A day long celebration

We spent New Year's Eve Day just hanging out with each other. Grandpa came along as well and it made for happy family times. It was a beautiful day for a stop at the zoo. Sting Ray Bay is always a must for my kids, although the only one who really likes to get down and dirty (or should I say wet) would be Cooper. Like that came as a shock to anyone. While the older kids were content to just feeling the silky soft swimmers, Cooper wanted to feed 'em! So with a little help from Dad he got the hang of it...

And then he was all about doing it on his own!

The sun was out and warming up the flamingos. The colors looked so vibrant and pretty today.

After the zoo we headed off to **Pro Bass to check out that massive store and do some shootin' at the gun gallery. I so wish I would have remembered to take my camera in. We went through about twenty dollars in quarters in no time flat. Cooper was a mad man on the trigger! Both Davis and Maddie do a great job handling a gun and then of course the heated competition between Brent and I. He came in with a score of 540 and then I put the pressure on when I got 535. He couldn't live with the fact that I just about had him so he shot one more time and scored 610. But I did get a compliment from a little old lady that was watching me shoot. After I was done she smiled at me with a nod of approval and said, "You are quite a woman!" I, of course, just tipped my hat and said, "Why thank you ma'am."

**Sorry about the typo. I've been informed by Mauri the Sharpshooter that the store is actually called Bass Pro. My bad people.

Paul and his friend then took Brent and I to dinner which was wonderful. I can't remember the last time we actually went out on New Year's Year. I think it probably was when Maddie was just a tiny toddler and Uncle Tom and Aunt Becky babysat for us. Anyway, we dined at Kona Grill and I must say that anyone who wants a heavenly meal must order the Macadamia Nut Crusted Chicken. Oh my!!

After dinner we came home and the party began.

Party hats were adorned and a rousing game of Flippin' Frogs ensued.

Here we are getting our bubblegum primed for the bubble blowing contest...

I think Dad was the winner!

Next came an extreme nail biting game of Jenga. Maddie was the one to finally topple the 32 story structure. After which we divided into teams and the battle of Catch Phrase was on. Maddie was a phenomenal accurate guesser and Davis was clue giver extraordinaire. We laughed and laughed and I felt so lucky to be a part of such greatness. I was spending my New Year's in the perfect place.

Soon it was time for the official countdown.

5-4-3-2-1

Happy New Year 2009!!!

We took the noise outside and filled the air with blaring horns, sputtering sparklers, confetti filled poppers, and leftover July ground bloom fireworks.

Thanks for ringing in the New Year with us Grandpa!

Here's to another year with my boyfriend. I love him completely.

So if you had to choose only three highlights from 2008,

what would they be??

I think mine would be...

~ experiencing the California Redwoods

~ having our oldest reach the official age of teenagedom

~ having my youngest begin Kindergarten

Happy New Year to my family and friends. May 2009 hold much love and happiness for each of you.

Good times

It was great to have Grandpa Brown join us for Christmas

this year. Seeing the temple lights together was a

highlight for me.

And our annual Christmas fondue and fun with the

Slade family is a tradition that makes the holiday complete.

I really don't think I laugh so much as when I'm with this

amazing family. We have known them since our newlywed days in

Eugene, Oregon. Kristi and Megan have been our exclusive

nannies for 8 and half years now and I love them

with as much (((SQUEEZE))) as if they were mine.

Family + Friends = holiday happiness!!

Christmas '08

Growing up I LOVED the Christmas lights

at Temple Square. Living here in Arizona I've come

to love the lights at the Mesa Temple as well.

This. . .

and this. . .

make me think of this.

and Christmas in all its glory fills me to overflowing.


Our Christmas has been a happy one.
And blessed.
Christmas Eve is simple and always a favorite for me.
Maddison and Davis playing carols on the piano.
Cooper sharing a Christmas story.
The opening of one gift.
Brent reading from the scriptures.
And tucking the kids in.

