Merry Christmas

Wow, has Christmas really come and gone already? We had a great time and I actually am starting to feel better which was nice. I didn't think that I would Friday night!

Saturday morning I was able to go shopping while Sean and the girls played at home. It was nice to run in and out of stores with no kids. I bought Tayler and Rylee Christmas dresses and then shopped for Sean's Christmas gifts, since I had nothing yet! I found him a really nice suit (olive green) so I bought it. I love it and I think he likes it too. It's nothing too exciting, but totally needed since he has to wear one almost every day during the week when he goes over to the Church.

Saturday night I cleaned my house and Sean busted out the fun Christmas CD's and everyone danced. Then he and Tay watched the Luke 2 video. Tayler was glued to the TV and loved watching it. Sean and I didn't go to bed until around 1:30 a.m. so it was tough getting up for Church. When Sean left for his meetings I reset the alarm for 7:30 p.m. (oops!) so I didn't wake up until 8:25 and am actually surprised I even woke up. I hurried and got myself ready and then woke the girls up. We made it about 10 minutes late. UGH! Sean spoke and the Primary was singing so we had to make it quick. I didn't get any pictures of the girls in their cutest dresses. I'll try to re-create the morning and take a picture! :)

When we got home from Church Grandma Linton was here. The girls were excited to see her and Tayler was so excited to give her- her present. We ate lunch and Grandma helped tape Tayler's Christmas lights up around her window again since they had fallen down. I told Tayler that she could leave her lights on all night so that Santa would know where to come too, so she was very concerned with getting them back up on her window. Thanks Grandma for saving the day for Tay. Then we put the girls down for naps and Mom headed back down to Grandma and Grandpa's house.

I spent the afternoon getting ready for our Christmas Eve party. I really wanted to take a nap but knew I wouldn't have enough time to get everything ready if I did. The party turned out great and we had tons of good food. Thanks everyone for bringing such yummy things. We opened lots of presents from each other.


That night after everyone left I was sooo tired, but had to get my girls to sleep first and then get everything out. They got to open a present before they went to bed so it was fun.
Grandma Shayla made all of the grandkids pjs as well (with their names).
Their Christmas pj's and slippers

Then Tayler getting Santa's milk and cookies ready!

Christmas morning was great. Tayler and Rylee came in my room around 8:45 so we went downstairs together. I think Rylee was woken up before she was ready, but when she came into the family room and saw all the toys, she forgot all about being tired. It was fun to see them both look at and open their presents.
Their new Barbie house
Tay's new scooter
What to open next?-- such a dilemma

We played and opened every single toy. Tayler and Rylee seemed to love every minute of it. It was nice to stay home and just veg--which we did.

We hope that everyone had a safe and fun holiday as well. Today I took down all the Christmas decorations and cleaned. My house seems so big and spacious now.. I love it!!

Loves to all. XXOXX

Update

Last night I had a complete breakdown because I am still so sick and can't seem to feel better, so now I am starting to stress that Christmas is soon approaching and there are so many things I still need/want to do, but can't because I feel so awful.

This morning I woke up at 10:00 a.m. wondering where my kids were only to find them with my sweet husband who had been up since 6 trying to get a hold of people to do his work meetings he had today so that he could stay home with me. It feels so good to stay in bed and do nothing so hopefully my body will get better. I have decided that Mom's just shouldn't get sick. It just complicates things a little!!

Yesterday I woke up feeling awful, but still had to babysit 3 kids for 2 hours. Tayler was throwing up and Rylee still has a green snotty nose, but seems to be back to her old self. Tayler is doing better today and they are both out shopping with their Daddy. I also saw the recipe for Sugar Cookies out on the counter so maybe he is planning on making those with the girls too. (That is something I keep promising Tayler I will do with her), but haven't had enough energy to do it. Thank heavens for good men. When he steps up to the plate he sure goes above and beyond, it's so nice. I love you babe!!

We are hosting Christmas Eve at our house for Sean's family so I have to feel better. We luckily got all of our shopping for gifts done Monday night, and I got them wrapped and under the tree so that part thankfully is done!

Sean is out buying himself a new Big TV just in time for the BYU bowl game tonight! His ankle ended up not being broken, just badly sprained so he has a brace he is suppose to wear.

I think I am going to try to take a nap now. Only 4 days until Christmas!! Wow, how time flies!

It's cold

Yesterday the girls and I went and picked up Julie from the airport. We went shopping and then had lunch at The Training Table- YUM!! Afterwards we headed out to my Mom's. It was fun to see her. Jared and Katie came in late last night. I am sad that we didn't get to see them. I hope they arrived safely! Today is one of my cousin's wedding so that is where they have been all day.

