Eat, Rest, Play...Repeat

Top Ten Highlights of Thanksgiving in Canada:
(in no particular order)

1. Eating the turkey and the fixens just like I used to have when I was a kid. Tastes the same.
2. Playing games that make you laugh until it hurts. (Imagin If, Bingo, and Cards)
3. Hanging out with family without any to do lists to complete.
4. Being able to be completely sarcastic and witty with my 11 year old nephew and he doesn't get offended but comes back with something wittier.
5. Hearing Dad read the story "John The Pumpkin" and watching my kids have the same reaction I used to have... is the story almost over so I can eat.
6. Just chillen' on the couch
7. Eating...did I mention that one?
8. Mom's can of pumpkin in the pantry that had hardened and disinigrated into a bauchilism nightmare. And her being surprised.
9. Pie Heaven
10. Hearing from each one of the kids that their family was what they were most grateful for.

Jessica's First Lesson

Jessica has been saying for over a year now that she wants to be a Veterinarian when she grows up. A lot of little girls probably say that. But after watching her hang on every word of Grandma's anatomy lesson using the turkey's heart, lungs and guts. I thought to myself that she just might become one. And then when she was able to explain it all back to us, complete with the glug glub of the heart, I thought I better start saving my pennies for Veterinarian school.

Pie Prep

Bright and early Saturday morning, Matt and I started cooking our pies. We usually cook around 10 of them, but we settled for 8 this year. We made 3 pumpkin, 2 coconut cream, 1 custard, 1 grapefruit (my favorite) and one that had to R.I.P. but anyway.... it went well considering Mom's lack of good kitchen utensils, no pie shield, and an oven that was 50 degrees off.

Festival of Nativities

For the last several months my sister Shelley has organized an annual Festival Nativities Exhibit. We have a very similar one here in Wenatchee, however the concert that they put on each night far exceeded any stake nativity exhibit. Shell composed all the music and also played in the performance each night. Our family invited El because we knew it was going to be wonderful. After we fed my long time vegetarian Italian friend a frozen vegetarian lasagna, we headed out to the stake center. We walked through the beautiful display of nativities and then we settled in to watch the performance. It was wonderful! My favorite song that Shell wrote was the one the angel sang. I also thought the finale was amazing. You can hear the music here. Well done Shell, you are extremely talented. We headed back home and El and I chatted until midnight...like usual. Love you El!

FLASHBACK FRIDAY

Christmas at Hycroft House

Ever since I was a little girl my mom brought me to Hycroft House at Christmas time. I remember vividly going room by room in the mansion seeing all the Christmas rooms decorated to the hills. It meant a lot that I could go again this year with my mom. I haven't been in over 12 years. At the end there is a sweet shop that I loved going to as a child, of course we stopped off and grabbed some goodies. Thanks mom.

Losing It

We headed up to Vancouver for our Thanksgiving holiday this year in order to help out Shell and see her Nativity concert. Shauna and I geared up and gathered up the troop early Thursday morning and headed over to Shell's. We babysit the crew Thursday and Friday. It went a little like this...

Jessie lost her tooth.
Benjamin lost his patience.
My boys lost a few IQ points from playing so much Wii.
Jordan lost at "Imagine If". (hee hee)
Grandpa lost track of time.
The girls lost their ability to play nice anymore.
Matt lost his sleep.
Shauna and I lost our steam.
And finally, Mom started to lost her marbles...just kidding mom. After two big days with a lot of kids in the house we made it! We may of lost a few things but we made it and we know it helped Shell out in the end.

Sister Sky

Tonight was a big night. First, Jessica or "Sister Sky" her Native American name, had an important Harvest Feast dinner to host at her school tonight. She was beaming as she dished out the soup that she had made today. She was in charge of cutting the carrots and celery. Apparently, the meat group used kid scissors to cut up the stew meat... yum. Her paper bag vest adorned a fringe edge and she even had feathers on her headband. The first graders made enormously large turkeys (mommy helped the class make) and were used decorate the classroom. What fun...we then hopped in the car to meet the youth at the church so that we could drop off the food baskets to some of the families in our ward. Matt arranged with Albertsons to collect all donations that came in from the till last Saturday. Matt and the youth spent the day on Saturday at Albertsons and raised 1947.00 dollars toward food baskets for the needy families in our ward and community. So tonight we delivered them, my car was full of 4 bubbly 12 year olds girls and Jessica. They are so funny. Everything makes them laugh. I think they were mainly laughing at me. I got horribly lost for each house on our list.

