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I got one of those American Girl catalogues in the mail yesterday with the fabulously adorable little girl clothes and matching doll outfits. Ruth used to love pouring over the pages until it was in tatters, and I always toyed with the idea of getting her a doll. I knew it could never replace her Lilly doll though and I would regret the colossal waste of money and inevitably become bitter.

After taking this picture today I realized Ruth has the best kind of American Girl Doll ever! The kind I wouldn't regret having when she grew out of wanting to be matchy-matchy with a toy. Right now, however, matchy-matchy is just what she wants, so I indulged her by making this little skirt for Adele after making the big one for her. Hopefully she will want to be twinzies with her little sister for quite some time, I think its adorable!

I bought this little blue bike at Savers when Ruth was about a year old. It was such a good price and in perfect shape, I couldn't pass it up. She rode it until she was almost five and then passed it down to Neil who was already pushing being to big for it.
Ruth - January 2006

Neil - February 2009
This is shortly after we took the training wheels off and he was smashing into everything he looked at...like this---> Poor Ruth.
This week my boy baby got on the micro viper and pedaled away and the only documentation I have of it is on my cell phone.
*sob* <--not sure if that emotion is for my lost camera ('depths of despair') or the fact that Liam is riding a 2 wheeler and thinking he is oh so rad. At least he still thinks he is cooler for having 4 wheels total instead of Neil's 2.
I just had a thought, maybe my lost camera is wherever my lost car keys are! I should go clean my house.
found my camera! Not to thrilled with this picture though, what was I thinking taking a picture from that angle? I just told him to get dressed so we could go take a better one and he came to me like this saying "How I look?"
What a goof! (he's not wearing anything behind that outfit!)

It's long...again.

November 5, 2009
I was grocery shopping the other day and the boys were having a great time helping me pick out some great veggies for a fabulous salad we had with dinner. I'm so blessed that my kids love veggies (except for some varieties of squash, right Ruth?) So blessed in fact that we had to say more than once for them to STOP eating their veggies (I know, WHAT?!?) and eat the chicken noodle casserole as well. Back to the grocery store, Produce is the first thing you come across as you come in the store so naturally with Liam in the basket with all the yummy 'veg' as Wallace would so aptly put it, it was too big a temptation for him and his face was bright green by the time we reached the check out. I didn't think he would eat a hole out of the head of broccoli, or trim the tops of my Green leaf lettuce like a little billy goat, do you think I will be held accountable for it on judgement day, because I didn't pay for what he ate technically... OH well. I will take my chances, I'm a loyal customer. That's Adele in the background trying her darnedest to lift herself up out of her car seat. she didn't relax back for most of the trip, she was too busy looking around at everything.

November 6, 2009
The kids had a Pizza Party Primary Program Practice tonight from 6-8. Liam was all excited thinking he was going to get to join the fun, and was indignantly devastated when he learned he was getting to spend the evening with mom and dad instead. I told him he didn't get to go to the Pizza Party, but he got to go have a steak with us and he paused for a second and said "We have a STEAK PARTY!" It was all good after that. He loves crushing the peanuts at Texas Roadhouse.

November 7, 2009
Happy Birthday Myles! We went to the Rocket Derby today; the kids really enjoyed it, Liam's only complaint was how loud it was (it so wasn't) he kept demanding ear plugs and when I finally just ignored him he crouched down between my legs on the bleachers and pressed my knees against the sides of his head. earplugs.

