Christmas

I feel good today.  Often on the evening of Christmas some sort of depression sets in.  But today has been full of family, music and tenderness.  I enjoyed being at church today.  To reflect on feelings of the past couple of months... of gratitude for a good husband, children that are growing and trying to make sense of all that's around them, of peace that comes when I think on the Lord and his goodness, of compassion and understanding for those that I see struggling, of patience for my own inadequacies and of knowledge that the Lord knows me and wants me to find joy.

Happy Christmas

Living Nativity

Had a fun night out with the family last night. 

Earlier in the week the kids asked if they could please, please go the Living Nativity  that's put on by the Seventh Day Adventist church every year.  We alwaysmean to go, but last year was the first time we actually made it.  And the kids remembered it.  And it was an even better experience this year.

First of all, Clive the Camel showed up this year (I guess last year he was sick).  So that was fun.  But the whole event is great.  The Romans welcome you (and give you a booklet to hold the stickers you get at each station) and then you go to the Census station to be numbered.  All the volunteers are in character and will ask the kids things like, 'So how did you come this evening?  By horse, or donkey, or perhaps a chariot?'.  To which Thomas replied, 'No.  We came by car (like, duh!)'.  Then to the 'Temple' building holding a replica of the ark, a veil, unleavened bread, etc.  A man gave an nice explanation of the symbolism within with the kids actually really listened to.  There's the inn, the manger (all with real animals for petting) and posted correlated scriptures you could read to the kids at each place.  The carpenter is actually making little wooden crosses to hand out, the fish market has actual smoked fish going.  Then the indoor market is just as fun and informative to give you a feel of the times when Jesus lived on Earth.  Ends with warm treats and a band performing Christmas hymns you can sing along with.  Quite a production. I enjoy having opportunities throughout to answer my kids questions and be in a positive environment.  The kids individually would get excited about something they saw here or there and call a sibling over to share it with.   There were good moments like the ones you always envision before doing things together (but that as often as not don't go as smoothly as planned with kids teasing and bickering and such).  At the end we were all finishing up our hot chocolate and were standing between an outdoor fire getting warm and the camel.  Slowly, Clive's head came craning around our direction and I say, 'Hey kids look!  Clive is checking us out!'.  And then in the blink of an eye his large muzzle darted directly at me- or rather at the cup of Hot chocolate I was holding.  He came within an inch of the cup when the rope on him caught.  Took me by surprise!

Finished up the evening with some traditional Friday night pizza.

Thanksgiving

Ah....little ones enjoying Saturday morning cartoon, Papa and Milla off to Tri-cities for a temple trip and I get a few minutes to sit and think over the last couple weeks.  It's been a nice time with family.  Because of budget cuts, my kids got the entire Thanksgiving Week off of school.  And we took advantage of the time to be together.  Saturday was official 'Fix the oven that we just realized was taking an hour to preheat' day.  After doing a little internet research and dissecting our oven we figured out the culprit was the igniter.  Brandon called every place he could think of to find the part, but to no avail.  So we went oven shopping (knowing we didn't have time to order the part before Wednesday pie baking).  But at one locally owned store we mentioned we really just needed an igniter and the owner replied...I think I might have one of those out in my van!  We watched hopefully out the window as he began sorting through an impressive mound of boxes.  Only took about 5 minutes for him to emerge victorious.  2 snipped wires and 15 screws later we had ourselves a working oven! So much fun.  I love home repairs when it actually works.  I was ready to tackle anything  after that.

Part of our Thankful Wall we had up for all of November

'There's only one place I like to be at Thanksgiving'  'Hawaii' (by Rin)

'Are you OK Bob?'  sign:bob  by Rin

  Monday the kids made and put up Thanksgiving decorations and Sean began his week of subbing in for a friend on his paper route.  He has always enjoyed wandering around the neighborhood so I don't think this ended up being too much of a chore.  I went with him a few times (as did Grandpa) and enjoyed the time to chat. 

by Milla

Turkey:'to the South'  Hunter: 'Wait a minute..???' by Sean

A recycle of Sean's birthday Dr. Who decor.  Now a couple pilgrims and a turkey. 'Pie or Turkey?'

