Torture Made Fun

So the big (literally) item this year for Christmas was a inflatable ball that Kirstin got from her Grandparents. She saw it in a magazine and wanted it and here it is. I'm sure that this would 

constitute torture for any grown person as the continual motion would make me want to toss my cookies to say the least. We do have a rule that you can't go in until 30 minutes after you've eaten. Which I think is only wise. I think Emil enjoyed pushing her around as much as she did getting pushed.

Noah was fully occupied for all of Christmas Morning building a  K'Nex set with a roller coaster and ferris wheel. So far we only have the roller coaster done but it's pretty darn cool. 

Kai stayed busy trying to navigate a RC car and a easy erector set that was just perfect for his age.

Emil Michael was a great big brother and helped assemble a really difficult bionicle-like action guy along with everything else.

Emil has been busy with his sandwich maker and is making everything in it. Even things that probably should not be made in it. Like cooking eggs. 

Kirstin is just rolling and rolling around. Have a great New Year!

 

You're eyelid may be 95.6 degrees too...

The music you're hearing is Emil Michael playing Linus and Lucy from Charlie Brown. Isn't he awesome?
Tonight was the Christmas piano recital. It was my first and Emil Michael's like tenth. (He's an old pro!) He did a wonderful job and is just amazing in his talent. He has really grown so much this year in his playing. He's gotten to the point where he is good enough to play pieces that he likes and are popular. I'm such a proud Mom. As for me, I was scared! Who would have thought! I really didn't expect to be but I was. My hands were shaking. I did pretty good for my first time. Some mistakes but overall nothing devastating. I never want to think myself too old to try something new or challenging. 

Getting there was a bit challenging. Tonight was also a fireside at the church. Noah was running a fever and so we divided and conquered. Emil took Kirstin and Noah with a sleeping bag and some videos in tow. He just hung out in the nursery while they had the fireside and watched videos. I got Kai and Emil. Kai was a bit restless. Rosalie was able to come and hear Emil Michael which was the first time in a couple of years so that was a big surprise for her. We really love having them close and appreciate the dedication they show in coming to the kids different performances. Just Tuesday Kirstin had her band concert and Emil, Rosalie and Maria all came after a full day of work. They're awesome!

Noah just discovered out how to take his temp. using the thermometer that you stick in your ear so now he's really attentive to his temp. While I was upstairs tonight putting Kai to bed he was telling me that his eyelid was 95.6 degrees. He's actually a really good sick kid and he typically just lays around and ask for cool things to eat. I hope he feels better by Christmas. Have a Merry one!

Greetings from Mars

Hello Earthlings!

I hear you're celebrating Christmas this season. Here on Mars we celebrate a special season called 2 yellow crystals day. It's the day we find two yellow crystals and stick them on either end of a stick and show it to one another. It's a rather festive day. You should come by and join in our revelry sometime. There is a lot of room on the red planet for friends!

Ok enough of the silly stuff. Noah was reading blogs

and wanted to add his Lego guy picture and so of course we had to add a story. ( He's supervising me right now!) This was one of those weeks that you just want to be over. We are almost there. 

On Wednesday we had our HSA (Home School Association) meeting to find out how many kids we were going to have for our lock in on Friday. The count was 35. We were feeling really good because it was a very manageable number and we had all our supplies bought. We were going to have the kids make gramcracker houses, play games, do pictures with Santa, have pizza and watch Frosty the Snowman. From 3-7pm on Friday afternoon. All for the bargain price of $5.00. Yes, it is very cheap but we have some low income kids and we wanted everyone to be able to come. So we were ready to go. 

Thursday Kai had a field trip to the Hunt Club in Va Beach. It is a winter wonderland type deal. They had a Christmas Tree lot and it brought back memories of Dad selling Christmas Trees on the Bakery parking lot every year. I love the smell of real pine. Those pine candles just stink to me. It was really stormy and that afternoon there was a tornado warning right at the end of school so the buses were delayed coming home about 15 minutes. They actually had a tornado touch down about 5 miles from the school but there wasn't any damage. 

That night we had the ward social. I was 40 minutes late for it along with Noah who was suppose to be one of the wise men. I thought I was getting there 20 minutes early.  I was totally off by about an hour. Oh well it's not like they waited for us, oh wait, yes they did!!! How embarrassing!

Friday I called one of the officers to see when she would be at school to find out her daughters both had a case of Lice and she wouldn't be at the lock in. Then when I went to school I discovered that our count for the lock in had jumped to 87!!!! It was utterly ridiculous.

