Christmas Eve!

We celebrated Christmas Eve at Justin's parents home. I was disappointed when I got home and reviewed my pictures because I definatly did not take as many pictures as I should have. It was way fun to be with all the family and I was way excited to see Uncle Mike who has been gone for work for the military for 3? (Marilynn, is this right?) years and also Chris and Angie who are expecting a baby in about 10 weeks so I didn't think they would be able to come. Justin and I are blessed to live close to both of our families and that both our families like being with each other. It truly makes the holidays special to spend them with loved ones.

Sledding

My brother took the boys to conquer the sledding hill next to my parents house on Tuesday the 23rd. After a few pictures and a hilarious ride down the hill by my sister and Caroline, the women (and Liam) went back to my mom's house to finish up some last minute blanket making for my nieces and nephews. After sledding was over, we decorated Christmas cookies for Santa and let me tell you, Santa is getting the most frosting and sprinkle covered cookies this side of the Mississippi. I am sure he will enjoy them immensely :).

1. I am extremely grateful that my boys not only have coats but snowpants, boots, gloves, hats, and scarves. I feel very lucky.
2. that the boys have such fun uncles that want to spend their day off playing with them!
3. the lovely "special" sprinkles my mom's friend brought her from Australia. They were very sparkly and I decided I must have some for myself. Anyone traveling to Australia soon?

Happy birthday Dad!

We were finally able to accomodate everyone's schedules to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday by going to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. It was a fun night--how could you go wrong with good food and fun company? (and this is the debut of my bangs on the blog. They were fun while they lasted but I should have realized that 15 years of not having them was a good thing...)


Doesn't he make 60 look good?





Andrea, Caroline, and Adam




Erika, Matt, and me


Nicholas was having fun making Caroline laugh. She is such a little love!

*Happy Birthday Dad!* Here are three reasons why we are so grateful for my dad:
1. He is seriously one of the most patient people I know. I have tried to incorporate this in large amounts while parenting my boys. I know this is a trait he learned from his own dad and it is one of my favorites.
2. He makes people feel comfortable. My mom also shares this trait. They just recently moved into a new home and I guess I shouldn't be surprised at all the friends they have made. He is a truly genuine person and I am sure this is what attracts people to him.
2 1/2. He is a voice of reason. And a good listener. I know of many people who will go to my dad for advice or just for someone to lend a listening ear. Thank you dad for all of your help throughout the years!
3. He is predictable. He is happy with M&Ms, Hersheys kisses, Dr. Pepper, pork chops and rice, plaid flannel shirts, anything to do with the Civil War and of course, the Utah Utes.

1.seat warmers in the car...I personally do not have them but I really appreciate how wonderful they are when enjoying them in others' vehicles!
2.my boys are out of school for the next two weeks. I am looking forward to spending all day with them! My only hope is that the wind stops blowing so severely and the air warms up (just slightly) so as to be able to go outside and build a snowman or go sledding.
3.it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...and It's a Wonderful Life

1.getting Christmas cards in the mail and displaying them on my pantry doors
2.seeing Twilight for the second time last night and catching things I didn't the first time
3.being able to volunteer in Nick's class today for his Christmas party

The stars were finally in alignment

1.Despite the craziness that the first big snow storm brings, it really puts me in the Christmas spirit when I am listening to Christmas music and driving around shopping.
2.I am really, really, really excited for the present that I got Justin yesterday and I was able to take back the one that I was questioning.
3.ONE MORE WEEK UNTIL CHRISTMAS!

1.My first shift by myself at IMC is going okay so far...had a C/S and I was only yelled at once. Oh, and the baby went bad and had to get passed to NBICU after the team tried and failed to intubate-multiple times. But, on the bright side, the patient and her husband said they never would have guessed it was my first day here. WHEW.
2.JUSTIN IS DONE WITH SCHOOL TODAY. Great job and congratulations honey! I am kindof bummed he is not walking (just for the picture opportunities) but I am so proud of him. He has worked very hard and endured many difficult semesters. And is it wrong for me to be excited for myself that we will have a life again??
3.that I made it home alive Sunday morning after a huge snow storm and a long night at work.

1.I will most likely be wrapping up (no pun intended) my Christmas shopping today and I will have my mom there for company.
2.Justin bought me a diet coke even though I said I didn't want it...he knows me all too well.
3.how Liam says "please"...he says it soooo sweetly and signs it at the same time. It is ALMOST irresistable. Well, I think I give in about 99.9% of the time but that 0.01% counts for something, right?

