Merry Christmas

This is our Christmas card this year.
So for those of you who
I forgot or don't have your address
Merry Christmas.

Christmas Fun

Add Glitter to Pictures

Jake

Jake is growing up so fast. He has more personality then all of my other 3 kids combined. There are times that I just have to shake my head and laugh at the things he does and says. Mike and I are still wondering what happened to our quiet little family and then we realize that we added Jake and along with him came all sorts of new adventures. Our lives will never be dull or boring there is always something to smile about when your around Jake.

He is trying to grow up way too fast. He has been telling everyone on his birthday that he is turning 7. It took a lot of convincing that he is only 3. Jake copies and watches everything his 2 older brothers do. He is now an expert at the Nintendo DS. Which to me is crazy for a barely 3 year old to already know how to play and win at video games. He keeps asking me for a DS for Christmas. I am beginning to think that he is a lot smarter then I am giving him credit for. Jake is wonderful in so many ways and he has been a very exciting little boy to raise.

LOVE YOU LITTLE GUY!

Jake turns 3

Where has the time gone?

Jake has been such a fun, crazy, and enthusiastic little guy. From day one he has been able to hold his own with his older brothers. He thinks and for the most part can do anything they do. Now on the other hand I think he has Brooke wrapped around his little finger. She has always been such a great big sister always doing whatever Jake wants to do.
For the past three months when you ask Jake what he wants for his birthday the answer was always the same. I want EWOK! Star Wars is truly all he thinks and dreams about. Especially Ewoks. Do you know how hard it is to find Ewok stuff? I had the worst time, but I finally found a couple of Ewok toys and both Brooke and Spencer colored him an Ewok picture. I also found a whole assortment of Star Wars Mr. Potatoe Heads they were a big hit.

Disney Again

I think we definitely got our money's worth out of our season passes to Disneyland. This trip we left Jake home with my Mom and enjoyed a day that we could go on all of the fast rides. Our pass expires next week so in total we ended up going 7 times and loved almost every minute of it.
Our good friends the Wallers met us there. All the kids get along really well and are all almost the same ages which makes for a fun time for everyone.

Tyler and his best friend Aiden went on the new Toy Story Mania ride together. I love this picture when Tyler is sooooo excited about his score...too funny.
Mike and I decided that we will get season passes every other year so the kids remain as excited as the first time. So we have a year off so sad.

Worlds Best Babysitter

Brooke has been such a lifesaver now that she has been babysitting for us. It has completely changed our life. No more scrambling for a babysitter last minute to find out that no one is available. She has been great with the boys and she usually has some sort of game or fun thing to do. She had this paper taped to her door one night that she was babysitting and the boys loved it. I am so proud of her always eager to help and contribute when I need it (well most of the time). There are many days that I would be lost without her that is how much she helps me. I know the boys really enjoy her especially when she is creative with some new idea or game when she babysits.

LOVE YOU BROOKIE!

Big Bear Family Pictures

Here's to another great Thanksgiving in Big Bear!

Thanksgiving in Big Bear

We had an awesome time in Big Bear thanks to my brother Scott and sister in law Tera who set this whole week up for everyone's enjoyment. When I told the kids we were going to Big Bear again they were all so excited and then didn't stop asking me when it was time to go. Note to self keep it a secret until the day before :) I am so blessed to have such a great family! We had 16 adults and 18 kids under one spectacular roof. The house that we stayed in could not have been more perfect for that amount of people. Plenty of space for everyone and then some. All the kids got along perfectly.
It's so nice that all of our kids are close enough in age that they all have built in friends that they love to be with. I think one of the boys favorite parts of the trip had to be lazer tag. It was all of the uncles against all of the boys. They must have played for hours. They played day and night inside and outside. The second night that we were there the snow came. It wasn't a ton, but it was really exciting for all of us and especially the kids.
Everyone woke up and before they had even had breakfast they were putting on sweatshirts and trying to find gloves for a snowball fight. Of course it was the big boys against the kids. Thanksgiving dinner was perfect. Everyone contributed and made it a feast to remember. We let the kids eat first and then all the adults were able to enjoy 10 minutes of satisfaction before it was time to clean up. Unfortunately Trent got the stomach flu and then Nate, but what do we expect with so many people under one roof during flu season. The only good thing is with most of us coming down with the flu now we should all be fine for Christmas...Right?









One of the kids favorite things to do in Big Bear is to go on the Alpine Slide. Tyler always makes me laugh whether it's a roller coaster at Disneyland or just the Alpine Slide his arms are always up. He is a boy that likes the speed and never gets scared. I'm sure one day this will worry me, but for now it is really cute.
This is our second annual Thanksgiving talent show. I hope this is a tradition that sticks I love it. It is so much fun to see all the kids get up and perform something what a cute bunch of kids. Some highlights of the night were Mom and Dad doing the Herman the worm skit that all the kids get a kick out of, Tyler and his air guitar, Mike impersonationg Jordan Farmar, Grant and Grace singing the cutest song about cocoa. I could go on and on well maybe I will we have a great group of kids that play the piano Andi, Brooke, Spencer, and Kate all did a great job. It was a very fun night of talented kids.

1st Place!

I can't believe it soccer is over. Brooke's team did awesome they ended the season undefeated (14-0). It was very fun to watch as her teams confidence grew with every game. Spencer's team had a tough season, but that's usually how it goes for the first season that a team plays together. I am sure next year will be better, and hopefully both Brooke and Spencer's teams will do well.

Now we actually have a couple of free Saturdays coming up. That will end soon since they both have soccer tournaments coming up next month, and basketball practice starts next week. There are times that I think life would be so much easier if we stopped all sports. Then I stop and think how much we all LOVE sports and it's all worth it.

Christmas Tag

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? bags

2. Real tree or Artificial? Real

3. When do you put up the tree? First week of December

4. When do you take the tree down? Christmas night or the day after. When its over its over!
.
5. Do you like eggnog? NO!!!!!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? $100 in a pickle jar and of course my tercel.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My Father in Law

8. Easiest person to buy for? My kids

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes and I love it. Its made out olive wood and Mike brought it home from Jerusalem.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Bathrobe! It was my first Christmas present after I got married from Mike. He has been making up for it ever since.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas Vacation and Elf

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? October and as of right now I only have 3 more gifts to buy :)

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes, what else are you supposed to do when you are poor and its your first Christmas...Sorry Scott and Tera.....

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Peppermint Bark from Williams Sonoma

16, Lights on the tree? yes!!

17. Favorite Christmas song? Silent night

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? Both

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star or whatever new creation my kids have made in school that year.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? 1 present Christmas Eve and then Santa comes for Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Crowded malls and parking lots.

23. What theme or color are you using? Lime green and red

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Every Christmas Eve we go to Chart House (YUMMY)

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I want to watch the excitement on the kids faces as they open their presents.

Now I tag who ever is in the Christmas spirit.