McIntire Madness: 2008

Friday, December 26, 2008

Let it snow! Let it snow!

I have mentioned the snow already, but I just have to mention it again. It has not stopped snowing for a week! We truly had a very white Christmas this year. I can't remember ever having this much snow at Christmas even with all my years in Utah. Here are more pictures of our outdoor fun!

Christmas Day

The boys loved Christmas this year! The much awaited Bat cave finally made its appearance and Cole played with it ALL day long. He also got well stocked with other Batman paraphernalia. Ethan got the Geotrax plane set and enjoyed flying the plane. Matt got a coupon for a ski trip in January and I got all set up for biking.

I made an English roast with all the fixings including roast potatoes, roasted parsnips and yorkshire pudding. I traded the normal roast with prime rib and it turned out delicious! My taste buds are still thinking about it. We got to share the meal with our friends the Covingtons. We also popped our English crackers and wore our crowns for dinner. The roast did take two more hours to cook then it was supposed to but it was worth the wait!

When I checked on Cole before going to bed he was clutching his joker, had the batcave on his bed and his Batman book had slipped off the bed where he fell asleep reading it. I couldn't help but smile about the great day as I went to bed that night.

I believe in Santa

This year is the first year that Cole has really understood the Santa concept! Shortly after his birthday he saw a pamphlet of Batman stuff and told me he wanted the Bat cave. I told him he would have to ask Santa so we have been talking about the Bat cave since September! We visited Santa twice this year so that Cole could make sure he told Santa what he wanted. I was quite delighted to set up Christmas this year because it has been such a hot topic of discussion for so long. We even left out treats for Santa and his reindeer.

Ethan was stealing Santa's treats! He doesn't quite get it just yet.

This Christmas reminded me when I was a kid and debated whether or not Santa was real. I remember talking about it for hours with my sister Becky and our friend Brandalyn. We would write Santa letters to see if the handwriting matched our parents, we would try and wake up without anyone knowing and we asked other people to see what they thought. One year I had pretty much decided that Santa was NOT real and then my friend Brandalyn told me that she had talked to her sister Kim and Kim said that Santa was real. She also mentioned that Kim would never lie to her. It kept me believing for at least one more year!

Children make Christmas so much fun and we sure enjoyed it this year.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Christmas Letter

McIntire Superheroes

There is a resounding Superhero theme in our house this year and we would like to share it all with you by talking about our Superhero acts.

Superman, more commonly known as Matt, flew into a new job in Xbox at Microsoft. He continues to fight all kinds of bad guys in video games. He is particularly good at beating Kung Fu Panda for Batman. He also has super human strength when it comes to remodeling and is finishing up replacing the windows, trim and paint. In his spare time he likes to hone his skills by playing sports and working out.

Wonder Woman, also known as Beth, likes to fly all over the country with Batman and Robin visiting family and friends. We spent about 3 months this year fighting crime in other cities. I needed to touch up my x-ray vision so I got Lasik. I work part-time from home writing resumes in an attempt to get the hooligans working and off the street. I also started working out as a hobby and put my powers to use in a sprint triathlon.

Batman, or Cole, likes to keep tabs on crime by watching it from his big screen monitor. He likes to protect the streets, playground and airports by wearing his Batman suit wherever he goes. He enjoys every adventure, reading about fellow superheroes and has become quite adept at his communicating skills.

Robin, Cole’s sidekick Ethan, worked really hard at growing. He went from sitting to crawling and walking in one small feat. He likes to help Batman with whatever he is doing and adds in a little bit of teasing every now and then. He is our superhero comic relief and keeps things in perspective.

We hope you all have a super Christmas this year! You are all in our thoughts and prayers as we reflect upon our many blessings specifically the blessing of the atonement made possible by our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Love,

Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and Robin

English Toffee

Now I know why my Aunt hurriedly gave me the English Toffee recipe and told me that she would no longer send me any! To make enough English Toffee to satisfy everyone takes a LONG time. It is a good thing we were snowed in so I could make my 9 batches.

It is all worth it because it is so yummy!

It is never too early

When your dad works for XBox, you have to play video games......regardless of how old you are!

Snow in Seattle mixes just as well as oil in water.

Whenever I hear that snow is coming in Seattle I start to cringe! It usually means that everyone is trapped in their house and it is just too cold and dangerous to venture outside. Currently we have record breaking snow and it is at least a foot! This was just after the first storm. We have had two more since then!

However, this year has been quite fun. Matt got to stay home for three days in a row from work and we have been driving all over town in our 4 wheel drive Explorer having a great time. Cole got to go out and play, build snowmen, do snow angels with a coat on and even go sledding.

