Thanksgiving weekend fun

Our initial plan for Thanksgiving was to be with my family, but we got a call from my mom on
Thursday morning informing us that she had the flu and that it was best if we made other arrangements because she felt so awful and had a really bad night. How grateful I was that the first thought that came to was that I knew we could call Jed's mom and dad and they would make room for us even though it was last minute. I love that about them.

The kids had fun with the cousins and dinner was delicious. I was in charge of rolls at my moms house and I was trying a new recipe that you make the dough and then let it raise over night in the fridge. I made the dough and ran to my sisters to borrow a crockpot and when I came back this is what I saw. I was only gone for 30 minutes. We cut the losses of what touched the fridge shelf and continued on with the rest. I LOVE this recipe so delicious and so easy.



My mom and dad had us come pick up their extra turkey and pumpkin pie, since there was no way they could possibly eat it. They had two turkeys, so Friday we spent the morning making stuffing (that was one of my other assignments.) and cooking a turkey. Ruby enjoyed a turkey leg.


We also got to work on putting up our Christmas decorations. The kids were so excited and then sort of fizzled after fluffing a few branches. I got the lights strung and the tree ready and then they helped with everything else.


I don't think I have ever posted a picture of our tree but I love it because a lot of the ornaments are homemade. Ruby and I made the wreaths and gingerbread men the first year we moved in. Jed's mom made the snowflakes. She is amazing! When she was in second grade she discovered her talent for snowflake making and I am pretty sure she was recognized for it and got to visit the principle. These are my favorite ornaments on our tree. I get really excited for the years to come when the kids bring home ornaments they made. I am sentimental like that and they will always grace our tree.


More weekend adventures to come.

Our Thanksgiving Tradition

I got this Thanksgiving idea from Angie and I love it so much! I would like to think that we have done this every year except for last year. It got put on the back burner when Eli was having his steroid treatment.

Jed's family each Thanksgiving has a tradition that each person gets 3 kernels of corn on their plate and then we go around the table and say 1 thing we are thankful for each of kernel and then we place them in a cup and pass it to the next person. I love this because each November I start thinking of things that pertain to the year specifically that I am thankful for. Angie's turkey idea gives us the opportunity to continue the tradition even when we are away from the family.

Our 3 thankful's go as follows:

Jed
1.Home
2. Atonement
3.Sports and the stress relief it provides.

Ashley
1. Mr. Romig
2. Ward Family
3. Memories

Ruby
1. Daddy plays with us
2. Savior
3. Family

Emma
1. Barbie
2.Ruby
3.Eli

Eli
1.Mommy
2.Blanket
3.Kisses

Our weekend

We got snow Friday night and so Saturday morning came and I went on a grumpy cleaning tirade. I let things go for a long time and then something in me snaps and *I just have to* organize the toys that have been bugging me but I just close the door on them for a later time. So I corralled the poor citizens of our home and told them no snowman making until things are picked up and mommy's nerves were settled. I am sure I stomped a little too. After my cleaning grumpies had passed everyone but Emma was allowed to go outside, because I decided I couldn't make the rest of the family wait until she picked up her portion. (When you look at the pictures you will notice she is outside in her pajamas and snow boots. She snuck out side when I was videoing Jed and Ruby. And I just let her stay.) Eli was all dressed for the weather, but hated the feel of the snow suit so he got to come inside and then someone nameless person left the door open and he kept coming to the door crying and was quite pantless. Yes dear readers, I believe in being on the ball, meeting everyone needs immediately and making home a heaven on earth.






The kids had fun and our afternoon turned out to be quite pleasant. The girls had a birthday party to go to that was "Pinkalicious" themed. Jed and I attempted a nap only to have Eli wake up from his 5 minutes later and ended up doing dishes and playing with Eli.

