The stockings were hung by the Chimney with some contentment.

As I said earlier I think the movers lost a few of our boxes. We can't find any of our Christmas stuff. So I ran down to Hobby Lobby (the best store ever) and got some cheap stocking until I can find ones that I really like for next year. Two things that really bugged Josh. I didn't get one for Ryan and I because I didn't want to waste any more money on ones I didn't really like. And Josh doesn't like that they say Peace, Joy and Noel. When I asked him which one he wanted he kept saying I'm not Peace I'm Joshua, I'm not Joy I'm Joshua, I'm Not NOEL I'M JOSHUA. Finally after I've explained a few thousand times what the words meant he agreed that he could be Peace but his name is still Joshua. Funny Kid. Trevor's so sweet he made Ryan and I a paper stocking he said he didn't want Santa to skip us because we didn't have one.
Good old Santa I don't think he'll forget :)

Neighborhood Christmas Party

Our neighborhood had a Christmas party at our pool. It was crazy as I have never had a Christmas party outside playing at a park. They had all sorts of treats and hot chocolate. Josh kept saying why do we have hot chocolate it's not even cold outside. They had Santa but the boys didn't even want to see him they were too busy playing with all the kids. Josh ran down in the revine and saw a snake. I've never seen that kid run faster. We all hear this screaming louder than ever with a little dash running waving his hand in the air. He then preceded to tell everyone that he got bit by the snake. (he didn't) but he is sure a good story teller to where everyone believed him. It was great to meet some of our neighbors. The community that we live in is HUGE but the section that we live in is new and only has a few houses. This area is amazing we absolutely love all the fun things we get to enjoy.

Gavin loves bathtime

Gavin LOVES to have a bath. He drenches me and the whole bathroom in the process as he loves to splash. I just had to share these cute pictures of him.

My Serit Etmier

Trevor is so funny. With my birthday coming up he decided as a present he would clean up the house. But he wanted to be sneaky in the process and not have me know it was him. The other morning I found this on my bed. Poor kid looks like he got my great spelling ability.
My favorite part is when he said "it's not Trevor"

My sleepless night

Ryan's been out of town to go to his Grandpa's funeral. So I've been holding down the fort here with my Crazy balls of energy. Last night as we were doing our LONG bedtime routine of reading story's, brushing teeth, saying prayers, giving kisses, getting drinks OK on and on it goes. I just got everyone settled down when here comes Trevor. He asks so deeply concerned. "Mom what do I do if someone breaks in at night and kills you?" OK something I was trying to not think about. I hate it when Ryan travels and I'm home alone. Especially here where we only have 3 neighbors right now and live on a green belt where any creepy person could be lurking around. I reassured Trevor there was nothing to worry about tucked him back in gave him a back rub to calm him down and he was out sleeping peacefully. Me on the other hand couldn't get that question out of my head. And as the night went on I got more and more frightened by the possibility. After checking on the kids 3,000 times and making sure all the doors and windows were shut 10,000 times around 4:30 I couldn't take the sleep deprivation anymore so I armed my self with a phone and a lamp. (OH scary for the man that is going to come in and kill me) My toughs were I'd hit him over the head with the lamp and then call 911 as I lock myself in the kids room hopefully having enough time to gather all of them. I kept playing out different situations of what I would do and finally after looking at the clock at 4:45 the last time I fell asleep. Only to be awakened at 5:30 by my early risers. Needless to say today I'm a little jittery and can't wait for Ryan to be home tonight :)

Why we moved from Seattle.

Duvalls main road to go in and out of the town completely under water



December 14th 2006 windstorm.

Last year was a really hard winter for us in Seattle. We were flooded out numerous times, had a few horrible snow storms where we couldn't leave our house and then we had a bad windstorm that knocked out our power for 8 days. Several people had to leave because it was so cold. We were blessed with a generator and were able to share our warmth with others. But the gloom and doom of day after day of dark and wet was enough to say it's time to move. Here is today's weather forecast where we used to live.



This is the same road as in the previous pictures that was under water. It happens at least two or three times every year.



And here is the weather forecast for where we live now. :)

Today Tomorrow Thu Fri Sat 6-10 Day
Extended Forecast
Sunny Sunny Mostly Sunny Partly Cloudy AM Clouds
PM Sun
High: 74°
Low: 45° High: 76°
Low: 47° High: 76°
Low: 57° High: 77°
Low: 62° High: 80°




I don't want to jinks it but right now we are really happy with our decision.

