Training for the Olympics

We have been watching a ton of Olympics over here. One night while watching, Maddox began jumping off the chair in super funny poses. Our cheering immediately turned

from speed skating to... well, whatever Maddox was doing.

Running

Im not sure, either wrestling, or the beginning of a swimming event.

Who knows what was going on in that kids mind.

This was always Maddy's final pose, then he would throw his hands in the air and say "Ta-Da!". Im guessing he was a gymnast here.

I'm a Little Behind

I realize I havent posted anything in a while. What a whirlwind this past month has been. Here a few pictures I snapped along the way...

About a month ago my parent's neighborhood was having thier street cleanup where you can put anything and everything out in the street and the city will come by and pick it up. I was driving to my parents house one night, while it was raining actually, and saw on the side of the road some bikes. Now I have never been one to pick up "trash" from the streets, but it was something I just couldnt resist. There was a tricycle just Maddy's size. I quickly threw it in my car and hurried along not paying much attention to it for a week or two. We took it to Mike's parents house where his dad was kind enough to pump the tires, and replace the training wheels that were a little bent. The bike has Dora stickers all over it, but to be honest I dont mind. Maddox doesnt know the different, and until he can ride a big boy bike, we can rip the stickers off and it will be just fine. Maddox was so excited to get his bike! I couldn't believe someone was throwing this away!

For Valentine's Day Mike and I went to Sakura Chaya for lunch on Saturday. On Sunday I made Heart shaped french toast. I had great plans of taking pictures at lunch, and of the cute little Valentine's I got for my husband and son, but of course the only one I took was of the french toast. Ill spare you the picture, its really not that interesting. Another fun thing that happened in the last month, is Maddox and I went with my mom to Marina to visit my sister, her hubby and son. We went just for the day, but we loved seeing my cutie little nephew (and sis and brother and law but lets be real, the real reason we went was for Logan). Maddox usually doesnt have much to do with Logan, but towards the end of the day all Maddy wanted to do was hold Logan, and wrestle him. Here are a few cute pictures of the little guys.

Every Wonder Why

I know we all have our challenges. We each have trials and things happen throughout our life that can slow us down, or completely stop us in our tracks. Do you ever wonder why YOU go through THAT trial? I feel sometimes like there are definently certain trials that have come up through my life over and over and over again. And just when I think I have overcome the trial, and I can finally catch my breath, or clear my head, here it comes again. As silly as this sounds do you ever wish you could pick your trials? I find myself thinking every once in a while "oh no, not again. What am I suppose to learn this time around?" I guess I cant complain too much. Ive never lost a sibling or child or parent. Ive never been in a major auto accident. Ive never been diagnosed with an illness that couldnt be overcome one way or another. Im not divorced, or going through one. I have a roof over my head and food in the cupcoards. I guess for now I should count my blessings, and pray for strength to overcome all things. I know someday I will know why it was meant for me to be tried and tested in the ways I am, sometimes I just wish that day was today!

4 Generations

My grandmother has been begging for a 4 generation picture. We finally took one in Monterey at Logans blessing. For some reason we only took one shot, and when I saw how it turned out I couldnt help but laugh.

Seriously, where is my mom and grandma looking? Is it a bird? A plane? Who knows really. And Maddox, where do I even start with you kid?

Where Have I Been?

I get online consistantly. I even get on this website consistantly, each time vowing that next time Im online I'll update my blog. I find myself blog hopping, enjoying my time reading about lost friends or whatnot. This morning I realized that I havent updated my own blog since before Thanksgiving. Where have I been you ask? I'll tell you...

Ive been hanging out with these two cuties. I am now an aunt on both Mike's side, and my own. My sister in law Stasha had a cute little girl Bailey on October 10. My sister had a baby boy on November 9. When the babies are around its pretty much a game of "pass the baby", since everyone wants a piece of the sugar!

Thanksgiving this year was spent in Las Vegas. We felt that to really pay tribute to the biggest "stuff your face til you ache all over" day, was to travel to the meca of buffets. Actually, since we have family in California and Utah, it just worked out best for everyone to meet in the middle. We were only there a short time, but we crammed in as much as possible. Included in our trip was some time spent at Bass Pro Shop looking at all the fun outdoor toys. We even got our picture taken with Santa! We spent a little time at the buffet (out motto was eat 'til it hurts, then have desert), followed by a game of bowling. The day after Thanksgiving I spent with my mother in law shopping the sales. What a fun trip!

