Christmas Tree

So, we got the tree up and ready. This blog is a little behind but each day I feel if I take it one day at a time, I can catch up and let you all in on what we are doing here in the Rocky Mountains! I am currently snacking on Megan's Potatoes (at least that is what we call them), so if I tend to loose track of where I am going on something... you know that I am not all the way here today! :)

We decided this year that we did not have much space in this little place for our normal tree, so we got a little tree for this apartment and for the kids. They love that it is their size, a 4 footer! They loved decorating it so much that they do it almost everyday with rearranging or just adding new stuff to it. It is pretty funny, when I don't stress about it. Jaxton loves the lights the most and is frequently seen in time out for unplugging them from the wall. He really is a strong willed kid! Wonder where he gets that from? :) Zoe is a big help and loved that she could put the star on the tree with daddy. Amber entertained Jaxton with stories and we listened to Christmas movies as we decorated.

All of our family has been a little down and under the weather, and last night I think it has finally peaked in me. I was a tossin' and a turnin' for hours last night. I think finally near the end I linked a few hours together to feel as well as I do! Pour Amber, went to the Doctor today and found out that there was nothing he could do and that she needed to stay home to get better for the next 7 days. That is not really in line with out Holiday trip to Utah in two days and the last two nights of work we need before we go. She is a little stressed out, and being sick surely doesn't help. We will see how it all goes. If this blog dries up a little for a few days... you now know we will be in survival mode, once again! It is the beginning of a fun time of year for both young and old... and all those in between! Merry Christmas.

Disney-On-Ice

Well, since now a-days we can't really afford to go to Disneyland, we took the opportunity to see them here in Colorado. We found out through the mail that Disney was doing a Disney-On-Ice show here in Denver and we were excited. We got our tickets and we were on our way. We had to drive a little bit to get to the Pepsi Center in Denver (where the Denver Nuggets play), but the drive was just as fun as the show. We all had time to talk and sing together on our journey to the Magical World of Disney.

We finally arrived and the scene was great. It looked like they just took down the walls of the hockey rink and added a stage at one end. Disney does a great job at making a suitable and easy setup. The theme for the show was parties or celebrations!
We saw Alice and characters at a Birthday party, then Jack (Nightmare Before Christmas) at a Halloween party with all the villains, then a beach party with the gang, a Disney princesses dance, New Orleans with the Princess and the Frog... and finally at the end was a big Toy Story dance topped off with Christmas as the Grand Finale! It was awesome! I think Amber and I enjoyed the show as much if not more than that kids!!! After all, we are just big kids ourselves! (Amazes me that Heavenly Father trusts us enough with these 2 sweet kids!) Anyway, we enjoyed ourselves to the greatest extent possible! If any of you have this chance, take it... even without the kids it is a really fun evening! our adventures never seem to end so we will keep you all posted as they come about! Me being done with school for the semester... means you will see these updates often, so stay tuned! We love you all, and wish you a safe and Merry Christmas!

Crafty Adventures

The sad thing is that we think this is an adventure, but I guess you have to start somewhere, right? Well, we got a small table set when we moved here to Colorado and never thought about fabric seats with two little ones learning to feed themselves and keep in on the table let alone the spoon! After only a few days we began to see the problems of having fabric seats for the dining set. With both kids sitting at the table now, we had to make a move... and quit (as Zoe would say)!

Amber had a great idea and did most of the prep-work for our adventure. She found some fabrics at the store and after a little discussion, we made our decision. She bought some vinyl as well and with a staple gun we got to work. we replaced the fabric on our chairs and then placed a vinyl layer overtop for easy clean up no hassles. After a few hours of fun... we were done. The kids loved playing with the tools and helped me get ones I couldn't reach (for some reason, I often couldn't reach many of the tools!). When all was said and done, this is what we had done! What do you think? I think for first timers, we did a pretty good job. We are proud of our achievement and look forward to the next adventure!!!

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When things are slow at work I like to check out everybody's blog. I usually work more than 1 day in a row and there is usually some down time each night. I check each blog hoping there is something new to help me pass the time. I then realize most people haven't updated for a while, neither have I. Maybe you all are wanting the same from me so here it is!

Not much has happened this month, just the usual day in and day out routines. Which honestly get a little boring as you all know. I was able to have Thanksgiving off this year. Well half off I guess. I had to work wednesday night. I came home, got a few hours of sleep and then we were off to Nate's Aunt and Uncles. The food was delicious. We relaxed and played games. Zoe and Jaxton just love going over to their house. They have a big trampoline and love it when Marker ( that's what the kids call Parker)takes them out to jump. Their oldest son Wayne and his girlfriend Alex were home from school. It was so much fun to see them again.

We were able to do a little black friday shopping as well. We left the kids with Aunt Steph, while Nate, Clint (Nate's cousin) and I ventured out. Let me just say I LOVE SHOPPING! I had so much fun. I love the adrenaline rush of racing around the store to find the items we pre picked out from the ads. The funny thing is Nate loves black friday more than I do. He really looks forward to it. We got some pretty good deals.

That night we went to the movie with his cousins, while Aunt Steph and Uncle Kelley watched the kids. That was the first date Nate and I have been on since we moved to Colorado. It was much over due. It was so fun to be together just the two of us. I love my kids to death but both of us were ready for a little break.

