{Halloween 2012}

It's been a fun year.  

My mom helped me make the costumes when they were visiting earlier this month. 

I probably should have just bought them, but it's so much more fun having original costumes.

Obi Wan

Yoda

Tinkerbell

And Peter Pan

Happy Halloween!

Snowbird

This past weekend took a mini family vacation at Iron Blosam Lodge at Snowbird. 

Wade's family has a week long time-share and everyone gets a turn staying a night or two.  Since we didn't make it up there Friday night and the Primary Program was on Sunday we only stayed one night.  

But it still was a perfect little relaxing getaway.

Our last time with just 4 kids!

We stopped off in Sandy and picked up some of our favorite Chinese from Chin Wah's on the way up.  Chinese, plus the site of snow made everyone pretty happy!

Eli was a blur of motion the whole weekend.  Jumping on anything he could find.

The boys thought it was so funny this bed came out of the wall!

We some some fun in the swimming pool.  I couldn't stop shivering long enough to get a decent picture!  

It was SO cold outside the pool.  Luckily for the kids the pool and hot tub were toasty warm.

They had a great time throwing snow balls around in the swimming pool.

We stayed up way too late that night eating lots of cookies and candy and watching movies.

And Sunday we headed home. 

Now, Avery is super mad at us because she can't live in a hotel.

They are already counting down till next year.

Carved

We carved our pumpkins last Monday night.  

I didn't take many pictures.  Wade had to bust out the power tools for at least one pumpkin, so he deemed that a successful carving.

Maybe we were a bit too early since they are looking a little bit shabby for tonight. 

But it was a good thing we did them last week because this week booked up before we could even blink our eyes.

Somehow we even survived this year with out any yelling, crying or tears!

Eli: Batman

Avery : Hello Kitty (kind of)

Noah: Angry Bird

Gage: AT-AT Walker (from Star Wars)

Take Your Guess

Looks like baby girl will be arriving sooner rather than her later due date.

So while I lay around on left side, trying to control my blood pressure, let the kids watch a lot of tv, and feel really lazy this week I thought we could have a little baby guessing game!

Leave a comment here of what day and time you think she will arrive. If you don't have a blogger account and leave an anonymous one make sure to leave your name. If you really want you can leave your guess on facebook, but all in one place on here would be nice and easy/peasy:)

Try not to duplicate, because in the end the person with the guess closest to her arrival will win a $10 amazon gift card. (Not much, but it's always fun to win even a little something, right?!)


You can also guess stats: weight/height, and name choices just for fun...but that will only win you a gold star.
Only day and time count towards the prize:)

Hints:
My due date is November 23

I've had all 4 previous babies around 37 weeks

My next appointment is Friday

Noah's birthday is Saturday, so if I were to pick a day, Saturday would not be it.

~~
And I have to so I am so thankful and overwhelmed by the help my awesome neighbors and friends are giving me:). I am super stubborn and normally don't even like asking Wade for help, these ladies just swoop in and take care of me and my family. You know who you are, and you ROCK!

Sunday Photo .42

It was a long and busy day today. We stayed the night last night at Snow Bird in Wade's families time share. Everyone ate too much candy, stayed up much too late, and still woke up before 7am. Add the excitement of the Primary Program (kids performance) today at church and by 4 pm, it had become a mad house of tired, crazy, excited, emotions around here.

I am not ashamed to say that all 4 kids were in bed before 7 pm. Some asleep, some not, but all tucked away in their beds.

Grandma and Grandpa Christiansen came up today to see the kids in their program. So on their way out the door we thought to include them in the photo this week. :)

Even though there were some pretty cute moments during the program today, and some great memories made with Grandma and Grandpa, I think my favorite line of the day (and maybe even the month!) came from Wade today while we were driving home from the resort.

Everyone was a little bit loud, and touching each other, and breathing one another's air. You get the drift. Wade was at his breaking point and finally said in his most stern voice,

"Listen up kids! I am going to count to ten. And then I am going to ..... do absolutely nothing."


He then proceeded to count to ten and do nothing. (Although he almost couldn't finish we were all laughing so hard.)

I am telling you. We have our moments. We could write a parenting book. And it would be a best seller.

{Farm Buns Dinner}

For some reason I can't seem to find a lot of my recipes since moving. 

And sadly, they are the ones I just had wrote down on random pieces of paper and stuck in my recipe binder, and unless I can remember who gave it to me, or the entire recipe, it's now lost.

