back to real life...

What is it about Christmas that makes you so lazy? I just can't get myself to clean today.

Maybe tomorrow.

Getting in the Christmas spirit.

We spent Sunday at the Morgan's. My dad started a holiday tradition this year. We all got together and made Honduran Tamales. I was pretty dang good at rolling them. I have to admit mine looked the best! Ha ha. It was such a fun activity and I hope to do again next year!

Reese and Bentley had a little dance party with Grandpa. They both LOVE to dance.

At the end of the night we have a little accident. Bentley thought it would be fun to pull a stocking down that was hanging by a big weighted hook on the mantle. The hook landed right on her face and gave her a good gash. We hurry and put a band aid on it and left it alone. It might of needed a stitch or two but Jeff protested. I think he was right to not run to the E.R. because it is healing just fine. Poor Bent.

Baking some goodies.

I had my little helper while I made some Christmas cookies. Bentley mostly just liked eating the dough. Who doesn't?

I made Jeff get in on the action and help. He did a fabulous job decorating!

Christmas party

Santa left all the kids presents at the door in a big sack with a letter. Grandma Sue read it to everyone.

Bentley couldn't wait to open hers.

Cousin Bryn and Reese enjoying the party.
Mel and Chris hosted the event, it was a fun success!

visiting the ducks again.

I don't know who likes feeding the ducks more out of my dad, Bentley or Reese. But it is kind of fun to brave the cold and throw those aggressive ducks their snacks.

Reese likes getting right in the action. She doesn't even flinch.

Bentley eventually scares them all off by trying to kick them.

Thankgiving in Newport.

This year we spent Thanksgiving at the beach. Jeff's sis was nice enough to have the whole family together at her Newport beach house. The weather was ok, a little overcast but mostly pretty nice. Nice enough for Disneyland and nice enough for Bentley to play in the water. CRAZY! Disneyland was fun with the girls for about oh... 2 hours and then we were ready for them to leave with Auntie Jenny and Auntie Patty. I haven't been there in many many years. It was fun. Not 90 dollars fun. Good thing we had some free passes! Thanks Patty!

She was having a fit about the sand at first (like last year) but she LOVED the water. She thought it was the best thing of her life to run into the waves and then "try" to escape them. Most of the time they knocked her down but she didn't care.
The water was cold. Jeff went out surfing everyday and needed a wet suit.

Jenny of course had lots of little prizes for Bent. Including make-up. So they dolled each other up for the day! You can't see in this picture but Bent did a good job on Jenny, she looked a.m.a.z.i.n.g!

We took the beach cruiser's out everyday. The girls loved being pulled behind.

They were cuddling with each other. It was cutest dang thing ever!

Jenny painted everyone's face. A lot of talent in Jeff's family.

And we even fit in doing some hair. We turned Jenny into a brunette. I think everyone is still a little shocked!
All in all we had a blast. My kids were ready to get back into a schedule though. We are suffering for it still two days later. Nothing but crankiness.
Thanks Nicole for a fabulous trip. Thanks Sandy for the yummy Thanksgiving dinner (she is the best cook). And thanks everyone for all the generosity, your all the best!

Family Photos

We FINALLY got some family pictures and I couldn't be happier with how they turned out! The girl that took them did an amazing job for what she had to work with. The weather was freeeezing and my kids were well.... not so good. Cheeks were red, noses were running like faucets, and Bentley was crying pretty much most of the time. If you want to know more about Becky Kimball (the photographer) just let me know.

Happy Birthday Dio

I guess it is a husbands duty to write his wife an ode on her birthday. I am too lazy to write a big paragraph about how amazing Di is and what a wonderful wife and mother she is. Plus everyone knows that already. So all I will say is Happy Birthday babe. You make my life great. I hope you have the best day ever.

party and pie.

We had a family dinner at my mom's to celebrate her and my birthdays this month. I thought instead of having cake we should bake some pies. I am not really a huge fan of pumpkin pie but I saw these pies in "Better Homes and Garden" and couldn't resist. So since I have never made a pie before I though what the heck. My pie looked fabulous but after surveying the whole fam, my mom's beat mine out right.
So if any of you have to make pies this Thanksgiving. This Ginger-Pumpkin Meringue is THE pie to make.

If you would like to get this recipe just go to bhg.com and click Food and Recipes, then click Recipe Index and then click Latest Recipes for November and it will be listed right there. Or just let me know and I can e-mail to you.

Pumpkin-Chocolate Cheesecake Pie.
Sad.
This pie had major potential, the recipe needs some tweaking then I think it could be a winner.

Ginger-Pumpkin Meringue Pie.
So divine. It got snarfed up quick!

Samantha and Reese

Alex, Sam, Reesie, and Olivia
It gets a little crazy with all the cousins over. But they all love each other so much it is worth it!

FINALLY a halloween warm enough without coats.

I love this picture!
Dane Christensen and Reese hanging out together at Marianne's Halloween party

Bentley and Jack in the bouncy house. Marianne went all out this year! Between the bouncy house, the food and the witch cupcakes she made, it was a heck of a party. She is just like her mom!

I loved that this Halloween we could be outside without freezing our butts off.
I want Jack to be Bentley's boyfriend but too bad for Bent, Jack had an older and wiser girl to follow around at the party named Erin. Supposedly he is really smitten!

The "witch" who has the brightest smile with adorable little dimples, but for some damn reason won't smile for a picture.

This one will. Let's hope it last's a long time!
My little strawberry!

"Grease Lightnin."
Sandy and Danny

We went to Kimi and Nate Fry's house for a party on Saturday night. It was fun to see what everyone dressed up as. Kimi is a fantastic host!