Brothers

My boys are so fun to watch and listen to..."J" was never meant to be an only child. When we told him that we were going to have Mr. C , he was so excited for a sibling.

Now fast forward to Mr. C one year old and "J" five, with such an age difference and very different personalities they are buddies and it is very obvious they care so much for each other. Today, while I was busy taking down Christmas I heard something similar to this: " 'C' I am so glad you are my little 'brover...I sure love you,'" "J" said as they were playing happily giggling on the floor playing with Mr. C's new ball. Even if they are on different levels of development and ages they can play together or they can play with separate things in the same room and just really enjoy each other's company. These things are such joys to my heart! To see my two boys such buddies and to see "J" so thoughtful and kind to his younger brother, it makes me so happy as a mom! I love how "J" treats Mr. C and I love how Mr. C looks so lovingly and happily at his older brother.

I am not bragging as a mother as if it is something I have taught but just sharing with you the quality of spirits I have been given to my care... it is nothing from me, they have always just had a sweetness about them. I am so thankful kindness is an expression in my home right now, I am so keeping my fingers crossed that it will continue!

I love how they are both reaching out happily for each other in this pic as they go to hug!



Rubbing noses!

"J" teaching Mr. C how to pass.

Twas the Day After Christmas...

Twas the Day After Christmas and this girl is still in her jammies!! Ahhhh(sigh, sigh)....I am soooo tired but so blessed and so happy! We had a lot of fun and I feel seriously so blessed and yes as you can imagine my sweet hubby and boys spoiled me!

Our Christmas was a unique new adventure as we celebrated our first away from the "Land of Milk and Honey" and our dear dear extended family on both sides. We invited the Sister Missionaries to our little country celebration and their sweet spirits added such a finishing touch on a new kind of Christmas for our family. We made certain some traditions from our extended family Christmas happened and we made new ones happen as well. One large stretch from the old traditional Christmas was the Christmas feast...turkey and Christmas ham were not found on our table...rib eyes and shrimp filled our bellies and the sister missionaries too! After a large breakfast and a large dinner I was so tired from cooking unwrapping presents and doing dishes I didn't mind at all the quiet once the kids had gone to bed and the sisters had left for their apartment. Hubby and I finished off the night by snuggling on the couch, the soft Christmas lights setting the Christmasy mood, and the movie White Christmas.

What a Christmas! What memories and when it is all said and done at the end of the day, I had a wonderful Christmas because I had forgotten myself and served others and wanted happiness for others. As I reflect on the events of the month I find myself so blessed at the different true spirit of Christmas experiences that have made this Season in this new area so special and monumental to our little family. Hubby and I have been told in interviews by a stake president and priesthood blessings that we have been called to serve a mission in a unique way here and we truly believe this and anyone that tells us otherwise will be shot down flat!

I hope each of you have had such a wonderful Christmas, and know of our love for each of you. May you have health, happiness and prosperity but most importantly may you have the blessings of the love the Savior. May you know of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and may you never let anyone or anything convince you otherwise.

Enjoy a few of my favorite pictures of our fun!

One of my favorite photos of my little bug!
EVERYTHING goes in his mouth-EVERYTHING-but this time he scored and got something good!

"J" was so excited! Christmas is so much fun with kids! Hubby and I just love being parents, especially to these awesome boys!

Yes, this was on Christmas Eve otherwise our presents wouldn't have lasted wrapped that long because of Mr. Mischief!

These beautiful, sweet girls were such an added joy to our holiday celebration. We picked out small gifts for them and thought that we were so clever to surprise them with gifts. The thought never crossed our minds they would get us a gift too...let alone such a special, priceless gift that will be added to our family Christmas memories forever...

Here it is a glass Christmas Ornament hand made by a craftsman in our town, marking our first Christmas here. JUST PRICELESS! Thank you Sisters!

Thanks to all that sent such wonderful cards, wishes and presents to us! We love you all!

Merry Christmas!

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!

