Christmas Magic

Christmas was wonderful this year. We were invited to spend Christmas Eve with Brent's family at his Grandma Betty's house. We enjoy seeing extended family, visiting, and of course there is the food. There is usually a visit by a very special guest....Emmy wasn't scared of Santa one bit. She sat on his lap jabbering, jumped off, and proceeded to steal a candy cane and run across the room shouting, "Hunter, candy!" She's so tenderhearted and shares with everyone. (Keeps us on our toes too!)I thought this was cute of the kids watching (or not watching) the little program this year. 2 were entertained, and 2 were entertaining themselves. Goofs!Not wanting Santa to miss us, since we put our tree downstairs for the first time, Hayley had several notes posted, starting at the fireplace, to the stairs (where this was) to the tree. In case you cant see it well, it says "Please come this way, thank you. Signed Hayley, Emmy and Hunter. We will be sure to keep this for her book. What a cutie!There is nothing Emmy loves more than Winnie the Pooh. It was the first thing she saw and she has played endlessly with this toy. It also doubles for Pony and little Pet Shop parties. What a mix. I've never seen so many little parts. Both girls will love them.The most exciting find of the day was Emmy's stocking. She had quite the choke-hold on it all morning. We sat to open stockings, Emmy saw skittles, and that was it for her. She kept pulling other "treats" out completely amazed at the never ending goodie bag. It was a lost battle to get her to open presents. It was a good thing that Santa doesn't wrap his presents. Isn't it true that children are just as happy with the simple things? Hunter had a very specific list this year. Brent and I were hard pressed to find some items on his wish list. He is opening his Nerf-Vulcan. Little did we know it has serious fire power. It loads like a machine gun, and shoots the darts super fast. Heads up to any trespasser! Watch out! He also got a super cool scooter from Grandma and Grandpa Schoppmann, and is frequently scooting around the house. On the tile, it sounds like a freight train. Instant Headache. :) It must be instinctive, Emmy can already talk and drive. Two of her favorite things, a phone and a dolly. She is such a girly-girl.Hayley is so easy to please. I think she loved everything she opened. Little Pet Shop, Ponyville, Easy-bake oven (thanks... Santa) and endless art supplies for the labor intense artist.We were lucky again this year to have my mom stay with us. She was such a sport, and the kids loved having her there. She is always happy to help, and truly enjoys my children. Thanks mom!We are always well fed, and this year was no exception. Mitch and Gaona had us over for dinner, and obviously Emmy was very pleased. What a goofy grin.Comfy and Cozy on a cold, snowy Christmas. With all of their energy used up, the kiddies crashed to watch Horton Hears A Who. I loved this moment because I remember watching movies with my cousins, all of us piled in my parents bed. It is fun to watch my children making their own memories.
We hope you had a Christmas as wonderful as ours.

Wish I'd done more...

This was so fun to read through. I can't believe I haven't even cracked half of them. Always time to add I guess. Consider yourself tagged. It's a blast to try to figure what a friend has done. Knock yourself out.

What Have I Done?

The things I've done are in bold. This was kind of fun!
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower (favorite w/my husband)
6. Given more than you can afford to charity (I wish I had)
7. Been to Disneyland /world
8. Climbed a mountain (can't believe I haven't done this)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill (Uhh..not recently?)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb (no, but I've chased one)
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run (probably on accident)
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (I am blessed)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (I've climbed over a rock. Does that count?)
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (I've eaten plenty)
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London (On TV :)
77. Broken a bone(does my nose count?)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake (gross and stinky!)
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day (too frequently)

(thanks Gena!)

Elf'd ourselves!

It doesn't get much funnier than this. Take a peek! The kids have had hours of fun watching it, and I don't seem to get sick of it either. What a hilarious idea. I would like to thank my technical producer..Brent.. for his assistance in the proper way to create an elf. He did a great job.
(and to my friend, who I stole the idea from.. Thanks.)

