Christmas Tag

Merry Christmas!
Alright, alright!! I haven't done any of the tags I have gotten for the last month or so??? so I figured I better do this one.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper-I love the presents under my tree all wrapped~!!

2. Real tree or Artificial? I love the smell of real trees, but we have an artificial one, so we can enjoy it the whole month of December.

3. When do you put up the tree? This week, it was the weekend before Thanksgiving. This was the earliest by far, but the best timing to put it for my schedule.
4. When do you take the tree down? We usually leave it up through New Years Day, but I am thinking it may be earlier this year, since we put it up earlier ???????????

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes. I grew up with Egg Nog and Sprite. 1/2 and 1/2.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My mom usually made me a Christmas dress and one year my dad made me a desk that I still have.

7. Hardest person to buy for? This year it is my dad.
8. Easiest person to buy for? My kids-it is so fun to buy for them.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes I have a bunch. We have a porcelain one that stays up high, a resin one that is nice, but the kids can play with it (nicely) and then the Fisher price one that they can play with as well.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail!!!
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't know.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Grinch, Christmas Vacation and Polar Express.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? This year it was in September.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Oh so many things. I love Grandma Packer's Chocolates, Egg Nog and Sprite, Ham, Aunt Carla's Nuts and Bolts, Lays potato chips and Dip. I could go on and on and on...............................!

16. Lights on the tree? All White

17. Favorite Christmas song? ) I like all the traditional ones
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes-Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comit, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen and Rudolph!!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Morning, but my kids open up their Christmas Jammies on Christmas Eve.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? When the snow messes up my plans. But it is hard, because it wouldn't be Christmas without the snow.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Right now I have all red, silver and white on my tree with balls, snowflakes, silver stars and then a mix of other things in between.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?Did you see my list above, I could continue, but then I would really look like a pig!!
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A portable DVD player for our van, and an Ipod.
I Tag whoever wants to!!!!

Christmas Time

DAVEY AND THE FIRST CHRISTMAS

Let's pretend there was a boy and Davey was his name,

Whose family lived in Bethlehem when Christmas time first came.

Davey had a special pet - a donkey small and gray,

And what the two of them did best was getting in the way.

Davey named the donkey Tim. He never rode him though,

Either Tim was built too high or Davey was too low.

Davey's father had an inn where people came to stay

And lots and lots and LOTS of them were coming there one day.

His father was as busy as six or seven bees!

So Davey said, "I want to help, can't I do something, please?

Tim would like to help you , too.

Find a job for us to do!"

"Listen son," his father said, "Last week you broke three jugs.

You scared my two best customers with your pet lightning bugs!

You tracked in mud on my clean floor, you tripped and dropped the bread.

And though I liked the fish you caught - why leave them on my bed?"

"I've put up with your helpfulness as long as I am able.

So, do me one big favor now, get out -and clean the stable!"

Davey sadly went and stood beside the stable door.

It hardly seemed that anyone could clean that dirty floor.

He and Tim both felt so bad, they started in to cry--

But then-thought Davey--"Yes, we can! Well, anyhow-let's try."

First, let's chase those chickens out. That's what we've got to do.

So Tim began to flap his ears while Davey shouted "Shooooo!"

The chickens clucked and flew and ducked, they fluttered wild and scary,

Until their feathers filled the air like snow in January.

Yes, Davey chased those chickens out, He and Tim together.

But now he had to get a sack and pick up every feather.

You should have seen how hard they worked! They stacked up all the wheat,

They straightened up the harnessed 'till they were nice and neat.

They fought with spiders bravely 'till they chased out every bug.

And since we must admit the truth -they broke another jug.

The very biggest job of all was stacking up the hay.

Davey climbed up to the loft and put it all away.

"Look, Tim. You see how high it is? I'll make just one more trip."

Then clear up by the stable roof, his feet began to slip!

Down came the hay and Davey, too. The stable looked so queer--

All you could see was piles of hay-one sandal and one ear!!

Slowly they came out on top, and Davey didn't whine,

Though hay stuck out all over him just like a porcupine!

He put the hay all back again and stacked it up with care--

But left one armload down below to fill the manger there.

So Davey's work was done at last, and when it all looked neat,

He picked some flowers to trim the barn, and some for Tim to eat.

"I hope it's clean enough," he thought. "At least I did my best"

And feeling very, very tired, he curled up for a rest....

