Goofing Around

Well- at the risk of embarrassment I'm going to post some yucky pics of myself..you have been warned! (when did my face get kidnapped and replaced with a chubby one?) ANYWAY- Sunday the kids were looking so fine in their Christmas duds that I warned them on the way to church that after church- I was going to take some pics! Of course AFTER church we were all a bit spent and Arielle's hair had gone haywire...but I snapped a few anyway. Our little 6 ft. tree is looking smaller & smaller all the time. The kids actually had to kneel in front of it this year so we could see the tree. Arielle is pictured here in front of our "Christmas Table". Since Teddy (our pup) tends to get on Santa's naughty list, we can't trust our wrapped presents to lay on the floor under the tree. They are put on the "Christmas Table". The last scary pic is really for my enjoyment only- sorry you have to endure it. This is part of my early morning running crew. On Monday we donned our Santa hats and ran around St. George. This picture was taken before our run (and basically right after we all woke up- hence my eyes weren't open yet) This is Shelly & Teresa pictured here with some scary lookin' chic... (they'll probably kill me if they see I posted this)

A December to Remember !

Well, here it is Dec. 21st already and thank goodness all my Christmas shopping is done! I'm ready to just kick back & enjoy the kids being on Christmas Break. (Wish I was on break from work too! I will work through Christmas Eve then take a week off) We're really looking forward to a quiet Christmas Eve & Christmas Day with our little family. Then on the 26th we'll head to Grandmom & Papa Lovelaces to spend a week. Here's a little recap of our busy December so far:

1. Arielle had 6 performances with the Bobcat Chorus all in less than 2 weeks- whew! What a schedule! They did a great job & were a joy to watch. I must admit, it got me to a Heritage Choir concert that I normally wouldn't have gone too. I REALLY enjoyed it and the spirit it added to the season.

2. Parties! Wish I'd brought my camera...hopefully some friends will email me pics so I can post. First the work party.. being a new employee with the state, apparently its a rite of passage to be on the "Holiday Planning Committee". So I made the invites for 50 people, helped decorate and arranged entertainment (invited a school choir to come sing) It was a pretty good time although I did feel like I was living in the movie Office Space or an episode of The Office!

Friend parties! Went went to a couple neighborhood parties that were a BLAST! The White Elephant exchange was SO MUCH FUN. Jim & I had a ball shopping at DI getting our stuff for the party. Some of the great items that showed up that night were: maxipad slippers, a buttface towel, a book of crafts you can do with pantyhose, a murse (man purse), rooster, giant decorative shell, "rhapsodies for lovers" album, and photoshopped pic of the Binghams. Yeah, it was a hoot! Hopefully pics to follow soon...

3. Toby had to make a magazine for school that was a knock off of a real magazine, but had him on the cover. He decided to do Transworld Skateboarding and Jim got some great pics of Toby getting some air in the driveway...like father like son! (if Jim has time to show me, I'll post the cover of the mag soon)

4. SNOW DAY- this past week St. George saw the most snow its seen in 10 years! They actually cancelled school one day. The kids had a ton of fun building snow men and playing with all their friends in the neighborhood park. Since I had to work I only got pics in the quiet morning on my way to work and none of the kids actually playing...(whaaa...)

Tues. I get to play Santa's helper in Colorado City handing out gifts to families out there. We also have a couple more friend & work get togethers this week. I hope to savor the season this week and remind my kids that JESUS CHRIST is the REASON for the season!

Wishing you all a fabulous Christmas!

Tree Lighting

Tonight Arielle's 3rd grade celebrated a Christmas Tree Lighting and sang a few carols at a local bank. Arielle has really enjoyed the time her teacher has spent teaching the children art. Each child made about 5 different ornaments for the tree, they got to use many mediums. They have spent lots of time on this at school and the tree looks great. Arielle has also really enjoyed singing this year. Besides preparing for this cute little performance she is also singing on her school chorus and getting ready to perform at the Tabernacle next week.

Soooo Thankful

The older I get the more I love the Thanksgiving holiday. I am overwhelmed with joy when I think of all the many many blessings in my life. I couldn't ask for a more wonderful family (immediate and extended). I'm also so thankful for our health and most importantly to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives. We had a very nice long weekend. Erin's fam had us over for some good food, rockband, card games, Fred Clause and an overall fun and relaxing day. Thanks guys! Friday morning I did brave the Walmart early morning chaos- something I hadn't done in years. Oh yeah... now I remember why I DON'T do it! It brings out the worst in humanity. Not worth saving a buck.. hopefully I'll remember that next year...LOL. Friday and Saturday Toby had the Dixie Invitational soccer tournament where teams from all over the west come play. He had 2 games each day ending with Toby's team taking 2nd overall in the tournament!! This was the end to his 3rd season on this great team. The coaches are wonderful volunteers who dedicate so much to the boys and most importantly teach them good sportsmanship. Go DIXIE FIRE- you rock!

