Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thankful

I have so many blessings to be thankful for. These are just the most important:I am so thankful to belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am thankful for the Savior and His atonement for me. I'm thankful that we have a prophet who helps us to know what the Lord has in mind for us in these troubling days we live in. I'm thankful that I have a strong testimony of the gospel. It brings such peace and comfort to my life. Simply put, I know who I am and I know God's plan. This makes me incredibly happy.I am thankful for a wonderful, supportive husband. Ben is truly the best. He works so hard to make me and my family happy. He is my best friend in the whole world. He hates when I put all the mushy stuff on my blog so I'll keep it plain and simple. I love you Ben!
I am thankful for my sweet Skylar. She has such a passion for life. She teaches me to find joy in everything. She just loves to be doing, doing, doing. She is a great helper too, from holding the baby to getting everyone's shoes on, she helps me out all of the time. I love you Skylar!
I am thankful for my loving Nickolas. Sometimes he just comes and gives me big hugs just because. Nothing lifts my spirits more. He is the nicest kid. He is also so funny. He always has something funny to say and loves to make people laugh. I love you Nick!I am thankful for my outrageous McKade. He is so much fun! He has so much energy and keeps us highly entertained! He loves to help! He also loves to cuddle and is always good for a smooch. He is also very sweet and just loves everyone and everything! I love you Kade!
I am thankful for my adorable little Alexis. She is just so sweet. She is such a good baby and makes us all so happy. She always has a big smile and has started cooing and talking to us. I swear the other day she said "Ich bin glucklich" which means "I am happy" in German. Right back at you Sweet Pea. I love you Alexis!

Monday, November 24, 2008

My Take on Twilight

Okay, so I admit I'm a Twilight fan. But no, I am not in love with Edward or Jacob. I'm not a freaky fan. I just like the series a lot. I was just as excited as any one else to see the movie. Well, I guess I wasn't so excited enough to buy tickets a month in advance and wait in line all day to see it at midnight. However, I did want to see it on opening day and I dragged my husband along with me and some other couples to go see it. The guys in our group helped the male population in the theater get to about 6. It was kind of funny to see soooo many girls sooooo excited, giggling like 11 year olds, and staring at the screen in adoration. I have to admit I laughed at them a few times. I guess I'm already in love so I don't feel the need to be in love with a fictional character. I'm pretty lucky. I shouldn't laugh.

Anyway, I didn't go into the movie expecting anything too great. I figured with a bunch of actors that have only been in minor movie roles and TV shows, the acting would be less than stellar. I've also read so many books that have made it to the big screen that disappoint that I figured it'd get messed up in translation. I'm glad to say I was wrong. It was pretty close to the book and the acting was surprisingly good. I really did like the movie overall.
So for the things I did not like. Those would have to be the three main characters-I'm counting Jacob since I've read the entire series. Okay, so my thing with Bella was that she was just sooo negative looking. I don't think she cracked a smile once. I know she's just like that, but seriously, if you're so in love, you're gonna smile a little, right? Maybe it was because she just wasn't feeling it with Edward. Oh Edward. Here's the biggest problem. Isn't he supposed to be the bomb? Totally gorgeous? Because he's not. I think he's kind of ugly. I'm sure some would disagree but he just didn't do it for me. I think Carlisle was much better looking. He'd be a better Edward in my mind. But I guess it's hard to find the most perfect guy in the world and have everyone out there agree. Then, there's Jacob. Maybe it's because I've seen the same actor in a bunch of different things and I just kept thinking of him as Shark Boy, or maybe it was because he doesn't look Native American to me, or maybe it could just be that the wig on his head looked ridiculous, but I didn't like him for Jacob. Again, I'm sure others disagree. Speaking of wigs, what was up with Jasper's? It looked awful!!!

