Christmas 2009

We were blessed this year once again to have a wonderful Christmas. I love my kids so much and I love to see the smiles on their faces when they open the presents. Tyler got a Red Rider BB Gun just like the Christmas Story movie. Degan got so many Star Wars Action figures it is ridiculous and Elora got a little Cabbage Patch baby that she adores. The boys also got sleeping bags and hydration packs so that they will be ready for camping and hiking once summer comes. My sweet hubby got me an Ipod nano so that I can take video wherever I go and Jon got a paintball gun that he bought several weeks before Christmas.

So that was our Christmas. I can't believe Christmas vacation is almost over, I am sad. Tyler goes back to school on Jan. 4th, the same day that Jon starts his new old job at Kennecott. He worked there while I was pregnant with Elora and they called and want him back. Hours suck and pay is less but in this economy he is looking for stability and doesn't know how stable his current job will be in the future.
I hope you all had a great Christmas and wish you the best new year.

December 2009

December has been a busy month so I will quickly run through the pictures.

I got to go with Tyler and all the 3rd graders on their field trip to see The Nutcracker. It was really fun, especially to be with Tyler. I even got to eat lunch with him at school.

Degan having fun being Santa...

and learning how to cut wood.

Elora in her Christmas dress that she wore to church.

My mom came to visit and Elora was glued to her.


Sitting on Santa, Elora was not too happy.

Eden was blessed.

Melba and Davy at their surprise 40th anniversary party.

At the anniversary party.

Hanging out together on Christmas Eve.

Fall Family Pictures

I know I have been a total slacker lately on this blog but I have been busy. Busy with Primary, kids, housework, Christmas, learning a simple and fast way to make bread(will have to do a post about that later) and most of all finding the best deals with coupons. I know that most of you have been busy too but I am desperately needing to catch up on all your blogs so I am sorry that I can't comment on all the fun stuff that has been going on in your lives, I just have too many to read.

Back in November we had our first outdoor photo shoot with TK Design Company. She did an awesome job in my opinion especially for the $$$(of course I got a deal). So here are just some of the pictures. Love you all and have a Merry Christmas if I don't post until then.

Now who does this look like?

You will notice if you scroll down and look at Elora that the poor kid looks just like me!

What a cute kid I was.

Halloween 2009

We only spent $2 on Halloween makeup this year. No store bought costumes this year, YAY!

Our little Cowgirl

Zombie Tyler.

Degan was going to be Darth Vader with an old costume of Tyler's but of course changed his mind when he saw how cool Tyler looked. He was the cutest little 5 yr old zombie ever.

Where has the time gone???

Here are just a few things we have done.

Tyler made his own Pinewood Derby car with very little help from mom and dad.

Getting ready to race. Not too bad, not too good. We might have to cheat next year.

We gathered some pumpkins. Tyler had to get the biggest he could find. Elora with her little pumpkin that she was so happy to hold all by herself. Degan wasn't really in the mood but he found a great one.

We went to Jon's Grandma(84) and Grandpa's(90) birthday party.

Jon had Endoscopic Sinus, Septoplasty and Turbinate surgery. His sinus' have been messed up for years. He always got sinus infections and could never breath through his nose. The surgery is done and he thinks it was definitely worth it.

So that is what has been happening around here. I will now post the Halloween pictures.

She Looks Rich!

That is what Tyler said when he saw Elora in her new leopard print faux fur jacket. I think she looks so stinkin cute too. I love that little girl.

(you may have to click on the picture to actually make it big enough to see)

Tyler's 9th Birthday

For Tyler's birthday we celebrated it by taking him to any restaurant that he wanted, he chose to go to the Golden Coral all you can eat buffet. It was fun to see Tyler going to get the food that he wanted all by himself. It has been hard letting go and letting him grow up but I am trying to give him the independence and responsibilities that he needs. Believe me, it has been hard for me and him. He has been taking care of the rats so well. Cleans the cage thoroughly all by himself and plays with them quite a bit. Tyler is still such a good kid and I love him so much.

We also took the kids to Toys R Us so they could spend some of their birthday money. Overall it was a good day.

EEK!!! RATS!!!

