Sunday, December 27, 2009

Christmas!!!

I LOVE Christmas. Seriously is my favorite time of the year. The lights on Christmas trees, the decor, the hustle and bustle, the shopping, the Savior, the magic, the smell of the tree. Christmas morning, Christmas jammies, Christmas pictures, the bells, the stories. I just love it all. This year was different. We spent Christmas Eve and morning by ourselves, quite different I'd say. It's not that I didn't really like it, but I have grown accustomed to the chaos of Christmas morning and cousins, and paper flying, but this year was pretty laid back.These pictures were all taken by my phone, so please excuse. I couldn't find my camea until the very end of Christmas eve, I was in a tisy, looking everywhere, delaying the festivities for as long as I could, so I could find it, but I finally gave in and grabbed my phone. The kids got letters from Santa which Beck was super excited about. It had individual details about each of them and how they had been good and need to keep helping to clean up and things. Paisley had no idea what I was talking about. We then made cookies which we set out for Santa. Waiting for the big guy to arrive, after which we went down to the fire place and read the Christmas story. Beck was asleep about 8:30, with Stephen right the after. Left with me and Paisley to await Santa's arrival.Paisley slept in our room on the floor and Beck made it up about 4:30 which is about normal. He usually comes staggering in crying for me and I meet him at the stairs, but he made it all the way to the side of my bed and then calmly asked if Santa had come because "I wanna meet him and hug him." I told him that I didn't think it was time yet, surprised that he had passed the loot on his way into my room and missed seeing it all sitting out. He made it again until about 6 then 7:20 or so in which we finally woke dad and Paisley up and I got the video camera ready.
Santa left Beck a Bumblebee helmet, arm held cannon type thing, and a BIG Bumblebee guy. Exactly what he wanted.He also got Batman and Joker bad guys and a Batman castle. His face was classic when he opened that castle up. He was pretty darn excited.

Paisley got a baby doll and baby doll equipment, which she was also super excited about. She also liked Beck's Batman castle.

Santa also left Beck a football, and he had to do a "football guy" pose to get his picture taken.
Paisley REALLY loved her baby dolls. One of them is a My Little Pony baby with a binky.

Stockings were fun, and lazy. The kids didn't realize there was more until after quite a while.
Lots of Bouncy balls (my kids personal favorite) whoopy coushions, another favorite, candy, quiet toys for church, socks, and Beck made out with a "real camera" he says. He is excited to hook it up to the computer and see the pictures that he has taken.
Christmas Day was lazy with building a gingerbread house, playing with toys, and laying around. We finally got ready and made it to dinner at Kortni's with jello and Mountain Dew in hand, as Kortni had prepared the rest. and it was delicious! Beck got in trouble on the way there and didn't get to bring any of his toys to show the girls, but he was alseep by the time we got there, so it wasn't too much of a tragedy. Pais fell, yet again. The big raised bruise over her right eye (opposite the black eye on the left eye last week) is from falling off the stool yet again, and then the band aid is covering a bloody dent from pulling down the stocking attached to a metal (HEAVY!) stocking holder which drew blood, that one didn't quit bleeding for a while!
Yesterday Brandon (brother-in-law) and the girls came over and put together another present from Santa, a Trampoline! We put it up in the garage, as it is FREEZING here. Paisley got yet ANOTHER band aid from pinching her finger on a metal part on the trampoline. That one is on her right pointer finger, which also took a bit to stop bleeding.

Today was Beck's last day in Nursery. A sad and happy day. He did seem a little old, as him and Paisley were in there together for a few months. HE will join the big world of Primary next week and he gives his first talk on the 17th. I told him about his talk and he said that he wanted to talk about Bumblebee.... Hmmm.. seems, like there is still a bit of growing up to do.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

AIM Fun Meet




Beck had a Fun Meet at the gymnastics center last Saturday. Stephen took him and Paisley. Stephen said that Beck was pretty shy at first and didn't want to do the routines, but that he finaly got out there.

