Christmas at Our House

My precious two all snuggled up in their Christmas Jammie's before heading off to bed for some good rest so Santa could come.

Treyson was so excited to leave out cookies, milk and carrots.

The carrots were meant for the reindeer, but Jersey Girl got to them first.

1:30 AM and Santa has just left. Now only a few hours left until my angels will awake.

This is was only the beginning of an unforgettable day.

Joe had creatively left a few of my gifts around the house in the morning. He made coffee and told me to me to go make a cup. As I grabbed the coffee pot I was blinded by a beautiful bracelet on the top of the coffee maker. Then back int he living room hanging from some decorative berries I found a necklace and all of a sudden there was an extra ornament on the tree. This cute new bell and inside were my diamond earrings. Joe is not the most romantic man ever but he certainly has his moments and I love him dearly!

Babies, babies, babies was the theme for my baby this year. She has one with her at all times now. And since I am not sure that I will be blessed with another baby, we decided to name Jersey's babies after my sisters. This is Violet Michelle and the other is Taylor Dawn.

We always say we are rock stars and now with this awesome gift I got Joe we really can be! He was thrilled, can you tell. This is his big surprised smile!

Joe did good for me this year, as he always does. I now have another digital camera that is small and easy to take around with me. I must have a camera at all times, you never know when you are going to need to capture a moment.

Treyson had forgotten to tell Santa he wanted a trampoline, so I made a last minute phone call to The Big guy. We weren't sure if he would be able to bring such a big gift with such short notice....but he did! My son was beyond excited.....I loved it!

Of course anything Cars is always a big hit with my little man.

Jersey is such a snuggle buns. She adores her babies. This is her prayer baby which she loves!

All in all Christmas was so exciting this year. Joe and I had been looking forward to it for months. Treyson is at the fun age where he is excited about it all. He knows all bout Santa and the the North Pole, the elves and how they make all the toys. Christmas Eve started out great, the kids and I got the house all cleaned and toys put away so there would be room for all the new gift the would be receiving. We sang Christmas songs and waited anxiously for Daddy to come home from work. The missionaries came over for our weekly visit and we had a wonderful lesson. I love spending time with them! We made cookies for Santa and set them out with a glass of milk and some carrots for the reindeer. We all opened one gift from me.....all new Jammie's! It was so fun for the whole family to change into our new jams and talk about how much we are so grateful for our family and our lives together. The kids headed to bed and Joe and I got busy finishing up wrapping and putting together the big items. We did good and were done about 1Am. But as we settled into bed I couldn't sleep! I was so excited for the morning to come, it was the longest night ever. Joe and I woke up about 5:30 and snuggled in bed talking waiting for the sound of Treyson......we heard him get out of bed and all of a sudden he was running onto our room. He had peeked into the living room before coming to us. When he go to the bedside he could barely talk, he was so overwhelmed with excitement! He stuttered the words, "Mom, he came, he brought me lots and lots of presents!" We made it to the living room and it all began!

I can not even explain how I felt the entire morning. I found myself tearing up on a few occasions. Watching my children light up with happiness just filled my heart. I love my family and my babies so very much. There is nothing better than seeing them so happy! This was just another "motherly" experience I had. It makes me think of how my parents must have felt for so long. Its one of those feelings that you cant truly understand until you are a parent.

Anyhow, the day was awesome just being together and feeling the strong sense of the season.

Thanksgiving

So I am really behind on this, but the Holidays have me going crazy! I am having issues getting pictures up so for now I will just write about our food filled Thanksgiving. We had dinner at our new home in Boulder City and I was super excited to host this year. We had a major houseful and it was awesome. I was so happy to have family from Idaho drive all the way here to be with all of us. My Grams and Papa, Uncle Kelly, Aunt Sherri and cousin Kadin came from Idaho. My Mom came from San Diego. Joe, Treyson, Jersey and I. Tiffney, Scott and Alli. Raymond, Jessica and Lilee Jo. Courtney, Jeff, Andrew, Brayden, and Layken. Doug , Stacey and Kristy. I loved having so much of our family here together, we just keep growing. I am so grateful that we are all so close and accepting of each other. Jessica (Raymond's fiance) and her family are now part of our family too. So we spend lots of time together with her parents and sisters. I have missed my Uncle Kelly and Aunt Sherri terribly over the years. Joe and I lived with them in Idaho in 1999-2000. They taught us a lot and the four of us became very close. I wish Stetson could have made it, I miss him as we got to be extremely close over the years as well. Kadin and the other kids had a great time playing ping pong and boxing and just hanging out getting to know each other. It rained a lot but that didn't stop us. We watched football and ate lots of food.....we cooked 4 turkeys! I am blessed to have to family that I have. We laughed so hard and have a wonderful time just being together. I love you all with my whole heart. I want to make my "Thankful List" I will try not to have it be too long, but i am thankful for so many things....hopefully I can get some pictures up too!

I am SO THANKFUL for.....
1. My Husband. He is my rock, my best friend and I don't think I would even be able to breathe without him.
2. My miracle children. They keep me striving to be the best person I can be. I love them more that they will ever know.
3. My family, all of them! I am who I am because of them. My parents did an exceptional job of raising us and letting us become who we are. They are wise and strong people and I look up to them and am so proud to be their daughter. Courtney and I are getting to be so close again and I am excited to have our relationship back. Tiffney.....I could go on forever. She is amazing and my best friend. Some of my funnest and most memorable times have been with my dog! Pat, I love and miss him so very much. We have a special relationship and I am proud of who he is, I wish we were not living so far apart. Danny, I am so proud of the things you have done with your life. You are awesome and great things will happen to you!
4. My camera to capture the wonderful memories of my life.
5. Wax. I love that I can wax my eyebrows myself and I feel so cute afterwards.
6. Yard Sales. I love them, so far Arizona seems to have the best ones. A lot of my house is decorated my great things I have found at yard sales.
7. My computer. Email is how I keep in touch with so many friends and family since it is hard for me to be able to start and finish a phone conversation without interruption.
8. Paper plates!!!!
9. My church and the great people in it. I just went to our ward Christmas party and saw so many wonderful people I have known forever. It was an amazing feeling to be there again!
10. Life lessons. I have had a lot in the past year ans good things have been taught to me.
11. Crafts. I love making things with my own hands, my quilts and growth charts are only the beginning of what I love doing.
12. My Time. time I have alone to reflect on the day and to write in journals and have some peace.
13. Coupons. I am a coupon maniac. I love saving money and hunting for a bargain.
14. Walmart!!!!!!!!!!

Touched

Just yesterday my missionaries were here at my home and we watched a church video where all the members of the Quorum of the Twelve bore their testimony's. I am sad to see that the same day I was so inspired one of those great men has passed. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, the oldest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I wish I was able to see his talk at the last conference, but thanks to Stephanie I am able to read it in its entirety. I am humbled by him and touched my his testimony. I can only imagine the glory he is in now.