TWILIGHT

Yes, Erin & I were playing like we were teeny boppers last Thursday night and IT WAS A BLAST! We bought our tickets months in advance and went to the midnight showing of Twilight. We got these nifty t-shirts and took part in the pre-movie party. We staked out our spot in line hours in advance so we could have a good seat and not be in the neckbreaker seats. We passed the time people watching (yeah- some people got REALLY into the characters of Twilight) eating, shopping & giggling then we got to watch a movie with lots of ROMANCE! Who could ask for more?! Twilight did not disappoint!

Quick Trip

This weekend we sped to Salt Lake & back so Jim could interview at Westminster. Quick trip- left Friday, back Sunday. Doesn't he look like quite the stud in his suit?! It was fun to hang out with Meg & Kev, it had been too long since the 4 of us had a double date. Then we spent Saturday watching the "big game" with Dad, Scott, Crystal & Mylie where the UTES got lucky!

Really Fun TAG!

So Erin tagged me. I had to post the 4th picture of my 4th picture file and tell a little about the pic. I can't believe this picture came up. I LOVE this pic of the kids and I'd totally forgotten about it. It was taken Oct. 2 yrs. ago at the park by our house. Aren't they adorable (yeah, this is their mom talking...)So, let's keep this fun TAG going...Andi, Sara, Kristen & Mik'L you are TAGGED!

Happy Day!

Occasionally all that running pays off. Today was one of those days. I ran the Snow Canyon 5k and got 1st in my age division. It was a beautiful day and great course. A bit of a tough uphill 1st half, but that made for a fun downhill on 2nd half. I went to this race alone but ended up seeing Emily S. & Katrina H. there, friends I hadn't seen for awhile. Also saw Wildbill from FRB and Marion (Sara's friend). Good times!

Halloween

This year the kids came up with their costume ideas with no help from Mom & Dad. Toby & his guy friends (Kale & Seth) decided the three of them were going to be "GIRLS". It was hilarious. Arielle wanted to be a dog, but then I ran across a kangaroo costume. She decided she'd embellish and be "Kangaroo Jack" for those of you who haven't seen that movie- he's a "rapper" Kangaroo. So Arielle added a bandana & bling to her costume. I got to take most of the day off work and play "mom" which is always a treat now that I work so much. I helped with Arielle's class Halloween party and watched her school's Halloween parade where the kids march down all around school in their costumes. Then at night we went to our ward's annual Trunk or Treat then onto trick or treatin' in a fun neighborhood that gives out ice cream cones & full size candy bars. We all had a blast!

Moustache Week

Ok, ya'll know that Jim likes to grow facial hair and he has been blessed with a lot of it. Imagine how thrilled he was when his manager at work declared Halloween week "Moustache Week". For the month of October all the guys grew big beards then shaved and left just the 'stache for the last week of October. Jim of course has a nice thick one. Is it bad that when we're out together I feel I have to give a disclaimer... like "he doesn't usually have just a 'stache....."?

Arielle is so COURAGEOUS!

Arielle has always been tough. She doesn't scare easy (been doing the big kid rides at Disney since she was six and loves it). Bugs, snakes & the like don't make her squirm (in fact she loves going around collecting them) AND she doesn't even sniffle when she falls out of the tree and gets cuts & scrapes. So yeah, she's brave! We were so proud of her this past week when she got recognized at school for another kind of bravery. Arielle was presented with the courage award for his class at the monthly hero hunt award assembly. Here's what Mrs. Puzey had to say "Arielle was voted by her classmates as our Hero for October. She demonstrates courage by standing up for what she believes, by always telling the truth, and by making right choices. Way to go Arielle!" I think this is the most important kind of courage to have. Congrats Arielle!

Fall Break

The Sloans have been visiting for the past week. So far we have fit in lots of fun stuff! For family night we went to the Staheli Farm where we picked pumpkins, got lost in the corn maze and played games. It was REALLY cold & windy that night (yes, occasionally it gets cold in St. George), but we still had a blast. The adults went to Samuri 21 for dinner one night, sat at a fun hibachi table and Julie & Steve tried sushi for the first time! Isabelle & Arielle were obsessed with making bead lizards all week. Stella (next door) got into the action too. The three girls had a sleepover and made bead lizards all night (they even named the lizards!). Toby & Conner got to shred it up at the skatepark while Lincoln & Winston tried their hardest to get run over by big kids,LOL. (Lincoln was on a scooter & Winston on a bike w/ training wheels- they would ride out in front of 20 yr old bike stunt riders...scary...) Julie & I got out for a few hikes & runs, trying to make up for the junk food we eat every night when we hang out. One day we took Jim and the boys to Snow Canyon and hiked WhiteRocks. Lastly, Mom & Dad stopped by on their way back from Vegas to SLC to see the progress on the house (Jim & Steve have been working on painting and landscaping the house). The week's not over, but I wanted to post some pics of the fun we've been having so far!