Christmas Prep

We took the boys to the library to see Santa. Orion was SUPER EXCITED!!! The other boys were indifferent. Instead of just standing in line for 2 hours, the library people handed out numbers, and then called section of numbers. We were number 122-124. They said it would be about 2 hours. Luckily, they had several craft tables set up around the library. So the kids did all the crafts. And then we went to McDonalds for lunch. We stayed and played for a little bit, and then went back to the library. At that point, we did cookie decorating. (It was previously sooo busy, I didn't even want to attempt it.) And then we stood around and waited for an hour. Finally it was our turn!! Orion jumped right up and told Santa all about the video game expansion he wants. (Trine something or other. Phil knows . . .) I had to prompt William on something that he might want to ask for. And Oliver?  Needless to say, he said nothing.

 We decorated the tree Monday night for FHE. After we were done, I took a picture of Phil and the boys. Philip looked at it and commented that he looked soo skinny. Well guess what Philip!!! You are sooo skinny!! (He weighs under 170!!!)

Halloween Costumes

The other day when I was posting blogs, I completely spaced that I needed to actually post the pictures of the kids in their Halloween costumes. Philip had the camera that night, and it wasn't until later that I realized we didn't really get any great pics of the kids. Sorry. Maybe next year.

 Orion, the Minecraft guy.

 Oliver the Lion

William the Monkey

Carving Pumpkins

This year I splurged and bought a "pumpkin carving kit". Holy Cow, those little saws make it soo much easier to carve pumpkins!!! I highly recommend spending the $3 and buying a kit.

Pumpkin Patch Substitute

This year, we had coupons to tour a farm for half price. We did that instead of our usual Sutters Ridge tradition.

The kids got to milk a cow, hold a baby chick, bottle feed a baby goat, feed grown up goats as much dried corn as they wanted, go for a tractor ride, and pick out a pumpkin.

It was fun, but kinda expensive, even with our coupons for 1/2 off.

Philip's Journey

Sorry everyone you have to listen to me (Philip) for this post.

On Monday May 21, 2012 I began a journey to improve my health and loose some weight. It is now 5 months later and I'm roughly 60 pounds lighter. 

I'd like to give a large part of the credit to my amazing wife for convincing me to keep track of my daily calories and introducing me to myfitnesspal. For all the time spent calculating and entering our daily meals (especially with such an obsessively detailed husband who insists on insane levels of accuracy). And for the extra time spent alone with 3 very energetic boys providing me the time to exercise, especially on Wednesday nights (quite often bathing them alone) as I played basketball.

I love you Hannah.

What did I do today??

What did I do today??

I finally finished Williams Curious George backpack. While doing it, I learned how to put in a zipper (it has 2), how to do darts, and how to put in elastic. This very cool back pack has 3 pockets on the outside, and one on the inside. And I am never going to sew a back pack again. :)

I made some fun cookies. (William and Oliver picked out the colors,)

I swept and vacuumed and mopped the kitchen. A hundred times.

 
 What didn't I get done?? I ton. The house is a total disaster, the dishes aren't done and here it 5:00pm, and I have no clue what we are going to have for dinner. (What we were supposed to have Baked Teriyaki Chicken. Not happening now.)

What's wrong with that??

I have a favorite Disney movie. It is "The Happiest Millionaire". I used to watch it as a kid at my grandmas house. I don't remember if we owned it or not. I just remember watching at Grandmas house. Well, I now own it as an adult, and I still love it. Maybe even more. I especially love the music. So when I got bit by some unknown flying creature the other day, I immediately started singing this song.
"I've been bit on my finger. It could have been my leg. It could have been my head, I might have died!"

Well, I know it isn't my finger, and I know it didn't come from am alligator. But it hurt really bad for a few hours. And now a week later, it still itches like crazy. (And I promise, it isn't just razor burn from shaving in the middle of the day. :)

Summer Vacation

I made our yearly trip out to Idaho again this year. This time though, I was only gone for 3 weeks.

We left early on July 23rd and drove all day!! We stopped at a motel in the middle of nowhere Nebraska. The motel had a pool outside in the middle of the parking lot. And my boys were so sad that I didn't take them swimming. Orion just didn't understand why I couldn't hold all three of them at the same time. (None of my kids can swim. ) He kept trying to tell me that they could all just take turns. It wasn't happening.

We got to Desi's house early in the afternoon  on the 24th. And we stayed and played for a few days.

While in Denver, I got to go see one of my best friends from Junior High and High School. It was so great to see Kattie, and meet her kids.

On Friday the 27th, we left early in the morning and drove all day again, to get to Idaho Falls in time for dinner.

On Saturday, we went up to ?Mesa Falls? to hike and picnic.

That night, Stuart and his family showed up. Orion was thrilled to have a friend to play with all day and night. William thought it was great fun to boss Majia around all day and night long.

We went to Downetta Hot Springs, and from there, Oliver William and I went to Salt Lake, while Orion stayed with Grandma. While in Salt Lake, I got to see Tiffany, and go to Felicia's bridal shower.

I got to go out to lunch with most of my sisters. (Sadly  Julie, Maria and Tasha were not able to be there.)

We had a surprise birthday party for Grandpa.

And, best of all, I got to go to the Idaho Falls Temple, and DaJae, Monique, and Jada be sealed to my family for time and all eternity. It was such a sweet experience to be in the temple with so many of my brothers and sisters. I look forward to the day when we will can ALL be there together.

 And sadly, I forgot my camera at home in Wisconsin. So, all the pictures I have are from my itouch, and not great quality.

Mad Piano Skills

My mother is amazing. I mean, really amazing. If I ever have a question about anything,and I do mean ANYTHING, I can call her. And most of the time she knows the answer. So when my darling children pushed about $10 worth of coins in between my piano keys, I called my mom. And she talked my through how to fix my problem. 

 After getting all the keys off, I found that a previous owner dropped a potted plant on the keys.

 YEAH!!! It is playable again!!