Winter Doldrums...

It's definitely that time of year. 

You know, the hard part of winter... the part where the fun of the snow and cold has worn off and you're just waiting for Spring. It's the time of year when you have to drag yourself out of bed each day and you're tempted to spend the rest of the day in front of the TV because you simply can't get up enough energy to actually DO something. I have to admit, the boys and I have fallen prey to this lethargy multiple times in the past week.  Disney Channel...thanks for filling in.

Luckily I have two very active boys that keep me going and we did manage to have some fun. One day Lance wanted to do some "science". What is this science, pray tell? Well, it usually consists of Lance dumping everything he can get his hands on into a bucket of some sort to see what it will make.

I've tried to convince him in the past that following a recipe is a better way to go, because then you know what it will be, but he didn't think that was as fun. I had to put some limits on what he could add to his project (like the last bit of whole milk I was saving because I had put off going to the grocery store), but after adding flour to his soapy, chocolatey, sugary wet mix he called it good. The mixture then sat on our counter for more than 24 hours before George and I could convince him that it was getting gross and had to go. Maybe I should look into doing a real science project with him. Baking soda volcano anyone?

I guess I should break out the bed tent again. Lance had me pin some blankets to his bunk bed and the boys spent a long time playing inside and around it. Jude especially thought it was neat.

I've been trying to take pictures of the boys to use as Valentines for my family, but it just isn't working as well as I had hoped. It's probably the lack of energy again--it's been hard to get the boys to cooperate and try to figure out my camera to take some decent pictures. Oh well. Here are a couple random pictures taken this week that I thought were cute.

Wednesday was a great day! It was almost warm outside--almost--and we could tell a huge difference. Instead of vegging in front of the TV that afternoon, we spend an hour playing outside on the playground. George came home a little early and got to play some, too!

Jude tried to jump on the trampoline. It was super cute!

I think he's trying to wink. Crazy monkey!

Jude loves going down the slide and if I don't catch him, he'll go down all by himself!

At the bottom with Killian.

Lance and Killian having a race. Killian is fast!

Run, Lance. Run!

Jude being a monkey.

Sneaky boy...

Thanks, Big Brother!

My boys. :)

Oh yeah! Jude is walking! He's been doing it now for about 2 weeks and is getting better and better. It's weird having two kids that walk. I feel like my little baby is a toddler now.

And to end: Here is a video of Jude trying to jump on the trampoline.

Sleet...

It's sleeting outside, Jude's down for a much-needed nap and Lance is in the front room with his three best friends attempting to all play WiiSports. And when I say "attempting to play" I really mean "attempting to not kill each other while they try to all agree on what to play and who is going to be which Mii". I decided to escape to the computer room and just let the chaos happen. It's a snow day. They can be crazy if they want.

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Right after I typed the above, some friends came over to escape the dreary day and we ended up turning it into a hot chocolate party. The older kids were insistent that the "snow" outside was definitely good enough to play in and the five of them proceeded to make snow angels and even attempted a snowman in the muddy slush.

It didn't last long and they were all back inside, soaked and thirsty for something warm to drink. I tried out a new recipe for homemade hot chocolate and it turned out really well! We also had toasted oatmeal bread that I made yesterday. I found the recipe while blog-hopping and LOVE it! It is very moist and flavorful... definitely a keeper! You can find the recipe and blog here.

It was a nice way to break up the boredom of a stormy day. George made it home from work around 4:30 and was able to enjoy the company as well--an added treat for me. George has been working non-stop on his surgical rotation. He is enjoying it, but the hours are killer. He had to do a project last night and so slept from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and then stayed up the rest of the night to finish, only to go in to the hospital to round at 4:30 a.m. Needless to say, 8 p.m. rolled around tonight and Lance and I were the only ones still awake.

Now Lance is in bed and it's soon to be my turn. I'm enjoying the quiet, though, and the newly organized computer room. We've been living out of boxes in our computer room waiting for bookshelves, but tired of waiting, I finally broke down and bought the cheapest ones you can find at Target and put them together this past week. My brother gave me a gift card to Target as an early Birthday present, so the money was put to good use. Thanks, Chad!

Lance helped me assemble them:

We still need to put some things away, but it is definitely better than the huge stack of clutter and boxes that used to be in that corner!

And now it's off to bed!

Just for today...

It's that time again to write out our New Year's resolutions. I always look forward to this because it feels like a chance to start over with a clean slate, to change what I don't like and become better.

When I started college, my mom printed out a few things for me to hang up in my dorm room. One of them was this poem called "Just for today". I loved it because it helped me put things in perspective and gave me hope that I could be better--a better friend, a better daughter, a better person. I decided that instead of coming up with specific goals this year, I would customize this poem for me. So, here is my resolution. I keep it on the refrigerator door and read through it at least once a day. It's a reminder of what I'm trying to be. I'm definitely not perfect, but I have already felt a difference in our home as I work on my shortcomings.

Just for Today

Just for today, I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, keep my voice low, be courteous, criticize not one bit. I won't find fault with anything, nor try to improve or regulate anybody else but myself.

Just for today, I will be kind. I may be frustrated or irritated, but today I will be kind.

Just for today, my hands will be soft and gentle. I will use them to show love at every opportunity.

Just for today, I will be consistent. It may be inconvenient and hard, but today I will follow through fairly.

Just for today, I will do one nice thing for each person in my family.  I will show them through my actions my love for them.

