My Monstrous Day

My day with the boys finally came, but of all the days to have a snow storm, it had to be a day when we had to travel to Salt Lake.  Since I had an extra ticket, and Mitch and Teresa were in town for a surprise visit, Mitch and Easton came along for the fun. Roads were fine for the most part, but due to the storm earlier, it had caused several accidents on the freeway.  It took us a good hour just to get through Willard, and we ended up being 45 minutes late for the show.

AJ and Kimball were funny because Kimball prides himself on going to sleep "only one time a day", meaning he doesn't take naps anymore... "except when he's sick" of course.  During the traffic jam, though, he was drifting off and AJ was giving him grief and teasing him about it, which would make Kimball mad.  Kimball finally fell asleep, and it didn't take long for AJ to do the same.  I had to take this picture to show AJ that he takes naps too, and probably shouldn't tease is little brother so much about it.  Ha ha.

Three tired boys

We ended up being 45 minutes late for the show, but luckily we didn't miss too much.  We got there in time to see the final of the monster truck races, or whatever it was, and all of the motocross and monster truck freestyle.  Easton LOVED the motocross freestyle, and AJ and Kimball pretty much loved everything.  As we left, the kids said they wanted to do that every time.  That was my first Monster Truck experience, and it wasn't quite as "white trash-y" as I thought it would be.  I have to admit it was quite entertaining, and I would probably do it again. 

Me, Kimball, and AJ

Easton

The drive home was a breeze as it was nice and even sunny... until we got back to Logan where the storm had just hit again.  Is it EVER going to be spring???

My Winter Break

I've decided I need to recharge every couple of months, and the best way to do that is visit my family in California.  We always have a great time, and last weekend I took advantage of the time Mitch had off (he's on "paternity" leave).  Since it was Superbowl weekend, and his Cardinals were playing, it was even more special (until the Cards lost).  Anyhow, listed blow are the updates on everyone.

1- Getting to meet Hudson for the first time.  Although he's suffering from "Colic syndrome", he's still the cutest little butterball.  Funniest quote came from Brandon when he asked the little sumo... "How many chins do you have now?"

2-  Easton is in the fun, cute stage right now.  He's talking so much, and is so cute with his "baby brother".  Funniest quote from Easton came when he noticed I had some candy.  I thought I was being sneaky, but the kid has hawk eyes.  He came up to me and said... "trick or treat".  

3-  Fallon and her project.  Fallon had a school math project and had to triple the size of a Junior Mints box.  She spent a lot of time on it and it looked amazing at the end.  Funny quotes came the next day, when Teresa and I woke up early to take her to school...

Sly: "Do you have all your stuff?"

Fallon: "Mmm hmm... it's in the car."

Sly: "Do you have your Junior Mints box?"  (I had seen it on the table in the dining room just a few minutes earlier)

Fallon: "Ohhhh...."

4- Mitch & Teresa are suffering from lack of sleep and deal quite well with it... for the most part.  We had a great kid-less night out (well except for Fallon) on Saturday and met Ami and Brandon for dinner at Houston's.  It's always a highlight when we can all joke around together.  Mitch of course was devastated that his Cards lost, and Teresa and I looked forward everyday to see what Bryce was up to on facebook.

5- Ami & Brandon were absent the last few days due to Ami being sick.  They missed out on the Superbowl, or rather we missed out on Brandon's chocolate chip cookies.  Funny quotes about this were between Teresa and I when Ami said she wasn't up to coming over.

Sly:  "Ami said she's not up for a lot of people... she's not coming.  She said Brandon even made his chocolate chip cookies."

Teresa:  "Well... can Brandon come?"

It was a great trip, and I have put together a nice little video to sum things up...

