CHRISTMAS TAG

Corianne thanks for the cute tag.
1. Egg nog or Hot chocolate? Hot chocolate for sure. I hate egg nog, I tried it again on Thanksgiving to see of my taste for it has changed, Nope I still hate it.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? He wraps the little ones. The big ones are always unwrapped and set out with a big bow.
3. Colored lights on a tree/house or white. We have two trees one has white and colored and one has just white. Our palm trees outside have white and our house will have red and white.
4. Do I hang mistletoe? Oh how I love the mistletoe. When I was a sophomore I really wanted to kiss this boy. (Mark) so my friend Carrie and I had a genius idea she was going to somehow place a mistletoe above our heads somehow so that he would kiss me. Our plan didn't really work out.
5. When do I put up my decorations? We usually start the day after Thanksgiving. This year we had family here so I actually just got done with it. We still haven't put the lights on the house. We are wondering if we should still. Since we are going to Utah for Christmas.
6. What is my favorite holiday dish? I don't think it is really a dish but I always look forward to my mother in laws stolen. I don't think I spelled that right but it is like a German sweet roll sort of thing. YUM!
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? My favorite thing was every Christmas we would all get up super early and go wake my parents up. We weren't supposed to go in the living room until everyone was up and ready. Then we said a prayer and lined up from oldest to youngest and went into the living room all together. I just remember it taking forever for my parents to get up and come out of their room. Not to mention my sister was always just wanting to sleep longer. So my brothers and I would just knock on their doors forever it seemed. The suspense was always what made it so magical.
8. When and how did I learn the truth about Santa? I actually don't really remember. For a while I knew he wasn't really but I wanted to believe. So I told everyone that I believed in Santa for the longest time.
9. Do we open a Christmas gift on Christmas Eve? Growing up we would open a gift from the persons name that we drew in the family. With our kid's we let them open their pj's on Christmas eav so they can wear them that night.
10. How do I decorate our tree? This year we did a formal tree in the front room and every year we do a fun tree in the family room. We use the ornaments that we collect from places we travel. So when we are decorating the tree we can remember all of the fun places we have been. It has been so fun remembering funny things about the places we have been.
11. Can I ice skate? I used to love to Ice skate. I haven't been in so long I would probably pretty funny to watch.
12. Can I remember my favorite gift? Roller blades. I loved those things.
13. What is the most important thing about he holidays for me? Being with friends and family. I love all the traditions. It is so fun starting those traditions with our girls.
14. What is my favorite holiday dessert? Sugar cookies and anything chocolate.
15. What is my favorite holiday tradition? Christmas eav is always my favorite. I love being with family and singing Christmas songs all together.
16. What tops my tree. A star
17. What do I prefer - Giving or receiving? My favorite thing is when you get a gift for someone that they LOVE. It is so fun seeing them open their present and get so excited about it. I'm not going to lie I love having people give me presents too. My favorite part is right before you open it.
18. What is my favorite Christmas song? Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant
19. Candy Canes? I am not really a fan of eating them but I think they are so cute and they really remind me of all the things I love about Christmas.

I tag, Misty, Loralee, Angie B., Angie H., Heidi, Kara,

YOSEMITE

The day after Thanksgiving we decided to load everyone up and drive about an hour and a half up the mountain to Yosemite National Park. We were all very sad that Toby couldn't come. He was on call and for some reason there were a lot of people getting hurt that week. I don't remember him being that busy for a long time. He works with trauma so whenever there is a car accident or any sort of person with an injury requiring a nail or plate etc in their body he is the man they call. That week I think I remember him saying he went to 18 surgeries in 4 day's. So poor Toby had to miss out on almost his favorite place to visit. And on top of that when the guy's were on a little hike they saw a black bear. Talk about dagger in Toby's side. He has been wanting to see a bear since we went the very first time 4 years ago. Sorry babe thanks for working so hard for our family!!
Everyone had a great time and seeing the bear was a definite highlight for those who saw it.

So I really want a nice camera. Bing was looking so dang cute but my camera totally sucks!

It was freezing cold so Brooklyn wore my scarf. When I went to take it off in the car she got upset. Apparently she loves her accessories.

Brooklyn seriously loves Abby. She always was asking were she was.

This is hilarious. We all looked down to find Nikell trying her hardest to pull her hat off.

Brooklyn wasn't so sure about Zach when he was around. But whenever he wasn't around she would ask where he was.

Yosemite is so beautiful and I seriously feel like I have been there a million times. But it seems like every time that we go there is always something new to discover and I really love seeing all Yosemite in all its different seasons.

