Celebrate!

We've been away out of town, but now we're home and ready to tell you all about our trip. We were gone for 10 days and a lot happened so I'll show you some of the highlights of our vacation.

Christmas Holiday at Nate and Emily Koenig's house!... the before...

Finding our stockings filled with yummy breakfast, toys, and goodies. I'm not sure how awake Ashley was...

Opening presents with family... (Notice the apron? For all you BYU fans, it says, "I eat red meat on and off the field"

...During...

Of course the aftermath is impressive! The garbage man decided to skip Seven Iron Court for 2 weeks so all of this sat either at the end of the driveway in 3 giant garbage cans or in the garage!The tents were big hits! Sammy and Ashley both received one and they each match the sheets on their beds. What a lucky coincident that was!The Barbie doll house was the question of the morning! "Who is that for?" Andy is such a dedicated daddy... he stayed up late to put on all the ridiculously tiny stickers!But it seemed to be totally worth it!The inflatable chairs were also a big hit... unfortunately all three popped within a few days. Hopefully I will be able to exchange them.Yes, that is a night mask Sammy is wearing. It came in the tent package... and she actually uses it. Funny girl!Another thing we did, well the girls at least, was glitter toes!Emily has a friend that came to her house and we all got our toes done!The poor girl is pregnant and sat on that floor for a couple hours pampering us... but she made big bucks, too!Ashley had asked so sweetly if she could have sparkles on her toes, too. I couldn't say no to her puppy dog eyes. She was so happy to get them done that it was totally worth it.(Lexi and Jayda's friends left before the picture was taken, but these are the toes of the family girls! They turned out way cute!)Of course the cheerleading outfits were funny...Because Utah beat BYU! (This is a picture of Ashley watching the Utah vs. Alabama game)And to top it off... the ride in the car. (This was actually taken on the way to Grandma and Grandpa Wyne's house, but it was pretty cute.) The girls were amazingly great in the car on the way home. It was such a blessing! We ended up coming home a day early and Andy said, "Okay, we're not telling anyone that we're home so we can sluff church. Right?" I made him go anyway and it turned out to be a very good thing we came home early. Poor Melissa would have been left alone to conduct, float, and do sharing time in primary (1st Sunday of the year) if I hadn't come today.

Retaliation!

After the last U of U vs. BYU football game Andy called our beloved family BYU fans and had the girls chant, "Go Utah! Go Utah! Go Utah!" It was a bit of salt in the wounds for some... Nate and Emily in particular! So for Christmas (since we were at their house) there was some major retaliations!!! These were the first gifts opened!

They did look pretty dang cute, though! And for all of you that saw our Halloween pictures... or if you're a BSU fan... I thought you would like this little segment. I think they might be a little undecided on their team as of right now.

Loads of Christmas Cards!

We've received so many Christmas cards/letters/pictures this year we've resorted to using the wall! I'm not complaining, really. It's one of my favorite things about this holiday season. In fact last year I left my pictures up so long my sister was surprised when I finally took them down. I think it was in February, maybe even March.

I can't hang them on the door too low, or else Katlyn and Ashley will pull them down.


I have to say this was my favorite letter of the season... not that I like this family any more than others (they are pretty great, though). I just laughed so hard about it! I think Abby is 7??? How stinkin' cute is this little girl!?!

This one is for my Samantha...

(These pictures are shuffled as are my memories of Samantha.)

Today is Sammy's fifth birthday! We started the celebration by having her two cousins, Kassidy and Kelsie, spend the night. They vegged out with pizza and root beer in the living room while watching The Grinch. After their tummies were full the girls helped me make bouncy balls... BIG hit of the party! They then had a slumber party in Sammy's room. Andy took the mattresses off Sammy and Ashley's beds to make one big king size bed on the floor. (I'm not sure if that was the best idea since they didn't go to bed till very, very late!)

(Sorry, I had to show off the cake. There are also butterflies on the sides of the cake... and sorry some of the photos are blurry. The batteries in my camera died while out to dinner.)

In the morning the rest of the Bullock family joined us for cake and ice cream... well, they didn't eat any. Sammy opened her presents and had fun playing with them the majority of the day.

(She also got Connect Four from the Bullock's.)



For dinner she wanted to go to the Olive Garden but didn't have the patience. The wait was about 35-45 minutes! Yikes! So we took her to a family favorite, Jalapenos! The girls loved talking to everyone and pointing out the Grinch painted on the window. And of course Sammy beamed when the employees came out and sang to her! (She ate the whole dessert by herself and wouldn't even share one bite! What kind of kid am I raising?... Oh yeah, mine.)



After dinner we went to Target so that Sammy could spend the $5 Grandma Laurie gave her. I couldn't believe it... she wanted a Barbie! It was probably the fastest shopping trip we've ever made. She saw the one she wanted within 5 seconds and to checkout we went!

Happy Birthday, Samantha! It's been five wonderful, exciting, and interesting years! We love you very much and are glad you are part of our family!

