Top 8 in 2008

By now you should know I'm obsessed. Obsessed with pictures, preserving my life at this moments, my boys, my family, I just can't help myself! I love seeing top pictures from the year. This time of year is a time for me to reflect. Reflect on the good and not so good of the year. How I'm a good mom and how I can be a better mom. With this reflection always comes pictures so here are my to 8 in 2008!

This is my all time favorite! Trevor looking up to Shane with admiration. This isn't more true in life. Trevor loves his big brother and admires him more then Shane will ever know.




Shane looking so calm and relaxed. I hope he knows how much serenity he brings into my life. He is full of love and peace.



My ever so curious Trevor. Always exploring his world and on the go. He keeps me on my toes but makes life eventful and never boring!

One thing Shane inherited from his Daddy was his charm. He knows how to melt your heart and give you his love. Ever since he was a baby he would charm everyone around him with those beautiful eyes and sweet smile!

Trevor is my baby even though he is growing up. He loves his mommy and cuddle time which I adore.

My two boys love playing together. They can be fighting one second and right in the middle of the scream one will make the other smile and laugh!!! I love hearing them having a good time together.

Shane is such a kind big brother. I love how he protects Trevor. He loves him and teaches him even though they are only 2 years apart. Shane is always there for Trevor and that couldn't make me happier!

I just want to pick Trevor up and kiss him in this picture! He couldn't be any cuter!

Shane likes to have a good time and here is proof. I expect this from Trevor but was shocked to see Shane when he wanted to be a "MANZ!"

I love taking my boys to Ventura. I love going to the county fair and playing all day. Trevor looks so happy and this was the first year he was able to enjoy the rides and have fun!

I'm so proud of Damon and all he does for others. His job is to protect our community. In our home he loves us unconditionally. In the world he gives to others. I am so grateful for him.

I really do know how to count but I couldn't stop picking! Now is my time to reflect. I'm going to pick my word for next year but I'll reveal that later. I'm not going to pick myself apart on everything I do wrong but instead close that with 2008. 2009 will be a new year with new memories and expectations. I challenge you to pick your top 8 or whatever too. Enjoy your parties tonight. I'm need to finish up my assignments for our party and we will be celebrating with friends and Daddy which hasn't happening in many years!

Finding the truth about Santa

This year for Christmas there has been a lot of talk about the good list and the bad list. Shane was always sure to tell me about bad things Trevor would do and how Santa checks the list twice. Before Christmas Shane was pretty much confident and satisfied with being on the good list and assured me he is always good.

Yesterday morning, the day after Christmas, Shane was playing with his new toys. He was having fun with Trevor and they had been playing for awhile when Shane has a new realization. It went like this...

Shane: Guess what mom?

Mom: What?

Shane: I was bad on Christmas. (We had a few tears and a sassy 4 year old at one point but nothing too bad on the actual day)

In a sassy voice he continues on.

Shane: And Santa still brought me presents!!

He figured it out the big guy is just too nice!! He will always get presents. I didn't want this realization to happen so young so I tried to explain it but he didn't want to listen or believe me that he was good for this Christmas and since all the toys were already there being bad on Christmas will be for next year's Christmas and toy! No such luck he is just too smart for his own good!

We had a merry MERRY CHRISTMAS!

After all the anticipation Santa finally made it to our house! As soon as it got dark on Christmas Eve Shane kept asking to go to bed! Never does he ask to go to bed but he was excited for Christmas and Santa to come! After we all went to bed he sure did come and look what he brought us! Yes that is my bike AKA the cutest bike ever!!!!

Damon had to "work" today but worked from home. He has to call dispatch to log on and after that we just talked in bed and couldn't sleep anymore. By 7 a.m. Damon left our room to see Shane sitting straight up waiting for everyone to wake up! Trevor wasn't too happy to wake up and just stayed in bed sound asleep until I picked him up. He loves his sleep. As soon as Mom and Grandma Young were ready with the cameras downstairs the boys came down!