So it is tradition to do the nativity at my parents family Christmas in the "Land of Milk and Honey." I am usually the director and my creative talents have become legend in the my mom's family tradition of the nativity. Some of my creative juices have produced the brightest Angel of the Lord this side of the Mississippi River. I have been so busy baking and doing Christmas goodies for my Christmas plates (and every time I think I am done someone brings us another treat plate and I have to make another)...making a list and checking it twice...secret Santa...and not to mention cleaning cleaning cleaning, that I couldn't figure out how to get it all in. Even though I am away this year from beloved family celebrations in the Land of Milk and Honey, the show had to go on! "J" is getting to the age where this stuff is right down his alley so I just had to for him and I wanted to make an impression on him what Christmas is truly about...not the ribbons, bows, pretty presents, the perfect Christmas tree, Christmas goodies, no it is about the Babe born in Bethlehem, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Obviously I was short kids so I called my friend yesterday at noon and told her I just had to continue the tradition and when would it work in her schedule for her kids to participate so we had enough to do the Nativity, plus she had a little girl perfect for the part of Mary. It was decided the only time it would work was last night, December 23rd, at 6:00 p.m. I only had a couple of hours to prepare and Carson, the perfect Angel of the Lord, was still asleep and missed his debut, but we pressed on and pulled it off. Costuming consisted of my sweaters due to a shortage of bathrobes (sure did miss mom's costumes)! So here is our best effort Christmas Pageant! Loved it! Our actors loved it and this morning when "J" came in to wake us up he didn't yell and scream that it was finally Christmas Eve but he just put his arms around me and said "Mom, thanks for doing that program, it was the best ever!" And that my friends was worth all the scrambling and schedule stretching in the world! Merry Christmas and remember the "Reason for the Season!"

Here is "J" being Joseph and "Pooh Bear" Mary.

My Comp. Barb was the narrator! And Big D and Little M the wisemen and Shepard's...they were double duty since we were short on cast! They did an excellent job changing fast from their costumes....Big D loved my fur vest that he has on to be a wiseman!

We had Janet over as a supporting audience, she found out about it about 5:00 but was excited to come!

The boys!
(Yes Jay walked through the door 5 minutes before starting so he got the cheap seats!)

Little Pammy is FINALLY Engaged!

Well it is finally official...after waiting and waiting...Ok the family didn't wait just poor little Pam! She kept wondering and wondering when he would pop the question....we all knew it would be just a matter of time. She is the last and final person to get married in the family, yep my parents are done. I won't share with you what my dad wanted to do when she finally got engaged but for those of you who know my dad, good ole' Lar, you can let your imagination be your guide! ; )



Here is a pic of the ring since that is all she sent...no not even a picture of her and her fiance'. It sounds like it is going to be March 13th BTW.

Congrats Pam and welcome to the family Ryan!

In the famous words of the Griswald's...

"It's a BEAUT Clark!" Here is our Christmas tree finally!

It has taken 3 days and several tears and new purchases in order to complete.

"J" mounting upon hubby's shoulders...looks like "J" has a death grip on hubby's neck! Great choke hold son! So we started decorating Tuesday night...

"J" always helps with the placing of the star, except we usually have a taller tree and we have to use our ladder which he seems to prefer over hubby's shoulders.
He was really nervous to let go and place the star.

Still nervous...OK just freaking out a little...

Much better but by then hubby had lost all patience, I think his shoulders were tired of holding a 60+ pound screaming and freaking out 5 year old...all in the name of tradition! Hey at least we have some fabulous pics we can laugh about one day!

Time for the ribbon around the tree, "J" really took charge and helped with everything. He didn't mind the helping once his feet were back on the ground!

Here is the sad part...notice the lament floor in the pic ( : ( ) I HATE LAMENT FLOORING!!!! As soon as we started putting on the glass balls that have been a part of our Christmas trees for over 6 years as usual some would fall off if not fastened properly... no problem with carpet below but with this awful floor each ball crash splatted into a million pieces! Many of them old and with memories! I was so sad but more mad...at myself for not thinking that the hard floor below would be a nightmare for the glass bulbs. We hurried to grab the remaining ones off and put them away....off to purchase all new "shatter-proof" balls the next day.

So finally Thurday night we got her all decorated lights on...Mr. C in bed so he can't destrub it yet...Auhhh...it is Christmasy beautiful....let the Christmas story reading and Christmas movie watching snuggling next to our REAL Christmas tree memories begin!

One last pic, of my holiday decorating...my holiday houses...finished that last night too...only took me 2 weeks to finish!

O Christmas Tree!

Since we live in our builder's spec home until ours is finished and this spec home has lament floor in the living room, I have been very very hesitant to purchase our traditional real Christmas tree. As many of you know, either the hard way or have heard, lament flooring and moisture, water or anything wet, is so not good for the floor. It buckles and get distorted and doesn't go down after it is dry. So we have held off as long as possible in purchasing our Christmas tree this year. I figured that we could just put it up in the stand without water and let it die BUT we had to wait until it was closer to Christmas so that we had it in here only a few days. Well on our way home from our weekend travels I noticed trees are becoming more and more scarce. So last night for Family Home Evening we went out in search of the Pilgrim Christmas tree. With Mr. C bundled like the poor little brother off the Christmas story, Randy, and "J" able to move but just as bundled, in -15 weather we went to the local nursery hoping the selection wouldn't be too picked over.