Holiday Greetings

(This is the picture and newsletter we sent out for the holidays and thought you would enjoy them, too.)

Dear Family and Friends,
To start off, we know this is super late in the holiday season, but we wanted to let you know we were thinking of you anyway.
Andy has kept himself very busy with work. He is the billing manager at St. Luke’s Home care and Hospice. He enjoys the challenges it brings and the good people he works with. At home you can find him with his nose in a good book or playing with the girls. As soon as he puts his key in the door all three girls scream, “Daddy!” That always brings joy and puts a smile on his face.
Alanya has had many new challenges this year. She still loves to use her sewing machine with many different projects and has found that to be her favorite hand me down! She still loves cross-stitch, but has found little time for it this year. With the move in September she decided to take on the role of the anonymous “Wanda Witch” for a Halloween party. It proved to be a great success and now there are other parties in the making. She has started a family blog and spends many hours posting and catching up with friends. Her most recent change has been her calling to the primary presidency as the second councilor. So far she has been pleasantly surprised. The women she works with are so wonderful and she looks forward to the New Year.
Sammy (5) this year has enjoyed playing with her cousins and making new friends in our ward. She also started preschool in August and has loved every minute. She is learning how to write, “Samantha” and often forgets the “n” but we are very proud of her. She will often copy something and then take it to mommy and say, “What does this say?” She also loves going to primary and is looking forward to seeing her little sister in Sunbeams and mommy in the presidency.
Ashley (3) brings such a sweet spirit to our home. Whenever she starts to throw her tantrums all we have to do is get down on our knees and put our arms around her. She will immediately start to cry, “I’m so sorry… I’m so sorry.” She often follows Sammy around the house and mimics her every move. She loves to play with her family and is also looking forward to being in the Sunbeam class, although she’ll miss her teachers in Nursery.
Katie Bug (18 months) has had many milestones this year! She learned to walk in the summer, grew lots of teeth, started to talk a bit, and has now joined nursery! It’s a rare moment that she is not smiling and laughing. We all love to watch her play and see how her little mind works. We especially love all the funny faces she makes at us. She brings so much joy to our family and we’re grateful for her.
In this season we are reminded of our Savior and the blessings he gives us. We are so thankful this year for our family and friends who have helped us in this challenging year. We are grateful for our home, the neighborhood we live in, and especially the ward. It’s been a tremendous change and we love being in the 34th ward. We owe everything to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
We love you all!
Andy, Alanya, Samantha, Ashley, and Katlyn

Look what the UPS man brought!

Andy bought me the Wii Fit for my birthday and it wasn't supposed to get here till January... The UPS man brought it on Monday! We had a lot of fun playing with it and I got a little clip of Sammy trying to do the Hula Hoop. Sorry it's a little dark. She got pretty good and even had the high score the first day.

Family Home Evening A Day Late...

For out Tuesday family home evening we decorated gingerbread houses... well, the girls decorated graham cracker houses. We had a lot of fun! Sammy really got into it making sure every inch of graham cracker was covered by candy. Ashley was more interested in the candy. She would stuff as many pieces of candy into her mouth before I would say, "Stop eating all the candy." Katie didn't even care about the candy, she wanted to eat the house itself. The icing was not her favorite but she muscled through it for the cracker.

Crazy-busy weekend!

My weekend started off with cleaning of the house and doing laundry... but then the fun stuff started! I went to my friend, Kelsey's, baby shower. She looks so stinkin' cute, and I can't believe she's due next month! This is a picture of the blanket I made for her baby boy, which incidentally gave me a "job." Someone at the shower asked if I could make two for her twin boys. I really love to make them so it really doesn't seem like a job. I also spent time catching up with friends I haven't seen in about six years. Way fun!!!

After the shower I raced to do some last minute Christmas shopping. And then it was off to our ward Christmas party. It turned out great! We had breakfast for dinner, which the girls loved! I think Sammy and Ashley had three servings of everything, and Katie ate two!!! The primary kids sang Silent Night and since Brigetta was leading Sammy and Ashley got to stand up on the stage front and center (the kids stood at the tables by their parents). The funniest part was Brandon asked where Brigetta was so we pointed to the stage and he said, "I thought she was one of the kids!"

Sunday, was a day to run around! I think I sat for twenty minutes total of church! (Thanks, Hollie and Andy for substituting classes at the very last minute... see what happens when your family to the second councilor in primary!)

After church I had more deliveries to make for Activity Days and then raced home to start cookies! I made candy cane cookies... even though they weren't shaped like candy canes. I didn't have the patience for them! So they ended up looking like sugar cookies with a Christmas tree made out of frosting on top. They turned out pretty cute!

Then it was time for dinner at our house with Grow's, and Eisley's! We always love having them come over... no matter what! Around 8:00 Hufford's came over for the season finale of...

SURVIVOR GABON!!!

We were all very pleased that Bob won! His personality reminds me so much of my father-in-law and we were cheering for him!... little bumbed Matty didn't make it to the final three.

