Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving was a little different for us this year. Me and the kids got out of school Wed-Fri, but Nick had to work Thursday. :( My dad had Tues and Wed off, so we decided to eat on Wednesday at our house. It was us and my dad and brother. Much smaller than normal, but still nice. My dad bought and cooked most of it, all while watching kids and letting us sleep in! He's too good to us. Nick was sick for most of the week and now as I am writing this, Hunter has gotten it too. It was a very chill time for us. Lots of movies and food and games. They had to leave Thursday. I was really debating if I should go shopping Friday. Not crazy early and I've always avoided it in the past; I hate crowds! And we've always been in Caliente so it was fine. Friday morning I got up, Nick was sleeping in, still sick, and didn't have to work until the afternoon. I asked him if the kids would be neglected and died if I left, but he said it was fine, so I left a little before 9am. Went to Children's Place-fine. Went to Old Navy-a little busy, but not bad and no long lines. Brave enough to go to Target-CRAZINESS!!!! It was fine though, couldn't have done it with kids, so packed. The line was INSANE, but moved fast. Got back home by noon. Kids were alive, Nick barely was! He slept more before work. That evening I decided to go to Walmart. I geared up, brought snacks for the kids and prepped them in the car. Kinda surprised because it wasn't too bad! I got some good deals on stuff we planned on getting and crowds weren't bad. I don't think I could ever do the stand in line forever before thing, but it wasn't bad.

Cooking

The aftermath! Like Father, Like Daughter --So cute!!!

Twilight

Ok, so I NEVER do the midnight showing of any of the Twilight movies. I'm just not into the crowds and standing in line forever. Loved the books, but I'm not obssessed. How crazy is this though?! I won tickets to an early showing before the first showing at midnight. I kinda can't believe it and feel bad that they were wasted on me! Only called once, wasn't exactly sure of the details and they answered! They asked me who's your favorite station blah blah, and I had to seriously hurry and look on the console to see in my car. It was kinda cool to hear myself on the radio after the song ended. :) PS. It's not live when you hear the people. Anyways! It was kinda crazy how secretive it all was since it was an early show. Wristbands, no cell phones, escorts to the bathroom, no lie!!! The radio people made it fun once seated though with drawings and giveaways. Thanks for going with me Nikki--it was fun to visit!! Anyways, good show but some parts bugged--altogether 2 thumbs up. PS. Don't you think Edward was hotter this time? Not so pale, not so skinny! Bella, not so much.

Nick's Birthday Weekend

Nick turned the big 3-1 earlier this month. He works so hard for us that I decided he needed a break and of course I would take advantage of this break too! I planned a fun filled weekend in Las Vegas. He had NO CLUE!!! It was so fun to surprise him and come up with ideas for us. I got home about 30 minutes before him on Friday. My dad took time off from work and came over to watch kids for the weekend. That was so nice!!!! He knows them so well that I didn't have to tell him anything and it's nice not to have to take the time to take them to Caliente. I had a suitcase packed with my things waiting for his in our closet. When he got home, he went in there and saw it and was confused. It was awesome! I gave him a card with sweet-nothings and told him to hurry and pack.

Seriously, Nick is such a good guy. Anyone that knows him, knows this is true. He has so much integrity and is so helpful to those around him. He is smart and always thinking of "the next big thing". He is hilarious!! When we were little, I always used to tell him to laugh and he would say, "I am laughing...on the inside". It drove me nuts!!! All these years later, he laughs hard and is REALLY funny. We have such a blast together. He is a great husband who drives me nuts too, but in the end, always gets it done. He is supportive and kind and uplifting to me on my crappy days. We can tease and play and be honest and not get hurt feelings. He is the best dad!!! I always knew he would be. It was one of the things I never had to worry about--he was always so good to the kids around him and is a great big brother and example. I knew he was special from the day we met--when I was 12!!! We have a long history together, not always picture-perfect, but I wouldn't change it. I've never regretted marrying Nick and I love being with my best friend every day.

We met up with some friends Friday night at Nick's favorite buffet. I'm not much of a buffet girl, but it was his weekend I guess! I think that it is partly his favorite because Bass Pro is there too. :) The company made it MUCH better! It was SOOOO fun to see them. We laughed lots and the night even ended in a "full moon". :) Bytheway, everyone always thinks Nick is so innocent and shy, well I think he proved that wrong!!! Too fun!!! Thanks Lichty's and Almanza's! After dinner and laughs, we went to our hotel to check-in. We stayed at the MGM, thanks to Nick's Uncle Dave!! He was sweet and hooked us up for the weekend. He also tried to give us 4th row seats to the Eagles concert, but we had other plans for the same night. BUMMER!!!!!!! What could be the Eagles you ask?? GARTH BROOKS!!!!

I bought tickets to see Garth Brooks back in May as soon as they went on sale. It was such a great show and totally different then what we imagined, but so great and personable.

This is right after the show. They didn't allow any pictures during :(, but seriously such a good show. He sang his songs and also lots of oldies but goodies from other singers--rock, hippy, lots! VERY COOL!!!!! Trisha Yearwood also came out and sang a duet with him, then one of her oldies-He's In Love With The Girl. And, she waved to me....twice.

This picture was from our seats, no zoom. We were 5th row on the end. The stage wasn't from from the seats and he never sat and stayed at the very front of the stage on both sides at all times so he was pretty close. It was awesome!!!!! He talked lots and made it really fun. So worth it!!!!!!

We also did some Christmas and birthday shopping while we were there. We ate lunch at the same Wolfgang Puck that we got engaged at, so that was fun! It was so nice to just be together, on our own schedule, how we wanted. It was FaBuLoUs!!!

