Year End Recap--October to December

So Emmy Mom, CA Girl, Emilisq, Grumpy Grateful Mom, Impulsive Addict, Janette of Johanson Journey, MiMi Living in France, and Runner mom are doing a year end recap extravaganza and I thought it would be a great way to remember the last year.  It time to end the year.  Yep, October, November and December are up for this week.
October:

• The month started out on a good note.
• Then we got snow.  Yes, snow.
• I talked about my dream date.
• We had drama with our neighbors.
• I did a Halloween swap--Swapoween with Kathy from A Tiny Cottage on Grand.
• And of course, Halloween happened.

November:

• I asked why?
• We discovered Big Bang Theory and Bruiser locked himself in.
• I did the Autumn Swap with Jennifer from Living Our Green Life.
• I gave thanks for the good things in my life.
• I went a bit random and gave some timely tips.
• We had a great thanksgiving, grilled bird and all.

December:

• We went Christmas tree hunting and decorated.
• Turbo wrote typed a letter to Santa.
• We had fun with family, and a nice program at Turbo's school.
• I posted about Christmas fun.
• And Christmas happened.

So that is the last recap for the year.  My others are January to March, April to June, and July to September.
Go see some of the other recaps, just click the button below.

WWTK--New Years Resolutions

So We Want to Know this week is all about the new year--2012 is up on deck.

1. What was the best part of 2011?  There were so many good things about 2011, they mostly over shadow the not so good things.  We had an awesome summer and a pretty great fall.  Nick getting a new job was probably a highlight.
2. What do you look forward to in 2012?  Everything.  Camping, getting together with friends, traveling, home improvement, everything.
3. Do you actually keep your new year's resolutions?  I have decided that making resolutions doesn't really work for me.  Instead I make promises to myself.  I did this last year and it worked out pretty well.  I kept most of them.
4. What are your top three resolutions promises for the new year?  I really want to do more scrapbooking.  This is one I didn't keep last year.  I still need to continue to see the kitchen as a place of possibility.  I want to take the boys someplace fun this year, Denver for an overnight or two to go to Elitches (an amusement park) the aquarium, be tourists.  It would be good for all of us.
5. Do you have any fun New Years Traditions or plans?  We have had a seafood feast that we spread out over the course of the afternoon, but this year the grandparents have offered to take the boys New Year's Eve and you just don't turn down an offer like that so the feast has been moved to New Year's day.  New Year's Eve this year we just might go out Nick and I.  Maybe.  it would be fun not to be fuddy duddies like we usually are.

So there you have it.  What are you thinking of for the new year?

Go join up with Mamarazzi, Crazymama, and Queso for more resolutions.

Talking Tuesday

So Christmas happened.  Everyone got exactly what they wanted, and even some they didn't now they wanted.  I was awful and didn't get lots of pictures.  Or really any pictures.  OK maybe one or two but they are still living on the camera.
So you get Christmas in bullet points:

• Santa was good to me and I got a Kindle Touch.  I love it.
• Santa brought Turbo an Xbox 360.  Everyone is having a grand time playing games on it, even Nick.
• I got Nick a home beer brewing kit.  He has already started a batch of beer in it.
• Bruiser has had a wonderful time playing with any toy that crosses his path, be it his or Turbo's.
• We have all had varying stages of sick at our house, Nick got it for Christmas day, I had it Saturday and now I'm trying to fight off what seems to be another cold, more chest this time than the one I had last week.  What a way to spend time off from work.
• My mom had that boys last night and tonight, so we are kidless.  Unfortunately, neither one of feels like going out to take advantage of our freedom.  But Nick's folks have offered to take the boys for New Year's Eve for us.  We are moving our seafood feast to New Years day so  Turbo and Bruiser don't miss out on the food.  But for the first time in years, Nick and I may get to go out on New Year's Eve.
• Turbo has let us know that he knows who Santa is.  We told him to keep professing belief for Bruiser's sake (and to get more presents).  He has agreed.

I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday.  Have a great New year too.
Go see Impulsive Addict and Shawn for more Talking To Us Tuesday, the link up with no rules.

Confession! Merry Christmas!!

I confess:

• I am just about ready for Christmas.
• Packages are wrapped.
• We actually sent Christmas cards.
• We are on break for the next week.
• All that's left to go is some baking.
• And I wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! 

Year End Recap--July to September

So Emmy Mom, CA Girl, Emilisq, Grumpy Grateful Mom, Impulsive Addict, Janette of Johanson Journey, MiMi Living in France, and Runner mom are doing a year end recap extravaganza and I thought it would be a great way to remember the last year.  It's time for July to September:

July:

• We went camping and fourwheeling over the Fourth of July weekend.
• Nick built a new back porch and we enjoyed the local celebration, Jubilee Days.
• I showed of my boys as babies.
• We had a typical day in the summer sun.
• I started dating the household chores--not the best dates, but alas oh so necessary.

August:

• My boys showed off their Popsicle eating skills.
• We did one of the promises I made to myself.  We went to Rocky Mountain National Park for our anniversary.
• I debated Nature vs. Nurture in my boys.
• We had a couple of fun weekends, one for my birthday and one with Nick's family.
• School started for Turbo--a handsome third grader!

September:

• Nick got a new job--now we work just a bit closer together.
• I did a post on my boys as brothers.
• I posted about those accidental magic moments you have with kids.
• the rest of September was consumed by routine--clean house, make dinner, hang out with the boys.
• I did go hunting for the first time ever and I got my antelope.  It's very good eating.

