The Special Tree

Yesterday, the kids and I had a great time making ornaments and decorating the “special tree”. After thinking long and hard about how I could possibly avoid having Madeline destroy all the ornaments on our big tree, I came up with the “special tree” idea.

Maybe if Ethan and Madeline have a tree they can touch all they want, they’ll leave the real tree alone! So we printed little Christmas pictures off my computer, cut them out and laminated them, and then hung them all over the tree. We also had fun making the paper chains to go with.

Now when the two of them start getting too close to our real tree, I smile and say, “lets run to your special tree!” Amazingly, it’s working! Ethan and Madeline both join in a little chorus singing, “special tree, special tree!” And now Ethan’s favorite new activity is to rearrange the ornaments. He spent quite a while last night changing them all around, “I’ll put the gingerbread man here. I’ll move the penguin here. The Santa will go here” . . .

I love our special tree!

22 Months

Here are some things about Miss Madeline at 22 Months:

Favorite foods: pizza, broccoli, Cinnamon Life
Favorite colors: pink and yellow
Favorite phrases: "No way", "I want milk", "Hi Mommy!", "I want a treat now!"

Favorite pasttimes: copying every thing Ethan does, feeding her baby, singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Black Friday

Today was my first experience ever with Black Friday Shopping. I was just sure I would not like it, but it turned out to be surprisingly fun. Though I don't recommend going to Walmart before 6am. I ended up going to four stores (my husband wishes ever so badly that I would post which stores they were) and had success at all of them!

Next year, I would probably go again . . . those of you who know me well, don't faint! In the last year, I have almost started to like shopping.

Happy Thanksgiving

Turkeys

On Monday, we had a great time making turkeys. We traced our hands and then decorated them with beans and noodles! Maddie had lots of fun gluing the beans on, that is, after we convinced her not to eat them:

I really like her turkey . . .

Dad and Ethan did some too. Ethan wanted to do two:

And of course, I joined in as well:

Mimi and Bapa made turkeys too. We had lots of fun! Look at all our turkeys:

Then that night, we made our annual Gratiturkey:

We have a lot to be grateful for!

Six Years

Sunday was my 6th Anniversary. I wanted to post then, but just didn’t get the chance. This year, more than any of the previous, I’m glad my Anniversary is close to Thanksgiving (my 4th Anniversary was on Thanksgiving Day). This time of year, I always seem to be overwhelmed with gratitude, and I realized that this is the perfect way to feel on your Anniversary. I’m grateful that my husband loves me despite all my weaknesses. I’m grateful that he is so good, faithful, patient, and constant. That he’s my friend and my constant companion. I’m grateful that he loves our children. I’m grateful that I love him the way I loved him when we got married and that I love him now in so many more ways too. For me, my Anniversary this year really was a day of thanksgiving.

November 22, 2003

12 degrees outside when this picture was taken!

A Baby and Her Sister

I love taking pictures, but when the subjects are as darling as these two girls, it's even more fun. Here are some of my favorite pictures from their little session I did yesterday:

A Fun Award and some Random Facts

Emmy awarded me with this the other day:

Her blog is the one that is really Over the Top fun, so check it out here. Thanks for the award Em.

In order to accept this award, I'm supposed to answer the following series of questions with just one word answers. So for my Random Fact Friday, enjoy my award accepting answers . . .

1. Where is your cell phone? Nightstand
2. Your hair? Brown
3. Your mother? Selfless
4. Your father? Dedicated
5. Your favorite food? Indian
6. Your dream last night? Late
7. Your favorite drink? V8 Fusion
8. Your dream/goal? Photographer
9. What room are you in? Computer Room
10. Your hobby? Sewing
11. Your fear? Arthritis
12. Where do you want to be in six years? Utah
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. Something you aren’t? Short
15. Muffins? Delicious
16. Wish list item? Clothes
17. Where did you grow up? Utah
18. Last thing you did? Photoshop
19. What are you wearing? Jeans
20. TV? Sometimes
21. Your pets? None
22. Your friends? Cherished
23. Your life? Simple
24. Your mood? Grateful
25. Missing someone? Yes
26. Vehicle? Camry
27. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes
28. Your favorite store? Hobby Lobby
29. Your favorite color? Purple
30. When was the last time you laughed? Today
31. When was the last time you cried? Yesterday
32. Your best friend? Raelynn
33. One place that you go over and over? Harmons
34. One person who e-mails me regularly? Family
35. Favorite place to eat? Out

Tonight I am grateful for . . .

my family!

