The Nutcracker Ballet with my daughter!

I have never been to the Nutcracker Ballet. This year my friend's daughter was performing with the Chamber Ballet and Regional School of Ballet in Corvallis. I took Tatiana to a wonderful evening at the Ballet on Friday, December 3rd. It was very nice and we both had a lot of fun. We think we want to make this a mother/daughter Christmas tradition!

I gave Tatiana and early Christmas present, her very first nutcracker! She absolutely loves him! She named him "Nutty Clause", isn't she cute! She also wants this to be a part of our tradition, then she can have a collection of nutcrackers!

I have a collection of Nativities, so when I was buying her nutcracker and saw this nativity set nutcrackers, I just had to buy it for myself to add to my collection! I now have 34 depictions of the Nativity, that is not counting books.

Here we are before the show. We arrived very early because we left late. Ha ha! That doesn't make much sense does it? I wanted to leave early enough to do a little shopping, but we left later than planned and instead of feeling rushed through our shopping we decided to just arrive at the ballet early and relax and enjoy ourselves. It was a good thing we did too, because they had some really yummy desserts for sale and we were able to enjoy one before the show and sit and relax with some friends.

It was a wonderful evening! I am so happy I was able to share this with my sweet daughter! I love her so much, she is such a blessing in my life!!!

Running Update...

Okay, for the month of November I only ran 39 miles. Ugh! But to defend myself I should tell you that I am now training for my first triathalon sprint and have been swimming a lot, so that takes up my workout time so I don't have a lot of time to run. Am I forgiven?

My year to date total is 378.41 miles. This is a far reach from my goal of 500 miles in a year. I was getting down about this and how badly I have failed. Knowing full well that I couldn't possibly run 121.59 miles in one month! Ha! Then I realized that I have had a LOT of health issues this past year (go figure, make a huge goal and then have major health issues!) With the 3 surgeries and "procedures" I have had, I wasn't "allowed" (or, to be honest, really wasn't able) to run for a total of 12 weeks this year. More if you count the 1-3 days after other smaller "procedures" that I had to be out, and even more if you counted all the days I was sick or in too much pain to run. But we won't count those because everyone gets sick. So I decided to make myself feel better by doing this...

See if you can follow my math!
Goal = 500 miles in 52 weeks (1 year)
Averages to 9.2 miles/week

52 weeks (in a year) - 12 weeks (medical leave) = 40 weeks of actually being able to run.
40 weeks x 9.2 miles = 384 miles (my NEW goal for the year!)

384 miles - 378 miles (my current milage) = 6 miles remaining!

In that case I already exceeded my goal!!! (I have ran 18 miles so far this month!) Hee hee! I didn't realize I liked math so much! LOL! Okay, I feel much better.

I love my husband!!!!

I love my husband so much! He is the most wonderful man on the planet! He not only loves me, respects me, and treats me so well. He is also an amazing daddy. I snapped this cute picture of Nathan reading to Ben and Andrew, this is something he can be seen doing almost daily in our home. The boys love it and it warms my heart to see.

Tonight when he came home he proved how he is so good at being the best father and the best husband simultaneously! I had a terrible headache and the boys were just being loud, looking back I realize they were not being "bad", just loud and age appropriate (they are 2 and 5, enough said!). Anyway, I had had my fill of it for the day and looked to Nathan with desperation in my face, he simply said, "Why don't you go lay down for a little while." So I did, I went in our room, closed the door, laid down, made a couple phone calls for visiting teaching and then proceeded to get lost in a book I am currently reading. I decided I had enough down time, after all I had 10 minutes, isn't that enough?! (I am not good about staying "down" for long, bedrest KILLED me!) So I got up and went to the door, I opened it and there I saw Nathan crawling around on the living room carpet with Andrew on his back and Ben waiting his turn for the "pony ride". They were giggling so cute and having such a good time with their daddy. I smiled, shut the door, laid back down and read another chapter. After all, I didn't want to interrupt the quality time they were having. Tatiana was playing the piano and Nick was also reading a book. It was a good moment. All was well in the Tolman universe. All because my amazing husband knew I needed a break and that the boys needed to get some energy out. Isn't he AWESOME?!?! I may raze him now and then, but he can dish it as well as he can take it. I love our relationship! It is so fun! He is my best friend and I love him more than can ever be expressed in this life. It is a good thing I have him for eternity!

oh the joys...

No, this has nothing to do with the Holidays, unfortunatly. Have you ever tried to get pajamas on a 2 year old who really doesn't want to cooperate? He wasn't fighting me to be mean, just being stubborn and silly, thinking he was funny but frustrating his mommy to no end! Just had to share. Oh, the joys of motherhood! I love him! *SIGH* NOw he is happily watching "Santa Clause is Coming to Town". Almost bedtime!

