Christmas

Batman AKA Riley

Russ on the Razor scooter with the batman wings. He loves the scooters. So cute.

Riley asked Santa for Batman and transformers--that's what he got.
Reesie buried in her presents.

She had the most fun with the paper.

Raegan asked Santa for a computer and Barbies--that's what she got.
Riley got a computer too.

We had a great Christmas. It was fun to have Russ's sister Rochelle here with her 3 boys--Tanner, Hunter, and Mason. This was her first visit to Arizona and we hope she had a good time. The kids got what they asked for from Santa. I loved watching their faces as they opened their presents. Randal got guitar hero for the wii--which I have to say is the whole families favorite new pass time. THANKS SANTA!!!

Dance Review

Raegan is defiantly going to be a natural at dance. She loves music, singing, and dancing.

I'm dancing and I love it.

Look at me I'm a ballerina.

"I can't believe I have to be up here with all these girls"

Well, last night was the BIG dance/tumbling review. Raegan's class went first and let me tell you--she is a natural on stage. She did not mind it one bit. She did her moves wonderful, she smiled, and waved, she did not seem nervous at all. Hunny Boy on the other hand--he DOES NOT like to be in the spot light. He gets sooo nervous. He did a great job remembering all of his moves and where to go. He really likes tumbling. He just doesn't like others to watch him--can you blame him I would be peeing myself all over the stage. So, I am feeling so sad tonight because as I was watching the performance on my very nice and still brand new (I have had it for 2 years and used it that many times) video camera so I could down load it on my computer. I watched Reagan's and it was so cut--again. Then I was waiting for Riley's performance to start and it never did. I missed the whole thing. I did get some great shots of my jeans and shoes. I guess when I thougt I turned it off the first time I didn't and it kept recording--so when I went to push record for Riley I actually turned it off. HOW SAD!!! I can't believe I did that. I really wanted him to watch it to see how good he did. I thought that would give him a little extra self-esteem. I know I'm a terrible mom---Riley, I am so sorry bud, but you did do a FABULOUS job. I am so proud of them both for all the practice they did. It was so fun to watch them and be so proud of them. They will both start dance again in Jan. Raegan wants to do ballet/tap. She will LOVE that. Riley will do tumbling again. Thanks Becca and Sherry for the use of your shorts--I appreciate it:)

8 month big girl

I know it is impossible to believe but Reese just turned 8 months old. She is such a fun baby and OOOHHH so cute. She has been a bit grouchy due to her getting her first two bottom teeth. She rolls over like a champ and is starting to realize that if she keeps rolling in one direction she can get where she wants. She is a bit confused on the steering thing but that will come. She sits up but is a little wobbly still, but she gets better everyday. She weighs 17 pounds and eats EVERYTHING. Her favorite is rice cereal mixed with any kind of baby food. She LOVES daddy's protein shakes and bars. She is a HUGE MAMMA'S GIRL. She has to know where mommy is at all times. She holds her arms out to me whenever she sees me. It is really sweet. I love being the mom:) Dr. Dewitt says it's a sign that she is a genius, because most babies don't do that until like 11 months or so (he's so nice, I know it's just because she is very spoiled). We could not imagine our lives without her sweet spirit and feisty personality. We love you Reesie.

9 great years!!!

Today is our 9 year wedding anniversary. Russ and I met on a blind date on Oct. 4th, 1999. We were introduced by a mutual friend. He took me to a BYU football game. It really was love at first sight. He was like no other guy I had ever been with. He was cute, and smart and so much fun to be around. We spent everyday together. We only dated a short 2 weeks before we knew we were supposed to be together forever. Russ came home from his mission in Sept. 1999, met me in Oct., we got engaged in Nov., and were married Dec. 17, 1999. What a wonderful husband and father he is. He is my best friend and I don't know what my life would be like without him. We love spending time together, just hanging out and being with our kids. It's crazy it's been 9 years but it has been the best 9 years of my life. I LOVE YOU BABE!!!

More crafts

So, I have seen these wood letters, and have always wanted to do something with them. I made these names with scrapbook paper and ribbon and flowers. I think they turned out pretty cute. For my niece Aleigh--sshh it's for her birthday

For Raegan--obviously--I am going to do some for Riley and Reese next--I will post when they are done.

What were my three kidos doing when mommy was "BUSY" ....

They were playing bumper cars of course:) What good kids.

Great Gift Ideas

I got this idea from Krystal's friend Kristen Christofferson. It is a shower block with a hole drilled into the side. Then you put a short string of lights into it. Add a bow and you're done. SOOO cute. We made these for the kids teachers. They are really cheap to make. The hardest part is drilling the hole. I love them.

Gingerbread man and new hats

I got the girls new hats because it is FREEZING here right now. Raegan loves her hat and wore it all around the house. As you can see in the pictures below. Reese on the other hand....didn't NOT like her new hat. "Take it off, take it off now."

