Kenners Camera

Miss McKenna got a camera from Santa...lucky girl. Because she went snowboarding for her very first time today, she took it with her so Julz could take some pics for me. While downloading, there were some from Christmas that were just too cute.

Papa Dave (and Uncle Chris)... I am sure they were playing Guitar Hero. That game is so addicting. I am forcing myself to learn the drums. They are soo much harder than the guitar it is ridiculous.

Aunt Hottie...I mean Sam. She is too cute.

Miss Riss and her babies. She loves these babies. She named them...drum roll...Baby Pink and Baby Purple. (Or Pink and Purple Babies) Isnt she creative?

Yes, she looks haggard. And yes, this is what she looks like most of the time. She HATES having her hair done, and cries every single morning when I comb it. I am even doing it "softly" with the "soft brush" and "stuff that makes the tangles go away" and she still freaks. She tells me everything above every morning when she gets her hair done. Oh and "Just one, mom, k?!" Meaning just one rubberband, usually just to keep it to the side and out of her eyes. If I do more, it is drama, but then she loves it and giggles. I swear.

Bubby. I dunno. This kid completely cracks me up. I think this is day three of whatever Coltin did to his hair. It was cute, I cant do it. That out of bed/messy/beach look. Kinda losing it on day three, however.

And Kenna's feet.

Now for the reason I downloaded.

Kenna went with Julie, Mallory and Matthew to Pinedale to ski at WhitePine! She was soo excited. I convinced her that she would need lessons (read: told her she was taking lessons or wasn't going), and she was glad she did (see, moms know what they are talking about!!). Her lessons were for a little more than an hour and she did really well, at least she was able to go without rolling/flipping down the hill.

Kenners and her instructor.

Pooped. She said she didn't want to get back up.

Ah!! Success! (I think she may be on her way down, but at least she is up!)


Julz said she did really good. I am glad she was able to go. She is walking a little stiff and about cried when Marcus told her he was going to give her early birthday spankings...but she is really excited to go again. She thinks she is going to go with Coltin....maybe one day. That kid is crazy.

AAAGGHH!!! GRRRRR!!!

I love this child dearly, but I think I am going to go insane. She is the WORLDS BIGGEST PACK RAT! Not even kidding.

She spent over an hour yesterday "cleaning" her room. It wasn't clean, you could see the floor for a change, but still stuff shoved into piles..

So, being the nice mom I am, I have been in her room for over 2 hours; with a huge black yard trash bag (which is full), cleaning her room while she is at basketball. Not only does the child have bags/baskets/totes/purses all over, they are STUFFED with random stuff. She had a basket full of rocks. ROCKS!

Ken-doll, I love you, but you are the biggest pig ever.

Christmas 2008

Merry Christmas!!


Christmas is always completely insane, this year seemed especially crazy for some reason. Who knows why. Usually I am done shopping way before Christmas, let alone Christmas Eve...and guess what? I was still shopping Christmas Eve. Ridiculous. For things I really didn't need either. Isn't that how it usually goes? I swear!?!


Tradition is Christmas Eve at my parents house. We have Schnitzel for dinner (yum) and then open our gifts to each other including our jammies from my parents. As you probably know, we have developed a jammie "theme"... each year is something that has happen within our family. Last year was hearts because of the weddings of Jeff and Jed. This year, we all had plaid bottoms and grey shirts because our week in June at Bear Lake, the skies were very 'grey'. Quite the stretch, but it works... Lots of fun and the beginning of the kiddos being completely spoiled.


Kenners....I was complaining that I never have a good picture of her. She is always pulling some weird face or has some "peace" sign going on. So, she obliged me for a few pics. What a sweetie.


Mr Brady. I believe he found some Halloween Candy in the drawer and was showing off his "scary" teeth.



Jeff, Breezy and Rissy...Breeze was trying to get kisses. She is awful stingy with those kisses. Little stink!



Obviously, Jeffy isn't so stingy with those kisses.



Jeffy and Coltin John snuggling.



Rissy's face after opening her pack and play for her baby. She was all excited. Cracked me up.



