Last night Madi and Gabe played with the play-doh for a bit. Madi made a snowman and a snake and we helped Gabe make a snowman too.

Here is a quick conversation Madi and I had while combing here hair last night.

Madi: I don't want my hair combed.

Mom: We need to get all of the tangles out so it won't be so hard to comb in the morning.

Madi: Who let the tangles in????

Good question - who let the tangles in?

Last night Madi decided it was time to go to school. She put her back-pack on and headed to the kitchen to read a book. She flipped through the pages of Pajama Time and to my suprise "read" the lines on each page. At least the story she was reciting matched the pictures. She has a memory like no other and is smarter than a whip. She can tell you the names of all of her books at our house, grandma Valerie's house, and grandpa Byron's house; she remembers what toys and clothes she got for Christmas; she can spell her name, tell you her address, count to 10 and sometimes higher, tell you that her daddy teaches history and psychology, and with help can say the alphabet. She is one amazing girl. Just a reminder she is 2 1/2.

Gabe he's a cuttle bug. He loves to give 'loves' and play with my hair. He is certainly a sweet boy and I hope he keeps that trait. He says 'help me' a lot, actually that about sums up everything he ever says.

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Another Fun Game

Here's another fun game. We started playing Spinner about seven years ago. It's a fun game to play at get-togethers because it's easy to carry on a conversation while playing.

I really need to work on keeping this blog up-to-date. I live a pretty boring life and not much has happened so far this year to report. However, my brother has set a date for his wedding. March 29, 2008 in Albuquerque, NM. I'm so excited.

Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride Europe is a game we got as a Christmas gift from my brother-in-law and his wife. They always find non-typical games that turn out to be a lot of fun. Mike wasn't too interested in this game when we first got it and had refused to play it. However, on Sunday we went to dinner at my other brother-in-law's house and we talked Mike into playing. I think he liked it. I only think that because on Monday he invited his mom over for dinner and to play this game - of course he said it was all my idea. Even now he claims he only played so he could beat me and be done with it.

Anyway, it's a game that is fun and that we have enjoyed. If you're looking for something different, give it a try. There a a couple of versions, but essentially they are the same game. If you want any other ideas of fun games, let me know.

I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted. I'm going to blame it on lack of sleep and the exhaustion caused from that lack of sleep. We have decided it was time to stop pampering Gabe. In the "past" when Gabe cried at night we'd pick him up, hold him, and then bring him to bed with us. "Now" we are letting him soothe himself by crying himself back to sleep. IT HASN'T BEEN WORKING, or at least not as well as I would like. He is getting better. In fact, last night he slept through the night. I'm not sure what worked or if it was just a fluke. We enjoyed the holidays at home with family. We are so lucky that we don't have to travel to be "home for the holidays". Christmas was great, Madi is still talking about it. This year her favorite move was The Grinch and we watched it every night before bedtime (either the cartoon or Jim Carey version). Madi was excited for Santa, but concerned the Grinch was going to steal Christmas.

I was excited to have finished the majority of the projects I was working on for Christmas. I still have a little bit of work to do on the scrapbooks I made for my mom and mother-in-law.

The quilt I made for Mike turned out and was even washed and wrapped before 8:00 p.m. Christmas Eve. Oh how I wish I wasn't such a procrastinator, but I don't think I could function properly without a last minute to-do list.

I am looking forward to this year and hope to accomplish a lot of things. First on my to-do list is to get organized at home, at work, and mentally. I have dozens of unfinished projects at home that need to be finished. I hope to post on this blog more often, and figure out Photoshop Elements so I can digi scrap. A top priority this year is take more pictures.

A-Z

A- Attached or single?: Attached for almost 10 years B- Best Friend: Mike, he's always there for me, even if it's not always a willing ear. C- Cake or Pie: Pie - Pie, if your talking my mother-in law's cherry pie D- Day of choice: Friday, it's the start of the weekend E- Essential Item: blow dryer F- Favorite Color: I don't have one G- Gummy Bears or Worms: worms H- Hometown: Shelley, Idaho (it's where I have lived the longest) I- Indulgence(s): Food and scrapbooking J- January or July: July, I enjoy spending time camping. K- Kid(s): Madi (2), Gabe (1) L- Life is Incomplete Without: Family. M- Marriage Date: July 22, 1998 N- Number of Siblings: 4 - 1 sister, 3 brothers O- Oranges or Apples: Oranges P- Phobias or Fears: getting in a serious car accident Q- Quote(s): .... R- Reason To Smile: House is clean, project complete, kids and husband are happy. S- Season: Fall - I love sweat shirt weather. T- Tag others +: I'm not sure I know of anybody who hasn't already been tagged. U - Unknown Fact About Me: ????? V- Vegetarian or Meat Eater: Meat - beef, chicking, pork, fish, you name it I like it. W- Worst Habit: procrastinating. X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds . Y- Your Favorite Food: It changes, but comfort foods top my list. Z- Zodiac: Virgo

Gratitute (originally posted 12/5/07)

I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last post. In fact, I have worked on a couple of different posts, but have failed to finish them. I hate posting without including a picture or two, but I'm going to have to make an exception. We have been so busy at our house, but I'm not quite sure with what. Thanksgiving has come and gone and I feel that I should take just a moment and write down some of the things I am thankful for. Family: I have a wonderful family, including a husband who puts up with my craziness and two beautiful children who are incredible.

Health: Luckily my family has not struggled with medical problems. We have been blessed with relatively good health. Beautiful Earth: We live in a great area where we can enjoy the mountains and outdoors in minutes. We spend a lot of time in the summer in the mountains hiking, camping and four-wheeling. Home: I am grateful to have a home to raise my children in. It isn't big or fancy, but it is a HOME. We had a great Thanksgiving with family (despite having our cabin broken into). We are so blessed to have my parents and in-laws living so close. The best part is we don't have to travel for the holidays and we get to be with ALL of our family. The day after Thanksgiving, my mom and I do the early morning craze and go shopping. We usually don't buy much, but it just seems like the thing to do. We are normally home early so we can head out Christmas tree hunting. We always head to the high country to find the perfect tree and it is always a lot of fun. We pack Thanksgiving leftovers and have a picnic once we find our tree. We decorated the tree as soon as we got it home. It turned out great. Madi helped hang the ornaments on the bottom of the tree and Gabe help tangle the lights. Madi and dad watched Polar Express (for the first time this season) and then cuddled on the couch and watched the Christmas tree lights. Madi is getting excited about Christmas.

Mike started the tradition of cutting down our own tree. He and his family always had cut their own tree and our family has continued that tradition. When we were first married I was reluctant, I wanted a perfectly shaped tree with the perfect decorations, but Mike insisted on cutting a tree. The first year I was a little disappointed, but each year the "fresh cut" Christmas tree grows. This year's tree is my favorite thus far. Last night Gabe had his first hair cut. For some reason Mike has not wanted me to cut it. I'm not sure if he just liked the curls or didn't think I would do an adequate job. It's short (probably a little too short) but at least now he looks respectable.

Recipes

It has been a lot of fun collecting all of the digital recipes from Sherelle's recipe exchange. I can't wait to try them all. Here are the ones I submitted. I really want a new computer (too bad it will be awhile). Since the computer I have doesn't have enough memory, it takes forever to do anthing in PSE. I can't believe Thanksgiving is two weeks away and Christmas is not far off either. Time flies and it's time to start gearing up.