Christmas Sunday

As a girl, I remember getting new dresses for some of the special holidays. Now that we have a girl, I decided a new dress was appropriate. And since Hudson doesn't wear dresses, he got a new suit.

Gingerbread Knock-Offs

You can search our home, but you won't find any gingerbread houses. Instead, we used the ever-faithful, never crumbling graham cracker to construct our holiday abodes. It was a bunch of family fun. After constructing a house for Hudson, he took control placing candy at his discretion and helping me squeeze frosting all over for snow. I'm pretty sure that he ate more than he put on his house.

Here they are- in no particular order:

Hillman Forage Work Party

We survived hosting an appreciation/ Christmas party for our employees. It was at our home and I (okay, so really Nik saved the day by helping me) cooked a prime rib dinner. We hadn't ever attempted prime rib, but it turned out pretty well. We served it up with twice baked potatoes, steamed veggies, a spinach/cashew/bleu cheese salad, and Sherelle's eggnog cheesecake.
We debuted the 2007 Harvest Video- which Brent spent so much time on creating. Like ridicuously long hours, late into several nights kind of time. We sent everyone home with their own copy.
It's nice to have it over with. I kind of stressed. Today we're justing kicking back and enjoying the remainder of the holiday season.

"I Won't Go Until I Get Some!"

If Dalanie could sing, she'd be demanding "Now bring me that rice-y pudding! Now bring me that rice-y pudding and bring it right here! I won't go until I get some. . ." After a few days of her needing to eat ever hour and a half, I decided it was time to introduce her to some cereal. She loves this stuff. She will grab my hand and pull the into her mouth. Look at those cheeks, doesn't she look like she's starving?

Best Friend

I've never had to go far to find my best friend. She's been around for as long as I can remember. There have been times that I didn't realize the blessing of having a best friend in the same house as me. But now that I've grown up, I treasure all the time we've spent together.

Nikkala makes a great friend because:
She is always so willing to help- whether it's church, friends, or family.
We have the same shopping sense- clearance racks.
She could pick out my meal at a restaurant.
She is always learning and keeping me up-to-date on the latest.
She was a 2nd mom to Hudson when I drove truck in corn harvest and is a great aunt.
She puts a lot of effort into all of her relationships.
She is the most thoughtful gift giver I know.

Nik is an awesome sister and friend. Happy Birthday!

Unimog

Uni what? Unimog. The ultimate in off road, suspension, and versatility. My husband has had an obsession with these crazy looking vehicles for several years now. Recently his obsession turned possession. This is now OUR unimog.

Go ahead, start looking around online to find more about them. Chances are, you'll be intrigued as well.

All Aboard

Ever since I read Hudson the Polar Express at the beginning of this month, he has wanted to go on a train ride. And because Brent and I celebrated our 5th anniversary last week, we decided a little getaway was in order. Nothing fancy since a nursing mother can't get far from her sucking child. We loaded up the kids and left town. Our getaway revolved around this train ride. We left Thursday and headed for Midway, Ut. It was a beautiful drive into an enchanting winter wonderland. We stayed at Zermatt.

Since all of the Polar Express rides were sold out, we went on a ride during the day. Hudson wasn't the only one who enjoyed the ride. Sissy had a good nap as we swayed back and forth to the clickety clack of the passing rail. Santa even joined us for part of the ride.After the train ride, we went and browsed Robert Duncan's studio.

We wrapped our trip up by getting together with my family for a little Christmas party and sleepover at Town Suites in Layton. Saturday brought some shopping and deal discovering.

By the end of the trip, Dalanie didn't want anything to do with her carseat. Which meant I spent most of the ride home facing backward, trying to console her to no avail.

Can you say frazzled?

It was a relief to get home. Traveling with kids can sure be a lot of work.

My Own Pioneer Woman Post

For all of you p-dub blog readers out there, I decided to let you in on the cattle working we did today.

