Dinner of Love?

Like many, we've had a traditional family Valentine dinner every year.  We've had some great ones and I love putting it together and deciding on the menu.  I usually pick up a few after Christmas clearance toys to give to them as well.  This year was no different.  I had planned a few cute favors, a good menu, and found a few trinkets for them.  There was a difference in the fact that the week leading up to the holiday we were all suffering from cabin fever with all of the snow.  So, after a week of tight quarters and a bit more fighting than normal, we continued that pattern in to the night of our Valentine dinner.  A bit ironic on a day of love, huh?  A few kids ended up in bed early and there will be changes in next year's dinner.  We will all be helping out!!!

The highlights were the chocolate covered strawberries, vanilla Cokes, tomato basil soup, and individual homemade pizzas.  There were crepes planned for dessert, but we decided to save those for another night.  They were made for FHE dessert the next night.

I will tell you that there was a special thing that happened this Tuesday morning.  It made me so happy.  The boys were all home from school again for snow.  Zane and I were sleeping in a bit since Mallory had slept with us because she had a fever that night.  Trevor and Boston snuck in and asked us what we wanted for breakfast.  Just minutes later Trevor brought me 2 poached eggs on a piece of toast and Boston brought Zane a bowl of cereal.  They tested Gage and fed him.  They fed Mallory as well as themselves.  When we came out they were all dressed and smiling.  I think they were trying to make a bit for Sunday night and they did.  So sweet. 

Snow People On Parade

With as much snow as we have had in the last week and a half, it was opportune to make a few snowmen. Last week we got 7" in one day, so Mallory and I went out and built our snowwoman while the boys were sledding at the neighbors. Then, Trevor came home to find our lady and wanted to make her some friends. He went out and worked for a few hours to create some of his own snowmen. Unfortunately one of the friends he made was destroyed by a sled and later passed away - hence the x's on his eyes (that was all Trevor's idea - very Calvin and Hobbes). And, the most unfortunate part of the day was that Boston and his friend knocked them all down when sledding in our yard that night. They sure were cute while the lasted, unlike the snow. It's not so cute anymore.

Boston's First Pinewood Derby

The torch has officially been passed from Trevor down to Boston.  Trevor had usually done well at the Pinewood Derby. Boston didn't seem like he cared whether he won or not.  He was just all smiles and excited to race his "B" car.  He said next year it might be another "B" car but just in another color.   We'll see about that because this kids changes his mind quickly.  But, the "B" car got him second place so it just might be a good idea.  

She's 3

We celebrated Mallory's 3rd birthday on Saturday with pink cupcakes with pink sprinkles and pink ice cream (strawberry). Her brothers had to drink from Disney Princess cups, but they didn't squirm too much. She loves her large Sleeping Beauty Doll, Little Mermaid movies, and Dora Legos. She loved singing "Happy Birthday" to herself all day. This little girl is so girly and I am just watching it all happen.

What she loves at 3:

Disney Princesses (especially Aurora and Ariel)

Wearing all pink no matter what shade

Her pink Dora snow boots

Playing with puzzles

Yelling, "Mom, I NEED you!"

Eating cereal for every meal

Coming in our room all through the night several times

Carrying her purse full of little tiny toys

Dancing

Saying, "You're mean and I'm nice." That's debatable.

Giving "dry" kisses - the only kind she likes

First Snow Day

They always come sooner or later. The kids came home Wednesday all excited because there was talk that school would be cancelled for snow the next day. When I woke up on Thursday, there was no snow in the air or on the ground, but a few minutes later (around 6 am) we got the recorded message that school was cancelled. Snow started a half hour later and it didn't stop until late that night. So, it was a fun snow day full of sledding down our driveway and lawn and snow ball fights. That always requires hot chocolate afterwords. That's about all you can expect here in Kentucky - school is called off on the prediction of snow, sledding down the driveway on a few inches, and it all ends with a great cup of hot chocolate.

Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday and Happy New Year

It's all a whirl wind at this time of the year. I call the week before and in between Christmas and New Years the Black Hole because minutes turn to days and days in to weeks oh, so quickly. We, of course, had a great two weeks with the boys home from school. It was full of video games, naps, shopping, movies, eating, and enjoying the company of friends and family.

The Saturday after they got out of school, Zane and I went with Jeff and Melissa Mortenson to see "A Christmas Carol" down at Actor's Theater. This is something we have done a few times in years past and I love the way I can feel the Christmas spirit with this play and story. We ate at Lynn's Paradise Cafe for dinner and left the kids all to have a great time at the Mortenson's house.

Zane birthday turned out to be a little anti climatic. We planned on seeing "The Chipmunk Movie - The Squeakuel", but a few of the family members weren't in the mood and I was a bit worried about 2 packages that still hadn't arrived in time for Christmas. So, we had a crazy day, but went to the Mortensons that night for a beautiful Christmas Eve dinner and the company and good food helped redeem the day. We had a Baskin Robbins ice cream cake for Zane with the Mortensons and then headed home to continue our family traditions.