Cody and Jo-Jo

The boys had to get a pet, they have been asking for months so we finally gave in and got them rats for their birthdays. Wasn't our first choice but really they are so cute. The boys wanted Dwarf Hamsters but all the people we talked to said that the boys were too young and that hamsters are not great pets for young kids. They did all say that rats make the perfect pet so that is what we did.

Tyler holding Jo-Jo

Degan holding Cody

They are both female but Degan had to name this one Clone Commander Cody, Cody for short.

Degan's 5th Birthday

Our little boy is 5 years old and I can't believe how fast time has flown by. Degan is so fun, he always wants to play and have a good time but don't make him mad. He will let you know if you have done something wrong. He is so feisty and is always fighting with Elora. He adores Tyler and wants to be him always. Degan is just part of the gang around Tyler and Tyler's 8 year old friends. 5 things I love about Degan.....

His cute smile, big brown eyes and button nose

His sweet and sour personality

The way he talks

His laugh, he sounds like Boo on Monsters Inc.

His cute booty, I love smacking it (for fun)!

We took Degan to Pirate Island Pizza on his Birthday

After pizza we came home and had Ice Cream

Opened presents

The next day we celebrated both Degan and Tyler's birthdays with family.

Tyler and Degan's birthday is only 11 days apart. Instead of a cake they wanted a BIG cookie.

Coupons

For all of you who wonder why I coupon.......

1bag of Nestle Crunch bars $1

2bags of Keebler Cookies $3

8 boxes of Betty Crocker fruit snacks $3

3 bags of Oreos $4.83

1 box of Ritz $1.62

4 large boxes of Jello $1.00

2 8-packs of Juicy Juice $2.00

1 loaf of Wonder Bread $0.57

2 small boxes of Pop Tarts $2.10

Total = 19.62

That is why I do the coupon thing. It is really so worth it. 24 items for under $20.

Eden Grace Marshall

Here is my sweet new niece who was born on September 11 weighing 6lbs. 8oz.. She is such a pretty baby.

Beautiful Utah Skies

That was my 180 degree view the other day from my back deck. I love the colors.

The pictures don't do it justice. It was beautiful.

Degan's 1st Day Back to Preschool

On September 8th Degan was able to go back to preschool. He was so excited to start, he loves his teacher Liz. Liz is the best teacher and one of the sweetest people I know. They just finished the basement this year and the preschool room is awesome with a 2-story club house and all. As you can see in the pictures Degan is wearing 2 different shirts. Flaky me forgot that the kids were all suppose to wear the shirts that they got to decorate from back to school night. Luckily we don't live far.

The 1st time we got there. What a cutie in his AC DC shirt!

Rushing frantically back to school after running home to change.

Elora's Many Faces

(making cookies)

There is a struggle lately every time I try to take a picture of Elora. Half of the time she will look and even say "cheese" but other times she just wants to grab the camera and she throws a fit when I don't give it to her. I love to have pictures of her but it isn't worth the fight sometimes. She is getting better though.

Are you talking to me??

before

after I won't give her the camera

HA HA I got mom's cell phone!

Donut Falls

Last weekend we went up Big Cottonwood Canyon to go on a little hike up to Donut Falls. It was perfect weather and the trail was easy, only 1/2 mile. We were able to eat lunch right next to the river where afterwards Jon showed the boys how to use his hand pump water filter. The boys thought it was pretty cool to drink the river water. It was probably clean enough to drink anyway but the boys had fun and Elora had a blast throwing rocks in the river.

Tyler took this picture. We never get shots of us together, alone!

Cutie pie Degan.

Handsome Tyler.

Sweet pea Elora.

Some stranger was looking at the kids and Elora wasn't too sure.

The Marshall crew.

On our way home we drove by an old couple who had a flat tire. Jon pulled off to help them. He is such a sweetie and a great example to the kids who loved watching Daddy in action. Jon had the tire changed in minutes. The old lady told Jon that she is so glad that there are still nice people out there like him. I am glad I am married to one of those nice people! Jon is one of those quiet compassionate types. He just sent in a test kit that will see if he is a bone marrow match. He keeps getting a feeling that he should do this and I support his decision. I love this guy so much.