Classics

This morning a commercial came on with a little boy getting a Big Wheel for Christmas, and he thought it was the best thing ever. Ryan and I both agreed that the Big Wheel was AWESOME!!! So it got me thinking about the great toys we got when we were little and some of my favorites. And I love that some are favorites for my kids today. Some will always be classics.

Barbies

Lite Brite

Care Bears

Cabbage Patch Kids--I still have my birth certificates for them.

Easy Bake Oven

Strawberry Shortcake

Babysitter's Club books

Little House on the Prairie books

Glo Worm

Hot Wheels

Big Wheel

Bikes with banana seats-mine had a flowery basket and streamers as well

Legos

Crayola Crayons-love the built in sharpener

GI Joe

Mr. Potato Head

These are just a few of my favs. What are yours?

Black Friday

So Ryan and I decided to come back home Thursday night after Thanksgiving so we could hit WalMart and KMart early Friday morning. There were a few things we wanted to get for the kids, so we thought we would try out the whole Black Friday thing and see if we could get some deals. Everyone loves a good deal right? We didn't think it would be so bad. We went to Kmart a few years ago on Black Friday and it wasn't very crowded. Well were we surprised when we pulled up to WalMart at 4:30 am and the lines were halfway down the parking lot at both doors. We thought we would wait in the car until the doors opened because it was kinda cilly, but we decided to get out and wait in the line (which continued to grow to the end of the parking lot) with all the other die hards. Finally the doors opened, and the chaos began. In have never seen or been a part of such a thing. People were crazy!!! I couldn't even think, and nothing was where it usally would be. And trying to get around with a cart was useless. We did get a couple things, but they were what we could have gotten any other time. Everything was gone by the time we had decided what we were looking for. It was nuts. I don't think we want to do this again. I know lots of you love the craziness, but it just is not worth it to me. I like to take my time and look around while shopping. We did not go in with much of a plan and that was a mistake on our part. If we ever do it again, we will keep that in mind. But the deal is just not worth all the fighting through people and waiting in line. We did do better at KMart and headed right for the things we wanted. We got them, but stood in line for over an hour to check out. I just kept thinking we left our families for this? We could spent more time with them, which would have been much more enjoyable. I definately did not get that thrill out of it that so many do. Sorry to all of you who love this day.

Happy Thanksgiving

This week I have really tried to appreciate all that I have and I wanted to jot down a few things that I am thankful for in my life.

My Kids. They are so sweet and bring so much joy to our lives. I love each of their little personalities and love that each of them are so completely different. Hailey is super athletic and would stay out all hours shooting hoops if we would let her. Hunter is your regular rough and tumble boy, but also has a very sensitive and sweet personality. Harbor is our little girly girl and keeps us laughing with her imagination. I love each of them so much.

My Husband. Ryan is so amazing. Coaching and work keep him very busy, but he makes sure home time is quality time. He is such an awesome dad and loves to play with the kids. I appreciate him taking the time to help me cook and clean. We have a good time working together. I love his ability to make me laugh in any situation. He keeps us all laughing. I am also grateful he is a worthy preisthood holder and honors that responsibility. He is my best friend and can't imagine life without him.

The Gospel. I don't know what I would do without it. I am grateful for the blessings and comfort it brings. I am grateful for prayer, thithing, eternal marriage, the scriptures, my testimony. And in troubled times, it is so comforting to know that if we are living righteously, things will be ok.

My House. I take advantage of having plumbing, running hot water, heat, electricity. So many live in this world without those simple blessings we don't think much about. I am grateful I can afford my house. Lately I have been wanting bigger and better, but have become humbled and am glad to be able to pay for what I have--which is perfect.

A Steady Job. I love my job at the clinic. The people I work with at the clinic are so wonderful and I'm grateful for their friendships. Also it is very rewarding to help brighten someone's day when they are not feeling well.

My Family. I appreciate my parents so much and all they taught us growing up. They are such great examples and I love them so much. I am grateful for all they do for my little family. I love my brothers and sister-in-law. We don't get to be together much, but I love visiting with them.

Ryans Family. I have great in-laws. They are all so wonderful, and am glad to be a part of their family.

Good Health. So far we have been blessed with no illnesses beyond the occasional cold or stomach bug. We have been very lucky to have such healthy kids and stay healthy ourselves.

The Internet. I am grateful I can so easily sit down to my computer and email a friend or checkup on blogs. It makes it so easy to keep in touch with all of you.

My YW Calling. I have learned so much from the girls in Young Women. They have such strong testimonies and have been such a great example to me. I hope I can raise my children to be such strong individuals as these girls are.

These are just a few of the things I am thankful for. I have too much to go on. I hope we can all take time to give thanks during this holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving.

State Champions!!!!

