Christmas Eve

Well every Christmas eve growing up my dad always took the kids out to ice skate or sled. Most of the time we just picked ice skating. I was son excited to take the kids out and ice skate. Dawson stayed home with grandma. It was really fun to take just Brooklyn's and Landon out. They had a great time. landon just had jello legs. Brooklyn would start to get the hang of it then she would get really wobbly and we would start over. It was really fun though. It brought back alot of memories from when I was growing up.

At our family Christmas eve party we would have a very yummy dinner of enchiladas and taco salad. Then we would have the pinata. It was so fun to see the kids have turns at whacking the pinata and getting all the candy. The kids were good this year they scored some good candy for mommy! At the end of the night I caught my kids under the table with the arms full of candy. Silly kids!

Lets hit the ice

OOps We have been caught!

The kids have loved playing in the snow. They are braver then I am. Every time it snows they ask to go play in it. They could stay out there for ever. I like having the job of warming them up when they are done.

Playing in the snow

Random

Dawson has done really well for all the people and going place to place. He has really enjoyed exploring new things. I cant believe that he will be one soon. He is growing so fast. He finally has his first tooth in. It is so cute.

Let me out mom!

What can I get into here?

So far this has been a great trip. It has been really great to be around family. To enjoy the holidays traditions with my family and to share them with my family. The only thing that would make this better is if David were here. He is the greatest for sending us here. I think everyday what a lucky person I am to have david. I love you so much. Thanks for being so awesome. We all miss you so much.

This one is for you daddy!

I love my sisters so much. They mean the world to me. They are the greatest Friends anyone could ask for. From the moment we get to Utah it is instant friends for me and for my kids with all the cousins. I have really noticed Brooklyn loving all the other girls around and the instant bond that they have.

Brooklyn and Lilly

Brooklyn wanted to take some pictures and she asked if she could take a picture of me and her. It was a small thing she asked for but it meant allot to me that she would want a picture of me and her. They didn't turn out real well but she loved every minute of taking the picture

We made it and Snow

well we made it to Las Vegas on Friday morning. The flight went as good as can be for three kids that cant get comfortable to sleep. Grandpa Duane picked us up and we drove to st George. I had my favorite dinner on Friday which is Cafe Rio. That place is so good. We stayed in st George until Sunday. My mom flew down on Sunday and we drove back to slat lake. The kids did great for being in the car that long. Thank you Duane and terry for having us for the weekend. Thank you grandma for coming down to drive back with me.
Well the kids have been asking for snow since we left. It hardly snowed today but the kids had the greatest time playing outside. I much rather prefer bundling the kids up in flip flops and shorts to head out the door rather then coats, hats, and scarves.
So far the kids are having a great time. They are to distracted to hang out with mom. I had this great idea that I would take Brooklyn to the nutcracker tonite. I bought tickets this morning. Yesterday and Saturday she said she wanted to go. I bought tickets this morning and since then she does not want to go. Thank goodness it was the cheap ballet so not going isn't that big of a deal. As long as they keep having this much fun.

Merry Christmas!!

A few weeks ago me and David wrote a letter to Santa explaining how we would not be together for the holidays and if he could come early to our house. Well Santa is a great guy. he came to our house Saturday night. The kids had a great time. They definitely have been nice this year.

We had a great Christmas eve with just us on saturday night. It was a great time. We had the usual nice dinner that david made, the christmas story, other christmas stories, and a special present from mom and dad. I was a little worried that they weren.t catching on the santa coming because brooklyn was in bed at 7:30. I was wrong she was up at 6:30am.

Christmas Eve 2008

In the morning the kids were really excited. They had a good time opening there presents. Santa brought them a white board. Santa wrote them a note on it and they thought that was the coolest thing that he left his markers at our house.

This is what it looked like in the morning before the kids came downstairs

Before

And this is the aftermath

only half of the room

Toys Galore

The big present that broolyn got was rollerskates and Landon got a pirate ship. Dawson didn't last to long since we was woken up early. He got blocks and some little people toys.

Grandpa Duane was out with aunt April the weekend before this. He bought the kids a Cadillac escalate power wheel. They love the car. They have so much fun driving it all over.

It was a great Christmas. Santa surprised me with a little something extra then what we talked about. I have a spa package treatment for when I get back from my trip. How did I get so lucky with santa? Thank you santa for all that you brought for the kids. Christmas gets funner and funner each year with kids. Thanks kids for being so good this year.

Deck the Halls and sugar cookies

well It is already half way into December. I cant believe how fast the time is flying by. It seems like yesterday we were having Halloween.

Well the day after thanksgiving we set up our Christmas tree and decorations. The kids had so much fun. We got a pre-lit tree which I love. I think they look so pretty compared to the lights you do yourself. Since you cant come to my house then i thought I would bring my house to you.

The Christmas Tree

I do have to be a little selfish right now and say that this is my favorite Christmas tree. I actually did it how I wanted and not just throw some ornaments on. I saw the purple ribbon at the store and I had to go with it.

I love looking at Christmas decorations. I love looking at Christmas trees, lights, and places all decorated.

These are just random pictures of some other things that we have decorated.

The Shelves

The nativity and candles with cranberries

We have started a tradition ever since we have been married that we would buy a piece to a Christmas village. The problem we are finding now is that the places that we have gotten the villages from are not selling them anymore. IF only target was open right now.

Our village so far

We have been doing some fun things to get in the Holiday spirit but of course I have not had the camera for most of them. To me nothing says Christmas like decorating sugar cookies. So today we decorated cookies. I love homemade sugar cookies and frosting.

Yummy Cookies

I am also in the middle of Christmas cards so if you can send me your address if I don't already have it that would be great. I hope everyone has a great Holiday Season. I hope it is safe and happy for everyone. Merry Christmas and I will see some of you soon

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy thanksgiving. How great is a holiday that you get together with friends and family eat tons of food and then go shopping?? This is my kind of holiday.

Our ward did and Imu this year. An imu is an underground oven. There was about 60 turkeys that they cooked. It was awesome. It was a huge pit that the men dug. Then they cooked them all night. It was a really yummy Turkey and I didn't even have to cook it.

We had invited some freinds over. There was so much yummy food. Thanks to everyone to bringing something. It was a very yummy dinner.

The dinner Table

I am grateful for so many things. I am so thankful for good friends, a good family, three great kids who keep me going, a great husband, a great state to live in, a house, good health, and so much more. I really am so thankful for all the great people that I surround myself with. They really bring the best out of me and make me want to be a better person. Thank you to my great friends.

Shrilyn, chantell, Audra, and me

David was all set to go do some camping out for a laptop. He got to office Depot around 9:00 at night on Thursday. He was the first in line. He camped out all night. His friend Adam joined him. He got what he wanted. He said he would go do it again. I then asked if he would ever do walmart with me and he said oh no that is a whole different kind of people. Me and the kids went to walmart of Friday morning. Of course everything wa pretty much gone but I still managed to find some things I was looking for.

It was a great holiday weekend. Thanks to all the people that helped make it a great thanksgiving.

Twilight

No surprise this is a post about twilight. I am sure there are millions out there with a twilight post.
This weekend there was a group of us that went to see the movie and went to dinner. It was a great time. I am not going to give my review of the movie I will keep that to myself. All I will say is it was a great night with good friends.

I figured that the movie was going to be atmosphere of the night was going to be crazy. Of course the line was out the door. When they started taking tickets to get in the theater it was a mad rush. It was fun to experience it. Then I felt really old siting in a room full of giddy teenagers. They all laughed and cheered when Edward came on. .

The line out the door no surprise


Angie is a great seamstress. She had made shirts for those who wanted with sayings on them. One said fangs or fur? one said La Push cliff diving Team, fangs and a six pack, and I cant remember what maids said. I would out Angie's up there but I am afraid the sensors would be out. Just kidding Angie.



Die Hards with the shirts


When I started reading the books I had no idea I was going to like them. I am not one for vampires and things like that. It was a fun romance story to get wrapped up in. it caused for a great night out. Thanks girls for a great night out. So just like Ashely's shirts said I ask you fangs or fur???


Ashley, audra, me , chantell,maidy, jennilee, sara langi, angie

Good looking Family

Today we had the chance to go to our ward temple day. There were some volunteers that decided to watch the kids. It was a great deal. While the kids were being watched they took them over to the visitors center. That is all Brooklyn talked about how her friend the girl gave her a card with Jesus and all the children and she lost it. Translation a sister missionary gave out the small cards of Jesus and the children and between the church they were at and the visitors center she lost it. Me and David had a nice time,

Well it seems like we are back in the boat again of preparing for David to be gone. even though we still have a little bit I have been having many things go through my mind. I am so grateful that I am going to be able to be around family this time. Especially during the holidays. The other part of me is sad to know that we are going so we are not alone since David will be gone. Then all the little things begin to add up to big things. Getting things in order for him to go and things that I need to do that he does. So needless to say it was a great morning to go to the temple and sort things out.

