Gingerbread take 2

 Tonight for RS Enrichment, we had our Christmas party.  We have two amazing women in our ward who do gingerbread houses every year so that is what we did for the party!  It was a lot of fun.  We decorated and ate dinner and then some of the ladies played Bunco.  I decided to finish my house.  The best part is the whole thing is edible.  Dallas will have it torn apart in no time tomorrow when he sees it. 

 I made a firewood section.  For the gingerbread people when they get cold from skating on the pond.  :)  The door knob is a Christmas tree.

 They even had little ponds made and little gingerbread people. 

 Stained glass windows!!  Pretty cool huh!  I made a tree out of Rolos and Hershey kisses.  Then I covered it in m&m's to look like a pine tree.

 Shot of a window.

It was a fun night with the ladies.  Good to get a way for a little bit. 

Visiting Santa

 We went to the mall tonight to see Santa for FHE.  Fun right?!?  We had to wait in line for almost an hour because apparently, all the other families were going there for their FHE's.  Anyways, I was smart and brought snacks and Dallas did really well.  He was sooooooo excited to see him.  He kept asking about the North Pole, since he knows that's where Santa lives.  He didn't quite understand why he was at the mall.  I just told him he was visiting kids for a while. 

 Like it?!?  Wes was FREAKED out by Santa.  Dallas was a little bit shy but still wanted to be on his lap. 

 I tried so hard to get Wes to settle down, but he wasn't having it.  I think that made Dallas a little bit nervous too.  Poor kid.  He was screaming so loud--funny to us, but not to him.

 Yup, still screaming.

 So we took him off and that made Dallas more relaxed.  He told Santa he wanted a fire engine.  Been saying that all season long.  Hope Santa comes through! 

LOVE IT!!!!!  This is how he was all night when we talked about visiting Santa.  He was so stinkin' excited.  What a cute little boy.  Glad he had a good night.

Gingerbread Masterpiece!

 Today after church, we created our gingerbread house.  Oh boy--it was a little bit hard to "let go" and just let D man have fun.  But I did it and you can see that we had a blast.  And my kitchen floor has candy all over it.  But not to worry--my little vacuum will be eating it in no time.  Thanks Wes.

 Not quite sure why my son looks alarmed in this photo.  But despite how disgusting the frosting was, he sure was enjoying it.  Glad that I stripped him down to his onsie.  He makes messes.all.the.time.

 Trying to get one photo of me and the boys.  Huh.  This is as good as it gets.  At least you can see that yes, indeed-the mother was there.

 yum. 

 The masterpiece.

 What's up with the snowman?

No normal smiles for our family. 

We did have a lovely time.  Dallas did a great job frosting and putting on the candy.  Wesley took a nap through half of it so it was great to have some one on one time.  I don't get that very much. 

Later on we went to see Elizabeth (sis-in-law) at the hospital.  She is on strict bed rest until she has the twins.  So far she has made it to 28 weeks.  We're hoping for at least the 30 week mark or more.  Keep your fingers crossed!!!  We brought her a Christmas tree and some decorations so that her room wouldn't be too lonely.  I forgot to bring my camera but she took some so I'll post them when I get the chance.  It was a fun evening and we hoped we made her happy.  She has a tough job trying to keep those babies in and also not being able to be home with her two other kids.  It's hard to not be able to spend the holidays together as a family.  I know that feeling all too well.  Last year I was in the hospital with Wes while Dallas was in Spokane.  It was a hard Christmas!  I'm looking forward to this year-we'll be all together.

Now off to clean my floors.

Fam Photos

 My friend is starting out a photography business and needed models.  We gladly applied!  Too bad the day we choose was wet with snow and rain.  Plus, I was super sick and the boys were on their way to getting sick.  Still, Jackie was able to grab a few cute ones.  Here are my favorites.

80% Naughty, 20% Nice

It's been a rough December....and I know--it's only the 2nd.  Let's hope the rest of the month goes by a little bit better.

Starting to decorate.  I am usually done by now, but lately I've had no energy and have been so sick.  A cough and nasty cold are kicking my butt. 

Here is Dallas with a little tree that we have next to the piano.  I was trying to get him to show me his shirt.  LOVE how it says 80% naughty.  Speaks the truth about my little 2 1/2 year old.  If he wasn't so cute, he'd be getting coal of all shapes and sizes this year for Christmas!

why my floors are never clean

somewhere my mom has a photo a lot like this one--with me in it!  guess it's a right of passage for babes to spill EVERYTHING on the floor.

it's been a long time...Happy Thanksgiving

Borrowing my Bro-in-law's computer which we've had for a while, but the internet didn't work. Toby finally took it in to a friend at work and look!!! we're on!

