Christmas eve with the Browns!

Grandma Springville throws a heck of a party! We ate, had a Christmas program and presents!

Look at all those cute kids:O)

Mckena was an angel this year
Abbie was Mary
Preston was a Shepard and Ella was a sheep! Gotta love cotton balls:O)

Grandma always gives the kids Jammie's and they love it

WE

LOVE

GRANDMA!

Grandma with the boys

Grandma with the girls ( boy that is a lot of girls)

Thanks for a fun night:O)

Christmas eve with the Jarvis clan

It has been tradition since I was little to have a Christmas Eve party with my family. We all come and have a yummy dinner and laugh our guts out with the sistas! This is my favorite day of the year so I look forward to it like the kids. This year was so fun and crazy we had about 45 people in mom's house and it was bursting with excitement. Santa always makes an appearance and the kids love it. The kids however always ask for something not on their Santa letter. This year was no different.

Preston asked for more Legos ( not in his letter)
Abbie asked for a DS ( not in her letter)
Mckena asked for a live cub! Totally on the list way to go Mckena!
Ella was happy to just sit on his lap:O)

The twins made an appearance for a picture. Introducing Payton and Pasiley. After a 5 % chance of living and a rough start they look great. ( thanks for the prayers on behalf of my niece and her family)

Giving some love to cousins before we head home to visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads!

Merry Christmas 2008!!

Santa Clause came to Lehi!!

The little people waiting patiently for the OK to head down to the tree!
Preston with his Nerf gun he HAD to have

Abbie's new skateboard

Mckena with her Live cub she can't believe that Santa was able to make one since mom couldn't find one :O)

Ella really just wanted to eat the paper but was happy with the toys that make noise.

After the presents were open we had the traditional chocolate milk and cinnamon rolls and played like crazy!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! THE EXCITEMENT AT MY HOUSE IS THROUGH THE ROOF! CANT WAIT!!! THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR! THE WRAPPING, THE YUMMY FOOD, FAMILY FUN, AND THE ANTICIPATION IS THE BEST! ABBIE HAS BEEN PRAYING ALL MONTH THAT WE WILL REMEMBER THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS AND NOT BE EXCITED ABOUT JUST THE PRESENTS. ONE OF OUR TRADITIONS IS TO HAVE FAMILY PRAYER BEFORE WE GO DOWN TO THE CHRISTMAS TREE, THANKING OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN FOR THE GIFT OF HIS SON AND THE BOUNTEOUS BLESSINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN. IT'S S GREAT WAY TO START OUT THE DAY! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!!!

THE KIDS ARE THRILLED!!

HURRAY FOR SNOW!!!

some changes

I know I know blog neglect! I feel like my world has been crazy the past couple of weeks and here's why... I got a new calling! I have been serving in the primary of our church for the past 10 years. I really love the kids and feel grateful to have been able to work so closely with some really stinkin cute kids. A couple of weeks ago the Bishop called me in and ask me to serve as the Young Women's president. WHAT??? Deer in the head lights was about all he got for a few seconds. After he let that sink in he told me how they came up with my name and I accepted.
I honestly feel grateful for the opportunity to serve these young women and pray that our presidency will be able to help these girls learn about life and how to live it.
I was really sad to be leaving the primary I have been serving with some really great women whom I have grown to love and respect. It will be weird to not be with them each Sunday. Thankfully these women are also my friends and that doesn't change no matter where we go on Sunday:O) I am feeling like a fish out of water and totally inadequate. The previous young women's president was really a remarkable women. Intelligent, loving, kind, and can I just say hysterical! So needless to say I am feeling a little out of sorts. Thanks heavens that the women the are serving with me are absolutely amazing. So with that being said I have got my big girl panties on and my running shoes and I am off to a new adventure!

sweet kids breakfast with SANTA!

Today was our annual sweet kids breakfast with Santa! Yep the big man came all the way from the north pole to have breakfast with all these sweet diabetic kids!

After breakfast the kids all got to sit on Santa's lap and get a present. Since Mckena has a severe aversion to people with facial hair (what the ...??) she refused to get in the picture.but never fear Santa knows how to fix everything. So he walked right up to Mckena and gave her a present and asked her what she really wanted for Christmas. To which she replied in a whisper..."a live cub."

(sorry I don't know how to rotate the photo)
When Santa went back to his chair she was gitty! "I did it! I talked to Santa"
Now if we can just get her to eat things that are red!:O)

never as good as the book!

TWILIGHT!

So I know I am a little behind but... On Monday the 24Th I went with 11 of my closest friends to TWILIGHT. We went to the 10 pm showing. Loved the people I went with, disappointed in the movie! Here are my thought is random order.

1. What the heck is up with Bella's mouth? Her mouth was always open and her lips were moving when she wasn't speaking. WEIRD
2. don't love Edward in the movie. He couldn't even look at Bella when they were speaking. plus he was much , much hotter in my mind:O)
3. Found myself laughing at inappropriate times. CHEESY is the key word here.
4. For as much hype there was about the book don't you think they could have spent more than 5 dollars on this movie?
5. I did get a chuckle out of watching the 40 year old women in front of us clapping and swooning over Edward.

All in all the book is ALWAYS better than the movie!

Zerberts anyone?

Ella has discovered that she has this talent of blowing zerberts. She does this ALL day EVERYDAY! I know the video stinks but you can at least get the drift.

