We wish you a Happy New Year!

A Very Merry Christmas

To start, I hope you all had a Merry Christmas.

Our house woke up around 6:30. Curtis and I got ready for the day while Max snoozed. He woke up around 7:30. We rushed him downstairs to open his gifts.

He was not really into opening gifts and was confused when he would open one we would take the toy away and give him another package. He thought it was a lot of work to rip open all the paper and not get to play with the toy for very long.

We headed over to The Stevens' home for the rest of the morning. We exchanged gifts and had a ginormous breakfast. I even tried my hand at making Cinnamon pull-a-parts. They where so good, I had to make a second batch.

Grandpa Jim and Grandma Kizzy gave Max a drum set because Curtis always wanted one and they would never let him have it. Max loves it and he is pretty good at it too.

For the rest of the day we visited My Grandma and Grandpa at the care center and just hung out at home with Claire all evening. Jim, Christie, Kevin and Kenton stopped by to see Max's Christmas and to have a little dinner with us. I was a wonderful and even relaxing Christmas day.

We did miss a lot of our family. My parents have been visiting Jared, Julie, Alivia, Rex and Lucy in Australia. We did get to skype with them, thanks heavens for modern day technology. Claire spend Christmas morning with Tyler, Lindsey, Baily, Kennedy and Tucker in Cedar City and had a wonderful time.

To my family, and all others we did not see on Christmas, we hope you had a happy holiday.

Ice skating

Curtis took Max Ice Skating for the first time yesterday. He did really well....Curtis had to hold him up the whole time but he loved every minute of it.

It is so fun to watch him discover life.

Prize give away

Can you guess our favorite holiday movie? Each of us (Curtis, Max and me) has chosen one of these 6 movies as a Favorite holiday film. Can you guess who's is who's? If you can get them right you will receive a prize. Good luck and happy Holidays!

*tip/warning: Curtis really surprised me with his pick.

Thank you to all who participated in our Christmas movie challenge. We do have a winner...Congratulations Angie. We will get you your gift this weekend.

I just love this little guy. We have been trying to teach him to leave the buttons on the TV alone. Every time we tell him no, he runs to me and gives me a big hug.

A little cheer

I Love holiday decorations. We don't have an over abundance of Christmas stuff so we decided to add just a little every year.

This year we added the funky metal trees and the jingle bells sign with the snowflakes.

Curtis is a very good decorator around our house. sometimes I'll come home and the whole living room will be rearranged.

This is a pile of Christmas tags my mom had. I printed this photo and hung it in our living room.
We just wanted to share some of our Christmas cheer with you.

SANTA

This is a pic of Max at this time last year. He was only 2 months old. Max started to cry right after I took this picture.
We had the Ryan Christmas Party last night and Santa "surprised" all of us. He brought a bag of toys, one for each child. He was calling their names and Max really did not want to wait. We have been preping him with "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (his favorite movie) and "The Polar Express". When Santa called his name I let him run. He only made it 3 or 4 steps before he stopped to rethink about Santa. I helped him the rest of the way and, I just want to point out, he is totally propping his arm on Santa like they are old pals.

Max...And Santa have really changed in one year.

Another photo shoot

This is Max's Third photo shoot with McKenzie Deakins. Every 6 months she has offered a $35

1 hour session. I love her style.

Tree hunt

Winter has come

Crafty

I love wreaths like this. I went to hobby lobby and made this my self under $8. I wanted to hang it up as soon as I finished, but I seem to have lost my wreath hanger. I stayed up past midnight looking for it. The next day I came home and Curtis had it hanging. I love coming home to it.

I know I am way behind on my gratitude list. So here is the rest of it...

3. Baby gates

Max fell down my mom's stairs this week - I was more shaken than he was.

2. Music

I was with my family this week and it was so fun to gather around the piano and sing while my mom played some of our favorite songs.

1. Smiles

Nothing like the feeling you get when someone smiles.

#4

#4. I am Thankful for nap time.

Need I say more

#5

#5. I am thankful for Dishwashers.

Ours broke about a month ago and we have been washing all of our dishes by hand. I think we buy a bottle of dish soap every time we go to the store. I miss my dishwasher.

