Thanksgiving

Since moving to Arizona, we have had EVERY Thanksgiving here. Two of those times, I had just had babies and the other two we spent Christmas in Utah so we just stayed here for Thanksgiving. This year was no exception, we were here, but it was the BEST Thanksgiving yet!

My family came down for the feast and lots of fun! Both of my sister's, their husbands, Logan, my dad and his wife and even my Grandma and Grandpa were here--it was really great! Ben made the turkey and some delicious yams, Matt made his dad's famous pumpkin pies and the gravy, while my Grandma and I handled the rest. I guess after a few tries at Thanksgiving (over the past years) has taught me a thing or two, because I did a really good job this year (if I do say so myself!) Everything tasted great.

We spent the rest of the weekend watching football, shopping (a little), seeing "Enchanted", going out to eat a few times, and LOTS and LOTS of GUITAR HERO!

Julie and John brought Guitar Hero with them and, in the opinion of myself and my family, it is the BEST game out there! We all had a blast challenging and encouraging each other as we played rock songs on the guitar. If you have never heard of this game, I highly recommend it! If you have heard of this game, then you know what I am talking about!

I love my family so much and we always have a great time just hanging out and doing nothing. It was a great weekend and Matt, the boys and I miss them all so much all ready!

Polar Express

This past weekend we went with about 15 families in our ward to Williams, AZ where we rode on the "Polar Express." It is actually the Grand Canyon Railway, but they turn it into the "Polar Express" around Christmas time and decorate the area and act just like the characters in the actual book.

The town is along Route 66 so it is really old fashioned and fun to visit. We ate at a great little restaurant that was your classic, small town place! After eating, we changed our kids into their pajamas and headed over to the railroad station. While waiting to aboard the train, the kids were able to meet Mrs. Claus and color (or write if you know how!) letters for Santa.

When we got on the train they served us cookies and hot chocolate while we sang Christmas carols. When we reached the "North Pole" Santa got on the train and gave each child a bell. The entire ride took about 40 minutes. The boys loved the train ride the best. They may have been a tad too little to fully appreciate the entire experience, but all in all it was a good time!

It was a great little family get away to a really neat town that we would love to visit again. The boys also loved the Christmas decorations--especially the lights!

Wade

What do you say about your first born child? It's not that I love him anymore than Seth (or any of our other children to come), but Wade was the child that turned Matt and I into parents. He was the one who taught us and showed us what real, deep, true love is. Our wonderful Father in Heaven trusted us, trusted ME to be a mom. Like most first-time mom's I had NO CLUE what I was doing--hey, I even still feel that way now :), but this little person keeps growing and changing and trusting Matt and I each day.
When I ask, what do I say about my first born, I only mean, I could never put into words the way I feel about Wade. I am so thankful for him in my life. I am thankful he is mine, forever! There is no one like Wade. He has a part of my heart and will hold it in his hands always. Our family would not be what it is, would not be complete without him in it. We wouldn't be the way we are if he weren't our first child--the one to pave the way for all of us to be together forever. I love him so much for what he has brought my life and how he has changed the way I was, the way I am or ever will be.
There are some benefits to be the first child like new clothes, alone time with your parents (before any other siblings were born) and first one to try most things. There are also some set backs like being the test-pilot to just about everything, having to be the example and having to grow up a little faster than the rest. Wade handles it all in stride. He is a, naturally, sweet boy who loves his family with all his heart. I know he tries so hard each day to be a good brother, son, grandson and nephew.
Some of the things Wade is doing now are: preschool, music class and soccer. He also LOVES to play with his friends, ride his "new" bike, go to the park when "Ampa" visits, visit Cedar City, UT where his cousins and Granny and Grandpa live, play with Ampa and Aunt Ju's cats, and play just about any sport.
I can't believe he is 4. He has grown so much and each day I am amazed by what he can do. It is a wonderful opportunity to be trusted with these sweet spirits and I hope I don't take it for granted. So, on your 4th birthday, Wade, I want to tell you that I love you with all my heart and wish and try to give you the best of me and everything else I can each and every day! Thank you for being my son and blessing my life so much!
Now, since we just got back from Disneyland, Wade is obsessed with pirates! He loved "Pirates of the Carribbean" and especially "Jack Sparrow." So, this year, we had a pirate party for Wade. Matt took the kids on a treasure hunt, they "walked the plank" and hit candy out of a pirate pinata. Of course, Wade loved every second of being the center of attention and, I think, everything turned out really well! Here are a couple of pictures from the party:

I've Been Tagged...again

Some of you who have been blogging for awhile know that I have been tagged before, but over the past couple of months I have been reconnected with some of my old friends from college and high school through this very blog, so I am fine with doing it again. It is a different tag too, so those of who read my last one might not be so bored!

