three hundred thirty-four: 365

This is homemade butter. I had my girls make this as part of my YW lesson on Sunday and the boys didn't believe me that you could make butter by shaking heavy cream. So they did their own experiment and learned that they could, in fact, make butter with a little work.

three hundred thirty-three: 365

arrrgh...how I despise these lights! I got them all out, untangled them, plugged them in to see if they were working (which they all were), then hung them up! As soon as I plugged in the last set and turned them on to check out my work, what do I have but 3 sections burnt out!! Seriously..is it all worth it?

three hundred thirty-two: 365

The boys got to decorate their tree tonight...and lost interest 1/2 way through.

three hundred thirty-one: 365

Skyler had a soccer tournament all day in Lake Elsinore...all I could do was sit and think of all the things I could and should be doing at home!

three hundred thirty: 365

No black Friday for me...I just stayed home and worked on the tree.

(I didn't mean to make that rhyme.)

three hundred twenty-nine: 365

We had a very untraditional Thanksgiving Day this year! With family scattered everywhere but here, we were on our own this year. We woke up late, had a nice breakfast, watched the Macy's Day parade, set up the Christmas Tree, and went to the movies. Then it was time to eat! Having never gone out to eat on Thanksgiving, I was unaware that you needed reservations..so when we were turned away from Claim Jumpers, we headed to the only other place that seemed to be open: Home Town Buffet. All I have to say about that is, I don't know what's worse, the food or the clientele? We could only laugh about our circumstances..the boys actually loved it! Where else can you have pizza, french fries, jello, and icees for Thanksgiving? Later that night we made a camp fire and sat in the spa. Despite the lousy food, it was a great, quiet, non-traveling Thanksgiving!

three hundred twenty-eight: 365

Disneyland apparently wasn't the Happiest Place on Earth for Ryder...he missed the height cut-off on California Screamin' by merely a 1/2 inch. The name took on new meaning as Ryder threw himself on the ground, in front of the mass crowds, and began throwing a "screaming" tantrum. I got to stay and clean up the mess while Jim, Skyler, and Jayden went on the ride.

Ryder is not bashful about sharing his emotions..as all of So. Cal. now knows!

three hundred twenty-seven: 365

All 3 boys had dentist appointments today! All this x-ray tells me is that we'd better open up our wallets..this mouth won't be cheap! Too many teeth have no space to go. For my family, can you guess whose mouth this is?

three hundred twenty-six: 365

The start of hours of holiday decorating...garlands, done!

three hundred twenty-five: 365

Pesto, tomato, and fresh mozzarella drizzled with basalmic vinegar! I could eat this sandwich everyday...and I just about do!

three hundred twenty-four: 365

The youth had a great opportunity to serve this weekend at the Bishop's Storehouse. Who knew bagging peanuts and produce could be so fun..with these kids, they make everything fun!

three hundred twenty-three: 365

One little wizard didn't even make it through 1/4 of the movie{Harry Potter}...which was actually better because it was a little dark and had some scary parts!

three hundred twenty-two: 365

Jayden had a pack meeting tonight where they learned about citizenship. A marine corp helicopter pilot came in and talked to them about serving their country..he even gave the boys a taste of military push-ups!

three hundred twenty-one: 365

No mutual tonight so Theresa and I decided to catch a movie...it had been a long time!

note to self: you're getting too old not to wear any make-up..I look sickly!

three hundred twenty: 365

End of the soccer season party for the Barracuda's!

three hundred nineteen: 365

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas cards....which I totally wasn't going to make this year but was persuaded heavily by my dear husband to carry on the tradition. I truly was going to go fully digital, there are so many cute templates out there, but alas, something will be made from the following papers and pictures that I took.

three hundred eighteen: 365

In an effort to simplify my life, I decided to avoid worrying about outfits, appointments, destinations, etc. and take a few pictures of the family myself this year. So Sunday afternoon, the boys threw on their church sweaters, we drove 5 minutes to old town, and in 15 minutes had our pictures finished. Jim took the top one and did a great job..the bottom just catches the personalities in our home.

