Christmas in Idaho...

We finally made it to Idaho! It was an extra 75 miles (around Pocatello way since the main roads were closed) and an extra 3 hours, but what the heck. It was an experience. When we first got there, everyone was eating dinner, so we just joined in. It was just nice to visit with everyone. The next morning we all went and saw Beverly Hills Chua... however you spell it. The movie was actually really good!! After that it was shopping in the twin falls mall and some more visiting. We were able to get together to play games Saturday night as we watched it snow... and snow... and snow... wondering if we were going to be able to make it back home. Kinda funny, while we were sitting there playing games, Denise's phone rang... they were calling church off for a snow day! Wowza... I've never seen that in West Valley... but then I was reminded that a lot of people drive a lot farther in the rural parts of Idaho. So after a short-after christmas weekend in idaho, it's back to Salt lake and back to work tomorrow. And although sad, but funny, this is the only picture I took in Idaho. (Charley will probably kill me when he sees this! LOL).

More Christmas!

We have so many fun pictures from Christmas that it's hard to decide what to highlight. So here's a few more from Christmas with the Jamison's. This is for the family that couldn't be there, and for those in Idaho. Enjoy!

Christmas Aftermath...

Even though this has been one of the busiest Christmas's, it has been one of the most exciting. This is our first christmas as a combined family. I will admit it's challenging to shuffle the kids around on parent time, and I was nervous about how it would turn out, but everything turned out perfect and it's worth seeing the smiles on their faces.

Nate woke early as usual to find that Santa had brought him a set of golf clubs. He's been golfing with Charley several times, and has become quite fond of it. He also got a stocking full of bakugons & a few other small things. Then it was off to unwrapping.... some legos a DS game, a telescope... you know, the usual boy stuff. After that, I went back to bed to take nap! (I know... I know... but we had been up all night wrapping and such. One of these years i'm going to get to bed at a decent hour on Christmas eve).
Charley's normal parent time on Christmas this year began at 1 pm. The girls called at 11 and said they were going to close the roads down in their neighborhood and asked if we could come get them earlier. Looking out our windows, the snow was barely covering the grounds. So we got ready and headed out... The farther south we drove, the worse the snow got! Out at their place, there was sooo much snow you could barely drive though it. It was amazing the contrast from their area to the rest of the valley! So we took them to my parents to open their gifts. L got mostly clothes, a nightmare before christmas fleece blanket, pajamas, DS games, and cash for a shopping spree. For H it was a shopping spree, clothes, books, DS game, pretty much the opposite of Nate's boy stuff!

Then it was off to my parents. The kids mostly got gift cards (for the girls) and cash (for nate).

There was so much snow in Heber that my sister Erin couldn't make it, but it was still nice to be with family. After that it was dropping the girls home, and nate to his dad's. Christmas evening was sure quiet. Not the same without kids around. Charley and I were going to head to Idaho, but with all the snow, the roads were closed at the Idaho border... so despite the bad weather, we decided to go to a movie and head to idaho in the morning.

A Letter to Santa...

In All the rush, Nate never made it to see Santa. I am hoping the spirit just stays. I always tell him that if you believe, then you receive. Nate hears a lot from the kids at school, but I think i've convinced i'm not nice enough to leave him toys. Hmmm. Well anyway, here's his letter to Santa. I took a pic because I thought it was so cute. And in case you're wondering, yes, that's OJ and popcorn that he left him. We're very untraditional over here at our place!

Disney Fever...

I can't help it. At least it's a fun, healthy addiction. (only if it were cheaper). Besides, the weather is lots nicer there. Anyway, here are some of my favorite pics from our latest trip to Disney. Everyone always asks why I don't get tired of the place? I actually don't know. It's just a fun place to escape to... even just for a couple days. I'm so glad that Charley's family feels the same way because they sure are fun to travel with. I already want to start planning the next trip! Hopefully sometime in the spring!

Happy 9th!

I'm not old enough to have a 9 year old. Well, ok, I guess i am... since Nate turned 9 yesterday. Everyone says I look young, but when I have Nate with me, it gives away my age! LOL.

Anyway, I just want to tell Nate happy birthday. He's such a blessing in my life, and I'm proud to be his mom! He's such a good kid, and so smart! I'm amazed every day with how fast he's growing up!

Some of his favorite things right now are:

Tv Show: Sponge Bob

Toys: Bakogons, Legos

Color: Yellow

Foods: Lasagna, Pasta

Hobbies: Playing PS2, DS, WII

Pretty much boy stuff. He also loves to read, ask questions, and figure things out on his own.

