i'm back - year in review

We have finally gotten over most of our illness and general yuckiness. Emily has a pretty nasty cold but she manages to muddle through the day with the help of cough medicine. My test results all came back negative which should be a good thing but I still feel horribly tired and worn down so I'm headed back to meet with my doctor to discuss my ailments.

I'm not feeling much like blogging these days but then I feel a bit sad when I think about all the things I am not writing about and what will be missing from my blog books when they are printed. To jump start my desire to blog I found this year in review idea over at Jill's blog - Creativity, Musings and Such which she found from someone that found the idea here. I'm going to give it a try. Anyone want to join in?

December 1 Trip. What was your best trip in 2009?

December 2 Restaurant moment. Share the best restaurant experience you had this year. Who was there? What made it amazing? What taste stands out in your mind?

December 3 Article. What's an article that you read that blew you away? That you shared with all your friends. That you Delicious'd and reference throughout the year.

December 4 Book. What book - fiction or non - touched you? Where were you when you read it? Have you bought and given away multiple copies?

December 5 Night out. Did you have a night out with friends or a loved one that rocked your world? Who was there? What was the highlight of the night?

December 6 Workshop or conference. Was there a conference or workshop you attended that was especially beneficial? Where was it? What did you learn?

December 7 Blog find of the year. That gem of a blog you can't believe you didn't know about until this year.

December 8 Moment of peace. An hour or a day or a week of solitude. What was the quality of your breath? The state of your mind? How did you get there?

December 9 Challenge. Something that really made you grow this year. That made you go to your edge and then some. What made it the best challenge of the year for you?

December 10 Album of the year. What's rocking your world?

December 11 The best place. A coffee shop? A pub? A retreat center? A cubicle? A nook?

December 12 New food. You're now in love with Lebanese food and you didn't even know what it was in January of this year.

December 13 What's the best change you made to the place you live?

December 14 Rush. When did you get your best rush of the year?

December 15 Best packaging. Did your headphones come in a sweet case? See a bottle of tea in another country that stood off the shelves?

December 16 Tea of the year. I can taste my favorite tea right now. What's yours?

December 17 Word or phrase. A word that encapsulates your year. "2009 was _____."

December 18 Shop. Online or offline, where did you spend most of your mad money this year?

December 19 Car ride. What did you see? How did it smell? Did you eat anything as you drove there? Who were you with?

December 20 New person. She came into your life and turned it upside down. He went out of his way to provide incredible customer service. Who is your unsung hero of 2009?

December 21 Project. What did you start this year that you're proud of?

December 22 Startup. What's a business that you found this year that you love? Who thought it up? What makes it special?

December 23 Web tool. It came into your work flow this year and now you couldn't live without it. It has simplified or improved your online experience.

December 24 Learning experience. What was a lesson you learned this year that changed you?

December 25 Gift. What's a gift you gave yourself this year that has kept on giving?

December 26 Insight or aha! moment. What was your epiphany of the year?

December 27 Social web moment. Did you meet someone you used to only know from her blog? Did you discover Twitter?

December 28 Stationery. When you touch the paper, your heart melts. The ink flows from the pen. What was your stationery find of the year?

December 29 Laugh. What was your biggest belly laugh of the year?

December 30 Ad. What advertisement made you think this year?

December 31 Resolution you wish you'd stuck with. (You know, there's always next year...)

a not so wicked witch

I have been trying to download this picture forever - blogger has issues (but then again, don't we all?)

Emily was off to our churches youth Halloween party last night as a witch. SHe had a great time and looked good too.
Excuse the mantle decor that is falling off and one of my boys dirty socks. Hopefully Emily's smile is enough to distract you from all of that.

not done but close

Megan and Em are off to another Halloween party/dance tonight at church so I had to get Meg's Jane (of Volturi fame ) costume done. Unfortunately I didn't get it finished but it was ok for the evening.

I never hemmed the sleeves so they are just rolled up (hence the uneven sleeves in the picture - that will be fixed) I also need to make a few adjustments and clean up the edges around her neck but other than that It's mostly done and I'm pleased with how it came out.
The contacts are sweet and way creepy. Megan's eyes make this costume.
I need to get some pictures with the hood on because I like how it looks. When Meg gets all made up for Halloween we'll get more pictures.

curse you halloween costumes!

Yes, I love Halloween - we are all very aware of that but the costumes, the dreaded costumes...

