HO, HO, HO...

merry christmas to all...

and to all a good night.

{the gratzinger humdinger...}

merry christmas to all, and to all an ugly sweater!!!

we had so much fun this weekend

at our christmas neck n' nogg with our friends.

we all dressed up in some mighty fine christmas sweaters,
played games, ate treats and laughed our heads off.

everyone raise a glass in toast to the season...


brother + sister chuck m. vanchiere

the classic nuttalls

our fabulous host and hostess

the gratzingers

heather and karlynn reincarnate

amber jeffs {wife #27 to her loving husband warren}

kenny's bowtie that was battery operated

topped off the evening.

i love having good friends to sit around

and be nerds with.

happy holidays!

{oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree...}

this is the first (of many im sure)holiday posts.

for fhe this week, we set out on a hunt to

find the perfect christmas tree. kenny is a romantic

and loved the idea of cutting one ourselves.

that dream might have to be fulfilled next year

when we have a little more time on our hands.

until then, some random guys backyard will have to do.

tate was a huge help

pointing to all the massive trees covered

in fake snow, maybe next year son...

the night ended with jammies and decor.
tate loved putting all the ornaments on.
i just love this season. now if it will just snow already!

{ a day of thanks...}

The day always starts out with our annual

TURKEY BOWL...

My attempt at getting some shots of the
cute decor my mom set up for our dinner
at our family cabin in Sundance. I should
have started the pics before dinner, maybe
Tate's sweater would have been cleaner
and his shirt would have been tucked in...




Here is our table at dinner. Somehow
we got demoted to the kids table. This
is only about 1/3 of the crew.



You seriously have never seen so much
food on one plate{all stirred together
I might add} as seen here on Brooks' plate.
That boy sure can pack it away!


Me and my sista's

taylor+brynne+paige+linds+taryn

I have to say Thanksgiving is one of my favoritest holidays EVER! Anytime I get to sit around, stuff ma belly, and laugh and laugh with the people I love most- its always good times. I'm so grateful for a husband who puts up with me, a healthy, darling little son who loves me unconditionally, a family who is so supportive {and always provides entertainment} and the stability of the Gospel in my life. I'm also grateful for days like these to remind me all that I have to be grateful for.

Its MY birthday and I'll cry if I wanna...

So today I celebrated turning 27. Basically to sum it up I want to die. I have been dreading this day for a while now. This birthday makes all the rest look like a walk in the park. It wouldn't be so bad if me and my dear sweet husband were taking the plunge together...but alas, hes still got 8 beautiful months to enjoy the bliss of experiencing his 26th year.

After contemplating "life" at the gym this morning, I for some reason came home in such a mean mood. My poor family got the brunt end of my depression...{but they took it like champs none the less.} After my rampage I decided it was today I should be happy about; the food, the gifts, the parties ect. ect. Its tomorrow that's going to be the doozie-all the fun stuff will be over and I will just be 27-UGH!

CONCLUSION:

Even though I had to turn one year older {and wiser too, I might add} my birthday was jam packed with fun festivities! Last weekend we and some of our friends, stayed at my grandparents cabin in Sundance-it was such good times. Today some of my girlies took me out to lunch to my fav-CPK, again, such good times. And finally, tonight, we went to dinner and the movie August Rush with my fam. Oh my heavens!!!!! I would recommend this show to anyone, it was incredible. So after some treats and gifts we ventured home to close out the day. A dozen long stem red roses awaited me. Have I mentioned I have the bestest hubby ever? (he even lets me purchase my own gifts this year...hee hee)

Well at least I know I'm not the only one fighting the hands of time. Lots of my dear friends know exactly what I'm going through, which does help ease the pain. And they do say 50 is the new 40...so maybe I shouldn't be such a Grinch. After all, this is the season for thanksgiving. And I do have much to be grateful for!

MY BOY...

