Nicholas' News December 16, 2012

Look who lost another tooth today??  That makes 5 now.  The tooth fairy has been busy at our house the last few months.  

Gingerbread Houses December 9, 2012

Last weekend we went to my brother and sister in laws house after church and made gingerbread  houses with the kids.  They were the smallest, cutest houses.  Perfect size for little kids.  They all got to decorate their own and eat lots of candy in the process.  It was a great day and time spent with family.

What our Elf on the Shelf has been up too

After Thanksgiving, the boys received a gift on the front porch.  Their very own Elf on the Shelf.  They were beyond excited.  First they couldn't decide on his name.  I told them they had to agree on one before we could do anything.  They finally agreed that his name is Peppin.  So at first Peppin was kind of quiet and didn't do much but sit on top of the fridge or a shelf in the living room.  Then I think he started to notice how silly my boys are and decided to start doing some silly things as well.  So far we have had him draw funny faces on a picture of the boys.  He strung toilet paper all over our Christmas tree.  He dyed all the milk in our fridge green and replaced the boys stockings with a pair of their underwear.  The boys crack up every morning when they see that Peppin did something crazy the night before.  We have really enjoyed having Peppin in our home this year.  He is a constant reminder for the boys that someone is always watching and he brings us a lot of laughs.  Also (thankfully) he cleans up after himself;)  

And the Season Begins.......

I LOVE this time of year.  I love the music, decorations, lights, hot cocoa and ALL the other things that we get to enjoy.  Today was a busy day.  We went to our first Christmas party of the season.  There are MANY more to come.  Chad had his party today with his military unit.  The boys had fun with a couple of the crafts they were able to do.  They made Rudolph the red nosed reindeer from a candy cane.  They also each got to decorate a paper Christmas tree.  Then later this evening we set up our Christmas tree and a few decorations.  I just love the spirit of Christmas.  If I didn't get a single present, I would be okay with that.  I love to see the smiles on my boys faces.  I want them to experience the spirit of the season.  To have these memories for years to come.  I know I look back fondly on Christmas's spent with my family growing up.  I just want to give that to them.  That is worth more than anything I could ever buy them.  I have been crocheting a quilt for Jacob since May.  It is ALMOST done.  I made one for Nicholas' birthday and then decided that since Jake birthday is in July (and who wants another blanket in July?!) it would make a good present for Christmas.  I know he is going to love it.  We have a busy month with lots of Christmas parties (2 school parties, work and church) and family get togethers.  We are trying to remember the reason for the season.  I am trying to think of things the boys can do for our neighbors.  Some kind of acts of service.  Haven't quite figured out what yet but I will let you know.  I also have an ornament party I am attending this Friday.  I have been crocheting ones for a few weeks now and have about 5 left to complete.  I am excited to get to celebrate Christmas with my Mom this year.  It has been a long time since I saw her Christmas morning.  Well that is it for now.  I will do updates probably weekly to post about all our various events.   

 Holding their candy cane Rudolph

 Their Christmas trees

 Posing in front of our tree 

Each holding their stockings

Wicked November 25, 2012

My sister Michelle took me to see Wicked last night.  It was the last night is was playing in town and I'm glad she was able to get tickets.  I didn't know much about it before hand but I loved it!!  Such a cool twist on The Wizard of Oz.  As soon as it ended I said "I have to watch the Wizard of Oz now."  It was funny and sad, and the music was amazing.  I think even Chad would have enjoyed it.  I would love to see it on Broadway sometime.  I didn't get many pictures but it was a really fun night.  Thanks Michelle:)

 The trailer outside of Proctors.

