Chistmas Post

We decided last minute to spend Christmas in AZ. As much as I hate the drive there (all 12 hours of it)... the 60 degree weather sure is a nice break from our 20 degree and under weather here in UT.

The night before, Jack and Clara got some new PJ's. Jackson of course was OBSESSED with his super man PJ's. Santa brought Jack a remote control car. He loved it.... as did the rest of the kids.

Clara was content once she found her giant lolly. And don't you LOVE her owl PJ's... adorable.

Nana Lisa with Jack Christmas morning. She gave Jack this spiderman sweatshirt. He was in heaven. He is crazy for super hero's, it makes me laugh.

Lisa gets all the girls matching PJ's every year. This year we got silky black Victoria Secret sets along with cute pink slipper boots. THANKS LISA... I look forward to this every year!

The next day we went over to Scotts dads house. All the kids adore Katie (scotts step sister). The all sat around eating popcorn and watched The Night At The Museum.

The drive there was miserable. Going home was a little better. I think my kids were so worn out they didn't have much energy left to cry.

We drove straight to Heber to spend time with my family. Melissa and Dave came in to spend a last Christmas all together before my little brother goes on a mission.

Christmas Eve is a big day for us... since we were not all together for the actual day, we celebrated it on Monday. We made all of our favorite appetizers... stuffed mushrooms, chicken won tons, salad de maison, fruit slush, shrimp, and more! Its always very delish.

After dinner - we opened presents. This year all sibling and cousin gifts were homemade. Although it was a bit more time consuming than running to the store and buying whatever I find on sale... it was sooooo fun! We all decided it was the best Christmas. I made aprons for Henry and Jetta, a camping pillow case for Judd, and hair clips for Candice. Some of the other gifts given: banana bread, a stuffed dinosaur and snake, CD's, and more hair clips.

Melissa made Clara an adorable stool for her room or bathroom... I will have to take a picture and post later. And Adam made Jack a rocket.

We made my parents a DVD of their marriage. It took some time searching for all the right pictures... but once we found them I scanned them in, and then sent it over to Melissa and Dave. They put the movie together. It was awesome. I am pretty sure my parents loved it.

This is us watching the DVD.

The next day we took family pictures. My mom got all the kids matching sweaters and hats. I will post the results when they are finished.

We shot off the rocket that Adam made for Jack. It took a while for it to work... I think it needed more battery than he had. But he figured it out and we got one great BLAST OFF with it.

Jetta and Clara had matching PJ's. This was not planned.

We went swimming one day. It was super fun. It took Clara a bit to warm up to the water - but once she did, she was all over the place.

Judd took Jack down the slide. He was just OK about it. He went down 2 times and then figured his time was better spent on the playground with the smaller slide.

They have a 1 meter and 3 meter diving board. It took a little coercing, but once I was on the boards, it was pretty fun. But it sure has been a while.

Christmas Vacation overall:

Very fun. Very Exhausting. I am glad we made it to AZ... which included little Gwens baby blessing. Utah was cold, but it was fun being together as a family for one last time.

This Christmas was fabulous. Much better than I had expected, we have so many friends and family that help us and are there for us. We have really felt our Father in Heavens love and are so grateful for all those around us.

OVER DUE ....

It's about time I post something on this blog here. Of course, it has been a busy time of year in the Randall house. I will have to do a picture update soon - as for now:

1. Santa and the lovely Mrs. Claus came to visit us a our clubhouse this year. Jackson was in awe. Clara screamed.
2. We attended our first ugly sweater party. Super fun. Lots of "ugly" sweaters. And the best white elepahnt gift... a mouse.
3. Lots of sewing. My family is doing a home-made Christmas this year (you have to make everything you give). It has been super fun, and SUPER time consuming.
4. An ELF came to live at our house during the holidays, his name is ZART. This is one of our best investments. Look it up - it's called ELF on a SHELF.
5. Jackson still thinks he is superman, spiderman, and batman.
6. Clara learned to hit.
7. Scott and I took a weekend trip to CA for a dental school interview. No kids. Best few days of the month. Blessed peace.
8. December = treats, chocolate, candy. Time at the gym = ZERO. Hmm.
9. Drove the 11 hour drive to AZ to spend Christmas with the Randalls. Drive not so fun. Spending Christmas in warm weather with Scotts family and watch all the cute cousins play together - makes it worth it. (giggles are priceless).
10. I get to spend all next week with my family in Heber - meet the newest addition to the family - Peter - and enjoy our last Holiday season in Heber before my little brother Miles goes on a mission.

Sorry for the lack of commitment on this blog.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

Thankful for my sister....

I am Thankful for a sister that married a cowboy that lets us ride their horses...

This summer these two will be taking riding lessons.

Don't worry my child is well prepared for this horse to go buck-wild!

Scott grew up with an uncle that had horses... he was like Tha Man From Snowy River... well not really, but he knew what he was doing.

