Review and Random Ramblings

Monday, December 8th

Austin had his first clogging performance at his school, Vale Elementary. They did 2 different shows back to back. They danced to Mulan's "I'll make a man out of you." They did a great job! I ran the curtain backstage. It was the first time I didn't have students performing and it was kind of weird. But even more than that I really, really, really wanted to be on stage dancing with the adult class. I missed 3 classes in a row due to all our vacationing in November. I guess I should have tried harder to find time for private lessons. I did learn one thing about myself: I love to have part in the stage, whether I'm on it, behind it or my children are a part of it.




Tuesday, December 9th

I took the preschool kids to the local Food Bank. Unfortunately they opened after school was over (another thing I learned: when I need to be assertive!) So only 3 students plus some siblings were able to go but it was still such a positive experience. Emma told me at the end of the day that her favorite part was going to the Food Bank. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh the magic of the service! I love doing something physical to teach my children about the joy of service. Next year I will be assertive to make sure all the preschool kids get the chance to go.


That evening we had a Gingerbread party at our house (for the preschoolers and their parents.) The moms/dads constructed and the kids decorated/ATE all the candy! It was a great night. I love providing wholesome, fun, family activities. That will definitely be a preschool tradition.



Wednesday, December 10th

I went to Austin's class, as usual. I love it that he likes me to stay for lunch and recess. I feel like a cool mom. Yeah. All the kids know me, it's pretty fun. So I'm very cautious not to brag about my kids. I know they're awesome. And my kids know that I know they're awesome. That's good enough for me. But since this blog is my journal too I want to record a bit of Austin's process. So I will be bragging, since you are warned read at your own digression. First of all Austin is smart, seriously. He amazes me every day. He is thirsty for knowledge, he just sucks it right up. I thought that he'd be so exhausted from all day school but he comes home and just wants to read more, learn more, & do more math. He is reading 1-2 grade reading levels. He's finished the 20 reading units and is now doing the Advanced Reading system. He's writing sentences and doing solid addition. I love that HE doesn't brag about his talent. He knows that he is smart, it's a fact and that is that. But he isn't rude or condensing or mean about it. They played "Around the World" while I was there in class and Austin won the game. He was very excited that I was there to see it (and so was I!) We're so proud of you Austy!

I had all the Priest and Laurels out to our house for Mutual that night. The Priest deep-fat fried bananas, Snickers bars, Oreos, chicken, and shrimp. There was a lot of oil used and consumed. The girls didn't eat that much...but it was so thoughtful they made us something. My house reeked of oil. I'm still not sure it's gone. Just beware if you come over!

Kurt also left for a Valley Conference in SLC that morning.

Thursday, December 11th

The last day of preschool, and therefore our Christmas party. They were all very excited about the gift exchange and all the good food. It was a good time and it's nice to be done for a few weeks. Austin still has a full week of school left before they get out. I'm SO, SO, SO tempted to take him out. Just for the mere fact that I want him home. I'm a selfish mom. This is the first time all year when I don't have anything on my calendar until Saturday and I want to spend time doing our Christmas projects with all my cute kidies! Sigh. I'm sure I'll send him to school like I'm suppose to.

Here are a few random pics

Austin feeding Ruth pudding (love the open mouth.)


This picture reminds me of one of my mom playing the piano with a baby at her feet (I believe it's Elaine, maybe Karen???) So happy my life has come full circle.

Friday, December 12th

Austin had part Friday school and afterwards we headed to Ontario. We had our first snow that evening. Mom, Austin and Emma had to quickly get all the outside toys put away for winter so they wouldn't be buried. It also brought dad home a day earlier since he wanted to make it home before the snow hit.



That evening we had a movie party at The Studio for all the clogging classes. We watched "The Grinch." We had a great time. Austin's buddy Amy was there, they are so cute!

I don't know why it's blurry, sorry!

Spencer, Emma, Austin, Amy & Hailey (Amy's sister)

Saturday, December 13th

Tonight was our Ward Christmas party, "A night in Bethlehem." The YW were in charge of the fruit stand and the EQ the wood shop so we did some prep to set up for that. It was amazing. There was so much work that went into it but it looked awesome! There wasn't a very good turn out which really made me sad but I'm still grateful for all the work that went into a great night for my family. Kurt and I were shepherds with all the kids as our sheep. So fitting. We believe in the parable of the ONE.




