Winter Garden Aglow

One of my favorite Christmas traditions since Jeff and I have been married is going to Winter Garden Aglow!  Winter Garden Aglow takes place at the Botanical Gardens at the Old Pennitentiary in Boise.  They decorate with hundreds of thousands of lights - it beautiful!  My great grandpa was the warden at the prison during the 1930s -so I always love going - plus I have a thing for prisons!!

Meeting Prancer!

I had a moment ....

Yesterday the kids and I were decorating the tree.  The Christmas music was blasting and we were having a great time.  As I was pulling ornaments out and handing them to Mylie and Blake I pulled out a wooden painted teddy bear with a Santa hat.  As I held it in my hands, I felt like I had been punched in the stomach.  I started crying and couldn't stop.  It was an ornament my grandma had made for me when I was 11.  See, I miss my grandma often, but I miss her the most at Christmastime. 

Grandma loved Christmas.  And so most things at Christmas remind me of her.  My decorations, Christmas baking, everything.  It is so funny how the little things can trigger such strong memories.  The other day I was driving and listening to Christmas music.  Judy Garland was singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."  Nearly instantly I was transported back in time 25 years to our family progressive dinner.  I saw myself bundled up in warm winter clothes sitting in the backseat of our suburban pulling into my Aunt Rulu's driveway.  I could almost taste the chocolate ice cream roll cake with hot fudge sauce that she probably served for dessert.  :)

I am SO grateful for all the wonderful Christmas memories and traditions that I have from my childhood.  I am grateful that I can share these with my children.  I know my life has been blessed by being raised in a wonderful family and marrying into a wonderful family.  All these experiences help me to try and raise my own wonderful family. 

*****

Speaking of my wonderful family, I was so touched by my kids yesterday.  When Blake saw that I was crying he asked me why.  I told him I missed my grandma, he told me he missed his grandma too.  Mylie is so sensitive, she said "Mom, I have something that will make you feel better!" She ran to her room and got a picture that she has of her and Grandma Hammond and brought it to me to look at.  Then she hugged me for a long time and softly patted my back telling me it would be OK.  I am certain that Heavenly Father was working through my sweet 7 year old to comfort my soul. 

*****

Last night Mylie and I had a girl's night out.  Each year in December she and I get dressed up and go to a play/musical.  This year Jeff's mom gave us tickets to "A Christmas Carol."  We had the most delightful time.  We went to Panda Express (her favorite place to pick for girl's night out) for dinner and then to the show.  She is adorable and love to hold hands with me through the show.  I love to watch her face and see her excitement.  At the end of the show, Mr. Scrooge went out into the audience and gave away gold coins to some people.  She was a lucky recipient and was so delighted.  I am often reminded that I am so lucky to be her mom.

Oh Blake!

This morning Blakey woke up crying that his stomach hurt.  I had class this morning, so Jeff stayed home with him in the morning and I came home after my class so Jeff could go into work for the afternoon.  When I got home, the furnace technician was at our house also, just there to do some routine maintenance. 

Jeff had put Blake in his room to take a nap.  Blake heard me come in and started telling me that he didn't want to nap, that he wanted to see what "the guy" was doing in the garage.  I put him back in his bed, then I ran to my car to get something.  When I came in (all of 1 minute later), he was quiet.  I went in and made some lunch and then went into the office to work on the computer.  About 10 minutes went by and I stopped to think about how quiet Blake was being.  Then I heard his little voice, but it sounded distant. 

Then it hit me ... he was not quietly napping in his room.  I rush to the garage, and there is Blake standing there watching the technician work on the furnace.  I hear Blake ask, "Do you like bad guys?"  I apologized to the technician and explained that I thought he was taking a nap.  Oh goodness, this boy!

P-A-R-T-Y!!

On Saturday, Mylie had her birthday party with her friends.  In August (yes, two months ago), she and I had the idea to have a scrapbook party.  We have been planning since then.  We held the party at my favorite scrapbook store.  They have a big workroom in the back.  I am pretty certain that I was just as excited about this party as Mylie!!

I *love* this banner!  I worked on it for a long time and it was my favorite thing that I did for the party.

The treats.



The girls' workstation.  Each girl brought pictures and I had tool kits and paper kits for them to make a mini book. 



I also took a group picture and then an individual picture of Mylie with each of her friends and printed them there so they could put them in their scrapbooks.  It was so fun to see each girls book.

Hanna and Mercedes

Kelsey and Hanna

Helen, Mylie, and Delaney

Opening presents!  She got lots of fun gifts.

Hanna gave her a gift card to Hobby Lobby and I gave her a gift card to the scrapbook store we were at.  So needless to say, the fun didn't end when the party did.  We did some shopping!!

Jeff and Blake came at the end, in time for presents and cupcakes.  Blake kept saying, "Happy Birthday to Sissy!!"

Enjoying the cupcakes and sunkist.  Everything went just as I had hoped.  We had so much fun!!

Boo!

We had a fun Halloween at the Breach house.  Sunday afternoon the kids trick or treated Grandma and Grandpa Breach.  That was Blake's first time putting on his superman costume.  Let's just say he was VERY mad when he realized he was not able to fly once he put it on. 

