Friday and Saturday

I made carmen this dress. It actually used to be a tshirt. I didnt ever wear it because the sleeves were less than cap sleeves, just sleeveless. So I flipped it inside out, sewed where a Carmen would fit, flipped it right side out, stitched up the front V and sewed on a satin ribbon to tie in the back. All the money we spend on clothes for the girl and she wears old clothes... I think this shirt used to belong to Missy Windsor or my sister Sarah.

And I did Carmens hair in a cute updo.

And on Saturday night, after a day of relaxation and Peter Piper Pizza, we came home and before we were going to start a family movie, we heard the icecream truck. Nick grabbed some crumpled ones and ran out in his socks with the kids and they got thier treats. We later watched a movie and had a great family night.

Mark's Birthday

Yesterday was my brother Marks 10th birthday. Guess what he did on his birthday? Nope, he didn't go to work with dad... and good thing too- that he spent his birthday going to school and coming straight home with mom and watching cartoons. This is what dad did on Mark's birthday:

This is what my dad wrote in his email to friends and family:

"These pictures were taken with a phone camera, sorry they are not very good. Car is a goner! I am blessed! Not a scratch.As I went around the bend North of the Lincoln Jct store, a car was stopped, waiting to make a left turn. As I stepped on my breaks the brakes locked up and I felt as though I was skidding on snow. I had three choices: continue and rear end the car in front of me, hit a tree or ditch it. I chose the latter. The ditch was so moist that when the car hit it, it slowed it down so fast that the inertia made the car flip over going "head over heals" and it landed on the roof. After I realized that there was no white lights and glass was all around me, I unbuckled my seat belt and proceeded to turn off the engine (it was still running) I heard people outside screaming, looking but trying not to look into the car since they thought I would be badly "damaged". I coul not open the front doors so I climbed out the back door. The driver of the other car was calling 911 but I told her to tell them I did not need help, and that I would call my own tow truck. They were amazed (as was I), that I walked away without a scratch. The airbags did not deploy and no headlights or anything in the front was damaged so speed was not an issue (I don't think, neither did the cop since he thought it was just an accident).A policeman showed up to write the report. At first he said I would have to file an accident report with DMV, he explained that a report had to be filed when there was an injury of more than $1,500.00 in damages. He looked at me and said, "No injuries!" and I said, "well, my car is not worth $1,500.00" so he said I did not have to do a report. Overall, I was very fortunate in that the only loss was my car and a towing bill."

And this is what I did on marks birthday:

For Mutual we made mini fruit arrangements!

And this is how Mark REALLY celebrated his birthday... last Saturday (good thing):

The Notebook

The night before last I was folding a mountain of laundry and was flipping through the TV channels looking for something to watch. I stumbled across a movie that caught my interest. I didn't know what it was at first but by the time I realized what it was, I was already hooked. I was watching "The Notebook." The biggest problem was............ it ended right as Nick walked in the door home from work! I was bawling like a baby! He saw me and I could tell his heart sank as he wondered what was wrong. I managed to blubber out "the movie.. it was the movie" but I was still just too embarrased to tell him any more. I turned away from him after he had managed to give me a little hug and I washed my face and turned up the corners of my mouth. That movie was so sweet/sad/lovely, etc. I had never seen it before because I heard it makes people cry and I don't like crying at movies. I didn't even cry when I saw Titanic. At least I watched it while pregnant and can blame it all on hormones... right? :D haha ...... SO EMBARRASED

the box

Playing in the shop vac box

I found him hiding under my end table with my cell phone

He loves the box

That's what we were up to on Tuesday. Just playing in boxes. We went to Sears to pick up the shop vac Nicks dad had purchased for him for Christmas. Then we went to Macayos for lunch. Then to the mall where we got some awesome deals at KB Toys (50%-70% OFF) and then to Target where they had a ton of leftover Christmas candy for 75% off. We stocked up on caramel Ghirardelli chocolates, Dove chocolates and Premium M&Ms. That night, new years eve, we put the kids to bed and Nick and I were so tired we managed to stay up til midnight while watching HGTV. I found that the ""Live"" New Years programs (balls dropping and such) were totally cheesy and lame and I HATED watching nasty people kiss on those programs after the new year hit every hour starting at 10pm. We didnt know it had hit midnight until my alarm went off.... Isaiah had unplugged my clock and when I reset it I didnt realize he had clicked my alarm to on, which defaulted to 12:00. We then drank some sparkling cider and were asleep by 12:30. Yeah, Im old and lame and even if I had a babysitter Id have no where to go so to bed it was. New Years is a wierd holiday. I cant wait til my birthday, now THATS a real holiday :S

Christmas was great, ready to rest!