I went with the other co-president to get more of everything and we rushed back to the school. The entire lock in was chaotic and very loud. Let's just say Melissa I'm glad it wasn't a 2 1/2 year nursery stint, but we made it through. We had to wait for 40 minutes for one Mom that was late for pickup... Grrrr. 

Then we rushed home to eat ice cream for Kai's birthday, open presents, and go deliver our Secret Santa gift and fall in bed. I was exhausted. Yesterday I got to dip some Bon Bons and make more Peppermint Meringues and last night we went to Emil's parents for a Birthday dinner and more presents. One of his presents was a Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em game. It was a total riot playing everyone. I stink at it. 

Today is the Stake Christmas Concert that Emil and Kirstin are both singing in. So we'll be heading out for that tonight. Next week I'm taking it easy. I don't like the rush that often accompanies this time of year. Usually I'm better able to block it out but I haven't been very successful this year. Better planning next year. 

Busy Baking

So today I pulled out the Peppermint Meringues recipe I acquired from a friend last winter. It was my favorite recipe but had been a bit tricky. I tried it 3 times today before I finally got it right but now that I figured it out I think I'll be good to go from now on. They are so good and make about 110 little minty Meringues. 

Here's the recipe if any of you would like to try it. They make a great gift and you can dip the bottom of them in dark chocolate and they are divine.

Peppermint Meringues

3 egg whites

1 c. sugar

1/2 t. pure peppermint extract

1 t. cream of tarter

red paste food coloring

1. Preheat oven to 175. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. 

2. Fit pastry bag with star tip. Using a new (small) paintbrush or bamboo skewer paint two or three stripes of red food coloring inside the pastry bag.

3. Put egg whites and sugar in double boiler and heat until sugar dissolves. (about 5 minutes) Stirring continually. 

4. Pour into mixer with whisk attachments. Add cream of tarter. Beat on medium high speed until stiff peaks form. 

5. Beat in extract. 

6. Fill bag with meringue, pipe small stars onto parchment. 

7. Bake meringues until crisp, but not brown. About 1 hour and 40 minutes to 2 hours

8. Let cool on parchment on wire racks.

It sounds labor intensive but really it's not once you figure out what you're doing. Hope you enjoy! 

All I want for Christmas is.....

Kai has had a busy past couple of months getting rid of all his front teeth. He only has one more to go before all 4 of the major front ones are gone. He had to have the one on top pulled but then he lost the bottom two within a week of each other. I haven't ever had a child loose teeth in Kindergarten! He did get them the earliest though.  He has been so funny this month. He loves December since he knows his birthday is just around the corner. Every morning I wake up to find he's gotten up and turned on all the Christmas lights on the tree and the railing coming down the stairs. When I asked him why he just said "I love Christmas lights!!" Too cute. We trimmed our tree for family night yesterday and the kids had a good time finding "their" ornaments. I'm glad to have all the decorating done and I'm raring to go with the baking. 

Kirstin has been busily making hair

 bows for kids at school. Here she is with one in her hair now.  She is selling them for .50 a bow. Order yours now to beat the holiday rush! :)

Emil Michael is getting ready for his Piano recital in December. Actually he and I both are. He is doing so great with his piano. I'm hoping to figure out a way to record

 it on the computer and make a CD. If any of you have experience in this I'd love some pointers. 

Noah is busy trying to figure out how to get more time on the Wii. His current passion. He is a funny guy and we sure love him. Speaking of which I should probably go get him in bed. Remember to enjoy the season!  

My Thanksgiving Thankful List

Virginia Symphony

Last night we went to the Virginia Symphony with Emil M. and Kirstin to listen to The Planets by Holst. They also played The Hebrides by Mendelssohn. It was amazing! If you have never been to a live performance take my word for it- there is nothing like it. I think it is something everyone should do at least once a year. A play, a Symphony even a high school production just something live. There is a real difference.

Emil got tickets for his birthday and we went out to a Tai restaurant with the kids before hand. (It was so cold! Like 29 degrees!!!! Burr!) We had to walk a little because parking was crazy. Once we were inside it was fine though. I asked Emil what string instrument he would play if he could play any and he said the Bass Fiddle. I said Cello. It is just such a beautiful looking and sounding instrument. 

