A Very Merry Christmas

I am finally getting around to posting some pictures of our christmas. I don't have lots of pictures because my camera decided to bite the dust (great timing - huh?). So I got pics from my sis-in-law, my mom, and anyone else I could. But I don't have them all yet.

We were able to go to Thatcher and spend Christmas with my family. Some of the highlights were:

*Kaden and Bailey got to be an angel and a shepherd in a live nativity at the Nicholas' house

*The kids "heard" santa walking on the roof and heard his bells. We were listening at the door to their bedroom and we hear Bailey say "Did you hear that?! I heard Santa!!!!" and Kaden replies "Ssssshhhhh!!! Go to sleep or he won't come!"

*Some favorite gifts for Bailey were all her dress-ups, her bike, and her baby doll set. All Kaden asked for was a basketball - so he was more than happy on Christmas morning and loved his new "boy" dress-ups, his lego table, and of course his new basketball. Lex seems to enjoy her one and only gift - her little walking push toy

*We got to talk to my brother, Nick, who is on a mission in Edmonton, Canada. It was great to talk to him!

*All (and I do me ALL) the delicious meals, snacks, drinks, and goodies provided by my mom and Timilie. Everyone ate way too much as usual - it was so dang good!

*Getting to see my sister Monique. At one point we were both laughing so hard we just about peed our pants - no seriously!

*Surprisingly, we got snow! The kids were so amazed by it and Kaden loved playing in it. Bailey was happy to just look.

*Visiting with Sister Stoakes and eating her famous ribs!

*Kaden got to go with Aunt Shayla out to her ranch - he loved it.

*My dad and all the brothers hiking Pickett Post

*Me and Shayla scrapbooking and making hairbows!

*The three little granddaughters with their matching sunday dresses.

*And most of all just spending time with family. The kids and I got to stay a few extra days and it was so fun to just relax and have a break. Everytime I go home I'm reminded of what good examples my parents are. They are both such hard workers and they have their priorities in order. Family and the gospel are the most important things to them. My mom's always so good with my kids - playing games, have dance parties, watching movies, reading books, etc. And my dad is always so calm and quiet with them. They are both good reminders of how I want to interact with my kids. I'm so grateful that Matt and I both have such good parents that help and support us. They are great examples to us. Thank you mom and dad - we had a great time.

So anyway . . . . Here's a few pics . I will post the others when I get them.

Dancin with Nana!

After the first time or two - Lex took off with her walker! She loves it!


Bailey riding her new bike

Dress ups!

Neva and Lex

Kaden-isms

Kaden has said a few funny things lately and I wanted to remember them:

The other day I was putting Kaden to bed and he was asking how old one of his friends, Derrick, is, who is older, will he always be older, why can't he be older than his friend, etc. He does this very often - it's a big competition to him. He doesn't get that he will never win, he will never be older. Anyway...... here was our conversation:

Mom: I can't believe you are already 5! You're growing up too fast.
Kaden: No, I'm not.
Mom: Yes you are, only 3 more years and you'll be getting baptized!
Kaden: I knoooooow!
Mom: Can't you just stop growing up? You're gettting too old!
Kaden: (shrugging his shoulders) I know. It's the birthdays that keep doing it!!! (and he shakes his head like "oh mom, you don't understand". It was hilarious)

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Another funny one:

Kaden: Mom, I know all the names of the reindeer.
Mom: Oh really?
Kaden: Yeah.
Mom: K, tell me.
Kaden: Ooooh, I can say them so fast your head will begin to spin!!!

I started laughing so hard and he looked at me like I was crazy. Seriously, where does he get this?

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I can't seem to remember any others, which makes me mad because he says this stuff all the time. One funny phrase he says all the time is "Whoa! Take it easy!" He uses this when I'm telling him to hurry, when I accidently bump him, when I ask him repeatedly to do something, etc. He says it all the time - funny, funny kid!

Updates

Just some updates on what we've been doing:

I have been working like crazy - making alot of Christmas gifts this year. I can't post most of them . . . for obvious reasons. But here is one I can show - I made it this summer at my mom's super saturday. I loved it so much I made one for me too! Just a cute little lollipop tree.

Kaden has been loving soccer and doing really well. He has improved a lot this season - both in skills and in attitude. He LOVES soccer and I think will play for many years to come. After this little 8 week season is over - we are going to try basketball for a few weeks. We'll see how it goes!

