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

I hate carving pumpkins

So I realized a few years ago that I really don't enjoy carving pumpkins. I don't mind cutting to top off and cleaning the guts out, but I just don't like attempting to carve a face into the thing. Carving pumpkins is just NOT one of my talents--although I do love the look of a nice jack-o-latern glowing with candle light. So anyways, for now here's my compromise--at least for the past few years (the kids can actually create their own pumpkin instead of watching us use the sharp knives that they aren't allowed to use):