I love this time of year!!!!

Nothing beats a cold snowy day than coming inside, stripping all of the snow gear off and having some hot chocolate with marshmallows and a candy cane!
Can I just say, SO CUTE! So I may be a biast parent, but I think I have the cutest kids on the planet! They love playing outside in the snow, and so do the dogs.
Jay had to fill in the blanks for this letter to Santa at school. It reads; Dear Santa, I have been very good this year. I have obeyed my mom and dad and teacher. Thank you for the neat things you gave me last year. This year I would like: Dart Tag Love, Jay

I love it!! The letter is one of those things a mom hangs on to forever. Jay has been doing so good in school and at home, I think Santa just might be bringing him the Dart Tag.

And, Roxy wants a new baby doll. She told me in the car the other day that she needed one more baby, that's all. It's always "Just one more" when it comes to Roxy. She is so funny. They both have been such good kids this year, I don't think they will be disappointed.

We finally had some nice family pictures done. The last time we did them Jay was 18 months old! It was time! I thought since the kiddies are older, and the school/daycare pic's always turn out really cute it would be easy for good, professional pictures........uh, NO! Jay and Roxy both didn't want to take off their coats, it was a bit chilly but nothing like it is now. Once we got Jay to take his off he actually did really well. It was Roxy who wouldn't look at the photographer, she threw a fit almost the entire time and didn't want to sit or stand where he needed her to be. None the less we did get some great pic's! I really loved how he did some poses and also some random shots. It was worth the $$$!Here if you look close you can see a single tear on Roxy's left cheek. So tender, I couldn't say no to this one.
My big brown eyed boy! I love his eyes, and what a cute smile.
O.K. So I totally felt like we were taking engagement photos here! But it is nice to have a good picture of the two of us together, NOT at a party with a beer in our hands! Ha Ha Ha.

AAAWWW! Look at my two cuties! I was so glad Roxy started smiling at the end so we could get some really cute shots of the two together.
Here is our family in a nut shell.....well, minus the dogs. This pose we got in a HUGE print, now I just have to figure out where to put all of them. If you are at all interested in who did them it was Superior Photography, there website is: SuperiorPortrait.com They are located on the 2nd level in the Snowbird Center building. I think they did a great job given the circumstance.....I hope my little ones weren't that much of a pain. Now I know how the moms with the screaming, crying, uncooperative children at my work feel. LOL!

Turkey Day and Puppy Graduation

We had a nice and cozy Thanksgiving this year. We just stayed home and invited my dad, step-mom, and little sister over to our little house. I did all of the cooking from the brined turkey to the delicious yams to the pies (even the crust was homemade)! Dinner was so yummy and I actually really enjoyed all of the cooking and preparing. The kids really enjoyed playing tough with Grandpa. My dad really is the best Grandpa around, he even joked around with Jay when he brought out the prank fake poo! It was so funny. Roxy liked playing barbies and had a picnic after dinner with Grandpa with some crackers. I loved just staying home and having people over. I will do it again for sure.

Gunther is a Puppy Kindergarten Graduate! Class has been so fun, he really is a good dog. I have loved having him and have really enjoyed the training. I can't wait for the next class, Begining Obedience, to see what new things to teach him. I have recently taken him on a run and he did very well! We didn't go far about 1.25 miles to start, Gunther seemed to really like it. I did have to use one of the techniques learned in class on him when he got a bur stuck in his paw. I had to lay him on his side in the "Forced Down" to get the bur out. It was so easy! I couldn't believe he just layed there and didn't even flinch while I took the bur out. It is good to see the techniques they teach really do work out side of class.

O.K., So the story of the Mustache is this.......We were at Wal-Mart and Jay wanted to get something out of one of the machines at the exit. Well all I had was 2 quarters and the change machine wasn't working so the only thing we could get were these AWESOME Mustaches!! Jay wanted to wear his right away so I put the other one on too. We walk out of the store and through the parking lot sporting the "stash". When we were pulling out two girls were walking in and one kept turning and looking at me and I just stared back and smiled. I was like "yeah, I have a mustache!" So when we got home Jay was totally in character! He kept posing it was so much fun! Then he wanted to watch "Hot Rod" and wear his "stash". So Freakin Cute!!!!!

