Milestones

Even though our pediatrician advised us to wait till Kortlen was six months old to start solids (with Tanner it was four months, Taylor it was 4-6 months, now it's JUST six months), I decided to try some rice cereal with Kortlen.

He is constantly grabbing my plate, wanting my silverware, and even opening his mouth when I put food into mine...

This chunky monkey LOVED it!

Funny thing, is after making up a spoonful of rice cereal with warm water (about a 1/4 cup made), Taylor wanted to try some, too!  Every other spoonful when into his mouth while Tanner and I gagged.  I think Tanner finally left because he was dry-heaving so bad!  It was hilarious!

Each day before bed I've offered the cereal to Kortlen.  He's eager to have the first mouthful, and a little apprehensive after that.  I don't blame him.

Slippin' & Skatin'

In keeping with traditions, my family went ice skating in Logan over the Christmas Break.  This time, it happened to fall on the Monday after Christmas.

Inevitably we all grumble, even a little bit, while getting ready and heading out the door.  But once we're there, with uncomfortable skates and bundled up, we have a blast!

Tanner and Taylor had a much better experience skating this year, much to my surprise.  Next year, I have got to remember to bring a stroller to push the baby in...as they are allowed on the ice.

My dad and Kortlen played it safe behind the plexi glass in the bleachers...

We had a great time!

__________

We had to re-energize with some food afterwards, and while eating at Golden Coral wasn't the most glamorous  place to eat, it did satisfy everyone's different 'wants' for the day.  Needless to say, the boys were enthralled with the ice cream and dessert bar, and I was so stuffed, I thought I wouldn't make it home without exploding.

__________

We finished off a full and fun day by going to the new Narnia Movie, "Voyage of the Dawn Treader".  Despite a very scary part, I've been able to talk to the boys about what happened in the movie, and how it aligns with Christianity on a 3 and 5 year old level.

I really need to finish reading the books, so I know what's going on BEFORE seeing the movie!  

Christmas Day 2010

We woke up to find that our elf had found our candy cane stash!

And that Santa had come just as he had promised...

...leaving letters for the boys who had worked so hard to write some to him...

Our boys each got a want (dart gun/bumbo for Kortlen), a need (shoes/snow gloves/onesies), a wear (long-sleeve T) and a read (a book) from Santa, and I made their quilts, pillows and the car mat...everything else is from our *Secret Santa...we. are. blessed. So very. blessed.)

Painted in the wee hours of the morning...for many days...on 40" x 60" of duck cloth.  I even got a cardboard tube from an upholstery store for free to roll it on...talk about labor intensive!!!

Finished quilts for the bunkbeds, pillows to read with, and smaller monster ones to keep the monsters away at night (they're super ugly, but that's what happens when you "create" at 2 am).  Also, labor intensive...during more wee hours in the week between birthdays and Christmas Eve. 

Growing up, we had a tradition that we could not open presents until Grandma and Grandpa Crandall had come...so we invited Ryan's parents to come Christmas morning to watch the kids open their presents.  It was a fun way to be with them without having to go to Rexburg and then to Chesterfield in the same day.

The boys throughly enjoyed the morning, and Kortlen just wanted the wrapping paper and a nap.  Go figure!

It was simply magical to watch them, their expressions, and the excitement in their eyes and voices.

To put it modestly, we'll have games to play  and toys to play with for YEARS before I'll hear "I'm Bored".

___________

After a yummy breakfast of Apple Pancakes, grapefruit and milk, Grandma and Grandpa Poulsen headed off to visit more grandkids, and we picked up and packed our bags to head to Grandma and Grandpa Crandall's house.

Going there never disappoints.  Not only did they have so much fun playing with their adoring aunts and uncles, but they played non-stop with their new Buzz and Woody.

*This picture taken on new year's day...didn't get a good one on Christmas day!

 My mom's tree is always gorgeous!

 And we had another wise man join the family!

The day wouldn't be complete without the reading of Christ's Birth.  There's a real baby in that manger, too!  Check out the shepherd's sheep...and the lovely little angel! 

It was a fabulous day, filled with memorable gifts, fun visits, and great reflection on the greatest gift of all, our Savior.

