Pictures With Santa

Santa Claus made a surprise visit to our office xmas party! It was great. All the kids got a picture taken with Santa (and, of course, I had to join in!) Nick was very tentative and only got close to Santa in order to get a candy cane. Alex was all smiles and more than willing to give Santa his list of items he wanted for xmas. Those of you who know Ryan well enough will appreciate that he actually sat on Santa's lap and spoke to him. It was a lot of fun!

A Winter Wonderland.

Our backyard transformed itself into a winterwonderland over the past few days. The boys were all very excited to wake up to snow on Sunday morning. Nick was fascinated and a little nervous at first when we first ventured outside. Ryan & Alex have spent a lot of time outside enjoying the holiday weather. I love the snow. It makes everything seem more christmas-like. I was watching the boys play outside and it totally reminded me of my own childhood as Ryan shoved snow down Alex's neck and Alex then chased Ryan around trying to tackle him to shove his face into the snow. Ahhh! The fun of being a kid!

Our Very Own Cub Scout!

One of the reasons that Ryan was looking forward to turning eight was joining cub scouts. He went to his first meeting two weeks ago and had a pretty good time. They were making Christmas crafts and he made some really cool things (an ornament and a wreath). At first he was a little nervous about making the wreath because you had to use a glue gun - all by yourself - but he did it and his crafts turned out great. The following week was their Christmas party. They had a cookie exchange and a small $1.00 gift exchange. He came home with lots of treats to share with his family.

TV Time

Sometimes, as a mom, you just have to keep your kid entertained while trying to get something else accomplished. This was my plan with Nick a few nights ago. He LOVES the move "Surf's Up" so I brought the little tv downstairs and he stayed glued to the tv (a few inches away from the screen) for about 20 minutes straight!

Ryan Gets Baptized!

On Saturday, Nov 29th, Ryan was able to be baptized by his grandpa in Kimberly. It was a great day. Very exciting. He had some of his very good friends that traveled many hours to be there to support him. We really appreciated that. Also, most of his aunts & uncles & cousins were there. We are very lucky to have such great family and friends. It was a special day for a special kid.

Happy Birthday Ryan!

Yesterday was Ryan's Birthday #8! I think he had a really great day. We had treats at school and went out to dinner for pizza. I had forgotten how exciting it was to play "heads-up-seven-up" as a 2nd grader. It is hard to believe that he is already eight-years-old. He sure has grown up to be a kind, fun, hard-working, loves playing, loves football, silly sense of humor, and loving kid. Life would just not be the same with out him. We are lucky to have him.

We love Aunt Kallee & Aunt Ashley!

My boys have the best aunts. They are fun, kind, loving, usually gift-bearing, and go out of their way to come and visit as much as possible. Thank you Kallee & Ashley. We love you guys!

Go Boise State Broncos!

Last Saturday, we all bundled up and headed out for the Boise State Football Game. True to themselves: Shawn went early, Ryan did not want to leave, Alex begged to leave after the first quarter and then counted down the minutes until half-time, and Nick clapped and cheered whenever the people around him clapped and cheered. It was a cold day, but luckily no rain drops fell. As for the forehead tattoos - Ryan wanted to wear a Bronco tattoo and he put it on his forehead. Once Nick saw that Ryan had that on his forehead, he also wanted one. He LOVES Ryan. Go Broncos!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! We had been anticipating Halloween for a long time for two reasons: 1) Mario & Luigi an d 2) Kallee & Ashley.

Kallee & Ashley flew in on Thursday night for a visit. The boys were so excited! I even let them wake up the aunts before we left for school on Friday morning. My mom & dad also took the day off from work and came up for the day on Friday. It was also Ashley's Birthday and we went out to lunch together before preparing for a fun night of trick-or-treating.

Ryan and Alex were super-excited because they were planning on dressing up as Mario & Luigi. This provided a bit of a challenge for me as their mom because I have always been of the thought that "buying is better". (that belief has been reinforced after the hectic days of trying to "make" a costume). However, their costumes turned out great. Kallee furnished the moustaches as the final touch. Nick was a traditional pumpkin and he loved his costume. He has worn it frequently around the house since we brought it home a few weeks ago. Being born on Halloween, Ashley couldn't resist the temptation to dress up and made a great she-devil. Once we were all dressed, we headed out around the neighboorhood. Nick lasted to the first house only. He got scared once a stranger opened the door, ran back down the driveway, and wanted to go home. Ryan & Alex trick-or-treated until their buckets were full and their feet were tired. It was a very fun Halloween night.

