I'll HAAAVVVEEE Aaaa BBBBLUUUUU....

I heard this song on my way into work this morning and thoughts of my mission came flooding back to me. I have been home 14 years WOW 14 years! And yet is seems like just yesterday. When I hear this song I think of my AWESOME companion Cassie..er... i mean Sister Erickson. I think we listen to this song everyday we were serving together (2 short months). We had a great time...I don't think we were at all productive but we did have some cool and weird experiences. (Hey Cass remember that weird guy? The thought still freaks me out...) I loved my mission. I loved the spirit there. I loved the members and the people I was able to bring to the waters of Baptism. I have lost touch with them..but pray that they have stayed faithful. I love my companions and the things each one taught me. I am grateful I went. And I am happy that a Christmas song can bring back so many wonderful fun memories. ("Help me Help me..won't someone please help me?") Cass, I love you..you are so wonderful. Keep doing what you are doing and never give up. Those I have met and love I owe to my mission. I love you~!

P. S. Happy Birthday Jr.

Busy holiday Weekend

THANKSGIVING-S
We were lucky to have 2 thanksgivings this year. The first one was at my Brother Stevens house. It was very nice but for some reason I only took two stupid pictures. Here we are at one end of the table. Blurry to boot.And here we are at the other end of the table. RuthAnn, Abby and Tember are in this pic. Lame huh? We did have a nice time. My niece who lives in Atlanta was there so that was all worth it.
(no pictures of her..I know lame.)
The next day we had the opportunity of having Blake's brothers over for a Watkins Thanksgiving feast. It was really nice and we had a lot of food left over. Gracie, Lilly and Kunka "helped" me with our turkey.
They decided to name it.
Her name is Tina Turkey.
She had great legs.Here is Gracie touching the turkey ever so dainty.This is her after she touched it. She thought it was cool.A little more confident with the whole hand. funnyHere is Lilly after almost touching Tina.
She wasn't as brave. But that is okay.Kunka, she just loved eating her Chocolate KitKat. Clyde, he just wanted to hide for some reason. Maybe he thought we would serve HIM for dinner. We had a really nice dinner and were glad Troy and Kelly were able to come over. We missed Brittney though. Next time we hope.

GOOOO UTES!!Saturday, The Blessed Holy War between BYU and UTAH was scheduled to play at Noon MST. So our family decided to have a Chili Cook off at my Brother Lance's house. Here is the family watching the BORING game.
Talk about a family divided. Lots of Red and Blue.
My girls in their Ute GearThis is how exciting the game was....Jeff and Jenny with Olivia..I love you guys.Kristi and Kunka. More of the girls. So Cute.
None the less..our beloved Utes Lost to the team down south.
17-10 was the score.
We are still hopeful for next year. We still love our Utes!


Happy Holiday Decorations!
After the upset on Saturday we decided to boost our spirits and do a little Christmas decorating out side. Blake put up the inflatable Santa (we thought was bigger than actual size) inflate Frosty and put up some candy cane lights. I have to say it was pretty festive. The girls, of course, were right in the middle of everything.Here is Lilly hugging our little Santa. They are nearly the same size.See....he isn't very tall at all. But then I guess Santa is an elf right??And here is Frosty. A little bigger.
Kunka didn't like him too much. She didn't want to get too close.She felt safer on the side walk.And it wouldn't be decorating without some Drama.
I don't know what Grace was crying about but it was a big deal to her.Later we went inside and started Decorating. We finished everything Sunday night. It really feels like Christmas. And I guess there is to be some sort of snow this week.Here is our tree. Every year I get new ornaments for my girls. I think we might make them this year who knows.

Santa Claus Is coming TO TOWN

In our adventures this weekend, we happened to run into Santa at the Walmart.
So the girls sat on his lap and told them all their wants and desires.
Lilly wants a doll. (no surprise she wanted a doll - and got one- for her birthday)Kunka wanted this strange man to let go of her..And the Princess wanted a big box of Paints.
Its really starting to feel like Christmas. I am really excited this year. Even though it will be a humble christmas the spirit is still there. How blessed I am to have family and friends so dear.

We support our Troops!!

God Bless the U.S.A

GO UTES!!

O' Christmas Tree O' Christmas Tree....

