Christmas Tag

Welcome to the Christmas Edition of getting to know me!! I found this on my friend Mindi's blog, and since I don't have much else to do...ha ha ha... I thought I would give it a go. Please understand, it is late...and I am feeling a little sassy. Okay, you've been warned.

My one-eared Mickey ornament courtesy of Oakley Cypers. She just couldn't resist that big sparkling beauty of an ornament. Every year I put it on the tree it makes me smile.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Bags throughout the year, but paper at Christmas!!
2. Real tree or Artificial? I know we are lame, but I sure do love my wondrous artificial pines. I burn a pine candle for that oh so Christmasy smell!
3. When do you put up the tree? Day after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take your tree down? January 2nd!! Can't wait to get it up...can't wait to get it down.
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, but it is so rich I can only have a little sip or two. Either that, or dilute it with a little milk...yummy!!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Hmmmm...probably my American Girl Doll Samantha (Rylie's new best friend, so darling).
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, I got it for my birthday the first year we were married. It is the Demdaco one. I really love it.
8. Hardest person to buy for? My parents and my in law's! They already have everything. Any ideas would be fantastic!!
9. Easiest person to buy for? Nic (although he can be tricky because his birthday is Christmas day, so I have to do double duty!), and the kids.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail for sure. I am still adjusting to the high-tech world we live in. Slowly but surely...maybe one day you will receive an e-card from me. Don't hold your breath.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? My darling Grandpa, bless his heart, gave me a my-size barbie when I was a sophomore in high school. Ha ha ha... love that man.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? All of them. From the old school Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman (which we are watching on almost a daily basis), to the newer ones. We just watched 'It's a Wonderful Life' tonight. Love it, it makes me cry every time. Wait!!! What am I saying! I have always loved Dr. Seuss' The Grinch. Definitely my favorite!! Still love the others, but Grinch wins.
(that worked out nicely that 'The Grinch' one was highlighted in green wouldn't you think?)
13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Ha ha ha... shamefully yes. I couldn't possibly keep all of those wonderful gifts for silly little me. Tis the season to give and share. Besides, what else would we get our chuckles from. Nic and I find it quite amusing. I highly recommend it. (I know we are embarassing. I understand if no one wants to be our friends anymore.)
14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Honey Baked ham, fudge, caramel, divinity, bacon wrapped water chestnuts, Christmas cookies, gingerbread houses, candy canes, my aunt Karen's twice-baked potatoes, homemade chocolates...mmm...I'm hungry.
15. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear.
16. Clear or colored lights on the house? Red, Green, and Clear...is what is in the box that came with the house, but I don't know if I will ever actually see them on the house. It is too tall to let my dear husband up there, and too darn expensive to have someone come do it.
17. Favorite Christmas song? All of them!! They are all wonderful. Oh, that song about the Christmas shoes. "Sir I wanna buy these shoes...for my momma please" I can't not cry. I've tried.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I don't leave home on a regular day, why would I wanna go away for Christmas?
19. Can you name all of Santa 's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, but do you recaaaallll....the most famous reindeer of aaalllllll...RUDOLF!!
20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Jammies Christmas eve. Presents Christmas day.
21. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Honestly... keeping everyone happy.
22. Favorite ornament theme or color? I love the traditional Christmas colors, red, green and white. All of my decorations stick pretty close to those. Lots of sentiment in my ornaments.
23. What do you want for Christmas this year? Nothing. I just got spoiled rotten for my birthday. Maybe a smooch under the mistletoe... maybe from a certain 'St. Nicholas!'
24. What is your favorite Christmas memory? Oh wow, I don't know. I just remember how magical Christmas was as a child. One year I stayed up waiting for Santa to come. I swear to this day I heard his jingle bells in my living room. Believing is powerful beyond my wildest childhood dreams. I also used to love driving around looking at Christmas lights. I wanted so bad for our house to be one of those ones...you know, that look like a miniature Christmas Village. Look at me now, not a twinkle of a light on the exterior of my house. Bahumbug!!

I am going to tag everyone who reads this!! Now hurry, Santa's elves are watching!! (oh, I am going to be so sad when I can't threaten that anymore)

The Nutcracker

Sure she may have been a bit young at 3 1/2 years old, but I just could not resist another opportunity to take my little girl to The Nutcracker. It has always been one of my favorite traditions. When I told Rylie I was going to whisk her off to the Ballet she was so excited. She wanted me to "cyrl" her hair, paint her nails with "toe polish," and was thrilled to get to wear her new Christmas outfit. Half of the fun was primping (which we don't do very often), and then we girls were off for a night on the town together.

The Nutcracker was great. I just loved watching her eyes light up at this new experience. The only disappointment of the evening was when she realized we wouldn't be dancing with the ballerina's. I told her maybe next year she can try a dance class.

Afterwards we stopped at Mimi and Papa's for a potty stop and to use their phone to check on the boys. They were having a great time up at Gramy & Papa's "pwaying lego's." Nic told Kade he would take him to do the activity of his choice, and he chose to stay in his jammies and build a lego ship with his daddy.Rylie loves to watch this little bear ride around on his tricycle and play Christmas music.
It was such a special night for me. I love nothing more than hanging out with my family. I really love when I get to spend time with my kids on an individual basis. I wasn't the only one who had a special night. When Kaden arrived back home that night, he came to me and excitedly said, "Mom, my dream really did come true." He told me all about his night with his daddy. It is amazing that something as simple as Nic taking a couple of hours and building one heck of a lego ship meant so much to our son. I am so thankful for the wonderful father and husband Nic is.

We Survived!!

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments and sympathy as Nic was away. I just had to sulk for a bit, but rest assured that we are all fine and dandy. We missed Nic a lot, but had a fun week. We jump started the week with a pizza party, and Kung Fu Panda! Nic is usually in charge of the movie rental department, and as a rookie I made a mistake and rented "The Furious Five" which we learned is not the actual movie. Whoops!! We found Curious George the movie on TV, and I redeemed myself the next day with the real deal.

No that is not blood. We stuck our foot in Mrs. Ceasars pizza sauce. Whoops!

I toughed it out one night at home alone and thought that was enough. So we packed up and headed up to my parents for a little comfort and protection. We were received with open arms, and cozy beds.

Mario Kart, Mario Kart, and more Mario Kart. Until Kaden's eyes were bloodshot, and I had to force him to stop.
Oh, Parker. Why are you so cute?

Is this not a scream? We looked in to see Rylie reading Gracie a story. Those two are the bestest of buddies. Two peas in a pod, and adorable to boot.

Wednesday we welcomed our newest nephew/cousin, Bode. He weighed in at a whoppin' 9 lbs. 3 oz. He is healthy and beautiful. Congratulations to Ty and Steph!!

Nic and the kids spoiled me, and got me a Nikon D60 for my birthday. I just had to throw a small tantrum to get it. Ha ha... just kiddin'. (a little) I am now obsessed! Not that I wasn't already obsessed with taking pictures, but my obsession has grown into a problem. I don't know how I am going to possibly have time to blog all of these pictures I have taken. I have captured some pretty cute pictures this past week (mind you I am still not a professional YET!) I plan to read the owner's manual front to back in hopes of becoming MORE professional. A little preview for your enjoyment:
The kids helped Papa put up the big snowman. So fun!! Nic made it home just in time for presents and birthday cake. Rylie wasn't so sure she was going to forgive and forget that he just abandoned her for a whole week. Eventually she caved, and gave him a big old smooch!!

Heavy, heavy, hang-over... my poor head was right!! Kaden got me good!

That's a lot of candles... Eeek! I'm getting old!!
I love that Parker is grabbing for the cake!! And my whole fam is helping blow out all 29 of those birthday candles. Thanks guys!!
We survived. Hopefully our daddy won't be leaving us again anytime soon. We spent some quality time with Mimi & Papa, and I had a great birthday!!

The End.

Race Day Tomorrow!

Race Information

Place: Ogden Regional Medical Center, Ogden

Time: Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. Race will begin around 9:00

Dress warm, and come prepared to have a great time! The spirit of thanks and giving will be in the air. You may bring non-perishable items (canned goods). Bring 1, or 20 cans if you'd like. Cash donations are also welcome.

Hope to see you there!!

Wild Week Ahead...

What is it with men and shooting innocent creatures? It is something I guess I will never quite comprehend.

Nic and Dakota awaiting their ride (6:30 in the morning, and yes I'm up too)

I was trying to be tough and supportive, but my heart sunk as they drove away this morning. Now I sit here and anticipate a week of up's and down's. I am looking forward to spending some time with the kids, preparing for the holidays, not worrying about what to fix for dinner, leaving messes around the house, turning the heat up to 70 degrees (sometimes I feel like I live in an igloo), popping popcorn and renting Kung Fu Panda. I am not looking forward to tantrums, bedtime routines by myself, sleeping alone, getting up with Parker in the night when the house is dark and I am scared, no adult conversation, and waking up on my birthday without my baby by my side.


Last night Nic kept asking me, "Are you going to be okay?" as I was flipping out. We shall see...

Raising Kids Is No Joke

There was a moment the other night when Nic was dripping in throw-up, and I was doing my best to scrub and sanitize the bathroom from top to bottom. Nic and I looked at each other, and with big puppy dog eyes Nic said, "This raising kids is no joke." Amen to that honey. Amen to that.

But aren't they precious when they are sleeping.

Turkey Day Run

So I thought I would send out a little announcement about the annual Thanksgiving Day Run that takes place none other than.... Thanksgiving Day!! We still have 2 weeks to get training. It is a 5 mile walk/run, not to be mistaken with a 5K (had to learn that one the hard way a few years back... those last 2 miles were killer!!) Anyways, anyone who would like to start your Thanksgiving morning off right with a great workout--GET TRAINING!! I will post more details later (time, place, whatnot). Oh!! And the best part is it doesn't cost you a penny- only canned goods which go towards feeding those less fortunate than us. Huh? Sound good? THEN GET RUNNING!!