Our high school football team won the State 1A Championship yesterday!!! YEAH!!! It was a very exciting game. Earlier in the year we had lost to this team, but these boys were not going to let that happen again. The first half was a little scary. It was 12-0 for the other team at half-time. But our boys came out fired up and scored 3 straight touchdowns to come out with the win 12-22. Our school has never been in a state championship for football, so this was a historic day. I couldn't believe the fan support that came out. It was AWESOME!! It was such a fun day. I was so proud of and excited for Ryan. He loves coaching these kids, and I am happy they have gotten the success they deserve for all their hard work. I give a big thanks to our families that came up to offer their support. It was great to share the excitement with them there. Also I am grateful for such great players that have been such good examples to my kids. I have noticed this from year to year, sport to sport. With Ryan being so involved with the athletics program at our school, my kids have had the opportunity to go and tag along with him and get to know the players quite well. I am so impressed with the kids that take the time to talk to or play with my kids and include them. The smiles on their faces when they get a high 5 or a hug from one of them is priceless. This year one of the boys especially has become almose like a celebrity in our house. Yesterday the kids were bragging about who got to hug him most. I can't say enough about how much that means to me as a mother to have such great kids for my kids to look up to.

Here are the kids, all decked out in their gear before the game.

Of course you can't win a championship without getting the water dumped on the coach. :) Ryan didn't think they would do it, but it's all a part of the experience. BURRRRR!!!

Think they are excited? The huge grin on Ryan's face says it all. Good job Babe!

The prize trophy. They have been working for this for so long.


It is tradition that after each game won, the boys sing the school song to the fans.

After the game we came home to quite a fanfare. The firetrucks (I think 5 total) and about 3 ambulances were waiting for the team to take them into town. I don't think I have ever seen such excitement. There was and endless line of honking cars following the trucks to parade through town. It was such a big deal since it had never been done here in football before. The community support was amazing. Good job boys!! We are proud of you!!!

Here is the first truck carrying the team. Ryan is at the edge of the picture. What a great end to the perfect season. GO WOLVES!!!

Happy Halloween

Halloween turned out to be quite a busy day for us. We had lots to do. It started out with 'Crazy Hair Day' at school for the kids. Hunter wanted his in a mowhawk. So with lots of gel and hairspray we got it done. The picture is not very great with the shadow, but he looked good. I didn't get a picture of Hailey's hair. We just ratted it up good and put some random waves and curls in it. They both looked good. Hailey's class also got to wear their costumes to school. She was a basketball player.




At work we decided to dress up for the day. We had a lot of fun planning our costumes. All of us had lots of makeup, funky fake eyelashes, and long, long, long fingernails. It was hard to do simple tasks like make a phone call or type with such long nails, but it was fun anyway. Kathy was a witch, Paula a devil, Me a cat, Kjersten a cheetah, and Annie a devil. Everyone wanted to know how we got our eyelashes on and if they bugged us. They did take a minute to get used to, but after that they were fun.



Then it was time to get all the kids ready for the Halloween carnival at the church. Hunter was a storm trooper from Star Wars, Harbor a little witch, and Hailey a bag of jelly beans. Hailey was a good sport to wear hers. I thought it was the cutest idea, but it was a bit awkward. If I were to do it again I would get a heavy duty clear bag. The one we used ripped very easily. The minute we walked out the door, it split open and spilled the beans. So we got the stapler and repaired what we could and went to the carnival. The kids had a great time. They had hot dogs and lots of games for the kids. After the carnival we had a few minutes to kill before the trunk-or-treat and went home. Hailey's bag of beans had split beyond repair (good thing because she needed to go potty and this is not one to get in and out of) so she got back into her basketball outfit to finish off the night. The trunk-or-treat was fun and the kids got lots of treats. I wish I would have gotten a picture of Hunter with his mask on. It had a clear part that came over his eyes to see through and went down over his nose. But the mask was flat not allowing for a nose, so his nose was smashed against the mask and you could see it. It looked pretty funny.

After the trunk-or-treat we had to bust to get to the football game. The kids were bummed that they didn't get to do more door-to-door trick-or-treating, but we had to go support our daddy and the team. We did have to hit the dentist's house for a toothbrush and one of their favorite teacher's house for a full size candy bar. Every year those are a must. Usually we hit the Pepsi man's house, (he gives out pop), but we didn't make it there this year.

The football game was great. We ended up winning 41-14. The boys played great. This puts them in the semi finals next weekend. It will be the first time in 20 years they have been this far. And they have never gotten past the semi's in our school's history. The boys have worked so hard this year and we are wishing them luck for next week. I am so proud of Ryan and how well he has done with these boys. He truly loves coaching and being around the kids. He has also had some great help and I know he appreciates them.

I have to give a BIG thanks to Ryan's dad. He has been to all of their games but one. He is so good to come and support Ryan. I know Ryan appreciates him being to the games and also there to offer advice when asked. After every game Ryan has to talk to his dad to get his thoughts. It means a lot to him to have him there, and as an added bonus the kids get to see Grandpa. Thanks, we love you!

It was a great day filled with all our activities, but I am sure glad it is over.