TGIF

1. Good times: coming my way for Christmas.
2. Bless my home.
3. Sleigh bells ring, you better be listening.
4. Quiet down a little.
5. Once more Parker, I am not magic and cannot make things appear.
6. What do you mean that is the end?
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to my kids going to bed ontime, tomorrow my plans include packing and Sunday, I want to be all packed and ready for my trip!

Ho Ho Ho

We visited Santa and Parker was looking forward to it. He had his list in an envelope and was ready to let Santa know about his very LONG list of wants. Addison was not sure and as you can see I have one of those kids and I was the mean mom and took a picture.

SNOW!!!!

Yes we got snow in Midland. Parker was so excited!! He woke up and was kind of sad to not be going to school (you see in Midland when it snows 2 inches they cancel school and everything closes). He was ecstatic to go outside and play. He was out the door by 8:30, and back by 9. I don't think that he expected to get so cold so fast. He sure had fun though. He made his first snowball. His favorite part of the movie ELF is when Buddy makes all those snowballs. I think he was a little disappointed when he couldn't make them as fast. He also kept saying, "it's snowing, this is so fun!!" Addison just stood at the door and wondered what was going on. I didn't want to deal with her getting cold. When we go to UT I am going to let her play. (hopefully it will snow)


Later in the day the sun came out and that is when the tears started. He was so sad that the snow was melting and he just asking why. He didn't believe me that it is supposed to melt. Every few minutes he would run to the door to make sure that the snow was still there. Tonight before he went to bed he was happy to see that there was still a little bit there and hopes that it is there when he wakes up.

Trimming the Tree

I was so excited to decorate for Christmas and Parker heard that I was putting up the tree and made me wait until he got home so that he could help. Usually I have just done it in the past (only because I don't him to break any ornaments). But this year I got all plastic ornaments (for obvious reasons) and he had lots of fun helping. The whole time he just kept saying that "It looks so pretty mom!" It was so cute. Addison had fun playing with all her new found toys and that made Parker get upset but we managed to get it decorated. After he was done he was so proud of his masterpiece.



You know what is funny is that we have redecorated that tree more times than we would like to admit and now all the decorations are on the top half of the tree. Oh the joys of a toddler.

TGIF

1. You get what you get and you don't throw a fit.
2. Dinner then right to the tub.
3. It's nap time.
4. That sounds ridiculous!
5. I feel like staying in my pjs all day.
6. No more excuses...goodnight!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to scrapbook time, tomorrow my plans include going to see Santa and Sunday, I want to spend time with the fam!

Surprise!!!

Okay one last post from our vacation. (at least I think this will be the last) My Grandpa turns 80 next month and so my Aunts thought it would be fun to throw him a surprise party. I was all for it, until they asked me to get him there. I had the hard job!! I wasn't sure what to do to get him there but I must have said something right, cause I got him there. I think he was completely shocked!! It was fun to be with everyone again and see my Grandpa in the spotlight. He has always been the quiet one. I really just did this post for all of my family that wasn't there. There were quite a few of us there but not everyone. We missed you all!!!

Thanksgiving Morning

We had the opportunity to stay with my Unlce Doug and his wonderful family during our vacation. After breakfast on Thanksgiving morning they all take bikes, scooters and their cool push cart for a walk and enjoy the wonderful day. Parker loved the push cart. Addison was not sure what to think of the wagon. We had a great time. Before we left the kids had fun in the backyard. Addison loved the hammock, and Parker got to play with Devin (his best buddy for the weekend) and he brought out the air soft gun. Parker has informed me that is going on his Christmas list.

My weird daughter

I have more pics from the trip to post but this was so funny and I had to share.
We had a rough trip back home and Addison did not love her car seat. I sat in the backseat with her and helped her, a little. At one point she grabbed the CD case and put it over her face and went to sleep. Not sure what was going on there. I thought it was a fluke until she did it 2 other times. I guess she wanted her privacy. She slept like that for almost 2 hours. I was afraid to touch her, I didn't want the screaming to start again.

Joe's BBQ

We went to lunch with my parents and brother to Joe's BBQ, they said it had the best BBQ ever. (apparently my brother has never been to TX) It was good but not as good as KD's or The Hog Pit. I will give them an A for effort. The kids really enjoyed the cookie. (except Addison, she was teething the whole week and ate like a bird.) The best part of my meal was the black cherry soda...YUMMY!!! (now that is sad I go to a BBQ place and say their soda is the best, just to give them credit they did have a yummy baked sweet potato). The cute little girls are my brother's. Aren't they adorable. They are about 3 months older than Addison.

