Christmas 2009

Christmas this year was so fun! Having kids makes it even better. I love all of the parties and hanging out with family. I love that as my kids get older they get more excited about it and remind us of our family traditions. I am obsessed with traditions! Growing up we had some that we looked forward to every year. The one I remember the most was Rudolf would always come in our room while we were sleeping and rub noses with us leaving our noses red! When I finally realized it was my mom putting lipstick on our nose I knew that someday when I had kids I would do the same.

Every year we make cookies for Santa and leave a snack for his reindeer. This year I totally spaced it, so before we put the kids to bed they were sad we didn't have anything. Luckily all of my awesome friends and neighbors brought by goodies all MONTH so we used some cookies from that stash. We had to improvise for the reindeer! We had some leftover cheesy corn yuminess from our Christmas Eve bash that night so we plopped some on the plate and called it good! Oh and we couldn't forget the hot cocoa. Santa and his reindeer (DAD) loved it. My favorite part is staying up late on Christmas Eve wrapping presents with John and filling stockings with the usual: an orange, candy, a toothbrush and a few small toys.

As a kid, we all use to sleep in the same room and freak out for hours waiting for Santa to come. We would wake up super early and run out and play with all of our presents before my parents would wake up. They would get mad because they wanted us to wait until 6am for them to be there. My dad devised a plan. He started setting up noise making booby traps in the hall so he could hear when we got up. Every year since then he has gotten bigger and better with his traps. He still did it this year for my little sis. My kids haven't gotten to the point where they sneak out early. But when they do, we will be ready!!



Christmas morning







Christmas Eve at my parents

His favorite uncle, Teebs

The grandkids act out the Nativity.

Bos was a shepherd

after we put up the Christmas tree

BABY BREA

Bethany had her beautiful baby girl on Dec 8! They named her Brea Rose Shaver. I was able to be in the room while she was born and it was amazing! Having a baby truly is a miracle! It doesnt matter how they get here, how long you wait, if it is your 1st, 2nd or 10th, it is just as precious and sweet every time! I love her! My other sister Brooke is due in June and I cant wait to meet that sweet little thang.

I can't believe it is December already! I have been so busy lately I haven't had time to update this thing. We have been up to so much and I have way to many pics to post! Here are a few of the highlights.

HALLOWEEN 2009

I thought it would be funny for our whole family to dress up as characters from Nacho Libre. The boys didn't like that idea. Since Boston was the only one who couldn't tell me no, he was Nacho! He was the most adorable nacho ever! Jaxson wanted to be Jack Sparrow, so I put together his costume. I found these awesome boots at Goodwill that he loved, I think I did a pretty good job! Max wanted to be Darth Vader and luckily my friend Julie had the costume already. The day before Jaxson's joy school Halloween party, I busted out the costume box looking for something. Jax found a spider man costume and then insisted on being that. I guess I should have got that out before I made his costume.... I let him be spider man for the party but Jack for trick or treating. Luckily they don't LOVE the trick or treating part yet and are not all about the candy. They were happy filling up a third of their bucket. They ate a few pieces of candy and that was it!

max with his little buddies at school

John dressed up as Nacho too!

Gilbert Days Parade

Our boys look forward to going to this parade every year! This year Bethany and Eden came with us.

I didn't remember to take pictures until we got back to the car and all I had was my camera phone. Nice.

PHX ZOO

I was able to go with Max's class for their field trip this year to the Phoenix Zoo. I had so much fun going with him. I was glad I was able to to leave the little kids at home with John so I could just go. It was fun and he called it our "date". I love going on dates with this guy. He is so sweet and was so eager to re-introduce me to all of his friends at school. Every time I go into his classroom to help, he always has to make sure everyone knows I am his mom. I love it, I hope it lasts through high school :)

Thanksgiving was great. We had it this year at our house for John's side of the family. We managed to pull it off and had so much fun. We are just so lucky to have such an awesome family!

I love this time of year and have so much to be thankful for. I am so thankful for my family. I am grateful for all the support we have had the last 8 months. I am grateful that my husband was able to find a great job after 6 long months of searching. We were truly blessed because he was humble enough to take a not so glamorous job in between. He is a wonderful man and I love him so much!