Mommy got run over by a raindeer!

Really that is what I feel like. Christmas came and went too fast something must have taken me out! This year was really tight for us. I usually start shopping early on in the year but this year there just hasn't been extra cash. So I felt like it was a whirlwind in the end trying to make sure everything was done. Christmas came and I really still didn't feel ready I only got half of my Christmas cards sent. So don't be surprized if you get a Christmas card in the middle of January (that is wishful thinking on my part it might be more like Easter before I finish addressing them.) I have had a slight cold and I don't really do well under the weather. Santa came to my mom's on Christmas Eve and he is always lots of fun. Brianna was so fun to watch. We saw Santa at the ward Christmas party and then we saw him at Oakridge and both times she asked him for a snowglobe. So when Santa handed her a monkey game she looked at him puzzled and said I don't like monkeys and this is not what I wanted. Silly...I told her Santa needed his snow and so he couldn't bring her a snowglobe until Christmas morning...Seth was terrified of Santa this year he couldn't get far enough away from him. However when Santa brought him Diego Dominoes Seth would not put them down. Maybe part of my feeling like it all came and went too fast this year was that I had to work. Santa got about two minutes of instruction and then called me three times at work and still the stockings were not exactly as planned but hey at least Santa tried since I couldn't be there to help him. The kids actually slept in a little on Christmas morning so I had a brief nap before we opened presents. Working nights is getting to me though and so energy is not something that I have enough of. The Varners stayed with us and that was great since they are dream guests. They smell good and they help out and they don't expect anything. I think this is the first Christmas that Rob's entire family was together since we were married. It was lovely.

Isaac's First Concert

Isaac is taking piano lessons and likes to practice as well as I did. My entire career of piano which was very short lived since I never practiced and would fight with Tiffany half hour before every piano lesson for the piano so I didn't look like I hadn't practiced all week. So needless to say it is a battle to get him to practice. He really didn't want to be in the recital and I wasn't sure how it was going to go. We walked in a couple of minutes late with Brianna in tears because she didn't want to go. My Dad took Brianna and Seth whew! Then we sat down Isaac was third on the list to perform. The first person went the next person went Shawna annonced Isaac and he shook his head. She said lets give Isaac some time... I wispered you didn't want to go third cause three is not your best number you would rather be fourth right... Oh thanks goodness for small miracles after the now third person finished he jumped up and went to the piano. It was great...he played the keys one by one as Shawna pointed to them. He clapped for himself on his way back down to sit with us and he said he wanted to do it again next year.. Just the week before he was done with piano and I told him he had to finish out the year. I am so glad that he has Shawna as a teacher she is so patient with him and caters to his ability.

Judge not that you be not judged....

Okay this is a total confession. I really believe that life is cyclical..At least mine is if I ever look at someone and think something bad about them or if something really irritates me I am bound to deal with that thing directly. Oh the irony..Here is an example I used to babysit this little girl. She was terrified of Tiffany's dog Bear (this giant Lancer Newfinland that barely moved around seriously he could have passed for a throw rug most days. Every time we went to Tiffany's house she whined and whined I would get so annoyed. Then I have a daughter of my own. Tiffany now has the same type of dog only Bear died so his name is Chewie and he is still a puppy but my daughter and son are terrified of him. Now I am still annoyed that they whine I just wonder if I wasn't so annoyed with the little girl I babysat a few years back would I still have to deal with this? So here is what I am thinking instead of being annoyed with the bad stuff I am going to take offense to the good stuff. Then maybe it will come back to me.. So Cherry your perfection drives me crazy. Tiffany your dedication to working out and natural parenting skills are appauling. Shannon your beauty drives me nuts. Juli your sense of style puts me on edge. Smith your sense of humor drives me up the wall. Ashley the fact that you always look so put together makes me batty. Alison your sweetness is sickening. Jaime your skills on and off the basketball court really tick me off. Kelly your cooking and friendliness infuriate me. Kasea your ability to socialize and connect with people drives me to the edge. Keri your craftiness and ability to make things look good including yourself chap my hide. Wendy your ability to keep a perfect house and decorate it to the "T" make me want to stick my tongue out at you. Jaimee the fact that I can't find anything wrong with you really bugs. Julie your warmth and effieincy push me over the top. Hyland your ability to have fun doing anything make me want to puke. Sorensen your zaney personality and silent strength are just annoying. Pam I think that your perfect and even just seening you brings joy to my heart that really sucks Renee you just glow and can run a marathon pregnant with twins and get hit by a mini van and still do it again how disturbing Gibby your so helpful even your blog is insightful and helps me, whatever... do you think it will work do you think that by pretending I am bothered it will still come back to me...I hope so but probably not but it was worth a shot right?

