Happy 19th Maddie
1 week ago
December 19, 2008
December 18, 2008
Santa
A couple of weeks ago Zions held a Christmas event for their employees and their children/grandchildren. My Mom works for them and got tickets for us, Morgan, the Deveys, and Tolboe's to go. We had a great time. It was held at the Scera in Orem. We got there and all the kids were given a bag of goodies containing lots of candy, and a Pez dispenser that looked like a stuffed animal. They loved them. We went into the theater and found our seats.
Then I went and got popcorn and drinks for all of us. We watched the new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. This was the first movie I had ever taken the boys to. I was a little worried that they wouldn't sit through it. They proved me wrong! The boys were so good and only switched seats a couple of times. After the movie was over Santa came. We waited in line to see him, and enjoyed the Christmas tree and train they had out in the lobby.
Landon and Carter thought the train was the coolest thing ever. 
When it was our turn Carter jumped right up on Santa's lap and told him he wanted Choo-choo tracks. Landon was freaked and wouldn't say anything.
Cayson sat with Santa too. He slept through the whole thing.
Alivia and Ethan were great.
Abby got really shy and buried her head in Mom's shoulder.
It was so cute and really funny. Santa gave each of the kids another sack full of goodies.
Afterwards we snapped a quick picture of Mom with all the kids and they each gave her hugs and thank yous.
It was so much fun! Thanks Mom and Zions for a great time.
Then I went and got popcorn and drinks for all of us. We watched the new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. This was the first movie I had ever taken the boys to. I was a little worried that they wouldn't sit through it. They proved me wrong! The boys were so good and only switched seats a couple of times. After the movie was over Santa came. We waited in line to see him, and enjoyed the Christmas tree and train they had out in the lobby.
Landon and Carter thought the train was the coolest thing ever. 
When it was our turn Carter jumped right up on Santa's lap and told him he wanted Choo-choo tracks. Landon was freaked and wouldn't say anything.
Cayson sat with Santa too. He slept through the whole thing.
Alivia and Ethan were great.
Abby got really shy and buried her head in Mom's shoulder.
It was so cute and really funny. Santa gave each of the kids another sack full of goodies.Afterwards we snapped a quick picture of Mom with all the kids and they each gave her hugs and thank yous.
It was so much fun! Thanks Mom and Zions for a great time.
December 13, 2008
SNOW
I have issues with snow. I think it's pretty (sometimes) and is something that should only happen on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I would even be fine with it if it would just stay in the mountains and not hit the valleys. Other than that, I really hate it. It's horrible to drive in. It's cold. It turns all brown and gross after a while. It makes the roads horrible, especially out here where it's a miracle if our roads get plowed. Shoveling it is awful. I can't ski or snowboard, and it's just not fun for me. I know that I am probably a scrooge or something, but I really do not like the snow. Landon and Carter even think it's "yucky snow" and I haven't tricked them into thinking that at all. They walked outside the first time it snowed this year and said, "Eww, snows yucky!" I laughed, and agreed with them.
December 4, 2008
Bulimic Blogger
I am diagnosing myself as a "Bulimic Blogger." I came to this realization slowly over the past few months. Here is the criteria for diagnosing a person with Bulimia, and the similarities to my self diagnosis:
- Recurrent episodes of binge eating. Eating, in a fixed period of time, an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat under similar circumstances. A lack of control over eating during the episode.
- Similarity: I store up, aka "binge," so many things that I want to post, either in my mind or on the computer over an extended period of time. That which, a normal person, would just post within a reasonable period of time.
- Similarity: I store up, aka "binge," so many things that I want to post, either in my mind or on the computer over an extended period of time. That which, a normal person, would just post within a reasonable period of time.
- Recurrent compensatory behavior, such as: self-induced vomiting.
- Similarity: I purge, aka "vomit!" A ton of information all at one time. It's not uncommon for me to in one night post 2 - 3 weeks worth of stuff that's been going on in our lives. Plus add in a few tags, or something else. In doing so, it's impossible for anyone (myself included) to quickly check my blog and find out what's new.
- Similarity: I purge, aka "vomit!" A ton of information all at one time. It's not uncommon for me to in one night post 2 - 3 weeks worth of stuff that's been going on in our lives. Plus add in a few tags, or something else. In doing so, it's impossible for anyone (myself included) to quickly check my blog and find out what's new.
Christmas Style - Get To Know You
Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know you. Here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just copy this entire post and then delete my answers and put in your own.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both. It depends on the gift.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both. It depends on the gift.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial... the mess of the real ones is the downfall.
