Jamison's new roller skates...

I think Jay knows we are on a budget this year and decided to make his own little skates. He is using his Polar Express train he got last Christmas as his new set of wheels. He just put them on and said ,"Look at my new skates Mom." He skates all over the house with them. Poor little deprived child. Maybe we will get him some of his own real skates this spring?

pics as promised

Kevin, Jessie, Mike (Randy's Dad), Me, Rans, Jay

Christmas morning...

Dad and Jay are twinsies!

Sledding...

What the heck, Christmas is over?

The last few weeks feel like they have been a whirl wind. We got a surprise visit from Randy's Dad Mike who came out from California to see us. He only got to stay a few days because the weather was so bad he had to drive home before the really big storms. I mean seriously, do we live in Alaska? What is with all of this snow? Anyway we had a good visit and it was good to see him. On the 23rd, my Dad John flew in from Texas to spend Christmas with us. We have done a lot of playing in the snow, eating and movie watching.

Christmas was very different this year for us. Randy had to work Christmas Eve which sucked big time. So, that day my Dad took Jay to the movies to see Despereaux while I walked the mall. (I was going to see a movie by myself, but nothing good was playing at the same time.) Then, we headed over to the station to visit Randy. We were trying to get home at least by 5:00pm because we heard we were going to be hit with another storm. After the station we went to dinner at PF Chang's. I had never been there before and was really wanting some Chinese food. After that we came home and hung out for a while. You know the usual, drank hot chocolate, egg nog and cookies. The weird thing was that Jamison was begging to go to sleep. At 6:30pm he kept saying, " Can I put my jammies on, I think I need to go to sleep. ( I think he has been really warn out since Papa has been here.) So, he and my Dad headed off to bed. Dad said he was asleep within a half hour, and he nodded off too. So from 7:00pm on, it was just me. Did I think that I would be spending my Christmas Eve watching Jeopardy? Um, no. At about 10:00pm I did a little Santa-ing and then headed off to bed. The next morning Randy came home and Jay was still asleep. We had to wake him up at 8:00am. He was so excited. He got a spider man bike, clothes, a TON of toys and books. He got way too spoiled as always. We spent the next few hours cleaning up and playing with Jamison's toys. Around 2:00pm we headed over to Kelly's were we had some yummy food. It was a very nice Christmas dinner. We came home, watched a movie and went to bed. the next few days have been spent just kinda hanging out.

Today, Randy, Dad and jay went sledding. They are having a boys day. I would show pics of Christmas, but Randy took the camera. I will have to post those later. I can't believe Dad already leaves tomorrow. Boy does time fly. Also, tomorrow Randy's Mom and sister come to town. We are lucky to get to have so much family. Busy, busy, busy...

I can't believe we live here...

What a storm. It totally snowed at our house. At least this is the first time it really stuck. I think it was a good solid blizzard for about 5 hours. Randy was on his way home from Orem and I told him I didn't want to go to the store because of the snow. He said, "Fine I will stop on my way home, the snow is not even bad." ( At that point it was barely a light dust in Orem.) So when he got home he was like, "Holy crap, this is bad." I kept telling him," I told you it was like a blizzard with at least a couple inches." He then said, "No, I believed you, it just wasn't this bad down there." ( Yeah right he believed me...he thought I was just being a wimp.) So when he got home we decided that we would not be going anywhere for the rest of the day. It was the type that when you opened the door you would get about a foot of snow blowing into your house! Later, when the snow died down, Randy and Jay went out to play in it while I sat inside and drank hot chocolate. ( Does that sound like me or what?)

Temple Square

We headed down to Temple Square at about 3:30 pm with the Jamison family. We stopped to eat at a really good burger place called Crown Burger. From there, we walked to the tracks to head to the square. The boys thought it was a train and it was by far the best part of the trip for Jamison. He couldn't stop talking about it. ( Well, add in the fact that this week when he grows up he wants to be a train conductor for the polar express...all the free hot chocolate you could ever want...the imagination of a 4 year old!)

Above is: Drew, Jayden and Jay and Jay and Randy

The lights were amazing and even better then I imagined. Here is a little snap shot. Randy's hat had a reflector on it...good to know if he ever went bike riding with it.

Drew, Jayden and Jamison

One of the coolest parts about it is that they had a little nativity scene where someone came over the loud speaker and told the story of Jesus' birth. One area would light up at a time. That was my favorite part about it. We also went into the visitors center for a while to warm up. There were a ton of people there. I think we did our best to beat the crowds. Shelly and Jarrod are seasoned veterans and showed us the ropes. I am so glad we had a chance to do this. I have always wanted to see Temple square at Christmas time.

The Jamison Family minus baby

Merry Christmas!

Our 2008 Family photo...

Project and things

Project:

Well, I am proud to say that I have completed a craft that I have been working on. Kelly had one of these stocking hangers and had an extra board so I could make one myself. I just had to get the paint, vinyl lettering and the knobs. I am pretty proud of it although I know these are pretty common these days. ( Probably because most people don't have a fire place.)

