OH christmas treee oh Christmas TREEE

These pictures are from awhile ago, when we put up the tree! This is our first year having a tree. I know crazy, we just always leave so early in the season to go home to Oregon that we don't bother with it,, (and spent all our money on presents or gas to get home) This year we decided that Cache was too old not to have a tree and I was always sad not having one. So we went out to buy one and as we were walking out the door,, our nieghbor was like "hey you guys want to borrow our extra christmas tree?" So that was great and here is the tree.. we still went shopping for the star..Its our poor man's tree we have candy canes all over and strung popcorn and we collect one ornament every year since our engagment.. we even put some of our wedding decorations (small green and silver sparkly berries ) Its sparce but we think its the most beautiful tree there ever was..we also figured out our fire place that evening and did cookies...Devin saw me start to get the tree ready and sat there for a second just staring and thinking and then his eyes lit up.. he jumped jumped up made a fire and then made us mint hot chocolate and came to do
"the man's job" put the lights on the tree...It was really funny for me to watch this... all register in his head... Now thinking back on that moment I bet it was a lot of pressure.. maybe he was thinking: "this is the very first time we are EVER putting up the tree as a family,, what we do today will become tradition and will do for the rest of our married lives at christmas time." Or maybe he was just thinking.."Christmas is a big deal to Amie,, what can I do right now to not get 'the look.' HA ha! Nah,, I'm sure he was thinking the first. :) It was a picture perfect night we even put on my Aunt Natalie's blog and listened to her christmas music... what a fun time.

SUUUUSHI!

One of the things I love about Devin is that he is not afraid to try new things..(opposite of me) Now i don't always know I love this.. I rolled my eyes and said "ooh boy" This year when Devin spent his birthday money on everything you could need to make sushi...No he has never made it before,,,,he's only eaten for this first time recently.... He made California rolls and they turned out seriously amazing.. the best california rolls I've ever had. We ate sushi for 2 days straight. I need to roll my eyes less at Devin. If your wondering these don't have raw fish.. just crab, avacado,cream cheese, cucumber,a little mayo, rice and Sea weed! NOW don't any of you worry,, He is planning on making these for everyone at Christmas...actually that might MAKE some of you worry after his home made eggnog last year..
Devin's cheescake

one year ago Today

One year ago today! Devin hasn't changed much even wore that hat and jacket today....and i think those jeans too..but look at Cache! haha.

Happy BIRTHDAY DEVIN!

My Devin turned 25 today. quater of a century.. so ya big birthday.. I told him we need to go get his portriat.. for Cache we always go and get his Portrait taken on his bench mark birthdays. I thought it would be so cute.. Devin sitting on two big blocks. One has a "2" and the other a "5" and he could be holding a giant Crayon or something.. Right now our only plans are eat out of course where else but Devin's favorite: a chinese buffet..watch his new brian regan Cd and eat the traditional cheesecake he always asks for instead of normal cake..I'll let you know if the picture happens.. but anyway
Happy birthday Devin.. we love you so much,, you treat us so well and make us laugh every day..but keep our family in line and on tract doing what we are suppose to do and I couldn't ask for more.

CHRISTMAS SURVEY

1. Wrapping paper or gift bag? wrapping paper
2. Real tree or artificial? I have an aritificial this year and it makes me sad every time I look at it and see the metal pole in the middle..never again. REAL is where its AT. (plus the smell adds soo much)
3. When do you put up your tree? A couple days before thanksgiving or when it first snows...
4. When do you take down your tree? after New Years
5. Do you like eggnog? oh heavens yes.. only cream of weber or oberwiess though..the expensive brands.. I'm snobby
6. Favorite gift received as a child- One time my dad gave me boxing gloves a year supply of moose..that is unforgettable for sure. And last year my little brother gave me big bags of dried fruit...I also loved how thought ful that was.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? just a little peoples one that is made for Cache to play with.
8. Hardest person to buy for? Friends from highschool...I just don't know what they like anymore..I think i'm going to just start doing cards or cookies..
9. Easiest person to buy for? Cache, He likes everything
10. Worst Christmas gift you've ever received? Well the year supply of moose was made to "add volume to your hair"...I need opposite of volume..and I had a year supply of it.. but he's a dad... so I have to give him points just for knowing that I even use moose
11. US Mail or email Christmas cards? I love cards in the mail.. old fashioned i guess.. but they have to have a picture or i'm pretty dissapointed.(or money)
12. Favorite Christmas movie? The santa clause! and Polar express
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I am thinking Christmas all year long but dont' buy until November usually.. and I try to be done before the first week in December,,sometimes july at Garage sales but they have a hard time staying hidden till christmas..
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas
present? Yes.. grope on a rope--i got it from Cappie,,can't remember who I gave that too..who would I give a grope on a rope to?Now thinking about it.. this was my worst christmas present ever..soap in the shape of a hand..
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? celerystuffed with cheese and TRIFLE!
16. White or colored lights? Always white twinkle lights