My Girls' Night Out

It has been a while since I was able to have a special night with my nieces, and I wanted to do something a little more special and a little less generic with them.  Timing was perfect, because my cousin Mickey had the lead in the play "Peter Pan" at Weber State, so I immediately got tickets (good thing, because they sold out fast).  This was too good of an idea, because Kimmie and Melissa wanted in on this one too, so they joined us for this one.  We braved going out on a weekday, and went on Wednesday night.  It was all worth it.  Mickey was amazing, and the kids LOVED the play.  Mia apparently had no idea that Peter Pan was our cousin until after the first act, and when the play was over, she immediately took to "crowing" just like Peter Pan, and then wondered if Mickey would recognize who we were when we went to wait for her in the Lobby.  Emily Ty was funny as well, because she informed Melissa that if she were in the play, she would much rather play "Nana", which is the dog, or perhaps the crocodile.  In both cases, she would be wearing a suit so nobody could recognize her, and have no speaking or singing parts.  That was an interesting perspective.  

In the lobby before the play, they sold a few treat items, and everyone got to pick out their own snack.  Just another highlight of the night for the kids.

Emily Ty, Mia, Mickey, and Quincy

Happy Birthday Kenna

Not a day goes by that you aren't in my thoughts.  You have taught me how precious life is and to cherish every moment.  I was fortunate to have spent more time than most with you, though it still wasn't enough.  I miss you and love you.  Happy Birthday wherever you are.

My First Two

I am now ready to dive in to 2009!  Yeah... If you think I'm behind, you're dead wrong... I'm running on the Chinese New Year's calendar, so I am in fact... early.  I guess you could say I made a compromise and split the difference, and am now making a list of things I want to accomplish in '09.  My sister-in-law, Melissa had a great idea on her blog and posted 52 things for 52 weeks.  I was going to follow her lead, but decided that I needed a timeline to stay focused.  I've decided to take life a couple of months at a time, where I'm able to live for today, but still look ahead to and plan for tomorrow without getting TOO overwhelmed.  I've picked several things I want to do or accomplish for January and February, and are as follows:

January

1. Organize, organize, organize (I need to get my sh..... stuff in order!  This is my number 1 priority!  If I eliminate chaos, the rest should hopefully fall into place much easier)
2. Go to lunch with a friend (To me, life is about the relationships you build)
3. Take my nieces out for a fun activity  ("Beadles" I'm guessing)
4. Read a book (This month it's "One Breath At A Time"... It's about Buddhism)
5. Visit my Grandma as often as I can (I'm hoping at least on a weekly basis)  
6. Start a training program (I'm trying a new program with some of my co-workers... I hope we get it soon!)
7. Finish my 2009 calendar (I am making my own with iphoto this year)

February

1. Back up my Mac onto an external hard drive (Teresa's got to help me with this one... good thing I'm going out to L.A. this month)
2. Start scanning old photos and slides (This alone will take months and months, but I have to start somewhere)
3. Start editing old video (This also will take months to do)
4. Go to lunch with a friend (This is pretty much a monthly goal)
5. Read a book (I still need to finish the second to last Harry Potter... I suck, I know...)
6. Take my nephews out for a fun activity (I'm shooting for the "Monster Truck " event... Kimball LOVES monster trucks)

So that's my plan for the first two months.  I hope it's as simple as it seems.  Wish me luck!!!

My Holiday Season

Time flies around the holidays, and before you know it, it's time to make new goals for a brand new year.  Since I am behind, I've decided to tackle that over the next week, and take this time to catch up on the past two.  Below are the highlights of my holiday season.  

CHRISTMAS EVE:

Christmas Eve I swear is better than Christmas itself.  I've always loved the anticipation and the excitement.  You can't help but be happy.  After a short work day, I met up with Ami and Brandon to visit my Grandma and Dad at my Grandma's house.  Even though we are all grown up, nothing spells comfort like being at Grandma's.  Back in the day, the whole family gathered for Christmas Eve, Santa would come, my dad and uncles, and eventually Tony would play Bugler's Holiday on their trumpets, and my aunts would play Sleigh Ride on the piano.  What great memories...

