Counting down to Christmas

For the past few years I have been looking for or wanting to make an Advent calendar. Like many of my ideas, this project never happened until now! Isn't this the cutest ever? Each tin is filled with a small treat and at the back of each tin is a simple activity to do that day! For full instructions go here, it's all mapped out for you! The only suggestions I would use is to use Velcro squares instead of dots, it holds it better!

The end of November was filled with a few late nights making the best advent calendar I have seen! I have some friends that talk sense into me when I come up with crazy ideas and I have others that are just as crazy as I am and join in as my partners in crime! For the most part, Julie is just as crazy as me and we have way to much fun making all these projects! Together we ended up making 10 of these babies and boy was it a mess! Remember that would be 240 tins, squares, wrapping the tins in paper, filling them with candy, and too many numbers to cut I can't even count! We had a few stresses I lost the paper that goes on top of the tin while everyone was gone for Thanksgiving. I ended up breaking into houses (with permission) and making everything work out! Don't worry, I found those stupid tops just a few days ago! I swear I don't know where my brain has gone!

This isn't even all of them!

So for the past 11 days we have been having a great time doing Christmas things from our advent calendar. Our first day was making snowflakes that we hung in the window. Some days we have listened to Christmas music, did something nice for someone, drank hot chocolate, and it has been so much fun! Each morning the boy jump up and down because it's a new day! They can't wait to see what we get to do that day and Trevor is especially happy to have chocolate before breakfast! Here we are making snowflakes. I love that Shane wears one of my old UNLV t-shirts to bed. I used to wear my mom's old BYU shirt to bed as a child too!

Ummm, sorry Mr. Vacuum Man we did make a mess. I didn't even attempt to clean it up either because I wanted to get back to work and get my Piggies done! I just left the mess for the help AKA Damon!

Trevor temporarily put down his cars and drink to help. He told me which shapes to cut because it's hard cutting through so many layers of paper! Notice the chocolate on his face and PJ top?

I even made one for my mom. She wouldn't be as excited to get chocolate each day or even a fun activity as the kids would be. However, she would be excited to see a picture of a different grandchild each day! It makes me sad we all aren't closer to eachother so this is one way we can bring her Christmas cheer!

If you don't have a Advent calendar this one is a must! We'll continue to enjoy counting down the days of Christmas even though while Daddy was "watching" Trevor tonight he ate 1/2 of the candy out of the remaining tins!!

D.O.N.E.

Everyone join my in a BIG YAHOOOOOO!!!! I'm done with my Piggies and Paws for this Christmas season!! I have spent endless nights up until the wee hours of morning. I have let my children run free so I could get finished and it has FINALLY paid off! To be honest, I have never gotten done so early! I decided that I'm sick of not being able to do all the Christmas things I want to do because I have to work so instead I kicked butt to get it done early! I wish I was here right now so I could relax...

Instead I will be watching Polar Express with my favorite boys, eating popcorn and enjoying some of the best hot chocolate EVER! This sounds like a perfect evening so I better get to it!

Now I'm ready to par-TAY! Tomorrow on my list of things to do besides delivering all the finished prints is to get a pedi, out to lunch, and a photo session with my boys. Please don't make any random stops by my house as the neglect is still there! I guess I'll be busy cleaning too since everything about my house is a mess! Thanks for your help today Damon and not complaining about the disastrous house. He cooked dinner (Taco Bell) took and picked up for preschool, and even took Trevor out so I could finish up my last party today!

Good times with Grandparents

This week has been a crazy week! Not that we have been having fun doing Christmas things but me a workin' hard! I am seeing an END to my Christmas Piggies!!! WHOOO! The days have been filled with huge messes by the boys as I work away. A lot of McDonald's, Diet Coke to keep me awake late, and chocolate! The chocolate not so much consumed by me but Shane and Trevor. One morning as I was working away they were eating away! Thanks to Julie and Leslie for each watching the boys one day so I could get some serious work done. Sorry to those I haven't blogged, returned calls, or e-mailed back this week! Soon enough I'll be done and spreading Christmas cheer!

For the week of Thanksgiving my parents AKA Grandma and Grandpa Stewie came up to visit. We had a blast and I wanted to share what cool Grandparents by to lucky boys have! Each night the boys fall asleep and grandma's magic bag is empty, but when they wake up it is full of a special prize of activity they are going to do that day! Needless to say both boys are excited to wake up and see what is in the bag!


When I was a little girl my Grandma Beebe would make us the most amazing pancakes. They were true works of art! My favorite was a ballerina! My mom would try to duplicate this but we got beach balls instead! Good thing for William Sonoma and my mom is able to carry on the tradition with trains and airplanes!


They were so yummy! I decided to be nostalgic and have a beach ball!
Trevor with his new side-kick, Grandpa! I don't know how many times Grandpa set up the train track and how many hours and train play he had! Trevor loved every second of the attention even if they were just watching TV together.


