¡Nieve!

I couldn't get them both to smile at the same time & could barely get them to both stand still at the same time!

I had to come up with a different title since I labeled the last one "Snow". Same thing, just different language :)

Yesterday morning we woke up to another 4-5 inches of snow. And it was still coming down. And it kept coming down for a good part of the day. When it finally stopped we probably ended up with close to 6 inches. I told the boys when we got home from Joshua's party at school that after Nathaniel had a nap, we could go outside and build a snowman. When it finally came time to actually go outside and build it, I wasn't exactly thrilled. I cannot remember the last time I built a snowman. I know that one was built when I was in the MTC...there was snow the weekend before I left for Spain...but I don't think I helped in its creation. If I did, I've forgotten about it. So the last time I helped was probably when Carrie was younger than Joshua. Yeah, a long time ago. Snow is not my most favorite part of weather...I like looking at it when it comes down and everything is so pretty & pristine & white (I'm curled up inside nice and warm with hot chocolate, a book, scrapbooking, knitting, something like that)...but I hate it when it gets gray and slushy and icky (kind of how it's getting right now). 18 years growing up here I learned to deal with snow. Then 4 winters in Utah at college walking to campus, uphill, in a skirt (student teaching classes) early in the morning in the snow with no car really put a "damper" (hahaha) on how much I enjoy winter wonderlands...especially when I feel my nostrils freezing shut and remember getting to that early morning Book of Mormon class and feeling trickles down my back as my hair thawed out because it wasn't dry when I left my apartment (I hate blowdryers). So for the past 11 years it was nice to live in a town called Winters that was called so with no relation to the season! I'm trying to be better with the snow though. And so I took the boys out to play. We did our best to build a snowman...Joshua deemed it the best one ever (it is the only one he's ever made, but that's besides the point). There was no way I was getting balls rolled and stacked for making a snowman...that just wasn't happening. So we scooped and piled and eventually got something about as tall as Nathaniel. Joshua "rolled" the head and I had the boys dig some rocks out of the driveway out of the snow, slush & ice there for its eyes, mouth and buttons. I'd snagged a carrot out of the frig that I broke and stuck in for its nose. And there he was - our Frosty. We hoped that the nose would still be there this morning, that the neighborhood deer community (a dozen plus) wouldn't remove it. We know they are always in the front yard...their tracks and other signs tell us that, besides the times when we have to chase them out of the driveway to get out or wait for them to move out the street so we can drive. Doesn't appear that deer like carrots all that much because Frosty's face is still intact.

After Frosty and snow angels, we were ready to come in. Then it was time for what I believe is the best part of playing out in the snow...HOT CHOCOLATE! Joshua (and Nathaniel) had received little bags from one of the kids in Joshua's class that held a pack of Swiss Miss and a couple of candies. Joshua had Mint Chocolate and Nathaniel had Caramel Cream (I did refrain from downing Nathaniel's even though I LOVE caramel anything). So I fixed the chocolate, which Joshua insisted had to be called hot COCOA because that's what the package said. I tried to explain it was the same thing, but he refused to agree with me..."Mom, it SAYS hot cocoa, so you have to call it that." (Why was I so excited that he can read just about anything now?)

All in all it was fun afternoon with Mommy...no chores, no nagging about homework, etc. I need to do those more with the boys.

I tried to do a self-portrait...at least Joshua was smiling...Nathaniel wouldn't even look toward the camera!

