Christmas

This is going to be my last post before I have everything on the blog so far made into a book. My first post was in December 2007, so that would be FOUR years of posts! Wow, that will make a great book for our family. I hope it turns out well. I plan on continuing this blog. I don't at all do it these days to update/show off to family and friends.....beside I think most people are kind of winding down on the blog world and it seems to have shifted to Facebook. But I still find this to be an excellent way to "scrapbook" if you will. Anyway, here are a few Christmas pictures to wind up the year! Happy 2012!

What a perk it is to have a child old enough and willing to deliver all the neighbor gifts while I stay warm in the car. Well, I MADE the treats, after all :)

Riley was a little shy, but he solemnly told Santa that he wanted a big red bean bag for Christmas. He is such a good boy! I think he just might get his wish.

Malia had to show Santa her owy (sp?) first thing. It's her way of breaking the ice. Either that or showing her painted nails. That is how she starts conversations with people she is warming up to. She asked for a dollhouse. I wonder where she got the idea to ask for a dollhouse? Luckily Santa had a nice one already picked out for her!

Well if she has to, why shouldn't he?

My family came over Christmas Eve and we had such a great time. I can't believe how much delicious food Laurie brought. We felt so lucky!

Malia with her new sunglasses. This girl must always have at least 2 accessories on, and lip gloss must never be far away. It makes me laugh, I love it! I think it's safe to say these kids love their Grandparents, and that the feeling is mutual :)

Christmas morning!!! What do you know...a big red beanbag.

Riley got a laser light....probably one of his favorite toys, and may be the cheapest too.

Aaaannd here we go with lip gloss, and necklace, and bracelet, painted nails and painted toes. And there is that dollhouse in the background. It's huge! I'm worried she will try to occupy it and then it will fall over on her.

Huge Zebra! I love this Zebra because you can pick it's nose. It's nostrils go in about 2 inches.

And Malia's enormous Elephant. Only problem with these two huge stuffed animals was that the kids now want to take them everywhere. Get's to be inconvenient.

Awww. These two are a cute pair. I love watching the way Ben interacts with Malia. It's a very funny and sweet relationship.

Me and Riley and......I barely recognize her. I think that's Malia.

Favorite cousins by the Christmas tree at Grandma and Grandpa Cooks, where we also had a great time. I love watching these two grow up together. When they get together they are quite a pair.

We had a wonderful Christmas. It came quickly because we have been so busy. We did accomplish our goal of finishing the basement, and I'm so happy about that. But I also feel terrible because many things have gone by the wayside, like going to the temple! I would like to start going much more regularly. I am so thrilled we will have a temple here in Payson. My mom is coming to visit in a couple weeks, so even though Christmas crept up on us, we are extending it a little for when she's here. Can't wait! But that will be another post, and I guess the first entry in another book...bye!

Pajama-Rama!

I may make this an annual event, because it was so much fun! Just a BUNCH of friends gathered together for games and junk food. But you can only access THIS party if you are in SLEEPWEAR!!!! I loved seeing friends in their comfy pj's. That way after pigging out you don't have to undo any top buttons. This turned out to be a great party. I'm sure Ben and I will never forget frantically carrying three couches to the basement and ripping off what seemed like WAY too much protective cardboard and plastic just so our friends would have something to sit on during the party! The couches were delivered "to the curb" at 6:35 pm, and the party started at 7pm. Phew!!!!!! The poor babysitter got to witness Ben and I "calmly" and "nicely" moving/shoving 3 couches to the basement.

And I am the first to start pigging out! I look like I have a cheekful. I think that was cheescake. Yum.

Nothing like four grown men on a big bean bag. In their pajamas. These are real men.

Luckily we got our basement done-enough for the party. We had set the date for the party back in November, giving ourselves what we thought was plenty of time to complete it 100%. Turned out it was not possible! But it's good enough for the crowd we run around with :)

The beautiful girl in the blue lacy number got the award for "most-unattractive sleepwear". But she really looks beautiful. I was just jealous so I gave her the award.

This felt like highschool, all the fun parts of highschool! Who sais grown-ups can't have fun like teenagers?

And the best for last: she sort of made, or I mean strongly encouraged, her husband to wear this. He didn't want to. There, I've kept his manly reputation intact. I love these! I remember a few years ago I wanted a pair of foot pajamas like these, so I bought a nice big comfy looking pair from Target and excitedly tried them on the moment I got home only to discover they were exceedingly tight on my thighs. I had to return them the next day with my head held low. But these guys look great!

