life in general

to Bend and back

Can I just say, hooray for spontaneous vacations!

We seem to be getting really good at this in 2011.

First there was Memorial Day weekend in Lincoln City

 . . . then an over-nighter in Portland during which we acted like tourists

 . . . and then we rounded out the year with 2 nights in Bend for some skiing on Mt. Bachelor.

Each of these trips have been last minute adventures (planned just 24-48 hours in advance).

Each one has allowed us to explore new parts & places of Oregon.

And each one has been initiated, suggested, and booked by Scott.  Even he was impressed by himself.  Typically, he would prefer to stay home while I want to go out and explore.  I told him that his training was now complete. 

Scott and the boys hit the slopes, we checked Anna in for a full-day lesson (her first), and I set up home base in the lodge.  I tried skiing once, it just wasn't for me.  Since then, Scott has taken the boys skiing by himself.  But 3 skiers is a bit much for one adult to handle, so I've been recruited for lodge duty.  

Even so, I ended up spending a large part of my time outside watching Anna and waiting to catch a glimpse of the boys coming down the ski run.  I had one hot chocolate and only made it through 1 chapter of my book.  But that's okay.  This trip wasn't about me.  It was an excuse to get away, give everyone a chance to ski (this will probably be their only chance this winter), and spend some quality time together.

And now for a few photos . . . . (and a video - scroll down)

I decided to travel light and only used my iphone for photos & video on this trip

We took the truck to better deal with any snowy driving conditions we might encounter.  This also meant that the kids had to sit very close to each other for the 4 hour drive.  I was worried about our sanity at the end of the trip but the kids surprised me and they did wonderfully.  No complaining whatsoever.  In Payton's words, "when we're playing our DS's for a long time I don't really care about anything else."

Conner was in such a zen place that he was able to lend a shoulder to his sleeping sister.  Usually, this would be cause for much grumbling.

We made Conner's day when we let him order the crab legs for dinner.

Thursday morning, our first glimpses of Mt. Bachelor.

Anna, getting all geared up.

The boys heading out for their first run of the day.

This is how I ski . . .

A few random shots

And back at the hotel after a long day, this girl was wiped out.

When I picked her up from ski school she was smiling, showing off her "jumps".  As we walked back to the lodge the exhaustion hit and she collapsed to the ground, moaning, complaining about how tired she was.  During the drive down the mountain she said her head hurt.  Back at the hotel she said she was sick.  And 15 minutes later she threw up.  After a good 30-45 minutes of deep sleep while the boys went swimming she woke up and she was ready to go, no worse for wear!

Here is the video I promised

As you can tell the kids had a great day.  It was a great little trip!  We stayed at a hotel on the Deschutes river with a big breakfast buffet every morning.  We rented a Redbox movie each night and popped popcorn in our hotel room.  The kids got to see and play in the snow!  We survived the trip there and back.  We choose an alternate route for the way home (to avoid a massive snow storm on Mt. Hood) and saw even more new parts of Oregon.

Hooray for spontaneous vacations!

christmas 2011

A photo slideshow of our Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

Music:  Mindy Gledhill and Michael Buble

christmas afternoon with instagram

some of P's new toys // Anna movin' it with Just Dance Kids // mini martinelli's . . . love! //  lifesaver gummi rings  // the table set with care  // my loot

more Just Dance 3 // christmas morning rolls // my christmas gift from Conner // sugar cookies // I love you // candy cane stripes

a special new necklace // christmas sparkle // how the boys spent their afternoon // cuddled on the couch after Mr. Krueger's Christmas & Joy to the World // project life - clementine edition // an ornament for 2011 - a green center for Oregon

Can you tell that I'm having fun with my new toy?  :)  I even sent my very first text message today.  I know, I'm way behind the times.

Merry Christmas!  

(Pictures of christmas morning coming this week.)

 

merry christmas!

Hoping you enjoy a wonderful, happy, blessed, safe, and sweet Christmas.

on the 3rd day of christmas break

day one - clean the house day

day two - drive mom to the brink so she decides to take you swimming to get your energy out day

day three - project day

day four - chillin' day and pick up dad day

and here we are on day five - sugar cookie day.  I need to get started on those.

Just wanted to share a few quick pictures from day three - project day.

Some candy cane reindeer that turned out a little freaky.  That's how my kids roll.

Felt christmas trees.  The stand didn't work out, but we were okay with that.

The boys attended to a few science experiments that involved luminol, copper sulfate, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda . . . you know, all those harmless household chemicals and solvents.

I was the cutter and Anna was the painter . . . 

so that we could create these jingle bell flowers.

And I played with all this . . . 

so I could create this . . . 

Note to self: Clean your windows.  And do not look directly into the sun.  I nearly burned out my retinas trying to get a photo from this angle.

I quite like the pom-poms.  They are attached to the bottom of the blinds so they go up and down as sun protection is needed in the kitchen.  

Okay, now I really need to get to the sugar cookies.  Have a great day!

embrace the camera: dec. 22nd

99% of the time my morning hair routine is shampoo, conditioner, blow-dry, flat iron, done. Every once in a while I get in the mood to go curly.  Sunday was one of those days.  And after watching several online video tutorials the last few months I think I've finally figured out how to do it.

And when I've gone to the effort of doing up my hair and happen to be wearing a new dress I think that a photo is requirement.  Not doing so would be a waste.  See this pin.

And the next morning, it still looks somewhat done.  Albeit a little frizzy.  

(Anna and I after morning scriptures, in my robe, taken with my iPad & edited with Instagram)

I am anxiously awaiting Christmas morning when I get to unwrap a new little toy and I'll be instagram-ing all over the place.  Watch out.  For now, here's another one from my iPad.  

a foggy morning today

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let's go on a date: august

the date envelope

contents   gift certificate for 2 nine-hole rounds of golf with golf cart

cost  $48

the plan

Scott loves to golf but doesn't get to do it very often.  I want to learn to golf.  I thought this would be a perfect date idea for the both of us.  We are one year away from the kids being in school full-day so I thought this would be good timing to start practicing the golf here and there.  Maybe in the future we could do more golf dates every so often while the kids are in school.

the date afternoon

This was my first time playing on a golf course since our engagement or early marriage.  We started having kids and schedules suddenly weren't so flexible for things like this.  For our date I used Conner's new clubs, a little short, but almost my size.

It was a beautiful day to be on a beautiful course!  When we sat back and thought about it, what better surroundings (picturesque, quiet, calming) to be in for a lovely date.  It was so nice to cuddle up in the golf cart as we drove from hole to hole, sometimes having to sit there and wait for our turn.  But that was perfectly fine with me.

As far as my golf game . . . I got somewhere around an 82-ish.  I think I lost 3 balls.  :)  Scott did pretty good considering the distractions (me) with a 40 - just 4 over par.

We both really enjoyed this date and are looking forward to when we can do it again!

Afterwards Scott took me to dinner at a local Mexican restaurant.  Fore!  Score!

the scrapbook page

next month

picnic - hike - dessert

To see each of our monthly dates in 2011, go here

my cleaning elves

I designated day one of Christmas break "Clean the House Day".  I forewarned the kids that this would be a BIG day of cleaning.  Everyone was going to participate.  And we were going to clean the house top to bottom to get it out of the way so that we can enjoy the week without huge chores (just a little picking up each day).  

I let them putter around a bit this morning, but at 9am we got to work and work we did until 3pm!  Now, I wasn't a total slave-driver.  We hit McDonald's for a lunch break.

They were awesome little cleaning elves.  I gave them job after job after job and they went to it.  There was some nagging in the beginning, but they got the idea pretty quickly.

One of the best parts of the day came while I was packing a few odds and ends into boxes and I overheard Anna singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" over and over again in the kitchen.  I went to check on her and found her cleaning, wiping, drying, sweeping, arranging, and picking up trash with the speed and precision and attention to detail of a little cleaning elf.  Made me think of Buddy the Elf -- happily working along with a song.

I hadn't assigned the job to her, she simply took it upon herself.  It was awesome.  

So today we (they):

• cleaned all the bathrooms (Conner-2, Me-1)
• swept & mopped the kitchen floor
• swept & mopped 2 bathrooms, the laundry room, and entryway (Conner)
• vacuumed out the couch cushions (Payton & Anna)
• dusted bookshelves, windowsills, and the piano (Payton)
• washed kitchen windows (Anna)
• cleared the kitchen of all clutter
• cleaned the counters
• scrubbed the stove-top, oven door, and dishwasher (Payton)
• washed the dining chairs (Conner)
• washed the kitchen cupboards (Payton & Anna)
• vacuumed downstairs
• vacuumed the stairs (Conner)
• cleaned the playroom 
• cleaned the boys' room (Conner & Payton)
• washed my big tub (Payton & Anna)
• cleaned Anna's room (Anna)
• vacuumed upstairs
• lots of laundry including all the sheets & blankets & bath mats
• folded laundry (Payton & Anna)
• made beds

I didn't get any pictures of Conner but he was a big helper today.  He single handed-ly kept the laundry moving all day long.  And there was a lot of it.  We started it at 9am this morning and it's actually still running with another load or two to go.