Today we had a little more of that kind of fun. My grandmother and her sister have belonged to Eastern Star for 50+ years...my mom had belonged eons ago, not any more, but every year for as long as I can remember Mom has baked cookies for the Easter Star's Christmas cookie trays. I vaguely remember taking cookies with her down to the Masonic Hall when I was a kid. This year I helped with some of the cookies and took them and my grandmother's down with my mom. My great-aunt was there and some other members of their chapter. Mom and I helped load up the trays - 15, a lot fewer than in years past, I guess. And then I offered to run my grandmother's down to her, along with trays for her two cousins, another woman that lives near her and the local newspaper (members of 50 years or more get trays, as well as rest homes and newspapers, it seems). So the boys and I ran down to Fort Jones to grandma's. We took her on a few errands and she told me where a couple of the people lived and I took in the trays. Met one woman who swears I look just like my mom did 20 years ago. Anyway, after visiting with Grandma for a little while, the boys and I headed back home. It was starting to snow a bit more (it's since stopped and hopefully will hold off a few more hours unitl Brian gets home) and we decided to sing Christmas songs and carols as we rode home. Nathaniel LOVES "Jingle Bells" and tried to add it to about every song Joshua & I sang.

Nine Years...

Nine years ago today Brian and I were married & sealed for all time & eternity in the Oakland Temple...the years go so quickly! This is the first time we haven't been together for our anniversary as he had to go south to work, but at least we got to see each other this morning before he left. And as I told him this morning, I'd rather he be gone on our anniversary and be home on Christmas instead of vice versa.

SNOW!!!

The first day of winter might not be officially until Sunday, but it's already hit here. This is what we woke up to Monday morning...

I was so thrilled...I was teaching Joshua's class on Monday and knew that the kids would be pretty hyped up with it being the first real snow of the season. Yeah, you'd have thought that it was the first snow for all 18 kids in the class instead of just Joshua! Of course, it hasn't gotten warm enough to really melt any of it and today, we're getting more. Luckily, it hasn't gotten too heavy and Brian made it through the canyon with no problem. Hopefully he'll be as lucky Saturday night coming home.

Shadow is less than thrilled with this nasty icky wet cold white stuff (probably because not only do her paws get wet but she's so fat that her belly drags in it). I was hoping to get a couple pictures of her out in the snow, but this is the best I could do...she makes a beeline from the garage door to the back door with no side trips up to the yard. The first morning was hysterical...she tried to figure out how to get from point A to point B without dampening her dainty little paws...ain't possible, but she sure tried. She is happy to spend a good part of her day in her favorite spot - snoozing among the stuffed animals on Nathaniel's bottom bunk. It's like a warm cozy little cave and she'd stay there all day if it wasn't for a few items - hunger (which is obviously a problem for her, because you can tell that she's wasting a way and we never feed her) and Nathaniel.

The view: The pond across the street (above) Looking up the hill/street (below)

Nathaniel has been dying to get in the snow...Monday when I came home from teaching, he was with Joshua & I because Brian had dropped him off while I picked up the classroom because he had to meet with a professor in Yreka. As we walked down the driveway, Nathaniel grabbed a handful of snow, held it for a few seconds and then dropped it and informed me it was "Too pold!" (His hard 'c' sounds like a 'p') That took care of him wanting to go outside. Well, today, I had a yarn emergency and needed some yarn for the project I'm knitting for Brian for Christmas. So we ran to Grandma's to see if she had anything that would work - and she did. Her yarn selection is closer, better and more economical than Walmarts! We did stay long because the snow was starting to come down harder and my little car doesn't have snow tires or anything like that. When we got home, Nathaniel decided he was going to play a bit in the driveway. Poor kid...his sweats were shoved up practically to his knees from getting out of the car but I didn't notice until I took the picture. Telling Mom "No" when she asked me to come back down to her...

I love this picture...but unfortunately I slid a bit on the ice as I took it and it went blurry...still, he's got a cute smile!

Christmas Program time!

Joshua's Christmas program...kindergarten through 3rd grade. I got to watch them rehearse yesterday when I subbed in Joshua class. The song in the video has been going through my head since then! Different than our concerts and programs with Mrs. Foster, but still cute!

Sorry for the shaky video and bouncing around...I was using the digital camera and Nathaniel kept grabbing at my arm!

Blogger is not cooperating with me tonight to post the video...I'll have to try again on Sunday when Brian brings back my internet connection!

Chased by an Elephant?

