We are not dead

It has been a month.
A month of fun.
And, apparently, no blogging.
In fact, the more time that passes, the more I avoid blogging due to the sheer size of the post that will inevitably need to be written.
Not because I feel there are droves of followers awaiting my witty repartee but because my camera is becoming clogged with photos and I need to put them somewhere.
Somewhere for bored friends/family to see documentation.
So without further adieu, I will now give you the Reader's Digest version of all our shenanigans.

In keeping with tradition, a pic of Britney, Kari, and myself at Breaking Dawn.
We have been to see all the previous movies together, and this time Heather (who has so generously lent us her home, which is for sale ... and if you would like to buy it, call me) and her cousin Heidi joined us.
Three words: Best. One. Yet.
Yes, I may be a bit of a Twi-hard.
And yes, my shirt says Team Edward.
Don't judge.
Thanksgiving was delicious (have I mentioned my sister is a genius in the kitchen? Well, she is. Go to her blog www.eatitupfood.blogspot.com and you will see why. You're welcome)
So dinner was amaaawwww-zing.
This is the only picture I managed to capture in focus.
Yes, I am a stellar photographer.
Loved spending time with my family and all the sibs.

Christmas tree decorating was a little hectic.
The kids started the evening by running in manic circles in anticipation of the festive fun.
After I yelled at them to stop and that we would certainly not be having any fun, they started yanking out ornaments left and right.
You woulda thought it was speed decorating at the pace we ornamented that tree.
There was no messing around.

p.s. Never mind that I had a lapse in judgment when getting dressed that morning. What am I wearing, and why does my hair look like Flock of Seagulls?
I am never wearing those pants again.
There are no words.
After, we had hot chocolate and cookies.
Well, basically the kids ate all the marshmallows off the top of the drink, scarfed a handful of cookies, and then continued their frenzied race around the house.

Except my angel Micah.
He watched, happy and drooling in his bumbo.

And fiiiiinally, we took some family photos.
We haven't taken any since Ezzy was about 10 months old.
And we have all changed quite considerably since then.
That, and we have added a whole new person to the family.
I have included a few of my favs.



I am not sure what I am doing with my foot here.

There are at least 30 more where that came from.

The rest of my time I spend with my sister and her kids (crafting, chit-chatting, doing Jillian Michaels' workout video, and visiting Goodwill).
And my husband.
Who is able to come home every night, without having to study.
It's glorious.
It's like having a real job, except that we pay for him to work.
Anyway.
There we go.
All caught up.
And I am pooped.
Good-night!

Spectacle?

Here are my new specs.
I love them.
They are a little retro.
But still modern.
I really like the cat-eye silhouette.
And black glasses go with everything.

And the other pictures?
Mostly to tease Scott.
He makes fun of me for taking too many pictures of myself.
But in my defense, he never snaps 'em so I need to document myself, myself.
Am I the only one who does this?

Whatev.
This was supposed to be my model pose, but now that I look at it, I realize I have two chins.
Cute.

A few things

1. Halloween (yes I am still blogging about it) was a success. My children made quite the haul. We still have at least 8 pounds of candy sitting around that will probably find its way to my love handles.
2. My friends are incredible. They took such good care of my and my kids while Scott rotated in Tacoma. Our time here in the Grove would not be what it is if not for them. (Does that sentence even make sense?)
3. I hate my neighbor.
4. Okay, hate is kind of a strong word; let's just say I will not miss her or the music that she plays loud enough for us to listen to as well.
5. All hours of the day and night. When does she sleep?
6. Ryan got her ears pierced for her fifth birthday. It was all her idea. She begged and begged. Really. She literally said, "I'm begging you." She was really excited, until this point:

And even though I held her hand,

the grape lollipop was ultimately what took the pain away. (p.s. She loves her new earrings and doesn't remember it hurting. Whew.)

I love how cute they are on her. So pretty.
7. I cannot for the life of me, get Ezra to eat dinner. Most nights he elects to go to bed hungry rather than eat what I fixed for him. Waffles, macaroni and cheese, it doesn't matter. It makes me livid. I end up stomping into the kitchen and flinging his food into the sink all the while trying to convince myself that his reaction to my cooking must be induced by a sensitive gag reflex. That boy.
8. I am getting excited to move down to Eugene (temporarily) for Scott's third rotation. Two words: washer. dryer. That and I will be 15 miles away from my sister! Oh the fun we will have!
9. I must go to bed. Micah has been nursing a cold and hasn't been sleeping very well. If I don't hit the hay soon, I will be regretting it come morning.
p.s. I got new glasses that I have yet to take a picture of. But they will knock your socks off. Scott is still scratching his head. hehe

It's coming

My brilliant Scotty, fixed my camera (that Ryan dropped on the ground while snapping pics of herself) by unscrewing the whole thing into 6,972 little pieces and then putting it all back together.
So all the pictures of Ryan crying while getting her ears pierced, and the kids dressed up for trick-or-treating will be yours to enjoy as soon as they are uploaded.
Tomorrow perhaps.
I am pretty tired.
And watching Dancing with the Starts: The Results.
Nancy Grace, kiss your dancing career goodbye.
Watching you was a little painful.

