The last 2 Santa encounters have gone like this....

Year 1 (2008)

Year 2 (2009)

Do you think we will have a better time this year?  

You know what makes me happy?

• It is November 5th and this weekend I will finish up my Christmas shopping except for 1 thing (just waiting for a better deal to come).  I am so excited to enjoy the holiday season with no stress of buying gifts!
  
• Alyssa, Justin and Ezra come to see us 1 week from tomorrow!
• Finals are next week for Mike and then he will have a few days off and then go back for 4 days and then get another week off.
• I got 10 hours of sleep last night.
• I found 2 dresses at Target yesterday for $4.50 each.
• I am going to have another niece born at the end of April.
• I have so many great friends who I love to pieces.
• Our lives are about as busy as can be right now but we are happier than we have ever been and feel a million blessings surrounding us!

Part 2 of my projects

The past few weeks ha ve been CRAZY for me.  Mostly because I fill my limited free time to doing huge projects while Mike is at school.  It isn't very easy when I have two little boys around but we made it work.  

I decided to move Emerson and Madden into the same room.  I spent a lot of time re-organizing toys and cleaning.  I painted the room and hung all the decorations.  I love their room now.  It has turned into one of my favorite rooms in the house.

I also painted another bedroom, the backsplash in the kitchen and the alcoves in the house.  I am so glad to be putting the house back together:)

St. George

The first weekend in October we headed up to St. George to spend the weekend with my family.

We were all able to go except for Rob and Rocio:(  We missed them tons!

Cute little EZ was so much fun.  He was so fascinated with Emerson and Madden.  He wanted to be involved in anything they were doing with Ryan.  He was also my buddy.  We had lots of fun playing together (I think I am his fav:)

Madden loved Katelyn.  He kept giving her kisses and always made sure her binky was going in her mouth (even when she didn't need it) it was really sweet!

I love this picture of Madden and Boppa.  These kids love their boppa!  They are always so excited to see him.  Emerson loves going on rides in Boppa's fast car.

I got to spend lots of time holding our sweet Katelyn.  She is the first girl niece we have.  She is a sweet little thing!

Saturday night we got to go to a very long dinner with my grandma, aunt kim, meg and aunt Jackie.  We went to Texas Roadhouse and had to wait for 2 hours to get a table and then had horrible service and didn't get to sit next to eachother!  It wasn't the best but at least we got to see all of them.  

A lot of the trip was spent with the boys playing XBOX.

Me & Katelyn

Justin passing the football:)

uncle ry and his boys!  these kids are sure lucky to have such a cool uncle!

Ryan and all the grandkids....so far!  The kids weren't thrilled but at least we got some pictures:)

The best part of the trip was just lounging around and watching these kids play together.  

Halloween Projects

This week has been a week of projects for me.  I started out doing my halloween decorations....

My friend showed me a blog that had a bunch of cute ideas so I copied a few of them.  The subway art I just printed from my computer.  I got the bird and cage for $2.  The frame for the subway art was also $2.

I got the Happy Halloween sign from Tai Pan last week for $3 and the crate the jars are sitting in for $1.50 at Michaels.  

I painted the boxes and the pumpkins and the black pot, added some moss and a halloween net runner for a grand total of $19!  I already had the candy jars and the other supplies so it made it so cheap!

Now, I am working on moving the boys into the same room, making a guest room and doing more painting.  I love getting cleaned up and organized, it is so much fun!  

Beego

I finally broke down and let the boys get a pet.....

Meet Beego (Emerson named him, don't ask what that name means.  We have no idea).

Some cute kids in our ward caught him for us in their house.  Emerson and Madden love him.  When they wake up in the morning they go and check on Beego.  He doesn't come out of his cage but I guess it is just fun for them to look at and I don't have to do a thing:)

Big Boy!

Emerson started pre-school last month.  I can't believe he is old enough to be going.  Yes, he is only 3 but he is more than ready to go!

He was so excited to put his backpack on and is always telling me to hurry so we "don't be late to my school."  

As soon as I dropped him off he just jumped out of the car and started walking in.  His teacher, Mrs Moss, had to tell him to say bye to his mom.  I am so glad that he loves it and is having fun but I kinda wish he would miss me....just a little, he is my first!  His teacher loves him and it sounds like he is a good boy at school, lets hope it stays that way:)

Madden gets sad almost every time we have to drop Emerson off for school.  I think he does like mommy all to himself but still misses his pal!

