Snow Days

Hope everyone is enjoying this cold weather!!

Chocolate Factory

We went to the local "Ethel Chocolate Factory" this past weekend and had a blast!

It was kind of chilly...so we all bundled up

and enjoyed all the free things they had to offer-

This was one display...yes it is all chocolate...and yes I wanted to take a huge bite of it.

If you live in the Vegas area you should go and check it out!! (and it is all free!!)

Oh Christmas Tree

We had another fun outing last week, we went to a local shopping place and they had a huge tree all set up and a Santa Clause. The line was a tad bit long so we just looked at Santa through the window...sad I know. Then we let the kids go over to their huge play area and play for awhile. We have had such a fun time finding Christmas things to do here in Vegas!

Ironing

Just a quick question- Has anyone ever ironed their pillow cases?

Here I am doing laundry and ironing...today also happens to be sheet day in our house so I get to our sheets and I hate how no matter when I pull our sheets out of the dryer our pillow cases are always crinkly. SO I decide since "Bree VanDeKamp" does it i think I should try. So I do, and I LOVE ironed pillow cases. SErious....they feel softer and they are perfectly straight making my nicely made bed look perfect. So I say everyone should give it a try at some point...and yes my husband did laugh because "who is ever going to see our bed?" but once he say those nice straight pillow cases he agreed...perfection.

Here is a choppy pic-

'Tis the Season

Everyone I know is starting to get sick, so I would feel guilty not sharing the greatest thing every invented for mankind. This sinus rinse is AMAZING!! I have to credit my cousin Matt who first introduced us a couple of years ago (bless and thank you Matt)!! Just this morning I woke up with an itchy throat...you know what I am talking about one of those that you know by the end of the day you will have at least one if not two stuffy nostrils -I used my sinus rinse this morning and have felt nothing all day. Both of us own one and I highly suggest everyone else go out and buy one!! Just this morning D was telling me how my mom is now addicted to cleaning her nose...serious. So, go to your local CVS or Walgreens and pick one up today-you will never regret it!!!

(And no I am not getting paid anything for this advertisement!!)

Two seconds

If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com, you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.
How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! It is FREE and it only takes a second.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them.This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you. Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others to do. We can never say enough thank you's.
Thanks for taking to time to support our military!

Halle

Halle is full of life and personality these days, and she just says the funniest things sometimes. I had to catch todays because it just made me laugh so hard..Halle loves to sing, and so she started singing her own version of a song for us, here is the real version:

I love to see the temple.
I'm going there someday
To feel the Holy Spirit,
To listen and to pray.

For the temple is a house of God,
A place of love and beauty.
I'll prepare myself while I am young;
This is my sacred duty.

Here is her version:

I love to see the Temple
I will go inside someday
I know there's candy in there
so I can eat all day

Candy in the temple
I know that it is in there
I will go and eat the candy
This is my sacred duty

It looks like we need to work on our church songs some more.

Thanksgiving catch up

First I have to say Thanks Amanda. I have just been in this mood were I really just don't want to blog...I have so much to share...and SSOOO many pictures... that it just kind of seems overwhelming. So here is to a brief catch up on what our family has been up to these past 2 weeks....(yes I know it has been awhile...)

Thanksgiving Week was so much fun. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law Natalie came into town late Monday night to spend the week with us. I had so much fun having them here- we got to do some Christmas shopping, went and had the VIP tour of UNLV, went to Bass Pro Shop (might I add the biggest one in the nation) and got to take FREE pictures with Santa (and yes they give you the pictures for free...so go check it out). We loved taking them to Bass just because it is just like a zoo, the kids LOVE going there. They have real stuffed animals, like real bears that have been stuffed so they still look real (following here??) Anyway, they have bears, lions, a giraffe, and all sorts of other animals-along with a HUGE aquarium! And once again it is all free...love it. On Wednesday Anne arrived (other sister-in-law) from Provo and we just had a grand old time.

Thursday was Thanksgiving and our menu consisted of a 17lb bird, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and my favorite part of the day pies- a pumpkin cheesecake, apple cranberry, and a double chocolate cheesecake...SSOO good.

