Our Christmas

Our Christmas was GREAT! We went to Jeff's parents for Christmas Eve dinner and stories. The boys opened their PJ's, and changed there. Then home to get ready for Santa. We left Santa some cookies and milk, and the reindeer some carrots. The boys were asleep by 10pm! Mom and Dad got to bed by midnight! Just in time for Santa to come. We told the boys they couldn't leave their room until 7am. They said they woke up at 6:50, but they didn't come get us until 7:02. I actually woke up at 6:30 to feed Aryk, and got so excited while I waited for them!

Ashton and AJ wrote letters to Santa a couple weeks ago, on their wish lists they asked for "real" light sabers and The Force. We tried to tell them that these were made up for the movies, there aren't "real" light sabers or The Force. They kept reminding us that Santa was magic, and he could do anything. We reminded them Santa isn't a Jedi, and that some things even Santa's magic can't make. They were so sure He would pull through for them. Ashton and Jeff also asked for a Wii. This Santa was able to make! We all asked Santa to bring Aryk a piano. That way he could play his piano while mommy played hers! Because I all ready got the piano for Christmas, I only asked Santa for one thing. If he brought Jeff and Ashton the Wii, to bring Rock Band, so we all could play together.

Here was our Christmas Morning-

Santa brought the Wii, Rock Band, and Wii Fit.

The boys stocking were full of Wii accessories- remotes, wheels, games, light sabers.

Aryk got the piano we all asked for! He LOVES it!

Ashton and AJ got a TON of Star Wars toys from Mom Dad and Aryk.
They love those little guys!

We tried to teach Aryk how to open presents. He didn't get it, but he thought it was fun,
and he got some fun things!

Ashton and AJ gave Aryk a baby size baseball tee.

And He has been enjoying it!

Great Grandma Likes (Jeff's Grandma) gave the boys this train set.
They are so excited to put it around the Christmas tree!

Opening presents only lasted until about 8am. Then it was opening packages, setting up the Wii, and playing ALL morning! And ALL afternoon. We finally left to go to Jeff's parent's at 4pm! We were loving our Christmas presents and playing. So... here's what the boys got from Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Cam-

Star Wars ships, vehicles, and action figures. There were so many!
Jeff was having fun playing with boys and their new toys!

Aryk had his turn to open presents too!
He still didn't get it, but he had fun with toys afterward!

Aunt Nicole was generous, as usual!

The boys always enjoy her gifts.


And were happy to show her how thankful they are too!

Thanks to all our family and friends who helped make this an enjoyable Christmas!

And we still have to go to Utah and have Christmas with the Holbrook side! WOW!! We hope you all had a Merry Christmas wish you a Happy New Year!

Christmas 2008

Merry Christmas to all... I wanted to post this last week, but I haven't been able to keep up with all that needs to be done! I am tasting a hectic holiday, and taking notes of what NOT to do next year, so that our whole family may enjoy the holidays a little more. But it really is a reflection of our past year. We have been very busy. We have had this blog now for a whole year! So, if you are reading the blog, you probably all ready know about our year. I won't bore you with the details. But our family would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and we hope that The New Year brings you joy. We are thankful for this time of year to reflect upon our Savior's birth, sacrifice, and Love. We are grateful for The Gospel in our lives and home. We are thankful for the love and blessings our Father in Heaven has given us. We are grateful for all our family and friends that share this love with us throughout the year. We pray the holidays find you well, and that we may continue to share in 2009. We Love You and are grateful for your example and love in our lives.

Yes this is our Christmas card. Some of you may have all ready received it. Some of you can expect one after Christmas, and some of you may not ever get one. I was a SERIOUS slacker! I thought I had this all planned. We took pictures way back the first part of November. We have been working on neighbor/ward gifts since June. And then... well, here it is Christmas, and I am still doing it all last minute! I will do better next year! That will definitely be one of my New Year's Resolutions! 'Til the New Year.

Merry Christmas from Jeff, Alyson, Ashton, AJ, and Aryk

Compassion

As defined by "Wikipedia"- 'Compassion is a profound human emotion prompted by the pain of others... the feeling commonly gives rise to an active desire to alleviate another's suffering... Golden Rule ... Do to others as you would have done to you... compassion is considered in all the major religious traditions as among the greatest of virtues.'

As defined by Ashton- " To be kind, like helping people up and playing with them. Compassion is important to show people kindness, and that you like them. I can be compassionate by playing with other kids who don't have a friend."

