Christmas Eve/Day 2010

Does anyone else feel like Christmas time is getting busier and busier? It feels like with all the hustle and bustle and making everything just perfect that it flies by within the blink of an eye. I guess that is all the more reason to STOP, take time, and really remember and teach your children about the reason for the season. It is incredible to me how commercialized Christmas has become. And I fall victim to it just as much as everyone else. However, another wonderful and beautiful Christmas has come and gone, and it was so fabulous to celebrate and remember the birth of our Savior. It was wonderful to spend time with family and build stronger bonds and lasting relationships and friendships. It was wonderful for me to watch my siblings (one in particular) go out of his way to make sure everyone felt special by doing little things that could have gone by the wayside, but still, in the quietness of his character, he did a little more. I was touched this year by the twinkling of lights and how truly it FELT Merry and Bright. I enjoyed seeing the temple lights a couple of times, once with my mother in law, and another with a dear friend. It was special. It was magical to see my kids light up as they saw Santa. Lilly told me almost every hour of everyday that she had been a good girl this year and so Santa was bringing her presents, and to this very morning both of my kids sang Jingle Bells at the top of their lungs. Everyone tells me how cute it is, and usually my reply is "ya, in November it was cute!" But it really is cute. I have caught myself more than once in the past couple of weeks gazing at my kids thinking this is what the Savior meant when He told us to be like little children. Their innocence and simpleness is truly something to emmulate. They are pure and sweet and I am extremely blessed to be their mommy. As I have looked at everyone's blogs about their Christmas celebrations I am so happy to know everyone had such a wonderful time. We are all so blessed to be in this country to be surrounded by friends and family who love us so much! I love all of your traditions!

We started a new one this year. I wish the camara would have captured the magic this little girl had in her eyes when she saw the REAL Santa!

Ho Ho Ho, my dad was such a good sport! Dale found this santa suit and it is legit! Lilly questioned once "papa?" but I think she really believed!

Of course our reserved and hesitant little man was terrified

Christmas Eve: We act out a play my dad wrote 20 years ago, I feel like i have the same pictures of the same things every year, so I didn't take any. My family members all took random pics of things as we celebrated. These are those pictures.

Beatles Rock Band was a favorite.

Nate and Daisy, so long little pup! We told Lilly she had to go back with her mommy. She was totally ok with it. I was so relieved. I thought it was going to be one of the hardest things ever.

Our cute little house this year! Didn't Josh do such a good job?

Can't wait until next year!

P.S. I totally forgot to take pics of opening Christmas presents on Christmas morning! Can you believe it? However, Kathi, we have it all on video!!!! :)

Boat Parade 2010

2nd Annual Tempe Town Lake boat parade was a success! We chose the Grinch and Who-ville as our theme this year. Dale put out all stops, with the help of Josh and my dad. It was a blast! All the boats looked really good this year. Of course ours was my favorite. The crowds were incredible, I would say 25,000 plus. The kids had a blast and it was so fun to carry on the tradition. We even rented a generator this year.... ha ha

Nate was in character as about the best grinch I have seen! He was hilarious and mimicked Jim Carrey perfectly. The crowds loved him!

Here's our boat, who-ville in the front, Mt. Crump-it in the back!
Lilly and that damn binky. BTW, it IS gone now. We are up to 2 weeks.

This kid lookin a little mischevious....

The lights were so tempting...

He just couldn't resist!

Me and my baby girl!

p.s. is that pregnancy mask EVER gonna come off my face? how ugly.

Auntie Claire and the Tatester

The whole gang!

P.S. We sold the dog.

The unthinkable happened.

Meet Daisy.

And for those of you who know me, we know what a huge step this was. It was an impulse decision on my part. I think that is the only way a dog would have ever entered this family. I'm not sure what I think yet. However, there is something magical in my little nuggets' eyes when they play with her that makes my heart pitter patter.
Wish us all luck.
.... And Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving season was wonderful this year. Josh took the financial part of the CPA exam last Tuesday. He has been getting up at 530 every morning, studying for a couple hours, getting ready for work and working sometimes 13 hour days, not getting home until 9 or 10 at night. With no lunch breaks to boot! We appreciate and love him so much for all he does for our family. I love that I am able to stay home and be with my kids. They are such a joy for me. I can't believe how big they are getting. They are so bright. They love to learn. They love to laugh. They love to have fun. I love being with them.

