Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a nice Thanksgiving this year. I am thankful for a husband, brother-in-law and mom who did all the cooking and, of course, my Emma and Derrick!

Notice Derrick is wearing Emma's pink flip flops!

We had my parents and Jon's brother over this year. Jon and Ron decided to try frying a turkey. It was delicious and only took about 30 minutes to cook! Jon was very proud of his whole contraption that he set up to lower the turkey into the hot oil.




While they boys were cooking I watched the Macy's parade with the kids. Surprisingly Derrick loved the Thanksgiving feast. He even asked to snitch bites of turkey before we started eating! That has never happened before! We are definitely making progress with his eating lately! (Thank goodness and it's about time!)

After lunch I checked out the adds for Black Friday and made my plan of attack! Then we went to Jon's mom's house for pie. We asked Emma on the way home what she was thankful for and she said the rain! That is a good thing to be thankful for and it was pouring when we left to go home that night!
The next day I woke up at 4:45 am and headed off to Wal-mart for some fantastic Black Friday deals on toys for the kids! My sister met me there and we spent the morning out and about shopping. I would have to say my best deal came later that night when I went back out shopping again. I bought Derrick a little ride on Fire Truck at Target for $10 in the morning. I saw a Little Einsteins ride on car that I knew he would love, but it was not on sale. It was $40! Not gonna happen! Well, later that night my sister decided to go back to Target to get her daughter the princess ride on car that was not on sale, but she really wanted it. When we got back to the toys there was a sign saying that because they ran out of the $10 ride on cars you could substitute a Disney one for $15. And yes, that included the Little Einsteins one! I snatched up the second to last one and was thrilled with the purchase! Derrick will be so excited! You may be wondering why I am buying my almost 3 year old a little ride on car...let me tell you. Emma has a Care Bear car that Derrick loves and they fight over it constantly. Derrick has a ride on car too, but you can't steer the wheels on his. I made sure I bought him one where the wheels turn so I do not have to listen to the kids scream and fight over the Care Bear car anymore!
In between shopping we decorated for Christmas. Jon made the outside look beautiful while the kids and I worked on the inside.



I decided to change my tree this year. We have had a gold and burgundy tree forever so I decided to go with something completely different and do silver, white and baby blue. I love it! I also made a new wreath. You all know I am not crafty, but I was pretty happy with how it turned out. I even made the bow to go on it! Sorry no pictures.
Happy Thanksgiving to all and let the Holidays begin!

"Because"

Jon and I have a new problem on our hands with Derrick! It all started about 2 weeks ago. I went to go give Emma a bath, leaving Derrick at the table to finish his breakfast. (We all know that doesn't go so well anyway!) I called down the hall to see if Derrick was eating. I heard him yell back, "No, I'm just taking my shirt off!" What?! So I walked into the kitchen and couldn't help laughing. There was Derrick in his chair and he had managed to take his shirt off and it was hanging around his waist. I asked him "Derrick why did you take your shirt off?" His answer,"Because!"
Now, keep in mind he has never tried to undress himself before. I think he is just excited that he finally figured it out! Moving on! Last week I went into check on Derrick before I went to bed and this is what I found...
Derrick sound asleep with half of his pajamas off! I thought it was too funny to not take a picture! A few days later Jon and I went in to check the kids together. When I opened Derrick's door my eyes were adjusting to the dark and I saw what I thought was Derrick on the floor. Then I saw him move in his bed. We walked in and started laughing uncontrollably! There on the floor were Derrick's pajamas AND his pull-up! He was just laying in bed completely naked! When Jon and I finally stopped laughing Jon asked Derrick why he was naked. His answer, "Because!"
So, we have been having long talks with Derrick about how he needs to keep his clothes on! My sister babysat for us the other night and I forgot to warn her about our new little problem. I asked how things went when we came home and she said she went in to check on Derrick and found him with just his shirt on and his pants and pull-up were on the floor. Guess what his answer was when she asked him why? "Because!" It is a little strange to me that he only does this at night. He never tries to undress during the day except for that one day at the table. He never tries to do it during nap time. I'm not sure what it is about bedtime that makes him want to be naked! It's not the worst of our problems...it's actually pretty funny. But, I hope we can solve it soon!