Time to Decorate!!

For Family Night tonight, we talked about the purpose of why we celebrate Christmas. We sang jingle bells accompanied by Jessica on the piano and then for our activity we took all the Christmas boxes out of the attic to decorate. A monumental job. It's funny how the more excited kids get, the louder they talk. Anyway...we then spent the next hour saying, "ohh careful!", and "Wait! Be very careful with that one!" I gained more gray hairs as the night went on. They were so cute as they reminisced when they pulled each item out. "Oh, I remember this!!!!" I just let them put things where they thought was a good and then I will go back and "re-decorate". There is nothing better than seeing the kids giddy with excitement of traditions.

Hang Out Sunday's

Sunday's are wonderful aren't they? The kids know this is family day and don't even ask to have the "regulars" (our neighbors) to come over. Sometimes we bake, sometimes we sleep, (okay... a lot of times we sleep), sometimes we watch movies together, sometimes we play games, sometimes we do puzzles or read, sometimes we plunk around on the piano and sing (corny I know...only the participants can really appreciate that one), sometimes we play tickle wars...But most of all we hang out together uninterrupted. Kind of like our own weekly vacation.

Clean Kitchens

I love going to bed with a clean kitchen. It took me many years to have the strength to do it....especially when the kids were babies. Heck, I was just happy to have a clean plate at that point. But now, waking up to a clean kitchen, well that is just something I enjoy. I am working towards having the house clean before bed, but hey, Rome wasn't built in a day.

FLASHBACK FRIDAY

My Rockin' Dragonboat Racing Mom!
We liked to go to her Annual Dragonboat Festivals.
Her team the GrandDragaons are a mutiple gold metal winning crew!
We are so proud of Grandma Matkin, what a wonderful example, she's the best.
2003

Speedy Down!

I was tucking the kids into bed... reviewing their spelling words before their tests tomorrow... dragging my sore feet through it all... (it's been a long day) and then innocently Jessica says,

"Mom, I have two fish...so I am going to let the boys have one."
I said, "Oh Jess, that would be so nice."
"Can I go get it?" she says.
"Yes, if you carry it in very carefully"
"Okay!"
She quickly disappears and very slowly and carefully brings in the bowl. She was very pleased with herself getting it to the boys room with no problems. Then she says...

"Actually, I changed my mind. I think I am going to give the boys Speedy and not Bubbles."
Now growing impatient I quickly say, "Jess, it's time for bed. Get in bed, I will go get it."
I quickly brought the first bowl back to her room and grabbed the other glass vase with one hand. I made it to the boys room before the bowl quickly slipped in my hand and crashed to the floor! Jessie screams as Speedy is somewhere on the floor amongst the rocks. (you won't find him in the picture as I wasn't that cruel to make him lay their while I grabbed the camera)

I hate those times when you are so tired you can't even think and then something happens where you have to dig deep and find the strength to go a little bit more. In this case, I was almost to the part of my day where I could sit down and instead had to pull out the carpet cleaner. Ahh! Oh motherhood...sometimes you need to learn from your 7 year old and practice what you preach.
So as I am picking glass out of the carpet Jess says,
"Mom, Speedy is eating Bubbles!"
So I tell her to quickly grab a bowl and a ladle! (Anyone who has had Beta fish, they eat each other, that is why we have two bowls) So we get him safely to a new bowl, get the rocks cleaned up, the carpet cleaned and gated off, the boys back in bed, and Jess back and bed. As I am tucking her in...again...she says,
"Mom, Speedy needs his rocks."
I say, "No he doesn't"
"Yes, he does."
"Jess, rocks are like furniture, he doesn't need them tonight"
"But mom what if he wants to sit."
"Jess... fish don't sit, and he is just visiting this bowl anyway, just like a hotel."
She seemed satisfied with this answer and was quiet until I reached the door. When she says one last thing...
"Mom?"
"Yes Jessie."
"Speedy must like his new bowl he has already pooped two times."
"Goodnight sweetheart."
"Goodnight mom."

