Oh Christmas Tree

We went over to my parents house on Christmas for the traditional ham dinner with all of the trimmings which was soooo yummy as always. My mom is the best cook, seriously!! We were also able to talk to Chade from his mission. I'm sure the phone call was over two hours long. It was really fun to hear him and to hear about some of his experiences so far. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Christmas

Jada received tons of fun toys for Christmas. The one she played with the most, the 99 cent coloring book. Go figure..... She also got a cupcake maker, a hair extension kit and a DS game. She really wanted an American Doll. K, there was no way I could have afforded a $100 + doll so I went to Walmart and bought a $20 Next Generation doll. I didn't tell Jada that the doll was an American Doll but she assumed it was. I feel bad if I am deceiving her now. I'll most likely end up telling her later. Maybe she won't even care that it isn't genuine.
Hayden received a DS game, a new skateboard deck, and a new cell phone. (Thank goodness we were due for a contract renewal).
Dylan also received a new cell phone. One of his favorite gifts was 5 pomegranates. This was seriously on his list. He loves them!

Yeah, Logan got his bike and his Ben 10 watch. He was so excited. This year was hard for him because he just did not get it that he couldn't open any presents until Christmas. But his face on Christmas morning was priceless!

The traditional picture on Christmas morning right before the kids are able to go see all of their gifts from Santa. We all had a really good Christmas and were blessed with some generous people who helped make a Christmas possible. I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends and family members.

Christmas Eve

My sister Kari, my dad and most of his Grand kids
Me and my kids. (Can you say cone head, how hard would it have been for me to pull the beanie down. lol)

Hayden and Dylan

Jada and Logan

During the Christmas break my dad usually takes as many grand kids as possible out to the west desert to sled. Meaning he pulls them on sleds behind his durango. Most likely the safest activity ever I'm sure. This year every grand kid came except for Ryker who is only one and Myles who was already one day old. I'm sure he could have made it. :) Anyway the kids all had a lot of fun and of the 3 sleds my dad brought only one was destroyed this year. Last year all 3 ended up with huge holes. My dad is an awesome Grandpa and the kids absolutely love him and the time they spend with him.

New Nephew

Tiffany the happy mom, look how pretty she looks!

Dusty, the proud dad

Me and my new nephew

Last night my brother Dusty's wife Tiffany had their 3rd child. Here are some
pictures of him when he was only a few minutes old. They haven't decided on a name yet other than his middle name will be John which is my dads name and Dusty's middle name. Congratulations Dusty, Tiffany, Jack and Bree!
If you haven't seen me recently, yes I died my hair dark a few weeks ago. My own dad didn't even recognize me. I'm getting used to it but I'm sure I'll go back blond again in a few months. I can't keep my same hair color for very long. Maybe its the impatient thing I was mentioning. lol

Sad Little Gingerbread House

Dylan made this one with his cousin. It looks perfect to me! This is how me and the kids princess castle, Gingerbread house turned out. I gave up at this point and let them eat what they wanted of it. I could not get it all to stay together. How hard is it, It came in a kit? O-well maybe next year. So funny!!

This is what it should have looked like.
I feel so bad for my kids especially Jada because I am so uncreative and impatient when it comes to crafts and certain things. For instance, if it comes to doing my hair it seriously can't take me more than 5 minutes to style or I'm done. (Or maybe I just don't have the time) I never scrapbook and poor Jada is always asking me if she can, and I never do crafts. Weirdly though, I enjoy knitting scarfs and I just finished my first beanie or cooking a full course meal. Who knows what my deal it but this Gingerbread incident is a common example of when I try things like this.

Here Comes Santa....

Every year I take my kids to see Santa Clause at my dads HS band Christmas Concert. This has been a tradition since Dylan was born and I have always attended this concert since I can remember. I actually even played the clarinet in these concerts for three years during my HS years. The band did great as usual and during the last song Santa comes in and takes the baton from my dad who is conducting and directs the rest of the song. Logan was so excited that his Grandpa knew Santa so well. Anyway it is kind of sad to think that only two of my kids still believe in this part of Christmas. Dylan and Hayden haven't wanted to go see Santa for a quite a few years now. I heard Jada ask Santa for some DS games and Logan asked for a Ben 10 watch and a yellow bike. (Yellow bike still MIA but Logan says that Santa can make a bike any color he wants to). Also Logan sincerely believes that a Ben 10 watch will turn him into an alien. I love this age!! Also Logan told me the other day when he was mad at me for something that Santa is watching me right now and that he wont bring me anything if I don't give him everything he wants. I may have used the Santa card too many times this year.

Check out this site for some really funny pictures of kids who are scared 2 death of Santa. I wish I had one of these pics with my kids but none of them have ever freaked out while sitting on Santa's lap. They have been shy but not afraid as far as I remember. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/holiday/sfl-scaredofsanta-ugc,0,7181908.ugcphotogallery

Great Christmas CD

Great Christmas CD out this year - The Hotel Cafe Presents Winter Songs.
I bought this CD on Amazon used (I really don't think it was even used the cover was just barely ripped) for only $8.00. I love it!


