Zaugg Christmas party!

We had a great time at the Zaugg Christmas party! We made gingerbread houses, had dinner, had a gift exchange (white elephant), and had santa clause come. It was good to have mom and dad home! All my siblings except for Spencer & his family were able to make it...7/8 isn't bad! We got to see Spencer and his family later in the week for mom and dads homecoming. It was a good time for all!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THOMAS!

I am very blessed in my life to have someone like Thomas. He is my best friend, a wonderful husband, and the best dad out there! He is always there for me and our beautiful little family. We never have to wonder if he loves us, if he will take care of us, or if he will play with us. He is a fun dad. I constantly wonder how he can stand to play ALL THE TIME, but he does it. The kids love him, respect him and want to be around him. I love you Thomas!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! (I'm placing a bet that he doesn't see this for a few weeks unless I accidentally leave it up...but love ya when you finally read my blog!)Thomas and his 1 candle. I guess we used the other 9 we had at my b-day.

Ohhhh clothes...you shouldn't have....really.

Thomas also got a Mandarin gobie, yellow ricordia mushroom and two acropora colonies. That was something to excite him!

Temple Square

We went to temple square for the first time as a family or even a couple, to see the Christmas lights. Every year the kids were just too small to attempt it. They did really well. Kaden wasn't too happy when we first got there because he was asleep, but he warmed up to the idea and we all had a blast. It was funny to me that I had the kids stand in the same spot probably all couples that get married in the Salt Lake Temple stand...oh how perspective changes. One day a happy couple...the next a happy family!

The kids had their last day of school today. We go off track Jan 2nd, so we don't go back to school until Jan 14th. We are taking the kids to Disneyland for our Christmas present to them, but not until Jan 6th. (SO, IF YOU ARE READING THIS....THEY WILL NOT KNOW THEY ARE GOING UNTIL WE ARE HALF WAY THERE!!) We are looking forward to having a great time this Christmas break!

Happy Birthday, Birthday Girl...

Thomas threw me a party on my birthday Saturday. We invited family. There were a lot of people over and we had a great time. Thomas made his chili and we got together to eat and enjoy each other...what more is there? My sister, Colette, made me a beautiful birthday cake! Thanks Colette!

Blowing out the candles. All 9 of them!!
Trying to get a picture of Amy and Aaron. This is the one that turned out the best...sorry Amy!

Hailey, Kaden and Kinley were so excited to throw me a party. Kaden wanted to know my plans of what activities I was going to have all the moms I invited do. I told him nothing, just hang out. He started planning how all us moms could make light sabers. SO CUTE!

This is me with my sister Colette and her daughter, my niece, Chantel. Picture take 3.

Just a flock shot. Flock shot, number 2!

I had a great Birthday. Thanks to everyone who came, called, brought cards, Im'ed me. I am truly blessed to have so many family and friends that care about me. Thank you Thomas. I know you don't like to be in crowds, but you know I do!! I love you!!

Welcome home Mom and Dad!!

THEY MADE IT HOME!

Mom and Dad came home today. We had so much fun talking and enjoying each other. It felt like they never left!

Top to bottom: Amber, Grace, Breanna, Ben, Aaron, Broxton, Grandma, Hailey, Grandpa, Kinley, Brooklyn and Kaden.

Some of the grand-kids that were at the house to welcome home grandma and grandpa!

Kaden with grandpa.

All the kids yelled GROUP HUG and ran to grandma. She enjoyed every second of it!

Snow Fun!

We went to bed Friday night with it snowing, and woke up Saturday to the best snowman making snow I think we have seen in a LONG time! I didn't get outside with the camera before Kinley had enough and wanted to go inside to take a bath. I gave her some bubbles, came back and she had added more and turned on the jets. This is her "snow" fun!Kaden and Hailey went outside to play and started making a snow man. By the time Thomas went out to help them they had two huge balls already. They ended up making two snowmen!

The snowball was almost as big as she was, but she was still pushing it around the yard.

They all look so innocent, but don't be deceived. They are not starting a new snowman with that snowball in their hands...oh no...they threw them at ME!! THE INNOCENT PICTURE TAKER!

Here they are showing off one of their finished products. I think those two snowmen made record time in being built!Here is the other one.

I'm glad it snowed again. Last snowstorm they made a snowman and I couldn't find my camera. These were better anyway!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAWNELL

I saw a quote once that sums up what I think: I smile because you are my sister. I laugh because there is nothing YOU can do about it!

Dawnell and I have had so many good memories. I remember when we rode home from the sand dunes cranking the music up loud and singing...with a 4-wheeler helmet on my head. It was so funny, it gave us the great idea for some pictures to send to Preston. We got bike helmets on, used the 4-wheeler tie downs and strapped ourselves to her blazer. We then put tape on our helmets that said "Simon" and "Phillip", wiped chocolate all over our faces and mimicked a SNL skit, in picture format. Ahhh the good old days!! Also, worth mentioning is the time where she helped me with my talk for Prestons farewell. She convinced me that this joke about his watch and how it was so big it could make bread, was HILARIOUS. So, taking her advice, which was never wrong, I told the joke. Loud laughter shook the chapel....dawnell was nice enough (or thought it was THAT funny) she laughed (LOUDLY) when no one else did...NO ONE! That is true sister love for ya!

I look up to Dawnell so much. She is always there for me, just a phone call away! (thank goodness for in-network calling!) I love you so much Dawnell. Happy Birthday!

Christmas pictures..

Tis the season to be Jolly flalallalalallalallalalalala.

I was pretty surprised that we got good shots...all of them in less then 5 minutes before church, AND we were still 15 minutes early for the meeting! Now, that my friends, is a blessing! I am going to try my hand at Christmas cards with the kids picture on it. Hopefully I will order them tomorrow and actually mail them out...that is half the battle!!

