Christmas 2008

What an AMAZING christmas this year was. I have a bazillion pics of course. Some of them are on the video camera though and I am having troubles unloading them.
Santa spoiled the kids this year (I guess that means they were good!) THey both got Nintendo D.S's I thought they would be more excited when they opened them, but they must have peaked cause it wasn't as suprised as I thought it would be! haha.
after I looked at all the pics I took I kinda felt guilty because I took so many pics of Brodey. I think it is because it was his first Christmas that he actually could do stuff, and he is so dang CUTE!

We were all definatley spoiled this year. We spent time with our family, and had a non stop party for 2 days.






A Rush to open the gifts....





Brodey LOVES this car toy! It really is cool. Ethan has been playing with it a lot too! HAHA



Halli showing off her Littlest Pet shop D.S. while playing a littlest pet shop game...does it get any better? I think not.



Even Max was in on the action...He has to be right in the middle of whatever we are doing. He is up to his eyeballs in wrapping paper.



And it looks like Ethan is up to his eyeballs in presents. GOOD GRIEF! can we say SPOILED.. I guess I have to take into account all the presents from Grandmas and grandpas too before I buy presents next year!! SHEESH.





Oh my goodness...do you see what I mean...how can i stop taking pics of this kid when he is just so stinkin cute. Just look at how cute he is playing with his christmas present and wearing a superman cape!!! SERIOULEY CUTE.

Thank you to Granma and Grandpa ( Cookie & Dewey) (Tom & Kami) (Mike & Jenny) for all our wonderful gifts. The kids LOVE them and we have been playing games all weekend. We love our clothes, comfy socks, movies, carebears, family home evening book and of course all the love that was put into sending them to us.

<<<<<< THANK YOU >>>>>

12 days till christmas!

The shopping is almost done...minus the main gift that seems to be sold out EVERYWHERE including gamestop, walmart, target,etc... why did I wait so long to buy the dang thing...probably cause it costs so much. It took me 4 hours to get just a couple things today. I Think one hour of that was trying to escape Costco parking lot. I really should get my shopping done in november before the holiday rush, but I was WAY too busy. Anyway, I am having an amazing christmas with the family. We took the kids to the street where every house is decorated for christmas and walked around the block, it was so fun holding our hot chocolate and singing christmas carols. We have decorated, made the gingerbread house. working on the christmas cards and neighbor gifts. Some of the presents are wrapped and were on the count down...I think tommorow starts the 12 days of christmas. here are 12 things I love about christmas.

1. Feeling the peaceful/exciting feeling all around.

2. Reading christmas stories, and watching cheesy christmas movies on t.v.

3. Making gifts for neighbors and friends. GETTING CHRISTMAS CARDS!!!!

4. Getting all the gifts for my kids and family and putting thought into what
they want and need, and getting excited to see them open it.

5. When I am in Utah, I love it if it snows. My favorite snow is the HUGE slow
falling snow that seems magical. (but that is the only time I like it)

6. christmas music...love the music.

7. sitting in the house on christmas eve when the kids are in bed, all the presents
are out. The house is clean, the lights are on, music is in the background and
the anticipation is hanging in the air.....

8. making ginger bread house with my kids.

9. seeing the lights at the temple.

10. every year we give a gift to Jesus on christmas eve. We each write on a peice of
paper something we are going to give of ourselves this coming year. Something we
need to work on. A bad habit, or someone we need to treat better, anything that
will help us become more christlike. We put it in our special box, and then take
it out the next year so we can reflect and make new goals.

11. Christmas morning

12. Remembering what christmas is all about, The Savior and his life, and giving to
others.

I could probably go on and on...but those are just a few. My greatest joy is seeing my kids and the joy that comes to them this time of year. They wrote their letters to sants, and Ethan put on his list that he wanted STEVE to come home for Christmas. I thought that was so sweet! He will be home for next christmas though. We miss him so much. The kids have been talking a lot about hime lately.

Well it is super late as usual! I just got done with some of the cookies, the house is a wreck, but I am going to bed anyway. I am leaving you with a few pics of our holiday so far. . . .

8 people from out of town, 2 turkeys, 23 for dinner...making the perfect thanksgiving {PRICELESS!}

I was in heaven this thanksgiving!! My grandparents, and my sister came in from out of town, as well as coreys brother and his wife. We also hosted thanksgiving dinner at our house. We had both of our families and a few friends all squished together around the table,,,well 2 tables to be exact! And that is just what you get with us. We just jumble everyone together that we love, like a huge spider web.

