Sunday, November 30, 2008

Christmas

Another Tag...I know. I think it will be fun to have in the future. I also thought it was fun to see how others celebrate Christmas time.


1. Eggnog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate although I don't just love it.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or sit them under the tree? Neither. We set our stockings in our spot and then he displays our presents in our spot in the room. When we came downstairs in the morning it looked amazing...a room full of presents!

3. Colored or white lights on tree and house? We used to do colored on the house but this year they are white everywhere.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? I have before but not usually.

5. When do you put your decorations up? We always did it the weekend after Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? To Butter mints count? I could have them and only them for any meal. Real food...Parmesan chicken and twice baked potatoes.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? I can't choose just one. I loved them all for different reasons. I love everything....the treats, the songs, the smells, the family time, the gifts, the giving, the snow...okay okay I could go on forever.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? What truth...If we didn't believe, even as adults we didn't receive a thing. I remember being about 20 and my mom telling me to go to bed at like 9:00 so Santa could come. I have a hard time going to bed on Christmas Eve let alone if it is at 9:00.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? I don't remember opening a gift but my little family does. We open our Christmas PJ's that we get to wear that night!

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Red Balls, Ornaments and lights. I started giving each or my little boys ornaments each year that represented something. They are fun to have on the tree.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? I love new snow...It looks ugly after a few days. All black and icy.

12. Can you ice skate? ya, sort of, I took lessons for awhile. I haven't been for a long time.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? It is crazy but I don't really remember. I have received a bike, and an American girl doll and a few other really fun gifts but I remember the things I was excited to give more.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Family time. I love being with family and we have such fun traditions.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Butter mints, Butter mints, Butter mints!Oh ya and they have to be homemade...homemade camel's are up there too.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Christmas Eve we have huge party. We used to do it at my Grandma's house but now my mom does it. We have dinner, the nativity, a program, play bingo and the quarter game. So much fun!

17. What tops your tree? A star

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving!! Giving... Like I said before I get more excited with all the things I get to give. Especially when it comes to my three little boys...including Kevin (my other little kid at Christmas Time)

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? I love just about every Christmas song but I think "O Holy Night" and "Where You There" are my favorites.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Don't love them don't hate them

I would love to hear how everyone else celebrates so do it on your blog too!

Friday, November 28, 2008

Black Friday


In this home we love Black Friday. As usual we could hardly wait for the adds to come out on Thanksgiving Day! I had a hard time sleeping thinking about my plan of attack and how to get the best deals. We woke up bright and early, grabbed some McDonald's breakfast and dragged our kids around town. Of course we found some things but others were already gone. Whether we were able to get things or not we had the best time.


I am grateful for my amazing husband...once again. He goes along with all my crazy dumb plans...like taking my kids out at 7 in the morning to save a couple of bucks. He thinks I am silly but loves me anyway. He's the greatest!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving

Ambulance


My mom called me first thing yesterday and asked me if I wanted to go to IKEA to look for some furniture with her. Kevin was home so I jumped at the chance to leave during my kids naps. We had a great time...found some wonderful stuff and got ice cream as we were leaving. I stayed inside waiting for them to bring us some of our things while my mom backed up the car.

Next think I knew my mom was on her back on the ground. I walked outside thinking what in the world are you doing. Little did I know that while she was trying to fix the backseat of her car she tried to get out of the burb and her foot got stuck. She fell about 3 feet right on her hip.

We couldn't move her so they called 911 and we were taken to the hospital in an ambulance. To make a long story short she broke her hip and had surgery today. She is doing well but can't put any weight on it for 6 weeks. If you know my mom that is about a lifetime. The bank and the post office will receive about half their business with my mom down and out.

Today I am thankful for my mom. She is so amazing and does so much for me. I hope that she will allow me to help her during this trial in her life. I am sure she will need it!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Family Pictures


We finally got some family pictures taken. I love how they turned out...even though my little boys were pills and wouldn't smile or look at the camera. A good friend Mark Thackary took them and did an awesome job. His photography website is called AMBPhotography. I have it as a link. Check it out!






