Weird Language

Jason: "Is our car parked far?"
Matt: "No, not real far."
Jason: "Is is pretend far?"

What a funny boy!

Texas Gators

Today was beautiful and warm, a perfect day for alligator viewing. Brazos Bend State Park is fast becoming my favorite place to go in the Houston area.
Here is Jason petting a 4 month old gator.

Two Alligators hanging out in the lake.

This is our Alligator friend who was enjoying the warm weather just like the rest of us. I don't know if he needed to hang out quite so close to the path, but it made some great pictures.

Doesn't he look warm and happy.

A view from the path, looking out on the lake. Isn't it beautiful

This picture was taken from the observation tower, you can see how close he was to the trail.

Oh, and the boys had fun playing and running too!

There were so many fun things about the park, we enjoyed the visitors center where we got to pet the baby gators, and even pet a tarantula (not that we can't do that at home). We saw some amazing birds, and fun turtles and even snakes. And I can't forget how beautiful it was, oh, and did I mention it's DECEMBER 29th!

Aaaahhh Christmas Morning

A neighbor had a Leg Lamp!

Ian squealing when he opened his present from my parents!

Jason showing off his favorite gifts!

Christmas Quotables:

Matt: "Jason did you have a good Christmas"

Jason: "It's still Christmas!"

Matt: "Does Santa have a Car?"

Ian: "No"

Matt: "So if Santa Doesn't have a car, how does he get around?"

Jason "He can walk!"

Ian calls a little nativity that used to be my Grandma's his "Christmas House"

Christmas day: Beach Trip

Yep, that's right we went to the Ocean on Christmas. The weather was warm but very foggy, it was eerie and beautiful! The water had some good sized waves and there were even some people surfing at the beach. We walked out to the end of the jetty, we saw some funny birds, big waves, bigger boats and even a dolphin (we have yet to go to the jetty and not see a dolphin). The boys enjoyed throwing rocks into the ocean (daddy was skipping rocks), looking through their binoculars and watching me get splashed by a huge wave (it's a good thing I was wearing my flip-flops). It was interesting to see the damage that Ike caused down at Surfside, they are still repairing a lot of structures. Fun Day!

Before Christmas

Here are a few things that happened before Christmas but the camera was unloaded at the same time. First is Ian's space ship that he built with legos, I thought it was so creative I wanted to take a picture of it. He's only 3 and he builds the coolest things out of legos all by himself. I was so proud! To be honest, I don't think I could have come up with such a cool ship if I tried!

Check out my new shirt!!! I wanted a shirt with a bass on it but I couldn't find one I liked, then I found a place that puts your designs on shirts for you, and I made my own shirt! No shirt is more perfect for me (the bass body is actually my bass and the spider is one of my more classic designs). Click on it and see just how awesome it is... I dare you!

4:09- (giggles) like the cleaner

Silent Night, holy night, I am not sleeping , at all tonight
(sung to, yep Silent Night)

3:07am

I'm not asleep...
can't go to sleep...
wish I could sleep...
still not asleep
I can't sleep, what's wrong with me, I should try - to get some more sleep.
Sleep, sleep, sleep sleepy sleep sleep.

(Sung to Carol of the Bells)

1:22am

I wish I could go to sleee-eep
I wish I could go to sleee-eep
I wish I could go to slee-eep
Go to slee-eep Right now!
(sung to the tune of We wish you a Merry Christmas)

Here comes Santa Clause

Yeah, it's the first year that my kids didn't freak out when they saw Santa. Here are my cute elves telling him what they want this year... Let's hope he pulls through! Oh and yes, Ian does have a black eye (no, I don't know where he got it, really... really, the kid falls a lot!)

More Snow Pictures

Matt took these pictures at 11:00 last night. The color is a bit off because of the night photography, but hey, if you have a tripod and a camera that can take long exposure shots, why not! The more I talk to native Houstonians the more I realize that it was very rare to have any snow at all not to mention snow that sticks to the ground. It was fun while it lasted... too bad it didn't last that long, all the snow is gone and we are looking forward to a warm weekend. Looking outside today, it's hard to imagine that it snowed here, I am sure glad we got some pictures.

What the....SNOW!

Yes, It's official... Hell has frozen over (okay, I stole that from Kelli & Kelly)! At least it makes my birthday feel like it's actually in December. Just yesterday I turned on the A/C because it was muggy and hot, and today SNOW! But don't worry, by the weekend it will be back in the 70's. My poor Hibiscus is so snowy, I hope it will still bloom. The kids were going wild outside, it was fun to watch.

