Our sweetie pie- 7 months

Jane turned 7 months on Nov. 21st. Cliche I know, but I can't believe it. She is really so sweet. She is incredibly mellow and go with the flow which is a HUGE blessings with all that has happened since her birth. She has to just go when and wherever we are going. She always gets awakened from naps because we have to take or pick someone up from school etc.

Some things about her
-She weaned herself about a week ago which was really sad at first but now I'm enjoying a little more freedom.
-She loved to be kissed and kissed and it makes her giggle like crazy.
-She loves Anna and always gives her the biggest smiles...well next to me
-She likes to wave goodbye.
-She just said mama for the first time on Saturday and has said it several times since!
-She is just now sitting up all on her own for extended periods of time.
-And she hasn't been very mobile but just last night she was lying on a blanket and when I looked at her the next time she had rolled over under the kids Christmas tree to play with the ornaments. I had just barely seen my friends baby do this and was amazing and then Jane did it! She really has not been active at all and I kept thinking it was because of our hard wood floors but apparently she finally had something worth going after. Today then she has rolled around a lot more.

Jane is such a sweetie pie and we love and are enjoying her so much!

Thanksgiving Feast

We had initially planned to have our Thanksgiving Feast on Friday, but the day came and we were too tired from the festivities the day before. Saturday we finally cooked and cooked and decorated all day. In the end we were really glad that we still did a full blown dinner. Thankfully Randall is a fabulous cook and a great help to me in the kitchen. We divied up the recipes and went to town. In the end we had turkey of course, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, home -made spiced cranberry sauce, and sweet potato casserole that really was like dessert with all the butter, brown sugar and pecans. We also had sparkling cider in our goblets which always makes things feel a little more fun and festive. All the kids got to drink out of a goblet this year, and they thought that was really cool. They kids especially loved the sweet potatoes and ate it like candy, probably because that's essentially what it was. We also had rolls but I set those aside to keep for sandwiches that we ate last night for dinner. The kids kept commenting on how this was the best meal they had ever eaten.

I was pretty low key like I said I am trying to be. Normally I would have a really nice centerpiece and have everyone dressed nicely for dinner. This year I exercised in the morning and showered but didn't even do my hair and make-up. Kate came to dinner in her pajama shirt and undies. I had the kids help me set the table and even had them help me fold the napkins to add to the table. It was a lot of fun and I was glad that they participated. Ethan even peeled all the potatoes. I was still very nice but low key and low stress. A win win for everyone.

We also put up our Christmas decorations this year. Last year I bought a little Christmas tree after Christmas for the kids. This year I let them decorate it all by themselves with all of our random ornaments. In years past I'm not a big fan of the "random" trees but this year truthfully I think I like their tree better than my nicely planned and plotted tree. I originally thought I would let them decorate "their" tree and then I would rearrange slightly. After they did it though I found that I liked it just they way they had done it. Bare in some spots and lots grouped together near the bottom. I even found myself totally in love this year for the first time with the little ornaments that the kids have made in school and brought home. I guess I'm growing up or something crazy like that.


Our Thanksgiving table with our Christmas decor :) See the cure napkins the kids helped fold?

Jane reading up on the Christmas story.
Chef Randall

The rest of the fam looking good...
The "kids" tree.

When life give you lemons...have a tea party!

Today Anna was in mood to be sure. From morning to night it was just one thing after another. Tonight I had finally had it. She had spent a lot of time in time out upstairs, and would not quite screaming and crying. I finally told her if she did not stop she would soon be eating her dinner in her room and going straight to bed. Sure enough If wasn't long before I was bringing up her dinner. An hour later I quietly opened her door to get pajamas for the baby thinking I would find a dark room and a sleeping Anna. Not! She had pulled in the little table from Kate's room and was very contentedly having her own little tea party!

Christmas Walk

On Friday night we went on a "Christmas Walk" in the neighboring town of New Providence. It was a really charming walk down the Main street with all the little Mom n' Pop shops. Many of the shops were giving out free things like hot pretzels, cookies, candy canes, balloons etc. At the end of the street was an old Presbyterian church that was so charming. They had a live nativity and then had the animals in little corrals that the kids could see and pet. They also handed out hot cider and cookies. After out little walk Santa Claus came riding in the book of a fire truck. He rode up and down and then rode down the street followed by the town's high school marching band. It was so fun! The kids had a great time and it just felt very small town. We like the city where we live but it what we like to call "wine and cheese" and this little town felt a little more small hometown. We met up with two other families that have kids our age and that always it more fun.

