Sledding

This winter has been bad! As in awful! Terrible! I am so sick of it! The weather has been so cold that the kids have even missed 5 days of school due to extreme temperatures outside.  So when the day finally came where we got snow AND it was above 15 degrees outside we took advantage!  Lucky for us Erin was still here and we got to show Miles a good time too.  They had a ball!

Erin and Miles Visit!

Hurray for sisters!  I have the best one out there I think!  Erin came to hang out with us for the week just because!  Kermit was out of town and Romney was crazy busy with a class he is taking so why not?!  We had a blast!  We had so much fun staying up way too late laughing and visiting.  It didn't even matter that much of her visit we were were in single digits or colder.  Her little Miles warmed right up and had the girls loving every minute.  Here are some pictures with some highlights.  Can't wait to do it again!  And soon! Love you Erin!

 My girls are all huge Miles fans as you can see.  They played with him non-stop from the moment they got home from school until bedtime.  Erin laughed saying that Miles didn't have to lift a finger all week!  They even fed him!  He is such a cute little guy! I love him and am so glad he's my nephew!

A visit from Grandma and Grandpa!

How lucky we are that my parents were able to be with us last week!  We had a lot happen and I'm so glad they could be here for those special occasions.  They flew in on Friday and I picked them up from the airport in time to go straight to pick up the girls from school.  The girls loved having their grandparents pick them up from school.  That evening we received word that Uncle Kimmel had decided last minute to jump on a plane and was headed into town!  Kermit went and picked him up late that night. We had a full house!

The next day was the twins baptism day.  We spent the day getting ready.  It was a very special day.  That night we ate out at the twins favorite restaurant "Noodles and Company." The next day was also a special day because Althea received her baby blessing during sacrament meeting.   It was so great to have my parents and Kimmel there to support us on this special weekend.  Kimmel had to head back home on Sunday but my parents were able to stay through until after Thanksgiving.

The kids had school for a few days before Thanksgiving.  My mom was so helpful getting the girls through their homework and piano practice.  I wish she could be here all the time to help me every week like that!  We spent the week getting ready for our Thanksgiving dinner.  Again, what would I have done without my mom!  Her years of experience hosting Thanksgiving was so great to help pull this year off.  We shared her amazing meal with some friends from church (Rockwoods, Olsons, Kotelly).

We were able to go out to dinner a few times.  We went to the new restaurant in the neighborhood called Summerhouse.  That was fun because a friend from schools father is one of the main chefs there. He came out and talked with us and gave us a few appetizers for us to try that were amazing and different than anything I ever would have tried on my own.  We also went out and got a Christmas tree from Home Depot the night before they had to leave.   A memorable week to have them here.  I love them and  I hope they know how glad I was to have them here.

Thanksgiving 2010

If you count the girls in the picture above, there are a few extra sitting around making candy houses while the turkey cooks. The "extras" belong to my friend Rachel. Rachel and I have been friends since our days together back at the BYU. We were roommates and what a wonderful roommate she was! I tell you she hasn't changed either! She is so much fun and just an outstanding person. She and her husband and four daughters joined us for Turkey Day this year. I am thankful for good friends and especially Rachel and her family!

Looks like I was on the wrong end of the photo here. Nice hair everyone has don't you think? =)

I had to snap this photo...two reasons.. 1) the giant drumstick on Addie's plate 2) It is now official that she is allergic to Amoxacilin. If you look closely you will see the "freckles" she has all over her face and hands. Luckily her reaction wasn't beyond the hives. Sweet Adeline, I'm so glad and thankful that you will be fine.

So I tried a new recipe this year that was just too good not to share. Here it is if you are curious. YUM! You won't be sorry!

Also made the famous Dixie Salad and it was a favorite (apples, oranges, grapes, pomegranite, marshmellows and whipped cream all mixed up together). I tried a few Pioneer Woman recipes. I liked the cranberry sauce a lot but was so-so on the green bean casserole. I figure I'll try this one next year. If I'm the only one that is going to eat them, I may as well make them a little healthier. This looks awesome too...next year. I also think I need to work on the old turkey. He turned out good...just a tad on the dry side in my opinion. A great meal though and great to be with family and friends.

I "only" weigh three pounds more than I did a week ago. =)

We've had a wonderful weekend counting our blessings. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!

Guess who's coming to dinner!

Byron and Co...that's who! My brother Byron drove his family up from Texas to spend THanksgiving with us! We had such a fun time! THANKS FOR MAKING THE TRIP! WE LOVE YOU GUYS!



Above is all of us sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner. Pie would come later...and it was then that we realized my pumpkin pies from Costco needed to be refridgerated. Oops, ours had been on the counter for a few days. Tammy and I whipped up 2 pies from scratch in 20 minutes. They turned out awesome! Our apple pie was great too! Tammy, we are dangerous together!


Above: All the kids lined up in fromt of Portillo's.

We spent one of our days at the Museum of Science and Industry. We loved seeing the German Uboat and the model trains. I love this time of year when they have the hall of Christams Trees from around the world.
Below: The Links, what a great family they are~


Below: Here we are. (This picture is our only family shot in months. I better get on the stick or this picture will be our only option for Christmas cards....I mean New Years Cards by the time we get them out.)


Below: THE German Uboat

Below: Greyson towering over Chicago


We spent one of the days at the Field Museum. You can't come to visit us without seeing dinosaur bones! Good Times!
All of us in front of Sue the T-Rex.

