Christmas

I took these pictures after we did our magic & before we went to bed. We were in bed by 11:00. Not too bad. I love this part & thinking about the excitement from the boys in the morning. Just makes me smile.

Crew got a big boy bike with training wheels. He will need to grow into it for sure.

Tanner's bike that he got from santa & the tag that was attached.

Remote control dinosaur that was Carson's santa gift.

These boys were so excited when they woke up. I couldn't get to the living room fast enough. They kept telling us to hurry. "I got a bike"....."we got a wii" ....."cool"....."look carson"
Tanner took charge and passed out the gifts to open. I just sat in the chair with my camera and watched. I loved it. I probably love this part more. Watching them, the smiles, the thank yous, & the hugs. It makes it all worth it.

The big boys helping Crew get on his bike.
Crew kept saying "ho ho ho" about his bike. He knew santa brought it to him.

Carson was in LOVE with D-Rex. Later in the day he renamed it C-Rex. Then it later changed to T-Rex. He even went to bed last night with his new buddy.

We had such a nice day. The boys were in heaven. The house was a mess with lots of new things to play with. And nobody getting after them to clean up their toys. Paul, Jean, Jessica, Eric & the boys came over in the morning. We exchanged gifts & then played the wii. I think we are going to have to have a wii party soon.
Then we went to Poppa & Grammie's house to eat lunch & exchange our gifts. Then we came home. I took a nap. Crew did not. We stayed home the rest of the night. All 4 of us played bowling on the wii. I won the first game & then Brian the 2nd.

I almost forgot......this was my christmas present that I picked out myself. I had to fake being surprised because the boys thought I didn't know about it.

It was a good Christmas!

Last few days & one more day left

These last few days we have been busy.

*Last day of school was friday. Went to Tanner's award assembly. He received an attendance award. (For only missing one day of school.) I think I have expressed my feelings about "this" award. I think it is pretty silly if you ask me.

* I had my work christmas party. It was at lunch time at BJ's. Good food and good company!

* We also had our Santiago dinner. This year we stayed at their house for a really nice dinner that Paul & Jean made. People who were there: Paul, Jean, Brian & I, Jess, Eric, grandma Rachel, grandpa Larry, aunt Marie & Chris. No kids!!

They made it really nice. Not only did they cook, but they served us too. We ate on the nice china, the table was decorated so nice and of course the meal was so good. They really did a good job this year. One I know that I will always remember. This was our bill that Paul gave us at the end of the meal. I thought it was funny.


* Finished all my wrapping, baking, delivering. And it feels good.

* Carson schooled me on who the "real" Santa is. He is very smart & one observant little boy. I kinda just played it off and told him that yes mom's and dad's do help santa.

With only one more day till Santa comes we are going to just relax. Well maybe do some launrdy and cleaning. If you call that relaxing. Nothing big is planned for christmas eve. Maybe watch some christmas movies, read some christmas stories, play don't eat pete.

I hope everyone has a nice Christmas!!

Christmas card

I love getting christmas cards in the mail! It has been fun to see all of our family & friends. I love to see the recent family pictures and to read the letters too. Thanks to everyone who thought of us this year.

Our 2008 Christmas card.

Snow in Las Vegas!!

It started to snow at our house this afternoon, but it wasn't sticking. I loaded the boys in the truck & we went for a little drive. Just when we got closer to Hollywood it was all over the place. We went by the temple. And then up Lake Mead a little bit. I pulled over & let the boys get out.
Tanner was having a blast. Carson was till his hands were too frozen & he said they were hot. And Crew didn't really care for it at all. He didn't like the snow getting in his eyes. Then by the time we came home it was all over the place. Our grass was covered. The neighbors were outside (the whole family) having a snowball fight. We played with them for a little bit. Then we came in to warm up. This has been such a crazy weather day for las vegas. We have had so much fun. I can't wait to see what sunrise mountain looks like!

A few things that made me smile today

* All my christmas cards are in the mail.

