December 27th, 2008, REALLY?

Today Dec. 27th, 2008 was 70 degrees. What is up with that? It was pretty windy but we had to take advantage of the warm temp and go to the park. It was so nice to be outside and play!

Merry Christmas!

Our Merry Christmas began at 4:30 A.M. with two little anxious souls sneaking into our room to wake us up. We told the kids 7:00 but that just didn't fly with them. We really tried to hold them back until 6:00 but they were just too excited. So at about 5:30 we started in to the living room. Ryan and I figured it was payback for all those Christmas mornings we woke our parents up at 4:00.

The kids were so cute to watch. They really did a good job of taking their time opening presents and looking and playing with each one. I have such a hard time when they just tear open each present, don't give it a second look and are reaching for the next one. So thankfully they didnt' do that this time. Lacey's favorite present was the Barbie she wanted with brown hair (we didn't know that she wanted a brown hair barbie until two days before Christmas. Thank goodness the one we had already bought did have brown hair). She was also thrilled with Little Pet Shops and a Tinkerbell Fingernail Station.

Aidan's favorite presents were Pokemon cards, Bakugan, and a Darth Vader Space ship. You know when your kids are getting older when you no longer understand their toys nor do you think they are cute. I so desperately want Aidan to still love Lightening McQueen and Little People but I have to remind myself that he is older now and has moved on.

But the best Christmas surprise and gift was to Aidan and kind of Ryan too from Ryan's brother Derek. It was an XBOX 360. Aidan's dream. What happened is Derek had bought an Xbox 360 a couple of years ago and it broke. So he ended up buying another that had some upgraded features. One night while he was talking to Ryan he realized that the old Xbox 360 was still under warranty. So they made the arrangements to send it back to the company to fix it and then give it to Aidan. We didn't think this would all happen before Christmas but somehow it did. That was the package we were waiting for on Christmas Eve that Derek and Arden so kindly overnighted to us. It seriously was such a great surprise for Aidan. He told us later that maybe Santa told Derek that he wanted an Xbox 360 and that is how he got it. I'm sure it is Aidan, I'm sure it is. Derek is king and uncle of the century to Mr. Aidan boy for fulfilling his Christmas wish.

We had such a great Christmas. I missed being with our families but completely enjoyed doing Christmas in Kentucky.

Christmas Eve

Ryan got home from work late last night and I was so happy to have him back in time for Christmas Eve. We were prepared for Christmas so we had quite a relaxing day. We were anticipating a package from Derek that was overnighted to us with a BIG present for Aidan. We were so happy that the post office worked with us and called our cell phone when it did arrive (even though it was after hours for them).

We had a great night. We always act out the nativity and read the scriptures relating the story of Christ's birth and sing songs. The kids did a great job acting out the parts. Once our family is bigger I guess we will have more characters in our nativity.

(Do you like how Lacey put her teeny in her shirt to be pregnant?)

Cutest little Mary and Joseph you ever did see? Cassidy wouldn't sit still to be the baby.

After we opened our Christmas Eve pajamas. What a cute little bunch I have!

We made some fudge and rice crispie treats for Santa then had the kids write Santa a note. Lacey made sure the reindeer had some carrots and then we attempted to put the kids in bed. It took a couple of times of putting the kids back in bed because it was too hard to fall asleep, but they eventually did.

Tradition

Ryan has a family tradition of making gingerbread houses. His whole family, I mean WHOLE family gather together to make them. A usual turn out is about 30 people and a more candy than you can imagine. It is really fun to see what each person ends up making. Ryan is very well skilled in this art. I am still learning. We kept with tradition and made our own gingerbread houses. I know it wasn't the huge festivity it is with his family but we have to start small. I was proud that we made the frosting right and that our houses turned out so well. Lacey made her own and Aidan and I worked on one together. Ryan constructed his masterpeice alone. And yes, the kids insisted that candy corns were used on their houses. It is a sad addiction they have. We had a great time and loved keeping with tradition.

Hi! from Cassidy

She just started doing this today! So adorable. We can't stop waving at her.

Official Vist to Santa

We made our official visit to Santa tonight. We debated between the mall Santa and the Bass Pro Shop Santa where you received a free photo. Well, we went for free and went to Bass Pro Shop. Very Kentucky of us, huh? I was a little disappointed because Santa was a fake beard Santa and wasn't very cute. I'm all about the cuteness so next time we will go with the mall Santa. I even caught Aidan telling Lacey that he wasn't the real Santa. He was just a guy dressing up like Santa. The kids were great though. Miss Cassidy had just woken up so I expected horrific cries out of her but she didn't. She didn't smile but she didn't scream either. Lacey asked for anything girl and Aidan asked for an X-box 360. Shoot for the stars Aidan, shoot for the stars.

