Christmas Day 2011

A couple of things made this Christmas not seem quite like Christmas.
1) We had no snow but lots of sunshine.
2) We had no GRANDPARENTS!

Brian's parents stayed in Tennessee with Brian's brother and his family.  My parents stayed south because my mom broke her lower leg and is still recovering.  It sure seemed weird and we all really missed them.  My older brother lives near by,  but he was busy the whole holiday weekend (and yes, I'm bracing myself for when my daughter-in-laws tell me the same thing).  Luckily, we did get to spend time with Brian's grandparents and my other brother and his family who were in town.  

The most important thing is that our little family had each other...and we tried to carry on the family traditions as best we could! 

Well, as mentioned before, I've been accused of not liking holiday decorations.  I'm not going to admit if this is true or not.  Let the following gazillion pictures prove that I do try...

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care!  (While getting our Christmas on Owen discovered that if he mixed these SANTA letters up then our stockings can be hung by the word SATAN....wonderful.)


The elves showed up just in time for the 12 days of Christmas.  Yes, we have four elves instead of just one.  That means each of my kids are being watched at all times and if they are being really good then the elves leave them a chocolate kiss.  If they are being less than good they get nothing.  If they are being extremely less than good, then they get a note warning them that they better shape up!  (I don't suggest taking the elf thing this far...one elf  without candy is what I wish Santa had sent us).  It's kind of crazy how much the boys LOVE this tradition! A couple of the elves were injured this year so we will have to see who shows up next year.  Some of these elves are kinda ugly anyway, no?


I understand that it is being a good and honest parent to tell your kids the truth about all things.  I respect that a lot - but  I've never claimed to be a good and honest parent. :)  I'm not sure I will ever tell my kids the truth about...Santa Clause you-know-what.  When Hudson has talked to me about it,  I simply smile and tell him that it is in his best interest to believe!  I know he knows.  He knows that  I know that he knows.  But we will just keep on knowing together - knowing that Christmas is magic!  (Trust me - I've laid down the truth about the stuff that really matters.)


When Brian and I were first married we had a pretty, picturesque Christmas tree.  It all matched and even matched the decor of the room it was in.  When Hudson and Owen were both small we stopped by my cousin Kristen's house during Christmas time.  When I saw her tree I melted.  It was full of sentimental ornaments her kids had gathered over the years.  It was fun, colorful, and best of all it told a story.  That is when I decided I wanted a tree that told a story.  We have been collecting ornaments for the boys every year that have something to do with each of them.  When it's time to get out the ornaments the kids light up as they sort through their own special pile.  I was quite pleased this year when I realized how big our collection is getting. Some of them are cute.  Some are totally not.  Some are goofy little doo-dads they made at school.  And I love them all.  (But one day I may have 2 trees - one of them pretty and matching.)





This was Brian's ornament one year.  The next year he got the same thing except the diet version - definitely a symbol of the switch that he had finally made that year. 


My friend made me this last year and I love it. 


This was the ornament I got for Brian and I this year. 


These four little monkeys are the ornaments the boys received this year - because they are our four little monkeys after all. 


We read a lot of Christmas books, but I wish we'd read them all.  Santa Mouse is my favorite Christmas book from when I was a kid.  My kids always want to read that book first so maybe it's their favorite too? (Or maybe I sorta hint that they should choose it!)


My favorite Christmas decorations hang on my wall in the kitchen and are of the construction paper variety.  If you are too fancy to hang a creative elf, a beautiful poinsettia, and a one eyed Rudolf in your house, well then...well then we probably wouldn't be friends. 








The halls were decked and ready for the big day.  And the big day came...

Waiting to be called downstairs to see what was left under the tree!



After we opened and played with the great things Santa brought - the boys gave each other the gifts they'd bought for one another.  Early in the season we went to dinner and as we sat around the table the boys drew names.  After dinner we headed straight to the store where they secretly, and sneakily, bought their items.

Quinn gave Hudson a camping tool.  (Quinn looks beat up in all these pictures because there were Fire Cheetos in the stockings.  What?  Your 2 year old doesn't eat Fire Cheetos? Oh - well my 2 year old is tougher than your 2 year old!)



Owen gave Jude the very pirate ship that Santa was planning to bring!   Jude was so happy - as was Owen!   Santa wasn't as happy about finding something else to bring Jude. 


Hudson gave Owen race cars.  Including Finn McMissile! (Take that one off your list too Santa.) 



Jude gave Quinner a dump truck! Now that's love.


Later in the day we tried to carry on with tradition by making Frappe'.  This is my Grandma Eva's recipe and it is yuummy.  I feel another recipe coming on...nope, too tired after all these pictures I'm putting on here - maybe another time.  Lets just say it is like drinking a creamsicle. I taught Hudson and Mckay how to make it.