At the last minute Ruth had her first debut on stage as baby Jesus (Kelli and Dan were Mary and Joseph.) I was off stage left "just in case" she needed me and to help her feel comfortable. She was looking around, smiling, cooing when we sang and just simply angelic. Even though I wasn't playing Mary I had such a greater understanding of what she might have felt as the mother of Jesus. As I watched my own baby, my heart swelled with love for her and I marveled in her perfection. I know Mary in greater, more infinite ways felt the same.




My sheep come to adore our sweet baby

Christmas Crossword Answers

Sorry about posting this so late. I just finally figured out how to get it do upload right.

O Tannenbaum

Friday afternoon we headed up to our mountain for the annual Christmas tree hunt. The past 2 years there has been tons of snow and a large part of the fun on getting our tree. There was no snow this year. Kurt was determined to find us some snow to play in. We practically had to drive to the top of the mountain but we found some!





We drove back down the mountain to find a good tree. Kurt scaled the mountain side, he was in search for THE great one. In the process he had to climb up and down some good ravines, he got a nice workout. As you can see Austin is a great cheerleader!



Meanwhile the kids and I had the hard job of playing and snacking while dad found our tree.



We didn't decorate until last night after the Christmas devotional. We are definitely in the Christmas spirit!




Apparently tree decorating brings out the super silly side.



Ruth is LOVIN' all things Christmas. We are going to have a fun first Christmas with her!

Program, Presentation & Performances

In the past week we have had some major performing in the Romans' house. This time of year seems to bring it out in us.

Last night (Dec. 4th) Austin had his first elementary school Christmas concert. All 3 kindergarten classes sang three songs together. He's been singing them for us all week. He definitely knows all the words! He has fun with his friends and it was great to see him perform with confidence and ease.






On Tuesday (Dec. 2nd) Kurt had an Open House at work to introduce his new business adventure - selling sprayers and pumps. With it he did a variety of presentations and training. He did such an awesome job! I only wish that more people had come. I find it so sad when there is something FREE to help better the people of the community and they don't take advantage of it. I rearranged my preschool days so I could come and help serve the food. I enjoyed seeing Kurt and hearing him talk. Did I mention that he's AWESOME?!!!



On Tuesday, November 25th I had a Thanksgiving Program for my preschool. What should I say about the evening....well.....it was entertaining, for the audience at least! They are definitely 4! But there was still so much to be thankful for (like the fact that it's over and I don't have to put on a Christmas program!)


The ballet and clogging recitals start tomorrow (3 different ones) and that'll wrap up the performing season.

Come on Mr. Scrooge, Get in the Spirit!

Christmas Tag!!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper

2. Real tree or Artificial? Real, since moving to Vale we take a family trip to the mountains and cut down our own. They end up looking like Charlie Brown Christmas trees but they hold so much meaning for me. The process, the memories created it worth a million perfect trees.

3. When do you put up the tree? weekend after Thanksgiving - first weekend in December

4. Do you like eggnog? use to love it...not so much any more...Christmas overdose???

5. Favorite gift received as a child? I can't think of one specific thing....it was all great!

6. Hardest person to buy for? Bill

7. Easiest person to buy for? My kids

8. Do you have a nativity scene? yes, lots from the different countries I live it. Cherish 'em.

9. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, I'll always be old school with cards.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? none - gifts are received with love.

11. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas (family tradition) and It's a Wonderful Life

12. When do you start shopping? September, done by Black Friday at the latest!

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? not that I can remember.

14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? rocky road and peanut brittle

15. Lights on the tree? White

16. Favorite Christmas song? Far, Far Away on Judea's Plain and Oh Come all Ye Faithful

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Do whatever it takes to be with family BUT I love to stay home especially now that my kids are getting older.

18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? yes, sing it with me!

19. Angel on the tree top or a star? star

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? kids open new jammies on Christmas Eve everything else Christmas morning.

21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? commercialized Christmas, forgetting Christ.

22. Favorite ornament theme or color? I love SILVER, pair it with red, blue, purple, I don't care. Just love it, so classy!

