Our Thanksgiving

Started off with Mark playing in the Turkey bowl for our ward. He had lots of fun, and got pretty dirty!

After we cooked our own turkey, we headed over to my parents house for the feast!

Camille & Josh, we hope he's the one!! :)

Dad got his cast off the day before, so he's a free man and has the green light to go swimming!

We had three different turkeys to choose from: A smoked turkey, an oven roasted turkey, and a fried in peanut oil turkey! I have to say all three were pretty dang good!

The missionaries joined us for our Thanksgiving dinner. It brought back so many memories of my mission. I have been home for SEVEN years now...HOLY COW! I returned home the day before Thanksgiving, and so did Mark (he's been home 5 years now!)


The food this year was exceptional! I it was my favorite by far...but I think I say that every year because you forget how good it really was the year before!

After dinner, we headed over to the Rave theaters to see Twilight AGAIN!!! I just love that movie...I liked it even better the second time. My uncle Cal said after the movie, "It was...unique!" I asked him why the word unique opposed to any other word, and he said there was no other movie like it (aah, you don't say!!! LOL) So I think he was meaning he liked it; a masculine response compared to the typical female saying, "It was so romantic!"

My mom topped the night off with giving everyone a Gratitude journal, to write down the things we are grateful for at the end of every day. How profound and life changing that can be for anyone in any circumstance. Life is precious, and to recognize it is even more powerful. Writing down your thoughts and feelings, expressing positive notions, can bring the spirit in just as if you were in God's presence. This has been one of my favorite holidays of the year.

Thankful

My heart is full of joy this holiday. I consider myself to be so lucky. I have a wonderful husband, who is such a rock for me. He is grounded, hard working, fun loving, and most of all my "bestest" friend! I can't imagine life without him, he is my everyday hero. I have the two most adorable kids in the whole world (of course I am very biased!). Bryanna and Maddox have made my life so much richer; I have learned how to love through a child's heart, laugh like no one is watching, and play like the house isn't dirty! I am grateful for the roof over my head, the food in my fridge, and all the love I feel from my friends and family. I am grateful for my knowledge of the truth restored, and to a perfect, all-knowing Father in heaven who knows me, weaknesses and all, and still bestows wonderful gifts in my life everyday. I am incredibly blessed.

Wishing all of you a wonderful, safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

Tennis Spotlight

Tennis Habitat, a national deal based out of Vegas, did a spotlight on my tennis team a month ago and it finally appeared on their website! Jen, my sis & doubles partner, and I are on the far right. Our team has done really well this season, surprisingly! The first few weeks our team did horrible, but with only three more weeks to go, we've moved up to the number 3 spot! My sister Jen and I are doubles partners, and we have a record of 7-3! We have lots of fun together, it really is a blast. Last season we actually came in 2nd place and won a trophy! Who'd a thunk it?!?!

The guys came and took video and interviewed us...they were silly and made it fun! Our entire team was not there (I think most of us forgot they were coming that day), but it was fun and we made-do with who was there.

Check it out here to see us on the camera!

Potty Update...

Well, since his first poo poo on the potty last week, Maddox has done them ALL on the potty now! I just have to thank Mark for getting it started. I was going to wait til he turns two, but HECK! Why wait when the kid is asking for it? He still wears his diaper...but now that the habit is forming, this will be much easier than I was expecting.

LOVED TWILIGHT!!!

Well, I didn't go to the midnight showing of Twilight. This darn cold I have just wouldn't make it a pretty sight if I stayed up all night. But, just the same, I went yesterday afternoon and saw it with Mark. He really liked it, to his surprise!! I knew he would like it, so I turned it into our date night and just told him to plan on going with me! He and I both agreed we could see it again...

I'm really glad I didn't re-read the book again just to get all the facts straight because the movie can't fit every single detail of the storyline, and I didn't want to get disappointed in the blockbuster!


Reasons why I LOVED twilight:

~there was awesome chemistry between the actors who played Bella and Edward...it had to be there, otherwise it would have failed miserably!

~the storyline was followed pretty closely

~because Mark liked it, it made me like it even more...it isn't just for teenie boppers who are boy crazy! Grown men like it too!

~it was super romantic, action packed and drama filled.

During the movie, Mark kept asking me...does he bite her? Does she die? What's going to happen? So now I'm going to get him the audio book so we can listen to it...because I know him...he won't read it! But now that he's hooked on the story, he'll enjoy the sequels that much more!
Maybe we'll go back to see it in the theaters after Thanksgiving!