About half an hour ago, I was picking up the HUGE mess Nathaniel made on the floor of the boys' bedroom this afternoon. He was playing while Brian did math homework in the dining room while Joshua & I were at school (I got to be Joshua's teacher today while his actual teacher had jury duty...but that's another story). Anyway, while I was picking up, Joshua was up on his bed leafing through his Book of Mormon. He was less than thrilled to see that the entire book had 469 pages (I believe that's what he said...I'm not sure if he's counting the Index as well or what). He briefly thought about staying up all night to read it, but it didn't take much to convince him that it would take much longer than one night to read the entire book. So he was murmuring to himself about how long it would take to read as I continued to pick up the hundreds of books Nathaniel has dumped on the floor (he's always looking at books and constantly begging some one to "read me, please!"). Finally he asked me what I thought he'd get from his Primary teacher if he read the entire book. I told him I didn't think he'd get anything from his teacher, but he would gain a testimony. Well, that wasn't what he wanted to hear. After a brief discussion about what a testimony was and why that was important, he told me (as I continued to pick up the thousands of books Nathaniel had strewn about the room) that he thought he'd get something because one kid who'd memorized all 13 of the Articles of Faith got a Star Wars coloring book. That led into a discussion on if he'd been able to pass off his 2nd Article of Faith that he'd memorized a few weeks ago. He had...that's when he told me that the 13th Article of Faith was funny. That surprised me and I asked him how was it funny. Very seriously he replied, "Well, it says that we'll be CHASED BY AN ELEPHANT!" I managed to not burst in to laughter and first, asked him who he'd heard say that. He said no one had told him that, that's just what it said. Then I calmly explained to him that what the 13th Article of Faith actually says is that we need to be "CHASTE AND BENEVOLENT." To which he replied, "Oh, well, that's not what it sounds like!" Yep, that's my boy! He may be reading at an almost 3rd grade level, but his hearing & listening is right on par for 1st grade!

Super Student!!

Last Thursday or Friday we got a letter in the mail from the elementary school. It was to let us know that Joshua had been selected as a super student for the month and we were invited to the assembly today to see him get his award. Of course, this was to be a surprise to Joshua, so we didn't tell him a thing. As his class walked in to the gym, he caught sight of us and was excited, but still didn't know why we were there. When his teacher called his name, he jumped up, turned to us and yelled, "Dad, you and I are going to *Dotty's!" Everyone laughed and his teacher said that was one of the things she liked about Joshua was his enthusiasm. Everyone in the school pretty much knows who Joshua is already...he's such a character.

*Dotty's is a local ice cream/hamburger place. We like getting milkshakes there (the blackberry ones have been a tradition for my best friend, Raini, and I for eons). Anyway, the kids get a coupon for a free ice cream cone with their Super Student certificate (when I was in school it was a free Happy Meal at McDonalds...ice cream cone is way better...especially if they still do the dipped ones!)

Thanksgiving

We had a nice quiet Thanksgiving at home. Grandma Darlene came up and ate with us which thrilled the boys. You'd have thought Nathaniel hadn't seen her in weeks instead of a week the way he greeted her with hugs as she came through the door. Joshua, too.

Brian and I, after having "done" Thanksgiving all on our own for the past couple of years, have it down now. While I did dishes and got the rolls started and the turkey in the oven, he cleaned the living room (with "help" from the boys) and bathrooms. Then he peeled all the potatoes and made the stuffing and gravy. We had everything done at the same time - a miracle! And we were sitting down to eat at 2:10 pm...pretty dang close to the 2 o'clock we'd thought. We ate early so we'd have plenty of time for pie later...and so Grandma could drive home before it got too dark.

We took a few pictures...but I'm still trying to learn how to use the new camera so the lighting is not the greatest...I forgot to turn the flash on...whoops. So when I go to print them for scrapbooking, I decided I'd do them in black and white...they look pretty good that way.

We hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. With all the ups and downs we've had this year, there is still so much to be thankful for!

