Time Capsule--New Years Day

For ten years this time capsule has sat on the top shelf in our cold storage. The kids were really excited and curious to open it on New Years day. In it was a letter each child wrote or dictated to themselves 10 years in the future. They wrote goals, things they liked/disliked,their chores, friends, and anything else they wanted their future self to know. They each also had put in a few treasures and items in it like a newspaper, beanie baby, pokeman card, shell, pictures they painted, Christmas card, pictures of each of them and other random things. We all sat around reading our letters. Then we read each of them out loud and both laughed and cried (John and I). These letters truly captured what our life was like 10 years ago.

In my letter I wrote, "I recognize that I only have a few precious years while the children are young...". This was so true, time really does go by fast.We are now out of the baby and toddler stage and have mostly teenagers. In ten years only Joseph will still be at home. For family night we are going to put together another time capsule to open up in 2020.

In another part of the letter I wrote; "Today I washed and folded 8 loads of laundry. It is a challenge for me to keep up on the house work and organizing seems like a constant activity". I guess some things never change!!

Made with Love--gift exchange

We used to take all the children to the dollar store in December and let them pick out a gifts for each other. They loved it, but I hated the 36 items of junk that came into the house each year. These things always ended up in the garbage within a week.

3 years ago we started a new tradition and the kids picked names for a their gift exchange. The only catch was it had to be made by the giver. This takes a lot more thought and effort. In the above picture, Joseph had been working for 2 hours on Johnny's present, when I said to him,"why don't you to take a break?" He replied, "Mom, a boy does not give up on his brother!" Haha He has been really excited as he works on his gift. Caroline has a great idea for Josh and I wish she picked me. Here are some of the past gifts.

• Johnny---Natalie---made her a special music mix cds
• Natalie---Caroline----typed her up a cookbook of favorite family recipes
• Jake------Joseph------decoupaged a wooden treasure chest with super hero stickers
• Joseph---Josh------painted wood letters of Josh's name for his room
• Josh-----Joseph-----took photos of Joseph's favorite toys, books, and him playing and combined with some random pictures of him and made a little video of him with the background music "you've got a friend in me"--so cute one of my favorites!!!
• Caroline-----Jake----freezer stencil Chinese characters saying "big brother" on a T-shirt
• Caroline----Johnny---took all his comics strips he had collected for 5 years and compiled them into a scrapbook and sheet protectors
• Josh------Jake----homemade bookmark and a book of his own that he knew Jake would love.

I love this new system, because the children actually feel the joy and excitement that accompanies giving instead of receiving.

April Fools

Every year my children expect me to "fool" them in some way.  Here is a list of a few of past pranks:

1.  after school snack--Oreos with toothpaste for the filling--This one was funny!! :)

2.  plastic bugs in cereal box

3.  red jello in clear plastic cup with straws. (this one they like me to do every year for dinner even though they know it is not juice)

4.  super glued quarters on the sidewalk.  We live next to the elementary school and the kids liked watching kids try to pick up the money when they walk by. :)

5.   We once woke up the kids at 11:00 pm and turned the clocks forward and said it was time for school.  After "breakfast" we told them to open the blinds and there was a sign "April Fools" on the window. 

6.  tape forks/spoons to table with clear tape.

7.  meatloaf cupcake with mash potato frosting.

8.  paper in sandwich that says April Fools.

9.  sewed the bottom of my husbands pj pants close.

Today I will freeze some milk in bowls and then add a little cereal to it in the morning with an additional milk.  I also may seran wrap some of my children's doors tonight.  The only problem now is that my kids are all getting old enough to trick me back.  My one daughter called from school last year and told me she was in the nurses office and they found lice.  I was horrified and sort of freaked out until she said April Fools!!!  I guess I have it coming to me!

More wordfull Wednesday here.

Valentines Party

My mother loves Valentines Day and has thrown a huge party every year.  There are cookies to decorate, cards to make, games to play, food to eat and a program to watch.  The picture above with the little children give a sense of fun when many of us are together--and that is minus 14 children who were elsewhere when this picture was taken.  I think there was 54 of the family gathered.  It is always a little chaotic, but always a good time.  I loved the poem My Dad wrote and read to my mom.  Each of the kids went home with handfuls of dollar store prizes and treasures.

