My friend is doing photo shoots to raise money to cover some unexpected medical expenses. If you live in the Phoenix area and are interested, check out her information at http://tinybabybubbles.blogspot.com/2010/12/please-help.html.
Thanks!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
I'll Be Home For Christmas (Part II)--Pictures
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| Riding on the antique trolley with Grandma at MOSI |
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| Discovering electricity |
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| What is it really like to be a hamster? |
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| Some things never change...like this clown display. How many of you have this SAME photo of yourself? |
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| Avery discovered doll shoes and figured they might as well works as well as the regular sized ones. (they didn't...) |
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| Making candy trains |
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| All aboard! |
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| The hisotric Wagner Farm museum. First the chickens... |
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| then the eggs. This was Taryn's favorite display, getting to collect the eggs from the nests. |
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| Driving the produce cart to town |
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| learning about pulley systems and lifting hay bales with Grandpa. Thank goodness we brought the expert along!! I think he had as much fun as we all did seeing the same equipment he grew up using. |
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| feeding corn to the pigs |
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| milking the cows |
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| learning about holsteins from the best |
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| we came home to four deer in my parent's backyard. I loved this part about growing up in Chicago! |
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| One of the many crazy marble runs Braden and the girls put together |
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| Avery could most often be found with a book |
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| and another book |
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| and another book... |
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| We saw this bald eagle at the Nature Center. Very cool. |
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| Fishing in the pond |
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| building a tree |
I'll Be Home for Christmas (Part I)
Merry Christmas!! Was yours as wonderful as mine? I hope so! We got to enjoy TEN days in Chicago, 7 days with my parents and 3 with my sister. Well, more like 48 hours with my sister since her family got hit with the flu all week and we weren't able to get together earlier as we had planned. So our 5 days with her whittled down to 48 hours spread from Friday to Sunday. But it was still wonderful!! (and worth Avery's current fever just to be with her family!)
We did so many wonderful things and it really was like coming home. We went to the Museum of Science and Industry (still wonderful...though very different), made gingerbread houses and candy trains, drove around squished into the car singing Christmas carols, played with the marble run, went sledding, and ate delicious food. We also did things I've never don't before, like going to the historical farm museum and the nature center (I guess I used to go when I was young, but I don't remember that). I felt rejuvenated (though exhausted) and totally uplifted in every way. It was wonderful to be with my parents who are the greatest examples to us and our girls I've ever known. I just love being around people who make me better! Our girls were on their best behavior all week and were completely fascinated by being at Grandma's house, with no mention of boredom all week. Braden and I grew closer and closer all week, ending a great year on such a great note. As a couple and as a family, we really are better than we've ever been, and I love it.
I gave my mom the gift of time this year and did all the cooking all week. It was such a treat and a total delight for me, and she couldn't stop raving about how wonderful that gift was. While I cooked, she played with the girls, then did most of the cleaning afterwards. What a gift to me too!
Braden took these old tritooth metal traintracks and created all sorts of designs with them to create awesome marble runs. He and the girls had a blast with it all week. Definitely a high point. Keara and Taryn both had their best experiences sledding, though we were basically sledding in grass because we went before the big snowfall. Still, it was so fun.
Being there definitely made us both want to come back every year, though I know we can't really do that. Still, it was magical and wonderful and so worth every moment.
We did so many wonderful things and it really was like coming home. We went to the Museum of Science and Industry (still wonderful...though very different), made gingerbread houses and candy trains, drove around squished into the car singing Christmas carols, played with the marble run, went sledding, and ate delicious food. We also did things I've never don't before, like going to the historical farm museum and the nature center (I guess I used to go when I was young, but I don't remember that). I felt rejuvenated (though exhausted) and totally uplifted in every way. It was wonderful to be with my parents who are the greatest examples to us and our girls I've ever known. I just love being around people who make me better! Our girls were on their best behavior all week and were completely fascinated by being at Grandma's house, with no mention of boredom all week. Braden and I grew closer and closer all week, ending a great year on such a great note. As a couple and as a family, we really are better than we've ever been, and I love it.