After some stressful days wondering how I would get 4 costumes done along with a bunch of other stuff I have going on the kids all decided to use costumes out of the costume box or in Nate's case a simple diy costume - bless you sweet children! Unfortunately there wasn't much for Megan in the box except her Ravenclaw Hogwarts uniform which she was happy to wear. I on the other hand let the "your not a very good mom" guilt trip enter my head and decided she needed to have a costume she hadn't worn before. I don't mind costumes being worn more than once I just prefer that a new kid get to wear it.

I tell myself that I only have to make one costume and I'll pick something easy. Here are the pictures we used for inspiration...

Jane Volturi, of New Moon fame. How hard can it be, I ask myself. Simple black cloak, tights. mary janes and some great black make-up. I can handle this - yeah, right!

It is now 2:23 in the am on Wednesday as I type this. Megan needs the costume tonight (she actually could have used it last night/Tuesday -(she and Emily went to a Halloween party/dance at the neighboring LDS Stake Building) but lucky for me she was willing to go as a nerd so I could work on the Jane costume. Well, remember what time it is? Yes, I'm still not finished with the costume. It is mostly done but I still need to add trim, hem it and accessorize - will it ever end?!?!? Not tonight it won't - I have to get to bed.

So look for pictures tomorrow of the dreaded Jane costume. This costume thing is making me so crazy I'm wishing a vampire would head my way, bite me and get me out of this mess. Why, why must I love Halloween so much?

happy mole day! ya, I hadn't heard of it either

So apparently today is Mole Day.  Read more here.  

Since Mole Day is chemistry related it makes perfect sense to have high schoolers across this great nation sew stuffed moles - we all know that proficient sewers make better chemists. Besides, it  not like moms (that will obviously need to help their high schoolers) are busy with Halloween costumes or anything.  

On to the stuffed mole project...

The idea is to sew a mole (horribly written instructions provided) designing it to be something or someone familiar with mole in the name - that explanation was horrid, wasn't it? Examples...

eskimo/eskimole, Edward Cullen/Edward Molen, The Holy Grail/The Moley Grail, Millionaire/Molinaire.  You get the idea.

Here is Megan's contribution to the moley madness...

Any ideas? High fives for correct guesses.  Let's take a closer look at the photo and find some clues.  Mole is holding a wand that appears to be an exact replica of a 10' Hawthorne wood wand with perhaps a unicorn hair core - that's obvious though, I know you could all see that.

He (assuming he is really a he) is sporting a black robe or cloak of some kind underneath which seems to be a striped tie, quite similar to ties worn by British children attending boarding schools.  I wonder if the colors of the tie, green and silver, hold any significance.  Probably not.

I notice he is also holding a broom - maybe this mole is a house cleaner?  chimney sweep?  The broom doesn't help us much does it?  It looks as if there aren't enough clues to help anyone figure out who this mystery mole is.
Megan did a great job and I was impressed with her sewing/chemistry abilities.  I helped some with the project and a good friend, quilting guru, Teri came over when the before mentioned horribly  written instructions made no sense to me or Megan.  In addition to sewing, Megan learned how to attach the cool, beady eyes and had fun styling the slick yarn hair.  

Her mole turned out to be a cute little guy.

the swine flu can't get us

because Mr. Mononucleosis has taken up residence instead.  3 of the 4 kids have been hit with mono and I refuse to name names as their social lives may be jeopardized. 

Actually, they all have the ok to be at school and to interact with other humans their only no no is sharing cups, water bottles and things of that nature as well as eating utensils - this will put a damper on their day to day life as they share eating utensils all day with their friends, it's the thing kids do nowadays.

He-that-shall-not-be-named to spare social repercussions does have a swollen spleen because of this mono jive and has been benched from sports for a month.  It's always warms a mothers heart to hear the doctor say something about an enlarged spleen followed by you don't want to get hit by a ball or player because it will cause internal bleeding.  Does the doctor realize I have TWO boys that do more damage to each other than any soccer player or ball.

So that's our story.  Please don't shun us when you see us out in public - come talk to us, shake our constantly wash hands, hug us - just back away from our eating utensils.  As much as you may want to share our fork we have to follow doctors orders.

say cheese!

You have to get in on this great promotion...

Ashlee is a photographer my family met during a photo shoot.  She took some great shots of our kiddos and we loved her fun personality.  Well, Ashlee is heading to Southern California (LA, San Diego, OC) this month and is offering a great deal on a photo session...no travel fees (she is coming from Utah), 30% off her regular session price and you get the images on a disc. 

If you are interested in seeing Ashlee's work head on over to her site and see how talented she is.  If you book a photo session with her please let her know Denise sent you.

