Chistmas Eve!

We had a fun Christmas Eve. We spent the day making biscochitos and the kids watched The Christmas Story. They were both laughing so hard. The we started making posole and went out to put up the luminarias. The boys had fun putting the dirt in the bags and then putting them up. Erica was the official bag lady. hehe.







By the time we lit the luminarias the wind kicked up but we were all able to see the flicker of the candles. We then ate posole and tamales. It reminded us of home and all the years we have enjoyed all of our wonderful traditions.

Snow day!

Hunter ended up not having school today because it snowed so much in Las Vegas yesterday. They cancelled all of Clark county schools even though all we received was rain. Hunter was excited. So, as we speak, Hunter is playing so nice with Landon. He is teaching him football plays, playing soccer with him and most importantly encouraging him in everything he does. It warmed my heart to hear them playing. Hunter is the best big brother. He has been giving Landon hugs and getting Landon to be extra excited about Santa coming. It is fun to eavesdrop. I thought I'd share it with all of you. I am a lucky mom.

Fun week with Grandma!

We all had a really nice time with Grandma. It was a nice and relaxing week but when I look at all of the pictures, we did quite a bit. We put up our Christmas tree... Landon loved having Grandma here for her squeezes. He would say "excuse me" and she would say "what, squeeze me," and give him a squeeze. She also played hide and go seek, did puzzles and walked up the big hill. They had a lot of fun together. We went to Hunter's honor roll ceremony... We had the boy's picture taken with Santa at Wal-Mart. We went shopping on Saturday and Landon went around the corner and his eyes about popped out of his head. Santa was there in the middle of Wal-Mart. How lucky can one kid be. It was fun because as most of you know Santa pictures were a big deal to my mom and to us. We have pictures going way back when we were little until we graduated from high school. It was a fun tradition and now we were able to take Hunter and Landon. Grandma was able to see two football games. She was the loudest cheerer. Hunter loved having her there to make a big fuss. He deserved it. Still manages to smile even with a mouth guard... Hunter's big catch...

This is a special thing. I was working on my blog and Hunter yelled for me to get my camera because there was a full moon. Hunter and Grandma have been talking about space, meteors, and the moon. He then immediately wanted to "google" and see if it was a real full moon or almost. He knew that Grandma would know but she was on a plane to see Auntie Erica. So google would have to do. We then went to the National Geographic website and he read about how the moon is the closest it has been since 1993. "Although a full moon happens every month, the one that rises tomorrow will appear about 30 percent brighter and 14 percent larger than the other full moons seen so far this year." Hunter is so lucky to have a grandma that teaches him so much. He soaked it all in and loved every minute of it.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We started out our day putting the Turkey in the oven and taking our traditional Thanksgiving day walk. It was a beautiful day. It rained yesterday so everything was a little wet but the smell was crisp and clean. Every year we have an extraordinary walk. It took me back to the year after my surgery that we still had our walk even if I could only walk down the driveway. I am also reminded of years when we walked with the kids in the wagon and before Landon was around we walked with Hunter in the stroller. Great memories. Landon helping me make the pies. Hunter helped me make the potatoes. It all came out great.



Eating!


We then watched the Cowboys win. WOOOHOOO!
Ok, I have a little side story with this picture. The boys were putting their feet on the entertainment center and as you can see there is a "little dust." HeHe. I have been more busy with Dave's uncle staying with us but it's kind of the running joke with my dusting habits. Dave says "wow, it's amazing what happens when you don't dust for a WEEK." He said it with a smile or I would have handed (or thrown) the duster at him. I thought I'd share our joke....

We then went outside to play football and shoot Hunter's bow and arrow.

Steve shooting the bow and arrow.


Dave and Landon. Landon wanted a turn like the big kids.


Hunter shooting his bow and arrow!

Before you watch this video I have to give you some background. There were three bows. So, each person had three shots to hit the target. Uncle Steve knew exactly what to do to get Hunter's competitive juices flowing. He told Hunter that he wouldn't be able to hit all three on the target. Hunter had only hit one on the target before this turn. Hunter stepped up and nailed the firs two. After Hunter hit the target with the first 2 Steve was trying to put pressure on him. He was riding him hard and told him "he couldn't handle the pressure" and that he was going to "choke." I started filming right after that and you will see what happened next.


