Mortons Love

Valentimes

2012-02-13T15:56:00.000-07:00

My girls were very excited and also very opinionated about Valentines this year.

Here is what we came up with (copied from Pinterest and downloaded).

Macy made each of her classmates a bracelet.

Polly made adorable hearts with her thumbprint.

Macy came home from school the other day with a list of all her classmates and the animals they chose to do a report on.

The list was filled with deer, snake, eagle, cheetah, monkey, etc...

Next to Macy's name? Skink

This made me laugh and it also made me happy. I'm glad that in second grade she feels like it's okay to be unique. It feels like maybe something is going right around here.

I'm going to store that little piece of information in my parent brain for when I'm hearing about the MANY injustices of her childhood.

What Abe is Up To

2012-02-07T13:43:00.001-07:00

Abe continues to be the entertainment of the family, besides me of course.

If he wants your attention be prepared to listen to your name over and over and over at full volume. Even if you are sitting/eating/brushing your teeth RIGHT next to him. He would like both eyes directly on him until he is satisfied. He usually doesn't even want anything.

MOM! MOM! MOM!

Lately he has been baking/cooking with me up on the counter. This usually qualifies as my undivided attention. But not always.

(Something is turning in here.)

His favorite foods are apples, noodles or whatever YOU are eating.

He also ate nearly an entire red pepper the other day.

He calls Macy-Maimy, Polly-Poppy and himself-Babe.

He enjoys a good toothbrush. Preferably dad's (see below).

He is always putting on everyone's shoes but his own. And your helmet if you leave it sitting around. This reminds me of this post.

Dad is his all time favorite person. (sniff) If Scott is home, Abe is right next to him. He is a perpetual dad-shadow. A Dadow! (You're welcome, you may use that.)

He acknowledges me sometimes to say,

"Dad, gibberish, recognizable word, gibberish!" and then he laughs. Undoubtedly telling me something hilarious and awesome about dad.

He is available for parties, but goes to bed at 7!

My poor, poor children

2012-01-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

My sister keeps telling me I should post about this. So here I am.

All my children are well aware of the latest and most awesome technology.

We just don't have any. ANY.

No ipad

No iphone (or any like it)

No gaming systems*

No Mac for Photobooth.

Scott likes to say, we don't own an i-anything.

(He's wrong, I own the original ipod shuffle. BOOM!)

Grandmas do. And aunts and uncles do. Friends do.

They watch everyone playing Angry Birds and Plants V. Zombies. They play too.

But when we are home alone, living the deprived and lonely low-tech life, Macy will sometimes take my phone to play "calender". What? You've never played it? It's easy, really. You pull up the calender on my Samsung and you shuffle through the calender year, looking for important dates, like your own birthday.

It satisfies her needs. And so it does mine.

*Macy reminds me, we are like the only people in the whole entire world without a Wii !!!

Aprons!!

2012-01-18T11:30:00.001-07:00

Hey friends! Guess what I did?

I opened an Etsy shop with a friend of mine selling kids aprons.

Don't worry, I didn't do the sewing!

I left that in the very capable hands of Brittney.

My girls reluctantly modeled, and secretly liked it!

I think they turned out pretty cute. It has been fun.

Take a look!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/DarlingSparrow

Like Father, Like Son

2012-01-16T14:05:00.000-07:00

Although Scott hasn't fallen into the toilet.

At least that I am aware of.

A Dollhouse Christmas

2012-01-06T14:08:00.000-07:00

Christmas morning was a magical one. Abe was very excited to open presents. Here he is checking out his stocking contents. Mini football, a pack of matchbox cars and a new toothbrush.

I have lots of cute pictures of him opening his dump truck. He was very excited and all the pics are very blurry. He spent the rest of the morning loading the dump truck with his matchbox cars and dumping them out, naturally.

The girls got some fun things including a new doll for Polly, but the all the glory goes to Scott for making this Christmas magical. About a week and a half before Christmas, he decided to build bunk beds for their dolls and a giant dollhouse to go with it. They were so surprised and they haven't stopped playing with it yet...

Christmas Roundup

2012-01-06T13:54:00.000-07:00

Christmas Eve we celebrated at Grandma Dedee's party and puppet show.

Macy and Polly sang "Mary Did you Know" during the talent show.

Abe got a cool hammer toy, Polly got a pig and Scott got a full beard. Macy was never around for a picture.

The oldest and youngest members of the family, great-grandpa D and baby Moe.

Aren't they cute?

Christmas Eve Smile

2011-12-30T13:01:00.000-07:00

Abe's latest is to throw his head back and give me

a huge smile when I get the camera out.

This is both adorable and impossible to get a

good picture of because his head is in constant motion.

An excellent example is when Abe tried on his new

wolf hat from Grandma Dedee on Christmas Eve.

Twas the night before Christmas Eve

2011-12-28T16:03:00.002-07:00

The girls were counting down the days. Christmas Eve Eve we watched a movie slept under the tree. And by "we" I mean Macy and Polly. I made a good effort. Kind of.

Abe was super excited to join in.

I think this set up lasted 5 minutes before Abe was crawling all over the blankets and was sent to bed.

Was I the only one who was super obnoxious about counting as many Christmas Eves as you could? TODAY is Christmas eve, eve, eve, eve, eve...

The Card

2011-12-26T13:19:00.000-07:00

Almost There!

2011-12-23T13:19:00.004-07:00

Grandma Dedee and Grandpa Bill hosted the grandkids for a gingerbread man party.

We took our decorating seriously.

Smiling with food in her mouth.

Abe took eating cookies and candy with equal dedication.

I Can't Keep Up

2011-12-21T11:17:00.001-07:00

There's always next year*

We filled our Saturday with friends and snowflakes.

Even though the quality is terrible, there are 2 things I love about this picture.

1. All my kids have severe bed head.

2. Abe is too busy texting (LOL) to make a snowflake.

*12 posts of Christmas: FAIL

7th Post of Christmas?

2011-12-19T16:34:00.000-07:00

I failed by missing the 5th and 6th post. Moving on.

They look like complete angels, don't they? Snuggled in the same bed, Macy's hand resting under her chin...Don't let them fool you.

The power of Santa and Jolly The Elf are not working with my kids this year. They must know they are getting presents no matter what.

