Tagged!

My best friend Amanda emailed this to me and I am tagging anyone who wants to, to post it as well. I know I still need to do a Christmas post. It's coming, I promise.
1. What is your occupation? Stay at home mom= housekeeper, referee, shoulder to cry on, Dr. Mom, laundry pro (or maybe Frankie just says that so he doesn't have to do it...hmmm..."But YOU do it so much better than ME."), chauffeur, and bill payer. You get the picture. Notice I didn't say chef! haha!
2. What color are your socks right now? no socks, just some sad feet that need some attention
3. What are you listening to right now? Bradley snoring (feel asleep in my bed), and the dryer. The job never ends.
4. What was the last thing that you ate? A steak salad from Cafe Rio...same as you Amanda!
5. Can you drive a stick shift? I have, but not very good
6. What color would you be, if you were a color? a pretty green
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? my mom, but had to go because my kids don't allow me to have conversations on the phone. haha
8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? The most!
9. How old are you today? 26
10. Favorite drink? Hands down, Pepsi. The nectar of the Gods!
11. What is your favorite sport to watch? Baseball- Yankees Baby!!! Or any sport Bradley is playing.
12. Have you ever dyed your hair? What woman hasn't??
13. Pets? A fish, not a fan of pets...
14. Favorite food? My momma's chicken divan. It's a family favorite!
15. Last movie you watched in movie theater? I think Step Brothers. I can't really remember. I can't wait to see Mall Cop.
16. What do you do to vent anger? A long, drawn-out, play-by-play phone call to Amanda who always listens and makes me feel better for being crazy! haha!
17. What was your favorite toy as a child? I would have to say a Barbie that had a peach dress with a shimmery bodice. I think my moms still got it stored in the garage.
18. What is your favorite, fall or spring? That's a tough one. They are both my favorite. Fall because it's a break from the scorching heat of Summer. Spring because baseball starts.
19. Cherry or Blueberry? Cherry
20. Do you want your friends to do this too? Yeah!
21. Who is most likely to respond? Leah
22. Who is least likely to respond? hmmm...
23. When was the last time you cried? About 3 a.m. this morning when we couldn't get Landon back to sleep (he never does this!). It was more like a delirious whine "I just want to sleep..."
24. Who is the friend you've had the longest time that you are sending this to? Amanda! We're totally BFF's. Ask Bradley.
25. Favorite smell? Frankie before we go on a date. Bow-chicka-wow-wow!
26. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Everything is better with cheese! (I stole your answer Amanda because I couldn't agree more!)
27. Favorite Car? My Tahoe, it's big and sounds beefy! haha!
28. Number of keys on your key ring? 2- car, house
29. Number of years at your current job? Almost 8 years...crazy
30. Favorite day of the week? Thursday- Frankie is off and we get to hang out and play with the kids.
31. How many states have you lived in? 3- Utah, California, and Nevada
TAG YOU'RE IT!!!

Our Visit With Santa

Every year we go to see Santa at the Meadows mall. Last year was Landon's first Christmas (almost 10 months old) and first time on Santa's lap. We stood in the long line watching parents and photographers painstakingly trying to get screaming kids to smile (it's fine for a minute or two, but come on guys- move it along). Not us. When it was finally our turn and we set Landon on his lap he totally freaked out. They started jingling bells and trying to make him smile, but I had to stop them. I said just take it. It's a memory, and a dang funny one if I do say so myself. So here's last years picture with Santa. I LOVE IT!!! So classic. Bradley looks so handsome and then there's this crazed, red faced little boy screaming. Fast forward to this year. Landon is now almost 22 months and knows who Santa is and will always point out anything "Santa" that he sees. He LOVES Santa as a matter of fact. So we headed to the mall to go see the famous Santa. The whole time we were in line he was amazed that the real Santa was there. He would yell, "I love you Santa!". Very cute. So when it was our turn to go see him Landon would not let go of Frankie to sit on his lap. Eventually we pried him off. He had the most concerned look on his face as he tried to squirm away. The workers said, "Don't worry. We'll get him to smile." And I said "NO, just take it!" So this is what we got his year. Look at Landon's eyebrow's!

