Christmas Day!

Christmas was great! My mom was actually the one that woke us all up. She came down and said "It is 8am!" We were like no way......so we all got up and headed into living room to see what Santa brought us all. We had a wonderful time. It was a wonderful Christmas. I am truly blessed with such great family and friends. The kids were spoiled. We always say there is a budget....and we always have a hard time sticking to it. Denny got me a cute mini pink zune. I got him a blue one. (For when we work out) and he also got me a digital frame and a purse I have wanted FOREVER, but never could make myself buy it.
Here is sleeping beauty. When we went in to wake her up....she was ready to go. "What took you so long?"

Jaylin (my sisters little girl) waiting patiently for everyone to get done brushing their teeth

Colby with his new beanie and robe!

Mason wanted Santa to bring him snow boot so bad. He wears his every day of winter every year...with or without snow. He also got the Batmobile that he has asked for every year and "Santa" gave him the wrong one. He played with that thing all day and he may have even slept with it that night.

Jaylin getting excited to see what her present is

Ryanne got overwhelmed pretty quick. She was ornery most the morning....but she is still cute even when mad.

Amy and Colby with new robes and technology. Colby got an ipod and Amy got a Nintendo DS.

"Does this shirt make me look grumpy?"

Lindsay and Mom with the presents I made them this year at Super Saturday.

Me and my princess

Me and my hubby

After breakfast and clean-up it was time to do it all over again with Dad and Sandy. We had a great time. It is great seeing how much my Dad has changed. Here they are with their homemade gift from me!

Me and Denny with their homemade gift for me....homemade gifts are the best!

D.J. all wrapped up with a bow

The Greenwoods...nap time!

Mason with his night vision and new snow boots

It was a big day.......These two have had enough fun.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Can not believe how fast this year has gone by.

Who does this look like?

Any Guesses on who's child is this? I am sorry the photos are kind of dark. But....I will give you a clue. He is a nephew of mine. He belongs to a brother of mine....with the initials of D and J!

That is right! This is D.J's little boy Bryson. D. J. took these pictures with his phone when he got to see him on Christmas. We do not get to see him that much. Bryson is staying with relatives until this ugly custody battle is over. It is between D.J. , his ex-girlfriend (the mother of the baby) Mandy, or Mandy's Dad....confusing I know. But I just saw this photo and thought it was so cute. I totally see D.J...it may be hard due to the dark photo. He is so adorable!

Merry Christmas to all.....and to all a good night!

Christmas Eve at my house is big. We LOVE Christmas Eve. To me, I think it is better than Christmas. On Christmas, it is all over. But on Christmas Eve, you have all the anticipation for what Santa is bringing. There is just so much excitement in the air. Like I have mentioned in the past, I like to have everyone sleepover at my house on Christmas Eve. But we have not been able the past few years. Every family has their own traditions to carry on. So this year I was not going to make a big deal about it....and guess what? My Mom, Popps, Lindsay and her family all decided they wanted to spend the night! I was excited. We had fun with it. We called it the HILLton Inn. I had all the travel size needs for them in their rooms. The kids would greet them at the door and show them to the room. Amy would take their coats. You should have seen Colby. He was so cute. He rehearsed his lines most of the day. When the Greenwoods arrived (Lindsay and her family) he opened the door with his church jacket on over his pajamas, he showed them to their room, explained what time dinner will be done and to expect breakfast "after presents." He also told them their is an open bar with Sprite, Diet Coke, and Dr. Pepper. LOL.....we had a blast with it. Our modo was "There is always room at our Inn!"

My Mom and Popps made some really yummy Swedish Meatballs. We actually changed our traditional Christmas Eve meal. It was fantastic! And it was kinda nice for me to have the night off. I was in charge of the mashed potatoes, easy enough.

Yes, that is Ryanne eating a shoe lace. We do not feed her much. She thought she was so funny.

And this is Lindsay's girl Kamrin....what a cutie!

My sisters Lindsay and Alyssa. We were able to see Alyssa and her boys for a couple hours. And Alyssa was able to come back on Christmas day. The boys had to go back to their foster parents. She has also informed us that she is expecting!?! I know what you are thinking......but she has been away in Rehab....how can that be? I guess it just took the that little amount of time she was out on Thanksgiving when she visited her boyfriend. (Anywho....moving on)

Here is my wonderful Grandma. Isn't she so cute! I was surprised she actually let me take the picture...so I jumped on that opportunity.

Jason and Kamrin

Jaylin showing me the pretty cookie she decorated all by herself!

Kristi and her wonderful boyfriend Todd....They are so cute and happy!

Colby, Mason, Jaylin, and Amy

This was suppose to be the kids table....but ended up being the boys table (Well, I guess it is still the kids table. Haha)

My grandma was eating a popcorn ball and these two girls did not leave her side. They loved it!

Mason and Jaylin thought they were so funny hiding under the table

The kids with their jamies....it is a tradition that the kids get new jamies from Me and Denny on Christmas Eve. (From back to front--Colby, Amy, Ryanne, Sophie, Mason, Jaylin, and Kamrin)

Me and and Denny started the drawing of the names with the kids this year. It was funny...Me and Amy drew each others names, Denny and Ryanne drew each others names, and Colby and Mason had each others names and as you can see by the picture--they got each other the same thing!

Awwwww. Now I can show this picture to them when they have their arguments.....You really do care for each other!

