We asked for it...

poser

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:42:00 +0000

advent

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:29:00 +0000

I know you were wondering what we finally did with all our 8 lbs. of leftover Halloween candy. Honestly, it sat in a Ziploc bag on top of the china cabinet for a month or so. But a week ago I realized I hadn't yet made the elaborate advent calendar I've been planning since last year after seeing this on my friend's blog. So I set out looking for some fun, simple homemade ideas. Not finding what I was looking for, I headed to the dollar store for inspiration. I came home with curly ribbon. Not helpful. Then I found some cellophane bags in the closet that I had big plans for (that never happened) and low and behold, there were 25 bags. So I decided to put some candy in each bag, one to be opened every day. Here's what I came up with...and yes, all the candy is recycled from Halloween. :)

Most of the bags contain 3 of the same candy but a few are assorted. Notice, I did use the curling ribbon

Each bag had a large number inside and were hung randomly on the garland.

Jackson loved helping me hang the bags on the garland

Final product, though I'm contemplating a couple red bows or something. You get the idea though.

Though not nearly as cute or heirloom-y as Brooke's, it's still a lot of fun and very cheap! I'm sure the kids will love it and we'll do it again...maybe even after I do the other one :)

houses

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:07:00 +0000

We've been looking at a lot of houses lately, hoping to buy one very soon. Occasionally we bring the kids along to tour the houses. Saturday we looked at 3 houses with them. Each had fun things...one was ENORMOUS with lots of random closets that would be perfect for clubhouses and hide and seek. I think I could even hide pretty effectively in this place. Then there was another one that had a big pond across the street that Jackson was SURE would be the perfect place to catch fish for dinner. (which we've NEVER done) The other house has a swing set and a playhouse in the back yard and a big unfinished basement to ride bikes in. Each house we walked into Jackson would immediately start assigning rooms to certain tasks and deciding where we were going to put everything, including our dog that we don't own. Naturally, Jackson is having a really hard time deciding which house he wants to live in. Luckily, he has told us that he trusts us to pick out a good house...as long as he gets to pick the color we paint his room. I think that's a fair trade. We have made an offer on a house...we'll let you know in the next week or so which house we made an offer on...if it all comes out as planned! :) Stay tuned...

Family pictures

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:28:00 +0000

I was so happy to see Jackson smiling so nicely...it gives me hope for some good family pictures someday...when all the kids will smile and look at the camera! Actually, I really love these pictures. Thanks to my friend, Sara, for doing such a great, fast & easy job.

In the car...

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:56:00 +0000

Me: Jackson, what do you want to be when you grow up?
Jackson: A lawyer...like daddy.
Me: Oh good...you can go to work with daddy. Sydney, what do YOU want to be when you grow up?
Sydney: A fairy.

I texted this to Jake. Jake's response...
I'm just glad it's not the other way around.

So true.

Ode to an empty plate

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:00:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, our neighbor brought over some AMAZING cookies. A week ago I made those cookies and planned to take a picture and blog about them so I could share the recipe with you, my friends and family. (Those who haven't given up on checking this blog since I never post!) But alas, the cookies were SO TASTY, the picture never happened...but for your sake I will not wait another day to share the recipe with you.

Oh empty plate of crumbs, how I wish you were still full of Gooey Butter Cookies.

Gooey Butter Cookies

1/2 c. butter (room temp)
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese (room temp)
1 box butter recipe cake mix
powdered sugar for dipping

Beat butter, vanilla, egg, and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Mix in dry cake mix. Chill for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350. Lightly coat cookie sheet with cooking spray (I didn't do this as I bake on silicone baking mats). Drop by teaspoonfuls in a bowl of powdered sugar, roll into balls. Bake 10-12 minutes. Makes 3-4 dozen. (Unless, like Jake and I, you eat about a dozen worth of the dough.)

You're welcome.

Running Scared

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:53:00 +0000

Encountering an especially scary trick-or-treater...

pumpkins!!

