Merry Christmas!

Today was Christmas for our family. It was so nice. Although we didn't have snow!

Pre-craziness. So peaceful with the tree and the fire.
James opening his Minotaurus game. It's a Lego game that you build, then play. The object is to get through the Labyrinth while avoiding the Minotaur. Perfect given our recent obsession with Greek mythology.

And, of course, our ongoing obsession with Thomas the Tank Engine. Jackson got several trains and Sir Topham Hatt's car. Very exciting!

We like to do a big family gift, and this year it was a Lego Castle!! So cool. I remember building these with my brother Zach (who is getting married in a week and a half--how time flies!).

It was a very Lego Christmas and kept us all busy and happy today!

And, here's our holiday dinner. Check my cooking blog for details.

Hope your holidays are as nice as ours!

Early Christmas . . .

It will be an early Christmas for our family this year. Since we are traveling a bit over the "real" Christmas for my youngest brother's wedding, we are celebrating tomorrow. That way we don't have to transport Christmas (and pay for it) across the country and back again.

I celebrated even earlier by buying a Christmas present for myself. Selfish? I don't think so! I think of it as more of a reward for the past 4 weeks: doing all the packing and unpacking for our NC trip, getting gifts for everyone on our list, decorating (including cutting a Christmas tree by myself!) and cleaning and cooking for Jake's office party at our house, helping kids with school projects and gymnastics class and birthday treats to school, and managing to do all of that on top of everything else we normally have going!!

Plus I had 50% off at Borders.

Here's what I chose:

We have always liked Nigella. Jake because she's English and me because I like her cooking style. She isn't terribly concerned about whether food is calorie-conscious, she cooks with basic and easy-to-find ingredients and kitchen equipment that is not super fancy or expensive, and her food (at least what I've made!) is simply yummy. Also, she has children and keeps them in mind as she cooks, which means my kids will eat most of what I make from her recipes.

So, I'm excited to read this, and my goal for the New Year is to have a better cooking blog, so look for some good posts to come!

Family . . .

Well, I know I'm a couple of days late on my last-day-of-November post. But it's been a little crazy getting back from vaca and hosting Jake's office party. But, finally here is my last "grateful thing": I'm grateful for our little family. We really enjoy spending time together and had such a great trip together, traveling around and seeing things. So, here's the trip!

Our first stop was Washington, DC. A good place to stop for the night and split up the long drive. We got right on the Metro the next morning and headed to the National Memorial to Fallen Police Officers.
Then we went to the National Air and Space Museum. A pretty cool place. And, we bought and tried freeze-dried ice cream (the food astronauts eat). The boys decided they definitely didn't want to be astronauts. I actually thought it wasn't too bad!
It was neat to see the actual plane the Wright Brothers flew on the famous "first flight", especially since we were headed to Kitty Hawk . . .

North Carolina's Kitty Hawk Wright Brothers Memorial Park. The day we went was pretty breezy, so it was clear why they had chosen this particular spot. It was amazing to learn about all the work they did over years and years to make this first flight possible.

The kids running up the dune. I think this memorial is up high so you can imagine flying as they did, looking out at the amazing view of the ocean and Currituck Sound.

James taking a ride with Orville in the bronze replica.

And of course the main event, playing on the beach. James loved riding the waves.

Jack loved playing on the beach--building sand castles, sand fire trucks, even a sand dog potty (don't ask . . .).

The kids loved having lots of friends there to play with on the beach and in the big house.

We used wet suits some of the time, especially when we were out in the water for a while. Even though the air temps were nice, the ocean was chilly, maybe low 60s. We also rented James a boogie board.

And, Jake and I both got to go ocean kayaking, which was so much fun. Jake is much better at it than I am!

Last stop: Philadelphia. We broke up the drive home by spending a night in Wilmington, DE then spending a few hours the next morning exploring some American History. This is Constitution Hall where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were ratified and signed by the members of the Continental Congress. Nearly everything is a replica (the building however is original), but the high-backed chair you see at the front of the room is genuine, and the one George Washington sat in to preside over the meetings.

Outside Constitution Hall.

The Liberty Bell is right across the street.

The lighting was a litle funky, but you can't mistake the Liberty Bell! James was pretty excited about seeing it, but I guess he had expected it to be bigger . . .

Thomas Jefferson was staying in the upstairs of this house while he wrote the Declaration of Independence.

I loved walking through the historic district, and loved this sign, it says "The Hoopskirt Factory".

Of course we had to wrap up the trip with a Philly Cheesesteak. We went to a place called "Jims" where the line was clear out the door and we waited probably 40+ minutes, but it was actually part of the fun to wait and watch them make the sandwiches.

