1. Where did you meet your husband? At the UVSC (now UVU) back to school dance in 1997

2.How long did you date before you got married? almost 2 years

3. How long have you been married? 9 years 6 months.

4. What does he do that surprises you? Sometimes, when I have a meeting or something I'll come home and he will have put all the kids to bed and cleaned up the house.  The other day he even did some laundry. 
5. What is your favorite feature of his? I have always liked his hair... but he is losing it now:(
6. What is his best quality? He is a GREAT Dad.  And he can make me smile even if I am having a bad day.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? not really

8. What is his favorite food? anything... maybe steak or cajun food.

9. What is his favorite sport? Basketball

10. When and where did you first kiss? On our second "date" at my Apartment 

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? talk, eat and when we were younger we liked to backpack maybe when the kids are older we will again 

12. Do you have any children? 3

13. Does he have any hidden talents? He is musical

14. How old is he? 33
15. Who said I love you first? ME

16. What is his favorite music? Slayer (not as much now) He likes a lot of music he has about 8,000 songs on our itunes

17. What do you admire most about him? He is an amazing dad. He can work with kids in jail and like his job.

18. What is his favorite color? Purple and Yellow for the Lakers

19. Will he read this? Of course... he is my biggest blog fan:)

I tag anyone that wants to play...

How Do I LOVE my Mother-in-Law

Let me count the ways....

I love her for posting how much she loves me and making me feel better about being a Mom, wife and daughter 

I love that she can write and that I can read her writings on her blog. 

I love that she shares her writing with her family.  She has written books for my children to help with moving, potty training, school... the list goes on.

I love that when I visit her for Christmas (or whenever) I feel welcome and at home.

I love that she stays up into the night to chat with her children when we come to visit... I often fall asleep before her.

I love that she raised a wonderful, thoughtful man who is a good listener (well he is a therapist) and I think he learned these things from her.

I love that she taught her son to honor his priesthood and be a good Dad.

I love that when she laughs you can feel the JOY!

I love that she loves to talk and will talk for hours on the phone (if I need to)

I love that she stayed with me until Bryce came home from the NICU

I love that she plans circle time and many other traditions for her family

I love that she hates her big hats but wears them anyways to be with us

Ok, this list could go on forever as she is an amazing women, friend, example, Grandma and Mother... but I'll stop here.

4th Annual Music Makers Christmas Party

Today was our MM party.  It was pouring down rain so we had to do everything inside.  The group was very small this year.  I think people in CA stay home when it rains.  LOL  Those of us who came had a great time.  The kids did a little program and then we had a coloring book exchange.  We finished off with a reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas and some xmas cookies.  Thanks to all the Moms who make MM a success.

Carli's Preschool Christmas Program

Tuesday Carli's preschool put on a Christmas program.  It was wonderful.  We were in a chirch and the kids sang real Christmas songs about Christ and some fun Santa ones too.  It was not a "winter" program and that was so refreshing!  She was so cute.  Carli loves to be "on stage" she made sure to do ever action and checked to see if Dad and Mom were watching.  It was a FUN day.  I love these Mom moments... it is like the pay-off:)  Sorry the pics are dark and fuzzy I was on the other side and it was so hard to get a good shot.

Christmas from Papa Murry

We will be leaving Saturday to go up North for Christmas, so, my Dad gave the kids his gifts when we were at Fashion Island.  The kids have been asking me everyday if they could open the gifts.  I finally gave in:)  They had a great time opening them and playing with them.  I have to say Stacy and Papa Murry picked out some wonderful educational toys this year.  THANKS!  And Matt and I got the best gift of all a night out on the town with babysitting included!!!  I cannot wait!  Thanks guys, we love you and will miss you on Christmas.

Visit with Santa

It has become a tradition of ours to take the kids to Fashion Island to visit Santa, ride the train, see the tree, eat at Wahoo's and play near the fish pond.  This year Carli refused to sit with Santa and Bryce did not enjoy his visit. The funny thing is I have a picture almost identical to this with Jeremiah at the same age.  Santa was not a big hit but the rest of the trip was fun!

BIGGEST Christmas Tree

Every year I am amazed at the enormity of this tree.  Fashion brings in a live tree from the CA Mts each year and decorates it with real lights and HUGE ornaments.  I love taking the kids photos near it and they love to climb on the huge gifts under the tree.

Amazing Fish and Fountains of Fashion

All my kids have always loved this fountain.  I have photos of Jeremiah in this same sweater at this same spot.  However, I think Bryce squealed with more delight than Jeremiah ever did. I don't think the photos capture the pure JOY that Bryce was.  It was fun to see Bryce get so excited over this fountain.

Tis the Season

I can remember the excitement I would feel when my Mom would pull down the Christmas boxes.  I  would look forward to the nativity, the books and the decorations.  I see that same excitement in my children now.  Carli has spent a lot of time playing with the Nativity this week.  I listen from the other room to hear her sing the baby Jesus to sleep... it is so sweet.  Jeremiah has been busy trying to read all the Christmas books (we have a few).  And even Bryce has found enjoyment with the reindeer hats.  He is such a good baby.  I cannot believe it but he has not pulled any of the decorations not even the stockings!  I have never had a baby like that before... it is kinda nice.

Christmas Cookies

Today we made Christmas cookies!   It is a long standing tradition in our home and one the kids enjoy.  Carli has always loved to color and create.  Today was no different.  She made the most interesting shades of greens and purples with the frosting.  Her cookies were so cute and creative!  Jeremiah looked at it in a whole different way.  He tried to fit as much frosting, candy and sprinkles onto each of his cookies as possible.  He explained that this way when he gets to eat one of his cookies it is like eating 2!  Always thinking LOL  Bryce even joined in on the fun and he loved the frosting.