I gave my mom the gift of time this year and did all the cooking all week. It was such a treat and a total delight for me, and she couldn't stop raving about how wonderful that gift was. While I cooked, she played with the girls, then did most of the cleaning afterwards. What a gift to me too!
Braden took these old tritooth metal traintracks and created all sorts of designs with them to create awesome marble runs. He and the girls had a blast with it all week. Definitely a high point. Keara and Taryn both had their best experiences sledding, though we were basically sledding in grass because we went before the big snowfall. Still, it was so fun.
Being there definitely made us both want to come back every year, though I know we can't really do that. Still, it was magical and wonderful and so worth every moment.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Funnies
Two hilarious things from the weeked:
When our church leader sent out an email saying church was cancelled today due to the storm, I immediately sent an email to my brother asking "So...have any plans?" Imagine my shock (and embarassment) when our church leader emails back "Sleeping in and hot chocolate. How about you?" Oops! I totally did NOT mean to send that to YOU!
Second, when we picked up the girls from my friend's house where they were being baby sat, they were just sitting down to watch "Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement". We walk in and Taryn says, "Mom! We're watching a movie about diarrheas!!!" So funny!!!
When our church leader sent out an email saying church was cancelled today due to the storm, I immediately sent an email to my brother asking "So...have any plans?" Imagine my shock (and embarassment) when our church leader emails back "Sleeping in and hot chocolate. How about you?" Oops! I totally did NOT mean to send that to YOU!
Second, when we picked up the girls from my friend's house where they were being baby sat, they were just sitting down to watch "Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement". We walk in and Taryn says, "Mom! We're watching a movie about diarrheas!!!" So funny!!!
Snowed In on a Snow Day!
It's beginning to look a LOT like Christmas!! We have just survived the biggest snowfall in Minnesota in the last 20 years. And it was WONDERFUL! It started snowing on Friday night while we were at "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" for my sister's birthday. We knew it was going to be a big one so we were excited to see the progress in the morning. Our snow from the last big snowfall in early November was still lingering, so we had about 6 inches still on the ground. When we woke up in the morning, we found about 8-10 more inches. It was hilarious!! We (meaning I...Braden was suffering from, um, an owie...) shoveled the driveway so we could get out and go sledding! But the wind was pretty bad, making it less than totally fun to sled. Still, we had a great time.
We ran from that to my friend's house where we dropped off the girls and then the adults headed out to see Harry Potter for a long-planned double date. Navigating the roads was the funnest part of the date! We saw cars stuck on exit ramps and had to drive with our heads out the windows because we couldn't see out the windshield. It was probably irresponsible to be driving, but we had a great time. They even ended up closing the mall and the theater (after our movie ended, of course) because of the snow...something that NEVER happens in MN!
We then drove home and met Braden's friend (in from out of town) in time to shovel the driveway so we could get back in. While we were gone, it snowed another 8-10 inches. We now have walls 4 feet high from shoveling and have about 24 inches on the ground. We literally can't get in thru our front door, so we're using the garage. I think Braden shoveled off the porch just now, so we should be good to go again. It was so fun and so FUNNY too to see that much snow!
They also closed the airport yesterday (also, never happens in MN) and today, they cancelled church. Thankfully, the weather yesterday (besides the snow and wind) was beautiful, so we could enjoy being outside without freezing. But as it usually happens, the temperature dropped today and we woke up to -1 degree weather, feeling like -21. Welcome to Minnesota! We love it!!
I'll get more pictures up tomorrow...
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
25 Days of Christmas Part II
Our next few days of Christmas haven't been quite as fun. But here's the run down:
Day 6: We went Christmas shopping in a VERY quiet mall because of the snow the night before. By noon, things were bustling, but when we arrived a little after 10, it was quiet. We found the girls the only thing they had on their wish list (real old fashioned lollipops...or WhirlyPops) and then I took them to see if it the store Santa was "the real one or one of his helpers". Taryn adores Santa so I build it up for her. When she saw him she exclaimed "Mom! It IS the real Santa!!!" He waved to her (we were about 30 feet away) and she excitedly waved back. Then she decided she wanted to sit on his lap. So we stood in line for about 20 minutes. When it was almost her turn, she decided she did NOT want to sit on his lap afterall, so we went home. I'm not sure if my children will ever sit on Santa's lap.