I seriously ate so much on thanksgiving I still have not quite gotten over it! to be honest with you, the thought of thanksgiving dinner right now is making me sick! oh but it was so good at the time. I have posted a bunch of pics below.


Halli and I worked and worked, She made these cute little turkeys for the kids table all by herself. And we did the leaves for out Give thanks tree, and the tags for the brad wreath name places. I saw this in a magazine and really wanted to try it. I knew I would not have time that day to make them so I did the wreaths the night before and then froze them and took them out to rise the next day and popped them in the oven and they turned out Awsome!


I wish I would have done better pictures of everyone, but I was cooking all day and Crazy busy, so I only got a few snapshots and now I am kicking myself that I did not get better pics...oh well. I should have given the camera to someone else. shouda, woulda, coulda.....

we were so excited coreys brother Kirt andhis wife Elisa came to visit too! We had such a blast, Ethan and Dillan became fast freinds as you will see in a pic...video games unite all boys of ages and all walks of life. I just don't get it. what is so cool about those video games? all is does for me is give me a headache and make m thumbs hurt!


yeah you can see up my nose! ...pretty!...







pie and football...nothin better than that!

I really am thankful for so many things in my life right now. I feel so blessed and happy. It scares me sometimes, like this moment might flitter away...but I am so happy to have it for now. To have everyone healthy, for Coreys Job, For the country and freedoms we enjoy...I have been worrying so much about he world around me. Everytime I turn on the t.v. or read the news it seem like destruction, and war, and
recession etc...It really gives me anxiety. But then I take a step back and look at the big picture and know that my heavenly father loves me, that I have the gosple of jesus christ in my life. That I have my family and my life, and nothing can give me more peace than that.

I could go on forever about all the people in my life who have made a difference, you know who you are, you know I love you....
My kids are such a joy to me, and i would be crazy not to thank heavenly father for each precious second I get to spend with them. I have loved each little phase, each learning curve, each accomplishment and every single temper tantrum! becuause they don't last very long until they grow up. We just had our 11th wedding anniversary and I was telling Corey that at our 20th, Halli will be 17-18 years old! I just want to hold on to each fleeting moment. . . I have loved the blog for the moments I get to share and remember, I am really looking into publishing the blog like a book. I have not been as good at scrapbooking as I once was. I am also grateful for my husband and his dedication to our family and hard work. where would me and my kidlets be without him? I guess the bottom line is I need to get on my knees and thank my heavenly father for all the blessings and trials in my life. each day is a learning experience and one more day I get to spend on this earth with the people I love.

I hope you had a wonderful thanks giving as well. Christmas is on it's way... I am so excited. It truly is my favorite time of year.

Inspiring video...what can we do this season to "give"

This is such a touching video, i the true sprit of thanksgiving

Happy Anniversary baby!

Heres to 11 years! WOW that is a LOOONG time.
When we got married I was 19 and Corey was 22 just home from his mission to Australia. We were married in the Manti, LDS temple. I was smitten from the first time I saw him. I know this sounds crazy , but once I was on a date at the restaraunt Corey worked at. We did not know eachother... but I saw him walk by me holding a try in his hand and it was like a movie sceene. you know the kind, when time goes really slow, and there is that romantic music and someone flips there hair a little sexy like...hahahah, serioulsy! it really happened and I thought..."I am going to marry him" then reality smacked me and I felt likean IDIOT, and then I thought "what the ... I don't even know him". I guess thats what you call love at first sight..... or something. but I guess I wasn't crazy cause he asked me out, and the rest is history. I can't beleive how young we were. We have struggled and had so many hard times and so many good times. I can not believe how much we have grown...together and as individuals in this time. I could not imagine that time without eachother. If I have learned anything about relationships it's that compromise is the key. Selfishness leaves no room for love. And it's o.k. to let the other person win sometimes. Some things are better left unsaid... Hugs and I love yous never get old, And always strive to keep that spark alive. Date, laugh, and do things together. I guess it doesn't always work, but it's worked for us so far. I feel like we have had a huge amount of stress and trials in the last 11 years. At times I wondered if we would make it...but in the end I can only say we grew stronger and learned to communicate better. What more could I ask for? I got lucky!
I know this is getting mushy so I will wrap it up!

