The House that Crazy Built

1.03.2009

CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Eve is always a little hectic. We are usually running from my family to Bills. This year I thought it wouldnt be that way-but I was wrong. Again the times conflicted and back and forth we went.

My family party kicked off the night with the yummiest chicken pie that my Aunt Sandy makes every year-they are to die for.

I really didnt get too many good shots-sorry about this one Trent, or should I say Bishop Malone. Hows that for a Christmas present!!

My family party is always full of food, laughter, tears and more food. I dont get to see my Aunt or my cousins very often and I always look foward to this night. I just wish I had more time with them. All my little cousins arent so little anymore-they are married, one is in the Marines, and the little ones are in high school-its crazy. Im old. This year, I missed out on the talent show and the grateful circle. The grateful circle is something we have done since my grandparents were still alive. We light candles and go around the room saying what we are thankful for-it always ends up in tears. I really missed it this year.

We then headed over the Lomus.
The kids make gingerbread cookies

Ok, so some made them and others ate them.

This little cutie was running all over the place. She is the most smiley baby. My kids couldnt get enough of her.

We had a fun white elephant gift exchange all done by my mother in law. It was awesome!!

Then, Ana did a cute little nativity play and included all the kids. They loved it.

Avery even got in on the fun!

Avery loves dogs..from a far. When we came for Thanksgiving, she was terrified of Harry-this time, she couldnt get enough the dog.

Mary and Drew sang us some Christmas songs-ok so Drew sang us some songs. This kid just turned 2 and he can sing and hes got rythem. Kate got in on the action too!!

After that, we went back to my parents house for a scavanger hunt to find the Christmas jammies.

Then it was off to dreamland. They all fell asleep so fast, I was amazed.

Dreaming of Santa-well the ones that still believe were anyway!!

CHRISTMAS 2008

Another Christmas come and gone, way too fast for me. I feel like I didnt really get to enjoy all there is to do during Christmas time. It was hurried, it was cold and the next thing I knew, we were on our way to AZ. It was fun because my sister was also in town and we both stayed at my parents house. So we all got to be together on Christmas morning. That was fun!!

The kids so patiently waiting-playing with their stockings.

Avery opened the first gift since she was the youngest, and she got her baby. That was all she needed!!

Ty got a guitar and hasnt put it down since!!

Noah really didnt want much this year except some night vision goggles. Those things are pretty rad.

Caleb and guns just go together. (fake ones of course)

Tyson got a guitar lesson from Grandad and is now a pro. Everyone gathered to hear it

I thought this was so funny-all the girls got DS's and apparantly you can instant message on them-so that is what they did all morning-even though they were this close to each other.

And wouldnt you know it, my battery to my camera died and right before they started opening presents, my video camera said "out of tape." Yes, my stoneage camera still takes tapes and no one had one to spare. So this Christmas will have to be one of memory. Good memorys that is!!

After we opened presents, we ate breakfast and headed over to the Lomus. We lounged, ate some more and even broke out the guitar hero-so fun. After that, we headed back to my parents house for naps and more eating and we played games. Christmas night was pretty low key, we just relaxed and vegged. Perfect ending!!

CALEB IS 4

Now, dont be jealous of my baking and decorating skills. Now, I know what your thinking-isnt Caleb a boy? Why in the world is his cake pink. Well...I tried to write Happy Birthday in red and it was literally the worst thing I had ever seen, so I mixed it in with the white frosting and there you have it...pink. But to be honest, I dont even think he noticed.
I hadnt planned on having a party for Caleb because we were heading to Az and I figured we would do something there, but at the last moment, I changed my mind. He actually has some friends this year and I thought he would enjoy it. I am so glad I did it-he had a blast. We live in a circle and with in it are 5 boys all around the same age. Its so much fun for them.
We decided to do a make your own pizza thing and it was crazy messy but fun.

It took a little longer than I thought-trying to cook all these little pizzas with only one oven.

This is Caleb and his best little friend Pierce, who just moved, and Caleb is so sad.

After lunch, the kids went on a scavanger hunt to find the treat bags. They were ALL over the house, running and screaming from one clue to the next.

Finally, the prize. And wouldnt you know it, it was under the tree!!

Avery was just happy watching Dora

Even though we told the kids to wait and not go through their bags, they immediatly went to the table and emptyed the bags.

Next, Caleb opened his presents. I love that he sticks his tounge out when opening the presents.

This kid was all about Transformers this year...and boy did he score.

Then it was cake time!!

Nothing like sugar filled 4 and 5 year olds!!

It didnt take them long to break open these babies and start the gun fights

The party was a success and Caleb was so happy to have all the attention on him for once.