Friday we went to Paris, just us girls... ha if only- right? We actually went to go so a show that we had free tickets for but they were all sold out so we went up to the top of the Eiffeel tower monument on the strip and looked out over Vegas.

We also went to The Festival of lights that night (so neat!!) Both kids were out of their car seats and loved every second of it.

especially the hats that they got to wear!

Sadly enough Mom and Natalie had to take off early Saturday morning, but Anne got to stick around so we decided to "hike" Exploration peak with her early Saturday morning.


The kids loved it...Bennett was not a fan of how he was going up the mountain but like he has much say in the matter. Anyway- it was nice having Anne with us that last day because she could help us with some errands....play with the kids, and best of all take some family pics for us... yippee.

Preschool Thanksgiving

Halle had a fun time at preschool this week; they got to take class pictures, and brought home lots of Thanksgiving crafts!!


And yes, she picked her outfit...they all match right?

Store Info-READ!

As many of you know my dad works in the clothing industry and he just got a list that I wanted to pass along.

It seems there are lots of stores that are closing due to the recession and the fact that people are not shopping. If you have any "gift cards" from these stores, make sure you use them, or you will lose them !

Watch those store money cards and gift cards.. and credit slips! Stores that informed the Security Exchange of closing plans between October 2008 and January 2009. PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
Circuit City stores... most recent (? how many)
Ann Taylor- 117 stores nationwide are to be shuttered
Lane Bryant,, Fashion Bug ,and Catherine's to close 150 store nationwide
Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after January
Cache will close all stores
Talbots closing down all stores
J. Jill closing all stores
GAP closing 85 stores
Footlocker closing 140 stores more to close after January
Wickes Furniture closing down
Levitz closing down remaining stores
Bombay closing remaining stores
Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January.
Whitehall closing all stores
Piercing Pagoda closing all stores
Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January.
Home Depot closing 15 stores 1 in NJ (New Brunswick)
Macys to close 9 stores after January
Linens and Things closing all stores
Movie Galley Closing all stores
Pacific Sunware closing stores
Pep Boys Closing 33 stores
Sprint/ Nextel closing 133 stores
JC Penney closing a number of stores after January
Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores.
Wilson Leather closing down all stores
Sharper Image closing down all stores
K B Toys closing 356 stores
Loews to close down some stores
Dillard's to close some stores.

Night time potty...HELP!

I am writing a plea of help, asking all of you who have been here before to share wisdom and knowledge (yes I do need it!!)!! Halle has been potty trained for some time and we just (two weeks ago) decided that she should be wearing panties to bed. So we started... If Halle has ANYTHING to eat or drink after 6 pm (her bedtime is 8) then she will have an accident. If she has nothing than we are dry...but I have to make sure and give her NOTHING (which I feel bad about). I spoke with a friend earlier today and she said kids just do it on their own. Just let her go back to pullups and when she can start keeping them dry then you go to undies at night. I like that idea (alot since we are changing sheets at 3 in the morning) but wonder if that will be backtracking? Any ideas would be helpful!!!

Arizona

Finally I have gotten the chance to share pictures from our brief trip to Arizona last weekend. We had so much fun being with family and enjoyed meeting John (Jodie's husband) and watching them get married. The kids loved being spoiled by Grammy being there (Halle got invited to sleep with Grammy both nights we were there) and is so excited to see Grammy in just a week!
My photogenic little girl, you say smile and she will start posing with no problem.

Bennett also caught on-when I would say cheese this was the smile he gave us!!

Here is a quick family picture...it was so beautiful there!

Halle couldn't get enough of Princess Jodie...and had to go and hug her. She thought it was so magical and told me that I should get married like a princess again.

Bennett loved the flowers on the temple grounds...although he did scream outside the entire time we were in there (sorry again Uncle John) he enjoyed the grass and greenery.

Such a fun time-

Check it out!

We went to Arizona this past weekend, and boy do I have so many fun pics to share. BUT before I get to that I had to share this that my Aunt passed along- Check it out!!

