"Payton's Big Day!"

Payton's birthday is December 29.  Since she was born she has always competed with Christmas and New Years. 

Her big day always gets lost in the shuffle.  I made a point out of it this year t

o plan her a birthday party

BEFORE the holidays or else it would not have been done.  A December birthday made it perfect to have a Holiday Party.  We sent out Snowman invitations to the little girls from her primary class.  

We made 16 tiny gingerbread houses and had each of the girls decorate them with different kinds of treats. 

 We made Christmas

 ornaments.  And we devoured an adorable Snowman Cake!  But, the best part was seeing Payton's big smile through out the 

entire party. 

But, the celebration did not stop there.  The day of her birthday

 we had one more surprise for her!  She opened one last present... Tickets to the musical "Wicked"!  She has been

 dying to go for a very long time and 

has memorized every song on the 

sound track.  But, Elphaba was not the only witch in the house!  

Payton wore a witch costume and hat and stole

 the show.  People kept coming up to her to tell her how adorable she was.  That just made her day!  I am so glad she was able to have this special day and make it all about her.

"We Still Got it!"

(These photos were taken on the way to dinner with my mom and sisters in San Juan Capistrano.  These boys followed us to the restaurant and asked for our phone numbers.  I said, "Do you know how old we are?"  They didn't seem to mind!)

It's nice to know you "Still got it" sometimes!  My husband Rob has no problem reminding me and does a very good job at it.  But, he's my husband and he is supposed to love me no matter what.  But if an outsider or stranger lets you know... Enjoy it, relish in the compliment!

  Even if you are old enough to be their mother.  Take a picture to prove it!  And when you are having "One of those Days" look back to the photo with fondness and remember, "I still got it!"  

"Fondue Fun"

Usually for Christmas Eve (or near the holiday) or family has fondue for dinner. Fondue only makes it on our dinner menu probably once a year. The kids love it and really look forward to it. What kid wouldn't love cooking their own meat over an open flame on sharp sticks? But, last year it just didn't happen, time got away from us. After a guilt trip by the kids, we decided to do it for Sunday Dinner. We invited our Neighbors the Timmerman Family to join us, they brought the chocolate fondue for dessert! We are proud to say that with 7 kids and 4 adults we only had 1 poked finger (with only a little blood), no oil burns, no salmonella outbreaks due to under cooked food, and the house did not catch on fire! It was a success, I think we had more fun cooking the food then actually eating it. It was more of an event than a meal!

"Out With the Old, In With the New"

With the New Year there is always change.  Change with our goals, change with our body and hair, and you can't forget, change with our blogs!  I finally changed, out with the old and in with the new.  I am so excited about my "Blog Face-Lift".  I have been waiting for the New Year to debut my new blog look and my new family portraits.  My sweet friend Michelle has a business that specializes in blog design called Shabby Creations.  She has been designing my blog for a couple of years now.  She gives hope to the "challenged" blogger!  She is so creative, has an eye for detail and really makes your blog represent you and your personality.  Go and take a look at her portfolio, she is the Shabby Queen!  Thank you Michelle.

"We Are the Champions!"

Madison's soccer team the "Red Hot Chili Peppers" are San

Diego's Regional Champs! She was part of the "Little Team That Could"!!! They are a bunch of tiny little girl's with a lot of heart and definitely stamina! They beat San Diego's number one team twice which lead them to win the whole Regional Championships. Everyone was so excited, R.J. grabbed Madison when she came off the field and gave her the biggest hug. He was so proud of his little sister. Their team is now headed to the Sectionals with the other first place teams from Southern Ca. Just when I thought soccer was finally over, we get MORE practices and MORE weekend games! Wish us luck!

"Finally Ready for a Change"

After 6 years of long hair I finally cut it! (My mom doesn't know yet and she's going to kill me, sorry Mom!) It feels good to start the New Year with New Hair. I feel like a new woman. My stomach was in knots before the first initial cut, but I actually think I am going to go a little shorter next time. I just need some time to ease into the new ME!

"Her First Tooth!"

Payton has been waiting patiently to loose first tooth and she finally did (on December 11). 

I am actually surprised how brave she was during the whole "Pulling Out" process. R.J. squeals and almost

 passes out at the sight of blood, Madison

 toughs it out and pulls them out all on her own and Payton let her Daddy yank away and try every trick in the book to get that tooth out. Rob thrives on pulling out the kids teeth (I think he secretly wanted to be a dentist). But, in the end it was 

Payton who pulled out her own first tooth. The next morning she was delighted to see five dollars and a note from the Tooth Fairy! 

Later that day she came up to me with a tiny tooth in a plastic baggie that had "Payton's First Tooth" 

written on it. I had to quickly explain, " The Tooth Fairy gives Mommy all her children's teeth back so she can save them. And one day give them back 

to them so they can show them to their children". (Yes, I do have a special drawer full of teeth and I am giving them back!) This first tooth is only the beginning of many milestones for her. Slow Down Payton, you are the baby, you need to stay that way!

Christmas in Utah

Our family really looks forward to spending Christmas every other year with the Hazen side of the family.  This means we get to go to UTAH and have a "White Christmas".  When this family gets together all we do is Laugh, Eat, and repeat.  Our whole visit is scheduled with fun activities, this family does not slow down.  And Grandma's counter is always covered with freshly baked cookies, mint popcorn (my new favorite), toffee and other yummy treats waiting to be eaten at any given time.  Our time with the family made us remember the "special gifts" each one of them share with us!  

Here are the highlights from the trip:

Eating Snow Flakes!

Spending time with 

Grandma and Grandpa

Taking Food and singing Christmas

 Carols at the Provo Soup Kitchen

Christmas Morning

Building a snowman

Cousin Time

Nativity Puppet Show

Christmas Eve Entertainment 

Grandpa's Christmas Morning Waffles

 The 4 out 5 of us got the Flu! 

(not a highlight, but worth mentioning)

Playing Bingo with Santa

Eating too many of 

Heather's homemade doughnuts

Seeing R.J.'s happy face 

after BYU Baseball Camp

Baking with Grandma

Sledding

Prime Rib for Christmas dinner.

Celebrating Christmas with Fireworks!

"Side Trip to Utah"

This year we decided to break up the long, tedious drive to Utah and stay in Vegas.   What a coincidence the BYU Football Team was there to play in the Las Vegas Bowl.  And it just so happened Rob got two extra tickets from his friend Matt.  I love how things work out (wink wink)!  We took advantage of our one night stay and hit the town.  We ate at our favorite Paris Buffet (who can resist all you can eat chocolate crepes).   We stuffed ourselves to hold us the rest of the drive to Utah (you never know with the unpredictable snow if we may get stranded on the side of the road to wait out a storm).  While the boys witnessed the Cougars get slaughtered the girls had a better time with shopping and going to a Magic Show.  And I must admit, the bed at the new Trump Hotel was even better than my own.  We all slept like babies and woke up refreshed for the rest of the drive to Utah, just in time for Sunday dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Hazen's house!