Merry Christmas

We had a great Christmas. Of course the girls were spoiled. We spent way too much money this year, but it sure is fun to watch their faces when they get what they ask for. Andy and I even gave each other gifts this year. We haven't done that for a few years. It seems that things break down just before the holidays so we consider getting them fixed our gifts to each other.
Erin got a new compound bow, Wii games, clothes, camera and Legos. Amber got a new laptop, four monster high dolls, clothes, Lalaloopsy dolls. Andy got a Kindle Fire from me and clothes. I got a surprise from Andy he bought me a personal hand gun. I will be taking my lessons and possibly getting my conceled weapons permit. It's such a big responsiblity to own my own gun. I'm excited to take the lessons and become a better shooter.
Andy and I finally got our elk ivory rings made. They turned out so beautiful. I couldn't be any happier with them. We really need to get a picture taken of them. I didn 't take any pics at Christmas either, where the heck was my head???

Almost Christmas

I can't believe it is almost Christmas. I have been working so hard and the time has just slipped away from me. I celebrated my birthday on Dec. 8th by going with my mom down to see "Good Things Utah" being broaddcast. It was so much fun!

 This is Paul La Marr the musical guest. He is from Australia and came to Utah to pursue a singing career.

 Me and my Mom with the girls. Gretchen, my Mom, me, Nicea and Brianne.

I just wish I looked as good in my photos as all the ladies do. Hopefully this next year will be my year to loose this nasty weight. Andy and I have been discussing how we should go about it. Yes, I know the best way is to eat right and get that stinkin exercise in. I actually don't mind exercising, it's the getting me started that I can't seem to do.



We have a real tree this instead of our usual fake one. We wanted the girls to experience shopping for a tree and smelling it in the house. I pretty sure Andy and I had more fun then they did. They thought it was too cold. I let them and Andy do the whole tree by themselves.

I have to include here the letter that Amber wrote to Santa in her computer class at school.

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Amber.  I am a girl and I am already 9 years old!!  I live in the great city of West Point.  Of course, that's in Utah, United States but I'll bet you knew that!  This year I've been so good that, well, ok, maybe my halo has been to the repair shop a few times this year.

Santa Claus, some things I might like for Christmas this year are:

-Laptop,

-Beanie boos; and

-Abbie Bomnable Monster High Doll.

Santa Claus, I almost forgot to say... Santa I want to know if I'm on the naughty or nice list.  What is your favorite kind of cookie, how is miss Claus I think the north pole sounds nice and fun.  Ttyl on Christmas!

Love, Amber

I just love that kid, she has such a personality. Really I could never make up a letter like that one. I wrote it exactly the way she did.

School is almost out and I am looking forward to things calming down for a few weeks and then on bigger and better things.

Trick or Treat!!

Our Halloween was really fun. We were able to go to the Pumpkin Walk on Friday.  Every year it gets bigger and bigger.The talent of carving the pumpkins amazes me.

Top Row: Me, Andy, Michelle Ritchie, Jeff Ritchie
Bottom Row: Amber Dawson, Savannah Ritchie, Erin Dawson, Brian Ritchie

 Brian Nixon our friend and neighbor as Jedi with the kids. His family started the Pumpkin Walk back in the late 1960's. Brian, my nephew, was not too sure about having his picture taken with the Star Wars characters.

We went to our ward's Trunk or Treat with Jeff & Michelle and they won an award for the best theme in family costumes.

 Amber and our neighbor Jared were able to carve pumpkins in our backyard on Halloween Day.

Erin was Annabeth Chase from Percy Jackson. She loves to read the Percy Jackson books and loved dressing up like Annabeth.  Amber was Laguna from the Monster High dolls. She has all the Monster High dolls and thought it would be so fun to dress like one of them. This was the first year that we let them go trick-or-treating without us. I think they thought they were so grown up. They got a fair amount of candy and of course they got some of our favs, which Andy and I ate. Yum, Yum!!!

Our vacation to California!

We just got back from spending a week in California. We were in LA most of the time. Andy had meetings so we decided to make it a family vacation. We decided it would be too expensive for all of us to fly so we drove. Our first night was spent in St. George and than we drove to LA from there. I have never drove beyond Las Vegas. I actually enjoyed seeing the different scenery.

Our first experience, getting into LA, we saw a filming of a traffic scene. It was fun to watch. The second day we spent at The American Girl Store and Santa Monica Pier and took a tour of the city.

                               American Girl Store

                                We are standing infront of my favorite doll Kit's display

                       Wall painting advertisement for Happy Feet Two.

                                   Santa Monica Pier

                    The aquarium at Santa Monica Pier

The girls and I just hung out for the third day and went to the American Girl store again.

The fourth day we spent at Universal Studios. We had never been there before and we all loved it. I especially enjoyed the tour of the studio lots. We actually were able to drive by the set of Desperate Housewives while it was filming. Of course, DHW is one of my favorite shows. They had had the park all decorated up for Halloween and some were pretty interesting.

                  Walking the Red Carpet.

                               Waiting for the studio lot tour.

                                  This a real guy painted like a statue. He was awesome.

The third day was at a day trip to San Diego and Legoland, but Legoland was closed. We had a Wally World experience that day. So we spent the day at Seaport Village shopping and on a beach in La Jolla. It was a cold and foggy day so I'm glad Legoland was closed.

              Amber is holding hands with a boy and a dad made out of Legos.

