Thanksgiving

Frank and I have finally hosted our first family get together. We had Frank's family over for Thanksgiving and it was a huge success--everyone ate and no one fought. If you know the McCormick boys, you know that no fights = success.

Besides well known recipes, Frank and I made my mom's rolls for the first time, and I made homemade gravy for the first time. They weren't perfect, but they were still tasty (to me at least).

I forgot to take pictures, so I took a picture of a wall. We had a thankful wall so we wouldn't have to go around the room and verbally share our gratitude (It didn't turn out well last time we tried that). This worked much better, and most were willing to participate. Notice that my brother-in-law Seamus is thankful for himself.

Among many other things, I'm thankful that we now have a home large enough to accomodate family gatherings, that my children are healthy and happy, that Frank has a secure job, and that I have the gospel to give me guidance, peace and perspective. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Tooth Tales

Kaitlyn's two front baby teeth had never fallen out, because two partial teeth blocked the permanent teeth from coming in. So, about a week ago, Kaitlyn went to see the Oral Surgeon, and came home with a bag of 5 teeth ( He pulled another loose tooth for free). Kaitlyn hit the tooth fairy jackpot! She was excited to find $5 under her pillow. The tooth fairy even let her keep her teeth as a souvenir!

Yesterday, Kaitlyn and Brenna were looking at the fascinating bag of teeth, when Brenna asked if she could borrow the bag of teeth. Kaitlyn agreed, and handed her the bag. Brenna planned on putting them under her pillow in order to get $5 for herself.(Talk about a get rich quick scheme!) I informed her that the tooth fairy would know they weren't hers, and wouldn't leave any money. She just said "Oh", shrugged her shoulders, handed me the teeth and walked away.

A couple hours later...Brenna came down stairs excited, "Mommy, look!". I saw a tooth between two bloody fingers. Brenna has talked about a loose tooth for a few weeks, but when I checked it a couple days ago, it barely wiggled. To me, pulling your own tooth seems like a hard way to make a buck, but Brenna thought it was genius--and it would have come out sooner or later anyway. It was worth all the work when she found $1 under her pillow this morning.

What's New

Kaitlyn brought me home a reminder from school. Thought it was good for everyone.



Kaitlyn is doing great at her new school. She's still timid, but likes her teacher, and is doing well. Brenna is loving school as well--not surprising. We walk Kaitlyn to school in the morning. It's only a little over a mile round trip, but the trip home wears me out (more emotionally than physically) . They love going TO school, but no one wants to leave. I find myself carrying one in the bjorn, pushing one in the stroller, and trying to keep the third walking either by cajoling, distraction or hand holding -- all up hill (really). Here's a picture of the path:

Nice view, don't you think? I'm definitely enjoying the trails--feel lucky to live next to one.

Uncle Joseph took the kids trick or treating on Halloween. It's fun being in a neighborhood with lots of trick or treaters. We gave out over 200 pieces of candy, and had to stop because we ran out. While the girls were out and about the neighborhood, Kaleb was home with me.

Here's the girls. They didn't want to stop treating.

Prop 8

A couple weeks ago my sister's family found their "yes on 8" yard sign stomped on and torn. My niece was upset by this, and asked to make her own sign. To keep it from being ruined, my sister laminated it and, ignoring her fear of heights, posted it on their Chimney.

Favorite Quote Anyone?

The other day I came across this quote:

"Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow,
For babies grow up, I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep."

I used to keep a notebook with my favorite quotes, and would like to do it again. Do you have a favorite quote? notalgic, witty, inspirational, silly? I'd love to read it.

Time Saving Tip -- Keep Tools in Your Car

I started out going to the DI this morning, but kept on going to Ontario Mills instead, deciding I'd stop at the DI on my way home. As I headed home, I noted that I had plenty of time to stop by the DI and get home before the girl's bus arrived. Right about then, my tire blew. Thank goodness for AAA! I made the call, and was told help would arrive in 20 minutes--still plenty of time for my DI errand. Help arrived and he asked for my help "Do you have an allen wrench so I can get the hub cap off?" ummm...no. After a call to Frank, I learned no wrench is needed. "Do you have a screwdriver so I can get the plastic thing off?" Again, no. "Don't you have one?" I learned they're not allowed to carry tools. Frank was too far away, and other tow truck drivers were out on calls. He looked up and down the side of freeway for something that would work. Finally, he found a screwdriver--where?--in the tow truck! An hour later I was on my way home, hoping to get home before the girls. I guess I'll be going to the DI tomorrow. Gotta give it to Kaleb and Larissa...they were troopers!

Grilled Chicken

Last week Frank and I grilled up some chicken. I learned from the Carlson's that thighs are easier to grill than breasts, my mother in law gave me her marinade recipe, and Frank has mastered his turbo heated BBQ. It turned out delicious! Here's the marinade recipe, if you'd like to try it.

Chicken Marinade
1 c. water
1 c. soy sauce
1 c. vinegar (or beer or lemon juice)
chopped onion
crushed cloves of garlic
Let chicken marinate for a few hours or over night.