Christmas Eve

This year we had a very relaxed Christmas Eve.  In the past I have always had to do last minute shopping, cleaning, running here and there to get things ready.  This year it was all done before.  It was the best feeling in the world.  We even had the wrapping all done.  We got ready for the party and before we left we opened up our new PJ's and set out Santa's snicker doodles because that is his favorite kind of cookie.=)  We even had to put out 8 eight carrots for the reindeer.  We had everything ready because the party is about 45 minutes away and I figured that the kids would be fast asleep on the way home.  The party was really fun.  We had some great food and the kids acted out the nativity.  It was great to be with family.    Boy was I wrong about the kids falling asleep on the way home.  They were wide awake by the time we got home so we decided to make a stop at Rodrigo's family party.  They usually don't start until 9 or 10.  They had pinatas and had chicken frying in the garage and tons of food.  At midnight they gave everyone a gift to open. 
I could not believe that I was outside at 1:00 taking pictures of the kids throwing the reindeer food on the lawn.  We tucked the kids in and they were sound asleep within 5 minutes. I am so glad that I had everything ready before we left.  What an awesome night!

Gingerbread House

We  finally found some time to put our gingerbread house together.  This is our first one that we have done.  We had so much fun doing it.  The kids had a hard time not eating the candy.  Every time we turned around they were sneaking something into there mouths.  They did a really great job decorating and using there imaginations.  Rodrigo and I even had fun doing it with them.  We will for sure be doing this again next year.

We love this baby!

In September our friends had a baby girl.  She is the cutest, sweetest little thing ever.  We get the privilege to babysit her and the girls have so much fun with her.  They love to play with her, help feed her, and help change her diapers.  She is a such a good baby.  My girls are really great helpers.

First Dance Recital

Last night was Lexi's first dance recital.  She has been taking ballet and tap for about 3 months now.  They held the Christmas recital at Hunter High. Lexi invited some friends and family to come and watch.  She was so excited and nervous at the same time to show everyone what she has been learning.  Her little class did such a good job.  I didn't realize that it is so stressful, exciting and nerve racking for mothers.  From getting her looking perfect to getting her pumped and ready to get on stage, running back to my seat so I wouldn't miss the show, having the cameras ready to take pictures and video which we didn't even get because Rodrigo hit the wrong button.  When she was on stage I became so emotional it brought back so many memories of when I was in dance.  I was so proud of her.  She was perfect.  She smiled the whole time and did the dance great.  She loved every minute of it.  After she was done performing she got to sit on Santa's lap. My mom presented her with some flowers as well.  She thought that was the best.  Thanks Mom!  It was such a fun night.  Great Job Alexandra!

Finally!

Roderick's front tooth just did not want to come out.  It has been hanging on by a thread for several weeks.  You could even see the new tooth behind the loose one.  We were trying to talk him into letting someone pull it out for him but he wouldn't give in.  I even told him the tooth fairy might give him a bonus if he would just pull it out.  He wouldn't do it.  That tooth was giving me the eebee geebees just looking at it.  The kids were jumping on the blowup trampoline and Lexi did a flip and accidentally hit Roderick's mouth and it came right out.  We were all so happy and so was the tooth fairy. 

I took this picture in the morning and he looks half a sleep still

Gingerbread Memories

One memory that always comes to my mind around Christmas time is my mom baking cute gingerbread men and wrapping them individually and hanging them around the house and each day we were able to eat a cookie until Christmas.  I have been wanting to try this for years with my kids and this year we finally did it!  I was so excited and they turned out pretty cute.  The kids had a really fun time cutting them out and decorating the cookies.  Every morning when they wake up the first thing they ask for is there gingerbread man.  I hope to make this one of our family traditions.

Thanksgiving Point

Last night we headed down to Thanksgiving Point to see the Christmas lights.  We listened and sang to Christmas music while riding through the car to see the lights.  The kids were so excited and kept saying, "Wow look over there and over there".  It was really great to watch the kids get so excited.  While we were there we heard that a few of Santa's Reindeer had made a "special stop". The kids were a little nervous to get close but they loved watching them.  Lexi wanted to know where Santa and the rest of the reindeer were. 

We stopped at a popular street in Murray that has posted part of the Christmas story in each yard with millions of lights. It was such a fun family night.  My mom and dad joined us and we had some great laughs. 

  
 

She really can sleep anywhere!

 

Maya was downstairs playing today while I was preparing dinner.  It became really quiet so I went to check on her and found her sound asleep. 

So much to be thankful for...

This year we headed to my Aunt Andreas to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family.  It was so good to see everyone there and I also missed the families that didn't join us this year.  I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family that surrounds me.  Each one of them amaze me and they inspire me in so many ways.  They are simply amazing.  We had a great meal and a good time visiting with each other.  I love Thanksgiving so much and look forward to this holiday every year.

Happy Birthday Cody!

We celebrated my brothers birthday last weekend while they were here visiting for Thanksgiving.  We had a lot of fun playing heavy heavy hangover, eating a delicious meal and watching the Utes beat the Cougars.  Roderick wanted everyone to wear the color they were cheering for.  You can see in the pictures who was cheering for who.  Roderick put a red shirt on and then when the Y was ahead he put a blue one on top. When the Utes won it didn't take him long to take the blue shirt off and he was telling everyone that his team won.  It made all of us laugh.

