Nana's Hairbows for Hailey

Here is my little buddy during our California trip; 

Hailey is the youngest of the three girls and is such the girlie-girlie!

During our visit we spent a great deal of time together hang out, each morning she would bring me the hair brush, a bottle of water and some hair ties to do her hair.  She is nothing like her sisters who prefer to wear a headband or braid - she wants something fun and cute - and Nana doesn't know how to do cute little girl hair do's so I made do with what I knew. 

One thing I do know hjow to do is make hairbows so I made a handful of bows for Hailey to wear - Mostly for her Singing Hands Performances.  Here is just an example of some that she wore that day.

A Must Have California Experince

Micah and I had to take Sam to In-N-Out Burger

He had his first Double Double, French Fries and Vanilla Shake. . .  loved the burger and the shake,
but thought the fires tasted like deep fried Styrofoam.

Monopoly Night with Nana

The girls and I spent the evening in the Motor home playing Monopoly this evening -
I can't believe how much these little ladies have grown up!

It seems like just a short time ago that I was there the afternoon Rebecka was born (and she turned 11 in October). Rebecka is 11 going on 21 most days; sassy and know it all, but she is just as happy and joyful as I remember her to be when her parents and I all lived together. I am looking forward to the time when Nana is more important than boys, make up and iPods.

McKayla who has grown into such an amazing and smart 10 years old - I know I am not suppose to have favorites, but she is mine! She is such a spitfire and so full of attitude - Like two peas in a pod we are! My last night there we had a chance to spend some quality time together and I soooo sooooo LOVED it!

Little Miss Hailey - She spent most of the time snuggling with me and wanting to spend time with me that I just about to pack her up and bring her home. We spent sometime together making some bows for her to wear to school and to her Singing Hands performances and just enjoyed the time we had.

Looking for Sea Ceatures in Caycous

 

These afternoon we packed up a picnic lunch with the Smith and Celedon Family 

to head over to the coast to show Sam some of the highlights of living in the Central Coast of California.

We took a long walk down the water so that everyone could search the tidepools for sea life. 

Hearst Castle Visitor Center

After we took a walk on the beach we drove up to the Hearst Castle Visitor Center
to let Sam learn about Hearst Castle and William Randall Hearst.

As we were walking along in search of sea creatures we came across this  

"little guy" taking a nap along the shore line.

Morro Bay, California

What is a trip to California without a visit to the Central Coast and a chance to see beach after beach.

Caycuos, California

 

There is a portion of coast line along the Central Coast were you will find thousands of Elephant Seals; 

during this time of the year most of them have their babies and enjoying the warmth from the sun.

It is a pretty amazing place - there is a long walking path that takes you about a mile down where you can observe these sea creatures.  The area is now gated, but when Micah and I were first married we took a trip there with some friends and were able to walk right up to them. 

However, it is VERY DANGEROUS and not recommend, but it was an amazing experience to say we have walked among these creatures.

Caycuos, California

Family Day at the Beach

SMFD - Firefighter in Training

Sam took a trip down to see the San Miguel Fire Department - 

and now whenever you ask if he can do something he replies 'I am a Volunteer Firefighter!'

BUSTED Little Lady . . . .

If I have said it once I have said it a million times; it is a good thing this little girl is one of my favorites!  

Sam caught her RED handed doing this to my truck.  The worst part of it all is that I was the one who gave her the silly string for her socking stuffer -That'll be the last time!!!

Gilbert and Ken had to show Micah and Sam the damage 

from a fire that had taken place in the river bed months before.

Merry Christmas from California

 

We had a GREAT Christmas in California . . .  Sam was not to sure how he felt about having no snow Christmas morning, but I think that was quickly over shadowed by all the Santa gifts.

We were awoken by three small giggling girls who thought it would be a great idea to wake us up at 7am.  Needless to say the joke was on them when they had to wait until Grandma and Grandpa come over to open presents . . . 

The girls were excited to get a Wii from Tia Di (it was also their birthday gift) and along with that came various other gifts to accompany the Wii lifestyle.

Sam - I would say he was spoiled rotten, but the truth is calling Sam and Spoiled do not go in the same category; he did have a great Christmas as far as gifts were concerned.  

He was lavished with clothes and shoes, not got one BUT two watches - in fact i don't think I have seen him go a day without his Fossil watch that he received from his new Oma and Opa.  He also got a new MP3 player (from his dad) so that he can listen to his favorite music and save other media And the BIG gift finale of the season was  . . . . . . . .a new camera from Micah and I to capture all his important life moments.

