Traditions

I love traditions. Every family has some form of traditions, whether it's for birthdays, or holidays. We all have them and have fun keeping them going.
Christmas here was crazy, more so because there were four children ages 3 1/2 and under. We started off with our traditional Christmas Eve dinner, which consisted of stuffed shells and other goodies this year. Followed by the traditional opening of Christmas Eve pajamas. I remembered myself this year, so I got new PJs too. Let's not forget the traditional leaving-cookies-out-for-Santa. My most favorite tradition though, is when Jim reads "Twas the Night Before Christmas", and the real story of our Savior, from the Bible. I think it's the kids' favorite too Ü And then there's the traditional staying up way too late (for some of us, it was around 3 a.m., for the rest, around midnight).
We started a new tradition this year. An artificial tree.! I LOVE IT. No sap, no tree needles, no worrying about if it's going to catch the house on fire, and it was easy peasy to put up. To get that aroma of a fresh tree, I went to Bath and Body Works and bought the oil scent "Evergreen". It worked like a charm.
The little girls got a lot of super cute clothes, and fun toys. Grandpa got Grandma a Wii, and boy is my arm like jello.! Home run derby has left my right arm pretty useless.
Some of us finished off Christmas day with the most favorite tradition for some, the coveted Christmas Day nap. All is all, it was a great Christmas, and it's always fun to have all of the family here together. Hope you had a Merry one.!


In our Christmas PJs


The traditional "Twas the Night Before Christmas" story, and the real story out of the Bible


Leaving cookies out for Santa.!


The Faux Tree


MERRY CHRISTMAS.!



Hailee enjoying her new favorite toy


Nenah with her MOST favorite toys, cars from Uncle Landon


Thought I would throw this one in here since it's my blog and I can do what I want to...do what I want to...do what I want to...


My girls and their babies


Let the naps begin.!


...and to all...a GOOD NIGHT.!

A Trip Home

At the last minute, Jim and I decided to take a quick trip to California to see our families. Jim took Monday through Wednesday of Thanksgiving week off, so we headed out Monday. Our first stop was to see Jim's family. We all met up at a yummy Mexican restaurant in our old home town of Corona. It was a fun visit, and nice to see everyone. We couldn't believe how much Madison and Chase had grown up.! You can't see it in the picture, but... Sherree had given herself a 'bowl' cut that day. She usually cuts her own hair (and does a great job.!). She also uses clippers to cut the back of her hair. Well...she kind of forgot to put on a numbered attachment and wound up shaving the back of her head.! Luckily, her hair grows fast.. Ü

Dennis, Madison, Jennifer, Jim, Chase, and Sherree

Then it was to my parents that night. Luckily my brother was on his way back from a job up north, so we got to see him that night. We also got to see him the next day along with his girlfriend Leah. We surprised Nana by showing up at her house...and WOW was she surprised.! We brought over our (Nana and mine) favorite meal, El Pollo Loco. It fits...the crazy chicken for the crazy familiy. We really enjoyed our visit, and hated to leave. She is 95 years old, but doesn't seem like it. Her body might be that of a 95 year old, but her mind sure isn't. I can only hope to live as long, and have as good of a life like she has had. I love and miss my Nana. And even better, I think my family has come to accept that I am the FAVORITE .

Jim and Stevie (yes I still call my "little" brother Stevie)

Me, Mom, and Nana

Me and Nana

HALLOWEEN AND BIRTHDAYS

Ok, so I'm a little behind....We've been just a bit busy.!
On Halloween both of the girls came here to trick-or-treat with the kids. They looked so adorable.! Have I mentioned how much I love Halloween in Arizona? It was in the 70's...wonderful.!
They all spent the night here and then we went out to 'linner' at California Pizza Kitchen for Darci, Joel, Janelle, and my birthdays. The food was good, and the time spent together was great.

McKenna in the same outfit she wore last year. Janelle bought her a new one, but as soon as Janelle brought this out, she HAD to wear it again.

Hailee is cute as a bug. A ladybug that is.!

Ainsley, our little Angel

Jerricka as a Pink Leopard. So sweet.!

Before heading out for the goodies.

We're all back home, in PJ's and pooped.!


