New Years Eve!

Our family had a great little New Years Eve!We invited our family friend, Gail over for a yummy steak dinner made by Brandon, then some fun and games!!! The tykes were so excited about staying up till midnight! Baby G, not so much... he went to bed right on time!
Big H had fallen asleep before midnight, so we had to wake him up to ring in the new year with our noise makers and see the ball drop. With several attempts made by dad with a bunch of Baby G's toys, it did not work!!! We were a giggling cause he just kept on sleeping, even after a little ball was bounced off his forehead a few times!
Miss P made it all the way till midnight. They had their little beds made on the floor for a little sleepover downstairs too!
No worries, we finally got H awake to participate!
Thanks Brandon, Gail, and family for a fun little New Years!!!

My Nana-

Dear Nana-
Wow! I am amazed you lived to be 91 years old. I really hope you fulfilled a great life, cause I sure think that you did.
You know just a few days ago, I had the feeling I needed to call and wish you a Merry Christmas and check in with you. Later that day, as I was filling out my 2010 calendar and I was writing your name on your birth date, I thought to myself- I wonder if Nana will be around for her next birthday.
I then received a call from Jamie (my sis) to let me know that you were going down hill fast. I could just not believe it. I had had all these thought of you the very same day.
I didn't find out till the next day that you didn't make it through the night, but that you passed peacefully which I am very glad of. I am so grateful for all the family that was around you that you had someone visiting you daily at your assisted living center. I worried for you a lot. I was always asking everyone I talked to if they knew how you were doing.
Nana- I want to thank you so much for being a huge part of my life. I am so ever grateful for you being there even when my parents split. You came to every event that went on my my life, be it a birthday or school program. Thank you for your support. I truly have been blessed with awesome grandparents, no doubt.
Thanks for the great memories too! I will always remember how you dressed so nicely. I loved to look in your huge closets at your clothes, peak into your jewelry boxes with all your baubles, the yummy dinners you made for us on Sundays- loved your cooked carrots, chocolate bundt cake, fresh lemonade after swimming at your pool, going with you to get your car washed and watching you rub your manicured thumbs on your steering wheel, taking us on summer vacation trips, going to the country club, memories made at the cabin, spending holidays together, and always asking about our lives.
I am so happy that you are reunited with Papa again! I so love you-
Till We Meet Again- Your grand-daughter, Traci

My Nana is on the left and my Grandma Claire is on the right at my 8Th birthday.

My Nana and Papa at my 10Th birthday.

Project Time!

My husband always likes to have a hobby going or some type of project. He has the week off of work and I have been searching for a not too expensive desk for H's room.
I guess ask and you shall receive did work for me! Brandon is so awesome and handy! He thought the desk idea right up and it turned out great! Now H has a quiet place to study and do his homework! They worked on it together and got it finished and up in a day! You 2 rock!

It's Back! Chug-ga-Chug-ga- Choo-Choo!

H and Miss P helped their dad revamp the train table that has been staying in the garage for Baby G for Christmas. It turned out great and this little guy loves it already!
Thanks dad, H, and Miss p for the kind gesture to your lil' brother.
His favorite spot would be to sit right on it! Thanks to our clever daddy for gluing the pieces on! This is going to bring hours of entertainment!

Christmas 2009

Santa did make a stop by our place on Christmas Eve and did not disappoint!
H didn't sit on the Big guy's lap this year and didn't get a letter sent out either. He basically said he wanted Santa to surprise him! And SURPRISE him, he did!!! H got a Red Ryder BB Gun! Don't worry, no eyes have been shot out. H is very careful with his gun.
Miss P asked for good ole' roller skates and that is what she got!!! She is practicing daily in the house with her skates! Now we just need a indoor roller rink!
Baby G got his very own Ukulele. now he won't be begging for daddy's and dragging it around the floor. That boy loves music- making it or dancing to it!
I was pleasantly surprised to get the 40th Anniversary of Sesame Street DVD collection! I know it was something both Baby G and I would love. Let me tell you, it's such a trip going down memory lane if you grew up watching Sesame Street. Even Brandon was remembering songs on it from when he was little. It is such a treasure and I am enjoying my time watching it with the babe!
Thanks Santa! You've surprised us all! We love you!
Just remember- Those Who Believe Shall Receive!!!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!

