I've been TAGGED!

Attached or Single: Attached (thank goodness)
Best Friend: Michael
Cake or Pie: Banana Cream Pie
Day of Choice: Thursday
Essential item: My blanket
Favorite Color: Green and Purple
Gummy Bears or Worms: Bears
Hometown: Pocatello
Favorite Indulgence: Pedicures
January or July: July
Kids: Payton and Eryn
Life isn't complete without: LAUGHTER
Marriage date: June 20, 1995
Number of Brothers and Sisters: 2 of each
Oranges or Apples: Oranges
Phobias: Heights
Quote: It changes regularly but here is one I recently read,
"...walking in meekness is simply walking with God: to be directed, prompted, and motivated by God and God alone, to avoid measuring life by our neighbor's or anyone else's yardstick."
Sister Patricia Holland
Reason to Smile: My Family
Season: All, I love the change
Tag: ???
Unknown Fact: I wish I could paint
Favorite Veggie: Are there any?
Worst habit: I'm a slob
X-ray or Ultrasound: Neither
Your Favorite Food: Steak
Zodiac: Leo

Christmas

The Christmas decorations are down and things are getting back to normal, well OK... as normal as they can get at our house.

We had a great Christmas and as usual we all got spoiled. Take a peek:

Payton got a guitar, we are all sick of him playing air guitar, Michael says he looks like he is playing with his "diddler", so he has been rockin' out ever since.

Eryn has been asking for a dog for every birthday and Christmas for the last 3 years, Michael finally gave in and got her a parakeet, she named him George because that is Mrs. Bull's (her 1st grade teacher) favorite name.

Payton and my mom made this blanket for Michael which is a good thing because his other one is literally falling to shreds.They both got new Christmas pj's and I love the feet, not real practical for waiting to the last minute to use the restroom, but who can resist a set of pj's with stocking feet.

Eryn gave Payton a calendar and camp light, he was very excited about that. The bear Eryn is holding is a bear made out of Grandpa Parrish's old sweater, I think this was on the top of her list.

As for me I got a pasta maker, I am so excited I have pasta scheduled for this week's menu. I love homemade pasta.

All of us were very blessed this year. I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

Mr Krueger's Christmas

As Christmas finally approaches I wanted to share my favorite Christmas movie. I remember as a child we would go to SLC to see the Christmas lights at temple square Mr. Krueger's Christmas would be playing in the visitor's center. We always would go watch it and so the tradition continues. Although it doesn't play at the visitor's center anymore, I make my family watch it every Christmas with me.
So, gather up your family, grab the DVD that came with your Ensign last year and start a new family tradition.

Temple Square

Yesterday, we took the kids out of school and headed down to SLC for our annual trip to see the Christmas lights on temple square. (Payton has been asking all month long when we were going)It is so beautiful and I love to look at Christmas lights.

www.meridianmagazine.com

We took a tour of the Conference center and then went over to the Mormon Tabernacle, what a difference, it is amazing that just a few short years ago we were still having General Conference there. The church has grown so much.

leggnet.com

As luck would have it when I was trying to take some beautiful photos I noticed my camera would not work, I had forgotten to put the card back in so I am borrowing some photos from google.

We went to the visitor's center and as Michael and the kids were watching some video clips, I sat down to wait for them, a set of sister missionaries stopped and said "you look tired" then proceeded to have me read Mosiah 3:7 scripture out of the Book of Mormon, (7 And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.) and gave me a spiritual thought. I told Michael later that it was the perfect way to approach a "tired" looking mom.

picasaweb.google.com

It is such a wonderful time of year. The Christmas season always feels me with hope and that whatever we are struggling with in our lives, we have a Savior who loves us and He came to this earth to die for us. He gave us the gift of life and what could fill us with more joy and hope at this Christmas season. I am grateful for all my blessings and most importantly I am grateful for my Savior.

