Tuesday, December 25, 2007

It Finally Came!

After what seemed like forever-Christmas finally did come. We are not a patient family when it comes to Christmas-we are all like little kids and just can't wait for Christmas morning. No one was disappointed either-we all got spoiled rotten from Santa, each other and of course Grandma Julie! With all the craziness of opening gifts we didn't get many pictures-but lots of memories! Bekah got an easel from Santa and a WHOLE box full of art supplies and paper, she got lots of Princess and Disney stuff too, we're going to Disneyland in a couple weeks, Santa must have known... Christopher got cars, and stuff that goes with cars-like a garage for his little people, and an airport with more cars, helicopters and planes for his little people. He was so excited and cute about it all, I thought it might overwhelm him, but he was having a blast right up until the last gift was opened at Grandma's and couldn't stop saying "WOW!" I got spoiled with scrapbooking stuff, cute shoes, an external hard drive for my computer to keep all my pics on and so much more and that's just from our house. My mom went a little nuts-sound familiar? From her, I got a new crockpot, shoes, a necklace from Tiffany & co, a dress and who knows what else-I had a huge stack by the time the morning was over. Jim even got me something super fun-a new cartridge for my Cricut machine! Yippee! :). Now Chad got pretty spoiled too-lots of fun games, treats oh and a new Tom Tom GPS unit from my mom and Jim! Super excited about that! One thing, I am still trying to get excited about was what Santa brought for Bekah and Topher to my moms house...A new fish tank complete with fish! The kids are thrilled, we have already had one die though-and surprisingly Bekah was okay with it. I think it will be a fun thing for them-as long as Topher stays out of the tank, and as long as I don't have to clean it-or pull dead fishies out and flush em...yech!

Monday, December 24, 2007

Christmas Eve

After weeks of seeing presents sitting under the tree, and not bothering them all that much-I was beginning to wonder if Topher knew what to do with them! Well no worries-Christmas Eve came and he knew exactly what to do.
We have the tradition of opening Christmas jammies on Christmas Eve, but we also have started a little tradition since Bekah was born of a Christmas Eve ornament too. Bekah's first ornament was a little snowman that I painted for her, we decided to keep up with the theme and every year she gets a new snowman ornament to hang on the tree. With Christopher we got him Santa Claus's-which was a good choice since he is obsessed with "Ho Ho Ho" as he calls him. We also started getting some for Zach (nutcrackers) and Ryeliegh (winter activities; like ice skates and sleds) too. The ornaments each have their name and year painted on them and when they leave the house, these are the ornaments that they can take with them.
Chad and I also do an ornament exchange each year on Christmas Eve-but ours don't have a theme exactly. What we do is try to find an ornament that represents something that happened that year, like this year Chad got me a car ornament, since this is the year we bought a new car (actually 2 new cars). I got Chad a lantern ornament because this is the year that Chad got his associates-so we can see that there is a light at the end of this school thing and it's also the year that the lights kind of came on for us as far as financial stuff and goals setting and reaching.
It's been a fun tradition and it's fun to pull out the ornaments from the years previous and remember why we picked those out for eachother.
Since we have moved to Oregon, I have also started the tradition of making each of the kids a little photo book of the summer activities. I send Zach and Ryeleigh's to them with their Christmas presents and that way they have some photo's to show their mom and family in Utah what they did while they were here. I do the one's for Bekah and Topher too, so that if I don't ever get around to scrapping all those photo's they can at least have these little books to look at, not to mention they make great church books!

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Just in the Nick of Time

...we got some photo's with Santa before he makes his annual journey around the world-I'm glad we caught him, and glad his elves are packing up his sleigh for him so that he still had time to say hello to us! Merry Christmas everyone!
(The lighting was terrible, so that's why they look like that-but I got some-so I'm happy, and the kids loved seeing him again. Topher looks like he is sad, that's just because he wanted me, and I was on the other side of the gate to take the photo's-he was fine to talk to "Ho Ho Ho" as he calls him!)

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Guess What?

Sorry about the bad pics-I had a really cute image in my mind-it didn't turn out that way-but you still get the point right?

Crying...Why?!?

We had a dentist appointment for the kids at their regular dentist on Monday. We went in, had Bekah sit in the chair for x-rays when the receptionist came running in and stopped us. Apparently our new insurance only covers Willamette Dental, and this dentist was not part of the group. SO we had to leave and this was Bekah... I know, most kids cry when they have to go to the dentist, not when they get out of it!!!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

I wanna hippopotamus for Christmas

We went to zoo lights after our trip to the mall on Tuesday with some wonderful friends of ours, the Johnston's and the Young's who both happen to be leaving Portland next week-:(.
It was a great night-not too freezing, not too crowded, lines not horrendous for the train and lots of laughs were had-so not the experience we had last year!
We had so much fun-Oh and Johnston's and Young's-thanks for coming with us. We are going to miss you and your families beyond belief! Love ya

