THIS is what a circus looks like

This is what you get when you have 8 grandkids plus Mimi and Papa trying to get a picture for my parent's Christmas cards. It was hillarious to try and get everyone sitting where they were supposed to, to be looking at the camera, to smile, and to NOT TOUCH whoever was next to them. We had 4 cameras going, so hopefully they got one that works! :)

"Momma, where's Rudolf?"

Yesterday (Thanksgiving) we took the kids to see "Santa's reindeer". They were resting for their upcoming date with Santa in a pasture near my parents house. Kaden thought it was super exciting, but all he could ask was "Where's Rudolf?"

Black Friday

This morning my 2 sister-in-laws and I decided to get up early and go shopping! We were at our first stop (Walmart) by 4:45am and out the door by 5:20am with all of our new treasures. Between the three of us, we accomplished pretty much all that we set out to do. Here's every where that we went:

Walmart

ShopKo

Target

Smith's Marketplace

KMart

Ben Franklin Crafts (2 locations)

We go every year and have learned some tips and tricks to get in and out the easiest as we possibly can. We were home by 10am and it was a fun morning.

Thanksgiving

Its Thanksgiving week! I love the meal planning and the anticipation of spending the entire day with our family and the extra conversations on gratitude we've been having (and recognizing our many blessings!). Happy Thanksgiving to all of our family and friends! We are so thankful for you and all that you do and are in our lives. We love you.

It all comes down to this

This weekend is the BIG rivalry weekend in Oregon with the Civil War. This year its even bigger, if that's possible, because if the Beavers can beat the Ducks, then we're headed to the Rose Bowl. This is HUGE. It would be the first time in 44 years since they last went to the Rose Bowl. I am DYING that I'm not going to be there. Seriously dying. My sister and I tried to work out a quick road trip, but logistically it just wasn't coming together. DANG IT! We'll all be wearing orange and watching the game Saturday night. GO BEAVS!

Jack is back!

After a long draught, its time for another season of 24! We love this show! We didn't get into it the first couple of seasons, but quickly jumped on board. Yes, some of its a little much and over the top, but we still don't miss an episode. Can't wait to see Jack save the world again in the upcoming season!

Thank you, thank you!

I'm minding my own business and catching up on some blog reading when I see that Hillary has passed this prestigious award on....thanks Hillary!

5 things I love:

Cafe Rio

Its a darn shame that Kyle could take it or leave it. In fact, he said he could never eat there again and be fine with it. WHAT?!? Guess I'll have to go by myself or with someone else.

Peppermint Ice Cream with Hot Fudge

I saw this sundae on a movie once, and thought I should try it. It was so good. Since its tis the season for peppermint ice cream, you can bet I've got some in the freezer!

Nap Time

Hallelujah, Kaden is back to taking naps! I make sure I work it out so that both kids are napping the same time. I agree with Hillary...its the 2 hours a day I can do ANY DARN THING I WANT. Its usually read blogs, read a book, work on scrapbooks, and lately take a nap.

Air Conditioning

I would die if I didn't have air conditioning. You probably think its an exaggeration, but I'm telling you, its not. I HATE BEING HOT. My internal thermometer runs hot anyway, so it doesn't take much for me to be cookin'.

Diet Coke

Its the best. Things are not good at my house if we run out...especially lately with being up at night with a new baby. Gotta have that refreshing beverage.

OK, now to pass on the distinguished award.

Marianne

Quincy

Carrie

Melanie

Erika (ok, I know you've had it, but you crack me up!)

Hillary, your posts crack me up too. We need to hang out and/or have a scrapbook night. Except for the fact that you're a Utes fan (I know, I know I shouldn't even say anything about it since they KILLED BYU yesterday), I think you're great! :)

Twilight

I, too (along with millions of others), went to the Twilight movie this weekend. It was so good! I loved it. I didn't even know about Twilight until I moved to Utah a little over a year ago...but have since bought Breaking Dawn on the first day and saw the movie opening weekend. Does this make me a fan or a fanatic? I hate to say it, but I'd go again. Probably will, so if anyone wants to go....

OH! and this just in: they are getting things ready to do New Moon.

Red light. Green light.

When Bosten was at David, Heather, and Holland's house (while we were getting the legal things figured out) they had some signs that Kaden thought were the greatest. Holland and Kaden played red light, green light almost every day when we'd go to visit. Well, today we made our very own signs and let me tell you, its been super great! :)

We can't wait

Grandma, we can't wait for you to get here next week to meet my new baby brother! We love you!

From this to that

A few weeks ago I went and bought a 40 lb. box of chicken breast that was on sale at Macey's with the idea it would be great for food storage. Well, today was the day to do something with it! Let me just say that I HATE raw chicken. It stinks, it is slimy, and it drips. But, we canned it today and I got 21.5 quarts.