We saw our very first 3-D movie, BOLT! It was darling and fun to see previews for a few more 3-D movies coming out next year. Trevor kept the glasses on for most of the movie and looked pretty cool too!

We even had a hot date to share between my two boys, Norah. She is 3 right in the middle and I would be happy if our pre-arranged marriage worked for one of them! Ok, really Trevor because Shane and Ella are too cute together with their kissing in Target and her telling me she's going to marry him! Anyway, back to fun with Grandparents!


On Thanksgiving Grandma made the cutest Oreo cookie turkeys with the boys.

Trevor was more interested in the Oreos. Look at his huge stack of finished cookies! He just licks out the frosting in the middle then gives the rest to Liberty.

The Saturday before Damon's birthday we went out to celebrate and Grandma and Grandpa along with Uncle Craig and Aunt Cyndi took to boys to see ginger bread houses, the Bellagio, and the Festival of Lights! They had so much fun together.

I wasn't too successful with Black Friday shopping. Every place I tried I lost my patience even though I had a free babysitter at home. Most places didn't have what I wanted. My mom however, had huge success! Every place I went she went to later and found what I needed. She ever found almost 30 pairs of Crocks! With all her Grandkids, kids, and mom to buy for that adds up to a lot of shoes! The best part, at the outlet it was buy one pair regular price get everything else 1/2 off! So the kids shoes were only $10 instead of regular store price of $24! I regret not having her buy us more! Thanks mom!

As a reward to all my hard work this week we are finally getting our tree! I have been dying not getting out our decorations but I needed to get my work done first!

Not again!!!!!

Why oh why, does Trevor have to throw-up either in a public place or the car? Each and every time he has thrown-up it's been in the car and today was no different! I was in the driveway to jump out and get Shane from pre-school when Trevor said, "My mouth, my mouth." I didn't understand what he meant until it was too late! He was a grump all day today and even took a nap. I just thought he was tired! Like true Trevor form he asked for dinner when he was done and ate all of his Happy Donald's AKA Mc Donald's!

I love this picture. Once again, that is my nice boob and I love how fun Tara looks in the background. Then there is Allie peeking over and Trevor sound asleep. This is real life! This was back in April when Trevor threw-up in the car and it was NASTY! I can still smell the nasty smell, YUCK!
Allie blowing in the wind! This day we had a heat out because it was in April and hot with no AC! It was the longest drive home EVER!

Shane thought he was going to throw-up from the smell too.

Today we had to drive home and have a freeze out in the car! There is never a dull moment with poor Trevor around. Perfect unexpected example: Trevor right now as I am typing pulls down his pants and says to Shane, "Smell my butt!!" Oh my, who is this boys mother?!? I must say I think Trevor will be just fine!

Happy healthy smiles!

No, Shane hasn't been taken away and turned into an alien like he believes when looking at this picture but we have FINALLY gone to the dentist! I must admit, I was nervous. Nervous they would yell at me because Mr. Sweet tooth Trevor had 100 cavities, the boys screaming and crying in the seat but that was not the case we found the best dentist around!

The waiting room was the coolest place to be! There was a dark room with stadium seating and a movie playing. Trains tables, toys, and video games.

Now that we know there is Pac Man in the office I'm sure Damon will accompany us to each and ever visit!

We didn't get to wait long enough which I wish my OB's office was set up like this because like all OB's you wait forEVER!

Upon going back to their seats they got to pick out a goodie bag full of toothpaste, dental floss, a new tooth brush, tattoos, and a time for when you brush your teeth. Shane was so excited for a new toothbrush! The joys of a 4 year old.

Trevor thought he was pretty cool sitting up in the seat all by himself and he actually did good for his cleaning which we all thought wouldn't happen. I for sure thought he had a cavity because he has this spot on the front of his tooth but he was cavity free! I was in shock since he has this unbelievable candy sense! When I showed the hygienist the spot on his front tooth she asked if he has ever fallen. Ummm, I laughed because she obviously didn't know what a crazy yet silly little 2 year that was sitting in her chair! When hasn't this kid been dropped or fell himself? She said it was a chip and he had another chip on his other tooth too! I'm glad these baby teeth are here to practice on so I didn't mess up him forever!

Shane looking cool being checked out by Dr. Cox. He was so nice and fun with the kids.

Trevor screams bloody murder every time I brush his teeth but he did so well at the dentist.

Don't you think I need 2 more kids to fill up an entire row of chairs at the dentist? I think that would be so cute and the perfect reason to have more kids!

