December 26, 2010

December 26, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

Merry Christmas! I am so sad that Christmas is already over. It went too quickly this year. We tried to pack in a lot of Christmas cheer this week. I hope B-man feels like we were successful. Monday B-man was still in school. I spent the day making bread and I also managed a trip to the grocery store. A friend and I are going to start trading babysitting while we go to the grocery stores. Hopefully it will work out well. That night for FHE we delivered things to some of M’ home teaching families.

Tuesday was another baking day. I did more bread and cookies. I made a big mess in the process and of course someone called to come see the house. Luckily I had enough time. We got everything done and out of the house in time. We spent the evening at Costco. The realtor was supposed to call when they were done, but never did. So the boys got to bed a little late.

This is what the boys did while I was baking…

Wednesday was B-man’s last day of school. He had a great day at school and was excited to be on “Winter Break.” Thursday we had two showings of the house. We are really surprised to be having people coming through this week. It wasn’t what we were expecting. Shortly after the showings M got home. It was so fun to have him home early for the fun.

Friday was Christmas Eve. We took the boys to do some shopping for each other. M helped J, and I helped B-man. We then came home and took turns wrapping. B-man was really excited to help wrap. J loves having the tree and presents under the tree. Of course that means that all of the ornaments have been making a slow migration up the tree to where he can’t reach, and only one present was a victim of his early opening. We had another showing that day, (I was mostly annoyed by that) and then that evening we had a tasty dinner and some fun activities. We read the several scripture accounts of the birth of Christ, and the boys were able to open two packages. One was pajamas (which they loved) and the other was some great pears for the tree. J REALLY liked opening up a present. The boys went to bed easily. I did a bunch of cooking after the kids were in bed to make it easier on Saturday. Poor RM had a hard night. All of us have colds, and he was having a hard time sleeping well.

Christmas was a fantastic day. We take things really slow and stretch it out as much as possible. Plus we had the bonus of being able to listen in on two missionary phone calls, and lots of video chats with our family. We let the boys see what Santa brought at about 7:30. They were thrilled. We then took a break to eat breakfast, play with the new toys, chat with family, eat orange rolls, etc… We were in no rush. J took a nap. After J’s nap we then opened up the gifts under the tree. Mostly J and B-man opened up every present. It was so exciting for both of them. We ended the evening with a video chat with my family as they were chatting with one of my brothers on his mission. It was a great day full of family and love. (Even if we were all under the weather.)

Early Sunday morning RM woke up very distressed. M and I were both a little distressed too. He sounded awful, and we were worried that he wasn’t breathing very well. I went downstairs with him to look up some advice on the internet. By the time I was done RM had calmed down and was breathing more easily. I then went back upstairs and we both went to bed. He did a little better the rest of the night, but Sunday morning I wanted to make sure he was okay so we went to an urgent care very close to our house. The doctor’s office was very crowded with lots of coughing people. I hated being there, and of course by that time RM was acting like he just had a cold. Why does that happen? I really hate it. I am not one to go to the doctor at the first sneeze, but it is hard to explain what is so concerning when the baby isn’t doing it at the time the doctor sees them. Oh well. I was planning on staying home from church, but had to meet with a bishopric member at the last minute before church. We all drove in two cars, met with the bishopric member and then I took J and RM home. I am being released from my calling in the Young Women. I am really sad about it. After Sacrament meeting M came home and then I drove to the church so that I could teach the Beehives. (Also a last minute discovery.) When I arrived at the church I discovered that I had left my lesson stuff at home. I immediately turned around and went home to get it. Luckily I live close and had enough time. After church B-man and I came home immediately. The rest of the day was very relaxing. We had leftovers for dinner, and were able to listen in through video chat when my youngest brother called from Argentina on his mission. We were able to speak with all of the missionaries in our family! It was great. While we were chatting with them RM started doing his funny breathing again. We were on the video chat suctioning out his mouth and nose. It was a little distracting to us, but it did help him a little. We are hoping that we all get better very early in the week.

We love you all!

The C Crew

Christmas Eve

We are pretty excited for Christmas around here. Maybe a little too excited. Last night (December 23rd...) B-man came into our room THREE times. On one occasion he mentioned to M on his way back to bed that he had heard a "clickety-clack." Turns out it was just his clock. But at least he knows what to listen for tonight...

Merry Christmas!