23. Favorite for Christmas dinner? We have a nice Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve (after caroling.) Ham and mashed potatoes...mmmmmmmmmm

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? healthy family

25. I tag Angie, Tiffany & Janalee and anyone else that whats to get in the Christmas Spirit!

Bows

My cousin recently started selling her bows. To kick off her new adventure she is doing a giveaway. Check out her blog and sign up!

http://thelittlebowtique.blogspot.com/

Rooster's Nineth Month

To celebrate Rooster and I did some Black Friday shopping together. I had about 4 items in my shopping cart for her and I was trying to decide which ones to get her for Christmas. Then it hit me. She will be having a BIRTHDAY in 3 MONTHS! I tried desperately to contain my composer. It doesn't seem real that it's come so fast. Needless to say I brought all the presents, some for Christmas and some for...sigh...her birthday.



Last week right after we got home from McCall Rooster was drooling like crazy. I did the standard check of her mouth and much to my surprise 2 top teeth had already cut through. You could already see quite a bit of white tooth. Seeing how dramatic it was for her bottom teeth to come in I couldn't believe the top came in without a peep. NOT COMPLAINING, trust me! The funny thing is it was her eye teeth that came in. She looks like a little baby vampire (either that or I still have Twilight on the brain.) It's pretty cute in a comical way.



In other big news Ruth is crawling! It's kind of a scoot/crawl combo. But she is definitely getting across the room (especially if food is involved!) She does this very cute thing where she pushes her legs up so her bottom is straight in the air. Then she is ready to start moving.



A few days ago Ruth crawled over to the basket of books by the rocking chair and tipped it over so all the books spilled out. And instead of eating or destroying them she very carefully looked at them. I LOVE that she is a typical Romans and has an early love of reading. We love you Rooster Girl!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We've been battling the sickness this week. When we returned home from McCall on Saturday I picked up Spencer and gave him a hug. He returned the love by puking all over me, twice. Then it started coming out the other end. Emma joined his ranks and was very sick for 2 days solid. By Tuesday we were better and back to our normal activities. Wednesday afternoon Ruth decided to follow Spencer's example and puked all over me, twice. Since so much puke had penetrated my skin naturally I got sick too. I rushed home from Mutual and set up camp in the bathroom. Ruth and I stayed home from the Thanksgiving dinner at Bill & Cindy's. Hey, at least we got an uninterrupted nap out of the whole deal.

Regardless, we have so much to be grateful for...

~ that our sicknesses were very short term and we enjoy good health most of the year.
~ an amazing husband, he was so good to help while my forces were down, thanks!!!
~ Austin and his hunger to learn, his quick mind and easy understanding.
~ Emma Lynn and her love to create.
~ Spencer and his adorable smile coupled with his talent to make us laugh.
~ Ruth and her ability to help us remember all things heavenly.
~ A successful business that still brings Kurt joy (and some stress.)
~ A new (to us) home.
~ A prophet who speaks with our Heavenly Father.
~ Food storage.
~ FABULOUS family in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Utah, & Nevada.
~ A super Sister missionary in Fiji - we love you!
~ Good books (especially the scriptures.)
~ Gorgeous fall colors, & other constant beauties all around us.
~ YW of Vale First Ward.
~ Teachers to love, enrich and bless my children's lives.
~ The time and ability to develop talents.
~ Good Music.
~ Friends who support, listen and love us even though they don't have to!
~ Having Family Home Evening every week.
~ Elaine finding eternal JOY! What a perfect ending/joyful beginning.
~ Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Without whom nothing would be possible.

Happy Thanksgiving. All our love from our grateful hearts!

Give Away

I just stumbled upon this give-away. It's pretty darn awesome. I am personally encouraging everyone to check it out. And Good Luck!

30 Years of Greatness

Happy Birthday Kurt!



When Kurt got home from work on Friday night I told him that our babysitter, Shaylona was
here and that he should get ready to go on a super date. After he was ready we headed up to McCall, Idaho for an overnight trip. With no kids! I planned this out about 3 weeks ago and have been hyperventilating every minute since. But I knew a get-away with me was the best present I could give Kurt (he's so sweet!) We went to our timeshare resort in McCall and had a fabulous time away. The scenery was gorgeous and it even started snowing, is it time for that already??? And of course it turns out that the kids did wonderfully (at least that's the story that I was told.)



I love you Kurt because you are...