3. When do you put up the tree? Normally the day after Thanksgiving. This year, about two weeks before.
4. When do you take the tree down? About the middle of January
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, but only with a little sprite mixed into it.
3. When do you put up the tree? Normally the day after Thanksgiving. This year, about two weeks before.
4. When do you take the tree down? About the middle of January
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, but only with a little sprite mixed into it.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I honestly don't remember.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Fathers
8. Easiest person to buy for? Is it awful to say myself?
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes a precious moments one.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail
7. Hardest person to buy for? Fathers
8. Easiest person to buy for? Is it awful to say myself?
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes a precious moments one.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail
11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? An over sized pair of mens briefs. They were incredibly HUGE. It was a prank.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Grinch
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? This year I did some really early on at the after Christmas sales, and then I started again in August. It's so expensive, I have to spread it out throughout the year.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Ummm... yep!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Home made caramels from Angela.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Ummm... yep!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Home made caramels from Angela.
16. Favorite Christmas song? Silent Night, Christmas Shoes, O Holy Night, Mary Did You Know... the list goes on and on.
17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? STAY AT HOME. I traveled to 5 or 6 houses every year of my life growing up, and now that I have my own family, I refuse to do it anymore. Call me a Scrooge.
17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? STAY AT HOME. I traveled to 5 or 6 houses every year of my life growing up, and now that I have my own family, I refuse to do it anymore. Call me a Scrooge.
18. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star or Bow
19. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning, just PJ's and slippers on Christmas Eve
19. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning, just PJ's and slippers on Christmas Eve
20. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Feeling like I will offend someone if I don't get them something, and of course the $$$$$$
21. Favorite ornament theme or color? Right now... Red and Gold
22. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Ham with potatoes and gravy
23. What do you want for Christmas this year? New Camera or Laptop
These were Kelly's answers to this:
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Does the bag the gift came in count?
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial... the mess of the real ones is the downfall.
3. When do you put up the tree? Normally the day after Thanksgiving. This year, about two weeks before.
4. When do you take the tree down? About the middle of January
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Star Wars Figures and Construx.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Anyone that doesn't give me a list.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Hum, there's always a huge list to pick from.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes a precious moments one.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Neither, but if I had to, email.
11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Skis. Since it was such a big gift, I didn't really get much else, and I already knew about them going in to Christmas, so there was no surprise. I think I started crying that morning.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas Storey, Christmans Vacation and Elf.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Dec 22.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Ummm... yep!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Cheese Balls and Crackers.
16. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night
17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? STAY AT HOME.
18. What happened to 18?
19. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star or Bow
20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning, just PJ's and slippers on Christmas Eve
21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Shopping, and of course the $$$
22. Favorite ornament theme or color? Whatever Hum likes
23. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Chili and Ham
24. What do you want for Christmas this year? Nothing
25. Who is most likely to do this? Hum already did.
21. Favorite ornament theme or color? Right now... Red and Gold
22. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Ham with potatoes and gravy
23. What do you want for Christmas this year? New Camera or Laptop
These were Kelly's answers to this:
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Does the bag the gift came in count?
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial... the mess of the real ones is the downfall.
3. When do you put up the tree? Normally the day after Thanksgiving. This year, about two weeks before.
4. When do you take the tree down? About the middle of January
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Star Wars Figures and Construx.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Anyone that doesn't give me a list.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Hum, there's always a huge list to pick from.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes a precious moments one.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Neither, but if I had to, email.
11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Skis. Since it was such a big gift, I didn't really get much else, and I already knew about them going in to Christmas, so there was no surprise. I think I started crying that morning.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas Storey, Christmans Vacation and Elf.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Dec 22.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Ummm... yep!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Cheese Balls and Crackers.
16. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night
17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? STAY AT HOME.
18. What happened to 18?
19. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star or Bow
20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning, just PJ's and slippers on Christmas Eve
21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Shopping, and of course the $$$
22. Favorite ornament theme or color? Whatever Hum likes
23. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Chili and Ham
24. What do you want for Christmas this year? Nothing
25. Who is most likely to do this? Hum already did.
Tagged - My 100
To participate just copy and paste in your own blog, and bold all of the things you have done.
1. Started your own blog ... Sure Have
2. Slept under the stars ... On our trampoline in our back yard growing up
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity ... Does tithing count?