(I  like to imagine they are out there blowing in the wind across Idaho and Oregon)  

Luckily, a lot of these recipes are from my mom and she is just a phone call/email away. But tonight's dinner I had no such luck. I thought I had it, but opened the binder to find it was missing.  It was a fairly simple recipe, so I'm pretty sure I got it right (or close enough). But, just to be safe, I better write it down on here for safe keeping.

I (think) I got this recipe from a spouse cooking group I was part of while Wade was in med school. It was such a fun support group for the spouses and we had so much fun cooking and learning every month. I can't remember who's recipe it is beyond that. If it's your recipe, or I didn't get it from the SAA group at DMU - sorry!

Farm Buns

Favorite bread or roll dough (such as Rhodes)

One pound ground hamburger

Approximately 1-2 cups shredded cabbage

Salt

Pepper

Garlic powder

1/2 Chopped onion (if you want)

I like to use my own plain-jane white bread recipe (here).  I follow the recipe and let it rise one time, then form the rolls. I usually make about 24 medium size rolls.  If you are using Rhodes, just let the frozen little rolls rise however you want.

Brown hamburger (and onions, but if you aren't an onion person, omit this step).  Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder.

Lower heat and add shredded cabbage. I get lazy sometimes and have used coleslaw mix and it works great too. I use about half a of mix if that is what you are using. Cook over medium heat until cabbage is tender.

Flatten and stretch out one roll and spoon in a tablespoon or so of the hamburger/cabbage. Bring the corners of the roll together and seal. Repeat until all the hamburger mixture is gone.

Place (fairly close together) in a greased 11x13 baking dish.

Cover and let rise for another 10-15 minutes.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until rolls are golden. Brush with butter, and serve warm.

~~

I think these make a yummy "hearty" old fashion winter meal. We got our first snow today, so it seemed like perfect timing and a good warm meal.  

They are pretty good serve with mash potatoes, gravy and a fruit salad.

Sunday Photo .41

This is the only picture I took today. At least it's a cute one.

I have the best husband ever. Instead of going camping and hunting with his brother on opening day of the hunt he stayed home so he could help me and my bowling ball/pumpkin belly.
That is true love:)

Tonight he made us scones for dinner. They were obviously a hit. Eli had to wear his apron (and nothing else but a diaper) and cook with Daddy. Gage ate 3 huge ones, plus chili and a few pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

As a little end note we have good news....Eli has decided he likes nursery class at church! I stay a few minutes with him and then leave. He is so excited when we come back and he tells us all kinds of things about his class. He is growing up! Now everyone cross your fingers we won't have set backs when baby girl gets here.

Happy Sunday.

{Pumpkin Patch}

Visiting the pumpkin patch is a yearly tradition that I love! We had a pumpkin patch we loved in Iowa, 

then we lucked out and found one we loved even more in Washington.

Since we are here for good now I wondered....

Could we do it in Davis County?  

Find a pumpkin patch we love the most?

Well, this morning we had a few errands to run but top on our list was "pick out pumpkins"

We were lucky we found the most adorable pumpkin patch and everyone came home super happy.

Everyone got their turn for a photo by the pumpkins.

Don't let Eli's face fool ya....he really did have a good time.

And the grand total for 4 orange beauties?  

Well, you can't beat $6.80

Where is this fantastic pumpkin patch found?  

It's one of my favorite places I go every week.

I grocery shop and hang out with the old people. 

(since that is mostly who I see shop there)

Yeah.  I'm a little bummed we didn't get to a real patch this year...

...but this little pumpkin just couldn't handle it.

Happy Pumpkins.

Baby 5

12-34 weeks

Baby Girl.

{34 Weeks}

It's about this point every pregnancy that I think to myself...why in the world did I ever start taking and documenting these darn belly shots?    I don't want to attempt to look cute while wearing the same shirt that I've been wearing for the past couple month pictures, that is now obviously way too small (no matter how hard I try to find one that will fit the whole time at the beginning).

Roughly 9 months of 5 babies equals a lot of pictures.  I think I deserve to have a break, but I might as well finish strong.  or at least try too.

Anyway.  Gage took the picture of me.  I'm 34 weeks and 4 days.  

I need a hair cut, color and a nap.

I'm in the middle of 34 weeks now.  

Which I think, in my case could be translated to 37.

Aren't due dates just a guess anyway?  

