{the day after}

Another Christmas has come and gone....and we had a great time celebrating!! Many pictures to post, and many thanks are to be given! It was so fun this year, especially with Hunter's excitement and anticipation over opening presents Christmas morning. YES "Santa" delivered and got Hunter his much talked about-- Orange T-Rex. He was so dang funny when he saw his T-Rex, and exclaimed.... " Wow!!! Thanks Santa for getting me an Orange T-Rex from Walgreens." Who knew Santa shopped at Walgreens????? I hope everyone had a wonderful day spent with family and friends. Thank you to such wonderful families back in UT who do so much for our little Iowa family. We love and miss you all.

Many pictures to post. Many thanks to give.

{Steve reading "The Night Before Christmas" on Christmas Eve.}

{ New Christmas Pajama's}

{Hunter playing with his Nativity set before going to bed Christmas Eve}

{The calm before the "storm" so to speak. There is just something magical about a tree-- Christmas morning before the "day" begins.....}

{Hunter and his "Walgreens" T-Rex}

{Tanner and his new Elmo Restaurant table}

{Steve showing off the Utes blanket my mom made him }

{These two pictures have some great sentimental value to me. One of my all time favorite presents I received as a kid, was my Teddy Ruxpin bear. I saw this at Costco a few weeks back, and knew I had to get it for my boys. I totally love how it is literally vintage 1980's style. It was just how I remembered him, and I know the boys will love listening to him read about his many adventures}

{Hunter playing his new V- Motion Dora the Explorer game.}

{Trying out his cool flying Dragon toy}

{Just a few more pics of the boys playing together with their presents}

We ended the day by making Candybar trains. Hunter had more fun eating all of the candy off of the trains.....while we were still putting them together. Every time I looked down to place another train wheel (aka gummy lifesavers) a piece would mysteriously be found missing. Nonetheless, it was a fun way to end a truly wonderful Christmas day!!

{happy holidays}

What a fantastic book The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck is. I just finished reading it this weekend, and what a truly heartwarming and touching book it was to read. Especially with Christmas right around the corner, this beautifully written story is just what I needed to get the "true" meaning of Christmas to the forefront of my mind. It made me laugh and it definitely made me cry. I would highly recommend you read this short (less than 300 pgs) little book this Christmas season. Now that Steve has a week off of rotations, I am making him read it too!! And if you are looking for a last minute Christmas gift for that special someone, this would be a perfect gift for anyone.

I probably won't be posting anything until after Christmas, so I will end by wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays to all!

{christmas spirit}

We have had a great week with the kids. Its amazing how much you can do-- when you don't have runny noses, bad coughs, fevers, and grouchy little munchkins to take care of. We have really got into the Christmas spirit this past week. So here are just a few things we have been up to.......

Of course a trip to see Santa at the mall had to be at the top of the list. It has been really fun this year, because Hunter actually gets who Santa is now, and has been really excited to "meet" him and tell him that he wants an orange t-rex for Christmas this year.




Grandma Morris sent this really cool Nativity magnet set for Hunter to play with. I thought this was fun because Hunter is really into magnets right now, so this has been great for him to rearrange the different pieces around, and learn about the birth of our Savior in a way he can understand, and have fun at the same time.

I also introduced our first Advent calender this year. This has been something that Hunter has really enjoyed doing every day. He gets so excited each day when he moves the mini candy cane to the next day, and we count how many days are left until Christmas.

These next pics are of the boys in their Christmas T-shirts. We really love Charlie Brown at our house, and have watched all of the Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas "specials" on TV over and over again. Steve's brother found this Peanuts T-shirt for Tanner, isn't it so cute?

{in case you can't tell from this pic Hunter's shirt says "My brother is the Naughty one"}

We also had Hunter's preschool Christmas program this past Saturday. It was so fun to see him up on stage with all of his cute little friends. We are so proud of Hunter, and how much he loves going to school each week.

We also took the kids to Valley West mall to ride the train.

Hunter's preschool Christmas party was also this week. It worked out that Steve was able to be there, because luckily he finished surgery early that day.




