Christiansen Chronicles

Love Day

2012-02-14T20:58:00.000-08:00

Valentine's day this year started out on Saturday when Wade surprised me with a date! He even had had the kids favorite babysitter lined up for a few weeks prior to this! We went on a double date with our friends and had a good time at dinner and then watched The Vow. This is the first time in 13 years he has ever surprised me with a date. (And when I pointed that out to him, he told me it is pretty awkward for him to approach teenage girls at church and talk to them about babysitting, without coming off strange. Good point, he wins.)

We normally aren't big Valentine celebrators, and the price for dinner, movie and babysitter is hard to swallow, but it was with it for a night out. (you know...the twice a year we go out!)

For classes this year the kids did different things.

I found a box of Lego valentines in the Valentine bin I bought on clearance last year after the holiday. It didn't take long for Gage to claim these. We also made some pretzel/turtle cookies for his class.

I also stole this idea off Pinterest and made some "Shooting for some brownie point" gifts for the boys teachers.

Noah's party is actually tomorrow. I had forgot this useful bit of information and Sunday night at 9:30 I had a little freak out and rushed getting everything ready. He helped me make crayons one day last week, I just needed to finish putting them together. Avery has a few of these too for her friends. She had a good time helping us mix the colors of the crayons too.

I wasn't sure if we would see Wade today before bedtime, so we spent a little time after school putting together a candy gram and giant card for him.

They had a lot of fun making up the candy-gram. I couldn't resist adding a little PG-13 ps to it either.

Then we finished off the night with some heart shaped homemade pizza.

Since Wade left at 6:30 this morning and I hadn't heard a word from him all day (he is on-call). I assumed he was super busy. I was getting the kids in bed and looking forward a night of catching up on my Downton Abby when Wade walked in the door! Woo hoo for him coming home just in time to see the kids! I'm hoping that since it is heart day, I can convince him to watch Downton Abbey with me....

but then again, he did just take me to a chick flick this weekend.

Happy Love Day. I am glad I get to celebrate it with such great people:)

Happy Day for Avery

2012-02-14T13:55:00.000-08:00

(I am OCD and can't blog out of order. So look forward to our Valentine's post is coming later today)

Saturday we had a little low key party for Avery's 3rd birthday. She certainly is one very loved girl!

She wanted her Grandma and Pa-Pa (Grandpa) to come over and Luca and Linkin.

Sidenote: Just this morning when we were packing Gage's valentine's she was sad she didn't have any. I told her she didn't go to school, but we would be having a little party at playgroup.

She then told me, "Well, I need them for my people mom."

Me, "Who are your people?"

Avery, "You know (insert eye roll)...Linkin, Luca, Doug, Cookie (Courtney) and Grandma and Pa Pa. Those are my people!"

Seriously - did she just turn 3, or 16?

Avery had a lot of fun opening all her princess-dress up clothes.

It seemed like after every outfit she pulled out of the bag, that she wanted to put it on.

Then of course, we had to have pink cupcakes and chocolate frosting.

And since Wade was out of town on his birthday we had chocolate cake for him too. Wade did a good job avoiding the attention, and Linkin did a good job helping out with the candles.

After lunch, presents and cupcakes were had, everyone ran upstairs for playtime. With the exception of Eli, who quickly stole the show from his sister.

It didn't take long for a couple of the big kids to catch on and hand him the leftovers of everyone elses cupcakes. He didn't seem to mind!

Avery spent the rest of the afternoon and weekend playing with her new playdough set and trying a new princess dress on every 5 minutes.

Happy Day for our little Princess Avery Ann!

Sunday Photo .7

2012-02-12T11:26:00.000-08:00

We've got a birthday girl today. (Although she is convinced her birthday was yesterday)

We enjoyed a little bit of Harry Potter Chamber of Secrets this morning while Eli took his nap. Reading out-loud to them is kinda slow-going at times, but so fun. We don't mind re-reading the Harry Potter books anytime!

Puzzles, legos, dress up and playing with pink and purple balloons is what we are doing today.

Love Sunday mornings.

3!

2012-02-12T11:05:00.000-08:00

(click for larger image)

Avery Ann is 3 today!

Avery is such a fun girl to have in our family. At one point, before we had her, we thought having a family full of boys would be fun. Now we LOVE having one girl in the mix. There is no question that she is the princess and that she has us all wrapped around her finger.

Avery loves being a big girl. She loves pink and purple and being a princess. She has a unique fashion sense and you can't tell her to wear anything that she doesn't want too. She is very independent and wants to do anything and everything herself.

Avery loves to pull a chair up to the counter and help me with anything in the kitchen. (She has to stand on a chair, because she is terrified to sit on the bar stools). She loves to make her own peanut butter and jelly sandwich at lunchtime.

She is a girly-girl and a tom boy at the same time. She will wear a princess dress, including matching shoes, crown and accessories and then fill her purse full of rocks cars and dirt.

Avery loves to read. Her favorite book right now is Pinkalicious; she can read the whole book to you.

It's hard to believe that she is 3. We had a little fun party for her yesterday. She now changes princess dresses about every 5 minutes!

You can see and read about when Avery joined our family here (I think this is the one and only time Wade ever blogged) and here.

Saturday Seven No.5

2012-02-11T14:35:00.000-08:00

1. Monday we picked up Wade at the airport! We surprised him by making signs and going inside to meet him. The kids were fascinated with the airport. If only flying a family of 6 were more affordable.

2. Tuesday I planned out a 2 week menu plan and skipped out on bedtime. I let Wade tuck everyone in while I hung out at my favorite grocery store. Seriously, the best prices and the one I go to has the friendliest employes and is NEVER crowded. Would Walmart every look this empty at 6:30? No way!

3. Wade came home with a Bullet Blender from Utah. The kids are in love and enjoying smoothies all the time now. Noah's favorite is chocolate milk with peanut butter and a little banana.

4. Thursday is a our down day. We play around the house, run to the library, catch up. It's always good to have a catch up day.

5. Friday is always cleaning day. I clean bathrooms, sweep, mop, vacuum, laundry. I get followed around by lots of little helpers.

6. Wade plays tennis every Friday night, so I get to have a girly movie. I watched two episodes of my new favorite Show, Downton Abbey Sunday night while Wade was gone (and couldn't take over the remote). Now I'm hooked. Friday I watched 3 episodes of season 1. If you haven't seen it yet, you should.

7. And last, but not least, we spent today celebrating this very special girls 3rd birthday. (it's tomorrow).

She requested pink cup cakes, chicken legs, her friend Linkin and Grandma and Pa-Pa (Grandpa). We now have a very messy house, overload of pink balloons, dress up clothes and one very happy three year old princess.

Table

2012-02-10T14:30:00.000-08:00

Someone learned how to climb on the table this week.

You know, the place we keep the legos.

The tiny toys.

The things we want to keep him from breaking.

He now seems to think he must be up there at all times.

Dancing around, giggling and laughing at us.

He just knows this is something he is getting away with.

Besides, who could really tell this cutie no?

Work out

2012-02-09T10:25:00.000-08:00

This morning before school Gage woke up a little (understatement) grumpy. He didn't want to get ready, put on shoes, get breakfast, brush teeth, any of that good stuff. All he really wanted to do was build this cool race car track on the stairs. Talk about tripping hazard. A little bit later than I would have liked, Wade got him off to school and I was left with the little 3 playing with a cool race track.

Since they seemed so fascinated and occupied with the track I thought I would try and attempt to fit in a work out. Something I usually don't do while they are awake. And for a good reason.

(Makes me think about this post...but working out)

I really wouldn't mind losing about 5 pounds. And maybe by my birthday would be a good achievable goal. So I picked 30 Day Shred. And since I just knew they wouldn't be able to leave me alone the entire 20 minutes, I picked the first level. It's full of basic moves that they could even try to do with me.

I didn't even make it through the warm up before they took over.

I think I should make a work out video. It would go something like this:

Alright. We are going to do jumping jacks for 30 seconds. Ready, set, go.

Now, jump. jump. jump.

Make sure you jump all the way into the kitchen to refill that sippy cup.

Now that we've finished that we will be doing running but kicks.

But watch out for that toddler behind you. Move! Wow, that was a close one, you almost got his head.

Next up lunges. Now make sure you have at least 2 or 2 kids going in between your legs to feel the burn. That's it. Isn't it so much more fun with them crawling in between your legs all the time?

Did I mention this is a circuit work out - we are going back to 2 minutes of jumping jacks. But this time instead of refilling a sippy cup, make sure you catch your one year old from falling off the table that he repeatedly keeps climbing on. Keep jumping.

Butt-kicks. And a melt down from the 2 year old. Assure her it is okay that while you have shoes on, and the girls on the video have shoes on, that she doesn't need to have the movie paused while she takes 10 minutes to put her own shoes on. Dry her tears and keep kicking.

For the final part of our work out we are going to work on abs. If every one could join me laying down on their mat. Please have everyone one climb on top of you while you try to do these moves. It is way better that way.

Oh! We almost forgot the most important part. Now you need to go back to running while you help someone go poop. On level two of this workout we will attempt changing a diaper too.

For cool down we are going to do some stretches. Make sure that your preschooler grabs your camera and takes some really embarrassing photos of you while you are at it. You know, post shower-makeup-stretching position pictures.

Now that we have tried working out for a grand total of 5 minutes call it good. Turn off the dvd and switch the xbox to Netflix. Pick an extra long show so you can shower uninterrupted (which never works no matter what show you pick).

Did you feel the burn? I know I did.

I know I could handle a little bit more cardio though, so later today I will run up and down the stairs to change some diapers. And for a little more strength training I will carry around my 1 and 2 year old at the same time. Because I love doing that.

I think I'll keep saving work outs for when they are asleep.

Sunday Photo .6

2012-02-05T10:23:00.001-08:00

Watching the Winnie the Pooh movie this morning. Even the big ones liked it.

Eli has been caring around an old photo album with pictures of us when there were just 3. Me, Wade and bitty Gage. He loves this old picture of Daddy. He laughs and points at it. Gage and him look a lot alike. He probably think he is in a the pictures. Too cute.

By 10, everyone is half-way ready. Church pants, undershirts. Dress, but no tights and boots yet. I had to get Gage some new church pants this week. I noticed that they were getting too short and then all of the sudden last Sunday he ripped a huge whole in the knee. Looks like Noah won't get getting that pair. I looked at the size and couldn't believe it....size 5! Yep, time for new pants.

New pants for my skinny Gage. My mom helped me hem them this week too.

Sadly, there is no Super-Bowl party here today. Wade is going to a big one at his brother's house. I am sad to be missing all the fun. I think we'll turn it on after church, and eat some chicken wings just because. Maybe we'll see a new favorite commercial or two.

I don't care to much about the game, or the commercials really. I just like throwing parties. There is always something to celebrate. One good reason? Wade asked me to marry him on Super Bowl Sunday 12 years ago!

Ambush

2012-02-04T15:22:00.001-08:00

Today I was ambushed.
The first clue should have been when I saw one of my sisters befriend one of my best friends on Facebook this week. I wondered about it for a bit (especially since my friend uses a fake name on there) but then I figured, well they do know each other and have a lot in common. Oh well.

Now, let me back up a little.

Like I mentioned before, Wade has been gone all week. He found a conference that he really wanted to attend, it would give him the opportunity for some much needed networking time too, and it was by his family so he could go home and see everyone. The only catch was it was the exact same weekend that I had already planned on going to Denver for my newest nieces baby blessing. Did I mention that everyone but one sister was going? I was really looking forward to a weekend without kids and some fun extended family time.

So we weighed the pros and cons and work won. Undoubtedly someone will have another baby, or we will have another family get together. But Wade needed this networking. It wasn't something we could really give up.

So Wade left. Honestly it hasn't been that bad of a week. Sad, but being the only resident left, he isn't around much to begin with. We've stayed busy. That is not hard with 4 kids.

I've tried hard not to think about the fun being had and Diet Coke being consumed in Denver.

Well today I was trying to clean up lunch when I got a text from my friend saying she was in my neighborhood and wanted to bring back the movie I left at her house last night. Sure, whatever, but I was going to see her tomorrow at church, so there was no rush.

