Fabulous!

It has been a great week! I finished a book I was reading, got the house clean AND had lots of fun playing with my kids...pictures will come later. Today was such a great day starting with my kids sleeping in until 8! 8:00 people! Thats REALLLLLLLY late for my kids to sleep in and I am loving it! Then I did an awesome workout and the day has just been great. Now we are getting things ready for some friends to come over and play games tonight for The New Year! We are excited and I thinking about all the resolutions I am wanting to make for this coming year...and I must say, I am extra excited because I realized most of the things I wanted to accomplish in 2010 happened!

Hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year and may all the Resolutions on Blogs start pouring in so I can get in some good reading!!!

---Elizabeth

All Things Christmas!

These past two weeks have been so busy, fun, exciting, wonderful and stressful to say the least! I don't know what happened to me this holiday season, but I turned into a major stress freak. I mean, seriously phsycho- like, seriously. Every other year we go to AZ for Christmas, so that means usually planning to get everything done for Christmas a week early. I have done this for many years. So why was I a freakazoid this year? I dont know. I did my Christmas baking, my house cleaning, my usual Christmas calendar for my mom, all things usual...and yet, somehow I had mini breakdowns every other day or so. And once I got to AZ, all Christmas shopping done and all stressful issues gone, I was still a freakazoid. But somehow, with Christmas Eve came a peace and the stress melted away and the true spirit of Christmas shone through. And it was wonderful!

But first things first, before we left, Brayden had his preschool Christmas performance!

Doesn't he look thrilled??
Singing, sitting well.

Finally decided to pull his tie out from under his sweater.

Then Santa came! Of course, the kids were thrilled and it was wonderful!

Did I mention I was stressed a little??

I took the above picture of myself one night for myself at first. I though, I need to remember how crazy I look right now. I was truly crazy. Now I laugh at it. Seriously- why was I so stressed and forgetting what really mattered this holiday season??! Oh if I could only change how crazy I was...

Tuesday night we celebrated Christmas with my Dad. He and his wife and her son came to Phoenix and we had dinner and dessert and it was great!

These two pictures are priceless. One if further away so you can see what was going on, and the close up is soooo sweet. My Grandma was restless to get out of the house...she is in poor health so it is hard to take her out and she usually doesn't feel up to it. But she felt like she needed to see some of the hussle and bussle of Christmas. We took he out and Kyler grabbed her hand as we were walking...SO SWEET!

And finally, Christmas morning! Stockings first!

Still tired, but loving every minute!

Wow, lots of neat stuff!

The boys admiring their new toys.

Keaton was the first to dig into his candy. I think he cared more about the candy than anything.

My neice- one of the twins- this picture, it just HAD to be taken!

My handome brothers! Seriously. It was so fun being all together on Christmas Day.

All of us siblings together.

Just ignore the fact that my arm looks so incredibly FAT in this picture.

My beautiful sisters and I!

All in all, a wonderful Holiday in the beautiful Arizona. Next year I am determined to be more relaxed and try hard to focus on what is really important. Like my family, who I love! And of course, the birth of our Savior!

Hope eveyone else had a wonderful holiday as well....now onto New Years! Let the New Resolutions Begin!

Christmas Happenings

Lot's of fun things have been happening around our house this Christmas Season. Lot's of crazy things too, but let's focus on the fun today right? So, Friday night was our ward Christmas Party. The kids got to sit on Santa's lap and loved it!

Brayden told Santa he wanted a jumping castle. Uh, sorry bud, dont get your hopes up!

Kyler told Santa he wanted a chain-saw with special protective glasses. How did he even know about a chain saw? Seriously?? What the what dude?
Santa noticed Kyler had a lot of silly bands. It is always funny when people comment on his silly bands. But it only encouranges him. *SIGH* He is getting better...espeically after they were taken away last month for a LOOOOOONG time. Anyways.

Keaton was cute. He just sat there and talked with his thumb in his mouth. Santa kept taking it out to help me try and get a picture of him. It was really cute.

This is the best we could do. So cute, but the thumb right there ready to go. Don't you just love his cute rainboots?

Tonight we went to Temple Square to look at the temple lights. It was so fun. Right as we were parking, we ran into some of our neighbors literally parking right in front of us, so we walked around with them for a little bit and the kids had a great time.