This should be the one month a year that I can get good behavior out of them whenever I want. It is the best Christmas gift a parent could ask for.

It's all I want. Any ideas?

The 4th Post of Christmas

2011-12-16T17:37:00.000-07:00

These days, when my kids wake up in the morning they don't know which way to turn. Look for Jolly? Get the chocolates out of the Christmas countdown? Unwrap one of the 12 gifts Grandma Janet sent over?

Usually all 3 within 2 minutes.

Abe thinks wherever Jolly ends up is funny. Especially when he was hanging from the girls chandelier. Several times a day, he would point and laugh. Not before he screamed "MOM!!" over and over to get my attention. And over and over. That boy is LOUD.

This really is the best time of year.

The 3rd Post of Christmas

2011-12-15T20:22:00.003-07:00

I'm too cheap to buy an Elf on the Shelf.

But I know it is a new tradition in this world and who am I if I don't follow the world?

I made my own and named him Jolly.

Santa sent a letter in the mail and the next day Jolly showed up.

Polly said, "Hey I saw you making that!" (oops)

Macy said, "I bet the real Jolly is at the North Pole and he sent the doll down with a camera."

This girl knows Santa, North Poles, and elves on the shelves aren't real, yet she continues to pretend with conviction. It's confusing.

The Second Post of Christmas

2011-12-14T15:02:00.001-07:00

We stole a tradition from my sisty, Annie. "'Tis the Season" is what they do the first Monday of the Christmas season to kick off the holiday.

Ours included fancy-ish dinner, decorating the tree, a small present (Christmas pillowcases) and reading from Luke 2

The girls didn't know we were doing it, so they were super excited to see a candle-lit dinner and presents!

On the 1st Post of Christmas

2011-12-13T14:12:00.002-07:00

I think I'll do the 12 Posts of Christmas again.

12 Christmasy posts to maximize Christmas spirit.

I know you've been holding your breath.

Our Christmas list.

Some things are repeats, some are new.

If we cross everything off it will be a Christmas miracle.

2011 Christmas list

~~Have a 'Tis the Season night~~

Watch Home Alone

Make Gingerbread men

~~Make Christmas pillowcases~~

Listen to Christmas music every day

Make these awesome houses into a Christmas village

Make homemade gifts for friends

Have dinner by the Christmas tree

Sleep under the Christmas tree (maybe the 23rd)

Send Christmas Cards

Make homemade peppermint marshmallows

Cover the front windows in paper snowflakes

~~Make gingerbread houses~~

Narcissist

2011-12-06T09:32:00.001-07:00

I just heard Abe laughing and I found him at the computer desk. He had managed to turn on the camera and he was laughing at this picture.

I hadn't seen it before. It's the classic baby-in-dad's-boots.

If it doesn't make you smile then you are probably dead inside. Or you don't love him quite as much as we do. This could be very possible. But hard to believe. But possible.

Magic

2011-11-29T14:24:00.001-07:00

We decorated the Christmas tree last night. It practically killed the girls to wait ALL the way until Monday. It may have actually been legitimate child torture. I'm looking into it.

Abe seemed mildy interested. Mostly he wanted to put the tiny silver ball ornaments into his mouth. I don't want to care for that injury...

However, this morning as soon as he woke up, we took him to the tree and he was mesmerized. It was the best thing I have seen in a while.

This is Major

2011-11-20T16:26:00.001-07:00

She did it! After years of failed attempts.

No prayers or scriptures in primary. No talks in primary. No to saying a prayer in front of extended family. No to practicing her part for the program or saying it last year. No practicing this year.

But then... She said her part into the microphone during the actual Primary Program! It took probably two full minutes standing at the microphone to build up the courage.

She was so proud of herself.

I might have cried.

Abe Happenings

2011-11-15T08:01:00.001-07:00

Is it not every little boy's rite of passage to be dressed up like a girl?

This was Abe's first time. The ladies thought it was HIL-arious. It was pretty funny because A) He's wearing Build-a-Bear sandals and B) He thought it was just as funny as the ladies and was more than happy to get his picture taken.

Abe loves to climb onto chairs and such. He is often sitting on the dining room chairs finishing off the girls drinks, or art projects like he owns the place. His favorite spot in the house is the toilet. He climbs on it to get toothbrushes and toothpaste and to turn on the water in the sink.

YESTERDAY, he climbed on the toilet, BUT the lid was up...AND there was pee in it. There was Abe standing in his socks in a toilet bowl full of pee. Dripping...wet...pee socks.

Abe is finally interested in books. But it has to have animals in it and you have to zoom through the pages (no pausing, get on with it) and say peek-a-boo after you turn every page. Or if you are Abe you say it peek-boo-boo.

How Haloween cost us $0.00

2011-11-02T16:23:00.000-06:00

We got some good use out of our costumes this year! Friend party, ward party, grandma Janet's party, and the main event.

Macy switched the day before our first party from Annie to a witch after she found my old costume at my mom's house. This was a divine intervention/ tender mercy/ lucky break. I was planning on spending the day using my inept sewing skills on an Annie dress, which may have worked out well if she were going for more orphan and less orphan-turned-billionaire Daddy Warbuck's daughter.

Vintage witch costume, worn by me at least 3 years in a row.

Polly decided to be a glittery black cat that Macy wore when she was 3. Turns out a tank dress for the body was a wise choice I didn't know I was making. Works for age 3, works for age 5!

Abe was destined to wear this most excellent goat costume, made by my sister, Holly 11 years ago. Conversely she can sew well. (Did I just use that word right?)

Abe thought the hat to be much too constricting. Once I showed him to himself in the mirror, he agreed that it was an important part of the ensemble, and laughed. Our efforts to get a "maaaa" out of him, were rewarded every time with a "hahaha".

Witch costume=$0

Cat costume=$0

Goat costume=$0

Not carving pumpkins because I'm a bad mother=$0

Halloween total=$0

(plus the $8 I spent on candy)

When did I get so wordy?

Lasting Love

2011-10-20T17:50:00.003-06:00

Abe and his cousin Piper have a love /hate relationship.

At this moment it was love.

They just decided to sit real close to eachother.

It propbably didn't last long. I don't remember, but I'm sure someone got mad at someone soon after their love-fest.

It's Great To Be 8!

2011-10-11T17:43:00.000-06:00

This sweet girl turned 8!

Then she went and got baptized.

How I got old enough for that, I don't know.

For serious.

These things have a way of sneaking up on you, am I right?

She was so excited and felt very special

in her beautiful dress made by her Auntie Erin.

It was an awesome day filled with lots of people who love her.

Too Cool For School

2011-09-20T10:59:00.000-06:00

My kids DID go back to school.

They were both very excited,

and still loving it!

Macy likes second grade and is always sweet to Polly when they see eachother on the playground or in the hall. I'm glad to hear this.

It could have gone either way.

She's still posing.

Polly likes to report after school who got in trouble that day.

She makes sure to tell me it has NEVER been her.

I beleive her.

While Abe isn't in school, he's still learning. He mastred the light switch the other day and we spent 15 minutes turning my bathroom fan on and off. And on. And off. It was super exciting and hilarious every single time.

The Stuff I Left Out

2011-08-24T11:22:00.000-06:00

Before we talk back-to-school time (how? really?), I need to post all the stuff I left out this summer.

Kittysitting little Warrior

Yard work

Camping with headlamps

Bear Lake

Last time we went gave us one of my fav pictures

Polly rides on two wheels like a champ

She is still asking, "Am I like a pro?"

Yes.

Abe loves bikes

It's been a wonderfully relaxing summer.

Driving Lessons

2011-08-16T08:14:00.000-06:00

After Abe's first driving lesson,

he was ready for a follow up,

and an advancement to the truck.

His new favorite place.

Not kidding.

Everyone buckled up back there?

(He's so saftey concious!)

Let me just pop my beverage...

I amuse myself.

Fun to the Run

2011-08-11T17:24:00.000-06:00

We mixed things up a little bit this year.

Our primary usually puts on a Pioneer Parade on the 24th of July.

This year we had the first annual Pioneer Haul.

One mile walk/run.

This is serious.

Not to boast, but Abe totally took 1st in the stroller division!

I was at the Start/Finish Line, but Scott tells me the ladies ran the whole way. Other than the much needed rest at the "Aid Station". Naturally.

I'm officially calling it a success!

Movie Night

2011-07-27T15:31:00.000-06:00

Scenes from a movie night

Cotton candy

Blankets

Megamind

Popcorn

Cousins

Bike Trailer DIY

2011-07-18T15:54:00.001-06:00

Take long jump rope.

Wrap, wrap, wrap and tie it around wagon handle.

Repeat same technical method to bike frame.

I love Summer.

Adventure-some

2011-06-28T14:58:00.000-06:00

Scott helped me find my adventure limit last weekend. We went canyoneering in Zion. I had my first time a couple a years ago. This was more. It was really fun, beautiful, and exciting, but I've maxed out my level of "ohmygosh!Idon'tknowifIcandothis!"

I only cried once.

The big canyon we did was called Birch Hollow, just outside of Zion.

We parked at the top and hiked our way down.

When you get to a point when you can't hike, you rappel. This is what canyoneering is. If anyone cares.

Our first rappel was down this:

There is lots of climbing on, down and around rocks.

There are 2 funny things about this picture above.

1. I totally thought I was horizontal and thanking myself for doing plank position on occasion. Clearly I am no where near horizontal.

2. I did this to keep from walking in water up to my shins. Little did I know that we would be walking in LOTS of water much higher than my shins.

But...Scott was impressed enough to take a picture. So there's that.

Our longest of 10 rappels was 100 ft. EEEK! I couldn't get it all in the picture. This is Scott coming down.

Lots more rappels, but no picture of me crying.

Scott does have a heart.

It took about 6-7 hours. Far and away the worst part was hiking back up to the car. I was tired and sore from my fingertips to my toes. Scott barely flinched at the whole thing. I think he ate a big dinner. That was about it.

Anyone want to come next time?

I can't believe Macy did this

2011-06-17T14:43:00.001-06:00

I did it first and I was scared seeing it through her eyes, knowing she would be next.

She cruised right up, walked the bridge no problem, (nothing to hold onto but your own rope, here!) and jumped off down the zip line (her favorite part).

Heber Valley

I throw my hands up in the air sometimes

2011-06-15T11:20:00.000-06:00

Dynamite is my girls favorite song.

I try to avoid it, they sing it whenever they can.

Here Polly and Miles are singing and dancing as it plays from the back of the car.

It brings out Polly's sass. She totally didn't know I was taking her picture or she never would have posed with such sauce! (Second picture.)

Singing ayy-ohhh!

Birthday Miracle

2011-05-25T15:11:00.001-06:00

I am positively glad to have a healthy child again. The 2 weeks before Abe's birthday he had the following all at the same time:

3 teeth came in (two eye teeth and a molar)

Stomach flu and ongoing digestive problems

(I'll leave that to your imaginations. You're welcome.)

Cold with accompaning congestion and cough

In the middle of all that, he ripped the flesh between his upper lip and gum line. His lovely uncle and dentist pulled it off for us. Yes. Off. (Scott thinks I over-reacted by calling uncle Jason, 3 minutes after if happened, and wants to know what I'm going to do when one of our kids "really" hurts themselves. I do too.)

Luckily, the little nugget starting feeling better the day before his birthday, which was about to be postponed until further notice.

I don't want anyone feeling sorry for him/us, I just want to remember. And by remember, I mean forget (?) Hmmm, what I'm trying to say is I forgot what it was like to have a happy child. One that eats his breakfast bannana in 12 seconds, and makes waves in the toilet water with his hands. I'm glad he's back.

Happy Birthday, Abe!

2011-05-16T15:32:00.000-06:00

The One Where Polly Wears Pants

2011-05-10T10:52:00.000-06:00

Our little family went to Discovery at the Gateway.

We rode on horses and in helicopters.

(Abe's nervous)

We saw a 3-D movie at IMAX.

Although terrible, this picture cracks me up.

We had a great and chilly time at the zoo,

where we saw the rarest sighting...

Polly in pants.

It was an ordeal. She helped me packed and we agreed on these pants since it was going to be cold at the zoo. When it came time to get dressed...whoo boy. That girl likes what she likes. And pants are NOT it. Unless they are leggings, and preferably under a skirt.