Concert Time!

On Friday night my friend, Sabrea, and I went to the Carrie Underwood concert at Jobing.Com Arena! We had a blast! It was a really great concert! I love people watching at concerts and this one was great because there were people there of all ages and kinds! Sabrea and I were really sad that we didn't think to coordinate our outfits with jean mini skirts, sparkly belts, skin tight shirts and cowgirl boots! Maybe next time! (We really did see two girls dressed like that!) Our seats were a lot better than I thought. Little Big Town opened for her and they were pretty good! But, Carrie Underwood was amazing! I actually thought the first couple of songs weren't so good, but then she proved me wrong and it just got better and better. She is so cute and she changed outfits 5 times and had matching microphones for each outfit! The only downfall was the extremely drunk girl sitting next to me. She was really starting to scare me and invade my personal space. She kept looking over at me and then she would lean over and say things about the songs like I was her best friend! It got a little awkward a few times, but I survived! Thanks Sabe for being my concert buddy! Can't wait for the next one!

Little Big Town

Giant clock countdown to Carrie!

She came up from underneath the stage!

I loved the ball gown for her slow songs!

Rockin' out!

Last song

YAY! Confetti!

Airplanes, Helicopters and More...

Last Saturday the Mesa-Gateway airport was having a free open house where you could go walk around and see different planes, helicopters, firetrucks, and a few other things. The kids thought it was pretty neat. Derrick was especially in heaven! Emma liked seeing everything but was complaining about the heat the whole time we were there. It was pretty hot, so we didn't stay long The kids loved sitting in every cockpit they were allowed in and they also got to sit in a fire truck, a SWAT van and a "real" race car! There were a few long lines, but It wasn't too crowded. Everything was spread out enough that there was little congestion. They were offering airplane rides "for a fee". We never did check what the "fee" was, but we saw a guy coming in from a ride and Emma and Derrick loved watching the plane land and then circle around the runway and park right in front of them. They also liked watching the blimp take off. It was a fun time and the kids are still talking about it!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween was busy this year! I am glad it is over and only comes once a year! This year Emma was a cat and Derrick was a pirate. They both looked great and had a fun time. We went to Jon's work for the party there and then over to Grandma Trafzer's house so she could see the kids in their costumes. Then we rushed home, fed the kids, and went to my sister's house so Jon and I could eat and then we went trick-or-treating with them and Grandma and Grandpa Clark. Between the candy we got at the church party the other night and all the candy the kids got tonight, I think we have enough to last us until next year!
Jon dresses up for work every year and this year since his brother is now working at the same office, they decided to go as Pedro and Napoleon Dynamite! Jon was Pedro and when he tried his costume on for me last night I started laughing so hard I was crying! I couldn't even look at him without cracking up! I could not wait for him to get home and shave his mustache off! He used my mascara to darken it and he kind of just creeped me out! :) He looked just like Pedro though! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

This is Emma's daytime Halloween do!

She was trying to claw like a cat! :)

The "men" in my life!

A witch pirate!

This is only half of the candy the kids still have and we probably gave another half of all we had to trick-or-treaters!

Napoleon and Pedro

Emma's School Party!