So that covers the next quarter of the year.  Some of those months sped by, other's drug on and on.  Go see the other recaps and enjoy seeing the year go by.

Secret Santa Spin Cycle--Second Blooming

So Jen decided to have the Spin Cycle do the Secret Santa favorite blogger this year.  We were supposed to choose five of our favorite bloggers and send them to her and she would choose one for us to spotlight.
The blogger she picked out of my choices was Gretchen from Second Blooming.
I first found Gretchen through Sprite's Keeper's Spin Cycle.  She always had an interesting take on the spin topics and she has a little boy the same age as Turbo--instant connection in a totally not weird way.  I became a regular stalker of her blog and really enjoyed reading her posts.  She has a great take on just about everything.
I also saw her on Keely's Random Tuesday link up (which Stacy of Stacy Uncorked is leading for now).   Reading her Random Tuesday posts is alway interesting, she has fun links and great videos she posts.  Very random but always fun.
Gretchen lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Jimmy and son Jude.  She is an actress, mom and sometime cub scout chaperon, school volunteer, choir member, friend and weight watchers success.
Now I follow and read her posts with great enjoyment, whether it's a post about Mommy (her mother-in-law), adventures in boy scouts with Jude (and a refusal to wear a mom scout uniform), her efforts to entertain Jude at Camp Mama or just the trail and tribulations of being an actress mom in LA, she is always good for an entertaining read.
She gives me just a glimpse of a slightly more glamorous life than I lead here in the wilds of Wyoming.  And she always has yummy cocktails and recipes to share.
Really, you should go check her out.  Gretchen is a wonderful person, who I hope to meet in person one day.  But in California, not Wyoming, because sunny California would be so much fun and all that much more fun to meet a blogger I consider a friend.
(I'm skidding this in under the wire, because the sicks have been running around our house.)

WWTK--5 things about Christmas

So this week's We Want To Know is more of a list than questions (Crazymama got a bit caught up in the season and didn't get questions asked, so therefore no answers can be made).  So here are the choices for lists of 5 things:
A.  What do you want for Christmas.
B.  What do you have to get done before the holiday?
C.  Your Christmas Traditions.
D.  5 favorite Christmas songs.

I think I'm going to go with C.  Christmas traditions.

1. We make cookies on Christmas Eve day so we have fresh cookies to leave out for Santa.  Usually we make chocolate chip cookies, those go best with the Christmas milk (egg nog) that are left for Santa.
2. We go cut our tree down in the forest as a family.  When Bruiser was a baby we didn't get this one done, but we did this year and it's nice to have a real tree again.
3. We spend Christmas Eve at Nick's folk's house.  They make a good dinner and the kids get to open their presents and it takes the edge off the anticipation of Christmas.
4. We check Santa's progress on Santa Tracker through the day Christmas Eve.
5. We have all the grandparents over for Christmas breakfast together.  That way they get to see the kids open presents and spend time with out us having to make a big meal later.  This year we are going to go see a cousin of Nick's in the afternoon.  The kids will have fun playing and we always have a good time when we get together.

So those are some of the Christmas traditions we have, what are yours?

Go join up with the Lovely Mamarazzi (currently on bloggy break), Crazymama, and Queso.

Random Tuesday Before Christmas

So, everyone is all ready for Christmas right?  No?  Well that makes a bunch of us.

• This head cold is kicking me in the head.  My sinuses hate me.  I just hope it moves on quickly.
• Turbo had a stomach bug over the weekend.  Guess who he shared it with?
• I still have presents to wrap.
• I'm hoping for snow.
• Turbo got Pirate Farkle for Christmas from a friend of ours.  It's a really fun game to play.
• My brain is just not with it.  
• Santa should be pretty good to everyone this year.  I know the boys are going to have a very good Christmas.
• Turbo tried to tell me yesterday that he thought that Santa sometimes told parents that he could not make it and for them to give the presents.  I told him that nope, Santa exists.  I still believe in Santa.  If you don't believe in Santa, you don't get presents.  We are hoping he will continue to profess belief even if he doesn't, for the sake of Bruiser if nothing else.  We are appealing to his greed mostly.

Well that about covers what I have today.  It's not much, so go see Stacy for more random.

And go see Shawn and Impulsive Addict for Talking to you Tuesday.

Christmas Fun!

A christmas Meme stolen borrowed from Beth at Living a Goddess Life.  I have seen it pop up on several other blog, all admitting they stole borrowed it from somewhere else.  Anystealing, here goes:

1. Egg nog or Hot Chocolate?  Hot chocolate.  Egg nog gets too thick.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?  Wraps--in paper that the boys haven't seen.
3. Colored lights or tree/house or white?  Colored lights are more fun on the tree.  But I appreciate white lights outside.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope.
5. When do you put your decorations up?  Usually by the first weekend in December.  We usually do it when we get the tree.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish?  I like the cookies...oh you mean dish, like for a meal?  Then it would have to be prime rib.
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?  Hanging out at home with my family for Christmas.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Santa still comes to visit us.  If you don't believe, you don't get presents.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas eve?  It depends.  If we open presents at the grandparents house no.  But if not, then maybe one.  That mom chooses.  I think this year, pajamas.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?  We get it set in the stand, put the lights on then the ornaments, then the strings of silver beads.
11. Snow! Love it or dread it?  Love it.  Christmas is meant to be white, not brown and gray.
12. Can you ice skate?  Nope.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?  Well the gift I am still using are the cross country skis I got when I was 13.  May not have been my absolute favorite, but they have been the longest lasting.
14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you?  Family and spending time with them.
15. What is your favorite Holiday dessert?  Cookies!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?  Checking out the Santa Tracker on Christmas Eve day.
17. What tops your tree?  A home made star.  Nick and Turbo made it a few years ago.
18. Do you prefer giving or receiving?  I like giving.  Getting isn't bad, but it's fun to see someone be happy with the perfect thing I got them.
19. Candy canes: Yuck or yum?  Some candy canes are good, some not so much.
20. Favorite Christmas show?  I like White Christmas, but A Christmas Story runs a close second.
21. Saddest Christmas song?  Blue Christmas.
22. What is your favorite Christmas song?  I like so many of them.  I'd have an easier time finding one I didn't like.