Once again I love it! This will be added to the collection of pics from years past with Santa that I put out every year. It's so fun to see how much they change.

He's a Dancin' Fool

I finally figured out how to upload videos! The boys and I always turn on the music channels and have dance parties. Here's Landon gettin' down in his flip flops. I love how half way through he gives Bradley (off camera) a big grin as if to say, "Yeah, you like my moves". Enjoy!

Why is it so hard...

to find a baby doll stroller that isn't pink?? I wanted to get Landon a doll (or in his case, a Build-a-Bear) stroller. Everywhere I've gone all they have is pink or purple. I'm sorry, but little girls aren't the only ones who like to push around their stuffed animals/dolls! My father-in-law gave me a hard time about wanting to get him one. I don't think it's weird at all! He WILL be a dad someday. I thought for sure I'd find one at Toys R Us tonight. Nope. So guess what?? I gave in and got a black Maclaren doll stroller ...with raspberry pink trim. Ha! It was the best I could do!!! It is mostly black. I hope Frankie doesn't think I'm crazy! Whatever. Landon won't care and I know he'll love it. I also got him a miniature broom. He loves to use mine, but knocks everything down because it's so big. And I'm pretty sure he's getting a little dirt devil vacuum. Boys can sweep, vacuum, AND push stuffed animals around too damn it!!!

Random

-Bradley's school had a 2 mile run last Saturday (since the Niketown 5k was cancelled) and it was SO much fun! My mom and Dustin came to run and my dad (who's suffering from MAJOR kidney stone issues) and Tyler (who just got his gallbladder removed) stayed with Scotty and Landon to cheer us on. I'm so glad everybody was there!!! Thanks guys! Oh, and I love this. The Thursday before the run the coach had a practice run for anyone who wanted to. So Brad and I went and while I was jogging this 5th grader started jogging next to me, we said Hi to each other. Then he says,"So...are you from the middle school?" HAHAHA! So I told him no and pointed out Brad. How freakin' funny is that??? He made my day!
-That night I went to a show at the House of Blues with Dustin, Leah, my mom, and Riley to see Face to Face!!! Gotta love some punk rock! We had such a good time. I had to pick up the boys from my sister-in-laws house who lives in Seven Hills, and while at a stop light I noticed a motorcycle cop behind me. Sure enough, when the light turned green his lights went on. Seriously, where did this you-know-what come from?? Anyway, he said I was doing 42 MPH in a 25 MPH. I thought it was 35, but he said AFTER the signal it's 35. Freakin' speed traps! Of course the prick couldn't let me off with a warning.
-Bradley just started basketball last week. We had to get him some basketball shoes and he chose some Shaq shoes. (Do ALL basketball shoes have to be so ugly??) He loves them and after he put them on he said "I bet any kid who has Shaq shoes has the spirit of Shaq with them to play good." Funny guy. Sounds like the movie Like Mike to me.
-Landon learned the 'B' word. You know, the one that rhymes with itch. He learned it from my niece on Frankie's side who's 3 and pretty much allowed to say it. When she says it, she gets laughs. So Landon (always looking to make people laugh) started saying it. I've tried everything from time out, to "NO NO", to ignoring it and he still continues to say it. While I'm shopping he will scream it and I die a little inside. Most people laugh and say they've been through it, but it doesn't help my pure embarrassment. Just today he was chasing me and said, "I get you...b!&ch!" It is funny, but I don't let him know that I think so. Ugh, kids DO say the darndest things.
-Almost 3 weeks ago I started going back to the gym and eating good and IT FEELS GREAT!!! I've already lost 12 pounds (you can tell me it's water weight, but I don't care either way- I'm still 12 pounds lighter). Can I get a What What?!?
-I can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving! We don't get to go to California this year (whaa, whaa, whaaaaa!) and I'm bummed we're going to miss seeing everyone. We have to be fair and celebrate with the Farina's this year. Next year....
-I've already started Christmas shopping and boy does it feel good. I never intend to be a last minute shopper, but that's usually how it ends up.
-I just ordered the boys' sweaters for our Christmas card picture, now it's just getting that perfect shot....wish me luck!

