Skippito

Okay, this had to be the funniest kids book that I have read in awhile.  The KEY is to do the accents while reading.  I couldn't get through each page because my kids, Nate, and I were laughing so hard (you know the deep down real good feel it in my gut laugh).  My kids LOVED this book.  Brekken received this as a Christmas present from his Grandma and Grandpa Abbott.  Thanks!!  Just remember that if you do read this book, you HAVE to do the accents with it, I promise it won't let you down and your kids will thank you:)

By the way, as I was searching for this image I found out that their are more books in the SkippyJon Jones series.  I will definitely be checking these out.  I hope that they are just as good.

Christmas Day

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Christmas Day!!! The kids actually slept in until about 8 (this is definitely a first!)  As soon as they had seen what Santa had brought them and just as we were sitting down to open the gifts from under the tree, Nate's phone rang.  Nate was on call so we knew that that could only mean that he was being called out.  It was a bummer and the kids were sad that Dad wouldn't be there to watch them open their gifts (I got video and plenty of pictures for him:)  We saved Nate's and my presents until we could open them up together.  After we opened up all the presents we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Graff's to open more at their house.  We played with the cousins and ate the traditional Christmas breakfast.  We stayed and waited until Nate could call us and let us know how long he would be.   A few hours later(just after twelve) we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Abbott's to meet Nate and to have our traditional Christmas breakfast/brunch with them.  Nate's family does Christmas crackers that you pop open before we eat to reveal a little gift and a crown to wear throughout breakfast.  The kids love "popping" open their crackers to see what they get and to put on their crowns!  I of course had left my camera in the van and so once again, no pictures :(  After staying for a couple of hours we decided to go home to open the rest of our gifts.  We were all spoiled this year and are very thankful that we could celebrate with family around! Can't wait 'til next year!!  

Decorations came down on the 26th.  I am one of those that loves to put it up a little early but when the holiday has come and gone then so do the decorations.  Now back to reality and a week of no school!! and to a whole New Year ahead of us!!!  Happy Holidays to all of you!!

Twas' the night before Christmas.......

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I love Christmas Eve!!  I love the traditions that we have in our family.  We are lucky that we live by both of our families so that time can be spent at both.  First, we stopped by Grandma and Grandpa Abbott's to visit and let the kids share all their excitement with them.  Then, onto Grandma and Grandpa Graff's house.  This year the whole family was here.  Chad and the kids drove up from Texas to celebrate Christmas.  Grandpa Pug was feeling well enough to join us for the night and we are grateful that he was there.  We always start off with my mom's traditional broccoli cheese soup and bread bowls.  Then while the adults are cleaning up, the grandkids go downstairs and start practicing for the Nativity Story.  When all the parts are picked and rehearsed then we all join together in reading the story of Christ's birth.  The kids love being a part of the story.  After that Makayla performed a flute solo and then we all learned about the story of the song, "Silent Night", which we all joined in singing.  The program was cute that was put together.  We ate cheesecake and then as always at the end Grandma and Grandpa give out the traditional Christmas PJs!  We love this tradition.  

After gathering the kids and taking them home, the real fun begins.  Nate and I usually watch a movie as we wait for all 5 kids to fall asleep (this can take awhile) before we begin doing our "Santa" duties.  I love this part!  This year it only took a couple of hours to finish it all.  We love this part just knowing that in a few short hours we will get to watch the kids excitement of it all.

Merry Christmas!!

Have a happy Christmas!! 

PIrate Island Pizza

Today we spent the afternoon at the new Pirate Island Pizza.  We went with most all of our cousins and Grandma Graff (and of course all the parents.) We missed Dad, he had to work (what a bummer) Inside it's built pretty cool, they  have a huge pirate ship, a real waterfall, and lots of other features.  The most exciting part for all the kids was the game room.  It's a big arcade with games, tickets, etc.  The kids had a blast using all their tokens and winning tickets.  We will definitely have to go back and take Dad!  Thanks Grandma for taking us we had so much fun being with everyone!

HB Kirby

Kirby is a WANTED man! Reward given if you can find him on his birthday!  No just kidding, we love ya Kirby!! Just wanted to let you know that we are thinking about you today!  Hope you had an kick-a** day!!  My kids love their Uncle Kirby tons!!  He is the greatest brother-in-law you could ask for.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Christmas Traditions

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Every year around Christmastime Grandma and Grandpa Abbott take the kids and make cookie trees with them.   They also get to sleepover and of course that involves eating pizza, watching movies, sleeping on the aero bed, playing video games, and having pancakes in the morning!  The kids LOVE this tradition and ask when it is going to happen as soon as the calendar turns to December 1st.  I am very grateful that they get to share this experience with their grandparents.  My children are so blessed to have such close relationships with their grandparents, they honestly cherish each moment spent with them.  Thank you so much for making this a lasting memory in my children's lives!! They love you and we love you, THANKS!!  

Take a minute......

