A mundane week worth Journaling;)

 I've been doing a weekly journal for as long as I've been married, and I LOVE it!   But darn it all, I feel so guilty whenever I get on my computer and see this poor neglected blog.    Our life has been much busier, and actually is much more interesting then I've really described over the past couple of weeks, there just simply isn't time these days to "blog" like I used to.   You know?  And besides, who "blogs" any more anyways?    ;)

My appreciation for it was rekindled yesterday when I came home from getting our weeks groceries (ahem...a weeks worth of groceries that I got for FREE by the way, thanks to my high accumulation of PC points;)  and walked through the door.   There on the couch in our front room sat John and all the kids.   Snuggled up, reading through our blog book, laughing at all the memories.    It was the sweetest thing, and as I stood there in the doorway, arms laden (with a weeks worth of free groceries;) I almost didn't want to interrupt them and demand a little help!   But, I did...because I was about to drop the milk;)   

Anyways...the bottom line is I LOVED seeing my family look back and reminisce about the sweet days of our past, and I resolved to be a little bit better at recording the every day moments again.  No matter how mundane they might seem in the moment;)   

So...here is our week:

We were thrilled when John received this super cool Can cooker in the mail for his Birthday.    We'd enjoyed this cooking concept with Johns brother Aaron when we visited them in Utah this summer.  Apparently Aaron knew our life would not be complete until we had one of our very own.  

It is So cool!!!!!     

What you do is open the top and throw in any and every vegetable imaginable.

Literally.    Anything!

 You could throw in corn on the cob, potatoes, onions, carrots, broccoli, cabbage....ALL OF IT!    Then you add some meat on top.   Throw in some spice of choice, a bit of broth or liquid, and turn on the heat to medium.   

It all steams for an hour.

Then you have your goofy husband dump it out into a large baking dish or two and oila!   

Easiest, tastiest, and HEALTHIEST dinner ever!!!

Steamed vegetables and a bit of italian sausage.

The kids LOVED it, and exclaimed that we should eat with the can cooker every night!

And I bet you are pretty glad that I shared this with you eh?   

See how valuable this little blog actually is!

Another exciting event of our week came when we decided to paint our basement.    

Now when I say "exciting"... what I mean is that I "would have had more fun rubbing shards of glass in my eyes then paint our basement" - but alas it had to be done!

We got one room done and then decided to save the rest for another (equally exciting) time! 

The board games have been making an appearance around here more frequently and I love the silliness that accompanies family game night!    I'm not gonna lie- I have grown a little sick of the game CLUE, but that is only because John wins every time. And THAT's only because he's a cheater!!!

(I should know.   I cheat too, and "it takes one to know one" ;)

The other day Jessica came up the stairs, plunked down beside me and with a heavy sigh she looked up at me and said, "Ahh....Life can be so difficult!"    haha.   She's SIX!!!  What does she know about that?!!!!!

Truly, these kids make me laugh, and I'm grateful every day for them!

Christmas Art

The kids have been busy lately doing all sorts of crafts, and I had to save these pictures as they depict the excitement that my little ones have been feeling for Christmas.   

This one is my favorite:)

I love that you can see Santa on his sleigh just outside the window.    I love how she drew herself all snug in her bed.   And I love the 4 stockings and 4 bells hanging form the mantle.   

Here's a self portrait of Abby. 

(I noticed this version of Abby is wearing some snazzy blue eye shadow! haha:)

Awe....And here's my cute little Jessica - Santa hat and all!

They're getting excited!!!!

Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day is always such a great day! 

I love attending the local ceremony each year.    LOVE having John home.  

And LOVE that my kids are starting to understand and appreciate the purpose and meaning behind this day.   

Sam's cub troop was asked to participate in the ceremonies this year and to walk in with the veterans and local officials.     Sam took it so seriously and kept telling everyone that he "got to walk in with the soldiers."    Sam also has declared that he wants to be a soldier one day, AND has prayed for them and their safety each and every day this week!   Whatever his teachers taught him at school sure penetrated this boys heart. (Part of me is still hoping he'll just settle on being a stand up comedian;)

Abby participated in a special Remembrance Day choir and sang beautifully as always.  