Merry Christmas!

And the Countdown is On...

So who's ready for Christmas?
Just wanted to throw that out there.  Seems to be speeding up on us rather quickly, doesn't it?
Nick and I got our shopping done this weekend.  Well, the shopping we could do together.  I have no idea if Nick has gotten any shopping done.  You know, for me.  He'll pull it off, but it always amazes me that he does.
Now we have wrapping to do.  Both for stuff we are giving the boys and for Santa.  To bad that by the end of the evening, I feel too wiped out to do anything.
Turbo is counting down the days.  I have lots planned to get through Friday and Saturday. Friday we are going to have to go to the Chocolate Cellar, Wrap the present he got for Bruiser, play some video games and watch a couple of Christmas movies.  On Saturday, we are making chocolate chip cookies, brownies, checking on the location of Santa on Santa Tracker, going over to Papa and Nana's for dinner, then going to look at lights before coming home and shuffling boys off to bed so Santa can make his deliveries.  With any luck this will keep us busy enough to help the time move along relatively quickly.  Anything to avoid the cries of How much longer? and Can we open a present now?
Having to work this next week is going to be difficult.  It seems so mundane to go to work.  And since it's so close to the holidays, no one is there.  I really hope this is a shorter week than expected.
To top it off, Nick and I are flirting around with a head cold.  My nose is runny and Nick just sounds really stuffed up.  Turbo had a minor stomach bug over the weekend.  I guess if we have to get sick, it's better to be sick now than this coming weekend.
So, I hope everyone is close to being ready for Christmas.  I know we are--almost!

Confessions

Time to confess, if I do Santa just might be nice and leave me some good stuff.

• I had to laugh when Turbo told Nick to keep his nerd on the inside and not let it out when Nick was telling him about something kinda nerdy but silly too.  It was the perfect come back to his dad's smart alecness.
• I need to get Turbo a haircut.
• Laundry weekend, enough said.
• I am so looking forward to the time off for winter break.
• I really hope Santa is generous with all of us this year.
• Turbo is going to have a fabulous Christmas.
• Bruiser will be happy with what ever he gets.
• Christmas speeding up way to quickly though.
• I really want it to snow again.
• I want a nap today.

OK so nothing too exciting with my Confessions this week.  But I am trying to be good so, you know, the big guy in the red suit is nice to me.

Go join Debra at Housewife Eclectic for more confessions, she hosting while Mamarazzi is on a bloggy break.

Year End Recap--April to June

So Emmy Mom, CA Girl, Emilisq, Grumpy Grateful Mom, Impulsive Addict, Janette of Johanson Journey, MiMi Living in France, and Runner Mom are doing a year end recap extravaganza and I thought it would be a great way to remember the last year.  I did January to March last week.  This week is April to June.
April:

• We had some peculiar weather from Mom Nature.  Snow... no, warm weather...no, snow.
• I did a favorite things swap with Mamarazzi--got to meet Brandi at You Don't Know.
• Bruiser had fun with "washable" markers
• I did my first Vlog
• We got to have the Talk with Turbo--you know, the *sex* talk.

May:

• Turbo started having nightmares--about Zombies.  We were able to get him past it, barely.  He still has issues with zombie images.
• The weather cooperated for us to go camping for Mother's day.
• We did lots of mundane things, nothing terribly exciting, but the weather was acting more springish.
• Turbo turned 8!
• We got to go camping for Memorial day--with snow thrown in for fun.  I got sick, so pictures of the weekend ever got posted.

The only photos of our trip to the lake that are easy to find.  I can still have fun with the ladies.

June:

• I got sick, like sinus infection, sore throat, knocked on my butt sick.  It was so fun.
• Nick went to work in the field--meaning he was doing geological mapping and was out where his field area was.
• I started to feel better and spring really came to stay, just in time for summer.
• We went to the mountains to see just how much snow was still up there--mind you, this trip was the middle of June.
• We ended the month with much anticipation for the Fourth of July weekend.  And random early summer stuff.

So there you have it.  With last week and this week we have covered half the year.  It seemed to go by a bit slower than that, but not much.

WWTK--Party Time!

Queso is in a party mood so the questions this week are about Christmas parties:

1. Are you a party person?  Or do you prefer an intimate gathering with just a few friends?  I'm more a small gathering type of person.  Most of that comes form my dislike of large crowds of people I don't know.  I'm not the most outgoing and in a large group I tend to fade into the background and observe until someone talks to me.
2. Would you rather be a guest at a party or the hostess with the mostess?  Depends on the gathering.  I like to be a guest, but I do throw a decent get together if the occasion arises to do so.
3. What is your favorite party food or drink?   I like the munching snacks--the veggie tray with good dip, the meat and cheese snack tray.  Appetizer munchie food.  As for drinks, I'm easy, beer works, so does wine.  The less mixing, the better.
4. What is the best party you've ever been to?  Ummm, that would have to have been the bad prom we attended when Nick was working on his masters and I was back in school for my second bachelor's.  The grad students in the geology department threw a bad prom party.  Dress up like prom in the 80s and they even crowned a "prom king and queen" (the department head).  It was a fun night--what I remember of it after the jungle juice started flowing.
5. What is your favorite party game?  The game of keeping track of the conversation and my kids at the same time.  It can be challenging when both demand attention at the same time.

