Letter to Santa 2010

I found this letter to Santa in Connor's backpack today (true to his spelling)...

Dear Santa,

Hi my name is connoR. I know what I whant. and I am having a test on you if you are real or not. I want the new Maden 11 Game. I want it because it is the best it has ashon (action). I helped my mom fold the landry. I alsow want a puppy. So I can have a buddy to play with. I was the alony (only) one that was clening at the party. I alsow want the vodeo game so I wunt be bord. I clend up my toy room. I hit my brother a lot. Plese frgiv me and good night.

Connor - age 8

Naughty or Nice?

Family Night

Eli's preschool sent home a note last week about a birthday party they were going to have with the children for Jesus. To help celebrate they suggested a cute idea of bringing a wrapped toy as a gift to Christ. The children would unwrap their present, show the class, and then donate it to the local toy drive. This past family home evening, I took the opportunity to review the birth of our Savior with our kids (using our nativity set was a hit) and to try to explain to Eli why we were doing this and what it meant. There was some confusion.

Eli: So are we going to eat cake with Jesus?

Me: No. Jesus won't actually be at the party, He is in Heaven.

Eli: You can't eat cake in heaven?

Me: ????? (changing the subject) Christ taught us to share with others. We are going to give someone a present who probably won't have any other presents to open on Christmas morning.

Eli: Why?

Me: Well, maybe they don't have enough money, or maybe they don't have a mom or a dad, or maybe they're really sick... but the truth is, I'm not really sure. We do it because we love Christ and we know he would want us to do it.

Seth: There is a little boy out there Eli, who is going to have something to open for Christmas because YOU gave him this Nerf dart gun. Think how happy he is going to be because YOU shared with him. YOU are going to make a difference.

Eli: (With big eyes, a loud gasp, and a breathy voice) I saved Christmas!

Lol! I think maybe this kid has been watching a few too many Christmas movies this season! ;) However, his excitement from that moment on was very catching. You could tell he felt helpful, important, and proud to be making a difference in some one's life. I could even tell Connor was a bit jealous he was not "saving Christmas". :) I told Connor we could go and pick out a toy another day, to give as well. He was thrilled.

I felt a peaceful happiness in my heart that night. And even though our children still behave less than perfect as they fight and cry over silly things--I am proud to be their mama! :)

Thanksgiving 2010

A couple years back while living in Louisiana we watched our friends inject a turkey filled with Cajun butter sauce and then fry it in peanut oil. It was delicious! I was not sure this qualified us to be able to copy and duplicate the same, but Seth was bound and determined he could, and assigned us the job of "turkey" for the Thanksgiving feast this year.

I also would like to state for the record... my husband bought SEVEN turkeys this Thanksgiving. Every time he'd stop at the store to pick something up for me, they were "practically giving away the turkey" and he could not pass it up. Last year we had to buy a deep freezer just to HOLD all our TURKEYS because Seth has a compulsive disorder when it comes to these fine feathered friends. However, seven is a new personal record. I am not sure where he gets this turkey hoarding need from, but he declares "it is the Adams" in him. :) Can we even eat 7 turkeys before they go bad? We polished off two on Thanksgiving day!

I did not get the greatest pictures this Thanksgiving, but I think that is because we were too busy having fun to worry about pictures. :) It was a great day filled with awesome food, and more importantly, with friends that we love dearly!

Seth frying up the turkey.

Mom- notice the fire extinguisher is in sight!

After all the horror stories I heard about frying turkeys I was paranoid Seth was going to burn down our house. At one point I had to run to him and tell him I was getting in the shower and if the house did start burning down... to please come and let me know!!! ;)-

Fried to perfection...Seth did not dissappoint! That was one awesome turkey! So moist and flavorful.

We shared the day with a couple of our favorite families! After feasting, was games!

The hostess with the mostess herself... Stacee! I love this girl! :)

The kids enjoying a nice dog pile on Danny, lucky guy.

Between us all there were 6 adults, 7 kids, and 1 dog! We gobbled til we wobbled and then some. I truly am grateful to have friends that feel like family. Thanks for the great day!!

You know you're white trash when...

... you take your kids to the gas station to get ice cream bars for a Family Home Evening treat and suddenly realize two of your kids don't have on any shoes or socks, and one doesn't have on any pants... but y'all go inside just the same and hope no one else will notice... and no one does!!! NICE.

GRAM, THE UNCLE SAM!

Meet spunky Nina. She turned 98 this month. This picture was taken with her great-grandson Jack (age 3) on Halloween. She won the Halloween costume contest. I should hope so!