17. Favorite Christmas songs? Silent night and "Picture a Christmas"
18. Travel for Christmas or stay home? I always travel home.. but someday I"m gonna have a big ol house and everyone will come to ME for christmas..
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? YUP!
20. Angel or Star on top of tree? Star
21. Open presents Christmas Eve or Morning? One on Christmas eve(always PJ's) and the rest on Christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?Crowded airports, flights are so much more expensive
23. What I love most about Christmas? Family and waking up before dawn christmas morning..and food and well EVerything I guess.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOURS. Your all tagged if your reading this.. natalie,cindy, cher, Sandy,Ashley..anyone else

This post is dedicated to Nick and Sarah who will be married on December 29th (devin and I's anniversary) YAY! Today was such a good day for TWO reasons:

1. I finally finished Sarah's wedding invitations thus the display of it above. Very big stress relief and will pick them up from the printers in the morning!

2. Cache has officially been asleep in his room for 45 minutes..not abnormal for him.. but here is the kicker.. NO PACIFIER!!!!! Can you believe it? I absolutly cannot. This is his first time EVER sleeping without one and he did it! we have worked up to this day.. slowly trimming his pacifiers shorter ever 3 or 4 days until they had nothing for him to suck on.... I almost went and bought a new one however today during naptime... when he was yelling in his crib: "Amie PWEESE" binKAY..." I felt horrible knowing that his and My happiness were just two blocks and a few dollars away.. but i didn't cave ,,and yay he is sleeping!! no crying at all.. my heart can rest easy.. what a big obsticle I at least HOPE we have now surpassed..

THANKSGIVING

I could never name all my blessings but I'm gonna try anyway. Here is what I am thankful for this Thanksgiving:

1.Devin

2. That cache was born and help me realize what real joy is.

3. Devin(oh did i say that?)

4. A husband who can make me laugh anytime,, especially when things are seriously tense.

5. My jogging stoller! with out which I would be 20lbs heavier and even more cranky(running is my drug)

6. A warm home

7. food food and food

8. The Gospel (these are not in order okay.)

9. A car that runs very nicely

10. Target

11. my visiting teachers-they are the neatest ladies ever and take me on photoshoots in the city and make really good bread.

12. my orthodics and new running shoes.. stellar combination

13.The BOOK of Mormon..because i read it and think: "why were they so prideful and stupid?" and then i realize "oh I do that too. I must be prideful and stupid."

14. My cell phone -which keeps me connected to anyone and everyone i need to talk to and doesn't ever get telemarketers.

15. Music-just adds so much to life whether I'm cleaning the house running, driving or sitting in church...

16. My five siblings.. they are my best friends. They are so funny!

17. Cindy because she makes Ben even better to be around and I want to be just like her.

18. To be able to know all my grandparents and great granddparents.. and also get to know how amazing of people I come from ...so maybe I can grow up to be like them some day

19. Devin's parents-they are so faithful and accomplish so much in a day. They inspire me

20. My parents-they are so kind and hard working. I always have a place and people to go home too... a sweet haven in this world.

21. Mascara-with out it,I would be or atleast look like a different person..I probably wouldn't be married..

22.Moose- also without which I would look like a different person and be hated in theaters for my large hair. I would be a freak show.

23.Showers-which I'm going to go take right now and finish this list later.

HORSER

Cache was a cowboy for Halloween. Now Cache is a cowboy everyday. He had to wear "HORSER" (his version of horse,,sometimes it means horse and sometimes it means boots, this time it meant cowboy hat) to the grocery store. Wide brim hats are perfect when you are trying to get your child into his car seat. NOT. It keeps hitting you in the face trying to buckle your child in, and when he sits back against his seat his hat PlOPS forward onto his face, which makes Cache really mad. We must however, keep trying to make that hat fit with the carseat, because at two years old "wait till we get to the store" is basically chinese to the little fellow. WE finally got it to fit sideways and that seemed to satisfy him for a while until he realized mom "accidently" left his rifle at home...

I HAVE ARRIVED

Hello! I know I can't believe it either, I finally caved and started a blog...I was afraid of all the time I would spend on the computer if I had one, but I was spending so much time reading your guys's blogs everysingle day and loving them that I thought HECK,, why not? So here I am and I will figure out all this soon i'm sure.