Around 2pm when the end was near, it was so fun to hear Payton and Anna as they walked through the house, "Wow!  It's so clean!"  I hope that statement wasn't surprise and shock because they haven't seen the house this clean before. . . . but rather feelings of excitement and pride in their own work.  I'm going to go with the latter.

Upon completion we took a group walk around the house and in each room I explained why the room was so clean and what it will take to keep it that way.  For now, I have promises from each of them that we'll work together to do a little cleaning each day to maintain it.  We shall see.

It's dinnertime and I don't think this mom is up to cooking (or cleaning the kitchen again).  I better go fish around for some Papa Murphy's coupons.

And I think I finally get my wish tonight . . . piling on the couch with blankets and pillows to watch Elf.

not wanted: coal

A note before I begin . . . the christmas shopping is done!  We laid everything out last night -- nothing was missing, the spread of gifts looks good, and everyone has an equal amount of presents to open.  All packages have been shipped.  Teachers have been thanked.  Christmas cards mailed.  Christmas break is upon us and there is almost nothing on the calendar for this week.  I am in a very happy place and ready to enjoy the heck out of this week.

The kids wrote their letters to Santa and we mailed them on Thursday.  I love the Santa mailbox that they place outside the fire station.

 

Even if it is dark at 4:45pm when we finally make it there.  Thank goodness for manual mode and a small clue as to how to use it!

I also love the tradition of sitting down to write letters to Santa and seeing what the kids have to say.  I do have to give plenty of encouragement and instruction that this should be a letter.  Say something nice to Santa, tell him how good you've been this year, etc.  It should not be, "Dear Santa, I want . . . " and proceed to list 20 items.  Santa does not like letters like that.  You've got to butter him up.

So here is what the kids came up with this year.  (The stationary was a free download from here and here.)

Anna gets away with a fill-in-the-blank letter because she is in kindergarten.  But, oh my, look at that great handwriting!  Good job Anna B.  :)

Dear Santa, I love Christmas.  I love the bowling, the rolls, and the presents.  Here is what I would like:  

1. any Pokemon DS game  2. Nerf Stampede  3. A battery case that I can plug my DS charger in  4. the remote control camera car.

Not Wanted!  Coal

Thank you Santa and enjoy the cookies

love, Conner

Dear Santa, I love Christmas!  Why should it only be one a year?  I have been very good.  This year I would like:

1. Mario Cart DS  2. Lego Star Wars DS  3. Knex Roller Coaster  4. a little TV  5. a bag of Twizzlers.

Merry Christmas.  Love, Payton

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I think the kids made Santa's nice list so they should expect to see at least one thing from their list under the tree Christmas morning.   Although, there are still 7 more days until Christmas.  They better not blow it!

december update

We are enjoying this month, but I am feeling especially busy this week.  Nothing major that I'm working on, just a million little things that need my attention.  Yesterday, I was feeling a bit like a chicken with it's head cut off -- frantically making lists and darting here and there.  Today, I think I have a better grasp on things and I'm slowly choosing things that I'm just going to let go of.  I feel like if I can make it through Friday I'm home free.  School will be out, shopping done (hopefully), packages mailed (hopefully), and then we can just settle down for a cozy winter break at home.

So until I reach that magical moment when my command station (a.k.a. kitchen island) is free & clear of piles (christmas card remnants, legal pad with lists, post-it notes, and dental insurance info - you don't want to know), the last classroom party has ended, and I'm finally able to sit down on the couch and watch Elf with the kids . . . until that moment, here is a gathering of a few things we have done in december so far.

We watched the Polar Express and then slept under the Christmas Tree.  Yes, even I slept on the couch.

I just love Anna's set-up

The next morning we woke up bright and early to do some Scouting for Food.  The Cub Scouts collect food donations for the food bank each year.  This is our 4th year participating and I believe they collected 380 pounds.

Then, that same day we attended the ward christmas party where the kids sat on Santa's lap, ate an astonishingly large amount of ham, and sang Away in a Manger in the program.  Anna even sang the first verse as a solo.  She was loving all the attention & compliments.

We made lots of cards and treats for our teachers -- school teachers, primary teachers, and a piano teacher.

We also made Christmas cards for our cousins.  Cousins Alert: don't look!  We're dropping these in the mail tomorrow.  Although, I have to apologize to Sam & Heidi in advance.  I hope Payton's well-intended note doesn't set Preston up for disappointment on Christmas morning:  "I hope you have a Merry Christmas!  Maybe you will have a remote control car!"  When you read it for Preston you are more than welcome to make something else up.

