BOMB fire!

It's a good thing that we loaded up on Thanksgiving goodness because we definitely needed the energy reserves to clean up the leaves in this gigantic yard.
We're talking about more than 90 bags of leaves.
It's a good thing we have a crew of little workers.
Abz was suffering from the post-sleepover blues.

After 2 fun-filled days and nights with cousin Boo, she was in prime form. She didn't appreciate my cheerful singing or reminders of Santa Claus watching. I thought her pouting lip was so funny that I went to grab the camera. She wouldn't give me the pleasure of capturing her sour face... but at least she busted out a smile (even if only to mock me).
While we did have moments that could have passed for one of those sweet Mormon family loving commercials, Pops pointed out, that like the Mormon commercials, the love also only lasted 30 seconds.
The big reward was burning all of the twigs and branches we found in the yard in a giant
"Bomb fire", Superkid's term for a super big fire with lots of exploding twigs.
After an afternoon and evening by the fire roasting hotdogs, make s'mores, and chatting with neighbors, I'm not sure we will ever cook inside again.
And, oh, the snuggle time! ...BTW those are Tad's boots on Tad's feet, not me with moon boots.
The house is looking fabulous. We are in love.
That's it. We're never leaving.

Gobble! Gobble!

This has been one of the best weekends of my life!

Thanksgiving is becoming my favorite holiday.

The fun started with Pops making the BIG grocery shopping trip on Tuesday. I received 3 completely giddy phone calls from Pops at the grocery store. He made sure we had it all, even down to plenty of egg nog for the blind taste test.

Wednesday Pops and the kids watched as a gaggle of turkeys raced back and forth from the front yard to the back in a tizzy. We have regularly been visited by turkeys each morning on the back lawn, but they are usually pretty docile. These turkeys were in Thanksgiving *Freak Out* mode. ...even if they look like they are calmly ambling by in the photo.

Thanksgiving eve the party arrived! Our RI cousins came to help prepare for the big day.

Pops made his famous stuffing while an eager young audience looked on in admiration.

Then up early the next morning to get the bird going and get the snuggling started!

Time to load up the bird...

And get on with the Belgian waffle pig out!

Between the actual feast and our breakfast feast was another major pig out on Andie's amazing buffalo chicken dip and pine nut artichoke dip. I would have taken pictures, but both fists were full of creamy goodness.

After all that eating, we had to take a long drive and stroll on the beach to make a little room for more feasting. Pops stayed behind to make sure the bird would be cooked to perfection. We came home just in time for the carving...

AND the feasting!

Peas and carrots, Pops amazing stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, buttery roll, cranberry sauce, turkey and HH's Yummy Yummy Yams Yum Yum Yum! I have eaten this meal over and over and over the last 4 days and it only tastes better each time!

Dessert anyone? Yes Please!!!

By the end of the day, there was not a gut in the house that could be held in with a button or snap.

In fact, our RI cousins had to stay an extra night to recover, which included watching 5 hours of Downton Abbey and sneaking out early to play Mrs. Claus.

Like I said, best holiday ever.

For more fun, and even better pictures click here!

Candy Overload

I'm not one of those "Good" parents that limits the intake of Halloween candy. My philosophy is that it is their candy and the faster they rip through it the better. So in an effort to increase our sugar tolerance we had a mandatory ice cream dose leading up to the big day.

There were other preparations to be made also, like finding the perfect costume.
Which involved squeezing into some of old favs...
...and rolling up the sleeves on a few things that were a bit oversized...
The only way to know for sure if you've got the right costume is to get into full character...
And find the costume that best matches your personality and interests...
And FINALLY our turn on the great Halloween stage came!
Show time!
First stop Saturday night was the church Trunk-or-Treat party...


The truly great part is that the party rolled on. Monday was the great hunt. It is so hard to pick a great costume, so it is nice to have the opportunity to change character. When Optimus Prime rounded the corner in the kitchen, I was delighted to greet him and welcome such a fabulous celebrity in our home. That is when I heard a little voice come from under the muscles and machinery and said, "Mom, it's really me, Tadpole. Can't you see me through the window?" If you look hard enough maybe you can too...
My little Peachy Pie decided to go the Southern Belle route for the neighborhood scene, and what a scene it was! There were crunchy leaves, a church bell, graveyards, lots of gobblins and even a hearst! Abizella (or should I say "Abibella") was our little ambassador, inviting other kids to join our crowd.
Then the FEAST. Yes, Abz takes after her dad. I think she chose a peanut butter cup at every house. I saw a pile of 8 wrappers where she sat devouring her gains while watching "The Great Pumpkin"

Life just doesn't get sweeter than this!

8 Amazing Years

Here we are more than a month later, but I just couldn't let such an important event as Superkid's 8th Birthday pass without mention. It REALLY was a spectacular birthday. Superkid has been talking about Cold Stone birthday cakes ever since my birthday, and with the impending move, he didn't have to twist my arm! The kid has good taste.
To celebrate the occasion, we partied at the CIRCUS! Good times. If you ask the kid's the best part was the concession stand (just like anywhere). I personally was mystified by the contortionists. Okay and the motorcycle guys.
But the best part was just hanging out with these guys.
I asked Superkid what was on his TOP 8 LIST
Having a family
Having clean water
Reading the scriptures
Hot wheels
Legos
Christmas
Grandparents
Sprite

Happy Birthday Superkid!
These have been the 8 best years of my life.

14 Millionish + 1

Today was Superkid's baptism day, making him officially counted among the ranks of Mormons. This kid is awesome. Just one dunk.

He was dressed to kill.
Pops had a man-to-man chat with Superkid about how in the old days men would dress in armor to defend themselves against the world. These days a man needs a well fit suit. I don't know a kid more fit to wear a suit. ...although, Superkid did mention that we would rather have the armor.

There are so many friends and family members that we wish could have been here to share the day with Superkid. If I had a million dollars I would have flown everyone out for the occasion. Instead, you all get the pics. ...but at least you don't have to wait!

We were well loved by our local friends and family. It was wonderful to have a so many great friends to share the day with.

So here is the Happy Family...

The Proud Parents...
Pre-dunk...

We were especially glad that our RI cousins could be here! They shortly will be our Colorado cousins, and Todd already is, so it was especially great to share the day with them!

Embracing Selfishness

Last night I read the "Selfishness Cure" chapter from Miss Piggle Wiggle to the young Toads. I took a moment to define selfishness. I said something like, "Selfishness is when you won't share your toys with anyone. It means that you only think about yourself and not how other people feel." Tadpole pulled his pensive expression and thought for a moment. Then he smiled with the satisfaction of putting together a long perplexing puzzle and said, "Hmmm, I'm pretty sure I'm selfish Mom." Giggling inwardly, but outwardly trying to convince him of the virtues of selflessness, I dove into the importance of treating others the way you want to be treated blah.blah.blah. and then continued reading. At some point Little Chief took hold of the Lego train Tad had made and started playing. Soon Tadpole noticed, walked over and repossessed his toy. He looked at me and said, "I'm just a selfish kid mom."

Our Favorite Things...

Let's just say that the kiddos are acclimating to their new environment just fine.
Little Chief is a major fan of our NEWEST family member, Shadow (who he calls, "Woof"). It is a match made in heaven. Shadow gets lots of back rubs and table scraps, Little Chief gets someone who doesn't get *frustrated* with him...
Sad, I know... but he is a busy boy and it was a busy month.
Little Chief is also a major fan of all the low hanging fruit around here!
This is a mischief maker's paradise.
Although, his FAVORITE part of the house is the dog door. Suddenly the world is open to him, he can just get up and leave whenever he wants and roam as far as he wants... so long as he doesn't want to roam past the fence of the dog-run.
The closets here are rooms unto themselves. When we first went to tour our new space, the kids all claimed their closet. The concept of having a whole gigantic bedroom was too much to digest. While the young Toads have adjusted to sleeping in their cavernous rooms, their closets remain a grand place to hang out, and the first place we look when we can't find them (which happens all the time in this mansion).

Superkid's office/Tadpole's train terminal...
Abizella's Pony stable/'Lil Chief's wrecking zone...
Tadpole and Superkid's room...
Abizella and 'Lil Chief's room...
Other favorite places include...
The LAUNDRY SHOOT
(are you kidding me! The sheer joy of putting your dirty clothes in the hamper!)!!!
Miss Abizella's private art studio...
Superkid's music hall...
And my personal fav, the one-size-fits-ALL-THE-KIDS-old-fashioned-claw-foot bath tub.
Good old family fun!