Christmas Day

Kasyn asked for "dress up" for Christmas and right now she is really in to Disney princesses. Santa did good... she has played dress up everyday since Christmas.

Doesn't Teig look excited to be there. It wasn't until he was told that he could actually open the presents that his excitement changed.

The kids and Jason are coming downstairs on Christmas morning to see what Santa left for them around the Christmas tree.

See now Teig is happy. We had a such a great Christmas this year and even though we missed out on Christmas in Utah with our families, we were lucky enough to have Jason there this year with us. He was able to take off five days for Christmas. If having him home with us for Christmas isn't a great gift, then I don't know what is.

Teig got some dress up things for Christmas too. He also got some pirate dress up, eye patch and all.

New Christmas Eve Traditions

For Christmas Eve this year, we were fortunate to have the missionaries over for dinner. I made Lasagna, Salad and Garlic Bread like we do every year. In keeping with Jason's mom making this for their family every year on Christmas Eve. After dinner, Elder Decker read from the bible of Jesus' birth and the manger. I used my Nativity set and while he read I showed the kids Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds (wise men) and of course baby Jesus. I think it was easier for them to envision it that way. We also talked to them about giving and receiving gifts on Christmas in honor of Christ's birth and of how baby Jesus was brought gifts of all kinds when he was born. After the missionaries left, we gave the kids a bath and when they were in their pj's, I played them Christmas music on my flute. Then I made hot chocolate and while we drank our hot chocolate, Jason read The Nutcracker and T'was the Night Before Christmas. Both pop-up books that the kids got for Christmas a couple of years ago. It was so nice being with our little family and coming up with a few new ways to celebrate Christmas Eve. Hopefully next year we will be able to do the same.

Santa at the Zoo

For Christmastime the last two years, we have been going and seeing the lights at the zoo. They put a light show on over a pond to the music of the Nutcracker. It is magnificent. The lights are beautiful and the kids seem to really get in to it. This was the first year since Teig was a baby that he got to sit on Santa's lap and as you can see...it didn't go that well. But Kasyn really seemed to like him. The only thing that Kasyn asked for this year was a talking doll house and Little Mermaid II, but by the time that Santa made it to our house he ran out of the doll house. Christmas morning she said that she would wait until next year and that he could just bring it to her then. I'm grateful that she took the loss of not having the house so well, she was happy to see that he had got her the movie.

Changing Colored Christmas Lights

Teig thought that this was hilarious to watch the colors change on this tree. (Sorry the video is sideways.)

Is It Christmas Yet?

Every morning when Kasyn comes in to my room to wake me up, the first thing she asks me is if it's Christmas yet? I have to tell her no and then she asks me how many days are there until Christmas? I feel like we are on a really long drive in the car and she keeps saying, "Are we there yet?" Over and over and over. The other day I decided to place some presents that I had wrapped under the tree from the night before and when she came down the stairs and saw the presents, she immediately asked if Santa had come early because Christmas is still in eight days. I felt bad getting her hopes up. But hopefully it will give her something to look forward to.

One Tree Down, 14 To Go!

I don't know how many times I have complained since we bought our house about the amount of trees that we have. This was just one of three piles of leaves that I raked up from only one tree. We have 15 trees on our property. It used to be 22, but one was diseased and the other six were still small enough, I was able to find other homes for them. I still feel like we are doing our share to add oxygen to the earth with the 15 that I kept.

Jason's Favorite Past, Present and Future Time!

Jason is teaching the kids how to kick the ball in to the goal.

Jason is getting his shin guards, socks and shoes on before the game.

Yea, we're winning. Thank goodness because it would have been a long drive home hearing about what went wrong.

Jason has played soccer since he was four. Ever since then, I don't think that there has been a season that has gone by that he has not played. Yes there are times that I think, it would be so nice if he could spend some time with us. But I am grateful that he has this as an outlet and he only plays once a week. Ever since we've had the kids, I have been curious to see if they will follow in his footsteps.

Road Trip to Michigan!

Teig and Kasyn are taking over poor Dukes doggy bed.

This has to be the biggest tire I have ever seen. It had to have easily been a few stories tall. Look at how little the cars look next to it.

I told Jason that we could never move to Michigan, because of 8 Mile. I got the idea in my head that all of Michigan was like 8 mile and have been nervous of living there ever since.

This is probably the last time that we will get to see Summer in a really long time. As of today, she moved back to Texas so that Brent could set up his practice. On the plus side she's only an hour from her family. That sounds nice right now as it gets closer to the holidays. Good luck Brent, Summer, Grace & Duke!

This is Grace. She is definitely an infectious child. She was so good the whole time while me and the kids were visiting them in Michigan. Once she looks at you in your eyes, she takes her hand and puts it on your cheek, like she is looking into your soul. It kind of reminds me of Renesme (sorry for the Twilight/Breaking Dawn comment), but it is the best way to describe it. It was our first time meeting her. I am so happy that she is a part of Brent and Summers lives, she's perfect for them and their family.

T Minus Twilight

I have been so excited to see this movie ever since I read the book. Though I didn't think that it could ever measure up to the book, I still wanted to see if the way I had pictured some of the things in my head were the same as what was in the movie. I think the only similar concept was her truck. Other than that every thing was different than what my mind perceived. Still go see it if you haven't. I thought that it was worth the sleep deprivation I suffered the few days following the movie.

I remember when I was in college, my roommates and I would go see the first showing of every Harry Potter that had come out. I am hoping that I can do the same with the Twilight series. There was a BIG group of us from church that all decided to go since it was the midnight showing and the dads could be sleeping the same time as the kids. I think we filled up about one and a half rows in the movie theather.

The Cardinal is the State Bird

Hidden in this picture are two cardinals sitting on the fence. There were three at first and by the time I took the picture, the first one flew away. It is really facsinating how brilliant these birds were. I had no idea that they flew together in groups like that. They were all chasing/flying around each other(at least I hope that is what they were doing). I wonder when they will fly south.

On a Hike!

My nephew said that he wanted to go to the same place that I took my other sister and nephew when they came and visited us over the summer. So I thought that it would be nice to get out while there was still fall colored leaves on the the trees. This is Teig interpreting a gang sign to go along with the tagging that was left on the fence next to him.

I Miss You Guys!

My family came to visit us at the end of October and beginning of November. It was so great to have them here with us. Kasyn and Teig both get really excited when my mom and dad and sister call now and they can talk to them on the phone and know who they are talking to. I guess the one time a year that we make it back home and the one time a year that they come and visit makes it hard to put a face with a person you talk to on the phone. Thank goodness for pictures so my kids can remember their family. We had such a great time while they were here and sorry that they had to leave us.

Starsky vs. shop teacher

The day after Halloween, Jason and I had to go to a costume party for a girl that he works with. It was nice because my parents and my sister and her son were in town to stay with the kids after we put them to bed. My sister told Jason that he reminded her of her old shop teacher from Junior High. When we got to the party, he got some mixed reviews of Starsky or the old shop teacher from Junior High. I think that it is debatable. But I thought that the weeks worth of no shaving helped make his costume all the more better. On a side note, I am very grateful that he doesn't have facial hair year round. He said that all week long he was ready to scratch his face off it was bothering him so much. So retro!

The Robot and the Dinosaur

For Halloween Kasyn decided that she wanted to be a Robot. There is a show on Nickolodeon called "Yo Gabba Gabba" and there is a robot named Plex who she thinks is really cool. I'm glad that Teig is still young enough that I can get away with choosing his costume for him. We had a trunk or treat at our church two days before Halloween and Kasyn ended up winning the most creative costume award. All of mine and Jason's work figuring out how to make a robot costume finally paid off. She looked really good. I used dryer pipe for her arms and legs and tissue boxes that I spray painted for feet and a brown grocery bag that I spray painted for her torso and put antenna on the top of her head. It turned out really well. I wish that I would have remembered to take a picture of the full costume. Oh well, maybe someday Teig will want to be a Robot since we already have the costume.

Primary Program

Kasyn has been working really hard on her part in the primary program at church. Right before the program began, I told her that because we were sitting in the back of the congregation that she would have to talk really loudly into the microphone so that I could hear her from the back of the room. So when it was her turn she got up on the stool where the podium is and I knew it was her because even though she was too short to see over the podium I heard her belt out, "The holy ghost reminds me to repent and live righteously." I was so incredibly proud of her. This is a clip of her practicing her line.

Pumpkin Face

So I ended up breaking out the trick-or-treat pumpkins and Kasyn thought that she was being tricky by covering her face with it. She said she was a "pumpkin face". That's my girl!

Reading and Writing

I know that its kind of hard to see but this is Kasyn learning how to write her lower case letters. For about a month now, I have been teaching Kasyn to read. She has seemed to show an interest in it since she began figuring out what sounds each letter makes. I think that she has caught on really quickly and I like that the book I am using also teaches writing and reading comprehension. I only spend about 15-20 minutes a day with her and she loves it. Every time I get excited over her reading a word, she beams. Its been nice having something that she and I can do together while Teig is napping.

We Go For The Free Toothbrush

This is Kasyn's second visit to the dentist. I forgot my camera the first time (I felt horrible). She does so well. She really likes going and does a great job with doing whatever they ask her to do. She loves the toothbrush at the end of her visit. It's almost like a trophy to her. Every day she brushes her teeth she lets me know that her toothbrush came from the dentist. Whatever happened to the treasure trunk tooth filled with cheap toys that you would get after the visit? Now that's what I always looked forward to.