I ended up having some extra training last night at the Dental Office so I worked until a little before 7. Thankfully Sean was home so I didn't have to find a sitter. He called me at work and asked if I wanted to go bowling (he said Tayler was begging him). I think he wanted to see if he could beat me again, but out of 2 games he did not succeed :)

This morning was freezing when I left for work. I wish the weather could be like it was Thurs. and Friday! I loved it being in the 50's in Dec. We are suppose to get some snow tomorrow so we'll see how much really accumulates.

Sean is at the InstaCare right now getting his ankle x-rayed! He think he might have broken it. It happened last week at Tayler's dance recital. It still is killing him and is super swollen. I hope it's not! Keep your fingers crossed.

Rylee is getting the sickness now. I hate this! The doctor said that Tayler was okay when we went on Thurs. I thought she was really dehydrated but she test okay. He said there is a virus going around that is a combination of both the "rotovirus/stomach flu" and "cough, cold, and sinus" all in one! OH goodie! We have had both in the worst way! I guess Rylee has already had the "rotovirus" part so now she is getting really congested now. I just pray that it is ALL gone by Christmas so we can enjoy a few days of playing while Sean is off work and out of school.

Anyway, I hope that all of you are doing well and counting down to Christmas! I can't believe how quickly it is coming. XXOXX

Deck the Halls with lots of Sickness..

Fa La La La La La La La La!!

Seriously I hate the winter for the "sickness" aspect of it. My kids keep getting sick and it's not even the same sickness, they are totally unrelated issues! UGH.
I am getting ready to take Tay into the doctor because she can't keep anything down and has an awful cough and sinus stuff again. She has thrown up every night for no reason. I think one night she coughed so hard that she threw up, but the other nights it's a mystery! She also refuses to eat anything which raises some concern with her skinny little self!

Anyway, other than sickness everything is great. Last night we had our Christmas Enrichment and it was so wonderful. The Bishops wife wrote the program and it was fantastic. They had several musical numbers and stories that I haven't heard before that were total tear jerkers. Then we had cheesecakes and lots of other goodies. It was really nice, and my first break out in a long time. It was so needed!

Tues. I finally got my Christmas cards done and out. Nothing too exciting, but they are done. (Carolyn I need your address again.. I'm totally confused between 2 that I have :) Sorry, I know you just gave it to me- hence the confusion!

Sean took his last final on Tuesday night and so he is done with school for a few weeks! HOORAY! I think he got a 4.0, but of course that is no surprise at all. He's quite a smartie! It will be fun to have him home for a few weeks, except then we will get use to it and he will start again. Only 3 more semesters to go!!

My little sis, Julie, also finished her Masters Degree, this week (I'm sure also with a 4.0)! Where did I miss the smart genes along the way??? Way to go Julie--We are so proud of you. You go girl!!

Well I hope that everyone is warm and cozy where they are because it's COLD here! Rylee looks out the window every morning and screams "snow!" (I need to dress them up and send them out in it when there is enough, but that will just create more sickness so maybe I'll re-think that one :)

Hugs and Loves!

Happy Birthday Ash!

Today is my awesome sister-in-law's birthday! We hope she has a wonderful day. They are in Hawaii right now while my brother is in training for 2 weeks. Lucky girl!! Enjoy the sun for us Ash. We love you!! Talk to you soon.

Miracles do happen..

...because there are lights around the outside of my house. I thought that my husband was completely against that, but apparently after 3 years of begging he gave in. I love it, thanks babe! I can't get my camera to take a good picture outside so I'll keep trying.

This last week as been yucky. I was sick the whole week and it was miserable, but now I am feeling much better. Thank heavens! I hate the flu! Rylee is also doing good so I pray that we won't have sickness over Christmas.

Last night was Tayler's first dance recital. It was at Northridge Highschool and the auditorium was PACKED! I had no idea that the dance company Tayler goes to had so many classes. It was out of control really, and we almost missed it. My friend had taken her daughter and Tayler early (they had to be there at 5:30) and then the "show" started at 6:00 p.m. Well we left with what I thought was plenty of time, but hit traffic on Antelope and made it with about 1 minute to spare (literally!) I was freaking out in the car and almost started to cry, but it all worked out. The 1st number was just ending and then Tay's class came out. Tayler looked so little up on the stage, and we are SO proud of her. She did such a great job and didn't get stage fright like some other kids did. I actually got a little teary eyed! My little baby is growing up!
They performed 2 different Christmas dances. It was fun and little Rylee loved watching all the dancers. Sean's Dad came and got a seat on the front row. He is such a good Grandpa. Both grandma's couldn't weren't able to attend so he was there to represent. Thanks Tom!