Me on the other hand... I only know what I am doing because my mom grew up with horses and therefore every trip we went on we would rent horses for a day and go out and ride... hawaii, idaho, california... it was always so fun. But really - how much can a girl learn when the horses are trained to follow the horse in front and no matter how hard you kick 'm they still just giddy along. Good thing I have my little sister Cami to teach me a thing or two. Oh - and maybe her husband, Judd knows a little about horses too.

Clara liked the horses but was just as content sitting on the bucket, in the bucket and crawling around in the dirt. *Oh and of course playing with her Uncle Judd. These two are good buddies.

This year I have alot to be Thankful for... it's been a tough one, harder than most - but even more of a reason to have so much to love. Love you all and thank you for all.

CYBER MONDAY...

For all of you that hate the crowds on Black Friday, or love the amazing deals... Monday is the Black Friday for the internet and you cannot afford to miss these great deals!

My brother-in-law has the best website that will guide you to all your main shopping stores. One click and you will be in their sale section!

www.bestcybermondaysales.com

Set your clocks and don't forget!

Hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend!

Thank You Husband

I forgot to mention the most important part of my Triathlon vacation...

Scott was home with the kids all weekend. He did a fabulous job!

1. Fed the kids breakfast
2. Got them dressed every day
3. Went grocery shopping
4. Cooked dinner every night I was gone
5. Realized how much food costs
6. Took the kids to church, and stayed at church all 3 hours
7. Included with going to church, he got Clara dressed for church... and she looked decent.
8. Cleaned the house before I came home.
9. Had flowers waiting for me
10. Made a card for me that Jackson colored. *While I was gone my parents come by the house and brought Jackson the cougar football outfit. I loved walking in the door and seeing him dressed like this. He is obsessed!!! He has only taken it off long enough for me to wash it and then it is right back on. He has even slept in it. Thanks mom and dad.

I loved that everytime I called home, Scott was so eager to hear all about my trip and never once complained about how tired he was or how difficult the kids were. All he wanted was for me to have a nice weekend. I am so lucky. Thanks Babe! Love you.

St. Geroge Turkey Triathlon

WARNING: PICTURE OVERLOAD ....

I went to St. George with some of my friends to race in the Turkey Triathlon. We made a girls weekend out of it. We left on Thursday, raced on Saturday, and come home on Sunday. It was THE BEST weekend!!! I need this weekend of fun SO BADLY, and it could not have been with a better group of girls!

The trip began with alot of goofy faces...

Yummy resaraunts.

Comfy pj's , matching $5 slipper boots, and lots of goofing off.

*of course this was the night before the race. We were out of control, and didn't get much sleep at all. I am sure we would have felt better with a little more sleep - but we had so much fun!
Jumping off the couch.

Matching slipper boots. Cute Cute Cute.

Strike a pose.

Who is the mop on top of Steff? Oh that's Mykelle. And really Whit - you weigh nothing - stand up already!

The morning of. Thank you Steff for all the matching braids.

Walking to the start line.

Ready to swim!

I did it!
Race complete... SIGN ME UP FOR THE NEXT RACE!
LOVE IT!

Stretching.

The Girls.

A girls trip is never complete without a pedicure!
More yummy food.

Waiting to go to the hot tub. Hanging out at the sports bar in mykelle's inlaws house. Yes. There are 3 screens behind us.

Rinsing off in the steam room.

This trip was a blast. I am already anxious for another triathlon...

Thank you girls for the funnest weekend ever!

*Julie we missed you! xoxo

Halloween Fun...

Our Halloween was filled with lots of fun events this year!

Ivory Ridge put on a "SPOOKTACULAR" Halloween Party. They had pony rides, cookie decorating, pumpkin painting, halloween bingo, and hay rides!
Spider Man... Clara could not get enough of the pony rides!
*Judd & Cami you better be ready for this kittty cat next year... we might have to schedule some riding lessons!

Nana and Spider Man.

My friend and I threw the FUNNEST Halloween party! The party was complete with delicous food, a scavenger hunt, and the night was finished with dancing to the monster mash! Thank you to all that came... and to those that missed out... you really missed out!

I was having the hardest time coming up with a costume. But as I was running around the day of the party (still not knowing what we were going to be), my sister called and gave me this idea: I loved it!

THE BIGGEST LOSER COUPLE!

I love this group.

The Friday before Halloween, Jackson had his school halloween party, and later that night we went with Candice's in-laws and ate food (always the best with the neff's), and played a game called "wacky six".... sooooo fun!

Halloween night our ward did games and trunk or treat. It was super fun. Later that night Jackson and Scott went out trick or treating with some friends.

The kitty cat. Nothing is better than a bag of candy and balloons.

Jackson was exhausted. This was him pretty much the entire day. Candy in mouth. Tears running down his cheeks.

We completed the night with dinner from Kneaders, homemade apple cider, and The Haunting in Conneticut.