Starlight Skating

I can not tell you the last time I went roller skating. Okay, I guess I went roller blading once in college when I was 19. But before that it was probably elementary school and I haven't done it since. That is, until last Saturday night.

Jarom's family decided it would be fun to go to Starlight Skating, the local skating rink. I swear that place hasn't changed one bit since I was 10. It was like stepping into a time warp. But oh, it was so fun. I really had a blast. Thanks Gregg and Anna for treating us to a great time.

Everyone skated, from babies in strollers to Grandma pushing babies in strollers. (Okay, I had to push babies in strollers for a while too before I had my "blade feet". Thank goodness we had some babies with us!)

There was a spill...

or two...

or three. (I wish we could have gotten one of Justin laying flat on his back. Oh that was good! Hope you're feeling okay Justin!)

NOTE: Check out "Creepy Guy" in the background. All you Idaho Falls-ers beware. He really was creepy. He kept "bumping" into our girls. They complained to us several times until my SIL Katie had had enough and went and told the manager. The manager said that the guy had been complained about 4 other times that day and kicked him out. I was so glad Katie did that and that the manager took care of the problem. I don't know anything about this guy, but I'll tell you what, if I ever see him again (and we've already spotted him twice since) I will NOT leave my kids unguarded.

Kate was THE cutest blasted little skater I've ever seen. And she was pretty good at it too. She's a little natural. I just couldn't get enough of seeing her in those teeny tiny skates.

Tell me that is NOT the cutest little thing you've ever seen!! (Go on, I dare ya. And then I'll take ya down to Chinatown and back for saying it.)

Carter

Kate

Jarom

Alyssa

Halle

Me

What a fabulous time, we MUST do this again!

(And if I was smart enough, I'd add a playlist today playing Deana Carters version of "Brand New Key" because it talks about roller skates and I love that song.)

Happy Birthday Anna!

Happy Birthday to my mother-in-law today. (Thanks for the picture Becky.) Yes, that's right, another birthday for our family. But don't you fret, we still have several more November birthdays to go. We were joking about all the November birthdays we have last night saying how November is 9 months from Valentine's Day. :)

Anyway, we celebrated Anna's birthday yesterday by breaking in Becky and Kevin's new home and having a family dinner. Becky has the biggest dining room I've ever seen and we were all able to fit nicely. All Manwaring dinners from now on will be there. ;)

Happy Birthday Anna! I think new furniture is a pretty exciting birthday gift. So cute! Hope you have a great day.

Pierced Ears!

I know, lots of updates today. Bear with me, it was a big weekend.

It's a right of passage to get your ears pierced when you turn 8 in our family. I did it, Alyssa's done it, and now Halle has joined our exclusive club.
Getting the ears ready for the holes.

Ready or not, here we go.

"It stings! It stings!" But not one tear! What a brave kid.

All done! Thanks Aunt Mimi.

Feeling like a new person with her beautiful earrings. Doesn't she look so grown up now?

Party Time!

Halle had a "spa-tacular" 8th birthday party! We did this same party for Alyssa last year, and Halle's wanted one ever since. I know it seems like a lot of work (and there is some definite prep work that goes into it), but if you have wonderful sisters or friends willing to help you out, this party is one of the easier parties to do. And THANK YOU to my wonderful family that helped me out. I couldn't do it without them.

We had five different "spa" stations that the girls rotated through. Each girl was given an appointment card and just went in the order designated.

Halle chose to name her spa The Red Ruby day spa and then Jarom made the cute itinerary cards.

Hair done by Aunt Emily. She did everyone exactly the same and they loved looking just alike. They were finished off with some glitter spray which was so fun. They got to keep their own combs from this station.

Facials done by myself. (For Alyssa's party we used tinted cool whip and that didn't work so well. This year I just used cold cream and it was much better.) We put a little make-up on after their faces were nice and refreshed. They each got lip gloss, hand mirrors, and hair bands to keep at this station.

Nails done by Aunt Mimi. (Her name is also Emily, but we call her Mimi to make it easier.) Each girl got to keep an emery board.

Pedicures done by Aunt Deidra. Complete with foot soaks, smelly lotion massages, and painted toes.

