Christmas PJ's

Every year I make the kids Christmas pajama's. Matt and I often get a pair too. This year I made Jake and Matt match and Ashley and I match. The kids loved it. I didn't get a chance to make the tops but I thought a basic white T did the job. Could you imagine Matt in those bottoms with a matching top? I think the only way he wore them was because it made Jake so happy to have the "same as dad". Here we are on Christmas Eve

Enjoying Winter

Now that my house smells like a camping zone and I'm surprised that the fire department hasn't stop by, I am officially enjoying winter.

these lucky people

I just learned how to knit by this rad ( i do love the word "rad") girl that knits all the time. I learned that I really like to knit. I am not very good but it is so fun to do. I think that I am slightly addicted. We drew names this year for Matt's family. Since we were going to be all together for Thanksgiving we exchanged gifts then. We had four names so I thought that along with the kind of gifts that are purchased, they would get something even better and I would knit them a hat. I was knitting like crazy. It took me a long time, remember I just learned how, But I got it done in time. I loved them. I don't know how much they loved them but here they are. Aren't they lucky.

It's Up

My Grandma Dona loved, loved, loved, Christmas. She loved tinsel,Santa figures,bows, poinsettias, and anything that would remind you of Christmas. there was always red and Green spread throughout the house. Her home was truly a wonderland. She passed away a couple years ago and when she did she had enough Christmas ornaments to have each of her grand kids decorate a tree with. So this year I got the special treat of using them (they were stored at my parents house last year). As Jake and Ash helped put the tinsel on, I couldn't help but think of all the memories and love she gave. I love spending Christmas again with Grams.

Where else could I find a clown made out of a strawberry to hang on my tree?

This one is my favorite. I think it is so beautiful. I love thinking of her every time I look at my tree.

Black Turkey Anyone?

I know everyone has a favorite Holiday and mine is Thanksgiving. It is so fun. you don't have to worry about anything, not shopping or costumes or nothing. You get to gather with the people you love, eat and be thankful for all of the blessings we have. It always gets you into the Christmas spirit. I do love the other holidays but this one is at the top of my list. This year we went to my sister in-laws house. All of Matt's Family (well not Dave, he is still on his mission) were able to fly or drive in order to spend it together. Jake and Ashley loved being with family. Even Matt's grandma Mary was there. Here are a few pic of the Trip I have more to share later.

I was in charge of the stuffing. I am always a little nervous cooking for Matt's family because they are all really good cooks. I used my dad's recipe that is the best and added a little of my own twist and it turned out great. That was one of the things I was thankful for.

For breakfast Matt family always eats Pie. They spend most the day before making all kinds of pie. Grapefruit pie sounds a little questionable but tastes o so good.

Looks can be deceiving
You can all laugh when you look at this. I know I did. When Court brought this in the house after 11 hours of smoking it, I thought for sure we were going to go without the turkey this year. But after you pull off the layer of bacon that is wrapped all around the turkey, it was so tender and perfectly smoked. Happy Thanksgiving

Twilight

Thursday night the Nashville coven had a huge party for the opening of twilight. We had the whole Theater reserved and filled that one and another. Here is me and some of the girls.

It was fun to go with the youth they would scream every time a new Character would come in. This is one of my young women. (Disclaimer: I don't know if this movie should be viewed by the youth. )




All in all this was a blast, I loved driving up with friends. The movie was better than I thought it was going to be. Didn't love some of the casting but I was entertained. Can't wait for the next one

Striker

Yesterday morning Matt called at 7:00 AM and with the excitement of a little kid asked if we could go bowling for FHE. I thought that would be a ton of fun. I knew Jake would love it. Here we are Jake and Ash's first time Bowling. We ate some chocolate cake; the kids still have some on their faces for later.

Look at those little bowling shoes. I should get some just to wear around.

This little girl just ran around most the time "dancin"

It was a good night other than with a name like "striker" you would have thought that I would have gotten one. That will teach me. I came close and hit them all down except for one. But they gave me a strike anyways....the pin moved. Thanks.

my little helper

Jake is getting to the age that he really like to help me do whatever I am working on. Most the time it works out fine. He helps me load the dishwasher and the washing machine. He also helps me make the beds and cook. So after eating a messy dinner he went to go wash his hands and said he would wash Ashley's. This is what I found.

I might as well wash my hair

sink and both kids covered in soap

mom caught us

I guess Jake wanted to help make breakfast but is didn't quite work as planned.

"Sorry mom." Look at that sad little face. Don't mind the unders. I am not sure how he got the shells in the pan and the egg on the floor. Some day this boy is going to be a really good cook like his dad. Gotta love em

M is for Mizukawa

Winter is for snowball fights, snowboarding, sledding, bundling up and hot chocolate. I love winter and I love the snow and since none of those thing are very fun without snow,except the hot chocolate. I decided that summer is for playing outside and winter is for crafting,(At lease while I am here in Nashville, where there really isn't snow). So let the games begin. I got this idea from my sister in-law Carrie. This was so fun to make and I love it. It could go on my front door but I think I will hang it in the house.

Start your Engines!

Happy Birthday little Man!
Turning three is a big big deal. We celebrated in Utah for Jake's number three.


The Cake
What is it with little boys and moving tires?


Yes a matching suit for Ashley his wing man.



Jake loved playing the games. We played "Red light, Green light" and did relay races. The Kids had to run a course through traffic cones. Jake's favorite part was lowering his arms at "marks, get set, go!"



I love YOU Jake
Thanks for spending three whole years in our family


Kara this post if for you. You are the best!!! Without you this would have been a flop. love ya

I'm not complaining.......

Ok I am, but this has been Matt's work schedule for the last while.