Love that girl.

(with cousin Dax)

Park City or Bust

2011-05-10T10:25:00.000-06:00

We drove, we arrived.

How do you respond to kids on a road trip when they ask every 30 seconds, "How much longer" (On a trip that is 2 hours. Max.)? Do I say 30 seconds less than one hour?, or less time than if we turn around? I started telling them 11 hours, mixed with any minute. It kept them on their toes.

Taking pictues helped.

Please show us your red mouth from the red sucker.

I wish I had a better picture of just how much Abe loved this luggage cart. He wouldn't stop bouncing and shaking the bars long enough to get a picture in focus.

Thrill Seekers

2011-05-03T13:42:00.000-06:00

While I didn't get any photos of Easter, I did get some of our Easter weekend in Park City with the Mortons. Too many to put into one post. That's hard.

I'll start with the carousel at Hogle Zoo.

Easter Happened

2011-04-25T16:58:00.000-06:00

Somehow I managed to not take ANY pictures of Easter at all.

Mother of the Year, right here.

None of dying eggs

None of the fun Easter projects with Grandma Janet

None of the Easter egg hunts

None of the Easter baskets

None of the Easter dresses

Uncle Jed took this one of Polly with his phone, looking irresistible.

What Abe's Been Up To

2011-04-15T12:11:00.001-06:00

In one short month, little Abe is going to turn 1!

Wasn't he born just a few weeks ago?

I swear it.

He just keeps getting more awesome.

He's almost walking.

You can tell by the revolving bruises on his head.

He walks along the walls to get where he needs to go, and takes a few un-assisted steps here and there. Frankly, I'm not rushing him.

He's been trying to get his second molar, but so far has just been one big swollen and purple lump on his gums for weeks. It's sad.

He has a deep, throat-y laugh that comes easily.

He laughs every time he's in the wind. Or if someone makes animal sounds.

He loves cabinets, drawers, toilet lids and toilet paper. He also likes to reeeaaach his hand into the water while the girls take a bath.

And apparently he likes to ride in the toy stroller.

Who wouldn't?

Birthday re-cap

2011-04-11T16:23:00.000-06:00

WOW! It worked. Time really did stand still. On my blog at least. I totally meant to re-cap Polly's birthday. I'll do it now.

My darling, reserved child did NOT want a party (?)

She opted for a few friends for a lunch at the resturaunt of her choice.

Yes! Playland!

Family parties are okay.

No cake allowed.

Grandma Janet and Grandpa Mike gave her a gift card to Build-a-Bear. The next day they went for a train ride and to pick out her build-a-bunny, Katelyn.

She felt very special.

Stop It!

2011-03-25T21:10:00.000-06:00

I always say I'm not a big fan of time travel discussion,

but I might be interested in stopping time altogether.

Polly turned 5 today.

Happy Birthday, Polly!

Macy loves

2011-03-18T15:41:00.000-06:00

Macy really, really wanted her only blog.

She wanted to call it Macy Lou Loves.

I give my kids whatever they want.

http://www.macylouiseloves.blogspot.com/

Swingers

2011-03-16T13:44:00.000-06:00

Just when my two girls learn how to pump themselves...

Another one comes along.

If you scroll fast it's like he's really swinging.

Target Demographic

2011-03-04T09:47:00.000-07:00

"It's true! You really can fall in love with your Pillow Pet."

(Styled and photographed by Macy, last October)

This is what Macy told me yesterday.

Apparently it is what the commercial advertised when she decided she must have one last fall.

Macy is a major sucker for advertising. Saturday morning cartoons have done us a lot of favors. One is exposure to lots of commercials. Over the years she has tried to convince me to buy a number of products.

An indestructible wallet: "You can even drive over it with a car!"

A shoe organizer that fits under your bed.

Nutrisystem: "You never have to worry about portion size again!"

(If this was a hint it wasn't very subtle.)

We debated this one for a while and that girl has a keen memory. Every thing I tried to say, she had a comeback for. "It's so easy!" "All the other diets don't work!" "You should see how big their old clothes are!"

Two Christmas's ago she told me all about these pretend hamsters that run around on a track and in tunnels and they AREN'T real, but they LOOK real.

(I thought to myself, that will never catch on. Ha.)

Yesterday, I found this gem in my e-mail. I had e-mailed it to myself 3 years ago so I wouldn't forget.

"Mom!! I just saw something on TV for you. It's called Aquaglow. It's for your plants. You just put it in the soil and it waters the plants for you. (with shoulder shrugs) no more spills, no more dying plants, no more drooping."

Funny thing is, I actually need this one.

Fresh Cream Butter is Good

2011-03-02T14:31:00.000-07:00

I'm sure I've done this before in my youth.

Sometime.

I saw this post and felt domestic.

It was super easy, and a little messy,

and a lot super delicious.

Shake, shake, shake heavy cream and salt.

When you get tired of shaking,

put it in the mixer,

(poor pioneers with no mixers)

and mix a loooooong time.

It magically turns into butter and butter milk.

We added honey.

But I am for real looking for the best bread recipe. I've tried a few and they have been good, but I want super awesome.

Do you have one?

Can I handle it?

Do I need a wheat grinder?

Cause they are spensive.

Summer Project

2011-02-22T11:21:00.001-07:00

The Summer Project

I want to pretend like it's summer, so I have an idea. Let's all post our favorite un-blogged (or already blogged) summer picture(s). Then tell all your friends to do it too.

Question: If I give it a title with the name project in it, does that mean more of you will do it? Do it! It will be like it's summer in one tiny corner of the blogging world.

Here's my favorite un-blogged picture.

Swimsuits, popsicles and water bottles to cool off.

Some of my favorite post of the past are here and here (one of my favorite pictures). But my most favorite summer post is here.

I feel better already.

Love Day

2011-02-15T09:31:00.001-07:00

It started with this super mysterious Valentine!

No doubt inspired by the mystery flavored dum-dum

My favorite part is the heart made out of question marks

Mysterious!

V-day breakfast

Manners Tea at Hillcrest

Scott always tries to find interesting flowers

These might be the best yet

The tops are super soft

It was a love-ly day!

