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?

Thanksgiving Festivities

This Thanksgiving has been a lot of fun. The last day of school Carsyn had Grandparent's day at school. Her Granny came and made some cute Thanksgiving things, Carsyn enjoyed spending alone time with her. Then the night before Thanksgiving we had the kid's cousins, Gavin and Avery spend the night, our kids loved it but the next day my kids were pretty grumpy from staying up to late. Thanksgiving morning we headed out to watch all the dad's play the traditional football game. We brought football flags for the kids this year and they had their own little game. Even the girls played, not as serious as the boys though. We then headed over to Becky and Will's for Thanksgiving lunch, at which I only allowed my self to eat salads, and some of the goodies, Then on to Brad's parent's house where we ate again, turkey etc. A lot of eating if you don't spread it out. The next day was my favorite day of the year, Black Friday. My mom even came this year! We got to Walmart at 4 in the morning thinking it opened at 4, but really it didn't open until 5, so we waited in line for an hour, with all the other crazy people. While in Walmart I decided, that I don't ever want to step foot in another Walmart again, those people are insane. Becky and I really were stuck in one spot and we couldn't budge! People were trying to move us out of the way with their shopping carts! We then had a calmer experience at the other stores we went to. My most favorite part of the day was going to see Twilight finally. I loved it! I think maybe even better then the book! Finally yesterday we took the kids to see Bolt it too was pretty good. We had an enjoyable Thanksgiving, but those days sure seemed to last FOREVER! Carsyn woke us up at 2 in the morning saying she couldn't breathe. I of course was panicking, she then let out this big Bark, she must have Croup. She seriously couldn't breathe, she started throwing up because she was trying to catch her breath and from crying so hard. We laid down on the bathroom floor with the hot shower on, so the steam would make her breathe better, she then fell back to sleep. I hope she is fine, maybe the late nights are catching up to us!

I am getting sad

As the holiday's draw near I am excited, but in the back of my mind, I keep thinking I don't want the holiday's to come. The reason why is because after the holidays are all said and done, I am loosing my friend, my babysitter swapper, my family get together co-planner, and my little son's best friend in the whole world. My sister and her family are moving to Utah. I am so sad. Isn't it a rule, that once a girl gets married they have to end up living near her family! I think some one is breaking some rules here. Oh well, I guess people have to do what they have to do, oh wait they don't have to move! What's the deal? 

Our Little Harry Potter

Nixon had a little spill the other day. He fell off a trampoline while at my sister's house. He luckily didn't split his head open, but he nearly did.  Now as his head is healing, I noticed he has black eyes. I am just glad we already took our family pictures. Brad keeps calling him Harry Potter because of his lightning bolt he now has on his forehead.

Poor guy, anywhere we go people ask him what he did to his head. He looks like an abused child. Especially in the picture below: notice the dirty face.

Bragging Rights

I am not bragging, well maybe a little, but Caden's soccer team had a soccer tournament this weekend, and they Won!! They are now 2008 Region 359 U10 Boys Champs! They played so hard and some of those teams were really good. I am so proud of Caden, he wouldn't let anyone know it, but I know inside he was so excited. He made 6 goals during the tournament. I almost had a heart attack watching their last game! So now they move on to play against the other Regions here, in December! I thought soccer was over this year but I guess not now.

Funny Kids

The other day my kids were coloring and cutting at the table and while I was cleaning they came up to me like this: 

They made their own bunny faces, No help from me. Carsyn said her cousin Avery taught her how, I thought it was pretty clever. Well since then, Nixon has been making his own costumes, non stop! Here is one of his costumes: I think he is Batman?

Here is the mask he made today: Two Face. I love it!

Happy 58th Birthday Dad!

My dad turns 58 tomorrow and I just want to say, Happy Birthday Dad. We all Love You!

Another Season of AYSO Down

Caden had his last real soccer game on Saturday. Next Saturday he is in a tournament, he has to play in three games that day. If they win they are supposed to play in two games on Sunday. And since they are undefeated I think they will be playing all 5 games. The end of the soccer season is always bitter sweet, it's fun to watch the games, but going to all the practices with all the kids gets a little old. They want him to play during the Spring too, but I told him to decide between that or baseball. He is having trouble deciding, what ever he does he will do great at it!

Here is Caden with his trophy.

Here is the cake that a lady had made, it was so good, it was made at Rosies Cakes. I recommend it.

Here is Caden's coach,  Coach Trever. What a cool guy. He doesn't have any kids and he agreed to coach the kids as a favor to his friend. It was pretty funny, he got really choked up when he handed out the trophies. He said he was just so proud of the boys. 

Tagged Again

I was tagged this week again and I finally have a chance to do it so here it goes:

 

8 T.V. Shows I watch

Grey's Anatomy

Dancing with The Stars

So you think you can dance

The Office

American Idol

Samantha Who

Law and Order SVU

Dexter, only edited now!

