I think I remember the month of December....

Great Grandpa Fawson

Christmas time was a blur. I did take pictures to prove to myself that a lot took place, just in case I forgot. My wonderful "U" that I made and displayed in my yard was good natured vandalized twice. The second time the culprit was caught and a confession was made admitting to both incidents. (Jared is a master of "getting back", Biffy can verify that). I can't waite until April Fool's Day!

I started Christmas shopping in the fall, hit the sales after thanksgiving and ended up not getting enough, getting too much, returning some, exchanging some and saving some, for birthdays. No matter how hard I try, I think I'll never get it right. The older the kid gets the harder it is to buy for. They have to make a difficult decision weather to get one pricey gift or few inexpensive gifts, weather to have cash or items, or the decision to pick out their presents themselves or be surprised. While I have to deal with the decision of the teenagers, I have a 8 year old who has her suspicions, yet WILL NOT admit to anything about Santa Claus (I believe she thinks she will hurt my feelings if she is found out to knowing). Then my baby who is 6 can't understand why Santa gives different toys to everyone, why he will give a lot more toys to some boys who he KNOWS he's been better than. And why can't Santa just give him everything he asks for?

I bought myself a sewing machine. Jared bought himself a golf club. I bought him new temple clothes, while Iron Chief Jared (he likes to cook and watches the food network a lot) bought me a new set of pots and pans! I hate to cook. I'm sure glad he is enjoying my Christmas present, I would hate to return them for something I wanted! Last year it was a new set of knives. I still don't have a clue what knife is used for cutting certain things.

The traditional "White Elephant" game played at the Kennington's Christmas Party

Cousin Lindsey went all out on decorations!

I vaguely remember a few parties squeezed in the month. One was at Jared's work. I meet his principal, and few teachers and their families. I thought it was nice that the school paid for dinner and a free 8X10 picture for the family. Another party was the ward. It was a breakfast. I'm not a morning person, and I think I actually missed that one. I do remember making salads all month long, so I know I must of been assigned to bring a salad to a party or two. And of course I do remember going to both family parties. Same fun loving people each year, with the same traditional games, and food. The only difference is everyone is getting older and bigger.

The traditional "Nativity Story" was played out. All the cousins are getting so big. No one to play Baby Jesus!

The three youngest played our shepherds. Hayden (middle) said he was a German Shepherd.

The Lawler Christmas party at Uncle Bills. Lots of Laughs, Food and games.

Merry Christmas to "U"

Max Hall Hates Me!
Some years I really get into the spirit of Christmas. I guess this year is one of them! Thanks Dad for helping me cut the wood. I know it must of been hard making a "U" instead of a "Y"!

2 down and 2 to Go!

Got this year's "Santa Visit" done. I can cross that one off my list. My kids called him "Not the real Santa, he is just Santa's helper, because the real Santa is home still making toys!" So here is a picture with "Santa's Helper"! (The Fake Santa). Only Natalie and Porter still need to see Santa to be sure to get their wish list in. I think by next year I'll have 3 down, and only 1 left, then my, To Do List..."Visit Santa" will be no more!

"Ah C'mon! Really?"

I must just have a lot on my mind and don't pay attention. Just when I got over my keys locked in my car, I get a traffic ticket.

This isn't your average traffic ticket. No, I didn't get pulled over for speeding. My break lights were working, so it wasn't for that. I signaled when turning, was safe while changing lanes, stopped for stop signs and red lights. So any of those reasons were NOT the reasons for being pulled over by a cop. Believe it or not, I was ticketed for "Not Yielding To A Pedestrian." I guess The Layton Police had a slow day and decided to pick on housewives running errands. It was middle of the day. School was in and I guess they picked some out of the way cross walk. One cop crossed the street while the other hid down the street and watched. Yep. Some man crossed the street trying to get hit. I admit, I didn't stopped, and I know the walker had the right away. I didn't even see him, and c'mon, you can't just step out in the street when a car is coming, and assume he sees you and will stop. I didn't argue with the cop, I knew I was in the wrong. I really believed I would just get some warning and a lecture about the law. However, when the cop came back with my licence, he made me sign a "automatic citation, when it involves a pedestrian", ticket. Now I have $90 less in my pocket, and Jared wishing me a Merry Christmas, because I just paid money that could of been used to buy something for me for Christmas. I wonder when Grandma crossed the street and got ran over by Santa's Reindeer, if Santa got a ticket, for "Not Yielding to a Pedestrian". And now that I'm thinking about it, did the chicken use a cross walk while crossing the road?