Don't hate me because my Grandma IS cooler than yours!! :)

I love you Grandma!
(picture courtesy of Candace)

WHAT THE HECK!?!

CONNOR: (Looking down at his naked feet) Are my feet weird?

ME: (Putting away folded laundry) No, your feet are perfectly normal.

CONNOR: Feet are like the weirdest part of the body...
...that and your penis.

ME: Connor.

CONNOR: What? It is like an antenna, or something, just sticking out off your body...

ME: Connor! I am NOT having this conversation with you. Stop!

CONNOR: (laughing) Oh my gosh! You're acting so immature!

Maybe our relationships are a little TOO open around the Washburn home?!? :) Regardless, I think someone may be ready for "the talk".

Eli Sayings

Thunderstorms:

Last night was the first rain for quite some time now. It coincided with very LOUD thunder and lightening. About 1am I hear Eli screaming bloody murder and running down the stairs as fast as he can. I go to meet him and he literally jumped into my arms. I could actually feel his body trembling with fear. I gave him big loves and told him he could come sleep with us in our bed since I knew teh storm was not going to quit anytime soon. He quickly huddled up right next to me (taking up way more than his fair share of the bed space). About a minute later he pulls the pillow out from under my head and pushes me away as he whispers, "Sorry Mom, but you're pokey." (Yes, he was referring to my leg hairs!)

Back Rub:

So the next morning Eli wakes up way too early for my liking. He is too scared to get out of the bed by himself. His game plan? To continually inflict torture on me until I get up with him. I finally told him I would get up if he would give me a quick back scratch first. He sticks his hand under my shirt and quickly pulls it out. Suddenly I feel his foot on my back.

Me: What are you doing? Don't use your foot.

Eli: I used my hand, but you had too many bumpies.

Bumpies?!? Does he mean moles? Zits? Both? I tell you... this kid is doing a wonder for my complex!!

HALLOWEEN

Meet Crusty...

He looked like this ALL night. He was NOT happy about wearing his costume. It makes me laugh every time I look at this picture!

Meet Mario...

He was THRILLED beyond belief to wear his costume!

(Which he only got via a guilty mother... otherwise he would have been Superman via the dress up box!)

Meet our Dead Football Player...

We came up with this idea and costume ourselves and were beyond pleased with ourselves! :)


Trunk or Treat 2010

Eli - Dallin - Connor

Trick or Treat 2010

The Gang!

Eli and and his love interest.

The little lion king in his chariot.

(Dallin only went to about 1 out of 10 houses because not only was he incredibly grumpy, but once he got one piece of candy... he was perfectly happy sitting there and eating it all up until it was gone. If he felt the need for another... then he would grace all with his presence again.)


Reaping their rewards!

After a hard night's work all the boys headed back to our house to check out the goods, trade, and enjoy! We let them stay up until 10pm to watch Gremlins. (And it was even a school night!)



HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Eli's Halloween Party

Eli's preschool had a Halloween party this last week. It was on a Wednesday and I totally forgot about dressing him up. Once I had realized my mistake... I had to quickly scramble to get Dallin and myself dressed (because we were still in our pj's!).

I could only imagine how sad Eli would be to be the only kid in the school without a costume on as kids teased him and he sulked in the corner. Right as I was heading out the door I got a phone call from the school. You know the one... it was the phone call to all the bad mom's telling them to how horrible they are that they forgot! ;) Actually his teacher assured me that Eli was not upset at all, but that she did want to remind me to bring it for the actual party that did not start until several hours later.

However, in my guilty state I decided to stop by the store and fork over the dough for the overpriced, tacky 'Mario' costume he has been asking me for for the last two months. I showed up only about an hour after school had started to change his clothes. He was so excited to see that costume! Once we got it on he ran straight into his classroom and was beaming from head to toe! And they say you can't buy your way into your child's heart?? ;)-

But the truth is... Eli made for a VERY cute Mario! (Note his picture... it is Eli with a hat on that has a big E on it circled. I love it! :)

These are the two girls Eli talks about nonstop at preschool. I don't think he can make up his mind which one he likes better. But I am not exactly sure either one are very interested in him! ;) -

The whole class! My favorite is that kid on the right. His mom (or someone) must have hand sewn the costume to look like a Bazooka bubble gum wrapper and then he had that balloon tied to his head... to look like a bubble. It was hilarious!

Pumpkin Fun!

I think we have a shot like this of Connor every year carving a pumpkin since he was two!

Dallin checking things out. He would cry if Seth even told him to touch it, but he enjoyed watching.

This is the 'pumpkin monster' Eli drew on his pumpkin and wanted us to carve for him. :) It is pretty cute, but a tad too detailed for our abilities!