So Ella really thinks it is funny to do this while nursing. For various reasons this is not good. First boob milk goes everywhere, second it usually scares the crap out of me, Josh however thinks it is hysterical. SICKO! The thing that cracks me up is the look on her face. She looks like she is in pain or about to fill her pants. I can't help but love her guts!

Happy Birthday....

Happy Birthday Josh!!!

(Preston and Josh before going to the conference center for priesthood session)

To the one that I love, admire and adore Happy birthday Ronda!

tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy

Bright and early Tuesday morning Abbie went to the surgical center to have her tonsils and adenoids removed. After 5 positive strep test in 6 months it was time to yank those suckers out. Abbie said that even though it was going to hurt it was better than having strep and getting what she calls the "peanut butter shot" every 5 to 6 weeks. Doesn't she look cute in her HAT:o)

After surgery.

When Josh and I went back she was just laying there so quiet. I asked her if she was OK and she said "my throat hurts." Sweet thing. We gave her an orange Popsicle and some morphine and she was good to go. She honestly is doing better than we thought she would. We have been checking her blood sugars every couple of hours around the clock and she has had pretty good numbers. This makes me very happy!

When we got home from surgery Preston had made Abbie's bed for her and left this sweet note....

It says...
Abbie- I love you!!!!! I'm siurus. You are my hero. Here is a bage you can wear. Preston
Such a sweet boy!
Feel better soon Abbs! xoxxOOOXXoo

Flash Back Friday - In the Darkness of the Night

So, It really isn't Friday just yet... but Pam is GNO with her sister and in the darkness of the night I figure that it is time once again to hack into the family blog and do another tribute... of course to my best friend.

So, flash back about 10 years ago. Living on the military base in Las Vegas. As a poor young couple our date night consisted of going over to the local BX (base brand of a Target) and looking at all the things we wanted to buy - like kids in a candy store, toy shop, or pet shop.

I can still see it like it was yesterday. We were driving back to the house at 214 Swaab Street and Pam says something like this, "Do you think that it is time to have kids?" To my chagrin my reply, was of course, nothing to be proud of went something like this, "There is a time and a season and it is definitely not now."

Fast forward about 10 years, as I sit in my Black hoody and pjs, entering in a blog about how grateful I am for Pam before she gets home (instead of doing homework). I do not fully know, understand, nor do I think I want to know, what it is like for her. I know a few things - that I have the easier job of getting up and heading off to school, work, or meetings. That the glory of being "just" a mom is often over looked, looked down upon, and judged by how clean your house is, how good your kids behave, how good you look only getting a few hours sleep each night, etc, etc.

But remember my friend - that in the darkest of nights in the darkest of days - that a blessing was given unto all women that "he (who shall not be named) shall have power to bruise thy heel, but she shall have power to crush they head." As you continue to sacrifice daily, hourly; your glory and reward will come and you will always be known as "Mother."

I love you, PJ.

tooth fairy isssues....

Preston is loosing his teeth like crazy!!! The other day he told me his tooth was hurting so after some investigation we realized it was loose. I told him to keep wiggling it and soon it would fall out. The next day when I picked him up from school he was holding his mouth. When he got in the car he said you have too look at my tooth it is killing me. So he opened up and there was a HUGE hole. He thought he was so funny. He put his tooth under his pillow that night and the next morning there was his tooth and NO money. What the ....?? So I told Preston that the tooth fairy always has a good excuse for not coming. She may have a broken a wing, or there was a storm, or she was sick. Then the next day he pulled out another one! So to insure that the tooth fairy knew exactly where he was and how many teeth were actually lost Preston left this note for her.

I myself really like the self portrait! Thank heavens when he woke up this morning the tooth fairy had indeed visited. She must have fixed her broken wing, got a 4x4, took some medicine, or just got her act together!:O)

Ella first halloween!

Ella had her first Halloween and these are our favorite moments!

Ella in Preston's pumpkin. They thought it was funny that they could fit her inside:O)

My favorite was this one. Ella had the perfect costume. Snuggly warm with a built in pea pillow!

She was such a good baby for the holiday. We love you L!!!
Scroll down for the rest of our Halloween fun!!!

TRICK OR TREAT

This year we went to our trunk or treat. Although I am TOTALLY against it the kids had a good time.

After the trunk or treat Ella and I came home and passed out candy and the kids went with Josh for some traditional trick or treating. Here's the loot!
After getting the candy traded and ready for the night we cuddled up to watch a GOOSEBUMPS movie. These are their scary faces.
Then off to bed, but not before the note was written to the candy witch. For those not familiar with the candy witch this is how it works. When the kids get home from trick or treating, they get a sandwich baggie and fill it with their favorite candy and put everything else in a big bucket for the candy witch. In the morning there are some prizes and the candy is gone! We were introduced to the candy witch by some other parents of Diabetic children. GENIUS!!!
Another GREAT Halloween!!!

Halloween Party at Grandmas!

Annual Brown's Halloween Party!!!

Every year Grandma throws a heck of a good party for halloween. This year Josh was in charge of the costumes and this is how we turned out. Gansters Brown style!

Preston is ALWAYS something scary and dead, Abbie was a pirate, Mckena a witch ( tried on Halloween to switch to a princess... no way!) and Ella a pea pod.

Grandma you sure know how to throw a great party! Thanks!!!

GUTS, GUTS... and jack-o-lanterns!

Preston's guts.....

Abbie's guts....
Mckena's guts...
JACK-O-LANTERNS!!!

Then out to the front porch to share with the masses! Stinkin cute:O)