Always gotta show a blooper too!
Hope your day is Merry and Bright as we all reflect on the TRUE meaning of CHRISTmas!
We love you!

Christmas Village

We had our first visit to Christmas Village this year. The tykes hear all about it from friends at school. How fun it is and how l-o-n-g they have to wait to see Santa! We got there soon after it opened and there was already a line to see Santa of course. Thank goodness for friends who tell you that you can pass that part if you would like and see the rest of the village. So thank goodness we had seen Santa in town a few weeks ago, that we didn't have to stand in the line and freeze (it's been really cold here!)
We got to see some of Santa's reindeer. They seemed to be mostly relaxing. A few were I think fighting and getting their antlers stuck together!
Then we visited the Toy Shop with some elves busily working. They even gave the tykes a little prize.
WE even got to see the 2nd best thing to Santa, Mrs. Claus herself. She was adorable and very chatty. Gave them a signed postcard, a candy cane, and posed for a photo!
They tykes were troopers even in the freezing cold weather!
We enjoyed our little outing!

The Nativity Story

This evening for family night we watched The Nativity Story. I had never seen this version and let me tell you, it was very well done! I was very impressed with it and how it was portrayed.
What a great reminder to us all, the TRUE meaning of Christmas and why it is celebrated at all.
May you all have peace and love in your homes at this time and be ever so grateful to Jesus Christ.
I hope you all get the chance to watch this movie for the first time or again this season!

Christmas on Main Street

Guess who finally sat on Santa's lap for the first time in her whole life??
Miss P did! She is quite proud of herself too! When we walked into the store, Santa was right there and put his arms out to Miss P, who climbed up, but was a little hesitant at first. Told Santa her Christmas wish and got herself a candy cane!
Now this little one was a different story, we sat him on the Big Man's lap and he wasn't having it! We had Miss P hurry and sit by him to help calm him so we could get a photo. It happened in a matter of seconds, cause daddy felt so bad that he put Baby G there and then having Baby G give him that look like, what did you just do????!!!!
And well, Big H wouldn't even go there for some reason this year....
Here's the fam after seeing Santa, checking out some antique shops, eating popcorn, roasting marshmellows, and playing candy BINGO!
Thanks to our cute little town for hosting such a fun event that my tykes won't quit talking about and thank goodness for a little warmth of the sun so we could go out for a bit too!

A Favorite Place, In The Winter

Our family loves to sit on the heaters throughout the house in the cold winter months.
Guess who else has joined in the warmth? Baby G!
This is him and Miss P watching the first big snow storm of the season. Daddy put Baby G there to look out the window at the snow, cars and Christmas lights. When we tried to take him down, he was not having it.
Now it's like a favorite past time for him to sit on the warmth and watch the day go by.

What We Won't Do In The Kitchen?

I just love how Baby G opened the drawer at the bottom of the oven, removed and few items, on his own, and climbed on in!
Now, who would of thought of that as being a great place to be? He sure did, anyways!
Time to climb on out! Don't you just love having a follower? He is a great kitchen help!

Early Gift-

My mother-in-law is quite a talented lady. She amazes me with the things she knows and does. She has picked up a hobby of making pottery. Something she has always wanted to do, but was pretty busy with life and 6 kids to raise. Now with all kids married off, she has more time to concentrate on her new hobby. She made us all these wonderful pieces and they made it to us all safe and sound.
She did it in an orange color with a Japanese flower on them.
Note the cute noodle bowls with rests built in for our chopstix and that she made a bowl for each person in the fam!
Carla- thanks for sharing your special talent with us! We love you and thanks for being a great mom-in-law to me!

