Christmas 2010

My favorite memory of Christmas was waking up to see the Christmas tree lite up, all the presents and the balloons that filled the whole floor - I think that is one of my most fondest memories as a small child and that was when my parents were still married.

This year it was soooo exciting to be home and enjoy the Christmas holiday with Sam, Kaylab and Preston.  Once the boys were safely tucked into bed and we were certain they were asleep I began to pull out all the gifts I had hidden behind the Christmas tree (weeks before) and fill up all the balloons to make for a morning surprise.  

Christmas Morning . . . I don't know who was more excited the boys or me! I was horribly sick, but I had waken up every hour thinking the boys were going to wake up before Micah and I did - And I really wanted to see the look of surprise when they walked out into the living room.

Preston had a goal that he wanted  to see Christmas presents under the tree all the way into the middle of the floor. Boy was he surprised when the gifts poured over to the other side the the entertainment center.  There was certainly something about this year that I had wanted everything to be prefect and wonderful and I think it was having Kaylab and Preston join the family this year.

Sam received from Santa new sleepers, cologne, Cookie Monster shirt & hat, Michael Bubble CD, Utes Snuggie, Dress shirts and sweater vests.

Kaylab received from Santa a Stellers Jacket, a bucket to fill with all his new star wars and SWAT Legos, Dumo Hat, lots of clothes, and Mp3 player with SD card.

Preston received from Santa a Chargers Jacket, Paper Jam Drums, bucket to fill with his firefighter and army Lego sets, Mp3 Player with SD card lots of clothes too.

Micah must of been a good boy this year Santa brought him a new watch, the Wii Firefighter game and some new smell goods and a BIG n RICH cd.

And I to must of been pretty good . . . I got a new perfume (after 9 years of wearing the same one), Lady Antebellum cd and new sleepers.

Christmas Eve

As a family we decided that it would be best that we drew names and did a gift exchange; and for the younger boys we also agreed that no one could spend more than $5.00 and something of the gift had to be homemade.

It was a HUGE success and everyone loved the gift they gave and the gift they received!

Micah picked Kaylab - He made Kaylab a football holder out of on of those kits from the Home Depot.

Tanya picked Preston - I made Preston a half of dozen CD's with all the country music and songs I knew he would love to have - Boys of Fall is his favorite!!

Sam picked Tanya - And I LOVED my gift! Sam bought me a DVD about four 'brothers' who had been raised by their foster mother and come back together during her funeral and his homemade gift was a CD of songs that he chose for various reasons and my all time two favorites were on there; You're Gonna Miss This which makes me always cry thinking that one day Sam will be gone away from our home living his life and the other song was Boys of Fall which I cry to also. I was never a true LOVER of football, but there was something about sitting in the stands watching YOUR BOY play!

Kaylab picked Micah - Kaylab made Micah Banishing Muffins (and some for the whole family) and had sewn a bag during home economics.

Preston picked Sam - So Preston and I made Sam a huge can (to use to save his change) and we filled it will his favorite trail mix.

After wards we all piled into the Tahoe with some hot chocolate to go drive around and look at some Christmas Lights before heading off to bed.  I am proud to say everyone was tucked into their bed before 10 and was able to get a good nights sleep - Kaylab and I were starting to get a cold!!

Primary Childern's Hospital

I snagged this photo from Jenn, I had left my camera in the car.

Today we went with Sadie and her kid, Jenn and her kids and Veronica and her kids to Primary Childerns Hospital in Salt Lake City to donate toys for the children at the hospital.  

It had started out as a rough day (for me), but I was lucky to have Ame here for the afternoon and she helped me through it.  The boys seemed to have a good time knowing they were doing something good for other children.

RIP Bluzi

I know that most people are not cat lovers . . . after-all, who can just love and adore something that uses a box for the restroom, scratches your furniture for fun and can make noises like nails on a chalk-board, but in all honesty Bluzi was my companion.

My people say Dog is mans best friend, however, Bluzi was mine.  She loved all the same things that I did - she only liked people that she wanted to like, she disliked being touched and adored (unless she requested it), she loved to sleep and hated to be woken up, like me she was picky with her food, and countless other things.  

The last few weeks she was with me I couldn't help, but hold her and love her - I miss you Bu-Buz.