Thanksgiving

I have been so excited for Thanksgiving. We went to Gilbert Arizona and visited my dad's family. We had so much fun!!! The drive there was not too bad. We stopped in Tucson and stayed the night with Jeff's brother. We hadn't seen them since July 2008 and that was when they got married and so I am sure you can imagine how much we actually saw them. Parker had a great time with them. Thanks Scott and Kelsey for letting us stay. Parker keeps asking when we can come back and visit. He also said that he wants to move there. The next day we traveled 2 more hours to Gilbert. On the way though we stopped at IKEA (Parker saw it from the freeway and said we had to go). I got an early Christmas gift (new dishes) and apparently Addison had her stuff all picked out. (sorry about the bad pic, it was taken with Jeff's Phone)



She was so cute. Every stuffed animal that she saw she had to have. (she wasn't too heart broken when we put them back)Parker had fun in Smaland. He LOVES that place. After our little visit to IKEA we finally made it to see some family. My parents and my youngest brother made the trek from SLC and we were able to see them as well. I was visiting so much with my family that I didn't really take that many photos of Thanksgiving dinner but there are lots from the rest of the week. I am so glad that we traveled to see my family. Thanks Doug and ShiRey for letting us stay with you. We had a blast!!!

Look what I did...

Addison is starting to get more hair and so I thought it was time we try ponytails.



You know what is funny, it took me like 20 minutes to get her to cooperate and then I thought they looked funny and so I took them out. I just couldn't stop laughing and Jeff thought they look funny too.

TGIF

Parker discovered Smores in the microwave and he was in heaven, he said we had to put it on a stick...it was so cute!! Not sure why he doesn't have a shirt on.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!! We are enjoying our time here in Arizona. Haven't seen Parker for days, he is too busy playing and Addison is sleeping so I have a little time to blog. Gotta love it!!!

1. Wait! Wait, don't forget the pie.
2. Dinner followed at once by bathtime (according to Addison, she runs down the hall after I get her out of her chair and pounds on the bathroom door until you give her a bath.
3. The trouble is you can't leave her alone for a second.
4. Sometimtes my family is too many miles away.
5. With a faint pop the last bag of cookies was opened (this is Jeff's answer, LOL)
6. Somewhere it is shadowy and ominous. Not here it is 80 degrees outside and gorgeous!!!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to maybe going to a hockey game, tomorrow my plans include hanging with the fam and Sunday, I want to not drive 750 miles!

TGIF

She found the Halloween candy and boy was she a happy girl!!! (not to mention she sat very still and ate that sucker so well)

1. We need to plan a vacation without kids.
2. The leaves fell off the tree today and it made me smile.
3. If you want something done well, you better do it yourself. (speaking about Parker's cleaning skills)
4. Need to take out my contacts because I got up way too early this morning and put them in.
5. Massachusetts has a proposed 5% sales tax on elective cosmetic surgery; I think it should be higher, if they want to do it, they can afford more sales tax.
6. Being around family makes for a happy holiday.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to movie night with hubby, tomorrow my plans include going to the temple and Sunday, I want to relax!

I finally got it done

I have had the fabric to make this since the first of October and then I got out of the mood to sew...been doing digital scrapbooking instead. But I lost my creative juices for a moment, let's hope it gets back soon. And so I started sewing. Now I am going to have to wait until next Halloween to use it, oh well. It didn't turn out as large as I would have liked but I love it!!! I cannot wait to show my mom. Here is a pic. (I don't know how to photograph it good.) My mom is going to show me how to quilt the top stitch by hand. She is the master of quilting (oh and my Grandma) Can't wait to see her next week!!! YAY!!!

Why I love Midland...

This is why I love Midland....yes I am missing my fall and winter from Utah, but you cannot get a fresh Pepper and tomatoes from you garden in November in Utah. Quick question for you...how many green tomatoes can a little girl eat before it will make her sick? While I was raking leaves and picking red tomatoes Addison decided that she would eat until her heart was content.

Popcorn

My kids LOVE popcorn. They will do anything for it. Addison is the worst. They get their little popcorn buckets and have a little picnic in the living room. It is very cute. Here is our most recent picnic....isn't that face on Addison so cute. She has just started posing for the camera.

Whose the new guy??

I finally did it.....I cut Jeff's hair. He let me do what I wanted and I had the balls this time around to cut it. It was getting so long and he NEVER did it....unless you count Sundays. So I cut it. The buzz at church was funny. Lots of people introduced themselves to the new guy (that one was my favorite) and he got lots of comments. I like it. He has not had it this short forever. This is how he had it when we got married and so I feel like I got my newlywed back. Parker likes it but thinks that we should have shaved it all off. Addison just keeps staring at him. It took her a few minutes to figure out it was daddy. Do you guys like it???

Before:


After:

TGIF

1. The last band I saw live was Blink 182 (wow it has been a long time).
2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is seeing my family.
3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is done.
4. Thoughts of how tired I am fill my head.
5. I wish I could wear all those clothes in my closet that are one size too small...just lose 10 pounds Heather.
6. Bagpipes are loud, but amazing.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to movie night with Parker, tomorrow my plans include nothing (oh don't be jealous) and Sunday, I want to spend time with my absent hubby!