Marcus' parents and sister came about 9:30 Christmas Eve with their Maltese, Zoe. Sam and Chris' dog, Shadow, wasn't so sure about her. Poor Zoe....and Missy. Lol. Shadow can JUMP!!


Zoe and Missy.



Zoe hiding from Shadow. Poor thing.



Reindeer food. Love this tradition.



Nana helped this year.


Santa DEFINITELY found us this year. Insane how things add up. Kids were completely spoiled rotten!! COMPLETELY!

Red packages are from Santa....


Marissa's excited pose after opening our Wii. I believe she was saying "Yessss!!!"
She is too funny.

Brady's cool hat, just like his Uncle Coltins.

Kenna's IPod. I believe I am jealous.

Marcus, Papa Dave and Brady playing Guitar Hero World Tour after Uncle Chris hooked up the Wii.

Mallory Rae and Kenna Ann....Partners in Crime.... at our Christmas Dinner.

Brady with one of his gifts...a boxing set. I guess Santa doesn't believe in "quiet games" at our house. What was he thinking???

Hope you all had a great Christmas! It is my most favorite time of year!

2008 in Review

So, since life is insanely busy right now, I got this little survey thing so I can actually sit down for 20 minutes...then, back to baking and running crazy.

Where did you begin 2008?​
After shrimp at moms, came home and hung out with Marcus, the kids, Julz and her family.

What was your status by Valentines Day?
Happily Married.

Were you in school anytime this year?​​
Nope, just for the kids.

Did you have to go to the hospital?​
Nope. Well, we went and saw Chris when he got his appendix out.​

Did you have any encounters ​with the police?​​
Nope...ok, 2 warnings...

Where ​did you go on vacation?​​
We went to Cedar City/Duck Creek, Las Vegas, SLC, Aztec NM, Cancun, camping...we were busy. ;O)

What did you purchase that was over $100?​​
Freak, can you tell this survey came from MySpace? What wasn't over $100?

Did you know anybody who got married?​​
Yep, My Sammy and Chris

Did you know anybody who passed away?​​
Knew of, but no one close. Thank goodness!!

Did you move anywhere?
Nope

Describe your birth​day:​​
I really dont remember? Is that sad?? I know we went to dinner...

What is the one thing you thought you would not do, but did, in 2008?​​
Cancun...Whooo!!

What have been your favorite moments?
Last weekend (SLC with just Marcus), Cancun on Marcus' birthday (CocoBongo Baby), the kiddos.

Any new additions to your family?
Nope. Well, my bro-in-law Chris.

What was your best month​?​​
June-September

Made new friends?​​
Eh...Some.

Favorite Night​ out?
CocoBongo...and last Saturday. Jodie and Randy got Marcus and I couples massages at Sanctuary. Freaking awesome.

Other than home,​where did you spend​most of your time?
The car.

Change your hairstyle?​​
Not really.

Have any car accidents?​​
Negative

How old did you turn this year?​​
28​

Do you have a New Years resolution?​
I am sure...we will see if it sticks.

Do anything embarrassing?
Most of the time....

Buy anything new from eBay?
Sure did.​

Get married or divorced?
Nope

Get arrested?
Nope​

Been snowboarding?
Nope, never.

Did you get sick this year?
Nothing serious.​

Are you happy ​to see 2008 go?
It was a pretty good year....but sure.

Been naughty or nice?
Both.

What are you looking forward to most in 2009?​​
Our next big vacation...Warmer weather.

Alrighty...now back to the kitchen! Have a great Christmas everyone!!

Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited their doctor's office more than my doctor and sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:

I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle In the grocery store.

I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.

If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music, a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals, and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.

I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family..

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is calling and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold.

Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always,

MOM...

P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in Santa..

Downside of TiVo/DVR

So, we use DVR daily. I love it, it is especially great while watching Prison Break or other "suspenseful' shows were it leaves you hanging thru those darn commercial breaks and you can just fast forward right thru them. Nice.

I dont know why were werent using DVR (perhaps we were 'live'), but I saw this commercial. I laugh everytime I see it. It is so stupid, but I love it. Marcus thinks I am insane.