Activities:

Yesterday, Jay and I hung out over at the the Jamison's and decorated some sugar cookies. The kids were not that really into it because all they wanted to do was play. Later that night we drove through a park in Spanish Fork that had a huge lights display. You drive through with your car and they play Christmas music and everything. It was pretty neat and the kids loved it.( I forgot my camera or else I would have posted pics like a mad woman.) It is exciting to be doing Christmas things. The weather man says we only have a few more days until we get hit with a storm. I am trying to get out and get things done before the storm comes. ( That could be used as a metaphor for so many things...) Hopefully once it snows I will begin baking mode. I am sure Randy can't wait for that!

Our little Jay

I am not quite sure why every time I write all I want to talk about is how great Jamison is. But, seriously I feel like he is the sweetest, cutest kid ever. He is becoming so grown up and smart. These are a few of the questions he has asked me lately:

How can we get to Heaven? An airplane maybe?

Why, when seeing Santa at the mall, he didn't have his sleigh with him?

Why does the Grinch have green skin?

How come we don't have bones in our stomachs?

Why some families have brothers and sisters and ours doesn't?

Mom, do you have any money in your purse? (He wants to go to McDonald's)

Do you need to go to the gas station? ( He wants a drink.)

Just to name a few...I can't really think of the rest right now...but I know I am having to come up with things pretty quickly and with some creativity. I love his questions.

Thanksgiving

Randy and Jay at the station...before dinner.

Snap shots

Gobble, Gobble Gobble!!! We had a great Thanks Day. We started the day off by watching the Macy's parade. Jay loved it. He really loved Hermit the Frog, yes Hermit. Around 2:15 we headed over to the station. The guys had cooked the Turkey, some potatoes and stuffing. The wives brought the rest of the food and it was super good. Funny thing is that they did end up having to go on a call right as I got there. It was just a fast fire alarm call, nothing major thankfully. We had a great time and it was nice to get to see Randy. Afterwards Jay and I went to Kelly's and visited with cousins. AT about 8:30pm we got the crazy idea to go to Michael's big sale. I got this wreath for 12 bucks....not bad.

The next day we put up our Christmas decorations and Randy and Jay picked out the tree while I ran to the store for a few ornaments. (I wanted to change the colors to red and gold instead of silver and blue.) We turned on the Christmas music and got to work. It was so fun.

This and That

I am not sure if it is the up coming holidays or just laziness on my part, but I have barely sat down to the computer for weeks. I know that the snow will soon come...like in a few days and then I will have all the time in the world. I also am happy to say that I have just about all my Christmas shopping done. Now I can spend these next few weeks baking, singing and being jolly!

For Thanksgiving we will be going to Randy's station because he has to work. It will be weird not to be spending it with family. I am looking forward to making my Mom's secret sweet potato recipe. Thanksgiving just isn't the same with out sweet potatoes. ( And my mom too.) I think it will be nice for the fellows to have their families with them. Who knows, they might even get a call just as we sit down to dinner that some one is choking on a turkey bone...could be exciting!

I don't know if it is just me, but Jamison has just been the sweetest boy lately. It is like he is my little buddy. We talk and laugh about things and he still totally cracks me up. He has been saying to me lately..."Mom, I have been such a good boy." which me interpreting is, Mom, I want a piece of my Halloween candy. (I let him pick one piece everyday after lunch.) But, still instead of asking for candy he just reminds me just how good he is. He also will be sitting by me on the couch and he will touch my arm and say, "Mom, that skin is so soft and cold...you must have the goosies Mom." Or better yet. This morning he came up to me and said," Mom, I think I broke my foot in my sleep." I asked him how and he said, " Well I was just laying there and it broke." I don't know how he comes up with these, but it never ceases to amaze me. I just love his personality so much I hope he stays this way forever...a mom can only dream.

Not so interesting life...

I have been so not in the mood to post lately. But, for journaling purposes I know I need to jam on it. Randy has been working a lot lately. He has a Drivers class that he is taking so he can drive the fire engine. It seems like he is gone everyday. I don't like that because I am not used to not having him home during the week. Jamison and I have kept busy doing are usual things...play group, library, gym etc. The weather has been cold, but beautiful. On Sunday morning we woke up to some thing quite surprising. Some vandals had literally "attacked" our house. But, instead of taking some thing, they left us with this:

This was done by are awesome bro and sis, Kevin and Jessie. They are always thinking of other people and it really made our day special.

Other then that we are really looking forward to Thanksgiving and can't wait until Christmas!!!

My new and old loves...

These are some things that have made me so happy lately:

*Peppermint ice cream ...Nothing beets Texas blue bell, but I will have to settle.

* Hot milk with honey and cinnamon...This is so good my Mom got me hooked.

* Randy's sweat pants...man are they comfy.

*Tylenol PM...enough said.

*Big baggy hoodies

*Christmas music in Walmart....I know people hate it, but not me!

*My heating pad...oh bless you.

*Jamison sleeping in until 7:30. What a great kid.

*The fact that Jamison's Halloween candy has not tempted me one bit....I am SO proud of myself.( Probably because I have been too busy eating peppermint ice cream!)