Ashley Wright Photography . . . December 2010

Temple Square Trip

11th Day of Christmas . . . Temple Square

After looking at all the lights we headed back to the Front Runner Station to catch our train home . . . of course we were also an hour early so we hung out on the train.

On the 10th Day of Christmas . . .

The boys and I with the help of Oma & Daniel made Gingerbread houses.

Celebrating Christmas with Oma, Opa and Daniel

My parents came to Utah a few weeks before Christmas not only for a vacation, but a chance for Little Daniel to see the snow . . . what snow you ask!?!? That's right here we were in the first part of December without any snow!!

It ended up being a nice visit - Unfortunately both my parents and little Daniel ended up getting sick with colds, but that did not stop any of us from enjoying the Christmas Spirit. We had made plans to build gingerbread houses, see one of the missionaries who taught and prepared my parents to be baptized (last June), see the Temple Square lights in Salt Lake City, celebrate Kaylab's 13th birthday, have Breakfast at Jeremiahs (in Ogden) and various other things my parents enjoy

We also took this time to celebrate Christmas . . the kids were SPOILED and so were Micah and I! Kaylab got a bounce it, tech-decks kits, and some other item he was able to pick out & Preston got a bounce it, a paper jam and a fire truck.

Happy 13th Birthday, Kaylab!!!

This morning Kaylab woke up and found that he had been 'taped' into his room by streamers . . . .  then found about 50 balloons in the living room leading to his Birthday Table.

Today, was also part of our 8th day of Christmas with a tag that read "Let's Celebrate Kaylab's Birthday Tonight; Dinner, an Activity and a treat as a family!!"

 Tonight off to Check E Cheese we went where a kid can be a kid . . . or a TEENAGER in this case!!!  I feel for this guy I had no idea how I was going to have a birthday party in December and try to figure out a time everyone could make it. 

Syracuse Titan Football Banquet

Titan Football has came to an official end . . . 
Tonight was the Football Banquet and it was a nice chance to spend some one on one time with Sam - I think Micah and I had a good chance to be able to hang out with Sam and recall all the good memories from this year and the year before Football Season.

Oma, Opa and Daniel took Preston and Kaylab 

out to dinner and were nice enough to babysit while we went to dinner with Sam.

This Guy . . Got his Permit Toady

On our way to the Titan Football Banquet . . . .  

2nd day of Christmas

December 2010

This year I wanted to do something extra special for the Christmas season so I looked around for some great ideas; and the one I loved the most was having a count down to Christmas.

Thanksgiving with the Neighbors

 

This year was the first year that Micah's parents did not come out to Utah to celebrate Thanksgiving with us! So when we got the invitation to have Thanksgiving dinner with the Mills and Call Family we thought it would be a great idea.

Sadie and Jenn over did themselves (as always) with the decorations for the kids and adult table.  You girls are awesome!!

These cute rolls was an idea I saw on a craft blog; they are Thankful rolls!  

Thanks again Jenn I stole some pictures from your blog so that I could get caught up on mine :)

After dinner Micah, the boys and I went to see Mega-mind followed by pie at the Mills home before we rushed out the door for the Black Friday sells at Wal-Mart.

Thanksgiving Morning

Recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

For Crust:

In a medium bowl; combine crumbs, sugar and cinnamon and add melted butter.  Press down flat into a 9 inch spring-form pan and set aside.

For Filling:

Beat cream cheese until smooth, add pumpkin puree, eggs, egg yolk, sour cream, sugar and the spices.  Add flour and vanilla.  Beat together until well combined.

Pour into crust.  Spread out evenly and place in oven for 1 hour.  Remove from oven and let sit for 15 minutes.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours.

Colonial Day Fair

Preston's 5th grade class had been working all month to collect colonial day coins to use to make purchases at the Colonial Fair.  Preston did not know what he wanted to make and sell so I suggested we make peanut brittle, after all, I have a great recipe and it is pretty easy to make, however, it is time consuming.

We had no idea how much we needed or how many bags to make so we filled as many bags as we could (25 bags total).  Once Preston went off to bed I put some fall colored ribbon to make them look appealing and the next morning off to school he went.

Preston came home that next afternoon saying that he SOLD OUT and that his teacher Miss Dahl had him increase the price from 2 coins to 4 coins. 