After 5 almost identical cases I've realized my body just seems to have babies at 37 weeks, not 40

Last month my OB discussed with me that I would need to start coming in every week after 30 weeks for a NST (non stress test).  I remember having one or two of these with Gage at the end when I started to measure smaller.  Basically they just want to make sure the baby moves enough and measure contractions (if any).  I am having these tests with this pregnancy because of 1.  My false positive with the down syndrome test and 2.  My high blood pressure

Honestly - I think I get more stressed over these silly tests.

(I have to preface this story with the fact I do like my OB.  I think he is a good and competent doctor. I think there is some new staff at his office.  Everyone is just human.  People make mistakes.  I don't like to complain about being on the patient side of things, because I  know it can be just as hard to be behind on the Dr. side of things.  But this is my story)

The first week the new medical assistant (who looks like she is 16) moved me room 3 times before attempting to hook me up to the machine.  Then she finally had to go and get a nurse to help.  They said it would be 20 minutes.  About 40 minutes later I was really starting to wonder.  I had my phone, but was getting uncomfortable and  (honestly) bored.  My sciatic was hurting so bad I couldn't really get up on my own and  I was just about to call the front desk when my Dr. finally walked in and told me there was a mix up.  (THEY HAD FORGOT ABOUT ME!) apparently he was under the impression the room had someone else's patient in it.

Week two.  I had to drop off two kids one place, two kids another place all before 7:45 and still managed to make it to my 8am appointment on time.  I'm supposed to relax and not stress.  Good thing I sat in the almost empty waiting room 30 minutes.  (This time my chart got moved, apparently they thought I was already roomed??!)  Finally they called me back and I found out my blood pressure was too high (150 something over 90 something).  They hook me up and I take the test.  Then the baby didn't wake up enough so I had to drink some juice to wake her up.    In the end my blood pressure came down to 140/90 (something) and baby girl passed her test just fine.

Can't wait to see what happens next week.

My OB told me I only have to make it 3 more weeks.  

He has 7 kids.  He totally gets I have 4 at home and cannot possibly lay down all the time.  

But I am supposed to be trying.  

So yesterday I made 8 freezer meals and dinner.  

Yeah.  

And then I got a lecture from my husband.

But no matter what that Walmart blood pressure test told me yesterday morning (it was not pretty) I was feeling good, I didn't have a headache and I did rest in between that test and when I made the meals.  I'm just trying to get through my "before baby" to-do list.  

I only have to pack a bag and tour the hospital and I'm done.

~~

So 3, maybe 2 1/2 more weeks.

The kids are on fall break this weekend and I told them today their job is to help mommy do jobs so I can rest.  We need to keep this baby girl in my tummy until at least Noah's birthday (Nov 3) so she can be big enough.  They've been having a blast "taking care" of me and baby sister.

They are all pretty excited to meet her.

We might have a name picked.  But still aren't positive.  

Maybe we just need to see this little one to make sure.

My hands go numb occasionally because of carpel tunnel?  My feet ache.  My back hurts and I can't even finish grocery shopping without having to take a potty break.  I'm running out of clothes that fit.

Yes.  I am ready to be done.  But I know these last couple weeks are critical too.

I hope this post doesn't come off like a big list of complaints.  

I don't mean too, but at the same time, I think I've kinda earned my right to complain.

Grow baby girl, grow.

And stay still for just a few more weeks.

We all can't wait to meet you.

Pumpkin Layer Cake

Wade loves this pumpkin layer cake.  It's a recipe we got from my mom and we have to have it every October at least once. We usually don't even share this with the kids, but Noah discovered it this week and declared it the best thing EVER! 

If you love pumpkin, (I know, it's not for everyone), try this cake!

Pumpkin Layer Cake

First Layer:

Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray.  

Mix and press into cake pan, 1 package yellow cake mix, 1 stick melted butter, 1 egg.

Combine 1 (14 oz) can of pumpkin pie mix, 2 eggs and 2/3 cups milk in mixing bowl.

Pour over cake layer.

In bowl combine 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup melted butter and 1 tsp cinnamon.  Sprinkle over the top of the pumpkin layer.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until pumpkin layer is set and toothpick comes out clean.

Enjoy!

Tidbits

Random tidbits from facebook and instagram:

"Firetruck and Ambulance came to visit the kindergarten yesterday.  Noah was super excited (because he missed this day in preschool because he was sick and actually riding in the ambulance)  He brought home this hat, which Eli won't take off." 

