What a crazy Christmas!

Christmas Eve eve (hee hee) we went to our wonderful friends the Stutzman's house and put the kids to bed there and played a few games of Magic. We left Ben and Jake there to spend the night. The next day was Christmas Eve and I got to spend the morning with my oldest and my youngest. I sat at the kitchen table and did fun Christmas paper crafts all morning. After I picked up the other boys we did some more crafts and then decorated our sugar cookies and our gingerbread cookies. Ty came home from work and we opened Christmas Eve jammies and went to my in laws where we did more crafts, tin soldiers and our Santa name cards, so Santa knows where to leave our gifts! The kids said it was the best Christmas EVER.
Christmas morning the kids came in bed with us and we read scriptures and talked and then did our whole family gift opening thing. After that we got ready and webt back to my in-laws and opened some more gifts and then used our new GPS to get to my parents house. Yes, I know how to get there anyway, but you gotta play with your new toys! It is really cool though.
At my parents house we opened even more gifts and had a wonderful time and great food. The night ended on a really low note, but we won't go into that now. Overall it was an amazing Christmas and I am really feeling my blessings. I hope you all felt the love our Heavenly Father has for us and had a wonderful Christmas with your friends and family.

Christmas Traditions from Whittaker Woman's blog

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper! It's just simply not as fun to open a gift bag as it is to rip paper, they go better together under the tree too.
2. Real tree or Artificial? We are artificial people, the cost and upkeep of real just won't work for us.
3. When do you put up the tree? Usually the day after Thanksgiving
4. When do you take the tree down? Day after Christmas, I really don't like Christmas decorations after Christmas.
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, but my husband hates it so I never get it. I also love Egg Nog Ice Cream.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? well, probably my pink scooter my dad got me when I was 8 or 9.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Sadly, me. I like a lot of stuff. Other than me, probably my mom.
9. Do You have a nativity scene? Yes, one from the Dollar Tree, make that 2, from different years, and a silver one that someone left piece by piece on our doorstep last year or the year before, it's missing Joseph though, they must have been busy that night.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, for sure, but I may post mine on my blog.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? One year I got a Barbie from my Aunt Troy and I acted like a huge snot about it because my older sister got earrings and a purse and I wanted to get a big girl gift too. I really did like the Barbie though, I just acted like I was too old for it.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Elf, hands down, I love Small One too, and Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas and Twice Upon a Christmas.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Last year we were done before Thanksgiving, this year we are still not done yet.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I can think of, but I wouldn't put the idea above me!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Goodies like divinity and fudge and sugar cookies.
16. Lights on the tree? Yes, I like white, or blue, my kids like the multi color though, so that's what we'll have until they are too old to care anymore.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Oh Holy Night and Mary did you know?
18. Travel for Christmas or stay home? Home!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Yes, and it's Donder not Donner!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Hello, Santa delivers them Christmas night so Christmas morning is when you open them! We open new jammies on Christmas Eve.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? It gets too busy to enjoy spending relaxing time with family doing fun holiday traditions.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? In my bedroom I have a 2 ft. tree with blue and silver ornaments and blue lights, I love it. I also saw a bunch of very retro ornaments at Target this year that would look great on a white or aqua tree, they were pink and lime green and fun funky colors. I can only do my themed tree in my room on my little tree, the kids have their fun tree and then we have our pretty and special tree with keepsake ornaments on it.
24. Favorite Christmas dinner? Honeybaked ham, salad, cresent rolls.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Happy kids, Peyton's 2 front teeth to come in, I always love books.

We believe!

Friday night we took our kids to the mall to see the real Santa, he wasn't there! Apparently his wife passed away earlier this year and he was not handling it very well. I was so sad. He is Santa, so good with the kids, so clean and sweet. We have had all our pictures for the last 6 years taken with him. The kids definately noticed and were bummed but handled it very well. Peyton really liked him and wanted to feel his beard. It was hard to get a pic of her facing the camera, we had to really whoop and holler because she wanted to keep looking at Santa. Oh, and by the way, her first word is Santa and she says it so cute and clear. She says Mama and Dada and Nana and Dah (Dog), but Santa is her first real and clear word. It is just so cute. She seems to say it about Chritmas trees, but whatever.

Friends are Fantastic!

I have recently made a conscious effort to spend more time with my friends and I've really enjoyed it. Tyler and I also do more things with OUR friends. Here are just a few recent events along with my cliff notes review of Twilight. Yes, I have been neglecting my blog and my e-mail and my facebook and my myspace, ok, pretty much the computer all together. There is just way to much to do on the computer and I guess I'm suffering computer burnout, and I've been spending more time with friends!!!!

Fresno State Football game with the Olsens (Shawn and Kendra)
We had fun visiting, Kendra is about as into football as I am. Those are Tyler's fingers, not mine.
Aren't these guys so cute?!
November 20th, Midnight premere with Barbara and Donna.

November 23, another Twilight show with Jen, Kendra, Laawna, and Lydia.

Ok, so for my review...