And, the sandwiches were GREAT! The "original" sandwich is apparently steak, onions, and Cheese Whiz. No joke, they actually have Cheese Whiz in huge cans. However, I recommend the Cheesesteak with Provolone (and I didn't want onions either). Very tasty!

As a last note, I can't forget to say how grateful I am for our extended families, who we are excited to spend some time with soon. I went on trips with my family growing up that were just as great and we still have a great time together. And, I married into a great family who we enjoy spending time with and had a great trip to Grey's River with this last summer.

Here's to FAMILY!

Movember's Top Ten

A gentleman is, after all, still a man no matter how gentle he is.

Movember!! The term merging Moustache and November, started by 30 blokes in Australia 5-6 years ago is now turned into 1 million participants throughout the world. What is it? It is when you grow a Moustache for the entire month of November to raise awareness and donations for men's cancer. And it is coming to a close. Tomorrow is the final day.

I have never had facial hair and I decided to captain a team after last November. I have learned a few things this month so I thought I would post the top ten things I learned from having a Mo!

1. It takes a truly confident man to grow and groom a moustache.
2. The feeling of the wind in one's moustache is pleasurable, especially while cycling.
3. No matter how often you tell yourself that you are "distinguished". You are not. You are ridiculous.
4. I noticed more other men with moustaches and they are not really that uncommon. Mo Bro once a Mo Bro forever.
5. The marketing behind Movember was genius. Don't believe me? Check out these ads or the website. It will make you think it is cool to grow a mo to save a bro.
6. It was cool that people actually donated. Thanks!!
7. A women's love is not only skin deep.
8. When moustaches come back in style. I will be ready.
9. Growing a moustache for 30 days was harder than I thought. If it wasn't for the support of friends, donations, and a little rivalry, I wouldn't have lasted.
10. There is no bonding like male bonding.

So thanks to all who helped out. I will do it next year only if I get $500 dollars pledged before Movember 2011.

PS-My gratitude for today goes to the fact that the mustache goes away tomorrow. Not that I'm not proud of Jake for his perseverance, I just don't like kissing the mustache. BV

Christmas Music!

Day #28

Now that Thanksgiving is past, I love listening to Christmas music! Our favorite Christmas album is "Jingle All the Way" by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones with the Alash ensemble, a group of Tuvan throat singers. We actually went to their concert the first year the album was released (December 2008). It was a really great concert, and they are touring with it again this year, so if you hear about it, try and go! We even took James with us and he loved it!
I'd love to know what your favorite Christmas album is . . .

There and Back Again . . .

Day #s 26 and 27

Another twofer, we were traveling yesterday and I didn't have a chance to blog.

We left the Outer Banks and drove to Wilmington, Delaware where we stayed the night. Then, this morning we spent about 5 hours in Philadelphia, which was so much fun (more to come . . .). I am SO grateful my kids are good travelers. Sure, we've had our grumpiness on the trip, but all in all about 24 hours in the car (there and back), the kids were great. They were also so amazing this morning as we wandered around a very cold, windy Philadelphia seeing the sights. I don't know what I would do if they didn't travel well. I love having adventures!

Just a couple of funny traveling notes over the last couple of days:

1) I hit a skunk in Delaware. James was heartbroken. I was glad the car didn't permanently stink.

2) The boys caught a cold and were coughing like crazy this morning at the hotel. We told Jack to try not to cough, then he proceeded to sing a song for about 5 minutes, which included the words "I can't stop coughing" several times. He didn't cough much while he was singing.

First off, NO this is not what our house looks like right now! We haven't had snow yet. But I love this photo our neighbor took of our house last winter, and wanted to use it to say:

I am SO thankful for our home, and so thankful to be home. As much fun as traveling is, it's always great to return home. And I can't wait to sleep in my own bed tonight.

Pilgrims . . .

Day #25

Our book club recently read "The Heretic's Daughter". It is a story about the Salem Witch Trials, but had a lot of background information about living conditions in colonial America. I really had never before thought a lot about how difficult things were for them. Constantly hungry, threats of Indian attacks, wild animals, horrible diseases, and weather dramatically effecting their future food supply, just to name a few. So, today's post is a thanks to their great sacrifices in making the founding of our country and our religion possible.

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Taking Flight . . .

Day #24

Today we visited the Wright Brothers Monument in Kitty Hawk, NC. It really gave me an appreciation for how much work went into this "First Flight". I am grateful for their commitment and dedication, and for the gift of flight which opened the door for not only air travel, but exploration of our world, our universe, and beyond. What amazing things we have learned! PS-you can tell in this picture why the Wright brothers chose this place. Check out the winds we had today!
As I was going through our pictures for this post I couldn't resist posting these photos of James. No, he wasn't particularly tired today. He just hates having the sun in his eyes. So, nearly every picture from today's adventure features him in various sun-avoidance strategies (see also the lovely squint in the first photo above).