Valentine For Hubs

2011-02-10T14:53:00.001-07:00

Scott and I were both super hot in high school.

Not Really, but it's kind of funny.
(Look at that terrible mock-dress they made us wear for our Senior picture! It was bad then and it's bad now.)

Don't worry, as I've said before, he doesn't read my blog.

No Valentine spoiler here.

Is that rude?

Do your husbands read your blogs?

Beautiful Disaster

2011-02-04T09:42:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I was cleaning up the wreckage, the aftermath, the crime scene?, the party that is on our floor after Abe eats. It looks like he's been in a food fight. With himself. Anyway, I was cleaning up his lunch. Fine, his breakfast too. Mmmmm, slimy banana chunks. I just made you hungry didn't I?

He just watched me.

Didn't offer to help or anything.

I Did This With Old Maps

2011-02-01T14:07:00.001-07:00

I like maps, alot. I had a pile of ~~vintage~~ old maps from my grandpa and decided he probably wanted me to cut them up and turn them into something else. So I did. My sister Erin and I made some collages with a little Mod Podge (first time user!), a big canvas and a lot of love. She posted about it here.

I used the blue oceans in varying shades for my back ground and I made an "M" at the bottom out of greens. I wanted the color change to be subtle.

It was almost a full day of cutting, mod-podging and looking after the babies. I'm super happy with the results.

Big art for my wall for $37!! Wahoo!

(I might be a nerd for saying wahoo. Like me anyway.)

Some Things To Be Happy About

2011-01-28T16:16:00.002-07:00

This week I made Millionaire Shortbread, from Baked. Think homemade twix. Shortbread layer, caramel layer, chocolate layer.

I'm making this pizza for dinner. I'll let you know.
[UPDATE: It was so, so yum. Go make it!]

I organized part of my kitchen cupboards. The food part.

I got a good start on organizing the recipes. It's a lot of writing, people.

My kids have been sweet to each other. It happens.

And...It's the weekend, A husband home and a date in the works!

$4.00 DIY

2011-01-25T10:48:00.000-07:00

How to make your own O scarf:

Wish you had one like your sister, Holly

Get hot tip like: If you buy knit at the fabric store it comes in a loop.

Buy 1/2 yard of knit for $4.00

Put around neck

Abe has a tie!

2011-01-20T17:27:00.000-07:00

Nobody told me little boys were so awesome.

Abe has been nothing but fun since day one (rhyme!)

Now he's 8 months!

And he has a tie.

This is almost too much.

I never knew I liked babies in ties.

At 8 months Abe:

Desperately wants to crawl

Doesn't like me to leave the room

Says mama*

Waves with either tiny finger wiggles or full arm pumps

Loves food

Loves the zhu zhu pet the girls "gave" him

*I'm pretending he knows what this means. I can do that. It makes me feel good and makes Scott crazy. (Say dada)

Improvement

2011-01-18T11:01:00.001-07:00

I have certain spaces in my house that stay organized, but I have more that don't. This is something I would like to change. So, I'm adding to my list.

1. Make a new recipe once a week

2. Clean out/Organize a space once a week.

I realize this looks completely weak. One space a week? It's realistic, I say (staying positive).

Already organized this year: My closet, girl's dresser/closet, craft cupboard (this shouldn't count. It's needed weekly, but done rarely)

Needs to be organized: My recipes, ALL kitchen cupboards, coat closet, bookshelf in my room, kids bookshelf, Abe's closet, linen closet.

Recipes made last week:

Chicken Picata (America's Test Kitchen)

We loved this. Macy thought it was to lemon-y

Risotto (America's Test Kitchen)

Macy and I loved. Scott and Polly liked.

The best part was making the leftovers into fried cheesy rice cakes that the cookbook recommended. Everyone loved these. Abe especially.

QUESTION: How do you organized people STAY organized? This is my problem.

Do You Have Triplets? Neither do I

2011-01-14T06:45:00.000-07:00

But I did have 3 babies the same age at my house the other day.

So I pretty much know what it's like (joke).

I thought it would be fun to try to get a picture of them all together.

Abe and his twin cousins. Cute.

It was impossible.

Abe smiles, then Addy smiles, then Abby smiles (I realized there are a lot of "A"s going on here). A twin tips over, prop back up, the other tips over, prop back up, Abe eats his sock, one tries to lunge off the couch, they steal each others toys, that baby gives the thief a crusty look. And repeat.

It was fun.

Some things to consider:

We call Abe the Baby Giant when he is with these two petite girls.

Abe DOES have other shirts.

Report

2011-01-12T07:58:00.000-07:00

Here's my report from my self-promised list that wasn't very listy at all. Make a new recipe once a week. Done. How about 5? Before you are impressed (Don't worry, I know you aren't), 3 were desserts. 3! This could be a problem. In my defense, 2 were for a large family dinner.

Penne with White Beans and Pancetta

from The America's Test Kitchen Cookbook

This was fair

The Baked Brownie

from Baked

This was dense, fudgy and delicious

Chicken and Dumplings

from Pioneer Woman

DELISH

Lemon Lime Bars

from Baked

Mmmmm

Peanut Butter Crispy Bars

from Baked

WOWZA!

(*These sounds average, but were serious trouble)

My sisty, Annie gave me The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook for Christmas and it's full of good recipes, but best is the helpful tips and food product reviews. Scott gave me Baked: New Fronteirs in Baking. This could add 5-10 lbs. Easy.

Listing and Reporting keeps me motivated.

Too Soon?

2011-01-10T07:43:00.000-07:00

We are thinking of teaching Abe

how to drive...

Is it too soon?

Hug a Friend

2011-01-06T07:52:00.000-07:00

Raise your hand if you hug your friends like this.

We should. Three at at time.

Some Thoughts

2011-01-04T15:38:00.000-07:00

When I changed the name of this here blog to "Mortons Love" last year sometime, it was because I knew I wanted this blog to be a positive place. (It was after this post, I promise.) And of course, a place to document our life.

So, as the new year starts, I'm making it official. I will blog about the people we love, the things we love, and the things we love doing. Happy things only.

