Did your Christmas Eve look like mine?

Yesterday Olivia and I had the BEST day. We stayed home and baked. Olivia was my official taster of EVERYTHING.......

M&M Cookies......

Sugar Cookies...... (The dough is still chilling in the fridge..... on my to do list tomorrow!)

Hershey Kiss Cookies....

Then I made 7 loaves of whole wheat bread......

And steamed 6 dozen tamales.......

It was a GREAT day!

Giving a Gift to the Savior....

Thanks Heather for posting this on your blog. I too had to share...

Josh Groban has an amazing voice and this is a perfect song for this time of the year. As we rush around trying to find the perfect present or stressing about what to give the neighbors (this is where I am today) we need to all take time to give to those in need this year.

My kids got a great letter from Santa this year. In the letter he talks about the true meaning of Christmas and how Christ was God's gift to the world. Santa reminds us that we need to give a gift back to the Savior and serve others. It says that "Christ was the perfect example of kindness, love and service to others. Serving is a gift from the heart." I will never forget watching Hayden's eyes fill up tears as he read this letter. He truly felt the Spirit and I was thankful that he recognized that. Last year we adopted a family for Christmas. It was a remarkable experience for our family. As we wrapped the gifts Hayden had tears in his eyes and he said that he felt something different as we bought the presents and now as we wrapped them. We talked about serving and helping others in need and how the Holy Ghost can testify to us that what we are doing is truly Christlike. My kids asked to adopt another family this year and unfortunately, our financial circumstances are quite different from one year ago. We have decided to serve without "buying gifts". We can serve one another or our neighbors or those we don't know. I think this will be another truly memorable Christmas for our family. We hope it will be for you too! Merry Christmas!

A great read......

OK so many of you know that I am NOT, NOT a reader. My friend Jill will call all the time and ask, "I need a good book. Do you have one?" Then I politely remind her that "HELLO, I DO NOT READ!" Mitzi, on the other hand, can read a whole Harry Potter book in one sitting, and mind you she HAS done that! I cannot remember a time when I liked to read. I was the kid in the class that had a difficult time reading and when I did read I didn't comprehend very much. I could get the gist of the story, but not details such as setting or climax of the book. Half of the time I don't even know character names. I made my way through school by taking required literature classes during summer school when there wasn't enough time to read books so we watched the movies instead. BRILLIANT!! Finally as a senior in high school I was tested for learning disabilities. Turns out I am partially dyslexic. I don't mix my letters up but there is something lacking. (Now you know what is wrong with me! LOL) In fact, I can read a book much faster if I hold the book upside down.

Anyway, now that I can read for pleasure, I do enjoy reading books from time to time, but it takes me a while to get through them. I am glad that Jill lives next door so she can pass the good books on to me. Sarah's Key is a GREAT book. It isn't one that is happy and joyful, but since I enjoy historical fiction books, this one was right up my alley.... 1942 Paris and the rounding-up thousands of Parisian Jews to be sent to Auschwitz. What a tragic story and one that will tug on your heart strings. To read more about the book click here. If anyone knows of other historical fiction books I should read, please pass them along.

Finally a quadding trip.......

On Saturday we had another great trip to the desert with our kids and our neighbors. In total we had 12 quads and 15 people out riding.

We decided to go to Box Canyon. The kids were hoping there was some water still running in the canyon from the rains at Thanksgiving. We were all disappointed.... we are expecting more rain this weekend so we hope to have a muddy ride either this weekend or next. Here is a picture as we are winding our way into the canyon:

And one on our way out.....

Here is the view from on top of one of the mountains. I could ride these trails all day!



Cole did an amazing job riding his own quad. 2 summers ago he had a "crash and burn" at the cabin and because he didn't have his helmet on there was quite a lot of blood. He has been quite nervous about riding ever since. We go on rides that will build his confidence as well as challenge him a bit. He looked like a pro. Hayden thinks he is pro and rides like it. Olivia is aching to ride her own bike, but for now she is fairly content to ride with Sal or I.

We were hoping to ride to Martinez Mine but since no one had their GPS and it was late in the day we decided to do a little ride. We stopped at this little hill for lunch. We quickly noticed the cross at the bottom. A 36 year old man was killed here last month. A great reminder to the kids and even us adults about being responsible while riding. We reminisced about the riding day that Sal had a flat tire and had to sit at this same spot waiting for us to bring him back a new tire. That was also the same day Cole's original quad was stolen. Needless to say that WASN'T a good riding day.

We are planning on going again this weekend. Maybe this time we will make it to the mine.

Tag... I am it....... How well do you know me Christmas Style?

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Of course Wrapping Paper!

2. Real tree or Artificial? I would love to have a real tree, but in AZ it just doesn't work too well. The needles end up on the floor before Dec 15th. With an artificial tree we can put it up after Thanksgiving and keep it up until New Years.

3. When do you put up the tree? The day after Thanksgiving ALWAYS

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually on New Years Day.

5. Do you like eggnog? Ugh NO!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? A Cabbage Patch Doll from my aunt Claudia or my ghetto blaster from Santa! Ghetto Blaster... LOL those were the days.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My Dad

8. Easiest person/people to buy for? Olivia or my Mom

9. Do you have a nativity set? Nope, but I wish I did.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail!! I love to get something fun in the mail.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? No such thing!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Grinch, Marry Christmas Charlie Brown

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Whenever I decide what to buy everyone.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Pozole and Sugar Cookies

16. Lights on the tree? Colored lights

17. Favorite Christmas song? Faith Hill, "Where are you Christmas?"

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We stay home and let the kids enjoy their presents.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? If I sing the song...

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? In the morning after the kids have a chance to look in their stockings

21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? When people stress over buying "things" or worry about not spending enough money.

22. Favorite ornament theme or color? My favorite part of putting up the tree is listening to my kids as they pull their ornaments from the box. "oh, I remember this one" or "Remember when we picked this one out?" I LOVE remembering.

23. What do you want for Christmas this year? To continue to be blessed in all aspects of our life.

NOW, I tag Brooke, Mitzi, Shani and Jessica......

My precious baby girl.....

After having 2 boys everyone said, "you have to keep trying until you get a girl." Sal and I had agreed that we would have 3 kids and it would be just fine if we had 3 boys. After all I am and have always been quite the tomboy. I am a huge sports fan and I would like nothing more than to spend every weekend from August to January watching football. Or better yet.... during March Madness... don't even think about calling! Every Thursday through Sunday is spent watching Cinderella teams knock off the Nationally ranked teams. I ALWAYS cheer for the underdogs because I was once that underdog and we nearly knocked off the #1 team - Marcos de Niza. Oh well that was over 15 years ago..... boy am I old!

Anyway, I honestly cannot imagine my life without my girly girl. She loves her baby dolls and must sleep with all 6 of them gently tucked into their OWN blankies. Olivia loves fingernail polish and makeup, taste testing everything made in the kitchen but most importantly she LOVES me. She is almost smothering at times with the hugs and the kisses. She is constantly saying "I love YOU Mom!" (Emphasis on the "you".) She wakes each morning and asks "What's for dinner?" At that point of my day I am not even sure what's for breakfast. I am sad every day when she says, "Mom, I am getting big." I realize the inevitable is happening. She is indeed getting big and there isn't a darn thing I can do about it EXCEPT soak up every minute with her. I am truly enjoying the journey of being a mother.

Rainy Day Schedule

The weather guy said it would but to be honest I NEVER believe them, but this morning we have RAIN!! Olivia was so excited. She told me she wanted to go out in the rain. I said ok get your shoes and you can go stand in the rain. She looked at me as if to say "Duh" and then said "Mom, I need the unbrella (that is what she calls it.)" I quickly got the umbrella and out she went. Since we hardly ever get rain, I thought I better grab the camera to take some pictures in case it is another 3 or 4 months before we get rain again. I hope it rains and rains and rains! The only thing better would be to be snuggled up in bed with Sal and the 3 kids watching movies.

Lorin's Mission Call Came Today

This morning when I woke-up I checked my email as usual. In my inbox was an update on Lorin Merkley. An MRI was done to determine why he has been having difficulty breathing. The results were what everyone had feared....he had tumors in his lungs. The doctors advised no more chemo and they decided to send him home today with hospice. This morning as I read that news I wanted to gather my 3 little kids and snuggle in bed with them all day. Of course that is what any mother would want to do. I prayed that they would have more time as a family but that Lorin would be free of the pain he is in. I just received a call that Lorin died just about 20 minutes ago.

Lorin was made an Elder on Sunday. Isn't that what always happens? A missionary is set apart on Sunday and leaves for his mission on Tuesday to check into the MTC on Wednesday. Lorin was right on schedule. I am sure today will be spent greeting grandparents and those gone before him, and tomorrow he will start his training as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Lucky him.... he will train with Christ by his side and with Prophets as his teachers. Of course, my heart breaks for LeAnn and Craig, his parents, who are left behind with empty arms. I know they have the faith to endure yet another test. I now pray that their family may be comforted, that Brandon, who is serving an Earthly mission, will be able to decide to either come home or finish his mission. I can't imagine making that kind of decision!

Tonight I will be thinking of Lorin and wondering if he will say hi to all those people I know on the other side.

NO KIDS ALLOWED

We just returned from a couples weekend in Rocky Point Mexico. Jill and Mark Woolley, Doug and Heather Evans and Sal and I rented a 3 bedroom 3 bath condo at Sonoran Sky. It was right on the beach and it was HEAVEN for 2 days. The weather was perfect, the food delicious and the company priceless. We made memories that will last a lifetime. We laughed so hard we cried. Sunday afternoon came WAY too soon!


Here is the view from our balcony..... Heather was the hairdresser for the weekend!

Of course the girls were happy to sit on the beach, read and soak up some rays and Sal taught Doug and Mark to fly kites. I think they are officially hooked!

Here is the one string kite we always have up......

We even talked Sal and Heather into renting a wave runner for an hour. Sal and Heather are deathly afraid of the ocean and the SHARKS that will jump out of the water to EAT them..... LOL Can you tell they have watched too much TV?

Here are Jill and Mark enjoying the surf.......

And my VERY OWN Baywatch Babe......

And what would a relaxing weekend be without a trip to the spa.......

You guys are the best neighbors and friends we could have ever hoped for. Where are we going next?

Words to Live by

Happy Veteran's Day DAD!

Every Veteran's Day I always think about you and wonder what you think about on Veteran's Day. I have been HONORED to edit your words about your time in Vietnam and the thoughts you have now looking back. You are my HERO and I hope you think of yourself as one! For the SACRIFICE, for the FAITH, for the COURAGE you had to heed a call to serve your country. For the years of enduring the reminders of a YEAR spent at war. For the person that you are today. Someone once told me that "we are who we are because of the things we have seen and the experiences we have had." I know this is true of my life. My greatest wish in life is to travel with you back to Vietnam so that we can have another experience to shape who we are. I LOVE you Dad and I hope you have a great Veteran's Day!

A truly INSPIRING Testimony Meeting!

