Happy New Year

For my New Years resolutions, which I'm sure go beyond what I can possibly write on this page, and without boring you all to tears, I simply must say that the one thing I know for sure that I don't do and that I need to do more often is to enjoy the beauty of everything.

For my Heavenly Father and I we have decided to welcome 2009 with a resolution to focus on beauty. To see it more, to feel it more, to identify it in others. The unnatural beauty, that of desert that surrounds us, an unflattering photo of ones self, the cry of my little baby, the sweet play with my girls, the blessings of eternal families, and the knowledge that I am not perfect.
I want to wake up tomorrow a better person, to wake up to a New Year, a New soul so to speak. I wont go into all of my mistakes this past year we will leave them in 2008 and move forward and do the things now that we can, and focus all of that bad energy into good energy and move forward in the coming year. The beauty that is to come to pass...

2009
eben walking
avery turning 7
carys turning 5 and going to kindergarten
jocie turning 3
moving forward with a man i am crazy in love with
being with my family
watching a niece get baptized in march
being loved
showing and giving love
having endless spiritual experiences
service
kindness
de-cluttering my life


Do you see what I mean so much to look forward to..so much beauty in just the everyday things that we take for granted. I look forward to all of these things and so many more. My only hope is that we all remember to do this and see things how they are truly meant to be seen. My love goes out to all who are reading this and more. Have a very Happy New Year and be safe.

Ok so I changed my background on my blog as you can see but now that whole thing you paste on is also showing on the side, do you know how to get rid of that on the side? I love this background however not that on the side, HELP! Ive never had this happen before, and Ive changed it a million times. Whats up with this? Thanks.

Christmas at the Crook's House...my parents.

We had a great dinner (steaks might I add) uh yum...we had sparkling cider and chatted. Then after dinner Carey and her family came over for dessert, we all chatted and and laughed and enjoyed each others company. It was a nice Christmas Day.

Eben kissed and kissed Aunt Carey for forever it was so cute and hilarious we all sat around laughing it was so sweet.

Christmas Morning at our house....

Christmas morning is crazy, busy, and super fun watching the girls, and their little faces discover what they have the excitement that fills their sweet cheeks. I love it. I love being together for Christmas and enjoying time with each other. It is awesome. We relax, play games, eat a big breakfast and take naps. YAY! Hope everyones day was extra special.

Christmas Eve at the Stoddards House!

My Mother-in-law does theme trees so this year it was Mardi Gras...it is so festive and so fun. She has some great ones.

Every year we go to Aarons parents house for Christmas Eve and have a big dinner and open gifts from the gift exchange which is nice. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed being with them.

We chatted and had Prime Rib and laughed. It was great fun, thanks again Jodi and Robert for everything it was great. There is nothing better than to be with family. Thanks. Merry Christmas.

It's Beginning to look alot like Christmas!

Family get together at parents house on December 22nd. We had a nice time together all of us. This is a picture of my Mom opening up her present from her kids...we got her a great Digital Photo Frame...scream yay! Enjoy Mom and Dad!

Ward Christmas Party

On December 19th was our Ward

Christmas Party...Avery was in it. She was supposed to dress up like a doll. We made her look like the ones that you arent allowed to touch in cases....she looked gorgeous, so here are some of the night. It was nice my parents came and Grandma, they had a nice program. Got into the Spirit of Christmas. Enjoy the pictures!

Freakin' Butt Cute!

I don't care who you are that's cute....how precious is that? He is such an angel.

Just another day...I guess...

So we pretty much had the worst day ever yesterday. So I woke up with Jocelyn and we headed downstairs to start our day at 7:30 am when all of the sudden from the 4th step up I decided to fall down all the way to the bottom....needless to say I didn't get up. I layed there, yes like a Sally crying. Jocelyn in shock sat down beside me, she stroked my hair and said nothing, finally Carys woke up and went to get Aaron. I either cracked or did something to my butt/tail bone because its excruciating I also hurt my wrist bad. Not my finest hour.
Luckily Aaron was off from work and was so great he waited on me and took care of the kids all day. We actually had to go to the doctor because Jocelyn and Eben's colds aren't getting better so off we went, me like a gimp, and him a champ carrying a car seat and a two year old in the snow. So Jocelyn it turns out has strep, and Eben has Bronchitis for the second time in his short almost 5 month life, I have the doctor check out my wrist which he then says he thinks is fractured so he sends us for x-rays, so we do that, go pick up prescriptions, a snow shovel, grab dinner, head home, and then Carys decides to do something to Jocelyn's hand/wrist and she baby's it all night and cries. Poor Aaron...he handled it like a Pro (which is me). Oh did I mention Carys broke her pinkie a few days ago when Avery was doing hand stands and landed on her hand. I know the luck.
Jocelyn's isn't broken however it was dislocated, her and Eben are slowly getting better...thank goodness. I am still in a lot of pain, especially since I cant sit down, walk, etc...no big deal right. I still don't know the outcome from my x-ray yet the doctors office and I played phone tag and never connected, so I will keep you posted on how we are doing. I told my Dad don't come over to our home your libel to get sick or broken. Literally.