Life is good. However it has been very stressfull for both of us. I have been working 4-5 12 hour night shifts a week, while Nate goes to school, does the kids, cooking, laundry, cleaning and errands. Saying I am sleep deprived is an understatement. Example: Friday night I got up 4 times with Jaxton. At 0630 Sat morning we got up. I took a 2 hour nap that afternoon. Went to work that night. Came home Sun morning went to sleep at 0830 woke up at 11:45 to get ready for church. Went to church. Came home, ate. Layed back down at 5:00 and up again at 6 to go back to work. That is 5 hours of sleep in over 48 hours. This is an every week occurance since I work every sat and sun night. I am not complaining. However I did tell Nate, I think this is the hardest thing I have ever done. There are moments when I think I will never make it through the night because I am so tired. It is hard for me to not be envious of those Moms who get to stay home. Even though I know they are making sacrifices to be able to do so. I just keep telling my self its only for 1 more year at the most. When I get home from work I usually see the kids for about 1 hour then I go to sleep and wake up when they get up from their nap, and see them for about 4 more hours before I leave for work. I miss them so much. There are some cons to the situation but I have seen the pros also:
* Nate has developed a wonderful nurturing relationship with our children
* I have learned to let some things go, and what do ya know there is more than 1 way to skin a cat
* I appreciate the time I have with my family more
* I have learned to be more patient
* I have learned to look at the big picture and ask myself is it really that big of a deal?
* I have a greater appreciation for Nate and all that he does for our family
* Both of us have a better understanding of how life will be for the other person when our roles are reversed again
Needless to say life is hard. I love my family, and my Loving Heavenly Father who helps us through each day. I can feel our family growing stronger and closer together through this time. And hopefully we will look back and say man that was hard but well worth it!

Next American Idol

Nate and Zoe love to sing along to Aladdin. The movie is played almost daily here. One day Nate had a song stuck in his head, as he was singing he heard a little voice in the background, he stopped singing and Zoe kept going. This is what he heard:

Winter Wonderland

Well it's official. We arizonians have experienced our first snowfall here in Colorado. We woke up this morning to find the ground and trees covered in snow. The kids were so excited. We decided that breakfast could wait and put on our snow gear instead. The kids didn't know what to think at first,but soon were running and playing in it. The few biffs face first didn't go over so well. We didn't stay out too long since the kids have colds:( Plus Mom and Dad still need some warmer stuff to wear.

Happy Halloween!

We had so much fun this year with the kids. We took them trick-or-treating several times. We went to the pumpkin patch. It was so much fun. They had a petting zoo, and all sorts of old tractors,planes, firetrucks and stuff for the kids to play on. Even though it was raining we still had fun. We went to Bass Pro Shop where they had trick-or-treating at each department, free crafts and pictures with charlie brown. Then we had our ward trunk or treat. We won second place in the chili contest and even got a chili pot trophy!!! Then we took the kids to a Halloween carnival at the rec center. They only charged $1 per FAMILY. I couldn't believe it. Jaxton fell asleep but Zoe had a blast playing all the games. Then we went down to Nate's Aunts and celebrated with them. The few days following halloween Zoe kept waking up asking if we were going Trick-or-Treating today. All in all we celebrated our hearts out, and got our money out of the costumes!

Our Trip to Minnesota

The kids and I got to go to Minnesota to visit my sister Natalie. We haven't seen her or her family since July 2009. This visit was long overdue. We had so much fun! The plane ride there was easy. Jaxton fell asleep and so did I. I had worked 3 days before we left including the night before, I didn't get any sleep before we left. Zoe entertained herself with the itouch.



We got to go to the Mall Of America. We ate at the Rainforest Cafe. It was so fun to see the kids react. We sat in front of some monkeys hanging from the trees and about every 10 minutes they would start swinging and moving in the trees making monkey noises. Zoe would jump down from her chair and start dancing with them. Jaxton just pointed and shouted monkey. Then the rain storm started and thundering. Zoe almost started crying. After lunch we met up with my brother and his girlfriend Kim. He treated us to a ton of fun at Nickolodean Universe where the kids enjoyed going on all the rides. Thanks Kelby!






One of the days we were able to bring lunch to the girls at school. We brought subway. We ate with Josie and played outside at resess with her. the kids thought it was so fun, and Josie loved being able to show them off! We could only drop Karley sandwich off and say Hi for a minute. Because it's not cool to eat lunch with your mom and aunt anymore!

The rest of the time the kids enjoyed playing and LOVED the fish tank. It has more than 100 fish.



The plane ride home was another story! I tried giving them dimatap and it didn't work. They were very busy and hard to keep entertained during the flight. We also didn't have a ride, so I had to get a ride on one of those caravan things. SOOO I thought I was going to push all that luggage and the double stroller by MYSELF to where I was supposed to wait. Yeah fat chance. Luckily one of the workers noticed and offered to help so I greatly accepted. I thought my van was scheduled right after my flight only to find out I had to wait 2 1/2 hours for my ride. So I ended up cancelling and just waiting till Nate got out of school to come and get me. But now I was stuck outside with all the luggage and no way to get back in. Luckily the kids finally fell asleep.
All in all we had great time. But I don't plan on traveling alone with both kids by self for a while.

The Quiet Book!

Here it is. I took me almost 1 year to get this much done. I am now energized to add to Zoe's book and make one for Jaxton. It is so fun to be at church and finally see them using it. All the long work has paid off. They are thorouly entertained and sacrament is a little quieter :)