Thanksgiving 2008

What a whirlwind weekend! We drove to San Diego for Thanksgiving again this year--so fun! (Not the drive, but the being there) The best part about it was getting to see our newest little niece--Lainey Grace! She's such a sweet baby and did not mind being passed around too much! (Or grabbed by her overexcited cousins!!)

Thanksgiving itself was DELICIOUS! I made Webster rolls and was in charge of pie crust. The rolls and the crust turned out fantastic. Too bad that the person who made the pumpkin filling forgot the sugar!!! The day was not ruined though--once we figured it out, I scooped out all the pumpkin filling and stirred in some powdered sugar (someone suggested powdered because the granulated sugar would be too grainy) and a little honey...and it turned out ok. The pies were edible and disappeared shortly thereafter. We had a lot of fun with Kayley's in-laws, the Krages and their kids and dog, Wrinkles. And they were so gracious and let us stay at their house again!

A definite shining moment was when Uncle Jake arrived from Michigan (he was there with Tara for Thanksgiving). Xander was a little unsure why Uncle Jake wasn't with Nana & Grumpy but he flew in on Friday and when he woke Xander up from his nap (YEAH! He took a nap!!) it was quite the reunion. Through very groggy eyes Xander said, "It's...it's Uncle Jake! It's Uncle Jake!!" And flew into his arms and wouldn't let go for awhile. A very emotional mommy (ok, tired more like it since Eliza did not figure out how to switch time zones and we were up at 5 AM every day--or maybe it was because she was on the verge of the double ear infection she is now fighting??) got a little teary to see how excited her son was--I never realized that someone so young could actually miss people--but Xander sure does!!

Some other activities while there included: a trip to Balboa Park--what a beautiful place! We even got to go to the model train museum. Ben & I got away on a date and hung out with Nicci & Steve (Nicci and I are friends from High School) and we went to the BEST Italian restaurant. We knew it was going to be good when the waiters & everyone there spoke Italian. :) I also ran away and finally went and bought a new pair of pants!!! YEAH!! I also got to see another good friend, Sandy, for lunch on Saturday...we got back all the way to 6th grade!! Fun Times!!

Lainey was blessed on Saturday evening--a beautiful blessing given by her father and then we left Sunday morning. Xander summed it up best as we were leaving:

Xander: "Dad, I forgot something."
Ben: "What did you forget?"
Xander: "Something"
Ben: "Xander, do you want to turn around and stay with Aunt Kayley longer?"
Xander: "Yes, Dad. I don't want to go back to my small house."

All in good time buddy!!! :) Happy Thanksgiving to all & May you enjoy this holiday season!

Phoenix Zoo--Daddy's First Trip!

IWFC organized a trip to the Zoo today and Daddy was able to come!! YEAH! It was the perfect day for a zoo trip--the weather was awesome. In fact, we've never seen so much of the zoo or the animals be so activie--it was great! We only snapped one picture--and here it is. Yes, our trip was on game day and so we were sporting our true blue colors (look at the hats). We joined some friends to watch the game later that day and I can't say we were too sad that we missed the end due to a school activity.

4 years ago today--It's Official

4 Years ago today was the most beautiful day in Oakland, California. Of course I am biased but it was a perfectly clear November day and from the top of the LDS Temple you could see all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge! There was a light but pleasant breeze and the temperature was just right. Just look at our pictures & you will see!!

Ben & I drove to the temple holding hands (what a faux pas!!) while my parents drove. We got all settled in the temple and were joined by lots of our family & friends. We got married!! YEAH! We had a reception that night and then we left for the Thanksgiving break. (We were in our senior year at BYU--not much time to party!!)...our real Honeymoon has been on hold BUT will take place in May 2009 after graduation!! YAHOO!

4 years later, 2 kids, lots of moves and no settling yet we are happier and more in love than ever. Ben is my strength, my best friend, my lover, my studly defender and so much more. Even when I have hard days, he knows how to bring a smile to my face. He has a song for everything or makes one up if he can't think of one. He treats me better than I ever think I deserve. He's everything I've ever wanted & so much more. I love growing up & old with you Ben--I love always and in all ways!! XOXOX Happy Anniversary!!!

I've Been Tagged

I love you T-- :)

8 Shows I like to watch (Ok, I watch TV once or twice a week but here's what I check up on)
1. Biggest Loser
2. Numbers
3. House
4. Price is Right
5. Law & Order: SVU
6. the News
7. CSI
8. 11th Hour

8 Favorite Restaurants
1. Balcony Bistro
2. Rice Express
3. Elephant Bar
4. La Bou
5. Lenny's Burgers
6. My Brother Vinny's
7. Visconti's
8. Costa Vida/ Cafe Rio, etc

8 Things I Did Yesterday
1. Swam at the gym
2. Made Sourdough French Toast
3. Cleaned kitchen & living room
4. Read the Ensign (Conference Edition)
5. Went to Enrichment (church) dinner for woman
6. Visited Becky & Colton
7. Read Stories
8. Took a walk w/ the kiddos

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To
1. My anniversary tomorrow
2. Thanksgiving w/ my sis & her new baby!!
3. Ben's finals to be over for the trimester
4. Finding out where Intel is sending us!
5. Christmas in Folsom
6. Graduation in May!!
7. Trip to the Canary Islands in May!!
8. Leaving our tiny apartment!!!!!!!