 On Tuesday morning we got to visit the dentist!  The kids went back two at a time and emerged an hour or so later, mouths brighter and mama's pocket book (much, much) lighter.   Nana and Grandpa Dave showed up right on time Tuesday evening.  Wednesday we baked, and baked and baked.  We only had 6 pies on the menu but somehow ended up with 8.   No one was complaining.  Thanksgiving was lovely.  Nana had brought a fresh turkey and, cooked breast side down as Nana insisted, the flavor was divine.  Everything came out on schedule except the rolls, but they made it to the table only 5 minutes after we began eating so we survived.  My favorite part was that the men did most of the clean-up (Grandpa Dave was a power washer the whole week) giving Nana and I a chance to sing around the piano.

Rin and Sean made some games for later in the afternoon.  Fill the cornucopia Relay, Feed the turkey, and Dunk the turkey all made the cut.

Friday Nana and Grandpa were kind enough to watch the kids while Brandon and I took a day trip to Tri-cities to go the the temple and do some Christmas shopping.  Despite being on snowpack for the first 45 min of the drive through the pass, we arrived safely and quickly.  We didn't make it back until 7:30, but the family walked over to La Grande's 'Light the Downtown' parade that evening.

Dress up time. After this Dad told me the story of taking Shannon into Misawa and how everyone wanted to pat her little blonde head.

Saturday Nana and Grandpa headed home :(  We finished off the week with a matinee to see the Muppet Movie and have been enjoying hearing the kids fit quotes from it into conversation ever since.

Chrismas suprises

Brandon got me a Christmas cactus a few years back.  This is a plant for the soul.  When everything else is slowing, hunkering down for the months (and months-- in our case) of cold winter weather, this plant suddenly emerges with delicate blossoms.  A little bright spot for my day.  And the funny thing is, that every year come October I look at my little plant and think, 'it looks so weary!  I'm not sure I'll get any blossoms this year'.  And then not a month later those little buds appear, sometimes 2, on every single stem.

 One of God's little gifts to make me smile.

Another little bright spot in my day. Rin is always doing a craft, building shadow box, etc using whatever she can scrap together...here is this weeks creation 'Reindeer Dog'

Marshmallow roasting

 We finally got a firepit for the patio I put in last summer!  We got our first marshmallow roast (burn) in just before the first snowfall.  Really nice to be outside and actually USE our backyard.  Nala, our neighbors new hound puppy was going wild not being able to share in our feast, but we thought we probably shouldn't share (Henry did, however, get one marshmallow away from me when I wasn't looking).  We decided to go with the jumbo sized marshmallows that are advertised as being for roasting...not the best idea.  It takes forever to get the center soft before burning the outside (or before I lose patience), and there is no way to get a bite out of

one without smearing it all over every thing.  You can see my attempt  to the left there.  Not pretty.  Not pretty at all.  Not having graham crackers but having a leftover hershey's bar from Halloween, Catherine made chocolate sandwiches with hers...ah, well, everything is more fun when you are covered in sugar, right?

Thomas was more intrigued by the fire than the marshmallows

Sean doing a much better job than I was

Sticky hands!

november odds and ends

 Just thought I'd post some random things my kids have been up to.
 1.  Harp:  Milla has been taking harp for 2 1/2 years now (if my memory serves me right) and is coming along beautifully.  She first told me she wanted to play the harp when she was 3.  Although we went through a few rough patches, as most children do, when she really didn't want to practice, she now seems to genuinely being enjoying it.  The best thing for mom is that the harp sounds beautiful from day one.  Even when you don't know what you are doing.  And I get to sit outside her room or on her bed and listen in sometimes as she plays and just close my eyes and

relax.  It's lovely.  Catherine has been telling me for at least the last year that SHE wants to play the harp as well.  I don't know if it's for the love of the instrument or the love of her big sister.  She's going to begin piano in January and I told her after 2 years of that if she still wants to play harp she can give it a try.

2. Henry:  The kids are always asking me to take pictures of them with Henry.  Especially Catherine.  So I posted a couple.  Catherine with a genuine smile and Sean always wanting to make us laugh.

