The rest of Christmas

Christmas Morning. I wish I would have taken more pictures, but I was also busy using the video camera. Sawyer loved all of his gifts. Mainly the Glo Magnadoodle, the electric guitar for Rockband, and the Lakers basketball hoop and ball from uncle Collins. We aren't sure how much Benton loved his new bouncer toy.

Christmas night we tried to take a few pictures, but I think we all just get doing things and forget.

The day after Christmas the boys had to get their wing fix from Santoro's!

And then Jared, Jessica, and Ryder came to stay for a few days before they headed back to London. Sawyer was loving having both Benton and Ryder around. My child is weirdly obsessed with babies.

Some other things that we enjoyed while down there that I don't want to forget:
Kim, my Mom and I doing are usual craft projects. I am ok if I don't do any now for a long while.
Sawyer making up a "naked" dance for us. I am not sure where he learned or created such a dance, but it was the funniest thing we have ever seen.
Benton's gassy night.
Watching Jesus Camp...funniest/weirdest movie ever.
Eating and eating and eating.
Being with all of my family, there could be nothing better!

Christmas at Carolyn's

My favorite night of the year...Aunt Carolyn's Christmas party! I look forward to it for many months, even though I am sick the majority of the time. I think it is a running joke in my family, but not this year. I was well, and enjoying every minute of it. We always start with Las Golindrinas appetizers...yummy, then have prime rib and crab legs for dinner...not my favorite, but I love my Moms rolls and the salad.

Then we do the very anticipated poppers! Aunt Carolyn fills them with money and fun things and we all get to pop one and see whats inside. Sawyer got 10 ones and was so excited...He is used to collecting his quarters and other change. Dollars rarely get in the mix.



Then this year we mixed it up a bit. Carolyn put on an amazing race for the family. It was so fun. We started with a puzzle, then when that was complete we got our next clue which was to go to the san juan train station. Then we got on the train and rode to San Clemente. I was so excited for Sawyer to ride the train for the first time. Too bad we had a task of putting together a gingerbread house on the train so there wasn't time to enjoy the ride. Next we had to go shopping and get a long list of toys and essentials to send to the troops. After that we met at Park and ride to wrap the gifts, it was definitely not my best wrapping job. Then on to the Mission where we had to sing Christmas songs and yell Happy New Year a bunch of times. Next to the fire station to drop off some of the toys, and last to the big Christmas tree in down town San Juan. It was such a creative race. We all loved it! And, we each had to wear this Santa suit costume at a different time during the race.


Afterward we went back to Carolyn's to read the Polar Express, the Scriptures, and then on to the annual tie exchange and opening gifts. I am already excited for next year!

Holiday happenings

We have had lots of fun these past 2 weekends with lots of family in town. Two weekends ago we had Trent's family here, and Tyson's Mom. I only got pictures when we went and got Hot Chocolate at Starbucks one night...but it was a fun weekend of eating, taking Sawyer to see the Princess and the Frog, Sawyer getting to open some early Christmas presents, and walking around El Paseo.

Sawyer is loving Starbucks these days... he wants to go almost every day!

Then this last weekend Tyler and Kim came to town for a few glorious days. I wish they lived closer, I love spending time with them. Maybe one day? When they got here we went over to Costco and had enough samples to last us for the whole day. There are amazing samples on Saturdays. Then Lillie took their family pictures that afternoon so Sawyer and I tagged along and made weird noises and faces to make Benton smiley. That night we went to El Gaitto for dinner and then over to Candy Cane lane to see all the lights.

I just can't say enough about the Holidays. I love having family around, making and eating treats galore, singing only Christmas songs during sacrament meeting, and all the other festivities that go on this time of year...I hope these next 2 weeks go slow!

Gingerbread Train

Sawyer made this cute Gingerbread Train at school. It was one of the boys in his class, Logan's, birthday and so his Mom and Ms. Karley made these with the kids because Logan is obsessed with Thomas the Train. How cute! Maybe one day I can get a little more creative like that, since I know those are the things that kids love to do. And, Yum...it smells like heaven. If it wasn't quite so hard I think part of the caboose would be missing already. We had planned on making a house this year to start that tradition, but I decided he could start this year without me.

Christmas Tree Lighting

We went to a tree lighting in Old Town last weekend with some friends. It was a perfect night with a little chill in the air, just enough to be able to enjoy our Hot Chocolate. Sawyer got to sit on Santa's lap to tell him that he wants:
a sword
scoob stuff (scooby doo)
and sometimes he wants a Dog too...not gonna happen!

I can't wait for Christmas...It is starting to really feel like Holiday time. I just know I am going to be sweating in 100 degree weather before I know it.

