Christmas

Christmas came and went so fast I can't believe it is over. It was so much fun being with family and enjoying old and new traditions. Christmas Eve we spent at my moms house and we acted out the nativity for the first year. It was kind of silly but lots of fun watching the kids try to figure out what they were doing. We even used Chelsi's new baby as Baby Jesus.

My mom also spent a lot of time making three flavors of yummy popcorn which is a tradition her grandma always did every year. Kaden got a kick out of the "blue" popcorn. Christmas morning we got the kids up really early and opened their presents from Santa. They were pretty tired at first and just stared at their gifts, it took a minute for them to realize that they were for them. Chloe got a play kitchen which she loves and Kaden got a train set and baseball glove and bat. He can't wait to go outside and play with Dad. He keeps asking when it will be warm outside. When we were finished at home we went back to my parents house for breakfast and our gift exchange. We got to call my brother Mike and his family over in England and had them on the phone while we opened the presents. It really made us miss them more. Chloes favorite was her baby doll. Then off to Dereks moms house, we had a great time visiting and opening presents, Kaden just couldn't wait to tear into more. Chloe got another baby doll and she hasn't put them down, one in each arm everywhere she goes. Kaden got a cars track set and he has already almost run down the batteries. We had a great dinner then got to run over to Dereks brothers house to meet his Dad for another gift exchange. The kids couldn't believe they were getting more presents. Then when it was time to go we ended up getting stuck in the snow storm and couldn't make it home so we spent the night at Dereks moms house. It was a long day but worth every minute. I love spending time with family and just enjoying each other. Thank you to everyone that made this Christmas a wonderful one.

Auklin Reed has Arrived!

I just wanted to post a few picture of my new adorable nephew Auklin Reed Craven, he was born last night at about 10:00pm. He was 8lbs, 4 oz. and 21 in long. Congrats Chelsi and Kasey!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I love Thanksgiving! I love time with family and of course the food. Although I don't want to see or smell turkey again for a really long time. ha ha We have had four Thanksgiving dinners four days in a row and they were all really good, but no more turkey please! Thursday we went to Dereks brothers house and had dinner with his family and then had dessert at my parents house. It was a nice day to spend with everyone. Friday of course we had leftovers, and then on Saturday we went to my parents house to have our Thanksgiving dinner. Then on Sunday we had some friends over because I had a defrosted turkey that I was given that had to be cooked. So we deep fried it and it was delicious.
I am so thankful for so many things, for my great husband who helps me so much and is such a wonderful daddy. I don't know what I would do without him. For my beautiful kids who keep me busy and laughing on a daily basis. I love watching them learn and interpret what they see and hear. They are such a great joy in my life. For my family that is so supportive and helps in every way they can. I am so thankful we are all so close (except my big brother Mike :( and his family I miss them so much) For great friends that would be there in a second if we needed them, For our home, our jobs, clothes, food, all the simple things we take for granted. I am thankful we live in a free country and for all those who have and still fight for it. For the gospel in my life, it is my guide and life line. I am so thankful for the Savior and what he has done for us. Without that my life would be meaningless. I hope everyone had a great holiday, love you all.

13.1 MILES!!!

A couple weeks ago I got to go down to St. George and watch my sister Jeni run a half marathon! I can't even imaging doing that! She did awesome, it was fun to meet her at a few check points and cheer her on. I couldn't believe how good she looked, I would have passed out on the first mile! She finished the race and did pretty darn good for it being her first. I was so proud of her.

While we were there we stayed with my cousins. It was so fun to catch up its been forever since I have seen them. They are the cutest family and I had so much fun with them. We got to go to Tuacan with them and see the BYU Young Ambassadors. It was awesome, and very entertaining.

Last days before the snow!!

Just wanted to Share a few really cute pictures of the kids enjoying the last few days of warm weather at the park. They are really going to miss that.

Go Utes!!!

Derek is very excited, to say the least, about the season Utah has played. He had a blast at the games he was able to go too. Kaden even got to tag along for a couple of them and he hasn't stopped talking about it. Every time he sees a football game on TV he says "member we went to that game Daddy?! member?!" He loved it and was actually really good to sit with Derek the whole time. He was cheering and screaming with the rest of the crowd. Like father like son!

Happy Halloween!