I was actually trying to get a profile pic of Keaton looking out at the water, but the second he saw the camera, he turned and said "cheese" to me...So cute that boy!

My kids and my neighbors kids playing around. She has three boys the same ages as mine! We found out our 3rd boys were "boys" the same week in our pregnancies cause we were due the same week and we both cried together! ;)

Silly faces.

Family pic. It was a very nice night I must say. The weather was perfect- not too cold and the kids had a great time.

But most importantly, we talked about the true meaning of Christmas with our kids. We had a great time!

Finally!

First, a couple items of business. I am not asking for much people, but HELLLLLOO-O...comments? Like, once in a blue moon please? Leave comments! I always hear about people reading my blog, and I rarely leave comments for others, but come on, like 5 posts in a row with like one comment from the same person?? (Thanks Becky!) Come on peeps! Show me the love ;)

Secondly, after the last two weeks of pure stress and trauma, on to something positive!

Drumroll Please.....

The Summer-long project of building a pergola in our backyard is 99.9% DONE! Wootwoot!

Now, I *could* write a complete sob story about my husband taking on this project and me not being prepared for him to be spending every waking second that he's not watching a football game working on...but really- I think neither of us realized that this project was going to do for us.
And my husband has heard waaaay too much nagging and complaining from me...but I DID help...A LOT (while kids were climbing up the ladders and I am holding a beam that if I drop will cause serious damage to work done)...so in my defense, I had some good reasons to be grouchy. ;)

It was a lot of work. I DO NOT recommed anyone taking on a project like this EVER unless you have guaranteed that like 4 other guys will help you. I am not even joking. I am dead serious. It is a BIG project and a LOT of work.

So what is the .1% work left we have to do? We are going to build flower boxes to go around the bottom of each beam (thats a project we will take on next summer)- having the boxes will add a lot of class to the structure, and also hide the exposed metal at the bottom of each beam. It will be nice. And next summer we plan on getting a table and chairs so we can sit and enjoy the shade this will provide. And I have visions of having vines growing down the sides as well. So, we do have some work left to do. But obviously the hardest part is over and it looks fantastic!

Great Job Hon! :)

----------------------------

SIGH

It was a very long night.

I am extra emotional and sensitive right now. I am over-tired. I am on the verge of tears constantly today...but let me just say that I am so grateful.

All I need to say is that I am so grateful for everyone. My family, my friends and neighbors.

Mostly my husband and kids and for the happiness and blessings they bring to my life. And my Heavenly Father. I know he is watching over my family right now.

I am just grateful.

Life, you know...Life?

Sometimes we need a little perspective. Soooooo cool.




Have a great week and keep your fingers crossed that my car gets fixed for REAL tomorrow.

Christmas Wish List

Okay folks. A lot of my friends this year have posted their hearts desire's for this season. I am trying not to be too selfish this year. I only want to go with my needs here. So here's my Christmas Wish List for this Christmas December 2010:

1. A maid (only twice a week would do for me)

2. A personal driver

3. A chef (I would settle for 3 days a week on this one)

4. A nanny

5. A personal hairstylist

6. A fashion designer

7. Unlimited amounts of money

Too much to ask for? I think NOT! HA HA Hope you are having a great holiday season. This week has been tough for me, but I am hoping now that the car *should* be really truly fixed, things will start looking up! Here's to a Happy Friday tomorrow and a great weekend!

Thanks and Giving

Whew! It has been a super busy week! It started with last Saturday (a week and one day ago) where I started coughing. Sunday I did not feel great, but really didn't feel terrible. More just had an annoying cough that was keeping me up all night. By Wednesday I still felt okay, but started to feel the cough in my lungs. I never felt terrible the whole time I was sick, just more annoyed by the cough and since I wasn't sle4ping very well, I was extra tired. I decided to go into the doc and learned I had bronchitis. He gave me this great inhaler to help and medicine and off I was to prepare for Thanksgiving at MY HOUSE on Thursday. The house was spotless, the pies were made, the details were starting to come together- and FINALLY, I was feeling better!

Thanksgiving was great. We had my in-laws come over. My sis-in-law got sick and her family couldn't come, so it was a slight change in plans but everything still turned out nicely. We did not do a turkey (I know, gasp, but we just couldn't fathom having a turkey for such a small group of people, so we did a ham). We had ham, mashed potatos and gravy, rolls, pistachio salad, stuffing, deviled eggs, corn, delicious punch, pumpkin pie with whipped cream and vanilla ice cream. All the food (minus the whipped cream and ice cream and the ham) was homeade and delicious!