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:38:00 +0000

The kids are still a bit young for the pumpkin carving thing. They do have all those great little safety saws and things these days, but kids and cutting implements...especially MY kids, well, not always a good mix. Along with that, they both have strong opinions how they want their pumpkin to look in the end. Jackson especially is a perfectionist and gets very frustrated when he has a picture in his mind and what he draws or carves or whatever doesn't look right. He's very hard on himself. Anyway...this is where Jake and I step in. They kids decided what they wanted...Sydney=puppy, Jackson=werewolf (he's been SUPER obsessed with werewolves since he saw a 5 minute clip of Harry Potter 3 when Lupin turns into the werewolf). Jake took on the puppy project and I hunted on the internet for a werewolf for Jackson.

Sydney with her puppy

Braden with his Frankenstein and Jackson with his werewolf

All lit up!

Hello. Is it me you're looking for? Carved by Jake, of course.

ps...I did carve a little pumpkin for Kate on Halloween but she was asleep for these festivities. And after carving the werewolf, I was burned out and my pumpkin was never pierced. Maybe I will make some pumpkin roll with it.

H-A-double L-O-W-double E-N spells Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:36:00 +0000

Halloween was a three-day event this year. Thursday we went to a Halloween Party at the Library, Friday we had our church Halloween Party and then, of course, Saturday was the big show. The kids were TOTALLY into Trick-or-Treating...and it paid off. We have more candy than anyone should ever eat in a lifetime! But that's what it's all about, right?

Jake rescuing innocent bystanders by capturing super-sticky Kate.

Sydney and Aryn "carnival-ing" at the church.

Trunk-or-Treating to Grandma's trunk in the church parking lot with our neighbors, Gracie and Charlie.

Jackson as the Mizzou Tiger (Telling people he was the Mizzou Tiger got him extra candy!)

Sydney as the misfit Fairy.

Katybug the Ladybug

Some of you may recognize these stairs. Many a game of "Red light, green light" were played here...and are now enjoyed by my kids.

After shedding her body and wings, Kate was "doing choreography" (a la "White Christmas") I also think she could pass for 3 or 4 in this picture. She's growing too fast.

BTW

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:33:00 +0000

Lots of good news...Jake passed the MO bar...Jake is officially an associate at the firm he's been clerking at in Columbia...and he's already been in court TWICE!!! I'm so proud of my husband...the big ATTORNEY!! Congrats Jake! California...check. Missouri...check. Only 48 states to go! :) (Do it and DIE!) We love you, sweetheart.

Oh yes...and there are several new posts below. Please take the time to scroll down and check them all out. I've kept the dialogue to a minimum.

Preschool!

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:26:00 +0000

Sydney AND Jackson started preschool last week. They're both getting so big! I'm so glad they're such great friends. They were so sad they couldn't be in the same class...but I think absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?

Making Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:16:00 +0000

Rainy days mean lots of time inside. So what to do? Make cookies...lots and lots of cookies. :) It's a great activity for the kids if you can turn your head on all the mess. Of course, for me...the worst part is trying not to eat all the dough. Why is it so good??? The vanilla-y, almond-y goodness...I just can't get enough!I love how Kate is kept so far away at first...and Sydney is wearing her cookie-baking outfit

Kate is loving finally being involved

thank you, grandma!

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:12:00 +0000

Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa Skousen! I love my new ballerina dress!

running through the sprinklers

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:03:00 +0000

One hot night, the kids decided they couldn't take the heat any longer and ran through the sprinkler...no time for swimsuits!

Jackson is getting quite the physique! He IS the man of steel, after all.

Born to dance...or for musical theater...but something big.

Safari

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:50:00 +0000

Bug-proof hats from Army Surplus store...canteens...pocket knives...tall grass at grandma's house. Braden and Jackson were on safari for hours!
So many days I really miss our days in NYC and all the craziness we left behind there for the simplicity of life here...not really intending to. But then days like this come along and I see how happy Jackson is...taking in all the fun of big fields and forests and the freedom he has to wander around here and I forget, even if it's just for a few minutes, how much we loved the city.

An update

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 03:40:00 +0000

I feel bad that our blog is still asking for prayers. Don't get me wrong, we always need prayers. But the bar exam is behind us and we're waiting on results. We are still praying for a passing score. They should be available in a couple weeks and then Jake will be official...again. We'll keep everyone posted.