Landon exhausted after a full day of eating, walking, running, shooting and smiling!
We all had a great day. Hope you all did too. Love you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today we all went to see Hunter's Thanksgiving play. He was a pilgrim and had fun making his hat. Landon loved watching big brother and eating the cookies. Enjoy the video. This teacher has them sing this song every morning. What a great way to start the day. Have a great thanksgiving and "Let joy be yours today."


Good morning world, good morning universe.
I'm on my way, to a wondrous day.
I'm ready now for great and glorious things and I'm excited,
great things are coming my way!
Here comes the sun up in the sky.
Here comes the blue bird passing by and all the world awakes to say,
may joy be yours today!

Leslie's Birthday

For her birthday we went out to dinner at the Venetian and then went to see the Phantom of the Opera. This is Leslie's favorite play and has always wanted to see it. It was incredible.The usher upgraded our seats so we were close to the front and right under the chandelier. It is now my favorite play and after Leslie got me all set up with the soundtrack and the movie. We had a great night. Happy Birthday Leslie!
CLICK ON THE SMALL PICTURE OF US ON THE RIGHT TO SEE THE MONTAGE I MADE FOR LESLIE!

Hunter's flag football season started

Hunter was excited about his first flag football game. He was also excited that his Uncle Steve was going to be here to watch. They were practicing all week and Hunter was ready. We are all proud of him. Football is now his new "favorite" sport.




Pictures taken by, Leslie Young (Thanks Les)

Landon's Ice Cream

Today Landon was very disappointed that he didn't get to go fishing with the big boys. Landon can't really last for a long time and they were ready to do some serious fishing. So Landon, with these huge crocodile tears, looks at me and says "I think I'll feel better if we go get an ice cream." I couldn't refuse. Here are pictures of him with his Superman ice cream cone. It did the trick!

More pictures from Halloween

I wanted to share a few extra pictures that my friend Leslie took. This one was on Hunter at the costume parade at school. Leslie and I took Hallie and Landon to watch the bigger kids in their costumes.



Hallie and Landon were dressed up too and waiting to see the big kids pass by. I love these pictures because Landon gets so shy. Especially when a pretty girl has her arm around him. They are such cute friends!





This picture was taken at the trunk or treat. Landon was really into his candy so I had to sneak around him to get a picture. He makes the funniest faces for Leslie. Here is one of them.



Hallie and Landon trunk-or-treating. I mean super girl and ninja. They were adorable this year.

Happy Halloween 2008!

We had a lot of fun at the trunk-or-treat. The boy's had their faces painted and got so much candy. Landon really got into it this year and even went around another time with Hunter to get more candy. It was a fun night!

I had a lot of fun looking through all of the old Halloween pictures. I thought I'd share them with all of you. The boy's are looking forward to dressing up tonight. I will have pictures of that tomorrow. Happy Halloween!!!



This video is Hunter on his first Halloween 2001. He was 4 months old.






Hunter in 2002
Tigger



Hunter in 2003
Washington Husky Football player.



Hunter 2004
Hunter was a red Power Ranger


Hunter and Landon 2005
Hunter was a blue Power Ranger and Landon was a baseball player.





Hunter and Landon 2006
Hunter was a ninja and Landon was Tigger


Hunter and Landon 2007
Hunter was a storm trooper and Landon was a red sox baseball player.

My special day with Trisha!

As I put this on my blog I get a little chocked up. This past Friday I was able to meet Trisha Torey for the first time. It was very emotional for both of us. I remember the first time I talked to Trisha on the phone she told me about this trip that she was going to make to Vegas in October. At the time it seemed so far away but we both vowed that it would be a celebration and it was. Her optimism fell right in line with mine and we clicked. We met for lunch and I was able to meet her two delightful daughters, their significant others and her wonderful husband. They all met me with open arms and I was grateful. I am so grateful that Trisha decided to turn her tragedy into a passion to help others. I feel so lucky and honored to be helped by her. I am also thankful that I can call her my special friend for life. We don't know how and we don't know when but we will come together again. In the mean time we will both look to help as many people as we can. Thank you again Trisha!

Softball stars! Hehe

My dad took these pictures of us at a softball practice. He is making me put these on my bolg. Hehe.