Crazy...

It's been a few weeks sorry that I have to play catch up. Here was our Thanksgiving in Boise:

I forgot to take our 26+lb Turkey out of the freezer to defrost so Travis ended up buying a fresh turkey Wednesday night. Oops.

Jared after eating Mom's special jello...

Travis and Jared played in a Turkey Bowl football game the morning of - for which Jared had to wear his special underwear... hmm

Heidi, Clarissa, Adrianne, and Brittany - hidden by Adri's hair...

Mom, I noticed you ended up with broccoli salad in your teeth in most of the pictures I have of you. I won't put them in but I think for as often as that happens, it should be included as a Thanksgiving tradition (love you).

Yvonne and Chris visited the following week so that Chris could have some dental work done on his teeth...

Sorry Chris. Couldn't resist.

This week we had Jared and Karalyn's twins up to stay. Julia and Breck Jared (we call him little Jay)

Little Jay clocked Carsen in the face with a puzzle piece this week (accident of course) and Carsen put one hand over his eye which was tear-ing (is that right?) and then gave little Jay a hug with his other arm and said "I guess he just needs some lovin."

This is pretty much how I feel right now. Keith fell asleep here while we were playing Loaded Questions. "What would be the most embarrassing thing for you to admit in front of present company?" ...

Travis's Corner

Sometimes I think about adding a "Travis's Corner" to the blog. Maybe I'm just starved for some humor since the last several episodes of "The Office" have been a little disappointing. Either way I end up cracking up every couple days at things he says/does.

For example: Why is it that when I get upset/angry/"frustarated" with Travis he starts smiling?

Friday I was a little on edge because I had two grocery shopping trips to make. I like to approach this by having my house clean before I go. So, I was in the middle of cleaning our bathroom and a little stressed because it was getting later in the day and one trip to Costco and one to Winco, meant I wasn't going to get home until late. So Travis tells me I should forget cleaning and go grocery shopping. I wasn't open to this suggestion and told him so for which he just smiled ???

I also made the mistake in the earlier years of our marriage of telling him that when I get upset, all I want is for him to hug me no matter how much I might fight it. So after I told him how important it was for me to get the bathroom cleaned RIGHT then, he smiles, picks me up and tries to force me out of the bathroom and onto the bed. I tried to refuse and ended up clutching my canister of clorox wipes and bracing my feet on either side of the door frame. It was quite the picture. Then Travis says: "I will win this fight, argument, battle with my physical strength!"

After he wrestled me out the door and onto the bed, hurting his toe and my ribs in the process, he just starts up again with that annoying smile and tells me I'm like a small angry animal that you can pick up in one hand.

To clarify: I only put Vickie on the bed, because it's the safest place to let her thrash around trying to fight her way out of my arms of steel

I realize this story probably makes me look kind of bad, but I figure those of you who know me are willing to look past that and see the humor in this particular situation. Let me just say that Travis is the only person I actually enjoy fighting with (most of the time) and for that reason alone, I think I was pretty smart to marry him.

COLTS WIN COLTS WIN COLTS WIN

First and foremost: Congrats to the Colts and everyone who was either cheering for them or against the patriots! I'm afraid Travis has never shown as much enthusiasm for ANYTHING like he did tonight. Good game good game.

I know, it's dangerous.

This week we had a visit from cousin Becky who's 3 months younger than Carsen. She got to stay with us for the week while her parents went to Colorado and Carsen just loved having a partner in crime.

Here's an example of some of the criminal behavior they partook in:

Helping me put up the Christmas tree.

Knocking over the Christmas tree.

Singing songs at the piano together.

Knocking over the piano bench together.

Helping me make my bed.

Jumping on their beds.

Sorry these clips are dark and fuzzy. And the characters in them look and sound like they belong in a Muppett movie, but that's the way things go around here.

Carsen cleaning up after his daddy.