99 THINGS

99 Things

*Copy and paste this post into your blog. Then highlight the things that you have done and de-highlight the things that you haven't.*

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (side note: very embarrasing moment from college!)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Cute Curls

Couldn't resist sharing
a cute pic of Nick.

He is getting his hair
cut tonight!

Rockin' In The Morning!

No school this morning, so the boys asked if they could play Guitar Hero before we had to get ready for work. Ryan was the guitar player & Alex was the drummer. They picked to be their own "Mii s" and were rockin' away!

Alex Loses (Another) Tooth!

Alex lost another tooth! His top front tooth (although the space looks huge because he lost his side top tooth a few weeks ago). His tooth had been wiggly for a while and he refused to let anyone touch it. He wanted it to "just fall out" which is pretty much exactly what it did. He is definitely on his way to becoming the xmas spokesman for "all i want for christmas is my two front teeth!"

A Very Helpful Nick!

Nick loves to help unload the dishwasher. He also loves the broom, the duster, the little handvacuum. (I think he takes after me!!!!)

More Football Pics!

A few more football game pictures. Ryan got to act as "captain" at this game and participated in the coin toss. The game was in Horshoe Bend. It was perfect weather for a football game although there was a huge rain storm when we were driving back home. They had an announcer that gave the play-by-play action, so that was fun. We are nearly done - only 2 games left! Ryan has loved it and actually learned a lot. Also, a cute pic of Nick who loves all things football and will watch, clap, and cheer for Ryan.

Ryan O'Dell #25!

Ryan's team scored 3 touchdowns in the last game . . . . but they were all called back due to holding penalties. Oh well! He is having so much fun playing football.

Dinner time = Self-feeding time = a very messy face!

Alex's "Fabulous" Test Score!

Alex was so excited when he came home from school! He told me to look inside his backpack because he had a special award in there. He did have a certificate that said he was a "Super Student" for scoring a 100% on his first individual math test. He was so excited! He said that his teacher thought he did a "FABULOUS" job.

Dinner Entertainment

Ryan & Alex were entertaining Nick during dinner. Ryan was snorting like a pig, and Nick thought it was so funny! He was laughing and laughing. He also kept trying to imitate Ryan, which then entertained Alex & Ryan who burst into hysterical laughter! Sometimes, I just love my life!!!

The Dryer Entertains Nick!

Nick loves climbing. He will try to climb onto or into just about anything. Tonight, he spent approximately an hour climbing in and out of the dryer. He was having so much fun until Alex decided to try and shut the dryer door. Nick didn't really like the complete darkness - He screamed, climbed out, and did not climb back in again.

Ryan's New Obsession - Flag Football

Much to his delight, Ryan was finally old enough to play flag football. He is so excited. He LOVES football. He played in a short scrimmage game last Saturday. I took a few pictures. Notice how "excited" Alex looks about being there. Nick would clap anytime anyone cheered and Alex never looked up from his NintendoDS. Ryan did really well. He loves playing defense and does his best to "tackle" anyone who end up carrying the ball. Next Saturday his real football season starts, so guess what we will be doing every Saturday for the next few months?

1st Day of School - August 20, 2008

Ryan & Alex returned to school this morning! Wow! A 2nd Grader & a 1st Grader - I can't believe it. Both were nervous, but excited. We walked to school and Shawn dropped off Ryan while I went with Alex to his class. Ryan said he would look for Alex at recess to "check up on him". Alex asked me approximately ten times if I would please come back to eat lunch with him. It should be much quieter at home with just Nick to chase around since Ryan & Alex will both be in school all day! They are just growing up so fast. I think this is going to be a really great year though.

Bear Lake Summer 2008!

We were fortunate enough to take a family vacation to Bear Lake again this year! Kallee & Ashley were able to come with us, so it was double-the-fun. We had a really nice time. We hung out, went to the swimming pool every day, rented jet skis, and played in the sand near the lake. We ate famous raspberry milkshakes and took advantage of spending lots of time doing nothing. It was great! Here are a few pictures: