Christmas Eve Memories

Did you know that if you write a letter to Santa and simply address it: "Santa Clause, North Pole" that you will get a handwritten response from Santa himself! Yep, Collin was so stoked!

Tiff drove down from Utah

and together we made dinner to share with our Dad and Step-Mom, Joanie.

We had such a nice time.

On Christmas Eve we went to Matt's sister, Mary-Jayne's house

for dinner (no photos- darn it) then we went to my Aunt Sheila's and visited with

her, my Uncle Larry, Tiffany (with Xander) my Mom and Step-Dad.

Christmas 2008

Baking Gingerbread Men, Cowboys, SpongeBobs

and Patrick Stars.

Family Christmas Photo

This is what happens when the Davis Family tries to take a "Christmas Card Photo".

Granted, it's a new camera and I haven't quite figured out WHY our heads are chopped off, but seriously...what is the excuse for Bryson's expression in this first one???Or the Stretched Turtle neck with veins popping out in this one?

What IS Bryson's deal?!



So, I give up on the "Family Photo" and decide to just take the boys photo so that I can monitor the cheesey grins and goofy expressions (Bryson!). This is what happens when I tell the boys to pretend that they "like eacother".



After about 4 more of the silly ones, I finally get this GEM. Ahhh....it was all worth it. (Even though I totally slacked off and didn't even send out Christmas cards this year). Its the thought that counts, right???

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

Grandma Cazier

Grandma Hazel Irene Cazier ("Little Grandma")
1915-2008

This has been hard for me to blog about because my Grandma is so dear to me.

On Sunday, October 19th, my Grandma Cazier passed away at 93 years old. It was quick but unexpected. At 93 she lived alone in her home, drove her own car and was in good health. Luckily, when she passed she was with friends and got to see her daughters, Sheila and my mom, Susan. My Grandma means so much to me. There is so much I'm going to miss. But I know and find comfort that she is with her sweetheart, my Grandpa. Grandma was known for her beauty, her class, her sense of humor and her wit. She was also very creative and knowledgable about all kinds of things but mostly religion and politics. I had the honor of dressing her for her burial along with my Mom and cousins, Kris and Heather. What an honor and what a beautiful way to say goodbye. My sister, Tiffany gave a wonderful Eulogy and told some great stories about Grandma. Grandma's passing has me reflecting on the importance of family sealings and enjoying our family... faults, disagreements and all, while we have this precious time with them. It has also reminded me of how much harder I need to work to make sure my family is together forever in the eternities. I'm so grateful for the example my Grandparents were for me and that their marriage was sealed in the temple for time and all eternity. I also wanted to say "thank you" to all of my friends and family members who sent their sympathies. They were very comforting during a difficult time.

Grandma's 93rd Birthday

Gage's Baptism (2005) Grandma's Funeral~Oct. 25, 2008

Collin turns 4!

I can't believe that my little baby Collin is 4 years old. (except for the major changes in attitude we have experienced these last few weeks--more on that later) Collin was so excited when his "Gammy-Su" came to wish him a Happy 4th Birthday a day early. When he heard Gammy at the door Collin ran down the stairs shouting "Gammy's here! Gammy's here!" (im sure it had nothing to do with the fact that she was holding two beautifully wrapped birthday presents)
Collin's birthday was on a Monday and as we woke him up to shout "Happy Birthday" he immediately asked "Did you put up balloons and a big sign that says 'Happy Birthday, Collin'?" I assured him that it was all taken care of. Then he ran downstairs to see his decorations and gifts. We quickly opened gifts as it was a school day.
He was most excited about the Sponge Bob fishing pole that I bought for him months ago because I thought "every boy needs a fishin pole" and it was on clearance. ;) He was with me during that shopping trip and despite my efforts to hide the pole from him by brilliantly putting it under the shopping cart he was riding in, (yeh, that worked when he was 12 months old) and telling him that he has to forget about it so it will be a surprise for his birthday, he has NOT forgotten it. He talked about that darn fishin pole just about every day. When he opened it on his birthday he said something like "YAY! The Sponge Bob Fishing Pole that I forgot!"

Collin was also very excited about the Pinocchio costume we gave him. He has been talking about being Pinocchio for Halloween for MONTHS and lately he would not stop asking me to "buy it on the computer" for him. Whenever I'd ask him what he wanted for his birthday, it was always " a pinnochio costume!" He has since dressed up in this costume about 6 times in the last 7 days.
We celebrated with family and friends at Chuck E Cheeses that evening. Collin wanted a yellow cake with green frosting. (he was very specific) He had a lot of fun running around with his cousin and riding the simulated roller coaster ride. We were touched by how many loved ones showed up to our spontaneous trip to Chuck E Cheeses and endured hours of noise and chaos. We sure love and appreciate them for that.
The following Friday we went to Disneyland as a family( Collin & Mommy's favorite place.)

We made sure to stop at Main Street City Hall so Collin could get his honorary Birthday Badge and a surprise telephone birthday greeting from Goofy!
Collin couldn't wait to meet his favorite character, Woody.

Not only did he meet Woody and Jessie, but he was called up to the stage during Woody's Halloween Round-Up Show and everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to Collin.

And to make Collin's Birthday trip complete, the Pinocchio Puppet Show Window was finally reopened at the Village Haus Restaurant. Collin was delighted!

Oh man...Sheri got me! I'm IT

Two Names You Go By: 1. Mom 2. Baby
Two Things You are Wearing Right Now: 1. Blue jeans 2. gray shirt
Two Things You Want Right Now: 1. A maid 2. a raise
Two Things You Did Last Night: 1. Watched Iron Man with the Fam 2. Read scriptures with the hubby
Two Things You Ate Today: 1.chili 2. broccolli
Two Favorite Drinks: 1. Vitamin Water 2. Cranberry Grapefruit SoBe
Five PeopleI’m Tagging: 1Kristy 2. Karalee 3.Kari 4. Susan 5. Audrey

Anniversaries don't come around often enough.

My dear friend, Ana offered to not just watch my boys for two whole days and a night but she entertained them with "Sleepover" themed activities so that Matt and I could get away for our 14th Wedding Anniversary. Matt and I escaped Friday morning to the LA temple to do some sealings and remember our sealing covenants . We had lunch and THAT would've made a great Anniversary. But then we drove up to Big Bear and stayed the night in an adorable little bed and breakfast. http://www.eaglesnestlodgebigbear.com/We woke up to a homemade breakfast and then rode our bikes along the lake. I was just about delirious with happiness. The weather was perfect, the sky was blue, the lake sparkling, the bike path EASY and all the while it was peaceful and romantic. We had such a great time. Of course, being the fan of FAMILY vacations, we've already made plans to take the kids back this summer and camp at Big Bear Lake. CAN'T WAIT!

We gotta go back...back...back to school again!

Ok, it's the third week of school, I guess I'd better admit it to myself that Summer break is over. No more sleeping in, walks to Jamba Juice and staying up late to update the blog. Time for alarm clocks, searching for shoes and last minute lunch making.

Gage was eager to start Middle School despite his Mom's hyper anxiety about feeding her first- born to the sharks.
Gage looks so calm and collected as he gets his backpack out of the car and tolerates his embarassing Mother snapping pictures of his every move.

One last photo of Gage before he is devoured by Middle School Madness. (Is that a shark?!)

Bryson, on the other hand was less than thrilled about starting another year of school. In fact, his response when I picked him up after school and asked him how his day went was a very monotone "normal". ha ha