Home at Last

Slowly but surely I will be up for blogging again. We had a great time visiting our families. I have so much unpacking to do, Christmas to put up, and preparation for my Mom who will be here in just two days. I am overwhelmed!

I can't wait to read your blogs to see all about your holiday adventures.

Happy New Year!

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

We have hit the road and are heading out to visit all of our family and friends in Utah for Christmas. I just wanted to leave a little something from us to you. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!

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Stickers

Many people think housewives do not have much to do. Cleaning and taking care of kids alone is enough to keep anyone busy. While I am cleaning upstairs the kids are destroying the downstairs and vice versa. The cycle is constantly repeating itself.

I was upstairs doing some laundry when my little one tells me the stickers are all gone. I keep my stickers up high because they tend to end up stuck to all kinds of furniture if they are found. S is very good at climbing all counters and shelves, so I figured I had better run down to make sure she was not on the top shelf of the pantry.

I came down stairs and look at my cupboards, floor, and fridge and this is what I see.

At a closer glance I notice these are NOT stickers!

We bought a roll, not a book, but a ROLL of stamps a few days ago. Luckily I addressed and stamped about 35 of our Christmas cards already, but here I find the rest.

Needless to say these are the most expensive stickers we have ever bought our kids.

UPDATE: I was able to save a few of these. A sharp knife and a lot of patience later, I became so pleased with my craftiness I forgot the intial shock of it all.

Ice Skating

Last Saturday my girls were invited to a Birthday party at the ice rink. At first I was really nervous thinking about taking a 4 year old and almost 3 year old ice skating. I finally agreed we would go.

I could not believe how much fun the girls had!

It was cold, cold, cold. The girls had on sweaters, gloves, hats and ear warmers.

They had little walkers for kids to hold onto if they couldn't skate really well. Both my kids had one. M doesn't have the best balance but did a lot better than I thought she would. S was crazy. She was walking all over the place in her skates sans walker. This kid is a natural athlete.

I did not get many clear pictures on the ice because I sat on the sidelines with E, who was very jealous of her sisters.

I noticed some man taking pictures of my kids. It kinda freaked me out because that is weird isn't it? I later learned he was a photographer for our paper. He said he was doing a community activities article and could not pass up pictures of my cuties.

When I get my hands on the article I may post it.

Maybe next year E can have her first try at the whole ice skating thing!

It really made me miss living in Dallas and skating (and shopping) at the Galleria Mall.

Random Musings....

... because my lasagna takes an hour to cook.

1. I am not feeling Christmas this year, maybe because I took my tree down three days after I put it up. My kids refused to leave it alone, I knew we were going to be gone every weekend anyway, and we are not going to be here for Christmas. It just seemed like too much effort to redecorate it every day at nap time.

2. Every time E gets hurt she rubs her head and wants me to kiss it. This happens even when I see her stub her toe. Maybe it is a form of sign language.

3. I hate my Internet service, but we had to buy a modem so we feel like if we switch it will be a waste. I am ready to switch but I can wait til we move.

4. I had a bishop tell me he was a Utard. It took a moment for me to realize what he was talking about, but now every time I think about it I laugh out loud.

5. I was born in Utah so does that make me a Utard too?

6. I really like homemade food, but I hate to cook. I usually brave my hatred and make it anyways. Tonight is lasagna, I am NOT Italian but for some reason I make really great Italian food.

7. I do not like casseroles, my mom never made the Mormon standards. She is from the South and a convert so we always had Southern food even though we lived in Utah.

8. My mind is running a mile a minute as usual, but the timer just went of so dinner here I come.

Las Vegas

Jeremy and I decided an adult vacation was in order, meaning no kids!! We went to Las Vegas. I'll start by saying we do NOT drink, do NOT smoke, do NOT gamble. We do like to site see, people watch, see shows, EAT, and Shop, shop ,shop. There is plenty of this to do in Vegas, we had fun enjoying each other with no little ones tagging along.

Happy BIrthday M!

My baby will be 4 years old. I can not believe how fast time has flown by,

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I will be gone for a few days. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

What is missing?

Do you notice anyone missing in this picture?

How about two little girls!

For some reason my children are terrified of any costumed personage. This means no Santa, no Easter Bunny, no Chucky Cheese, and other random characters like the Red Robin standing outside of one of our favorite eating establishments.

This year much to my surprise S braved the o' so scary man, also known as Santa. I know her love of all things sugar oriented, sitting in a basket next to the throne, overcame her fear of Jolly Old Saint Nick. She is tolerant, but not smiling thinking of her reward.

It all started out so well. My little Santa baby M was just plain unaware at the tender age of three weeks old.

At three months M even smiled at her new furry friend the Easter Bunny.