So that's going  to be one of my goals in life. Learn to play the Cello. Plus it sounds so refined.  Just for the record. Emil said he wanted to play the Bass Fiddle, which to me just looks like a cello on steroids, so he could beat up my Cello with it. How typical. I had to put up with the abuse because the tickets were his birthday present but you know.... ;)

So this is the big turkey week. We are going to Emil's parents and that should be fun. The boys have a turkey bowl thanksgiving morning. I'm sure they'll be sore from that. Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!

Currituck Sunrise

I walked out the front porch the other morning to get the boys off to school and there was the most amazing sunrise. I had to take a picture of it. Landscape shots never come close to expressing the awe I find in nature but I thought this one was pretty good. Too bad all the houses are in the way. Oh well. Just think if you lived in Currituck, you too could step out your door and behold such beauty.  What a amazing world!

Emil and I got to go to the temple this weekend. The weather was a mess. It was raining and cool but we enjoyed the solitude and the temple is great no matter the weather. I took this pic with my cell phone. (I forgot my digital)
So for Family Night on Monday we decided to make a short movie. I think it is all of 3 and 1/2 minutes. It is so funny but I'm not sure if it's so funny because we made it or because it really is funny. I have to figure out how to get it onto the computer from the camcorder and then hopefully I'll be able to post it.  In the mean time I guess you'll just have to be content with some dance humor from Kirstin. Enjoy!

Halloween

We have had a good time this fall. Kai and I went on our first Kindergarden field trip to the Zoo. It was a little chilly and overcast but overall a pretty good day. Kai really liked all the animals but I was really impressed with the Lioness. They were so chill.

Halloween was fun with Kai and Noah going out this year. Kirs

tin and Emil Michael stayed home and passed out candy and raided our stash. Kai was a M&M. We have had that costume since my Nephew, Ben, gave it to us like 10 years ago. Everyone except Emil Michael has been an M&M one year or another. Noah was Link. I guess all the boys who play Zelda will know who he is. None of the adults did. They all guessed Robin Hood. He was very understanding that the adults didn't recognize him and after about the 5th house he just told everyone he was a fighting elf.  I guess that's a pretty good description of Link. Finally at the last house we went to there was a guy about 22 who guess Noah was Link on the first try so it was worth all the effort. He enjoys dressing up in his costume even when he isn't trick or treating so I guess it was worth making it. I think it sure turned out cute. Hope you all had a great Halloween!

Beach Slide Show

School, Beach, Hurricanes and Hiking

New and exciting times for the Moster Clan. School started for us 3 weeks ago. Kai is doing really well and I am soooo thankful for that. I was a bit apprehensive about that but it seems to be working so far. Kirstin and Emil M. are at the same schools and nothing much new for them by way of schedule just different classes and teachers. Noah is doing fine and so we're all good. I thought I'd have all this free time but have quickly filled it with all good things. It's amazing how quickly the day passes. I'm hoping to settle down into a routine soon and develop some type of schedule since I really like being organized in that way. 

Last weekend we got the chance to go to the beach for the day and it was great. The waves were small but fun for Kirstin to work her moves on. Kirstin, Noah and Kai discovered sand fleas and had a good two hours worth of fun catching them and observing them. Emil M. decided that he had had enough beach for the summer and opted to hang out in the truck the whole trip. Lest you feel sorry for him. He was perfectly content to write and sleep. The kids also tried their hand at fishing but they couldn't get anything to bite. It was the perfect end to the summer.

Tropical storm Hannah blew through NC without much of a fuss. It was a really mild storm with relatively little rain in our area. Lots of wind but not too strong. I think 60 mph was what the expected high gust were. We just had lots of leaves and little branches all over the yard with the power flickering off only twice.

This past weekend we went hiking on the Appalachian Trail. (spelling that was almost as hard as the hike was!) It was a 

grueling hike. Emil has really gotten into hiking as of late and wanted to wet our taste buds on his newfound passion. We left

home around 4pm on Thursday and camped at Sherando Lake.

Friday morning we got up and found this awesome little red spotted gecko. He was so cool. Then we went for the hike. I just got pictures with my camera of the before shots. 

Kirstin's camera was the one we took on the hike and I couldn't find it to download those pictures. It was so beautiful on Friday. The entire day we were hiking in the clouds. It was misty all around and the temp was a perfect 65 degrees. So even though we were working like dogs getting up and down the mountain we were cool doing it. We covered 7.6 miles that day I think. Much of it over very rocky terrain. That night we slept at the Harpers Creek Shelter. It was truly beautiful. So isolated and awe inspiring. The trees were so tall and lush they blocked out much of the sky. You just don't experience that in our busy lives these days. 

