Happy Birthday Ethan

Ethan's Birthday Cake

Same old Same old

Well, no twins. I must admit I'm very very relieved. VERY. And I'm measuring right where I should be. I'm starting to think that the midwife could sense how scared and anxious I was at the thought of having twins that she lied about my uterus measuring two weeks ahead so that there would be a medical reason for me to be able to have a sono and set my mind at ease. (Man was that a run-on sentence!) Sorry, no exciting news. But in this instance I'm very calm and happy about a healthy, beautiful baby that is right on schedule. I'm excited the news is not exciting.

First Doctor's Visit

Today I had my first doctor's visit for this pregnancy. I brought the kids along to let them feel like they are a part of this whole baby thing.... That was interesting. We didn't get in until 40 minutes after our scheduled appointment and by then the kids were going CRAZY. Anyway, I had the midwife find the heartbeat first thing and then Brian took off with the kids. That was worth it. The heart rate was about 170! Whew, that's fast. I remember Nora's was around 165 and Ethan was always in the 150's. The kids loved to hear it. They were mesmerized. And then all day long they were talking about the baby. Nora only ate half of her strawberry and then she gave me the rest and said, "here mom, this is for the baby so he can grow strong." She put blankets on me to keep the baby warm, had me read stories to her that she thought the baby would like, had to say goodnight to my belly, and told me when the baby was born she'd brush it's teeth and put it to bed. So sweet!
Anyway, back to the appointment. The midwife was really nice (I was looking for a bit more edgy and hippy, but she was pretty hip and modern, oh well). After hearing the heartbeat she answered questions and then did an examine... She said, "I don't think you are ten weeks, you are measuring more like 12 weeks." Hooray! That is great news, well sorta, it might also mean that I'm 10 weeks and I have twins. So she ordered a sono for Monday. I. can't. wait. for. Monday.
I promise to blog immediately (well, I gotta get home first) when I find out. Either way it will be a blessing, I'm just tripping out about the twin thing a little bit.

Goodnight

Every other kid: Goodnight mom, don't let the bed bugs bite.

Nora: Goodnight mom, don't let the snakes and bees crawl all over you.

Cat's outta the bag

So, yes, I most definitely am pregnant. We are so excited to be having another baby. We decided to start trying in January, and by February I was pregnant (TMI?). This is the first time I've ever gotten pregnant so quickly and without fertility drugs. I was so thrilled that it happened so quickly. It is heartbreaking to wait month after month and year after year, and I've done that. (Love to all my ladies who are going through that still) I was determined to not to be sad every month this time. I'm still in shock that I didn't have to.

I'm due Dec 1st (or so, pending a sonogram). So I'm 8 weeks.

I'm pretty sure it's going to be a boy. (also pending a sonogram)

We got a minivan, I love it.

Seinfeld Babies

So you might be wondering what a Seinfeld baby is. They are my babies. Well, for some reason my children come out looking like a character from Seinfeld. Let me show you:

First, we have George Costanza





















Second, let me introduce you to Cosmo Kramer




















Next....

Is it going to be Jerry or Elaine?

Nora Lou Retton

Here is my little gymnast. She is the first one to do a somersault in the video. Sorry, no sound. She also decided to go through the tunnel backwards (and cut in front of other kids). Enjoy.

Colorado or Bust

So once again I loaded my kiddos up in the car and took off for Colorado. Now that my brother Ben and his family live so close (only 9 hours!) I visit whenever possible. But this trip was even cooler than normal because my sister Megan and her family were coming up from Austin to visit too! The reason: Russia's first birthday party! And to top it all off, I got to go visit one of my friends from high school that I haven't seen in ten years, Karen Fjeldheim (Hubert). The trip was fantastic. It would have been perfect if Nora hadn't gotten car sick on the way home, 3 times. Well, I shouldn't have left Colorado so late either... I got home at 2:30 am. I just couldn't leave Karen's house. She invited us to spend the night, but I refused because we had already stayed in Colorado longer than I'd planned, so we were out of clothes, underwear, diapers, pull-ups, and other important items like that.

Nora and Ethan were champs on the drive to Colorado Springs. We had so much fun and they were so good. This is them watching Kung Fu Panda, the movie of choice on this trip.

Everytime I pass this sign I want to get out and take pictures (purely for blog purposes!). So, since I was the only adult and my kids liked every chance they had to get out and run around... I stopped and we took pictures. Fun!

