The Garrett Family

There can be miracles!

2009-03-19T21:19:00.001-07:00

Yeah, so I updated my blog. Well kind of. I have changed the Christmas background to something for Spring. We have had so much go on since I last posted I don't know if I should catch ya up or just start fresh. What do you think? I do have some awesome pix to post just not now. Ha ha this is all I can do right now. Back to work.

I've been tagged.

2008-12-16T08:16:00.000-08:00

1. Egg nog or Hot chocolate?
Hot Chocolate… with whip cream. Yum. "Eggnogg makes me throw up!" Abbie introduced us to eggnogg taffy at Walmart. Its ok for eggnog flavored candy but thats as close as I can get.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Duh.....Santa’s 1 present he brings is usually too big to wrap or fit under the tree. Santa usually just sets them out on display by the tree.

3. Colored lights on a tree/house or white.
This year None. I know, sad and pathetic, but I have a weak defense. Brad is so busy. By the time he got done with school to put them up seems silly cuz he would have to take them down before he started school again. Why don't I put them up? Um yeah No way. Guess I'm prejudice but lights are a guy thing. Our "pre-lite" tree is lovely and is covered with clear lights. (First year we haven't argued over the tree lights.)

4. Do I hang mistletoe?
No, I don’t need to hang a poisonous plant that causes acute gatrointestinal problems including stomach pain, and diarrhea to give or get kisses

5. When do I put up my decorations?
We like to do it the weekend after Thanksgiving either fri or sat, it just depends on if were out fighting black friday crowds. This year we did it on friday

6. What is my favorite holiday dish?
This is loaded question. I love any of the dishes my mom makes, but homemade toffee is my MOST favorite holiday treat.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?
Another loaded question all of my holiday memories are of the fun family traditions we have and being able to do them with all my siblings!! My Dad has always been insistant that we are home for the Christmas and as an adult I really appreciate this. I love our sweet traditions and wonderful memories.

8. When and how did I learn the truth about Santa?
I have NO idea what this question is refering to…

9. Do we open a Christmas gift on Christmas Eve?
Every year… its always our matchy matchy jammies. My mom has kept this tradition going even as we have become adults and gotten married and had kids. Everyone get matching jams I LOVE it!!

10. How do I decorate our tree?
Very carefully! Our tree is only decorated on the top 2/3. The bottom has only lights. Luke thinks the ornaments are toys and wouldn't leave them alone. When we decorate the tree the boys get to pick (within designated area) where to put the ornaments. This year Luke threw Brads baby ornament thinking it was a ball and yeah broke it. So if any of you have a precious moments 1979 baby ornament and don't want it we would love to take it off your hands.

11. Can I ice skate?
I used ta could

12. Can I remember my favorite gift?
Not only my favorite gift but my most precious gifts are my kids. They bring me such joy and happiness. My sweet hubby is also my most favorite gift. I really don't care about stuff, its just stuff.

13. What is the most important thing about the holidays for me?
Carrying on our family traditions and helping my kids feel the spirit, magic, and reason for the season.

14. What is my favorite holiday dessert?
Hum, Not even a hard question. My Moms homemade toffee, fudge and cashew turtles. Yeah pretty much the best things ever. We inhale during the holidays and crave the rest of the year.

15. What is my favorite holiday tradition?
Cant name a favorite so I will try and name them all:
Putting up the treee while watching Christmas Vacation
Shopping and wrapping presents
Nutcracker performances
Christmas Carol play at Hale center Theater
Driving to see the lights with hot chocolate
Brendas yearly party
Santa picture with the sibs at the mall
Christmas Jammies
Moms Christmas eve party
Christmas Eve “stories” at my moms

Having my sweet husband home from school and not having to watch him study or type papers. I get to spend time with him watching movies and just giggleing and laughing. He is the best and I am so proud of him.

