72* and Sunny in California

Yes all of you who were freezing cold here can be jealous! California was absolutely beautiful and warm! I'm sure people thought that we were nuts wearing shorts and short sleeved shirts, especially placing our children in them. Most were walking around in jackets, sweaters, and turtlenecks!

While there we were able to visit and spend time with Dave's Grandparents in Murrieta. Grandpa Wurtz asked if I was carrying again and I told him no that I just hadn't lost all of the baby weight yet. Grandma Wurtz took the kids, Dave, and I on a walk around the block while supper was cooking. When we came back from our walk Grandpa had Dave hook-up his new all in one printing station and get the pictures off of Grandma's camera. The kids had a blast and wished that they would've stayed longer. From their place we left for Dana Point for dinner with his Grandpas. While traveling there we got stuck in construction for over a 1/2 hour while traffic headed in the opposite direction. Unfortunately, we had no cell phone service to ring ahead and let them know that we would be late and when we finally did get service no one would answer the phone at the location. We finally arrived late but to open arms. Dave dropped me off and Grandpa Bill escorted me in to let Grandpa Joe know that we were here. While walking in Bill looked and me and said, "Grandpa and I have done the math and our expecting some news about an up coming arrival." Once again, I let them know that No, I am not expecting I just haven't lost the baby weight as easily as the first two. The kids were excited to see their Grandpas and they seemed to be the hit at the Yatch Club. We feel so grateful to have been able to see them, the cookbook which Grandpa Bill put together is awesome and I can't wait to try all of the new recipes. All in all it was so much fun to get together with both sets of Grandparents and we love them dearly.

Next we were able to see Dave's best friend Jeff and the Browns! It was just like coming home, we love seeing them every time that we are able too. The kids especially loved the boat ride through Naples to see the lights with Jeff, his girlfriend Elizabeth (hopefully his fiance soon), Ryan, and Madison. The kids were all so well behaved and Addison loved hanging out with Madison and telling her all of the cool things that she could do.

Addison and JT loved spending time with Sarah playing games and going to the park with her. The kids loved having someone other than their mom and dad to play with.

Before we left I told Dave that there were a few places that I wanted to attend while we were in Cali one being El Zarape. So, on Thursday night we got together with Dave's brother Josh and his wife Kristen and all had dinner at El Zarape it was soo yummy! Addison and JT fell asleep while eating, JT in Dave's arms and Addison in my lap. Kristen took Payslei out of her carrier and feed her rice which she absolutely loved. When dinner was over we all headed back to Dad and Mom's house to laugh and visit more.

Lastly, we were able to seem Michelle and the girls which was a blast! Friday night we went and got pizza and laughed our butts off. Then on Saturday we went to the beach and took family pictures! The kids absolutely loved the beach! We feel so grateful to have such an amazing family!

Sorry for the run down but I need to keep a journal of the events some how!

Ornament Party and Santa Clause

This year we attended the annual Ornament Christmas Party in Lake Havasu, AZ hosted by my SIL Brandy and her mom Aunt Kathy! It was so much fun to get to spend time with them and make new memories!

Danny and Brandy got a new Rhino which Aunt Kathy refers to as the "Mule". Dave and the kids thought that it was a blast! JT especially loved the little power wheels jeep that he and Addison kept taking turns on.
While there I gave Dave and JT a haircut using Brandy's buzzers; which bty are terrible; so the haircuts weren't the greatest good thing it is only hair.
Payslei attached herself to Brandy and started to reach for people. It was the cutest thing, when Brandy would walk in the door she would ask where her baby was and Payslei would start reaching for her. Needless to say it was a nice break for me but their poor puppy was extremely jealous!

By far my favorite memory from that visit will be going to see Santa Claus at Brandy's work. This was the first time that Payslei and Kendrick were to meet Santa. When we first got there Katelyn and Addison became shy so I quickly placed JT on Santa's lap to null the fear. Wouldn't you know that as soon as Santa asked what JT would like for Christmas he reached up and almost pulled the beard off. Thank goodness Santa is quick and told him that, "Santa doesn't like his beard pulled." Of course only my son would do something like that and smile while doing it. Next, came Payslei who just reached up to him in awe and wonder, so precious! Addison sat on his lap and just giggled and then told him that she wanted a Dora Kitchen (not gonna happen) and a kitten (also not gonna happen). Katilyn was just smiled and I didn't catch what she wanted but told him that she had written a letter and so he should already know. (In fact, her mom has been trying her hardest to find out what game Katilyn wants for Christmas and she finally told her mom not to worry about it because she wrote Santa a letter and so it will be there Christmas morning!) Lastly was Kendrick who just laid there. The pix's will be posted soon as soon as some one sends them to me! HINT HINT!

Thanksgiving the beginning of the Holiday Rush!

I know that some of you are thinking finally a post it's not that many wonderful things have not happened because they have it is just pure exhaustion!

Thanksgiving was absolutely wonderful this year! We all went up to Moose Lodge in Idaho and spent time as an extended Hatch Family. Gramms only fell down the stairs once and to her defense they were extremely steep and narrow!!! Aunt Brook's rolls were amazing as usual, Auntie Mo's cranberry relish is always something I look forward too, and lastly the appetizers which definitely makes Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving! I've decided that when the later generations read of our family they will discover that we love food, shooting guns, playing in the mud on ATVs, singing, and playing card games as a family. I think that the memory of this Thanksgiving will definitely be one that not only I but the rest of the family will hold close to our hearts!

Just to make some of you laugh after reading this long post....Up at the cabin there is an electrical fence in place around the perimeter to keep the cattle away, it is on a 10 second delay. The make shift shooting range was placed on the other side of this perimeter ensuring that no one would get hurt. JT decided that he wanted to be near his daddy while shooting and while standing on the opposite side of the fence he was holding onto the wire. Dave thinking that the circuit must not be connected decided to grab onto the wire and to his surprise got a nice jolt! Mean while here is JT still not feeling a thing; we decided that he must of had too many concussions and so he doesn't feel many things! Also, Grams and Gramp's brought up the boys' old BB-guns so that the kids that were Addison's and JT's age could shoot something as well. JT decided that it wasn't good enough and so came inside whining that he wanted to shoot. I was an awesome mommy and took him outside to shoot the BB-guns and he proceeded to explain that he didn't want those guns but the ones that his daddy was shooting. Needless to say JT shot the gun twice before saying that it was too loud and that he was done! He is such a boy!

Also, we came home to see the Russell's who were in Utah for Thanksgiving and the Morgan's baby blessing! Such fun!