Potty Training, by Mark

So, I thought I would try to start potty training Maddox, even though he is only 20 months old, because he is showing interest. It all started a few weeks ago. We give both the kids a tubby at the same time to save time, and every time we make Bryanna go potty before she gets in the tubby. I dont know about everyone else, but the sound of running water makes me want to pee and I am a grown man!!! So, I can't imagine how much harder it is to hold it for a 3 year old!

Well, after months of them bathing at the same time, Maddox would say "poo poo" before he would get in the tub. So, if he was saying it, it must have meant that he wanted to try it! So I put him on the toilet, and about 1 second later, he says "All Done".

This has gone on for about a month. A couple weeks ago, he actually went pee on the toilet. I started screaming with excitement like a little girl!! With me screaming, he got real excited too! Well, tonight was I think the biggest step we've made.

While getting ready to get in the tubby, I put him back on the potty. His diaper was really full, so I figured he wouldn't have to go. I was persistant, and kept telling him to push...while making the grunting noises to help of course. After about 2 minutes, he started to pee. Then he kept pushing. I said, "Maddox, do you have to go poo poo?" He said, "Uh HUH" while grunting, and then there it was! His first poop in the toilet, at 20 months!!! Good Job Maddox!

I like to think I did a pretty good job with this one...

The Family Home Evening Spot!

I just uploaded my first lesson for FHE!! Check it out here, and hopefully you will use it for your Family Home Evening tonight! :)

Love this stage...

Maddox LOVES walking around in his daddy's shoes...its SO cute to watch him stomp around in those over sized tennis shoes!

Wicked, Disneyland...

We went down to California and had the priviledge of seeing the play, Wicked. It was really good...very entertaining. It was a take off of The Wizard of Oz, mostly about the Wicked Witch of the West, Alfaba. The part that struck my attention most, was inside the program was written the question in big, bold letters, "Are you born wicked?" And of course, the answer is, NO! That intrigued me. The next question popped into my mind, "Are you born gay?" Of course the answer to that question is, no. Everyone has weaknesses and temptations...its the choices you make that take you down certian paths. Obviously, the play didn't even touch on the subject of homosexuality, but I just couldn't help make the relation with everything that just happened in the elections all over the country.

I recommend seeing the play, wonderful, talented people singing, dancing and acting. Bryanna even sat through the three hour play! For something to hold her attention that long must be awesome!

Nana & Mom...ageless beauties!

Cousins who are best friends!

Me & Bryanna

Nana, Mom & Jamie

Jen & her girls


Disneyland was so much fun...it was beyond fun, it was magical!!
The cousins waiting to ride on Splash Mountain. Bryanna is 3 1/2 years old and she was taller than the height requirement to get on most of the rides. I couldn't believe it, I thought she might barely be able to ride. She is a tall kid.

The girlies on Pirates of the Carribean...it was frightfully fun!


One of the Happiest places on earth!!

Mark & Maddox near the Matterhorn.

Mark & Bryanna after Splash Mountain...can you tell whose shirt is SOAKED??? Bryanna loved it, she was asking for more, more, more!!!

Me & Maddox on Pirates

Bryanna LOVED this castle...what little girl doesn't?

One of our favortie treats...the Disneyland Turkey leg...YUM!

Cinderella...Bryanna's favorite princess!

Space Mountain...Daddy and Bry rode together!

Everyone preparing to go into Space...the final frontier! :)

My dad, who recently had ankle surgery was our way of beating the lines...thanks dad!!

Bryanna on the Merry-go-round.

We ended the fun at Califoria Adventure park...fun, fun, fun!

It did get chilly at night, but that didn't stop us!




We purchased season tickets right before we left, so looks like we'll be going back soon...can't wait for more FUN!

Tell the Truth

All the time...isn't that what your parents taught you? Be truthful, even when no one is watching.

As I was preparing for the carmel apple party on Thursday, I ran to Sam's Club to grab more granny smith apples because we ran out, but had plenty of carmel still. I took Maddox with me, and somehow, after the transaction, I dropped my wallet. I was in a major rush and totally missed that I did that!

The very next day I went back to Sam's club to get some things on my grocery list, and discovered my wallet was missing! Thank goodness Mark and his wallet was with me to purchase our things, otherwise that would have been so embarrassing!

I went home to search my house & car before I made any assumptions, said a little prayer but came up empty.
So I called Sam's to see if anyone turned in my wallet...and they hadn't seen anything, but got my name and number if it was turned in.

Before I really started to panic, I searched the house again, and my car...nothing. So I said another prayer asking for peace and comfort, and for an honest person who would do the right thing.

