Christmas Day

Much to our surprise, the kids "slept in". Bailey woke up at 7:50 and we took her out to see her presents she was wanting to dive in so we had her go and wake Caleb up. The kids were very excited this year. Caleb was able to open his own presents this year and Bailey only needed a little assistance. It was so fun for us this year since Caleb understood what was going on. He was very surprised and excited to see that Santa left him a special bell from one of his reindeer. I made the traditional Sticky Rolls and after we ate breakfast we let the kids play a bit before heading out to Tommy's sisters house. We spent a few hours with his family and exchanged a few more gifts there. It was a trek out there and back with all the new snow and fresh snow that was falling. We got stuck leaving the house but made it over to my parents safely. We then spent the rest of the day with my side of the family. More present exchanges and a yummy dinner. The most exciting news was finding out that Kyle and Heather are expecting in July, go July babies. Wahoo!!! It was a busy day but we had so much fun being with all of our families on Christmas. What a wonderful day to be with family, reflect on Jesus' birth and create so many memories. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!
(Because we took over 100 pictures, maybe it was because we were testing our new camera or maybe it was because I am a picture freak. For whatever reason, I will spare you all and post just a few).

Bailey loved her new Kitchen

Caleb show us what you got...can't see his face in most the pictures..lol

Warming their feet by the fire

Just loved this kodak moment Heather caught of us

Excited about our new yankee blanket..thanks Ky and Heather

Hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year's!!!!

Christmas Eve

Our house was instantly filled with excitement as Caleb woke up and pulled out number 24 on our countdown and Santa dropped into the chimney. He jumped up and down and ran around the house letting us all know that Santa and his red-nosed reindeer were coming. The perfect way to start the day. Magic in the air, Christmas music playing and white stuff falling from the sky. We kept with traditions for the rest of the day. Tommy got off at noon and we meet his side of the family at Tucanos for lunch. We then split off and took Caleb and Bailey to see Tale of Desperaux, Grandma Greene joined us. The movie was cute but a little slow, worth seeing but didn't love it. Afterwards, we ran home to gather a few things and then headed out to Tommy's sisters house for dinner. We had lots of good food. The kids could hardly wait to open there Christmas pj's so right after dinner we let them go for it. After playing and relaxing we headed home to read our Christmas stories and get for his arrival.

So happy with his BYU jammies Bailey, Caleb, Meghan, Timothy, Nicole and Matthew

All of us in our Christmas jammies

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

We had to take advantage of all the great snow that we got. Craig made a snow fort with Jeffery and Nathan and invited all of us over to have a snowball fight. So on the 23rd we bundled up all the kids and let them at it. Craig and Uncle Kyle were the only "brave" adults that ventured out with the kids, but they are still kids themselves so it worked out nicely. Caleb had fun until he could no longer feel his hands and then they begun to sting, he was done at that point.

Jeffery and Caleb digging a tunnel
Caleb, Nate and Uncle Ky

Jeffery getting Uncle Kyle

Caleb behind the fort

Craig "trying" to throw a giant snowball at us

While some of the other cousins were still out playing, we attempted a gingerbread house with the "younger" ones. Thanks mostly to Uncle Kyle who had to kind of take over after Bailey only wanted mommy. It was my first gingerbread house with the kids and it won't be my last. They did a great job decorating it and Caleb enjoyed snitching the candy. It was a fun afternoon with the family.

Annual Cousin Party

So every year we get together with all the cousins on my side of the family for a Christmas party. We started this, I think at least 13 years ago. It is so much fun. We have made some great memories over the years. We usually get togethter for a big dinner, followed by dessert, lots of laughing and a white elephant exchange but this year due to the BYU bowl game (which I don't want to discuss) we just got together for dessert, hot chocolate, egg nog, etc and to exchange white elephant gifts. And of course as usual it was so much fun!! We almost din't go cause I was not feeling good but I am so glad we did. I love my family. We have so much fun together!! I wish we saw each other more often. We really had so much fun just talking and laughing away. We tried to keep it short and sweet but most of us did not leave until 11 or after. Thanks so much dad for coming to the house and staying out late..lol. Thanks to Steph for hosting and thanks to all my wonderful family that came, especially Tam and Craig who got to join us this year. We missed all of you that were unable to make it!! Can't wait for next year!! Love you all and thanks for a fun night!!!!

Gayleen, Gil, Tam and Tommy
Jenny, Mitch, Danielle and Jeff

Tam, Harm, Jared and Karissa

Colby, Laura, Mike and Matt..along with the others

Our Christmas House

My sister Stephaine took pictures of her house decorated and "tagged" me to do the same. So here goes. I will only share a few, I have a lot up.

