Thanksgiving

About 23 years ago someone left a live turkey in a box on our doorstep. One of the infamous family movies is the event of butchering that turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. Somehow, my brother Kase was inspired to re-enact that event this Thanksgiving. He probably wanted to impress his girlfriend. I think she did most of the impressing. She was the one who ended up with the ax come butcher time. Anyway, that was the buzz this Thanksgiving --- a 35 pound turkey!

Enjoyed time with family.

James had to take the toilet apart due to a tongue depressor taking a dive.

The day before Thanksgiving, he spent 6 hours shoveling a football field so Kamiakin could play their state semi-final game. Thank goodness they won.

Tonight, our Christmas tree went up. James and I pretty much sat back and let the kids go at it. They loved it, and so did we.

SNOW!

Yesterday we woke up to a blanket of white. The kids jumped out of bed as James and I sang, "Let is Snow" to them. I was in the attic at 6:45am searching for snowsuits.

Hyrum's first solo debut in the snow.

With school cancelled we've been working on our Christmas projects.

Friday night, as part of our ward temple week, we took the kids to the Columbia River Temple. It was cold, but we took the time to walk around. As we rounded each corner and looked up, Sariah would say, "It's Angel Ramoni!"

Picture Perfect

Of course in my mind as I think of projects for the kids and I to work on I always have this mental image of peace and working together in complete harmony. It rarely turns out so picturesque but we keep trying.

Today for a few moments in the cold garage, Bryant and Sariah worked nicely by sanding the wood cut-outs I was cutting out on the jigsaw. There was Christmas music playing, and although it didn't last long (extremely quick sanding jobs) it was perfect for a little while.

On the Mend

My plan on Veteran's Day was to take the kids to the Veteran's Memorial on the Columbia River and then to the craft store where they were each going to choose some paint colors for our Christmas project. Instead, we spent a miserable day lying around after we had spent the night throwing up. James was the only one spared through the night and he took care of the rest of us all during the night and throughout the day... until it got him too mid-afternoon. Not a soul spared. Fortunately, the wars, although horrible horrible left a few more "survivors".

I'm so glad the boys were able to be a part of some magnificent Veteran's Day Assemblies at their school, Talmage having memorized the Preamble to the Constitution. Their grandpas served honorably, and I hope that the liberties they fought for can be appreciated by these young boys.

Thank you to all to whom we owe our freedom.

Bliss

On the trip back to Utah from Washington after we were engaged, we couldn't help pull off the interstate and take a picture with this sign.

(The camera was on the hood of our car, hence the "tipping" effect.)

We really were in "bliss".

We've passed that sign many times, and always remember that time in our lives. Sometimes, with a van load of hungry kids who feel like they've been in straight jackets for over 7 hours, the feeling isn't quite the same.

However, living with James is bliss. He makes us all very happy. And I don't mind when he brings me home reminders.


(See love, I told you I blog about you all the time.)

All I Want for Christmas

At lunch today, now that Sariah has cut and pasted pages two and three of her Christmas wish list together, she said to me, "Mom, what do you want for Christmas...helpful, obedient kids?"

I responded, "I would love that!"

She laughed, "Well you're never gonna get that. You'd have to get all new kids!" Laugh. Laugh.

What could I do but laugh with her?

Have I mentioned I love crockpots?


Not only do they cook delicious food, but I can prepare dinner during the quiet afternoon instead of during the chaotic 4 o'clock hour. Tonight: Homemade chicken noodle soup. Perfect for such a cold day like today.

If anyone else has a favorite (simple) crockpot recipe, I'd be very interested in it.

Standard Time

Too bad kids don't "turn back" their internal clocks when we turn back our alarms. Notice the time on this post---and we've all been up for an hour.

(continued later) I had to scoop this sweet thing out of his peaceful slumber (waking babies is cardinal sin at our house) to make it to church on time.

Family, Isn't it about TIME?

When Sariah woke up for a drink of water at 4:15 this morning and I couldn't go back to sleep, I decided not to waste the time in bed thinking about projects. After doing my favorite morning thing, (some time in the scriptures) I pulled out a Christmas CD and headed for, the scroll saw, belt sander, and chop saw in the garage.

My sister Haley and her sisters-in-law are doing a craft day together so I've been helping her cut out the wood letter blocks for one of the projects. I really enjoy woodworking. Although I am a novice I dream of building the cabinets in the home we build someday.

Just as fun as that was the 1/2 hour or so Sariah and I spent at Wendy's eating Frosties and putting a princess puzzle together. She needed some attention and it seemed to do the trick.

Mending

Conquered the "mending pile" today so that I can start on Christmas sewing projects without fighting the mountian.

For our "school time" this morning, I helped Sariah write her letter to Santa. It says:

Dear Santa,

Thank you for the Barbie computer. I love it. This year I am wishing for a tutu and a beautiful dress, and jewelry. And maybe one of these [see pictures]

Sariah Hales

Miss Him

This morning Sariah asked me for some tape. A little leery of its purpose, I asked, "what kind of tape?" She replied, "The sticky kind." I should have known.

Dropped James off at his meeting place at 6:50 this morning. He'll be gone for 3 days. Don't know if he has telephone access, but I'm hoping he'll call.

Perks

I suppose nearly every job has its "perks." Here are those perks of my job I have noticed today.

Bryant wanted to sit by me while I was helping in his classroom.

Talmage gave me a big hug and kiss in front of all his 9 year-old peers before I left his classroom.

Hyrum picked his nap time story and snuggled up in my lap to have it read to him.

Sariah gave my hand three squeezes ("I Love You") as she lay down for her nap.

It may not be a high paying job, but the perks put any other job to shame.

What LUCK!

I finally finished the remaining, and significant, day of our trip, August 28, 2010.

You wouldn't believe what the boys found on the road up to school this morning.


Interestingly, they left broke and happy. Now that they are $50 dollars richer they are in tears and arguing over the spoils. Interesting that I read this talk as part of my scripture study today. Wish I could figure out how to impart the principles to young boys.