Family and lots of good food what could be better???

Thanksgiving morning Tiffany, Keri, Cherry, and I ran a 5k it was fun. Cherry is great she ran even though she hasn't been running and she held back and stayed with me the whole time. We took a nice easy pace and both felt like we were putting in our time for the overeating we would do later. We ran into some friends and that made me really happy. I especially loved seeing Trisha, Jason, Erin, and Jenna.
I love Thanksgiving. My mom makes everything from scratch. I didn't realize that not everyone does that. I feel a little guilty since she is getting older and I know that it isn't as easy on her as it used to be, but man I love to enjoy her cooking to the sum of an extra 7lbs I am carrying on my butt right now but I still think it is worth it. I especially like Thanksgiving left overs cause I like to savor each individual thing by itself. I mean really the table is so full of yummy food that I have to pick and choose what I really want to indulge in. My mom makes amazing stuffing and these orange rolls that are lick your lips good. I love to eat and I love to be around my family. Really too things in this life that make me very happy. We had our girls weekend and went down to LA shopping. I think it is gross down there and it is hard for me to get past that. It is always amazing for me to spend time with my mom and sisters without having to worry about my children. We even went to Sprinkles. It all went by all to fast. I am sure that next thing I know it will be Christmas.

Behind on Birthdays!

When we first got married Rob put me in charge of birthdays. Fine I love giving gifts, except for the fact that their are over 20 nieces and nephews on his side of the family plus all of his siblings, their spouses and mother and father... Put our families together and birthdays alone can cause financial stress so being the finance guy he puts it on me. I try so hard at the beginning of the year but by the end I am always behind and So pretty much if your birthdays after October or if I have to mail something... your out of luck :( I know.... like I said every year I am going to do better... I have even thought about putting it back on Rob but then again he might do a better job and then I will think why did he put it on me in the first place.
I missed Steves birthday He is a great guy.. good father and fabulous Uncle he is very playful with the kids tries to eat their piggies (toes) and chases them around, and if you want to have a conversation with the devils advocate or if you want the best deal researched he is your man. Gotta love Steve.
Rachel is very sweet and has grown up right before our very eyes. She loves animals and has every type of stuffed animal known to man. She loves to play with Isaac and Brianna and Seth and they all adore her. They even start talking like her if they get to spend any amount of time with her. We have really missed the Ogan's since their big move to Utah but are greatful that they were out here to visit for her birthday so we got to go to Toppers and celebrate with the family.
Jacob is 10 I can hardly believe it. He reads faster than me we were racing to see who could read Breaking Dawn faster and he won What was I thinking racing a with a 10 year old that doesn't have any other responsibilities than to take care of himself? Duh!!! Jacob is a good cousin and friend to all of my children. He is very smart and likes to hang out at Grandma's house. When Jacob was little he and Abe liked to chase me around and pinch my behind. I don't know why my behind is such a good target (yeah right) anyways once we were in the mall and Jacob went up to the counter and grabbed this girls behind she turned around and Jacob was in shock she was appauled and I laughed so hard. I think I was grateful that her butt was mistaken for mine because hers was much smaller and the pinching died down a bit after that.

Summer in November cept Jody's Wedding of course

November has been absolutely incredible weather I'd say 80's or higher mostly. In fact I even got to take Isaac, Bree, and Seth swimming a couple of times. No fun when you thought swimming suit season was gone but I sucked it up cause the kids love to swim so much. Well my friend Jody wanted to get married before Thanksgiving. I love Jody and really credit her for sparking my interest in Rob. Rob and I were running together, (he was running to get in shape for soccer) or that is what he says anyways. Jody started running with us as well. We became kinda of a trio since we all went to CSUN at the time. After a few monthes of running together Jody said would you ever kiss Rob I thought about it and said no. She said I asked him if he would kiss you and he said your totally out of his league. I was completely taken back. He felt like that about me. My whole perception changed and I started to see him differently. If you know Rob you know that his presentation is not as strong as his being. He is so much more than he would let anyone see. He is truely one of the most humble people in my life. Tauni had also asked me if I would date him and I said no he is like a brother. Interesting how that friendship between us evolved into so much more. Well I adore Jody she has always been a really good friend to me. Dawn Jody's sister called and said they were predicting rain for Jody's wedding (CRAZY!@!@#@#) how?? the weather was just beautiful. Jody was getting married in Dawn's backyard which is absolutely beautiful but rain. Well easy ups were the only solution. So I worked all night Tuesday night went to pickup the activity day girls Wednesday morning for a kidnap breakfast and then spent all day in the rain on Wednesday decorating for Jody's Wedding. Dawn was amazing it looked great despite the obstacles that she had to counter act. Jody's wedding was simple and beautiful. She is now a wife and a mother. Lucky she scored three precious little girls. I am so happy for her.

Not like it would shock anyone I would rather be in cleets than a fancy dress

I am going to have to admit that I am sad soccer season is over. Isaac was so lucky because Darren Payne was his coach. He said he wanted a real coach this season and he got one. Darren was great. My cousin Doug (who we like more than he likes us) got married last weekend so we missed Isaac's last soccer game and final party. It is not easy missing those events but my cousins wedding did trump soccer. Of course I would rather be watching a soccer game in a ponytail than full make-up high healed uncomfortable shoes and dress (although I still skipped the nylons I can only go so far.) Doug's wedding was straight out of a movie. Really every character you could dream up of was there from the snippy wedding planner to the Preist that had a few too many cocktails. His wedding was flawlessly planned and a very beautiful event. It was a fun day because I got to enjoy my sisters and parents company and see extended family that I don't get to see very often. However today I am missing the soccer games maybe it has to do with the fact I missed last week. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I knew as soon as soccer season was over Holliday Season would begin and of course not a shocker that I am just not ready! Thanksgiving next week...yikes

Joey

My baby brother just turned thirty I am having serious issues here! 30 that is old for a baby! WOW it is really strange when your siblings are suddenly older than you. I love Joey. He is such a good guy. He has always been willing to sacrifice for me. My favorite Christmas memory is the first year I had Isaac someone told me there was a picture of Baby Jesus that looked just like him. I wanted it. So he hunted all over Utah looking for it and then found it and my mom told him it was much too expensive so he gave up his Christmas so I could have it. I love him! Then there is always the fact that he visited me a ton when I was on my mission because he was up at BYU he would bring friends around and take me to lunch and shopping it was always lots of fun. He is busy now and I hear about his life from friends more than from him and he won't let me read his text messages over his shoulder but I still love him.

This season we were so blessed because my brother in law was coaching my niece and asked for Brianna to be on his team. I thought he was brave. This being her first year playing. Matt my brother in law is an excellent coach he treated each of those girls like they were the super star of the team. Gracie his daughter averaged about eight goals a game she has the game figured out and since it was three on three with no goalie she took over the field. It was just fun to watch their were a couple of teams this season that matched her but for the most part she was free to score. She set up every player on our team at least a few times this season which was fun because everyone love to see their little girl kick the ball in the net. Well after the first game Brianna thought she would get a trophy so when we broke the news to her that she didn't get it until the end of the season OH the flood of tears that errupted. She doesn't just cry either she stomps and screams and the whole entire world knows when she is not happy. So leaving the soccer field we got more than a few leary looks as our daughter errupted into a full tantrum. We tried to reason with her and explain that she did not get a trophy until the end of the season. But really what were we thinking once a four year old gets something into their head... Well I think she finally settled down after the car ride home. Which was fun with her screaming and Isaac yelling make her stop she is hurting my ears. Seth starting to cry because she is.. you can just imagine. So we worried that was going to happen after every game. It was just that first game fortunately but she got that trophy at the team party Saturday night and it did not leave her hands until she fell asleep and we pried it out. I will miss watching her on the field she is so spicey she even went behind a line up of girls on the other team once and stuck her tongue at each one of them behind their backs...I have no idea where she gets that from. I will miss watching her play soccer and especially her little rosey cheeks after she has just played the game with all the might her little four year old itty bitty frame could give.

Finally she has secured the TROPHY

 
 
 

Tears Tears and more Tears

A few monthes ago Isaac came home from school and said Barack Obama for president. I was a little taken back and said oh Isaac where did you hear that. At school of course. I said well actually Isaac I am voting for Mccain and so is your father. If it had just been me and my vote it would have been discounted I am sure. But Isaac loves and adores his Dad so Mccain then became the man for president. We have been highly involved in Proposition 8. First and far most because the Prophet told us that we needed to invest our time and means into this and that it required our best effort. The ideal family begins with a loving father and mother. There is not a doubt in my mind that their are other loving family make ups out there. However do we think that we know better than our creator what should constitute a family? My heart goes out to those who are living in a homosexual lifestyle. It is a hard life no matter how pretty a picture they paint. It is not an easy way of life. Well my kids have seen the signs have known that I was going to work on the campaign have been kept from McDonalds until they recently ended the boycott. Isaac would get excited when he saw a sign and once he said hey Dad Proposition 8 they probably go to church and if it passes can we go to McDonalds again. So I thought I would share the results with him this morning on his way out the door. Isaac it looks like Proposition 8 passed. But our next President is Obama and then his eyes just gushed with tears. I want to sob too for other reasons. I lost a friend over this 8 campaign. It makes me sad but I can not be the person that this person wants and really never could be. I guess I just need to accept that. It is hard to deal with rejection on any level. I guess I shouldn't be shocked when my 7 year old deals with the disappointments of life with eyes filled with tears since that is what he sees his mother do. I just didn't realize that his little heart got so involved in this election. I almost said Obama this morning again and my husband stopped me short. I guess we will give him a little while.

