Christmas Lights...anyone, anyone...zzzzzzzzzz!

One of my most favorite things to do this time of year is drive around and look at Christmas lights. After dinner and "America's Funniest Home Videos" (an every Sunday must) I asked the kids if they wanted to go see lights. They were so excited, they put on the pj's and away we went. There are some good ones only about 3 miles from my house, as we are driving through I say "look how neat boys, what do you think"....silence we look back Tanner is asleep and Carter is not far from conking out also, within 2 more minutes he was gone. Three snoring kids! Usually that would be a nice thing, so Todd and I enjoyed the lights in silence. We got them out of the car when we got home and Tanner says "wait, we didn't see lights yet." Needless to say he was upset, but it didn't last to long as he was out again as soon as he hit the pillow.

Holiday Spirit!

Its beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. We have definately been playing the Christmas music around our house this weekend. We had a fun holiday weekend. We went to the mall on Friday night for some holiday shopping. There was nobody in line for Santa, which was shocking. And really am I going to pay $15 just so my kids can sit on Santas lap and get their picture taken? Ummm, yeah I am! I am a complete sucker for pics of my kids. They thought that was fun. Earlier that night we went to a live nativity that our stake puts on each year. It was cool, they had Mary ride in on a real donkey. Also, since its not to cold here it was held outside. It was really cool.

When aunt Robyn was here she gave the kids a gingerbread house to decorate. We did this on Sunday and it turned out pretty good. The kids did most of the decorating, decorating plus eating a lot of candy and licking off frosting. This house may not make it to Christmas.

I just had to get a picture of Cali in these cute hand-me-down slippers from Kinnedi. They are just so darn cute.

Cali's Special Day!

December 8, 2008 Cali gets blessed. Todd blessed Cali at church yesterday, he gave her a really sweet blessing. I thought about waiting until we went to Utah, but I really just felt the need to get it done.

She looked so pretty. She wore the same blessing dress that I was blessed in. I bought her a cute blessing bracelet to wear.

Can you tell I was a little picture happy? She was just so much fun to take pics in her little dress. I just can't help but feel like she is going to grow up to fast. We really do feel blessed to have her in our family and she is such a sweet little girl!

Grandma Mons in Tucson!

Grandma Mons came into town for a visit. She spent a lot of time doing some snuggling with Cali.

We had a turkey dinner. I was lucky becuase Colleen handled the turkey. My kids loved asking what each part was that came out, ie: neck, heart, gizzard.

Tanner enjoyed reading to Grandma. He is such a sweet boy and getting better in his reading each day.

Bike riding time! Todd took Grandma and the boys for a 10 mile bike ride, LOL. Just teasing it was more of a ride around the neighborhood and back. December and we are still in shorts riding bikes, winter never felt so good.

Our neighborhood is still building houses and there are lots available so come on down!

Todd put up Christmas lights on Saturday. I'm so glad, it now LOOKS a little bit more like Christmas.

Todd and Iwent out on Friday night and the boys had a movie night with Grandma -- Kung Fu Panda!

We enjoyed having Grandma for a visit, and hopefully she had some fun just enjoying some down time from work.

My Cute Kids!!!

I am definately feeling thankful for the kids that I have been blessed with!

Tanner is really hands on with this little girl.

Cali frequently sleeps with her hand tucked under her chin like this. Sooo cute!

Thanksgiving Arizona Style!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Carter made this indian outfit at preschool.

My aunt Pam was nice enough to invite us up to Mesa to spend Thanksgiving with their family. These corn on the cob creations were on each plate. Pam's daughter-in-law Annie/Martha Stewart made them for everyone. Inside was candy, crayons and coloring books.

My boys had a blast in the backyard with Kristyn's girls. I feel a little guilty that I didn't see much of them that day, I'm glad they had fun though.

Aunt Pam holding Cali. I think my picture of Uncle Roy got deleted. He was so nice, Cali was fussing and he held her until I finished eating and he heated up his dinner in the microwave. I felt terrible that he didn't sit down to eat it hot. What a nice guy!!! Thanks again for having us, it was nice to be with family on Thanksgiving.

PIE TIME!!! I really missed making pies with my sistas this year. I flew solo. I did put Cali in her bouncer and put her next to me, so I guess it was kind of girl bonding time.

I made 7 pies this year (2) chocolate, (2) banana cream, apple, cherry, and pumkin. And yes its my once a year feel like Martha Stewart day. Pie crust from scrach and all that implies: messy kitchen, full sink and dishwasher and two flour smeared aprons.

The only helping Carter was interested in was licking the beaters, and don't think he didn't rub that in when Tanner got home from school.

Eating pie outside on Thanksgiving, that's a first for us!

Carter playing in the leaves, this wouldn't happen in our Tucson though, there are no leaves to throw.

...more pics of Ruby in Tucson

This was after church on Sunday. Tanner couldn't wait two mintues to get out of his "monkey suit" so he's MIA in this picture.

Here's Ruby making us a stuffed french toast breakfast Saturday morning, and talking to Tyler letting him know that they need to move to Tucson. Ahhh, I wish!

Carter's airplane ride.

Tanners airplane ride. Ruby I'm surprised we didn't send you home with a backache.

Ruby visits the warm state of Tucson!

Robyn came to Tucson for a visit. She left her kids with Tyler in Iowa and flew out solo. First thing she did was get ahold of Cali. I was excited that she got to meet our new little arrival!

What did we do while she was here? Well we shopped like crazy, went through some model homes, and went for some drives. We also went to the movies, which one did we see again, ummm....TWILIGHT!!! It was good, I would like to see it again so this time I wasn't worried about which parts they skipped. Plus we talked a ton, so much in fact after she left I had no more voice. We also celebrated my birthday while she was here. We went to an authentic mexican restaurant where they made fresh salsa at each table. Robyn also took me to my favorite restaurant...Olive Garden for lunch.

We went for some walks in the sun. Yes, 70 degree weather in November.

BYU fans may not want to continue. Todd had some guys over from the ward and from work to watch the game. Thanks to Robyn for showing me how to feed men during a football game.

Even Cali has been enlisted as a Ute fan, here she is saying "GO UTES!"

My boys LOVE their aunt Robyn. She spoiled them rotten while she was here. Each morning she put a wrapped gift in their room. She spent time playing games, going to the park, giving airplane rides, and just talking and laughing with them. Carter had himself a little meltdown the day she went home.
Tanners highlight was playing baseball at the park. As you can see half the time we were looking for the balls that went into the desert.

Robyn showed me how to make my Cali some cute headbands. Thanks Robyn for all the fun we had, now onto the next task of talking your family into moving to Tucson.