Mckay made a simple toast, "To tradition." Well done Mckay. 

And grown-ups love it too. I was trying to make a silly face but ended up looking just weird.  Imagine that. 


Ash spent hours (seriously) putting together a play mobile toy for Jude.  That made Jude (and his dad) very, very happy!



We ended the night with a movie. 


And a lot of joy.


I dedicate this post to my family.  Alright, it's true - I don't like Christmas/Halloween/Valentines/what-have-you decorations.  But I LOVE YOU and I hope that all this stuff filling up my house helps you feel that!  


OH!  PS!  It seems every year someone gives us a treat that I just can't stay away from.  Two years ago it was cake pops - the first I'd ever had.  Last year it was those little Ikea cookies with the jelly in the middle.  This year it's these...they are like a little caramel, waffle sandwich.  Make your hot chocolate then set the cookie on the top until it starts to warm and melt a bit.  Holy cow.  I might have to throw them out because if I don't I may eat the whole box.  I feel a New Years resolution coming on. 


Now I better run back downstairs to see what New Years Eve excitement is going on.  So far we've had a fun filled night!

Christmas Eve

We delivered gifts.  The boys always wear Santa hats - two of them play music and shake and bounce...the hats, that is, not the boys.  They think it's funny to see people laugh at these silly hats.  I love watching my kids do this - Brian and I laugh and laugh as they run all over the neighborhood, chase our car, and react to the hugs of many old people.  I will always love this memory. 



Some of our gifts had this bloom attached.





I had a couple friends call and ask me how to make the tissue paper bloom.  Of course I didn't make them.  Darn.  I found this garland at target for practically nothing - I just pulled off the blooms and tied them with fun ribbon.  Target still has a bunch of them....go get one. 



We met up with my brother Scott and his family for lunch.  We were so happy to have them in town and grateful they made time for us! We ate at the Meat Factory...well, not really - but considering I'm not a meat eater, I definitely go to this restaurant for my boys.  It's a fun spot though, and I think my niece and nephew liked it too (Ash was super close to eating the chicken heart but ended up making the right decision on that one). 



Then we headed to Beach Resort to hang out a bit. 











I'm bugged that my pictures of Ash on the rope course were blurry - she was the bravest one!

I had decided not to bake much during the holidays - you know, simplifying - but the next thing I knew I found myself listening to the whir of the kitchen aid.   These are my kids all time favorite cookies and I make them far more often than I should.

Considering I come from a family of great cooks (and even better eaters) - I guess it's about time I put a recipe on this blog.  This way, when my boys tell their kids about Grandma Sherrie's cookies, they will know just how to make them. AND YOU BETTER MAKE THEM FOR THOSE LITTLE GRANDCHILDREN OF MINE!!  Yes, I'm hoping my boys all learn to cook.  I used to have them fall asleep watching the cooking channel. It made me giddy to hear them say things like, "Mom, you really need a double boiler to melt that chocolate."

Didn't make Brian as giddy. 


A close up - the way Owen (and his friends) like to eat these cookies best is JUST LIKE THIS! (I've been known to tell the neighbor kids not to tell their Mom's I let them eat the raw dough - sorry Rachel!)


One night when Owen was probably 5 or 6 I went to squish my way onto the couch in between Owen and Hudson.  As I was backing in (beep! beep!  beep!) Owen exclaimed, "Here comes big mamma!"  This has been a joke around here ever since.  And so I present to you...

Big Mamma's Chocolate Chip Cookies:
(If you have a big family like I do, I highly suggest you double this recipe - then put half of the dough, chips and all, in a zip lock bag in the freezer.  Any time your kids want cookies you'll be ready. Pull out the bag and let it soften for a bit - then make the cookies.  They turn out even better from the frozen dough!) 

1 c. shortening (half  stick of butter flavor, half stick of regular - if you double the recipe just use one whole stick of each - easy! Isn't that reason enough to double it?)
3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 3/4 cup flour (you can add a couple T. if you need - dough should be really soft but just barely at the point where it doesn't stick to your hands)
1 tsp. almond extract (my very vital secret ingredient!)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 pkg. guittard milk chocolate chips (yep, the big ones)


Mix ingredients together 

Let dough chill in the refrigerator for 30 min (important) - I just keep mine in the same bowel

Roll into small balls - we like ours bite size - and place on greased cookie sheet

Bake on 375 degrees for 8 min. (exactly 8 min is perfect in my oven - and my last oven - and the oven before that - but maybe not your oven! )

* Cookies will be a tad under-cooked at this point...that's how it should be

Place cookie sheet, with hot cookies, on counter. Cover with a clean dish towel

Let the cookies sit under the towel for 10-15 min. (This is the tip that took these cookies to the next level! I got this tip from Kami at nobiggie.net - she is married to my friend Kyle. Actually, everyone who reads my blog already knows this...everyone knows about Kami.  Shes famous.  Ha ha! But really she is.)