Who woke up Davey from his sleep? Just guess them if you can.

Mary was the woman's name, Joseph was the man.

Mary said. "Oh Joseph, look! This is a lovely place"!

Then, seeing Davey there, she said, with such a shining face,

"Your father's inn had no more rooms, tonight we're staying here.

So tell me now, are you the boy who cleaned the stable, dear?

And did your donkey help you work? We want to thank him, too."

Though Davey was still half asleep, his heart was glad clear through.

So that is how a little boy, two thousand years ago,

Stayed on to hear the angels sing, and see the star aglow.

As soon as Baby Jesus came to use the manger bed,

Then Davey's sack of feathers made a pillow for his head.

No one told Davey any more that he was in the way.

His work had helped get ready for the world's first Christmas Day!

HALLOWEEN - OFFICE PARTY

We had a first ever Halloween costume party at our Family's Real Estate, Construction and Cabinet shop office. It was a lot of fun and everyone really got dressed up. Only I didn't get a picture of me, since I was carrying my camera, so I will have to get some off of others' cameras. Because I even dressed up. It was like being a kid again and was very fun!!!!

HALLOWEEN

We had a lot of fun this Halloween. I guess I didn't get a picture of all 3 kids together, so you get to see them this way. I need to get pictures from my sister's cameras and then I may have one.

Aunt Ruthe's WITCH!!

Ok, so my mom's sister Aunt Ruthe always dresses up as a witch for Halloween, but because they live over in Nibley, we (all my cousins and siblings that live in Brigham City) haven't ever seen her witch. So this year she made an early appearance to our Anvil Cabinet & Mill Office and here are some picture of her. Other than her really good costume she has a "witch's laugh" and "shriek" to go along with it. Ady was sure that the was the "real thing" and that she was going to fly away on her broom. If you look close, you will see that she even has her "pet rat" in her treat bucket, so if you aren't careful, he might bite your finger!!!!

Jaden's BLACK EYE

Jaden played on a Flag football team this fall and really liked it. He wanted to play tackle, but I talked him and Wade into waiting for a year or 2 or 3. However he collided with one of his own teammates and this is what he ended up with.

Adyson-Jr. Peach Queen Pageant

Next Ady was in the Jr. Peach Queen Pageant. This is a cute pageant that you are only in when you are 5 years old. I was actually in it when I was 5 as well. So it was a little trip down memory lane for me.

Catching UP!!!! - Ady dancing with Future Rockettes

Ok, so since I have been totally busy, my blog updating has gone right off my list. So, here is a quick update from our last couple of months. Ady danced with the future Rockettes, because we one of my Miamaids is a Rockette and this is their fundraiser. Ady had fun. They practice for a week and then perform during the Football game half-time.

ABC's "getting to know you"TAG ABC's of you. Each player then tags 3 people and posts their names, then go to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
A- Attached or single: Attached! :)
B- Best Friend: Wade
C-Cake or Pie: Pie -Neither- Snicker's Ice Cream Pie from Maddox.
D-Day: Saturday
E- Essential Item: Make up
F- Favorite Color: Red
G-Gummi Bears or Worms: Bears
H-Home town: Brigham City
I- Indulgences: Nachos
J- January or July?: July!
K-Kids: 3 -Jaden-7 yrs, Adyson 5 yrs & Derek 2yrs.
L-Life is incomplete without: Family
M- Marriage Date: January 21st, 1998
N-Number of Siblings: 5 - (3) Brothers and (2) Sisters
O- Oranges or Apples: Oranges
P- Phobias or Fears: I hate the thought of losing someone I love.
Q- Quote: Remember who are and what you stand for, Keep your pants on and stay vertical. (OK, so this was a college quote and as we left on dates our roommates would recite it to us. It was pretty funny at the time.)
R- Reason To Smile: My Kids :)
S- Season: I love: Spring
T- Tag Three: Tanna, Heather and Kara
U- Unknown fact about me: I have never broken any bones.
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: Meat
W- Worst Habit: Procrastination
X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds :) Ultrasounds-I loved to see my babies when I was pregnant.
Y-Your favorite food: Cafe Rio & Olive Garden (OK so can I have 2 favorites?)
Z: Zodiac Sign: Cancer :) Aries

Isn't it about time someone started awarding Gold Medals to mothers for what they achieve on a daily basis? After all, each and every day is an Olympic event for mom!Just participating in the following field events qualifies you in the Motherhood Olympics and a Gold Medal....or better yet, a chocolate covered Gold Medal!

