Merry Christmas

Before it gets to late to talk about Christmas, I wanted to share our absolutely wonderful time. I have decided that spending time with our little family of three can be amazing. Our Christmas Eve began that morning with a cleaning house blitz. This is yet another way I have turned into my mom. Santa will not stop at your house if you can't take care of the things that you already have. Next, we got to spend a lovely afternoon and delicious dinner with our friends Corey and Stephani. How grateful we are that they invited us last minute to share with them. We went home and frosted our cookies for Santa

and then Dan and Tyler did their special project:



After making a manger for Baby Jesus, we read Luke 2 and Twas the night before christmas

Tyler had been under strict warning to NOT come downstairs in the night. So at about 2:30 I hear my name being called. He had a cough that woke him up, and the excitement kept him up. After 1 hour, and a bath, he finally settled back down. We all got up for good at 7:30.


Santa definitely found our house. Unfortunately, the UPS man has not. My mom sent us a package, but thanks to their computerized system, our package ended up in Little Rock, and although we have been assured that it is on its way here, we still have not seen it. I hope it comes tomorrow!

We had the missionaries over for breakfast and stockings. Then we relaxed. That afternoon we went over to Dan's brother's house in Katy. Tyler loves playing with his cousins. Finally we came home, via the airport, where we picked up my sister who spent the weekend with us. Yipee!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday Tyler

My baby is now 5. His birthday was yesterday, and, since he already had his giant party, we had a nice low-key day. His wishes for the day? Pancakes for breakfast and Texas Roadhouse for dinner. We had gone there for Uncle Tom's birthday, and Tyler really wanted to ride on the birthday saddle. It was hilarious!




I know that every parent says it, but I cannot believe how fast time has gone. It seems like only a few days ago that we brought home from the hospital this sweet bundle. At five, he really is a joy. Granted he can be found fibbing occasionally, and we sometimes have to put a stop to the whining, but overall we are lucky. He loves to play with his friends and his toys. He is beginning to read and getting better at writing his letters. He loves to learn about space and planets. He is polite and thoughtful. We love our guy. Happy Birthday!

My Birthday Boy

Well, I can add to my list. You know, the list you made before you had kids of things you would never do, but now have?

Last weekend we celebrated Tyler's birthday at one of those huge birthday party places. (Poor kid will never get a party on his actual birthday, December 26. We will always have to plan for the beginning of December or wait until January) It is a place full of inflatables just up the road from our house. I was never going to do one of those gigantic parties with a bazillion kids that costs more than any parent should ever spend on a birthday party, but we did. And, cost aside, I loved it.

It started when Tyler went to a party there in the fall. He totally wanted his own party there. So the seed was planted, and Dan and I began thinking about it. Then, we talked about who we should invite. As we started to name kids from school, I felt that we really ought to invite his whole class. And as we named kids from church, and from the neighborhood, suddenly we found ourselves with a large number. There was no way I was doing a party for a small army in my house, so we went with the big-ol' birthday party.

Like I said, it was really fun. All I had to do was show up with cake and write a check. They took care of everything else, down to a helper in the room to serve the pizza and write down the gift list. So happy birthday buddy!

(I am sure you will get another somewhat sappy post as his real birthday rolls around.)

One for the grandmas

Tyler wanted to show grandma this. He had his picture in the small, local, free paper when his preschool was part of a food drive. Which of course to him was the coolest thing ever. We promised grandma we would show her a copy, so here is the poorly scanned photo from the paper. (His name is below the photo, I just didn't want to post the names of the other kids.)

That time of year

Ah yes, that most wonderful time of the year. And I'm not talking Christmas. Nope. Tax time. I just got done writing out checks for thousands of dollars to pay our property taxes. It stinks, but we would rather keep that money in our own account all year and write the big checks than let the bank escrow it. Bye-bye money! Hopefully we'll see you soon in the form of wonderful schools and superb roadways!

My cute family

While we were in Utah, we had family pics taken. I just got ahold of the files tonight, and thought that I have such a cute family. See:

My family: Mom and Dad, next to my mom my older sister Rebecca, me on the left, my sister Maren on the right, and my little brother David.

And the whole family:

Baby it's cold outside

But it is supposed to be 74 on Sunday.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I love it. The weather here is cold (for Texas), all the decorations are up, and I just downloaded me some new Christmas songs. Yeah for Christmas!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving visiting my family in Utah. It is always so great to see them; we have so much fun playing together, and laughing. My sister is especially giggly when she gets tired. We also made sure to hit all the regular Utah stops: Seagull Book, Roberts Crafts, Shade, and Cafe Rio. We were also thrilled to be able to attend the annual trim-the-tree party. When we were little, my grandparents would host a party where we came down, helped decorate their house, cracked a pinata, and received a new Christmas ornament. My mom has carried on the tradition with her grandkids. Tyler has only been to it once though, when he was 11 months old, so we were so happy to be there.

We had a safe trip home and pulled out Christmas stuff the night we got home. It is all ready, and I actually feel pretty ready for Christmas. I am by no means done with everything, but I feel like I am in a good spot. Only a few more gifts to buy, one preschool party to organize, presents to wrap, okay maybe a bit more than I realize. I hope you all have a great holiday season!