Just as I said "Amen" the phone rang. It was a lady from Sam's club saying someone turned in my wallet and I can come pick it up!!! As they handed me my wallet, I looked inside to see if everything was in its place...and surprisingly, it was!!! Even the cash!!!! Unbelievable! There are honest people who care, have integrity, and most importantly, an honest heart. Thank you to whoever turned in my wallet and for reminding me that honesty still exists in a world of turmoil and corruption.

Clair de lune

I am a lover of Debussy. I was introduced to this beautiful piece by my piano teacher years ago when she was getting ready for a recital for all her students. I will be forever grateful to her for having me learn this song for that recital so long ago.

The emotion in Clair de lune is so powerful and thought provoking. It's simply enchanting. I become mesmerized listening to this masterpiece.

What makes this song even more intriging to me, it is the first song on the soundtrack of Twilight...you know, the book on the New York Times Best selling list, and the best love story written yet in history! I am even more fascinated with the movie, coming out two weeks from today!!

This is the song that Edward plays for Bella, if she could be a song, this would be her. How romantic and captivating!

Best hubby ever...and Dessert of the Month

Mark is the best hubby ever. He's so good with kids, of all ages; loves them and is very patient. I feel so blessed to be married to such a great man! As I was busy getting ready for my party tonight, he helped me so much with the kids, I couldn't have gotten everything done in time with out him! Thanks babe!

I hosted Dessert of the Month tonight...Drum roll please! Carmel Apples were so much fun to do, but I have a pretty serious back ache going on right now. Regardless of the ache, I had a blast and it was so great having so many friends come and be creative together!




Next time I'll try and pick up the camera a little more! Between chatting and keeping the show going, I totally spaced picking the camera back up!

2008 Election

Watching John McCain speak to his supporters tonight was a bit sad, but yet he filled me with hope. I haven't been a fan of McCain until I was forced into voting for him because I didn't like his opponent, who will run our country for the next four years...ugh.

He was gracious and tried to encourage unity, teamwork and hope. It will take all of that and more as America's economy is slumping and unstable. Let's see what will happen now with Obama in the White House. All I'm hoping for, personally, is to NOT see a repeat of a 'Jimmy Carter' run presidency, where interest rates on home loans were at 19%...unbelievably high and unafforadable...and gas was $2.69 in the early 70's.

I am very happy to see that Proposition 8 passed in California. Thank goodness. I am not a home-schooling type of mother...but if I had to, I would, just to teach my children that marriage is between a man and woman. If it didn't pass in California, it would set the standard, and it seems that most states would follow the trend, allowing same sex marriage throughout the U.S. What would the country come to if it didn't pass...I'm glad it passed, and I hope to never see it come back on the ballot again.

What will the next four years be like for our Economy?

Twas the Night Before Elections

Twas the night before elections

And all through the town
Tempers were flaring
Emotions all up and down!
I, in my bathrobe
With a cat in my lap
Had cut off the TV
Tired of political cr@p.
When all of a sudden
There arose such a noise
I peered out of my window
Saw Obama and his boys
They had come for my wallet
They wanted my pay
To give to the others
Who had not worked a day!
He snatched up my money
And quick as a wink
Jumped back on his bandwagon
As I gagged from the stink
He then rallied his henchmen
Who were pulling his cart
I could tell they were out
To tear my country apart!
‘On Fannie, on Freddie,
On Biden and Ayers!
On Acorn, On Pelosi’
He screamed at the pairs!
They took off for his cause
And as he flew out of sight
I heard him laugh at the nation
Who wouldn’t stand up and fight!
So I leave you to think
On this one final note->
IF YOU DONT WANT SOCIALISM
GET OUT AND VOTE!

Halloween Night

Princess Cinderella at her Preschool Party...it was lots of fun!

Daddy and Maddox The Dragon

The Gang...they all pooped out pretty fast!



Yes, that's me, and yes, my hair is DARKER!! (No, I didn't dye it just for Halloween, but for everyday.)

This particular house goes all out every year...its spooktacular and full of fright!



More fun!!

We have candy to last til next year. I heard of a great way to help get rid of your kid's candy if they seem utterly attached:
Before they go to bed at night, have them pick out how ever many pieces for how old the child is. Have them set the bucket of candy on their night stand. Then tell them of the Candy Fairy, who comes and takes the candy to give it to other little kids who couldn't go trick-or-treating that night b/c they were too sick to go. But because of the childs' kindness, the Fairy will bring a special gift. After your child falls asleep, replace the bucket of candy with a special toy. This helps save on trips to the Dentist and you don't have to feel guilty about dumping it in the garbage!!