Merry Christmas 2007

We went over to some long time friends, sort of family and enjoyed Christmas Eve. Great food and great people. We played white elephant and visited. Now we are home Jimmy and Porter insisted on watching Its A Wonderful Life. Hannah and I are hanging out and spending some girly time together. I am excited for tomorrow and a little sad. I just love that the world gathers together and celebrates the birth of our Savior (well some of the world) I've have tried to slow down and enjoy the lights and hot chocolate a little bit more. We are going to bring the spirit of Christmas closer by reading the Christmas story in Luke before we go to bed tonight. I just don't want to loose sight of things tomorrow and you know how easily that can be done. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
The picture is of our front yard. Hannah said I think this is the most lights we've ever had!! Sad to say it's true.

Claire's new outfits from Grandma Ila and Papa Bill

Christmas Sunday Pictures 2007

Oh My Gosh! It is almost impossible to get Claire to smile and sit still at the same time. So we lucked out on this one. FINALLY!!! We were at the mall last night and the line for Santa was about 20 minutes long. We got in and we it was out turn Claire literally climbed up my side and said, "Tanta cary." I think Santa was toast. He just looked at me like please don't put another screaming kid on my lap. So I tried to show Claire he was nice by touching his beard and calling him Papa, but she way in now way buying it. So I told Santa Merry Christmas and we left. I just couldn't do it to the poor old man. I did think it would have been funny. Anyway, maybe next year.

Continue Christmas tradition

For the last 10 plus years through pregnancy sickness, loss of a loved one, teenager attitudes and little fingers in everything we have manage to continue the tradtion of candy making. Sometimes we get lots of help too. Of course it all started with Nancy bringing me up some candy at The Parlour and I had to learn how to make it. We have our ones we make every year, which are peanut brittle, toffee,peppermint bark, chocolate dipped pretzels, peanutbutter balls and fudge. We have added chex mix and a few others. We laugh,get chocolate all over,watch movies and listen to Christmas music while makiing goodies all day long. Porter even said right in the middle of it, "Guys I am having a hay day!" I look forward to it every year. Thanks Hassan girls for a fun day.

Our Christmas Tradition

My teacher gifts this year

9 dollars in containers, 2 bags of pretzels, 2 kinds of chocolate for dipping and a bag of cookie cutters from the dollar store. I think I went inexpensive and they turned out pretty cute.

Our anniversary date

You know when we were setting a date to get married I don't think we were thinking down the road when we had children because........ We go out on what we call a date for our anniversary and go to Toys R Us and get Christmas for the kids and we did manage to squeeze in dinner at Pei Wei. I so badly wanted to do other things but time would not allow. So thats our date which happens a few times a year. Yea!!!!!! Thanks mom for babysitting.

3rd place Pink Panthers

Hannah's team finished 3rd place this season. They were so intimidated by this team they played called the "Volley Chicks", need I say more?
Anyway, the first game they whomped (is that a word?) on them. At that point they gained their confidence back. Then they lost the next two, which put them in another bracket. Which put us playing the "Diggers" and we lost. I did the most unthinkable thing ever. Hannah is very good at volleyball. About 90% of her hits go over and count. She is still lacking some confidence though. So as the ball comes towards her if it doesn't fall in her lap its not hers and she will watch it drop. Ok, to my unthinkable thing, I told Hannah I would pay her a $1.00 for every ball she hits. Yikes. I should have been more specific. According to Hannah all her serves counted too. She did soooooo good and I had to pay up $12.00. She wanted to go to the half price book store, so I thought it was well spent money and her best game EVER!!!!!
Her coach is getting her masters right now and used to play volleyball at Martin High School. She taught the girls so much and wants to coach these same girls again this spring. Oh, no it might interfere with softball. I wonder which one she will choose or maybe they will overlap just a little. I guess we will wait and see.

The picture of my beautiful 14 roses

14 years ago

14 years ago a prince named Jimmy and a princess named Nicole were married.
Yes, its been that long. It doesn't seem that long. In fact it has flown by. I had to work today and my sweet husband sent me 14 roses. I will post a picture later. They are beautiful. I work tomorrow also so I left them at work to be able to enjoy. He out did himself. I personally was shocked because we've talked about sending flowers and how expensive they are and all the other things you can buy with the $. I guess he felt I was worth the $ this year. Thanks babe. I got that I love you in my heart all over again. Its been great. I can't wait for another 14.

Christmas is in the air

I don't know about you but, I am so excited Christmas is this month. I love everything about it.

- NATIVITY
-MUSIC
-SMELLS (FOOD, CANDLES,CHRISTMAS TREES, SCENTED PINE CONES)
-LIGHTS
-ALMOST EVERYONES ATTITUDE (GIVING& KIND)
-EXCITEMENT IN MY KIDS
-PLACES DECORATED (IT JUST GIVES EVERTHING A NEW LOOK)
-CARDS (GREETINGS FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY and CONNECTING WITH THOSE FAR AWAY)
-CHRISTMAS STORIES
-CHRISTMAS MOVIES
-FOOD (HOMEMADE CANDY ECT.)
-MAYBE CRISP AIR (IF YOU LIVE IN TEXAS)
-SURPRISES
-GETTING TOGETHER WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
-SNOW (ONLY IN PICTURES OR ON TV)
-CHRISTMAS PLAYS

These are a few of my favorite things. I have really enjoyed each day and evening with my family. I made an advent calendar and placed things in on the dates where I knew of things that are planned and then added fun things on the other dates. So far we've only flubbed up twice. We've gone to see A Christmas Carol in Dallas with my mom, made smores last night, watched a Christmas movie,read in the scriptures in Luke, read Christmas stories and this Friday we are going to Six Flags. Could it get any better than this!!! I wish I was a kid. Share some of your favorites with me. I'd love to hear. To those of you who read and don't comment this is the time to start.