Field Museum. View from 2nd level

Above: Dino bones

Above: Brynna

Above: Avrie

Above: After the museum we went to Starfruit for some frozen keiffer. Note, if you ever go there I recommend getting a berry smoothie b/c it tastes like a berry smoothie. =)

I couldn't resist this picture of Maggie. Her face says it all. Turns out that frozen keifer wasn't a huge hit. My favorite comment was from Caden who said, "I don't think mine is vanilla." At least the toppings were good! =) (Kieffer is sour...and for some vanilla and sour don't mix well I guess.)

The entire time they were here the kids just played and played the entire time! Every now and then they'd come away from their play for food or something. =) Our "playcave" was in use constantly. The older boys loved playing fooseball....we also had some nailbiter rounds of Chinese Checkers. Greyson has some good moves!
above: Greyson and Caden

above: Brynna and Annaliese

above: Addie and Maggie

Below: Annaliese saying goodbye to cousins! We love you all!

We can't wait to see you again! We loved having you here! Let's do it again real soon! WE LOVE YOU GUYS! xoxox

Hurrah for the Pumpkin Pie!

We had fun this year for Thanksgiving. We invited the missionaries and a few families from our ward over for the feast. And oh what a feast it was! I think we should have Thanksgiving at least three times a year! I made the turkey, the stuffing, jello, green beans, a banana cream pie and little finger food appetizers (oh yeah, and "gravy" with help from McCormick and REAL gravy with help from the Turkey & Andy). Karyn made 2 amazing batches of mashed potatoes. Marjorie brought 2 YUMMY homemade pumpkin pies, marshmallow yams and rolls. We had a wonderful time visiting with our friends and watching the kids run wildly around. A fun day indeed!

On Friday Annaliese and I went to a special kids ballet/dance performance at a local theater with Alli & Karyn. Cute girls! This was Annaliese's first time to go see a real live show like this and to see the big stage, red velvet curtains, golden balcony, fancy schmancy art carved in the ceiling, etc. We loved the traditional ballet the most but they had all different types of dance. It made me want to go see a real professional ballet. I think next year we'll take everyone to see The Nutcracker. The best part of the show was during intermission. Annaliese and Alli joined a bunch of kids in the aisles to dance together. Annaliese has some moves! It was just too funny and cute! I wish I had video!

Catch up (and some Mustard & Celery Salt), etc.

This a "Catch Up" post. I've been bad at keeping up with the latest this summer. So here is my attempt to catch up.


Here are pictures from our visit to the Chicago History Museum.
















The kids had fun playing in the larger than life size "Chicago dog" (a favorite meal of ours actually). Don't forget the secret ingredient that makes all the difference in the world...CELERY SALT! I like my dog with mustard, fresh tomatoes, a dill pickle spear and celery salt. YUM!




















Here are my little chicks at the Farm in the Zoo. They got to pet a real live chicken and of course view the newly hatched baby chicks. Also watching the baby piglets play was so much fun!


















Picking Clovers. Listening for Who's.

Visit to the Brookfield Zoo. They have elephants which was very exciting! (Our LP zoo does not have them anymore...so sad.) The girls loved petting sting rays (sorry no photo) and these goats. They LOVED loved LOVED it! These goats were pretty mellow. Just our speed.

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Here is a family photo from the Train Museum in CA. This museum is perfect for the little kid in everyone! We went with my parents, Erin & Romney. We had a little picnic and then let the kiddos explore all around on the old trains. The girls LOVED playing in the little trolley above. We took plenty of pics that day, and some fun video. A good time was had by all.

Kermit's new find! A very cool old library card catalog file. 60 drawers. He has enjoyed the restoration process. Here is a before picture. We have it in our study. We love that all our pens, scissors, paperclips, glue sticks, tape, markers, etc. all have their own drawer. There are so many drawers that the kids even have a few for their own treasures. Love it!

We enjoyed a visit from Eric & Cheryl VDG. Eric was one of Kermit's best companions on his mission. They live in Nebraska now and have a darling little girl, Ava. We love the VDG's! A few years ago we discovered that Eric and I are actually cousins. Eric's mom and my mom have the same maiden name. We traced it back and sure enough 3rd cousins once removed. Here is a cousin shot of Ava and Annaliese. We sure loved having them visit!

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I couldn't resist adding this photo of topless Avrie making sand pies in her tutu and sneakers. Summer fun!

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So, I love pretty landscapes and yards. Every year I attempt a beautiful garden. This year no exception. I think the window boxes turned out the best I've ever done this year. I take multiple trips to Home Depo, spend hours and hours planting, replanting, planting again until I'm pleased with the results. My problem....keeping it watered! Maybe one of these years we can get an irrigation system to help me out. Until then, I'm trying to train the kids to help me out. I do just love it!

Here last but not least, I bid farewell to a dear friend. Suzy and Greg have moved their family to Switzerland. *sniff, sniff* I just love Suzy! She has been one of my truest and dearest friends. I met her when we first started going to Logan Square ward 8 or 9 years ago. She is just an amazing person! Always optimistic, very fun, happy, uplifting, tough, kind, honest, creative, just an AMAZING friend all the way around! *sniff, sniff*

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We share a passion...shopping for cute kid clothes!!! =) (Yes, it's true! We are both addicted!) Here we are in front of our favorite place to shop. Before she left she and I went out to dinner sans kids and had a lovely time. I MISS YOU SUZY! When can I visit?!