Addy's Early Birthday

So this year Addyson's birthday falls on Thanksgiving. So we decided to celebrate with cake and ice cream this evening. So we did a little family party with my side of the family, and a couple close friends. Addy is getting so cute, she loved it when we sang 'Happy Birthday to you...'

I know she looks angry in this picture, but really she was just trying to blow out her candles!

Here was her cake before we cut it!!

Her present this year was a trike (notice a theme?? when Tyson got his bike...she just kept saying "I bike-I bike")

She was thrilled to get an Elmo movie!!

I think it took 30 min. for her to figure out how to open these, by Christmas I am sure she will be a pro! She got a couple new shirts, a new pair of pants, and PANTIES!!! (Hey diapers are expensive) Tomorrow we will be with Clint's family. So we saved a couple presents for her to open down there with them. I can't believe she is going to be 2! It seems like yesterday they put this sweet baby girl in my arms. She is so full of personality, naughtiness, and joy! I can't imagine life without her.

WILL WORK FOR FUN!

So I am babysitting this weekend. The kids I sit for stay over night from time to time. We have an air mattress they sleep on when they come. So silly us (or crazy us)--we have misplaced our plug in air pump. I can't find it for the life of me!! (which fits nicely with my new thoughts on life--A:We have too many things for 1 person to keep track of, or B: Too many kids. LOL!) Anyway I figured it would be easier to use the hand air pump then to go to the garage and try to fill it with the air compressor. Well lets just say after about 5 times trying to pump that up- I was done. The kids all wanted to try so I was like go for it. It took them a 1/2 hour. They stood in line, and each got 7 turns. They pumped it completely full of air. It was wonderful that I didn't have to do it. They were having fun so they didn't care. :)

Wrestling Tournament # 3

So I have tried a million times to upload the matches, apparently blogger and I are not getting along this evening. I will probably try one more time then give up. This video is when Preston received first. He was grinning ear to ear. He was so proud of himself. We are very thankful for those who helped Preston out. (Clint can't be there to coach him during his matches.) So lot's of the dads have been so willing to help him out. I believe it makes a huge difference for Preston's confidence when others are there cheering him on, and telling him what moves to do. Preston started wrestling in October, and I can see a remarkable difference in his skills. He loves wrestling, and does an awesome job.

just a handful of things i'm thankful for...

Since it's Thanksgiving, I thought this was an appropriate blog entry! I will add things as I think of them. I wonder how long this list can get?! So here it goes:

1. I am thankful for Preston, who is so curious about life. He makes me want to know all the answers to everything.

2. I am thankful for Tyson, because he has so much energy. He keeps me tired, but on my toes. He makes me want to do more, and be better.

3. I am thankful for Addyson, because I now know why God gave the world little girls. I love to watching her mimic me, she is so caring, and has a motherly nature.

4. I am thankful for Kaitlon, because every time I see her beautiful face, I am reminded that the Lord really does know what's best for us.

5. I am thankful for Clint, who goes the extra mile to make sure he can make our children's life the best. He is so good at making "childhood memories" with them.

6. I am thankful for roller coaster rides, especially with a 7 yr. old boy. It makes you appreciate the thrill for life.

7. I am thankful for dancing to music with my little girl (and pretending we know ballet)!

8. I am thankful for our health.

9.I am thankful that there is always food on the table, and a roof over our head.

10. I am thankful for the wonderful teachers that help our children. From preschool on up, we have been blessed to have such great teachers.

11. On that note, I am thankful that there are opportunities for education.

12. I am thankful for our families, for the help, and the love they provide us with.

13. I am thankful for good friends. Friends that are there to lend a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, someone to laugh with. I have so many great friends!!

14. I am thankful for babysitters!!! Enough said. :)

15. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to be both a stay home mom, and also help provide for my family. I think it's been great. :)

16.I am thankful for Christmas, for the celebration of our Savior's birth. For the spirit of the season.

17. I am thankful for a car that runs, even though vehicles are a pain!! I am thankful I have one! :)

18. I am thankful for the Internet. For the fact that if I have a question I can google, and have an answer within seconds. I also think it's wonderful that I can keep in touch with friends, and loved ones.

19. With that said, I am thankful for this blog--the opportunity I have to journal our family/life events. I also get to know so much about others by reading their blogs.