Slip Slidin' Away

Kids are so awesome. Hunter and Hayley were trying to keep themselves busy, and decided on the tried and true event of sliding down the stairs in a sleeping bag. Luckily our stair landing exits in the middle of a large room, so there is plenty of skidding space. Who hasn't tried this?Hayley is so stinkin cute! She is happy to be in the middle of anything crazy and fun.This train is leaving the station. Notice that Emmy is in the game too. She is willing to try anything, and was a great sport. It is entirely possible that she has more guts that the other two combined. Hunter was so cute to involve her. He'd take her down on his lap, and no, it didn't look any safer. Go Guys!Emmy was just.....uh what is the right word.....Cackling. It's true. She was laughing so hard.Eventually Emmy was obviously being kept behind, she gave up the slippery bags, and used her own blanket. She was noticeably tumbling and she catapulted head over heels. It didn't slow anyone down. Out of the way! She was a cute little 18 pound missile. I tried to do this with them a while back, and dang it hurt! I don't think I could walk correctly for a week. Ah! The things I miss....Little Emmy is an art apprentice to Hayley. Hayley is coloring non-stop, and we seem to be responsible for much of the global foresting problems 'cuz we go through a ton of paper. Emmy is constantly watching her sister, and they keep themselves busy for hours. Frequently as much crayon ends up in her, as on the paper, and thus she can poop rainbows. BLAH!I asked her to give me a pretty smile, and Voila...cringe? Brent and I were just cracking up.She was trying so hard to cover her smile, and she pulls of being a bit Coquettish? Shy? Coy? Hmmm... not sure, but it sure makes my day to be blessed to play with her. I am so lucky to have such wonderful and nutty kids. Booya!

Crazy Costumes!

We were able to go to the Storybook Cavalcade this Saturday with my good friend Ginger. The kids were so excited to see all the costumes, and the adults were greatly entertained because some of the costumes were quite creepy. There were leprechauns, spooky pumpkin men, and disturbing bunnies. And hordes of other creatures. It was hilarious that the only Christmas related person, was Santa.Emmy was really into the animals, especially Tigger and Pooh...though after they passed, both characters were down from us with their costume tops off. Just a little kooky for Emmy to see.Okay.. so if anyone out there can identify any of these characters please let me know. No one had any idea who they were. Maybe from the fifties?You never know when you need a storm trooper around. Even at Christmas time. The boys were definitely excited about the troopers and Darth Vader.Hmmm....Is there any reason to not have a herd of Shetland Ponies around? Don't they just shout holidays? Seriously, they were very cute.What a perfect topper to the Parade. I can't believe there are only 17 days of shopping left. I'd better get busy huh?
Happy Holidays y'all.

Turkey Trots!

Thanksgiving was just NUTS! We had so much fun with my family, and are grateful that everyone made the drive. We started off with some entertainment, teaching my sisters and their families how to play the Wii board.
Here I am trying to gain the new high score for Hula Hooping. I've been trying to beat the high score (a 10 year old friend of Hunter's has held it) for months. Though it was hard, my superior hips came through in the end. Ha Ha!My cute niece Linnea, is taking on the snowboard. She is a natural born sportswoman, and was very adept at anything she tried. She is a Ketcher.... what can I say, except she will freak out if she ever finds out she has been blogged. Go Lin!
If this isn't the picture to end all others. My mom on a Wii board..Who'd a thunk? Maybe her compact size makes her a shoe-in for Ski-Jumping.Sometimes a bowl just isn't big enough. For real! Here is improvising at its best since I didn't have a bowl big enough to mix the stuffing. We had 4 huge bowls filled with bread, and all the ingredients ready, but there was no way to get it all together. Here my sister, Leslie is applying the elbow grease to get the job done. (The stuffing was divine!)Trying to get all ready for the feast. With 23 of us, it was a little nutty, but all went smoothly.I love this picture, 'cuz it just screams.... " Is the turkey done yet" We all were ready!Apparently, my nieces are fluent in the art of origami. They were creative enough to fold some beautiful napkins for our tables. How fun are they? Thanks guys!Does it get any better? Hayley and her cousin Braden are taste testers for my sister's creations of pies. Yummy. Looks just as good before as it tasted after.The grand kids kept Grandma on her toes. Who knew that a couch could provide such entertainment. All of the kids got along amazingly.This is Emmy with her new buddy Ellie, (my great-neice?) Dang if that doesn't make me sound like a fuddy dud. They were darling together, thick as thieves. Emmy wound up, and Ellie as mellow as could be. It was so fun to get them together. I can't wait to see what adventures these two find themselves in.We all need our down time after the big bird has flown. What a darling picture to come upon. I couldn't help myself. Little Aubrey with Grandma. Perfect!This is apparently the way Emmy feels after everyone left. I think it sums it all up wonderfully.
I'd like to apologize to my family, that no matter my cleaning obsessiveness, my cold seems to have gone from my family to yours. Sorry. Hopefully that means that Stan's Rockin New Years Eve party will be germ free.