1. Perfect Provider
2. Smart (genius as he would say)
3. Hard working
4. Diligent
5. Honors his priesthood
6. Loving
7. Dedicated to his family
8. Loyal to his parents
9. Plays with his children
10. Supportive
11. Teaches our children about the gospel
12. Loves me regardless
13. Values education
14. Patient
15. Reads the scriptures
16. Easy-going
17. Makes time for Family Home Evening every week
18. Has a testimony of the gospel & shares it
19. Understands the importance of "ME" time
20. Prays always
21. Excellent boss
22. Loves the Lord
23. A perfect father
24. Takes us on family vacations
25. Obeys the rules
26. A natural leader
27. Listens to my worries and ramblings
28. Bought me a house! (thank you!)
29. Wants to date me
30. The best husband I could ask for

Happy, Happy Birthday my love!

For the love of food!

My kids have always been good eaters. Ruth continues the trend. We were pretty late starting her on any kind of baby foods for a few basic reasons:

1. I was in denial (maybe if I didn't feed her baby food she wouldn't grow up as fast and I could keep her an infant longer...)
2. She loved her milk (breast and formula)
3. It was so much easier to hand her a bottle (just comes down to convenience and laziness I guess!)

When she started getting irritated for no apparent reason we stepped up the solids and she is a happy, happy girl. We pretty much bypassed the baby food thing. One way to save money I guess.





Spencer's is constantly saying, "Mom, I'm hungry." Most often heard 10 minutes after he gets down from the table. He loves yogurt and could eat the entire carton in one sitting. I actually let him do it this week. He didn't say he was hungry after that!

THE Movie

I went to the midnight showing of Twilight last night with 7 friends. We left Vale at 7:30. We went out to dinner and then showed up 2 hours before the movie started to get seats. There was a wide variety of people there...it was interesting...

So the movie was o..k..a..y for me, I'm not gonna lie.

But I did have fun with the ladies, thanks for a great night out!

Done!

I finished Breaking Dawn last night. I'm ready to discuss now! :)

Washington Family Vacay

Of course I wasn't going to forget to post about our trip. Life hit hard the minute we got home. I finally had time to go through some pictures. It was gorgeous! I wouldn't mind living in Washington any day.

Friday, November 7th Kurt had to take his contractor's test (to become licensed) in Baker, Oregon. We stopped at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. It was very well done and very informative. It always gives you a greater appreciation for those blessed pioneers.


Late Friday night we pulled into Leavenworth, WA. It is a gorgeous tourist town up in the mountains (about an hour and a half from Seattle.) The town is completely patterned after that of Germany. Impressively done and it was quite nostalgic for me. A small taste of Europe, ahhh.
We spent the next 3 nights at our time share resort in Leavenworth.

We did lots of driving to check out the scenery and beautiful landscape, walking, a local petting farm, the National Fish Hatchery, A Nutcracker museum and a walk through the downtown streets. We loved all their little shops mostly with sweet things to eat!


(I know this is impossibly small but I wanted a quick record of all the different things we did in Leavenworth. Plus I had SO many pictures!)

As I said before Leavenworth is breathtaking. I wanted to capture the beauty as much as I possibly could. I'm sharing a few favorites.








Sunday we drove an hour to church in order to spend the day with Grandma Miles sister, Lorene and her family. We had lunch with them afterwards. The food was delicious and the company superb. I wish we lived closer. I am more dedicated than ever to plan some family reunions this summer!

Monday we left Leavenworth at noon and headed for Moses Lake. Kurt spent the rest of the day and half of Tuesday preparing his inventory for his next business adventure (selling spray equipment.) For FHE that night we watched Madagascar 2 in the theater (practically the only reason Emma came on the trip!)

Tuesday afternoon we got back on the road to head home. It was excellent to get away, to spend time together as a family, to create new memories, to express gratitude and marvel in the magnificent beauties created for us. I'm recommending Leavenworth for your next family get-away!

The Price of Gas

Always a hot topic. Since the recent decline in prices the topic has been much less heated. It was fun and interesting to what gas prices where on our trip. The lowest we found was.............$1.99 in Moses Lake, Washington. Since it was such a phenomenon I had to take a picture.


When we returned home from the 5 day vacay gas had dropped 20 cents in my very own town. I was impressed. We are currently at $2.38 Don't worry, you'll hear all about it when Vale is below 2 bucks.

What's the price of gas for you?

Caved

So every female that truly loves a good chick flick read has been devouring and all consumed by the Twilight series. Yeah, I'm sure you've heard of it. Who hasn't??? The whole vampire thing...not really my thing. I stayed away.

Then it seemed as though all my great girl friends had read the series, still all consumed and devouring while ranting and raving. I did value and trust their options. So it started to spark the curiosity. What was all the hype about?