5 minutes later in walked her whole family. Courtney announced that I was being ambushed and that her husband would be watching the kids all afternoon!

Then she told me I could not blame her, or say no, because my sister was the mastermind behind all of this!!

I put up a good fight. I even tried to kick Doug away from the sink full of dirty dishes, (which he did for me!!!) but in the end they wore me down. Red Robin will do that to this girl.

The kids had a blast and apparently we came home too soon. Avery even got some cuddle time with her second favorite daddy, Doug.

I do have to admit, it was fun to go out and not have the kids. But I just have to say my sister Jenny better watch out! I didn't like the surprise ambush...or my dishes being done for me! I am totally stubborn like that! Courtney and her might have some payback coming for them soon.
:)

Saturday Seven No. 4

2012-02-04T11:29:00.000-08:00

1. I promised the kids a Lego-all-day day today. They've made the most of making a mess on the table. I am trying hard to not think about cleaning it up.
2. Practicing our last name. We've got a hard one. Loving the wipe board I found in the dollar bins at Target.
3. Sunday night Wade and Eli played on the kitchen floor. With surgical hemostats. They are also the go-to tool for stuck legos.
4. A good book and a stack of library movies. Yes, please.
5. The sun has been shining this week, which means Noah asks if he can "race" every time we drive into our neighborhood. I drop him off at the corner and then after a few engine revs I race him home.
6. We went to our first Cub Scout Blue and Gold banquet this week. Since Gage turns 8 in just a few weeks and will then be a part of the pack at our church he got invited. I can't believe I have a scout!
7. We sang happy birthday to Wade on Skype this morning. He has been at a ski conference in Utah all week. It sounds rough, doesn't it? Happy Happy Birthday. Can't wait for him to get home so we can celebrate with him in person.

zoo

2012-02-03T13:06:00.000-08:00

Last Friday the kids had another day out of school so a friend and I packed them all up and headed to the zoo. While the sun was out, it was still pretty chilly.

So we made the most of the inside aquarium exhibits.

Perfect way to start a long weekend.

I don't know what I would do without friends like these.

Sharing the Love

2012-02-01T21:47:00.000-08:00

Happy February.

Today I whipped out a 14 Acts of Love Garland.

I totally stole this idea from one of my favorite craft blogs, Make and Takes.

Print out the hearts, attach the 14 acts of love to the back - and then your done!

The original idea is to attach them to straws then arrange them in a cute vase or jar. Instead I made a garland and we tear one off every morning.

Super Cute & Super Easy!

We are sharing the love this month.

Play

2012-01-31T13:51:00.000-08:00

We found some clearance play-dough at the grocery outlet this morning.

Our old play-dough was just that. Old. A little dried up. And all mixed together.

They barely made it though their lunch before wanting to get it out.

Eli is doing better at not eating every little bit. He has fun mashing, smashing and tearing it into tiny bits.

Avery is the color mixer. It really bothers Noah. But she says her color creations are beautiful. And who's to argue with that?

Besides, I haven't found a good way to let them creatively play and not have the colors mix.

(got any ideas?)

Noah makes things. People, places, things. Volcano's and man-eating sharks. He loves to look at the play-dough sets at the store. Too bad there are no man-eating shark sets. The ice cream shoppe is his favorite.

The rule around here is they can play with play-dough as long as they actually "play" with it. I'll make suggestions, maybe demonstrate how something works, but do minimal help. Once they start asking me to make everything for them, the play-dough gets put away.

Where is the creativity if I do all the work? It's pretty much a free for all. I can usually read a magazine or two while they play.

So, you can bet my table and floors are dirty today.

But that's okay with me.

We are busy creating.

Sunday Photo .5

2012-01-29T20:15:00.000-08:00

This is NOT how I envisioned our Sunday picture turning out this week. On the way out the door to church I told the kids that I wanted to take our Sunday photo. I even asked nicely if would make happy faces. Wade laughed. He knew better.

I kinda thought we would have less spinning flashlights, pink poodles, Bob blankets and pink carts. I thought they might hold still, look at me, or smile.

I'm am exhausted today.

And I just want to go on mom-strike. This afternoon when we were trying to find our table underneath the legos for the millionth time- while everyone's lunch sat ready on the counter getting cold - I finally muttered what I had been feeling all week.

"I don't think you appreciate what I do around here."

Noah looked at me and said, "I don't know what appreciate even means Mom"

really?

(But I have insert - Wade wasn't around when I said that. He doesn't apply. I know he totally appreciates me. He makes it possible for me to stay at home. He believes in me. He says I am amazing when I am not. We both agree, I could never do what he does every day at work, and he could never do what I do here at home)

There are only four of them. Sometimes I wonder what people say if I told them I wanted more?

(HA! Wouldn't YOU like to know if I do?!)

I get looks at the store. I get comments from people all the time. I know some of my friends probably think that I am crazy. There is that one mom I avoid at school pick up because she always has some snide comment to make. And I will never forget the day one of my neighbors made a rude comment to me, I was very pregnant with Eli and Avery was a bitty one year old. I just smiled back and said something to the effect of that they are great kids, and I love it.

What I wanted to say back was something about her letting her dog poop in my yard and her not picking it up. But I didn't. I voiced my opinion on motherhood and let it go.

I try not to blog when I am tired and had enough. I try not to voice it on Facebook. I know being a wife and mother is the most important thing I will ever do in my entire life. And since this is my own blog, I like to think of it as my own little platform to defend the family and my choice to be a mom. For those strangers and their rude comments.

So I like to keep it positive. Who would believe me saying families are important and being a mom is cool if I am always complaining?

But, oh. It's not always.

Did I mention the highlight of my day? Avery balled up her fruit snack wrapper, threw it in in the air today during Sacrament Meeting and hit the man sitting in front of us right on the top of his head.

Seriously, sometimes we are one big train wreck waiting to happen.

Honestly, this mom gig is hard.

And exhausting.

But that doesn't make it wrong.

It really only means that this is all worth it.

Really, I know they appreciate me.

They don't need to know what that word means.

(Although thanks to that comment, they totally do now.)

Noah jumped up and gave me the biggest bear hug tonight after I helped him find his missing blanket Bob. Then he whispered, "I love you, Mom"

He never says that.

and I know.

It's been 8 years since I said goodbye to actual pay checks, those were really nice. But I know I am spending every single day doing exactly what I want to do - and what I came to earth to do.

I am raising a family.

And at the end of the day, whether it was a tired, exhausted, happy, sad, good or bad day, there will always be a bag of chocolate chips in the treat jar with my name on it.

Saturday Seven No. 3

2012-01-28T09:14:00.000-08:00

This week:

1. Gage worked hard all day building a temple with his Legos. When we told him that bad guys don't go to the temple, he said to us, "Okay, those aren't bad guys, they are angel WARRIORS!"

2. Eli & his pink shopping cart. Of course, it's actually Avery's, but you can't tell him that. He pushes it around and around and around some more. All day long. Every day. No one else can touch it. He puts his blanket in it, and since he has two sometimes I catch him with a blanket on top and a blanket on the bottom. Don't tell him it's pink, although honestly, I don't think he would care.

3. Playtime in the racqetball courts while we drop off Noah at preschool. Avery was invited a princess party last weekend. She is now obsessed with wearing her princess dress every day of the week. Can't wait till her birthday in a few weeks. I've been hiding/saving some princess dresses I found on clearance after Halloween just for this occasion!

4. Gage started chess club at school this week. Our new Thursday schedule. He was pretty excited he got to join. Before joining they had to fill out a form explaining their experience and why chess was important to them. Gage's answer was pretty sweet. "Chess is important to me because I get to play it with my Dad."

5. Visited the new branch of our library system. They don't use the Dewey decimal system. Kinda strange. Not that it really matters too much to me, I spend most of my time in the kid section. Now I don't have to stress about the kids pulling books off the shelves so much. And honestly, when I want a certain book I usually find it online and put it on hold so I don't have to search for it with all the kids. They have a new movie machine - similar to a Redbox - 7 movies for 7 days for free! It's pretty awesome.

6. Friday was a teacher in-service day at school. So we had another day off. My friend and I took our kids to the zoo. Noah and Eli loved the shark tank. Eli just danced around squealing and pointing the whole time. Noah wouldn't stop talking to the zoo volunteer, he had SO many questions. Then we all came back here and spent the afternoon here playing chess, battleship, legos and with flashlights. The hubbies joined us and we ate Chinese take out for dinner. Love a good day with friends.

7. Up on the to-do list today: visiting the library (different branch) again to get books for Gage's science project. Then off to the wood shop for Gage and Wade to work on his pinewood derby car. We are spending the morning watching Beauty and the Beast. The kids have been requesting brownies for a while, so I think we can manage that too. Sounds like a perfect Saturday to me.

Afternoons with Noah

2012-01-24T14:27:00.000-08:00

Around our house, after lunch Avery and Eli both take naps or have quiet time. And that means I get some one on one time with Noah.

Last fall Noah became really interested in "reading" his Bob Book. It's basic decoding. He was doing really well with our one set, so I decided that this year we would spend a little bit of our afternoons working on reading together. After some research I also ordered "Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons" off Amazon.

It's pretty fool-proof. It shows exactly what you should say in one color, and what the child should do or say in another.

Noah really likes it. He says it is his "homework" and reminds me if I miss a day. He really likes the writing portion at the end of each lesson too. One day Wade was home, and he asked if he could do his lesson with Daddy. He thought that was really great.

Honestly, I am okay with whatever pace he wants to go. There have been days he just wants to write, or days he just wants to read his Bob book to me. I am okay with that. I am not positive we will finish the entire 100 lessons either. I am okay with that too. I am just glad he enjoys it.

A lot of his friends are in kindergarten already. But I am glad I have this extra year with him around. It's nice to have a quiet afternoon together.

Plus, at the end of each lesson he usually gives me a big hug (and sometimes even a kiss!). And that makes my afternoon time with Noah totally worth it.

Sunday Photo .4

2012-01-22T18:19:00.000-08:00

After church the kids kicked down what was left of their fort.

My house looks like a tornado came through it, but I can deal. Because we drove around after church today and most of town does too. Some people still don't have power. And they say it could be a week or more. Our friend's neighborhood was hit pretty hard. We drove up there and I took some pictures. My parents came up this morning and with saws and helped them clean up their yard. My parents then came to church with us, since their church was canceled. Then they were off to help someone else. Just like that. My parents are awesome like that. Did I mention that they didn't even have power themselves for 2 days? That didn't even slow them down.

We sang this song today at church. Exactly how I have been feeling all week.

It's all about perspective.

And today, I can't help but look at this tornado mess of a house and count my many blessings.

Lego System

2012-01-22T11:30:00.000-08:00

Since we had so much time at home this week, we spent a few hours organizing our Legos.

First we gathered all our instruction manuals and put them in sheet protectors inside a 3 ring binder.

Then we spent hours - and I really mean hours - sorting the Lego pieces by color. We put them in different bins by color families. Greys/Black, Green/Brown/Blue and Red/Yellow/White

I had this old shoe rack in the garage. I had painted it blue when I painted the desk, so it totally matched. It isn't too big and fits the bins perfectly.

Instead of using the big drawers, the smaller color bins are so much easier to use. The kids can find what they want and it is easier to clean up.

I was able to use the bottom 4 drawers of our old Lego drawers to put all our craft/coloring books/work books. The top two drawers are for large Lego pieces that don't fit in the bins and other toys they play along side the Legos. (such as Playmobile and army men).

We went to the store and looked at a bunch of different organization ideas. Then we decided that this would be best for our little men and their weapons/accessories. It's a photo case. They put weapon and accessories in one bin and then all the others are filled with Lego people.

So far, cleaning up and keeping up with our system has been successful.

But since our table constantly looks like this

we will see how long this system lasts!

Happy Building.

Saturday Seven No. 2

2012-01-21T22:28:00.000-08:00

Pretty exciting week. And we barely left the house.

1. Noah and Gage unload the dishwasher twice a day now. My cupboards and drawers will never look organized the way I imagine them ever again, but they do it. And actually kinda enjoy it. (And sometimes I just sit on the couch and act lazy and watch them do it.)

