"Flu Shots-Poo Shots!"

The Flu Check List

-New Pajamas to stay in all day (because you can do that when your sick) the old ones have throw-up on them. Check
-Parent's Comfy Bed with lots of Pillows. Check
-Cup with straw (less work for the sickie) filled with 7-up to help settle your stomach. Check
-T.V. with remote control at hand to watch all the cartoons your heart desires. Check
-Lots of Books, in case you get tired of watching cartoons. Check
-NightNight, your special animal that gives you comfort and love. Check
-Mamma's Big Silver Baking Bowl, in case you can't make it to the bathroom. Check

Refund please, We want our money back! Payton has the flu! Grandma, what happened to the Flu Shot she just got? Now we'll never get Rob in to get a shot!

"Deer... It's Whats for Dinner!"

Only in Utah!!! Usually you see swings, a bird feeder, Christmas lights, maybe an occasional kite hanging from a tree, but this was unbelievable! I swear Heather lives in a beautiful, quaint, pleasant neighborhood, not a Po-dunk, take this dirt road 5 miles and turn left at the raccoon road-kill kind of neighborhood. But, when we drove by we were all in shock. We debated on showing the kids, but heck, when would they ever see something like this again! Gasps came from the backseat, then laughter erupted from Payton (she may be missing the sensitivity chip)! I guess the "Deer Family" doesn't like turkey for Thanksgiving!

"Thursday Turkey Day!"

As you can tell from my fellow sister's Thanksgiving Reports, there was plenty of delicious food to be eaten at Grandma's house! Rob made his famous Maple, Bacon-wrapped Turkey, Heather: Cranberry, White-Jesus Juice Turkey, and last but not least, Heidi: Dominican Spice Turkey! Take your pick, they were all delectable! I was assigned to make Mac-N-Cheese and the Veggie Tray! For the first time in my life I made "home-made" (not out of the blue box or even worse, microwaveable easy mac) Macaroni and Cheese. I used about 5 different kinds of cheeses that melted into a little bit of golden brown heaven. (Thanks for the Recipe Heather!) As for the Veggie Tray, I think everyone heard the gasp around the world when I asked for someone to take me to the nearest Costco to buy it! They made me make my "Own" Veggie Tray. I had to slice, cut and peal my own vegetables. It was hard work but, it was worth it. Let me tell you, this was not your regular run of the mill Vegetables and dip, I even had Jicama.

The two best parts of the meal were going around the table and sharing what we all were Thankful for and of course dessert!

Here were the things my kids were thankful for this year:

R.J.- Being together as a family and for the love we have for one another.

Madison- Being with my family that I don't get to be with very often.

Payton- I am thankful for food, turkey, grandma's rolls and pumpkin pie!

"Broken Leg, and I Ain't Talking About the Turkey's!"

For Family Fun Day number 2 (Wednesday Nov. 21) Grandma and Spuncle (Super Uncle Jason) took the kids to the "Kangaroo Zoo" for some jumping fun. The brother and sisters stayed at home to surprise the mom by putting up her Christmas lights. Both of these events were not very productive! We postponed the lights due to lack of extension cords (Anne couldn't find them). And the jumping fun came to a hault when R.J. jumped off a slide a little to hard and injured his foot. We spent the better part of the afternoon waiting to be seen by the doctor and getting x-rays. The x-rays showed he fractured his growth plate on the top of his left foot. Now he has to wear a beautiful boot for 6 weeks. There went the family Kick-Ball game for Thanksgiving morning. And Basketball season, his first game is next Thursday. Poor R.J., if you really know my son, you can only imagine how he is milking it! And once again there is Drama (remember the flu shot?) The highlight of his whole experience was being able to ride around on the "Scooter" at Target. This Thanksgiving R.J. is thankful for a simple pleasure in life that he will never take for granted again: Feet that you can walk on!

"Hotdogs and Flu Shots"

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
We finally made it to Zion on Tuesday morning at 6:30 Am (California time). The kids did great sleeping the whole way. Rob and I enjoyed the drive and watched about 4 movies (the driver of course did not watch one bit). It was so good to finally meet the newest members of our family- babies Max & Hazen! And they are not newborns anymore, they are too big: laughing and cooing, holding up their heads and starting to roll over!