I was in Target (my fav!) a month ago and randomly picked up a copy of Twilight (curiosity mounting) the price was under 10 bucks so I figured I couldn't go wrong.

The book sat in the Target bag for over a month. I couldn't do it. Vampires??? uhhhhhhh, no!

Well, I took the book out of the Target bag this weekend as I packed for our trip to Washington. I knew we would have a lot of driving time so I thought why not. So what I'm saying is...I CAVED!!! And like every other female that reads this book I am hooked, all consumed, devouring, avid fan! I finished it the second day of our vacation and immediately had to go out and buy "New Moon" the next day. I tell myself I just was waiting until all the books were written so I could read them all together! :)

Meanwhile Bella just jumped on the plane with Alice to go save Edward from himself so I'm outta here! AND btw - no spoilers!!

Disappointment

I should be sitting in the Boise, Taco Bell Arena right this very minute waiting for "Disney on Ice" to begin. Instead I'm sitting at home trying to decide what to make for dinner and keep myself diverted from the fact that we are not going to Disney on Ice tonight.

More than a month ago I heard that Disney on Ice was coming to Boise and I jumped at the chance to take our family. We've been anxiously looking forward to opening night, November 6th until last night...

Apparently the ice isn't ready. ARE YOU SERIOUS??? So opening night was rescheduled for Sunday, November 9th. Perfect. We are leaving tomorrow morning for a family vacation to Washington so we are unable to make any of the other nights.

I've been pouting. It's sad to admit seeing how I'm 28 years of age and "suppose" to be mature and everything. I didn't know how we were going to tell the kids. They were going to be so disappointed. And they were but they handled it a lot better than I. So obviously I need to work on the maturity thing.

I promised to write something I'm grateful about in each post this month. It looks like I really need to tonight.

I'm grateful for my kids who teach me to be a better person, who help me reach inside myself and stretch just a little bit more, who motivate me to become the best form of myself. (And as I've witnessed I'm truly a work in progress.) I'm grateful for ups and downs so I can truly enjoy the ups. I'm grateful the reason that we can't go to Disney on Ice another night is because we'll be out of town on a family vacation (honestly why am I pouting? I LIVE for these moments!) And I'm grateful that going to the rescheduled show on Sunday wasn't even a consideration because of my testimony in a kind and loving Higher Being.

I'm feeling much better having said that. Maybe I'll even stop pouting now.

Even Alaska and Texas

After the story of the 10 lepers last night during FHE we continued to talk about what we are grateful for. Austin's response was the whole world. This wasn't shocking since his prayers often reflect the same sentiments. After a short pause he added, even Alaska and Texas. Personally I didn't know he was that educated on areas Alaska and Texas.

During the month of November I'm going to (try to) included something I'm grateful for on each post.

Where to start?...

I'm grateful for Austin and his sharp mind, thirst for knowledge (secular and spiritual) and his level of motivation to do his best at his work. That he thinks I'm fun and cool and is honored to have me come to his class. That he still lets me hold him, loves piggy backs and snuggles. I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow from and with him. I'm grateful to be his mom.

Fright Night

Happy Halloween!

Spencer told me all month that he wanted to be an airplane. So I made him a costume. A friend lent me a bat costume just for the heck of it. Well it comes time to don the costume for trunk or treat. He would not put it on for the life of him or me or Kurt or anybody else for that matter. It's a good thing I came prepared with the bat costume and that I'd only spent an hour making the airplane! Austin on the other hand loved his home-made robot and was in character all night. He was adorable (I think it's still safe to use that word for my 5 year old. As long as he's not complaining! I'm not sure if that would even stop me, he was adorable!) Ruth was a super-cute as a lady bug. Emma and I were both pirates. It was fun to dress up together.

I am happy we survived the major party week (although I'm not sure my house has!) Here are pictures from the school parties yesterday and trunk or treating tonight. It's been a frightfully great Halloween season.

Preschool Party



The pirates

Austin's Kindergarten Halloween Party

Austin eating a donut on a string - look mom, no hands!
Austin's class in their costumes (can you find him?)


Pirate and Robot

Trunk R Treat

The Family (still trying to convince Spencer to
wear his airplane at this point)

Successful trunkers rest and check out their loot.

Austin and his school friends.

And of course, Ruth on her FIRST Halloween.