Pictures From Thanksgiving Week...and This Morning

Last week can pretty much be summed up in one picture...

 Yep, that is reading 4 degrees.

It was stinking cold!!

 Carter lost his top front tooth.

His smile is cracking me up.  His other front tooth is loose at the moment, and I'm trying my hardest to teach him the words to "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth."  He's not going for it.

 Two of my nieces, who will remain nameless, went after a few of my nephews with permanent marker.  They were only trying to express their Thanksgiving Indian war paint creativity.

However...after two good scrubbings with soap and one with rubbing alcohol, the braves' faces didn't come clean.  I keep forgetting to ask my sister if they are paint free yet.

Our Thanksgiving meal was spectacular as always.

But by looking and Colby's plate you would never know it.

I've have categorized Colby's dietary habits into what could be considered medieval prison.

Bread and water- thats it.

...but it was really easy to wash his plate. 

 Seriously, how can one meal make this much clean up?

It was worth it.

Along with the 4 degree temperatures, there has been lots of snow and even more wind.

Because we have empty fields all around us, there was a two foot drift in front of our driveway this morning.  If it wasn't for Steve's 4 wheel drive, we would have been snowed in.  

Luckily, someone complained to the city and this awesome snowplow cleared out the road around 9:30 this morning. 

I'm liking the city today.

...and yes, I am just that lame and bored apparently because I have nothing better to do on a Monday morning than to take pictures of a snow plow in the front yard...while still wearing my pjs.

If only I would have been eating a chocolate chip cookie at the same time.

Maybe tomorrow.

Walker Thanksgiving Bowl-o-rama

It's tradition.

When we Walkers get together for the holidays it almost always involves a trip to Ceder Lanes for bowling and pizza.

...and it's Dad and Uncle Jareds' treat.  (awesome)

Mom and Dad

Jared and crew.  

Aunt Cara was Black Friday shopping...she's brave.

Um...I wonder what football team they like?

It's so hard to guess sometimes.

The Johnsons.

We were so sad to see them leave.

We can NEVER get enough time with this family!

Us

 The Muscle Men.

 The Say Say

Mom, Dad and Jared, thank you so much for such a wonderful time.

Steve smoked me two games in a row.  We will definitely never forget this bowling trip!

Snow Day, Second Birthday Cake and Chocolate

I only remember one or two snow days in my entire childhood education here in Twin Falls.

For there to be a snow day declared, there has to be the perfect amount of snow and wind...and the planets have to align...and pigs have to fly...and you get the idea.

Snow days in Twin are RARE.

And we had one today.

It's been great.

It has practically been a blizzard most of the day and there is no way any of us are going to leave the house.  Except for Steve because after all his patients canceled for the day, he came home and took Andrew to the doctor for a raging case of croup.  Fun Fun.

So if we weren't sick (again) and if it wasn't so blasted cold and windy, I firmly believe the boys would be outside participating in the ultimate WT sledding extravaganza like they did Saturday.

Here are pictures to prove it.

The field behind our house makes the perfect sledding course.

Colby was smart and stayed in the warm truck.

 And Saylor didn't miss out either.

(I hesitate to even post this picture because it proves what delinquent parents we are.  In our defense, it's not like Steve was driving on any roads or over five miles an hour.)

Check our the matching expressions on father and daughter.

Nuts!  My daughter is going to want to drive this vehicle.

And for my sisters, here are the pictures I promised of Saylor's official birthday party.

The color is off...but you get the idea.  

Her rainbow cake actually worked out!

s

 There was no hesitation, Saylor knew exactly what to do.

Two cakes?  I have set the standard for her birthdays way too high.

Last but not least, I've had questions about the kind of chocolate I use at Christmas time to make candy.

This is it- all 10 pounds of it.

It's worth every penny. 

Trust me.

It can be found at Swensens here in Twin and I know Orson Gigi sells it in Salt Lake.

Now that I have mine already, feel free to go pick some up!

Ultimate Birthday Challenge

The Battle

Cake vs Birthday Girl

It wasn't even a contest!

Happy Birthday Saylor Girl!

We love you!

Some of the things that your are doing as a one year old are...

Sleeping through the night.

Saying DA! (daddy)

Playing with your brothers.

Pulling apart the drawers, my wallet, buckets of toys...whatever you can get your hands in.

Trying new foods everyday.

Barking like a puppy.

Taking only one step...and then sitting down.

Crying when you are bored at home, but loving drives in the car and rides in shopping carts.

Giving huge smoochy kisses.

Just cut your third tooth.

Pretending everything is a phone and saying Hello.

Pretending to brush your hair and put in your own hair bows.

Dragging around your baby doll and giving her loves.

Charming your parents into giving everything you want!  You're spoiled!

Two things...

#1

I get a lot of magazines lately.  Who knows why really.

I throw most of them in the trash because they make me want to buy stuff.