Today was one of those Sunday's where you sit in Church and realize that there is no other place you would rather be. Sal was home with our sick Cole, but Hayden, Liv and I made it to church early enough to sit in the comfy Chapel seats! A feat that never happens for us. Hayden was thrilled! Anyway as testimony meeting started I watched as a loving Brother Merkley pushed his wheelchair bound son up to the podium to bear his testimony. Lorin Merkely is 18 years old, graduated from high school in May and was diagnosed with cancer in August. The doctors at Phoenix Children's Hospital don't know what kind of cancer it is and neither does any other doctor in the world. They have sent his biopsy results to every corner of the Earth and no one can diagnose it. They have found tumors in several spots in his body, but the one most painful is one on his spine. This has limited his movement and for now has taken away the use of his legs. Today he bore his testimony about all that he is experiencing. He said it is a wonderful experience for him to watch the power of prayer and fasting. He said the doctors expect him to die but his Patriarchal blessing says he will serve a mission and so he knows he is going to live. My eyes filled with tears as I thought that he might be called to fulfil a much different mission along side our Father in Heaven. He said "people say I look worn down, but this cancer is building me up." He said how important it is for him to come take the sacrament EVERY week and there are times he can only stay that long. Lorin added that he tries to stay positive no matter what. He was truly inspiring!

His Father spoke next. He said that Lorin was his HERO. He admired his determination and his trust in Heavenly Father. Not once has Lorin complained or asked WHY me? Bro. Merkley talked about being on his knees in prayer pleading with Heavenly Father because he can't bear watching Lorin in pain. He said he doesn't know how Lorin handles it all so well because as a father he can't. He said he tries to remember that the Lord won't test us beyond that which we are able to endure. He testified of a loving Heavenly Father that does lift the burden and helps them endure.

As I sat listening, I was of course overwhelmed with tears and my heart was full. I could feel the Spirit. It reminded me to have an ETERNAL perspective in all things and to ENDURE and WELCOME the trials that Heavenly Father sees fit to put in my way. It may not be cancer, but sometimes the "little" trials are trying enough. I feel BLESSED to have been in Sacrament meeting today and to have felt Lorin and Craig Merkley's spirit and to have heard their testimonies. It filled me up for another week!

To be a part of HISTORY!!

I have never been a political person. Sure I have voted in EVERY election since turning 18, but I have never CARED..... not as much as I did this year. Sal and I voted weeks ago so we didn't have to stand in the long line, but I would have done it if I had to. I felt that strongly about Barack Obama. I have felt that way for a very long time. As a registered Republican, I had nothing to do with Barack winning the Democratic nomination, but on this day, I had a part in electing him President of the United States of America. It sounds silly, but as I watched his acceptance speech last night I was moved to tears. I believe he is an EXTRA-ORDINARY man, one that will lead with integrity and with honor. One that will think about my family and the struggles that we face in raising kids, in paying bills, in staying employed. I cried as I watched him with Michelle and their daughters. His love and support for them. I cried as he talked about his parents and grandma who were unfortunately not here to celebrate with him. I cried as he talked about the 106 year old woman in Alabama. To think about all that she has seen and been through in our Nation's history. For the first time in a VERY long time, I am proud of our Country and the direction we are heading. I believe in our future and we have an amazing man to lead us!

A Charles Schultz Halloween for Hayden

Hayden reminded me yesterday that I forgot to blog about his FAVORITE Halloween find. As we were going through the kids candy you will never guess what Hayden found in his pillowcase. It was right out of It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. You guess it ROCKS! What else can you do but laugh.... Hayden was not thrilled, but he laughed about it too.

A not so SPOOKY Halloween

Halloween has NEVER been one of my favorite holidays. But this Halloween was one of the BEST we have ever had! Sal was home by 5pm to help me get the kids ready to go. (That was a treat for me.) Just as I was thinking, "What should I feed the kids?" Doug and Heather called and asked if we were hungry, when we asked why they told us to come over for a BBQ. When I asked what we could bring they said "Nothing because you always do all the food." I must say it was a treat to just show up and have an amazing spread at our disposal. They had hamburgers and hot dogs with all the necessary fixings, a veggie tray with dip and chips. Oh I forgot, we did supply the Diet Coke and Dr. Pepper. I think every year we should do a neighborly BBQ. It was great to hang out and eat while handing out candy.

