Graham Cracker Train

The tradition: on Christmas Eve growing up, the Russell kids would make a graham cracker train (much the same as ginger bread houses- lots of frosting and cand) to use up some of the kids excitement about Santa and kill time before going to bed. The rule was you got to eat the candy off of your train in the days to come- so they used to mainly be cargo trains packed with candy... now it's just for fun so we really get creative. Daz made an aquarium this year... Jon made a med school (fitting since he is applying right now). Mine was very uninspired- just very colorful. We always have great memories of the trains and every Christmas we talk about "remember the year when "so and so" made this train" etc. It's been a fun memory. This was the first year Nate "participated" but it is my 5th. We didn't get any pictures on Christmas Eve itself, of the creation process, just the days after of Nate trying to sneak candy.

The captions that go along with this picture is I told Nate "no" he couldn't have any candy right now and walked out of the room- thinking the train was safe since all of the chairs were pushed against the wall. Ha! The little sneak pushed the chair right up to the table. I didn't think he could do that! THe next picture I am trying to stop him from demolishing Trudy's car.

BUT AT LAST... I GAVE IN!

CANNEEEEE!

AND NATE WENT TO TOWN!

THERE HAS GOT TO BE A BETTER WAY... OH THIS IS BETTER!

ONCE AGAIN, HAD TO RESORT TO DESPERATE MEASURES


I SAID "ONE MORE" AND NATE SAYS "2 MORE"

Did you know...

Did you guys see the extra scene at the end of Pirates III that starts out by saying "Ten years later..."? If you haven't seen it, go to the end of the movie, right after the credits. You can't find it by scene selection, you have to fast forward through all the credits to see it. It is definitely worth seeing! Adds to the story!

CHRISTMAS!

Opening a cash register from Uncle Jon

Playing with Gma Trudy's stuffed Santas.............Nate with the German Nativity he loved!

Chris opening a big one! ..........................................Nate LOVED his Curious George slippers

Nate opened one gift early... 3 days early!........... Nate and Aunt Daz. She loves him so much!

Merry Christmas Daz! ...................................................Grandma Trudy and Uncle Jon

I will never...

The stocking my mom made for me. Cute, huh?

I know as I type this that it is a lie but I will never make another home-made stocking! My mom made each of her kids these darling stockings and so I thought I would follow in suit! Ha! I finally finished it at 2 am on Christmas Eve. I had been working on it nonstop for the week beforehand. I thought I would sit down and whip it out in a couple of hours. I worked from 8pm-2am for days before Christmas. Well, at least I finished it on time!

Nate's stocking I made.

Oh yeah... I still have a blog!

Okay, I realize that I have been pathetic about my posting the last few months- but life has been crazy! But I am back! I will be posting every day this week to catch you all up on what we have been doing, Christmas, etc. But my first post is a big one!

It's gone! I finally did it!

10 inches really isn't that much after all! I thought my hair would have to be so much shorter than that! I know these pictures aren't very good of my actual hair cut, so I will have Chris take one from the shoulders up tonight so you can really see it. I have never actaully liked a hair cut while in the salon. I usually go home and cry and then get use to it- but I really like it! And love my new stylist Kelly. She's wonderful. If anyone needs a good stylist in the area go to her! I went to Trendz over by hwy 1 in Iowa City.

Freeze Frame

Yes we make Nate do things purely for our entertainment.... so are we bad parents? Ha. Seriously, this kid is going to be the class clown because as soon as he finds something that we laugh at him for doing, he will do it over and over again. This time he had a little encouragement because I wanted to video it, but normally he just busts these random things out when we aren't giving him enough attention. It is hard to tell what he is doing that we are laughing at on the video. He does this thing where it is as if I yell "freeze!" He holds completely still except his hands shake a little because he is tensing them so much! His face is the best, don't you think?

*Let it snow*

We took Nate sledding for the first time this week when we actually got a little snow instead of all the ice we have had lately. We can't wait until dad is done with finals to go on some real hills. Nate's sled has a seatbelt which is the only way we could get him to stay sitting! He loved playing in the snow and didn't want to come in!