We had a transportation Christmas this year! Damon and I got new bikes and a trailer for the boys. Shane ran right to his scooter and said, "My scooter, my scooter!" Trevor just stood there until I showed him his plasma car!

It was so fun having Shane being able to pick up the presents and read the names on it. He really is identifying the first letter in the name so when Santa left one for Tricia Trevor almost got it!

This is the prized toy, a Bat Cave! They played with it all day today and have so much fun finding new secret passage ways. Trevor even found a place to hide his lifesaver gummies (a stocking tradition from when I was little but we got real lifesavers) in a secret place!

The bat cave was the first gift opened and Trevor just wanted to play. We had to keep giving him more presents to open to keep him happy! He was sure happy when he opened this new toy. That Santa know just what these boys like! Love that sweet smile on Trevor.

Shane got the same computer 2 years in a row! This year he promised he wouldn't take it outside! He dropped it today and almost cried but quickly found the computer was ok!

Playing in all that paper! Shane was not into pictures on Christmas.

In between rain storms we went on our first family bike ride. We had a blast! I loved it and the boys loved it too. We had to wrap Shane and Trevor up in their new fuzzy blankets from Grandma Young to keep them warm! I think I need to get myself a hat to keep me warm too!

We had a great Christmas together. Poor Larry wasn't feeling great so we postponed Christmas dinner a day. I love watching the excitement in my boys eyes. The joy this special day brings. Tonight during our day after Christmas Christmas dinner Shane blessed baby Jesus and the 3 wisemen. Each time I tell Shane the story we don't make it to the shepherds so I hope he learns about it next year! His attention goes quick with that stuff. Trevor just hears there was a baby named Jesus and then he is off.

Although Christmas has come to an end we still have the Christmas spirit in our home. I love the decorations, all the goodies dropped by from our dear friends, and family all together. We hope you had a wonderful Christmas too!

PROOF!

We have seen a lot of Santas throughout the month of December. We see them shopping, at parties, and Shane is not too impressed. He tells me after each encounter, "That is not the real Santa." He has been waiting for the church Christmas party to see the REAL Santa at church!!! The big day finally came on Friday and he was so excited. He asked for a scooter with 2 wheels and a monkey computer. Trevor was in shock and mumbled something but I couldn't make it out. Shane still didn't believe that was the real Santa and was confused thinking his beard looked different. He didn't think it was the same Santa ask last year but I told him it was the real Santa and he wanted to take a break making all the toys to come see some good kids! I told him I had pictures as proof from the other years so here it is....

2008

2007

2006

Poor Santa, I think we scared him this year with all the screaming!! After the pictures as proof Shane was happy he got to meet the real Santa.

My wish

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is a clean bathroom. I want 2 boys who can aim in the toilet and not leave pee all over the walls. If this is impossible (which I'm thinking it may) please get me a cleaning lady!

Yours truly a tired mom,

Tricia

*I almost lost it today. After endless tries of cleaning the bathroom unsuccessfully I finally used almost an entire bottle of bleach cleaning today! YUCK! I guess having 2 boys using the potty now the toilets are on strike! These are the images I had in my head when they told me Shane was a boy and I cried. All this nasty stuff I can't stand! I'm needing some sugar and spice around here today. Good thing I have some yummy goodies from friends delivered yesterday and today to fill the sugar part!

Some mornings

Some mornings when my kids wake up I think they have changed over night. Today was one of those days for Trevor. His sparkling blue eyes seem more blue. His cute round cheeks seem fuller. His sweet voice seems more tender. It's one of those mornings I fell in love with my sweet boy again.

Trevor woke up screaming for me this morning. I ran in to see the problem and he said, "I waaaant, I waaaant, I waaaant (I'm sure he was thinking) my Lightning McQueen box." His request was completely random but completely Trevor. His new obsession anything transportation cars, trains, trucks he does not discriminate, he loves them all. And Mr. Trevor we love don't discriminate either. We love every inch of you!

