Whole lotta pictures not a lotta time

I'm trying to do Christmas highlights before the new year and if I don't get that done in the next 55 min. it won't happen. So there will be a bunch of pictures (no apologies from me it was Christmas) and not a lot of words. Here we go..........

The in-laws came down from MT to spend Christmas with us. Some people not such great news...our case couldn't be more excited (helps when you've known your in-laws since you were 8). Jeff, aka the father-in-law, is a motivator and a work horse. Don't tell him but we all secretly hold on to some house projects for him to do when he comes to visit.

Rock work in yard

Fixing fence

Juicing (where there is papa and daddy there is Justin)

Painting

Filling my fridge with a ton of yummy food

Ya, pretty much Chads whole winter to-do list in 1 week! I didn't get many pictures of Tracy (sorry) but she did a GREAT job of playing "Nana" and loving, holding and playing with my kids while I tried to do as much as possible to do as little as possible.

TRADITIONS

Making gingerbread houses

Sleeping under the tree on the 23rd

Christmas Jammers

Christmas Morning

We didn't have a "White Christmas" but we had a Wonderful (windy) Christmas. We are so glad that Jeff and Tracy came and celebrated our first Christmas in our first home with us. I have a Christmas morning scare to share but I am all out of time.

little stinker closes his eyes on purpose:)

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE!

CHRISTMAS SUNDAY

AND HE CALLS IT THE GIFT OF 2009

Yes that is a pink DYSON vacuum and Yes I am that EXCITED about it. Chad thinks it covers gifts for the whole next year...birthday, anniversary, Christmas... I think he even threw in Halloween and Easter. But truth be told I saved my hard earned "allowance" on that for a long time. So it isn't really even a gift from him anyway;)

Now for the gross part. Keep in mind that our house was built brand new, we have only lived in it 4 months and I vacuum at least 2-3 times a week......

6 years

December 19th was our 6 yr Anniversary. I can't believe how fast time has gone and at the same time I can't really remember what it was like with out having Chad in my life...well, that comes with getting married young I suppose. We had a chruch Christmas party that night...yes, very romantic...so the next night my neighbor watched the kiddos and we went out (thanks Becca hadn't been out together in a year).

Chad wasn't really game for me asking our waitress to take a picture of us so instead I took a picture of our napkins...yep, that's right, our napkins. For a dang good reason too. After we eat any meal this is what our napkins always look like. (Chads on left mine of right) Talk about our marriage right there. Chad is very calm and steady. Me on the other hand..well, I like to "shake" it up a bit. I'm a little here a little there. Quite frankly these days you never know what your going to get.

OK so maybe it wasn't a good comparison but in my head it all made sense! Here is a little about us. In 6 years....

*We have only had 2 rigs (thats a car or truck for you TN ppl) Well actually we bought my Jetta 4 months after we got married. Right after my neon caught on fire. And have put on a combined total of 202,000 miles

* We have lived in 8 different places (apts, houses, and even a Motel)

* Have driven through 18 different states together

*Have 2 beautiful kids

*And bought our first home

I love him...he loves me...blah blah

Happy Anniversary!

CHRISTMAS DISCLAIMER

One of the things I love about Christmas is receiving Christmas Cards from friends and family. I get excited when I see the mail man coming and actually stopping to put mail in my mail box (not just bills and such). So with Christmas only a few weeks away...15 days to be exact but who is counting....I have already received a few cards. I love getting snail mail even though e-mail is quick and easy it just has always seemed much more personable. OK, OK, I know get to the point......This year I am not sending out Christmas cards. There I said it! But don't count me out just yet...This year I am going to try and send cards out during a less hectic holiday such as Valentines Day or Easter. I love Christmas but I don't love feeling rushed, behind or overwhelmed. So now I don't have to think about a family picture or cards for a few more months.

"A" for Effort

I went to the grocery store the other morning before Chad went to work, came home and this is how my baby girl was dressed......

Tights, onesie and a sweatshirt. I was just wondering if it was a complete outfit or not;) But like I said good effort. It's the thought that counts..right.

OH CHRISTMAS TREE! OH CHRISTMAS TREE!

SEEING SANTA

FAMILY FUN DAY

This last week we took the kids out to cut down our Christmas tree. Here are some of the best things...

I got to wear my vasques (best boots ever!)

Got some good use out of the truck (it doesn't get out of the drive way much these days)

SNOW!!!

Finding our perfect Christmas TreeWatching Justin cut branches off

Seeing how much my kids love to be outdoors

and knowing that our winter stuff still comes in handy!

Chads Vacation

A few weeks back Chad went up to Alaska for a friends wedding. Good News: He got a little mini vacation. Bad News: He has gotten the itch and wants to move up there. Good News: we just bought our house. Bad News: He wants to move to Alaska:) He loves it up there and I'm sure I would too...eventually...I mean once your cold your cold...right?!?! As of now I am just going to enjoy ALL the sunshine we get here because that is pretty much everyday.

Here are a few pics....And just in case you think your eyes are deceiving you, their not. Yes the wedding was outside in about 0 degree weather. Ya, they are tough! Thanks Gary and Kim for having Chad stay with you and congrats on the baby.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY (and a half)

To make it extra easy on Chad the kids and I were all born on the 16th. Now he just has to remember what month!

JUSTIN TURNS 3!

the cake...Ribbit
blowing out candles

opening gifts

best buddies

We had a fun little birthday party with a few friends on Saturday and took him to the movies on Monday (Madagascar 2 very cute). He got embarrassed when we sang 'Happy Birthday', funny boy. I can not believe how fast 3 years has gone and to think that he has spent everyone of his birthdays here in AZ. I have learned a lot since having Justin especially patience and never ending love. Here are a few things about him...

*LOVES fire, police and construction trucks and can tell you all the kinds

*Has a sweet tooth like Daddy

*Can count to 10 and say ABC's

*Has some good dance moves that mostly I only see

*Can sing a ton of songs and loves to listen to "his" music in the car

*Is very loving and says "I love you" often

*His daddy is his Hero

*Likes to dress himself

*Good at using his manners

* and says things like "Hey guys" (mom and dad), "OK here's my option", "I'm just a guy", and "daddy lets me do it"

one quick story: Justin likes to sit on Chads lap at the table but Chad only lets him after he is done eating. So, Justin said he was done and got down, asked if he could sit with Chad, then decided he wanted more to eat. Chad said "that's fine, just hop up to the table." Justin, without knowing what he was saying says "Ya, up yours!" completely meaning up to your table or to sit with you. We often have to hide our smiles at times like that.


JESSICA 6 MONTHS

Our beautiful baby girl is 6 months
She can roll both ways, is starting to sit up on own, thinks her brother is so funny, loves food (and now will take a bottle...yea!), loves to splash in the bath and gives big wet warm kisses.

NOW I KNOW MY ABC's (except for TUV)

TO MY GIRLS

It was one year ago last weekend since we all went to Las Vegas and come Christmas it will be 1 year since I have seen any of you.
We have been friends for almost 14 years and I miss you all so much and have been thinking of you a ton. Word is that one of you (Julz) is already planning our next girl get-a-way in 2009...CAN'T WAIT!
And know that we ALWAYS have room for a visit from my MONTANA GIRLS!
A little memory slide show below:)

GIRLS WEEKEND