I hope your Christmas was wonderful! We had a great holiday and everyone looked great in their pajamas. Ruca was even wonderful in posing.
I was so happy to be up and around. Definitely feeling better and just enjoying this time with the family and all being home last week.
When I woke up yesterday morning I really felt like staying in bed. But the doctor appointment went fine. Mike was there with me to remember the answers to the list of questions I had and when I got to work I found these cards and presents on my desk. So the superstitious side of me started to waiver.
The day continued to be a great day and with the beautiful weather in December who could complain? I was able to meet my sister, niece, mother and Mike for lunch. Then the whole family for dinner at 3 Margaritas. One of my favorite places. Grandma Tam came too but was gracious enough to take the picture. 
Krystal picked out this beautiful cake for me and wouldn't you know it payback is bad. All 37 candles on the cake. I told Mike it wasn't fair since his cake was much smaller but I think that some back up came to help me blow out the candles in one breath of air.
Pictures are not my favorite thing but like Oprah says the light always makes things better! With all those candles we definitely had light! It was a wonderful day and the presents were all wonderful! The kids did some extra shopping and Mike picked out the perfect gifts. So when you get those emails that wish you bad luck....don't worry, it isn't true!
Family from both sides came to spend time with us and even though there wasn't a lot of space to move at times it didn't feel crowded. The food was wonderful and the desserts were amazing. I went off tradition this year and attempted an oreo/cream cheese dessert. It was a hit with the kids. We are so grateful for family and the wonderful time we had with them this Thanksgiving.
Monday was Mikes birthday, Tuesday ym/yw, Wednesday wrestling and Thursday a band concert for Krystal. She wasn't happy that we only got one clear picture of her. But one great picture is better then a lot of blurry ones. 
She is so well rounded and talented. It isn't always easy to balance her schedule but she is so organized and does a great job! Wednesday we were able to see David wrestle for the first time in high school. He was wrestling varsity and pinned his opponent. The sweetest part of this is the guy he pinned was a brother of two girls I have coached before. Although his old HS won the match it didn't matter.
Earlier in the week I asked Mike what kind of cake he wanted for his birthday. A poppy seed cake and not a lemon one. I had never made one before and was hoping he was joking. But no he wasn't and we discovered you can buy poppy seed in the spice isle of Safeway. Fortunately the cake turned out really good and wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. 
I know life doesn't stop but sure wish he didn't have to work late and we didn't have wrestling meetings on this special day. But I know that we'll remember getting to go to one of your favorite restaurants and the poppy seed cake I was so excited to make for you! (not really)
So glad that it tasted good and it wasn't as hard as I thought. I love you so much and so excited the day ended better then it started!
We have been doing a lot of things to the house lately. Most recently last week Mike decided that we needed to divide the basement. Instead of a large rec room and the bedroom he put up "temporary walls" that look real to me and divided the boys living space. So know everyone has there own space and can shut a door if they need to. The inside of the rooms are done but we have to finish the hallway side by texturing and painting.
As if the basement wasn't enough we have been planning on refinishing the hardwood floors. We are lucky enough that Mike has three of his best buddies own companies that do this. So they all graciously came over this weekend and started tearing things up. Everything from the living room, dining room and kitchen were in the family room. It wasn't as messy as I thought it would be and I love how they turned out.
One of the things we did while we were staying clear of the house was get the girls haircuts. Haley is rocking the short dew and Laura went in for a bang trim came out with 7 less inches of hair. They both look so cute with their low maintenance style.
Earlier in the week Krystal was finally able to get her drivers permit. She has been so excited and ready to start driving. Not so sure we are ready but watch out world because here she comes. I truly mean "watch out"! j/k The best thing she has learned the past couple of weeks is to NOT argue with her teachers and slow down when making a turn! 
I love her picture even though she isn't so excited about it. I told her that no one likes their picture on the ID. She isn't to the age where she has to fib about her weight but she did try to make herself taller. Even the lady at the DMV stopped and looked at her. Doesn't she look cute? 
As we were singing happy birthday Ruca came into the room as if she wanted to be part of the fun. David wanted her help blowing out the candles but Ruca was sure she was busted for being on the table and couldn't wait to get away.
