The Elf on the Shelf (or in other words, the night Anna finally lost it)

So, I had just crawled into bed, gloated about not having to set my alarm (hands down, the best thing about vacation), turned out my lamp, snuggled down under my down comforter (yes, I know I live in Houston and its like 60 degrees outside and only a crazy person would sleep with a down comforter. I am officially a crazy person. It is now official.), and shut my eyes, when I remembered that our dear little elf friend was still sitting on the mantel, where he got placed after the kids found him this morning.....so I got up, found my list of "elfish" (elvish? elfin?) activities, suitably arranged the elf, took pictures (which  someday, maybe by the time Kate goes to college, I will blog) and am now headed back to bed. This elf might kill me off before Christmas gets here. And, when I try to make myself feel better by reminding myself that it (Megan says its a girl, Jared insists its a boy, thus, it is an it) will only be with us for 6 more nights, the next thought is that it will come back next year. And the next year and the next year and.....

(Does anyone else find it ironic that I got out of my nice, warm, soft bed to tuck the elf into bed in Megan's barbie doll house?)

Thanksgiving 2011

Goodness, November went by fast! One second it was just beginning, and the next, it was December!

Thanksgiving was wonderful. Here are some highlights:

We went to my sister, Eleanor's house in San Antonio. Two of my cousins and their families joined us. It was so great to be surrounded by family.

All of the kids played great together. For the most part, they all got along the whole time. It was so relaxing! Before dinner, Eleanor had a fun craft for the kids to make. She provided toothpicks and gumdrops and marshmallows, and the kids provided the creativity. In theory, they were supposed to make turkeys, but we had some amazing robots and aliens along with our birds. I think the best part was getting to pull the creations apart and eating the pieces.

The food was delicious and decedent and abundant, just like Thanksgiving should be. Travis cooked the turkey - he had a butcher cut it up for him, and he used several different methods and recipes so there was something for everyone. Everyone seemed to love the BBQ rubbed turkey breast the best.

My favorite part was the pies. The PIES! Oh, the pies.....Have I mentioned how much I love Thanksgiving? I am grateful for pie. And for homemade ice cream and homemade caramel sauce (Thanks Jonathan!!!) to go with them. (I TOLD you it was decedent. Y'all are invited next year.) Sorry I didn't get many pictures of dessert - I was too busy eating.

After dinner we all went to the park. That's one of the best parts of living in the south. The weather was GORGEOUS! The kids had a great time playing football, climbing on rocks, chasing each other around.

What a wonderful day!

Sitting with Santa

This was the first year that there were no tears while sitting on Santa's lap. I thought Kate might cry, but she was very blasé about the whole thing.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Juggling shrimp and knives

The kids hadn't ever been to a teppan table type restaurant, so we took them to Kobe Japanese Steakhouse. It was so fun to watch their reaction to the chef as he tossed his knives around and lit things on fire. Megan liked the ginger dressing on the salad and Jared loved the shrimp. Kate slurped the onion soup and then went to sleep. She missed the flaming onions and everything.

Grateful Tuesday: (Friday, November 11, 2011)

So yes, I know I typically post this on Tuesday. Or maybe on Wednesday. And I know that today is Friday. This week has totally gotten away from me. Sick kids, sick husband, life has been crazy. But I couldn't let this week go by without saying how thankful I am for my family. Today, particularly my sweet son.

Jared came home sick on Wednesday. He was feeling pretty yucky, climbed right into bed and slept the afternoon away. Yesterday he was feeling better, but still running a fever. School policy says that kids have to be fever free for 24 hours, so even though he is all better, I kept him home again today.

This afternoon, I was really tired, so after putting the baby down for a nap, I laid down as well. When I went to sleep, Jared was happily watching a TV show. When I woke up, the TV was off and the house was quiet. Jared was sitting in the recliner reading a book. I asked him what he had been doing while I slept. He said, "I made Megan's bed for her and folded her laundry because I wanted to do service. Service makes me think about Jesus and everything He did for us. Doing service makes me feel closer to Jesus." After that, he played with Kate, rocked her and fed her a bottle, and made my bed for me.