Aaron took today off to stay with me an extra day and help me out which was such a huge blessing. What a good guy I have. I also got a wonderful surprise when my fabo brother Brandon and great sister in law Katie showed up at my house with the greatest Christmas album ever...that's right Dolly Parton/Kenny Rogers...now don't be a hater, you know you like it. Thank you so much for that I needed it and appreciated it! Family is great!

Jocie is pooped...but who could blame her?

It was a long day, and frankly she deserved this nap, even if it is on the floor by her crackers....she can sleep the day away for all I care...bless her heart.

She not only has strep throat but Carys did something to her while they were playing in their room and hurt her arm, long story short, Aaron had to take her to the doctor to have an x-ray because of it, her elbow was out of place so after having it put back in place she is just fine....at least it wasn't fractured.

So she needed and deserved a nap.

Look who's Almost 5 months old...

Eben Robert is growing up so fast. Look at my little man he's graduated into the big boy bouncer..can you believe it? He likes it as long as Carys and Jocelyn leave him alone and don't take his toys away. Those two always have to mess with him, and make him cry, especially CARYS...she doesn't understand that he cries every time she comes near him...HELLO take a hint. LOL

Gingerbread house

Aaron and the girls made a Gingerbread house together it turned out so cute. They were really proud of themselves. Aaron had fun with them and they loved having the daddy/daughter time too. I managed to get up to take some pictures...long story Ill explain soon.

First Snow Fall...

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow...well today it snowed for the first time this winter...you cant see it very well but its coming down...it continued all night Sunday and then through out Monday, we have lots, and every day this week so far school has been delayed 2 hours.

HO HO HO MERRY CHRISTMAS

This is my friend Shanell's kids (well three of them the girls) Rhenley, Jayda, and Jodee (twins). Her sister Kyra came too and that is her little boy Brenden, she's also ready to pop with a baby boy any second now...come on Kyra we're waiting for baby Bronsen. They were so good with Santa too. No tears...way to go kids!

Here are the pictures from yesterdays adventure. Scream yay for us. We survived that's all that matters right?

The little girl in the picture is Avery's friend from school Idaly. Jocelyn is the only one missing but she was tightly glued to her Dad's neck. She later relented but I didn't get a picture of it with my camera, we did get one from the store though so we do have record of it. LOL It was a fun day.

Might I also add little Ebenator's first Christmas....giggle giggle

I Am the Brave One.....

So today I took my little dumplings and a friend of Avery's to see Santa at Aaron's work. What fun that was. Afterward we braved against the other shoppers and headed to our mall...ugh! Yep the mall. I got some great deals with some gift cards Ive been saving up, it was great. I hate shopping I think I lost everyone at least once even the child that wasn't mine (that's usually the one you pay attention to most so you don't make the other moms mad) and still lost her...the only one I didn't lose was Eben and that's only because he was strapped to my chest. Then headed for what was a pleasant evening spent with many people over 50 and my husband...we had to attend a banquet that Aaron was asked to attend, we were the youngest ones there...LOL...but hey it was free food (good might I add) and I got to socialize and spend time with my hubby, so hey its a win win situation. Right?