7. Been to Disneyland ... Yes! I can't wait to be able to take Landon & Carter.
8. Climbed a mountain ... Yes, it was awful, and I don't ever want to do it again.
9. Held a Praying Mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch ... Yes
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping ... You haven't lived until you can check that one off your list!
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke... yes but never in a public place. I think I would pass out!
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight ... In San Diego on our honeymoon.
46. Been transported in an ambulance... once for real, and another time in a mock disaster I participated in.
47. Had your portrait painted... When I was a little girl
48. Gone deep sea fishing ... Yes, in Mexico with Jill and her family.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain ... Oh Ya!.
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason ... Kelly sends them on occasion! Isn't he so sweet!!
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person ... Just this last Sunday.
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car ... Just our van after we had the boys.
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper ... Just this year in fact. I was in the paper in NM with all the amazing girls in my group that went to FORKS, WA!!!
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox ... As a little girl.
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous ... Stephenie Meyer and the one and only Lisa Hansen! Creator of TwilightMom's.
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one ... Yes
94. Had a baby ... Yes, TWO at one time.
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone ... Mine is attached to my ear
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Fallen in love ... Of course!
1. Started your own blog ... Sure Have
2. Slept under the stars ... On our trampoline in our back yard growing up
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity ... Does tithing count?
7. Been to Disneyland ... Yes! I can't wait to be able to take Landon & Carter.
8. Climbed a mountain ... Yes, it was awful, and I don't ever want to do it again.
9. Held a Praying Mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch ... Yes
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping ... You haven't lived until you can check that one off your list!
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke... yes but never in a public place. I think I would pass out!
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight ... In San Diego on our honeymoon.
46. Been transported in an ambulance... once for real, and another time in a mock disaster I participated in.
47. Had your portrait painted... When I was a little girl
48. Gone deep sea fishing ... Yes, in Mexico with Jill and her family.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain ... Oh Ya!.
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason ... Kelly sends them on occasion! Isn't he so sweet!!
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person ... Just this last Sunday.
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car ... Just our van after we had the boys.
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper ... Just this year in fact. I was in the paper in NM with all the amazing girls in my group that went to FORKS, WA!!!
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox ... As a little girl.
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous ... Stephenie Meyer and the one and only Lisa Hansen! Creator of TwilightMom's.
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one ... Yes
94. Had a baby ... Yes, TWO at one time.
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone ... Mine is attached to my ear
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Fallen in love ... Of course!
December 3, 2008
Thanksgiving in Arizona
This year we attempted again to have Thanksgiving with Kelly's brother and his family in Arizona. We tried to last year and unfortunately right after we arrived there we got news that Kelly's Grandmother passed away, and we all had to return back to Utah. So knowing that all our family was in good health this year we headed down.
We left on Saturday morning at 5:30 am, and eventually arrived around 5 pm or so. It was a long drive, but the boys were fantastic. Thanks to the DVD system and a couple long naps.
We met Marty, Emily and Brynn at a sports grill in Mesa where we left Kelly and Marty to enjoy the Utah vs. BYU game. GO UTES!! (Lucky for us they won!!) Emily and I took the kids and headed to their home in Queen Creek. Landon and Carter were really excited to see and play with Brynn again. When Kelly and Marty got home Kelly hurried inside and hung his Utah blanket up inside. Marty is a HUGE BYU fan and so it was really funny to see him react and go tear it down. The funny thing is that we didn't see that blanket again until we were leaving on Sunday morning.
We played for the next couple of days and took it easy. On Sunday I think that all the exhaustion from the week finally caught up to me, because I slept for almost 5 hours that afternoon. Kelly was so nice and didn't let the kids bother me at all. I never take naps, so I really must have needed it.
Emily and I did some scrapbooking and a little craft project. We make Turkeys out of styrofoam balls, buttons, feathers and silk flowers. They turned out so cute and we had a lot of fun making them.
Greg flew in on Tuesday and we all went to the airport to get him. Marty, Emily, Brynn & I rocked out on the way to the soundtrack from High School Musical. Kelly didn't want to participate in that, and I can't for the life of me understand why. ;0) Afterward we went to dinner in Mesa at a Mexican restaurant. I can't remember the name of it, but the food was great!
Greg, Kelly & Landon
Carter, Me & Brynn
Marty & Emily
The next day we all hung out and started preparing some of the food for Thanksgiving dinner. We went to the park and let the kids play and enjoyed our time relaxing.