Along with visiting Santa, they had other fun stuff for the kids to do. Coloring, a rifle range, archery, and a remote control truck that you drove through snow. The kids a had a great time. We wondered around the store for a bit too and Ryan then had a great time!

A Must SEE!

If you haven't seen this video, you need to. I happened to see it on the news the other night and I replayed it like 5 times and then watched it over and over again on youtube. The first time I watch it, it makes me cry. Then the next four times I laugh because she is so dang cute. Now Lacey and I mimick what the little girl says all the time . Her little voice is so cute.

The Tree

We met Ryan after work to pick out our Christmas tree. We were all very excited! I wished it was snowing and that we were cutting down our own but having it be freezing cold and picking it at a little place on the side of the road will have to do this year. We found a cute tree that looks great.

We decorated it once we got home. I don't know why I think it is going to be a glorious event with everyone humming Christmas songs and happy and sharing. Well it turns out really that I am the one decorating the tree, which is fine because I'm picky about how it turns out, but most of the time I was telling the kids to stop fighting so they wouldn't break our ornaments. The kids did try to help but there seemed to be a mass congregation of ornaments right at their level. I do love putting up the tree. I love going through all our old ornaments to remember what happened the year we bought it or what it represents. I love seeing it all come together with the touch of some bows and ribbon, thanks to my friend Jamie who taught me how to do it. But we did have an incident I got ELECTROCUTED! Do you have to die for it to be electrocuted or is that anytime you get shocked. Well, anyway, I got ZAPPED by a string of lights. I guess it was better than our tree going up in flames. But it hurt and stunned me.
The finished look
Ornaments my kids made at the primary activity. Cute huh?

We found these cool glasses at a little Christmas store here in town. You put them on to look at Christmas lights and it changes the lights into little shapes. We have heart ones for Lacey and snowmen for Aidan. I took Aidan's glasses and took a picture through them. Can you see the snowmen? Isn't that cool?
We wore these around town the other night and it was so fun to see all the different lights turn into shapes. I think they are awesome!

Santa, Cassidy, Cassidy, Santa

Cassidy met Santa for the first time tonight at the ward Christmas Party. It wasn't too bad of a meeting at first and then...the tears set in. The other kids did pretty well. Lacey said it was a pretend Santa because she didn't see his sleigh. But she does know that elves are watching her so she better be good.

There is a little smile under there!

I figured it out.

I figured it out. Cassidy's infatuation with the bathroom is the tub. She crawls straight into the bathroom over to the tub and then pulls herself up to standing. It is the perfect height for her and it probably feels secure for her to stand next to. She doesn't pull herself up with anything else really. She absolutely loves standing there. She will be in there for quite some time just standing at the tub.

Today I set up some toys for Cassidy on the floor while I took a shower. Well, she just stood at the tub and kept opening the curtain. It was so funny to see her cute little face. I tried to shut the curtain several times but she would work her way back in. She got pretty soaked but she didn't seem to care. Here are some pics after I was done to reinact the moment. Just didn't want you to think I was crazy taking pictures while I was in the shower.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving didn't really go as planned. I got sick with the flu and strep throat. I had been down and out all week. We were going to do Thanksgiving with a friend but didn't want to give them the "sickness" so we made due with what we had and made a great meal. We went to Walmart that morning to get our last items. I wanted to apologize to everyone working there and explain that I had been sick. I felt like such a loser of a woman for shopping Thanksgiving morning.

Ryan and I worked on dinner. Aidan set our table for us and both the kids made name plates for everyone. We had a great yummy turkey, Las Vegas potatoes, rolls, and broccoli salad. So other than the rolls and turkey we were pretty non tradish. Oh we did have Martinellis and toasted to everyone we could think of. Even though I was sick I think the day turned out pretty okay. It was relaxing and at our own pace. I tried to make it fun for the kids so they would know it was special too. For their dessert we made turkey oreos. FABULOUS!
We took naps, watched some movies, and even a little football slipped in and of course we watched the Macy's Parade. So all in all it was a good day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lacey's prayer

Lacey's prayer for her sick mommy:

Dear Heavenly Father,
Bless this day. Bless that we will be safe. Bless that mommy will feel better tomorrow. Bless that the Holy Ghost will come back to her heart. Bless the Holy Ghost. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen

My Quirks

Tagged:
1. I hate stuff being put on the dashboard of a car while you are driving around. I don't like seeing it there nor do I like it sliding from one side to the other while you turn corners. I hate stuff on the floor of the car too that will slide around and make noises as you drive. So if you put your mail on the dash of the car and then opened a can of tennis balls and then drove me all over town I would seriously lose my mind.

