Snow Much Fun

We got snow pretty much all day yesterday. It wasn't a ton, but enough to do a sled ride. Dad promised that once we got enough snow on the ground he would take the four wheeler out and tie up the sled and give rides. Our neighbor friend has some cool slick sleds so that worked really well. He, JP, and Bubba all got two rides each. They LOVED it. What a cool dad. The only problems were the mailboxes, and the cars parked on the street. He couldn't go too fast or the rope would fling them around a corner into something. Good thing he's a safe driver. They all have motorcycle helmets that our smart neighbor thought of to put on. *Side story on the four wheeler-We inherited it several months ago from B's dad. It was from the farm and had a good, hard life there doing farm work. It was a little beat up so we had to get a new seat (which AJ's dad found one on the side of the road and sold it to us for $30), new rack (found on ebay for pretty cheap), and a new set of tires (found on craigslist for $100 which included the rims). The tires and rims at a store would be around $400! It still runs just fine so now while dad, Bubba and Jackson ride their motorcycles, I can ride the four wheeler. Now we just need something for Peanut to ride.




Coconut decided that he wanted to shovel the driveway while everyone else was having rides. I opted to stay in the warm house and read my book. Peanut opted to play at the neighbor's house with the little brother, and then Coconut ended up over there too. I did venture out to check on the rides and long enough to get a few pictures.



This last picture is of Coconut that same night (after the little boys all came to our house and played dress up). He had his pirate costume on and opted to keep the pants on along with his boots (notice they're on the wrong feet) while we went to Walmart for more turkey. We love us some fried turkey and didn't really have leftovers because of having two extra people this year. So we just went and got a couple more turkey breasts and had "Thanksgiving 2" as the boys all named it. We had enough leftover stuffing and mashed potatoes and I made 2 more sweet potatoes. I made some cookies (from my Grandma Fronek's recipe) that for some reason are called "Valentine Crunchies." They have chocolate chips, cornflakes, coconut, and oatmeal. That must be the "crunchy" part, but I'm not sure where my Grandma got the "Valentine" part. They're yummy no matter what they're called!

Happy Thanksgiving

My favorite thing about cooking something chocolate when I was little too.


Yesterday was a nice relaxing day. Well, for others I guess, but I was on my feet most of the day. B always deep fries the turkey so at least I never have to worry about that. I made muffins for breakfast. We always have crackers and dip out for lunchtime since we mostly just snack. Then I got started on the sweet potatoes. As we got closer I did the mashed potatoes, which are never ready on time, but this year they were, however they were cold by dinner. I made the chocolate pie earlier in the day (Coconut got to lick the beaters) and the pumpkin the night before. My sister and BIL came over in the late afternoon. The boys all hung out and watched football and played football in the backyard. No snow to play in. So we had turkey (that was absolutely the best), mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, jello, olives, stuffing and rolls. JP insists on mixing his jello into his mashed potatoes. My brother did it one year and since then he has carried on this bizarre tradition. He's also the main person I get the olives for. Then pumpkin and chocolate pie for dessert. JP can sure put away the food, hopefully he'll start gaining his weight back.


Getting ready for bed. Sometimes we like to play with the kids and say, "Oh here's your pants" and put their shirt on their legs or something like that. So last night I told Peanut, "Here's your shirt" and we got his arms through his pants. He thought it was pretty hysterical.

I went online and looked at Target's doorbuster ad and decided it was worth going. But I wasn't getting up at 4am after going to bed at midnight, so I got up at 5 am instead. I was literally leaving my neighborhood at 5:08. I got up, threw on my pants and shirt from last night, grabbed my coat, put my boots on in the garage and left. I couldn't believe the lines. I've never been out that early and it was ridiculous. They had one on each side of the store and they wrapped across the back to the opposite side. I found the main thing I wanted, couldn't find the two toys, but found the other stuff. I needed black gloves, so I went up and found some and saw that the jewelry counter line was short. I don't think anyone realized it was there. I went back to look for the toys one more time and found one on an end cap and the other in a worker's cart who was taking unwanted stuff back. I got in the short line and almost to the register realized I had bought the one game on Mon. night when I went. Oops. It was only $1 cheaper so I just gave it back. I stood in line for about 15 min. vs. the other lines that I'm sure were at least an hour wait. It was like Disneyland. I kept wondering if it was really worth it to all of those people, but realized I saved probably close to $50 so it was probably worth it to everyone else. Then I headed home because B had to work a half day.

AJ (my BIL) was working for his cousin at his video store this morning and finished up and came over about 9:30 this morning and my sister is on her way as I type this. B will be home around 12:30 to watch football all day with AJ while Alicia and I venture out to the mall. I think it's kinda fun-all this madness. The Body Shop has a deal where you can get any three items for $30. Their body butters are $20 each, so I think I'll head there for some deals. Plus, they gave me a coupon the other day for $10 off so hopefully I can use both deals together. Fun stuff. I've already got quite a bit done. A couple more things and then B's gifts left. Which I have no idea what to get him because he never wants anything specific-unless it's some electronic device that costs a million dollars.

Happy Birthday Big Daddy!

B's birthday was on the 16th. In light of his dad's passing only three days before, we didn't have a huge celebration. But I told him that his dad would want him to at least acknowledge that it was his birthday. So we gave him his presents-a new BSU hat (the same one coach Pete wears), and an itunes giftcard. We went to Famous Dave's for some BBQ for dinner and came home to dad's favorite dessert-strawberry shortcake.
Our camera is pretty much poop now. Everything is always blurry and the lighting is always weird, so hopefully Santa will bring us a new one for Christmas.



The boys went through the Target holiday catalog a couple of weeks ago. They circled what they wanted and put their initial next to it with sharpie. Unfortunately Coconut wanted to do it to, so everything is pretty much scribbled on. They pretty much circled everything that was boy related. I went out last night and got a few things. It's going to be a smallish Christmas because we are planning our annual Disneyland trip for winter break in Feb. However, technichally, we didn't go in the year 2010 since our last trip was last Dec. Bubba suggested that we take some gifts to the hospital to the children's ward where the cancer patients are so I'll be calling this week to see what we can do.



I'm looking forward to the greatest eating day of the year this week! My sister and her husband will be here and hopefully B's step-mom. It's been snowing even more where she lives, so if she can get on the bus, she'll be here. The boys played in the sprinkle of snow we had last Sat. They've been out the few mornings when there's a little on the ground-even though it's not really enough to play in. It's melted by early afternoon every time. I hate driving in snow. We had to drive on the icy hockey rink road this morning to get JP from dad's office. He had an early morning eye doctor's appt. so dad took him down. It went well, but they said he'll need to come in every THREE months rather than six because of how fast swelling can sneak up on their eyes. :( I really wish they had more than like three plows for the valley because NO where in downtown was plowed or sanded. It's so scary to drive on, especially when you have precious cargo in the car.



This last picture is from a primary activity they had a couple of weeks ago. They had all of the young men/women buddy up with one of the kids and they did a bunch of fun activities. So here is Senor JP.

Coconut Says...

A few things he's said in the last couple of days-

-In our house now, rude is a noun and not an adjective. This is what he said about JP-"He's saying me I was a rude." JP was telling him that he was rude because of something Coconut did to him. But Coconut always calls people "a rude." "You're a rude," or "You're a meanie" are his two favorite phrases lately.

-Yesterday a police car drove by us. He remembered when Papa was at our house and an ambulance had to come pick him up.
So he asked, "Is Papa in there?"
Me-"Papa is with Jesus now."
C-"Oh Papa's with Jesus?"
Me-"Yeah."
C-"Was Jesus baptized?"
What the heck? I have no idea where that came from, but it was a great question.

-We also saw a truck yesterday with BSU flags on it. He said, "Raise your hand if you like Boise State!" Brothers do this all the time with "Raise your hand if you like the Yankees." And the others will respond with "Raise your hand if you like the Red Sox." Yes, we are a house divided.

He's also recognizing certain shapes now-heart, star, triangle. He told me at Walmart the other day that the spinning thing that has the bags on it at checkout was a triangle. If you have one of these at your Walmart, check it out next time you go. The top of it is shaped in a triangle. The cashier was very impressed. As Grandma Randall would say-He's very advanced for his age. He's a very unusual child. ;) I hope you don't think I'm trying to boast about how amazingly smart he is, I'm just recording it to remember some of his sayings. It helps that he has three older brothers that teach him things all the time.

We Will Miss You Papa

P. Chad Bailey
May 30, 1948-Nov. 13, 2010

Yesterday in the early morning hours, B's dad passed away. He has been fighting lymphoma for the past two years. He fought a good fight and when he wasn't doing treatments he was able to spend time with us. He came to stay with us for a month in Sept. and Oct. and was able to be with our family. He was able to go home after that for awhile to enjoy the comforts of his own home. Wed. he was admitted to the hospital and B drove down to be with him and his step-mom. He continued to fight and after he was able to listen to one last BSU game on Fri. night, he quietly went to sleep and returned to our Father in Heaven in the early morning hours of Sat. We are comforted in knowing that he is no longer in pain and can feel the peace of Heaven.

He will be greatly missed by not only his family, but all who knew him. He had a great smile and laugh. All little children would flock to him and loved being with him. He was a wonderful kind hearted, giving man.

We had the opportunity for the first two years of our marriage to live on his dairy farm. I am grateful for the time I got to be around him and get to know him well. He truly was a wonderful man and he will always be in our hearts.


BSU spring scrimmage-April 2009


Papa with baby Coconut-Jan. 25, 2008


Disneyland-March 2006


BSU spring scrimmage

"Chech a chiger and you're are it."

That's what Coconut was saying yesterday trying to copy Peanut. Peanut was deciding if he was going to share something so he kept doing the "eenie meanie miney mo" thing, and Coco kept copying him. I love the things he comes up with.

Random Daily Stuff

"I want a goa (granola) bar. I want some fruit snacks also." Another one of his "also" phrases today. Such a funny little boy. Peanut can't figure out how to say "Fiber One." It keeps coming out "Fiver One." He also continues to say "livary" instead of library. I keep correcting him so hopefully he'll eventually figure it out. The other day I was listening to the music on my blog and Flogging Molly came on and he shouted, "Flogging Molly!" and proceeded to dance a little jig. I'm very proud that my kids like them and know who they are. Thanks to my dad and sister for telling me about them!

So from here on out, Jo Jo will be known as Coconut. We've called him this all along, but we've found that we call him that more than Jo Jo now, so he's crazy Coconut. So we have two nuts in our family. ;)

My new favorite chips-Sour Cream and Onion Baked Lays. They're SO much better than the greasy regular ones. I haven't been sharing. :)

I'm avoiding figuring out bills for the month, so I suppose I should get back to it. I really love reading all of your blogs. It's such a great way to keep in touch and keep up with everyone's families.

Also...

Jo Jo just started saying "also" today. When he first said it I asked him, "Did you just say also?" He told me, "Yeah." I can't remember what he was asking for, but he said, "I want (whatever it was) and that also." I was cracking up. He's said it twice today. He also told me again that his shoes were awesome. I also love that he and Peanut both say, "prentzels" instead of pretzels. I love that Peanut still has funny little things he says incorrectly.

Bubba started piano lessons today. There's a lady in our ward that conviently lives across the street. My other neighbor was watching Jo Jo the other day and her daughter played a few notes on the piano and she told me this lady was giving her lessons. They're much cheaper than other people I've priced in the past AND she lives across the street. So I asked her yesterday and she said she had an opening on Mondays right after school. He was so excited when I told him after church and had a great first lesson and is already practicing. Now to find some swimming lessons for JP. There's a gym over here that's supposed to have a team, so I'll see if I can figure it out this week.


The view from our seats



Sat. we got to go to our college football game. B works with a guy who has season tickets and didn't want to use them, so we bought them from him and took the two older boys. Alicia watched the two little boys for us. It was great. She took them to two playgrounds and they played in the leaves, built a blanket fort and watched "Cars" and made those turkey hand pictures with leaves as the bodies. I was so thankful for her since the game ended up being really long. B has a parking pass for work so we parked there and then took a free shuttle to the stadium. We had great seats in the end zone. The boys loved when they came down to our side because you could see the players so well. Our team sacked their quarterback about 7 or so times. It was a great game and we completely creamed them 42-7. During half time their kicker was kicking thru our goal post and people in the stands would catch the ball and throw it back. Bubba tried to get one, but the guy next to him got it, but he gave it to Bubba. I stood there watching and thinking, "Don't let him throw it. He'll never make it. It's too far." Well, shame on me because he made it right over the fence. He was so tickled. AJ my BIL was sitting in the student section and from me texting him as to where we were at, he was actually able to find me during half time and then pointed to where they were at. It was pretty cool. They also gave us these big paper fan things that you folded up and when you slapped them against your hand they were incredibly loud. It was crazy how awesome our fans are. We got a wave going around the upper and lower seating areas and it went around six or so times. It was awesome. After the game, the boys ran down to the fence and leaned over and got high fives from all but two players. It was "the best day of their lives."

Halloween

I decided I'm too lazy to rearrange the pictures, so here you go.


Everyone's pumpkins


Our goofy bunch


Ninja-strike!


Arrr Matey!


Luigi


Hunter-can you see him?


To prove I did a lot of carving


Bubba's pumpkin


Peanut's pumpkin


I love this picture


I remembered why I hate moonsand so much


Jo Jo's pumpkin

So I'm posting for my Gramma because I really don't feel like it, but she was asking for Halloween pictures. You're lucky I love you so much Gramma. So I'm a dork and completely forgot to take pictures before our ward trunk-or-treat and when we got home the costumes came off and the candy got dumped on the carpet. I realized I hadn't so those who had gotten undressed, re-dressed and we took a few. I wasn't really into Halloween this year which is weird because it's been my favorite holiday. I'm not looking forward to Christmas either. I AM however looking forward to Thanksgiving and eating fried turkey. It makes me hungry thinking about it. So the trunk-or-treat was actually fun. They had soups and bread. It was for three wards. The kids made out like bandits. JP was the only one to get a new costume. He decided on Luigi. Jo Jo kept stealing the hat and dancing around singing, "Uh weejuh, uh weejuh" (Luigi). They say it that way because he says it with an accent on Mario Kart. Bubba decided on a hunter. We found some pants at Savers that were way too big, but figured he could wear a belt and that he'd eventually end up wearing them anyway. He discovered when he put them on that they actually had an adjustable waist, so with a belt they fit just fine. We got some paints to do on his face, and he already had the camo shirt and hat from hunter safety. Jo Jo got to use my favorite pirate costume. And Peanut was very very mad that he didn't get a new costume, but finally decided to use JP's old Ninja costume. I didn't dress up this year. Told you I was being a humbug. I felt bad once I saw everyone's cool costumes at the church. Oh well.

We carved pumpkins on Fri. after school. Bubba was really into cleaning the guts out, but JP was freaking out. It was pretty funny the way he kept griping about how gross it was. Peanut claimed that he didn't know how, which means I was stuck doing it. Whatever, I don't mind. I think it's kinda cool actually. They each drew a face on paper and then I drew it in pencil first on their pumpkin to get it right and then outlined it with sharpie. I carved Peanut's for him, but the other boys did their own pumpkins. Jo Jo had colored his on Thurs. while everyone else was still in school. Dumb idea. He had marker all over his hands and then every time we picked the pumpkin up, we ended up with marker on us.

Funny things Jo Jo said today-
We have a nursery with flamingos in the front of it here. They always do different colors-like our college colors against the team we're playing against, or dress them up for Halloween. So we were driving by on our way to the store and he yells, "Hey a Bronco chicken!"
We were getting in the car later and I told him that I liked his shoes and that they were cool. He said, "I know. They're awesome." It's always so funny when he talks like his brothers.

We also had a check up for JP today. It went really well. The doctor really likes how he's looking (he really has like no swelling now), so we're going to continue with his shots. He wants him to do swimming, which we were planning on anyway. He wants to take some lessons to learn techniques and maybe do some swim team stuff. He has to get blood work again. He lucked out because the lab had closed so we just have to go into the local hospital and do it one of these days. We won't have to go back until Jan. Yay! I'm so happy it's going so well. He HAS lost 4 pounds since his last visit a month ago though so I'm concerned about that and trying to figure out how to fatten him up. The doctor said that sometimes it happens with the start of the medication he's on, so hopefully he'll gain it back quickly.