Holiday Festivities

We've been having so much fun with all of our activities, that I haven't had much time for blogging lately. The last two weeks have been filled with all things Christmas. The work parties, ward parties, Relief Society dinners, decorating, shopping, and concerts.

One that I'd like to share was the opportunity that Jeff and I had to go to the Forgotten Carols. I have been wanting to go for the last ten years or more, but had never gotten around to getting tickets. This year hubs got us some tickets and we were able to go and kick off the holiday season. It was a very nice production. And although I had heard most of the songs before, I never knew the story that tied them all together. It was a nice way to bring in the holiday spirit, and to remember the real reason for the season~ a celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

I love that Christmastime brings with it a magic. Everyone is a little kinder, more thoughtful, and more giving. I hope that in this busy season I can still take the moments to serve, love, and enjoy the spirit that Christmas brings.

Jingling

A conversation~

Ethan: Mom can we go jingling this year?
Mom: What?
Ethan: Jingling, this year?
Mom: I'm not sure I know what you mean.
Ethan: You know, when you go sing to people's doors. Sing Jingle Bells and Deck the Halls?
Mom: Oh... Caroling. Yes, Ethan. We are actually going to go caroling for an activity with the cub scouts this month.
Ethan: Cool. Can we sing Jingle Bells?
Mom: Sure.

If it's flashing...

Then you should pull over. If you are on your way to a yummy Thanksgiving dinner, and it turns on, just keep driving. So yeah, it came on and five days later I finally get to the mechanic to get things checked out. Turns out it could be a few things, none of which I really want to pay for right now. So he cleared the codes, which reset the light. So for the next little while until it comes on again, and it surely will, I will drive around pretending that everything is just fine. Because I want to. Because it is almost Christmas and it is my gift to myself. Because I would rather spend money on gifts than a total beast of a car. At least that is what I am telling myself. Because if I don't it just might make me sad and sap away all my holiday cheer. And I don't need that. It's way too early in December for that. Plus, the mechanic told me that if it was flashing it's real bad. Like pull over to the side of the road immediately, bad. Like engine damage, bad. So for now, it is off and I am going to enjoy my drive to the library tomorrow. Ignorance is bliss, right?


This is the thing- check engine light. Not my friend right now.

Pictures (And a few words)

Just to catch up on my pictures for November before the month is over...

On RARE occasions, she finds herself too tired to go on. This was one such day. After I moved her to her crib she took a 3 1/2 hour nap. I actually had almost two hours of "me" time before the other kiddos got home from school. A rare treat!

On a rainy morning there is nothing more fun than making a tent. This is the new preferred design- with a base from the kitchen table. It is roomy enough for two or three, can be well stocked, and provides hours of entertainment. And can be rebuilt easily after dinner and the next day--

Inside the fancy tent. Notice the lantern, pillows, snacks, and movie watching capabilities.
Cousin Jack came over to play- and we all loved it!!

Ethan was an Indian in the third grade Thanksgiving program. He did an awesome job and had fun learning all the songs and making his costume.

"Why does he ask you HOW?" (From Peter Pan)

Ethan earned his Wolf rank and three arrow points at Pack Meeting this month- way to go Ethan!

And exhale...

Thankful Thursday

So today is Thanksgiving, and I have an awful lot to be THANKFUL for. I have a wonderful family. Family includes the one I was born into, the one I married into, and the one that hubs and I have created. I am thankful for them all. I am thankful for food, clothing, shelter, and fuel- the four basic necessities of life. All of which I have been blessed with. And not only that I filled my car up for $1.66 a gallon today- but also spiritual fuel too. I am so grateful to know of Heavenly Father's plan for me, my Savior's Atonement, and my eternal family. I am extremely grateful for a righteous husband, who leads our family with his priesthood power. I am grateful for loving friends. Friends who look after my well-being, babysit my children, have an egg to borrow during those days when I seem to be more than an egg short, remember my birthday, are never more than a phone call away, and who make me laugh and smile. There are so many more things- but I feel that these things get at the core of what I am most thankful for. So today, I hope you are surrounded by those you love and can take the time to remember all the blessings in your life.

Pre-School Musical

So for those of you that haven't been following Sesame Street lately, there has been a trend towards making it more trendy. Lots of plays on things that are happening in society. The latest copy- HSM. It has been brought down to a more junior level for the toddler crowd. So join with me in this clip starring Trey and Mariellla in Pre-School Musical:



So I found this totally funny- Katelyn, Erin, and even Ethan thought so too. Blocks or dress ups? What? Alice Birds (Kelsi) says we can do both. And the pet guinea pig is great too. And even if Suzy and B are the only ones that find this funny I have done my job for today. Sharing smiles one Sesame Street episode at a time.

Adventures with Apples

Or this post could be titled- How I spent my Saturday, Why I love Ethan (and Jeff), Two "Firsts", or How many apples does it take to make one pint of applesauce?


It all started with Ethan. For Johnny Appleseed day his class all brought in apples and did various activities with them. One such activity was making applesauce. Ethan doesn't Ethan like applesauce, but this apparently was so delicious that he ate his portion all gone. He even went so far as to get the recipe from his teacher. And I his fabulous mother was going to make it for him. In comes my in-laws who were going to go pick apples at an orchard. Would I like some? Well, I suppose I really should make Ethan some applesauce, and maybe a pie for Jeff; plus my kids devour whole and sliced apples for snacks- so sure- bring me a box.


Do you know how many apples are in a box? LOTS. So we ate some and the rest waited for two weeks until I had a few hours to get crackin' on some serious applesauce making. Which brings me to yesterday. About noon I had this brilliant idea that it would be fun to make it. Afterall, I had already cut the boys' hair, showered, and supervised the meticulous cleaning of two kid rooms. And the laundry, vacuuming, and dishes were already done! I know; it must be some kind of record. So we headed out to get the canning supplies needed from the in-laws to get this party started.


The real fun begins at 2:30. Lots of peeling, chopping and preparing apples. Lots of apples. In the midst of this I think it might be a good idea to make pie filling too. And freeze enough for a few pies. Afterall, if I am going to all this work I might as well have some to enjoy later too. So more peeling, chopping and preparing. Cooking- lots of sticky. Pie filling ready. Grab the premade pie crust out of the freezer, but no- it is way too old and is not thawing and unrolling. So after all this I shall become super domesticate and make my own double pie crust too. I know- all these skills! Pie is cooked- makes a nice mess in the bottom of the oven (note- next time put a cookie sheet under the pie to catch runaway goo), but looks good. Tastes even better! This is a picture of my very first apple pie- and the goo isn't even running out everywhere.


Are you tired yet?? Because I still have to make and process two batches of applesauce! It goes smoothly. And through the aching feet, sore back and arms I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. It is now 8:00pm and the last batch is out of the processor! We have 12 lovely pints of applesauce from about 50 apples. So that works out to about 4.166 apples per pint for all of you dying to know. The results- Ethan says the best applesauce ever, a messy kitchen, one tired mom, and two proud firsts. Canning something all by myself and making an apple pie. I had watched and assisted my mom as a youth in canning all sorts of things- tomatoes, peaches, chili sauce, but have never ventured out there on my own. And I have made lots of pies and pie crust (another skill I learned as a child by helping my mom make pies for every Thanksgiving), just never an apple. So there you have it. I am tired, and don't know if I'll be doing it again soon, but I do have a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that I didn't have before. And no more apples in a box waiting for me! Yeah!