I'm trying to be a little more go with the flow. In the "olden days" I would think that that the kids were tired and it's too late. It was a fun thing to do and possibly a new tradition. I think that the time spent together and the traditions that we do will mean so much more in the long run than any gifts the kids will open on Christmas. It was a fun night and I'm really glad we went.Isn't it cute with the lighted wreaths on the street lamps and the luminaries!?
Kate eating some of the free goods.

Ethan up on the fence to get a better look of Santa and the band.


Don't mind me and my no make-up and hat. We were tired from all our Thanksgiving festivities the day before.
The church doors. I loved the wreaths.

Macy's Day Parade

Waiting for the train with our cute girls.

Jane all snuggled up.
On the train into the city.
Picking up some bagels and cream cheese. My first real New York Bagel, it really was different and really yummy.
Just a picture of the crowds of people waiting for the parade. I can't believe they just stand there all packed together for hours and hours. At least they stay warm.
First glimpses of the parade.



Our favorite Balloon of the parade--Buzz!
Santa Claus!
The very end of the parade with "Believe"
After the parade, walking back to the train station Buzz was coming down the street.
The Macy's Marching Band playing at the post office.
A lot of the signs and Marquee's said Happy Thanksgiving. It made it kind of fun.
Ethan being silly. I think he looks kind of like an elf with his hat.
Waiting at the train station to come home. Kate was looking tired by this point.


Thanksgiving Day we left the house about 7am to meet the train. We made it with plenty of time to spare and were so excited. The train ride was smooth and it really wasn't too crowded until about 2 stops before NYC. Ethan as usual happened to make a great little friend and they chatted the whole way. When we got to the city it was so fun! When we came out of the train station there were people giving away free newspapers, and free kettle corn and everyone was wishing everybody else "Happy Thanksgiving". It really did feel surreal. Next comes the only tricky/challenging part of the day. Due to the parade many of the streets were blocked off and we had to walk a certain way to get to Rand's office. Normally the walk from the train station to the office in Time's Square is about 15 minutes. That day due to different instructions we were given and all the crowds it took us about 1 hr. The kids were total troopers and only started to get really whiny about 10 minutes before we arrived at the office.

It was amazing to see So. Many. People. I couldn't believe how many people are willing to stand 20-30 people deep to watch this parade. It was cold, probably the low 40's but not unbearable. I must admit that I like the crowds of people. Crowds, at least around the holidays make things feel more festive for me. This was a dream come true.

When we got to the office we quickly warmed up the kids with soup and goodies galore that everyone helped provide. My favorite thing about the day was probably when the kids looked out the window the first time and saw the parade coming down the street. There were audible gasps because they were so amazed. I felt like I was watching them come down the stairs on Christmas morning. It was so fun to see them peering out the window at the parade below.

The kids really did watch the whole parade other than snack and potty breaks. It really was so fun to do something that I've wanted to do since I could remember. I don't think that this is something we will do every year but we were really glad that we did it.

On the way back to the train station, for just a moment it started to very lightly snow. It was the first snow that we have seen of the season and it made the whole experience that much more magical. The kids were so excited and stuck their tongues out to try to catch the few snowflakes that fell from the sky. When we got back to the station the Macy's marching band was across the street at the post office playing Christmas songs. It was really fun.

