Merry Christmas to ALL and to all a LONG post

Grab a Diet Coke and a bag of popcorn, this post will take you a while to read (sorry) . . .

Friends Christmas Party

JoRae, Lindsay, Jamie, me, Jessica Edmunds, Cami, Cole Jessica Crayk, Mandy, Krista (Cami trying to sneak into the pic)

The Holidays don't really start until we have our Annual Friends Christmas Party. This year did not disappoint. I don't think I've laughed so hard all year long! I love my friends. I, of course, forgot my camera, so I had to steal these pictures from Jessica's blog. Thanks everyone, it's just what I needed at that time. So, everyone asked me to post the recipe for the white bean chili that I brought. Here it is:

1 lb chicken breasts, boneless/skinless, cubed

1 medium onion, chopped (I just used onion flakes)

1 1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

2-15 1/2 oz cans great northern beans, rinsed, drained

14 1/2 oz chicken broth

2-4 oz cans chopped green chilies

1 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup whipping cream (weird, I know)

In a large saucepan, saute chicken, onion and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in sour cream and whipping cream (you may need to reheat it a little bit). Serve immediately.

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MY BABY!Photos courtesy of the talented JoRae. I totally spaced writing about Cole's 6 month appointment (and since he is still technically 6 months for a few more days I thought it wasn't too late). I'm not a scrapbooker or a journal writer. So, if I don't write it here, it doesn't get documented. Cole weighed 19 lbs 11 oz was was 27.5 inches tall, which puts him in the 80th percentile for both. He is sitting on his own but still not rolling??? He LOVES his daddy more than anyone else in the whole world! His 2 bottom teeth popped through about a week before he turned 6 months. He has started eating baby food, but isn't quite sure about it (especially green beans). He still loves his binky and can successfully put it back in his mouth now. He still can't hold his own bottle (arrghhh). He loves it when people growl at him and will reward them with a great big smile. We finally stopped swaddling him last week (I know, we're slow to give it up), but he is actually sleeping better than ever. He has no clue about Christmas, but loves looking at the lights on the Christmas tree. Oh, we love him! He was the best part of 2008!

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Are you SERIOUS? A snow day???

Alex and Rachel playing in the snow (our kids were the only ones with snowsuits!)

That's about 2 1/2 inches, folks! (Go CrossLand Mortgage!)

Our poor palm tree!

The official snow removal guy

So, growing up in the Midwest, a snow day was REALLY a snow day. Snow drifts as tall as I was and undrivable streets. Even in Salt Lake, a true snow storm can be treacherous. But this? This storm closed the schools in Washington County. I wanted to laugh when I heard the news. Oh well, the kids had fun playing in the snow, coming in for hot chocolate, and staying home from school.

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ADULTS ONLY!

For those of you hoping I'd post pictures of a topless beach, or something, get your mind out of the gutter! We had to opportunity to go out to dinner as just adults last weekend. My family is the best! We have all had a rough year and it makes you realize just how important family is. Stuff is just stuff, but family is forever. I love to spend time with my family (especially when there isn't 5 million kids running around) but we missed not having the Andersons and the Larsens there. I can't wait until the annual New Years Eve party!

Me and Jason

Jen and Zoolander (I mean Nate)

Mom and Dad

Jon and Kate
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No Self Control!

Is there something wrong with this picture? Look close.

This is Alex's Kissmas Countdown (cheesy, I know)

And this would be Rachel's

Rachel just couldn't help herself. She was REALLY quiet one afternoon. Jason went into her room to discover about 15 empty Hershey Kiss wrappers. Hey, at least she saved the Santa to eat on Christmas day!

Happy and Safe Holidays to you all!

This boot was made for WALKING . . .

Holy Sh*t and Hallelujah! I'm a walking woman again! It still kinda hurts, but I'll take it. Goodbye scooter, hello freedom. Can you tell I'm excited about it? Just thought I'd share the good news.

