To Do List

Okay, we've been in our new place for THREE weeks now!!! So, how is it that I am still not done the things I planned to do our very first week here?! Take a look at my "To Do" list (please keep in mind these things were on my "to do" list 3 weeks ago).

To Do List

1) Get the kids in school--well, I think they are mostly registered (IF the doctor faxed over the results of their physicals and IF we remember to bring in the TB test results).

2) Buy a new car--well, we have decided that Mike is going to use the Jeep and we are going to get me a newer vehicle (although, we have only looked at ONE vehicle so far and they were asking too much).

3) Buy a dining table and chairs--after spending the first two weeks eating on the floor, we have finally brought in our OLD UGLY table that I vowed I would NEVER bring into this house (we couldn't eat Christmas dinner on the floor, nor could we do Mike's Christmas puzzle on the floor).

4) Unpack--somehow we still have a few boxes kickin around (I took a few boxes out to the garage because they were filled with things that I couldn't find places for; Mike brought them back in and told me I needed to go through them...ugh).

5) Hang pictures--for some reason I cannot figure out where to put my pictures and shelves in this house.

6) Assmenble trampoline (and find the missing piece)--so Mike put the trampoline mostly up the first weekend we were here, but it has no net and it is missing one piece (and this piece is necessary for putting up the net...grrr).

7) Find & join a gym--I don't know why I hate looking for a new gym, but I do. I am getting really sick of NOT exercising, so I think tomorrow I will be able to cross this off my list (this hasn't been crossed off my list because of sheer laziness on my part).

So, is there any hope for me?? Am I ever going to get these things done?? I don't know, I think we are too busy today...making cookies...

Christmas Recap

This was a great Christmas! With small kids and a big meal to cook, it's not always the most relaxing day...but it's always enjoyable. Here's a quick recap (mostly in pictures) from our family Christmas:

The Jammies

One of my favorite Christmas tradtions is the jammies. On Christmas Eve a gift box is magically left on each of our beds. This year Santa forgot Mom and Dad:)

The Weather

We didn't have a snow storm like my family back home (so jealous), but we did have A LOT of rain. It didn't stop the kids from jumping on the trampoline--especially Kya.

The Food

As the years go by, my turkey dinner is getting closer and closer to my mom's (although it's still nowhere near). This year the turkey was so moist...the gravy was a little strange though.

On Christmas Eve we had hot chocolate with candy canes mmm...so yummy.

The Entertainment
We act out the first Christmas on Christmas Eve. Tyson refused to be Joseph, so Mike had to take his place. Jordan was the angel and Kya was Mary (she wanted to be the angel until she found out the angel had a "talking" part).

Mike and the kids sang Silent Night for me!

The Loot
The kids were all very excited and grateful for the presents they got...Ipod, Hannah Montana video game, Barbie scooter, Webkinz...oh my gosh these kids are spoiled!! Mom and Dad got spoiled too...a GPS (umm...our budget was $100 Santa--I think you may have over spent)?!

The Best Day of the Year

I must admit, Christmas Eve is by far my favorite day of the year. Now, we've made it even better by adding a new family tradition...ice skating:

Ready to go...

Kya was terrified, but she ended up being the bravest one. She was the only one who actually wanted to skate by herself.We thought Tyson would just love ice skating (he has roller blades on constantly), but he was quite scared of the slippery ice!

Here's our scared little JoJo...we wouldn't expect anything else:)We had a good time...and actualy got to break out the hats and mittens on Christmas Eve!!

December 17th, 1999

Nine years ago today...we got married!! I have to admit, I had NO idea what I was getting myself into:) I love you Mike--more today than ever.

Before the wedding

After the wedding...

To heck with unpacking...

...we're setting up our tree!! This year I just let the kids do all the decorating and I think it turned out great. I LOVE Christmas:)

Here's our tree

Just kidding, here's our real treeHere's the kids decorating

Stress Case

Hello from LA!! I am FAR from settled, but we finally have our internet set up...so I had to take a few minutes to blog. I still haven't unpacked my camera battery charger so sorry, no pics of our new pad. Now I thought after the move was complete I would have less stress in my life. Well, it turns out there's MORE:

-we are still searching for a second car (Mike's Camry died right before we moved)
-I have been trying to figure out which school to put the kids in...only to find there is NO room to transfer to any schools, so they must go to their home school (hopefully it will be okay)
-we have been living without the internet for a entire week
-I don't know how to get anywhere (today I tried to find Walmart and...I'll share the rest of that story in it's own post)
-I still haven't got my Christmas cards out OR finished my shopping (and the stores here are crazy busy)
-we are still living out of boxes, which makes it very frustrating when you need to find something specific (like the kitty litter liners)
-I don't know anyone, so I can't leave my kids with a sitter...ahhh!
-AND worst of all, I haven't decorated for Christmas YET!!!