Book Club

Just a reminder about our new book club: Thursday, 7 pm, my house. It has now become an official Enrichment Activity, but I think the only difference will be that we can advertise through RS. Anyone is welcome to come. Please bring a few ideas of books to read for 2009, and let me know if you have questions!

Happy Anniversary

Seeing as how yesterday was my nine year wedding anniversary, I thought it might be nice to tell you 9 wonderful things about my husband. (I'm just hoping this makes up for the fact that we did nothing to celebrate.)

1. He works hard to support our family. He really has an ambitious streak that drives him to do his best, and as a result, I always feel that we are provided for.

2. He is the most generous person I know. No really. He is always the one of the two of us to suggest when we ought to donate some time or money to a worthy cause.

3. He is funny. While I may have my funny moments, he does win in the funny contest.

4. He puts up with my annoying quirks. And I know I'm not easy to live with.

5. He doesn't complain when I do or get the things I want. (At least not too much.) And this is after being raised in a home where dad always questioned every penny out the door.

6. We are a team. I love that we work together in our marriage, in terms of parenting, spending money, and running our household.

7. He is quick to say "I'm sorry." This one is huge. I am the one that carries around a grudge forever, and Dan is always the first to apologize. Always.

8. He is a great dad. I love watching him and Tyler interact.

9. He has a strong testimony and lives his beliefs. This was really the thing that sealed the deal for me when we were dating. I have always been impressed by his strength of character and integrity in his actions.

I love you Dan! Happy Anniversary.

Medical News

What medical news? Well, last weekend started off with a visit to the ER, and not for Tyler. No, Dan was the one playing on the playground equipment, and when he tried to fit through a space made for someone a wee bit smaller than himself, the metal pole just didn't give. Here he is with his 6 stitches:

The other news, I actually had a miscarriage this weekend. After three years of trying to GET pregnant, we faced the problem of STAYING pregnant. Right now, I feel surprisingly calm about things. I had really kept my guard up for the 2 weeks I knew I was pregnant. I have suffered many disappointments over the last couple years, and I was really trying to protect myself. There also were some indications from the beginning that this pregnancy might not make it to term, so I was kind of expecting the worst. I have been sore for three days, and let out all my tears today, and feel ready to move forward. Just before we found out that I was pregnant, we had completed an application for a private adoption agency, and we feel good about going back to that option and moving forward with it. I really feel that Heavenly Father is guiding us and is in charge. I sure don't understand what he is doing all the time, but I have learned to trust Him.

Book Club

Okay, I have finally got my act together enough to select a date. So all you readers out there, mark your calendars:

Thursday, December 4
7:00
My house

If you are interested in joining said book club, show up that night with a book choice or two. We are going to select times and books for 2009.

Please pass this information along to anyone who you think might be interested.

Scrapbooks

So I was cleaning off my memory card and found these shots of pages that I did about month or two ago. One of these days, I really ought to learn how to scan and stitch. It would really make for better pictures on my blog. Oh, well.

Tagged

This is actually the first time I have ever been tagged. Thanks Brenda!

I am: a wife and mother
I want: a baby
I have: all my needs met
I dislike: cigarette butt litterers
I miss: my family
I fear: losing what is most precious
I feel: happy (at least right now)
I hear: Tyler playing with a friend
I crave: candy from the Halloween bowl
I cry: all too often
I usually: stick to routine
I search: for more time
I wonder: if my life will go as planned
I regret: not getting more education
I love: Dan and Tyler
I care: about becoming a better person
I worry: about the future world for my son
I am not: athletic
I remember: my awesome childhood
I believe: I am doing the best with what I have
I dance: only if Tyler makes me
I sing: the hymns in sacrament meeting; no more, no less
I don't always: live up to my own standards
I argue: with a four-year-old (I know, I really shouldn't. I'll never win)
I write: not as much as I wish I did
I win: an occasional game of Candy Land
I lose: most of the games of Candy Land
I wish: every day to add to our family
I listen: to my husband. all. the. time.
I don't understand: why we don't always get the desires of our hearts
I can usually be found: at the computer or in my car
I need: nothing, well maybe a Diet Coke
I forget: to show my gratitude
I am happy: when the ones I love are happy

So I tag: Amanda, Kelsey, Camilla, and Jenn

Candy Cane Kisses

So I discovered these last Christmas, and decided that they are my new favorite Christmas candy. I have been eating them on and off all day. If you haven't tried them, you have to! When I went back to get some more last year, being seasonal, they were gone. I was so sad to have found them and lost them basically all at once. Imagine my delight to see them in the store this year. I think I am going to stock up so I can have Candy Cane Hershey Kisses all year.

Flat Dylan

So, are you familiar with the story of Flat Stanley? My 6-year-old nephew read this in his school class and had a pretty cool project with us involved. You see, in the book, Stanley gets flattened by a bulletin board, and since he is only 1/2 inch thick, he sticks himself in an envelope and mails himself off. So we got Flat Dylan in the mail about 2 weeks ago. We took him lots of places when he came to visit:

Gymnastics


Old MacDonald's Farm


The Library


The Children's Museum


And more. Today we stuck Flat Dylan in an envelope and sent him back to Utah. We hope he had a fun stay with us.

