Here comes Santa Claus...

We were invited to go with my friend to her work to visit with Santa. It was so much fun, the kids got to sing songs with Santa and Ms. Santa, and Santa read them a story.

Then it came time for the kids to go talk to Santa. Except they had to talk to Ms Santa first to see if their names were on the naughty list or the nice list, in Santa's book of names. Marcus and Brooklyn were so nervous to see if there name was there, I played along and said "oh I hope so, I would hate for you to have to explain to Santa why you are on the naughty list." Marcus was so nervous about the whole ordeal he started biting his nails. Needless to say they were very relieved to find out that Santa thinks they have been good this year. They both smiled, and were so excited to come and tell me...

It was such a fun evening for the kids. Thanks again Jen for having us.

Day 2-7 of our Vacation!

So I really had good intentions to blog every night of out vacation. But at the end of the night I was to tired to turn the computer on.

Day 2 of Vacation... DISNEYLAND

We started the day at the Mad Hatter.. Got the crazy hats, We arrived at disneyland at 8:00am and partied all day until 11:30pm, It was a long FUN filled day. We were able to bring our niece Kianna with us on our trip, which made us an even number for rides, but more importantly we got to spend time, and get to know her better.

We had a lot of fun, being able to go on rides with Grandma and Grandpa Williams and a lot of our cousins. There is just something about this place that truly is the Happiest place on earth! I have such a great time just being there. I am so grateful that Bryon and I are in a place in life that allows us to go and enjoy vacations with our family.

Day 3 of Vacation... San Diego Zoo!!

I haven't been to San Diego Zoo since I was little. We have never taken our kids there, and I am so glad we made time to visit the Zoo!

We got to see lots of exotic animals that we don't get to see at our Hogle Zoo. Like the Panda Bear and also the Koala Bear. They have a sky ride that takes you across the zoo, it was very high and very scary. At least for me it was scary. We would have liked to spend more time at the zoo, but that is a sacrifice you need to be willing to make when going with a big group of people. We had a really good time there, and I am sure we will be visiting the Zoo again in the future.  When we left the zoo we went to an Italian place called La Bella's in Chula Vista. It is a place my parents would go to when visiting my aunt. The food was really good, and we all drove back to our hotel happy.

Day 4 of the vacation we went to Universal Studios..

Driving up to L.A. made us appreciate rush hour in Utah. Traffic in Utah is nothing compared to what California's highways look like. But we made it, and of course had a great time. We started through the park at a walk through House of horrors, needless to say Marcus and Brooklyn were skeptical of all other activities that day. The house of horror was a lot of fun, but scary. I am not a fan of haunted houses and people chasing me with scary items. I should have thought about my shoe choice that morning. I had flip flops on and I lost one as a monster was chasing me, so I was at his mercy until I could get my shoe back on. I came running out of that house. The rest the day we went on Jurassic Park, the ride, The simpsons ride, went to hte Shrek 4-D show, went to a couple more shows, And of course got some pictures with characters.

It was a lot of fun.. We finished the night off with dinner at Bubba Gumps. It was a good day.

Day 5 of Vacation was spent at California Adventure..

We went to California Adventure today, It was my nephew Austin's 14th Birthday so we all received an I'm Celebrating button. We were heading down to go on The Tower of Terror and ran into Mushu from Mulan.. So of course.. KODAK moment. We all agreed to meet at the park at 10:00am which is when this park opens, so of course we went to Disneyland at 8am and then met up with everyone at 10. I must say, the kids are troopers, we were at most parks from open until close. We stayed and played at California Adventure most of the day, went on all the rides a couple of times. Went on The Grizzly rapids, I got drenched!! I thought my dad was going to die laughing at me. He was on the raft with me and the kids(not Brooklyn, she hates water rides, so Bryon stayed off with her.) We stayed there until about 6pm and then went back to disneyland. My nephew Todd stayed with us and my parents and Sister Natalie and Chris went back to the hotel. Disneyland was so crazy busy this night, we could barely walk anywhere. But we still stayed and played until about 11.

Day 6.. Thanksgiving Day,

This day we started the day off at California Adventure, Brooklyn was apparently vacationed out at his point. She brought grumpy to a whole new level. This is pretty much the way she looked all morning at the park. She refused to ride on any rides. So we were blessed to see her this way.

Then at 4 my dad made us reservations for Thanksgiving Dinner. We left the park, went back to the hotel, got cleaned up and went to dinner. Thanks Dad for doing this for all of us. Dinner was a much needed break for the kids, (Brooklyn especially). After dinner we went to Disneyland.

