The Day After

So obviously Tyler had off the day after Christmas.  We decided to go to the mall, crazy, I know!  It was so crowded!  Practically no parking and a line 30 people deep for pizza in the food court.  But we didn't have anything else going on so we just had some patience and enjoyed walking around and spending time with each other.  We had a few things to return and so we thought what the hay?  

After the mall we came back home to relax a bit.  I wanted to take a pic of Toms with all his loot in front of the tree before I started to clean it all up.  How cute is this kid?  So photogenic.  

He sat with Tyler for a pic too.  How cute are these boys?  I tell ya!  I'm so lucky!

Then later that evening we headed out once again for some dinner and returns at Tempe Marketplace.  

{The boys & their beanies}

CPK, Yum, I love that place.  It was FREEZING though!  So we didn't walk around for very long.  We had a few returns at Target so headed over there after dinner.  It was pretty picked over as far as all the holiday stuff goes, but that was fine, I really don't need another lick of decorations!  I am enjoying all the time we have had to hang out as a family though.  Having Tyler home has been wonderful.  We have started to clean things out around the house getting ready for the baby to come.  I have so much junk to get rid of.  I think I'll have a friend yard sale soon.  I'll keep you posted.  Her bedroom is going to be in what is now our office so we have everything in our office to get ride of.  Wow, lots of crap.  You accumulate so much as the years go by.  Anyway, it's gonna be so cute.  I bought the fabric for the curtains and soon Tyler will start to paint the walls.  I still need to find the bedding that I want, but hopefully it won't be too difficult to find what will match the curtains I picked. 

Alright, Toms is ready to get going, so I need to sign off for now.  Have a great day!  I'll update more later.  I've been working on some cute LO's.  I'll post those next.  Take care!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Morning came a little earlier then we are used to around here.  We woke up around 7:30 and Toms was so not happy about it.  He just sat there laying on the couch trying to go back to sleep.  So Tyler took his stocking down and started showing him all his fun new goodies from Santa.  He perked up pretty quick once he heard the word "colors".  

It was so much fun seeing him get excited about opening all his gifts.  Santa & I went a little crazy in the gift department this year.  He got a lot more then he needed, but I had so much fun shopping for him it was hard to resist.  Anyway, among the loot was a new piano/keyboard, lots of new "Colors", a Cabbage Patch Kid {an African American one, in honor of the new President, hee, hee}, Lots of Cars, P.J.'s, a new shirt, an ASU Sweatshirt, a new ornament, and lots of other little things in his stocking.  & this was just at our house.  Before we even made it to the grandparents houses.  

I had also bought him a little remote control Dog but decided to return it.  He wasn't that interested in it so I just took it back.  I was giving him that because when ever you would ask him what Santa was bringing him he would say "a doggie".  O.K., random!  He really hates dogs.  And we have no idea where he came up with that.  So anyway, I decided to grant his wish with a stuffed one.  But like I said he really didn't care about it, so back it went.

So after we opened all our fun gifts we got ourselves ready and headed over to my mom's house in Phoenix for Presents and Brunch.  We got there just after 9 and even though our Disneyland trip was supposed to be our Christmas present this year, my mom can't resist and still got us all a little something to open.  Toms got a fun Sparky book, a remote control car, a fun shaving kit to do in the shower, socks, more colors, a pop gun with little foam balls, a big Pixar picture book from one of the cousins & lots of other random little things.  So much fun!  Thanks Grandma!

Then we had my Mom's famous Christmas morning breakfast.  YUM!  She always goes all out for this breakfast, and it is one of the meals I look forward to all year long.  She breaks out the fine china and sets the table so perfectly.  She always has Orange Juice and Hot Chocolate (my favorite!)  A spread of Hash Browns, French Toast, Berries, Soufflé{!!!} & Bacon.  YUM! YUM! YUM!  It's tradition for both set of grandparents to join us so it makes it even more special.  Anyway, it was lots of fun and great times with everyone.  We always have so much fun with my family, laughing as loud as we want and reminiscing about fun memories of the past.  I love hanging out with all of them, everyone adds something special and it makes for such a wonderful time of the year.