Now, if you live in Vegas you need to try out this dentist! Shane can't wait to go back. He will be going back because he has cavities! YIKES! I was worried about the wrong kid. He must have his Dad's teeth (the only thing I did not want my kids to get from their dad) because he will now have more fillings then I have had in my entire life! Shane 3 and Mommy 2. When you go to your new dentist and your kids have the time of their lives you better make sure you put me down as a reference because I get 2 free movie tickets! I need some hot date night tickets. 2 friends referred me and I put both their names down so we'll have to see if they BOTH get tickets! As we left they got a balloon and 2 prizes each since it was their first visit! Trevor got to spin the wheel because he was cavity free and got another prize. The dentist was a success!

Anthem Pediatric Dentistry

off of St. Rose and Eastern

702.531.5437

The First Day of December

Let the festivities begin! It is the first of December and in true Tricia style we skipped out on the work and started on some fun. As much as I like Christmas I haven't even began decorating. I threw away the pumpkins on the porch and brought down my Nativity from Guatemala (yes, Damon was THE best and bought me one his last trip!) and put up my Advent Calendar but that is it! Once I get my work done tomorrow, we'll be breaking out those huge green and red bins! We started our day off by opening our first Advent tin. This was the project and I have been working on and will post more about later! The boys love it!

We went to our community 4 story Christmas tree lighting tonight. There were carolers, hot chocolate, cookies, fist candy canes of the Season eatten, Santa, and friends. We got to meet the big guy tonight! Shane was so excited but once we were done he told me that it wasn't the real Santa. He told me he doesn't look like the real Santa at church! I'm surprised he can remember his face but he does so I'm hoping he'll be there again this year at our ward party or we might need a personal stop since we are best buddies with the big guy! Yes, we KNOW Santa's grandson!Shane asked for a scooter with 2 wheels and a monkey 'puter. He got this last year and it was his prize and joy until he left it outside and it rained on it! Trevor didn't know what to think of Santa and was cautious the entire time. He did tell Santa he wanted a "big, big, big, Leapster!" We had a knock-down-drag-out-fight over Shane' Leapster today so I'm just praying Mrs. Clause can talk Santa into making one for a 2 year old!


Trevor enjoyed 2 Christmas cookies as his sweet tooth kicking in.

The hot chocolate was HOT and Trevor waited and waited for it to cool off! At one point he took a sip and spit it out because it was too hot! My poor boys almost need their hot chocolate cold or they think it's too hot! We have the same problem in the bath. We had fun seeing the huge Christmas tree light up and enjoy the company of our friends. Thanks Lisa for the invite or I would have forgotten about it again!

Once we got home into the bath it was because as I told the boys it's December 1 and sometimes Santa's Elves come to visit to make sure you're being good but they are scared of stinky boys! Once they were clean we came out of the bath to a freezing cold room with the window open, snow on the floor, and PRESENTS! Pardon the nudity, as I said we were coming from the bath!

Shane was in shock that the Elves got in and we didn't hear them and Trevor screamed, "AWEsome!!!" They each got their Christmas PJ's (that I'm thinking don't look so Christmas-ie anymore) and the new rotation for books, Christmas style! This will be a new tradition at the Young house. I don't like how they don't get to wear their Christmas jammies for too long (I know, this has to do with some of my issues but I can't let it go and have them wear Christmas jammies outside of December) so each December first they will now get a visit from an elf which is so nice of Santa to spare an elf during such a busy time!

After much excited talk and warm jammies put on they both looked out the window and guess who they FINALLY saw??? Rudolph! Amazing how he was flying around practicing for the BIG NIGHT and we got to see him!

I told the boys that they will of Christmas dreams in their Christmas jammies. I hope all their Christmas wishes come true because I already have what I have always wanted in life, my darling little boys bringing me more happiness then I could have ever imagined! I hope you have Christmas dreams tonight too since we are now in the middle of the season!

Time to Celebrate!

Today Damon celebrated his 31st birthday! He requested a Nothing Bundt Cake but they were closed because of Thanksgiving! I felt so bad and hope I made it up to him with homemade turkey and dumplings along with candy bar pie for dessert. Shane was thrilled to have a birthday in the house again. We got out the birthday banner and he couldn't wait for the "party." All day he kept asking me when Daddy's friends are going to come over for his birthday party. He was disappointed they never came but so kindly picked out a gift he had been talking about for days... spicy gum! He made and wrapped up a picture of him and Damon which I thought was too sweet. Poor Trevor went to bed early after partying it up late last night with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Cyndi and Uncle Craig! Damon and I were able to go out alone which was a wonderful treat for us both.

I'm lucky to have such a wonderful husband and father to my children in my life. Damon is always quick to make me laugh and win me over with his charm. I'm blessed to have him in my life and call him my husband. Thanks Damon for all you do for our family. We hope you had a wonderful birthday!

There pictures are from Nebraska. I haven't edited them yet because I'm not sure what I want: color, black & white, or a vintage feel like the one above! Help me.