Sounds of Christmas

I was talking with my Mom ( Mother-in-Law) about how I wanted to focus on family traditions and the Savior this year with my children.  She mentioned that one of the traditions she enjoyed when her kids were young was from a family in her ward.  She said that they would invite friends to their home for a performance of  Christmas music. I liked the idea.  However, Jeremiah is the only one in our home with enough musical talent to "perform".  I decided to get my friends to help out.  We invited friends to come join us around the piano and share their musical talents with us.  It turned out to be such a fun evening... I think we will keep this tradition!  Thanks to all the families who came and shared the music with us.  Sharla has more photos for me... so more to come.

Nutcracker

My Mom took Carli and me to the Nutcracker ballet Saturday night.  I just LOVE having a little girl to do all this girly stuff with.  She was so cute!  She wanted to wear her tutu that Aunt Cindy made for her.  She wore it all night.  Even out to dinner and she got so many comments.  I wasn't sure if she would be able to sit through the entire show.  She not only sat through it she sat on the edge of her seat the entire time!  She loved it and wants to go again.  She still asks me everyday when she will be old enough to be in the Nutcracker.  

The Perfect Tree

The perfect day for a tree...

I thought we may not find time to go cut down a tree this year with Matt working 6 days a week.  I love picking out a real tree and was not happy with the thought of having a fake one.  Then  last Friday I saw my chance and I took it.  There was a xmas parade on the street leading to his private practice office so it made it too difficult for clients to get there... which lead to a day off for Matt!  We picked Jeremiah up from school and went straight to the tree farm.  We lost the baby's shoe... but we found the perfect tree!  On our way home we picked up some donuts.  I made hot chocolate and we decorated the tree and decked the halls.  It was such a fun and unexpected way to kick off Christmas.

Bedtime chatter

I notice that as I tuck kids in for the night they say the most interesting things...

Tonight Carli said

"mom my teacher has colored eyebrows."

I said

"what color"

Carli

"there is no fur just colored on"

I said

"you mean she draws them on?"

Carli

"yes, she has no fur so she has to color some on"

I had to keep from laughing :)

I've been tagged...

Ok here goes the very long list (thanks Jenna HAHA)

8 things I LOVE to watch on TV

I think 8 is a lot of things but I'll try...

1) Gray's Anatomy (need I say more)

2) So you Think You Can Dance (having withdraw)

3) Private Practice (you should try it)

4) 90210 ( I cannot believe I admitted it but it makes my inner teen so happy)

5) One Tree Hill (another teen show but it has bball so Matt will watch it too)

6) Yo Gabba Gabba (I have kids...)

7) Lakers Games (does it count if you sleep through most of it?)

8) and my all time fav... 24... it will be back on soon!!!!!

8 Favorite Restaurants

1) Bella Saratoga (well that is it was until it got sold)

2) Padros (great Mexican food by my in-laws home)

3) Chinese Place in SF that my brother Ryan took us to last week

4) Cheesecake Factory

5) Miguel's Jr (LOVE the burritos)

6)  Anchos 

7) Sushi Station

8) getting crab on the wharf in SF

Can you tell that I eat out the most in Nor Cal when I visit my family... they are so nice and always take us out:)

8 Things that happened Yesterday

1) Blogged for the first time in a long time

2) opened my email to find 128 messages

3) rocked a sick baby

4) Carli stayed for lunch bunch at school and loved it

5) My Mom took Carli to Gym so Bryce could nap

6) started xmas cards

7) my husband informed me he could have eaten the whole dinner I made... I guess I should make larger meals 

8) took down Thanksgiving stuff (a little late but I have been sick) BRING ON XMAS

8 Things I am looking forward too

1) Christmas

2) circle time

3) family time

4) seeing my husband when its light out 

5) taking Carli to the Nutcracker

6) finishing my book

7) making xmas cookies

8) Matt becoming rich and famous... he tells me this is the plan 

8 things on my WISH list

1) Matt's plan to be rich would happen sooner than later

2) move to Saratoga 

3) for someone in the fam to have kids so my kids could have more than 2 cousins

4)  more closet space maybe just more space

5) my family to always be healthy and safe

6) Matt to be home more and more dates with Matt

7) new back yard and fence ... maybe the winter storms will blow it down haha 

8) more vacations and some without kids :)

this could go on forever...

8 People I am tagging

Do I have 8 friends??? And if so will they remain my friend if I tag them??? Too risky.... tag you are it!  If you want to play:)

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas

I sent out my first round of xmas cards today.  I love Christmas cards... I love sending them and recieving them!  The whole process is so fun!  Creating just the right card to send out ( I created my first photoshop card) to loved ones and then turning on the xmas music and addressing them gets me in the mood for xmas!   This year Carli wanted to help me address the cards.  So, while Bryce napped I wrote the addresses and Carli put the stamps on and then we walked to the mail box together and sent them on their way.... you should be getting yours soon.  If you don't get one then I don't have your address for some reason and you should send it to me!  I have a private blog so I know that anyone who is reading this I would love to send a card too.  So, send me your address already hehe

Saratoga for Thanksgiving

We headed to Nor Cal for Thanksgiving this year.  As soon as we arrived I couldn't help but notice how beautiful FALL is here.  The weather was crisp and the air clean.  The skies were blue and the leaves turned... it was a like a  storybook.  Nothing gets better then this when you gather with your family on Thanksgiving Day.  After our big feast we took the kids to the local elementary school to play.  Jeremiah has been looking forward to skating all day.  As the kids played I couldn't help but capture some of the beauty of this school.