If I do say so myself, not bragging or anything, but it turned out so yummy!

I even had some fun with the place settings and made place cards for everyone along with some "feathers" for each plate to make it turkey-ish. I think it looked nice! We also used our china!

I have so much to be Thankful for this year, but the few things at the top of my list are:

My family- My husband and all he does for me and the boys.

My boys- Naughty as they can be, I love them more than words can say.

My Mom, Dad, Brothers, Sisters, Aunts, Uncles, In-laws of all kinds. FAMILY is everything to me. I am so lucky to be part of such a large and loving family and am so blessed to have such great relationships with everyone.

My Friends- I need friends. I am just that kind of person. I have friends from everywhere- Arizona, Boise, Utah, and more! I am so lucky to be surrounded by great friends and truly feel blessed in my life for them!

My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father. I could not live my life without the knowledge I have. I am so grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am grateful for the things that have happened in my life that have witnessed to me that my Savior is there for me.

I am just so grateful for my health and the health of my family. I am grateful, thankful and happy this year. I could go on and on, but these were just at the top of my list ;)

Thursday was fun, but we also love going through all the ads for the sales on Black Firday. We made out lists and I TRIED, reallllllly hard, to go to bed early Thursday to begin my shopping at 2:00am. But my body just can't take going to bed early sometimes- I am quite the night owl usually. So I went upstairs and got in bed at 8:30, but didn't fall asleep until 11:15ish. Then at 1:15 Cortney accidently woke me up and I couldn't fall back asleep knowing I was getting up soon. So I got up, got ready and headed to Kohls at 2 in the morning.

I wore: full length leggings with jeans over them. 3 shirts, a hoodie sweatshirt and a winter coat. I wore a headwrap (large thick warm headband covering my ears), two sets of gloves AND 4 pairs of socks with large boots. It was -2 degrees outside!! I met my mother in law at Kohls and we stood in line waiting for the doors to open. Once they did, we split up like mad and grabbed what we wanted/needed. 45 mins later, I was out of Kohls and on my way to my next stops: I hit, Walmart, Target, Sports Authority, Smiths, JcPenny and Macy's. I got everything on my list except ONE thing and was home by 8:30 in the morning. I took a 2 hour nap, then it was time to set up our Christmas Decorations, as per our yearly tradition.

Now, our house is fully deocrated, my Christmas shopping is 95% done and it's time to plan our trip to Arizona, finish the last minute Christmas things I need to get done (I do have several projects I need to focus on) and then plan my Christmas baking.

What a crazy busy week, that I can honestly say as fun as it was, I am glad it is over and now we can dive into the Christmas Season!

The Menu

I am excited I get to host Thanksgiving at my house this year for my in-laws and sister in law with her husband and kids. The Menu is planned. The groceries are bought. Tomorrow the pie baking begins.

So while there is a Blizzard outside, I am toasty warm in my house making preparations for the special day to come. I am So Thankful this year for so many things. More to come soon...

Yummmmmmmmmmmmy!

I don't share a lot of recipes, but realized the other day that the best receipes I have had lately are one's I got from different blogs...so I must share when it is worthy!!

So here is the best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread EVER! I got this recipe from a friend, who got it from food.com.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

1 (15oz) can pumpkin
3/4 cup cegetable oil, plus 2 TB vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. nutmeg
3/4 tsp. cloves
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
Spray two 8 1/2 X 4 1/2 loaf pans
Mix dry ingredients together (flour, soda, salt, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon)
Stir chocolate chips into dry mixture
In separate bowl, stir eggs, oil, sugar and pumpkin together.
Add pumpkin mixture to dry mixture and stir until well combined.
Scrape batter into loaf pans and smooth top.
Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

I doubled this because 2 loaves just isnt enough!!! Enjoy!

Slowly but Surely

Slowly but surely there are big changes happening in my house! I have had a few minor slip ups with my plans for not yelling at the kids and trying really hard to have a more peaceful happy home, but really, things have been great! I love the changes that are happening and feel really satisfied that this is the beginning of greater things. It is amazing to me that the small changes I have made so far have made such a big difference. But EVERYONE is happier!

