The X game

Here goes Mom! Only 4 months later- :) Place an X by all the things you've done and remove the X from the ones you have not. This is for your entire life!

• (x ) Gone on a blind date
• (x) Skipped school
• ( ) Watched someone die
• (x) Been to Canada
• (x) Been to Mexico
• (x) Been to Florida
• (x) Been lost
• (x ) Gone to Washington, DC
• (x) Swam in the ocean
• (x) Cried yourself to sleep
• (x) Played cops and robbers
• (x) Recently colored with crayons
• (x) Sang Karaoke
• (x) Paid for a meal with coins only?
• (x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?
• (x) Made prank phone calls
• (x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
• (x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
• (x) Danced in the rain
• (x) Written a letter to Santa Claus
• (x) Been kissed under the mistletoe
• (x) Watched the sunset with someone you care about
• (x) Been skinny dipping outdoors

1. Any nickname? Klondike and Indy
2. Mother's name? Karen Elizabeth
3. Favorite drink? Strawberry Italian Soda
4. Any Tattoos? No
5. Body piercings? Ears
6. How much do you love your job? Love it- mother
7. Favorite vacation spot? Amusement Parks
8. Ever been to Africa? No
9. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? Even just the dough
10. Been on TV? No, but my classroom was when I was teaching (A kid with a gun!)
11. Ever steal any traffic sign? No
12. Ever been in a car accident? Multiple- none my fault!
13. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4
14. Favorite salad dressing? Ranch
15. Favorite Pie? My Mountain Berry Pie
16. Favorite number? 1
17. Favorite movie? Right now it's Australia
18. Favorite dessert? Chocolate Chip Cookies
19. Favorite food? Noodles
20. Favorite day of the week? Monday
21. Favorite toothpaste? Aquafresh Extreme Clean
22. Favorite smell? newly sharpened pencil, or fresh cut grass
23. What do you do to relax? Read, daydream
24. How do you see yourself in 10 years? Busy with kids in HS- ahhhhhhhh
25. How many siblings do you have?1 sister

Merry Christmas! 2008

For Christmas Eve we went to Kirsta (a fellow caveman) and Will Evans home, where we were privileged to eat a delicious dinner and watch our children participate in a talent show. Emma and Sean sang and danced and then followed up with some goofy karate moves. We even had a special person knock on the door and secretly deliver presents. It was such a nice evening with the Evans and the Priests, very calm and rewarding!

Today we woke up around 7 to find presents from Santa! We all were very excited to open our presents and were grateful for all the wonderful family and friends that we have. We spent a day doing nothing but playing and enjoying each others company. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and received Joy in their hearts!

Castle Cornville Light Show

Last night we drove over to Cornville and watched the Castle Cornville Light show. First we went to Taco Bell and ate- it had just reopened after being closed for the last couple weeks- wooohooo. Then we sat in 40 degree weather wrapped in blankets with the Sorensens. Emma thought it was wonderful and she had a bunch of friends so the night couldn't get better. Ryan ooohed and aaahhhed, danced, and screamed with excitement the entire time. Sean loved the first 20 minutes then complained about the cold the rest of the time. It was a wonderful evening and we want to make it a Christmas Tradition!

The man who creates this show spends 10 months doing so. He puts out chairs and heaters and creates a 40 minute show (each minute he creates takes about 8-10 hours of work.) He starts putting up his lights in October! He was totally full of the Christmas spirit, it was as if this was his very first showing and he has been doing this twice a night since Thanksgiving. It was free, but he asked for a donation to go to the "Old Town Mission" for those who are less fortunate! What an awesome guy! PS: He recorded our session to put on the internet- so if you want to watch the entire show it should be up and running tomorrow.

Sean's Preschool Christmas Concert

Here is Sean's Preschool having their annual Christmas Concert. It began at 6:00 and they sang a few songs and it was over by 6:20 when we were able to eat cookies and drink milk. It was the cutest little program, my camera was dying so this is a short blurb of Sean- enjoy!

Emma Kindergarten Christmas Concert

Tonight Emma had her AHA Elementary Christmas Concert! She has been practicing for a long time and we were privileged to hear her Kindergarten class sing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Jingle Bells. Emma's class performed wonderfully and had so much energy. They were so much fun to watch and Emma loved it!!! (Hope you enjoy this little clip!) For the grand finally they had the entire elementary hold electronic candles and they turned out the lights to sing- it was pretty cool- and seriously how many schools across the country sang Silent Night for their final song!

