The Best of 2008

I was tagged to tell 12 of the best things that happened this year, well I know I've already blogged about most of them but here is a recap:

1.My first child turned 8 and was baptized, we had a fun weekend that weekend and spent a lot of time with family and friends.

2. I ran in my first and only 5k, so far. I know I should do more, I never get around to it, running by myself makes me just as happy.

3. I got to hang out with cool people this summer. The girls in my family are always fun to be around. My cousin Emilee was here for the summer while her husband was doing a little interning and it was fun to spend time with her and her cute boys. Also going out to lunch for birthdays was a lot of fun.

4. Moved out of a rental house and purchased our 3rd home. I'm wondering if I should put this as one of the best things of 2008, but I am still hoping we start enjoying it a little more!

5. Attended a dance and piano recital for Carsyn. I hope she finds the the thing that she is interested in, after trying ballet, cheer, ballet, then hip hop now piano, she can't decide which one she enjoys the most, yet. 

6. Received my most challenging calling, EVER, at church. I dread every time I have to get up in front of all of the ladies. I know it is a blessing in disguise. It will only make me stronger, I hope!

7. Went to Bass Lake with Brad's family, enjoyed every second of it, even the infestation of Mosquitoes, and the fact that our boat was out of commission this year. We have made sure that it will be ready to go for 2009!

8. Went to Leo Carillo with my family. Also loved every minute of it! We have tried other beaches over the years but some how we always end up back at the oldie but goodie, Leo Carillo!

9. Watched a lot of Caden's soccer and baseball games, love the games, but don't love the practices so much.

10. I faithfully attended girls night out every month, minus the girls weekend that I missed out on! It's always fun to catch up with what's happening in this wonderful town we live in!

11. Nixon started a little pre school once a week and is loving it. He loves his friends Chunky, Kaylee and Blake. He feels so big when he goes to school and every Thursday that he goes to someone's house he has to tell his big brother and sister all about his day at school. I will be sad next year when he goes to preschool 3 days a week! What will I do with myself?

12. This is not the best thing this year, but it did happen this year, actually a couple of days ago, We said good by to my sister and her family, as they moved to Utah. They will be missed.

So there are 12 of the things that I could come up with. Any of you that read this, are welcome to do it too! Have fun!

Fav Foto Friday

I know this isn't a photo but a video will do, since it is so darn cute. This was Nixon when he was just starting to walk. I love it!

Christmas 2008

This year we had our Traditional party at my aunt and uncle's house. I sooo look forward to that every year. We eat appetizers and dessert, everything is so good! Then we have a little program, after that we do our white elephant gift exchange. We always let the kids open one present on Christmas Eve, and they get so excited. They put out Smith cookies for Santa and a DR. Pepper. Someone told my kids Santa doesn't drink soda, and they looked at me like they were worried, so I had to say, " Santa gets sick of milk sometimes and wants some soda" They always believe their mom. Brad and I finally went to bed at 2 in the morning, and of course Caden woke us up at 5:20 this morning, that sure makes for a long day! We ate breakfast at The Race's house. Brad cooks up a bunch of breakfast burritos that are to die for! And after a gift exchange we are off to my families get together, for lunch and another gift exchange. My kids have received so many gifts I don't know where to put them all! I love Christmas, just for the get togethers! 

It's Almost Christmas

I can't believe Christmas is finally this week. It seems to have come so fast, it seems like school just started. We have already done most of our traditional Christmas things, put up our blow up Santa (that the kids love so much), looked at Christmas lights, decorated the house, made Christmas goodies, attended a few Christmas programs, almost finished Christmas shopping, and last night we had our traditional Nativity reenactment at Brad's parents house. It seemed to be a smaller group this year, but my kids always enjoy it. We also celebrated Brad's brother Paul's birthday. Happy 31st Birthday Paul!

My Camera's battery died so here is the best I could do with my phone's camera.

The Three Wise Men, and Joseph, I think it took the guys an hour just to get their facial hair just right. They turned out great! 

Here is the whole crew, with Baby Jesus (Kenneth) and all. 

Paul 

My Favorite Foto Friday

I am copying some of you that do Favorite Foto Friday's because I think it is funny to see old pictures and because I am out of blogging ideas. So here is one picture that I thought was funny now that I look back at it. This is right after Brad and I had our wedding reception. As we were leaving our family decorated our car, of course. Well the thing that makes me laugh is that out of all of our many gifts, Brad decided to take only one with us on our honeymoon, it was a gun! My friend Aaron Bailey gave it to us, mostly Brad. Should I have been scared?

Carsyn had her first Christmas program at school. They sang Christmas songs and all looked so cute. We had to get ice cream afterwards, of course!

Superman

Nixon wanted to dress up, like always, but this time he wanted to be someone we didn't have, Superman. So we made do with what we had. I think he is the perfect superman!

Busy Weekend

This weekend has been pretty busy. Carsyn had her first piano recital, and Caden had to play in 5 soccer games.

Carsyn played two Christmas songs and did a very good job. I love that she didn't get nervous, even though she played in front of people she didn't know. I am so proud of her! She has been playing for only 2 months and I think she enjoys it. I know she loves the time she gets to spend with her Grandma, while she teaches her!

I know it's sad, but I was hoping Caden's team wouldn't win its first couple of games, but because I hoped for that, they got second out of all the teams, now he has to move on and play another tournament at the end of February. He will now play against different sections of California. Will this season ever end?? I am proud of them, they worked so hard! The weather was horrible. Freezing, foggy, and rainy, all not fun to be sitting in and also not fun to play in! Way to go Jaguars!!

Ohhhh Christmas Tree

We put the ornaments on our fake tree as soon as Thanksgiving was over, a couple of days later we noticed that some of the lights weren't working, Brad tried and tried to fix it but it couldn't be done. Since we bought the tree at Costco, the coolest store in the world (besides Target), we decided to see if they would exchange it for us. Of course Costco gave us our money back, and into the big warehouse we went, on a mission to get the same tree we had. Well there were two trees, one 6.5 foot tree and one 9 foot tree. The one we had was 7.5 and it was just perfect. We couldn't get the 6.5 foot tree because it would look dinky in the spot we want it, so we got the 9 footer! Wow, now that is a Christmas tree. It belongs among the red woods up in the Sequoia National Forest! It is a little too big for me, I guess I'll have to get used to it. I think we need a new star for the top, Brad says we should keep the one we have. He hand made it when we first got married, this is the same time that we had wicker patio furniture as our living room furniture. I told him we can make his star an ornament now and it would look just perfect on the new tree. What do you think, should We get a new star or keep the old one?