Another Tooth!

Yesterday, on Kaybree's Birthday, Kaybree lost ANOTHER tooth! This makes tooth number 6 this year! Hopefully they will slow down. At the rate they are falling out, I'm going to have to chew her food! Has anyone else lost teeth that fast?! Should I be worried?

Happy Birthday "LOVE BUG"

Today is Kaybree's 6th birthday! She is so excited! I am amazed at how much we love her, and the joy she is to our family. We love you lots "Love Bug" Hope you have a wonderful 6th birthday!

Merry Christmas!

I debated even posting this, but since this is my journal, I do want to have this written down. I published it not to pat ourselves on the back, but hopefully to inspire others.

Last night we were able to deliver presents to two families that are in need this Christmas season. My Mom and Dad are on an inner city mission and have been fortunate enough to meet some neat families. One of the families is from Africa. They actually lived in a refugee camp and were able to come to the US, this year. The family doesn't speak any English. The kids have been picking up English at school, then coming home and teaching their parents. My parents have been teaching them English on Sunday's too. Because of the language barrier, it has been hard for them to find work. They are beautiful people with beautiful hearts.

The second family is amazing, they are a family of ten! Eight kids! Not only do they have a huge family, they have taken in two other people, a 14 year old girl and an older lady. Making the new total 12!! They too are an amazing, humble family. They only asked for help with the two extra people that they have taken in, when they too could use some help this holiday season. My parents have been working hard to collect donations and gifts to make their Christmas wonderful!

Last year, I was able to use my bows as a means to serve. I had a bow party and used all of the profits to make dinners for a family. With the help of my family, we were able to make frozen dinners to last an entire month! The mother of this family had passed away a few months prior to Christmas. They were having a really difficult time juggling everything, life, and kids schedules. They had five kids. A 15 year old girl, 13 year old girl, 11 year old boy, 7 year old boy and 5 year old girl. The dad worked all day, leaving the two oldest girls to make dinner, clean the house, do laundry, help with homework, walk to and from dance lessons, and baseball (when in season) It was obvious they all were working overtime and just needed a break!

I think it is safe to say that it is tradition for our family to help out were we can. The first sub for Santa (that I can remember) was when I was 5. We collected money for my aunt and uncle. My uncle was diagnosed with a really rare disease. He and one other guy have it. They gave him only a few years to live. (He is actually still alive!) It was a really difficult time for them. My aunt knew how to do hair. In order for them to pay any bills she need to provide the income. The problem was that she didn't have a salon in the house, and she needed to stay home to help my uncle. The basement wasn't finished, but my cousins were sleeping down there anyway. I remember thinking it was so sad, they didn't have closet doors, or anything! Anyway, we (my parents) were able to collect enough money to finish their basement with a salon too! Not only that, they came up with lots of presents too!

I love Christmas time, and the spirit of Christmas! It is always amazing to me to see the amount of charity in others hearts. Please if you have any neat stories, please leave them. I love hearing what others have done.

Wishing you and your families a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Party at G-ma & G-pa's

Saturday night we had our Christmas party at my parents house. We had a blast. First we started off with Papa Murphy's pizza, then the kids decorated cupcakes. Then my mom gave the kids a present. She made pj's of coarse! They all looked so cute in their coordinating pj's! After pj's Santa came! My kids have a love/hate relationship with Santa. They love that he brings toys and know he is good, but they have never been too fond of anyone in costumes. Not even at Disneyland! Kaybree was brave and sat on his lap. I don't think she ever once cracked a smile though! Oakley wouldn't go up at all! Bryce eventually went up with her. By the end of the night they were okay to stand by Santa only for one picture! After Santa left, my parents had a pinata in the garage! (heated garage of coarse) It was a super fun night jam packed of super fun things!!! Thanks Mom and Dad!

Grandma and the girls in their cute pjs!
All the wild muchkins! Including Grandma and Grandpa!

The girls one picture with Santa!

Dance Recital!!!