Later on Christmas Eve, my good friend Diane invited me out to her parents' house to spend some time with her family on Christmas Eve.  It was so cute watching her kids and nieces and nephews open gifts and put on a nativity program.  It's crazy how fast our lives change, and I'm so grateful for friends like her.  Love ya Di... 

CHRISTMAS DAY:

Christmas was pretty low key for me.  I slept in until 10:30 or so, made myself some rice noodles and headed to my grandma's house.  One of my favorite things about Christmas is surprising my two cousins/little brothers/nephews/sometimes even sons, Riley and Jaycson with a fun gift.  I have a hunch they are pretty excited to receive my gift as well, because when I got to Grandma's they had them on their laps, ready to rip open (I had left them in her garage, and they were found).  This year I got them both a long sleeved soccer jersey.  I can't believe how they tower over me now...

Jaycson, Me, Riley

Kimmie, Bryce, Quincy, and Mia spent their Christmas in California with Teresa, Mitch, Fallon, and Easton.  Hopefully next year we can all spend it together.  Since Ami and Brandon got snowed in Christmas night at Brandon's parents' house, we all met the next evening for a "pot-sticker" night at Tony & Melissa's.  The food was delicious and we all ate way too much, but the best part of the night was Teresa and I setting up ichat on our macs.  It was very exciting to us computer nerds, and the kids got a kick out of seeing and talking to each other,  and sharing about all their Christmas treasures.  It's nice to feel so connected to family during the holidays.  I love technology!

SNOW DAYS:

The day after Christmas, Tony brought Emily Ty, AJ, and Kimball over to go sledding on the hill just up the street from my house.  We have since dubbed the hill "Riley's Ridge", since he separated his shoulder snowboarding down it earlier in the week.  We had a great time sledding.  Kimball at one point laid down in the sled and went down the hill like it was the luge.  He said he wanted to go "fast like a bullet", and that he wanted to "lay down in the sled like a bed".  That kid is hilarious.  Who knows... maybe he'll be in the Winter Olympics a few years down the road.

The following Monday after Christmas, Brenna, a player I used to coach, came back to Utah for a visit , and we went snowshoeing up Logan Canyon.  I brought my 7 year old nephew, AJ along for the adventure, and he did AWESOME.  We hiked up a steep mountain, and he kept right up.  At the top of the mountain, we came across a small cliff we could jump off of, and AJ, the little daredevil was attempting to do 360's off it.  It was such a blast!  On the way down, we went straight down, as opposed to the switchbacks we had to do going up, and AJ just flew down the mountain.  At one point, I did get a little nervous and afraid that someone would try and kidnap him while he was waiting for us at the bottom, so I hurried down quick.  Of course, he said going down was his favorite part of the whole day.

Brenna, Me, AJ

BABY NO NAME:

December 3oth, Teresa went into labor and sometime between 10:00 and 11:00 pm, a 6 lb 11 oz, 19 inch baby boy was extracted from her big bell-ay.  It then took 5 days to finally come up with a name for him.  Our family welcomes the 10th grandkid... Hudson Joseph Chaisson.

NEW YEAR'S EVE:

Poor Riley went in for surgery on his left shoulder.  Not a good start for the new year.  At least he got a pair of "paper shorts" out of the whole deal.  The surgery went well, and we hope his recovery will be speedy.  High School soccer season is right around the corner.

I spent the evening with Scuba Steve and the Scuba Squad.  Scuba Steve made delicious shrimp (breaded & coconut), I made a London Broil, and Cindy made my favorite... augratin potatoes for a great New Year's Eve dinner.  Mmm mmm good!

Surgery definitely didn't slow Riley down as he lit off a bunch of fireworks at midnight.  It was amazing how the neighborhood erupted in fireworks.  Apparently we weren't the only one with the "frowned upon" contraband.