David was sure that the church pants we put in a bag was his present. He hid the disappointment pretty good. But when dad walked down with the guitar on his back his face totally changed. 
So down to the room where dad had to show him how to hook the electric guitar up to the amp and play. For a while I wasn't sure who dad really picked the guitar up for. But everyone enjoyed the time and they played for at least a couple of hours. 
David did get his turn to play and wouldn't you know it he is already playing songs that he has learned by ear. He has such a talent with music. So to the birthday boy enjoy your new room, church pants and oh yeah....that electric guitar! We love you and love the comic relieve you bring into the home, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays for our family. Not because of the spooky stuff but because of some of the great traditions and fun of the holiday. Saturday was so warm that we were able to carve pumpkins in the backyard.
We baked cupcakes, brownies and made chili. So it was a full day and by 8 pm we were sure it was closer to midnight. 
Here the kids are all dressed up for the night. Krystal was sick and ended up spending most of the time sleeping in the car. But everyone else had a really good time.
All five pumpkins survived and made it to the porch this year. It was a perfect night for the trick or treaters and the pumpkins all looked so cool with the candles burning inside of them. The new plug in pumpkins are fun but there is nothing like the real thing! What a great way to end October and welcome a new month.
We have been through two years of preparations for court and to officially make all the members of our family "cokes". All I can say is we are so happy and glad to finally have this chapter of our life's behind us. The judge was amazing and so kind to us and the children. We went out for lunch to celebrate which isn't something we do often because the cost could feed a small country. 
Then we went bowling and pumpkin shopping. I know this year was just picking the pumpkins from Albertsons but it was just as much fun as anything else for us. Our wonderful neighbor brought us some cookies to and we bought some coca cola to celebrate. Cookies and coke with the Cokes....what a day!
We have had a tradition of going to Fright Nights at Elitch Gardens. On Saturday after the busy day we all met back at the house at about 3:30 pm and decided to head up. We weren't sure how the weather was going to be but it was perfect!
This year Haley is finally tall enough to go on the roller coasters. Even though we have uneven numbers it all worked out. We took turns with one riding alone. 
The boys wanted to go on the boomerang and the girls did not. I figured that it was worth a shot and since I was always a chicken and wouldn't go on this ride growing up it was time. Look at my face in the picture. I'd rather give birth then ride this one again. 
The boys went after we did and loved it! Although I love roller coasters the suspense of this one just didn't agree with me. Seriously....hanging for 20 seconds before they do anything?
We all got to go on the flying coaster here is Krystal with David. It was Haley's first time on a "grown up" roller coaster and she screamed the whole time. Then wanted to do it again.
Over all even though we didn't use our passes as much as we would like, we had a great time this season. Saturday night was a blast and we had so much fun. We aren't sure if we'll buy the passes for next year but if every trip could be this memorable would do it for the rest of our lives!
Last Thursday was one of our eventful nights. I had my monthly bunko date and we got an email that the "middle kids" had a bad concert date change. Guess which night? Yes, on bunko night and it was my turn to bring food. I had it all planned out got things together early so someone else could take it and I could still enjoy the music. I would watch them play their music and then speed off just a little late to bunko. As most nights in our house things didn't go as planned!
Mike was working on a friends car and we were losing track of time. David who loves his new found freedom of driving offered to get the kids to the school so they can be early for the performance. Great! Everything is actually working out right? 
Even with what seemed to be extra stressful the kids seemed very happy. Dad took them to the traditional ice cream treat after a school performance. So even with a few glitches all was well.
Until the next morning when I was bringing some things back home for the scout trip that night. Alan met me at the car and showed me the difference between his wrist. The left one was double the size of the right one. So off to the doctor who said he didn't think it was anything more then a sprain because he had played at the band concert the night before without complaining. Well as a precaution we took him to get an x-ray (at Grandma Tams job). She pulled some strings and they read the x-ray for us while we were there. YES, a break right in the growth plate. He was splinted on Friday and got this groovy blue cast on Monday. No complaining from Alan though he got a milk shake on Friday with mom and a Keva Juice on Monday with Dad. Alone time and ice cream! What could be better?
