Family Pictures with {Crystal Warner}

I had good intentions of getting up and going to the gym this morning, but when my friend texted me and said she wasn't going to be able to make it I decided I would skip out today, too.  I should've went but I was still just a wee bit tired from my shopping experience yesterday.  Instead I had a pancake breakfast with my boys :)  We also took down the Thanksgiving decorations and put some of the Christmas decor up.  I still have a lot of decor to put up, but what we did get up is a good start.

Our Christmas tree without any decorations on it.

We went to Nephi had had Crystal Warner take our pictures.  She did a great job being she had two hooligans to work with.  My boys were TERRIBLE!  Will they ever be good for pictures??  Probably not, grr. 

Here are the pictures she put up on Facebook for us to preview:

Thanks Crystal!  I think they turned out wonderfully.  You can't even tell that Ryan & Jake were monsters :)

After pictures we drove out to Levan to get some carrots from my dad.  Jim wants to make Turkey Noodle soup for lunch tomorrow so we decided fresh carrots would be pretty tasty in the soup.  My mom wasn't home though; she went to the Rockettes with Molly, Amy, and Paula.  So we visited with my dad for a bit and then made our way back to Spanish Fork.

We got home a little after 6pm and something strange happened.  Jim was making the boys some rice-a-roni for dinner (healthy, I know.  But it's quick, easy, and they like it) and I was just picking up a bit.  Ryan was sitting on the counter when he just started to throw up.  It came out of no where--he didn't dry heave or anything before.  He threw up twice before it hit me that I should grab something for him to throw up into.  He threw up quite a bit, too.  He was fine afterwards.  I kept asking him if his tummy hurt and he said no.  It was so random.  I just hope it doesn't happen again in the night or at all for that matter.

After I cleaned up the throw up mess, we ate our rice-a-roni.  Then we went upstairs and got ready for bed.  I'm excited to see the rest of the pics Crystal took of us :)

My First Black Friday!

SO, today was the first time I've ever been out Black Friday shopping and all I can say is WOW!!  I never understood how someone could get trampled??  How could people be so crazed for a deal that they would just run someone over and trample them to death?!?  Well, I found out how that could happen today :)

After checking out that ads with the family after Thanksgiving dinner, I had a general idea of what I wanted to look for.  BUT, after we got home and got the boys in bed I took one last look over all of the ads and made a more solidified list of what I wanted to attempt to purchase, what store it was at, and how much it was.  I got to bed around 10:30pm or so.

Of course, both boys slept terribly.  I thought they were so exhausted from all of the festivities yesterday and the only naps they got were in the car on the way down to Levan so I thought they would sleep great.  Boy was I wrong.  Ryan got up and came into our room every 1/2 hour starting around 11pm.  Jim was so kind to keep taking Ry back to his bed so I could get the little sleep that I was going to get.  Little did he know, he wasn't going to get any sleep either.

Then, just as my alarm went off for me to get up, Jake woke up crying.  He had been coughing and couldn't sleep.  Jim went and got Jake a bottle and the Vicks Vaporub.  He put the Vicks on Jake's feet (we read that somewhere that Vicks helps kids quit coughing when it's applied to their feet), wrapped him back up, gave him his bottle, and rocked him back to sleep.  And in the meantime, Ryan had got out of bed once again and was in our room.

I asked Jim if he wanted me to stay home and skip out on shopping since it had been such a terrible night.  He said I should still go so I got ready for my first Black Friday shopping trip. 

Lacy picked me up a little after 2am and we headed to Toys R Us.  While en route, I got a text message from McKell telling me she was able to get me 2 of the Power Wheel Jeeps that were one of the big ticket items at Wal-Mart for $88.  I was shocked!!  I thought there was no way I would ever be able to get those for my boys, let alone two of them!  I actually don't even want them for Christmas; I want them for their birthdays :)  I thought if I could get them now at such killer prices then I would try.  I can't believe McKell and Rich were actually able to get them.  I was ecstatic!!  Thank you SO MUCH Rich and McKell!!