As with most things in life, when I make changes in my life, for the better, I see signs everywhere that I am making the right choices. I mean, everywhere. I hear someone say something, I see a sign on the street, an article on the internet, etc. It seems to be everywhere I go and whatever I do, I am seeing or hearing something that lets me know I am on the right path--and that motivates me even more!

Like, for example, tonights enrichment. There was a small lesson before the activity we did, but that lesson was exactly what I needed to hear! It was all about how us as moms are always trying our hardest to do the best we can, but sometimes we let go on our children's needs. Sometimes we are putting on a movie but not watching it with them or getting out a book and not reading it WITH them. And everything that was said was what I needed to hear- It was as if the lesson was meant for me.

And then there was this quote that was so perfectly spoken:

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair pefectly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.

I want to drive up in a station wagon that has myd on the wheels from taking the kids to scout camp.

I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwhiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someones garden.

I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.

I want the Lord to know I was really here and really lived."--Marjorie Pay Hinckley

So I am still working on things- I am still getting my house in order. I am still only doing the best I can. But I am giving it my all and am happy with the progress!!

Count your many Blessings

Today was fast Sunday. I don't do well with fast Sunday's. When I go so long without eating, I get migranes. I get so grouchy you'd wish you didn't know me. If you don't believe me, ask my husband. So I always try and fast, but if I am being completely honest- some fasts are longer than others. Some are really short. But I am always prayerful and always feel the Lord is understanding.

Today I had something important to fast about. Not that I haven't before- and this has happened to me before. But it has been a while. I was determined to fast today though.

This week I learned a sweet 12 year old girl in my neighborhood (the Bishop's daughter for our old ward before we split) learned very suddenly that she has a brain tumor. The details I know are devestating. The brain tumor is on her brain stem and in-operable. She is currently in the hospital undergoing tests and my heart is literally broken for this family.

It has been on my mind all week because I have complained about little petty things in my life- and then I learn something like this and it puts everything in perspective.

So today, I prayed that I would be able to fast for this family whole-heartedly. That I could fast all day and not have the normal reprecutions that my body has towards fasting. And the Lord blessed me. When I got home from church, it was as if I was full. I did not feel hungry (which would have been fine) but MORE than that, no migrane, no grumpiness. Instead, a gratitude towards the Lord for helping me do this. It was so important to me and the Lord knew my heart and helped me. And I have learned a valuable lesson as well. I am so grateful.

Although I am not in the ward of this family, my husband, being in the library during this ward's sacrament told me that he heard several of the family members bear their testimonies today. Her older brother said that she is the strongest person in the family and that they knew she would get through this. It was amazing. The whole family was so incredibly strong and faithful and I know it is the power from all the fasting and prayers and the Lord watching over them.

What an amazing lesson. I am counting my many blessings tonight.

Family Pictures 2010

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine Jessi Reber @ http://www.wix.com/jreber/jreberphotography
(we know each other from both volunteering for the NICU at McKay Dee Hospital),
took our family pictures just outside of Brigham City and how do YOU think they turned out? :):):):):):):):):) These are just a few of my favs...

What a cute family I have!

The Power of Positive Parenting

Let's start with a story. A mom teaches her kids that in an emergecy, they should dial 911. She shows them the phone and how it works, and then explains "it's for emergencies only." Then take 2 naughty boys, who LOVE police men and want an excuse to call one...and then you have my day on Satuday.

Cort left for the BYU game (he was gone from 8:50am until 5:15pm). Yes, I am a very nice wife. Just remember that honey. So, boys are fighting as usual...over silly bands. Silly arent they? Well I finally threatened if I heard them fighting over them again, they are mine. And so they fought, and so I took them away. (Did I mention Kyler has 32 of them?!) Then began the screaming, fighting, yelling naughty things at me...all of which I ignored. If I say anything, it doesn't matter, they will just get worse. So I ignore. And then the phone rings. I look at the caller ID and all it says is City of Farmington. I picked it up and answer hello. "This is a 911 operator and someone just called 911 from this number, is there an emergency?" Ummmm...WHAT??!!!! "No, I don't know who called" at which time I cover the mouth piece of the phone and yell "Kyler and Brayden get up here now, who called 911, whats going on" in an extremely loud angry voice. The 911 operator tells me it sounded like children in the background but they didn't say anything into the phone, they just hung up. I apologized a kazillion times and told her they were mad at me for getting into trouble. Once I hung up, I found out that Kyler told Brayden to call the police to take me to jail for taking away his silly bands. Oh.no.he.didn't! I cannot even tell you the steam coming from my ears at that moment. I actually bit my tongue in anger. I sent them to their rooms to think of something to say to them that would actually matter. They stayed in there. Thats how you know that they know I was mad. Normally they try to get out of time out a million times. but I think they were truly scared of facing me. I was SO MAD! Of course it was hilarious all at the same time. I mean, seriously, so cute, right? Well I thought I was going to rip the phone from the wall and yet burst out laughing all at once.

