Pack up, we're moving to VT

Salem Mass in October was the big draw for me to go on my little trip. It seems funny now. I had a great time in Salem, but it was not my favorite. Maybe it was the seriously delusional witches, the cheesy light up historic figures who talk when you push the button, or the obnoxious 15 year old on our House of Seven Gables tour. Learning a bit more about Hawthorne was awesome and I did like hearing all about the witch trials. Very fascinating! We found a great candy store(sugar may be a recurring theme here) and a fun little place for dinner. Surprisingly one of the few places I had seafood.I don't know who this is, but he is very Salemesque. This was on a very busy street and before the transcendentalist lecture, so who had time for details?

My absolute favorite place was Concord Mass(I love saying Mass, that's how everyone there said it). Michelle, Darilyn, and I had grand plans of seeing all the historic sights. I think we ended up at 2. Everything was just too cool. After shopping(I think I found my favorite store ever), we headed over to the Orchard House, the home of Louisa May Alcott. We took the tour which was amazing. It's different from other historic sites because they had so many of the families original things. 85% of the stuff was original, and there was a lot of stuff. I loved all the drawings on the walls from May Alcott( Amy in the book). Actual drawings all over her room and other places as well. They had Marmie's china, the sink Louisa had bought for her mom, a chore list for all the girls, and so much more it was awesome.
Now here is the crazy part. Darilyn overheard some people talking about a gathering to be held at The Concord School of Philosophy(Mr. Alcott's school, it's on the same property). It was open to the public so we decided to go. Before it started though, we did hit the fabulous ice cream shop that had been highly recommended(more sugar and well worth it), then we hit sleepy Hollow to see the Alcott, Hawthorne and Thoreau grave sites. We arrived quite late and were afraid we might get locked in. It was dark out and just a tad spooky. Odd side note: The grave yard smelled so good, like rich dirt and trees. I really did want to eat some dirt( I know, Weird), but that seemed extra gross since it was dead people dirt. I don't think they had very good seals on coffins back in the day. So then we headed back to the school. I think we stumbled into a once in a lifetime experience. I think there was about 25-30 people there. Most with white hair and dressed very Ivy league casual. We got ourselves a very intellectual earfull on the beauty of Thoreau and transcendentalism. I can't describe how amazing it was. It would take forever to tell of all the crazy details. I came a way with a huge desire to learn about everything I see. Michelle on the steps of the school.
Darilyn in front of the schoolI had coconut almond chip & maple walnut. Thank you Sarah for the best recommendation ever.
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Alcott headstones. Doesn't that dirt look yummy?


The next day(after another night of no sleep) we went to the Joseph Smith monument(birthplace). They were showing the JS movie. I had not seen it, so that was awesome. I really loved it. Other than that I thought the rest was kind of boring. There was too much monument, not enough Joseph Smith. The area was very beautiful though.
Then we went and walked around the town of Woodstock VT. It is a cute little touristy shopping town. We found a fabulous chocolaterie. MMMM! french style dark hot chocolate, truffles, pistachio macaroons! You get the idea. The town was fun, lots of cute shops.
That night we finally went to Windsor VT. That is where Michelle lives. It is a breathtaking little town with tons of charm and beautiful old homes. I am trying to convince Chris that we really do need to move there. Snow? Yikes! maybe not.
Anyway still recovering from sugar highs and sleep deprivation. Thank you so much to Michelle and her wonderfully adorable family for the incredible time.
This is such a brief over view, it is almost painful. I didn't want to bore your brains off though.

I'm home from VT, MA, NH and I have tons of amazing things to post, but not right now. Here's a couple of pictures though.

They other day I told someone their child looked like a Tim Burton cartoon character(the human ones). I meant it as a compliment. Her son has these amazingly huge eyes. They are beautiful. With a little nose, slightly turned up, and a cute little mouth. After it came spilling out of my mouth I realized that maybe not everyone would like that comparison. I don't know.

how much compromise?

When I first had children I decided that I would raise them similar to the way my mother raised me. Maybe not in all areas, but one in particular. Electronics! I'm not a fan of video games. I always say "no game systems allowed". I do not like TVs in the bedrooms. I think they take away from bonding time in the master, they make it way too easy to sneak forbidden shows in the kids rooms, and when I was growing up only spoiled kids had them in their rooms. Also, cell phones are very unnecessary for children under the age of 15. Mp3 players are for teenagers not kids. I don't mind them using mine when I'm around, but they certainly don't need their own!
Well I'm not exactly sure what happened, but I sadly report we have gotten a WII. We did get rid of the Xbox though. We have TVs in two bedrooms. We have 4 mp3 players and they are not all mine. None of my children have cell phones, but they do have to show me how to use mine!
I still hate all the brain suckers being around the house, but I admit the longer they are around the more I don't even notice them. Am I living in wacko world for wanting them gone or do I just need to let it go?

