He was right on this one!

When Mike and I first got married, we had a conversation about Christmas traditions (actually traditions in general).  I felt like we needed to "make up" some traditions that we wanted to have, while Mike thought they would just happen as we went along.  Well, I was mostly right.  The majority of our traditions have in fact been planned...by me.  Although, there is one Christmas tradition (and one of our favorites too!!) that really did happen all on it's own.

I love Christmas tree ornaments.  When our kids were littler, we didn't have too many on our tree, and I realized they were quite expensive.  I thought, after Christmas I would let the kids pick out an ornament each since they were all on sale.  The next year we did it again, and then again, and again.  The kids absolutely love it.  They pick out their ornament (pretty much any one they want since they are usually on sale REALLY cheap), and then we wrap it up and pack it away until the next year.  When we open up the box of decorations the next year, the kids are so excited to open up their ornaments and remember which one they picked out the year before.

It is so cute to see what unique ornaments they each pick out.  Each ornament that belongs to them, really do suit their little personalities at the age that they picked them out.

Here's a few...

...of Jordan's...

  

...of Kya's...

 ...and of Tyson's.

Those Darn Commercials

It's that time of year when we make our much anticipated Christmas Lists.  I have mixed feelings about those lists 1) because I don't want my kids to expect to get everything on that list, 2) because it seems kinda greedy...doesn't it? and 3) I want my kids to be surprised on Christmas morning.  Anyways, regardless of how I feel, those list are made and posted on my bulletin board.  It never fails, every year the same kid has something on her list that I have never heard of.  You know why I have never heard of it?  Because I don't watch commercials!!!  I'm not sure why it's always Kya who gets sucked into these gimmicks, but it always is...always.

These unknown products, though different every year, all have some things in common: 1) They are only around for one Christmas (the year before it wasn't invented and the year after, it has been long forgotten) 2) They have some strange name 3) They don't last long.

Chrismas 2010, it was the Squinkies (that gumball looking contraption in the right of the picture that is filled with tiny plastic balls with tiny toys inside).  They were cute, but I have spent the last 2 years picking them up off the floor...and Kya has spent all of maybe 2 days playing with them!

 Christmas 2009 it was Pixos (that purple box by Kya's right shoulder).  Pixos are tiny tiny plastic balls that you use to make little pictures.  These have been spilled and picked up so many times, I finally threw them in the garbage...and Kya didn't even notice!

Last Christmas...well I can't remember what it was and I KNOW I didn't buy it!!

This Christmas, well looks like I'm going to have to figure out what Orbeez are...

Halloween "Fever"

Unlike Jordan who seemed to get a fever with every new baby tooth, and Kya who was born with a cold but rarely has been sick since, Tyson seems to get sick whenever great fun is to be had.  Every year we spend half of our summer visiting family in Canada, and every summer while we are in Canada one of us gets sick...and it is almost always Tyson. 

Well, yesterday {ON HALLOWEEN DAY}, I picked Tyson up from school and he said "Mom, I feel hot and tired."  I took his temperature, and sure enough 100.3 degrees.  I gave him medicine and he almost instantly fell asleep.  How was this going to work?  We had a party to go to, we had trick or treating to do, and daddy is in Australia!!  I frantically called on wonderful friends to take my kids to their parties and possibly trick or treating.  I was sure Halloween was ruined for Tyson and me.  Well, Tyson slept for a good hour.  He woke up fever-free and wondering why everyone was gone.  We raced to get him ready...fever or not, he was feeling better and I didn't want him to miss out on Halloween.  He raced from door to door, played all the party games, ate candy and stayed up past his bedtime.

This morning I took his temperature 99.6 degrees.  I guess he's staying home from school for some snuggle time with mom.  I am grateful he still got to enjoy Halloween...and that he's not throwing up!!

Tyson = Seven

The Skylander party = SUCCESS :)

Me trying to keep my baby little = FAIL :(

Tyson getting ready to play Skylanders

 

Daddy set up the tournament...if Mom had set it up, it might have looked a little nicer:)

 

The kids all had a great time battling each other....well, some more than others!

The cake turned out so AWESOME!!

(In case there was any question...I did NOT make the cake) 
 

We sang Happy Birthday!

(The cake was just as yummy as it looked)

 Tyson opened some pretty great presents...including 3 new Skylanders!

The next day on his actual birthday we watched the video of when Tyson was born.

 It honestly doesn't feel like 7 years ago.  

Although I miss my little baby, I sure do love the boy he is growing up to be!!

Lame Old Lady

I took my family to Newport Beach a couple weeks ago, with the single purpose of taking them on an old fashion Ferris Wheel.

The Ferris Wheel made me sick.

Did you hear that right?

The FERRIS WHEEL made me SICK!!