#6

#6 I am thankful for humor.

I love to laugh.
I love the holiday season because this is when I get to be with my family...they may be the only people who know I'm funny.

#7

#7: I'm Thankful for people who comment on my blog.

#8

My number 8 might seem a little silly but I really missed it today.

#8. I am Thankful for the Sunshine

Today I spent a lot of time outside. It was a gray and cold day. I missed the sunshine and the warmth it brings. I do love the winter feeling but only for December, snowmobile excursions, sledding, drinking hot chocolate, cute scarfs, sitting by the fireplace...
I will enjoy the cool weather, but me and my tulips will hope for an early spring.

#9

I have already missed a day. I guess I will just have to post two today.

I have been trying to tap into my creative side lately and so my next "Thankful" is..

#9. I am thankful for Inspiration

I have been inspired by so many of my friends. They all seem to have really cute ideas. Recently, I have been inspired to cook with Curtis, make crafty things at work, plant almost 30 tulips in my front yard and to make up new games with Max.

#10

I have been trying to get into the Thanksgiving mood. I Think I skipped it and headed straight for Christmas. I have been listening to Christmas music and watching holliday movies. This week I bought a Sunday paper to look over the adds and get ideas for Christmas gifts.
The younger Collette would have been upset over skipping Thanksgiving. I liked each holliday to have it's spotlight (in order) when I was growing up. Halloween, My Birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. A lot of sweets, BIG meals and parties.
I do love Thanksgiving and feel grateful for so many things. We have had a busy year. We live very close to both of our immediate family. Sometimes it feels like we have a family event every week.
We have 10 days left to Thanksgiving. I'm going to try a top 10 things I'm Thankful for. These will be in a random order, however, each thing I list will be special. One each day and ending on Thanksgiving. So...Wait no longer.

#10. I am Thankful for the Gospel.

I have been watching a conference talk every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I love our church leader and know they are inspired men and women. No matter what they chose to speak on or how long ago the session was, I still learn so much.
I have so much I could write on this "Thanksgiving topic" but once I start writing, I don't think I'll be able to stop.
Happy fall/Thanksgiving. I hope you are all getting into the spirit of Thanksgiving. I truly believe it is one of the best times of the year.

The BEST gift ever

Yes, it is true. I am one big fan of Micheal Jackson's music and dancing. For my birthday, Curtis got us tickets to see "This Is It"! I am so excited. I will of course, let you all know how wonderful it was.

* Alright, here is MY REVIEW:

"This Is It" has to be the best documentary I have seen all year. This film is for anyone who loves, adores or admires Micheal Jackson's talent as an artist (or any one who likes his fashion). However, this is not a film for anyone who does not enjoy documentary films. The film lasts two hours and is mostly clips of rehearsals for the concert he was working on and a few interviews with dancers, singers, musicians and others working towards the concert. The film includes all of his most popular songs. The last two songs where my favorite in the film, Billy Jean and Man in the Mirror. These are the only two songs Micheal sang completely. (These songs are not my favorite he has ever done but I think they saved the best of what they had til the last). I found my self bobbing my head along with the songs and really wanting to dance. I am sure that would have been one of the best concerts ever (especially what they had set up for the Thriller song). They used all of the original dance work for Bad and Thriller. Both Curtis and I where glad they kept that.

THE MOST SHOCKING OF ALL (nothing to do with the film)
We did find it interesting that when we arrived at the theater there where no lines to get in - We did go at 5:50 so maybe that is why. Our theater filled in quickly (the whole bottom section was empty) and we where robbed at the concessions stand (over 8 dollars for and 8 oz drink and a "small" bag of pop corn). When the movie ended it was almost 8 and still no lines for anything. This is only the third movie I have been to all year, but when Curtis and I where dating the theater was always full of people and lines.

Party Time

We had Three big parties this weekend. First was the pre-Halloween party with the Finch's on Friday night. Lindsey was the mastermind of dinner. She made swamp water by coloring tapioca (frog eyes), and adding gummy worms and sprite. She also made "Cheesenstein", a Frankenstein cheese ball. We ate biscuts shaped like witches hats and soups with scary names.

