Projects for January

So my mother in law gave aprons to all the girls in 2008 for Christmas and this wonderful specimen of a man became quite attached to mine.  I took it upon myself to make him one.  Thanks to Alisha for showing me where the discount material is in Joann's I made this apron for a $1.00.  I was pleasantly suprised at how well I did.  I also started writing my family newsletter for my mom, dad and siblings.  I thought that the first one turned out fairly well.  I have also been doing alot of bargain shopping and trying out new recipes.  My favorite recipe has been the new Mexican Rice recipe thanks to Brian via Recipe Zaar.  I love Recipe Zaar. Next month I will try and be more up to speed on my blogging duties as BJ would say "Neish when are you going to blog".  My response Soon!

New Years Eve

So I know I am way behind in posting but we (meaning I) have been busy.  We were able to celebrate New Years Eve with Sandy and Blake (Dusty's Mom & Dad who is BJ's cousin).  It was one of my best New Years ever.  We had great food steaks & potatoes one of my favorites.   Of course BJ got to eat crab with everyone else but I not enjoying seafood did not partake in the crab festivities.

Kennidee had so much fun with all of the kids and because there were other kids present we alll decided to celebrate New Year's a little early.   Sandy had hats,streamers, kazoo's and confetti for the little kids.

McKell and Kennidee had so much fun.  Kennidee true to form found candy and would beg for it from anyone who was close to it.

Sandy also handed out pots for the little kids to bang on.  We were at home by 11pm and in bed before midnight it was great because all of the little kids didn't know we had moved up New Years.

Shevlin Whitaker

So I have been putting off writing about Christmas because I didn't know how pay tribute to someone who did so much in so little time.  This picture is of BJ's cousin Shevlin wos was in his early twenties and passed away the Saturday before Christmas.  We went to Wyoming for the funeral on Monday and drove home Tuesday and then we had Christmas.  Shevlin's funeral was amazing.  Their were so many people who were amazed at his wisdom that was beyond his physical age.  BJ and I have a favorite memory of Shevlin where he and BJ every year they would only sit in the boat.  BJ because of his hip and Shevlin because of his health (and come to find out he didn't like the fish in the lake like me).  We convinced the adults to let BJ and Shevlin ride the water wienie because we couldn't be rough with either of them.  Everything went great until BJ got a litlle bored with the slow stroll on the water and started bouncing on the tub.  BJ out weighed Shevlin by a little and poor little Shevlin went sailing into the air and then into the water.  BJ hurried over to Shevlin and was holding him up above the water.  Shevlin told BJ that he was drowning him.  I think Shevlin had a direct line to his heart at the time.  BJ felt really bad but they were having fun on the lake.  We love all the Whitakers and our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Christmas in a nutshell!

Okay so I am a loser and didn't take any pictures of my kids opening their presents.  But we did get it on video.

McKell was so proud of the cookies she decorated and maybe all that frosting was the reason we had such a hard time getting her to sleep.  We decorated cookies at Uncle Chad's house with lots of our cousins.

We had a little "discussion" on whether or not Santa wraps presents or just leaves them out.  This is McKell's pile and she almost ruined it.  She came down the stairs crying while Santa was trying to get her stuff ready.  Her dad went back upstairs with her to lay down with her.  He fell asleep with her and Mrs Clause had the privelege of finishing by herself.

This is Kennidee's pile of presents.  She had so much fun this year.  She didn't care what was under the wrapping she just wanted to rip the paper.

I think Santa is goint to have a belly ache after all the frosting on those cookies!

This was McKell's school Christmas program.  I have never laughed so hard ever.  McKell had her hands shoved in her pants almost the entire time. 

The mom's that knew me kept turning around and laughing and pointing at her.  I will never forget this concert and you can be assured I will be using the video as blackmail in the future.

They had a Santa at her school party and she stayed consistent in saying that she wanted all the toys.

We went to BJ's cousin Colby's in laws house on the Sunday before Christmas to a Christmas get together.  Where McKell got to see Santa.  Kennidee didn't stand still enough for me to get a picture.  My camera has been having issues.  If you look at my pictures you can definetly tell.

