Happy Holidays!

Derek's favorite gift, his new "much needed" truck... just ask all who have helped him out of snow banks! its a good fit for him!

Audrey on her favorite gift, her princess car (her hair is this crazy everyday!)
Kate was ready for unwrapping presents time!
Evan (up since 1:30 AM) ready to go...
Conner knows more than the other kids but still had a great morning and couldn't sleep!
I will let her hair speak for itself...
The boys helped her play with her toys all day!

Derek's family party
Kate wanted a Unicorn pillow pet, which she got..
Evan wanted all of duty Black Opps, which Santa said was too mature for him!
In Conner fashion he "didn't know!"
This is as close as Audrey got~
Audrey can work the sliding glass door and I found her playing outside with the kitties on Christmas Eve! I am glad Christmas was a success and OVER! Derek doesn't work until Tuesday. The house is trashed, the kids are fighting, but it was memory making fun!

Birth Mother Reunion 12-18th and 19th 2010

The day had finally came after 32 years. My Birth Mother and I were reunited on Sat 12-18. It was that nuts! it was actually relaxing not stressful and a lot of fun! We went shopping and out to dinner at my new favorite, La Jolla Groves, in the Riverwoods. It was the perfect setting for this especially on a Saturday night before Christmas! We talked a lot and got to know each other! She has perfect skin! the 19th she came to my home, met the kids and had lunch. Then we made Christmas Cookies and relaxed and talked. It was cold and dreary out so we stayed in, but it was surreal!
Her name is Barbara from Littleton Co. It is a NOVEL of a tale! but so fun! just in time for Christmas!

out of no where...

Evan! my little stud! I love him! he has been so helpful this week, he is so sensitive to my emotions, but beats up on Kate all day? he is a mixed bag! He is home today and wants to help me clean up and help with Audrey! all on his own! I haven't pulled out the homework he needs to do....

Kate beauty Queen, lives to pose for pictures!

Audrey Bear! she is getting so big and talks a ton! this age is so animated, but stressful!

Out of no where...

1. I got my camera to work and thats why I practiced on my kids today (Evan is at home today!) Derek doesn't need to buy me a new one for Christmas I just need to learn what I am doing!

2. For those who follow this that do not already know, I am pregnant...again...ugh...! I am due on my 33rd birthday this year! (June 16) it was not planned or even expected, as Derek was making his appointment to be fixed, I took a test and I am pregnant! I am slowly adjusting. Dr. said yesterday the ultrasound favored a boy, but its really to early. We will know for sure Jan 11th. (pray for pink! I have SOOOO many clothes and girl toys and pink strollers, car seats bouncers etc...! I will have to buy a lot if its a boy! Plus... NO NAMES!!!)

3. Derek got a 10% raise at work!

4. Christmas is a purchased and done and we were all set for an easy week when...

5. I got a call that they (ISRR) found my Birth Parents. Seriously. Really there are not words to describe my emotional/pregnancy state right now! This was completely closed since birth, so I have known nothing until last Saturday! what a day that was! My head seriously hurt from information overload! I told my family and everything seems cool with everyone so cross your fingers!!! PLUS... I will meet her on Saturday, she is coming here! just in time for Christmas. She lives in Littleton Co. her name is Barbara. My birth dad is in Chicago his name is Paul, like my Dad's name! Keep posted as there is TONS to come! hopefully my brain isn't so scattered I forget to take pictures! Vacation is almost scheduled!! I have never needed one soooo bad! and that was just from the baby alone! Merry Christmas, I am almost positive I will be on here again before it though!!

Seven Swans a Swimming

Audrey trying to join Kate!!! ( this was her 20th try! Ugh!!)
Kates dance class was invited to be the 7 swans a Swimming in the city production of the 12 days of Christmas. She had 3 shows in all, and I barely took any good pictures and I am realizing every day that I need a new camera! All I really got out of it was chasing Audrey on stage all day!!!!

Kate was ready but we got her crown and skirt at the production... ( this is her best pose!)

She is on the far left! It was 6-10 swans depending on the time of the production! She has another Recital for the Christmas program Dec 20th!

Christmas Cookie mess, I mean Fun!!!

Today I decided it would be fun to do the Gingerbread cookies! Everyone had fun! Audrey woke up just in time to get in on the action and actually decorated her own! Now if she would just go to nursery!!
Yummy!

Evan's work! the one is an Army guy whose leg was blown off (in other words he had a bite...)
Conner's got hit by a grenade...
Christmastime is so much fun! more pictures coming soon!

Christmas Luau

Kate has THE best Kindergarten teacher and every year she does this cute Christmas Luau where the kids take our order, serve us lunch and perform for us. The surprise is that the Dads go up and dance too! These are some of the pictures...
Audrey and Dad (and my friend Darci in the background..) Audrey wanted to join the dancing it was hard at times!!
Cute Sisters! Love them!
Kate and her teacher Mrs Toelupe with her good friends Lexie and Maibel
My little Kate
Taking our orders, Pepperoni or Hawaiian pizza and salad with ranch or Italian...

Kate and her Kindergarten crew! She loves school, her teacher and was so excited for the program it was fun! Derek took off work to be there! It seems like Evan was just doing this right after we moved to Payson and now he is in 3rd grade! time flies!

Halloween wrap up

Evans class after the party, I was in charge of this party as room mom so during the party I was too busy to take pictures! could of killed Evan for not wearing his pricey gladiator costume to school, he is the "punk" on the far right
I did make it down to Kate's class, I missed her in the parade! Here she is with Maibel, who looks awesome!
So EXACTLY 30 seconds after the kids left to go trick or treating for the night, it started HAILING! and then raining hard for about an hour! but then we had these beautiful rainbows! they were full rainbows but so close we couldn't get a good shot and then gone too fast! the were so bright and beautiful! it was cold but fun! I gave out candy and watched Goonies, while Derek took Audrey out! All 3 others went with friends! it was a quiet halloween!
The mountains were all covered with clouds, it was Quite the storm! I love halloween, but I have to admit I am glad all of the PARTIES are over and it was great taking down all my decos today! I am getting really excited for the holidays! we just made plans to go to my parents in St George this year for Thanksgiving! should be fun!