Each month the school has a "Character Trait" that they try to practice, develop, and teach. The Principal announces it, the teachers talk about it, they send home notes so we can practice at home. And throughout the month, the kids are challenged to use this character trait. At the end of the month each teacher picks two kids from their class, that they feel have been a good example of this character trait. And they are invited, with their families, to a breakfast at the school, where the Principal honors them. This month was compassion, and Ashton was selected by his teacher for this award.

Here is Ashton accepting the award from his principal, Mr. Forrey. Attached to the certificate was a FREE Kids Meal at TGIFridays! Yeah!

I must say as a mother, it makes me proud! I don't know if I am the best example to my children, but I do hope they are learning these character traits at home, as well as at school. I am proud that Ashton is compassionate. I know he is, he is very good to think of others, and be kind to everyone. Everyone enjoys being his friend. He tries to be very understanding of others, and kind to them.

When I asked him why he chose to be compassionate he said, "I don't know, I didn't even think about it." I LOVE Ashton, way to go buddy!

Let it SNOW!

Last weekend it snowed, and snowed some more. Here are the boys shoveling the walks in the snow. This isn't the first snow fall we've had, but it's the first that has lasted longer than 24 hours! And the first we bothered to take pictures of!

What have we been doing?

We have been so busy the last couple weeks. How do people keep up with Family, Housework, School, the Holidays? I am so worn out! I got slammed with something yucky and couldn't do anything on Tuesday, and I'm still feeling the effects. I am so behind on EVERYTHING! Posting being something that has been pushed to the side, I will quickly let you know what has been going on.

Basketball is over. Both boys played their last game, last Saturday. After the games we had a pizza party and handed out trophies. The best part of the whole basketball season!

side note: At Ashton's game, he was under the basket waiting for a rebound, when the ball came down smack in the same spot as his wall-ball injury! Needless to say, blood, open wound, taking longer to heal now. Luckily it was the last two minutes of the game, so he did get to play!

Ashton's Accident(s)

I have been receiving phone calls, that I have a feeling will keep happening. I have 3 boys after all! Last year I received a phone call, it went something like this:

"Hello, Mrs. Likes?"

"Yes."

"This is Sheila, the nurse at Shadow Hills, I was just calling to let you know that Ashton will not be coming home, looking the same as when he left."

"Uh, um . . . . okay."

I mean really how am I supposed to respond to that!

He was playing wall ball on the playground and he fell on the asphalt. His injuries were on his face. Sorry no pictures. It wasn't pretty, but it wasn't terrible. Well, then in the spring I get another phone call, just like this one. But this time another little boy scratched him with a lunch card. When I got to school to pick up Ashton, you could barely see the scratch! I wouldn't have even asked what happened, had they not called! But it was really close to his eye, and the other boy was having a hard time keeping his hands to himself. So when he used his lunch card "as a weapon", he ended up with the principal. Ashton was fine, again no pictures, this time nothing to look at anyway! So on to the real story! TODAY the phone rings at 8:45 am(the same time the morning bell rings at school):

"Hello, Mrs. Likes?"

"Yes?"

"This is Sheila, the nurse at Shadow Hills. I was calling to let you know Ashton was pushed into the cement wall, and has some severe scratches on his face. He would like to come home. I don't blame him, they are bad. Could you come pick him up?"

"Yeah, I'm on my way."

When I got there I asked what happened. He was playing Wall Ball before school (it was snowing this morning), he and another boy went after the ball at the same time and he was knocked into the school building. OUCH! I did get a picture this time. It looks like paint, but it's not! Now that it's been a few hours, he's getting a nice purple bruise under his eye! No fun! He couldn't even eat lunch, it hurt to open his mouth.

Gotta LOVE boys! But not wall ball!

6 months

Aryk is all ready 6 months! I can't believe it! He is changing everyday. I LOVE watching him. I love to just sit and watch and play with him! We are having so much fun watching his changes, and seeing him learn new things. He loves sitting in his high chair and eating his cereal. We tried a couple new foods on Thanksgiving. He LOVES mashed potatoes. He doesn't mind a little Sparkling Cider either!

This month he started sitting by himself. He doesn't have to be propped up any more! He has started reaching for things out of reach. Which has lead to many bonks on the noggin'.

He started saying "Lalalala" and "Dadadada" Jeff is so excited! He's saying "Dada". Too bad he doesn't really associate "Dada" with Jeff yet! But it is fun to hear! (don't forget to pause the music to hear the baby!)

