sneak peek for anna

just a conversation

with my 2-year old Maddie. I noticed she has two ornaments in her hand.

me: go hang the ornaments back on the tree, it belongs to the tree.
maddie: or not!
me: go hang them back up on the tree, maddie.
maddie: or not!

Where did she get this from?

thanksgiving week

I am thankful for Thanksgiving!!! We had a great thanksgiving, busy of course, but lots of fun. It was great to have family in town for the feast, and the kids off school for a few days. Andrea flew in from Utah on Monday, and I had a fun time with her on Tuesday and got a bunch of Christmas and Thanksgiving shopping done. She helped a lot by keeping an eye on the kids while I helped at the kids' school Christmas party on Monday and then I finished painting Collin's room (it had been sitting there with the wrong blue color for weeks now) on Tuesday night. Wednesday Archie flew in from Las Vegas. We hadn't seen him since summer!

Thanksgiving was at our house this year. It has been at our house for the last several years - my parents do not celebrate Thanksgiving in the Bahamas, so being the first of six kids, it became tradition to hold the dinner at our house. I love it! It is so fun to see my younger sissies and brother come home to celebrate the weekend with us. In the last few years, I learned how to put on Thanksgiving dinner - spending lots of time in the kitchen the day before and the day of thanksgiving. Lots of trial and error learning family recipes (mostly from Kevin's side! yum!) and then when it is over I break out the Christmas tree and everyone helps decorate it - well, after I put on the ribbons and the biggest ball ornaments, while the guys wash the dishes and clean up.

Our table

me and Kevin

I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie

Our dinner guests

Miss Allie

Better pictures of the guests

Youngest sister and BYU-er and future Physical Therapist Andrea who doesn't mind cadavers

This year and last year, Thanksgiving was much easier because Jack and Lorraine cook the classic key Thanksgiving food - turkey, dressing, noodles and gravy! I do the ham usually and a few other side items, and set the tables for the big dinner. I like to do formal place settings with placecards and use the best place settings we have between all of us. This year we had 21 guests! I gave a short thought on gratitude and being content with what we have so we can have abundance in our lives, and then we took a few minutes for everyone to share one thing they were grateful for. Later after dinner we took a Thanksgiving quiz, courtesy of Jack.

We have so much to be thankful for, and this year my list is long, but at the top of my list is that I am grateful to be here in AZ, with my husband all week and the kids. So even though I am flying by the seat of my pants every day of the week, I love my life. I may complain that I do not have enough time on my hands to do just whatever my heart desires but I do realize I have the life that I want. I was just talking with a friend earlier today and I said just that. I have a lot to be grateful for, and I know that if I can just remember to always be grateful, to be content and to always have the Savior in my life that my life is abundant. Life is abundant where my little family is.

Friday after Thanksgiving, Anna and Tony and their kids came and we all went to see the Christmas Carol movie to kick off Christmas. It was a great movie, although the kids thought it was a little scary with all the ghosts in the story. I agree! Then we did a little birthday thing for Maddie before Andrea left to go back to Utah. Then after that I got the tree out, and the kids helped put up all of the ornaments (except for the ribbons)! At 11 p.m. we (minus the kids) watched The Proposal, and the house was finally quiet around 2 a.m.

Saturday was our BIG football game - the holy war - BYU vs. Utah! I finished the rest of the Christmas decorations and got the house all cleaned up before the game, while Kevin did some yard work. Anna and I decided we were going to skip part of the game and go do some window shopping for fun. I needed some fresh air after being so busy all week, running from place to place by the seat of my pants. Our destination: Designer Blvd. It was relaxing to look at some eye candy. We got back in time to watch the second half of the game. And YES, we won!!! I was so glad we beat Utah this year!!! We ended the night by watching 17 Again.

Our Thankful List 2009

The list from our Thanksgiving Calendar, finally.