After hanging out for a bit we headed back into Mesa for more fun family parties to attend.  We always miss his Grandpa's morning routine with all of his extended family, so we make a stop there when we get back into Mesa.  He is always so generous with his Grandkids, giving us a new pair of Garms and a $50 dollar bill, each.  Right on!  Thanks you Grandpa Tom for being so generous with your money.  I love Grandpa Tom, he is such a fun loving, sweet man.  What a wonderful example he has been to all of our family.  He has such a wonderful sense of humor and is still smart as a whip.  He remembers EVERYTHING, and knows EVERYONE.  It makes for some fun and interesting conversations when we hang out with him.  When we got there Tyler's parents, Aunt & Uncle were still there so we were able to sit and visit for a bit with all of them.  Toms got a fun new shirt and a Dollar out of his stocking.  Grandpa has stockings for everyone hanging on the fireplace with a dollar in each one from Santa.  So cute!

The mantel

My favorite decoration in his house.  How cool is this Santa?  I LOVE it!

Next was a little down time at home for a quick nap.  Nice!  I love my naps!  Then around 4 was time to go to Tyler's families house for there Christmas fun.  My Mother-In-Law goes as crazy as my mom does with all the presents so it's a very fun filled day for us as we pick up more and more loot from each home we visit.  This year my MIL had bought us some Food supply, much needed, I am so bad about that!  She is also going to get some curtains made for my bedroom.  Yeah!!!  I can't wait.  Toms got a fun remote control car and some new jammies.  He also got a cars lego set from one of the cousins.  Tyler made out like a bandit, he usually does.  He got some tools, a new shirt from Brooks Brothers, a ladder, a new golf club from his sister {way too generous!}, and I'm sure more I just can't think of it all.  His Dad enjoys spoiling his boys.  How fun for them!  Anyway, we had a great time opening gifts.  We go in a circle and everyone opens one at a time.  It helps draw out the process and plus everyone gets to see what everyone else gets.  I like doing it this way and tried to institute this method in my family but they weren't up for it.

Then the mood turned a bit on my evening.  I was a little stressed out form all the holiday stuff anyway and just not feeling quite myself and anything anyone said was just buggin me!  So I was ready to go out to my Families house for my Aunt's Christmas party with all my cousins on my Mom's side.  This was the plan anyway, but when I asked Tyler if he was ready to go he didn't want to leave yet.  & I was ready to go.  I am usually the brunt of everyone's jokes around Tyler's family and usually it's no big deal and I just put up with it and laugh along with everyone else, but Tonight I was just not in the mood!  I'm pregnant, stressed and frustrated, not a good combo to add on to.  

Anyway, Finally I got Tyler out the door and I was already crying, we got into a bit of a tiff while driving out to my Aunt's in Phoenix so I said just go home I was in no mood to see anyone else for the evening.  We headed back home and I stayed at home to cry myself to sleep while Tyler & Toms went back to his families house.  I went form having a nice dinner at my Aunt's house to PB & J's at home.  Not the best way to end my Christmas.  But what are you going to do?  Tyler & I luckily made up before too long and I started to feel a little better as I calmed myself down.  But it was still not a fun evening for me either way.  Oh well, one more fun Christmas memory.

So besides the end of the evening it was a great Holiday.  We got lots of fun stuff and enjoyed lots of fun family conversations and memories to last a lifetime.

Can't believe I'm so late on this post, but better late then never.  Hopefully now I'll remember some of the fun details of the day for years to come.  Merry Christmas all!  Hope your Christmas day was great too!

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we had a few fun parties to attend.  First was our Christmas program at my Grandma Gigi's retirement home.  We decided to all get together and have a small Holiday get together instead of nothing.  It was a nice afternoon, filled with lots of fun talents by all the kids and even a few visitors we weren't expecting.  Since we were just in the lobby of the home older ladies kept coming up to join us.  It was hilarious.  One lady even took someone's chair when they went up to preform.  Good times, makes for very fun memories.