I spent the morning making my brothers cute soccer cake and while we were loading everyone in the car Rodrigo went to move it and the cake slipped out of his hand and he caught it smashing the whole thing.  I couldn't stop laughing while he felt terrible.  I wish I would of gotten a picture of it.  So we headed up to my moms house and I scrapped all the frosting off and started again.  It was good practice for me so I didn't mind.  I won't be able to let him forget that one though.

I love it when mine and my brothers birthdays are coming up because that means that we will be the same age for about 3 weeks.  I always tease him saying he has to be nice to me because we are the same age.  I love my brother so much and am so glad that we are the best of friends.  I couldn't ask for a better brother.  I look up to him in so many ways.  I am so proud of him and honored that he is my brother.  Cody I love you and hope you have a special day!

Favorite Time of Day

Maya's favorite time of day is her nap time.  Around 12:30 she starts telling me that she is tired. Most days I just have to tell her to lay down and close her eyes and she falls asleep for a couple of hours.  I know so easy right?  But watch out if she doesn't get her nap for the day she is not a very happy camper.  She loves her sleep that is for sure.  One thing that I have loved to do since my kids were born is to watch them sleep.  The way they look and the faces they make are just things you never want to forget.




I walked downstairs to this yesterday.



Let it Snow!

We were all anticipating the big blizzard of 2010 and nothing happened.  But on Sunday we got hit pretty good with a snow storm.  The kids were so excited we got them all bundled up like marshmallows and out they went to go roll around in it. 

Las Vegas and Birthdays

Last weekend we headed down to  Las Vegas to visit my brother and to celebrate my nephew Gavin's birthday as well as mine.  My mom came along while my dad stayed at home since he was not feeling well.  We sure missed you dad.  The kids did really well in the car.  I lost count though of how many times they asked if we were there yet.

While we were there we did some sightseeing.  We went to the M and M Factory, The Coke Factory, The MGM and saw some lions and did a little shopping at the outlets.  We ate at some amazing restaurants one of them being our most favorite at the Venetian. My mom offered to babysit the kids while Cody Liz Rodrigo and I went out on a date.  When we came home they were all sound asleep.  Thanks Mom!!

We went to an amazing park that is by my brothers house.  I think this was the kids most favorite place.  They hiked up the mountain to see the beautiful view.  I didn't hike up since I had my flip flops on and didn't take my inhaler.  However, I did try out the teeter totter with Roderick.  We laughed pretty hard.  What a good leg workout.

Liz made the most adorable cake and cupcakes for Gavin and I.  Thank you Liz for all your hard work.  They were delicious.  Gavin was so cute as we sang Happy Birthday he joined in as well.  He is growing up so fast.  We sure love him.

Liz and Cody have a beautiful home and were such great hostesses.  The kids loved spending time with there cousins. Aubrey has grown so much since they have moved.  Oh how we miss her laugh and smile.  We had such a great time and we can't wait to go back to see them again.  On the way home we stopped to see Grandma Naylor.  It was good to visit with her for a little bit.

Since we have been home Roderick has asked if he could build a half bath in our home.  For some reason he just loved using the one at Cody's house.

Soccer

Our home is basically scheduled around 1 thing in this house and that would be Soccer. Rodrigo and Roderick are always playing soccer. If they aren't at home playing and nearly putting holes in the walls or watching it on T.V. they are at practice or there games. Roderick plays 3 times a week and Rodrigo plays a couple of times a week. Roderick took 2nd place in the Spring session in the Hispanic league. They did so well. The trophy that they received was huge.   Soccer in this league is so serious and some games get me so uptight.  The parents are yelling and screaming in Spanish and it is so loud and they get so into it.  This a serious sport in there culture.  When I start yelling and screaming they all just look at me funny.  LOL  I usually sit away from all the noise so it doesn't make me so uptight.  It gets pretty intense especially the semi finals and the final game.  I sure love going though.  It is one thing I look forward to weekly.

During Fall Brake Granger High held a Soccer Camp for 3 days. We signed Roderick up to go. He did so well there that the Coach gave him the MVP award of the camp. He received a T- Shirt and a Certificate. He told us that he was a talented 6 year old. We are so proud of you Roderick. Keep up the good work. A big thank you to his Dad and Uncle Cody for playing with him and teaching him some great moves. We LOVE soccer!!

Halloween Fun

We had a lot of fun parties to go to this year for Halloween. We had a trunk or treat at the school, Dance Class, Preschool, Simmons, and my moms. It was a crazy week for us and right in the middle of it all we had Roderick and Mayas birthdays to celebrate. I sure was glad when Sunday hit because that meant we didn't have to get anyone dressed up that day. The kids had a really good time and enjoyed trick or treating this year in my old neighborhood in the rain but it was fun. We saw our friends and there kids all dressed up cute while we were out trick or treating.

PJ Halloween Party at Preschool

Elementary Trunk or Trick

Dance Party

Simmons