Update & Random Pics

I figured that it has been a while since I last blogged, but January and February are really slow months it seems. The crazy busy time around Thanksgiving and Christmas is over and it's time to kick back and relax. I thought I would put together some random thoughts and give everyone an update on what we have been up to.

Bryce and I have officially gotten on Face book, finally. I mean, my grandmother was Face book before me, literally. Way to go Nana! Although, it must have skipped a generation because I still don't think my mom has accepted me as a friend yet. Mom, hello, people are starting to talk! My wonderful husband found me a Wii Fit, yeah! Bryce's grandma taught me how to knit right around Christmas and now I am totally obsessed. Laugh all you want, my scarves are totally amazing.

Recently the fam got together and took over our favorite Chinese food place (other than PF Changs) Enjoy, where a family of 5 can eat for $16. Seriously, they're on 7800 South in good old West Jordan.

Bryce's Mom and Dad put together little Valentine's Day gift bag for the kids filled with lots of goodies.

So, funny story. From her Valentine's goodie bag, Bella hands me her candy hearts to open. I open them, give them back to her and go about my business taking pictures, etc. I turn around to find her sitting behind the kitchen table eating the candy hearts. I snap a couple of photos because she is so cute and then I notice that she is shoving them into her mouth as fast as she can! So I hurry and try to take them away from her so we doesn't choke. She of course starts screaming at me. After I pry them out of her hands, seriously she didn't want to give them up, she is bawling. So I pick her up and give her a hug, I want to keep my "cool aunt" status after all, and count that she has 6 candy hearts in her mouth! From then on, the candy hearts were rationed.

She eventually forgave me!

Merry Christmas

Well, it has officially been forever since I have blogged. We had great Christmas and New Year's holidays spent with family and friends. We are very blessed to have wonderful families and friends that I consider our chosen family. My New Year's resolution is to take more pictures (along with losing 10 pounds). Christmas is for the kids right, which might explain why Bryce and I do not have a single picture of us on Christmas! We also have no pictures of opening gifts at my mom's house or any adults at Bryce's parent's house. Seriously, and we did so good last year. What happened?
When I was in Chicago (the third time I believe last year) I bought Easton a Bears jersey, Devin Hester to be exact. Cam already had one, so we picked him up a Ute jersey. They were both so happy. Easton asked me if he could wear his everyday and sleep in it every night. I told him he could, but he might want his mom to wash it every once in a while!

Addy was so funny at Christmas, she was really excited to open presents. We got her a cute outfit for summer. can't wait to see it. Will it get warm already?

Bella didn't want anyone touching her gifts and it didn't matter if she was currently playing with them or not! We got her a cute summer outfit also, seriously ready for it to warm up!

My favorite Christmas picture, Tan as Spiderman in his Spiderman jammies. We got Tan a D-Will jersey, which he had asked Santa for. See, I told you I know Santa, better be on your best behavior for next year kids!

I hope everyone had great Christmas and New Year's holidays. Here's to a great 2009!

Disneyland

One of the many reasons I am still not done with my Christmas shopping this year is because we headed out on a fun-filled family vacation to Disneyland December 10-14. Nothing quite like 5 days at Disney with 5 kids 5 and under! The first couple of days we were there it was so warm. I dusted off my capri's and sleeveless shirts! The last couple days were colder, but nothing like the blizzard we came home to.
If anyone knows the magic secret to make 5 kids look at the camera simutaneously and smile, I would love to know. Seriously, call me and let me know!
Me and my buddies Easton and Cam who produced some of my favorite quotes of the trip. Easton: "Am I stuck with Ace again, I'm kidding!" "Can I use your bathroom, Cam is dropping it like it's hot in ours?" "Tanner, what brings you here?"

Camden calls me on the hotel room phone: "Ace, can I come over to your hotel?" I say sure. Then click, followed by a knock on the door.

The Christmas parade at Disney is amazing. We found our seats at least an hour before the parade as we learned from the night before that a half an hour isn't early enough! To kill the time Bryce's mom bought the kids suckers, which was a huge mess and really funny all at the same time.

Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving

This was our year with my mom for Thanksgiving dinner, which is always fantastic because we don't cook! Instead we headed to Stein Erickson's lodge at Deer Valley with our fabulous friends and their fabulous friends. With my extended family living so far away while I was growing up I have come to believe that family is whoever you want them to be. I consider good friends my chosen family, which is what I am most thankful for this year. Bryce and I are so lucky to have such great families and such great friends. The lovely ladies, Amelia, Davee, my mom and me after making several trips through the buffet line! PS. they have an entire room devoted to dessert, Yum-o!
After dinner we headed to Bryce's grandparent's house for dessert. Yes, for those of you math geniuses out there that does make 2 desserts! It's just that Aunt Peggy's apple pie is so good I can't pass it up (and I don't even like pie). I thought this pic was so cute, grandma reading a story to her great-grandchildren.
And of course, then there's Bella, so cute! We bonded over some Coke Zero and pumpkin pie. Don't really know which she liked better, but I did end up having to hide the coke and distract her with some poker chips (not sure that was better, but at least she wouldn't be on a caffeine high that night)!

Jazz vs. Grizzlies

As some of you might know, my company did not renew it's Utah Jazz season tickets this year. With my boss being out of town all the time, it didn't make sense. My boss did buy Wednesday's game from his neighbor (who coincidently has the 2 seats next to ours) to give to a VP at Delta. Unfortunately, the Delta VP couldn't make the game and my boss was headed back to London earlier that afternoon, so he gave them to me! For those of you who don't like your boss, or those who kind of like your boss, sorry, but I love mine! My favorite Jazz player, D Will and yes, this is the view from our seats! This is why Bryce and I are so spoiled and can't sit in the upper bowl. Nothing quite like row 2. Of course the Jazz beat the Grizzlies 117 to 100. Go Jazz! PS. thanks to my wonderful mother for letting me borrow her camera. Love you Mom!

James Bond

Yesterday, my Mom, Bryce and I went to see the new James Bond movie. Whatever you have heard about this movie was an understatement. For example, if you heard it was action packed, that was an understatement as this movie is so full of action there are only a couple of moments to catch your breath. If you heard that Daniel Craig is a great James Bond, that was an understatement, as Daniel Craig is the best James Bond ever. The story is fairly complex, so I recommend watching the last Bond movie before you see this one (wish we had). This is an incredible movie, go see it!

Go Utes

In Utah, you are either a Ute or a Cougar. There is nothing in between and I have yet to meet someone who doesn't have strong feelings one way or the other. In case there were any doubts, Bryce and I are Utah fans. My dad was a professor at the U, Bryce and I both graduated from the U and have friends who play or played for the U football team. So I am sure you all can imagine how happy we were yesterday when the Utes beat the Cougs, resulting in another undefeated season with a BCS bowl! Go Utes!

We went over to the Domans for the big game. Although there were Utes and Cougs, Bryce's queso brought everyone together (inside joke, probably had to be there)! We had a great time, I was thoroughly entertained with Wendy's outlook on the game, Colin's tongue tricks and all the banter going on. The food was great (just pull it apart with two forks Les) and the company was fantastic. Thanks Trav and Les for a great party, we love you guys!

I'm confused, are these all Ute fans? Looks like Colin is booing the Cougs, just kidding!As promised, my favorite picture of the whole night. That about sums it up!