The best day of the Year!

Ricky woke up Dec. 26 and declared it the best day of the year. I asked him why. He said "because you get to play with all your new stuff all day long!" So true, young man.

We spent the day in front of the TV playing the new Wii Santa brought the family, riding the new electric scooter, Ripstick, and Heely's Grandma Susie got us (in the basement of course), and eating the left overs, and the treats all the neighbors brought us. It was Heaven! We also did a little bit of sledding.

I have to tell about Santa's visit. The kids had been fighting all week long. No school, lots of snow outside, and no where to go, they got very restless. I kept saying "Santa isn't going to come if you don't find a way to get along." Well, Santa left them each a bag of coal, and one family gift..the Wii. (I wrapped their Santa gifts and they were from mom and dad this year) Ricky was such a big boy. He was excited when a minute later Taylor saw the Wii behind the Christmas tree. But after the excitement he came and sat on my lap and sobbed a little bit. I asked him what was up. He said he didn't want Santa to think he was a bad boy. (What a sweet boy) He was alright about not getting anything. He was upset that someone important thought he was a bad boy.

We have an elf named Melanie who comes to our house every year. She plays pranks and eats our treats, etc. She left the kids a note saying that she put in a good word to Santa about how good they were to each other Christmas Eve (they were sharing, and hugging, and excited for the other person when they got a neat gift, etc). That is why Santa left us the family present. The kids showed that they had a little bit of good in them.

Merry Christmas!

We are so excited for Christmas. We have all our treats delivered to neighbors and friends, the cookies are baked for Santa, and all the presents are wrapped.

Here is a picture of Rick and I at his work Christmas party in Salt Lake.

I love to leave you with a good quote I find. May you all get what your hearts desire this Christmas!

Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas.
--Dale Evans

New Christmas Tradition

Okay so I am a wimp. I hate the mess of holiday cooking craft stuff. So this year I bought a Gingerbread House Kit. The kids had a lot of fun decorating it. Not bad for our first one ever. I told them next year we'll try and get fancy.

Vacations!

Before Thanksgiving we took a trip to California to Rick's friend Amit's Wedding. We decided to make a vacation out of the trip. We went to the San Diego Zoo and Disneyland's California Adventure. For our friends in Florida it is similar to MGM Studios there.

It was a lot of fun.

Happy Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving was the best one yet. We all had such a great time. It started out with me getting up to go to Kmart and start some Christmas shopping! (yes I'm one of those people). I got some great deals and felt very happy. Went home and we all got dressed and went to the In Laws for breakfast.

Taylor looked forward to going to grandpa's and cooking with him. She has fond memories of last year stuffing the bird with him. Ricky got to play with some of his friends in grandma's neighborhood, and Shelby got to look through the ads with mom.

Dinner was wonderful. We all ate to much. We always go around the table and say what we are thankful for.

After dinner Aunt Cheryl asked what stores were open. (my kind of woman) So me, Cheryl, Joanne, and Clarrissa took off for Walmart! I was able to find a few more deals! (they were on my list ya know).

Then there was Black Friday! ....wait for it...I was able to get a big ticket item! Yes, I am so lucky. Half off! I'd tell you what it was but run the risk of that someone it is for reading and knowing what they are getting. LOL Shelby went with me, and Ricky and Taylor went with Rick. We had to split up to maximize our efforts in getting all the deals we wanted. LOL.

I am so thankful for all our blessings. Heavenly Father has looked after us and given us what we have needed and much more. He continues to place many opportunities in our path to make our lives richer.

Thank you for being a part of our journey here on earth!