2. I picked up a bunch of random toys and kids things from the downstairs and put it in a bin one night this week. The next morning I told the kids they had to put it away and in the right place. Noah couldn't find a right place for these postcards. Then he saw an easel my craft table and came up with this. (My craft corner is in our bedroom right next to my bed). I've woke up every morning to this. Pretty sweet.

3. In a few short weeks Avery will be 3. In a moment of braveness I told her that we need to throw away all sippy cups. What was I thinking? Sippy cups are my crutch for her. I am not sure I am strong enough to make it through February.

4. We had a horrific snow ice storm hit our state this week. About 300,000 people lost power this week and some still don't have it on. Somehow we were some of the few blessed ones to never lose our power. Wednesday through just a few minutes ago we had our best friends staying with us. It's been a great party. Today we had another family and some extra kids too. 10 kids under 10 to be exact. I am so grateful for our warm house and that we were able to help. While I so happy that all our friends have power now, I was sad to see them go.

5. Power and heat are nice, but electronics are even better. We had a good laugh when we looked around and saw 4 iphones, an ipad, 2 lap tops, the xbox and tv on.

6. Tested Noah's blood sugar again this week. Just call me paranoid. We had it tested last summer and it was fine, but I have always wondered because we never knew the score. Since both of us have sisters with Type 1 diabetes, his frequent (as in 4 or more times an hour) trips to the bathroom kinda worry me. But his Dr. said everything was fine in the summer, and apparently it is still fine. Maybe it's just out of habit? Just another something to figure out.

7. I love scrapbooker/organizer Becky Higgins. A few years ago I bought her 365 scrapbook kit. It is now called Project Life. She recently came out with a Shutterfly version and I am so excited. I've been working on making a Becky Higgins Project Life album of my Sunday Photos from last year. Honestly, I can't decide who to print my blog book anymore, Blurb, or Blog2Print. But this book I adore and am so excited to finish. Double score, I have a pretty sweet coupon that expires this week so I can order it soon!

Snow Fort

2012-01-18T15:20:00.000-08:00

We knew it was coming. And were ready.

And woke up to SNOW this morning!

Lots of it!

My parents just a little south of us got a lot more. They got this much yesterday (when we had none) and then they got at least another 10 overnight.

This is a picture they emailed me of their back fence. (that normally looks like this) We should have drove down and spent the night - we could have had an all day pass to their perfect sledding hill.

Wade was home this morning and helped Gage build one awesome snow fort.

Eli and Avery had fun for the first 20 minutes. Then he couldn't suck on his fingers because of his gloves and she got cold. So I took them in.

I became the target for a snowball fight.

Mess with me and you mess with Wade. He got them from behind when they weren't suspecting it.

Here is the fort halfway done.

Wade would built the blocks and the boys would then come behind and fill in the cracks.

My view from inside.

Still working.

Wade found an old tarp in the garage and they added it to the top for a roof!

They added a few blocks on top to hold it in place.

Filled it all in.

And had the perfect snow fort!

I think it took them an hour to an hour and a half to make. Then Wade of course got critical of his own work and started thinking of different ways he should have built it.

Gage and I thought it worked great!

They had some hot chocolate and snacks with some neighbor friends.

After everyone warmed up and ate some lunch they were back out side. This time they helped another neighbor build one and of course, an afternoon isn't an afternoon without Legos. This time in the snow fort.

Felt Flower Winner

2012-01-16T09:53:00.000-08:00

We put all the names into a bowl this morning.

Then I had my trusty assistant help mix them up and pull one out.

Look at that face...those eye brows!

And the winner is Jessica!

(let me know when you are home and we can just walk it over to you!)

Sunday Photo.3

2012-01-15T20:56:00.000-08:00

Snow!

We hardly get it, so it is so exciting when we do!

This morning the kids hustled through breakfast so they could get outside. You know, we can't miss a minute of anything. It was mostly just slick ice underneath a small layer of snow, and it didn't matter how many times we warned them to slow down, each one fell flat one their back at least once. :(

Eli brought some of his breakfast with him. And he just kept walking up and down the middle of the road giggling. I think he just KNEW that we were letting him get away with something he normally shouldn't do.

We took a trip to the park. The basketball court was one big slick accident waiting to happen. Eli went down twice, Avery avoided it unless someone was holding her hand (smart girl) and Gage and Noah both fell.

Fast forward. By lunch time all the snow had pretty much melted. We gobbled up some lunch and headed to church. 3 hours later church was over and we came home to more snow!

For dinner today I tried a new recipe, Indonesian Crock Pot Chicken. (from my go-to crock pot recipe blog!) I told the kids it was Peanut Butter Chicken hoping that would get them excited about it. Then somehow I grossly mistook the amount we would need, and forgot that we needed rice at the store. So the Peanut Butter Chicken became dinner for just Wade and I. We totally loved it. And the kids had Peanut Butter Sandwiches. Everyone was happy. And no one complained. Double Score.

Wade and his good friend, also a Dr. (a family practice real one...let me clarify...NOT a resident) got to speak at a meeting for our youth tonight on health. So we kissed him good-bye and then I let out another surprise ...I would let them go out for five more minutes!

(They didn't need to know that I only told them that because I had just spent an 30 minutes cleaning up dinner and a bunch of their toys...and if we went outside and then straight up stairs to get ready for bed, my house might stand a chance at not getting trashed again. Plus, this would give them one more chance to run off some energy hopefully making my single parent bedtime routine a little easier. It didn't really, but oh well, I tried.)

Yeah. I know, Avery is wearing a pirate patch, Noah and Eli are in pajamas and Gage is in shorts. I'm okay with that.

Gage and Noah bulldozed the snow with trucks they built from Legos.

A neighbor drove by and told Eli he had a nice looking snow man. And of course, after he drove off Avery stomped it.

And Gage and Avery were the only two brave enough to do a snow angel.

I am so glad we have tomorrow off of school! Another round of snow is supposedly on it's way, so maybe we won't have school Tuesday either!

Happy Sunday.

Saturday Seven No. 1

2012-01-14T15:37:00.000-08:00

I want to be better at blogging this year. That doesn't mean I want to blog ever day. No way. But I want to be better at documenting our everyday life. Good and bad.

So I am starting Saturday Seven.

Seven random facts from the week.

Pictures this week all came from my iphone.

1. Our friends got a XBox Kinect for Christmas. We went over a few time to play. Noah, Avery and even Eli love fruit ninja. Gage is pretty good at the Just Dance demo.

2. Tuesday Wade had a day off! My parents watched Noah, Avery and Eli for us so we could go to the Seattle temple together. I need to be better at making temple attendance - even though it's hard with the little kids - a priority.

3. Remember the goal Gage had to read The Book of Mormon before he turned 8? It has really been a hard one and a struggle. He gets frustrated with reading. The little ones ones have short attention spans. I came to the conclusion it just wasn't going to work.

But we have not given up. In fact we started over. A homeschooling mom in our congregation mentioned that the Book Of Mormon Stories book is about a second grade reading level. That is exactly what Gage needs! He reads a chapter or two to me out loud every day. Sometimes I take a turn reading, but he can read this entirely on his own. It has 54 chapters and we can totally do this before March 1.

This is perfect because he is finally gaining confidence reading. He is reading out loud instead of just listening to me. And he will have read the Book of Mormon by the time he turns 8!

4. Felt flowers. I've been a little addicted. I tried a new kind Thursday and it is even easier than the other two. I'm not sure what I am going to do with all the flowers I am making. I could start a shop, but I would stress about it and it would turn into pressure I don't need. Right now they are just fun to make. I think I will keep it that way.

5. School drop off. I told him to turn around so I could get a picture. He is sensitive and so aware this year. Sometimes he comes home and is bossy and mean to his siblings when they are just wanting to play with him. I try not to get short with him, but I do. Then later I feel guilty because he tells me later things like: someone was mean to him at recess, or that he can't find people to play with at recess, sometime he sits on the big toy by himself, he says that he is embarrassed when his extra reading homework falls out of his folder. I love his class teacher, and reading teacher. But social stuff you just have to learn on your own. It's hard growing up. It's been a hard year. I try to encourage him and make suggestions. This week he forgot his backpack twice. The first time I took it to him, the second time I told him tough-stuff. Consequences are hard. Trying to fit in and be yourself at the same time is even harder.

Wade says I shouldn't stress and I should just be glad he isn't leaving school. Because when he was in second grade and got his feelings hurt, he would just leave and walk home.

6. What is the point in a bib when he eats with his blanket too? All is forgiven though because he gives the BEST cuddles and hugs.

7. Business Costco run today. We LOVE business Costco. They open earlier, are closer to our house and I have NEVER seen a line there. Sometimes the employees are just standing around waiting for you at check out. Plus they don't have the extra stuff that tempts me, so I only buy the things we need: milk, meats, eggs, bread, and the 24 count of chocolate chip cookies. :) We go through about 5-6 gallons of milk a week. Oh, how that adds up. How about you?

Felt Flowers

2012-01-11T21:36:00.000-08:00

I've been making felt flowers lately. Thanks, of course, to Pinterest. I pinned a couple different types, tried a few out and found two that I love to make. They are pretty much fool proof. And once you make one, you might as well make another...and another, and another. And then of course, you might as well try one in another color.

Easy Felt Flowers

1. Cut one piece of felt in thirds. You need a circle template...about 2 inches in diameter. I found that an old canning lid works great.

2. Cut out 9 circles

3. Put a drop of hot glue in the center of one circle and fold in 3rds.

4. Repeat with 8 circles. The last one will become the base.

5. Hot glue pieces to the center of the base one at a time.

6. Keep gluing until you have four on the bottom layer

7. Go back and glue the remaining 4 pieces into the four remaining holes.

8. If you want, cut out two leaves and glue to back

9. Now using really sharp scissors take the top of the flower and trim the edges until they all match and are the same size.

10. Add a hair clip or pin to the back

*I made some today using a 1inch circle which turned out adorable. Avery thought the tiny one was absolutely perfect for her.

I think they are fun pinned in hair, on a headband, on a shirt, coat or even your purse.

The twisty ones are even easier to make. Cut a circle, any size, and spiral it into a spiral. Then starting at the end, add a drop of glue and roll. Adding glue as you roll - and roll until the flower is the shape you want.

Then simply add a single leaf and pin on the end.

Really, I find that once I make one, I just want to keep making them.

They are fun to make and fun to give.

So...leave me a comment saying what color you like the best (it doesn't have to be shown here) and which type you like by Sunday night. Then Monday I will randomly draw a name, make you a flower and send it your way!

Sunday Photo.2

2012-01-08T19:05:00.000-08:00

Self-timer mode on the camera. Don't ask what we are doing. We aren't sure ourselves.

Sometimes it is utter chaos here and just so loud. The other day I found myself yelling at them it was time to pray. Nice, I know. I wasn't really yelling as in mean yelling, but they were all talking at once and so loud!

Does anyone else go to turn down the volume on the radio to find that it isn't on - but it's the kids instead? I do that a lot in the car.

Not saying that I mind. We just bring a certain amount of noise with us. People think we have "a lot" of kids. We don't. Although sometimes in the store I know we look like a circus act.

And when it is bedtime, everyone gets tucked in and it is quiet on the western front, I look at pictures like this of our crazy-loud-circus-act-chaos and smile.

cars

2012-01-07T21:40:00.000-08:00

Wade is doing a trauma rotation right now and the hours are horrendous. On top of that, he is the only podiatry resident left, so he still gets a lot of various podiatry calls that take up time too. We haven't seen him much at all, and when he is home he is pretty much too tired to do much. He had to work again today so we decided to drive down and spend the day with my parents.

The boys walked in and found two remote control cars sitting on the counter, one with a G on the top, and the other with a N. It didn't take them long to figure out what to do next....

My mom had seen the cars on display at a really good clearance sale event. And when she told my dad, they just couldn't pass them up.

My dad used to have a big red remote control monster truck that he used to let the boys drive every time they came down for a visit, since it recently bit the dust these came at a really good time.

