yesterday

Yesterday we took the kids to Chuckie Cheese and they had a blast! We don't have one near us anywhere and they really had a great time. Hilton wants to go back today! They played games and got tickets and got little pictures taken. They ate pizza and drank soda and generally had a great time. Then in the evening Justin's sister and brother-in-law, Jennifer and Randy, took us to a very fancy resturaunt for dinner. It was just the adults which was so wonderful. The place requires reservations and a coat for the men. Fancy! I had King crab legs which were absolutely divine!!! Justin had Sea Scallops which were also amazing. It was our 10th anniversary yesterday and they treated us. Justin got me an anniversary present!!! The first in I don't know many years. We always forget our anniversary because it is so close to Christmas. He got me a beautiful sterling silver bracelet, and I really don't want to know how much it cost because I am positive we could not afford it. But I love it especially because I rarely get jewlery. It was a great anniversary. I cannot believe it has already been 10 years. These years have really flown by. Sometimes I still feel like newly weds. I think our marriage now, is happier than it was when we were newly weds and I of course, love hime way more than I ever did before. I think I appreciate him more too. I know how hard he works and I appreciate that hard work to take care of the family. Anyway, enough mushy stuff. We are doing well. The mornings are the worst for me, but I have been sleeping in everyday, so I am getting some great rest. And everyone is really babying me because I am pregnant. We all have been discussing baby names and so far I hate all of them... But we have plent of time to get to that point. So I will sign off until another day. Only 2 more days until Christmas Eve! I am so excited I can hardly contain myself!!! So if I do not blog again until then, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

we're here

Well, we are in Ohio. The plane ride went fine. We had a ton of turbulance, but Heavenly Father was on my side and after a blessing from Justin and his dad, I was fine the whole trip! Much to my surprise! I was sure I would be sick the whole way. But all is well and we have been just taking it easy all day. The kids are having a blast with their cousins and we are really enjoying the company of the in-laws. I will write more when something exciting happens.

Grandma

My Grandma passed away this morning. It was a long struggle and I know, intellectually and spiritually this is for the best. But that doesn't make it easy. Grandma and I have a special bond. She and I share the same birthday. We share the same love of books and reading. We have the same taste in clothes and the same sense of humor. I loved to talk to her on the phone because she would tell me stories about her and DaddyPop. (my grandfather.) She would tell me stories of my mom and my uncle being impossible when I was lementing about my own kids. I loved to hear about her being alone with them when DaddyPop was on some trip or another. Grandma has always been extremely generous with me. She never batted an eyelash when I needed to borrow money for a move. And she always made it so easy to ask. I looked forward to her visits at Christmas time. She loved Justin too. Even when she was not doing well when I went down there this fall, she asked about him and said she wished he were there. I love you Grandma and will miss your presence on this earth. But I am grateful for the full knowledge that I have that I will see you again. I know you will be with me until that time.

Recipe and Doc appt

Bob's Peppermint Pie 1 envelope plain gelatin 1/4 cup cold water 1/2 cup heavy cream, plus 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, whipped 8 ounces peppermint candies, soft type (recommended: Bob's) 1 prepared chocolate cookie crust Crushed hard peppermint candies, for garnishSoften gelatin in water and set aside. Put 1/2 cup heavy cream in a small saucepan with candies and cook over low heat until candy melts. Add gelatin mixture and mix well. Let cool and fold in whipped cream. Pour into crust, sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies, and chill thoroughly. Here is the peppermintt pie recipe. It is super simple, but takes FOREVER to melt the mints. I even crushed them first. I went to the doc today and heard the baby's heart beat. She was surprised to be able to hear it on the doppler device, but we did. Everything looks good! Now, I don't know if there are two heads or not, but I feel a little better about things since I heard the heartbeat. I have felt kinda yucky yesterday and today, but nothing I can't handle. Hilton's last day of preschool was today and Justin went in to tell a story to the kids. The teachers were very impressed at his story telling skills. Hilton will miss preschool, but most of all, I will miss preschool...

Pregnancy induced dreams

I have felt really great the last few days and then last night, it hit again. We were at our friends' house for FHE and I was sick. Sick! But we got through the evening. She is pregnant and about to pop any day and was very sympathetic. We made beautiful Ginger bread houses that I will post a picture of later. And today I am not feeling entirely better. But... it is snowing furiously out so I have no plans to go anywhere today anyway. I will try to get my peppermint pies made and deliver them tomorrow. I have a Dr appt tomorrow, so I will report on anything exciting. I am thinking my baby only has one head though... that would be a relief. You never know when you're going to have a two-headed baby. Can you tell I am having pregnancy induced dreams???

