Happy Birthday Grampa!

My dad turned 60 years old yesterday! Happy Birthday Dad!
I am pretty close to my dad. I gave him a few gray hairs growing up, okay maybe more than just a few, but I have a lot of respect for my dad.
I planned a party for him at our house lastnight. Unfortunately it fizzled out due to family drama and sick kids... but I hope he had a good night. We had a baked potato bar for supper. We loved having my parents out for dinner. We were able to visit since the boys were still napping... at 6:30pm. They were pretty tuckered out!
But they woke up in time for cake and ice cream. Thats my boys!!!!
Here are some pictures from the night!

Yes that is Jake licking his plate clean!

Here is just a few of the things I admire about my dad....

1. He always provided for his family. Most of the years growing up I remember him working two jobs.

2. He was a strict dad. We all knew the rules growing up, and we knew the consequences.

3. He always pushed us in education. If there was anything he focused on education was it.

4. He is protective. I am nearly 30 years old, and he is still protective of me and my family.

5. He is a very giving dude. He has helped us out on several occasions. He has let me use his truck for a few days at a time to waterski, and wasn't too mad when his back seat was covered in Magellan's hair.

6. He is a true GI Joe. The man served in the military for over 30 years. He served in Vietnam. He has great respect for his country, and our armed forces. He taught me to respect our police, fire, and servicemen from an early age.

7. He is a hard worker! DUDE, the man can work. He taught me the value of hard work at an early age. I remember several occasions as a kid where he would take me to work with him. He would have me get his tools and hold the flashlight for him as he worked on Apache helicopters, and airplanes at Majestic Airlines.

8. He loves his grand kids. When JS was just a little dude, and I was still working, my dad would pick him up on his way home from work and spend the afternoon with him. All the grandkids love their Grandpa.

9. He taught me to always respect my mom.

10. He taught me the value of a nice car! Just before I turned 17 my dad cosigned on my first car for me. He taught me a lot with that car. He would always work on the car for me, but I was always expected to help since it was my car! He taught me how to change the oil, change the battery etc. He also taught me at an early age the importance of rotation of your tires, and keeping your oil changed every 3k miles. Now I am just like him!

There are so many things I could list right now, but I will just sum it up by saying this....

LOVE YOU DAD!

CHRISTMAS!

Our family had a fantastic Christmas! I think it is safe to say we all got exactly what we wanted for Christmas....
Here are a few pictures! I missed a few of the family get togethers because I left my camera at my parents home....

ManI LOVE this Season!

It is a Fantastic Time of Year! Our family has been so blessed! Unbelievably blessed. During all the fun this month, I have been reminded over and over, of just how blessed we are! Here are the top ten!
1. Beautiful home to keep us warm, (until Christmas morning when our power was out! 63 degrees isn't that warm!)
2. Fabulous Family. It's been great to see everyone & participate in all the festivities.
3. Cool neighbors. Wow! do we have cool neighbors We have been spoiled with lots of yummy treats. There is some serious talent in our neighborhood. Martha Stewart STEP ASIDE!
4. Good health. How lucky we are that we are healthy. Turtle and I both know friends struggling with life threatening illness (cancer).Hearing and seeing what they go through makes JA's little pukie episode last night, no biggie.
5. Financial means. We are not financially rich. Not even close. But I am so grateful Turtle has a rockin' job that pays the bills.
6. Nature's beauty. I love snow. Which is probably a good thing since it has snowed 4 out of the last 6 days!
7. Children. What would I do without my sweet, sometimes naughty, amazing little boys. JS & JA make this season great!
8. Friends. We have really good friends. Nothing beats playing Rock Band until 1:00am with adults! We loved it!
9. Food. Does the food get any better? I have had some wonderful food this month!
10. Fun! I love the fun of this season! It is fun to shop, surprise & find the deals! I love the family parties, friend get togethers, company parties & of course the kids programs & dance recitals!

Fluffy and Fresh

Today was a great day for a certain someone in our house, okay canine! Sir "Gellan" (as the kids call him) had his day at the salon! It always amazes me at how much better he looks when he gets done at the beauty salon. He is so fluffy, and he smells SO GOOD! Why is it that when you wash your pets the smell only lasts for a day, but when you take them to the groomer they smell good for at least a week!

He has been strutting his stuff around our house all day. Being groomed seriously alters his self esteem. I am not making this up either, nor is this an exaggeration. He is STRUTTING! If I tell him to do something, he looks at me like, "don't hate me because I am Beautiful." Total metrosexual. He loves being pampered. He carries himself like royalty now. Let's see how long this lasts...

We are READY!!!!