Columbus 7, Chicago 1

Jason called me while he was at work and asked me if I could call and find a babysitter to watch our kids. The doctor that he is working with has season tickets to the Blue Jackets and couldn't use them that day and gave them to Jason for free. We ended up 7 rows from the rink. The best part was when they scored 4 goals in five minutes into the goal that we were sitting in front of. It was really cool, plus it was the first NHL game we had ever been to. I really like this sport (just not for my children to play). Way too many fights for me. Oh yeah, Jason had just got off from being on-call that day too, in case he is looking tired. Thanks for watching the kids KP. It had to be our best date in a long time.

CEC's

So apparently my kids now think that every birthday that they have, we get to go to Chuck E. Cheese's. I remember after Kasyn's birthday at the old "CEC's" she told me that we were going to go there for Teig's birthday. They love it there so much that the night before his birthday Kasyn was too excited to sleep. So by the time we got there she didn't have much energy to burn. Ahhhh, to be young again and get too excited that you have a hard time sleeping.

Who am I...Mommy or Mom???

So I just want this on record before this goes on for much longer, but I want to know what ever happened to Mommy and Daddy? I know I didn't go anywhere, but yet Kasyn has changed our names and so now we are just mom and dad. "Hey mom..." "Hey dad..." Do most four year olds call their parents this? I feel like she is swearing at me. It's like I'm not young enough and she's too old to call me mommy still. I have asked her to wait at least until she is five to make my transition to the new name easier and it just isn't happening. Is there some paperwork that I need to fill out to have this legalized...what am I missing? To make matters worse, Teig is starting to change his verbage as well. I would really like to know where she learned these so called "names" from.

Teig turns 2!

My little angel baby, I guess boy is a better word to describe him now. I am going to miss everything about him being a baby. I'm definitely not looking forward to seeing what kind of trouble he will get in (especially if he's anything like his dad). I have so much love for this little guy. It was such a big surprise when I found out that I was pregnant, not what I expected. I am so grateful that he is in my life. He makes the days easier to get through. Especially when we don't get to see daddy. He is such an amazing little guy, I wish that everybody could have such a great and easy child like he has turned out to be. I mean it, too. You can ask anyone who has watched my kids and they will tell you how easy they are. I thank the lord everyday that I have them in my life. Having my kids has been the best thing that ever happened to me (besides Jason). I look forward to waking up everyday, just so that I can see what I missed out on while they were sleeping. Happy Birthday Teigers!

Cafe' Rios Sweet Pork Salad

I made that! I love all of the different colors all over my plate. There is a restaurant in Utah that makes these amazing salads. If you live outside of Utah, it would be the equivalent of Chipotle', but in my opinion better. Minus the romaine lettuce, I made everything else on the plate. I made the sweet pork in my crockpot, I made the guacamole, pico de gallo, tomatilla salad dressing and the tortilla strips that are on top. I even made Cilantro-Lime rice and black beans. I invited my neighbors across the street over for the feast and still had enough left overs for two more days. I went to a church cooking activity and learned how to make it. I am sharing the recipes because it was easy to do and amazing.

Sweet Pulled Pork
3 lbs pork roast 7-8 oz. pineapple salsa (half the jar, I found it in the salsa isle of store)
1 C. brown sugar 6 oz. of Dr. Pepper or Coke (not diet)

Put pork roast in crockpot on high and fill crockpot half full of water. Cook for 3-4 hours. Remove all but 1/2 inch water in bottom of crockpot and cut roast in thirds. Add the remaining three ingredients and cook for 1-2 more hours. Shred the roast using two forks and heat for an additional 20-30 minutes.

Tomatilla-Cilantro Dressing
1 packet buttermilk ranch 1-2 tomatillas
1 C. buttermilk 1 clove garlic
1 C. Mayo 1 jalepeno with no seeds
1/2 bunch cilantro (optional) 1/2 t. lime juice

Blend in blender until creamy.

If you would like any other recipes for this, just let me know. Enjoy! Ole'!

All Aboard!

Ever since school started this year, Kasyn keeps telling me that she wants to ride the bus. So any time Teig gets on his Pooh Bear Train, she tells me that her bus is here to take her to school and climbs on the back behind Teig and off they go.

Diaper Hopscotch

Kasyn found my diaper stash of Teig's and told me she wanted to use them to play hopscotch. I had no idea what she was talking about and so I decided I would see what she would do. She alternated every other diaper, two diapers, then one, then two, then one and so on. Then she just started jumping on them. Teig has now learned the correct way to do it (according to Kasyn). She's so creative.

Puppy Love

No, these are not our dogs. My neighbor has three Chihuahuas and our children absolutely adore them. In fact, on a daily basis Kasyn will ask me if we can get a dog. My response to her is, "how old do you have to be before we can get a dog?" and she says, "seven." I say "are you seven yet?" She says "no" and then life goes on for that day. My neighbor has given us dog treats so that my kids can feed them through the hole in our fence between houses. So any time they hear the dogs barking, they run and ask me if they can have a treat to give to them. The little black one is named Chloe. Any time Teig hears them barking he runs to the hole in the fence and yells, "Chwoee". They still need practice and help when they try and hold them.