Sunday, December 19, 2010

Remember the meaning of Christmas




I get so wrapped up in things sometimes. This year I have been so concerned with doing things as a family that I am beginning to forget the true meaning of Christmas. Yes it is good to have fun family activities where everyone is included but the true meaning of Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ and becoming more Christ-like. So in the spirit of that I am going to stop worrying about being left out of things or that we are not doing activities together as a whole family and start remembering that I am blessed to even have a family to share this holiday with. I am going to stop getting upset about things I cannot control and remember what Christ would do. He would make sure that this season is special for the children and not that they can't go somewhere or do something because they are too young or too small. Being small isn't so bad. You still believe. There is still magic. They have been in Christ's presence not too long ago and they know the true meaning of Christmas. I know that the Savior is in my life to teach me and correct me when I am being selfish or self-centered. So enough whoah is me and move on to WOW is me. Because WOW I have a good life.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Christmas in July?











You've heard of Christmas in July, but how about Sprinklers in December? Well in Arizona we play that way. Today we had our annual mom's group cookie exchange at our house. All the moms brought yummy treats while we socialized and the kids created the disaster zone as I like to call it. Thanks to my toy binds the clean up was a piece of cake. Anyways, there we are eating our yummy cookies and gossiping when we hear all this high pitched laughing outside. Low and behold there are the kids running through the sprinklers, soaking wet. By that point it was, what is the point in stopping them so I grabbed my camera and we took advantage of a very funny situation. The kids had a blast and that is what is important right. Good thing it is like 80degrees here, no one was even cold afterward.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

I LOVE GRASS






Yup, we have it. Finally. After living in our house for 8 months (wow that has gone by fast) we finally have a yard full of grass. Last weekend we got the family together, which isn't much now a days, and we rolled over 48oo square yards of sod on to our before very sad yard. Now it is beautiful. Grass for miles. Not really miles but let me tell you our yard feels so much bigger now that we have a lawn full of lush green grass. It took me about a week to recover from the labor and we didn't think we could make it after 6 hours so we went and hired some eager curb workers, but it finally got done. Now we can enjoy it and use the left over pallets for the many bon fires over Christmas break. That is if it ever cools down enough to have a fire (it's back up to 80 degrees this week). No white Christmas here. :(










Next step swing set. The kids are going to love it!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Family Picture Time

Once a year I drag Brandon out of the house to take a family picture. He doesn't like it but he is a trooper and does what I ask. He even lets me pick out what he will wear. This year we got a deal because my friend Erin who is an amazing photographer offered to do a trade. I took her family pictures a few weeks ago (and they are awesome I might add) and then she took ours this week. I wanted to go to somewhere new but we ended up taking them at Red Mt Ranch (we have taken family pictures here before and I have taken a lot of pictures there). But it was fun to see how someone else works behind the camera. She actually had us take some shots in different spots so I learned a lot and the pictures turned out beautiful. I don't want to give away our Christmas card pictures yet so I will just put some of the other ones up for your viewing eyes. The kids were pretty good. Jackson got a new lightening car after the shoot so that was motivation for him but Lizzy is just a chaotic whirlwind these days and there is no form of bribery or asking that will keep her down lol. Still Erin did a great job. Hopefully this will be a yearly thing.















And if you want to see some of the recent pictures I have taken check out my photography blog: http://stokerphotography.blogspot.com/

Friday, December 3, 2010

Okay Okay

I have been so busy lately I have really been slacking on my blogging responsibilities. Since I know all of you are dying to know what we have been up to (yeah right), here is what is going on in our house. First we had a great Thanksgiving. Pretty low key but yummy with a side of mmmmm. Jackson's favorite part was walking to the park, even though we didn't make it to the park because the short cut gate was locked. He still thought it was fun. And Diane's yummy orange rolls. Like gooey goodness in my mouth. Lizzy looked adorable in her turkey shirt and with all the excitement I totally forgot to put her down for a nap. There we are half way through dinner when I look over and Elizabeth is fast asleep in her high chair, stuffing hanging off her bottom lip. I wish I had my camera. It was hilarious.

Now onto Christmas, my favorite time of the year. I think it even surpasses Halloween now which is amazing because I LOVE HALLOWEEN! But something about having kids around really brings out the Christmas spirit. They are so excited about everything. The lights, the movies, the cold weather, and especially Santa this year. I am actually surprised at how much Jackson is excited about Santa coming. I guess he is finally at an age to know who Santa is. He is definately a kid though because I say to him are you excited for Santa to come and his response is, "YEAH I WANT PRESENTS" all sweet like. We decorated the tree and Jack expertly placed the ornaments on each branch while Lizzy expertly took off the ones already on the branches. It was like taking 1 step forward and 2 steps back. But now it is up, the ornaments have stayed on so far, and they just like looking at the lights and saying, "oooohhhh." Jackson keeps telling Brandon, "Dad put lights on the house please". That is our next step.









We have been a little behind in the holiday decorations because WE ARE GETTING GRASS TOMORROW! Finally our yard will not look like a dry deserted dump. I never knew how much yard work goes into preparing to lay sod. Ridiculous. I will definitely take some before and after shots for you all to see.

Brandon and I went down to New Mexico a few weeks ago for a job interview. I was so grateful because my wonderful mom came down to visit and watch the kids while we were gone. What a great mom huh? Anyways, no news on the job yet but we will keep you all posted. I would be sad to move but this is a huge opportunity that will not come along for a long time. Pray that he gets it! While my mom was here I put her to work sewing. I think she felt a little like a slave but at the same time she has been without a sewing machine for a few months now so I think she liked getting behind the machine and making some beautiful things. She thinks I am crazy because I don't use patterns for most of my stuff. But I think that is half the fun. Designing something that is one of a kind. Here is what we came up with. Lizzy is such a funny model because she hates wearing clothing these days so I have to force her to put the dresses on. She really is a little spunky girl. There is one more that I still have to finish but I ran out of fabric.

Well that's it I guess. Just busy getting ready for the holidays. Making chocolates, finishing our shopping, hanging decorations, and seeing family. The most wonderful time of the year.