I loved it! I enjoyed it even more the second time. It was very cheesy and had several fuuny parts, just like the book. So for all of you out there complaining of the cheese, did you not read the book? The book was cheesy. I wasn't happy with who they cast as Edward until I saw the movie and I thought he was great. Bella was also cast perfectly in my opinion. I loved the ballet studio scene and thought the special effects for it were done really well. I was happy with the Cullens, the one thing I thought that could have been done much better was the vampire's make-up. For condensing a large book into a movie I thought they did great, especially developing the characters, they kept them true to form. There were a few scenes from the book that didn't make it in that I wished would have, like when Bella bleeds in biology. Anyway, they can't get it all in! I am excited for the rest of the movies now.

Do you snore this loud?!

I had to post this little video clip of Micah snoring. My husband rarely ever snores but my oldest and youngest sons can out snore any grown man. Micah always complains when Ben falls asleep before him because the snoring is so loud, little does he know that he snores even louder! Their poor future wives, this is what they're in store for...

The Plague November 12, 13, 14 and 18th

I am including a variety of pictures from our last round of sickness that swept our house and then went on to the Stutzman's house. Peyton and I were the only ones spared the wrath of strep throat. I am not one to jump into the doctor's office easily, so, sadly, I waited a wee bit too long and the kids got pretty sick. Micah is not a very good sleeper, he sleeps very little, but he actually got to a point when he would ask me for a sleeping pill (Benedryl), Micah got several good nights sleep in a row, hallelujah!

Ben always sleeps pretty well.

My poor sickies, Jake was still fine at this point.

These next pics were taken at urgent care, Jake had a staff infection in his thumb that had to be lanced and drained. He freaked out so much that he threw up 3 imes in the room and he had to have his throat swabbed, not easy.

This is him after he puked, I didn;t take a pic of that, I thought I'd spare you.

Ben had diarrhea in his pants, I just threw away his undies and let him go without.

On the bright side, Micah got a lot of reading done while we had to wait and wait and wait. He is a much more quiet sick, don't worry, he makes up for it when he's well.

Tubbing and deodorant

Ok, so I know I am the Queen of Bathtime pictures. My kids are always really happy in the bath and so cute, I also love clean kids, so, I guess that's why all the tub pics. My oldest 2 always complain about bath or shower time, but once I get them in I can hardly get them out! Ben is always ready for a bath, and this morning when I was getting Peyton's bath ready I think she knew it and when I carried her away from the tub to get her towel she started screaming like she was no longer going to get a bath!


I'm so glad our huge tub gets used, even if it isn't by me!
My boys always like to put on mommy's or daddy's deodorant.


I thought it was so cute that Jacob was helping Ben with his application, what a good brother!

Out of the Loop!

Ok, so after Tyler bought me another power cord I lost our camera! Yeah, can you believe that one? So, after checking the counter I thought I had put it on countless times I found it. I guess the camera must have some sort of cloaking device, I don't know. So, I really am back now and so incredibly behind, so I'll try to blog everyday or two to get caught up and I'll also try only to pick the pictures and events that are most important to me!

On November 4th Micah turned 8. He has gotten so tall and looks like such a big kid now. Micah says in about 4 years he'll be taller than me, he's probably right. He's doing very well in school and is a very unique individual with very distinct characteristics. He is the best brother I have ever known of too. On November 7th Micah got to have a friends party. We did crafts, had pizza and played some games. He really wanted me to make him a castle cake that looked like Hogwarts. I did my best. His friend Ethan got him some toys and he and Jacob and Micah used them to decorate the cake. They had lots of fun and did a really great job.



Some of Micah's friends, and Uncle Brent in the background at the piano. It was a dress up party.

I'm back!

Ok, I'm back! Tyler bought me a new power cord for our 9 year anniversary. It really was just what I wanted. Sadly it was $80.00, can you believe that? Anyway, I will start posting again with pics and all very soon. I'm at Yolawnda's today, busy, busy. Ran from my house to Laawna's and back last night, woo hoo. I started going back to Sunny's cycling class at the gym too. I am very excited about doing good on eating and excercising again, we'll see if I can keep it up!

Anniversary Day Thoughts

Well, it is mine and Tyler's Ninth wedding anniversary. In so many ways it feels like it was just a moment ago that we were married, yet, more than that I feel that my whole life thus far has been with him. I guess in many ways it has, not that the previous 21 years don't matter for they shaped who I have become, but In a sense I feel like my life truely began 9 years ago. Happy Anniversary Ty!



I have lost the use of my laptop, so have not been uploading pictures or doing any digital scrapbooking, so sad. For some reason the battery will not charge. It isn't the battery, but maybe the power cord. Anyway. I hope to have that remedied before I go crazy, until then, all I can post are my words! All of the boys in my house are sick with strep throat. Tyler was out of town from Monday until last night and I took the boys to urgent care and spent 3+ hours there. I got some pictures that I'll hopefully be able to post sometime with the full story. There was Diarrhea and vomit and puss involved, I bet you can't wait to hear that story. I am going to the Twilight premier tonight and Tyler is sick, so hopefully we'll celebrate tomorrow night. I had our doctor call in some antibiotics for him, so they were waiting on his nightstand for him when he got back into town. I am assuming since all 3 boys tested positive for strep and he has the same symptoms that's what it is, right? I also have to add this great quote from Boyd K. Packer (thanks Janet). I made my favorite part big, so if you don't want to read the whole thing at least read that.