Craft and snack station run by my mom. The girls decorated bags to keep all their loot in. We were so excited to have our Utah cousins join us for the party this year. Sami and Megan are Alyssa's age, so she was in seventh heaven.

The dolled up party group. They all felt so beautiful. It was so fun to watch them take out their mirrors and just look at themselves. Every little girl deserves to feel beautiful once in a while.

Present time and a look at the backs of the adorable hair Emily fixed.

It's tradition to get a set of scriptures with your name engraved on them for your 8th b-day in our family.

Make a birthday wish!

Happy Birthday Halle!

Halle was due November 17, my mother-in-law's birthday. At 30 weeks gestation I started feeling really strange. I suffered from severe cases of vertigo. After seeing several doctors they decided it was blood pressure related and sent me to bed. I was on bed rest for 10 weeks. Half of the time I lived at my mom's and the other half she spent at my place. I gained 55 pounds.

My doctor told me to call the hospital on Nov. 14 and see if I could come in to be induced. I was SO ready to have the baby. I called and they said, "There's no room at the Inn. You can't come in today, we're too full. Try again tomorrow." Ughhh....talk about tears. I didn't care if there wasn't "room at the inn", I was having that baby the next day or else. Lucky for all the hospital staff there was room and I delivered Halle around 8pm on the 15th.

Halle was stuck and the dr. tried to use the vacuum thing, but Halle had too much hair and it kept slipping off. So he ended up having to use forceps. Her shoulders caught, but eventually we got her out. There was meconium in the water so they quickly showed her to me and then whisked her away to suction her out and make sure she didn't swallow or inhale anything. She was perfectly healthy and weighed in at 8 lbs. 6 oz., nice and chunky.



Over the months her growth just tapered off until she was a teeny tiny 4th percentile one year old. She was the cutest little thing ever. And what made her even more cute, was her big spit fire personality inside her tiny little body. This girl has always been able to hold her own. She walked at 10 months after showing no signs of even wanting to. One day I just glanced over and there she was toddling across the room. She's been going strong ever since.

And now my tiny firecracker is 8 years old! She's still on the tiny side but her big personality hasn't changed a bit. Halle is such a creative spirit and enjoys all things crafty. She's particular about how she likes things done and can't rest until its to her specifications. She LOVES babies, any baby, and would kiss on and hug them all day if the other mommies would let her. She's also limber as a rubber band. (Something she did NOT inherit from me.) She can whip out the splits like nobody's business. Halle is all about having fun. If is isn't fun, it isn't worth her time. (Something I'm afraid she did inherit from me.)


I love my little Halle Loo. Our family would not be complete without her. Along with that firecracker personality she is the sweetest most sincere child you will ever meet. Happy Birthday baby, hope it is a wonderful 8th year!

That'll Be $60 Please

Why is it that preparing to go to the gynecologist, takes almost more effort than preparing for your wedding night? Seriously, there's a lot of prep work to look good for the doctor. (Don't worry, she's a lady. Well, maybe that should make us all worry more.)

After spending the necessary amount of time getting myself presentable, I showed up at the doctors office yesterday, right at my appointed time. You see, it was time for my "yearly". Yes, the appointment that I've put off for nearly 2 years because I love going oh-so-much.

As I glanced around the waiting room I counted 8 other ladies waiting. "Oh dear, this can't be good." Jarom was home watching the kiddos and had a meeting scheduled an hour later that he HAD to attend. (Honestly an hour should be plenty of time to get in and out of the doctor's office. Don't ya think?) But the nurse called my name and took me back almost immediately, so I figured all would be fine.

So back to the room I went, leaving my magazine on the waiting room table. The nurse handed me the robe and sheet, told me to undress, ("The robe opens in back, and the sheet goes on your lap.") and said the dr. would be right in. Let me tell you, I've been walked in on before while undressing and that isn't pleasant, so I undressed with the speed of lightening and hopped onto the table, covered myself with the sheet and proceeded to wait. And wait, and wait....and wait, and wait some more. I was kicking myself for setting the magazine down. Why don't they have things to read in the actual exam rooms anyway? Well, there was the breast feeding chart, complete with pictures, on the wall.