 Amber is standing by the mom with a baby in a stroller and I am by the dad and son that are made out of Legos. I also really, really want the Volvo we are standing by.     

 Andy and the girls at Seaport Village

 Amber standing on the rocks in La Jolla

 We watched this guy surf.

Amber not so sure she wants to hold this crab

The fifth day we went back down to Legoland and they were open yippee!!

 Andy and the girls in a large Lego pumpkin

 I could not get this photo to rotate. Haggrid, Harry and the girls

 A Volvo CX90 made from Legos

 My Dad with the girls, just kidding.

 Again won't rotate.

The girls on one of the rides.

After Legoland we drove to Las Vegas and spent the night at the Excalibur and then the next we spent it with my Aunt Karma. We went to lunch and Andy did some honey-do's for her. We arrived home at midnight that night.
It was a fun trip but I was so glad to get home. I was running out of underwear, ha ha ha. I love my family and being around little kids makes me see how much my girls are growing up. I want to savor every moment with them.

School is In!!

The girls getting ready to leave for first day of school

Amber with her 4th grade teacher Mrs. Janet Salyards

Erin with her 5th grade teacher Mrs. Michelle Goble.

The girls had a great first day of school. They both love their teachers. We have actually been in school now for two weeks and hopefully have fallen into a regular schedule. The homework is getting done at school so not much is brought home, yippee!! We have really been working at getting our daily reading back into the routine. I've been reading a lot but my reading doesn't count towards their minutes, LOL!!

They have gotten back into their piano lessons and have been doing very well with daily practicing, let's just hope it can continue. Erin has decided she would like to take dance again. She has taken two years off and ready to start again. Amber has decided she wants to take tumbling again. She has been off for three years. I'm glad they want to get back into those things since they have both chosen to not play soccer. They will both being playing Jr. Jazz in the winter.

Andy and I have been able to get out on the motorcycle a little this last month, but of course not enough. I have to get a picture of it and get it posted. Our new bike is gorgeous, a Suzuki C90 Boulevard. Hopefully we will be able to take a small trip on it somewhere in the near future.

I have a new job. I am a teacher's assistant at an elementary in Layton. I LOVE it and it works so well with my kids' schedule. I get to take them to school and pick them up. I will have the same days off as they do. It is the perfect job. My mom had the same type of job when I was growing up and I loved her being able to work around my schedule too. I feel guilty for being excited to go to work. I have never experienced that before. I keep thinking "I am going to get paid for doing this?" GREAT!!!!

I'm looking forward to cooler temps and the fall colors coming out. We have had such a wet Spring and Summer that I'm hoping the leaves will be beautiful. Of course we will be taking a few motorcycle rides to view the mountains. Looking for that amazing change in seasons.

Summer Fun!!!

The floats for Days of '47 parade.

 The girls standing infront of the Kung Fu Panda float.

 The Utes float. They had all the schools of studies represented on there.

 KFC Yummmmm!

 This was my favorite one.

 This is the front of the Farmington float. I voted for this one.

 This float represented the progress of travel. So cute, each car did something different. Very creative.

 Pioneers coming down the mountain. The expressions on their faces were pretty cute.

 This dragon had a mist of water spraying from it's mouth.

 Willford Woodruff is in the above pic fishing. His arm would move like he was casting.

The next one is of course the Up float. A lot of detail with the forest and it's animals.

 This one is a replica of the tabernacle choir with each member being a different animal.

 My family standing by the choir float.

This cute float is from the Up movie too, but this one is for the Youth parade. They did such a good job on the little girl.

We have had a very fun summer so far. We spent the morning looking at all these beautiful floats. It really is amazing the time and talent that is spent on these. This is the first time I've ever gone done and seen them. They were on display at the South Town Expo Center. I didn't get as many pics as I would have liked, way too many people and strollers in the way. Afterwards we went and ate at TGI Fridays. The girls and I saw the movie Zoo Keeper a couple of days ago and the gorilla in the show ate at TGI Fridays and so the girls wanted to check it out. Crazy how movies can do that.

The girls were also in a children's theater production in Clinton for Clinton's Heritage Days. They started practicing for it when school got out, three days a week for two and half hours each day. They were so excited to be able to perform it. It never ceases to amaze me at how willing my girls are to try things. They are so talented and I love watching them develop their talents.

Erin is Buttercup from Power Puff Girls. Amber is Sleeping Beauty.

Close up. This after the parade before the performance. Very red cheeks.

Amber singing the Sleeping Beauty theme.

Amber falling asleep while she sleeps.

Erin getting ready for her part to start.

Erin with her fellow Power Puff Girls.

They are the singing the Power Puff Girls theme song and Erin is introduced as Buttercup!


We have been camping a few times, but I don't do the heat well so I didn't go on the last outing. I was able to enjoy myself by sitting in an air conditioned house and reading a book. Andy is such a good daddy and took the girls without me. He is so willing to help and do for us and he rarely complains. We love him!!!

We have a few summer work parties to go to in August so all of us are looking forward to free food and entertainment. We have to enjoy the rest of this time, because school starts in a month, Yikes!!!

Hopefully in the Fall we will beable to go to LA with Andy for one of his water dist. conventions. We are planning on going to the American Girl doll store, cafe etc., Legoland and maybe Universal Studios. The funds may not be there, but we are sure going to try. I suppose if there is a will there is a way, right.