Thanksgiving

It was nice to have a 2 day trip to Orange County as a family because I don't feel like we ever get to drive together and have Tyson stay when we go. We headed down on Wednesday morning and stopped to eat yummy hamburgers at TK Burger. Since I have been pregnant this time I have had major heartburn when I eat anything fried and bad for you so it's a rare occasion that its worth it...but it was for these! Then we did a little shopping at the mall with my family and just hung around the house.

For actual Thanksgiving dinner this year we did something very out of the norm for my family, eat out. The only other time I have eaten out on Thanksgiving was when we were in Maui and it was the greatest meal ever. So needless to say I was very excited to find out we would be enjoying our dinner at the Ritz this year.

We got there about 4:30 so we were able to watch the sunset and walk around the hotel to see all the amazing decorations. Sawyer loved the gingerbread castle that was like a sandcastle.

Then onto dinner which is a post in itself. It was a set menu, but they let you choose which of 3 entrees you wanted...turkey, a filet, or seabass. Of course there was no choosing for me, but everyone else had a hard time deciding between them. The pumpkin soup was my favorite part of the dinner...but all of it was so fun and beautiful! I would be more happy if this was a new tradition!

Vegas trip

Last week we got to go to the IAAPA convention, or fun center convention in normal language. Growing up I have some of the best memories of going to these conventions every year with my Dad and Tyler...but I haven't been in probably 15 years. This year when we found out it would be in Vegas, we decided we would have to go, and Sawyer would have to come too. We only got to spend one day there because of it being such a busy week, but it was well worth it. It was also so nice to spend a couple of nights with Tyler, Kim and Baby Benton.
Sawyer called the convention the other Disneyland! He played mini-bowling, on bumper boats, saw fake snow, played air hockey, in jungle gyms, and we ate and ate. Icee's, Dippin Dots, Pizza, Crepes, Potato Chips, Cotton Candy and all those other junk foods that were so fun that day.
Thanks Dad for having such a fun job that all of us can take part in!

22 weeks...

and 2 days, but who's counting? I swore I'd never take pictures of myself pregnant, so I didn't with Sawyer. But now I sit here wishing I could compare myself to my last pregnancy and I have no idea what I ever looked like, and how much I ever weighed. I only know that my nurse told me I'm off to a great start, sarcastically, because I have already gained 13 pounds. I am sorry if I gain weight when I am pregnant, but at least we know this girl is getting her nutrients...and plenty of extra things too. The one thing I do remember about my pregnancy with Sawyer is that I lost weight in the end, so my nurse has nothing to worry about.
As for the sickness...will it ever end? I thought so about 2 weeks ago, and then I threw up 5 times again this week. And, I think I might be a little moody too. You'd have to check with Tyson and Sawyer for sure on that one, but I'm pretty sure I already know the answer.
18 more weeks...let the Holidays begin so I can somewhat forget I am pregnant, and have a better excuse for eating!

Trick or Treat

Its so fun having Sawyer's birthday and Halloween in a row because the past 2 years we have been able to have Tyson's Mom and Charles here to celebrate. It was also fun having Sawyer old enough this year to really be excited about trick or treating, and dressing up. He chose to be Harry Potter months ago, and to be honest this is the last time I get a costume more than a month in advance because this past month he has been obsessed with Monsters vs. Aliens and so he really wanted to be a Monster. I promised him he could next year.

my cute Harry Potter

all of us trick or treating

sawyer and his BFF Mila

some pictures in action

ALL the loot. He was ao good about sharing, every time he ate one he'd give all of us one. I am loving the new chewy fireballs...it really took me back to jr. high!

the Kiddie Halloween Party!

Ann threw a really great Halloween party for all the kids in our ward. Let me just say that first of all she is due to have a baby in like 1 week...and she went all out. They started with making their own slime, Sawyer loved it because of Ghostbusters. Then there was bobbing for apples, eating a donut off a string, which was so funny...Sawyer was laughing hysterically the whole time he was trying to eat the donut. The kids decorated sugar cookies, and then had an halloween egg hunt. It was all so cute, and the kids had so much fun being dressed up and playing so many fun games. I love how social Sawyer has become in this last year as he's made more friends and started school. I feel like I can sit and chat for hours without even seeing him, I guess that is maybe not always a good thing?

Live Oak Pumpkin Patch

What a perfect afternoon...not too hot, I could actually wear a light sweater. The pumpkin patch made me feel like Fall is actually here. I love, love, love this time of year. If only it felt a little more like it! We went with the Biesingers to the Live Oak PP which is our favorite one. They had so many fun rides, slides, and sights for the kids. Sawyer was in heaven, except when he saw Frankenstein for the first time. And yes, there is a picture that Lillie captured of his bare butt in the middle of the pumpkins when he decided to strip down and pee in the midst of us all. I guess that's just one of the perks of being a boy.