I started sweating knowing that Jarom needed me to get home and also I was getting nervous about the oh-so-pleasant procedure that would be taking place (hopefully) shortly. Then I started sticking to that stupid tissue paper on the table. Move, "riiiiippp", shift, "crackle crackle". I felt like the whole world could hear every move I made. Not to mention my back was killing me from sitting like that. "Should I lay down on the pillow? Maybe pretend that I'm at the spa?"

My purse with my phone (and clock) was sitting just out of reach for me to grab so that I could check the time. I contemplated whether or not I'd have enough time to jump off the table, grab my phone, and get back on the table before the door to the room flew open and the entire hallway saw my exposed back side.

Wait, wait, wait...tick, tick, tick...crackle, rip, creek, crackle. "Okay, DASH!!!" The time? 10:48. Ten forty eight people!!! I had been waiting, naked, on the table, just shy of 50 minutes. "What to do now? Even if she does come in here within the next 5 minutes it will still take at least 10 minutes for the procedure plus discussion time." There was nothing to do but get dressed and leave.

So I redressed with that lightening bolt speed, shoved my under garments in my purse (Oh yes I did!) for fear of someone walking in on me while I took time to put them on, and then I left. I told the receptionist that I had to get home and couldn't wait any longer. To which she replied, "Oh, well did you just want to reschedule then? The next appointment we have available is a month away." No "sorry you had to wait for an hour," ...or "we know your time is valuable" ...or "we understand the prep work it took to get here." Nope, just "we can't see you again until next month." Arggghhhh....

Days like this are when I wish I was brave enough to send them a bill for my time.

Happy Birthday Sami!

Today my niece Samantha turns 11! She told her mom that instead of a birthday party this year, she just wants to come to Idaho Falls to visit. How cute is that? So we're hoping to get to see our cousins this weekend. Have a great day Sambo!

Wendy's Give Away

I almost forgot to post about another fun give away. My friend Wendy (okay she's another virtual friend that I don't "really" know) is doing a 100th post give away. But you better hurry cause it ends tomorrow night. Just take a look at the cute loot you might win!

Bling on the Teeth

Alyssa's got a whole new smile today. After many tears and worries over a lose tooth, the orthodontist was able to get Alyssa's braces in place. We're doing them early in her life to try to avoid a full set later. But man, nothing makes a parent feel old like seeing their kid in braces. Wasn't it just yesterday that I had my own on? CRAZY!!!

Before

After (You can't see them real well in this picture, but she chose turquoise bands. I told her that my first day with braces, I chose black and white alternating. I looked like every other tooth was rotten. I went right back in the next day and had them all changed to white.)

And just for fun, a picture of me (and Jarom) with my braces at my baccalaureate. (I'm not crazy right? That's what it was called? It wasn't my high school graduation, it was another ceremony the night before. And would you take a look at those GINORMOUS glasses!! So funny.)

Try-It-Tuesday

Okay folks, let's make some fried chicken. Talk about comfort food. Mmmm.....mmmmmm. And just for kicks and giggles, let's pretend I'm Pioneer Woman and look at the pictures I attempted to take while cooking. This is a recipe where I don't measure anything, so I figured pictures would be the best way to share it.

First, place about 3/4c. flour, a couple shakes of sage (maybe 1/2 tsp.?), about the same amount of rosemary, and some pepper to taste, on a plate and toss to mix together. (I like to chop the rosemary up a little before hand. I once found ground rosemary and that was the BEST, but I haven't found any since.) Anyway, take several tablespoons of the seasoned flour and set them aside to use for the gravy later.

Liberally salt the chicken. And I do mean liberally. It really tastes best extra salty. I use boneless, skinless, hand trimmed by the butcher, breasts. (Yes, I am completely spoiled and this is one thing I refuse to skimp on.) Oh, and here's your tip of the day: Always check the meat prices in the case before you buy the packaged stuff. I've found on most occasions the EXACT same meat will be cheaper in the butcher's case. This chicken, for instance, was a whole dollar cheaper than the packaged stuff in the refrigerated shelves.

Dredge the salted chicken in flour mixture.

Put several (3 or 4) heaping tablespoons of Crisco in a hot skillet. Then turn the heat down to medium low.

Set those babies in the hot grease and let em' fry.