What tops my tree.
A star

17. What do I prefer - Giving or receiving?
Giving. It is way more fun to give.

18. What is my favorite Christmas song?
I have SO many I love. Anything by Manheim Steamroller, Josh Groban, or Trans-siberian Orchestra, but my absolute fav is probably the Christmas music my sisters and I get togethar and play ( Hint: girls hope your planning on it.) (Yeah Hilary even you!)

19. Candy Canes?
The boys love them. Only the red and white ones. The other candy flavored ones are just wrong. This year the boys went and rode the "Polar Express" and at the North Pole Santa taught them the meaning of the candy cane. It was great.

20. How are you going to spend this years Holiday?
We are very lucky that we have both families so close. So we get to see both sides for every holiday. We will do Christmas eve at my moms. Then at midnight I will enjoy a lovely 6 hours at work taking care of sick children. As soon as I get home we will see what Santa brought and open gifts. We will scamper to Nannys for an incredible Christmas breakfast and more presents then we will spend the rest of the day with Grandma and Grandpa Garrett. We will proabably all be exhausted but its the very best part of christmas and we love it.

Update!

2008-12-16T08:07:00.001-08:00

Wow, I really am updating again so soon. What ya expect, its the holidays. :) So I pretty much have lost my camera so there will be no pictures. The boys had an exciting time and had a party at Nannys house. Yup, Nanny and Poppy committed themselves to guaranteed headaches. Nanny and Poppy kept all the gradkids one day for just over 5 hours. Yeah five kids under the age of 5. Bet ya can't guess how that went. Mom said there was a time when all 5 were crying. Nanny and Pops sure seemed glad when the Mommys all came back. And Pops said it will never happen again. Whatever what a great tradition :)

The Polar Express

2008-12-11T23:17:00.000-08:00

Tonight we were able to take the kids on a ride on the Polar Express. This was absolutely awesome. The boys had a blast. Thank you Nanny! As the train started off it played music from the polar express and took us on a tour of beautiful lights and those huge christmas snow globes. Then we stopped at "the north pole" and got off the train. Where we were able to visit Santa and sit on his lap. Luke asked for a train and Noah said "he's good and doesn't really need anything." WHAT? After Santa saw all the kids on our train, he talks about the meaning of the candycane and what the first true gift of Christmas is. Then we boarded the train again and finished the ride listening to soft christmas music and traveling past pictures of Christ throughout his life. Totally Awesome! After our ride was over we got to go back to Nannys for Hot.....Hot......Hot chocwat and cookies. Thank you Nanny and Poppy we had a blast.

2008-12-11T23:09:00.000-08:00

2008-12-11T23:08:00.000-08:00

Nutcracker

2008-12-11T23:04:00.000-08:00

We also had the privilage to go see Lexy perform her dances in the Nutcracker. This year Lexy is in company and did many of the very advanced and beautiful dances. She looked perfect up there and did great. She is a natural ballerina and its so crazy to me to think that I used to hold her in the glider and sing her to sleep. Our favorite dance was popcorn. Lexy you are awesome. We love you keep up the hard work.

"Ballet on Tuesdays"

2008-12-11T22:59:00.000-08:00

We took the boys to see Josie dance in the Nutcracker. She was a chinese tea cup and utilized the whole stage She galloped and hopped all over. The rest of her class mates pretty much just stood still and did nothing. Josie was awesome. She was the prettiest little thing on stage and her little feet never stopped moving. Good job Josie, we love you. Keep up the good work.

2008-12-11T22:55:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving!

2008-12-11T22:49:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving was a wonderful day and we were able to eat, visit and play with all of our family. Our turkey was perfect, the gravy divine. The potatoes not lumpy, a great way to dine. Thank you everyone we had a great time.

2008-12-11T22:02:00.000-08:00

A few days later we were able to meet Brads family and celebrate him again with more food at a sweet little place called Market Street Grill or as Noah calls it " the fish place." Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Garrett. We were also a celebrating cuz the Utes creamed the Cougs (sorry guys). The final feast for Brads birthday included an evening up in Heber at The Claim Jumper. Thank you Mom and Dad. Its so fun to be able to spend time with family and giggle and laugh. We appreciate all of you and are so grateful for your love and support.