Just for today, my face will show my love for my family. It doesn’t matter how upset I am, whenever they look into my face, they will see love.

Just for today, we will spend more time doing activities together and less time in front of the TV.

Just for today, I will be happy. Things may come up that are irritating, upsetting, or frustrating. Happiness is a choice and today I choose to be happy.

Just for today, I will find the good qualities in those around me and focus on the positive.

Just for today, I will find opportunities to teach my children the gospel.

Just for today, I will read my scriptures.

Just for today, I will be a good friend.

Just for today, I will try to live through this day only,
and not tackle all my problems at once.
I can do something for twelve hours that
would appall me if I felt that I had to
keep it up for a lifetime.

 

Yep. That's Lance!

After I got onto him for doing something he shouldn't have:

"But Mom! Something in my brain just tells me to do bad things and I can't control it!"

While playing Lego Indiana Jones with Killian (our neighbor):

"I like to destroy bridges! I know you like to walk on them, but, you know..."

Lance: "I don't like looking at pretty things!"

Mom: "Lance, that's not true. You like butterflies."

Lance: "That's the only pretty thing I like."

"And you."

"I think you're pretty all the time."

Mom: [smile] "Thanks, Lance."

Mom: "Lance, don't just lick your pretzels. You need to eat them."

Lance: "But Mom, it's wet, and I don't eat wet things!"

Funny trucks, fridge, family outing, flames, and fondue!

George is right in the middle of his surgical rotation, a dreaded one that has a reputation of late nights, early mornings, and lots of work. So far, George has actually enjoyed it, although the early mornings and late nights is definitely true (yesterday he left home at 5:30 a.m. and didn't get home until 11:30 p.m.). Even with the hours, we have still managed to have some family time together this past week.

We got Netflix on our PS3 and have enjoyed having several shows and movies at our fingertips. One of our favorite things to watch is a British show called "Top Gear" where three men drive and critique different cars. Sounds boring? This is George and Lance watching one of the episodes:

It's clever and funny and extremely entertaining as these guys tests cars to the max or complete different tasks with designated cars. The episode they are watching in the pictures in Series 12, episode 1 (in case you're interested) where the three guys have to race huge Semi's. It really is hilarious.

Jude has an obsession with the fridge and if it is ever open when he's around, he'll crawl right over, plop himself smack in the middle and proceed to peruse it's bowels for good things to eat.

 He has even tried to climb inside!

We also went to the Discovery Museum as a family. It's a small little place, but has some fun things to do.

 Lance and I tried our hand at "Skittles" and didn't fare too badly. It definitely takes some practice.

George had a good time playing with Jude in the toddler room. :)

Playing music on the air organ.

Harvesting an eggplant and a pumpkin.

Climbing up to the loft in the historically accurate log cabin that's inside the museum.

Lance is joining them... not really sure what he's saying.

Doing crafts.

Jude has also found a new fun thing to do: climb into anything and everything. Baskets, the bathtub, even the trundle drawer under his bed where we keep the diapers. Actually, that's his favorite place.

 Crazy boy!

George recently discovered a great way to cook meat: sous vide. Basically, you place the meat in a vat of water that you maintain at a certain temperature. The heat from the water cooks the meat and keeps the meat at the same level of "doneness" until you're ready to eat. As long as you keep the water at the right temperature, no matter how long you leave the meat in, it doesn't cook more. It's a great way to get a perfect medium rare steak. It also make the meat extremely tender. Right before you're ready to eat,  you pull out the meat and brown it. We've had lamb and steak this way. We usually brown the meat in George's cast iron skillet, but George discovered a new way to do it that's a whole lot more fun!

Yes, he is blow-torching the meat. It tasted as good as any meat we've made!

Last Saturday we had several of our friends over for fondue night! I didn't get that many pictures, but we had about 20 people over. Lance missed it because he was up with his dad for the weekend. Sad! It was a lot of fun, though, and everyone had a great time.

 George broke out his game Grand Tourismo and his new table he built for the wheel and the guys had a blast playing while the ladies talked. Win-win!

It was a great week full of fun and family. Just 5 1/2 more weeks of George's surgical rotation left and then he's in the clear with Neurology and Psychiatry. Yay!

Green water, bouncing, and an interesting place to play...

We've been getting back into the swing of things since our two week trip to Northern VA for the holidays. It's been nice to have our own time, our own space, and just be a family. Pictures speak a thousand words, so I'll let the pictures do most of the talking.

Me and Lance after we put together one of the Lego sets he got for Christmas from Grandmom and PopPop. He LOVES Legos and is constantly building airplanes, space vehicles and cars.

Good morning... Jude was getting up around 6 a.m. every morning (he was cutting teeth). This is the view of the sunrise from our back door. Not such a bad thing to wake up to, right?

One sure-fire way to get a couple things done and keep the boys happy is give them a bath. They will play happily for at least 15 minutes while I clean up after dinner. (The door is open and I can see them the whole time.)  And yes, that water is green... a special request from Lance and a trick learned from a good friend.

We went to the local Bounce n' Play last week with some friends and had a great time!

Lance and Jude went down the slide together.

It was pretty steep!

Jude had a great time bouncing and climbing all over the inflatable slides.

About to go down the slide together.

 

Boys being crazy!

"Come on, Mom. Let's go down the slide already!"

I walked into the boy's room the other day and saw this:

 Lance had climbed into Jude's crib so he could reach his game in the top drawer of his dresser and just stayed to play. Jude thought it was great fun to have a friend in his bed. :)