Lovin Christmas

We are up in Golden again. We came up with some friends of ours Scott and Kellie. It has been a lot of fun. We take turns going skiing and watching the kids, and spend our nights sledding down the ski hill and playing cards. THE SNOW IS AMAZING. Last year the skiing kind of sucked. There were rocks and trees everywhere. This year it is nothing but powder. My cousins are here staying down the hall, my parents are coming up on Tuesday. We are heading home for Christmas though. Our plan is to spend the day at home with the kids for the first time ever. Then we are heading out for all the family stuff. I am loving it. The snow the mountains the hot cocoa and late nights.

I have also decided to take my blog private in the new year. I have wanted to do this for awhile but haven't gotten around to it. Leave your email address if you want to keep up with us.

The film maker

Guess what I found on my camera...

There was another one that was really cute but after 30 second of cuteness there is 30 seconds of Elizabeth being distracted by Dora on the TV.

Along vith the videos I found about 40 pictures of walls, books, pillows, tv buttons and 2 second movies where she thought she was taking pictures but she was starting and stopping the movie.

rebecca cooper photography

Check out her blog and her giveaway!! Such pretty pictures!

The Plan

was to go up to Canmore and spend the night at Silver Creek Lodge, and then go shopping in Banff on Saturday. Lizzy and Sam went to my Moms and we only had Abbi. Of course though I made the foolish choice to shovel my driveway. Whenever I shovel the driveway, it snows again that same day. So with havoc stricken roads we scrapped the plan and stayed home. We went to go eat at Joey's Tomatoes, one of my favorites. But they scrapped my favorite dish (evil jungle noodle salad) from the menu (boo should have gone to Bills). It was fun to go out anyways though. we wandered around Chinook mall and hit up the Chapters bookstore there. Where I got the book "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins. I read the first book, "Hunger Games" about a year ago and loved it. (Did you know they do book trailers???) I reread Hunger games though so I would remember it all. I am starting Catching Fire today WOO HOO. Anyways on Saturday we went shopping sans kids anyways just in Calgary. Didn't buy anything but almost talked our selves into buying a new bed (I want I want). That was our anniversary plans.

I was going to have a post with pictures but everything got turned upside down and a picture of my freezing my butt off at the mall just didn't seem as good.

Here is a question. Trevor and I have been debating weather we should buy each other gifts for Christmas or buy a garage door opener? What would you do. -the joy and fun of buying gifts for each other and to open on Christmas or a garage door opener which I would appreciate every day.

Second question. In the past we have had agreements on how much to spend and he ALWAYS breaks it. If we decide to get the opener should I get him something anyways?

This is my favorite sound. I love her little coo.

My favorite is when she wakes up doing this instead of crying. And yes she is sucking her thumb. I am trying to stop it but it is just pointing out how little control I seem to have.

It has been...

...

11 homes

2 countries

3 houses

5 dogs

8 vehicles (at least)

16 jobs

3 kids

unnumbered kisses and "I love yous"

since We said "I do" 5 years ago

and I love him more now than I did then.

The secret to Santa

No Christmas is complete without pictures with Santa. Sam decided that he wouldn't sit unless Trevor and I did. So we had a family picture with santa.


However. We went up to crossiron mills mall and were in Bass Pro Shop where guess what, they have SANTA. The have a no waiting policy. If the lineup is more than 30 minutes long (we walked right up and sat down) they make you an appointment so you can go shop instead of standing in line. ALSO They give you a free 4x6 picture and for $3.14 they will email you a digital copy that you can do whatever you want with. (they also have all your regular packages for $20 plus) so glad we didn't have to wait.

Aren't they

PRETTY...

This is what you do while Mom is nursing Abbi. I think I will buy some new mascara now.

My Brain

Is MUSH.

It starts.
6:30 am jump out of bed. run and empty all the trash and gather the recycling into the bin put it all out on the street. Get back into bed, Abbi wakes up, nurse her, Lizzy gets up the day has begun.