On a more serious note, this past week I got really sick with yet another cold, so did Eben, we both seem to be doing better, however, I never got to say goodbye to my amazing sister in law and adorable niece and nephew, they flew out today to go live in Washington D.C. I am so sad by this...for so many reasons. I love....LOVE....Aaron's family. I have great in laws. Don't get me wrong Aaron and I have been married for 10 years and it hasn't always been buckets of fun. It is so hard to figure out what and where you fit into a family. I come from a very different one than him and it was hard adjusting, as it was for them with me I'm sure, you might think I am amazing but let me just say I am no picnic. Anyway, along with loving his family I love all of his brothers. Aaron has 7 of the greatest brothers. They are all so different and so amazing, I also love them because I know how much my husband does and hey that's a good reason. However I have to admit the ones that live closer by I think I may have a closer relationship with. Tyson and I used to butt heads, we were not supporters of each other by any means. Over the last several years however I have truly come to love this man. He is my FAMILY. He is very good to us and is a great member of our extended family. But, when it comes to his wife....tears are coming now. Even if Tyson is a stinker, Stacey makes up for it, and since the twins were born well x that by 3. We adore this family. Stacey is incredible. She is one of those woman who makes things that I think are hard look easy. Such as raising twins....hard to me, easy to her...crafts, me I'm not good at, Stacey...amazing Martha Stewart would be lucky to have her. She is awesome. Stacey is all the things that we say to ourselves we want to get better at or improve on. She is incredible. Have I mentioned that? I know, why tell her now? Well why not? I really do have amazing sister in laws. I was lucky to have a brother in law like T but BONUS when we got Stace...I will truly miss you guys. Have fun. Take lots of pictures, enjoy every minute, and know that in some little ole' crap town like Richland Washington...Prosser too....there are a whole lot of people who are waiting for you guys to return.

BTW...I will mention Aaron's three younger brothers...Ethan, Eli, and Ira...I have been around for almost 11 years. Well I have literally sat back and watched these boys turn into men before my eyes. I have the deepest love for them. They are my brothers. Whenever we go to there house they meet us at the car, they offer to carry the kids, carry our stuff, come help us move, come hang out, watch our children, entertain us with jokes, and stories, learning about their love lives the things that fill there days, and all the things in between. I love these guys, they really are the three forgotten ones at times. Just so they know I haven't and don't forget them, I probably just forget to tell them.

It's Christmas Time again...

Trim the tree and wrap the presents turn the Christmas music on, this Christmas I'll be home with bells on....

It's Christmas time again another year has come and gone, this Christmas I'll be home with bells on.

(lyrics by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers Christmas album) don't act like you don't know which one either I know you own one too...LOL

So we put the tree up. We did it for Family Home Evening with the kids. Aaron actually let the girls help; my husband is really particular about the tree it drives him crazy if they aren't perfectly spaced. Crazy guy. We put on The Santa Clause 2 for the kids and they watched that while we got everything ready for them. It was nice. They all layed on the floor together..how cute are they? I love this time of year, the spirit which fills our homes and our hearts. I love the twinkling lights and all the memories that overflow in my heart. I miss being at home as a child with my own family. I miss those feelings as a child. I loved being at home with all my siblings and parents, we loved to put the Christmas decorations up and every year we would beg and plead with my Mom to let us put them out even earlier than the last, I miss Christmas Eve watching movies and eating pizza, begging to open just one more present on Christmas Eve, staying up super late waiting for "Santa." I think most of all I just miss my family the most this time of year.

However, I love being a Mom, and I hope that my kids have the same kinds of warm fuzzy feelings, memories when they get older. I hope that they treasure their time together and remember how lucky they are to have each other. I love Christmas time!! I love my kids. I love watching their face light up every time they see the tree as if it were there first. I love that they get excited whenever talking about Santa, and they love to watch Christmas movies. My all time favorite and now there's A Christmas Story...classic. :)

Merry Christmas! May you find the days to be longer when spent with family and friends, and the warmth that you feel last a life time.

Happy Thanksgiving!

What a fun week I had. On Wednesday every year at this time we all head to Aaron's parents house for an early Thanksgiving because Jodi (mother in law) always has craft shows she has on Thanksgiving so she has started doing it the day before, which is nice because we don't have to rotate between homes so we can spend it with both sides of the family which is nice. We had a wonderful time being together Aaron's family truly is my family. We have so much fun together and get along so well. I love being with them. It was bitter sweet however because Tyson (Aaron's brother) was on his way to D.C. where they are now going to be living, so he wasn't able to be with us, we did however have Stacey and the twins which was nice, we however won't have them at Christmas, which is going to be so weird. I already miss them. Okay, go away tears...so for tradition Jodi, Stacey, and I played Nertz it is this great game that Stacey taught us several years ago, Jodi and I hate to play with Stacey because she kicks our trashes every time, but it's also really fun we trash talk, yell at one another, and well its a fun game..LOL...we'll have to recruit someone else so we can practice while Stacey is gone. LOL

On Thursday we headed to my parents house which was so nice, it was just us and Brandon and Katie, it was quiet for the most part (my kids) and we had such an enjoyable time spending time together. We chatted, ate lots, ate a sinfully delicious dessert that Katie made and played games. It was so nice to be together and enjoy each other, have fun together, and remember how much we mean to each other.