I am thankful

On this rainy Thanksgiving day, I want to always remember how blessed I am. Here are my top 5 things, that I am thankful for...

1) I am so very grateful for my husband Brent. He is truly my best friend and the love of my life.
2) I am so lucky to have three beautiful children. They are all beautiful and special in their own way.
3) I am grateful for my family, my mother who is wonderful and my sisters who I enjoy spending time with them.
4) I'm grateful for Brents' family too. They are wonderful to us, and always make an effort for my family.
5) I am thankful to have the church in our lives. It is comforting to know that Brent holds the priesthood, and can direct our family.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families.

"Twilighters"

What could be better than getting to go to a midnight movie with a friend? My girlfriend and I weathered the crazy rush of girlies at the opening of Twilight. Ginger, being a wild and crazy girl, decided we needed t-shirts, so my silly saying was "I am a Twilight fan.....BITE ME! Just a little sass. We ate an insane amount of goodies, but everyone knows that calories after midnight don't count anyway, and the jumbo popcorn, licorice, and nutso size drink were just to keep me awake right?Ginger is going to kill me for this next picture, but dang, we just look soooooo happy! It totally catches the feeling of the night.
Ginger knows so many people. We were able to sneek in with her cute friend who was so darling, and it was awesome 'cuz we were toward the end of the line... by the dumpster. BLAH!Just three wallflowers without our dates. April, Ginger and I, grabbing a quick picture before the "Event Photographer" caught us.
We had a great time, enjoyed the movie, and I'm thankful that Ginger keeps me on my toes! Ohh......and go JAKE! :)

Time goes by....

It was our anniversary today....which makes it 12 years we've been hitched. I was looking through our photos for an old picture of Brent and I, and it was so fun to reminisce about the great times and we have been blessed with many. We still have so much fun together, and he is truly my best friend. We had decided not to purchase anything for each other and to go on a date night, so we were surprised when my good friend Jennie gave us a cute card and some yummy homemade treats. (of which I ate all) Thanks Jennie!! I was teasing Brent that it was pretty sad when the only gift you get on one's anniversary, is from someone else. We're a couple of goofs. Thanks for 12 wonderful and fun filled years Brent!
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Our crazy weekend was devoted to my mom, Ann, and errands related to her new home. In three days, we accomplished an insane amount. I had so much fun with her, and to see a side I don't think any of my sisters or I would have believed she had. What an amazing shopper. Who'd have guessed?These are some pictures of my mom's new house. It is going to be so fun for us to have her close by. Both of my girls were heartbroken when she left this morning. Emmy stood at the door and said 'gama' for an hour. Poor baby.

This is the most color in my mom's house ever. All of the daughters, told her she could NOT paint it white. The house is darling, and just her size. She let me come along to help her shop for some new furniture, and is such a good sport to let my decorating obsessiveness take right over. Here are some pix of her new living room and kitchen sets.How fun are these? I realized this weekend that I can get a shopping fix, just by spending someone else's money. How Fun ! Everything is going to come together and look great. I am so proud of her. She is so giving and sweet, and would do anything for my family. I am glad that she took some time (and money) and treated herself to something she deserves. Way to go. Love you MOM!