Monday, December 22, 2008

I love Christmas

Christmas is my favorite time of year. Not just because of the gifts, but because of the warm feeling in the air! I just love snuggling up and watching Christmas movies, listening to Christmas songs all day and most of all I love bundling up for outings! We've had a great time this season, here are some pictures of all the fun! (remember if one of the slideshows doesn't come up, refresh the page)

Tyler playing in the snow






Spencer's Jingle Jam concert at school: He was so funny! When he first walked in I could tell right away that he felt dumb wearing the reindeer nose and antlers! He had this super grumpy face on and was staring at the floor. But as soon as he saw me and Tyler waving at him he perked right up and sang with gusto!! We love our Spencer!





Christmas outings :)





Jim Brickman concert: FM100 was sponsoring 1 hour Christmas concerts at SouthTowne mall in December. We lucked out and happened to go on the day Jim Brickman was performing!! He's a little bit of a goon while he plays (he would end each song by swishing his arms up and around to face us.. it was so strange) But he was fantastic to listen to!





Merry Christmas everyone!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Less TV, More Playdough!

In an effort to cut down on the embarrassing amount of TV watching that goes on in our household, I have been trying to come up with different activities for the kids to do. Last week Gavin was over and I decided to break out some Apple Jacks and yarn to make necklaces. I'm not sure any of the cereal actually made it on the yarn by their doing (they mostly were eating 5 to every 1 they put on... and then eating that 1). Truth be told I ended up stringing the cereal for them, but they loved eating the cereal off and it made me feel good that I was able to have an activity that didn't include Diego!
Yesterday I decided to be adventurous and make playdough for the boys to play with. Now the last time I attempted this same task (about 3 yrs ago) it didn't work at all and ended up being a HUGE gooey, yucky mess. I was determined to make it work this time though and it did! It's funny how, as a Mom, successfully making playdough can make you feel great about yourself. haha The best part though was that the boys had a great time cutting out shapes and making snakes and snowmen. I literally had to tear it away from Tyler after about an hour to eat lunch.



Here's the recipe I used in case anyone else wants to give it a go :)

Playdough

2 cups baking soda
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup cornstarch


Mix with a fork until smooth.
Boil over medium heat until thick.(I kept stirring until it was a big lump resembling mashed potatoes)
Spoon onto plate or wax paper. (let it cool for about 10 min, then knead it all together. Don't be deterred by it looking a little crusty, once mixed in it's fine)

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Bathtime

Brooklyn and Tyler crack me up when they take a bath together. They love to splash and splash and SPLASH!!! Which I can't say that i'm too fond of, but they enjoy it. So long as I scoot way back then everyone is happy :) Brooklyn has also started SCREAMING along with the splashing. Here is a video of this blessed occurence. (fyi: no baby private parts are shown)

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Our little girl has just about got it!

It's been a slow process (well compared to my boys who both walked at about 9/10 mos) but Brooklyn has just about figured out the whole walking thing. If it weren't for my sweet nieces carrying her around all last week I think she would be toddling around perfectly by now. I got some video though of her recent achievements in walking and wanted to share. Now I'm just shooting for Christmas for her big walking debut!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Thanksgiving in AZ

Thanksgiving this year was so much fun! We went down to my sister's house in AZ to celebrate the holiday. We had a great time talking, playing games and preparing all the yummy dishes for Thanksgiving dinner. Don't you love how you spend ALL DAY in the kitchen for about 30 minutes of actual eating! Ruthanne and I braved the Black Friday sales at 5 am which are always extremely hectic but so much fun. I'm definitely one who appreciates a great deal so the movies I got for $2 a piece made me especially happy! I have to say the highlight of our trip though had to be going to see Twilight again with my sisters and our hubbies! If it's even possible, I think I loved it even more seeing it the second time. I honestly could watch Twilight every day all day long and not get tired of it! haha I love spending time with my family and was so sad to leave. Here's a slideshow from our time in AZ

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Our Twilight Night!! (dang it..Jill beat me!)

