Thanksgiving & Such

Since we can't charge our special Kodak batteries anymore, we don't have many pics from Thanksgiving. It was a Crane Thanksgiving this year and we had EVERYONE there. It was fun and crazy to try to play games with my 6 siblings and spouses (or boyfriend, Lisa). Everyone was talking and no one was listening. We all wanted to be in charge. It was chaotic and loud and I wouldn't have it any other way! Love you family!

Scott was a trooper and went running with me in the freezing cold and WINDY weather in 7000 ft. elevation of Flagstaff. He almost puked. Way to hold it in, hon! I was proud of him for going with. We celebrated my Grandma Hunt's 80th birthday with all her kids and most of my cousins. It was great to see my Grandparents again. I sure love them! Happy Birthday, Grandma.

We got back on Sunday night and got Jake to bed. Alisa was sick and Scott had a fever and a cold. They slept it off and we managed to squeeze in a quick trip to Disneyland...yeah, we're nuts. Just didn't want the vacation to end. Here's Scott on the roller coaster. Jake is on the other side of him. He's so brave. He LOVES this roller coaster in toon town.

The castle was decorated for Christmas. It was great. We saw the Christmas parade (always a highlight for Jake) and the Christmas fireworks. So magical! After the fireworks, they had fake snow falling. Seriously, Disney has it all figured out...down to the most minute detail. Gotta love it!

Here's part of the fireworks show:

We are SPOILED!

[santa came early]

We are totally spoiled. First off, we got an early Christmas present and talk about making my Christmas! Thanks, Seamans! I have ALWAYS wanted a big tree and have had that cheap wal-mart one (small) for 10 years now. So, THANK YOU SO MUCH! We are soooo happy to have a big tree!

[warm weather]

Second, here is the kind of weather we are enjoying...I'll just say that yesterday at 9 am I went in the house to get my make up, leaving Jake and Hallie in the back for less than a minute. I heard a whoosh sound and came out to this:

Yes, only in SoCal do we have 85 degree weather mid-November! Ha! Spoiled by the sun. I love the warm weather. Here is the aftermath...and not the first time Jake and Hallie have bathed together:

[eating christmas]

Well, two days ago Jake ate a Christmas light (and yes,we do have them up already!) and yesterday I came into the room (after being our for less than a minute again) to broken Christmas balls on the ground and Jake trying to eat the shiny coating off a red ball! The kid's got issues! I don't know why he's eating our Christmas, but there you have it.

Putting off the ironing...

Who got into mama's lip gloss? Caught under the table...

Hey, just here putting off the ironing, so I'd thought I'd post a little ditty (or doodah, as Scott says). Here are the funny things Jake said to Scott while going poo-poo at church on Sunday (this was all in the bathroom while grunting shamelessly in between...gotta love being two...don't really get embarrassed yet!).

"So...whatcha doin' tonight, dad?...Silver bells, silver bells, it's Christmas time in the city...(sung, of course)."

"Um...I'm all done to church...I have a Christmas tree at my house. I need to go there!" (we had stake conference so no primary...sorry, Jake!)

Pointing to the toilet paper rolls: "That one is too stuck. This one goes round and round and round...Hey, what are those? (pointing to the letters on the roll holder) Scott told him it said rollmaster. Then he pointed to the o and said, "That one's a 'o'." Brilliant, I know! :) Who's his mom? :)

"I'm so loud in the bathroom!"

The other day at dinner he casually said, "Hey, guys...Mom...Dad...are you eating sausages?" He's SO grown up!

Yesterday I found him with blue specks in his mouth. He had taken a bite out of a Christmas light! I can't get him to eat real food but he'll eat Christmas lights. Ah! He also told me today, "I'm going to the magical world." Huh?

I Love My Family!

I love my family! They are so wonderful! Tomorrow I'll write all the funny things Jake said today at church. He's hilarious. Scott makes me dinner and cleans up, Jake makes me crazy and makes me laugh, Alisa makes me smile. Heavenly Father must love me! :)

Tag...I'm it!

Ok here are some old pictures...random, but here I am after my first professional haircut. Yeah, no one even said anything. When you have long hair, even when you cut 8" off, it's still just long.

Cutie-pie when he was younger. I love those cocoa puff eyes!

Well, I don't know if I even have 6 things to share about myself. I definitely do not have 6 exciting things, but here goes for all of you who are bored enough to read this.

1. I have a thing for spelling words correctly. I am not the best speller, but back in the day when I used to get hand-written letters, I would actually physically correct the spelling on them. Yes, nerdy, I admit. Now you never know if it is truly misspelled or just a typo that someone was too lazy to fix. I don't have a huge vocabulary, but the words I know must be spelled correctly, such as definitely. I also like learning to spell new words, such as faze...that doesn't faze me!

2. I am a groomer. Yes, my dad uses "monkey" not as a pet name but literally. I particularly like to pluck eyebrows and (gasp) pick zits. I know, gross. Sorry, ya'll, but it's true. Don't worry. I only do it if I know you REALLY well (as in we're married or you are my sibling). I know, I know, TMI.

3. I have a love-hate relationship with running. Sometimes it's a passion and sometimes it's a necessary evil (like when I have to push my two kids in the monster stroller up hills for many miles, like 5 or 10 and I only got 4 hours of sleep). Still, I feel compelled to do it. I am training for a half and then a full marathon, which is nice because I have to take some "rest and recover" days. I love being finished with a run, which must be enough to get me out there in the first place, I guess.

4. Ok, so just like my sister, Jacqui, I have this wierd thing about doing my entire bedtime routine BEFORE I pee-pee. (Yes, pee-pee becomes THE term when you are potty training). Even if I am dancing and bursting to go, I must floss, brush, wash my face, put on moisturizer (I use cocoa butter--I am an old lady, I know), and put in my retainer before I go potty. Maybe it was growing up in the same house and somehow we got into the routine, Jac. We were always in the bathroom together, which probably molded me into the social potty-goer I am today.