Tashina: Carsen told me when he started singing this that he was going to sing Cosette's Medley. I'm working on getting the sheet music uploaded into the portfolio section of the 'music lessons' button on the right. Sorry it's a little fuzzy.

We're tired, but h-a-p-p-y!

HALLOWEEN

I love Halloween, but now it's over. This year our family packed up and drove to Rexburg to catch Great Grandma and Grandpa Edwards as they made their way down with Dad Edwards to Arizona for the winter.

I have a store of great Halloween memories and traditions. Going to corn mazes, spooky forests, old mills all decked out with howl-iday surprises. In fact, here's a rundown of the last 3 corn mazes I've been to:

1. The one in Indy where it was too hot to be outside on the day we went through. Having to take off Carsen's shirt because he was just too hot.

2. The one before that Travis and I went through as newly-weds with Aaron and Heather and Duke and Morghan. There he picked me up - upside down and spun me around until I got so dizzy that I spent the rest of the night puking in the bathroom.

Those of you who really know Vickie probably understand that she was almost begging me to pick her up and spin around. After being poked and tickled repeatedly I finally complied and now I take all the blame.

3. The one before that I went to with some guy friends who got us kicked out of the maze for pulling up cornstalks and fighting each other with them.

Going out to these type of places, decorating the apartment, and watching Harry Potter movies were all part of my Halloween traditions. But this year we tried for a new tradition.

Doughnuts
(insert sinister music here).

Vickie thinks Halloween is the best holliday, I think she's crazy. How can you rate halloween above Christmas, Thanksgiving, 4th of July or Easter. Even Memorial Day and Labor Day, because at least most people get those days off.

U R A Grinch Travis.

The Grinch who stole Halloween? I think only the Grinch himself would rank Halloween above Christmas.

So that's why I can't find any of my Halloween decorations huh! It all comes together.

Karalyn - my beautiful sister in law who wants to move her family to Boise but doesn't know it yet - makes doughnuts every year for Halloween and last year I was out with them helping with the twins when she made these. I have to admit that I thought she was crazy trying to make such complicated delicacies that took up so much more time than just popping open a box of ready made doughnuts. After I tasted one, I realized how wrong I was. They were amazing. So this year, I thought, why not.

Last week I told Carsen we were going to be making doughnuts and he got very excited. We set up for our practice round on Thursday. It was a disaster. After 3 and 1/2 hours and 5 stinking packets of yeast later, I gave up. I was just so mad.

I've been practicing since we've got back. Not the whole recipe, just the yeast. Still no luck. I need all the help I can get so if you've got some pearls of wisdom on proofing yeast, please post your advice.

Since the doughnut disaster, Travis so kindly reminded me of another cooking disaster. Bambinos. I love the bambino's they make at "La Pizzaria" in Rigby. They're like scones filled with pizza stuffings. The first time I tried making those, it was disgusting. The dough was all wrong. Now in this incident, Travis actually requested I not try again. The result: 5 more batches of bambinos in the next 5 weeks - until I finally got one that although they fell apart, tasted wonderful. Serves him right. Actually, he was pointing out how stubborn I get when I fail at something. This gave me pause for reflection and this is what I've come up with:

Before we get into Vickie's next list, I have to say that even from the restaurant, bambinos are really just okay. The disasters Vickie attempted were mostly inedible. Vickie is an exceptional cook, but her stubbornness got the best of her here as she continued to experiment. It's great that she gets back up and tries again or whatever, just not with something I am supposed to eat.

It makes me nervous when you start smiling about your jokes even before you get them typed out.

Dad always told me I could do or be anything I wanted. I think this is a great thing to say to your children. I think it promotes a healthy sense of confidence and self esteem. Unfortunately, self esteem was not something I have ever lacked... although, in reflection of my 5th-9th grade school pictures, maybe I should have.

I notice I have no argument or comment from Travis here. Hmm.

On the bright side, you did mature from the ugly duckling stage into a beautiful swan.

