Heiroglyphics Trail

All of our Arizona hikes so far have consisted of cactus, sage brush and more cactus so we were excited to spice it up with a heiroglyphic trail. Thanks to the Larson's, we've now found our new favorite hiking trail. The hike was easy enough for kids and it was like we hit the jackpot at the end of the rainbow to see all the cool heiroglyphics, play in the caves and slide down the rocks when we got to the top. Kylie just finished a Native American unit, so she especially thought it was cool. Afterwards we went to Alisa's parent's amazing house and had THE best pizza we've ever eaten. They have this authentic pizza oven imported from Italy and I never knew what a difference it could make. When we become millionaires the first thing I'm getting is a house cleaner and the second thing is a pizza oven. And I will eat pizza three meals a day. Enough of the pizza talk, I'm getting hungry...the kids watched a movie in their theater before calling it a day. Thanks so much Larsons, don't be surprised if we invite ourselves over again sometime soon!

Alisa's cute preggo tummy

Joe doesn't look at all uncomfortable

rough start

happy middle

perfect ending

Christmas 2009

Instead of enjoying the Christmas season throughout the month of December, it seems like we crammed everything into a couple of days. The whole crocheted hat thing got a bit out of control and although I was grateful for all the orders, I was feeling totally overwhelmed and sad that I couldn't enjoy the holidays with the kids. Once I finished, we hit the holidays hardcore with non stop cookie baking, ginerbread house decorating (this was the first year we finally graduated from the graham crackers to the real kit), Christmas crafts, Christmas stories and movies (I let the kids decorate a Christmas tree in the loft and their favorite thing was having sleepovers under the lighted tree and watching a different Christmas movie each night while they fell asleep. We started reading "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" each night, which was one of my favorites, but they were more interested in just watching the movies. Typical. Maybe next year...), making and delivering neighbor treats, shopping, and blasting Christmas music throughout the house all day long. We were excited to have aunt Jessica come at the last minute and the novelty of her visits could never wear off, the kids love seeing her. The Christmas eve line-up started with a big Turkey dinner. This year I decided to make it fun for the kids and do a sort of candle-light restraunt thing. The kids helped me make menus then they got all dressed up and we took turns being waiters/waitresses and ate a cozy little candle-light dinner. Then came the open-first pj's, and then the nativity. No matter how hard I try to make this part spiritual, it always ends up being the funniest part of the night. The naked "baby Jesus" trying to pull the donkey stole the show. Then we tracked Santa on Norad. I was excited to see they had satellite video this year, but it didn't do much in the convincing department as it was totally obvious that it was computer animated and not the real deal. Good thing Rudolph and his shiny red nose pulled through as we managed to spot him as we sat on the porch watching. The kids slept in our room, and even though Kylie was up at 5:00 they did good to let us sleep until 7:00. Santa didn't disappoint this year and Jayden was excited about his new bike, lego sets, wii games and bionicles. Kylie was thrilled with her Nintendo DS, Heelys and Twinkle Toes. Poor Maddox...all he got was a dump truck and a couple of books. Kylie was swimming in presents when she was his age but I refuse to buy more obnoxious baby toys that take up too much space. He doesn't need presents to know he's loved, right? Right?? I think his favorite present, though, was the bubbles that Jayden picked out for him at the dollar store. I must have been a good girl too, because Santa didn't leave me out this year. I was more than content with my beloved Dyson (which I opened 3 weeks early because I couldn't stand it any longer), but Jason totally surprised me and stayed up until 2:30 on Christmas eve putting knobs on the kitchen cabinets (and then up until midnight the next night finishing the drawer pulls). I've been wanting them for like the past 3 years and I think he finally got the hint :). It was the best surprise ever and so thoughtful. And I'm sure he was equally thrilled with the basket ball shoes that I bought him. That he picked out himself. I think he needs to find a new Santa next year. I suck at surprises. We spent the rest of the day as all Christmas days should be spent, staying in our pajamas, playing with toys, eating leftovers and not doing an ounce of work. It's the one day I can let the house go and not stress about the mess (need I remind you about my OCD...) and just enjoy being together as a family. Ahhhh, I love Christmas.

