Yesterday, I had Kamryn at home sick from school. The night before she spent it throwing up and I thought I'd keep her at home just to be safe. It made for a relaxing and fun day in. We have our TV/DVD player in our bedroom temporarily while our tree is occupying its original location. I had Kamryn tucked in our bed all day while she watched endless cartoons and slept. She was an easy patient. And, thinking back, I didn't even have to clean up any vomit. The one mistake she made, Jeff cleaned up for me.

Moving on, family night was so much fun. We made our gingerbread house and had a lesson on shepherds. Though, the girls were too focused on eating the gingerbread house to pay attention to the lesson.

I was also able to stay up a little while and work on my Christmas cards. They are looking really cute. I am making adoption business cards to send with my Christmas cards in hopes that family will be able to use them and that we will have a baby sooner than later. I will post both after the holidays so that you can see how cute they are. And, I am in need of addresses! If you want a card, just e-mail me your address to jeffnjen2@msn.com.

O Christmas Tree

Jeff insisted we get a Christmas tree on Thursday, which just happened to be the day that he got home from a week long business trip and still had to go to work till 5, the day that I had a Primary meeting from 6:30-8:30p.m. and the day that Jeff had a scouting meeting from 6:45-8:45p.m. I didn't really understand why we had to get a Christmas tree on this busy day, but I am happy that we did because the weekend was pretty hectic and I have no idea when we would have squeezed it in.

As soon as Jeff got home from work, we loaded up and went to the only tree lot where we live. We went to this exact same lot last year and thinking back, I wasn't too fond of it. The guy who helped us out with the tree reeked of alcohol and was slurring words left and right. And, this year proved to be the same, but with a different guy. Kamryn picked a 9 footer and the guy tried to sell us a 13 footer instead, Jeff asked if they sold higher ceilings to go with the tree. I don't know if the guy got that Jeff was teasing him, which made Jeff tease him even more. I was cracking up the whole time.

After dropping the tree off at home, we each went to our meetings. Then when we got home we let the girls stay up till 11 p.m. while we decorated the tree and our house for Christmas. When it was all done, I turned out all the lights and Jeff rocked both girls to sleep by the Christmas tree while he sang them Christmas songs...so sweet.

Portraits of my girls

searsportrait.com
Online Session ID: 42109A107747341
Online Session Password: XCBSPYGSZ

Noteable comments of late from London

As I mentioned a few posts ago, we left her beloved blankie at her grandparents house during Thanksgiving break. We've had a rough go with her constantly whining for her blankie and sleepless nights. But, after a few days she seemed to accept that her blankie was with Grandma and Grandpa. We got it back today and I hid it, but she wouldn't take a nap today and I so needed to clean the house before Jeff got back...soooooo I gave in (as I knew I would). "Momma me can sleep now" is what she said excitedly and she did just that, she laid down and took a 3 hour nap. I sure missed that blankie!

Here is another one that happened a few days ago and I wasn't going to mention it (slightly embarrassing), but then I realized it is one of those stories that my husband will never quit telling. So here ya go...

I went in to brush my teeth before bed and noticed a spider on my toothbrush. I called Jeff in to take care of the situation. He grabbed my toothbrush and made the spider fall into the sink. As he was returning my toothbrush, he noticed that the spider was still hooked to the web that was still on my toothbrush. We both watched for a few minutes as Jeff would move the toothbrush up and down while the spider's bum moved up and down (gross, i know). Finally, we got the spider off and he gave me my toothbrush. No way I am using that toothbrush now, so I went to bed without brushing my teeth. The next morning, London woke up and was cuddling with me on the couch. She proceeds to tell Jeff "the house is stinky" and I immediately realize that it was my breath that she was probably smelling. I proceed to tell her it was me and her reaction was "ew". Jeff thinks it was hilarious and I probably would to if it didn't involve me.

I CANNOT wait until I get my new camera for Christmas, that is if Jeff buys me one. These pictures do not really do justice for my cute family and I think my cheapy camera is to blame, along with bad lighting. Nonetheless, here is my family, or phlamaly as London would say.
This is my older brother Monte and his family: Misty (wife), Marley (age 7), Sailor (age 5), Case (age almost 3) and baby Kienzli (age 1 year...if you can believe that, she is sooo petite).

