Can you feel the love???

The other night Gregg went into the girls room to do the nightly check before we went to bed. The next thing I know he is calling me in their room to show me something. I walked in, looked into Maleah's crib (fully expecting to see both the girls in there sound asleep just like last time) but the bed was empty. My first reaction was panic. I quickly turned around to look at Alise's bed, and there they were fast asleep. After we put them to bed, Alise must have again wanted her sister, climbed into Maleah's crib, pulled her out and put her into her own bed. They never made a sound so I am assuming they both enjoyed it. Looking at them sure made Gregg and I smile, I am so glad they get along so well!

The Grinch!

Kittys are so little and cute, fluffy and innocent. . . .



well mine isn't! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my kitty but she has become the Christmas Grinch! Ever since we put up our Christmas tree she isn't the same cat. She now scratches our couches, our nice dinning room chairs, and climbs up our Christmas tree. Climbing up the tree actually wouldn't bother me if she didn't knock down every ornament, make our star crocked everyday, or make the beads that were nicely strung on the tree slide right off. Right now our tree looks like someone knocked it over and stomped on it! Finally in the end I got so tired of fixing the tree that I stopped doing it! So for Christmas this year we have a "Special" tree :) Here is a few pictures of the damage, but I have to say that it looks 99 times worse in person!

Santa Claus is coming to town!

We had our ward Christmas party and the kids LOVED seeing Santa. Maleah who shouldn't have any idea who he is, was excited to see him. She is by far my bravest child and the only one (as a baby) who didn't cry when she sat on Santas lap. Even Dallin (an unbeliever) sat on his lap!

Some fun stuff happening

For F.H.E this past Monday I decided it would be fun to do Graham cracker houses. The kids had a great time building them and eating all the extras. We did however, have a couple collapsing houses but overall I think they had a really good time. I think I will have to do this next year as well.

Dallin's masterpiece

Alise's creation

Preston's cute little house

This week Alise lost her first tooth. She cried and cried in the car on the way home from my parents house because she heard a crack in her mouth. Then she kept crying and saying, "It's going to fall out, it's going to fall out." We tried to convince her that it was an exciting thing to loose a tooth. It didn't matter what we said, she continued to cry. At home she started trying to pull it out herself (still crying). It was funny because she was so scared to have her tooth come out, yet all she wanted is to get it out. Finally she decided to have Gregg pull it out. He did, and she smiled the rest of the night!
These are after pictures, although I wish i would have gotten a picture of her sad face too.


Yesterday Dallin got his braces, expander, and head gear off! He was so happy, but it made me kind of sad. He looks so big now! It's almost like he got older over night or something. he doesn't have that cute little baby face anymore (even thought he's still cute). I think he looks a little like my brother Chris (for all of you that know him). It's going to take some getting used to.
His head gear that he wore at night while he slept:


His before picture the day he got his braces off:

His after picture that same day:

Sorry some pictures are sideways. I fixed them all and somehow the computer didn't save it. I didn't have time to go back and do it all again.

THE RESULTS ARE IN!!!

I had my MRI on Tuesday night. It took about 30 minutes and it was pretty easy, although they did have to give me an IV and inject me with die, I HATE needles! Anyway, last night my doctor called and said that everything looked normal and he prescribed me with that migraine medicine that I was telling you about. I feel so much better knowing that everything is okay. I just want to say thank you to everyone who said a prayer for me, that means so much!

Something funny and something sweet.

My girls are just so wonderful! There is nothing like having a couple girls! Tonight as we did our nightly check on the kids this is what we found:


We put Maleah in her bed first until she fell asleep, then we put Alise in. Apparently Alise decided she wanted her sister tonight, and crawled into her crib and cuddled with her. I am guessing Maleah didn't mind one bit because she didn't make a sound and she looked so comfortable all snuggled up to Alise.