Toms was a little bored sitting through the program. Can you tell?

Look at how cute these two ladies are.  

I had to get a pic of Macy's darling outfit!

Next was out to dinner with my mom. We started the tradition last year 

of going out to eat, just the 4 of us. All of my other siblings had other 

places to go, so instead of leaving mom to just spending the evening 

alone, we decided to go get a bite to eat.

Toms is such a ham and loved getting all of the attention from us.

A photo op for mom & me. Thanks for dinner mom, we had a great 

time just hanging with you for some fun Holiday time.

After dinner we started to make the trek back to Mesa. Tyler's 

parents host Christmas Eve dinner for anyone who doesn't have 

any where else to go. So we joined them right as they were starting 

to eat.  We sat and played some games and sang some songs while 

Dad recited the story of Christ's birth. It was lots of fun and a great 

time with family. That's what the Holidays are all about, right!?

Toms was being silly with the other kiddos.

Photo time with Tiff & Hope. When I get the video's uploaded I'll 

post the fun new talent my brother in law showed off. It was pretty 

amazing. So stay tuned.

I'll post Christmas day in a little bit, we need to get showered before 

it gets too late. Toms is getting bored.

Weekend Review

This past weekend we had lots of fun plans.  On Friday night we hosted a dinner party with Tyler's friends from the MBA program.  We have become close to a few of these couple's and want to try and get closer to the others.  Here is a picture of the table setting.

Sadly I didn't get any pictures of the group, but we had a great evening with 

lots of laughs and great conversations.  Thank you to everyone for coming!  

It made the night so much fun, we need to get together more often!

Then on Saturday I was able to go to lunch with my mom & siblings 

for our annual Christmas lunch. We always have such a great time 

together with lots of laughing and fun. We are always the loudest 

bunch in the place, but that's what you get when you put four of the 

same loud laughs together in the same place.

Sunday was a nice relaxing day filled with church and family. I spent most 

of the evening finishing up a scrapbook that I've been working on like crazy 

for a Christmas gift. {Note: It's finally done, yeah!} Then Monday evening 

was Tyler's extended family party @ The Wright House.  We get together, 

eat Mexican food, have a program and even Santa comes to visit and pass 

out some fun little gifts for the kiddos.

Toms usual reaction to the big guy!

He was pretty subdued for the rest of the evening just watching Santa 

making sure he knew where he was at all times.

Last night Tyler, Toms & I headed out to San Tan to do a little last minute 

shopping. We ended up buying each other both a pair of shoes to wrap under 

the tree. There was a great deal at Sketchers so I got a cute pair of slip on 

tennis shoes and Tyler got the brown shoes he wanted from his list.  

It was absolutely freezing walking around out there so we didn't stay for too 

long but got everything else we needed.

I should be working on a couple of unfinished projects I am giving as gifts 

tomorrow so I need to head off, but wanted to get a little update in before 

I have too much to report on. Have a wonderful Christmas and I hope it's 

filled with lots of friends, family & fun memories that will last a lifetime.  

Can't wait to see all the fun posts about everyone's Holiday!  

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas Card's

I ended up making a few Christmas Cards for my Sister's & Mother In Law & wanted to share them with everyone.  They turned out so cute, I thought.

And then of course, here is ours.

Have a great Christmas Eve!

I made it!

I made the top five.  So go HERE and vote away.  Of course my BFF Molly also made it into the running so, feel free to vote for her as well.  We need lots of votes to win so take just a moment to check it out and vote for your favorite.  Thanks and we'll keep you posted on who will win.  Thanks!!!

Bella Fine Contest!

Bella Fine is holding a contest with their shoppers Christmas trees.  It's way easy to enter and if you win you get a cute basket full of Bella Fine goodies.  So here goes nothin'!  Wish me luck!

Tree number one. The main tree in our Family Room.

Tree number two.  

The new fun & funky one with all 

my Christopher Radko ornaments displayed.