* (Actually this one made laugh out loud.) This old lady outside the store was waiting for her husband to pick her up. I was walking by right as she opened the door and was yelling at him. She said...."Can't you drive any faster?"
That gave me a good laugh. It made me think if this is how Brian & I will be when we get old.

*The bottom of my receipt. I saved $532.01!! This is a xmas present for myself & yes I picked it out. (I will share after I open it for christmas.)

Today

* I got to hang out with Crew while the big boys were at school. Just me & him. We played with his baby. Rolled around on the bed. He followed me around & was wearing my shoes. The morning was all about him.

* Carson made a friendship necklace at preschool. He restrung it a few times today. Each time with a different pattern. Now all the beads are all over the floor in the family room.

* Tanner came home from school & I asked him how his day was. He said "really good". I asked him "really? What did you do?" he just said "nothing...it was just a good day."

*Carson & Crew ate macaroni & cheese for lunch. Then we watched Shreck the third. Crew fell asleep in the corner on the couch. This is his new favorite spot. He likes to have all 3 throw pillows on top of him.

* I called Brian & told him that I wished that neither one of us had to work & we could just hang out with the boys all day everyday. Nothing scheduled to do. Just to hang out. How cool would that be? Just to be?

*I picked out a picture for our christmas cards. Here are a couple that I loved but neither one of these were chosen. (that's a surprise.) Thanks again Heather!!

Don't you love how kids can recite infomercials word for word.
And it is pretty convincing coming from a 7 & 5 year old.

The new one lately is the "Snuggie".....(so stupid!)

* I love*

**That Kmart has black bags. Little eyes can't see in them. I love it. Whoever thought of that is brilliant!

**I love this idea! We are getting some stuff together. It will be nice to help out. Great idea Brooke! :)

** That Crew takes baby Jesus with him EVERYWHERE. He sleeps with him & will share his meals with him too.

** Having friends over for dinner.

** My living room this time of year.

**Being reminded of this talk. I want to remember this : "come what may, and love it."
The way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life.

It's beginning.....

.....to look like Christmas around here. We set up the tree yesterday after church. I just wanted to set the tree up & then decorate it later. But the boys were so excited and was not going for that. We ended up decorating the tree and getting everything else out too. I am kind of happy that we did. It feels good to have it all done. Now if I can teach Crew that the decorations are NOT balls. I think he broke 4 already!!

The boys helped me with all my nativities.
Here are a couple new ones that I bought last year after Christmas.
This makes my count to: 34.

I bought myself a sewing machine on black friday. I am a little excited to learn how to sew. I want to sew new stockings. I haven't been able to find any that I love. So I think this will be a good 1st sewing project!

This is the little people nativity that we bought and I love it. It is the only one that I let the kids play with. We just leave it out on the coffee table and I don't even yell at them when they throw them across the room. Crew has been carrying around baby jesus since last night.

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving at the Santiago's.
Had a nice time visiting.
Watching football.
Playing with army men.
Shoulder rides from grandpa.
Eating!

**Before the boys went to bed I asked them what they were thankful for.
Tanner said "my family"
Carson said "the u.s army (i think because he was playing army) and for mom and dad"
Brian said "my family, and my job"
I said "my family and our house"

Thanksgiving on friday.
Hung out with the family.
Russell, Caitlin & Kim were here.
It was nice to see them.
Kids had fun playing outside.
Played "would you rather".
Ate some yummy food!

I am so thankful for so many things. My family. All of them. The time we get to spend together and the memories that we share. The relationships that I have with family & friends.
My boys. The lessons that I learn everyday.

Pie making with grammie

Tanner & Carson were excited all day to make pies with grammie. This is a tradition that my boys love! It is getting easier with the older ones. And mom always has so much patience.
This year they had a choice: apple or pumpkin. Tanner made an apple pie & Carson made a pumpkin pie. We stayed till they came out of the oven, and they tasted really good. Good job boys!! And and extra thanks to mom who also made yummy homemade chicken noodle soup & rolls. She's the best!