We have so much to be thankful for. We have good healthy bodies. We have wonderful family and friends. We have a warm house and cars that don't cause us any trouble. We have clothes on our backs and good food to eat. We have a religion that fulfills our needs and teaches us how to be happy and together. We have people who care about us and love us. I know there are many in this world who can't say they have these things, to them I wish I could make that difference in their lives, to me, I am tremendously grateful for what I have.

I hope as this season of caring, giving, and love continues on that my heart will be full of gratitude. That I won't forget those who are less fortunate. That I won't take my family and what WE have for granted. I love my Savior. I know He lives. And I am grateful for Him and what His life means to me. It is personal and it is deep.

This time of year really brings out the best in us all doesn't it? I pray this year, it lasts a little longer... that when all the decorations are down, gifts are unwrapped, and lights are put away that I can hold on to the Christmas spirit and of love, kindness, and service far into the coming year. I hope all of you, my friends and family have a wonderful Christmas Holiday. This family of four sure loves you!

Everything in OCTOBER, besides Halloween.

I can't believe how fast this year is coming to an end. We had an awesome month of October since the weather is starting to cool down. I love fall decorations. I love fall smells. So I pretend inside my own house, since I don't get to experience it outside. It's time to pull out the BBQ and spend the next 8 months out doors!!!!

I took the kids to a railroad park in Scottsdale. They loved the train.

The One and Only vegetable I can get down Lilly...

And boy does she love it!

It seems to always be snack time at our house! Or maybe that's just when I think my kids are the cutest for pictures!

Lil always eats the cream filling and leaves the cookie part.

Tate making some music!

I often catch Lilly stiking this pose while watching TV.

I love it when she strikes this one!

A cute little Tate foot during an afternoon nap.

The boys for Priesthood session. Good lookin' bunch. I got a pedicure, it was glorious.

Cupcake time!

I just painted this cute little table for the tots! They love it!

Happy Birthday

To this hunk of burnin' love!

He turned the big 3-0.

Never thought I'd be so lucky to marry someone so passionate about life.

So aggressive and driven.

So fun to be around.

Such a hard worker.

Such an amazing daddy.

Such a wonderful husband.

And SO MY BEST FREIND.

I love you babe, Happy 30th!

Here's to 30 more...

Halloweeniest Weekend Ever!

Busy BUSY Halloween this year. It was fun, but I was SO ready for it to be over, in fact I'm ready for this post to be overwith! ha ha. We had fun carving pumpkins this year, even though the darn thing was covered in mold by day 3, gotta love the AZ heat!

A neighbor in my parents hood foot the bill for a GIGANTIC halloween party. It was really incredible. Atleast 3 bounce houses, a rock wall, mechanical bull, pony rides, a haunted house, games, and all the food one could ever dream of. Then a huge trick or treating extravaganza. We hope its an annual thing, it was awesome!

Gettin ready for the night!

Miss Raggedy Ann

Tate cracks me up!

Ninja turtle Steph and Claire... as herself!

The kids with their second parents!

Deloitte had a big picnik at a park in Scottsdale. They had contests, games, food, cotton candy, and a bounce house. It was fun, and my kids were too die for, and loved the cotton candy!

THEN, trick or treating on Halloween. I was so over the Ann and Andy costumes, so I pulled out the bee and my friend Kayleen let me borrow the lion costume for Tate. We had a yummy dinner at their house and then went trick or treating with the Theobald's. It was fun and Lilly was so into it!!!!

Of course Tate found the only old candy bar in a yard full of gravel. Ewwwww!

killer bee?

Lilly and Morgan hugging!

My roaring lion, and boy was he roaring this night!

The kids and their hero.

I can't definately wait til next year... Halloween was a lot of work this year!