The end result from left to right: Connor's pumpkin, Eli's pumpkin, Dallin's pumpkin.

Esther Ties the Knot!

Pretty in Purple! On the way to the temple!

Brian and Esther seal the deal in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple!
October 1, 2010

LOVED Esther's dress! She made for a very beautiful bride!!

Dallin (looking quite GQ) with his buddy, Bear!

♥ My handsome hunk of burnin' love! ♥

Congrats Esther and Brian! We love you!!

GO SHARKS!

Eli started his first season of soccer this Fall. Since I am the team mom for Connor's football team I have not been able to see or attend as many games/practices as I would like to. But I did make it to his first game (which is why we have pictures to show you! :)

Originally I had wanted to hold off another year until we had two kids in sports at one time, but Seth said we had held off long enough. (We had started Connor in soccer at age 3) So, I guess he was right. Our lives are crazy right now between the two sports and I can't imagine it gets any easier the older they get. But I'm glad we did it because I know Eli has really loved having his "own" thing separate from Connor.

Our ferocious looking sharks!

Here's to hoping Eli will choose to stick with soccer in the long run! :)

pReSkOoL

Eli started preschool this year (we won't mention that it started almost two months ago)! He has been going three days a week and loves it!

I was worried because I had tried preschool last year with him and he cried and fought it tooth and nail... until I ended up pulling him out. I thought for sure there would be a water works show when I dropped him off for his first day of school this year. But he hopped right in and took his seat like a champ!

Then to my surprise, as I left the room... I started blubbering! That is SO not me! In fact, I am usually the one to make fun of the ladies crying as they drop their kids off at school. (Now you know!) I mean, really?!? Why act sad when you know you are all secretly happy that you get to go get that pedicure you have been wanting for the last 4 years? ;)-

But for some reason letting go was different with Eli than it was with Connor. Eli has always been my only mama's boy out of the family. I was feeling a bit nostalgic and misty eyed... until I turned the corner and they asked me for first months's tuition.

Suddenly, all was forgotten.

1st day of preschool... Dallin (2) and Eli (4).

Eli in front of his "school".

Eli is in the Green Room! He loves his two teachers and they seem to be equally smitten with him! He has not made as many friends as I would like him to, but he is learning a lot and after only a week or two he was spelling and writing his own name! Way to go buddy!

RAGNAR

"Imagine this: Red rock, then views of the strip at night, then more red rock. You and eleven of your closest friends running relay-style day and night. Starting in the red rock oasis Valley of Fire State Park, your team of 12 maniacs will be embarking on a 195 mile adventure-fest sure to fill all of your desires. The party in your van will only get better as you leap frog your way past the breath taking views of Lake Mead, stunning views of the strip at night and then catch glimpses of Mt Charleston as you run through Spring Mountain National Recreation Area, then it's onto the majestic cliffs of Red Rock Canyon. The race (and your stamina) will wrap up at Red Rock Resort and Casino in the one and only city of sin, Las Vegas, NV." -Vegas Ragnar Website

This is what I have spent every waking (and some not awake) spare minutes I have had training for the last month and a half. I wish I had had more time to train... but it is what it is. The race is on in two days!! I will start Friday afternoon, run through the night and continue on Saturday morning. If you look at my legs... they only get harder with each leg... not only in distance, but in elevation level as well as rating "easy, moderate, or hard"... just as I will be most exhausted from fatigue... the sleep deprivation is sure to kick in. I am really worried about that last leg!!!

Honestly, I am not going for any certain mileage per hour... my goal is basic... TO FINISH!! :) (Baby steps over here people, BABY STEPS!)

I have put myself through hell and back for this race with 5am runs, excruciating personal trainer sessions, a badly sprained ankle, blisters, insane amounts of body ache, and more miles than one should ever have to put running to stand still on a treadmill. I even had my first running dream last night... only to be awakened by my alarm to get up and run... for what felt like a second time! It was a nightmare! :)

My first leg- (leg #9) - 3.1 miles -Easy
My middle leg - Leg #21 - 3.9 miles - Moderate

My last leg - Leg #33 - 5.6 miles - Hard

PRAYERS ARE WELCOME!!! :)

Connor's First Day of School

THIRD GRADE

So handsome.

So silly.

So big, yet so little.

So embarrassed!

So sad.

Connor has two different teachers and two different class rooms this year. He has writing, science and math with one teacher (Ms. Szeoke) and social studies and reading with another (Ms. Price). So far he seems to like it. He thinks both teachers are very nice, as do I.

According to Connor:

Best thing about third grade: getting to read hard books.

