Christmas 2007

I can't believe that Christmas is over!!! It seems like I prepared for months for the big day, and it came and went so quickly. We had a great time having Christmas in our own home. This is the first Christmas in 12 years that it's just been us...no extended family...just US! And, I have to say that it was great!!

Here are a few pictures leading up to and then including Christmas day.

I know the time is quickly coming to an end when the boys let me dress them in matching attire. I guess I'll just have to enjoy it while it lasts! Tanner was giving me the "give me a break, mom" look...

He's getting way too big!!


Here are the boys at Chili's for lunch on Christmas Eve day. Tanner was pouting because he is starting to hate getting his picture taken, and every time I pull out the camera he starts to sulk. Ty wasn't feeling very well that day, but it sure didn't stop him from pulling the normal Ty shenanigans!!! (Don't ya love that word???!!!)

There's nothing like a good train wreck to finish off a yummy meal...

It's enough to make you want to puke, isn't it???!!!




We decided to carry on a Lewis Family tradition of bowling on Christmas Eve. So, after our lunch at Chili's we headed over to the bowling alley and had a rip roarin' game!! Ty had the flu soooooo bad and had been in bed for 3 days prior to our little outing, but he bowled like a champ and beat us all!!!

When we finished bowling we all decided that we definitely hadn't had enough sugar so we headed to Sonic for some yummy slushies (except for me...Route 44 COKE, thank you very much!!!)

When we got home Ty was really feeling awful...poor guy!!

So, he just layed on the couch while I cooked dinner. We had steak, shrimp, and king crab legs and it was WONDERFUL!!! I was going to take a picture of it all because it was quite a feast, but I totally forgot. I got out the good china and set the table (and NO, I didn't make the kids eat off of paper plates like I usually do!!! ;) ) Every time Tate would have a drink out of his crystal goblet he would say, "Two hands or be in big trouble...right mommy?" It was hilarious!!

After dinner we watched "Joy To The World", the video put out a couple of years ago by the church about the birth of Christ. It was great and helped to remind us about why we celebrate Christmas.
Then everyone got to open up their Christmas jammies (which I was also going to take a picture of, but forgot) and then we all gathered around to hear Grandpa Hawkins annual Christmas poem that he so graciously sent to us in the mail.

After we finished reading the poem, the boys headed to bed. They were sooooooo wound up that I thought they'd never go to sleep!!!

Eventually they did, and then Kevin and I went to work setting up the trampoline that Grandma and Grandpa Hawkins got for the kids. It was quite a project and I was thanking my lucky stars that I had done all of my wrapping a few days before. It took us 3 1/2 hours to put up the tramp. It was cold. Really cold. (OK Utah people...don't laugh!! I've totally acclimated and to me, it was COLD!!!) But, we survived and it was a SPECTACULAR suprise on Christmas morning!!!

As it turns out, Santa was a hero again, bringing all the things that the boys wanted.

How does he always know???

Tate got a Diego rescue pack, and a battery powered go cart (Thank You Jennifer and Paul!!!)

He also got a Memory game and Chutes and Ladders as well. He was a pretty happy camper!!

Treyson got a V-Smile Pocket, an iPod shuffle, and a lot of new socks. (If you could see us trying to find socks every morning before school you would understand the sock thing!!!) He also got a skateboard which he was really excited about!!

Tanner and Ty both got a wave board. (A skateboard-like contraption that twists--I don't really get it, but they loved it!!!) They each got a iPod shuffle and then each boy got a video rocker chair. As you can see, Tate doesn't really weigh enough to keep his upright!!! ;)

Our friends, the Steck's, took pity on us for being all alone for Christmas and invited us over on Christmas night for a delicious turkey dinner, including all the delectable stuff that goes with that. It was great! We're so thankful for good friends who have become our family while we live away from all of our own!!

After dinner they all played with the Steck's new Wii. It was so funny watching them play tennis, boxing, and then they bowled. They had a blast.

While the kids (and that includes the two biggest kids, Kev and Brian) played, Sara and I cleaned up the dishes and chatted. Someone thought it would be funny to take a picture of our behinds...betcha can't guess who's fabulous idea that was!!!

We had a wonderful Christmas and hope that you all did as well!

'Twas The Night Before Christmas...

'Twas the night before Christmas,

and all through the house,

Kids were running and screaming,

and jumping about.