Surprise Gift!

Guess What we came home with from Pennsylvania? If you can see the black object behind the kiddos- Aunt Bonnie gave the tykes her old piano!
Miss P rearing to go with Aunt Bonnie on a few piano pointers!
We can't thank you enough Aunt Bonnie! The whole family is loving it! Dad is helping the tykes to learn some and even tonight dad was playing a few tunes himself!
It will sure get alot of love here!!!

Thanksgiving 2009

We went to Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving with Brandon's parents who had flown in the week before to spend some time with us. 2 of Brandon's sisters live there, so it is a joy to see family! Sorry no pix of all the good food, I think it all went too fast!
This would be Miss P with a few of her fave cousins- Nik and Tanner. (note- we scored on getting the church for our dinner and room to run in the gym, which was well used!)
Daddy and Baby G playing some indoor soccer! Baby G would just a giggle each time dad helped him kick the ball! We also had some dancing, hockey, ride-on toys, giggling, running, and relaxing going on too!
Aunt Paula and Uncle Mike- you guys are some great hosts! Thanks for the fun visit! Also a big thanks to Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Dave, whom I didn't get a photo of. We always have a blast coming to visit with you all!
Picture time with a load of cousins! This is only 3 families too!
Happy Thanksgiving! We surely have alot to be grateful for this time of year! As I always am, I am so grateful for safe travel each day, for our freedom, for the sacrifices others make on me and my families behalf, for my husbands job, and my sweet family!

JUST,

LOVE-
THAT-
FACE!
Thanks for bringing me smiles each and every day! I love you sooo much! Thanks for being a part of our family!

Turning It Down!

We have been making some changes in our home and we have turned our cable off.
Let me tell you, it took me a week to get the nerve up to do it. It was like losing something. You get used to having so many channels to choose from when TV surfing at night, nice to have lots of kid shows on when you need a few minutes to get something done, fun to stay up to date on the celebrity lifestyles, all kinds of news stations, Reality TV, and I could go on and on!
But there has definately been a change in the house. The tykes have not complained once about it. It's been fun seeing what kinds of things they come up with to do with so much extra time not sitting in front of the TV, and me too!
The house does tend to get messier, but that was a trade I was willing to take.
The other morning, I found the older 2 tykes reading to each other in bed, H has been drawing more, Miss P is always up for imagitive play, entertaining Baby G, reading more, guitar playing, games, and more.
I have noticed myself getting things done around the house more in the evening- also nice when Brandon is home to help with the baby, since he is at the stage and he can never be left alone without crying for you!
So, I will have to say, taking things down a notch has been a great thing and I am loving the closeness it is bringing in our family too!

This is Halloween, This is Halloween!

One adorable witch plus one evil warlock out for trick-or-treating fun.
All together now- added a batty and a cute monkey!
Even daddy dressed up this year!
Baby G got to live it up being a monkey for most of the week at playgroup, church trunk-or-treat, and Halloween night, but really, when is this one NOT a monkey?
We had a fun Halloween despite all the rain and wind we conquered through for a few treats! Hope you all had a great Halloween too! Plus Halloween is not complete without a few candy exchanges between siblings and mom and dad snagging a few favorites!

Baptism Day!

On October 17th, Big H was baptized and confirmed by his dad. It was such a special day for H and our family. I am so grateful for H's decision to be baptized and for a husband who lives righteously to do so.
Can't believe how big my tykes are getting! Thanks for being my family!
We were extremely lucky to have Grandma Terry, Aunt Jamie, and cousin Austin come from Utah to be here for the special occasion. A huge thank you to Grandma and Jamie for being willing to speak at H's baptism. You guys did great!
Some sweet handsome guys!
Big H, thanks for seeing such a great example to your sister and brother and to others around you. I hope that you can always be the kind boy that you are. I am so proud of you and all that you have accomplished. May you always be close to your Father in Heaven, who always loves you too!