Day 6 1/2: Braden and I were able to go to my brother and sister-in-law's Christmas Caroling Party. It was a smashing hit! We had a blast. It was so nice to get out just us and to associate with a lot of people we don't know. Plus, my friend brought an AMAZING dessert that I just couldn't get enough of. Gotta get that recipe.
Day 7: Being Sunday, it was a lot easier to have a Christ centered day. Church was awesome. After church, and an early dinner, we headed out for the Creche display put on by our church. It was incredible. The rooms were so beautifully decorated and the nativities were exquisite. We had a great time there. Braden and I watched the last part of the devotional put on by the Prophet and Apostles from our church. It was really good.
Day 8: Kind of a boring day. Well, not really. We ran a bunch of errands trying to return things before the holiday comes. We were also able to exchange something we were given for Avery for something else for the girls. I now have a birthday present for Taryn. Beyond that, I don't remember what we did. Besides cleaning the house.
Day 9: We spent the morning making Christmas treats: plain fudge, rocky road fudge, eggnog candy cane cookies, caramel brownies, and mint brownies. We also went out and bought Taryn another birthday present with a gift card we had been given.
Today is Day 10. I don't have anything planned today. Braden and I have been going to be so late that I spend the days exhausted. All I can think of today is sleeping. But I can't do that and I'm not going to put on a movie for the girls. Gotta think...We are going to deliver our plates of goodies to our neighbors tonight. At least I know that much.
Day 6: We went Christmas shopping in a VERY quiet mall because of the snow the night before. By noon, things were bustling, but when we arrived a little after 10, it was quiet. We found the girls the only thing they had on their wish list (real old fashioned lollipops...or WhirlyPops) and then I took them to see if it the store Santa was "the real one or one of his helpers". Taryn adores Santa so I build it up for her. When she saw him she exclaimed "Mom! It IS the real Santa!!!" He waved to her (we were about 30 feet away) and she excitedly waved back. Then she decided she wanted to sit on his lap. So we stood in line for about 20 minutes. When it was almost her turn, she decided she did NOT want to sit on his lap afterall, so we went home. I'm not sure if my children will ever sit on Santa's lap.
Day 6 1/2: Braden and I were able to go to my brother and sister-in-law's Christmas Caroling Party. It was a smashing hit! We had a blast. It was so nice to get out just us and to associate with a lot of people we don't know. Plus, my friend brought an AMAZING dessert that I just couldn't get enough of. Gotta get that recipe.
Day 7: Being Sunday, it was a lot easier to have a Christ centered day. Church was awesome. After church, and an early dinner, we headed out for the Creche display put on by our church. It was incredible. The rooms were so beautifully decorated and the nativities were exquisite. We had a great time there. Braden and I watched the last part of the devotional put on by the Prophet and Apostles from our church. It was really good.
Day 8: Kind of a boring day. Well, not really. We ran a bunch of errands trying to return things before the holiday comes. We were also able to exchange something we were given for Avery for something else for the girls. I now have a birthday present for Taryn. Beyond that, I don't remember what we did. Besides cleaning the house.
Day 9: We spent the morning making Christmas treats: plain fudge, rocky road fudge, eggnog candy cane cookies, caramel brownies, and mint brownies. We also went out and bought Taryn another birthday present with a gift card we had been given.
Today is Day 10. I don't have anything planned today. Braden and I have been going to be so late that I spend the days exhausted. All I can think of today is sleeping. But I can't do that and I'm not going to put on a movie for the girls. Gotta think...We are going to deliver our plates of goodies to our neighbors tonight. At least I know that much.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Our Start to the 25 Days of Christmas!
