Not a Good Sign...

So, I can't believe that it's not even December yet, and I feel like I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off - hence the non-posting as of late. They always say that the holidays are such a busy time, but I've just never really found that to be true for me thus far. Until now. It's weird though, because I honestly don't know what I've been doing that's been so time-consuming. I just know that I've hardly been able to sit at the computer, watch tv, movies or the like over the past week and a half or so. I've been getting all crafty lately, (some voluntarily and some not so self-inflicted projects,) and have been running around buying stuff, making stuff, decorating, shopping for Christmas, not to mention other various errands associated with regular life. With that said, it's not even crunch time yet, but I feel like I must be in for it. The impending snow storm this weekend (we're supposed to get 6-8 inches with sleet and ice) will likely keep me inside more than I'd like due to my completely unreasonable driving-in-bad-weather-psychosis. But, seeing as we really do need front tires on the good ole' Civic, I feel that it is somewhat justified. Rationalization you say? Totally legit excuse for someone who's messed in the head.

Weekend Entertainment...

Just some stuff we've been up to lately:

Our first snow, (well, the first that I saw) occurred on Saturday morning - and I must admit, I wasn't too sad that it was a little pathetic. Don't worry, I'm sure there's more where that came from - unfortunately.
We bought this paint over a year ago, and just haven't gotten around to it until now. When Ben asked, we told him he could help. But then quickly regretted it. But oh well. He loves to paint and/or draw on anything he can get his hands on. A canvas as big as a wall was his dream I'm sure!
Helper extraordinaire! Well, at least he thought so...
Not quite all put-together, but you get the gist of our accomplishment. With 2 rugrats all over the place, it really did feel like something to be proud of. Now if only the rest of the house were painted...
The Happy Spare... Fun with mommy in the kitchen - he loves to be in on the action ...And below, more unsolicited help. He is actually hammering a real nail (which he found because we took the nails out of the wall that we were painting,) into the wall. Arrrgh! I was so ticked, but, at least he was wearing safety glasses (which he kindly removed when he saw I was about to take a picture... ha ha) !

Welcome to the World little Lucy!

UPDATE- I had to add these. Because up until now (12/2), the only picture I had of Lucy was the one below - but Jill wasn't very happy that I had that eyes-half-closed picture on there. So, I had to add these. She's a cutie, and she's changed a lot!

My niece, Jill's baby, was born yesterday - Nov. 16th, (exactly 6 months after my grandma Lucile's birthday for whom she is named.) Her name, btw is Lucile Pearl!

7 pounds 8 ounces.

What a little Snow White doll with all that pitch black hair - How did that come from this (see below)? Congrats Guys! We hope we'll get to meet her soon! Good job Mommy Jill!

Can I change my answer?

I'm sure is what Ben would say had he known the implication of what he said to me tonight. So, we're sitting there at the dinner table, all of us scarfing. I thought, "this is important family time - we should be talking." So, for shear conversation purposes, I asked Ben what his favorite thing to do is. He said, "Putting the silverware in the drawer?" followed by the 'is-that-the-right- answer'-look. Ummm... Exsqueeze me, baking powder? Did he just say his favorite thing to do is his assigned chore that is seriously like pulling teeth to get him to do? Well, if that's how he feels about it - I'm going to try to take advange. So there. Y'know, the sad thing is that he was probably just trying to score some points - and that's just annoying that he understands how to manipulate already. I've been suspecting it for some time now. Tricky little dude.

Duck, Duck - Goose! Oops, I mean - Tag! I'm It! And with WAY more than you'd ever care to know about me for sure.

So, Lichelle - don't be mad at me for taking more than my allotted 7 days to do the tag-thing. I guess I will just have 7 curses upon head. Maybe that's the reason I have spent this weekend struggling to talk and coughing like crazy! Thanks a lot! :) Actually, I know I am SOOOOO lame, but really, I am so boring that it took me a while to think of 7 interesting things about myself. And although I'm not sure how interesting these are after all, (random at the very least,) here goes:

1. After 3 hours of church, I often act a little off the wall. Doug has affectionately named this craziness "post-church hyperactivity hour". Always refreshing, silly and inappropriate. I know it's embarrassing, but I just can't help giddiness after being all cooped up.

2. I have super weak enamel on my teeth - I am a Jewkes after all. I swear I brush everyday and floss pretty often - of course, I'm sure my candy obsession doesn't help much. But seriously, I'm only 25, and have had 3 root canals, and I have 2 crowns - and could possibly be working on 2 more. Let's just say, if I had silver fillings, I'd have some serious bling up in my grill! Last time I was at the dentist, I was expressing my woes, and how I really feel bad that my teeth are falling out of my head, and he said, "well, it's true - you are extremely young to have so many dental needs." How comforting... that's why I pay him the big bucks! Those of you who were blessed with genetically sound teeth will never understand. I guess I tipped the Yin/Yang scale there - maybe my awesome kids make up for it.

3. I totally have an affinity for IPOD commercials - they always choose that coolest, most catchy tunes. You think it would be enough for me to actually buy one, but dude, I'm working on putting food on the table. :) Okay, it's not really that bad, but I aspire to making techonology a priority some day soon.