I am so grateful for Jared's example. And for his gentle reminder about the importance of service. (And yes, I took him to Ritters after Kate got up - that kind of behavior should be rewarded, don't you think?)

Elementary Fall Carnival 2011

 We had a great time at the kids' school fall carnival.

Jared was brave enough to give the Mechanical Bull a ride. He was nervous, but he did great.

Megan had fun getting her face painted, her nails done, and her hair sprayed blue (are you sensing a theme here?)

Kate was just happy to be outside. She loved seeing all the bright lights and the crazy kids running around.

Travis volunteered to run one of the games for part of the night. He got to stack metal milk jugs and chase baseballs for an hour. He was a good sport about it.

How Can I Keep From Singing?

I know it's early for a post about Christmas, but bear with me. I'm excited. :D

I have always loved to sing. Always. I think I got that from my mom. Singing is one of my most vivid memories of her.

When I was in school - both high school and college, I sang every single day. Not just singing in the shower or along with the radio while driving. Seriously singing challenging music. Stretching. Growing. Learning. Being part of a group. Making something beautiful.

It's been a long time since I've felt that way. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE what I'm doing right now. I love my live. I love being a mom, being home with Kate. I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING. And I know that someday (not too distant future) I'll have more time to be part of a group again. And this Christmas, I get just a little hint of that feeling. I'm singing with the Katy Stake/Epiphany Church Christmas choir. And I'm so excited. It's exciting to be handed a stack of music, sit down, and be expected to sing it. It's thrilling to follow some very talented conductors. It's exciting.

Here are recordings for two of the songs we are singing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXfzp296zhA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7WdQ1xSkk4

The concert will be on Sunday, December 11 at 7:30 PM at the Epiphany Church, if you are interested in attending. You should come - it will be wonderful.

Jared's Riding his Bike!

Grandpa Mark and Grandma Suzanne bought Jared a big-boy bike when they were here in September. Now that it's cooled down, he's been working hard to learn to ride it. Really, all he needs is a little more confidence.

Grateful Tuesday: November 1, 2011

I meant to write this post last week, but time got away from me. Two weeks ago, my great-aunt Gertrude passed away. She was in her nineties, so it wasn't really unexpected, but it made me a little sad, just the same. Sad because my kids won't grow up knowing her, sad because we can't stop to visit her when we are in Utah. Gertrude gave me a place to live while I was in college and couldn't handle living with my crazy, messed up roommates any longer. She didn't bat an eye when I asked to move in, spur of the moment. She gave me stability and security. Travis and I met while I was living with her, and we spent lots of evenings hanging out in her living room, chatting, playing games, while she cracked walnuts.

I was so glad to be able to travel to Utah for the funeral. My sweet husband and wonderful friends took care of everything. In addition to going to the funeral, I got to spend time with two of my sisters, Grandma and Grandpa Greenland, Grandma and Grandpa Mansfield, and all of Travis's siblings. It was wonderful to see them all and I'm glad they re-arranged their schedules (I think meeting Kate might have something to do with that!).

I also got to see some beautiful fall foliage. The trees in Houston don't really change colors. The grass is still green and the flowers are still blooming, so it doesn't really feel like fall. But the trees were GORGEOUS in Orem. Everywhere we went I saw bright orange and red. And the light is just better in the fall. I don't know if it's the angle of the sun or what, but everything has a golden hue.

Although Aunt Gertrude isn't here any more, I am grateful for my testimony of my Heavenly Father's plan. I now that families are eternal, and that someday I'll get to give her a giant hug.

Megan's Birthday - Post #2

So eventually, Megan did get her birthday party. I am just such a slacker I'm getting around to blogging about it now.