Halloween Party...Adults ONLY!

The Lamms threw a really fun little Halloween party last weekend. I had been thinking about me and Tyson's outfit for weeks before hand because how often is it that we dress up...actually never! We went through so many different options and finally decided on being Britney and K-Fed since I am pregnant, and Tyson is basically from the 909. We had everything figured out until 2 days before when Tyson and Colby got invited to a big jewelery party in LA that they couldn't pass up. I was so bummed, but luckily I had Sarah as a date. Too bad we didn't know with enough time for Sarah and I to be a couple. So I still went as Brit, and Sarah was Sandra Dee, I guess you could say we both went as singers.
The party was a lot of fun with some great company, yummy food, and some fun games. I loved how clever everyone was with their costumes, and Mark did have like 5 different costumes that he was changing into throughout the night. I am already hoping this becomes a yearly tradition...Lizzie?

movie night

On friday night Old Town La Quinta, where the boys store is, put on a family movie night on the big lawn area. It was a perfect night to be outside, and it was Sawyer's new favorite movie...Monsters vs. Aliens. They had a hot dog stand set up, and gave free kettle corn to everyone which was great. We ordered a pizza, and just sat and watched the movie with Sarah and Colby. It was so fun, I can't wait til they do it again next month.

4 years

Happy Anniversary Tyson! We've lived in 2 states together, 6 different places. Had our little Sawyer with one more on the way. Traveled to Hawaii, San Francisco, Seattle, Wyoming, Croatia, Switzerland, and Slovenia. And had many ups with a few downs. Thank you for always putting us first, and for doing whatever it takes to make our marriage and family a happy and forever one. I love You!

happy.

I know today has to be a good day when...I wake up to a house that is only 72 degrees. Our air didn't run once last night, and I woke up even a little chilly. Then we started the day off with some amazing, fall feeling, pumpkin waffles. They are a new mix from trader joes, and well worth the 2.99! There is nothing that could make me happier than pumpkin.

baby time

I am sure most of you are already aware...but I am pregnant again, and due March 25th! Exciting, I know, but whats really exciting for me is that I found out yesterday that its a GIRL. Yay! I feel this relief now that I am not going to have to follow in Tyson's Moms footsteps raising all boys and feeling like I have no one to shop with me, or really do anything that I like to do. I can finally buy cute clothes and feel like maybe she'll want to hang out with me instead of Tyson.
Of course Tyson is worried that he won't know what to do with a girl, as if they are that much different when they first come out. But he is such a good, hands on Dad that I know it will come natural to him...even if he thinks girls are all emotional and dramatic.

Arizona

We had a great little weekend last week in Arizona. We have been saying ever since we moved, a year and a half ago, that we would go back and spend a weekend with Tyson's Mom...but of course it never seems to work. I swear since Tyson started his own business there is no time for those weekend trips that most people love and do. I am really hoping that as the years go by we can afford to pay other employees and remember what its like to have a husband around.
But enough complaining because we made it out there finally, and really made the most of our three days. By the last day I think I was going to pass out because we had done so much...Oh wait, I did fall asleep that night at the table while we were in the middle of playing games. Lee Ann is always great about planning a lot to do, and luckily she and Charles like to eat as much as we do.

The first day we got there in the afternoon so Sawyer and Tyson swam for a little while, and then we went to dinner and gelato and the best places. It was great!

The next day we were there we went to Fountain Hills to see the big fountain, and then I got to go to lunch with Stace which was so nice. Then while Sawyer napped Tyson and I lounged in the sun which was perfect. That night we went to Kona Grill which was one of my favorite restaurants when we lived there.

The last day was the very full one. We left in the morning for the train park that Sawyer absolutely loved. He wanted to ride in the caboose all by himself because adults aren't allowed inside. I thought he might get nervous, but nope sometime in this last few months he has became so independent. I am loving it.

After the train we went to Party City so Sawyer could get some Harry Potter things. We walked out of there with everything that the store had, and now we have Sawyers Halloween costume taken care of. Then we went to lunch at Cafe Rio which was one of the best I had ever had. And then off to the Diamond Backs game. That scary looking hot dog was for Tyson and seriously as big as my thigh, or at least almost. This was Sawyers first game and he was so excited...but ended up being most concerned with the Mascot the whole time. Not caring about the game at all. What a fun trip! I can't wait until next time...