We had to sort all of the cows and heifers out from the herd. Then it was time to run them through the chute for their yearly exam -- preg-testing. (Let me just tell you how glad I am that my OBGYN doesn't have that long of a glove.) Next we gave them a few vaccines and treated them for parasites. I was primarily responsible for keeping the cows lined up and moving through the chute.
All in all, the snow added to the romance of the wild west.

Long may she live.

Handy Hudson for Hire

As Hudson's playground has been moved inside for the winter, he's started tinkering. I love everything about tinkering and can't wait to grow old and buy myself a cement mixer to do a little tinkering of my own- but that's a post all in itself. His tool box has become permanently fixed to his arm. He carries it around until he sees something he thinks needs a little work. Christmas trees, sissy's exersaucer, chairs, and toys to name a few. It's comical to watch him pull out a crescent wrench or hammer for the appropriate task. Either he has learned some of this by watching people or he has a natural gift for it.

He's gotten to be quite confident with his "fixing"/problem solving skills. So much that when Dalanie cries he tries offering her a treat or tractor- because that seems to always make him happy. When that doesn't work he yells "Feed Her!"

Dishwasher Dilemma

I've never been a big fan of cleaning out the dishwasher, but a few months ago- I absolutely dreaded it. Slowly, our dishwasher began losing it's cleaning ability. All of the glasses were cloudy and streaked and many items came out dirtier than when I put them in. I began cussing the stupid appliance swearing up and down I'd just have to start washing dishes by hand again. After a series of repairmen (2) coming and telling me to use less detergent, pouring vegetable oil into it, and other nonsense they asked if we had a water softener. We sure did. But I ran into some problems with it, so I just unplugged it until Brent could take a look.
Finally. . . . Brent got it hooked back up and oh my! Clean dishes again! Now every time I open the door and see sparkling dishes, I beam. It brings smiles to my face. Who knew cleaning out a dishwasher could be so much fun?

Baby Blue, Lanie Lou

Our Little Lanie turned 4 months last week. She shared the "birthday" with her Grandma Hillman. Since I'm already lacking in the baby book department, I opted to record a few milestones here.
She still has all of her hair, albeit lighter.
She loves to suck and chew on her fingers, no particular ones.
She's getting good at blowing spit bubbles.
She full out laughs when she's getting tickled.
She still scares quite easy and is tenderhearted.
She refuses to take a bottle. In fact, they usually make her quite mad. No freedom for me. We don't ever get too far apart.
She prefers to be bundled tight to sleep. Quite appropriate for the season's talk of swaddling clothes.

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

With the holidays in full swing, Christmas music streaming from our speakers, the scent of cinnamon pinecones wafting through the air, I had several potential titles for this post running through my head. If I were more techy, I'd compile segments from all the songs and let you listen, rather than read a blog. That being said, I'll proceed to type another boring post.

A week ago, we started to decorate the Christmas tree for FHE. It's been a work in progress, but it is finally complete. It's our first live tree. We got a WEPCO special tree stand and have been watering it regularly. We're hoping we can get it to sprout out like Dad always does. We have also hung our stockings over the chimney with care.

I hope you are all getting ready for the holidays and enjoying the process.

Family Time

This year we have much to be grateful for; including the arrival of our little Dalanie, a new home, a safe harvest which is now complete, good health, good friends, and wonderful family. We spent time in Burley for Thanksgiving. Our time was filled with lots of activities and fun.
To kick of the holiday, the entire family participated in a 5K Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning. Since it was so frigid, Brent opted to be the support crew and stay with the kiddlings in the Suburban. I came in 2nd out of the family. Maybe, just maybe, this marks the beginning of my running career. Subsequent events included the "feast," candymaking, Wii tournaments, horse riding, and Christmas tree cutting. I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving.

