Jeff's Birthday

Jeff's actual birthday (December 23rd) festivities included:
Opening gifts....

Jaxon had to try out Jeff's birthday present...something tells me he's going to have a future in gaming....

Dinner at Tepanyaki's with Jeff's parents....

When the chef started the big fire at the table, Claire had the best reaction...half the restaurant was laughing....

Doing well with chopsticks and loving the noodles...

Jaxon was fascinated the entire meal and loved having a chef cook at our table...

Finished the night with cake, candles, and singing.   Hope you had a Happy Birthday Honey!!  Welcome to the 29 club!  We love you!!

New Family Pics

Since my brother moved to Texas and my parents to Arizona, it's been over a year and a half since we've all been together. Family pictures were a must while we had the chance....who knows when the next time will be.  They will be obsolete in five months since my sister-in-law and I are both expecting and due within a week of each other, but I thought they turned out great.

Birthday Weekend!

Every year for Jeff's birthday, we spend a night downtown in Salt Lake.  It's become a tradition that I look forward to months before.  The last few years we have stayed at the Hyatt next to the Gateway.  Since we mainly go to movies and shop, it works great.  We went the weekend before Christmas.  The kids stayed with Jeff's sister and had fun with their cousins.  

We binged on movies and went to three in two days.  The movies we saw were: 

127 Hours--story of the guy who had to cut off his own arm in order to save himself...very inspirational and moving...I left the movie wondering how many people including myself would be able to do that...I'm not sure that I could....

Unstoppable...based on a true story as well....a runaway train that can't be stopped...it was highly entertaining and fast moving, but not as good as the other two movies we saw.

The Fighter....based on a true story of two brothers who are boxers...one is a meth addict and it follows their relationship....also inspiring...made me hope that my kids never get involved with drugs...

On Saturday night, we went to Iggy's for a party with some of the other Jazzbots.  It was an interesting dinner....meeting people and talking with people who you wouldn't normally....we watched the Jazz game as we ate and enjoyed talking sports (I enjoyed listening and realized for how much I like sports, how little I really know.)  

The next day we went to the Melting Pot...it's a favorite of ours that we save for special occasions.  The cheddar cheese fondue appetizer is amazing...

Our main course...steak, chicken, lobster, ravioli, and duck...we dipped into a yummy broth and then dipped again into the best dipping sauces...

Our dessert cooking....pretty nice when the hardest decision we had to make all weekend was what fondue dessert we wanted....we chose S'mores....milk chocolate with marshmallow creme and graham crackers broken up.....

Here's what we dipped...the only bad thing about the meal is how full you are by the time you get to your dessert...wish it were first since it was my favorite course.  

It was a well deserved and much needed break between Jeff's busy work and school schedule and working on our basement in the little spare time Jeff has.  It went too quickly, but was thoroughly enjoyed by both of us!  I loved spending time with Jeff...it was a perfect weekend. 

Christmas is Coming...

Over the weekend, we had our ward Christmas party.  Jeff had to work, but I decided to take the kids anyway.  Claire and Jaxon had already visited Santa at the mall so they were excited to see him again.  Jaxon asked me why he had to tell Santa twice what he wanted...good question...just to make sure he gets you what you want was my response.  He also asked if there are two Santa's...I was completely unprepared for that one...but luckily the only difference noted was the beard...and it's a good thing Jaxon doesn't realize how long it would take to grow a beard that long.  The ward party was a lot of fun...we had a yummy dinner and a cute nativity done by the primary kids.  We sang songs till Santa arrived.  Last year, we were in the back of the line and ended up waiting over 45 minutes to see Santa.  Claire fell asleep before we got to see him.  This year, I was determined we would be more towards the front.  We snuck out a little early to get in line and ended up being the fifth family in line.  When we were the next one's up, Claire started to cry and told me she didn't want to sit on Santa's lap.  I wasn't going to force her, but I should have included the phrase..this is your only chance.  As soon as Jaxon was done and we went to get our stuff, Claire started to cry saying she wanted to sit on Santa's lap.  Being the sucker that i am, we ended up going to the back of the line and waiting 30 minutes so she could sit on Santa's lap.  She did sit on his lap, but tried to stay as far from him as possible and just kept repeating that she wanted a pet stroller.  She got her candy cane and was one happy, but tired girl.

For FHE this week, we made a gingerbread house.  We helped a little but the kids did all the decorating.  Jaxon told me the next morning that he couldn't stop looking at the house because it was so cute.  They were pretty proud of it.  

Shutterfly Christmas Cards

I am a huge fan of Shutterfly so I was excited when I saw on my friend's blog that you can get free Christmas cards by doing a blog post about them.  My first experience with Shutterfly was about three years ago.  We made a book for my Grandparents of all their great-grandkids.  It turned out adorable....it is something they still have displayed for all to see today.  The next year for Christmas we did a CD for my parents of their grandkids.  Again, it was a huge hit and something they still enjoy.  I have been looking at their Christmas cards for the last few months...picking out my favorites.  Here are a few of my them.  It was hard to just pick three...they have so many great options in their 2010 collection.  I love the cards with the letter of your last name.   Here's the link to view the Christmas cards they are offering...  http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards .  

They have so much more than just Christmas cards...right now I am a huge fan of canvas prints.  I need to get some of my kids and they have great options and great prices on them...click here to view them http://www.shutterfly.com/home-decor/canvas-wall-art.   I should have included them on my wish list this year!


The other product that I love from Shutterfly is their Christmas party invites.  We do a Christmas party every year for our friends from high school.  I've looked at a lot of invites and Shutterfly has the best ones...I love them.  View them here....http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-invitations.  They have a lot of variety and there's a card for any theme you would want.  


I have started books for my kids through Shutterfly and am excited to complete them.  They really have so many great options.  Plus, they do cool things like giving you free Christmas cards!  Thanks Shutterfly...you're great!! 

Enjoying the Jazz...

Jeff and I took the kids to a Jazz game this week.  The Jazz won...always more fun when your team wins.  Claire wasn't super interested in the game but she enjoyed looking for the Jazz Bear and coloring.  Jaxon is starting to understand more about what's going on. He checked the scoreboard frequently to make sure our team was winning.  They loved getting popcorn and cotton candy(thus the blue mouths) at half time.

On a Jazz side note, Jeff tried out to become a Jazzbot (an official blogger for the Utah Jazz) and he got it...he is now a Jazzbot!  He writes a post about something of his choice once a week on the Jazz.  I'm really glad he gets to do something he enjoys so much.  His articles are always interesting and entertaining to read...I'll post the link below so if any fellow Jazz fans ever want to read his posts...

http://www.utahjazz360.com/jtrim/

Top Ten Tuesday (or Thursday this week)

I want to start doing a Top Ten list every Tuesday (I know, today is Thursday, but I started it on Tuesday and had every intention of posting it)....I'm stealing the idea from my sister- in-law who does it on her blog.  Since Thanksgiving doesn't seem complete without thinking about what you are truly grateful for, I'm going to start with that.  As I was thinking about it, I realized that I could fill a number of top ten lists just with all the people in my life who I am thankful for, but I decided to group them. Our family is incredibly blessed and I have so much to be thankful for...here's just ten of them:

1.  My incredibly smart and hard working husband....he does so much for our little family...I love that he makes me laugh every day...I'm thankful that he provides for us and allows me to stay home with our kids.  He makes me a better person and I feel lucky to be married to such a great guy.
2.  Jaxon and Claire...where to even start...I love my kids and would do anything for them...I remember my mom telling me that having kid's changes your life....how changed my life has been...for the better...there are so many moments with my kids that I know I will always cherish.
3.  My family...I was blessed with wonderful parents, two brothers, and a sister...all of them reasons why I am today who I am.  I love being with them and their families...we have many great memories and I look forward to many more. Being the youngest, I have always and continue to look up to them...they are great examples to me.  I am grateful for the many cousins my kids have that they can look up to throughout their lives (on both sides).
4.  Jeff's family...I am grateful for the in-laws that I have.  They are a great family...one of their friends said that they would kill to get in their family.  All joking aside, it's not far from the truth.  They have always accepted me and made me feel like part of the family.
5.  My friends....I have great friends from high school...when we get together, I love that it feels like no time has passed at all.  I love the friends I have in our neighborhood...I enjoy our monthly girl's nights out and watching the Bachelor together.
6.  My religion...I've wondered many times how I ended up LDS when the odds of it are so small...whatever the reason, I'm so grateful to know what we know in our church....I am most grateful for the knowledge that we have a very loving Heavenly Father and Savior and that families can be forever.
7.  My country...No matter what people think about the future of our country...I would still take it over any other country in the world.  I am grateful for the opportunities and privileges we enjoy for living here.  I am also so thankful for those who give up so much time with their own families to protect us and our freedoms...what they sacrifice amazes me.
8.  Health...I know this is something I take for granted every day...being healthy and having a healthy family...it can be taken away at any time...
9.  Knowledge/Books...I love learning and I miss college where I always felt like I was gaining new knowledge and using my mind...I still try to find ways to do that...which leads me to books...I've always loved reading...I'm grateful for talented authors who make reading an experience...
10. Warmth...I love warmth...especially the last few days that have been so freezing cold...I am so grateful we have a house with heat, cars with heat...a fireplace.  I also love and miss the warmth of the summer sun.

