A Family Christmas

Our Family Christmas Album
I know there are serveral pictures on this post, but I took over a hundread pictures the last couple of days, and these were some of our favorites. I just love Christmas. It is a lot of work, and I did come close to a few meltdowns there close to the end. But when it's all said and done, it's all worth it! Our first stop on Christmas Eve was to Scott's dad and Gwens house. We didn't have a long stay, but it was full of yummy snacks( Gwens aleays got something tasty for us to eat)and opening presents. We were off to my Mom and Dads house for a deliousious Christmas Eve Dinner. I could smell the scumptious aroma from the driveway, after the kids ran in the front door. Jackson loved the train around the tree that he de-railed several times in the course of the evening(sorry dad). And the girls loved scouting out their presents with their cousins, Spencer and Miriam. My parents house looks like The North Pole at Chrismas time. The presents overflow into several rooms, and my moms wrapping is always so beautiful and almost as great as the gifts they hide inside. We had a wonderful evening together. Christmas morning was "the best ever" as quoted by Emma. Thats always good news to tired parents. We spent the afternoon visiting at my Grandma Slaughters house, with Aunts, uncles and cousins. We don't see each other very often anymore, and really enjoyed their company. We were off for our second stop at my dads parents house for a short but sweet visit. I love my grandparents, and the flood of memories that come from being in their familiar home. Our last stop of the day was at Scott's brother Brad and Judy's house. It took us a half hour to get from the circle they live in to the driveway, thanks to the few feet of snow that fell that day. It's always a party with the Wardle's! We had a great time and more delicous food. Waffles with a variety of toppings,(Thanks Brad for alowing Jack to help you make stacks of them) Christmas ham, funeral potatoes, pasta salad, it was awesome. We had a wonderful evening together laughing, eating, and opening gifts. The snow storm had begun again so we traveled one mile back to my parents house and spent the night with them. Thank you to all our family. We love you and cherish you all. We had a magical, memorable Christmas with you.

Thank-You

I just have to say "Thank-You" to a total stranger who's kind words made a world of difference to me today. Here's the story... We had a bad morning at our house trying to get out the door by 8:30 to get Emma to an Orthodontist appointment at 9:30. This is never easy to get 3 kids and myself all ready to go so early, no exceptions today! Long story short... Emma and I had an argument, that didn't go well(do any arguments go well)? Anyway this left me feeling terrible all the way to Salt Lake. Thoughts going through my head, how could I, should I, have handled that differently? Should I stick to my guns, or give in? Is she learning a lesson here, or was this all for nothing? On the way home we had a good talk, and I tryed to explain myself better, and apologized for the way I handled things. In an effort to make things good (and because she missed lunch at school)I let her pick where she wanted to go for lunch. She choose Apollo Burger. She ordered her favorite Apollo Burger sandwich, they are huge! I ordered a Large cheese burger combo, so Emma, Jack and I could share. Well I guess I made another mistake. Jack started screaming "I want my own drink"! I tryed to explain I got a big one to share, but he still wasn't happy. That only got worse when I cut the cheeseburger in half. He wanted his own. "Fix it" he screamed! After about 5 min. and lots of tears, he started to eat and calm down. On the way out of the restaurant a man stoped me and said something like "way to go". I didn't know what he was talking about. I said "what"? He said " you didn't give in" I was still a little confused. But he went on to say that I didn't give in when Jack wanted his own drink. I stood my ground. He thought that was good. He told me that he had a little granddaughter that goes 90 miles an hour(just like Jack) and he said "it's hard, and we know its hard, and you did a good job". His words as simple as they were, meant the world to me today. So "thank You" to the kind stranger at Apollo Burger today, who brightened my gloomy day.

Santa Parade

Every year since Scott has been on the Tooele City Council we have been able to participate in the local Parades. Today was the annual Santa Clause parade. Its fun to see the cool new cars and trucks they have for us to drive. Today was a new big truck(guess we wouldn't look so spiffy on parade in our 2002 mini van). The kids enjoy Trowing hand fulls of candy out the window to the people along the route. Jack was strapped in the middle in his car seat, but was trowing candy just like the rest of us. Most of it didn't make it out the window,and several hand fulls hit Emma directly in the head, but it was another fun parade. Scott and I were talking today, and we hope that these are some special memories for the kids. That as they reminisce when they are grown, that they will remember some of these fun times as a family. After the parade we went to our local Macy's store and decorated Christmas sugar cookies, and the kids had their faces painted. We love our little town of Tooele!

UTAH 48 BYU 24

This is our year!
Another perfect season, way to go Utes! We will miss you Scotty while your at the BCS bowl game, wherever it takes you. We love you!