Lexie is growing so fast! She just turned 9 months old and I want to journal a little about her: She is very mobile now and is crawling all over the house. She has also started pulling herself up on everything! She is so proud of herself every time. She is also started eating "real food" since she doesn't have much interest in baby food and loved to feed herself. Now that she is crawling, Lex loves to follow Bailey and Kaden around the house. For the most part, they are very good with her. Bailey, especially, just loves her and loved to pretend that Lexie is her baby to take care of. Lexie is pretty unpredictable at night - some nights are great when she sleeps from 7pm to 7 am. But other nights she is up several times - hopefully that is just teething! It's so fun to see her little personality showing through more and more. It is funny - I get stopped in the store all the time and people comment on her red hair and ask if she has the temper to go with it. I always so no because she really is a happy and sweet natured baby. Hopefully she stays that way!

Here is Kaden with the Legacy Lion. Each kid in his class gets a turn being student of the week and they get to take home the lion for the week. He was SOOOO excited when it was his turn to bring the lion home! He cryed the day we had to send him back to school - Kaden sat on his bed sobbing, saying "I'll miss you Legacy Lion! I'll miss you so much!" And then he forgot about it a few minutes later - typical Kaden.

Here is Lexie's first haircut - just a little trim to even things out. I still can't believe how much hair she has - bailey had a little fuzz at this age!

Here is Bailey being typical Bailey. This is what she does all day long. She is rarely without a purse and high-heels. The rest of the accessories vary. Right here she is actually wearing another tiara as a belt, but you can't really see it. I wish I could fit a crown around my waist - sheesh!

Matt finally got his new truck - only about 8 months late! His old hunker-junker kept breaking down on him. Not very reasurring when he is running code and doing 90 miles an hour! So he finally got a descent vehicle with a computer in it! Here he is in his dress uniform ready to go to a funeral. The lighting is bad, but doesn't he look good?!

Thanksgiving

We went to sierra vista to be with matt's parents for thanksgiving this year. Matt had to work on Thanksgiving day - so we drove down that evening. For some dumb reason - I decided to hit the sales at 5am on friday morning! Matt's dad went with me and it turned out to be kinda fun. We just went to WalMart and Target. But I got some dang good deals and the kids are pretty much done for christmas. The rest of the day we just hung out at home (well, their home) - made gumball turkeys, ate a yummy thanksgiving dinner, and relaxed. Later that afternoon Matt's mom and I went and saw twilight. She hasn't read the books - so there were parts that didn't make sense to her. And I went in with kinda low expectations - I'm still not really sure how I feel about it. I just left feeling unsatisfied - I guess is the best way to describe it. The book is so fun to read and is such a great love story - that a movie really just can't capture it all. But I did like parts of it.

Anyway . . . . . the next day the Matt, his dad, and Kaden loaded up the motorcycles and went out riding most of the day. Us girls relaxed a bit and took bailey over to mcdonald's to play. Later that afternoon Matt's parents watched the kids and we went out for our anniversary. We went and walked around the mall for a little and then saw james bond - it was a pretty good movie - mainly just fun to get a date with my hubby! I got to go to the movies twice in one weekend - I felt very spoiled and I could definitely get used to it!

Bailey loves her foam curlers Nana gave her! Here is the before and after:

The kids love going to Oma and Grandpa's house!

Tagged

I got tagged - and I usually ignore them, but this one is easy. Go to your pictures and post the 4th picture in the 4th folder. This a picture of Bailey after she got into my makeup yet again! She tried to use my mascara as lip gloss - yuck!

I tag Teana, Stephanie, Maelynn, and Luci.

Different drug problem

I got this in an email and liked it - thought I would share.

Enough Already!

I am so sick of hearing about and watching all the protests, riots, and especially the awful signs and graffiti at our churches and temples all over the country. I love what a friend put on her blog: Newsflash! California voted and you lost! Get over it! You don't see me rioting because Obama won. Thanks Stephanie - I love it! If people want to protest, go right ahead - but stop targeting the mormon church! Here's the statement released by the church:

"It is disturbing that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is being singled out for speaking up as part of its democratic right in a free election.
Members of the Church in California and millions of others from every faith, ethnicity and political affiliation who voted for Proposition 8 exercised the most sacrosanct and individual rights in the United States — that of free expression and voting.
While those who disagree with our position on Proposition 8 have the right to make their feelings known, it is wrong to target the Church and its sacred places of worship for being part of the democratic process.
Once again, we call on those involved in the debate over same-sex marriage to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility towards each other. No one on either side of the question should be vilified, harassed or subject to erroneous information. "

Here is a list that I got from Desiree's blog - it states the facts.

The Facts about Prop 8 and Mormons
(complied by Kevin Hamilton)

1. Mormons make up only 2% of the population of California. There are approximately 750,000 LDS out of a total population of approximately 36 million.

2. If one estimates that 250,000 LDS are registered voters (the rest being children), then out of a total of 5,661,583 yes votes, LDS voters made up 4.4% of the Yes vote and 2.3% of the total Proposition 8 vote (11,050,301).

