Christmas Seranade

Knock-knock.
(You're answering the door)
Merry Christmas!
(It's online-caroling by Landon!)

Kindergarten Christmas Play

For unto you is born this day, in the City of David a Savior....

 Landon had a Christmas performance on Friday morning.  Actually an Angel Breakfast.  Basically, the kids would perform a song about The Christmas Story and then walk back and prepare a little breakfast plate for us and bring it tour our table, then repeat.

Landon was a 'last-minute' donkey which meant he had a little solo singing bit in the play.  He was going to be a shepard, but home the night before and said, "Christine is sick. So now I'm not a shepard. I'm a donkey.  And I'm GOOD!" 

Well, I may be a bit biased...but I'd have to agree.  He was good!  His little verses are etched in my memory:

I am the donkey all shaggy and brown.

I carried them over the hill and down.

I carried them over to Bethlehem town.

I am the donkey, shaggy and brown.
(see the video below)

The blessing in this little memory was that he was able to sing about Christ Emmanuel.  For now, as we are able to pay for him to attend a Christian school we are treasuring moments like this and really beginning to see his heart for God begin to grow. 

Here's our little donkey in all his singing glory!

Just a Lazy Saturday!

Today, Landon, Ryker and I have been hanging out at home just enjoying time together. No distractions.  No crazy errand running.

"Plays" with Batman and Bumblebee, the Transformer.  Baking muffins, putting lights on the tree and taking pictures.  (Doesn't he just scream, "heeey! How 'ya doin'? in this picture?)

Simple stuff, ya know?  How do we get away from that so much?

Part of that 'simple stuff' included a fashion show from Landon with his new "teddy".  (it's what he calls all stuffed animals)

It was gift from my friend Valery...called a Furry Lis.

I'm not sure what it is made of, but it is the softest stuff ever!!  His name was  Artworld. Now it's George.  I'll keep  you updated on this revolving door.

Take note of the last wardrobe change...Superhero shirt with a batman cape velcroed on the back.

Happy Saturday!

All I Want For Christmas...

is my  TWO FRONT TEETH!

Landon lost his second bottom tooth on Wednesday, December 8th. It happened when he was brushing his teeth in the morning.

The first tooth fell out the day before Halloween at the hair salon. Oh gosh. That was traumatic...for both of us.

The tooth fairy didn't leave fairy dust in his hair this time because it took 2 weeks to get it off his scalp the last time and he kept complaining of having "stuff in his eyes".   The tooth fairy didn't really think that one out completely when she was sprinkling ALL that fairy dust on his head in the dark.

But she did bring a new pillow with his  $5 in the pocket. 

(There was a little backdoor transaction with a neighbor on behalf of the tooth fairy.  But, it's all good. We got the goods) 

He's been a little sicky-poo and woke in the middle of the night coughing.  Naturally, he saw the tooth pillow so we had a looong night because he was "too excited" to go back to sleep. (Imagine the Disneyland commercial and that was our kid) 

In the morning he ran to show Ryker and tried to convince me Ryker had lost his 'teeth' so he needed a pillow too.

For now all the rest of the teeth are in safe and secure...so I'm happy to have his little sweet baby smile a little longer.

A Sweet Tradition

What do you get when you put 15 kids, candy and hot chocolate in a room for two hours?

 Chaos!...and some cute Gingerbread Houses!

Landon was invited to a party this year and I was happy to attend because last year I hosted a party and found myself prepping little houses until midnight the night before!  Yourr\e shocked.  I know. It's so unlike me!

"Cousin" Elyse was there too and as I look at these pictures it's so hard to believe how much these little units have grown!  They're just 3 months apart and I want to put them in a tiny cage so they don't get any bigger and stay tender and sweet.  Kinda' like veal. Well,  not really.  I'm not sure where that came from. 

Anyway!  Grandma Janet was there to help hold Ryker ...a huge help and she didn't seem to mind the baby time.

Where is the month going??? Soon it will be a New Year!

Rock and ROLL, Baby!

That's how I 'roll'.


Ryker's new catch-phrase as of yesterday when he decided to roll from his back to his stomach.


He started going from his stomach to his back around 3 weeks ago.


Go ahead.  You can say, "yeeeah, Baby Ryker" now.

That's one BIG, FAT chicken Mommy!

That's precisely what Mr. Landon exlaimed Thanksgiving morning when he saw our big ol' Butterball.  A 21 pounder to be exact!

This is Running Fox.  That's what whe prefers to be called today during "The Feast".  He's named me Chasing Rainbow. Names that originated from his Thanksgiving celebration at school on Wednesday.

This shirt, the feathered head thingy, the beads... also part of the celebration at school yesterday that Grammy was able to attend with Carlos and Ryker.

Back to the the day of the bird.  Mom and I stayed up until 1am working on little pretties for the table and preparation for the meal were so ahead on our Thanksgiving plans that we sat back on Thanksgiving Eve and ate bon-bons until our guests arrived.

Actually, Carlos invited me to Roy's on Thanksgiving Eve (get the feeling maybe he's never prepped for Turkey Day?) and we had a wonderful time talking about the year, the kids, our Christmas plans and life and marriage, in general. 

