Our Holiday

Our holiday with Oma and Opa (Chad's folks) was nice and relaxing. This year things were pretty quiet since it wasn't the whole crew... Adam, Carey, and the kids stayed in Beaverton and we will miss the fact that we won't see them for the holidays this year. We will be in Eugene for Christmas and they will be in the Hood. Luckily, we live near by and we can try to catch up at the end of the football season.

We spent lots of time in front of the "big" cozy fire while the girls played I don't know how many games of Twister. *Excuse the mid-drift.
Tod did some fishing and caught two steel head. He sent us home with plenty and I can't wait to cook it. This picture was taken in Oma and Opa's back yard on the Hood River. *Chad's oldest brother Tod.Maisey watched Tod clean the fish and she decided she never wants to catch one. Nice getup huh? For both of them!
Ryley was happy he got to spend plenty of time with family. He especially likes cousin Ruby. She is an idol in our family amongst the kiddos.
Ruby trying to rock Ryley to sleep. Chad was the camera man for this shot and didn't catch everyone.

Friday we walked around the local shops with Tod and Jill before our drive home.

Fortunately, we weren't caught in a snow storm and we made it back in time for a busy weekend of homework. Which was successful.

But, before all the work came on Saturday we managed to decorate our Christmas tree Friday night. I didn't want to waste any time and I wasn't in the mood to cut the holiday short by jumping head over heels into neuroscience.

Isn't it pretty?

Thanksgiving Feast

This past Tuesday Maisey had a Thanksgiving Feast at school before the holiday. They had "Stone Soup" ( a thumbs down I've heard), popcorn, beef jerky, and pumpkin pie. Chad took these pictures since volunteered that day. He said the moms did most the work and they didn't need him so he's decided to only volunteer for field trips. She looks real excited... They all do.

{"Pretty" Cute}

A couple of Etsy lovers scouted these out and we sat down to make them one night. At first I was slower than a slug at sewing the beads on but after a little practice my speed improved. After six I had my fill of fun and now I am just waiting for the arrival of a JoAnne's coupon. Next I'm off to buy fabric to sew a cute little table cloth, napkins, and a matching apron!Don't these sugar cookies look edible?

{Forbidden}

After turning on the wrong oven burner for the millionth time I'm forbidden to purchase and use these once silver $15 burner covers. I have done this so many times I could have bought a new stove by now instead of taking stock in these 'old school' covers.

About 6 weeks ago I did the same thing and melted our Bumbo (turqoise) to the stove. I was in a hurry, I only needed one burner, and we were carving pumpkins on the kitchen table.

{Nuisance}

Last year when I was Christmas shopping with my Grandma we came across a pair of goggles in a kitchen store. What the heck are these doing in a high end kitchen store I thought? When I got real close they read, "Onion goggles- $19.99." Months had gone by and I continued to cry and cry when cutting onions (more than the usual tearing up, I'm talking Multnomah Falls). But then, three or so months ago I remembered the cool "invention." I got my Speedo goggles out of my swim bag and I've been happy since. Hideously ugly, but tear free!

{ I Heart Christmas}

My heart is beating to the tune of jingle bells. Please do not take my excitement for Christmas as a sign that I am not thankful for Thanksgiving. I am thankful for each day I have on this earth to better myself.

*It's almost time to open the advent calendar!

{Ducks in a row}

Today I met with the advisor at school and she confirmed I only have one term left to register for (Spring). I need to turn in my graduation petition by January 9th! Woo-hoo!!!

The Earth

A funny blurb from our car ride to school today.

Maisey: "Mom, it's really raining!"

Me: "Yeah, You need your umbrella for sure!"

Maisey: "No Mom, I like the earth and I don't want to hurt the rains feelings. Plus, the rain does lots of good things like water the...!"

Me (thinking): Is she going to be a tree hugger or just conservative with her resources?

Rejoice for Me!

I am so happy and relieved this morning. After a long night of anticipation for this mornings registration time, I was able to get the classes I wanted for next term. The best part is, 2 of them are online! There were only 4 classes available online that fit into my major and the first one I tried was full. I was so nervous because Seniors register after Masters students and I was thought they would fill the 'web' classes. Majority of the time online classes are full before I even get to register. I am so thankful for how things always work out- even if I didn't love my classes this term!

I only have Winter and Spring to go. Winter term, like all the others will be very busy. However, life will be easier since I have the flexibility to learn and study on my terms! There are cons to online classes- they cost more $ and they actually take more time (from my experience). You wouldn't think they would consume more time but instead of sitting in class lecture for 4 hours, you have to make up for that, plus the 2 hour study rule per a credit (which is fluid and is really gaged on the class and person).

What will I be doing aside from those 2 online classes- a community research project (volunteer work). In order to graduate Portland State requires students to spend one term in a community project. Most of them involve research and program implementation in the community. PSU wants to give back and the beneficiaries must be so thankful because it is a great help to them. Now, I am not 'promoting ' the program enthusiastically. Amongst the 15 or so projects you can choose from, nearly all are quite liberal and a little different. However, I am excited I will be doing mine with the older population (seniors). It is called 'Linking Generations.' I am very excited because I have had many great friendships with older people, my grandparents especially, and also with previous jobs I've had.

Oh what a relief, I only have to register 1 more time and I only have 27 credits to go! Many burdens have just be lifted. Once again, I feel so blessed that I have the stamina to 'endure to the end.'

Investiture

Maisey is an 'official' Daisy Scout now. Last Thursday she recited the Girl Scout Promise and was presented with her Daisy Scout Pin. I think this is such a great program and we are so excited for her. She loves service projects, and in large groups with chatty girls especially. Because she can tie now, last week she was the designated knot tier for the big fleece blankets they made for a Linus project. She had so much fun and is still so proud of herself that she can tie things. If you need your shoes tied, just flatter her by asking for help. She's been able to help many kids at school, even big kids!

A Whole New World

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Enough said.

{3 Strikes}

I have been sick 3 times already in the past 6 weeks since school began! I'm not just talking about a little sniffle either. I've got the scratchy throat, sinus pressure, and nose issues. Do you have any recommendations that don't include more rest or anything that involves more time for that matter? I HATE anything you have to drink- those things like E-mergency that claim to prevent the cold from coming on in the first place. I do need a boost however of some kind. I feel like such an idiot because each time I thought it was an allergy or sinus infection- non-infectious! And I want to be a nurse... I really didn't think I had a cold because for several days I sneezed and due to the fact that I just got over a cold, and another! I really am apologetic if I exposed you to any of my germs. As of right now, Maisey is following my suit (slightly, but unfortunately) and the boys have just been symptom free and healthy- luckily!

{First}

This was the first year our family dressed up as a theme and it was Ryley's first Halloween. Maisey wanted to be a witch last year but she changed her mind and I ended up returning her costume... However, this year she decided to go for it and be the meanest greenest witch around. Recently after viewing The Wizard of Oz, she decided to assign us our costumes too! It was more fun than I thought it would be and we were able to pull it together will very little money. We are already thinking about next year... And, judging by the rash on Maisey's face, it won't be something involving face paint. We spent the Halloween evening with many of the Guenther's at the Stone's (Chad's cousin's house). Chad and Marlissa are both obsessed (NO joke) with Halloween and they would love to own a Halloween business. In the meantime, Marlissa spends each year going all-out making sure EVERYBODY has a good time. Pictured below you will see all the cousins.
This year the Stone's chose a pirate theme. Marlissa loves a party and a good scare. She and Chad always plot out strategies to scare. After Chad played the scarecrow, he suited up as a dead pirate and lied on the porch (looking like one of the many props) so he could grab people's legs and scare them. Collage Left to right:

Row 1: Ryley and Aunt Carey, Cousin Marlissa (the hostest with the mostest), Cousin Ruby (Herminy) and Aunt Jill (Herminy's mother).

Row 2: Cousins Ruby, Miranda, and Peyton (a gum ball machine), Candy Corn sisters Michelle and Miranda, Maisey's stash.

Row 3: Maisey displaying her ripped candy bag- a sure sign she did well, a small view of the doorway (it does no justice this wrap-a-round porch which was decked out with chainsaws, headless people, etc,...), and Cousin Ruby looking brain washed in the cage.

Trunk or Treat at the church.

The tired Guard

We found Glenda the good witch!
Scooby Scooby Doo, Where are You (Matt, Wendy, and Bryce)?
Scooby Doo's trunk won the contest! But,
there should have been two winners because The Williams' trunk was awesome!
Ryley had a relaxing first Halloween. The rain kept away and we were all content.
Until next year, "Happy Ween" (a term Maisey coined her first year trick-or-treating)!

{Finicky}

Tomorrow is Halloween and Maisey has opted out on participating in the class parade which will travel throughout the school. The school rule is that the children must wear their costume over their clothing, and only wear it during the parade. Because they aren't permitted to wear them all day, there was no way I was going to paint her face up, but I still encouraged her to join in. She turned my pleas down and when I asked her why, her explanation was "I just don't like the style!" She thinks it's ridiculous to wear clothing under the already perfect apparel she has in mind.

