California

The day after Christmas we went down to California for a few days. Christopher brought one if his friends, Lexin. The kids had fun playing on the beach.

I stayed with my bestest friend, Jamie. We met our other friend, Ronda at Atlantis park. (a fun gated park with an underwater theme) It was so good to see Ronda and her kids. She is one of the kindest and most special people I have ever met! This is a picture of all three of us!

One of the days we went to Sea World. We had passes this year and enjoyed the park 3 times. We went to all the special holiday shows. The Shamu spectacular was amazing. They had a deaf Choir accomanied by a saxaphone, so beautiful! It was very spiritual and wonderful. It was such a fun time with Jamie and her kids! They even got to see the California Santa!

One of the days Jamie and I took the kids on a picnic at Huntington Beach Central Park. We used to go there all the time together when I lived there. It was such a beautiful day. Emily enjoyed climbing trees.

I got to see my other best friend, Stephanie. This is a picture of her and I and a picture of her so cute baby, Logan and Joseph and Emily. Stephanie, Jamie, and I had a game night. It was so much fun!

The first night night we got there Jamie took us out to dinner. They had a dessert bar. Emily made her ice cream really big! I LOVE Maryn's face in this picture. Charles and Joseph got along so great, as usual. They are the best of friends and I love it when they are together. They love each other so much. I love Jamie's kids. They are family to me. They all think they are cousins and I think that's wonderful!

I got to see my friend Della and her family. I just love Della and I haven't seen her for so long. It was such a treat especially for Emily who is best friends with her daughter, Lili. We all went to Chuck E Cheese to let the kids play while we visited. It was GREAT!!!!

This is Emily and my cousin, Tiffany. I hadn't seen her forever. Emily really liked her! We went out to lunch with my Grandma, Dad, Uncle, and cousins.

We went over to my brother's house for dinner. It was so nice. The kids were all spoiled by their aunt and uncle. My SIL made the yummiest dinner. We played a fun game that made us all laugh. My brother is in the picutre with the kids.

We also visited Joseph and Emily's Great Grandparents. It was so nice to see them. They are such wonderful people! We got to see Josh's (Joseph and Emily's dad) Aunt and cousins (below). It was so good to see them. Everyone had grown so much and looked so good.

On the last night I was there I got to go out with my dear friend, Leasa. It was so incredibley good to see her and hang out with her. I have missed her more than I realized. We had great fun!! It was Jamie, Leasa, Celeste, and me. We went out to dinner and saw the Benjamin Button movie. It was excellent. Mostly the company was just priceless!! I so miss all of my friends. I think I got to see everyone I miss the most. I was sad to leave. I want to go back for a longer time in the summer and see all my friends again. Thank you for all who took the time to visit. I love you all and had the best time. A special thank you to Jamie, you do way too much for me and my family and words could never express how great my appreciation and love is for you. Tell Glenn thank you and Charles and Maryn We love them to pieces!!!

This is just a random picture from Christmas of our puppy Jax. He is getting so big and he is so cute!

Christmas Day

The kids decided to beat their record for early awakenings. They were up at 2:30a.m. Emily was running through the house screaming, "I Love You Santa Clause!!" Santa doesn't wrap his gifts so they were out for all to see. I finally got them back to their room and we were up for the day by 6. (What are you gonna do?)Santa brought Emily two "American Girl (like)" dolls, a bunkbed, closet, a table & chairs, clothes, and tons of slumber party accessories. The dolls were even wearing matching Hannah Montanna p.j.'s and bunny slippers. Santa brings such awesome gifts. Mommy had these special matching dresses made for Emily and her doll. Among her favorite gifts was her DS!

Joseph was so excited about what Santa brought him. He got a mini pool table/foosball/ping-pong/air hockey/a million other things!! He also loved his DS!

Santa was so cool and had a new stereo put in Christopher's car. He also got some other cool stuff. Santa and I are so nice!

My mom and Reggie were with us too!!

So Dennis has this sweat suit he bought in 1982 (I'm not even joking!) He wears it like everyday. I bought him a new "Under Armour" suit and I hope he replaces it with his old one. He's wearing it in the photo. I attached this note so he would understand my plight!! He's holding the old one in his hand.

Andrew must have left before I tooik pictures, but he came over and we enjoyed his company. I DID find the gift I wanted and was so excited to give it to Christine along with her favorite perfume!!

We had such a blessed and wonderful Christmas filled with love for all of my family!!

Special Gift

I had the wonderful blessing of being a Primary teacher this last year. It was Joseph's age class. The boys are all characters that I adore! That means a little rowdy too, but I never really minded. I am quite sad the year is over and I will no longer teach Primary. I will miss those little rascals. They are Joseph's friends so I do get to still see them. I received this most beautiful musical snow globe. My favorite part, that I may never remove, was this sweet note that made me laugh and my heart smile. It will be a cherished gift for years to come.

My Little Cheese Heads

Today the kids got their Christmas present from their Grandma. She said that they could open them a little early so they can wear them tonight during the Packer game. They were all so excited!! Their Grandma bought one for their dad when he was a kid. He loved the Packers and so do we. I think the kids feel a connection to their dad when it comes to the Packers. Joseph's whole room is decorated in Packers stuff. I bet he is watching from above with a huge smile. Thank you so much Grandma Heidi!! I know Josh is so proud!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas........

Ward Christmas Party

Tonight was our Ward Christmas party. Joseph was a wiseman in the live nativity.

Happy 17th Birthday Christopher

Today was my big baby boy's 17th birthday. I can't believe how old he is. Time has gone by so fast. He is one of the gretest blessings, a beautiful, cherished gift. I love you Christopher! I had one of his band pictures blown up and framed. I think that was his favorite present. Who doesn't love a huge picture of themseves?

I decided to keep my tradition going. I made a popsicle stick cake. His band was the theme!

I hope all his wishes and dreams come true!

Emily's Christmas Chorus Performance

Emily had her chorus performance tonight. She did a wonderful job. She was so animated! Chris brought her a rose. Sweet big brother.

Macey's

For those of you not familiar with the most wonderful grocery store called Macey's, I want to explain why I have such devotion for it. First, I think I've only been there a few times when I haven't seen a familiar face and usually a friend. It's always nice to see your friends and neighbors. The store itself is wonderful. They have constant activities, crafts, cooking classes etc. FREE! It is so much fun to shop there. Saturday was no exception. I happened upon this Fairy Class. It was for girls 3-10. I took Emily. They have a little theatre upstairs. In the theatre, they made fairy wings and got fairy wands. They got to hear Grandmother Fairy tell a story about where fairies come from and they ate little fairy snacks. We then went downstairs where they were sprinkled with "fairy dust" (glitter). We then flew all through the store collecting treats from every department. String cheese from the deli, gogurts from the dairy etc. They got so many treats.

Back in the deli they also had a special fish and underwater show. They learned about crabs, octopus, fish, etc. They even got to touch them. Emily got to hold this octopus by putting her hand in it's head. She said it was gross, but cool. I agree.

Back in produce our adventure ended with a visit to Santa. They even took pictures we can pick up on Monday (free)! They had brought in a piano and someone was even playing Christmas Carols on the piano. What a fabulous activity from the greatest grocery store on the planet!

Our Christmas Tree & Emily

So, this is our little 'ol tree and some cute pictures of Emily.