Bring on the Christmas! I am READY! 46 Presents have been wrapped, with two or three to go! The tree is up, the shopping is DONE! and boy am I relieved!!!!!
The boys are super excited for Santa to come! I don't what I am going to use for leverage after Christmas. I kind of like telling the kids I will call Santa and tell him NOT to come! But, I will think of something!
I am loving this time of year. Even the snow! It is so clean to me. I don't care to drive in it, but it is certainly nice to look at! I love having plans for things every night. It is fun to see everyone! Last week was a busy one... Tuesday was Turtle's Company party, Wednesday was JS Preschool Program, Thursday was my niece AD dance recital, and then Friday we were supposed to go to dinner with extended family. Unfortunately we didn't make it, since Turtle spent 2 hours trying to get home from work! He said he had enough bonding time with his Hoopty, and we were staying in!

I am so looking forward to this week! I hope ya'll are enjoying the season!

JS Preschool Program...

Lastnight we had the opportunity to watch JS in the preschool program held at the Little Learners Academy. It was so amazing! Those teachers work absolute magic with my little dude! What impressed me most was the amount of control they had over all of the little kids. They were all so obedient, it was FABULOUS! It definitely showed me that the school is well worth the $120 tuition we pay each month! I seriously love this school!

JS was a star lastnight! He loved being on that stage! He loved singing and the dancing too! We had lots of family there just for JS and I know he was so happy. He had both Grammas, both Grampas, Aunt L from NY, his cousins AM AD,and RA. Mommy, Daddy and Aunt K. He was lovin' all the attention. In fact he constantly waved to us from the stage, and even yelled hello. Absolutely sweet if you asked me.

For me, I was so impressed with all of the songs my little dude has learned. They began learning the Christmas songs Dec. 1st, and he knew nearly all of the lyrics, as well as the choreography. I got a little teary eyed watching him sign a song. I didn't know he knew sign language!!!! (BAD MOMMY!) He did so well! I am so proud of my little dude!

Best Christmas Music EVER!!!

Okay ya'll, you know I don't lie! I have to tell you, I just got the best Christmas music CD! The name of the Group is Octappella! Honestly, I haven't enjoyed an album in A LONG TIME! It truly is AMAZING! The group is seven men, and there are no musical instruments, but you wouldn't know it with the vocal percussion! Oh my stars, you have to hear this album! If I can figure out how to add music to project play list I will! You will LOVE IT! I promise! My kids love this music! They constantly ask me to play songs over and over again! WE LOVE IT!

Here is a link to their website! www.octappella.com

Wanna Play?

I am doing a fun game...I got the idea off a sweet friend of mine's blog. It is a super fun activity, do you want to play too? Heres the rules!
THE RULES: The focus of this is to do an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and "pay it forward."I will send a small gift to the first 3 bloggers who post a comment on this entry. In turn, those three will post this information and the game will continue!! The little something you send can be something you made, bought, were given or found, anything you want!! Just a gift that will make the person's day!!If you are interested in participating, simply be one of the first 3 bloggers to leave a comment!! You have to promise that you will then post about this on your blog, link back to me, and then send something to the first three people who sign up to play along through your blog. Doesn't this sound like fun!!??Don't be shy. In fact, here is a special invitation to all of you lurkers who never comment. Now is your chance to make yourself known and say hello! :)Anyway, let the games begin!Come on!!!! it will be fun, think of what I might send you! If I get a bunch of comments then I will do more pass alongs... See you could still get to play.

Mommy Tag... This is so cute!

The Mommy Tag
1. What time do you wake up? Usually around 7:45am
2. On a good night, what time are your kids in bed? Usually by 9PM
3. How long have you been a mommy? 4 Years 8 Months and 5 days 5 hours and approx. 30 min.
.4. How old were you when you became a mom? I as two weeks shy of 25 when JS was born
5. What is your favorite chore? Definitely Vaccuming
6. What is your favorite meal to cook? I would have to say Enchiladas
7. What meal do you cook most often? Hmmm... thats a tough one.
8. What are 5 things about being a mom that make you smile? 1. Hugs from the Boys 2. Rocking the boys to sleep 3. When JS is completely honest even when he knows he is in deep trouble! 4. When I hear the boys say their prayers... JA is mainly just mumbling with an AMEN! at the end, JS is totally sweet. 5.When the boys do something and they are totally proud of it, like when JS makes his bed!
9. If you could take your kids anywhere, where would it be? I would say DisneyLand, I know the boys will love it!
10. When was the last time you went out without your kids? Last night when Turtle and I went Christmas Shopping.
11. What is your most heartbreaking moment as a mom? Watching Jake struggle through his testing for the Developmental Preschool. And when both the boys had to have their Eye Ducts probed open.
12. When was the last time you told one of your kids I love you? A few minutes ago.
13. When was the last time you were told I love you? 20 minutes ago.
I tag anyone who wants to do it!