20. I am thankful for chocolate! :)

21. I am thankful to be a member of The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter Day Saints.

22. I am thankful for fallen leaves in the fall, and watching my kids run through them, and throw them. It melts my heart.

23. I am thankful for baby giggles.

24. I am thankful for new recipes (especially Rebecca's)!! It's so nice to have something new!

25. I am thankful for my sister in laws, because they understand. :)

26. I am thankful for my Dad, he has set such an example of greatness, honesty, compassion, and forgiveness, success, and parenting. He has been there for me, and has never let me down.

27. I am thankful for family vacations.

28. I am thankful for nature, camping, hiking, and just getting to see the true beauty of the world.

29. I am thankful for health care, for the doctors we have, and how great they are to us.

30. I am thankful for those who fight for our freedom, and protect this country.

31. I am thankful for those tiny miracles in life--the ones that happen just when you think things couldn't get better.

32. I am thankful for wrestling, because it gives my children an outlet for their energy.

33. I am so thankful to wrestling parents, who help coach Preston at his tournaments. Clint can't be at the tournaments so I am very grateful for them.

34.I am thankful for music.

35. I am thankful for my talents, as well as other people's talents.

36. I am thankful for the gospel, and how it enriches my life.

37. I am thankful I live so close to a temple.

38. I am thankful for video cameras, and cameras to capture memories in my life.

39. I am thankful for Thanksgiving, and that if it weren't for this holiday. I probably wouldn't think to count my blessings. It makes you realize all you have to be thankful for.

40. I am thankful for letters from missionaries, and the service they do! (Miss you Dave)

41. I am so thankful for my brothers, I love them, no matter what!

O'Christmas Tree

When I was growing up, it was tradition in our home to put the Christmas Tree up on Novemeber 10th. (It was my Dad's birthday) As much as I try to fight the urge, I can't help putting the tree up. I don't have anything else up yet...but we ended up with a free Saturday, so I took advantage of the oppurtunity. When I started this morning, it still looked like fall outside. When I finished, the ground was covered with snow. This year the boys were more into decorating then ever before. Which was fun, and stressful. Addyson just tried to help the best she could...bless her little heart. Clint is a scrooge, and I am sure I will hear it when he gets home from work. Oh well. I really had fun, I got to discuss the Savior's birth with the boys. They were asking such great questions. It reminded me how wonderful, and special this season is. To me Christmas is more then presents, and decorations. It's family, friends, it's the time of year when I think the world is a little nicer, and we remember those in need. It's when we celebrate the birth of our Savior, and to me he is the greatest gift we've been given. So here are a few pictures of us putting up our tree.

Carter's Coupons...

Okay, so this is a silly post. In the past 2 days--I have received the above coupons, plus 2 others in my e-mail inbox. The funny thing about it is the fact that they are all to the same store. (Carter's) I can't help it, when I walk into that store, 9 times out of 10 I don't leave without something. The funniest thing about all of this is the fact they they are all for different days within the next 2 weeks. Starting from the 18th of November until the 29th of November. So I have to give them kudos, they are brilliant with their marketing strategies. Now if only I had the money to use them all. :( Maybe we will skip toys for Christmas, and buy clothes!

Chuck○E○Cheese Party

Tyson has wanted nothing more then to go to Chuck-E-Cheese for months. We kept putting it off, and finally decided we would go for his birthday! So we called all his cousins, and a few friends, and got together last night. It was the best birthday party I have ever thrown. It was so simple, we handed the kids the tokens, and off they went! I have to say I was impressed...they do a safe kids thing. They stamp the parent with a number, and their kids with the same number. You can't leave until you have been checked. That way nobody can take your kids. Every game is only 1 token too. So it was nice, the kids could play a bunch of games. We of course did cupcakes, and had pizza. It was just really a fun time. Very laid back! These are all of Tyson's cousins (minus the babies)!
These 3 boys have all just turned 5! Tyson was the last one to turn. They are so fun to watch together.

Tyson got some cool presents. He loves them!! Thanks everybody!

Addy said, "It's scary here." Quite funny I think!! She isn't so much into things like this yet!

Playing the arcades!!

Had to get a picture of Chuck-E-Cheese (mainly for my brother A.J.--he scares him--long, but funny story!)

Happy Birthday Tyson!

Goodbye David...