And they are way fast!

Avery and Eli couldn't stop squealing, laughing and chasing them around!

The only bad thing is that they run on the same frequency, so if the boys are close to each other, one remote runs both cars. Can you see where this is going? After some running around the cul-de-sac for a bit, we headed over to the stables by my parents house to use their big empty parking lot.

They had even more fun trying to drive the cars over gravel and through mud. I think they kept forgetting that these were race cars, not the old red monster truck!

Noah and my Dad

(in the jacket my mom told him he shouldn't wear in public)

Avery and Eli found lots and lots of puddles!

It was a fun afternoon driving cars and puddle jumping. The boys already can't wait to go back to Grandma and Grandpa's to drive the cars again.

Thanks Mom and Dad for the fun afternoon.

{trains}

2012-01-06T20:46:00.000-08:00

I should have known. It looks like we have another train lover on our hands.

Lately, Eli has become obsessed with trains. Lining them up, setting up the track, driving them, crashing them. He loves wearing his Thomas pajamas. He even loves watching the old Thomas and "I love toy train" movies we still have around.

Lucky for him, his siblings don't seem to mind. They have all become a little train crazy lately.

Of course, this comes a few months after I gave away our train table. It was just taking up space in our garage. Wade was right, I totally regret it, but now I can add making a train/lego table sometime to my near future.

So, every morning this is us. He runs into the boys room and points at the train bins until I get them down and construct a track. Our trains have been around for 6+ years. They are well loved. And I love that.

one little word

2012-01-03T14:02:00.000-08:00

Better | to make more tolerable or acceptable; to make more complete or perfect; to increase the good qualities of

I've put a lot of thought into my one little word this year.
(see what inspired me to start choosing a one little word)

Better seems to fit in so many ways.

In 2012 I want to be Better.

A better...

Wife

Mother

Daughter

Sister

Friend

Example

Church member

Christian

Listener

Reader

Blogger

Choice maker

Teacher

Learner

I've been thinking about what goals I want to accomplish this year. I can list a slue of items, but only a few really important ones that will help me accomplish this big goal of becoming better. This year I am renewing the goal to read my scriptures more faithfully. I want to not just read, but study and learn. I truly believe that if I put this goal into action that the list above will become a little easier.

Choosing the word better wasn't just about the things I want to become better at either. It's not about becoming better than anyone or anything else. It is about becoming a better me. And it is about looking forward to a few parts of our life that should be better because of it.

2012 is going to be a better year. I can just feel it!

Ringing in the New Year

2012-01-02T18:48:00.000-08:00

Saturday night we had a little New Years Bash with a few friends. That afternoon Wade took Avery on a daddy-daughter date to pick up a few extra things at the store, (and drive around so she would take a nap) and the boys and I decorated the house. We had streamers and a welcome sign.

(3rd attempt to make sign, and the spelling still wasn't right. Oh well!)

We had cheese fondue for dinner. Then we played a little Loaded Questions.

Best game ever in my opinion.

Everyone ate a bunch of whatever they wanted.

And relaxed while watching "How to Tame a Dragon."

And then the big moment - midnight!

(or 9:00 if you know how to tell time. One HUGE benefit of living on the west coast.)

And at our house, New Years means two words:

Silly String

They get it once a year, and it takes me a year to clean it up. Just kidding, sort of.

These are the previous years silly string fights: 2011, 2010, 2009, Silly string sure beats 2008 when we all had the flu!

This year Wade came up with all sorts of rules. Then I told him he couldn't do that, so he put a line of tape of the floor, put all the kids on one side, and the adults on the other and made one rule - no shooting his TV with silly string.

9 kids - vs - 5 adults

Ready

Set

GO!

And of course, someone had to cry about it.

And I know what you are all thinking? The clean up.

Totally not a problem when you have men like this around.

Happy New Years!

Sunday Photo.1

2012-01-01T20:18:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

We are looking forward to 2012. It should be a great year. Gage will be baptized soon! Wade will graduate residency. We are ALL ready for the next chapter of our lives. A real job. A move (not sure where yet, I know you were going to ask). Noah will finally get to start kindergarten. Something he has been looking forward too for only the past 3 years. Avery will no doubt surprise and dazzle us with all kinds of mischief. And little Eli - my little bitty Eli starts nursery at church in just a few weeks!

Come on 2012. Bring it on. We are ready and waiting for what you have in store.

2011 Favorites

2011-12-31T14:56:00.000-08:00

Below are a few of my favorite pictures and memories from 2011. I started to upload pictures and I started picking so many I though that I might as well make a page (or two or three) of them. So I threw together these pages this afternoon. Obviously, one thing I'd like to work on in 2012 is getting better at Photoshop and digital scrapbooking.

Happy New Years!

The house is clean.

Fondue is on the menu.

Friends are coming.

And lots of silly string is on hand.

It should be a fun night!

2011 One Little Word & Goal Wrap Up

2011-12-31T14:11:00.000-08:00

picture via Pinterest from HERE.

Honestly, I've been putting off writing a wrap up post about my goals this year. Mostly because I don't fee like I did a great job, but that is life. Goals give you something to reach for. Some are harder than others, and it doesn't mean I am a failure because I couldn't reach a goal by a certain deadline. It gives me something to strive for in 2012.

This quote by President Gordon B. Hinkley makes me feel a whole lot better about everything. I might just need to print this one out and put it on my wall.

"Try a little harder to be a little better."

So I had 4 main goals this year. More like areas in my life I wanted to improve. The first two - well, if I were generous, I would give myself a 3 of 5 stars.

1. Work on my talents. Looking back I'm sure I did a craft or two each month. I might not have been very good at blogging and documenting it as I should have been. I certainly didn't update my Book Blog enough. That is going to one of my main goals this next year.

2. Work on our finances. We are not even going to talk about that on here. I do try and hopefully by the end of next year, things will be a lot better.

I feel really good about my last two goals for 2011.

3. Nurture
4. Make best choices.

I think having a One Little Word to focus on this year really helped me accomplish these two goals. I had this visual reminder hanging in our kitchen to remind me that I need to ENJOY life ever single day.

I can honestly say that it helped and it is TRUE! Life is to be enjoyed, not endured. My dishes can wait in the sink. We need to walk to the park. My floors will not always be clean, but my kids know that they are loved. If taking my camera out and trying to document everything stresses me out, than I need to remember that it's OK not to take a picture of everything. Date night might not be a night out on the town, but a movie can be just as good. And sometimes I just need to remember that there is a time and a season for everything. My kids will only be this little for so long, and I have my whole life to make a craft, clean the house, read a book or finish a project.

Every day was not perfect. Yes, I still had bad days. I still had days when I didn't make the best decisions, and I didn't do the best at nurturing, but I believe overall I improved and had more days enjoying my life and feeling blessed than I did otherwise.

I am looking forward to 2012. I have been contemplating my One Little Word and can't wait to post about it soon. I have been thinking about my goals and what I want to accomplish this next year. So much awaits for us this year and I can't wait to find out what 2012 has in store!

A boy and his stick bugs

2011-12-30T22:02:00.000-08:00

Remember our pet stick bugs, Chewbacca and Ewok? Well, they are growing like mad! They are huge and considering they don't do anything, they are a huge hit.

When we first got they came in a mason jar, and they were so tiny, we kept them in there. Every week Wade brings home some new ivy from the parking garage at the hospital and he cleans out the jar (they actually poop a lot!) and then gives them fresh leaves.

A few weeks ago we noticed that they were getting pretty big for the jar, but we didn't know what else to put them in. Good old Shawn White our goldfish is still holding on to dear life in the fish tank. Then I thought about all the 6 qt. shoe box size containers I use for the kids toys. It was perfect! It doesn't seal air tight, so air can get in and out, and it gives them enough room to move around. We keep it on the kitchen counter above the dishwasher (which we run twice a day) so plenty of heat comes up into their little home to keep them comfortable and warm.

Eli loves the little bugs. He will run up to the counter and point with his little finger and grunt until you bring the box down to the floor and open the lid so he can look at them. He then looks at them, squeals at them, points at them, grunts at them, lays down and gazes at them, stands up and dances, sticks his head in the container, points, smiles, basically he acts so excited about these little bugs.

And what are the bugs doing all this time? NOTHING!

They do not move much when we have them in the container. But when Wade takes them out and changes the leaves one a week. Boy, do they move!

This week one crawled all over the table. He crawled right over to the Lego Harry Potter Quidditch Tower and went straight to the top.

Of course, Eli was on top of the table faster than you can say quidditch and so excited to see the bug move! I really should have got a video. But between trying to keep track of Eli on the table and two lose stick bugs (that I mistakenly labeled slow and docile) this was the only picture I got.

Eli's excitement over these silly stick bugs almost, maybe, possibly tempts me to consider thinking about how he would react to a real pet...say a puppy.

But I am SO not going down that road. My boy loves stick bugs, and those I can handle.

Christmas 2011

2011-12-28T14:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas this year has come and gone. Wade and I will openly admit this was not our favorite Christmas ever. He had to work, the budget was small and tight, Wade really missed being at home with his family, but nevertheless, we were blessed. It seemed like everywhere I turned during the month of December I found another blessing. We have a warm house, food on our table, presents our kids loved, great friends and my parents here to celebrate with.

Christmas Eve Wade was able to spend the whole day at home with us! He made all the the food we took to our party and he relaxed with the kids.

My parents came up here for Christmas Eve and we all went over to our friends house for a Christmas Eve Shin-Dig.

It really was a fun evening of yummy food, games and lots of kids running around having fun. (okay, most of those are OUR kids running around, but still, it was fun!)

It didn't take long for Avery to run upstairs and put on every bit of dress up clothes she could find. She totally cried and melted down when we had to take them off and leave.

Grandma taught all the kids a song, which they sat on the stairs and performed. Then we had a white elephant gift exchange!

Wade scored this pumpkin!

Avery took home some pink hand weights. She really was so excited about these!

But I think the big winner of the night was Courtney, she got the "I{heart} Feet" shirt. (Wonder who brought that?) I believe later in the game Doug stole it from her. I wonder what they have in store for this shirt?

And Christmas Eve isn't a party without the Coke Challenge game. I thought more kids would be playing this year so I bought a lot more kid friendly choices: sprite (with food coloring!), grape soda, raspberry soda, caffeine free...). In the end Gage was the only kid who played. Noah didn't want to play, he just sat at the table and drank a bunch of whatever he wanted. And once Luca found out that she could be in charge of the game instead of playing the game, she was all over that option.

Needless to say, the game turned out pretty easy for most of the adults. Courtney and I tied with 7 out of 7 correct!

Then we watched a few of the new church movies about Christs birth. (click for link) They are pretty amazing.

Then we ended the night with a little birthday cake for Jesus. Of course, my kids are all over this tradition. Besides the root beer, it was the highlight of Noah's night. (He ate 3 pieces!)

It looks like Eli might be following in Noah's cake loving footsteps.

Then we returned late to open one present each - our Christmas Eve Jammies. I think having one homemade gift each year is an important tradition, but unfortunately my sewing machine went off the deep end this year and I was disappointed I wouldn't be able to finish them. Courtney saved the day by letting me borrow her machine, and I was able to make pants not a day too soon, December 23 to be exact.

This picture totally cracks me up.

Christmas morning the kids woke up bright and early - just as we expected.

Gage and Noah

Avery

Eli

After church Wade was able to spend a little time with us before going to work. We are REALLY looking forward to a Christmas without the on-call pager attached to his hip. He put together two of the boys Lego sets. I really believe Wade has put together Lego sets every Christmas afternoon since I have known him. First for our nephews and now for our own boys.

Avery took a nap on Christmas - which was my favorite gift this year!

And then after returning home that evening, tired Wade took a nap too.

Since Wade was gone most of Christmas afternoon and evening I rescheduled Christmas dinner with my parents for the next day. Wade was able to turn over the on-call pager (although it still went off a few times Monday AND Tuesday!!???!?!) and enjoy the day with us. He also went to the new Mission Impossible movie with some friends.

The big boys played Legos, the little boy cars and the mama took care of her baby.