8 Things about Me!

8 Things About Me...
I just GOT TAGGED!
:*8 TV Shows I Like to Watch:
1. The Office
2. Judge Judy (I love her!)
3. Locked Up Abroad (On Nat. Geo.)
4. Law And Order SVU
5. Cold Case
6. Judge Joe Brown
7. Man Vs. Wild (although, I haven't seen it in a LONG TIME!)
8. Christina's Court
*Favorite Restaurants:
1. Texas Roadhouse
2. Olive Garden
3. California Pizza Kitchen
4. IceBerg
5. Charley's Steakery in the mall.
That's all I really like... anywhere else, we can't afford!
*Favorite Places to Shop:
1. Lately, Hancock Fabrics
2. REI
3. Plato's Closet
4. Target
5. Costco
6. Rodworks, preferably with Joni!
7. OshKosh Outlet
8. Hmmm.... I can't think of any others...
*Things that Happened Yesterday:
1. Went to church
2.Took a nap!
3. Talked on the phone to my mom.
4.Sewed
5. Talked to my Visiting Teachers
6. Made Soup for Supper
7. Ate Yummy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies that Justin made.
8. Watched episode of Judge Judy on DVR.
*Things I'm Looking Forward to:
1. JS's Christmas Program
2. Turtle's Company Party... Only time I see Angie B.
3. Giving Turtle his Christmas Present... I hate keeping secrets!!!
4. Watching the boys on Christmas Morning
5. Spending time with Extended Family.
6. Sewing Pajamas for the Hellians, Um, I meant the Boys
7. Being done with Christmas Shopping
8. Hanging out with Turtle tonight
* Things on my Wish List:
1. A Healthy Savings Account
2. My Pilot to be Paid off.
3. My family to stay healthy!
4. JS to overcome his learning difficulty
6.My Hair to be done.
7. An end to the Economic Turmoil
8. Every Child to enjoy a Christmas Miracle

Elfin around

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

For Real...

Yep, it's real... Our house is on the market.

We have been asked what makes you want to move. You know that is a good question. Do I hate my house? Absolutely not! I actually love it! What about the neighbors? I love them too! The Area? I don't mind West Jordan.... The roads could be better, but for the most part it's a nice clean area... So why move?

Here's the answer... it is a great time to get an upgraded home, with a bigger yard... and maybe some of those extras we couldn't afford when we built this house...

It is so surreal that there is a for sale sign in my front yard. When they put it up, Turtle and I looked at each other, and said, "Well, I guess it's real now!" No more contemplation, we have it on the market.

It has been a crazy couple of weeks. Constant cleaning, painting, cleaning some more, straightening, cleaning, re-arranging... you get the picture! I still can't believe we are up for sale!

Here is the link on Utah Real Estate: http://www.utahrealestate.com/850863

So... wish us luck! We have had two showings this week... and a large number of realtors come through it for a property tour... Definitely feelin' the stress!

Finished Projects!!!!

Yippee! I am so excited to share my PROJECTS! I love to sew now and here are two things I have finished....

My first project: Cabbage Patch Doll Dress, Complete with Pinafore, and Pantaloons

My Second Project: The Apron.... Lots easier than it looks!

What we have been up to!

It's been a fun week and a half! Lots of work, cleaning, painting, straightening, decorating... you know, HOLIDAY STUFF! Lots of fun... We finished painting the kitchen last weekend, and I finished the Master Bath on Tuesday! It is so amazing what a little paint does for a room! Check it out...

JS Photography

Looking for that perfect photographer? One that truly captures the personality, and energy of your action figures? I am proud to introduce a new business in our home... You got it, JS Photography! JS comes from a family of talented photographers, his Grammas, Aunt JN, and Uncle TN. He is a child prodigy! Check out his newest portfolio!

Now for the investment. JS requires a glass of Chocolate Milk for his sitting fee. For payment and tips, a nice root beer will suffice, or if you really want to give him the ultimate compliment, a cupcake will do the trick. He works only between the hours his mommy leaves the camera unattended.
*His specialty is action figures, however, he is familiar with younger children. He has an assistant, JA, on site at all times. Between the two of them, you will have memories to last a lifetime!

Whew!

That's the best word to describe the weekend. It has been a busy but FUN few days! I always love having Turtle home, especially extended weekends! So COOL! Beginning Wednesday, we started painting the kitchen. Can I just say, it is a LOT harder than it looks! I am so impressed with the way it turned out! I guess working on it for 2 days isn't so bad! It looks like a whole new kitchen. I would post pics, but I think I left the camera at my MIL!
Thursday we painted up until it was time to go to the In-laws for YUMMY supper! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love it not only for all the family we get to visit with, but also because it is a holiday focusing on being grateful for what we have. I for one am so incredibly grateful for the many blessings I have been given. I have a fantastic husband, whom I have no clue how I would live without. My boys are the cutest little dudes ever. I have a nice home that keeps me warm. A wonderful family that loves me and my little family unconditionally. As if that weren't enough, I have even MORE BLESSINGS! But there are too many to list!
Friday it was off to my sweet niece AD birthday party! I can't believe the little squirt is FIVE! She is such a doll, and is the life of any party, Friday was no exception! Saturday, it was more painting. We finished the kitchen, and then I started on my Master Bath! It is going to look SO COOL when it is all done! I can't wait! Sunday we set up our Christmas tree! JS absolutely LOVES the ornaments! He had so much fun setting up the tree! I promise I will post pics soon!
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday week! We sure did!