These are my Gym Rats. We call them rats because they are always at the gym. Ashton, Beck, Piper, and Colin. They are all in the Hot Shot Gymnastics program, and that is what they all all; little Hot Shots!

Sunday, December 20, 2009



Santa came to visit Beck's preschool class and he was so excited! He rattled off his whole list and then went back for me.... "A big huge Bumblebee, robots, and Star Wars Lego guys, and a Batman castle with Batman guys in it and with a Joker guy and with a bad mean guy..."
We are pretty excited for Christmas around here. IT will be somewhat different this year because we will be spending Christmas morning at our own house by ourselves, but Kortni so graciously has invited us to Christmas dinner at her house, and the amazing cook that she is is going to cook the whole thing!! I offered to bring a store bought pie, but she refused... I don't blame her. :) Then the Becks are coming up to share New Years with us and we are way excited! Hopefully all my siblings will be able to come, we are crossing our fingers to have a house full of family.
We have had a pretty lazy holiday break so far. Yesterday we literally slept the day away and then finally got up to go to dinner and the movies with Tiffanni and Ruben and Kevin and Lena Gilbert. We saw Blind Side which came highly recommended and for good reason. Happy lazy Holidays to everyone!


Sunday, December 13, 2009

Holiday Happenings

On Monday the 7th we had our 3rd annual Girl's Night Out exchange our favorite things at Michael's on the Lake Restaurant. Katie Roylance, Amber Jenks, me, Jenica Heslop, and Bethany Jenks. We all started meeting 3 years ago as a play group at people's houses, then the park, and as a girl's night at Shari's. We try for once a month, and it doesn't always happen, but it is so fun to just get out! Before Christmas we do get to Michael's and enjoy another evening of laughter and chatting and food and we all bring something that is our favorite to give to everyone else. Rischel Law was with us at the 1st one, but other than her it has remained the same girls. I look forward to our laughter and late nights together at Shari's!
Last night we had a few people over to celebrate my dear friend, Bethany's, birthday. Now we are both 27! I remember meeting Bethany. We were both in 10th ward, her having just moved in and our Bishop sent me over there to convince them to come to church and leave her old ward behind. (She was staying behind until the New Year to finish out her calling) I was hugely pregnant and she was somewhat pregnant and I pretty much barged into her house. She moved maybe 2 years later? Across town and I was sad, but happy for her new house and then we moved to where we are now. I used to walk my screaming kids over there barefoot because she only lived a few houses down. Happy Birthday Bethany!!! I don't know what it is with me and Christmas pictures. I gotta get the picture of the Christmas jammies in front of the tree, and then the Christmas church clothes in front of the tree and then the glorified picture with Santa. I still don't have my Santa picture yet, I am hoping for the ward party, and praying it is not a bust!


Saturday, December 12, 2009

My Favorite Christmas Song



Christmas Time

we waited all through the year

for the day to appear

when we could be together in harmony

you know the time will come

peace on earth for everyone

and we can live forever

in a world where we are free - let it shine for you and me

there’s something about Christmas time

something about Christmas time

that makes you wish it was Christmas every day

to see the joy in the children’s eyes

to see the old folks smile

says that Christmas will never go away

we're all as one tonight

makes no difference if you're black or white

if we can keep the spirit

other than one day of the year

send a message loud and clear

(repeat chorus)

it's the time of year when everyone's together

we'll celebrate here on Christmas day

when the ones you love are there

you can feel the magic in the air
you know it's everywhere

there’s something about Christmas time

there’s something about Christmas time

please tell me Christmas will never go away
Written by:

B. Adams

J. Vallance

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

We did it!