Mike keeps telling me we need to have just one more kid so we can get it over with and  be done.  I feel completely opposite.  These boy are demanding and they cry and whine a lot but I still love the stages they are in.  I am laughing everyday at the things they say and do and I would love to extend this difficult phase of life for a couple more years!  I don't want to just "get it over with."  I want to try and enjoy these moments as much as possible.  I know they will be gone sooner than I know it!

A few reasons to miss utah

Mike was lucky enough to have a short break at the end of August so we took advantage and went back home to visit.  

Before we moved to AZ, Emerson loved mowing the lawn with Boppa.  He got to do it a couple times while we were there, I am pretty sure Boppa loves it more than Emers:)  It is special time for the 2 of them!

I miss green, lush plants and trees.  This is my parents backyard and I miss all the fun we have out here.  Not only is it BEAUTIFUL, it is fun!

Baby Katelyn and Boppa.  Katelyn was born at the beginning of August, she is our first niece so we had to go see her!

Me and Katelyn.  I loved holding her and the boys loved kissing her.  She is a cutie!

Madden and Ezra.  They were so cute together.  Madden liked to feed EZ anything he was eating.  Right here he was feeding him an apple.  I think Ezra liked having him around....until Madden started getting possessive of toys Ezra would play with.  I can't wait for Christmas with these kiddos.  It will be so fun!

The last highlight of our trip was going to get Mani/Pedi's & lunch with my mom and sisters.  I love those girls so much and can't wait till we do it again.  The best part was how much my mom loved and enjoyed her very first pedicure!!

SKYPE

Dear Skype,

Thank you for making it so I can play peek-a-boo with my nephew Ezra, for allowing my kids to know their extended family and for me being able to hang out with my family at any time even though we are more than 600 miles apart.

My life is so much better with you! I LOVE YOU SKYPE!

Buster is 3!

Emerson had a very special birthday this year.  Nana, Boppa and Ry flew in to Phoenix the night before his birthday.  Here are a few of the highlights from his birthday:

Emerson waiting to blow out the candles

The buzz cake was such a pain.  The first time we made the cake it fell apart coming out.  I should have just ran to the store and bought a cake but I was determined so we started over.  The cake was ready for us to start decorating 5 min before the party started.  This left my mom and dad to finish the cake.  They had hardly any time and they did a great job.  

Emerson opening presents

The kids made pirate hats, eyepatches and swords.

The kids with their pirate gear

We went to dinner with my family after the party.

It was such a fun birthday and emers felt so loved by his cute friends and family!

Now for my "sappy" part.....I love this little boy so much.  Mike and I can listen to him for hours.  He says so many funny and innocent things.  Our world would be so different without him.  We feel so blessed to have him in our family.  Emerson has always felt a little older to me than he actually is but for some reason as soon as he "turned 3" I got a little sad.  I can't believe how big he is getting.  He started soccer and is starting preschool tomorrow.  I thought about keeping him at home with me to postpone the school thing but he is ready and wants to go, so in a small way I need to let go a little and let him have fun and feel like a "big boy."   I can already tell that I am going to have a major meltdown when he starts kindergarten.  Good thing I have a couple years to prepare:)  

Happy birthday buster boy.  Your family loves you so much!

the 4th

The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays.  We always have lots of fun with our family.  We usually go to a parade, have a fun bbq and swim at aunt Melinda's and watch fireworks.  So, I was a little sad that going back to Utah was a little too far for such a short break so we decided to drive 5 hours west to LA.  Even though I really missed my family, we had a great time!

Madden loved eating sand and anything in the sand:)

Emerson was in heaven at the beach!

We got a kick out of Mr. Patriotic who kept walking up and down the beach, it was pretty funny.

My boys on the boardwalk at Santa Monica Beach

A fun thing we did (that I had never done before) was go to the Griffith Observatory.  It is such a cool place.  This is us up there.  It has the most amazing view of the city.  It is located on the top of the hill with parks all around.

Mike especially loved this place, inside it has a bunch of science exhibits, all about space and planets and stars.  He could have stayed for hours but the rest of us would have been a little bored.  