Microsoft Christmas Party

Well the season has started and here comes the Christmas party's. Ryan's office held a cute little family party with Santa and a bunch of crafts for the kids. It's nothing like Microsoft in Seattle just about 16 people with their family's were there but the kids had a good time. Gavin wanted NOTHING to do with Santa and Josh said he didn't want to tell Santa what he wants for Christmas because when Santa sais HO HO HO it annoys him.(Josh's way of saying he afraid of Santa but doesn't want to admit it) Trevor is at that stage where he really doesn't believe but he really wants to still believe and doesn't quite know what to think.
I look horrible in this picture. I'm so having a hard time getting off the Baby fat this time around. I don't know if it's because now I'm 30 or because I'm always exhausted and just can't get motivated to diet. Not to mention in the picture I have horse teeth. I'm not sure how to smile now that I finally have my braces off I guess. Ryan's comment was it's not the worst picture of you. (thanks Hun) I guess that means there are worse ones out there that's scary!!

Jesus lives in Seattle

When Great Grandpa died we had to explain to the Children why daddy was sad and how Great Grandpa is now in Heaven. Then I was explaining to Josh that Daddy was flying down to Seattle to say goodbye to Grandpa Al he said. "What Jesus lives in Seattle? Why did we move?" I love the innocence of Children and how Josh couldn't believe that we would move our family away from Jesus.

Goodbye Grandpa AL

Ryans Grandpa Al has passed away today. He was 80 years old. We didn't get to see him much which was unfortunate seeing how he just lived a ferry ride away. It was a unexpected death with him going in for a little procedure and not making it through it. We will miss him and the time that we did get to see him. Death is always so hard and it really makes you realize how precious and short life is. Goodbye Grandpa we will miss you.

School Lunch

Trevor is such a funny kid. He insisted that he needed to buy School lunch. He was tired of his same old Sandwich and school lunch looked so good. After school when I went to pick him up I asked "how was lunch?" He said "Mom do you know what the lunch Lady's do? I peeked in at recess to see what was for lunch and they were sneaking Carrots into the Cake." I asked him if he ate it. And he said. "I told all my friends what I saw and so they all dared me to try it." He ended up really liking it but of course told his friends it was horrible and threw it away. He asked me if I had a recipe for Cake with Carrots in it and could we make it someday. But I just couldn't tell his friends. Looks like those sneeky lunch ladys were on to something :).

The dreaded Christmas tree lighting.

Every year putting up the Christmas tree is a nightmare. If we didn't have kids I don't think I would even bother. I know I'm a Grinch when it comes to trees. But all that hassle of putting it together lighting it and then decorating it only to have the kids pull everything off and break all the ordaments before it's even December.
This year was a real treat. We finally found the tree amongst the 60 unpacked boxes and there was no tree stand. Nor can we find our Christmas stocking,stocking holders, tree skirt or ornaments we did find some Ornaments but they were all broken. So with the house all torn apart on the busiest shopping day with pouring down rain, and me still struggling to overcome my pnemonia. We decided to go on a hunt for a tree stand. We went in this garden store with the loudest Christmas music blasting with HUGE lines and the overwhelming amounts of people just trying to save a buck destroying the store in the meantime. Trevor and Josh went nuts and ran to the million life size nutcracker Isle while Gavin Freaked out with the over stimulation. And there was no Christmas tree stand to be found. We saw some pre-lit trees that were 1/2 off and it was a no brainer it's easy and convenient and we wont have to go to another store. Needless to say it's not the cutest tree but it was so easy to put up. We got all cheap plastic ornaments and called it good. The boys had a great time this year decorating it. Why we didn't do this earlier I'll never know. I do love our old tree it was Ryans parents and it's so beautiful. But I'm so grateful for the modern day inventions and that this year we finally had a great experience decorating the tree.

Our little Longhorn fan

The weather finally feels like Winter we all are a bunch of wimps and froze to death the other day. To be fair it was in the 40's. So I put Gavin in these sweats not knowing if we would ever really need them. He looked so cute I had to share the pictures. It's amazing how many people wear the Longhorn colors here. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't see at least 10 people in this putrid orange color. Texans love them some football, and really support the teams.

Thanksgiving

Well Thanksgiving has come and gone. It wasn't as peaceful as I had hoped. I'm grateful that I hosted one so that I really really appreciate the hard work that goes into cooking and cleaning ALL DAY LONG!!! With three crazy kids undoing everything that I tried to accomplish. Luckily I didn't burn anything and the Turkey was a little dry but it still tasted Great. We really enjoyed the neighbor's company but we decided next year we are going to one of our parent's houses. The weather went from the 80's to the 40's so all the fun things that we had planed got rained out. It made for a long weekend with the boys going NUTS being stuck in the house. I can't wait for school to start again :)
Here are the boys with their Trees of Thanks that they made. Gavin didn't really make one but he was grateful that he got to hold his brothers. I love that Josh was grateful for his Lego star wars guys and Trevor's all were great without promptings of what to say. We are so grateful for our boys, as crazy as they are we can't imagine our lives without them and love them dearly.