(Nate and Jess were too young to participate in any way, and were there fore stuck to sit with John and I.  They managed to pass the time by climbing all over us, trying to sleep on the floor, and asking 50 million times if they could have a snack.  Luckily they managed to whisper and stay somewhat respectful the whole time;)    

The kids found this display afterwards that featured an ancestor of ours (Mark Beazer) who fought in the war.    

As always we set up our basement Christmas tree when we returned from the ceremony.   Abby has been looking forward to it ALL month!   She was very intent on setting the mood so that all was just right!    (She's all for setting up a scene;)  

When all was done the kids snuggled up on the couch wearing Santa and elf hats (as per Abby's request;) and finished watching their Christmas movie.   It was cute!

And now the count down begins!!!

(PS:  Don't our walls look great with all the white touch up marks on em?   We're selling our house you know.   Time to do that painting we've put off for approximately 4 years!)

Bball family Fun

This past weekend my Brother and his family came in to town.   They stayed at Jewels house, which always makes for a partay! ;)    

Kendall took everyone down to the school gym where the kids played dodge ball, basketball and just generally ran amuck.   (haha)

I sort of supervised my children, but mostly got caught up playing basketball with my niece Ava!   

Seriously, it was So.Much.FUN!!!    We started attempting 3 point shots, and in the matter of just a few minutes I got TEN 3 point shots.   TEN of them!

I was on FIRE- that's all there was to it.

Yeah, I know I should sound more humble and modest, but...it was just amazing, really!

My sister Jewel was our home town all star ball player when I was growing up, but I can't help but think I had it in me too.  (Sigh...too bad I was so scared of being beat up or pushed into lockers back then.  Who knows what I coulda become?   haha)

Okay, actually what is truly amazing is these nieces and nephews of mine who are all growing up so fast!    Ava, Ella, Mya, my own Abby...they are just really turning into remarkable young woman, and I loved having the chance to hang out and "shoot a few hoops" with em;) 

Birthday Boys

It finally arrived!

The big day.

The moment we've ALL been waiting for....

(or at least the moment our youngest has been waiting for;)

Nate's BIRTHDAY!!!!!

After bawling and throwing tantrums during everyone else's birthday celebrations throughout the year- finally it was his turn. 

His special day included:  

* the obligatory Birthday Wall of fame

* ice cream treats from his little friend Gray

* a new T-shirt from Auntie Jewel that he will likely wear every day for the next 365 days

* presents galore

* and a lousy attempt at a Super Mario cake! 

(the cake looked awful, but slap on a sparkling candle, and it didn't matter one bit;)    

  

We all absolutely LOVE this kid, and the way he makes us laugh/cry/scream/pull our hair out and smile.   (Often all at the same time;)

It was kinda funny, after he blew out the candles on his cake, and as we were cutting up portions for everyone, Nate turned to John and asked,  "Dad?   When is my next birthday?  Is it almost my Birthday again?"    haha.   

Just 364 more days little guy;)

Of course, I can't write about Nate's birthday without also mentioning the special day of a certain THIRTY EIGHT year old that I now know!!   ;)     It might seem to John as though his birthday is overlooked by all the trick or treating, dressing up, and busy- ness that is Halloween - but he seems to take it all in stride;)    

So long as he gets his "Ghost shaped Carrot Cake" - he's a happy man!!!!

Halloween

Wow, that last week in October is always such a doozy!!!

Between Halloween Carnivals, school parties, TWO birthdays AND Halloween itself- there wasn't a day of the week that wasn't consumed with festivities.

For Family Home Evening on Monday, the kids all got to decorate their own pumpkin.    

Sam dressed up for the occasion;)

Jess was mortified with the pumpkin guts.

Nate's attention span lasted two minutes.

And Abby was proud as punch with her pumpkin.

John was the happiest of participants, because he'd brought along his electric drill!

On Tuesday, we attended our ward Halloween Party.   

Hot dogs, carnival type games, and dozens of unattended children running through the church.   That's basically what it takes to have a party! ;)

We were actually on our own that night, as John had to be at Volleyball, and I was proud of Mario, the Gypsy, my green ninja, and the cute Butterfly for behaving as well as they did!

Thursday couldn't come quickly enough for my family, and they all left for school happily displaying their costumes.    John chose to go as Si from Duck Dynasty and when he wanted to, he could really play the part!   