We are thankful for...

the guidance we got from Stake Conference so we can be better. (R)
Maddie because she is cute and she is little and she is a baby. (A)
for the sakrmint. (sacrament) (C)
for Mom in helpin clen my room (C)
Church so we can be a happy family (K)
my food and that it tastes so good to me (K)
nail polish because it makes your nails look pretty and colorful (A)
friends that helped me out today while Kevin was at work. They brought me dinner and picked up Allie from school and dance. (R)
wotre (water) to dreenk (C)
mom and dad because they are nice and they take care of me (A)
famly home eevnin (C)
Maddie (C)
Maddie because she is so sweet and precious (K)
FHE, Allie who is a nice big sister, Collin and Maddie and of course Kevin my love (R)
my shrt and my glasis that gloe (C)
our house because it keeps us cool, dry, & safe (K)
being back to good health after being sick for 2 days (R)
undies (A)
Gram Cracrs (*graham crackers) (C)
Coggie because he's my buddy boy (K)
the fact that I'm being homeschooled next year (A) **Note: just another one of those requests to be homeschooled**
the time Allie and I were able to spend at the mall tonight - it was fun and refreshing to be outside (R)
my clothes (A)
the farm (C)
Allie because she is fun, cool creative cat and z little chef (K)
a nice Farm day with Maddie, Collin & Preschoolers (R)
the computer because I can go places on there like my blog (A)
SCHOOLL (C)
Collin's soccer game fun
answers to prayer! I spent an hour looking for Collin's soccer shorts. I prayed and within a few minutes I was able to find it. I never thought to look in the place I found it. (under Collin's quilt, it looked so flat) (R)
Sunday because it is a delight (K)
the Discuvry Park (C)
pink stuff (good) (A)
that the laundry is done and Kevin did it for me (R)
makeup and little things that make us feel pretty (A&R)
Subway (A)
Me going to be homeschooled (A) **Note: another request to homeschool**
FHE because we learn as a family (K)
my nyou shous (new shoes) (C)
canning and all the good times and good feelings, friendship that comes with it (R)
Gramoe's dodge truck (C)
friends who share their burdens with me (R)
Gramoe and Pop (C)
Kevin, and that he loves the Lord and is a good friend (R)
Maddie today (C)
Christmas because you get to put out Timmie Doodle and the Christmas Tree - EVERYTHING!
Snow (K)
the compyoutre (computer) (C)
curling irons, flat irons, crimping irons because I can do my hair cute (A)
Maddie and Mom (C)
ME because I'm awesome (A)
a nice home (R)
trucks (C)
I don't no (C)
my family (K)
most foods because they are yummy (A)
mysellfe (myself) (C)
my teeth - I wouldn't want to eat turkey and stuff with no teeth like Mary Lou on TV (A)
the Polar Express because it is FUN (A)
Lexee because she is the cutest puppy in the world (at least that's my opinion) (A)
Polar Express, Christmas magic (R)
Polar Express (K)
Maddie - Dad - Allie - Mom - my- family - love them (C)
my lovely, kind, talented, crafty, beautiful, outgoing, friendly, busy, good spirited, helpful wife. (K) (a little over the top but I'll take it)

that sums it up for the month of November. We missed a few days before and after Thanksgiving, but I think for the most part, as our list goes, we are thankful for FAMILY.

Buttermilk Rolls

I tried a new roll recipe tonight (from sisterscafe.blogspot.com) and it was pretty good and fluffy, and passed the taste test of Kevin and our picky kiddos. It took me 4 hours from start to finish with very little mess and some leftover dough I can get out during the week and roll out and make some more. Oh, and I didn't use real buttermilk. I didn't have any, so I substituted homemade "buttermilk" (lemon juice and milk). So I am including the recipe in our family cookbook - over at zelittlechef.blogspot.com.

polar express

We went up to Williams for our 2nd annual Polar Express train ride this weekend. We had been thinking about going again this year a few weeks ago, but I completely forgot about it until Kevin surprised me by booking the tickets a couple of weeks ago. I had a holiday shoot planned for us to do too, but in the end, the trip to Williams won. Obviously they didn't really care too much for a photo shoot. So I gave in and canceled our photo shoot. The kids were so excited when we told them we were going to Williams again this year. They call the town "Radiator Springs" - because it has a blinking traffic light similar to the one in the movie Cars. Really small town, too.

So Friday the kids skipped school (shh!) and got all the house cleaned up (I never seen Allie clean up so fast). She cleaned 3 rooms all by herself. I went visiting teaching, Kevin got a haircut, and then we were off.

The McRib is Back!

