Subaru story.

I was turning left into my subdivision from a busy street.

No cars coming, I was taking it nice and slow since the roads were a snowy mess.

I was in the car with Tyler and his cousin Isaac, headed to our house to shovel the walks so Darren wouldn't have too. (I had been at my parents all day having fun with family)

The car started to slide and I got nervous and pushed on the brakes. It obviously kept sliding and so I slammed on the brakes harder. I should have let of the brakes but was just so worried about slamming into the pile of rocks right in front of my car.

Well, I hit the pile of rocks that were piled like a ramp on these peoples lawn. I am sure they put the rocks there because I bet this same thing happens many times and if the rocks hadn't been piled there I would been way up on their lawn, which was very close to their house.

I got out - had to jump down out of my car since my front wheels were now dangling off the front of the rocks.

Kids were fine, I had a bit of a sore neck and back from being tense but we were going so slow we were all fine.

Getting towed off the pile of rocks and getting on top of the rocks in the first place did a big number to my front bumper and the underside of my car.

so I am car-less and just fine!

Christmas Part I

Some family was here for Christmas and some family wasn't but we sure had fun.

We wanted to go sledding so we headed to the park by my parents. This is Jennys baby Grace and Ella on the sled.

We found a little hill

Uncle Ben headed to the park after us. and as he walked he was playing with a snowball in his hand... we took it as an assault and prepared to fire!

Which then turned into a great snowball fight!

I hid in the tunnel for a bit
But I was found.

Ella, Tyler and cousin Isaac had a great time

But got worn out on the walk home.

Christmas Part II

We were able to spend Wed night all together. We went downtown. Rode the train for a bit. Ate a nice dinner at The Garden. I was so proud of my self ... I had thought to take some stickers, and books for the kids to play with while we were waiting for dinner and that made such a difference. I enjoyed it vs. stressing over kids being crazy bored!

Darren and Uncle Rob helped out so much. Wish I could have gotten the picture to take better but I am still learning. Temple square was swarming with people so this was so helpful to not worry about a kid getting away.
We went to Logan Thursday morning. Aunt Ranell played a bit of a joke on my inlaws - bringing home a 4 week old pug and saying surprise. (she was actually just babysitting but she got some pretty good reactions!)

I am grateful the little pup survived the weekend with Ella. She carried it everywhere, followed everywhere, and made us be quiet when he was in his kennel sleeping.
We missed Jason, Whit and Jackson in Florida but were sure glad to have other family there.
He was a cute puppy, for a pug anyway!
Ella giving hugs!
Santa came.
Pat got Corie's new baby a onesie that says. I just finished 9 months of solitary confinement and 6 hours of hard labor!
Ella got some pink stuff she likes and...
some accessories too!
Nellie did her hair and painted her nails- She WOULD NOT do this for me... that is she would not sit still this long for me!
So besides getting in a wreck on Tuesday night and having my car towed and no longer having a running car... Christmas was great! Dang ice!

Weekly update

We had a great week. My sister who lives in Spokane called Thursday night and said, Do you want to go to a birthday party tomorrow?"

Knowing her birthday was Friday- I said, Where are you?

She said- Spokane!

Long story short, Eric got off work unexpectantly for Friday and they drove down early. So we had a birthday party thanks to my mom!

Ella wanted to sit in a high chair again just because Baby Grace was.

Cousin Isaac and Tyler really wanted to help blow out candles.

But Jenny could handle it all her self.
Grandma gave Toby a doggy handkerchief for Christmas.
A great Saturday morning. Tyler really loves to read. So even though he is a bit of a rowdy boy most days, he will cuddle up with me and read- I love it!
We had a Neighborhood Christmas party. It was really neat. I set Ella on Santa's lap and she let out the loudest scared scream ever. In this picture she is saying cheese while frantically breathing, clinging on to me with everything she has.
Merry Christmas Everyone- We are really looking forward to it!

Airplane trip to go camping

Tyler packed his boxes and bags today. He said he was going to fly to a camping place. So this is the camp site that was set up. We read books with the lights off and snuggled under the blankets. Tyler and Ella are playing well together, it is so fun!

Ella dressed up this week. I love it!

Just sitting here eating crusty white chocolate chip pecan bread!

This has been such a great day I want to document it so that when I have those days when I feel like I should get an award for how quickly I can clean up another spilled drink, or an award for changing a diaper really well... then I can remember how great today felt.

I woke up at 7:00. Thought I better start the day off right. Read my scriptures while lying in bed. Prayed for patience to be a good mom today and then got out of bed.

Ella had a play date in the morning and Tyler was at school. Two hours to myself!

I went running but only went two miles because that is all I wanted to do, so why push myself to do more!

Then after a huge debate in my head and no help from my sister, stopped at Little Ceasers to get an order of crazy bread all to my self. Yes I did just run but man, not having kids in the car and eating a whole order of buttery cheesy crazy bread sounded so good. BUT... it was 10:15 AM - They open at 11! I was actually grateful they were still closed!

Then some friends had lunch for me at my house. My house is great for lots of kids and a big open kitchen. I love it. Food always tastes wonderful when you dont have to cook it!

Ella and Tyler loved all the friends. Ella found dessert and just sat looking and looking at it.

We had a little talk about waiting to eat dessert but...
I turned to help Tyler and came back to see this!
Thanks friends, Lunch and cupcakes was great!
Then out of the blue, Darren has flowers delivered to the house for me. What a treat!

Another friend had a tea party at her house. We had munchies to eat and tea and cocoa to drink. More fun with friends and kids.
We came home to Ella saying Hungry Hungry! My favorite words from her!

My mom called and asked if they could come over. Sure thing! She brought a cake with candles!
Thanks family for stopping in- It was a great way to end the day. I thought many times today how a Birth-day should celebrate my mother. She is the one who gave birth to me and stayed home with me every day! Thanks Mom (and Dad) for allowing me to celebrate this Birth-day with you!
Then to finish the day, we talked to Darren on the computer. It would have been perfect if he was here for this momentous 30th Birthday of mine. But work is work. And really, he sent me flowers- I LOVE YOU! We will see you tomorrow!

These are Darren's kids!

Last night we had my parents over to eat. We had soup and salad. Tyler ate 3 bowls of spinach salad that had strawberries in it. Nothing else.

Today for lunch, I had to grab the camera because my plate was filled with stuffing, ham and sweet potatoes. His plate had cooked carrots, sweet potatoes and more salad. Veggie, more veggies, and then even more veggies.

Ella is the same way. Today she has eaten strawberries, blueberries (notice the purple fingers), and an tangerine. (and of course milk!) Clearly my weakness for dessert and bread didn't get pushed on to my children!
Ella asked me to take this one. She is saying CHEEZE!