~~

It's that time of year, it's getting dark outside earlier. Tonight Eli looked outside, looked at me and the said, "Sun gone, mommy! Meanie! Sun gone meanie mommy."

Geez....I get blamed for everything around here!

-October 16

~~

Playing house.

(I just really loved the colors)

~~

Maybe someday all this school and hard work will pay off....but this morning the kids were playing a game and they needed someone to be a doctor. They all stood around and yelled, 1,2,3....NOT IT!

(Eli got stuck with the job.)
Sad and funny at the same time.

-October 15

~~

Some strange man at Walmart just stood next to me so we could "compare bellies" and he could prove he was bigger than me!?!?

Only at Walmart.

-October 9

~~

The boys worked in their room building a "haunted house" for over an hour.  When they let me in, this is how I found Noah.

~~

I overheard Noah in the back of the van today, "we're running a circus around here!"

-October 6
~~

School tee shirts.  Each kid drew a picture of themselves, which got transferred to the back.  Noah swears he didn't draw his.

~~

I know this is going to sound crazy, because I just spent the last 3 years of residency doing bedtime routine for the kids solo probably 4 or 5 nights of the week... But tonight Wade was gone for bedtime. It's only happened 2-3 times in the past 3 months. And I was actually grateful I had the opportunity to do it myself. We usually split, I takes 2, he takes 2 but tonight I got to spend individual time with each kid, sing and rub their backs and ask them about their day. 

I guess I am just feeling overwhelmingly blessed tonight.

-October 6

~~

At school pick up Avery got up front and rolled down the window.  She then said to every passing person, "How was school today, buddy?"

~~

I am officially changing #3 and #4's names to Destruc and Tion.

-October 5

~~

My skeleton and our skeleton we made with Grandma.  We named him bones.

~~

Wade had a dream last night that he was discussing reading with Gage's teacher. He asked her what how we could get Gage extra help and she threw him to the ground, threw a table and chair and him and pinned him. When he got up he said he was sorry if he had offended her, and she slapped him!

Maybe I shouldn't take Wade to the upcoming parent-teacher conference? He seems a little anxious. Lol.

-September 29

~~

Avery singing One Direction, "Get out, get out, get out of my head. Cut off my arms instead."

"September 26

~~

Working on Halloween costumes.

~~

Tonight at bedtime Wade asked Noah what he wanted for Christmas...his answer, 

"a remote control newt."

Well there a new one. Noah cracks me up.

-September 13

~~

Relief Society General Conference at the Conference Center with Chandra!

~~

Pictures Noah drew for me this morning.  He is Yoda.  I have the baby and the Death Star in my belly.  I am not sure what is above my head...possibly the force?

~~

Running Club

One of my awesome neighbors put together a Running Clubs for the kids in the neighborhood this fall.  It was such a fun activity.  Every Friday afternoon the kids had practice.  They were divided into a younger and older group, I put Noah with the older group so he could be with Gage, although I think he was the youngest.  They also had a younger group that met in Friday mornings.  Each "team" had a volunteer coach and the parents had weeks we had to volunteer being helpers.  They would run drills, play games, stretch and have fun.  They even had tee shirts and got snacks every week.

I didn't get a lot of pictures of them during their Friday practices.  These are just two pictures from one week when they were playing keep away.

Last Saturday was the finale of Running Club!  The Family Fun Run!  There was a mile course in our neighborhood and Wade ran it with them.  The police came out to start the race and the kids had such a fun time looking in their cars too.

My runners!  Noah is such his father's son.  I was trying to take their picture when we were going out the door Saturday morning and he said, "Mom...we don't have time for pictures.  You take too many pictures, we are going to be late"

geez.  

Once they got there, got their race bibs on, he let me take a picture of them.

Eli had to have a bib pinned to his jacket.  And then he was off and running too.

The group had a warm up and then off they went!

(some of these pictures are from our facebook group)

Here they come!

There were two "water stations" along the course.  One had water, the other had water and packets of gummy bears.

Wade said Gage wanted nothing to do with either of these, and he had to keep slowing him down to stay with Noah.  Gage really wanted to win.  Finally Wade let him take off and run.

Gage coming across the finish line. (I think he was 4th or 5th...and there were some teenagers running, so not too shabby!)

A few minutes later Noah and Wade!

After the race everyone got water, snacks, bananas and doughnuts!  

It was a cold morning, but we had a blast.  

The boys already want to do make their own "running club" where they practice every week to improve their time.

We loved running club and can't wait to see if it starts again in the spring!