I don't really love New Year's resolutions. But I do love lists. Making lists mostly. When I made our Christmas list, it made me do more things. Then I posted it, and it made me do even more things. I liked that. It was really only because I was afraid you'd all think I was lame if I didn't. I don't want my friends to think I'm lame.

I'm making a new list for 2011. It's not complete yet. In fact it only has one item.

1. I'm going to make a new-to-me recipe at least once a week. I got 2 new cookbooks for Christmas. I like cookbooks, this is my inspiration. I'm not saying I'm going to blog about it. Then I would have to take pictures, and that's a whole thing.

So far, this is all I can commit to.

I'll add to it sometime, making it list-like.

This is the longest text I've ever had in a post. Except for this one. That was a doosy.

Linking is fun.

Don't think I'm lame.

Wrapping It Up

2011-01-03T14:44:00.001-07:00

Time to wrap up 2010.

All our Christmas dreams came true.

This is what our living room looked like two days after Christmas.

We like to leave our spoils out for a bit.

Cousin Miles dreams of a "snomobile that uses real gas" came true too.

The ladies went for a spin on the Kitty Cat.

In style.

Christmas Eve, Eve, Eve

2011-01-01T08:31:00.003-07:00

5 Facts

1. The kids love the annual Christmas Puppet Show/ Talent Show.
2. Macy killed it by singing "Christmas Is"
3. My sisters are all gorg.
4. Piper loves her some Abe

5. We had some good eats

(6th un-related fact: My kids are ACTUALLY sleeping in! Not Abe.)

Waste of Time

2010-12-31T17:00:00.000-07:00

I guess the 12 Posts of Christmas was a waste of my time. Macy has documented our month of December for us. Scott and I found this little gem under the Christmas tree when we were cleaning up late on Christmas night. It was a long rolled up peice of wrapping paper, with Christmas memories drawn on. It was her present to Scott.

1. We went to The Nutcracker 2. We watched Elf 3. The girls decorated their little tree. 4. They helped me decorate 5. They played with their nutcrackers that live on the mantle. 6. They cleaned (?)

On the 1st Post of Christmas...

2010-12-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas!

Polly has announced for the 26th time that she CAN'T wait 'til Christmas to open her presnets. Can't she just open ONE? I called her bluff this morning and told her to open all the ones with her name on it.
I was met with a blank stare.
Guess she'll wait after all.

12 Posts of Christmas has been fun.
Let's do it again next year!

On The 2nd Post of Christmas...

2010-12-23T07:26:00.000-07:00

Dear Santa,
Macy is very excited for Christmas, and I think she's been pretty good. She is a great big sister to Abe and she likes to take him into her room to "play". This usually goes well. Sometimes she tries hard to keep her emotions from getting out of control. She does this by taking deep, loud breaths with her eyes closed. I don't know where she may have seen this before! She lost her first tooth this year, but the rest are staying put. She likes the 1st grade, but only if you don't ask her. She's a fantastic reader and prefers to read chapter books. She very much likes to pick out her own clothes and she tries to add some flair when she can. She's lovely. Please bring her...(she's asked for about 30 things) the new Taylor Swift CD and a teddy bear. (This perfectly describes Macy this year: growing up, but not.)

This is most defnitely the best Christmas Story I've seen.

So very cute.

Watch, please.

On the 3rd Post of Christmas...

2010-12-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Santa,

Polly has had a good year. She started pre-school and is looking forward to next year when she can be dropped off with the big kids at Hillcrest. I am not. She is a sweet soul and an excellent snuggler. She has however, found her voice when it comes to Macy. I'll just say Macy's carefully orchestrated plans don't always go her way anymore. We are pleased. For Polly, of course. But not for our ears. One of her favorite games continues to be "What if". The best one recently was,

"What if all our teeth were made of candy? How would we eat candy?"

It's funny. Please bring her some face paint (hope you can find it!) and any animal that is miniature in size.

Also, if you take her picture, she often does this:

On the 4th Post of Christmas...

2010-12-21T09:39:00.000-07:00

Homemade Peppermint Marshmallows!

This is NOT a food blog.

But I do kind of wish I had one.

If I did, then this post would include lovely pictures of the process. I'll just tell you. It was pretty easy, and the marshmallows are FLUFFY and delicious. We put them in our Truffle-ball hot chocolate from a dear friend. Mmmmm.

On The 5th Post of Christmas...

2010-12-20T08:21:00.002-07:00

Dear Santa,

Abraham has been good this year. Granted he only had 7 months of the year to receive that accolade, but he's been quite exceptional. He obeys his parents. This includes things like "Stay right there". He gets along with his sisters, as long as their hair doesn't get into his hands. Then it's really just a good game of tug o' war. He's good at games. He's been honing his talent of expectorating. We think he's above average for his age. What's expectorating? Look it up. Back to Abe. He doesn't cry when he cuts 4 teeth at a time. And he only uses them when he really has to. Gotta keep 'em sharp, right? Please bring him some Cheerios, diapers (this area could use some improvement), and bananas.

UPDATE: He didn't even laugh at me when I dropped an entire bowl of warm syrup (SYRUP!) on the floor this morning.

On the 6th Post of Christmas...

2010-12-19T14:53:00.000-07:00

We did the Nativity.

Abe was a sheppard.

The End.

On the 7th post of Christmas...

2010-12-18T12:26:00.000-07:00

Why am I counting from 12 to 1, instead of 1 to 12?

It's a mystery.

Too late to change course.

Let's proceed, shall we?

Do your children believe?

Mine do.

Sort of.

Macy seriously tackled the subject last year, and I told her! But...she wants to believe, and so she does. And Polly believes what Macy believes.

I'm not sure what Macy asked for. Polly would neither sit on his lap, nor look at him, nor talk to him. She's only standing by him for the candy cane.

On the 8th Post of Christmas

2010-12-17T07:46:00.001-07:00

Counting it down

I let my girls eat the chocolates that are inside at 7:00 A.M. when they run out of their room with sleepy eyes and wild hair. Chocolate in the morning is worth waking up for. Should I be doing this?

On the 9th Post...BEST PHOTOS EVER!!

2010-12-16T07:39:00.001-07:00

I hosted myself a little Ugly Christmas Sweater party last weekend. I'm not saying all the sweaters were ugly, but...

I'll let you decide.