Our hearts are full of gratitude to our Heavenly Father, our loving family, and wonderful friends.

__________

We got to go to my parent's ward on Sunday, and then Ryan had to get back home for work, but I decided to stay for some more adventures, and hoped that Ryan would get some better sleep when he was home.

Christmas Eve 2010

Ryan had to work till 7pm, so I started a 'new' tradition for our little family (since we weren't going anywhere!).

We made Homemade Pizza, that was TO DIE FOR!  It was delicious!

The best part, was the cheesy crust (I put cheese in it, per Tanner's request) and the fact that the kids ate ALL their food!  I got a couple extra peppers, and we were all happy and fed.

I can't remember where I got the recipe for the dough, but it was SUPER easy.  And pretty good, too.

Christmas Eve Pizza Dough
1 1/2 cups warm water
3 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 tsp yeast
4 to 4 1/2 cups flour (I think I used 4 and then added more when I kneaded it)

Mix all ingredients, and gently knead 10 times.  Let rise 60 minutes in a greased bowl, covered with greased plastic wrap (I just used Pam spray). (You could let it rise for 30 min with a towel over it in a very warm place, or with a small heating pad under it set to LOW.)

The directions said to roll out, but after trying to roll and toss and making a mess, I just hand pressed it onto a lightly greased (Pam, again) pizza pan.  I made sure it went slightly over the edge, because I cut 'strips' of mozzarella cheese to encase in the crust.  You can see in the picture with Tanner and Taylor that I just pinched the dough around the cheese.  Tanner was SUPER excited about the 'cheese-bites' crust.  (He had seen a commercial for Pizza Hut's Cheese-bites crust, which gave us this great idea!)

Before I put the sauce and toppings on, I got a fork and jabbed the dough about every inch so we wouldn't get big air bubbles.  Then we piled it on!  We just used a generic brand of sauce, did 3/4 lb grated mozzarella cheese, 1/2 pkg pepperoni, 1/2 pkg ham/Canadian bacon, 1/2 of a chopped green pepper, and 1/2 of a medium finely chopped onion (so the kids didn't notice them, even though they put them on!) and then more cheese.  I totally forgot to prep and put on the olives and pineapple...but hey, whatever works!

Bake @ 500* F for 10 minutes (I did 15-ish, because of the stuffed crust and abundance of toppings).

This dough recipe makes enough for a VERY LARGE pizza (the crust was nice and thick), or you could do a medium one and bread sticks...that's my plan for next time.  (Super cheap, super fun, and super yummy!)

__________

After cleaning up dinner, we sat down to watch "The Nativity", a 5 minute film on Christs' birth, and then "Mr. Krueger's Christmas", another 26 minute film put out by the Church; one of my favorite Christmas movies, with many fond memories from my childhood.  Plus, Jimmy Stewart is just so sweet, and old, and lonely.  I always wanted to be Clarissa, and leave my mittens, in hopes that I might be the recipient of that gentle reminder, the piece from his Nativity, the baby Jesus.

Every year my parents would take us around to grandparents' and great-grandparents' homes to 'be' a nativity...we usually grumbled by the 4th time, but it was so worth it.  :)  Such a neat tradition my parents held true to every. single.  year.

The boys then got to open one present that Santa had brought earlier that day, and then we left him a little snack - even one for Rudolf.

After family prayers, we turned on the Christmas tree lights and everything else off and snuggled in our beds, hoping we'd hear reindeer hooves on the roof in our sleep!

There really *IS* a Santa!

We {believe}.  
Oh, yes we do!  
He personally came to our home, and it. was. lovely. 

We hope you all have a 
VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

May the Spirit of Christmas fill your heart and homes as it has ours.  

Santa's Workshop

...I don't know about you, but I needed something special that says, "FROM SANTA"...

If only I had thought to 'color code' and 'coordinate' with the wrapping paper....Maybe I'll use my favorite brown paper and string technique and add the pop of color with a tag!

Feel free to nab this up...  It's a jpg, so open it in word, resize it to fit the 8.5x11 in page, chose the 'bleed picture' option on your printer if you have one so it doesn't 'cut' off the edges, and print like a mad woman!

Merry Christmas!

How is your tree holding up?

