Family Pictures

They're not professional by any means, but here are a few we took the morning of Thanksgiving.

"Trans-form-ers...ro-bots in-the-sky"

Brandon...this one's for you. Elizabeth thought you might get a kick out of it.

All Jonah wants for Christmas this year is Transformers. He flies his pretend transformers around all day to his own soundtrack and just can't stop thinking about them. The other night when we were making pancakes for dinner he wanted to make "optimus" and "megatron" pancakes. (For those of you interested in the recipe, they're made with brown sugar, and sprinkled cheese).

He's trying to be a very good boy, deserving of said transformers. However, he was a little concerned tonight that he might not make it onto Santa's "nice" list when I caught him talking about what "The Fat Man" was going to bring him this year (Josh's influence).

For ages 30 and older.

This is for all of you who don't believe me when I say I'm just not crafty. Holy cow, I thought this would be a piece of cake, but clearly a piece of gingerbread is a very different matter. I was throwing things on by the end of it just trying to get more candy on the house than in my kids' mouths. We're not going to make a Christmas tradition of it just yet. Oh, and I wouldn't click on the picture to enlarge this one, or rather do, and get a good laugh.

Merry Christmas!

Josh's secretary had a little too much time on her hands today.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1289376616

"I'm a Big Brother?"

The shirt says it all...I think?

More playing...

And let's not forget Charlotte...now 5 months old!

Concert...

Thought I'd show my loyalty to the symphony by getting the word out about our concert this Saturday and since my lovely sister already wrote up a little invitation for the deal (thanks, Bek!), I'll just insert it here:

Dear Students and Family (and Friends),

Symphony of the Southwest (formerly The Mesa Symphony) is having a concert this Saturday at 8:00 p.m. featuring two winners of a local and international piano competition. It will be an exciting and beautiful concert in an amazing performance hall at the Mesa Arts Center. If you would like to attend and receive 50% off your admission ticket, use this promo code: MSO-ORCH-51. I believe the code will work online or at the door, but I'm not sure, this being my first season with the orchestra. Hope some of you can make it!

-- Bekki Lyman

Seriously though, for any of you even remotely interested in a night of culture, this is the event for you! And I don't say so just to get you to my concert (last chair...remember!), but the Beethoven and Chopin piano concertos are AMAZING! Take advantage of the 50% off! This is what it's for. Here's the website for more info. on the concert. http://www.mesasymphony.org/

Halloween Hangover

Well, it's been one of those "8 AM time-out" days (see Joni's blog) and I'm not sure if it's because of the sudden influx of sugar in their diets, the 5:30 AM wake up call (Ellie's idea), the spur of the moment decision to potty train (ran out of diapers) or simply that I'm a bad mom who on days like these just wants to throw in the towel, put on a show for the kids and sit down to some blogging. I'm not ready to admit to the latter just yet, so we'll just go with any of the former justifications. At any rate, the kids have been sat down to a show and I'm ready to blog! Here are some fun Halloween pictures from last night.

Jonah was an "Injun" (Ninja) turtle...

Ellie, a princess...

And Charlotte, Little Red Riding Hood. Halloween photo shoot with some of the Allred girl cousins. I think the fairy theme was a popular one this year.

Faith and Ellie being cute...

Luke and Jonah being cute...

The loot...and yes, those are full-sized candybars!

Mystery Solved...and the Cutest Lil' Fire Fighter You Ever Saw

I was scanning through the pics on my camera the other day and was surprised at what came up...




And then I remembered...nap time, one week ago. Turns out I took the nap and Jonah had fun with the camera. The self-incriminating evidence is overwhelming.

By the way...this is the picture I was looking for when I turned on the camera.

Jonah's first preschool field trip at the fire station.

A Good Day

So, I was reading through my last post and decided that was too much of a downer to leave the most recent post. I've rediscovered how important it is to have my kids work right along side me, or rather for me to work with them as was the case today. Lately, if I get the dishes done it's because Jonah has asked if we can do the dishes. I figured I better jump all over that while it lasts. I used to rinse, and he'd load but because it's so much more fun for him the other way around, I've given in to the watery mess and have let him do the rinsing. Today, after we were done he paused on his way out to play to say, "Thank you for letting me do the dishes, Mom." Uh....okay. I'll take it.

So then later, or earlier I guess, he was helping me fold laundry and I taught him how to turn the clothes outside-in. Who would have thought something so menial could make a kid so happy? It was like Christmas morning! Ellie's job was to carry the piles (that are no longer piles when she's through with them) upstairs to their rooms. Yeah, she's still in the "not-so-helpful" helping phase, but it is pretty cute. It's nice that Jonah can be quite competent when he puts forth the effort. It gives me hope. And Charlotte--well, we'll give her a while yet to prove herself.