So go join up with Queso, Crazymama and Mamarazzi (although she's on a bit of a bloggy break) and let us know how you get your party on.

Random Tuesday Thoughts--Talking About Anything

So it's Tuesday.  Time to be all random and talk about stuff.  And maybe show off a picture or two.

My goof ball.

Guinness.  The dog, not the beer.

Captain Cool.

• The countdown is seriously on at our house.  Turbo is also totally lobbying for a gift to open Christmas Eve (or before if he can talk us into it).  Bruiser wants to open one too, but he knows he has to wrap some and put them under the tree.  I foresee a separate shopping trip with each boy coming soon. If we do decide to let them open a present I"m not sure if they're gonna like the conditions--mom gets to pick the gift they get to open.  I'm thinking pajamas. 
• I showed a map of the US with the things that were going to come and get us a couple of months ago.  Wyoming was cursed with Truckers.  I have now found a map of the scariest things in each state.  Some of them aren't that scary.
• I'm just about ready to watch Christmas movies.  Since my boys will want to watch them over and over again, I have to be careful when I introduce them.  It's really easy to OD on Christmas movies.
• Our work Christmas party is on Thursday.  At a local guest ranch/bed and breakfast.  The food should be fabulous.  A chance to dress up a bit and eat a meal someone else prepares, can't argue with that.
• One more full weekend before Christmas. 
• Nick went to see our chiropractor yesterday.  He had dislocated a bone in his ankle.  He will need a couple of more visits, but he is getting better after an adjustment.  There is much relief here that it is nothing more serious.

Now go join Stacy for all the random you can stand, and maybe some more.

And go see Shawn and Impulsive Addict for Talk To Us Tuesday.

It's Only How Long Til Christmas?!

This weekend was fun.  No, I really mean fun.  We did lots and it went by too quickly and wait, how many days til Christmas?
We had cousins over so their mom and dad could go do the necessary Christmas shopping.  We had dinner with them afterward, tacos.  Cause tacos work for everyone, except small boys and possibly a small girl.  They did end up eating--after promises of no sleepover if no dinner was eaten.  Dinner was eaten.  Then Turbo headed home with them for a sleep over.  I got to head over and get him Sunday morning, got a good breakfast out of it though.
Nick headed out ice fishing Sunday morning.  He did catch a fish which his friend then smoked for us.  It was really good.  Unfortunately, early last week Nick hurt his ankle again.  As it is not improving by staying off it and keeping it elevated, he is probably going to have to have more doctor help for his ankle.  I really hope he can get something done about it.  It's tough to watch him be in pain.
 I had a friend over Sunday night and we made cookies, lots and lots of cookies.  A batch of candy cane cookies and a batch of spritz cookies.  They both turned out better than I thought they would.  I got approval for them from the guys.  Now all I have to make are chocolate chip cookies for Santa.  They go better with milk.
Then it hit me.  Christmas is only 13 days away.  It is speeding toard us like a train.  I only hope I can get out of the way.  No one wants to get run over by the train of Christmas.  Riding it is much more fun.

One of Turbo's ornaments.

A proud Bruiser and his Monster Trucks.

My handsome Turbo all dudded up for the program.

Hope everyone had a productive weekend and are getting ready for Christmas.  It's a coimin', ready or not!

Confession Time

Time to confess it all again.  It's Friday!

• Bruiser is trying to kill us slowly, or not make it to his third birthday.
• Tuesday he skidded down the stairs while my mom was taking him to bed.  About gave her a heart attack.
• He also learned what a time out is, although I think it sort of went over his head as he ended up playing with the door to our bedroom.
• What did he do to earn said time out?
• He told me to shut up.
• Not trying too hard for that third birthday there kid.
• Nick has hurt his ankle again--hopefully just a tendon that got stretched and not another evulsion fracture.
• I have been hating the extreme cold we have had recently.
• Turbo had his Christmas program last night.  
• He was so cute!
• Have any of you blogger people out there tried the new blogger interface?
• I've tried it twice and there are things I like and things I don't.
• Currently the things I don't like out weigh the things I do.
• I am really getting tired of hearing about the Kardashians and every little thing they do.
• I really wish the housecleaning elves would find their way to my house.
• However I'm pretty sure they froze on the way there.
• Stupid elves and stupid weather.

Go join in the confessing fun.  Mamarazzi is on bloggy break so the fun is being kept alive by Debra at Housewife Eclectic.

Year End Recap--January to March

So Emmy Mom, CA Girl, Emilisq, Grumpy Grateful Mom, Impulsive Addict, Janette of Johanson Journey, MiMi Living in France, and Runner mom are doing a year end recap extravaganza and I thought it would be a great way to remember the last year.  I did the same thing last year and it was a great way to look back and see what we had done and what had happened.
So hear goes.
January:

• This month started out with Nana in the hospital for Gall Bladder surgery.  She recovered well and is doing fine now.
• The recap from Christmas happened here.
• I made promises to myself, not resolutions and I kept most of them.
• We had a pretty quiet month overall, Nick got therapy for his Plantar Fasciitis, Turbo got sick and then better in time for his program at school, I took care of every one like mom does.
• Bruiser turned two!