Poor baby.

I like the hat just barely sitting on the top of her head. In this picture Raegan is rubbing the frosting into her hands like lotion. She will use ANYTHING as lotion.

Gingy all done. Riley is so smart he thought to put vanilla wafers (which were just sitting on the table) for Gingy's mouth. What a good idea. I think it is cute.

The kids love to do gingerbread men. I think they like eating the candy the most. Great job kids:0

I need a favor!!

Riley and Raegan have their tumbling program on Dec 20. They are both supposed to wear DARK shorts. Neither of them have any and it is defiantly not the time of year to buy shorts. SO, I was wondering if any who lives close to us has any DARK shorts we could barrow just for that day???? I will take very good care of them but I need them ASAP. Raegan is a size 3T and Riley is 5T (or anything in between I can get to work). Dark blue or black would both work. If you have some that we could barrow please leave me a comment and I will contact you. THANKS everyone.

Poor, Poor Baby

Little Reesie has been a little "under the weather." Well actually, we have all been pretty sick here for about 4 days now. I thought Reese wasn't going to get it--until she spiked a really high fever Friday night. She has been miserable since. She has a bad fever and won't eat (she only wants to nurse, and thank heavens she will do that.) The weird thing is that she doesn't have any other symptoms. Only a fever and she is so sad and grumpy. I know she has been trying to get her bottom teeth in and when I looked today--SHE HAS A TOOTH!!! It's just barely poking threw but it's there. I feel so bad for her. I don't know if she is sick or if this is from her teething. I hate it when she doesn't feel good. Anyways, she is 7 months old and got her first bottom tooth. It is on the right side.

Santa and putting up the TREE

On Monday night Snowflake did a big light festivity. SO for FHE we took the kids to see Santa. It was freezing and the line was so long. Both of the girls fell asleep before we got to Santa. BUT it was worth it in the end--Santa gave the kids candy:)

Reesie was NOT impressed with this weird guy trying to hold her. Gotta love this picture.

Raegan loves Santa, but she wasn't about to talk to him.

Riley had a whole list of stuff to tell him to bring for Christmas.

Then, last night we set up the Christmas tree and Christmas train. We have a fake tree this year and last year. I actually like it because my kids can't stop touching it.

Hunny Boy

Cute kids!! I love them.

Helping daddy with the train.

Watching the train for an hour.

And we're back

We got back from California Sunday night (or should I say Monday morning). We had a great time while we were there. Here are a few pictures from our fun Holiday.

Of course we made time to go to the beach. Reesie loved it so much...can you tell. This is such a sweet picture of her asleep on daddy. Beautiful Raegan--not wanting her shoes to get wet or dirty. Good luck babe.My kids absolutely love going to the beach. It is a favorite of ours when we visit grandma.

This was Reese's first time at the beach. I hope she remembers it:)We saw sea lions. They were sleeping. It was really cool.We ate, and ate, and ate. We ate so much we couldn't keep our eyes open.We went shopping--another favorite. They have outlet stores very close to grandma's house. Here is Reese shopping. We didn't buy this hat--but mommy wanted too.This is when we went to Avila Farm. It is a petting farm. It is really fun. They have animals, gift shops, and an ice cream shop.

Last but not least we saw LOTS, and LOTS of cousins. This is just a small handful that was there. Willie, Thomas, Riley, Tanner, and Raegan. The boys out numbered the girls. There was in total 17 cousins--WOW. What is scarier is 14 of those were under the age of 5--YIKES!!! Grandma's house was very LOUD!!!

On Sunday we got to go to church and Russel gave baby Sawyer a very special blessing. We love our family and the time we get to spend with them. See you all next time.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

We are headed to California tonight. We are going to drive as far as we can while the kids sleep. We will spend Thanksgiving with Russ's family. Not excited for the LONG drive with cranky kids, but I am excited to see new baby Sawyer and family. We hope every one has a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving.

Here are a few pictures from Riley's Thanksgiving program they had today. It was a really cute program. These are NOT good pictures, but the best I had. He was a pilgram. He is on the front row and has a D-Backs shirt on. The kindergarten teachers did a really good job.

GOBBLE TILL YOU WOBBLE!!!

LoOk WhAt I dId!!

I made my own bread from scratch for the first time. I didn't even use my bread maker. HA! I'm so excited. I never thought I could make bread, but I was really ambitious today...so here it is. It is so good (and pretty easy) that I am going to make it more often.

Randal turns 15!!!

He wanted a chocolate, chocolate cake with strawberries. It was FABULOUS!!

Watch out ladies one more year and he will be all yours----NOT!!! He can't date until after his mission. We had a little party on Tuesday. He had some friends over and they played the wii.

HaPpY BiRtHdAy RaNdAl!!!