Recap of last week

Because of all that we smashed into one week's time this past week---I haven't been doing much to update our family blog at all. I decided to do a recap to remind myself why last week was all such an oh so happily busy blurr!


1. Unexpected snow day. Yes, here in Eugene is not like having a snow day where they are used to it. When we first moved here, our realestate agent told us that it "rarely snows here". It has snowed every year since we've lived here save last year only when the roads were just blanketed with a sheet of ice and I had to run around in it on my paper route taking my 45min. average a whopping 3 hours!! Although the children laugh that they literally shut the town down because of lack of equipment necessary for handling such weather, they do welcome the time off! Unfortunately I don't have a picture of the two children that benefitted the most. They were busy studying (as always).

2. Preparing for our Thanksgiving feast. Yep, this is the evidence I have for it literally seconds before guest seating and just moments before large dents in each dish occured.

3. Getting my website up and running. Complete with Grand Opening Giveaway that is far more time invested than I bargained for and not as much response as I'de hoped for (unfortunately) But my hopes are that it pays off.

4.running my first EVER 5K. I started running in August and shortly after the seeds were planted to start training, so although I wasn't sure I actually ever would...I couldn't resist when my children brought home a note from school inviting everyone to the Turkey Stuffer 5K walk/run. I almost didn't make it. I was sick just two days before. Registered the hour before deadline. and made it two minutes in time to run (literally stepping on the start line just after the gunfire went off).

*Word of the wise---read all the registration instructions when you register. NOT just a half hour before the race starts. I know, live and learn to be more prepared next time. Hello! Story of my life. Yep. that's me. *sigh*

5. Having Thanksgiving dinner and games at our house for 23 people.  And although my pictures are few and crummy, we had a wonderful time and the guests were delightful!

6. Shopping for great deals on BLACK FRIDAY. (Let's just say...Santa is ready save only a few stocking stuffers!?! *whew!* I've gotten to where I actually LOVE black fridays!

        

7. Celebrating our 19th Wedding Anniversary. Yep. Black Friday this year was our anniversary and we celebrated at Outback Steakhouse and played games at Chuck E. Cheese. I surprised Steve with an anniversary gift of our wedding rings. His has needed to be resized ever since we were first married and mine had lost shape and the prong tips were worn to the nub. When I saw them after the jeweler was done with them...they looked like new! They are SO beautiful!!!

8. Potty training Alyssa. It just couldn't be avoided any longer because although she has been ready to train for 6 months now, Mommy hasn't been. So now that she is just doing it on her own, I have just had to push myself and encourage her onward. Thus, more time for posts because we are going to be home ALL WEEK LONG!!!

What They Say Wednesday

I realize this is a day late, but I don't want to skip it so here it is!


Bryon likes to say this when he sees the children climbing on me, I guess he remembers me saying it when he was little---so here is his "revized" version:

"I am not a jungle gym, 'Quote Mommy Alger' "

Plan to Gobble

Now that my lessons and talks are given and my website almost complete, I'm able to concentrate on the upcoming Thanksgiving events. As I've thought about Thanksgiving and how I am looking so forward to it this year, I got excited about making plans. I like to involve the whole family in this since they get so excited too and the spirit of the festivities just starts floating in the air! We have two families joining us this fall as we are unable (yet again) to go to see family since they are too far away to drive to and the school system, though claiming to have to add 15 MORE school budget cut days, can't seem to think logically enough to add 3 of those days onto our Thanksgiving holiday allowing us the opportunity to go away to spend our "family holiday" with family. (A soap box you don't want to put me on---just ask my neighbor!) And so, to make the best of a great thing every year, we have learned to reach out to others in our own situation making it quite an enjoyable day of gratitude every time. This year, Steve and I put our heads together and decided to invite a Mexican family that, though in our ward, go to the Spanish branch and invite us to every fiesta they have whether it be birthday, wedding, or potluck function. We've never had the opportunity to have them over so are excited to sieze the chance! Their 5 children all range from our oldest ages, down to Alyssa's two years. We also just assume they will bring her sister's family since they are always together and just add more fun to the bunch. Now we get the delight of feeding them our favorite, yet bound to be extremely blan to them, meal of the year. We also get to have a family of five join us with 3 children 4 and under. The two families are bringing a dessert of their choice, soda, and homemade rolls. We get to provide the rest which, after 3 straight years of trial and error Steve and I have down to quite a dance! One year I made 9 types of pie, but will be slicing it down to only 4 this year--pumpkin being provided by one of our friends. During our Sunday dinner today, we went around the table and made a list of Thanksgiving "must haves". These include all the family's favorite dishes that MUST be included on the menu, whether we have to beg, steal, or borrow them, which, happily, we will not have to do any of the above.  
So, as exciting as it isn't (I know you are yawning and wondering why I would sit down and create such a post) here it is:

