New Years

For New Years, Erin was working... my girlfriend Gretchen and her husband Dave and family invited us to go over their friends Tracy and Mondo's house to celebrate the New Year. We made a fire in the back yard and roasted marshmallows. We had excellent tacos and the kids had a great time playing with all the kids. We headed home around 8:30

Horton Hears a Who !

Jillian, Lily and Luke came up for a play date. We played Slater's favorite game... Dr. Seuss Horton Hears the Who ! You to the Rescue! The game is very silly. You have to hide these dingle berry looking objects around the house and then put on this elephant headpiece to pick up the dingle berries with the elephant's snout. The kids giggled as they carried the different colored dingle berries around. I would recommend this game to anyone who has kids... it is a great game ! Jillian and I were also able to get some Wii time in as well. The fun and laughter never stops with us! Jillian, when you read this, I love spending time with you ! You always make me laugh so hard. We always seem to get so silly with each other. I know if we were able to turn back the clock 30 years to when we were little girls, we would have the same fun with each other and be as fond of each other as we are now. I love this picture of you in the trampoline !

Trampoline

For Christmas, my dad bought the kids a trampoline. Wow ! What we have been missing out on !! It has been a great gift. I should have listened to Jennifer long time ago when she bought hers. The kids love the trampoline ! They jump and jump and jump and jump. They wake up at 7 in the morning and ask if they can go outside to jump (even when it is 40 degrees and there is frost on the trampoline). They jump before they go to bed. A few of the neighborhood boys are always at our door now, wanting to jump.

Christmas

Christmas is here ! Waking up early on little sleep, isn't the same as it was in the younger years. The kids were so excited about everything, and wanting to play with everything on the NOW moment ! In my mind, I was dreaming of Starbucks. Erin and I were both a little overwhelmed with tending to every need of the kids, and then, them switching to the next thing. It finally settled down after awhile. My dad and brothers and their families arrived shortly after. The kids played outside on their new bikes for a little bit. Giselle brought out the yummiest tamales ever. I now understand why people gain a few pounds at the holiday time. From last night at Alisha and Shane's to today... it is serious grub on appetizers time. It is like once you start, you might as well eat it all ! It is all so yummy. After, we stuffed ourselves and then ate a turkey dinner... we brought out the Wii. Rock band is a blast !! We were all laughing really hard. I was quite amazed at everyones talent. My brothers and sister in laws rocked the house !! My dad did a pretty amazing job at playing the guitar and drums, no singing for him. The most memorable was when I was singing and my brother Mike, playing the drums, turned around to look at me like... who the heck is singing. It was a great time! I think when we were all singing, we thought we sounded good, but geez, hearing all the out of tune notes was a cause for extreme laughter. It was a great day! The day ended with us singing Happy Birthday to Jesus. I know deep inside we all had my mom our minds and in our hearts. The void is a silent sorrow, but a joyful celebration. I know she is missed dearly by ALL of us. She would have loved to see all of her silly kids today. And I know she would have loved to participate as well. I love my whole family. I love all and both of my families. I am so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve started with us packing the kids in the car and heading to Saddleback Church for service at 1pm. From there, we went to Auntie Alisha and Uncle Shane's house for the traditional Christmas eve extravaganza. The kids had a blast! They love spending time with their cousins. Timeri loved playing with Lola. Davin, was the sweetest, drawing Zachary a picture saying he was the best cousin in the world (that was his own gift to him). They loved all of thier presents. Slater missle locked on one of Shane's air soft guns. He then wondered in the backyard to shoot birds and bunnies... such a boy. Alisha had made her traditional Grandma Tuttle chicken turnovers. We all had a great Christmas eve spending time with eachother. I know we all apprectiate Shane and Alisha's hospitality. The night ended with a rather traffic infested drive home. Then Erin and I putting the kids to bed, and converting into Santa's little elves... putting things together and stuffing the stockings. It's a tought job being an elf. I think we finally went to bed at 12:30 am.... and waking to the kids screaming at 6 am.

