Some like it hot...

A couple of weeks ago Jake went to Buffalo Wild Wings with some friends. He didn't happen to have any money, so he just sampled some of everyone's and he loved it. He came home and said it's the best place ever and we just have to go (we'd never been there before). So I learned from some ladies at Curves that they have special prices on wings on Tuesdays, so we headed there last night. They have about 14 different sauces to choose ranging from sweet to hot, hot, hot! Jake decided to just go for it and ordered "blazin'" which is the hottest. It was so funny (although I'm sure he would beg to differ!) he was actually sweating and tearing up. I asked him why he got it so hot and he said "Because I'm a man" Ha! Ha! Ha! Before we left he decided to visit the restroom (all that water you know)...and let me just say, after "enjoying" blazing hot wings, wash your hands BEFORE you go to the bathroom!

Let it snow!

The weatherman has been predicting snow and he was right this time! We are actually getting snow in super sunny Las Vegas as I type this. I've been feeling sorry for the dog (with some proding from Jeff & the kids), so he slept inside the last two nights and I'm acutally letting him in the house during the day. When I sent him outside to do his business, he didn't know what to think of the snow...he left a little trail where he walked and licked the snow for a drink. This morning it wasn't even raining, so Jonah rode his bike. It looks like I'll be driving kids and bikes home if this keeps up. They are boys...maybe they'll look at the snow as an adventure? Here are a fews pics of the snow so far...

Poor Palm Trees, they don't know what hit 'em..

P. S. This is how a kid born in the desert during the searing August heat, dresses for the cold weather...

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth

Actually, they've both started to come in. She only has one hole left. All my kids were like that. The new tooth comes in behind the baby tooth making you think big problems are ahead, but then that baby tooth falls out and the new one moves into position. I still think we've got braces in our future with 3 out of 4 kids...

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

Last year we had to retire our pre-lit artificial tree (after about 10 years of faithful service...I think we got the $35 we paid for it at Walmart's Black Friday sale!) This year we debated, should we buy a new one now or get a real tree this year and wait for the after Christmas sales. I decided I just wanted to get the artificial...real are beautiful for about 5 days and it never quite seems worth the money. So I go to Costco and they are ALL GONE. I called the other Costcos in town and Henderson ("of course!" Ha Ha...you long time locals will get that joke) is only one that had any left and they only had 3. So, I hoped in my van and trekked clear across town only to find out that their computer wasn't up to date! They were out too. I asked if they'd get anymore and she said no, they're getting ready to go into their summer stuff?? I didn't think it was unreasonable to hope to find a tree on Dec. 8th! So, I guess next summer when they get all the Christmas stuff out, I'll have to go ahead and get a tree then!

Thanksgiving

After a few days of fun in California without "our boys", Anissa and I were so glad to see Jeff, Jake, Aidan, & Jonah. They joined us at Nana & Grandpa's for the Thanksgiving festivities. It was so nice to spend time with all of Jeff's family. Even Tata came up from San Diego. The cousins had fun playing together and the food was wonderful. We have alot to be thankful for...

Make-up Disneyland

We took the boys to Disneyland a while ago and left Anissa home. She was promised a trip without her brothers and the perfect opportunity has arrived. Anissa and I went down to Jeff's parents in California a few days before Thanksgiving. We took a trip to Disneyland with the cousins. Anissa had a great time having them to herself. The weather was great and Anissa was tall enough and brave enough for even Splash Mountain and Space Mountain. I guess we won't have to leave her home anymore!

Wisdom Comes at a Price...