Wednesdays 5:30AM start time. 10:30PM home,eat,sleep.
Thursday 6:00AM start time. 6:30PM home,shower,Work dinner,home,sleep. (I did go to the work dinner and the food was really, really good.)
Friday (Halloween)5:30AM start time. Didn't get home until Sunday night at 6:30PM. Didn't sleep more than six hours the whole time. Was however able to slip away and go to Sacrament meeting in those loving blue scrubs, but had to leave early. Duty calls. But at least he got another hour of sleep there :) got home didn't have time to shower, Work dinner. Home, CRASHED the moment his head hit the pillow.
Monday 6:00AM start time 6:00PM home,help cook,eat, small FHE,8:00PM back to the Hospital for more work, did get some sleep but didn't get home until 4:15PM the next day, Tuesday. Had to go Vote,home,had a two hour nap. 8:00PM drove back to the Hospital to see another couple patients. 11:00PM home, good conversation with me, sleep.
Wednesdays 5:30AM start time 7:00PM home, work dinner, sleep
Thursday 6:00 AM start time 10:23PM Still not home



So I did the math and that is 154hours and 15min in the last 9 days spent at the hospital and still counting. That doesn't include the work dinners. I do get to go to those and they are fun, but how much time do you have to spend with the same guys?

Don't feel bad for me. I do that enough for both of us :) But this has truly been a time of growth. I have realized my weaknesses and continue still to try to change and grow. Here are some benefits: Matt Gives me and the kids the biggest hugs when he gets home. I have had more time to blog, clean, read, clean, a little bit of crafting and a lot of Jake,Ash and me time. They are my little best friends. I love spending time with them. They do give me a run for my money but they make me so happy. Matt has been learning soooo much and gets to do a lot of cool surgery. However....

Vanderbilt Medical Center, I would like my husband back.

Punkin

My little girl was a Pumpkin. She was the cutest thing. Every time she saw a pumpkin she would say "punkin" She got the hang of saying "trick or treat" fast also. She always would say "thank you" as her treat bag got fuller and fuller.





I didn't really know what I was. I just went to my closet and found whatever I had that was red and vintage and put it all on. I was red from head to toe. I went with Miss scarlet from clue. It worked. And as for Matt he was at the hospital and that is another post all together. Halloween night, on call at the hospital = busy.


PS I don't know why Ashley didn't like her hat

3,2,1 Blast off

This year Jake actually had a preference on what he wanted to be for Halloween. At first he wanted to be anything BLUE. it's his favorite color. A blue Tractor, A blue Race car, A blue monster truck, any of those would have done. But when we went to Birmingham to visit my sister in law, we passed a model Rocket ship on the freeway. He was sold He wanted to be a rocket ship! I had no idea how to make him into a rocket ship. I tried to make him into a farmer because that was easy but no, only a rocket ship would do. I checked in stores and no rocket ships. I was going to somehow make it. I mentioned it to someone and they said that they made one a couple years ago, perfect. I went and looked at it and it was so cute. Thanks he loved it!

Here is Jake "blasting off"


It was equipped with the cargo carrier and all.


My favorite part is the flames coming out the bottom.

Junkie

So I am a yard saler Junkie. pun intended
There is something that just sends pure bliss to my soul and that is a diamond in the rough. This is my latest yard sale find. I have been trying to find a small piece of furniture to put there, Fits perfectly.
Also really rad clip on vintage earrings I wore for Halloween. I think I will have a Tues "diamond in the rough" post day.

a little bit of rash

Living in Tn has so many perks when it come to home and Gardening. I have had my first garden this year and loved it. I love going outside to get organic fresh tomatoes, peppers and basil when ever I needed or wanted. I have loved not having a sprinkling system and my grass still grows( for the most part). And that I have had spontaneous beautiful plants and vines growing in my front yard. It was beautiful to have vines growing up the side of the house. Until one day someone told me that it might be Poison Ivy. Great, I have water and nourished a poison ivy plant in my front yard for a year. I had my doubts about it being poison ivy and thought it was a creeping jenny or something, but in the name of safety, I thought I would rip it out this week end. Now that I am covered in very itchy rash all over my body and on my face. I guess she was right.

Jake's Heaven

My neighbor had a "little" dirt delivered in my back yard. We didn't mind. Jake and Ash loved it. I had a good day myself. I didn't shower or get dressed just spent the day working and playing in the yard. It was one of those savouring the moment days. I loved it.

The power of Bleach

Before you call child protective services please continue to read. Ashley in the past would wake up with an occasional bloody nose. I asked her Doctor about it at her last appointment. He didn't seem to concerned. But in the last couple weeks it has gotten out of control. It is terrifying to wake up to your little girl covered in blood. Now,I just expect it. I had a friend that told me to put Vaseline in her nose before she goes to bed so I did that tonight, cross your finger for tomorrow morning.
So not only has this been a constant worry and I think that another doc appointment is in need. I am sick, sick, sick of doing the laundry!!!!! Crib sheets, jammies, blankets, let alone Ashley covered in blood everyday. It takes me a good hour or two to get it all washed and put back on her bed just for it to happen again the next night. But in all of this I have fallen in love with BLEACH. After trying to get the blood stains out I finally started using the oldest trick in the book, bleach. Whites are whiter and pinks still look bright. I have been walking around just finding things to bleach. Other than the fact that Jakes gray shorts turned a little purple/pink and I now have small discolored spots on other articles of clothing, my laundry looks much better and those cribs sheets look almost new. It been wonderful to have my house smell so clean. Now I just need to figure out what is going on with Ashley. I feel so bad for her. She always has something going on. I hope this clears up fast and isn't anything serious.