As a mother it was a wonderful evening, but I can't help but think that it was a terrible Christmas concert. First it was way tooooo long and it didn't start until 7. Twenty five year olds sat for an hour and a half before they performed, not to mention all the younger brothers and sisters in the audience. There were multiple parents taking kids out to the car including Shiloh with the boys, and to make matters worse it was pouring rain the entire time. The music selection that they sang to was weird (ex. They tried to sing to Mannheim Steamroller) They also had 3rd graders sing to Mongolian Tribal music for Good King Wenseleus and had them sing it monotone- it was so sad but what made it funny was seeing the kids faces because they didn't want to sing it either. When I think of concert I think of singing, but 2/3 of the evening was spent with speeches about Christmas History which was sooooooo boring! It probably sounds like I really had a bad time, but I didn't- I have learned how I would do it differently!! It's a good thing the Kindergarten went last because they had the best part- the funnest part- and they truly entertained us all- which means we went home happy! Thanks Emma!

The Elf on the Shelf

This year Grandpa and Grandma Hoggard sent us "The elf on the Shelf." It is a book which is accompanied by one of Santa's elves. This elf is named by the children of the house and then he sits on a shelf and watches you all day, but at night he flies home to Santa and reports how you have been. When returning in the morning he sits in a new location, which my children love finding each morning. After careful contemplation and time Emma and Sean affectionately named our elf Pinocchio. They are very excited to find him each morning, they sneak him cookies, tell him secrets, give him Santa letters, and love every minute he is around. He has truly found some fun places to be, and this picture shows where he was today. This is a very exciting tradition that we are pleased and happy to continue each year!

Traditional Gingerbread House

Every year we make a gingerbread house. It has differed over the years and I have learned that it is much easier to just buy the house and make it, than to try and make it yourself. I have also learned to make gingerbread cookies to eat while making it so that the house gets finished with all the pieces it started with! Here is this years beautiful model! Way to go kids!! It's fun that Mom and Dad are doing less and less of this project each year- and the creativity juices are flowing from their little minds.

Party in December

Today was soooo much fun!! I started by staying up late last night making and frosting 24 cupcakes and making my masterpiece of pies (Mountain Berry.) At 10 we loaded up the van with our decorated radio flyer wagon and went down to the fairgrounds for Emma to be in her first parade. Her girl scout neighborhood led the Christmas parade this year. They were able to hand out candy, and walk/ride the full two miles. It was sooooooo much fun! It reminded me of all the times I was in parades for clogging or other reasons. Anyways here are some adorable pictures of her and her fellow Daisy's.

Yes- we pulled an empty wagon for most of the time!

Emma could have also been in her schools float-I took a picture because it looked so neat.

During the parade Shiloh took Sean to a swimming birthday party and then he and Ryan met up with us along the route to see Emma in the parade. She proudly gave her brother a piece of candy. At the end of the parade I pulled Emma and Skyla back along the parade route so that they could see the rest of the parade. We met up with Shiloh, picked up Sean, and then went to The Ledbetter Law Firm Family Christmas Social. This is why I made the pie and cupcakes.

Ryan wanted a ride, but mom wasn't going to let it happen- Next year! When we got there the kids went and played in the bounce house and rode horses. Ryan explored every nook and cranny and loved the chickens. We then stuffed our faces with some excellent food.

We discovered Sean's amazing talent to play the drums- he really did have rhythm. Go Sean! Emma enjoyed a few rounds of ping pong- until a frog was used as the ballRyan made a new friend named Logan (they were reserved their own bounce time!)

We got home in time to clean the house and get ready for our UGLY SWEATER COUPLES CHRISTMAS PARTY! We got a babysitter- who had it easy because my kids were so tired they were asking to go to sleep when she got there. It was a fun party where we had a competition to see who could wear the ugliest sweater, and we had appetizers, played games, and had a present exchange. Their was a lot of laughter! By the time I got home I was ready to fall asleep!

Emma's Pedicure

My friend CJ introduced me to the "pedicure world" when I was 8 months pregnant with Ryan. I was 28 years old! My daughter (5) was invited to a birthday party last Friday and received her first real pedicure (from the exact same place that I had mine.) Hummm I wonder who the girlie one is? She just loves it and is so excited about the nail polish and flowers. She mentioned how they did a much better job than I did and it was going to last longer because they put special stuff on it! How fun of a party!!

Ryan's First Word

So everyone knows that babies say "mama" and "dada" and "baba" first. But what is the first word that they say? With Emma it was "book" and with Sean it was "truck." I have been anticipating what Ryan's first word would be, and finally found out today! Emma and Sean had been quoting Wall-e all morning and I went to a hair salon to have Ryan's hair cut when he said as plain as day "Wall-e" with his robotic accent and everything. The hair dresser just about died of laughter, and I am still giggling about it. Way to go Ryan!!

Have a laugh on us!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

This year for Thanksgiving my parents came down from Utah for the entire week. My kids and I were spoiled. Shiloh and I even went and saw a movie together and didn't have to pay a babysitter- yeah. BTW the movie "AUSTRALIA" is awesome and I highly recommend it. Here are some pictures of our wonderful feast and treasured grandparent moments!

Everyone asks what one of our food traditions is and here is our famous one. We wrap our turkey in bacon and it comes out delicious. (Notice that some of the turkey is missing due to it being ate while cooking!) Other's are: my mothers homemade rolls, the Howards Frozen Lime Dessert, and . . . . . .