TGIF

Decisions, Decisions...oh the life of a trick or treater.

1. Plans and schedules are usually interrupted by children..

2. I'm happy when things go smoothly .

3. The last thing I drank was water, that is all I ever drink .

4. One of the most valuable things in my life is my kids .

5. I like BBQ chicken on my pizza.

6. Dear November, please start to look more like fall .

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to having my hubby home, tomorrow my plans include a day without the hubby and Sunday, I want to relax!

Halloween Fun

We had a blast this year. We all dressed up and went over to our wards trunk or treat. Addison was a bumblebee, Parker was Anniken Skywalker, Jeff was a ref, and I was a witch. Parker got way too much candy, but he had a blast doing it. Addison loved putting the candy in her bag. It was cute. She didn't want to eat it, just put it in her bag. Parker was ready to dump out his candy and start the sugar high!!! Parker has already started talking about next year and what he is going to be.

TGIF

Don't you love that face, her popcorn just ran out. This little girl will do anything for popcorn.

1. It was a dark and stormy night,and we settled in by the fire and watched a good movie..

2. He dropped them, so I offered to take the books myself.

3. Rushing out, I forgot the wipes....done this way too many times. (how do they always find a way out of my bag??).

4. Are you scared...I think I heard a howl!

5. Shhhh... I said to the crazy monkeys that inhabit this place.

6. Mom give me something good to eat!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to date night without Parker, haven't found sitter for Addy, tomorrow my plans include Trick or Treating with a bumblebee and Aniken Skywalker and Sunday, I want to relax!

And the winner is....

We had a great ward activity the other night. It was our annual pumpkin carving. This year we added some new things. A cake walk, which was a huge hit, and also the donut on the string. I am sad that I was stuck putting donuts on strings all night and didn't get to take any photos. I took it out once and then only took one photo and didn't turn out well. But a friend of mine, thanks Delcie, took some great photos of a donut eating contest. I think we are all known as the donut divas now....it was so much fun. We each have a baby that is the same age and so we all held our babies and ate our donuts. I think it is funny to look at the kids faces, they are probably wondering what is going on.






That's right....I won. I do have to say though that I did watch a lot of people eat donuts that night and so I had some great examples to follow. I was actually shocked that I won. Thanks ladies for the fun!! It was just what I needed!!

A little bit of bragging...

I just have to brag about my sis for a moment. First off she is the best. She is a wonderful mother of three and she is 8 months pregnant. Her husband is a marine and they just moved back from Okinawa and she has been living with family in UT until her hubby is finished with his training. (he is going to be a marine recruiter) They will move to Pocatello after that. She not only has been playing single mom, and living a crazy life, but she also took time out of her busy schedule to make me the cutest Halloween decoration. She knows how much I love Halloween and was so nice to make this for me. The picture does not do it justice. There is glitter paint all over it and it glistens. I LOVE IT! Thanks Tiff!! You are the best sister!! I couldn't ask for a better sister and best friend. Love you!!

Crazy Hat Day!!

Gotta love crazy hat day at school. Parker was pretty proud of this one!!! It was all his idea!

Halloween Goodies!!

Mom this one is just for you. Everyone else you don't really have to watch this. Thanks for the Halloween treats, the kids loved it!!! Parker stayed busy all afternoon with those stencils.

She speaks

I know that she is growing up when she starts to talk. She has said mama and dada for a while now but nothing else. But this last week she said....and the drum roll please....WHOA!! Yep that is her first word. I think it is hilarious, but she says it all the time. She also says something that sounds like , what is that?? waitat.....something like that. I ask her that all the time and so I am sure she is just copying me. There is no baby at our house anymore...she is officially a toddler. Time sure does fly fast.

TGIF

1. The crickets sing, and it is annoying.

2. Be safe wherever you are.

3. I want to get far away from the middle of Midland (really I am just saying I need a vacation..without the kids!!).

4. Me not eating anything sweet; this was a dream. (I have tried multiple times and it is never going to happen, I guess I better not stop going to the gym)

5. But as for me and my house, we serve the Lord.

6.Yes I come from, Utah.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to finally having a night that my hubby is home(maybe he will put the kids to bed???), tomorrow my plans include practicing for the Primary Program that is on Sunday and Sunday, I want to spend time with the fam!

FiddleSticks Farms

We went to Fiddlesticks Farms. It was so much fun!! They had a huge corn maze, (which was supposed to take 35-40 minutes and Jeff memorized the map and we did it in 15 minutes, a record), pumpkin patch, huge slides, mining for stones (Parker's favorite part), corn popper, goats, hay rides....and more. The kids had a blast and Parker is already talking about next year.
(I already scrapbooked it and so you get to see that instead of just photos...aren't you so lucky!!!)