Christmas Decorations

Here are MY Christmas decorations:

You can feel sorry for me now...

I Finally Saw TWILIGHT!!

Okay, so I HAVE to write a review on the movie I was SO excited to see!! I thought....it was great. I'll have to admit, I wasn't sure about it as the movie started, but as it went on I really enjoyed it. Yes, it was a little cheesy and yes, it was a little unrealistic, and yes it was even a little low-budget. The cast wasn't quite what I envisioned, but I bought it. And oh was that kiss amazing or what?! Mike was laughing at me because I couldn't stop talking about it:) So I DID read the books and I still liked the movie--go figure. Can't wait for the next one. Oh, and I saw a preview for the next Harry Pottry movie...yah, I can't wait--I know, I know, I'm such a teenager.

I'm Thankful for Thanksgiving

So I grew up in Canada where Thanksgiving has nothing to do with Pilgrims and Native Americans, BUT I LOVE American Thanksgiving. I love that it's not all about presents and/or chocolate!! I love all the stories and songs about the Mayflower and Plymouth rock (oh, and I learned about Squanto this year--I love that Jordan is expected to know things in 2nd grade that I have never heard of). Here is my list of things I am grateful for this year (of course I can't list all of them, but here are a few):

I am thankful for...

...my kids--they really are the best (and cutest) kids.

...my parents--I miss you guys every day.

...my hubby--seriously, he puts up with a lot and still loves me.

...my sisters--I wish I could hang out with you guys all day.

...a home to live in--hopefully I won't be homeless in a week:).

...our kitty--when she is not destroying my furniture or attacking my kids.

...our trampoline--which gives me time to watch Y&R.

...my kids' teachers--who put so much work into making my kids excited to learn.

...church--without it I would have no hope or peace.

...Ember who does my hair--did I mention I'm all blond again with a smokin' haircut:)

...my friends--who remind me that I am not only a wife and mother but a person too.

...my computer & interenet--seriously, do you think I could live without my daily fix of blogger and facebook?!.

...good tv--ahhh...Y&R, 90210, The Office, Lost.

...pictures--taking them , looking through them...remembering.

...good books--the ones that occupy too much of my time!

...restaurants--because sometimes I just DO NOT want to cook.

...a good night sleep--ever since having babies sleeping all night means SO much more!

...healthy kids--nough said.

...Target--where else would I blow off steam and spend all my money:)

...Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthdays...any reason to throw a party!!!

My Sea Turtle

Last week was Tyson's last week of swimming lessons. The last 3 lessons he actually went in the water without Mom, so we think it was a success.

That was quick

So we just got back from LA about an hour ago. Here's a few hilights from our wonderful weekend:

We saw about 50 houses, 3/4 of which were total CRAP!!

We drove a good 6 hrs there, 5 hrs home.

We spent all day Saturday and most of Sunday in the car--driving from house to house to house to house...

We listened to Kya cry because she didn't want to move (oh my gosh, this just broke my heart)

We listened to Kya cry because she didn't want to leave Daddy on the way back--this is what she said: "But Mom we learn at church that our families are going to be together forever, but our whole family isn't together now"--so sad

We went for a swim in a really loud, really cold pool

We stuffed the whole family in a tiny rental car because it had GPS

We didn't get to see Twilight...grrr

Christmas Pics

My friend Susanne took some awsome pictures of the kids for our Christmas cards. I'll share a few, but you'll have to wait to see the ones I used for the cards:)

The Tortoise and The Hare

I had parent/teacher conferences for both the girls yesterday. They both got glowing reviews from their teachers and had excellent report cards. I was amused to hear both their teachers emphasize one DIFFERENCE that the two girls have:

Jordan

Races through her work often missing details. Because she rushes, her work is often messy and even illegible.

