General Conference Success

Wait, what's that pic? Is Carter taking copious notes as he's attentively watching conference? Well, he seems reverent enough to be doing so.

Thanks for your ideas and comments about conference, guys! Good tips:

• Don't take away HIS Saturday just because you want two Sundays...that's too much reverence for a 2 1/2 year old.
• As long as he's letting YOU watch conference, that's most important.
• Apostle File Folder matching game: HUGE SUCCESS! Carter was able to look at the screen and find the apostle on the folder! And he remembered them on Monday night, too! We'd ask him a name and he'd find it! Way to go! We used this game at the church on Sunday morning.
• General Conference Coloring Book: HUGE SUCCESS! We used it at home on Sunday afternoon!
• We ditched the snack ideas, but they would have been fun if I had had more ambition.
• Best idea for Saturday: Go out and do something totally exciting and involved with the kids between sessions--this way we engaged with them for 2 hours and they were happier to play on their own for the next session. Going to the beach to play in the sand and chase seagulls worked WONDERS!
• Invite good friends who are really good parents themselves to come watch conference with you and help maintain reverence. (Not bad that they also brought a back up DVD for emergency entertainment)
• Oh yes, and don't miss silly moments because you're trying to keep things quiet. This was a RIOT when Christopher Harmon put the pom-pom on his head for hair! He even had the babies laughing!

Hooray for conference and successfully being able to watch *and enjoy* all four sessions!

General Conference Ideas?

I love General Conference! I can't help but notice a personal change in my experience with conferences now that I'm also attending to the needs of my small kids. There are so many packets and activities floating around right now for kids to be entertained and focused during conference, but they're geared to really 5 years and up. Do you have ideas for a 2 1/2 year old?

Also, your opinion as to what should be realistically expected out of a 2 year old for 4 2-hour sessions of conference would be greatly appreciated, too.

Here are some ideas I've come up with:

Have 1 new "Conference" activity per session. If I get really ambitious, 1 per half hour would be more appropriate.

1. Make a file folder game out of the 12 Apostle Matching Cards
2. Conference coloring book with images I get from the web, scripture people, prophets, temple, etc.
3. Print out footprints and make a trail around the house. "Follow the footsteps of Christ" and find a picture of Christ at the end--a game to play during a song, perhaps.
4. Have pictures of the apostles around the TV so he can look for them through Conference.
5. Conference snacks for each session during the intermediate hymn (any ideas???)

• Pretzel sticks in the shape of the SL Temple, then chow down during the intermediate hymn, Click Here for a SL Temple clipart.
• Cover a picture with Graham Cracker Squares. As they eat the squares, the picture appears! Click Here for the picture of the Savior we are using (and coloring in first).

Bottom's Up

Hooray!  I've updated my blog...therefore I'm no longer at the bottom of your blog list!

Sweet Escape

We went out to eat last night and discovered an awesome restaurant:

Key Wester, in Naperville.

It was like going here

...without spending this

We ate in a waterfall room, all decked out with Trees, sharks, swordfish, a waterfall, etc.  

It's worth going to this restaurant to just SEE the decor and their 2200 gallon Tropical Fish tank.

Our scrumptious meal?

Banana Crust Tilapia--Fresh tilapia fillet, topped with bananas & a sweet tropical crust, baked to a golden brown & served over coconut rice surrounded by a coconut milk & pepper sauce & a side of vegetables.

Sweet Potato Crusted Trout:  Rainbow trout topped with sweet potatoes & baked to a golden brown served in an apple cider butter sauce, with the coconut rice & Grilled aspargus.

Spinach & Artichoke Dip: The creamiest yummiest I've ever had, served with seasoned Pita Chips.

SOOO YUMMY!!!!

And they had such a tempting dessert: A chocolate treasure box filled with tropical fruit and white chocolate mousse.

We didn't order that.  Instead we went to Portillo's for the "infamous" Chocolate Cake Shake.  Sorry, folks.  I heard SO MANY RAVING reviews, and have to say, I'm not as excited about it like you are.  I guess I wasn't a fan of the cake crumbs all throughout the shake, and would have preferred, perhaps, a Brownie shake, with big clumps you have to spoon out at the end.  Yep, that's how I like it.  But, I'm glad I tried it.

