Happiness is Made of Moments...

Superbowl Par--tay!

2012-02-10T08:00:00.003-07:00

As per tradition, we got together with Rex, Dessa and Whitney for the Superbowl.

We went to their house this year and I was reminded again how small our TV is. :)

Ryan has told me over and over but I have yet to be convinced.

It was nice to watch the ~~commercials~~ game on such a large screen.

We had great food and great conversation.

To keep us entertained (not that the big game wasn't doing it!),

the kids pulled out the hula hoop and performed some tricks.

Makayla's attempt at the hula hoop:

Then I had to show her how it was done:

How embarrassing!

(And yet I post it to share my humiliation!)

Thanks to Whitney for letting me pinch the pictures and videos from her blog because I forgot my camera.

One of the Family

2012-02-09T08:00:00.001-07:00

Makayla loves her American girl doll.

She has named her Lindsay and treats her like one of the family.

After a day out in the snow, this is what I found:

Last week, I got in trouble when turning on the water too loud

(I was cleaning the bathtub) and thus waking Lindsay from her nap.

Poor, poor baby!

Daddy/Daughter Date

2012-02-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

Last week Maykayla's school had a Dad/Daughter Western Night where they learned to square dance.

Makayla was thrilled with the prospect while Ryan was a little less so. :)

Still, being a great dad, he took her and they had a great time

(at least that is the report I got from her).

To prove attendance, they took a picture and to prove participation Ryan even wore a "kids hat".

I couldn't have asked for more! :)

This means war!

2012-02-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

When Makayla is gone to school, Corbin has to get quite creative with how he plays.

He is developing quite the imagination and it usually revolves all things fighting...swords, light sabers, war.

The other day, he had his army guys out...the bad guys were losing.

The good guys:

The bad guys:

(notice how most have fallen in a pile)

Love the "shooting" face.

The bad guys may be down but they haven't given up just yet!

The red/white/blue ribbon around his neck is connected to a fitness "medal" he got at preschool.

He wears it every where.

This kid is all boy!

Another Project

2012-02-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

At parent/teacher conferences (where Makayla passed with flying colors I might add),

Ms. Chris gave us this.

Pretty cute if I do say so myself!

(I especially love the red mitins!)

I really can't believe how much she is learning.

A few short months ago, she didn't know any words and now she can read and write sentences.

Amazing!

My little girl is really growing up...

And I could not be more proud!

Weekend Get Away

2012-01-27T09:35:00.001-07:00

Last weekend, Ryan and I had our first weekend getaway since Makayla was born
(almost 6 years ago!).
My mom came and watched the kids and we headed to SLC.

We checked into our hotel and then walked out to find a place to eat.

Despite it being the end of January, the weather was quite pleasant.

We could walk around all of downtown without gloves or hats.

I loved it!

Originally we planned to go to PF Changs but found the wait was too long.

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse was on the next corner so we decided to splurge.

It was so worth it!

I had the best steak I have ever tasted in my life.

Delicious!

There is definitely something to be said for "fine dining".

*** Taken the next day as we drove by...the weather was definitely not as nice. :)***

After dinner we walked to Abravenal Hall to watch Brian Regan perform.

While we were waiting for the show to start, we took a "proof we were there photo"

that doesn't really prove anything. :)

The performance was great and we have been talking about our favorite jokes for days.

The next day, we spent a leisurely morning

(both of us woke early even without the help of the kids...some habits are hard to break!)

and then went to visit Abby's family in their new apartment

(which is quite a mansion compared to their old place...yeah!)

It had been raining the whole day but then when we started for home, the snow began...

not fun!

Ryan was extra cautious though and we made it home safe and sound.

The kids had a great time with Grandma and didn't miss us at all...definite incentive to do it again! :)

Special ME!

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Once a month, one student is spotlighted in Makayla's kindergarten class.

Last week was Makayla's turn.

She could not have been more excited.

She gathered up all of her favorite things

(most of it was from Christmas...I don't know what her favorites were before then. :)

And made a poster:

Then, Ryan, Corbin and I went to visit her class.

Dessa joined us too, as Makayla's special guest.

Makayla showed off her favorite toys (all different stuffed dogs!),

played her favorite song (She'll be Coming Around the Mountain),

showed her scrapbook and autograph book from the Disney Cruise,

and then I read her favorite book (The Crayon Box that Talked) to the class.

It was very cute to see her interact with the other students.

She was quite proud to be able to sit at the front of the class

and was not nervous a bit to share things about herself.

As we were driving home the conversation went:

Kayla: "This is the best day ever!"

Me: "Even better than Christmas?"

Kayla: "Even better cuz I got to sit on the table at school."