Our Joshua

A week ago this past Sunday was our ward's Primary Program. Joshua had two parts in it, as well as singing several songs. Grandma plays piano in primary, so she knew how well he'd been doing in the practices. We were a little nervous though being as in last year's program he ran off the stand in tears and hasn't wanted to sing with the kids at any time when they'd been asked to sing in Sacrament Meeting. Well, I don't know if it's moving, or growing up or what, but he did wonderfully! He had both of his parts memorized, but still opened up the paper he'd written one on so that he could read that. He sang all the songs and did this all with a big smile on his face. We were so happy (not to mention relieved!). He'd made a special invitation for his Great-Grandma Darlene to come up for the program. She wasn't too sure if she was going to come or not...it depended on the weather if she'd make the roughly 15 mile drive. Well, it was a cold foggy morning, but she still came. Joshua was so excited to have her there in the congregation with the rest of us.

All of the children had been asked to draw pictures for the program covers. We snagged several of Joshua's to send to Grandpa Val and Great-Grandma Donna & Great-Grandpa Ken and to Bishop & Sister Oliver. I made sure to keep one for his scrapbook too...he did a great job with his picture. He loves to draw...his favorite things to draw right now are horses and he does a pretty good job at that.

Joshua is enjoying first grade and is thriving. At his parent conference earlier this month we were pleased to talk with his teacher and hear how well he is doing. He's reading at an end of 2nd grade level already and LOVES to read. He does accelerated reading tests every week in the library (it's a program that after the kids read a book, they take a test on the computer). For that he reads books that range anywhere from a 2.5 to a 4.1 grade level and has a 94% overall on that (he's done 7 books). He's also doing quite well in math and has learned to not only count by 1s & 2s but also 5s and 10s and can count for AGES in all these ways. They've been working on doubles (3+3, 8+8, etc) in math lately. I got to have fun last Monday and sub in his class for a short time. Both Joshua & I survived this experience (as well as his classmates), so hopefully his teacher will use me again when she's going to be gone.

A lazy Sunday afternoon...

Nathaniel's latest "fun" is to pour water (or whatever liquid he can get a hold of) from one vessel to another. And he does not care what he's pouring from or into. He'll dump his milk into his plate. He'll dump his food into his cup. You get the picture. Well, this afternoon, he had a cup of water that Grandma had left out & Grandpa had put up, but not quite enough to be out of his reach. He honestly was trying to put it on the end table, but missed by a foot or two and started to spill it in Grandma's chair. Instead of righting his wrong, and his cup, he grinned at me and dumped the rest of the cup in her chair. I gave him a light swat, grabbed his sleepers that were on the floor and sopped up most of the water and then took him in and put him on his bed. Then I got a towel and dried up the rest of the water. He never got off of his bed...which was a surprise. Grandma walked down the hall a few minutes later and peaked in his room and this is what she found:

After I took the picture, I did flip him around so he was sleeping more comfortably. He slept for about 2 and a half hours. Waking up about 4:30. Yeah, he'll be up for awhile tonight! Luckily, I also chose to take a nap during this time period - trying to get rid of a headache - so I'll be able to stay up with him while Brian does homework and everyone else goes to bed.

Tomorrow is my first day of subbing. I use the term "day" loosely...Monday's are their short days here and school gets out at 1:10. They have lunch from 11:45 to around 12:30...my "day" will start at 11:30. But it's Joshua's class that I'll be subbing in. I've only subbed once...that was for the Spanish teacher at the high school here 11.5 years ago, shortly after I came home from Spain and right after I got my California credential. All I did was hand out a quiz and show a video. This will be a bit different. It's been 6 1/2 years since I've taught...I'm rather nervous.