3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) donated no money to the Yes on 8 campaign (except for a nominal, and legal, in-kind donation of $2,078.97, to cover the travel expenses of leaders coming from Utah for a meeting). Individual members of the Church were encouraged to support the Yes on 8 efforts and, exercising their constitutional right to free speech, donated whatever they felt like donating.

4. The No on 8 campaign raised more money than the Yes on 8 campaign. Unofficial estimates put No on 8 at $38 million and Yes on 8 at $36 million, making it the most expensive non-presidential election in the country.

5. Advertising messages for the Yes on 8 campaign are based on case law and real-life situations. The No on 8 supporters have insisted that the Yes on 8 messaging is based on lies. Every Yes on 8 claim is supported.

6. The majority of our friends and neighbors voted Yes on 8. Los Angeles County voted in favor of Proposition 8. Ventura County voted in favor of Proposition 8. San Diego County voted in favor of Proposition 8. Orange County voted in favor of Proposition 8. San Luis Obispo County voted in favor of Proposition 8. Sacramento County voted in favor of Proposition 8. Fresno County voted in favor of Proposition 8. And the list goes on and on: Merced, San Bernardino, Riverside, Mariposa, Tulare, Imperial, etc.

7. African Americans overwhelmingly supported Yes on 8. Exit polls show that 70% of Black voters chose Yes on 8. This was interesting because the majority of these voters voted for President-elect Obama. No on 8 supporters had assumed that Obama voters would vote No on 8.

8. The majority of Latino voters voted Yes on 8. Exit polls show that the majority of Latinos supported Yes on 8 and cited religious beliefs (assumed to be primarily Catholic).

9. The Yes on 8 coalition was a broad spectrum of religious organizations. Catholics, Evangelicals, Protestants, Orthodox Jews, Muslims - all supported Yes on 8. It is estimated that there are 10 million Catholics and 10 million Protestants in California. Mormons were a tiny fraction of the population represented by Yes on 8 coalition members.

10. Though the Church urged its members to "do all [they] can to support the proposed constitutional amendment," not all Mormons voted in favor of Proposition 8. Our faith accords that each person be allowed to choose for him or her self. Church leaders have asked members to treat other members with "civility, respect and love," despite their differing views.

11. The Church did not violate the principal of separation of church and state. This principle is derived from the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . ." The phrase "separation of church and state", which does not appear in the Constitution itself, is generally traced to an 1802 letter by Thomas Jefferson, although it has since been quoted in several opinions handed down by the United States Supreme Court in recent years. The LDS Church is under no obligation to refrain from participating in the political process, to the extent permitted by law. U.S. election law is very clear that Churches may not endorse candidates, but may support issues. The Church has always been very careful on this matter and occasionally (not often) chooses to support causes that it feels to be of a moral nature.

12. Supporters of Proposition 8 did exactly what the Constitution provides for all citizens: they exercised their First Amendment rights to speak out on an issue that concerned them, make contributions to a cause that they support, and then vote in the regular electoral process. For the most part, this seems to have been done in an open, fair, and civil way. Opponents of 8 have accused supporters of being bigots, liars, and worse. The fact is, we simply did what Americans do - we spoke up, we campaigned, and we voted.

Members of the LDS faith are not soley responsible for what became of Prop 8. Not every LDS member voted and of those who did, they did not all vote the same, nor are LDS people the only religion, race, or ethnicity to vote in favor of Prop 8.
-------------------------
Added:

Here is another message released by the Church today (Fri. Nov. 14th):

Five months ago, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent a letter to members of the Church in California, encouraging them to join the millions of other Californians from many religious denominations, ethnic groups and political persuasions in a broad coalition to defend marriage as it has been defined for millennia.

During the election campaign, both sides of the argument on Proposition 8 had ample opportunities to express their viewpoint. The result was conclusively in favor of traditional marriage. More than 40 states in the United States have now voted to protect traditional marriage, either directly or through their elected representatives.

Today the First Presidency issued this statement about the democratic process:

Since the people of California voted to reaffirm the sanctity of traditional marriage between a man and a woman on November 4, 2008, places of worship have been targeted by opponents of Proposition 8 with demonstrations and, in some cases, vandalism. People of faith have been intimidated for simply exercising their democratic rights. These are not actions that are worthy of the democratic ideals of our nation. The end of a free and fair election should not be the beginning of a hostile response in America.

The Church is keenly aware of the differences of opinion on this difficult and sensitive matter. The reasons for this principled stand in defense of marriage have already been articulated elsewhere. However, some of what we have seen since Californians voted to pass Proposition 8 has been deeply disappointing.

