Sunday, December 21, 2008
Chili
It's chili weather! After I got all the ingredients pulled out I thought it would be fun to take a picture of all the things that go into my chili. Granted I did a batch and a half. . . but there are a lot of things going in here. Phil needed some for a work thing on Friday and I was taking dinner in to a friend who had had surgery. . . so it was a perfect time to make a HUGE batch of chili. Yum!
An Amazing Day!
Part One
A couple of weeks ago one of our friends called to tell Phil that a group of guys were getting together so go paintballing on the 20th. I happened to be standing right by Phil when they were talking and kinda perked up when he mentioned paintballing. Being the nice husband that he is he asked me if I wanted to go. Ummm, hmmm, let me think about that. . . that's a tough one, yes of corse I wanted to go. So we made plans to be able to go that day. We went to a place about 20 minutes from here and it was a great day. It was snowing and above zero. Lots of fluffy snow to fall into and 27 people in all. Only 4 women were brave enough to go. Being the woman that I am. . . I had to take my camera to capture the day.
Some of the guys getting ready for the fun.
Phil and two of the more serious competitors. They were very nice and gave me some great tips. All of us were faced with the the challenge of not being able to see. Due to the cold the goggles kept fogging up. The first round I got totally nailed because I couldn't see a thing.
After round one, assessing damage, warming up, cleaning goggles and laughing about what had just happened. Then planning one how to do things better the next time.
Shaun, the instigator of the event. Apparently if you put duct tape on your nose it would help with the fogging up problem, so everyone looked like they had silver beaks. It didn't help me at all!
After two round of getting totally wiped out I finally figured things out and lasted most of the next 4-5 games. Leaving my chin strap unbuckled helped my goggles not fog up so much. It's amazing how much better you can do when you can see!
Oh, this is me, pretty hard to tell under all the gear. I had on 5 shirts. Three of them were big bulky sweat shirts (looks like I weigh like 20 lbs more than I do!)
Phil and I after about 4 rounds. We were wet and had some paint on us, but boy were we having fun. In one round there were 6 guys holding down two forts. Well when they said there was one minute left I just ran for it. . . got shot like 10 times . . . but it was better than just sitting there playing it safe! One round was the teenagers against all the grown-ups. They were protecting the same two forts. We totally annihilated them! It was pretty funny.
Cute Melissa and Steve. What a fun father/daughter activity!
This is what the paint looks like when it explodes in your hair. I'm just sad I wasn't the one to shoot DeVaughn. . . just kidding. I actually got hit in the head the last round and it didn't explode and man did it hurt. I still have a goose egg and a tender spot on my head. All in all it was an awesome event. . . one I want to do again!
Parents and kids come together to shoot at each other. Our fun friends the Stevens family. We had a blast.
A couple of weeks ago one of our friends called to tell Phil that a group of guys were getting together so go paintballing on the 20th. I happened to be standing right by Phil when they were talking and kinda perked up when he mentioned paintballing. Being the nice husband that he is he asked me if I wanted to go. Ummm, hmmm, let me think about that. . . that's a tough one, yes of corse I wanted to go. So we made plans to be able to go that day. We went to a place about 20 minutes from here and it was a great day. It was snowing and above zero. Lots of fluffy snow to fall into and 27 people in all. Only 4 women were brave enough to go. Being the woman that I am. . . I had to take my camera to capture the day.
Me, Melissa, Courtney and Kris. . . all ready for action.
A Charlie Angels pose. Silly me thought I would actually need a hat. But after round one. . . it was off. . . and I left it there, dang, hopefully I can get it back. It is the only hat that covers my ears because I have such a BIG head.
Some of the guys getting ready for the fun.
Phil and two of the more serious competitors. They were very nice and gave me some great tips. All of us were faced with the the challenge of not being able to see. Due to the cold the goggles kept fogging up. The first round I got totally nailed because I couldn't see a thing.
After round one, assessing damage, warming up, cleaning goggles and laughing about what had just happened. Then planning one how to do things better the next time.
Shaun, the instigator of the event. Apparently if you put duct tape on your nose it would help with the fogging up problem, so everyone looked like they had silver beaks. It didn't help me at all!
After two round of getting totally wiped out I finally figured things out and lasted most of the next 4-5 games. Leaving my chin strap unbuckled helped my goggles not fog up so much. It's amazing how much better you can do when you can see!
Oh, this is me, pretty hard to tell under all the gear. I had on 5 shirts. Three of them were big bulky sweat shirts (looks like I weigh like 20 lbs more than I do!)
Phil and I after about 4 rounds. We were wet and had some paint on us, but boy were we having fun. In one round there were 6 guys holding down two forts. Well when they said there was one minute left I just ran for it. . . got shot like 10 times . . . but it was better than just sitting there playing it safe! One round was the teenagers against all the grown-ups. They were protecting the same two forts. We totally annihilated them! It was pretty funny.
Cute Melissa and Steve. What a fun father/daughter activity!