I couldn't resist the Elf Fun!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

It's the African Anteating Ritual!

One of my very favorite movies of ALL time was on TV last night . . . "Can't Buy Me Love"! I can't even tell you how excited I was to see that it was going to be on. I recorded it and when the kids went to bed, I watched it. Jason moussed in about half way through, and I think he liked it too. I think this movie takes a close 2nd to the movie I've watched the most in my lifetime (the 1st is "The Little Mermaid", my sister Kate and I watched it everyday one summer). It has the best lines in it (which I recited daily in high school) and the star of the show is Patrick Dempsy. I wanted to be just like Cindy Mancini and drive a white VW rabbit when I was younger! It really is a classic. Some of my favorite lines are:

• Oh, cards with the tards. Who could beat a night of cards, chips, dips and dorks?
• Something stinks in suburbia!
• . . . she gives more rides than Greyhound!
• You S#*t on my house!
• He went from totally geek to totally chic!
• Look . . . it's a nerd herd!
  

And, of course the famous African Anteating Ritual Dance . . .

Dang it!

Alright, I haven't cried yet, but I'm sure it will come. At my doctor appt today he informed me it will still be 2 more weeks before he'll let me have a walking boot. Thanks for all your chants in my behalf yesterday . . . apparently you didn't do it loud enough though.

So, I'm just gonna HAVE to work out a system where I can move Cole around. I need my life back. I am SOOOOOOO appreciative of all the help I've received thus far, I am just used to being alone from time to time and I haven't gotten that in over a month now.

At least I got some good news, I got the thumbs up from my doc to go to SLC next week. So, Jess, wash the sheets, I'm coming . . . scooter and all!

Walking boot, walking boot, walking boot

This is my chant for today. Please join in the chant with me. Tomorrow is my 2nd post-op appt from my 2nd surgery. If he doesn't put me in a walking boot, I think I'll just cry me little eyes out!

walking boot, walking boot, walking boot . . .

p.s. I have some pics of my foot, but they aren't uploaded yet. Jason calls my foot the 'Hulk Foot' so if you can just imagine that - plus I haven't washed it since the night before my 2nd surgery . . . it smells HORRENDOUS!

Thanksgiving Memories

Yesterday seemed, well, just not like Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong. We had the delish turkey dinner over at my parent's house, but it just wasn't the same this year. I know that Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the things that you are grateful for, but I just wasn't feeling it yesterday. So, I started thinking about years past and my mind takes me back 24 years to 1984 . . .

(Don't laugh)

Since we lived in Iowa and had no other family around, my Mom was always the one who cooked the big Thanksgiving dinner. We had some fun traditions that I have tried to pass down to my children. We always woke up and watched the 'Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade' on TV. My mom would make a cheese ball served with Sociables crackers. We would always have a new puzzle to put together that would take all day long and into the night, but we would finish on that day. Another tradition . . . candles on the table with Thanksgiving decorations.

That year, the decor involved a dried flower arrangement. Well, my older sisters started to show off saying that they could stick their finger in the fire of the candle without it burning them. They all took their turns sweeping their finger through the flame. My mom kept telling them to stop, but they didn't. Then it was my turn. I wanted to be just like my older sisters. So, I reached to do it too. However, I misjudged a hair and instead of sweeping my finger through the flame, I knocked the candle over . . . right into the dried flower arrangement that blew up in flames in about 1/2 second. My mom started freaking out and my dad grabbed it, threw in onto the kitchen floor, and stomped it out. Well, my dad had just gotten a cast off his foot the day before (he broke the same exact bone in his foot that I did . . only running, not just being clumsy) and had to stomp the flames out with that foot. He was SERIOUSLY mad. I got sent to my room for the rest of the day. I remember sitting on my bed and just sobbing and sobbing. I can't even remember if I got to eat Thanksgiving dinner or not, but I KNOW that I didn't get to help put the puzzle together and that was something I would look forward to all year.

