Traditions

I love the traditions of Christmas. Here are a few of our family traditions:

Christmas Tree Hunting - every year we drive to Price, pick up a permit, and cut down our very own Christmas Tree. My kids think this is the coolest thing ever. You can tell by the smile on their faces that the boys really get into it.

All the cousins line up with our "findings" for a group shot It is always really hard work - and a really, really long drive. It wore Cam out!

Another tradition is the Nutcracker with Grandmas

First we have a "fancy" lunch (at the Cheesecake Factory - fancy!)

At the performance with Grandma Sims, Taylor, Ashlie, Grandma Jen, the mom

Me and the girls

The performance was wonderful - we all loved every minute of it. I mostly love spending time with the grandmas and my girls.

May you enjoy your traditions this year as well!

I'm Doomed!

I broke, I caved, I ate at In-n-Out Burger tonight. I had my cheeseburger protein animal style. It was delicious. I want another one! I am going to have to find some serious restraint to stay away from that place. Darn them for opening up 5 minutes from my house!!!!

Mourning

I am mourning the loss of my Utes last night. Sad, sad game.

I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving holiday. Mine seemed to go by way, way too fast. And I didn't even get to do any shopping!

Christmas is coming - yeah!

For me - The Wedding

Brother Steve FINALLY married his beautiful bride, Amy, last Tuesday.

Why I love weddings:

Will - the ring bearer in his fancy "paquito" (tuxedo)

Steve, the groom, Brooklyn and Ashlie

Grandpa and Grandma Sims (the BEST grandparents ever!)

Thank heaven for Uncle Randy's IPhone - it entertained Ashlie and kept her from harassing everyone

The always dashing Jayden

cousins and crazy CAM

Amy, the beautiful bride, with Ashlie

Good looking boys

Beautiful girls

My beautiful girls

Thank you to:

Laura Adams for making the girls' hair so beautiful (and saving me the headache!)

Kaarina for taking so many fabulous pictures

Natalie and Matt for bringing my darling niece and nephews to visit
Steve for giving us a beautiful new sister-in-law

Mom and Laura for playing the fabulous music

I love weddings - it gives me a reason to buy new clothes and dress my kids up dorky (mostly the boy)

Aeropostale Sale

Aero is doing their friends and family sale this weekend - I think it is the only one before Christmas. 30% off online and in the store. Online you only need FFNOV code, but for in store you need a coupon. I have one coupon left. Let me know if you are interested in it - respond to the blog or give me a call. I am heading over this morning to get my shopping done for the girls. The sales runs today through Sunday. Happy Shopping!!

Moab XC (Xtreme Challenge)

We spent the weekend in Moab for the Moab XC - which stands for Extreme Challenge. Extreme challenge it was! Just the boys ran this year - I am still out of commission. A litte info on the XC - it is trail running. Five miles in red sand to the top of a mountain. Then the course takes you across the mountain top for a few miles. After that, you head STRAIGHT down the mountain through rocks and boulders. Then you reach the wash - which is full of freezing cold, waist-deep water for about a mile. After the mile, you get to run 3 more miles in sand WITH WET SHOES! Finally, the last 1/2 miles is uphill on a dirt road. 13 miles in all. Definitely not a race for wimps!

Here are a few of the highlights . . .Men in tights - Uncles Gary, Randy and Chris - the start temp was 22 degrees. The boys needed their running "tights" to keep them warm!

At the finish

Yeah! The boys made it across the sand, rocks, mud and waist-deep water to finish the race

Our "group" with the fabulous finishers - minus Jerri. Thanks for taking the photo, Jerri!

Another finish photo taken by the proud wife

Refueling at the post-race party

Uncle Randy and Cameron (after Randy showered, of course!)

And, of course, a trip to the XC would not be complete without a stop at Arches (or the Articks as Cameron calls them)

A view of Delicate Arch

At the Windows

Our final shot of the "Articks" - don't know how he came up with that one, but so darn cute I can't stand to correct it!

What an awesome weekend! Congrats boys on an AMAZING race!

Leaves are Falling

Cameron and Keller were being very, very quiet outside. I went to check on them and this is what I found:

I asked them what they were doing - their response was:

"We're piling leaves. What does it look like?"

Why are you piling leaves?

"Because it's fun"

Duh, mom.

Halloween Pics

This is how we spent October . . . Found a pumpkin (5 days before Halloween)

Took our friends to Gardner Village

and hung out with some awesome witches

Got fancy for Trunk or Treat at the church

Ninja, Pirate Princess, War Baby and Malibu Barbie
all joined in on the fun

Our favorite "crazy girl" Maize came over

and played dumpster roller coaster

We watched the always fabulous Halloween party at the school

(No-mask ninja)

War Baby and Aquarius

Hung out with the cutest GI Joe

Celebrated Will's 4th birthday with the cousins

It was a super fab Halloween party

Ninja and Soldier went trick-or-treating

(Mom stayed home and watched the Utes - Go Utes!)

Our very own hobo went in search of candy

She took her "crazy baby" with her and they hit the jackpot - pillowcases full of candy

Very fun, very busy month. What more can you want?

Finally

The tests are over - four in one week - too much for me! Pretty sure I failed my math midterm. Next - hosting a bridal shower tomorrow.

Utes are playing Saturday - yeah!!

Go Utes!!

It's Almost Over

Last midterm of the week is today. I may actually survive! This has been the week from hell!!