After all of the eating, we held a spook alley for the kids. Nothing too scarry. My dad bought some small tents and a tunnel. These lead back to the bedroom. Tyler hid behind the bed and used the vacume hose to make a haunted voice. We set up flash lights to silhouette poo bear and tigger. Other than that, we had a few strans of orange christmas lights up. The Max and Tucker still cried - but I think that is becase they where stuck in the tunnel.

Halloween night we headed to Payson for the big Stevens Party. When we arrived, most of the food was ready. All of the pictures for this post are from this party. I forgot my camera for both of the other ones.

We hit the streets around 6 o'clock to trick or treet with Max. We went to a total of 5 houses. Everyon we went to gave us candy for Max and for us. We had his bucked over half full and figured he won't be eating this candy any way.

Back at the Stevens, Kari and Curtis had made some HOT HOT chilli. We had mummy dogs, chilli in cute pumpkin bread bowls, pop corn, cookies, doghnuts and so much more. For dessert, we had cheese cake with bloody eye balls (Cherry topping). Yummy!

Curtis had downloaded a few scary old time radio shows. After the trick or treater's had died down, we all sat in the light of the fireplace and listened to the frightening stories. I get scared so easy - thus I took over the position of candy giver.

The Stevens had a great party with wonderful food and fantastic decorations.

Sunday night was Bailey's "Burp-Day". This is the half birthday celibration tradition for Tyler and Lindsey's family. Family and friends where invited over for a belching competition. Max got sick so we never got to find out who won.
We had a wonderful weekend. Thanks to everyone who participated.

2009 Costumes

Here are our Fantastic outfits for Halloween. Max was a monkey, Curtis was a huge Banana and I was a Couch potato. I got to wear an authentic "Snuggie", hold a bowl of popcorn and a remote. Best last minute costume yet.

This was at the Stevens home. They has this mask floating around - Kinda scary. By the way...Snuggie should come up with a new and improved line where it fastens in the back and has pockets.

Here is our reason for the season. We have been so excited to introduce him to all of our fun traditions. Especially now that he is old enough to get excited about them.

Maybe a little too excited.

Jack-o-lanterns

Happy Halloween! We started Max's pumpkin journey at Pumpkin land in Orem. Curtis went here when he was little and we took Alivia and Rex on a field trip here on one of our hang outs. Curtis found Max the prefect pumpkin and Max was happy to have company in his wagon. Max was just a few weeks old this time last year, so we have been very excited to intoduce him to the Halloween Jack-O-Lantern tradition.

Max was so interested with how to clean the pumpkin, he stuck his hand right in and started pulling out the slime, seeds and other pumpkin insides.

He really started showing off when I pulled out the camera. He was telling us all about his great pumpkin (in his own language).

Here is our finished "Max" pumpkin. We gave him two bottom teeth just like Max. He has more teeth but he really likes to show those bottom ones off. We had a really great time making our Jack-o-lanterns and watching Max discover something new.

Fall family pic's

Sunday evening, we headed to Maple lake with my parents for our Fall Family Photo shoot. It was so beautiful up the canyon.

Max did really well... for the first 30 minutes.

Thanks Dad and Mom. We love ALL of the pictures.

A night with witches

Last night we went to Gardner's Village. The month of October they decorate the grounds (and sky) with witches.

My mom and dad came with us and we found a scavenger hunt online. We completed the witch hunt but the line to redeem was too long so we gave our sheet to some children who didn't know about it. 12 and under can redeem the hunt for a 25 cent cookie.

Turns out we went on ladies night so Curtis, Dad and Max where out numbered. All of the women who attended where dressed as their kind of witch. It was definitely a night for people watching.

I had never been to Gardiner Village before. I had a great time and would suggest it to anyone. They even had a small petting zoo with pony rides and a hay maze.

So many cute shops, I think they have 26 different buildings on the grounds. We did not go into any of the shops. My mom said that would be for a different day. It was really crowded in the shops.
We had a great time and I can't wait to go back. It really got me in the mood for Halloween. I definitely going back to see their Christmas festival.