February:

• We got really, really, cold.
• Bruiser tumbled down the stairs--something every kid does at least once.
• Turbo had a few bumps at school.
• We got new fish for the aquarium.
• We had a rampant case of cabin fever set in--a real longing for Spring. But that was a long way off.

March:

• We got pictures of the boys.
• March marched along and wasn't all that exciting.
• There was the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. 
• I did the ABCs of Me.
• We had friends and family visits and trips and head colds.
• March seemed kind of mundane.  Nothing really exciting happened, we just muddled through it.  Lots more cabin fever, and the weather teased us about the whole spring thing.

Well, that covers the first part of the year.  If you clicked on at least one of the links, I'm so happy but really, there's lots of links so I totally get it if you don't.  Go see some of the other year end recaps by clicking on the button below. (I am posting this one a bit early as the whole thing doesn't really kick off until tomorrow.  I am not an over achiever.  I just got this one done early so...)

WWTK--Cookies, Cookies, Cookies

Let's ditch the chores and answer the questions.  Here I go:

1. What is your favorite cookie to eat?  I like snickerdoodles.  Chocolate chip are good, so are candy cane cookies and you can't go wrong with sugar cookies (even if I like em better without frosting) but really I have yet to meet a cookie that I didn't like.
2. Have you ever done a cookie exchange?  Not really.  I have spent time making cookies with friends though.  Organizing a cookie exchange would be difficult.  I don't do the organization of parties well.
3. How are you doing on your holiday shopping?  I'm pretty much done.  There are a few things still to get for the boys, but that's shopping I need to do with Nick.  My shopping for Nick is done.
4. What is your holiday shopping style? (A little at a time, or a power shopper?  Early in the season or last minute?  Online or part of the crowd?)  I'm a little at a time, early in the season kind of shopper.  And I really like to get what I can in a real store, but for the things I can't get here I will go online.
5. Light displays...Do you put them on your house?  What is your style and your fav kind to see?  We are not put up outdoor light people, Nick's dad usually does enough at his house for all of us.  This year he's had surgery and won't be putting up lights but I do have some pictures of what he has done in years past.  My favorite kind to see are the ones that look nice, not half heartedly thrown up.  Of course a little snow and just about any lights look good.

The year Turbo was 5.

Decorating done big.

The whole thing.

The boys next to this years effort.

This years tree.

The star that Nick and Turbo made when Turbo was four.

Now go see the lovely hosts Mamarazzi, Crazymama, and Queso.  Grab the questions and link up if you want.

Random Tuesday--Talking to Santa

Well it's time to random it up agian.  Seems to come around every Tuesday like clockwork.
So here goes:

• Turbo wrote typed a letter to Santa:
• Dear Santa,  How are you in the northpole? I'm looking forward to your visit.  I want Lego Harry Potter years 5-7 video game.  I'd love the mother alein ship lego set.  I'd love it if you give me an Xbox 360 with Kinect then I could play portal 2 the video game.  Oh I almost forgot, I want portal 2 the video game.  I would also like the movies Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1 and 2.  I would like a Nintendo DSi XL like my mom has.  For my stocking could you find some Lego mini figures--any kind will do.  Also i would like a Lego Ninjago battle set.  And can you get me a Bare Naked Ladies CD?  Woolie socks would be nice too.   I really hope you can come visit me this year.  I have been pretty good this year.  I;m trying.  Look forward to Christmas day, and I will leave you cookies and egg nog and a carrot for the reindeer.  Merry Christmas,  TURBO 

• I love that he just goes right to the asking, no beating around the bush for Turbo.
• It is about time to find NORAD and the Santa tracker.  Turbo will check in repeatedly on Dec. 24.  He loves to see where Santa is and how close he's getting to us.
• I also did the Portable North Pole video for both boys.  They loved it.  Bruiser has asked to see his again.
• In other news, I am rocking the laundry this week--even the sheets got done, folded and put away.  Go me!
• I won't mention the state of the bathroom upstairs.  Or the fact that the carpet in the living room could produce another animal if it tried--hair wise anyway.  
• While we were getting the Christmas tree I had my own show of Christmas spirit.  We had a long downhill and then an uphill to where the tree was, so going back with the tree was a downhill and then an uphill.  We went up with our cross country skis.  Turbo had his, I had mine and Nick was on his with Bruiser in the Kelty backpack carrier.  Since Nick had to stay upright with Bruiser, I got to drag the tree back.  The downhill was not to bad, but the uphill was enough to just about kill me.  I made it up about half way when a nice man on a snow mobile came up behind me and offered to pull the tree the rest of the way back to the parking lot.  I jumped on the offer and let him do the hauling the easy way.  Christmas spirit in action.
• We have been trying to get Bruiser to ask nicely or say please when he wants something, instead of just demanding it.  However the concept of nicely has not really sunk in to him.  If we say can you ask nicely, he says "Nicely?" instead of please.  We have to ask him to say please specifically.  Which is difficult to do with a straight face.  It always makes me giggle to hear him saying "nicely?" like you should say please?
• Turbo has been having difficulty with the word specific.  It always comes out pacific.  This makes me giggle too.

Now go see Stacy for more random this week.

And go see Shawn and Impulsive, the lovely hosts of Talking To Us Tuesday.

Christmas Hits the House

Well, it's Monday.  I can't say I'm happy to see it.  It's way more fun to be home.  OK, maybe not all fun, there is laundry, bathrooms, dishes, vacuuming and those kind of chores that scream to be done if I'm home.  But it was fun to spend some time with just Bruiser and I got to have a nap.  That's fun.
But this weekend was not all about getting chores done.  Turbo had a birthday party on Saturday with one of his best friends.  He had a great time.
Nick went snowshoeing Saturday morning and spent the rest of Saturday cursing the snowshoes.  He got very sore and doesn't really like the whole snowshoeing thing.  He would rather take his skis.  He also went to a friend's house to watch the last Wyoming Cowboy game of the season.  Wyoming won, but it wasn't pretty.
Sunday we all got up earlyish and bundled up and headed to the mountains and went Christmas tree hunting.  On our way up we saw deer, antelope, and moose.  We were successful in finding a tree, but I was awful and left the camera in the truck.  I got pictures of the putting up of the tree, but none of the getting of the tree.
By the time we had the tree up it really looked like Christmas had hit our house.  It's not too bad and feels festive.
Then last night Turbo decided it was time to type his letter to Santa.  Since he had gotten a video email from Santa last week he decided to send Santa his letter.  I went to the Portable North Pole and set up letters for both boys.  You should check it out, it fun, free, and you can totally personalize it for anyone--child or someone a little more grown up.
And since the camera sits on the counter, completely undownloaded, I'll try to get pictures up of Christmas decor at our house later this week.
Have a good week everyone!

Confession Friday

I confess:

• I was called a chicken butt by Bruiser.
• I am home today.
• Hanging with Bruiser.
• Doing domestic things-laundry, dishes, grocery shopping.
• Sounds like fun, no?
• You really want to be me today, don't you.
• I'm living the life.
• I'm looking forward to tree hunting this weekend.
• I got the advent calendar down from the attic Wednesday night.
• It's reusable and works quite well for the boys.
• We got snow and very cold temps this week.
•  more snow should come this weekend
• I really like it when it snows.
• White is so much prettier to look at than brown.

OK so that's my confessions for this week.  Go see Mamarazzi  I mean Debra at Housewife Eclectic.

Joining in with Mama Kat for her writer's workshop today.
Prompt #2:
Five Things.  List 5 things we don't know about you, 5 things you're knowledgeable about, 5 things you know nothing about, 5 things you believe.  (Inspired by LouLou's Views)

So, 5 things you don't know about me:

1. I can get cold any where--even on the beach in Florida in August.
2. I swam competitively in High School.
3. I don't like scary movies, but like scary books.
4. I love cooking but hate the smell of dinner after I have eaten.
5. I love sleeping under a down comforter.

5 things I'm knowledgeable about:

1. World War II history, particularly the Holocaust.
2. Early American history. 
3. Wyoming Geology
4. Random trivia.  I'm pretty good at trivial pursuit.
5. Monster trucks, courtesy of my sons.

5 things I know nothing about:

1. Sports--like basketball, football, hockey, baseball.  I know the rudimentary stuff, but nothing else.
2. Welding
3. Engineering
4. Driving a motorcycle.
5. Scuba diving.

5 things I believe:

1. Watching a little kid get presents from Santa on Christmas morning brings back the magic of Santa.
2. That children are sent to us to make us slow down and appreciate the simple magic of the world around us.
3. That magic exists.  I see it every day in my boys eyes.
4. Time on a beach really helps recharge batteries--especially with cabana boys and fun fruity drinks.
5. That reading is a wonderful escape.

So there are several different 5 things about me.

Go see Mama Kat for other prompts and people who linked up.

WWTK--Working on the Railroad

Not really, but it sounded good.  Time to do the We Want To Know thing again.  It's all about work, and the questions come from Queso this week.

1. What is the worst job you have ever had?  The worst job I ever had was cold calling to try to sell insurance.  I failed miserably.
2. Have you ever been fired?  Why yes, yes I was.  I got fired by the furniture store I worked at shortly after Nick and I got married.  I was awful at selling furniture.  I was so not pushy enough.
3. What would your dream job be?  I had my dream job.  I worked from home as a consulting geologist.  I got fired from that job too, well maybe more laid off as the company downsized when the recession hit.  To top things off the day I got the news I was being officially laid off, I went into labor with Bruiser.  Doesn't sound all that fun does it?  The job I have now comes as close as I could probably come to having a dream job.  My hours are flexible, I get benefits, and I like what I do.  All good things.
4. What did you want to be when you "grew up"?  I really would have loved to work in a library or museum.
5. How old were you when you got your first job?  The first job I got paid for that I had to pay taxes for was life guarding at the outdoor pool when I was 16.

So go join in and answer the questions and let us know about your work history.  Mamarazzi (taking a break), Crazymama, and Queso would love to see you join in.

Talking Random

Tuesday.  It's here again.  Time to random and talk to ya.

