Thankful Thursdays

This is the last Thankful Thursday for the 2009 year. And that is precisely what I am thankful for: That this year is over!

2009 has been a hard year for us with a few challanges that I am glad are now behind us (or at least getting there).

I think I said the same thing last year. 2008 wasn't the best year either. I think it is about time we had a good year. Or at least a somewhat decent year.

I have a feeling 2010 will be better. Here's to hoping.

Happy New Year!

We got some coal this Christmas

Everytime Gavin asked what he was getting for Christmas we told him "coal." As it got closer to Christmas he got really worried that we were serious. (Obviously he figured it could be a possibility, and so did we since he has been a little stinker this year). Christmas morning he found a bag of coal gum with a note from Santa warning him that he better be better next year or the coal will be real. He read it and winked at me. As a parent I found it funny how worried he was.

The stockings

Alec got a DS (we hope the DS fights are over now because everyone now has one).
Brynn got a horse for her American Girl Doll (she also got a new bed, and a DS game).
Gavin got some Legos and DS games

Looks like the boys are way more excited for the Littlest Pet Shop game then Brynn is (:

Could this smile be any bigger?

Gavin fainting after he opened one of his gifts

Oh the EXCITMENT!

My kids are spoiled on Christmas. I do this on purpose, and I love it!

The Naughty List

Alec just informed me that I am on the naughty list because I boss him around all the time!

I hope the rest of you are not on the naughty list and have a great Christmas tomorrow!

Making a list...

Got my last Christmas card out today....check

Bought all the gifts I needed....check

Neighbor gifts out....check

All packages out....check

Christmas decoration and lights up....check

New ornaments bought and up on tree....check

Christmas parties all done....check

Santa letters out....check

Alec's Kindergarten Christmas program over....check

Listening to my 9 year old make up silly renditions of Ruldolf the Red Nosed Reindeer....check

Way too much candy in my house....check

Me not eating sugar for 3 months stopped....check

Kids bouncing off walls....check

Can't wait until this is all over...check

Merry Christmas!

The Great Gingerbread Disaster of '09

Every time that Alec and I were at a store and walked past the Christmas stuff he spotted the gingerbread house kits and begged for one.

I finally gave in when they went on sale.

We tried to make it on Saturday.

It was a disaster.

The roof kept sliding off and the sides kept falling in.

We thought it was finally set up and let the kids put candy on it.

The weight of the candy made the roof start sliding again.

I made the kids quickly take a picture of our attempt.

Seconds before the roof slid off.

And the other side of the roof caved in.

We all watched it fall to pieces.

And then we ate it. The gingerbread was still soft and the candy still fresh. So it wasn't all a disaster.

I think we will just stick to small grahm cracker houses from now on.

Santa Stories

My two boys get embarrassed easily, refuse to perform in front of people, and have never sat on Santa's lap (well technically Alec did when he was 4 months old, while asleep).

When Gavin was 3 years old we were at a store and Santa was there. I asked him if he wanted to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas. He refused, and as we started to walk away he burst into tears. He was so worried that Santa wouldn't know what he wanted, but he couldn't ask him. He begged me to ask Santa for him. So that year I ended up asking Santa for a Buzz Lightyear spaceship while my little boy watched from afar.

Brynn has been my only child that is not afraid of Santa. She has always sat on Santa's lap. For the last few years Brynn and I have made a trip to the mall to see Santa, while the boys have stayed home and written letters instead.

This year Santa came to our Ward party. Brynn marched right up there. Alec refused, and Gavin was way too cool for that.

After seeing the bag of candy Brynn got from Santa, Alec decided to talk to him if I held his hand. Then Gavin finally gave in for the bag of candy too (notice he is the very last kid to see Santa, he refused until the last minute).

Brynn asked for a Littlest Pet Shop DS game

Gavin asked for a Battlefront DS game
Alec asked for a DS

Luckily they all asked for things previously asked for. No surprises.

Cracking Up

Okay, enough with the deep, grumpy posts. Here is a funny one instead...

Brett inherited this nut bowl from his Grandma Pulsipher when she died. Every year we fill it up with nuts to crack. Brett's favorites are the peanuts. I bought some peanuts to fill up the bowl today. I came into the kitchen and this is what I found:
Alec doesn't like to eat the peanuts, he just likes to crack them. He left a nice little pile of shelled peanuts on the table. He is our own little nutcracker!

I wish December would just go away Part 2

I am an intense person. I quit apologizing for this trait awhile ago. This is who I am. My intensity gets things done, with gusto. I am also a perfectionist. If I am going to do something I expect myself to do it well.

When I have a goal or deadline these traits come out with great force. Along with this comes stress, because I have to do it and I have to do it well. That is what I expect of myself.

So big days like Christmas stress me out because I have to put all my energy into them. I can't help myself. I think the fact that I really don't like Christmas makes this goal more stressful and unenjoyable.

I work my butt off for most holidays, birthdays, lessons, get-togethers (once again it is who I am). But most of these I enjoy, and while I am stressed, I am still happy about reaching the goal.

I do remember the true reason of Christmas and try to include this as much as I can during the Holidays. However, Christmas comes with a lot of other things attached, and those things make me a little grumpy.

But don't worry, everything will get done, but I don't necessarily have to be happy about it :)

I wish December would just go away!

CAUTION: Complaining and whining coming up...

I really don't like Christmas. Some of this is for personal experience reasons. But most of it is because I feel like a chicken with my head cut off all the month of December. There is too much planning, buying, running all over the planet, trying to please too many people. Oh and everyone wants a piece of your time or money.

I have a stress headache all month!

Everyone around me do not seem so stressed out. They love the holidays and are always smiling. Why do I feel like the only one on the planet who is constantly running around and never having enough time to enjoy the holidays? I have even tried to cut back on some things and still feel stressed.