Here is the rest of the grub- we attempted new mashed potatoes from the Ledbetter family- thanks Rita they were a hit. I wish I had gotten a picture of my pies- I tried a new fancy top and it came out pretty good.

Here is the table before we ate!

Emma made this turkey at school to place next to the one we ate.

Here we are finishing eating!

This year we officially invited the PIG! Despite his age I believe he ate more than I did, and continued to do so over the next few days.

Grandpa and all the grand kids watching the game!

We pulled out all the Christmas stuff the day after Thanksgiving, and I managed to put up most of it. Just as a side note- I did not fall off the ladder this year or get stuck on top of the roof and have to call for help. Ryan is so excited for the coming holiday and for his next meal!

Pizza Hut- Book it!

I can remember being in 1st grade and starting the Book-it program. We had to read a certain number of books each month and then we would get a certificate. The first certificate got us a button and a pizza and then pizza and a sticker to go on the button for subsequent visits. Now 22 years later my daughter is earning her Book-it. How fun that some things remain the same. Emma "read" 30 books in October and I took her to lunch on Wednesday after school- way to go EMMA!!

Instead of a huge ugly button Emma received a neat pencil and a bag clip!

Happy Birthday Michelle!!

A big shout-out to the best sister in the universe! Hope you had the best birthday in the world! Sorry BYU lost, but you gained your 27 comments YEAH! We sure love you- from all the way down here in Arizona. Hope your next year is awesome!

Twilight Party Bus!

After I physically had to remove my children from the van, I put 6 women in my Odyssey and comfortably drove an hour to Prescott. We ate at Outback Steakhouse and then drove to the New Harkins Theatre in Prescott Valley where we "stood" in line for Twilight. CJ, Julie and I hid in the bathroom until the enormous line began and than we snuck in and got the best seats available! It was awesome!! (I will be honest the books are much better, I believe the screen writers could have done a better job.) After the movie we went outside and took pictures and goofed off. I didn't walk into the door until 11:20.

Alicia, Emily, Julie, Tori, Julie, Kelli, CJ and Lindsay

In the theatre

Aren't we excited!

It was such a fun girls night; good food, good friends and just good fun!

We make scary vampires!

Desert Dual

BYU VS. UTAH

Despite the terrible score we had a wonderful time!

Making the homemade rootbeer!

The true blue cake- blue and white cake inside too! Colton, Sterling, Sean, Emma, Luke, Daicy in the back is Ryland and Skyla Missing is Ryan and Gabriella Watching the game! Kara, dkl;, Bill, Grandpa, Shiloh, Brett and Dan

We had a BBQ, games, treats and cake for all!

Everyone had cougar pride, but Gabriella took home the prize!

Thanks everyone for coming!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Happy Birthday Grandma! I have the most wonderful mother1 Yet, I am the world's biggest slacker when it comes to birthdays this year; sorry this is soooooo late. She had a rotten day of being sick, but her birthday dinner was good. Yay! Hope you have a wonderful year and everything you wish for. Thanks for always being there for me and making the sacrifices you have over the years- it means the world to me. Love ya, Julie BTW in the past two and a half years this is the only picture I have of you- we need some more!

IPOD Excitment

Wow! For years now I have wanted an Ipod but never bought one because a stubborn side of me wouldn't let me and we didn't have the money. As a reward for exercising for 6 months I bought an Ipod shuffle. This $45 gift has made me feel as if today was Christmas, the thrill that went through my spine when the FedEx truck pulled up could have powered all of Arizona. My hands were shaking when I opened the box and my kids (who were hanging over my shoulder) couldn't believe that Mom had bought something for herself and not for them. I even had Apple engrave my name on it for free. I am so excited- can you tell! hehe Now I just need to figure out how to use it- which will be a blast. Here are some pictures because I want to remember the day I received my first Ipod- b/c I have a feeling there will come a time when my children will look at me and ask, "What is a CD, Cassette, DVD, and Blu-ray?"

It's so small and so cute! Look at the package so pretty!

I put the penny here so you can really see how small it is.

It has a clip so I can use it to exercise with. Even the directions are teeny!

HOW MUCH FUN IS THIS!

Funny FHE

I've decided my family is random!! We had a Family Home Evening on Sharing- Shiloh presented a wonderful lesson, Sean helped make great cookies, and Emma prepared a fun activity. This activity was to draw a picture of someone sharing. Here are the results:

I drew a man giving his wife flowers in the middle of the ocean!

How romantic.

Emma drew a friend sharing an epet with her. Then for some reason they were able to go up a flight of stairs to heaven. Notice her name at the top- they really do drill that into them.

Sean drew a cave and told me to draw Emma (who was in the dark) giving back his car.

Yet the winner would go to my husband! At first glance you would think they were pirates, but after looking closely you realize they are just two people who have each lost an eye. They then share one together- notice the detail on the shared eyeball.

Hopefully you laughed as hard as I did that night!