2009 in Review

1. Kicked off 2009 with the Tucker Family Biggest Loser. It was fun. I didn't do too hot...I did OK. Brady & Katie were our winners. This was so much fun to do as a family.
2. Shane starts a new job with The Amalgamated Sugar Co. He is currently working in Nampa and comes home everyday smelling like sugar. The transition was smooth and we are happy to be where we are. Whenever anyone asks how his job is, he says "pretty sweet." And I have to agree! He continues to be a great Sugar Daddy!
3. Shane and I both go to Bogus snowboarding with the youth in our ward...to teach. Get back in touch with our youthful days and we feel cool doing it!
4. Family vacation to Park City! Loved spending time with the Tucker family. Carson & Cade did great, because they had their Grandma & Grandpa Tucker attending to their every need, and I found some killer deals on some jeans. They are my favorite to date!
5. The twins enter NURSERY! We couldn't have been more thrilled. As a result, my testimony of church attendance returned. Oh...and all nursery leaders will be exalted...I'm sure of it!
6. Tom & Annette are called on a mission! They set off to Jackson, Mississippi in July and we have been missing them ever since. Skype has been a lifesaver. Cade & Carson now think they're grandparents live in the TV. We will be visiting them in April and can't wait.
7. Luke Reunion in Island Park. Hmmm...what do I have to say about this?! A lot of fun along with a lot of work. Vacations and travel just aren't the same with little ones. Two busy boys + poor sleep + lots of driving = two exhausted parents. But we got to see lots of Aunts and Uncles and Cousins. The things we do for our families! And it was worth it in the end.
8. Started teaching piano again. Was worried about it at first. It has been great and so rewarding.
9. Shane decides to be an official "Scouty Scout" (according to some youth) and attends WoodBadge. He is now more prepared than ever!
10. Thanks to a friend, I finally discovered "The Gilmore Girls." I submit it is one of the greatest shows ever. I really don't think I've been the same since!
11. CHICAGO! Mom turned 50, successfully threw the best surprise Birthday Party ever (with the help of my Dad and siblings), left the boys for 5 days, and had quite the time in the Windy City. Can we do this again...like tomorrow?!
12. Boys turn two and are as busy as ever. We are still patting ourselves on the back for keeping them alive and happy for two whole years! Their vocabulary has really taken off and the things they do and say make us laugh everyday. Oh...and just for the record..."time-outs" are not working.
13. Successful Holiday season. Had a great Christmas recital with my students. Although, we are feeling a bit empty with the absence of our missionary family. Luke comes home from D.C. in May and we will visit Shane's parents around the same time. Seeing them will fill that empty space.
    
14. As a whole, did OK in the 2009 Resolution department. I will spare you the details. I am currently taking note for new ones. We are anticipating a great 2010.

Happy New Year!!!

Free Advertising

My sister Lauren & Shane were imitating this commercial and ones similar to it the whole time we were in Twin. I had to see what all the fuss was about. And it is pretty funny...and clever.

Snow Day

Carson in his get-up & not too fond of it. The look on his face is classic!

Cade anxiously waiting to get out the door.

Carson enjoyed himself once we got outside...most of the time!

Cade was in HEAVEN! He couldn't get enough of it.

Stuck! "I can't get up!!!"

Love this picture.

Yummy snow!

This is a much more efficient way to eat the snow.

Carson fell down...and it all went down hill from there. He lost a glove and wouldn't touch the snow without it (surprise, surprise!). Is it bad that I found his little situation hilarious?!

Even after I got him up on his feet, he was distraught to see that he was still missing his glove!

Still pouting

LOVE THESE TWO BOYS!

AIRPLANE!!!

Cade threw an absolute fit when he was made to come inside. Dinosaur Train was the only thing that stopped his crying. He watched the entire thing in his snow pants.

It was a fun time and worth the tears that came with it!

True Meaning of Christmas

Count Down to Christmas

Another thing off my "To Do" list.

• Visit with Santa. CHECK.

The boys were pretty friendly to Santa. Carson thought it was super fun. Cade had his doubts but no tears were shed. Morgan (one of our regular babysitters) was one of Santa's helpers. Is Christmas really only one week away? I'm still digesting my Thanksgiving dinner.

'Tis the Season

This is a time of the year that most people love. And with good reason. Cliche, but there really is something "in the air" to make this a happy time of the year. Here are some of my favorites. Things that make it feel like Christmas.

Fresh holiday wreaths. I always get mine from Costco. They always look great, with pine cones and red berries. Love having one on my front door.

I could watch this movie over, and over, and over again. Especially with my siblings. It just gets funnier every time. Watching this every December is a MUST. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the movie:

"First we'll make snow angels for two hours, then we'll go ice skating, then we'll eat a whole roll of Tollhouse Cookie-dough as fast as we can, and then we'll snuggle."

"I think you're really beautiful and I feel really warm when I'm around you and my tongue swells up."

"We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup."

Snow around this time of year is welcomed in my book. I love seeing yards with make-shift snowmen...it being obvious that it was created by kids. I want to do this as my boys get older. Fun family activity. After December, the snow can disappear until the following December.

Christmas music. I listen to it first thing in the morning, until the time I go to bed. I just love it and never seem to tire of it. Have you heard this album yet? I can't stop listening to it. It is that good. I think David Archuleta has such a nice voice and he doesn't over-do things. The arrangements are so good and that makes all the difference. Go get it. You won't regret it.

Mmmm...hot cocoa. No need to expound. "Steven's" is my favorite...all flavors are divine.

I enjoy my Scentsy all year round but I do have some scents that smell (to me) Christmasy. Cloves & Cinnamon, Pumpkin Roll, and Baked Apple Pie are just...yummy.

I love this picture. Fitting for my household. It is meant to represent wrapping paper and wrapping presents. I LOVE to wrap Christmas gifts...especially while listening to some good music or watching something like "The Christmas Story." For some reason, it's just fun. I'm not that great at it but I'm getting better. Practice makes perfect.

This is the Nativity set that I have displayed and I love it. The First Presidency Christmas Devotional this past Sunday was just what I needed. President Monson talked about how everyone naturally loves this time of year. He said that the Christmas Spirit is the Spirit of Christ. This is what this is all about. This is that "something special in the air" that everyone feels. This time of year is wonderful because of our Savior. And it is our job to spread His love and message. That really is the greatest gift that we can give. I am trying to follow the counsel given and look for opportunities to serve anyone and everyone. There are so many things we can do, we just need to slow down and open our eyes to recognize the needs around us. I'm hoping I can do better in this area this Christmas season.

Hope you are all enjoying this special time of year.
What are some of your favorites?

Birthday Proof

We had a little birthday celebration for the boys the night before Thanksgiving. It was simple...which is how I like it. They love being with family. I love that they are old enough to recognize Grandma's house, and know that it is a special place. It is so fun. Here are some pictures of the birthday bash!

The #2 Birthday was a SUCCESS! The boys had fun, ate lots, and made a haul! We sure love these boys. These years have been both the hardest and the most fulfilling to date. We are trying to enjoy every minute of it. Just like the last 2 years, time goes by way too quickly. "Terrible Two's"...here we come!

He has Returned!

No more cuddling for this one. He's baaack!!! Man did he hit a brick wall. So glad he has kicked the croup.

And this boy, who is still in the clear, is happy to have his partner-in-crime back!