We're headed to the Happiest Place on Earth

We are officially in countdown mode with our "Mickey Mouse colored" chain, as we look forward to our trip to our DISNEYLAND the first part of February. The tickets were my parent's gift to us for Christmas. We have actually known and have been talking about it for months, but it's now only a short 38 days away and we can hardly wait!! 

Christmas 2010

Christmas was so fun this year!! They say Christmas is fun as a kid, but I am here to say Christmas is even better as a parent!

Christmas Eve started off with the traditional "Breakfast with Dad." We went to the Egg and I and Jeremy's parents came down to join us. As we were getting out of the car Kylie says, "I am going to order hot chocolate, just like my other grandma would." So that,s exactly what she did and chugged it.

Grandma and Grandpa Felix followed us back to our house and we opened the gifts from them. I swear  we have had a marathon of present opening this month! Jeremy and I were excited to receive a new outdoor gas grill and the kids got clothes and books to go along with the Zhu Zhu pets they opened a few weeks ago. 

That evening we headed down to Mesquite to spend Christmas Eve night with Jeremy's brother and his family along with some of their friends. We ate dinner, the kids sat in a circle and passed their gifts either left or right depending on a what story that was being read said, the adults played an entertaining white elephant game with gifts including, but not limited to a jar of "pet fart" and a plunger. Later we watched a couple videos about the birth of Christ and then opened the traditional pajamas. 

Cousins: Logan, Ty Alayna, Jase, Kylie and Kurt

Christmas morning finally came and Santa sure found our house. Kylie was worried all the way home from Mesquite thinking Santa would come, see that we weren't in our beds asleep and would skip our house. She was very pleasant surprised with Santa did in fact make it home in time for him to come.

We, of course made them wait at the top of stairs while we ooo'ed and awww'ed over all the presents. Something my parents did when I was a kid, and it drove us all nuts. Now I see why they did it!

  Kylie was so excited about all she got. She must have been a good girl this year because she had a  pretty good pile. She didn't seem too disappointed.

Jase enjoyed his loot also.  He flew down the stairs when we finally let them down and came running as fast as he could. I think knew what was up and was excited.

Later in the day we headed up to Cedar to spend the day with Jeremy's family. Jase wouldn't part with Elmo or Handy Manny and Kylie was excited to show her cousins and her grandma and grandpa her pillow pet and she brought her new earphones and Jeremy's old disc-man for the ride. 

We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening visiting with family, eating good food and enjoying Christmas.  We must have seriously worn out the kids because they fell asleep on the way home at about 7, we were able to put them right in their beds and they slept unit about 9:00 this morning.  I'm not sure why they were so tired. We didn't even get up until about 8:30. I had my family calling before the kids even got up to ask had it all went and I had to tell them we hadn't done it yet.  Too much excitement, I guess and it exhausted them. 

We really had a great day  and I was actually really sad too see it and the whole season come to an end.  I love Christmas and the spirit that come with it. I am so grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who sent his son to earth for us. I hope my children are starting to understand that that is the reason we celebrate. We are truly blessed and I couldn't be more grateful!!

The Festivities Continue

On Thursday Kylie had a special preschool day where they were surprised with a visitor. Santa came to see the kids and he was definitely one of the cutest Santas I have ever seen. One of Kylie's little friends jumped off his lap and said, "Mom, I am pretty sure I just met the real Santa."  She was relieved to get in one last visit with the old man so he really knew exactly what she wanted! 

Last night all the kids from her school hopped on the back of a trailer and went caroling down the strip mall parking lot.  Kylie had been practicing the songs for weeks and she was super excited to sing! I am sure we were a sight to see with a tailer full of kids and a mob full of parents walking right next to them videoing their every move. It was a fun night though and I am sure Kylie will be singing those songs forever!

Tis the Season

Our Christmas festivities are in full swing.  I feel like I have been running around like crazy the last little while trying to get everything I need to done, but we have tried to enjoy the season and I know the kids are excited for Christmas.