So I thought and thought and thought about it, over and over again. And I went in to talk to them. Now, I KNEW deep down that they do not truly understand the seriousness of what they have done. I knew that they would secretly love a police man to show up at their door, they would think it was so cool. They know that police men take bad guys to jail (isn't that why they called for the police to get me?) but they still haven't totally gotten it that everything involving the police is serious and that you can't call for fun!

Well, they do now.

After some serious talking, everything was slowly resolved and the boys were punished and then sent to chore duty with no silly bands to speak of.

And now as I reflect back on this past two weeks worth of events, there are several big changes that need to happen in my house. This 911 story is honestly NOTHING in my mind compared to some of the other things my boys have done. And it really hit me yesterday. I was literally sitting in bedroom crying because I know that there are some serious changes I need to make as a parent. I have been so negative lately, and I really think sometimes that all my kids get is negative attention. I don't mean for it to be this way...I don't think anyone wants to be negative. But I have been so worn out from constantly cleaning my house, taking care of the kids, trying to keep everything in order, get meals on the table, kids to school on time, etc. that I have taken no time to really just be with my kids and enjoy every moment. Even the little things we have done together, I know that I am just determined to get through it without anything big or bad happening. And I need to focus on all the sweet moments that my kids are bringing to my life.

So I have a new focus for this month. I bought a book a few years ago that really is a great book, but I think I need a refresher course and a new attitude to get things set right in my home. The book is called "The Power of Positive Parenting" by Dr. Glen L. Latham and it is spot on. A lot of it I think leads in the whole parenting with love and logic type of thing. It makes perfect sense to me that I need to be teaching my kids more and spending more time focused on the positive, rather than the negative.

Sooo...do you have any awesome and amazing parenting tricks that work for you with your kids? I am not talking the standard "let the house go to spend time with them" kind of thing. I mean, thats all great and all, but I hear that all the time- I want something that you think is unique and different that works for you and is very specific. Will you please share it with me? I am starting this new week fresh and inspired...so share your inspiration with me and here's to a new chapter in our family...a positive one!

Have a great week and wish me luck!

It's Friday I'm in Love

Okay, so, today I have been grumpy. I really have had a great day- and I had a great night last night. I don't know why I have been a grumps, but once a month or so (and no, it's not "that time" of the month either), I get frumpy for absolutely no reason. I think I am just overwhelmed because the house is starting to fall apart again, after what seems like constant cleaning, and the kids are naughty for no reason and I just feel like not being happy about it.

And then I take a break, get online and start blog snooping at all the blogs I like to read. I quickly cheer up, or not so quickly, but I DO usually cheer up. And today, this is what cheered me up:

http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/

Check out this awesome post from Steph. nielsen of the NieNie Dialogues. She is awesome. If you are ever down, you will quickly realize you don't have a thing to complain about- BUT I also just love how real Stephanie is. She has learned to love herself under her new skin (literally, it's new) and she is just so honest and real and has learned that she has to be herself all the time no matter what.

No, this is not what her post was about today. Today her husband is singing a song with one of Steph's favorite singers and it is such a GREAT song sung in a brilliant way. I love it, and thought you would too. So go listen. And then seriously folks, you CAN comment you know. ;)

The best MOM ever, sniff, sniff

WARNING- OVERLOAD OF PICS!

My mom decided she needed a getaway and I am so happy so chose to come and see me and the boys! She came a week ago Tuesday, so was here for 6 days, leaving this afternoon. I cried half the way home from the airport today because I just love her so much and love the feeling she brings to my home when she comes. Because I go to Arizona several times a year, my family doesn't often come here to visit- most of my siblings have kids in school, etc. and it's easier for me to go there and see everyone than for them to come here to see me. BUT we LOVE company and there are so many great things to do here in Utah. So 2 years ago in October, when Keaton was in the NICU was the last time my mom was here. It was TOO long we decided. YAY for mom visits!