Life Lately

Our two cute kids. It's funny because Riley will NOT let me be in the room when he undresses under any circumstances, but once he's in the bath he has NO qualms about being naked. Or once he's in the shower then I can wash his hair and back and ears, but I better not see him naked before he gets in :) Then there is Malia, who loves being naked or at least commando. She has this favorite dress which she has worn ragged, and somehow even though she begins the day wearing underwear she manages to not wear any most of the day. Can't say I blame her.
Ben and I had to laugh at what kind of parents we must have looked like if our neighbors happened to see. It was a fairly cold day. Riley is wearing what for some reason is his favorite shirt, and Malia has just underwear on, and they are running around outside tied together with my scarves. Oh my goodness! It was fun see him run down the sidewalk and her try to keep up just for the sake of not falling!

I've got to say, we have been VERY pre-occupied this fall and winter with finishing our basement. It has been very stressful, and our poor kids have been a little neglected by us but have also seemed to grow closer. So here they are decorating the tree a little later than we normally would. Riley was so sweet teaching Malia how to hang the ornaments. And there she is in the dress! She wears it pretty much every day unless I hide it. But then she worries all day about where it might be until I finally "find" it and put it on her.

I stained these baseboards, every last one and this isn't even half of it. I can't really talk much more about it because it brings up bad memories.

And there I am living out my bad memory. I am holding a brush with stain. Blah. And no makeup for added effect.

Words can't express how much I love these two! I mean look how cute they are.

Basement Progress, Mom and Chris Visit

I can't believe this LONG journey we've been on with the basement. I will post pictures soon of the finished product, but here are some from a couple weeks ago.

These two are SO helpful (snort). But the important thing is that they WANT to help, so that's a good thing, right? Hopefully that will continue with chores.

One of my favorite pictures of Ben and Riley. I love these two so much! They make me laugh.

My Mom and my brother Chris came to visit last month and we had so much fun! I felt bad for them though because they had to sleep on our couches. Next time they come our basement will be done and they can sleep in style. We all went to get pumpkins and the weather was so perfect.

My cute little boy...but don't tell him that. He gets ticked! The only thing I can say is "You look cool!" Or "You look awesome!"

Yes Mom, you have beautiful teeth :)
This is the coolest picture! It was my Mom's idea. We hiked Bald Mountain and this was on the way down. In the background you can see all the beautiful lakes. Those are my shoes on the left (the only stylish ones), my Mom's in the middle, and Chris' on the right.
It was COLD! And I was so unprepared. I am wearing my mom's extra jacket, my mom's hat, and my mom's gloves. She is taking the picture and she was completely naked :) That's my awesome mountain climber brother behind me.
Me and my "little" bro. He has the long luscious hair I dream of.
A bunch of beauties we are ;)

Cute Kids, Cute Grandpa

A little pre-Halloween fashion show. Malia holds her arms like a ballerina and I for one have NOT showed or encouraged that. I am suspicious that Ben is teaching her this.
This picture makes me fall in love over and over. I LOVE my boy and girl so much.
Love those chubby cheeks and arms. I have a feeling these two are going to be best buds for a long time!
And here's Grandpa. I love the contrast between the two of them: she's is a a little pink princess (so she sais) and he is very manly and wearing blue...and yet they look so cute snuggled up!
What are they laughing about???? Must be an inside joke.

Oh WOW! That's quite a kiss :)

Halloween 2011

Great weather for Halloween this year! Had a great time, loved raiding the kids buckets when they weren't looking. Having small children is wonderful (they have no idea how much of their candy you've eaten!)Malia was a princess, and you could tell she really felt she fit the roll. Riley was a ninja! His new favorite color is red.
By now Riley is a trick-or-treating pro but it took him a couple years to build up to expert. Malia was immediately an expert.
Malia giving her friend a hug.
Ben and I were able to go to a really fun Halloween party this year. I dressed up as him and he dressed up as me. Let's just say he got the short end of the stick. You'll see.
A minute to win it game. Our friends aren't afraid to look ridiculous :)
This minute to win it game involved picking up small paper bags of varied height with your mouth, and only your feet could touch the floor. Our friend Dave, the contortionist, is on the right. That is Ben in the background, and my leg on the left.
Haven't done a pyramid in about 11 years. Forgot how fun it is!
"We are the champions" was literally playing in the background. The guys are holding up their bags of popcorn.
The Mexican and the accident victim.
Mr. and Mrs. Pirate
Mr. Skeleton, Mrs. Skeleton, and baby boy skeleton.
Little Bo Peep and her big fluffy sheep.
Thing 1 and Thing 2.
Mr. and Mrs. Dracula?
I kid you not we won the most sexy costume category, thanks to Ben.

And here we have Ben, in all his glory. I will never forget the experience of putting my bra on him. The clasps in the back wouldn't reach by about 10 inches, so I had to get a ribbon and corset it together. One of the best experiences of my life!!!