Here is a closer shot of some of the fun ornaments on the tree.

Have a merry evening. Show me your tree, I wanna see!!!

Weekly Photo

I've gotten this idea from my sis.  So I thought it was a cute idea.  Thanks sis!

Suns Game

{we got free hats when we came into the game}

Last night we were able to go to the Suns game with the DeCrows.  It was lots of fun, not the best seats, in fact they were more like the worst seats.  But we still had a good time.  Most of the evening was spent talking with Molly about all the millions of things we have to catch up on, while we tried to catch the crazy moments in the game.  Anyway, thanks guys for such a fun evening.

{a quick photo on the way out}

Weekend Happenings

{Photo by: Little Jill}

This weekend has been great, I was FINALLY able to get just about all my Christmas cards and goodies out.  {Thanks babe for helping me deliver them last night even though you were not thrilled with the idea.}

My mom had her annual Christmas party on Friday night which was lots of fun with really great food and lots of friends.  We stayed until after 11 playing guitar hero world tour and talking and laughing at my brother Jimmy's stories.  Then on our way home Toms of course fell asleep, due to just how late it was, and just about half way home we had a little car trouble.  Tyler's car started to make a funny sound then felt like we ran over something.  Soon we were slowing down and burning up a bit.  We were able to make it off to the side of the freeway right before everything shut down, and bam, we were stranded.  It was nearly midnight and there we were on the side of the freeway with a sleeping toddler in the back of the car.  We could feel the wind from each car passing and all I could think about was "Please, no one hit us!".  We would certainly be dead from something like that.  Anyway, we were able to call Tyler's dad, he came to pick us up and we called a tow truck to take the car to the dealership.  

So now it's the waiting game.  We still haven't heard back from the service department to see what all went wrong.  We are praying that it's not too serious, otherwise Merry Christmas to us.  Tyler went to look for a new car on Saturday but we are still to upside down on his car to trade it in.  Plus if we have a lot of money into it to fix it, well.  Not good.  Anyway, so I could tell Tyler was pretty stressed all weekend long but you do what you can.  I kept telling him it could have been much, much worse!  We need to be thankful for what we have and hope for the best in the situation.

Anyway, then on Saturday I spent literally the entire day at the computer tweaking our Christmas cards and working on my Address list.  Finally late that night I was able to get as much done as possible and we sat down to watch "Christmas Vacation".  I love that movie!!!  It's just not Christmas until you watch it.

Sunday I was having a bad day from the start.  You know how you just wake up on the wrong side of the bed?  Well, I did.  Then Toms didn't want to shower, and cried and whined the entire time we were in there.  That didn't help.  So I got ready for church and went for the sacrament then just had to come home.  I just was not in the mood for a Sunday.  I came home and finished up a few things around the house, including addressing my cards then took a little nap to forget about life for awhile.  That was nice.  I woke up much better.  We went to his parents house for dinner, swiss steak, yum!!!  And hung out within all the craziness of the family.  The kids were on one last night.  It was a total mad house over there.  But I guess that's what families are all about.  Anyway, then we went and delivered our goodies around the neighborhood, so glad that is done.  Then came home and Jill was over wrapping some of her gifts for under their tree.  I worked a little on the scrapbook I'm making and we just had a nice relaxing evening by the TV.  Toms fell asleep in Tyler's arms and then when I went to move him he went rather well and fell right back to sleep.  A good night!

Today I'm being lazy.  I need to deliver a few more goodies, go to the post office, grocery store for more milk and go to the scrapbook store for some more materials for the scrapbook.  Tonight we have tickets to the Suns game with the DeCrows.  So that should be a wonderful evening filled with friends and fun.  I need that!

Anyway, hope you are all having a great day and hopefully I'll be back soon to post more of my December happenings.  Til then, take care!

Time Flies

I've had all the right intentions on posting every day this week, but you know how it goes.

Some of the highlights of the week:

We just barely turned our heater on yesterday.