  

Saturday was a rough day. The sun was shinning and it was warmer. Probably high 70's. We had to hike another 5.6 miles out and we were all tired and sore from the day before. We had hopes that this would be an easier day since the map said we would be going down hill most of the way but it just meant that we would go down to go up again and again and again. We were so beat by the time we finished at 2pm. Kai's pack had been redistributed on Saturday morning and Emil took Noah's pack the last mile and a half. We were all sweating the entire time and soaked thru and thru. We spent a hour at the lake playing before we showered and started for home. I don' t know that I'll ever willingly agree to do another hike like that but at least now I can said I've done it. If any of you want a tour guide, I'm sure Emil would be glad to take you on a scenic hike.... just remember to bring your Ben-Gay!

Watkins Glenn : The Gorge Hike

The New York Trip

So I realized that I hadn't written about our New York trip 

that was in July. We mostly camped at State Parks, we saw 

Niagara Falls, The Hill Cumorah Pageant, and some other 

church sites.

Our first day of the trip we wanted to go to D.C. we got 

about an hour from there and the trailer we were towing 

with all the camping gear seized up and the tires wouldn't 

turn so we spent a good amount of time trying to get it 

resolved but were unable to so we just left it in an abandoned lot and packed 

everything in the car. (It was a little crowded.) Since it took so long to deal with that 

we decided to scratch D.C. for the day and just go to Greenbrier State Park in MD 

which was our accommodation for the night. It was a beautiful park with a really nice 

swimming area and some good trails for hiking.

We hiked the next day and then packed up and drove the entire way to our 

campsite right on Lake Erie. It too was a state park but not half as nice as the one in 

MD. We got there pretty late so we didn't do much of anything that night. 

The next day we went to Niagara

Falls. When we got out of the car I realized that Kai had not brought his shoes. This is 

a very common occurrence, so I really should have thought to check but we were 

already past the border and an hour and half from the campsite so there was no going

back to get them. Emil and I were both sorely tempted to just let him walk around 

barefooted but I couldn't go through with it so I was forced to buy him a $35 pair of 

Crocs (not a $5 pair of flip flops in sight!) at a gift shop. Kai definitely got the most 

expensive souvenir of us all.

Kirstin also had a close encounter with a little bird when we

were eating that ruinedappetite for the rest of the meal. 

Let's just say it left her with a little present right on her

nose! Poor Kirstin! The rest of us had a good laugh though.

Kirstin is such a good sport.

The falls themselves were so amazing! It is such a 

incredible experience to feel the power of the water there. 

We did the Maid of the Mist tour, (How could you not?) 

which was really cool. It was a very neat to go to a place that I had always heard of and seen pictures of but

never actually been to.

So the next day we went to swim at the beach on Lake Erie. It was quite an 

experience. I have to share because Emil and I got such a good laugh from the whole 

thing. The beach itself is pretty rocky there is some sand but it big and there are a lot

of rocks as you get in the water so as you're going out you look like you're walking on 

hot coals because you can't

put your weight on them. So we walk out on to this big long 

beautiful beach but everyone is clustered in a 50 yard area where 

the lifeguards are. (I guess that was the only place you were 

allowed to swim.) There were at least 6 lifeguards, Emil says more.

2 were on the lifeguard seat, one was in a kayak out just beyond 

the ropes, 2 were running drills and 2 were sweeping a walkway. 

Every time someone so much as breathed we would heard the 

Lifeguards' megaphone "Bleeep! Please don't lean on the ropes!" 

"Bleep! Please go out that far!" 

"Bleeep! You're not allowed to chicken fight!"

It was so ridiculous! People were getting Bleeped for the silliest 

things. I felt like saying "Bleep! Please don't have fun! Bleeep! 

Please don't get a tan it'll make the rest of us look bad!" So now I know why all the 

New Yorkers go to Nags Head for their summer vacation. They get to act like they're really at a beach. Plus the lake is Cold!

After the Lake Erie incident we packed up and headed to our hotel. It was 

Saturday and we wanted to sleep some place that had showers and a bed since we 

were going to attend church the next day. It was really good to get back to some AC.

That night we went to see The Hill Cumorah Pageant. It is an outdoor drama depicting 

events from the Book of Mormon. Kai fell asleep but the rest of the family enjoyed it. 

Noah especially enjoyed the fighting scenes.

Sunday we went to Sacrament Meeting and then to the Peter Whitmer Farm where 

the church was organized. It was raining so we didn't get to walk around very much. 

Then we headed to the Sacred Grove which was achingly beautiful. There is such a 

peaceful spirit there. After that we headed to our next accommodations at Watkins 

Glenn State Park in NY.

Watkins Glenn is just gorgeous. The state park is at the top of a small river or 

creek that empties into Seneca Lake, one of the finger lakes by the Great Lakes. The 

creek has carved the rock over time and there are 19 waterfalls within the park. On

Monday we took The Gorge Hike that followed the path that the water takes to get to 

Seneca Lake. I took so many pictures. I haven't figured out which ones are my favorites

yet. After we went up the mountain via The Gorge trail we came back down via The 

Indian Trail. That one wasn't nearly as exciting as the first walk but it was easier on 

the knees. The Gorge Trail has 800 steps. (I was feeling every one by the next day.) 

The park also had an olympic size swimming pool and a really extensive playground 

that Kai and Noah loved. Kirstin and Emil had fun swimming in the pool while Emil 

Michael's favorite past time was sleeping in the hammock while we all went to the 

playground and pool. (He likes the quiet)

Tuesday it was time to head home. We packed up everything possible the night 

before so we just had to put the tent and sleeping bags away and we were off. It was a

long day driving, about 12 hours. We stopped in the town we left the trailer to check 

on it and it was gone. Someone had stolen it. We both knew this was a possibility but 

we were hoping that it would be there. We put in a report with the police but still 

haven't heard anything positive. I don't think we'll get it back sadly. So that was our 

trip it was so much fun and just nice to see a different part of the country and

enjoy the beauty it has to offer.

Birthdays, Fort Moster and Climbing

This past Saturday was Emil's birthday, he's finally catching up to me an can no longer claim to be a year younger than I am. He went early to go get some items from Home Depot and help a friend move a few boxes. Then he came home and worked on Fort Moster (the treehouse) and ended up finishing it up. Kai was his right hand man and it was so cute to hear how excited he was to come in the house for a drink and tell me all about the new trap door or whatever else they had just completed. He ate it up. It's so nice to have the Fort actually done since Emil's had this project brewing for over a year. We even used recycled wood from a friends deck they tore down so we were "green" about it too. Emil's a great Dad. 

I asked the kids what they thought Emil would like to do best for his birthday and they all thought rock climbing so after a birthday dinner we headed out to the Rock Gym in Va Beach. It was just like a bad romance novel. It was a hot steamy night....(OK, well maybe only that part, did but how often do you actually get the chance to actually write that line and it actually apply?) 

Emil and I belayed the kids for about 2 hours and that was very sweaty but fun. Then he had a go at a wall he wanted to see if he could conquer. It was pretty fun but most of my happiness came from the fact that we were all together.

Blueberry Jam, Rolls and Family

The Blueberry season is coming to a close but I've gotten to go picking the past couple of days and yesterday decided to try my hand at making some blueberry jam. I invited my friend over and we divided and conquered. I got about 10 8oz jars of jam and I feel so resourceful. It's berry good and today I'm making Lion House rolls to indulge in!

We also got out family pictures taken and wanted to share them with any of you who might be interested. They are posted at www.portraitsbyjana.smugmug.com . You go to the recent sessions tab and then the one listed The Mosters. You have to know the password which is my maiden name all in lowercase letters. 

It has been a rough week for us. For those of you who didn't know one of Emil's uncles passed away this week from cancer. Thankfully his family was able to say their goodbyes the weekend before and just went back for the memorial but because of all the uncertainty we called off the Maria/Emil birthday bash scheduled for this weekend. We will do it some other time. 

Additionally my niece has been having some serious problems with her liver this week and was in serious condition at the hospital at the beginning of the week. Thankfully she was able to come home on Wednesday but her wedding, which is planned for next saturday, is now going to be postponed. She is a sweet gal and she as well as Emil's family have been in our thoughts and prayers this whole week. We are so thankful for her recovery and for the blessing family is in our lives.

Next week may find me peach picking. If so I'll try to remember to take some pictures and give you a good post. No peach jam thought, it's not one of my favorites. See you soon!

Everybody's Doing It!

Ok. So it seems like everyone is blogging now and with more and more of my family members sending me their sites I decided "It can't be that hard!" So here is an attempt to keep people up to date on the Mosters and also include pics with the least degree of downloading problems. Hope you enjoy!