Attacks on churches and intimidation of people of faith have no place in civil discourse over controversial issues. People of faith have a democratic right to express their views in the public square without fear of reprisal. Efforts to force citizens out of public discussion should be deplored by people of goodwill everywhere.

We call upon those who have honest disagreements on this issue to urge restraint upon the extreme actions of a few that are further polarizing our communities and urge them to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility towards each other.

Free!

I absolutely love getting stuff for free - who doesn't. So today I drove by a bunch of pumpkins on the side of the road with a big FREE sign next to them. It was a little pumpin patch at a local business that I guess didn't sell all their pumpkins. So we stopped and the kids all picked a couple. I think I took 6 or 7 - not bad considering they were 8 bucks a piece last week!!! So here's what I did with some of them:

Now I just need to figure out what to do with the rest of them!

Halloween

We had a great halloween this year. Here are my little munchkins:

Spiderman and Cinderella
Our little cheerleader

Spidey!

Every year our ward does a trunk-or-treat and that's where we always go. This year we went over to a friends house for a potluck and bonfire. It was lots of fun - thanks Molly for hosting! This was the 1st time we have taken the kids "real" trick-or-treating to houses. We just walked around Molly's neighborhood. Here is some of our group:

Bailey, Micah, Kaden, Nicholas, & Ryan

Kaden getting his palm read by Madame Zoloft (aka Molly's mom). The kids were totally into it - she told them all sorts of cute things like that they would marry someone tall and where they would serve their missions. It was funny.

Fallen Hero

Shane Cory Figueroa

June 21, 1983- October 25, 2008

Today we laid to rest a true hero, my friend Shane Figueroa. I first met Shane when we both worked at the local Wells Fargo together. The only way to get through those long boring "desk job" shifts was to talk about how much better life would be after we became police officers. I always looked up to Shane at work. He knew who he was and carried himself with a humble quiet dignity. We slaved away as tellers together for a short while and I soon entered the police academy, while Shane moved to Mesa. Even though I knew him for a short time, I never forgot the example he showed me as a true latter day saint living the gospel.

I only spoke with Shane on a few short occasions after he became a police officer with the Phoenix Police Department. His father, Cory, would proudly keep me posted of his accomplishments. I can only imagine the honor and integrity with which he fulfilled his duties as a police officer for the citizens of Phoenix.

In the early morning hours of last saturday I received a call that Shane had been killed in the line of duty while responding to a "shots fired" call.

Shane, I am a better person because of you, and the world a better place. You are a true hero and an inspiration to us all. Rest in peace my brother.

Below are some pictures taken during the funeral procession today.

This man stopped on the side of the freeway and stood at attention as the mile long procession drove by.

Flag over entrance to cemetary

Another thankful citizen

There were police vehicles as far as the eye could see in both directions.

View from the rear view mirror

Funeral procession




"He Answered The Call"

Today in the sun, I bid him farewell A man, a hero, I never knew well
Like many before him, who answered the call Wearing a badge, he was destined to fall
Though by choice a long life and a happy old age Would he have chosen, had he written the page
But the office he chose never promised long life Just half of his salary, for his child and his wife
He went without fear, into the darkness of night Bringing comfort to some, to some others light
Easing their pain and calming their fears He did his duty, never asking for cheers
A husband, a cop, he answered the call We bid him farewell for he gave his all
by
DKB

Birthday Boy

Yesterday was Kaden's birthday. We are just about birthday-ed out around here. It is always crazy having two birthdays and halloween within days of each other. So Kaden turned 5 yesterday. He is so excited to be five - when I woke him up for school. He jumped up and said "Mom, I'm bigger huh. Cause I'm a 5-year-old". Everthing is a competition to Kaden and it just kills him when his friends are older than he is. But he is excited to be 5 now, and "not just a little 4 year old".

He had fun at school - they sang to him and he got to be the line leader. Except he told me later that he had to go to the back of the line after bathroom break because he peeked in the girls bathroom! What?!! I asked him why and he said he wanted to know what it looked like and see what was happening in there. Just curiousity I guess. Maybe I should be upset, but I thought it was kinda funny. Matt was just about glowing with pride. Anyway, after school we just hung out at home and he got to play with his new toys. I asked him what he wanted to do for dinner: I could make something he loves or we could go to McDonald's. I figured that was a no brainer - but he asked to go to the park and have a picnic. Fine with me - pb&j it is! After the park we sang to him, he opened a couple more gift from grandparents, and at cake again - for like the 3rd time this week! All in all it was pretty uneventful - but he said he had a great day! We love you bubba. You are crazy, funny, and a sweetheart. We are glad you are part of our family.

Here's a trip down memory lane of our bubba: