a yogurt pie for dessert last night. Yogurt pies are a creation I remember loving from my childhood. They are simple too. You get a graham cracker crust, yogurt, and whipped cream. Mix the whipped cream and yogurt together, pour into the graham cracker crust, and freeze. The kids love it. And the left over yogurt mixture gave me a snack for Natalie to practice her fine motor skills with. 

Let's see how you do at feeding yourself. 

She used her little blue spoon at the beginning, until there wasn't enough in the bowl to make that effort worthwhile, so that was when she moved on to her digits.

Yogurt and whipped cream is a good mixture for her to practice on, cause it's not so heavy that falls off the spoon as quickly as just yogurt does.

Yogurt by itself falls off the spoon on their shirt front right before reaching their mouth. But the cream makes it lighter, and it worked great.

Kept her busy long enough for me to load the dishwasher without her emptying it as I loaded it, and there wasn't too much to clean up on the high chair afterwards, just two cute little hands and a cute little face.

Lazy Days

Still got a bit of a sick bug floating around the house. Wesley called me almost right after he got to school today to tell me he threw up in class. Doh. Luckily it wasn't very much since he didn't eat breakfast cause he didn't feel good. I should have taken that for a sign and made him stay home. But he didn't want to cause it was his week to be spotlighted in class, he's the "Prince" of the week in King's Castle (his teacher's name is Mrs. King) and there's been something special for him to do each day, like stamp everyone's binders. He has taken it very seriously and of course couldn't miss school. Plus he had a report he had to do in from of the class today. Now it's been a few hours, and since he's eaten something and feels better, he's been begging me to take him back. Sorry buddy, you're stuck here with me. I know kids just hate missing the last day of school before Christmas break, huh. Abi missed it last year, I feel for ya.

I felt sick Monday and Tuesday but have been feeling a lot better. Never threw up, so we'll see if I got skipped or if it's gonna hit me again. I was glad when Natalie would take a nap with me on the couch, wedged in between me and the back cushion. Nice way to spend an afternoon while Sophi played with her Duplo legos on the floor.

Looking forward to Christmas break and having everyone home!!

Computer Issues

Both of our home computers have been in the shop (Corey is our PC doctor). One of them is back today, so I'm glad I can go back in time (via the schedule thing on the blog) and pretend that I haven't been MIA blogging since Friday. It's weird to have so much time when I can't waste time or be productive online! Life has continued to happen with all the regular stuff plus some of the extra holiday stuff and a few unwelcome cold weather stuff.

Regular Stuff - school, dinner, and a messy house (cause we live here.) Natalie likes to unload the dishwasher. She does great putting the silverware in the drawer. The cups however... she likes to empty the clean cups into the garbage can. Then I find them when I'm emptying the trash and put them back in the sink with the dirty dishes. She is what's called a make work helper. Another of her favorite things to do it push the start button on the dishwasher. Many times she washes a load of invisible dishes. If I catch her, I push cancel, then she looks at me and pushes start again. Then I push cancel and get a knife to prop open the dishwasher just enough that it is closed but not latched, and then it won't start when she pushes start again. And then she goes off to find another toddler task for herself.

Last night I caught this rare moment -

Joseph and Ethan were cracking up as they read Wesley's library book of Calvin and Hobbes. Ethan was laughing so hard, I wanted to go see what they were laughing about, but I didn't cause that might mess up the flow of the bonding that was going on. It was cute to listen to, grateful for those moments.

Extra Stuff - Corey got back safely from his trip to Campinas Brazil. We went and got things notarized and such for our Brazil Visas yesterday... we'll see if this happens. I'm a bit reluctant about the whole idea, since I know and slightly dread what the process would involve, but also know that I'm always happy that we go after the fact. (Kinda like being pregnant.) We went to see the lights at Temple Square on Sunday night. On Monday Joseph, Ethan, and Hyrum had a performace with their Caleb Chapman sound house bands. The boys did great I hear. I was home with kids. Corey and his parents went and my dad went too. He called me to say it was awesome. He also made a funny comment to Corey that the kids laughed about too: "If I'd have known that it would be this good, I would have looked forward to it!" Yes, I think I've got some of my dad in me and I'm a parent who, when I do attend concerts and programs, do it out of sheer duty, not for fun and rarely cause I'm actually looking forward to it. But now my dad is really excited to go see their Peaks Jazz festival in the spring cause now he knows how much they rock it. :) I haven't been to any of their concerts, I usually just catch up by watching the videos. I should probably go this year too.

More Holiday Stuff - Then another school winter concert on Tuesday, neither Corey or I went to that one but Melodie's young women leaders at church went, I thought that was super sweet of them.

Unwelcome Stuff - We've all been feeling a bit ill. Stomach flu I think. We've been puke free though until the wee hours of Tuesday morning when Abi woke me up at 2 am to tell me she threw up. She threw up a ton, but I was very grateful it was all on blankets and sheets and pillows. I gathered it up, trying not to puke myself, and went to rinse it all down the garbage disposal. There was so much, I swear it was all the food she'd eaten the whole day. At dinner time when she said she didn't feel good, I should have stopped her and not let her shove any more down (but it was Orange Chicken night, and they hate to miss that). Nasty. But again, so glad that none of it got on the carpet, hooray! Then up to put it all in the laundry machine and back to bed. I let her sleep in and was going to keep her home, but when she woke up she felt fine and was perky and knew my regular chill afternoon with little girls would be taken up a notch by her, so I let her go to school.

So that's what's going on here. Hoping to plan and finish Christmas shopping this weekend.

Christmas Breakfast

On Saturday, I was holding on for dear life as my week without Corey neared an end. We went to a Christmas Breakfast at our ward. It was fun. Breakfast included a delicious egg casarole, scones, fruit, milk and oj. Natalie likes to drink her milk using two forks. Not very efficient, but it kept her entertained for a quite a while, so it works for me.

Santa came for a visit near the end of the program. Lily went up eagerly, one of the first kids to sit on his lap.

Abi wanted to take Natalie. Abi held her the whole time while they waited cause Natalie didn't want to be put down. When it was time to visit Santa, she didn't want to be put near him either and was clinging for dear life. 

But she didn't yell or scream so that was good. The candy cane caught her attention. It was cute. 

And Sophi wouldn't even go near him or the stage he was on. And she said "NO SANTA". Joseph and Ethan kept trying to reassure her and tried bribing her by offering to be her bodyguards, but she was not having any of it. "I not Santa."

Later at home, there was a little Christmas bag kicking around and Sophi picked it up. She used it for her game, and then realized it had picture of a realistic looking Santa on it. Then she said to herself as she looked at it and while pointing to St. Nick (I was in earshot and loved it) "Fofi not want Santa. (pause) ...Ever!" We all think it's pretty cute.