DON'T turn them for at least 5 minutes and maybe even 7 if you can make yourself leave them alone. That's the secret to making the breading stick to the chicken and not the pan.

Looking a little more done. If they are no longer pink in the center take them out and set them on a paper-towel lined plate to "rest" while you make the gravy.

If the Crisco has cooked out, add a little bit more and be sure to leave all those yummy brown bits in the pan.

Pour in the seasoned flour that you set aside earlier.

Get it all nice and bubbly. Add more flour if you need to thicken it.

I don't know why this picture is turned, it's not turned in my photos, but no matter. I was just trying to show the consistency before you start to add the milk. I also like to add a bit of salt at this point.

Pour in some milk and bring the gravy to a boil. Go slowly here, you don't want it to be too thin. If it's too thick, add more milk.

My gravy pictures are conspiring against me. WHY are they all turned?? Anywho, notice the thick bubbles? That's the thickness it should be when it's done.

And just like that, you've got yourself a real tasty dinner.

Born In Boise

Over dinner tonight Jarom asked the kids if they knew which prophet signed his mission call. So we sang the song Latter Day Prophets to try to spark their memories. As soon as they heard Howard W. Hunter they knew it was him right away. So then Jarom asked them, "What do you all have in common with Pres. Hunter?"

I added, "Well, all of you except Kate."

Jarom said, "That's your clue. What do you all have the same, that Kate doesn't?"

Alyssa's answer, "Manners?" LOL!!!

The second guess, "Light skin?" Again, LOL!!!

They finally figured out that the correct answer was "born in Boise." Oh, so funny!

Happy BIrthday Ogden!

The tank turns 4 today!!! Ogden is always such great entertainment. We love this kid and hope he has the best 4th birthday ever!

Tech Savvy Kids

I was talking with Queenie (okay we were emailing each other, but I like to say talking cause it makes me sound like I know her in "real life") about how tech savvy our kids are these days. It really is incredible isn't it?

Just yesterday I had to ask my FOUR year old how to change control on the Wii remote to get number two to turn to number one. (Don't worry if you don't understand, cause I barely do myself.) Carter just talked me right through the entire process. "You click here, then you press that button, and then click here." When I was all done I pressed the "home" button because I couldn't figure any way to get out of the maze he'd woven me through. Carter said, "Mom! Don't press that it takes you out of the game." (Like duh, you old lady!)

And then tonight Alyssa told us a "hilarious" story about how "Libby's phone rang right in the middle of class. Her ring tone was so funny and it just went right off during reading!" (Can you even imagine a phone ringing in the middle of your 4th grade classroom, let alone a phone belonging to another 10 year old?) My Alyssa is the minority in her class because she doesn't carry her own cell. Good grief, I didn't get my first cell phone until I was 24!!

Halle asked Jarom to correct her math; his reply, "Halle, while you're in second grade you bet I'll correct your math, but when you get in 8th grade, we might be in trouble." Eighth grade?! I tried to help Alyssa (remember 4th grade) with her math yesterday. It was geometry. I got a D in geometry my sophomore year of HIGH SCHOOL! (I wasn't much help to her.)

It really is amazing how much more advanced our kids are than we were at their age. Our growing up world is absolutely foreign to them. I sure hope I can keep up, or if all else fails, I hope my kids will be patient with their dinosaur age mother.

Conversations with Carter

Tonight as I was folding laundry, Carter was waiting patiently for me to finish so we could play pirates. Here's how the conversation went:

Carter: Are there robbins outside?

Me: No, all the robbins have flown south for the winter so they can stay warm.

Carter: Not robbin birds, robbings.

Me: Do you mean robbers?

Carter: Yeah, robbings.

Me: No, there are no robbers outside.

Carter: Can robbings see in the dark?

Me: What exactly do you think a robber is?

Carter: Issa and Halle said there's robbers in haunted houses.

Me: Robbers are just people like you and me. They make wrong choices and steal from people. They're just normal people, not monsters. Monsters aren't real and neither are haunted houses.

Carter: (2 second pause) Is China on the other side of the world? How do you get to Mexico? How many girls are in our family?

Oh boy, I can tell I really got through to him.