We opened up a few last presents that Grandma Christiansen sent. Eli was glad to help his Dad open this one. Maybe he will follow in his footsteps someday and be a surgeon too:)

Then we were off for Christmas dinner and more presents at my parents. You can't go wrong with a spiral cut ham, sweet potatoes, bacon-candy green beans, rolls and salad.

The kids loved that presents seem to last us three days this year.

And last but not least, my parents set up a scavenger hunt throughout the house for Wade. He was pretty excited to find a new clam gun (stuffed with socks) outside waiting in the shed. His old gun is cracked, but now he can cut it down so Gage can use it.

Sadly, Wade had to return to work today. The pager and phone calls never really stopped even on his days off anyway. So we are all now busy occupied with new legos, games, cars, princess castles, babies and dress up clothes.

The house is a constant mess and we are looking forward to our New Years Eve party.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T13:28:00.000-08:00

May you still seek Him this year and always.

Gingerbread houses

2011-12-23T21:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I must have been feeling pretty brave (and patient), because we did gingerbread houses. Did I mention Wade was at work? Yep, that's a one adult to four kids & lots of candy ratio.

The "lots of candy" part helped.

I've never bought a kit in my life, so we make them with graham crackers around here.

Eli was (of course!) the easiest. I put him in his booster seat, gave him a graham cracker, a big bowl of candy and he was happy!

Avery didn't care too much what her house looked like, she just wanted to eat the frosting.

Her finished house I like to call "The Hot Tamale House" Which is is totally appropriate for her.

Noah wanted a pointy roof and to make sure that he could fit a gummy bear inside the house. Then he put "weapons" all over the outside of his fort.

Noah's finished house. The red vine ropes around it are force fields.

Perfectionist Gage (of course) had very specific ideas and (of course) it wasn't something that I could help him do with graham crackers. But after some convincing I was able to help him figure out something he was happy with and that he could do himself.

This is not the house he envisioned, but in the end he was pretty proud of it. He was pretty proud of the idea he had to use the jelly bean to hold up the roof. He had so much frosting and candy on the top that it wouldn't stay up.

He had all sorts of "bells and whistles" He said there was a computer, death ray, secret door, force field and a moat around the whole house. Which he said is floating in the middle of water.

His finished creation.

The saddest part of the story was that night we were visiting with our cousins on Skype and we decided to show them our houses. Gage did such a good job walking his house over to the computer slowly, and showing it off, but then amidst the confusion of 4 kids jumping up and down, shoving 3 gingerbread houses in the screen and watching themselves on the computer, his house got bumped and broke to pieces. He was really heartbroken.

Then I reminded him that we could just eat them, everyone was happy again.

Glad I took picture of the houses when I did, because they have been munching on their houses all day and there isn't much left to be seen!

Lego Nativity

2011-12-23T08:26:00.000-08:00

Yesterday the boys built a few Lego Nativities.

Gage:

Joseph, Baby Jesus (eyeball block?), and Mary (Ice Queen from Narnia??)

A black ninja shepherd and camel

The Wise Men and their gifts. (Two storm troopers and a ninja bringing a trident, money and a magic wand!)

Noah's set you have to be a little bit more interpretive with.

These are the three wise men on camels. Yes, there are three. The grey and red block represent a person.

This is Mary, baby and Joseph. Again - the blocks represent people. Not sure why, because we have a million lego men, but he built this.

I can't get enough of their Lego creations. They are typically battle ships, castles and armies, but these have to be two of my favorite:)

{deck the halls}

2011-12-23T07:49:00.000-08:00

Deck the halls with lots of undies...

fa-la-la-la-la

la-la-la-la.

Tis the season to be jolly.

fa-la-la-la-la

la-la-la-la!

My friend's elf did this and I just couldn't resist. And the kids couldn't stop laughing this morning. Even Eli pointed and laughed. A couple of his diapers even hung on the tree.

When Avery saw this she immediately started singing "underwear-underwear-under...wear" (to the Wonder Pets theme song)

Only 2 more days!

Nativities

2011-12-21T15:38:00.000-08:00

I talked to my sister in law and they got their nativities, so that means, I get to post mine! YAY!

This is my second new nativity this year!