Group shot at California Pizza Kitchen


Janelle, Joel, and a sleeping Hailee and Jerricka


Josh and Darci


Papa and McKenna


A surprise group shot...ha.!


The babies side by side. Two tub-a-lubs.!

AY MATEY.!

Oh yeah, that's us. Quite the pair huh? Hey..stop laughing, we took third place for our costumes.! We went to a Halloween Party that was just fantastic. Everyone looked so great, and it was fun to dress up, relax, and have a great time.!

Can you believe some people didn't recognize Jim? I can.!


The Lovells and the Roberts


The girls-Angie, Crystal, Me, and Trena


The Dawsons and the Brookes


The Hales


Shrek and Fiona = The Bryans


Us with our gracious hosts the Economous, Thanks Tina and Tony.!

So Long Johnny Rockets.!

Last week Ainsley had a follow up appointment with her pediatric surgeon. Her appointment was at 11:15, and we weren't seen until 2:00 (long story). But he said she was doing well, and would see her in a few months. HOORAY.!
Janelle and the girls met us at the appointment, which was in Mesa. Since Janelle's birthday was the next day, we thought we'd have an all girl sleepover. Things started off a little rough for Hailee when she fell right on her head, from the doctor's spinning chair, to the hard tile floor. OUCH. This must have been at least the tenth concussion for her... just that week. She had a black eye the week before, thanks to her sister opening a kitchen cabinet right into her eye. If she lives to the ripe old age of 2, it'll be a miracle.
We did make it home, finally. We were waiting for Grandpa to get home so the big girls (us) and the babies could go out to dinner, and McKenna and Hailee could stay with Grandpa. So off to Village Inn we go. Things started off well since both babies were sleeping. Then Jerricka wakes up, which in turn wakes Ainsley up. I've had to relearn how to eat and feed a baby at the same time. That skill was long lost in the attic of my brain. But the cobwebs are off, and I am now skilled at it once again. We had to be home by 7:00 since Grandpa had Mutual, and was getting the boys ready for the stake Camporee that weekend. What a good grandpa he is. Both of the girls were bathed and in their PJs when we got home....yippee.!
We finally got to bed after midnight (the picture of Janelle at the desk is her birthday picture of her turning 24 at midnight...HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANELLE.!)
Our ward was having a "Park Day" at our newly done park a few blocks away. It started at 10:30, and we fully intended to be there by then. HAHAHA...RIGHT.! We got there at 12:30 as it was ending. But after McKenna and Hailee were full of sand, Nena had an 'accident' (and no extra clothes), we got the heck outta there. Off to our next destination...the outdoor mall. It was lunch time and Darci wanted to get Ainsley's ears pierced. We were also hoping to find some costumes at the Disney store, or one of the other kids stores there. I did mention lunch, right? Because really, I think the three of us would rather forget it.! I also believe we are on the "DO NOT LET THESE PEOPLE IN EVER AGAIN" list at Johnny Rockets. To make a VERY long story (longest lunch I've ever had) short, ALL four kids were screaming their guts out. It was like a 15 car pile up...you know... a chain reaction. First off, Hailee was tired, and her molars are coming in. She did NOT want to sit in her high chair. Screamer #1. That led to Ainsley being upset. She doesn't like to hear other babies cry, so not only was she crying, she was screaming. Screamer #2. That in turn led to colicky Jerricka waking up and screaming. Screamer #3. If you've never been to a Johnny Rockets before, it's a 50s looking place, with little juke boxes on each of the tables. You put your nickel in and pick a song. (And some songs the employees dance to) Since it's so cheap, the music is always going. McKenna does not like loud noise, so between the music, the dancing, the babies screaming, and Hailee throwing a tantrum, she turned to her sister and yelled "STOP IT..!", looked at me, and started crying. Now, let's fast forward to our food. Strawberry shake, delicious onion rings, hamburgers, a BLT. Mmmmm..... Oh WAIT.! Melted strawberry shake, cold onion rings, soggy hamburgers, and a really soggy BLT. That was our lunch. If there were any teenagers in there (which I'm SURE our waiter was) it was GREAT birth control. Adios Johnny Rockets....
So off to the kids area we go. What is that we hear?? SILENCE. All four screamers are finally quiet. It IS a miracle. The babies are sleeping, Hailee is out cold too, and McKenna is happily eating her PB & J. Sweet....
The girls found some cute Christmas outfits for the kids, McKenna had fun in the play area, and we went to the pet store. All is well. That is, until we went to Claire's to get the babies ears pierced. We knew Ainsley was getting hers pierced, but not Jerricka. But Janelle figured we were all there, and she had help, so she might as well. Grandma took McKenna to the 'kiddie rides' (which she won't ride...she's a cheap date) while it took about an hour to get their ears pierced. They look cute, and these days it's 8-12 WEEKS of after care for those cute little earrings. Lots of work. Of course I left my camera at home that day, so no pics. I think I left my brain back at Johnny Rockets too....
Darci stayed until Saturday, which I dragged her to the Prop 102 phone bank to make a few calls. We then went with the group to Cafe Rio (yes Utahns, we have a Cafe Rio here too.!). We went home, she packed everything in the car, and she made the 2 1/2 hour trip home safely. All in all, it was a VERY fun week with my two girls, and my four granddaughters.
Next play date is Oct. 31. Darci, Josh and Ainsley are coming down for Halloween and we're having a multiple birthday party for Joel, Janelle, Darci and moi on Saturday. More pics to follow.!