A Halloween sneak peek

Every year (well for the last four years) we have attended the university PAVA Halloween party.
I can't remember what PAVA stands for, but it translates loosely as the "lonely optometry wives' club."
Except for we ain't really lonely 'cause we have each other.
Anyway, it is always a hit and we love it because it gives us another chance to dress up, eat candy, and gawk at everyone else's stellar costumes.
I kinda dropped the ball this year.
Make that every year.
I had every intention to create mind-blowing outfits and yet I still ended up pulling something together in the last minute ... made with felt (which any dummy can do).
Let's just say, no minds were blown.
But, hey, I have a newborn so, whatever.
And you best believe that I will use that excuse for as long as I can about whatever I can.
What? I haven't shaved my legs in 6 months? I can't, I have a baby.
And I don't make dinner any more? Or show up to church on time? I can't, the baby needs me.
Juuuust kidding.
Anyway, I wanted them to at least coordinate ...

So we took a cue from their personalities.
Only joking.
The baby has a little devil costume too.
I will have to get a picture of that on the actual holiday when we go trick-or-treating.

And here is a picture of "the gang."
These are the kids we play with every day (R to L: Ryan, Dawson, Ezzy, Harper, and Sophie).

And these are the mommies.
And two of my besties, Tracy and Lyndsie.
Aren't they beautiful?
Yes. They. Are.
I only hang out with pretty people.
I also didn't realize my hair looked that dark.
And look, my 'stach is fading! Holla.

And last but not least, a picture of my big boy.
He missed the festivities because he was on a playdate with my friend Jenny (thank you!) but don't you worry, he will be decked out for the next go around on Monday.
Is he not the most darling 3-month-old?
I do not believe how big he is getting!

He is a really good boy!
And very talkative.
Boy, he was talking my ear off all evening.
Speaking of which, I am quite tuckered out, but I will be back with more pics and all the deets on our upcoming move to Eugene for rotation # 3!

Things I know you are dying to know

I have been trying to post about once a week.
And even though my life is riddled with riveting events (like for instance yesterday when I had to take my baby back to our apartment to change his clothes and possibly give him a bath because he had pooped up his back only to discover that I had been locked out by my four-year-old when she had returned for a string cheese, and then proceeded to try to jimmy the lock with a Safeway club card all while my three-year-old was brawling with a neighbor boy over a discarded/broken water gun), I thought I would refrain from regaling my loyal readership with yet another tale of an inept mother who struggles to keep her wits about her.
Even though that's kinda what I just did.
Anyhoo, instead I thought I'd share a few thoughts slash pictures.
Really there is no connection between any of the following tidbits other than that they all occurred in my head.
This is often how I start my day.
Once Ryan is off to preschool, me and the boys go on a jog.
Here's a little look-see of the babes all bundled up in our buffalo blanket (it isn't made of a buffalo, but has the outline of one printed on it ... weirdest Christmas present to date.)
They are both very good.
Ezra talks non-stop (while pointing out every bird/squirrel/vehicle that crosses our path) and Micah sleeps non-stop.

Once Ryan returns, we head to the park if it's sunny.
This entire park full of kids is produced from the following small group of women:

And there are at least half as many children, not pictured, behind me playing "school" in the grass.
We're not messing around.
It makes for a lot of friends for me and for my kids, and lets be honest, we go to the park just as much for me as for them.
Probably more for me.
So I can talk to other adults.
And so we're not sitting around at home bugging each other.
And lastly, a picture of my celebrity crush:

Yes, Cee Lo Green.
Doesn't he have the friendliest smile?
Scott is aware of how I feel about Cee Lo.
I get the feeling he isn't much threatened by my infatuation.
These are the things we talk about when spending time together.
That, and which couples in our ward we think are hot.
And what would happen if a super virus spread throughout the world killing everyone but our family and it were up to us to repopulate earth.
And why polygamy was invented.
And the pros and cons of different dog breeds.
We are really mature and only talk about the important topics.
The things that really matter.
And all the things I discussed today definitely matter.

Just a little longer

It is so nice when Scott is home.
I feel less stressed.
I am not so completely outnumbered.
I have a little time to myself.
I don't have to wipe everyone's buns after they go potty.
This rotation is nearly over.
I. can't. wait.
We are headed to Eugene, as a family, and I am looking forward to a little more balance.
And hopefully a few dates with the hubs.
And maybe more of this ...
I know our kids are super excited.
I can't imagine why.
Don't they look to be having the time of their lives?

At least they are holding hands.