Family Fun

We threw an "I love Daddy Party" to surprise Tyler
after work. Do you love the hats? Allie had fun with
this-the party consisted of us dancing around to loud Christmas music
and eating cereal treats, but the girls were in heaven and Tyler didn't
mind it either. :) He loves his girls.

























Since we will be traveling to IF for Christmas, we had to give Allie her presant
a little early since we won't have room for it. It's nice when they are still so young.
This is ALL she wanted, and was thrilled that she got it because now she can make
"breadsticks", "noodles", "tortillas", "pancakes", and "soup".

Christmas Firsts

This was our first Christmas putting lights on our very own house, very exciting. Tyler stapled each light to
point the same direction, he says it was for me, but I know the truth. (The color of our house will be changing next summer
I hope! I thought I should add that) It was also our first year to put up a really, real Christmas tree. I love that pine smell!
Allie pulled it on herself the first day, and hasn't touched it since...lesson learned. Another first is we recently purchased an SUV to
accomodate our growing family, it was my first time ever driving one, and boy do I feel like queen of the road. It's HUGE compared to
my cute little orange hatchback (Which my sister bought). We are going to IF for Christmas this year, and then going to Logan to visit
Tyler's brother and his family. We are looking forward to the break. My 15 year old brother; Jake will be coming back with us at Christmas and finishing out the school year here. I'm grateful to have an opportunity to build a stronger relationship with him. Have a Merry Christmas!

Giving Thanks

My sister the "sharp shooter"














The guys took the kids to the school gym to play
while my sister and I cooked, that was sure
helpful. We had a great Thanksgiving. We are so
extremely blessed and I am grateful every day
for the life my Heavenly Father has given me.
I wake up every day to a home filled with love
a patient husband, and to beautiful girls who love me
despite my flaws. All of my needs are being met
along with things I don't deserve. It's a good time to
reflect, I love this time of the year!

Thanksgiving

This looks dangerous I know...but what else can
you do in Winnemucca?
















My sister Tye came with her family.
The kids did not sleep well together, but they sure looked
cute. Allie has never been a good sleeper, and boy can she
work bed time!
















We had an awesome feast, and the boys cleaned up
after, sure can't complain about that!

Spillin' the beans...

Well, I've recently been witness to how fast news can spread in a small town.

Within a matter of hours I think all of Winnemucca knew that I was pregnant.

I'm not a private person, so it didn't bother me much. The only thing is, I don't know

how far along I am. To tell you the truth, this pregnancy came a little sooner than we had anticipated (note: I did not say "planned") We don't plan, but for any of you who know my track record, it has taken over a year for me to get pregnant with each of my pregnancies...until now that is. So here we go again, I'm guessing I'm only a little over a month along-maybe more. Since the beans are already spilled all over Winnemucca, I thought I might as well spread them a little further, even though it is quite early. Of course I will keep you all posted. We are praying for another happy, healthy baby. We feel very blessed at the opportunity to have such close babies, we hope we will feel that way in the teen years as well!

Oh Joy...

Allie; ready for Joy School-She did not want me to take this picture


















So, I consented to do a "Joy School" with a few other mothers, basically it's
like a repeat of nursery for an hour and a half on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
We take turns "hosting" and I recently did two of my four weeks. I can't say
it's something I look forward to, but Allie loves her friends, and the kids LOVE it. I have plenty of friendly
reminders that "we are doing this for the kids". (Thanks Kate:) Tyler makes fun of me
a little. He thinks it's like a pre-pre-school. He thinks Kindergarten is when they should
start school, I think I agree-all the moms in the group know I'm not tottaly converted to the idea,
but I gave it a shot. I completely respect teachers, and those who have the talent of managing lots of
little children every day. I do not have that talent, however, it seems to be different when they are your own.

Bloggin' with the Frog

I'm giving a shout-out to this web site in hopes that all of my blogging friends will jump on! This site has helped me find so many long lost friends, which is the whole reason why I blog. I'm horrible about staying in touch, and this site does a lot of the work for me. I'm a click away from knowing who's interested in me by the widget that shows my recent visits, and also who I need to check out by the news feed widget. You can search by highschool, and by links shared by other members. It is free, and they never send junk mail, gotta' love that! So take a looksee at the link.
http://theblogfrog.com/Welcome.aspx

Big Blue Adventures

There are a lot of secluded areas in Nevada to explore, this was one of our adventures in "Big Blue". We took a little dirt road out to an abanded homestead. Just a typical Saturday morning in Winnemucca. Allie loves this truck, and so does her Daddy. It was given to us from our good friends the Lord's Family; Kraig Lord's is Tyler's boss and we share "dumping" rights with them in return.