Ethan wasn't so sure of the white stuff, cried the first time it touched his shoe but has since warmed up to it.

We did have a warning of a potential power outage on Saturday which made for a horrible nights sleep because of nightmares from our 2006 outage which left us without power for five days! However the lights only flickered a few times and we are just enjoying the Christmas season with a lot of snow.

Batman Pajamas

I have to admit. I am a little tired of the Batman pajamas. They are getting too small and they are looking quite worn. I tried to put my foot down last week to end the all day wearing and it was a disaster. I kept telling myself that one day it would just stop naturally on its own, but I just don't think that is going to happen. The only benefit is that if Cole is not in his pajamas he will eat his dinner to get them on! We have made leaps and bounds in the last month with his menu. He has tried Lasagna, enchiladas and will now eat rolls on a regular basis!

The other day I asked Cole what his full name was and he said: "Batman!" Sometimes, I think he thinks he really is Batman.

Here is a picture from the hundreds of Cole in his pajamas in case you haven't had the opportunity to see if for yourself!

Monday, December 15, 2008

In Loving Memory

On December 7, 2008 my Grandpa William Kendal Wilson passed away after a long and full life! He was a man who could tell a good story, make jokes, talk to any stranger and he loved to sing and dance. He worked as a painting contractor and one of his cards read: "Rembrandt could paint but not hang wallpaper. I can do both!" He was a very entertaining man and will be greatly missed. I got to go out to the funeral this past week in Reno and spent a very short but good time with my family.

On my way home I had a very Grandpaesque experience. He was always making friends wherever he went. When I was in the airport waiting to board the plane we learned that the flight had been cancelled due to a mechanical error so we would all be getting on the 10:15 flight. I knew we would be there for awhile and had ended up talking to the lady next to me. She was very nice, offered me the use of her cell phone (I had forgotten mine) and in the end of it all gave me a ride home! I felt in some small way that Grandpa would have been smiling at me.

To give you a better idea of the kind of man he was here is his obituary that he wrote before he passed away.

Why? Well just to let you know I finally at age 88 passed away and hopefully went into Eternity with His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I had a long and wonderful life. It was said from the beginning that I was different, an oddball and that has proven correct at times though disappointing on other occasions.

However, there has been no dissatisfaction with the greatest decision I ever made and that was to move my family from England to America in 1953. My family and I came here and made it our home and became naturalized citizens. It has been 55 years of absolute joy. Thank you America! The William Wilson's have now grown to 37 wonderful children, grands, and great with more on the way.

I was educated at Kind Edwards School in Whitley, England and married my surviving, beautiful and beloved Olga on July 20, 1940. For 68 years I have treasured the plaque she gave me on that day:

We'll build our love of beautiful things Tender and golden remembering's. We'll build it with simple joys that last, Pleasures and sorrows, present and past. We'll make it a cloak when cold winds blow, Lighting the dark like a lanterns glow. And we will hold it as sacred, true and fine, This beautiful gift that is yours and mine.

We've made so many friends through the years and have spend the last 38 years in Reno busy (besides working as painting and decorating contractor) with Good Sam Club and the Senior Dance Club. I had the distinct honor to be one of the voices of Washoe Medical Center for many years on local TV. Writing my life story was one of the highlights of my recent years.

On my last visit to England, I was visiting a loved one in a nursing home and was followed out by a gentleman who had heard me speaking and said "On behalf of the English, I would like to thank you and all the Americans who came here to help us win WWII." I replied, "Well thank you and when I get back home I will try and tell as many Americans as I can what you have just said BUT I want you to know that I served in the British Army!" I served with the Highland Light Infantry from The Battle of the Bulge until the end of the war. I was sent to serve in Japan but when the Japanese forces heard I was coming they surrendered! Instead I was sent to Palestine for two years where I was blessed to walk where Jesus Christ had walked and memorably spend December 25, 1945 in Bethlehem. I am so grateful for the opportunity to come to my eternal rest close to all I hold dean in this great land of America.

Winter Festivities!

Since we have been in Seattle we haven't participated much in the winter activities. As Cole is really into holidays we thought we would hit them all!

Here we are at SnowFlake Lane. They have drummers, people dressed up and fake snow falling. The boys weren't so sure when it started but ended up having a great night! We went with two other families.

This is the botanical gardens that they decorate with thousands of lights. (Mind you, it doesn't even compare to Temple Square but we will take what we can get.) Ethan just wanted to walk by himself all night and Cole was interested in "fighting" the lights as he had on his Batman suit. We went with three other families to add to the fun!

