Christmas Party 2010

So I can't really believe that the tradition from North Carolina still lives....the Gift Exchange Party! The past few years I dread it come Sept! Its not because its hard to put on (we just order Olive Garden & I have given up on cleaning my floors before a party! Whats the point?) It's because after going through 3 ward splits you get to know a lot of people. People that have come to previous ones and you want to enjoy in the fun! I wish I had a HUGE family room and plenty of seating for everyone, but I don't, and the exchange could take all night that way! Every year as I make up the list, I say to myself, "This is the Last!" Then we have an amazing time, and I can't wait till the next one....until around Sept! And the cycle starts over again! This year Ben and I decided it was time to invite new couples and mix things up a bit. We liked how that turned out and will do it again. Its a great party for fellow shipping! That's our goal! This year we had more than ever before (I couldn't widdle the list down) and we actually ran out of food! This years best gift was a gerbil (or was it a hamster?)...any how, who cares! The idea was BRILLIANT!!! It was the best gift in all these years! Kudos goes to the Despain's for bringing that one! I can't wait to see what they bring next year! The Justin Beiber doll was surprisingly a hit! I walked away with a cute Christmas apron (that I was just thinking earlier that day I needed) and I can't even remember what Ben got! See what happens when you blog a month later!

Getting Christmas Up!

The day after Thanksgiving, Ben was up early putting up lights and all the other outdoor Christmas decor! He was done before I was up. I think I didn't want to get up because I knew what laid before me....the indoor decorations. I don't know what happened to me, but for some reason I haven't enjoyed decorating the house for the Holiday's these past couple of years. I remember when I was pregnant with Sophia I couldn't get enough of it. I finally dragged myself out of bed and got started on the grueling task. Luckily my Mom is here, and LOVES to decorate the tree. She and Ethan did that together and had a great time!

Ethan, being the little creator that he is, had a wonderful time putting the tree together. He also helped Aubrie and Sophia decorate the kid tree. I spent most of my time putting up the garland, nativity sets, etc. We were finally done a little before dinner. I wasn't in the mood to make anything for dinner, and I was also ready to get out of the house. We decided to go to Mesa for the lighting of the Temple lights. The Mormon quarter back for the Cardinals (Max Hall) had the honors of the initial "lighting"! Boston sure perked up when they announced that!

Ethan couldn't get over the lights there. He kept showing me different bushes and trees, and telling me that he wanted to go buy lights and decorate our house. He kept going on and on the whole time about ideas he had! Aubrie was excited for the hot chocolate stand across the street, and Sophia liked seing the navitivy sets! So there was something for everyone:)

After the temple, we made a dinner stop at Cafe Rio! It was a nice way to end the day, and start the Christmas season!

Thanksgiving 2010

This Thanksgiving was spent with my twin brothers and my Mom. Ben started the morning with a Turkey Bowl at the nearby park. The boys and Aubrie went with him.

I took Sophia and hit the gym. After the gym, I came home and got started on a few dishes. I made most of them the night before. Then I prepared the Turkey and got it in the oven! This year Ben fried a Turkey and I cooked one, trying a new recipe. I took two recipes off line and combined what I thought to be the best parts. Mine took about 2 hours to cook, and it came out so savory and juicy! I will be using that recipe from now on! As for Ben's; we were a little nervous at first to fry one, because we heard all the horror stories about fires! Ben followed the directions and the Turkey was done in 45 mintutes and tasted AMAZING! We had nice spread, and enjoyed a wonderful meal! We had all the family dishes; sweet potatoe casserole, shoe peg casserole, my Mom's amazing stuffing, mashed potoatoes, and Strawberry Jello Salad.

We also went around the table and said what we were thankful for while we ate! Billy and Joe were responsible for the pies. They came through with some Marie Calendar pies, that none of us have room for. I don't know why we have make or buy dessert for Thanksgiving! Of course, we made room later!

Whats left of my Turkey after Ben got done carving it with the nice electric knife he got from my Dad for Christmas last year!

Ethan's Thanksgiving Program

The fun thing about having Ethan follow in Boston's footstep (meaning being in 1st grade at West Wing) is that I get to see him do the same programs and activities Boston did, and see how he experiences them different. One of these is the Thanksgiving Program or "Harvest Program". Ethan either had a serious face with no emotion as he sang, or he sang with a goofy look on his face. There is no in between for him!

I was lucky enough to have a front row seat, because I volunteered to come in early and help the kids get ready. So I got some great video and pictures! When it was Ethan's turn to say his line, he drew a blank. He sat there for a about 10 seconds, which I'm sure seemed like an eternity, until he remember them. Once he got out his line and passed the mic, he let out a big "Whew" as he wiped his hands across his forehead. He got a huge laugh from the audience. I'm still debating to send it in to funniest home video. That's one thing I can say about Ethan, in every show he is in, he always keeps the audience laughing with his moves, or expressions! What a character!

Back to the Fair (2010)

So the following posts will be my pathetic attempt to play catch up for the past two months. I HATE, HATE how when I need to be blogging the most, life is so busy that it keeps me away from the computer. I know I'll miss some crucial (and my crucial, I mean all those cute sayings from the kids) things! Maybe that should be my goal for 2011, BLOG November -December! I think I'll put that on my goal sheet right now! Ok, I'm back and here are some pics from the fair. Since me and Ben's first year in North Carolina, we started attending the state fair every year. I must say that the NC state fair is much nicer, and I think its the cool weather that helps. The Arizona state fair is typically in October/November, which anyone not from here would think would be great weather, but no so. Still we took our family every year, until 2008, when Disneyland got in the way. So we finally picked things back up and went. It was in November this year, and we thought we would catch a break on the weather. Well we didn't, and we all were melting by the time we went home. I must say that it was more enjoyable now that the kids are older. No strollers, diaper changes, chasing after little ones, etc. Sophia was content to sit and watch!

I'm really looking forward to Disneyland now! Aubrie and Boston had fun on all the older rides!

Ethan rode the in between rides, and some of the rides with Sophia.

The most favorite rides for the kids weren't really rides at all. They were those silly houses/mazes! They all had a great time on them, and even went more than once on a few!

We didn't try an of the outrageous food. We got the traditional things; cotton candy, fresh squeezed lemonade, hot dogs etc. We did all have Gelato. Ben and I couldn't get enough when we went to Rome, and thought we would give it a try. The kids all loved it! Overall, it was a good time!