November 8. 2009
We had the primary program today, usually my favorite Sunday of the year, only this year was tainted. *sigh* I haven't blogged about this before, but I feel a rant coming on. The primary president in our ward has certain ideas about how children should behave in primary and when the kid doesn't measure up, (which most with any kind of personality do not) they get the wrath of the...we'll call her the Reverence Nazi. I have never had a problem from any of Ruth's teachers, school or primary, about her being a disturbance. Ever. She is my silly little Ruthie who can be a bit giggly with her friends, but I don't think she deserves the censure she has gotten from this certain person in our ward. It started out with her stopping me in the halls after church telling me that Ruth was having some reverence issues. I was NOT happy with her and she got sat down and spoken to about it because she knows better. A few weeks go by and Marcus (ward clerk at the time) got spoken to DURING sharing about Ruth being "On something" :::smiling through her teeth::: Marcus told her if Ruth was having problems to bring her to him. This was not like Ruth and she got in trouble at home again. A few weeks later the 2nd councilor in the primary presidency called me out of the blue to tell me what a wonderful little girl she is and how she has done nothing wrong and that she should not be getting in trouble for anything. I was a little taken aback, understandably. She kind of beat around the bush for a bit but finally told me that Sister Reverence Nazi has singled out a handful kids (including my two, but mostly Ruth) and she is always on them even going so far as to stop sharing time to make an example of them.
Megan <---not happy at this news. I really wanted to confront her about it, but I'm a little scared of her. She would probably reduce me to a tear stained stammering fool in no time, so I didn't do anything.
Another few weeks go by and after church I learned that Ruth was taken from Sharing time and the 2nd councilor was told to go find me to come sit with her. She ended up finding Marcus who brought her right back in and put her with her class. I called her teacher later on to find out what happened because Ruth broke down in tears when we asked her. She had no idea what she had done. Her teacher was very upset and said the only thing she can think of that Ruth had done, other than giggle with the girl next to her for a bit, was rock in her chair, bringing the back legs off the ground. She said one minute Ruth was there and the next thing she knew she was gone. Ruth finally told me she was scolded in the back of the room for being irreverent and then Daddy came in the room and told her to go sit back down. I may be being so indignant because she is my child and I know her. I am under no illusion that she is an angel, she is a world class goof ball,
BUT!






















I think she is fantastic for sitting reverently all through sacrament meeting -without toys and art supplies- so don't think its too big a deal for her to be a little giggly and wiggly in sharing time as long as she is good in class. That's just my POV though and not Sister Reverence Nazi's. Of course her kids never wiggle and giggle. They just don't have as great a personality as Ruth though. I was going to make a fuss, I even laid awake for hours one night thinking up great comebacks and nasty one liners I would never ever say. I was told, though, it might not be a good idea to stir up the hornet nest and on the down low, there would be some changes *nudge-nudge; wink-wink* after the beginning of the year because their had been more that one complaint to the bishops wife who pulled me aside to tell me what a great kid she was when she sat in for Ruth's teacher at the Pizza Party.
I do have great kids. I just wish I could have seen Neil during the primary program. His class was stuck between the organ and the piano behind the podium and they didn't even get to come forward to say their part. He was so proud that he memorized his before Ruth did. They both did fantastic, Ruth finally memorize hers at the last moment, though she still took up her "cheat sheet" as she called it for back-up. She was so funny this morning getting all gussied up with her stick on earrings she saves for special occasions. *note to self- buy more for her stocking* We put her hair in sponge curlers last night so she walked with a bit more bounce in her step this morning than usual. Neil left church with a cookie he broke into bits in order to share with his family. He told us he got 2 for being extra good. Then he said he sneaked the second, and changed his story back to he was really good. Marcus shot an email off to his teacher to find out and got this reply:

Hey Guys, I just wanted to let you know that Neil was excellent in class today. Additionally, he gave a fantastic closing prayer in class. In fact, his prayer was by far the best prayer I have heard given by anyone his age or even his age group, and perhaps one given by children significantly older than him). Just though you should know.
Thanks,
Mike


I have fabulous children

2 weeks ago I was 1/2 way through a recipe I was making for dinner and realized I was out of milk. I usually have a little package of carnation powdered milk for just this reason, but I was out....So I busted out the number 10 can of powdered milk from the cannery. I always put off opening those big cans, because then you are committed to using it up before it spoils. SOOOOOO... since I had the can open, and no milk for breakfast...I made a whole gallon. We usually go through 2 gallons a week, so its saving me some money! I knew Ruth wouldn't care, I used to give her powdered milk bottles when I would run out of fresh. (Seems I have a problem with keeping milk in stock at home.) Neil hasn't said anything; but Liam usually takes a drink and then pushes it away saying "Mom, I want the not-yucky milk." I push it back saying it isn't yucky (it isn't, its just not that great) and he will finish it. It's even better with a little chocolate syrup and some non-dairy creamer. Would you say I'm a bad mom if I told you I buy Marcus and I a 1/2 gallon of 1% when I'm at the grocery store?