A Story About Urgent Care

Last night I spent an hour and a half in urgent care. For me, not my kids. I drove myself over when the pain in my shoulder was no longer bearable. And in the end, I got a cortisone shot around 9:15pm last night . . .

On Tuesday morning my shoulder started hurting insanely bad. Not sure why, though I wasn’t too surprised nor was I too concerned. My shoulders mostly, but really all my joints, have always been bad. About six years ago, my right shoulder would just randomly fall out of socket. I’d just be riding in the car and look over to see my arm hanging limply out of socket. It was definitely uncomfortable, but was manageable after some physical therapy. The pain this time was a lot worse, but you know how it is, you just kind of go along and hope it gets better on its own. I just figured I did something weird and it would go away in a day or two. After all, I’m used to uncomfortable shoulders.

But the pain didn’t get better. It just got worse. Last night it got so bad that I couldn’t move my arm in any direction without such extreme pain that I knew this was not something that would get better on its own. I couldn’t even get my jacket on or off without tears popping out of my eyes. So after the kids went to bed, I drove myself to urgent care.

I’ve never had a steroid shot before. They are pretty uncomfortable to get, but I’m sure glad I got one last night. It only took 5 minutes for it to start feeling a little better. Today it is unbelievably better than the past few days, though it’s still sore and stiff. I’m not supposed to lift anything for a week or so. If it’s still sore by then, I’ll have to start physical therapy again. Hope not. But judging by the improvement so far, I should be good to go. And they said it would last for up to three months . . . after that, well . . . we’ll just have to see.

So how is that for a random fact? I have bad joints. Oh, and I like cortisone.

Mr. Monkey Puppet

I am excited to be giving several homemade gifts to people for Christmas this year. I've been working on them for quite a while, but I haven't been able to post any pictures because they are for people who read my blog. But last night I finished one for Ethan. It's a monkey hand puppet:

I think it turned out pretty cute and I am pretty sure he'll have fun with it. Stay tuned for a picture of Madeline's bunny puppet. I haven't started it yet though, so it might be a few days.

Got Leaves?!

Madeline preferred sitting on the bags rather than the leaves, less itchy I guess. But Ethan had a fabulous time rolling around in the pile. Too bad that huge pile is only the leaves from about 10% of our backyard! Notice the rake line behind Madeline . . .

Sepia

I've been in the mood for sepia lately. I like how these two turned out, though I think you can tell that they often get tired of how many pictures I like to take of them . . . despite that, I think they look darling:

Balls and Fall Leaves

The kids sure had fun outside with Mimi a few days ago. The weather was perfect!

If your Mimi starts to throw balls up into the branches so the fall leaves will flutter down on you,
you are bound to laugh and have such fun!

But do watch out for the balls on their way down . . .

Here Mimi, throw it up just one more time!

Oops!

But don't worry, Mimi got it to finally come down, along with a TON of leaves!

Color

I don't know if you can tell, but yesterday I dyed my hair! It's a little darker and a little warmer and a little more red! I like to call it raspberry truffle. . .


Fun.

Lucy Cupcakes

Today is my mother-in-law's birthday. And so for fun, I made her birthday cupcakes look like her adorable dog, Lucy:
The mini cupcakes have their doggy food on the top . . . lol! Pretty cute, eh?!

Happy Birthday again, to my dear second mom! I love you!

November Recipe

Flour Tortillas

Simple. Delicious. Quick. Cheap. After making these tortillas, you'll cringe at the price of store-bought ones. And the taste . . . not too shabby!

2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup vegetable shortening, cut into pieces
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 cup warm water

In a bowl, blend flour, salt, baking powder and shortening until it resembles fine meal.

Add warm water, a little at a time, to flour mixture and toss until liquid is incorporated.

Form dough into a ball and kneed on a floured surface until dough is smooth and elastic. Divide, and make 12 smaller balls. Cover and let stand at least 30 minutes.

Roll each ball of dough on a floured surface to make 6 or 7 inch sized tortillas. Place on a pre-heated griddle or cast iron skillet and cook till medium golden on both sides.

Remove to a basket lined with a cloth towel or put between a towel until cool. After the tortillas have cooled completely, store them in a plastic bag.

Our Halloween

We carved some pumpkins:
Then we got in costume:

Madeline decided to be a doggy this time. Here she is making doggy panting noises:

Then we embarked on our first real trick-or-treating experience.

The kids only went to 10 houses or so, and then they were done. Ethan was very concerned about how it would get scary if we stayed out once it got dark, so they were done before dinner! We sure had fun though, and with the trick-or-treating from the day before, they still have quite a stash!

Happy Halloween