Before we left town I was so excited to see that the McRib was back! Kevin LOVES these things, and so while he was in getting his haircut I went to McDonalds and got him (and me!) McRib Sandwiches. I learned to love McRibs because Kevin loves them. They're so NOT healthy but hey they are only back for a limited time, so I let Kevin have as many as he cares to eat. I couldn't believe that he ate just ONE today. :)

OK so back to the trip...we got to Williams in plenty of time to hang out at the hotel, get dinner at Pizza Factory and get the kids dressed in their Christmas pajamas. It was cold and a bit freezy but nothing like last year's when even I could barely feel my ears. No snow this year, but you can't ask for snow here, not this early at least. We spent a little bit in the train depot and took pictures of the kids with Mrs. Claus, dropped their carefully written notes in Santa's mailbox, bought a train souvenir ornament and toy and waited for the train to arrive.











We got to sit across from the kids and so I got to take good pictures of them. Maddie was so fun to watch. She sat by the window and waved goodbye as the train started off, then spent alot of time flipping thru the songbook (wanted it every time we sang carols). She didn't know what to think of Santa. She just kinda stared at him as she was handed her bell. It was too bad I didn't get a good shot of that. Collin fell asleep as the train made its way back to the station and Allie just enjoyed every minute of it. I told her she was getting so big she may not want to come back again. And to that she said, "I will never be too old for the Polar Express." Hey even Kevin and I will never be too old for this. Not to mention we get to sip yummy hot cocoa and eat cookies while we watch our kids' happy faces. That never gets old.


The kids were so tired they fell asleep right away. It was such a fun night. The next morning they spent a LOT of time re-writing Santa letters, "just in case" the ones they dropped off just hours earlier didn't get read or something. Allie's list kept changing and kept getting more dramatic everytime she changed it -- she wants a puppy, then just in case that didn't happen, she wrote down "ipod shuffle and chocolate, so I can listen to music and eat chocolate while I cry" and then she changed her mind completely and wrote "an electric scooter with an elf sitting on it". By elf she means a magic elf, which I have to pay a ticket for so it can come visit our house.

Collin pretty much knew exactly what he wanted. He had 3 things on his list and never changed it once. His last letter just said, "Happey Haulidays Santau and Ms. Clos." (so funny he was trying to spell with fancy phonograms).


I don't think I'll ever be too old for Christmas magic! We all can't wait to get our tree up on Friday (wow, is it really that soon?) and get our slew of Advent calendars out.

Lexee Lou Who?

Tuesday after school Grandma Lorraine dropped by with a surprise! She brought this cute little black schnauzer that they named Lexee. We had been keeping it under wraps for a while! They went up to Orem to pick up this cute little puppy. She is seriously so small she weighs about 2 pounds or so only. I hadn't mentioned the dog to Kevin so he didn't believe her until Allie showed him a video she took of the little pup. It made him smile big. Collin loved the puppy too, and Maddie was scared of her.

Look how small she is!

Lexee Lou

Allie and her new best friend, Lexee Bell, not Lexee Lou Who, she says.
But I like Lexee Lou Who.

Allie was beside herself! She has been wanting a puppy forever, and Lexee will fill that void for a while, since we are in no position (or want to be in a position) to own a dog anytime soon. She was so excited to get to hold this dog and pet her. She took her upstairs and got a pillow for her to lay on and a blanket to wrap her in. And begged me to take a picture of her and Lexee. She begged to go see Lexee before we left to go to Williams, and then spent a good part of the evening on Saturday at Grandma's house so she could be with her - I happened to be at Youth Conference til 9:30 and when I got home, she said she just got dropped off right before I got there. She had been over there since 4 p.m. What a dog nut. Giggles from Allie. Now hopefully I won't hear anymore puppy begging. :)

Roar!

Maddie likes to express herself in short sentences. Among them are:

I don't want it.
Let me see it.
I don't know.
I want it.
I spilled water.
Clean it, mom.
I love you.
Help me, mom!
Wait!
Sleep Allie's bed (sleep in Allie's bed)
I want drink.
Brush teeth.
I dancing.
Daddy's working.
I like swimming, too. (had me put on her swimming suit and said this) 11/18
I don't want it.
I want flush.
I want wash hands.
I want it off.
I'm cold.

and a bunch of other cute sayings, she usually is really good at saying whatever she wants to say.

Tonight (as with lots of other nights) she danced around the room singing her ABC Song (the letters are jumbled up with gibberish mixed in). really funny. Usually what happens is the other two kids laugh and she gets even more wired up and sings louder, and her dancing now involves falling to the ground. Tonight was no exception! Allie and Collin really got her going.