 3. Indoor baseball:  This game began while I was otherwise occupied.  I sort of winced when I came out and saw Thomas winding up, but the kids seemed to be having so much fun I didn't have the heart to stop them.  I'm always encouraging the kids to come up with non-media fun, so here you have it.  No tears, no fighting (yeah, we get a little of that at our house...), everyone taking turns.  And at the end of it, not one piece of the crystal chandelier above Catherine's head there was down on the carpet!

origami

So, I've been without my husband, Milla and Sean since Thursday night.  Not able to go to sleep without my honey, I was scanning netflix for something to distract me.  Came across a documentary on Origami, which was advertised as a 'provocative odyssey into the mesmerizing world of modern origami'.   I've always enjoyed my short experiences with origami, but never thought of it as 'provocative' or 'mesmerizing'.  So I decided to give it a go.  An hour has never gone so quickly.  It was fascinating and motivating and everyone doing it just seemed so happy! I guess like anyone with a great passion...but I was just awed!   Towards the end of the documentary it was talking about origami relating to mathmatical theories as well as practical applications.  I turned off the TV and immediately got a piece of paper and attempted to replicate one of the simpler things the math guys were showing. So basically just paper folded into 4 triangles and then concentric rectangles from the center out...two sides of the rectangle folded identically, the other 2 reverse folded and so on.  Shows how the paper naturally shapes into a pringle like curve...or it seems one of those ways they say the universe might be shaped or something.  Anyhow.  I was just excited my poorly creased paper actually began to take on the intended shape.   Now what to do next?

I have a teenager

 So Milla turned 13 last week.  One week into being the mother of a teen, I can say it's not nearly as bad as some people have warned me it would be. :)

Actually, Milla is quite an empathetic young lady.  She's always conscious of how I am doing and is quick to pitch in when she can tell I'm having a rough day.  She does LOVE to tease her younger siblings, but is certainly a friend as well.  Favorite past time is definitely still reading...she spent her career day for 6th grade at the library and, on her own initiative, picked up a volunteer form from the library just this last week as there is no place she would rather be.  Nearing 5'6'', she may catch her mother yet.  We'll see.  Although neither of us are big shoppers we do have a favorite consignment shop that we like to look for clothing deals together in.  She doesn't tend to run with a big crowd.  Prefers to be with just a couple of friends and her friends all seem to be unique.  A group of kids that each move to their own beat.  Although always hesitant while assessing a new environment, once she is comfortable Milla has no problem giving her opinion.  I'm looking forward to seeing what the next five years bring.

This year for her birthday, Milla picked an easy theme: Halloween.   Nana Clark and the kids had already spookified our house while mama and papa were in Italy.  Plenty of gourds (Thomas carried his around like a pet for a week), a spider, skulls and a poor witch that appeared to have smashed into our front door broom first.  Poor thing.  We added some cobwebs and more arachnids along with a tombstone cake, bubbling cauldron, and glass of 'blood' jello for Milla's birthday morning display and we were all set.  Although mama and papa had to head out to Utah right after morning present opening, Milla seemed to still have a good day.  After school a friend walked home with her, played her new Wii game, had pizza and cake and then went out to a community haunted house down the street which she maturely said 'wasn't tooo scary'.

Rin prepping for Milla's birthday morning

A prize for who can find what is wrong in this pic

Bright and early on the 28th

FHE prehalloween costume try out

Dr. Sean Who

the real Dr. Who with sonic screwdriver to compare

view of Mount Emily while the kids trick or treat

Halloween was a family affair with one of Sean's friends tagging along.  Sean and Wes dressed up as The Doctor from season's 10 and 11 respectively of 'Doctor Who'.  Milla went as Athena, Catherine as a Japanese girl, and Thomas went as a Cyberman from Dr. Who.  All the boy's were pleased when some college kids from EOU's residence halls where we were trick or treating recognized their costumes and welcomed them with, 'Ah look!  Some Whovians!'.  I guess most kids their age don't watch British TV.  We returned home with a decent load of candy, Mama and Papa took our required 10% cut, and we settled down for a good nights rest. ;)

The Italian trains weren't soo bad...

Actually, the trains were fantastic, comfortable, easy to use and very clean.  As was Rome's subway.  The train ride from Venice to Rome was made all the better by the fact that I got to sit in the same seating group with not only my husband but a darling little Italian girl (about 4 years?) and her mother.   As she drew in her coloring book she chatted away.  Her mom ran through numbers in Spanish with her as well as practicing some English phrases ('Natalia ate cake' was recited very precisely many times...have to begin with the essentials). 
(pic- Olers and Eyres on our hotels rooftop terrace in Florence-Brunelleschi's Duomo behind Brandon's head)
In Rome we, of course, visited the essentials (Vatican including St. Peter's and the Sistine chapel along with their many collections, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Colosseum and surrounding remnants, Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon) which were fascinating, but what I remember most were interactions with the locals.  We had a hotel car drive us many places and the driver had many opinions to share.  We asked about driving in Rome, which at first seemed frightening, but by the end seemed more like a seamless river of traffic.  There were very few lights downtown and some roundabouts, but many intersections are just open and no one stops, cars and pedestrians just fit in and weave together.   Our driver said (you have to say it with the accent), " American drivers!  They stop-a at all the lines (crosswalks) and wait-a for everyone to pass and stay in straight line-a!  It take-a forever!  You never get anywhere!"  Then later  Berlusconi came up in conversation and I mistakenly called him 'president'.  The driver about flipped out..."Berlusconi is crazy!  If he ever got elected president I would be gone!  I leave Italy!"  Really a fun drive.  It's amazing how many of those little smart cars you can fit across a road that appeared to be only 2 lanes! (we counted 5). 

There were too many highlights to mention them all.  I'll just name a few

FLORENCE:  Beautiful, very walkable city.  Michelangelo's David was definitely the most impressive thing I saw.  Really stunning to see it's massiveness and strength he exuded from the marble.
The Midici's Pitti Palace is huge and lovely, and was located at the base of a hill right outside our hotel.  What I remember are stairs...stairs upon stairs.  My legs are so toned right now.  Oddest thing of the trip was when we walked through the gardens on the hill behind the Pitti Palace.  There is a large building on

(pic above-Florence's oldest bridge on the Arno River. Originally where meat vendors were, until the powerful Medici's decided they didn't like passing the smell on the way to their palace so they were kicked out and replaced with jewelry shops.  pic below-Brandon on grounds behind Pitti Palace)

the property (I think held a minor museum...can't remember) that we walked up to because we wanted to see the view of the city.  We were disappointed upon arriving at the building that all the area around was fenced off.  The note to explain why said that 2 healthy people in 2004 and just a yr or 2 later had fallen down dead at exactly the same spot on the property.  And also that many dogs were reported to have 'precipitated' there as well.  Until the cause of the deaths and 'precipitations' were discovered, the area was to be closed.  Obviously some kind of translation error there...

view out bedroom window of Venice apartment

Venice in the Rain

VENICE:  Lovely, quiet (no cars).  I loved just putting the map down and just wandering in Venice.  You would go down alleys only a few feet wide that would lead to charming little shops.  Got lost a few times, but you don't get far before hitting a canal at a dead-end and realizing you need to retrace your steps.  We did the 'secret itineraries' tour at the Doge's Palace where we were told the story of Casanova, his escape from being a  political prisoner there, as his return when hired as a state spy.  Really fun tour.  Also on that tour got to peer into the attic above the large room that I believe was for legislative type sessions (built I think around 14th century).  The ceiling was cleverly suspended with bolts and wooded beams that had been treated against rot so they were basically petrified.  Because of this the guide noted the absence of any spiders or insects...no webs.   Interesting I thought.  Up to this point in the trip, no one had given us too hard a time about not ordering any wine.  We had our last dinner in Venice in a nicer restaurant on the bay.  When we declined wine the waiter
 smiled and with a little wink said, 'What, you all are going to be DRIVING home?' (remember, no cars in Venice).  Made us all chuckle.
Favorite gelato: meringue, coconut
Favorite appetizer(was everywhere): cantaloupe and proscuitto
Favorite dish: Pear and Gorgonzola ravioli

modern glass exhibit we saw on Murano

Jeanine,Carrie and Brandon on the island of Murano by Venice

ROME: Already mentioned some from Rome.  Here our hotel was a little more out of the really touristy areas which was nice.  A little harder to find gelato but enjoyed the atmosphere of the restaurants more.  Most places the waiters didn't even attempt speaking Italian to you...they just went right to English and many signs and menus were in both.  I still threw my limited Italian out there just for fun.  Surprisingly I was understood most of the time.  My only negative encounter was with a postal worker when I misunderstood what I owed and I got yelled at.  Perhaps postal workers have it hard in Italy, too...  My favorite restaurant here had a divine antipasto type buffet for only 8 Euro (tax and tip were generally included).  It had the expected assorted veges (olives, sweet peppers, mushrooms, etc in olive oil) and cheeses as well as an assortment of flaky savory dishes and quiches.  I was in heaven.
Italy notes: there will be no butter for your bread, no dressing for your salad (except oil and vinegar), and you will pay for water and asked 'gas or no gas?' when ordering. Go with 'no'.  And there will be heads on your shrimp.  And any other seafood you order.   I did eat a golf ball sized fried octopus with all the legs very much visible and actually really enjoyed it.  The sardines on the other hand...
Only hiccup on the subway was caused by my being left handed in a right handed world.  You know how before you get to the trains you come up to a line of gates and have to put your ticket in before each individual gate will open?  Well I put the ticket in with my left hand and the gate in front of me didn't open.  Took me just a second to realize that I had opened the gate to the left.  With swift and I must say, very graceful movement ;)  I got over and through the gate before it closed.  I heard some chuckles and then an older italian gentleman clapping as he came through after me cheering 'Bravo, Bravo!'  I gave my bows and we were off the train.