My mother in law gets the girls one every year, and of course, just like every year, I love it! The kids love it too, Eli really loved looking at the little lamb and trying to pet it!

~~~

Just for fun, I thought I would post pictures of my different nativities Some I have out this year, and some I don't. I had to get some pictures from old posts and use old pictures. So I hope I got them all!

This one is a block/vinyl one that I made in Utah a few years ago. I didn't have room for it this year, so this is actually a picture my sister in law sent me of hers.

This one, I found on the web, it's pretty similar, and I'm actually thinking of changing my set into this one. It would be super easy to repaint.

This one says, "All is calm, All is bright" on the base.

My Willow Tree set. I love the new one that they have. Hopefully I can add that in the next couple years.

The little tiny mice. Wade's mom gave me this one the Christmas we were dating.

This one totally cracks me up. All the characters have large noses..and bums. The backside of this nativity is just as cute as the front!

This one I made in high school.

This is a music box one. It's not my favorite, but I like the music box. Of course, the kids broke it this week. I could find all the parts but one. You don't have to look close to see where the missing part is. :(

And then I have ones that the kids can play with.

Bean bags.

A pillow my friend made me a few years ago.

A magnet board.

The block set my best friend made.

Veggie Tales

Precious Moments.

For some reason this one the kids pick on the most. The poor baby Jesus in this set has been through everything. Eli loves the tiny animals. Sometimes I find him dancing around holding the tiny little sheep.

And of course the Little People. Next up for me the kids, I really want to get the Playmobil one.

This year we are also collecting this set. A "Secret Santa" is leaving us a piece to the nativity on our porch every night with a little poem. The kids have loved finding the surprise and unwrapping the presents!

We also have some different nativity and Christmas books. This Usborne one is one of my favorite, it's hard to find a place large enough to set it all up, right now my table is covered!

So there you have it! I love collecting nativities. There are so many ones out there, and living on this students/resident budget forever has really made me hold back. I could really go a little crazy.

Honestly, with all the different symbols of Christmas out there, I don't think collecting nativities is a bad way to go!

lip gloss

2011-12-20T21:15:00.000-08:00

The drive to Win-Co this morning was unusually quiet.

I thought it was the nice Christmas music playing. I was wrong.

I didn't know she had found my lip gloss.

It was all over her lips,

and eyes,

and cheeks,

and forehead.

New Nativity

2011-12-19T20:13:00.000-08:00

I got two new nativities this year. (This makes 20.) One is from Wade's mom and I can't post about it yet until I know my sisters-in-law have opened theirs. (Chandra?)

But this one is a new favorite. It's very simplistic and that is what I love. One of my very talented friends made it, in fact she is super talented and makes all sorts of cute stuff, I only wish I had the funds to buy it all!

~~

Today was the first official day of Christmas break. I would like to say that we slept in and were lazy all day, but I had a package to mail so I made everyone get up and ready before our normal time so we could get to the post office 10 minutes before opening. With all 4 kids. Yes, me and 4 kids and one package. The line was already long and it wasn't even open yet. Is is bad I want to lie and tell people I'm pregnant with twins when they tell me my hands are full?

We all survived.

Saturday we braved the very busy and crowded Target and did our "draw someone's name and go shopping" tradition. The kids love this tradition. We put all 6 names in a bowl, everyone draws one and then we split up - 2 kids with mom, 2 kids with Dad.

The price limit is $5 per person, so you have to get a little creative.
Oh -and we do.

Last year I got blue and orange toe-nail polish from Noah.

Gage drew my name this year and according to Wade, he picked out my gift within 3 minutes of being in the store.

It's fun to see the kids put some thought into the gift they pick out.

Can't wait to see what is in store for this year!

Sunday Photo

2011-12-18T21:02:00.000-08:00

This week the winter cough/cold has blessed our home. Monday it hit Gage. Wednesday, Noah. Friday & Saturday a triple home run with myself, Avery and Eli. It isn't as bad as it could be. I just hope it all goes away by next week.

Today we played swap-a-roo with the littles for church. The big two went with Wade for Sacrament Meeting. Then during Sunday School I met him in the parking lot with the little two and then I got to go to Relief Society.

The boys were my big helpers on the way home. They carried in the poinsettia plants for me. And the whole time Gage kept reminding Noah not to lick or eat the leaves.

Sunday afternoon included a rousing game of dodge-ball, stairs edition for all the boys in the house. Pretty sure this is NOT a safe activity. But the Dr. instigated it in the first place.

Avery and I stayed in the kitchen doing a few crafts with our scissors, felt and hot glue gun.

Tonight we took a little drive to look at lights. Last week we found one of "those" houses - the kind that you see on YouTube.

Now, you can see it on my blog.

(or if you are local, you can see it in the Crystal Ridge development off Shaw Road)

It was pretty crowded tonight and we didn't have the best parking spot. Plus I only had my phone with me, (hence, not the best video) but you can get the gist of it.

The kids got to unbuckle and all 6 of us squished together in the front seat and watched the display for about 20 minutes. Eli showed us his new dance moves that look very similar to early 90's head-banging. Avery sat on Wade's lap and asked repeatedly, "Daddy, did you see that?" And the boys (after they got over the fact that we couldn't just park in the people's driveway to watch!) sang along with every song.

If I could freeze time I would.

I am blessed beyond measure.

I love my little family.

snowflakes

2011-12-15T13:15:00.000-08:00

I think this was one of my favorite "Santa Bear" tricks yet.

It only took a few minutes, a scalpel, some mad-surgery-skilled-hands.

Thanks Santa Bear, I mean Wade;)

Avery was quick to tell us that Santa Bear made a big mess with the paper.

And then she wanted to know why there wasn't a Princess Leia!

Residency Retreat 2011

2011-12-13T12:36:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we had our last residency retreat. I was so excited for this for so many reasons:

1. It was our last one as residents! If we go again (which we might when the kids get older) we will be alumni!

2. It was paid for! Can't argue with that. And since Wade is the lonely-only resident left they paid for him to stay two nights!

3. My parents were willing and available to watch the kids. All 4 of them! And they survived (my parents, not the kids...well all of them!)

4. I didn't go last year because Eli was itty-bitty. Our first year I went, but left Avery, who was still nursing. This was the first year I could go without leaving a nursing baby! Woo Hoo!

5. The retreat was in December. Our first year when I went, it was in November; and while the resort is very nice, last year it was in December and Wade was so impressed with the Christmas festivities. He really wanted me to see it!

Wade was right. The Skamania Lodge is totally impressive at Christmas time.

Inside the lobby you can sit by this huge Christmas tree and fire place. There is hot chocolate available all day long. I totally took advantage of this!

At night they have live music. Saturday night they had some musicians playing bagpipes.

I also really loved all the trees throughout the lodge. My favorite were the driftwood trees. I can't wait to go back to the beach now and collect wood so I can make these!

There were activities for the kids too. I almost wanted to sign up for myself they looked so fun! They had gingerbread house classes, and a make your own teddy bear class. They also had scavenger hunts for the kids, as well as a "Miss Claus" character who would come out and read story books by the fireplace every night.

It really was all quite impressive. We decided we would love to go back when our kids are older so we could all enjoy it!

First thing Saturday morning Wade had a meeting. He had to do a presentation as well as some more "work stuff". I got to relax. I took a book and magazine out by the fire and pretended to read while I people watched!

After Wade's meeting we had lunch at the lodge. We then decided to go drive around and check out some of the waterfall on the Oregon side of the river.

Wade found this gas pump that he now wants for Christmas. Fat Chance, but it would go nice with a gas tank he already has. He loves the show American Pickers.

First we checked out a park below the Bridge of the Gods.

Wade impressed me with his karate moves.

Then we started down the historic highway and stopped at all the waterfalls we could find.

Got to love self timer photos. I had to run for this picture to turn out..and try not to fall down a set of slippery rock stairs.

Our last stop was the Vista House that overlooks the river. We've been there before about 10 years ago.

Despite it being so cold (and that I left my coat at the hotel) it was a fun afternoon driving around. We didn't have to buckle or unbuckle a single little person in the car each time we got in and out!

Saturday night we had the holiday dinner with some medical reps and the rest of the Dr's that Wade works with. It was great food. We also had "lively" conversation. We don't really fit in. One couple couldn't believe that I had 4 kids and DIDN'T drink. I believe the direct quote was, "How can you do that and NOT have a drink of wine at the end of the night? That is amazing!"

nice, right?

We then spent some more time sitting by the fire.

Some other things we got to do this weekend that we don't normally do: Wade took a nap. I started and read half a book. Wade watched sports without having to explain it to anyone, or tell anyone that he would NOT change the channel. I took a bubble bath and I didn't have to move any toys out of the tub or clean it before getting in! Wade got his dream come true of sleeping until his eyes "pop open". Which happens to be 8:30! haha!

Wade said out of the three times he has been to Skamania, this was by far his favorite. He loved that I got to go and that we could stay a little longer. It was a nice getaway and I am very thankful for my parents who made it possible for me to go.

Little Cook

2011-12-12T21:33:00.000-08:00

Avery has really been into playing with her kitchen lately.

She pulls up this tiny little chair, has a seat and makes tasty creations. I know, I get to sample almost every single one.

Many times she will put something in the oven, something on the stove and then pick up the phone. She then sits down and calls her best friend Linkin. She tells him she is making dinner, and what it is. She then asks when he will be home. She leans back in her chair and talks and talks. And then she tells him she needs to go, hangs up the phone and finishes her dinner.

Obviously, in her mind, she is talking to him on his way home from work and they are married. She tells everyone that she is going to marry Linkin someday. I mean everyone. Random people in Target even know this information.

I love stepping back and watching this girl play. She is creative, spunky and has such an imagination. She is a complete girly-girl and tom boy all in one. She can hold her own. She plays completely different than my 3 boys do. And I am so glad I have her.

Leaves

2011-12-12T21:21:00.000-08:00

It might be December, but we still haven't got snow at our house (my parents have though?!). So a lot of the time I still think it feels like fall.

Last week I attempted to rake the leaves in our yard the size of a dime. It really wasn't much, but the kids had fun. They each have their own little work brooms that Grandma got this them summer. With those in hand, they were in charge of the driveway and sidewalk, while I did the yard. It didn't take long for things to get out of hand.

My favorite part though, was Eli. He stood in the background with his broom in hand almost the whole time. His facial expression totally was priceless. HA!

Finally, right before we went in he decided to get in on the action. He was so sad that we had to go inside. But hot chocolate, blankets, a movie & nap time were calling our names.

Santa Bear

2011-12-11T15:57:00.001-08:00

I've been trying to remember to take a picture of what our Santa Bear (cheap-o version of Elf on a Shelf that the kids love) has been up to every day. It's just as hard to remember to take the picture as it is to remember to move the bear every night.

More than one time I've woke up in the middle of the night and thought, "Oh NO, I've got to move the bear!"

Usually this coincides with when a certain little 2 year old girl decides to wake up and scream, so it's not really like I'm losing sleep over it. But technically, I have.

Here are a few of the things he has been up to at our house:

Our Bear really likes treats.

Sometimes I get creative:

And other times I don't:

He took a bite out of the holiday cookies we decorated last week. Poor guy had it all over his face.

One morning they found him in the pop up tent with a blanket and the TV remotes.

And a little milk to go with all those treats.

He even made a visit to my parents house this weekend to keep an eye on them. Their house is much bigger and it took them a really long time to find him.

The second morning there he was underneath the cover to the ottoman. The kids couldn't find him at all. Eli was the one who actually found his little tiny legs.

This morning he did the snow angels. Everyone thought this was funny. Then they wanted him to be done because they wanted to eat breakfast at the table. They did think it was funny his bum was dusty all day.

And then tonight while we were out delivering a package for family night, he brought some new PJs. It's pretty cold at night lately and these just couldn't wait until Christmas.

(Thanks Grandma Christiansen!)

Dinner

2011-12-11T15:35:00.001-08:00

Last Sunday while eating dinner, the kids were doing their usual complaining about what I had made. I'm don't even remember what I made that night, but everyone seemed to have an opinion about what was on their plate. But the kicker is when Gage looked at me and said, "Mom, why do we always have to eat this GROSS stuff that you make?"

That was the last straw.

And for that statement he had to plan a menu and make dinner one night this week.

Lucky enough for him, I had just picked up a kid cook book at the library that week. I told him he could pick something from the book, but the menu had to be healthy (e.g. NOT mac and cheese, cereal or top ramen).

Of course, he managed to find the one pizza recipe.

Wednesday night was his big night. I would only answer questions if he had read all the instructions first. He had a good time reading the book and bossing everyone else around.

He also made a fruit salad to serve with his pizza.

His menu.

Instead of traditional pizza crust he made us all mini pizzas on whole wheat pita bread. It was a simple meal, but got 5 out of 6 votes for a good dinner.

Things came full circle when Noah complained that he really didn't like his pizza. Gage said that he had worked really hard making dinner and that Noah's comment hurt his feelings.

I'm thinking I need to have Noah or Gage take over one meal every week. It did take a lot more work (and patience) on my part. But hopefully they will learn some good kitchen skills and to appreciate the dinners that I make every night.

Sunday Photo

2011-12-11T15:15:00.001-08:00

Photo's are not from today - but this weekend.

We got home this afternoon from Wade's last Residency Retreat. I'm not too sad that this was our LAST residency retreat. It's time to move along.

It was totally a relaxing weekend. My parents had the kids and the resort we stay at is amazing at Christmas.

More to come.

'Tis the season, I have a lot of posts to catch up on this week.

Sunday Photo

2011-12-04T14:46:00.001-08:00

Sorting the Legos. Every once in a while we take each Lego drawer (we have 4) and dump them out one by one on a light towel. We sort out all the toys that aren't Legos. We try to find all the people parts and put them in a separate container. And we throw out any trash.

Eli can now access these drawers. So it's always amazing what you find in the drawers. Like a green bean.

~
Christmas music plays around our house all day, every day. The Christmas cards are here and I need to get them mailed - my job tonight. So many things to do. But I am not complaining. I love to be busy and I love this time of year.

Festivals

2011-12-03T20:02:00.001-08:00

We had a wonderful Saturday celebrating Christmas today.

Wade was able to get some free tickets to the Festival of Trees at work this week, so we headed over this morning. It was a nice event. There were some girls clog dancing the whole time we were there and Avery couldn't keep her eyes off them. Forget the sparkly trees, those girls danced and had sparkly costumes and sparkly hair! She pretty much was in awe the whole time. Gage had a good time walking around deciding what he would write down for his kids choice vote.

