December - What a Month!

I think I can safely say this was the busiest, most whirlwind December of my life, thus far. At times I was doubtful I was going to make it out in one piece with my sanity intact, but thanks to a fantastic husband, and my amazing parents, things came together beautifully.

I started the month with finals. As I have for the last five years, but this time it was different. It was my last finals week before graduating. You'd think that would be mean less stress, but with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition, and two makeup test on my mind, along with finishing up an essay for my internship, I was stressed to my limit. I have to admit the ice storm we had and the four days of being trapped in the house, did wonders for me. I really needed that time to slow down, and enjoy some much needed family time.

The next week my parents arrived, and the graduation festivities began! The BFA show reception was rescheduled (due to the ice storms) to the same day as my graduation ceremony. It worked out wonderfully for my folks to be able to do both. It made for a long day, but at the end of it I finally felt complete. Jason and the kids were such troopers. It warmed my heart to see my family smiling and waving as I walked into the arena with the other graduates. I know they are so proud of me, and I think it was important for them to see the end result of all the time I have spent in school these last few years.

The next day we had a graduation open house. Jason helped me to take down all of our usual decorations, and we hung a collection of my art from the classes I've taken. My sweet Sisters-in-law helped out and provided food, and an awesome hot chocolate bar. I had a wonderful time, walking around with family and friends and explaining my work, and why I chose to do some of the work I've done. Conceptual art and post modern art can be kind of crazy and confusing, and it's so much fun to talk about.


That was Sunday. The following day, Monday, began the insane power Christmas shopping with my parents. I had pretty much nothing before that day. I didn't even do Black Friday shopping like I usually do. In one week, and with two trips to Arlington, we got everything for four children, two grandparents, one husband, and me bought, wrapped, and ready for Santa. Amid all that, throw in mini cheesecakes for school teachers (Ivy has no less than seven people who work with her), gingerbread cookie making and decorating, and decorating the house for Christmas. I'm surprised no one died of exhaustion!

Christmas day was perfect! The kids couldn't have been happier. Well, I take that back. Emilie would have been happier with a different pair of boots (which she later got), and Adelaide would have been happier if she could have gotten all her gifts and all her sister's gifts too (but we're working on that). Carmella hasn't taken off her new princess dress and shoes yet, Ivy loves her ponies, and Jason has happily retreated to his new tricked out man-cave in the garage. All the kids are super excited about the new trampoline bed Grandpa got for them. Ours ripped a few months ago, and we hadn't gotten a new one yet. Grandpa couldn't stand it! He is the hero in our house.

I spent the day with Mom. We cooked Christmas dinner together, and made it just like I remember. That was all I needed to have a perfect day. We also spent time putting together the Family calendar I make for her and Dad every year. Thanks to Shutterfly, they should have it just in time for New Years Day!

Mom and Dad went home on Friday, and the house hasn't been the same without them. The kids are missing them big time. Carmella keeps asking where they are. I've been a little lonely without them too, but we are all looking forward to a long visit this summer.

I'm really looking forward to a slower week and new year. Emilie is throwing a New Year's Eve party for some of her church friends. That should be giggly and fun. I'll post pictures of that this week. Other than that we have no plans, and I can't even express how good it feels to say that!

Christmas Lists

 Our children, who normally make sure we know what they would like to find under the tree well in advance Christmas, have not given us even one clue. Very strange indeed! To rectify this problem I have whipped up a little christmas list for them to write on. Since we are stuck inside this weekend, I've decided now is a good time to set them to work.
I've also decided to share the file for anyone who would like to do the same. Just click here and print away!

Memories of Halloween Past

Last night I was talking to my mom about how we had to ground Emilie this week. She made a big mistake, and without going into much detail, I'll simply say we were up quite late helping her with a rather large assignment at the last minute. As a result she is grounded for the next two weeks, which means missing out on Halloween this week. As I told my Mom, I wish she understood how much I dislike being the "Mean Mom".

As I was relaying this story to Mom, I was reminded of an incident that happened when I was a kid. Mom didn't even remember it, and I wonder if my brothers do. I'm usually the only one who remembers stuff like this. So in an effort for this memory to not be lost forever I've decided to record it here. So in honor of Halloween and grounding children, I give you The Pumpkin Story.

One year on Halloween, when I was about eight or nine, my younger brothers and I were enjoying our traditional day off from school in honor of Nevada Day. Of course at that age I thought it was pretty cool that we got Halloween off from school, and had no idea what Nevada Day meant. As was our usual Halloween activity, Paul and I were in the backyard carving our pumpkins. As usual, Dad sent us out with a garbage can, some black permanent markers, and a couple well sharpened butcher knives for carving. Thomas was complaining that he wanted to carve another one.