To Corey,
Honey, I want to say that I got really lucky when we got married. Some people search their whole life for what we have. You are my perfect match. Even though there are those annoying things I say I can't stand, I know if they were gone I would miss them. You are as much a part of me as my beating heart, something I can't live without. You have given me strength when I didn't have any, Stability when I knew none, Understanding, and Love unconditionally. you have taught me to laugh, and dream, and sing. So thank you, I love you...and I know this is in a post on the blog for EVERYONE TO READ but get over it. it's just a little PDA!!!!
I can't wait for this next year together. wow 11 years kinda flew right by......
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
xoxoxxo *K*

DNL.. weekend update.

o.k. so if you don't get it DNL (Dalebout night live) weekend update....yeah o.k. movin on.

So since I am still lame and have not gotten the halloween pics of off the camera. I am moving on...but I will post some later cause they are sooo cute.

WHAT have we been up to? well a lot. Parent teacher conference, was last week the kids are doing great. Halli is being pushed very hard by her teacher and not sure her or I like the situation...but I told her that there will always be Mrs. Bass' in her life and she needs to make the best out of it and work the system. I hope we can pull it off. Ethan is just loving school and doing great.

So totally EXCITED that soccer is OVER!!! it was a blast, but takes up so much time.
Ethan will probably not play again next year, he likes basketball much better. Ya gotta give the kid credit. Soccer and baseball are just too slow for him. I have the feeling that he is going to be a alternative sport kid. (snowboarding, skateboarding, etc) Halli on the other hand LOVES it, and wants to play her whole life she sais. But wants to try dance just incase she might like it this time.

Saturday... Soccer, soccer party, soccer, soccer party, photoshoot. Doesn't sound like a whole lot, but it was! and such a beautiful day 75 degrees! wow is it really November?

I have been so busy with photography, Coreys been busy with work, We both have been working out daily, still doing body for life....

OH! and we celebrated Ethans birthday. I feel bad I missed that post. But we had such a blast. It was his 7th birthday. He is looking so grown up! The time is really flying. We had a family party and all he wanted to do was go to his aunts and play Halo on the x box. So that is what we did and HE had a blast. He wanted doughnuts instead of cake. He is so funny!

I have a TON of picutres so be prepared. I am super busy and a little slow with the posting, I will be better in December. I can't wait for THanksgiving and christmas...Yay!!!!!!





this picture of Ethan {not} kicking the ball kracks me up!


ME and Halli Are SOOOO BORED!

AH! I can't beleive I caught this. Lance is like...please just one little bite!!
ANd brodeys face is so funny as he is biting into that pizza HAHAHAH! this is priceless!


OOOOH x box is sooo serious! What you can not see from these pics is that when Ethan plays he is jumping around and making his own sound effects...it is funny to watch.





We miss all of you family who are away from us..and you know who you are. We love you and wish you were here. (especially cause it is COLD where you are!) oxoxoxo

PEACE OUT!!! HAVE A GREAT DAY, AND DON'T FORGET TO SAY HI!

poor neglected blog....

SO this is how pathetic I am... I am sitting here blogging post after post on my photography sight to keep up with all the family sessions I have been doing, and here sits my family blog with no new posts. so I think to myself...I am going to put on our halloween pics! What do ya know! they are on the video camera, and I can't for the life of me figure out how to get them off right now.

Anyway..I think I have a few of pumpkin carving? I dunno, I'll check. meanwhile you just get me sitting here rambling away cause I am tired. I am so glad the election is over! Even though I did not vote for Obama, it is still cool that history was made with the first black/ bi racial, president. I hope he can live up to all the hype! I am skeptical, but lets give him the benefit of the doubt..everyone needs a chance to proove themself. I am just glad all the tension is out of the air...oh and BTW, I totally bought gas today for $2.29!!! what is that? how on earth could it be at 4.50 only like 6 months ago...something is messed up! not that I am complaning about cheap gas, it just seems weird.

oh, and to sum up the day in my life...while my husband is golfing {which was fine babe} I am trying to edit pics and do c.d.s etc. the baby is sick. non stop crying, then the kids come home from school and Halli says " why is the house so clean?" and the next thing I know her shoes, backpack, sweatwhirt, and papers are all on various places around the kitchen/living room. and I was like........
NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Funny Pictures & Myspace layouts