Of course, I forgot my camera, but I managed to get a couple of pictures with the camera phone.

These aren't the boys favorite trees, but it got pretty busy when we were about to leave, so sadly we weren't able to go back around and take pictures of them with their trees. I think my favorite had to be a cute cupcake decorated tree. They were all so fun!

And the best part of the morning...they got to all see Santa! Gage told him that he wanted 80 Bionicles?! Noah said Legos and Avery and Eli didn't cry, so I thought it was a pretty successful visit!

After the Festival of Trees we headed over to our best friends house for lunch and a little play time. We put Wade to work and he was able to fix their lawn mower. (He might fix yours too if you pay him in pizza.)

Next up, the Festival of the Nativities! I LOVE this event! I think it is my favorite thing to attend every year. Two years ago I took over a bunch of my nativities over, (just spent 20 minutes searching my blog and apparently I never blogged about it. I have the pictures though. Darn.)

Every year this event just gets bigger and better!

Of course, I got these awesome pictures with my camera phone. So they are like the best quality ever.

The first thing we saw when we walked in was this! Gage's school teacher as part of the live nativity! She is a member of our church, but in a different stake (congregation).He jumped up there so fast and to say Hi. We met her whole family and had to get a picture. Gage really enjoys her class this year.

The big kids all had a great time with a nativity search game they gave out at the door. Courtney and I tried to help them as much as we could (as well as look around for our favorites too). Poor Wade got stuck walking around with Eli and Doug maned the stroller with Avery and Linkin. (no easy task since the whole time Avery was trying to kiss Linkin and he wanted nothing to do with kisses!)

I totally came to the conclusion that next time this event would be enjoyed best two ways - one short visit during the day with the kids, then again later as part of a dinner/date night with just adults.

A few (bad pictures) of new favorites I found. The muffin tin countdown. I almost made one this year, but I really like the nativity version. Fun!

This one a 7 year old made! Gage and Luca were pretty impressed. (and happy to check it off their hunt list!)

The Lego one was a big hit. I think there were some play mobile mixed in. (The Playmobile nativity is next up on my wish list)

I liked this cute block set. The picture does do it justice. The letters have paper mod-podged on to them and they would be pretty easy to make.

This quirky little one was right next to the letter one.

Really, I wanted to take pictures of so many. I should have taken my sets over this year too. I saw some of my sets, but I have some that were not there too.

The kids finally finished their scavenger hunt and got a treat. Then we played a few minutes in the kids room before heading home.

It was a busy full festive day with family and friends and it totally filled me with the Christmas spirit.

Merry Christmas!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2011-12-01T10:13:00.001-08:00

Today is the first of December! We are all so excited at our house.

We decorated our tree last night. Just as I predicted Eli was a lot of "help." Then later I noticed Gage moving every decoration to the top half of the tree. He really wanted Eli to leave the tree alone. (Maybe I shouldn't tell him that I caught Eli licking a bunch of ornaments today?)

Monday night for read the felt board story about what the symbols of Christmas mean. Also, Monday night was the first night Santa Bear came for a visit.

Santa bear is our (cheap) version of Elf on a Shelf. This tradition started last year, when one day I had had enough of whiny, naughty kids. There was no time to get to the store for a Elf of the Shelf...no, I just rummaged through the embarrassing amount of Beanie Babies that I own and found this bear that they hadn't seen before. I brought it out at dinner and explained the rules. That this bear would watch them every day, and then at night he would go and report to Santa, and then reappear in a different location in the house the next morning.

The named the bear, Santa Bear and totally bought it.

(of course they bought it - they think that their Lego's come to life at night!)

Anyway, they couldn't wait for Santa Bear to come back this year. They even talked about him during the summer. Tuesday morning he came with a note and a little gift.

This morning Santa Bear was visiting the Veggie Tales Nativity. Noah searched and searched this morning for him. When he finally found him, he laughed and said, "Silly Santa Bear! You are not a vegetable!"

Tuesday night we started the tradition of turning the lights off after dinner is cleaned up and singing Christmas Carols around the Christmas Tree. I sang the 12 days of Christmas to the kids. Noah now requests it all the time. Avery loves to sing "Fa-la-la-la-la" I really like this tradition. I think this time of year makes me miss a piano the most.

They kids got to start the advent calendar this morning. I was surprised that they didn't fight too much over who went first. Gage was busy being bossy explaining to everyone what number in the family they were is what number they would turn over. This totally confused Noah - he kept saying he was 5 and wanted to turn over 5.

My mom and I found this cute fabric at JoAnn's last week (they were almost out so we bought it all!) Then we made these wall hangings over the Thanksgiving weekend. They were so simple and look great

And of course the nativities are almost all out now. I still have a few I haven't found places for. The kids have 4 they can play with and they still ask me if they can play with my nice ones. Uh...NO.

I am proud to say that the Lego men have united with the barn animals in protecting the baby this year.

I still have so many projects to work on before the big day. I am trying to do more homemade gifts this year. My nights after bedtime are full of activity.

We are all so excited for this Christmas season.

Fried Razor Clams

2011-12-01T09:53:00.001-08:00

Sunday night when we got home from the beach Wade fried some of our razor clams. They turned out pretty yummy. Our kids really like fish and seafood. They got 6 out of 6 thumbs up.

We read a few recipes online and experimented a little bit. In the end, we really liked the ones breaded with Club cracker crumbs and (about) a tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. We dipped them in a bowl of egg first, then crumb mixture and then fried them for a about a minute in a frying pan with hot butter flavored Crisco.

Totally not the healthiest meal we've ever had, but it sure tasted good!

{Thanksgiving} {Ocean Shores} {2011}

2011-11-29T13:30:00.001-08:00

We had a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I was horrible at getting good pictures this year. But we did enjoy our long weekend.

We started out our Thanksgiving by heading to my parents for dinner. Somehow the turkey wasn't done when we were all ready to eat...but we didn't worry, that just meant we could eat and then eat again later! Double Score! We enjoyed a wonderful meal of turkey, stuffing, cranberries, green bean bundles, rolls, salad and pie.

We rolled around all afternoon and enjoyed relaxing, watching football, flying paper airplanes, and checking out the sale ads for Friday. I realize that most stores advertise their sales way before Thanksgiving, but I still think it is fun just to sit around Thursday afternoon looking at the sales, making lists and plans for Friday.

Friday morning my mom and I ventured out for Black Friday. It's a tradition for us. We are not die-hards, but enjoy the time together (and leaving the kids at home). We started at 4 am, stood in line at K-Mart and ran for the Lego isle (shhh...don't tell the boys!). After that it was Old Navy,which opened at midnight and was nice and empty when we got there. We had a little breakfast, then on to Walmart. We got there around 7, got the last item on the shelf that I wanted for Avery and even scored her birthday present that rang up cheaper at the register than it was in the ads! Walmart was like heaven, hardly any shoppers. Then right before heading home we dropped by Fred Meyer. Holy Smokes was it busy! People were fighting over socks of all things! After that crowd we returned home, happy and tired. I got all my Christmas done for the kids and under the amount that I had planned...plus a birthday gift too! I am sad we didn't make it to Target this year, but their lines are always way too long, and everywhere we went had good check out line control.

Friday afternoon we packed up all our stuff and headed out to the beach! My parents gave Wade a "coupon" good for an overnight beach trip back on his birthday...you know...back in FEBRUARY! I thought we better turn it in, or else my parents would have to start putting expiration dates on things they give Wade. Plus it happened to be a clam dig weekend, so we could go, have fun on the beach and hit the night clam digs.

We finally gave in on the way to the beach and stopped in Aberdeen at the Star Wars Shop. It was interesting. The boys had fun. Wade and I are now planning on where we want to get our Star Wars tattoo so we can visit the shop again.

Friday night Wade, Gage and my dad headed out to the beach for the clams. They returned home in 30 minutes! It only took them 20 minutes or so to all max out. Gage had a great time digging his own clams this time. Friday he was able to dig 3, Saturday 4.

Saturday we headed out to the beach to attempt a few family photos. We are going to have to save our money and hire someone next year. Or else not try and do this on a beach in the wind when it is 40 degrees outside. I am crazy.

Once I put away the camera (or at least told everyone that they didn't have to take family pictures anymore) they all had a good time.

The little 3 got cold pretty fast so we headed back and took a warm bath at the hotel. When everyone else returned my parents watched the kids so Wade and I could go to lunch. We returned home and found Eli like this. He totally fell asleep on the floor in the middle of the room. They say he didn't even cry, just laid down and went to sleep. What a funny boy!

That afternoon the rain was letting up so we did some shopping around Ocean Shores. The shops were really fun. Noah's favorite was Sharky's.

My Mom and I checked out the craft bazaar that was at the town convention center that weekend. It was full of interesting finds. Avery and Eli went with us and got to see Santa. They both weren't sure what to think - but no one cried! The boys were sad, but they had gone swimming with Wade at the hotel.

This large Razor Clam was at the convention center. Avery thought it was cool. She pretty much thought everything at the craft bazaar was cool - everything had "sparklies" and "pretties".

Saturday night was more clam digging. Since it's hard to keep track of anyone on the beach in the dark, I stayed at the hotel with Noah, Avery and Eli. We had to be creative.

We played play dough.

We had dance parties.

Noah and Avery put on some puppet shows.

And we got Subway and cookies for dinner. Yum!

Saturday night my mom invited the boys over to their room and they had a "campfire" with smores. They had a good time. It was pretty cute.

Sunday we headed back home, stopping in Olympia at my parents first to clean our clams.

Sunday night Wade fried clams for dinner.

It was a perfect long weekend with family.

Like I said, a lot to be thankful for.

Sunday Photo

2011-11-27T20:07:00.001-08:00

Wade spent a good deal of time this afternoon in my parents kitchen cleaning clams.

We spent the weekend at the beach with my parents.

It was cold and rainy, but we made some memories.

Wade, my Dad and Gage were able to clam dig on Friday night and then Saturday night my Mom joined them.

They all were able to dig their limits and Gage was very proud of the ones that he did all on his own.

Wade made us fried razor clams with cajun rice and green beans for dinner. It was so yummy.

Trip pictures coming soon.

So much to catch up on and do!

Happy Sunday!

Stuffed French Bread

2011-11-20T20:44:00.001-08:00

Dinner tonight was Stuffed French Bread.

(We also call it Chuckwagon, but I think Stuffed French Bread sounds more appealing)

This is one of my husband's family recipes and is one of my favorite go-to recipes, especially if I am feeding a crowd. It makes two loafs at a time, so sometimes I also like to make this if I'm taking dinner to someone (one for us, one for them!). It's super easy too!

2 loafs of french bread. (It's good in little rolls too for individual servings)

1 pound ground beef

1 medium onion chopped

1 cup chopped celery

1 medium tomato

1 cup sliced olives

1 can cheddar cheese soup

Shredded cheddar cheese

Brown hamburger and onions on stove top. Add celery, tomatoes and olives and saute until celery is tender. Add the can of soup and mix together. Cut a "V" shape in the top of the french bread loafs and hollow out the inside. Tear the bread from inside the loaf up in small bits and add to the meat. Stir together. Spoon back into the french bread loaf. Top with some shredded cheddar cheese and then replace the top of the loaf. Wrap the whole loaf in tin foil and bake in the oven (at 350) for about 15-20 minutes until warm all the way through.

Slice and enjoy!

Sunday Photo

2011-11-20T20:12:00.001-08:00

We finished our night upstairs with a little Criss-Cross-Crash. Eli's new favorite toy. He can turn it on, put cars in and say, "WOAH".

We had church this morning. Then a relaxing afternoon of naps and playing with the Hex-Bugs.

At dinner time I somehow dropped the cookie sheet and dumped all our dinner all over the oven. Wade manged to save some. I can't believe that Thanksgiving is this week. I actually turned on the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas station on Pandora while making dinner. After dinner I turned off all the lights and we watched The Nativity. We watched it once and the kids ask questions and talk. Then we watched it again and I asked everyone not to talk. For 5 minutes we all sat, watched and took in the spirit. It was heaven.

After that I turned the music on that is on the same DVD. Gage requests this every single year. I think this is his all time favorite Christmas song. It takes me back to our first year in Iowa, Gage was itty bitty (Eli looked strikingly similar tonight). We would dance to this every day during November and December. We bought him a little tikes basketball hoop that year. The missionaries would come over and crack up at his dancing and shoot hoops with Wade. Good times.

Hot chocolate and marshmallows followed our Christmas dance party. I am looking forward to having many more of these in the weeks to come.

Happy Sunday.

Laundry Soap

2011-11-16T20:52:00.001-08:00

I go through a LOT of laundry at our house. Besides our normal clothes (about 5 loads twice a week) I usually have to wash wet sheets every day. I could do a whole separate post about this, but I'll just leave it at that.

I wash a lot of laundry.

So when I saw this post on Pinterest about making your own laundry soap I was interested. And when I saw the price and how long it should last, I was hooked.

This afternoon I finally put it all together.

1 4 lb box of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda

1 4 lb box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda

1 4 lb box of Borax

3 bars of Fels-naptha soap

2 small containers of oxyclean or store brand oxyclean

It's so easy to make.

First you need to grate the bars of soap. I used my food processor and it was super easy. It totally looked like cheese and the kids got so mad when I told them they couldn't eat it. When I explained I was making soap they were even more confused. They couldn't understand why I was making soap with cheese.

HA!

Anyway - after you grate the ~~cheese~~ soap, you are supposed to mix everything together in a 5 gallon bucket lined with a garbage bag. I couldn't get it to mix together very well, and then my garbage bag broke, so I dumped it all out into a very large bowl and mixed.

After that you are done!

You can store it in any container. I filled this cute one that has a little scoop, and put the rest in a large rubbermaid container with a lid.

You only need to use one tablespoon per load. I tried it today and felt better using 2 Tablespoons. The little scoops that came inside the oxyclean actually worked best to measure with. (That silver one sure is cute though!)

I washed 3 loads today and so far so good!

I found all the ingredients at Walmart and the total was $15.17. I usually go through one large container of Kirkland Free and Clear Laundry Soap in a month. That costs us around $14 a month, assuming I can get it to last all month. The girl who's blog I found this on does around 8 loads a week, and this lasted her 9 months.

I do more than 8 loads a laundry a week, but I still think that my $15 will be a great deal in the end!

Now...if anyone could figure out a way for my laundry to do itself.....

Stick Bugs

2011-11-16T20:32:00.001-08:00

Wade called me a few weeks ago from work and we had the following conversation:

Wade: "Hey, I was calling to see....do you want something else to take care of?"

Me: long pause

Wade: "Are you there?"

Me: "uh...what kind of thing are we talking about?"

Stick bugs.