This week has been crazy with Halloween stuff! On Tuesday Emma got to wear her costume to dance class and have a party there, then on Wednesday we had our ward Trunk-or-Treat at the church, on Thursday was Emma's preschool party and of course Friday...Halloween! We have been busy! I thought I would try and be "Super-duper mom" and make homemade oreos for the dance party and these really cute witch popcorn balls that I saw in a magazine for the school party. I was regretting what I go myself into and quickly realized I am not "super-duper mom"! Luckily everything turned out alright and Jon saved the day by making his delicious caramel corn for the school party, but it still took me 2 hours to cut out all the little witches hats to put on the popcorn balls! But Emma loved them and dad's caramel corn is one of her very favorite treats. Because Emma's Halloween costume this year had a mask and gloves I decided to have her wear her ladybug costume from 2 years ago to her dance and school parties. Here are the pictures from the day of the school party. I forgot my camera at the dance one! She told me she got lots of treats and played lots of games! She loves school!

Showing off her spider bracelet!

My attempt at witch popcorn balls!

Full House!

On Thursday Jon left to go deer hunting, leaving me to have a fun-filled 6 days with the kids! :) On Friday night my sister, Jeni, was having a adult Halloween party. I opted not to go since I would be the only one there without a spouse! So instead I watched her 4 kids during the party! The kids had a blast together! They all played in Emma's room together for a while, and then Amzi read Derrick some stories for about 15 minutes. Derrick was so enthralled, I thought it was cute! Emma and Brinklie had fun bouncing on the big balls! We watched High School Musical 2 and then it was off to bed! I was actually amazed that everyone was asleep by 9pm! Not bad for 6 kids ranging in age from 9 to 1!

Planting a Garden

Last week for Family Home Evening we let the kids plant some flowers in our garden. They had a great time digging and playing in the dirt and Emma was really hands on in planting! Unfortunately, the flowers have already died! But, Jon did use some basil from our garden the other day in spaghetti and it tasted wonderful! Jon also planted a third rose bush in the backyard and it is doing very well. Emma loves when the roses bloom and I do too! What is prettier than a perfect pink rose? As the kids were planting, Derrick just kept running his fingers through the dirt...just to get dirty! (What a boy!)

The Pumpkin Patch

Today was Emma's first field trip with her preschool class. We went to Mother Nature's Farm. Emma has been so excited to go and Derrick has been asking for weeks to go to a real farm. Minus the blazing heat (on my way home it was 99 degrees) we had a fun time! The kids got to pick out their own pumpkins and decorate them with foam stickers. Emma made a face out of flowers on her pumpkin and Derrick picked everything green and farm related! There were places for the kids to play and run around and lots of cute photo ops! The highlight for Derrick was the hay ride..being pulled by a big green tractor! The hay ride took us to the animals. They had a cow, several goats, chickens and pigs. After the animals we had a quick snack and then it was Bounce House time. Emma was so excited to go in there (she told me that was her favorite part of the trip). I wasn't sure if Derrick would get in, but he did. Now, him jumping....he didn't! I don't think he even stood up once. But he just sat or laid there while the other kids bounced him around and thought it was great fun! They really had a good time and I'm glad we got to go!

Not Much...

I haven't blogged in almost a week and thought I needed something new! But, not much has gone on this week. I got sick after my trip and have been dealing with a cold plus trying to catch up on clients after being on vacation. Not a super fun week. This morning I felt miserable again, but tonight I am feeling much better...I hope it lasts! The kids are getting excited for Halloween. We put up the few decorations that we have yesterday. Looking at our poorly decorated house makes me want to go shopping for more tomorrow! We'll see! The kids are doing great. Emma caught my cold, but hopefully hers won't get as bad as mine did. She is absolutely loving preschool and doesn't like when the weekend is here. Her latest request from me is to blow dry her hair straight because "it looks longer that way"! Derrick tells me everyday that he is bigger (because he wants to go to school like Emma)! He and I have fun together though, and he better get used to it with Emma going to all day kindergarten next year! Derrick has been a little more open to trying new foods! This week he ate a pancake with syrup, carrots, and a cheese crisp! Now, that may not sound like much to those of you with kids who eat well, but to us...those were huge accomplishments! And, he was rewarded with "num-nums" (M&M's)! Not a really exciting blog, but here are a few pictures of the kids taken recently.