2008-12-11T21:54:00.000-08:00

Wow time flies!

2008-12-11T21:44:00.000-08:00

Wow, it has been a while so lets go back. So we celebrated Brad birthday and had a fun little day with him. Me and the boys drove up to the Univeristy of Utah and suprised Brad for dinner at his favorite little dive. (Seriously) Its called The Pie and is a pizza joint that is the closest thing to the Jersey Pies he used to get on his mission. We had a blast and the pizza was good, (still doesn't beat angelos in Cali) but pretty good. The next day we had a little family get together and enjoyed food, folks and fun. Brad got a new Chargers coat that he loves. This pic makes me laugh. You can take the boy out of the thugs but ya can't take the thug out of the boy. Brad we love you and are so proud of you.

Some Heartache

2008-11-18T09:37:00.000-08:00

Well come to find out, our sweet baby had returned home to Heavenly Father. This has been another trying time as we have tried to accept and move forward. I am so sad and my arms ache for that little one, but I do know Heavenly Father has a plan and I have to endure and be patient. Noah and Luke took the news very well. I was kinda dreading telling Noah cuz he had been talking to my tummy and saying " I love you baby, I will take good care of you. I am your big brother Noah" Brad and I told him by explaining that the baby received its body and went back to live with Heavenly Father and we can see the baby again when we return to Heaven. Sitting in silence for a few seconds I was only imagining what his response was going to be. He asked "So you didn't give the baby to someone else?" "No honey, the baby is in Heaven" "OH, (pause pause) so..... can we jump on your tummy now?" "You bet" and I got a great hug from him. The innocents of children is the very most precious thing in the world. They can say the best and most needed things and not have a clue how much what they said effects us. Anyways we will move on and everyday gets a little easier with less tears.

The End!

2008-11-03T01:39:00.001-08:00

So that pretty much brings you up to date. I hope its not months before I blog again. But hey no promises. We are busy people loving life and trying to live it to the fullest. We love each day and are so grateful for the many blessings we enjoy each day. In a few weeks we hopefully will be able to see if baby is pink or blue. I will update soon ;)

2008-11-03T01:39:00.000-08:00

Baby James Lawrence Webster

2008-11-03T01:37:00.000-08:00

Its a Party!

2008-11-03T01:36:00.000-08:00

On Saturday some of us met and the bestest Mexican restaurant in Utah county. Mi Ranchitos and had a little celebration for Abbie and baby James. Thank you to all of you that came out and shared your love and support. Abbie received some really nice things I'm sure she will enjoy. She is learning the "blue" swing of things.

Say cheese!

2008-11-03T01:30:00.000-08:00

So apparently there was a miscomunication as to where the camera was. Anyways Noah is Batman, Josie is a princess ladybug, (notice the antennas on the ground) and my Lukey man is Thomas the train, which pretty much is the kids favorite thing on the planet other than Mickey mouse who he calls Elmo (go figure).

2008-11-03T01:23:00.000-08:00

2008-11-03T01:22:00.000-08:00

Next on the agenda was the haunted train ride on Nanas friends train. This was pretty fun and creative to see. It would have been an awesome thing for little bit older kids but Noah was crying at the end and jos was clinging to her Daddy for dear life. The train ride itself was great but the scary ghosts and goblins that jumped out did the little ones in. After the train ride we went with Nanny to her ward carnival.

2008-11-03T01:14:00.000-08:00

So our Halloween started with a trip down to Spanish Fork to play with my friend from work and her son. We enjoyed going to their wards trunk-or-treat. The boys got to decorate punkin sugar cookies and make little foam funny face bags as well as joined the costume parade which marched infront of all the ward members who gave out candy. We all had a blast and the boys made a haul on candy. Thank you Ash for the fun night and the enlightenment on what a trunk-or-treat is.

2008-11-03T01:07:00.000-08:00

So everyone look close and make a memory. Poppy is playing rock band on the Wii and is actually lovin it. We love you pops. You are the best Dad and Poppy.