Okay, so I'm done with the negativity. There were some characters that I really liked! Jessica was awesome! I think they got her perfect! She totally reminded me of someone that would be in high school, especially my high school. I also liked Alice, Rosalie, Emmett, Mike, Angela, & Ben. I think they did really well casting them all and that the actors portrayed their characters well. I wish there were more scenes with the side characters because I really enjoyed them. But I guess the story is about Edward and Bella. Oh, and Victoria was also awesome! She totally had me excited to see the next one when she ends the movie heading out to kick some butt!

I also loved the scenery. Ben and I actually went to the same area three years ago this week. One of the things I loved about the book was that I was able to place myself there. Stephenie Meyer did such a great job of setting the scene in the book and I could totally picture it all as I read. I think they did such an excellent job of recreating it. It was beautiful!! I loved the surfing too, which wasn't in the book, but totally was cool to see. Of course, you'd freeze your tail off in that water. But if I lived there, I'd be all over it.

All in all, it was a great movie. It's been quite awhile since a good chick flick has been out so it was nice. I'm also glad Ben agreed to come see it. It's kind of fun I can talk to him about it now and he understands a little bit. He still doesn't like how vampires are portrayed as amazing creatures who glisten in the sun, instead of the monsters they are. I tried to explain that they don't want to be be monsters. He's not getting it but he admitted that he didn't hate it. Now, if I could just get him to read the book. I'm pretty sure that's never going to happen.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Happy Birthday Ben!!!

Okay, so I'm a slacker. This is late but I do have to tell my sweet hubby Happy Birthday and that I love him. He's the best! He's honestly the most patient person on this planet. He's a wonderful husband and such a great daddy! Ben Folds, one of our favorite musicians, has a song called the Luckiest. The song just makes me think of how lucky I am to have Ben. My favorite line is: I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you. My thoughts exactly. I know I'm the luckiest.

One thing that does drive me crazy about Ben is his lack of enthusiasm for all things celebratory. Well, at least for him. He does not like to do anything special for his birthday. He just wants to take the whole thing in stride and relax a little. This is difficult for me being the big birthday chick I am. Anyway, I've learned to accept this and give him what he wants. Hence, no big celebration. I feel like I'm depriving him yet he feels happy. It's his day and I want him to be happy.
So we didn't do too much for his birthday. Last Saturday Ben and I went out to see the new Bond flick and ate at California Pizza Kitchen. This was kind of a pre-Birthday day out since last night we actually went to see the Twilight movie which Ben was not too excited about doing for his birthday. Bond is always good. We had a fun time. It was our first real date since the baby was born. She actually came with us but she's such a good baby so it was fine to take her along.

On Wednesday, Ben's actual birthday, he got off work a little early and then we went miniature golfing at Trafalga in their under the sea black light course. We haven't been in quite awhile. The kids had a blast! Kade pretty much figured out that throwing the ball made it get to the hole faster than using the club. He was so excited by the whole thing. It was hilarious to watch! I carried Alexis in the baby backpack so I had a handicap and totally would've kicked Ben's butt without it. Just kidding! He's a pro at mini golf. I did get one hole in one though. We had a really fun time. Afterwards we went out to eat at Red Losber (Nick has always called it that!). It was sooo yummy. I loves the seafood.

We then headed home to open presents and had some of my infamous ice cream cake. I haven't made one in years and decided to make one since my kids have never had one. My kids have decided this must be at all birthdays from now on. I agree! They're the best! We had a great day and hopefully Ben had a great birthday!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Friday, November 14, 2008

Hurry! Hurry! The Deadline's Been Extended!

Okay, so I totally got this off of my friend, Beka's blog but it is so awesome I had to share:


To help you get organized, Snapfish.com is offering The Oprah Winfrey Show viewers a free 8" x 11" custom-cover photo book! *

Create a Snapfish.com account now or log in to your existing account to receive this special offer. Get your free book!

Questions about completing your order? Get the answers here.