Little Notes

Tonight Bradley was supposed to be in bed, but kept stalling and saying that he wasn't tired (this happens often). He likes to stay up late, but then is a beast when I try and wake him up for school. Frankie and I were getting very frustrated with him. So finally at 10 he went in his room. Then he comes running in my room, throws this on the bed and runs back to his room. So cute! I can't resist when Brad wants to snuggle so you know I took him up on the offer. I figure I only have a few more years before he's not going to want to snuggle, so I better snuggle as much as I can.

Where did the time go?

How did Bradley go from this: To this:

We got his school picture back the other day and I just couldn't stop looking at it. I know I've said this before, but I can't believe how fast Bradley is growing up! He's getting so old and changing so much. I love my Brad!

(Just in case you were curious, in the first picture Bradley was almost 9 months old.)

Halloween Festivities

We had many Halloween festivities to attend, so be prepared for lots of pictures. First we went to Bradley's Fall Festival at his school. Then we went to Dustin and Leah's ward party. Then we had some friends come over to Trick or Treat.
Here's the boys ready to go to Kitty Ward ES for the Fall Festival. Bradley was dressed as Jango Fett from Star Wars. It was pretty funny because older boys and grown men would always comment on how cool his costume was.

Every year Bradley's kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Kaylor, has the booth where you can win a goldfish. And every year we come home with one. We love it! It's always the most popular booth.

Since Brad's basketball season starts soon he's got to start practicing.

Bradley with his teacher, Mrs. Poulson, at her booth. He loves his teacher!

When we came home Landon was putting on Brad's shoes (which he loves to do) and I had to get a picture of him with his tongue sticking out because that's what he does when he's concentrating. I could just bite his face!

Here they are at Dustin and Leah's ward party. Notice the two little monkey's in the front. Landon and Scotty were the two cutest monkey's I've ever seen!

These monkey's wouldn't stand still for a picture! Silly monkey's!

This was by FAR Landon's favorite part of the evening. Pony rides! I tried to kind of hold him while he was riding, but he kept pushing my hands away saying, "I do it!" So I let him. When the ponies would stop and he had to get off, it was a scary scene. He was NOT happy about it. In fact even when he would first get on the pony he would start yelling, "Come on ho-see (horsey)!" before everyone else was on. Yikes. Yeah, he really likes ho-see's!

Bradley doing his best "blue steel".

Okay, so we really procrastinated on getting our pumpkins this year. Yesterday (yes ON Halloween) we finally bought some! Frankie had to go to a few stores before he found any. He ended up buying some that were used for decoration in the grocery store. We had friends coming over so we only had about 45 minutes to carve. It was still SO much fun!!!

Frankie assisting Bradley (who didn't really need much assisting this year). Anyone notice Frankie's hair?? Wednesday night when Frankie came home from work I shaved it like Brad's and we surprised him the next morning. He thought it was so cool! Frankie bought what he thought was silver hair spray that he wanted me to spray his mohawk with. So I did and it was actually glitter!!! HAHAHA! The can was silver, so you can't totally blame him. I said, "That would look GREAT if you were dressed up like Hannah Montana!" So he had to run upstairs and wash it out. We had to shave it all one length before he headed to work today, and we almost forgot. That would've been hilarious!

Our friends Amanda and Dusty came with their kids Jersey and Cash. And our other friends Sylvie and Neil came with their kids Colby and Addison. We loved having them come over and celebrate Halloween with us!

Colby and Bradley trying to kill eachother.

Colby, Bradley, Landon and Addison (Colby's sis)

The kids Trick or Treating in our neighborhood.

Landon was a busy guy.

After going around our neighborhood we walked across the street and did Trunk or Treating. The little pink leopard is my best friends daughter (and Landon's girlfriend) Jersey. She is too cute! Her 4 week old brother, Cash, was sleeping soundly in his stroller.

Jersey and Landon right before he smacked her. She's totally in an abusive relationship. She didn't even cry though. She's one tough leopard!

I tried to get a picture of our Jack O Lantern's, but it's kind of blurry.



