Siri's first piano recital

Due to ridiculously snowy weather last Sunday, Siri had her first Piano recital tonight. She really needed the extra week to practice but was ready and waiting when it was finally her turn. Great job Siri.

Oops, I kind of cut off MV. Here they are before the performance showing off their piano books.

Christmas 2008. It was a good one!

This year Christmas officially started when Rob came home from work at about noon on Christmas Eve. I love having him home for so many days during Christmas and New Year. He is off until Monday and then only works 2 1/2 days next week and is off until the next Monday. How cool is that? Grandpa sent Christmas money and had suggested that one good use for it might be dinner for the family. We opted for lunch at Red Robin. That was a fun treat. With the kids getting older and eating more we tend to take the kids out to eat on a more individual level so it was fun to go out all together. They had a good time.


After lunch Rob took all the kids that wanted to go sledding. That meant Siri. In this photo she is cold and wet and shivering like a little leaf. But look at the joy! There are no pictures of her actually sledding because I stayed home by the nice warm fire.

The Christmas tree in that magical hour. I love looking at the tree after Santa comes and the house is all quiet. I really try not to let my kids define happiness by material things but I love to anticipate how excited they will be.

Opening presents Christmas morning. Siri wore her new pajamas all day until time for bed. I know, gross. But it made her happy.

The most fought over, and first broken, toy? The slinky in the box from Devins grandma. At least the breaking led to the end of the fighting. Opening other gifts helped too. Devin has other shirts. I think this one's his favorite which is why every picture of him seems to be in it.

Rob, carving the roast beast. Yum!


I don't really have any pictures of Autumn doing anything specific but we had fun trying to do self portraits with her new camera. What a fun girl.

Christmas Caramels

My friend, Kristin, sent out a challenge to post a traditional recipe. I didn't really think this applied to me because every year I pour through cook books, magazines and web sites looking for new recipes to try. Tonight when I was making my caramels I realized that this is the one. I've had them every Christmas for as long as I can remember. I remember as a kid stirring for what felt like hours. Now that it's my turn to pass the stirring stick over to my kids I can't seem to do it. Stirring those darned caramels is just a part of Christmas. If you receive one, know that it was a labor of love. If you don't receive one, know that I ate them all.

Hostess Caramels

2 c. sugar
1/2 lb butter
1 1/3 c. corn syrup
1 can evaporated milk

Over med. heat, cook and stir to firm ball stage. Remove from heat and add 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla and 1 c. chopped nuts (I use pecans). Pour into a well buttered 9x13 pan and chill till firm.
Yum!

Doing dishes

Well, things have gotten busy enough for me that Rob has finally convinced me that it's okay to make the kids do more around here. For all my complaining that I'm the only one who does anything, I never seem to make them do anything. I have had this fear that my kids would grow up and talk about how their mom sat on her butt (oops, there's that word again) while they did everything. Well, now they are the lazy ones. So, last night Rob put his foot down. I was doing the dishes and discussing all the things I still had to do later and the kids were playing guitar hero. Rob about lost his cool and told them to do the dishes. I felt totally fine about it because I was clearly busy grading DOL for Siri's teacher. But right now I feel guilty as heck blogging while the kids do dishes. What's up with that? I was in the kitchen for 4 hours making Christmas treats and dinner. Before that I went to the grocery store. Before that I had a meeting to go to....etc. It's not like I don't do anything. The craziest part is that Autumn and Devin have so much fun together it only took them about 3 minutes to forget that they are oppressed and they laughed and joked the whole time.
What next? Do I dare get them to clean the bathrooms?

Just because I can. Shannon, this is for you.

BUTTWIPE

Remember when...we were warm?

Autumn and cousin C.J. Instant friends.

Siri at Sea World San Antonio.

Siri and M.C. the summer they were inseparable.

The family outside a shop in South Padre.

Rob, cousin Cindy, Autumn, Grandpa Wisdom, cousin Shaylee
Devin, Siri

Siri and P.V. Best of friends at the aquatic park in Moses Lake.

Autumn feeding a goat in Leavenworth.

Siri having some summertime fun.

Rob in San Diego

Siri at the former Van Horn annual back to school party.

Good Times!

Just my opinion

I seriously think that people who don't want to "lie" to their children about Santa (what are they gonna do when a three year old walks in on an intimate moment? Tell the truth? Just wondering?) or who tell their kids that Santa was invented by people who want to kill God really need to drill into their little beasts head the idea that this is private information and that we don't go spoiling the fun for other people. Why should I have to be stuck coming up with a cover story at the last minute when my little kid confronts me with this evidence? Just saying.

Light Pole: 1 Keolani: 0

Would ya look at that? I was even paying attention. I had cars parked too close on either side and a light pole behind me. So I knew I couldn't turn too sharp. Might clip one of the other cars. I also couldn't turn to wide, wouldn't get turned before I hit the pole. It had to be just right. Obviously, it wasn't just right. The weird thing is that I was going so slow there wasn't really any noise and absolutely no jolt. I almost just kept going but then decided I better check to see if my license plate was bent. Clearly there couldn't be any more damage than that from that little nudge. From now on I guess I'll just have to use a different parking spot.

Excited much?

This is what I found when I went to wake Siri up this morning. Cracked me up.

This is how she went to school. I'm thinking it's gonna be a long 13 days for her, but as a recall from being a child so many, many years a go, the anticipation is the best part.

Parenting payoff

Yesterday I had one of those moments that makes it all seem worth it. I was taking Devin to a doctor appointment and decided to ask him about some rumors I had heard about a friend of his. He says they aren't true and I hope he's right. But that's another story. Because this friend has parent issues the conversation led to his feelings about his dad being gone all the time - not as bad as I feared - and how fortunate he feels that he has a "father figure" here at home. I know that was a relief to Rob when I told him that.
The payoff came when I asked him if it bothers him that we can't give him all the monetary things his dad can. He got a little emotional and told me that what bothers him is that he can tell it bothers us. He told me he knows lots of kids that have a lot of things he won't have but that their moms are gone all the time and that it just isn't worth it to him. He said that he's glad I'm working now because it's only part time but he doesn't think he would have ever gotten healthy if I hadn't been around when he was little. Then he asked what my degree is in. I told him Psychology but that I don't want to do that anymore. I told him that I believe I was lead down that path so that I could better parent him. His response? "What a thoughtful God."
That was definitely a good parenting day.

By request

I didn't say it was beautiful. I only said it was fun.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We had our annual tree trimming party tonight. We usually do it the Monday night after Thanksgiving. I put on Christmas music, set out cheese and crackers and the kids make themselves sick on eggnog. Usually I have the rest of the house decorated while the kids are in school but this time I was just too busy. We worked on it together and had a great time. I think we're going to have to break down and buy a new tree. Our artificial tree is dropping more needles than any real one I've ever seen. As always, it was a fun night and really got us ready for the season.

Yellow? Really?

So, Autumn's ipod died. Fortunately we are 16 days away from the end of the 2 year replacement plan. So Rob took her to Best Buy and after much agony (I don't care what your computer says, we did not return the ipod 2 days after we bought it. We gave it to her for Christmas and now it's here in our hot little hands. If we had returned it wouldn't the receipt, also in our hot little hands have the item crossed out with the word return written on it? And no, we won't pay the difference between what we paid and what they cost now, it's a replacement plan.) she got to pick out whatever color ipod she wanted. For anyone who read my previous ipod related post I would love, love, love a yellow ipod. Guess what color she chose. I guess if I can't have one, at least I can look at hers. Sooo pretty.