Me & Brynn
Landon & Marty
Me & my Kelly
Emily & Me
On Thanksgiving day Emily and I did most of the cooking, while the boys entertained the kids and helped out when needed. Surprisingly it was not very stressful and the food turned out great.
Kelly making the mashed potatoes
Emily's Cranberry Wreath
Emily's Sweet Potatoes
The Turkey
The Green Salad
Marty's home made rolls and honey butter
The kids table
The adults table
Landon, Carter & Brynn patiently waiting
Kelly & Landon after dinner. See how tired they are.
Brynn, Greg & Carter snuggled up on the couch
Did I happen to mention that it RAINED while we were there? Yes. It did. A couple times in fact. When it rains the water just sits on top of the ground, because it's pretty much just clay. So after dinner the kids went into the backyard and played. Carter thought it was hilarious to run through all the water and in doing so tripped and face planted more than once. He was drenched. Landon ran through the water, but didn't get nearly as wet as Carter did.
Landon
Carter & Brynn
Carter soaking wet
Landon trying to dry off with his beloved blanket
Landon, Carter and Brynn were all freezing, so we threw them into the tub. All three of them! Rub a dub dub, three kids in a tub!
Kelly, Carter, Landon, Me, Emily & Brynn
Kelly, Marty and Greg also played A LOT of Play Station 2 and Tecmo Superbowl on the Nintendo. I have no idea how late they stayed up every night, but I do know that it was late. Emily and I eventually hid the Nintendo.
Kelly and Marty and the PS2
Friday Emily and I went and did some Black Friday shopping. We each got some really good deals and had a great time. Neil also flew in on Friday to spend the weekend with all of us. That night Kelly, Marty, Greg & Neil all went to a Phoenix Suns game. When they got to the game they realized that the game tickets weren't in the envelope. They fell out in the house and so Emily, the kids and I all loaded into the van and met them in Mesa with the tickets.
The Christmas lights on the Mesa Temple were turned on that night as well, so we decided that seems as how we were in town, we'd drive by and take a quick look. The lights from what we could see were beautiful. We decided not to stop and just head home. I didn't have my stroller with me and there were huge crowds. I didn't want to worry about loosing the boys. There were also protesters there, and from hearing about past protests, it made me a little nervous. Had Kelly been there, I don't think I would have worried.
Saturday was our last day in Arizona. We just hung out and played games. I did all of our laundry and tried to get packed up again. We played at the park and Kelly and Marty created a
"Merman" out of Greg. Neil didn't like that so much, but it was hilarious!
Kelly and the evidence. Look at those hands!
Merman Greg with great ab's thanks to Marty
Marty, Greg & Kelly
Greg as a short sand man
Neil sleeping through it all
Emily when she first met the Merman
We left on Sunday early in the morning again. This time Greg and Neil rode home with us. That was nice to have them along for the ride home. We played a game in the car where someone thinks of a person and tells you their initials, and you have to ask questions to figure out who it is. It's really fun and you end up learning some interesting things about people.
When we were getting close to Flagstaff, Kelly asked if anyone would want to go to the Grand Canyon while we were so close. After debating a bit, we decided to go. We took the detour and went to the South Rim. I had never been to the Grand Canyon, and was amazed at the size of it. Especially because what I was looking at wasn't even all of it. Having the boys there without railings, made me super nervous, but they love it too. Mostly because they could run around and weren't trapped in the car.
Kelly & Landon
Carter
Kelly
Carter, Neil, Landon & Kelly walking back to the van
Landon & Carter
The view
Greg
We eventually made it home around 10:30 that night. It was a long ride home, but well worth it.
Carter & Puppy
We had so much fun on this trip. Thanks Marty, Emily and Brynn for allowing us to spend so much time with you guys. We love and miss you!
We left on Saturday morning at 5:30 am, and eventually arrived around 5 pm or so. It was a long drive, but the boys were fantastic. Thanks to the DVD system and a couple long naps.
Landon & Carter
We met Marty, Emily and Brynn at a sports grill in Mesa where we left Kelly and Marty to enjoy the Utah vs. BYU game. GO UTES!! (Lucky for us they won!!) Emily and I took the kids and headed to their home in Queen Creek. Landon and Carter were really excited to see and play with Brynn again. When Kelly and Marty got home Kelly hurried inside and hung his Utah blanket up inside. Marty is a HUGE BYU fan and so it was really funny to see him react and go tear it down. The funny thing is that we didn't see that blanket again until we were leaving on Sunday morning.We played for the next couple of days and took it easy. On Sunday I think that all the exhaustion from the week finally caught up to me, because I slept for almost 5 hours that afternoon. Kelly was so nice and didn't let the kids bother me at all. I never take naps, so I really must have needed it.