Can't wait to see you Ashlee for my own families photo shoot!

kickin' it

Y'all ready for this?  Said in my best announcer voice with loud music blaring in the background.  

Friday was the big game...Megan's kickball party (that had been planned as an end of Summer party but had to be rescheduled at the very last minute)

The two teams, The Neville Kickbottoms 

and The Spongebob Kickpants played a good game but in the end only one team could be the victor 

Congratulations Team Kickpants!

I love the signs that one of the cute moms made for both teams - thanks Shauna!  Shauna is the one that drew who knows how many dark marks on the arms of the teenagers when we were in line for Harry Potter. 

There was some fine athleticism displayed ...

amazing form - Megan has never looked so athletic

speed

a sense of fashion even in the heat of competition

a fierce competitive attitude

the thrill of victory

the agony of defeat - "What?  I'm totally safe."

It turned out to be a great evening and we're glad so many kids could join in on the fun.  But the night didn't end with the game - there were celebrations to be had.

Any good game ends with a parent tunnel

Before leaving the field The Spongebob Kickpants picked up their winners trophy...

You weren't aware that there was a Kickball Championship Trophy were you?  Amazing what a $4 lamp from Goodwill, styrofoam and paint will make, huh?  Since no one person could take the trophy home because I'm holding on to that baby for next years rematch, I put together individual awards for each person on the winning team that they picked up once back at our house where the festivities continued.

They each received a mini trophy with a giant gumball kickball on top as well as a medal.  The "kickballs" were a hit and it was hilarious watching the kids try to chew them.

After all the competition on the field the kids were hungry.  There were lots of tacos and burritos consumed

and lots of this...

I'm not sure what it is but the teenagers have a love affair with this slightly thick, processed, yellow goodness.

Whenever we serve it (which is nearly every time we have teenagers over)  They surround the stuff, each trying to get their fair share and you can bet they will be back for seconds, thirds and fourths.

Here's to making this a yearly event - cheese and all!

you've had a birthday, shout hurray!

It's the big one (or one of them anyway).  Emily turns 13 today - she had arrived to teenagerdom.  Happy, Happy Birthday Em!

photos from jay reilly

with 70's tinting by me - cause I'm cool like that

Emily is beautiful inside and out and is a huge part of the make-up of our family.  I love that she is my daughter. 

Let me share some little known (and well known) facts about Emily to honor her today...

1. Her nickname is Pie and within our family is referred to as Pie much more then she is referred to as Emily.  It started as Sweetie Pie, Cutie Pie, etc and eventually landed at Pie because apparently we are all too lazy to add one more word.

2. She is a super star student.  She comes home from school and gets homework done immediately.  I rarely have to remind or check to see if it is done.  She has been on the Superintendent Honor Roll every semester in Middle School.

3. She is a kind, thoughtful person and a good friend.  She is the first to write notes of love and encouragement.  She senses when things aren't right and immediately tries to find a way to help.  When she was younger and I was pregnant with the boys she would hear me throwing up in the bathroom and would often come in and hold my hair back while rubbing my back.  She cares about others!

4. She needs things to be right.  If she thinks someone is doing something wrong or breaking a rule she want it taken care of.  If a situation isn't running smoothly or as planned she takes note and wants to fix it.  This trait is good in many ways but also can be a bit stressful for Em and the others who may be involved.  We all know life doesn't always go as planned and people make mistakes and this is a sometimes hard lesson for Emily but I have been proud of her as I have watched her mature and deal better with these situations

5. She LOVES children and is an amazing babysitter.  I would trust her to watch any kid, any age. She will be an amazing mom.  I often have parents comment on her as a babysitter.  She has a natural ability to care for kids and is calm under pressure when it comes to babysitting - a crying baby doesn't faze her a bit.  Which leads me to my new Emily fact...

6. She is an expert problem solver.  She amazes me with this since I tend to be a back away from a challenge kind a gal.  She continually finds ways to solve problems.  Where others would give up she'll continue to try and find a solution.  Except maybe with math homework  - it's much easier to ask dad for help there :)

7. When she was younger she was scared of many things but the older she gets the braver she becomes.  She will do things that surprise me - ride big roller coasters, cliff jump in Mexico, try-out to sing a solo a school, etc.  When she was young I never imagined she would do so many things.  I love that she is getting braver and experiencing so many things.

The list could go on and on but I should really get my day started.

We love you Em and wish you the best 13th birthday.  Thank you for being a part of our crazy family!

add another diy project to my list

I want to make this chair

is anyone else grossed out by this?