8 of My Favorite Restaurants:

Tahoe Joes

Akira

Bubba Gump

Olive Garden

P.F. Changs

La Tapatia

Juniors

The Stinking Rose

8 Things I did Yesterday: 

Woke up at 5:45, (thanks to Caden, Darn time change!!)

Got my hair done ( need to tone it down a little.)

Ate Top Roman for lunch (need to buy bread)

Went to visit a girl in my ward that just had a miscarriage. (So sad)

Went shopping for food at Albertsons, purchased chicken, etc. to make chicken pillows for dinner.

Became lazy and opted not to make dinner and went out to a nice meal, Taco Bell.

Then we decided to go to Daddy O's since our dinner was so cheap.

Rented a video game for Brad to play down stairs, then I watched Grey's Anatomy in my room. (what a nice night spent together).

8 Things I am looking Forward To:

Watching Caden play soccer tomorrow

Thanksgiving

Taking Carsyn to see High School Musical (yes I want to see it.)

Shopping, the day after Thanksgiving

Christmas

Summer Vacations

Finishing School

My kids being old enough to watch themselves while we go on a date.

8 Things I love

Brad 

Caden

Carsyn

Nixon

Extended Family

Going on Dates

Going out of town

Falling asleep on the sofa while watching a movie

8 Things I can't stand

Slow drivers

When my kids whine

A dirty house 

Wood Floors through out my house (too hard to keep nice)

Going to church 500 miles away

Cats

Doing Laundry

Exercising all the time, with no results!

8 Things on my Wish List

New Coach bag

Healthy Family this whole Holiday Season

A New wedding ring (princess cut, white gold, at least 2 karats)

A Maid

Stainless Steel refrigerator

New shower in my bath room

To furnish my entire house with Pottery Barn things

For me and my entire family to make it to the Celestial Kingdom

8 People I am tagging:

Shelby S.

Christa B.

Amy F.

Abby S.

Sarah S.

Kellie J.

Linda U.

And any one else who wants to do it.

I am a cry baby!

I had to teach relief society this Sunday for the first time. I was so nervous for the last month. Well the reason I was so nervous was that I would be teaching a lesson to women that know a lot more than me. I also know myself and when ever I have to give a lesson or bare my testimony I have to cry. WHY? I can't stand it! Even if I am not sad or even overly happy, I just cry. What a baby. Same when I watch a lot of movies, I cry. Brad always looks over at me when the movie gets a little emotional and looks to see if I am crying. Most of the time I am, but I try to hide it so I don't get teased! Well I get up in front of all the women and start my lesson and I do fine, until I read a story about someone dying and I start! I don't think anyone could hear my words over my sniffles! Then I got in control of myself and a little later shared another story and start balling again! How horrible!! Oh well I don't have to teach for another 4 months, maybe by then the ladies will have forgotten about it!!

Halloween 2008

This Halloween seems to have lasted forever! We started out with a party for Nixon's little preschool, then a church party, next a parade at the kids school, followed by parties in the classrooms, then it was on to a party at my sister's house, then last was trick or treating! It was fun but I am glad it is over.  Caden wanted to be something scary this year so he chose a costume at party city, a Zombie Skate Punk. He didn't want to dress up for school, he was the only one in his class not dressed up, he doesn't have much school spirit! Carsyn was a witch, but she couldn't be a witch for school ( They said it was to scary) so she was a cheerleader from last year. Nixon was Wolverine. I am surprised that his costume made it to Halloween since he has lived in it for the last month! On to Thanksgiving and then Christmas. This part of the year seems to fly by!

My Three Year Old

I wanted to take a picture of Nixon in a Yoda costume today and this is what he said:

Me: Can I take a picture of you in your Yoda costume?

Nixon: Okay, but don't put it on your blog!

Is it sad that my three year old knows about blogs. Maybe I need to lay off the blogging. Or Not.

Hockey Time

I wanted to get out of town this weekend. I told the kids we could go anywhere, I asked where they would want to go? I said Knotts Berry Farm, DisneyLand, the beach, Bass Lake? Caden was the only one who had an opinion, he saw a commercial for the Condors, and said "I want to go to the hockey game, they are giving away free hockey masks." So that's where we ended up going, a hockey game. Most of us had fun, I made them all go to the Outlets the next day, so I could really get out of town. 

Here we are at the game, in the nose bleeds.

Carsyn was excited to be there, can you tell?

The kids with the "Free" hockey masks, made out of foam. NICE

My Silly Girl

Carsyn was in a goofy mood the other night. I had to record her because, she kept making me laugh. She is so funny. I love this girl! She came up with this all by herself. (you'll have to pause my music to be able to hear her good enough.)

Grey's Anatomy

Who out there was just as disgusted by Grey's Anatomy as I was last night? If you are a fan, you'll know what I mean.

The Pumpkin Patch

We took the kids to the pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin, and to do something different then going to the park. The best part was that none of them wanted the biggest pumpkin, they all wanted the smallest, which only set us back $1. Cheap fun for the kids, I am all for it!

