My Kids and Chocolate

Blake, Hallie and Chase were able to go spend part of their Christmas break with their family in Florida. Grandma and Grandpa Parker took them to this great Chocolate Factory in town where you get to make your own chocolates! The kids had a great time. Grandma sent some pictures with her iphone and I thought I'd share. :) More pictures from Christmas coming soon...

Getting to Know Me...at Christmas!

I read this on a friend's blog and thought it'd be fun...

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends.......or family :-). Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know, or post it on your blog!Tis the Season to be NICE!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Usually wrapping paper with pretty bows.

2. Real tree or Artificial? I prefer real trees but usually we end up using our artificial tree because it lasts longer. This year we're enjoying the fresh pine scent of a real tree!

3. When do you put your tree up? If it's artificial, the day after Thanksgiving. A real tree, the first weekend in December.

4. When do you take the tree down? Around New Year's Eve.

5. Do you like eggnog? A tiny bit, once in a while.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Have to say my Cabbage Patch Kids.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Parents who can buy themselves anything they really need.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Hallie. She loves anything girly.

9.Do you have a nativity scene? Yep. I have two but only set one up because the other was my Grandma's and it's breaking apart.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mailed my Christmas cards.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't think I've ever had a really bad Christmas present. Except for maybe the year I had the stomach flu. :(

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story or Christmas Vacation.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I try to start in October or so, but sometimes I don't succeed.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I can remember!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Tamales and home-made salsa.

16. Lights on the tree? I prefer lots of white lights.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant. I also really enjoy the Transsiberian Orchestra's music.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I've done both, but prefer to stay home.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen and Rudolph!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A shiny gold star.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? I have carried on a tradition that we did growing up...the kids open one gift on Christmas Eve, it is always a new pair of comfy, cute pajamas!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Grumpy people at the stores.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I don't have a favorite ornament (too many) but I love decorating with lots of red and gold.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? I'm not too picky about what we eat, but I always enjoy when we do Mexican food for Christmas dinner.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I want my kids to have a fun Christmas and our baby Luke to arrive safe and healthy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

Merry Christmas!

My sister, Melissa, went with our family to the temple and took some pictures for us for our Christmas cards and gifts. It was so great! We got lots of great pictures, but decided to just put a few. Hope everyone's Holiday season is starting off great!

Twilight & New Moon

First of all, I saw Twilight on Friday morning with my sister, Melissa, and my Mom. We all really loved it and were especially pleased with Robert Pattinson's performance as Edward. Now, as exciting as that was, I just got an email from Summit Entertainment (the production company) and they've given the "go ahead" to make New Moon! Yay! I'm so excited. :) The special effects are supposed to be a lot more intense in this one and I can't wait to see it! (If you're thinking, wow, she's pathetic....I already know. Hee Hee!)

Halloween 2008

The kids have been so excited for Halloween this year! We trick-or-treated in our neighborhood and the kids made a serious haul on the candy load! Blake went to a Halloween party at his friend's house and had a blast. I even dressed up this year...a very rare occasion. :) We had carmel apples when we got home and watched a scary (Disney Channel) movie. I just love when Halloween is on a Friday. :)

Chase is 5!

I can't believe my baby boy is 5! I always tell Chase that he's my little pumpkin baby, born in October with hair the color of a pumpkin! He is so smart, funny, and special in every way. We are so lucky to have our little Chase in our lives. For his birthday party we were lucky enough to get to go to Bounce U with all of his friends and cousins. They played and bounced, ate pizza and cake and had a blast! Thanks to everyone for coming and thanks for all the fun presents. :)

Chase's Preschool Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

The kids' have been on Fall Break this week and have had no school. Since Chase's preschool was going to Mother Nature's Farm Pumpkin Patch, I decided to bring Blake and Hallie along. They were able to go through a maze, go on a hayride, decorate pumpkins and feed animals. We had lots of fun!