Joes Crab shackOur Christmas cookies

Isaiah on Christmas morningThe gifts

Its been a long couple months. Here it is: In November my inlaws came to town. We had a lot of fun and did a lot of running around. The following weekend we drove up to Oregon for Thanksgiving. The next weekend we drove back home (I drove 20 hours of the 24, we didnt stop to sleep). The next weekend Nick had to work. That week my sister Becca and Justin came to visit on their honeymoon. That same weekend we went to El Paso for Cory's graduation and back the next day. The next week I got strep throat and pink eye. The next week I got the flu (I lost five lbs). That leaves us at Christmas. We did the presents and spent the rest of the day with extended family. This last weekend my mother in law and sister in law came to town. Now we enjoyed being with family for the last two months and making and taking visits, but we are worn out!
Christmas was a lot of fun. On Christmas Eve I was so tired and sick still that instead of making cookies and icing I bought cookies from the Fry's bakery and a can of frosting. That evening we acted out the Nativity with the kids and Julian and Carmen sang Christmas songs as part of a program they put on for their dad. That night our kids were asleep by 8:40pm. The next morning I woke up at 8 and the kids were all still asleep! They woke up around 8:20am. We opened presents but Isaiah cared less about the presents. He spent all morning eating the leftover Santa cookies! We have strength for one more holiday then we are laying low for a few months. Next up.. New Years. What are we going to do? Absolutely nothing (not like we'd have anything to do even if we had a babysitter). This week I'm going to be organizing and reorganizing the kids' toys, clothes and rooms. Yay. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!

"Kiddie Tag" Julian

We were tagged to say 5 nice things about Julian. Before I begin I want to go ahead and tag others because my response is quite lengthy and you may get lost looking for the list:

Max Gibson
Sydney Poulson
Savannah Olivas
Jonathan Allred
Mylee Jensen

Julian was tagged by Kandice Alt so I'm going to tell you all 5 neat things about Julian:

1. Julian is the nicest child I have ever known could exist. He gets very sad if he can't manage to help someone in need and he is very polite and says hello to everyone and is very willing to make new friends at school. He always makes sure everyone has the same snacks and opportunities, he welcomes his siblings into his room to play and even has been letting Carmen sleep on his bottom bunk bed for the last two months because she doesnt like sleeping apart from him.

2. Julian has a whole lot of faith. When he is concerned about something he prays. When someone is sick, he prays. When he loses something, he prays. Before we can eat, he makes sure we pray. He doesn't let anyone speak of Christ out of context, and he and his sister speak of Jesus Christ as a close friend they are waiting to run into one of these days.

3. Julian can read. Julian just started Kindergarten this year. He has always been a fast learner and has to date earned a Kindergarten grand total of three Book It awards. When he was a baby the only way I could get him to eat was to read him the Dr. Seuss ABC book over and over until he refused to eat anymore.

4. Julian loves legos and video games. Better yet, both. Lego video games. He can sit for hours and hours and play alone or with a sibling playing with legos and action figures and of course, he can spend hours playing video games if I let him. He is so innovative with the legos. He takes apart his patterned sets to create new inventions. He also loves super heroes.

5. "You are number 1 and you are special" Julian has a unique way of making anyone feel good about themselves. When I am sad or upset he knows what to do and say to make me feel better. When I need help he is always willing. When I ask him to do something for me, he doesnt complain. On the flip side of that, those characteristics come to him as a sensitive boy. He keeps me in line when I act up. When my temper starts to show or I get impatient he is the one to call me out and tell me how I am making him feel and asks me not to make him feel that way. I cant raise my voice at him without him getting sad, he is the child that reminds me that my emotions must be kept in check to preserve their loving innocence.

Baby Boy's Ultrasound