Santas List, Tanners been a little naughty!

So I know I have told this to a few people already, but for journaling purposes I am recording it. It is a must remember.

On Saturday I was driving the boys to see "Princess and a Frog" with friends, plus lets be serious I really wanted to see it.

Anyways, Tanner says to me:

"Mom, I found a list."

Mom: "What kind of list?"

Tanner: "Well, I think it might have been a Christmas list."

Note: I keep my present list in the middle of a notebook that nobody ever, ever uses. And I must have left it in the car.

Mom: "Where was it!"

Stomach DROP, CRAP he found THE LIST!!!! Ok, stay calm.

Mom: "Ok, did you read it."

Tanner: "Ummmm, yeah but I don't remember what was on it."

Mom: "Tanner I will know in my heart of heart if you lie to me, so just tell me."

Tanner: "It said I was getting a BB Gun, a backpack, a dvd player and I think that's all I can remember."

WOW! I can threaten, take everything back and start over, but seriously that would be a ton of work it was hard enough the first time! Think, Think, Think, I know....

Mom: "Tanner that list was an approved list that moms sometimes leave for Santa Clause, but now maybe I will not be leaving a list."

Tanner: "No mom I really want all those things."

Luckily he doesn't remember Carters list of things, so Carter will still be surprised. And thankfully Santa's identity has not been compromised in the least, not even a suspicion. Nice save mom!

Note: Next year I will keep better track of THE LIST!

No longer a girl in her twenties! ...and Thanksgiving!

That is right. I just had my 30th birthday!! And "yes" it does feel as old as I thought it would.

To start my day off my sister-in-law Robyn sent me a huge box. Inside were pictures and corresponding gifts to things we had done along with a present for each. She spoiled me rotten, thanks Ruby.

I had some good friends take me out to lunch, "Sauce," need I say more, yum!

We went ot Olive Garden for dinner (my favorite). We had some friends come with us and afterwards we went and seen New Moon. It was fantastic. Todd was a good sport and I think he really enjoyed it, not that he will admit that.

During the film, we could hear girl giggling around the theater. I would nudge Todd and whisper, "can you hear them, gees," to which he would respond, "Jess you sound just like them." To which I would gasp and giggle some more. Sooo ridiculous.

Thanks to all my family and friends who sent cards and called me on my special day, that is also my favorite part of my birthday.

THANKGIVING

We went up to Mesa to my aunt Pams for Thanksgiving. She was so gracious to invite us.

Yeah for second cousins! My kids have so much fun when they get together with these kiddos.

Thanksgiving is not quite complete without the traditional pie making.

Aunt Pam has a special place in these kids hearts, she really takes the time to make them feel special.

With a four wheeler rides you can see why she's my kids favorite.

No Thanksgiving break is complete without a small cleaning project. The kids helped me clean out the backyard, small as it may be. They pulled Cali around for an hour, and if they stopped for even a second she would let out a screech.

Tanners 8th Birthday and more...

Turning 8 is a big deal so Tanner started off his birthday year with a bang!

I let him invited his school class and a few other friends. When I mean a few, a few being 30 kids showed up. It was all good though, plently of fun to go around.

I had some awesome moms stay and help me, a huge thank you ladies.

We rented an extra large bounce house, Cali got to play in it for the first bit until kids started showing up.

November weather was perfect 83 degrees with a slight breeze. Sooo nice!

In Tanners opinion presents being the best part.

We filled a huge pinata. The guy at the store told me it takes an average of 45 minutes to get this thing open. Um, I belived him why, it maybe took all of 10.

The birthday boy got the last swing in, batter up!

Mad dash to the candy.

I hand made cupcakes the night before, but I was coming down with a cold and I didn't think kids would like a cupcake with a side of sniffles so I called ol' Walmart that morning and waala!

What a handsome boy! He really is a great addition to our family, I couldn't ask for a more loving and caring son. As for Todd and I, we must be getting old if we have a son who turned 8. That is what Todd has always said, "your not old til you have an 8 year old" Wow, that came fast!