The kids opened their new pjs and Zane opened his birthday gifts.  The tradition of the kids sleeping in our room with us Christmas Eve continued this year with little beds being made all over our floor for the four of them. This way, they stay contained and don't run across the hall past the great room (where Santa has left the goodies) to get to our room in the morning. We all didn't wake up until after 8 am and even then we were woken up by Trevor who couldn't contain his excitement.

All the kids were pleasantly surprised with Santa's gifts and the family gift - Band Hero which was given to them by grandma Betty and mom and dad. Trevor got a DS game, a new camera and the book series - Fabelhaven. Boston got an MP3 player, a DS game, and a new bank that is like a little safe with a combination lock. Gage loved his Super Mario Bros. game for the Wii, I Spy books and a kid's camera he asked Santa for. Mallory loves her little doll house and new "Sleeping Beauty" doll and movie. It was a nice Christmas where we were able to relax and enjoy the day fully. We ate crepes, sugar cereal and lazed around in our pjs.

My birthday (on the 30th) was a pleasant surprise. Zane got the kids up that morning and took all of us to Wild Eggs for breakfast. When we got home, Trevor babysat and I went shopping by myself. That is always a treat. Then, a good friend, Sara, came and babysat the little ones while Zane and I went to see "Sherlock Holmes." Zane and the kids gave me Seasons 1 and 2 of "The Muppet Show" on DVD. This is one of the best shows ever and I was so happy because I had wanted these for awhile. 36 is turning out to be great because it had a great start.

We spent the holidays doing puzzle. My parents had sent us a large Disney one for Christmas which we did in a day so we went to Target to get another one for New Year's Eve. First, we went to see "Princess and the Frog" that evening, then we bought the puzzle, some New Year's Eve snacks and went home to celebrate. The kids didn't make it until midnight (we actually sent them to bed because of too many late nights the days before) and Zane and I stayed up putting the puzzle together. It's how this exciting Underwood family celebrates!

The kids are getting ready to head back to school tomorrow and it is bitter sweet. I love that my kids are young and still get excited about the little things. We love this time of year where we get to be with our family, our friends, and are reminded of our Savior, Jesus Christ and his wonderful life. We are blessed. We are happy and for that, I am grateful.

Trevor Gets His Arrow of Light

Trevor is 11 now and that means no more cub scouts. It's bitter sweet. Boston came in the day Trevor went out and you should see Boston's enthusiasim for cub scouts. He is on fire trying to pass off as much as possible and I hope he doesn't burn out. At pack meeting on Thursday, Trevor earned his Arrow of Light award, his Webelo, and said good bye to cubs. He has a large group of boys his age and a majority of them have birthdays in the fall and December, so he was able to be with most of them the entire time. They are such a great group of boys and I am grateful he has them for examples. And, that he is such a great example to Boston too.

Meeting Santa (again) and Preschool Party

That Santa (or his helpers) are everywhere this time of year. Gage and Mallory got to talk with him again at Gage's Preschool Party on Tuesday. The mom putting on the class party made aprons for each of the boys in the class and had all sorts of fun going on.  Ms. Bobbie, Gage's teacher, had gifts galore for the kids and their moms. It was a great way to start off a three week break! 

Meeting Santa

Boston was excited and was one of the first in line at the ward Christmas Party to meet the big guy. Gage found another family in the ward to stand in line with and made himself at home with them. Gage showed Santa our elf and thanked him for sending him to us.  Mallory ran away afraid, but came back for the candy cane that was offered.  And, Trevor...well, Trevor is 11 and just hung out with his friends.  

Boston's Baptism

It was sweet and simple. It is nice to have a second one to plan because you realize after going through the first one (Trevor's) that really it's about the spirit that is there and not a big program. Trevor gave a talk/testimony on Baptism and Zane spoke about the Holy Ghost. We just had a few friends there, Grandma Betty and Papa Ben along with the Bishop. Boston was smiling the whole time and liked that the water was warm.

Giving Thanks

I wish I had a picture of us all dressed up in our Sunday Best for Thanksgiving Dinner. It really did happen, but there is a good reason for it. It wasn't what I would have initially picked for an ideal Thanksgiving, but it turned out to be a perfect meal in practically every way. We are kind of sparse on family out here. We haven't always been, but with my mother in law selling her house and traveling around to visit her children for the holidays, my brother and his family moving to Spain for a few years, and with Zane's grandma moving to the Mesonic Home for seniors, there remains my father in law and his wife. They don't like to do much for the holidays, but we asked if they would like to join us for Thanksgiving Dinner. They had a better idea that involved us joining them at the Galt House (a beautiful downtown hotel on the River) for dinner. My father in law said it was Sunday dress and my kids groaned a bit. But, it turned out to be such a treat. It was at the Rivu, one of those fancy white table cloth restaurants. The menu was a traditional Thanksgiving menu which was served family style and we even got sent home with the leftovers. The best part of all - my kids were well behaved. That was a lovely sweet miracle that I am grateful for. I am grateful for so many things this year besides children that sat still for a nano second, but on that day, that was enough.