Christmas finally came!

We had a very Merry Christmas. We were so blessed to have my entire family here this year! It got a little crazy at times, but it was wonderful. I am so thankful for my family. I love spending time with everyone. Then we were blessed to have Grandma Bollard come for a few days after Christmas. Courntey thought that Christmas would never come, but was so happy when it finally did. We had a very Princess Christmas this year.

Let the baking begin

I was delighted to learn that this year I wouldn't have to do all the baking myself. Dave and Courtney were so excited to help me. I thought I had struck the lottery. I mean, for 5 years I have done everything on my own.
I thought it was going to be so great. Then Dave told my he just wanted to make cinnamon rolls for everyone. The best part about holiday baking is that you get to make such a wide variety of everything. Then I got to thinking, it will be much easier to stick with one item. Cinnamon rolls are soooo good anyway, people would love it.
Then we started the whole 4 hour process. At first the two were so excited to do whatever I asked, but I realized it was just faster to do it all myself. Then they got specific assignments, rolling the dough and adding the cinnamon and sugar.

Then they started to want to do other things, because it was taking forever. By that time, I desperately needed their help. It all came together though and our friends were able to enjoy a delicious treat. I had to put this picture up to remind anyone not living close enough to receive some, move closer! Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season.

Snow much fun!

We have actually been enjoying the snow this season. I usually dread it and wish I lived somewhere warmer when we get snow, but this year has been different. Maybe it's because I have a daughter now old enough to enjoy the wonder of it. Maybe it's because my nieces and nephew were here and loved it.
I would have to say that it is probably because it has snowed on the weekends, when we can just stay inside by the fire, drinking hot chocolate, and spend time together as a family. I don't know who gets more excited to go out into the snow, Dave or Courtney.
Dave finds shoveling the snow relaxing. Relaxing? That would be the last word on the planet I would use for the task. Another great reason to snow on the weekend, Dave goes out to shovel. I remember endlessly shoveling snow last year and how much it hurt my back.
We do have some pretty high tech neighbors. Some have snowblowers and some even have four wheelers with plows on the front. It's pretty fun to wake up to them plowing the roads and sidewalks in the morning. Courtney also likes to help. Since she couldn't find another shovel, she used one of our spades to help her dad shovel. She likes to think she does more of the shoveling than Dave. Cute, isn't it?
All in all, it has really put us in the Christmas mood to have so much snow this time of year. We usually have to wait for it and don't end up getting any until January or February. It makes the streets and houses look pretty and bright.

Our Trip to Disneyland

We had a great Thanksgiving. We were able to go to Disneyland with Dave's family. It was so much fun!

My Six

I have been tagged by Lindsay and must do this, otherwise the tagging will all end and she will feel like a complete failure. Just kidding Linds! I doubt that I could say much that people already don't know about me but I'll try.

1. I always wanted to be a doctor. I even started out college with a pre-med major. After failing chemistry and many guys telling me that I couldn't do that and be a mother, I changed majors.

2. I love to sleep in. Nothing makes me happier than waiting to wake up until I'm ready to get up for the day.

3. I love decorating for holidays. It doesnt' matter what holiday it is, I want something up to celebrate it.

4. I absolutely love my girlfriends! I could not live without them. I have no sisters, so my girlfriends are like my family.

5. I have road rage. I knew it was getting bad when I heard Courtney in the back seat yelling, "Go guy. What's your deal? Move it."

6. I like to give 110% to everything I do. Whether it's being the achievement days leader or Nursery leader, I do more than what is asked of me. I love to be sure everything is fun and right for everyone.

Lauryn's Luau

Courtney's cousin, Lauryn, turned 7 last week. Courtney went to the "luau" and had lots of fun! They started with a relay race, then tried to stomp out each other's balloons. After that they played pin the petal on the flower and of course, there was a pinata(the real reason Courtney loves parties). They had cake and ice cream and opened presents. It was a lot of fun for everyone. Thanks Shannon, for such a great party!

A Day at the Zoo

Dave thought a day at the zoo would be fun for the family last Saturday. Boy was he right! The weather was perfect and most of the animals were out. We had lots of fun!

The Jazz Bear

Although Courtney loves going to the Jazz games, they usually go something like this: "Can those guys get off the court so that the Jazz bear can come out!" Needless to say, we never actually get up close and personal with the Jazz bear. When we saw him on a street corner meeting fans Courtney ordered, "Turn the car around Mom. We have to see him." So this is her, meeting her favorite bear.

