Christmas!

I thought I would tell you all about our Christmas. I'm not posting any pics except for the one below because my camera is a hunk of junk and the pics didn't turn out very good. On Christmas Eve Day, I took my kids to the mall to finish some shopping, eat lunch, and see Santa. As you can see, Maycie hated every minute of it. She was fine looking at him from a distance, even saying "Ho, Ho, Ho", but when I put her on his lap and she looked up at him well, this is what happened...

My poor baby! She kept saying, "No Mommy, No!" "Get down!" And yes, I'm a mean mom and made her sit there long enough for the picture.

After the mall, I took the boys to their dad's house. It was his turn this year to have them on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. I've decided that this was why my heart just wasn't into Christmas this year. It absolutely breaks my heart to wake up on Christmas morning and not have all of my kids there and to not be able to see that "Santa was here!" Christmas morning excitement. I understand that this is how it has to be and I know that Dan and Heidi feel the same way every other year when the kids are at our house, but it's still hard. However, it does have to be said that they had a very great Christmas at their dad's and got very spoiled! That's the great part about this for them...2 CHRISTMAS'S! Maycie is not old enough to know that you're supposed to wake up mom and dad early and then be sent back to bed until the appointed time. She couldn't care less. Maybe next year...

Cody, Maycie and I spent Christmas Eve at home by ourselves. I had gone to Papa Murphy's earlier in the day, so we ate pizza and wrapped presents. It was actually pretty nice, at least compared to last year. Last year, Cody got called out to plow on Christmas Eve afternoon and ended up missing his own family's party.

Christmas morning, we woke Maycie up at 8 and took her down to see what Santa brought her. It was priceless to see her little face light up at the sight of new toys. She got a huge Little Tikes playhouse (which will live in my living room until it's warm enough to take outside), a toy vacuum, some blocks, a horse that can plug into the TV and she can play games on it, and some balls (football, soccer, baseball and basketball). She loves to throw balls to people and she's got quite the little arm! We got ready and headed up to my mom's house for breakfast. It's always nice when my whole family gets together because it doesn't happen very often. The only members of the family who weren't there were my nephew who is on a mission in Brazil and my boys. After my mom's, it was time to pick up my boys and I was so excited! We went to our house and did Christmas with them. We got a wii as kindof a family gift and the boys got their individual things. We then went to Cody's mom's for dinner, more presents, and more wii playing. We came home right before the snowstorm hit. Cody got called out around 8:30 and didn't come home until after work the next day. Needless to say, he was exhausted!

We had a really great Christmas! I am already so excited for next year when I will have all 4 of my kids there. I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Cough Remedy

Maycie has been sick for the past couple weeks...ear infection, strep, croup, yadayadayada and so on, and so on...SO...I got this in an email and my cousin has also posted it on her blog. I asked her pediatrician about it and he said if it works, go for it. I tried it, and it was seriously a godsend! Maycie would cough her little guts out during the day, but not even one cough during the night. Just thought I would pass along the idea...

Vicks.............
During a lecture on Essential Oils, they told us how the foot soles can absorb oils. Their example: Put garlic on your feet and within 20 minutes you can 'taste' it. Some of us have used Vicks Vapo rub for years for everything from chapped lips to sore toes and many body parts in between. But I've never heard of this. And don't laugh, it works 100% of the time, although the scientists who discovered it aren't sure why. To stop night time coughing in a child (or adult as we found out personally), put Vicks Vapo rub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime, then cover with socks. Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about 5 minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief. Works 100% of the time and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly. Just happened to tune in A.M. Radio and picked up this guy talking about why cough medicines in kids often do more harm than good, due to the chemical makeup of these strong drugs so, I listened. It was a surprise finding and found to be more effective than prescribed medicines for children at bedtime, in addition to have a soothing and calming effect on sick children who then went on to sleep soundly. My wife tried it on herself when she had a very deep constant and persistent cough a few weeks ago and it worked 100%! She said that it felt like a warm blanket had enveloped her, coughing stopped in a few minutes and believe me, this was a deep, ( incredibly annoying!) every few seconds uncontrollable cough, and she slept cough-free for ho ur s every night that she used it. If you have grandchildren, pass this on. If you end up sick, try it yourself and you will be absolutely amazed at how it works.TRY IT THE NEXT TIME YOU GET A BAD COLD.

