BEST OF 2009

2009 was a good year for us. Here's a few highlights:

January
*Sage found his one true love in Preschool. {click here}

February
*Robert and I celebrated our 7th Anniversary
*I celebrated my 1st Anniversary with Stampin' Up!
*Aurora celebrated her 2nd Birthday {click here}
*Hayden turned 6

March
*Sage started Mommy&Me Preschool and his learning took off from there. {click here}*Sage also made his first trip to Library and got a Library card.

April
*We bought a new Camera after our old one died
*I started a Blog for Hayden {click here}

May
*Aurora but right through her lip {click here}

June
*The kids and I took a trip to Utah {click here}
*Sage & Aurora learned the dance to Michael Jackson's Thriller

July
*I went to Stake Girls Camp as a Stake Leader, AWESOME!!!!
*Sage celebrated his 5th Birthday {click here}

August
*I went and saw WICKED twice, it was amazing!
*Sage started Kindergarten {click here}

September
*Stampin' Up! released the most amazing product, My Digital Studio
*Aurora got her first haircut {click here}
*While browsing some SU! Demo Blogs of the Display Boards from Convention, I realized that
one of my cards was on display for 6,000+ SU! Demo's see. {click here}

October
*My Mom & I took a trip to Utah for 3 days with NO KIDS
*Sage enjoyed his first Mommy/Daddy date {click here}
*I celebrated my 28th Birthday

November
*I went and saw THIS IS IT {click here}
*Robert celebrated his 34th Birthday, complete with a Twilight themed birthday card {click here}
*I saw NEW MOON, twice! {click here} Holy Hot Vampire Batman!
*We had 14 people over for Thanksgiving Dinner, none of which are related to us.

December
*I made my first gift with My Digital Studio, a calendar for my Mother-In-Law
*We had an amazing Christmas!

We had a great year and we look forward to what 2010 brings us.

The White Rose

Lately I've been struggling with how to include Hayden in our Family Pictures. I know that he's gone but he still very much a part of our Family and I want to be able to look back on pictures and see him as well as Sage and Aurora.

Today, as I was browsing my favorite Blogs I found my answer. The Call Family{CLICK HERE} has started this amazing Tradition, and I've decided to use it as well. From now on every Family Picture will include a single white rose. I am so excited to start this Tradition with this years Christmas Photos.

CLICK HERE to visit Hayden's Blog and read the Story of The White Rose.

Just 3 Words!

I have just three words for you....

HOLY VAMPIRE HOTNESS!!!

Thirty-Four

Today is Robert's 34th Birthday. I can't believe it's been 8 1/2 years since we met. Anyone who really knows Robert knows that he really hates to have his picture taken, even more than I do. It's really hard to get good pictures of him because he insists on making goofy faces, closing his eyes or keeping his sunglasses on.

Happy Birthday Robert/Daddy! We love you very much and hope that you have an awesome day and that us surprising you at work didn't cause too much trauma. If you see him today please wish him a Happy Birthday.

Twilight Birthday

My good friend Marissa bought me these Bella & Edward stamps for my birthday last month and sadly they haven't seen ink. I think I was waiting for the perfect project. Today, I found it. Robert's Birthday Card. Now you are probably thinking "Why would Cula make Robert a Twilight themed birthday card?" Well, here's your answer... I love Twilight, therefore Robert has to deal with all things Twilight.

Here's the card:
Here's the inside

I normally don't add anything to the inside of my cards but I couldn't help myself. Let me explain; last year when I was caught up in the Twilight Frenzy along with the rest of the world, Robert was making fun of Twilight Vampires and how instead of bursting into flames when they step into the sun, they sparkle like diamonds. He then proceeded to stand in front on the large picture window in our dining room and pull up his shirt and say "Am I Sparkling?". He had me on the floor laughing so hard.

As payback for making fun of me, he now had to deal with anything Twilight I do for him.

Daddy, We Got You Wolverine!

Tuesday night I took Sage with me to Target to buy him some new school shoes as well as Robert's Birthday present. Robert has been wanting the movie X-Men Origin's Wolverine movie ever since it came out, so Sage and I decided to pick it up for Robert.

We also decided to get him an iTunes gift card to feed his music obsession.

While in the store and all the way home I kept telling Sage not to tell his Daddy about the presents we just bought because it was a surprise for his Daddy's Birthday. He promised he wouldn't but as soon we got out of the van and into the house, he proudly announced to Robert that he couldn't tell him about the Wolverine Movie and iTunes card because it was a secret for his birthday. Needless to say the surprise was ruined but seriously if your gonna have your birthday surprise ruined isn't that the way you'd want it to happen?

Zip Line

Sage loves the Zip Line at the local park, because it makes him feel like Spiderman.

