For Sophie...A ChristmasTag

A Christmas Tag
1- What is your favorite Christmas song? White Christmas
2- When was your most memorable Christmas? little kid...prob about 10 years old
3- What is your favorite Christmas treat? all of them!..
4- What do you dislike most about the Christmas season? that some go without...and holiday traffic
5- What do you like best about the Christmas season? The "christmas magic"
6- Who is the hardest person to shop for on your Christmas list? Parents
7- If you could receive one gift without money being an issue, what would it be?
8- What is your idea of a perfect Christmas Eve? family in Christmas jammies, hot chocolate, open 1 present, treats by the fire
9- Which do you like best, eggnog, or hot chocolate? hot chocolate
10- Do you prefer a fancy Christmas tree, or one decorated by the kids? decorated by the kids
11- What is your favorite family Christmas tradition? just starting to make som
12- Do you like fruitcake? No!
13- Do you prefer skiing or snowboarding? snowbording
14- Are you dreaming of a White Christmas, or do you say “Bah Humbug” to snow? depends...do i have to drive?? If staying inside white...if out and about...bah humbug
15- What was your favorite gift from Santa when you were a child? money...terrible i know
16- What is your favorite Christmas movie? christmas vacation
17- Have you ever eaten snow? Yes
18- Who do you wish could be with you this Christmas? whole family
19- When do you put up your Christmas lights and decorations? After thanksgiving

On the road again

We left California to meet Shawn and spend Thanksgiving in St. George.The kids were so good in the car!...with a little help from yummy red vines. So so messy though.
Reece was such an angel! And a ham... This at the St. George airport waiting for Shawn's flight to come in...Sammy was so restless. We had already been in the car for about 6 hours...After Shawn got in the car...Sammy was happy again! We'd been apart from Shawn for almost a week.

And all you Mom's will totally know why Reese only has a diaper & socks on...too much work to get her a change of clothes out of the suitcase.

Time with Nana & Papa in California

The kids had so much fun at my parents house...I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that they are their only grand kids....SPOILED! Little Reece has decided that she needs to start crawling around everywhere...she is officially mobile. I cant decide if I'm happy about it or not.

They played with my cousins daughter Kylie...does that make her their 2ND cousin?

And Sammy LOVED LOVED LOVED chasing around my parents cats....and I'm sure the cats loved loved it too!

A visit with the Zernickow's

It was so fun to visit Laurie & her family...I haven't seen her Mom & Granny for years, and I grew up with them...so it really felt like I was coming home! Laurie's husband Bill making his "famous taco's."Avery & Sammy are 6 months apart..

Laurie was my first friend when I moved to Glendora in 6th grade!

Halloween 2008

Our little Sweet pea
We banned the messy pumpkin carving this year...
George borrowing the man's yellow hat

The man with the yellow hat took Curious George trick-or-treating this year. Sammy loved getting the candy, but at one point he layed on someone's driveway and told Shawn that he was all done.

Candy Popcorn Recipe

I've had a few requests for this recipe, so I thought I would share with you all:
(It's pretty easy & kids love it)

Gelatin-Flavored Popcorn

10 cups popped popcorn
1/2 cup butter
1/2- 3/4 cup sugar
1 (3-ounce) pkg fruit flavored gelatin mix (not sugar-free)
1 tablespoon light Karo syrup
3 tablespoons water

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Spray cookie sheet with non-stick spray.
2. Place a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Add butter, sugar, gelatin, Karo syrup & water and combine together. Heat until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a rigid ball - or 250-265 degrees.
3. Pour syrup into popcorn in a large greased bowl, stir until coated.
4. Pour popcorn evenly on cookie sheet & bake 5 minutes; stir. Bake 5 more minutes. Let cool completely.
It's fun to make a few batches with different flavors and mix them together...

FHE pictures - part 2

Here are the rest of the pic's from last Monday's family outing to the pumpkin patch...(my computer has been giving me trouble). He loves anything to do with water!

Kid corn maze

Teasing the goat with his prize pumpkin

This is me trying to get a really cute picture of the kids and Reecey wanted nothing to do with it! All she wanted to do was touch the pumpkins!

Hay slides

Sammy loved loved loved the slides! Was not in the least bit scard!(I'm not sure why, but all my pictures have been coming up in the opposite order I uploaded...hmm)

Hi Mom & Sissy

He thought his pumpkin might enjoy the rush!

Pig Races

Sammy loves pigs and was so excited about the pig races! They had 3 races, and on the third, Sam was chosen to step closer and represent one of the pigs. His pig didn't win (actually came in last), but this was his prize: a baby pumpkim...the winner got a really big pumpkin....but Sammy loved his little one! He carried it around EVERYWHERE for two days! Sammy got to stand right by the gate while everyone else had to stay another few feet back. He loved it!

and off they go....(the pigs backs were painted different colors)

Sammy was chosen to represent the "blue pig"

Pumpkin Patch, Hayride & Corn Maze

Here Sammy is overlooking the corn maze...I love this picture with the horizon backdrop.
On the hayride after we picked our pumpkins...this one he especially picked for Reecey.

Here Sammy is trying to decide which pumpkins to take home..

Two little monkeys!

The Circus

Last month we took the kids to the circus. Shawn forgot to get tickets earlier in the week, so all that was left was the front row! Which we thought was great for Sammy, and it was until the last hour...he started getting restless. But all in all we had a really good time. Sammy especially loved the elephants and animals. Here are some pic's from Shawn's phone: Reece's first taste of cotton candy!
We all got onto these tram-like vehicles and were driven around the floor for 15 minutes while different acts were performing....it was fun and Sammy thought it was very cool!
Shawn & I were most amazed by the SEVEN motorcyclists riding around in this cage...talk about being nervous! These people are insane!
And here is the wonderful hat that you get when you spend $12 on cotton candy!! Such a bargain!