Christmas hayride

Such a fun night. We had our cabin buddies, the Herrerah's and Martinez's (and Jason's sister, Jessica who was staying with us for Christmas) over for dinner and a hayless hayride to look at Christmas lights. The pressure was on to cook up some mean Chinese food, but I cracked under the pressure of eggrolls for 20 (especially since I've never cooked an eggroll in my life) and went for tortilla soup instead. Then came the main event, cramming those same 20 people onto the trailer and driving through the neighborhood to look at the lights. Kylie had brought some sheet music from the neighborhood carolling a couple nights earlier (not our idea, and Jason was less than excited to go caroling, but it ended up being alot of fun and the kids loved it) and we all had fun singing in the freezing cold night. Going back for donuts and hot chocolate was the perfect ending to a fun night.

It's nice being able to recycle the kids' old toys....in theory. Too bad he's scared to death of the giant blue rocking dog. Can you really blame him??

Once again Jayden's school pulled through when it came to the holidays. I've always dreamed of being that mom stuck behind the video camera at the kids' Christmas programs (seriously). It's like a right of passage, and finally I was able to fulfill that dream (although in my dream we were on soft chairs in a heated auditorium instead of on a freezing cement floor in a tent). It was so cute to see Jayden and the other kinders sing their little hearts out and also cool to see them do the nativity, something you never see in a public school. He looked bored throughout most of it, but I loved when I caught his eye and he would get this huge grin and wave. Awww, that's my little man!

Family Pics

Family pictures are a pain no matter what. The kids (and the husband) always whine, but when you're taking them in 20 degree weather with 100 mph winds then it is pure joy. We had the kids all bundled up then on the count of three threw off the coats and hoped for the best. We brought the fake smile to a whole new level. The kids were quite the troopers and my cousin's boyfriend, Kimball did a great job working around the hair whipping in our eyes and chattering teeth!

Thanksgiving '09

While growing up I loved Thanksgiving at grandma and grandpa Jolley's house. There was always so much yummy food and a house full of cousins to play with. Living in AZ I miss being close to family, but especially during Thanksgiving. We've had several Turkey dinners all by our lonesomes and it doesn't feel much different than a Sunday dinner, so this year I was so excited to go up to Utah and spend Thanksgiving with tons of family and let my kids make some of those same memories that I have. As is tradition at Grandma and Angel's house, everyone is required to eat as much food as possible, play as many card games as possible and stay up as late as possible.

(our cute table buddies, Tyson and Dawn on their first Thanksgiving together as Mr. and Mrs.)

(our 10th Thanksgiving together as Mr. and Mrs.)

We also braved the cold and crowds for Black Friday. I may be cheap, but I'm not cheap enough to want to spend hours in lines just to save a few bucks, but I couldn't say no to some good crazy girl fun. We got 2 hours of sleep and it definately showed, oh good times. My prized purchase was my topiary tree (my heart belongs to Tai Pan) and I think everyone especially loved it since I was nice enough to let them hold it for the hour long drive home in a car packed with 9 girls and about 50 shopping bags. I amaze myself with how nice I am sometimes. After 5 hours of shopping and leaving our mark at Ihop we decided we had done enough damage for one morning. (Kylie and the girls set up a boutique selling free hand made creations and everyone, even Grandma, ended up sporting a hair bow, necklace or bowtie) (Maddox didn't understand the concept that everyplace isn't 70 degrees in November and he spent the majority of the days standing by the door crying to go out and play with the dog and cats) (I was so excited to wake up to a white world and I thought the kids would be thrilled to see snow. I thought they would be begging to go out and play in it, but I was the only one doing the begging. I couldn't convince them to even touch it because it was too cold. Whimps. I guess I'll settle for a picture up Cedar mountain. After driving 20 miles an hour for like 2 hours, we all decided snow is overrated.)