Worst thing about third grade: having so much homework. (and he does!)

Happy Birthday To Us!

Okay, So I am quite certain that the large majority of those reading this blog have heard of my "30th birthday mishap" from last year. Do Sea-Monkeys ring any bells? Long story short I will just say I love my husband dearly, but he is quite possibly the WORST present giver ever. (If he even remembers to give you one!) So last year I decided to go public with his attempts. And what do you know... I had the BEST birthday WEEK ever this year! Turns out he CAN be pretty thoughtful... you just have to shame the guy into it! ;)-

So we have been talking about painting the interior of our house forever and have had multiple paint splotches all over our walls for over a year now! When I left for Portland with the kids we had discussed Seth taking the opportunity to paint while we were gone for three weeks. But we never finalized colors before I left... and when I asked him if he had the chance to paint at all, he said no, and I believed him! When we came home and I opened the door I walked into a whole new house! He had painted the entire down stairs. Put up chair rail in the kitchen and dining room, crown molding in the family room and kitchen, molding around the family room windows... he worked SO hard and had my neighbor's excellent interior design skills to help! It looks awesome! He said he pulled his first all nighter ever and actually worked all the way through one night! It was a WONDERFUL birthday surprise!

So Saturday the 7th was Dallin's 2nd Birthday. We started the celebrations that morning with donuts for breakfast! :)

We got dressed in our swimsuits and headed out to the new water park 'Pirate's Bay' in Baytown to celebrate. (okay really it was an Exxon work party... but the kids all thought it was to celebrate Dallin's birthday so we went with it!) It was awesome! Every single one of the kids loved it and were able to eat as much pizza and soda as their tummy could hold besides. :)

When we got home Seth had arranged for a sitter that night so we could go out to celebrate my birthday. (I didn't even have to ask or arrange it myself!) We met up for dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant (Pappisitos) with two other couples. We ate, had a few drinks (virgin of course!), and we took our time... there was no need to rush out the door before one of the kids had a meltdown, or before the waiter noticed the entire bottle of ketchup smeared all over the floor, nor did we have to leave a 40% tip because of the tornado that seemed to hit our table alone that night. Instead we sat for at least another hour chatting and laughing after we were all done eating. I had a turn to be thoroughly embarrassed by a heavy, over sized sombrero that was placed on my head as they all sang and clapped and brought me a free dessert... it was great! And I did feel a little guilty that we were celebrating my birthday on Dallin's actual birthday... but apparently not guilty enough! ;) We came home afterwards and played Rock Band with our friends until almost midnight. We are WILD and CRAZY over here in the Washburn home!!

Sunday, Seth made me a yummy dinner of my choice (chicken Alfredo pasta), allowed me to nap, and experimented on the cupcakes he made for Dallin and I. He tried to put bite-size candy bars in each cupcake. I don't really recommend it to anyone, but it was the thought that counts! :)

That is a 3 and 1 pink candles... for 31... and 2 blue candles... for well, 2! :)

Dallin opened his presents on Sunday afternoon. He is our little car fanatic. (We have never had one until this child!) So he recieved several cars and this cool car racer and loved everything about it!

Until Eli started getting jealous and kept trying to steal Dallin's presents away. :)

(Notice the lovely brown and green walls! :)

Oh, and for any of you interested... Sports Clips gives out sweet mullet birthday hair cuts, for free! See Dallin for details.

Dallin is 2 now and we expect nothing but the best from him. His tantrum throwing is already up to expert level! He has started speaking a lot more this last month and can say some 3-4 word sentences. He has the sweetest voice in the world one second and a shrill shriek that can make you want to kill something the next. He's climbing out of his crib every second he gets and is refusing to sit in the high chair (he climbs right out of that too). It is like all of a sudden he thinks he is a big boy! So he also got a booster seat for his birthday... and has recently joined us at the table! He loves it! :)

Dallin did not want to take a picture with me... but I made him! This is the only one we got.
(Again, what a lovely green kitchen and crown molding! ;)

Then on Monday (my actual birthday) I was spoiled rotten by friends here and received several lovely, thoughtful gifts. I was so surprised and felt a little unworthy! :) Then to top it off one of my friends arranged a fun girls night out at Tutti-Fruiti for frozen yogurt to celebrate! So stinkin' spoiled!

I LOVED IT! :)

A big thanks to all the wonderful people in my life who helped make it that way!

Miriam's Wedding!

Miriam and Dan decided to get hitched for time and all eternity!

July 28, 2010

I love the big smile on Dan's face as he looks at Miriam!

Miriam made for one beautiful bride!

We love you Miriam and Dan and are so happy for you!