'BOUT TIME!

But now that we have the internet, I have no desire to back blog or blog in general. My poor kids are going to think that absolutely nothing happened in the year 2010 because I've hardly taken any photos and haven't blogged at all.

I guess I'll just have to start with what I have-a few photos from the fall. All my photos are on my computer which is at my uncle's house why he tries to fix it. I'm thinking we're going to have to get a new computer this year.

So, here we go.

Happy Thanksgiving!  Toby is on call and has been since Wednesday so we didn't know how Thanksgiving was going to go.  It was either going to be a good one with our family or just me and the boys while he was at work. Luckily we were able to spend it together!  Toby didn't get called in till this morning which meant that we spent the whole day as a family.  Wahoo!!!  A few years ago, when Toby was on call for Thanksgiving, he was gone from 7am till 10 that night.  It was stressful because I was hosting his family and he wasn't even there to help out.  Not very fun.  

We only had a few things--didn't want to make too much when it was just two adults eating.  I cooked a small turkey, mashed potatoes, and corn.  We had rolls, relish tray, cheese ball, green salad, and spinach dip.  For dessert I made a homemade pecan pie and banana cream pie and then a banana pudding pie.  They were super yummy!!!

Our mess of a kitchen.  We were lucky enough to have our dinner in peace and quiet.  The boys were taking a nap!!!  It was nice to have a quiet conversation instead of a crazy/helping out kids dinner.  They boys were up not too much later and we were able to sneak in a few more bites with them.

Dallas excited to eat his banana cream pudding pie.  We put this pie in tiny pie plates and he helped make it.  He is so willing to help in the kitchen and I enjoy working with him (most of the time).  :)

Wes learning that pecan pie is amazing!  He wouldn't try it at first, but then we got him to eat it and he wanted more!!! 

Toby and his pie.  I had extra crust so I made little leaves--which Dallas helped smash.  So much for a lovely looking pie!!!

 

Me and my banana cream.  It was tasty!!!  Don't mind the way I look.  I didn't even bother to wear make-up or do my hair.  I've been bouncing back from a cold and a nasty cough.  At least I showered!  Pretty good for a girl who had surgery 3 weeks ago and is 15 weeks pregnant!!!

Later on that night, we packed up some of our yummy food and headed up to the hospital to hang with Michelle and Elizabeth.  Both of which are stuck up there.  Michelle for an upper respiratory infection and Elizabeth because her twins want to come early.  Waaaay too early.  It's no fun to see family in the hospital and we wanted to spend some time with them.

backyard visitor

 A hawk came to visit!!!  I was looking out at the window admiring the snow when this big bird came to the swing (which you can't call a swing because there is nothing to SWING on).  I wish I had my zoom lens because it was so pretty. 

I watched it for a while and then out of nowhere it swooped down and was attacking the quail that were down on the lawn. Pretty cool to see!  Maybe I should get me a few hawks to keep the quail out!  Maybe then my backyard grass would've been able to grow this fall.

The Dude and his hair

IT WAS ABOUT TIME!!!  THIS KID WAS GROWING A TAIL!!!!!  I dread cutting his hair---and when we take him somewhere, they don't do any better of a job.  It was time to tame the mane.  He WOULD not HOLD STILL and it was complete madness. 

Don't let that smile confuse you.  We had him in tears and me wanting to pull my hair out by the time we were done.  I had to have Toby hold him down and we looked like a case for the CPS.  Good thing he can't use the phone or else he would've told Lovey that we were torturing him.  Poor kid. 

If you don't look too closely, you won't notice where the clippers stopped working and I had to finish using scissors and where he moved and I cut off too much hair, leaving not even an 1/2 an inch on his head!  Also, don't look at the sides of his ears too closely.  Just saying. 

So grateful for gel---the really sticky, stay in place, won't move at all kind.

We survived and hopefully all the bald mess up spots will grow in before Toby's two sisters' weddings!!!!

First Snow and Christmas Jammies

 It is snowing!!!!  Dallas has been waiting for this day and we were quite surprised that it has snowed so early.  It was weird to have my fall corn stalks and pumpkins out on the front porch while there are snowflakeson the ground.  I LOVE the mild winters that Boise has, but was happy to see it snow.  I'm ready for the *fun* part of winter this year.  Been itching to get my Christmas decor out but will wait till Thanksgiving is over.  I have been listening to Christmas music though.  That's something I usually don't do until Thanksgiving, but just couldn't wait this year.