Also a few nights ago we were having foil packs for dinner and the kids were dipping it in ketchup (that's what the red stuff is). They were all in joying their meal and it was quiet until Maleah held up a piece of hamburger on her fork and said,
" Mommy. . . .poop'n" (that's what she calls poop since every time we talk about it, someone is in the act of actually pooping). She really thought it was a piece of poop! She didn't seem to mind eating it either, in fact she kept wanting more. The other kids (and Gregg and I)were hysterical! So of course all the kids started calling it poop'n until I ruined all their fun and told them to stop. I didn't want her to actually try her poop someday thinking it was something yummy! So here are a couple pictures of that night.

Mysterious song!

Okay so I never picked this song that is playing right now. . .it picked me! Pretty freaky really. I have no idea where it came from, I thought maybe my playlist was going nuts so I deleted the whole section, and still this song plays. I hope you like it, you might be hearing it forever if I can't fix the problem :0) I actually wrote a message to "the blog doctor", I didn't even know they had something like that,so I hope he helps me out. Until then enjoy the song if it's your taste, if not turn down the sound. Oh, and check out the blog under this one too.

Aunt Tammy's visit and getting ready for Christmas!

For Thanksgiving this year, Gregg's sister Tammy came to visit for a few days. We had such a great time with her! The kids loved playing hide and seek and putting up the Christmas tree with her. Also last Saturday Gregg and I got to meet one of Gregg's cousins (Melanie Hodgkin) she stopped by with her boyfriend for a couple of hours and we had dinner and talked. It was so weird how even though we never really knew each other before, it was like we had known her for years! She is such a sweetheart and her boyfriend was a funny guy. We had a great time.
Here are some pictures of our week:

Tammy and the kids:



We made Tammy's favorite, homemade bananna muffins and cinnimon rolls (which we ate so fast we didn't get a picture of)

This is a picture of Melanie and Tammy

Caleb, Gregg, and Melanie's boyfriend Jacob (I think that was his name anyway)

My doctor update!

This afternoon wouldn't you know it, I was eating lunch when I started to see spots AGAIN! I was kind of annoyed because my doctor appointment was going to be in an hour and I can't drive if I am having a migraine (it's to dangerous). So I called my mom to drive me, and lucky for me Caleb was here for my kids and I was able to lay down and rest until it was time to go. By the time I got there I felt pretty good. The doctor said he thinks I am just having bad migraines but to be sure he ordered an MRI. I will be having the MRI next week sometime, they still have to call and make an appointment for me. He said that he doesn't think they will find anything on the MRI and if they don't, he has this really cool migraine pill that dissolves and works really fast. I am not worried at all, in fact I am actually excited that there might be something out there that will help. I'll update you next week when I go. Thank you all for caring so much. Love you all- Jamie

Doctor here I come!

Okay, I have been procrastenating but I finally have an appointment. I have been having these horrible, horrible headachs lately. They start with bright lights (sort of like someone just took your picture) and the lights get worse and worse until I have this massive headach and I can't really function. Sometimes I get numb on one side of my body and sometimes I have it so bad that I can't even talk right. I can think stright but my words come out all wrong. About 2 weeks ago I was at Old Navy with Denise and it happened. I tried talking to her but it was so difficult and she was a little worried. I ment to make an appointment but things got busy and I didn't have another one. . . .until today. I was in bed for quite awhile, while my kids ran around my bedroom. My poor visiting teachers waited at the door and no one ever answered it:( I finally decided that enough was enough and I found a doctor (because I only had a OBGYN doctor) and made an appointment. It's this Tuesday at 1:30, so please pray for me. I hope its nothing serious, I'll update you when I know more.