Tree Trimming!

For Family Home Evening last week we trimmed our little Christmas tree. It is the 5 foot tree that Nathan and I have had since our first Christmas together, 13 years ago. It is scraggly, but we love it! The kids get to put the lights and garland on all by themselves and then we all put on ornaments, but even that is done mostly by the children. It has lovingly become "the children's tree".

This year Nick held Ben up to put the angel on top. It was the first year he has taken over this role. Daddy used to do it, but he didn't mind one bit letting Nick. He is getting so big!

Then we went into the other room where our "big" tree is and we gave everyone their 2010 Christmas ornament. These ones will adorn our big tree this year and move to the children's tree next year. Nathan and I bought these ornaments in Oberammergau, Germany when we were on our European trip this past spring. They are little hand carved wooden ornaments.

Nathan's is a star, because as the head of our home and a wonderful man who honors his priesthood, we always follow him and let him guide us.

Mine is a Nativity because I collect nativities! (Do you like my antlers? The kids made me wear them, then I forgot they were on my head!)

Nick's is a horn because it was the closest thing they had to a saxophone. This is his first year playing alto sax in the school band. He loves it!

Tatiana's is a rocking horse because she took horse riding lessons this year and really enjoyed it.

Ben's is a little car because he loves cars...and trucks, and planes, and trains, etc, etc...he's a boy!

Andrew's is a train because he LOVES trains!

Then the kids had the great idea of putting the ornament on the tree as high as they can reach so we can see the difference between the children. It was a cute idea. Then when I decorated the tree I just decorated around them. What a fun tradition!

Merry Christmas!

On the way home...

On the way home we stopped in the mountain pass to let the kids get out and go sledding for a while. It was bumper to bumper traffic moving at about 8 mph over the snow packed roads so we were all glad for the break. We had fun for about about an hour and half. Andrew even got geared up this time. He didn't put up a fuss either. Maybe because he knew his only other option was to stay in the truck and he had already been in there for about 5-6 hours!

What a handsome daddy!!!

A warm little bundle!

This cute picture is of Ben after a particularly gnarly wipe out. He was saying "brrrrr". I think the little bit of snow on his nose is particularly adorable.

Tatiana and I went down the big hill (no picture, sorry) and we did a massive wipe out! I am not sure what Tatiana did, but I did three somersaults and we were both caked in snow. A man nearby asked us if we were okay because I guess it looked pretty bad. We were both fine, amazingly. Once I was sure Tatiana was okay I laughed about it and told the kind man that we were fine but I will be leaving my pride up there. LOL!

Now we are home...no cold...no snow...no shoveling...no bulky, heavy winter gear to put on every time we go out...

Yes, I love to play in the snow, it really is a lot of fun... but I really love that I don't have to live in it all winter long!

Slideshow!

Here is a slideshow of all the "fun in the snow" pictures I took while we were in Eastern Oregon. Enjoy!

This picture slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Fun in the snow with the cousins!

The Friday after Thanksgiving we went to visit with Great Grandma Morgan. We had a very nice visit and were able to hear all about her recent adventure to some Church history sites and other places. While we were there we were able to also visit with a few Nathan's Aunt and Uncles when they all stopped by. I am so glad we could make it over to see them.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we went over to visit with Great Grandma Tolman and have lunch with her. We also had a few aunts and uncles on that side of the family meet up with us at Great Grandma's. This time two of Nathan's cousins came along too. I think I am safe to say that these two are my kids favorite cousins. The week leading up to our trip I kept being asked if they were going to be able to see Tracy and Austin. Well, they did and they had a lot of fun.

I was joking around telling Grandma and Grandpa that I hope Aunt Gayle and Uncle Mike don't mind that our kids are really here to see the cousins and Mike and Gayle just come with the package. I actually said, "...just want to see Tracy..." and Ben piped up, "And Austin! And Austin! And Austin!" Okay, okay, Ben, Austin too! I thought it was extremely cute!

Anyway here are some fun pictures of the kids playing in the snow out in front of Great Grandma's house.
Ben throwing a snowball at his Austin...nice shot! Austin was a very good sport about it.

Ben, Tatiana and Tracy gathering "ammo" (aka snowballs)!

Oh no! Ben turns on his own mom! Look at that face though! Too cute!

How quickly he can turn from a snowball throwing maniac to my sweet snow angel. Awww!

Nick, Ben, Austin, Tatiana, Tracy...fun in the snow!