I had talked to my friend Audra about stopping at a beach on the way back to take some pictures of the family, me and David, and the kids. Nothing fancy but hoping they would turn out. Audra did a great job. Our friend shirlyn and Deven stopped also to take some pictures for there family as well. Thank you to them for getting the kids to look and smile.

The three Amigos

I love this picture of the three of them. Brooklyn is so loving to her brothers and they love her. Dawson is the first person Landon and Brooklyn ask for in the morning. Dawson lights up when he hears or sees either on of them. Landon loves to tease Brooklyn. He is also trying to teach Dawson to play football. Really Landon just throws the ball at Dawson and it startles him. Brooklyn always looks out for her brothers.

What Cuties

David is such a great guy. He is just the best. He takes such good care of me and the kids. I know that no matter what I do he is always there to support me and encourage me. He is just the greatest.

What a great looking Guy!

I am so lucky to have a such a great family. I have a great husband who I know loves me more then anything. Three great kids. They are so great. I feel like I really do have the greatest kids. I have so much fun with my kids. Each one brings there own qualities to the family. I love them all so much. So no matter what lies ahead I know that I am blessed to be were I am today and so lucky to have such a great family. I love you guys!

Rees Famiy 2008.

Gathering and Crabbing

On veterans day (tuesday) David had the day off and we decided to invite some friends up to the beach. We went up to the Haleiwa Beach Park. We had dinner up there from the best hamburger place around. They use all fresh ingredients. The hamburger meat is fresh not frozen. It reminds me of In and Out but not so fast foodish and a little more gourmet. When the sun goes down the crabs come out. It is such a fun thing to do that we don't do enough. It was a nice relaxing day to sit back and just enjoy. It was perfect day to go to the beach. The waves weren't that big and the weather was great. Thanks to all our great friends who came. It was a great time.
Brooklyn in the sand Mr Cool on the beach Yummy Yummy give me food

While they were out looking for crabs they found a lot. Brooklyn found some little ones. She held onto in her hand sad to say that it didn't make it past that. Landon was a little worried and frightened but he wanted to hold one.

Braver then Mommy

what is left of Brooklyn's crab.

Happy Family

Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween to everyone. Hope you all had a great halloween.

To start the day off we made some halloween rice krispy treat hoses. It was fun. thank you to the wonderful makers that out those kits together. This kit we bought came with all the stuff to decorate. It was awesome. The kids had a great time decorating it.

We decided to go to our wards trunk or treat. They ahd a costume parade and some games for the kids to play before the trik or treating. We had a good time. It seems as the kids get older it gets funner. Brookkyn switched her costume a few times. She ended settling on a lady bug. Landon has said since we started asking him that he wanted to be a ghost. David did a great job at making him a ghost. Dawson was a spider. I couldn't resist the costume when I saw it. He didn't like the hat so much but I kept putting it on and he kept taking it off.

What cute kids!!

David had the best costume of all. he was an ostrich rider. It was a hit at the trunk or treat. He had such a good time passing out candy. We had such a fun Halloween. It was fun to see the kids get excited to see there friends and walk around with them. I think trunk or treats is the way to go. There are some creative people out there. This years Halloween was a huge hit. I cant wait for next year.

A mans gotta eat

Finally Finally we are feeling better around here. Dawson was sick for about a week. Then Landon got a little cold after that. So all the cough medicine is put up and we are all feeling great.

Dawson ended up having and ear infection and sores on his throat. Poor kid. He was eating less the half of what he usually does and was just so sad and upset.

Now that he is feeling better he has been standing up to everything. The other day I had the bottle on the chair and wouldn't you know if right as I sat down to feed Dawson(the one time I thought I could sit with him hold him to feed him) Brooklyn and Landon had other things in store for me. I had to put the bottle down and go help them. I set Dawson down on the floor and this is what I came back to . I guess when you have to eat you have to eat. OR maybe he is just learning how to fend for himself.

Dont worry mom I got it!

Fall Festival

It is finally seems like fall here. It has been raining a little and it has been a little breezy. Yeah I love this time of year.

We went to a fall festival that was help up in wahiawa. They had pumpkins for the kids, a harvest photo booth, rides and jump houses. The kids had fun

Poor Dawson didn't feel the best.

Dawson has had a rough couple of days. He hasn't been feeling to good. I think it is his teeth but who knows. He was a real trooper while we took the other kids out.

We meet my friend Audra up there with her two cute kids. They had a fun time ridding the rides.

Adam, Brianna, Brooklyn, and Landon

The kids had fun decorating the pumpkins. It was a fun time and what better way to jump start the fall time of year. It was even raining which was a nice touch to have in the fall festivities.

What Cute kids!

It was a great day to kick off this great time of year.

A great camp site

The other night David decided to take the kids camping. Where to go camping is the next question. What better place then our own backyard. They set the tent up and had a great time. They had there flashlights, played games and even watched a movie with there favorite treat. Popcorn with M&M's in the bowl. I stayed inside wth dawson. I had a great night os sleep in my bed. I cant say much for the campers but me and dawson slept just fine.

OOPS!! and Boys BOYS Boys!

It has taken me while to be able to write this post. I love my car. I know what some of you are thinking how can she love a minivan. Well I love my minivan when we decided to get one I told david that if I was going to drive one it was going to have all the bells and whistles. So we did and I have been in love with it ever since. So about a week and a half ago I was driving down the street not paying attention. I saw the light was green and that was all it took. I turned my head to talk to brooklyn and I heard a crunch. Needless to say I ran into someone. Thank goodness we were all okay but I am just sick over the simple mistake I made. So add children to the list of distractions while driving a car. We are getting it get fixed next week so we will be back to normal. David can replace the car but he cant replace me He might of wanted to when I called him to tell him what happened but lucky for him there is no getting rid of me.

Boys Boys Boys Boys. I have three great boys in my life. I have a great husband david and two cute boys landon and dawson. I have noticed that the boys are different then girls. So far both of my boys are programmed pure boys. I have to give a holla to the three boys in my life. First david, thank you for what you have done to make this holiday sesaon another great one. It will be hard to be away from you always but especailly at the holiday time. Thank you for making it work out os we can be wiht family this christmas, I think it means more to me then you know. I am really going to miss you but I know that me and the kids will have a good distractioin while we are away from you. (so to my mom sisters, and friends, you thought it was rough all the late night call to you during my meltdowns at least this time we will be in the same time zone)

To my sweet Landon he is getting so big. He can be the biggest tease to brooklyn. He has really come into his own personality. He loves sprots. He is always aking for the football, he loves to watch it with daddy ont he tv. He even wants to sleep with one. I went to check on him during his nbap today and I found him with his pants off, sheet takn off the bed, adn a football in his hand. How can you get upset at this cute face for not taking a nap?

Dawson is such a sweet baby. He is so easy going as long as he can see mommy. He has the biggest smile on his face when he see's brooklyn and landon. He has the cutest laugh. I wish I could get him to sleep past 6:00 or6:30 am but when I go in his room to get he he has the cutest smile on his face and he is so happy. Waking up to that isnt so bad after all. Give him a blanket when he is tried and is thumb and he is happy as a clam. He is a great baby I cant wait to see his personality develop more and more.

Thank you to the greatest boys a girl could have. I hope dawson and Landon can continue the brother hood as they get older. They love each other now. I hope that never changes. Thanks david for being you and being so great to me and the kids. I love you all so much.

Favorite things

The last few weeks we have been doing allot of hanging gout. The kids have switched off giving cold to each other. That is never fun. David has been working long hours down at pearl harbor so we have just been hanging out. The kids and I went down to the park the other day. They love the swings and all they wanted to do was swing. They could swing for hours and hours. Dawson just sits and laughs in the swing. It was fun to take them to the park and sit back and watch them play. It is funny how a small simple trip to the park brought them so much j0y. I seem to go and go and go doing things that when I take the time out for the small things it is so nice for the kids. I cant believe how big they are all getting. They have all hit growth spurts. They are such cuties. I love them more then anything. They are great. So the park has been there favorite thing lately and they have been my favorite think lately.

Yummy Yummy donuts!

I found this really good recipe for doughnuts. I have been reminiscing about fall lately. I love the fall time of year but when it is 85 degrees outside is kind of hard to sit down to a big bowl of soup and put your favorite sweatshirt on. So I thought it would be fun to make doughnuts. i found this really easy recipe online. It looked easy enough so on Sunday we tried it out. It was really so easy and they turned out so yummy. The kids had a great time making them and and even funner time eating them. I am going to start making it a tradition around this time of year to make doughnuts. They really were so good and easy. So the next person that comes to visit me will get fresh hot donuts. Move over Krispy Kreme just kidding those donut's are like gold. No one can top those.

Also if anyone can give me tips on how to post pictures so it is not all in one group. How do I move my pics around. Thanks