Hours later realize that no it is Thursday not Wednesday, garbage was yesterday. Dang it. I hate when I miss garbage day the next week I feel so dirty putting twice as much garbage out front for all my neighbors to see. Well at least they will understand seeing how my garbage sat out on the curb all day

on Thursday

the day after garbage day.

Well since it is now Thursday instead of Wednesday ... wait where DID Wednesday go ... I guess it is Abbi's Dr appointment. Call my Mom have her take the older kids drive to the Dr. office

"I am here for a 2:00 with Dr Heimbach for Abigail"
"Dr Heibach isn't here this afternoon"
"Oh... I guess I am here for a 2:00 with someone else"
" What's the last name?"
"Smith"
" Oh your appointment was yesterday. (yesterday being wednesday that I don't know where it went) would you like to rebook?"
"I guess so"
"And since you missed the appointment yesterday (grrr) the Dr billed you for it and it will cost you $35.00 to rebook. How would you like to pay"

.....

Apparently I missed something here. What day is it today and how do I go back to yesterday because I forgot some things.

And I don't think I like today, is it tomorrow yet?

One of the worst parts of being sick is the trying to get everything back under control afterwards. My house is back under control... well mostly.

The big news is that we got the theater up and running. The room doesn't have carpet but the equipment works and the seats are in. So we have been having fun watching movies down there. The fun (sarcastic) part is that when we opened the box to put up the screen we bought 6 months ago the box was empty. nice. So now we are in discussion with visions. They think we are lying, we want our screen. etc.etc. news on that as we get it. but the projector is good enough that we can watch movies on the dark blue wall and they still look good.

We spent a couple of days in Cardston for a cousins sealing. My grandma sent us to the movies so Trevor got roped into seeing new moon with me. He didn't mind it :)

We have been having some troubles with attitudes around here lately.

Sam is VERY proficient with the word "no".

Sam come here - no - sam you have to the count of 3 - no - 1 - no - 2 - no - 3 - no no no no (running away). Maybe I liked him better silent.



With Lizzy on the other hand it is " WEEVE ME AWONE" (leave me alone). Trying to get her to stop sucking her thumb. ugh. time outs have been running rampant in our house. bedrooms, stairs. Lizzy even put her baby doll in a time out the other day



Abbi is just chill though

"i'm cool like that"

We bought our tree. Trev won and we bought a real one * 20 bucks at ikea and they give you an in store gift certificate for the 20 bucks* Lizzy was VERY excited to say the least. It is our first tree ever. we haven't even had the cheap 3 foot ones.

On a high note I managed to make it to the bank, post office and the library yesterday without major incident. 3 is so difficult to go anywhere with. Trying to convince one kid to hold your hand while you carry the baby and then also persuade the other kid to hold the first kids hand as you walk in a long line of hand holding. Giving drivers the look, "yes I know we are slow and ridiculous but you don't want to see what will happen if you keep sneaking up closer on me" .

They are building the condos on the main drive behind my house. They have been tamping th ground all week. My whole house shakes right along with my ears. I can't wait for that to be finished, and they are building a spec house next door to us so at least we will be done on all our sides. They have also dug up my street AGAIN. this is the 3rd time in 6 months. I thought all of this had to be done before they put houses in.

I am feeling better, woot woot, but EVERYONE else in the house now has a stuffy head. Guess I just got it first so I could help everyone else out next. Yesterday was great. My Mom took Lizzy and Sam yesterday and I slept ALL DAY LONG. I think that made a BIg difference in me feeling better.

As I was internet surfing yesterday in my brain fogged glory I decided I REALLY want to go on a holiday. Trevor and I were going to go on a trip this year (5 year anniversary) but we want to go all alone and Abbi put a stop to my plans. Guess I will have to wait until next year. But now I have it in my head that I want to go. Somewhere warm, and with a beach. argh.

My Children

Are a blessing.

I often forget this. Funny how things like THE HEAD COLD FROM ****, can make you remember this.

I have a 3 month old that slept for 11 hours last night so that I could sleep for 10.