OUR THANKSGIVING

Everyone had such a good time hanging out on Thanksgiving. Toby and I were so happy that we had family around to share it with. I am especially grateful that so many family members came out here. I was afraid that I would be spending the Thanksgiving holiday alone. Toby was on call and it was nice knowing that even if he had to work, I would have some family around to be with. Here are some pictures of the day's activities.
My brother in law, Shane and Brooklyn wearing her turkey hat.
My dad and brother Aaron relaxing.
I love my brother we always have such a good time when we are together.
Little Nikell just enjoying all the chaos.
Brooklyn and Abby had the time of their lives playing in our dog, Bailey's, house. Shortly after this picture Brooklyn thought it would be fun to take a bath in Bailey's drinking water. She actually got in and sat down. Crazy girl!

Everyone just hung around all day while we did the cooking. This is Abby and Brooklyn watching a movie together.
Avery and Isaac playing Darts.
Me and my sis.
This is my nephew Avery. He is always so fun to be around and always very happy and positive!
Thanksgiving just isn't the same without Aaron and Toby seasoning the turkey. They really crack me up. They have this one job and they take it so seriously. Don't mess with the boy's when they are in their zone.

The feast. Soooo good!
We could only get one side of the table at a time. So hear we have Brooklyn, mom, dad, Avery, Aaron, Me
This side is Brooklyn again, Zack, Shannon, Shane and Abby. Isaac was in the other room.

Little kid's table.
I got these cute plates at Pottery Barn kids. I really couldn't pass them up, they are too cute.

Thanks everyone for making Thanksgiving so much fun. We know it isn't easy to get out here and we really really appreciate it!

TOBY'S BIRTHDAY

Toby's Birthday was the day before Thanksgiving. Aaron was here to celebrate with us. We went to a pizza place and had dinner and cake. It was a lot of fun.
Toby looks pretty excited in this picture.
My mom and Brother, Aaron.

Mom and Dad.


I feel bad that I didn't do a post on Toby's Birthday. Don't worry babe I will whip out the baby pictures soon enough for everyone to see. I hope you had a good birthday. You are the most important person in my life and I love you so dang much.

SO MUCH FUN!

I feel like I haven't posted anything for a while. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! We were very happy because this year we were lucky enough to have some family come to our house for the holiday. My mom and Dad came out first and were here for a couple of day's before everyone else showed up. Brooklyn had so much fun with Grandma and papa. It was fun to see her get excited about them and really understand who they were.
I have a ton of pictures to post so I am going to take it a little at a time. These are a few pictures I got of the girl's playing with Grandma at the park.

This was my favorite. Brooklyn thought it would be fun to hold on to Nikell's feet and swing with her. It was pretty funny.

GOOD TIMES!

So I mentioned before that I went to Twilight on opening night with my friends. It was a midnight showing and Toby was out of town. I asked Brittney our cute babysitter to sleep over and watch the girls while I was gone. She is so sweet and still did it even though it was a school night. When I was about ready to walk out the door Brittney says to me. "So Tami not to sound rude or anything but aren't you a little, um, I mean your just older and well it's not like your in love with Edward or anything like kid's my age. So I am just wondering why you would want to go??" I started laughing so hard. Sad, I am so old!!! after she said that I was thinking to myself. How hilarious that my 16 year old babysitter is watching my kid's while I, at 27 am going to a movie premiere of Twilight at midnight instead of her. Does that seem weird to anyone else? How sad!
Anyways, we had so much fun and no matter how old I get I know I will never be to old to go out with the girls and have an awesome time! And not to mention Brittney I do love Edward! Probably just as much as you!

Melanie and Loralee picked us up some hot chocolate so that standing in the cold for 2 hours wouldn't be so bad.

I love Starbucks hot chocolate!! Its my favorite!

Thanks for the good times girls!

BIRTHDAY FUN AND WE LOVE GRANDMA

Last week we had a fun couple of day's. We got our cute babysitter Brittney to babysit so that Toby could take me out to dinner for my birthday. He took me to this awesome restraunt in downtown Modesto called "Gilleto's" we go there every once in a while when we have something fun to celebrate. We had a great time and it was so nice just to relax and enjoy each other. I just really love my babe!
The next day Toby's mom came into town and hung out with us for a few day's. On saturday she watched the girls while Toby and I went to a movie. We saw "Eagle Eye" and we both thought it was pretty good. We don't normally get to go out two nights in a row so that was pretty fun!
The next day was my birthday and after church Toby invited some of our friends over to celebrate with us. We really had a great time. Thanks babe for making it a fantastic birthday!
All day on sunday Brooklyn would randomly just say "appy birday mommy" I love the way she talks these day's it is adorable that she can't say the words perfectly. I might be kind of sad when she starts talking better.
Misty, Max and Dylen. We missed ya Ryan!!!
Sydney and caleb
Ashley
Melanie and I
Loralee and Carl, Nikell second parents.
Grandma Goeckeritz
The girl's love their Grandma so much. Brooklyn is still talking about going for a walk with Grandma. We miss you already!
Best birthday presant ever, a hug from my girl's!
Happy Birthday to me. Toby worked really hard to make dinner and even the cake had his own special touch. You are so good to me babe!

My little Nikell.