Do you have a flyer?

I love flyers, especially the ones that I receive from Brian about his Annual Work Christmas Party. They are always in beautiful fancy restaurants, and I always have a great time. I get to see a more social side of Brian which I love and get to enjoy fantastic food, atmosphere, and dressing up! I didn't want to buy anything new, but I wanted to find something nice. I found the outfit I wore to my Ten Year high school reunion.:) Yay purple is a new Christmas color I decided.:) This year the party was at Chops Steak house on 11Th street in Sacramento. I usually google the restaurant before we go, but I was too busy too this time.~ The State Capitol was across the street and so beautiful lite up at night. It had poured all day, but we missed the rain going into the restaurant. It was very clear and beautiful out. Downtown Sacramento decorates with a lot of white lights.:) The restaurant was nice. It was very modern, I think the area we were in turns into a night club at night, the lounge seating tipped us off and the dark areas with benches that had sheer material encasing the booths. Looked a little like a harem would fit nicely in there lol. I loved the fresh flowers they had. Very exotic mixed with bird of paradise! They were beautiful in color and it renewed my hope of the bird of paradise growing outside my kitchen window. Its a gorgeous dark green color, but it has yet to bloom.

We received drink vouchers from our hostess and since we don't drink, I got a Shirley temple, which I was told by another gal there was so old fashioned and sweet.:) It was great to chat, although I was extremely embarrassed when one of brian's co workers started talking about World of Warcraft the video game. He was referring to a commercial for it, but started being like Mr. T and being really really loud lol. He knew the whole commercial and was talking about night elves and everything, I coulda died lol, so embarrassing. Brian just smiled and eventually the subject was changed, phew.

Since we were fashionably late, the name cards had been placed on the tables almost everywhere. Brian's boss moved some around and we sat at his table. The food was great! the bread was seasoned really well, the potatoes were seasoned really really well and the fillet Mignon was sooo good. I even loved the peppers and onions and broccoli they had for vegetables. In the past at these events I love the fresh fruit desserts, but this chocolate cake , I give two thumbs up! After dinner we play games. One was a pop quiz of current events, and the other was pairing license frames sayings. Both were a little challenging, but fun. Next year, as Brian's boss pointed out several times, Brian is in charge of the party. He'll have the mic, he'll pick the place, and he'll have to come up with the games and prizes. I'm nervous that some of that will be delegated my way.. hehe

Overall it was a big success, and I can't wait for next year. I'm so glad we got Judy reserved to babysit a month in advance, so I could attend this great event. Many people tried to take that date! We'll be sure to have a beautiful flyer next year, and many years to come.:)

Record Breaking

A warmy bubble bath, yes it couldn't get anymore water in the tub..lol

Morning snow!:)

Its cold its true, we had a tiny dusting of snow here in Sacramento a few days ago. Brian remembered the last time he'd seen snow here was in 1987! It baffles me though that it continues to be cold. Each morning we scrape our ice off our windshield and our roof stays white with frost until past noon in some areas! However, it makes it extra cozy to wear our big jackets, enjoy hot chocolate, bread sticks, down comforters, and fires in the fireplace. Even Cozy bubble baths help us to warm up. I'm very grateful we have the means to get warm this winter. We are truly blessed to have wonderful family friends and the light of the gospel in our lives.

I'm Looking for the Celia.

Poor Celia was saying "I'm looking for the Celia" while holding binoculars and sifting through six or seven pictures she found of her siblings with Santa Claus. We've gone a few times to the Alta Regional Center to see Santa, its easier for Spencer, but because of time constraints with school Santa is often done taking pictures when we get to the Holiday Party. I will take Celia to the Mall sometime when the kids are in school and visit Santa. Christmas is such an exciting time for children, its fun to see the bright eyes and amazement Celia shows when she discovers stars or Christmas trees around the town. She shows everyone our Christmas tree that comes over and is quite interested in all the Christmas songs. She is a joy and we're happy to have another relatively little one to share the excitement with all over again.

Letting the Energy out.~

After a few days of cold, a little fog and being inside all Saturday while Mom and Dad were in Tahoe, it was time to let the kiddos run all around the park.