This is a 4 generation picture of Me, my Ruthie, Mother and Grandma taken December of 2003; about 2 years before My Grandma died. She Was born in South Cardiff, Wales in 1926 and met and Married my American grandpa during WW2 when he was stationed in Wales. You can read more about her life here if your interested. I remember her as a feisty, always wore a scarf, cat loving, funny speaking, impatient, hilarious, knitting, chili cooking, almost always send you a dollar in the mail on your birthday (there were a few to remember) tell you like it is 'hunny' kinda Gramma. She once teasingly, but seriously told me I was a snob when I told her I didn't have a boyfriend. "You're a snob hunny, yes you are. Heehee." She always called us buggers when we were naughty and always told my Grandpa to "Hush-up Dad" if he took to long to say his piece. She loved eating out and living just around the corner from Matta's, ate there every day. "Sometimes twice!" she would tell me when I would occasionally drive her there. She always ate a cheese enchilada and got a coffee that she would hide behind her water glass if a friend came in. (as if they didn't know she drank coffee!) She loved shopping at thrift stores, the D.A.V. was her favorite because she got a discount; my Grandpa being a veteran and all. (I'm starting to notice quite a few similarities between us here as I type. Marcus always teases me for ordering the same things at restaurants) My grandma was a fabulous knitter before she had a stroke and made me a grey cable knit sweater when I was about 8. She probably used other colors, but I always remember her knitting in grey.
April of 1997 2 of my cousins (Elyssa and Cecily) and I as well as my Uncle John, went to Wales to Meet My Great Grandma Lilly. It didn't happen, she died 2 weeks before we got there. :( I did get to meet My Grandmas 3 sisters (well, half sisters)


Aunties Alma, Sonia and Connie along with dozens of cousins and family friends. Grandma told me she married my Grandpa because she was mad at her mom. She must have been VERY mad at her because she married an American ~X~ Against her mother's wishes ~XX~ and he was a Mormon ~XXX~ She only went back to Wales once after she'd had all her babies and before I 'crossed the pond' so to speak, she told me I had to eat some of the fish 'n chips, and go to Harrods when we were in London. (It's where the Queen shops) Honestly I can’t imagine why that was what she was the most excited about for us. Harrods was ridiculously overpriced and, while the fish 'n chip were Divine, they didn't even begin to compare with...everything else.
When I think about when our country was founded it seems like that was so long ago; but if you think about it, 1776 to 2009 is really just a little blib in histories timeline. Some of the things we saw were breathtaking. Just the old trees and stone walls criss-crossing the countryside that have been there...forever were incredible. The castles we toured and the old pubs we ate at were so foreign in their antiquity, if old castle walls could tell tales…well lets just say I would be interested in listening. You could almost breathe in the history looking out across the ancient graveyards. (Where we even found some old ancestors.)
One day, in Swansea, we stopped in a little town that was having a book fair, the books were like ones you see in a movie, they all seemed ancient and wonderful, but the town also had little antique stores we did some browsing in. The rummage sales and antique stores, were where I got my most favorite trinkets, especially at this particular shop. I found some goatskin mittens that are the most delicious things ever (Sadly, I lost one on the beach that night) and a beautiful baby gown with hand smocking and embroidery. I fell in love with it and bought it with the hopes of one day having a daughter blessed in it. ~ Fast forward 6 Years I returned home, finished school, married my dream boat, and had a little baby girl, but when the time came for her to be blessed, I chose a different gown for her to wear
:
Beautiful baby, beautiful dress; the same dress in fact that her mom wore on her blessing day:
And the little Welsh dress went uncleaned, unworn but still much loved...even over the NEXT 6 years.
When we found out for sure we were having another little girl, I pulled my little baby gown out...well actually it was being worn by a doll for all this time, inside a pillowcase, up on the top shelf of Ruth's closet. But I got it out and had it dry cleaned (after researching a reputable place) and have been so excited for the day I would put it on my sweet baby. I ended up having to make a slip for her to wear with it, (used a pillowcase, it worked beautifully) and searched around for just the right accessories. Then we just had to decide on a date. We were out of town in September, October... <---I don't remember why that month didn't work, but it didn't. We toyed with the idea of waiting until December when Marcus Brother would be in town (but everyone teased that she would be old enough to walk up there herself if we waited till the end of December!) MY brother has, for one reason or another, always missed all 3 of my other kids' baby blessing (sometimes by a few minutes) and we have missed all 3 of his kids. So when he told us he would be in town for Halloween we jumped on the opportunity to kill 2 birds with one stone so to speak and My sweet baby was blessed on Sunday in her beautiful welsh blessing gown and her Grandma Evans crochet her a baby blanket that, as it so happens, is grey.
She was officially named Paula Adele Evans and amongst other things, was blessed to keep her wonderful cheery personality
.This is everyone who came special to see Adele on her blessing day.
My mom. I miss my Grandma when I look at this one.
Marcus' parents.
Everyone that participated in the blessing.
Marcus' dad is king of the candid shot, I had to crop this one a bit, but it turned out being my favoite. Adele is showing off that wonderful 'cheerful' personality with her Auntie Aubrey. Thank-you everyone who came and helped us make this day special!
Ps I told you that dress was a 'whole-nuther' story!

