Tis the Season...

Last Saturday Madi saw Santa Claus at the mall. I would not let her go and talk to him because I didn't want to stand in the line, plus I wanted to only see him once (I like to dress them up and they were not in their Christmas dresses). So today we took the girls to see Santa. At the Town Square mall they have an old Norman Rockwell house with Santa inside. There was no wait today. I know it is still November, but what can I say. I liked the no lines and I got one holiday tradition out of the way.

After we went to the park.

Then we went and ate at one of my favorite restaurants, Chile's.

We went to Artful Potter and painted some Christmas presents. We then came home and decorated the Christmas tree. Every year I put the Christmas tree up the day after Thanksgiving. This year I won't have that opportunity. So, it was either put it up today, or put it up the first Saturday in December. I opted for today. Madi loved helping me. She was so excited the whole time. She kept saying "It's Christmas, but it's really not because Thanksgiving is really soon!" Over and over. I think I have officially confused her because she knows that it goes Halloween, Thanksgiving and then Christmas. She doesn't get why we are doing Christmas stuff, but she goes along with it anway.

The Twilight Movie

Last night some friends and I went and saw Twilight at the midnight showing. It was so much fun. I enjoyed the movie. It did have a few parts that could have been done better, but overall it was a good movie and a great night!
We got to the movie theater early. It was great being able to sit and talk as women, without kids.
I had these tattoos from my New Moon book. The left tattoo said Jacob, the middle said Bella and the right said Edward. What fun we women can have when we let our hair down and spend time with Bella and Edward :)

Binky Fairy

I was on my sister-in-laws blog when I saw that her friend had written something about a Binky fairy. I had to read the message because I want Payton to give up the Binky. She said that she made a Binky box and that the Binky fairy came at night and exchanged the Binky's for a big toy kitchen. I immediately started this with Payton. We decorated a box and put one Binky in there the first night. I let her know that there were other Binky's downstairs, but those were for other days. She agreed and slept the night without a Binky. She has now gotten rid of three Binky's. Which means three nights without it. She also is not dependent on it during the day. I feel like we are making major progress. Here she is, smiling, without the Binky (That is something I have not seen in a while). Here is her toy from last night, the Little Einstein Rocket. We are now on our last Binky. She knows this. It might take a while to get rid of this last one. But, I feel we have made progress, so maybe it won't be too long before she is rid of Binky's forever! Wish us luck!

Kids

We were at the mall today trying to get some of our Christmas shopping done. We decided to take a break and play in the play area. A little boy came up to me and asked me what Payton's name was. I said "Why don't you ask her." He went over to Payton and said "askher, do you want to play?" Payton told the boy that her name was Payton. The boy said, "no, it is not. Come on askher let's play." I couldn't help but laugh. Wow, that was a new one for me. Payton got frustrated and walked off. I don't blame her.

Happy Birthday Greg!

Today we celebrated Greg's birthday. His birthday is not until tomorrow, but with school we decided to celebrate today.
I made this cake (OK, I know it is obvious). The girls picked out these balloons.
I decided to do a football cake because I could use chocolate frosting. Greg loves yellow cake with chocolate frosting, so it was either a football or a monkey. I decided that the football was an easier choice. Plus, we are now set for the Super Bowel.
We went out and played mini golf. Greg beat me, of course. But I did get a hole in one, which Greg never did get. Then we ate at Red Robin (one of Greg's favorite restaurants).
Here are two of my favorite people.
Here is another of my favorite people, giving her daddy a kiss on the cheek.
We sang Happy birthday and opened a couple small presents (Greg has a long list of things he "needs" to get before going over seas. He will get these things in the next few months.)
Action shot.


We love Greg very much. He does so much for our family. He helps with the girls and supports me through all of my bad moods. He is my greatest blessing and I don't know what I would do without him. I love you Greg!

Great Weekend

I have been really stressed out lately. But, this weekend was a great one. I was able to attend the temple on Friday night. It was a great way to start the weekend. Then yesterday I did my favorite past time activity. I went to a craft fair. Every year there is a Steve
Powers craft fair at the Cashman Center. I love going and seeing all of the really cool things that people have made. I got some Christmas shopping done and bought the girls these really cute jackets and matching hats...

When Greg got home from his drill, he wanted to watch football. I agreed that he needed to watch football. I also agreed that I needed sometime away from the beautiful girls. So he let me go out with a friend. I love my life, but in the last few weeks it has been one stressful thing after another. It was great being able to feel peace and spend a night thinking about myself and not my responsibilities. I am thankful for this weekend. (oh, and to top it off, I have off of school Monday and Tuesday!! Yeah!!)

"Follow The Prophet"

Yesterday Greg and I were having a heated discussion on the proposition 8 question in CA. I had known about the question, but I did not know about the commercial that was played on T.V. I really don't want to go further into our discussion, but share what happened next...

Payton turned to me and out of know where she started singing, "Mom, just, "Follow the Prophet, Follow the Prophet, Follow the Prophet, don't go astray, Follow...." Over and over she sang those words to me. I am grateful for the calming words that were sent my way by my young daughters voice. She reminded me of what was most important in my life.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween. The girls had a lot of fun trunk-or-treating. Payton said "Trunk-or-treat" instead of "Trick-or-Treat." Everyone thought it was so cute. She still got her candy. Her basket was overflowing and I had to carry it for her. Madi got a lot of attention from the adults because she was Princess Leia. What a fun night.