Jennifer's Wedding

My Little Bride!
Today, Jenny saw a picture of Scott and I at my sister's wedding. She started talking about her wedding at the temple and her husband. Then she wrapped her blanket around her and called it her wedding dress. It's amazing what kids know. I asked her where her husband was now and she said he's at school, so I guess he's older than her. Then I asked her what his name was and she said "sister" and when I asked her again she said "babysitter." What that means I do not know, but it was cute. So plan for a summer wedding (note the sandels) to an older man in about 20 years or so.

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving with my sister-in-law, coincidentally named Kristina as well, and her wonderful family. We all had a great time except two of her kids were sick and rather lathargic. They, too, got the Fever-Coughing Virus and have now returned it to my kids who are all sick yet again. It doesn't seem as bad the second time around. Thanksgiving was great though. Kristina made yummy food. She barbecued the turkey, made delicious stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean cassarole (from stratch), really yummy sweet potato cassarole, and gravy. We also had an array of pies to chose from at dessert. Pecan pie, apple pie, pumkin cheesecake, and my pumpkin pie. All of the cookies I made were pretty much gone before dessert. They held us all over while dinner was being prepared. The next day while watching the food network, I came up with a yummy day-after-Thanksgiving samdwich recipe. Everyone seemed to enjoy my concoction. Overall, we had a really good time. We just wish we could've spent more time with Kristina and her husband without the kids. You know, like go out to dinner or something. But I got to go to Target twice- once with Kristina and once with Scott and Eric. I love Target! It has to be the best store around. So Cameron and Jennifer have been talking about going back to see their cousins ever since we pulled out of their driveway. I think they are bored now. I'm trying to give them a lesson everyday to teach them their letters and numbers. They seem to like it. It gives them some structured time in the day. Eric likes it too because I always read a story. I'm a very animated reader and he gets a kick out of it. He'll probably have his letters and numbers down before he can speak. All of a sudden he'll just start reading at like 18 months or something. He's a smart little lad. A crabby one lately, but very smart and very cute. So now we all prepare for Christmas...

The Fever-Coughing Virus

Here is Jenny passed out on the couch during her fever-coughing virus. One time she actually fell asleep while sitting up. It was cute, but we felt really bad for her. She was miserable. This virus was evil. It passed though the house leaving its mark on every member of the family. I shall go around the house with a can of Lysol. Out darn virus, out I say! One, two! (Macbeth, anyone?)

Teeth, Santa, and Cookies

Eric got his first tooth on the 16th! He's almost 10 months old and just gettting his first tooth. All of my kids got their teeth late, but I think he is the latest. It's OK though. He's my baby! Jennifer said something cute the other day. She told me she wanted the Little Mermaid Beauty Salon for Christmas and I told her She'd have to see what Santa would bring her. So with all the seriousness in the world, she said, "Mama, I'm going to go to the North Pole and talk to Santa." Then she went on and on about the reindeer and the snow and everything else. It was very cute. Right now we're making pumpkin cookies. Since we're going to be guests at my sister-in-law's house this Thanksgiving, I figured we'd help out a little by baking a whole bunch of goodies to bring with us. Pumpkin cookies today pumkin pie tomorrow and maybe some oatmeal cookies as well. Ahhh, I love to bake. And so does Cameron. He's pretty good at cracking eggs, too, especially for a four year old.

Yeah, I know I haven't posted in a while. I apologize. We have all been so sick. I cannot get rid of my cold, Scott was on death's door, and now my poor Cameron and Jennifer are miserable. Even Eric is starting to get a little cough. I can't take this anymore! I've also been busy with school too. And Mary Kay. And the election. And with all of us sitting home being sick, there hasn't been much to write about. Last night, I went out with some friends from church and had a really good time. Whenever I'm out with them, I forget about all of the stress at home. The spirit is so strong and I am at peace with myself. I also get so inspired to do things too. I am so grateful for such wonderful friends! Unfortunately, one of them is moving away next week and I'm really sad about that. All of my friends keep moving away from me! Is it something I said?! I know it's hard living in this expensive state of ours, so I understand everyone's decision to relocate, but it's still sad. :( I miss you too! I will post more in the coming days.

Yay!