Right before Christmas Denny decided to make me a present. He was in the garage for two days. He wanted me to open it on Christmas eve so all the family could see it. It is so cute. I was surprised! It is this really cute bear night light thingy. He made one for my mom and Popps too with ducks. And now they are all trying to set up a way to sell them....hahaha. That is how they roll!

Me and my princess in her cute night gown

Our Girls Rule photo! Me, Mom, and Lindsay. This was when all the kids were going to bed....and we had a little too much egg nog.

Lindsay and her hubby Jason

This is Popps and Denny with their dogs

Me and Denny

We let my Mom and Popps have my room and Lindsay's family slept in the boys room. That left the family room for me and my family....this was the kids all nestled in their beds.

Merry Christmas to all......and to all a good night!

Project Red Wall!

Some of you may have noticed I have had paint samples on my wall for some time. The only color I was for sure about was the wall I was painting red. I really wanted to get it done before Christmas. So, me and Denny worked on it as much as we could the last couple weeks. All of us helped with some part of the wall. The kids really liked helping. Amy and Denny painted the lettering. Me and the boys put the pictures together. We got it done just in time.

It is a dangerous job....but somebody has to do it! That is why we have Denny!

The next weekend, we finally decided it would be better with a ladder. (After we had finished most of it)

Ta Dah!!!! Isn't it pretty?! We are very pleased with it...now the rest of the living room walls looks horrible. I need to get on figuring out the other colors.

Christmas Post Coming Soon!

I have not been able to post my Christmas post yet.....It is under construction. But today, I am back at work and thought I would just touch bases with everyone. We hope you had a GREAT Christmas! We had a wonderful Christmas! I am trying to filter through all the photos. I did not even touch the computer over Christmas break. Just enjoyed my family. We played a lot of games. Me, Denny, and the boys attacked the new Guitar Hero, WE ROCK! We make a good band/team. We also watched movies. I watched Mamma Mia and LOVED IT! There were two songs that made my cry and cry. Then I kept rewinding them and watching them over again. THEN we watched it again with the sing-a-long! That was so much fun! You should have heard all of us, we looked goofy too....we were all piled on my bed dancing and singing along. Even Ryanne liked it. I kept getting tears in my eyes because I saw such happiness in the kids eyes and I realized how fast they are all growing and I love them so much. So while I am getting my Christmas break photos together....I have downloaded some of our family favorite Mamma Mia songs! Enjoy.....

Now I must get ready for New Year's Eve!!

We have won a trip to Hawaii!

Hawaii......Here I come! I am soooooooooooooooo EXCITED! I can not even begin to tell you how excited I am.
At Denny's work, they put your name in a drawing when you have worked there for 10 years. They do this at the annual Christmas Party. This is a drawing for a 1 week paid trip anywhere in the United States including Alaska and Hawaii. They pay for the airfare, hotel room, car rental, and $500 spending cash. Denny has worked for the company for 11 1/2 years. They draw two names every year. He had no luck last year. But this year we had a good feeling. That day we kept talking about where we would go if we won. And then when they called his name.....I think I jumped into the air a little! We thought about Disneyland of course (Denny has never been) but then we felt we would be cheating on the kids. They have not been there either. Then we both talked about how we really want to see Alaska. But we would not know where to go or what to do there. So, we then talked about Hawaii. We have always wanted to see Hawaii. When will we ever get a chance like this again? So, Hawaii it is. I have done my studying on the Islands. I think we will go to Oahu and Kauai. We are trying to think about when to go. We thought maybe for our 12th anniversary in June! But worried about the humidity. So, I need your help. If you have been to Hawaii, I would love you input on when is the best time to go.....Spring or Fall?

I need to get planning so I know how long I have to hit my goal weight and I am in desperate need of a TAN. (Denny is lucky in that department)

Temple Square

Friday night we went to Temple Square with my Dad and Sandy. I think Temple Square is one of the most beautiful places on this earth. I would say the same even without the Christmas lights. It is so beautiful. I love the feeling I get just walking around the grounds. This was the first time for my kids. We have all decided to make it a yearly tradition. We also went and saw the movie "Joseph Smith the Prophet of the Restoration". I cried like a baby. It was the second time I saw the movie. Me and Denny saw it for date night last year. When I watch that movie....I get this overwhelming feeling that this Church is true. I still have a lot of questions and some things do note make sense to me but I do know that Joseph Smith restored the true church. I am not going to lie...I was surprised when I found out that my Dad and Sandy wanted to join us. I was nervous going there with them and what they would think. I always have this fear of being looked at differently from family when they know my beliefs. I was surprised with how much Sandy did know about the church. When we were looking at the photos in the visitor center, she knew who was in the photos. I was happy. They seemed to enjoy themselves. I really hope they did.

Isn't it just BEAUTIFUL?

As we were walking around the Temple...Mason asked "Are we ever going to be able to get into that castle?!?" Sandy laughed for days when he said that. I explained that I hope one day he will one day be married in that castle or any castle (temple) he chooses.

Mason, Amy, and Colby

Me and my family. Ryanne was home with Grandma Linda. We figured this trip was going to be to cold and did not think she would do too good during movie. But geez, did we miss her.

Denny, Mason, Amy, Colby, Sandy, and Dad (I just loved his beanie)

The kids really enjoyed the evening. Mason was glued to the movie. He had a lot of questions (which I liked). They now have a better understanding of Joseph Smith and the trials they were dealt. Made me think maybe my trials in life are not so bad.