 Letting them wear Christmas Jammies early too.  Cute little kids. 

 Can't believe Wes will be 11 months old on the 21st.  This year has gone by so fast.  We are so grateful that he is so healthy.  While it seems he takes a bit longer to bounce back from a sickness, we really can't complain.  We'll meet with Dr. Hansen (his blood doc) in December to see where we stand.  I'm hoping for great results!!!

This kid needs a hair cut!!!!  See the next post.  I won't go into the hair cutting for children profession anytime soon. 

Thanks

Waited waaaaay too long to do laundry.  Toby was out of town, so I sorted everything down the hall and was ready to do a night of washing.  Was putting Wesley to bed when I see Dallas running around like a mad man and laughing........

Thanks for un-sorting all of my sorted laundry and putting it ALL in the tub.  All I can think about is how thankful I am that he didn't turn on the water!  (he is known to start the tub, whether we're having a bath or not).

While Daddy's away

Toby has started to do a bit more traveling with his part time job at Abiomed and while he's away, we try to pass the time (and loneliness) by having fun.  This time is was a crazy bath with the foam.  I think we used the whole can and I had to drain the tub and then refill it with clean water to wash them. 

Wes wasn't too sure about it all.  He didn't like it on his head.

Dallas thought it was the coolest thing ever.  And that's why it is EVERYWHERE!!!  He was having a blast.  This kid sure knows how to have fun.

I can't believe I have two boys and this is my life.  Some days are good, some days are better to be forgotten.  I sure love them and love that they are so forgiving.  My life is really crazy and hard and busy right now.  It's been a tough pregnancy with so much going on.  I am tired and have had quite the many melt downs because of being so dang tired.  I know this time will pass and I'll miss them being so little.  It's just hard sometimes when I'm in the thick of it.  Dallas is at a great and extremely demanding age right now.  He tests my patience and ability to parent every day!  Wes just tests whatever area Dallas missed.  :)  I can't even think about what my life will be like in a few short months.  3 under 3.  You might as well send me to the loony bin now. 

Crazy still, I love my boys.

irony

hmmmm.
remember when i said we got the Internet?!?!
we did-and then got a virus.
ha ha ha

so quick update with no photos.

Gall Bladder out. Surgery was no fun but I am healing up with the help of my Mom and Toby. Plus, we've gotten a few dinners which have been so helpful.

Baby in. Due in May. Three under three. We didn't tell anyone till after the surgery just to make sure baby was okay. It was high risk, but if I had kept my gall bladder and had an attack further along in my pregnancy it would've been big trouble for me. So, we took the risk and got it out.

That's about it. I said my life was a mess since August and it has been Between the move, my attacks and being so stinkin' sick from the baby-I'm about done in.
I'm on meds and I'm tired. Someday, I'll have a computer that actually works and then maybe, just maybe I can start to document my life again.

Back from the dead

Well, not really—but almost. 

We finally have the internet.  Yea!

My life is crazy.  Literally, the Thornton household is nuts.

That’s about it for an update.  Just kidding.  But I do have to go put my kids to bed since it’s ten.  Oops.  Pray they sleep longer than 4 hours. 

alive

but barely.

we've moved and my life is a mess. when i get the internet, i have a million photos and things to say.

but until then-i am alive and loving having a bigger (although still rented) place to call home.

t

Trip to the ER

Well-we made our first trip to the ER last night.  Dallas shoved a rock out of his nose and despite everything----we couldn’t get it out ourselves.  I googled “how to get a rock out” and tried the suggestions but nothing worked.  We even went to the Cath Lab and used the electronic nose sucker thing and that didn’t work!  So we packed the kids up and headed out.  It was 10:30 pm.  I knew we’d be there for a while.  Great way to spend out evening.

Here here is happy as can be, waiting to be seen.  I didn’t have my camera so these are taken with Toby’s phone.  The ER is one busy and crazy place.

There’s the rock!!!  The doctor came in and had him lay on his side while Toby held down his body and a nurse held his head down.  He used this tool that had a small hook thing on the end and went up his nose and pulled it out.  It took a few times to get it, but it came out.  Dallas did such a good job.  They put the rock in a container for him and he shook it the whole way to the car.  We’ve had many talks about NOT PUTTING THINGS UP NOSES!!!  Hopefully this will be our only experience.

The doc said they get at least one kid in per night with something up their noses.  And did you know that beans can actually sprout!?!?!  I didn’t know that.  Glad it wasn’t a bean and glad we were able to get it out.  I wonder if this will be our last time in the ER……..