Too Funny!!!

Ok! You all have to go to this website and do this...then email it to me so I can see it! www.elfyourself.com
My email is bfurse@qwest.net
It's hilarious!
If any of you want to see mine and I didn't already send it to you, let me know and I will forward it.

Homemade Ornaments

Here is a link to Taste of Home that gives recipes for making homemade Christmas tree ornaments. I think it might be fun to have my kids make their ornaments for this year instead of buying them. There's even a recipe for edible ornaments...hmmmm...might have to try that too! :)

http://community.tasteofhome.com/forums/t/223434.aspx?pmcode=SL872VH04M&_mid=5008&_rid=5008.4900.30490

Christmas Light Parade

For quite a few years now, Kaysville has done a Light parade the weekend after Thanksgiving and we have been pretty much every year. I'm having a REALLY hard time getting into the Christmas spirit this year...I'm not sure why. I hoped that doing this as a family might jumpstart my enthusiasm, but ....it didn't. Usually I am the "gung ho" one, getting the decorations out and tree put up the day after Thanksgiving. Well, Thanksgiving was a week ago and I have yet to get even 1 decoration out of the garage. I'm hoping I get excited soon. This is my favorite time of year...I love the magic, the happiness, the gift giving, the anticipation in my kids' eyes, and most of all I love celebrating my Savior's birth. Hope you all have a Happy Holiday Season!

Waiting for the parade to start

This pic is mainly just to prove that my girl does smile and is happy sometimes...but isn't she the cutest???

Gage being silly...

Can you tell we got bored waiting for the parade to start???

Maycie was more interested in playing in the back of daddy's truck

This one is one of the older firetrucks with a U of U flag on top.

Santa always brings up the rear "Ho Ho Ho" ing and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!

Cody's Buck!

Some of you know that Cody drew out on a limited entry deer tag this year after putting in for it for 10 years. The area he hunted is called The Crawfords and is up above Randolph but in Wyoming. I don't think I've ever seen him so excited over anything. Well, except for maybe his daughter. He took 2 weeks off work and planned on spending all that time up there searching for the "Perfect" deer. He left last Friday and I expected him to be gone until the night before Thanksgiving and then up and gone again the day after. Well, Sunday night I received a phone call from his sister. Her husband was up there with him and she proceeded to tell me about this huge buck Cody had shot. To be honest, she kinda ruined it for me...I wanted so bad to hear about it firsthand from Cody, but oh well. When he finally did call me, it was so awesome to hear the excitement in his voice. He was ECSTATIC! I honestly don't "get" the camping in O degree weather, crawling around in the trees and mud tracking an animal, no water in the trailer which means no toilet, WELL, I don't get any of it. What I do "get", however is my husband's passion for hunting and as I was listening to him describe the events leading up to him shooting his deer and how big it was (it's a 5 by 6 and 28 1/2 inches wide) and all the details, I wished I was there. There were 6 or 7 guys up there with him and every one of them saw him shoot that deer and I wish I could've been there too! So, his 2 week hunting vacation ended up only being 3 days, but he is very satisfied and pleased with his choice of kill. Good job honey, I'm excited for you!

Cody, Curtis and THE DEER

Brad and Keaton Mills


Yes, that is it's tongue sticking out!

Maycie was touching the deer's nose (GROSS!) and when Cody asked her if it was a big buck, she nodded her head yes!

