Christmas 2010

"Twas the night before Christmas...

What would SANTA do without cookies?

Jaden Layne's Stash

It doesn't look like TONZ but, he got a cell phone!!!

Jackee Brad's Stash

He LOVES Batman!

Jensen Dean's Stash

Part one...

Part TWO!

Miss Matis' Stash!

ONE...
TWO...

THREE, excited, tired and overwhelmed BOYS!

SEE... I told ya he got a phone! He was thrilled!!!

Daddy and Dean!

In mid November Jack brought this hat home. He said "Mom, I made this for Daddy and I want to wrap it for him for Christmas." I gave him the tape and paper (NO scissors of coarse since Jack is grounded til he's 21 from them) and let him go to town! I wish I had a picture of the HUGE box he wrapped it in and the beautiful wrapping job but I don't. Every time I though about Ben opening that gift I got more and more excited for Christmas.

FINALLY... the time came!

Ben LOVED the gift and Jack was the proudest little boy in the WORLD!

It must be a special day if we are opening bubblegum at 5 AM!

PROOF! It's that kind of day!

After we looked at everything Santa gave us, we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's.

Grandma came over early to watch us open gifts BUT Gramps wasn't feeling well. If you ask me... he probably had 1 too many drinks the night before, just sayin!

Jack and Daddy

We spent a few hours at my Parent's house, headed home and Ben's Parent's came over!

After that... all 5 of us PLUS Matis, stayed home and did WHAT EVER we wanted!

Because we eliminated bouncing from house to house, It was the nicest Christmas yet!!!

Is this the BEST? I just LOVE these little Nerf Boys more than ANYTHING!

Last but not least,

DAD PILE!!!!!!!

"Happy Christmas to all and to all, a GOOD-NIGHT"

More "Banks" Christmas traditions!

Building gingerbread houses is our FAVORITE tradition!

The clean up should not be confused with the fun part!

My little JackeeEating lots of frosting is always part of the deal!Jader and Mom! Jaden's

Jack's

Jensen Ding's

3rd Annual "Toys for Tots" drop off!

This is the 3rd year that I have made the kids spend their own money on less fortunate kids. They earn mula, pick out what they want to buy then DONATE IT! I love this tradition! Jaden looks like he doesn't like it... he really does! He just hates the camera!

My ALWAYS happy Fievel!

Poor Jens! He totally got the wrong idea and thought the toys were his!

I'm so proud of you boys! Thanks for caring about others before yourselves!

Our 2nd annual trip to see the lights and Santa at Thanksgiving Point!

Lots of Pictures... No words right now since I'm trying to catch up!

Matis is THREE!

On November 20th our baby girl turned "3"! We had a little celebration that consisted of a homemade dinner, presents and cake! Matis, we love you so much and we are truly blessed to have you in our lives!

A day out with my GIRLS!!!

On Saturday December 4th a group of High School Girlfriends got together for breakfast! WoW, we I don't know about anyone else BUT... I had a freakin BLAST! We talked about everything from Junior High to Our SEX lives (I'm still laughing about that one)! I am so glad we did this, as usual... we discussed doing it more often, and we missed those of you that couldn't make it. I love you all....

Alicia (My BESTIE), Lacy, Melissa, Camelle, Brandy, Staph, Christie (Poop Shoe) and Jenn!

Brandy and Steph...

these 2 GIRLS are the definition of BEST FRIENDS

Christie and Jenn

After breakfast, Alicia and I spent some

much needed "bestie" time

walking thru the Festival of Trees!

All the trees were amazing and totally off the charts with creativity.

These were a few of my FAVORITES!

Alicia, I love you to the Moon & Back...FOREVER! Oh ya, and back again...FOREVER!

45 QUOTES that we should live by:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. your Friends & Parents will, stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to Disagree.
7. Cry WITH someone, it's more healing than crying ALONE.
8. It's okay to get angry with GOD, he can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's okay to let your Children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye but don't worry, God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath, it calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood but, the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it come to going after what you want in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion, today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but YOU.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words, "In five years will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone, everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business!
30. Time heals almost EVERYTHING. Give time, time!
31. However GOOD or BAD a situation is, it WILL change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of WHO GOD is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative...dying young.
37. Your Children get ONLY ONE childhood.
38. All that really matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside EVERYDAY, miracles are waiting EVERYWHERE.
40. If we threw all our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The BEST is YET to come.
43. No matter how you feel... get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield...
45. Life isn't tied with a bow but, it's still a GIFT!