Happy Thanksgiving

For the joy of human love

Brother, sister



Parent, child

Friends on earth and friends above

For all gentle thoughts and mild



Lord of All, to Thee we raise



This, our hymn of grateful praise

All pictures taken Thanksgiving 2010 at Bobby and Sabina's. Happy Thanksgiving 2009, 2008

Veteran's Day 2010

The Jeppsons and Colemans all met at a park to play some kickball and have a little picnic.

My brother Levi and Chad goofing with Levi's son Nolan.

Evan and Jovie, my mom and Nolan (trying to hold her at second base), Colin

Bobby's son Santiago, Levi's youngest girls Jovie and Callie, Jovie and me with the big belly


Afterwards we went just down the road and got some Aloha Snow love. This was definitely the highlight of my kids' day. We went last year on Veteran's Day and I think I am liking this tradition.

I got an incredible brownie sundae. That is Gabe's finger reaching out to snatch some whipped cream, and Colin in the background saying, "No fair! I want one!"

Dear Chaddycakes,

It was a good day. The two youngest had a check-up. Oliver was all over the Dr's office, trying to change the AC, trying to get into the Hazardous Materials bin on the wall again and again, scowling at the Dr who shined a light in his eyes. Gabe was surprisingly chatty. They got to lay side by side as the Dr. felt their bellies. Gabe didn't cry a lick when he got his finger pricked or his flu shot. Ollie cried his betrayed-toddler-cry (How could you hold me down while they did that, mom?!) You'll be happy to hear that Oliver's weight is officially back on the charts. The final verdict? We have happy and healthy children and I am so thankful for that.

Oliver took a long long nap. He was still asleep when Colin got home and grumpy about waking up. I swooped them off to the park to enjoy the gorgeous day we were having. They headed straight for the sandbox and stayed there most of the time. I taught them how to dig for the deepest sand to make strong castles and everyone was happy...

Until Oliver started to claim all the sand toys as his own and threw a fit about sharing. A crying, snotty, little boy rolling in the sand is a sad sight to see.

He eventually got over it and we had a lovely afternoon.

We stayed until the sun was almost gone and then came home to Totino's. I know you hate that pizza, but I gotta tell you love, that stuff was sooo good. This was the boys' first time, and they were impressed.

After dinner, the two big boys got much-needed haircuts. Everyone got a shower, we read books and scriptures (maybe without the "s"), and then headed off to bed. As I sat waiting for them to fall asleep Oliver decided that bedtime was the perfect time unload in his diaper. I whispered to him that I was going to get some wipes, and he nodded solemnly from his bed (Gabe was already asleep). The minute I left the room he got up, ran into Colin's room, giggling, and woke him up. That kid, Dew.

All three of those kids. They are so beautiful, tucked in their beds, sleeping and angelic. We are so blessed, and you are so missed.

Do you like my muffin tops?

I saw this recipe for Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin Tops on my cousin Olivia's blog awhile ago and have wanted to try it out since then. I had some leftover pumpkin, so I finally did.

It calls for only three ingredients - chocolate cake mix (maybe I should have used chocolate fudge like the recipe said instead of milk chocolate), 15 oz of pumpkin, and 1/4 cup of chocolate chips . You mix everything together, then scoop the batter out onto a cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 12-14 minutes. The recipe says you can make 48 muffin tops, but I didn't come anywhere close to that.

Oliver, Gabe, and Chad really liked them. Colin didn't at all. I thought they were okay, but very sugary, and I am more into fried/sour foods these days, so I only ate 2 or 3 before I was done (which is highly unusual for me). Will I make them again someday? Probably. So easy!

Does "muffin top" make you think of 30 Rock? If so, I love you.

A Whole Season of Soccer

With two games and an end-of-the-year party for Colin, we were at the soccer fields for over three hours yesterday. It was in the 50s, which doesn't sound that cold, but the wind was blowing, and it definitely chilled us after awhile. I can't believe we were sweating just a little over a month ago.

Colin had a great season on Team Spain and cried last night that it was over. He loves soccer and says that he wants to play again in the spring. I will miss it - he needs that time three times a week to run and run and run. Now that it is over he has time to start piano, and he is extremely excited about that.