Best Christmas gift ever

When my family lived in Hawaii some friends made my parents 1 or 2 (I forget) reel to reel Christmas tapes. This is what we listened to my whole life at Christmas time. Over and over and over. I'm not sure I ever knew there were other options. We listened to them long past the point that reel to reels were even around. In middle and high school my friends all thought it was the weirdest thing and, now that I think of it, it was kinda weird to have this huge piece of equipment hanging around to use for 1 month a year. I think my mom tried to put them on cassette at one point but there just came a time in the mid 90's when the reel to reel machine died and we never heard our music again. A couple of years ago my sister, Kirstin, did what must have been hours of internet research and found all of our music and put it on CD's for all of us. I wouldn't have even known where to start looking. We had no idea what this stuff was. She labeled most of it: Christmas with Conniff, Do-Re-Mi Children's Choir, Ray Conniff and the Conniff Singers: We Wish You A Merry Christmas, Andy Williams Christmas Album. How random is that? I've never even heard of most of that. How much music did she have to listen to to find what she was looking for. The most impressive one is just labeled Hawaiian Christmas Music. What would you even type into your search box? "high pitched women singing a mix of Hawaiian and English Christmas songs?" Of course that one is my favorite. It's on right now and it was the first Christmas song Courtney played this year while we were there for Thanksgiving. Rob and the kids humor me but I can tell they don't get the same delight as I do in listening to my Christmas music while 20+ CD's of other Christmas music gets dusty on the shelf. Mele Kalikimaka everyone.

Thanksgiving '08

This year we went down to Boise to be with my brother Courtney and his wife Paige and my sister Kathy and her husband Bryan. We just saw them all last weekend but it's still fun to get together. It's nice that Courtney and Paige have moved so close because the kids have more fun here since they have kids and all. Kathy's son, Dane, was here also which was kind of a treat. He's old and a world traveler now so sometimes it's hard to pin him down. Maybe when he gets married we'll see him more.

Here was the spread. Kathy did the turkey, yams, and artichoke dip. She brined the turkey and then did the 2 hour method. Best turkey ever! Even Devin and Autumn liked it. I did the stuffing, cranberries, and (Winco) rolls. Everyone made pie of course. We still have an uncut pumpkin pie. I'm sure we'll find a way to finish off though. I have to say this was the best Thanksgiving meal I've had in years. Everything tasted great and we had a great time as a family.

This has been Devin's look all weekend. Guess he's cold?

This has been the entertainment. With 4 laptops running around and most of them in use most of the time. Aww yes, good old fashioned family fun.

Siri and Cousin Dane. That seems to be his first given name, Cousin Dane.

Siri and Cousin Dane. He is always the highlight of her trip whenever he shows up. They love each other so much and he is so great with her. Won't she be devistated if he ever gets married and has a kid he likes more.

A great thing happened on this date in 197?

A very Happy Birthday to my good friend Shannon. Shannon is my oldest - wait that doesn't sound right - most enduring friend. I'm so grateful and blessed to have her in my life.

Top 10 reasons Shannon Rocks:

10. Great kids for my kids to be friends with.

9. Not afraid to wear a swimsuit at the pool.

8. Gets my butt off the couch and up the hill.

7. Not afraid to try anything at least once.

6. Hello, lunch!

5. Loyal beyond belief.

4. Hello, breakfast!

3. Listens to me rant like a crazy woman and pretends that
whatever I saw makes sense. She takes my side, even
why I'm clearly wrong.

2. Loves to do crazy stuff, like look at Christmas lights, that
other women of her advanced age are far too mature for.

1. The outhouse story - The first of countless times she made
me laugh till I almost peed.

Shannon, I hope you have the best birthday ever. Thanks for being my friend for the past (count em) 10 years.

P.S. I know when your b-day is. I didn't tell it to publish until today so I don't know why the date is wrong. Stupid blogspot.

Crayola manicures

Siri and Riley were running a beauty salon today. Since Kathy had already left to go back to Boise and Paige was watching the BYU game with Courtney's friends Alex and I were the only willing victims. I mean clients. All that was offered was lip gloss and crayola marker manicures. I got pink and red with a different sticker on each finger. Fancy huh. I think they did each other too because we were all very colorful.

Look what we saw

Right here in our own Columbia Park. Two bald eagles. I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've ever seen a bald eagle in the wild. It was so cool. Who knew?

Siri's Baptism

Today was the big day. Siri has so looked forward to being baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was nice for family and friends to come share her special day.

Siri and her dad doing a "dry run."

Sister shot. Too bad it's blurry cause it's so cute.

Siri and her mom.

Siri and her dad.