This is the best photo I got of the first to arrive.

I think the turtle neck really sets the outfit off. And to quote my sister Annie, the sweater vest was perfectly unflattering.

Then Annie and Jed went and took these photos for a party they attended.

Then I cried I laughed so hard,

Then I laughed even harder, and died.

On the 10th post of Christmas...

2010-12-15T07:40:00.000-07:00

Macy and I went to went to The Nutcracker, where she re-defined the term "edge of her seat". Literally. She also talked my ear off. Explaining the plot, Why did they do that?, I would be good at her part, how did those girls fit under that dress?, that costume is the prettiest one!, do you think Polly would like this, mom?, why didn't you bring money for treats?

She loved the fancy theater and she insisted I take a picture of the curtain.

Yes, for those who asked, she got her haircut (upon her request) into a darling little a-line. She loves it and so do I.

On the 11th post of Christmas...

2010-12-14T08:18:00.002-07:00

The ladies were very much looking forward to dinner by the Christmas tree. I won't say it was a gourmet dinner, but it included candles and Martinelli's in fancy cups, so that made up for it.

After, we watched "Miracle on 34th Street". Everyone was mostly bored except for me. I enjoyed the things I remembered from forever ago. Like the squeaky voice of Freddy the janitor who just wants to play Santa instead of push brooms. It reminded me that we don't have to accept our current lot in life. We can aim high.

12 Posts of Christmas

2010-12-13T09:51:00.001-07:00

12 Christmasy posts. That's the plan.

Day 12:
We made a Christmas list a while ago of things we must do.
It's posted on the fridge.

2010
~~Make a popcorn garland~~
~~Watch "It's a Wonderful Life~~
Make hot chocolate with home-made marshmallows
Make Christmas pillowcases
~~Have dinner by the tree~~
Watch "A Christmas Story"
Make and decorate Christmas cookies
Make snowflakes
~~Host Ugly Christmas Sweater party~~
Make cookies for Santa
~~Make paper Mr. and Mrs. Claus~~ (Macy)
Make Saltine Toffee for neighbors
~~Watch "Miracle on 34th Street"~~
Make peanut butter bars (Polly)

I think it's coming along well.
Is there a glaring hole in our list?
If so, please share.

Restraint

2010-12-06T09:46:00.003-07:00

Abe is 6 months

6 1/2 if you want to be precise (and I do)

Abe can sit (evidenced)

He's breaking some top teeth

He loves his affectionate sisters

His loves his dad

Polly makes him laugh the hardest

His likes vegetables straight up (no cereal)

He tolerates fruit

(unless it's bananas, which he devours with lip smacks)

He spits when he's mad

It makes us laugh

I must restrain myself from gobbling him straight up.

Proof!

2010-12-02T12:52:00.004-07:00

My children do listen in primary.

proof#1:

(we learned about service)

After Scott announce he was headed out to shovel the 73" of snow that fell Sunday, the little nuggets wanted to play in the snow. Then Macy whispers that she's going to shovel for dad while she's out there. There was a lot of snow folks. They did their best.

Sometimes it takes two.

(sing it with me)

Proof #2:

As I'm cleaning the kitchen (I'm known to do this on occasion) Monday morning, Polly says

"Mom! I know someone who gives us presents on Christmas besides you, dad and santa."

oh yeah, who?

"Heavenly Father gave us his son... and that is the hugest present ever...

AND IT'S NOT EVEN WRAPPED!"

Thank you November

2010-12-01T13:55:00.003-07:00

Macy had a Thanksgiving Feast in Miss Anderson's class. The individually made headgear/vest/necklace/placemats were the best part.

Our Thankful Turkey was mostly a list of everyone we know.

You might be on a feather somewhere. (or your dog.)

We are indeed thankful.

Welcome...

2010-11-16T11:45:00.002-07:00

To the stage rock out.

I'm not sure entirely what this means. It's been hanging in the hall by Macy's bedroom for some time now. My guess is she's channeling her FAVORITE singer (and the only one she knows).

Hint: It starts with "T" and ends with aylor Swift.

Oh, Polly

2010-11-05T14:47:00.003-06:00

What I love about Polly:

Her lips.

She loves having her nails painted. EVERY time she calls the nail polish, "pale nolish". It makes me laugh.

If you tickle her arms/back/legs, she will sit like she is literally frozen. Frozen, I tell you.

The other day she made a spitting sound with her tongue at me. I said, "Did you just spit at me?" She quickly told me she was just spitting at her imaginary friend that was sitting on top of my head! Whew.

We Got Wet

2010-10-31T16:44:00.004-06:00

A lion, a black bunny and an angel.

She comes up with this stuff on her own, folks.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Last Year We had Swine Flu

2010-10-28T13:33:00.005-06:00

Family Night was pumpkin carving complete with pumpkin bread and apple cider. The ladies thought it was JUST LIKE Rebecca Estelle from "Too Many Pumpkins", their favorite Halloween book. (Happy to oblige.)

The ladies each drew their pumpkin face on paper. Then Scott and I copied them onto the pumpkins for carving. Abe got a smiley face with two bottom teeth. Perfect.

Busted

2010-10-25T13:40:00.002-06:00

The camera is broken.

When I take a picture, it has lines through it.

This is the only evidence I have

of how it may have hapenned.

The last good picture...

This is Funny

2010-10-04T10:29:00.000-06:00

We learned something new Saturday.

Abe no likey rice cereal.

He made the same face from the first bite to the 5th.

Then we stopped and put him out of his misery.

Happy 7!

2010-09-22T09:02:00.003-06:00

This beauty is 7 today!

She invited a few girls over for a tea-party on Saturday.

Macy, Audrey, Ella, Kylie, and Polly

We sure love her a lot!

New Trick

2010-09-14T10:12:00.002-06:00

#2 in School

2010-09-07T14:26:00.003-06:00

Last week, Polly was pleased as ever to start pre-school.

She told me this means she is definitely a big girl now.

I agree.

This is not my Polly who hates getting her picture taken.

She has a little of Macy in her after all.

Just a smidge.

This one's a keeper.

Macy doesn't normally wear her hair like "I Dream of Jeannie"

It's crazy hair day again.

And this one makes me melt into a puddle.