Sweet Sugar Baby!

Tonight was the last hoorah with my sweet friend Carly Schultz as they are moving in a few short weeks. Carly, I love you dearly and a part of my heart will go with you to DM.... I know you are dying right now seeing this picture, but this is how I will always see you... plus a diet dr. pepper! I always laugh the hardest around you, you are so fun! You have such a great way of looking at life, and then comentating on it, that I will truly miss. I know I can trust you to tell me the honest truth- for better or for worse. You are a great garage sale shopping buddy! You have fabulous taste and always look so great- I am forever stealing fashion tips from you, or new ways to do my hair. You look cuter in sweats and a pony tail than any woman has the right to. I will always remember going to The Holiday last Christmas break with you when you were SO pregnant with Laney and laughing and crying... and being the only ones in the theater- just like it should be! You finally caved and read Twilight! You are so laid back and up for anything- a great friend to have because you are always willing to come along with me to CR or the outlets or just up to the mall. There are so many things that I am going to miss about you, so many things we all are going to miss. Our group dynamic just won't be the same with out you! Good thing you are only going a few hours away! I am so proud of you for starting your own business. I know this is the best thing for your family, but you are sure going to be missed! Love you!

Carly's Bday in April at HuHot
I seriously look like I'm 12.. okay maybe 13

Last night
Carly, I really hope this isn't how you remember me!

Sometimes it's good to be bad...

This afternoon Nate was really missing Chris since he is already locked himself away studying for finals. We were sitting around playing with blocks and listening to Christmas music when he grabbed my hand and pulled me into the kitchen. When we were in the kitchen he told me to pick him up. When I had picked him up he told me to open the freezer. When I opened the freezer he said, "ice cream!" I was so surprised he knew where the ice cream was that I pulled it out and handed it to him. He sat down on the kitchen floor and took off the lid. I figured out his plan, so I pulled out two spoons- a toddler size for Nate and a normal one for me. We ate ice cream for a couple of minutes, Nate saying "dinky" aka "thank you" after every few bites, then he noticed my spoon was bigger! He convinced me to trade, which followed with a big grin and another "dinky". When he had had enough he stood up and said, "ta ta" which means "tubby time" in our house. I thought he must want to get warmed up after eating icecream. We went up and he played in the tub for a while, then he said "gooks" aka books. So we went into his room, jammified him, and read books for about 30 min. Then he got off my lap, went to his crib and yelled "ginky" aka binky. Then it dawned on me- Nate thought ice cream was his dinner! After dinner each night he takes a tub, then we read books, then he goes to bed. He assumed ice cream was his dinner, and then walked me through his bedtime routine! I laughed because it was only 5:30! There was no way I was going to let him go down this early! I convinced him to come downstairs and play with his farm and wait for dad to get home from school. I was also able to get some "real" dinner into that cute little belly. He ate a lot of lasagna thank goodness! Anyway, so I felt like a bad mom for letting my son eat ice cream for dinner.... but it felt so good to sit on the kitchen floor and eat ice cream straight from the tub.

Dancing King

Here are Nate's sweet dance moves. Even when we are in the mall, at the grocery store, in the car, or at a friend's house he busts out these killer moves- whenever he hears music.

Anytime, anywhere.

BEDHEAD

1. The condition of having unkempt hair, generally as a result of having just woken up from sleep.

Why does every "celebrity" have to make an ablum?

And here is the song "leaked" out accidentally that Spencer raps on. He starts rapping at the 2 min 20 sec. mark. Enjoy!

i HEART nancy kirk!

My sweet friend Nancy Kirk is moving all too soon. I remember the first time I met her she dropped Abby off in my nursery at church. We found out we lived by eachother, and started bbq-ing almost every night and then the guys would play wiffleball. I loved spending time with her, she just makes me feel so happy! She is such a sincere, loyal, sweet friend and will be very missed. Love you Nancy!