It was a fun Christmas Eve! I felt a little guilty that we didn't leave any cookies out for Santa and the elves, but they were gone.  Hope Santa liked his string cheese.  :)


I dedicate this post to anyone who tries this recipe.  Please forgive me if you turn into a big mamma. 

Pre-Christmas Events...

Well, Christmas has come and gone.  It's literally gone - the tree, stockings, elves, candles - gone.  But, I did take some pictures of our decorations - I'll post them tomorrow maybe - just so my kids can't claim I didn't get things all festive around here (some people say I'm a tad ba-hum-bug-ish when it comes to holiday decorating). 

We, of course, had some parties and programs to attend before Christmas.  Here they are...



Owen: Quinn, this is Santa!
Quinn: Oh!  Hi there Santa! 




Owen: Now you get to tell him what you'd like him to bring you.
Quinn:  Ummmm....



Quinn:  I'd rather just smile at him for a minute. 



Quinn: Bye! Nice to meet you Santa!



Owen: I know I only have a short time with you, Santa,  but I have to ask you if my 5 year old brother could have one of your candy canes even though he's too scared to come up here.  I won't try to get one for my 11 year old brother because apparently he's too cool for you this year.  He's outside playing football with his friends. 



Owen's school program.  See that cute girl to the right of Owen?  Almost every day she has to let Owen know whether he's cool or not that day.  But Owen is always cool remember?  (If I knew how I'd link to a different post about Owen right here...but I have no idea how to do that). 



Jude in his stylin' kindergarten elf hat.  I'm not sure he felt stylin'.  I can't believe he was brave enough to sing in front of the audience...awesome. 



Hudson's program.  I'm loving our buddy Russ smiling at me behind Hudson.  I'm also loving how London, in front, is pretending not to see me. 



Brian's grandparents always have a cute Christmas party.  We missed Jarom and Kirsten big time.  The boys kept talking about how it wasn't the same without their cousins there.  Ohio is for the birds guys. 

Owen getting his interview.



Quinn enjoying the microphone (not shy this one). 



Hudson - feeling a bit awkward, but a good sport. 


(Jude was off hiding somewhere, ignoring his name each time it was called....he got out of the interview.)

The end.  Next up - Christmas Eve.

FEELING Christmas

(I sent our cards out yesterday.  I was relieved, but a tad annoyed b/c I wrote the message on the card in such a rush that it is full of spelling and grammar mistakes.  Oh well!)


It seems like my kids have the shortest Christmas break ever.  I swear that when I was little we had a whole 3 weeks off...am I imagining that?  

But today they are finally home! I've been looking forward to the break.  I am happy to have them here - the house now feels like it has literally COME ALIVE with excitement! How exhausting and how fun.

As much as I've been looking forward to today - I actually have mixed feeling about Christmas.  It's such a special holiday and I totally appreciate the significance...it's just the other stuff that is hard for me sometimes.

I love searching and finding just the right gifts for the boys.  Getting them all wrapped up and under the tree makes me giddy with anticipation.  BUT (and this is a big BUT), I have trouble not feeling guilty for just how lucky we are and how we don't NEED most of these things we are buying. I feel uncomfortable when we have too much stuff around (I would be the worst rich person ever).  I worry about the families who don't have presents - or a house and food for that matter.  I worry that my kids are oblivious to this reality - that I'm spoiling them.

I like our home to feel simple and special - but sometimes it seems hard to make that happen this time of year with all the lists to check off and events to attend.   
 
I have to make a conscious effort not to get so overwhelmed by these feelings that it spoils the fun.

My biggest goal for this holiday was to see the season through my kids eyes (I did have a list of my other Christmas goals typed on here as well, but I deleted them because...well, because how boring!). When I look at any holiday through the eyes of my kids it makes me feel differently about all the work/guilt/stress/whatever...it eases the weird adult anxiety and lets me appreciate it. 

When I went to pick up Jude from school yesterday,  I saw (with my child-like eyes) the BEST THING EVER!  I saw a dad walking to the school with a Santa on his shoulders...I mean he was stuffed, of course, but he was a life size Santa along for the ride! The Dad walked into the school, stooping down to allow Santa to fit under the doorway, and went to pick up his son.  I watched as the boy came out of the school holding his Dad's hand - a GIANT grin on his face! I know that this boy is usually picked up by his mom so I'm sure that grin was not just about the funny Santa - but also because his dad was there.  When Jude got in my car I told him he had to see something....I raced down the road so he could get a glimpse of the dad, Santa, boy walking home.  We laughed and laughed.  Now that is a Christmas memory a little guy will never forget.  I love watching the things parents do for their children....trying to make things special for them.   It brings the Christmas spirit for sure. 