 One night we headed out to the temple to see the lights. The St. George temple isn't quite as decked out as Salt Lake or Mesa, but it's still very beautiful and the kids seemed to enjoy the walk. We had our little friend Boston with us that night. He just turned two in September and Jeremy and I both had anxiety when we did the math and realized we could have had three kids all this close.

 Our ward Christmas party was last weekend and of course the Jolly Old Guy showed up. Kylie was one of the first in line, she was so excited to tell him what she wanted. The only problem was, she jumped right up on his lap and rattle off a list about 4 or 5 things I hadn't heard of yet. We hope Santa can make her happy this year! I was wondering how Jase would respond to Santa. If I could have guessed I would have thought he would want nothing to do with him, but I was surprised when he sat right up on his lap and had no problem. He wouldn't say anything, but he didn't mind at all. He has also mentioned Santa a few times since.  

My parents and my sisters and my brother-in-law came up this last weekend to attend The Mormon Tabernacle Choir & David Archuleta concert so we got to see them as they passed through both ways. My mom took a picture of the kids in front of the tree and of course I can't pass up a photo-op. so I snapped a few shots also.

Christmas is in just a few short day. I swear the month goes by WAY faster as an adult than it does as a kid. This year we will be spending Christmas morning at home with just the four of us and I am excited. Kylie and Jase are fun ages and I think we will have a great year.

Felix Family Christmas Party

Saturday night was the annual Felix family Christmas party up in Cedar. We got together with Jeremy's parents and his brothers and sister. We're getting to be quite the crowd when we get together, but we always have a good time! This year Jeremy's parents thought it would be a nice idea to find a family in need and get a few things for them for Christmas. So all 21 (actually 22 because one of the cousins brought a friend) of us headed to a crowded Wal-mart for clothes, toys and food.

The kids ran around like crazy picking out toys and books. Kylie had to have a pep talk every once in awhile because she would forget we were there to pick things out for other kids and not her. And Madi did a great job at keeping an eye on Jase. I wish she lived closer because I would take her to the store with me every time I went!

When shopping was done we came back to the house and wrapped up all the gifts,

enjoyed dinner together and Grandma and Grandpa had even put together a candy christmas count- down for all the kids to make.

Then finally came the much anticipated gift exchange part of the festivities. All the cousins draw names and give to each other and Jeremy's brothers and sister are on some kind of rotation that nobody can ever seem to remember and we usually spend a whole bunch of time figuring out each year. :)  The kids of course walked away with quite the loot. Jase was super excited about his little football and even let out an excited "Ooo" when he saw it, and Kylie was in heaven with her new Rapuzel doll.   Grandma and Grandpa also gave each of the grandkids a different Zhu Zhu pet with a cage to share in each family. The kids had a blast with them and we had quite the scurry of hamsters all over the kitchen floor.

We ended the night with dessert and a little birthday celebration for Jase and Ty.   It was fun to be together and enjoy each others company. I love that we love close to family and Kylie and Jase have a whole slew cousins to play with. I think every time we come away from a family get together like this Jeremy or I comment that we are so grateful that Megan and Alayna, who are two or three years older then Kylie, are so great to include her and she just loves them. And it's so fun that Jase has a cousin only a week younger then him. (although I am not sure how long that friendship will last if Jase doesn't quite is bossy ways). We are so blessed to be apart of such a great family and love the chances we have to be with them.

Jase Turns TWO

I can hardly believe that this crazy little boy of ours is actually really two years old!

He is one energetic, happy, healthy, funny, exuasting little boy that I thank Heavenly Father for everyday.

Naturally I can't help, but go back to his birth and think about all Jase went through the first few months of his life and remember this absolutely amazing spirit that came along with such a teeny tiny body. We had some amazing experiences and I will be eternally grateful for all he has taught us. 

Anytime I bring out the camera Jase says, "Cheese" and I get this look. He squints up his eyes and gives me sort of a fake smile. It's not very often I can get his "real" smile out of him for the camera.

To celebrate Jase's birthday we kept it pretty low key. It was actaully a fairly busy day for me and so celebrating didn't take place until later in the evening.