5. I am a closet dancer. Well, I don't know what else explains my need to boogie when I hear a good beat, ya know? I do not know how to dance well, but I think it's fun to pretend. I LOVE "So You Think You Can Dance" and feel this inner dancer bursting to come forth. Scott says I'm pretty good, which doesn't mean a whole lot in the professional world, but makes me feel good! Ha! Must've been all that Sunshine Generation... Although, thinking of this, it leads me to my last of 6 random facts about me...

6. I hate being in the limelight. I hate it when everyone is staring at me, whether to praise or criticize or whatever. I get so embarrassed and uncomfortable. I do not like being the center of attention. Ah! Even thinking about it makes me blush. I am not shy, although I used to be and have had to fight those tendencies. So, basically, what I'm saying is don't ask me to show you my dancing skills! Just count yourself lucky if you happen upon me while I'm getting down. Oh, by the way, if you've ever seen funny girl (or is it funny face with Audrey Hepburn) I love the dance she does and must learn it. You know the one...in the cafe...if you haven't seen it, check it out from your local library. It's hilarious. So wierd! It's a crack-up.

Well, I am surprised I can just go and go and go. Thanks for reading my ramblings. Oh, here is my 7th confession...I just read my friend Ashley's blog, and have to say it. I feel so in over my head about politics. Sorry to dissappoint you, Ash, but it's true. I wish I knew more about it and was more informed and involved. I do vote, don't worry. I just am never consistently up on the issues or anything. Wish I was...

Well, that's it. Word to your mother. (I was listening to Ice Ice Baby while I ran today--ha!) Ok, I tag Megan, Mindy, Lindsay, Christy, Krista, and Ashley Spencer. Love you girls!

The Petting Zoo--part 2 of today's post

Ok, so most of you know I am NOT an animal lover. I must love Jake a lot to take him to the petting zoo to be surrounded by animal pee, poop, and smell, not to mention enduring the attack of the killer goats and sheep and pigs! I bought a thing of food thinking Jake and Hallie would like to feed the animals...Alisa and I almost got clobbered! Good thing a tour group came to distract the animals so we could live to tell the tale...


Before we left, Jake had sat in some sheep pee-pee, Hallie stuck her foot in the drinking water, which looked disgusting, Alisa and I had been jumped on by multiple goats, and I almost let all the goats and sheep out when we opened the gate. It was an adventure, to say the least! Thanks, Melissa (red hair, green shirt) for coming with and watching the kids while I took Jake potty...twice!

This was Oak Glen, where there are lots of apple orchards. I broke down and bought a carmel apple covered with milk chocolate and toffee...yeah, I am weak. I also bought a bag of apples and am sorry to say they were a disappointment. Mushy. I'll have to try my hand at reduced fat and sugar apple crisp...unless someone has a healthy apple recipe to get rid of them.

Shout Out to "Lightmeen Naqueen"

We found out that we could visit Lightning McQueen and Mater anytime at California Adventure. Jake was thrilled. They don't just sit there--engines rev, lights flash, eyes move, etc. Leave it to Disney to think of every detail!


Jake by an airplane at California Adventure

Riding surfboards and splashing in water--Jake was in heaven!




Alisa in the adorable, "hip" velour sweatsuit--thanks, Jac! Deosn't she look cute?

Michelin Girl and Jakey-poo

Jake has figured out that you press the green button twice and it calls Grandma! Thanks for talking to him! Like those crossed legs? So casual...

I was watching a friend's kid, Kiera (11 months), the other day. Jake was playing so well with her, so when she left I said, "Good job playing with Kiera, Jake! You were so nice to her! Way to go, bud!" Without batting an eye or even a mischievous look he said, "I runned her over!" Yes, my little angel was not such an angel, apparently! At least he was honest. Sorry, Kiera!

Here's a family picture of the halloween party we had. We REALLY had to persuade Jake to get into those green tights!


Just look at those thighs! Talk about Michelin Girl! (sp?) Yes, she is spitting her tongue out at YOU! This is how she is about half the day (tongue out...must feel good). How did my baby get so big? I sent a picture of Alisa to my mom, and her reply was, "Rolls on her legs...just like her mom!" Are you talking about NOW, mom, or when I was a baby?



Here is a little idea of Alisa's sit up abilities. She is doing sit-ups most of the time she's laying down. Doesn't want to miss anything, just like her mommy!

laughs and fat lip

One night Jake was talking to Alisa and she just started cracking up! It was hilarious. I tried to get the camera in time, but of course only caught the tail end of it. Here's Alisa laughing it up! By the way, she had her first rice cereal today. We gave her applesauce at Disneyland on Friday, and I don't think she liked this as much, but she still ate it all! What a big girl.

Jake puts on this backpack and bids me and Alisa goodbye because he's "going to stool" like Dada. One day he went out the side door with a "bye, love you!" and then returned after a minute because he forgot his lunch! Ha! Guess that's happened before!

He has become a pretty good soccer ball kicker for only 2 1/2 years old. We kick it back and forth in the living room. He's pretty good at one touch! He also gets a little spiral on the football at times. I think he may be athletic.

Last night we got back from Target (my love) at around 7 (bedtime). Our neighbors were out so we started chatting and Jake was riding his bike with their boys. Well, some of you know how he hauls booty on that bike (thanks, Papa!). Somehow he got too close to the sidewalk edge and ended up in a full-on face plant on the street in the dark. He was ok, but has a big fat lip. Poor guy! He got to take some medicine (one of his true loves) and was instantly better! Here are some pictures and video of the fat lip...