My Brain Hurts

I went to Target today and wandered around with everyones name floating in my mind. I would pass something cool, pretty, or neat and immediately do a mental scan of who would be a good candidate for the particular item. I circled the store twice, mentally exhausted and ended up with about 5 items in my cart that I had mapped out in my mind for certain people on my long long list. Then I second guessed them all and abandoned my cart in the store. I quickly exited with my brain hurting. Sigh...christmas shopping and I have a love/hate relationship.

Church Leaf Crew

This Saturday Matt organized for the Young Men in our ward, the Young Men in the second ward, the Elders Quorum in our ward, and in the Elders Quorum in the second ward to come rake the leaves at the stake center on Saturday morning. Sound like a big leaf crew eh? Turned out consisting of Matt and the kids...oh and as the leaf pile grew bigger our neighbor David came. Oh well. I guess when you live across from the church you tend to end up helping out more...

No one brought the sacrament bread?

No problem run home and grab some.

One of the young men forget a tie?
No problem we have plenty.

Your buddy at church needs a Tylenol, bandaid, or snack?
No problem, back in 2 minutes.

Living close to the church is wonderful. We love walking there (well I hate to admit I sometimes will drive...only when it is snowing and I have heels!), kids riding their bikes there, sledding down the hills there, etc...It is more of a blessing. (even if you end up being the only leaf crew)

On the Radio!!!

For this week to advertise our Grand Opening on this Friday and Saturday we were on the radio!!

Press play to listen to our radio ad.

West Family Man

For Family Home Evening tonight we introduced the West's Family Man. (drawing by Hunter) West family man helped us remember what family rules are important in order for us to have a happy home. He was a big hit and really helped the kids visualize what rules and values make up
a happy person and happy home. Hey... whatever works. We all raised our hands and pledged to follow the West Family Man Rules the best we could.

(When we were discussing the mouth and how good words should always come from our mouth, Logan piped up and said, "And never say the "F" word!"
We all looked at him surprised and I said, "oh yes of course not! Logan do you know what the "F" word is?"
He said sheepishly, "No, but I know I should never say it."
Works for me.)

West's Family Man Rules

Heart- Even if you have been mistreated. Have the right response by quickly forgiving others in your heart even before they ask. Love one another.

Heart -Always be enthusiastic to serve and look for opportunities to praise others' character.

Heart- Develop compassion and pray for others.

Heart- Be honest. Even when no one is watching. Don't wait till you’re caught.

Heart - Always have a prayer in your heart for yourself and others.

Mind-Be grateful to Heavenly Father and others for the ways they have helped your life and how blessed you are.

Mind- Always do what is right, even when others may not, or when no one is looking.

Mind- Be attentive and look for ways to serve others with motives to help and build one another up.

Mind- Think pure and good thoughts.

Mouth-Don’t mock, make fun of or put others down. We build people up not tear them down.

Mouth -Always use soft words, even when you don’t feel well.

Mouth-Never raise a voice to yell.

Mouth-Don’t yell, complain, whine or blame. Quickly admit when you have done wrong and ask for forgiveness (even if you were only a little at fault).

Mouth- Talk with kindness about others. Don't gossip or tattletale unless physical harm will come to someone.

Hands- Never raise a hand to hit.

Hands- Never raise an object to throw.

Hands-Do your best to keep your surroundings neat, clean and organized.

Hands- Use one toy/activity at a time. Share!

Hands-Mind- Mouth-Always use manners everywhere you are, and be respectful of others and their belongings.

Feet- Never raise a foot to kick.

Eyes- Never raise an eye to scowl.

Eyes- Only watch tv programs, movies and games that uplift your life and not display bad examples.

Ears- Always listen directions the first time.

Ears- Only listen to music and words that uplift your life and not display bad examples.

Ears- Always listen to the spirit.

Stomach Flu

Last night I came down with the stomach flu. I don't know if I picked it up from subbing this week, but the toilet and I have become close lately. I can't keep any food down. My day has been running to throw up, mixed with watching a Monk marathon on t.v. Sigh. Didn't know if anyone really wanted to know that...but that is my life right now.

