Our FAVORITE Movie

I had to post about this movie because it is so fantastic.
We saw this movie in the theater over the summer with some of our favorite ladies, The Farmer girls and our cousin Megan! I had been anxious to see it since I had read some the books as a child and Bryanna was excited since she had read one of the books already too. It was such a good movie- funny, heartwarming, emotional at times, good music, a great family movie. When it came out on DVD I knew I wanted tobuy it so we gave it to the girls for Christmas. We have watched it everyday since and one day the girls watched it twice. I've downloaded a lot of the songs from the movie to my blog.
Today the girls have been role playing Ramona and Beezus with Aunt Bea and Hobart too!! I recommend this movie a million times.
You must see it!
I hope you all love it as much as we do.

Our Christmas

Christmas dresses the Sunday before Christmas.

On Christmas Eve we went to Reno for dinner and some last minute shopping. We rushed home so the girls could open their presents from family. They had been so patient all week.
They are very blessed little girls!

A special present from Gma Pam and Gpa Ian was their very own sewing machine!!

Matching PJ's this year.
I noticed Abby's hand on Bryanna after I downloaded the pictures!! A little inappropriate, sorry. ha ha!

Abby with our famous Thistle Hair the Christmas Bear
After presents we watched a nativity movie and then tucked the girls into bed.

Santa finally came in the middle of the night!

The girls were happy to see they got what they asked Santa for this year.

Our giant sugar cookie for Jesus.

It was a wonderful Christmas full of traditions and happy memories. We are grateful for this season and for the special time we get to remember the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and His life.
We have been very blessed and we hope to have another wonderful year in 2011.

Merry Christmas

Our family wishes you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
We hope you enjoy many blessings this coming year.

Gracie lost her first tooth!

Gracie's bottom 2 teeth have been loose for a few weeks now. The permanent teeth were already coming in behind them. We were just patiently waiting for the first one to fall out.
The other night I was gone at book club and when I got home Derek proceeded to tell me how Gracie finally lost her first tooth. In true Gracie style, she got upset because she couldn't have something she wanted at bed time so she went screaming into her pillow and bit down on it. You can probably guess what happened. She got up and there was blood everywhere, her tooth was hanging from a single piece of gum tissue and all the girls started crying!!! Derek pulled the tooth all the way out, gave her a washcloth and she put her tooth under the pillow. AAAAHHH! It could only happen this way with Gracie. We love her fighting spirit! Needless to say the tooth fairy came that night and she was one happy girl the next morning, with one less baby tooth!

Duck Hunting with Daddy

FYI:Please ignore the gun my child is holding.

I only wanted to take this picture to document the moment I let my oldest daughter go hunting with her daddy. This was a little hard for me as most of you know. I do have to say she looked super cute in camo!! They didn't get any ducks that day but they had a good time together and Bryanna is ready to go again. Good thing Derek has her!! They woke up @ 5:30 to go before school and they were back in time for Bryanna to catch the bus. She was tired that day but loved it!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We made a Gingerbread House for family night. The girls have been begging since to eat the candy!!

Class Christmas Parties 2010

Bryanna with some of her classmates singing Christmas Carols!

Abby with Gracie during her class Christmas party

Abby and her BFF Gabi making gingerbread girls.

Abby and Mrs. W. The best, most awesome Kindergarten teacher EVER!!

Derek and I went to the annual Les Schwab Christmas dinner/party. It was at a golf course restaurant. It was very nice and the food was yummy. I won the yearly gag gift: a dancing/singing Santa and a $20 Walmart gift card. Derek won some personal products that we won't talk about. Let's just say he was more excited about it than I was:( The girls are really enjoying the Santa....Me...not so much! I need to take the batteries out.
The girls and I went with friends to the Santa Train at the Nevada State Railroad Museum here in Carson. We had done it a few years back and it was a lot colder. This year it was warm and we got to sit in the first train car which happened to be the oldest at 140 years old with the original velvet seats! Santa visited us first and gave everyone a candy cane.

p.s. I just noticed the creepy old guy in the background!

Thanksgiving gone..Christmas here we come!

Thanksgiving dinner at home. The food was great and it was nice and quiet. Don't mind my messy kitchen or Derek's silly face:)

Making our famous candy turkeys. A tradition started by my Grandma Rushton.