Christmas 2010

Micah and Sam were such stud's today . . . there was a BLIZZARD coming in and they decided it would be a good idea to get up on the roof and put up some Christmas lights this year on the house.

Look what is Happening with Kaylab!

Kaylab got braces!!!  And he was so excited and happy about it!!!

School Pictures 2010-2011

School pictures are the CHEESIEST thing ever, but it is also the only time you can look back at yourself and think did I really look like that!  Of course there is a yearbook to look back on, but we all know sometimes those pictures are blacked out or lost - So Kaylab and Preston I wanted to have some pictures printed to hold on to in case something ever happens that they want to be able to see what they looked like while in our home.

As for Sam, truth is this has to be one of the silliest and cheesiest pictures ever taken!  Once again, he needs something to look back and say hey that's me.  And of course I look forward to the day I can show his children what he looked like his Senior year of high school.

Preston - Age 10

Buffalo Point Elementary - 5th Grade

 Kaylab - Age 12

Syracuse Jr High School - 7th Grade

Sam - Age 18

Syracuse High School - Senior Class

Hunt Murder Mystery

Tonight we went out with the Mills and the Houston's to see to see a Hunt Murder Mystery's Dinner & Show in Ogden.  The food was lacking, but good company and a show made up for it.

This is one of the actors who was spoofing Edward from Twilight. Overall, the show was great and I love how the actors interact with the audience - this was the second show Micah and I have seen

Last Home Game for the Titans!!

Each Player presented the 'mom' with flowers before they ran down the line to join their teammates.

Tonight was bitter sweet; I am looking forward to not being on the go so much come Thursday and Fridays, but I am also going to miss seeing Sam step out on the field with the Titans wearing jersey number #68!

It was Senior Night and all the 'parents' were going to be able to walk with their Senior out on the field.  Sam's mom Gretchen came up for the evening and was able to join us on the field, the DOWNFALL was that several days prior to this I had a call asking if Micah and I would be there and I gave them our name in addition to his mom's name (after-all where would Micah and I be if she hadn't given birth to Sam and trusted us to care for him).  

As the parents were walking out onto the field the song Boys of Fall by Kenny Chesney is playing in the background and I am already an emotional mess that I am fitting back the tears.  This only gets more emotional when I watch Sam and his mom hugging and I see his eyes tearing up and Gretchen doing the same - I know I am a crybaby and I don't care!  Micah and I both get a chance to hug Sam who seems to have grown two feet wearing his pads . . .  I hold it together pretty well and am very proud of myself!

In numerical order the players are announced # 66 . . .#67 . . . #75!?!?!?  What Sam in number #68 and his name is not Hunter!!!!  I see the look of panic come over the faces of the people who have put this together - no it was not the announcer who made a mistake because he keeps on going #76 . .  Rush!  Seriously people we stood there waiting while three other players were announced before someone was finally able to get to the sky-box and tell them Sam's name and announce Micah and Tanya Mower.  Who the heck is that??

Maybe it was meant to be so that I didn't sob like a baby, maybe it was meant to be so that Sam has some time to feel like he was actually apart of the Varsity game that night . .  who knows and who cares it was how it was meant to be and it gave Sam a chance to have the spotlight on him once again!

Syracuse City Pumpkin Walk

I snagged this photo from Jenn, I completely spaced the idea of getting the picture of the entrance.

This year Micah and I took the younger boys, Kaylab and Preston to the Syracuse City Pumpkin Walk.  We were joined by the Sadie and her kids; Kylie, Kayson, Kenize, Brecken and Brynlie and by the Call Family - It made for a more enjoyable time since we spend over an hour in line waiting to get in to see the pumpkins that lined the local park.

Sadie was such a sweetheart she bought some Krispy Kreme donuts and shared with the boys . . .  I think that helped make standing in line a little more enjoyable also.

Here are just a few that we saw.  It was disappointing Preston and I had craved four pumpkins; one for him and three for me and during the walk we only found the three that I had done. Little guy was pretty bummed out, but he did a great job of not getting too upset.

Overall, it was a nice family activity for the four of us.  Sam was off at football practice getting ready for the last home game of the season against the Layton Lancers and he had some homework he needed to get done before the Sadie Hawkins dance the following evening.