Christmas morning!

Christmas breakfast--Jake is wearing the crown from the English Christmas crackers.
                                                            Interesting presents

                                                           Favorite presents

Christmas Activity Advent Calendar

This year instead of putting prizes or candy in our advent calendar, I am putting a scripture and an activity in it.  Yesterday I put each person's name on small pieces of paper and we drew names to be secret elves to for the week.  Today, I will put a tiny book inside and then we will unwrap a Christmas book to read.  Tomorrow I will put a stamp inside and we will all help with the Christmas cards; stamping, stuffing, licking etc.  When we have a concert or party to attend, that will be the activity for that day.  Other things I may include as activities are crafts, service projects, more stories, Christmas movies, driving around to look at the lights, caroling, and baking.   I am excited to try out this "new" advent calendar. Hopefully this will help us draw closer as a family as we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

We're going on a tree hunt we're going to find a big one..

....we're not scared.  Well actually I am always scared when John insists on going higher up the mountain on the snow covered road.  I think he has more faith in our suburban than I do.  Well we made it out safely and found a beautiful tree.  Even though our tree only cost us 10 dollars, it is not very economical if you consider the 1 hour drive both ways and stopping to eat on the way home, but the memories are priceless!!!

Why we love Sundays!!!

I love Sundays.  I love going to church with my family each week and especially happy when we make it on time (9:00 am) like we did this morning. Yeah!! I love the good people there and the spiritual boost it gives me each week.  I asked my children why they liked Sundays and these are there responses.

Josh--relaxing after church (notice his pjs he puts on right when we get home)

Natalie--Quiet time (Mandatory after lunch.  The one and only time I get a nap all week)

Jake-reading and no school

Caroline--Choir practice

Joseph--being home with the family (It is a no friend day--the one day I don't have to drive anywhere except church--Yeah)

The kids all said they like the big meal and dessert I make each week for lunch.  This week however they were all very disappointed because I served homemade butternut squash soup (I loved it). We also all love to read the comics in the Sunday paper, except lately the kids have been scouring the adds as they fine tune their Christmas wish list (notice Caroline).  Cousin game night and early evening walks with the family are loved by all too.

FALL PICNIC AND MOUNTAIN HIKE

We tried tried to go on the dirt road around the mountain but due to the rain yesterday, three cars and trucks were stuck at the top.  We had to back up quite a ways.  Jake, Caroline, Joseph, and I did not like feeling the car slide in the mud as we went backwards so we followed from behind.

A little wetter and colder than usual, but then the hot stew and warm peach dessert tasted all the better.

Grandpa's Meat Feast

Every conference Grandpa invites all the men in the family and older boys to watch the Priesthood session in his ward and then to a huge meat feast at his house.  My husband and boys always look forward to this guy's night.  They especially like the smoked ribs and huge steaks.  Thanks Dad for making this such a special event!!!

This year all the girls and kids went to Alison's house for an impromptu party.  These are some of my cute sisters and their babies.  It was nice to hang out and talk.  Later we crashed the guys dinner to steal some steak and ribs.    

Drive Inn Night

Last year we had a "drive inn" in our garage and the kids begged to do it again.  This years movie was Nacho Libre and the concession stand choices grew and were better because John went to the store to pick up the candy.  The kids always seem to enjoy doing things more if it is a little out of the ordinary.  

Pizza

Every week usually Friday I bake pizza.  These just came out of the oven and the kids are anxiously waiting to eat them.   I have yet to make a perfectly round pizza, but abnormal shape makes them unique. When I serve pizza I always serve fruit shake which is loaded with frozen berries and other fruits.  I also put frozen spinach in it.  As long as I have blueberries no one can tell.  I now make my bagels, sourdough bread, wheat bread on Tuesday.  The pizza dough keeps in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.  This way I only have to clean the dough mess out of the cuisinart once a week.   I make 4 so there are leftovers the next day.  Last week Josh and Jake were heating up some pizza in the oven while I was gone and almost burned the house down.  They put it in the oven on broil and then went in the other room to watch the tv show "the office".  Luckily the smoke alarm went off.  The white oven is black on top and a little melted and the cabinet above is ruined.  So much for saving money making homemade pizza.