As well as an fun and exciting time I really felt like we were very blessed. I was admittedly a little nervous to take the kids into the city with just two adults and all those people. We knew that the experience could be disastrous with delays in travel and other things. We prayed that morning before we left specifically for safety and also in detail to make sure we were safe, made the train and even that we would be able to all sit together and find room for the double stroller. Our prayer were answered. When you are in the train station you have to find the train you want and then the platform is not announced until about 10 minutes before it departs. So everyone just stands around anxiously awaiting the announcement and then literally runs to the platform. We had no idea which platform it would be so when platform 9 was announced and that was the once very closest to where we were waiting we started to run! Our family was the first one down the stairs, all kids in tow to the platform. The conductor was yelling for everyone to go to the front of the train for seats. I could see that the train was empty and about half way down the train told Rand that we should just jump on. We just happened to jump into a car that is a handicapped car and had 6 seats all together facing in and room to fold the stroller beneath our feet. The train coming in had seats just two by two and they are often too full to sit together even for two people. We knew our "luck" was a direct answer to prayer. It was a neat reminder on Thanksgiving day that Heavenly Father is aware of us and wants to bless us even with the little Things. We also prayed for good weather and although the forecast said rain in the afternoon, it did not start raining until about half way home. We did walk home in the rain but with the station being so close and all our rain jackets we arrived home safely and dry without any incidents. It was a great Thanksgiving.

Lesson Learned

Almost everyday that Ethan gets in the car from school there is something he's unhappy about. One day it was the fact that he has blonde hair and wants dark hair "like everybody else". Another afternoon it was that he didn't like his name, "Why couldn't you name me something cool like Robbie, Charlie, or Isaac?" Today when he got in the car he went on and on about how his shoes are a piece of junk and falling a part and how much he hates them.

Now, some parents may just completely ignore their child, other appease them, I on the other hand for whatever reason try to ignore for a while, but usually end up giving some lecture. I know I shouldn't, but I do, and I often take it a little too far. When he was complaining about his hair color I got so tired of hearing about it and initially trying to be nice, that I finally told him about the Jews in Germany who were killed because they didn't have blonde hair and blue eyes.(see what I mean but taking it a tad too far...) Today I was trying to ignore the many comments coming from the back seat. Ethan kept going on and on about how he needed new shoes etc. I told him that he better save up his money if he wanted new shoes. New shoes are expensive and his shoes are not falling apart but showing signs of normal wear and tear. I told him that if he hated his shoes so much I would be happy to take them away and he could wear his "Sunday" shoes everyday to school. He was not too happy about that option. I was about to tell him I would go halves on a new pair of shoes when I realized how ridiculous that was. His shoes are fine and he is not showing any gratitude for what he has, especially when a lot of kids have a lot less than brand new Skechers that light up. So I came up with what I thought was a pretty good option. I told him I would be happy to take him to Good Will and he could pick a pair out there. He asked me what that was and I told him a second hand store and suddenly he was more than happy to keep his shoes. Lesson learned...well, at least until after school tomorrow.

A great Thanksgiving!

Rand's office invited employees and their families up today to watch the Macy's day parade. When he told me about that I was so excited. Thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday. No, not second to Christmas, my very most favorite holiday. I don't know why exactly, but when Christmas comes it always seems a tad anti climactic and overly commercial, and then you have the blues settle in that basically the holidays are over and you have the rest of the winter to look forward too.(except who looks forward to January and February and the meak and dreary winter) So I love Thanksgiving because it's kind of like Christmas in that it makes you reflect on the important people and things in your life, without all the stress of shopping and buying and crafting etc.

I'm happy to report that I did have a rather amazing epiphony the other day. I was reading Elder Ucthdorf's Talk from conference about priorities and how we are spending our time etc. I whole heartedly admit that in my dream world I would cook and bake and decorate like Martha Stewart, and that my house would always be clean and organized and my children darling, accomplished and polite all the time. The reality is that my life isn't like that. I am blessed with a great life but no one is knocking on my door to interview me for a Mormon ad or asking me my advice on how I "do it all". So often I realize that I'm trying to do big and fabulous things to make my kids have big and fabulous memories. The other day I suddenly realized...they don't care. They don't know the difference between some fabulously planned and executed activity or something simple and quick that we spend time together doing. In fact last night as I was getting my Christmas cards together my girls sat at the table for me for hours making "books" and various other things with stickers and rub ons that I had out on the table. Totally unplanned and they had a blast. In fact, if seems that when I have a project like that out they are more than happy to just "create" something without any foresight or plan. I need to remember that.