Just ask Jake! He had the great pleasure of having all four wisdom teeth removed on Friday. Anyone who knows Jake, knows he is a reader, a researcher, a seeker of all knowledge (especially all those totally random bits of info on the Internet that will help him win on a game show some day...he remembers everything he reads, so if you ever need to phone a friend...) Anyway, in preparation for the big day, he decided to read all about wisdom teeth and their removal on wikipedia. Including lovely graphic photos of the process and the aftermath. I think he was a little freaked out. I wish I had a video camera so you could all see how funny he was after...but I didn't so I'll just try to convey the humor. Just imagine all of Jake's words were spoken with the true slur of a drugged out post-op patient. When he first woke up, he had a totally shocked look on his face and said "What happened?! Oh yeah....wisdom teeth" "whattimeisit? Whataretheintructions?" Asleep again. Four minutes later "Whatimeisit? Didtheytheygiveyouthe intructions?" Asleep again. "How'd Iget in thischair?" Laughing "I had a funnydream" Asleep again. He was quite adamant about the instructions. This went on for about 25 minutes until he was awake enough to go home. As we walked to the car (well actually he floated) he said chuckling "CanIdrive? Hahaa". He slumped into the front seat and said "Thatwasnsoobaaad". I just thought "Yeah you think that now...poor kid" As it turns out it wasn't too bad. Only about 1 1/2 days of real pain and his cheeks didn't even really swell up too much. Here's the one photo I took (I need to be better about remembering my camera)

School Pics Done Right...Myself!

I decided not to buy school pictures this year and try it myself. They never seem to turn out great...those guys don't know my kids and can't seem to recognize a goofy smile or weird hair. So here they are. I must say, I've got pretty great kids. I love these guys!

A Day at the Races!

Jeff got some free tickets to the DRAG RACES. It was going to be a boys day out, but Jake & Aidan decided they didn't want to go because their friends couldn't make it (and just family would be boring, right?) So, it was me, Jeff, Jonah, & Anissa. The big boys really missed out...it was awesome! I just love how you can FEEL it in your whole body as the cars THUNDER by. My dad used to take me when I was about Jonah's age. I loved it. They still give out lots of freebies(that was my favorite part when I was little and I think Anissa's too...cool stickers and stuff!) Here are a few highlights...

Yearbook Me!

Jake is taking a couple of fun classes this year that use photoshop. Here's a funny thing he made using photoshop and a site called Yearbookyourself. Looks like a fun way to spend part of your school day. On a side note, he's now requesting a Mac and the whole photoshop software. I guess he better get a job...

Why do siblings fight?

During the middle of the Outdoor World post Anissa and Jonah were bickering about who should put the milk away. All of the sudden I hear a big splash. Anissa decided it would be a good idea to heave the open milk jug at Jonah. And of course it's the new square kind with the really big pouring hole. Needless to say, there was milk everywhere. I was so happy because I'd been meaning to rub my cabinets down with milk anyway and the recently mopped tile can always use a milk bath...surprisingly, Jonah came out the whole ordeal without a splash. I was too mad and too busy cleaning it up and making Anissa help that I didn't take a picture for you to enjoy. Just use your imagination...it was much worse than that! No use crying over spilled milk, right? Although I must admit my very justified outburst did cause a few tears. Now they're upstairs like two peas in a pod playing on the computer. Ah, the joys of motherhood...

Outdoor World

On Saturday we went to Outdoor World with Nana & Grandpa. It's a GIANT sporting goods store in the Silverton Casino. I think all the kids had a good time. Jake- because he got to drive on the freeway for first time (not too bad...the 215 wasn't too busy at that time). Aidan- hmmm...I not sure he loved it (He just loves to spend time with his family like all 12 year old boys, right?). Jonah got a squished penny for his collection. Anissa loved all the giant fish tanks...they even had a live mermaid. Here are a few pics (forgive the quality, they're from Jeff's phone because of course we didn't bring the camera)

Little Pastry Chef

Anissa attended a friend's birthday party at a place called "Little Pastry Chef". She had a great time and has already requested to have her next birthday party there. They made their own pizza for lunch and then decorated their own cake to take home. They made it really fun by turning every little thing into a game. Here are a few pics...

Wacky Wednesday...Harvest Moon

Jeff sent this to me in an email. I thought this was super funny...maybe it'll help get you in the mood for the season.

I had the idea to make this magazine cover for Jake's milestone, but with all the hassle and 3 trips to the DMV, I forgot. So here it is...double billing for Jake!