About a week ago, my dad asked me if I could help him out by decorating a tree at the
Utah Cultural Celebration Center
For the Tree of diversity Exhibit. I said that I would and I am so glad I did. It was really fun to dust off my creativity side of my brain. Sorry the pictures are not the best but you get the ideal. I also had to write a little diddy about the trees. I had the opportunity to decorate two trees. One is a Whimsical tree. Its to depict that Christmas is bright and fun with toys and Santa and all that crap but if you look in the middle of all the ciaos you will find the real reason for the season..baby Jesus. And in the middle of the tree is a little baby Jesus in a manger.
Here is the top of the tree.
The side. And I am sorry for the crappy pics. People were still decorating their trees and there was stuff in front of this tree. But I wanted to get a good enough pic of it.

Here is my little poem of my tree:

The Reason For the Season

As winter starts to gather on the windows late at night

The smells of Christmas in the air is such a huge delight

Children dance around a tree, trimming it high and low

Toys and dolls with shiny ribbon tied up in pretty bows

Santa with his reindeer and his big red sack of toys

Delivering special gifts to all the good little girls and boys.

But, let us stop a moment and reflect on why we cheer

For it’s a humble baby boy that brings the spirit here.

He came to earth so humble, He was meek and He was mild

This is why we celebrate, its the birth of this small child.

He came to save the world from all their doubt and sin

So this Christmas season be sure to Let Him In.

The next tree I did like I said was a doll tree (click on pic to view larger) I put on all the dolls that my dad has given me over the years. Here is the front side. My favorite and very first doll is the pink bean bag baby of 1971. Its near the top next to my moms baby doll.
And you can see my Bride doll I had at my wedding. Its on the floor.

Here is the other side. My moms Baby doll is front and at the top of the tree.
Its the oldest one on there. I love it. Here is my little thing I wrote about the tree:

My Doll Collection

Probably before I can remember,

I had a doll.

Being the only girl in a family of boys,

My dad loved to spoil me with dolls.

A doll was the perfect gift for a little girl.

I remember I would wait with anticipation

Every time my dad would return from some exotic place;

For I knew that there, tucked deep in his suitcase,

Would be a doll, just for me.

My collection is unique.

My first doll is at the top next to my mother’s doll.

There are dolls from Hawaii, the Philippines, China, Australia and Hong Kong.

I have homemade dolls and store bought dolls,

Dolls that cost a lot and ones that cost hardly anything.

But, I love each one because it is from my dad.

Thirty-six years later, Dad still bring me dolls,

But now they are not just for me,

They’re for my daughters to share in the love

My Collection is priceless

Here are my girls. I just love them. I love this time of year. I love the Christmas Season. I know it seams like I have skipped over Thanksgiving but no worries, we'll have that to blog this weekend.

No more Monkey Business

I have often thought that my sweet Emily reminds me a lot of Curious George. (She even resembles him from time to time.)
But the thing I don't like that she has acquired is her Monkey thumb. About 3 months ago I noticed that Emily's Right thumb would not straighten out at the top knuckle. I took her into her normal Pediatrician and he sent us to a Hand surgeon. We just came back from Dr. Lindleys office and Kunka has STENOSING TENOSYNOVITIS or in other words, Trigger finger (or in her case Trigger Thumb) Basicly she has formed a knot in the bottom of her thumb that won't let the tendon stretch through the protective sheath or pully. So the doctor has to make a small incision in her thumb and cut that sheath to make room for the tendon to move through. You can go to this web sight by clicking here
It give great info about it. She goes in for surgery December 10 at Alta view Hospital. Its same day surgery and only a week to recover. Thank goodness. Then my little monkey will be back to her old self. (not that it has really changed her way of doing things she adapts well.)

Cooking with Kunka 101

I our house, we have what is known as the Cookie Monster. And that cookie monster, in the past, referred to my husband. He loves cookies. ANY kind what so ever. Well, the spatula has been pasted to the next Generation of Monster. Kunka has taken over her dads Love...no...obsession...with that tasty gooey Treat. Last night I decided to make some Peanut Butter cookies to surprise my hub and make my baby happy. I had just taken the mixing bowl off of the mixer when Emily came running. I turned my back for just a min to gather the cookie sheets when I turned around to see that she had climbed onto the bar (with her bottle mind you and no shirt on) and proceeded to "HELP" me make cookies. I quickly grabbed my phone (the closest camera) and took pictures of her cooking techniques.