What has happened to me?

Growing up I was never a big fan of "spinny" rides.  The Teacups at Disneyland made me want to puke, I have vague recollections of begging to get of of The Scrambler at Playland...oh, and that ride that goes super fast backward, yeah, that is not for me.  But a Ferris wheel?  Really?

I guess the past few years have led up to this Ferris wheel moment...I should have been ready.

About 5 or 6 years ago I requested a trip to Santa Cruz Boardwalk for my birthday.  The very first ride we went on was a hand gliding type ride.  The rest of the evening was shot because I was dizzy and sick:(  But the ride did go pretty fast and I was lying down.

We spent our 10th wedding anniversary at Disneyland.  I was so excited to go on a roller coaster since we didn't have the kids with us.  About halfway through Big Thunder Mountain, I was dizzy and nauseous and ready to be on steady land.

 

So, I should have been prepared for this Ferris Wheel moment.  Next time I will take my motion sickness medicine and see if it helps.  Lame.  Old.  Lady.

The girls on the Ferris Wheel 

(that was actually really small and lame)

 Tyson and I getting on the Ferris Wheel

 Dinner afterwards 

(where Mike got some questionable fish and chips)

 

My People

You know that awkward moment when you realize you don' t quite fit in...you kind of wish you did, but at the same time know you never will?  I think I have finally come to terms with the reality that I do not belong in "high class society."

Living in LA, I sometimes get caught up in the "keeping up with the Jones'" mentality.  I have a bunch of friends who are really fashionable, who know where all the hot spots are and eat at all the trendy restaurants.  I also know people who are highly educated, cultured, and well traveled.  Then there are those who are the highly professional types.  The ones with no kids, impressive resumes and immaculate homes.  I have finally realized that I don't fit into those categories...nor do I need to (sigh of relief).

In the past, answering a question about the type of music I like after listening to someone go on and on about which opera has the most impressive aria, would have embarrassed me.  No more.  The old me would have blushed with humiliation when asked where I bought my latest outfit (Target is fashionable, right?).  Not the new me.

You see, I had an experience recently that changed all that...an experience that seemed rather insignificant, but it wasn't for me.  It made me realize that you need to push yourself to be better, but you still have to be true to who you are.

After my trip to Canada, I was in kind of a lull as far as exercise goes.  I felt like I needed a change.  So, instead of heading back to the local YMCA, I tried out the Spectrum Athletic Club.  Spectrum is bigger, more expensive and MUCH nicer.  Spectrum was so nice that even the locker room looked like a day spa.  The equipment was all new and fun to use.  There was never a line to get on the treadmill.  The fitness rooms were huge and air conditioned. They had a towel service and free Internet.  This gym was perfect, BUT after my two week trial period was up...I went back to the YMCA.

When I walked back into the Y on Monday, I felt like I was home again.  I saw the weird lady who used to come to kickboxing with her coffee in hand and did anything but what the teacher would do.  I ran into a friend from church.  I saw the over friendly guy who looks like he used to be a body builder a LONG time ago.  I saw my old step aerobics teacher.  I saw Jordan's first swimming teacher.  I saw that softball coach that I seem to see everywhere.  And then  I saw that all the treadmills were full and the fans were working overtime.  As I stretched out and waiting for a treadmill, I thought to myself "these are my people."  I don't belong at a snooty, fancy fitness club...and that's okay.

 The joy I find in life is from my family, my friends, my kitties, my trashy TV shows, a good book, my top 40 radio station, my little family outings, my God, and my church.  I'd rather watch a taping of Conan than catch a viewing of the new art exhibit at The Getty.  I'd rather stay home with my kids than chase after a time consuming career in Hollywood.  I'd rather roughhouse in the backyard than make sure my house is updated and stylish.  I live a simple life in the middle of a crazy chaotic city and I wouldn't have it any other way (except living a simple life in a smaller town further outside the city and closer to my family!!).  It feels good to just be me.  

My kiddos all harnessed up and ready to go on a SUPER bouncy trampoline!

LOVE THEM!!!

And here's a new one of Peeta...he is just TOO cute to leave out of a post:)!!

The next best thing

Meet our newest addition:

PEETA

It's not Thanksgiving yet

Church is great.  

I'm not sure exactly what was said, but the message I got was:

"In order to be happy we need to be grateful."

I came home and taught a lesson to my kids about gratitude.  

I asked each person to think of a time in their life when they were grateful.

Then I asked them to think of something that had happened that day that they were grateful for.

We then started a gratitude journal.

Then we took a spontaneous trip to the beach to watch the sunset.

I think our Bishop was on to something.

Gratitude = Happiness.  

Try it.

I am grateful for this girl (who was willing to pose for a picture)...and the temple in the background!