The weather this year was PERFECT on Halloween and the kids were raring to go trick or treating!

We love our thoughtful neighbors who always go out of their way to TREAT our kids so great!

I opted to stay home and hand out candy, while SI took the kids and some of their friends out around town.

Nathan lasted for about 20 minutes only, before wanting to come home.   Naturally, I put him to work.  

He was such a clown for everyone who came to the door though, I think that was his favorite part of the night!

It's always fun when we run into the cousins!  (and I'm not sure this family is big enough for TWO ninjas!!!;)

By 8:30 things had started to taper off.  I finally told John to just give the "next person who comes to the door" the rest of the candy in the bowl, and call it a day.    

Halloween has never been so exhausting!!!   

(I must be getting old;)

               

Cub Time!

Well, Sam is officially a Cub!!!   

He has only waited anxiously for the past year or so to get to join this fun group of young boys, and this past week he was finally invested.   

I knew Sam was excited when (back in August) his cub leaders attended his baptism.   When Sam went up to them to thank them for coming he also made sure to tell them that he:  a) isn't afraid of snakes, b) likes camping c) and has his very own pocket knife.   It made me laugh at the time as it seemed as though Sam thought those were actually pre-requisites to even enter the program.   It really did sound as though he was applying for a job or something;)  

It is my personal hope that by the time Sam finishes his three years in the cub program, that I will understand better what "dib dib dib" and "dob dob dob" mean.  ;)

I loved getting to watch their opening exercises.    

There's a lot of routine and discipline to it, which are two things Sam thrives on!

It made me laugh though as they were going through the 10 minute opening exercises, the other boys were kinda acting up and being little turkeys.   (ie:  Laughing, running away, picking on each other etc)   Sam though remained completely undisturbed by it all, and stared straight ahead at his leaders with absolute attention.   Sigh...if only I had confidence that would last!!! ;)    haha

I'm proud of this little guy and the boy he is shaping up to be!

(Even if he does like snakes:)

Snowy Sunday

8:30 church comes early around here each Sunday morning.    Today it was especially rough.    By mid morning though the sky was white and giant flakes of snow were starting to cover the ground.  By the time we made it home from church-the kids were on cloud nine!!!

They could not get home quick enough, and they insisted I dig out their Santa hats, and make them each a cup of Hot Chocolate!

Apparently the best part about early morning church is that you have the rest of the day to play in the freshly fallen snow!!!!

What can I say?

My kids are "half glass full" kinda people I guess;)

Sweet October. (So far;)

Holy Cow where is this year disappearing to?   

The other day, I watched a flock of geese fly south and listened to their beautiful song.   Seeing geese fly away to warmer weather always leaves me with a sense of longing.    Days are getting shorter, the temperature is beginning to drop, and there aren't many more months left on this years calendar.   

I feel a strong desire to try and hang on to it all!

For the most part, our days are filled with the regular ol' busy-ness:  early mornings, choir practices, piano lessons, chores, homework, juggling play dates, meetings, volleyball practices and tournaments.   

Of course, ALL of that is mingled with an occasional moment together that makes everything good again, and so totally worth it.  

Our days usually begin with a haphazard and unenthusiastic effort at Family Scripture Study.  On this particular morning though- everyone was on board!   (Hallelujah!!)

Even Nate was participating!   

One day last week, the kids woke up to snow.    We were all surprisingly excited to see it (perhaps because we knew it wouldn't last long;) and I ended up letting Abby and Sam stay home from school.   Why?   Well..partly because the beautiful snowy day must have put me in a particularly acoomodating mood, but also because I needed Abby to babysit for me;)

Shhhhh.....Don't tell John;)

Despite the snowy day mid week,  by the weekend it was gorgeously sunny again!!!    

Thanks to an extra laid back church day (why can't every Sunday be Stake Conference?) we had a lengthy and sunny afternoon to enjoy together.   

There is nothing like a Sunday stroll!

Sam found a geo cache by the creek which was fun for the others.  

And then....he led us straight to another one!!!!

Seriously!  Who is this kid???

Enjoying their "geo cache" treasures:)

It has been a beautiful fall, though the bright vibrant colors never seem to last nearly long enough for my liking.    I'd say most of the leaves have fallen.

Yesterday, I found the kids picking the leaves off our backyard trees in an effort to make their leaf pile bigger.  ;)   They then got the bright idea to move that giant pile onto the trampoline.    For a good hour they jumped and jumped until those leaves had been reduced to nothing but crumbs of what they once were.     When they came in for the night they had tiny leaf particles everywhere.   Throughout their hair, in their shoes, ....EVERYWHERE!!!

Sigh....I guess that's the beauty of fall.

I'll be wishing for these days back again soon enough;)

Wedding

I have an amazing family.  

That's just simply all there is to it.   

I know others think they have an amazing family, but I am convinced- none are as great as mine:)

This past week we were lucky enough to have some this oh so awesome family come and visit as our cousin (Kaleena) was getting married.     Kaleena is a pretty amazing girl, who has lost both of her parents at a young age.   The wedding and the days that surrounded it were full of reminiscing, missing those who couldn't be with us, and enjoying the company of all those who could;)  

On Tuesday, I received noticed (via email) that there was a "Mandatory Family Meeting. At 1:00 sharp.   At Cameron Falls."   All were expected to attend.

I really like those kind of meetings;)

(This isn't even half of the Toone Cousins.   Such a fun group!!!)

The wedding ceremony was in the middle of the day, on a Wednesday afternoon.    

It was so great to be in the temple with all of these people.    They have meant so much to me, and are a great connecting force for me to my own Mother.    

When we weren't attending the wedding or preparing for the wedding - we hung out at my sister Jewel's house.   Snacking on food, catching up, and playing fabulous games of "Mafia" as only Toones know how to.    For two nights in a row, we forgot about routine (and school the next day!) and stayed up way too late!   

Like I said, I have an amazing family.   It's the type of family you can visit with for THREE days, and still feel like it wasn't nearly enough time!

Oh, and I have to thank the best big brother in the world who stood in the rain/sleet for an hour fixing my flattened tire, so that I could get to the family dinner!   (as if there wasn't enough going on already;)

See?   Family is the very bestest!!!

Temple in the morning

The Autumn season seriously produces some of the best sunsets, sunrises and colorful days ever.    

It's a treat to get to capture it sometimes!

Thanksgiving Day

This past Thanksgiving was a quiet weekend filled with family, lots of work, and yummy food!

John has been building a chain link fence for a woman in town and so we opted to have our Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday instead.    

Grandpa kindly smoked the Turkey in his slick Smoker!   It was delicious of course;)  

I got two new recipes this year from my neighbor, and I think the Creamed Spinach was a hit!  

We ate so much food- we were too full for pie!    But then, we ate that anyway;)

Once we'd cleaned up, we rolled out the door and into the van for a drive out to Waterton.

It was a lovely drive, (the kids complained the whole way) and I think we all felt grateful for the beautiful area we live in.    

While we were waiting for Elk to emerge from the trees, the kids found this crazy giant/monster/grasshopper on steroids!   It was huge, had a type of armor looking coating around it, and looked hideous.    (John was fascinated)

As we drove home, we paused to listen to a flock of geese fly over head as they made their way south.    

I just LOVE the fall!

PS:  I also love my favorite Thanksgiving Quesidillas.   

(Simply heat up some leftover stuffing and turkey and once warmed, place on a flour tortilla.   Top with mozza cheese and another tortilla and grill until melted.    Then dip in your favorite Cranberry Sauce.)

Best way to enjoy Turkey Leftovers EVER!!!!!

Autumn Rainbow

Two days ago a beautiful evening rain passed over our town.    The sun happened to be setting at the same time, which made for a spectacular light.

At one point I noticed the most vivid rainbow I'd seen all year and I knew I had to try and grab a photo before it faded.

For the record, John LOVES it when I drop everything, grab my camera case and leave with out so much as a word (I'm laying on the sarcasm pretty thick here;) but it's always so worth it to me;)

Sweet Potato Baby

Jessica made us laugh one day as she came downstairs with a Sweet Potato (of all things!) bundled up like a baby!   Throughout the day she carried that thing round, wrapping it in various types of clothing. At one point- I walked into her room to find her baby potato snuggled up in her bed.   

duh! clearly it was nap time;)

She's a strange one.

But so...so cute, so we tend to look past her odd behavior;)

This does however make me question why why Santa bothered to get her that American Girl Doll for Christmas last year.