Chicken Pox

I've really got to learn to take pictures in the moment better. Yesterday Landon came running into the room while I was on the phone.  He loudly whispered "I have the chicken pox" while trying to get my attention. I looked over at him and he really did have red dots all over his face.  But I know him better than this, and I said "what is it really? I don't believe you." He gave a shocked look, and said "No, really". I thought it was dryer lint or something of the sort, so I wiped at his face, but the spots didn't go away. The lighting in the room wasn't great, so I could not for the life of me decide what these spots were that looked convincingly like chicken pox. But I was mid-conversation on the phone, and just laughed and told him "I don't believe you".  He just laughed. When I got off the phone I kept asking him what it was, he finally told me. Apparently this is a perpetual problem for him.  When he blows out the big candle in the kitchen, he gets a little too close.  The red wax sprays back up at him, and he ends up with reds wax spots all over that look like some sort of pox. Smooth.

Flying potatoes

Yesterday was a day of high emotions for me.  I had to go in to get an ultrasound on most of my organs to see what has been causing all of the pain in my side, stomach and chest the past few days.  Thanks to your prayers, the doctor said that everything looked normal.  That was a huge relief and blessing.  I was anxious all night wondering if I would have to get my gallbladder removed.  Another blessing--Landon went to a podiatrist and finally found out what is wrong with his foot.  The best part is that it is still something that can be fixed--hopefully in the next couple of weeks, with some pills from the doctor along with home therapy and hot/cold treatments.
So, I was happy, and grateful, but at the same time a little frustrated.  We still don't know what has been causing the pain in my side (whatever was hurting my stomach has stopped), and the doctor said we will probably just deal with it unless it gets worse.  I tend to have a high pain tolerance, so the fact that it wakes me up at night already seems like it's pretty bad.
So, I was starting to make dinner last night with some bad pain in my side, along with my back that has been hurting since I injured it the other day.  I've been walking like a granny since Saturday.  I probably wasn't in a great mood.
We had decided to try making a Spanish tortilla--something I had all the time while I was living in Spain.  I've been wanting to try it with Landon for a while, but we haven't gotten around to doing it until now.  I was also making bacon on the side, so it just really topped off my bad attitude when the grease popped me in the eye.  I'm not meaning to complain, just to give you the set-up...
The Spanish tortilla was going pretty well for our first time making it.  Until the flipping stage. This is when you have to turn over essentially a gargantuan sized omelet, with heavy potatoes in the middle. It is about 2 inches thick, and the size of our largest frying pan. Those little Spanish ladies have skills, and they just flip it with a plate like it's nothing.  But if you are like me, and struggle to turn over a normal fried egg without breaking it all over, then this is no small task. I called over Landon for reinforcement. I told him the plan (how they say to do it in the recipes, and from the little ladies I met).  We got it half-way there, and Landon decided to change the plan because he thought it would be easier.  He gave me a 3 count, and I didn't register in time to object, but in my mind, it wasn't a good idea :)  On three, he tried to flip it with the pan and part of flippers, and it missed and ended up all over the stove and burners.
At that moment, I look back now and think I should have busted up laughing. It was a pretty great scene. Landon and I agree we should have taken a picture.  But at the time, I was already running on high emotions, and I couldn't say anything. I blame pregnancy, and the pain I was in at the time, but I wanted to cry. Landon could tell, so he hurried to clean it up, and said he was sorry for ruining the dinner. I told him it would taste the same either way.  And it did.  But I couldn't muster up a smile.
The experience makes me think of a talk by Elder Wirthlin called "Come What May, and Love it", and the section about learning to laugh in tough situations.  I didn't laugh at the time, but really, I think of the flying eggs and potatoes now and can't help but bust up.  I don't know why I was so upset.  So, if you ever feel like a failure at cooking, at least you know there are others of us that can relate.  And next time you feel like crying, try to laugh instead.

Christmas vacation

 It's already 2012! Crazy.  Do you think the world will end this december?  Anyways, I am just going to give some highlights of our vacations at home.  Sadly, we lost our camera, and don't have very many pictures...
Fun with the Rowley Family

• We got to go through the temple with Whitney for her first time, which was pretty special.  They even asked Landon and I to be the witness couple, which was a first for us.  
• We spent some time with Grandma Allsop.  I love that woman! She's an awesome example of faith and strength, and she's spunky too. 
• The whole family took part in acting out the nativity, which I haven't done for years.  And of course, since I'm pregnant I even got the star role of Mary :)  We also got to hear each other's testimonies about the Savior and Christmas, which was a highlight of the vacation for me. I think with both of our families, we have an amazing support system of faith and strength.
• This year, the annual tradition of waking up Ma and Pa was with a flash mob.  Even Kaden learned the sweet dance!  I think they probably liked that better than squirt guns at 6 in the morning, at least.
• Opened presents and then went to a great sacrament meeting.  I love Christmas on Sunday!  We spent the rest of the day playing all of the new games everybody got. 

We also spent a couple days at the cabin:

• Landon was able to work with Grandpa Rowley on a crib for our baby!  It looks like it will turn out awesome; we are really excited. Grandma also helped me embroider some fabric so we can have our own stockings next year.  
• Even though it rained for 2 of 3 days, Landon still got in a snowmobile ride, and even saw some bucks up on the mountain. He also went sledding with the siblings. 
• Joyce and I learned a new crochet stitch.  She says she just might be able to be a legitimate Grandma if she practices :) And I also got in some good wii dancing.
• There was lots of excitement as David got engaged to Becky! He even asked at the same spot as us, so it's becoming a family tradition. Landon said they made that bench at the top of the mountain with proposals in mind, so it's fulfilling its purpose.

We had a blast with the family!

With the Draneys:

• With the Draneys, we got to go caroling with most of the family.  I was losing my voice, but it held up ok.  It's always fun to go to those families that are expecting us, and who act like we are good, ha.
• We got to make ornaments. Landon thought his looked like it was made by a 1st grader, but I thought they turned out pretty great.
• Chris blessed his baby Hannah, and the whole family was able to be there.

Michael cracked me up in this one, so I thought I would throw it in.
I love times when the men of my family get to exercise their priesthood
together, it makes me really appreciate the spiritual giants that I grew up with.

We had some time to play games with all of the siblings.  Landon did some practicing at peek-a-boo with our nephew.

Playing baseball with the kiddos. Love our nephew copying
Landon's catcher stance.

Originally they were helping the nephews build with legos.
But after the nephews left, they had to finish their own cars.

We went to Dad's gig and really livened up the dance floor! 

Walked in wearing shirts like the band and rocking on the guitars.

 And drank some root beer/cream soda (which we prefer over sparkling cider) while watching the ball drop.

 Then shot off some fireworks. It was a blast :)

Not sure whose bright idea it was to light them all at once...
while simultaneously pointing it at the person across from you.

Of course you have to run around with sparklers so it's cooler

Michael was Italian mafia, Tami a hussy (pretty much), Mom a gypsie, and lots of other fun costumes...

 I think the murder mystery dinner was pretty fun. It was Italian, with names like Pepi Roni, Tara Misu, Marco Roni, etc. ha. Landon even shaved to make his beard look really Italian, and people were speaking with whatever Italian accent they could figure out, which cracked me up.  I think most of the time it was more mexican with a twist. Chris ended up being the murderer, you gotta watch out for that guy.

Our nephews and nieces.  That's right, we have two girls now :)

And here's my belly bump picture at about 22 weeks.