At Trevi Fountain in Rome

Carrie, Jeanine and Jeff at Colosseum

Wife in the Kitchen (Pompeii)

Mt Vesuvius

My fried octopus

Although we spent an extra 3 1/2 hours in Dulles Airport, actually sitting on our plane through a lightning storm, and ended up missing our connection then in Denver and got to spend the night there it was overall a great trip.  And the beds in our Embassy Suites in Denver were like a cloud.   In the Zurich airport the service was phenomenal.  In security the lady just laughed and empathized with us when she asked if we had any 'weapons or sharp items'  and Carol (Mom) burst out 'No!  They took them all away from us in Rome!' (she had 2 small scissors confiscated that were permitted in the US).  The airport was clean and cheerful.  Even had those Ricola horns blowing and cows mooing on the trams.  Then we got to the line for security in America and the workers called out, 'If you think your line is going too slow it's because you aren't prepping your things to go through (the x-ray) fast enough!'  Welcome to America!

Sean's Day

Well, Sean has turned 11 years old.  It seems he's been 11 for a long time, though, because I am always thinking for 6 months before their birthday, 'my (child) is almost (next age)! I can't believe it!"  So by the time the big day arrives I am well prepared.

Anyhow, we had a lovely low-key birthday for Sean.  He didn't want a big party, just to have one buddy over, so that's what we did.  It suited Sean well as he is kind of my homebody.  He likes being with the family or up in his room building one thing or another or quietly drawing.  Or having pokemon/star war/Ben Ten/etc battles with his brother.  Which can get loud but are surprisingly often quiet as they play out their roles in slow motion.

The party was Doctor Who themed.  Brandon engineered the awesome Dalek cupcakes and Rice Krispie treat Tardis replica.  We did our traditional present opening at 6:30 am and then that evening took the family and Sean's friend Wes to pizza, played some games, had cake, watched a Doctor Who episode and played with Sean's presents (Phineas and Ferb WII game among others) for the rest of the evening.

(so at what age do you stop putting all the candles on to add up to that age?  We got quite a fire this year)

 

Sean has instructed me not to write anything too personal about him on my blog, so I will stop there. :)  Good kid.

School

I feel we've fallen into a pleasant school morning routine.  7:35 am family prayer, 7:42 Thomas pick up the bus right in front of our house, 7:50 Sean takes off on his bike to get his friend Emma and then heads up to school and Rin and I bike up together (we're a little slower than Sean).  Milla hangs out at home for a little bit longer (school starts at 8:30) and then walks with a friend.  Catherine and I both, I think, have been enjoying the one on one time together.  At least we should be able to ride for another 4-6 weeks 'til the weather turns.  We are still refining our route to school to make it the safest possible...for a little girl that has only been riding for 3 weeks we have had a few close calls with cars.  But most drivers are pretty careful and it's a good chance for her to practice stopping and starting  as well as learn rules of the rode.  Even though the list of things to get done seems endless I feel I'm moving at a little slower pace and am feeling peace in that.  We'll see if I can keep that perspective through the school year.

Backyard Project

Well, I guess it's time I post some pics of our backyard renovation.

Patio spot dug and leveled.  Check.
Bender board installed.  Sand base in.  Check
Bricks laid.  Sand/grout filled in. Check
Dirt filled back in on edges.  Sod laid. Check.
Extra sand in truck moved to empty spot in back yard becoming an unplanned beach for the kids to play in. Check. (turned out to be the best part of the backyard reno.  Thomas is out there playing every day).

(put the kids to work on this job.  they were super fast)

(Spidey here was also super fast, but not as helpful) 

Stones on other side of patio relaid. Check

 (white edge not yet painted here and stones not swept off, but you get the idea)

New wood arbor completed (by Sean and Brandon). Check

(Other boy in these pics is 2nd cousin Brian Oler who came to visit for a week in Aug)

Arbor stained. No check.  but this may happen in the next week...

Nap. Double check.