Merry Christmas Eve!

Garrett is such a good boy. He always does what he is told to do. As he was getting tucked into bed, getting ready to rest his merry head and dream of sugar plums, I told him not to get out of bed and try to sneak a peak of Santa. I told all the kids it would be unfair if any of them saw any of the presents before their brothers or sister. I told them to stay in bed until we could all go up together and share in the Christmas Day fun.

So, sweet little Garrett did exactly as he was told. In the middle of the night, he got sick. He threw up in the bathroom, not making it to the toilet. Because he had been told not to go upstairs, he stayed downstairs. And being since he is such a good boy, he cleaned up all the throw up! Yes... all of it. Then he crawled back in bed. He got sick again and ran to the toilet. This time, he made it in time. Yet again, he went right back to bed and didn't go upstairs to wake me up.... because he was told to stay downstairs.

I want to say he is such a good boy, and he is.... but I felt SO TERRIBLE he didn't come wake me up so I could help him. Talk about an obedient, independent, clean 7 year old. My heart just sank that he cleaned it all up.... he didn't even leave a mark. I seriously almost didn't believe him when he told me what happened. There wasn't a trace of evidence.

By morning he was all happy and ready to see what Santa had left him. I think Garrett hit top of Santa's Nice list this year. He definitely was a good boy.... all year long!

All the kids sleep downstairs together. It is a tradition. They love it!

Here we are.... strutting our new PJ's!

Sleep Tight.... Santa is coming!

Aunt Elaines Place

Aunt Elaine's house is always so much fun! And even more fun when everyone is together for Christmas Eve!

Little Cailyn and Zander have fun together!

Even Don and Jolene (Rick's parents) came for the celebration.

And just in case you don't recognize the guy with the beard, no it isn't Grizzly Adams, it is Uncle Rick!

Stockton just loves babies..... and babies love him. He spent most of the night reading to her and playing with her. And she loved every minute of it!

I just had to add this picture. It is rare that I can snap a picture of Andy without him making so silly face. So here it is.... normal Andy!

Vegas Bowl

The boys got a good start to the Christmas Holiday. Niel, Conner, Stocks, and Gar all loaded up and headed to Vegas!!

Together they went to the BYU Basketball game and then to the BYU Football game. They were in heaven.... well, a frozen heaven that is. The wind was blowing like crazy. They all had to bundle up to stay warm. They even left a little early. I realized it must have been real cold, Niel never leaves a game early.... no matter what the score!

Vegas just won't be complete without some type of buffet.

They had a nice time together!!

Lasagna Party

A yearly tradition we do with Niel's family is The Lasagna Party!

This year we had the party at Lisa's house!

The festivities weren't nearly as fun without Grandma and Grandpa J. This year we talked to them on Skype. Technology is amazing!!! It was almost like they were with us!

Lots of great food and fun family!

We play tons of fun games.

Everyone enjoys themselves!!

It is great to see the entire family together. I love this tradition!!!

Candy Houses

Another fun Christmas tradition at our house....

Candy Houses !!

I love all the creativity!

Zander has wings on his house. We call it the "Up" house because it can fly.

Stockton's is hollow inside. He was so excited that he made it sturdy enough that it didn't cave in. We call his the Graham Cracker house because he used nearly half the box of Graham Crackers.

Conner liked the chocolate pretzels the most this year. Doesn't his fence look perfect?

And Garrett's house is a party house. He has all the little bears eating food in the dining room! He even made a door that is open to everyone. The more the merrier.

Megz isn't a house at all, she made a giant swimming pool with a diving board. The red bears are even swimming!

Me and Niels house is pretty standard. I think I do the same one every year...haha! Pink, white, red and brown were our colors this year!

I love this tradition! It is tons of fun to make the Candy houses from scratch and let our imaginations lead to such creativity.

Splish Splash

I was working in my office the other day when I noticed everything was VERY quiet. This is very unusual because four young boys are ALWAYS full of energy and loud most of the time. Quiet moments usually mean trouble is a brew somewhere.

My curiosity got the best of me so I crept around the house trying to figure out what secret trouble the boys were making. I noticed the downstairs bathroom door closed and heard a bunch to laughing and splashing. I quickly opened the door and happened upon this.....

The boys had decided that Rocky was smelly and needed a bath. That is the best kind of trouble to find 4 little boys getting themselves into.

I think the only one complaining was sweet little Rocky. But even he was thanking them after it was all over. He did smell so much better!!

Spark

A new favorite of mine...

SPARK

No... these are not alcoholic drinks... we are in downtown Provo!! Spark is a non-alcoholic social place to talk and have drinks. They also have some yummy food. It is perfect for a girls night out! Thanks Jen for introducing it to us. It was so much fun to hang out with Brooke and Jen for a night!

Jump On It!

We all love Jump on It! And guess what? They have Family Night on Monday night. Our entire family can jump into the fun for only $20!!! For a family of 7 it is difficult to find something that much fun for such a small dollar amount.

