We're going to the Zoo, zoo, zoo....

What do you do when all the kids are off school the day before Thanksgiving? Lay around the house and wait for Thanksgiving to come? Noooooo! You go to the zoo! That's a great place to see real alive turkeys! Did you know that they don't really gobble? They sort of screech! We got some up close and personal time with quite a few! Our Goodman cousins came with us--what a fun day! Here's the whole gang with a gorilla! He was so good to hold still while all the kids piled on!

Lauren had so much fun she started to actually turn into a tortoise!

The mandatory picture by the gorillas, with a slightly different slant on it! Can you see everyone? Lauren, Alli, Zack, Todd, Bryan, Calvin, Tyler, Jenni and Lindsay (Jake was in his stroller!)

Lindsay and cousin Jenny really liked these tigers. He even let Lindsay pull on his ears!

This picture cracks me up--everyone is posing, but Lindsay has to read the map right now!

Calvin was pretty proud of himself when he finally tamed this wild leopard!

The whole gang again on this poor Rhino! I am surprised no one was gored!

Alli is finally coming out of her shell!

This is how Lindsay preferred to tour the zoo! Pushing poor Jake! Aunt Kanani was nice to let her help push so much!

Cool elephant pose. We were glad he wasn't squirting water, like he does in the summer!

This was a better option than cleaning the house for Thanksgiving, right?

Rubik's Cube

Calvin has some cute friends who inherited their uncle's Rubik's Cube. So naturally, that is all he could talk about for all of last week. We had an imitation one that a had been taken apart and put back together again by his older sister and himself, but it wouldn't go back together the last time he tried to "solve" it. He gave me a dollar to buy a new one, but he didn't want the fake cube--he wanted the real deal. I told him it would cost about $10 and he thought that was worth it! Every time I would come home from the store he would ask about the cube and I would keep forgetting to get him one. (Does that ever happen to you?) I finally made a special trip last weekend to pick it up. He was so excited when he got home from school--until he realized how hard it was. He was a little surprised because his friend's dad could solve it with his eyes closed! (I'd still like to see that, Jason) We talked about how puzzles are meant to be difficult, so he shouldn't be discouraged. And I told him I didn't know how to do it either. The cube did come with a guide to solving the puzzle, but I remember not even being able to understand the instructions as a youngin'. I told him I would try to figure it out, and after at least an hour of trying late Saturday night, I finally did it! I can solve the Rubik's Cube! (Of course, I need the instructions in front of me and it may take a couple of tries--I mix up clockwise, and counter-clockwise, sometimes.) Of course my kids were impressed and I can't deny that I was pretty happy with myself, too. Until, that is, I found this video on-line: http://www.maniacworld.com/one-handed-rubiks-cube.html I've learned a lesson--humility is an important part of the journey. Accept it or it may be forced upon you!

The Nose Knows!

Funny little story about our visit to the "For Every Body Outlet" yesterday. Lindsay and I went to their big sale--I'd never been. I knew Lindsay's nose was sensitive, but didn't think about what walking into a store like that would be like for her. She immediately grabbed her nose and complained about the smells! Then she got of whiff of the sugar cookie candle and began jumping around, hugging my legs and saying "Yay, cookies." When she realized we weren't going to be eating cookies she was pretty disappointed--whimpering, crying, almost laying on the floor to start a tantrum. As any good Mom knows, we needed a distraction! I talked her into helping me find more candles and she reluctantly followed me into the back section where we found some votive candles and sure enough--we found some in the sugar cookie variety. Lindsay was so excited! I let her carry a little 9 pack (just $1) around while I searched the store. Soon I noticed that she was munching on something--you guessed it--she was eating the sprinkles off the top of the candles! She is soo much like her Mom! Oh, no! Luckily we had some fruit snacks to exchange and everyone was happy, but not before several people commented on my two-year-old "sampling" the sprinkles. I think we've pointed out an important safety hazard--those candles smell good enough to eat!

Walnuts

Did you know that one walnut tree produces a lot of walnuts? My sister knows this--she cut down her walnut tree a few years ago! Did you also know that the outer covering--not the shell--gets a little slimy when it's been on the wet ground? And did you know that picking-up the walnuts from the ground is only the beginning of the process? Grandma called last week to see if we wanted the walnuts from her tree. "Sure!" I said, "The kids will think this is awesome!" And they did. (I remember cracking macadamia nuts as a child when I was little--strange how when I was done, there weren't as many nuts as when I started--they were tasty!) We had fun picking-up walnuts and even raced me to see who could get the most. In 1/2 hour we had 4 shopping bags full! Grandma kept saying, "Oh, Julie, I'm sorry, that's a lot of walnuts." I thought again to myself, "It will be a good job for the kids to crack the walnuts open and remove the nuts." Nothing like hard work and the reward of seeing the fruits of your labors! Well, as we all know, life goes on and gets busier and busier, so the bags sat in my garage for a few days. Each time I would see them I began thinking "who would like some walnuts?" I was able to pass one of the largest bags onto a friend who loves to bake with them and isn't afraid of a little hard work--yeah! But the day finally arrived when I knew we must take care of the walnuts. So we went outside (smart call to go outside, BTW) one beautiful afternoon last week with the hammer and a cutting board and went for it. My kids helped and soon were competing to see who could pull out the nut completely in tact. It was a lot of fun, but pretty back breaking--I should have found a place to sit. We even had some neighbor friends join in the fun. So now that the walnuts are shelled, washed, dried, and bagged what do I do with all these walnuts that I couldn't give away? I found a solution--candied walnuts! I'm saving some for baking, but Jeff gets cankers from walnuts! Oh well! Fun memories for our journey!