You're A Mean One Miss Lauri

For our friend who does not put up Christmas trees and the neighbors have to leave one on their doorstep.

Christmas Pictures

When Christmas Come To Town

Special Needs Christmas dinner

This year marks the 13 anniversary that I have been involved in the special needs Christmas dinner sponsored by the Chubbuck Lions Club. It is our family's favorite tradition, people with special needs and their families come to be served dinner, listen to music and see Santa. It holds a special place in all our hearts, Michael's dad started the program 45 years ago at a little bar and now it is so huge it is held at the Red Lion Hotel. Yesterday we served almost 400 people.

Payton and Eryn started on Friday by filling the candy bags that Santa would hand out to all the "children". They have been asking about this for weeks.

On Sunday they went and helped set up by putting cups on the table and setting up the chairs. Then they helped serve the people and pass out milk with Michael. I am so proud of my kids who come and serve Heavenly Father's children.

The best part of the program is when Richard, who is mentally handicapped, recites, from memory, Luke 2. Then the special needs choir and a local high school choir sings.

Then the finale, Santa comes. Each person their gets a toy and a candy bag.

This is our family's highlight of the season. We have been blessed with so much and it fills my heart with joy to see the people's faces light up with joy. These people are God's choicest children and what an honor it is to be able to share the Christmas Spirit with them.

Gingerbread Houses

One of my most favorite Christmas traditions is decorating gingerbread houses. My mom has been making gingerbread houses for pretty much my entire life and the tradition keeps going with the grandkids and every stray kid who comes along. This year my mom had two nights of gingerbread madness, she is awesome.

Payton did an awesome job, he knew exactly what he wanted to do with his house.

Eryn was busy with her house and telling first time house decorators all about it.

Here are the final Houses.

The last few years I've helped my kids, but this year they did them all by themselves. So, I got to decorate my own little house.

O Christmas Tree, Part 2

I FINALLY got my tree up and decorated on Wednesday, I know I am way late but things have been quite busy. Anyway, as you know we go and cut our Christmas tree down so it is more of the Charlie Brown variety, but I love it.

Michael helped sting the lights and then he starts sweating at the thought of anything creative, so he went downstairs and did homework.

Eryn and Payton are in charge of hanging up their ornaments. I try to buy them one each year and then all the ones they have made throughout the years. I think this is really fun.

Here is the final look, isn't so much fun? Yes, Eryn can't help but to do a little pose.

Michael's sister's, mother-in-law gave us this ornament for Christmas and I just love it.

"Deck the Halls" - Julie's Version

After this morning chaos I am about ready to go to bed and pull the covers up. So here is a little diddy about my life.

Tis' the season to be grumpy
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.
Clean your room and do your chores
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.
Now the whines and cries start coming
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.
Oh, wait did I just see Skippy
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.


Tis' the season to be whiny
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.
Stomp your feet and throw a fit
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.
Bang your head and slam the door
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.
Mommy's yelling and Eryn's bossing
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.

Tis' the season to be exhausted
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.
It is dark and only 5:30
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.
The kids have eaten tons of sugar
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.
Kids are bouncing, I need chocolate
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.

Now the kids are SAFE in bed
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.
It is time for relaxation
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.
I have pints and pints of ice cream
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.
It's time for bed and this song's finished
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.

Winter Pictures

On Tuesday, my kids braved the cold weather (high of 19 degrees) and had their pictures taken. You need to check them out. Nema you did awesome!! Thanks!
I am a little biased but they are without a doubt the most beautiful kids ever!

Homemade Marshmallows and Hot Chocolate

O Christmas Tree!

Every year we head up to the mountains to cut our Christmas tree, this year we went over to the Arbon Valley up Knox Canyon. I think it is so beautiful up there, it feel like I am "walking in a winter wonderland".

Since, we never get snow that lasts for more than a couple of hours in Pocatello, (I am saying this in bitter tones) this is a chance for the kids to play in the snow. I think there favorite is making snow angels.

