Chances are good that if you were to stop by the Tate house, this is what you would find...
Two little Tater-tots snuggled together reading books or coloring/writing letters.
Awww...it just warms my heart!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Light at the End of the Tunnel...
I only wish I were talking about Seth's schooling, but alas, it is just the approach of the monumental task of finishing my Christmas decorating! The ornaments still need to be hung on the tree, I still need to find a place for the table that used to be where the tree is, and we need to put up Morgan's Christmas "Tree" in his room, not to mention cleaning up the mess that it has made to get decorations out and up, but we are getting there - finally!
All of the lights are up - on the house, on the tree, on the mini trees, on all of the garlands - the nativity is front and center, the Christmas CDs are in the stereo, the Santa's are in position, the stockings are hung, the mistletoe is ready for use, the Snowmen are happy to greet all who venture downstairs, and the holiday dishes are clean and ready to be displayed! Whew! Now, if I could just stand up, I could get it all finished and put away the boxes! :)
Don't worry - pictures will come when everything is done!
All of the lights are up - on the house, on the tree, on the mini trees, on all of the garlands - the nativity is front and center, the Christmas CDs are in the stereo, the Santa's are in position, the stockings are hung, the mistletoe is ready for use, the Snowmen are happy to greet all who venture downstairs, and the holiday dishes are clean and ready to be displayed! Whew! Now, if I could just stand up, I could get it all finished and put away the boxes! :)
Don't worry - pictures will come when everything is done!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Bedside Books Tag
I was tagged to list the books at each of my family members' bedsides, but nobody in this house really keeps books by their bedside other than scriptures (Seth and I keep our scripture quads on our nightstands, and Morgan has his picture Book of Mormon as well as his Book of Mormon stories board book which should be in Chloe's room).
We do most of our reading in the living room, so that is where our latest "reading material" is strewn. Unfortunately, I have been decorating and cleaning all day, so I am going to have to give you the rundown of today's books mostly from memory...
Seth...
This is tricky because he uses his commute-time and walking across campus time to listen to audiobooks for his leisure reading, and I have absolutely no idea what he is listening to right now. I do have to move his enormous Pathophysiology book and various other textbooks out of my living room almost daily, though. Plus, I am pretty sure I put away his Aaronic Priesthood lesson manual today too.
Jen...
I am a slacker! I am an avid reader and read a rediculous amount every day...however, all of that reading is from magazines, blogs and children's books. Here is my latest reading material strewn throughout the house. Ensigns and New Eras, Parenting magazine, Parents Magazine, Simple Scrapbooks Magazine, Creating Keepsakes Magazine, Redbook Magazine, Digital Scrapbooking Magazine, No Doubt About It by Sheri Dew (I have been "reading" this book forever! I don't think I will ever get through it). I also have Behold Your Little Ones (the new nursery manual) in my queue of things to read.
Now to the easy part!!!
Morgan...
Snowmen at Christmas (Caralyn Buehner)
Snowmen at Night (Caralyn Buehner)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Dr. Seuss)
King Bidgood's In The Bathtub
The Cat in the Hat (Dr. Seuss)
Sesame Street (That one is in Morgan's room where he is sleeping, but I can tell you it was brought to you by the letter "F" and the number "4")
Arthur's Baby (Marc Brown)
Chloe...
What's Bigger than Me? (Baby Einstein)
Go Dog Go (full length by PD Eastman)
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (Dr. Seuss)
Touch and Feel Christmas
Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? (Dr. Seuss)
Goodnight Moon (Margaret Wise Brown)
Once Upon a Potty (Alona Frankel)
Little People Go to School Lift the Flaps
And those are all ones they/we read today alone (most could have been on either Morgan or Chloe's list) - and I am positive I have left a few out. So, despite my neglect for my own reading, I am not failing my children completely in the reading department.
Anyone who feels so inclined...blog your bedside books - I am sure to see it because your blog is something I will actually read! Oh, and Seth - feel free to add any books that are on your figurative bedside!
We do most of our reading in the living room, so that is where our latest "reading material" is strewn. Unfortunately, I have been decorating and cleaning all day, so I am going to have to give you the rundown of today's books mostly from memory...
Seth...
This is tricky because he uses his commute-time and walking across campus time to listen to audiobooks for his leisure reading, and I have absolutely no idea what he is listening to right now. I do have to move his enormous Pathophysiology book and various other textbooks out of my living room almost daily, though. Plus, I am pretty sure I put away his Aaronic Priesthood lesson manual today too.
Jen...
I am a slacker! I am an avid reader and read a rediculous amount every day...however, all of that reading is from magazines, blogs and children's books. Here is my latest reading material strewn throughout the house. Ensigns and New Eras, Parenting magazine, Parents Magazine, Simple Scrapbooks Magazine, Creating Keepsakes Magazine, Redbook Magazine, Digital Scrapbooking Magazine, No Doubt About It by Sheri Dew (I have been "reading" this book forever! I don't think I will ever get through it). I also have Behold Your Little Ones (the new nursery manual) in my queue of things to read.
Now to the easy part!!!
Morgan...
Snowmen at Christmas (Caralyn Buehner)
Snowmen at Night (Caralyn Buehner)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Dr. Seuss)
King Bidgood's In The Bathtub
The Cat in the Hat (Dr. Seuss)
Sesame Street (That one is in Morgan's room where he is sleeping, but I can tell you it was brought to you by the letter "F" and the number "4")
Arthur's Baby (Marc Brown)
Chloe...
What's Bigger than Me? (Baby Einstein)
Go Dog Go (full length by PD Eastman)
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (Dr. Seuss)
Touch and Feel Christmas
Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? (Dr. Seuss)
Goodnight Moon (Margaret Wise Brown)
Once Upon a Potty (Alona Frankel)
Little People Go to School Lift the Flaps
And those are all ones they/we read today alone (most could have been on either Morgan or Chloe's list) - and I am positive I have left a few out. So, despite my neglect for my own reading, I am not failing my children completely in the reading department.
Anyone who feels so inclined...blog your bedside books - I am sure to see it because your blog is something I will actually read! Oh, and Seth - feel free to add any books that are on your figurative bedside!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
An Unusual Date Night
Since Seth is the Young Men's president and I am the 2nd counselor in the Young Women's presidency, we both have to be at our ward's youth activities each week. I don't say this to complian as I am grateful that we both fulfill our callings in the same block of time, but it is still another night of the week that we don't get to see each other at all (bringing that total to 4 on a really good week when he isn't busy doing homework the other 3). But, the first week of the month brings a happy surprise - a combined activity! That means for a couple of hours we get to do something together - even if there are a bunch of teenagers and often our kids, with us. Last night, our combined activity was especially great because Seth's family watched the kids and our activity started early and went late - not to mention that it involved dinner, shopping and Temple Square lights. That probably sounds like a pretty pathetic date night to most of you, but sometimes you just take what you can get!
In a way it takes me back to our dating days. We really didn't go on many "dates" (in fact I could probably count our official dates over the entire year and a half we dated on two hands) but we spent a lot of time doing fun things together with a lot of other people, juggling the responsibility for the success of the activity and usually as the only ones in a "relationship". As we spent time together doing service projects, finding unique and inexpensive ways to have fun and reaching out to others, we grew even closer as we found time for each other amidst it all. I could certainly be better about that now, after 5 years of marriage and mothering 2 kids! I am grateful for the calling I had then and for the one I have now and even more grateful to share the joy of serving with my sweet hubby!
In a way it takes me back to our dating days. We really didn't go on many "dates" (in fact I could probably count our official dates over the entire year and a half we dated on two hands) but we spent a lot of time doing fun things together with a lot of other people, juggling the responsibility for the success of the activity and usually as the only ones in a "relationship". As we spent time together doing service projects, finding unique and inexpensive ways to have fun and reaching out to others, we grew even closer as we found time for each other amidst it all. I could certainly be better about that now, after 5 years of marriage and mothering 2 kids! I am grateful for the calling I had then and for the one I have now and even more grateful to share the joy of serving with my sweet hubby!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The Hustle and Bustle has Begun
Last night we went to Temple Square with my cousins and their kids. We had so much fun riding trax, looking at the lights and spending time together, but it sure is a lot of work! Of course I toted the camera along, so here are some pictures from our FHE outing!
At least we are all looking at the camera
Morgan taking in the lights
Chloe was happy to look at lights as long as she got to drink my Dr. Pepper.
The boys!
This was the face Chloe made when we put her up on the bench for pictures.
Is my hubby a phenominal photographer, or what?
The boys!This was the face Chloe made when we put her up on the bench for pictures. Is my hubby a phenominal photographer, or what?On a totally unrelated note, Morgan has gotten to be such a big helper! Today he and Chloe were taking a bath while I dried my hair and by the time I was done, he had washed her from head to toe - including hair, and was so sweet and patient and encouraging, that she didn't cry about it once. I heard him saying, "Okay, stand up so we can wash your bum and your tummy... I am going to dump some water on your head to get your hair wet, so close your eyes...OK, now hold still so I can get all of your hair clean...You are doing so well, Chloe...Just one more cup of water and we'll be all done!" I have to say, I was so glad for the help - bending over the bathtub to do the washing is getting to be quite a challenge lately!
The Madness Must Stop!
I admit that I am behind the times - I have not even cracked open a page of Twilight or any of the books in the series - Seth has even read (well, listened to the audiobook anyway) Twilight, so I know I am in trouble! That said, I have also not seen the movie.
What I have done is read all of my wonderful blogging buddies blog posts about said books and movie. While that should not make me feel like I know all about the books and movie, you are all very descript about different things, so I pretty much feel like I could summarize either and be fairly accurate. Now, I am not complaining - I choose to read the posts and blogs I read and I think it is the perfect venue to share your thoughts, passions, and opinions about whatever you want - especially is there are many who can relate.
However, last night I dreamed about Twilight - yep, that's right - an entire night of dreams, nightmares almost, about a book I've never read and a movie I've never seen! So, all I am saying is that I hope the hype is over and we can move back to blogging about the cute things our kids say, the fun holiday events and traditions we are enjoying, our political views, the drone of the every day, millions of pictures, the Utes and their upcoming bowl game, the economy, the weather - anything really, just no more Twilight!
To all of you wonderful blogging buddies of mine who have recently posted about the Twilight Movie - please do not be offended by this post. I don't hold you or your blog responsible for my insanity! Glad you liked/disliked the movie...maybe one day I will read the series...but until then, I'd just like to go back to dreaming about shows I have actually seen.
What I have done is read all of my wonderful blogging buddies blog posts about said books and movie. While that should not make me feel like I know all about the books and movie, you are all very descript about different things, so I pretty much feel like I could summarize either and be fairly accurate. Now, I am not complaining - I choose to read the posts and blogs I read and I think it is the perfect venue to share your thoughts, passions, and opinions about whatever you want - especially is there are many who can relate.
However, last night I dreamed about Twilight - yep, that's right - an entire night of dreams, nightmares almost, about a book I've never read and a movie I've never seen! So, all I am saying is that I hope the hype is over and we can move back to blogging about the cute things our kids say, the fun holiday events and traditions we are enjoying, our political views, the drone of the every day, millions of pictures, the Utes and their upcoming bowl game, the economy, the weather - anything really, just no more Twilight!
To all of you wonderful blogging buddies of mine who have recently posted about the Twilight Movie - please do not be offended by this post. I don't hold you or your blog responsible for my insanity! Glad you liked/disliked the movie...maybe one day I will read the series...but until then, I'd just like to go back to dreaming about shows I have actually seen.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Classical Music and a Good Book
I wish I could say that this was how I spent my morning, but alas, it isn't my life, it's Chloe's.
When Morgan went off to preschool today, I decided to send the dogs outside and get my kitchen and all of my upstairs floors clean. This meant that Chloe got to play in her room on her own. I peeked in to check on her every time I passed by her door, and there she was, reading books in her rocking chair with 89.1 serenading her with classical music (she turned on her stereo by herself, mind you).
She is learning to enjoy the finer things of life at a very early age! Enjoy it while it lasts sweet girl...one day you'll be the one mopping the floors!
When Morgan went off to preschool today, I decided to send the dogs outside and get my kitchen and all of my upstairs floors clean. This meant that Chloe got to play in her room on her own. I peeked in to check on her every time I passed by her door, and there she was, reading books in her rocking chair with 89.1 serenading her with classical music (she turned on her stereo by herself, mind you).
She is learning to enjoy the finer things of life at a very early age! Enjoy it while it lasts sweet girl...one day you'll be the one mopping the floors!
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