Pretty Emmy.

Celia Bear.

Little Joe.

Spencer Doodle.

The Mama.

Its easy to get a picture of these two hanging out and snuggling.

Spence only likes one shoe or one sock on his right foot these days..:)

Playing hide and go seek.

Celia's counting to go find Joseph behind the trees.

This is our Thanksgiving vacation and even though its doesn't seem to count as such to Emmy unless we leave town, we are having fun spending time together. Celia is still having program at our house. Its great to see her make such fantastic progress in her speech and SO many facets of her daily life. She is doing awesome. Yesterday we went and got Emmy a new flute case, hers was cracked and without a name tag. So after the music store and a few errands we headed to the park in Rah Rah and Papas old neighborhood. It was beautiful out, perfect weather and such a nice little park the kids could run around in. Celia wanted snack when we sat at the picnic table for me to try to get a picture of the four of them that I could use for a Christmas card.:) So we headed for chicken and crabby patties afterward and had a lovely time I think.~

Tahoe Travels~

Sunset on the way home..We saw fall and winter landscapes, it was great to top it off with a beautiful sunset.

The clouds were amazing and pictures never do the scenery justice, especially with falling snow and glistening sparkles in the fields.

The beautiful couple we went to see be married.

Gotta love a waterfall, even if it is small and right by the restaurant. There was ice in the pond too, brr~

Too bad I was in high heels, I would have like to see that snowman and waterfront closer, but then I'm sure a snowball fight would ensue, that I was trying to avoid to stay warm.:)

Behind Bri and I you can see the nice restaurant, Riva grille, where we had the reception for family and a few friends!:)

Brian and I had a wonderful Saturday to ourselves! Judy our trusted respite worker(babysitter) came and was with the kids while Brian and I went to Steve and Layna's Wedding in Lake Tahoe. It was a beautiful ride there and back and enjoyed a nice ceremony and great meal there. I loved the snow and the scenery was amazing. I was glad we can"visit" then come home:)

YW in Excellence

I was pretty pleased to go to YW in Excellence with Emmy. The first speaker was sister Barlow from the Stake. She told stories of hands, kind hand, serving hands, sacrificing hands, and peaceful hands. She is a great speaker and the stories really spoke to everyone there. I was impressed about how these stories she told spoke to me and Emelie too we shared one with the rest of the family when we got home.These group of girls are truly great and I was so pleased to hear Emmy sing a song with all of them. My friend Cozann knew the song too and was signing next to me. I found out she used to lead the music in a deaf ward long ago. I love sign and it was special to hear of her joy in speaking it. She is a great woman too. The young women's displays of their goals and projects was very nice as well. I was impressed at their talks, one girl was asked to speak on each of the Values. These girls really did gain a better understanding of things like Integrity and Faith through this personal progress program. I'm so glad I went through young women's too. Emmy is in for a treat, being with these girls is a great thing and this program lifts the girls to new heights and gives them confidence and grace that I was so happy to see last night. They had mini eclairs too amongst other desserts which I failed to bring home for Brian hehe, he loves those!

Winter Wonderland?

Matchy girls, they even got gloves. Celia calls the snowflakes on them Christmas~

Celia couldn't believe Spencer refused to wear his. But they have feet!

Joseph was pretty pleased with his Navy Polar Bear Jammies.

I dunno about you , but it feels like December outside. We are waking up to the sound of the heater, frost on the rooftops and ice on our windshields. All the sites and sounds of winter seem to be here. ( apart from white snow on the ground which I am just fine without) I made pumpkin muffins this morning to remind myself its November! We are getting excited for the holidays. Brian has been whistling Christmas tunes for a month, and we listened to Stings winter Christmas album in the car on our date last night. We went to target and its completely decked out for Christmas, I love it. They had Jammies on sale. I still think its unfair they don't Make footsie pajamas for mommies. Mornings are cold here and maybe they'll sleep in if their cozy was our thinking.:) Santa could go crazy with all the dollar bins at Target right now too. I know this Santa's helper sure did hehe, Fun stuff. Celia and I went out exploring the world yesterday ( I say that because she comments on everything and all is so very exciting for her, even the trip to the bank with its black bench out front) and came home with silver C ornament for her. The stores were closed and she wanted my keys ( its apparent we lock things up here and mom has the key) to go inside Pottery Barn to see the trees. I'm sure she'd love our tree up right now! I will refrain and enjoy fall festivities a little longer.~

A Tribute To Expression.

