Christmas festivities

Christmas Eve and Christmas morning we spent at home in Boise, just the four of us. This was our first Christmas at home (I know, pathetic)! Christmas Eve we started some of our own traditions. We first watched a short movie on the birth of Christ, then acted out the story with puppets, and lastly, read letters to each other that we had written. That was probably my favorite. Of course, Carson isn't old enough to participate in that activity yet, but we still wrote letters to him. Austin's letters (with our help, of course) were simple, yet sweet. We will treasure those letters every year and I'm sure as the kids get older, they will appreciate this tradition more. Before bed, we left Santa some Oreos, milk, and carrots. Christmas morning started fairly early, although we made them eat breakfast first, knowing they would be too distracted by their toys to eat later. The kids were so excited when they got up to see that Santa had delivered the goods (along with Mom and Dad)! We opened our stocking first, which were stuffed with treats, peanuts, oranges, books, small cars/trucks, mints, and more. Then the real fun came as the kids dug into their presents. The pictures explain it better than words!

Austin got a shiny, new, red bike (from Mom and Dad)!

Carson was pretty stoked about the mini monster truck and M & M's in his stocking-two of his favorite things!

Santa brought Austin a space "ship", although it was supposed to be a space "shuttle". I guess Santa had a hard time finding one! :)

Santa knew just what Carson would like-a race track!

This is Austin's present from Carson, Jet Fire (a transformer)!

Yep, this elephant is nice and chewy!

This is my favorite picture from the morning. Carson opening Austin's present, a car that spins! That kid is obsessed with cars and trucks and anything that "goes"! Love his expression!


In the afternoon, we hastily packed up the car and headed for Logan to spend Christmas dinner with Eric's family and stay for the weekend. We had a nice dinner, set up by Kevin and Kari, at their church (our family is too big now for our houses!). We had a fun time, the kids acted out the nativity scene, and then we all gathered around the tree and opened presents.

Some of the grandkids, ready to eat dinner.

The oldest of the grandkids

Some of the "grown-ups"

The nativity-some of the kids weren't into cooperating for this (Uh, hum, Austin!), but it was still cute. Maecee made a cute star!

Mary and Joseph, with the shepards and wisemen waiting in the wings

Mary and Joseph, with the angel and star behind them.

Carson made a cute shepard, but was not having the head dress and sash.

The kids eagerly waiting to open their gifts from each other.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

We will be heading to UT tomorrow afternoon to spend time with Eric's family over the weekend. Then, after driving home, we will pack up again and leave for CA the next day (yes, we're a little nuts!). Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Hope you all enjoy your holidays with your families and remember that Jesus is the reason for the season! I will update with pictures when I get back in mid-Jan!

Breakfast with Santa

Our ward decided to do a Christmas breakfast this year instead of a dinner. It was fun, especially for the kids who each got a turn with Santa. It was also the first year that neither kid didn't have a fit sitting on Santa's lap. They both just stared in awe at him, it was very sweet! Austin made sure to remind Santa that he wanted a space shuttle and that he had been a good boy this year. My favorite was when he asked Santa, "Did you get my letter yet? I want to make sure you did." So cute!

Griswolds? What Griswolds?!

This house in our neighborhood cracks me up every year. The owners truly out-did themselves though this year by choreographing their lights to music. You tune to a certain radio station and it plays this collaboration of Christmas jingles (mostly Rock), all timed with their lights. Genius, clever, entertaining, and maybe even a little white-trash?! We've gone by a few times, the kids love it and it's always fun.

Christmas craziness

What can I say? I have a love-hate relationship with Dec. It's always the nutiest month of year. In a good and bad way. There's always a million things to do-get and decorate a tree, send out Christmas cards, shop, make and pass out treats to friends and neighbors, and go to a Christmas parties. So, to sum up Dec in three words: stressful yet fun. LUCKILY, we've all stayed pretty healthy. Let's keep that trend going!

On top of all that, Eric's been dealing with tooth aches/pains in which he's getting 2 root canals/crowns and 5 fillings in the next couple of weeks. I've also been busy trying to get out all my fliers for my business (by going door-to-door, very tedious!) and doing a few Twisted Silver holiday shows . We're looking forward to Christmas day though, in which we will spend the morning with JUST OUR FAMILY. Yes, that's a first for us! We think it will be good for the kids to be in their own home, with just our family, with our own traditions, and without too much overstimulation. Not to say Christmas with our families isn't fun and lovely, but we decided that we should stay home from time to time. I'm sure once our children get older, we will want to be home more.

Christmas afternoon, we plan to make the trip to Logan where we will get together with Eric's family and have dinner and exchange gifts. It will be fun and chaotic as always! We will stay through the weekend and drive home Monday, where we will pack up AGAIN and head to CA the following morning. A little insane? Maybe!? But that's how we roll. After all, it isn't called "McEvoy Mayhem" for nothing??!! :)

I'm finally official!!!