Hey, do you like the pumpkins?! $3 clearance and a couple metallic paint bottles-fun kids' project :)

Alger Family's Plan to Gobble-2010:
Turkey
Ham
Stuffing
Potatoes (I guess I spell that the canadian way and now can't help myself although I have been taught the error in my ways)
gravy
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Corn
Green Bean casserole
Deviled eggs
Relish tray
Ginger Carrots
Yams
Sparkling Cider
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pumpkin Pie
Pecan Pie
Chocolate Silk Pie
(and knowing me I will throw in either a double lemon cream or blueberry cream, whichever tickle my fancy...my favorites)

*Editor's Note: click on any of the above underlined dishes to enjoy the recipe!

The boys will be participating in the Turkey bowl (for those of you who don't know, that is a football game played by many men in and out of the church ward family as well as any friends or family invited) as they have in previous years and look forward to with great anticipation. The rest of us, however will be doing something else. Besides cooking and baking this year, I am looking forward to running my first 5K EVER!!! Steve will be there with the rest of the children to encourage and cheer me on. I have been working toward (though I didn't know it)a 5K since August when I started running. I am a little nervous, but looking forward to achieving something new and different. Wish me luck. It's all new to me!

WIWW

I can't believe another week has gone by! It always surprises me how fast the days and weeks fly. Literally. This last week was so busy it's a BiG *blurr*. Funny how having the children home for 4 day weekends two weeks in a row will do that to you. (and Thanksgiving is only a 4 day weekend as well so we can't go see family...I have issues, can you tell?!)

I want to thank you all SO MUCH for stopping by and for the kind words of encouragement that were left. I was surprised at how much fun it was doing what I wore Wednesday with the Pleated Poppy and am looking forward to seeing everyone again this week. I do hope that some of my friends will link up and try this too. It actually makes you feel like making an effort each day is worth the trouble! Funny... I know. 

Moving on... I was really hoping my grand opening givaway would be today, but since it is still in the works because of other deadlines, It is going to have to wait a few more days. I can't tell you how the anticipation is killing me! Anyone that makes a comment here today will have their name entered one extra time in my give away drawing at grand opening. Those that left their comments last week will have theirs entered double time (comment perk). Because if it weren't for their encouragement, I wouldn't be doing this again today!
Here goes nothing. Again!! ;-)

Thurs.: Errands

Brown Shirt: store in the mall (?Sorry!?-long time ago)

Pants: Ross and Oh SO seventies (My husband always teases me when I wear these-so comfy!)

Shoes: Ross

Knee Socks: Target

Ruffle Cardigan Duster: Chico's yard sale find. $2 dollars folks!!

Scarf: Yard Sale 50 cents....Love a great deal!!

Chunky watch: Shelstring

Friday: Date with cute Husband

Ruffle Cardigan Duster: same as above

Favorite pants: White House/Black Market

Belt: Came with capris I have

Shoes: Ross

Brown Shirts: same as above

Cream Ruffle Sweater: Thrifted

Necklace: Shelstring

Chunky Watch: Coming soon!

Saturday: jewelry making

Those Pants again?!: Same as above

Shoes: Ross

layer T: Downeast Basics

Turqois top: J Jill

Sweater: Local Shop in Utah

Sunday: Church

Top: Probably Ross 4-5 years ago

Cardigan: Ross

Skirt: Ross

Tights: Silkies (?)

Shoes: Ross

jewelry: Shelstring

Monday: Cleaning and Errands

Black Top: Yard Sale

Pants: Ann Taylor

Slippers: old wal-mart find

Necklace: Shelstring

What is that Adorable Girl wearing?!: My dress from when I was little!!!