"Now words can be used as weapons against you. If they throw the word diversity at you, grab hold of it and say, "I am already diverse, and I intend to stay diverse." If the word is tolerance, grab that one, too, saying, "I expect you to be tolerant of my lifestyle—obedience, integrity, abstinence, repentance." If the word is choice, tell them you choose good, old-fashioned morality. You choose to be a worthy husband or wife, a worthy parent.The whole Church may stand alone in defense of these standards. But we are not the first. Moroni, the last of his people, said: "I even remain alone. . . . I fulfil the commandment of my father."32 Do not be afraid.33When I was young and very new in my calling, I was sent east to meet with powerful, prominent officials who were blocking our work. As I left for the airport, I stopped to see President Harold B. Lee and asked, "Do you have any parting counsel?""Yes," he said, "just remember this isn't 1830, and there aren't just six of us."That erased fear. I pled our cause. The problem was resolved.Society is on a course that has caused the destruction of civilizations and is now ripening in iniquity. Civilization itself is at stake. You, our wonderful youth, are an example to untold millions of good people worldwide.I think of the joy and happiness that await you in this life and the work you are to do, and I cannot be discouraged.Peter, the Apostle who stood next to the Lord, said of you, "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."34Remember this great prophecy:"The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; . . . the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done."35

Trunk or Treat and Nana's house

Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and a pirate get Candy from Witch Allison Mckinney.

These boys always have the best costumes. Last year 2 of them were completely wrapped in duct tape except their heads and hands (wonder how they peed), this year they went dumpster diving to get their costumes.

Nana Paula's house!

Trick or treating Nana's neighborhood a bit.

Peyton was still pretty sick, so she didn't even wear her costume which was a bit too warm. However, she had lots of fun emptying Micah's candy bag and playing with all the candy. It was fun to watch her as she purposfully and dutifully shoved his candy under the couch.

Pooped out. I learned later that Jacob had 3 pieces of candy all night and Micah had none! Those silly boys, I think that when I was little a ate about a third of my candy that night!

Babysitting 11 kids

October 28
Yes, I am crazy, but it was fun and it went well. We had our kids, the Stutzman kids and the Deans' kids (two of which are 2 year old twins) All of the kids were really good and they all had so much fun. Tyler got a little nervous when we had them all out front taking turns riding bikes, it was cute. He is a very responsible and caring man.

I love Ben in this picture below.

Ellie looks like a little ballerina here.

The amazing Sister Brown

A new member of our ward throws a Halloween Carnival every year and her husband paints all these wonderful signs and games and it is really cool. The kids won lots of fun prizes and had a blast.


This was my favorite. Sister Brown used to tell kids fortunes at this booth. This year it was closed, check out the white sign in the back...Closed-recently baptised LDS!

Our very good friends the Stutzmans went on a date to celebrate Jason's birthday so we took their 4 kids and our 4 kids to the carnival. The babies don't have their costumes on yet, Peyton was super girl and Savannah was a pumpkin. Thanks Browns!

Glorious trash!

October 22nd

Another favorite of Peyton's is the trash, especially the office trash with all the paper to crinkle and tear and toss all over!

To kiss a frog

October 21st
Yes, my boys are obsessed with frogs.

Ben wants a turn holding the frog
Daddy intervines

Ben wants to see if this frog is a princess
Nope, bye bye frog!

The love of reading

October 21

Before bedtime I found all 3 boys on our bed reading books to themselves and then Jacob was reading our new scholastic Halloween books to Ben. Nice moments like these make all the tough ones worth it. Sometimes I really love my job!

A higer plane

October 18th

Things are a lot more fun for Miss P now that she is able to explore things on the next level! Things that she never knew exhisted are now available for her own learning and entertainment. We have so much fun watching her discover new and wonderful things.

Storytime with April

October 16th

We don't always make it to storytime, but it is always much enjoyed. April is the best storytime girl ever and Ben is in his element when he is singing and dancing.

Peyton on the go

October 15th

Now that she can proficiently crawn and pull herself onto things opportunities for learning and exploration are endless, and so are the messes! It seems like it has been ages since I had a baby at this stage of life and I am having to get use to it all over again. She loves to empty the movis shelves and dump out anything that can be dumped, especially the dogs water and food. Peyt's most favorite thing though is the laptop, she likes to push all the buttons she can and watch those screens pop up. Somehow this time around I don't mind. Maybe it's because she's the last and I know these days will be over in the blink of an eye, or maybe it's because I've mellowed out quite a bit, whatever the reason, I'm going to cherish every moment with these little ones.

Luke and Ben

October 13th

Luke Sever is like part of our family. He has been around longer than Ben has and now these two are the best of buds.