Obama Makes History

Barack Obama was just named the winner of this year's Presidential election. How far our nation has come to elect the first African-American President of the United States. I have to say that I surprised myself tonight when I "really" realized Obama was black. I mean, yes I know his race, but I just have never really thought about it much with this election. To me Obama was never "black" and McCain was never "white". They were just two men running for President.

I love that our country has come so far and race is not such a huge issue anymore. Sure, we have a ways to go, but look how quickly we are growing up and realizing that people are people no matter the color of skin. It was such a short time ago we were so divided. In fact, my own mother went to a segregated school as a child. I commend her for never pushing racial views on me. She taught me that we are all God's children and he loves each and everyone of us. Including Barack Obama.

I hope and pray that tonight's outcome will only continue to bring us closer as a nation and as children of God. I pray for Obama as he takes over our country, that he will be guided and directed to do what is right for the people and for our home. I pray that we will unite with each other and that God will see fit to deliver us from these trying times. May God bless America.

(And I hope and pray that I have offended no one with this post.)

Try-It-Tuesday

(FYI, the audio for T-I-T is all screwed up, I think because I name it the same thing every week.)

It's been rainy and dreary and cold here this week. Perfect fall weather. A nice hot bowl of hearty stew was much needed. Alyssa said, "Hey, it's our first fall food. Or we could call it FFF." Maybe I should rename this stew to FFF. :)

This is a recipe I got from my sister-in-law, Katie, who doesn't do a blog. (But we won't say anything about that. :P )Its as easy as they come and tastes great!



Crockpot Stew (Now known as FFF in my house.)

• One can Tomato Soup


• One can Cream of Mushroom Soup


• One can Golden Mushroom Soup


• One can Cream of Celery Soup


• 3-4 cans water


• One packet Lipton Onion Soup Mix


• Stew Meat


• Potatoes


• Carrots


• Celery if you want

I like to put my stew meat and half the packet of onion soup mix with a tiny bit of water, in the crockpot the night before. Let it cook on low all night. (This makes it nice and tender, but certainly is optional.) The next morning add all the other ingredients and cook on high for 6-8 hours until vegetables are tender.

So get the crockpot out, get dinner going, forget about it, and go out and VOTE!

****If you have a tried and true recipe you'd be willing to share, leave a comment with the recipe title and post the recipe on your blog so we can all come and check it out. Thanks for playing; the more the merrier! ****

Audio Clips

Yes, you've all been wondering about the audio ability my blog now has. I say this with all the love in my heart, but I have a techno-geeky husband. (He know's I love him.) He is testing "podcasts" (I had to 'wikepedia' that word.) out on my blog. So now you can all enjoy listening to my blog just like when you were a kid and listened to a book on tape. The only thing missing is the little "ding" when it's time to move to the next picture.

What Does Your Bed Say About You?

I found this on someone's blog a while ago, can't remember who now. I took the test and thought it was pretty dead on until I got to the relationships bit and head in the clouds dreamer. Those two aren't me, but the rest is pretty good.

What Your Bed Says About You



Outward appearances are a concern of yours, but not your primary concern. You try to take care of yourself and your home, but it's not an obsession.



Your life tends to be completely chaotic. You aren't a very organized person, and you tend to be slow in cleaning up messes.



You are not very high maintenance in general, but you are high maintenance about a few things.



In relationships, you tend to kick back and let the other person be in charge.



You tend to be a dreamy, head in the clouds type of person. You think in terms of possibilities.



You are a bit of a homebody, but you can also make yourself at home anywhere.

What Does Your Bed Say About You?

And now an announcement...

Kat over at Sunshine and Lemonade is doing fun give aways for the next 10 weeks! I'm all about free stuff. But this is more than free stuff, it's AWESOME free stuff! So selfishly I don't want to announce this fun contest, but in order to get yet one more entry to win the SIGNED copy of Wicked, I must tell you about this. So head on over to Kat's place and check her out. I love her by the way, so I'm sure you all will too.

Elena's November Thankful List

Elena Is Thankful For...
the number 1 in front of the price of gas.
mornings when I can sleep in.
beautiful weather.
Excedrin.
warm baths and hot showers.
health.
good books.
telephones.
dear friends.
laughter.
smart kids.
my pillow.
a free nation.
the right to vote.
a full belly.
an extra hour today.