Grandma and Grandpa Felix came to town and we attempted to go out to dinner. It always sounds like a much better idea then it really is with two crazy little kids, but we managed to survive. Jase definitely LOVE his Grandpa and preferred hang out at that end of the table.  The waiter was told it was Jase's birthday so of crouse we got the serenade. I wish I would have got a good picture of his reaction to them. He first gave them kind of a worried eyebrow furrowed look, but then warmed up a bit and and by the end we got a little smile out of him. 

After dinner we came home for presents and cup cakes. He was fun to watch as he opened each gift. Kylie of course was super excited and wanted to be as helpful as possible. Jase loved the candle on his cup cake this year. It took him several tries to get it blown out the first time, but once he did he was all over it. After eating his cup cake for a second he wanted the candle back on top and Jeremy to light it again so he could blow it out. I think Jeremy re-lit the candle about 10 times just so he could blow it out again. He got such a kick out it.

Jase is two and as cool as ever. He's a pretty relaxed little kid that has all the neighors  fooled. I get asked all the time if he ever cries. He's usually pretty content to just hang out and do it own thing. He still likes to chat it up and has said some pretty funny things lately. He gets after Kylie quite a bit and secretly it's  kinda funny. He insists on eating with a fork and drinking out a real cup and anytime he gets anything on his hands he demands a napkin, but ALWAYS says please. He wants nothing to do with the potty and does everything Kylie does. He watches her like a hawk and wants to do all she can.  

I love that he is two and the little boy that he is. I love being his mom and I  am excited to see what in store for him this next year! 

What Do You Get...

When you combine

Gigantic candy-cane ornaments,

Christmas-scene houses

and this little girl's imagination??

You get "LANTERNS for little lost kids, who have to walk home in the dark through the woods (sometimes with their cat) so they can make it home in time before the coyotes get them and to see their grandma before she has to go to the market!" That's what you get...says Kylie

Their First Snow Fall and Temple Lights

We were at the outdoor mall in the kids play area when all the sudden it started "snowing." Kylie and Jase along with a million other kids ran around thinking it was so fun. All the sudden Kylie tastes the "snow" gets a disgusted look on her face and says, "Mom, this is soap!" and that pretty much ended her excitement about it. She was ready to go after that. 

So we headed to the Mesa Temple to see the lights.

The kids were mesmerized. Jase sat quietly in his stroller just looking around. Kylie was very intrigued by the missionaries. We always pray for them and we have tried to explain who/what they were, but tonight she could see what they look like. She got brave a few times and actually said hi to a few of them. She thought they were so nice to say hi and some shook her hand.  She especially liked the girls. Hopefully that gives her a little better understand of who they are. It was kinda chilly out, but it seems like it's been awhile since just the four of us have been out and it was fun to spend together. 

"Happy Thanksgivins"

Thanksgiving was spent in AZ this year with most of my immediate family. 

Jase spent most of his time attached to Grandpa. He especially loved all the buttons in Grandpa's office and had his eye on his motorcycle.

Kylie wouldn't leave my sisters' sides and loves the attentions she gets. She loves Grandma's closet full of toys and talked us into tea parties on a  couple occasions.

Grannie Annie was also there and we love spending time with her. She makes amazing sweet potatoes and Jase got pretty good at saying her name.

Jeremy was hopefully able to catch up on some much needed sleep. He probably took at least 2 naps a day!

My little sisters felt shunned sitting at the "kid table". I think I heard Amanda comment that she will be married by next year so this never happens again!:)

We all enjoyed a delicious meal and being together. We have so much to be thankful for and I am grateful for a chance to slow down for a day or two and reflect on the many things we have. As Kylie would say it, "Happy Thanksgivins everyone!"

Dance Party

My brother brought over his dance party game for the Xbox while we were visiting one night and we had a blast dancing and challenging against each other. Most of us kicked and screamed all the way up there, and then proceeded to humiliate ourselves while we were up there but it made for some good laughs. Kylie, on the other hand she was all over it. She begged and begged for it to be her turn. She loved it and she was pretty dang good at it too.