Then at eleven months it starts. She was compliant, as long as she wasn't on his lap, but not wiling to smile. My poor nephew was placed on Santa's lap during a nap. This, now that I think about it, is a great idea.

Our final picture with such creatures, with the exception of this year's Santa picture, M was done! No more sitting on Santa's lap, no more tolerance of the Easter Bunny, no more smiles for any large being dressed in costume. I got this picture for free because the photographer thought it was hilarious.

Not one of my kids would visit any of the above named, until this year. I am very proud of S for overcoming her fears, for what ever the reason or the reward may be. Hopefully this year the Easter Bunny is giving out something involving sugar.

Week Long Wrap Up

I have been having technical difficulties. I am not sure whether it has been my computer or the ridiculous Internet service we chose but I have not been able to download pics or post on blogger. Yesterday it started working out of blue so be prepared to read this and a few more posts. Just scroll down to see I received another award and also got tagged.

Thanksgiving was great! The turkey yummy, all my side dishes were sooo good. I was pleased with myself. All the food was gone by Saturday and I only had one plate of leftovers. Usually we eat for a couple of days on left overs. Note to self, prepare more food next year!

Can you believe I was so overwhelmed with cooking, I did not take one picture. I was bummed when I realized this.

Jeremy turned one year older. He got the one gift he really wanted. He has already passed all the Easy levels and is working on the Medium ones. Seriously, boys and their toys!

E loved every minute of the birthday excitement. Good thing because we have a few more in the next two months. Oh ya, and Christmas is in there somewhere too!

We also attended a Wedding. One of the girls in Jeremy's office got hitched. My girls were excited when they saw the raised platform also known as a dance floor. All the weddings they were in this past year prepared them for dancing. They wasted no time spinning around. It really didn't matter that they were the only ones so inspired.

Congratulations to H and J!!

We realized a while ago that we have cousins who don't live too far away. We have enjoyed spending time with them. Since they live a ways out it turns into a day long event, but oh so worth it. Hopefully we can get together again soon!

We have been working on putting up our Christmas decor and deciding what goodies to make and bake this year.

Jeremy and I are glad we have survived one more week of this crazy whirlwind called the Holidays.

Tagged Ya Again

I was tagged by Farrah to complete this Meme. I need to share 7 random things about me.


1. Most people don't know that I have always been ADD. It was way worse as a kid, but I still have a hard time concentrating. My brain is constantly jumping around. I do not multi task very well at all. I have to make sure I work off of lists.

2. I live my life in denial. In my mind, I still look like this....

...young and thin!

3. I have never owned a dog. Knowing my husband I never will.

4. Looking at pictures, I realized I have the same hair cut I had when I was 21. Now it is at a little bit of an angle.

5. I was an avid scrapper, until the day I had my first child. I have never completed a page since. I still download tons of digital stuff and buy supplies like crazy. I just don't have the energy or the time.


6. The first time I met Jeremy I had a weird feeling we would be together.

7. I have always wanted a little girl. Now I have three and I feel blessed.

An Award

I was given The Blogger With Integrity Award by Yvonne. She is always giving me goodies!

" The award was created by The Little Aussie Cynic to honor those blogs with integrity and there are several different categories you can award it under. I am going to do so as well, to pass it along to just some of the many bloggers who I feel strive to blog with integrity."

For Creativity - Coren. She is all kinds of creative. She has a blog just for her creativity.

For Spirit of Giving - Mandy. She is a great Auntie. Her nieces and nephews are very lucky!

For Staying True to Your Beliefs - Dani. She is definitely grown so much over the past few years. Although she is my baby sister, she is an example to me.

For Keeping it Real - Kim. This girl cracks me up with her honest view of life.

For Social Conscience - Farrah. She is already stirring the Presidential debate pot. I think this is important to get us thinking, I mean this person we vote for, will lead our country.

Ladies you can post it, pass it on, or just know I think highly of you!

Happy Birthday Jeremy, today he is......

...Still older than me!

I am cheating and using a scrapbook page from way, way back.

(I really didn't feel like downloading a bunch of pics, click on the picture if you want to get a better look.)

He is such a wonderful husband, father, and friend. I am glad we found each other.

Jeremy, there are many ways you have touched the lives of your patients, your friends, your co-workers, and most importantly your family. The world is better place because you are in it.

Happy Birthday Honey!

Have a Wonderful Holiday!

I am thankful for a wonderful family and great friends.

I am thankful for freedom.

I am thankful for all the men and women who serve our country to help keep our freedom.

I am thankful for my children, I love being a Mommy.

I am thankful for a supportive, caring husband.

I am thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I am thankful for a warm home and a great job.

I am thankful we are all healthy.

I am thankful I get to see another wonderful holiday and spend it with the ones I love.

