Mystery Solved

For all of you wondering where Carter got his dance moves below - -we have solved the mystery--

Carter kept showing off his slick moves at moms-- and finally we asked where he learned to dance like that --and he said "it's like dat move it move it" "oh MADAGASCAR 2" we said- and he said "les".... "I see dat movie wid Mimi"... so see--- for all of you that thought I was the bad influence-- you were wrong it was my mom :) with the help of Dreamworks

You can see for yourself-- I see a couple of similar moves on here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a91pJDut50E&feature=related

Since "in person" is not an option

Aunt Linda and Uncle Paul,

Since you couldn't see the kids open their presents in person, I thought I would share it with you virtually-- Hey by the way-- this was an after thought-- they got so excited about their first gift from you-- so I thought-- I need to get this on video-- so here they are opening the rest..

And thank you so much for my Santa ornaments-- and Joe's candy-- we both loved our gifts--(sorry we didn't get our excitement on video-- it was still early for us :)) --but know that we loved it all

It is always so sweet of you to think of us and it is so fun getting a big care package from you .

Oh by the way-- we also enjoyed the bubble wrap .....

If I didn't have to hold the camera you would have seen me dancing around on it too :)

Take care and Merry Christmas too all of you -- we hope to see you soon.

Thank you again for thinking of us. We love you!

Slick Rick

Not sure if I should laugh or cry-- but right now I am laughing so hard I am crying-- look at the smoothe mooves on this "slick rick"--

I've been elfed...

I guess that is what happened-- my mother in law showed up ready to work her magic on my Christmas decorations and I am so happy with the result.

I feel like one of those people that went away to work and came home to a whole new house, or a bunch of presents (although I was working from home when she did it--I still was upstairs the whole time and was happy to come down to my newly decorated place) Here are some of the pics-- it feels so cozy downstairs-- I don't think the pics do it justice but we will try....

Come along on my Christmas Tour

(Who would have thought underneath my coffee table could be so pretty)

This is really what it's all about

I found this today in Payten's work from school.....

So sweet, and made me stop and think-- when I worry about pleasing people, and making impressions, and what everyone else thinks-- it is crazy-- because in the end this is the only thing that really matters.........

(now the key is to keep this magic through those teenage years ;) )

A Recently Discovered Collection

My mother in law said the other day-- I got you another Santa to add to your collection-- and it hit me-- you know she has gotten me a Santa for the last 3-4 years-- I guess I do have a collection-- kinda fun huh? I like to collect things like my Willow Trees, and my light houses, but it is even more fun when someone starts a fun collection for me.....

okay I know I have you all excited now -- so for all of you anxiously awaiting -- check out my cool Santa collection....

Here is the first Santa that Joyce ever got me-- (By the way, doesn't his chair look comfy, thankfully it made it through both of my kid's young curious ages when they felt they fit in the chair just like Santa)

Santa # 2--if I'm not mistaken-- Allie (my sister in law) picked this one out for me

Santa #3 (This is the one that I got last year, and Mindy continued to remind me throughout the year that it was not Christmas everytime she saw it in my Dining room-- see what had happened was--I got it last Christmas-- and I wanted it to stay out so I could look at it a little longer --and it kinda ended up staying out all year-- where does time go? Hey and guess what Mindy-- I probably shouldn't tell you the 2 above stay in my bedroom year round :)-- and have since I got them--what can I say-- I like them :))

The last 2 Joyce just gave me the other day-- I really like these too--and at least I got them before Christmas and can enjoy them before having to put them up -- I mean if I have to put them up..........

My Star Student

My little Pay Pay was chosen as "Star Student" for her class this week. Today she brought home a book with nice notes from all of her friends. She read them all to me tonight with a big smile on her face-- she was so proud, here are a few of snippits from her friends' writings ..

"Dear Payten, I love you. You are my best friend. Do you play in the snow? your friend, Tyler Johnson"

"Dear Payten, I like that bow you have because you make it disaper and it is relly coll it is like you ar magik. your frend Elias Francis"

"Dear Payten, congratulations for being the 10th star student thanks for playing with me outside and helping me get out of the mud i realy needed that. your friend travis"

"Dear Payten, Congratulations on being the 10th start student. Your the best friend ever! You are very helpful. Your the best roll model, I am sorry I upset you sometimes. You rock: Your a great writer and reader. You always rock! Your friend Emma Gooch"

"Dear Payten Congratulations on being the 10th star student and I realy do like to read but you are very very very very very very very very very very very nice to every body in th class room. I'm glad Miss cosgrove picked u because u are realy nice again your friend, Cody Howell"

"Dear Payten, Congratulations of being the tenth star student Cody Howell said his dad is coo-coo a nut case, Your freind, ERIC SMITH"

"Dear Payten, You are vary vary vary vary vary vary vary vary vary vary vary vary vary vary vary vary vary nice I love math to. I like reading to. your friend Braxton Patyk"

"Dear Payten, Congratulations on being the 10th star student I want to be a artist wene I grow up. I also like miss. cosgrove you alwast play with me. I want you to be in my class. You are the 1# friend I aver had keep it up best friend. Oh and mary christmas I hope you have fun. your friend Hemi Cantor."

