My Little Wolf!

He worked hard and earned his Wolf Badge at the last pack meeting. 

Singing their song for the 100th Birthday of Scouting

Kate trying to get his M and M's 

Nathan and Addison- yes, the four youngest are in their pjs at pack mtg. They all were showered ahead of time.  When we got home, they washed up and went right to bed.  I am a fan of pjs to late school night activities!

Crazy girl (Emma) and her friend, Morgan

Awesome cupcakes I made:) They told us it was a competition and then didn't do it!  Man, what a way to get me to be all creative and then not get anything!  That's OK, it's all about having fun, right?  Maybe...

It's Here/Enchilada Surprise

It's the night before the Bar, and Ben went to bed at 9.  I am still up and not sleepy at all, although I should be!  I know he'll do good, so I will distract myself with a blog post about my two sets of enchiladas on Sunday. Who doesn't like cooking for 4 1/2 hours, right?

Here is where it started...

I only took this picture to prove that I was going to eat onions.  This was the beginning step to Chicken Mole Enchiladas from the Food Network.  Never watch the Food Network at the gym because you will think everything looks delicious.  That's what I thought about these.  For the record, the onions get pureed so you don't actually realize you are eating them.  I don't eat onions, and this was going to be a first time for me.  I mean, it looked good on Food Network, right?

This is where they ended up when all made nicely in the pan...

The enchiladas, the recipe and the peanut butter...yes, peanut butter! (and Mexican chocolate)

That was the secret ingredient that I thought looked so neat and was so odd it had to be good!  I made the sauce, which was pretty involved and specific.  Then I had Ben taste it because I was scared to.  When I got the "it's fine" response, I made our friend taste it.  "Ummm..." He was confused as to what the odd taste was until I told him it was peanut butter.  So, after assembling them and having Ben give the final product a taste, this is where they ended up.

I promised him Enchiladas for the week of the Bar, so I made a trip to the Morgan's grocery store, otherwise known as the neighbor's around the corner and got her recipe for enchiladas and some extra ingredients.  Those turned out much, much, much better.  And they didn't taste like peanut butter.  I think I have to question the Food Network host's taste.  She was Hispanic and said this was so traditional, so maybe I just don't have the right taste buds. 

So no onion eating for me.  I lived another day of my life not eating one, and might keep it that way for a very long time.  Especially when your house smelled like sauteed onions, garlic and peanut butter for two days...

Doesn't your dad do this?

Benefits to having a lawyer husband...

Your children have to sign contracts for obedience.

Teeth, pigtails and nearing the end

What, it looks like there are no teeth missing?  Well, that is because until Friday she had four all in the same spot!  Her baby teeth would NOT fall out and her adult teeth were growing behind.  So, the kindly dentist have her a little pink elephant nose hooked to nitrous oxide, numbed her gum and pulled those suckers out.  She was so good the entire time.  

Here you can see the "holes" and how the adult teeth are so far back.

I am obsessed with pigtails.  Kate has enough hair in the back to do two

and Addison enough in the front

(slightly older pic, I have perfected these but need a new picture)

And today was Ben's last official study day!  I really don't know if I can wrap my brain around him being home every night.  I'm sure it will be great, but will someone pinch me?!  I think I fell asleep and it was eight years later and we were done with school.  So maybe I wasn't asleep, just busy, but it sure went fast. 

Happy Ten Years! :)

Engaged, shopping in San Fran (Did you know I was engaged to Tim McGraw?!)

Happy Anniversary to Me (and Ben, Benji)!

Ten years, five kids, two best friends

Daddy!

Our Daddy is:

nice

amazing

friendly

cool

sweet

awesome

fun to play with

nice to have around

almost done with his test

tells us stories

33 years old

likes video games

helps us with video games

studies alot

takes care of us

he loves us

a lawyer

used to be a cop

really strong

i love his hair shaved

has a laptop

he has lots of books

he has a shelf of books

he drinks a lot of water

he goes to the gym a lot

Love, Bailey and Emma

Please Walk!

Due to a recent pink eye detection trip to the doctor's office, I now know that Addison weighs 21 pounds, and Kate 23.  Together, that would be 44 pounds of baby I carry.  Who carries a 44 pound baby?!  They have both now taken a few steps independent of help, but I am anxious for them to start really getting around on their own.  There should be free massage visits for a twin mom as part of a public service. Maybe some massage therapist out there who got in trouble with the law and doesn't want to pick up trash on the side of the highway.  I think it's a great program idea....

No pictures, since pink eye isn't cute. 

Traditions of our Fathers

Kate learned how to "say her prayers." However, as soon as we got the camera out she wouldn't do it.  Before that it was on demand as soon as someone would tell her "say your prayers." 

Here is a picture of what it looked like while she babbled, then raised her hands up and clapped when she was done since she was so proud of herself.

Saying our family prayers together could be considered a tradition.  In our nightly reading of Enos, we are supposed to be focusing today on what are the "traditions of our fathers," or things passed down.  

The kids came up with: watching Polar Express every Christmas Eve, Pizza on Halloween and chocolate milk on Thanksgiving.  