**I was too lazy to take an actual picture TODAY! This is how he looks today full of want and wonder.

Here we go a caroling!

Last Monday for FHE we had a wonderful time caroling different people from church! It had rained all day and this was the day it was suppose to snow so it was C.O.L.D! We decided to not be Vegas wimps and join our friends for some caroling fun as the rain had stopped. We even had a flatbed truck full of hay and we stopped traffic here in the Highlands! It was a classic Christmas adventure.

See how crowded it was? I had visions of children falling off and major commotion but everything worked out just perfectly. Shane loved singing and being with his friends. The men followed behind in cars and even walked behind us for awhile to catch anyone who might fall!! Thank goodness we didn't need their catching services. :)

Trevor loved singing with Daddy and being in his arms as we sang.

As we were driving Trevor seemed pretty quiet when I realized he fell asleep!! He wasn't feeling well and slept the rest of the adventure. Our caroling adventure got even more fun when it started to rain on the way back home!!! We were soaked but it was exciting.

Kellie spent all day in the kitchen making almost 150 of the best cinnamon rolls! Well, in between the cooking she had to take her 3 year old to get 10 stitches in his eye lid!! Never a dull moment and thank you Kellie for hosting such a fun event!
Shane enjoying one of his favorite things, cinnamon rolls!

I'm loving Christmas and am sad it will be over in just 5 short days! The joy and excitement in my children's eyes is something I don't want to miss. I love hearing them sing Jingle Bells over and over and over!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

We have had an eventful last 2 days. There were over 4 inches of snow dumped at our house on Wednesday! We have been busy with snowball fights, sledding, snow angels, and eating of snow but only snow that is white!

Snow was suppose to come on Monday and it never did at our house. So on Wednesday when they said it would snow again I didn't have much faith! The snow began around 11 a.m. but it was not sticking. The boys were not impressed by this at all! Shane kept insisting it wasn't snow but dust.

We played outside for awhile but my two Vegas boys didn't last too long. Back inside for lunch and then Shane to school.

While Shane was in school I Trevor and I went to the grocery to get some food and when we came out the snow was starting to stick!!! We had to get festive and stop at Starbucks for some hot chocolate! When we pulled into our community the palm trees were beginning to be covered in snow!

As soon as we walked in the door Trevor and I danced around about the snow. Then Trevor ran to the window to watch for a while then realized.... "It's Christmas, it's Christmas!!! I want to open presents!!!!" From the Christmas movies he has been watching it snows and then it's Christmas. Poor thing couldn't open any presents yet.

Now it was time to get Shane from school and the snow was coming down and sticking good. Living in Vegas we are not prepared for snow one bit. Now slow plows no nothin'. I decided to be safe and leave 1 hour early instead of 30 minutes to get Shane. It ended up taking me the full hour to get to pre-school with all us slow drivers and the crazy snow! I just couldn't believe it I felt like I was in Utah!! Here is Trevor on his way out to pick up Shane.

Once we had Shane in the car it took us 2 HOURS to get home from school instead of 30 minutes! It was crazy and the traffic was so slow (which was good). We even had to have a potty break where as I got out of the car my door hit a tree and snow piled down upon my head!! When we finally got home it was outside for a snowball fight. Well, first I went sledding down my driveway!!! I love it and couldn't help myself. Damon got home soon after and was ready for the snow. It took him 15 hours to get home from AZ instead of 4.5.

Look at all that snow!!

Here is my house covered in snow. There is a walkway going up to the door but nowhere to be seen.

This morning we woke up to snow sliding off the roof and water dripping. It was already melting!!

I was crazily (is that a word) talked into going sledding at 7 a.m.!! That is early at my house since we all pretty much sleep in until 7:30 or 8. Late nights make for early mornings! I was so glad Maren talked me into going early because it was perfect. School was canceled so we made it to the best park with the biggest hills (in the spring we go ice blocking here) for some private sledding and snowboarding!!! Shane loved every second of it. Well, until he face planted it into the snow. His poor little face has red marks and a few scratches all over it and some on his back too! He didn't want to leave and had to go down one last time with Maren before we left.