Sports Gym Birthday

Our cutie putie twin neighbors Isabelle and Addesen had their birthday party at the Sports Gym. They have it their every year and it is a ton of fun. For three hours the kids get to jump, roll and tumble all over the gym. Any child's dream. Families are invited so the boys had no problem eating cake on Hannah Montana plates as long as they could join the fun. Matt and I tried a few acrobatics ourselves. (before I got sick) Matt won for the most coordinated. No surprise there.

FLASHBACK FRIDAY

Hunter age 2 Jessica age 1 Logan 2 months
2003

Witchy Mrs. West!

Today I subbed for a friend of mine. She teaches P.E. which means I have 13 classes throughout the day. Each class is for only 25 minutes long and they rotate all day. I have a prep hour and a lunch but other than that I am literally talking all day. I just have such respect for teachers. It is so tiring! Even when you are dead tired you still need to be patient, pleasant and keep trucking along. I do love working with children, but having little children at home AND working with 30 of them all day...well that is pure crazy! (hence, my collapsed self on the couch) Anyway, I had a fourth grader boy who was very disrespectful today and had to write me an apology letter in the solutions room. I love having fun with the kids, but after having kids of my own, I am strict about my rules. Follow my rules...the day will go well. You don't... well...read the letter above.

We're Famous! Well...At Least to the Arthritic!

My business Alphabet Garden Designs was recognized in a major publication! Arthritis Today did an article in the December issue called "Decorating Shortcuts". They listed 10 ideas to decorate this holiday season with ease. We were number 9. Back in August we were contacted for our product submission, we followed up and one thing led to another and we were told they loved our idea! Unfortunately, our product pictures didn't make the cut. Nevertheless, we are grateful to have the opportunity! Hopefully some day soon we can add another.

We Love Mrs. Hahne

When you think of the perfect kindergarten teacher, you think of Mrs. Hahne. Hunter and Jessica both had Mrs. Hahne for kindergarten and Logan has known for the last two years that he would soon too. Now he finally is able to experience Mrs. Hahne class too just like his big brother and sister and he is LOVING it. He often comes home and draws pictures of him and her together. (I am in the picture too every once and awhile) It means so much to me that she has connected with him so deeply. When you send your little ones out into the world to school you only hope their teachers see all their special qualities like you do. That they "get" them. That they see their strengths and how to help their weaknesses and most of all think they are as great as you think they are. Mrs. Hahne has done that for all three of my children and now that my little Logan is in her class I can relax even easier. Wonderful teachers...are simply wonderful.

Veteran's Day Ceremony

Today was the Veteran's Day ceremony at the kids school. I casually walked into the gym expecting to see a cute little color guard ceremony. (Which Hunter proudly was able to participate in.) However, I was deeply touched as soon as the ceremony began and Principal Abbott asked all the Veteran's to stand up. Watching many of the fathers of these students stand as their names were read was overwhelming to watch. Even though I am not an American, I was overcome by the patriotism that was felt in the room. As we applauded vigorously for them, I had to cough back the tears. Then watching the children enthusiastically sing their America songs with gusto and wave their flags high. It was very all very powerful to watch... being a Canadian and all.

Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil

This weekend was stake conference weekend. Regular 3 hour Sunday meetings are replaced with a 2 hour session at the stake center. (which we live literally are a stones throw away, that is a plus) The chapel and gym are always packed to the brim and are usually reserved for the more reverent crowd. (we do not apply) So they open up the primary and relief society room with a tv streaming in the conference from the chapel...perfect for families like us. We hunkered down at the back of the primary room and started emptying out our bag of entertaining goods. They kept them entertained enough for us to completely hear the opening prayer and song and then they were bored...1 1/2 hours to go... We eventually made it through and even heard a few nuggets of wisdom through the West's gong show at church.

Why go? ...because they will hear those few nuggets of wisdom too.

Rick's Rock Band Birthday

Camilla threw a Rock Band Party for Rick's birthday tonight. Matt and I thought we would give it try. It was loud and the lyrics of some of the songs were ....well.....we just picked good songs...AND IT WAS FUN!! We got our rock on... According to Hunter I am a much better singer than guitar player...whew thats good because I'd worry if it was the other way around. What a fun night! Yummy food, great friends! Thanks Rick and Camilla!

On the way home Matt and I chuckled the whole way because Jessica and Logan zonked the minute we started driving and Hunter chatted non stop until we pulled into the driveway...oh the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.