Kya

Very maticulous. Works slowly, being very careful not to miss a single detail. Takes her time on her work which often results in not quite finishing it all.
If you had asked me a year ago, I would have predicted opposite results. But now, it is SO true. Kya is always the last one done her dinner, she is completely content sitting on the couch relaxing all day. Jordan on the other hand is always racing through one thing to get to the other. She is also very competitive and could never be too busy. Can you guess which one is more like Mike and which one is more like me??

4 days ago

You know you're a compulsive blogger when...you feel like you haven't blogged in ages and when you go to your blog you realize it's only been 4 DAYS!! I have been devoted to house hunting, snapfish, and packing/organizing. All I can say is...I'd rather be blogging--although snapfishing is just as fun--only it's not FREE (can you put an -ing on snapfish?).

If I had a BOSS at home...

...I would pay all my bills on time instead of waiting for a late notice.

...I would keep my house much cleaner instead of ignoring the mess while I do other more enjoyable things.

...I would work harder to organize my clutter istead of waiting for my ultra-organized husband to do it.

...I would spend less time on the computer--who am I kidding?!.

...I would put away the laundry after I fold it instead of letting it sit there until it gets knocked on the floor and becomes "dirty" laundry again.

...I would clean behind the fridge--I mean more often of course...ehem.

...I would create a weekly menu for my dinners instead of waiting until 4pm to create some mystery meal from what I've got in the fridge.

...I would empty all those tupperwares in my fridge instead of throwing them in the garbage.

...I would sweep every day instead of waiting until I step on some toy that makes me scream.

...I would be more patient with my children instead of yelling and screaming.

...I would shower and do my makeup right when I get up in the morning instead of waiting until noon.

...I would get up and make breakfast for my kids instead of making them fend for themselves.

Sometimes I think it would be nice to really have someone to answer to when it comes to what I get done in a day. I really am a slacker sometimes!

I've been sitting on some BIG news

No, I'm NOT pregnant--we're moving!! So, Mike got a job offer that is exactly what he wants to do (and should be doing). We felt like we couldn't pass it up. The only hard part is...it's in LA. So we are excited about the new opportunity but REALLY sad to leave so many awsome friends--seriously you guys--you're the best!!! Mike starts his new job in a couple weeks, but we aren't moving until the beginning of December. Wish us luck finding a place to live...that is cheaper than $4000/month. So, on to an new chapter of our lives I guess. We will definately miss this place. We moved to Monterey when Jordan was 2yrs old and Kya was just a newborn baby. I can't believe we are leaving.

Carmel Beach

(Sept. 2003)

How To...

...get your mom to put a diaper on you:

1) Yell, scream and cry for as LONG as possible.

2) Pee in your underwear--this one will get your mom a little mad (but it's worth it).

3) Poop in your underwear--this is a risky one because you might get in BIG trouble.

4) Ask to go to the store or anywhere in the car.

5) Pretend to fall alseep or act really tired.

6) Take underwear off and burry them in the dirt--this is my favorite because it makes Mom and Dad laugh and you don't even get in trouble:)!!

If you can't tell, we are potty training in our house. Mom forgot how unbelievable FUN it is!

Any guesses what I burried in the dirt?!

Sportin' my new diggs

Say Cheese

I picked up Tyson's 3-yr-old pictures today. They are SO cute, (minus the kitty scratches on his forehead) I just had to share! I was so good and only ordered a few, so you don't get to see all the other adorable poses.

Just Vote Already

Okay, so all of you who are ALLOWED to vote BETTER do it--because I wish I could!! Then...we'll see what happens. Hopefully it will silence all you Obama HATERS:)

At least I didn't miss EVERYTHING!!

Okay so being in charge of the ward activities definately has its drawbacks--like enjoying Halloween!!! Mike had to get the kids in their costumes, help them with the games at the party, take them trunk or treating, and then take them home and trick or treating. I hate missing out on all that fun--BUT someone has to do it right?! I do like planning the activities though. So here are some pictures of the fun we had:

Ballerina, Dinosaur, Hannah Montana

Kya in the parade of costumes--cutest tutu ever (thanks Sarah!)

Tyson and Brady

(Tyson took his costume off 2 minutes after getting to the party and then I finally coaxed him back into it about halfway through the activity)

Tyson and Kya trunk or treating
Jordan with her candy
(it was crazy hair day at school)

Psycho candy girl

I didn't get home until after she had taken her costume off (sniff, sniff)

Tyson couldn't take his eyes off that candy