Megan wasn't feeling too well that night, but she enjoyed watching everyone have a fun time.

I wish I could go to Jump on It everyday. It would be the perfect aerobic workout!!

Stocky likes to do his flips and tricks!! I can't believe he is daring enough to do a front flip.... those front tricks scare me.

Up! Up!! ... and away!! Garrett is like a mini super hero with super flying powers!

And Conner has his own super hero skills.... he can walk on walls!!

There is some silly fun for everyone!!

It Snowed!

It finally snowed! The temperatures have been so very cold, but they haven't produced much snow this winter season. We were ever so delighted to finally get some flakes that actually suck to the ground.

The pictures look like it is really dark outside. It was only about 4:00 pm. I suppose that is late enough.

Stockton tried his luck at a snow fort. He is standing in the main entrance.

Conner tried to make a walk way.

... and Garrett was just out for some snow fun.

I think we are going to need a little more snow in order to do all the fun snow things we like to do. But we aren't complaining. Some snow is better then no snow!

It's Gone!

I chopped my hair!!!!

Ok, so maybe I didn't really chop it off... but I have always wanted to say that. Brooke took my extensions out.

What do you think?

Some say it makes me look younger, which is good since I am about to get a year older. Some say it makes me look sassy.... I guess sassy is good. Some don't say anything at all... I suppose that is their way of not saying what they really think.

What say you?

I have a little secret.... I like it!
It only takes me about 5 minutes to do it everyday...SWEET! I just love having a sister who can work wonders with my hair. Long one day, short the next.... and then long again whenever I decide to put them back in.

Jib Jab Christmas

Stockton - Date Night

Every Thursday night is Date night at our house. The boys take turns rotating each week and I get to be the lucky one to spend an evening on the town with one of them. This past week it was Stockton's week. Stockton chose to watch a movie at home with popcorn (he is so easy to please)! He also let his brothers participate with us. He went to the list of movies. He told me he wanted to see something funny.... so, I went to the OLD archive of "Amy's Favorite Movies" and I found this one.....



Do you remember this all time classic? It was popular 20 years ago. I was 13 years old. I think I watched this movie at least 30 times. Even when I watched it with the boys, I found myself quoting lines from it and laughing before the funny parts even started.

The boys thought it was hilarious!!! It was fun to see them laugh at all the parts I thought were funny so long ago.

What are some of your all time favorite movies?

So you Think you can DaNcE? - Legacy

Yep... I am one of those sappy fans who watches So You Think You Can Dance. And of course I have my favorites. The show is coming to an end with the finale next week, which of course I will be anxiously waiting to see, but tonight one of my favorites was voted off the show.

I think the reason I liked Legacy Perez so much as because he is a street dancer with very little professional help to his dancing career. He was born with such talent. His main style is hip-hop, and he is so incredible in that area. But what I have been most impressed with is his development on the show. He can dance ANYTHING!!! In my eyes, he is a true artist. He had several dances that were my favorite, especially this one I have posted. Keep in mind when you watch this that he is a street dancer..... and here he is, dancing contemporary..... and doing it so well!



I will miss seeing him in the final show.

But.... I think I want to go see the show when it is in town, just so I can get another glimpse of this talented man. Who wants to join me?

Go Jazz!

My good friend Jen is my favorite person this week! I was able to get Utah Jazz tickets from her for TWO games! Yes, you read that right.... TWO!!

The first Jazz game I went to was with Niel. The Jazz creamed Portland 108 - 92!


The second Jazz game I went to was with Conner. The Jazz played Indiana. The Jazz were ahead the entire game, but there were a few times the game got really close. Conner and I had to cheer extra loud to make sure they kept their lead. The Jazz pulled it off 96 - 87!!

We had so much fun!!

Temple Lights

I LOVE! LOVE!! LOVE!!! Going up to Salt Lake City to see the Temple Lights every year! I remember going as a family when I was younger. Carrying on this tradition every year has been a good one. We have added a few events to the tradition over the years.

This year, Bryn and Grandma came with us. Brooke and Rick met us up there.

First, we all ride the tracks together. Zander thinks this is just so much fun! I think age 5 constitutes for the best age for the Christmas Season. EVERYTHING is excited to Zander. He was full of energy for the entire trip.

JB's Restaurant's used to be a big deal with I was younger. Now, it is a rarity you will see one anywhere. We found one though. Just for me, the family shuffles into the restaurant. JB's is right across from the temple lights so it works out perfectly. All the kids love the menu because there is so much to choose from. I just love it because it reminds me of the good grades I got as a kid and every time I got to pick a place to eat as my reward, I would choose JB's. It has sentimental memories for me.

The Temple Lights were beautiful!

We visited the old Conference Center. It seriously looked like a painting it was so beautiful!

The weather outside was about 21 degrees, but we were bundled up so tight. We stayed plenty warm and enjoyed the sites!