This is what the paint looks like when it explodes in your hair. I'm just sad I wasn't the one to shoot DeVaughn. . . just kidding. I actually got hit in the head the last round and it didn't explode and man did it hurt. I still have a goose egg and a tender spot on my head. All in all it was an awesome event. . . one I want to do again!
Parents and kids come together to shoot at each other. Our fun friends the Stevens family. We had a blast.
Part Two
After rushing home, shoveling about a foot of snow, throwing dinner at the kids, showering, etc. Phil and I left for birthday celebration #4. Phil set up a night where a lot of our friends could get together for dinner. Due to the bad weather several friends weren't able to make it, but there were about 6 couples there and we had a great time (at least I did anyway). It was just nice to take time out and talk and relax.
This is Phil and I all ready to leave. Just thought this would be a funny picture in contrast to the above one of us . . . taken about 4 hours prior to this one.
It was at dinner that Phil FINALLY gave me my birthday present. Yes, it was late. . . but in true Phil fashion this project took longer than he anticipated. I knew he was up to something and that most of my friends seemed to know about it. I didn't ask any questions because it is so hard for him to surprise me. So he gave me this scrapbook that he has been working VERY hard on. In it there are letters from many friends and family. Memories, funny stories, poems, compliments, etc. It was an amazing gift. One that I will treasure forever. I laughed and cried as I read the letters. It was also very humbling to read. . . people said the nicest things, I'm so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life. I really have amazing friends and an amazing husband. He put so much time into this. I love it. It was worth the wait.
I had such a great day. Turning 40 has been awesome. Maybe because we keep celebrating it. Why not have a birthday month?
Tree Decorating
Here are pictures of the fun the kids had decorating the tree. I just let them go to town and they are really getting good at it.
Kaden handed out the ornaments. . . didn't really want to put many on the tree. He likes to go through and remember which ornaments he had gotten through the years. They all get a new ornament in their stocking each year.
Kyson just loved helping out. He has really been cute about Christmas this year.
Becca reaching as high as she can. At least more than just the bottom front gets decorated these days.
This stuffed Santa has been part of our family since '94. The kids all rotate who gets to sleep with it. They are funny.
Kaden handed out the ornaments. . . didn't really want to put many on the tree. He likes to go through and remember which ornaments he had gotten through the years. They all get a new ornament in their stocking each year.
Kyson just loved helping out. He has really been cute about Christmas this year.
Becca reaching as high as she can. At least more than just the bottom front gets decorated these days.
This stuffed Santa has been part of our family since '94. The kids all rotate who gets to sleep with it. They are funny.
Catch Up
Just a few highlights of the last few weeks. . . before I post about yesterday (ooo. . . suspense)
Post Thanksgiving sickness
The stomach bug that hit our family Thanksgiving night continued well into the next week. None of the kids were spared this fun little bug. . . some were just sick longer or worse. I felt sick for much longer than I would have liked to, but just kept going (like the Energizer Bunny). I had grand intentions to get so much done that week, but really didn't get anything done except take care of sick kids.
Too Many Visits to the Doctors
After Kambrie had been sick for more than a week, I took her to the Dr. The bug just seemed to affect her differently and she was just having a hard time shaking it. Thankfully nothing more was wrong and she was able to attend the last two days of school that week.
After receiving some snow that week and the kids being cooped up, they were more than excited to go play in the snow Friday night. However. . . . Kaden being the oldest and more skilled snowboarders thinks that his siblings can keep up with him. He made a fairly good size jump and convinced Kambrie to go over it. She really hasn't been snowboarding that much, but wanted to please her brother and flew over the jump and landed on her knee. She wouldn't walk on it all weekend. And being the good mom I am . . . I didn't rush her to the ER to spend countless hours there on a weekend. Instead I called our lovely friends who are Doctors to get their opinion. They supported my decision to wait out the weekend. On Sunday our family Dr. who goes to our church looked at it and said "wow, she really did a number on it." There was fluid in there from whacking it so hard on the ground. He told us to wrap it and continue to keep her off it. Monday morning didn't show much improvement so we finally took her in for an x-ray. Thankfully again there wasn't anything on the x-ray. So she left with a set of crutches her size with instructions to take it easy for the week. She healed up nicely and is back to normal.
Kaden continued to snowboard through the weekend. . . pushing his skills to the limit and trying new tricks. I really didn't pay much attention to what he was doing or how often he was crashing. Yes, I'm such a good mom. So on Tues. he was complaining about his left arm hurting and it was showing the typical signs of a fracture (scary that I know this). So we took him in on Wed. and the Dr. was sure that it was a buckle fracture. . . but the x-ray was negative. YEA! So he came home with a splint and instructions to take it easy. Between the two visits I probably spent about 5 hours at the Dr. office. Not really what I wanted to be doing since I was already SO far behind! Reason #2 for being WAY behind.
