Happy Birthday!

It's better late than never, right? We celebrated Braeden and Bronwyn's Birthday on November 28th. They had a small party - their first "friends" party. Annika, Mason, Kaisley, Tysen, and TOMMY came. (Bronwyn wants to marry Tommy-he's not so sure yet, but we've got a few years to convince him).

My children have come to expect four things for their birthdays: cake, streamers, balloons and a pinata.

Easy enough. (Thanks Elizabeth for the spider cake idea!)I tried to put a little more effort into this birthday considering last year they got a day old cake from Walmart and $5 Barbies from the black friday sales. I think they really enjoyed themselves and they got spoiled with lots of great gifts from friends and family - thanks everyone!

After cleaning up from the party we headed to the Botanical "Garden Aglow" which was AWESOME! (sorry about the pictures...gotta learn how to use the camera)Then we finished the evening at Red Robin - our family favorite for Birthdays. Happy Birthday my sweeties!

Thanksgiving Update

I didn't know for sure if I was going to cook Thanksgiving this year or not. About 4 days before Tony let me know that he'd like to stay home and eat. With 5 kids I knew that I couldn't do it all on Thanksgiving day so I got a head start.

On Monday I made the mashed potatoes and stuffing (new recipe) and put them in the freezer.

On Tuesday I made the baked macaroni and cheese and froze it too. I also experimented with a different roll recipe and loved it. (We ate most of them so I knew I would be making fresh ones on Thursday morning. I also searched online and learned how to fold cloth napkins into pretty shapes. I washed, ironed and folded our napkins.

On Wednesday I made two types of sweet potatoes. One sweet, one plain. I also made three pies. Oh, I also went to Twilight and Johnny Carino's with my sisters.

I got up at 6 Thursday morning ready to pop the turkey into the oven and realized it would be ready by 9 if I started it that early. So, I started the collard greens in the crock pot. And then I started on the rolls. About 8:00 the kids and I began making our fruit gobbler - so much FUN! Then at 9:30 I got the turkey in the oven. I finished the rolls, started reaheating everything, set the table, changed clothes, made gravy from the drippings and we were ready to eat at 2:00.

It was just us and my two sisters. And it was perfect. Well, the stuffing wasn't and I'll never freeze the potatoes again. BUT we had a great time. I got out our wedding goblets and bought the kids some goblets from the dollar store to use for our "special" drink (aka sparkling cider).

All in all it was a great holiday...YAY!
Hudson...sorry sweetie...just milk for you and Henry.

Thankful

First off I'm thankful for Family Fun - we had a great activity this morning...

I've been feeling a lot of gratitude for my sweet partner in crime...Tony - Thank you! What a lucky lady I am to have such a great guy in my life. He is thoughtful, kind, funny (he even laughs at my jokes too - gotta love that), he wants to do what's right, he listens, he's a great dad...I could go on and on...but I've gotta save time to make the rolls this morning.

And our CHILDREN. WOW. Could I ask for anything more?

That leads me to the big one. I'm am so blessed to have the Gospel in my life. I'm thankful for trials and adversity, repentance and forgiveness, and especially for HOPE and FAITH.

I can't leave out my Sisters in Zion....If you're wondering if that's you...it is!

Thank YOU!

BOSSY!

I've just discovered a new blog that I'm really enjoying and I thought I'd share. It's called Bossy! . It's written by 5 sister's I love it because they are so down to earth, funny, and inspirational. I've just started to check out each of their individual blogs and I'm enjoying those also...So if you want a new blog to read ( I know, I know....) then check them out! (BTW - I have no idea who these ladies are...just followed a link on my SIL's SIL's blog.)

Nothing new to post

I'm just tired....wonder why???

dishes to wash

clothing to fold

beds to make

bathrooms to clean

floor to mop

vaccum to fix

hair to comb

kids to dress

bottles to prepare

noses to wipe

diapers to change

bills to pay

meals to create

homework to help

medicine to administer

pumpkins to toss

leaves to rake

office to organize

shower to take

blog to update - check!

just want to curl up in a chair and read a good book, drink a large diet pepsi, and finish off the night with a relaxing game of scrabble....

i'd better get busy

Yes we can...yes we can...yes we DID!

My heart is so full of emotion....I don't think I can really express how I feel - yet. What a wonderful historic day....an incredible event for me, my dear husband and my 5 children to be a part of.

Yes, my sons and daughter, you can be anything you want to be!

I voted!

I got up early and waited in line for 30 minutes....not bad, eh? So excited for today.

The kids and I are going to have an Election Day party....we'll make flags, watch the results come in and eat yummy food...
What a great feeling to be part of this historic day!

If you haven't yet...GO VOTE!!!