Just a little known fact: When the Hazens get together, you never go hungry. Our first stop together was to pick up Grandma from work and have lunch. We ate at the Famous "J-Dawgs" in good old Provo ( located right behind BYU). It is this little hot dog stand on the street. And I mean stand, NO INSIDE SEATING!!! We Californians just about froze our "Buns" off. But , the dogs were worth it. I suggest getting the All- Beef Dog with everything (sauerkraut, jalapenos, onions and especially don't forget the special sauce)! I promise you these were the best Hot Dogs I have ever eaten! Our next stop was to the Health Clinic to get Flu Shots. What makes these Flu Shots so special is the person giving them. I have been told by many that Grandma is the best shot giver. You NEVER feel a thing! So, all the kids received their first flu shots. Let's just say I have very dramatic kids, Payton was the only one who did not cry! R.J. just about passed out and Madison had tears in her eyes even before she sat down. But, Grandma does have the quickest shot in Utah! If you pay attention to the shot pictures, Rob is never looking at the needle. I could not for the life of me get him to get a Flu Shot. He is a bigger baby than all of them. First day in Utah, very successful! Good Family, Good Food and Good Health, what else does anyone need?

"Over the River and Through the Woods To Grandmother's House We Go..."

We are spending Thanksgiving in Utah this Year! The "Utah Thanksgiving Countdown" started months ago with Rain-Man Payton asking us everyday, "When are we going to Utah?" It will be our first time celebrating this holiday not in the state of California. We either went to Orange County with the Melendez side or the Bay Area with the Hazen side. We are happy to be experiencing the actual "Season" of Fall, the weather and climate, the colors of the trees and leaves. The kids are even hoping for some snow. I need to start feeling this Holiday Season, this 82 degree temperature in November is just making me want to buy a new bathing suit, not buy a Christmas Tree. Everyone is excited to get together! We get the daily phone calls from the Sisters, "What exact day are you coming, what exact time are you leaving, please come earlier!" We have been instructed to come to Utah prepared for the the 3 Fs "Food, Fun and Fat", Grandma's exact words! Heather, I hope your basement is ready for us, there is no turning back now!

"He Finally Did It!"

My boy cut his long, unmanageable, shaggy, always in his beautiful blue eyes, hair!!! He actually did it for his Grandpa Melendez' Birthday. He said it would be Grandpa's best present! (Little does he know that it was really was his Mamma's). Don't worry, I let him think it was ALL HIS IDEA to cut it! The "Skater/Surfer-Boy" hair was sooooo cool while it lasted, but I am glad to have my "All-American Preppy Boy" back. I think a little bit of his attitude was swept up with his long- locks and put into the trash as well! Am I being a little naive in thinking this is the last of our hair wars? Only time will tell! See ya Long-Hair, he will miss you! But, at least I can see those BABY-BLUES again!!

"The Breakfast of Champions"

Breakfast is the hardest meal for me to eat! I know, I know, it is the most important meal of the day! As long as my kids are fed and full of nutrition in the morning, that makes me a happy mom! We are on a tight schedule in the morning and that does not leave a lot of time for me to eat the "Right-Balanced Breakfast" before I go and work out (or try to!). But, Did you know?
One eight-ounce serving of V8® 100% Vegetable Juice contains HALF THE CARBS of a glass of orange juice1 – plus two full servings2 of vegetables. And the benefits of Red-Bull are endless...Improves Performance, Increases Concentration and Reaction Speed, Increases Endurance and my favorite, Stimulates Metabolism! Now what mom doesn't need these benefits? (Just don't judge me for drinking the "Devil's Juice" we all have our vices!)

"Dosey-Doe Your Partner!"

I have not been Square Dancing since the 6th grade. But, let me tell you my cowboy boots weren't even rusty, okay maybe just a little. Our ward had its first annual "Hoe Down"! It was a blast. Rob and I got our best Western Duds on for the party (too bad he threw all his flannels away in the move). The Church parking lot was transformed into a barn with real hay-bales and straw on the floor, we had a professional "Caller" (guy who yells out the dancing moves you are supposed to do), a whole lot of great chili, and a whole bunch of cowboy and cowgirls ready for some dancin'. It was also a great workout, you sure get sweaty underneath a cowboy hat! We got a real show from Carrie and Brian Lamoreaux, who did the "Boot-Scoot Boogie"! For those of you who missed it, you better circle the wagons and come next year!

Payton's Peeps

Payton has joined a playgroup. I thought it was about time. I have kind of been out of the play group scene for a while since R.J. and Madison were little. Once they started school, I have been volunteering and keeping up with their schedules and Payton has been left to follow me around. I thought it was time to let her enjoy herself and make more friends outside of preschool. We joined a group that was formed by a few women from our ward. It has been fabulous. I forgot how much fun it is to sit and visit while your child is entertained by various "play group" activities. This week we went to a place called "Kids Village". They got to dress up and play around in a kid friendly Warehouse made up to look like a little town. We have also played at the park, gone to "Pump-it-Up", Flown kites and had many more fun play group days. I am so glad we joined, I want to make Payton enjoy her younger years and remember them with fondness. Not remember how many errands we ran together.

"Laundry Treasures!"

I do laundry every Thursday. I look forward to this weekly ritual. This is the day I find many "Hidden Treasures" ! You see, what ever I find and dig from the pockets of the clothes my family wears, I get to keep! In the past I have warned them to empty all pockets before putting them in their laundry baskets. Look at my "Booty" today.

• Brand new packet of gum




• Bracelet




• Pen




• Scissors




• Boy Scout Regatta Ribbon




• Rock




• I-Pod Shuffle




• Note Cards




• "Littlest Pet Shops"




• Game boy DS




• Slime with spider




• Candy wrappers




• School Lunch Payment Envelope




• Little Mermaid Lip-Gloss




• $ 2.00

Now here is the fun part, trying to figure out what stuff came from who's pockets. And I am not telling if the candy wrappers came from mine! But, I think I got ripped off in the money department, usually I rake in any where between $5-60 bucks. I just look as these items as reward for a hard days work!

"Payton-Popins!"

Payton and I were so lucky to baby-sit her cousin Andrew (16Mo.) while his daddy and Rob went surfing! It's the easiest job in the world when you have "Payton-Popins" there to handle the job. And let me tell you she is very "Hands On"!!! Even when Andrew doesn't want her to be. She won't let me do anything.

She handles diaper duty very well!

Who's taking care of Who?

She built him a great train track to play with.

Maybe I should have another baby with all this help! Nah, we'll just stick to babysitting,

Payton will always be my baby!

"Rachel's Favorite Things!"

If Oprah can list "Her Favorite Things" in her magazine, I can list mine on my blog! So, here are "My Favorite Things" about this new house!

1. The Casita

This is Rob's new office. He calls it the "MAN-cita", it's a little room that's not connected to the house. It has a full bathroom and closet. It is supposed to be the "In-Law" suite, but Rob has taken it over. He thinks it's Man's town and wants to put a flat screen in it as well as his PlayStation. Yay right! I have no problem with this new office as long as the money keeps coming in!

2. The Food Warmer

This is soooo cool! We have our very own fast food warmer! Husband gets home late for dinner, no problem, just leave his dinner plate it under the warmer. It is very sad when I do actually leave the IN-N-OUT under the lights to stay warm! Who needs a microwave.

3. The Walk in Pantry

Some of you may say...So! But, I live for these things! You can hide and store so much in them(even small children)!
4. Fire Place in the Master Bedroom Retreat
Need I say more?

5. Wine Cooler

We don't drink wine! Our "Beverage Cooler" is filled with Monster, Red bull, Sparkling Apple Cider, Gatorade and other kid favorites! Sorry all you Wine Connoisseurs!

"The Picture That Paints a Thousand Words!"

Poor sweet Payton cannot wait for her birthday. She let's us know all the time. She is very envious when someone else celebrates their birthday! (Notice Rob's Face, He knew what was going to happen!)We are trying to help her be happy for the lucky birthday boy or girl. I guess it's not working!