From the Griffith Observatory there are hiking trails all over.  Emerson was so excited to go hiking.  

Mike stayed with Madden under a tree for shade (the poor kid had a little sunburn from the beach) so Emerson wanted to take a picture of me.  I think he did a pretty good job for a kid who is still 2!

Mike and I have always wanted to watch fireworks on the beach so we parked far away and made the trek down.  This is my boys in Marina Del Rey, such a cool place!

Madden and Mike on the beach, it was a little cold!

Emerson ran miles that night.  This is him doing "his dance" on the beach.  It looks like breakdancing. It is adorable!

Overall it was such a nice trip.  It was nice to get away from the horrible heat and spend some good time with the boys I love most!

half way done

Mike has been in his 3rd year of dental school for about a month now.  Yesterday was the first day he got to start seeing patients.  His first "screening" patient came in and wants a total cosmetic procedure.  Not only does he have to make the teeth functional, he has to make them look good!  Today is his first day doing actual work on someone.  He will be doing fillings on a 94 year old man.  He is just hoping to get him out alive:)  I am sure he will do great!

I am so excited that we are halfway done and can't believe it either.  It is crazy how fast it has gone by.  I am so proud of Mike for being so committed in school and at home.  Somehow he has been so good at finding a balance between everything and we love him for it!  

Now we are gearing up for a great weekend ... ready to hit California for the 4th of July.  I can't wait to be in the 70 and 80 degree weather instead of the 110 weather!  It will be so refreshing!

Park City

Mike & I have never really had a "getaway" since we started having kids.  We really needed a break so we asked my parents to watch the kids one of the nights we were in Utah so we could stay in Park City.  We ended up staying at the Waldorf Astoria.  It was the most beautiful, relaxing hotel I have ever stayed at and I have stayed at some nice ones.  

Mike and I on Main Street

The amazing hotel lobby (my dad built that staircase)

Mike in our room

I had to take a picture of the carpet because I loved it so much!  

From the second we pulled in we were treated so well.  My dad was nice enough to let us take is sports car so we could feel like we belonged (even though we know we don't:).  We didn't even understand how the valet worked:)  The entire hotel smelled so wonderful.  The sidewalks were heated out to the pool.  There were a few outdoor fireplaces with huge plush blankets in each room to use by the fire.  I have gotta say that I have never been to a hotel where you sit down on big leather chairs to check into your room.  The environment was so relaxing and peaceful, I felt like I was at a spa the entire time I was there.

We had a great time and can't wait to do it again.  I think this might be a thing to look forward to every year!

playing catch-up

We have had lots of fun things going on lately.  Here is the bunch of random things we have been up to.

We have been painting.... above is emerson's room (partially done)

Here is my room, the color is shocking but I love it.  It is so bright and fun to look at.

We had party #3 for Madden.  We had a fun combined party for Madden and his friend Corbin.  They are only a few weeks apart.  It was a breakfast at the park with many of our great friends. We feel so lucky to know so many awesome people!

Here is Madden with his cute little friend Avie Jo.  She is adorable and only 6 weeks older than Madden.  He loves her, they are so cute playing together!

I have been working on endless school projects that are completely time consuming

Emers went on his first father and sons camping trip last weekend.  He was so excited to go sleep in a tent and roast marshmallows.  I was sad they left but Madden and I had a great night out with the girls!

Emers and his pal Easton at the campout.

Sitting by the fire.... 

Our last adventure was last night.  I went onto the porch to water some plants, I looked over the railing and saw a fresh dirt pile with a hole in the middle.  It freaked me out so I ran in the house to get mike.  He gets really close and tells me he thinks it's a rat because he thought he saw wiskers.  I HATE HATE HATE rodents, bugs or any creepy thing!  I ran in the house and watched from the porch and googled what it could be...

We found out it was a pocket gopher, they dig a hole and make tunnels underneath the ground, going to your plants and killing them by eating the roots.  I was wondering why our palm was dying....  After looking online we thought flushing it out was the best idea so Mike got the hose and started the water.  After only a minute or so the gopher came running out.  He is the little guy in the corner of the rocks and driveway.  We scared him off into the neighbors yard:) Hopefully he leaves us alone now!

Now we take off for 2 weeks of fun in Utah!