favorite pictures from Halloween

 

Halloween

I love halloween. I love the costumes the candy the scary stuff. My kids never commit to one costume and they both have dress up trunks so I let them pick what they want to be. Brianna and Grandma decided she would be a princess but just not any princess one like the ones in the electical parade. So Grandma Knight made her a dress but could not figure out the lights. Brianna is so tiny really one strand even doubled up put about three lights on her. The dress was great and Brianna loves it. However when we went to Grandma's trunk or treat she was very distraught that she did not win the costume contest. I told her I had an idea and if she would be a scary princess she might win at our trunk or treat. I figured a princess that had been biten by dracula was more original. I actually got the idea because I thought Isaac looked so much like I'd imagined Edward in Twilight why not have Brianna be Bella. I guess it pays to cross your fingers cause I did and she and Isaac and Seth ended up winning for best pair. I was relieved cause I didn't want to take an already over exhausted girl that didn't get what she wanted for the second night in a row home.

Her birthday lunch

 

Thanks everyone for coming.

Happy Birthday.

T is for tolerance (she has to put up with me)
I icing (she loves cookies and icing) inborn trait I think
F funny feet (her poor feet will brighten any gloomy day) especially now with no toenails left
F fabulous sister and friend
A always helps me
N neat and tidy
Y younger than Cherry but always older than me :)

F family she has gone to great lenghts to preserve it in the last little while
A always running
I intelligent
R religious example to others she lives the gospel and those around her respect her
C compassionate she would give you the shirt off her back or run 27.2 miles to help
H happy she can make you smile in the middle of a trial
I important things First(she has her priorities in the right order)
L loving aunt my children adore her
D dilligent in her study of the gospel and service to others
Tiffany is one of the most incredible people I know. I love her. I really think that the most important thing in this life is relationships how we treat others. Tiffany is a great example. She is a loving wife a great mother a fabulous aunt and as a sister well her and Cherry are pretty much perfection in that role in life. I am really looking forward to spending sometime with Tiffany and Cherry my mom and some of Tiffanys friends today.

 

Childhood game I was never good at

Tag Isaac Grace and Leah on the slip n slide. This is the 6th picture from the 6th file on my computer. It is a hot summer day and I was watching Leah and Grace for Tiffany. I don't remember why that is one of the many benefits of having a sister nearby you can kid swap often. The kids played for hours on the slip in slide. I didn't even sketch about all the hose water they were filling their bellies with they were just having a great time. Leah could have a ball doing anything though. This picture reminds me they are growing up way to fast! Good times I am tagging Analiese, Jennifer, Kelly, Ashley, and Keri (6th picture from the 6th file and tell about it)

Sounds of the Supremes

 

It was a nice night I really love oldies. And the only thing that would have made it better is if Tiffany would have been there too. I love my mom and my sisters so much. I am truely lucky to have them in my life. There is so much comfort in knowing that no matter what they will be by my side.

My life would not be complete without ROB

 

So I was sitting in church wondering exactly what I have going for me and I decided it is Rob. I chose well. He puts God first he is loving and patient. He is christlike. I really did choose well and then the spirit wispers he was a gift. I am so greatful for him in my life. He didn't even complain that his birthday breakfast was a day late and for lunch... We went to Magic Mountain for his Birthday and X 2 was fun but we both agreed that standing in line for roller coasters is just not our thing anymore. No wonder it is mostly teenagers... who else has that much time to waste. It was nice to spend sometime with just Rob for a change.. thank goodness for his Birthday I really needed to have some time with just him.

Brooke Lee Field

It is so hard to come to grips with the fact that Brooke is a TEENAGER she had her birthday yesterday so it is official. Life is really just a blink of the eye. She was my very first experience being an AUNT. I held her and I was filled with so much love. I never wanted to do anything that she could not look up to. She is so precious to me.When I got married she took me aside and said all these are your new nieces she was a little distraught (there were so many). I told her she would always be my first niece. Brooke is so talented,smart, and beautiful. I can't believe how grown up she looks. It was just yesterday that Cherry let me take her on a walk(being a very protective new mother it was a great honor.) I tried to call her yesterday but missed her :( I am so glad that she is my niece. Happy Birthday Brooke I love you! Thanks for filling my life with joy.