All in all, if you want to try fish that DOESN'T taste like fish, this was the place to go :)

Come out Come out Wherever you Are!

Anyone seen Kerri?  She seems to have been drowned in a pile of at-home work, attacked while trying to keep her kids entertained, and conquered by a mountain of laundry.  Well, if you see her, tell her to do something more exciting so she can update her blog.

Oh yeah, and give her an idea for dinner.

Super What?

Today we were watching monster truck videos on YouTube while waiting for lunch, and found one called Superman...red cape and all.  Here's the funny conversation :)

Carter:  What's this one called, Mommy?

Kerri: Superman

Carter: Isn't it Super Monster Truck?

I suppose I stand corrected ;)

Be Thou Humble...unless you're 2!

Well, this week we discovered we don't have to worry about Carter's self esteem! He has decided he will take any compliment for himself. Observe:

Exhibit A: Steve praising Carter for putting the shoes away (without being asked)

Steve: Wow! Carter, I am so proud of you and impressed that you put all those shoes away! That's a big help.

Carter: I know! That's cuz I'm the best!

Exhibit B: Kerri teaching Carter to give compliments.

Kerri: Wow, Mommy, that was yummy!

Carter: Wow, Mommy, that was yummy!

Kerri: Thanks for dinner, Mommy!

Carter: Thanks for dinner, Mommy!

Kerri: You're the greatest!

Carter: Just smiles sheepishly, glad to accept such an honorable compliment!

Exhibit C: Kerri--again--feeding lines...

Kerri: Hey, thanks, Mommy!

Carter: Hey, thanks, Mommy!

Kerri: Mommy, you're the greatest!

Carter: Mommy, I'm the greatest!

Well, it looks like he's got the hint that we ADORE him! What a kid!

What to do?

We have a TV, not an extravagant one, but a nice one, that we've liked (except in our 12 moves in 3 years with a 180 pound TV...I think it's illegal to make them that heavy anymore).  Well, today it broke...

sound: yes.

picture: no.  Just a black screen.

And now, a few hours later, it sounds like loud sparks on the inside of the box when we try to turn it on.  

sound: no

picture: no

sounds of sure death if we keep it on: quite possible

Here's irony:  The 5 year extended warranty we purchased for $99 expired 8 days ago...ouch.

So, what do we do?  

1)  Spend the $$$ to buy a whole new TV, which automatically gets us bumped into the digital/HDTV age...thank goodness we were already caught up to the Flat Screen.  I mean, have you seen the curved screens in a while?  The picture really does look wierd! 

Or 2) Spend the $ to get our TV fixed?

Or 3) Spend the time getting to know friends better so THEY'LL invite us over to watch some good shows and movies with them?  (just kidding on 3...we'll do that anyways...I really do want to know your opinion on the TV issue, though.  If you don't want to Comment, per se, then leave your answer on the poll on the right.)

What's the grossest thing you've eaten?

For Carter: Dog Food 

For Addison: Deer Poop

For Steve: Grass Clippings, Pencil Shavings, Boogers, Vomit, Rotten Eggs, Moldy cheese, Black Pepper, Baby Wipes, Skunk, and Toothpaste Jelly Beans...thanks to our Labor day visit to the JELLY BELLY FACTORY!

Notice how adamant the worker is that he DOES NOT save the rest of the nasty flavors for the car ride home.  She then told us of all the horrible reactions other customers have had trying to BRAVE these flavors...she then had Steve wash out his mouth with "Baby Wipes" then brush his teeth with "toothpaste".  Nope, that didn't help much.

What's the grossest thing you've ever eaten?

My Favorite Food

That's it.  I've identified my favorite food.  It's butter.  Yep.  Butter.  Eew, no gross, I don't like just BUTTER, who would?  I season it just right...Some say steak is their favorite food, but I guarantee they're not talking about the RAW version of steak, they're talking about how it has been cooked and prepared.  So, let me tell you my favorite way to cook and prepare butter.

Add some white sugar and brown sugar.  Cream together.  Yum.  You could stop there, but count me out.  I need a dash of vanilla, some flour, salt, and, ok...how 'bout some baking powder for a special pop.  And to top it all off, the butter then tastes best when you add chocolate chips.  Lots and lots of chocolate chips.  Raw egg (or an otherwise substitute) is great in it, too.  Put it in the fridge or freezer to eat at any time!!!  and YUM!  The best butter you will ever eat in your life! (I don't recommend spreading it on bread)

And sometimes, I shape it like little balls and pop them in the oven for 9 minutes and have hot chocolate chip butter.  They remind me of something...YUM!

That's it.  My ode to butter.

Tag...you're it!

It's official...I'm now a member of the blogging world cuz I've been tagged. That means I was reading Holley's blog who tagged me there telling me what I have to do. It's like a chain letter but without the promise of free books or recipes at the end.

The rules are you have to take ten pictures of the following things. And you have to do it right away. No straightening, cleaning or wiping your child's nose. Then you tag five others.

1. The Fridge

Notice it's full...I did a shot of the inside just to make Molly--who DESPERATELY needs to go shopping--jealous. Brownie points for guessing how much ice cream is in there, and what kinds.

2. The Closet

The water closet isn't what you meant?

The "coat closet" when big groups come over.

The "Quickly-stuff-things-in-here-when-guests-come-over" Closet (fantastically built by Steve & my Dad, but not for this purpose. Sorry guys!)

Oh, you mean this closet...the "why-isn't-it-color-coordinated-but-notice-all-the-hangers-match" closet. Maybe that will be today's project.

3. The Laundry Room

I Love the Smell of Downy!

4. The Kitchen Sink

Yes, Cheri, we love the placemats! And, the rules said I couldn't pick up the apple slice before taking the pic.

5. The Toilet

(No pic...you already got that)

6. Your favorite Room

Steve convinced me it had to be leather.

7. Your favorite pair of shoes. Bought them in '97 (11 years ago) and STILL get a compliment on them EVERY TIME I wear them.

8. What your kids are doing right now

NAPPING!Or so I thought!

9. Your dream Vacation

Somewhere tropical. Right now I have Grand Bahama Island on the brain .

10. A Self-Portrait

I recognize "self portrait" means I take the pic myself, but the way I see it, you already see tons if pics of me, so this was a great choice! Thanks for the portrait, Holley! Holley is my favorite artist! Check her blog: http://hwilliamsonart.blogspot.com/

That was fun...now it's your turn. I tag:

Cheri, Diane, JaNae, Katie, Roseanne

Carter's reading faux pas

Carter's playing with the boggle jr. cards and is soo cute...

he's saying the letters and looking at the pics to say what it spells:

O-W-L smells "owl"!
M-O-O-N smells "moon"!
P-I-G- smells "Pig"!
F-R-O-G smells "Frog"!

I was about to get my camera to jokingly brag he can "read" until he blew his own cover by saying:

I-C-E smells....(thinking thinking)...Blue Rocks!!!

Carter's train ride!

Saturday morning, Carter and Steve went on the coolest Daddy-Son Adventure!  They went on Carter's first METRA train ride...rode to the Children's Museum to play for a few hours...then had another train ride home!  Carter thought it was AWESOME!  The movie says it all:

And now for the pics to capture all the other priceless moments:

Carter waiting for the train to come

He was entranced and noticed everything!  When he came home, he even mimicked the sounds of the bell the train has indicating it's getting closer.

All aboard!  (Hurry, Daddy!  Before the doors close!)

Madura Manor

Daniel & Heidi, us, and Jared & Maryle, in Cozumel, Mexico

This week has been SO unbeatably fun!  First on Thursday, Jared & Maryle came to visit with their two kids--Evan and Holly.  They're our long time friends that we knew before Steve and I were married.  Hooray for them for surviving summer sales with us!  That night we partied hard with them and Daniel & Heidi, reminiscing over those grueling summers and tropical paradise cruises!  We relived videos of Steve, Jared, and Daniel's glory days of being star kareoke singers!  The kids got along SO well--both of their kids are only a few months older than Carter & Addison.