My eyes are burning

The kids and I have been home sick the last couple of days and I have been using it as a chance to get some maternity and winter shopping done online. The nice thing about having three boys is knowing that when I buy a pair of jeans or uniform pants for Colin, they will definitely get used over the years.

While looking for the boys, I have allowed myself to take a peek at the little girls' clothes. Surprisingly, I haven't liked a lot of it. Maybe I'm just not used to it, but so much of it is just such a bright pink! It is so jarring to me and it feels like they think all girl clothes need to scream "girl girl girl!". I have found some pieces that are just adorable though, and I love this knit cap and dress paired together from The Children's Place.

If I were blessing a baby girl in the fall or winter and wanted something a little bit different, I think this outfit would be precious (and very affordable too!). For anything else, I realize the color choice is very impractical. It would have to be one of those church dresses you put on right before you leave and take off the second you get home, praying the whole time that they don't have a blow-out.

If you happen to be shopping at The Children's Place online, use the code M3C2010 to get 20% off. Not bad! Expires November 15.

A Brand New Kid (kinda)

Ollie on Tuesday morning, waiting with Chad, Gabe, and my mom for my ultrasound (notice that my mom wore pink for good luck :o)

Yesterday I decided that the rat's nest was really out of control. It was time for a change. All the blonde locks came off, and my little baby grew about a year in 15 minutes. Now it is like looking at a brand new kid, only not really, because he looks so familiar to me - so much like his big brother Colin. I love seeing his pretty face, and he looks so much neater, but I already miss those rascally blonde locks.

Pajamas first seen here. Where does the time go?

Halloween Madness

It started last Wednesday, when I was in charge of preschool. I *might* have gone a little overboard coming up with creative snacks and crafts for the kiddos, but it was fun. The mini-jack-o-lantern you see above was a hollowed out orange that was then stuffed with fruit, with a green spoon sticking out the top. Very cute, but I must admit that that one was definitely not worth the effort.

On Friday we had our ward Fall Festival with a trunk-or-treat. The boys thought it would fun this year to all dress as ninjas. The second picture is blurry but I had to include it because Ollie was trying to make a tough face like his brothers.

I thought that Chad and my parents had some of the best costumes of the night. My dad had a costume that matched my mom's but I didn't get a picture of them together. My mom also won the pumpkin carving contest for the second year in a row!

On Saturday my mom and dad had all the grandkids over to play Halloween games and to celebrate Bryce's birthday.

Fun times! Then on Sunday we did the trick or treat dinner that I already blogged about. Now onto Thanksgiving!

Let's end the suspense

Here she is, sucking her thumb!


Yes, SHE!

Please forgive the immodesty (what am I teaching her already?!), but here's the proof folks.

I really should have cleaned my scanner screen first, but I have about ten minutes to post this before I take Gabe to piano. More pics to follow later today!

Last night's menu

Trick or Treat Café

Diners beware!

Please choose three items.

Write beside them the order you would like them served – 1, 2, 3

Bloody Brains

Haunted Harvest

Candied Caverns

Skin and Bones

Spicy Maggots in Mud

Ghoulish Coffins

Fried Pockets of Pus

Slime Surprise

Last night we had the missionaries over for dinner and I wanted to do something different and Halloweeny. We did a three course mystery dinner, with spooky names for all the food choices. That meant making multiple dishes, so I need to get those dishes pretty simple. The fun of a mystery dinner is that someone may end up getting dessert for their first course or ordering three desserts and no entrees. It ended up working out kind of funny because out of the five people ordering, no one ordered Ghoulish Coffins, Spicy Maggots in Mud, or Haunted Harvest, and only one person ordered Bloody Brains, so today I have a bunch of leftover food. All five ordered Skin and Bones, so I ran out of that.

Wondering what everything was? Here is the the breakdown:

Bloody Brains - Spaghetti

Haunted Harvest - Salad

Candied Caverns - Pumpkin Pie

Skin and Bones - Hamburger with Seasoned Fries on the side

Spicy Maggots in Mud - Chipotle Chocolate Chili (leftover from our ward party :o)

Ghoulish Coffins - Brownies with whipped cream

Fried Pockets of Pus - Texas Egg Rolls, expect made as wontons, served with pepper jelly - big hit!

Slime Surprise - orange jello with whipped cream

It was a fun night, especially for the kids, who didn't have to do any of the work :o) I didn't have a chance to sit down at all, but that's okay.