As I was driving the other day, between running errands, christmas shopping, and keeping the kids entertained I turned the radio to Air1 (a christian music station) and I heard this song.  I have been looking for it since and finally found it.  It made me really stop and think about what really matters in my life and if, especially at this time of year, I stop to reflect on my Savior enough.  Nate and I have been trying a little more each year at Christmastime to teach our children to focus Christmas on Christ.  The real reason we celebrate Christmas isn't for the material gifts but for the gift that our Savior gave to us, His life!  This gift is the most important of all, and all too often we get caught up in life and forget that it is.  So as I was listening to the words of this song I couldn't help but be touched, as tears rolled down my cheeks and my kids asking me if I was okay and wondering what was going on with Mom, I realized the message that this artist was trying to get across.  So please if you have a minute listen (and I mean really listen to the lyrics) to the song on our playlist titled, "While You Were Sleeping."  And as we celebrate Christmas this year, look around and be thankful for what you have i.e. family, friends, gospel, etc. and let there be "room" in your life for the One whose life we celebrate!!

Thankful Thursday

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A good read....

If you are looking for the next book to be read then let it be Marley & Me.  Seriously this was one of the better books that I have read this year.  It helps if you are a dog lover (like me:)) but I bet even if you aren't you will still like it.  It made me laugh and cry.  If you are too lazy to read it then you will only have to wait until Christmas day when the movie will be released.  But guaranteed you will miss out on some parts as you always do with the movies.  Although I do love Owen Wilson so I will probably go and see it anyway.  Now go get cozy by the fire (or your hubby) and start reading this book!  

Just in case you didn't know

Twilight movie sequel New Moon will be released November 20, 2009!! 

It's Snowing!!!

 Yeah, I mean it's not even sticking to the ground very much but hey we will take it!!  Now, it feels like Christmas!!

School Christmas Program

On Wednesday night the kids had their school Christmas program.  The kindergarteners, first, and second graders performed.  Karter was able to perform because the choir also had a few numbers.  It was exciting to watch them perform.  They were so proud to show us what they have been learning.  It turned out rather cute.  It was really packed in the gym luckily since all three kids had to be there early we were able to get the front row before everyone else packed in.  Good job boys!!!

*For Christmas Lights

*For Nativities

*Kids' Christmas Programs

*For My Birthday and Spending it with My Family

*Our Pugmire Family Christmas Party Last Week

*Watching Christmas Movies

*Seeing Christmas and the Magic of it Through my Children's Eyes

*Being ALMOST Done with Everything Relating to Christmas Gifts

*Homemade Goodies

*For Faith

San Diego 11.30.08

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This was our last day.  After eating breakfast and checking out of the hotel we decided to take in The Wild Animal Park on the way out of town.  Knowing that we had to travel we decided to just do the tour train through the wild animals.  It was amazing and definitely worth the stop.  Then it was back to the road.  This time the trip lasted a little longer than before with a lot more, "Are we there yets? and Are we in Utah yet? and Are we out of California yet?"  but we made it home around 9:00 PM exhausted and not ready to come back to "real life"!

THANK YOU GRANDMA AND GRANDPA ABBOTT SO MUCH FOR SUCH AN AWESOME VACATION AND FOR ALL THE MEMORIES WE MADE.  WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!  YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!

San Diego 11.29.08

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Today we decided to go to the San Diego Zoo.  We rode the tour bus around the park and the boys loved it because we were on the top level.  We then took in some animal attractions finding many different type of zoo animals.  We ate lunch at the Raintree Grill and then headed over to the Children's Zoo portion.  The kids had a blast there going from animal to animal, going to the petting zoo where Brekken got goat pee on him (totally gross especially for my OCD on cleaniness and hygiene), cleaned Brekken up, and headed to the Skyfari to ride it.  We saw some more animals, rode the Skyfari back and took the kids to buy them their souvenirs/toys from the zoo.  After the zoo, we headed back to the hotel to swim and relax in the hot tub.  After the kids were tired from swimming we went back to the suites and they stayed with Grandma and Grandpa while Nate and I went on a date.  We ate at The Cheesecake Factory, which was delicious and well worth the wait.  We were going to take in a movie but decided that Dan and Kathy were probably pretty wiped out from the days adventures, so we just headed back to the hotel to crash.  Another awesome day!!

San Diego 11.28.08

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Today we decided we wanted to go back to SeaWorld because we weren't able to take in all the shows and rides.  We awoke, ate breakfast, and headed out.  Today SeaWorld was packed!!!  They had all their holiday decorations up and it was beautiful.  First show we went to was The Pet Show.  The kids absolutely loved this one!!  We saw sharks at the Shark Encounter, penguins, turtles, manatees, eels, flamingos, rays, and so many sea animals.  We ate at Shipwreck cafe where a seagull pooped in Nate's lunch.  Needless to say afterwards it was dubbed S***wreck Cafe by someone who shall remain nameless:). We watched the Elmo in 4D show which the kids also loved!!  After that we headed over to ride Atlantis.  Dan, Nate, Karter, Traevn, Brekken, Peyton, and I hopped on and rode.  Brynlei was upset and cried because she was two inches too short to ride Atlantis.  She would have loved it.  I was a little shocked that the boys wanted to ride especially after seeing the huge hill we would be going on but they shocked me and boarded on.  The ride was awesome!!! We had to buy the photo that they take at the ride because the boys faces were priceless!  I think this may have been a once in a lifetime experience for Brekken but who knows.  Peyton LOVED it and kept saying that it didn't freak him out at all.  Once again we were there until dark.  After purchasing the kids some SeaWorld souvenirs/toys we headed over to the Skytower to take in San Diego.  It was beautiful to see the ocean, etc.  We left SeaWorld and headed out to eat at Sammy's Woodfired Pizza, which was very good.  As you can tell, this was an extremely long day and once again we crashed upon hitting the hotel.