Granted a lot of people I know do not work 2 jobs. I suppose if I didn't work I might have more time to just sit and enjoy. Or maybe if I just had 5 extra hours in my day. Or if us hosting all the family Christmas parties didn't land on the same year.

I don't know. All I know is that every year I dread this month. And it never gets better.

Well I better go I have to cook for a party, wrap some presents, find some music for a game, prepare a Sunday School lesson, work for another hour, and find some time to sleep.

p.s. The only good thing about Christmas is it makes my kids happy. I suppose that makes it all worth it.

Thankful Thursdays

Today I am so grateful for my warm house!!! Seeing that it is negative eleven freaking degrees outside!

(I actually love the cold. I would rather be cold than hot anyday. However, even I have a limit, and it has been hit this week. Next week it should be 30 degrees. I don't think I have ever looked forward to a high of 30 so much before).

Cone Head

We were driving in the car today and we drove past a person walking their dog. The dog had a cone around it's neck. Alec all of the sudden blurted out, "Look that dog has on the 'Cone of Shame!'" (This is a reference from the movie UP). I laughed so hard.

Thankful Thursdays

Today I am thankful (very thankful) that Utah State kicked BYU's butt in basketball last night!!!

The Aggies have the best fans! Go Aggies!

Just some stuff

* Gavin has had laryngitis for over two weeks now. His doctor says it will go away. I suppose I should enjoy how much more quiet our house has been.

*Brynn had a piano recital last weekend. She did awesome (someday I going to quit being lazy and figure out how to put video on here so I can add things like piano playing).

* Alec had Grandparents day at school last week. He loved it. They sing a song, decorate a brown paper bag for the local store, and have a treat. He loves his Grandma Peggy so much, and cried when she finally had to leave.

*We went to Brett's parents house for Thanksgiving. It was his families "on" year. Great food, great company, Great Day.

*Brett and I went to see the movie "Blind Side." Excellent movie. I like things that restore your faith in human beings.

* It is now offically the Christmas Season. I am not a Christmas person. I wish I could just run away for a month and come back when it is over!

Thankful Thursdays

Today Thankful Thursday happens to land on Thanksgiving. The day when everyone lists what they are thankful for. Since I have been doing that almost every Thursday this year, I won't repeat myself.
Instead I will just say that today I am thankful for Thanksgiving. Turkey dinner is always something to be thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving!

(Sarah: 6 yrs old, pilgrim; Alec: 5 yrs old, Indian)

Fast Sunday

(Those of you who aren't familiar with our religion we have a Sunday every month that is called "Fast Sunday." It is where we fast for two meals).

My funny conversation with Alec this morning:

Alec: Mom is it Fast Sunday?

Mom: No

Alec: Oh man!

Mom: Why do you like Fast Sunday so much?

Alec: Because church goes by faster on Fast Sunday.

(He was very disappointed when I explained what Fast Sunday really means).

Bread Juice

I was slicing a roll for Alec and a bunch of crumbs fell out in the process. Alec said, "That's Bread Juice." Too cute.

Need a good laugh?

I really am against making fun of people. However, some people really bring it on themselves: http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

Thankful Thursdays

This has been a tough year for me for many reasons, mostly really personal reasons. This week things started looking up in many ways. It was a good week.

Most of these things are personal and I don't want to share on this blog. But, because of these things I have realized how much I love and depend on my wonderful husband. He is my best friend and understands me way more than I give him credit for.

I am so very thankful for my Brett. We have been best friends since the day we met, and I am so thankful for that.

(1997)

Fall Pictures

Last month my sister-in-law Angie and I took turns taking pictures of each others family. Here are a few of my favorites. Thanks Angie, they turned out great!

(The cute posed, happy pictures...)

And...(the reality)

Revived

I just got back from spending 4 days away with just the girls. My friend Ivy invited me to a getaway with her and some of her friends. We went to a condo and crammed 11 people in it. This was the first time I had met almost everyone there and I am wondering where these people have been all my life. We laughed for 4 days straight. My jaw was actually hurting from smiling and laughing so much.
I of course forgot my camera so I don't have pictures. It was a nice little break. Thanks for inviting me Ivy...it was a blast!

Halloween

This year for Halloween Gavin was Harry Potter, Brynn was Hermione, and Alec was a Lego Knight. I think this is the first year that I haven't made/sewn at least one costume. Alec got his costume at Disneyland in May, and Gavin and Brynn's robes were cheaper to buy than make. They loved their costumes and had a great Halloween.

Gavin is putting spells on his sister!

And...of course you have the candy sorting at the end of the night.

Hope your Halloween was just as plentiful!

Thankful Thursdays

I am thankful for October (though the last two Octobers have sucked a duck in many ways (this one has included swine flu, shingles, and stomach flu all in a 4 week period)). I love fall, the colors, the crisp air, and many fun Halloween traditions.

Here are some fun things from this October.

Alec got out the rake and raked the leaves from our little tree without being asked. He loved doing it and worked hard for about an hour at it. (Then had a melt down when the kids got off the bus and walked through our yard and messed up his pile).

Carving pumpkins! (Notice Alec's spider hat that I bought for 50 cents on clearence a couple of years ago and just found it. He has worn it for 3 days straight).

Witches Hats (made out of fudge striped cookies and hershey kisses). I think Halloween treats are the funnest to make.

The Pumpkin Walk.

We went with Grandma and Grandpa Francis, aunts, uncles, and cousins this year.

This was the best display. All of these vegtables were made of pumpkins and they looked really awesome.

Brynn is Harry Potter

Gavin makes a lovely Cinderella

Alec as Yoda

The cutouts are the kids favorite part of the Pumpkin Walk