Update

I know I am quite behind...there has been A LOT happening over the last couple days. I also have not had access to Justin's computer so I was waiting to blog until I could post pictures. I am hoping this will happen tonight, but just in case it doesn't, here is a rundown:

Wednesday: Festival of Trees. Always lovely until your 3 year old demands playdoh from Santa. Full story to come.
Friday:Santa party at mother in laws house and found out that Nicholas wants University of Utah football season tickets for Christmas. This was news to me and it will be a Christmas miracle if this happens. Luckily, he does not believe in Santa and we were able to sort things out.
Saturday: Andrew was baptized! He got a new suit for the occasion and he looked C.U.T.E. and he knew it. Pretty much strutted in to get confirmed.
That night we had the ward Christmas party and the 3 older boys were the wise men in the little nativity play they put on. Very cute.
Monday:I got bangs. It is a little weird...I haven't had them for about 15 years when I styled them with a curling iron and a TON of hairspray. We will see how it goes. I also spent time with my mom doing neighbor gifts which was fun and I am glad that I have them out of the way!

I have so many pictures to post and stories to tell...hopefully the stars will be in alignment and I can put them up tonight.

Until then:
1.how beautiful a first snow is. It is so clean and fresh and it almost makes me forget that I hate the cold weather.
2.that I was able to find 2 lightsaber star wars action figures and 1 gun star wars action figure like Andrew asked for-and they were all ones he doesn't have yet. Whew.
3.this is Justin's last week of school. Hallelujah.

1. advent calendars
2. watching Christmas movies snuggled by the fire
3. having an excuse to really clean my house

My family will thank you

I am in a rut.

I desperately need new food ideas. Desperately.

I am not picky, but I would love dinner recipes and some without meat.

In exchange for your recipes, I will post 2 of my favorites. One is a yummy stew and the other is a delicious, delectable, delightful dessert. I know you are drooling in anticipation.

CROCKPOT BEEF STEW
1 pound beef stew meat
4 medium potatoes, cut into large pieces
4 carrots, sliced or 4 handfuls of baby carrots
1 bay leaf
1 package dry onion soup mix
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of celery soup
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

Combine ingredients in a crock pot. cook for 6 to 8 hours on low heat or for 4 to 5 hours on high heat, stirring occasionally to mix.


PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATE TRIFLE
1 package of chocolate cake mix, prepared to package directions in a 9x13 pan.
1 large chocolate instant pudding mix, prepared to package directions
1 large cool whip
1 large or several small candy canes, crushed

Break up the cake into large pieces. Place half of the cake pieces in a trifle bowl. Layer with half of the pudding and then half of the cool whip. Repeat. Top off the concoction with crushed candy canes. (You can place candy canes on top of the first layer of cool whip but it is too crunchy for my taste.) This is a hit at parties and everyone thinks you spent forever making it. Oops...there goes my secret.

Okay, now it is your turn.

1. I AM DONE WITH ORIENTATION AT IMC. I don't know if you heard me: I AM DONE, DONE, DONE with orientation. I was able to sqeeze in 2 c/s and preterm triplet monitoring to cap off my last day. So help me.
2. we are having a mental health day at my house...don't tell the school or the authorities. Believe me, the boys deserve a day off.
3. My parents, sister, and brother returned home last night from Europe safe and sound.

2 by 2

It has taken me a while to get to this!

Two names you go by:
1.Mom (the kids)
2.Babe (Justin)

Two things you are wearing right now:
1.the classic mom shoulder-you know when your kids think you are their napkin...
2.makeup?!?

Two things you want right now:
1.someone to clean my bathrooms
2.a pedicure

Two things you did last night:
1.worked
2.watched Sesame Street with Liam for a minute

Two things you ate today:
1.Cheerios with bananas
2.mint M&Ms

Two favorite drinks:
1.Diet coke
2.is there another drink?? I guess a close second is chocolate milk.

Five people I'm tagging:
Andrea, Mistie, Lindsey, Sandie, Adrianne

1.that Justin remembers to put the outside lights on at night when I work so I don't have to come home to a dark house
2.when I got home last night and crawled into bed, Liam was there. He perked up and said:"Mommy, you're home."
"Yes, I am home."
"I watch a movie with you."
"Do you want to snuggle on the couch and watch tv? Aren't you tired?"
"Mmm-mmm. Shhhhh, daddy sleeping."
So, we went and laid on the couch...he watched Sesame Street for a while and I dozed off.
3.that Justin found Liam's glasses BEFORE I had already gone to order a new pair

Let the festivities begin!