Who knew that is all it took? :)

Friends?

2012-01-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

Makayla finished cleaning her room and said, "Mom, you have gotta come see this."

Quite a trick!

Silly girl!

A Sure Sign

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

On New Year's Eve, we planned to go out to Chinese (to satisfy my Christmas Eve craving!).

I was in the bathroom getting ready with the door shut.

Corbin put his nose under the door and said "Mom are you almost ready?"

Not two minutes later I opened the door to find him sound asleep.

A sure sign mom takes too long in the bathroom.

Church Coats

2012-01-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

Grandma and Grandpa O gave the kids dress coats for Christmas.

I do not think they could be more cute.

I love them!

Thus, a photo shoot was warranted...

and with church starting at 11am this year, we had some time to do it. :)

A photo shoot then turned into a talent show...albeit, a short one!

Makayla thought she looked like Santa because I pulled the "fur" of her dress down at the wrists of her coat, hence this video.

I'm not sure why my camera doesn't stay focused.

I read online a lot of other people complained about the same problem but I have yet to find a fix.

Oh well!

Nice moves!

Presents a Plenty

2012-01-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Santa visited our house and left these gifts for the kids.

They were thrilled with everything...it was contagious!

Video explanations:

1. Santa drops orange peels around the house usually leave a path from the kid's rooms back to the Santa plate...that is what the kids are looking for.

2. Santa puts artichokes in our stockings every year. It is a favorite tradition. The kids love them. He did bring some for grandpa and grandma too but the kids hadn't seen them on the table yet.

3. We have a "stay in your room until 7am" rule at our house that is sometimes followed

and most of the time not...but that is what Makayla is talking about. ;)

Santa brought Makayla the puppy she asked for:

Corbin got a sword...He asked for a "blood sword"

but I told him Santa could not bring something like that into our house so

finally he agreed on a regular sword:

After opening the gifts from Santa, we hurried to get ready for church where we enjoyed a beautiful musical program. It was a great way to spend an hour. (The next week at church Corbin was sad to stay for primary...he said, "Let's just go home after this like it's Christmas!")

After church, we went home and I made German Pancakes...delish! and we opened the rest of our gifts.

Let me tell you, there were plenty!

We brought the gifts up from downstairs and the kids joked about "drowning" in presents.

It was not far from the truth:

Grandpa and Grandma O gave Corbin a giant talking dinosaur...

and it just happened to be his favorite color...

ORANGE!

Corbin gave Makayla a baby carrier.

"It's just what I wanted!"

She wanted to ask Santa for this as well but knew she could only ask for one thing...

she was so happy that Corbin picked this for her.

We gave Makayla an art easel...hours of drawing fun await!

Corbin was thrilled with his light sabers we gave him.

Light sabers and swords...what are we going to do with this kid?

The kids were not the only ones who got presents.

Ryan's loot:

I was super excited about the gift I got for Ryan.

Months ago, I got Ryan tickets to Brian Reagon, a comedian whom he loves.

I made arrangements for my mom to come and watch the kids for the night

and we are going to get a night away.

What could be better?

My haul:

I think I was spoiled! I was totally surprised by the fire bowl.

I had mentioned, in passing, that I wanted a firepit for our backyard.

Ryan listened and got me one.

What a great guy!

What a great Christmas!

Christmas Eve

2012-01-18T08:00:00.001-07:00

After traveling home, it was time to spend Christmas Eve at our house with Ryan's parents. The kids were so excited to get to see both Grandmas in one day!

I wanted it to be a special night (since it was Christmas Eve) and what says special more than Chinese Take-out? I was craving it. We called around and no one would deliver so I resigned myself to left-overs. Sad! I did get Chinese on New Years though so that satisfied my craving. :)

After dinner, the kids got to open their Christmas pjs and then tried to sing a few songs (our "stage" always ends up being right in front of the fireplace).

They were laughing so hard that they didn't get through many songs. :)

We read the story of Christ's birth in the scriptures.

And we set out a plate for Santa:

Gotta love the variety!

Christmas at Grandma's

2012-01-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

We always have a great time at Grandma's and this Christmas was no exception. On the eve of Christmas Eve, we had our family party. The kids acted out the nativity.

Kayla and Corbin were both wisemen and wanted to make sure they brought really great gifts:

All the kids did such a great job...and even held still long enough to get a picture.

After the nativity, we were entertained with a variety of talents from all the cousins.