Random facts about my brother:
1. He married my best friends sister.
2. He served a mission in Paraguay.
3. His oldest daughter is named after Bob Marley and her middle name means dove in Guaraneen (a language he learned on his mission and I am positive I spelled that wrong). I think that is so sweet.
4. He has HUGE biceps!
5. He has broken his nose at least 3 times with my help for one of them. (I put a sleeping bag over his head and pushed him into the wall.)
6. He still reads his scriptures in Spanish every day.
7. When I was younger I had these hot pink spandex shorts (yikes, i know) and whenever I'd wear them he'd throw me over his shoulder (see #4) and my little sister would record my bum on a video camera. Weren't they mean to me :)
8. He is the best big brother a girl could ask for!

This is my little sister Danielle and her family: Jason (husband), Halle (age 6), Landin (age 5), Mayzi (age 2) and Emree (age 6 months).

Random facts about my sister:

1. She is 5 years younger than me, yet people get us mixed up all the time.

2. She is the most loving mother and wife.

3. She is completely selfless and ALWAYS puts the needs of others before her own.

4. She was by my side the whole time I was in the hospital (3 months) and has never really left it.

5. Cries every time someone talks of my car accident.

6. Has 4 kids that are so cute they could model for GAP.

7. Helped with the conversion of her husband.

8. Is the best younger sister I could have asked for.

Kids Christmas Craft Day

The girls and I were able to visit my parents while Jeff was out of town on business. We just happened to be there for the grand kids annual Christmas craft day. I love this tradition because it is helping me teach my children how exciting it is to give presents away. My girls were able to make about 12 ornaments that they will be giving to their primary teachers, school teachers, our mail lady and anyone else that deserves a little something during the holiday season.

Thursday
Why is it that I put everything off until the last minute possible? I knew we'd be leaving for Utah right after Jeff returned home from work today, yet I put off packing and cleaning until Kamryn came home from school (3:35). I do this with other things as well...studying for a test, cleaning the house before company comes, Christmas presents, baby gifts etc.,. Luckily, a friend of mine was able to take Kam to her gymnastics class and I finished up everything in the nick of time (as I always do). By 5:30 we were on our way to Utah for the weekend.

We stayed with Jeff's older brother Justin and his wife Callie. In all honesty, it was like staying in a Bed & Breakfast, yet way better. Meals, free babysitting and entertainment was provided. And, it really helped that they have children around the same ages as London and Kamryn (Emily 5, Brendan 4 and Maryn 9 months). Kamryn said "this was the best day of my life" when asked if she had fun with her cousin Emily.

Friday
Kamryn and London woke up way early because they were so excited to see their cousins. They entertained themselves while Jeff and I slept in till 8 a.m. Jeff left for an appointment soon after. During this time, I mentioned that I wanted to buy Jeff a wii for Christmas but couldn't find one (all sold out where we live). Justin called a bunch of stores for me and actually found one. I couldn't have been happier! I can mention this only because I don't think he even knows I have a blog! It has been difficult to dodge the little statements like "should we go check Best Buy for a wii" or so and so said that shopko is getting a bunch of wii's this weekend. I hope I can stay strong and keep this a secret. Justin snagged Guitar Hero and needless to say that most of our free time was spent playing it. On a little side

note...Justin just had an appendectomy so he couldn't ROCK out as hard as Jeff was!

That night Justin and Callie babysat while we

went to the Jazz/Lakers basketball game. My

only complaints were that MY view wasn't the

greatest (see picture below) and that we bought

2 large Dippin Dots and paid $14 and we both only ate half. Grrr... Other than that, seeing

Jeff so happy made it all worth it. The Jazz

smothered the Lakers and they did it without

their two best players. Hopefully we can attend

at least one more game this season, with the kids.

Saturday

We woke up to a few inches of snow, so Jeff and I went to Target and bought the girls all new winter clothing. While they played in the snow, we were able to get a few games of our own in. All in all, it was a fun birthday weekend.

Thank Justin and Callie for EVERYTHING!