I've been "tagged!"...ergg!

So I think I'm supposed to write six things about myself that maybe not everyone knows and then tag six others to do the same. But then the first thing about me is that I hate forwards and little gimmicks like these that we're supposed to pass on. It's not that they're not fun, I appreciate reading others' but seriously I just can't stand the pressure. See Elizabeth, look how long it has taken me to get to this and I've felt guilty every day I've put it off!!! Is it worth the guilt...no, but here I am feeling guilty anyway.....SO, I'm sorry Elizabeth but I'm ending the tag on my line! And of course I still love you :)

On to number 2... Just about every other day I'm struggling not to yell at Jonah. He knows how to push my buttons and often does.

number 3... I play LAST chair in the Mesa Symphony and try my darndest not to show how much I'm really faking the parts. To my credit, I do wish so badly I could lock my kids up in a room for a few hours to allow me time to practice, but I just think that's mean.

number 4... I want to cry every time I think about Virginia and all my friends I used to have and how I don't have any now.

enough with the depressing...

number 5... Bedtime is my favorite time of day (both my bed time and the kids). I LOVE laying down next to Jonah, singing him songs and having him wrap his arms around me and tell me he loves me as he falls asleep. It makes number 2 (see above) worth the struggle.

number 6... I love to read, but I'm an embarrassingly slow reader and often don't finish the book before (or even after) it's due date and end up returning it half (or sometimes 1/4 ) way read...like the book I just finally returned to the library today. Again, to my credit, this was my third attempt but the stinkin' book drop was out of order each time I tried and there was never time to go in! Goodness, life can get frustrating over the silliest things!

Follow Up...

For those of you who weren't sure what "Rest position, feet in line" was all about...



She got a little distracted by Charlotte there toward the end. "Sharwut! Sharwut!"

Three Generations of Lawyers

Left to Right: "Great Papa," Josh, Dad

Josh has passed the bar... as we all (except maybe Josh) knew he would! I guess they don't have you go down to the court anymore to be sworn in. All you need is a notary and it so happens that Josh's dad is one so we had Josh's parents and Grandparents over at our house for the occasion. Wait to go, hon! I knew you could do it!

"Dough, a deer, a female deer..."

Yesterday we broke out the Halloween cookie cutters and got to work making yummy Halloween treats. The kids were covered in flour and dough and as Jonah looked down at his pile of dough he exclaimed, "Hey, that's like 'doe a dear'!"

Something Different

I'm breaking protocol here and posting, yes...a recipe! For those of you who know me very well know that there's no reason I would ever have to suggest a recipe of my own making. I am neither a good cook or a creative one. Certainly nothing I could cook is worth mentioning. BUT, since Josh cooked this one (yes, I do have the best husband in the world), it gets a post.

It does require an overnight marinade, but it is SO worth it. I LOVED this meal! And be careful with the habaneros. Use gloves or a plastic bag or something to protect your hands...seriously!


Jerk Chicken

3-5 pounds chicken pieces (we used 6 chicken breasts, halved)
2 cups white vinegar, plus 1 tsp.
2 cups finely chopped green onions
2 habaneros, seeded and minced
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
4 Tbsp. lime juice
5 tsp. ground allspice
2 bay leaves
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp. salt
2 tsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. dried thyme, crumbled
1 tsp. cinnamon

Rinse chicken pieces well in 2 cups of the vinegar, drain, transfer to plastic bag and set aside.

In a food processor combine remaining 1 tsp. vinegar, gr. onions, habaneros, soy sauce, lime juice, allspice, bay leaves, garlic, salt, sugar, thyme, and cinnamon for the marinade.

Rinse chicken pieces well under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. Add marinade to chicken pieces and refrigerate for at least 24 hours and up to 2 days.

Grill for about 8-10 minutes on each side or until cooked through.

We served this with a slightly modified Lime Rice recipe of Jene's.

Lime Rice

In a large pot, saute:
2 Tbsp. butter
1 yellow onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced

Add:

3 cups rice
6 2/3 cups water (do half water/half chicken broth for more flavor)
1/2 bunch cilantro
2 tsp. cumin
2 small cans diced green chilies
1 Tbsp. lime juice
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt

Bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer and cover until rice is cooked.

By Gum!

Yesterday in the car, Ellie found Jonah's mini gum ball piggy bank and somehow managed to get the top off. The gum balls came pouring out so I pulled over to remedy the situation. In the time it took me to get from my side of the car to Ellie's she had greedily stuffed her mouth full of gum balls. Never mind that she doesn't even bother to chew them. I know you're all probably thinking to yourselves, "Wasn't she stuffing her mouth full of something the last time she got into trouble?"
Yes, and no. Yes, she was stuffing her mouth full of Costco shredded cheese. No, that wasn't the last time she got into trouble. Ellie has definitely decided to act her age and give merit to the this wonderful phase in life known as..."The Terrible Twos!"