OOOOH! I am literally jumping for joy. JUBILANT! I love, love, love, love, love, love Christmas time. Let me say it again-I LOVE CHRISTMAS TIME! I had a rare night off last night and we seized the opportunity and went to dinner and the lights at Temple Square. Of course, they were beautiful. I love the pink and white lights the best(which are NOT down Lover's Lane anymore since last year...very disappointing...). The boys loved all the lights and they always love the nativity program. We had a front row seat and stayed for 2 sessions because I loved hearing President Hinckley's voice at the end. We ended the night with the greatest invention-the cocoa motion with the candy cane hot cocoa by Stephens. Ahhhhh, perfect.










1.that my time of working 2 full time jobs will be over on Tuesday and then my life will be less hectic and I will be home more!
2.our toilets flush now after having the plumber come today--YAY!!
3.that Liam's nose is not broken after falling off of Luke and Andrew's bunkbed onto Luke's head

My picnic with Liam

This was actually last Tuesday-the wonderful day when I didn't have to go into work until 3:00. Liam went to preschool in the morning--look at his super cute hat!


I went grocery shopping while he was in preschool and picked up some Lunchables. I was just going to get some for the older boys for their lunch the next day, but I remembered how much I also enjoy a box of cheese and crackers and so I purchased some for myself and Liam. I am so glad I did!


I asked Liam if he wanted to have a picnic on the floor. He actually squealed he was so excited. Here is one of his sandwiches he made...


...and here is one of the many silly faces we made.


We also watched a bit of Charlie and Lola.


I love that such a simple thing like a Lunchable (I have also noticed this same phenomenon with a Happy Meal/Kids Meal) can make such an ordinary thing like eating lunch so fun or cheer up a gloomy day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I really have a fabulous life.

Our family had a blast at Aunt Heidi's house for dinner. I was unsure about going at first, not because of the company or anything, but because this is the first Thanksgiving in FOREVER that I have not had the traditional dinner with my family. Call me snotty, but I was worried that I wouldn't like the food. Hey, I am a girl who likes to eat.

She did not disappoint. There were courses...yes, courses, of food. All was delicious. Different from my mom's, yes, but nonetheless delicious. I guess I just need to grow up and expand my palate.

We also listened to Christmas music in the car on the way there. I also think that this needs to be done in moderation and it gives me anxiety when I hear it in the store while I am shopping. Although I am almost done with my shopping, when I hear the music playing, my mind goes wild and I worry that I am not getting enough or that I need to fill my cart with useless gadgets. I am one of those suckers that is targeted by that kind of marketing. Luckily, I have been strong and not given in--well, not too much. In the car though, it is fun to hear my boys sing along with the songs and remember what Christmas is all about.

I am grateful for good friends that stand by me. I have a sensitive personality and frequently do stupid things. I am always worried that I am going to do or say something to offend someone. I have fantastic friends who love me for who I am. I am also grateful that I can call my husband my best friend. He is a safe haven for me and I appreciate that he also loves me for my idiosyncrasies.

Speaking of idiosyncrasies, I am grateful that when I am with my family, I don't seem so crazy. I thought that I was the only one who did certain things or worried constantly about everything....oh,no. I will not go into details to spare the cute girls and women of my family embarrassment, but I am thankful that I don't need to go on heavy psych meds...maybe just mild ones.

My boys looked super handsome tonight and I just love them dearly. I could go on for hours about how much they have blessed my life, but I will spare you. I cannot imagine my life without them.

I love water. Recently I have been having at least 20 oz a day and THAT is 20 oz more than I was having a month ago. I hope my kidneys love it too and will not poop out on me early. I guess that would be my bowels that would poop out on me and I hope that doesn't happen either.

I am grateful I have a steady job that has TONS of job security. There will never be a lack of pregnant women in Utah. I am grateful Justin only has a couple weeks of school left and his job is holding strong despite this economy.

I know this is a random post, but my life is a bit random right now. Random, but good.

1.I only have to work 8 hours today and it is amazing that an extra 4 hours can be so productive!
2.that it is almost legal to listen to Christmas music
3.and that there is an addendum to #2: that there are multiple stations playing Christmas music so I can change the station when that darn "Christmas Shoes" song is being played...and played...and played.