December 19, 2010

December 19, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been a little slower, but still very fast and full. Monday was bitterly cold. For FHE we went to get our Christmas tree. The only problem was that because it was so cold I stayed in the car with J and RM while M and B-man chose the tree. Really B-man chose the tree, and he loves it which is really important. I kept telling myself not to ruin it for him by commenting on how small the tree is. It was too late to decorate it that night by the time we got it in and ate dinner.

Tuesday after school B-man insisted on decorating the tree. So we did. Of course J started taking off the ornaments about as quickly as we were putting them on. He broke one ornament while we were taking a break to work on dinner and even cut his hand on the crystal. Luckily it wasn’t too deep. We were all a little nervous about what would happen the rest of the week. The bottom of the tree is pretty bare where he can reach.

Wednesday I finally made it out to the grocery store. Just as I got to the store and had on item in my cart the realtor called and said that a couple that had been through our house previously wanted to come back. The only problem was that they only gave me about forty minutes notice, and of course I had assumed that no one would be coming when I left the house. I rushed home and put J in the high chair with cheerios while I ran (no exaggeration) through the house. I even managed to put a dust ruffle on a bed that I had taken off to wash. I am not sure how I got the mattress off and then back on again by myself, but somehow I did. Of course they came five minutes early, so I was still there. I quickly gathered the boys and headed to the bus stop to get B-man before heading back to the store to finish my shopping.

Thursday we got several inches of snow. B-man even got out of school two hours early because of it. Snow is always fun here. That afternoon we went to look at a house. It had some really good things, but also some big costs involved. I LOVE looking at houses. I don’t think I would ever get sick of it.

Friday after school we got some Thai food and had dinner with some friends. It was a good way to be out of the house and keep it clean.

Saturday morning I was up early to go play basketball. When we got to the church we discovered that the gym was set up for a ward Christmas party. So I headed back home. At least it got me up and going. The rest of the day was fairly normal. M left to get the car wash, and of course right when he left we got a call that someone wanted to come see the house. So once again I rushed through getting things ready. (I was so happy that J was sleeping this time.) M got home just as we needed to be out. We packed up and then headed to Costco. That is always a good place to kill some time.

Sunday was a good day. M had meetings in the morning and then came home. We made sure to leave the house in perfect condition in case someone called while we were at church. But of course no calls… After church we went to a friend’s house for dinner. We had a delicious dinner and then a fun little gift exchange for the kids and adults. The adults’ was a white elephant, and it is always hilarious. After staying too long we had to get home so that B-man could get enough sleep for school. It seems just wrong that he is still in school.

We love you all!

The C Crew

House

I have figured out a sure fire way to get showings on our house...

Assume that surely no one will come because of various reasons. Then work on other projects that are messy.

Seriously... I am 100% on this. If I try to keep the house spotless no one comes. If I allow it to get to a normal living state someone is sure to call and say they will be there in thirty minutes!

December 5, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has absolutely flown by once again. Most of the week was fairly quiet. At the beginning of the week our realtor came to take pictures of the house. The house really looks great right now.

I also had several doctor’s appointments. It is s

uch a pain to go and find someone to watch the kids. I really hate asking people even though I know they don’t mind. I also took J to the doctor. He had a lingering cough and I thought it needed to be checked out.

Friday morning some window washers came to work on our windows. They were super fast and did a great job. They were very nice and kept making comments about how nice the house looked.

Saturday we spent the morning prepping for the open house. We had a cleaning lady, and son, come spend a long time at the house cleaning. They were both supposed to be working, but it was mostly the mother. They took way longer than anticipated, and were still working when the open house was supposed to start. We left that in the hands of our realtor since he had set it all up. We figured that was his problem. R started to get really nervous that they were taking so long and started to try and pitch in. It at least made her feel a little better. While I stayed home with RM, M and the boys went to a baptism of a friend. We went into DC and spent the afternoon at the Natural History museum. Since it was so cold, it was the perfect way to spend our time.

Sunday was a slow morning with M home from meetings. It was a great day to relax after the previous crazy day.

We love you all!

The C Crew

Open House

Wondering why we have been so busy? Well it's because our house is officially on the market! There's an open house Saturday from 1-4. Feel free to swing on by and look through the place. We won't be there, so we won't even know... Know anyone looking for a new home? Feel free to send them our way.