Thanksgiving Memories

Indulge me while I go down memory lane for a bit (No, this is not a picture of my first Thanksgiving--The First Thanksgiving--pretty, huh?) I love Thanksgiving. The combination of family, amazing food--in large quantities, football games, Christmas movies, snoozing, and lounging around gets me excited. I love the cozy and contented feelings that Thanksgiving evokes. We are so blessed! Of course when I think of Thanksgiving, I think of my Mom's (actually Aunt Mona's) awesome stuffing--yes, we call it stuffing at our house, although dressing is much more sophisticated. Grandma's hot rolls that you put a pat of butter in and close it up, until it melts--yum! I could actually stop there. Those two items alone would be an awesome thanksgiving meal for me--I know, CARBS! Oh well. I do enjoy the turkey and mashed potatoes with gravy, as well as the green bean casserole--my in-laws often call it "Julie Casserole." (I know, they love me!) And let's not forget the PIES! I love all the choices, although that makes it harder for me to choose and so I usually end up with the seasonal favorite--PUMPKIN! Luckily there are always leftovers later on that night (when you can barely begin to think about eating again) and that's when you get to the other pies you couldn't quite fit in after that huge dinner! And who doesn't love a little turkey sandwich, mustard, etc on a roll for dinner? YUMMY!

This year we are doing something completely different. We are going to a cabin in Heber to spend with my in-laws for Thanksgiving day and the weekend! I am really looking forward to being cozy in a cabin and having nothing to do but be together. After all, that's what the journey is really all about!

A Little Advice

If I were you, and you had a two year-old that was upstairs in her sister's bathroom for a while.... I wouldn't ignore that mother voice that is wondering what she's up to. I'd run (don't walk) upstairs to make sure she isn't getting into anyone's leftover Halloween makeup! Or you could end up with someone that looks a little like this, telling you "I'm so pretty!" And of course, she is!

Tag You're It!

I've been tagged again. I think by now you know a little too much about me, but for the sake of playing along, here goes. I'm supposed to list 6 of my quirks.

I have a really hard time deciding what to order at restaurants. I really don't want to make a bad choice. I always have a back-up and usually spend the majority of the time checking out everything on the menu and asking everyone else what they are getting. Then when the waiter comes, I have everyone else order and then I panic and order my back-up. It's usually just fine, because my back-up is usually my regular choice, so I know I'll like it. I know--quirky!

I can flip my tongue over in both directions--left to right, and right to left.

I have to have my house picked-up before I can sit down to read, nap, watch TV, etc.

I walk, talk and even sing in my sleep. Jeff has gotten pretty used to it by now and will just say "Julie go to bed."

I love to eat and talk about food. I think I inherited this quirk--when anyone has been on a trip we always ask "How was your trip?" immediately followed by "What did you eat?"

My husband says I like to make up stories for people. It sort of bugs him, because I usually use my stories to rise to someone's defense--even if I don't know them. I always think there's got to be a reason for people to be acting the way they are, besides that they are just idiots (which is what my husband usually decides).

So now it's your turn--Steph, Mandy, Ash, Angelle, Talia...and anyone else--give it a try!

Don't Be Scared!

Scary Pirate Pumpkin! Nice one Alli!

A Scary Halloween is when your 13 year old takes over the carving of the pumpkins! She did a great job. No quick trips to Insta-Care! She carved Cinderella's Coach for Lindsay and helped Calvin with his Clone Trooper pumpkin.

Lauren was a beautiful princess. (A little scary for her parents!)

Calvin was Commander Cody. Don't be scared--his gun isn't loaded!

Alli and her friends headed to a Halloween Party. Scary that she's already going to Halloween Parties. (She's the cute pirate on the left.)


Our traditional candy swap. Alli won! "Look at all our candy!" Daddy was scared they might actually eat all that candy! We all laughed at him. "Don't worry, Dad, we can handle it!"

Lindsay wasn't scared, she was excited to get everyone's "Pa-ta-toe!" (I guess that sounds sort of like Playdough?)

Halloween was a little different this year--the 24 hour flu in the early morning hours made it scary! But by night-time, Calvin felt well enough to go around our little block with Lauren, and Lindsay stayed home with us. We managed fine, although Lindsay never wore her costume--except to our ward party. I'm sure she'll be wearing it often for dress-ups. It's nice to know we can handle that sort of bump along our journey.

America on Parade

Thursday night, before all the sickness hit our house (just before), we went to Alli's play at school. She had a solo (albeit one line long) in "When Johnny Comes Marching Home." She did a wonderful job and was even in tune! There were six different classes in the play and they sang songs and recited key documents in our country's history. They recited the "I have a Dream" speech, "The Gettysburg Address," "The Preamble to the Constitution," among others (I don't remember them all). Some classes even danced--it was cute! We left feeling very patriotic and inspired! It reminded Jeff and me of participating in patriotic programs when we were little. I wish we had more of these programs. It was a fun night--We loved it!

Alli dressed-up like an antebellum girl.

"And we'll all be glad when Johnny comes marching home."

"Make America Proud of You!"