Random Pictures

These top pictures are random from my phone and a little older. Hunter was getting restless waiting for Reag's gymnastics class to finish so we went outside and he was in heaven seeing this backhoe. Nick's a good dad to show him and play.

My sister got the kids these suckers/mater teeth. They loved it!

This was a pepper she planted with my dad so we took a picture to show him how good it was growing!

At a field trip.

This summer, playing in the water downtown. Isn't is so pretty?!

Reagan made this fort using all of our bed pillows and a few couch ones too. She had blankets back there and water and snacks. She fell asleep back there a few times!

He LOVES his helmet and wears it all the time--even for just a tryke ride!

This was after church one day. He didn't even wait to get changed before he was in the backyard playing with his cars and trucks getting dirty. He's all boy, that's for sure!

He caught me stalking him with the camera. I love these moments!!

Self haircuts = No Bueno

This is the picture Nick sent me at work. Not good!!!!

Nick trimmed Hunter's hair the other day--it was getting pretty shaggy. He did it pretty short so it would grow out just perfectly in time for holiday pictures, family pictures, card, and Justin's wedding. Awesome, thanks! Then they go out to the garage for awhile. Hunter gets bored, goes in. Nick checks on him later and bam!!!!! Hunter was cutting his hair!!! Right in the front of course and down to the scalp!! Couldn't be in the back or quarter size--no, softball size!!!! Pretty much he looks like Bozo the clown since the top middle is flat/gone and the sides flip up because the curls are short. AWESOME!!! :) Another first for our family. Reag skipped this childhood event too!

Halloween Craziness

This was our first year actually trick-or-treating. Before last year, they were too young to care. Last year, we had so many parties and the trunk-or-treat that they were over it by the time it was Halloween night. I was pretty excited to take them out and have realized that I am more competitive than I previously thought! They were getting done and I kept dragging them on and rushing to houses--no diddle-daddling for me! At one point, I even carried Reag's shoes so she would stop complaining. I know, barefoot....gross!!!!! I had planned to do our neighborhood then go to the richies down the street, but their pumpkins were way loaded and they were tired after ours so we decided to call it quits. And earlier in the day, we had to deal with this.......

Nick had the day off and was working on his dirt bike all day trying to get it started. His cousin was coming up and wanted to go for a short ride before trick-or-treating. Well, to make a long story short, they decided to pull start his bike with the car and a rope. They have done it before so no big deal. And of course it's okay that he was in shorts and flip flops with no helmet, because he was just in front of the house, duh! (insert sarcastic wife comments here) Needless to say, I'm on my way home and get a call that starts with "Chels, don't freak out. Nick's ok, just hurt his leg a little". Thanks for the heads up Loke!! She was sweet to call so I didn't walk in and see the craziness. Nick was tore up! Andrew and his Bro-in-law were trying to get all the gravel and dirt out. We debated taking him to the hospital because we honestly didn't think the hole (yes I said HOLE in his leg--where the peg went in) could be stitched. It was really jagged and most of the skin gone and way deep. He said it felt numb, so we decided we better take him in! 15 stitches later, a cool new "W" on his leg and a tetnis shot and we were out the door ready to trick-or-treat. Crazily, Nick walked around the whole neighborhood with us all night. He didn't want to let us down. I was WAY impressed. His entire right arm and leg was hamburger and still no time off work or anything. He's pretty tough!

Hunter's Fun Words

Hunter is so funny. He literally tries to make you laugh. I need to be better about writing them down like I did for Reag. Here are a few of his lately:

-Macamoni: Macaroni
-Vhat?: What?
-Band Baid: Band Aid
-Peas: Please
-Hunter Do It: Everything is "Hunter feezing" or "Hunter tired" or "Hunter scared of monsters" (thanks Reag for teaching him about monsters right before bedtime!). He's always in 3rd person.
-Yethssssss: Yes with a lisp
-We were at the Enterprise Rodeo watching the princesses and queens before it started. Reag says, "I want to be a Rodeo Princess". Hunter copies everything she says and says, "Hunter want to be a rodeo princess too!" I asked, "Hunter wants to be a Rodeo Princess?" and he says "yethss". (with lisp!) It was too funny!!!!!! Nick didn't laugh as hard as I did! :)

School Fun!

Costume parade at Reag's school

The girl next to Reag is Lexi, Reag's bestie at school.

Reagan got picked to be Super Scholar in her class for October. This is about the best smile we could get. She said she was so embarrassed and nervous in front of the whole school!! She has a great teacher and loves going to school. We were pretty proud!

One of the best parts about my job, is that I can find out about the assembly after work the day before and I can text my principal and he is fine that I leave work to go to see her. Seriously blessed to have a good one!!!

Nick didn't have to work until the afternoon so it was nice we all got to be there to support Reagan.

Staheli Farm

So, before Halloween we went to Staheli Farm to get some pumpkins at the pumpkin patch, do the kids games and the corn maze. We didn't realize that we lived so close to it now. One night when we were moving, it was 8 or 9 and I was unloading the car and heard screams and teenagers laughing. It seemed like it was in the neighborhood-ish. Well, a week later we decided to go to the farm and it was just down from our subdivision! It's been fun to hear moo's and see horses and cows and open fields every day.

She's getting so grown up and so pretty!!!!!

Those are all corn kernals!! Made for a soft landing!

I LOVE this view. This is what I get to see every day. And seriously, I don't take it for granted. We feel SOOOO blessed everyday to get to live here.

This witch was awesome! Such a great costume and her voice and laugh was perfect!!!!!

We ran into cousins from home while we were there. Reagan LOVES Sierra and didn't want to leave. Thought it was cute that they were little twinners!