Remember - Part 1

As of yesterday I have had this blog for one year.  I really only wanted to write on here for 12 months so that I could have "a year in the life" type thing for our family to keep.  Unfortunately,  I got a little distracted during the summer/fall months and didn't blog at all.  This means that I have a lot of things I still want to put on here before I can call it good.  So, don't worry Mom - you can count on having this to read for a bit longer!    



For me, the best parts of motherhood and family life are just the simple little things.  The regular days that feel just right because we are together. 


Dear boys,
Will you remember that your mom cannot resist an ice cream truck?  It makes me happy to hear that music off in the distance.  It's so old fashioned and charming (that is, if you don't let yourself get freaked out by how creepy it could be).

On this warm summer day we had just finished our snow cones when this truck approached...we couldn't let the opportunity pass by.  Nobody ever died from eating two treats in a row.

I hope you remember. 

Love, Mom






Owen, thank you for being the only one to smile.  Hudson and Jude - you made these weird faces on purpose. Dad was telling you to smile right as I took the picture...and you did this instead.  






Dear boys,
Will you remember how good cinnamon toast tastes on pretty summer mornings - especially sitting next to a brother in a blanket that Grandma made?  Will you remember that when loads of friends come over your dad and I make giant piles of cinnamon toast and you all go to town?

I hope you remember.

Love, Mom








Dear boys,
Will you remember how Quinn likes to come into your room and lay by you when you are supposed to be falling asleep?  Will you remember him saying, "Boys wake? Boys wake?"

Quinn calls the three of you: boys, brothers or HudsOhJude.

"HudsOhJude are you?!  HudsOhJude are you?"

I hope you remember.

Love, Mom











Dear Quinn,
Right as you fall asleep you always put your arms behind your head like a wise old man.  It's so cute.

I hope I remember.

Love, Mom






Dear Jude,
Will you remember how much you loved to build and draw when you were little?  After your creation is complete you usually tell me, "I made this for Dad."

I hope you remember.

Love, Mom






Dear Quinn,

You went through the funniest stage where you would bring me all sorts of things and tell me to put them on you.  "On me.  On me."

You can pull off that underwear on the outside thing better than anyone I've ever seen.

I hope I remember.

Love, Mom




"The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket;  they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments."
Dieter F. Uchtdorf


I dedicate this post to the little everyday things that make me happy to be alive.

A New Year - Keep Climbing

On the first day of this new year we sat down as a family and set some goals. I've been feeling like we need a fresh start and this is the perfect time. 

I have started to wonder if I am navigating my family through the ups and downs of life without ever really instilling a true sense of character in my boys. I tend to have tunnel vision at times - trying to get through each day with efficiency (and a big dose of nurturing)...but not giving enough effort towards truly helping my boys grow, or building those sweet,strong souls. Not enough time spent preparing them for their future - possibly pretending that they will stay little and in my care forever.  And what about my soul?  What about my character?  Surely they need a better example than what I'm giving them. 

We talked for a long time that January night.  We talked about being grateful, about just how fortunate we truly are.  We discussed that we shouldn't  waste the opportunities we've been given.  We talked about being hard workers, about giving service, about learning how to do things...from cleaning a toilet to tying knots, from pumping the gas to patching a bike tire, from cooking an omelet to mowing the lawn.  Hudson would want it to be known that he already knows how to mow - both the push and the riding kind. :) We talked about becoming someone people know they can count on...someone both competent and willing to work with a positive ATTITUDE.  I really, really want my kids to have positive attitudes. 



(Hudson and my dad last summer driving the Thing to the cabin.  Grandpa taught him to drive the John Deer. Spend anytime at all with my dad and he'll teach you how to work.  Then he'll spoil you with a big basket of fresh cut french fries or a thick creamy milk shake.)





We didn't just talk about doing things but also knowing things.  Learning to study and be interested in the  world - not just sports or video games.  Knowing that education is vitally important, as is doing your best.  We talked about how the more you learn the more confident you become.  About the importance of  trying/learning new things...possibly even an instrument?!   Oh, I would love that.

We discussed being respectful.  About how important it is to be able to relate with adults.  About being kind to people with all different personalities...without judging.


We talked a lot about building our faith and that trying to become who God wants us to become takes work and determination...especially these days.

And of course we talked about family.  That family is the joy of life.  About being supporters of each other - ALWAYS, ALWAYS. 

Responsibility, discipline, loyalty -  there is just so much to teach and be taught, isn't there?