A Song, A Party, and a Tag

MALEAH'S SONG


PRESTON'S PARTY
Preston's birthday party was today! He doesn't actually turn 4 until Saturday but he had his first real party today. He invited all the kids from preschool (even the girls) and one other boy from church. It was all about dinosaurs and he loved it! We had a Dino egg hunt, played musical Dino's, colored pictures and played play dough. You know. . .it really is funny to watch kids that age, they don't really care about other people. I know that sounds bad but I mean that in a very innocent way (they aren't doing things to be mean or rude). One of the girls was really shy and complained to her mom the whole time that she wanted to leave, one boy ignored what we were doing and did his own thing, and Preston . . .well he ditched his friends once he opened his presents! I don't think any of the kids even knew the birthday boy wasn't with them :) Even so, I think they all had a great time. Thank you to Tina who stayed and helped she was a lifesaver!!!


I've been Tagged So here goes...........

8 Favorite TV shows
1-Jon and Kate + 8
2-Cosby show (reruns )
3-Home Improvement (reruns )
4- Little People Big World
5- The News
6-Running out of shows ???
7-Honestly I really don't watch much T.V
8-

8 Things I did yesterday
1-went shopping for a scout project
2-Cleaned house
3-mailed a package to my grandma
4-Made dinner for dinner group (4 families)
5-read blogs
6-decorated for Preston's party
7-made a dinosaur cake for Preston's party
8-went to the gym

8 Things I look forward to
1-Girls Weekend end of April Yeah
2-Thanksgiving
3-Christmas
4-Maleah not throwing tantrums
5-My Anniversary 11 yrs 09/10
6- naps (yeah right)
7-my next date with my hubby
8-Tammy (my sister-in-law) coming to visit

8 Favorite Restaurants
1-Olive Garden
2-Applebees
3-Chili's
4-WONDERFUL CHINESE -only in CA:(
5-Ruby River
6-I am to picky about my restaurants to have 8 favorites!
7-
8-

8 Things on my wish list
1-I wish my house could be spotless
2-I wish I could be a better organizer
3-I wish I could win the lotto
4-I wish I could travel to Germany to visit family
5-I wish I could go on a cruise
6-I wish that I could build my dream home
7-I wish I could be more patient
8-I wish I didn't have to think of so many things to wish for!

Shopping no more!

I feel SO good, I am mostly DONE shopping for Christmas. Yep, you read it right. This year I decided to start WAY early and I found some GREAT deals too! I am totally done with all my kids, including stuffers (I just hope candy will be okay until then :) I am almost done with Gregg just a few more little things. I am also done with my parents and Gregg's parents and Tyler (I already shipped those two):) I feel on top of the world! I do have a very small list left for people here and there but nothing big at all. I think I am going to start doing this every year! You know what has been really cool too??? When I see something I already bought go on sale (or in my case on clearance) I have plenty of time to take it back!
I love the Christmas holiday and now I can finally take it all in without having to worry about the "other stuff".

Halloween

You know I am starting to care less and less what my kids are for Halloween. Usually I go all out, pick their costumes months before the big day, and get everything prepared. This year was So different I pretty much let them be whatever they wanted and I let them find most of it in their own closets (although I did buy a few things). They all thought it was the greatest thing and I had no complaints. The only one with a problem was Preston, his original costume was a dragon which was just WAY too hot for the unexpected warm weather we had. So at his preschool Halloween party we improvised and I grabbed a spider man dress-up costume which he gladly wore that day. . . .then comes Halloween night and he tells me (while we are getting ready in our costumes)that he changes his mind and he wants to be a skeleton like Dallin. So we scrambled up his costume the best we could in the five minutes we had, and he ended up being the happiest little boy ever! So from now on I am saving my time and my money! They love it that way anyway.

I just love our family

We had such a great time with Spencer(Gregg's brother)and Marie and their two kids. They live in Louisiana so we don't see them very often. When they came it was like old times right away. Marie and I talked about girly stuff and the boys well . . . .


they did manly stuff. We also had awesome late night talks, a movie night, we took the kids to the zoo, and Gregg and I babysat for them while they went out to celebrate their 3 year aniversery. I loved every minute of their stay and we were so sad to see them go (especially since we had no idea when we will see them again).

Here is a cute family shot of their cute little family.

This is Little Spencer (they call him little man) he was SO cute!

Soon!

I will be blogging again soon but as for right now we are enjoying company from Louisianna this week. We have Gregg's brother (Spencer) and his wife (Marie) here with their two little ones that we finally got to meet. We are having a great time! I'll post more in a day or two when they leave.

I learned something new!

First of all I have to thank my friend Jen for telling me how to fix my camera. It works again!!!! I am so happy about that. Blogs are just not the same without picutres!
I learned something new this weekend. I threw a babyshower for my friend Brandy and another friend (Janeice) showed me how to make this diaper cake for her.

Isn't it cute??? They are so easy and fun. What do you think?

3 Tags in one!

Quirks

Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours

So here goes . . .

1. I have to kiss my husband goodbye when ever he (or I) leaves the house if I don't get to I am upset.

2.I have to clean the kitchen as soon as we finish a meal. I guess it's kind of nice because my husband is the same. If I am not there doing the dishes then he is.

3. I leave my projects (whatever I am working on) laying around and I like it that way because then I remember to finish them. My husband isn't to fond of this idea :) but he puts up with it anyway.

4. I love to take my cat on car rides. I think I enjoy it more than the kids!

5. I call Denise (my sister-in-law) at least 5 times a day. Denise calls me about the same. We just can't get enough of each other. LOve you NEE-SEE :)

6. Sometimes out of the blue I grab one of my kids, hold them down and hug and kiss them until they want me to let go . . .usually they love it! Dallin might not admit it but I think he likes it the most!

I TAG ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DO IT

Photo Tag
I guess you post the 3rd picture in your 3rd file and explain the picture. SO...here it is:
This is a picture of our whole family (except Maleah because she wasen't born yet) in Germany with Gregg's Oma (grandma). This was in May 2006


HUSBAND TAG

1. Where did you meet your husband? At his mission homecomming.

2. How long did you date before you married? 5 months

3. How long have you been married? 10 years

4. What does he do that surprises you? He always helps around the house, I never have to dust anything or vaccum a floor. . .he's a pretty amazing guy! Also last Sunday I came home from choir practice and dinner was ready made (he made tacos).

5. What is his favorite feature? I love his blue eyes! Oh and he's been working out so I have to say that his musscles turn me on too:)

6. What is your favorite quality of his? I love how he listens and tries to make me feel better when I am upset. He is also a very honest guy and that is really important to me.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Honey

8. What is his favorite food? Not sure, I think Mexican but he likes everything.

9. What is his favorite sport? Basketball and Tennis.

10. When & where was your first kiss? After a week of dating in front of my house.

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? We love to go out to eat at nice resturants.

12. Do you have any children? 4

13. Does he have any hidden talents? He gives great advice and he is very smart. I guess that's hidden to some people because he is a quiet guy.

14. How old is he? 33

15. Who said I love you first? I am not sure, I think he did???

16. What is his favorite music? He likes a lot of things.

17. What do you admire most about him? His honesty.

18. What is his favorite color? Blue

19. Will he read this? No

20. Who do you tag? Brooke, Cindi, Becky, Erin

Our Elder

For all of you who didn't know, Tyler (Gregg's brother) lived with us for a year and a half before we sent him off on his mission. We were his parents for that time (taking him to early morning seminary and back, work and back, helping him finally get a car, etc.) Tyler will also return from his mission and live here again with us, so in a way Gregg and I feel like we are his parents. We try our best to write each week and he tries too. He loves it there in Mexico! He is learning so much and he has been very humbled! Tyler describes his little apartment as "interesting" (there is a picture of it below). He also has had to eat small black bugs for dinner at a member's house (GROSS)! He was such a picky eater before, I felt so sad for him! At least he's great at pretending he likes something :) We miss Tyler SO much, especially the kids! Please pray for him and write a quick note if you have a chance, although I have to warn you he only has 30 minutes each P-day to read letters and respond so he might not get back to you quickly (or not at all), but at least he'll know you care.
TylerHodgkin@myldsmail.net