Sick and Twisted

We had a rough week at the Ouren household starting with Sunday night when both Mike and Caleb came down with fevers. Caleb ended up with a respiratory infection and missed school 4 of 5 days. Mike seems to just have the flu and missed a couple days work with his. We thought he was done with his but it came bounding back on Friday the same day that he was nice enough to share it with me. We have been spending most of the weekend pretty laid back, resting and hopped up on Dayquil. Caleb is doing much better and ready to hit school tomorrow. Mike and I both felt like we had been run over with a truck when we got up this morning. I did manage to run to a couple stores today and make these cinnamon twists this evening.


However, I think the score is still Becca =1, cold/flu= 5,463! Here's hoping we feel well enough for work tomorrow and that this passes before Christmas. Send us vitamin C wishes!

Ornaments 2010

One of my favorite traditions every year is to get my boys each a new ornament for the family Christmas tree. This year Caleb helped me pick them out on Etsy.com. They arrived today and are so cute and even personalized. They wasted no time putting them on the tree which now feels complete. What are some of your favorite traditions with your family Christmas tree?

8 Easy Steps to Grandma's Christmas Party

Step 1. Gather the food and the family.

Step 2. Provide entertainment with things that make you go "EEEK!"

Step 3. Add in some things that make you go "Huh?"

Step 4- Add things that make you go...........

Step 5- Throw in some research for a random Science Fair Project.

Step 6- Presents!!!!!!!

Step 7- Santa!!!!!!!!

Step 8- And to end off the night -Horrible Karaoke (enjoy some snippets from the various songs we sang).

Ouren Boys vs. Santa

We had a rough year with Santa's visit this year. All 3 of my boys were not having it.

Zaden cried and tried to get away even with Daddy's help.

Zaric decided that the best policy was just to close his eyes and pretend Santa wasn't there. He wouldn't open his eyes at all.

And Caleb first hid in a bedroom. Santa had to go in after him. He was in there crying. He somehow got it in his head that he was on the naughty list this year so he wanted nothing to do with Santa. Thing is, we have no idea where he got that idea. Mike and I haven't said that to him at all. We are thinking something at school maybe? Santa finally coaxed him out of the bedroom for a couple pics, but he wouldn't smile.

By the end he was being a little better and sitting by Santa at least. But he wouldn't go back up there for a good picture for his mommy.

So sorry, no good Santa pics this year. Momma is frustrated and disappointed. Someday I'll probably look back at this year and laugh. But I'm not there yet.

At least we are almost guaranteed a better reaction to Santa's real visit in less than 2 weeks.

P.S. More pics from Grandma's party coming up, stay tuned.

Like a Bean

Caleb finally had his 7 year old Well Child visit last night to our favorite Dr. Joe. I knew had had grown a lot inthe last year but come to find out he has grown a full 3 inches and gained 1o pounds between last December and now. I'm starting to be worried that he'll be taller than me by the 3rd grade. Someone stop my baby boy from growing so fast! Other than the sleep issues which we've had since birth, I'm happy to report that he's a perfectly healthy child.

Licking the Bowl 101

Step #1- Remember it's important to Share

Step #2- Savor the Flavor

Step #3- Really Get into your Work

Step #4- Create a new Art form- on your face

Step #5- Always Clean up your mess.

Holly Socks

I am seriously crazy about this time of year. I love, love, love it. And I have been happy ever since I broke out my collection of Christmas socks to wear, starting just a bit before Thanksgiving even. They are all laid out and lined up on the dresser now for easy access. I even added to my collection when Kmart had them on sale for 99 cents a pair this year. Who can resist that? Of course there's a few not pictured here that have been worn over the last few days or are on my feet currently. I think I am close to the point where I could wear a pair every day between now and Christmas and not even have to do laundry. Hope you have yours out and warming your toes.

4 Days of Thanksgiving Fun

We hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving weekend. I know we did. We kicked it off Tuesday afternoon when the boys got to go to Papa's a day early. I was supposed to work on Wednesday but because of the weather they closed the college down Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday. That allowed Mike and I to spend some more time together and grab a bite to eat before the predicted "blizzard " hit. There was supposed to be a lot more snow on Wednesday but I didn't see any so we headed down earlier than expected and hit some Christmas shopping stores along the way and had a nice lunch together. We made it to Price and the boys who were having a ball with Papa and so I got to take Mike and Taylor to go see Harry Potter since they hadn't seen it yet. It was still good a 2nd time around. Then it was some rest for the night and onto Thanksgiving.

Thursday morning my sister and I hit the Thanksgiving Day sale at Kmart and then we all hung out at Papa's house for some Thanksgiving dinner and football. It was yummy.

My beloved Cowboys lost but they played a good game so I'll let it slide this year.

My poor Doodle caught some sort of cold on Wednesday and missed out on dinner and the first half of football snoozing away in the chair.

The rest of us hit our turkey induced coma's a little later.

Then it was time to plot and plan the attack of Black Friday. My sister and I ran to Walmart about 9:30 and scoped out the placement of things. I was able to score Mike his Xbox Kinect a little early and we made a plan of where to place people and went back to gather the troops. We took Mike, Taylor, Kevin, Maygun, me and my sister and placed us all throughout the store by 10:15 for the midnight opener and manned our posts. When midnight hit, it was shear madness but we were able to score everything we wanted and more. Then it was back to Papa's for a quick power nap then to JCPenny's for their 4 am opening. Made it there and got our goodies and had Mike and Taylor get in line at Kmart for the 5am sale there. We arrived right before 5 ourselves and opted not to get in line. That didn't stop us though. When those doors opened I ran faster than I have in ages and was able to beat the people in line to some items my sister was really wanting to get. I almost got in a little scuffle with one lady but long story short, I won! And we were able to finish our shopping and be back home by 7 am. I think that's a record. After some naps, we all went out together for breakfast and spent the rest of the day recuperating.

Saturday we spent lounging around and hanging out with Papa for most of the day. Then we came home making a stop in Spanish Fork to drive through the Festival of Lights. The kids loved it. I was glad we had waited long enough in Price to make it there just after it got dark.

It was a good 4 days and I think I'll still be recuperating for a few more. My poor Doodle is still a bit under the weather so we've made him an appointment at the night clinic tonight to see the doc. Wish us luck.

Happy Thanksgiving!

There are so many things that I am thankful for this year. First and far most my husband and my little boys, you brighten my days and keep me going and always show me what unconditional love is all about. I am thankful for a warm house and food on the table and that I am fortunate enough to often take those things for granted. I am thankful for my family who makes us laugh, cries with us and is always there for us, even on the days they drive me crazy;). I am thankful for Mike's job and for my job which allow us to do the things that we dream of. I am thankful for friends, old and new, whom without life wouldn't be the same.

Here's wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. May your tummies be full, your football be on and your naps be refreshing.

Love, Becca

P.S. If you are braving the cold and the crowds like we are tomorrow in search of the ultimate deals, be safe and buy me something good ;).

Christopher Pop-In-Kins

After we put the tree up I read this new book to Caleb. It's the cutest thing ever about an elf that wants to visit the humans so Santa sends him to check in on kids and he has to hide somewhere every day in the house between now and Christmas Eve and report back to Santa on if they have been naughty or nice.

And the very next day, who would appear but Christopher himself. He showed up in Mom's mixer first.

And the next day in the chandelier.

Today he's gracing our Christmas Card holder. I wonder where he'll end up day after day after today. Guess we'll have to wait and see.