Wednesday night we spent the evening at my mom's house with all my siblings getting all the food ready for her annual Christmas party tonight.  It's fun seeing everyone and just hanging out and having a good time together.  On the way home my brother Jimmy told me to stop by his house to see what he had up.  He had made this Christmas Darth Vader statue.  It's so cool, he is such an amazing artist.  Sorry it's not the best picture but it was so cool!

Tyler & I made goodies for all the neighbors and they have turned out so cute.  I'm waiting to deliver them until I finish my Christmas Cards.  Hopefully tomorrow sometime, or Sunday, that's a good Sunday activity.

I had a fun class on Tuesday night.  It was my Christmas Banner class.  They all turned out so cute!

I've been working on invitations for a small dinner party we are throwing for some of Tyler's MBA friends this next weekend.

Lots a grocery shopping, that reminds me, I need to go today too!

A few different photo shoots for Christmas pics.

If you follow OneHM's blog then you've seen THIS hilariousness! 

Lots of time on the computer and Toms watching Pixar movies.  Poor little guy will be so happy when I start playing with him again.

Monday night my In-Laws took all the adults out to dinner at The Cheesecake Factory.  Yum!  Although they didn't have what I wanted {they were out} I tried something new.  There is so much to choose from.  It was a nice evening out with just the adults.  Then we headed over to Toys'R'Us to check out any deals.  We did get toms some new jammies and pants.

Still working on getting all the Christmas Decor up.  By the time I get it all done it will be time to take it down.  Silly!

Taking some time off to make a few LO's.  Nothing is finished yet.

Working HARD on a BIG scrapbook for a friend.  I did one last year for her sister and now it's her turn to get one for Christmas.  They take forever to do but it's so fun and rewarding in the end.  I need to make 5 pages a day til Christmas to finish it.  Wish me luck!!

Anyway, that's all I can think about right now, hope you have a great weekend.

Christmas Memories: Day 5

Today was a very uneventful day.  Toms & I just laid around not doing much.  We watched Finding Nemo and I worked on a Christmas Card for my Sister-In-Law.  Toms played outside a bit and then started to get mad at me for not coming outside with him.  So after about an hour of him whining I decided it was time for a nap.  He gets so mad when I start making a bottle, he knows what's coming.  But as soon as I wrestle him into the bed room he's happy as a clam and falls right to sleep.  When we woke up Tyler was home and played with Toms while I did a little crafting.  Then the boys went to the Mountain View Football game while I stayed home and worked, worked, worked!  I have a list of silly things that I need to get done in the next few weeks and I've hardly even started on any of them.  I find many distractions throughout the days.  Whoops!
      Anyway, I got lots done around the house and getting things organized for all the stuff I need to do.  I started some laundry, made a few Christmas gifts, semi organized my studio, cleaned off our kitchen table {it's been filled with random projects for months now!}, got some kits ready for my classes next week and lots of other stuff.  Anyway, I am now going to go and hang out on the couch with my boys and relax a bit.  Hope you had a wonderful day!

Christmas Memories...so far!

I've decided to copy Miss Ashley and make a little list of my own memories from each day in December this year.  So here goes nothin...

On the 1st day of December:  We took family pictures with ALL the in-laws.  Very fun but also a little crazy, as always.  After that we had Hope's Annual Waffle Extravaganza at her place.

On the 2nd day of December: I got my hair cut, not that exciting, but it's what I did.  Then later that night I had enrichment and we had a service project for needy children.  We cleaned and packaged old toys for them to open for Christmas.  It was so nice to give myself to service.  That's what the season is all about, right!  Then, Toms was a able to get his hair cut also.  He looks so cute with short hair again.  It was getting pretty shaggy!

On the 3rd day of December: We did a little more decorating around the house, and went to El Charro with Granny & Papa.

 Tyler had to work late so he finally made it home around 10.  Then I was able to go to bed by 10:30, so nice!

On the 4th day of December:  Toms & I ran a million errands.  I had a class that evening so I needed to run all over the place to get all the supplies.  Toms loves running errands with me, then we came home and put up some more decorations and played outside.