Jazz Game

Our first Jazz game of the season ended up being a lot of fun. We love to go to the games and even have a jersey for Courtney. She had so much fun.
The really fun part was that the Jazz killed the Kings. We got to see some great steals, dunks, and just great ball. We can't wait to go to more. Brian, Dave's brother, came with us and brought a date, Amy. We're glad they came with us.

New Scooter

We went to Classic skating with some friends this summer and in case you didn't know, kids can now bring scooters and things, instead of just roller skating. Ever since then Courtney has adamantly wanted a scooter of her own. It was kind of sad. She was the only kid without one.
We decided that we shouldn't just buy her one, but that she should earn it. She worked so hard to get her scooter. The first day I introduced it to her, she wanted to do whatever she could to earn stickers. She cleaned three bathrooms, dusted, did laundry, and made beds. She really earned her money for it.
She kept with it and got a scooter much earlier than Dave had anticipated. She was so happy when she was able to pick it out and help Dave put it together. I guess the world really is a better place when you have a scooter.

Haunted Houses and Pumpkin Carving

We almost carved pumpkins this year but this is as far as we got. We kept waiting to do it with Dave but by the time he gets home at night, Courtney is beside herself with tiredness. Maybe next year we will have to do it during the day without Dad. She really did enjoy just sticking face pieces on though. She especially loved the stickers. It's probably too small to tell but she loved the ones that looked like blood.

What Halloween celebration would be complete with a gingerbread haunted house. Ours would have been except Grandma came to Courtney's rescue. It turned into a family project and was alot of fun. It did end up turning out pretty cute. The funniest part was that my niece, Ali, would only eat the candy and not put it on the house. She's 18 months old. I think that is to be expected. Courtney was very concerned about it, however, so we finally got her to put a few pieces on.


We had a very Happy Halloween. Although I didn't know that Halloween was such an exhausting holiday, it was so much fun. I don't think holidays are much fun without a child to help you remember how special they really are. Courtney and Dave went out trick-or-treating while I passed out the goods. We figure we had close to 100 kids come by, which is an all time record for us. Hope everyone else had an equally as enjoyable Halloween!

Happy Birthday Dave!

Dave turned 32 on Wednesday! Courtney was very excited for his birthday. She asked me about 50 times if she could help him blow out his candles. She obviously loves to blow out candles. Then she was really excited to help him open his present. It was cookies, from his mom and dad, and she thought it was the best present ever.
We had a little cake for him while his family was here last weekend. 32 candles is almost too many to put on a small cake. Dave doesn't usually get to be with his family on his birthday, so it was fun to have them here.
On his actual birthday, we made him breakfast and gave him his present from us. He is so hard to buy for but I never go wrong with giving him pictures of Courntey. We got him a picture and frame to bring to work with him. Then we got some balloons and brought them to his work. He had already gone to lunch with some of his co-workers, but they also had a cake there for him. We sang to him and had cake with the office.
Dave's family surprised him with a ping pong table for his birthday. The bigger surprise was that it came totally unassembled. It took over an hour for 5 of us to get it all put together but it was worth it. We played and had lots of fun. Dave almost has a complete game room(a dream of his). Now we just need to finish the basement.
Lastly, I have to say how much I love Dave. He is such a good husband and father. I feel grateful to be the lucky woman that he chose to spend eternity with. He works so hard for his family and never asks for anything in return. Happy Birthday, hon!

Pumpkin Patch

No October trip would be complete without takning the time to go to the pumpkin patch. The girls had lots of fun going through the corn maze and also picking out pumpkins. Courtney had to help the little girls. Of course they had to have tiny pumpkins because they are so little, or so Courtney said.

Barnyard Boo

For those of you who aren't from around here, Barnyard Boo is a fun little Halloween activity for small children. We were lucky to have Dave's whole family(except his brother Dan, we missed you!) come for the weekend

Of course there was lots to do with Halloween being so near. We went to the farm at Thanksgiving Point for a little Halloween fun. I think both Courtney and Ali were more happy that it was a farm, then the fact it was decked out with Halloween things to do. Highlights of the trip were when they got to feed the ducks(those of you that are loyal readers know this is always a favorite) although they feed them corn instead of bread this time.

Another was getting balloons. Ali got a black cat that soon turned into just a long, black balloon. Courntey got a pink, princess wand. Also to mention, but not really a highlight, was the headless horsemen. Courtney got pretty scared to see him riding around on a huge white horse but with no head. I even thought is was totally creepy.