Ours has been slightly traumatized today...

Behold, the dart gun.  Our boys got some from grandpa Poulsen (excuse:  They were really good wisemen in the play) and needless to say, some darts have gone astray from their intended targets.

: : :

On a happy note...I can hardly wait to snuggle with my hubby next to this:

It's "What's On" on our local news station tomorrow night...oh, can't see what I'm talking about?  Here:

It's a Holiday Hearth...A fire on our tv.  :)  I'm sure we can find something to do while there's a 'blazing fire' *cue floor heater on the feet* and the chillins (if you're not a Crandall, that's "Crandall" for Children.) are soundly slumbering.  We are in desperate need of some romantic time together.  LOL!  I'm talking about real adult-to-adult conversation besides something involving a checkbook or what's for dinner.  

: : :

In other news, we have written the same letter to Santa nine times today.  All because the "a" isn't connected, or a line for the "n" went too long, or an entire name was written backwards.  *palm-to-forehead*

Our son is a perfectionist, and it is cracking me up.  I finally got him a pencil with an eraser, and he is having MAJOR writing issues.  I wish he'd just leave the mistakes, but he refuses that it look anything less than perfect.  I tried to explain during a melt-down that it's okay to make writing mistakes when we're learning, but he wouldn't have any of that.  I have NO idea where he got this trait from.  We have yet to actually draw a picture of a gift idea for Santa to bring.  The clock is ticking...like way too fast.


Sometimes I'd like to see what is going on inside his brain.  He has done this on nearly every letter, and now on the envelope...

Do you see what I see??? 

Perfectly Backwards.  :)  Should I be concerned?

: : :

Santa's workshop is planning on closing tonight.  Hallelujah!  My sewing machine is a workhorse and I've had to explain WHY not to go into mommy and daddy's room the week before Christmas a hundred times today.  (I cannot remember to shut our bedroom door when I leave the room!)  A certain five-year-old just doesn't get it!  He came across some surprises and I had to make him pinky-promise not to tell Taylor what mommy made.  I think he secretly likes to keep secrets like this.  

So, now begs the question:  how are all of you Mrs. Clause's and your misters holding up?  Is Santa's shop closed for holiday yet?  

I'm outta Stamps, so.....

You get it this way.  :)  

I also ran out of ink...which isn't in the remaining 2010 budget...so enjoy our Merry Christmas to you, the electronic way!

Option (b)

and Option (c)

Spreading the Love

I 'follow' many crafting and other blogs where I collect ideas...one of my favorites, Homespun Threads, is making all her patterns FREE!!!

Check out her post here:  HOMESPUN THREADS

and spread the love!

This year...

I think the costume helped...immensely.  It's taken me a week to even get him to even participate at Joy School during the program practice.  I wish I could be a fly on the wall to see why he's struggling with this so much.  Part of it is that he didn't get the part he wanted (Heavenly Father), then he didn't want to be what was assigned to him (Joseph).  Now that we have a crown, a tunic, a sash and a robe, not to mention a 'treasure box' with gold in it, I hope he'll be motivated to play his part well!!!

{5 months}

Somebody found their toesies!

Such a happy baby, Kortlen is a joy to us!  Whenever his brothers or mommy or daddy come in the room, he gets excited, waving his arms, smiling, cooing, and kicking like crazy!  He still won't put weight on his legs, but I can't blame him...he's topping out at 18 pounds!  No wonder my back hurts from lugging him around!

The whole 'photo shoot' he just kept staring and trying to get to his chubby little feet.  I couldn't hardly get him to look at the camera...so we made the most of it.

When I go in to get him from naps or to nurse early in the morning, his feet are always out of his pajamas, and ice cold!  He rubs them together, playing with them, and so they rarely stay in soft shoes, jammies, or socks.  Clever little boy!

He loves to play with toys on his tummy, or on his back...and is starting to try to roll over.  Besides playing with his binky (it's more of a toy than anything), he can usually be found sucking on his burp-cloth, the sheets when he's in our bed, or any blanket within reach.  This boy loves to have things in his mouth!  I am seriously considering buying some rice cereal at the store next time, because I think he's totally ready.  I like to tease him with my spoon at dinner time, and he loves to open his mouth for whatever is on it.