San Diego 11.27.08

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Thanksgiving Day!  We all woke up early headed downstairs and ate breakfast with Grandma and Grandpa.  The kids were full of excitement awaiting the days adventures.  The weather was a little on the rainy side so we decided to take in a movie before heading to SeaWorld to see if the rain would let up.  We watched Bolt in 3D, the kids loved it!!  After the movie, the rain was gone and sun was beginning to shine through so we headed over to SeaWorld.  For Thanksgiving dinner we "Dined with Shamu."  This was a neat experience where the kids were fascinated by their up close and personal experience with Shamu (or rather Corky:)).  This day was perfect at SeaWorld because there wasn't very many people around so we were able to enjoy the park almost to ourselves.  We checked out the animal attractions and the boys rode Shipwreck Rapids getting wet of course.  Then we watched the Dolphin show where we sat in the splash zone (why go to SeaWorld if you don't get wet right?) but didn't end up getting splashed too much.  We were prepared with our ponchos though.  Then we headed over to the Seasame Street rides.  We rode Abby's Sea Star Spin, Oscar's Rocking Eel, and Elmo's Flying Fish.  The kids loved the rides especially Brynlei, she has absolutely no fear and didn't even mind when the spinning stars went super fast!  She also kept trying to stand up when her flying fish was high in the air,  I guess she feels she has to live it up like the boys.:)  After that we took in some more attractions and then headed over to get our seats for the Shamu Believe show.  Again we sat in the splash zone decked out in our ponchos.  The show was amazing!!!  It is unbelievable what they can train these animals to do.  By the time the show was over it was dark but the kids didn't want to leave so we headed over to check out the aquarium.  We ended up staying right until closing time.  Since it was Thanksgiving the only place open to eat was Jack in the Box, so we ate there.  Once again we all crashed back at the hotel at the end of another fun-filled day!

San Diego 11.26.08

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Today we left for San Diego.  Grandma and Grandpa Abbott came over bright and early to help us pack the truck and van up bringing with them hot dog shaped donuts for the kids breakfast.  The ride down went pretty smooth without too many, "Are we there yets?"  The kids watched a few movies, slept, ate snacks, and tried to contain their excitement.  We stopped for lunch in Barstow and then headed on our way again.  We made it to San Diego around 3-4 PM and checked in at the Marriott Residence Inn in Hotel Circle.  After getting our suites situated and vehicles unpacked we headed into Old Town to eat at Casa Guadalajara.  The food was good.  Back at the hotel we all crashed after a long day of driving and traveling.

HB Lynette

Happy Belated Birthday to Lynette.   We actually share a birthday but I thought that she deserved her own post.  Lynette is my older sister and one who I admire a lot!!  She is beautiful, outgoing, kind, a good friend, and someone who had to put up with me as a little sister growing up.  She is a great example to me and I look up to her so much!! I hope that she had an awesome day yesterday!! Love ya girl and I know that I was your favorite present on your fourth birthday (even though you say otherwise:))

 

This is one of the few times I'm compelled to drop a post on the BLOG

It's a super special day here at the Abbott's, We get to celebrate Crystal's big day. 

We love you babe and are happy that you're one year closer, and one year away from the

BIG 30!!!  We wish you a Happy Birthday and hope it's as special as you are to us!

LOVE U CJ!!!

*For DECEMBER, I love it!!! I love this season!

*For family.

*For a safe and awesome trip to San Diego last week!  (Pictures and post to follow soon, I promise.)

 *Ashley for babysitting last night so we could go to Nate's work party.

*For Nate taking the day off tomorrow to celebrate my birthday with me.

*For making it 10592 days so far.... Hopefully I can make it one more :)

*For family christmas parties coming up this weekend. 

*For Nate dealing with my "huge" mistake/misunderstanding from the trip! Hopefully, things will all work out! (I will give more details later)

*For a girls night tonight with my sisters, mom, and sister-in-law to see Twilight.  (I know I am like the only one that hasn't seen it yet, but at least I get to go while it is still in the theater.)

*Being able to spend time with my children....I know I have said it before but they make me a better person and just being around them makes everything else seem not so bad.

*Christmas music!

* For Nate and all he does for me!

 

Happy 8th Birthday Drew Ann.  Drew is my niece who is turning 8 years old today!!  She will be getting baptized on Saturday!  She is full of life and has tons of spunk.   We love you Drew and hope that all of your birthday wishes come true!