Happy Birthday Jesus

"Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and she shall call his name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:10-12
At Christmas time we celebrate His birth. What an amazing gift God gave to us, His son. We all should recognize the amazing things Jesus did for us with His life and death. Happy Birthday Jesus ! What a grand birthday we should all celebrate. The savior of the world is born ! Thank you God, for sending your on son, our savior. Thank you Lord, for revealing your truth to me and my family. Thank you, for removing our blinders to see your truth and your love. Thank you, for loving me, and my family. Thank you, for dying for me, for us. May we always remember and speak of your remarkable triumphal life and death. I bow my knee at your faithfulness, your holiness, your loving kindness. (push pause on side bar music...my vibes...to hear video)

Big Bear

Erin came home from work and we loaded the troops up for a surprise. We took the kids up to Big Bear for a snow day. There was about 3 feet of fresh powder. It was fun to walk in. I was sinking down pretty far. The kids pratically disappeared in the snow. We attempted to make a snow man. We were having trouble withthe snow sticking together, so we were unable to make the head. Erin had the brilliant idea to use his head for the snowman. Slater found a statue of a moose and claimed it as his new best friend. We had a lot of fun... until all the kids started to complain about snow being in thier boot, their pants being wet and them being cold. I think we need to invest it snowproof gear for the kids, that way they would last a little longer. Not that California ever has a snowy winter or anything. Overall, the kids were good and we had a great time.

Great Grandpa Don's 85th

 

Today was Grandpa Don's 85th birthday. We met up with him at our favorite place in South Coast Plaza... Wahoo's ! I love Grandpa Don, he is always so sweet to me. I enjoyed the bond we started years ago, at his cabin, that Erin and I would take him to in Green Valley. I know he loves being around all his great grand kids. I know my kids appreciate and love who he is. Not too many kids have a great grandpa. Happy Birthday Grandpa Don !

Seems like this is deja vu from a few weeks prior. Timeri and Slater love the train. And Slater was able to find his motorcycle that he wants for Christmas. The boys love spending time with their cousin Cole.

FVFD Cristmas party

Tonight was Erin's christmas party for the FVFD. It seemed there was more guys in uniform at the party than the off duty guys. It was a great time. The guys and wives were able to cut loose a little and be themselves... withour kids! They had a few poker tables set up to bet and win raffle tickets. We left a little early, since Erin was working the next day... so we happened not to win anything. I especially loved the "wives" of the men that work with Erin. They are all fun. And, I loved finding out that one of the wives, Jodie, loves to blog too ! It always nice to spend time with ladies that are God fearing women. Thankfully, Erin was off that night, and we were able to spend time with eachother and have some what of a date night. We were able to have a few hours away from all of our kids. Doug picked us up at 10 and we headed back to Pam and Doug's house where we were able to snuggle together, the thing we love to do most.

Preschool Christmas play

Miss Peggy has the preschool do a Christmas preformance every year. Timeri and Slater were so excited to sing their songs that they had been practicing. I think once they are on stage they were a little shy, due to all the parents standing with either cameras or camcorders. It was like the paparazzi. I think they did great ! Afterwards, they had a Christmas party. They ate, exchanged presents and had a surprise visit from Santa. Slater spotted him come in and he walked right over to him. Santa gave the kids a little present. Caden had missed school this day because he was sick. He was a little sad Santa didn't have something for him. I explained to him it was just for the preschoolers. He is a little wise cracker, becasue he said "I know that isn't the real Santa...he looks like Miss Peggy's husband."
(push pause on side music to hear video)

TVCS

 

Today the Caden and Davin had their Christmas prefromances at their school. Caden was hysterical... he came out with a red beanie on. I think he was a little overwhelmed seeing how many people were in the auditorium. He proceded to pull the beanie over his face and over his nose. He looked like the character from "Fat Albert". I know he was embararrssed and being shy. I love Caden and understand his uncomfortableness. Davin did his usual and hide in the back. He always manages to hide out in the back, where I can't get a picture of him.

 

Davin and Austin

 

Caden and Davin's Christmas debut

Caden

Davin