A few good things.

1. That a plummer lives with us.
2. The plummer was home.
3. The plumber's wife knows how to turn the water off behind the toilet.
4. That I caught the over flowing toilet before it got to the bedroom carpet!

I love

-These boys! Fishermen in training. Brian took Tanner & Carson to Lake Mead with a friend. They got to go fishing on his boat. Tanner said that this was actually his 2nd time on a boat. The first time was at disneyland. Funny boy. Makes me want to go there soon! :)

-Babysitters who drive. THE BEST!

-Baby Abigail. It was fun to see her this weekend around all the boy cousins. Hopefully they will take care of her when they get older. And again I took zero pictures while they were here. :(

-Stake conference= no lesson!

-Just be jewelry. I love us!!!

-UNLV game. Tonight was my turn to go. Brian told the boys that it was my turn. And that he wanted to go on a date with mom.

Crew turns 2!

• eats his pizza upside down.
  
• Loves to run. He can run fast too. I can tell when he is coming by the sound of his little feet on the wood floor.
  
• Loves his daddy. Always saying his name. Sad when he has to leave. Everytime my phone rings or I call someone on my cell he says "dada".
  
• Can ride his scooter pretty good.
  
• Insists on wearing Carson's old shoes......which are too big for him.
  
• Gives hugs and kisses.
  
• Loves: his baby doll, to jump on the trampoline, to be rocked to sleep, cocoa pebbles, to wrestle and fight with the boys, and spongebob.
• Puts his dishes in the sink when he is done eating.
  
• Will NOT go to nursery.
  
• Says: mama, dada, i dada or mama= my dada or mama, woo-woo= doggie, baby, hi, bye, no, yes, juice, hot, ball, bob bob= spongebob.
• Loves music & to dance

We have been asking Crew all day how old he is and he just says "UMMMM".
And then we tell him 2!
And show him on our fingers and then with his fingers.
And then we just keep saying 2 over & over.
Hopefully he will get it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CREW!!

I get the award....

for mother of the year!! Yesterday afternoon Jen & I were busy working on jewelry. Tanner asked me if he could go in the front yard. I told him yes. He went out through the front door.
I thought Crew was playing behind me in the family room with Carson, but apparently he opened the front door & went outside too!
I went to answer the door when the door bell rang.
It was some lady asking me if "this was my child?"
I said yes it is. I didn't even know he went out there.
I was so embarrassed.
She said that he was a few houses down
walking in the street
with NO shoes on
and dragging Tanner's skateboard.
That meant that Tanner was not playing close to home if he didn't even see his little brother!
I am such a BAD mom!!

Brian came home this morning after his weekly meeting & he couldn't resist himself.
He went straight for the pellet gun. I swear those pigeons call his name.
I had to grab my camera because Crew got out the monster water gun.
They should start a business......
Father & Son Pest Control!

So everyday Crew has to watch Brian leave. Sometimes we watch him from the garage door. Then Crew has to push the button to close the garage.
Other times he waves from the front door.
And most days it is just out the front window.
Today both the two little boys said goodbye from the driveway.

Later today Crew & I had some fun on the trampoline.
Look at that happy face.
I love this kid. I just can't get enough. His laugh. The way his eyes smile.
It just make me happy when he is happy.
And he sure is happy when his mom plays with him.

Look at all those dirty foot prints.
Fun times on the trampoline!!

Slow Cooker Lasagna

**Here it is Jessica & Cherine**

Slow Cooker Lasagna

1 lb. lean ground beef (I used ground turkey)
1 small onion, chopped
1 medium garlic clove, minced
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
15 oz can tomato sauce
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/2 cup mozzarella shredded cheese
1 cup part skim ricotta cheese
6 dry lasagna noodles, no cook
1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Cook beef, onion and garlic. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, oregano, basil and red pepper flakes; simmer 5 minutes to allow flavors to blend.