As luck would have it, all trees were seriously marked down, I had no idea since I always have to purchase our tree the day after Thanksgiving so that we can enjoy its splendor more fully and when you purchase the day after Thanksgiving you pay full price. The lady at the nursery was trying to make deals with us and made a deal on a fake tree that had hubby ready to buy fake. He absolutely doesn't not enjoy messing with a real tree...I don't know if it is because one year it feel on him, "J", and our new baby Mr. C or maybe it was the year that I had to purchase two and both died with 15 days left before Christmas (I did get a deal on both, though) and I had to run out and buy another, undecorate and then re-decorate or if it was the time that stinky water spilled all over our apartment carpet and he had visions and dreams of our sizable deposit going for new carpet and the hours spent scrubbing and cleaning so that we didn't lose our deposit or maybe it was the mess they caused as he had to haul it outside or the frustration that came with having to trim his own tree for the last 6 Christmas' until we finally discovered Home Depot trims and wraps the trees for you for no additional cost or possibly it was the frustration of having to cut your tree into "garbage man friendly" pieces before the city- underpaid- over -worked garbage man would pick it up and haul it off...who knows what his reasons are but he really doesn't enjoy getting a real tree. So it was tempting to get a fake with the deals the nursery lady was giving us but "J" our 5 year old persisted and was very insistent on a real tree for Christmas and he had his heart set on it and nothing could convince him otherwise. (I was rather proud of his negotiation skills).

So without further ramblings here is our Christmas Tree for 2008:

Here it is Christmas tree 2008!!

"J" had other plans for another tree!
He thought this one is so cute and that it should go home with us too!
Sorry only one for us this year!

HELP!!!

OK, so I don't usually do two posts in one day BUT I am in need of help... and since I have absolutely THE most creative friends and fam in the whole world I am asking for some of your brain power to help jazz up my poor wit. Here is what I need help on...We are doing a Secret Santa for a cute little family here and I need ideas. Day one we did 100 Grand Bars and yesterday I did two Christmas towels (yes Audrey from the mini bazaar), tonight I am doing 3 coloring books and that is where I could us your help! I need some fun, cute, and cost effective ideas. HELP!

A few of my favorite things...

I am seriously so blessed! My birthday was a few days ago, thanks to all the well wishes and phone calls and e-mails! I was absolutely spoiled by my guys! Hubby and the boys whisked me away to a nearby city for some shopping with birthday money from Mom and Dad and Hubby and the boys and then off to my absolute favorite....Olive Garden for dinner! It was such a nice day, 60 degrees nice, and the outdoor shopping center had all my favorite places to shop! I took some fun pictures in the decorated splendor only to discover that I didn't have my card in the camera and so I cannot download the pictures from my camera unless I have my cords...and since I can't find the cord in the 100+ boxes that are still packed until our new house is done I can't post those fun pics! So I found pictures of some of the presents I received/purchased...

My little sis gave me some fun and very cute Rocket Dogs and a very cute Bumble watch! My sister Kris gave me a very cute sweater and jewelry, which I wore to my shopping extravaganza!

Here is a picture of the new slippers I got! Love them! Except mine are pink!

I got my sweater from J.Jill!


And this very warm, cute fur lined jacket!

Topping the shopping trip off with my favorite stuff ravioli's from Olive Garden!

Mmmmm...my birthday cake!

I also got to go through a temple session with 3 ladies in our Branch that were getting their endowment out! It was such the icing on the cake. We have all been working so hard to help our Branch to grow and it was soooo neat to be a part of such a wonderful experience in these sweet sister's lives.

Later that night after I was in bed when my sweet hubby brought me two more gifts, a basket from Bath and Body with their peppermint line for Christmas and a Yankee Candle! What sweet gifts that seriously impressed me! However, the best present ever was getting some wonderful quality time in with my hubby and boys, creating Christmas memories and enjoying one another!

Mom...I have changed my mind....

OK so I have heard stories but yet to have experienced it. Mom always said and Angie too that as kids get closer to Christmas they start seeing other things and change their minds... WELL it happened here! : ( I know, I know you are thinking that "J" will change his mind again BUT he has been talking about it for two weeks now and mentioned it before Thanksgiving but Santa's sleigh had been filling up before that. Hubby has a tender heart for his little kiddo's wishes and dreams and he decided to start searching during Thanksgiving. To our dismay he discovered these $19.00 ships are sold out everywhere and going for more than they were worth on ebay, even triple the cost. So we pushed on and purchased other things. Since then he has been asking for this one ship in particular EVERY single day.

So on our hour and a half drive yesterday, to approve our kitchen cabinets, our conversation went something like this: "Mom I really really want the yellow Anakin Skywalker Starfighter." And then I say, "Well put it on your Easter basket list." That has always been a cure all for his wishes, I have him make lists, soon he forgets about most of them and moves on to bigger and better stuff. This time he persisted and I say "Well honey dad has been looking for it and no one can find it, so it will have to wait until Easter when they come back to the stores." Then he says "Don't worry mom, Santa will find it." (Sigh and a BIG FAT UGGGG!) Then I respond "but I think Santa's sleigh is packed for you bud." "Well mom, he can still switch stuff," as if I was so clueless as to how Santa works!