A Recipe...It's been awhile

I haven't posted a recipe for awhile, so I thought I would post one you all might like to try for Thanksgiving. I just barely came across this recipe last week when I was trying to decide what to take to my nephew's mission homecoming. I hadn't ever tried it before, and I was really worried that noone would like it, but they actually turned out really good. It's a nice variation from the traditional pumpkin pie, especially if you don't like to make pie crust.

Pumpkin Pie Bars

1 1/2 C. plus 1 Tbsp. Flour, divided
1 C. finely chopped nuts ( I used walnuts, but my sister tried it and used pecans)
1/2 C. Sugar
1/2 C. Brown Sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon, divided
3/4 C. butter, melted
1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin (2 cups)
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 tsp. ground allspice
1/4 tsp. salt
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine 1 1/2 C. Flour, nuts, sugars, and 1 tsp. of cinnamon. Add butter. Mix until crumbly. Reserve 1 1/4 C. of mixture. Pat remaining mixture on bottom of ungreased 9x13 pan.
Combine pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, remaining 1 tsp. cinnamon, allspice and salt. Pour over crust. Mix reserved crumb mixture with remaining 1 Tbsp. flour. Sprinkle over top of pumpkin mixture. Bake 30-35 mins or until set. Cool 10 mins. before cutting into bars. Store leftovers in refrigerator.

TWILIGHT!!!

I went to the 12:01 a.m showing of "Twilight" last night and had such a blast! It was quite a event! I had to go to the theater on my lunch and get wristbands to hold our place in line. Then, we had to be back at the theater at 9:00 p.m. At 10:00, they let us into the theater, where we sat for 2 hours until it started at 12:01. I went with some girls from work, my friend Liza, my nieces, Amber and Chezli, and my sisters, Jan and Michelle. As we sat there waiting for the movie to start, my body was telling me that I wasn't going to make it and would probably end up sleeping through some if not all of the movie. Well, I DID IT! I stayed awake through the whole thing! It was an amazing movie and I can't wait to see it again! Thanks Liza for being such a sport and staying up until 2:45 a.m. with me! It was so much fun!

An update on my ticker!

I finally had the appointment for the stress echocardiogram on Tuesday, and it was actually quite frustrating. They started the appt by doing another regular echo, after which the tech said he would go get the Dr to come do the stress part and be right back. WELL, over an hour later, he finally came in the room with a Dr I had never seen before. That guy proceeded to tell me that my Dr was quite busy and he had asked this guy to fill in for him and see me. I was FURIOUS!!! So, not only did I have to wait for 6 weeks for this appt, but then I didn't even see my doctor. I did the stress part which was just walking on a treadmill for 5 minutes and then they did another echo immediately after and compared them. I also told the tech and the doctor that I had my 24 hour holter monitor done over a month ago and hadn't been able to get anyone from the office to call me back with the results. This Dr. was very understanding, looked over my chart and answered all my questions. There is a malfunction with the "electrical" part of my heart and it kindof short circuits which is what causes my heart to race. The only options for treatment is the beta blockers which I don't want to take while I'm pregnant, but he did say I could start taking them again but to hold off for as long as I can. I won't be taking them...I'm not taking the chance on having them hurt my baby. The other option is cardiac ablation, which I can't have done until after I have the baby. My symptoms are probably going to get quite a bit worse as the pregnancy progresses, and I'll just have to deal with it.
So, that's where I'm at right now. Not really "new" news, just an update. Thanks again for all the love and concern!

5 more days!

Yay, The Twilight movie comes out on Friday!! Well, at midnight Thursday night, however you want to look at it. I already have my tickets for the midnight showing and I am so excited. I'm not sure how my body is going to like being up that late, but it's one day, right??? Liza, did you still want to come with me??? ANYONE ELSE GOING???

And One more makes FOUR!!!

