Dressing up for the holiday

Dressin' up the kids for Christmas. I like to dress the kids up for church. These are a few fun outfits.

Christmas party at church

We had our ward Christmas party(church) on Dec. 12, 2009. It was a lot of fun. We were all supposed to dress up in times of Jesus. They gave us coins that we had to pay our taxes with, buy food, and other stuff. Our whole family really enjoyed this activity and I think it really got us into the spirit of Christmas! Afterward, they did a small play of Jesus' birth. This is how we dressed up the kids.

What dad and Owen come up with

These are the things Owen and dad come up with while I am at work. And I wonder why Owen acts the way he does!!!

Happy 13th Honey!!

On December 11, 2009 Mike and I celebrated 13 years of being married. It's been a long road, but a good one. I love him more today than on this day 13 years ago. I wish I still looked like this however. He is my best friend as well as the best husband and dad. I love you honey!!

1st grade tree project

The 1st grade was asked to decorate a paper tree however they wanted and then the teacher would hang it up. Since Mom has a lot more creative abilities than I, I put her and Addie to the task! I think Addie did a darn good job. She definately get her creativity from my mom and not me!!!

Deck the Halls!!

Time to get ready for Christmas. Mike and I have quite a system down for putting up our tree and lights. Then, I let Mike and the kids have at it with the ornaments. We would let the girls trade on who got to put the angel on. Addie has been doing it since Sid has been gone because quite frankly I haven't trusted Owen. Well, this was the big year. We let him put the angel on. He did a great job. Although, I think Addie wished she could have done it. The tree looks great! Much better than the one year I did a terrible job on Carolyn's!!!

Thanksgiving 2009

What a Thanksgiving it was!!! Maybe one of the best I remember! Probably because Mom was home and feeling good! This is my little Pilgrim Owen. He came out of Ms. Tana's pre-school looking like this as well as all the other little kids. Also, note the mini-pie he is holding that they made. So cute!

We spent Thanksgiving at mom's. Julie and Dallas came. So did Vicki from San Francisco. It was a lot of good food and fun!!! Not to mention mom is one heck of a cook. Hopefully, I will one day be able to figure out her best dishes!! This is the beautiful turkey. And yes, he tasted as good as he looked!!

Addie at cheer camp

B.b.b-o-b. C-c-cat! Bob Cats!! In mid November the hold a cheer camp at Sky View High (my high school) to raise money for the cheer leaders. I asked Addie if she wanted to do it. She was really excited about that idea. Especially because her good friend Gracie (pictured next to her) was going to do it as well. They get a t-shirt and get to perform at a basketball game. She had sooo much fun. I was a little nervous to have her do it. But she is a performer and did great!

Addie loses another tooth!

She is a girl after my own heart. Not only has she been losing teeth like crazy, she's been pulling them out herself!! She tells me she is sorry to ruin all my fun!

Monday November 2 mom was taken by ambulance to the ER. She was unable to move and was in extreme pain. It was a horrible week. Many tests were run, but nothing found as to what was going on. She ended up in ICU. Just as quickly as she went down she came back. I have never seen her in that bad of shape and I hope I don't. She is one tough cookie. I know prayers and her determination is what made her able to come home again. I didn't think she would be able to come home again. A few days ago Mike and the kids made this sign and went to the hospital to show her at the window. To their amazement she was able to come outside in a wheelchair. No kids are allowed in our hospital right now cause of H1N1. Mike knew how bad she was missing the kids so he decided to do this for her. She was able to come home today. (nov. 13) She's still a little weak. But we are so glad she is home!! Keep up the good work Nanny!

Addie's 7th birthday party

Addie had her birthday party on Friday the day after her birthday. She decided she would rather have it the day after so her friends could stay longer cause it wasn't a school night. She invited all girls. Her theme was all girl party. They started by watching Hannah Montana the movie. (That lasted about 15 minutes) It was hilarious to hear them all singing the theme song. This is them dancing. Then they had a pinata and pin the tall on the donkey. Followed by presents and cake and ice cream. I would say overall it was a success. Although, I think 2 1/2 hrs. was probably too long. With mom so sick in ICU, I didn't feel much like partying. But I wasn't going to dissapoint Addie. I also didn't realize how hormonal girls already are at this age. (Don't know why I didn't) So, naturally there were a few tears. But Addie had a great time and said the girls were still talking about it Monday at school!

Happy 7th birthday Addie!!

Happy 7th birthday Addie!!! Addie's b-day is Nov. 5. We had a ugly week with mom in the hospital. But still tried to be in the celebrating mood. So for dinner Addie chose to go to Firehouse pizza. Mike met us from work. I can't believe she is already so old. Where has all the time gone? She is an amazing little girl. If everyone had as big a heart as her, we would live in a much better world. I don't think I know anyone who has as much empathy for others as Addie. Mike and I always say, "Where would we be without Addie?" I don't want to ever find out. Love you Bo!

Is it a trick or is it a treat?!!

So this is the fam at Halloween. Fortunately, we had quite mild weather (for us) this year. So, we hit the neighborhood somewhat early. Here are a few shots of the kids trick or treating at some neighbors houses. Addie was a fairy princess. She is all girl. Owen was a pumpkin. Patti a witch. I had dressed up a couple days before when I was at work as a trucker. It disturbed me cause a lot of people thought I was really a man. I didn't like that too much. So, I decided not to dress up with the kids. And Mike was.... well, as you can see, he was a gay sailor. We walked around the neighborhood and got a haul. Mom was not feeling well at all, but managed to make it to the chair. Dave was a cop. And here is me with my little treats.

decorate your pumpkin

Mom and Dave are the pumpkin experts for sure. This year Nanny was definately not feeling up to par. So I took on the pumpkin decorating myself. I decided I would put my control issues aside and let them do what they wanted with their own pumpkin. As you can see, Patti (our special needs lady) was home. It was fun to see what they all chose to do. I made them all clean out their own. Addie stood over hers talking her way through it. Saying, "It's ok Addie you can do this." Owen was making a horrible mess. And Patti would take out 1 seed and really think she had done something. (Just like them and their personalities!!) Addie chose to have a typical jack-o-lantern. She carved it all by herself. And added a few things to spice it up! I'm still not sure what Patti and Owen came up with, but they were sure proud!