Thanks to Grammy for taking care of the boys and thanks to hubs for making me stop and take time to remember all I have to be Thankful for this year!

Our guests?...The Campbell's and "Grandma" Janet.  It was our 2nd Annual Turkey-palooza! :) 

Above were the place settings for the adult table.  I sewed bean bag pumpkins with real pumpkin stems and asked everyone to send me what they were thankful for and I typed it up on PhotoShop and then printed it on muslin and matted it on burlap. Everyone had one that was a  a little different.  I think they turned out beautiful...what do you think?

I intended to make these for all three kids...but only got as far as one before I ran out of time.  So Elyse and Maggie will have one next year to pull out for a decoration.

My inspiration was a Pottery Barn Kids Mayflower centerpiece for a kids table. It was $29 for one little tiny felt ship. So, I decided to make one...better.  With a personalized message on the sail...a LOT less.



This was Ryker's Flying Eagle's first Thanksgiving.  Here he is wearing brother's shirt he decorated with puffy paint.

He's just a few days shy of 4 month.  Landon is just a few days shy of losing his 2nd bottom tooth!

The kids had a great time coloring pages during dinner...and boy are they photogenic here! Have you ever seen more 'cheese'??

Last year Landon ate balloons and threw them up in the hall.  Awesome, I know. Parent of the year material in this house.  This year only one child was harmed in the "Turkey-palooza"...and she giggled all the way!

Jen thought it was funny to snap this picture of me and my computer at the table.  BUT! I have an excuse! I was using it to play music on Pandora!  

From our house to yours... Happy Thanksgiving!

The eagle has landed!

Grammy's back in town and she's beaming with excitment!

Landon was equally thrilled.  On the way to school he said, "Mommy I can't wait for Grammy.  I'm so exciting!" (of couse he meant 'excited'...but I can't correct that one, it's too cute!)

Landon made her a sign and put it by the back door

And in case you you were wondering...she hasn't lost her touch.

She got Ryker in his jammies and all cozy-cozy and to sleep in the blink of an eye.

Rub-a-dub-dub, Two Boys in a Tub

Every once and a while I'll see or hear something that happens with the boys and I know instantly it's something I'll always remember.

Tonight, was one of those nights.

At the pleading of Landon, I put the boys in the bath together for the first time. Sure it's unconventional, with the tub and all.... But! it works. 

Landon just loved it. Ryker stared at Landon. Landon made Ryker laugh and there was much discussion between Landon and Mommy as to why Ryker needed to wash his head if it didn't have hair.

I could bore you with our philosophical differences on this one...but instead, I'll let you decide if a nearly bald head really needs soap

Oooor, you could just enjoy the sweet pictures!

Look mama! No hair!

I should have known when Ryker came out with barely any hair that he might have the Stephanie curse.

The curse?...no hair. 

I didn't have more than a little fuzz on my head for nearly two years.  I'm hoping it doesn't take that long.  Big Brother Landon was born with a FULL head of hair that needed to be brushed every day.

But, his curse is my blessing because:

1. I like to rub his soft little head. It's like my blankie.

2. I like hats and have like a whole box of them.  Some new.  Some hand-me-downs.  All intended to keep my little mini-me's head stylishly warmer in the next couple months!

So, here begins the parade of hats.

I got this one here.

Meeting Gonzo...not the muppet

Sometimes at the end of a day at work I sort of giggle thinking that I get paid to do some interesting things.

Today was one of those days.

Still struggling to get out of my blues, I knew today's show would be interesting.  On the agenda? Interviewing The Grinch.  You know...'you're a mean one, Mr. Grinch', the one who hates Who-ville and Cindy Lou, the one who stole Christmas?

He pretended to pee on my couch, turned around and pretended to throw up over the back of the couch  consequently putting his butt to the camera and making a tooting nose and picked his nose and licked it with his long furry green fingers, and burped. 

He also asked where he could get a wax and well, generally was the most difficult interview I've done in a loooong time because I was afraid of what he'd do next!

I'd say the only equally difficult interview are Mickey Mouse and Elmo...neither of whom talk.

So, when I went out later in the day to a new movie theater opening up in Scottsdale (with seats that actually move with the movie like a ride) and was told I could interview Gonzo.  I replied...(with embarrassing enthusiasm) "From the Muppets???!"

The VP of Operations at the theater pretty much laughed in my face... and deservedly so.  I quickly realized he meant Luis Gonzales formerly of the D-backs and Dodgers and now back with the D-backs. 

But, if I'm being completely honest. I was a little disappointed. There.  I said it.  Because, truthfully  I still love the Muppet Show.

I interviewed him and he was gracious enough to say he had seen me on TV. (a shameless lie on his part, for sure) and he was very, very nice.

The theater itself is really cool!  Gourmet flavored popcorn, delish food, reserved seating and they serve beer and wine!   I also met Young M.C (again...he was on my show) there.

Perhaps the coolest part of the theater are the "D-box seats".  They move with the movie much like a ride only more subtle.  I'll be taking Carlos to see Tron in D-box in December to get my good wife card punched.