Cool Baby.!


Having fun with Papa


It's past my mealtime.!!


She loves her food.! Can you tell?


The things we do for entertainment purposes...


Oops! Did it again.!


Loves her Aunt Janelle.!



Sweet cousins. Can you believe they are only 8 1/2 weeks apart??


HAPPY 24TH BIRTHDAY JANELLE.!


Did I SAY you two can leave?? My legs will hold you down.!


Sweet baby...


Buh Bye...see ya in a few weeks.!

I LOVE YOUR BLOG AWARD

Courtesy of Darci and Jill....

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse
2. Where is your significant other? Meeting
3. Your hair color? Brown
4. Your mother? Friend
5. Your father? Schweet (yeah..I said Schweet)
6. Your favorite thing? Grand/kids (haha..cheated.!)
7. Your dream last night? Dunno
8. Your dream/goal? Retirement.!
9. The room you're in? Game
10. Your hobby? Cardmaking
11. Your fear? Death
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Arizona
13. Where were you last night? Wal-Mart
14. What you're not? Cold
15. One of your wish-list items? Car
16. Where you grew up? Brea
17. The last thing you ate? Taco
18. What are you wearing? Capris
19. Your TV? Plasma
20. Your pet? Snake
21. Your computer? New
22. Your mood? Waiting
23. Missing someone? Landon
24. Your car? Van (yeah...STILL..hence the answer to #15)
25. Something you're not wearing? Socks
26. Favorite store? Kohls
27. Your summer? HOT.!
28. Love someone? Lots.!
29. Your favorite color? Blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Recently

I award the following people with the "I love your blog award" and in so doing tag them to complete the above questions with one word answers.
Jana * Jan * Jenny * Diana * Donni

Just Some Randomness

My mom came down to help Janelle out the week after she had Jerricka. What a relief to all that was.! Two of those days were spent in Flagstaff visiting Josh, Darci, and Ainsley. That was a fun little excursion since my mom had not seen her third great-granddaughter yet. We got some good pictures of everyone, but probably my favorite is the one of Jim and Ainsley. It's like these two have some hilariously funny inside joke, and only the two of them get it, and they are laughing at each other. You'll see what I mean....







We took Hailee home with us for a few days. My house is not childproof what-so-ever. So I figure going in the newly done backyard would be fun. Hailee didn't want to come inside. She loved the pool we got (clearance sale at Target for $5.00.!), and the grass was amazing to her, but she loved the flowers the most. She has turned into quite the grandma's girl.





So while we were staying at Janelle and Joel's house after she had Jerricka, we took the girls to see their mom at the hospital. On the way home, McKenna says, " I want to go to Mal-Nart". What?? You don't know what "Mal-Nart" is?? Mal-Nart = Wal-Mart. Each time she passes Wal-Mart, she wants to stop in. It has nothing to do with their cheap prices, but everything to do with her traveling there every Friday (payday) with her mom, sister (now sisters), and dad to go grocery shopping - and her most favorite thing - to go to the McDonalds inside. You gotta love life through a 3 year old's eyes (and mouth).