Family tradition dictates that the birthday boy or girl gets to choose what to have for dinner on their birthday.  After Luke's birthday I am seriously considering changing this tradition.

Luke's birthday menu...

mashed potatoes

Kraft macaroni and cheese

chicken noodle soup

I felt so sick after eating this meal.  The potatoes are to die for yummy (recipe here) but the combo of those three things was major starch overload.  Ick, I feel nauseous even typing this.

Here's to hoping his 9 year old palette will be more refined.

so long saturdays

Saturday marked our first soccer games of the season.  There go our Saturdays :)

Nate had an 8 am game which made for nice weather (at least for most of the game)  The kids played well but lost the game by one point.

My mom, little brother and sister from Utah were able to go to the game with my other brother, sister and law and nephew Carter that live in Vista and my dad joining us for Luke's game later in the day)

Between games Derek took everyone over to shop at Oakley while I stayed home with a very traumatized Luke and got him ready for his game.

About being traumatized...

After Nate's game Derek and Nate left in Derek's car, the girls and I drove home in my car and my mom had my brother, sister and Luke in her car (or so we thought)  Once everyone was home we realized no one had Luke so I go tearing out of the driveway and head back to the field to find a very scared Luke roaming the parking lot.  

The tears (both his and mine) started the moment we saw each other.  It took him a long while to calm down and I apologized 100 times.  We are glad it all turned out well.

Luke had a late morning game and by the time he played it was getting pretty warm.  I like soccer in cool weather (which California seems to be lacking at the moment)

The Dynamites won the game and Luke played really well with only a few moments of staring off in the distance or kicking around grass.

This is what you get when your kid gets tired of you pointing the camera in his direction.

As much as I dislike Saturdays being tied up with games I have to admit it is nice to be together as a family enjoying the games.  The kids are all supportive of each other although Megan has a funny way of showing her support. 

oh how my husband knows me

It's one of those days...some crying and feeling yucky but can't pin point why.  Depressed?  No, not that bad but a general feeling of blah - do you have those days?

Anyway, I called Derek had a good cry and hung up the phone.  A few minutes later an email with the subject line "smile" comes through with a link to this.  My good husband knows how to cheer me up.

a big birthday

Look at him with all his littleness and curly hair.  Luke is growing up and celebrating his 8th birthday!

To honor him on his special day here are some things to know about Luke...

He LOVES to climb trees.  When asked what his favorite thing was about moving to our new house he said it was the trees to climb.

He loves to play video games - he often has his DS in hand.

He is a great helper/worker when he wants to be - "when" being the key word.  When he is in a helpful mood things get done quickly and right.

He loves Halloween (whose child is this?)  He even requested a Halloween birthday this year so we are celebrating with a party a month after his birthday - is that weird?
He is an explorer.  In fact just a few weeks ago he told me he wasn't going to college because he was going to be an adventurer (we'll see about that)  He loves to climb, explore, collect, etc. He is happiest outside in the dirt with bugs, sticks, shovels and more.
He has a great imagination and loves to play creatively.
He is the family comedian - he is always trying to make us laugh by being the family clown.
Did I mention he is the family clown?!?!

Happy Birthday Luke!  We love you and are so grateful you are part of our family.

another school year

Oh the joy of the alarm clock early in the morning - Summer is officially over.  The morning started early with most of us waking at 5:30 am - yikes!

The morning wouldn't be complete without our traditional first day of school pictures.

Megan heading off for her Sophomore year.  Before long she'll be off to college and the thought of it makes me terribly sad.  Honestly, I am not sure why the school years seem to fly by so quickly. 

Emily starting her last year of Middle School.  This is hands down my favorite picture from the morning.  Her expression makes me smile.  She was laughing at someone coming up the front walk for a breakfast we were having (more on that below)

Nate, fifth grade - his last year of Elementary School.  My kids are all growing up so fast.
My little Luke is off to 3rd grade and heading there blind.  Late Sunday night his glasses broke and the office was not open on Labor Day.  I had no choice but to send him to his first day of school (at a new school) with poor eyesight.  I took care of it though so you can all rest assured that I am a fairly good mother (post coming)

Since the boys were heading off to a new school because of our move in April there were a few nerves bubbling.  During the Summer I tried to figure out how to make that first day of school a little better and decided to have all their friends from church that were going to the same school over for breakfast on the first day of school.

It worked out really well.  We all met at our house at 6:45 am and all the moms brought food to share.  It gave my kids a chance to start of the morning with familiar faces.

After breakfast we all walked to school together.  It was so nice for my kids to head to a new campus with friends in tow.