Anyway we made it to Toys R Us.  Lacy found the the quad she wanted to get for Krew and the scooter she wanted for Kam--there were plenty still there though so she didn't pick them up just yet.  I wanted to get the little kitchen play set that they had on sale for $59.99--$40 off the regular price.  We walked over to where the kitchen play sets were and there was 1 left!  I about died!!  I picked up the kitchen and we decided to get a cart.  We went back and got the quad and scooter for Lacy's boys.  The line to checkout was outrageous so we decided to look around for a bit and then get in line.  By the time we looked around, the line had died down so it all worked out.

I got all ready to pay.  When the checker scanned the kitchen set, it rang up as $89.99--turns out I had the wrong kitchen play set!!  Darn it!!!  I ended up only get Ryan some Buzz Light year wings that were 50% off.

After Toys R Us, we decided to head to Target.  It was only a little after 3am and Target didn't open until 4am.  BUT, Lacy's mom and some of her friends were already standing in line at Target and had been since a little after 2am!  Kim wanted to get a TV and if you want a big ticket item you have to get to the stores early.  OH, and it was only 11 degrees outside--beyond chilly!!  Before we went and got in line, we decided to go and get us a hot chocolate :)

We got to Target around 3:30am and the line was already from the front doors all the way out to the back of the parking lot.  Lacy's mom was close to the front of the line though so we walked up to try and find her.  There were cops and security guards there to keep people from cutting in line.  We were so nervous we were going to get in trouble.  BUT, we found Kim (Lacy's mom) and friends and were just fine--we didn't get in trouble, phew.  We waited in line for 1/2 hour in the freezing cold.  I have no idea how Kim was able to stand out in the cold for so long--I was dying after only 1/2 of an hour.

OH, something I learned is the stores put the big ticket items randomly throughout the stores and then hand out maps so you know where to find them.  SO, while we froze in the cold we had to study a map so we would know where to run to get what we wanted.  I didn't really have anything that I wanted or needed

Finally, Target opened their doors and everyone started to cheer!  And then came all of the madness.  Everyone started to run to get in the doors!!  People who hadn't waited in line in the freezing cold tried to cut in line so the security guards and cops had to keep them from cutting.  The security and cops were YELLING at and pushing these people.  It was just amazing.  I think I was more amazed with what was going on then trying to get in the store.  I finally got in the doors and it was a CIRCUS!  People were running everywhere, people were trying to get carts, and people were trying to get the big ticket items.  Lacy wanted to try and get a GPS so she ran where she needed to go.  The TV's were right inside the doors so I hurried over to try and get one.  Why not, right?

There were plenty of TV's (ok, obviously not plenty but there were more than 5).  The problem was people would just pull on them and they were big and awkward to hold onto so you'd loose them.  Kim was able to get her TV. and get out of there.  SO, I had a hold of this TV and this guy kept pulling on it from the other side.  When all the "dust" settled, me and this guy were left tugging on the last TV.  He said he had it first and I know I had it first ;) so the fight started for this rockin deal of a TV.  A Target manager came over and said we needed to resolve the issue amongst ourselves--yeah right!  At first I told the guy I wasn't going to give it up and I could stand there all day long, ha ha.  He said the same thing.  Then I said a few choice words and told the guy if he felt good about it then he could take the TV.  BUT, then my competitiveness kicked in and I didn't want to let the TV go :)  The manager said he would have to go and look at the security footage to see who had the TV first.  Everyone that was around was telling the Target workers that I had the TV first (thank you), but they said they would still have to look at the footage.  For some odd reason I felt like I was in trouble.  It may have been that I was fighting with some random guy over a TV and it was 4am, LOL.

Well, when it came down to it, the security footage was inconclusive.  They told us we would have to flip a coin.  I was so bummed--I never have good luck.  But I called tails and I WON the TV.  I actualy screamed a WAHOO!  I could not believe it!!  I had no intentions of going home with a TV today and I totally got one.  After I walked away with my TV, random people were coming up to me and telling me they were so glad I got the TV because I had it first.  I think I was more embarrassed that so many people had seen me throw a fit over a TV :)  I hear stories of all of the crazy people at Black Friday--today, I was one of them!