Kayla did a skit with puppets she got from school.
She practiced her whole story several times on the drive to Grandma's house
but forgot what she was going to say once she got up there.
With a little help, she made it through. :)

The following morning was the Annual Neighborhood Christmas breakfast that my parents put on.
We had nearly 350 people attend this year.
With the kids getting older, I was worked out of my juice pouring job

but I still indulged in a cup or two! Photo courtesy of my sister who insisted on taking pictures as I posed/sashayed...who knew modeling was so taxing? :)

The kids "helped out" long enough to don their matching red aprons
(my mom got one for everyone in the family...that's a lot of red aprons!) and take a picture.
They spent the rest of the time in the house with the rest of the little cousins playing...such the life!

Right after the breakfast, we packed up and headed home to have Christmas Eve at our house. The kids were sad to leave their cousins but excited to see what Santa would bring.

Random Christmas Pics for Random Christmas Activities

2012-01-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

We went to dinner one night (the first part of December) and there was a Christmas tree in the waiting area. The kids were dressed in their "Saturday" finest but said,

"You should take a picture of us with this pretty tree."

Of course, I obliged...well, Ryan did with his cell phone. ;)

Ryan (as the High Priest Group Leader) was in charge of our ward Christmas party.

It was a hectic night for him

(he forgot 3 huge tubs of sour cream in our refrigerator at home)

but he pulled it off and it was a really nice dinner with a visit from a special guest.

The kids were quite impressed that Santa knew their dad's name. :)

Kayla made sure to tell Santa she wanted a "walking puppy".

She had been saving up all year to buy one for herself

but decided it would be easier to ask Santa for it. :)

Smart girl!

Corbin did eventually climb on to Santa's knee but I thought this picture was great.

He looks so grown up!

What happened to my baby boy?

In December we also decided to take the kids to the Voice Male Christmas Concert.

Though they have been performing for years (and a good friend from our singles ward was in the group),

I had never actually attended.

It was great.

The kids loved it and commented about their favorite parts for days...

It was a fun family activity.

As per tradition, we went to the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas concert again.

Ryan wasn't able to get tickets this year so we thought we may not be able to attend.

However, the day before the concert,

my mom was talking to a member of her book club who had tickets she wasn't able to use.

Mom got them for us, overnight-ed them in the mail and we were able to go.

It was a Christmas miracle!

The biggest miracle was the fact that Ryan's aunt and uncle were staying in a timeshare across the street from the Conference Center and agreed to watch the kids.

When the concert was over all we had to do was walk across the street to pick them up.

We were then able to take them on a walk to see the lights on Temple Square.

It was fabious!

(Just ask the kids...that's how they say fabulous)

Getting Crafty!

2012-01-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

The kids have made some pretty cute craft projects lately so here's a display:

Kayla had a lesson on families at school and made a picture of her own family.

I love Ryan's glasses, the kids blue eyes, and the fact that only Corbin got a body. :)

All in all, I think it captures us pretty well.

At preschool, Corbin made a hand-print reindeer.

I thought it was so cute.

At Grandma's house, all the cousins got to work on some little crafts.

(I missed out on the fun because I was working on a little project of my own with my dad in his shop...thanks to my sister's who helped my kids!)

Apparently, Corbin insisted on making his exactly like the picture on the cover.

I was pretty impressed with both of them.

Can you guess whose is whose?

Kayla's is on the left...Corbin's on the right.

Live Nativity

2011-12-16T11:26:00.001-07:00

We attended the live Nativity again this year (this time without the rain...and we beat the crowds). Even Moses the camel made an appearance this year:

(last year he didn't make it because he had the flu...did you know that camels can get the flu?)

The kids loved seeing the animals (even though it was dark)
and took every opportunity they could get to "pet" them.

Yahoo!

We sang some carols while we went on a hayride and then completed the evening

with hot chocolate and cookies at home.

Fun times!

Gingerbread house?

2011-12-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

Makayla made a gingerbread house at school. Well, really no gingerbread was actually used.

It was really a milk carton which made for a pretty handy structure to frost and adorn with candy.

Parents were invited to the activity so I went to the school to help.

She didn't really need me...she had a plan all her own...but I think she was happy I was there. :)

Almost as soon as we got home she put her house in her room for "decorations".

She's pretty proud of herself.

Great job sweetheart!

Family Tree

2011-12-09T08:34:00.000-07:00

This week in preschool, Corbin discussed families and made a family tree. For each member of his family he made a leaf and wrote something nice they do for him. This is what we got:

Kayla -- She helps me clean my room.

Mom -- She puts on my blanket.

(I do this for him when he first goes to bed and then often again at about 3am. I'm glad he appreciates it!)

Dad -- He tickles me and scratches my back and throws me on the couch.

It's nice to know it's the little things he appreciates.

Let the season begin!

2011-11-30T11:26:00.000-07:00

We spent Thanksgiving in Idaho with my family.

I was so busy relaxing (let me tell you, I got really good at it!) I didn't even take pictures.