Couple's Night - Thanks to House Party.com

I have become a HUGE fan of houseparty.com - in fact if you have never heard about it you have to go to their website!!  A few months ago I won DJ Hero and I won a second party this month!  It was a great opportunity to have the neighborhood couples get together.  This was a great find by my neighbor Tiffany - Fingers crossed she gets a party soon!!

 

Tiffany did an AMAZING job putting together a Couple's Minute to Win It competition for the couples tonight!  I had been a little OK more than a little concerned that the night would be BORING since I had not planned anything exciting, but when Tiffany walked in with a laundry basket full of props for the game I knew we were in for a great evening.  THANKS TIFFANY if was so much fun, and made for an eventful and memorable evening with good food, and great friends!

This game is called Cookies on the Face. It was hilarious to watch people try to move this cookie all over their face to get in their mouth. Jared, Micah, Chenelle and Matt completed the task and it was pretty impressive.

This game involved stacking three golf balls on top of one another and they have to stay there for 3 minutes.

This game was a HOOT - the object was for each person to blow the cherry back in forth until one of them could catch it in their mouth!

Happy 8th Anniversary to Us!

Micah and I celebrated eight years of marriage today!  It is hard to believe that we have been married for eight years and even harder to believe that we have know one another for eighteen years!!

I would love to say that we did something fun for our anniversary, but the truth of the matter is with three kids ages 18, 12 and 10 it is hard!  So we settled for grabbing some sandwiches from a local deli and going to the park in Sugarhouse.

I had taken my camera with us, but after our meeting and Micah having to get back to work to finish his projects so we could head back home to get the boys from school I totally spaced the idea of any pictures.

Not to mention I was on recovery mode from spending the three day weekend with Robin.

Sunday Afternoon Picnic

After enjoying a yummy breakfast and taking Sam to work we packed a picnic lunch (in my DI find for $3.00) picnic basket and headed up to Monte Cristo.  We found a nice little campsite (that we didn't have to pay $7 bucks to use for an hour, see previous post from going to South Fork) with a picnic bench and a nearby stream.

Kaylab and Preston  really enjoyed the binoculars Micah had bought with him and being able to walk along the stream.  I had told the boys that if they got wet they were gonna have to stay because no one was getting wet and getting into my car.  Ten seconds later Preston slipped and got his shoes wet - Poor guy got so upset and said "Now I can't go home!".

Sadie Hawkins 2010

Look E . . . Look E . . . What Do You See?

On our back down the mountain Micah spotted something and we had just enough time to figure out it was a Moose behind the brush next to the road.  

Micah quickly turned the truck around and we headed onto the dirt road and to our surprise there was THREE of them!!!  Now Robin and I are City Girls so this was the first time either of us had seen a Moose before.

I quickly took out my camera and had Micah open the sunroof as I popped out of the roof snapping pictures of these 'little guys'. It was like being on Safari without the cool khaki shorts and hat and a scarf tied around your neck.

Temple Square

The weather wasn't that great today, but the dark clouds made for some amazing background shots while Robin and I were out and about.  Our tour of  Temple Square was a QUICK one, after-all, it was 5:15pm and Sam was getting off work at 5:30pm.

As Robin and I were walking around I was quickly reminded of how long Robin and I have been friends (20 years now) and how easy it is for us to just pick up right where we left off.  It is such a true quote something to the effect of great/best friends are those who can pick up five years later right where you left off!

For those of  you not familiar with the Tanya & Robin story I will make it QUICK.  We sat next to each other 8th grade year in Miss Morgan's English class at Moore Jr. High in Redlands, CA and we also rode the same bus after school.

I don't recall exactly how or what we talked about, but we became friends over time (mostly at school) and when my mom and I moved my Freshman year to Paso Robles, CA Robin and I became pen-pals . . . YES we used actual paper,pens and stamps as a form of communication.  For the next several years we developed creative ways to write letters, talked on the 'home' phone prior to email and text messaging.  This went on through high school and eventually Robin would come to stay in Paso Robles during the CA Mid-State Fair where we would spent countless hours talking and walking.

After high school life changes and you become YOUNG and DUMB, even though we often grew apart we always found a way back and picked up right where we left off.  This went on through our 20's and when the day came that I got married - I knew that Robin would be right beside me!   