Last Thursday, the girls had their dance recital. They did awesome. And, they actually knew their dances!!! They were both so cute up there shaking their booties! Gotta love these girls! Kaybree danced to "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree" and Oakley danced to "Lasso Santa Claus" Oakely's song is so funny. I had never heard it before this year. Here are some of the lyrics, if you haven't heard it before either:

I'm gonna lasso Santa Claus and the reason is because I know a girl and boy he never goes and sees, he never brings them toys like he does for me.

I'm gonna pop pop Santa Claus, with water pistol gun, squirt squirt, then I'll take his bag of toys and run and give'm to the kids who don't have none!

Oakley and Kaybree with their flowers!

Kaybree and her friend Makenna

Oakley and her little friends

Oakley's Preschool Program!

Last Thursday, Oakley had her little Preschool program. She was so dang cute, I could just eat her up! She sang songs, then had a little speaking part, " I is for icicles sparkling all day!" Too much fun! Oakley and Miss Angie

Her class

Oakley rockin' it!

Scary!

Yesterday I had quite the scare. I was carpooling all the neighbor kids home from school. The kids think that it is funny to climb over the seats and hide in the back of my Tahoe. When I got to the first house, the little neighbor friend was in the back. I pulled into the driveway, put the car in park, and decided to put the parking brake on. (I never put the parking brake on) I got out of the car, walked around to the back of the tahoe and opened the hatch. Payten climbed out, I closed the door and all of the sudden, my tahoe started to slide backwards down the driveway with us both behind it! I grabbed Payten's arm practically yanking it out of socket, and jumped out of the way! Seriously, it was so scary! It took me forever to calm down after that! Note to self, never pull into steep driveways!

I'm Soooo Crafty!! hahaha!!!

My friends,from my old ward, always get together and have a "girls night out" once a month... This year we decided to have a "girls night in" for Christmas. Last night all the girls came over to my house. We had a blast! We had dinner and just talked, laughed, and laughed some more! Usually at Christmas we exchange gifts, but this year we decided not to. Well being that I love Christmas soooo much, I just had to give gifts. I decided that I should make it as cheap as possible so they wouldn't feel bad. So, I made slippers for all of them! Yes, as you can see they are made of...

maxipads!

These slippers are:

*Soft and hygienic
*Non-slip grip strips on the soles
*Built in deodorant feature keeps feet smelling fresh
*No more bending over to mop up spills
*Disposable and biodegradable
*Environmentally safe

Let me know if you need a pair. I will gladly make you a pair too!
I actually got the idea from an email I received... If you need the email, let me know!

When It Rains It Poors!!

Bad luck happens in three's right??? Well I think we're done with our bad luck! (hopefully!)Within the last 30 days: my hair dryer died, the furnace died, and now my washing machine died!

I know the hair dryer isn't much, but it is when you are trying to get ready for church!

The furnace died while we were gone for my birthday. The girls had fallen asleep in the car. When we got home we immediately put them in their beds. Then I realized it was rather cold in our house... I called my dad he came right out! (even though it was almost midnight!) He told us what part had gone bad. The next day, we had to buy a new part, but $250 later we had the furnace up and running again!

Last night I was doing laundry. I filled the washing machine half full of water and was about to put my load in when all of the sudden water gushed out the bottom of the washer! My pants and socks were soaked! I called my dad, and he came to my rescue this morning! He took the washer apart, and a hose had come loose completely causing the whole tub of water to drain! He put a new clasp on it and it is as good as new! Thank heavens for my dad! I always described him as McGyver to everyone. He can fix anything!

Thanks Dad!

Skinny Me Jeans!!!

My sister Bryn, from New Orleans, will be in town next Monday for the rest of the year. She is going to be having a jean party next Monday! She has come up with this awesome product that she adds to your jeans! It is a band that she puts right into your jeans that makes you look

10 lbs thinner! It also holds in your love handles, keeps your jeans up, and hides your religion! You can either bring your own jeans or buy new jeans! Here are the details:

Monday, December 15th
6:00 to 9:oo P.M.
at Salon Hope

(863 East 12300 S. in Draper)

Not only will there be jeans, there will be jewelry, and coupons for salon services, and product! They will also be having give aways! Yeah!! Merry Christmas to us!!!

And Another One Bites The Dust!

