Christmas Time!!!

For years and years my parents have always had the tradition to buy a tree from the festival of trees. For those of you not familiar with this, it is an event held every December in which people donate trees that they have made usually in memory of someone who has passed away or who is sick. All the money earned from this event goes straight to primary childrens hospital. So, this year we thought it would be fitting to donate a tree in my Dad's memory. It's called Grandpa's happy place, and the tree was decorated in the golf theme. I personally handmade the snowman golf ornaments, by crocheting all the hats and gluing on all the beads. It was a big job, but so worth it!!! So many people doanted their time and money to help put this tree together, including Jazz player Ronnie price whom donated a signed shoe with several jazz players signatures!! It was neat to see my family pull together and create such a special experience! The best part was that my mom was the lucky bidder and got to bring it home!!!!






For Christmas Eve we went to see "Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Squeakul" which the kids all loved, then we went back up to Grandma's house for food and gifts, and great company!






I LOVE Christmas Eve!!! It's my favorite time to spend with Nigel becuase it's just the two of us and exchanging gifts to each other. I still get butterflys knowing he was out shopping all those crowds tryin to find just the right things. He got everything on my list plus a major bonus.....a new ring!!(which I couln't get a good picture of, but it's gorgeous!) I was so excited because mine has been lost since Tate was born.






I somehow managed to get a before picture first thing Christmas morning. I decided not to show the after pictures for which we are still recuperating from. :)





Christmas morning was a blast!!! The boys got lots of fun things!






After the kids opened all their presents from Santa, Nigel and I had one more gift.... We had them open a present filled with cat toys, a pooper scooper and cat treats. It was so funny to see their reaction. Cole kinda thought it was a mean trick. He asked why we would get cat stuff when we don't even have a cat! A few seconds later they turned around to see our new pet kitty come in!!!! They all were so excited, but it took a while to convince Cole that he was here to stay, and not just visiting!!! We named him Alex, upon Cole's request. All the boys just love him to pieces!!!!






Just after New Years, Mamma came up and we exchanged presents with her. The kids had so much fun!!!!

I feel like we have dropped off the face of the world when it comes to blogging. I know everyone must miss us dearly, and one day I hope to return to feeling somewhat normal, but for now these awesome pictures that my friend Kim took, will just have to keep you satisfied. So enjoy. I know I did!!!!!

What an awesome day!!!

On saturday, Cole was baptized and Tate was blessed. There were so many emotions flowing that day for me. I am so proud of Cole's decision to be baptized. That kid amazes me, he's eight years old and already reading the scriptures on his own, without being asked. Better yet, he understands them. Nigel did a great job with both of them. Tate's blessing was wonderful, and I knew that my dad was there watching over us. It was an awesome day!!!!

Halloween Fun!

Halloween this year as lots of fun. The kids had fun trick-or-treating with Grandma, and then afterwards we went up to her house for some chilli. I was so thankful that the kids were all healthy!!

Tater Tot!!

I feel so behind in keeping everyone updated but it's only because I spend all my time LOVING this little guy. I would feel bad for my other kids except for the fact that they are right there with me!!! I am so proud of how the boys have adjusted to their newest little brother. They don't even give me a hard time about having to wash their hands every 5 seconds. I have caught all 3 of them at different times asking Tate, "who's your favorite brother?". I have found that if he even makes a peep, it's like a race to see who can help him first. I have to say, it has been WONDERFUL!!!! So here's the latest pictures of Tate. He is now almost 5 weeks old, and doing great :0)

The whole Tooth and nothing but the Tooth!

Cole has this tooth that is soooooooooooooo ready to come out, but he won't let us pull it. Every time I wiggle it, I try to give a little tug and he is just terrified that it will hurt so He won't let us do it. Last night I decided that that thing just has to come out so I told cole that if he pulled it out himself I would give him $10.00! He thought this was so great and we were so excited that this might just work. On a side note, Brock is fascinated with this whole thing. He always asks Cole if he can touch it, and of course Cole says NO! So last night we see Cole wiggling his tooth (but not enough to do much) and he says, "I really want that $10 Mom, but it's just not ready to come out!" All of a sudden we hear Brock say..."Hey Cole, I'll give you all my money too......if you let ME pull it out." Yeah, the tooth is still there.