For the last little while Tate has been going through a funny phase. While being the BEST baby, he has now turned a new leaf and I'm afraid to say experiencing "The Terrible Two's" a smidgen early. He used to never cry, he slept well and was always smiley and happy...until we came home from Texas when he was 11 months old. What I believe happened there was something I like to refer to as, well...um, constant mommy syndrome. For two months he never left my side, it was he and I 24-7. When we came home Kenny was around more and we would leave him with babysitters on occasion. He kinda started to get clingy and a little whiny because he had gotten used to only being with momma. From then to now (he is 16 months) it's sorta been escalating. Tonight as I was trying to make dinner and Tate was holding on to my legs screaming,(as he usually does at that time) I decided I needed to document the top ten reasons I love my little guy and remind myself how lucky I am to be HIS mom...

1. His smile. When Tate flashes those pearly whites at me, the same ones I have seen since he was 3 months old(I know-nursing mothers everywhere are wincing at the thought)I absolutely melt. I would go to the ends of the earth to get him what he wants when he smiles.{Somewhere Dr. Phill is explaining the reasons for the tantrums...its always the parents fault...I know, I know-but hes just too cute to say no to.}

2. His unconditional love for his "mama". If he had to choose between a life size sugar coated fruit snack and me, I know he would 10 times out of ten choose me. Now his woobie that's another story, that thing might give me a run for my money.

3. His love for reading. All day he follows me with a book saying, "mama-dis". Sometimes after reading every book on the shelf I get a little ADD, but he still wants to go on. His attention span is incredible.

4. His moves. He could for real dance back-up for Justin Timberlake. He arabesque's, shakes his lil bum and my personal favorite-the shimmy!

5. His hot stinky breath in the morning. While some may look away in disgust, I love it.

6. His big belly, short legs and ghetto booty. This really is a killer combo despite what Hollywood might try and tell you. He loves to run around naked and no matter what mood I'm in- it ALWAYS makes me laugh so hard.

7. His sweet nature. This may seem a little contradicting-but he really is such a sweet little boy. He always shares his toys and just finds another one when his gets yanked suddenly from him. He even lets his younger cousin Caden beat up on him. Actually, hes like a deer in headlights when that starts happening-its hard not to laugh.

8. His LOVE of sleeping! Ever since he was brand new he has loved to sleep. It makes my life a whole lot easier and I'm able to get stuff done during his comatose naps.

9. His strong will. even though this sometimes is not my favorite thing, I know it will serve him well throughout his life.

10. His ability to make me laugh. Again, no matter my mood he is always either pulling a funny face or mimicking something hillarious someone taught him. His latest is the Diva finger shake-man, its one for the books.

Even if Tate cant read this post I wanted him and everyone else to know how much I love him. There is something to be said about the mother and son relationship. He may test my patience at times, but that little boy is my absolute pride and joy. I'm so grateful he chose us and I get to have him forever and ever! I love you son.

oh shoot, i got tagged...

TAGGED!-OK HERE GOES...

1. I initially met my precious husband in 7th grade. We went to junior high and high school together. He was this long haired, Harley ridin' little heart breaker ( I was almost the only girl in all of the OC who didn't have a crush on him)and I was busy terrorizing others who have since put me (and a few of my friends, you know who you are...)on their "To Kill" list. In fact, we joke because in 7th grade I over heard Kenny tell someone else he thought I was a brat...funny huh? Well a lot of years , 2 missions, college and a lot of lifes experience later we grew up and fell in love. p.s. I am the luckiest girl in the whole world-Kenny is everything I could ask for in a husband and father + so much more. I love you babe!



2.I love to do weird things that most people absolutely detest. For example, A.I love to speak in sacrament meeting! Anytime I have the attention of a whole audience that has no choice who they have to listen too-I can go off. (I gained this from the mish, I gave tours at the Church Historic Sites in Palmyra. Gimme a break!) B. I love to run! For me, running is the most therapeutic time of my day. I love being the first one up in the morning, going for a run and returning home just in time for my boys to get up. Oh ya, and its a good work out. C. I LOVE to read. I love to get lost in a good book and let my imagination run wild. Since Im not in school anymore I actually get to pick what I read, it's lovely! My current flavor- Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, its getting really good.