(has a bell in the underskirts)

She's SO CUTE huh?

Monday: eye dr. (can't remember)

cardi: J.Jill

Jean Jacket: Levi (Ross)

Pants: Ann Taylor Loft

Shoes: Ross

Jewelry: Shelstring

So There you have it. Bunch of BLURRY pictures. Kinda like my week!  Keep in touch! I will be sure to have my grand opening givaway hit a Wednesday so you can all stop on by!! Can't wait to see what you all have been wearing! And remember, each comment places your name in the drawing one more time!!!

What They Say Wednesday

"Whirly Twirly":

 

What we call a dress that has a lot of flair when in full spin

A few weeks ago Steve and I were invited to a friend's 40th birthday party with the 80's theme. In order to dress the part I had to go up to the attic and find something to wear. While I was up there, Alyssa came to help out and we found a few of my childhood things. My Mother had kept a couple of my favorite dresses. Alyssa has really taken to this one.  It's so fun to see her in it! I thought it looked real Rancho Viejo, she must have thought so too, because just when I was thinking it would be fun to have her wear her cowgirl boots, she came down with them on, complete with flower decked jeans. Not quite the "update" to the dress that I had in mind, but fun all the same. Very age 2, wouldn't you say?!

What could I do to update this dress a little? Any ideas?

"De todos modos" I think she is adorable in her "whirly twirly" dress. Don't you!

Peace

8 Fiesta Lessons

Justn's birthday was Tuesday, but we celebrated it last Saturday complete with pinata, presents, pizza, ice cream and cake. He wanted a star wars cake with chocolate chips and cupcakes. One thing we definately try as hard as we can to make possible is the cake of choice. Sometimes it's a challenge, and it always ends up to be fun. This one wasn't looking promising and I had to just do things as they came. One step at a time. I had thought to do the cake the day before, but worried that it would effect the taste of the cake, not being freshly baked, and not considering puting it in our tupperware cake container for preservation, this is what we ended up with. So although I have thrown many a birthday bash, I never seem to learn to plan ahead as well as I should. This was the cake result...

I lucked out that the cupcakes around the cake make it look grand. They are actually hiding what could have been tramatic flaws. When I got the second cake out of the oven (there being two in order to make cupcakes as well) I had to frost it without it cooling completely.  

lesson #1: Frosting a hot cake doesn't work out too well. Cause, as you know, the frosting gets soft and the upper layer then starts sliding off. On the bright side, making two different flavors of cake (Chocolate fudge and Funfetti) makes for one of the "best tasting cakes EVER"--who knew?!

Lesson #2: Streamers can be put up the night before. This is a much better idea than 30 min. before the party starts, when you are doing your very best to keep your voice at an even tone and avoid fumbling and shaky fingers knowing you are cutting it close. Still having a cake to frost, party boxes to decorate, a pinata to fill and hang, and a table to decorate.

Lesson #3: Always have a "run around man". For the above reasons of faulty planning, it is a good idea to have someone else be able to do the last minute "pick ups".

 I'm very Grateful to Steve who was my right hand man as he did much running around... such as: buying frosting, picking up the balloons, picking up the pizzas, and getting extra candy for the pinata (which saved my life since he picked a package of miniture chocolate bars. Some of which ended up being the decoration for the cupcakes) He didn't even complain about my poor planning, allowing me to learn these lessons on my own. (A reason he continues to be my night in shining armor!)

 Lesson #4: Pinata and treat boxes can be filled the night before as well, by somebody else, eliminating much stress and anxiety! 

This is where I was very grateful for the enthusiasm and excitement of the older children desiring to help get the party ready. Jeremy and Michael decorated and stuffed treat boxes and set the table. *Whew!

Lesson #5: Balloons are a must since they add such a really festive look to any party!  (one thing I did do right) *pluh

Lesson #6: If going to an already festive place, the above efforts aren't necessary. Let the proffessionals do the work. Then the above lessons aren't even lessons necessary for learning...or are they?!

Lesson #7: Four is about the youngest we ever want to throw a party for. (Steve and I mutually agree!)

Lesson #8:  A happy Birthday Boy is well worth all the effort put forth!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JUSTIN!!