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.

Weekend in SD

We went to San Diego this last weekend for my cousin's wedding. Here are a few highlights...

"this" colors... or "these" colors. This was on the kids menu at a Mexican restaurant we ate at. You can tell we were close to the mexican border.

this boy loves lemons.



i could hardly pull him away from the rocks during the wedding.

my boys...

New Ward, New Calling

A few weeks ago our ward boundaries changed. We were only in Dry Creek for a few short months and we were just feeling like we were fitting in and getting our groove. The ward was way to large though, and it was time to do something about it. So with 2 wards in the stake dividing into 3, we became part of the Orchard View Ward. I didnt know what to expect. I had only been in Young Womens for 2 months in Dry Creek and I was sad to leave my calling so quickly. But honestly, I love change. I embrace change. Keeps me on my toes I suppose. And so for the last few weeks I have sat and wondered where will my family fit into this new little ward? What will it be like? Will I have friends? Where will I serve? So far we have made lots and lots of new friends, and have even rekindled relationships with old friends. The ward has been wonderful and I am so excited to be apart of it. Wednesday I was called by our Bishop for my husband and I to meet with him the following day. He told me a calling would be extended. Of course my mind raced for the next 24 hours. He wanted to see both of us, obviously that meant Mike and I would be serving together, right? Cub scouts? Activities? This was not the case. He extended the call for me to serve as our ward Relief Society Secretary. Needless to say my jaw dropped and I couldnt help but be taken back. I have never served in Relief Society. I feel completely underqualified, yet I cant explain how completely excited I am to be able to serve. I serve with 3 WONDERFUL women who I have loved and admired for years and years and am grateful for this new opportunity to love and serve the women in our ward.

Cutest Carwash EVER

Maddy's Hat

Maddox felt like he needed to wear a hat to the park today. This is the one he chose.

Im glad it was Mike's turn to take him to the park and not mine.

Education Week

All year I look forward to MY vacation. This year my sister, mom and I went to Utah for Education Week. It was AMAZING! No kids, no work, uplifting classes, good food, catching up with family and friends. It was perfect. The week seemed to go by SO fast! Mike even told me that I could stay an extra day since him and Maddox were doing so well together. For some reason even that extra day of vacation didnt help make the week seem longer. I am so blessed for being able to go. I've had a ton on my mind lately, and the week before leaving I really struggled whether or not I should even go. Im SO glad I did! The first class I attended totally lifted my spirits and answered a lot of prayers. Wednesday night my mom took my sister, me and my cousin to see "Joseph". This picture is the only one we took the entire week! (how sad and pathetic are we?!) The play was amazing. My favorite were the narrators so of course we HAD to get a picture with them! Im so sad MY vacation is over, but it sure is good to be back with my boys!