The stockings were hung from the

command hooks with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon

would be there.

The tree had been decorated

for a month by this time,

And the ornaments were hanging

from the fake green pine.

The lists had been made,

emailed to the North Pole,

But mom and dad threatened that

there, indeed, was a mole.

He would be watching for behavoir

and such,

And if they were naughty there

wouldn't be much.

So the kids tried and tried,

and then tried again,

Who knew it'd be so hard

to be nice to their kin?

But the day is upon us,

and the deeds have been done,

I think in gift giving there'll

be at lease one...

When the kids are all tucked in

their beds with great care,

they'll be hoping and wishing

that Santa'll be there.

As for myself, my list is just this,

to remember my Savior,

His birth and His gift.

How thankful I am for

His great sacrifice,

For suff'ring for me all

the trouble and strife.

The gift of example that he

gave to me,

Of love that my family

can be together eternally.

I can not repay him

with anything but,

my constant trying and

not giving up.

So this Christmas season,

as I watch with joy,

the looks on the faces

of my 4 little boys,

I'll say a quick prayer,

and thank my Father in Heaven,

For the most wonderful gift

of His Son which was given.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Important Holiday Eating Tips...

I saw this on another blog and felt that it was extremely important to pass on the knowledge...

I mean, we wouldn't want to do the holiday eating incorrectly...right???

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving truffles.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can and quickly. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an 'eggnog-aholic' or something . It's a treat. Enjoy it! Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think.

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand-alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, pumpkin and mincemeat - have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert -- Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Go back and reread tips. Start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember: 'Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body. But rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO-HOO what a ride!'

Happy 9th Birthday Ty!!!

On December 17th, Ty celebrated his 9th birthday. We ate at his favorite restaurant, Barro's Pizza, and then came home to open his presents. He had a great day!

Happy Birthday, Ty!!! We Love You!

It's A.......Rocket Ship!!!

I was talking to my mom on the phone this afternoon and she asked me if I had decorated my rocket ship yet...

I died laughing because I had forgotten this story:

Last year, around this time, I had put Tate down for his nap and decided to set up and decorate my Christmas tree. Tate, then 2 years old, napped for a couple of hours and in that time I was able to get the tree decorated, stockings hung, and Nativity put in place. No sooner had I turned the lights on the tree that I heard (at the TOP of Tate's lungs)...

"mommy....MOMMY.....MOOOOOMMMMMMMMMYYYYYY! Yook (translation:look) mommy, yook! A RRRRRRROCKET SHIP!!!!!"

He was standing at the top of the stairs with HUGE eyes, clenching his fists and shaking because he was soooooooo excited. It was a wonderful, precious moment of Christmas excitement that so many of us "grown-ups" forget. I'm so glad that my mom reminded me about my 'rocket ship' today!

Here's a picture of this year's rocket ship. Once again, sorry for the picture quality. Santa can't get here quick enough with that new camera!!!

Mesa Temple Christmas Lights

Last night for FHE we went to the lights at the Mesa Temple with our wonderful friends, the Steck's. It's always funny to me that we can see the lights in Arizona in shorts. Growing up in Utah always meant seeing the lights at Temple Square in freezing temps, bundled up to the point of not being able to move (picture the boy on A Christmas Story who "can't put his arms down"...that would be us!!), and complaining the whole time that we were freezing to death!!! Here's a couple of picutres...sorry that they are so blurry...I seriously need a new digital camera!!! I'd better write a letter to Santa!

Breakfast With Santa

We were at the church bright and early this morning for our ward's annual Breakfast With Santa. Santa (a.k.a. Bro. Hathaway) waits all year for his moment to shine. His hair and beard are really as they are in the picture, and we noticed that he had gone to the extra effort this morning to curl them. He had his hip replaced about 6 weeks ago, but told his doctors that he wouldn't have the surgery unless he would be able to perform his "Santa" duties. He's a wonderful Santa, and the kids sure look forward to seeing him each year. Little do they know that they also see him each Sunday at church!!!

Let It Rain, Let It Rain, Let It Rain...

I have been having the hardest time getting into the "Christmas Spirit" this year, but the weather finally decided to cool off and today IT RAINED!!!! Woo hoo!! By the time the boys got out of school the rain was really coming down. I considered driving my car down to pick them up but I knew they would absolutely love to ride their bikes home in the rain and get all wet!! Here's a picture of the boys after a few minutes of playing in the rain.