Here's the before (so gross!)

And the finished project:

I'm thrilled, and it will be great to have. Thanks Mimi and Lindz for the help! Thanks Kerry for letting us borrow your canner! :)

Recent pictures

Sorry that there haven't been new pictures lately...(I'm mainly talking to the Grandmas!). We've had a rough few days of 24/7 SCREAMING at our house. Ugh. We went to the doctor today and got medicine for acid reflux and its a miracle! Everyone is much happier, and we're so glad. We are pretty wiped out.

Priceless

I left the boys alone for 2 seconds yesterday when I went into the other room to grab something...when I came back this is what I found:

What sweet boys I have! But wait, there's more! When Kaden and I were saying prayers last night this is what his prayer said. "Dear Heavenly Fa-dur, thank you for this day, thank you for my new baby brudder and daddy come home from work. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen." Doesn't get much better than this.

Another big...ok, little fan

A long time ago I saw this Curious George onesie on gap.com. It was pretty darn cute, but not anywhere near as cute as the price (totally outrageous!). I've been waiting and watching for it to go on sale...well, it went on clearance lately AND I had a coupon. Kaden loves it and feels sad that he can't have one too. Its so fun having 2 little monkeys!

"Momma, I feel sick"

This is how Kaden has looked the last couple of days...pale, laying in our bed, chupie in his mouth (yes, that's what we call a pacifier...its a long story, I'll save it for another day), with a nasty cold. Poor kid. He feels rotten.

Double date

We took Kaden and Riley to see Madagascar 2 today. The kids loved it. Kaden said there was only one scary part, and he and Riley were both up dancing whenever the animals were!

Can you say ROSE BOWL?!?

We've still got a few weeks to go, but Oregon State is within reach of the Rose Bowl. Way to go Beavs!

Bosten's 2 week stats

I took Bosten to the doctor today for his 2 week check-up. Here's the stats:

Height: 20.5 inches (45th percentile)

Weight: 7.5 pounds ( 20th percentile)

Head Circumference: 14.2 (20th percentile)

You probably don't care about this, but its for my journal! :)

We went to the attorneys office today to get that part rolling. We really liked him and we think he'll be a good advocate for us.

I'm going to get my camera back tomorrow, so hopefully there will be some new pictures!

Pictures for Grandma...and everyone else

We went to Riverton yesterday, and I left my camera down there. I was so mad! My sister and I have the same camera, and I grabbed hers by mistake. Kaden LOVES these jammies that he has on because they glow in the dark. When we found out about Bosten, he insisted that Bosten have some too. They aren't exactly the same (and Bosten's don't glow!) but its pretty darn close.

Its not what you think

I AM SO TIRED!!! Ugh. I was up most of the night. Bosten did great. He ate at 2:30am and is still sleeping (at 7:30am). Kaden on the other hand...ever since Halloween he's been having scary dreams. I hear him crying/yelling for me and he's banging his head on the pillow. Poor guy. Usually he goes right back to sleep. Last night he woke me up at 12:30 (and went right back to sleep) and then again at 3ish (and was awake until 5:30am!). He wants me to lay in his bed with him. Every time I just about got back to sleep he'd say, "Pssst....Mom...." I have no idea what he's dreaming about and no idea how to help him. Any ideas?!

Catching up

I know there haven't been many updates the past 10 days...its been one stress after another and sometimes there wasn't anything new for a few days. But, here's what you missed.

Here's a couple of pictures of the blanket I crocheted for our birth mom. I got the great idea during General Conference weekend. I took it with us on our trip to California (just a couple days later) and when we got back, our birth mom said the baby could come anytime. Agh! I went into panic mode and got the whole thing done in 10 days. :)

A couple of days before Bosten was born my visiting teacher brought over a present for Kaden. She told him it was really great to be a big brother and she gave him this:

His very own George blanket! Of course, he was THRILLED.

We took Kaden to meet Bosten on Halloween night. It was really cute to see him be so sweet. On the way home he said, "Mom, Bosten is my favorite!"

He's home!

After a long, stressful 10 days Bosten is finally home! Its still considered a "legal risk", but we know that it will all work out. We are all completely thrilled, and are so grateful to have him!

We are also so grateful for David, Heather and Holland who took such great care of Bosten when we couldn't! They've been beyond great with letting us come visit, support, and whatever else we needed. They, too, are looking to adopt a baby and we hope they get their miracle soon!

We'll take it

It was a couple of close ones, but a win is a win! Way to go Cougars! Great job Beavers!

Yesterday Kaden and Kyle were laying in bed watching SportsCenter. I heard Kaden yell, "WAIT Dad. Pause it! Pause it!" Turns out the college football highlights were on and Kaden was concerned that I was missing it! What a good boy to look out for his Mom! He is starting to watch the games with me, and can even recognize certain teams. Nothing like training them young! :)