OK, so here are the rules:
A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

So here is mine:
1. I am a creature of HABIT and ROUTINE. If I find something that works for me then I stick to it for a long time (if not forever.) I am not good with surprises (I actually like them if I am truly surprised, but I rarely am because I will do anything to find out a surprise if I know one is coming.) For example, I eat the EXACT same thing for breakfast and lunch everyday. I know it is healthy, I know it will fill me up and I know it tastes good--to me that is all I need. My kids have been on routines since day one, which has turned out to be a good thing, but is always hard on the days when unforeseen circumstances come into play and I have two tired, cranky boys because our routine has been changed!

2. I love reality TV. Among my favorites are "The Hills", "The Bachelor" and "The Biggest Loser." As a matter of fact, I would say most of the shows I watch are reality shows.

3. I LOVE to exercise. It makes a huge difference in my day. I love the escape, the release of endorphins and how my body feels after I have finished my workout. I also love to talk about dieting and nutrition. If I see a TV show, news article, etc about those subjects, I am hooked!

4. I also love to talk about/ hear about celebrities--especially Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson--you know all the great, dramatic people! Matt laughs whenever I talk about them because he says "I talk like they are my personal friends and like I actually know them." Sometimes I do feel like I know them because I hear and read so much about their lives, which is also kinda sad for them. I am sure it is hard to live in the spotlight.

5. I hate peanut butter. I have always hated peanut butter. I guess I shouldn't say I hate peanut butter in general because I do like it in candy, cookies and ice cream, but I have NEVER eaten a peanut butter sandwich in my entire life--I have tried, but can't do it. It seems so disgusting. My kids eat peanut butter, though--Seth LOVES it, but I think Wade is like me--he doesn't seem to like it that much.

6. I love to craft--especially paper crafts. I like to home-make cards, paint wood things, glue and create wonderful things for my home and other people. I only wish I had more time to do these things, but whenever I can, I try to squeeze in a little time here and there.

6 people I am tagging are:
1. Brooke Eardley
2. Lynette Wettstein
3. Linsey Sorensen
4. Joe Burns
5. Amy Hughes
6. Jamie Christensen

I did also want to mention:
A few weeks ago we got our family pictures taken (thanks Bekah.) It was a challenge, to say in the least, because of Seth. I love him to bits, but he is a TWO-YEAR-OLD through and through. He knew all we wanted was to take one good picture and because of that, we were putty in his hands. He had complete control of all of us--and here are the pictures to prove it! We did, however, end up with a couple of good pics that I plan to use for our Christmas card!

Disneyland

Last week we got to go to DISNEYLAND!! We went with Matt's sister and her family and Matt's parents. It was such an amazing trip! Neither Matt nor I have been to Disneyland for many years and my kids have never been, so that made it extra great!

The weather was perfect. We were comfortable in pants and short sleeves and jackets at night. It wasn't too crowded--as a matter of fact, the third day we were there, we walked onto several rides (which is perfect when you have a 2 year old in tow!)

We celebrated Seth's and Matt's birthday at "Goofy's Kitchen" which is a really fun restaurant in the Disneyland Hotel. It is a buffet with all "kid food" (but still yummy for adults too!) There are tons of characters who come around to your table, which is always so much fun. The boys LOVED seeing characters and were so cute to pose for pictures and ask for autographs!

The biggest (pleasant) surprise of all was Wade's willingness to go on EVERY ride he was tall enough to go on! Matt loved it! Among other rides, my little Wade sat front row on Splash Mountain by himself, rode the Matterhorn twice, endured Thunder Mountain and even went on the "Tower of Terror!"

It was also a lot of fun to see Disneyland decorated for Halloween. They did such a great job, especially with Main Street. The parades were a lot of fun and we also got to see "Fantasmik"(sp?) which was incredible. Wade, especially LOVED that. He was screaming "WOW!!" the entire time.

I can't end with out mentioning my favorite part. Matt thinks I am crazy for thinking this is great, but I do. So anyway, we pull into the parking garage on our last day and I reach into my purse and pulled out my credit card to pay for parking. The man takes my card and calls for his co-worker. The co-worker comes over with a certificate, gives me back my card and announces that we are the "Guest Car of the Day!" Parking is free and he asks us to follow him in his car to a "special" parking spot located about twenty feet from the tram that takes you to the park!!! We also got our picture taken by a sign that marks our parking spot. You might be thinking, "that's it?" and yes, that is it, but I couldn't wipe the grin off my face--I thought is was so cool! (I know I am a nerd!)