If you are going to be in the area, we are having a "Nancy Party" Saturday night at my place after 8pm. We are going to enjoy chocolate fondue and good friends, and most importantly, enjoy our last girls night with Nacy! p.s. YES, YOU CAN COME LATE! I HAVE HAD MANY OF YOU EMAIL ME ABOUT COMING LATE BECAUSE YOU NEED TO PUT KIDS DOWN- OF COURSE! WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU!

Dinner tonight

I love being able to see Nate try a new food for the first time. Tonight was spaghetti. He typically doesn't like noodles or slimey foods-but he decided to give it a try! Love this kid! Other news from the ranch, I have agreed to keep the long hair until Christmas per request of my husband, but look for short hair in posts come January. Also, I forgot to post that some old lady gave Nate Christmas candy while trick-or-treating... and they weren't selling it in stores yet... gag! Final news, Chris and I watched Transformers last week (first time for me,but not for him) and I 'gasp' really liked it! I was checking my email during the beginning, so I missed some stuff and need to go back and watch it again. If you haven't seen it, give it a try. I am sure your husbands would be willing to watch it with you! I love my movie-obsessed husband!

Happy Halloween!

We had a great Halloween! Chris was able to come home from school early and hang out before we took Nate trick or treating which was the best treat of all! We went to an afternoon Halloween party hosted by some of our neighbors. Nate thought it was so fun (again) to see all of his buddies dressed up. They all kept trying to pull on each others costumes! Nate was pulling Hal's butterfly wigs and Laney was pulling on Nate's duck bill! We love that we live so close to some many friends! After the party we hung out with dad and then trick or treated "The Hamptons" , attempted to go to a bday party- but went to the wrong location! then went with the Ross' and trick or treated Chris' parents neighborhood where there was this AMAZING pirate ship ( I will have to get a picture from Sarah) and Halloween display in one yard! Amazing! P.S. the one of Nate in the yellow is Nate eat the candy out of the popcorn cake Sarah made.He ate every last piece of candy and left only the popcorn and nuts!

Trunk or Treat Fun

We had so much fun at our ward's Trunk or Treat on Saturday. It was nice and warm and Nate wore his costume the entire time! Gasp! Needless to say I was shocked! Nate thought it was so funny to see his friends all dressed up, especially girlfriend Hallie (or as Nate calls her Hayee) We just love that cute little bug! And yes, Nate does have a different sucker in every picture... it's Halloween, why not let the kid go nuts! I swear for 3 days all I have heard is "cucka, cucka" begging for another dang sucker! I guess it is a nice break from him begging for the car keys!

Well worth it!

Today Nate and I went to surprise Chris at school in his carrel (private study desk) but when we got there he wasn't there! I was kinda glad because I wanted to put up pictures of Nate and one that he colored "for dad". Right when we finished our decorating Chris called and said he was out front so we met up with him. Back story- Nate knows that the law school and Chris go together so when we parked out front (in 15 min parking) he started to say "dadadadadada". So I planned to leave after we decorated the carrel, but Nate knew dad was there somewhere. When we did find Chris, I didn't have the heart to make him leave as he was so excited. We ended up staying for a while and playing out on the front yard.... completely forgetting that I parked in 15 min parking.... so I got a ticket! But I decided it was worth it. If someone said to me, you can go see Chris right now and he can play with Nate for a while, for$15 I would do it! So "ha" University of Iowa parking patrol! I will take that ticket gladly!

My Little Pumpkin!

Typically I love fall.... but I am having a hard time finding fall this year! We went to the pumkin farm on Friday thinking it would be really busy Saturday and it was so cold! Then Saturday was shorts weather! Oh well... we still had a great time! Nate loved carrying his pumpkin around that he picked out himself- I think it was the first pumkin he tried to pick up that he could actually lift off the ground. We just love having Grandma Trudy near by to share all these memories with. I forgot my camera- I have not been taking it anywhere hence lack of blog posts lately- so these were taken with Trudy's cell phone. I am surprised how well they turned out! Especially since it was really hard to see what I was taking a picture of since the screen is so small. I love the one of Chris and Nate up above. Check out that dimple! I hope he never loses it!