So I'm finally getting this up, I can't believe how fast time flies. Halloween was really fun this year because Kaden and Chloe kind of got what was going on. They were Jack and Sally from the "Nightmare Before Christmas" movie. They were so adorable, chloe actually loved wearing the wig. The week before Halloween, my work puts on a big Boonanza carnival. It was really fun, but it kind of sucked I had to work while my kids went around and had all the fun. Kaden got to go on a train ride, and that was just the best thing ever for him, he was smiling ear to ear. Their other favorite was the giant slide, Kaden wanted to go over and over and over until he wore Derek out compleately. A few days before Halloween we went to my moms house and carved pumpkins and made hot chocolate and caramel apples. The kids had a blast bobbing for the apples before we covered them in the good stuff. Derek of course had to carve a U for Utah on his pumpkin, and so of course not to be outdone, Kasey carved BYU. It was a fun evening and a great traditon that the kids loved. On Halloween, we went trick or treating at my brothers Trunk or Treat, and I think Kaden thought he was in Heaven!! The fastest way to get the most candy. He really got the hang of running from car to car saying trick or treat, trick or treat, trick or treat, until the candy was in the bucket. Chloe just stared wide eyed at everyone as she held up her bucket to put that ever so precious chocolate inside, she had a very firm grip on the handle and was not letting go. They were so excited to sit down and dig in, but of course not before mom and dad tasted a few to make sure it was safe, wink wink.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

It was Derek's Birthday on Thursday, and he turned 28! On his birthday we just had a nice dinner at home and I made him a cake, and decorated it in honor of his favorite team, and as kind of a preview of what his present would be. He didn't get his gift until Saturday, we all pitched in to get him season tickets to U of U football. I just gave him tickets to the game for Saturday. It was suppose to stay a surprise until we got to the game, but that didn't quite work out because too many people knew about it and kind of let the secret out. I know better for next time though not to involve too many people. We had fun anyway, and I think his mom and I convinced him pretty good that he wasn't getting season tickets and that one game was it. On Sunday we had dinner for his birthday with his family and that is when we surprised him with the rest of the tickets. We first had his mom give him a card with money in it, that was our clever way of making him think that was all he was getting. It worked, he sent Alex a text that said what the heck I thought I was going to get season tickets! lol anyway we let him think that for almost the rest of the night and it wasn't until later that I asked him to come up and change Chloes diaper that he opened up the new diaper to put it on Chloe and thats where he found the tickets!! I know crazy but we had to make it fun since we put him through so much. He was so excited and can't wait to go.

And because Derek read Amanda's blog and saw what a nice thing she did for Blake's birthday, he casually suggested I should do the same, so just because I love ya, here it is...

28 Things I Love and Adore about Derek:

1. He is an amazing daddy!

2. Everyone he meets is a friend.

3. He will talk to anyone and everyone mostly because he says it makes their day.

4. He honors his priesthood.

5. He loves me no matter how crazy I get.

6. He trusts me enough to do everything my way. :)

7. His cute little nose ;)

8. The look on his face when he found out our first baby was going to be a BOY!

9. He helps me with so much around the house.

10. Actually enjoys watching my chick flicks with me. ha ha

11. The way he knows what I am thinking but trying to hide. You would think that would be annoying. :)

12. How he is not afraid to show the kid in him in front of anyone because he loves playing with his kids.

13. When he softly starts playing with my hair during a movie.

14. He is so good at hiding stress, maybe to help me not be so stressed.

15. How he always finds the positive in everything.

16. He can find almost anything I am looking for.

17. Makes the best sandwiches ever!

18. He always knows when I need a drink of water and brings it to me.

19. He remembers everything!! Especially dates and numbers, he is my personal phone and date book.

20. Very good with directions, can find his way almost anywhere.

21. That he can't sleep at night when I am not there.

22. He acts overly enthusiastic about my crafts.

23. How excited he gets when he has something for me.

24. He knows just what I need to cheer me up when I am down.

25. He loves showing off his family to everyone.

26. He is so forgiving and understanding.

27. His soft lips, softer than mine! not fair!

28. He loves the Lord and is always trying to be better.

Some other Party Pictures-

This ones for you Stace ;)

My First Attempt At Crummy Crust (his favorite birthday treat)

First Dentist Appointment

So Kaden and Chloe had their first dentist appointment today. I was not looking forward to it. I asked my Dad to come along so he could hold one child while I pinned the other one down to the chair. Well to my surprise Kaded jumped up on the big chair and let them stick those things in his mouth to take the x rays and he just sat there and didn't move and didn't even try to pull them out. I can barely stand those things and he did way better than I ever did. Then we walked into the other room where the cute bright colored chairs were so they could clean his teeth. I got ready to hold his hands down and try to help calm him down, and once again, no need for mom. He laid back in the chair and watched his movie the whole time! (They have these cool little televisions in the celing and head phones for them to wear so the kids can watch a movie while they work. Greatest Idea ever!! Where were those when I was a kid?) He didn't move whine, cry or try to get up the whole time. He was so perfect I couldn't believe it. Well Chloe on the other hand the second we walked back there she gripped my shirt and started crying and wouldn't let go. The best we could do for her was to just lay her in my lap while the dentist just looked at her teeth and checked them out a little. They both checked out with great teeth! There favorite part was picking out a new toothbrush. Kaden of course picked blue! and Chloe just grabbed the one that was closest to her so she could get out of there as soon as possible!