I will never live this story down. It is brought up year after year . . . as it was again yesterday. I guess one of the things I am grateful for this year is humor, because without it, life wouldn't be very fun. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Round 2, Round 2 . . . What'ca Gonna Do???

First off, I must say that Jason is still working! A few other people at his work quit, so they were able to keep him on for the time being. We are just taking it a day at a time, anyways.....

Many of you probably already know that surgery #1 was unsuccessful. I am no longer "screwed" because the dang thing popped out. Last Thursday I went in for surgery #2. This time it was a bit more complicated. I can't even really tell you what they did, except it involved 2 pins and some wire (and it hurts quite a bit more).So, I'm down again. Bedrest until Tuesday and then more of the same. I really can't thank everyone who has helped me and my family enough! I am pretty independent and it's hard to rely on others to do normal, simple, mundane tasks such as getting lunch for your kids or changing the clothes from the washer to the dryer. My mom and mother-in-law have saved us!


I have down times and I know that if I let myself, I could get really depressed but I'm not gonna let that happen. In following our Prophet's words, I have been trying to find "Joy in the Journey". So, here it is . . .

My Top 10 Reason's why breaking your foot doesn't TOTALLY STINK:

1. I only have to shave one leg . . . therefore cutting my shaving time in HALF!
2. I get to wear Pajama's all day long and nobody questions it.
3. I have gone from changing 95% of Cole's diapers to about 5%!
4. The last time I had to cook diner for my family was Oct 30th.
5. My mom is a clean FREAK and since she has been staying with me all day long, my house has never been cleaner.
6. I "had" to stop breastfeeding.
7. I am encourage to take a nice long nap in the afternoon while my children are being looked after by someone else.
8. Temporary handicap parking pass, need I say more?
9. Mama got a new scooter!

(This scooter replaced my crutches)

10. I get to ride one of these at the store:

(Cell phone picture)

My husband has been the BEST! He has just stepped up and become "Mommy" and "Daddy" when he is home without a complaint. I really appreciate it! Thanks Jace!

Rachel turns 4!

Today is Rachel's 4th birthday. She is such a sweet girl! She loves giving hugs and kisses. She is always carrying some little purse or bag around with her, stuffed with little things inside. She is messy and hates cleaning up. She could sit in the bath tub for an hour pretending she's Ariel. She loves her baby's and is always singing to them. She loves going to preschool and doing her homework (why does preschool have homework???). She is always putting on dress-ups (she is currently in her batgirl costume with a crown on - huh?). She hates "healfy" food, but will probably like it when she gets "owder". If she could, she would wear a dress everyday . . . but not any old dress, it has to be long like a princess. She is ALWAYS singing a song - ususally a made-up song. We LOVE her! Happy Birthday Rachie!

My sweet little newborn Rachel



1st Birthday

2nd Birthday

3rd Birthday

I Love Chubby Babies!

First off, I have been trying for HOURS to get blogger to upload this video and it just doesn't like it. So, you have to click on the little movie icon in the lower left hand corner to see it. Sorry for the trouble folks!

This is my cute little Cole taking a bath. This kid loves to kick and splash in the tub. He is finally starting to laugh and play with toys. He puts EVERYTHING in his mouth. He doesn't like to stay in one place for too long (but makes to effort to move on his own . . . thank goodness!) He doesn't have any teeth yet, but we will be glad when they finally pop through.

He has had a rough week with his mom not being able to carry him around and being weaned from the boob (we decided he didn't need all that Lortab and Motrin that his mom has been taking). He has been lucky to have both his grandma's spoiling him all week long.

You may notice Rachel screaming in the background. This is a common noise in our house!

I'm Screwed!

