Santa Barbara Zoo

The day after Christmas we decided to go to Santa Barbara for the day. Fly Guy received a gift card for Nordstroms from the girls at work and so we decided to shop, have a great lunch and visit the zoo. We were fortunate to have beautiful weather and hardly any crowds. The kids loved seeing the animals especially E2 who was amazed by everything.





The best part of the zoo is this hill... We saw all of the animals and ended at a kids area where they have this new hill with artificial grass and cardboard pieces. The kids loved sliding down the hill... it was amazing no one got hurt. Dad had just as much fun as the kids.

The Day is finally here....Merry Christmas!

The month of December always seems to fly by until Christmas break hits, then everything slows down and Christmas cannot come fast enough. I seemed more anxious that the kids this year. Sometimes I feel like the kid, because I can't wait until my kids open up their gifts. This year I was able to surprise Fly Guy with a picture from his favorite photographer Nathan Wotkins. He does amazing outdoor scenes and I picked a picture that looked like a perfect fly fishing spot. Fly Guy redid my bathroom a few weeks back for me (AWESOME) and gave me my favorite pack of Sephora mascaras. I love that the mascara is becoming a tradition. I loooove good mascara!

I prepared well and had everything wrapped so we were able to go to bed around 11:30 p.m. Christmas Eve. Then my baby woke up around 4:oo a.m. and when I checked on him I noticed a light on in the Family room. Surprise to me E was up reading a book. I asked him why he was not in bed and he explained that he was way to excited to sleep. After a long battle, I finally got him back in his bed. At 5:00p.m. E managed to wake his brother and they played in their room until we gave in at 6:00 a.m...... I love E's excitement.... He always makes Christmas morning magical!

E asked for science, science and more science... He got lots of it, along with games and his own solor system.

K wore this Santa hat to school for weeks... he has been so excited for Christmas! This year he was into skateboarding ramps, games and science projects.

Our "sassy one" was so excited! She got her own Hello Kitty CD player with music and lots of little pets.

E2's big gift was this little bike. He is still a little dangerous driving through the house.... but his face when he saw it makes it all worth it!

After opening gifts, we had our Christmas brunch. Our friends and family joined us for lots of food, great conversation and fiddling with new toys.

We were so lucky to have Doug's grandmother, Aunt and Uncle come to our brunch. The kids were thrilled to spend time with them. At one point I couldn't find Aunt Phyllis, then I discovered her in the back room playing hopscotch with the kids. She really is great with them.

Once again we were able to spend Christmas Eve with the Johansons. My Aunt always prepares an amazing program centered on the nativity. The kids love the beautiful music and being able to dress up. There home is filled with a wonderful spirit that helps you remember the Savior.

OH Christmas Tree...

Every year we go to a local tree farm and search for the perfect Christmas tree. This year is was freezing.... even the kids complained. Usually I am the only one upset with the cold. The kids were ready to cut any tree down... they just wanted back in the warm car. I finally told them that if I could reach the top, then it could not be our tree... After a search we found a tree that worked for all of us. We love this tradition and even though it was cold we had fun playing in the leaves and enjoying the beauty.

i love living in such a beautiful place...

S loved looking at every tree. we had to try to hurry her, because it was freezing...

E cut most of the tree down, but Dad had to finish the job. It is nice to have so many helpers...

we found our tree and now we are running to get to the warm car...

Our tough guy K pulling our tree out of the river bed...

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving with the Moores...
This year we had Jessica & Maddie, Greg, The Lindsays, The Flakes and us all together. We missed the rest of our family... Carole & Russ provided an amazing Thanksgiving filled with great food, great conversation, car rides (grandpa's old cars), 5k fun run (really a highlight), and outdoor activities. We appreciate all of their hard work... my kids think they are Great! This year all of the cousins played nonstop... I don't think anyone fought! AMAZING!!!

our crazy crew...

they are never serious...

E2 trying to get up the tree to join the other kids...

the three girls... abby, natalie and "the sassy one" they had so much fun hanging out together...

I love where we live... this was our Thanksgiving day! It was beautiful and the kids loved playing in Grandma & Grandpa's yard. They all got new airplanes and had fun flying them.

E conquering the rope bridge... everyone enjoyed crossing the rope bridge and doing the zip line... Melanie and Jessica both went for the first time...

K getting ready to do the zip line... this year all the cousins were climbing up and getting down by themselves... it is crazy how big they all are now!

Aunt Melanie working on crafts with the kids...

S playing with the dog... my kids love playing with all of the dogs and chickens...

the girls wearing their new pajamas from Grandma & Grandpa...

Time for Pies....

This is one of my favorite times of the year. I love to make pies! Every year I get to the night of making them and I am tired and usually dread it a little, but then I start and remember why I love it so much. I love trying new things and taking the time to make something creative. Everyday cooking can become boring and I love working with Fly Guy and making these. This year I only made three, but they were so good!!

pioneer woman's apple pie and my cherry pie... the apple pie is now my ABSOLUTE favorite! these are strong words, but i stand by them.... go try pioneer woman's recipe...you'll die!!

this is the second year i have made this pumpkin chiffon pie....i looove this pie. it is so light and fluffy.... seriously amazing. i got this recipe from the Oprah show last year, go check out her web site and try it.... Amaaaaazing!!!

New Moon Girls Night Out

It was Alyssa's birthday and her nice husband arranged a girls night out to see New Moon for her. We started the evening at her house doing manis, pedis and eating this amazing food. She makes to die for treats and arranges them beautifully (my picture is not that good). After we took a limo ride to the midnight showing (yes.... I felt a little crazy to be up this late...but it was sooooo worth it!) of New Moon.

This was Alyssa's first limo ride ever... she was like a kid at Disneyland... she was so excited and giddy. What goof balls...

i have not rode in a limo since high school... it was fun and we didn't have to worry about driving home so late...

we made it to the movie without falling asleep... actually it was easy because the girls kept me laughing the entire time. i am officially a "Jacob" girl... i did feel a little guilty staring at him so much in the movie... he is so young, but super HOT!!!

A Time Out for Women - 2009

sisters, sisters and more sisters....
Haylee.. Tonya.. Me.. Tina

I have six sisters and one brother.... getting us all together is near impossible! When I realized I could get three sisters, my mom, aunt, niece and friends together for an entire weekend I knew it would be great! We shopped (yes malls....they had malls!) in Vegas and St. George, ate amazing food and stayed up late into the night talking and laughing. I think all women need weekends like this to recharge and gain perspective.

My favorite speakers at the conference were Cheiko Okawsaki (probably wrong), Emily Watts and Mary L. Edmunds. I was laughing and crying throughout all of their talks. Hopefully, I can apply what I learned to my family.

We missed you A.J. and Tori... we'll get you on the next girls trip. Thank you to those who went! It was much needed and I enjoyed all of you!!!

my friends, Dawn, Jan, Ashley & Vicki kept the trip eventful.... we laughed so hard....

Tonya's mother-in-law, Karen was able to join us for the conference. She was fun and blended in with the group easily....

The last night we ate at the Pizza Factory...their breadsticks are huge and really good!

Sisters... still looking good and definitely not acting their age...