4. I totally have anxiety about driving in bad weather. Okay, even slightly bad weather. Doug just hates driving with me in a snow storm when I'm all white knuckled and hanging on for dear life. He thinks I'm a major spaz. I know I am- and it's totally irrational, but I can't help it. I've developed a theory that it stems from all my close calls when I used to drive like a maniac in my wild teenage invincibility stage. Or something.

5. When Doug and I played the Newlywed game with some friends the other day, the question was, "Who makes a funnier face?" and I put him- but he said me. I can't believe I got that wrong! Whatever.

6. I want to be uplifting and positive; an optimist if you will. But I've finally come to the realization that I'm a glass-is-half-empty kind of person. To my chagrin, I think it's my natural tendency. My dad is the most optimistic person I know - always a positive spin, in spite of the odds (those of you who know him know that he's lovable in that way). And I thought I was more like him like that - I mean, as far as goofy faces go, I defnitely take after him, but not in the optimistim thing. Oh well - I guess I'm still working on it.

7. There are those who think watching TV is bad. I'm always in awe of those who don't own a tv. I couldn't do it. I love to unwind with a good show. DVR was the best invention ever! Some of my favorites are Heroes, Office, 30 Rock, House, Lost, Scrubs, Malcom in the Middle, Simpsons and Seinfeld. I have to limit myself y'know. Geez.

I don't think I'm qualified to tag anyone, but I still will - just a few. Lichelle said it should be within 7 days. If you don't, maybe you'll get a nasty cold. Jill B. (assuming you haven't had the baby today), Jessica J., and um, Carly L. Yeah, that should be enough. Sorry. Oh, and Sami too, maybe it will force you to make a blog.

PS - 8. I'm super long-winded, and anyone who knows me knows that is true. Sorry again.

Just had to post this...

I know, I have like 20 posts today, but I haven't blogged for a while. I just had to throw this one in. It's adorable.

And Cheesier still...

Lovin' Life - and that's no lie.

Check out this online magazine, brought to you by the talented Brooke, (she created it). It's way uplifting, inspiring and informative.

http://lovelifemagazine.blogspot.com/

I better get crackin'...

Out of the blue:

"Mom, I want you to go to the doctor and get a 'grill' baby so she can grow up and be my sister."

Yikes! He's been saying weird stuff like that, and I was really starting to wonder if he knows something I don't. But, upon further investigation - when I asked him why he wants a sister so bad, he exclaimed, "Because I want to tell nursery I have a sister!" I don't know what they're teaching him in there! :)

But whew! I dodged a bullet!

___________________

And another notable quote from B:

Katie- "Hey baby boy, come over here."

Ben- "I'm not a baby."

K- "Then what are you?"

B- "I'm a groon up kid."

Little goof ball. 3 going on 21, I guess.

Clarification...

No, Spence is not walking - he can just stand on his own now. I thought it was a milestone worth reporting, but I'm sorry for the confusion. The way he is standing does look like he's taking a step - but it's just unintentional camera trickery! :)

Spooky - Scary...? Happy Halloween!

Just posting a little Halloween cheer. As always with me, it's a little late, (and if you know me, you know that's true - sadly.) But I think it's worth the wait - just click on the collage to see it bigger, (for those inexperienced with collages). There are some pictures here from the ward Halloween party, our friends Bridget and Chad's Halloween party, and the actual day of Halloween, trick-or-treating and all. So, yes, we had a busy Halloween, and it sure was fun! Oh, and the clown face is courtesy of a Sunday afternoon with nothing to do - and he asked. "Spencer the girl" was at JoAnna's house on Halloween while making fleece ponchos for the kids, (all it takes is a scrap of fleece folks.) He really does look like a cute little girl.... :) Don't tell Doug I said that ... Well, too bad it's time to take down all the Halloween decorations. Ben was really into the whole thing this year - it was pretty fun. I know I'll have a Ninja Turtle all year though - he loved dressing up.

Ta Da!

Growing up so fast... Where does the time go? For real?

Crispity Crunchity Peanut Buttery Brownies... Or if you're a Minnesota native, you probably just know them as "BARS."

So, my amazing friend Brooke puts recipes on her blog all the time, and takes gorgeous pictures of her food to go with it, (if you know her, you know she is incredible at everything she does!). So, I'm pretty much trying to copy her, but I know that I don't have the skillz - so it's a pretty lame attempt. I'm not a great artsy photographer, and these don't look beautiful, but this recipe is quite tasty, so I thought I'd share. I got it from a lady at Doug's work - and it's super easy. I don't know the name of them, so I named them myself, (Butterfinger and Bart Simpson nostalgia?). When Brooke saw them, she said, "oh, so they're like, 5 pounds in a piece?." I debated on naming them that - but thought I should focus on it's good qualities... :) If you know the real name, please share.

1 brownie mix - Bake as directed in a 9 x 13 pan and let cool. (homemade will work great too.)

Spread a 7 oz. jar of marshmallow creme all over the top

then:

Melt 1-11.5 ounce bag o' milk chocolate chips,

and add 1 c. peanut butter;

stir until well blended - and add 3 cups of rice krispies.

Spread on top of marshmallow creme. Let the chocolate set.

In my opinion, they're actually better the next day, or just stick 'em in the fridge for a while until the melted chocolate gets harder. MMMMMM - delish!