We surprised him with a trip to Disneyland for his birthday, so here's a pic of him in the famous "Disney Birthday Hat." (You can tell he's not amused!).

Happy Birthday Nate!! Mom loves you!

Thanksgiving Weekend

I think Grandma J. needs a bigger couch...

Grandma Blackwood needs a bigger couch too!

Thanksgiving day was a quiet thanksgiving dinner... Just Charley, Nate, the girls and I with my mom and dad and Kathie Jo for the Jamison's. Friday & Saturday it was headed to the Blackwoods for a bigger, more crowded feast in Idaho. Then, sunday the J's all got together for Chris's Christmas. Since he's leaving to go to the MTC next week, we all got together to celebrate him. It was a wonderful four day weekend of family togetherness.... (both sides). Rare, but memorable.

Somethin' in Common...

It is always a challenge finding something to keep the kids entertained. They all like different things, so when we find one thing they all enjoy, it makes it much easier to keep them entertained. I just had to take this picture because it was so funny watching the kids. So, Finally, something we ALL (including Charley and I) have in common!

Thankful...

I was going to have the kids post 5 things they were thankful for. Well, i didn't get a chance to ask the girls before they left, so I will have to update those later. However, when I asked Nate his five things, I was blown away. This was his response...
1. Parents
2. Relations
3. Entertainment
4. Sports
5. Life
Whoa! Where did these come from? These are responses from my 8 year old boy. And the funny thing is, he just rattled them off!

So then I started thinking. I would feel terrible & ungreatful if I didn't post the things I was thankful for. This has been such an eventful year, and it's amazing how my life has taken such a turn. Looking back to last Thanksgiving, I remember sitting on the couch after dinner at my mom's, waiting for Nate's dad to come pick him up and take him for the weekend. I was crying because it was the start of the holidays and I was having such a hard time with the split parent time. It's so hard to send your child off for the weekend, let alone on a holiday like Thanksgiving. As it turned out that I went out with some friends that night, and ended up having a good weekend afterall. However, one very happy memory of last year... It was Thanksgiving EVE, so one year ago yesterday, that Charley and I met face to face for the first time. I can't believe it's been a whole year, but then look at everything we've accomplished in that year! I would never have thought that I'd be married this year for the holidays! As unbelievable as it may have seemed back then, it has been one of the most wonderful blessings.

So here goes with my thankful five:
1. A fresh start & a second chance at life.
2. Family... Mine & Charley's too. I have the best in laws.
3. My Job... It keeps me on my toes!
4. The House... I'm surrounded by friends & Neighbors.
5. Friends... Every girl needs them, & I have some of the best there are.

Twilight Page

And Here's L's page. I'm so excited these girls love to scrap! Even though I know nothing about twilight (haven't read any of the books, nor seen the movie) it was still fun to help them make these pages.

Twilight Addict... Guest Post

hey H here I love twilight a lot!!!!! and edwards pretty cute to I'm reading the book right now!!!!!!!!

More Like It!

Ok. Now I feel more at home! You can always rely on mom and dad, right? Go Cougars!

Outnumbered??

Well, I would have to say... YES! Every year when we wear our BYU Blue... or should I say every year when "I WEAR MY" BYU blue, I'm always outnumbered. At Work, the U fans always heavily outweigh the Y fans. This year is no different!!! Here are just a few of the people on my team, and needless to say, I was the ONLY one in blue.

Nathan's Wolf

Nate earned his WOLF badge at pack meeting last night. I always say I'm not much of a scout mom, and I have no idea what I'm doing...but the boys really do have to work hard to earn these patches! It's a good thing Charley is around to help! He's more the scout pro and is great with helping Nate.

I'm so proud of Nate and the effort he has to put into earning the badges. He has wonderful leaders and friends in his pack. I can't believe he will be 9 in two weeks, and moving onto the Bear Den. Seems like just yesterday he was able to start going!

VIVA... Las Vegas!

Charley and I were able to go on a "quiet" get away to the "noisy" town of Vegas this weekend. Just a little three day trip, but with so much excitement packed into it! We left early Saturday morning, and just got back last night.

So, I guess everyone knows my crazy little obsession with the Osmonds? Guess what Hotel we stayed at! Yep, the Flamingo. The building that when you pull into town has a 30 story mural of the two on the building!!!