Monday Blake got to wear his costume to school.  Mylie didn't get to wear hers, but they had a Harvest Party in her class in the afternoon.  I picked her up at the bus stop after school and we got changed into her costume for the carnival at their daycare. 

Their daycare is AWESOME and they put on quite the Halloween carnival.  Needless to say, the kids had so much fun!!



Drinking witches' brew.




Face painting.



Decorating cookies.




Decorating cookies.



Pin the face on the ghost.




Mylie's turn.



Eat a doughnut off a string.



So cute!

Trick or treating was so fun (and cold).  We stayed out for the longest we ever have and the kids had so much fun!  This really was Blake's first time trick or treating.  I think last year we just took him to a few houses.  He totally got into ringing the doorbell and yelling "trick or treat!"  After he got his candy he would run back to Jeff and I yelling at the top of his lungs "I got trick or treats!!!"  What a fun day!

The "Punkin" Patch

This morning I went on a field trip with Blake's class to the pumpkin patch.  He had so much fun!

There were lots of fun things to do there while we waited for our turn on the hayride.  This cow train was super fun.

Blakey was the caboose.  Don't you love the tail!

This is his buddy Kade.

He goes to a wonderful preschool and has amazing teachers!

Conversations I never thought I would have until I had a 3 year old boy ...

• Please don't wiggle your naked bum in the dog's face.
• No weed wacking in the house.
• No rolly pollies in the kitchen.
• Please don't use your privates as a machine gun.
• Boogers are NOT snacks.
• You don't need to talk about motorcycles in every prayer.
• No, you don't need to take your shirt off to wrestle. 

That boy keeps me on my toes.  But I sure love him!

Part 2

Mylie had a great first day of school!  Her teacher is very nice, she found her friends and made new friends.  Lunchtime went well AND they get 3 recesses!  My favorite moment of the day though:



 Look at the two of them holding hands in the back of the van on the way home today.  Melts my heart!

First Day of First Grade! (part 1)

There's a pretty excited little girl at our house this morning!!

Big A - what do you think about those shoes?



Summer 2011

This summer just flew by!  I can't believe its the middle of August and school is about to start.  Here are some highlights from our summer:

Dinner at Jaker's to celebrate Craig and Kristine's 40th Anniversary!

The whole ham-damn fam!  There are pictures with Blake and Dad looking at the camera, but I love this one because I think it really captures how those two feel about each other!

Trip to Bend - meeting Elena for the first time!

"Sisters, Sisters ...."  Trip to Sisters, OR with Leslie and Karen to the quilt festival.  Delightful trip!

Jeff's D.C. Trip

Jeff's summer injury.

Time for a little fun in the sun - Eagle Park

Lake Lowell

Kickball at the family reunion

Mini-golf at the family reunion

Other highlights include:
*10 days spent in Idaho Falls with all the cousins
*Blake's first stitches (in his chin)
*Putting lots of miles on the new mini-van
*Mylie taking tennis lessons
*Jeff's stitches
*Lots of crafting
*Blake's new love of all things superhero
*Jeff biking 1000 miles
*End of summer puke fest - ok not really a highlight, but certainly memorable. 

Another great summer in the books.  I start classes Monday.  Mylie starts 1st grade on the 29th and Jeff starts his master's degree on 9/6.  Even though the school year is always busy at our house, I enjoy the routine of it.  Last semester was really tough getting into the groove of full time work, but I feel like I have a better handle on it and am hoping we have a smooth transition into the school year.  Cross your fingers for us!

Happy 40th Anniversary!

Happy 40th Anniversary to my wonderful parents!  Earlier in the month when we were all home, we were able to surprise them with an anniversary celebration.  We had such a delightful time and I was glad to be able to spend that time with them.  There are so many reasons that I love my parents.  For starters:

• They are funny (and sometimes they don't even know it).
• They are great parents, and have taught by example.
• They are hard workers.
• They take good care of their parents. 
• They are a wonderful example of a good relationship.  They always make time for each other - but also each have their own interests and they encourage each other to pursue those interests. 
• They are fabulous grandparents. 
• They instilled a strong value system in me. 
• They love me no matter what!

Without a doubt, my parents had a huge part in shaping the woman I am today (especially the good parts).  Here's to many more happy years together!

So much to blog about ...

I have so much to blog about ... 9 super days in Idaho Falls, my adorable nieces and nephews who I am head over heels in love with, my upcoming trip (like in 7.5 hours) to Sisters, Oregon, cool scenery from last week (see below), and a surprise 40th anniversary party.

But, since I don't have time at the moment to do that I will simply share two observations from today:

1. I was in the store today and walked past the ladies' underthings aisle.  Do you know what they sell?  They were seriously selling a "booty pant" - translated, some sort of panty that makes your butt bigger?  OK, I want to meet these women who actually want a BIGGER butt and are willing to fork over their cash for a "booty pant."  I have other expletives to share about this ... but my mom reads this blog, so I'll refrain.
2. Tonight, while on iTunes (preparing the fabulous Sisters Playlist) I clicked on the section "oldies."  Do you know what came up?  MUSIC FROM THE 1980s!!!!!  Are you serious?  Who considers the 80s old?  Am I old?  Is it the same people buying "booty pants?"

Sigh. 

Bike riding pro!