Our Christmas Tree - Caleb has the lights on 24/7.
My Manager Scene

Count Down to Christmas - Caleb has LOVED doing this every morning and anticipates Santa getting closer and closer as he falls down the chimney.

My little tree

Just a few more decorations around the house.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Festival Of Lights

Last night, we picked up Grandma and Grandpa and headed out to good ol' Spanish Fork for the Festival of Lights. The past two years we have gone to Thanksgiving Point and have enjoyed them but thought we would give SF a shot. I was impressed. The kids, especially Caleb loved all the lights and displays. We turned on the Christmas music, it started snowing ever so slightly and we drove through and enjoyed. It was a fun night and much needed. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for coming along with us!! I love this time of year!

Sigh....

So I sit here frustrated, frustrated that at 28 I am once again feeling like a guinea pig, trying medicine after medicine that works for 9 out of 10 people or that everyone says works great, but for me, still no results. I am irritated that it is my favorite holiday and all I want to do is go look at Christmas lights with my kids and enjoy cuddle time with them and I had to cancel that trip on Friday. I hate that I had to lay on the couch or bed all weekend and pop pills every 3 to 4 hours with still little or no relief. Don't get me wrong, I am so grateful that I am not dealing with "bigger issues" at hand and I know so many are struggling with greater health issues at this time so I am blessed and I am grateful. I just felt so good about feeling in control of my fibromyalgia and being "drug" free (except for a few here and there) for almost 5 years. I felt in control I felt "good". And now I am hit with severe migraines and having to start taking medicine constantly to feel "normal" and to function and having to keep switching from one to the next...Grrrr. I HATE this. I feel so bad for my poor husband, he has been SOOO great and all this right during finals. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH honey!!! And my poor kids, I will get back to wrestling with ya, I promise. Thanks for being patient with mommy...lol. And note to Caleb, Mommy's head is not going to open. This post is not to complain. I am just frustrated and need to vent. After all this is kinda like my journal and this is more for me then anyone. Ok, I feel better. Now off to lay down and hopefully go look at the lights tonight with the kiddos. Keep your fingers crossed.

What seems wrong with this picture???

Well, I think the fall like weather will finally be changing this weekend but Caleb and Bailey have been enjoying going out and running through all the leaves that are still on the ground. A little weird for December 12th.

Cookie Fun

Caleb and I cooked up some Christmas Sugar Cookies. Yum, Yum!

Festival of Trees

This gingerbread house was amazing, it took them over a month. My mom, sister Stephanie and two of her kids Josh and Josie along with myself, Caleb and Bailey all headed up to the Festival of Trees last Friday morning. It has become a tradition. It is fun to just head up and look at all the amazing trees and indulge in those yummy scones and cinnamon rolls that hit you the second you walk in. It is also great knowing that all proceeds go directly to Primary Children's. I look forward to going every year. They had a lot of great trees again this year. I didn't take many pictures this time. Caleb had a lot of fun looking at all the trees. He is really into the whole Christmas thing this year. Bailey slept through most of it, she had her own agenda that day. Until next year.

The Forgotten Carols

My favorite time of year is here and man did it come on quickly. I was able to go to the Forgotten Carols last night with my parents, my brother Kyle and his wife Heather and Heather's parents and brother Colby. Tommy stayed home with the kids, thanks babe. It is a tradition to usually go with the family, it just changes from year to year on who is able to go. This year it was a small group of us but it was a lot of fun and I am so glad I went. For those of you who have never read or seen the Forgotten Carols, you really should. I love them! They have become a big part of our Christmas traditions. It is such a great reminder especially at the beginning of the season as to the true reason for this time of year. And the music is pheominal! It was such a great night and wonderful start to the holiday season. Thanks Ky and Heather for getting the tickets!

Trip To California

Enjoying our morning swings

Jerry and Tommy worked on the car and Caleb was in heaven being out there with them. Here he is putting the nuts back on the tires.

Jacuzzi Time

We went down to California for the week of Thanksgiving to be with Tommy's parents. We were all very ready for a break and needing time to just relax together. We didn't plan any big park trips, just rest and relaxation for a change. It was very needed! The kids were in heaven having daddy around so much, they didn't want much to do with their mommy. We took some shopping trips, Tommy's mom and I went and got pedicures, spent lots of time watching movies and playing with the kids, etc. We were able to head out to Yucipa to spend Thanksgiving with our second family the Miller's. The food was so good and it was so good to see them all! We unfortunately all got hit with a nasty flu bug late Friday night that was not fun at all. Bailey was the only one that "survived" and did not get it. We decided to split the trip up on the way home and stay in Mesquite Saturday night. It was great to spend a week together just being together. I wish we could do it more often. I loved it!!!