And lastly, here are just a few more pics of the boys (as if there haven't been enough on this post) but mainly it's just for the grandparents benefit! So, as I had stated earlier Hunter and Tanner have loved watching the Charlie Brown specials this holiday season. This is how they have been watching TV together lately.




Silly Brothers!

{tag}

My overly pushy friend Azure "tagged" me with this, so I guess I will oblige. Plus I got sick of seeing "Blah" everytime I looked at my blog--and since things are no longer blah around here--more like crazy busy getting ready for Christmas in 2 weeks, here is the "8's Tag"

8 shows i love to watch

The Office

Dancing with the Stars

The Hills

ER

Lost

24

Project Runway

Modern Marvels

8 places i love to eat

Texas Roadhouse

Applebees

Bravo Cucina Italiana

Cheesecake Factory

Papa Murphy's Take and Bake pizza

Tony's pizza

Cafe Rio

Olive Garden

8 things i did yesterday

took Hunter to preschool

went to the post office and mailed off the rest of my Christmas cards

finished putting all my "neighbor" gifts together

wrapped Christmas presents

made chicken tacos for dinner

went on a ride with the family to see everyone's Christmas lights on display

made a yummy cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows

watched The Office with Steve

8 things i am looking forward to

going to Hunter's preschool Christmas program tomorrow afternoon

taking the kids to see Santa at the mall

Christmas morning with my kids

my sister coming to Iowa for a visit in 2 weeks

Steve getting this rotation over, and having him home for Christmas break

watching the UTES go to the Sugar bowl in January

this weekend--I think Steve and I are going to go see Four Christmas' tonight

my kids sleeping in this Saturday....(haha, fat chance) I can dream right?

8 things i love about fall

Everything!!

more specifically--cooler temperatures

cozy sweaters and jackets

Thanksgiving

changing colors in fall leaves, and the crisp air

pumpkin patches, and hayrides

Halloween

homemade sugar cookies and chex mix

8 things on my wish list

an i phone

my kids to stay healthy ALL winter long (is that too much to ask?)

to win an all expense paid trip to Hawaii

getting more than 4 hrs of sleep a night

to be out of the "student" phase of our lives right now

to have more patience with my kids

to be able to pay off our student loans someday (sooner than later)

to find happiness in the small things in life

8 favorite eye candy

Steve (gotta give props to my #1)

Christian Bale

Ryan Gosling

Ryan Reynolds

Will Smith

Patrick Dempsey

Robert Pattinson (but only as Edward)

Steve Carell (does that surprise you??)

8 people i tag

whoever wants to--be my guest!

(this one was actually kind of fun to do)

thanks to my Azure friend!

It was only a matter of time, before the world saw the debut of these little beauties......

I present Edward and Bella action figures

Now if you were thinking to yourself...WOW those would make some amazing stocking stuffers this year--sorry to disappoint, they won't be available for our purchasing pleasure until January 2009.

{blah!}

I'm not going to lie.....it hasn't been the greatest week at the Morris house. Ear infections and a bad case of croup pretty much sums it up. Poor Tanner has had it the worst, and the arctic Iowa temp. that rolled in this week, hasn't really helped too much either. Every year at this time, I think to myself....NO!!!! Not another freezing, bone chilling, windy, icestormy (is that a real word??) Winter! But it has come upon us. And then I ask myself--why does it seem like my kids are sick all winter long???

My kids share a room. And oh how I wished that it wasn' t the case. I shared a room with my sister until I was almost 17--can you believe it!! If we made it through Jr. High and High School years together and managed not to kill each other-- then we pretty much can overcome anything!! (good times sister, good times) haha! So obviously my parents seemed to be fine and dandy with all of us kids sharing rooms together growing up--so then what's my problem??