The Driving Dilemma

While September 11th is a day of reflection on a national tragedy for most Americans, Sept. 11. 2008 was a day of great joy for Jake. He officially turned 151/2 ...and that means he can get his learners permit. For me, that's a scary thought. I don't want my baby in control of a very big piece of machinery and driving with all the crazies on the road. But I put my fears aside and took him to the DMV on the exact day he turned 151/2. Jeff and I had both told him he needed to study, be he figured the drivers ed class he took in June was good enough. Well, it almost was...he missed one too many questions. Needless to say, he was a little disappointed (some kicking of a cup full of soda left in the parking lot by another DMV patron was involved) Here he is taking his test...

So we went home and I said, "Now are you going to study?" And he said, "I don't need to study now, I know what it's like" So we went back the next day and this time he passed! Yeah! So we got our little ticket and waited like an hour for them to call our number. Finally, our turn came, so we go up to the counter and she has him take the vision test...Guess what. He didn't pass the vision test.(I think it was mostly due to a combo of grumpy employee and teenage mumble syndrome) So we left again. "Is there another test I can fail?" he said. "Only the driving test" I said. Home again empty handed. Off to the eye doctor...he passed just fine, so I had him fill out a form and we headed back to the DMV. So after a week he finally has his learners permit. And I couldn't bear to let him drive home from the DMV. Couldn't toss him into the sharks right away...maybe someday we'll actually let him drive.

Last splash of summer...

Jeff took his scouts on an overniter to Lake Mead. It was great weather and they had a lot of fun...

Wacky Wednesday - Teamwork

I love being a Scoutmaster but for some reason seeing this just made me think of some of my great adventures with the boys. - Jeff

We were out running errands on Saturday and saw this funny restaurant...

cakes, breads, pastries....Asian cuisine? Of course! Everyone knows Goldilocks was famous for her Asian cuisine, right?! And besides the name, who combines a bakery with chinese take-out?

WaCkY WeDnEsDay

Doing our part for the GOP!

Kids say the darndest things!

We were at the pool today and as I was arranging my towel on the lounge chair, Anissa was standing behind me and she said "Mom, it looks like there are chunks falling out of your legs"...I thought to myself "chunks? What is she talking about? Oh I get it! She's must be referring to the lovely cellulite I seem to be getting more of as the years pass by." I guess I'd better hit the circuit at Curves a little harder and maybe by next summer (because who really cares about those pesky "chunks" during long pants season anyway, right?) I can get those "chunks" filled back in. (and also, I won't mention the dish of mint chocolate chip ice cream I'm eating as I type this!)

Jonah won't mess with the Zohan

My dad took this picture of Jonah when they went to the movies. I thought it was pretty funny...Jonah's getting a haircut from Americas favorite stylist.

Wacky Wednesday

Jake wanted to post this one for wacky wednesday. I must say we're a close second in awsomeness on Rockband. I love that game because even when you sing as badly as I do, you can still score an "awesome".

First day of school...

It's finally here! Anissa was super excited. However, the excitement level of her brothers diminished exponentially according to age. Actually, even though they may not admit it, I think they were all excited. They all go up just fine and were ready to go. Jake even told Jeff to hurry up so he could get to seminary on time. No picture of Jake because I wasn't getting up that early to take a picture and I forgot to take one of Aidan (not that either of them would have let me), but here's Anissa & Jonah in all their shining first day glory...

Erika's new house

Ok, Michele let me put this up. Last weekend I went down to Calif to pick up our boys from Mom's house and went over and saw Erika's new house. It was still being worked on but looks great. We are so happy for them! I can't wait to see it now that they have their renovations done and have moved in. (The bottom picture is of the kitchen getting a new pantry)

Rockband!!

Aidan has been BEGGING for Rockband since before last Christmas. We finally broke down and offered to pay half. They have loved playing on it! I have to admit it's pretty fun. That's how we spent Family Home Evening. BTW we're awesome!

Anissa just finished her first session of swimming lessons...

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Anissa's 6th Birthday Party

I've been meaning to put this up for a long time - jv