This Is It

Last Saturday Kelley and I went and saw This Is It. It was AMAZING! I will be buying it as soon as it is released on DVD. My favorite parts were Thriller, Smooth Criminal and They Don't Care About Us.

Here's some of my favorite shots from the film.

You Are Not Alone

Smooth Criminal
They did this awesome thing were they put Michael into an old Black & White movie with Humphrey Bogart. It was really cool.

The Way You Make Me Feel

More Smooth Criminal Awesomeness

I would have loved to attend this concert. It's such a shame that Michael had to die, the music world will never be the same. No one is as genius or amazing as Michael Jackson!

Spiderman & Fairy

Wow... this post is way over due! Sage of course had to be Spiderman for Halloween. Aurora still doesn't really care so I got to pick her costume{I don't think I'll get to do that ever again}. My Mom made her a fairy dress. They both LOVED their costumes and continue to wear them around the house.

Farewell

I was released from my church calling today. I have come to truly love the Young Women in our ward not only as girls but as my own Daughters. I will forever be grateful to the girls in our ward for the lessons they have taught me. I have enjoyed teaching them each week and will miss being apart of the Young Women's organization. I look forward to our Trampoline Sleepovers and Chick-Flick Movie Nights.

Flash Back Friday - Vandalism

Okay... so this flashback isn't too far back, but it's still in the past.

Last week on my birthday I went to Young Women's and during the activity Kelley, Lillian and Lindsey snuck out and decorated(vandalized) my van. They heped make my birthday a memorable one. I love my girls so much!

Box Girl - Aurora

Aurora LOVES boxes of all shapes and sizes, give her a box and she'll entertain herself and anyone around her for hours.

Adopted Family

Sage has adopted his own little family. He met Analia at Preschool Last year and they continue to be the best of friends. Sage also loves Analia's brother Adrian so much that he calls him his brother.

Sage told me last week that he wanted to Marry Analia when he grows up. It was soooo cute and I would love to have Analia as my Daughter-In-Law. Her Mother and I have accepted the fact that these two will be inseparable for the rest of their lives and we'd love to be related!

Sage, Analia & Adrian

at their School's Fall Festival

Spiderman & MJ

Sage has this fascination with all things Spiderman. He would watch the movies 24/7 if I let him. We were playing and being silly on Sunday night after dinner, I was Dr. Octopus, Sandman, and the Green Goblin and Sage was flinging his Spiderman webs at me, then he decided to pretend is was MaryJane and then proceeded to lift up his mask above his mouth and kiss me just like Spiderman and MaryJane kiss in the movie.

At least he's got a good imagination right?

28 Reasons Why I Love Cula

Hey there everyone. As you might know today is Cula's 28th Birthday. In honor of my amazing Wife I decided to make a rare appearance and tell you all the top 28 reasons why I love her.


28. The way she laughs
27. The way she squeals when I surprise her
26. The way her smile makes me want to smile
25. How organized she is
24. The way she giggles
23. How she makes me laugh harder than I ever have before
22. How much she loves her immediate and extended family
21. How passionate she is about reading
20. Her warped sense of humor
19. How creative she is
18. How strong her testimony is
17. How she always calls me on the carpet when I've got an attitude
16. How she doesn't take attitude from anyone
15. How giving and loving she is
14. How she took such good care of her Mom while she underwent Chemo
13. How dedicated she is to her Church callings
12. How she drop whatever she's doing to help or be there for the Young Women in our Ward.
11. The way she stands by me, no matter what I've done
10. Her ability to stand up for what she believes, no matter the cost
9. How she actually gets down on the floor and REALLY plays with the kids
8. How much she loves me, even though I don't deserve it
7. How much she loves all of our Children
6. How she makes sure the kids know about Hayden, so they don't forget him
5. How much she loves and thinks about Hayden everyday
4. How she makes me want to be a better Husband and Father
3. How beautiful she is even though she doesn't see it
2. How she makes sure the kids and I know how much she loves us
1. How I fall more and more in love with her everyday

I'm so glad that Cula moved to Salt Lake City and that we were able to meet. I truly believe that she is my soul mate and I would be lost without her. I don't know what I did to deserve her. She is the most amazing woman I know.

Love,

Robert

What's in a Name?

When I found out that I was Pregnant with Hayden, I started thinking of names. Robert and I went to the Library and checked out every book about baby names. We went back and forth between so many names for the first 3 months. At first we really liked Brennan and Matthew for first names. We had his middle name picked out already.

One day while Robert was at work I was home watching TV when a re-run of Coach came on and I heard one of the character's talking to the main character who's name was Hayden Fox played by Craig T. Nelson. I knew then and there that I wanted to name my Son Hayden Andrew.

When he was born, I took one look at him and knew that this was still the right name for him. He will always be my little Coach.

