game time

Saturday night we were in Melba to watch Tucker's basketball game.

They didn't win but it's always a good time seeing the family and the

boys love the popcorn, candy and pop they always get!

Sunday we had an unexpected visit from Matt and Summer.

Aunt Summer is really cool in the boy's eyes right now because she plays this video game called Zombies with Uncle Matt. This is a game that the boys play too and have begged me to learn how. It was time that I earn some cool mom points so I gave it a try on Friday, well Cody wasn't that impressed at all with my lack of ability, so he quickly gave up on teaching me.

They couldn't wait to play the game with Aunt Summer and Uncle Matt though.

speaking of zombies.....

I think the name might be fitting!

Did you happen to notice this sweet little thing in the earlier picture?

She is the real reason Matt and Summer were coming over for a visit.

They decided to add on to their animal family and our neighbors just

happened to be selling their seven week old lab puppies.

Welcome Dixie to the family!

fire chief ryan

Today was Ryan's field trip to the fire station.
The children found it fun and exciting.
The teacher told the kids if they had a question, they needed to raise their hand.
So, that is exactly what Ryan did.

and did.

and did.

Ryan started their tour with questions like:
what is that called? what is that called? while pointing to every machine in their exercise room.
then he turned to just sharing facts like:
we have a kitchen table like that color, while touring their kitchen and living quarters.
they wear masks on Halo 3 (a video game), while the fireman was getting her own mask on.
then I don't think he could control himself anymore and just raised his hand to hear himself talk,
because he then shared with everyone how much he loves playing Halo 3.
After that the fireman asked that all of the questions be related to the fire station.

I don't know what to do with this kid sometimes.
I just know that he sure does make me laugh!

Finally

I have yet to start reading a book on my kindle but I have managed to play many games of Scrabble.
I love Scrabble!
The only problem is, I never win.
No matter how good I think I'm playing the computer always comes back to beat me.
I don't like to lose so I became obsessed with trying to get the win.
So after playing 19 games (not counting the ones that I quit half way through because I was losing so bad or counting the one game that said I won but really I didn't because I cheated) I finally did it.
I won a game, 100% all on my own.
Now maybe I will actually start reading a book!

not enough time

The boys said a sad good bye to Teresia on Monday.

They love when she comes to visit but it's never for long enough.

They each have their own special bond with her that's

developed over time on each of her trips out here.

So the countdown is on until her next visit where

they will pick right back up from where they left off.

Thanks for coming, we loved having you here!

2011....

we WELCOME you!

Our last week of 2010 has been spent....
hanging out with Mawmaw Teresia and Heath

building Lego's

drawing

playing Halo

and more Halo

playing the xbox kinect

I won but doesn't Heath look so scary!

and so much more...

we have a new microwave and working dryer now

we've been to the movie Gulliver's Travels

we've played our new boardgames, Jr. Pictionary, Creationary & Monopoly

we've built 13 new Lego Hero Factory guys

we watched Despicable Me and our other new movies

we've enjoyed two dinners out

we've been shopping to spend our Christmas money on new clothes & more toys

we've bought new books at Barnes & Noble

we've been to Saint Lukes to donate our old xbox to the pediatrics floor

we've fought, wrestled, laughed and loved

and enjoyed our family time together!

looking forward to 2011

happy new year everyone!

christmas highlights

Christmas was wonderful.
It really was.
We are still in recovery mode though.
I haven't blogged.
I haven't taken down one decoration or ornament from the tree.
The house is a mess.
But we have been spending money.
Our microwave died two days before Christmas.
Our dryer broke two days after Christmas.
But that's just life, so back to Christmas morning.
No surprise that ours started early, 1:30am and then every hour after that until six.
I absolutely love how excited the boys get but a little sleep would be nice.
Cody even told us on one of his trips back to his room he saw a man's shadow downstairs and knew that Santa was here!
Finally it was time to race downstairs to open presents.
The kids passed right by their Santa gift, a new Ruger .22 rifle (thinking it was for Heath) and headed for their stockings.
We took turns opening our presents and there was nothing but smiles.
a new XBox360 for Heath
a Kindle for me
a 973 piece Police lego set for Cody
an art case with extras for Luke
a marble maze and Halo figurines for Ryan
and so much more.
My favorite though probably the presents the boys bought for Heath and I.
A Willow Tree statue, bath salts and a #1 Mom sign for me.
A fishing tackle bag, ammo box and electric coffee mug for Heath.
Then time to pack up and do it all over again at my parents house where it's the same each year.
All sitting in the living room, opening presents (starting from youngest to oldest), going around and around until the presents are gone. It only took us two hours this year, I think that might be a new record!
Once again, nothing but smiles.
Dinner was great (ham and potatoes) and the dessert even better (homemade apple and peanut butter pies).
Having the whole family together was the best part of all, it was a wonderful day!

Merry Christmas

Right now the boys are sleeping soundly all together in one room.

Tomorrow morning can't come soon enough for them.

They are so excited!

Today the boys and I headed to Emmett (Heath had to work) to hang out

with Grammy and Papa.

Luke had a loose tooth all week but after having a discussion with the neighbors

he decided it was best to wait until today the 24th to pull it.

Why?

That way the Tooth Fairy and Santa would both have to come for a visit!

The only problem, Luke was pretty nervous about getting his tooth pulled out.

After some bribing and money ($5.50) from Papa, he finally let Papa pull it!

This is our very first Nativity Set and I just bought it this year.

The kids love it and so do I.

The kids put on a little play for my parents today.

While I read the Christmas Story out loud

the kids acted out the parts with the figurines.

Ryan was Jesus, Mary, Joseph and a donkey.

Luke was the shepherds and the sheep.

and Cody was the Wise men, camels and Star.

Then it was time for Christmas Mass where we met up with more of the family.

The children of the church acted out this story once again

and reminded us the best present of all to receive is Jesus!

Merry Christmas