Christmas Afternoon

We have a big breakfast at my parents house every year.  I think I got my love of Christmas from my Mom.  Every year she say's she is cutting back, and every year she does way too much.  The kids got plasma cars.  They are so much fun.  Kids were crying because the adults wouldn't get off them.  I love being with my whole family on Christmas day.  I am so lucky to have such a great Mom and Dad.  I only hope I can live up to their example.

Christmas Day

Christmas morning was the most fun this year.  All four boys were so excited!  As far as I know, Santa brought everything they wanted.  Jack even got the scooter he has been talking about.

Christmas Eve

We spend every Christmas Eve with the Sanders side.  The boys love continuing all their Dad's traditions.  After dinner, we decorated Santa cookies.  They are cute, but taste even better.  Then the past 2 years, Pappa has got a lump of coal from Santa on Christmas Eve.  We attempt to retell the story of Christ's birth.  Even though it is a little crazy, it is the most important thing we do.  Then they are off to the hot tub to watch for Santa's sleigh.  Christmas P.J.'s and presents bring an end to the exciting night.  Then back home we go.  We have to be in bed, before Santa comes.

Save Me!

We have a Christmas party with Colby's cousins every year.  The kids have lots of fun playing together.  This year Jack thought Santa's chair was just for him. When Santa came in, with bells ringing, Jack covered his ears.  He sat on his lap, but would NOT look at him.  Oh to be a kid again!

Finally!

Yea!  The snow finally came, and now it feels a little more like Christmas.  Colby took the boys out to help him shovel the driveway.  He got them all in their snow clothes, and then wanted a nap.  I told him that's why they don't go out much.  It is so much work to get them dressed.  By the time you finish the last one, the others are coming back inside.  Tyler finally got to make the snow angel he has been talking about for weeks. 

A new Tradition

We started a new tradition this year.  We have "fake" Christmas trees in our house, and I have never been happy about it.  So this year we decided to let the kids pick a little tree and decorate it themselves.  I couldn't touch the tree while they decorated it.  They were so excited and had a lot of fun picking out a tree.  It brought back some wonderful memories of my childhood !  Then they made all the decorations for the tree.  I think this will be a great addition to our Christmas season!

Credit

I have to give credit to my very talented friend Heather, for head shots of my boys.  She truly is amazing!  I loved every picture she gave me, and I had the worst time picking.  Thank you Heather for an amazing memory!

I love Christmas!

I realize it's a sickness, but I don't care!  I try to hide it most of the year.  But come December it's out in full force. Now if only I could get a little snow!

I am thankful for......

As I was thinking about everything I am grateful for, and getting a little overwhelmed at expressing it all. Luke came home with this paper from school.  A child can see things so simply.   Luke said it best, and the only thing I can say is... Well said Luke!

Conflicted

Nick is such a tender hearted little boy.  He really is a cougar fan, but I think he was afraid he would hurt our feelings.  With a good friend playing at BYU, we usually cheer for the cougars.  So he was a little confused that they both couldn't win.  And even though I told him he could cheer for whoever he wanted, he still just wanted to wear a Jazz jersey to Luke's basketball game.  So come game time, he had his BYU jersey on underneath his coat. He would say "Go Utes" one minute, and then "Go Cougars" the next.  I could see the battle going on inside his head. Nick I just have to say... It's a good thing you only have to feel that way once a year!  We did have a highlight though,  Alex Smith signed a ball for him.  He was very nice to Nick.  And as for me..... BCS anyone? GO UTES!!!!!

Rivalry Week!!!

He who laughs last laughs best!

I am a little sad this week is over.  We had so much fun with a friendly neighborhood war.  It started with some treats with little notes about how the cougars were going to kill the UTES.

So back and forth the story goes but I wanted to include some of the best.... texts every half hour or so, with either the cougar fight song, or some random play                        the  cougars made to win a game years ago. Finally the husbands had enough and made huge wire "U"s with red lights.  The only problem was they hung them in broad daylight.  Needless to say they got caught.  My favorite was the christmas card someone made.  With the "cougar" family, a picture was doctored to make them all wear Utah hats.  Then the card was mass emailed.  Brilliant!  There were blue balloons, with 4th and 18 all over them, and cookies with a "Y".  But like I said, the last laugh didn't even come from us.....    48-24.  

Tagged!

Just a side note to begin... I am going private, I just can't quite seem to get my act together.  Yes it 3:32 AM (Twilight), so if this makes no sense you will know why!