You see a week or so before Thomas convinced Mom and Dad to let him carve his pumpkin early. in his great excited to carve his pumpkin early, he failed to realize that by Halloween, his jack o lantern would be moldy and mushy. Dad refused to get him a new one. It wasn't long before his whining and complaining turned to sulking. After a while Thomas brought his pumpkin around to the backyard and began to tear it apart, and pretty soon, Paul and I joined in too. We took the knives to it, and hacked it up. I think at some point someone produced a hammer. We went to town on that moldy pumpkin. Once it was thoroughly destroyed, we did the next obvious thing, that any unsupervised elementary school kids would do. We threw it on the roof. We had the best time laughing as that nasty hacked up pumpkin splatted on the roof. What a lovely orange mess we were making!

After a while, I have no idea how long,  Dad came out to investigate what all the thumping sounds on the roof were. I'm sure you can imagine how furious he was with us. I don't remember my dad yelling a lot,  but I'd be surprised if he didn't yell that day. We were quickly made to clean up the gooey mess on the patio, and then sent to our rooms for the rest of the afternoon. He informed us that we would not be trick or treating this year. One of my older brothers got the glamorous job of climbing up on the roof with a broom to sweep the rotten pumpkin down.

My brothers and I spent the rest of the day crying and apologizing, and saying anything we could think of to change his mind. He was immovable in his verdict.

It wasn't until Mom got home from work shortly before dinner, that the punishment changed to our favor. Dad proceeded to tell Mom about the events of the day, and the resulting punishment.  Mom proceeded to tell Dad that she had spent way too many hours making our Halloween costumes for us to not wear them.  There was no way all her hard work was going to waste.

It was with larger smiles than usual that we went Trick or Treating that night, and I think that just maybe, the candy was a little bit sweeter that year.

Now that this story has been recorded, I am left with the question. Should I show Emilie the same mercy I was given, and let her participate in Halloween this year? She was going to help out a haunted house that some friends of ours put on every year, and she is very disappointed that she no longer gets to go.
Any thoughts????

The Bike Brigade

Now that the weather has gotten more bearable here in Texas, we have been spending most evenings outside. It has been wonderful. After dinner, the kids run out and grab their bikes, or some sidewalk chalk, and we laugh and play till it's time to get ready for bed.

I couldn't resist the chance to snap some photos of Jason playing with the kids. He is finally teaching Ivy to ride her bike. She hasn't wanted to learn, because most of the time she rides her scooter. But, we have reached the point where having a 10 year old who can't ride a bike is just plain embarassing.
She's getting pretty good too. Hopefully soon she and Adelaide will be riding their bikes to school together.

A Little More Labor Day

The rest of the pictures from Labor Day Weekend.

Labor Day Festivities

Once again the family headed out to the Lake House for our annual Labor Day weekend of fun. Jason's dad put together a huge list of tailgate party activities for everyone. Our little family usually shy's away from all the cheesey BYU stuff, but since this may be our last tailgate party weekend I figured we should probably represent.

 I like to give a big Thank You to my friend Jamie Walker who supplied the entire family with BYU shirts for the weekend. How sad is that we don't own even one shirt!
Jason wrote us a pretty interesting cheer for the cheer competition, which we did not win. BOO!
He also cheated and still managed to lose the BYU trivia round. Cheaters never prosper, HA!
He came pretty close to winning the obstacle course though.  GO JASON!

The kids had a great time as always. Adelaide had fun hanging out with her cousins, and had a cousins sleepover that she was super excited about. Ivy spent most of the weekend in the house playing, and Emilie had fun swimming in the lake. Carmella, was simply a happy little two year old. Eating ice cream and candy, and making messes, yep that sums up her weekend.

And now some photos of the obstacle course.

Second Day of School

Yes, that's right. I can't be a normal mother who takes first day of school photos. At least not this year. I have an 8 am class, so Jason took the girls to school on their first day, and they weren't even ready when I left for class. So, I had to settle for second day of school photos. Now, let's just forget the fact that I'm three weeks late posting them. I can't stand all this judging. Give a busy mom a break, okay!

Also, I should probably address the fact that I just couldn't bring myself to take the traditional smile at the camera as the little darlings eagerly head out to school. I couldn't help but notice this year that everyone seemed to love the same idea that I'm sure someone saw on Pintrest. You know the one. The adorable smiling child holding up the sign or yes, possibly a chalkboard, with the year of school written on it. No, I just couldn't do it! I've never really been one to follow the crowd. So, here I present my somewhat tongue-in-cheek alternative. I think this better represents the true nature of my children.

ok, maybe just one cutsie smiling one, for the grandparents.