Tonight I was so happy to have the Opportunity to go and visit Josi S. Kilpack, my pal from long ago. Brian was so sweet to come home and watch the kids. It always is such a nice feeling of freedom driving away from my wonderful little ones while I do something for myself. Its great to reminisce and remember friends and my old book group from the Inauguration neighborhood. It is so wonderful to me to have women writers these days to create and express themselves so beautifully. I loved hearing the stories of how these books came to be and feeling the excitement of those who were touched by these books was truly amazing. I love all the little details of the signing, asking the spelling of the name, the anticipated signature, and the gold seal of the autographed copy.

After all the commotion and many books were signed and the Deseret book store employees expressed their appreciations and excitement for Julie and Josi to be there, we went to El Torrito for Dinner. They lit the fire for us and it was great food and great company. I want Emmy to explore her talent in writing too. I downloaded blurb and maybe we can upload Emmy's book she has been writing. I think she should publish it herself, sign it, and have it on hand as a copy for here at home.:) We truly are blessed with wonderful imaginations and capabilities to express ourselves, we should use that to the fullest and feel wonderful for doing so.:)

A Wednesday Off.

Emmy and I got to have some Mommy Daughter time together. It was nice. Emmy and I enjoyed going to the movies, having a meal together and getting lip glosses! Girl stuff is tooo fun!

A view from the ride we went on near Vacaville California. I love how it just becomes more green here in the winter!

Here's a try at a picture of the kids together. The girls did great!

Veteran's Day caught me off guard this year. All of a sudden I had all the kids home for the day, I wasn't feeling well and I knew my freshly straightened house would suffer greatly if we all stayed home. We like to go to Vacaville, the shopping is great and there always seemed to be something of interest for the kids. Last time we went there was a life size chess game we could play. This year they moved that out of the way and made a gated carnival like area. Smart thinking, a place for kids to ride the merry go round, a train and play on outdoor toys while the parent shopped. But to our dismay it wasn't open yet! We ventured into Old Navy with all the kiddos. It went really well, Spencer used his love of clothes to guide us to things he wanted. I love that he was choosing and that they were on sale! He did hug a mannequin, but other then that it went very well, in fact in line I was complimented on how I handled Spence which really made me happy!

My Sweet Teen!

Celia hugged Emmy and said "Happy birthday You You Emmy".

Emmy always has loved to read, but now she wants to read Twilight!

A surprise dessert for the Birthday Girl.~ Chocolate chip cookie the size of a small pie, nice second only to steak and chocolate!

Grandma Holmes at Black Angus for Emmy's Birthday Dinner.~

Rah Rah and Papa came over and brought Emmy presents and Chocolate cake! My folks were there too and showed their fun great pics of their African Safari.

Emmy is all about music these days!

Happy kiddos, notice the crown Emmy has on for being the birthday girl, its sponge bob~!

Emmy has been very excited about her birthday and becoming a real teenager. My parents came from Los Angeles to visit and we had a wonderful time.

Party Party~

I love this pose of Joe's~

Celia picked up on trick or treating so quickly, she knew what to say, and to thank them, and was doing it each step like a pro.~

The kids sure get to have fun in school. Each of the kids except Emelie had a fall party in class with pumpkins and games and treats and fun. Spencer's class even had pizza and he came home with sooo much loot. Balloons and toys and bags of candy. His aides said he really enjoyed the party. Spencer seemed more into Halloween this year then in the recent past. We trick or treated around the court and he was happily visiting the neighbors. Its so nice they all know him and made him feel special and complimented him and the other kids on their costumes. The Kids and I loved the trunk of treat, trick or treating, and passing out candy! We even carved pumpkins with Rah Rah and baked the seeds with plenty of salt. We were making memories.~