Look at my adorable penguins!

We went and saw Santa at a local nursery. It was great. There was no line and Cole finally got to tell Santa that he would like the Bat Cave for Christmas. Ethan didn't think Santa was so great.

May the winter festivities continue!

Snow fun

Cole decided to test out the snow today. We had just come home from the store and he had taken his coat off in the car. He tried to do a snow angel but realized when the snow touched skin it was very cold!

He realized maybe it wasn't such a good idea after all!

Freddy's Playland

When I first had Cole I used to walk by the play land area at Fred Meyer and think disgusted thoughts about people who left their kids in such a germ infested play area so they could shop easier. As Cole got older my thoughts were lightened about the other mothers and realized there was a reason there were kids in there. However, I would still not put Cole there. By the time Ethan showed up I had resigned myself to give up on germs. Kids are dirty, they eat dirty things, they touch dirty things and then they put their dirty hands in their mouth. There isn't much you can do about it. Today, I put Cole in Freddy's Playland and was even slightly disappointed that you have to be 2 to go in and Ethan can't join him for another 9 months! It was awesome. He played quietly while Ethan and I shopped peacefully. I am not sure why Ethan was so cooperative. Usually I am wrestling him to stay in the cart because he can climb out of the buckles. I happened to get a car cart and he quietly drove that the entire time I shopped. It was a most enjoyable time at the grocery store which created a nice happy family!

I have had to eat my words a few times as a parent and so my advice to any new parent now is this: Never say you won't do or say something to your kids because you never know what your kids will drive you to do!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Family Pictures

My friend Amy took family pictures for us last weekend. I think these are the best pictures we have as a family so far! It only took a few fruit snacks and we at least got the kids looking at the camera. If you remember the bruise from the earlier post... Photoshop did wonders!

Thanks Amy!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

A new job

This is my home office. I take calls in my car because it is the quietest place in the house!

I write resumes. This is what I bought with my first months pay!

Triathlons here I come.

Perfect Timing

We were walking out the door this morning all dressed and ready to get pictures taken when this happened.....

We rescheduled for next week.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

We are a circus act

We provide a lot of entertainment at church. Today was classic. Ethan walked off the bench, bonked his head and started crying while Cole turned on a loud McDonalds toy that he promised to not turn on (it got thrown in the church bag at the last minute, lesson learned.) Matt was sitting next to Cole and did not notice the toy until I pointed at him while dragging crying Ethan out of the room all during the middle of the Sacrament. Nice.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

I think we have a record....

Between Matt and I we changed 7 poopy diapers on 1 baby today!

Friday, November 28, 2008

THANKSGIVING!

For Thanksgiving this year we were invited over to Kami and Alex's house. We were thrilled to have an invite and not have to do all the cooking. I showed up a little early to try and whip up some gravy because the turkey was going to be fried. The experimental project with turkey necks turned out great. I also got to bring our traditional English stuffing and yorkshire pudding so it tasted a little bit like home. All the food was delicious and it was great company. Matt, Ethan and I all enjoyed the meal and ate way too much!

Cole ate this for dinner.....sure wish he would figure out what he is missing out on. Apple Jacks just don't cut it. He also only licked his chocolate pie whereas Ethan ate the entire slice!

We went to the after Thanksgiving party at Seth and Amy's house where we ate more food and played RockBand and Guitar Hero World Tour. We had a great time rocking out.

Ethan got a little tired and fell asleep next to me as I played the drums.

Cole watched a movie with the girls, of course!

My grateful journal truly helped me to be grateful this year and I was very happy to spend the day with my family and friends.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Grateful day 6

Today I am grateful for playgroup, lunch at McDonald's with friends, Matt coming home early from work to finish up installing trim, going to the grocery store without children, health insurance without any co-pays for prescriptions, hanging out with Shelley, classic spaghetti for dinner, my sister Becky who had a birthday today, snuggling on the couch with my hubby watching Oprah and impromptu hot tub party invites.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Grateful day 6

Today I am grateful for conversations with little children; it went like this:

Cole: Mom, I am in my Batman outfit and Macy is coming over. (excited giggles)
Mom: Cole, I think Macy has seen your Batman outfit before.
Cole: Are you sure, I don't know? (Mom is positive, all of the Eastside has seen his Batman outfit including people in airports all across the nation)
Mom: Maybe you could ask her when she gets here.
Cole: Macy, have you seen my Batman outfit before? (he is asking this right in her face)
Macy: Huh?
Cole: My Batman outfit, I have it on.
Macy: Huh?
Mom: Macy, Cole wants to tell you he has on his batman outfit.
Macy: Oh