In medium bowl, stir together ricotta cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese.

Spoon 1/3 of beef mixture into slow cooker. Break 3 lasagna noodles in half and arrange over mixture; top with half of ricotta mixture. Repeat with another layer and finish with remaining 1/3 beef mixture.

Cook on low for 4-6 hours.

In small bowl, combine remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle over top when done cooking.

**The only thing I would do different next time I make this is to maybe use a jar of spaghetti sauce instead on the crushed tomatoes and sauce. Or maybe just use my mom's lasagna recipe but still cook in the the crock pot.**

Today

• I went to the gym bright and early. It was cold outside!! There was a lot of talk about the new president. The buzz was all about Obama.

• Had to tell Tanner to be nice about 100 times today. He gets so bored and thinks the only thing to do is be mean to Carson. When I yelled at him to stop he just laughed at me. I had to slap his mouth for him to take me serious.

• Took some picture of new necklaces Jen & I have been working on. I think we need to make one for ourselves!

• Sat at the computer & worked for a good part of the day. Today was a good day. I got a lot of papers clean off my desk.
  

• Didn't have the phone ringing off the hook & late into the night with political calls. That was nice. And my mailbox was even empty. Well not totally empty. But you know what I mean.
  

• Just wanted to go to bed at 6:30 tonight. It felt like it was 9:30.
  

• Made lasagna in the crockpot for dinner tonight. It turned out really good.
  

• Read this and loved this whole post. It is such a great reminder. It makes me want to slow down and love my kids.
  

I don't know yet how I feel about the time change.

I know that I don't like waking up at 5 am. That is what Crew has done for the last 2 days!!! UGHH!!

I do like that it is 5:30 pm and we have played outside, came in and ate dinner & the boys know that we are DONE playing outside. Can you see me smiling? :)

I do not know how to change the clock in my car. It has already messed me up a couple of times today. I need to read my manual. I have to do this every time. They don't make it very easy to remember. Why can't they just change automatically like our cell phones?

I do like that Tanner is on track break till after Thanksgiving! It will be nice to have a little break.

It is 8:30am

on Saturday morning. I have already:

watched cartoons with Crew on the couch.
fed him Coco Pebbles.
swept the floor.
cleaned kitchen and loaded the dishwasher.
started 2 loads of laundry.
folded a few loads that were on the floor in my bedroom.
put all clothes away.
even hung clothes up!
cleaned the boys bathroom.

That's because Crew & I have been up since before 6am.
I am ready for a nap!!!

Halloween 2008

This is how our day went:

Got to sleep in today. Well until 7:30.
Brian was late for his meeting. oops! I guess I turned the alarm off.
I don't remember that!
Met up with Leah & Leslie with kids at town square.
Played at park.
Then ate some yummy yogurt!
Even Crew got his own cup. I didn't want to share mine with anyone!!
Got taco bell on the way home for lunch. That was Tanner's request.
Played outside.
Crew finally took at nap. It was a late one though. (2:00pm)
I did some work. Did a couple loads of laundry.
They still need to be folded though.
Paid some bills.
Fed the boys dinner. yummy chicken nuggets.
I knew they wouldn't eat if I cooked dinner anyways.
They were too excited.

Crew climbing up the slide.
He was having him some fun till he fell from the top.
Poor baby!

This is how our night went:

We went to great grandma's house.
Went trick or treating to grandpa paul's and nana jean's house.
Stopped by dad & mom's ward trunk or treat.
They didn't go.
Melissa & Brooke were there.
The boys had fun. Got some candy. Ate cotton candy & popcorn.
Got all sticky. Went trick or treating at poppa & grammie's house.
Finally went home & walked around the block.
Not too many were still passing out candy.
Came home to get ready for bed.

Tanner was a clone trooper. He didn't want to wear his mask.

Carson was spiderman again this year.

Crew didn't have much say in his costume this year.
He was a pirate.
A costume from our stash.