I finally have an official website for my personal training business (seperate from my blog). For the past few weeks I have been working with a guy in our ward on creating a website, fliers/mailers, and business cards. It's been a lot of work-getting pictures taken, writing all the content, meetings with the web designer and strategist, etc. I'm stoked its finally up, although we are still working on changing some photos out and editing some content. Check it out and let me know what you think!!!

http://www.dynamicfitnesspro.com/

Grateful in 2009

I can't even believe 2009 is coming to an end soon. It's been another tough but good year for us, and we keep truckin' along! This time of year always makes me ponder on what I'm most grateful for in my life, big and small things. Here's just a few I couldn't imagine life without!

1. Eric. What a wondeful husband he is and father to our children. He really has so many great qualities that I admire and is such a good example in our home. I'm also grateful for the Priesthood he holds. I love that he adores me and treats me like a queen. What can I say? I'm one lucky lady.

2. Our two beautiful boys. They both bring so much joy and laughter (but don't get me wrong, it's not all roses every minute!) into our family. I also love how different, yet similar they are. I love how they are both happy, mild-tempered, social, and easy-going. Austin has an energy level that I have yet to find in another kid, yet he is also extremely bright, strong-willed (a good thing most of the time), curious, and with a sense of humor like nothing else. Carson is a little more laid-back, gentle, giggly, observant, and has this sweet temperment and personality that even strangers notice about him right away. They are two HUGE blessings in our lives.

3. The gospel. I really can't imagine where I would be or what I would doing without it. The knowledge we have is everything, and the cornerstone of our family and our goals. I love the peace it gives me each day, but especially when we're going through tough times.

4. Our health and safety. I think we often take this for granted, but Heavenly Father has blessed us with this constantly throughout our lives. We are ALL healthy. No broken bones, no serious illness or injuries (or even much mild illness for that matter), etc. And I always feel like there are angels around us protecting us from harm and accident (esp while driving with kids and distractions!).

5. Laughter. Did you know that kids laugh more than 300 times a day, and adults only 15 times a day? I'm convinced that we should let our kids help us laugh more often, then we wouldn't take life so seriously. I'm grateful that OUR kids make us laugh everyday by the things they do or say, or even sometimes at our expense!

6. Being a mom. It's truly a priviledge to raise children. And a huge responsibility that sometimes overwhelms me (esp in the world we live in now), but nonetheless, I feel blessed that the Lord trusted me with two of his precious children and spirits.

7. Our families, especially our parents. Eric and I look around us at some of our friends' relationships with their parents and think, "Wow, how did we get so lucky?" We have TWO great sets of parents and one late-parent, that we have to lean onto, look up to, and have in our lives. There are BOUNTIFUL blessings that have come from our Heavenly Father via our parents. They are also GREAT grandparents too- a bonus!

8. My talents. I have always had a pretty clear picture of what talents the Lord has blessed me with (and what talents I don't have! :), and thankfully, some of those I use in helping educate others on how to change their health and lifestyle for the better. There are so many great rewards from doing what I love, but mostly the satisfaction of seeing people happier with themselves is what is worth it.

9. Sunshine. I'm glad I live in an area of the country (or world) that is sunnier more than overcast. Because I grew up in the CA sunshine, I NEED that in my life. It brightens my day!

10. The ability to exercise and be fit. In our nation, too many people lack this ability, and I hold this very close to me. I love how regular exercise makes me feel strong and empowered. I'm also grateful to have a fit and healthy heart, and to be able to move without pain. Good cholesterol, good blood pressure, and strong bones and muscles are all things that are important to me. I'm also grateful that exercise is such a great de-stressor, which is always needed in my life! And the energy I get from it is what helps me keep up with our two VERY ACTIVE boys!

11. The beauty of the Earth. I love that we live in a place where the air is clean, the mountains are closeby, and we're able to enjoy the beauty of this world our Heavenly Father has created for us. I'm also grateful that I've been able to travel and see lots of beautiful and interesting places!

12. Our temporal needs met. Even though we sometimes struggle to get by, somehow, it always works out and we get by. We have a roof over our head, food on our table, and beds to sleep on. There isn't much else that you need.

13. My calling. I was so bummed a couple of months ago when I got called out of Young Womens and put in Primary. Mostly because I loved my girls and felt as though I was in my comfort zone with them (probably because I've spent the past 6 years in Young Womens), but being with the 10-11 yr olds has been very gratifying and rewarding in itself. Those kids have taught me A LOT.

14. Friends. Eric and I have been blessed with GOOD friends throughout our lives. Even though I'm grateful for all the friends we've made, I'm most grateful for the friends that I grew up with because those years were the most important in making an impression and I know WITHOUT A DOUBT that much of who I am today has a lot to do with those long-time friends and their examples.

15. Lastly, I'm grateful for the LOVE I feel in my life. The love of my husband and children, the love of my parents and siblings (and Eric's family), the love of our ward, but mostly for the love of the Savior. He is always with us, sometimes carrying us during the hard times, but I feel His love surround me daily in everything around me. The blessings above are how He manifests that LOVE and what would we do without it?!