At 4 we dropped the kids off at the neighbors and returned home for our anniversary date. It was lovely. We have dated at home for years but there is something quite nice about not having to do so after the kids are in bed. We made dinner together, played hand and foot (which I lost horribly) and cuddled and watched a movie. It was a great evening. We have been married for 7 years. I love my best friend. More than anything I look forward to our letter exchange every year. It is the best.



Sunday we did our usual drill of church, lunch, and naps and spent the evening playing dominoes with the girls. Emma won the first round and was waving her little fingers in the air saying "I won! I won!" I asked her how victory felt and she paused for a moment and said "He's my boyfriend." she is a hoot. After our game Ruby read to Eli on the couch.


It was such a fun weekend. Since we got the snowman up the girls have been constantly checking frosty's status. Today I was out on a walk with Eli when I noticed a boy in our yard destroying the snowman. I had a friend with me and she gave me the courage to do something about it. The boy saw me coming and hurried back to his friends. I called him over and made him fix the snowman. I know that it was just a snowman and it was melting anyway, but I knew my girls would be upset. I sat outside and watched him fix it for 15 minutes and basically told him to respect other peoples things, and then I told him to go. I am a mama bear.

November Student of the Month

At the beginning of November Ruby came home with a sealed note from her teacher. She gave it to me and wanted to know what it said. After reading it, I told her that it was just a note for me.

The following Monday we got to go to the school to see Ruby receive her award in class. Jed made it home just in time from his meeting. We were a smidge late, and as we walked in the door, the principle was sitting there, and the teachers aide said to me "I knew you wouldn't miss this, that's why I had them wait." I was very grateful.

Ruby was chosen as student of the month, and this is what her teacher said about her. "Ruby completes her work in class, and is proud of the work that she does. She isn't afraid to work hard. Ruby is very caring and wants to make sure everyone is taken care of and that their needs are met. She shows respect to her teacher and to her classmates. This is why I chose Ruby as student of the month."

Ruby's teacher was at a conference the day she received. The lady in the picture is her substitute. Sorry for my poor picture taking. The look on Ruby's face would suggest that she is getting in trouble, I think she was feeling a bit shy. though.




Ruby was surprised. She won an award, pencil, and a certificate for a free taco. She was very excited about this and used the taco coupon along with her Red Mango coupon she earned for reading so she and Jed could go on a daddy daughter date. (We love freebies.)

Halloween

As with usual Halloween the kids change their minds about a trajillion times and as the holiday was getting closer I decided for sanity's sake decisions had to be made. I called for a "powwow" and I laid down the law in true mother fashion. The children agreed, we shook hands and called it a success. Here is what they ended up being.

A return from my idiotic break

So after multiple failed attempts to get my pictures to upload, I solved the "mystery" which could have been solved weeks ago. I despise writing in retrospect because it isn't as fresh.

So back in the end of September (I think) we had a few weekend visitors. I love it when people come to stay and visit. Dallen is a tri-yearly visitor for us. He is willing to squeeze in a visit when his school and work schedule align and he can spare us some of his precious time. Dallen and I have always been close and I think that all growing up and even now(chances are we haven't grown up at all) we drive my blessed mother kazoo with all of our banter. We think it is downright hilarious but she thinks we are fighting even though we assure her we are not.

I am so glad he comes to visit. The girls love him and Ruby cries every time he has to leave. When he comes we usually do some baking, play games, watch our favorite movies, and just catch up. Dallen may kill me for posting these pictures, as his Kenny G hair is no more. But here's to the memories and I doubt he reads me anyway.




Another favorite visitor at our house is Mjieta (?) Anyone care to correct me on the proper spelling? She comes to visit us occasionally and my kids are in heaven. Especially Bubba, he loves just coming up to her and slowly leaning his little face forward, getting a few kisses and then will walk away. And the cycle repeats. He loves her, and she is very patient with him. She is the one reason I would ever consider a dog. She is the sweetest and smartest dog I have ever met and she is so so sweet to Bubba. If anyone could ever sway me on getting a dog it would be Bubba.