They all wanted to sit in the wagon, I took about 6 pictures of them in the wagon, but not one of the pictures have them looking at the camera, all I can say is, they're 3. 

Nixon and Blake acting silly, they really are funny.

Nixon and his goofy face.

This is the reason I hate petting zoos. The kids were feeding the animals leaves and hay. These goats tried to get out of their cage. Notice the chicken wire fence, not to sturdy. They want what ever Breyson has in his hands. Those are goats, I think?

Quirks

I was tagged the other day to list 6 of my quirks, I am a little late but here they go: 

1. Every night before I go to bed I think and pray that my kids will not throw up in the middle of the night. (I know I am a little crazy.)

2. Every night before I go to bed, I check the locks about 3 times and I check the stove to make sure it is off, even if I didn't cook that night. (Border line O.C.D.)

3. I iron my kids clothes every day, even their jeans.

4. I hate letting my kids pick out their own clothes. I know it is only the beginning of not being able to control them and I hate it!

5. Brad and I fight every night about our sheets on the bed. I like to have them all the way up to my neck and neatly folded at the top. When Brad gets into bed he turns his sheets down and lays on top of the blankets which then pulls my nicely placed blankets down. I can't stand it! :)

6. I start in August making lists of what to buy people for Christmas. I then hide the list so no one will find them. By the time Christmas comes I've made about 20 different lists. The other day I found one of my list buried in my drawer from 2 Christmases ago. 

Happy Birthday Charlie!

The Birthday Boy, Charlie

This is what was in the kids party favor bags, you would have thought it was Christmas or their birthdays. When my kids opened their bags they were so excited, here is my happy Nixon.

Cool Cupcakes!

Pin the trunk on the Elephant.

Bean bag toss and a bunch of rug rats.

My nephew Charlie had his 1st birthday yesterday and his mom Celynn went all out! We got to my in laws house and it was decorated so cute. They had pin the trunk on an elephant and pin the tail on the monkey and they made a really cute bean bag toss. They also decorated the coolest cupcakes, I am always amazed at how creative some people are.  Happy Birthday Charlie!

Crafts

I am now the 2nd counselor in our Relief Society, so what that means is I am over our Enrichment program! I don't have a crafty bone in my body. I like to buy my crafts at Target, pre made! Well last night we had our "Super Thursday", where we had a bunch of crafts, that the ladies could make. I must say I am glad that I have some friends that are great at making things. Thanks, to Linda, Jaime, Haley, Sara, Alaina, and Dana. All very crafty ladies that helped me by putting things together so the ladies had something to make. Sorry Sara about the ladies that didn't show up, you're treats were soooooo good! 

These were some of the bows my mom, Becky, Haley and I made, Carsyn's hair will be so cute!!

This is the bow Haley made for me, it is awesome!

These are the cute cards that Alaina helped me to make. I love them.

These are crafts I actually made at my friend Jaime's house, she and my other friend Linda own a machine that make vinyl stickers that make everything look cute! It was fun hanging out with some friends and making something I could decorate my house with. I am lacking in the Fall Decoration department.

The Men's Conference

Greg, Andrew, Brad, and Caden's hand trying to block my picture. What a little punk. :)

Nixon doing his silly face, who taught him that?

Twice a year Brad's dad calls all his boys up and says it's that time again, and they all head out to the priesthood session of conference. Of course, they are a little hesitant since it is on a Saturday night and they have things they would like to be doing, but they always end up going. Brad enjoys any time he gets to spend with his family. After conference they usually go out to dinner, this time the guys invited the girls. Our family took up one whole side of La Tapatia. Fun Times.

Fever Pitch

My husband could have starred in the movie Fever Pitch, you know the one with Drew Barrymore, and her boyfriend that was a Red Sox fanatic, that's my husband and most of the Race boys! So in honor of all the Race Boys (yes, you too Paul) Congratulations! Go Red Sox!!!!!!!!!!! 

T.V. and a Hair Cut

T.V.

How sad is it that to get my kids to stop fighting and bugging each other I had to turn the t.v. on. Wow, it is like night and day in my house right now! My kids have been constantly fighting since we got home from Caden's soccer game ( he scored 3 goals!!!). All I did was turn the t.v on and now it is so quiet and no fighting! I think Heavenly Father had a hand in the invention of the television!!

Hair Cut

Carsyn has been begging me all week to let her cut her hair. Brad is against Carsyn or me having too short of hair, so I have been hesitant on getting her hair cut. She wanted it so bad, so today I took her to a salon and she finally got a real hair cut (I usually just trim the ends). It doesn't look much different, but she is happy with it and that's what counts!

Before

The hair that got cut off.

After

Pre-School at My House

Today was my turn to  do pre-school at my house. The kids were all so good! We missed Blake, he went on a little vacation.

The kids coloring

Kaylee

Nixon

Breyson