And then comes Christmas morning!
Hold your hats on 'cuz it's over in just moments!
Torn ribbons, shredded paper, empty boxes and
WHEW!! Christmas 2009 will be here before we know it.

But I love it all.

ALL ABOOOOOARD!! (chooo chooo)

Driving up to Williams to take a trip on the Polar Express was beautiful. First came the snow on just the ground. . .
and then came the snow covered trees. These are just shots out my window but they turned out kinda fun, even the fuzzy ones. The sun was so bright, the sky so blue and the kids were singing carols to totally set the mood.

With tickets in hand we were more than ready to board the train and before you knew it we were off.
Have I mentioned how unbelievably COLD it was??

Soon we were sipping on the oh so yummy HOT, HOT, HOT, HOT chocolate!
You have to sing that to get the whole effect. : )
Our train chef and server of the divine cocoa was Deborah and she was quite a funny individual who tried to embarrass Maddie every chance she got.

There was lots of sibling love going around which did this mama's heart good.
Erin the Elf was on our train as well and she packed enough Christmas spirit in her little pinky to carry the train all the way to the North Pole by herself. But when Santa came aboard the train. . .

This expression captures it all. And coming from my 10 year old made the moment priceless.
As for me and my house WE BELIEVE!!

The morning after the adventure we took some time for playing in the winter wonderland.
But did I mention how unbelievably cold is was??

Cooper is determined to eat an icicle before he leaves this frozen tundra.
Yes, Cooper is enjoying his icicle!

I wanted so much to recreate this moment with Cooper 5 years ago but due to a camera with a stinkin' delay and a Santa that was moving rather quickly, I missed the photo op. But just for tender memory's sake, I'm posting it here. And my wonderful friend, Don't Take My Picture Marie, made the moment even sweeter.

Did I mention how unbelievably cold is was??

Complete disrespect for the homeowners

A very brave man that dared to enter our yard wearing this get-up!

Something like this is likely to put you on the naughty list.

It's a good thing we happen to love this very brave man.

Sprinkles

When you are in Kindergarten

the more sprinkles ~ the better!!

Shakin' those sprinkles with great enthusiasm!

And the candycane masterpiece.

Cooper's friend Max was all about eating those sprinkles!

You'll be hard pressed to find someone more excited about

Christmas and all its trimmings than a classroom of 5 year olds!

Santa's lap

Hmmm. . .

I wonder where Maddie was for this picture?

Seems that sitting on Santa's lap and being 13 just

doesn't hold the magic it once did.

Sigh. . .

my angels

a bit under the weather

today was snuggle day for me and coop
he had to stay home from school with a sore throat.
He asked 'why can't I go to school? don't you want me to learn and get smartor ?'




To myself i said 'never! not if it is going to take away the way you talk.'

so we snuggled under blankets,
we put on fuzzy socks and slippers,
Coop wanted to push the button on the camera,
so all of these photos are courtesy of him.
we watched the Backyardigans try to discover the secret of snow,
he requested a peanut butter and honey sandwich with milk for lunch and now I'm off for more cuddle time -per Cooper's request. He just called out and said 'mom! I've got the blanket ready!'

I'm headed for the couch and into the arms of my baby.

Oh Christmas Tree

We welcomed her in. . .

Gave her the guest of honor spot

for Christmas 2008. . .

(she's real and she's lovely!)

We placed her crown. . .

We adorned her with lights and ornaments of love!

Oh Christmas Tree!

Oh Christmas Tree!

(very cheesy and I love it!)

Double digits

Some people don't like to turn another year older.

I really don't have a problem with my birthdays.

It's my children's birthdays that are hard on me.

And Davis turning 10 was no exception.

Don't get me wrong. . .

I LOVE to celebrate my children.

It is just the harsh reminder that time goes so fast.

So please indulge me a little reminiscing. . .

2 months old

1 year old

3 years old

3 1/2 years old