I wanted to be the first to share with everyone about our Twilight night, but Jill is just too fast! haha We had such a great time last night. The movie was awesome, I was swooning the entire time! But what made the night so great was all the wonderful ladies that went with me. Enjoy the slideshow girls! (reminder: if the slideshow doesn't load right away, refresh the page)



Here are a few of my favorite scenes from the movie:
Edward and Bella together at school

The baseball scene





When Edward shows up in Port Angeles




The Kiss


... of course The Prom!


I also have to say I loved Jacob, he was so cute!


Jasper and Emmett were pretty easy on the eyes too!



The flashbacks were really cool too

I thought the one where they were in La Push the first time around in there Old Time clothes was really cool but I couldn't find a pic :(

Well obviously I loved many things about the movie and could go on and on, but I will spare you my endless swooning! It was a great time with some great ladies! Thanks girls for coming with me!!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Brooklyn's 1st Birthday

Our sweet little princess turned 1 yesterday. I can't believe how fast time flies, it seems like just last week I was still in the hospital with her. I know she looks like she could be 2 yrs old because of how big she is, but she's still my little baby girl and I can't believe she's a year old! She has such a beautiful glow about her, always smiling and so happy! We love her that's for sure! Here are some pictures from her Birthday.



(If the slideshow doesn't come up after a minute, refresh the screen, usually that will get it going)

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Twilight on the cover of Entertainment Weekly

I'm thanking myself for subscribing to Entertainment Weekly all those months ago, because this Friday's issue made it all worth it! Twilight was on the cover (and it was a GOOD cover this time!) with interviews with Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart and an article about the hopeful success of the movie. Here are the pictures that accompanied the issue.




Here are the links to the articles in case you haven't already run out and bought the issue for yourself :)

Robert Pattinson: Interview With the 'Twilight' Vampire

Kristen Stewart talks 'Twilight'

'Twilight': Will the Movie Be a Hit?

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Our First Big Snowfall


We woke up this morning to about 6 inches of snow and still falling. The first real snowfall is always exciting, especially for Tyler and Spencer. For them it means snowball fights, snow angels and building snowmen (although today I found out that Spencer doesn't really know how to make a snowman??? I'm gonna have to have Blake get out there and show him what's what!)
For me though it means Blake taking the van and leaving me stranded because there was no way I was letting him drive his scooter in the snow (he's crazy enough that he just might have tried) and his busted up lincoln wouldn't start (tell me again why that piece is still sitting in our driveway??) It also means freezing my buns off while the kids run around gleefully in the snow. It's worth it though to see how happy they are :)
Don't let me fool you, I really am excited for winter. There's something about snow that makes me feel all warm and cozy inside and puts me right in the holiday spirit. Christmas here we come!


(my camera battery died so I only got the 2 pictures and I didn't even get one with Tyler looking :( I'm not worried though, because I'm sure I'll have plenty of chances if this winter is anything like the last!)

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Happy Halloween :)

We had such a blast this year for Halloween. Spencer dressed up as Indiana Jones, Tyler as Spiderman and Brooklyn a big puffy pumpkin. We did so many fun things, here are some of the final pictures from all our Halloween festivities.


PRESCHOOL
Tyler, Gavin, Lindsey and Ava at preschool..look at Tyler posing, he's such a ham!

Tyler in his Spidey costume


OUR HALLOWEEN PARTY



Gavin with powdered donut all over his face
Tyler wouldn't play the game, but that didn't stop him from snaggin' the donut afterwards!
Tate saying "CHEESE!"
Andy means business!

The girls..I just realized this..where was Jennica???
Our little pumpkin Brooklyn
Jill cheesin' haha
Spencer with his "dog on a motorcycle"balloon
Aren't we cute lol! In case you are wondering, yes I am kneeling a little because I'm so dang tall compared to those shorties!
Blake making a one-time-only appearance for balloon making
Did you know Joe can make balloon animals too?!? You should ask him to make you one sometime!
Lindsey and the only pic I could get of her :)
Macie, she's so cute!
Tyler and his "spiderman" balloon
Our little Indie! Madi is always good for a pic!
Gavin and his balloon hat.. he was so excited to put this on!


SCHOOL PARADE


Spencer at his school parade


TRICK OR TREATING


Little Red Riding Hood Meggy
Tyler was so excited to go Trick or Treating!!!
Daddy getting Brookie ready to go. Look how cute!




We had such a fun time! Can't wait til next year!