Dear Santa: A very brief Letter from Caleb

Dear Santa,

This year for Christmas I want a telescope, a DS game and a new Wii game. I think my brothers would like some new toys too like cars and trucks because they really like to play with mine.


Love,
Caleb Ouren

P.S. This is from my Mom

O Christmas Tree

After all of the weekend shopping and the 7 inches of snow we received overnight, you can only guess where my mind was. Today was the perfect day to knock a few more people off our Christmas list and get going on the Christmas tree. Mike and I were worried given the current "crammed to the max" capacity of our storage shed right now that we would even be able to get to our tree this year. But he managed to get to it and get out a few other decorations and the stockings as well. I am so thankful for that. My Christmas will be more complete having at least a few of our normal things out. We can't have them all out due to showings, but I'll take what I can get. Caleb was a great helper this year and was loving every minute of hanging ornaments. It was so fun to do it together. And since we won't be home next weekend to do it, I am happy to have it done already.

Putting up the tree then put me in the mood to start wrapping the gifts we've been starting to gather so here's a few under and next to the tree. I know you are thinking, "what about Thanksgiving?" I know, I know. But just look, doesn't the site of it make your heart even just a little happy? It sure does mine.

Nothing all year is ever more peaceful to me than sitting in the dark next to a lit tree and cuddling with a blanket and perhaps some hot cocoa. When it's this time of year the tree is the first thing turned on in the morning and the last thing turned off at night. I love to just sit and back in the glow or sit and stare at it. Pictures can never do that feeling justice.

Here's wishing you some happy tree trimming in the next few weeks if you haven't already. May your own trees bring you this much happiness.

Another Year Down

Another year down ! Friday was my Birthday. I turned 25 again. ;) I have had a great Bday weekend, starting even the night before when Mike came home from work with Birthday flowers in hand. It was a big surprise, I wasn't expecting that at all. Then he took Friday off to spend the day with me. We had the sitter watch the boys and went out to tackle some Christmas shopping and had lunch together at the Olive Garden. It was so nice just to be together no matter what we were doing. By the time we were done with that it was already time to pick up Caleb and go back to get the twins. But I snuck off by myself and enjoyed Mike's other gift to me, an 80 minute massage at the Spa Club. It was Heavenly. Then it was back home to enjoy my "surprise party" Caleb threw for me. I had to first buy my own plates and make my own cake for what he wanted to be a butterfly party. He did help me frost it and decorate it at least.



Then it was time for a little relaxing until my sister and her two oldest kiddo's arrived. DaNell and I ran off to see the installment 1 of the New Harry Potter. It was so good. It was late (for us old people anyway) after that so we called it a night and got some rest before a full day of shopping.

Saturday we got up and headed to the Power Hours sale at Kohls and then headed up to Park City to the outlet mall. We found so many screaming hot deals and came home with loads of new clothes. A little something for everyone. We shopped up there from about 10-5 and were pooped. But over all we saved over $800 between the 2 of us! That ROCKS! I'm not sure how much we spent, but I am sure it wasn't near that much. Plus I have lots of punch cards and bonus coupons to use up later. Then we grabbed all the boys that stayed behind and had a nice dinner at Chili's before they headed back home.

I would say that was a pretty good 2 day Bday celebration indeed.

Invasion of the AT AT

Up until now I had really thought I was doing a pretty good job at not having my kids become Star Wars fanatics. Those of you that know their father know what a chore that has been for me. But since the invention of the Lego Star Wars game for the Nintendo DS and the Wii, Caleb's minor love of the stuff has grown into an all out obsession of both Lego's and Star Wars. When he saw this thing in the store, his little eyes lit up and he knew just what to ask Papa Ringo for his Bday. And of course, Papa gladly obliged and spoiled him.

I don't think he likes it at all. ;)

This is me telling Papa Ringo (my Dad) what he wants for his bday on the phone, "Apparently this giant dog looking thing. It's called an AT AT (short for something I don't recall) and it's from one of the episodes." See my Star Wars knowledge is at it's peak these days. I've never really cared much for it all but when I admitted to Mike that I didn't even know what episode this thing was from I think he speed dialed a lawyer and had the divorce papers written up. I'm expecting them any day now.

And here's the final space ship thing (I know it has a real name but don't recall) that Caleb opted to stay home from Disney on Ice for and build with his Dad.

I took him to Toys R Us today to spend his Bday money that he received and after scouring the Lego and Star Wars aisles I was shocked when he opted to spend it on something completely different (whoo hoo!). But that's a post for another day. Until then maybe I'll study up on my Star Wars knowledge base so I can write up a comprehensive and informative blog about all the ships and contraptions......and then again maybe (most likely) not.

Disney On Ice

Some months ago I did something unusual for us and bought us some Disney on Ice tickets to use for a family outing. I thought it would be something fun to finish off Caleb's birthday weekend with. However, Mike had been complaining ever since I bought them about not wanting to go so I invited my niece to come in his place and today Caleb flat out refused to go. He wanted to stay home with his Daddy and build his new Star Wars Lego ship that he got for his Bday. So that meant I took my nephew who was visiting as well. So it was me, the twins and 2 other kiddo's. It was fun but I did learn a few things such as:

1. Packing 2 year old twins up and down the stairs to row 5 is hard. I ended up having to do both ways twice.

2. I am out of shape and sort of a whimp as emphasized by #1

3. I don't want to do it again any time soon. The packing of the twins nor the show.

and most importantly:

4. Hearing Zaden tell me to "Wook Wook at Me Mouse" and that Ursula the sea witch was "Scarwy" was worth it.

Seven!

I still find myself having a hard time breathing when I tell people my little boy is 7! But whether I like it or not, today was the day. He has been so excited and counting down the days. We had a great time at The Living Planet aquarium today for his Spongebob Party. Mom got there a little early and most of the decorating was done for me by the aquarium but I did put out this edible centerpiece. Love it and it's dual purpose, I think I'll cut it up for breakfast tomorrow. The only other decoration we put up was a Happy Birthday banner. Easy Peasy.

And here's the anxious Bday boy awaiting the arrival of his guests. He is 7 in case you can't tell. ;)

I bought a Spongebob puzzle to keep the kids entertained. However I think the adults were more entertained by it.

Once all the guests arrived and pizza was consumed it was present time. Caleb got lots of great presents. Lots of Spongebob and Star Wars stuff.

And of course, several people donned the appropriate party attire.

Caleb asked for an ice cream cake this year so we ordered one from Baskin Robbins. He picked chocolate chip ice cream with chocolate cake. It was divine! I've heard several compliments about how good it was even well after the party was over. Yum! They did an awesome job.

Caleb had to put on his own 7 candles to blow out.

He had 2 servings of cake. I mean, it WAS his Birthday and all. ;)

After cake, they were taken on a scavenger hunt to a few exhibits in the aquarium. It was really fun and then we gave out goody bags and people walked around the aquarium. Then it was back home for some more fun. Caleb's cousins Schydi and Leyton stayed with us after the party for a slumber party and some fun tomorrow. They've been spending the afternoon and evening playing Caleb's new board games together, watching a movie and playing hide and seek.

It was a great day and the best part was that the aquarium did all the set up and take down and clean up. It doesn't get much better than that. Now all I have to figure out is where to put all these new fun toys and gifts. Thanks to everyone for making this a special day for our little boy.

Going Bananas

Both boys asked for a banana after dinner tonight. I couldn't resist taking a picture of my two monkeys sitting on the table watching football and eating their nana's.


But then what should occur but this song getting stuck in my head?


Here it is, Muppet style......oh yes!

In My Kitchen

I've been feeling a little domestic this weekend and have been cooking up some goodies and trying a couple new recipes. It started Saturday Morning with this muffins. The recipe is called *Muffins that Taste Like Donuts. I , personally, thought they tasted more like cinnamon rolls but they were delicious none the less and will definitely be having a repeat appearance in this house in the future.


And today started with an early morning crock pot start to some homemade chicken noodle soup. A favorite in this house. Look at how it turned out. Perfection.

And then I tried out a new recipe for some *buttery clover leaf rolls to go with the soup. The house smells delicious.

What are you cooking up in your kitchen this fall?

*recipe sources available upon request.

Mr. Turkey

Some ladies at work handed these out to the office the other day. I wish I could say they were my idea or that I had anything to do with them, but sadly I can't. But they were so cute and so simple I had to share.

They gave them out with a cute little poem attached. You could make your own and copy the poem or come up with one of your own. These are great for co-workers, friends or even neighbors.

Supply List:

Fall colored mesh

Coordinating ribbon

Pipe Cleaners (tan and/or brown, and red)

Googly eyes

M&M's

Happy Crafting!

Happy Birthday Tracey!

Happy Birthday to one cool sister. Love ya Tracey and here's to making the next year one of healing and happiness.

P.S. I'm still Jim's favorite.