Mike and I FINALLY went on our Christmas Date! It was my year to plan. We started by getting a hair cut for Mike. This might not sound like anything special, but for the past few weeks he had been teasing me that he wanted to grow out his hair, and I knew I had to do something about it. I took him to Sport Clips, which is a salon just for men all decked out in sports stuff and got him "the works". He came out feeling like a new man. Next was off to Riverpark Golf where we went to hit some golf balls. We were running a little behind, so I let Mike do all the golfing, and I did all the picture taking. He loved it. My next suprise was to Amenities for side by side pedis. We loved it. Although Im a manicurist, I hardly ever give my feet the attention they need. This was Mikes first pedi, and since we had them done at the same time it was nice for us to both have a little down time and just relax. Im so glad Mikey isnt one of those "macho" guys who wouldnt be seen in a salon. This man LOVES being pampered! I love it! Our last stop was dinner at Tokyo Steakhouse. Im not going to say much about it though, because its really not worth talking about. We were pretty disappointed. Between the dirty grill, the "tricks" our chef messed up on, and our lack of service, we weren't impressed to say the least. Overall though it was just what Mike and I needed for a day of fun! I cant wait til next years Christmas date!

The last big event was Christmas! What a fun time! This was Maddys first year where he kinda understood what was going on. He didnt really catch on to the concept that Santa comes to bring gifts, but that might partly be my fault. Im having a hard time trying to teach Maddox the true meaning of Christmas, without over sensationalizing. This year while we looked at lights I would make sure to point out every Nativity we saw. I want to make sure Maddox knows that we celebrate this time of year because its Christs birth, not because Santa comes down the chimney. I would make sure to get really excited when we would see little baby Jesus, but I would also point out Santa too. I dunno, its kinda a wierd stage for me with him I guess. Maddox was so fun to watch open presents. He would get fixated on the first toy he opened and then not want to open the rest. Needless to say we still have presents under the tree that have yet to be opened. One of the highlights for Christmas this year was the game "Curses" my sister got as a gift. We couldnt stop laughing because the game is just TOO goofy. One night I laughed so hard I literally made myself sick. I was exhausted playing because it makes you laugh so hard! Definately a highlight for the year.

Of course there are all of the normal day to day things that have kept us busy. Between work, (I work from 6am to 9pm with NO breaks today, does that tell you how busy work has been lately?) my calling in relief society, Maddox, get together with friends in town, and last minute Christmas shopping, it has left me NO time for blogging... ok now we should be up to date... til next year!

I Need an Idea! HELP!

Every year Mikey and I take ourselves out on a "Christmas Date" instead of buying gifts for one another. We have found that we buy ourselves enough throughout the year, and the greatest gift we could give ourselves is time with one another. "Christmas Date" usually includes dressing up, going somewhere fancy to eat (ok maybe not fancy, but expensive enough that we only eat there that one time for a special occassion!) and then do something fun. Last year we had expensive Sushi then went to see the Nutcracker. This year, we are both out of ideas! Anyone know if anything fun to do next month? Where's a good place to eat? By now we usually have this all figured out but so far we have NOTHING! Do you have any ideas? PLEASE share!

Its Been A While

I realized today that it's been a while since my last post. I have been SO extremely busy with Relief Society that there really isnt too much to report as far as fun and exciting things we have done, but none the less, here are a few things I have captured on film over the last month.

Maddy has finally fallen in love with books. He's 2 1/2 now but he would never sit and even look at books. FINALLY he has some interest! (and yes, he's still in a diaper, we are working on the whole potty training thing. So far, not so good)Maddox attended his first official birthday party last week. Maycee Givens had her 1st birthday with an Alice in Wonderland theme. The kids were all suppose to dress up. Would Maddox? Of course not! I put him in some Halloween colors and pretty much called it good. Maddox doesnt enjoy Halloween at all. We even bought him a cute costume but threw a fit with I had him try it on. We returned the costume the next day. Needless to say we wont be doing much this evening. My kid doesnt do Halloween. That afternoon my father in law wanted to take Maddox fishing. Rae had bought Maddox a fishing pole for his first Christmas, and Maddox is finally big enough to use it! Usually they go "fishing" in the swimming pool. Rae gets the pole all ready and Maddox stands on the side of the pool holding the pole. He loves it. Rae had remembered there is an old fishing pole out near Pine Flat lake so off we went for some REAL fishing! To be honest I had no intention or desire to go. Of course I got talked into it "just to go along for the ride" I was told. I unded up fishing myself and had an AMAZING time!

To top the night off we went to our ward Halloween Party. I made Maddox put on some mouse ears and dressed him in black sweats and off we went. He became obsessed with the cake walk. I dont think he really understood the concept of winning someone if you stood on the right number. He just wanted to walk round and round with the other kids jumping from pumpkin to pumpkin. Whatever makes him happy!Towards the end they had a parade for all of the kids to show off thier costumes. Maddox stood in line with everyone else, and halfway through grabbed the little girls hand who walked in front of him. She was a little taken back, but held his hand anyways. He was as happy as can be. He's going to be quite the ladies man in a few years! He kept his mouse ears on for a total of 10 minutes.

Oh well. Like I said, my kid doesnt do Halloween.