*December 1*

My cousin-in-law, OneHM, shared a fun idea to document the Christmas season. I decided to jump on in an attempt to figure out how to digiscrap my pictures....since regular scrapbooking isn't happening around this place. This is also a lame attempt to spend more time with my hubby, since I have to ask him how to do everything when it comes to PhotoShop! (I'm not sure he's enjoying it too much though, since I keep pulling his attention away from whatever movie he is watching!)

Anyhoo...here is our day 1, and my attempt at Photoshop!!!! Thank you OneHM for the template to try and make life a bit easier....


If you can't read the words, it basically says that we went to the Festival of Trees.

paper credits: onehm-template, molly decrow, holly jolly holiday kit
labor credits: my fantabulous husband!

Fact Smorgasbord.....

I've been tagged.....thanks OneHM!

the rules of tag...
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 5 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are TAGGED by leaving a comment on their blog.

Hmmm....more weird and random things...

1. You know how most teenagers are clumsy and just don't have complete control over their limbs, but then grow out of it? I never did. And I'm even worse since I had kids! I am a serious klutz. Two years ago I even managed to step wrong on the edge of the DOORMAT....yes, all 1" of it...and broke my foot. Almost needed freaking SURGERY for it! But after 6 weeks in a big walking boot, they decided surgery wasn't needed...a doormat people! (Murphy's Law sidenote: The day that I got the boot, I came home from the doctor, sat down in the kitchen, and Nicole walked up to me and promptly vomited all over it. Good thing for Febreeze.)

2. I had braces when I was younger...didn't everyone? But my parents didn't send me to a real orthodontist. Just a dentist that thought he could dabble in orthodontia. He didn't do a good job. And I hated the retainer he gave me. It was like a medieval torture device that resembled a football mouthpiece. Then he expected me to wear it to Jr High? Yeah, right. So I didn't. Consequently, I look like I never had braces. Therefore, I am seriously considering getting them again. I figure no matter what, in 2 years, I'll be two years older, but I could have straight teeth as well...

3. I have a genetic disorder. My dad had it as well. It doesn't have a name, at least not one I've discovered, but it's when you get these big ideas about some project or hobby that you want to get started in, and go out and buy all the equipment and gak you may need to begin this project or hobby, and then never do it. Complete lack of follow-through! I guess it would be more of a genetic/mental disorder!

4. This morning, for breakfast, I had a can of Diet Dr. Pepper. Breakfast of champions!

5. My husbands 1st wife died of cancer. When she was diagnosed with the relapse, Ron's aunt had a grandson in the NICU at the hospital I worked at. She came in one time when I was assigned to him and met me. (I really don't remember it.) That day, after she met me, she called Ron's mom and told her that if his wife died, that she had met the girl he should marry...me. Ron's mom remembered it, because at the time, Ron's brother was married to an Andrea, and she said, "That would be too confusing to have 2 Andrea's in the family!" Fast-forward 4 years, and we are engaged....without any help from his aunt, but, WEIRD huh?! Oh, and as it turns out, Ron's brother and the other Andrea got divorced, so I'm the only one!

Now...who to tag...friends from way back...
Steph, oh, and Lance too!
Tami
Kellie
Nicole
Barbara

Whittling the list...

Remember the hideous list of life-stress that I posted about a month ago? Well, I'm happy to report that it is a few items shorter, and I have survived thus far....

Halloween...check
Nicole's Bday...check...although I still feel a little twinge of guilt about dogging out on a friend party for her. Mostly because I wasn't really clear to her that it wasn't a sure thing...she thought it was. I'll do better next year.
Thanksgiving...check...good food(I brined and roasted the turkey...YUM-O!), fun, and family...all in all, my idea of success!
Ron's business trips...survived the first, in the midst of #2...this one's a bit tougher since Nicole has been sick, so I'm a bit sleep-deprived...but the new Triaminic seems to be doing the trick tonite *knock on wood!* Maybe I should've just given her double the dose instead of triple.
**I'm totally KIDDING people!!! Put down the phone, you don't need to call CPS on me! ;o)**
School Geography Bee...went well this afternoon! I'd call it a success! I'm just glad it's done, and that I didn't have to emcee the thing! And because of a lack of child care (my mom is on a cruise, and Nicole's illness preventing me from begging kids off on a neighbor) I did the last thing I could come up with...I checked Riley out of school for the assembly and had her come home to babysit. What a responsible mother. Oh well....I figure she didn't miss out on academia....just the Geography Bee!