I do not have a face to see, or put inside a frame. I do not have soft cheeks to kiss, I don't yet have a name. You can't hold my tiny hands, nor whisper in my ear. It's still too soon to sing a song or cuddle me so near. But all will change come July 24, that's when they say I'm due. I'm a new son or daughter, I can't wait till I meet you. All I ask between now and then is your patience while I grow, I promise I'll be worth the wait because of all the love we'll know. So what I have to give you now is a wish to you from me. I cannot wait to be a part of this wonderful family!

So, just in case someone didn't get it...Cody and I are officially announcing that baby #4 is on the way and Maycie is going to be a big sister and Haden and Gage big brothers again. We just barely found out a few days ago, and we were going to wait to make the big announcement on Thanksgiving, but we are both way too excited! I made this tshirt for Maycie, we went to the Grandma and Grandpas houses and none of us said a word just to see if they would figure it out. Well, Grandpa Bennett read her shirt a couple times but it didn't sink in, so I finally just told them to read her shirt. Once they realized what we were trying to say, they were very excited for us. Cody's mom figured it out right away, but she had seen our truck at my mom's house when she drove by in her school bus and had a feeling we were there making an announcement. Haden and Gage are extremely excited to have a new brother or sister. I am so thankful for both of them and the help they are with Maycie.

My due date is July 24, 2009, so once again, I'm in for a miserable summer, but oh well I guess, you take what you get, right???

I've been told to go off of my heart medicine because there is the chance that it could cause birth defects, but I haven't been faithful in taking it because of how awful it makes me feel and I also think a little part of me was feeling like our little miracle would make an appearance soon and I didn't want to take any chances.

So, WOW! That's really the only word I can think to describe my feelings! I love you already, little peanut!

Most Dangerous Cake!

My friend AnnJillene emailed this recipe to me. THANKS ANNJILLENE!! It sounds like so much fun and so yummy! Just wanted all of you who share my love of chocolate cake to have the opportunity to try it...no sense in being selfish! :P I'm waiting to try it when my boys are home so they can enjoy it with me!

Most Dangerous Chocolate Cake in the World Recipe:
4 Tbl. flour
4 Tbl. sugar
2 Tbl. cocoa
1 egg
3 Tbl milk
3 Tbl oil
3 Tbs. chocolate chips, butterscotch, or white chocolate (optional)
1 LARGE MUG
Add dry ingredients to mug, mix well. Add egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in milk and oil and mix well. Put mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT!!
NOTES: And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?? Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from Chocolate cake at anytime of the day or night!!!

Happy Halloween!

We had a really great Halloween! The boys were out of school for a teacher prep day, so they were able to go to the airport with Cody and I to see my nephew come home from his mission (airport pics to follow in the next post). We went to Cody's mom's for chili and then we came back to our neighborhood for trick-or-treating. Our ward all congregates on one street and lines the sidewalks. The kids just walk up and down both sides of the street and get candy dropped into their bags. I personally think it's the best idea ever...lots of candy, FAST!!! After that, we went up to my mom and dad's and the boys went around to a few houses up there.

My football head (Haden), my ironman (Gage), and my pink poodle FiFi (Maycie)
Ironman rescues FiFi from falling on the driveway!

Isn't she the cutest pink poodle you've ever seen??!!

I had to take this pic cuz the tail is the cutest part...when she walked, the tail would wag

Maycie and her boyfriend Wyatt. She could not stop staring at him but she had to lift her head up to see cuz her poodle nose blocked her view.

My kids and the Lloyd kids. Kamden was Merlin the wizard, Cori was Belle, and Wyatt was a cute as heck lion. The Lloyds are our next door neighbors (well, not anymore. they moved this weekend). They have been so good to us and we love them. We miss you guys already!!!

At Cody's mom's. From left, Brynlee the witch, Gage, Maycie, Haden, and Brenden the skeleton. Brenden was fascinated by Haden's football head, it was hilarious!

My nephew Tate, aka chicken. He threw fits about wearing the costume until Michelle told him he would get candy if he put it on. She said he sat in the stroller and yelled at people to "Give Me some!"

