Wordless Wednesday-Ho Ho Ho Edition

12 X 12 - December 2010

My 12 X 12 this month took place on the day we were leaving Arizona.

Jackson was in heaven the entire time we were there. He was surrounded by video games for 2 solid days, and spent the morning playing XBOX.

This is generally how I get ready in the mornings. While blow drying my hair I sit on the floor, and Sade's sits on my lap.

Jackson and Sadie also spent a good portion of the morning getting pushed around by Todd.

After a while we had to say our goodbyes. The kids tried hard to get Todd to come home with us, but sadly to no avail.

Eric packed the car up. Since a 5+ hour trip to Arizona would be very difficult in Eric's truck, our wonderful friends Tim & Bev loaned us their car. I am amazed how kind people are.

On our way out of town we stopped and had doughnuts for breakfast.

Megan and I waiting in the car during a bathroom stop.

The kids were quite good on the way home. Sadie slept for a while, and the DVD had a resurgence so they were able to watch a movie.

It was December 12th so we were able to start our 12 Days of Christmas Countdown.

Jackson battled with these Transformers for a good couple of hours. Incidentally these toys came from McDonalds, and I continue to be amazed at the superiority of McDonalds kids meal toys.

Sade and I cuddled on the couch before bed.

We also spent some time admiring the Christmas tree. 

It was a good, but tiring day. I was more than ready for bed that night, and finally got there around midnight. However, was awakened one hour later by Jackson who ended up with the stomach flu. So instead of a restful night of sleep, I witnessed multiple rounds of throwing up. Tis the life!

Temporarily Visiting Tempe

This past weekend we traveled to the Phoenix area. How come no one ever told me how great it is! I admit that it helped that the weather was 80 degrees, but even if if it hadn't been, I think I would have still been enamored by it.

The drive down was quite long. Although Tempe is only about 5 hours away, when you add in stopping for Eric to do a job in Needles, CA, an abnormally long stop for dinner at a Pizza Hut in Blythe, CA, a DVD player that would not work for the duration of the trip, and a child (Megan) who got car sick a few times:

 

You end up with ONE LONG HELL OF A TRIP!

 But it was all worth it, because we were traveling down for a very important occasion. Mallory, who is Eric's brothers girlfriend was getting baptized.

Todd & Mallory

Did you know that this man lives in Scottsdale, right next to Tempe!

I kept my eye out for him, but apparently he wasn't invited to the baptism so I didn't see him :(.

Todd & Mallory once again. Mallory somehow ended up with a jumpsuit much more fashion forward than the one I had to wear.

After the baptism, Eric had a site survey to do in Surprise, AZ (the mans work is never done!), and then we all headed out the Spaghetti Factory. MY FAVORITE! After eating we discovered that the Fire Department was giving kids rides in fire engines.

And this wasn't any low key ride. It involved sirens, and whipping around the mall parking lot at great speed.

Sade's the Seahawks fan.

That night we visited the birthplace of Rachael and Steves eternal journey: The Mesa Temple. It was gorgeous and all decorated for Christmas.

While Eric was taking this picture Sadie said, "Smile Jesus."

It was a whirlwind trip, but a great one.

On The Catwalk

Oh Sade's. I melt when I see you all dressed up in 80's fashions. The leg warmers alone just about do me in. I am almost positive I had these exact same boots when I was 11. You are such a little punk rocker. As I was taking pictures I asked her to walk the catwalk and model for me. Of course she knew exactly what I meant.

Breakfast With Santa

Well when it was time to see Santa, Jackson wasted no time telling him exactly what he wanted. There is really only one thing on his Christmas list and that item is Beyblades! He is obsessed. He has even gone so far as to inform me that I have to MAKE SURE that the present he opens on Christmas Eve is a Beyblade.

Megan, being 10, was a bit more of a smart aleck, and told Santa she wanted a candy cane (which they were giving out).  She then said, "And my wish came true."

Sadie finds Santa frightening would not even consider participating.

Thanksgiving Bullet Point Re-Cap

I was in an extreme non-picture taking mood on Thanksgiving, thereby only one picture will accompany this post.

• Eric started off the day playing football. He reported that there were more players there than ever before, and his team won all games. Great on both counts!
• This year we spent Thanksgiving with friends. We brought the turkey, which is kind of a scary thing to bring, but luckily Eric is skilled at turkey baking, and carving, as evidenced by the lone Thanksgiving day picture:

• I ate an incredible amount of food. In fact I am now heavier than I have been in over a year. Not good.
• My kids however barely ate anything. Partly due to their pickiness, but mostly due to the fact that they would rather spend the time playing with their friends, than eating. As an adult I have sufficiently mastered the skill of hanging out with friends and eating at the same time. As evidenced by the aforementioned weight gain.
• The men watched hours of football.
• I did not. But I did spend hours talking, and eating leftover rolls (again, reference weight gain).
• Thursday night at 10 pm I sent Eric out to Toys-R-Us to buy a certain toy that was discounted. He called me approximately 10 minutes later to inform me that the line went from Toys-R-Us all the way to the 215 entrance. Needless to say he turned around and came home. Can you imagine waiting in a line that long in the freezing cold? It sounds torturous to me. But if you enjoy that type of thing, I bear no judgement, just admiration. 
• I forgot I have one more picture to share. One I took a few days before Thanksgiving. Check out the cookies I made (or rather assembled) for the women I visit teach:

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Citizen Jackson

Jackson is November's Citizen Of The Month!!!

The ceremony was today, and we were a bit worried he wasn't going to make it (since he has been sick at home the last few days), but luckily he woke up fever free this morning and was able to go to school.

Getting his award.

His fellow November honorees.

With his Principal, Mrs. Popolo, who he had pizza with today for lunch.

And of course posing with the signature certificate, and bumper sticker!

Talent

My family is so talented............