GAMES:

New Year's Eve, and throughout the rest of the weekend, we watched plenty of "House", while getting our game playing in.  Nertz was definitely the fave.

Happy New Year everyone!!!  Even though I hate getting back to reality, I DO look forward to re-organizing, and getting back on a schedule.  It's definitely time to make some new goals and plan for the upcoming year.  Wish me luck!!!

My Surprise

Fallon, Teresa, Ami, and Me

California was absolutely fabulous!  This is my Top 10 list from my latest visit.

10- THE BIG SURPRISE: Although this is one of the top things, it was over fast, and I thought it would be a good beginning.  For a whole month and a half, Ami, Brandon, Mitch, and I had to keep this big secret.  I flew out and surprised Teresa the night before her Birthday.  I even had my work lie to Teresa and tell her I went home sick, as I knew she would call me that day, and sure enough... (good thing for caller ID). Unfortunately, this kind of planning takes a lot of patience and waiting.  The last two weeks were almost killing me and I almost slipped a couple of times.  On the final day, I had to wait a couple of hours for Ami to pick me up from the airport as she had to work.  As we got to Teresa's house, we tricked her into getting Ami some "lounge clothes" as I snuck in the back door.  As she came back into the kitchen, I was sitting next to Mitch on the couch, and she had a look of confusion on her face, and finally said... "Heeeeeyyy!".  If I only had time to set up the video camera...  It was a great surprise!

9- SLEEPING IN:  I love vacations because I get to catch up on sleep.  Even though I would automatically wake up early, I made myself go back to bed for a couple more hours.  It felt great!

8- FESTIVAL OF THE LIGHTS: LA's version of Temple Square.  It's a drive through line of lights designed after top sight-seeing sites in California.  Easton had a blast, but mostly because he got to sit on Mitch's lap and drive the truck. 

7- MOVIE NIGHT: Since I never got the chance to watch The Dark Knight on the big screen, I had to settle for the next best thing... Teresa's big screen.  

6- SHOPPING: We got a lot of shopping in.  The funniest moment was when we went to Target.  Teresa had taken her purchased items and started heading to the doors.  While the lady was ringing up my items, she totally ignored me and stared at Teresa walking away the ENTIRE time, barely breaking her gaze to take my money.  As she was finally giving me my change back, she said to me... "She is walking VERY slow.  She's VERY pregnant!"  I wonder if she knew we were together, but it was pretty funny.  

5- GOOD FOOD/BAD FOOD: One thing we love to do, is eat!  First I'll name the Bad Restaurants... Ca Del Sole, where we had Teresa's Birthday dinner (it must have been an off night), and Bistro 45 where I ordered a chicken Caesar Salad, but little did I know it would be authentic and made with anchovies.  As soon as Teresa mentioned anchovies, I was done.  Best Restaurants were New Moon (Chinese), Pho 97, our usual Indian Restaurant, and of course In-N-Out where Easton discovered fry sauce.

4- FAMILY LAUGHTER: One thing we all like to do is make each other laugh.  We constantly joke, making fun of our family quirks, unusual childhood, crazy Utah living, and "Mitch-isms".  We had plenty of laughter throughout the visit.  I have the greatest family!!!

3- "PEEKING IN THE OVEN": Teresa went in for a 4D ultrasound session to get the baby's first pics.  We think he's going to look a bit like Easton, and it looks like he'll have a cute little dimple on his left cheek.  Can't wait to put a name on that face!

2- WILDCAT SOCCER: Getting to watch Fallon play on her High School Soccer Team.  I was able to catch 2 games, and she played awesome!

   Fallon heading the ball

Me and Fallon at her school.  

Notice Magic Mountain in the background!

1- EASTON "BYTES": Listening to Easton talk.  He is so into food, his cousins, and learning how to wink.  He has the cutest little voice, and always made us laugh with his "words".

What a great trip.  It sucked coming back to freezing temperatures and snow, but hey... Christmas is right around the corner!