 The map of Oz that took up the entire stage.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!!  We had such a great holiday.  We went up to visit my parents in Peru NY this year.  On Wednesday afternoon, we went to my Mom's house for a late lunch/early dinner.  She made the most delicious meal.  I have only come to find out in the last few weeks that I love brussel sprouts.  She made a dish that was so good I couldn't stop eating it.  I will have to ask her for the recipe.  We talked and the boys had fun.  We were a little tired from the trip (even though its only 2 hours) but I love my mom and enjoy spending time with her.  She even let the boys open 1 of their Christmas presents early.  She got Jacob a really nice, warm winter coat and she got Nicholas another pair of jeans.  We discovered that Jake grew out of his coat and she offered to buy one but knew he couldn't wait until Christmas to wear it so she decided to give them each a present to open.  Nicholas has been tearing through his pants at an incredible rate.  Just last week he tore another pair in the knees.   Thankfully my mother got them things they really needed.  They will each have another one for Christmas morning even though I told her it wasn't necessary.  We left a few hours later and headed to my dad's house.  We had a lot of work to do to get ready for Thanksgiving.  Every year on the night before Thanksgiving we make my Dad's stuffing.  It is one of the few traditions we have but I love it.  It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without it.  The boys were all too excited to help grind the ingredients, although we knew it wouldn't last long.  They each grinded for about a minute or so until they declared they were too tired.  We all took our turns and got it done.  It taste the same as it always has and is one of my 2 favorite dishes to enjoy at the dinner.  Michelle and I also baked the pies that night.  I had the idea a few weeks ago after I made mini quiche for a party, "Why not make mini pies for Thanksgiving?"  So we did.  We made Cherry, Apple and Pumpkin.  They weren't to hard and looked so stinkin' cute.  Bite size pies are way better than having to cut into 3 different pies and eating a whole slice right??  Even Chad (who I thought was not going to be happy about our new idea) said that this is how we have to make pies for now on.  We went to bed around 10pm knowing we had to get up early to get things going.  Chad stuffed the bird shortly after waking up and got it in the oven.  Then I made him go out on a run with me.  I enjoy running but I hate running alone.  He doesn't like it but was a good sport.  I ended up running 3 and 1/2 miles.  I should of just signed up for the turkey trot race earlier that morning.  I decided that I will definitely do that next year.  We hung around the house the rest of the day.  The boys helped my Dad hang Christmas lights, while the rest of us finished up the last minute details for dinner.  We sat down to eat around 4pm.  It was a delicious dinner.  It is nice to be around family too.  After dinner and clean up, we sat to watch "It's a Wonderful Life".  Apparently my dad used to torture my siblings and I by forcing us to watch this movie our whole childhood.  I admitted to my brother and sisters surprise that I had NEVER seen this movie before!!!  Not sure where I was when all this torture was happening but I seemed to have escaped it.  I absolutely LOVED it!!  I even went out and bought it today.  I plan to watch it again, maybe on Christmas Eve.  It will be a tradition in my home as well.  I have so much to be thankful for this year.  My family, especially my husband and two boys.  My life would be so boring and empty without them. My extended family.  My parents, siblings, in laws, nieces, nephews and so on.  The gospel in my life.  Knowing that I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father and what that means.  I am also truly thankful for answered prayers.  My father and step mother were in a terrible car accident just 3 weeks ago and what could have ended very badly, ended with just some scrapes and bruises.  Heavenly Father loves us and blesses us continuously.  For that I am thankful.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving:)                  

 Helping with the stuffing

 Watching Papa Rick do all the work

 Hanging Christmas lights

 Just about ready to sit and eat

 Looking at the lights after dark

 Silly faces while eating the pies

Jacob's Thanksgiving Feast November 16, 2012

Today at preschool Jacob had his Thanksgiving Feast.  He has been singing various songs at home that I knew they would be performing today.  I showed up at 10:30am and for whatever reason he was not in a good mood.  He refused to sing any songs.  The teachers went around and asked every kid what they were thankful for.  Jacob literally said "nothing."  He is such a stinker sometimes.  The teachers said that when they practiced that part he said his Dad.  All the kids had cute little hats on.  They also made necklaces out of pasta noodles and a place mat with their name on the turkey feathers.   We had a yummy lunch.  Turkey, stuffing, corn, applesauce, mashed potatoes, rolls and cranberry sauce.  Jacob also had 2 cookies.  It was a fun morning other than his unpleasant mood.  Hopefully he will be in a better mood on Thanksgiving Day:) 

 Jacob not even willing to crack a smile for me.  