Anyway, I think telling this to your kids is a great idea, but I was/am a little stubborn. And I actually believed my Dad's words which I think made me even more stubborn. Here are some other examples I think support this idea:

1. I was once told that I could not/ should not play Chopin's revolutionary etude because my hands were too small. The result: I spent the next 8 months learning this piece (which incidently is a beautiful piece despite what Travis will tell you).

Okay so this Chopin (correctly pronounced Chop in) looks very difficult and Vickie's fingers fly over the keys when she plays. If I were to watch a video of Vickie playing the piece would no sound I would just be impressed. Unfortulately however, when you hear it it sounds angry and you realize immediately that difficult does not mean it's good.

It's SHOW-PAN, you poop.

Everybody poops.

2. My parents tried desperately to discourage me from trying out for cheerleading. My mom actually sent me to tryouts wearing a shirt under my cheerleading shell and that shell was turned backwards so that the v neck be more modest. No wonder people laughed at me. But I did still try out. Pee-wee Herman style and all. The result: I didn't make it. I found out many years later that after confronting the Junior High cheerleading advisor, my mom was told that I didn't make the team not because I couldn't jump, or cheer, or didn't have 'spirit' but that I was not as cute as the others. Apparently this made her very upset and after some heated words on Mom's behalf, I was let on the team. - Thanks mom.

3. I brought home a chem 105 test in college that I had gotten a B something on. I was proud, Dad was not. He suggested I take a lower level chemistry class. The result: I changed my major to chemistry for about a year before I realized I would never be able to cut it in p chem.

They must have to do really difficult stuff, like make bambinos, in P-chem.

Be careful, or I'll make them again.

Now I can't remember what I was talking about. Oh yeah, why I believed I could do anything. So doughnuts are my new dragon. Fortunately Yvonne made doughnuts that were perfect so we did have doughnuts on Halloween. We even had a small spook-fest at the sight of Kent's incredibly dense upper arm hair. So all in all, it was a successful Halloween.

Watch the video!

Let me just start by asking you all to please view the one video in this post. You won't be disappointed!

Mom with chocolate

This weekend:

Travis’ sister Yvonne came for a visit this weekend with her boy Cody – They came to support Sugar Salem boys soccer team in the state tournaments which was fun for all of us. Here are some of our highlights.

Travis: Loudly expressing his disgust for the amount of times an opposing soccer player feigned injury on the field. “COME ON! HOW MANY FAKE INJURIES CAN THAT KID HAVE IN ONE GAME?” – I thought I was loud.

Carsen: Reading stories with some pushy little girls who thought “Oscar’s Rotten Birthday” was supposed to be used to smack him upside the head.

Yvonne: Cheering enthusiastically for her team but slightly edging away from her louder younger brother.

Cody: Building puzzles with Carsen, jumping on the tramp with Carsen, letting Carsen play with his Ipod touch. Did I mention Cody is 16? He was great with Carsen.

Vickie: Wondering how to teach Carsen to stick up for himself without encouraging hitting back. Because although my brother Jared taught me the correct way to punch (knuckles flat, thumb down), I’m not sure that’s the best way.

Travis: Telling Vickie if she’s that worried, he will just pay an older kid to beat up the kids who pick on Carsen.

Last weekend:

We were in Rexburg last weekend for a mini family reunion. I say mini because Brian and Ashely weren't there. We really missed you guys. Brian, you missed out in competing with Nathan and Jared to see who could jump the highest (Nathan ~ sorry Jay). Ashley, I have to think that if you were driving with Mom on the golf course, there would have been no accident...

Boys in the kitchen

I have to admit it was almost comical watching Mom turn the golf cart right into a tree. I still don't know how you didn't see that coming Mom. Her bruised ribs were nothing to laugh about though. Luckily that was the only injury of the weekend. Again, missed you Brian, you probably could have trumped the bruised ribs with breaking your foot or something. Not that you've ever done that...

