I'll be Home for Christmas . . . If only in my Dreams . . .

I am sad today. Changes in Burke's job have made our plan to go home to Idaho for Christmas impossible. Up to today I have been still holding out hope that we could find a way to do it, but the reality of the situation is finally sinking in and I am realizing that as the Mother in the home, my attitude will make a marked difference in how my family remembers this particular holiday. So even though I have a heavy heart, I want to create an atmosphere of joy and peace and love and family fun--but I'm not sure how to do it--so please share with me your ideas of what fun traditions you have that make your holiday memorable and fun! Here's hoping you all have a wonderful holiday!!

Michelle

Did Leonardo Da Vinci's Mother have days like this?

Look at this boy . . . take a good hard look. I know I am his mother, so I cannot look at him objectively, but I think he is SO stinking cute--a trait that has saved him more than once!! The following instance was one of those times . . . It is probably the story that will get told to all of his dates and his children someday, I will probably remind him of it when he calls me at some future day wailing about something his own precious child has ruined, and I will hear the echo of my deceased Grandma Andrus saying, "People before things . . ." in her sweet patient way every time I think of this instance. Burke's mother tells a story about a big jar of honey dumped lovingly into the carpet at her home by Burke, Brit, and Mel. Maybe the following story will make her feel like Burke is getting some payback!

It started innocently enough I believe-- Sunday morning dawned and I had to put the finishing touches on my primary lesson (Yes I might have procrastinated a little). Out came a Big Black Magic Marker I made the sign I needed, and hastily put the Big Black Magic Marker in the top drawer of the file cabinet. I don't remember specifically where Preston was, but he was around. He (wisely) didn't make it obvious that he was watching every move I made, and I (unwisely) didn't notice that he was watching every move I made. We went to church and Sunday played out as usual.

Monday morning came early. Rebekah had been up several times in the night getting teeth, and I was tired. Preston was a little sick, and had also been up a few times in the night with fever so I was really tired. By 8:30 I was ready for an afternoon nap, but knowing the impossibility of such a luxury, I decided to settle for 20 minutes of Turbo Jam and a quick shower to get me awake. Rebekah went down for a morning nap so I set about getting my workout and then announced to sleepy Preston that I was going to get a shower. He asked for a movie and a pillow and settled himself on the couch. He looked comfy and completely innocent and adorable and I hurried to get cleaned up. Now as a side note I should say that like all of you other stay at home moms with small children, a shower longer than 2 minutes is reserved for mornings I get up before 6 or on a weekend when my husband is home to keep an eye on the kiddos--this day was no exception-- I hurried very quickly. When I came to check on Preston seriously 5 or 6 minutes later, he had already created this amazing work of art. Behold the results of The Big Black Magic Marker (hereafter referred to as a Weapon of Mass Destruction) and a few precious minutes without Mom . . .

Thanksgiving Visitors!!

Hello Blogging Friends,
It has been way too long I admit, but I just haven't been able to bring myself to sit down and do this. November was a fun and very quick month, and I can hardly believe how quickly Christmas is coming. Aaaack! I am not nearly ready yet! Thanksgiving was fun here in Fruita-- my Mom and Dad drove down from Idaho to see us for a few days. Also my sister Rachel and her family came from Utah. We really had a great time visiting and playing with all of them. Preston has asked everyday since they left if we can go to Grandma and Grandpa's house. We are looking forward to Christmas in Idaho for sure!

Burke, Rebekah, Preston, Grandpa Andrus making Gingerbread train!!

Grandpa & Grandma and the little kiddos!

Above: Cousin Belen and Preston playing in shaving cream !
Below: Preston and Belen playing the piano-- one thing they actually liked sharing!

She's Smart!

My sweet Rebekah started signing back to me this week! I have only been working on 3 signs consistently ( milk, eat, and more) and last night she started signing "more" this morning she was crying and when I looked at her to see what wanted and she started signing "more". So I fed her some cereal and she was SO happy. She kept doing the sign over and over and over. So fun and so cute to see her little brain working!!

It's Autumn Time!!

Fall is my very favorite season. I love the crisp cool air, the smells of fall, the harvest, the anticipation of the holidays, I love where the sun sits in the sky, I could go on and on!! Growing up I never had to rake leaves --we didn't have many big trees, and the Idaho wind always blew so this was one job I never had to do. I confess, I love doing yard work and I think I always had a secret longing to rake the leaves-- don't get me wrong, I was never dumb enough to say this out loud to my parents, and I never wanted to bad enough to go find a place to do it. Well we have a large yard with a lot of big old trees and this weekend the leaves fell. What a mess-- what a wonderful mess!! So I had thought ahead enough to purchase leaf rakes a few weeks ago ( I told you I have been looking forward to this!) and I took the kids out yesterday afternoon and we raked leaves. We only did about 1/4 of the backyard when I had the most overwhelming urge to run and jump in the leaves. So I did. Preston followed suit. Rebekah laughed and laughed. We threw leaves at each other, we rolled in the piles, we tossed leaves into the wind, and enjoyed every minute of it. Before the sun was up this morning, Preston asked Burke if he wanted to go and play in the leaves :) I guess I now have one more reason to love fall!

Happy Halloween!!

We participated in our wards trunk or treat-- It was so fun-- Burke took Preston around to trick or treat while Rebekah and I passed out candy. Preston now thinks everyday should be Halloween!

My Cute little Monkey all ready to go! Rebekah was asleep so no solo picture of her!

All funned out! We were ready to go home when it was over!

Michelle's 27th!

Wow when this birthday rolled around, I really had to think about how old I was turning. I think that makes me officially old. However, I still blew every last candle out in one breath so I felt okay about that! Burke and Preston made me a cake (no pictures-- sorry!) and gave me a beautiful necklace and earrings. I will post a picture of them when I take one :) WOW I felt loved! For my birthday date we cast our mail in ballots. PS-- I have to say I LOVED that method of voting-- it spawned some very interesting discussion between hubby and I and since it was an exceedingly l-o-n-g ballot it made it fun to have someone to joke around with while we were deciphering all of legal jargon. I also got lots of phone calls and cards in the mail too so it was a fun fun birthday! Thanks everybody!