And yes, we were on our way to Costco...

Ellie's Two!

It doesn't sound quite right that I should have a three year old and a two year old (...and a 3 month old). I'm all the more anxious for Jonah to turn four now. At any rate, she is two and her birthday was a lot of fun. By the end of the day, Jonah was declaring that all her birthday presents were really his, but Ellie did a pretty good job of being okay with that. The middle child really does get the bum end of the deal sometimes.

Rest Position, Feet in Line...

Jonah's taking lessons now from Aunt Bekki (a little grudgingly), but I know I can always get him to practice if I happen to mention to Ellie that she can take her turn to practice first. And with that....the race is on. Ellie won today.

"Charlotte Blue"

I love to hear Jonah and Ellie sing to Charlotte. Here's their favorite:

Charlotte Blue,
I love you.
Cross my heart,
Yes I do.
All the bells in the steeple are waiting to chime,
And all the people
Are buying pretty presents all for you,
Charlotte Blue.
Won't you give your answer, do.
And with all the people waiting
To start the celebrating
When you say I do love you.

Apparently more than half the words are made up (a combination of "g.g.'s" remembrances and our own invention), and Ellie usually only gets about the first little bit, but it still melts my heart.

May the Force Be With You

This is what I woke up to one morning while we were staying at Bek's. Cool toys, Charley!

Sundays in Arizona

Our first Sunday back in Arizona: August birthdays...four, no five of them. Matt, Charley, Afton, Cubby and Emma. Did I forget anyone? We love our big family!! Jonah was our cake baker and Ellie played cowgirl.

Charlotte's Blessing

August 25th we blessed Charlotte. Josh gave a beautiful blessing that very nearly went off without a hitch until the boys almost dropped the poor girl. There was a lot of screaming that ensued. Thank you Mom Allred for Charlotte's amazing blessing dress! Of course there were several "oohs" and "ahhs" over your handiwork. I'm always happy to boast your skills!

Say, "cheese!"

Yesterday I was upstairs unpacking boxes when suddenly it occurred to me that it was all too quiet downstairs where the kids had been playing. Oh well, what's the worst they could be into? I walked down the stairs to Ellie, huge Costco bag of grated cheese in one hand, the other hand stuffing her mouth full of cheese. I suppose no harm done, right? WRONG. Not only had she helped herself to mouthfuls of cheese, she'd left a trail behind her ALL over the house...all over the floors, on the couch, the kitchen table, up the stairs...cheese everywhere! I don't know when I've been so ticked off. Once again, where's the camera?!

Unfortunately, the day didn't end there. Later that day, while trying to make an important phone call amidst Jonah's torturing Charlotte while nursing and then his turning the little vacuum on and off so as to make it impossible to hear, I finally just kicked him out of the room. He banged and kicked the door to get in and then gave up after a while. So, when I was finally done, I shouldn't have been surprised to come out to a trail of saran wrap, winding up and down the hallway and around the kitchen. Again...Costco sized. I'm beginning to believe, Costco's really to blame for all my problems of yesterday!

Jonah summed the day up pretty well later that night when he confessed to Josh, "I got in a lot of trouble today, Daddy."

Giving it a try...

I'm completely winging it here with the whole blog thing. I feel like it's going to be a great way to keep track of our crazy lives so I'm up for trying it. However, computers are not my forte, so I may mess it up a bunch before ever getting it right. AND....no camera for the time being :( Somehow we lost it in the move and already I'm missing it like crazy. For example, just this evening Jonah came out in his underwear and Diamondbacks hat declaring he was ready for the game! Oh boy what a funny polaroid moment. The mental image will have to do.

The trek from Virginia to Arizona went pretty smoothly. It helps that someone did all the packing and the moving...what's left really? Just a plane ride that ended in puke all over Josh and the seat in front of us! Jonah was the perpetrator, poor fella. I could see he was getting a little sick with all the bumps towards the end, but then it was too late. At least he waited until we were safely landed in Phoenix.

Since being home we've just been busy settling into our new lives here and trying not to miss Williamsburg too much. I'm not sure how successful we've been. I miss it like crazy, but there are a lot of things to look forward to here in Arizona as well. We LOVE our house, Jonah loves his new preschool....Ellie and Charlotte are just kind of along for the ride, loving all the new attention they're receiving from a sudden influx of family! I'll post pictures of the house soon.