In the meantime, I have been taking photos but have yet to get them on the computer yet. That will come. I've been very uninspired lately and I think it's because I need to change my outlook on this whole blogging thing. It shouldn't be all about cute pictures of the kids...though that definitely adds interest. I think to be a true account of our family, all these weeks of trial and frustrations should be documented too...right?

Kate has been growing by leaps and bounds lately. She's trying to talk a lot more...calling around the house for the kids in the morning when she wakes up or wandering around looking for them when she wants to play. She's gotten several more teeth and eats everything in sight. She also got a haircut. I was sick of her pulling the pony tail on top of her head out to allow her bangs to cover her eyes so I gave in and cut bangs. Well, now she just has a mullet...so we'll need to cut a bit more off the back. It's so amazing how much a haircut can change someone's face! She looks so different! (Again...pictures to come.)

The kids have been having a ton of fun, between the new neighbors and Matt and family's visit. My brother, Matt, and his family visited last week from Minnesota and my kids loved playing with his kids. We never actually let the kids sleep together, but there's something exciting about knowing that the moment you wake up, there will be a playmate there.

Some new neighbors moved in across the street...to the same house where my best friend growing up lived. It's so funny to have my kids sneaking across the street to see their friends, the same way I did...to the same house! We've had a lot of fun getting to know them and having lots of playdates...or playdays!

Sydney is still slowly potty training, but making progress. Jackson has mostly given up his thumb, though occasionally I see him catch himself doing it. He's been trying really hard and I'm proud of him. Both will start preschool in a few weeks and Jackson will play soccer and Sydney will take dance. If the nights work out, she might play a soccer session for "Little Kickers" to introduce her to the game. I really don't want to fall into the trap of not letting her play sports because I want her to take dance and gymnastics. I want them all to try everything.

Jake and I are trudging along...constantly searching for the perfect job and dreaming about the weeks, months and years to come.

pray

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 02:46:00 +0000

It's the 11th hour. All there is left to do is pray. So here is an unabashed request for a lot of them. Jake takes the Missouri bar exam tomorrow morning.

Good luck babe! We're all praying for you and we know you're going to do great! All of your hard work and studying is going to pay off...literally! Think hard...type fast...and if all else fails...pass a lot of gas to distract those around you! :) We love you Jacob. We're so proud of you!!!!!!!

And yes. This is the last time we're going to let you take a bar exam, so don't even ask!

syney sousen

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:49:00 +0000

Sweet little Sydney (Syney Sousen, as she calls herself) turned THREE! Three years ago today we were here, in Missouri, welcoming our baby girl to our family. Her birth was surrounded by a lot of anxiety because she had some issues early on...issues that were completely normal for the child of a diabetic, but were new to us since Jackson's birth was pretty un-normal for the child of a diabetic. Three years later, and there is still a certain degree of anxiety around Sydney, but it's due to her antics. This year she cut her own hair...inspiring a very short pixie cut, and she got 7 stitches following a fight she lost with a very sharp wood chisel. There were other highs and lows, but all in all, Sydney is all heart. She is such a cuddly, sweet girl and we adore her. She is very dramatic, often throwing herself to the floor and wailing when things don't go her way, but she also is the first to jump into my lap, throw her arms around me and declare her love for me...several times a day. I'm sure she will be very affectionate with her boyfriends...we're going to have to keep a close eye on that girl!

This year for her party, we had another princess party...as Sydney is the quintessential princess. My dad took several pictures of Sydney at her party and we have a lot of video of Sydney caressing the Barbie's face telling her how beautiful she is, but here are some preliminary pics of the birthday set up.

And here is Sydney putting make-up on her dad...proving what a good, patient daddy he is!

Everything

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:42:00 +0000

So this is where it began. Seven years ago today...an exasperatingly hot day and Jake in a full tuxedo! Can you imagine a more miserable experience? Well, not for me. I was hot, but so excited to start my life with Jake. And here we are...seven years later and I'm still excited! In seven years we've...lived in 5 different apartments, 3 different cities, 3 different states, had 3 kids, graduated college and law school, studied for and passed the CA bar exam (ok, technically YOU did that, but I was the backstage crew), studied for the MO bar exam, held over 12 different jobs (including internships), visited 23 states together, yelled a lot, cried a lot, laughed even more, and loved the most. I'm so happy to be going through all this with you sweetheart! I love you and can't wait to see where this road takes us...because I'm confident it will be an adventure with you! You're my everything.

painting

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:44:00 +0000

The kids LOVED helping grandma paint her kitchen this week. Jackson is actually getting to the age where he can really be helpful and not just make more work for us. It's so fun to watch him grow up.Sydney was so proud of her work.