Dearest Aunt Jana,
I know that you had the best of intentions and in the end I will surely thank you and so will my dental bills that will hopefully not be very large with our dear Paisley. At the sweet age of 20 months I have taken away the one thing that Miss Paisley holds very dear and close to her heart (and her mouth). Her "baba." One day I just decided to do it, it was about a week and a half ago.... I was noticing a trend in the pictures on my blog, she has a bottle in every one of them. And so I said, "this is it, we are done." And that was that. She throws down the sippys that I give her, but then eventually takes it. She walks up to me out of nowhere and says all sweet like, "baba?" Which I say no and hand her a cup or a sippy. It really went off quite well. I was surprised to say the least. Then this little devil came out of her. She gets into everything! Constantly opening things she knows she shouldn't, I say "no, Paisley, no." And she goes right back for it, not once, not twice, but like 5 or 6 times, like she knows it torks me off. Food throwing, tantrum crazed, cat tail pulling (yes! On the poor nubby of the expensive cat!) And you wanna know the worst part? The girl DOES NOT sleep! My kids have never been sleepers really, not much for REM cycles I guess. It takes me until like 4 o'clock to get her down for the 1 o'clock nap, then she is up at night until 11 or 12, this is not doable. It's all my fault, depending on that bottle so much, now she can't even sleep without it. When it gets so late, I am half tempted to give her the dang thig so I can go to sleep. But then I have to start all over when she's like 4! In other words, she has now become Beck Jr. My sweet, innocent, angel Paisley, is no longer so sweet. Still cute, but kind of a brat. :) So now what Aunt Jana? Do know that I thank you, I needed some major motivation (move on to Kortni now, Piper still sometimes has a bottle!!) :) Sorry to rat you out Kortni. ;) But I have tried to give her a different lovie; babies, blankies, and she holds on to them for a second, but nothing comforts her like that dang teeth rotter. Any ideas out there? Will my angel ever return?

Monday, December 7, 2009

Today Beck heard a commercial on TV exclaim how this such and such product will "transform" your living room. Since he is so obsessed with Transformers, he has decided that he wants a living room that "transforms!"
1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?
Piano lessons
deep sleep
crafting time (aka babysitters)
jeans
a clean house

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?
My friend Jenn made me a cork board with Paisley's pictures on it out of an old ornat white frame, it is probably my most prized pocession

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?
well, I would end up keeping them, but I want to make levi Christmas stockings for my family. Just like the ones my mom made us. I have some of the stockings cut out, but my "to do" list just keeps growing....

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?
A life size Rudolph the red nose reindeer
5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?
Beck: a big Transformer Bumblee that transforms with a Sam and MiKaela to go inside, Star Wars legos guys (it's a game I say he can't have until he is at least 8), a Batman castle
Paisley: baby dolls and more baby dolls

6. What is your favorite holiday food?
my mom's carmels

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?
I already made a few gifts, but hopefully I can get started on those dang levi Christmas stockings and have them for next year

8. What is your favorite holiday movie?
Home Alone

9. Favorite holiday song?
There's Something About Christmas Time -Bryan Adams

10. Favorite holiday pastime?
Playing Bingo Christmas eve

I challenge you to make the same list!

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Beck's Transformers

Like most little boys right now, Beck is obsessed with Transformers, namely Bumblebee, but if you buy a Bumblebee he needs to have an Optimus Prime and a Wrachet. And now he wants Decepticons AND Autobots, so they can fight ya know. He loves them, he lines them up, he takes pictures of them, we go everywhere carrying a big clear Tupperware box of them. Big ones and small ones, and medium ones. And when I say everywhere, I mean EVERYWHERE! Wal-Mart, bed, School! It is such a huge distraction at school. We have to lug in this big ol box and then when the kids start getting there for class we round them up and they go take a "break." It is such a fight everyday if we are not sure where the big ol box of them is. He knows which ones transform and he wants a Sam and Mikayla now to to ride in the Bumblebees. Hopefully Santa is bring a really big one that he saw me buy a while ago, but I somehow lost it and Santa is going to find it and bring it to Beck. :) I am sad that I "lost" the other one because it was $100 and I got it on some crazy discount sale at Target for $22! Whoo hoo! His prayers are very distracting because he has to say "thank you for Batman, and Pokey guy (Wolverine) and Bumblebee, and Optimus Prime, and Wrachet, and all the Decepticon bad guys...." So even though these little Transformers give me one big giant headache, my little boy loves them and we will continue dragging around the big Tupperware box, although I do draw the line at taking them to church....