Although, Payton found a new activity he would jump up and hang on the branches and all the snow would fall on him. He loved it.

After searching we finally find our perfect tree, Michael heads up with the chainsaw and cuts her down.

We even saw a bunch of deer right off the side of the road there were about 13, before I could get a good picture they were scared away.

I love days like this because it reinforces your knowledge that Heavenly Father really loves you and wants you to be happy, he created these wonderful, beautiful creations so that we can have joy. The most important thing at Christmas time is spending time with your family and this is one of our favorite traditions because it is Christmas at its purest, no crowds, no presents just enjoying all of our blessings and remembering that we have a loving Heavenly Father who loves us.

This is my pure JOY!

Christmas Dreams and Candy Canes

Thank you, Kaye for your awesome pillowcases and Christmas mugs with warm hot chocolate, the kids were in Heaven.

A Night at the Symphony

Every year Michael's mom gets tickets to the symphony and then she invites one couple to go with her. Wednesday night was Michael's turn and since I couldn't go he took Eryn and they went out on a special date.

Michael bought her a coursage and took her out to dinner and then off to the symphony. Michael is such a romantic. Eryn is spoiled, so all those young men out there who will be lining up to date her, they will have big shoes to fill. Because she is Daddy's Princess!

A Santa Stop

Last Sunday we went to the festival of trees to visit Santa and see all the fun trees.

Here is Eryn posing with Santa, she asked for a stuffed puppy. I must say she is getting smarter instead of asking for her usual a dog, she went for the stuffed. Her parents are so MEAN!

Payton asked for a train.

They visited the talking tree.

They went to an "Enchanted Storytime" with all sorts of fun characters.

The Nativity

I just thought this would be a good message to remind us about the true meaning of Christmas and so we can get in the Christmas spirit, the spirit of giving and love for others.

Princess Tea Party

Princess Eryn

Every year my mom takes Eryn, Tabby and Tenleigh to the Princess Tea Party. Eyrn loves this tradition because she gets to dress up fancy, douses herself in glitter and jewels and off she goes. Her mom makes her spends hours sitting so she can have shirley temple ringlets. They are beautiful, aren't they?

Eyrn's 1st Perm

I was so sick of stragely hair, I gave Eryn an ultimatum: Cut your hair or perm? She choose a perm. So off to Kristi's we went.

PS I forgot to take an after shot. Look at other upcoming pictures. It turned out cute.

Thanksgiving in Las Vegas

This year both Michael and I are in school and had the whole week of Thanksgiving off, we packed up our kids and went to Vegas. Here are some of the things we did...

Bellagio, this is one of our favorite places between the gardens and the fountains we spent a lot of time here.

I wish you could see the background of this picture better, they had a table and chair all covered in moss. It was so pretty.

This was a face in the trunk. If you look closely you can see the eyes and the limbs stretched out our actually arms.

I always take lots of pictures of the Bellagio gardens, but this year they didn't turn out as well.

M&M World and Coke

I think the only time Payton smiles is when he is not standing by his sister.

Golden Nugget has this amazing waterslide that goes through an aquarium it was a blast!

Look at those sharks!! It was crazy the only thing between you and rows of teeth were a pane of glass.

A picture with blue man group. Or is it?

Hoover Dam

You can see in this picture that they are building a suspension bridge that will span across the dam. I think that is too scary.

Look how low the water is.

Eryn rock climbing?

Payton the Strong man

MESA GRILL

Yes, I said Mesa Grill, we took in lunch at the MESA GRILL. It was DELICIOUS!!

HEY, Lauri, did I mention that we dined at MESA GRILL?

FAO Schwarz

This spongebob is entirely made of LEGOS, how cool is that?

Oh! Lauri, did I mention that the food was delicious at the Mesa Grill?

We did have thanksgiving dinner at the Wynn hotel, it was pretty good. I only got one picture because I was eating.

Those are real mangoes.