Diaper Derby Dash → Chasing un-diapered toddler in order to diaper said toddler before he does his "business" on the carpet.

Early Morning Relay Rush → Waking, bathing, dressing, feeding, carpooling, & hugging five children before school bell rings each morning. Rushing back to school to drop off forgotten lunch and homework. Rushing to store to get room mother treats. Rushing home to attempt Diaper Derby Dash on toddler. Rushing back to school to be spectacular room mother. Rushing home to put toddler down for nap. Rushing to clean up kitchen and do three loads of laundry. Rushing back to store for forgotten items for dinner. Rushing to dentist for twice missed appointment. Rushing home to attempt and once again train for Diaper Derby Dash. All before 10 a.m.

Nerves of Steel Tantrumathon→ Remaining completely calm while toddler throws self on filthy floor and begins to wail at top of lungs while in crowded store with many onlookers throwing dirty looks your way.

100 yard Hurdle→ Hurdling high across the sandbox full of children to grab binky covered in sand before baby puts it in mouth.

50 Yard Sprint→ Sprinting to the curb in a split second while in high heels to grab toddler before runs into busy intersection.

Weight Lifting→ Hoisting ten bags of groceries, one sleeping toddler, an infant in car seat, diaper bag, car keys, purse, one half eaten Happy Meal, and dry cleaning without dropping ...while carrying it all into house in one trip.

Wrestling Freestyle→ Leave busy restaurant with squirming child in arms with relaxed but firm body hold.

Balance Beam Routine → Balancing check book, three nutritious meals a day (plus snacks), laundry, house cleaning, carpooling, piano lessons, dance lessons, trumpet lessons, football practice, karate practice, soccer practice, Cub Scouts, Brownies, grocery shopping, holiday traditions, homework, dentist appts., doctor appts., recitals, school concerts, menu planning, PTA meetings, vacations, science fair projects, and many other things too numerous to mention.

First Day of School

Ok, so if Ady would stop talking for 2 seconds, I could get a better picture!! Anyway, here is Jaden and Ady on their first day of school. Jaden is a big 2nd grader and ready for a great year. He is in a 2nd and 3rd grade split, so we will see what we think as the year goes by. He has a great teacher, so I am confident he will do fine. Adyson was a little nervous going, I wasn't sure if she was really going to go. However she had a great first day and when she came home and realized that Jaden got to stay all day AND eat lunch, she was sure that she was jipped!!! So, they did great and I can't believe they are growing up so fast. Derek was sad to leave Ady at school, because it was a new thing and he was used to Jaden staying and Ady always left with us last year, but he wasn't sure about her staying. Derek also has decided that he needs a "pack-pack" too. So, we have a backpack for him that he can put his things in and he feels so big!!!

Adyson & her kitty, Molly

Adyson begged all summer to get a kitty and I finally gave in. So meet Molly, our little kitty. She runs away, so we had to put a leash on her, so we could keep her around, since Mom won't let her live in the house. We have a kennel with a litter box and her food outside and she can run as far as her leash will let her go. The kids love playing with her!!

BE County Parade & Fair

Ady took pictures of us as we were watching the parade. Derek has a pretty funny cheeser!!
Wade and his Dad watching the parade. (Ady is still our photographer, she did pretty good)


Derek and Ady on the monster trucks. Derek thought that they were great and wouldn't get off. By the end of the night he had riden them 4 times!!

Jaden's Baseball team

Jaden played baseball on a new machine pitch league and loved it. This is their last game and they won it at the very end, when the bases were loaded and they were down 8-11 and their player hit a homerun and brought all the bases in. It was very exciting and a great way to end the season!!!!

We went surfing with some friends before they moved to Arizona. Ady and Jaden had a lot of fun, but wish Ellie and Chase didn't have to move.

Ady was very brave and had a lot of fun. Jaden was pretty good at the surfing and liked the body boards too.

Nessen Family-all of us

All the Nessens gathered in July for a new family picture. We had them taken out in Howell. This is by one of the barns out back. It was the usual chase trying to get kids to cooperate! We should be good for a couple of years-yay!

Brothers -the best of friends.

Derek and Jaden sat in the wagon for a picture. These 2 are great friends and Jaden is such a good big brother to Derek.

Adyson, Derek and Jaden thinking, "Are we done yet?"