Merry Christmas

We've had such a great holiday season. I can't believe all of the snow we have received so far this year. This morning we woke up to almost a foot of snow in our driveway. Why can't it stay in the mountains?



Last Saturday night we had our annual party with Mark's family. It was a small gathering due to the fact that Ryan (Mark's brother) is in England serving a mission and Kim and her family moved this past June to Kansas.

After dinner and a movie, we opened presents in their basement. Kim sent a framed picture for her parents. Nothing unusual about that, but there were packing peanuts in that box and the kids found it. They had a great time making a huge mess. The packing peanuts were everywhere!







The kids were having the time of their lives and we couldn't help but laugh. The peanuts were stuck to our clothes, up the walls, drug upstairs...everywhere! We had to get out the shop vac to tackle the job.

Christmas Eve was spent at my sister Karyn's house. We were lucky enough to visit with Jon's parents who were up from Arizona for the holidays. We had a delicious dinner of steamed clams, prime rib, shrimp and potatoes. My brother in law Jon is such a great chef. It is always fun to eat at their house!

Who needs a fork?

Don't you just love Charlie's crazy hair!

Mark and grandpa Dick.

The chaos!

Steve and my mom gave these great teepee's to each family. Will and Ben are going to sleep in their new sleeping bags from them and the teepee tonight.


Thanks everyone for all the nice gifts and great company!

Christmas Day

We told our kids that they couldn't wake us up until eight o'clock and they were great. They showed up in our room earlier and we sent them back to bed. At about ten to eight, they showed back up, anxious to begin the unveiling. We slowly made our way downstairs. Will and Ben had already sized up their packages and everything in their stockings. I think they knew what they had received even before they opened their presents.

I left my camera at my sister's house the night before. So, I was bummed that I didn't get any pictures. My mom and Steve braved the snow to venture out to everyone's house to see what the kids got from Santa. They even ate a little french toast at our house to hold them over until brunch with my grandpa.

We didn't make it to Mark's parents to be able to talk to Ryan, who is serving in London. If I had known we could call him from home like his sister did, I would have pressed the issue. It sounds like he is doing great, busying himself with the work. After missing Ryan's call, we headed to his grandmothers house for a little get together with the Cannon side of the family.

We were all pretty anxious to get home. The kids really wanted to play with the toys they had received for Christmas. I was also able to swing by my sisters and pick up my camera. After all, I needed to take some pictures of my cute family on Christmas Day!

A little naked rock band anyone? Luckily Max was the only one naked!

Merry Christmas!

For DeDee

DeDee, this one is for you!
I had the best job a few years ago. It was perhaps the best, funnest job ever. I went part time after I had Will and quit when I had Ben. I worked at a small, local mortgage brokerage named City Mortgage. I made a great friend there named DeDee. We would totally goof off when the boss was away. We had so much fun. Our boss, Bob would frequently head up to Jackson to fly fish, and well, while the cat is away...you know the rest.

We worked with the funnest group. Just a bunch of people my age and we had such a great time. Brandon Burbidge did the worm. He was really good at it, too. He would catch air! Our other friend Brandon Woolston wore his mission shoes every day, even after being home from his mission for over a year. I finally had to confront him one day, it wasn't pretty. On Fridays, you'd find us in the conference room playing Rook most of the day. There are so many great and fun memories I could share!

My friend DeDee went to a Stake Dance and was dancing with this guy that did the craziest dance to this song. One day at work, DeDee played this song and mimicked his dance without hesitation. I nearly peed my pants! I was reminded of this dance tonight and had to call her. I think she should get her kids to video her doing the dance and post it on her blog. I challenge you DeDee!!!

(I can't believe they played this song at a CHURCH DANCE! After listening to the song in its entirety, I realize now that it is all about doing Cocaine.)

50 Things

50 Things You Didn't Know About Me Until Now

Thanks Stephanie!!!


1.What color is your tooth brush? Purple
2. What were you doing 45 minutes ago? Eating a tuna fish sandwich with Max
3. What is your favorite candy bar? Don't really eat candy bars...Mint Milky Way
4. Have you ever been to a strip club? No
5. What is the last thing you said aloud? "Max - GO TO SLEEP"
6. What is the best ice cream flavor? Chocolate & Vanilla
7. What is the last thing you had to drink? Diet Coke with fresh lime
8. What are you wearing right now? sweats and a sweat shirt
9. What was the last thing you ate? lunch
10. Have you bought any new clothing items this week? Yes - 3 Gap sweaters
11. When was the last time you ran? ran? what is that?
12. Who was the last person to send you a message/comment on your blog? My cute friend Michelle from the Gap
13. Do you take vitamins daily? Prenatal vitamins
14. Do you go to church every Sunday? Yes, mostly :)
15. Do you have a tan? no way
16. Do you like Chinese food over pizza? That is a hard one. Maybe pizza.
17. Do you drink soda with a straw? only when I am at a restaurant
18. What does your last text message say? That my Verizon bill is ready - yipee
19. Are you someones best friend? yes
20. What are you doing tomorrow? Going to dinner with friends!
21. Where is your dad? who knows!!!
22. Look to your left, what do you see? A clock
23. What color is your favorite pair of shoes? burgundy patent leather ballet flats
24. Do you use chap stick? every night before bed
25. Whats your favorite thing to do in your free time? facebook, blog and read
26. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru? drive-thru - those places are nasty!
27. Do you have a dog? no way! Been there, done that, not again! I tell my kids that they can when they have their own house or that Max is our little puppy!
28. Last guy you talked on the phone with? Mark
29. Last girl you talked on the phone with? My mom
30. Any fun vacation plans soon? nothing yet. Waiting for status on Mark's job.
31. Do you dye your hair? Totally!!! Darker than my normal.
32. Can you say the alphabet backwards? Never tried
33. Do you have a maid service clean your house? Every other week. Couldn't live without her!!!
34. Are you jealous of anyone? No
35. Do you love anyone? Many!
36. Do any of your friends have children? Most of them.
37. Do you use the word Hello daily? No, more of a "Hi" girl
38. Do you like cats? No way!
39. Have you ever been to six flags? Nope.
40. How did you get your worse scar? I don't really have any scars.
41. What is your favorite smell? Clean baby
42. What is the last DVD you watched? Get Smart :(
43. Have you ever been to Disney World? Yes
44. What is your favorite number? Don't really have a favorite.
45. Do you toast your pop tarts? Don't buy pop tarts. Are my kids neglected?
46. Have you ever waited tables? No
47. Where did you have your first kiss? On a cruise when I was in 9th grade. Some boy from Virginia. haha
48. What should you be doing? Folding laundry. Lazy day at home :)
49. Do you enjoy wasting time blogging? Love it, but love facebook more!
50. Who do you want to tag? Anyone that wants to.