Christmas 2010

We were not sure if this year was going to be much for Christmas, but thanks to some amazing friends and "Secret Santa", we had a wonderful day! I didn't do much for decorating, but I did have a color scheme (of course)! Blue, white and silver!

Wesley and Damon got to help us play "Santa" this year. I think that it helped to make this year even more special for them to try and make it so special for Rhett and McKenna.

Rhett asked Santa for a Pocket Racer, which took some doing to figure out what that was and then where to find one, but of course Santa came through!

McKenna asked for a kitty. At first we assumed that she meant a real one, but she quickly assured us that she meant the stuffed kind. THANK GOODNESS!!!! That we were more than happy to fulfill. We found three cute little new friends for her to take care of.

Issac and I spent a few days and made some building blocks for both Rhett and McKenna. We put letters and numbers on a bunch and then cute scrapbooking paper on the others to make them look cute. I think that they will both have a lot of fun playing with these and hopefully learn a little with the letters and numbers too!

McKenna was pretty excited to get a pretty pink piggy bank from Grandma Gagon for Christmas!

It was so much fun to watch McKenna with your little kitties. She promptly named them Toby(grey), Falcon (the caramel striped) and Fat (black). Don't know where the last one came from.

It was a wonderful Christmas this year for the kids. Too bad I spent the whole time sick! :(

Family Fun Center!

We finally made it to the Family Fun Center for Family Night! The kids all had a blast. They got to jump and climb on all the blow up toys, roller skate, lazer tag and pizza for dinner. We spent over 4 hours there and came home exhausted. Of course all 4 kids wanted to stay longer. :)

This place is amazing and is set up so that even parents can play! Lucky us!!! :)

Christmas Aprons!

For Christmas this year, we decided to make our Young Women all an apron and recipe box. Each apron matched a box and we tried to match the colors and design to the overall personality of each girl. They all seemed to be very happy with their gift, and I was very happy to have another project done. We also had a cookie exchange and shared the recipes, and read a wonderful story called, "The Christmas Apron". It was a great night and wonderful start to Christmas.

Gingerbread Houses!

So we have decided that making gingerbread houses will have to become one of our traditions. This year we had a "kids" house and a "grown ups" house! Can you tell which is which?

The kids had a blast and I think ate more candy than they actually got on their house. I'm not sure how they managed that though. You can barely see the gingerbread any longer.

Rhett's Christmas Program!

Rhett had his Kindergarten Christmas Program this past week. Since the school that we go to is a Spanish immersion Charter School, it was only fitting that half the program was in Spanish. His teacher, Ms. Suzana is from Spain and danced a beautiful Latin dance for us as well.
The boys were all dressed in black slacks and shoes, white button up shirt, red sash and their black hats. The girls were dressed in white shirts, long ruffled skirts and pretty flowers and crowns to wear in their hair. They all looked really cute!

We were so impressed with Rhett and proud that he was able to remember all his dance moves. He looked so grown up dancing with his little partner and bowing to her.

After their dance, they did of course sing the traditional Christmas songs and then a few in Spanish. The kids were all so cute. We just kept thinking about how fast time is going by. Our little boy is getting so big! :(

Anniversary!

So, another year gone by! Eight years ago I was lucky enough to make the man who had quickly (and all be it, very unconventionally) become my best friend, also become my partner and lover! I knew that there was such a love out there. I grew up watching my parents express it, but I was afraid that I may never feel it. That is until Issac came into my life. He not only saved me, but also my kids. I don't know how my love for him can continue to grow so much, but it does, every day! I am thrilled to have such an amazing man by my side for time and all eternity!

We didn't have a lot of money to spend this year, so all of our plans got cancelled. I know that Issac was bummed that he couldn't do something big, but I wanted him to know that all I really need is his love. I made this cute candy card and left it at his office during his lunch break. He called when he got back and said that it made him cry! Not an easy task my friends. I was pretty happy to hear that he appreciated it.

Thanks so my mom and sister, we were able to go run a few errands, start some Christmas planning and see the new Harry Potter. Then when we got home, the kids had baked us a chocolate cake and had candles and jumped out and surprised us. It was a wonderful night!

You are and always will be my HERO! Happy Anniversary baby! I love you with all that I am and more!

Halloween 2010!

Miss McKenna was a fairy this year for Halloween. Well over a month ago while in the store, McKenna saw this costume and just fell in love with it. I'm such such a sucker for cute girly things, so I gave in and bought it without much thought. Issac was a little scared that I had bought anything for her so early. (from experience we know how many times the kids change their minds). She didn't once waver though, and she didn't even once, ask me to open it and wear it until Halloween night. I have been blessed with such a sweet little spirit.

I think that we may be a few years away from face paint still. Although I love how they turned out, it took us forever to do because neither of the kids would hold still while we did it. Everyone loved McKenna's though, and I think that it really made her outfit. Such a pretty fairy!

Rhett made a very scary vampire! Issac may have gotten a little carried away with his makeup, but I was pretty impressed with his first attempt. I couldn't even recognize Rhett when he was done with him. The only thing that we couldn't get to work were his fangs. He kept gagging before they could set on his teeth. Probably just as well, I seriously doubt that he could have eaten with them in.

We participated in the trunk or treat again this year. I decided to tone it down just a little and make it more kid and family friendly. :) Not so scary this year. We lucked out and managed to get rid of all our candy before it started raining. The kids were not so lucky for the actual trick or treating though. Cold and wet! We went out early and came home quickly. It just isn't much fun when you can't feel your fingers. I think it was a successful year though. Happy Halloween!!!

Family Photos!

I know, I know! In the past I have let weeks and sometimes months go by with out posting a thing, and then all of a sudden I post like 4 in one week! It is just because we actually had some fun things happen in our lives, and because I am determined to remember to take and use my camera! :) The pictures from this post though, are thanks to an old childhood friend of mine that has turned professional! Capture Photography in California and my friend Shellie made all these amazing family photos possible. I LOVE THEM ALL! Wesley: Age 12

Damon: Age 11

Rhett: Age 5

McKenna: Age 3

My beautiful children! I am so blessed!

SPIDERS!

Well, we found ourselves making some more creepy crawly creatures for FHE. Tonight it was of the eight legged variety. Quite possibly the only kind of tarantula, or any kind of spider for that matter that I can stand to be anywhere near.

I think that they turned out really well. They were harder than I had expected, but we all had fun doing them anyway. They tasted pretty good too! We color coded them so that everyone would know which spider was theirs!

My Running Man!

I am so proud of Wesley. When he came to us last month and announced that he wanted to run cross country, I didn't quite know what to make of it. He's never done anything like that before and I really didn't know if he could do it. He's the youngest on the team and almost the smallest.

At his first meet, he ran the two miles in 18 minutes and 40 seconds. I was so proud of him and impressed just for finishing and thought that the time was amazing, especially since he had only been running for about two weeks. Then a few days later at his next meet, he ran it in 17 minutes and 10 seconds. I couldn't believe that he had done it a minute and a half faster. Then again, his next meet he crosses the finish line in 16 minutes 10 seconds. Crazy! I told him that he had better slow it down a little. He can't possibly keep up that kind of progression. :)

I am sure a proud momma on the side lines yelling and cheering for him. I just know that I am totally going to be one of those mom's that embarrasses their kids because they are always crying. I can't help it though. My kids fill me with so much pride and I am constantly amazed at their talents and abilities. Good thing I can wear sunglasses to help hide all the evidence! :)

I love you so much Wesley and so proud of you! GO NDPA LIONS!