I was in the car with Ethan the other day and he kept saying he wished it was Christmas. I told him he really didn't because then it will have already come and gone and he would miss all the fun things we do before Christmas. His reply? "like what?" All the things I've planned and stressed about have certainly made a huge impression on him. Ok, so I know if I gave him a minute he could probably (I hope) come up with some of the things that we have done, but truthfully I had to give it a little thought myself. After that conversation and the article I read, I finally realized...keep it simple! I think half the time I want to make it big and beautiful not for me but so I could say that I did. In fact, I know it's typical for instance that when you have someone else over to dinner that you nicely set the table, have nice napkins and maybe even a theme or centerpiece. When do I do that for my own family? I'm not talking every night, but for instance we are actually having our Thanksgiving dinner all by ourselves tomorrow. I am going to make it nice but realized I need to do things special because I enjoy that, not to try to impress somebody else. How often do we compare ourselves to others or thing we don't measure up when that person we are measuring ourselves against probably feels the same way.

Ok, so I've obviously gone off on a random tangent, but on this special Thanksgiving day I'm grateful when we are blessed with insight that somehow makes our life not only easier, but much much happier. I'll post pics tomorrow of our fun trip into NYC and the Macy's parade!

Kate's Glasses

Including the glasses, we are officially an 18 eyed family! Kate is slowly but surely wearing them more and more. It's at least progress, and nothing has broken in the last 4 days so I'll take it!

And all that jazz

We went, we spoke, it's over. We were given many compliments on how well they went. One couple even said we should be sent on a speaking circuit. I think not. I was thinking once that was over I would feel a sense of relief and I do, but my musical "talents" are being put to use and almost to the extreme right now, and I'm happy to be involved. Right now I am playing a piece for the Choir to sing in the Christmas program. Singing with the choir in the program and singing a duet, and practicing to accompany a soloist this Sunday, and playing for the primary program this Sunday, and practicing the organ for my hymns for sacrament meeting this month. Whew. When I thought a few months back that I wanted to spend a little more time with my music I had no idea. I'm enjoying it for the most part. Especially singing in the choir. Our last ward didn't have a choir and so I have missed that.

On to Miss Kate and her glasses. We finally got them after waiting for what seemed like forever. I had forgotten that it really was a challenge initially for Anna to wear her's all the time. Right of the bat Kate and I had a talk about how to care for them where and where not to put them how to handle them etc. Within an hour they were lost, then later we found them in a bucket she had filled with lots of other toys. Apparently she took our little heart to heart to heart, or not. I keep reminding myself she is just barely 3. Within the first day she had bent one arm so badly they would no longer stay on her face. Yesterday we took the 6 mile journey to Target to get them fixed. One and half hours later we were home. That little jaunt with traffic is not fun and gonna kill me if we keep visiting so frequently. When we got home I noticed her glasses weren't on. When I asked her where they were she held them up...in two pieces!!! Thankfully after taking a close look at them I realized she hadn't broken them but that the screw wasn't holding the arm on on one side. I tried to fix them but they wouldn't stay so back to Target they went. This morning Kate woke up and put them on right away. I was feeling really encouraged until I came down this morning to find them on the floor under the table in the same two pieces as last night. I was NOT happy to say the least. I'm still not thrilled. I called Target and got an answering machine. I guess we are headed back today to demand a new pair of frames. Serenity now! Hurray they just called back and said they will give me a new frame. Yay!

I was a tad ornery to say the least yesterday when Ethan said to me on the way to Target, "Mom, maybe you could ask Santa this year to make you happy..., does that cheer you up." I wanted to
scream at that point but composed myself. The good news is this morning we got the confirmation that we will be watching the Macy's day parade in NYC on Thanksgiving from Rand's office. There are even going to stream the audio so we will actually know what's going on. They are providing brunch and I'm soooo looking forward to it. I know it will be crazy and make for an early morning but I consider it a chance of a life time. The Macy's parade is one of my very most favorite things about Thanksgiving Day. We plan to cook up the traditional dinner on Friday. It's Randall's birthday on the 24th so we will have a jam packed week next week but it should all be really fun.