I am grateful for the chance I get to pay tithing. I receive so many blessings from it. Today we had tithing settlement and our bishop had some great insight about how important tithing is. The Lord is so generous when he lets us keep 90%. I love this gospel!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Go Cougs!!!



Here are a few fun jokes I found. I am of course cheering for the Y but really just hope it is a good game. Hope these make you smile!!


Q: What is the difference between the U. of U. football team and a bowl of Cheerios?
A: The Cheerios belong in a bowl!


Q: What's the difference between the Utes and a dollar bill?
A: You can still get four quarters out of a dollar


One day in an elementary school in Salt Lake City, UT, a teacher asks her class if the Utah Utes are their favorite football team. The whole class says yes, except for Little Jimmy.

The teacher asks, "What's your favorite football team Jimmy?"

Little Jimmy says, "The BYU Cougars "

The teacher asks, "Well, why is that?"

Little Jimmy says, "Well, my dad is a Cougar fan, my mom is a Cougar fan, I guess that makes me a Cougar fan."

The teacher angered by his reply says, "If your dad was a moron and your mom was an idiot what would that make you?"

Little Jimmy says, "Well, I guess that would make me a Utah fan."


I am so thankful that I have graduated and have a degree. There are sometimes that I would love to attend classes again. Kevin has been studying hard for a test and I remember how much I didn't enjoy that part of school.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Twilight


Last night my sisters, my mom and I were among the other 50 million people to go to Twilight at midnight. I am not going to say too much about the movie so that those of you who haven't seen it won't go with others opinions. Anyway, there were a few things that I couldn't believe...
*I think we were about the only ones without a Twilight shirt on. My sisters and mom dressed cute...and me in my PJ's
*People dressed as vampires and you could get your picture taken with them..biting you neck and all.
*It took 30 min to get popcorn...think of tons of hungry woman at 1 in the morning= long line for popcorn= paying someone who was first in line to buy and extra popcorn for us
* I forgot my vampire teeth...yes many people were wearing them
* Blood drives were going on...yes that is what I said Blood drives

Anyway, we had a great time. It was a fun girls night out. It did remind me about how old I am getting. 3 a.m. used to be nothing.


Today I am especially thankfull for nice long naps. After a crazy night I was able to enjoy one today...nothing is better!

Wheeler Farm





We had the best time at Wheeler Farm yesterday. We met some friends there and had a great time catching up. Andrew just loves playing with other little kids...especially Amanda's little Millie. Andrew told me..."Mom I don't like Millie, I love her." He just started giggling. He is already starting to take after his dad...the ladies man :) It was so fun to see you girls. I can't wait for Monday at the Zoo.

I am thankful for friends. If I didn't have them I would go crazy.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

HIGH SCHOOL


You are probably going to be sick of these tags, but I kind of think they are fun because it is a bit like a journal. It will be fun for my boys to read. I feel like I just post the same thing over and over...taking my boys here or there so I guess these tags mix things up a bit.