I dont know which is more hilarious, the "doooiing" or the "Meee likey". Ha ha.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaHDN3_X4QY

TaVaci Christmas 2008

TaVaci...

This was Marissa's first year. She absolutely ♥s it. She did so good. Kenna has been in TaVaci since 1st grade, so this was her 5th or 6th concert.

Marissa. Front Row...4th in. You can barely see her, I was bummed. I knew where they were, but didnt think about the curve in. Dangit!!! Bad seats. Bought the DVD, so should be good to go. She has the big bow on the side of her head.

Kenna. Middle Row, 2nd in with the chin length bob (which we did today). Cute. Marcus is going to tease her for a million years about the cheerleading thing, lol.

There she is. I raided Julz camera, she had great seats and was able to see Miss Riss.

Kenna and Daylin

Mallory, Kenna and Daylin

Mallory and Kenna. Teno and Matthew in the background, little farts.

They did great. They had some really cute songs...totally gets you into the Christmas spirt...(like that is hard).

The videos are about 30 seconds....not too long.

Christmas Card Pictures...

So, today was the TaVaci concert. I knew Kenna and Marissa would be all done up cute, so I thought it would be a good time to take Christmas Card pics...

Notice how cute his smile is, RIGHT BEFORE we went next to the tree.

Not really sure what Kenna is doing, and look and Brady...what kind of smile is that?

Need I say more?? I have to say that this was close to becoming "the one"...it totally shows his personality.

Brady looks constipated, I dont know what Rissy is doing. Kenna looks like she is scared they

both have cooties...

Seriously... I wanted to beat him.

Ohh! Ohh?? I think this may be it! Keep in mind, I knew I would change it to black and white....so ignore Bradys red and black sweater...

Ahhh.. There we go.


Final product. Email me or leave a message and it will come to a mailbox near you...it is always nice to have something to hold and look at for a change...

Out of the mouth of Brady

So it snowed. Not a lot but enough to shovel. So I was out trying to get it done, and Brady comes out and wants to help. I gave him the big shop broom and put him to work.

A few minutes later, Riss comes out and wants to know what she gets to do.

Brady says, "Just sit there and look pretty, Riss."

Thanksgiving

We left for NM on Tuesday morning to stay in Aztec at Randy and Jodie's. 10 hours is WAY too long. (We were pulling a trailer, so that added about 1 1/2 hrs.) But we had a blast. Jodie and I cooked literally all day Wednesday...yummy tho.

Thanksgiving was good. Mom, dad, Jed, Chelsea (Randy's sister/Jed's wife...just to keep you straight ;o), Coltin and Teresa were there on top of the other 10 of us and Val... Amazing food. Crap how it takes 2 days to cook it all and is devoured in 2o minutes. What do you do?

Most amazing/sad part? I only took 30 pics the WHOLE TIME! And most of them were blurry cuz the thing was switched to manual focus instead of auto and I couldn't figure it out for the life of me for at least an hour.

So here is my studly bro-ha Coltin.

Jed and Chelsea.

One of the said blurry pics, but too cute. That cream cheese filling for this apple pie was seriously sinful. AMAZING! I am getting the recipe and posting it, cuz....there are NO WORDS.


We had great plans to get up and hit the blitz Friday, but the only thing we really wanted was the iPods and who is going to get beat up for $7? Not quite worth it.... The KitchenAid was a great deal, but you know if you aren't waiting in line by 2 am, you aint getting one of those....sooo we left the house at a late 6...got to shopping by 6:30 and were good to go.

I love Black Friday...so much fun.

Marcus and Randy met us around 9 for breakfast and continued madness....followed by a wonderful nap.

Saturday, Jodie and I went shopping yet again. Just to get those few items I thought I could get at Walmart for cheaper, but wasnt, so had to go back to Target....shucks. Also Bath and Body. Mmm. Love that store. The best part!?! We went to TWILIGHT!! Yes...it is amazing. I love it. Marcus and Randy both liked it, which makes me happy. Jodie was a little disappointed...I kept telling her to watch it a 2nd time...Marcus liked it and was asking all these questions, so I went on the hunt for Twilight on CD to listen to on the way home...no luck. Of course.

