Cooking School

Yesterday was Bens first day of cooking school and he had a wonderful time! He has been wanting to do this for a long time and we were finally able to make it happen. I was able to talk to the owner of little chef academy while he was in class and she is a retired school teacher who loves her job! She doesn't necessarily need the income so she is able to really give back to the community and keep prices low. While he was there he made homemade pigs in a blanket and candy apples with red hits mixed in. So yummy!! I think I even learned a few things just listening. Ben had a great time and is looking forward to doing it again.

LASM

We had the best time at the LASM downtown. We went a little later in the day so we pretty much had the entire place to ourselves. We made crafts and saw a movie in the planetarium called wild ocean. Then we went back and built tons of things out of blocks. It was great and made me so happy to see the boys enjoying it.

Mrs Heathers Pumpkin Patch

This year was our first year visiting Mrs Heathers Pumpkin Patch and we had a great time! I had no idea it was so big!!! Our favorite part was the huge inflatable in ground balloon you can jump on. Jackson was smiling ear to ear the entire time. We also tried the little zip line and I made the boys pose for many pictures. They were good sports about it. We will surely go back next year.

Long time coming

So the last time I wrote here was 2010. Whew! Does time fly!!!! I can't even begin to catch up from there so I am just going to start anew. Lets start with today for that matter. I woke up joyously late. Yep and I did it on purpose b/c this is the only day this week that I will be able to and I wanted to take full advantage. The kiddos on the other hand are early risers just for the simple fact that they know that if they get up before mom they can squeeze in some game time before chores and school begins. They are smart those two. Anywho, got up, and got cracking on chores and school. There was lots of groans and eye rolling from the kids but tis the life of being a homeschooler. I just laugh and threaten to take away game privileges and they usually perk right up and get things done. Yes, I am one of those mommas. I will bribe if it is necessary. I have no shame. So once said chores and school were done the kiddos were back to games and I was decided it was time to highlight and low light my hair. Its funny, I love doing hair and can pretty much do it all myself. Most people would say, oh, you should have been a hairdresser. Nope, not for me. I like doing hair every once in awhile. I just get an itch. So today I did low lights in dark ash blonde and frosted highlights. The lesson learned from this is next time I will just get dark blonde. The ash tends to stick really good to super light hair leaving your hair a little grey looking. Luckily I have dealt with this before, yes I forgot, and after a few washes will wash right out. Other than that I love it and is just the look for fall I was going for. Yay!  Later in the afternoon we decided to go to the park and take a little walk. It was such a beautiful day!!! My kids complained the entire time, what they don't realize is that makes me want them to do it more. I want my kids to have plenty of exercise and yes, they move and jump like crazy playing video games but I believe in getting some good fresh air now and again. They'll get used to it. After that we headed to Walmart to get some hot dogs and marshmallows. We had decided to have a fire in our chimanea. It was so much fun!!!! I wish I had taken pictures. I am so used to my husband taking the pictures I sometimes forget. Sigh. The boys really enjoyed cooking their hot dogs and making smores. I just love the smell of a good fire burning and the crackling sound it makes. On top of that the stars in the sky were so bright!!! Perks of living outside the city. As Jesse and I both sat there watching our two goofy boys giggle about their smores we couldn't help but think about how blessed we are. We have a great family, great friends, and the gospel. Can't ask for much more!

Cherie'

Christmas Day

Christmas has finally come and gone at the Mallory house, now if we could just get the crud to leave that would be really great! I feel like we have been sick for weeks, just when you start to get better someone gives it back to you, it is the gift that truly keeps giving, that you want to throw away. Anywho, Christmas morning was a ton of fun. Ben was up at 7:30. I went into Jacksons room and he was still asleep, so I knelt down beside him and whispered, "Jackson, you ready to open presents?" With eyes closed he whispered back, "yes," and rolled out of bed and stumbled into the living room where we made them take a picture in front of the Christmas tree.

Once presents were opened we played around for a few hours and then headed to Jesse's parents house to open presents. We had a blast.

Merry Christmas

Hi there! Hope everyone is having a great time getting ready for Christmas. I know we are. Last night I was finally well enough to get out to the store to purchase the last of the boys Christmas presents. I was very fortunate to run into no traffic, get a great parking spot and be in and out of two stores in minutes with exactly what I went in for. Sometimes it is the little things that Heavenly Father blesses us with that makes all of the difference.

For the past few weeks Jesse has been working a turnaround and that means 10 hour days 7 days a week. So pretty much it has been me and the boys and our illnesses. Jackson has been battling a cough for weeks and was just getting over it when Ben got sick Sunday morning. The very next day I got an ear infection, which by the way I do not like one bit. It made me sick to my stomach and that is not something I handle very well. Makes me think of how Jesse must have felt with all of his jaw and ear problems when we were dating. Anywho, so Christmas is here in a few days and I am so excited Jesse is going to be home tomorrow and the next. We are going to give a shot at making popcorn balls and chocolate covered pretzels and might even get brave enough to try fudge. Just looking forward to spending time with the people I adore and seeing the look on my kids faces when they wake up Christmas morning and open presents. In all the excitement we will try to remember to take pictures as I hope all of you will.

Merry Christmas xoxo Cherie'

Houston

Recently we went and visited family in Houston and stayed in this amazing Hotel called Hotel Zsa Zsa. I truly think it is one of the most fantastic hotels in Houston. My Aunt knew the Hotel Marketing Director and was able to get us a $450 Suite for $99 a night. The first thing the kids did when they walked in the room was eat the chocolates that were on the dining room table and no they did not save any for us. The bathroom there was extremely kid friendly. I say this b/c the shower is directly outside of the tub, so the kids could splash all they wanted too. Luckily I brought their bath toys so they really enjoyed this. My only complaint and the same time LOVED It was that you had to valet. Tips everyone! Lots of tips! But oh how nice to have your vehicle waiting for you when you get downstairs and people to help you and your kids into the cars. Their concierge service was also very useful and they spoiled the kids with ring pops. Here are some pictures of the room and our view.

Do any of you remember my blue Saturn? Well I gave it to my mom......I am just happy I get to visit it once or twice a year. It was my very first car and was a gift given to be by my Uncle Jim for graduation.

On the way to Houston we stopped at the rest stop and let the kids walk around. They found this turtle statue and can you believe it, got them both to pose? They are the cutest!

One of the places we visited in Houston was the Childrens Museum. Someone should have warned me. It was the craziest place I have ever been in my life. There were kids everywhere and it was a huge mistake to even think about bringing the smallest of strollers in there. The kids absolutly loved it. Inside there is a Kid Town that is run by kids. They can work there, be the customer, vote, shop.....EVERYTHING. And it was insane. Jesse and I have never been so tired in our lives!!!! Next time we go we are going prepared to spend the ENTIRE DAY!
My favorite part of the entire trip and the one thing we did not get pictures of was our time spent babysitting my cousins John & Abby's new baby girl Lily. She was so cute and tiny, and I must say I got a touch of the baby fever just holding her. Yes, the baby fever is gone now but I think in a few years just might return. We shall see. =)