Next on my list....finish putting up the Christmas decor, start Ellie's stocking....yeah, I'm still hoping to get it done! It could happen...and you can't really tell from this picture...but it is cute! Funny coincidence is that it is the "Elisabeth" stocking....even spelled her way!

The Wilson's have some CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!

The kids are officially ready for Christmas....

They practiced for hours!

Click here.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Wishing you all the best....good food, fun family time, and time to reflect on all your blessings.

Love to all-

The Wilson Family

FUN F.H.E.!

Ron came home today and announced he wanted us to go do something "fun" for FHE tonight. So I suggested we try out Boondocks....a big family fun center we have here in Draper.

It was big.

It was fun.

It was also empty, so Ron and the kids did the go-karts for almost 20 minutes! The only reason they got off was because he was feeling guilty with Ellie and I out walking around to kill time....she was too short to go on them. Then we did the bumper boats. I couldn't figure out how to keep from going in circles, so I was getting seasick! Ron yelled over,"It's just like driving a boat!" HELLOOOO!!! When was the first or last time I have ever driven a BOAT?!?!

Then on to miniature golf. It was the little kids first time. They weren't too hip on waiting patiently while everyone took a turn on one hole. Thankfully there was no one in front of or behind us, so we bagged keeping score with Nicole 2 holes ahead of us, and Jared 1 hole ahead. I did get a hole in one though...hooray! Ellie just walked around holding her club and ball, refusing to hit it. But she'd hit everyone elses!

Then inside to the arcade where the tokens were plowed through, and tickets redeemed for candy and plastic junk, and then Ron and the kids went in and did laser tag. I was out with Ellie again...we shared some nachos.

Then we went to dinner at....sit down...Chuck-a-rama...'nuff said.

All in all, a fun night. The kids got to bed an hour and a half late, and asked all the way home when we were going back! I think next time, we'll not go on Monday night, and leave Ellie home with Grandmommy until she's a bit bigger! The stuff we didn't do included batting cages, and the rock wall.

Sorry...no pictures...I forgot to bring the camera...I know, I'm sad too!

Motherhood Tag

Steph Thomas emailed me this, and tagged me to complete it, so here you go!

1. How long have you been a MOTHER?
As long as I've been married, 8 years, and almost 3 months. I have been a biological mother for 6+ years.

2. How many kids call you mommy?
Four. But if you want to get technical, Riley has always just called me "mom."

3. When you were pregnant did you know what you were having?
Yes. I didn't believe it with Nicole, so they had to prove it to me a couple more times. Jared made it obvious (!), and Ellie was a bit more shy. She liked those little ankles crossed right over her goods, but we did get a couple peeks, so we were pretty confident she was a she! (Even after she was born she liked her legs up and ankles crossed "just so!")

4. How old were you when you became a mom?
Married at 28.5, gave birth at 30(almost 31)

5. How long were you in labor?
Nicole: Induced @ 9 days overdue, 28 hour labor
Jared: Induced 1 week early, 5 hours
Ellie: Induced 1 week early, 5 hours, and the absolute best epidural ever!

6. What's your favorite thing about being a mom?
Naptime and bedtime! No, really, I LOVE watching them learn new things, I love it when they play with each other nicely, and adore the cuddles and loves.

7. What's your least favorite thing?
Fighting with sibs, lying, tattle-tale-ing, and whining

8. Do you want more kids?
Nope, the kids I have need me to maintain the little emotional stability I have left! I'm also counting down the days(okay, months) until I'm done with diapers!

9. Have you ever taken your kid(s) on a trip?
Yes....umm...I prefer short road trips or flights for sure!

10. How many times have you been peed on?
Can't even count, by the girls too. Well, all of them except Riley! ;)

11. How many times have you been barfed on?
Other than baby spit-up, it's not to bad. They usually get themselves better! I am glad that I only have Ellie left to teach about the puke bucket. Knock on wood, she has yet to have a bad vomiting episode...although I may have just cursed myself!