There's the classroom parties -- 1 down, 2 to go.  I helped Payton's 3rd grade class make these woven star ornaments.  I think it was a hit!

More Cub Scout service as we went caroling at a nursing home . . .

 Christmas lights in our bedrooms

and gorgeous sunset lights in the sky

My eyes are getting heavy and my head is nodding off so it is time for me to say goodnight.  Looking forward to a wonderful (busy) Friday and a fabulous weekend!

music class for amy

Today Anna named her doll Amy.  And then decided it was time to take her to music class.

First a little lesson in theory.  See the quarter notes and eighth notes she drew?

Then Anna plunks out Mary Had a Little Lamb on the piano.

A high-five for Amy.  "Great job!"

"You passed a level!"

"Now you need a checkmark on your paper.  Good job Amy!  Everyone thinks you did good."

Today Amy also went dancing, took a nap, changed outfits 3 times, and had a tea party.  That Amy has quite a social calendar.  Good thing she has this pinkalicious girl to keep her on track.

(Excuse the mess in the background of the above photos. I took down all the everyday home decor when I put up the Christmas decor.  My plan was to go ahead and box it up, but that hasn't happened quite yet.  Tomorrow.)

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Aside from witnessing the adventures of Anna & Amy, today I mailed these

added the mint frosting to last night's batch of brownies

baked Ginger Snaps with Anna (for some reason they turned out extra delicious this time)

and made Rolo turtles with Payton

Tomorrow the kids' teachers are getting treats. :)

advent: 4 ways

So if you have browsed pinterest anytime in the last month you've probably seen that there are a million totally cute, crafty, creative ideas for Christmas advent all over the place.  So many creative people out there.  

For a very small moment I was tempted to make something equally cute, crafty, and creative to assist our family in our countdown to Christmas.  But then I realized I really didn't want to go to all that work.  And really, would all that work be worth it?  And appreciated?  This blog post about the crafty advent debate solidified my resolve.  We're just going to go with what we already have in place.  

Keep it simple.

So here is how the Brown family counts down to Christmas:

1.  The hang-an-ornament-on-a-tree advent

This was a gift from my mom lots of years ago.  (from Pottery Barn Kids)  Payton seems to have taken ownership of this one.

2.  The magnet Nativity Advent Calendar

This one came from Grammer Valerie lots of years ago.  It goes on our fridge and each day Anna dumps out the bag's contents to find the next number in the countdown.  We start with 1 and work our way towards 24.  Baby Jesus is #24.

3.  Unwrap and read a Christmas book advent

I've seen this idea on the web for several years and have always wanted to do it, so this year we are giving it a shot.  Yes, it is something new but it required zero creative juices and I'm only out a roll of wrapping paper.  The kids LOVE it so far.  And I love sitting by the Christmas tree each night and reading to them.  Definitely brings the spirit of Christmas into our home.  

4.  A Christmas Fun list

Similar to the summer fun list, I like to create a list of possible activities to do each day over the Christmas season.  (Some advent calendars I've seen assign activities to a specific day but I can't be tied down like that!)  We can check them off as we go, and it also provides reminders & inspiration if we need a little holiday lift.

A couple things I forgot to write down:  

• make reindeer milk (thanks Waite family for this!)
• go bowling on Christmas Eve
• watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional - check!
• play the Christmas chimes

But really, there's a host of traditions that are just a normal part of our December so it isn't necessary to write them all down.  This gets us off to a good start.

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21 more days to Christmas! 

embrace the camera: dec 1st

after the kids were tucked into bed (which couldn't come soon enough), I put on my flannel victoria secret pajamas, turned to a christmas station on pandora, prepared a bowl of honeycrisp apple slices and caramel sauce for dipping, and began my christmas ritual of decorating the tree.

I usually end up doing this by myself in the evening.  Lights low.  Scott on the couch to keep me company, only letting one or two comments slip (with a smile) regarding my OCD in this culmination of christmas decor.

  

And don't worry that the kids are being left out.  They have a smaller tree in the playroom which they get free reign on.  As well as an even smaller tree in each of their rooms.  They will be decorated and re-decorated about 20 times this month.

It's a soothing process and I enjoy it.  I love unwrapping the ornaments from tissue paper, one by one, and being reminded how much I love the reds and silvers and sparkles.  And yes, I even love Darth Vader.  He puts a smile on my face all month long.

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Embrace the Camera