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