The Non Santa Photos

On Tuesday we went out to Washington Square for the traditional photo with Santa. We went to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch, talked with Chester the Bear and went and saw the Jolly old man himself! So where is the pic of my kids smiling happily from Santa's lap? Well they are non-existant! And yes, my kids sat on his lap, they smiled, they told him what they wanted etc.. but see the problem was a sign that asked "that you refrain from using your personal camera, and buy one of their packaged portrait deals". Other people in front of us were using their cameras, they just wanted you to buy the $35 3x5 print (yes that was the cheapest one!). I didn't care, I would have taken the photo despite the sign, but Bekah wanted me to take her up to Santa and hold her hand, she was a bit nervous-so I gave Chad the job of taking the photo. He wouldn't do it because of the sign, but he wasn't willing to shell out the money either. SO I have no photo. Which means I will have to take another trip to the mall and take someone who is willing to take a picture. Chad doesn't think I need a photo, but come on mom's-you need a photo with your kids on Santa's lap, am I right? I did get a picture of "this" Santa who was just an older gentleman walking around with his cute wife handing out candy canes to kids and telling them he would see them on Christmas Eve-really a nice thing-but not the Santa photo I was looking for!

Puffy Little Buddies

Taylor and Bekah had so much fun together at zoo lights, they held hands everywhere they went and hugged all the characters, oohed and aahhed at all the lights on the train ride and giggled all night. It's so cute to see them hang out as friends, they are just getting to the age that they actually play together rather than play along side eachother. Bekah is going to miss her a ton!

Friday, December 14, 2007

Nursery Christmas Cards

These are the cards I made for Nursery-arent' they cute? The top one is of Bekah and her buddy from church and the bottom one is Bekah and Topher. I think they turned out too adorable!!!

Monday, December 10, 2007

Holy Cookies!

My mom and I went to a Christmas cookie and candy exchange yesterday at my friend Katie's house in Damascus. She has a daughter Hayden who is a little younger than Bekah so that was fun. I got overloaded on cookies and treats, (we ended up with like 6 dozen cookies of 12 different kinds), it's fun to have some extra's around to share and that way you only end up having to make one kind instead of 12 to get a good variety to give away. Of course that would be the easy way-not for me, if you saw my previous post, you will see what I am making for my friends! :)Then we came home and decorated my mom's little tree-okay so it's not little -IT'S HUGE!!! Bekah was all excited about decorating another tree, but got seriously bored after the first 1/4 of the tree was decorated-and I couldn't blame her the tree stood about 10 feet with the angel on top and was about 5 feet around. It takes up half her living room! Topher was loving the train they set up and was pretty much on his tummy the whole night, unless he was sitting in a snowman bucket, next to the train.