Tonight we said our "goodbyes" to David. Tomorrow he enters the MTC, to become a full time missionary. I was able to go to a "grown-up" goodbye dinner. We went to Timbermine, very yummy- as usual. My 2 extra brothers came, plus my real brothers, my Mom, my Dad, and Mary. Dave of course was silly, which I will miss. Then we came home where he was able to say goodbye to the kids. Addy wouldn't hug him. She thinks it's a game, she doesn't understand. It's kinda sad that when he returns she probably wont remember him. My boys look up to him, so that was a little sad. :( He has been a huge help to me throughout the years, and although we fight and argue....I will miss him, and love him very much. I am proud of his choice, and can't wait to hear about his experiences. The last picture he took with my boys, and the kids I babysit. He will miss them!! Good luck David, and Return With Honor!

Tyson's Happy Birthday!

For Tyson's birthday we did a little family party. Tyson asked for a "pink cake" with superheroes on it! Now let me explain, Tyson loves strawberries, and knows that whatever is strawberry flavored, is the color pink. So--we followed through with the birthday wish, despite the hesitation of the color pink for a 5 year old boy. We made it masculine by adding the superhero characters.
We gave Tyson some presents, a Toy Story backpack, a new shirt, and....

...well we made him close his eyes for a big surprise!! We made Preston do it too--so he didn't ruin the big surprise!

He got his very first bike!! He loved it--he has been riding it around the house all evening!!

He also was given the Toy Story pop up world, and Toy Story characters from my mom and dad. Clint's parents took Ty shopping this past weekend, and he picked out a G.I. Joe mask/sword set. Tyson said he had a great day, and can't wait for friends to come over. He even started cleaning his room. :) He wants a party--which we are doing later this week.

In Honor of Tyson

Since my little Tyson is 5, and since I have been using this as a journal...I figured I would "flashback" to the moment Tyson was born.

Five years ago today I was 35 weeks pregnant, I awoke at 7:00am. I had a little bit of stomach pain, but didn't think anything of it. I told Clint, we figured it wasn't any big deal, and figured if it continued we would call the doctor. So I went about my morning just trying to get ready. I showered, and tried to get ready. Although, the pain was just not going away, and actually getting worse. So I called my mom, who insisted that I was probably fine, and I should just call the doctor. When it got to the point where I couldn't stand up, and was crying, I figured I better go to the ER. Clint called my boss, she assumed I was in labor. So we left Preston home (my dad lived with us at the time), and headed on our way. On the way to the hospital which was about 25 minutes away, we called my Doctor's office to let them know what was happening. The nurses assured us that I wasn't in labor, and even if I was- I was only 35 weeks pregnant, there would be no possible way I was far enough along to deliver. So they talked Clint into coming there so I could be checked first. Well we arrived to the Doctor's office, which was 2 minutes from the hospital. By this time I was seriously not able to walk. So they took me to a private waiting area, so I didn't have to be in front of all the other patients waiting. As soon as we got in the private waiting area, my water broke. So instead of waiting, they rushed me to an examining room. Well we found out while waiting that my doctor was in surgery. So one of his partners came in to examine me. He took a look--looked at Clint and I, and said, "I have never delivered a baby in the office before, but I guess there is a first time for everything." I was dilated to a 10, and 100% effaced. He walked out to get some supplies, and not 2 minutes later (I was still bawling by the way--and begging for pain killers) he came back in and informed us that he had called an ambulance. He figured with Tyson being 5 weeks early it would be better for him to be born in an ambulance on it's way to the hospital. Within a minute (the fire station was really close) the ambulance was there. They loaded me on a gurney, wheeled me out (I later found out--there were some pretty scared pregnant women in the waiting room after that.) Clint had to drive over separately. The Doctor said, "Celeste, give me 3 contractions. Then you can push." I had 1 on the way out of the office, 1 in the ambulance, and 1 in the hospital elevator. They took me off the gurney, put me on the hospital bed, and Tyson slid out (literally--I never pushed once)! He was born at 9:18 am. Only 2 hours, and 18 minutes from the time I woke up. He weighed 5lbs. 1 oz., and was 17 inches long. He was 5 weeks early, and completely healthy. We never found out what caused his early delivery. I have just decided he has a mind of his own, he does what he wants, when he wants! It's true to this day-still!

I love you sweet boy! Happy 5th Birthday!

Love,

Mommy