Today was no exception.

Today I received my first American Girl Doll magazine since I've had Saylor.

It was intoxicating. 

My daughter turns one on Thursday and I already want to buy me a doll for her.

Yes, I typed that correctly. 

I want to buy ME a doll for HER.

(This of course is in addition to the Madame Alexander baby girl doll with darling brown hair at the Imagination Station that is going out of business.  It's 25% off.  Shouldn't I just buy it???)

Tonight, I must shamefully admit that I got on the American Girl Doll website and "designed my own"...oh I mean Saylor's own doll.  It has dark brown eyes with brown hair...and I picked out a cute red dress to go with her.  I passed on the glasses (Salor has a grandpa and uncle who are optometrists- she will wear contacts) and headgear accessories, but I did take a second look at the ski outfit.  It even came with a helmet for safety!  I think Steve will not roll his eyes as much if the doll is wearing a ski outfit.  And did I mention you can buy pj's for your daughter that match her dolls pj's??

This company is sick. 

As am I.

My only saving grace is that my husband has his own toy intoxications.

I showed him my doll...and he showed me his RC Land Cruiser.

I wonder if the RC Land Cruiser could come with matching licence plates to his real Land Cruiser.

Then he and his RC Cruiser could go for a drive in the real Cruiser with me and my (oh I mean Saylor's)  doll wearing matching pj's.

We would be so cool.

#2

Blog invite etiquette.

I am the biggest hypocrite ever, but I hate private blogs.

Because...I am a stalker.

How do you email someone you barely know and tell them you want an invite to their blog that is soon to go private without seeming really creepy?

"Um...hello...you dont' know me or remember me...but you were friends with my siblings, or we may have gone to the same elementary school, or I saw you once in the grocery store or I had a crush on your husband in middle school...and I stalk your blog without you knowing.  Or, I found your blog off a friends blog roll and I like to read your blog because I find you...funny...ridiculous...inspiring....I want to gossip about you with my sisters...you know something like that.

But don't worry I'm not crazy or anything...I just want an invite to your blog so I can continue to stalk you."

Is it ok to leave a comment like that along with my email?

Just curious.

all five projects finished-I've been productive

#1

Guilted my husband into installingwire and hanging temple picture I made at Super Saturday two weeks ago.

We needed this in our home.

I'm crazy happy to have and Idaho Falls temple picture I actually like. 

#2

Started and finished family picture wall in basement.

(Yes, I know this is so "Mormon" of me...but I love it anyway.)

#3

 Cleaned up family room and rearranged furniture.

This included moving hideous bookshelf out of sight and into under stairs closet.

Painted frame on my ten year old Greg Olsen picture of Christ.

I realize this picture might be considered extremely "late 90's" but painting the frame is WAY cheaper than purchasing a new picture.

I'm saving my cash for other areas.  :)

#4

Basement Christmas Tree

 (notice the lack of ornaments on the bottom foot of the tree.  Love ya Say Say.)

#5

Upstairs Christmas Tree

I like gobby over-decorated trees.

How I felt after all five projects were finished.

differences in parenting

Steve and I are working tirelessly to teach Saylor lifetime skills.

It's never too early to start.

Steve's focus is on Saylor's RC technique.

She is coming along marvelously.

My focus is more on a nurturing level.

It's easy to see which skill is clicking with Saylor.

She looks like Steve, why not act like him too.

 ...and these pictures are only because I think Saylor's smile is ridiculously adorable.

...and the graham cracker crumbs are just a bonus.

Soldiers and Girlfriends

The boys were out of school today so obviously they had to come up with something creative to do.

Playing soldier was the ticket, complete with backpack parachutes.

Got to love the camo pj bottoms paired with color coordinating snow boots.

Carter wasn't quite so lucky with his options of soldier attire.

But he's working it anyway.

Jumping out of planes can actually be done in the front yard...who knew?

With school being out I didn't have to run to the school a million times-it was wonderful.

Staying in my pj's all day was even more wonderful.

However, for being home all day I would think I would get more accomplished.  Nope, apparently not.

I've started or need to start about five projects- one of them is putting up the Christmas trees. 

 (I had a burst of energy that has since left.  Curses.)

I'm realizing why I don't start projects.  I have a difficult time getting them finished.

So at the moment, loose threads are all over my house and the kids, bless their little souls, have asked maybe a hundred time when we are going to put the ornaments on the Christmas trees.

I'm thinking if the ornaments get on by December 15th it will be a miracle.

On a totally different note...no really...totally different, have I mentioned that Steve has a girlfriend?

I'm not too upset because lets face it...

She's wider than me,

louder than me,

and smellier than me.

However, she is a year younger than me. 

I have issues with that.

And...

Steve has definitely spent more on her "bling".

...but do I really want a vanity plate nailed to my arse?

No not really.

Steve is in love.