This is right before she left.

Up on stage, can you find her? (hint: she's got her arms spread)

Friday Sean stayed home because he had to have a mole removed from his "low low" back ;) They dug the sucker out. I am just glad that he got it checked out because it could have turned really bad if he had waited! Tayler had a birthday party that afternoon so we went Christmas shopping (since Rylee is still clueless) I feel so much better now! We got everthing done for the kiddos!

Tonight we have a Christmas party over at Sean's sisters house for his Dad's side of the family! Yippee I don't have to cook and it will be tasty! Can't wait.

Loves!

Weekends Highs and Lows

This past weekend was good and not so good.

Friday afternoon my friend Kim brought her little boy over while she went to her daughters school to be the "reader" for the day. She dressed up as Clifford (and came in her outfit for Tay's benefit). It was cute and Tay was in heaven because she loves to read Clifford books. Rylee, however, was a little uneasy and just made barking sounds from afar. She wouldn't come near even when she knew that it was Kim.

That night we went out to dinner at Applebee's with our friends the Neville's and then went bowling. I came in second with a score of 127. I was quite proud of myself!

Saturday I got up for work and then came home and ran errands the rest of the afternoon. I put the girls down for naps and Sean was doing his final paper for class so I was all by myself! It was SOOO nice, and much easier.

Poor Rylee has been pretty dang sick lately. I don't think I have changed so many diapers in her whole lifetime. She has got a pretty mean diaper rash! I hate having sick kids. I feel so helpless, but hopefully things will look up soon.

Saturday night we had a surprise party for my friends birthday. We met at the Sky Box at Gateway and had our own private room with a huge TV. Her husband had made a DVD with pictures of her life (thus far), and it was really neat to see.

Okay, now comes the "LOW" of the weekend.

That night I think I was sicker than I have ever been in my whole life. I think I may have had food poisoning or something AWFUL! I threw up ALL night long and it was awful. Sunday morning Sean had to conduct Sacrament Meeting and I actually didn't think that he would come home, but thankfully he did and he didn't leave me alone again. I wasn't sure how I was going to take care of my kids, but he came home and took charge so I slept the whole day. I started feeling better that night, but still felt a bit queasy! Anyway, thankfully it has past, but man oh man it was horrible.

Today we decorated my friends house for her birthday. Sean and I woke up at 6:30 and put up the posters, but it was just too cold to do anything else so I waited until the sun came up to finish. The balloons shrank the minute they hit the cold, so we held off on those until later as well.

This afternoon I headed to work and my girls slept almost the whole 3 hours I was gone. It was good for both of them to get good naps.

Tonight we had a work party for the dental office I just became a part of. The "boss" took us out to for dinner atTony Roma's and gave us a gift card to Barnes & Noble (which was quickly stolen by Sean and I am sure I won't see it again). Everything tasted so good. I wasn't sure if I was going to eat or not after Saturday night, but I decided too and ordered Ribs with loaded mashed potatoes. It was my first meal since Saturday night and so far so good.

We had a great time! Now it is time for bed.

I hope that everyone had a good weekend as well.

Say Cheese

Last night we had the fun task of getting all 8 cousins (this was all of Sean's sisters) to cooperate for a picture at Target. It was pretty interesting, but it actually wasn't that bad. All of the kids did pretty good because we kept stuffing marshmallows into their months!

I took some pictures before we left our house just to let them practice saying "CHEESE."

Clearly Rylee got the "cheese" part down :)

So it is officially the 1st day of December. I can't believe it! Time will go by quickly in the next few weeks. Once all the parties get going and every weekend is filled with something to do Christmas will be here. I need to get shopping!

I still can't decide what to get my kids for the big day. I want to get them one big play item to share, but I can't figure out what? Any suggestions? I have thought about a doll house or a new kitchen or something like that?! I just haven't seen the perfect gift yet. We are also getting Tayler a new bike since she has outgrown her other one. She informed me yesterday that she needed a scooter too. She told me 3 of her friends have them and she needs one. Silly girl!

Sean called and said he had the perfect gift for them.. A DOG! I said NO WAY! He's never here so it would be me cleaning up all the messes and taking care of it.. ummm.. NO! I just can't bring myself to have a dog in my house. Anyway, we'll keep thinking!

Have a happy Friday and weekend everyone! Loves XXOXX