Thanksgiving

I can’t believe Thanksgiving has come and gone already! Christmas will be here before we know it and I feel like summer was just over yesterday. I hate winter! I am not enjoying the snow. I am looking forward to Christmas, but I think I am looking forward to Spring more. This year I learned how to make baklava and borrow hots. I’m pretty sure I spelled that wrong, but that’s how it sounds anyway. Both of those are family recipes that have been passed down from my mom’s grandma, who was from Armenia, Russia. We only ever get to enjoy these foods once a year and I’m so glad I know how to make them now! I’ll probably never make them as good as my great grandmother did (or my own mom) but I’m glad to have learned. Grandma K was cracking me up with her hair up in rollers and her plethora of hand made aprons for everyone. Bode was amazing as usual and chilled out while we all cooked for hours and hours. He is growing up so fast and changing so much these days!

 

Below is me with my very first batch of baklava! It was fresh out of the oven and I really was proud of it. Thanks to my Aunt Karolyn who helped tell me how to make it!

The Armenian cooking took place on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. For the actual holiday we hung out at Grandma B’s with some family. It was really fun and the food was delicious. My grandma did this little Tom the Turkey activity after we ate and reminded us of what we have to be Thankful for. It was so cute! After that everyone shared what they were thankful for. We had pies and said our goodbyes. We headed over to Grandma K’s after that for desert, but Clint and I could not eat one more bite of anything! We mingled with family and went home.

I attempted my very first Black Friday and left for Wal mart that night around 10:30 with my friend Sarah. We were so early and basically grabbed everything we wanted ahead of time. No one was guarding the plastic wrapped pallets and so we scooped up what we wanted. My friend wanted to get zhu zhu pets and ended up finding them on the regular shelf they belonged on. It was so nice she didn’t have to wait in the huge line because there was someone guarding them.  I did have to wait for this bike I got for Bode, but even that was only because the other ladies waiting didn’t leave so I felt bad.  We had the bikes on our carts just waiting there, and at that point some guy made us put them back. As soon as he left it was around 11:45 I stopped waiting and put the bike on my cart again and headed for the dvds.  I ended up losing my friend, who is afraid of crowds might I add, and it was kinda scary for a few minutes. There were so many people and I couldn’t keep up with her because I had the dang cart. I managed to find 6 movies I wanted and before too long I hear someone yelling, “LORI ROMNEY!" We found each other and headed for the 20 items or less check out. It was about 12:05 by this time and no one was in line! We stepped right up, bought our stuff, loaded it in her car and were out of the parking lot by 12:10. It pays to get there early! Old Navy was another story. That place was a nightmare. We waited in line for about 30 minutes and when we realized we had made it 5 steps closer in 30 minutes we decided it wasn’t worth it. My friend didn’t even want to buy anything so I wasn’t going to make her wait for hours just to buy snow clothes for Bode. I ended up hiding my stuff behind some girl rack and it was still there waiting for me Saturday night. Good thing the sale price lasted a few days. I got home around 1:30 am Friday morning and was in bed by 2:30. I set my alarm to head out for Radio Shack at 5am, but I slept right through it! When I woke up again it was around 7 and I hurried out the door and made it there by 7:45. Clint and I got free android phones with a 2 year plan and I feel like it was so worth it. I got stuff at the beauty supply store, Nordstrom rack, and a few other stores before I called it quits. I was so tired that afternoon and Clint let me stay home to nap while he took Bode to help move his mom into an apartment. I felt so guilty for staying home and my house was a wreck! I couldn’t sleep so I ended up cleaning it top to bottom as soon as he left and got about 3 hours napping before they were home.

Saturday afternoon we headed up to Logan and had another Thanksgiving meal at Clint’s sister Kindra’s house. I am officially starting a diet! The food was so good and it was fun to see all of the family. Clint’s sister Rachel has 4 boys and after seeing them wresting and being rough the whole time I have decided I REALLY want a girl next. Ok, I want a girl next anyways.. but wow! Those boys were a handful.  Bode didn’t quite know what was going on.  He is still talking about “Bookin” and Darci though! Gotta love all the cousins.

I didn’t take any pictures, which isn’t like me. I took ONE picture on Thanksgiving and I guess it’s better than nothing.

I have so much to be thankful for it’s just unbelievable. I have an amazing husband, the best 2 year old there is, lots of family to love me and a loving Heavenly Father who has blessed me with all of those things.  We are truly happy.

I am SO thankful for that.

I make a weally big mess, Mom.

That’s never what you want your 2 year old to say to you! I was supervising, so it could have been worse. My friends kept telling me that Bode needs crayons, paints, play dough… and other crafty things. I was feeling guilty that he didn’t already have that stuff. He brought a restaurant crayon home one day and colored a big line all over every wall on my main level. I scrubbed that black crayon off for hours, then I didn’t feel so bad.  I HATE messes and felt like we were just fine and dandy without that stuff. Bode is pretty self entertained and I have never needed a whole lot of toys or crafts to keep him busy. Well, for his birthday these neighbors got Bode all that stuff. I’m thankful don’t get me wrong! It’s just a huuuuge mess. Bode loves it and wants to get the stuff out everyday. He can open every closet and we don’t have a whole lot of space around here. He always finds the play dough! “Open it! Mom!!! Pwease, I need hep.” My little photography business has been keeping me busy lately and I’ve left Bode to wander around finding stuff to do on his own. Today I got out all the stuff (for the first time)  and we had a craft day!  I think these so called friends rallied around and thought of the MESSIEST stuff possible for a 2 year old. In fact, I think one of them told me that? Anywho, it was really nice of them and I am exaggerating a bit. I’m really good at that.