On Friday morning very, very, early Katie, Brandon, Eben, and I set out to do BLACK FRIDAY together. It was great fun. We can officially say we've done it, I don't know if we'll do it again, but none the less we did it. We all got we wanted. Then Brandon and Katie took me to a fabulous breakfast feast (McDs), good food, good company what more could you ask for. Thanks for the fun guys!

I'll post pictures soon, I just cant seem to find my camera I think I may have left it at my moms. Hope the Holidays are great!

Tag now your it!

1. Raychel
2. Malaki
3. Kailey
4. Jolene
5. Adrianna
6. Chris
7. Dennis
8. Matt
9. Trinity
10. Paige

Just for fun...

One thing I love about Eben:

1. sleeps through the night

One job Eben has:

1. pooping his pants

One person Eben likes to talk to:

1. Daddy

Eben's favorite food:

1. Mommy's milk

One thing Eben is looking forward to this year:

1. Turning 1 in July (sream yay)

Two things I love about Jocelyn:

1. crazy things she says/does

2. always defends her sisters

Two Jobs Jocelyn has:

1. toy picker upper

2. vacuums

Two movies that are Jocelyn's favorites:

1. Lilo and Stitch

2. The Diamond Castle (ugh)

Two t.v. shows Jocelyn watches:

1. Phil the Science Kid

2. Clifford

Two people Jocelyn likes to talk to:

1. Jodee and Jayda

2. Grma Nana

Two of Jocelyn's favorite foods:

1. strognoff

2. chocolate milk (to her its a food group)

Two things Jocelyn is looking forward to:

1. turning 3 in February

2. having a new cousin in March

We're still it!

Four Things I love about Carys:

1. kindness
2. willingness to always help
3. crazy OCD habits
4. good big sister

Four Jobs Carys has or had:

1. diaper duty
2. cleans room
3. makes her bed (without asking)
4. vacuums

Four movies that are Carys' favorites:

1. Enchanted
2. any Princess movies (Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White)
3. Scooby Doo
4. Willow

Four t.v. shows Carys watches:

1. That's so Raven
2. Spongebob
3. Hannah Montana
4. Zach and Cody

Four People Carys loves to talk to:

1. Rhenley
2. Grma Nana
3. Grma Moore
4. cousins (all)

Four of Carys' favorite food:

1. strognoff
2. fruit
3. pizza
4. hotdogs

Four things Carys is looking forward to this year:

1. Turning 5 in January
2. being a new cousin in March to Jimmy
3. Christmas
4. going into Kindergarten

Tag...We're It!!

Six Things I love about Avery:

1. crazy smart

2. super cuddily

3. Good big sister

4. great helper (especially with Eben)

5. loyal friend

6. great memory

Six Jobs Avery has had or does have:

1. diaper changer

2. cleans room

3. makes her own bed

4. laundry to laundry room

5. vacuums

6. dusts

Six Movies Avery loves to watch:

1. Princess Diaries

2. E.T.

3. Willow

4. Enchanted

5. Mary Poppins

6. Matilda

Six t.v. shows Avery watches:

1. Hannah Montana

2. That's so Raven

3. Zach and Cody

4. Spongebob

5. The Replacements

6. Max and Ruby

Six People Avery likes to talk to:

1. Idaly

2. Kyler

3. Adrianna

4. Grma Nana

5. Spencer

6. R.J.

Six of Avery's favorite foods:

1. fruit

2. vegetables

3. strognoff

4. spaghetti

5. pizza

6. lemon chicken

Six Things Avery is looking forward to this year:

1. Thanksgiving

2. Christmas

3. being a new cousin to Jimmy in March

4. when Tyson and Stacey come home from D.C.

5. turning 7 in February

6. going into the second grade

Silly Photos of the Kidlets!

Just some pictures of the kids that I took tonight for fun. We were just hanging around after dinner playing and I decided to take some quick photos of them. So these are of Carys in her Dora jammies. The one of Jocie she was eating her sucker and climbed into Eben's bouncy seat and fell asleep I couldn't resist...isn't she precious? Then some of Avery and Carys and then of course my little man Eben who will be 4 months on the 23rd. He is so great!