SOCCER SEASON

Carters second time playing soccer, he really enjoyed this season. He had some friends on the team so he enjoyed seeing them each week.

Carter on the move. We had big plans for our second son, Carter being quite agressive in our home. Come to find out he's a bit timid out there. I think the best is yet to come.

Something seemed to click with Tanner this season of soccer. He was the star player on his team and very fun to watch. After one of his games he said "Mom why was everyone yelling my name, how do they know my name?" Ah finally Todd and I proudly say "that's our son." I gotta say from experience its much more fun on this side of the fence. I'm sure it will vary from each sport they choose to play.

This past weekend we made our way into Pheonix. Todd sat for the CFP (certified financial planner) test. We stayed at the Marriott in Mesa. We went and had a good visit with Aunt Pam and their favorite second cousins.

We went for a walk around the temple grounds and toured the visitors center while Todd took a 2 day 400 question long test.

I love the temple grounds, very weird seeing flowers still in November.

They had nativities on display two of which were from Poland, so we had to snap some pictures.

And.....one from Russia, there you go Trent, that pic was for you........enjoy!

Coyotes!

So at 2 AM this morning I wake up as I hear Tanner run across to our room. (I swear I have sensitive ears when I hear my kids get out of bed)

Tanner: "Mom I can hear the coyotes howling."

Me: "Really" (but really thinking are you kidding me you woke me from a dead sleep for this)

Tanner: "You have to come to my room to hear them."

Me: "OK"

Sure enough they were howling and giggling like nobody's business.
At this point he is a little scared to go back to sleep, and I don't blame him those things are loud on that side of the house.

After explaining that his bed was the only one he would be occupying, he was a little bummed but then he had a great idea. "Let wake Dad up and have him come and hear them." I honestly don't think Todd would have appreciated that. In fact I recounted our evening this morning and he was shocked I got up to hear them.

Just another subtle reminder that we are no longer in Kansas, I mean Utah.

Happy Halloween!

Started out the evening before with some homemade carmel apples. Yum!

We had the neighborhood boo tradition going around. My boys love leaving the treat, ringing the bell and running like um fast...

I got to go to Tanners class that day and help with the Halloween party. I have to add my two cents in here. We couldn't call it Halloween party we had to call it a "Bat Celebration," and the kids couldn't dress up for school. That is just RIDICULOUS! My favorite party of halloween is going to the school and watching the parade. Tanners teacher said it the principals call and people need to voice there opinion of dressing up to her. His teacher agrees with me that is is nothing short of ridiculous. I will be voicing my opinion next year.

The night before we had our ward Halloween party. As a memeber of the activities committee we decided to have it outside. It would have been perfect if it would have been a few degrees warmer, but it still turned out great.

This is my heaven sent friend Jackie. She has a special bond with Cali and has been sweet enough to watch her for me on several occasions.

Carters pumpkin.

Tanners pumpkin.

On to the trunk or treat. This is not my trunk, my trunk was not this decorated, but as with every other year I swear next year I will not sit in an empty trunk and hand out candy I will decorate mine next year.

My friend Rebecca loaned me this ad-or-able dorothy costume. (thanks Rebecca)

Tanner the transforming optimus prime and Carter as Bumble Bee.

We got together with some of our neighbors and had a potluck dinner. The night before I dressed up as Elizabeth Swan (pirates of the Caribean), but Halloween night I took out the 'ol leather pants and boots with bright pink lipstick and went as a rocker. Todd is like rambo or something that looks cool on a bike.

He took out the bike and had to have a picture with us on it.

If only we really were this cool.

As he was taking it home, Denise jumped on the back and asked for a ride around the block.

We got in a lot of trick-or-treating and it was a great night. Needless to say I have eaten way to many candy bars.

I am giving my leg one more week to heal and then I would love to start walking 2-3 miles in the morning right after the bus picks up the boys, about 8:25. If anyone is interested in walking with me let me know.