The Annual Lighting Ceremony

Every year, the first Monday after Thanksgiving, Kev's parents host a "Lighting Ceremony" in their neighborhood. This has been going on for quite some time now and all the neighbors know that their Christmas lights need to be up by 7:30 that Monday night. After everyone has gathered and the hot chocolate and treats are ready, Kev's dad gives the signal. He lights a couple Whistling Pete's and everyone plugs their lights in. Then you chat and snack and it kicks the season off right. Here are a few pictures of the event.(We haven't figured out the art of flipping pictures yet- sorry) Here is Ty, I think he was headed to try to sneak a mallow meant for the hot chocolate. Do you remember in The Christmas Story when Ralphie's little brother is over bundled and can't put his arms down? Ty does.

Treats, anyone?

The only way Ty would cooperate was with hot chocolate in hand. I think Jordo was warm enough!

Merry Christmas! We hope everyone enjoys this holiday season.

I've been tagged!

I know this is a bit late, but I thought it best to do it now, or with the upcoming holidays, it might never happen. So here goes, 6 things about me. So please don't judge, six things isn't really a lot when you have so much!
1. Things like this stress me out. I always finish and then can't stop thinking about a million better things I should have put.
2. My family is my life. I love more than anything my two precious boys, Ty and Jordan, and being home with them every day makes me so happy. I am so blessed to be their mom and to watch them grow up each day.
3. I treasure alone time with my husband. With Kev going to school full time, working full time, being the executive secretary in our ward and with myself being over scouting (which is much busier than I would have guessed), two busy boys and all the day to day things, we don't get out much, just the two of us. So date nights, cuddling on the couch, even just drives when both the boys are either asleep or occupied, are very treasured times.
4. I just might be the most indecisive person ever. Which it just occurred to me is why these things are so hard. I cannot decide what to say. Kev will back me up on this. After hearing thousands of times, "I don't care, whatever you want", he deserves a medal.
5. More than anything, I want my boys to develop their own testimonies of Jesus Christ and their Heavenly Father. I believe if they have this, they can and will develop so many important attributes and traits that will shape their character.
6. I love fun things. Family parties, going out with friends, playing with my boys, watching my boys play with their dad and so many other things that make life fun.

Ty's birthday update

Well I got those other pictures of Ty's birthday. Here is our little ball player.

Birthday Buddies

So many of you may know that Ty's birthday is the day before mine, which is fun cause we do just one big celebration, which is really all for Ty. Who needs birthdays when your kids have them, right? Ty also shares his birthday with my little bro Ricky. Get ready for a lot of pictures! (But read on, the end is pretty great!)Just before this picture was taken, Ty was yelling "Oh, boy!" and "Oh my goodness!" He was quite impressed.
Here he is checking out his new ride. His feet can't quite reach the pedals, but that hasn't stopped him yet. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa! Ty also got a T-ball/pitching set from his Grandma and Grandpa Shaw, but those pictures aren't on my camera. When we get them, I will be sure to post a few. He's quite the little ball player. Our boys sure lucked out in the granparent department.

Jordan wanted to get in on the action. He is doing pretty good, huh?

For my birthday, Kev surprised me by taking the day off. It is always great to spend the day together when life is so busy. Then as the through out the day he would give me a rose with a clue to what we would be doing. Here is what one of them said:

We were only 16 and bound for love

As if brought together from forces above

High school lifestyle couldn't be beat

Let's eat at the place where we would first meet.

How great is he?! This took us to Hogi Yogi where we met when we worked there in high school. There were others that took us to other memorable places. Where we first kissed, where we decided to be married, where we had our first date. He constantly impresses me with how thoughtful and creative he is. I am the luckiest girl to be married to such a wonderful guy. He is also such a great dad to our two boys. I couldn't ask for a better husband. Thanks to my sweetheart for a spectacular 25th birthday!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween this year has been the best one so far. Ty is getting to the perfect age to really enjoy all the festivities. After he figured out what the phrase "Trick or Treat" got him, he was using it every chance he got. When other kids came to the door and said it, he thought that meant he could have a treat too. So he was sure to be there whenever there was a knock at the door. We did lots of fun things this year. There was a ward party, a family party, cookies with Grandma, pumpkin carving, trick or treating at Dad and Grandpa's work, and of course trick or treating at the neighbors. Ty is well stashed with candy and now the hard part will be rationing. Thanks to everyone who made this a memorable holiday and I hope you all had as much fun as us!
Though you may think it says Tigger, you are wrong. Ty was a tiger this year, not Tigger.

Thanks to family, we had this adorable Tootsie Roll for Jordan, and he was adorable!!

Kev borrowed this costume from his dad, Stake President Shaw, for work. Nice tats!

Here's one of the family!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!