Halloween 2009

For the Halloween party Joe and I went as He-man and Teela. We won the award for most creative costume. Roxy came as my little Orco, I wanted Jay to go as Skeletor but it wasn't going to happen, so he went as Comando instead. We had so much fun at the party, lots of good food and my friends neighborhood is the best for trick-or-treating!
At schools Jay had to dress up as a character from a book and bring the book to hold during the parade. I was able to find a dog suit and had my step mom modifiy the hood to make a wolf suit so Jay could go as Max from "Where the wild Things Are" He was so cute and everybody loved his costume! We also took the kiddies to go see the movie the day after Halloween.
My Orco and Comando! If you have seen the movie "Comando" with Arnold, Jay looks just like him. Cute kiddies!
We always go to my friend Carolyn's every year before Halloween to decorate cookies and carve pumpkins. It is such a fun tradition, and every year we have more and more pumpkins, this year we had 15 to carve!
I had to take a few breaks during the pumpkin carving because my hand was cramping up from scooping out all of the pumpkin guts.

Two cute doggies resting after playing in the leaves with the kiddies. Well, Gunther played in the leaves while Merlin sat back and watched. Jay is such a big helper! Both he and Roxy helped hold the bags open while mom put the leaves in, then Jay wanted to carry the bags to there piles. What a big strong boy!!!
Here are the two cutest kids in the whole world having a great time playing in the leaves. I LOVE fall!
My little baby, not so little any more. Gunther loved playing in the leaves, he also liked chasing me and would attack the rake! What a cute puppy!
Jay jumping into the pile of leaves.

fun!

Since Joe was going out of town we decided to have a sleep over at my friend Carolyn's house. Her husband set the tent up in the living room for the kiddies. Here is Jay and Gunther sleeping together in the tent.
Originally Carolyn's little girl Eve was in the tent too but they weren't going to go to sleep with all 3 in there so Eve ended up sleeping in her room and Jay, Roxy and Gunther slept in the tent, then Merlin went in the tent also. So cute!

We got out all the fun Halloween foam crafts to do with the kids. Jay made a skeleton guitarist, and Carolyn put together his house and then Jay put all the other stuff on it.
Roxy making her skeleton art. She loved the glitter, but what girl doesn't like glitter.

HORRIFIRED!

So last week at work we had one of our regular clients come in and she was going on about how she just found out that they are living next to a sex offender. It was terrible, I couldn't imagine what that would feel like. Well, we had been slow this week at work so we decided to check our address's and see what came up. I knew there would probably be one or two close to my area since I don't live in the best part of Midvale. Come to find out there are 9 in a half mile radius! Two are really old, two live together down the street, one is a rapist, and one lives RIGHT BEHIND US!!!! I was horrified, I felt so sick to my stomach. We have said the casual hello, they have a little boy of their own Roxy's age, they are constantly having people over with small children, and they have befriended my dog! I am so disgusted, and feel like throwing up whenever I look out my window, pull into the driveway, or when I think about it. We have talked to our kids before about stranger danger, and about their private areas being very special to only them and it's not for anyone else to see or touch, and nobody is allowed to show them their private areas, especially adults and big kids like teenagers. The only people allowed see those special areas are mom and dad, and the doctor but only when mom or dad is in the room. Stranger danger needs to apply to people we know as well, like neighbors! I had to tell the kids that Garrett's daddy behind us is a very bad and dangerous man, he is not allowed to talk to you or hand you anything through the fence, if he does you run away and come get mom or dad. We have never let the kids play outside by themselves, but the danger is still there. When Jay asked why he was dangerous I told him that he hurts little kids in a very bad way. I said they (jay and roxy) are not to talk to him or say anything to him because it might make him mad or upset and it's not good to make bad people mad, so just run away and come get mom or dad. I don't know what else to do I just want scream! Christmas is going to be weird because I have always exchanged a neighbor gift with his wife. I don't even want to now, I just want to be like you husband sickens me don't ever talk to me or my kids again! OMG, What am I going to do. I told my husband we are finishing off the basement this winter and then we should try to sell the house again in the spring/summer. I need a big mean dog that will bite his (the neighbor's) hand off if he sticks it over the fence, I am also considering taking a consealed weapons class. Joe has been trying to get me take one for awhile now, and then get my own hand gun that I know how to use comfortably because if that ass hole tried anything with my kids I wouldn't hesitate to use it on him!!! Everyone just please be aware and teach you kids that not only strangers are dangerous but also people we know can be, and that only certain people can see their private areas and if anyone else try's to look, touch or even show them their private areas that it is not o.k. and they need to tell a trusted adult.