Emily and I did some scrapbooking and a little craft project. We make Turkeys out of styrofoam balls, buttons, feathers and silk flowers. They turned out so cute and we had a lot of fun making them.
Me & Emily
Greg flew in on Tuesday and we all went to the airport to get him. Marty, Emily, Brynn & I rocked out on the way to the soundtrack from High School Musical. Kelly didn't want to participate in that, and I can't for the life of me understand why. ;0) Afterward we went to dinner in Mesa at a Mexican restaurant. I can't remember the name of it, but the food was great!Greg, Kelly & Landon
Carter, Me & Brynn
Marty & Emily
The next day we all hung out and started preparing some of the food for Thanksgiving dinner. We went to the park and let the kids play and enjoyed our time relaxing.Carter & Marty
Me & Brynn
Landon & Marty
Me & my Kelly
Emily & Me
Marty carving the Turkey
Kelly making the mashed potatoes
Emily's Cranberry Wreath
Emily's Sweet Potatoes
The Turkey
The Green Salad
Marty's home made rolls and honey butter
The kids table
The adults table
Landon, Carter & Brynn patiently waiting
Kelly & Landon after dinner. See how tired they are.
Brynn, Greg & Carter snuggled up on the couch
Did I happen to mention that it RAINED while we were there? Yes. It did. A couple times in fact. When it rains the water just sits on top of the ground, because it's pretty much just clay. So after dinner the kids went into the backyard and played. Carter thought it was hilarious to run through all the water and in doing so tripped and face planted more than once. He was drenched. Landon ran through the water, but didn't get nearly as wet as Carter did.Landon, Brynn & Carter in the back yard
Landon
Carter & Brynn
Carter soaking wet
Landon trying to dry off with his beloved blanket
Landon, Carter and Brynn were all freezing, so we threw them into the tub. All three of them! Rub a dub dub, three kids in a tub!Landon, Brynn & Carter
Kelly, Carter, Landon, Me, Emily & Brynn
Greg and the Nintendo
Kelly and Marty and the PS2
Friday Emily and I went and did some Black Friday shopping. We each got some really good deals and had a great time. Neil also flew in on Friday to spend the weekend with all of us. That night Kelly, Marty, Greg & Neil all went to a Phoenix Suns game. When they got to the game they realized that the game tickets weren't in the envelope. They fell out in the house and so Emily, the kids and I all loaded into the van and met them in Mesa with the tickets.
The Christmas lights on the Mesa Temple were turned on that night as well, so we decided that seems as how we were in town, we'd drive by and take a quick look. The lights from what we could see were beautiful. We decided not to stop and just head home. I didn't have my stroller with me and there were huge crowds. I didn't want to worry about loosing the boys. There were also protesters there, and from hearing about past protests, it made me a little nervous. Had Kelly been there, I don't think I would have worried.
Saturday was our last day in Arizona. We just hung out and played games. I did all of our laundry and tried to get packed up again. We played at the park and Kelly and Marty created a
"Merman" out of Greg. Neil didn't like that so much, but it was hilarious!
Merman Greg & Brynn
Kelly and the evidence. Look at those hands!
Merman Greg with great ab's thanks to Marty
Marty, Greg & Kelly
Greg as a short sand man
Neil sleeping through it all
Emily when she first met the Merman
We left on Sunday early in the morning again. This time Greg and Neil rode home with us. That was nice to have them along for the ride home. We played a game in the car where someone thinks of a person and tells you their initials, and you have to ask questions to figure out who it is. It's really fun and you end up learning some interesting things about people.
When we were getting close to Flagstaff, Kelly asked if anyone would want to go to the Grand Canyon while we were so close. After debating a bit, we decided to go. We took the detour and went to the South Rim. I had never been to the Grand Canyon, and was amazed at the size of it. Especially because what I was looking at wasn't even all of it. Having the boys there without railings, made me super nervous, but they love it too. Mostly because they could run around and weren't trapped in the car.
Kelly, Landon, Me & Carter
Kelly & Landon
Carter
Kelly
Carter, Neil, Landon & Kelly walking back to the van
Landon & Carter
The view
Greg
We eventually made it home around 10:30 that night. It was a long ride home, but well worth it.
Landon & Blanket
Carter & Puppy
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