The park wasn't busy at all, we were able to go on all the rides, what a way to spend the holidays. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday, and this year I was able to be with my family, at disneyland. I am so thankful for this time of year.

Our last day of vacation we spent at Sea World.

We were able to see all the shows, pet the star fish and the sting rays. Enjoyed the rides that were there, over all just had a really fun day.

Day 1 of our Vacation

This is the view we got to enjoy as we drove into San Bernandino Valley. Once we reach this point we can almost taste the finish line.

We got into Anaheim and settled into our hotel, Yes, this luggage somehow all fit into the back of out Sequoia. (thats why I truly love that car). The rest of my family decided to stay and relax at the hotel, so we decided to go see our friends Khobe and Dave. We visited with them for a short while, I am hoping to have time to go see them again, they are super sweet people.

Of course we had to stop for a delicous treat before we headed back to the hotel. Miss Priss cupcakes.... delicous.

All of the adults decided to go out for dinner without kids. First time ever any of us did this without kids. Me, being in Long Beach just a month ago advised we go to a place called The Pike. I ate here last month, and they truly do have the best fish and chips I have had. And this is the look I got from my mother for taking her to such a place.

Needless to say, after the initial scare of entering such a place, they all raved about how good the food was, and that they would go back there again. It was a very fun, eventful day. Can't wait for tomorrow, Disneyland.

Happy 16th Anniversary!

16 years ago today I married the love of my life,

 and my best friend!

Do you know how much I love you

How much you mean to me

I can't imagine my life without you

My world would be empty

It seems like only yesterday

I first looked in your eyes

But the years have passed so quickly

Much to my surprise

The life we've made together

Our children and our home

The memories we have to cherish

How much our love has grown

Through the good times and the bad

You've been right by my side

You've made me smile, made me laugh

And wiped my tears when I have cried

You are my husband, my companion

My lover, and my best friend

If I had the chance to do it over

I'd marry you again

Happy Anniversary Bryon, I love you more and more each day,

Thanks for all you do for me and our family.

You are the one!

xoxoxo

Love you Always and Forever!

If she can do it.....

If Tammi can do it so can I... That must have been Bryon's frame of mind. I was hosting a baby shower for my niece, he leaves the house and comes home with this. Marcus went with him and watched in amazement as his daddy got his tattoo, he did say to Bryon, "Dad, if you cry, I am going to laugh at you". Needless to say, Marcus had the tattoo artist rolling in laughter. So from that point on Bryon had to be strong, so his 7 year old couldn't laugh. His tattoo looks absolutely amazing.. Not only does it show our constant support for our NCAA football team but it is the school he graduated from with his Bachelors Degree.

It is nice for Bryon and I to be in a place in life that we are able to do something just for ourselves. I know many people aren't a fan of tattoo's, but for us, it is more of an expression, kind of a selfish act that this is who we are, and we didn't do it to try to impress anybody.

I am loving my tattoo more and more everyday. I have a party on my foot that resembles something Bryon is the only person to give to me, My 5 adorable, loving kids. Thanks for loving me, and giving me such happiness.

Weekend with the Girls!

This last weekend I had the opportunity to go to Long Beach California with my friend Jen. We stayed with a friend, and didn't have any major plans while we were there. I had lost touch with Jen for many years, and thanks to facebook we have reconnected. I am so glad to have her back in my life. Well people that knew us back in the day called us the terrible twosome.. So this is what the terrible twosome does when we get let loose in the big city...


YES!! I did it, I have been talking about it for a while. So you know, turn 35, go on an outing with girlfriends, and get a tattoo.. Crazy, but I did it, a star for each of my kids with their favorite colors. It hurt a little (and when I say little, I mean a lot) but I love it.

The rest of the weekend we spent seeing the sites of Long Beach, went the aquarium, West Coast Choppers shop, and had Amazingly good food. Jen and I stayed in the same room at night and laughed all night long, until our bellies hurt and we couldn't breathe. Our friend Khobe has an amazing little Studio where she designs and makes jewelry so I got my first shot at making a necklace. She does some amazing work.

This was my first trip EVER away from my husband and kids, that was difficult, but I am so glad I had the chance to go and just hang out with friends. I had such a great time..

Homecoming 2009!!

Taylorsville Homecoming 2009, Anika and her friends before homecoming. All the girls came here to get ready. They all looked like princessess when they were done. Anika and Nicole were going with their boyfriends, Spencer and Brian, so Molly and Kianna were just going to go together and have fun. I got it through my thick head that it would be more fun for them all to have a date. So Saturday(yes, the day of homecoming) my niece Chelsey and I were frantically looking for dates. We were able to get a couple of friends that were free for the evening, and they all went to the dance and had a fabulous time.