"HALLOWED" Traditions

Halloween is not just a one day affair. It is at least a weeks worth of fun for all. Starting with decorating the yard. Next, going through the costume box several times, trying to decide which costumes will be worn, lots of laughs when trying on wigs, fake teeth, and masks. Then there is Pumpkin picking, Pumpkin carvings, Pumpkin cookies, and Pumpkin seeds baked. Don't forget the awesome Church carnival, and trunker-treating, a night to visit and see the adults really get into the spirit of the season, while the teens try to entertain the smaller children with games and home made haunted "rooms". Then there are school parties, Halloween specials on TV. Corn mazes and Haunted Houses to visit. Last but not least the much anticipated night of Trick-or-Treating, ending with hot cider and camp fire at the bishop's house.

4th Annual Pumpkin-Carving party with our good friends, the Barkers.

The month of November is to recover from nightmares. The nightmares aren't just of scary movies, but nightmares of stomach aches, abandoned costumes strung all over the house. Nightmares of trying to remove face paint and hair dye. And the biggest Nightmare is putting back the Halloween decorations, and STUFF. I swear, I didn't get more STUFF, however it just doesn't seem to fit in the storage room anymore. I guess it will be shoved back in until sometime after Christmas, when I will "clean out and reorganize" the storage room.

What Was I Thinking!?

When it comes to keys, my brain must not comprehend the importance of them, because I have a key problem. My problem isn't loosing my keys. I automatically place them either on the key hook by the door, or in my purse. My incomprehensible key problem with my brain, is that I tend to leave my purse in my car, with my KEYS in it! I have locked my purse with my keys in my car 3 times this year, 2009. Twice Jared has come to my rescue, and once Kailey came with the trustworthy spares from home. You would think I'd learn, especially since one the times, Jared's rescue came at 3:30 in the morning. Jared, so kind hearted, and thoughtful, had had enough of my lame brain and bought me a magnetic "hide-a-key". I hadn't quite hid it yet, and unfortunately the hide-a-key was sitting in my console of the car, when my last, inconceivable, 4th time locking my keys in the car, act took place. Yes! Can you believe it!? Actually that was the first question Jared asked when I sheepishly called him. "Where's your hide-a-key?" I quitetly yet quickly responded, "Umm.....Well....I haven't hid it yet! Because I hadn't gotten around to getting another key made because I actually have to have the dealer make it, and I umm....didn't want to hide a empty hide-a-key!" Now my lame brain, produces lame excuses too! Anyway, Jared gives me an exaggerated sigh, and proceeds to ask where I am. Right then, my brain starts flash backing and I then realize, that I had the spare keys too, also locked in the car! ( BTW Jared's keys to my car ARE the spare keys). Again, I pitifully explain that, earlier I had left my purse in the car in the garage, with my keys, so just grabbed the spare. And now both sets were tucked safely away in my purse. "You are on your own, Baby!" were the comforting words Jared gave as I hung up the phone. I had no other choice but to call a lock smith.
After a hour and half wait, the locksmith showed up. I wasn't too happy, because of myself, the concern for me from my husband, and most of all the wait. The locksmith proceeded to asked me a number of questions concerning my car. I guess my annoyed look, made him confess that he was just making sure I wasn't trying to steal the car, that I wanted him to unlock for me! "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" I have half laughed half choked up, "If I want you to help me steal a car it wouldn't be a Dodge Mini Van!" The, then scared, locksmith just shut his mouth and hurried and unlocked my door. With out any words, he thrusted over the bill. (see exhibit "A" above). I murmured something to myself about how I should get a discount because he made me wait so long, then I wrote a check and he left. That was it! 5 minutes of his time, 90 minutes of mine, and a hefty $118 down the drain, all because of my brain seems to pass over the importance of NOT leaving your purse with your keys in it, in the car, then lock it.
I hope all who reads this will learn from my Ummm....unlearned mishap.

UEA (Utah Enters Anaheim)

Yes! We did it!! Jared and I have been waiting what seems forever to have ALL our children tall enough to ride all the rides at Disneyland. Finally Porter, our youngest is tall enough! We don't like Disneyland (Sorry to anyone who is a Disney FREAK!). But unfortunately Disneyland is place that children must experience for themselves, plus they need to be able to fit into the "Ive been to Disneyland Crowd.

Yea! We are done! We've done the Family Vacation to Disneyland! Now if my children want to go back, they can choose to go on their own when they are older. Please don't judge me too hard, I just don't like crowds, and I can think of a thousand and one things I rather be spending my money on, than a over-rated, over-crowded, over-priced, place like Disneyland. I'll admit Disney goes all out on decorations, on the themes. They don't hold back for sure. And Yes, I'll also admit, it is pretty clean considering how many people go daily, and finally I'll admit the bigger, popular rides are enjoyable to ride. But one time is plenty for me. I think of Disneyland like an real expensive restaurant. Some restaurants, are decorated so great with a fun or neat atmosphere, yet the meal is just mediocre. You end up paying for the atmosphere not the meal. Instead of going Disneyland yearly, I think Jared and I will try to vacation different places, like back east or up north or down the pacific, now that our kids are old enough to really enjoy and appreciate vacations.