I will tell you. Tanner is over a year old now--so I think we have had more than enough time to adjust and get used to the boys sharing a room. At first it was tricky trying to get them both to bed at night, without one of them waking the other one up. It took a lot of patience (which happens to run very low at the end of a long day.) And many nights of Steve and I taking turns sitting in their room to "monitor." But eventually we came up with a brilliant way to get them to bed each night, with very little trouble. So that problem is solved at least for now. So now on to problem two. The current situation, involes a party in Hunter and Tanner's room every night at 4 am. Yep-- every night the boys wake up, turn on the lights, jump up and down, and party like its 1999. Every night this past week, the "party" has taken place. The only difference has been an occasional 2am or 3am time change--just to keep things interesting!!

So right now, I am at a total loss on how to fix this current problem, that only seems to occur when siblings share a room. I have never been one to have my kids sleep in our bed at night. First of all, its a Queen sized bed. (Not meant for >2 occupants) And in my opinion, not a great habit to have the kids get accustomed to. So what it has come to now, is that none of us get any sleep. I have to take Hunter out of the room, so Tanner can eventually fall back asleep (which I've come to learn... can take awhile.) So then I am stuck with a wired 3 yd old all to myself at 4am. AHH! Steve has to be up at 5:30- 6am for rotations, so he can't very well be up with him. I would be fine and not complaining so much if it hadn't happened every night this past week. I swear this is so much worse than adjusting to a newborn baby. Trust me, I've had two of them so I know the meaning of-- sleep deprivation. I know there isn't really anything to do--but if anyone out there has had a similar situation with their kids, I am very open to suggestions. And NO we don't give our kids a great big diet coke and tons of sugar right before they go to bed--so that's not the problem.

I won't end on a completely negative note. I honestly feel bad even complaining about this. But wow has it been one crappy week. Things are looking better already in the "sick department" at our house. (Tanner is getting his "sparkle" back, so don't worry dad.) But if I can just figure out a way to get more than 4 hrs of sleep at night, and put an end to the late night partying going on next door--then I'll be good to go. So, because I have been cooped up all week with sick boys, and the weather being so cold, I was really craving some delicious homemade buttery rolls. I have never made "homemade" rolls in my life, and figured now was as good of a time as any to give it a try. So thanks Brittany for posting such an awesome recipe. They were D.I.V.I.N.E!!

{Elf Yourself....this was just too funny not to post}

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

{thankful weekend}

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Our's was spent at home with just the 4 of us this year. It will probably be the first and the last time, that we will ever spend Thanksgiving with just us, so it was nice to kick back relax and just enjoy the day. Later that night, we had lots of fun going over to our good friend's house, and enjoyed a variety of pies, made turkey crafts with the kids, and watched a movie. Overall it was a wonderful day.

Here are my two silly turkey's on Thanksgiving Day

Then Friday we took part in a little Black Friday shopping-- and got in on some great deals!! (No... we didn't join all the hardcore shoppers and wake up at 3am to start our day, but nonetheless we still got some sweet deals.) We also set up our Christmas tree and decorations that night. It was fun this year, because Hunter really got excited about setting up the tree with lights, and "helped" me put on all of the decorations. However....I can already see some potential problems this year with a certain 1 yr old, who is fascinated by all of the twinkling lights on my tree, and has already pulled down all the ornaments within his reach. awesome!

Saturday, Steve got up bright and early and headed out with a bunch of guys from our ward, to go pheasant hunting. One of Steve's favorite Thanksgiving weekend traditions...is to go hunting with his dad and brother every year, so it was nice that he was able to carry it on this year with some of his buddies. I'm not too down with eating pheasant, but Steve claims it tastes "just like chicken." hmmmm.....

And lastly, I wanted to end by giving one more "thankful" shout out--to my brother Brady who is serving a mission in the Philippines right now. Brady is my youngest brother--and it is a little ironic, me being the second oldest in my family, how much I look up to him. He has taught me so much and I admire him in many ways. I am so proud of my brother and the amazing person he already is, and has become. He has such a love for all people and carries a spirit of service and love with him always. His positive attitude and genuine nature are two qualities that I greatly admire, and hope to strive for in my own life. I love you Brrdoddy!

{Isn't this picture amazing?? Everytime I look at it, I feel of my brother's love, as he is serving half way around the world}

{because i have been given much}

With Thanksgiving approaching this week, I am sure most of you take time to reflect on the things in your life that you are thankful for. I too have been thinking a lot about the many blessings in my life. It's sad that sometimes it takes a "holiday" to remind me to be grateful for all that I have, but hopefully I will try to keep that Thanksgiving spirit with me all year round.