"They say true friends go long periods of time without speaking 

and never question their friendship. 

These friends pick up like they just spoke yesterday 

regardless of how long it has been or how far they live 

and they don't hold grudges."

 

I am often criticized for not being overly friendly or accepting of peoples 'friendship'  but the truth is when  you have a friendship like I have had with Robin it is hard to believe and accept that all people are that real and  genuine.  And even though we let time get the best of us there is one thing I know for sure; Robin is the kind of friend that I can count on til the end!  Love ya girlie - here is to another 20 years as friends!!!

Bringham Young's Beehive House

After stopping to grab a quick snack at Cafe Rio; chips and salsa with a grilled chicken quesedilla Robin and I headed over to the Beehive house for a quick tour before heading over to Temple Square. I don't really know what it is about going to the Beehive House that I like so much, but I really enjoy looking at all the old items from that time period and hearing about what life was like for people.

As Robin and I were leaving the Beehive house we snapped a few photos of the flowers around the building.  How is it that years ago we snapped pictures of silly things, such as, pictures of ourselves, cute boys and concerts to buildings and flowers??  

Guess it just proves that we are no longer the same little ladies we were when we met in Miss Morgans 8th Grade English class. Oh where oh where has the time gone?

Next stop . . . Temple Square!

Robin Comes to Utah

First stop  . . . CAPITAL HILL in Salt Lake City, Utah.

I think Micah and I have given the traditional Utah tour about a dozen times now, but this was the first time we have gone to the Capital building.  The weather was not the best . . . it was obvious to me that Fall was quickly approaching and it was a matter of time before we had our first snow.

There was so much to see and read, but with two young boys it was hard to keep them interested in history.  Their reward for being on good behavior was a trip to Hatch Family Chocolate were each boy got a milk chocolate Turtle, Robin had an apricot creme and Micah and I shared a dark chocolate Turtle.  If you are ever in Utah a must go to is Hatch Family Chocolate (Steve and Katie Hatch have a show on TLC called Little Chocolatiers)

Next stop . . . . Beehive House!

Sam's answer to Sadie Hawkins

Sam has been so busy with school, football practice and working that I thought I would help him out this week with his response to the girl who asked him to Sadie Hawkins.

I secretly enjoy these kinds of activities, but at the same time I hate them too!  I find the whole idea of asking for each dance silly and overwhelming - partly because I feel like we just had Homecoming 2-3 weeks ago and here we are again doing the same thing AGAIN!  

I really enjoy trying to find new ways to ask and answer; I think many of the ideas have been done so much that it has LOST the newest and fun out of it.  I am thankful to say my boys (Chaze included) found unique ideas and made it fun for the girls and themselves.

This idea was bit and pieces that Micah and I came up with - In fact while we were at the dollar store we saw the gum ball machine and gum balls and agreed it would get used for SOMETHING.  By the time we got home we knew we would write a message on the gum balls . . . Micah suggested just saying Yes, and then came up with GUM and get me!

And of course I thought that was too easy so I came up with "GUM and get me I think we would have a BALL at Sadie Hawkins <3, Sam" I than placed all the gum balls into the gum ball machine and hot glued it shut so it wasn't easy to open.  And the GRAND FINALE I packed the machine into the box with confetti and hot glued it shut! :)  From there I packaged it in some shrink wrap and more confetti topped with a BIG bow.

SHS TITANS VS. Clearfield Falcons (39-0)

Sam gets Asked to the Sadie Hawkins Dance

Okay so this evening sitting at the dinner table there is a crazy ring of the door bell.  Micah and I knew it had to be for Sam so we sent him to the front door. And to his surprise this is what he found!  There was a twenty-five pound bag of flour with a note that read "Dig through the flour to see who wants to take you to Sadies?"

Micah and Sam quickly opened the bag of flour and started to shift flour threw the kitchen strainer only to find there was nothing in the bag and  what a BIGGER surprise when I pointed out that the bag had never been opened and resealed. :)

The next evening after the Varsity Football game against Clearfield Sam was given a bouquet of flowers with a tag that said, "Sam!  Roses are red, Violets are blue, I must have grabbed the wrong 'flour', but I would love to go to Sadie's with you!  Kayla"