I think what made Disneyland fun, was that we purchased a "Ride max". Ride max is an program where plug in the rides and shows you want to see, and it mathematically give you an schedule that tells you where to go and what rides to get on at certain times to avoid long lines. We as a family used that, and it was like a scavenger hunt. We would race to beat the clock and time. We grabbed fast passes, and actually got to ride all the big rides 2 times each. We never stood in line for more than 30 min. The average Wait time was 10 min. Trying to out beat the crowds, was very challenging, entertaining, and rewarding! by the end of the day, I almost felt like I out smarted Disney! "In your face Disney...Not only did we ride all the rides, we didn't get pulled into your spell of buying stupid mickey ears, Pictures with fake characters, or $6 churros The itinerary, also recommend popular restaurants,worthwhile shows and what rides or show that aren't worth the time. Who needs a week in Disney when you can get-her-done in one day!

Ok with all that said, We did go to the beach too! We went to New Port Beach. Now there we just relaxed. At the Beach we enjoy the soft sand, fun waves and warm sun. There was fun shops to visit with great deals. You can ride your bikes down the board walks for miles, inexpensive restaurants that served yummy foods, and plenty of room everywhere!!

I think my kids enjoyed the beach just as much has Disneyland. And other than parking, it was FREE!

Hello Autumn

I'm not a real fan of fall, I know that a lot of people like the fall colors and the autumn smells in the air, I say WHATEVER! I don't like how I never know what to wear! I'm freezing in the morning, and Hot by the afternoon, I'm not sure whether to get my winter clothes out and my summer put away. There are Clothes everywhere because my family has to change clothing 2 or 3 times during the day. Besides that, my flowers are brown, and dead!

However.....I do like the harvest.

My apple tree gave me Yummy apples this year!

We went to a pumpkin patch, rode on a tractor trailer

and picked out our own pumpkins! (Note the shorts.)

Kailey bought her first car (with help from mom and dad).

And finally this fall Kelsey, Kailey and I ran in an all woman's 5k! For no training, or gearing up, I think we did pretty darn good! Kelsey ran it in 31, myself in 32, and Kailey in 33 minutes. I think we might do one every year, it was kinda fun.

I guess Fall isn't that bad!!

Oh What Did You Do In The Summer Time? (Second Verse)

Oh what did you do in the summer time,

When all the world was green?

Did you camp with cousins?

Where the fun never ends.

Up in Wy-o-o-ming?

Is that what you did?

So did I!!

Favorite Cousins..... Nick, Kailey, Hunter, and Kelsey

Campfires!!

Water Fights!!!

Horse Back Riding!
(Trey leading Porter and Robbi leading Natalie)

Lots and lots of roasted hotdogs, and marshmellows!

Natalie and Porter, riding on the trailer, pulled by Grandpa's tactor

Oh What Did You Do In The Summer Time?

Oh what did you do in the summer time,

When all the world was Green?

Did you Swim in a Pool,

To make yourself cool,

Or Swim in a lake or stream?

Is that what you did?

So did I! Kelsey, "Queen of The Air Mattress!"

Kailey, "Whale Rider!"
Natalie with Cousin Tyler
Natalie and Porter playing on the beach

Kennington Reunion "All Day At Willard Bay!"

"Cherry Hill" with Turner Friends Kailey and Kate Janalynn and Biffy
Porter waiting at Top while Jared Slides down at "Kenton's Cove"

Work Party at West Valley Centennial Pool

Natalie isn't afraid of heights! YIKES!!

Neither is Porter! There goes my Baby!

Surf n' Swim with friends, Peter and Sophie

Oh Where! Oh Where, Has My Blogging Gone?

Ok So I took the summer off of Blogging. Actually I really didn't have a choice. Having school out really messed up my routine. With kids home, I had no time for the computer, or should I say I didn't get any time ON THE computer. Now... oh wonderful, wonderful school! I have time to myself. I'm not breaking up fights, nagging about chores, driving kids from one place to another, and trying to entertain! Blessed SCHOOL! Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my kids this summer, it's just by August, we are ALL ready to go back to school!

Natalie and Porter 1st Day of School

Porter started Kindergarten this year. My last one to finally get to go to school. Did I cry? Not quite. Actually I went Grocery Shopping and enjoyed it for once. I took my time, didn't have to detour the toy section, to get to the other side of the store, I took the time to read labels and compare prices and didn't have any surprised purchases in my cart, it was wonderful.