I have a son who thinks the greatest thing in the world is to just sit on my lap and play with my hands.

I have a daughter who can entertain herself, albeit movie after movie.

As I sit here at my computer wondering about the possiblitiy of that my head might explode I look at Lizzy sitting in her blue fold out chair in her new pink tutu (thankx ashton) completely happy. She has been showing me all her ballerina moves and is such a good help. Abbi is sitting on my lap eating her hands and Sam is sleeping. and this reminds me that yes, my children are a blessing. Brain fogs put things in perspective, I need to remember this better when my head is clear.

(she didn't want her picture taken)

The Handy Man

I LOVE being married to a handy man. lol. Today he put up Christmas lights on my house, he is building shelves for me in my storage room, putting the last coat of mud in the theater room. I might even get him to hang the numbers on my house for me.

I Love that I can say. I want shelves built in my basement, or garage or I want this hung up or whatever I want done and he can do it for me.

Maybe I am feeling the love because Thursday he let me go out to my weekly girls night with Kellie AND he kept Abbi. Then last night he stayed home alone again while I went with Jessie to New Moon ( sooo good. better than I expected. Wasn't really fond of Twilight, but this one was much better).

He is soo good to me.

I love my man!

I don't know if anyone remembers this post. But here she is Sucker #3. I have been trying sooo hard to get her to take the soother instead. 1 avid thumb sucker is enough. But how do you stop a 3 month old from sucking her thumb when she wakes up in the morning and does it?



I have been having her play with this toy. Sometimes she will lay there in awe and just watch it. Other times she SCREAMS at it. It's a love hate thing.



The other two however LOVE chocolate pudding. We made it for a treat last night after dinner.

Bumbo

My Grandma Craig got Abbi a Bumbo chair. She LOVES it. Sh had been yelling at Trevor all night but calmed down when we sat her in it. She sat there with her "zen, meditation, ninja" hands until she got tired enough that when we picked her up she went right to sleep. Lets just say Trevor and I like this thing too.

Yes

Yes we have our christmas decorations out

Yes Trevor has been asking to get a tree for WEEKS (I am still holding out.)

We are in full swing, Christmas, planning, shopping and celebrating

Tis the Season

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

A Holiday question

Do you think I will have a hard time at the border going down to the States for thanksgiving if Abbi's passport doesnt come by then??

I hope not.

Tomorrow..

I am going here.

We are going with Ryan and Angie.

The sad part is that I was looking through the list of nominees and I don't actually watch most of the shows. I watch "The Hour" while I am nursing at 4 am, and "Dragons Den" when I can find it. And a number of spin off shows from the States (Project Runway Canada, So you think you can dance Canada). Otherwise I have no clue. But it should be fun. I'm excited to dress up, I don't know what in, but I'm excited.

BEAST

Kambria sent me this.

Wow.

I missed

Time apart is always a good thing. It sure makes it nice to have them around again.

felt like a monday

When I lived in the states I needed a cosigner to get a credit card for $500 bucks.

Apparently however someone else can get a credit card under my name with a $10,000.00 limit.

Yes I have officially been identity thefted.

How did I find out? oh yes the collection agency that has been calling all of Trevors extended family looking for me.

Charming.

What are the chances of them voiding all the charges and letting me keep the card?

Blame Natalie lol!

Natalie left a comment wanting pictures so it is all her fault!! We have been BUSY.

Halloween: Abigail was a little bit punk rock. Actually we dyed her mouth with gentian violet to get rid of her thrush. After 2 months this stuff finally did the trick in only 2 doses. As you can see she likes it a lot



Lizzy and Sam went as a princess and a cowboy. We went to the stake Halloween party and then their uncles (troy and joel) took them trick or treating on Halloween night.



Trevor and I were golf balls



Of course the kids thought they were the best things to play with, until they totally demolished them.



Baby Blessing:

(the sickies didn't come)

After the blessing Abbi and I feel like this

Joel and Glenda took the older two kids to Wyoming for the week. I had a hard time letting go of my control but it has been AMAZING to have the week by myself. Poor Abbi has been toted all over the place all week as I have discovered the freedom of only having 1 child again.