The parties went very well. My Pampered Chef party was lots of fun and the kids' birthday party was wonderful. My house was packed with family and the kids got lots of clothes and toys. Then, I got sick. I had and kind of still have a chest cold with a really annoying cough. Now Scott has it, but worse than I did. And Eric is sneezing with a runny nose. He has his 9 month check up tomorrow and I don't think he is going to get his shots. We are also going to get Cameron's picture taken cause it's his 4th birthday tomorrow! I cannot believe that 4 years ago at this moment he was in my belly. And now look at him. It's amazing. It makes the 30 hours of labor worth it. So...onto bigger and even better news- my sister is pregnant, which is awesome cause I'm going to be an auntie and now we can be mommies together. She had her ultrasound yesterday and guess what? There's two babies in there! Twins! That's just so freaky to me. My sister is pregnant with twins. Wow! I already started shopping for stuff for the baby (when I thought there was just one) and planning the shower. Now I have to start buying two of everything. Devanie, I'm going to need your help! You're the best at getting the most for your money and at planning baby showers! Help!

CRAZINESS!!!!!!!!

Scott and Cameron building my new hutch.
I CANNOT BELIEVE THEY ARE DIGGING UP OUR STREET THE DAY BEFORE OUR PARTY! I AM LIVID! I finally accepted the fact that our street wouldn't be paved in time for the party, but all dug up? Are you kidding me?! Errrrrrrrrrrrr. Onto other things, today is my Pampered Chef party and tomorrow is the kids' birthday party. We have a lot of work to do today. My wonderful husband bought me a new hutch for our dining room so we still have to get rid of the old one and the microwave cart. Then we can clear all of the junk off of the dining room table. Then we need to conquer the kids' rooms and the family room. That should be fun. Right now Jenny's wearing her Cinderella dress and "glass" slippers, Cameron is giving me a play by play on what is going on outside, and Eric is sitting up all by himself being as cute as usual.

Sick as a Dog

So yesterday wasn't a good day. It all started when I was awoken at 6:30am by the sound of my dog, Murphy, barking uncontrollably. I got up and discovered that he vomited all over the kitchen floor. Upon futher investigation, I found bits and pieces of a plastic wrapper. Then, I realized just what my hungry little cocker spaniel had gotten into- a 12oz. bag of semi-sweet chocolate morsels. So we all know that that much chocolate can kill a dog. I quickly called my mom who told me to call the emergency vet clinic. They told me to give him hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting. Now that was difficult, but with Scott's help, I did it. Scott called our regular vet who didn't seem too concerned, but told us to keep an eye on his heartrate. So all day I worried about my furry little lad. He's okay now, but still very hyper and irritable. And very hungry since he hasn't eaten all day. And ofcourse, my lovely children thought they would add to my madness by being out of control all day. But I try to find the positive in each day. Yesterday I found a new favorite toy. You all know how I swear by the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser? Well, try the Pledge Duster Plus! That little thing is awesome. I actually enjoyed dusting! Imagine that. Usually dusting makes me sneeze like crazy, but this duster thing catches all the dust so it doesn't fly all over the place. And as an added bonus, it comes with a mini Pledge spray attached to the handle, so you just spray and dust with one hand! Cool, huh? That was my day pretty much. Cleaning up vomit and dusting. Today is a new day and so far it hasn't been too bad. :) "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God..." D&C 88:119

My Little Pumpkins

Yesterday was Jenny's birthday, so after we went to the mall to get her picture taken and buy her a present, we went pumpkin picking at a farm. It was a beautiful day and the foliage was breathtaking. The kids had a really good time too. We got a bunch of pumpkins and some mums. Oh, and in case you're wondering, at the toy store Jenny picked out Barbie and Tanner for her birthday present. It's really cool.

::YAWN::

I never thought I would say this. I'm tired of shopping. All day yesterday and all day today we shopped. We got a lot of things we need (and some things we don't need) and we had a good time together as a family, but I'm pooped. I just want to lay around in my pjs with a mug of hot chocolate right now. But I can't. Scott is at work now and I have to work on the house. I think we're trying to get too much done before the party. I mean, cleaning is one thing, but rearranging furniture and switching bedrooms is just a little much. But we already started so we can't just stop or there will be no room for anyone. So I must go to clean some more and move more things that are heavier than I am. ::yawn:: ::sigh::

Yummy!