New Job, New Car!

Well I'm a little late but Derek finally got a new job! He is a food broker for Acosta. Don't ask me what that is I'm not really sure, but he loves it. I know he goes to different associated food stores and does stuff with the specialty foods and natural foods. He has a great boss and good people that he works with. We will have great benefits after 30 days, and the best part about it for Derek is he got a new car!! His company pays up to $250 a month for a car allowance for wear and tear and maintenance but will only give that benefit if the car is less than 7 years old. So we got to go out and buy a great new car and his company makes the car payment, doesn't get any better than that! :) We got a 2007 Hundai Sonata, it looks black in the picture but it is a dark blue and it sparkles in the sun :) its a great car and Derek loves driving it.

I also just needed to add a couple pictures of what Kaden and Chloe did to entertain themselves while I was resting trying to get rid of a headache.

If you couldn't tell that is my mascara. And as you can see Kaden did the most of it, Chloe just got a little on her cheek and in her hair but Kaden went to town! He thought he looked "pitty" That on top of their pajamas and morning hair (especially Chloes mess on her head) they sure did look so "pitty"

It was bound to Happen

Our first broken bone! :( I knew Chloe would be the first, she is fearless and loves to climb. Yesterday Chloe was sitting on the counter next to me while I made her sandwich like I do everyday. (She is obsessed with watching me make her food, like she has to see it to believe she is getting fed) and in a split second I turned to talk to Kaden and out of the corner of my eye I saw her reach for her toy on the floor and jump for it. Yikes, she screamed so loud, and wouldn't put any pressure on her leg and wouldn't stand up. I thought we would wait a day to see how she was doing the next day since she didn't seem to be bothered by it unless she tried to stand up. But today she still wouldn't put any pressure on it so we took her in and sure enough the Tibia is broken right above her ankle. I felt horrible, poor thing hated the x-rays and when they were putting on her temporary cast she was not happy. It was funny though, when the nurse got done wrapping it, Chloe reached up to her for a hug, but quickly changed her mind and wanted mommy back. We will go back in about a week to have a real cast put on, that's not going to be fun.

Take a walk down memory lane...

Follow the instructions :)

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember--it can be funny, weird, awkward, random, etc.!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

A little update!

Ok so I have been extreamly busy lately and haven't put a post on here for a while, but I finally found some time. So this may be a lot of blabbering but just wanted to write a few things about what we have been doing.

Last month we went up to my Mom and Dads condo in Park City and went swimming a lot. My kids are usually a little afraid of the water, and Kaden was a little hesitant at first but then I got him this little star intertube thing and he got inside and didn't get out the whole time! He loved it, he started jumping in the water and trying to take off on his own. It was like he had no fear when he was in his star! Chloe is still pretty scared, she wouldn't even go near the water without screaming. We got her to get in her boat for a few min, but as soon as she got splashed she was done. She also sat in the water with the kids for a cute picture, but that didn't last very long either. It was lots of fun getting away for a couple days to just relax and swim.

For the 4th of July, we went to the Kaysville parade, Kaden had fun, but it was funny because he wouldn't go in the street to get the candy unless Dad or Mom was holding his hand because there were "scarey cars" such a good little boy! Chloe just pretty much sat back in her chair and enjoyed the candy Kaden would bring her. That night we went to Layton park and played games and watched the fireworks.

Also my sister Chelsi found out that she is having a boy!! They are so excited! She is due December 15th. I can't wait, she is going to make an excellent mom, she is already a great Aunt to my kids. It will be fun to have a new baby around to squeeze. My kids are getting so big so fast I can hardly believe it. The other day we were up at Mueller Park roasting hot dogs and Kaden just wanted to roam off on his own and do everything that Derek did. He followed him into the trees to gather wood for the fire and he wanted to roast his own hotdog, and even offered to go down to the stream to get the watermelon for Grandma to cut! His new favorite phrase is "I do it myself!" and there is no use trying to help him or it will take twice as long because he will have to go back and do it again himself :)

We went to see the fireworks the other night for the 24th, I love fireworks, they are just amazing to me, my kids also love them and just stare at them in amazement. Chloe was funny she kept calling them bubbles, and Kaden would just clap and laugh with his cousins and yell out the colors of the fireworks, it was so fun to watch.

Also, my brother and sister in law had their baby boy! I am a little behind cause he was born last month but I wanted to put his cute picture up. They named him Brennan Guy Christiansen, can't wait to meet him!