• I'm not sure where the boys have gotten it but they both have had come backs for us that have bordered on smart mouthed.   They are both still young enough for it to be kind of funny, but I am in serious trouble when they get older.  Bruiser has told both Nick and I to 'Just deal with it'.  Turbo told me the other day 'that is just the way it is'.  The teen years are going to be interesting.
• The neighbors that we were having troubles with are moving.  They are planning on renting out their old house.  Oh goody!  Renters.  I think this will be good for Turbo.  Those girls are starting with the exclusion and teasing that you see in middle school already.  It's not just innocent little kid stuff either.  It really makes me mad because we can't really say anything to their parents.  Nothing would come of it because "Our preshuous angels wouldn't do that!"  At least Turbo has a good friend that lives only a few blocks away.
• The last few mornings I have been waking up at about 3-3:30am.  And not really going back to sleep, just sort of dozing until 5:45am when I usually get up.  I hate insomnia.
• Turbo gets to go to the dentist today.  And we get to get can lights for the basement laundry room.  Since both of these things must happen outside of town they get lumped together.
• I really got my bake on this weekend.  I made cinnamon rolls (they weren't that good, will have to try another recipe), Papa's Brownies (that work perfectly at our altitude), and I made buttery rolls for Thanksgiving.  It was nice to get back in the kitchen and create yummy stuff.
• This next weekend Christmas will hit our house.  We are going Christmas Tree hunting in the mountains.  We plan on bundling up the boys and taking the skis and sleds and going to find the best, least Charlie Brownish tree we can.  The last two years we cheated and used a fake pre-lit tree.  i missed the twinkling multicolored lights and the smell of  a real tree.  But with a baby and a barely toddling little one a fake tree was way easier.  This year we are doing the real thing.

Well I'm off the find a piece of paper to write a note for Turbo to get him out of school so he can go to the dentist today.  Sounds like fun, don't you wish you were us?  Don't answer that.

Go see Stacy for more random.

And go see Shawn and Impulsive for more Talking To Us Tuesday.

And Back to It

So, how was everyone's holiday?  Ours was great.  A very relaxing and much needed break from work and normal daily life.
It's kind of unpleasant to head back to work today.  Just being home with the boys has been wonderful.  I feel kind of like we are in a sort of limbo--we haven't decorated for Christmas yet, so it's like it is out there looming, but hasn't crashed on us.
We did enjoy Thanksgiving.  We decided Wednesday night that we needed to brine the bird because we were going to grill it the next morning.  I know most sources say to brine for 24 hours, but we got almost 12 hours for this bird.  Then we set up the bird and got the grill going and Nick watched the temp and how the bird was cooking like a nervous father.  We threw a foil packet of soaked hickory chips on the grill for more flavor and that worked out great.  The turkey we brought in to eat was a lovely golden brown and was flavored with the perfect amount of smoked hickory flavor.  The bird still tastes delicious.  The best turkey I've ever had.
As for the rest of Thanksgiving, well, I was very ready for everyone to go home.  I love my family and Nick's, but they can drive me straight up the wall without even trying.  My tongue was a bit raw from all the biting I had to do and my jaw was sore from gritting it and smiling.  Sigh, family, the reason you move out, right?
nick and I did a small amount of Black Friday shopping.  We did invest in a BlueRay player.  We are slowly moving into the current century.
For the rest of the weekend we really didn't do much.  Nick listened to our college team get sort of stomped on, I baked on Saturday.  Bruiser didn't nap until late, through no lack of trying on my part.  We watched a movie as a family Saturday night.  On the new BlueRay player--not a blueray but a normal disc to see what it looked like.
We went for a drive on Sunday to check out the snow at our favorite, close by, cross country skiing area, there isn't quite enough snow to make for good skiing.  we then came home and were complete bums for the rest of the day.  It was nice.
Now back to the grind.  And I'm looking forward to Christmas, when we get a long break form work.  The university where Nick and I work shuts down for the week between Christmas and New Year's.  Turbo gets the same time off from school so we all get a break together.  Kind of really looking forward to that one.
So how was your Thanksgiving, or weekend?

I confess...

...that I got up way to early this morning.  But we got some of our shopping done already.
I also confess:

• I had my doubts about grilling our turkey.
• But it came out fabulous.
• I really needed a drink by the time we sat don to eat yesterday.
• I love my family but my mom can drive me up the wall.
• Love Nick's parents, but again the biting of the tongue gets old.
• I was told to deal with it by Bruiser.
• he wanted me to hold a toy monster truck and I didn't really want to do it.
• He told me to just deal with it.
• Great.
• He's two.
• I'm doomed.
• I need a nap.

And that about covers my confessions for this week.  Confess with Mamarazzi, Oh wait, she's taking a break so confess with Debra at Housewife Eclectic.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  

Hope you and yours have the best day.

WWTK--Thanksgiving, of course

So let's answer the questions from the lovely Crazymama:

1. What is your favorite food item at Thanksgiving dinner?  I like the turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy.  I like the stuffing I make.  Really I like the way these things go together.
2. What is your least favorite?  The cranberry sauce.  I just don't get why it's part of the meal, other than it's only served then.
3. Do you have a favorite pie?  Pumpkin.
4. Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions?  I make ham and swiss crescent rolls and we watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in the morning.
5. Black Friday shopping?  Do you participate in the delightful running through the stores in the wee hours of the morning madness or hibernate at home and shop online?  I participate every other year.  My friend (who's also family in a sort of distant way) goes every other year to spend thanksgiving with family out of town.  When she is in town we go together to the bigger town about an hour away and shop, but not at the ridiculously early hours.  Leaving town at 5am is about our limit.  This year she is out of town, but Nick and I might go hit Kmart or Walmart Friday morning to try and score a Blueray player.  Or a toy or two for the boys.  But only if we can find someone to watch the boys.

Now go see Crazymama and Queso for more answers to these pressing questions.

Random Tuesday

So it's time to be random again.