"Dear Payten, Congratulations and thank you for the cup cakes. They were yummy. Have the best Christmas ever! I hope you get lotes of gifts. Your friend, Jordyn Harb PS. your BFF!"

And of course Payten's favorite note was from her sweet teacher Miss Cosgrove-- here is a bit from her writing...

".....I am so glad I have you this year! You are such a hard worker and I appreciate that you are always doing what is expected of you! You are such a great role model to our class. I love seeing you enter the room each morning with a smile on your face, ready to start your day! You are a pleasure to teach! Keep working hard....." Miss Cosgrove

Such a cute idea.....
Oh and pay pay one more little note

"Great Job my sweet girl--I am very proud of you-- you are always a star student in my heart :). Love mommy"

The Secret Recipe

Both Mindy and Rebecca asked for the Sausage Ball Recipe-- I have tried several versions-- but this one is the best to me-- (I think it is my mom's that is probably why :) )

1 lb Sausage (I like the mild, I have tried hot and I think it messes up the flavor)
4 C Mild Shredded Cheddar Cheese
3 C Bisquick

Preheat Oven 400

In medium bowl combine sausage, cheese, and dry baking mix. Mix together and shape mixture into Walnut-sized balls. Place on foil lined cookie sheet.

Bake 12-15 mins

NOTE: For sharing this recipe I choose payment in the form of Sausage balls. (if they are good when you make them-- if they are bad I don't want them-- it may taint my sausage ball image forever and that would be bad)

Ode to Sausage ball recipe maker upper.....

I would like to personally shake the hand of the person who thought of the sausage ball recipe... man they are good-- and I always look forward to making/eating them this time of year. There is nothing about the sausage ball that says "make me only at Christmas time" but for some reason I just don't think it would be right to eat them any other time of the year.

So tonight was the night --we made sausage balls, and enjoyed them as a family-- looking at the picture above, you can see not many of them made it to the left over pile...

So here's to you Mrs/Mr Sausage ball recipe maker upper, thanks for a great little recipe to give us a nice little snacky (tradition) to look forward to during the holiday seasons...

Another Family Fave

The annual Christmas Tree search-- another Family fave--- check it out

The place...

The hike...

The search..

The "perfect" tree (as Payten called it)

(Looks like Joe really liked it too ;) )

The Cut ..

The Posing ....

The warm treat (Payten's favorite part)

The (cold) Grand Finale Hay ride...(not sure if you can see it but there was definitely snow coming down)

The end..

You've got a friend in me

I love these pics and something about them makes me feel like I should be singing this song......

You 've got a friend in me

You've got a friend in me..

When the road looks rough ahead

and you're miles and miles from your nice warm bed

Just remember what your old pal said--Yeah you've got a friend in me..

A Family Fave

It's that time of the year and we've put up the Christmas Village. It is one of our favorite traditions. Last year I think Joe put it up right after Halloween, this year we waited a little longer. It is fun, and this year Payten helped put it up, she thought it was fun to help decide where the things would go. Carter just thought it was cool when we got it all lit up--- his response-- "dats cool"

We try to switch it up and add more things each year. Here are a couple of pics from the final product:

The 10 Things I learned on Black Friday

10. Walmart is really crazy at 5am, and there are way more than just shopping Moms there

9. Never volunteer to push the cart-- that's the "crap" job-- and if you do volunteer, stand up for your right to push, don't let your friend pull the front to rush through the crowds, people don't like there heels being run over--remember you'll look like the culprit because you are behind the cart

8. Always remember what your friend is wearing, if you get separated you are out of luck --oh and cell phones would have been a good idea, but they would've had to fit in pockets with all of the (or my) hidden money.

