Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

We received a surprise phone call from Mickey Mouse the other night. He told the kids how excited he was to see them at Disneyland next week! What, who, when , where, really...us???? The kids were so excited they did a celebration dance in the living room! And then they danced some more.
So, we handed out all the fun stuff the resort sent for the kids.

Boy were they excited!
The trip to Disneyland has been a tough secret to keep. Robert and I have had the trip planned for some time. I wanted to wait until Friday to tell them, but Monday night Robert couldn't wait any longer. I honestly don't know who is more excited, the kids, or me and Robert. We went two years ago with Payton and Avery and had the best time. We truly felt it was the happiest place on earth! We can't wait to go again, and are excited that Owen will be with us too, this time. We are anxious for three full days in the park enjoying the fun together as a family! So, today will be spent packing and getting reading, and then we leave first thing in the morning! Oh, tomorrow couldn't come soon enough! Disneyland........here we come!!!!!!!!!

Thanksgiving

We ate way too much....
Made some sweet crafts....
Played a little football....
Took a wild airplane ride....And a little snoozer....

Loved baby Grant....

And....crashed hard!

It's hard to believe Thanksgiving has come and gone! We enjoyed the day cooking, eating, relaxing, playing outside, watching football, making crafts, visiting, napping, movie going, and most importantly........spending the day with LOVED ones.....and for all that.....and MORE......I am THANKFUL!!!!!!!

Twilight

Finally----the wait is over. I saw Twilight last night with a group of friends. We were all giddy and anxious to see the show! I think the consensus over dessert afterwards was....

WE LIKED IT!!!!!

So, who did you dream about last night?!

Bringing Down the Wolf Pack

We made it to the Biggest Little City in the World Friday night. It was a long drive, but having the Chapmans with us and getting my Christmas shopping done on-line while we drove, made the trip fun AND productive! After 7 hours of driving we arrived starving. We found an awesome buffet in one of the hotels. Afterwards we tried our luck at the nickel slot machines, and I won $80! Woo, hoo!!!

The Wolf Pack's stadium was a great setting nestled right down in the Sierras. The weather was warm and the sun was shining down on all the college football fans. Check out all the orange in the stands. We Broncos know how to represent!

We had great seats in the end zone. I loved being close to the field and all the action. Here's my favorite player, Jeremy Avery. When he gets the ball......watch out........he's unstoppable!
I love watching Robert get so excited. He loves college football! Watching he and Brent get into the game is always a crack up.See what I mean?!

I love these pics.! We were having such a fun time!

Oh, no.....this guy is fed up with the taunting of the "wolf pack!" He has the nerve to turn around and give them all "the finger!"There were some rumbles. There were even two men taken out in hand cuffs from scuffling after the game, and NO it wasn't Robert and Brent.......this time........kidding! I told Kim that this weekend I would unexpectedly get a glamour photo of her for her facebook shot. I am thinking this one will do!

Here we are ecstatic after the big win. The game was a little hairy at the end. Nevada had several chances to tie it, but they just couldn't connect! It would have been a MISERABLE drive home had we lost!
Who knew we Bengals would become such Broncos fans? Not us...............but it sure has been a fun ride!
We had a long night of driving ahead of us. Good thing we started the trip out right by eating at In-n-Out! The drive actually wasn't too bad. Robert was amazed I stayed awake the whole time. But, hey, I don't mind road tripping with buddies, it beats driving anywhere with the kids!

Hot Cocoa

It's 9:30 p.m. and everyone in my house is asleep. I have to stay up and grade 65 papers. I am not happy. I needed a treat. I found some hot cocoa and added coconut syrup. Yum! It has been awhile since I have enjoyed one of my very favorite things.....hot cocoa! It will be a new nightly ritual, I just know it!

Who would have thought......

...........you could have so much fun with a pair of thrift store skates? NOT MY KIDS! I found these beauties for $5 at the Good Will. I thought they were an awesome find and that my kids would have fun with them in the back yard. When I brought them home one day, to my dismay, they weren't impressed. They thought they were silly looking and had no interest.

Sunday afternoon while dad was taking a nap, I took the kids outside and talked them in to trying the skates. Payton and Avery had so much fun rolling on the pavement, that we spent the rest of the afternoon outside skating. I think after seeing his sisters take a few falls, Owen was afraid. He didn't try the skates, which was probably a good thing. Every time I aimed the camera at him he would make these weird poses and shout, "Batman", or "I am Spider-Man!" Sorry about the peanut butter cups dripping out of his mouth, it's gross I know. But the pics. cracked me up, so I had to include them! Thanks for finally trying the skates, girls. Did I know you would love them, YES?! Would this mom lead you astray..................NO WAY?!

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My New Crush

There's just something about him................................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grils Just Want To Have Fun

Kerri and I hit the mall Tuesday night. We told our hubbies we would be home by 8. Wow! Time flies when you're having fun. I didn't get home until after 11. I can't tell ya how much fun we had. We helped each other branch out! I talked Kerri into buying one of my favorite things.....HATS! She was leery....are ya kidding....look how cute she looks.....this girl was born to wear hats!

Kerri helped me branch out by sharing tips with me about one of her loves....make-up. That girl needs a part-time job at Mac because she knew more about the products and colors than the girl working there! She picked out some fun eye shadows for me. My favorite thing was learning that you can buy gel liner. It looks just like liquid eye-liner on, but it is super easy to apply. Even I can do it!This picture above is actually pretty funny. Of course, the day I have a make-over, I have a giant, I am talking giant, zit on my chin. This lady is zapping it. No joke! They have some little laser that heats it and zaps it. It hurt, my pride too, but hey, sometimes even at 34 (are you kidding me?) you get giant zits and they just need to be zapped!

So, thanks Kerri for the fun night out. I went to bed and dreamt about shopping at the mall with you! That is how pathetic my real life is. And thanks Robert and Cody for being such great dads. They took the kids to McDonalds and hung out so we girls could have some (much needed) time to ourselves!

It's Back.......

TOP CHEF!!!!

Season 5 of Top Chef, my favorite show, starts in 5 min. The slicing, dicing, whipping da icing competition is on baby!

Postrace Pitfalls

Kim talked me into running this half with her last month. We had fun training and even more fun running the race. We took it easy and just enjoyed ourselves. The course was fun and the weather was perfect. I have to say....it was one of the best races I have run. I think running with no goal or expectations is a great way to race sometimes. :)It was good to see Robert and the kids on the route. The girls jumped out and ran a ways with us.
Brent and Savannah met us too. They cheered, gave us a drink, and Savvy even ran a bit with her mom. It was pretty cute. I am sorry I don't have a pic. to post.

Good times....so much better finishing without puking, being able to walk the next day, and even the next.

So, why do I have this ugly cycle of signing up for a race, working hard, running the race, and then taking a way too long break?

The experts say.....After your big event, it's critical to NOT stop running altogether. If you do, you're likely to pack on the pounds, and you'll have to work even harder to claw your way back into shape. (Woops!)

Plan your racing schedule well in advance so you stay on track after your big finish. You'll know what's next, and won't worry, "now what?" (Oh, no...I never do that!)

Why don't I ever follow the experts advice? I am back in a rut. My jeans are too tight and my mama belly is hanging over! It's time to get going again!

MILESTONE

Owen woke up yesterday really wanting to wear "unddie wear." So, Robert put them on. I frowned and thought, "Great this is all I need right now while we're getting ready for church, an accident to clean." Owen did the potty dance and we rushed him to the toilet. He was screaming the entire way, "No, I can't do it!" We sat him on the toilet and it just came out. You should have seen the look of shock on his face. It was priceless. He did it! We all jumped for joy and danced around the house. He has worn his "unddie wear" for two days now. He even went #2 in the toilet today! I am excited Owen is finally going potty in the toilet, but one thing is for sure....all this growing up by my baby boy makes me baby hungry even more!

Wish List

My kids are having a ball creating their Christmas wish lists. I feel bad though because I know it is a lot of false hope! But, hey they can dream, right? Oh, and so can I! Santa, please bring me the black, shiny item up above. Wouldn't Pay, Ave and I have a screaming good time whizzing around town in this? Hey, girls can dream and dream we will!

Payton Ally....I love you so....

your happy smiling face...........is such a joy to look at.........you make home a lovely place!

AND SCHOOL TOO........

Robert and I went to Pay's PTC last night, and I must take a minute to tell my girl how proud I am of her. It is so important to me that she is recognized and valued for being funny, smart and kind because it seems in our society today, these values are being erased. They are replaced with idolized images that most girl's can't obtain. How sad that even our youth feel this pressure today.

Payton's teacher beamed about how careful and meticulous she did her work. She even discussed her high scores on all assignments and testing. She said she gives Pay extra work and assignments, and she is afraid she is getting bored. She asked if we would have her tested for gifted and talented. Whew! Thank heavens, Pay has her dad's smarts!

It made me so happy that Pay works hard and is doing well because sometimes she comes home sad and says her friends won't play with her, etc. I think this makes me even sadder than it does her! I know life isn't easy as a second grader, and especially as a second grade girl, because girl's can get kind of petty, but at least it seems evident she won't struggle in the academic area, at least not this year.

But, MORE importantly, her teacher said how nice, respectful and KIND Payton is to her teacher and peers. This is what makes me the most proud. I guess my every day singing of, "I want to be kind to everyone.....for that is right you see......so, I say to myself.......remember this.........kindness begins with me!" is really rubbing off on her! KIDDING........

I feel blessed to be this little girl's mother. NOT KIDDING.......She is a big-hearted, well mannered, obedient, spiritual, fun, silly, snuggly, sweet, helpful, smart, dancing, loving, girl.

So, I tell her often.....

"Payton, I am so glad Heavenly Father has sent you to me!"

I love you.................MOM

Adults can dress up too

Brent and Kim throw an annual Halloween party every year. Yes, this is the same friend who throws the kid party each year too. She is, as my husband says, a "go getter!" This year the blue dress I found at Good Will inspired an idea....so, we went with it. Robert was the lucky polygamist husband,while Jake was the head wife, and Tessa and I were the pregnant other wives. It took some coaxing to get Jake to agree with our idea, but we were happy he did because it was cheap, easy, and really fun. That's the costumes, I was speaking of....get your minds out of the gutter!

Hey, we even won "most unique costumes!"

Here's the ladies sippin' on some monster margaritas! Kim giving out more costume awards.
Here's Our bishop (in real life too) and his wife and friend Michael Phelps (a.k.a Brian)

Kip (a.k.a Audra) wins a prize too!

Brandon and Echo.....the hottest couple for sure!

Oh wait, here's the hottest couple! Brent and Lufanda (a.k.a Jeff)!

Oh, and Flavor Flave and his Medussa showed up too!

The party was a blast. We played some pretty fun games, and I have to admit, I haven't laughed that hard in a really long time. My only regret of the night was forgetting to bring my own camera! I would have had a pic. of the food table. It was decorated so neat, very spooky and ghoulish. I also would have snapped some fun photos of everyone laughing so hard that I could have sworn someone was going to wet their pants!

Good times.....hmmmm....now what to dress up as next year??????