After the party was over and guests were taking off... naked ninny ruined Christmas!... not really. My cousin's little boy (who was walking around in a diaper) couldn't get enough of our ornaments! Somehow in the pursuit of grabbing yet another one, he pulled the Christmas tree down on himself!!! Hollie and I quickly grabbed the tree and pulled Caden out from under it. We cleaned up about a gallon of water and about a thousand needles. We are very glad Caden was not hurt, but we don't think he learned his lesson.

Then of course I had to check out the latest of my friends, and I hope Rachel doesn't mind me posting these pics of her baby... but look how beautiful this baby is! So sweet! Wish I could be closer to hold this little girl! Can someone close to me have a baby so I can hold one?

One year older and wiser too...

I know I'm a bit late, but it was my birthday on Tuesday! I have to say it was probably the best birthday since Andy and I got married. I started my day off by my three little girls telling me happy birthday and giving me hugs. My sister-in-law, Mindy, was kind enough to watch the girls for me so I could go out to Costa Vida with a couple girlfriends. That in itself was great! Andy also informed me that Mindy was taking the girls for the rest of the day so I had free time. I wasn't quite sure what to do with myself! I got my nails done... and I haven't done that in five years! (I forgot how sore they are the first day... eek!) And the guy was so nice he knocked $5 off since it was my birthday!

Later Andy told me to meet him at the mall at 5:00. He told me I had X amount of dollars to spend on an outfit and he promised to NOT complain the whole time! He did pretty good...

He then took me to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. YUM!

I know I'm a dork for taking a picture of my food, but it was so good! The steak seriously melted in my mouth. I usually order the Crispy Chicken Costoletta, but I felt like something different. And since I don't like cake, we ordered my favorite (and only one I like) chocolate coconut cream cheesecake. Andy didn't even touch it... he said it was all MINE!

After we got home I raced over to Hollywood Video for my free birthday rental. Andy needed to get some sleep so he sent me to Brigetta's for a "girl's night." (Yes, Andy put the girls to bed all by himself.) There weren't any good chick flicks out so we watched Fred Claus... I fell asleep, though. I plan to finish it before it's due.

It was such a fun birthday! I had a great time with my family and friends and what was just as great... I had so many phone calls or emails throughout the day from other family members or loved ones. I even got a call from a friend I grew up with, but haven't talked to in over a year. I couldn't believe she remembered! Of course, my mom and Brigetta took me out on Wednesday for our "girls" celebration. We went to one of my favorite restaurants, Jalapenos! The manager, Urma, and some of the other employees came out and sang to me, made me wear the sombrero, and banged the maracas on the hat! And if that wasn't enough... when I got to Brigetta's house she told me that Angie Ewing brought over a Christmas tree for us. She heard that we had an artificial one that was too tall for our living room, and so they brought us a real one. How thoughtful is her family? I'm proud to say that I put up the tree, hung lights, and decorated it myself! Well, Ashley put on a few of the ornaments... and then decided it was boring.

Thanks to all of you who wished me a happy birthday through email, phone, or in person. It really was one of the best because of you! I love you all!

If you want to hear how awesome our waiter was at the Cheesecake Factory, take a look... well, it's really dark. So just listen.

Hello? Anybody there?

Yesterday as I was getting over the last of my yucky illness, Brigetta was so kind to take Sammy to school for me and then kept her the rest of the day. Well, after having her all day she needed to come home. Since we only live one street over and the alley is right by my house I told Brigetta to send Sammy home and I will meet her on the other side of the alley. (Brigetta watches/walks her down there and I can still keep an eye on my house.) Ashley wanted to stay home for those few minutes and watch TV. I didn't see the harm in that since I would be right back... I know there are moms out there in shock right now that I would leave my three year old by herself!!! (Yes, I'm a bad mom!) When we got back, yes, Ashley was fine... but she locked us out of the house! Don't ask me how she was able to lock the door but not figure out how to unlock it. Anyway, we were freezing since I just grabbed light jackets and slippers and I then had to interrupt Brigetta on her way out the door to bring me my spare key. I met her in the alley and when I got back to the house Sammy was yelling at Ashley through the window instructions on how to unlock the door... it didn't work. Thanks to my "preparedness" (ha, ha) we were able to get back in the house before the officials were called. Are we insane or what?

Yucky!!!

I've been away from the blogging world this week... due to the yucky bug going around. Sunday Katie threw up and seemed to feel fine after that. Sammy then decided that she needed to be sick! She was throwing up till about 9 or 10 and then was awake off and on during the night. I stayed beside her to make sure she was alright and we both were wiped out the next day. She is now doing better but Katie has had the runs and threw up once more yesterday... then I got sick! I hate being sick! But I hate it worse when a neighbor comes over to play and I look like death warmed over... and my house smells like it! I was so embarrassed, but she was very understanding... please don't judge me, Ginger! It seems we are on the down slope of this illness, but we'll see what tomorrow brings.