She wanted to have a pajama/pizza party and watch a movie. But she didn't want to actually MAKE the pizza. And she wanted to watch a movie that all of the girls had seen a million times already. And she didn't want to play games or anything. So it made for an interesting night. But I think everyone had fun. Megan was thrilled, so that's what's important, right?

I'm so glad she has such wonderful friends!

Travis's Company Weekend Retreat

So, life got away from me and I'm playing catch-up again. This post is from the first part of October.

Every year, Travis's company hosts a weekend for all employees at a resort in Louisiana. This year, they had a fishing tournament, a golf tournament (Travis's team won second place!), and a carnival for the kids. Megan and Jared were in absolute heaven - games, bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals, ceramics and crafts, a magic show. Add a pony ride and you have fulfilled just about every child's fantasy.

 Poor Kate got so tired, she finally fell asleep in the stroller, which I pushed under the table to keep her out of the way.

Travis bought Megan and Jared each their own driver and putter, so we also took them to the driving range for a little while. I think they ate going to grow up to be golfers just like their daddy (unlike me, who's favorite part of golf is driving the cart from spot to spot and reading a book between holes).

All in all, it was just really fun to get out of town and have a relaxing weekend.

Halloween 2011 Festivities

This year for Halloween, Jared wanted to be a Jedi*. He was thrilled with the costume Travis got him. Megan wanted to be a Fairy-Ballerina**. She loved her poofy tutu I found for her. And Kate got to be a lion because that was the hand-me-down costume that fit. (And because she would be cute in pretty much anything.)

On Friday, we went to the church Trunk-or-Treat party. The kids had a lot of fun running around with their friends in their costumes.

 Travis said he felt like Jack Hanna while holding her. :D

 Then in Saturday, we went to a party with some friends. Jared was excited to dress up, but the rest of us were feeling kind of lame. After seeing all of the fun costumes people were wearing, I am TOTALLY dressing up next year. I haven't worn a costume in years, but I will next year. Heck, I'll even try to talk Travis into doing it with me. :D Even though we didn't dress up, we still had fun playing games, eating waaaaaay too much, and just hanging out.

Last night we had dinner and went trick-or-treating with the Thomas family because no one goes trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. Seriously. If you combined all three years, we've had maybe 10 people come. So we are neighborhood hopping. (Not that I have neighborhood envy or anything.)
All in all, although it isn't my favorite holiday***, its been fun.

*Although he was thrilled with the costume, he refused to carry the red light saber that he already owned (the costume didn't come with one). And Travis TOTALLY sided with him when I said it was ridiculous to buy a new light saber. And then, when I bought a green one, he told me that he really needed a blue one to go with that costume...but he consented to carry the green one (I think he knew I was close to losing it, lol). Did you know that different colored light sabers mean different things? Cuz I didn't. 
**Actually, she wanted to be a Fairy-Ballarina-Mermaid-Princess. When her mermaid costume from a few years ago didn't fit, I made her simplify. I'm glad that Kate was satisfied with her costume...Or maybe she just couldn't express her displeasure...Sigh.
***I promise I haven't tried to skew my kids' opinion of Halloween, but about half way through the Trunk-or-Treat, Megan said to me, "So basically we get dressed up and walk around and beg for stuff? That's it? This is the stupidist holiday ever." And I was so proud.

Bowling with the Thomas Family

We had sooooo much fun bowling with the Thomas family! The kids made it through about half a game before getting bored and running off. The grown-ups played two. If low score wins (hey - it works in golf, right?), I am a total bowling rock star. :D

 I love watching Jared bowl - his balls tend to go up, up, up. He hasn't gotten the whole "roll-it-forward" concept yet. It cracks me up.

  By the end, we stopped using bowling balls and started using children***. Just as effective.

We'll have to do it again soon.

***Just a joke. Really. We didn't toss any kids. I promise. Really.