It's all about Me!!!

So on October 1st, I turn the big 30! It has really gotten me thinking about my life and all I have accomplished so far. I have always thought of 30 being older, more mature, and lets face it....not how I am at all!! Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with my life, I just don't feel like I thought I would. I have decided to make this post all about me. I have come up with 30 things that I am proud of, not so proud of, or just things that make me smile as I think about the last 29 years of my life.
1- I have gone parasailing, even though I was terrified to do so.
2- I managed to break my tailbone...not during one of my death defying stunts as a cheerleader, but by the pure act of backing into a desk.
3- I have written a song, and recorded it in a studio.....that was awesome!!
4- I sang the national anthem at a baseball game.
5- I have had a close up of my face on the news, as I was auditioning to sing the national anthem for the baseball game.
6- I have seen 3 broadway plays in New York.
7- I have sent tapes in to be on a game show....no such luck though :(
8- I enter publishers clearing house almost every day...you just never know!
9- I have won $500 on the radio as well as theater tickets to a show.
10- In highschool I was the head cheer mistress for the pep club, even though I was the only one who tried out that had not been a cheer leader before. A very proud moment for me. :)
11- I won $50 in vegas by being a contestant on their version of "The Price is Right".
12- If I ever have a new idea to start something, I act on it very quickly, and full force. Example: Hairstylist, jewelry maker, preschool teacher, etc.
13- I have sold several things in stores and botiques in the area, and have seen strangers wearing my designs....love it!!
14- I love...love...love the first kiss scenes in cick flicks. I have been caught several times rewinding them and watching them again. I will always be a romantic at heart.
15- I never once sluffed in high shool...unless you count the time my Mom checked me out to go shopping. Yes..I am proud of this!!
16- I met then married my husband with in 6 months.
17- I have made a pretty good attempt at learning to play the guitar, and have realized....I am not very good. It does not come naturally to me.
18- I have fallen down a flight of stairs at the mall in front of a large crowd...all because I wanted to try out the new clogs I had just bought. It was straight out of the movie "Clueless". It was not my proudest moment.
19- I have done some 'petite' modeling in a store window posing as a mannequinn. It was hillarious to witness people making faces at us tring to determine whether or not we were real!
20- I used to scratch my arm as a child and tell my mom that my brother did it. The punishment was always the same...he was sentenced to play with me!! I know, I was evil.
21- I have always had a fear of birds. Thier fine if they are not close to me, but once when I was at a Wendy's, I threw some trash into the dumpster and about 50 birds went flying out straight at me!!! I don't know what was funnier to watch...me scared out of my mind and screaming like a little girl...or my mom laughing so hard that she probably peed her pants.
22- I always had the best tradition with my Dad. Every December we would take a whole day and just go shopping together and out to lunch. He would always give me a little Christmas money to spend, and I would always help him pick out gifts for my Mom. This tradition is one I will defintiely pass on to my kids. It meant so much!!
23- I have had my palm read, quite accuratley I must say. It was a fun experience.
24- I am a reality TV junky. My fav's are: So you think you can dance, American Idol, the bachelor, Americas next top model, biggest loser, and amazing Race. I know that's alot!
25- I am a huge coupon clipper and am amazed at how much money can be saved and how many thing you can get for free!!! Why doesn't everyone do this????
26- I was one of the lucky ones that managed to finish beauty school, even though there were definitely times I thought I wouldn't make it.
27- I have an obsession with finding good deals. I very seldom pass one up, but it has to be a GREAT deal, and something I know I will eventually use :0)
28- I am lucky enough to have found my best friend for my soul mate. Love ya Nigel!
29-I am the worlds girliest girly girl, and have some how managed to have 4 boys!!!! On a side note: I am having the time of my life with them!! They all call me the princess of the family :)
30- I have managed my ultimate goal in being done being pregnant all before I was 30! That means when my youngest is 18...I will only be 48...wahoo!!! still in my prime!

So even though I am dreading the big 3-0, I am happy with where I am in life, and wondering.....what is one thing in your life that makes you smile to think about?? Please do tell!