Shane, Gabe, and Ella having the time of their lives with all this snow!

Trevor and I went down many times but we were having too much fun for pictures. He kept saying, "more, more!" When I tired and more kids wanted to use the sleds (from good ol' college days) Ella took Trevor up and they held hands all the way up. It was so sweet.

This was the biggest storm since 1979. We had a blast but it ended too soon. There is basically no snow in our front yard but some remaining in our back. Bad mom I know, but we didn't make a snowman yet! We'll have to wake up before the rest melts and make a little snow family. Instead we made snowmen out of marshmallows tonight!!

Love Day

Today is my love day, well OUR love day. 9 years ago Damon and I were married together in the SLC Temple. It was a surprisingly warm winter day with little snow and green grass on the ground. Me, the Bride, always wanted a spring wedding wore a short sleeved wedding dress. Lanae saved the day and sewed a white cape trimmed with fur. Simply classic for a winter wedding. The day was magical with a winter drawn horse carriage with two soul mates giddy in love finally to have this day come.

9 years have passed and we have lived in bliss. I knew when we started dating that how my current life is now is how it would turn out. We have come a long way. Starting off in a basement apartment with boxes as desks and Costco for hot dates. We have been blessed during these past 9 years. 3 degrees later. Moving 4 times to finally having a home, with REAL furniture. We are beginning to have hot dates again and not at Costco either! Two beautiful boys, 2 turtles, and the best dog in the world. I couldn't ask for more!

We had an actual plan for our Anniversary this year. It usually gets lost with Christmas but this year it wasn't. Then the phone call came and Damon was out the door 20 minutes later for Arizona to catch a fugitive the US Marshall's have been chasing for him for weeks to interview. He said he wouldn't go but I have learned in my 9 years of marriage how he likes the chase and me I don't mind a BIG FAT paycheck that comes with an entire day of overtime! We have forever to celebrate and continue our story so now I wait until he comes home. I love you Damon and I can't wait to continue our life together and spend forever with you!

Vote

Some of you may tease me for being a 50's wife. You know, taking care of my man too much but there are some major reasons why. Here is a CLASSIC example. I was going through some of Trevor's clothes today putting away his summer clothes. I don't know how we got to talking about it but he thought something matched and I thought otherwise. I thought he was completely kidding but he wasn't. After I could breath from laughing so hard we came up with a vote here on the blog to let you decide which outfit you would put your 2 year old boy in! Now don't let me persuade you just pick which outfit is better, feelings won't be hurt here.

Outfit A Outfit B

Now Damon completely thought outfit B was a PERFECT match! That shirt I would usually pair with jeans but he thought those shorts looked better! I hope this helps you realize why I pick the mans clothes out each day and packs his clothes when on vacation. It really is for me, so I'm not embarrassed to be with him!!!!

Christmas Tag

I keep seeing this tag around and thought it was fun. Thanks Donna for not minding I copied and pasted!

1. Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags: For Christmas, wrap only! It's so fun have such a huge mess to play in on Christmas Eve!

2. Real or Artificial Tree: Real. I think there aren't many of us but the mess is worth the excitement in picking out a tree and the Christmas tree smell.

3. When do you put up the tree: Some time after Dec. 1. We can't get it too early or it will be dead by Christmas!

4. When do you take your tree down: Almost right after Christmas... I have usually had enough of the mess and want things to get back to normal!

5. Do you like eggnog: I only like it at 50% I need it to be 1/2 milk and 1/2 nog. Right now I'm in love with eggnogg Creamies.

6. Favorite gift received as a child: the trampoline. I remember jumping on that thing for hours. When it was time to break for dinner I felt weird because I wasn't bouncing!

7. Hardest person to buy for: Damon' parents. It's so hard and he is no help.

8. Easiest person to buy for: Trevor, he's so easy to please and I can shop with him right there because he doesn't catch on to what is under the cart. I might have done too much for him and need more for Shane!