I think I'm finally feeling it...I'm going to put up my tree tonight!!!

Happy 11th Birthday Tanner!!

I can't hardly believe it, but Tanner turned 11 on November 27th. Time is just flying by and I really wish it would just slow down a bit. I asked him if he wanted to take a birthday treat to his school class but he said he was "too old for that stuff". Oh...o.k. (sniff, sniff)

For his birthday dinner we went to his favorite restaurant, Tiki Wok, and the cute little Asian lady that always waits on us brought him some ice cream with a candle in it and sang happy birthday to him. (If you've ever seen A Christmas Story it was very similar to that, but rather than "fa, ra, ra, ra, ra" it was "hap burseday to you"---sooooo funny! I wish I had it recorded!!) Ty, Trey, and Tate loved the ice cream, and Tanner thanked them graciously even though he couldn't eat it. After dinner we went home and he opened his presents, and then he got his birthday brownies with 11 candles. I think he had a great day!

Happy Birthday, Tanner!! We Love You!!

Thanksgiving Activities

We had a fun Thanksgiving with my family this year. Mom and dad came down with my brother, Bryan, and his four kids: Mckenzy, Bryson, Payton, and Lexis, as well as my brother, Bevan, and his wife, Donna. My house was rockin' for 4 days with running, screaming, laughing, and crying children, but we had a blast! The kids even jumped in the pool on Friday morning!! They really are crazy!! We also went to the Phoenix Zoo. Here's a few pictures of our adventure...

Utterly Enchanting

If you are ready for a wonderful feel-good movie this holiday season, search no further...this is it!! My boys and I went to see Disney's "Enchanted" yesterday and absolutely LOVED~LOVED~LOVED it! A definite must-see!!! We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!!

Family Photos

I often question why I even bother to try to have a new family picture taken. It seriously tests my patience. Why is it that anytime I mention a "family picture" it instantly puts everyone in a bad mood? Tanner and Ty were ticked off that I made them do their hair, all of a sudden Treyson has no natural smile (we refer to it as the Zombie Smile), and Tate was just down-right onery!!! But, we got through it thanks to our friend Justin, who took the pictures, and his darling wife, Mila. I didn't edit any of these photos. You're seeing it just like it happened because he was just shooting pictures randomly, hoping to catch a smile.

Mission accomplished...sort of...

The Law of The Garbage Truck

My dad sent me this email this morning and I really liked it...

How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly he/she can get back their focus on what's important. Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson.
I learned it in the back of a New York City taxi cab. Here's what happened. I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car's back end by just inches! The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And Imean, he was friendly. So, I said, "Why did you just do that? This guy
almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!"And this is when my taxidriver told me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage,
full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they'll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You'll be happy you did. So this was it: The "Law of the Garbage Truck." I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets? It was that day I said, "I'm not going to do it anymore." I began to see garbage trucks. Like in the movie "The Sixth Sense," the little boy said, "I see Dead People." Well, now "I see Garbage Trucks." I see the load they're carrying. I see them coming to drop it off. And like my Taxi Driver, I don't make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on. One of my favorite football players of all time, Walter Payton, did this every day on the football field. He would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground after being tackled. He never dwelled on a hit. Payton was ready to make the next play his best. Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting.
Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses. Leaders and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their best for the people they care about.The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks takeover their day. What about you? What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks pass you by? Here's my bet. You'll be happier. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so... Love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don't. Believe that everything happens for a reason. If youget a chance, TAKE IT! If it changes your life, LET IT! Nobody said it would be easy... They just promised it would be worth it!

Halloween Hauntings

Well, another Halloween's come and gone...it's hard to believe how time flies!! Here's some pictures of the boys carving pumpkins. It was a squishy mess, but they had a blast...well, all except for Ty who refuses to put his hand inside the pumpkin!!!

Notice how Ty is barely holding the end of the spoon. Don't even ask me why there's only three pumpkins...I guess that's what I get for sending Kevin to the store!!! ;) Here's pictures of all of the boys in their costumes. I was happy that they all wore costumes that we already had!! I love NOT having to buy new costumes!!Here's Kevin and I dressed up for Chad & Melissa Jorgensen's Annual Halloween Party. I begged him to take off the stupid wig, but he insisted on wearing it!!! Oy!