Thank you to everyone who gave suggestions on what to do for our 25 days of Christmas! I wanted to put up a post about the things we've done this week in case you're looking for ideas. Technically, we started on the 29th of November instead of the 1st of December, but we can all use a little extra Christmas, right?
Day 1: We put up the tree! The girls (particularly Keara) had a great time doing this! It was definitely the most fun this year since they were so excited. We've really tried to add meaningful ornaments each year (we give one per person every year) so it was awesome to take them out of the box and tell the story behind each. We have one from when Braden had braces, a potty from when Keara had potty-trained that year, one of Taryn and her blanket made from shrinky-dinks, baby's first Christmas for each, one of sewing supplies for me, etc. A lot of memories when we look at the tree!
Day 1: We put up the tree! The girls (particularly Keara) had a great time doing this! It was definitely the most fun this year since they were so excited. We've really tried to add meaningful ornaments each year (we give one per person every year) so it was awesome to take them out of the box and tell the story behind each. We have one from when Braden had braces, a potty from when Keara had potty-trained that year, one of Taryn and her blanket made from shrinky-dinks, baby's first Christmas for each, one of sewing supplies for me, etc. A lot of memories when we look at the tree!
The next day, Avery learned what happens when you pull too hard on the ornaments...
Day 2: Do the names Paddy O'Cinnamon, Judy and Jimmy, the Crazy Quilt Dragon, and the Inkaboo's mean anything to you? Well, they do to us! On Day 2, we started listening to The Cinnamon Bear. It is a story that was broadcasted by radio in the 50s or so. Each episode is about 15 minutes long and tells the story of two children who have lost their silver star for their tree. In fact, it was stolen by the Crazy Quilt Dragon and taken to Maybeland. They meet the Cinnamon Bear who takes them on a magical adventure to save their precious star. I grew up listening to this by the fireplace, under the Christmas tree. It is one of my favorite memories. And now my girls are looking forward to it every night.
Day 2 1/2: We went to the library and grabbed as many Christmas books as we could. The selection dwindles the closer we get to Christmas, so we took full advantage of well-stocked shelves. We read a Christmas story every day for naps, and sometimes for bed too.
Day 3: We went over to a friend's house and made gingerbread men for a count-down chain. Fun idea! All you need to do is make 25 mini-gingerbread men per child, put a dab of frosting in the middle with a mini M&M or red hot, and then lay in a LONG strip of saran wrap. Fold it over to enclose the men and tie a piece of ribbon between each. Every day you just cut off BELOW the ribbon above the last little man and eat him up! This one has been fun because we get to eat the gingerbread men as we listen to our nightly episode of The Cinnamon Bear.
Day 3 1/2: I've really been wanting to focus on the Savior this year while our girls still have no concept of Christmas greed. So we've been looking for ways to teach them the true meaning of Christmas. We/I decided start a "Gifts of Service to our Savior Jesus Christ" list. It all started when we helped jumpstart the car of a stranded couple in the grocery store parking lot. The man was SO grateful, it touched my heart and I was grateful my girls were there to feel it too. So we talked all about Service on the way home and how we can look for ways to serve. Taryn doesn't quite get it, but Keara is way into it. Our list grows a little every day.
Day 4: We made cottonball snowmen and Santas! So fun! Too bad we ran out of glue, or we would have made more.
Day 5: We went to the mall and LOOKED at Santa. The girls didn't want to get too close. Besides, he was a little odd looking.
Day 5 1/2: Since we received an unexpected snowfall, we went SLEDDING! So much fun! Daddy was able to come too and we had a blast. Well, besides Avery who faceplanted THREE times in the snow. Poor baby. Unfortunately, all we have for sleds are our swimming inner tubes which are WAY thin and small, so they really only do well for the girls (sort of), but they don't know any different and had a great time! We also tried to use the recylcing bin, which didn't really work, but it made an excellent sleigh for the Goose!
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| Winter Wonderland |
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| Snow+5 People+No Closets=MESS! |
Tomorrow, we're going Christmas shopping (hopefully) and are hopefully also making candy cane cookies. I'll keep you posted!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
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