Slippery Slope

2010-08-31T13:06:00.004-06:00

Finally!!!

Macy has waited for her first lost tooth for at least 2 years.

Thank you, hard-to-get-apart-legos for helping her tooth to pop out.

I feel like she is on a slippery slope.

First, all day school.

Then a lost tooth.

Next she will want an

ipod/cell phone/car/boyfriend/indpendence from me!
I cannot not have that.

4 Real

2010-08-23T17:03:00.006-06:00

I feel like this year we have started school for reals.

Gone all day,

lunch at school,

I have so many great pictures of Macy's first day,

I just have to post them all.

Please forgive.

BTW, many times we question who's child she is.

For the record, I am crying in my kindergarten picture

just for the sake of getting my picture taken.

Macy-not so much.

She's thrilled to be in Ms. Anderson's class

"with the bear door"

She is super embarassed after I

said something silly to make her smile.

For Real.

p.s. Polly makes for a great photo accessory.

3 Mo.

2010-08-17T21:55:00.004-06:00

Remember when Abe was 2 months?

Now he's 3.

He's fatter

He has more hair

He smiles a lot more (but not for the camera)

His eyelashes are super long

He loves his binky

He would really like to love his thumb

if he could only figure the darn thing out.

Not Abe

2010-08-11T14:59:00.005-06:00

So what if the last 10 posts have been about Abe...

Get over it. This one isn't.

My whole fam went to Sunriver, Oregon last week.
Here's the recap.

Lava cave.

Highlights were making scary shadows on the cave wall,
Ethan, Bronwen, Miles, Macy and Sicicily

attempting to army crawl to the end of the cave.

Congrats to Ethan. Brave soul.

Goody's

The kids biked daily into town to the

candy/ice cream/stuffed animal store.

All the younger cousins bought big-eyed animal

and played with them whenever we were at the house.

Hike to Benham Falls.

This is where we found

Oregon's breeding ground for mosquitos.

Glad we found you, Breeding Ground.

Scott and Jed hiked South Sister.

Best picture of the trip.

And all the rest.

Little Mother Photo Shoot

2010-07-28T17:03:00.004-06:00

As promised, here are the best from

Little Mother's photo shoot.

I'm letting her have the camera more often.

These are excellent.

She even got them both to look a the camera

Oh, Little Mother.

Bath

2010-07-20T12:00:00.001-06:00

Please pass me a spoon.

Little Mother

2010-07-16T14:24:00.007-06:00

I think I am a fairly resourceful person.

But there has been an untapped resource

at my house for 2 months.

Wow 2 months.

Isn't he a living doll?

Anyway, back to my point.

Meet Little Mother:

Little Mother is the best.

Just think if we all had an extra mother at the house.

Hmmmm.

It is a privilege for Little Mother to take care of Abe.

Giving her permission to hold him while standing up

was like giving her a Christmas present in July.

I am not kidding.

Little Mother played with, entertained and rocked Abe

while I cleaned the house.

She even put him to sleep.

Again, I am not even kidding.

It was like a Christmas present in July.

Coming up:

Little mother's photo shoot

How...

2010-07-07T14:31:00.003-06:00

did July get here?

nursing

adoring

changing

sometimes cleaning

nursing, and

nursing again.

I'm beginning to think Abe's feeding schedule is out of the ordinary. Everyone is telling me it takes 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or maybe 15 minutes max to nurse. Whaaaa? I'm in it for an average of 30. Am I the only one? Ladies?

Anyhoo, that's not why I'm here to blog today. Abe was blessed on Sunday, the Day of Independence. He was darling, Scott was wonderful and all (most) of my family was there.

I realize this photo location was not ideal.

Sun on Abe's face.

This baby looks like Polly, and now he's awake.

Let the feeding commence.

Congratulations

2010-06-08T13:49:00.003-06:00

Mothers and fathers, you may as well
throw in the towel.

It's been decided...

While Abe is busy being the

"Worlds Best Baby"

The ladies of the house

are busy changing their clothes

57 times a day.

These outfits were blue ribbon winners,

and lasted an entire afternoon.

What I love about Abe

2010-05-27T16:31:00.002-06:00

(I think he looks a bit like Curious George when he does this.)

He shows his surprise and concern by wrinkling his forehead.

(He's very advanced.)

He is as cuddly as a newborn.

He likes to pee on everyone but me.

(My OBGYN, his pediatrician, his aunties)

He sleeps a lot.

His dimple.

His male patterned baldness.

(Lots of hair on the sides and back, not much on top.)

He is super awesome.

Meet Abe

2010-05-16T11:41:00.003-06:00

Abraham Scott Morton
Born Thursday, May 13 @ 3:15 P.M.

6 lbs. 12 oz.

He has brown hair and dark eyes.

He's perfect and lovely.

No One Likes a Frowny Face

2010-05-04T12:07:00.010-06:00

I apologize for my last post.

Pretend like it never happened.

I can't be held responsible

for the things I say at 5:37 P.M.

We all know it's the worst

time of day. (This is as crazy as we got for crazy hair day, today.)

On to things we love.

We are all VERY

excited for our little baby.

The ladies would like to

name the baby as follows:

Macy likes Jack.

Polly likes Thomas.

Both came up with the names on their own.

I hope they aren't disappointed.

I am personally loving that

this un-named baby's room is DONE!

and he has a crib drawer stocked

with everything he needs.

This makes me very happy.

Dear baby,

You may come in 3 days.

Dear life

2010-05-03T17:24:00.004-06:00

I've officially reached it...

The point of pregnancy when

I am holding on for dear life.

I'm telling the little guy to not move,

and the girls to NOT touch my belly.

It all hurts too much.

I made Scott choose the other day,

Do you want groceries today?

or do you want clean bathrooms?

He chose groceries.

Me too.

All we had was peanut butter.

Mostly, I'm tired of listening to myself complain.

Half of the world has been 9 months pregnant before.

I'm officially going to stop until the baby is born.

Then I might complain about lack of sleep.

But I'll try not to.

And don't say anything mean,

Even if it's not mean, and just stating facts,

like, "you look like you can't get any bigger"

or "you still have 3+ weeks left"

I might cry.

Or say something mean back.

You never can tell.