OMG Look at this Cat

I realize that these pictures are not the best quality, but that is not the point!

Sam and I were amazed and shock when we saw the Celedon Family cat during our California vacation.

This is Rein  . . .  rumor has it that they use to have two cats and the other one ran away, 

but I am almost certain that he/she was eaten by this guy here!

Go Carting Adventures in California

So my Brother in Law, Gilbert build this go-cart while he was away at school many years ago . . . and the family tradition is that on holidays he will allow the kids; Becky, Kayla and Hailey to ride it. Needless to say, the girls were so excited to go outside with 'responsible adults' a.k.a Uncle Micah and Nana for a little while.

Farwell to Chaze

We knew the time would come before too long when we would have to say Farewell to Chaze . . .

This afternoon Micah, Sam, Chaze and I sat down for our last Sunday dinner; 

on the menu TACOS of course it's Chaze's favorite meal.

I had already planned for a few surprise visitors that evening - the whole neighborhood as a last chance good-bye before Chaze returned home that Tuesday afternoon to Blanding.

Sadie Hawkins Pictures

The Sadie Hawkins Pictures have FINALLY Arrived!

Ward Christmas Party

Micah, Sam, Chaze and I went to a Christmas party earlier in the day, went to see Blindside where I spent the next two hours bawling my eyes out  . . . .  the next stop on your schedule was the Ward Christmas Party.

When we arrived (over dressed) we were sitting around talking with friends and someone noticed we all had matching toe socks . . .  Chaze was getting ready to go home and the boys & I thought it would be a fun thing to do on one of our last family activities.

UYV Christmas Party

Here is one of the LAST pictures of the four of before Chaze left to return home.

My Kitchen Cabinets

How silly is this . . . each time I tell one of the three boys in my house that they need to put the dishes away where they go; they respond "Well if there was a picture I would know where and how it goes!!??"

To their surprise guess what showed up . . . That's RIGHT I took pictures of the cabinets and placed each coordinating one inside the cabinet door. :)

Navity Scene at Temple Square

Walking Around the Lights of the SLC Temple

Christmas Lights at Temple Square with Ken and Debbie

Tonight Sam and I went with Ken and Debbie down to Salt Lake City to see the Christmas Lights are Temple Square . . .

This was the second year that I had gone with Ken and Debbie to see the lights and the first time for Sam.  Micah was working at a Jazz Game and missed all the lights.

Brynlie and Brecken

This evening the Mills Family came over for a Santa Maria style BBQ -
THANKS KEN for the yummy dinner!!!

These are just a few pictures that I got before the end of the evening - While the adults played games the kids watched Shrek and entertained Odie.

Yummm Yummm Good!

Micah's parents were here for the week of Thanksgiving - and by special request we had them bring my favorite - San Luis Sour Dough bread!! Here's a picture of Ken making it the evening we had the neighbors over for Tri-Tip, Beans, Mexican rice and bread!

I also just posted this picture cuz I know how much Ken dislikes photos :)

Just remember the red paint, washer & dryer in the living room and that my house was trashed!!

Baking Pies for Thanksgiving

The night before Turkey Day Micah, his parents, Sam and I stayed up until the Wheeeeewwww hours of the morning making a Pecan Pie, apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie and a Pumpkin Pecan pie.

After the Jazz Game

After the Jazz game Micah was able to get us down onto the floor to take a couple of quick pictures and then out through the downstairs doors where the Jazz Dancers leave the building.

While waiting for the elevator you can see the boys made good use of their time horsing around - UNTIL five of the Jazz Dancers showed up to wait with us.

Jazz Game

Before we left for the Jazz Game

Quick picture before we left for the Jazz game that evening . . .

Another fun Filled Saturday

The last flag football game the boys were able to play before the Thanksgiving holiday . . . . Little did I know the surprise that awaited me at home.

All I have to say is UNPREPARED, my house was thrashed, painting and a washer & dryer in my living room - - - And a message to the lovely couple that came as a SURPRISE . . . I will get you back.

Our Rainbow Toe Socks

One evening I had to run an errand to Walgreen's - to my surprise they had toe socks (I just love them!)

Anyways, before I knew it the boys were asking for toe socks to, but I said we had to get matching toe socks if we were going to get them . . . they said YES. The selection was limited and mostly all for Christmas . . SO RAINBOW IT WAS!