Let's Get Loud

For an early birthday gift, Jeremy got tickets to see ..

....Evanescence!

This is not really my favorite genre of music, but I am nothing if not dutiful in attending with my dear husband. It was like welcome to the head bangers ball. I ended up with a major headache. Just a little reminder of my true age.

I have to admit I really love listening to Amy Lee. This girl can wail and pound the keys. I was quite impressed! Anyone who can play the piano and sing is awesome in book.

I also enjoy the opening act. Sick Puppies. They had a girl bassist. How cool is that! I enjoyed watching this jaw dropping display of girl power.

Chic's Rule!

Luckily I Blog

On Sunday night I went to blog some events that have been going on around here. It is the first break I have had in our very busy week. Much to my surprise I could not get any response from my SD card. I tried everything I could think of to get my pictures downloaded to my laptop but nothing worked.

I was so sad when I realized my card had run it's course. I lost a few pictures, which made me sad, but they were not of a birthday or holiday so I guess I will live. Luckily I blog and down load my pictures every week or I would have lost so much more.

I found my old SD card (by some miracle) and here are a few of the pictures I found on it. These were taken before E was even born.

Enjoy!

The girls look so little. E now wears the maroon shirt M is wearing in her picture. I can not believe how fast time flies.

Thanksgiving Anticipation

This year for Thanksgiving I am in charge of the cooking. Many people would say "and", well my "and" is I have never cooked a turkey in my 24 years (wink wink) of life. (hey I have seen a few 24 yr olds I look better than).

I am scared!!

Anyone who knows me well knows I do NOT cook.

Jeremy and I ate out for pretty much all the first few years of our marriage. After the kids were old enough to eat, I had to start teaching myself to cook. I think the meals I cook now are getting better. Jeremy has seemed a little bit more excited to eat my food this past year.

Back to the present, I've always been in charge of the green bean casserole. How hard is that though? I have always used the Campbell soup recipe. This year I am gonna follow a recipe from scratch that should be fabulous. Knock on wood! Along with that I am making all the holiday fixin's. (Yes, in Texas this is a word!)

I am gonna miss my mom's home cooking. I have her recipes but it won't taste the same I am sure. I am gonna miss my sister's home made pies. They are delicious! I will miss the company I am used to having, but we won't be alone. Jeremy's family will be joining us.

We will be having turkey (of course), potatoes, creamed cauliflower, glazed carrots, stuffing, cranberry gelatin salad (this is a very yummy family recipe), green bean casserole, candied yams (not my fav, but at Jeremy's request), rolls, homemade gravy, package gravy and maybe some extra veggies for the non-meat eaters, and lots of desserts.

So far it looks promising. I did all my grocery shopping on Saturday except for a few fresh items. I hate shopping in a crowded grocery store. Tomorrow I will make my pumpkin cheesecake, buy my favorite carmel apple walnut pie, and the fresh stuff. Wednesday I will prepare everything I can ahead of time, so that Thursday goes smoothly.

Of course all this is preparation for black Friday, there will be enough food for the kids, Jeremy, and his family to eat all day, so I can shop,shop,shop.

I love to eat, so this is one of my favorite holidays.

They're Watching Us

Jeremy and I love to play games. We have reworked a lot of multiple player games so we can play with just two people. Sundays are our day when we can just be together and play. Occasionally we have to play Candyland or Chutes and Ladders to keep the girls happy.

I love all forms of card games. My favorite is Hand and Foot. I force Jeremy to play it with me on a regular basis. Lately he has been beating the socks off of me, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to play over and over again.

Sunday, Jeremy went upstairs to put the girls to bed and found this scene.

They were mimicking our card playing with their Strawberry Shortcake cards. It was very cute. It is one of those reminders that they are always watching every thing we do.

So Happy to be Me

If I ever have a bad day, I just look at these little faces and realized that I am truely blessed. I can't think of any thing I would rather be doing right now than spending my time with my girls. (and Jeremy too!) Last year was very hard because the girls are so close in age. This year has been so much fun and I don't think looking back I would have changed things. I am grateful to have the daily adventures and am honored to be followed by my entourage.

Mine plus 2

M is in a co-op preschool. The ladies felt sorry for me because of all my little ones and decided I didn't need to have preschool at my house. I was sad at first but when I saw how much I could accomplish with just two little ones I was amazed.

Well one momma is preggers. She is sick, sick, sick. I volunteered to be the teacher when pregnant mom feels she is not up to it. Today was my first day. We have had small numbers due to sickness that has been going around. ( not pregnancy, the flu) I only had two extra besides my normal three and holy cow it was crazy.

TWO WHOLE HOURS!!!