To celebrate being out of school we took the kids to a movie last night.  Then we headed to our favorite new pizza place.  Gosh it's good.  We were downtown in the cold, cold air all together.  The boys were smiling and happy.  Each of them, one by one, looked up at me and told me how EXCITED they are for Christmas.  I responded, "I AM TOO!"- and I meant it.

Despite some anxiety and guilt - I LOVE making things special for them. Wasn't Christmas amazing as a child?  If I slow down and think back I can still FEEL it.  I really can. I hope when my kids are grown they will be able to look back and FEEL the Christmas of their childhood.  And FEEL how much Brian and I loved having them here - little, wild, excited kids that they are.



I dedicate this post to the real meaning of Christmas...the best part of it all and the part I hope my kids will really FEEL forever.

Born On The 4th Of JULY

My O dog.

The day Owen was born I watched hot air balloons fill the sky outside my hospital window.  I could hear the faint beating of a marching band drum.  Crowds of family members visited - all dressed in red, white, and blue. When the last of the balloons had landed and everyone left to go eat burgers and hot dogs - I stared at the bright blue sky and took a deep breath.

I have always, always loved the fourth of July and I loved it even more now.  So much more.

That bright blue sky grew black.  I was tired.  Then bursts of light filled my dark room as the fireworks exploded just blocks away.  Each time my room filled with light I'd look at his little face and feel a burst of love just as powerful.  It felt like the whole world was celebrating his arrival (for years to come Owen would think the fireworks were just for him).

And the world would have reason to celebrate him.  The day Owen was born the world gained one of the sweetest, most loving souls. 




Brian and I have actually spent some time worrying about Owen.  Worrying that he's too tender hearted for this big, rough world.  Isn't that a terrible thing to have to worry about?

But, the more we watch him grow, the better we feel. Maybe the world won't eat him up and spit him out.  Maybe, just maybe, the world will savor and appreciate him for being good (with a tasty dash of quirky).

Owen is so many good things - but most of all he is genuine.  He has literally no concept of trying to be something other than what and who he is...he could never attempt to "act cool" -

WHICH MAKES HIM COOLER THAN COOL.




A month or so ago Brian and I were talking about the boys and he said, "The more I watch Owen the more I think he's the one who's got life figured out.  He is just happy.  We should all be like him." 

He loves his parents...



His brothers are his everything...






He will gush over his grandparents...





His big blue eyes make you feel as warm as a beautiful summer sky.
His heart beats as big and strong as a marching band drum. 
His giant grin lights up the room like a firework.

His soul will rise to the occasion - like a hot air balloon.


I dedicate this post to Owen. I love, and celebrate, you!  I hope you had a happy, happy birthday (clear back in July!).

PS. As always, I reserve the right to say only the best things about my children on their birthdays.  :)

Half Way House

Wow. Am I really blogging again? Like the two weeks before Christmas aren't busy enough?

I've thought about this blog some.

As it turns out I think I'm a "half way blogger".

I guess I should have known this is how it would be. You see, I've noticed that I may be a half way person altogether.

My house is half way clean, my laundry half way done, my dinner preparations pleasing to half of my children, half my body looks decent and the other half looks...oh never mind!

So, I think I may just go with it - the half way thing. I think I will write as much as I want on this little blog without feeling like every post needs a picture...without thinking it should be cute for my friends to look at. If I add a picture GREAT! If not, GREAT! I just want a record of these funny days - WHICH ARE USUALLY ONLY HALF WAY FUNNY!

I dedicate this post to my toenails - which only have paint on the top half...oh, I could go on and on. I've got a million of them - you got any?

July - When Grandpa Comes to Town!

I've been meaning to get back to this blog thing for several months now. I guess I just feel more obligation to my laundry than I do to my computer. How boring.

In NOT boring news...back in the summer Brian's parents came to town! YEA! I feel really lucky to have in-laws who are easy to be around, fun to talk to, and so cute with the boys.

Brian's Dad is a big camping guy and likes to get the boys out in a tent when he's here. Since Brian and I both prefer vacations that involve hotel rooms, this is just super cool!



Brian set up our regular tent and Gene taught Hudson how to DIY.




Can't you just imagine how much fun this kind of thing is for little boys? The best part is that I think (I know) it's even more fun for Grandpa Gene!



Oh you spotted a puppy? Well, that's a story for another time! But, Miss Clover is her name.





All set and ready to get a deep peaceful sleep...YEAH RIGHT! The next morning Grandpa looked like he'd lived through a battle - sorry!





Oh! AND Grandpa set this baby up! SAAWWEET!





And Grandma Raina made sure to love them up. Gotta keep these rugged men a little soft.


I dedicate this post to Gene and Raina, who are so good at making their grandkids feel special - even from a distance!