Thanksgiving in Seven Easy Steps

Step 1: Make pies.

Caitlyn made the entire cherry pie by herself, and Alison made not one, but two chocolate pies by herself. We also had a key lime pie, too. I just didn't get a picture of the others before they were gone.  We also made rolls -- Alison and Kristen were great helpers there -- but forgot to take pictures of them.

Step 2: Make a schedule

Okay, I didn't do this, Darryl Christensen (the man o' the house where we had Thanksgiving) did. But I thought it was hilarious. And possibly quite ingenious.

Step 3: Barbecue the turkey (we didn't do this, but man was it good!) and get the rest of the food ready

Notice the lack of green stuff. That was because I walked out the door without the salad. Oops.


Step 4: EAT!

Step 5: Talk and play (while we digest)

Step 6: Eat some more!

Hmmm.... I never did get any pictures of the pies!

Step 7: Crash!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankfulness

So, ever since our ward split, our Sacrament meetings have been less-than-stellar. Granted, we don’t have any crazy people (like ax-wielding crazy, anyway), but it’s just kind of been blah. Like everyone’s been going through the motions. But today’s topic was thankfulness, and the talks (including one from Caitlyn) were actually quite thoughtful. So, instead of griping about the busy week we had (and it was busy, being Thanksmas and all), I think I’ll just list the things I’m thankful for (today).

My husband, for all that he does to support me and the girls, both financially and emotionally (I get to go to California this week, thanks to him!), and my girls. Because, even though we often squabble amongst ourselves, they really are good, sweet, talented, smart, beautiful girls. And I’m glad to have them.

My kids schools, and that they work hard to not only educate my children, but to also reach out to the parents and the school community and have fun family nights where we can go and interact with the staff and other families.

My job. It’s fun, it’s rewarding, and I enjoy putting books (or, in my case – and I sometimes disagree with my boss on this; she believes that “any” book will do – the RIGHT book) in people’s hands.

My husband’s job. That he can be flexible enough to manage the kids when I can’t. That he’s happy and involved in his school. And that he has one. Which is a big thing these days.

My friends, both the ones here, and the ones far away: they give me needed humor breaks, time away from my family so I can remember I’m “Melissa” and not just “Mom”, and needed intellectual conversation to keep me from imploding from hearing about girl drama for the umpteenth time.

Good entertainment and the ability to laugh. Never underestimate the power and influence of making me laugh. It’s like balm to my soul.

Music, in all its forms, which includes being able to sing, play, listen, and dance to it.

The gospel, and the church, for its steadying influence in my life, for the community and opportunities to serve it provides, and for the healing power of repentance and forgiveness.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Why We Shouldn't Have Decorations With Letters on Them

Caitlyn and Megan did a craft on Wednesday for Young Women's and it's been siting on the ledge for a few days. This is what it's supposed to say:

This is what I have discovered it saying:

I think we may have exhausted our Boggle capabilities.

Kristen Writes a Book

When I came home from my ladies' night out on Friday, Kristen was sitting at the table, furiously writing. I asked her what she was doing, and she showed me this:

Pizza Maker, Written and Illustrated by Kristen Fox

Dad Helped Me. Thank you.

The first step to make pizza is to make dough.

The second step to make pizza is roll the dough.

The third thing is to put the dough in a pan.

The fourth step to make pizza is to put the toppings on.

The fifth step to make pizza is to put it in the oven.

The last step to make pizza is cut it and eat it!

By the Numbers

Monday was Castle night. Russell actually deigned to watch with us, since it was a geek-fest episode. He wasn’t impressed. The girls and I, however, spent the time counting up references (which we woefully fell short on), and though it was hilarious. Maybe it really is just a girls show. Zap, said the lady.

 

Tuesday was election day, which meant 1) somewhat long lines here in town (it was a local ballot measure that had everyone coming out) and 2)Russell was across town with his students watching election returns. He came in around 10:30 or so, as I was falling asleep, but stayed up a while longer until he was sure that most of the results were in. The joys of being a political science professor, I guess. I went to Caitlyn’s band concert, and then was supposed to go to book group. But no one else showed, so I came home and hung out with the kids instead. I just don’t think we have a bookish ward right now. Or at least the right combination of bookish and chatty.

 

Wednesday, we had the missionaries over for dinner (the newer one is less, well, abrasive than he was last month. He’s also a month less new...) and then I took Megan and Caitlyn out to the bookstore to an author event. I did this mainly because I was afraid that no one would show up, and I was kind of right. It was me, my girls, the bookstore owner, another employee, a teacher who does reviews for us and had reviewed his book, and a couple of people he managed to convince to sit down. That said, it was a fascinating event, listening to him tell stories about Chicago and the whole mafia up there (he’s a native, Greek American, and MAN can he tell a story). I’m glad we went.

 

Thursday was family night over at Wilbur, and Caitlyn desperately wanted to go. So, I took her, Alison and Kristen over. The younger two spent the whole time running around the school (literally) with Alison’s friend Sophia, while Caitlyn played Apples to Apples with her teacher. On the upside, I actually got to meet her teachers, something which I get incredibly lazy about doing when they hit middle school.