They were texting me tonight and asking me to do stuff and I was ignoring them!  I was trying not to get paint on my clothes, and giving Bode a bath and scrubbing the table. So my apologies.  

(I really do love my friends and they are truly the best.)

Happy Birthday Mom!

Bode and I had a fun time at Olive Garden for lunch today. I hope the rest of you day was good!

Goober.

That is exactly what this little dude is. This piece of work is potty trained… when he’s naked at home. So I guess he’s not really potty trained. Yesterday he went potty 18 times. Although it’s GREAT, I really wish he would hold it all in and go every few hours. Half of those times was #2. Talk about GROSS. He hasn’t been feeling well, so yeah.  And for those might think it’s really disgusting to talk about pee and poo, just wait until you have kids. You will be in a group of friends and the conversation goes to pee and poo and throw up and snotty noses and tooters in no time flat.  It gets to be normal.  Anyway, I’m growing tired of cleaning out the potty chair.  He made it a few days with underwear on and no accidents. He prefers being naked from the bottom half down, so I pretty much let him. One day we’ll try it fully clothed, then try to leave the house.  He had a little accident the last time I tried (2 months ago) and I was so mad I gave up and it was back to diapers whenever we leave. I’m not cut out for this potty training business. I keep telling myself if he hasn’t figured it out by the time he is 2 1/2 then I’ll push him harder. It’s just easier when he goes in a diaper sometimes, ya know? Who wants to mess with a million trips to the potty and in PUBLIC restrooms. Yuck.

Earlier today on the way home from the Dr. (after an hour and a half wait!)

Bode: Mom I’n tired. You sleepy mom? I want bed. Good nigh nigh. Memo good night night too, ok? ( his stuffed Nemo toy he takes with him everywhere. )

Me: Ok Bode I’m tired too.  We’re on our way home, just hang on a little big longer!

Bode: K mom. I’n hangin’. But I’n hungren. Dinna mom? Chickn Nuggets?

Me: Ok, just because you’ve been a good boy and it’s way past lunch time.

Bode: You a good boy mom, too.  I wuv you. I peed, Mom. and I wan some underwears too.

Really random conversation, but the boy hates to wear underwear, so I’m hoping this means progress that he asked for some.

Fall is in the Air..

All our leaves are basically gone by now, but I did snap a picture of Bode before it happened. It was freezing cold and he insisted on going outside with his popsicle. On his birthday since we had to cancel the party, we went to a pumpkin patch instead. Bode helped pick them out and loved helping us carve them up! He is so cute and wants to help us do everything. He says, “Hey mom! I help, ok?” “Good boy mom! You did it!” “I’n proud a you mom.” It’s so cute it just makes my heart melt.

This was mine.

And this was Clint’s.

Bode’s 2nd Birthday!

We had to postpone the party one week because Bode was sick on his actual birthday. We had all of his neighborhood friends come over and it was pretty chaotic! Bode had so much fun and I think the other kids did too. First we started off letting the kids color on a sea creature cut out. After they were done we taped it onto this ocean reef poster on the wall. Then we all ate pizza, let them fish over a curtain for treats,  then a piñata, then cake, then opening presents. I have some of the best friends in the world and they all helped me out so much with the party! I really couldn’t have done it without them!

My sister in law Rachel made the cake and it was awesome! Visit Bayshorecakes.com for more of her amazing cakes.

Bode sort of ran around during the fishing activity. He didn’t even fish! Every other kid had a turn. He really didn’t care and he was upstairs when it was his turn.

He was iffy on the piñata! He was the last kid to take a turn and he barely hit the thing. He was so overly cautious and it was pretty funny. It was supposed to be a pull string one, but all the strings fell off except for the one that let down all the candy. When he tried a bunch of times without any luck, my friend helped him pull the string and the kids went wild!

Bode’s little friend Gabe was so excited for the candles, he hopped right up and blew them out. His mom felt so bad but honestly I didn’t even care and neither did Bode! As soon as they were out and we all started cheering, Bode went nuts clapping and smiling! All the other kids started clapping too, it was so cute.

The cake was a big hit! Bode wasn’t quite sure what the present thing was all about. He basically sat there as I opened them and started piling them on his lap.

We had so much fun and I can’t believe my little dude is 2 years old! He’s talking up a storm, communicating in full sentences now. He understand soooo much and learns so fast. He’s still happy as ever most of the time, a great sleeper, a good eater, and just an overall awesome kid! We couldn’t imagine our lives without him in it. We love you Bode!