8 Things On My Wishlist
1. a sewing machine & lessons on how to use it
2. new clothes since I've lost all the weight I gained with Xander & Eliza--yes, I'm back to my pre-baby weight!! YAHOO!
3. A good book & time to read it!
4. Time with my hubbie
5. a yard for my kids to play in
6. a drive way or garage that I can park my car in
7. a better memory
8. time with some old friends!!

HAPPY #3 XANDER!

This is only the beginning of birthday celebrations for our little "goofy". And I'll let the pictures talk for now--I'll write about it later...ENJOY! (His actual b-day is on Monday).

Clothes

I'm a clothes hoard. I'll admit it. But this has been a sad week in my closet. My favorite pair of jeans (ok, they were bought in 2002), my favorite khaki pants (given to me by my roommate before she left on her mission in 2002) and my favorite flip flops (bought in 2001) have all gone the way of the garbage can. I've been to several different stores to find replacements--and can't find anything. Does anyone need a job as a personal shopper?? If so, I'll hire you! Or if you really love me, sign me up for one of those "Make-over Mommy" or "I can't believe you still wear that!" shows. :)

Time Out for Couples

For our anniversary present, the Websters sent us to "Time Out for Couples." It is an evening (sans enfants) put on by Deseret Book where couples go to "hear messages about strengthening families and marriages." Ben & I actually met a couple of our friends there and we had a great time. Here are some of the things I learned (or re-learned) that are important for our marriage.

1. Express gratitude each day
2. Prayer is a window into your spouses heart--pray aloud with your spouse daily; The single most important thing you can do for your marriage is pray together morning & night.
3. Be willing to be humble
4. Make your spouses happiness more important that your own
5. Embrace your differences and use them to compliment and create the perfect package/team
6. Lower your expectations
7. Receive unconditionally
8. How you deal with your spouses imperfections will greatly affect your marriage

The speakers (Mark Mabry, Richard & Kathleen Walker, Douglas Brinley) were awesome and Peter Brinholt did several musical performances. The best part of the night (hands down) was when we won a $50 gift card to Deseret Book! YAHOO for us!!!

Also, for any of you Arizona people out there--why aren't there any creamery's or ice cream parlors around? (Like a Leatherby's?? Even Cold Stone??) We really wanted to go out to ice cream afterwards and could NOT find anything! It was really sad when we ended up at Jack in the Box for one of their "hand" scooped milkshakes....

Ahh, but THANK YOU Mom & Dad Webster for the gift...it was truly refreshing!

Holy Yum Batman!!

A few weeks ago an old college buddy of mine wrote about a dinner that she said was "Holy Yum Batman." The dinner? Well, she made it in a pumpkin. For those who know me well--know that I love trying new things and a good challenge in the kitchen and since she had posted the recipe I thought I'd try it...and it really was "Holy Yum Batman!" Ben and I are so excited to beef up this recipe--here's a shot of dinner and our little Eliza who ate pumpkin after pumpkin after pumpkin (yup, you serve the pumpkin, like squash, with the dish).

Eliza is such a good eater--she is still toothless but enjoys exactly what we are eating--she does NOT like too much baby food. She's devoured dishes such as: Sweet & Sour meatballs, Tuna Casserole, Chicken Pot Pie, Potato Soup, Pumpkin dinner, Oatmeal w/ apples & raisins--and of course her favorites: bread & cheese. :) I wish Xander were such a good eater!

Not everyone should vote...

I'm so sick of hearing the media push 'everyone' to vote. No, I'm not suggesting that we institute a poll test of any kind to decide who can and can't vote--rather I'm suggesting that people only vote who do so responsibly. We already encourage people to drink responsibly, drive responsibly, parent responsibly, etc. etc...so why not only encourage people to vote who do so responsibly? Should you vote for a bond when you don't know what a bond is? Should you vote for a proposition when you know no more about it than its title? No...no...no. But we only hear the cries for people to go out and vote, nothing about casting an informed vote. If you cast an informed vote that counteracts mine, that's fine--it's my responsibility to persuade you otherwise. But if your vote is based on a 30 second sound bite you saw/heard on MTV or SNL or even Rush Limbaugh...that's irresponsible and makes a mockery of the entire process. The scam is that the outlets who push 'everyone' to vote know perfectly well that they're encouraging uniformed people to go and do their bidding...not what's best for society. Voting may be a right, but it is also a responsibility. Uniformed voting, at the end of the day, is as dangerous as a drunken stupor, as reckless driving, and as child neglect. The individual impact may not be as visible, but the impact on society will be as great or greater over time. So, if you're going to cast a vote--do so responsibly.

Jack

Here's is our little "Jack". No, we didn't make him in time for Halloween (it's becoming a tradition!!). This time though I waited because 'J' week was the week after Halloween, so I just waited until then. :) Xander had lots of fun cutting up the pumpkin--and Ben and I, who have never used the cheat sheets before, were amazed at how easy pumpkin carving can be!