I want to thank all my fabulous friends who braved the cold weather to come by and wish me a happy b-day and bring me gifts... (yummy gifts) and presents. I have the best friends and family! I feel so special today even with the snow :)

Geo Caching

Last weekend we went Geo caching with the Murphy's. Geo caching is a form of treasure hunting, you get coordinates online and then use your GPS to find the "treasure" usually small item, you take one and replace it with something else, you update the log book, who you are, when you came by, what you took and what you left. Some items have a tracking number and you can see where they have been. It's really fun, and the kids enjoyed themselves so much. The weather could not have been better, it was sunny, and warm, yes my kids are in t-shirts and shorts (I like this kind of December weather)! We also took some family photos, none of ours really turned out, thanks to wiggly distracted kids. Ian was delighted to use the restroom facilities that the great outdoors has to offer... he peed a ton (yes, we took pictures of that too)!

Ian our GPS navigator & Jason and Gavin the Treasure Finders!

Hey look a few trees actually lost their leaves.

Destroyer Syndrome!

Here is the completed Star Destroyer that Jason got for his birthday, he and Matt put together. It was almost 1400 pieces and hours of work (slowed by Ian) but they finished it. It's a good thing Jason has a Daddy that is willing to put so many hours into a toy for him... Yeah Right, Matt had just as much fun as putting it together as the boys! I must say that it's by far the coolest toy in our house. The lego set is so intricate that it comes with the Darth Vader helmet placing chair (like in episode 5), holographic image of the emperor, an escape pod, and even a little mouse droid! The kids will have fun playing with it (if Matt and I will let them, we're still playing with it). We now all have Destroyer Syndrome... which is sitting around looking at how awesome it is, and admiring the workmanship.

Happy Birthday EVERYONE?

Last Friday we decided to throw a Surprise birthday party for my friend Janalyn (who happens to share a birthday with me) We wanted to give her a special 30th birthday and an excuse to have a girls night out! The surprise was so much fun! After hanging out we went to Cheesecake Factory for some dessert, Kelly told our waiter that we were celebrating 3 birthdays (me, Janalyn, and Stephanie), I don't know if he really believed us, but we got our free ice cream anyway! We had so much fun that we decided we are going to find someone with a birthday every month and take them out to and celebrate!

Who would have thought?

Matt and I went to go see Blue October and Hoobistank in concert this week. We were front and center (two or three people away from the stage). I had SO MUCH FUN! Yeah for good loud music.

Here were my concert observations...
1)Don't wear Flip Flops to concerts, my poor stepped on toes! - (I know this one does make sense, but after wearing high-heals and closed toed shoes all last week I needed my flip flops)

2)People who go to see Blue October are generally shorter then those going to Joe Satriani (yeah for me).

3)People will do just about anything to worm their way in front of you, seriously anything!

4)Don't you dare try to crowd surf with me around, I will drop you!

5)Once you have a spot, don't even think about leaving to use the bathroom, you will never get back.

6)Don't forget your camera (cell phones just don't cut it)

7)Girls are meaner then boys at concerts.

8)Bring earplugs - a)Either the music will be too loud or b)they can drown out the swearing.


Here is my icky cell phone picture :(

Past..Present...Future

Past: We just got back from New Mexico and my Grandma's funeral. The services were lovely and she looked so peaceful. It was fun to learn some stories about my Grandma and laugh at her strong personality that has been passed on in her children and (cough) grandchildren. There were some tears, but mostly there was laughter, smiles and sense of family. I couldn't help reflect on my faith and the Savior's Plan of Salvation. I am grateful to have a knowledge and an understanding of the gospel and to know that death must come to all men, but it is only the end of our mortal life, we should rejoice the passing of our loved ones, and live our lives now so that we can live with them again. After the Funeral I was visiting with my Grandma Sipi (my dad's mom) we were reflecting on the amount of people that came to the Funeral mass and the other services and she said that my Grandma was up in Heaven and pleased because she finally got so many people to come to church.










Present: One of the best parts was reconnecting with all of my first cousins on my Mom's side. It may have been the first time we were all together! My grandmother had 17 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great! WOW!

Future: I had fun with my cousins, and it was wonderful to see the next generation doing the same. I really liked this picture of Mike (Matt's dad) playing with the boys, I felt like that's what our trip was about making memories, remembering loved ones, and looking toward the future!

Well, I feel like I just wrote a talk on family history, sorry! Anyway I am grateful for my Family, past, present and future, and my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Good memories... especially our game of Taboo :)

Jason's 6th Birthday

Finally, some pictures of Jason's Birthday... sorry, we've been a little busy. His day started out with a 6 year photo shoot that didn't go as planned (see pouting picture), yep that's one of the best pictures. Then we took a family trip to Chuck E. Cheese's for pizza and fun. In the afternoon we opened presents (poor kid, he hasn't really had a chance to play with his new toys). Then we went to the Sell's for our Pre-Thanksgiving dessert party, we also ate Jason's lego cake. I really dropped the ball on the cake, It's definitely not my best work, but he knew what it was, and I know that I work best when I am making a design on a cake --not a cake that is something. I think he had a really special Birthday, he is very much looking forward to getting home so that we can play with his new toys.