But where's Kate? Didn't you let her paint too? Nope. She was banished to the porch. "Please let me in mommy!" hehehehehe

Happy Birthday Grandpa...Good-bye Andrea...

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:02:00 +0000

My dad turned 72 last week. Unfortunately for dad, his birthday is always sort of combined with Father's Day. This year, instead of celebrating with Father's Day...we combined it with a farewell dinner for Andrea. Andrea, my niece, has been home for a few weeks from BYU but had to leave us and head back for summer school. It's been so fun to have her home for awhile. We love you Andrea!!!

But back to dad...we were lucky enough to be here for his birthday again so we got to celebrate with him. Never in your life will you meet a more hard working guy than my dad...but you'll also never see a grandpa more in love with his grandkids. We so happy to have this time here with him and my mom. Thanks for being such a great example to us dad and for all you do. We love you!!!

Father's Day pampering

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:55:00 +0000

For Father's Day, Jackson and Sydney treated Jacob to a lavish foot massage...with LOTS and LOTS of lotion.
Here they use a little-used rubber band technique to encourage ultimate relaxation.
We kids love their daddy SOOO much! We were so happy to celebrate Father's Day with him. Jackson asked me yesterday..."Do you think I'm a smart kid?" Of course, I answered "yes...you're very smart." Then he stroked his chin and said, "do you think I'll be as smart as Jacob some day?" I told him that if he worked hard and read lots of books and made daddy teach him everything he knows, he could be SMARTER than daddy. He said..."I don't think that could happen. Daddy is the smartest person in the world."

Weekends with daddy

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:49:00 +0000

Jake has been staying in Columbia during the week while he studies for the Missouri bar exam. The kids ADORE Jake and have missed having him around all the time. Every time the phone rings, Jackson dashes to it to answer, hoping to chat with daddy. They attack him when he comes home on the weekends and monopolize every moment he allows them to. We try to make it down to Columbia at least once during the week for lunch. The kids understand,well--in their own way, what Jake is doing. Every night they pray that daddy will pass the bar. Yeah, they understand--but they'll sure be glad when daddy's done. Almost as glad as daddy will be to BE done! Jake, we're so proud of you! Thank you for all the hard work you're doing for our family!

a first...

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:25:00 +0000

At least it was for Kate. Her very first day at the pool. We've always left her at home with grandma and grandpa...but not this time! Oh no...she was determined to come along...

Back at the Moberly Aquatic Center...this is the family slide...demonstrated by Brad's family...Braden, Allie, Aryn & Andrea (they usually only allow 3 at a time but made an exception for the picture's sake)

Cousins! Kate loves her cousins Andrea & Aryn

Kate didn't LOVE the water, but she did pretty well. We'll go again soon so she can continue to get more comfortable. Jackson and Sydney are doing great there now! I'm so glad...Moberly is starting to get REALLY hot. I'm excited to cool off there a lot more this summer.

happy father's day?

noreply@blogger.com (NYCmom) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:42:00 +0000

I'm not sure if this kind of gift is akin to getting a mom an iron for mother's day...a gift that eventually means more work. But I like to compare it to getting a new Kitchen Aid. Sure, it will make for some work, but it's also really cool. Jake loves to bike and we've always wanted a bike trailer so he can take the kids on rides. We finally found this lovely, half price on Nashbar.com. Now the kids are anxiously awaiting Jake's arrival...even more than before. Alas, Jake won't be home till tomorrow. In the mean time, it will be used as a rickshaw, a la mom.

Kate and Sydney test it out. They fit well together.

Though well within the weight limit, Jackson and Sydney are a little more crammed. Here they demonstrate the wind/rain cover. :)

Looking forward to many fun rides with daddy! (And maybe mommy too if I ever get a bike!)