I hit up Target today to try and score some sweet 50% off Halloween stuff deals. And it was a successful trip! A lot of stuff was gone already (I went at 10 this morning- that's early for me) but there was still plenty to search through. Bradley scored this Obi Won Kenobi costume for the bargain price of $10. He likes to play in this stuff (I guess it's like boy dress up??) so he was thrilled. And I got lots of other Halloween decor.

I hope everyone had a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! I know we did!

I did it.

I voted. I spent a lot of time on factcheck.org and read myself into an oblivion. I just wanted to sort out the propaganda and find the truth about what matters to me. After all that, I still didn't know who I was voting for. The whole drive to the polls I went back and forth. I had an anxiety attack while I was standing in line. WHO SHOULD I VOTE FOR?? I finally made a decision. But I still feel sick about it. I don't know if I voted for the right person. I've decided I'm keeping who I voted for to myself, at least for now. I don't want to explain why I voted the way I did. And I know either way, I'm going to dissapoint someone.
I just don't understand how anyone can really get behind either candidate and say Go McCain! or Go Obama! They both suck. They are vague on all the important issues, or at least the details. I swear if I hear any gloating about who won I'm going to puke. We're screwed either way. Ugh. I'm just glad I got it over with.

Who's That Girl??

I found these pictures from a project that I did in High School. I'm not sure of how old I was in any of them. I'll have to ask my mom. This was obviously before I decided I'm not a dog lover.

I believe I was "running away" in this picture. I guess I wasn't in too much of a hurry since I stopped for this photo op. I was rockin' a lot of Mickey Mouse gear and some really rad boots. Who needs pants anyway?? I really knew how to throw an outfit together!

Here's me, Dustin, and Tyler at Disneyland. Check out my bowl cut!

At the beach with a cup full of shells. I had a lot of shells when I was little.

Me and my momma at Disneyland. We went there A LOT when I was a kid.

I told you. I'm totally going scan-crazy!!!

Flashback to 1997!

I just realized that I can scan pictures. (Yeah I know, I'm slow.) So be prepared for lots of posts full of old, fuzzy, not centered photos.

This first flashback post is from July 1997 when we went camping at the beach at San Elijo.There's nothing better than waking up to this view, just a few steps away from your tent.

Julie, you'll enjoy this one. This is (from left to right) Morgan, Devon, and Brandon crashed out in the boy tent. There was always a "special" boy smell in there! haha!

Little Alexa, looking very adorable as always.

Riley striking a pose in a super cool neon bikini. I think she was 8 years old here.

Julie and my dad (with REALLY cool water shoes on) doing some reading at the beach.

Devon with, I think, Mark's surfboard.

Morg and Bran-flake chillin' at the picnic table. Looks like Morgan's got his $1 to spend at the camp store. My Grandpa always gave us grand kids $1 a day to get a treat. Can I get a Woop-Woop for some banana and bubble gum flavored shaved ice!?! We kept them busy at the camp store shavin' that ice! It was Jody's birthday, so everyone decorated the campsite with balloons and such.

Jody and Garrett walking up to her surprise party.

Here's Julie, Alexa, Tiny, Brandon and Grandma hanging out.

You'll have to blow this one up to see everyone in it. I could be wrong, but is that Nate with a PEPSI shirt on??? Hmmm.....I'm going to have to blow this one up and investigate!

"Morgan the Pimp" is what I have written on the back of this picture. Seriously. This guy has been a stud his whole life.

Brandon checking out the surf (or lack there of). Another life long stud.

That's Colby on the left hiding from my camera and Garrett giving me the "get outta here" look.

Here's Grandma, Julie, and Brandon doing some serious thinking.

Lisa with Chad hugging her legs and Cheyne in the background.

Little Cheyne making faces at me!

Here's baby Chad with either Alyssa or Heather.

Cheyne enjoying his shaved ice. What a cute smiley face!

Mark after he was out surfing.

Chad and Cheyne splashing around in the wet sand. This is too cute!

There's Colby, Jody, my dad, Julie, Lisa and Kurt getting their chat on.

I absolutely LOVE old pictures and could sit and look at old albums all day. There are more of these posts to come, so stay tuned.