Sal and I always try to talk Hayden into being really wacky characters for Halloween. Sometimes we can convince him (Sumo Wrestler) and other years we can't (Grim Reaper). This year was one of those years where we were successful. He convinced him to be the guy on the Tapatio bottle. Tapatio is the hot sauce that Sal and Cole put on everything. I think Hayden's friends tried to talk him out of it, but in the end he listened to his parents! :o) This year Hayden wanted to go with friends to get a pillowcase FULL of candy. It was the second year that we let him go alone. He took my cell phone and RAN, and I mean literally RAN through the whole neighborhood. He didn't get a pillowcase full, but he did get enough candy to last until Easter. Don't you remember when you wanted to go to EVERY house on the block and you knew all the candy would FILL an entire pillowcase?

Cole is our AVID Star Wars fan. Every year as we talk about costumes he always has to be some Star Wars character. One year it was Darth Vader, another year it was a Clone Trooper, and this year is was Jingo Fet. I have absolutely no clue who that is, but WAY back in July or August he said that is what he wanted to be and he never changed his mind. Cole was bummin' this year because Garrett wouldn't be home to trick or treat with and I wouldn't let him go with Hayden. SO I called his good friend Olivia to see if Cole could go with her. Olivia lives around the corner from us and she and Cole are great friends. I must say the boys in the neighborhood tease Cole about being friends with a girl, but I reassure Cole that it is ok to be friends with a girl and in a few years they will all WANT to be friends with girls. Cole and Olivia had a great time trick or treating and got TONS of candy too.

Olivia was so excited to go trick-or-treating. She kept saying, "Mom, it's dark! Time to trick-or-treat." Once I got the boys off, we got her ready to go. She came with us to eat and then she was READY to go! Liv and Kennedy started our strong, but Kennedy quickly faded. She got tired but not Liv. She kept saying, "Let's got to the next house." There were a few houses that I thought would be too scary for her, but she wasn't even afraid. She marched right up to the door. As we walked along she would say how important it is to say thank you. Near the end of the block, she said her bucket was SO HEAVY. I asked her if she wanted me to carry it, but she said "nope, I got it." Olivia, THANK YOU for hanging out with your dear old Mom on Halloween. I wish I could freeze time and you could be 3 forever!

Excuse me while I brag.....

about my husband and his wonderful artistic talents. Last year he spent a couple of nights carving those Styrofoam pumpkins you get at Michael's. I had forgotten about them until he got them out earlier this week. Take a look and be amazed......

They go WAY beyond your typical jack o'lantern wouldn't you say?

New blog site for Manny Says Tamales

Hey check out my new blog for Manny Says Tamales. http://mannysaystamales.blogspot.com. I am also having a boutique this weekend. Check out that site at http://rhholidayboutique.blogspot.com.

Tamales Anyone?

So a couple of weeks ago Sal's mom (Sandra) came over and taught us "whitegirls" (Jill, Heather and I) how to make tamales. It was quite entertaining. Manny (Sandra's husband) came too and he kept telling Sandra how we were doing things wrong. Then Sandra would translate what he said into English and tell us. Sandra would say, "Manny says the masa is too thick" or "Manny says you need to use more cheese." We would laugh and laugh. I must interject that both Sandra and Manny were quite impressed with our tamale making skills - even if we are white girls!

Sandra and I decided that we would sell tamales for the holidays. So if you know anyone who wants to buy some tamales, red or green corn, you know where to reach me. Heck if this tamale thing takes off.... we will call our business "Manny Says Tamales!"

Colin Powell on Meet the Press

I was anxious today to watch Colin Powell on Meet the Press. He is a man that I have admired for many years. Sal and I have often said he is one man we wish would run for President of the US because we would vote for him without discussion. I was impressed when he, in deciding to run for President back in 2000, asked his wife what she thought. When she said she didn't want him to run, he took her word and didn't enter the race. He is a man of insight, wisdom, honesty and integrity.

For those of you who missed him talking about his candidate for President you can watch it here or download it for free at iTunes.