I wish I would have got more pictures of every one else. We have quite the talent (or the lack there of) in our family and it made for a pretty good time!

Books Everywhere

More often then not the floor in Kylie's room is covered in books! And usually Kylie and Jase are plopped down right in the center of them. They LOVE books! I can't get Jase to sit through a cartoon, but he will sit as still and content as can be on my lap while I am reading him a book.  His favorite book right now is Go Dog Go, but he'll pretty much take any book that has anything to do with animals.  Every Thursday morning we head to the library for Story Time and then after we pick out a few books to take home. Kylie loves the Amelia Bedelia books along with Fancy Nancy.  She's starting to recognize words she's learning at school and I think that makes her even more excited to read.  If only there were a way to magically get all these book back up on the shelf when they were done, this would  definitely be an all around win-win situation!

Ok, It's been long enough

I've been waiting very patiently to post some pictures of our newly re-done living room hoping that the hubby would hang the pictures I have to go in there, but atlast I still wait so I will just post them anyway and maybe a few more later when I can finally talk him into putting them up. :)

We started this project way back in July after my parents were so kind to give us their couches that we put in the Family Room. Now our Living Room (or front room) actually had some furniture, but it looked like this...

and to say the least, I was anxious for something different.   So after a few months of working a couple hours here and there we finally finished the molding and painting in this room and it now looks like this...

I don't necessarily love the color of the couches and as I look at these pictures I really don't like the pillows either, but thats easy to fix. (The pillows I mean, the couches have to stay)

I do however, absolutely love the gray paint color and I love the contrast with the white and of course I love the molding! Jeremy is very particular and very careful when he does a project like this and it pays off because I think it looks amazing!! I love how it turned out. To be honest the painting was little rough trying to get into all the grooves and making sure everything was covered, but if (the key work being IF) I can pull off what I have envisioned in this room then I will be stoked! Stay tuned.....hopefully I will have more to show real soon!! :)

Mr. Chatterbox

I think I have mentioned recently how much Jase has grown up the last little while. I think him finally walking set it off and nothing is stopping him now.  I have even had neighbors tell me they didn't realize him running down the street trying to keep up with the other kids until they got a good look.  

He's quite the opinionated kid that knows what he likes and what he doesn't and isn't afraid to tell you. Jase has also become quite the talker all the sudden.  He's can pretty much tell me exactly what he wants through his words.  There is a chance I may be the only one who can understand some of what he says right now, but I kinda like that way. It's our secret language that only him and I (and sometimes Dad and Kylie) know. 

We were in a parking lot and Jase saw a whole bunch of birds and he said, "Birds, birds, birds...I love you!" I was totally random, but so funny. He has also mastered Kylie's name and on more then one occasion yelled for her to come back to cart at the store. He knows most of the neighbor kid's names and as we pass their houses on walks he points them out to me. He also knows which houses have dogs and lets me know it. He loves to look at pictures and will point out everybody he knows in them with excitement.  

I absolutely love watching his grow up. I can't believe he will be two in a month from today. To think that two years ago at this time I wasn't even close to being ready for him to come. I wouldn't change a thing though! He definitely keeps us on our toes, but makes us very happy. We LOOOOOVE him!!!

Halloween 2010

Halloween was a good time this year. Kylie knew exactally what was up and could hardly stand to wait another day to dress up and go trick-or-treating. Jase did pretty well himself. He didn't really know what he was going on, but tried his best to keep up with the other kids. All he knew was he was carrying a huge bag of candy and couldn't wait to dig in. 

We first hit up the few houses in our neighborhood and actually got quite the loot. We walked away with several full sized candy bars and a few sugar cookies.

Next, we headed out to a neighborhood that was probably one of the busiest in the whole city, but we heard that Santa was there handing out ice ream and we couldn't pass that up. Kylie had a blast with all her friends. They ran full speed from house to house and it took all we had to keep up. 

Between his ice cream and his bag of candy, Jase was one happy guy!

 Just as expected Halloween was a success this year and I think we've got just about enough candy to last us a lifetime.