Construction Zone

Over the weekend my parents came up to build a shelving unit in our mudroom for mine and Brent's birthday present. Hudson loved helping Momma and Pappa measure and hand him tools. It turned into a long project by the time the guys had to go to IF to get some shorter screws. Funny thing is, they got up to Home Depot and realized neither one of them had their wallets, so they turned around and came home. Then progress was put on hold again so Dad, Brent and Chod could go duck hunting. We still need to stain and get the trim on to complete the project, but it's going to be very nice to have. So thanks Mom and Dad. See you in a few days.

Wish Granted

Like my flowing hair?

For quite some time, Hudson has been wanting to ride a horse. Since we rounded up some of the cows yesterday, he was finally granted his wish. Brent and I were both a little leery of putting him on a horse that rarely gets ridden. We decided to get him good and tired before throwing our little buckaroo on. But as soon as Brent got Louie saddled, Hudson started begging. I distracted him by going to the cabin. We played there for awhile and ate lunch. As we were driving down to the corrals Hudson demanded, "Hudson ride horse--RIGHT NOW!" (An exclamation lately.) At long last he finally got his first horse ride. He loved when Louie would shake and liked to be able to "drive" and hold the reins. If it's up to Hudson, Louie is going to be getting a lot more attention.

Helpful Hudson

About a month ago, I undertook a project of refinishing an old dining room table and 4 chairs. Our friends didn't have need of them so I gave them a home. It hasn't been that big of a project but it has taken me a long time. Today while I was in the garage putting the final coat of polyurethane on, Hudson commented on what a dirty car I have. Since he is such a problem solver, he went and got a rag to clean it. Only problem is, I turned around just in time to see him running sandpaper down my door. Luckily I caught him before he "cleaned" anymore of it.
Once his helpfulness was tampered in the garage, he got my pruning shears. At first he was just cutting weeds but before I knew it, he was giving our flowering plum a nice haircut. What a helper. Maybe that's why it's taken so long to complete my project.

Talking Turkey

I loaded up my "leftover" duck and frog and took them to Burley on the 1st. We stopped by Grandma and Grandpa Wilkins first, then Magic Valley Produce to behold Dad's fabricating before actually getting home. The kids enjoyed being spending time with Momma and Pappa. We came home with a new family member, (compliments of Dad's "resources" and a group effort in the creativity department.)

The Tale of Our Brownie-Locks

Once upon a time Brownie-Locks woke up to find her three-month old self crammed into her bassinet. "This bed is much to small."
So into Mamma Bear's bed she went after waking during the night. It was a restless night and little sleep to be had. "Oh my, this bed is much too big."

She searched the kingdom high and low. Finally at Grandma and Grandpa's she found a comfy spot for a little shut eye. She rested thinking,"This chair by the fire is just right." And little Brownie-Locks lived happily every after. Yours truly, Brownie-Locks, with her first set of pigtails.

Trick or Treat

We practiced being a frog all day, saying "Trick or Treat," and "thank you." You wouldn't have know it. Hudson was so shy, he wouldn't say a word. It frustrated me but he still got candy, so he didn't see much of a need. We went around to some of the older people in the ward that we go and visit regularly. They enjoy seeing the kids all dressed up. Our ward does a trunk or treat at the church parking lot, so there really aren't many kids that still go around to houses.

It's great if you want a lot of candy, but kind of sad. Some of my best memories of trick or treating were stopping at Glenn and Alene Judd's home for popcorn balls where they always took our pictures, or Algott and Lottie Peterson's home where your visit moistened Lottie's eyes. There were very few homes I remember going up to the door while Mom and Dad sat in the car. Each stop was usually a family affair and visit. But if Dad did sit in the car he always said, "Don't forget to ask for one for your Dad."

Something To Smile About

Dalanie is now 3 months old. Can you believe it? We feel pretty blessed to have her in our family. She is such a pleasant baby. She's learning and growing every day. Here are some 3 months milestones:

- holds her upper body up while she's lying on her tummy
- blows spit bubbles
- laughs, especially when tickled
- carrys on a conversation in "coo"
- sleeps through the night (8:00 pm- 6:00 am)
- still has all of her hair - no bald spot- and it's getting longer
- chills in her Bumbo