This picture was taken a few weeks ago when I went to visit Hayden.

FB Friday - Girls Night

Today's flashback features two of my best friends. We wanted a Girl's Day while our husband's went paint balling, so we got together to make all the chocolate desserts for out first annual chocolate party that was held in April of 2006.

Diane & Juniper

New Blog Schedule

Some of you have asked why I don't have two separate blogs anymore. The answer is simple, I have a hard enough keeping up my Family Blog that remembering to stamp something for Craft Blog is too much for my brain to handle.

I have recently decided that my Blog is too much one(family) or the other(crafts), so to help me with that I'm making a few changes to my blogging schedule. Here is the NEW and improved schedule for my blogging. Hopefully it will bring more balance to my Blog.

Monday - Family (this will always be about my Family)
Tuesday - Hand Stamped Inspiration (this could be something I've made or something I've seen somewhere that I feel like sharing.
Wednesday - Sage or Aurora Spotlight (something about my adorable kiddos)
Thursday - Cula's Color Challenge (I will post 4 colors that you can use to create a card, scrapbook page or anything else you desire, all entries will be compiled and a winner will be randomly selected at the end of each month, the more entries you have to better your chances are at winning. You will have until the following Wednesday at midnight to post you entry)
Friday - Family Flashback Friday (this could be anyone in my family)

Sage's Day Out

Two weekends ago Robert and I took Sage to see Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in 3-D. It was his reward for having a great week at school. I thought he would love it since they are his all-time favorite movies, he was soooooo excited to be there and I think we made his lifetime.

Sage eagerly awaiting the start of the movie

Daddy, Sage and Mommy

Robert & Sage

Sage in his 3-D glasses

It was a great experience and one that I hope Sage won't soon forget. I know that I will always treasure that day.

Beach Bums

Last weekend we decided to take the kids to the beach to celebrate Sage starting school the next week. Normally the kids are afraid of the water and Aurora is afraid of the sand, that all changed this time. The kids had tons of fun playing in the sand.

and building sand castles with kelp for the flags.

Sage then decided that we needed to bury Robert in the sand.

After seeing how much fun it was, Sage decided that he wanted to be buried in the sand.

Then much to my amazement Aurora decided she wanted to be buried. She flipped out though once she was completely buried.

After all that Aurora got brave and stepped out into the sand and never looked back. She finally realized what she had been missing.

It was a wonderful evening at the beach, full of firsts for the kids and lots of fun memories for our family.

First Day of School

The First day of School has arrived! I've been dreading and awaiting this day for months. I'm very excited for Sage but still sad to see my baby off to school. He on the other hand isn't sad at all and wanted nothing more than to be at school. I had to ask him three times to give me a hug.

Here he is on the deck this morning with him backpack and lunch box.

Here he is in front of his classroom.

Here he is reading book at his desk waiting for school to start.

I miss him so much! For the first 5 days he gets out early, so I'll be there waiting outside his classroom.

Forgiveness

This week my Young Women's lesson is on Forgiveness. I made up these cute little S'mores kits for the girls.

(click to enlarge)

The tag reads:

"And be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,

even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32

We must forgive S'more & S'more.

Wicked!

This last Saturday a bunch of us Wicked Fanatic's went to go see Wicked. It was amazing! I only came home with the Souvenir Program, a Mug, Fridge Magnet, and Elphaba Keychain.

Me in front of the poster.

A map of OZ

I was bad and snapped a picture during the Popular Scene.

It was such a great show and I can't wait to see it again!

Family Beach Night & Adelle

We love the beach but don't get to go that often because Aurora is the Energizer Bunny and we haven't ever felt like chasing her down the beach. Much to our surprise she wanted nothing to do with the water.

Robert and Sage playing in the water

Aurora and Grandma Maxine hanging out.

Sage doing his goofy pose for the camera

My Brother Joey, My SIL Amy and my niece Adelle came for a visit last week. It was tons of fun and the kids loved having someone new to play with.

Sage and Adelle on the Trampoline.

Adelle and Aurora playing outside. Adelle already has a shoe obsession, she walk

ed around in Sage's flip flops most of the day.

Sage is 5! Part Duex

We had another party for Sage, but this one was just for family. We had a ton of fun with all the cousins from Escondido.

Sage, Katelyn, Jeremy bouncing in the astro jump

Sage's birthday Cupcake

Aurora shoved a cupcake in Jeremy's face, it was hilarious!

My cousin Will is such a spaz, gotta love him!

My Cousin Liz's little boy Nicholas swinging at the pinata

This Pinata was huge and REALLY strong. After all the kids got done beating it 4 times each we let the adults destroy it. It finally took my Cousin Will to break it open, here's a video of the shenanigans.