Awards Ceremony

Parker has been doing really well at school. He (Or should I say, we) survived the first 7 weeks of school. Every six weeks of school they give out awards to the kids. Parker did really well and earned perfect attendance and also the Triple A award. (That stands for Academic, Attendance, and Attitude). His teacher said that he is great in class and is glad to have him. He was so excited to earn this award. He was so cute. He was just beaming. It was fun to go and see him at school.

TGIF

(this is her new favorite chair and I needed a cute photo of her in the dress I made her, do you like her granola bar?? Yep my daughter is the new Quaker spokesmodel)

1. So are we going to Arizona for Thanksgiving...maybe I should call my family and let them know?

2. Addion's naptime is what's up ahead.

3. I love to scrapbook.

4. Jibberish of some sort. (coming from my Addison)

5. I walk daily to my tomatoes that are still producing.

6. Laughter is the true elixir of life!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a date with my hubby, tomorrow my plans include going to Fiddlesticks Farms with my family and Sunday, I want to finally go to church (hopefully no sick kids)!

Circus

Parker has been asking since we moved to Midland when we could go to the circus. We finally did it. We had lots of fun. Addison loved the elephants, she would point at them and then smile. Parker was kind of disappointed because they didn't have clowns. He did the like the guy that was climbing on chairs and then balanced on top of them. He did this on like 6 or 7 chairs. It was pretty impressive. Not sure if we will go again. I had never been and so the kid inside wanted to go as well. The picture of the 3 of us is not very good. Parker was upset that we ran out of cash and they didn't have an ATM and he couldn't ride the elephant and then the lady did not know much about cameras. But oh well what do you do???

Addison's 1 year photos

I finally got around to getting these done today. I know that she is a little older now, but it's alright. She is hard to take photos of, she does not hold still. Lots of bad ones..but I got a few. I think that using Parker's rocking chair was the key. She had somewhere to sit. Grandparents let me know which one you want. Also the size that you want....thanks!!!

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Fall Festival

We went to the Fall Festival yesterday. The kids had fun. They sure loved their balloon animals. Parker got a sword and Addison got the cutest little pink dog. And they also liked dressing up. Addison was so cute in her costume. She loved to walk around the library in it. Parker wanted to be the same thing he was last year. There was lots for them to do. There was face painting, popcorn, trick or treating, festival type games, and a craft. It was fun to get out of the house and do something fun!!

"Mom, are you sure I am going to be alright??"

Yes that is Parker in the baby swing. He LOVES to swing but has not learned how to use a big boy swing. I have been trying since we moved to Texas (that is over 2 years) and he just does not seem interested. Yesterday we went to the park with our friends the Nelsons and all the kids wanted to swing. (She has three little boys) So we put the babies in a baby swing one of her other boys in the other baby swing (we made Parker get out) Then we finally convinced Parker to try the big boy swing. His best friend (according to Parker) was in one and so it took a bunch of convincing but we finally convinced him to try it out and he wouldn't have to pump his legs I would just do underdogs. He said he would and things were going great. But then I am not sure what happened. I didn't do anything different than the time before, but I did the underdog and looked back and there was Parker in mid air falling on the cement (it just happened that the cement was a wall around the swings) and he scraped his legs along that and then his belly fell on the step. I couldn't do anything to stop it. It was like slow motion. This cut our time at the park short and we had to go home. Parker told me that he was afraid of falling off the swing and that is why he had never wanted to go on the big swing before. I felt bad for the kid. His scrapes are pretty bad. He might be scarred for life and may not ever get back into a big swing. His only question is "Mom, are you sure I am going to be alright??" He is very concerned about it and won't wear pants. We just hope he will get back on a swing someday!!

Our Model Knight

Parker was picked by his teacher and the librarian as their classes "Model Knight." They are the outstanding student and only a few get picked a year. He was very excited. That meant that he got to eat lunch in the library and I was able to come and eat with him. I brought one of his favorites...SUBWAY!! He was excited. We are happy that he is such a good student and is loving school!! Congratulations Parker!!

Proud Owner

We have always had a hard getting Parker to keep his room clean. He loved to stuff everything under his bed, on his couch and in his closet. (I am sure like any other kid does) He would come and tell us his room was clean. I asked if there was anything on the floor and he would always say no. He forgot to mention that he put it all in his closet and under his bed. He has been asked for this double lightsaber that he saw on television (gotta love all those darn commercials). I made a deal with him and said that if he keeps his room clean for 2 week he could have that lightsaber. He said okay I can do that. Surprisingly enough he did keep it clean and has continued to keep it clean and he is a very proud owner of that lightsaber. Now he keeps telling that he would like this and that and every other toy on the planet and all he has to do is keep his room clean. I just laughed at him, I don't think he understood why.