She has been so good about it all.

While I have been "kid-lite" Trevor and I have: shopped, cleaned and sterilized my house, got all the laundry done, did Abigail's American citizenship, got her a passport, worked for Trevor's boss for a day, scrapbooked, gone out for lunch and dinner, mud and taped the basement, played cards, stayed out late and slept.

Before the kids left we went and got pictures done of them (THANKX MJ!!)

this is the best group photo, this is so my kids.

We gave up and did individuals

There it all is.

xoxox Nat!!

boo on boo

Yes it is the day before halloween. No I don't have costumes for my kids. Yes there is a stake activity tonight. The plan, figure it all out today. I am thinking cowboy and princess, hopefully this all works out.

Matter of propriety

Background: We are having our baby blessing this weekend. I am stressed about having that many potential flu carriers in my house. I just found out that one family I invited has H1N1. They haven't called to say they aren't coming.

Question: Is it rude of me to uninvite them. I am worried about stepping on toes. They have been family friends since I was 1.

Rant: Why if you or someone in your household had H1N1 would you plan on attending a BABY BLESSING. I am kind of irritated that they would plan on coming over when they have sickness in their house. I have little kids. This is why we have the pandemic.
STAY HOME WHEN YOU ARE SICK.

Would you uninvite them or let them come.

H1N1 or not

I have been debating about the H1N1 vaccine. How much is media hype, how much is fact. Do I get it, should I get my kids to get it etc. I had decided not to. But then people I know started getting it. And EVERYONE seems to be sick. Tomorrow I am heading to the clinic with my kids for a flu shot and the H1N1 shot (joy). Trevor has decided he isn't getting anywhere near a nurse with a needle. What do you all think about this?

Banana Blueberry Bliss

My kids slept in! Woot for 7 hours of sleep!

Anyways I made these Banana - Blueberry Muffins for breakfast today. Found them on Martha Stewarts website (isn't she amazing, except for all the criminal stuff). They were sooooo good. I didn't have wheat germ so I added extra flour to make up the difference. And I was suprised because they call for whole wheat flour which I had never used in muffins before.

I love muffins, especially when it is blizzard like outside. Boo

long post on short things

We aren't moving any more :)

It was one of those moments when I was perfectly happy and excitedly planning for the move. When Trev called me from Sarnia and said he had been having one of those feelings. One of those feelings like maybe we shouldn't go. It was like a wave. I am very happy to not have to worry about moving and to get to stay in and enjoy the house I love. Maybe when I actually get things put up around here (I get to hang pictures because I'm not moving) I will post pictures of the house.

On more happy news, because we aren't moving there are 6 men in my house right now. The Chaparral and Cranston ward missionaries,

a good friend who wandered over and Trevor. My basement is getting drywalled. Hooray!! then I can get all of this

out of my garage and into the basement so I can park in there all winter.

Sad news i didn't get my pictures done. It snowed the two weekends I was going to go, (causing me to resent the decent weather that we are having now) but on the bright side, I will still be here next spring and can get them done then!

Fingers crossed that a location with state farm will open up in Alberta soon so we can keep moving forward. but for now I am glad to be standing still.

What happens when your middle child decides he wants your oldest child's chair, and your older child won't move?

I love these two they keep me going every day.

Sam is the funniest kid!

My Dad was given one of those "edible arrangements". It was so good. There were chocolate strawberries in it, Sam was on cloud 9.

Look at those yucky sticky fingers.

Abigail had her 6 week checkup this week. She is 10.3 lbs (just over the 50th percentile) and 59 cm (in the 95th percentile). She is growing and growing. Except for a grouchy period each night after the kids go to sleep she is still my angel baby.

I didn't broadcast this to loudly before. But since Abby was born Trevor has been gone, A LOT. He would go to Toronto for 2 weeks and then come home for a weekend, then back to Toronto. We are so glad that he is around again.