Tag

Seven weird/quirky things about me:

1. Germs and I do not get along. I constantly have a need to wash my hands or use hand sanitizer. In fact, these are the things that "scare" me the most: ATM machines, gas pumps, hotel remote controls, shopping carts and really any thing that a lot of people touch. I think Hotel bed spreads are the worst because I know they don't get washed. I have a fear of getting sick and if Randy has a even the slightest aliment ( sore throat, what not...) he is not even allowed to come near me.

2. I love the smell of gasoline. It reminds me of my Grandma's garage in Albuquerque. I really could smell it all day if I didn't think it would make me high or something.

3. I have the worst circulation known to the human body. I cross my legs for five seconds and they are asleep. I am always freezing. If their comes a point that I do get hot, it is unbearable. I can't sit too long in any position and I am constantly shifting. In church I look like I am always uncomfortable. ( It is just that every body part has fallen asleep!)

4. I have the best nose of any one I know. I mean the smeller part. I think I could work part time for the LAPD. Which means if you have eaten garlic, onions or curry a week ago, I will probably smell it. Which also means, the good smells I can really treasure. One smell that makes me pretty much gag is the smell of artificial cinnamon (Like Big Red gum/ fire balls and hot tamales.) I also hate artificial cherry anything...nasty.

5. Sometimes I wish I was in a musical. I miss singing and dancing and just having fun. I hate acting and I suck at it. I don't want to be a star, just in a chorus of awesome people. I love people that are really into the art and work hard to perfect their talents. I would sing all day if I could. I wish I had a voice teacher, I would soak up everything.

6. I love being in charge of things. Even though I complain the whole way through I love having the power to make everything my way. I am such a perfectionist that it highly bothers me when things are done lazily or not in order. I hate chaos. I love a plan and schedule. My sisters have nick named me the Time Nazi. I think it is so rude when people are always late. Randy and I are the same that way. I love that about him.

7. I have a funny freckle on my lip. Some have mistaken it for chocolate and nicely told me that I have something on my lip. I have had it as long as I can remember. Growing up it really bothered me and I wanted it removed. Now, I forget I even have it. ( That's the least of my concerns.) I have the same exact freckle on my knee, hip and arm pit. They are not moles...just freckles. I must have been kissed by a lot of angels!

Jay's many trips to the dentist

These first pics are about the beginning of October. Jamison went in for his routine exam and we found out he had 6 cavities. I was mortified! I didn't see how this could possibly be seeing as his last trip to the dentist he didn't have a single one. The Dentist made me feel like bad Mom. He asked if he eats a lot of candy and drinks a lot of soda. Now I would hope people would know me well enough to know that Jamison eats barely any candy and we never give him soda. (OK, root beer ever once in a while.) I thought it could have been from fruit snacks and fruit roll ups because I have only recently been buying them. The dentist then asked if we feed him fruit snacks ever hour on the hour and if we don't brush his teeth. What a jerk. So, luckily I was taking to Shelly and she recommended an awesome Dentist who I love! It took 3 trips to this other dentist to get his work done. Jay didn't ever cry or flinch once he was so brave! This bottom pic is today just before the Dentist walked in. He got watch a Sponge bob movie and that was worth the pain! I am so happy we have Dr. Nance he is awesome. I am now overly anal about Jay's teeth and I brush them all the time, brush and floss at night and make him use a fluoride mouth wash.

Never leave your kids alone...

We were hanging out over at Jarrod and Shelly's eating dinner and such. We thought we would let the kids play in the basement while we ate dinner so we could have a little peace. Well, Randy went down to check on them and this is what was found. Flour everywhere! I guess Drew had gotten into the flour and the other boys just couldn't help themselves. This is pretty typical of Drew, he has done these sort of things before. The wall and chair were totally covered. Most of the toys got it too. It was kinda hard to keep from laughing to let them know how much trouble they were in!

Howdy Partner!!!

I know...I forgot the belt at home....

Madison and Jamison having a little treat!

Another Wednesday...

Randy and I were out of our minds bored today. Jamison kept begging us to go to the park although Randy and I didn't really feel like going. We finally gave into our boredom and left for the park. When we got there we saw they were doing a little maintenance on the bark( it was all in big huge piles.) So, we decided on plan B. We drove up Provo canyon which Jay thought was the longest drive in the history of drives. ( I don't think he remembers driving to AZ and CA?) We finally stopped at Deer Creek Reservoir. It was beautiful. The weather was warm but super windy. Jay did his best collecting sticks. It felt nice just to be out of the house. Then we drove back down the canyon to a little park. Jay played while Randy and I were testing our pull up capabilities. Randy 3, Codee 0. I know Randy could have done a lot more, but he was already feeling bad for me. We also tried to swing on this metal thing where you hang on it and slide across. Randy kept telling me to try to get there and back on one go round. I was just having fun swinging. After he mentioned how uncoordinated I am he proceeded to do his little task twice. I don't think he knows it wasn't a competition. I just wanted to play at the park not compete in the Olympics? Anyway, we had a pretty good time.

We even saw a wind surfer. It was SO WINDY!