Christmas Traditions

I want to know what everyone is doing for Christmas Eve and how you do Christmas day. This is our first year not going home to Grandma's house. We are going to have to make Christmas by ourselves for our kids and I'm not sure I can do it.... So what do you do???

Since there hasn't been a lot of pictures of the boys lately...

Help me!

I know I am not the most computer literate person, but you'd think I'd be able to add stuff to the calendar... Can someone explain to us all how the calendar on this blog works?? Thanks a bunch!

Alone for a night..

First let me say that I am in awe and admire those of you who deal with having spouses gone for long periods of time. I know I have nothing to complain about, especially with Mike in Guam forever and Adrianne facing weather and power troubles. I am not alone for over a month like Andy and Laura, either. And then there are Mom and Dad who are away from each other all the time. I guess what I am saying is I am a big wimp! Mike had to go to Fargo last night, 3 hours away, so he could be to a meeting this morning. I heard on the radio that the highway into Fargo had several roll overs, cars sliding off the roads, and 60 mph gusts of winds yesterday morning. So I was a bit worried with him leaving at 7pm last night. He will be home this evening.
I don't know how many of you know, but our down stairs neighbor hates us, really hates us. She has sent another note telling us that we are breaking her lease, disturbing the peace, bad parents, etc. She documents what time the kids wake her up each day. She has threated to go the landlord, which she did, and also to the police. Anyway, having said that, I am also worried about keeping the kids quiet. For some reason it seems easier to do when Mike is here with me to do battle.
So last night, with Mike gone, I didn't sleep well, which I have heard most wives don't when alone. At 4 am Tyson woke up, which is very unusual. The three big kids usually sleep all night long and wake up around 7am. So, since I was worried about this nasty neighbor, I brought Tyson into my bed, since the nasty girl lives directly under his room, not mine. Big mistake! He snores like a bear and thrashes around all night. Also, Jacob was in the room with us. When I had to feed Jacob, Tyson became wide awake and kept trying to talk to Jacob, disturbing him from eating. It was an early morning and we all need naps, although I am not likely to get one.
We are all fine, Mike will be home tonight, we have power and food, and I shouldn't be complaining. Mike will be back in Fargo next week for several days. I am not looking forward to that. I really feel for those of you who are separated from your spouses for long periods of time. You are amazing!! Although, the idea of being separated from the kids for a night or two sounds nice!!

Nick's first haircut

Nick finaly got all his hair cut at one time. He's had bits and pieces cut here and there but this is the first time he's gotten "a hair cut." I hope you're not all getting board of these pictures, but I really enjoy seeing what Laura and Nick are up to.

A worm or mabey a caterpiller

Nicholas got to be a bug in some kind of elementary school production with his cousins, 1st and 2nd.

Laura's Birthdays

These first pictures are from Laura's 8th 20th birthday. It sure seems that she had a great time. The other pictures are from other birthdays in her family. Every time we talk, Laura tells me to tell you all how much she thinks of you and that she loves you.

Sarah's First Birthday

I can't believe Sarah is 1 already. Last Sunday we went to Laura's Mom's for a little party. Sarah loved the cake and ripping presents open.

(I put more pictures on the our blog. She will be having another party on Sunday, I will put more pictures on it after.)

The most delicious caramel popcorn!

My friend makes this and it is absolutely fantastic. It stays soft and chewy and doesn't get hard. I love it. Watch out though, it can be addicting!

1 cup corn syrup
2 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
1 T vanilla
2 gallons popped corn

In a large saucepan bring corn syrup, brown sugar, and
salt to a boil. Add butter and return to boil. Add
sweetened condensed milk, stiring constantly until it
reaches soft ball stage (228 degrees). Remove from
burner. Stir in vanilla. Let cool slightly. Divide
popcorn into two parts and lay on two greased cookie
sheets. Pour equal amounts of caramel over each. Stir
gently until coated. Can be formed into popcorn balls
if desired. Allow to set for about two hours.

Nick and his little buddy

When Laura told me about this little incedent, I had trouble picturing it in my mind. After I zoomed in on these pictures, it took some time to stop laughing. I hope you all enjoy.

Thanksgiving

How was everyone's Thanksgiving?

Happy Birthday Dad!!

Today is Dad's birthday. He told me that there was one good thing about this birthday...the fact that it is not his 60th birthday!

Happy Birthday!!!

Scrapbook pages for Mandy

I really enjoy scrapbooking but I don't want to spend my money on all the cool things that go along with scrapbooking. I also have a hard time finding time to do it. The boys make it almost impossible to do when they are awake. So, I don't scrapbook very often. Anyway, this is the best picture I could take of the pages. You can see that I don't get too involved with the page and cutesy things you can do. I have a friend who wants to open a scrapbooking store and her pages are incredible. It seriously is like an art. Maybe some day I will spend more time on it and learn some great tricks.

Wanted: Your thoughts

I am just curious about some things and thought it might get some discussion on the blog:
1. Real Christmas tree or fake, and why??
* We are going to have to buy our first tree this year, as we will not be going anywhere, and will have to do our own Christmas.
2. What is everyone doing for Thanksgiving? Will you have turkey or ham?
*We are going to our in laws and will eat turkey.
3. Does Santa wrap your presents or not?
*Santa wraps our presents, as we each only get one or two things from Santa, and that would look silly to have just one thing unwrapped. I remember that we used to get piles of things from Santa, but he doesn't seem to deliver as much to our house, I wonder why??
4. Who is going shopping on black Friday?
* I didn't realize that real people have to work on that day!! Mike has to work!! I will still probably make it to Target and Walmart with the help of my in laws.
Let me know your thoughts, I'm just looking for some blog action!

Scrap-booking

Has anyone finished their scrapbook pages for Grandma and Grandpa yet? I know the deadline is coming quickly and I just wondered how everyone else is doing. I haven't even started mine yet!!

Strength Training

Today the boys and I were doing some Taebo. During the exercise I pointed out a move, "That exercises your bum muscle."
He looked at me and grinned, "Does that mean I can poop faster?!?!?"
He thought that quite hilarious and continued to say, "I can poop fast with my poop muscle!"
Then after he was done he went and lifted his chair up to see if he was any stronger yet.
If only we all found as much joy in exercise!!!

AFIT

Mike did not get selected for AFIT. He is very sad about it. Please don't say anything to him about it. He doesn't want to hear it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RALPH!!!

Happy Birthday to Ralph! Hope you get to eat lots of yummy cake and ice cream!

Any takers?

I am giving away some clothes. Check out my family blog to see pictures. If you want them, email me or post on here so I know and I will send them to you. Some of them are maternity clothes (I know none of you are pregnant but if you wan them for future). Also, some of them I got from Jessie. Jessie, if you want them back, let me know. I think they are all ones you said you didn't want anymore but if there is something I forgot to give back and you want it, let me know. I hope if there is something I'm giving away that any of you gave me, you aren't offended. It's not because I didn't like them--they just didn't fit me very well and I gave up on trying to fit into them.

Jacob 1st month

Today Jacob is one month old. It's hard to believe he is that old already. It sure goes fast. He still seems like a new born, which he is, but I mean like he's just a week old. He has spent his first month like most babies: sleeping, spitting up, wetting his pants, and crying and screaming. He is very cute, though and everyone loves to hold him. He is growing already and starting to pay more attention to us. We are so happy to have him in our family!