Winter Song by Sara Bareilles
The Heartache Can Wait by Brandi Carlile
All My Bells Are Ringing by Lenka
Sleigh Ride by KT Tunstall
Silver Bells by Alice Smith
Blue Christmas by Nicole Atkins
Frosty The Snowman by Fiona Apple
I'll Be Home For Christmas by Holly Conlan
Maybe Next Year by Meiko
White Christmas by Katy Perry
Mistletoe by Colbie Caillat
Silent Night by Priscilla Ahn
Winter Wonderland by Kate Havnevik
The Christmas Song by Catherine Feeny
Auld Lang Syne by Various

Twilight

My work took us to Twilight the Thursday before it opened up. I could not believe the security, it was crazy! They made me take my cell phone and any electronics back to my car and then they searched my purse and scanned everyone with a metal detector.
I was a little obsessed with all of these books this summer, to say the least and I absolutely love them as most everyone else. I also LOVED the movie! I know some people haven't liked it at all. The "I need to show you my skin in the sun" line was a little... weird but that was the only part that I was not a fan of. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson did an excellent job and they had great on screen chemistry! I actually thought all of the casting was great. I really liked Alice. I can't wait to see more of her in the next one. And of course Edward is to die for! My absolute favorite scenes are the tree top one shown in the first pic and the piano scene. I can't wait to see the movie again. I hear it is even better the second time.

Farwell

I love these two pictures with my dad and Chade and then my mom and Chade. Chade has practically had them all to himself for the past 5 years since Lucas left on his mission. He was kind of like an only child which he claimed was boring and that it sucked but he was spoiled 2-death so I know he liked it a little. Not that there is anything wrong with that. I'm sure I'll spoil my last child too. But because of him being with my parents alone a lot I think they seem to all have a really close and special relationship.

Me and my Grandma Stockham. I know my grandma hates to travel ever since my Grandpa passed away last year but she was still sure to make it to Chades farewell. My grandma is the most non judgmental lady I know and can always find the positive in everyone. I love her so much!

All of Chades nephews look up to him so much. He is always so great to let them play with his stuff and to play with them. They will all miss him like crazy!

Kari, Chade and I

Chades mission farewell was on Nov 9th so I'm a little behind with my postings. Chade did such an amazing job on his talk. Weird that I can look up to my youngest sibling who is 14 years younger than me.

New Pics

A couple of cute pictures my sister-in-law Mallory took the other day at my parents home of me and my kids that I thought I'd share. I'll play catch up soon on the last few weeks. We have spent a lot of time with my family because Chade was leaving on his mission. It has been really fun getting together so much. I'll post some pictures later.

Halloween

Dylan - Ogor
Hayden - Phat Gangster
Jada- Tainted Fairy
Logan - Power Ranger
Mom - Wizard

We all had a lot of fun on Halloween this year. We visited Grandma Miller first and had pumpkin stew, a family tradition and it is so good. Then we came home and the kids all went trick-or-treating. I tried really hard to talk Logan out of being a Power Ranger. I don't know why I even cared but it just seemed too cheesy to me. He insisted on it so I gave in. Dylan and Hayden put their costumes together. I have no idea why they decided to be what they were. Jada looks a little goth to me but I guess thats the point in a tainted fairy.

Picture Tag

I keep forgetting that I was picture tagged. This is what I found in my 4th file,
and the 4th picture. A picture of Dylan and Logan asleep together on the couch. This is how I find a couple of my kids sleeping atleast once a week. I think it is soooo cute, although Dylan may not feel the same.

School Pictures

We received Hayden and Jada's school pictures back. Dylan's may never come because he was very sick on picture day and then when make-up day came around he forgot to tell me and so he didn't have money with him. They took his picture and I'm trying to figure out if I Can still get them. I feel bad for Logan because we haven't had a "real" picture taken of him since he was two. I'm working on it though. I have a dear friend who is a photographer who may be taking them soon. Anyway I think Jada's picture was really cute. She sure doesn't have many teeth though. I think Hayden's are one of the best ones he has had so far. Usually all of my kids smiles are very fake but this year was a lot better. We practiced and practiced and practiced. lol Don't worry family, I haven't even begun to give these out yet. I will definitely be getting you pictures soon.

Last California Pictures

We just got back from California and it was so much fun! We went with my Dad and Mom, my sister Kari and her kids Brooklynn and Kamdenn, Chade and his girlfriend Kari. My parents had graciously invited us and we are so grateful to them. The last picture is at the end of the first day in Disneyland. Jada and Logan were sound asleep while we were watching the fireworks. I honestly didn't even see Dylan and Hayden very much in Disneyland because they were hanging around Chade and going on rides that Logan wasn't quite tall enough to go on. The only big attraction Logan was tall enough for was the Matterhorn. It was so sad because he really was only about an inch too short for everything. My absolute favorite ride was Soarin Over California. I love the smells of the oranges.

More Cali Pics

Beach Fun

I am an awful camera lady. Beware, you may get really dizzy watching this. We had so much fun at the beach. We went to the Corona Del Mar Beach and it was beautiful. Dylan would go way out in the waves to body surf them. Hayden was a little scared of sharks and didn't go quite as far. Jada was a little braver this year and went in the ocean a little deeper than last year and Logan mainly had a blast in the sand. I just enjoyed laying out. It was perfect!

California 2008