She asked to be put in the TUB *wouldn't leave me alone until I put her in it*. As bath time went on, I heard extra loud splashes (Big Bro was with her and Big Sis came in to tell me the bathroom floor was super wet). So I went in to check. And there I found Miss Maddie up on the tub corner space. She yelled "Ready, Set, Go" and splashed in the tub. A tub slide? She's the first one to come up with such thing over here. She threw a fit when Allie and I got her out.

After she was dressed in her jammies (tonight it is one of Allie's shirts, courtesy of who else but the Kewl Kreative Brain), she surprised us by ROARING like a lion. Over and over, with a face that tried to look scary. that made it even funnier so we all laughed and laughed which made her roar even more. I don't remember how she finally settled down, but we sure had a loud but entertaining night. Allie caught it on video, but I wished I would have sprinted for my camera too.

happiness comes in a book

my blog book cover - this title will be the title of all our future blog books

Yes, this means my first blog book is on it's way! I am super excited and can't wait to go through it. I worked on it for about 15 hours total - broken up in 3 days. Kevin is out of town for continuing legal education classes in Utah, so I figured I needed to do it before he comes back. I am also painting Collin's room today and canning chicken, in addition to finalizing my YW lesson for Sunday.

One thing I learned by going thru the process of creating my first blog book is to get all the posts updated and pictures you want on the posts themselves before downloading to BookSmart. That and making sure the photos are all full-resolution. I had a few weeks I didn't blog about last year so most of the 15 hours was spent on creating new pages for our July summer in Utah, our big move to AZ, and Christmas last year. I also added a few notes that were too personal for everyone to view on our blog. I got too busy that I didn't blog about them much. I am being ambitious by saying I will blog at least every other day in December, so I don't forget everything (for a better blog book next year). I have a friend that blogged every day of December last year! So it can be done.

I can't wait to receive the book in the mail! I feel like a kid at Christmastime - it's true, happiness comes in a 156-page book chock full of family memories and almost 400 photos - for me.

Note: if you order before November 24, use the coupon code BLURBTREAT and get 20% plus free shipping on orders up to 5 books. I got mine with premium paper for $45. Awesome deal!

**UPDATE: So I didn't get to canning chicken - it still was frozen by the end of the day. I cut-in Collin's room, I think I need an hour or so to finish that and then Kevin can roll the rest. It should hopefully be done before we leave to go to Williams on Friday.

***UPDATE 11/16: I got canning done today. Glad to have that out of the way. Now I am thinking I should just get more ground beef to can too. while the canner is out. :)

halloween 2009

This year...Allie was a candy corn witch. She had fun dressing up, as usual. Collin was a black power ranger and Maddie was a little flower fairy. She didn't want to put this outfit on until it was time to go outside!

More Maddie Lou.

Us at Trunk or Treat on Friday Night. Kevin missed it this year, he was in New Mexico for a meeting - we beat him home! The kids had fun trunk or treating and I had fun handing out candy and visiting with Megan and a few friends. Allie had so much fun with her best friend Macey, who came with us to trunk or treat. These two are just like sisters! After the first round of cars, they decided they were cold so they came in the back and sat behind the spider webs trading candy and everytime someone came by they shouted Happy Halloween! Collin went with Gma Lorraine's neighbors Sofia and her twins Andrew and Elizabeth. Maddie stayed with me and Megan and Parker, eating all kinds of candy.
Parker and Maddie at trunk or treat. Every time Maddie sees this picture, she points and says "Parker".

Allie and Macey before we left to go trunk-or-treating.

Saturday was a busy day - we had a soccer game in the morning. Collin did so well, he almost scored a goal! He also helped score a goal by passing the ball to another player who kicked it right in! It was lots of fun to watch. I didn't keep track of the score but Kevin believes it was tied 3-3. That night we took the kids trick-or-treating around our neighborhood. Vincenz is the place to be on Halloween Night. A lot of people have little dinner parties in their courtyards, I think we should do it next year. We met 3 of our neighbors, and had fun walking around and seeing all the festive houses and costumes. The kids were tired and were ready to go home by 8 p.m. We went home and passed more candy to trick or treaters, and the kids ate candy until they were sick of them. Until next year!