Best in-laws ever

We are having a loner Thanksgiving this year as we are unable to travel to be with family. We are just getting a Turkey from one of the BBQ places and having our Neighbors over for a little dinner. They only have 1 teenage daughter so they are really helpful with the boys. It will be Very low key and laid back. We are missing being with family and all the craziness that comes with the kids running all over with their cousins.
Today we received this centerpiece wishing us a Happy Thanksgiving in our new house.
Thanks Guys we really appreciate all the love that is being sent our way. We will miss you.

Tag

OK so I keep getting Tagged. I've tried to ignore it. (sorry guys) but I hate trying to find things about me to say. The rules state you are supposed to write 6 things about you and then tag others. I wont be tagging anyone seeing how everyone I know is already tagged therefore I keep getting tagged. But here are a few little crazy things that have happened to me. (SO I'M CHANGING STORY'S I HAD ONE THAT WAS BETTER THEN BEING HIT BY A CAR THAT I TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT)

1. In College being poor I would always shop at a cheap food store for my various flavors of Ramen noodles and Mac and Cheese. I was walking out of the automatic doors when they closed on me. I was turned sideways trying to get out and it just completely shut to where I was stuck. It didn't really hurt but I couldn't move. Several people had tried to come to my rescue but there was a short in the door to where they had to call a mechanic to come and get the door open. I was stuck in the door for more then 40 mins. It was truly one or my most embarrassing moments because everyone that came in and out of the store got to see me just chilling out in the door way. With the workers all surrounding me bringing me water and free snacks. They even took my picture for insurance purposes (no I didn't sue) I still have the picture somewhere. I had a huge red welt all down my body once I got out. I never went shopping there again. And I hear that store went out of business.

2. When I was pregnant with Trevor my brain again just didn't work. One day I was getting dressed and then I thought about how I needed to run and put some mail in the mail box. So I dashed downstairs and out the door had a lovely chat with my neighbor who kept giving me STRANGE looks. I thought she was looking at my 1/2 done hair but when I got back into the house and looked in the mirror I was horrified to see that I forgot to put on my pants. So here I was talking to my neighbor in my nice maternity underwear (SEXY). Then two days later I locked myself out of my house. The only window that was open was the kitchen window. Here I was HUGE and pregnant trying to hoist my body into this window. When again the same neighbor came to my rescue. Luckily she moved a few years after that I'm sure she thought I was a ding bat.

3.When Ryan and I were dating he decided to take me shooting. (his favorite pastime) I was deathly afraid of guns and was very reluctant to shoot one. But I mustered
up the courage and fired. When something hit me in the head. I thought I shot myself and turned white as a ghost and was just waiting to fall over dead. All the men started laughing hysterically because they forgot to tell me that the casing flies out and that's what hit me. Needless to say I haven't been shooting since.

4. I was at Fred Meyers the one stop shop. I loved that store and miss it greatly. Anyways Josh was just a baby and was in this horrible stage where he would stick his little fingers in the holes in the shopping cart then they would get stuck and he would scream. So to avoid this I would hand him the grocery's and have him throw it in the basket. Once I gave him a can of stew to throw in. Then I was bending down looking at shoes when the next thing I knew I was waking up face first on the floor with a huge headache and a can of stew staring at me. He knocked me completely out. Never again did I give him anything heavy to throw in the cart. (I was blessed that nothing happened to Josh sitting in the cart who knows how long I was out)

5. Another store situation we were at this little family owned grocery store in Duvall.They have these cute little carts that the boys loved to push. So we are walking around gathering grocery's when Josh starts screaming I look down at him and he was covered in meat. The lady was grinding the hamburger and she forgot to put on the cover. Poor Josh I worried all week about him getting some horrible disease.

6. Once I fell asleep in class. I apparently was a sound sleeper. The bell rang and I didn't even wake up. The teacher told everyone to leave quietly and had the next class all sneak in quietly. After everyone was settled he yelled my name and I woke up. I was extremely confused and it took me a good 10 mins to figure out where I was and what had happened. It was a great lesson I never fell asleep in class again.

I could go on and on but that is enough embarrassment for now.

Oh the things we do for our kids.