We highly recomend that every family have a beastly vehicle that can get roughed up without worry:)

8 TV shows I love to watch:
1. Big Shocker...Tyler and I haven't watched T.V. in 2+ years...and we don't miss it.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
My Favorite 8 Restaurants
1. Macaroni Grill
2. Johnny Carinos
3. Rodizios
4. Quiznos
5. Red Robin
6. Ruby Tuesdays
7. Canton
8. The melting Pot

8 Things That Happened Yesterday
1. Sanded some letter blocks
2. Played duck, duck, goose with Allie and her friend Ren
3. Made Christams Cards for the card exchange group I'm in
4. Deep cleaned my bathrooms
5. Made my mom's real mexican tacos...mmmm
6. Painted Allie's toe nails
7. Went to BK and watched Tyler, Allie, and Bria share a small shake (I didn't want any:)
For FHE
8. Started reading A Day of Remembrance from the Promised Land Series.

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To
1. Christmas in IF
2. Going to Boston in February
3. Finishing projects on the house (mostly exterior)
4. My Aunt and Uncle going through the temple
5. Allie going to bed willingly
6. Weaning Bria (She's addicted to me)
7. Thanksgiving!
8. Man, I didn't think this would be hard, I guess I'm enjoying the present as much as possible.

8 Things On My Wishlist
1. That all of my children will stay active in the church
2. I could divide into two people to get everything done
3. pay off our mortgage and student loans today!
4. the economy would stabalize
5. That I could say things exactly how I mean them without confusing people
6. That I could lose this last ten pounds...I'm gettin' there
7. That people could just get along and get over there differences
8. That I could make Spicy Ramano Chicken at home that tasted like Johnny Carinos

8 People I Tag: Whoever wants to do this...

When Allie helps...

The face says it all, Bria is just the innocent bystander as usual.


















Again...the face, She really thinks she is helping too. I guess it's my fault,
I tell her she is, even when I know her "helping" means more work for me.
From dishes, to Laundry, my work is never done:)

Halloween

It was a great night, Tyler went as a Brazillian Cowboy (gaucho) and I went as "his woman" (Prenda)
Allie and Bria were sure cute.























My friend Barbie was a mad scientist, I could hardly recognize her!

Some finishing touches

We moved into our house at the end of November last year. I was 7/8 months pregant and highly motivated to finish the kitchen before Christmas. We painted EVERYTHING! Finished the countertops, put in the floor, made the hutch into a desk, (Another wonderful move by Tyler) and put in new lighting fixtures... and cleaned like mad, and we mostly had it ready by Christmas. Just recently we put in a sink; Thanks to Mandy Backus) Every one needs a friend like Mandy Backus, she'd do just about anything for anybody, love her!


















In true mormon fashion I did some Vinyl lettering above my sink, no mormon home is complete without it:) haha.
I hung some new curtains, but they still need to be sewn at the bottom...another project for another day:)
Anyways, this is my favorite room, and where we spend most of our time.

When Mommy is away...

Allie came into the kitchen wearing this, when I asked "what are you doing?"
Her repy was, "getting married in June". She loves the movie Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
I know that is weird for a two year old, but nothing we do in this house seems to be "normal":)


























I came home from a meeting the other night to find a new construction
in my living room...They were watching Mary Poppins and eating popcorn
inside, I'm not sure who thought it was cooler, Tyler or Allie.

Reno

We just got back from a week long trip to Reno last night. Reno is 2 1/2 hours away from us. Tyler had to go for some meetings, and the girls and I tagged along. It is always interesting to go on trips now with two little girls. Tyler's work usually has us stay at the Circus Circus hotel and casino when we go, and you might think that would be a great place to go as a family; but it actually makes things harder for us.

Allie is so over-stimulated by all the lights and loud music and toys galore, going back to the hotel for nap time was a joke. I shouldn't complain though, considering the fact we were staying there for free. There were some really great things about the trip.

Tyler and I got to trade off going to the temple, I really needed that quiet time alone to just ponder and be grateful for my life. We also got to have some great quality time as a family. Tyler is so awesome, I know I brag about the kid a lot, but he's such a great husband and father, and is so patient with me. He just picks up where I leave off, and helps without me having to ask.... It probably would have been easier for him to go on the trip alone, and he could have slept through the night, and eaten where he wanted to eat, but he never complains, and is so good to help me and the girls feel like we are wanted, and not like we are a burden.

TIMBER!

Tyler took down this dying tree in our front yard.
It looks much better without it.