Grandpa actually got Andrew to come out and catch snowflakes with him! Andrew had fun doing so, until he got cold and went back inside. Then he was content to watch the snow out the window again. Thank you Grandpa!

After a while Uncle Dave offered to take us up to the hills for some sledding. The kids were all sorts of excited! Uncle Dave, Nathan, and I took the five older kids to the hills while Andrew stayed back at Great Grandma's house and supervised the other adults. Hee Hee!

Ben getting a free ride from daddy.

Tatiana is in that fur somewhere!

Nick, looking so grown up.

Hello cutie!!!! And Hello to you too Ben! ;-)

Such beautiful children and such beautiful scenery!

Now my own hubby is turning on me! Snowball incoming!!!

Nathan insisted on taking my photo too, so I guess I should include one.

Nathan and his Uncle Dave, we just love Uncle Dave!

Thanks for the fun day and fun memories everyone!!!

Thanksgiving with Grandma and Grandpa Tolman!

We left the snow dusted valley and headed over the snow packed mountains for Thanksgiving. We literally went "over the mountains and through the woods to grandmother's house..."! It was a long trip, but the kids were exceptionally good! I was so pleased with them. They really do travel very well. At one point when we were traveling through Central Oregon in the dark with nothing in site, Ben got concerned. This was the conversation...

Ben, "Mom! I don't see any cars. I don't see any lights. I don't see any towns. I don't see anything. Where are we?"
Mom, "We are in the middle of nowhere."
Ben, "Ohhhh!" (said in complete amazement.)

The next morning as we travel the rest of the way, we are still in some pretty barren country and, even though it isn't dark anymore, Ben asked, "Mom, are we still in the middle of nowhere?" "Yes, Ben." "Oh, okay."

When we got to grandma and grandpa's we told him, "Ben, tell grandma and grandpa where we were this morning." Ben says with excitement, "In the middle of nowhere!"

I just love that kid!!!!!

Here the boys are, on the other side of nowhere, at Grandma and Grandpa Tolman's house. They are wearing some ADORABLE costumes that Ben made in preschool and wanted to bring with. Aren't they cute!?!?!

My apple pie that made it all the way across the state of Oregon without a single mishap! Whew!

After dinner the boys lounged with some books...

Nick, Tatiana and I played a game with Grandma...and daddy and grandpa were watching football. I should have gotten a picture of them, but I didn't. (Shhh...I didn't want to disturb the game.)

The next morning Ben happily volunteered to help get the stove going. What a big helper!

And Nick vollunteered to go outside with Grandpa and daddy to shovel snow and brush off the vehicles. It had snowed during the night. There wasn't any snow when we got there the day before. I love Andrew's face in this picture! "Oh no! The snow came here too!"

Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks mom and dad for the great dinner and great hospitality!!!

A "Snow Day" in the valley!

First of all, let me preface this post by reminding all of you that I grew up mostly in North Dakota, also living in Montana, Alaska, and Idaho. I KNOW snow, this wasn't "snow" this was a "dusting" as we call it in the Midwest, but alas, the residence of the Willamette Valley do not know what to do when the roads get a little icy and snow covered. To their credit, I will admit that the roads were particularly icy that morning, but after a couple hours of sunshine, it all melted off. But still, the school district cancelled school for the whole day, which I thought was ridiculous, and the kids were home all day, which I thought was wonderful, and it gave them one more day tacked onto their long Thanksgiving weekend!

So here are some pictures of our "Snow Day", I still giggle when I think about it!
Have you ever seen a snow covered palm tree? This is in our yard and I thought it was so pretty, I had to share this picture with you.

I spent TWENTY MINUTES cramming Andrew into his snow gear and when we FINALLY made it outside, this is what he did! Yeah, I guess he is my beach baby and hates the cold as much as I do, that's my boy!

Before taking Andrew inside to unwrap, I was determined to take a couple pictures of everyone to prove that he did indeed make it to the snow that day! He is not a happy camper, poor guy.

The other kids had a blast playing all morning in the snow though, they were out there by 8:30AM! They have grown up in the valley and know that when the snow is here when you wake up, it will most likely be gone by lunch time! This time it did actually hang out a little longer, but not much. They had a blast while it lasted!

Some neighbor friends came over to have fun too.

Andrew spent most of the day watching them out the window. I kept asking him if he wanted to try to go out again and he always said no. I even offered to just take him out in his coat for a couple minutes, not with all the other snow gear and he said "no tank yoo". He is such a cutie!

Even with his face smeared on the window! Funny kid!

Happy Winter everyone!