Hodge Podge

We went to Christmas Tree Lane last night. That is where Justin and I had our first date 14 years ago! We took the kids to see all of the decorated Christmas trees. On campus in the Manwaring center there are some Christmas trees decorated by the different clubs and organizations on campus. It seems like they were a little better when we were students. But the kids enjoyed going on campus and it was free. We bagged the ward Christmas party because Justin wasn't in the mood and I wanted to get the kids in bed early. (And me in bed early.) So we had dinner at Frontier Pies and came home for homemade hot chocolate. Caroline had a rehearsal for her Christmas performance in church next sunday. She is part of an orchestra. She is so small compared to everyone else. They are all adults and high school students, but she holds her own. Then I had a presidency meeting. Then we went to Me & Stans for brunch. Then we just stayed home the rest of the day. I made gingerbread for the house we are going to make tomorrow for FHE and the house smelled divine! It was a nice, relaxing day. It has been about 40 degrees out for the past couple of days so the snow is starting to melt. But it is nice that it hasn't been so bitterly cold. I have felt really good for the past 3 days. My mom and dad fasted for me on Sunday and it worked!!! I have started to get uncomfortable in my clothes. I can't wear my jeans, and I had to get out my fat clothes from last year. But I am excited because that means my baby is growing!!! Anyway, I know this has been a hodge podge of stuff, but I have too much to say about everything. Happy Sunday!!!

Nutcracker and Buses

I accomplished a lot yesterday, and I managed it without to many stops to the restroom. Hilton and I went to Idaho Falls and finnished up Christmas shopping. So we got everyone done even extended family. I bought wrapping paper. I got a couple more pretty tree ornaments. (They were so gorgeous I couldn't resist.) I went to Target to get one thing and ended up with way more than I needed. I neglected to buy tape, so there has been no wrapping of presents yet, but I will buy some this morning. Caroline is on a field trip to IF to see the Nutcracker ballet. The entire school is going. She wore her black dress with pink ballet slippers on it and she wore her hair in a bun. I told her that she needed to wear a dress because when we go to the theater we need to be respectful and dress up, even if noone else does. She was excited. Hilton is going on a field trip for preschool. He is going to the BYU-I transportation dept. I don't know what that is all about, but whatever. He gets to ride a bus, so he is very excited. I am feeling pretty good today. I am out of bed, and only a little dizzy. But it is the weekend and I am happy about that. I still have a ton of things to do for my calling. Too many lists to make, but I will get it done. Have a great one!!!

My so called life

It has been a rough week. I had a great Sunday and was able to get through my first day at my calling with not much incident. But Monday came and I was once again reduced to lay on the couch. Yesterday was the worst of the days, but my friend Sarah brought dinner, so I did not have to cook, nor smell any protien related product, ie meat. I seem to be a little better today, which is good since I have got to get some stuff done. I have managed to keep the house clean between trips to the bathroom, but I have yet to buy wrapping paper and the things I need for friend gifts... So today, if I can manage, that is the plan. I am hoping that my Great Grains cereal will hold off the urps for a while and I can get some things done. This is the first time I have ever had the Christmas tree up with absolutely no beautiful gifts underneath. All because I am so lazy. Well, that is not really the reason, but it feels like it. Justin has been super about the whole thing and so have the kids. I have so many things to do before we leave for Ohio that I think I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. As the Primary secretary I have so many lists to make and packets to type up for the beginning of the year, I am beginning to worry it will not get done! Not to mention the talk assignments and finding a new CTR 5 teacher before the beginning of the year! This is a huge calling... but the president it very supportive and tells me to take it easy until I feel a little better. But all this stuff has to be done before the first of the year, or else noone can teach their classes, and that means it has to be done before I leave which is in a week and a half! But today I will get done as much as I can and hopefully my good feelings will last all day long. Although I am starting to feel a little queezy so I better get off the computer now...

Christmas stuff

Justin got the Christmas decorations out, but I am too tired and too sick to put them out. I brought the train in for Hilton to play with until we get the tree up (hopefully tonight) and he is loving life. I think that is his favorite part of Christmas. The train for around the tree. Justin's parents got it for us a few years ago and the kids really enjoy it. Next year we will have a baby trying to pull it apart and Hilton will be old enough to get really bugged by it. We went to the mall and got pictures done yesterday and saw Santa. Hilton is not good at professional photography. At home I can get him to pose and smile just how I want it. When we get it done by a pro, he will not smile right and he makes all kinds of goofy faces. Not intentionally, just because he can't help it. But he was not afraid of Santa this year which was a huge deal, his first pic with the big guy. He wrote him a "message" too. He wants a T-Rex Mountain and a Bob The Builder toy. Caroline wrote her own, she asked for a Lee Middleton Doll. I am excited for Christmas, even though the thought of making cookies makes me want to hurl. And I have big plans about this peppermint pie that I am making for my friends. But even morning sickness can't get me down. Try as it might.