As a family, we talked about how our beliefs are passed down now just like in the scriptures a long time ago.  

A Month With Enos

This month, our Bishop is having us all read the Book of Enos each day for a month and then focus on an individual verses each today.  Today, we were asked to record in our journals what we want future readers of our journals to know about us.  Since this is our journal, here we go:

I like to jump rope. I am a big fan of Hannah Montana. I like to play with my friend Gabby. 

I like Yugio. I have lots of cards of Yugio.  I really want Legos. I like Wii games. I have two friends. I have a big backyard. I have a trampoline. We have a big t.v. and a medium house. 

I love my family. My favorite time is when we are all just hanging around the house together with nothing in particular to do. I know that good things always outweigh any things that might seem bad at the time. Following the commandments is always the best path to be on.

We are also asked to share a Book of Mormon with someone we know today.  Since we didn't go get one earlier as we read at night, what better way to share than in cyberspace!  

http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/

Dear Heather, Ashleigh and Jess...

I cannot comment on your blogs because either a. my computer is ridiculous or 2. I am just not getting it.... So I thought perhaps if you were to stop by my blog I could leave you some little notes in this post.  I also really want to take a break from studying about the tipping habits in Cuba for my class (really?! who cares, right?)
Apologies now to everyone else since this is not for you...

Heather-
I will have to make some of those cookies even if I shouldn't. 
Talmage is getting so big and even cuter than before.  I'm sure by the time he gets back from "abroad" Kate and Addy will be fighting over him.
I'm sorry he screams so much- I too have had my share of screamers and yup, so fun in public!  One day the screaming stops...Although I'm still waiting for that:)

Ashleigh-
I love Kai's room!  I think someday I might copy that for one of my kids (whether they like it or not!)
First graders are usually more honest than you would like.  But, you a wide load?! That's hilarious.  I'd have been scared to be around that kid when I was preggo.  Maybe you should threaten to sit on him:)

Jess-
I seriously still can't believe that you are teaching (even if it is student teaching). Will you make sure you live around here in five years and I will send Bailey to the high school you teach at:)
And who are you expecting a Valentine package from? Is it coming a long way from Hawaii? :) 

7 Things, Day 7 (sort of)

So yesterday was supposed to be the last day of my 7 things, and I forgot to post it! 

1. Addison is lovable.
2. Kate is adorable.
3. Nathan is excitable.
4. Emma is teachable.
5. Bailey is adaptable.
6. I am capable.
7. Ben is bankable. :)

The end...

7 Things, Day 6

1. Addison has cute piggy tails today.
2. Kate really wants to walk. I can see it in her eyes!
3. Nathan got super super crazily upset with the twins and didn't bite:) (A few days ago I thought we were going to have an issue!)
4. Emma earned a pair of shoes back today.
5. Bailey is just plain funny.
6. I can survive my long to do list.
7. Ben is a really great dad.

Playing in the living room never was so exciting!

Kate says, "I know you are jealous of my crazy pony tail"

So angelic, he's glowing...

Serious chub.

See, cute piggy tail, right?  :)

(Poor Kate doesn't have enough for two)

To Post or not To Post

 Going through some old emails trying to find something, and I found an email from my high school best friend, Jeanette.  She had saved all these letters from high school and thought I might particularly enjoy this one.  OK, so reading it made me laugh so hard, and made Ben laugh even harder (especially the last line).  I think I hid this in my email box so no one could ever read it.  But, this is for the blog book, as most things are and here it is. (I tried to upload the actual copy of it but it didn't work.  Just picture a typed letter with animal stationary around the outside-who knows why?!)

Drum roll, please...........................

Dear Jeanette-
I'll bet you are very surprised to get
this from me, huh? well, I was just looking
through some old notes of ours and I found a
couple of these things from you so I thought
I would try to catch up.
Actually the main reason I wanted to write
this is because I feel that we aren't as close
as we used to be. I guess that is because of
the summer, but it started to happen at the end
of last year too. We cannot stop being best
friends and I feel that is happening. It is not
because of any fight or annoyance, but because
of some weird reason I cannot put my finger on.
I am saying this through the computer because:
#1. You know how I hate mushy in-person
stuff.
#2. You can save this and look at it
when we have fights next year.
#3. You are a computer geek and I'm
trying to speak your language. (j/kl)
I'm putting in here some basic things to help us
get through next year. Remember Great America
and all those adventures we've had(look in your
yearbook for details). Remember that we are going
to have many more adventures because this year
we can drive. Also, I am sorry - for past and future
stuff. That counts for the future too because I
always forget to say it when it really matters.
I've never gone to any trouble to remain friends
with anyone in my life. I'm going to put a lot
of work into you, so you better be worth it. I've
always valued your opinion - not tried to copy it
like Ranger Jack, but cared about your opinion of me.
so, save this and read it whenever you're getting
frustrated at me, because these are my real feelings
and they don't come through too often. Or it could
have something to do with my period, and I'm just
really emotional right now. (J/K)
And just in case I die or something- it's something
you can remember me by.
 Kaci

Jeanette and I at our 10 year reunion.  I guess she still likes me despite that crazy letter because I am invited when she marries the boy next to her:)

7 Things, Day 5

It is hard to see, but this is Addison's first "ponytail" or horn, whatever you call it.  They both got lots of complements on the new do.