And the 2 biggest HOTWHEELS fanatics meet

Evan & Carter

Then, on Saturday, our other dear friends came to visit for the weekend--Brandi Nielsen and her 3 kids, and her mom.  They were our first friends moving here, and we soon found out that Brandi's husband, Matt, and Steve had a lot of mutual friends from Seattle--Steve's mission and Matt's hometown.  They're SO fun to play games--THEY taught us Hand & Foot! 

 THEY got us into "Lost", and Brandi's been a great friend to talk with and figure things out!

Carter & Matthew, Jr.  

They've always been SUCH good friends, even though Matthew's 2 years older.

Carter making sure Ava "feels welcome" at our house.

So, with both friends, we stayed up WAY too late and laughed WAY too hard.  The laughter hopefully compensated for the calorie intake of food that was WAY too yummy:

• Stuffed Strawberry Frenchtoast, 
• Creamy Italian Chicken, 
• Indonesian Peanut Chicken, 
• Cranberry Pork with Mashed Potatoes, 
• Ice Cream Sandwiches to rival Didi Reese, 
• and of course, Oreos 

So, did I convince you that you should come visit?  WE WOULD LOVE IT!  The Madura Manor is open for business!

On the sadder side, we did all this entertaining amidst Addison's first big illness--a peaked fever of 103, a roseola rash (I hope that's what it was) that broke yesterday, and vomitting on Saturday.  Poor guy!  

Carter's Tagline

Yep, Carter officially has a tagline...it is:

"Mom, Look...a bug!  How cool is that?"  "Mom, Christopher's coming over!  How cool is that?"

"Wow!  A Pool...How cool is that!"  And so on...it's SO CUTE!

Now that he has a tagline slogan, all we need is a sponsor.  Any offers?

How cool is that?  So, where'd he get it from Steve or Me?

(Sadly...my video isn't posting...I'll add it if I can get it to work later).

Say What? sound effects

So, Steve has claimed that the fundamental difference between boys and girls are their ability to do sound effects! We've put this theory to the test, and SO true! How can boys naturally do the sound of motorcycles, machine guns, and cars? I think it's hilarious to hear us girls try--and I'm the worst at them! Although, I DO do a good pig :) Thanks, Janae (sis) and JaNae (friend) for being such good guinea pigs (a sound effect we should have had you try!)

Here is my sound effect hero lately, though the video does not capture him at his best: Addison does this all day long and it makes me smile from the inside out! The video is dark b/c of the sun (sorry) but the way he "Raspberry's" in all different tones is so fun!

PS...before playing the video, scroll down to where the music list is...press the pause button so that the music doesn't get in the way of Addison's music!

Nap on a hammock...

Kids with backpacks were picked up on the corner in a big yellow school bus today. (A shout out for Brooklyn Williamson who just started Kindergarten!  HOORAY!)  For them, the summer of fun has ended.  So sad.

But for me, it continues.  I chose HOT PINK for my manicure last night...a little message that says, "Nope, there's a party going on all the time.  The summer of fun still goes on...it's a frame of mind!"

Also, I took a nap on a hammock this afternoon...a perfect breeze, relaxing, kids sleeping, no mosquitos or bugs, no sunburn...perfect.  OK, so I imagined the hammock while I laid in my bed feeling the breeze from the ceiling fan, but BOY am I a good imaginer...it put me right to sleep.  Now if I could imagine myself a decadent ice cream sundae, or better yet, that trip to the Bahamas.

A Road Trip Classic

Does this scene look familiar?

How about now?

Yesterday, this scene was all too familiar! We took a spur of the moment road trip to the Indiana Sand Dunes (so fun!). After packing up the car to head back home, we had driven a mile out of the park when we heard the oddest crashing sound.

Steve: "What was that?" as we all turn our heads to look behind us...

Kerri, as true Hicken: "THE PICTIONARY CARDS!!!!!!!!" as we saw them flying off the back of the car one by one and scatter on the highway!

Steve quickly turned the car around and parked so that I could jump out and pick them all up...how could we play 25,000 word pyramid in the car with no pictionary cards? (not to mention playing pictionary when we got home would also have proven difficult). Mary's line in all this was classic, too: "And am I supposed to get out and HELP you pick up all these cards?" Yes, Mary, that's exactly what you were supposed to do!

Oh, this whole story makes me laugh inside because it is SOO typical Hicken Road Trips! EVERY year without fail we would have Pictionary Cards, Trivial Pursuit Cards, or my mom's purse fly off the top of our filled-to-the-brim station wagon and over the pop-up trailer...If it wasn't for the 2 or 3 eye-witnesses that were facing backwards in the way-way back seat, many cards would have been lost...but, I can't remember a time we DIDN'T stop to gather them all up. What a riot!

And yes, we had a great time playing 25,000 word pyramid in the car...although the girls could only manage to win ONCE out of who knows how many rounds...

Oh yeah, did I mention this adventure was KID FREE?? Yep, we had babysitters for the chillin's and got to play on the dunes and in the waves as real grown ups! THANKS MOM MOSOLINO!

A Present for you...a Present for me

It was like Hannukah around here the past few days...birthday celebrations for Steve are STILL going on...we had a birthday dinner on his REAL birthday, and now tonight we are going OUT for another birthday dinner with more family. Boy, he's really getting the royal treatment! But, I sure can't complain. I'm enjoying it just as much:

Present for Steve: A got him tickets to Brian Regan--a super funny CLEAN comedian who is coming to town in 2 weeks! Here's a little clip about how to make pop tarts:


Present for me: GETTING TO GO ON AN AWESOME DATE WITH STEVE TO SEE BRIAN REGAN! Steve's had me laughing for the past 7 years, it's my turn to hire a pay back.

Present for Steve: All this yummy food and friends/family time

Present for me: All this yummy food and friends/family time

Present for Steve: Awesome outdoor dinner/cookout/s'mores on his birthday

Present for me: Over 16 mosquito bites on my legs that are insanely big and itchy! I don't think this was a win-win!! I've posted a mosquito poll: Does bug spray really work or does it ATTRACT these dang critters?

Steve' Surprise Party

Whew! I can't believe we pulled off the biggest and best surprise party of our lives! With Steve's birthday coming up, I managed to singlehandly put together the party that we are still talking about! Singlehandly, by the way, means I couldn't have done it without the help of Katie, Heidi, Daniel, Cheri, Mom & Dad, Craigslist, and so many others!!!!

Here's the top 10 highlights of the party:

1) 52 guests (lots of babies makes for some number inflation) and 41 Balloon Guests. Steve was SOO touched with every single person who came! He still hasn't stopped talking about how LOVED he felt! *WHY DIDN'T I TAKE A GROUP PICTURE!!*

2) Keeping planning and cooking for such a big party a surprise from him for sooo long...How do you hide that much food from someone? Claim you went to Sams Club to stock up on food storage, and hide the rest in the vegetable drawer!



3) Daniel planning a movie night for Friday so that I could prep without Steve homeand Steve's dad calling Saturday morning, offering to fix the car's air conditioning--right then--that got Steve out for 6 total hours!!



4) Steve being kidnapped in a Porsche 911 Carrera and driven to the party.

5) Steve being thrown in the pool right when he got there! HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE!

6) Steve climbing up a rope swing to thank his guests for coming!

7) Challenging Steve to hula hoop contests, paddle ball contests, and juggling contests.

8) Was it rude to make our guests the moving targets for water balloon launches?

9) An awesome slideshow of Steve's life that Spencer and I put together!

10) Steve blowing out 30 candlesticks lined up for 6 feet in "almost" one breath....and a round of applause!

Unfortunately, I misplaced my camera for almost the whole night, so we didn't get more pics :( But, on the plus side, I could really take M. Russell Ballard's advice to heart, to live in the moment, and not in the photograph...I was really glad to be having fun at the party and not worrying about photos...so if you took pics and have some to email, I'd love it!