Well that wraps up 2009 for us.  A quick recap if that was an information overload.  12/19 we had the Dyer party I was in charge, also found out Shevlin had passed away, 12/20 Party with Colby, 12/21 School party, 12/22 Wyoming, 12/23 Wyoming funeral, 12/24 finishing christmas preparation and then it was Christmas.  I didn't forget about New Years but that was a long enough post for now and I will post it another day.

Dyer Christmas Party

BJ and I were in charge of my families Christmas party and we all had so much fun.  I decided we were going to have prime rib.  It is pretty expensive so it was a really big decision for me and I went back and forth on it.  I thought BJ would scream if I asked him one more time what he thought I should do.  I made one prime rib and Chad made the other.  It was unanimous mine was the most delicious.  I was pretty nervous because it didn't look as good as Chad's but it tasted so much better.  BJ and i walked away with a $50 gift card and a bunch of fantastic bakeware from the white elephant game.  We are grateful to Grandpa Doug for being our special visitor.

Christmas Card

We had my Stepmom Kathryn take a family picture for our Christmas card and I think they turned out kind of cute!

Birthday

My birthday was great BJ gave me a pair of boots and we had a party at his mom's house the 13th.  I am not gonna lie I enjoyed it because Shantel (BJ's sister) usually gets her choice for what we eat for dinner and instead I got to choose.  I got a new watch band, cupcake tin and part of a new bedroom set from the party. 

Lets see if anyone can guess who wrapped my boots?  Anyone?  Oh BJ had one of his TA's wrap it! Fantastic!

Christmas parties here we come!

Last night was the Oldham Christmas party.  This is Grandma Olsen's family.  We had lots of fun.  Kennidee wasn't so sure about the special visitor.  He made her a little nervous and she tried to bolt as soon as he had a hold of her.

McKell had lots of fun at the party she colored and ran around with all of the kids.  She told Santa that she wanted all of the toys.  Great that means I get to choose anything and she will be excited.

One of the cousins brought this horse drawn carriage and we got to take a ride though the snow.  McKell and Ashlyn were buddies for most of the night.  McKell thought it was cool that the one of the horses names was Max.  She told me it's like Max and Ruby!  We had a great night.

Oh yeah, less than 24 hours until my birthday!!!!!!

Last game but not Least....

The BYU Utah game this year was great!  Just a short overview of the game.  BJ didn't talk much during the first quarter due to Utah doing a good job of moving the ball and scoring first.  Then the second and third quarters he was very chatty because BYU was doing well.  The fourth quarter was very intense and yes you guessed it there wasn't alot of talking.  He was ecstatic at the end was relieved and then the talking was I wonder what bowl they will be going to...  When all was said and done it was a great time and we are thankful to all of those who helped with watching our kids during the home games.

Black Friday...Ready Set Go

 love this time of year and all of the things there are to do.  I am one of the crazy people who enjoy going shopping on black friday.  Not only are there great deals but there is always some weirdo that you get to watch make a fool out of themselves.  I went with my inlaws and we decided to go to Target first.  I was really excited for their deals.  I can't tell you what they were because alot of them I got and it is secret business.  Our group was not worried about being the first ones in the door so we were standing across the way waiting for the end of the line.  Well security thought that we were going to try and but and so they told us that there was no way we were going to get in that line unless we walked to the end of it.  We didn't but in line but there was one girl/lady who decided that she was going to try and cause a scene.  So the line started moving and she jumped in the line well the security officer grabbed her jacket and pulled her out of the line.  She then preceded to run back and forth pretending like she was going to jump in line.  The security officers started chasing her and she turns around and looks at them and sais are they chasing me?  You could tell she got a rise out of it.  I had alot of fun shopping and we didn't stop there.  We also went to the light parade in Spanish Fork.

I know this is an awful picture of is but it was cold and here is what we got.  McKell and Kennidee were mesmerized by the lights and loved it when they got to see Santa!

Taycee and Morgan. 

Grandpa Earl was making sure that he stayed warm.  I loved how you could barely see his face.

Savanna and Steven cuddling up to stay warm.  Did I mention that with the wind blowing it was pretty chilly.

Cardon, Teagan and Rennen.  Brindy and her family have joined in the tradition of going to the parade. Thanks to Sandy and Blake via Dusty and Colby for inviting us and for the good food after the parade.