After golf we did some fishing, made some pies, and Jared took a nap...

I've often heard stories of my brother's pulling pranks on each other when they were younger and felt a little sad that I was either too young or oblivious to partake in their mischief. So I was THRILLED to get this documented for all to see. Please enjoy

Cute kids.

Last week Uncle Keith came to stay with Carsen. Here's some insight into their teasing:

Keith: "Carsen Travis Denny Edwards" giggles
Carsen: "Keith Antelope Barton" more giggles
Carsen: "Keith Moose-Head Barton"

Carsen fell of his trike today. He was out with his Dad and apparently face planted going down our driveway right onto the cement. He did not cry. Later Daddy told him not to eat before we prayed. He cried for several minutes.

Carsen calls McDonalds: “Old MacDongals” He also HAS to order his own food- even if he’s strapped in his car seat at the drive thru. “I would like 2 4-piece chicken mcnuggets and that’s it. No sauce. Thank you!”

The twins in bat cape and devil's cape. Maybe I should have told Karalyn I used those capes to dress up the dog.

That's It!

Falling into Fall!

We're transitioning into my favorite season (for now) FALL! I know it's been a few weeks so here's what we've been up to...

PIES

Gotta practice for Thanksgiving.

Here are my two sour cream apple pies. Travis cut into the pumpkin one too early so I didn't get a picture of that one.

I am totally scared of making pie crusts. Other things I'm scared of: rolling pins, trying to get out of a hooded sweatshirt alone,...

Now, I hate to toot my own horn but Travis told me he would write a post telling everyone how pretty and delicious these were and well, it's been several weeks and that hasn't happened. So here is my interpretation of Travis' good intentions:

"These pies looked almost as good as Vickie does. They smelled almost as good as Vickie does. They tasted almost as good as..."

well, I won't go that far, but you get the idea.

Actually Vickie's pies were amazing! I loved them and I shared with everybody at work and they loved them. They melt in your mouth. I especially like that they look like fall. I love fall.

I also love pie.

By Travis.

HOMEWONERS:

Yep. As of last week we're officially homeowners. It was kind of a scramble getting things put together on closing day. Here's what I remember:

I had been to the grocery store earlier and then came back, got things almost put away and got a little sick. I said something like, "One more bag to go" and then ran to the bathroom. I heard Carsen muttering something about how he would help me. After a while I came out and all my grocery's were put away. I packed up the sacks and didn't think anything of it. Actually, I figured I had already finished the last bag.

I took Carsen to the bank where he politely said: "Hey lady, can I have a sucker?"

I had left my retainer in and slobbered a little during my request for a cashier's check.

I made Carsen say: "Thank you for my sucker Jamie." To the teller. It came out like "um ew her SLURP erker heyhe."

I came home and opened the pantry to find four cans of evaporated milk lined up neatly in the pantry with two cartons of sour cream. I wish I had taken a picture. It was adorable.

Getting ready to go shopping with Woody and Buzz

CONFERENCE:
Carsen and I putting a puzzle together. Carsen singing the BINGO song very loudly. Me telling Carsen to use his inside voice. Travis organizing the kitchen cabinets.
A break in the BINGO song long enough to hear Elder Bednar tell of his boys saying things like "You're breathing my air...". Carsen starting up with Bingo again. and Me calling over Carsen for Travis not to put the blender up too high. Carsen then saying: "I have the best voice. Oh Mommy, you need to use your inside voices." Thanks Piglet.

Picnic and stories under the trampoline with some friends

TRAMPOLINES: The forbidden fruit.
There's a reason why this is at the end of my post.
I love trampolines. Probably because we didn't have one growing up, and constantly heard lectures about people getting hurt jumping on them. So, I figure it's confession time. Mom and Dad, I jumped on Byram's trampoline almost every time I was over there. I jumped on Ferney's trampoline too. And once for a date, I climbed up a ladder onto the roof of a house, and jumped onto a pillow in the middle of a trampoline. It was the best date ever. Sorry.

Travis again- apparently Vickie's best date ever was with another boyfriend? Seriously?

What can I say? Dangerous activities are more appealing than dinner and a movie sweetie.

I am definitely getting a motorcycle now.

No. That was before I was married and a mom. I wouldn't do it NOW...

Family Trips...

I'm sure everyone has funny memories of family day trips from their youth. For the Barton family, it usually involved wrecking something, and ALWAYS involved being late. Really late.

I remember leaving to go skiing at Rire in the summers hours later than we had planned. Mom being mad at Dad who had made us so late. Dad laughing off Mom's complaints. Mom getting madder and responding with something very witty like, "You're not my friend." To which us kids would start laughing and by the time we got the boat in the water we were all in a good mood again (I love you Mom ;)...

Dad's getting mad usually was centered around something breaking - usually by his doing. Drilling a hole in the boat, tearing the AC unit off the camper in a short underpass, tearing a hole in the camper going back under the same underpass... (I love you too Dad !)


Of course it's not fair to give Mom and Dad all the credit. As kids I know we contributed to a lot of the calamaties during what should have been a relaxing vacation.

Me getting driven to the ER for rolling off Jared's bunk bed.
Brian kneeing himself in the head wakeboarding.
Me being taken back to the ER after hitting my head on a frozen lake (Nathan driving).
Mom and I rolling the snowmachine after Brian cut us off.
Me rolling Mom and myself on the 4-wheeler at the sand dunes for no good reason.
Brian tying the horse up to the tree too close causing a panic attack for the horse.
Dad and Keith getting stuck on the snowmachine.
Brian running over a lady's toes with the snowmachine.
Dad and Keith getting stuck on the 4-wheeler.
Brian rolling the 4-wheeler.
Me crashing the snowmachine.
Jared jumping the snowmachines and then bailing off when things got out of hand.

Wow. Wish I had pictures of those.

I'm afraid after attempting several day trips of our own, Travis and I seem to be plagued with the same Barton outcomes.

We floated the Boise river for the first time a couple of weeks ago and we wish we had discovered this activity at the beginning of the summer. I never thought I would find something I liked to do as much as waterskiing, but this is it. Of course we had some kinks.

Wasting time looking for a "really good raft"
Wasting time talking to strangers about what makes a "really good raft"
Getting lost somewhere in Boise
Getting hungry somewhere in Boise
Arguing somewhere in Boise
Popping an air chamber in a "really good raft"
Crying somewhere in Boise (mine)
Getting lost again in Boise
Driving home for another car
Driving back and NOT getting lost
Planning on being on the river by 3. Actually being on the river by 6:30
Racing time in a 6 miles paddle-a-thon to get down river and to our vehicle before the gates closed at sunset...

(what happens to my hair when I get a really good idea...)

We figured we better try the float again the next day since we had such bad luck on Friday. Fortunately, Saturday resulted in a lot shorter list of mishaps.

Only one argument (Travis was not my friend)
one raft exchange at Cabela's (most friendly people on earth)
one lost paddle (Travis's not mine)

It was so fun.

I've run out of pictures so this is where you have to visualize.

Travis: in the back rowing, complaining about my lack of rowing, holding Carsen during the rough parts to stabilize him.
Carsen: calling Travis "Captain" and saying things like "Can I have another Cheeto (sp?) Captain? Can I get back in my floaty Captain?"
Me: in the front getting the brunt of all the water splashes and cheering for joy with each splash.

More visuals.

Carsen in his floaty tied up to the raft saying that he's going to float the Boise river all by himself. After lots of splashes saying: "Oh, I got soaked that time." Carsen getting excited saying: "Boi-se ri-ver here we come!"

We loved it. We'll see how things go next weekend!
Boi-se Ri-ver Here We Come!