Punkins!

2008-11-03T00:51:00.000-08:00

So the trip to the punkin patch was a cold one. Do not be deceived by the sunshine. It was freezing cold and the wind was horrible. We had fun and the best part was everyone in the patch stoppin and looking at three mothers yelling and screamin at our kids to get them to smile. This picture was the best out of the six that I took, so hey the flailing around worked. (No one is crying)

More birthday!

2008-11-03T00:27:00.000-08:00

So because one week and Disneyland wasn't enough of a fifth birthday we had a party the night we flew home. We enjoyed Costco pizzas ( yeah does anyone want to cook the day they fly home from the "Happiest Place on Earth." NO) and thanks to sweet Aunt Abbie we had yummy chwakwat cupcakes. (Noahs favorite). The white dog Noah is holding is our dear sweet dog. We love him, his name is Puddle and was the best purchase from Build a Bear. Noah loves this dog and never has asked for another one. "Puddle is real, right Mom?" The answer: "Yes baby, as real as our dog could ever be." ;)

Three cutest boyz in the world!

2008-11-03T00:08:00.000-08:00

2008-11-03T00:07:00.000-08:00

We had so much fun at Disneyland and are so grateful for the time we got to spend as a family. With Brad in full-time Masters program he is not home much and when he is the poor guy is studying, writing papers or crashed in bed. We love you Brad and are so proud of you.

The birthday Cake?

2008-11-02T21:31:00.000-08:00

So I was freakin out and wondering what was I going to do for the birthday cake. Its not a birthday without blowing out candles right? So I was trying to think of how to buy a cake and all the goods and get it into or close to the park. Yeah well Spooky Kooky Cookies, worked. We had a blast decorating the punkin shaped sugar cookies and the different colors of frosting was so fun. (Yup the dye didn't wash off for days.)

Yeah so its been a while!

2008-10-30T23:40:00.000-07:00

Where do I even start? Well first things first, we have updated to high speed internet which now makes the process of blogging so much easier. Now there will be no excuse for not keepin up to date. (yeah right) So October was a busy month for us that flew by. We enjoyed a wonderful trip to Disneyland to celebrate Noahs 5 birthday, a day out at the pumkin patch, and some halloween parties and thats right halloween has not even come yet. Oh and a sweet little blessing arrived on the 27th, (I think) was Abbies and Joshs little boy, James. Congrats you guys, he is beautiful.
Now cuz the funnest part is pictures I will attempt to add some.

Oh, if only!

2008-07-21T02:10:00.001-07:00

The kids had fun playing in the little wooden jail and even Brad had some ol' day memories flash back.

Seeing and feeding the goats and their new babies was the favorite for the kids and we were glad we went. Thanks for the tickets Abs.

2008-07-21T01:53:00.000-07:00

The kids got to see how raw milk ends up in our cartons.

Weekend Adventures

2008-07-21T01:46:00.000-07:00

We decided to take the kids to Thanksgiving point to see the farm animals, and let them ride the foofen fairtens (four years of German, did me no good :) The kids had a blast. So this is my summer family. There are my two boys, the sweet little princess is my neice and the cute girly in the front is my youngest sister who pretty much is my adopted daughter. The tall dark handsome guy is my hubby, Brad.

Our little Family

2008-07-18T00:27:00.000-07:00

So this is my first attempt at blogging and I am greatful for a slow night at work and a really good co-worker that is an avid blogger, she helped me figure it all out. So while I learn and experiment with it, I hope you'll enjoy it.
The summer for us is flying by. We are enjoying swim lessons, bike riding and daily trips to the park. The boys love playing outside and have very nice dark skin. I have become tolerant of the bugs that Noah insists on showing me. I have learned to double check pockets for rocks and to reapply sunblock every couple hours.
Brad is doing well and is getting geared up and preparing to start school again. We are very blessed to have been able to stay here in Utah. Brad is accepted to the University of Utah's Masters in Social Work program and will start in August.