Yep! That would be another tooth! This is tooth number 5!! That is three teeth gone in less than a week! I swear we feed her normal food! She is not eating rocks! They just all seem to want to come out at the same time! Again, she made it quite clear that she does NOT want teeth for Christmas! hahaha!

FHE!!!

Last night for Family Home Evening, the girls made their own Christmas count down! They had so much fun doing it I thought I should probably take a picture and post about it!

New Year's Resolutions!!!

I thought I'd jump start my New Year's Resolutions now! I actually joined a near by gym about 3-4 weeks ago. Upon joining they offer a free session with a personal trainer... Well, let me just say I hate that guy! First of all he takes me around the gym showing me the equipment, then shows me a few moves. Then he asked me to get on the scale. He looked at my weight, then at me and said, "You need to lose 10 to 12 pounds." Now I'm not a rocket scientist, but these days, don't they take more into consideration than just weight? Don't they measure your height, your body fat...stuff like that before they tell you how much weight you should loose? So after he tells me that I need to lose the weight, he tells me I can train with him 12 sessions for "$380 and that's a smokin' deal!" I just started laughing!

My whole intention of joining the gym was to keep off the Holiday pounds, and lose maybe 5 lbs!

Oh, and for the record...If I lost 10-12 lbs...I would weigh less than I did when I graduated from high school, and less than when I got married! The BIG jerk! :)

Dancing at Festival!!

Tonight the girls had their little dance performance at the Festival of Trees! They did such a great job! It was so fun to see both of them up there this time! This is Oakley's first year in dance and she really did a good job! They both lit up the stage! Little cuties! Kaybree danced to "Rockin' around the Christmas Tree" and Oakley danced to "I'm gonna Lasso Santa Clause" (I had never heard that song before, but it is WAY funny! I'll try to get it on my blog somehow!)

All I Want For Christmas...

are my two front teeth!!!!

Today Kaybree went to the Dentist! He removed both of her front teeth!! About three weeks ago, Kaybree and Oakley were playing puppies. Kaybree put a toy leash in her mouth and Oakley yanked! One of Kaybree's front teeth almost came out, but not quite. I've been trying to wiggle it out every night...but no dice. Today, we finally went in to see our neighbor dentist, Cory. (whom we absolutely love) He put laughing gas on her, then the topical, then gave her a shot. She has no idea she even had a shot! I'm not telling her otherwise either! Cory decided to take both front teeth since they were both a little loose! Anyway, her she is our little toothless wonder!

Afterward, I started singing "All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth" She looked at me totally bewildered, and said, "Mom, I don't want teeth for Christmas!"

Letters to Santa!!! (ADULTS ONLY)

Last night we made our letters to Santa! This year we are doing things a little different. We are only asking Santa for one thing. We decided that Santa would have more room in his sleigh for toys for other kids that don't have many toys. My reasoning behind this is....Santa gets too much credit!! This year my girls have been rough with their toys. I told Kaybree one time, she couldn't shove rocks down her "Baby Alive's" throat, I told her those were expensive dolls. She looked at me and said you didn't buy them, Santa did! (ugh!) Those dolls went in the garbage shortly after! Anyway, I figure that if I buy things, I have more control over how they are treated! What is the rule at your house?!

Call Me CRAZY!!!

It's okay, you can call me crazy! I just repainted my red wall red! The first color in the picture is the old red.... the second color is what I just changed it to!!! The first red was just too brown! I have a brown kitchen table and I felt like it just blended into the wall. It's been bugging me for a while now. And now that my Christmas decorations are up....well....it REALLY bugged me!!! I took a before and after picture, but it looked exactly the same! hahahaha!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I know I'm a little late, but I still wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. This year we spent the day at Bryce's parents house. I was in charge of fruit salad, a cherry pie, and turkey cupcakes. My girls don't like pie so I thought I would make these cupcakes I saw in a magazine! hahaha! Hope you all had a good one!!!

Kaybree our cute Pilgrim!!!

Oakley our little turkey!!!

Here it is!!!

Here is the picture of me getting Kaybree's glasses out of Gardner Villages POND! I thought we had more pictures...but no, this is the only one. Anyway, in the picture I am still in the pond. You can't see me feet, but I promise, they're in there!!! EEEEWWWWW!!!!