1. Addison is chunking out a bit and had a great appetite today.
2. Kate tried to comfort Addison today by sticking her fingers in Addy's mouth and it worked.
3. Nathan did not bite anyone today!
4. Emma takes good care of her sisters.
5. Bailey chose to read his scriptures for his reading time even after we read them as a family.
6. I smiled today.
7. Ben always rubs my back, even when he probably doesn't want to.

7 Things, Day 4

1. Addison made a grouchy woman at Church smile.
2. Kate gladly shares with her sister.
3. Nathan loves Sundays.
4. Emma changed a diaper (almost!) all by herself and loved it.
5. Bailey wants to make the best decisions he can.
6. My feet did not hurt once at Church today.
7. Ben made a great pudding dessert.

Sorry, Nathan

I forgot you on the list!  Not because you didn't do anything positive, but because mommy was TI-RED!

You should have been #3. Nathan shared very well today with a little boy in the toy store without even being asked to.

Thanks, Uncle Curtis!

7 Things, Day 3

I've decided I'll do this for seven days, just to follow the pattern:)

1. Addison took an extra super long nap today that she really needed.
2. Kate has an amazing appetite.
3. Emma loves to cuddle with me, hold my hand, or just sit next to me.
4. Bailey thought it was cooler to be at the Primary Activity for Church than a birthday party.
5. I just wrote a pretty awesome paper on Racial Profiling:)
6. Ben ran to Walgreens instead of driving and ran raster and longer than his last run.

7 things, Day 2

The great things about today:
1. Addison walked holding my hands.
2. Kate was super content playing alone or with Addison today.
3. Nathan is able to express himself more with words.
4. Emma made me laugh so hard I cried when she described how she loves to pass gas because it makes bubbles.
5. Bailey got super boy muddy playing football and didn't get upset when his team lost.
6. I successfully got up at 6 a.m and was ready before my children were up.
7. Ben is studying hard on a Friday night when he would rather be here with us so I can stay home with the kids and we can have a comfortable life.

7 Things, Day 1

Dear Bailey, Emma, Nathan, Kate and Addison, A.K.A. BENKA(CI):
Mommy has decided that some of her posts are a bit too negative in describing the everyday life here in the Oram House.  So, for the next little while, I will post 7 things each day that are a positive directly related to the 5 of you, and one for Daddy and I. 

1. Addison gave me an amazing baby hug
2. Kate brightened my day with her smile.
3. Nathan made me laugh even when I didn't want to.
4. Emma gave an extremely thoughtful prayer before bedtime.
5. Bailey cooked a great BBQ.
6. I got a good grade on my first writing assignment.
7. Ben is a good listener.

Week 5, Man Alive...

This was me in happier times...

Ok, so it was only taken Sunday.  But, man oh man is this week a nutty one or what.  And it isn't even over, but I am a little scared to see what the rest of this week holds. 

So as not to be too extremely negative, only one story of the insanity this week will be on here.  And it happens to be about....

Hmmm...Emma, you say?

Emma and her friend, Gabby were playing on the trampoline this afternoon.  I noticed after dinner (which Emma did not eat because she did not like grilled cheese today) that there were papers and shoes outside on the trampoline.  It was still light out so I told Emma to go clean it up.  She of course said, oh yes, mom right away!  Um, that would be in Bizarro world for this week.  Instead, I heard that it was too cold or she didn't want to or just yeah, no.  Well, I put her outside and locked the slider.  Yup, locked it and told her she could come in when she picked everything up.  So, of course, the entire neighborhood can hear her screaming "No, Mommy, Don't lock me outside, it's freezing!" As I type this I am waiting for CPS to pound on my door she was so loud.  Well, after about 15 minutes, she picked most of it up and one of the pairs of shoes.  I looked outside at the few things left and decided it was good enough for now and let her in.  Emma then made the choice to inform me, with a little hand on the hip and a snide voice, that she hadn't picked up the other pair of shoes out there or the last piece of paper.  Oh, Emma, that was a mistake.  I was going to let you slide.  So out she went again. Lock. Bye.

She got so mad she threw the papers she had picked up all over the yard.  After another 5-10 minutes, I went out and told her that since she was not going to pick everything up, she could come in and go to bed. She told me that she didn't care about the shoes left outside.  (All of her shoes are now in the top of my closet except her old pair of tennis shoes she hates to wear.  I guess if you don't care about shoes...yeah, she's not happy right now). I put her through the shower, got her dressed for bed and she has been there ever since.  

To Emma: When you read this at an older age, I am letting you know that the documentation of this story is not because I don't love you or want to portray you as a crazy six year old.  It is so you can laugh when you are a normal, well adjusted, shoe addict of a beautiful young woman who will punch a boy in the face if he tries to kiss her. 

Happy news for this week: We are over the halfway mark to getting Ben back-yay!  And Emma is getting to be an excellent little reader.   I have not poked myself in the eye with a pencil yet-yay me!