So, the day she got here, we laid low as Kyler was in school and Brayden and Keaton really needed naps. So we visited on the couch, looked through pics, and her magic touch began almost immedietly! Brayden was so tired but was fighting the nap big time. I let him hang out with us and he was being the typical monkey he is laying upside down next to my mom. She stroked his hair while we talked and the next thing you know...

If you notice my moms skinny legs, you will see how Brayden is actually completely upside down. My mom has the magic touch!

Boy did Keaton love his Grandma! We had a blast taking pics the whole trip that he kept begging me to take one of HIM and me while I was taking pics of other things...Like my wicked eye?

The timing of my mom's trip couldn't have been more perfect- she gets in on Tuesday and Wednesday morning was Brayden's school performance! We suspect he snuck some sugar that morning cause MAN OH MAN did he yawn and sit quietly while singing. but so cute nonetheless!

Keaton goes to school with our cute neighbor Gracie. She is the same age as Brayden (well, a few months older) and she is..well...uh....a LOT taller! ;)

Brayden goofing off and loving time with his Grandma!

And his momma!

On Thursday we decided to do as much of Temple Square as we could. There is so much to read and see that I knew we wouldn't get to see it all, but we had a GREAT time! This is in front of the conference center. It is beautiful.

And it was a little bit chilly that day.

This is inside the conference center. So ah-mazing.

On the roof of the conference center. if you live local and you have not taken the offical tour- GO AND DO IT!

I just couldn't get enough pictures of my mom and the boys! Kyler was at school a lot, which made it easier for going out with only the two boys, but we also missed him a lot.

One of the FUNNEST nights my mom and I had together was going to Gardener Village. It's a little shopping strip/village that has cute vintage shops and a year round Christmas Ornament shop, bakery, baby store, etc. At Halloween they have Witches EVERYWHERE. I took a bunch of pics of the witches, but they did not turn out very well. My mom's camera took better ones, and once she sends me the pics, I will post them cause it was soooo much fun. We had a great time together and thankfully it wasn't too cold.

One thing I love about my mom is how involved she is with my kids- everyones kids. She takes the time to really listen and interact with them. She will kill me for posting a picture like this, but I just love how focused she was on helping Brayden. And he was eating up all the attention he was getting.

Speaking of my mom focusing and taking time for my kids- she brought this cute silly game to play with them for Halloween. Digging for worms! She didn't make them keep their hands behind their backs because they are still a little young to get that, but she filled a bowl with gummy worms and then covered them with whipped cream and let them dig with their mouths for them! It was so cute! She did let them use their hands. They loved it!!

Even Keaton did!!

Having my mom here for Halloween was so great! Our neighborhood is so awesome! We celebrated (almost all of Utah did) on Saturday. unfortunetly it was POURING outside for half of the time we were out, but that did not stop us! In fact, their costumes turned out to be perfect for going out in the rain!

Can I brag a little and tell you I got all three of their costumes at Kid2Kid for $8. Yeah baby! okay, I guess $8, plus $1.25 each for their hats. Still, not bad at all!

Brayden could not stop goofing off to save his life.

And finally, last night, Sunday night, we had over to our house our old neighbors from Tucson. They lived next to my parents for 20 years. I grew up with their kids and good old facebook brought us in touch with them again. So we had them over for dinner last night- they now live about 30 mins from me and it was a trip down memory lane. It was so wonderful!!!

My mom's camera took some great pictures of me with them and of us all together, etc. I can't wait to get copies! It is amazing how not seeing someone for 10 years (literally, 10 years this month) and then seeing them again can bring back so many wonderful memories!

So do you notice something missing from these pics? Cortney got a super bad Vertigo attack in the middle of the night Sunday (from his meneirs disease) and was throwing up for three hours straight in the night. He got a blessing and was able to sleep the whole day Sunday. Although he came down and said hello, he still took it really easy Sunday night and is still a little under the weather right now. I feel so bad he had to miss spending time with my mom and her with him on Sunday, as well as with our friends.

So tonight as I an thinking back on this week, I realize how much I absolutely LOVE my mom. What a great and wonderful thing it is to have a mom that is so great to me and my kids. I miss her already and can't wait to see her again. I had the best week. Thanks for all you do MOM. You're the best!