1. Did you date someone during high school? I dated a little during high school but it was mostly hanging out. I did sort of date someone from a different high school the beginning of senior year...Tommy (that was the weirdest hookup ever) Boyfriends mostly came after high school, during college.
2. What kind of car did you drive? At first I drove a Jimmy, then an older Acura and then my dad got me a Jeep Wrangler...He went through a mid life crisis or something because he always wanted to drive it. He took my mom in dates and stuff. Hahaha Sometimes I think he drove it more than me.
3.Did you pass your driver's license test on the first try? Surprisingly yes.
4. Were you a party animal? Not hardly. I hung out with friends a lot and went to parties but never the "Party Animal"
5. Were you considered a flirt? I didn't think so...some might say so. I had a friend KATIE who was always holding boys hands and we laughed at her...until I found myself cuddling with different boys. Then my friends started laughing at me!
6. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? Concert Choir... Loved Mrs. Belnap!!!jk
7. Were you a nerd? Probably, I felt like I was friends with different people. I guess anyone who comments could help with this one.
8. Were you on any varsity teams? I played Tennis
9. Did you ever get suspended/expelled? Nope. I sometimes had a hard time making it to class but being a Student Body Officer helped. I could get out of just about anything.
10. Can you still sing the fight song? Nope, I think I new it once...my brain went to my kids
11. Who were your favorite teachers? Manz!! He was my tennis coach and let me do all the extra credit I wanted in History. Except I heard a rumor that he got a high school girl prego...then he wasn't so cool anymore
12. Where did you sit for lunch? I think in the lunch room. I wandered around a lot... or left with friends
13. What is your school's full name? Olympus High School
14. What is your school's mascot? Titan
15. Did you go to Homecoming and with who? Yes- My Junior year I went but I can't remember for the life of me who I went with...I am so lame...sorry if it is with anyone who reads this, I am sure I had lots of fun, and my Sr year with Brad Newbold.
16. If you could, would you go back and do it again? No. I like to remember the good times and try to forget the bad. I wouldn't want to relive it except maybe for a day or two...I might get actually get some sleep and my brain might get a workout.
17. What do you remember most about graduation? SENIOR TRIP...it was a blast.
18. Where did you go Senior Skip Day? I was supposed to skip a day?... I skipped quite a few but I was usually just hanging out with friends.
19. Were you in any clubs- Yes, but most of the time it was to get in the picture in the yearbook. WAMO was the only real one that I did much with. I think I was in the french club, chess club, math club and Spanish one too...Hola is french Right. jk
20. Have you gained some weight since then- up and down. Right now I am probably about the same...kids do a doosy to your body though.
21. Who was your prom date? Jr year I went with Chad Jackson and Sr. year with San Fran
22. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion? Probably, I think it is always fun to see people and see what they are doing.
23. Did you have a job in high school? During the summer I did. I worked as a dental assistant at my dad's office.
So there you have it. I might regret to admitting some of these things but o well...too late.:)

Oh, Ya and I am thankful for sleeping children. Today they took naps at different times so I didn't get a break... I did just get them both in bed for the night!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

New Calling


I recently got a new calling in our ward. I am so excited about it. It is a brand new calling that they said was the Young Mothers Coordinator. Anyway, I get to plan playgroups and girls nights out. I can't wait! I already have a whole list of fun things I want to do but if anyone has ideas about fun things to do with this young mothers group let me know!

Today I am grateful for yummy home made rolls. I just finished mine for dinner. I of course had to try them. I wouldn't want to serve them to all my family if they didn't taste good! :) I think I will go have another!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Signs


I found these signs and thought they were so funny. Enjoy!









I have been looking at a big pile of laundy sitting in my bedroom thinking about how I need to fold it all and put it away. I hate laundry!!! So today I am greatful for washing machines...if we didn't have them I would have to wash the clothes by hand before I folded them...or in my case before they sat in a pile in my room.

Saturday, November 08, 2008

Chaos

We have had a crazy week filled with lots of fun, family, friends, and of course CHAOS! I love my life!
-Jungle Jims
-Discovery Gateway
-Fat Cats
-BYU game party
-U of U game party
-music class
-date night
-play groups
-family pictures (thanks again Mark)
-Shopping for a backyardagains couch from Grandma!!! The Highlight for Andrew
-Pet store
-Movie Night(Backyardagains once again)
I can't wait for next week to begin. We always have so much fun..me and my two little squirts!







I am especially grateful for a healthy body! Today was the first day I went running in 3 weeks thanks to a few herniated disks in my back! It felt GREAT! (I never in my whole life thought I would enjoy running)

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Jungle Jims

Yesterday we headed to Jungle Jims with some friends. I was so glad that Andrew had friends there because I didn't have to go on any of the rides. I get so stinkin sick. Anyway, He had a blast as always and I was glad we had somewhere to go on a freezing cold day. (Sorry about the horrible pictures...me aka genius couldn't figure out how to take it off night vision)




I am thankful for my cute Andrew. As I was putting him to bed tonight...after books,songs,drinks,brushing teeth, and prayers... he asked me how much I love him. (he tried to drag out the whole going to bed thing if you didn't notice) I replied by saying that I love him more than all the gumballs in the whole world (he knows just how much I love gumballs) I asked him how much he loves me and he said "I love you more than all the playgrounds in the whole world." I thought it was so cute... I sang him a few more songs after that. Boy does he have me wrapped around his finger!

Monday, November 03, 2008

Parenting Definitions

AMNESIA: condition that enables a woman who has gone through labor to have sex again.

BOTTLE FEEDING: an opportunity for Daddy to get up at 2 AM too.

DEFENSE: what you'd better have around the yard if you're going to let the children play outside.

DROOLING: how teething babies wash their chins.

DUMB WAITER: one who asks if the kids would care to order dessert.

FAMILY PLANNING: the art of spacing your children the proper distance apart to keep you from falling into financial disaster.

FEEDBACK: the inevitable result when a baby doesn't appreciate the strained carrots.

FULL NAME: what you call your child when you're mad at him.

GRANDPARENTS: the people who think your children are wonderful even though they're sure you're not raising them right.

HEARSAY: what toddlers do when anyone mutters a bad word.

IMPREGNABLE: a woman whose memory of labor is still vivid.

INDEPENDENT: how we want our children to be as long as they do everything we say.

LOOK OUT!: what it's too late for your child to do by the time you scream it.

OWWW: the first word spoken by children with older siblings.

PRENATAL: when your life was still somewhat your own.

PREPARED CHILDBIRTH: a contradiction in terms.

PUDDLE: a small body of water that draws other small bodies wearing dry shoes.

SHOW OFF: a child who is more talented than yours.

STERILIZE: what you do to your first baby's pacifier by boiling it and to your last baby's pacifier by blowing on it.

STOREROOM: the distance required between the supermarket aisles so that children in shopping carts can't quite reach anything.

TEMPER TANTRUMS: what you should keep to a minimum so as to not upset the children.

THUNDERSTORM: a chance to see how many family members can fit into one bed.

TOP BUNK: where you should never put a child wearing Superman jammies.

TWO-MINUTE WARNING: when the baby's face turns red and she begins to make those familiar grunting noises.

VERBAL: able to whine in words.

WHODUNIT: none of the kids that live in your house.

WHOOPS: an exclamation that translates roughly into "get a sponge".



Today I am thankful for laughter. In the Hinton home we sure do a lot of it.
I hope this post gets you laughing...we were.

Saturday, November 01, 2008

Thankful For...

Today I was telling Kevin how excited I was for Christmas. Now that Halloween is over we can decorate and put up lights and listen to music and go shopping. He asked me about Thanksgiving and if we were just going to forget about it. I replied by saying..."We can just be thankful for Christmas !" I am a nerd I know but seriously Christmas deserves more than just one month right?

Anyway, It got me thinking about how I do sort of skip out of Thanksgiving. I decided to add something I am thankful for to each post this month. I am still decorating for Christmas and listening to Christmas music but I will be consciously trying to remember all that I am thankful for. I hope this works.



Today I am thankful to have been raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have amazing parents that taught me the correct principles of this gospel. I am grateful that I know about all that our Father in Heaven has in store for us. I am thankful that I know about eternal families. I don't know how I would have handled my fathers death otherwise. I am grateful for Christ and especially for the atonement because I sure do need it :) I will stop rambling but first things first...this gospel is amazing. I am now starting my own family and trying to raise my little family in as great a home and I was raised.