The store was complete madness for a good 45 minutes--I couldn't go anywhere especially with my large TV in tow.  I just stood there for a long time.  Then, when I could finally move around I started to look for some of the other things that were on sale.  For a long time I think I was still in shock and still embarrassed over what had just happened :)

Kim's friend was able to grab a dual portable DVD player for both me and Lacy--another item I had no intentions of getting this morning but I did :)  We had to wait in the longest, slowest line ever to check out.  I think we waited in line for at least two hours if not longer, but we got a lot of good deals at Target this morning.  We both spent a big chunk of change there, too. 

One good thing we did though was while one of us waited by the cart the other would go and shop and look for some of the things that were on our lists.  That worked out nicely.  It definitely paid to go with people and people that knew what they were doing.  Lacy said while she was running to get her GPS, this guy by her lost his shoes while he was running but he didn't stop to get them--he just kept on running!  It was definitely an experience :)

I was so happy I never saw the guy I got in an argument with over the TV again.  Ugh, what a relief.  I thought he was going to stalk me when I left Target and take me out.  After Target, we headed over to Kohl's.  There actually wasn't that good of stuff to get at Kohl's but we managed to find a few things.  And the checkout line died down a bit while we were looking.  Kim and her friends headed home after Kohl's--they had been out since 10pm Thursday night so they were all spent.

Lacy and I headed over to the mall after Kohl's.  We went to GAP first.  Everything in the store was 50% off from 7am-10am.  It wasn't too busy at first but it picked up FAST!  In a matter of a few minutes the check out lines were outrageous.  We didn't wise up in time either and have one person wait in line while the other shopped until it was too late.  SO, we had to wait in another 2 hour line to check out at the GAP.  We felt like we got some pretty good deals there though.

We went to a few other stores throughout the mall before we decided we were hungry and ready to go.  We went over to Einstein's Bagels and got us some breakfast.  While we ate we kind of regrouped and decided which stores we still wanted to go to.

Provo Towne Center was our next destination.  We went to Sears, JC Penney, Hollister, and GAP.  SO, I just thought I would see what GAP's sale was after 10am.  I discovered that the sweaters I waited in line for for 2 hours to get 50% off of were now cheaper after the sale and without the lines.  I was SO bugged!  I actually asked the worker about it and he gave me a price adjustment.  I thought it would only be $14 but it ended up being $47 (still not sure how it was so much but I'll take it)!!  SO IRRITATING!!

After the mall, we headed to Wal-Mart.  We both scored all of the items that were on our Wal-Mart lists and a few more things, too!  By this time we were ready to call it a day so we went home.

Look at Lacy's trunk--holy cow!

I got home around 1pm--11 hours of shopping, WOWZA!  It was well worth it though.  I had tons of fun and can't wait to go next year :)

I got home right when my boys were finishing up with lunch and ready to go down for their naps.  While my boys napped, I snuck in a little nap, too.  Jim did, too:)  We were all in need of naps today for sure.

After we all woke up, we ordered a pizza for dinner and set up my newly won TV.  I thought for sure Jim would be mad that I came home with a TV today, but he must not have been too mad because he set up the TV without me asking him to.

Jim setting up our Christmas present.

The boys had fun playing with all of the packing that came in the TV box.

Jake watching Bugs Life on our new TV.

Ryan giving me a cheeser :)  I think he was just excited about the new TV, too, ha ha.

Happy Thanksgiving 2010

This year we went to Levan for Thanksgiving.  There were going to be around 60 people, down a few from last years 75 :) 

I started the day by going to the gym.  Gold's in Spanish Fork was having a Turkey Combo class at 8:30am so I decided to go.  It was lots of fun--we did cycling, turbo kick, and a little Zumba.  It was a good way to start the day.  When I got home, Jim and I got the kids ready, then we got ready, and left for Levan around Noon.

When we got to Levan, we helped my mom with last minute things that she needed done.  Everyone started to come to the house around 2pm.

I had good intentions of taking lots of pics, but I definitely didn't.  I hardly took any pictures at all.

The big UTAH vs. BYU game is on Saturday so Amy brought these cute Ute cupcakes to Thanksgiving.  They were a big hit :)

She made little Ute stickers and put them on the mini red football helmets--too cute!