I am also grateful for being able to help my very pregnant friend by watching her kids, gas at $1.95, impromptu playdate with Macy, emergency chiropractor appointments, Cole singing along to "Godly Sorrow", packages from my sister with some cute new things for me, Cole and Ethan, getting some sewing done, making dinner for friends, and having the children in bed before 8pm again.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Grateful day 5

Today has been a great day. It is one of those days that really make you love being a mom and make up for all of the other days when crying is heard more than laughter and tears are readily accessible. Everyone was happy and things went smoothly. I was able to get things accomplished, I even had the house tidied and made dinner. I feel that I need to add an extra thanks today because I believe todays success was due in large part to a book I have been reading, "Receiving Answers to Prayers" Simple prayers can make a big difference and I am grateful for that today! I am also grateful for my running partner Amy getting me out of bed to run today, the 30 minutes of silence I had this morning before the boys woke up, visiting teaching with a great partner with a great lesson from Pres. Uchtdorf again about prayer, a doctors appointment that confirmed that I don't need surgery on my feet (even though my mother and husband have been telling me for years that they thought I do!), an insurance company that will pay for orthotics, leftover chimichangas for lunch, a good phone conversation with Anna and Mum, a trip to Target to get some stocking holders on sale, randomly meeting a woman at Target that has two boys exactly my kids age with birthdays within days of my boys, getting her phone number to have a play date, giving Ethan and Cole a bath and putting them both to bed before 8pm, and blizzards. (Yes, we are on a roll with blizzards but they have a yummy pumpkin pie flavor right now that is delicious!)

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Grateful day 4

Today I am grateful for Cole trying a chocolate chip banana muffin and a roll (there might be hope for him eating bread), church, a friends help during Relief Society so I can lead music, antibiotics for Ethan's double ear infection, ibuprofen to help the ear infection, dinner invites, ice cream for dessert, and 24 coming back on TV.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Grateful day 3

Today I am grateful for sleeping in (Matt woke up with the kids) especially because I had a late night, good phone conversation with my sister Becky, a headset so I could clean my bathroom while talking to my sister, a place to watch the BYU/Utah game, the kids going to bed early so I could go to the grocery store by myself, and Dairy Queen Blizards.

Grateful day 2

Today I am grateful for boys who sleep in, antibiotics that help Cole's ears, the chiropractor, taking my kids to a friends house so I could get my hair cut and colored, helping a friend out while out of town by watching a few kids, eating Taco Del Mar for dinner, and going out to see Twilight with some friends!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Grateful journal

In honor of Thanksgiving I would like to revisit something I did on my mission. Everyday I wrote down all the things I was thankful for which helped me with my life perspective. So, I am going to break with blogging protocol and spew out everything I am grateful for until Thanksgiving. Forgive me while I indulge myself in hopes to be truly grateful this Thanksgiving!

Today I am grateful for little one year olds that wear backpacks way to big for themselves, drink their milk from the side, always bring me their shoes and coat to put on to go outside,

play dates with friends who all got to dress up in the Halloween costumes I got on sale,

friends who let me escape my house to watch Oprah and fold laundry, Cole for actually eating cheese and cucumbers for his first dinner in six days, getting through two last minute hair cuts that don't look to shabby, a borrowed trainer so I can test ride my new bike inside, chocolate chip mint ice-cream, and a little TV (go ER's final season).

Visitors and one bathroom

For two weekends in a row in October we were lucky to have visitors in town! The first weekend we had one of my companions and friends from my mission, Adrienne and Dora (or better known as Richards and Espinoza.) We started out the night with a trip to the Cheesecake Factory were we were overloaded with chocolate! The next day we spent our time exploring Seattle.

It was meant to be a girls day out but Matt had an unfortunate bout of a stomach bug so Ethan got to come along. He insisted upon standing on the stroller the entire time.

We went out to Seattle Center and visited the Music Museum. Then we took the Monorail down to Pike Place Market. We were very entertained by the street performers particularly the older lady dancing away to a man beating a bucket which sounded surprisingly similar to a drum. It was a perfect day and the sun was even around all weekend. On Monday we got to do the Seattle Duck tour. If you have never done one of these they are very cool. You are in a WWII military vehicle that can go on land and water. We drove right into Lake Union in Seattle. Cole and Ethan both fell asleep on the trip apparently they weren't as amused as we were..

The next weekend my brother came into town. We went out to Snoqualmie Falls which is a beautiful waterfall.

Then We hit Seattle again where we did the same route but this time Cole and Ethan got to come. We had a great time in Pike Place Market and Byron even bought a fish! Here they are throwing it!