A little late...

posting about Christmas, however, things were a little crazy around here. And I am now just feeling like things are getting back into a grove.

On Christmas Eve, we headed up to the cabin. We were blessed to be able to spend Christmas with both sets of grandparents. The kids tracted Santa on computer with Dad and then Grandma Tracee read them The Night Before Christmas.

To no surprise, we had a hard time getting Emilee and Garrit to bed. We finally got them to sleep around 10 pm and Junior and I got to bed about 12. At 2 a.m. Garrit woke up to see that Santa had already stopped by. I thought I had convinced him to go back to bed, however, he went back to his room and got Emilee. Junior finally got them back in bed at 3. They only held out until 6:30.

I tried to get a picture of all 3 of my kids in front of the tree, however, a lesson I have learned taking pictures of my crew is you get what get and you don't throw a fit.

Christmas was great. This year we only got the kids a few small gifts, that combined with the gifts that grandmas gave them it turned out perfect. Emilee got webkins, Garrit got legos, (Thanks Grandpa for helping put them together.) and Zane got a Handy Manny tool kit.

This Christmas I did not focus on what to get my kids, husband, or parents. Instead I focused on one thing that they would really love. Christmas this year was not about putting things under the tree just to open. It took a lot of stress off me and really let the spirit of Christmas into my heart. Emilee told me later that day "Mom, this is the best Christmas ever." I learned that my kids don't need a bunch of toys for Christmas they just need to know that Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ and because of him we are blessed.

My three angels.

Emilee Rene

Jason Garrit

Zane Ray

I am very blessed to have 3 wonderful, healthy, beautiful children. I feel blessed that the Lord has chosen me to take his children under my wing and allowed me to care for the them and love them. Being a mother I truly understand unconditional love. It also gives me a glimpse of how much my Heavenly Father loves me.

Snow princess.

Today we are finally getting some snow. The kids all headed out to play. Emilee is so beautiful. I love taking pictures of her.

Never, Never...

Let a monkey in the kitchen.

I was making pumpkin rolls today. When I make pumpkin rolls it is a process. I set out all my ingredients on the counter. Well, today I left the kitchen for 3 minutes. I came back to find that Zane had decided to help me make the pumpkin rolls.

The funny thing is, that he added a verity of ingredients; salt, sugar, and cinnamon.

Who could be mad at a face like that.

December 8, 1995...

13 years ago Junior and I had our first date. Junior asked me to the Christmas dance with a bag of M & M's and of course, I can never turn down chocolate.

We went as friends, however, at the dance Junior pulled me close to dance and the rest in history.

Junior and I were good friends before we went to the dance, the only thing that changed is that we became best friends. We have a strong marriage today because of our friendship. No matter how mad we get or obstacles we face, we are still friends and are able to laugh about it.

Who would have ever thought that smart, quiet Symen, and crazy, outgoing Jenny would ever end up together.

I guess we just "believe in the magic".

Go ahead and laugh, Junior and I are very aware of the fact that we were (and still are) both dorks. Click on the picture to get the full affect of the dorkness.

San Diego

The weekend before Thanksgiving, Symen and I went to San Diego with Justin and Miriam. We had a blast. Let me just warn you, there will be a lot of pictures in this post. The kids settled in with my mom, so Symen and I left on Thursday. We had a good flight.

After dinner at El Torrito, the boys were a little slap happy and being silly. Junior got a early birthday kiss from Justin. Sadly, this is not his first kiss from a guy. Aaron you will always be Junior's first.

The reason for the trip was Justin and Junior both turned 30 this year only a week a part.

On Friday, we went to the San Diego Temple for a session. The Temple was absolutely amazing. It was beautiful inside and out. Miriam and I were able to take a peek at the brides room. I see now why brides come from all over to get married here. After our session we walked around the temple grounds and took some pictures. It was wonderful to feel the spirit in the temple that day. Junior and I really need to feel the love the Lord.

On Friday we also went to see TWILIGHT! I loved the books, so I was excited to see the movie. The boys on the other hand were not as excited to see the movie. However, being good hubbies, they went. I loved the movie, I thought it was pretty close to the book, the special effects were kinda lame, but I loved how they made Edward sparkle. All in all it was a good movie, I feel like I need to go see it again, just to relax and watch it, not try to judge it the whole way through.

Saturday morning, we got up and walked to the beach. It was about 4 miles there and back. It was such a nice walk. Junior and I had a chance to talk and enjoy the time together. A older man on a bike stopped us, and said "It's sure nice to see a couple holding hands."

After our morning walk (run for Justin and Miriam), we went to the U.S.S. Midway. The Midway is an aircraft carrier that has been turned into a museum.

Junior had a blast at the Midway. I love the picture of him concentrating on the control panel of a F-18. He was like a 10 year old little boy.

On the other hand, this is what Miriam thought.

Just kidding, we all had a fun.

We had so much fun on this trip. There was laughter and good times. It was great for Junior and I to take the time to re-connect and leave the stresses of life at home. It reminded me that no matter what life brings me, I am thankful that I have my best friend by my side to go through it with me. And I also, have a great family.

Happy Birthday My Love!

The 30 things I love about my husband...

1. He is my best friend.
2. His smile.
3. When he laughs at me when I am being stupid.
4. His hands.
5. The way he plays with kids.
6. He is funny.
7. He already sees the great woman in me that, I want to be.
8. He makes me laugh.
9. He is very handy. I love that he can fix anything.
10. The way he teaches the kids.
11. He always says I love you.
12. He in understanding.
13. He is a goofball. ( A nice way of saying a dork)
14. He is determined.
15. He is honest.
16. He flies.
17. He is a great cook.
18. He is smart. I call him google.
19. He is a great dad.
20. He gave me my kids.
21. His kisses.
22. He communicates with me.
23. He says he is sorry.
24. He was my first love.
25. He is a good friend to all.
26. He knows that his family comes first.
27. He pampers me.
28. He is admits when he is wrong.
29. He laughs at himself.
    The thing I love most about him...
30. He is mine!

For his birthday, the kids and I made him blueberry pancakes and eggs. In the afternoon the kids took Dad to see "Bolt" (kids movie). For dinner we met grandma and grandpa VanderLinden in Park City for dinner. We had a great dinner. The kids behaved well, even Zane. After dinner we went home and had a giant birthday cookie. (I almost burnt down the house)

Happy Birthday My Love!