All of the yummy food!

Karlie sporting her Indian headband that she made.

My cute Granny J. eating Thanksgiving dinner.

Brady and Tenille's baby girl, Tenley.

After dinner, we sat around the table and looked at the Black Friday ads and chatted.  It was loads of fun.

All of the kids made a huge mess of my mom's "green room" where she has all of her toys, but that is to be expected.  Jake brought down the play vacuum and had fun cleaning.  He has his own little way of saying "clean up" that's so cute.

More people lounging in the great room.

The hosts of Thanksgiving--my fabulous parents.

Jim and I on Thanksgiving Day.

Some of my aunt Judy's granddaughter's--Makinlee, Maloree, and MaKenna.  I think they are all so cute. 

Ryan had fun wrestling with Bode.  I need Bode to come to my house and keep Ryan in line :)

Bode was so funny--he kept following Jake around and he'd say, "He just reminds me so much of me."  We all got a good laugh out of it :)

More wrestling with Bode and Kobe.  Lisa and Chris were right there telling them to be careful since Ryan was in on the wrestling.  Both Bode and Kobe are tough--like really I think they could kick my butt :)

Everyone sitting around watching the Charlie Brown special.

I love this pic of Ryan--he's totally chillaxin :)

We headed for home around 8pm.  I had to go home and get my game plan finalized for my first Black Friday shopping trip with Lacy.  Lacy texted me and told me she'd pick me up at 2am--yikes!

We had a really good Thanksgiving.  We have an awesome, close knit family--we truly are blessed!

Blizzard Warning!!

The weather report had been warning us for the past couple of days that a terrible, horrible snow storm was on its way to Utah.  It was going to be so bad that there would be blizzard like conditions.  This ruffled everyone's feathers a bit--people were at the grocery stores stocking up and at the gas stations filling up their vehicles with gas.  Jim even saw on the news that the shelves of a grocery store in Highland were completely cleaned out! 

I don't know what everyone was freaking out about for.  It was only supposed to be bad for one day and then go back to normal weather for this time of the year.  Then I wondered if I should've stocked up on more milk??

It started snowing about the time we were going to bed last night.  We wondered what we would wake up to the next morning.

We woke up to a skiff of snow!  Can you believe it!!  So much for the blizzard warning, ha ha.

Ryan and Jake were so excited to go out and help Jim shovel the little bit of snow we got off the driveway though.

Ryan grabbed his snow shovel and got right to work.

We had to bundle the kids up.  It was SUPER cold out.  I went to the gym this morning and my car said it was 5 degrees out, BRR!  My steering wheel was so cold it hurt my hands to touch it.

Jake was a little peeved with his snow gear.  He was wearing mittens and couldn't really grab anything :)  He would try and grab the broom and scream because he couldn't get a good grip.  It gave me a good chuckle.

Ryan is so funny though--he genuinely thought he was helping Jim shovel the snow.  He's such a hard worker and good little helper.

Jake checking things out.

I think he was wondering what this was all about.

Taking a break from all of the hard, back breaking work.

And, right back at it :)

Ryan followed Jim around and did everything that Jim did.  He would shovel the snow and throw it in the rocks just like dad.

Then he'd go back and do it again.

I went up to Amy's house to work on our family calendars.  I wasn't sure if I'd be able to go with the blizzard and all :)  Turns out the roads were fine.  The only problem was it was so cold that my window washer fluid spouts were frozen so my windshield was way dirty and kind of hard to see out of.   But, I was glad to go and help Amy with the much loved family calendars.  We got alot done so the trip was well worth it.

Bijou Market

We were going to go to Oak City today to go to Jim's cousins wedding reception.  BUT, on Thursday Jim got asked to help with a howitzer salute at a funeral that was held today so we didn't end up going to the Center of the Universe, as Jim calls it. 