We had lunch at the cutest little rest stop. It was so beautiful. This is a pond that connects to the Colorado River. The weather was amazing. The kids threw rocks into this pond for at least twenty minutes.

At a rest stop in Vail, CO (yes, we stopped at a LOT of rest stops), the snow was covering the entire building. The door was dug out so you could get inside. It was really cool, and COLD! Ethan had to do a #2 here, so we were there for a while. I waited outside of the bathroom for Ethan and, of course, when another man went into the bathroom, Ethan decided it was time for details... "mom! I'm almost done, but there's just one little bit more that just won't come out!" The man came out laughing.Nora liked to rub the twin's head for luck. Poor guys.

Sorry for the fuzzy picture. But here is the gang. Kaiya, Ethan, Michael, Jarus, Nora, Russia, Ammon, Lincoln and James. All of my kids' cousins on my side of the family.

The birthday party was fun. Russia loved the attention and the presents... and the cupcakes.

Me and my cool sister Megan. Aren't we pretty!


After leaving Colorado Springs, I stopped by my friend Karen's house in Basalt, CO. One of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Karen is eight months pregnant (due in a couple of weeks). Nora and their daughter Sophia loved each other. Nora also loved Sophia's toys. After we went on a walk, played outside, and ate dinner, Nora and Sophia took a bath. Meanwhile Ethan played Play Station with Karen's husband Brent.

Karen is a beauty! We've kept in good contact through email ever since graduating from high school. I was so glad I stopped to see her. It completed a very fun car trip!

Brian Turns 31

So it's official. Brian is now IN his thirties. And he is a very sexy thirty-something if I do say so myself! As you can tell from the picture he is also getting more and more mature with each year. Someday he'll even start acting like a grown-up. But I hope not, it's fun around here.
Here we are having birthday lunch and eating cookies. The kids were showing just how much they love their aging father.

We had Stake conference (adult session) that night, but right before we went to an MBA talent show. Brian and his band opened the show with a few songs. They totally rocked the house. that would be Brian on drums. Be still my heart.

And this is us. In black and white because it was early and I had puffy eyes, heading off to stake conference. I love my family. And Brian, you just keep getting better every year, I love you, Happy Birthday.

My feminine little ballerina

Tonight Nora tried on her new outfit. She gave us a cute little demonstration of how a ballerina dances. Then she ran to me and said, "I just farted in ballerina clothes."

Nora's Prayer Tonight

Dear Heavenly Father
Please bless I won't cough anymore
Bless I will sleep
Bless the snow
Jesus Amen

Lady Bug Cake Day

Nora turned three yesterday. She is getting so big so fast. Where does the time go? Anyway, she absolutely loved her birthday- especially her cake.

You see about 4 months ago she decided she wanted a lady bug cake for her birthday. No joke, 4 months. So whenever anyone mentioned her turning three she would say, "Yeah, and I'm gonna have a lady bug cake." No pressure right. Well, I've seemed to adopt a Hall family saying into my own life-- "If it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing!" I've always been a "less is more" kind of a girl, but I guess I'm slipping. Although I'll admit when it comes to food I always try to go the extra mile, especially birthday cakes. Hence, Nora's lady bug cake was a bit complicated. It was a simple chocolate cake, cut into layers, homemade chocolate mousse between each layer, ganche frosting (white and milk chocolate), and lots of sprinkles. When Nora woke up on her birthday I showed her the cake. She was so happy, and giddy.

We had to run some errands (I wanted to find black rope licorice for antennae), and everywhere we went I'd say, "Nora tell them what today is!". To which she would reply, "Lady bug cake day!" Then I'd say,"No, tell them it's your birthday." Then she would say, "Today is my birthday and I get to eat a lady bug cake." True story.

Midday, we went to Chuck E. Cheese. It's a tradition!

So my brother, sisters, parents, cousin, and friend came over for a party. It was fun. We ate pulled pork, coleslaw, hot crash potatoes, and bread...Yum.... And then dined on lady bug cake. It was good.

Nora got beautiful gifts and had a wonderful day. She is funny, smart, sweet and beautiful. I love her so much! Happy Birthday Nora, or should I say Happy Lady Bug Cake Day!

Can I get a what, what!

Obsession

I have an obsession with food. I love good food. The kind that you dream about after you eat it. The kind that makes your mouth water thinking about it. The kind you have at a restaurant, and can't wait to go back again. That is the kind I'm talking about.