Midnight Madness

Okay so we had a little midnight tailgate, at the local Tooele theatre last night, for the premier of our much beloved Twilight. I got hooked on the series, (like so many other crazed fans), in May when I attended a conference with Scott in Las Vegas. He was in meetings all day, and I was so excited to do nothing but relax. I borrowed my sisters copy of Twilight, at the last minuet while we were dropping the kids off at grandmas house. I was really reluctant to start it, considering it's size, and that I'm not a person who reads as a hobby. At the airport we were a little early and had a hour to kill, so I began reading after Scott said "just start it"! I read on the plane, a little before bed, woke up and read until dinner! I have never had a passion to read anything like I did this book. I loved it, and I loved that I loved reading it, because I never considered myself a reader. I found a new favorite pastime. I absolutely enjoyed reading the entire 4 book series. So a Twilight passion began. Its been so fun for me these past several months sharing thoughts and ideas about the books with my friends, and Scott (what a man, he has read them too!) Last night was a blast! We sat in the filled to capacity theatre for 2 hours before the movie began. We talked, laughed, Took pictures, and ate our bucket of popcorn, Junior mints, and drank our Dr. Pepper! Sure bliss! Thanks to my friends Tekarri, Steph, and Kristin who made this such a fun and memorable evening. Oh how was the movie you ask... It was great! I'm sad to say I've always been one to watch the movie, and not read the book. Now that I've read the book, and now watched the movie, I understand what they say about movies not comparing to the books. I really loved the movie, but I will always have my version of Edward and Bella in my own little happy place in my head!

Peaceful Jack moment

I just has to share this adorable picture of Jack from yesterday. He only got a 20 min. nap in the car yesterday. So while I was fixing dinner we put a show on for him, Oz (wizard of Oz), and he fell asleep in the chair. If that's not a Kodak moment I don't know what one is! We love these kind of Jack moments.

Mom & Me

Emma and I took a Mom & me art/ceramics class this Friday. Emma loves anything that has to do with arts and crafts. When she got a flyer from the city downtown trick or treat on Halloween, she was ready to sign up. They had only a few classes for kids, and we choose the painting/ceramics class. We had fun painting our projects together. Thanks for the date Emma, my little Picasso!

Family picture day

Family picture day...Oh I don't know if any of you feel the same way I do about it, but let's just say it's usually not my favorite day. What can we all wear that looks good together, without having to buy everyone a new outfit(although that would be nice!) Hoping that your children(and husband)realize how important this is to you and will smile and act happy for the half an hour or more it takes. And even though your freezing, try to act like your warm and trilled to be here! This year a friend of ours named Tania Finn, came out to Tooele and did photo's in the canyon. You can see the snow... of course the first snow fall of the season came that morning, a little early if you ask me(Oct. 11th), and turned our "fall family pictures" into winter ones. But I actually think the snow looks great, and I have to give the fam a little credit they were all in all pretty cooperative! Thank You Tania! tkdesigncompany.com

Halloween costumes

Last night we had a fun Halloween carnival at the elementary school. The kids got in their costumes and I thought I would take a few pictures, in case I wasn't able to get very many on Halloween night. It gets kind of crazy when they don't want to pose for pictures, they just want to get out trick or treating! Hopefully we'll get some cut ones tonight, but here's a preview! We have Lauren the cute witch, Emma the bat girl, and Jack is Bob...Bob the builder. I wish you could hear him say it, its too cute!

Emma's 9th Birthday

Happy birthday Emma!
It's hard to believe that 9 years ago I was having my first baby. Life has changed so much in these short 9 years.

Emma had a fun day! She was able to go the the University of Utah football game, with her dad. She had a blast! She bought herself a U of U tee shirt with some of her birthday money. When she got home we had her favorite dinner, Caterpillar casserole. She named it when she was 2, she thought the curly noodles looks like caterpillars(so cute). She invited some of her girlfriends over to watch a movie and have cake and ice cream. She said her favorite part of her day was going to the game with her dad!

Jack's first Dentist visit

Today Jack had his first visit to the dentist. Okay he's been there a hundred times because mommy works there, but his fist official big boy visit! He wasn't scared at all. He climbed right up into the chair and sat back, opened wide and let Kenny (our hygienist) go to work. He loved making the chair go up and down, but mostly up. "I'm up high mom" he would say. I sure wish it was that easy to clean his teeth at home. I have a special hold I use on him so that he can't kick me or grab the toothbrush. It's kinda like a wrestling pin hold I try to use, but he usually wins. So since I love brushing his teeth so much, and it usually is quite short, I was happy to hear his teeth look great and no cavity's! Thanks Kenny and Dr. Brett. ( I've got to look into getting on of those chairs or something).

Finding the perfect pumpkin

Tonight we went to the Pankratz pumpkin patch. We went with our friends the Crane's for family home evening. The Pankratz said that the pumpkins were on the large side this year, Great!!!- Until you have to carry them back to the Car. Ugh...I'm a little, mabye a lot, whimpy. It was a fun,autumn, but chilly night. Emma, Lauren & Jack each found a favorite pumpkin. We took a little wagon ride behind the big red tractor. Where was that tractor when I needed it? We look forward to this fun family tradition every year, Thanks Pankratz family!

Jacks "Little Tractor"

Christmas came early for Jack when our Awesome neighbors The Quinns, brought over this "little Tractor" as Jack calls it. It was there son's when he was little. They brought it over for Jack yesterday and he has been in 7th heaven ever since. Well until I made him come inside because he was all wet from the SNOW!!! Ahhh I'm not sure I'm ready for snow yet. Thanks again Quinn's!

Vacation pics

Family vacation in California end of Sept./Oct. 2008