Batman Returns

I don't know how long Batman is going to make a run at our house but as of now, we've done Halloween, 4 yr old birthday party, and now 5 year old birthday party.  Not that I am complaining...I was smart enough to save the stuff, I just threw in a few new games.  Genius.  Especially when you are throwing a birthday party on Christmas Eve.  That's when birthday boy wanted it. On his birthday.  So I delivered and lucky for us there were a few neighborhood friends still around. 

The BATCAVE: where the party happens

1st duty: Outfit the superheros with capes



 The BATCAVE decorated for Christmas.



Now that we are superheros, let's see how it's done (watching Batman and Robin).



Onto the action: Pin the Bat signal on Batman.

Next mission: Vaporize the Villain (with silly string of course.)



Wrapping up: Cake and Ice Cream!!



A new Batman shirt from my cousins!



Best Christmas Eve Gift Ever

Every year on Christmas Eve we open one gift, and it's always pajammas. It always has been and it always will be...except for the year we got an 8 lb 10oz baby boy on Christmas Eve.  It was his due date and it being my first, I was certain that he wouldn't be punctual, it's not really in his genetic makeup.  But he was and now every Christmas Eve he gets to share the spotlight with Santa and Jesus.  Which isn't so bad except for the fact that everyone already has prior party commitments.  So we decided a few years ago, that we would have a party whenever we could find a few spare hours in the month of December, but that on his actual birthday, Max would get a very special Birthday Breakfast.

Birthday Breakfast--Cinnamon French Toast at Kneaders. Apparently all of Utah County heard about his special breakfast because they were all there as well this year.  Who knew?



I've always wanted a photo with Batman! 5 year old Batman is even cuter than Christian Bale Batrman!



Of course Robin, Dad, and Uncle Jeff were among the guests.

Preschool Productions

Jayce, Adam, Taya, Halle, Max

 

Rudolph Imposters.

He Pledges Allegience...

 

Okay, I'm ready to start this thing.



The Rrrr, in ChRistmas.  Phoentics are crucial in preschool.



"How 'bout you bring me a Batmobile and we call it good, okay?"

The evening wear competition.

 

"Mom, can I be done now?'

 



'JammaDrama

We have a slight issue at bedtime-- other than the communal gathering place, aka, our bed. 



We go through a nightly hulabaloo about what we are going to wear to bed.



Because everyone wants to dress like Dad.  Why can't that man get some footie pj's or at least some jamma pants so I can catch a break around here.

In the Eye of the Beholder

Christmas Field Trip

To get into the holiday spirit we decided to take a trip up to temple square and show the little guys the lights and sights.  It has become one of my favorite things to do at Christmas time.

We decided to get there around 5ish so as to avoid the crowds.  Temple Square was pretty deserted when we got there and the gate to the temple courtyard was open.  Ryan didn't think we were supposed to walk in or up to the temple, but I saw an elderly missionary man standing in there and I knew it was okay.  Sure enough he waved us in and invited our boys to go up and touch the walls of the temple as he talked to them about the stone being cut out of the mountains and hauled by men, ox and horses back to the temple site. 

After a few pictures and history lesson from said cute missionary man, we started our way onto the square.  Max started out a few steps and went up to a statue.  When he touched it, "Wha-lah" all of Temple Square lit up.  We told him he turned on the lights.  It was pretty funny.   

Sightings at Temple Square

What  beautiful night it was.  We took our boys to the Nativity and they loved seeing the story they know so well come alive.  We took them to the Book of Mormon and Life of Christ art displays in the visitors center and let them look and ask questions.  Their favorite was of course visiting "the Big Jesus" as they call the Christus. What a great night and a sure way to focus on all the Christmas really is.

A Special Visit

Gram and Me

A few weeks ago, my sweet Gram had some unexpected problems with her heart and things were pretty touch and go for a while.  Mom suggested that we get down to visit Gram as soon as we all could because things were pretty sketchy for a while.  So my sisters all packed up and road tripped to Deming, but as I was just a few months out of back surgery, there was no way I could make the 12+ hour drive in a car. 

So I bought a ticket for a few weeks following and Cory agreed to meet me in El Paso and drive me to Gram's...bless her heart. It's a 6 hr drive from TX to N.M. and she was so kind to help out the gimp as I couldn't even lift my own luggage. She did bring her mutt boxer dog, Lucky, named because he was lucky to be alive when she found him on the side of the road, beaten and missing all but 4 teeth.  So at least she had some company on the drive, although I don't think I ever heard him bark, not even once.  Seriously, that dog was somethin' else.

Faye, Jim, Nancy, & Leedrue



 

Great Aunt Betty, Cory, Me & Gram

By the time I got there Gram was doing so well.  She tired easily, but she was up and about, getting her hair and nails done, driving all over and telling stories again and again...just like the Gram I have always known.  No trip to Deming is complete without a trip to Si Seniors Mexican for lunch with the Hyatts.  I hadn't seen some of them in so long. 

Jim and Faye with the grandkiddos

Cory and I got some great stories out of Gram about her childhood and teen years.  We learned alot about her family and went through some old journals and had a good laugh.  We came home with the paper work to register with the Potowatomi Citizen Tribe as we are direct decendants of Chief Joseph and his princess daughter.

Gram's childhood home

We even took a little drive around town and Gram showed us many of the places she used to live as a child, teen and in young adulthood. It was a great history lesson.  

On the way out of town we stopped by the cemetary to visit Dad's grave.  It just never gets easier.  I miss him more and more everytime I go there.  I got Cory to myself for a few days which was wonderful.  Lots of late nights, laughter and tears and I was reminded of how much I miss my big sister.  I am so grateful for a husband and family that made this trip possible for me.  I am grateful to my Father in Heaven for letting us keep Gram for a while longer.  She has some kick left in her yet!

 

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Beyblade Genius

Whomever took the old fashioned top, added some different dimensions to the spinning, gave them names, created an animated show and called them Beyblades is pure genius.  These glorified tops have made them millions and have made me happy as they keep little boys entertained for hours.

Max, Dexter, Luke, Ryland



Let em' Rip!

Pegasus vs. Luke the Destroyer

Over the 7 year Itch

It's hard to believe that 7 years have come and gone since I married my best friend, my love, my persoanl comedian, my baby Daddy, my everything.  To celebrate 7 great years together, I got the flu so we postponed our get away to the Little America, where we stayed on our honeymoon.  It was so nice to just hang out and remember all the little reasons we make such a great pair.  We are a good team and I am so lucky he is mine!  Love you Ryan M.