Long overdue Update

So I had a few extra minutes of quiet today (and then Ethan got home) so I thought I would take some time to update the blog. Then I realized what a slacker I am when I saw that the last blog was about Christmas. Slacker, slacker, slacker is all I can say.

We have started out the year with a bang. When we got back to Vegas from Christmas we had pretty much decided that we just weren't making it financially here so something needed to change. I hadn't been able to get a job even after applying at a million places so we were thinking about moving back to Utah. We went to take in our 30 day notice to our apartment management and they told us we would have to pay back to them $4900 in fees for leaving before our contract was up. That was pretty much our deciding factor on staying here at least until June when our contract ends.

That weekend I got a call from a girl in our ward who was wondering if I was still interested in babysitting for her (in August I had met with her about babysitting, but she decided to use someone else who ended up giving her a notice before Christmas that she needed to find a new babysitter). Of course I was because that would make it possible for me to continue to stay home with the kids. It also works out really nice because she works for the school so she has all the days off that Ethan has off except Staff Development days. Her son is 9 months and is very easy to take care of. I am also still watching a little one year old girl 2 days a week (her mom works with Jordon).

About a week after I started watching him, Jordon's sister, Lindsey, lost her babysitter for her daughter Avery. She asked me if I would watch her and I of course said yes! My kids are all crazy for her and love talking to her and playing with her when she is awake. She is also just starting to sit up by herself and roll so we have been able to take pictures and video of her doing these new skills so her Mom and Dad won't miss it either. She is also quite an easy baby so it makes it extra nice.

We were able to get my parents and sister, Jess, to finally come visit us in mid-January and had a great time playing with them. My mom got Jordon and I hooked on reflexology (she had read a book about it and gave us foot rubs each night; it was SOOO Nice!). They also took us to lunch at the Rainforest Cafe where we met up with my aunt and uncle who were also down visiting and my dad's cousin. After lunch we walked the strip to M & M World and down to the Bellagio to see the fountains and the gardens. We had a great time with them and my kids are still talking about how fun it was. We also spent some time at my dad's cousin's house visiting with him and his wife and at the park playing Bocce ball with my parents and sister. Before they left we were also able to fit in a visit to Ethel M.'s Chocolate factory where we didn't see much being made (it was a holiday), but did get a nice sample at the end. We are looking forward to their visit in March when they will be coming with another one of my sisters (Amy) and her family.

The last week of the month we spent celebrating Ethan's birthday! Thank you to all the family who gave him money for his birthday so he could get the thing he wanted most of all: Super Mario Bros. Wii game. He loves it so much and was so excited to be able to buy it with his own money. We told him we would take him to Chuck E. Cheese for his birthday and he wanted to invite a friend, which later turned into 3 friends, so we did a small party on the Sat. after his birthday. We had lunch and fun at Chuck E.'s and then came back to our house for cake and ice cream and opening presents. He had a great time and I was once again reminded that boys just have too much energy. Might have to skip the party next year so I don't go completely insane.

Things are now back to normal for us, as much as they get normal anyway. We just had a friend move away and she was so nice and gave us her king size bed so we now have much better accommadations for guests (hint, hint). She also gave us a computer chair as well that has been so nice since we were using a camp chair before. We have very much enjoyed both and are so grateful to her for being such a sweetheart and great friend to us.

This month we are looking forward to having one of my friends from Logan come visit us and a girl's weekend with my mom's family. Should be lots of fun!

Our Fun-filled Christmas

Just a warning before you start reading this: it will be extremely long because we had more than a week long vacation with something new planned every day.

The Monday before we left we tried to make gingerbread houses out of graham crackers and icing, until the icing wasn't setting up fast enough, and then we tried peanut butter. Needless to say we were able to get them to stand long enough for the kids to decorate them, but not much longer.

Before we left Las Vegas to head to Utah for the holidays so we had Cory and Lindsey over for dinner and to exchange the gifts we had for each other. We also let each of the kids open one present (presents that we had for them that we didn't want to take with us). They each also got to open a present that some friends had given them too (hats for the boys and a sweater for Ashley).

Cory and Lindsey gave us a huge gift basket with movies, treats, and toys. It was totally awesome. And Jordon had to get in his Avery loves before we left.

We left Friday night after Ethan got home from school and Jordon got home from work. We went to Salina to spend the weekend with my parents and sister. My brother and sister-in-law (and family) were there to visit too so we were able to spend some time with them for a little bit before they left Saturday. My parents let us open our presents from them on Saturday afternoon. The boys got a race car set and Ashley got a princess book with a playmat and princess pieces. Jordon and I got some kitchen supplies we have been wanting. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Saturday night we also went driving around looking at Christmas lights. We had a great time.

Afterwards the kids helped Grandma find some costumes and acted out the nativity for us. Sam was a sheep and we even got him to say "Baa". It was so cute.

Sunday morning we loaded up and headed on our way to Brigham City. For our long car rides I had packed some presents for the kids (books and movies) for them to open along the way as we needed.

We stopped at Grandma and Grandpa Felts house that night for Sunday dinner. It was great to see everyone again. After dinner Grandma had some reindeer cookies for the kids to make. Ethan and Ashley made theirs (Sam was being a stinker so Ethan made his) and then they were done. The rest of the kids there kept making cookies for everyone.

Monday we dropped the kids off with Grandma Armitstead and Jordon and I were able to finish our Christmas shopping. Sadly though while there Fergus was let out to go potty and he ran away. We are pretty sure he was the dog that was later taken to the vet after being hit by a truck. He ended up with a broken pelvis and the lady that brought him in said to fix him and if no one claimed him she would take him home. We are hoping he is now being taken care of very well and we miss him terribly.

Tuesday evening we spent at Grandpa and Grandma Hunter's house playing their Wii and just having a good time. Later that night (and I mean way later), I was able to go into Thermo Fisher and see all my friends there. It was so fun to see them all again and catch up on the things going on in their lives. (This picture was from before our trip. The kids put a blanket on Fergus while he was laying on the couch.)

Wednesday night we drove down to Clearfield for a Christmas party with my family. It was such a blast. We first had dinner, then decorated cookies, had a nativity skit, did a white elephant gift exchange, and then finished the night with Christmas bingo.

For the nativity Ashley and Sam were angels while Ethan played the part of the sheep.

Christmas Eve was spent at the Felt's house again for the traditional party. We started the evening out with pictures of the grandkids with the grandparents. Ashley was throwing a fit.

Then we had a good dinner followed with presents from grandparents and the gift exchange. Santa also came for everyone to have a turn sitting on his lap. Sam wasn't too sure about Santa, Ashley cried and wouldn't let Grandma go, and Ethan was so excited to get to sit on his lap he could hardly wait for his turn.

After the party there we went over to Grandma and Grandpa Armitstead's house to open one more present.

Grandma made pajamas for each of the kids.

Christmas morning we went to Grandpa and Grandma Hunter's house where Santa had left lots of fun presents for us. Grandpa and Grandma also gave us a Wii which has been much enjoyed by all (I will post some pictures of that in a later post). Thank you Grandpa and Grandma!

After opening all the presents and playing for a little, we headed back down to Armitstead's for Christmas lunch. While we were there we got to see Jake and Alisa (Dave's son and daughter-in-law) and their cute family and catch up with them. Their oldest is 3 years old so Sam and Ashley had a hayday playing with their new friend.

On Saturday night we had tickets to the Jazz game and we were lucky enough to have Jake and Alisa and Eric and Melanie go with us. We had such a fun time.

Sunday evening we went to Avery's baby blessing and enjoyed seeing even more family there. We headed home Monday morning and are glad to be home. We are now planning on lots of fun for New Year's Eve tonight and will post pictures from that.

New news

It seems as though lots has happened since I last posted and it has only be a week. I guess that's the way December always seems, so busy. First of all, Ethan came home with a note after Thanksgiving saying he had failed his vision screening at school so we needed to take him in to have his eyes checked. I was not too thrilled since he is only 6 (almost 7) and I was thinking he was going to need glasses. I got my first glasses in Middle School and Jordon just got his first pair last year so I thought the genes were starting even earlier. Ethan had his dr. appointment on Friday and I was quite relieved to hear that although his vision isn't quite 20/20 he really didn't need glasses. The dr. said it was up to us, if he had been complaining about eye problems then to get them, if not then not to get them. Of course, we decided to go without them (for now, pretty sure he will eventually need them). I was very relieved that we wouldn't have to deal with that right now.

Yesterday we celebrated Jordon's birthday. He spent the day getting new tires on the van (fun birthday activity huh?) so that we can be safe when we go up next weekend and then spent the other half of the day working on a wood bunk bed set that was given to us. I'm so thankful to have a handy husband! But a few days before his birthday he got a birthday present early. He got a male Min Pin dog. Fergus (Ethan picked the name) was given to us by a guy that had Fergus show up at his house. He couldn't find the owner so we got Fergus. The kids were a little hesitant at first (especially Ashley), but they all love him so much now. Ashley for the first few days wouldn't get of furniture because she was afraid of Fergus, but even she now has gotten over her fear (and I mean scream bloody murder fear) and loves letting Fergus lay on her blankets. Fergus is such a good dog. He is a total lover although he craves attention. If you sit down anywhere he will try to sit by you and cuddle up next to you licking your hands until you pet him. Sam loves letting him lick his hands and tells him "good boy" almost constantly. Fergus is pretty good with sitting when told and we love making him jump for his biscuits. And I love that the floors are cleaner (as can be expected with a house dog). Here is our Fergus:

I was also able to get a picture from Thanksgiving so here it is too:

We are all getting excited to head back to Utah for our Christmas visits with everyone. The kids have made chains to countdown to Christmas and they are counting down days to the 18th when we leave to our first Grandma and Grandpa's house. Looking forward to snow too. Only rain at our house so far.

Our latest happenings

I totally slacked off and didn't take any pictures at Thanksgiving this year, but I'm hoping to bum some off of the others that didn't slack off and actually took some. This year we spent Thanksgiving here in Las Vegas with Jordon's sister, Lindsey, and her family and his Mom and Step Dad. It was a quiet dinner for the most part since Sam fell asleep on the way to Lindsey's and stayed asleep once we got there. After dinner we hung out and watched football and then later watched "Four Christmases" which was hilarious.

The weekend before Thanksgiving though we actually had some family pictures taken. Here are a few of my favorites for you all to enjoy!

I was pretty happy with our pictures especially since a few of the kids gave us some trouble in the beginning.

Also last night the kids and I spent some time decorating some Christmas cookies. I think this is the kids' favorite activity since they always request it if I give them an option of which kind of cookies to make. Here are some pictures from that activity.

We are looking forward to heading back to Utah to visit all of our families during the Christmas break and will post pictures all along the way.