Proud Moment

Porter had a sub at school and this is what she wrote. I was so proud of him. Way to go Porter.

just a few of our family pics 2007

I win the mother of the year award

When I picked up the kids from school on Monday, Hannah told me her ears ached. She had told me that several times on the trip to Colorado also. So I called the Dr. and made an appointment for her and asked if they could put Porter in too. He had been coughing for a few weeks. As you can see they went to school, had no fever and could function just fine. On Tuesday my mother-in-law took all three kids to the doctor. Poor soul. Gotta love her.
The diagnosis was Hannah strep throat and ear infection
Porter had walking pnumonia
Claire Just allgeries
How bad did I feel???? Oh man I felt terrible! Anyway they got a bunch of medicine and breathing treatment for Porter and to top of the visit they got their flu shots. Tomorrow they go back to school. Do ya think I am going to be doing the HAPPY dance? You better believe it!!!

Our craziness in the car on road trips

- Watching a movie and making faces
- if you look real close you will see -4 degrees on my car frost was forming on our windows Now that is cold
- Claire playing peek-a-boo
- As we got into Texas the kids were fasinated by the fields of cotton. Hannah studied it last year and so we had to get out and get some.

Our drive home from Colorado

As we drove home and looked at the snow and listened to Christmas music I felt like it really was the holiday season. It was so pretty.

Our Thanksgiving trip to Colorado

The first 2 pics are of my cute little grandma. I enjoyed getting to talk to her and hugging her. There is something about only having one grandparent left. I can't explain it.
The next one is of Josh and Christina. I don't know if I am spelling it right. We had so much fun getting to know her. She is so sweet and fun. I've kinda nicked named her Tiger and secretly Josh is Eyore. Hopefully the Tiger in her will rub off on Josh. I am excited about a new addition to our family. Well, make that two. My other brother Bryan and his wife Lisa are expecting their 4th in June. SHhhhhhh
The one with the kids on the bed is in the hotel. I have a rule No Jumping on beds at my house!!!! BUT at a hotel you can jump all you want. They had a blast. They went swimming everyday and enjoyed breakfast 10 steps from our room.
The last one is just cute Claire.

Thankful for you

I often think of things I am thankful for but, keep it to myself. Its during Thanksgiving holiday that I might say it out loud. I am so grateful for so many things. I am thankful for the gospel. It paves the way for my everyday. Things that my Heavenly Father has given me. Air, water, flowers, animals, and soooo much more. I am truly grateful for family. I have the most interesting and amazing family. I so appreciate those that help me with my children and make them feel extra special. Sometimes I (mom) only has so much in her. I also am grateful for friends. Friends that have been there for me when I've really needed one. I couldn't make it with out you. Some days just your phone call means the world to me. I am thankful for our jobs, the cars we drive, and the house we live in. Running water, air conditioning, heater, lights, computers so I can blog, and pictures!!!!! I am thankful for our health. We have been very blessed. I witnessed this year working very closely to a friend with breast cancer. She went through chemo and radiation. I watched her body be attacked by this horrible disease. I stepped back many times and thanked God for my healthy body and my families. I became more familiar with my self this year. You could say it was because my husband is going to school to be a physcologist, but I think age and wisdom had more to do with it. I am still working on things, it might take forever. LOL. I am thankful for my husband and his kindness and love he has for our family. His desire to learn more about EVERYTHING. I am grateful for three beautiful children. They teach me things everyday. Patience is a big one. They teach me to slow down and take time to watch them grow and learn. They teach me to think as they do and to be innocent like them. They teach me that THINGS are not what matters most; it is the time spent with them that does. I am thankful to have one grandma left. I miss my grandparents so much. Having her to talk to and still see is a blessing. If you are reading this know that I am thankful for you and the way that you have touched my life. Some more than others. Some more my kids than me, but nevertheless I am thankful for you.

Happy Thanksgiving!!
We are driving to Colorado to see my Aunt Liz, Uncle Rick, Cousins Alicia,Cami, Grandma Eldora, my little brother Josh and his bride to be Christina and her parents. How much fun can that be!!! I will report when I return next week.

Not Yet -Mommys not ready!!!

I was folding clothes in my room tonight and Claire was playing in the tub. I heard her in singing "Meam Up" song and then I heard, "go pee pee" I ran in the bathroom and grabbed my camera (which by chance was in my bathroom) and took this picture. Ok, I have heard some moms say, Yes my child was potty trained at 18 months. I would say to myself, yea thats a bunch of hooey too. So heres Claire at 18 months telling ME that SHE need to go potty. So far we have pooped and pee peed on the potty. So I have to say this could be a fluke and I kind of hope so because she is still my baby. Oh, and I also just bought a huge box of diapers at Costco. We WILL use all of them. I guess we'll see what happens. Sorry about the nudy photo. Jimmy said I should crop it down but, you wouldn't get the whole effect. (I think she looks like a bear)

Pumpkins

This year I suggested we not carve out pumpkins. So we got out the good ole Sharpie and did some serious decorating. Hannah didn't really do anything which was surprising. I think we were too bogged down with homework and a project. Porter got Sharpie happy as you can see. Maybe next year I will bring out the knives.

Fall Season comes to an end

We had a another great season with t-ball. We had the same coach as last spring, Coach Bill. He is so good with the kids. You can tell he loves the sport and wants to teach the boys how to play. His patience level is pretty high too. Porter improved this fall. He can hit a little farther. He got more outs this season that last which to me means he is gettting the idea of the game. Way to go Porter.