Remembering 9/11

We were on our way to the mall to get the kids some new shoes and came upon the 9/11 Memorial. We had to stop and get out. It was so amazing to see all those flags and yet sad because of what they represent. What a great history lesson for the kids.
Here they are walking hand in hand through the flags. I love this picture just looking at it I can't even put into words all the emotion I feel. We all were in awe, such a humbling experience.
Jay listened so intently as Joe explained to him what had happened and why the flags were out. Jay didn't say much after that, he just walked slowly through the flags looking at them. I know he knew just exactly what Joe was talking about and understood a little bit.

I hope this will be one of those memories that the kids will remember always. I also hope that when ever they look up and see our flag waving it's colors proudly they will remember those who risk everything, make sacrifices, and even gave their lives for our country and freedom. It was and incredible experience I will always remember.

My little boy is becoming a little man

Ah Kindergarten! Friends, recess, reading ,and learning new things. Jay has been so excited to start kindergarten, he can't wait to start reading on his own. We had so much fun getting ready for school, the new clothes, and the backpack. Jay never took it off once he made it back to the daycare his first day!
When I asked Jay if he would rather ride the bus to school or have me come and take him he exclaimed "The bus, the bus, ooh I want to ride the bus!!!" So my feelings were only bruised. Then when I told him he wasn't allowed to take his blanket to daycare anymore since he is a school-ager now, he didn't even care. I thought for sure it would have been hard to go without it for the day, oh no, it was "Yes, no blanket just my backpack!" It tugged on my heart a little. What no blanket! The one thing you can't go to bed without, I have had to make trips back to daycare because it was forgotten! What is happening, my little boy is growing up and turning into a little man. I am not so sure if I am ready for this.
Jay loved riding the bus to and from daycare. He almost went home on one of the big yellow busses! There was a little confusion, no one is to blame. He was following is teacher Mrs. Stepan and instead of waiting where he was supposed to wait, he followed her right onto the big yellow bus. They saw him in time and took him back to where his bus was waiting. Jay didn't care, all he knew was that he was going on a bus!
After I dropped Jay off at the daycare he looked a little sad and I thought "oh no, here we go." Jay looks up at me and say's "I thought I was going to my new school today?" So I had to explain that he has to hang out here for a while until it is time to go. He was like o.k. bye mom. I did get little sad as I walked out of the daycare, but I DID NOT CRY! I am so proud on myself and my little man. So my little kindergartner has homework after the first day. He has to tell us the rules of Mrs. Stepans class and we have to sign the paper so he can turn it in tomorrow. Now all I have to do is remember to take him to school and pick him up on my day's off work.

Fun at Mulligans

We went to Mulligans with the kids to hit some range balls.  Jay and Roxy had to share a bucket of balls and the kiddie sized club. They did so well taking turns, there was no fighting!  What good kids.

The golf  balls the kids were hitting even made it on to the grass!!

Joe had fun teaching Roxy proper form. She looked so cute hitting those balls.

Yes, even my golf balls made it onto the grass........ Maybe not as far as Joe was hitting them, but they did go farther than the kids!LOL

After range balls we decided to take our talents over to some mini golf.  It was a bit heated between Joe and I.  The game was tied for the first half then Joe was ahead by 4 strokes. I wasn't about to let him win so I made my move and took over the lead by 3.  Now tensions are high, the kids are starting to get bored and we only have a few holes left. Joe is unable to regain his lead and at the final hole I make the one and only hole-in-one of he game.  I won by 6 strokes!

Roxy is in love! At least it is with my dog, she say's Merlin is her best friend. I LOVE IT! It is the sweetest thing ever.
Roxy loves to work in the yard. She knows what the weeds look like and will put on her little gardening gloves and set to work. She also will go around and pick up any sticks and put them in the bucket before Joe mows the lawn. 
Watering the flowers and bushes is a new favorite. Jay will also work in the yard picking up sticks as well, his job is shoveling up the dog poop! 
I decided to take my workout outside this day. I had to jump rope in between my sets and the kids had to get in some exercise as well. Jay LOVES to jump rope!
Roxy had a hard time trying to pick up my weight ball, but she did do some lunges and then danced around on my exercise mat.