So today I got on the computer, thinking if I find it that is exactly what I will do, switch stuff. We already have him a Starfighter, we can take that one back tomorrow at Toys'R US and get this one IF I can find it, IF! My current mode of shopping is on the computer, since I now live in rural USA. I searched and search. I even went to ebay and they had one, and it was going for $30+ and I am not going to ever pay that much for one of those ships not even if it meant he didn't get what he really wanted, a little of my Aunt Ruby's blood coming out in me. Finally I was giving up all hope and I returned to ebay one last time to type in the search again but this time I changed the description for the search and I found 4!!! One was a "Buy it now" and it was for under the $19 price and shipping was sooo cheap! I purchased it right away and had to double check myself to make sure I got the right thing! What a Christmas Save! Now I just hope it doesn't get lost in the mail! (by the way this is not an advertisement for ebay).

I know this may seem silly in the grand scheme of things but it is a big deal to my little guy and so it is a big deal to me!

Exhibit A: The Culprit of Christmas Stress! AKA Red Rider Bee-Bee Gun ; )
Anakin's yellow Starfighter!

Winter Wonderland

Well if Santa needs a white Christmas to get his sleigh here, we have it! It snowed and the wind blew, we had ourselves a mini-blizzard last night. J woke up and was ready, oh so ready, to run and play in the snow. He comes in only long enough to warm up and go back out! When I was little I too loved playing in the snow and have many great memories with my siblings of sledding and playing on the farm in the "Land of Milk and Honey." I am so glad that just maybe my kids will get to experience that same old country life of snow and fun!

J started with a snow angel and then worked on making a mess of the new fallen snow...

Bundled like the poor kid off Christmas Story!

Little ole' me in the Land of "Milk and Honey" proudly standing by my snowman! Oh what fun!

Dad on Poe (short for his papered name) taking us through the white and drifted snow...via sleigh...with a lasso tied to the saddle horn of his saddle! It was so much fun and a wonderful memory. Dad always had the greatest ideas that made some of funnest childhood memories!

We've Elfed Ourselves!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Mean People Stink!

So while I was out stimulating the economy on Black Friday. My hubby went out to a couple of stores with the boys later in the morning. While in Walmart hubby got distracted by our very busy and demanding 5 year old and when he turned back to the cart he noticed the very cute hat Mr. C was wearing was no longer on his head. Since it is a HUGE favorite of mine and hubby's he looked all over only to discovered the cute hat had been lifted by a stranger...yes plucked right off the head of my little cute Mr. C! : ( I am absolutely angered by this but thankful Mr. C wasn't plucked from the cart too, he is far more valuable than a silly hat but still really bugged someone would steal a hat!

Picture of the hat Mr C. was wearing the morning of the heist!

While home, in the Land of Milk and Honey, as hubby lovingly calls it, we were treated like Kings at both parents houses and were so happy to see dear family and friends. We celebrated Mr. C's Birthday and I did get some great shopping time in. I was also so thrilled to get to see my mom's siblings and to hear of their latest travels. I had been so looking forward to the award winning DVD's they put together of their trips. However, the showing happened Friday night after Black Friday shopping and I was so spent that my eyes were burning and I could hardly stay awake. I use to be able to do this during my college days! Boo on getting older!

Be sure and check my family's recipe blog...we are doing more contests!!!

Enjoy the pics of our trip home!

Watch out Chocolate Brownie, J, has a new love, "Little Ann" as J calls her.

J trying to be brave as Pop gets the halter on "Little Ann."

J very carefully leading around the new pony!

Trying to teach him to be tough, even though inside he is so nervous!

Cousin Peyts is a natural!

Mr. C meeting his little friend Luke for some lunch fun!

Mr. C's Birthday Cake! Lightening McQueen! Thanks Mom and Kris!

Mr. C at Gummy and Grammy's (hubby's parents) opening his loot!

My sweet little Birthday Boy!

Mr. C's first car, Lightening McQueen!

Make a wish!

J got to open his Christmas present from hubby's parents and bros and sisters early. He didn't seem to mind it was early in the Season!

A new fan of 4-wheelers! We couldn't get him off it!

J has been back-seated by brother! He still loves to ride, even if his view wasn't the best!

J couldn't get enough of the horses. He was standing next to Chocolate Brownie, his horse, but I didn't get it in the picture!

The boys with Gramps, Mr. C was named after my grandpa!

This is not some random mistake of a photo. This is a picture or a try at a picture of the storm we were in. It was so bad we had to turn around and stop at the nearest town and stay in a hotel. I was so thankful we got to a hotel safely!