Friday, December 7, 2007

How I met my kids' father



Well it was just a little over 6 years ago in July of 2001 that I was working as a manager of a Subway in American Fork Utah. I had just gotten out of a really dumb relationship-I decided I was completely done dating and I was SET on going on a mission for my church. My bishop was understanding...understanding in a way that was more like-"let's see what happens in the next few months, and see how you feel." I knew I would feel no different-I was going on a mission in January and that was that.
Then a friend of a friend came home from his mission, his name was James, he was also set on not dating-so we became fast hang out buddies. He was working with a mechanic in Alpine and one day he called me up at Subway and asked me to bring up 3 sandwiches when I got off work to the guys at the shop. I made the sandwiches, stopped at home to change out of my ugly clothes and put on some skanky ones, (back then, I didn't think they were skanky, they weren't all that modest-but to hear Chad describe my tank top and holey jeans that day-you would think I was auditioning for a Vegas strip show)! When I got to the shop you guessed it one of the 3 guys was Chad.
Chad was working on a car the whole time I was there, barely said hi and thank you, and to be quite honest, I barely noticed him, except for his SUPER blue eyes, which still can take me by surprise! The owner of the shop, Kyle talked non-stop to me and I had a good time for a bit, before I headed home to hang out with my best friend.
I can't be sure if it was the next day or the one after that, that Kyle and Chad came into Subway for lunch. Kyle again talked to me for a long time, but the only thing I got from Chad was what toppings he wanted on his sandwich. I saw a lot of them over the next couple of weeks-and I was completely oblivious to Chad. He was a nice guy, but just a nice guy who came in for lunch-there were a lot of those...
Then Thursday, July 26th, I got a phone call at work and the guy on the other end asked me "how I felt about older guys", me, a little confused at who it might be-he might have even said, but it hadn't registered at that point answered, "I LOVE older guys". Then he had the nerve to ask if he could take me out that night, as soon as I said "yes" I regretted it. What was I thinking? I was not dating anyone anymore!!!
Well that night, I was COMPLETELY dreading the upcoming date, and when it was about 5 minutes past the time he was supposed to pick me up, I started getting ready to leave. I didn't put up with people, especially dates being late-this wouldn't have been the first time that I wasn't home to receive a late gentleman caller...My roomate and bestest friend Melissa tried to talk me out of leaving, and when Chad called to tell me that he was going to be late (DUH!), I wouldn't talk to him, Melissa did, and she pretty much told him, that he had about 30 seconds to get there or I would not be there. (I think I thought pretty highly of myself at the time...)
When he finally came and got me, I think the only reason I went was because he was driving a jeep. He took me to Cabo Grill, I had never been-but turns out, I loved it-the food that is, him, not so much-hating the whole first date questions and counting the minutes till he dropped me off.
After dinner he asked if I wanted to go get a movie and go back to his place-typical, I thought-he totally just wants to make out. When we pulled up to Blockbuster, we sat in the jeep and talked for a minute, and it was then that he told me that he had 2 kids. I know that's when most girls would start running, for some reason, it had the complete opposite effect on me, for some strange, unknown reason I always knew that I would marry someone with kids. Not that I thought I would marry this guy, but I was more intrigued at that point. It was at this point that Chad asked if I would rather just drive and talk.
We ended up driving up American Fork canyon and stopping at a place called Tibble Fork, we talked for hours while Chad did flips over the ro-bar. We had lots in common and it was so easy to be myself with him. At one point Chad asked me to marry him jokingly and I jokingly said yes, but at that point-I don't think either of us was entirely joking.
When he took me home, we found out that his youngest brother was my age and that I knew him, one of my friends Sara had gone to a dance with him, and they were in our group. Melissa was gone when we got home she was hanging out with a friend of ours, Matt, so I asked Chad to wait until she got home, because I was scared to be home alone, (our house was HAUNTED_NO LIE!!!).
Well we ended up talking on the couch for a long time and I guess I fell asleep with my feet on his lap. He stayed awake and watched me sleep forever, when I woke up, I was embarassed to see that he was staring at me. He was just too dang sweet, I don't know if I was just tired or a big old hussy-but I sat up and totally started kissing him!
Well he didn't stop me and about 3 days later we had said that we loved each other, in about a week we were talking marriage, 9 weeks from our first date we were engaged at the same spot he had asked me to marry him on our first date (Tibble Fork). 15 weeks and 3 days from our first date, it was November 10 and we were married in the Mt. Timpanogas Temple, and haven't looked back since.
It's been a fantastic 6 years and I am SO glad that Melissa talked me into staying and waiting a few more minutes for him. He was so worth the wait!

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

The Power of 4

I get these emails ALL the time-I rarely do them-but I figured I would do it here and then if I ever get another one I will refer them to this post....Enjoy this little insight into my life (although it is all stuff you all probably know) A) 4 jobs I have had in my life: 1. Mom 2. Apartment Manager 3. Subway Manager 4. Gold's Gym Manager B) 4 movies I would watch over and over: 1. French Kiss 2. Hitch 3. Elf 4. Napolean Dynamite/Nacho Libre C) 4 places I have lived: 1. Portland, OR 2. Saratoga Springs, UT 3. Pleasant Grove, UT 4. American Fork, UT D) 4 TV shows I watch: 1. The Office 2. Chuck 3. Samantha Who? 4. Scrubs E) 4 places I have been: 1. Kauai Hawaii 2. Florida Keys 3. Honduras 4. Nauvoo, IL F) 4 People who I email ( I put them into groups) 1. Bunco Babes 2. Clackamas Clique 3. Wynn Hewletts 4. Creative Team G) 4 of my favorite foods: 1. Sandwiches-almost any-but especially Gandolfo's 2. Claussen Pickles 3. Burritos, enchilada style from Cabo Grill with their cream sauce -mmmmm 4. Chocolate chip cookies H) 4 places I would like to be right now: 1. Wish chad was here instead of out working-but grateful he has such a great job 2. Hawaii 3. In my new house (it will happen, it will happen, it will happen....) 4. Scrapbook shopping I) 4 things I am looking forward to in 2008: 1. My birthday on January 4th-(that's right friends you still have some shopping time left. It is 10 days after Christmas-so plenty of time to recover from that Christmas shopping splurging right? I know me neither-getting used to it...sort of!) 2. DisneyLand!!! We are going at the end of January! So excited for that!!! 3. All the 3 year olds in my nursery class going to Sunbeams....(I love you all, but wow there are a lot of you!!!) 4. My new house, my new house, my new house!!! 2008 is the year BABY! I can feel it!!!!

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Trimmin the Tree

Just your typical cute kids (and one random one of me, just so you know I was there too) decorating the tree pics, then of course putting the star on top with dad.
Another great tradition and another great memory. Is everyone else loving this season as much as I am? Love Love Love it!

My Favorite Pics

I know these are never the best quality-maybe some year when I get me my Rebel, but for now these will do. I love seeing my kids play with the lights before we hang them on the tree. They are always so fascinated-for me it's another very magical moment of the Christmas season...