Thanksgiving

We spent the holiday weekend in UT with family, and as always it was fun, but exhausting! Thanksgiving day we had dinner at Jim's house in Provo and played b-ball at Provo High (Jim coaches there). We spent the next couple days in SLC, where we stayed w/ Kimi, saw our good friends the Boyers, went to the Gateway Discovery Museum, and saw the lights at Temple Square (with my mom and sister). Oh, and don't let me forget the BIG game-Eric got tickets from a guy in our ward to the Utah vs. BYU game and took Matt (a fellow Ute), my dad (a Cougar), and Kevin (unbiasis). Too bad the Cougs pulled it out, but at least it was a tight game (went into overtime) and they had fun together. Sunday, we drove up to Kevin's house and hung out with this family before heading back home. Here's some highlights of our trip...

The pictures say it all...

Everytime I see these pictures, IN SEQUENCE, I have to chuckle because first of all, it's such a "boy thing", but second, it's so OUR BOYS. Austin doing his typical thing, bugging his little brother, with a michevious grin, all the while Carson is completely unaware (or better yet, used to it!). Someday we will look back at these pictures when we're old and our memory has failed us, but still laugh because these snapshots say it all...

"New Moon" madness

Allyson, me, and Heather waiting outside

Some of our group, along w/ "Edward" (a movie theater employee we joked that looked liked Edward. He really didn't, but he sure loved the attention.)

Debbie, Jeanell, and Tiff-love them

Getting excited for the movie to start-I think we took up 4 rows!

Madness was exactly what last night was. That's what you get when you take 35 grown women who probably don't get out enough, put them in a movie theater to see the midnight premiere of "New Moon" packed w/ screaming teenagers (and moms!), and you have pure, utter madness. But don't worry, the crazy night started out with dinner at a restaurant where we gabbed, laughed, and ate yummy Italian food until our hearts' content, then standed in line outside the theater in the freezing cold for a good hour (with more gabbing and laughing, some at the expense of the movie theater employees who were a little too excited to be working that night), and then anxiously waited inside the theater for the movie to start. It was worth it too. Yes, even though I'm paying for the lack of sleep that night, hanging out w/ friends and seeing Jacob without his shirt on for most of the movie was well worth it. Oh, and speaking of Jacob, I might have to convert to Team Jacob for awhile. Edward, you don't stand a chance against that 30 lbs of muscle Taylor packed onto his dark, delicious frame for that movie. Am I getting a little carried away??? Don't judge. :)

Grandma and Grandpa visit

We were lucky to have Grandpa and Grandma visit us for a few days last week. It was so much fun to have them around as played, went to the park, watched movies, did errands, went to Boondocks, and made treats together. Grandpa and Austin had their fair share of light saber wars (esp in the dark garage!), nerf gun wars, and playing with Transformers. Grandpa really is just a big kid! (Good thing he has grandsons too, because he loves boy toys and playing rough!) Austin and Carson, of course, had their dose of Grandma lovin'-playing under forts, telling stories, reading books, and lots of kisses.

We had a blast with them and can't wait for more fun in CA at Christmas time. We love you guys more than you know and can't get enough when you're around, we only wished you lived closer! Until next time...

Daddy time

Everytime Eric gets home work, the kids maul him and seem to get every little last ounce of energy on him. It's so cute to see them wrestle w/ him, get tickled and chased, and climb all over their Dad. After all, what are Dads for?! As the Primary song goes, "I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home"-so true!!!! (for the moms too)

Is it time to ski yet???

Yep, it's official. Austin is just as excited as his Mom and Dad to go skiing this winter. We went the Annual Bogus Basin Ski Swap last night (which is one of the biggest in the Northwest), and found him his first pair of skiis and boots. We bought them a little big too, so he can wear them next year as well (which then will get passed down to his brother). Plus, we found a helmet and goggles, and walked out only paying $65 for everything. Sweet. Sure, they're used, but who cares! He's 4! You can bet that he was playing w/ his new gear all morning too-putting his boots and skiis on, pretending to ski! I love it. He even told me that when he gets bigger, he wants to race. Even better.

I'm so glad he takes after us and loves this sport because it really is our favorite thing to do as a family. And good thing kids are FREE at Bogus until 7 yrs of age too. Sure, we might be kickin' it on the bunny hill most of the time (until they're older, that is), but we have a GRAND time skiing and laughing together on the slopes. The other thing I love about skiing? It gets you OUTSIDE in the wintertime to enjoy the beautiful outdoors!

Fun fall pictures

My friend, Courtney took some pictures of the kids a couple weeks ago, they turned out great! Here's some of my faves... (too hard to narrow down, hence the collages)

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Austin really wasn't into getting his pictures taken (he just wanted to run around), but we captured a few really great ones anyways!

This cutie was hammin' it up, mostly for Mom who was chasing or tickling him, but nevertheless, we got MANY cute ones of this little guy

Kids together, a little tough to get them both looking or smiling at the camera, holding still, or not getting on each others' nerves, but still, we captured some good ones. Do they look like brothers or what?