His cute place mat he made .

October 2012

October came and went so fast.  Chad and I celebrated our 8th anniversary on the 8th.  We went out to dinner which we don't get to do very often.  It doesn't seem like 8 years already.  Time flies when you're having fun:)  General Conference was AMAZING!!  I really enjoyed the talks and the spirit I felt in my home as we listened to the words of the prophet and other church leaders.  Chad kept busy with work, his new calling and also being a DJ for a wedding.  Nicholas had a fun month at school.  They went to a Halloween Fun Fest and got to hang out with Daddy while I helped the PTA with a few activities.  Jacob had another field trip to a pumpkin patch.  He went in a corn maze and got to pick out a pumpkin for him and Nick.  We carved them as Family Home Evening the following week.  Jacob has also been doing speech therapy 3 times a week.  It is going well and we are seeing a great improvement.  We got to enjoy a Trunk or Treat at church later in the month.  Halloween is a month long thing in our house.  The kids are constantly asking how much longer until Trick or Treating and trying on their costumes daily.  Nicholas was Iron Man and Jacob was Thor.  We love Halloween and all the fun it is.  My wonderful husband and my sweet sister also threw me a surprise birthday party on the 27th.  (My birthday is Nov. 2)  It was a fun night with great family and friends.  I truly feel so blessed to have them in my life.  

September 2012

September always makes me think of apples.  Maybe because of the town I grew up in had an Apple Festival every year or maybe because of all the apple orchards around town that seemed to be the busiest this month.  I really love September.  It is also the start of a new school year.  Nicholas started 1st grade.  he has a great teacher and a few of the same friends he had in kindergarten.  He really enjoys school and was looking forward to starting again.  Jacob started his Pre K year in preschool.  He does enjoy school but I wouldn't say as much as Nicholas.  He says he can't wait to go on the bus with his big brother.  Not too much longer:(  Jacob had a field trip this month.  We went to an apple orchard and picked apples.  They also had an awesome playground they played on for awhile.  Then on a Saturday we decided to go apple picking as a family (with the boys cousins) so we could make some applesauce.  The boys had fun and Chad and I made a ton of applesauce.  We really like eating homemade applesauce all year around.    

Summer 2012

We had a fun summer this year.  We got to go to Great Escape with Chad's family.  The boys had a blast.  We kept busy enjoying the nice weather and playing with our neighbors.  We also went and visited my parents at the end of the summer and swam in my dad's pool.  The boys always enjoy that.   

Jacob's 4th Birthday July 18, 2012

My baby turned 4!!!  When did that happen?? I swear he was just born.  He has really enjoyed Kung Fu Panda lately and decided that he wanted that as his theme for his birthday.  Pretty easy for me.  When Chad was in China he bought each of the boys a stamp that had their name in English and Chinese.  It was perfect for his invitation.  We had his party on July 15 after church.  Jacob is not the type of kid who likes a lot of attention.  Nicholas loves it but not Jake.  So its hard for him being the center of attention at his birthday but he did great.  We made 2 panda cakes.  Lots of family and friends in our tiny house.  He got a lot of new games which is perfect.  On his actual birthday there was a Primary activity at a friends house.  They had a pool party.  I made cupcakes to bring with me and everyone was wishing him a happy birthday.  By this point he was so birthdayed out he would just roll his eyes!  We ordered Chinese food for dinner (his request) and had a relaxing evening.  He was glad his birthday was finally over and the extra attention would finally stop.  Happy Birthday baby boy!!!  We love you!!