She has talked many times about having her picture taken in front of the temple on her baptism day. We are so fortunate to have a temple right in our back yards and we were lucky to have a beautiful autumn day. We're so proud of Siri and the good choices she continues to make.

And then there was Uncle Bryan's birthday cake. Yum.

Siri loves the leaves

Last year Siri and I ended up raking all the leaves by ourselves. I was dreading the job but everyone else was gone and it needed to be done so it was up to us. We ended up having so much fun and she was such a great helper. Once we got a humongous pile Siri had a great time swimming in them. This year I was actually looking forward to doing it with her again on her birthday, a no-school day. I figure I don't have very many more years of her wanting to help me so I needed to take advantage. Unfortunately, it rained that day and the next day the wind blew most of the leaves away. So, Saturday, while I was busy with other things, Rob blew and raked what was left from our yard and what was ours from the neighbors yard. Only seemed fair. Once he got his slightly less humongous pile Siri asked if she could go swimming in them. He kind of looked at her like she was crazy so we had to show him what she meant. This is the video of her showing him. And, of course, hamming it a little for the camera.

Last year, exhausted from busy day of raking and swimming.

Flashback To: You're wearing what?

I love taking pictures of the kids when I walk in and find them wearing the most random thing. Unfortunately, the older kids do it less and less and until I go through and scan my boxes of disorganized, unscrapbooked photos, I can mostly just show Siri. But here she is in all her random clothesed glory.

I guess she got cold.

This is Autumn and Siri. I have no idea what they were up to but it sure was funny. This is probably one of my favorite pictures.

That would be a fabric book cover on her head. The things they think of. She was a "silly secret agent" that day.

Umm..... What?

Okay, this one was preplanned. This was in a little store in Mexico. She was discovering her roots.

This wasn't at all random at the time but it's all I could find of Devin as far as weird clothes go. This is what he used to refer to as the "naked shirt." It was his favorite outfit for several years and he wore in year round whenever he could get away with it.

Flashback to........From the mouths of babes

You know those funny things your kids say that stick with the family forever, way past when the kids stop saying it? Here are some of ours:

Autumn: When you would ask her a question such as, "Did you make that mess?" or "What have you been up to?" and she didn't want get into more trouble for lying the answer was always. I don't want to tell you. I still use this one on Rob a lot.

Devin: If he wanted you to know that things were going good. It's so faaa and it's sooooooo good. (So far so good)

Siri: Most mornings: I'd like 2 eggs and 2 toast-es. She's now moved on to 2 eggs and 2 toasts.

The Leaves Are Falling Down

I'm sure you're wondering what on Earth you're looking at. These are the leaves all over my floor. That black thing is the cord to my vacuum. I hadn't had time to put it away from the last time I vacuumed leaves. Oh yes. It's definitely fall. Our yard has a solid layer of leaves at least 2 inches deep. I was going to rake them today but it rained. Yuck. The good news for me, not for my neighbors, is that we are expecting a strong wind tonight which will clear a lot from my yard (sorry) and hopefully clear the tree. Then I can spend a good day with the rake and have my house back to normal.... Until it snows and I get gloves, hats, boots in the entry.....

Happy Birthday Siri

Siri turned 8 today. She is a perfect example of the Primary Song."I like my birthdays, everyone; Each brings a greater joy to me. But I can't wait until I'm eight; For then I'll be baptized. you see." (Children's Songbook pg. 104). She's been waiting for this since I don't know when. Of course, there are other perks. She now gets to have sleepovers. Since her birthday is on a holiday we thought last night would be the perfect time to have her first sleepover party. I told her she could invite 3-4 friends. After much turmoil and angst we somehow settled of 5. Megan H., Heidi H., MaKinna V., Maddie B., and Kaitlin N. She'd have had 50 if I would have let her. She sure loves her friends. She was upset that I wouldn't let her invite Porter. I swear it wasn't personal. I'm just not so into the co-ed sleepover trend. Call me old fashioned.

Here they are eating pizza. Doesn't look like so many. Then where did all the noise come from?

Costco cake of course.

Heidi gave her a Happy birthday hat shaped like a cake with candles to boot. How funny is that?

Siri with Wormie.
For good measure so we can see how much she's grown.