Caleb is the most sweet and loving little boy. He got RSV and pnemonia when he was only 11 days old and was in the hospital for a week. It was such a scary time, but it gave us a whole week, uninterupted , to bond and we still share that special bond today. He loves his favorite stuffed animal, pengi (a penguin-original name, I know) He is such a protector of his little sister and always makes to sure she has her blankie and her sippie cup before bed. This kid can fall asleep anywhere and he usually does. For some reason, he hates his bed and would rather fall asleep curled up on the floor behind the couch. He loves sports and has a natural talent for all things sports-he is his dads dream. He loves to cuddle and curl up with me still-I love it. He is the most tickelish boy in the world-all you have to do is touch him and he is dying on the floor. Im so proud of this kid and I just love him so much.

Happy Birthday Scrubs!!!

( In case your wondering about the nickname...it goes a little like this. It started out with Caleb, then ca-leb-a-dub, then scrub-a-dub (in the tub) then scrubs or scrubba. Wierd, I know)

12.07.2008

Better late than never!!!

It has been such a crazy week since we got home from Arizona. We came home Sat. night and by Sunday night Bill and I were both feeling yucky. By Monday I had the full blown flu, Tuesday, I couldnt even get up and by Wednesday, I started feeling better. Luckily, Bill felt better by Monday so he was able to take good care of me. Im now caught up on housework and laundry and its time for blogging!!!

We left on Saturday for Arizona-we had been counting down the seconds for this trip. We hadent been home since Feb. and it was long overdue. The week before we left, Lani and Noah both got strep and Caleb had a sinus infection. I was glad it happened before we left so we wouldnt get sick on our trip. When I took them to the doctor, I had Tyson tested too, just in case. His test came back negative. On our way down to AZ, his doctor called and said she had sent in his culture for more testing and it came back positive for strep-so she called in a prescription that we picked up on the way in. The day after we got there, lani started complaining that her throat hurt again-yikes. So, Lani and Tyson shared the medicine and both felt better after a day. My paretns were loving having us stay with them-as if the strep wasnt enough-after we ate dinner the night we got there, I gave Avery a bath. I forgot her diaper so I ran upstairs to get it and by the time I got back down, she had pooped on the carpet, steped in it and walk all over the air mattress sheets and carpet. When I put her down for bed, she was not having the port-a-crib, so she cried so hard she threw up everywhere. It was a GREAT start!!!
By Monday, we were feeling better and waiting for Stacy and her Family to arrive. We all stayed at my parents house-it was a crazy house-FUN-but crazy.
The first thing Noah did was build a sand castle and he was so proud that he wanted a picture for the blog-so here it is!!!

I also took care of buisness, first things first-we headed off to Neds crazy sub. It had been way too long. Yum is all I can say.
Monday night we had a family night and EVERYONE was there. It had been a long time since we we have been able to all be together. Jackie did a fabulous lesson about being grateful and it was a hit with the kids. She is so creative.

She also had a fabulous, sassy new hair cut!!!

We ended the night with a little Rock Band. Trent thinks he is a pro because he works at Fender Guitar and they play for hours like everyday. Im pretty sure he hates working there-its a tough life for Trent.

I even joined in the action. Not so good.

Lani and Noah took a turn too. Not so many kid friendly songs-when doen Rock Band for kids come out?? Notice Noah the big cheater-he had Bill pushing down the foot part. My parents made a mad dash for their room-I think it was a little too loud and not quite their taste in music.

On Tuesday night, we had a fun talent night with the Lomu Family. Mary and Selle had us over at their house for some mean BBQ. Of course I forgot my camera, so I have no pictures of the fun night, but we had smores around the fire pit, and a fun talent show by all the kids. Noah did some magic tricks, Lani baked some brownies-she is a pretty good little chef, Tyson and Caleb named all of the NFL football teams (Such a talent), Jake and Jonah did some karate, Claire sang a song, Drew did some sign language and then the kids danced the night away. It was such a fun night.

On Wednesday, I did a few more haircuts. Tyson decided he wanted one too-he wanted to be completely bald. We compromised with a mohawk.

He has that awesome cowlick on the crown of his head, but it still looked awesome and he thinks he is just the coolest!

Thanksgiving was so fun with all the family and food. We went to Bills family Thanksgiving first and then headed over to mine. I was stuffed. I even fit a nap in there somewhere. Later that night, I took Stacys family pictures. We should have done it earlier, but it was raining-so we did what we could and they turned out really cute.

When we were done, the kids decided to have a little chicken fight

Im not sure anyone won.

Coming home is the worst part. This drive was pure Hell. I think Avery cried most of the way, Noah and I both were super car sick and the kids were just cranky and ready to be done. I had never been so happy than when we pulled into the drive way. We fed the kids a delicious mac and cheese dinner, did some baths and went to bed. Heaven.

We had so much fun and loved seeing all our family. It always takes me a few days to get over leaving. Im not saying I hate Utah, but I really miss being home.

Tyson loves to dress up and he got Bills hunting clothes on so he could be a "camo fighter". Someone wants to be just like his dad!!