My Two Front Teeth

Ashton's front teeth have been loose for a while. Then last Sunday as we are leaving for church, he announces that one of them is going to fall out. Jeff tried to pull it, but couldn't get it. So we told Ashton to take a wash cloth with him in the car and keep working on it. Loaded in the car, waiting for Mom, it came out. We cleaned up the blood, changed his shirt and off to church we went. The tooth fairy came that night and left him $1!



The next day as Ashton was talking we kept laughing at his "middle" tooth. We thought it was hilarious how much his tooth moved. Two gaps on each side, and this funky middle tooth!


He made it through a half week of school, Thanksgiving dinner, and extra treats. Then Saturday morning (after breakfast), He was talking to me, and I realized the gap was larger! I asked if he lost his other tooth, but he (and Jeff) said "No". Then a few minutes later he was talking to me again, and I couldn't believe how big the gap was! I asked again, "Are you sure you didn't lose your other tooth?" He opened his mouth and Jeff looked, sure enough, the tooth was gone!


We checked his plate, and crumbs of His Pop Tart, but no tooth. We ran to his room and checked his bed. There was a little spot of blood on his pillow, and there under the blankets, was his tooth! He lost it in his sleep! We almost lost, lost the tooth! He couldn't believe he didn't even know! I couldn't believe he ate breakfast without noticing.


I am having fun with this stage! It's fun because Ashton can see and feel these changes, and He knows it is because He is growing up. His smile is so adorable! I don't want his permanent teeth to grow in! I don't want him to grow up! I love his sweet toothless smile! I LOVE my little boys. And even though I wish they would stay this age FOREVER it is fun to watch them grow and learn. To more changes... and a Merry Chrissssss... Aw Happy New Year!

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We enjoyed the comforts of home, for most of the week. We had Thanksgiving Dinner with Jeff's family. The usual food, fun, and laughter. It was pleasant, simple, and stress free.

I have been wanting to do this for a couple days. A little moment to myself to reflect upon the many things in my life I am thankful for. This may seem long, but remember this... it could be longer!

I am thankful for a Heavenly Father who loves me. I know that He loves ALL His children. I am thankful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am thankful for The Savior, Jesus Christ, and the sacrifice He made. I know that because of this sacrifice we ALL may return to our Father in Heaven, again someday. I am thankful for my calling in the Primary. I love to see the children in our ward every Sunday. I enjoy hearing them sing, and read scriptures, and help with lessons. I enjoy serving them and sharing the love of The Lord with them.

I am thankful for a WONDERFUL husband. He is my best friend, despite my faults and quirks. I LOVE him dearly. I am thankful for how hard he works to provide for our family. I am thankful for his job, and that he has one, in these hard times. I am thankful for the laughter Jeff and the boys bring into our home. I am thankful for our home. I am thankful for the love that fills our home. I am thankful for Ashton, and how pleasing he tries to be. Ashton probably cleans our home more than I do. I am thankful for how hard Ashton works at school, he is very smart! I am thankful for his wonderful teacher, and how patient she is with her class. I am thankful for AJ. He has such an adorable smile, and loves to keep us laughing. I am thankful for the lessons in patience he is teaching me. I am thankful for the mornings that AJ and I have to spend together. I am thankful for AJ's kind teacher. She is so good with AJ, and he is enjoying school so much. I am thankful for Aryk. My heart is so much bigger, and full of love. It is fun to watch him smile, play, eat, and sleep. I am so in love with our little guy!

I am thankful for our extended family. Jeff and I are so lucky to have loving and supportive parents. Our children LOVE their grandparents. They spoil them so well, with gifts and love. We both have wonderful siblings, that we enjoy sharing laughs with. We love them dearly, and pray for them daily.

I am thankful for The Pampered Chef. I REALLY enjoy my kitchen. I am thankful for the opportunity to set goals. I am thankful for the many people I get to meet. I am thankful for the support my family and friends give to me.

I am thankful for my friends. It is so nice to have blogs and stories to share. It is fun to get together, eat food, giggle, complain, and rejoice together. I am grateful for other women and mothers that understands my sorrows and joys.

Thanks for your time in reading this. I hope that you were able to reflect upon the things you are thankful for. I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving.

Our Family Christmas Dance

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Aryk

Aryk is 5 months. Here are some snap shots we took over the past week. Sorry it has taken so long to post these. I've had trouble getting the pictures uploaded.