Here are my Oatmeal Butterscotch Chip Cookies! They are very good, but very sweet. I think I'll only make these when I want to go into sugar shock. They are really good with a tall glass of milk. Yum!

What's wrong with me?

So I've been on this baking kick lately. The last time this happened I was pregnant with Cameron, but I know I'm not pregnant so I don't know what it is. I just know that I'm baking. I've been baking chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin bread, cupcakes, sugar cookies, and I'm starting to get a little bored. So today I'm going to try a variation of my oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. The oatmeal butterscotch chip cookie. I'll let you know how it turns out. I have so much to do today. Vacuuming, cleaning the kitchen, folding laundry, homework, and I have to list some items on Ebay. My list is getting a little skimpy. And the most important thing of all- I need to figure out what I'm going to get Jenny for her birthday which happens to be tomorrow! She wants so many things and I'm just trying to figure out what she will actually play with that doesn't cost a fortune. I am totally over-thinking this. I don't want her to be disappointed, but I don't want to spend $50 on a baby that she is just going to throw around and draw all over. And Scott isn't really helping. He doesn't know what to get a little girl. I'm sure he'll have some good ideas for Cameron in two weeks so I won't have to worry about that. It's hard being a mom.

OUCH!!!

So this is what happens when you give a three year old a new mattress with no railing... A trip to the ER at 1:00 in the morning to get three staples. And a mess to clean up. Anyone know how to get blood out of clothing and/or carpets? Cameron's such a trooper though. I think he took the ordeal better than I did. Needless to say, there's a railing on his bed now.

The Big Girl Bed

On Friday, Jennifer got her big girl bed. Scott took Cameron's bunk beds apart and we bought new mattresses. Then Jenny and I went to the store and bought Princess sheets and comforter and a new pillow. She's excited about the new bed and about being in the same room as her brother. I think it will work out well for the both of them.

Hey, Goo-goo!

I looooooove when Eric wakes up from a long nap and his cheeks are all pink and warm. He's so cute! He's been such a stinker today though. I think he's teething, but I've been saying that for months now so who knows. I can't really complain though cause he's a super-good baby and if he's cranky once in a while, so what?

Jenny calls Eric "goo-goo." It's so cute. She'll just come up to him and say, "Hey, goo-goo." He smiles and reaches out to her. They have really bonded over the past few months.

Both Cameron and Jennifer have birthdays this month and they know exactly what they want.

Cameron's Wish List

Garbage truck

Firetruck

Diego stuff

Helicopter

Construction cones

Jennifer's Wish List

Baby Alive

Littlest Pet Shop

Barbie and Tanner (the dog that poops)

Loving Family Doll House Accessories

Doodle Bear

The Little Mermaid

Anything Cinderella

Mommy's Wish List

CLOTHES!!!

Cameron is such a boy and Jenny is such a girl and I, well, I am such a mom.

Aren't they the cutest things you've ever seen? We really need to move down south.

This is Eric's 8 month picture. It's a few days late, but I think it still counts. Isn't he adorable?

Are you ready?

I'm so excited! I finally have a blog! I've wanted to do this for so long because I love writing and journaling. So here it is...the beginning of my electronically documented life...Today I decided that we stay home after the disastrous experience at Target yesterday. Usually, the kids are good when we go out, but yesterday, not so much. I think it was cause it was a holiday and the store was super-crowded. Anyway, I forgot most of the things I needed and left in a really bad mood. Meanwhile, Scott passed out while giving blood. So much for trying to do something good. He's still feeling weak and insists he'll "never do that again." So today I am focusing on catching up on laundry, cleaning the house in preparation for Cameron and Jenny's birthday party, and homework. Yes, I have homework for school. Lovely, huh? Oh and I have to get the party invitations out too. So no time for play today. Even if I wanted to go out I couldn't cause they closed our street for the neverending roadwork they're doing. Who likes waking up every morning to the sounds of excavators pounding into the pavement in front of your house? Not I. I shall post more random thoughts like these everyday. Please comment so I know you feel my pain or joy! Love you all!