• Migraines suck!
• Being a mom with a migraine sucks worse.
• Turbo about has the theme for The Big Bang Theory memorized.  I think it is his most favorite part of the show.
• Is anyone doing the ridiculous black Friday shopping?  Like the midnight stuff?  We might go to Kmart, but Kmart's hours are sort of normal.  Only 5am to 11am.  How completely mundane.  I'm so not getting up at midnight to go to Walmart.  I haven't seen a good sale there that makes it worth it. 
• The transition to a big boy bed has gone without a hitch for Bruiser.  Now to think about potty training.  Which he has expressed absolutely no interest in.  This is going to be interesting.  Think of all the fun I'm going to have.
• Still not sure what we are going to get Bruiser for Christmas.  We might be able to get away with some Matchbox Cars and some Cars toys.  Maybe a monster truck or two.  He won't really know the difference.  But I think I will feel just a bit guilty.  What do you do for an almost three year old?  And we have to think about the fact that his birthday is a month after Christmas.  So, any suggestions would be welcome.
• Turbo is easy.  A model or two form Hobby Lobby, a couple of Lego kits, a video game or two and he's set.
• Now for a few tips:
• Don't eat yellow snow.
• Don't play leap frog with a unicorn.
• And remember, it wasn't the apple in the tree but the pair on the ground that caused the trouble in the garden of Eden.

And there you have it.  Random Tuesday with Stacy--go link up and see the other random posts for the week.

Also go see Shawn and Impulsive Addict for Talk To Us Tuesday.

Happy List

So what am I happy about this week?

1. I got to go shopping last weekend, despite the efforts of the weather to keep me home.
2. I'm exercising and maybe starting to see some differences.
3. Melatonin.  It helps me sleep.
4. Nick is happy to be running again.  This makes me happy because he's so pleased.
5. I have only one more day to work this week, then time at home with my boys.
6. Thanksgiving and all the trimmings.
7. A family weekend will make me happy
8. Clean dishes, clean laundry, clean kitchen.  Happy!
9. Cooking for Thanksgiving makes me happy.
10. Cooking with Turbo, we are trying this one and I hoping it will be a good time.

That's what's making me happy this week.  Go see Mamarazzi for more happy lists.

November Thanks

Today I think a list of things I am thankful for is in order.  After all it is November--the month of Thanksgiving and the time of year when almost everyone at least tries to be thankful.

• My family--they top the list.  Turbo and Bruiser exasperate me and thrill me daily.  They can have me laughing and turn around and make me think seriously about selling them to the first bidder--toys included.  But I love them dearly.  Nick is my rock, my supporter, my biggest cheerleader.  He gives me love, understands me and takes good care of me.  I love him and have for the last 18+ years.

Love this man!

Love this little guy!

Love this goofy kid!

• My home--it's not much but it's ours (and the bank's).  Nick talks about getting something bigger, but I really like our location and our small mortgage.  
• My job--I get to do something I like doing.  It's fun and challenging and the thing I went back to school for.  I'm also lucky that the hours are flexible and the benefits are pretty good.  I like the people I work with, which is a bonus.
• My friends--both online and off.  I have a hard time making friends with people.  I have a defensive shell that I have a hard time letting down.  Finding the blogging community was one of the best things I ever did.  I have "met" some fabulous ladies and I consider them my friends.  Blogging has also helped me to reconnect with an old friend.  I also have a couple of friends that I have developed over the last year that really help do the in real life stuff, like shopping, going out for a drink...  
• The grandparents--without them we would never be where we are.  They watch our kids while we work.  This is such a huge help.  I love them, even when they drive us nuts and they are masters at that trick.
• My health.  I've been pretty healthy, barring the kidney stone issues I had.  I'm lucky that I am as healthy as I am.

So that is the major things I'm thankful for as this holiday season kicks off.  I know I've seen lots of other people putting what they are thankful for out there.  Here is my humble list.  What are you thankful for as Thanksgiving approaches?

Confession is Good for You

It's time to confess again:

• I am stupid excited to be going shopping tomorrow.
• As long as the weather permits.
• Please let the weather permit.
• Turbo has been growing.
• He needs new shoes.
• I'm not necessarily happy about him growing.
• Well, I am, but does he have to do it so fast?
• I have started to try to "exercise" in the morning.
• I have an exercise ball and I found a few core exercises I can do in the morning.
• I have to do quiet things because the rest of the people in the house are asleep.
• And I don't want little boy company while I'm rolling around on the ball.
• That's why I'm thinking that the yoga on the Wii might not be a bad thing to try.
• I'm going to try to start dancing more too.
• Schedules just have not cooperated recently.
• I really hate migraines.

So that's my confessions for this week.  Go see Mamarazzi and confess for yourself--you'll feel better, I promise.

Autumn Swap package!

It's time to show off the goodies I got from Jennifer at Living Our Green Life.  She was my partner for this swap and she did awesome!

All the lovely goodies.

Everything she sent was wonderful.

A very cute scarecrow and mums, with my very own fall leaves so I can have color.  Some adorable candles too.

Some of the goodies before unwrapping.

She made me a bookmark and a necklace and earring set.  Very fall and jut great.

Some books to curl up with when it's too cold to go outside.

All the goodies unwrapped.

She sent some wonderful stuff:

• a Paula Dean magazine for good southern recipes.
• A very cute fuzzy scarf and glove set in fall colors, a compact with eye shadow--I can use all the help I can get in the makeup department.
• My own fall leaves--since all our leaves are already brown and dead and off the trees.
• Some yummy Yankee votive candles.

Over all she did an awesome job.

Thank you Jennifer for the fabulous package.  Fall is just a bit better now.