Well, I about died when I found out tickets to the show were $99. I couldn't believe it!! The last time I saw Donny it was free! And it wasn't even just Donny and Marie... it was ALL of the osmonds at the conference center for their pioneer day concert. Anyway, as we were walking out of the hotel elevators, one of those pesky time share reps pulled us aside. Come to find out, we'd do anything to go to the show!! Even sit through a two hour time share presentation!! Heck, it even came with free buffets.

The show was SOOOOO good!! Donny and Marie still got it! It was funny, it was clean, and it was wholesome! It was Laugh out Loud Funny!! The two even had a dance off... and they ended the show with their famous "goodnight everyone" I would go see it again in a hearbeat!

We were also able to spend some time with Joyce & Derek. Derek and Charley spent the day on the golf course, and Joyce and I did what women do best... shop! After that we had a nice dinner. It was so good to see them!

One Little, Two Little Indians

Well, maybe they aren't so little, but they sure are cute! While Charley's family was in town over the weekend, we all were able to go and see L and H in their production of "Peter Pan." It was put on by Daybreak Community Theater, also known as South Jordan Community Theater. My Parents, Charley's Parents, Danne's Family, Hilary's Family, and Heather's Family all came to watch. They did an amazing job, and they are so talented. They are already talking about trying out for the next play, Aristocats.

After the play we were able to take L & H to Coldstone and visit with Charley's parents and grandma. It was a great time, and I'm glad everyone got to be a part of it.

Isn't this the sweetest picture of Charley, the girls, and great grandma Blackwood?

Husband Brag Tag...

Although this tag doesn't do the original justice, it still means well. Sometimes I just don't have a creative bone in my body! But here goes...

1. Where Did You Meet?
Well, LOL. Depends on who you ask. I say we met at Leatherby's. He says we met on LDS Singles. Guess one of these days I'll admit that I use to spend all my free time chatting online.

2. How Long Did You Date Before You Were Married?
Uh... *grin* 7 Months?

3. How Long Have You Been Married?
5 Months and 8 days to be exact!

4. What is one thing he does that surprises you?

He's an amazing writer! He writes beautiful poetry, and has written me some poems that bring me to tears.

5. What is your favorite feature about him?
His Personality. He always makes me laugh.

6. What is your favorite quality about him?
He is so generous and giving of himself. He is always offering and willing to help others. He's such a great step dad... He's so good with Nate & nate adores him. He takes him to school every morning, helps him to be responsible, and helps him with his scouts.

7. Does he have a nickname for you?
Lots actually. I'm usually surprised if he ever calls me by name... Sometimes I think it mean's i'm in trouble!... Seriously though, he calls me punkin, kiddo, I like it when he calls me baby... and my new favorite, Mylo!

8. What is his favorite color?
BYU Blue

9. What is his favorite food?
He changes all the time. I think he loved italian until I made him eat it too much! He likes comfort foods... chicken strips, mashed potatoes & popcorn.

10. What is his favorite sport?
He loves them all... I'd venture to guess that football and golf are his tops.

11. Who said "I love you" First?
Definately him. It was in another language though.

12. When and Where was your first kiss?
His Apartment in Provo. A few weeks after we started dating.

13. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?

Going to dinner, watching old tv show reruns, computer games, playing the WII. We're both very competitive, so games between the two of us get quite entertaining!

14. Do you have kids?

I have one son, he has two daughters.

15. What is a hidden talent of his?
He use to manage apartments and hotels, so he knows a lot of those little "tricks". He can get stains out of anything, make a messy house look clean, can work his way out of contracts, and he folds towels like a professional. He doesn't realize it, but he's signed on for a lifetime of towel folding! They look so nice when the are stacked in the closet!!

16. How old is he?
Dare I say? He's still under 40!

17. What do you admire most about him?
He makes me feel important. He tells me all the time how much he loves me and needs me. It's so nice to feel loved and appreciated.

18. What is his favorite past time?
Gotta say watching sports on TV

19. What is his favorite kind of music?
He likes lots of music. I think he tolerates country because of me. I also tease him about Niel Diamond a lot.

20. Do you think he will read this?
Eventually. I still haven't figured out if he's too keen on all the time I spend blogging...

I never use to do tags when they would come in email. However, I think tags are perfect blog posts! Like putting ideas right at your fingers.

So, that said, I tag whoever is reading this and has a minute to respond. I think this is a great way to let our husbands know just how special they are. Luv ya Hun.

Happy... Belated!

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm usually a dollar short and a day (or in this case three) late!! LOL... So this should come as no surprise! Halloween was actually pretty calm around here! In fact, it was soooo calm that these are the only pictures I took, and it wasn't even on Halloween!!