Luckily my project took a lot of time. The smart kiddos had no problem writing the letter we were studying "T" and the number "5." I thought for sure the number five would take ten minutes at least to learn to write. Nope! Luckily my mother-in-law has bought my girls some fun learning games in the past and I was able to "entertain" for the last half hour.

Man I am gonna have to be more structured. I mean plan EVERY minute. The kids are too quick for me.

A bit Jealous

It has been VERY hard for S to be "alone" while M goes to preschool. I mean seriously she is NOT alone. E and I are with her and we usually run all our errands minus one. It has has been a little bit easier for me to only have two. To distract S from being sad I always get her a little treat, let her walk around, and constantly talk to her so she won't be lonely.

As soon as we get back in the car it is all sad eyes. She always says with a frown, "I want M!"

When we pick up M, she rushes to the car to show S what she drew and tell her about everything they did. I guess it is great that they get along so well. I keep reminding S soon it will be her turn to go to preschool. Everyday she reminds me, "I am getting bigger!"

Sheesh, can you stay little a while longer S. I am gonna miss you when you are gone.

A Tag

I got tagged by Laurie to list six things about me that you may not know. She tagged me a while ago, I didn't forget I just had to think about it for a while.

1. I am a Mommas girl. I love visiting and spending time with my mom. Even if we are in the car all day running errands with three little kids attached to us, we have fun together. I talk to her on phone A LOT. I can talk to her about anything and I really listen to all her advice. My mom has the best relationship with all her girls.

2. I have always looked forward to being a mom. I love everything about raising my girls. I had nothing but total excitement with the announcement of each one. They individually add so much to our family and I could not imagine my life without them.

3. Jeremy and I met in late November, were engaged in early January, and married in mid March. It was a whirlwind and in March we will be married six years.

4. I love a nice clean crisp bed. I really sleep better when I slide in to a well made, clean bed.

5. I love to shop, even if I don't need anything. I just love to be out and about. I love to walk around at Christmas time, I just love the hustle and bustle. (Well as long as I don't need anything.) My sisters and mom really are the same way. We just love walking around stores, boutiques, flea markets, bazaars and malls talking and comparing tastes. It is a favorite family past time.

6. I REALLY miss my family. The hardest part of moving away from Texas is all the people I don't get to see daily or weekly. My family is no longer close to me and I miss it A LOT.

An Award

A little while back I got an award. I was really exicted cause this is such a fun award. I was sick when I was given it and then Halloween came around so I am posting it now!

I got this "Blog Friend Forever" award from Yvonne. She is such a fun blogging friend. I just love her comments and reading her posts.

About this award..."Presented to awesome blog owners who keep there readers excited about their posts. Their posts are interesting and worth reading and keep their readers looking forward to each and every post."

I have a lot of blogs I love reading. I am gonna pass this one on to my sister Corrine,and my two cousins Amy and Mandy. It's all relative!

Halloween has Come and Gone

Since I was feeling a lot better, we went to our ward activity. The girls had a great time eating and playing a few games. There was no trunk-o-treat, but they let the kids wear their costumes. The person in charge doesn't like Halloween. I was able to take lots of fun pictures of the girls, all their little friends, and all my little sunbeams. I can't post those pics, because they are not my kids, but they are cute.
S was not "Spidergirl" or "Spiderwoman". She was "Spiderman", just in case you were wondering, she corrected everyone who called her otherwise.
M was a Princess Mermaid. She is fascinated with all the Disney Princesses. I can not drag her out of the Disney Store. Maybe when E gets a little older a trip for Disneyland needs to be in order.
I put a little bit of make-up on her to complete her costume. She was very excited. She asked if she could wear make-up everyday. Of course the answer was NO. Besides Halloween it will be a long, long time before she gets to wear it.
E was Little Red Riding Hood. She had the cutest picnic basket to carry around. She would not even touch it. She has to be just like M and S. Duh, mom! So I had to search around and find her another one at the last minute. She loved the ward party. Since Jeremy works with the youth, some of the girls took over holding E and helping her. It was nice to have a little break. Hey, if they think the tantrums she tends to throw are adorable more power to them.
We took the girls to a well lit and apparently popular neighborhood filled with kids to trick-o-treat in. The houses were large and gorgeous, so there was a little bit of eye candy for mom and dad. Luckily my girls are still little so they got tired after a short while. It was pretty cold and we had to whip out the coats half way through the adventure. I let the girls eat a few pieces of candy and it was off to bed. Then it was time for a relaxing hot chocolate and treat for mom and dad.

If Nothing Else She Is Determined

Every day, many times a day I find this...

OR

I finally found a good time out for all these "tools" that can give my little one easier access.

But, she won't give up that easily.
If nothing else she is a very determined little girl, who will not give up on the things she wants most.
I guess that really isn't a bad quality.