Yes he does endorse my choice for President but don't you love how he explains WHY he is voting for Obama? He discussed many thoughts that I had in deciding who to vote for.

I absolutely got goose bumps when he said that he was troubled that some Republicans — he excluded McCain — continue to say or allow others to say that Obama is a Muslim, when he is a Christian. Such rhetoric is polarizing, he said. "He's always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's no, that's not America," Powell said. "Is there something wrong with some 7-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president?" I find it hypocritical that members of the Church didn't want religion to be a negative when Romney was in the race, but many have had no issue with forwarding the emails that talk about Obama being a Muslim, as if it would be a neagative if he was. Isn't that what we would want people to say about being a member of the Church... "what if he is?" Reread the quote by Powell above but substitute the word Mormon for Muslim. Makes sense doesn't it?

Is Fall really here??

Last weekend we had the most amazing weather. I still am not sure how we go from 100+ degrees to the 70's within a week. Saturday afternoon after Sal was done planting the winter grass we dusted off the quads and headed out to the desert for a quick ride. The weather was perfect and the kids were able to ride and play. We decided to go on a short trail ride and of course it wasn't too long before Liv was fast asleep. No matter when we ride, or where we ride she sleeps. I believe she went on her first ride when she was 3 months old. I figured it is what we do and she might as well learn to like it. First I used a sling to hold her. When she got too big for that I found a hiking backpack and strapped her in and away we went. I know my Dad has a picture of her in her backpack I will post it later. I am sure she feels free not having to be confined to a backpack. Notice how she is still hanging on??

On our quick little trail ride we all got cold. I would guess it was dropping into the 60's.....burrrr! We headed back and started a fire to sit by while Sal, Mark and Doug cooked dinner. After we were all packed up and ready to go, Doug told all 5 boys to pee on the fire to put it out. Sorry for the horrible picture but you can definitely tell that all 5 boys are peeing on the fire! They were not happy when I snapped a picture!

Got Milk??

Last week we went to Supersition Farms for their anniversary celebration. Hayden was not excited about going. "I bet there won't be any kids there my age, " he said in disgust. Amazingly enough there were...... we had a great time. They had a milk bar where you could try different flavors of milk. Hayden and Cole wanted to try LEMON milk. I honestly gag just thinking about LEMON milk. I didn't give Olivia a choice. She got chocolate. The boys both said "Mmmm, this is good." But being the Mom I could see behind those smug grins. I offered Cole my chocolate milk and he gulped it down! Hayden quietly walked to the trash can and threw away his delicious - or not - LEMON milk.

I have said it a million times, Hayden hates to take pictures. I hope one day he will grow out of this funk and actually smile.

Olivia was upset that she couldn't actually hold the bunnies......

Fall Break......

I love our year round school schedule. The kids are off in the summer for 8 weeks and then we have a 2 week break in October, December and March. We didn't have any wonderful plans for Fall break this year. We decided to just hang out and relax and do some day trips. We went to the Lost Dutchman State Park. This state park is named after the fabled lost gold mine. Hayden says when he gets older he is going to look for and find that mine! To read more about the fable click here. You can decide for yourself whether it really does exist. Here is a picture of the kids sitting on a dead Saguaro (pronounced "sah-wah-roh") cactus. Did you know it is illeagal in Arizona to destroy a Saguaro cactus? In fact in the Saguaro National Park has started microchipping the cactus to deter people from stealing them. I personally prefer pine trees but they are quite interesting. I made the boys read all about them and so can you by clicking here. Hey I had to make it an educational trip!

We also visited the Lost Dutchman Museum and Goldfield, Arizona. Here is a picture of Hayden and Jordan and Nick Woolley in jail. We also tried to get all the kids to take a picture in this large bird cage, but of course the older boys didn't want to so they are ducking down in the back. It was a great day and the weather wasn't too hot.

At lunch, Hayden spotted Arizona's State Bird. Can you guess what it is??

A Cactus Wren of course!