VOTE

Hopefully everyone has already gone out and voted but if you haven't GO DO IT! You have to do your part...it only takes a minute...let your voice be heard!!!

Halle's First day

After much debate (and a lot of hesitation) we put Halle into a preshool this week...and I LOVE it!! Well, she does too (and it helps that she has a friend from church in her class) and loves all the songs, and projects that they are doing. I forgot to charge the camera so it was dead when I went to take a picture of her this morning- and of course I forgot to charge it while she was gone so pics from the Mac will have to do!!

She is such a ham....loves seeing pictures of herself!! She also picked her special cowgirl outfit for school today... love it!

Time Change

Today was the day when you throw your clocks backwards an hour...good thing we knew that. Frustrating right?

Trick or Treating

We had a blast trick or treating last night... Halle got a grip of candy (and lots of chocolate for mom and dad). Bennett was more a fan of eating the wrappers and the candy than trick or treating but hey...at least he enjoyed himself!!

Eris

As this is a journal of sorts I wanted to share what has been happening this week (also) along with Halloween we have had one very sick kitty!! (yes we still have our cats) On Monday night we decided that one of our cats was just not looking good so I took her into the vet on Tuesday morning to find out that she had "Fatty Liver" disease (which is deadly to cats). Basically what happens is the cat stops eating so the liver will take all the fat from the body and try to digest it. Basically like anorexia for cats...they lose a lot of weight and don't eat because their bodies tell them that they are not hungry. At the same time they aren't eating so their digestive system freezes up so then can't digest anything if they do eat causing the cat to throw up any food that does enter their system. (Sounds like fun right?) SO- our cat was at the vet for two days while they ran fluids into her and tried feeding her. She kept throwing everything up so we finally decided that we were going to bring her home and try ourselves (we figured they weren't doing much that we couldn't do for $150 a day). We brought her home and have been working on her...yes I know I am not a "cat person" but this is just tragic! So, we feed her three times a day with a syringe, at first she wouldn't hold it down BUT we are on the up and up and she has stopped throwing up! Went to the vet today and she has gained weight!! So...it is a day at a time but we are looking better!! Wish us luck with this!

Boo Bash

We wen to UNLV's Boo Bash this year and had a great time. It is put on by Greek Life and by Residential Life...it is a way that they can give back to the community. They had the entire dorm (all 6 floors of it) decorated for Halloween with each floor having a theme. They took the kids through each floor where they also got to trick'or'treat at the students door and had a blast! Halle and Bennett were a little scared with some of the themes they chose, but overall had a great time. We even got to see "HeyReb" (UNLV's mascot) and got a pic with him...and yes the kids thought that was the scariest part of the night!!

Easter Seals

sorry for the delay in blogging, D was in Chicago the past couple of days and I couldn't figure out how to work out the internet (I sound like a grandma now right?) so here is what we have been up to!!

On Saturday night we had the opportunity to go to one of the many Halloween parties that are planned! We went to the Easter Seals Non-Profit party! We had such a fun time-and I have to say that Dustin's costume was a HUGE hit! We had the Princess and Dragon, and a Cow and a cow-girl. The kids had a blast and Halle just loved getting all the candy that she got (I think we enjoy it more though!!)

Anne's Visit

We were so lucky and had my sister-in-law down for a couple of days a week ago (I know, lame, it took me a LONG time to get to posting again) but we just had so much fun having her here!! We went down to the strip one night, we carved pumpkins, and of course the kids just loved having Anne around!! We are so excited to have everyone coming for Thanksgiving!!
Here are the pumpkins...we had to carve them!! Yet, we didn't realize the results...In Indiana last year they froze before Halloween...here they melted. (I actually had to "dispose" of them this morning when the kids were still sleeping...sorry Anne!!)

Anne even came and supported me through the triathlon (what a supportive sister-in-law!!)

We went to FAO Schwartz (sp?) one night and just had a blast. Bennett and Halle had so much fun playing the piano with Anne!

We had such a blast with her...we love when Aunties come and visit!