1.THE UTES BEAT BYU!! What an amazing game and season!
2.that I will have the day off today/tonight-the first in a week!
3.my nienie tshirt came!

Spoken like a true Ute fan

Yesterday, the boys were getting ready to go to school. They started walking out the door in just a long sleeved t shirt and it was a bit cold outside. I told them they needed to wear a jacket. They all grabbed one and the one Luke grabbed was one of Nicholas' and it was too big. I told him that he had to wear a different one and I went upstairs to his closet to grab it.

Upon bringing it downstairs, Luke had a disappointed look on his face and he said:"Mom, I can't wear that one. I hate it!" I looked at the jacket looking for a defect and tried to remember a time when he wore it and it bothered him. When I couldn't think of anything, I asked him why he didn't like this particular jacket. He retorted:"Mom, it's blue. Now all of my friends will think I am going for stupid BYU!"

GO UTES!

1. I am grateful the Utes have had an awesome season!
2. my new detergent I just bought-Tide with Downy. It smells delicious.
3. white noise

1.I went to see Twilight today. Although I don't give it rave reviews, I liked it and thought it was entertaining. However, it was WAY fun having such a positive female energy in the theater and I think THAT made the experience that much better. It was also fun to have a girls day out with my mother in law and sister in laws...thank you for the tickets Sylvia!
2.that I am at the end of the week I have been dreading for a while...just one more crazy week to go!
3.that 3 of my favorite doctors are on tonight and it has been fabuloso.

1.breakfast foods. I could eat them ANY time of day. In fact, I can't go a day without it and when I get home from working a night shift and sleep all day, when I wake up, I eat breakfast. It just seems like the right thing to do. In the middle of the night and we are having a party at work, my favorites are the breakfast parties. It makes me crazy because Justin is not a huge fan of breakfast and he even eats DINNER in the morning which makes me gag because that is NOT an acceptable smell to wake up your stomach and he won't budge so luckily half the time he doesn't eat breakfast. I know that was a lot of information, but really, I love breakfast.
2.that I had two super cute patients tonight and both of them were multips.
3.calling someone in the middle of the night and they were awake to help me look at dresses

1.tucking my boys in at night
2.that Andrew and Luke sleep together in the same bed-it looks totally uncomfortable but it is an every night occurrance
3.the smell of oranges

1.that my pictures came back and I LOVE them!
2.that my earache is feeling better and it wasn't a ruptured eardrum...just excess pressure from my head cold I have had forever
3.that our ward is changing to the 1:00 time instead of the 11:00 time...I will be able to sleep after I come home from work!

Birthday parties...a lot of 'em

This past week (as all other years during this week) was crazy, but super fun. Here is a rundown of the itinerary:
-It all started with Justin's birthday on the third, we went to dinner for him the next night at Tepanyaki.
-We celebrated Andrew and Nicholas' birthdays on Saturday the 8th by going to Madagascar 2 and to Red Robin. (By the way, if you like dessert, they have an awesome one they bring out as the birthday treat!). We had their family party on the 9th.
-Last night we had Andrew's friend party. It was a movie party-we watched "The Clone Wars" and it was a big hit. Really anything that involves star wars and lightsabers at this age is a go. We loaded them up on pizza and candy--I feel really bad for their parents and hope the kids aren't too sick today! I found some cute tall plastic popcorn containers in the dollar section at Target that we gave as party favors with some microwave popcorn in it--I also bought some extras for me.
-Today we had a tailgate party for Nick and this also was a success. Justin set up a fun football training obstacle course-they threw a football through a tire, ran through the squares of rope, pushups, situps, a running drill, and then they had to run the football through a line of kids trying to hit the ball out of their hands. We had a barbeque and then after cake and ice cream they played flag football. Oh, and lucky for Nicholas, he was born smack dab in the middle of football season so they watched a little football while they were eating. WAAAY too much testosteone for me, but I do have to admit I am getting better at talking football.

I am so glad they had fun and loved their parties, but I am also glad to be done! Now...just on to planning Andrew's baptism...

Here are some pictures of all the events...minus Justin's dinner, stupid me, I didn't bring my camera!

Football frenzy:



I think he still looks like a little boy in this picture :)



The first "obstacle"


Andrew's red carpet event:






Family party:
This is one of the two birthday boys and my cute grandma, Gigi




Singing "Happy Birthday!"


Red Robin: