good list... or naughty list

Looking back at our pictures of Christmas' Past, Carter with Santa, I realize they have never had the most healthy of relationships.



Tonight the Craigster and I took the Chickie's to the tree festival.
It was beautiful. Santa was there, but Carter didn't want to talk to him...at that moment anyway. We had a lovely evening, came home, finished decorating the tree, and tucked the kids in for bed.
After tucking them in I folded some laundry, and went back into the kids room about 20 minutes later to put clothes away. Much to my surprise, I found Carter laying awake in bed, with a very thoughtful/worried look on his face.
He said to me "Mom, I wish I had talked to Santa...I need to ask him something"
I asked with hidden curiosity "what do you need to ask him?"
"I need to find out if I'm on his nice list...or the naughty one" he said in his sweet, but concerned little four year old voice. I could almost see every single moment of not so niceness he has had the past month being replayed in his mind.
I did my best not to smile, and told him I was sure he was on the nice list, but he could ask Santa next time we see him just to be sure.
To that he gave me a kiss on my cheek, rolled over, and drifted off to a restful sleep.

First Giveaway...ever!

I am officially a blogger mommy! This is my 100th post! yay for me, and for you...the people bored enough to read my blog. jk. I thought to spice things up a little I would have my first giveaway, so here's the deal, I'm giving away
two VIP tickets to "Rock the Runway" on December 12! I'm so excited for this event, because it's just going to be wonderful to see everyone, plus I get to work the cat walk (and pray I don't fall on my face). It will be in Pocatello at the Holiday inn from 1-3:00pm. They will have prizes, food, and eye candy for everyone. wink, wink.
For your chance to win you just have to leave a comment. You could tell me what your favorite thanksgiving tradition is. Good Luck! I'm going to say your chances of winning are pretty dang good.

In honor of Thanksgiving, I am going to re post one of my most favorite posts to date, because it took place last thanksgiving. Here's to hoping this year goes more smoothly then the last!

2008 Thanksgiving at my house

my thanksgiving "outpourings"

There are three facts you need to know before I go on any farther

Fact #1- Carter has a very bad gag reflex, and he can't handle any really bad smells...such as poop.

Fact #2- I am insane!

Fact #3- I had all the three year old cousins on the Hall side come over, and we had a "Diego Slumber Party". Thus confirming fact #2.

Everything started out great! We had the elders over for a nice lasagna dinner, played "Hide Diego, hide", and "Draw Diego, draw", and watched "Diego Saves Christmas". The kids had a great time, but our slumber party didn't have much slumbering. The next mourning was Thanksgiving, and this was the plan
wake up, feed the kids breakfast, dress them, Craig take the missionaries shopping, and I take the kids to the Hall family "Turkey Bowl" to return them to their rightful Mothers.

I knew something was off the moment we discovered that our cat had somehow gotten into our new(ish) Pathfinder.....the day BEFORE, and had been trapped in there all night. Cat + small confined space for extended period of time = LOTS OF POO. We got that all cleaned up, and by that time Craig had to rush to get the Elders, leaving me to finish getting the kids ready by myself.

All the 3 year olds were fed, cleaned, and dressed, so I went downstairs to Laylas room to get her dressed. A moment later I hear Carter from the top of the stairs yelling/dry heaving "mom, (gag) it looks (gag) stinky in here (gag)!" (he always says looks instead of smells)I rushed to the stairs just in time to see Carter vomit down the stair. I yell "run to the bathroom, HURRY", so obediently, he runs to the bathroom leaving a vomit trail behind him. (Did I mention he had toast and peaches for breakfast?)I followed him to the bathroom, and as I turned the corner I saw what triggered the vomit episode. His sweet little cousin was standing there with his underwear and pants around his ankles, and poo all the way down his legs, smeared all over the floor, and even a little on the door. (I really have no idea how that happened). At that moment I hear sweet little Layla come up the stairs, and enter the Kitchen. Remembering the mess in there, I ran back in the kitchen to get her. I got there just in time to see her pick up a chunk of peach from Carters mess, and happily pop it into her mouth. AAAAHHHHH!!!

Lets have a quick recap! I'm crazy...Diego...no sleeping...cat poo...Carter puke...cousin poo...layla gets a snack!

Basically, the moral of the story is.......Carter needs to chew up his peaches.