Yesterday, Alison had a little Activity Days super Saturday craft day. She didn’t want to go at first, but I kind of made her (and stayed with her the whole time), and eventually she warmed up to the idea of all of it. In fact, she’s decided that she’s going to make Christmas presents this year. Here’s hoping she actually does (or rather: here’s hoping mom remembers to make the time to help Alison finish the projects we started!). And then, Russell took her and Kristen out to Cox Farm for a Friends family event. They climbed haystacks, took a hay ride, went through a corn maze or two, and basically had a good couple of hours, enjoying the last of the 70-degree weather (it turned coolish again today). And then Megan and Caitlyn were off to a church activity last night, which (from what we heard) was alternately a lot of fun and somewhat violent (which is to be expected when you play an upset-the-fruitbasket type game with about 50 12- to 17-year-olds).

 

And today’s been nice. Church wasn’t bad (even if I ended up pinch-hitting teaching a class again, and the kids were squirrely), and then we went out to Exploration Place for a bit this afternoon (in between Russell’s meetings). It was free for Veteran’s Day, and you have to take advantage of that. Right? 

 

Both Russell and I are working tomorrow (Friends doesn’t take it off, and I have found that the downside of being reliable and valued is that taking time off isn’t quite as easy), which means the girls (who are off) get the run of the house by themselves. Is it only me, or is everyone else in shock that Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away? I’m not ready...

A Little Trip to Exploration Place

So, I noticed in the paper a couple days ago that the Exploration Place would be free to the public on Sunday afternoon. And, since I'm always game for anything free, I figured why not go as a family?

And, even though the place was packed (you could barely  move in our favorite exhibit, the castle!), and I was a little stressed about losing kids who tend to wander off *coughkristencough*, we had a great time.

We played video games in the Videotopia exhibit

And Russell and I both learned that these games were a lot more fun when we were better at them, when we were younger and had better reflexes...

And we played in the castle, but our favorite thing turned out to be this area where they had Keva blocks. Like TONS of them. By the time I caught up with Megan and Caitlyn, they had already built this:

Which turned into this:

Which became too tall, so Russell ended up getting involved:

And, eventually, turned into this:

We figure it was about 10+ feet tall by the end. It was the second tallest structure in the room at the time, after this:

Meanwhile, Kristen and I built this:

Before a two-year-old boy knocked it down.

And then we had to go. It was a good way to spend a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon! (As Alison said, "I'm thankful for family outings!")

Caitlyn's First Band Concert (of the year)

It happened on Election night this year, which also happened to be book group night (and our ward's book group is really struggling right now), so I was the only one who went to see the band perform, and thenI left right after the seventh grade band.






I think I like her being in choir better, too, if only because I actually get to see her when she performs, as opposed to just thinking, "Oh, there's the trombone section... I think..." I think I was spoiled with Megan sitting in the front row.

Cox Farm

Friends University, because they're awesome that way, sometimes has free events for the family of staff and faculty. Yesterday was one of those events. But, because I was feeling a bit under the weather and Megan and Caitlyn had other commitments, Russell just took Alison and Kristen out for a few hours of fun. It was really windy, but they had a grand time!

Brevity is the Soul of Wit

And short letters are even better.

 

We carved pumpkins on Sunday.

(For the record: Kristen was undecided what to do, so her older sisters “suggested” – very strongly – that she do the puking pumpkin.)

Monday, I took Alison to Band-o-Rama to watch Megan march for the second to last time. (The last time was on Friday, and she and her friends went photo crazy.)

Tuesday, was the bi-ward (since our ward is SO small) Trunk-or-treat. We had fun. Caitlyn got sick and missed school. Poor girl.

Wednesday, of course, was Halloween. Megan twent to a party, Alison and Kristen went trick-or-treating (not enough candy from the night before), and Caitlyn and I watched Arsenic and Old Lace.

Thursday, we all crashed from the previous night’s sugar high. (There was tears and snapping and yelling. Why do we have Halloween?)

Friday, Megan had her last game, both Caitlyn and Alison had sleepovers, so Russell, Kristen and I went out to eat. It was a fun date.

Saturday, we spent the gorgeous afternoon moving dirt around. We also did a bit of transplanting. Crossing fingers that they survive until spring...

And Sunday, we crashed. It was nice having an extra hour to sleep in. And I’m glad it’s light in the mornings again.

The Things That Float Around the Interwebs

Like this.

Way cool.

(Stolen from here.)

Megan's Last Football Game (Stolen From Facebook)

Since she never lets me take pictures of her anymore...

Most of these are with her two friends Kylie (of the great faces) and Brooke.

A Whole Lotta Dirt

So, back over spring break, we bought bricks to surround the area where our tree used to be, with the intention that we'd buy dirt and plant stuff. Then life got in the way.

FINALLY, we had a free weekend, found someone to deliver a pile of dirt

 

4 1/2 tons, to be exact. (Though we only asked for 3!)

And we moved it around.

Those are the four main flower beds that desperately needed it. We're sure our neighbors appreciate that our yard isn't (as much of) an eyesore anymore.

Our goal for next spring: plants to put in the beds!