* This offer is only good for one standard 20-page 8" x 11" custom-cover photo book per household. Coupon dispersal ends at 11:59 p.m. PST Friday, November 14, 2008. Free photo book must be redeemed by 11:59 p.m. PST Sunday, November 16, 2008. Offer does not include customary shipping and handling changes or additional pages. Offer applies only to mail-order delivery to U.S. customers. Offer cannot be combined with other coupon codes. Coupon cannot be resold or otherwise transferred and is void on the earlier of redemption or the offer end date.


Okay, so I've been working on a 2008 Review book for our family since yesterday and just finished and bought mine for the measly price of $6.99 for shipping costs! It really works! It's such an awesome deal!! When I clicked on the photo book link they said that it has been extended to November 22 at 11:59 PT. So now you have time so get working on it! Enjoy!!!!

Monday, November 3, 2008

Alexis's Baby Blessing

Yesterday was Alexis's baby blessing at our church. Ben gave her such a beautiful blessing. We had a lot of family and the Tongs and Hanamaikais (both practically family) join us which was really great. Alexis is lucky enough to have 5 grandmas (2 great) and 3 grandpas (1 great) that were all able to be there! Our friends, the Mailes, were also blessing their baby girl, Ane, as well so our church was very crowded. This fall we had another baby boom in our ward- the year McKade was born there were 22 babies born! This year there were only 6, but 5 of those were born between September and the beginning of October. It's so much fun to have so many newborns in the ward!
Afterwards we went to our house for lunch. We wish we could've invited more people but we were afraid the weather would not cooperate and we would have to accommodate more than forty people in our home instead of our backyard which would be insane. Our fears were justified since after having an entire week of beautiful, sunny 70 degree weather, the weather turned for the worse and it rained like crazy and turned really cold for the day! Somehow we did end up filling our house with everyone and had a nice, all be it cozy, time eating, visiting, and celebrating Alexis!

Sunday, November 2, 2008

This is Halloween!


In keeping with our family tradition we came up with the family theme of Aladdin this year. Or should I say Skylar did. She really wanted to be Jasmine and so we all jumped on board. It just so happens that Ben is perfect for the part of Jafar-maybe a little too perfect! So Ben was Jafar, I was Genie, Skylar was Jasmine, Nick was Rajah, McKade was Aladdin, and Alexis was Abu. She was definitely adorable in her first costume and Kade had so much fun having her as his pet! We have so much fun with these Halloween themes! We're already trying to decide on next years! I know someday my kids won't want to go along with the theme thing so I'm holding out as long as they're willing!
Last week was so much fun with all of the Halloween festivities. We started the week making chocolate chip pumpkin cookies and carving pumpkins for FHE. This is always an adventure as Nickolas hates getting his hands messy! We still make him get out all the goop so that he participates in some way but he is not too happy with it! This year we couldn't find any Aladdin templates so we just carved Jaq, Gus, and Cinderella's castle.
Nick had both Joy School and preschool Halloween parties followed by performances for the Moms. Nick totally showed off his singing talent that I'm just starting to discover! He did a great job at both!! We also hit the library for their Halloween parade as well as Skylar's school for theirs. I think the best part of Halloween is all of the fun costumes so I love just getting out & seeing people dressed up!
On Halloween day we had some spooky foods starting with Boo Berry and Frankenberry cereal for breakfast. I swear those were the best cereals when I was a kid! Did they change the flavor or just add a quart of sugar to each box or something because they are definitely disgusting now!! Anyway, for lunch Nick, Kade, & I made mummy dogs & had Bugle witch fingers and then for dinner we had Jack 'o Lantern pizza. It's always fun to make meals a part of the celebration!!
We started off trick-or-treating early by going to Ben's work where his department had made a spook alley with the wolf snake. I honestly don't get what that was but all of the trick-or-treaters thought it was awesome! We could of stopped there because we had so much candy but after dinner we still headed out for the real thing. Our kids were gung-ho! We went out for over 2 hours and they didn't even want to stop then. We hooked up with some neighborhood friends along the way and that was fun. It was such a perfect night-warmest Halloween in history, I believe. We had such a great time! I love Halloween!!!