Aryk LOVES his nightly rice cereal!

He is one of those babies that sticks EVERYTHING in his mouth! Even the camera!

Aryk enjoys looking at things upside down.

Aryk is always really happy after his morning feeding. A long nights sleep, some food, a clean diaper. Why wouldn't he be?

Aryk has started this "Elvis Lip" curl thing. It is soooo cute! I was wondering where it came from. Then one day while at church in the mother's lounge. I made a face at myself in the mirror (unhappy with what I was looking at), and I realized, I do that face!

Basketball

Both Ashton and AJ are playing Y-Ball this year! It's a little crazy.

Jeff is head coach for both teams. He loves it. And the boys love it too! I don't care for these pics much. The gyms make it hard to get good lighting for good pictures. Ashton's team name is "The Vipers" and they are a forest green color.

AJ's team name is "The Jedi's" they are a maroon color. It is fun to see what a couple seasons has done for Ashton. It is funny to watch as the Kindergartners learn what they are doing. The Y volunteer compared it to herding cats. It keeps us busy, smiling, and running!

Go Vipers! Go Jedi's! Nice Shot Ashton! Way to go AJ!

Disney World Here We Come!

Dear Family, Friends, and Customers,

I wanted to let you know about some exciting news The Pampered Chef has recently announced. There are great things happening for consultants, hosts, and customers. I am excited to tell you what is going to happen with my Pampered Chef Business!

I am happy to have been with The Pampered Chef for the past 6 years. I started doing Pampered Chef when my first baby was one year old. I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, who was able to have something of my own to do. As many of you know, I am now mother to three boys, and still loving The Pampered Chef. The Pampered Chef has been a great opportunity for me as a mother. I have loved the flexibility I am able to give myself during pregnancy and with little ones. The Pampered Chef has also been great for my culinary skills. It was really exciting when we moved into our new home five years ago, to have some nice quality kitchen tools to put in my kitchen. Those wedding gifts were great to get us through for the first few years of marriage and cooking, but The Pampered Chef has since replaced it all.

I want to let you know what The Pampered Chef can do for you and your family. Right now can be a tough time financially. The Pampered Chef is hiring! I am growing my team and would love to have you join me. I want to go to Leadership Conference and I only need two more consultants on my team. Call Me! The income opportunities with The Pampered Chef are GREAT! And we are having some specials for those who sign up! Part-time? Full-time? You decide. Want enough to cover groceries? Go out to eat? Pay for the cell phone? Christmas? I can help you do that! Check out my website for New Consultant Specials. I am happy to give you more information and help you get started!

The Pampered Chef can also help you stretch that monthly budget. Can’t afford to go out to dinner every night? Want some new recipes? Host a Pampered Chef Show and I will demonstrate for you and your friends and family how to feed your family for only $2 per serving! We have great family meals. We have some great Holiday recipes and gift ideas. You will receive product for FREE and at a discount. And it’s easier (and cheaper), than ever for Hosts to sign up as consultants! Go to my website to see current and up coming specials. I would love to come to your home and cook for you and your friends and family!

Here’s what is happening for me and my business. I want to do more, earn more, and take my family to Disney World! Yes, that’s right! The Pampered Chef has introduced the trip incentive for 2009. They are offering a trip for four to Disney’s Magic Kingdom, in Florida. I so badly want to take my family on this trip! I know I can do it, but it won’t be without my GREAT family, friends, and customers. Here’s how you can help:

1. Sign up to be consultant. I would LOVE to work with you. You can earn this trip too, and we could take our families together! Or at the very least, you could pay a few bills, and get out a few nights each month. OR

2. Host a Cooking show or Catalog show. You will receive FREE and discounted products. And I will receive points from the sales at your show. OR

3. Order from me. My website is open 24/7. Just let me know what you need! AND

4. Tell everyone you know about me and The Pampered Chef. Refer them to my website ( www.pamperedchef.biz/alikes ). Do you know someone looking for a job? Someone who could use a few nights out a month? Someone who needs good quality kitchen tools? Or someone who eats? I can help them!! Please introduce us.

I appreciate all your support and business for the past 6 years. And I hope you will continue to share that support and business. I hope that I can continue to service you and bring your family to the table. Please contact me to work with me, book a show, or place an order. I will be calling you in the next couple months, and throughout next year to continue to check in with you and to boost my business. Thank-You for your time and support. I look forward to talking to you soon.

Disney World here we come!