Happy Thanksgiving Friends, Love Susan

moments

One pumpkin carving kit... $3.99
HUGE pumpkin from the pumpkin patch... $12.00







Moments like this... priceless

the patch

We have the cutest little pumpkin patch here called Swore Farms. They have a Little corn maze for the kids with agricultural questions, and you have to choose an answer to decide which way to go. they also let the kids feet the farm animals, have a tractor ride, make a bird feeder, and best of all, pick their own pumpkin. This has become a new family tradition for us the past couple of years. You know me and my traditions...love them.

Halloween In Boise

We went to Boise for Halloween weekend, and got to hang out with the Boise fam. The Craigster was working that weekend, and my mom and dad were heading that way, so we hitched a ride with them...in my car. I LOVE visiting my sisters in Boise. Joannes family, known as the Wilcows (Wilcox + Rowe = Wilcow)treat my chickies like royalty. Actually, they just play with them...lots.
When we go to Boise Layla is so excited to see her Abby and Dillon that she never sleeps the whole way there. Carter also loves the 7 Wilcow kids, but his true Boise love is his Auntie Annabeth. He adores her. In fact, she is the only person he has ever wanted to marry, other than me.

The Sicken or the Hicken

Mr. Craig decided our sweet little Chloe needed a real Chicken Coop, so he used his manly tools, and construction began. Soon he had erected this fine little chicken house. After the hard labor was done we were all enlisted to paint. As we (Me, Craig, Carter, and Layla) painted the coop together, Craig and I realized there was some debate about what kind of animal our little Chloe was. Carter insisted we had a "Sicken", and Layla was determined we had a "Hicken", so they had an extensive discussion as to whether it was a Sicken or a Hicken.
Classic.
It has been written "A Sicken or a Hicken" for all to debate, and these words can be found on the front of the coop, above the main entrance.







The chicken gives us EGGS.
It's true.
Carter made this discovery a couple of weeks ago, and came running into the house yelling "The Sicken gives us eggs Mom, the Sicken gives us eggs" with the most excited voice you can imagine from a four year old boy. That kind of excitement is contagious, and soon we were all equally exited and amazed. Not sure why we were so amazed and surprised about it, but we were. I had the camera out, the kids took turns holding it, and the doorbell rang. It was my hand appointment, they were slightly confused about why we were all so excited...even after I explained to them "our Chicken layed an egg". Anyway, all the excitement came crashing down (or crushing down)as the cute little egg fell in slow motion to the hardwood kitchen floor. Layla was devastated! Lucky for us all, our Chicken is fertile in the egg department.
Now collecting eggs is a highlight in our daily routine... hope it keeps its magic.

Most Amazing Swim suits Ever

Most amazing swim suits ever! These Swimming suits can make anyone look AMAZING, and the proof lies within the blond model chic....me.
Frankly, I'm a little embarrassed to put these pictures on my blog, and really debated with my inner self if I should do it or not. I actually asked The Craigster if I should model them...because I couldn't wear my G's, and wondered if it was appropriate, and if I would have to have a talk with the Bish, and if he would be embarrassed for me to model a swim suit...of course his answer was "Heck yes, you should do it, and it's a swim suit, so your not supposed to wear G's with it" Okay, so I am a BIG DORK, we have previously covered that...but I confirm it again. I decided for it, but only so you know about these suits that I know you are going to LOVE, as I love them.
As you look at the following pictures you must agree to two things:

1) be kind
2) tell me what suit you like the best

My Incredible sister Judy called me a while ago, and she told me about these swim suits she was designing. I was really excited for her. A short time later she called again, and this time she asked me if I would be one of her models. Naturally...I began to hyperventilate! I mean wouldn't you if somebody asked you to put on a swim suit, and not only do you have to stand there while everyone stares at you...but you have to stand there while they take pics of you. Awkward! I mean hello, I've had a couple babies, one by Cesarean, and I've got the tummy to prove it.
However, I am a compulsive pleaser, and can't figure out how to say my 2 year olds favorite word. N.O. So of coarse I said "oh sure, that would be great". Little did I know that it actually would be an incredible day, and that I would feel great in her Swim Suit!
These suits have these secret little pockets and pleats designed to hide, or accentuate, in the appropriate places. If I could define them in one word it would be "LOVE".










The online store isn't all the way up yet, but go check out her website for more pictures and info at www.sunsafeswimwear.biz, tell your friends too, because these swimming suits are going to be the next big thing in your local watering holes.