Weird Day

Jason had a really special 6th birthday today. I'll post more pictures later. For my friends that have been keeping tabs, my Grandma finally passed away today too. She was just 12 days away from her 100th birthday. My mom said it was a very wonderful experience to be with her when she died. We're making plans to head out to NM soon so we can be there for her funeral. It's quite strange to think that Jason's birthday will also be the day my Grandma died (at least I'll never forget the date). The usual, non-stress me is beginning to feel the rumblings of stress about travel and plans... this is 2008, can't we teleport people yet! I feel sad, confused, relieved and very far away, and I think my decision making process isn't working quite right.

Classic Jason

We were at a restaurant and the table we were sitting at had the handicap sign on it. Jason made a very interesting observation "Look that guy is using the potty." Now I know that I have talked to him about the handicap sign before, Matt said he has too, but when it's not over a parking space, I guess it just looks like a guy using the bathroom.

The Pilgrims and the Indians

Today was the Kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast! Here is my little guy dressed as a Pilgrim (isn't he cute) The girls were Indians in his class. It was so much fun to go to his school and see him all dressed up, and to be there for his "feast."

Some of Jason's friends, Nya, Colin and Jason.

4 Little Monkeys

I just thought that these little guys were so cute, I had to take a picture. Yeah for pretzels and Sesame Street. Here are the names of the boys, Issac, Ian, Sammy and Ethan. Needless to say I keep calling them the wrong name, oh-well.

October Showers bring....

November Flowers???

Couldn't have said it better myself...

Couldn't have said it better myself... that's why I am not a world renowned author. I found this Quote by J.K. Rowling today. She was talking about Harry walking into the forest in Deathly Hallows and his fate as the "Chosen One." The Quote isn't about him though... it's about the rest of us.

"The destinies of wizards and princes might seem more certain than those carved out for the rest of us, yet we all have to choose the manner in which we meet life: whether to live up (or down) to the expectations placed upon us; whether to act selfishly, or for the common good; whether to steer the course of our lives ourselves, or to allow ourselves to be buffeted around by chance and circumstance."


Speaking of quoting people... here is a gem from Ian today. He was holding my hand in the walmart parking lot, and he kept hurrying trying to get in front of me and turning around at the same time. I asked him what he was doing and he said "Stop getting your shadow on me!" And he was right, when we walked side by side my shadow was overtaking his shadow, so he was pulling ahead and checking behind to make sure his shadow was untainted. I love how he made it sound like my shadow was a disease, what a nut!

Jason vs Crowd

Here is the video we took of Jason accepting his award. Please notice that the other children use the isles to go to the front. At least he knows the shortest distance between two points is a strait line! Way to go super citizen! My favorite part is when he looks to the left... then looks to the right... and then goes to the front. Oh, It's not on the video, but do you know how he went back to his seat? Yep, he went the way he came, through the little kids again!

Let the Countdown Begin

A couple of Jason moments...

So, since the beginning of November, my sweet little Jase has started counting down till his birthday. He actually wrote his name on the calender on his birthday, I had to laugh when I saw it. Every morning and every night he tells me how many days left, he is probably telling his teachers and friends too. Jason likes to write in his notebook and he keeps writing his his birthday with a 5 and then an arrow to the 6. I think someone is excited about his birthday this year... Guess what, only 15 days left.

Last Friday Matt and I went to Jason's school for his awards ceremony, Jason was going to receive the Citizenship award for his class. When they called his name to get his award, he decided not to use the isle to walk to the front, but he went strait through the seated crowd, probably stepping on the other kindergartners, (how's that for a good citizen!) Yep, that's my son!

Joe Satriani

Quick question, Where were you when you heard who the next president would be, and who told you? Well, I was at The Houston House of Blues and Joe Satriani told me that the President elect was Obama... I think that's something I will never forget. Oh, and there was an awesome concert too!

So, I would like to be nominated for the wife of the year award because I took my husband to see one of his favorite musicians! Alright if you know me, I was pretty excited too, maybe I don't deserve any awards.

The House of Blues was great, it was a small venue and we were so close! My eardrums may never recover (somebody answer that phone!). Okay and I am such a dork... The stage curtain was this crazy quilt (I'm probably the only person to ever notice) I was impressed.

The concert opened with Mountain (and for you 60 and under crowd they are the band that plays Mississippi Queen on Guitar Hero III) they were really good, especially since they stayed up way past their bedtime and Mattock was over hours before. The Bass player could have been one of their grandchildren, and he was really fun to watch.

Then the main event... Joe Satriani, wow, that's all I have to say... Wow! Oh, and I was so excited about Stu Hamm, who is probably one of the best Bass players ever! His solo was incredible and made me feel totally inadequate. Oh, and it's always fun to watch the crazies at the concerts. One of my favorite things was seeing people sing along.... to instrumental guitar music!

We couldn't have done it without the Rixner's, thank you for watching the boys, feeding them, putting them to bed and staying up late to wait for us!!!


Stu On the Bass!


Joe & Stu

Yeah... were were that close!!!

At the House of Blues

Um... I can totally do that!