A Dr. Wade works with was giving some away and Wade thought they would be cool to have. I guess I think they are cool too, but I'm not really sure what to do with the little guys.

Half the time I can't even find them.

(There are two. Can you find them?)

So honestly, they aren't that hard to take care of. They need some leaves, and water. We got them Sunday and I haven't figure out what to really put them in yet, so they still live in the jar they came in.

Noah took them to preschool today for show and tell. When we picked him up I asked him how it went. He said, "Great Mom. The stick bugs didn't die."

Their names are Ewok and Chewbacca.

green beans

2011-11-16T20:20:00.001-08:00

Today while I was making dinner, Eli did what he doe best, making messes. But then things went quiet. I turned around and found him like this.

Munching on a few frozen green bean he manged to snatch out of the bag when I got it out of the freezer.

Poor teething Eli. Those frozen green beans couldn't have tasted good, but must have felt good. He sure is cute.

Thankful

2011-11-15T13:18:00.001-08:00

Two things I am thankful for today. Avery, and answered prayers.

A couple months ago Wade and I sat down and went through all our bills and looked at our budget. We wrote down what we make, then listed every bill. Let's just say we looked at it (felt a little depressed) and came to the conclusion that there was no wiggle room.

We couldn't figure out what to cut. The only thing we could cut would be internet - and that is something we weren't willing to do. Besides, Wade needs it for work. Food is the only bill that has a variable, and I wasn't sure how to really reduce our grocery bill either. I don't have time to coupon. I menu plan and I think that does save us money. (remember this post? I wish I could say I still spend the same amount of money. But 6 mouths to feed....)

So anyway, we talked about it, we just decided it was what it was. (I then ranted and raved about how residents should be paid more for the insane amount of time that they work, the amount of debt school costs, blah..blah...blah)

It was a couple hours later I remembered what I had forgot something on our list of expenditures...Diapers and Wipes! (capital because they are THAT important)

Seriously, with two in diapers we were spending so much on diapers and wipes. When I told Wade I had forgot to add that to the list, we sadly we agreed...it would somehow have to come out of the grocery budget. I wanted to cry. That was equal to one whole week of food. I wasn't sure how I could manage that.

So I prayed. I wasn't sure what the answer was to our problem, but I just prayed that that we would be alright. I prayed about it ever single day.

~
It was probably two weeks later that one Saturday morning Avery woke up and while Wade was changing her diaper she announced...."I want to go potty Dad!" Wade helped her and she went! We couldn't believe it!

I know she is 2 1/2, but I waited till my boys were both over 3. Almost 3 1/2. I waited with them and they were both ready and really easy to train when they were older. I was going to wait till she was 3. I was really wasn't expecting this.

We didn't have many plans that Saturday, so we ran with it. She had a few accidents but did really well! By the end of the day she was telling us to leave the bathroom and that she could "Do it MYSELF!"

Miss Independent.

The next week was the week before Super Saturday. I had a lot of errands to run. I felt so bad, because she was in pull ups most of the week, but even then she did really well.

It's been over 4 weeks and I am amazed. No more pull ups or diapers and she is such a big girl. (It might have also helped that during the process she eared the Dora pillow pet she loves so much.)

Sure, she made up her mind and was ready, but it really was the blessing I was looking for.

I am thankful for Miss Independence. She wants to do everything herself and if she can't, she will keep trying until she shows me she can. Yesterday she spent 20 minutes buttoning her own coat. It was a long 20 minutes, but in the end, she did it. She will dress herself in things I would never put together. (picture taken today - she walked to the bus stop this morning in blue leggings, Dora tee-shirt, Tinkerbell costume, purple socks, pink sparkle shoes, a pink puffy winter coat and a pink knit hat on her head. But she did it all herself and waited patiently by the door while I kept reminding the boys to get ready)

She will try and fix her own hair and wear a silly flower every single day of the week. She will stand at the counter while I cook dinner and tell me that she can do it too. She rarely accepts help. She totally gets that from me.

~

So today, I am thankful for two huge blessings in my life. Avery and all the spunk she adds to our family, and a Heavenly Father who answers our prayers. I wasn't praying that Avery would potty train, and while our budget still is what it is, and I still have to buy diapers and wipes for one, it sure helps a lot that I don't have to buy for two.

And that is an answer I am am thankful for.
~

"It is true that the answers to our prayers may not always come as direct and at the time, nor in the matter, we anticipate; but they do come, and at at time and in a manner best for the interests of him who offers the supplication." -David O. McKay

Sunday Photo

2011-11-13T20:59:00.001-08:00

The boys participated in their Primary Program today. It's a yearly program the kids (3-11 years) put on for the congregation at our church. It's pretty awesome. Like the highlight of my year.

My parents came up to see. My sister Jenny and my nephew Daniel are visiting this weekend, so they came too. At the start of church we had 10 (mostly little) people filling a center pew.

The boys did a fantasic job. Noah made faces at us the whole time. He pretty much bounced up and down during each song. He loves the song "Scripture Power" and was doing actions when no one else was even doing them. He waved at us and had such enthusiasm. Noah is all about having fun.

Gage is very serious. He is always striving to do everything right. He had a lot of parts (some I didn't even know he had until today!). He recited most of them from memory. He read (without hesitation!) the others. But singing is his thing. He sat right in the middle by his best friend Luca (who also loves to sing) and they really let it all out. At one point I would have guessed they thought this was X-Factor, American Idol, or any other singing show the way they were belting the words out. Gage really loves it. He closes his eyes, and sings with all his might.

I didn't even know until today that he had a special musical number with 3 other kids. He did fantastic and really made us so proud.

I got a few pictures of the kids letting all their wiggles out after church. Wade had to work after the program and we were ~~going wild~~ patiently waiting on him to get home so we could go to my parents house for dinner.

See that big flower in Avery's hair? You can't really miss it. She has been wearing it non stop for the past couple days. I'm not sure why. Around 11:30 last night (we were up watching the last Harry Potter) I heard her get up out of bed and then a few minutes later I heard her crying. I went up stairs to find her crying by our side of the bed looking for Daddy. There she was her jammies on, bear in hand and this big flower hair band on her head. I tucked her back in bed - hair band and all. What a nut!

These kids make me smile.

I am one lucky mama!

Hot Chocolate Mix

2011-11-12T21:31:00.001-08:00

We drink a LOT of hot chocolate around here. I drink a cup at breakfast every day, and then if the kids see me with one, they have to have one. 3 more mugs later....

I made my own hot chocolate mix a few years ago and it was good, but I didn't write down the recipe. I thought it was time to mix up another batch this afternoon, so after looking through some recipes on Pinterest and All Recipes, I made up my own. The bonus was that I had most of the ingredients on hand, so it really didn't cost me much out of pocket! Score!

Hot Chocolate Mix:

2 Cups Powdered Sugar

1 Cup Cocoa

2 1/2 Cups Powdered Milk

1/2 Cup Creamer

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1 bag of milk chocolate chips, finely chopped in the food processor

Whisk all ingredeints in large bowl.

Store it in an air tight container. And that's it! I doubled the recipe and it made 3 quart jars. Hopefully this will last us a while.

I like to add 2 to 3 tablespoons into my mug of hot water and top with marshmallows or whipped cream.

I think I might go have one right now.

11.11.11

2011-11-11T14:18:00.001-08:00

November, 11, 2011

11.11.11

11:11 AM

At 11:11 this morning we were:

playing Legos and Bionicles

Sweeping the floor (because I was)

And trying to attack my computer while listening to Sugarland Pandora.

It's Veterans Day! That means no school for us!

The kids actually slept in (till 7:30 if that counts...and to me it does!).

We had special hot chocolate for breakfast.

We watched some Air Force clips on You Tube. Gage had his Veterans Day assembly at school Wednesday. He came home so excited for the Air Force and Navy. He loves singing the song "Wild Blue Yonder"

We colored some Thanksgiving coloring pages.

I did my Friday cleaning. Floors swept and mopped or vacuumed, bathrooms (the kids helped with this one), and the house generally picked up so we can enjoy pizza and movie night together.

The kids are now watching this for quiet time.

And I am looking forward to a little menu planning and this.

A Costco run was on my list of things to do today, but it's raining (not really a new development in Washington) and windy outside so I think I might just enjoy the rest of the day hanging out at home.

Oh, and at lunch, Wade told me he was sorry. He had surgery all morning. At 11:11 he said the Dr. that he scrubbed with called his wife and told her Happy 11:11! Wade said he didn't even realized that today was 11.11 - and he didn't have his phone on him to call me.

That's ok. I love him anyway.

Dinner Time

2011-11-09T20:55:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine shared this on her blog the other day. (click for the link). I had a good laugh when I read it. It is entirely so true. I would LOVE to see my favorite Food Network stars handle my kitchen at dinner time.

This is how one hour of our eveing went tonight:

Last night I went to bed with a migraine. Today I woke up with one. Somehow I made it through the day and since it is Wednesday early out, I almost got a nap this afternoon while the big boys played Lego's and Avery played games on my phone. Around 3 I decided I better take a look a the menu board and see what options we have left in the week. I had options, but not many that I was feeling up to making with the beast headache. Pay day isn't until Friday so ordering a pizza is out, and so I checked out the freezer and the pantry to see what other quick and easy options I could come up with.

I decided I could manage pasta salad. Easy enough, right?

I bust out the play dough and a snack for the kids to get us through the 4-5 o'clock hour, took another Tylenol and sat down to play with them.

My started prepping dinner at 4:45. I could have made things half way easy and turned on a movie for the older 3, but I don't like using that every night. My choice.

I pulled out the pot and started boiling some water. I took some bacon out of the freezer and stuck it in the microwave on defrost.

I took the play dough of out Eli's mouth for the 50 millionth time.
I took Avery to time-out for breaking Gage's Lego Navy Battleship that he spent all afternoon making. (They had a Veterans Day Assembly today, he is ALL about the Navy now!)
I helped Gage put back together his Lego ship and reminded him he didn't need to scream at everyone in the house when it breaks.
I asked Avery what she did wrong. She said, "nothing." I told her she could sit on the stairs longer.
I listened to her scream more.
I found Eli with a crayon coloring on the bench. Took that away.
I asked Avery what she did wrong again. She said something that sounded a little like Gage, but not really, but I had her say sorry to Gage and move on.

I got the frozen peas out of the freezer. I left the door to the freezer open because it entertains Eli to look through there. Anything to keep him occupied for a few minutes.

I put the pasta in the water.
I set the timer.
I told Noah he couldn't eat any more oranges, dinner would be ready in a minute. He stomped off.
Avery found her Princess Belle boo-boo cold pack in the freezer and repeatedly tried to shove it in the back of my shirt to hear me squeal.
I took Eli out of the freezer and shut the door.
I took the cold pack away from Avery and gave it to Eli to chew on. It makes his teeth feel better. He was very mad I had closed the freezer, and he threw the cold pack down and screamed.

I took the bacon out of the microwave and put in in the frying pan.
I see Avery is hiding under the table eating frozen peas from the bag I got out of the freezer. Nice.
I tell her she can't have the whole bag, but put about 10 in a bowl for her. She goes back under the table.

Eli is clinging to my legs screaming. Gage and Noah are sitting at the bar and drawing pictures of things that start with "F" (Noah's letter of the week in preschool). Then things start to turn funny. Next thing I hear they are drawing pictures of birds pooping on people, fish sticks walking, french fries, and frogs jumping. Someone draws a butt and they laugh.

I get out the cheese to grate. Then I remember I have a bag of grated cheese. I open the refrigerator and Eli is already standing there underneath me playing with the stuff in the refrigerator door and drawers. He loves to find the tiny bottle of green Tabasco sauce and play with it. I take it away and tell him he can't have it. He screams some more. Some day he will regret playing with it!

I remember the bacon.
Avery is out of frozen peas and wants more.
Gage drew on Noah's paper. Noah drew on Gage's paper. They are both mad at each other.
I tell the boys to go up to their room and that they can't come back down stairs until they are happy and friends.

Avery and Eli are still mad. I still have the bacon. The noodles have 3 minutes left.

I remember that I have some balloons. I grab a couple (making sure that I have at least one pink) and blow some up. Eli and Avery are happy.
I throw in the peas with the noodles.
They finish cooking.

The boys come downstairs and yell "Balloons!" They start trying to sit on them and pop them.
I tell them that they can come down stairs only if they play with Eli and the balloons.

I remember to take out some plain noodles for Gage's lunch tomorrow. Put that away in the fridge.

I start to assemble the salad.
Eli is back at my legs crying. I take off his shirt and his pants. He tugs at his onsie, wanting it off too, but he seems happy enough. I open the Tupperware container drawer and let him go to town. He loves emptying and filling that drawer.

Avery tries to drag a chair across the floor to the island so she can help me make dinner. It gets stuck and she screams.

I fix her chair and giver a spoon. She stirs the noodles and peas. I try to catch the ones that are flying out of the bowl.
Wade calls. He is on his way home, but stuck in traffic. I tell him we are cleaning up the house and will have dinner for him when he gets home. He has scouts tonight and will only have enough time at home to change clothes and eat dinner.

The boys have popped most of the balloons.
I look around out our messy house.
I laugh inside about how I used to love to vacuum every day before Wade got home. I loved having those vacuum lines. I must have been nuts.

Then I remember the Halloween candy. The gross stuff that no one really wants to eat is all we have left. I tell the kids I have a game. For each item they pick up and put away in the RIGHT place they will get a piece of candy.
They are off and running.
SCORE!

I finish the salad. I pry the spoon away from Avery and tell her it is mommy's turn to stir.
I put in in the fridge and get the stuff out for the table.
Noah sets the table. And gets everyone water. I cross my fingers he won't cry today when he has to sit by Avery because (gasp!) she is a girl.

I unload the dishwasher. Eli tries 5 times to stand up on the open dishwasher door and 5 times I take him off.

Gage yells "I've picked up 37 items Mom! That is a LOT of candy!!!"

Wade walks in the door.

~~
The hours from 3-7 are by far the hardest hours of my day. I don't really write this to complain, but that "Cooking with Katie" really just struck a chord.

Today wasn't my worst day, it wasn't my best. Sometimes I just think I should document it or else someday I will look back and won't believe that I actually did it. (like yesterday, when after dinner I cut all 3 boys hair by myself, somehow managed to get all 4 bathed and ready for bed before Wade rolled in the door to kiss them goodnight).

Dinner tonight made all the craziness worth it. Gage prayed for the families of the missionaries that were killed in Texas, and he said he was thankful for and loved his "whole, WHOLE family."

We've been using the conversation cards at dinner. Everyone answers a few questions. Avery always comes up with crazy answers and we all laugh.

Wade wrestled with everyone after dinner. Eli giggled. Avery laughed. Gage and Noah ate a bunch of candy - but no where near 37 pieces - before they said they said it was all gross and that they were done.

~~
I might not be cooking show worthy.
But one thing is for sure,
things never get dull around here.
And I love it.