Birthday celebration(s)
Amidst all the craziness I turned 40! How many times can you celebrate this fun event. Well, four times to be exact. I went out with 2 dear friends the Tues. before my b-day. Phil and I went to our favorite local restaurant the Sat. before my b-day and another friend took me out for dinner the day after. (I'll post the fourth one soon). I received lots of well wishes and fun presents. Jewelry, books and yummy dinners out. The kids were cute and made me this fun little cake on Sunday morning, the day of my birthday. They are always so excited to celebrate birthdays.
This is the cake the kids made. Gum, starbursts and chocolate, topped with a candle. So cute.
Heidi and I on our way out for celebration #3. She is the master-mind behind our house remodeling projects and a great friend.
Cut your losses and move on
After being about two weeks behind where I wanted to be with getting Christmas ready. . . I had to make some decisions about what was important to get done before Christmas. Our tree didn't go up until after my b-day (Dec. 8th to be exact) and that was pretty much the only Christmas decor for a while. I usually love to decorate both living areas and both fireplaces and put up two trees. After feeling drained from the stress of it all I decided that having one tree up and the stocking hung and presents for the kids was the most important things to have done. I've also had to decide NOT to make hand-dipped chocolates and stick with easier, less time consuming treats for friends and neighbors. I just didn't want to be so stressed and crazy that I ruined the entire Christmas spirit at our house. And it's o.k. that all of the things I wanted to get done aren't. Everyone is happy. . . especially when I'm not cranky.
Post Thanksgiving sickness
The stomach bug that hit our family Thanksgiving night continued well into the next week. None of the kids were spared this fun little bug. . . some were just sick longer or worse. I felt sick for much longer than I would have liked to, but just kept going (like the Energizer Bunny). I had grand intentions to get so much done that week, but really didn't get anything done except take care of sick kids.
Too Many Visits to the Doctors
After Kambrie had been sick for more than a week, I took her to the Dr. The bug just seemed to affect her differently and she was just having a hard time shaking it. Thankfully nothing more was wrong and she was able to attend the last two days of school that week.
After receiving some snow that week and the kids being cooped up, they were more than excited to go play in the snow Friday night. However. . . . Kaden being the oldest and more skilled snowboarders thinks that his siblings can keep up with him. He made a fairly good size jump and convinced Kambrie to go over it. She really hasn't been snowboarding that much, but wanted to please her brother and flew over the jump and landed on her knee. She wouldn't walk on it all weekend. And being the good mom I am . . . I didn't rush her to the ER to spend countless hours there on a weekend. Instead I called our lovely friends who are Doctors to get their opinion. They supported my decision to wait out the weekend. On Sunday our family Dr. who goes to our church looked at it and said "wow, she really did a number on it." There was fluid in there from whacking it so hard on the ground. He told us to wrap it and continue to keep her off it. Monday morning didn't show much improvement so we finally took her in for an x-ray. Thankfully again there wasn't anything on the x-ray. So she left with a set of crutches her size with instructions to take it easy for the week. She healed up nicely and is back to normal.
Kaden continued to snowboard through the weekend. . . pushing his skills to the limit and trying new tricks. I really didn't pay much attention to what he was doing or how often he was crashing. Yes, I'm such a good mom. So on Tues. he was complaining about his left arm hurting and it was showing the typical signs of a fracture (scary that I know this). So we took him in on Wed. and the Dr. was sure that it was a buckle fracture. . . but the x-ray was negative. YEA! So he came home with a splint and instructions to take it easy. Between the two visits I probably spent about 5 hours at the Dr. office. Not really what I wanted to be doing since I was already SO far behind! Reason #2 for being WAY behind.
Birthday celebration(s)
Amidst all the craziness I turned 40! How many times can you celebrate this fun event. Well, four times to be exact. I went out with 2 dear friends the Tues. before my b-day. Phil and I went to our favorite local restaurant the Sat. before my b-day and another friend took me out for dinner the day after. (I'll post the fourth one soon). I received lots of well wishes and fun presents. Jewelry, books and yummy dinners out. The kids were cute and made me this fun little cake on Sunday morning, the day of my birthday. They are always so excited to celebrate birthdays.
This is the cake the kids made. Gum, starbursts and chocolate, topped with a candle. So cute.
Heidi and I on our way out for celebration #3. She is the master-mind behind our house remodeling projects and a great friend.
Cut your losses and move on
After being about two weeks behind where I wanted to be with getting Christmas ready. . . I had to make some decisions about what was important to get done before Christmas. Our tree didn't go up until after my b-day (Dec. 8th to be exact) and that was pretty much the only Christmas decor for a while. I usually love to decorate both living areas and both fireplaces and put up two trees. After feeling drained from the stress of it all I decided that having one tree up and the stocking hung and presents for the kids was the most important things to have done. I've also had to decide NOT to make hand-dipped chocolates and stick with easier, less time consuming treats for friends and neighbors. I just didn't want to be so stressed and crazy that I ruined the entire Christmas spirit at our house. And it's o.k. that all of the things I wanted to get done aren't. Everyone is happy. . . especially when I'm not cranky.
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