I Am Number Four

If you liked Hunger Games and Twilight, this book is for you.  It's the first book in a series written for young adults.  Instead of the main character being a vampire, he is an alien (really just a human with extra powers).  He came to earth from another planet and is number four.  There are other aliens trying to kill him and his people, but they have to kill them in order.  They've already killed the first three when the book starts, so he is next in line.  It was hard to put down and I really enjoyed the story.  There's a lot of action, romance, and suspense.  The author is James Frey...the guy who wrote A Million Little Pieces.    The best thing about reading the book now...it comes out in theaters in February.  Jeff and I are looking forward to seeing it since we've both read the book.  I give it an 8.

What's not to love...

about Home Depot?  I remember family who would talk about how much they loved going to Home Depot, but it wasn't something I understood until we bought a house of our own.  I enjoy going to Home Depot...I love getting new ideas for home improvement, storage, anything really.  Something that makes me like Home Depot even more....free workshops for the kids on the first Saturday of every month.  They're just cool like that.  We joined my brother (who told us about it) and his family for this month's workshop.  They have different kits to choose....this month it was a spice rack....Jaxon opted for the fire boat from last month.  Claire chose to do a butterfly house.  They get an apron and a certificate once they've completed the project.  They provide everything at no charge...my kids both loved it and are looking forward to December's workshop.

Little Bee...

Little Bee was a book I really enjoyed until the last page...the book was a little on the depressing side with uplifting moments throughout.  It's about a refugee girl from Nigeria who ends up in the UK.  It is an interesting story with some pretty shocking twists.  I have read few books about refugees, so it was both interesting and hard to see what their lives are like.  The book made me feel SO blessed to live where I do and to have the life I do...certain things happen in the book that would be my worst nightmare....it's hard to imagine that things like that happen to people in real life, but I know that they do and that makes me so sad for them.  It made my life seem incredibly easy....on a daily basis, I worry about getting the house cleaned, cooking dinner, making sure my kids get enough attention....not anything close to wondering if I will survive to see the next day.  It put things into perspective for me and made me grateful for the things that really do matter in life.  I would recommend this book to most....it definitely left an impression on me and will be a book not soon forgotten.

October Highlights

I haven't been great at posting the last few weeks...it was a busy month with lots of fun Halloween activities.
Here are the highlights....

I attended the highly anticipated Witches Night Out with friends in my ward...we ate dinner at Chili's before and then hung out at Gardner Village....it was a great night spent with great friends...

One of my fellow witches and I got a witch makeover....
Here we are before:

 And after:

We also had a fun Halloween party for the young women with mummy wrapping and donut eating contests...

Some of our friends came over for Trick-or-Treating and pizza....the kids had fun even though it was cold and rainy...

Jaxon was Luigi this year and Claire was Princess Peach...she was being a stinker when it came to pictures so this is the only picture I have of her and you can't even see her costume...but she was a perfect Princess Peach...

We were down to the last weekend in October and still hadn't carved pumpkins....we went the day before Halloween to find pumpkins....the pumpkin patches were nearly empty...

We took the last 5 decent pumpkins and ended up with two white ones....
Note to self for next year....get pumpkins earlier in the month...

Claire was asleep in the car, but Jaxon had fun sitting on the tractors and helping me find pumpkins...

We carved our pumpkins on Halloween...very low key compared to past years...but we got it done and everyone enjoyed it...

Jeff gets the award for the most creative pumpkin...I'm thinking his inspiration came from the scary movie we watched the night before....

Jaxon....the pumpkin with the sharpest teeth....

And Claire....the pumpkin with the biggest smiley face....

Events that didn't get captured....our ward trunk-or-treat. Jaxon's preschool Halloween party and field trip to the fire station, Halloween family dinners, and my ward's Super Saturday.

October is one of my favorite months and I'm a little sad that it went so fast...but I feel better knowing we enjoyed it to the fullest!!