Sunday...yuck. The drive home. We went a different way...more scenic/faster. Nope. Way pretty. But we went thru this canyon outside of Durango, Colorado and I thought I was going to die...literally. Snowing (bad, like 4-5 inches on the roads), we are pulling the trailer, road are slick and icy...oh yeah...NO GUARDRAILS! Are you kidding me. I am sore thru my shoulders today because I was so tense. I usually can sit and read and not think anything of where we are...but holy, I was freaked. Hated every minute of the 3 hrs it took us to go 100 miles. But it was pretty, would go again...in JULY! All in all, it only took 30 extra minutes than it did getting down there, so not too bad.


I went downstairs and was starting some laundry and this is what I came up too. Love it. They were watching Guy on FoodNetwork. We love Guy at our house; obviously. Too cute. We were beat from the long weekend apparently.


More highlights...

• Marcus, Randy, Jed, Dad, Lane, and Brady all went shooting. Brady wanders off. Randy turns to see what he is doing and sees 'spray' shooting 12' in the air. He was all cocked back and arched....and apparently, he REALLY had to go, cuz it had some power to it. He is seriously hilarious.
• On the way down, our battery light kept flipping on and off, but was running fine. (Sidenote.. Marcus had just BARELY gotten this truck on Monday. Yes it has 67,000 miles on it, but is newer and a diesel, so that is just broken in. Oh, it is pretty) So we pull into Farmington and the radio wont turn on, lights are dimming, truck starts completely freaking out. Yes, the alternator. Luckily, we pulled off into Del Taco before it died so we weren't in the street. That would have been lovely. Randy had to come rescue us. AND Del Taco was closed to "reprogram their computers" and we had to pee! A little walk and we were good to go at The Grand Pasta Junction or something like that.
• Brady threw up after eating Thanksgiving dinner. Coltin had given him his soda/punch thing and Brady decided to "race" to drink it. Not such a good idea. Poor kid.
• Jordin's obsession with Taylor Swift. I think we watched "Love Story" on YouTube 27 millions times.
• My kids not getting dressed...pretty much the whole weekend. Nice.
• Jed and Chelsea's new gorgeous house. Love. I so want that bathtub.
• The Tilapia from Outback. Yum
• That Apple Pie...I am telling you it was heaven.
• After deciding not to get beat up and hitting the blitz early, strolling into Sams Club (at noon) and finding the iPods for $20 cheaper there then they were on sale anywhere else. Even sweeter.
• Price match at Walmart. EVEN on Blitz items. I was able to get Guitar Hero World Tour Guitar and game for the Wii for $59 (as advertised at Target) at Walmart without betting beat up! And there was a whole shelf of them!!
• How I wanted that pink Dyson...I covet it. Marcus wouldnt let me since I have the purple one. He just doesnt get it.
• Playing Canasta. Fun. And I got whooped.
• Raiding Jodie's book closet. Nice. I tend to get stuck on authors so I am completely excited about these new ones. I will let you know.
• Teasing Jordin about her boyfriend Tristan. I am so glad I am not going to be there in 2 weeks when they break-up. That is about the duration of 12/14 year old romances. It is not going to be pretty. I so hope she breaks his ♥.
• You make ♥ by holding down alt and hitting 3 on the number pad...not the ones on top, but the ones on the side. I ♥ it.
• Being able to spend Thanksgiving with some of my most favorite people ever. I love them all.
• OH!! I almost forgot! Freaking bought TWILIGHT SHIRTS!! I am soo excited. Got one for my Sammy and Julz too! I was so excited about the Twilight display at Hot Topic that I leaned around to see what was in the front of the display and bashed my head on the glass. Nice. Even better, Marcus was waiting right there in front of the glass for me so he saw it up close and personal. Ouch..but they are soo cute and completely worth it.
• Also, I learned about "Shared Folders"...did you know that you can save pics/music (Like Taylor Swift for Jordin) in a shared file/folder and just give Jordin permission (like a password) to access it and she can download it from there?! Ah-mazing. Now maybe they will finally get thier pics from Mexico, now that I dont have to sit and burn them. Common, that is awesome.

I believe that is all of my ranting and babbling. Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!