I reread one of my favorite books this week, Sunshine & Shadow by Earlene Fowler - thank you, Raini! She was reading it earlier this week and I told her it was my favorite of the series and just had to pull it down and read it again. I've loved mysteries since I read Mom's Bobbsey Twin books in second grade. Trixie Belden was my favorite (and Raini's) when we were kids. The week before I had Nathaniel, I finally took suggestions from someone on the Trixie Belden board and ordered the first few books in Earlene Fowler's Benni Harper series from the library. I took the first one to the hospital with me and read it while waiting for the pitocin to kick in and get Nathaniel on his way, since he wasn't deciding to come on his own. Thus began my foray into the world of cozy-mysteries - how had I gone so many years without knowing about them! I've read books from probably a dozen cozy series in the past 2 plus years now, but the Benni Harper books remain my favorite. In Sunshine & Shadow I love how she flashed back to a time in Benni's past that, unknown to her at the time, would greatly affect her life later. Of course, being an author and being in charge of your characters' lives (to a degree), that is easy. But each time I've read this book (I think this makes time #3) I pause and look back at different events in my life, even ones that seem mundane & trivial, and realize how they have had an effect on my life now. She also has a nice commentary on faith in a conversation between Benni & her friend & minister, Mac, which made me think quite a bit. So, if you're looking for a new series, this is a pretty good one...all the titles are names of quilts which is also fun. Here's Earlene Fowler's website: earlenefowler.com

One last thing...here's the recipe for the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies I mentioned in another post...I had a request for it and that reminded me that I'd been going to post it here:

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

3 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 c. butter or margarine, softened
¾ c. sugar
¾ c. packed brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 large eggs
1 c. solid-pack pumpkin
2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
Cream cheese frosting, optional

Preheat oven to 350°. Line pans with parchment paper or spray with non-stick spray.

Beat butter, sugars and vanilla in large mixing bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each one. Add pumpkin and mix well. Add dry ingredients gradually. Mix in chocolate chips.

Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake 9 to 11 minutes. Cool on cookie sheets about 3 minutes and then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

If desired, frost with cream cheese frosting. Or, make cookies smaller (teaspoon) and sandwich frosting between two cookies to make sandwich cookies.

Veteran's Day Program

We had the opportunity to go to the elementary school this morning and watch their tribute to our veterans. Unfortunately, Grandpa Bruce had to work & couldn't make it, but many other veterans were there today to be honored. The kindergarten through 3rd grades sang "Yankee Doodle" - here's a clip:

Then we all stood & recited the "Pledge of Allegiance" and sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee".

The intermediate choir sang 3 songs...I'd never heard them. One was called "American Tears" and was very moving. It was neat to see Joshua in such a wonderful tribute to the men & women who helped to keep our country free. I look forward to other programs that he'll participate in here.

More fun with Nathaniel

I hit publish before I remembered that I'd wanted to post a few more "Naniel" moments from the last week or so. One of his new joys in life is "bubbles"...no, not blowing them with a bubble wand...he's decided washing dishes is really fun. He started out by "helping" Grandma. Today, he helped me. What he really likes is the bubbles as well as the water. Right now he's fascinated with pouring water from one vessel to another - cups, bowls, you name it.

On Tuesday mornings, the Relief Society here has a Sewing Group (yay, actually doing the small interest groups...but that's a different story)...it's kind of like my Girls' Night was. There were three other women there - one just plain sewing and two doing quilting sewing. I did a little scrapbooking and the worked on my knitting. Anyway, Nathaniel had a blast playing with his friend Jane (she's about a year younger than he is). We were at the Church for almost 4 hours. He was pretty tired when we were finished. We got home at nearly two...he was exhausted. I can now say that I've seen someone drop in the tracks. I carried him through the door (throwing a fit because he'd wanted to stay in the car) and set him down. Then I went and put my stuff down and talked to Brian a bit. After about five minutes I realized that Nathaniel hadn't followed me. When I went back out to the living room, this is what I found.

He was dripping sweat inside his raincoat...and he hadn't moved an inch from where I'd set him down, just kind of collapsed. He slept on the floor (I did move him out of the doorway) for close to two hours!

These are some pictures from last Wednesday...he was helping me make pumpkin chocolate chip cookies (our new favorite cookie!)