Christmas in AZ

This year we stayed home for Christmas. It was a little quite but nice to be home. Camie really enjoyed Christmas this year. She was so excited to see all the presents. We also made some cookies the night before and left a note to thank Santa. She was really excited to see the cookies have been eaten and that Santa had let a note telling Camie and Blake that they have been good. That afternoon we went to my Aunt's house in Mesa and had dinner and opened a few more presents.
Blake was really only interested in eating the wrapping paper. Good thing his sister LOVES to unwrap all the presents!


We finally just let Blake play in all the paper! HE loved it!

Camie's 1st Dance Recital

Camie had her first dance recital last night. She was excited to wear make-up. I told her I was going to put her hair in a bun and she said, "no Mommy, I don't want food in my hair". I'm not sure if she knew what a recital was. I explaned that she would be on stage and the curtains would open and she would see lots of people and to make the people smile she would have to dance for them. I didn't know if she would just freeze up. Camie, Bryn, Addisyn and a few other girls just danced around the stage doing what ever they wanted. It was so cute. Before she went on stage, Angie was telling me that she started crying and saying, "Did I miss the stage?". She was so worried that she missed being on stage. For anyone who knows her, she sure does love and I mean LOVES to be the center of attention!! They danced to "Rudolph the red nose reindeer".
TO SEE THE VIDEO CLICK HERE

Photography practice and Tree decorating!

We've made it a tradition to video tape the kids decorating the tree. Here are a few photos as well.



I guess we wore Blake out!

Gingerbread Nights and Big 12 Championship

Last weekend Steve and his brother Rob flew to Kansas City for the Big 12 Championship game. For those of you like me, that's a college football game. I guess a big deal. Anyway, Dr. Pepper sponsored it so you know Steve and Rob got the hook up. Everything was taken care of for them, flight, hotel, food, entertainment. All they had to do was just show up. I was excited for them to go but not excited for me to be left behind. If Blake wasn't nursing I would have gone.
My friend Kate and I took our kids to Glendale's Gingerbread nights. I guess they change the theme each weekend. It was a lot of fun. It was really crowded though. I was nice to see a community come out and have fun together. They had a lot of vendors for fair type junk food. They had "The Grinch that stole Christmas" playing on a huge screen out doors, many kid dancers on stage, bounce houses and slides, free crafts, and of course Santa Clause. It was a fun night. Thanks Kate for telling us about it and inviting us we had a blast.
This picture was pitch black but with photoshop was able to lighten it.

It was a long wait to see the 'Big Guy' but it was worth it. He was the nicest Santa I have ever met!!

Blake was as happy as could be. Considering he was stuck to his mama the whole night.

Waiting in line to see Santa.


These are their seats, 3rd row from the field.

Dr. Pepper Tailgate Party.

That's a whole lotta Dr. Pepper!

Thanksgiving Weekend catch up

We went to Steve's parents house in southern California for Thanksgiving this year. It was actually the first Thanksgiving we had with them since both kids have been born. It was a lot of fun and we sure kept busy. Steve's mom always has fun stuff to do with the kids. They sure do enjoy their grandparents!!! Camie is like glue to her Grandma from the time we arrive from the time we left. Here is what our weekend looked like. . .
We left Wednesday morning. We had to wait for Steve to arrive home from the airport. He was in Denver Monday and Tuesday to go to the ACDC concert with some clients from work. (I know, poor kid, huh!) We arrived in Cali Wednesday evening. Both kids were excellent in the car ride. That evening Steve's mom and I made the pies and did as much as we could so Thursday wouldn't be to hectic.
Thursday we had a lovely dinner with Steve's parents, his Grandparents, sister Melinda, bro-in-law, Scott, and brother, Rob. Camie enjoyed playing jacks with her Great Grandma Hulterstrom.

Just watching some football. I love Camie's face in this one.

Blake loved all the attention.

Thanksgiving night we all went bowling. I was funny to see Camie's ball slowly go down the alley. She was so excited to hit some pins. This is the pose she did after every throw.

The next day Camie and Grandma made a gingerbread house.


On Saturday we went to see Bolt. Camie loved it and I thought is was such a good movie. It held our interest just as much as it did Camie's.


We left for home on Sunday. It was a fun weekend.

Love these kiddos

The REASON for the SEASON

picturecourtsey of deseretbook.com
At relief society (a church meeting) today we talked about the reason for the season and getting back to the meaning of Christmas. I really enjoyed this lesson and felt the spirit so strongly. After church today and also hearing a few days ago of the death of a man in a Walmart that was trampled to death by shoppers on 'Black Friday', I wished we could all just get back to what the season is really all about, the Savior, Jesus Christ. How sad for that family, when this is supposed be the best time of year. How sad it is that people had to wait all night and then act rudely and violently to get a material gift. What would have Jesus thought about all those shoppers? The season is about service, sharing, giving and caring. I want to post this poem that was read at church.

The Stranger

At Christmas time there was a man who looked so out of place,

as people who rushed about him at a hurried sort of pace.

He stared at all the Christmas lights, the tinsel everywhere,

The shopping centre, Santa Claus, with children gathered near.

The Mall was packed with shoppers who were going to and fro,

Some with smiles and some with frowns and some too tired to go.

They rested on the benches or they hurried on their way,

to fight the crowd for purchases to carry home that day.

The music from a stereo was playing loud and clear of Santa Claus,

and snow men, and a funny-nosed reindeer.

He heard the people talk about the good times on the way,

Of parties, fun, and food galore, and gitfs exchanged that day.

"I'd like to know what's going on," the man was heard to say,

"There seems to be some sort of celebration on the way.

"And would you tell me who this is, all dressed in red and white?

And why are children asking him about a special night"?

The answer came in disbelief, "I can't believe my ear!

I can't believe you do not know that Christmas time is here,

The time when Santa comes around with gifts for girls and boys,

When they're asleep on Christmas, he leaves them books and toys".

"The man you see in red and white is Santa Claus, so sly,

The children love his joyful laugh and twinkle in his eye.

"His gift packed sleigh is pulled along by very small reindeer,

As he flies quickly through the air, while darting here and there.

"The children learn of Santa while they are still quite small.

When Christmas comes, he is the most important one of all."

The stranger hung his head in shame, he closed a nail-pierced hand.

His body shook in disbelief; he did not understand.

A shadow crossed his stricken face, his voice was low but clear,

"After all these year, they still don't know."

And Jesus shed a tear.

- Author Unknown