Hallis Prop 8 debate

Halli came home from school two days ago to inform me that she had a "prop 8 debate"
at school with one of her best friends. Halli, "Me and {K} were fighting about prop 8 today" Keri "oh. what were you fighting about?" Halli "well we were talking about it and {K} said that gay people should be able to get married if they want to. And I said yeah but don't you think that a boy marrying a boy is just wrong? and she said well they should be able to get married if they want to because it is their choice. And I said, but that is not what God wants for families, and {K} said but it is their choice and we should not be able to tell them that they can't, and I said , but it's not what God wants and it just went on and on and on!"

OH BOY! When I was 8 I don't think I had any idea what Gay was in the first place or that it was even possible. I was busy running around my neighborhood and playing with barbies. I was not aware of the president or what was going on in the world, And here my little third grader is having grown up discussions with her friends about issues that are HUGE. I was proud of her for being able to take a stand for what we have taught her, even when her friend felt differently, but at the same time, I was so sad that she had to be aware of this at all. As the election is near and these issues are heating up, the tension in the air is as well. We are standing on the street with our YES on prop 8 signs, Making calls, hanging door hangers, and flaunting banners on our cars and yards. We have been honked at and our sign on the lawn was stolen and as Corey was sign turning on the street with other supporters, they were yelled at and confronted. And it just gets worse as it gets closer. On one corner there is a yes sign and on the other a No sign....

I have to admit that the discrimination seems wrong, like discrimination against color, this feels the same as well....or at least that is how the other side is making it feel. As you look at the basis of family and the purpose to procreate, It is definitely NOT the way God intended it. The media wants everyone to think that this is just normal behavior and not immoral. just like premarital relations....marriage in general means nothing to world. Not like it does to me and my husband. I was thinking about the Proclamation to the world (click here to read)
that was given to us by our prophet 10 years ago, it is amazing to me that even that long ago God was giving us direction on what he wants and expects. And now as we are in the trenches fighting for something that I never thought we would have to...we are being reverse discriminated against and never in my life have I ever felt like the people that were being mocked by the great and spacious building until now....It is real and I feel it.

There is no way to really describe to others how or why we are fighting for this except to say in the words of ADAM "I know not, save the Lord commanded me."

Moses 5: 6
6 And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.


Beyond the media, beyond being popular, beyond "go with the crowd", where is morality going to take a stand? when are we going to take responsibility to and for our children, who will protect their tomorrow if not us?

I had the BESTEST week ever!

oh! my sweet Ethan! This week he said he had the bestest week ever! First it started out that he was STAR student at school this week and we made his all about me poster. It of course was adorable!

Then Tuesday he got to go and play the WII and his aunts house while I was at scouts!

Wednesday we went to apple hill And if that wasn't good enough he only got one bite of his caramel apple before he lost his tooth!
(tooth fairy was on vacation this week and forgot his tooth 3 nights in a row, but FINALLY today she had left a note saying she was in Hawaii taking a rest..and gave him 3 whole dollars since he had to wait) what a lucky boy! LOL

Friday was his harvest party in his class at school, and I brought our dog MAX to school so he could show the class.
Then friday night we had Trunk-or-Treat at the church, which he said was the best and funnest one he has ever been too!

Saturday we did a service project with the scouts, Then he had a soccer game that he was so proud of cause "some guys were standing around the goal just like having a tea party and I swooped in and kicked the ball from them!" haha!
and then Saturday evening was the primary pizza party program practice!

I actually think that it was a pretty darn good week for Ethan. I will put it in the words of our friend Matt (also soccer coach) "we could all learn a few things from Ethan" Ethan doesn't stress, he is care free and happy, always humming a theme song, his whole life is a theme song...really. he will come home from a game or school and say "mom do you know why I was running so fast?" /?/ "cause I was singing the Indiana jones song in my head" and he does that all the time with everything. He is so happy to be alive and truly has fun just being. And just to tell you REALITY in the soccer game with the "tea party" Ethan just jogs around the field and watches, he is not aggressive and only gets the ball once in a while....but boy does he have fun skipping around that soccer field!

truly was the best week...ever.

p.s. and VERY busy for me!