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?

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.