I get really frustrated when Jim has to work on the weekends.  Especially since he left the house around 6:30am and didn't get home until after 3pm--he was gone almost the same as a regular work day so I was a little more than peeved.  But, it all worked out because Lacy had invited me to go to the Bijou Market in Provo today.  So when Jim got home, I left and went shopping :)

I wasn't sure what to expect at the Bijou Market.  It was pretty busy when we got there though.  All of the items for sale were hand made, and there was some really cool stuff.  The only problem is you feel like you can make some of the stuff if you put forth a little effort :)  Lacy and I both bought a couple of things, but we've decided we're going to have a craft day and try to make some of the items we saw at the market.

Here are some of the fun shops that I bought a little somethin somethin from or just picked up a card so I could check out their websites when I got home :)

I bought some cute earrings from Allora Handmade.
I got a cute headband with some crocheted flowers on it from Nifty Swank.
I got another pair of earrings that I LOVE from the Vintage Fern.

Red Roko Kids had super cute play things for kids.  I'm wishing I would've got the Baker dress up for my boys.  I also think they'd love the ABC toss, too!
Yours Truly Dear also had cute stuff for sale.  I loved the crocheted headbands they had.

Made by Jewls also had some really cute stuff.  Lacy saw her on our way out; she had on one of the cute rosette necklaces.  We're going to try and make one :) 

I love these button earrings that Jewls makes though. I may have to buy some from her Etsy shop.

We went and got some dinner at Kneaders after we left the market.  Then we headed to the mall to do a little Christmas shopping. 

I had a great time shopping!  Thanks for inviting me to the market Lacy--we'll definitely have to go to the market when it comes again :)

3 Month LASIK Follow Up

I went to Dr. White's office for my 3 month post-op visit.  My mom and dad rode with--my dad does not like the glasses he got from Invision about a year ago.  They have this awesome 2 year guarantee on their glasses though.  If you don't like your glasses, they'll replace them at no cost.  OR, if your glasses break they'll totally replace them, too.  My dad came along to pick out some new glasses.

I still see with 20/20 vision, but because of my astigmatism my distance vision is still a little off.  Dr. White dilated my eyes and after examining my eyes, he decided that I would benefit from a touch up on my LASIK.  When I went in for my LASIK consultation, they told me I would know if I needed an enhancement within 3 months.  That is pretty accurate :)  I'm just glad it's covered and I won't have to pay a dime.

I'm actually a bit glad to have the touch up though.  I can see fine since having LASIK surgery, but in certain lighting I seem to not be able to see as well.  I'm hoping that a touch up will help me see that much better.  I just don't want to ruin a good thing.

After my dad had picked out his new glasses and I was done with my marathon appointment, we went to lunch and then ran a few errands.

Krew Came to Play

Lacy  brought Krew over for a couple of hours while she went to the hospital to see her new nephew.  Krew was totally fine when she left and had fun playing with my boys.  My boys thought it was pretty cool to have someone new to play with, too.

Krew playing with the train table.

He got right in the drawer and started playing.  My boys do that, too.  One of these days the drawers will bust and that will be the end of that :)

Ryan being a turd and not wanting his picture taken.

The boys played in Ryan's room for awhile and had a good time.

After they had enough of Ryan's room, we went downstairs and had a snack.  Krew was so funny--I got each of the boys their own bowl of marshmallows.  Krew would sneak mallows from Ryan and Jake's bowls.  He would do it very sneakily, too.  It cracked me up :)

Lacy came soon after we had snacks.  Krew was super good and my boys had a good time playing with him, too.  Ryan kept asking where Kam was though (he was at school).

I love this picture of Jake--it shows how big of a stinker he is :)  He loves to climb up on my bar stools and get up on the counter.  He thinks he's so big when he does it but it scares me to death.

The boys went outside to play for a bit.  Jake's nose started to run because it was a bit cold and he got some dirt in the snot--DISGUSTING.  I know, the picture is gross, but I had to post it.  It looked like he had a little mustache, ha ha.

Don't know what it is, but the sunsets have been awesome lately.  They make the sky look awesome.

Awesome Pics of the Sky

The sky was looking pretty spectacular tonight so I snapped some pics.

This little stinkers new trick is to climb up on our chairs and get into everything.  I'll have to find new hiding places for things he can't touch :)

He was so proud of himself for getting up on the chair, ha ha.