He is bound and determined to never buy himself another vehicle.

I luckily don't share his sentiment.

To keep his girlfriend running well he is spending a lot of time researching parts and upgrades on the Internet.

Tonight I sarcastically asked him to help out his wife instead of spending time with his girlfriend.

He's now downstairs hanging a picture.

Take that BMPYTRK.

This wife will win every time.

Pizza Dinner

I've perfected the art of pizza making-at least the way my family likes it.

It requires a pizza stone, crust from scratch and a 425 degree oven.

It's considered a "regular" at our house, mostly because my kids don't complain when I make it.

Tonight I desired a non-complaining dinner, so pizza is what we had.

It was a great end to a lazy Sunday.

And speaking of dinner and other meals, I'm sadly realizing how my entire world revolves around them.  I'm either thinking of what to make, making it or cleaning it up.

And I wonder why I am obsessed with food.

For example, after church today I made the kiddos pancakes....then I cleaned up the pancakes, syrup and sausage mess.

I then whipped up a batch of cupcakes (more about this in a minute), cleaned up the batch of cupcakes, got Saylor down for a nap and then took a nap myself.

...two and a half hours later, (it was a really good nap) I got out of bed and realized I needed to start dinner.

Two hours later...blah blah blah...dinner has been made, eaten and then cleaned up.

I need another nap.

I also need a personal chef...but I'd take a personal dishwasher instead.

Ok... the cupcakes.

My latest baking kick has been cupcakes.  (Yes, it took me less than two weeks to move on from pies.  Why?  Because my family doesn't eat pies, they just sat in the fridge wasting.  I'm considering the Pie Issue conquered...for the time being.  -On to smaller and better things.)  In the last three days I have make multiple batches of cupcakes (its embarrassing to admit how many) trying to get the recipe just right.  Most of these semi-homemade confections have ended up in the trash but I'm proud to say I have perfected a delicious chocolate peanut butter cupcake along with a to die for-doesn't require frosting-vanilla variety.   I'm secretly wishing I could sell these original recipes for big money- to finish my basement of course- but I'm sadly realistic that this is just a dream.

But the dream is really really tasty.

In between making meals and cupcakes today, other things have happened too.

Such as...the never ending burp dilemma at the dinner table.

I pray my boys perfect the "silent burp" before their missions.

How embarrassing.

Also, Steve and I have discovered the perfect child repellent.  We should patent the idea and make even more money to finish our basement.  If we want our children to scatter like Virginia cockroaches in the light...we just have to show public displays of affection.  It's awesome. 

 Tonight we danced and then Steve smooched me in the kitchen.  

The kids were G-O-N-E gone...screaming and gagging as they sprinted away.

I remember my parents doing the same thing when I was little.

Us siblings would scream the word "Diarrhea" and then run like mad.

But I also remember being super happy my parents liked each other, it made me feel safe.

It's great to gross out my children...and make them feel secure at the same time.   

(but more emphasis on the gross out part)

Lastly for the evening, I'm stewing on the plan to "finish" the only finished room in the basement, our family room.  I think it needs to be my November-December project.  You know...because those months aren't busy at all. (enter eye roll here)  I'm feeling the need to have a real family room down there and not just a room filled with newly-wed apartmenty furniture cast offs that who cares if our four year old jumps on and leaves cheerio crumbs in.

It's giving my brain something to stew about...besides cupcakes and dinner.

Flu Shots and Frosties

Because my life with four children isn't insane enough just by itself, I tried to throw in voting today along with flu shots.    Two minor things that seem simple by themselves, but let me tell you they are deceptively difficult.  Thank goodness for cookies wielding nurses (the only thing that made Saylor happy) and the promise of chocolate frosties.  I am happy to report that my ballot will be counted...let's hope I didn't make any mistakes while trying to keep an eye on roaming offspring, and all four children have received their flu vaccines.  And not one of them cried- even Saylor.  She just gave the nurse a dirty look for disturbing her cookie eating.

As promised, here are the Halloween aftermath pictures.

(the kids are in bed and I can actually sit down to write this)

Saylor's Halloween owie.

Hence why there are no cute outdoor pictures of her.

Luckily she is healing nicely.

Before church sorting.

After church hoarding.

Saylor's first sucker...and tooth decay.

The long awaited haircut!!!

I let Andrew grow his hair out to be Harry Potter.  It drove me crazy for weeks- WEEKS!

He was disappointed to see his long locks fall to the floor.

 ...just a little teasing about what he might look like in the future.

(sick)

Proper post Halloween candy eating hygiene.

And yes...Colby wore these pjs three days in a row- all day.

I promise I washed them every night in between wears.

I think I might become addicted to Gymboree pjs.  They wash up like a dream.

Saylor taking after her mother.

My attempt of getting a picture of all four children in their Halloween pajamas.

I'll take what I can get.