A slow day

Last night we all didn't go to bed until about midnight and then Abbie wouldn't sleep so I ended up with her on the couch with me for most of the night (nursing a lot for comfort). Then this morning the boys were up by 7:30. After breakfast we took the boys to gymnastics class and Joe stayed at the apartment with Abbie while Tom went to work. After gym class we went to a cute little quilt store in Green River and I bought 3 yards of fabric, a really cute monster panel and a book on making aprons. We then came home and made lunch fed the kids and I tried to get Abbie to take a nap while Joe took Alex on an adventure to the local wildlife preserve in hopes of taking some pictures of wildlife. Abbie didn't ever take a nap but I was able to rest a while. This evening Suzy made some yummy chicken enchiladas and I made Spanish rice, everyone enjoyed it except Alex who refused to even try anything (although he has eaten and liked my Spanish rice before). After dinner we put the kids down and the adults had a bit of computer time and then we played two fun games, toss up and pick picnic. It's now about 9:45 and the Sholars are getting ready for bed and and as soon as I am done with this I will be too.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot I was notified that I won another giveaway that I found on prizey. I won a $45 gift certificate to flattenme.

The Adventure Begins

I have been writing this as we go and will be uploading as I have internet access.

December 4, 2007

The adventure begins

We left town about 10:30 this morning after a pretty sleepless night. Last night we put Alex to bed at his usual time and we could not get him to stay in his room or settle down long enough to go to sleep. We even at one time tried letting him sleep in bed with us. There was some difficulty in getting the roof bag onto the roof, packed and tied down but it holds so much stuff that it is truly worth the hassle. The only other way we would have been able to bring enough stuff for this trip would have been to rent a trailer and we didn’t want to deal with that in the snow. I bought the duffle bags that fit into our roof bag and that made it much easier to gauge how much would fit and to contain all of the small clothing items that needed to be packed in it. We stopped at Cracker barrel (my favorite road, especially since they have Swedish fish) in Flagstaff for lunch about 1:30. From there we took highway 89 north and then took 89A to Kanab. 89A which goes close to the north rim of the Grand Canyon was so pretty with a covering of snow and very peaceful since there were not too many people on the road. We got into Kanab, Utah about 6:30 and stopped at Pizza Hut for dinner. After dinner we decided that it was too early to stop for the day so drove for another 50 miles to a town call Panguich (sp?) and got a room at a small motel (cheap, clean but for $44 most assuredly not luxury). Now Joe and I are both on the computer, Abbie is in her pack and play and Alex is running around the room out of control. I guess it’s a good thing that this motel doesn’t look too busy. Tomorrow we will drive to Salt Lake and pick up some cold weather gear and then head onto Rock Springs.

December 5, 2007

In Wyoming now

This morning the kids woke up about 6:30 and we decided to just get going and were on the road by 7:30. At 10 when the kids were starting to get stir crazy we just happened to be driving past a McDonalds with a play area so I had Joe stop so we could let the kids out for a while. We ended up staying for nearly an hour and the kids were much happier after that. We got into the Salt Lake area around 1 and went to a Walmart to get some of the cold weather gear that we couldn’t get in Phoenix. After lunch and shopping we headed out for Rock Springs and arrived at Sholar Siding around 6:30 just in time for dinner. After dinner the kids were going nuts and Suzy had the brilliant idea of taking them to the local rec center so they could burn off some energy. The boys ended up practically running for a half mile on the running track before going to the play area and letting them play for over a half an hour. We then took them home and put them to bed. Now all the adults are sitting in the Sholar’s living room working on the computers (3 laptops and 1 blackberry).

This year's family picture

Last night Joe had a friend come over to help us take our annual family picture. Thanks to some photoshop magic on the part of my husband I think that this one turned out pretty cute.

Superkitty and a parade

Today Alex got to go to Build a Bear for the first time for his friend Bailey's 4th birthday party. He did really well working with the lady from the store and getting along with the other kids. He ended up making a kitty in a superman costume. I think that he was most excited about the kitty sized play ipod that he got (mommy got a new nano as an early Christmas present from daddy).

This evening another friend of Alex's, Anna, was in the Chandler Light Parade and Joe and I took the kids to go see it. I think that Alex had a fun time seeing the floats. (the picture of Abbie hanging to the side was because she was playing peek a boo with Joe who was behind me)

Getting Ready To Go

On Tuesday we leave for our big month long adventure to Wyoming and St. Lucia. I am not sure how I feel about it. On one hand it will be nice to see my friend and it will be nice to have a mommy break in St Lucia. On the other hand I have never left my children for this length of time and Abbie is still breastfeeding. Also I am worried about the weather in the Tetons, I don't like being cold so I am not sure how I am going to do. I just keep reminding myself that I am lucky to have the opportunity to leave town on vacation for such a length of time. I also tell myself that Suzy will do a great job of taking care of my kids for me and that I am very grateful to her for being willing to watch them so I can go to my brother's wedding. So far I have a 4 page excell list of the things that I need to bring. I am seriously worried that it all won't fit into the back of my Xterra. (I just ordered a roof top carrier to use, it should be here Monday). Wish me luck, I feel much better now that I ordered that carrier.

Aunt Jean's Wassail

A few years ago when visiting Joe's Aunt Jean in Missouri she made Wassail for us. I loved it and I am not a fan of hot drinks. I have made it a couple of times since then for my family and the other day my mom was asking for the recipe. I thought I would share it with you.

Wassail

2 quarts apple juice
2 Cups orange juice
2 1/4 Cup pineapple juice
1 Cup lemon juice
1/2 Cup sugar
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon cloves

Simmer covered for 20 minutes, then simmer uncovered for an additional 20 minutes, strain and serve warm.

Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving

To all of you in the US Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you had a wonderful day with your family and friends and good food. Today it was 79 degrees here and we spent the day with my husband's family. I made Pioneer Woman's Sweet Potatoes and A mexican sweet corn pudding (this is a similar recipe). I thought I would share a few things that I am thankful for.

I am thankful for my two beautiful and healthy children who taught me that love is something so huge that it can't truly be put into words.

I am thankful for my husband who loves me very much.

I am thankful that I have everything I could ever need in life and most everything that I could ever want also.

I am thankful for my family who I know will always be there for me, even if they don't always agree with me.

I am thankful for all of my wonderful friends that are so generous, selfless, and giving and show me the kids of person that I strive to be.

Thank you all!