St. Paddy...

Well I am not sure why we celebrate, although I remember looking it up last year about a guy who saved Ireland from snakes I think. Look it up if you are curious! What ever it was it definitely wasn't memorable!

We had our own St. Patrick's day feast. We thank St. Patrick for giving us a reason to create a yummy meal. We had our traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage as well as a new dish called Colcannon.

While no serious craziness happened at our house, Logan shared that he punched a Leprechaun in the face : ( We were later visited by three extremely cute Leprechauns.

Who did a dance for us:

Remember Valentines Day?

Jeremy and I went out on Friday the 13th for our date night. We've decided going out on the actual date of valentine's is over rated. We met two other couples and went to Buckhorn Grill (most popular for it's tri-tip sandwiches YUMM-O!) then went and saw the movie push...and some where in between had Coldstone Ice cream.

We spent the actual holiday with our kids it was fun. We started out with breakfast. Some call it Toad-in-a-hole, or hot house eggs. Creatively I cut it out in a heart.

We got a surprise package from my mom in Ohio.

It only took a month but we finally had our silly string fight. Pictures with its post to follow!

We then went to a friend's house and had home made pizzas. Followed by Fondue with heart shaped brownies and chocolate chip cookies, as well as the fruity goodness that goes great with chocolate! Just in case you thought that was all we ended the night by playing Wii into the "Wii" ours of the night. It was fun watching Jeremy play rockband and finally attempt Dance Dance Revolution for the first time. I did post a video of him playing for real here. It was a great day and we really enjoyed each other as well as sharing some time with great friends.

Thanksgiving Celebration

Wow it has been a busy few days. I got a little over eager to re-arrange rooms. We now have a Boys Club and Girls club! I moved a couple dressers between room and a book case or two, not to mention practically all of Toys R Us! Well I am sure they don't have that many toys but let me tell you I have no idea where to put it all and be organized! Needless to say with an 8 month pregnant belly I was in a bit of pain in all the wrong areas! So I took it easy Wednesday and just tried to do the little stuff like find a place for all the stuff the twins will destroy like Barbies, Polly Pockets, and Littlest Pet Shop...and the newest twin invention of Polly Pet Shop!

Thursday we had Dinner at my house, I got to cook the big T-day Turkey. As I was prepping the turkey and pulling out the neck I couldn't help but wonder if that is what the doctor feels like when trying to assist in birthing a baby. Then we have had washer problems, one of the little socks clogged the drain and we can't get it out, so I went into the garage and Jer has the washer laying down and is reaching in underneath to try and get the sock out...I was beginning to sense a pattern. I have a one tracked mind but I am going out on a limb and saying any woman who is within 5 weeks of delivery is on that same track. Dinner was a success. The 18lb turkey that was supposed to take 4 hours to cook was very well cooked by 3 hours. So it got to soak up it's juices for some time. The turkey didn't taste over cooked so that was good news. When I took the foil off, it looked like a turkey from a horror movie and would never get any beauty prizes that's for sure. Speaking of beauty prizes...my brother-in-law has bragged for a few years about his pie making skills so this year we challenged him. They were excellent and pretty!

We got to hang out and watch the cousins play and laugh, like all holidays should be. It was perfect. Except for those that we love and missed.

Trick or Treat

There is another writing assignment from this blog. I am not necessarily having much inspiration but I thought this could challenge the inner me dying to get out, was that Halloween-ish enough?

I too am blessed with an October birthday, three days before Halloween. You would think that would stir up lots of good memories. I am really struggling here, although I have them, they are just in the dark recessed cob webby portion of my brain that I never use. I think with most birthdays, starting in October through the end of the year, get squeezed in around the busyness of the holidays. Of course October is a lot better than a week before Christmas like my sweet son.

The memories I have are short little quips verses good stories. I remember in around 5th grade coming home and having every single piece of candy closely inspected for pin pricks or other dangerous obstacles. I believe I dressed in a yellow/gold dress like something from a southern plantation. It was the same year that I went through my first haunted house. I have finally come to grips with the fact that I really don't like being scared.

If you look through my years I think I appeared as a Baby the most, Punk Rocker was next on the popularity. Seriously Halloween is the one time of year that it is acceptable to be something you are not. I never have been a punk or rocker type with lots of make-up and spiky colored hair. I was a 50's girl too. My mom made an adorable powdered blue felt poodle skirt with the little poodle with leash and all. She is an amazing sewer, seamstress...whatever you call it she is crafty with fabric and a sewing machine. Since being married I have been pregnant every other Halloween. One year I came across the most classic costume. I was about 5 months pregnant with the twins. And my future of being a milk factory loomed near so this is what I prepared my self for:

I am glad to say that I was not the last person to wear this awesome costume. I can't remember the comment that the nice young gentleman made to his wife but this was the result:
He was a good sport but not too happy about the costume. I guess there is nothing too monumental to share. Except I love when my kids get Butterfinger Crisps in their Halloween Bags, I steal them!

Since joining Jeremy's family they have showered me with traditions. Jeremy's Mom makes donuts for her kids at school and they get to decorate them. So it is tradition that she makes a ton more for her kids and now her grandkids. We eat them after we are done trick or treating. Then we have the problem of do we let the kids eat candy or donuts before we hurry them off to bed. Good thing Halloween is on a Friday this year.

One thing I am tempted to do is buy a pumpkin or two and make home made pumpkin puree then experiment with some delicious pumpkin recipes. This should go over well since this household isn't really pumpkin fans. At least I can say I tried!

New Year's Eve

We had a great New Year's eve. We went to my sister-in-laws house. Although not to far the freeway connecting us has been known as blood alley (also where I totalled my car, not injuries luckily). We decided to stay out there, then we didn't have to worry about any accidents driving late at night. Another awesome reason is that we rarely get to play games anymore since there are so many little ones, so we were able to put the kids to bed and play until the wee hours of the morning. The older cousins stayed up later to watch a movie...so that just means Hunter and Lauren were in bed.


A highlight of the evening was Jeremy trying to play the part of law enforcer...

He would make a pretty good looking police officer heh? Quite intimidating...unless you know him he is a softy! Tough too of course!

We stayed up late and woke up at approximately 7:00...actually it is kind of a blur from this point on. Jeremy and James went to get doughnuts for breakfast. One heartbreaking moment that happened was when we were getting into the car. Jeremy went to close his door as his mom was leaning down to get in the back, it made contact and cut her head. Jeremy was asking if she was OK. I didn't realize what was happening until Jeremy said in a concerned voice "Mom you are bleeding" It was a fairly small cut but none the less, he hurt his mother. The only good side was that atleast it wasn't me who did it. I would go down in history as the worst daughter-in-law ever! She was really OK but I know Jeremy felt terrible. It was fun to say that us Mormon's know how to throw a party, someone even got hurt!