So recently we ate at a restaurant named Wallaby's. SO GOOD. I got their mashers, coleslaw and pulled pork. They serve it with a piece of white bread. It was love at first bite. I couldn't stop thinking about it! So finally (because the restaurant is kinda far from our house) I decided I had to take matters into my own hands and figure out an alternative. I searched the internet for days trying to find what sounded like a good recipe for the most divine meal I'd ever eaten.

Fate! I found three perfect recipes. You can find them here.

Of course the one thing I couldn't find a substitute for was the BBQ sauce, so I went to the restaurant and bought a bottle. Well worth the $5.

If you want make someone VERY happy on Valentine's Day, then make this dinner for them!

Nora lines stuff up

This one is for you mom. And for all you other people who read my blog but never comment. Oh well, I'm getting used to it. And by the way thank you to Rachelle, Bethanne, Janette, and Emily for always making me feel loved in the comment section. Ok, now I'm starting to sound a bit whiny!

So I'll get back to business... the other day Nora and I went to Broadbents, my new favorite store on the planet! It's a quilters dream. The fabric there is to die for. I. Love. It.

Nora found a little section of toys and started doing what she does best, organizing and putting into rows. She loves things to be in rows.She is so cute! I know I say that a lot, but I love the rows. We were there for about 45 minutes, and I just sat there and watched her. It was a lovely morning.

Carving Pumpkins?

Ok, so are there ever those posts you meant to do, but never got around to. Well, this is one of those. I think I've mentioned before that we love Halloween in our house. A lot. Every year we carve pumkins. But this year there was a new development. Here let me show you:

Here is cute little Nora. She loved every minute of digging her hands into the slippery goo of the pumpkin guts. She love weilding a knife (with daddy's help, of course!). And I don't know how, but her pumpkin even ended up looking like her. It's her pumpkin doppleganger.

Brian thinks he's hilarious. I've learned that this "vomitting" out the pumpkin innards is a family tradition. You can't break tradition! Ok, so I think it's pretty funny too. But don't tell Brian.

Then there's Ethan...
He has decided that the worst smell on the planet is pumpkin pulp. He could barely stay in the room. He was gagging and almost throwing up every time he got a whiff. He would not come near the pumpkins.

I eventually tied a bandana around his face ala old west train robbers. That helped for a little while. It was so funny.

Nora loves it, but check out Ethan in the background. I made butternut squash the other night and Ethan wouldn't eat it because, "It smells like pumpkin."


Last year:

Oh well.

Family Get-togethers

Chris and Kristy came to visit. So what did we do for fun? We made dioramas of course!
Let's just say I was getting rid of a lot of shoe boxes. I have this thing about keeping the shoe box... I'm not alone right? Anyway, it's no fun to just throw all the shoe boxes away, you gotta DO something with them.

Here is the monumental mess we made, so fun!

This is Ethan's masterpiece, he called it "California Dreamin'"

Brian's was very abstract (and disturbing). He took the longest. Actually it wasn't disturbing, it was very interesting, and I loved it.

Here is my tropical paradise. I seemed to have a lot of flower papers and blue colored paper, so I went for it. Notice the tiki hut. Brian asked me, "What is a tiki anyway?"

Here is Kristy's work of art. Notice it is peaceful, uncluttered, well thought out, and very clean and neat. Also, the boy is reading his scriptures. It is very well-made.

So when is the last time you made a diorama? It is quite thereputic, and very very fun for the kids. Oh who am I kidding, I was the one having fun. The kids ran off and did something else about 20 minutes after we started. Go make a diorama, that's an order!

Hop-Scotch

We went to IKEA today, to get out. Here is a cute video of Nora learning to hop-scotch.




I love that girl!

Christmas Images

2009

I'd said I'd be back in the new year, and here I am. I know you missed me.... My kids have been saying a bunch of funny things lately, and I haven't been writing them down! So I forget! Aak.
Here are two I remember because I've retold them many times, but I want to write them down so I never forget:

Ethan
We were going out to eat for the first time in over a month (thank you Brenda for the gift card). And Ethan starts arguing with us about where we are going. Finally Brian says, "Ethan, that is enough, I don't want to hear anymore arguing from you." To which Ethan replies, "Dad, I started this confrontation, and I'm gonna end it!"

Nora
For the first time Nora was going to spend the night at grandmas house without Brian or I, she was VERY excited. She was telling me all about how it was going to be just her and nobody else going. Then she looked down and a bit concerned and said, "but mom, you're gonna hafta take me, cause I can't drive."