I bought the girls matching dresses (Hailey's idea, I usually like different ones for them) and Kaden a festive tie. They were so cute at church today.

Kinley is such a little princess...

Kaden is our "Man in training"...

and Hailey is growing up faster and faster. I can't believe how much this picture makes her look like a young women then a little girl...ahh where did the time go?

The Limo ride

Hailey got to go on her limo ride today. They went to Taco Time. Not her favorite...or even remotely close. I hope she at least pity ate in front of the principal. She enjoyed the limo ride though.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great Thanksgiving! We ended up staying at home, with just the five of us. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law, and my sister both invited us over, but we declined this year. We had a great day of playing games, cooking dinner, going on a REALLY short walk (it was sooo cold!), and just goofing around together. We had a blast!

Kinley, showing off her "Turkey"
Kaden was the first one up. He helped me get the turkey ready and in the oven.

Showing off their hard work. They made the name tags, center piece and they set the table. They were a lot of help!

The kids played the computer for a little bit together. They played NICELY together ALL DAY. It was so nice!

I have a lot to be Thankful for. I am thankful for my wonderful, gentle, kind and loving husband. He is my best friend. I am thankful for our 3 wonderful children. I am thankful for my family, and my extended family, my friends, my home. I am very grateful at this time of year for the gospel and the things it brings into my life.

Now that Thanksgiving is over...BRING ON CHRISTMAS!! I am one of those that don't like Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving...but after that meal is done...up goes Christmas! Turn on your lights and enjoy it! I love the Christmas lights and the Christmas music. I love this time of year that we can remember Christ's birth and all he has done for us. What a wonderful time of the year!!

Pre-Thanksgiving fun

The kids had school off today for Thanksgiving break. I enlisted their help for the centerpiece for the table, and place setting name tags. I had Kaden and Kinley make turkeys and Hailey tried her hand at the name tags. They were all over the idea. They all love crafts. Kaden is constantly asking for the weirdest things that he can have to make into his creations. The kid goes through paper, tape and glue like its candy! I don't have a picture of Kinley with hers, by the time the camera came out she was crying on the couch. I will get her picture with her turkey tomorrow.

These are the crafts that Hailey did at school.

WE HAVE A DATE PEOPLE!!

I am so excited for my parents to come home. December 11, 2007! My kids have grown up so much while they have been gone. I am excited...there are no other words for it!!

What luck!!

Hailey's school did a cookie dough fund raiser. For every item you sold, your name got put in a drawing. I don't let her go around to sale, so she got two tickets...from us buying them. Her name got called both times and she won a prize (a stupid one, but still!) Well, everyone who sold a bunch of cookie dough (some unreal amount that my kid wasn't going to reach) gets a limo ride to taco time for lunch with the principal. They also drew 5 more students names from the list of kids who sold at least one thing. Guess who's name got drawn? HAILEY! I cant believe it! I NEVER win drawings...I mean NEVER. I think I should take her with me to Vegas! LOL

Who does those things??

I didn't know who made them. Posters, that is. There are always cute little posters telling us in R.S. what our next activity is, when it is and all the details. I always noticed them. I had no idea who did them...I never even thought about it. HOLY CRAP!! I don’t know if it’s as hard as it was for me for everyone, but I am NEVER going to look at a poster the same anymore. I’m actually going to LOOK at it...not just read it, LOOK at it. I had a few freak-outs which bought me a nice new pair of scissors that Thomas ran to the store for (was he scared or helping out...I may never know!) and some much needed help. My neighbor Alicia got to see one of my freak-outs as I came over for color ideas for the letters. She came over last night at 8pm and went home at 2:30am. I don't know if I could have made them so cute without her. She is really crafty (I personally struggle in that area) had a ton of fun toys that made it easier, and really fun. I am thankful for the help. So, they are all done...and I think they turned out super cute! What do you think?

Yes, there are 5!! AHHH!!

On another church note, Thomas and I got a new calling in our ward. We are the CTR 8 teachers. Probably wont blog about that. I'm trying to warm up to the idea.

Trick or Treat smell my feet...give me something good to eat!!

Of course, they wanted to shout TRICK OR TREAT SMELL MY FEET, GIVE ME SOMETHING GOOD TO EAT. But, I wouldn't let them. I guess I am no fun! The kids had a great Halloween. It started early at Kaden's school party. We came home for an hour and turned around and went to Hailey's class party. Both parties went off well, and being a helper instead of a head room mom proved to be MUCH better for me! They went trick-or-treating for about an hour. Kinley wanted to be there, but towards the end she was falling asleep, so I left Thomas with Hailey and Kaden and walked Kinley home. She woke right up once we got home so she could check out her loot!

Hailey was a princess.

Kaden was Darth Vador. I dont know what is up with this pose, but he is pulling it in every single picture. It a mix between the death grip (is that what its called when he grabs you from accross the room?? LOL) and some sort of blast ya with my light saber. It was so funny though...the camera came out and so did the pose!

Kinley was a chicken. It was so cute. She would cluck for you if you asked. Kaden and Hailey kept laughing at her, so she thought she was the funniest thing on the face of the Earth. I have to admit, it was close!

The kids did not like gutting their pumpkins. I’m not a fan either. I just get queasy when I smell the freash pumpkin. All I can think of is the Halloween when I was in first grade, I cut my hand open carving a pumpkin. When my hand gets wet from the insides my heart jumps a bit and I quickly look at my hand for blood. Yeah, they have come a long way with the carving tools...but I still have issues. Maybe next year we will just paint them. If they don’t like the guts, I’m not doing it next year!!