This one cracked me up.
Abracadabra....Presto...COOKIES!!!!!
Where are the cookies??

She was very "helpful" in the process and was very happy to have a warm cookie when it was all over. Thanks Kunka for helping me make cookies.

Gracies School Picture & the Many Faces of Kunka

I just wanted to share Gracie's School Picture.
It turned out really cute.
If anyone would like one Leave me a comment.

I found on my phone some really fun pictures of Kunka and thought I would share. She is so funny. I can't imagine my life without my husband and children.

Here is one that was on my phone as well.
The Utes play Saturday so
GO UTES!!

Happy Birthday Lillybug!

**Warning Lots of pictures ahead**

We had a really fun time this weekend. It was Lilly's 3rd birthday.
It was a two day celebration.
On Saturday, Blake and I had decorated the house with balloons so that when Lilly woke up she would see them all. Next, our good friend Kathy came over to get her hair done and bring by Lillian's Birthday surprise. She had got her a doll (and a hoodie). Lilly LOVED the doll.
She will make a good mom someday.
After Kathy's hair appointment, Blake and I took the girls to Arctic Circle for Lunch.
Its Cheap the all the girls can play in the playland.
Kunka is a crack up
Emily coming down the slide
Lilly coming down the slide. Check out Emily's face.
What fun.
Lilly heading into the tunnel
Emily coming out of the tunnel.
Gracie was too involved with a new friend she found there to get her picture taken.
After we Got back from lunch the girls played (fought over) with the new baby doll of Lilly's.
We played and cleaned and I tried to put them down for naps but it just wasn't happening. A tradition in our little family it to take the girls (for their birthday's) to the Mayan.
So, that night, we took the girls out to dinner.
We waited and waited for a table.Here is Gracie waiting.
Mommy at the Mayan, waiting (photo by Grace)
Emily and Daddy waiting.
After an hour wait we finally got in.
Now for those of you who don't know what the Mayan is..its a Mexican restaurant with Cliff divers and Aztec story lines as entertainment. The girls really love going there.
And with the new menu the food is really good.
Here is one of the characters.
% She was very pretty. %
It was neat because they had the characters walking around and talking to people in between the dives.Emily loved the divers.Lilly's Drink
Guy walking on the "cliffs"
Lilly watching the divers. She thought it was cool.
We were in the splash zone..Gracie was really hoping to get wet.Here are the girls after dinner. Check out Lilly, she nearly fell off the Giant snake.
Totally funny shot.
The next day (after church which btw I was called to work in the Nursery) we got ready for the family party. Presents were wrapped and Cake was set out.
Lilly wanted a Tinker Bell Cake. It was also my niece Becca's eleventh birthday that week.
So we were celebrating that as well.
Here are the birthday girls getting ready to blow out their candles.Lilly enjoying her cake and ice cream. She is a card.
She had that green frosting on her face the whole night.
Opening Presents. Lilly, Becca and MaggieItsy watching
Happy Olivia
Becca Opening her present from us.Lilly opening her present from Steve and family.Kunka enjoying HER cake and ice cream
An unhappy Dylan
Gracie watching the opening of gifts.
Bayley
Abby
Ash-a-lee (that is how my girls say it) holding Olivia
Emily..Nice messy high chair pad...what a terrible mother I am..=)
Gross!Okay, can we say, like mother like daughter.
Mommy and Lilly's hair are the same color in this picture.
Parker coming in from out side to watch the gift openings.Olivia, Dylan and Tam playing with Clyde in his kennel
Emily checking out the excitment
Lilly opening her gift from Daddy.
YES, that is a Monster Truck.
(i know my poor sweet husband wants a boy so bad.) She loved it.
Here is Lilly trying to get to Grandma to say thank you. she is yelling, "GRANDMA!!!!"Joey and Blake.
Becca, Happy Birthday!!
After every one went home and the Cowboys beat the Eagles, I got Lilly settle in bed so she could fall asleep.
She was so tired.
But she wanted her back pack and blanket grandma got her and her new baby Kathy got her so she can go to sleep.
And that is just what she did.Happy Birthday Sweet Lilly bugga. I love you so much.

**side note: we have been trying to get Lilly fully potty trained. And for the first time she wore panties all day. She did really well. She says that pull ups are for babies and she is three and not a baby any more. Happy day.**