three hundred seventeen: 365

Ryder's last soccer game..it was a great season, but I'm not sad that it's over!

three hundred sixteen: 365

This is where I spent my Friday night! Jayden had taekwondo testing...he tested for his green stripe. {he doesn't know this yet, but I think this might be his last testing..I'm kinda over the whole thing!}

three hundred fifteen: 365

I went to institute this morning and when I got home, the cake I baked yesterday looked as if a mouse had gotten ahold of it...the mouse being Ryder! His mouth was a dead giveaway..he was caught brown-handed! {He told me it was wonderful, so he was forgiven!}

three hundred fourteen: 365

Skyler has been complaining about his knee hurting for awhile so I finally took him into the Dr.

She knew what it was immediately..Oshgood Schlatter Disease. Basically it happens when the body is going through a growth spurt and the tendons aren't cooperating and stretching causing a bump under his knee cap. The Dr. ordered an x-ray just to be sure. Now..how do you tell a very active 11 year old he needs to rest?

three hundred thirteen: 365

I really thought with my background in Elementary Education, I would be the one to help the boys with all their projects. But fortunately for me, I have a husband who is both patient and creative and kinda wants to help {more like do} all the projects. He takes them very personally! In fact, his last project/paper, he, I mean Skyler, got a 95 out of 100. He was a little ticked as to why he was deducted 5 points but was redeemed when he learned that the paper had made it on the wall with the top 10 papers of all that teachers classes. I think someone is making up for the lack luster projects of his youth. It's a little scary just how much he gets into these things! It doesn't help that Skyler told us Monday afternoon that this project was due on Wednesday!! If we had more time, we would have involved Skyler much more!

three hundred twelve: 365

Dinner!

three hundred eleven: 365

Growing up, on Sundays my dad would often get a spontaneous need to go on a drive. He could always find the most random places to go, but those are some of the memories I cherish the most. Today, in that spirit, I told Skyler we were going for a "Sunday" drive. We didn't quite know where, but we got in the car and drove. We ended up in Julian..a charming little apple town that once was famous for gold mining. We walked along the streets, and enjoyed the crisp fall weather. With the smell of apples permeating the air, Skyler couldn't pass up on a carmel apple. He let me have a bite and I must say, it was a pretty fine apple! Thanks dad for instilling in me a thirst for adventure!

three hundred ten: 365

Skyler couldn't go to Catalina because he had a soccer game on Saturday, so to try and make it up to him, I let him have a friend spend the night on Friday and took them to dinner and the movies. Saturday, after a day of doing absolutely nothing, Skyler and I decided to do another movie and dinner. I think it was good for us to spend some alone time together without

the brothers.

three hundred nine: 365

Jim took Jayden and Ryder to Catalina for the weekend. Our neighbor, Eric, was doing the Catalina triathlon {that Jim was going to do too but couldn't get over his fear of sharks enough to do the ocean swim} and decided to bring 2 of his kids. Actually, Jim took them over in the morning and Eric didn't get their till late that night..so it was more of a babysitting trip for Jim. Of course it doesn't matter what time of year it is or how cold it is outside, my kids are always in the water!

three hundred eight: 365

GHETTO!

I had just got back from buying Skyler a new soccer ball when he informs me that the ball is too small and is lopsided. This time I made him come with me. 1/2 way there he realizes that he doesn't have any shoes on. I was going to make him go in his socks, but then I remembered that I had bought him new church shoes today. So instead of bare feet, I made him put on his dress shoes. He looked like the biggest geek, and we definitely won the title of "white trash" with me, still in my gym clothes and now Skyler in shorts and black church shoes.

three hundred seven: 365

Nothing like a big fat cheeseburger on your stomach at 9:00 p.m.!

{it was temple baptism night for the Laurels}

three hundred six: 365

I spoke, but apparently my voice was not LOUD enough! Heaven help California!!

three hundred five: 365

Gorgeous!!! Pretty good for So. California!