We took a nice afternoon nap then waited for Tyler to get home.  I taught a class at the Studio then came home and cuddled up in front of the couch to calm down for the evening.

Stay tuned for the rest of the month, hopefully I'll get the chance to post every day.

Sleeping Issues!

On Saturday night, my mother-in-law had all the little girls spend the night over at their house.  So we stopped by to check out all the craziness.  Toms went right in to play with everyone.  Soon they turned on Wall*e and turned off all the lights and snuggled up in all the bean bags and Toms was lying there with his arms back behind his head.  It was so cute, I had to take a pic.  Sadly, Toms didn't get to spend the night with the rest of them but he did have his own new bed to go home to.  My mom had this bed in her back room from when my sister lived with her.  

So we brought it home and let him pick out his own sheets and got him all excited about sleeping in his very own bed.  The first night he did great!!!  Never woke up once, and slept better in that bed then he ever has in ours.  We decided to put the bed in our room until he gets used to it, to try and make a little easier transition.  The second night wasn't as good and then the last two nights he lasted about 2 hours in his bed til he made it back into our bed.  Little stinker!  I know it's going to be a long process so wish me luck in keeping strong and sticking to my guns.  I need to get him in his own bed and bedroom before this baby comes.

Christmas Wish List

This is for my Mom & My Mother-In-Law, maybe Tyler {If we come across any extra money this month} and whomever else feels the need to know.  Oh, Jill I guess you did pick my name.  Thanks!!!

First of all you can refer back to THIS post for most of the items.  I didn't get any of that stuff for my Birthday so that is still some fun stuff that I would like.

A Christopher Radko Ornament

Subscriptions to these magazines: Blueprint, Domino, Elle Decor, Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion, Modern Home, House Beautiful, Martha Stewart,

 Dwell and/or Cookie. Can ya tell I like magazines? But I don't hold any subscriptions, weird! 

This Bench for the foot of my bed.

I will ALWAYS welcome ANYTHING from Anthropologie!

I also LOVE this sweater!  

Well, this is about all I can come up with at the moment.  Pretty much most of the stuff I need is on the previous list.  Thanks and good luck! 

 Oh and YES, Disneyland was my main gift from my mom but this list is for my Mother-in-law and Tyler.  Just a little FYI to whomever left the first comment on this post.

ASU Game!

So, I was finally able to join Tyler and the rest of the gang for one of the ASU Football games this season.  He and his family have been going for a few years now and I've never had the desire to go and sit in a hot stadium and watch a game that I'm not all that interested in, but we had an extra ticket this past weekend {Thanks Spencer} so I wanted to go and see what all the fuss was about.

We started the evening out with a little tailgating.  We ordered Spinato's pizza to chow on and can I just say, YUM!  Then we hung out in the parking lot for a bit while the boys threw a football back and forth and the ladies talked all about the fun deals they were able to get earlier that day while shopping.

I had to take a picture of Tyler, Tim & Darrin's shoes.  Apparently they all shop at the same store.

Here's one of the top of that last picture.  Such fun friends, you're all so lucky to have each other!

Some of the other's getting ready for the game to start.

After the team would score a touchdown Tyler & one of the boys would do pushups with one of the nephews.  The first one's were done with Cody and Tim ended up hurting his shoulder.  So Darrin stood in and helped Tyler out for the rest of the touchdowns.  

Griff!

The boys going crazy after the Devils scored another touchdown.

They were running up and down the aisle's flying their shirts in the air screaming their heads off.  This was the most entertaining part of the whole game.  So funny watching such skinny little kids running all over the place.

and here we are!  We had to take a picture to document this joyous occasion.  Who knows when I'll be joining them again.  Maybe once a year.  That's about all I need to get my fill.

Thanks Babe for making such a fun and memorable evening at the game for me.  I loved seeing "Game Face Tyler", a new side of you that I knew was somewhere inside, but never have seen it come out before.  It was rather enjoyable.  Thanks!

GO DEVILS!!   oh, and we won!  That's always a plus!