9. Do you have a nativity scene: This is my favorite party of Christmas! I have my favorite one, Willow Tree and now Damon bought me one from Guatemala. My new tradition, getting a new Nativity each place we go. The boys have the Fisher Price one too and they love to play.

10. Best Christmas gift you ever received: when Damon turned my wedding ring into a necklace. He still gets mad at me for not wearing it but I'm afriad it will break and get lost! However, I love it so much.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received: I love all gifts equally! :)

12. Favorite Christmas movie: White Christmas. I still need to watch it. As a child my sisters and I would sing the songs and dance together.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas: The beginning of November. I usually start watching sales and get a lot done on Black Friday.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present: I'm sure I have but I if I don't like it I usually return it.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas time: Maren's toffee and Karin's peanutbutter balls. Hint, hint.

16. Lights on the tree: White but I want to do colored and do a kids tree upstairs too next year.
17. Favorite Christmas song: Oh Holly Night, I get chills everytime I hear it. This year, I'm loving Paul Potts version of it.

18. Travel at Christmas time or stay home: Stay home. The stress of getting everything ready isn't worth it. I think if we want to visit family we'll do it after Christmas!

19. Tree Topper: a star my mother in law bought me one year with a lot of angels for the tree.

20. Can you name all of Santa reindeer's: Of course. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph... with the help of the song.

21. Open the Christmas gift Christmas eve or morning: One on Christmas Eve and the rest Christmas morning. Last year Damon wanted to continue opening gifts because the boys were having so much fun. Good think I'm a voice of reason!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year: Traffic! Seriously doesn't anyone have to work! I use to hate the guys ringing bells to collect money but my kids love it so much I like it now. I keep a bag of change in my purse so they can always donate!

23. Favorite Christmas dinner: I usually like ham because it's not a lot of work!

24. What do you want for Christmas this year: a bike, scrapbooks, new shoes, and slippers. I would really love a trip alone with Damon!

I don't tag people because I don't want to leave anyone out!!! Try it, it was a fun twist on tags. Merry merry!

Toddler Art

I'm beginning to wonder if Trevor needs some type of creative outlet. Maybe he loves making messes because he's just trying to express himself creatively and doesn't know any other way. He is always in to something and doing something funny so I decided to document his pieces of artwork. I started taking these pictures almost 2 weeks ago.

He loves lining things up. I know this is developmental for his age but Shane wasn't into it as much as Trevor. On this particular day he decided to take out the money from the "money jar" and line them up neatly in the desk drawer. I went to sit at my desk to find this nice piece of art!


This is what happens when you drink and drive! Haha, yes I did just say that! For a boy who can't put down his cars I always seem to be fishing them out of somewhere. Some days it's the toilet (he doesn't get that if you line them up on the seat to watch you pee they will most likely fall in) but on this particular day this poor car took a nose dive into hot chocolate! He came out clean in the dishwasher.


While writing letters to Santa, Shane smelled the marker and got a red mark on his nose. I didn't think too well and thought since we are writing letters to Santa let's make our noses red and we could be Rudolph! I know, like I said I wasn't thinking because soon enough (after this picture was taken) Trevor had green hair and stripes to match his red nose!

A little tattoo work. See that proud smirk? I love it!

This one, I am NOT laughing about! It's still here I need more magic erasers which I need to buy in bulk! Sharpie on the desk. I could have sworn the Sharpies were all hidden but I guess one got out!

While playing a Rudolph board game from Grandma and Grandpa Stewie he didn't want to play but instead lined all the tokens up in a row for one long piece of art.

Once again, cars and lining things up! I thought this was pretty creative!

There is more to document without the pictures too. His sprinkle covered Christmas cookies, chocolate HAND PRINTS on the wall, new crayon marks on the wall, stamps on my kitchen cupboard, and I'm sure I'm forgetting something! What I have learned from this, Trevor needs to find some way to express his creativity maybe I'll enroll him in an art class!