The few good photos of the kids playing on a very cool bronze replica of the original airplane.

Just Jake

Day #23

Today and every day I'm grateful for Jake. Like everyone, our family has had some tough times. I don't always handle the tough times so well. How lucky I am to be married to someone who is more mellow than I am, is very patient, and who has a sense of humor that usually pulls me through. Just like one of my favorite JEW songs: "They say that love goes anywhere, in your darkest time it's just enough to know it's there . . . ".

The Ocean!

Day #22

I love the ocean. I had visited the ocean a couple of times before last year. Then we spent a week in Outer Banks, NC, staying at a beach house.
I think I'm addicted. I love the ocean and the beach. My favorite is running on the beach every day. But I also love to watch my kids have a great time boogie boarding, sea kayaking, building sandcastles, and finding shells.

Community . . .

Day #21

I'm so grateful to belong to a worldwide church that is really a community. Wherever we have moved, and wherever we visit, it's nice to know we can go somewhere and be greeted, included, and helped if necessary.

Officers and Adventures

Days #19 and 20

Well, again I have to do two in one day, but in my defense I literally did not have time yesterday.

So, this is the Memorial to Fallen Police Officers in Washington, D.C. I am grateful to all police officers and their families. They sacrifice much for the safety and peace of the rest of us, and they are often unheralded. Thanks. Special thanks to you, CWV.

I do love adventures to new places! This is the National Air and Space Museum.

James is in front of the actual Wright Brothers airplane. Pretty cool!

Harmony

Day #18

My kids have been fighting a lot lately. Enough that it has been really discouraging and frustrating for me. I'm praying it's a phase.

So this morning I was so pleased that they had a few minutes of peace and harmony with James's new lego set, an early birthday present (Thanks Mom and Dad--I owe you . . .)

Gymnastics Class

Day #17

Sorry the picture is not great! I'm still trying to be better with the cell phone photos.

I am thankful for Jackson's gymnastics class. We did a Mommy and me class last year, but this year he's big enough to do it on his own. In a world where he is trying so hard to be "big" (like big brother!) this really helps him to have his own thing that he loves and feels good at. At the end of the class the kids do a big "ta-da" for the parents and we applaud. Jackson is smiling, but I think the photo made him a little shy of doing the whole "ta-da"!

Two Days . . .

Day #s 15 and 16

So I remember at 11:30 last night that I hadn't done my post for the day. Oh well, sleep is more important. So, today I have two things I'm grateful for:

I am SO thankful we are done raking leaves. Seriously. I love having a lot of trees but raking all those leaves is really a pain. This is our second raking of the entire yard. See all the leaves out front for the city truck to collect? I didn't even get the whole pile in my photo.

I love chocolate chip cookie dough. I made dinner for someone last night and made cookies to go with dinner and I ate way too much dough. And a cookie and a half after it was baked. No other cookie dough tempts me this much! Better run a few extra miles today!

Primary Program!

Day #14

So we had our primary program today and it was fabulous. Cute, touching, and of course moments of hilarity, just like every program! I am grateful our church has the children do this every year. Who better to teach the gospel than our purest and most innocent members?

Thanks to our primary staff who worked so hard to make our kids look so good!

What a wonderful world . . .

Day #13

Hope it's not too cheesy to be grateful for the natural beauty around us. For all the pros and cons about Ithaca (which I'm still sorting out!), it has some amazing scenery. These two (look closely, they are different!) waterfalls for example, both on Cornell campus.

Great Children's Books!

Day #12

I love children's books. I buy way too many. I don't know what I'll do when I don't have a little kid anymore to buy them for. I'm especially a sucker for good illustrations.

I found this treasure today at James's school book fair. We've already read it twice. The illustrations are terrific and the story is really fun.

I'm grateful for great books to read to my kids. I think the time we spend reading together is some of my favorite "mommy time"!

God Bless America . . .

Day #11

I have a personal thanks today. I am so very grateful to all those who have served or are serving in our country's armed forces. Particularly to my Grandfather who spent 3 years serving in the U.S. Marines during WWII.

I'm also grateful that he is willing to share some of his experiences. I can't imagine the sacrifices he made and horrors he experienced--there are some things he doesn't talk about. I want my kids to appreciate sacrifice and patriotism, so I'm so glad he was willing to talk to them this last summer when we visited them back in Utah. Love you Grandpa!