Pumpkinman

I know it has taken me awhile to get these pictures up (1 day) but we have had such a fun time with my sister-in-law here that I couldn't take time out to blog!! (I know...that much fun!)

I know you are all dying to hear how the triathlon went...so here we go. It started off at 4:45 on Saturday morning, I met my good friends from Las Vegas Cyclery and we rode up to Lake Mead together. It was so nice going with people who knew what they were doing- they took a look at my bike, and made sure that everything looked great before I even got started.

Our "heat" was in the water and going at 7:45-

I thought that I was a pretty strong swimmer...but I was way out of my league here! They blew the horn and I just stood there as it was this mad rush and everyone started going. I started a little bit, but realized that if I went with all of them I would just continue to get myself kicked and hit...so I waited for just a minute before I started. The swim was SSOOO long...I have never felt so close to drowning...I was exhausted...and I still had two more things to do.

After swimming I ran up to where my bike was, well I guess I kind of limped up to my bike- ripped off my goggles and cap and ran my bike up to the mounting line. Hopped on my bike and started, not knowing at all what I was about to do.

The biking was so incredibly hard. I was told that there were a lot of hills on this course, but I think that was an understatement. At one point I thought "If I got off my bike, I think I might be able to walk up this mountain faster than I am riding...because I am DYING".

I got to the run and finally found something that I could do. Although my miles were a lot slower than what I wanted them to be, I was just happy that I was able to run.


All in all it was a wonderful expierence, I am proud that I accomplished it-I swam the whole time, biked the whole time (no I didn't get off and walk), and ran the whole time. I am excited to do another triathlon and work on the things that need to be worked on. I am also so glad that Dustin came and supported me the whole time. I had my own little cheering squad with Dustin, Anne, Halle and Bennett there...yelling "GO MOMMY" the whole time...made me feel really proud!!

Also-Speaking of, this an invitation- on November 15th there is another triathlon in St. George. I think I am going to do it and invite anyone else to do it!!! They also have a beginner triathlon if you are nervous about doing a "big one". Think about it.

Sick House

We have a sick house....Halle threw up all day yesterday, and Dustin all last night.

Bennett and I have been praying not to get it...my triathlon is Saturday and I WILL complete it.

I have tons of pictures to share, and my sister-in-law is coming in town tonight (great timing right?).

But right now I have to sanitize the sick house

Halloween Jammies

We are so excited about Halloween, and it finally got chilly enough to wear warm jammies to bed the other night so we put the kids in their Halloween Jammies (gotta love clearence jammies from the year before for $1.50)! Halle was so excited to wear hers...Bennett...not so much.

This makes me want another baby

I just found this, and this makes me want to have another baby...seriously how fun does this look?

Here is what they say about it: Be a baby gourmet with this fabulous baby food maker! Steam cook whatever you want to use in your fresh baby food, whether it's veggies, fruits, or even meat. Then blend the ingredients into a soft puree. The Babycook can also reheat or defrost meals, so you can make several days' worth in advance. This all-in-one appliance has everything you need in one compact unit. Includes a 2.5 cup plastic bowl, cooking basket, spatula, and recipe booklet.

Check it out!

Go to www.handbagplanet.com

seriously....

Disney Live!

We had a blast last weekend and took the kids to Disney live here in Vegas. We are going to HAVE to make it over to Disney Land while we are here, because they LOVED seeing all the characters!! Bennett even sat through the entire 90 minute show with no problem! (amazing!)



(little late...I know)

Walkin Man

Finally on video- for your viewing pleasure!!

How cute are these?

I have to admit, we do have the orange pumpkins, but how cute would these be for Halloween this year?? So precious! I found them over at www.ohdeedoh.com! Yes, they are handmade and the have tutorials on how to make them yourself. The big question would be if I could get these done by the time Halloween (of this year) rolls around...

Make sure when you check them out to look for the scrappy owl bag!

Picture Day

Not a very successful day- we got ONE shot of Bennett not crying (his eyes are super red, and he is sucking his fingers) and tons of shots of Halle. She is most definitely a girl! Here are some of the pics... not very happy with them so we are going to go see a friend next week for more!!