Early Thanksgiving morning Derek killed an innocent goose:(
No, that was not on our table for dinner!

Day after Thanksgiving after I went shopping (i don't think I'm up for that anymore) we put up the tree and Christmas decorations.

Trying to get good pictures for our Christmas card. That is a challenge let me tell you! I had to bribe everyone...even the Daddy!

I'm glad to have Thanksgiving over and really excited for all that the Christmas season brings.

Happy Thanksgiving

It was fun doing these posts the last few weeks. When it comes down to it, I am grateful for EVERYTHING I have. I know it wouldn't be possible without my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for the Plan of Happiness.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Remember to be grateful everyday of the year!

Thankful Day 24

I am thankful to have food in my house to feed me and my family. It is a blessing, I know. How grateful I am that my family and I are nourished and we don't have to worry about our next meal. We are extremely blessed.
I can't wait to have a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.

Thankful Day 23

Derek's mom and husband Ian

Derek's siblings and step-mom

I am thankful for my extended family-Derek's family. They are so important to me and I love them very much. They have included me in their family well before Derek and I were married and I appreciate all they do for us. We are so lucky to have such wonderful families!

p.s. many more family members not pictured. we love you all!

Thankful Day 22

I am thankful for my brothers and sisters. We all grew up during different times and though we may not be as close as some families, I love them and I admire them for so many different things. I am grateful to be a part of a family and to know that families are forever.

p.s. unfortunately i don't have a recent picture of my siblings. we haven't been good about pictures the last few years:(

Thankful Day 21

I am so thankful for the Scriptures. I know when I read them that they were meant for me and all of us, during this time on earth. I know that I can turn to them for answers and for comfort. I am thankful to all of those brave men and women who sacrificed and had great faith in order for us to have the Scriptures today.

I want one of these so bad!! I hope I am lucky!
Go to Tatertots and Jello for your chance to win.

Thankful Day 20

Today I am thankful for modern technology. Computers, telephones and cell phones that allow me to keep in touch with family and friends far away. I love being able to pick up the phone and talk to someone miles away, or even get on Skype and see our loved ones on the computer.
I don't think I could live without it!

Thankful Day 19

I am thankful for our Thankful Tree this year. I was adventurous and made an actual tree out of brown paper! It's been fun and so sweet to see what the girls are thankful for. Some thinks they are thankful are : rain, books, family, friends, church , scriptures, teachers, food and clothes. It makes me happy to teach my girls to be grateful!

Thankful Day 18

Today I am thankful for music. I love all kinds of music: church, christian, country, pop, rock and of course Christmas music! I am thankful for those who share their talent with us so we can enjoy it. These are a few of my favorites. I love how the words from a song can cheer us up, help us through rough times, make us dance and help us feel the Spirit. I love music!

Thankful Day 17

I am thankful that I can read! That might sound silly but it's true. I love to read. I am thankful for so many good books. These are 2 that I am reading right now (one for book club and one for fun).

Thankful Day 16

South Lake Tahoe-Cave Rock

Spooner Lake-Tahoe

View of the Sunset and mountains from our backyard!

For those of you who know me well know that this move to Nevada was a hard one for me. It's been 3 years and I have grown up a lot and I really have come to appreciate a lot of things about being here. One thing I have grown to love is the mountains. We are surrounded by the beautiful Sierras and we are so close to Lake Tahoe. It is beautiful country and I am thankful for it.

Thankful Day 15

I am extremely grateful for good friends. I have been blessed to have wonderful friends throughout my life, old and new. I appreciate them each for who they are and they all make me a better person. I hope you all know who you are:) I would not be the same without you.
I love ya!

Thankful Day 14

I am thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ. For His sacrifice for me and for His everlasting love for me. I am thankful to know that He loves me and that He and my Heavenly Father have a plan for me and for my family. I am so blessed to know these things.

Thankful Day 13

I am grateful to have a bed to sleep in. My own bed. I don't want to take that for granted. I appreciate that I can go to bed and cuddle with my....pillow! My bed keeps me warm and helps me get a good night sleep. After a day like today I've been ready for bed since I was awakened by screaming girls!!

Thankful Day 12

I am thankful for HEAT and ELECTRICITY. It has turned so cold here in Nevada and turning dark at 5pm, it is such a blessing to have working heat and electricity.