Cody wearing Haden's football head!

HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT HALLOWEEN!!!

Welcome Home Elder Gillett!

My nephew, Carson, came home today from serving in the North Carolina, Charlotte mission. My whole family went to the airport to welcome him home. It's got to be so hard to be gone for 2 years, away from family, basically eating, sleeping, breathing, and living the gospel 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But, Carson absolutely LOVED his mission. I think it will take some time for him to adjust to just being a "normal" person again, but he's awesome and we're all so happy to have him home! Love you Cars!!!

(He was on flight 1231 coming from Atlanta)

This is a sign that a girl in the graphics dept. at Lagoon made for Jan. Awesome huh?? From left, my sis-in-law, Kathy, sis Jan, sis Michelle, me, and sis KaeLyn

This is Carson's girlfriend Brooke (left) and my niece Morgan. Carson and Brookie were together for a long time before he left and she waited for him. We're all crossing our fingers for news of a wedding soon...we LOVE her!

Just some the group waiting for him. Notice all the eyes looking toward the top of the escalator???

AHHHHH!!! YAY!!! There he is!!!!

I think he's a little overwhelmed!

His mom ran to meet him at the bottom of the escalator...his first hug back in Utah

Grandma Bennett was so excited to see him, she kept asking when they were going to be off the plane.

A big squeeze from Grandpa Bennett

And THERE'S Brooke's hug! She was crying so hard...it was cute!

And another hug from Brooke...she kept touching him, said she had to make sure he was really here.

My sister Jan's family (from left) Colton, Jan, Carson, Dave and Chezli. She has another son, Cody, who is on a mission in Brazil. He won't be home until May 2010 : (

Sidenote...Jan has lost over 60 lbs. in the last 9 months. Doesn't she look so great??!!! Carson hugged her and told her she looks awesome...what a sweet boy!

Pumpkin Carving...

It was a really nice day on Wednesday, so we decided to carve our pumpkins outside.

Maycie loves pumpkins...she has some baby ones she carries around outside.
Everybody working hard...Maycie even got to touch the guts a little

Haden helping Gage cut the top of his off. Gage is my superhero freak, so I helped him carve the word "HULK" in his pumpkin

Daddy carved Maycie's pumpkin. It said "Boo Boo" cuz that's what daddy calls her.

Haden was the last one done because he spent so much time on it. He ended up carving a "ticked off" pumpkin face.

My babies and their creations! (I try and try to make Mayc smile, but she sees the camera and refuses!)

The fall/Halloween front porch display

Yay Haden!!!

Haden found out today that he made student council! He had to have an interview with one of the counselors and a couple teachers on Monday and then he said that when he got to school today there was a letter on his desk congratulating him and welcoming into the Buffalo Point Elementary Student Council. I'm not sure what all that means, but I DO know that I am so proud of him, and I will do whatever I can to help him out with this! He came out of his shell and tried out, knowing that he might not make it, but did it anyway! Congratulations Haden! I love you so much!

Syracuse City Pumpkin Walk

Every year Syracuse does a "pumpkin walk". This year was our first year going. Anyone can go to the city, pick up pumpkins, carve them, and then drop them off for the walk. It was so much fun! There is literally hundreds of carved pumpkins all lit up along the trail. The kids were able to wear their costumes and then periodically along the walk, they were able to get treats . People are so creative! We may even try carving some next year. At the end of the walk, the firefighters were in the fire station selling cotton candy, churros, hotdogs and lots of other goodies, so we had to get a churro. It was a great time! Something we will definitely make a tradition!

Kindof an eery looking pic...Sorry Haden, I cut off part of your head!

Part of our "pumpkin walk"

Maycie was fascinated...she was just chillin' in her stroller

My 4 favorite faces!

Haden's favorite pumpkin...he took a bunch of pics to use for his reflections entry

A pic to prove I was really there...Maycie wanted to get down and touch the pumpkins