Sam 'Squared'

Sam's date, Samantha . . . They seemed to have had a great day date, a good time at the dance and Sam has yet to stop talking about the date after the dance!!

After the Sadie Hawkins Dance

Once the boys got home from the dance I had to beg them to take a couple of pictures
before heading off to bed . . .

Chaze and his Sadie Hawkins Date, Kierstin

The Many faces of Sam

Sam never lets me take pictures of him, and I DON'T understand why . . . Look at this guy - He is a nice lookin' young man!

So after the Sadie Hawkins Dance we were sitting around talking about the boys "day dates" and how the dance was and that date Sam had after the dance - - - So I took as many pictures I could before he realized what I was up to.

Flag Football

The boys invited Grizz to come play flag football this morning and fell to mention that it was a church activity - All is well they had a GREAT TIME AND WON!

Basement Bathroom Project

So excited . . . . No more running up and down the stairs for the restroom!! Of course it won't be 100% finished since Micah and I are still trying to agree on the shower/tub or just a shower.

Syracuse High School Varsity Football Team 2009-2010

Farmington Canyon

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Today the four of us went for lunch and a drive up Farmington Canyon. Between Football, Meetings, School and Everything else it is really hard for the four of us to get away and spend a day hanging out.

It turned out to be a great day once I was able to relax and not be so focused on the cliff to the passenger side of the truck - we drove up as far as we could before we decided it was a good idea to turn around - there was about 6-8 inches of snow already (today was the last day that anyone would be allowed to travel the roads also).

We had a great time - for Chaze it was nice to be up in the mountains enjoying something like back home and for Micah is was all about seeing how dirty he could get his truck. As for Sam, he seemed to enjoy everything and I on the other hand was not looking forward to the trip back down the mountain (I always get car sick!)

Sadie Hawkins = Girls Ask Guys!

Okay so Wednesday Night we came home from Salt Lake City and I found the oddest package at the front door for Chaze . . . and it was open!?!? As I looked closer I figured out that we had been hit by a Utah Native with a silly but creative way of inviting Chaze to the Sadie Hawkins dance in a few weeks.

As Chaze opened the box he soon found over 100 envelopes with his name that contained blank pieces of paper . . . a few said 'Try again!" or my favorite taped to the very bottom of the box 'Don't forget to read all the mail!' Shortly after there was someone at the door to hand delivery yet another envelope. This one said 'Your the MAIL I want to take! So will you join me at SADIES?'

So at 10 o'clock that evening Chaze and I go over to visit with Sadie to set plans in motion for Chaze to say yes. About an hour later we have a plan now if only it will work out how we need it to. Chaze has called 3-7 people looking for the MC for tomorrows assembly . . . finally we found someone - be to the high school at 7am tomorrow morning!

6:40am off we go - the plan is to have the MC call Kiersten onto the stage where she will be presented by an ever soo00oo cute 4 year old dresses as a flower; thanks again Brynlie! So sweet little Brynlie walked up to Kiersten and hands her a bouqet of flowers and annouces proudly and for everyone to hear "CHAZE SAYS YES!"

I left out all the little details like texting her mom at 11 the night before, having to arrange for Chaze to be in the right assembly, hiding myself and the flowers out of sight so she didn't think something was up, and etc . . . . etc.

Later that night Sam receives an unknow text message - it's from the girl Sam in his seminary class. she tells him 'Iam not creative and couldn't think of any way silly to ask you - So do you want to go to Sadie's with me?' With such short notice . . . I run to wal Mart to purchase a package of Muffin, attach a ribbon and note that reads 'There's MUFFIN I would like to do than go to Sadies with you!'

Yep thats right BOTH boys got dates for Sadies on the same day . . .

Neighborhood Halloween Party

Can you believe October is nearly over and Thanksgiving & Christmas are just around the corner!?!?! With that being said we had a neighborhood Halloween Party this weekend - and it reminded me how much I dislike winter even more since I won't be seeing many of these people until Spring!

This year I came across a great game where your spouse (husband) answers questions and the wives had to answer the question to match their husbands answer - if they answered incorrectly they had to chew a piece of Bubble Yumm Gum . . . in the end some spouses had 3 -4-5-7 and 8 pieces of gum in their mouth. I am proud to say that I answered 14 of 18 questions correctly!