He likes to snuggle with me, his daddy, blankets, or soft toys.  When I lay him down for naps or for bed in his crib, I'll lay a blanket over him, and he pulls it up to his eyes, smiles, and will drift off to sleep.  He'll chime in whenever I'm singing Christmas songs, and likes to 'talk' to us, telling us stories all day long if we'd let him. He's wonderful, silly, and growing bigger and bigger every day!

{♥}

My {♥} is full.

If you're reading this, Thank You.  You made our day!

You're HOW old???

"I'm FIVE!"

It can't be.  We have a five year old?

Dear Tanner,

Where to begin.  Your personality grows more and more each day, yet as time goes on, I can see that you're growing into it!  Although you are still rambunctious and have enough energy to power a small city, you are becoming quite a sweet and helpful little boy.

You have recently become very concerned about things being picked up, put away, organized, and 'done'.  Yesterday you spent a good hour re-arranging your toys so they would be 'just right'.    Our conversations frequently include topics and discussion about things much deeper than we think you could come up with...but we try to answer your inquires as best as we can...often trying not to chuckle and wondering WHERE you get your silly ideas.

You are very loving to your two younger brothers, who adore you, and do anything that you tell them.  Including Kortlen giggling and Taylor getting into mischief!  For the most part you enjoy Joy School, despite the fact that you're the oldest child there...but you are learning so many wonderful things while making new friends and getting a break from home.

In just the last month or so, your interest in letters and numbers has increased tremendously, making me a very proud mama.  You love simple math in every day situations, and I can see that the wheels in your head are churning and turning to figure out how letters sound, look, and work together.  You thrive on problem solving, loving attention from those around you, role-playing with your toys, and words of encouragement.

Some days are better than others, especially when you do something you know better NOT to do.  Like pushing or hitting, or sneaking mommy's keys into the can of hot chocolate.

We love you so much, and hope that during the next year we will be able to prepare you for the lessons that await you in Kindergarten.

Happy 5th Birthday, big boy!

Love,

Mom

__________

I let Tanner invite four friends and their younger sibling to a glorified play-date, to celebrate his 5th Birthday by printing this ticket on metallic scrapbook paper.  I actually cut it out square, then punched the edges with a scallop punch...the gold and sorry looking edges are to just give you an idea of what the finished invite looked like.

I tried to keep it low-key...and I think I was successful! 

{WARNING:  Picture Heavy!}

A Willy Wonka Birthday Party WOULD NOT be COMPLETE without...

...EVERLASTING GOBSTOPPERS!

(in the gumball machine...I'm pretty sure they were TWICE the size when I was a kid.)

Once friends arrived, the fun really started!!!   We attempted to play Twister (which is a challenge with kiddos who are Right and Left challenged), played three rounds of "Don't Eat Pete"*, pin the nose on the snowman, and then finished the festivities off with cupcake decorating.

(Landon, Tanner, Adelaide, and Lillian)

 This is precisely why each child got their own knife and own bowl of frosting.  *giggle*

Tanner asked specifically for blue and yellow cake.  As luck would have it, I was clean out of blue food coloring...I checked all three boxes, twice!  So he then chose Red and Yellow...which makes for a very pink and yellow. 

All Tanner could say after his friends said 'good-by' was, "Mom!  I am the luckiest boy in the world!".  Yes, son, you are pretty blessed!  As are we, to have you sent to us to learn and to grow.  

The best part was that clean-up literally took less than ten minutes.  We asked that in lieu of a gift, that a donation be made to a charity of choice...so I didn't have to worry about fighting over toys, wrapping paper, etc.  An hour and a half of fun made this little boy's day!  And all for under $20.00.  Party on!


*for your own "Don't Eat Pete" game, feel free to double click, right click, save as and print the following thumbnail.  To play, gather family around, placing one candy on each square.  Send one person away, and silently pick a square to be "Pete".  Invite the person back in, and as they begin to randomly pick candies, you stay silent, until "Pete" is picked and you yell, "Don't Eat Pete!".  I think the game board we had growing up had different shapes...you could use ANY clipart in a 'table' made in Microsoft Word.  Just sayin'.