This past week a friend of mine commented saying, "Ryley is pretty finicky isn't he?" Yes, this is true and he is no different than Maisey. At times we recognize his pleasant differences such as the fact that he will lay in a crib and nod off to sleep within a few short minutes (as opposed to Maisey who never slept in a crib). However, in most instances we realize these kids know exactly what they want and when they want it! Sure there are moment they can seem demanding, frustrating, uncooperative, stubborn, (and on and on) but hopefully they will stand up for themselves throughout their lives and be who they really are.

More to Come

In the near future look for more! I am the least photogenic person in the WORLD and no matter how cute my family is, they can't help me. I ruin almost every picture. But, this photographer http://courtneybphotography.blogspot.com/ is wonderful and I think we got ourselves a Christmas card somewhere out of the 300+ shots.

Tied Up

This past week we were "tied" up with new things. Maisey started Girl Scouts (she is a Daisy Scout) and she also learned to tie her shoes (during stake conference)! I was beginning to wonder when she would ever learn to tie her shoes, because aside from her soccer cleats and basketball shoes, she doesn't wear or own any others. Shoes that tie just aren't the "in" style right now! Although we have frustrating moments because of her strong willed spirit, I do have so much watching her grow and being there along the way.

Pumpkin Carving

My husband LOVES to carve pumpkins (he got himself two this year)! And me, not so much. I enjoy it some but it sure wasn't fun trying to explain again and again to Maisey that 5 year-olds aren't quite big enough to use big knives, to cut into their big pumpkins, and so on. So, I don't really enjoy doing two pumpkins (Maisey's and mine), and I especially don't enjoy the power struggles. But, we did get our pumpkins carved and lit! We did have fun, and as usual, they turned out pretty satisfactory. Chad used a pattern as he poked out the design, but then he couldn't make sense of all the dots so he went with what he could see. We decided Frankenstein has a bad case of acne! Maisey named her pumpkin Casper. She loved helping me drill holes around my branches with Dad's electric drill. Now all we have to do is remember to light them (we forgot last night)!
I found this cute idea on the Dining as a Domestic Goddess website (found in my favorites). You make the treats as usual, except you add orange dye to the marshmallows before packing them into the pan (or bowl in this case- for the pumpkin shape). Next, refrigerate for a couple hours, extract from bowl, and add a little frosting to garnish the Jack 'O' Lantern. He's ready to eat!

Old Town

Last Thursday night my mom and Grandpa took us out to dinner at Old Town Pizza in the Pearl District. The pizza place was built back in 1880 as a hotel. It is said to be haunted and Maisey (although we didn't tell her), was freaked out by it. She didn't want to stay for dinner and she said next time she wanted to stay home. The building stands above the Shanghai Tunnels and at night was a little spooky. Most of the tables were only lit by a little tea light but we managed to find a semi-lit spot to eat under the since Maisey didn't like the darkness. This establishment was featured on The Food Network (Rachel Ray paid it a visit) and Jay Leno also ate there and talked it up. Find out more http://www.oldtownpizza.com/.

TOFW

Last Saturday I went to my first (and certainly not my last) Time Out For Women. I only stayed half the day (until lunch) because I am gone enough during the week at school, but I was still glad I went. If you're wondering what TOFW is, it is a two day presentation put on by Desert Book and it is so uplifting. Want to know more, check out http://deseretbook.com/time-out/about . The hours were filled with music and wonderful presentations from hilarious and moving speakers (I LOVE Emily Watts)! It was nice to attend it with new friends from our Beaverton ward and to see old friends from the Hood River Ward. One presenter spoke about pain and heartache, and it was rejuvenating. Our trials were analogized to a wheel, which isn't unfamiliar to me. In philosophy I'd heard about "the wheel of suffering" and again it was being used to demonstrate life and the ups and downs that come with it. It is nice to know that if we are at the bottom of the wheel and we are struggling, eventually things will turn around and we will see the top again. The concepts and information presented wasn't new my any means, but it was a big boost to my outlook on life- something I needed right now.

Let's Talk About...

... teeth. Teeth seem to be the focus around here lately and I am beginning to think Maisey might become a Dentist. Ryley has 3 bottom teeth coming in all at once (however, only one has pushed through, the others are visible). I cannot for the life of me keep Maisey's fingers out of his mouth! If her fingers aren't on his teeth, you can probably bet she's touching her own. Several times a week she comes to me asking me to feel her "loose" tooth and then I have to break the news to her that she doesn't have any. She is so obsessed with teeth she begs us to let her brush our teeth. I always turn her down but I know her Dad has given in a time or two. I guess she really wants us to maintain a white smile. I wonder when she will notice I need braces... For now I think she still believes I lost a tooth, when really she has the same inherited gap. Sorry Mais, I will get you braces, after I get mine!