Just know that we had a wonderful meal (even the turkey was delicious!) and we enjoyed time together.

On Saturday, there was a holiday kick off at the park.

We didn't intend on playing at the park because it was soooo cold

but my kids couldn't resist a ride down the slide

(there was ice at the bottom which they thought was hilarious!)

(so fast he is blurry!)

The holiday kick-off was complete with

a horse drawn wagon ride:

Hot chocolate and cookies

Chili

(which we didn't eat choosing instead to get Chinese carryout...that's how we roll!)

Fireworks

and of course,

Santa!!!

Despite the cold (it realllllly was cold!), we had a good time.

It was a great way to start the Christmas season.

Corbin's Room

2011-11-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

When we moved into this house, we inherited a bunch of Ryan's childhood bedroom furniture.

When we got it I checked with my mother-in-law to ensure it was actually "ours"

and she wouldn't mind if I painted it.

She readily agreed (as long as I didn't do white).

However, I doubt she had any idea what I was going to do with it.

The first item, I painted for my scrapbook/craft area in the basement.

You may remember this green lovely lady from a previous post:

More recently, I have been working on the furniture for Corbin's room.

Originally, all of it looked like this:

Before

(this is the desk I will be starting on next...I didn't take before pictures of the others)

This is what my latest creation looks like now:

After

Corbin is a big fan of orange and blue so I think this delivers! :)

I removed the "extra decorative" pieces from the drawer fronts and put in some beadboard wallpaper. I bought some new handles on clearance (each one cost less than $.50!) and painted them orange.

What the drawers used to look like:

Before

What they look like now:

After

(not sure why they look so dark...I guess it is the lighting).

So one more AFTER:

I love the new look!

What do you think?

(I like the beadboard look so much I think I am going to do it on the green lovely above...as soon as I finish some more pressing projects that is!)

Another Year Older and Wiser Too...

2011-11-21T09:27:00.000-07:00

Turned another year older last week and was showered with gifts:

Flowers

Chocolates

Fancy sheets

(and some new clothes)

And the

Piece de Resistance:

A new broom.

I asked the kids for this knowing that Ryan would refuse because it was so ridiculous.

Still, it was exactly what I wanted.

Happy Birthday to me!

Giving Thanks

2011-11-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

The other night we had a FHE focusing on giving thanks...pretty timely given the season. ;)

As the activity we made turkeys with feathers of things for which we were thankful.

With just a little spelling help, the kids wrote out their own.

Makayla is really proud of her name so it was repeated on several feathers. :)

It was a fun activity...not to mention the fact we followed it up with banana splits. Yum!

Just keeps on giving...

2011-11-15T08:00:00.001-07:00

About 3 weeks ago, Ryan and Corbin were riding bikes to preschool.
Ryan jumped over a curb, landed on a rock and popped his tire
which forced him face first into the pavement.
With this one accident, Ryan cut open his head, chin, and hands (luckily no stitches were necessary),
broke a rib, crunched his bike and totaled his cell phone.
I thought that was the worst of it.

Wrong!

Now, weeks later, Ryan went his to get his wrist checked out that was still bothering him.
Guess what?
Broken.
This is the accident that keeps on giving.

This time it gave a cast in Aggie Blue!

Go Team!

First Snow

2011-11-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

We got a lot of snow on Friday night which made for a pretty exciting Saturday morning at our house.

I took a picture first thing because I find newly fallen, undisturbed snow really beautiful

(from in the inside looking out that is!)

By 9am, the kids had their rooms cleaned (which was no small feat!)

and were dressed in last years' winter gear ready to head outside.

I only watched them for a few minutes (in the doorway, in my pjs without any socks...burrr!) but they stayed out and played for quite a while.

Corbin was the first to come in for some hot chocolate and a movie.

I convinced Makayla to come in for lunch and then forced her to stay in for a couple of hours

but as soon as I let her, she was back outside.

All told, I think she played outside for about 5 hours on Saturday.

Crazy girl!

She came in, soaked to the bone and grinning ear to ear.

At the end of the day, I took another picture.

Not nearly as undisturbed or as beautiful but I think it definitely reflects a day of fun!

The Thrill!

2011-11-07T08:00:00.001-07:00

The local news chopper came to visit Makayla's school to do a piece on literacy. Because we are so close to the school, we were able to see the helicopter land and take off from our backyard.

Corbin was thrilled.

So was Ryan!

The helicopter was so close to our house that it flew over our tree.

Ryan was there filming it all.

Pretty cool!

The news spot for our school was very short...maybe 15 seconds and we didn't see Makayla but we did recognize some kids from our neighborhood.

Again, pretty cool!