My latest love

I finally joined you all and read the Twlight series (thanks for the books Kim and Sarah). I have to tell you, I had to make myself go to bed at 2 or 3 in the morning. I couldn't put them down- I finished each book in about a day and couldn't wait for the next one. So, I want to know all of you who have read them, Stephanie Meyer said that she is going to write this story in another point of view, a parallel series. Since the last chapter was written in Jacob's p.o.v. do you think that the next series will follow him? I am sorry but gag. No thanks. Who would you want the series to follow? I know the book due out next fall- Breaking Dawn will finish the Twilight series. I think/hope that will still be in Bella's p.o.v. and I know she wrote Midnight Sun from Edward's p.o.v. but she isn't going to write more than that book... I thought.

Family Love

10 of the people in this picture ran the marathon. For 2 of my uncles it was their 10th year doing so. My mom is in the middle in red, Erica is behind my mom to the right of her in blue and I am to the left of her in navy. My mom had t-shirts made (the baby blue ones that say OTTCREW on them that Gma Jo has on to the left). All of the non-runners were just there to cheer us in. I just have to say I love my family. If it wasn't for them, I would have never done it. I had never thought about running a marathon until my mom ran it last year. I am so glad that my SIL Erica and cousin Annie (next to my mom on the right) were there to take the plunge for the first time. It helped not being the only first timer! It was such an amazing experience, and to share it with so many family members was priceless. Love you! See you again in 2009!

26.2 Miles of Memories

We returned from our marathon trip to Utah and I am feeling a bit lost. For the last few months I have thought about the marathon every day... and now it's over! A bit sad.... It was a great first marathon. I originally was going to go for my Boston Qualifying time of 3:40, but after I got sick a few weeks out from the marathon and was unable to run for 10 days, I knew that I needed to reevaluate things and set my goal on 4hrs. I did it! I came in just under 4. I broke the cardinal rule of running and used up a lot of energy early on- I didn't realize I was doing this, I felt like I was running my typical speed, but I was passing a lot of people... around mile 18 I ran out of gas, and they all passed me! I guess my adrenalin ran out! I didn't take my gu/ sport beans- they just made me feel sick so I only took 1/2 pack of sport beans, which probably wasn't the best for my energy level.... I can at least say that I have learned a lot for my next marathon. Yes, you read correctly, I do plan to run another one. I can't help it, it is really tempting to improve my time because I know I could easily. My next marathon I want to go all the way- try to train in all aspects, not just running. I want to eat right (sorry girls, no more fondue nights at my house right before the marathon), lift so weights, do crunches, etc. It is really nice to have a goal, to have a dream.




HIGHLIGHTS:



-Laying in bed with Erica (my SIL who also ran) the night before giggling because we were so excited
- Getting completely dressed in our gear the night before with Erica and then running up to my aunt, uncle and mom's room fully dressed to run the marathon with gloves and all- it gave everyone who saw a good laugh. We said we were going to sleep in it (photo to come!)
-The 40 min bus ride out of the city to the starting spot..... you can feel the excitement in the air
-the pre-race hang out by the bonfires and portapotties... being there with my mom, aunts and uncles, cousins and SIL
-starting the race with Erica and running the first few miles with her then hugging goodbye while running!
-reading all of the signs along the way: THERE WAS ONE SIGN THAT SAID "DON'T FORGET TO DRAFT. WHERE IS KEVIN?" it was at mile 22 I think, and if I could have laughed, I would have... I think I tried to laugh....
-reading all the signs that said, "mom you're my hero" written by little kids
- giving high-fives to all the little kids that stand next to the side of the road and feeling like a rock star
-reaching the top of Veo (very long- couple miles- hill)
-running past my family as they cheered and I got to see Nate and know he was okay
-crossing the finish line.... unforgettably overwhelming, emotional moment.
- being there to cheer on the rest of my family


My cousins took a bunch of photos, but I only took one. It is of me and Erica right after she finished. She is even gorgeous right after running for 4+ hrs! What a stinker! I love you Erica! Thanks for all the memories.