7. Not all people are mean and pushy on Black Fridays, in fact you can make friends at EVERY store

6. The Kohls line looks crazy long but moves fast, and there are interesting conversations along the way

5. It is okay to dress cute and carry your money in normal places like a pocket book, no one will "jack" you on Black Friday-- but whatever you do -- do NOT park in the back lot of a store-- that is asking for trouble

4. You can almost wet yourself, right after a potty break, when you think your friend is admitting things out loud in their stall and you think there are other people in the bathroom she is not aware of

3. You can make it to 12 stores in 8 hours even with the crowds

2. 12 stores in 8 hours can really wipe a girl (or girls) out

And the # 1 thing I learned on Black Friday

1. Miracles do not happen for everyone, just because the tag says so.

We Did it

This was a first "Big Girl" Thanksgiving for me. Mindy and I coordinated this extravagant Thanksgiving lunch, that turned out excellent. The boys helped too-- in fact B rad made the "Freaking Turkey". (He was the only one that could convince Mindy that he wouldn't mess it up :) )

I can't complain normally we go home (to Sanford) and are spoiled by Joe's Family, and my family who prepare this really great meal for us and we just sit there and visit and eat, and we missed seeing our families this year, but it felt really good to be the one preparing for my kids.

And being with the Horners is like being with family, so it worked out just perfect!!

We even told them we had a family tradition of going around to tell everyone what we are Thankful for, we really do not have that tradition, normallly the tables are too big for that, but the Horners played along -- and the kids loved it-- so maybe it will become a tradition.

And guess what? We fed 9 people for about 3.5 meals-- so we had plenty food, and a great time---Thanks Horners for sharing a "Fabulous" Thanksgiving with us.

I'll show him....

Joe keeps saying that I am embarrased to tell anyone about one of the sweetest anniversary gifts he has ever given me. He is scared that I think it is cheesy-- So I decided I would show him by telling "Everybody" at least everyone that reads this blog....

For our anniversary Joe had a star named in our honor-- so if you ever get a telescope point it towards the night sky to find star #189 602, named Ashley and Joseph Brown. For you more techy folks it can be located in the constellation Capricornus at the following address-- 27Hrs 43min. 11.323 sec and declination of 27.05.52.7.

I thought it was so sweet, and not anything I would ever expect him to think of. He said he thought of it while he was in China.-- Smart me said-- when you were looking at the stars were you wondering if I was looking at the same stars?-- then I remembered we were 12 hours apart and it was never dark at the same time-- oh well it was a good thought...

Anway I have digressed-- Thank you Joe for being such a sweet thoughtful husband-- I love you to "our" star and back.

The "Carter-nary"

Carter has created his own set of words lately here are a couple of examples--move over Websters-- these are pretty darn cute....

Lugilla -Noun
1. Large Hairy Monkey
Used in a Sentence (Carter sentence that is) -- "I have a lugilla on my shirt"

Whisper- Noun
1. The instrument that referees blow in to stop a play
Used in a Sentence (Carter sentence that is) -- "Where is the whisper that Mamamurk gave me?"

Lizard of Oz-
1. The movie featuring Dorothy, Toto, and the Wicked witch of the West
Used in a Sentence (Carter sentence that is) -- "We watched the Lizard of Oz at Mimi's house"

Ropeller- Noun
1. The thing on the front of some planes

Used in a Sentence (Carter sentence that is) -- "Hey, that plane not got a ropeller or wheels on it"

Brown Party of Two

Joe and I celebrated our 8th anniversary at the Melting Pot last night. It is not quite our anniversary but we had a perfect opportunity since the kids were slumbering with my mom (thanks again mom).

We love the Melting Pot --it is a cool place, it is our place, it is where we got engaged, and where we have celebrated many date nights before. Although you don't have to dress up, we like to get all dressed up to go, the lighting is low and romantic, and it is more than a dinner-- it is really an experience. It takes a couple of hours to get through the three courses. So perfect for our anniversary date night, because for two hours while we watched our food cook, we talked..

We talked about our past, we talked about today, and we talked about what we will do 40 years from now, all through the smoke of a Fondue pot.

I don't think we had one bit of silence the entire time (except for when we were chewing of course). Thank you Joe for a wonderful anniversary--I could not have asked for a more perfect night out...

One of my favorites

This is one of my favorite views, it is a view of my backyard from my deck, and the fall colors just make it all the more beautiful to me. I have a similar view from my kitchen window (same thing just different angle) and I find myself standing at the window sometimes just staring and thinking. Now this may not be as beautiful to everyone else but it seems to catch my eye a lot, and I think it is funny how sometimes when things are a little crazy just locking into this calm, natural scenery can help ground me and calm my thoughts.

Does that make me like at one with nature or something?? :)

Must have to do with some of those endorphin thingys---

No Joke

Some lady ran up to the cash register when I was checking out the other day and asked for a price check at the "DOLLAR" Tree

Well Lady here's your sign

Halloween 2008