Here's Nate in his costume, he's some sort of ninja. And our evening with the girls the day after Halloween. L was corpse bride, and H was Sally. They were adorable. We're still trying to get a pic of their costumes, but here's these pics for now. Happy belated Halloween!

I'm Lovin' Your Blog Award

So a friend tagged my blog.... Thanks Tara! Wow, what an honor since I'm fairly new at this, and there are so many amazing blogs out there! I'm instructed to tag 5 blogs... how is one ever to choose?? Just want to let everyone know that I love reading all the blogs, but here are 5 that are most frequently updated and that catch my eye:
Jane: www.all4ratter.blogspot.com
Tracie: www.kalmarfamily.blogspot.com
Tonya: www.kingskhronicle.blogspot.com
Lisa: www.daysofourprice.blogspot.com
Lisa: www.rogersworld1994.blogspot.com
So the instructions I was given was to copy this picture (it references the original award site) and list your five favorites. Good luck!

Who'd a thunk?

That after all this time, these two trouble makers would end up together? We're trying to decide who looks more mischevious here... Charley with his "who me" look, or Sarah with her "innocent" smile! What do you think?

Moms... in the eyes of 2nd Graders

I've seen this email several times before, but with a little variation each time. This is one that Charley emailed me today and I guess with the mood I was in, it just kind of made me smile. Maybe because these kids are around Nate's age, and it sounds like some sort of response Nate would give! Or, it could be that I miss Nate when he goes with his dad for the weekends, who knows.


Why God Made Moms (In the Eyes of a 2nd Grader).

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the sticky tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mum just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other Mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's Moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your Mum?
1. My Mom has always been my Mom and none of that other stuff
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than Dad.

What does your Mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your Mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your Mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my Mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

Where Credit is Due...

Obviously, I got some blogging lessons! Thanks Tracie for all your help. It looks great, and it was so easy after you set it up for me! I can't wait to start working on my Christmas banner!!! LOL. I feel like I'm up with the season now! Happy Fall everyone.

How Much Longer??

Well, since the countdown to our Disney trip is over, we needed to find out something else to count down to! Charley's devastated after BYU's loss, so I thought I'd give him something to look forward to! He's been awaiting the BYU/UTAH game all season, hoping that they would both come into it undefeated. Oh well, it's just a game, but hey, it's only 35 days away!

So a friend (Thanks Tracie!) pointed me to this website where you can create your own countdown widgets. It was actually really fun to make this one. I can see how it could be addicting... soon my sidebar will be full of them!.... But for now, here's the official countdown.

Happy Boss's Day!

So tomorrow (or I guess I should say today) is boss's day. I always say that one of these days I'm going to benefit from this holiday. But,I guess for now, I'll just be the one up all night making the cards. Seems like I'm doing this same thing every year at the last minute.... Actually, I enjoy this kind of stuff, so I'm really not complaining.

My two bosses were easy. They like simple crafty stuff. Charley's boss, however, is a guy... quite a bit of a challenge! So he's not getting a card. He's getting FOOD!!

Anyway, I just finished these and I'm sitting here waiting for Charley's boss's dessert to come out of the oven so I can go to bed. So while I'm waiting, I decided to post and read a few blogs. I really should start working on these things sooner!!!

2 Worlds, 2 Voices...

... and one returning husband! Well, I had sold my tickets on KSL classifieds. But the lady never paid me, so I ended up going to the concert after all!! It was so good. I'm glad I went. I went with a friend from work, who didn't really like Reba. Or Kelly. But who cares. I had fun anyway.

I loved the show REBA. Of course, Reba was on it, so how could I not?? Well, Melissa Peterman (Barbara Jean) was there too. She is a comedian now, and she opened for the show. She was hilarious. She was even funnier after watching the show and knowing the type of stage relationship those two had! After that, Reba and Kelly came out together, and they both were on stage the whole show! They did all their songs together, trading lead and back up. It was different seeing Reba singing and dancing POP, but it was still a great concert.

And the best part of the weekend... Charley finally came home today. He went to Texas to visit the aftermath of the hurricane and to check on the other properties he manages down there. Ok, he's only been gone since Tuesday, but I still missed him a ton! I'm so glad he's back. We haven't been apart since we've been married. It reminded me of our dating days when we just taked on the computer and MSN because he lived in Provo and we didn't get to see each other every day. I guess what I'm trying to say is... Welcome home C. I luv ya and I missed ya tons.