2. I can't stand it when the microwave clock reads the remaining unused seconds from the timer instead of the clock.

3. I sleep with the sleeve of a sweatshirt over my eyes every night to make it pitch black so I can fall asleep faster. I keep the same sweatshirt under my pillow. I love it so much. I don't like to wear those sleeping mask things because in case of an emergency I don't think I could rip it off fast enough. I feel like I would get all entangled in the elastic. So don't suggest any eye masks cause I love my sweatshirt.

4. I'm married to a pilot and am terrified when I fly. Imagine being scared of what your spouse does for a living. I'm not afraid for him but I am terrified when I am flying.

5. I dry off from the shower in the exact same way every time.

6. I love teeny bopper movies. One of my favs is John Tucker Must Die and can I say yes, I watch The Hills. Can't explain the love.

I tag Ashly, Alexis, and Nathalie.

Here are the rules.1. Link the person(s) who tagged you. 2. Mention the rules on your blog. 3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours. 4. Tag some fellow bloggers by linking them. 5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger's blogs letting them know they've been tagged.Can't wait to see what is goofy about YOU!!!!

Crawlin' and Cruisin'

Cassidy is officially on the go. She cruises all over. Her favorite destination? the bathroom. When she sees the door open she b-lines it to get in the door. Not sure what the infatuation is. It is fun to see her explore around and especially show up all the sudden at my feet.

Who wants to be me?

My Weekend Away

My uncle passed away last weekend after suffering from an unknown illness. I was sad to hear of his passing. My thoughts were mostly with my dad who had lost his first sibling. It is a different stage of life now and that always brings on new thoughts and feelings. When I found out when the funeral was going to be and that it was being held in Utah, Ryan and I made arrangements that I could be there. Ryan was a great support and was willing to let me go a couple of days early to have some "away" time.

I flew out of Cincinnati Thursday afternoon. I strangely walked through security by myself. It is amazing how easy it is when you don't have three carry-ons, a stroller, a car seat, 6 pairs of shoes, 4 jackets, one blanket and a diaper bag. It was a breeze compared to what I was used to doing with the kids. I sadly didn't get in first class but was happy to make it on the plane. Ironically enough, my cousin, his wife and five kids and my aunt (the wife to my uncle who had passed) were on my flight. What a small world. I sadly was seated next to a "dirty old man" (he called himself that. I am just agreeing with him). He was totally wasted and continued to drink on the flight. I tried to be nice and talk to him in the beginning but I soon realized he wouldn't stop talking and I wasn't about to let this guy ruin my peaceful flight without my kids. So I put on my headphones and ignored him. Rude I know. But this opportunity doesn't come too often.

I had a great time with my parents. I slept in the first morning and then laid in bed for an hour reading a book. I NEVER GET TO DO THAT! Friday, I was able to go to a craft fair with my mom, aunt and cousin. It was so fun. My mom and I had a blast together and she spoiled me rotten. Again, can I reiterate how nice it was not to be pushing a stroller, finding snacks, appeasing begging and silencing whining. It was just me. ME!

The funeral was Saturday. My two brothers were there and also my sister. We saw so many cousins we hadn't seen in years. Everyone referenced me as "oh you are cute little Tiffany". I thought I had grown up but oh well, I guess I will always be that little girl to most of them. It was great to hear stories about my uncle. You can't help but reflect on your life as you hear the memories of a life that has been completed. What can I do better or what do I want to be known for? What do I want my kids to learn from me? Or what do I want them remembering me doing? So many things to ponder and think about. So many.

I am so grateful to Ryan for taking care of the kids. It was so nice to be just me for a couple of days. I missed them a lot and realized so much of who I am is being their mom. I love that. I was so happy to see them again and got great big hugs from all of them. Especially Ryan!

The Bus stop ritual

I don't like getting up at 6:30 a.m. to get Aidan ready for school. Rushing around crazy getting him showered and dressed, fed, signing all the papers that need to go back to the teacher that day, and a lunch made for him. Rushing out the door in hopes to make the bus. Then walking down around the corner in the cold and sometimes rain. Not fun. I hate doing this.

But then the bus stop ritual begins. It is the same every time. When the bus comes, Aidan takes my hand and walks me across the street to where the bus is. He stops. Turns and gives me a big hug and a kiss. He then gets on the bus and I go to the other side of the street (as told to do by Aidan) to give my last waves. For the next few minutes he waves four times then shows the I love you sign then waves again. He repeats this even until the bus pulls away giving his last desperate waves and I love you signs. I in turn am doing the exact thing back to him. I love this part of my day. I love it so much. It is always sad for me to have him go but this is our way of departing and letting each other know we love each other and we will miss each other while we are a part. I love it! So waking up early and rushing around is so worth it when I get to share this bus stop moment with Aidan.