When The Fog Sets In

The presents were wrapped, and mailed to Ernie's parents home.  The luggage was packed. (Even with the remaining straggeling gifts) All last minute Christmas errands run. The house was actually totally clean, even clean sheets! The boys were thrilled that they were FINALLY going to get to fly somewhere.  (Caleb really dosen't believe us that he has flown before because he can't remember it.)
However, as if to say 'this is what you get for being organized and prepared for once', fog set in in Boise.  Yes, all plans drastically came to a hault, may I add here AFTER we had already drove the 2 1/2 hrs to Vegas for our flight, when the airline called and told us the flight was cancelled. (-Yes, we were refunded the tickets!-) Panic set in.  How were we going to get to Boise?  I was sure that Christmas was going to be ruined and we were never going to get there. And I had everything scheduled and oraganized, and completely prepared! That's what I get for scheduling, and don't worry folks, I learned my lesson. :) 

Well, what do ya know we made it here, and with great roads. The drive wasn't even too bad.  (Although, I think that if I ever hear the Chimpunk Christmas CD again, I might loose it.) We have had blast seeing family and good friends.  And it snowed today, so the kids were thrilled!!
Some of my absolute favorite memories are from being at my Grandma's house for Christmas. (Yes, the one who makes the best breakfast if you remember from my previous post)  I am so excited for my boys to get to make those kind of memories.  It is a lot of work to pack up Christmas, but I am so thrilled we get to do it. And one more day until Christmas Eve!  I absolutely LOVE this time of year!!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

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The Crafty Elliotts

While Ernie was having fun in NY for buisness (he did get to go to Madison Square Garden to see a Knicks game while he was there) last week, the kids and I got crafty.
This type of thing is not a regular occurance as it created a mess greater than that of playdough, so it was defanitely picture worthy.

Caleb helped a ton. Well, that is his take on it.  But I'm pretty sure Ernie did most of the work while Caleb ate the candy. And he has asked every day since if he can eat the whole house now.

Thanksgiving Feast

Every year my family has the same Thanksgiving traditions.  We have all grown to love our traditions.
We start off the day way earlier than should be humanly possible to run the "Catch the Gobbler" 5k. It is so much fun and the kids had a blast with it this year! Layne and I did the 1 mile with them. Although, I'm pretty sure Ernie can handle the 5k next time! He did awesome.  He ran the entire way and came in first! Like first place, the real deal! Caleb also ran nearly the entire thing, and I was trailing behind him as he sprinted to the finish line in fourth place.  (He would have been third, but an older lady speed walked right passed him in the home stretch. Have a heart lady!)  Anyway, everyone thought it was so cute and would cheer caleb on as he ran, he then would run a little faster.

Nat, Mark and Ernie after they finished

Claire and Ernie

Yeah dad! He took first in his age group! We were quite impressed. I can't remember his time now, but it was like 25 min or something. 

Layne was Ernie's mile run budy

Claire (she won't be able to do the piggy back pose for a ton longer since he will probably pass her up soon)

Caleb laid down in exhaustion after he was done.......

Which only lasted a few minutes and then he was racing Ernie

The proud 5k crowd (We missed you mom)

And I mention lastly that we were the proud winners of 4 turkeys this year!!!

Well, that about covers the first few hours of the day.  As for the rest of the traditions of the day.... a brief run down:

nap

get ready

eat

go to movie

and finally

home for pie with the Roskelley's

 Our movie this year was Fantastic Mr. Fox. And let's just say it wasn't my favorite Thanksgiving movie of all time. (But we know Layne and Micah, you liked it :)  My favorite was actually when we saw How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  We spoke in Dr. Suess inspired rhyme the rest of the evening.

We had a great Thanksgiving.

And yes, it is defanitely time now for Christmas. Even if I wore a skirt and flip flops today.

A Festive Pondering

One of my favorite holidays is Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Chritsmas! But Thanksgiving provides an opportunity to ponder the things with which we are blessed.

Well, as Thanksgiving has now snuck up out of nowhere,  I decided to post a few of the things I am most grateful for.  I have found (as many of you I'm sure have) when I focus on all the the things I am blessed with it tends to make all of the problems I may have day to day rather insignificant.
(And these are not in any significant order!)

1- Faith
2- My family
3- power liftgate and doors on my car
4- a great marriage
5- pedicures
6- uplifting friends
7- chocolate covered cinnamon bears
8- snuggeling with my little boys
9- air conditioning
10- an amazing bed- like smile every time I get into it at night amazing
11- shoes- wait, let me make that CUTE shoes
12- modern every day conveniences (flushing toilet, washing machine, crock pot, you get the idea)
13- Scriptures
14- Parents (both my immediate and my in-laws) because, well hello they obviously raised great kids!
15- cafe rio/ costa vida salads
16- music
17- laughter
18- tevo
19-weekend trips to cabins- no boys allowed
20- cell phones
21- education
22- employment
23- pictures (so my memory dosen't fade quite so quickly)
24- Being able to saty at home with my quickly growing boys
25- massage- make that a great massage therapist

Oh, and my kids are some of the most blessed kids in the entire world.  Very few children have as many devoted grandparents and relitives as they do.

Luckily I could easily add to this list.

And luckily for all of you reading, I'll not add to the list :)  But this has given me an opportunity to start really recognizing every little blessing in my life. For instance, the blessing of my adorable children fast asleep in their beds long before 8.  I really am blessed!!!

The New Family Photogropher

I was downloading pictures the other day and I came across the following pictures.

I was pretty sure I had an idea of who the culprit was, but as I came across these self portrates all suspicions were put to rest.

I just realized I never posted pictures of the whole Halloween experience, only the costumes! so, here we go.

 Here are pumpkin carvers.
For some reason, 3 eyes were really in this year!

Here are my three men hanging out at the trunk o' treat

So, part way through the night, Ernie decided to ditch the Harry Potter getup and go as a missionary.
  He is a funny kid, and obviously inventive.

OK, so I must insert here how much of a rough evening we had trying to get him to get out of the car.  He was rude and belligerent and we couldn't figure out why he wouldn't go trick or treating with his costume. I was so frustrated with him.  He finally came up with this idea and he was all of a sudden in a great mood. He finally made a comment later on during the night that his costume was too long.  Aha! I finally figured it out, he felt a little bit like he was wearing a dress and all of a sudden got weirded out by it.  That's the

 I'm not sure what made him think of the new costume idea.  Luckily we were at the church trunk o' treat, so we went and found the missionaries so he could capture the moment with them. They supplied him with a B of M to compete his ensemble.  What a kid! That's all I can say! We thought it was awesome, and got over the beginning rough part of the evening.  (And I know, of all things to change their costumes into, how can a mother complain?)