I have been tagged by Carli, 6 Quirks about me!

1. I can't use dish rags, I have to use paper towels for everything.  I know not "green", but I can't stand to feel a wet dish rag!

2. I too, wear flip flops all year long, if I am not barefoot.

3. I love to eat, and could out eat Colby any day of the week!

4. I am obsessed with Christmas!  I am one of those annoying people, who listen to Christmas music all year long.  It's my happy place, leave me alone.

5. I wont let Colby touch the laundry.  It's one place I will never ask for help.  A few ruined batches and he got off scott free. Pretty smart if you ask me.

6. I watch Sports Center and don't know why.  I know that sounds crazy, but I find myself watching it and I really don't care.

So there... Now Amy M, Alissa, Bree, and Ashley your turn!

Tyler's Turkey

Sitting at breakfast this morning, Ty drew this turkey.  Pretty good considering his Mom and Dad can't even draw stick figures!

Basketball

I guess this is why we have all boys.  I love to watch these little guys play sports.  The first season is the best!  They aren't quite sure what all the rules are, so what they try to get away with is pretty funny.  They all loved it, and we have moved on to a new favorite sport!

Private

Although I really don't want to, we are taking our blog private.  All the recent news, along with a nagging feeling, have finally made our decision.  So please leave your email, if you would like an invite.  Thanks!

What cake?

I just had to post this picture of Jacks Birthday.  I love all the gooey frosting between his fingers! Some days I want to eat him up!

"Proof"

O.k. I have had a few who doubted me.  They do not believe I dressed up for Halloween, so against my better judgement I am posting a picture.  But only to clear my good name!

Imagination

Nick and his beautiful friend Ava, were playing house.  Ava was wearing a pair of my high heeled boots around the house.  As she sent Nick out the door to work she said, "Have a good day, try hard at work."  Now that is a line I have not tried yet.  Thanks Ava for the tips!

Halloween

I get just as excited as my kids for Halloween.  This year they wanted me to dress up, so I did.  Realizing I looked stupid, I didn't care, because they were impressed.  With a couple friends, we have a tradition of serving Hot chocolate, and doughnuts to the neighborhood.  It gives us a chance to see and talk with everyone.  Hopefully it's a good memory for the kids.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK!

"It seems like yesterday..."  I know that makes me sound old, but it really does seem like yesterday he was born.  Time has gone by way too fast with this one!  My little blond haired boy has me wrapped around his little finger. He knows it too.  The other boys were too close in age, so they learned to share.  A lot!  Jack Jack has a very funny personality.  Some of the things he says crack me up.  You can tell he is a typical toddler though, as his favorite word is NO!  He love his brothers around.  If they are not here, he is always asking where they are.  What would I do without this little miracle in my life?  I am so grateful for all my boys!

The little things

I am so guilty of getting caught up in my "to do " list, that I don't enjoy the moment.  Today after helping in Luke's class, he asked me to come to lunch with him.   Thinking of all the things I could get done, I told him another day.  The sad look on his sweet face, instantly changed my mind.  When I got to the lunch room, there he was, sitting at a table by himself waiting for me.  His friends all at another table, trying to get him to come sit with them.  As I watched him eat,  I noticed the way he kept looking at me, with the biggest smile on his face.  Thats when it hit.... this is only so cool for such a short time.  One day I will be old news, and begging him for a little attention.  Thank you Luke for helping me to find joy in the little things!  I love you!

*Thanks Ash for watching Jack, so I could spend a little time with Luke.

Wishful Thinking?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                I am crossing my fingers that someday ONE of my boys will marry this girl!  She is the daughter of a good friend of mine, and the daughter I dream of :)  She will have her pick of boys when she is older (she does now.)  But for now, I'll pretend she is my beautiful girl!

Living Your Dream

Today Nick had the opportunity to go watch football practice.  I cannot describe the experience of watching a child live his dream.  I know I will get a few comments on BYU.  In our house the kids are allowed to pick their own teams :)  Nick tolerates Utah, but his true love is the cougars.  He might have a little nudging from our good friends the Fowlers, but his choice.  Nick was totally in his element.  Im pretty sure he thinks he is on the team.  What a fun day!  Thanks Brenda, Nicole, and Kellen.

Ty's Dream Day

We got to go the Utah game with my Dad (thanks Mom) on Saturday.  This was a dream for Ty.  Not because he loves football, but because he got to hang out with my older brother, eat more candy than he should of and the highlight.....Swoop!