3.I'm an avid wedding announcement critic. If your announcement came to me or my parents house and you had a plethora of pictures and or piggy-backs, matching sweaters, a make-out picture or you were wearing helmets (yes I know sad but true) , you have most likely fallen victim to a few remarks. But I thank you for the good times.



4. I am a political news junkie. While I used to think reading the paper and having CNN on all the time was only for my grampie, Ive come to the realization how important it is to be up on current events
locally,Nationally and around the world. Kenny and I love watching Glen Beck. Did you know he is an active member of the church? While Kenny and I don't agree on every issue, it is so fun and interesting to debate them with him. (referendum 1 for instance) ken is for, I'm against. Kenny used to wipe the floor with me, but I can hold my own now, step aside Nancy Paloci. And-Hillary your goin down!!!!!!!



5.I love to find and restore old furniture. The older and more beat up the better, in my opinion. In fact, after furnishing my home and doing some jobs for friends and family, Ive been thinking of starting a little biz. (more information to follow:)



6. I am a FIRM believer in schedules! My life revolves around the known rather than the unknown. While I absolutely love, love,love being a mom (even more than I ever thought I would) I definitely look forward to the 10 am, 3 pm and 8 pm o'clock hours. Tate and I both know that's when its nap or bed time. I know that I have a happier, healthier baby because he was on a schedule. I didn't really think it made that much difference until I read The Baby Whisper by Tracy Hogg, now I believe brotha's and sisters! Many think I'm a little extreme but my baby slept through the night at 6 weeks, only a few months ago went from 3 two hour naps a day to now 2, and after we brush his teeth put him in the bath, and read him a story, he lays in his bed with his blankie and waves to us on the way out. He has never had an ear infection or anything of the sorts. He wasn't born this way, he needed to be taught to know where and when.



RULES:

1. The player lists 6 facts about themselves



2. At the end of the post the player tags 6 people and posts their names. The player then goes to their blog and leaves a comment letting them know they have been tagged, then asks them to read the rules.

I TAG: Brynne, Vanessa, Leisy, Caroline, Mary, and Ari. Sorry guys! I resisted at first but it actually turned out to be good times!

HaLLowEeNie...

THE COSTUMES...

THE PARTIES...

THE COUSINS...

THE WARD TRUNK-R-TREAT

THE REAL TRICK-OR-TREATIN...

THE FOOD...

All in all we had a very fun and eventful

Halloween. Tate was such a good sport, wearing

his guppie costume from party to party and

from door to door. He did realize it wasn't

so bad when he noticed his stash of candy.

This is one of my favorite holidays. Anytime were

with family and friends, dressing up, acting like

goofballs,eating endless amounts of treats-you know

its going to be good times!

MY NEW LOVE...

QUILTING!

I have started a new hobby that I just love!

It may seem a little old lady-ish, but I'm here

to tell ya, quilting ain't for wimps.

For graduation, I wanted to do something for

Ken that he could always have and remember.

So my ULTRA creative and talented mother suggested

I make him a quilt. I kind of chuckled at the idea

but decided to give it a go. After one week

of seriously putting in 8 hour days, I thought I had

had enough. I understand now why they are so

expensive. The cost of fabric+labor=lotsa mulah.

I swore them off after Kennys, but I decided

to give it another go for my sister-in-law whose having

a baby girl. And the love affair ignited...

This one was smaller and easier since I already knew the

ropes.(kinda)

These are a few Tates Grammie Nelson

made for him. She wanted him to have one

for everyday of the week. (extremely talented, but

borderline crazy...)

I love this cowboy one...