Oh, and Christmas is coming early for us. Randall and I are gifting each other a treadmill and it arrives tomorrow. I'm so excited. I have missed a good hard run, or really any hard exercise for that matter. I'm a better Mom and person when I exercise hard so it will be a welcome thing. Randall will start to travel a fair amount starting in Dec. too so I'm glad I'll have an outlet even when he's gone. Gym memberships start here at about 100$ so we figured buying a treadmill would be economically a wise choice :)

So that's the update around these parts!

Speaking in church

I feel like I don't have much to say lately. I think part of that is that we were asked to speak in church this upcoming Sunday. We were asked two Sunday's ago which I kind of hate. That way I have even more time to stew, and worry and stress and not enjoy any down time because I think I should be working on that darn talk. The topic is Gratitude, which initially I thought was great. Gratitude is easy...but oh so broad. I have given it a lot of thought and read a lot of articles and have a rough draft. You would think with all the talking I do that I wouldn't mind speaking in church. Oh, but I do. I can sing, play the piano, teach a lesson with some nervousness yes, but speaking in Sacrament meeting is so not up there with my favorite things to do. To make matters worse until recently I always wrote my talk out word for word. I know, people hate that and it's hard to write it out that way. I am trying to be brave and let the spirit guide and not write it out word for word. I've done that in the past a few times but it makes me even more stressed. I never know what is going to come out of my mouth and how. I have a lot to be grateful for but I'm sure no one would appreciate me standing up and reading off a list. I'm sure somehow it will come together. I can't wait til it's over.

Guess what ?!

Took Kate to the eye doc today, and she too needs glasses. Bummer. Could be a lot worse. Just wish kids glasses were under a 100% warranty, regardless of whether they break them because they didn't get all the candy corns they want(remember that?), or accidentaly step on them, or break the arm off etc.. Hopefully we know enough having been through this with Anna to prevent all the breakage, repairage etc. etc. etc. Oh joy!

Our Halloween night(s)

We enjoyed Halloween this year. All three days of it. First of course was Friday where the kids had parties at school and got to dress up. Then Saturday we did a little trick or treating to some families in our ward trying to decide whether or not to go on Sunday. Then Sunday we decided to go out and had a fabulous time. It was truly magical. It was a beautiful night, chilly but not too cold. The leaves were absolutely thick all over the ground. Crunch, crunch, crunch from house to house. We chose a beautiful tree lined street near Ethan's school that has beautiful colonial home on it. People were so friendly and welcoming, with neighbor's calling out "Happy Halloween" at each home. At one of the homes they had set up a bonfire out front while they passed out candy. It made the air smell so good reminding me of my childhood home and our own wood burning fireplace. We would sit by the fire until we couldn't stand the heat any longer and then lie on the floor to smash the into our backs even more. I love the crackle and pop of an actual fire. Last year and this year created fabulous memories for me and hopefully for the kids. It felt so nostalgic and created the picture in my head I would dream about. For an hour of two the world feels like it did when I was a little girl. Safe, and secure with all the neighbors out in costume. There were many many people out and we really enjoyed it. Anna got tired of all of the excitement fairly quickly, but Kate could have gone all night. She ran from house to house yelling trick or treat and Happy Halloween. One of my favorite moments of the evening was when she ran up to Rand and grabbed his hand and looking up and said "Happy Halloween Dad!"



I had to throw this picture in. This is a view of Manhattan from the hospital behind us. I can't believe how close we really are.

Anna/Ariel without her glasses.
Initially Anna didn't want to wear her glasses because then she wouldn't truly look like Ariel, but finally decided that she couldn't see without them and better wear them after all. I think that was a good choice.
Jane waiting patiently...as usual. She is still as sweet as ever and we love her to pieces!
Ethan in his class parade.
The kids anxious to get out there and get some candy!
Anna in her class parade.
Anna was so excited to be Ariel and loved that she got to wear make up. She was sure she wouldn't look like Ariel without it :)
Darth Vader!
Looks scared doesn't she?

She was lagging behind and so I was able to get some cute pics of her.
One of my favorite homes on our route, so cozy with the windows all lit up.
Miss Jane was a puppy dog with a brown nose. Everyone though she was pretty cute but more importantly she stayed warm.
Checking out all the loot. I made shepherd's pie for dinner. I think I will make that tradition. It is hearty and healthy and then I don't feel so bad about the kids eating so much candy.
Running from house to house