Happy Magic Month!

It is finally October. Now I can talk about Fall and Halloween all I want. Now I can go buy a million different varieties of pumpkins and put them all over my doorstep. Now I can put my halloween music on my blog!

The people I know.

While trying to come up with something AMAZING to post about, I thought of an awesome sister in law I could highlight, but then thought I have a few cool sister in laws. I wouldn't want to leave anyone out. I also have incredible sisters I could talk about. I also have really cool brothers and brother in laws. Then I just kept thinking of more and more AMAZING people I could focus a blog on. My mom, my dad, my grandparents. I'm sure they will all get their turn. My friends near and all my blogger friends. I just couldn't help but realize how many awesome people I know. I feel incredibly lucky to know all of you.

I was complaining the other day about how it took me 3 years to feel like a real part of the community here in OR. You know, til I could go to target and see someone I knew. Now I realize how lucky I am to feel a part here and in AZ. I love both places(during some seasons more than others),because of all the fabulous people I know!

I know:
teachers
volunteers
mothers
fathers
runners
walkers
sarcastic commenters
philosophers
gardeners
politicians(good ones)
scrapbookers
chefs
comedians
story tellers
farmers
hikers
world travelers
adventurers
students
artists
decoraters
spiritual giants
seamstresses
scout extrordinares
musicians
caregivers
soccer moms & dads
crafters
athletes
readers
dancers
nurses
writers
poets
history buffs
photographers
bussinessmen
bakers
friends
coaches
builders
pet lovers
rockers
neighbors
and so many more
Still humility surrounds each of you.
See, aren't I lucky!

blahs (so blah I even had to steal my title from Sheri)

I know, I know, it's been awhile. I just don't have anything to say. This reminds me of a 2 page paper I found this morning in Boston's backpack. He wrote 2 pages explaining that he couldn't think of anything to say. He got full credit too! Crazy.

I made tamales for the 1st time by myself. But I've been so noxious, the thought of eating one makes me sick. I hear they were OK though (thanks Darilyn).

I went on a cool field trip with Mason's class today. They went to Zenger farms. It is a small organic farm in the middle of the city(Portland). They have 16 acres and love their Urban Farm status. It was fun though. The kids all got to help plant. They go 3 times this year, to help keep up the children's garden. We saw a nutria. I had never seen one(other than roadkill).

So, I've had this stomach yuck for three days now. I never get sick for 3 days. That's unheard of. I think that's why I've been such a lazy blogger. blahs, blahs, and more blahs.

ps. I have been reading all ya'll's blogs. Just to blah to comment much.

This is depressing. Sorry. Maybe I just need a cherry dipped cone.

Alive & Adrenalized

I absolutely love this picture of Boston. This is why... He is showing so much emotion. Doesn't he look free? Doesn't he look uninhibited? You can see in his face that he is having a blast. Honestly, I think I would love this picture even if he was screaming out of anger. One thing I have always wished is that I would show more emotion. In front of my family is one thing, but in public is another. When I am super angry at someone I don't do or say anything to them. If I'm having a blast I don't yell out. It has always bothered me. I feel just a little bit caged,(maybe i've just been listening to too much Smashing Pumpkins) but it is my own doing. So when I saw Boston hootin' & hollerin' like this (in public) , it made me very happy. I am glad he can freely express himself. He definately gets this from his dad. Chris has been known to shout for joy down the entire length of a mountain while skiing.
I see fearlessness in Boston. He can make a new friend in an instant. He has joined every activity I'll allow, and is begging for more. He practically dances down the halls in school. He loves it so much. When I was in Jr. high I hid in every corner I could find. I really admire Bos for this. He is also setting a fabulous example for Mas and Sid. They want to be involved because they see how much He loves it. I think I am going to try to be more like Boston from now on.

Very Lucky

I'm not quite sure how I got so lucky. I married a man who I can completely trust and rely on. A few of the things he has done for me this week are:

Worked very hard every day at his very stressful job.

came home early from work to clean up a little doggy mess.

threw a blanket over me in the middle of the afternoon, knowing full well that I would fall asleep.

left church early to bring our 2 sickees home.

picked up my "products" from the store.

bought our family plane tickets to AZ for Halloween & Ty's wedding.

put all the kids to bed so I could go out with Darilyn last night.

went to school Mon & Tues to better provide for our family.

called me every morning to see how I was doing.

picked up tooth fairy money ,after work, twice this week.

set up a Mexican food night with friends because he knows it's my favorite.

planned a date night for Saturday night.

And... surprised me with a plane ticket to VT for a girls weekend.

These are just the things that came right into my brain. I'm sure there are more. I'm so thankful I married Chris. He really is the sanity in all my crazy. (see picture below)

Sorry

I'm not posting much. I'm feeling a little stuffy!