12. Are your kids named after someone?
Riley Shane-she shares her maternal aunt's middle name. I like to give Ron grief about giving the poor girl 2 boy names.
Nicole Sara-1st name is a modification of my maiden name(Nicoll), and middle name is her gg-grandma's
Jared Scott-he and Ron share the same middle name
Elisabeth Noelle-My sister is an Elizabeth, and we have plenty of Elizabeth ancestors on both sides. For some reason I liked it with an "s" better though, so we modified the spelling.

13. When is the last time you had a sitter; What did you do?
My mom watched the youngest on Tuesday so I could go help in Nicole's class, before that, they stayed at grandmommy's last Friday for Ron's dad's bday dinner.

14. When your kids get in trouble, who is the bad guy?
Me, for sure. I'm the one they are around most. But Ron does his share too!

15. What is the longest you have been away from your kid(s)?Three-four days usually. Three maternity hospital stays, a few one-nighters away, a fun trip to San Francisco with Ron, a sad(funeral) trip to San Jose with Ron, and a trip to Texas for a wedding.

16. Are your toes painted?
Nope....they never are.

17. Last movie you saw in theater?
I think it was the last in the "Bourne" series....Ultimatum?

18. One thing you will not give up just because you're a mom:
My candy.

19. One thing you did give up now that you're a mom:
Only ONE? Being able to eat any meal in peace.

20. Favorite Cartoon:
Old Disney. Robin Hood, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger too.

21. Favorite Snack:
Dr. Pepper, Hot Tamales(cause my kids hate them so they don't ask!)

22. When the kid(s) are napping, you are:
Keeping track of the ones that aren't!

23. Where is/are your kid(s) now?
My favorite place...bed! (It is almost 10 pm!)

24. Favorite place to buy maternity clothes?
I've tried to block those memories! I liked Motherhood for dressier stuff, I got stuff at Target, Meier & Frank, and Old Navy finally got stuff in stores for Ellie.

25. If I could do it over, I'd do this differently:
Stop trying to do everything (because I just procrastinate and it doesn't get done, like scrapbooks), spend more one-on-one time with them, and I would've spaced Nicole and Jared out a bit more if I'd known what kind-of fights I'd be dealing with!

Now...who to tag...Heidi, Tami, Kellie, Steph, and whoever else thinks it looks fun!

Food Storage Chicken and Dumplings

Here's the yummy recipe for the chicken and Dumplings I made the other night. The recipe uses all things from food storage, but I used fresh veggies instead. So I increased the amounts of veggies (I doubled them, but added even more carrots, because I like carrots!), and decreased the water by a cup or so.

Soup
1/4 c dried carrots
1/4 c dried celery
1/8 c dried onion
1/2 t chicken bullion (I used 1 cube)
1 t dried sage
salt and pepper to taste
2 (12.5 oz)cans chicken breast, with juice...I used 8 cooked tenders
2 (14.5 oz)cans chicken broth...or 1 chicken and 1 vegetable
6-8 c water

Dumplings
2 c biscuit mix-homemade (recipe below)
2/3 c milk

Combine all ingredients and let simmer until veggies are reconstituted and flavors are blended(about 40 min.). When soup is ready, bring it to a boil. Add dumplings one spoon drop at a time and cover with lid. Cook until the dumplings fluff up and look done(about 15-20 mins), cut into one to check it. The dumplings will help to make the soup a lot more creamy and hearty.
**Options: Add 1 c noodles instead of dumplings, more veggies to make it go farther, or adding different veggies like corn or peas.

Basic Biscuit Mix
9 c sifted flour 3 T baking powder
1/4 c sugar 1 T salt
2 c shortening

Mix until flour and shortening are thoroughly mixed together. Use in recipes calling for Bisquick. Store in sealed container in refrigerator.

Nicole=Picasso

This is the portrait of Jared that Nicole created on the Magna-Doodle.

I haven't had to try so hard to stifle hysterical laughter in quite a while. I told her it was so great that I had to take a picture of it to save it! Truthfully, it was because I had to show Ron the masterpiece, and yes, I wanted to post it on here! Really, I'm sure that the kids will enjoy seeing this when they are older and a little more artistically accomplished.

When I showed Ron the photo on the camera, after the kids were in bed asleep, we both enjoyed a good gut-wrenching, tear-streaming laugh!

And lest you think our 4 year old has a goatee, he doesn't...but this picture was drawn after lunch, and Jared hadn't washed the ketchup from around his mouth!

"Star of the Week"