Happy Halloween!
While Halloween isn't my favorite Holiday, I love it for the wonderful excuse to be creative. Ruth, again designed her costume, she drew me this picture of what kind of witch she wanted to be (their are SO many different 'kinds' of witches to choose from: I think I came pretty close, I just didn't have time to attach the lights (that's what the orange polka dots are.)Her costume was the most expensive I made it from a t-shirt I sewed some fabric of her choice to. I also picked up all the accessories for her (Aunt Hillarie loaned her the necklace)so her costume cost about $13.00

For my Star Wars junkie Neil, I found a fantastic video tutorial on YouTube about how to transform yourself into a Jedi (or any other star wars character...honestly I think the guy was a little obsessed he has MANY Star wars video tutorials.) We ended up having everything for his costume already except for the felt pieces and some boots. I already had some brown fabric that I hashed into a robe and My mom found some shoe covers I modified into boots for him that worked fantastic. Total cost for his costume... $3.50.
Liam was a bit undecided on what he was going to be for Halloween, I was pressuring him into being Dobby, I would LOVE to make one of my skinny boys into a house elf, they would be perfect (and perfectly hilarious) dressed in a pillowcase but I have been unsuccessful thus far in my attempts at persuasion. Neil was pressuring him into being Darth Vader, and Ruth wanted him to be Yoda. He didn't care what they wanted, and when he stumbled upon this picture in a costume magazine: I seriously contemplated purchased my first ever store bought costume. When I tried it on him in the store, the thing collapsed flat and in no way looked like a car, so I bought it. But only for a pattern to make my own. I traced around it on some cardboard I found in someones bulk pick-up trash pile and then tape the bits together with red duct tape. Not to hard right? I ended up covering the entire thing in the red tape out of laziness and as a way to hopefully reinforce the cardboard. Then I bought White duct tape and some tubes of paint and over a few weeks slowly painted on the details.
He would get so excited when I got it down from the piano to paint. "zanks mom for my Lightning McQueens EYES!" "Zank-you mom for my Lightning McQueen's Lightning BOLT!" "Zanks for my Lightning McQueen's Mouth where he says: KACHOW!" He would then get upset when I wouldn't let him play in it afterwards. Megan <--mean mom. Price for entire costume $11.50

The inspiration for Adele's chubby bunny costume came from a picture I saw 2 years ago online where a lady covered her baby carrier with white felt to look like a cracked egg and made her baby a little yellow chick. SO CUTE. I was going to do that, but I liked the bunny idea better. I already had the ears and all I ended up getting was the fluff (a child size shawl, or shrug...whatever they are called) It worked perfect because it was already sewn to wrap around your shoulders, all I did was cut very large button holes for her arms to pop through the back and she was ready. Total cost $5.00. So on the whole, I spent more time in labor, but felt it was worth making 4 costumes for about the price of buying ONE!
We went Trick-or-Treating with My Mom, Hillarie and Travis and his family around our Neighborhood. Travis and Marcus hung back for a bit to pass out candy and then caught up with us a little later on. They couldn't find us at first and so they were just walking down the street together, Marcus said they felt like people were looking at them like they were child predators or something. (I'm sure they weren't)(looking at them like that I mean) After collecting a fine booty of candy, we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Evans' house where we again went trick-or-treating and then had some yummy soup in bread bowls. Halloween is fun, I'm excited to think up what I will make Adele next year, Maybe I will incorporate a stroller into her costume! Hmmmm...

It seems amazing to me, with how much I love fall and Thanksgiving, that today I bought my very first decorative pumpkin. (Well, one without a cheesy light or grin...) I am now officially collecting beautiful pumpkins. I have been looking for years for a turkey, I got two free today when I bought my pumpkin. ;)
Speaking of Turkeys I took mine to the pumpkin patch yesterday!