That's right, this is my new hardware. After I went to the Dr. on Monday, I found out that I broke my 5th metatarsal at a very interesting place. The tendon that attaches to this bone was attached to a small fragment that had completely broken off. So, they had to go in on Thursday to re-attach this fragment to the rest of the bone and therefore re-attach the tendon. I am on complete bedrest until Monday and then have a follow-up with my doc. After the surgery was over, the Dr. talked to Jason and told him that I will most likely be in a walking boot in 2 weeks! I'm so excited I can't even tell you!

This accident couldn't have happened at a worse time for us. On Monday, we also found out that Jason will only be employed until the 15th of this month. With the construction business the way it is, this came as no surprise to us, but it is still hard news to swallow. At this time, our health insurance will also end. With me being unable to work right now, I'm afraid we will be without insurance . . . it's so frustrating! I have always been a "the cup is half full", turn lemons into lemonade, positive type of person. And I still feel at peace inside about our situation, but I just wanted to put it out there that if any of you reading this know of ANY jobs, PLEASE let me know! This is the hardest working man you will ever meet and he is a quick learner . . . the kind of guy you want working for you!

I.AM.A.BIG.DORK.

Alright, I was planning on doing a cute little post on our Halloween today. Instead, I get to post about what a big nerd I am. My niece Annie was baptised yesterday and we went to Jen & Nate's house afterwards for dinner. As we were leaving around 7:00 pm I stepped off the curb and my foot twisted in my shoe. I fell down and felt a SNAP. I sat there for a second a little stunned about what just happened, cried a little, and then got up an hobbled to the car. I could feel the pain coming on in my foot, but was trying to be tough. When we got home, I tried walking around on it, but it got to the point that I couldn't even step on it. I looked down and there was a great big lump on the side of my foot. Long story short, after a quick trip to the Instacare, I found out that I broke a bone in my left foot. Not only broke it, but crushed it! AWESOME! I can't bear any weight on it. I have a temporary cast, and will probably have to have surgery on it. I can deal with the pain, but the worst part is that I can't carry Cole around. What am I gonna do???? I'm sure we'll work something out.



Here are some cute Halloween pictures anyway . . .

Alex, I mean Hulk, at his school Halloween Parade




My little Sock Monkey


Sleeping Beauty

Alex and Rachel on the neighborhood Halloween train

Trick or Treating!

Alex carved his own pumpkin this year (far left), Rachel designed hers, and Cole doesn't even know what a pumpkin is!

Happy Halloween!

If this doesn't creep you out, I'm not sure what will! For all of you who didn't post a recipe from my tag, he will be tappity tapping his way into your bedroom tonight!

P.S. This is really a MAN and he is trying to be creepy!

Happy Birthday Jen!!!

It's my OLDEST sister's birthday today. We all love this skit in our family. Sadly to say, I think I'm the last sister . . .

Alex is 6!

On October 25th 2002, 6 years ago, my life changed forever! At 1 :46 pm, after 5 1/2 hours of labor, my sweet baby Alex was born. Weighing in at 9 lbs 4 oz he surprised everyone with his size. He was such a good baby. He rarely cried, slept really well, and brought so much joy into his parents lives.

Now, 6 years later, he still surprises us with his size and continues to bring us joy. He: is full of energy, LOVES playing with friends, can't get enough treats, loves school and learning, still cuddles with his mom, is so cute and helpful with his little brother Cole, constantly teases his sister Rachel, loves to ride his NEW bike, loves to play video games, is really good at drawing pictures, would live outside if I let him, is extremely strong-willed, has a little bit of a temper problem, has already lost his 2 bottom teeth and re-grown them, begs for sleep-overs with his grandma, will actually eat healthy food without being asked, etc. He's a great kid and we're glad he's ours. Happy birthday bud!

Alex's 1st Birthday

2nd Birthday

3rd Birthday

4th Birthday

5th Birthday

6th Birthday - riding his new bike!

I just have to comment that my cake decorating skills have gotten worse with time, not better. Oh well, his 6th birthday cake was supposed to be a scary face . . . I don't see how splitting down the middle makes it any less scary, right???