I just wanted to share a few things that come to mind, that I am thankful for in no particular order: (some are fun and others have a little more meaning to me)

How could I start out a "thankful" list without naming the favorite 3 boys in my life?? My own "Three Musketeers" I could go on about how much I adore and love each one of them, but it suffices me to say that they are my true joy and happiness!



I am thankful for my education. As well as being thankful for my wise parents who instilled in me at a very young age the great importance in obtaining a good education. I am grateful for knowledge. I love being a nurse, and even though at the present time I get to be a full time mom, I look forward to the day when I can work again and provide a service to those who are in need.


I am thankful for this blog. It is my journal and record of my family and our weekly happenings. I have been uplifted and inspired by so many who also blog. I am inspired by the many people who cease to amaze me with their talents. I also get great ideas for my family, and honestly have learned so much from many of you.

I am thankful for my testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. I am proud to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice for me.

I am thankful for my family. It is a pretty awesome family to be a part of. Each of them are unique and each of them are so special to me. I have learned by their example, and am inspired by all of them in their own way. I have been taught well. I love Steve's family. Really I couldn't have asked to have married into a better family than the Morris'. What more can I say--I Love You All :)




I am thankful for the discovery of Costco's Calcium gummy vites. Really they have saved me from feeling like such a failure over these past months due to Hunter's aversion to milk. Hunter loves them, and it honestly it has relieved so much stress. I sleep better at night now knowing that Hunter's bones aren't deteriorating due to lack of calcium in his diet. Thank You gummy vites.

Friends. Another one I could go on and on about. I have been blessed throughout my entire life with loyal and true friends. I hadn't fully appreciated the great friendships I had made over the years until I moved away from Utah and had to rely on good "friends" instead of family due to circumstances. I love my friends. I have learned so much from each and everyone of them. It has been just as meaningful laughing with a good friend for hours on end, as it has been to cry with one. Inspiring, uplifting, positive, happy, fun, smart, silly and talented are the words I would use to describe my friends.

Steve made me post this. But to be honest I would have to agree with him, but mostly for selfish reasons. I am grateful the UTES won the Mountain Western Conference this year, and will be invited to a BCS bowl game. I am happy the UTES won, I have such fun memories of going to the football games with Steve when he was doing his undergrad there. So I do have a love of the game. And I am pretty sure that it would have been a "deal breaker" for Steve-- not marrying me if I was a fan of the "Blue" team. But honestly the selfish part of me didn't want them to lose yesterday because if they had, I would have to deal with him for an entire year sulking over the fact that the "blue" team won. So Go UTES!!!




I am thankful for my health. I take it for granted most days. I am grateful for this body of mine, even the times I complain about it. I love, and am forever thankful for a strong and healthy body.

I changed my mind. I have to give a huge shout out to my crazy UTE loving husband Steve. He is the hardest working guy I know. He is the only one who can make me laugh without even trying. He has the most beautiful brown eyes I have ever seen. (PS: thanks for passing that on to the kiddos) He is a genuine person. He cares about people around him. He is an exceptional dad, and works at being a better one everyday. He is a great husband, and works at being a better one everyday. He is smart, cool, funny, intense, dedicated, and does the dishes every night!

Even though there is so much more that I could list that I am thankful for-- I will end with the two great joys in my life--Hunter and Tanner. (I changed my mind again)
Motherhood has changed me. Mostly for the good. I put my family before myself, and it has taught me how to sacrifice and serve those that I love most. I don't get to sleep in ever, I forgot what a "quiet" house sounds like, I sometimes don't get to take a shower until the day is almost over, I have to be responsible (that's hard sometimes.) My body that I am thankful for as stated above...is forever changed thanks to childbirth. Motherhood has changed me because it has taught me patience, unconditional love, tolerance and more importantly-- how to be a better person. I am thankful for Hunter and Tanner for making me a mom.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving this week!