Josh loves this little dog. The 1st thing when he wakes up he takes the dog out side, patiently waite's for it to go potty, feeds him and then just plays with him all morning. He will let the dog lick his fingers (yuck) and tackle his face. He's so loving with him. I on the other hand have had it with him. He has chewed up every baby toy, attacks Gavin constantly. He's always under my feet where ever I go. And I'm either pulling Gavin out of the dog food or pulling Jake away from the baby. Not to mention the poop I'm always cleaning up, and having to always give him a bath because he rolls in it. (Disgusting). Yesterday I gave the puppy his about 12th bath since he's been here for two weeks and I handed him to Josh while he was wet. Josh said. "Hey where did you get this ugly dog?" And handed him back to me. I tried to explain that was Jake but he wouldn't hear it. His dog is cute and this wet dog was not. When he magically turned back into his cute fluffy dog Josh was so excited to have him back.

This puppy business has sure been a challenge to me. I hope it doesn't do me in. But nothings better than seeing my kids so happy. And this little ball of fluff sure brings them great happiness. I'm sure I soon will grow to love this little guy heck I might even look back at him with fond memories. But for now he's sure on my short list!!! The funny part is we got him to help out Trevor and he's a little taken back by the puppy because he's always biting him. He still cuddles with him but once Jake starts biting he will jump on the couch and act's a little frightened by him. Funny kid.

Going Shopping.

I absolutely HATE going grocery shopping. It is by far the least favorite thing that I have to do. Especially in a new place where I don't know where anything is. I usually have two or three kids hanging on me wanting all sorts of things and I just want to get in and get out. I've been really sick lately with a sinus infection, and the Dr. said my body is just exhausted and I need to rest. ( ya right). So today I finally had some energy and had to go to the store. Dressed in Sweatpants and a t-shirt, with my hair in the lovely wadded ball I all to often call a hairstyle. I was just trying to muster up the strength to get in and get out with Josh and Gavin in Tow. As I was standing in the longest line ever this little old man walked by and smiled at me as I gave him my politest smile back he started walking towards me. Oh great I don't have the patients for this. Some how my personality always attracts people to tell me their life story in the grocery store. Maybe that is another reason I hate going. But here he comes so I gear up for what he is going to say. And here it was. ( You know it's so nice to see such a well put together beautiful young Mom with such well behaved children. You are doing such a great job and I'm glad to see that you are also taking care of your self.) Then he tapped me on the shoulder shook the boys hands and went on his marry way. Wow I thought that poor old man must be as blind as a bat. But that was sure a nice thing to hear on a day where I just feel as Josh puts it "plum tuckerd out".

Grandma and Grandpa Jenkins visit

We loved our visit with Grandma and Grandpa they sure didn't stay very long and hope next time we get them for at least a week. But we tried to pack in as much fun as we could in the 4 days they were here. Here are a few highlights of the trip.

They helped the boys make a Lemonade stand. The boys thought this was pretty awesome and have been begging me since to re set up shop.

We had to show them Lake Travis where people were wake boarding in November. Very different then in Seattle. I think right there they Understood why we moved. Not to mention Lake Travis is such a beautiful place.

Then we took the kids to the Children's museum. Grandma and Grandpa are so patient, and inteactive with the kids I love that about them.

The huge Whole Foods was a must for our visit. And Grandma was excited that we have all the yummy healthy stuff just like Seattle. They even had Lavender hand wipes for you as you walked in you can't get any better than that for Grandma.

They even got to meet some of the interesting people that live here. These people decided to bring their pet bird to lunch with them, and treated the bird like it was their child.

Poor little Gavin was tuckerd out from all of our adventures and was cutting his two top teeth. He was a good sport and such a great baby.

We love you Grandma and Grandpa and can't wait until our next adventure thanks for coming and letting Ryan and I go out on a much needed Date. We sure appreciate all that you do for us.

Just a few of my favorite family pictures

Once again there is happiness and a little bit of insanity.

Ryan and I must be smoking some serious crack when we thought it would be a good idea to get a puppy. I think I may be biting off more than I can chew - three kids and a puppy, what's wrong with me? But Trevor has been having a hard time adjusting to the new house. He's so frightened to sleep upstairs and it's killing me. We had always told Trevor that he could have a puppy when he was 8 and we just decided to get him one earlier to help him with this whole moving adjustment. This time we did our homework and got a Havanease and poodle mix. It doesn't shed and only gets up to 12lbs, it is very friendly, playful and loves children. All the pet experts that we talked to said we should get a puppy if we have a baby so that they can adjust to each other and the dog wont bite the baby. I'm more afraid Gavin will sit on the dog and kill it. It seems to be pretty even tempered and the boys are again in Heaven. They have malled that poor dog all day long.

The boys named him Jake. And once again I'm out numbered by five to one. All these active boys. I really need a day at the spa.