I know this sounds like a lot - too much to discuss in one night.  Too much for little kids to understand.  But, maybe that is where I've been wrong.  Maybe I'm making things too easy on all of us...underestimating our potential.  The boys  listened, they talked and they actually seemed to agree.  I believe they may have even caught a glimpse of the family we could be...of the men they could grow into...if we try to be more and do more.  Their reaction encourages me to talk through these years.  Talk and talk.   

The things I listed sound so obvious don't they?  Things that should, of course, be a part of family life - but this just isn't always the case.  Times are busy - and when times aren't busy we are lazy.  When we were thinking of goals Brian and I couldn't help but compare our generation to the generation before us and the generation before that.  Those were (are) some good people - bursting with character.

Hard work, service, respect, kindness, competence, faith.  Yes, I definitely need to slow down and take some time to build character - character all around.

I don't know if any of this makes sense.  I'm definitely rambling.  And, I realize I didn't mention what specific goals we finally settled on...but I'm grateful for a fresh start. I want to be better.  I sometimes behave like this life is my dress rehearsal. But, I only get one chance.  One chance to raise my children. One chance at this little life of mine.  One chance to be and do what I was sent here for.

After setting goals we decided to bundle up and go for a winter walk before bed.  You know, be tough, battle the elements, BUILD CHARACTER.  :)  It was awesome and ended up full of mischief and laughter, because although we need to buckle down and get a bit more serious....there will always be plenty of fun at our house.  Plenty of time to just be a kid. 












I dedicate this post to 2011.  I appreciate so very much all you gave to us...I hope in 2012 we will do better at giving back.

New Years Eve 2011

Our New Years Eve traditions pretty much revolve around food and more food.  Why not end weeks of constant holiday eating with a bang?! We hit the same two spots each year. 

We head out in the early evening so that we can beat the crowds - and, frankly, not annoy as many people.

Destination? Our favorite Japanese Steakhouse...where we tend to go for most special occasions (we have a different favorite spot for non-special occasions). We were lucky to have a table all to ourselves so we could laugh and talk and be silly...we are good at all of those things. 



We talked about where we will have the four wives sit one day and decided we will have to reserve a couple of tables to fit all of us. We asked the boys how many children they want to have.  Hudson (3 - "Because I'm not crazy."), Owen (100), Jude (10). We noticed there were two empty spots at our table that would be perfect for our own boy number 5 and boy number 6 and the boys cheered - Yes! Yes! And Brian and I cheered - No!  No!  Then we figured that one day, when the kids have families, there may be so many of us that we will fill the whole restaurant...and I'm sure Brian's mind wandered to how much that will cost him!

In my dreams I will have my family around me like that (and our parents will live forever and be a part of it all)...but I know that kids grow up, move away, start their own traditions and things change, darn it. 

And so I'm trying to soak up all this togetherness while it's here in front of me.  But - I can still dream.


People always get a kick out of our family - even without us giving them reason.  Just one look at us with all these little boys sparks laughter and conversation everywhere we go. 


Jude kept grinning at me each time I got out the camera.  I'm thinking he was happy.


Hudson has become pretty good at catching the shrimp when the chef tosses it to him.  Look at Owen's face - he is staring at the chef thinking, "Don't you dare ask me to catch that shrimp.  I'd rather die than put a shrimp in my mouth." 


But....after Owen politely said  "no thank you" several times the chef WOULD NOT give up and threw that shrimp right at Owen. Owen just cringed and let that puppy hit him in the forehead and bounce to the floor. We all laughed.  Owen sighed and had the hee-bee-gee-bee chills for a second.  Then he happily returned to his fried rice. 


Quinn is never this still at a restaurant.  I love it. 


He thought he should stand up and eat so that he could see the action better. 



After our yummy meal we tried to take a picture that said farewell to 2011.
Hudson has the 2
Owen has the 0 
Jude has the 1 
Quinn is trying to get the other 1


Quinn is still trying to get the 1...
It's kind of confusing when we have all been making him practice showing off his 2 this year!
(Hudson cracked up when he saw this picture of himself.)



And because we must end with desert...

Destination? Krispy Kreme. Hot Donuts Now! 




Oh, this is good.








I could stand here and watch that frosting all day. 


Let the wild rumpus start.











Brian - voted best dad of 2011. 



And all of this before 7:30pm.  The night was still young!  We had lots more fun ahead of us, but I was too tuckered out (or maybe it was the food coma) to capture any of it!  I also didn't want to annoy a bunch of boys by taking constant pictures...but now I wish I had. 


I dedicate this to a wonderful New Years Eve.
The night left my belly full - and my heart even FULLER.

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!