Good times were had by all; and I learned that pumpkins have bums, warts, and sometimes lopsided heads. Thanks for the lesson on pumpkin anatomy Ruth and Neil.

I have been a total blog slacker these past few weeks. With all the sewing, painting, cooking and shopping I have been doing life has been insaine. Poor Liam actually said "OHHHHHH...Not JoAnne's!" When he saw where I was pulling into the other day. (when you get those 50% off coupons, I feel like I HAVE to use it, even if its only for thread or extra machine needles.) I was trying to gather stuff up for Mutual (we made fall wreaths) and Getting more stuff for Halloween costumes, so I understood his pain at having to go for the 5th time in 2 weeks. He is also suffering because of his Lightning McQueen costume. I wont let him touch it yet, and its sitting ever so temptingly on the top of the piano grinning down cheekily at him with his freshly painted smile. Ruth Saw his pain and decided to make him a tow mater costume to play in until after Halloween when he could have his Lightning McQueen anytime he wanted.What a crack-up. It even came with a winch! (complete with felt hook) Liam is more obsessed than ever over Lightning McQueen. I found some fabric with him on it in JoAnne's remnant bin and made him up some shorts that he didnt take off for 2 and a half days. He finally had an accident and had to change. It was actually pretty funny. He was watching his pop corn pop at my moms house standing up on a chair and all of a sudden he said "IHAVETOGOBAFROOM! .... AHHHhhhhHHHH." That last bit was said in a "im so disgusted with myself" sort of way, complete with furrowed eyebrows and scrunched up nose. but before he peed his pants he left the house with Lightning McQueen on his shirt, shorts, socks, and in both hands. (book form and matchbox style) *subject change* (he wasnt very happy today when he got a Chick Hicks toothbrush from Sheila at the Dentist office, but Neil went first and got the Lightning one) He was just at the perfect height to look right in my mouth while she cleaned my teeth. The lady cleaning my teeth was very nice to let him stand there when Im sure with him only 2 or 3 inches from my face, he was a bit in the way... She told me he would probably be following in his Uncle Travis footsteps and become a Dentist with the depth of his fascination. When it was his turn he laid there and let her clean his teeth and then let Dr. Driggs examine them without once acknowledging either one of them or the questions they kept shooting him. If you know Liam, you know what I mean, he is good at ignoring.
So im very nearly finished with Halloween costumes, I have Mutual behind me now, and I have a fresh batch of cookies to keep me plump while i move on to Christmas stuff. Oh Speaking of Halloween Costumes. Neil found this Army Airborn Jumpsuit:
I bought it after Halloween last year in the Halloween box and he has had it on since Monday except to sleep (though he tried to crawl into bed wearing it Monday night) and the 2 hours he was at school on Tuesday. He for some reason took it off before we left and then put it right back on when he got home. On Monday when we were at (JoAnne's) he had to go to the bathroom but he had to come back out because he couldn't navigate his way out of the jumpsuit solo. (it zips from the neck to the waist) (P.S. that's my baby in the ladybug outfit. Neil thought it was hilarious and persuaded me to put it on her.)

This is Ruth's latest masterpiece. It's a picture of her changing Adele's diaper and me being surprised. You have to click on it to appreciate it, she wrote "I helped my mom about my baby sisters diaper. Oh yes."

I love the letters on the wall above Ruth's head, it's this: it's on the wall in the nursery. Her attention to detail amazes me. Neil is always saying "N-E-I-L...Neil" so Liam trying to be just like him has started saying "N-E-I-L...Liam" which cracks me up, but even better was after looking at this picture and learning it said "Angel" he said: "N-E-I-L...angel!" My children are so smart.
Can you tell its 12:30am? This post is so long and running off on tangents, its hart to imagine 1/2 of what made those prodogies I was just rambling on about came from me :)

One of these days, I keep telling myself, I will read every book he brings me, just so I can see how long he would have me read to him. Something always happens, either I'm forced to stop or I give up. One of these days though...Such a silly boy, he actually fell asleep like this on the couch while we were watching a movie. It's a battle every day, but he really does need a nap still. :) If I get him in bed on time at 1:30 he usually sleeps until I go get Ruth from school at 3:45 and before when I had someone getting Ruth for me, he would go until 5 or later! He is so sweet when he wakes up from a good nap.