My Temple Workout

So yesterday I filled an assignment to go over to the Temple and work on the grounds outside. It was nice weather, a little warm, but overall enjoyable. There were five of us, so we got to visit while we worked. We spent our assignment picking up branches and pine cones across the temple grounds. It was kind of neat to realize just how much work goes on in keeping the Temple so beautiful and clean. After a while, I started to feel a little tired, and wimpy because, hey it wasn't that hard of work. But this morning when I woke up, and could barely get out of bed, I realized that I spent over 2 hours yesterday doing squats. How's that for a workout?

World's Best Sugar Cookies

Okay, I highly doubt that they are the world's greatest, but I love them. I have had a few requests for the recipe, so here it is:

Holiday Sugar Cookies

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 cup sour cream

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well. Sift dry ingredients and add to sugar mixture alternately with sour cream. Chill. Roll and cut into shapes. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. When cooled, frost and decorate.

(My notes on the recipe: When it says chill, you really have to chill. I always do it overnight. Also, when you go to roll out the dough, you will have to add flour. Just keep adding a little at a time until you are able to roll easily. Finally, the main trick is to never overcook them. The bottom really should be the same color as the top. I cook mine for 9 minutes in my oven and then let them cool on the cookie sheet before I transfer them to a wire rack.)

You can use any frosting, but I do a basic buttercream:
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1-2 Tblsp. milk

Mix powdered sugar and butter. Stir in vanilla and one tablespoon of the milk. Gradually beat in just enough milk to make the frosting smooth and spreadable.

And finally, please do not judge the yumminess of the cookies on my photography ability. I just happened to have this pic on my computer from last Valentine's Day.

Enjoy!

The _________ hour of the week

I call 3/4 year old soccer the funniest hour of the week; Dan calls it the most frustrating. Tyler is not the star of the team by any means, and he has a hard time getting to the ball when the other 11 kids are on top of it. His lack of determination is what frustrates Dan. However, I find the games hilarious. These kids crack me up--running and kicking so far out of bounds that it really should be obvious; swarming the ball; the things they say. And of course my own child is one of the funniest. Last Saturday our game was at 8 am, so it was a little chilly. Tyler insisted on wearing the head band. But then, if you notice, he has taken it off when it was his turn to play goalie. Apparently he told his coach that he didn't need it when he was goalie because it was to help him run fast. Of course later in the game, he had it back on. I don't know that it really helped, but we will just keep practicing and enjoying our games.

More fall festivities

This year has been the year of perpetual Halloween. Two weeks ago we had this fun get together with some families in our neighborhood. The hosts made yummy soup, the rest of us added potluck, and then we carved pumpkins. It was so much fun.


We also attended another Halloween party last night, but I got no pics. It was fun and decorated all out. Loved it. We still have our Halloween party at preschool and Halloween night. See? Perpetual partying. Got to love it.

Halloween Costumes

So last night was our Ward Halloween Party, and we all dressed up.
Yes, Dan actually wore that to a church function. I think only one kid asked him what he was; I don't know what he told him. It was a fun night. Dan and I have never dressed up before, and we decided it was time.

Speaking of costumes, here are some oldies but goodies:

Here I am at two with my sister. I am the younger blonder one believe it or not.

Now at 4: (It's weird to think Tyler is the age I was in this picture)

And here is the whole gang in 1984, which makes me 8. I was a Cabbage Patch Kid. I had gotten one the year before for Christmas, and my mom made my costume. My doll has a matching one. Halloween is the only time my mom ever sewed. It is also the only time I am aware of that she swore too. Love ya mom! And did you catch that David my little bro is wearing the costume that I was wearing in the picture above? I think it got some good mileage over the years!

And those are all the pictures I could find from the past. That's it. I couldn't even tell you what else I dressed up as over the course of my childhood. All I remember is vaguely Trick-or-Treating down our street and not wanting to go to the house with the scary dogs. Ahh! What fond memories.

On this October morning...

I did two things that are noteworthy.

1. I voted in early voting. Yeah for me! By default, I have become quite engaged and knowledgeable this election cycle. You see, that is what happens when you are married to a man who checks Real Clear Politics more often than I check Google Reader. Of course I wanted to do my civic duty, but fearing the long lines I have faced in the past when I went to vote, I decided to try early voting. 25 minutes in and out. And, Harris County has those cool new electronic voting machines. I sure hope I cast my ballot right.

2. I made myself my first cup of hot chocolate this morning. Granted it's going to hit 80 degrees today, but my house was 68 when I woke up. Yeah for fall!

Fall Festival

A few weekends back we went to our neighborhood's fall festival. Here is my handsome guy in his costume. And a bonus that I didn't even realize until this? I will see him well on a dark Halloween night.

The fail blog

Anyone else read the fail blog? Since we use Washington Mutual, I thought this one was especially funny: