Annual Crandall Family Christmas Party

We spent another weekend in Gilbert for two reasons. My dad turned 60 on Friday and Saturday was our annual Christmas party. We've been doing our Christmas party for about 9 or 10 years now, I think. It's always fun but always a little on the chaotic side. We were missing several this year which was a bummer but it was still enjoyable.

Friday night we had Chinese food. My dad served his mission in Hong Kong and loves Chinese food. I was surprised how much fried rice Maeley ate. She even had seconds. After dinner we went to the Temple to see the lights. Maeley and Chase were so excited. When Chase saw the temple he said, "That makes me happy." He is such a sweet boy. Surprisingly it wasn't busy at all.

Happy Birthday Dad!

(We were horrible at taking pictures this weekend. There are only a few.)

My sister  Laurel made this cake for my dad. She always makes the cakes but can't you see why? It looked awesome! Everyone loved it but especially Chase.

Saturday was just a fun day. We didn't plan any big activites this year like we have in the past. All the kids want to do is just play together anyways. This was the first year to was really cold. That didn't stop the kids  from playing outside, but it kept the adults inside mostly.

Zoe escaped outside as soon as she saw the door was left open.

Zoe and daddy (she is looking at my nephew Jacob)

The kids began playing hide-n-go-seek. This is Kyla.

Jacob and Mayla hiding under the car.

Jacob and Tyler. Tyler got his Jeep running again.

My mom and my sisters and I made a craft. This is the first year we've done this and we will definitely be doing it again. It was so much fun. We actually don't want to wait another year to do it again.

We  made this. I've been wanting a countdown since Derek broke the one I had our frist Christmas. That's okay though because it wasn't my favorite anyways. I love this one though. Derek did the painting and sanding I put the paper on with modge podge and put the vinyl on. Laurels boyfriend has a vinyl machine. Wahoo! I see more vinyl projects down the road.

In the evening we had a gift exchange with the grandkids. The adults did a white elephant game. Derek came home with an ugly picture frame. Maeley had me put a picture in it and is now on her dresser. And I came home with a Tiffany style lamp. (Tyler got it at Goodwill) I'm pretty sure that will end up in the girls room.

Family Fun

Because we have no room for our large Christmas tree and we will be home for Christmas we decided we needed to get a smaller tree. Monday night we went to Target found a cheap tree and got some none breakable ornaments. By the time we got home it was already bedtime. The kids had a very hard time waiting all day until Dad came home so we could decorate the tree together.

 After decorating I told the kids I had a surprise. I made them chocolate milk with whip cream on top (Derek and I had hot chocolate) and gave them some Christmas Mother's Circus cookies. They really enjoyed that.

Chase getting every last bit of chocolate milk

Maeley is such a cutie. I can't beleive how big she's getting.

Derek has started something funny with Zoe. When Zoe see's the whipped cream can she gets so excited and preps herself for the good stuff.

cheeks are full

a little too full

I love our family! It's extra fun this year with both Maeley and Chase understanding Christmas.  I've noticed Zoe loves the Christmas decorations. Maeley is always wanting me to turn the Christmas lights on. I've been listening to a lot of Christmas music lately and Maeley has learned quite a bit of Christmas music because of it. It cracks me up she knows the words to Last Christmas. I'm looking forward to Christmas morning!

Thanksgiving weekend

For the weekend we went to Gilbert. Where else do we go? The weekend was busy. Chase and Zoe didn't get good naps or naps at all. Maeley stayed up too late every night. Because Zoe was sleeping in our room Derek and I didn't sleep well. Learned that Zoe moves around way too much in her sleep that a pack-n-play is too small for her. And to think we are doing it all again this weekend. Makes me tired just thinking about it.

Laurel made another amazing cake. My Grandpa turned 80 back in August since we had most of my moms side of the family together we celebrated it on Thanksgiving.

My Grandpa (my mom's dad)

Maeley playing around the pink clubhouse.

Zoe being silly. She has very large front teeth. It has looked like the other front tooth is going to cut through any day but it been like that for over a month.

Friday I talked Derek into going shopping with me first thing in the morning. We hit Taret, Staples, Eddie Bauer then the Disney Store. We got some awesome deals! And we were home just after 8 in the morning. Then we helped put the outdoor Christmas lights up at his parents house.  I put on the lights on the Christmas tree which we then ran out of lights and had to get more. I love a tree with lots of lights on them.  Not sure exactly how many lights are on the tree probably 1000. It looks good though. Derek helped my dad and brother Tyler cut down a very large pine tree in my parents backyard that had died. Then off to a lunch at Dereks grandparents house. We saw lots of his family that he hasn't seen since he was young and family I've never met.  It was a very long day. Maeley stayed up later than Derek and I. We were completely exhausted.

Derek's younger brother Marc brought is girlfriend Eunmi home for Thanksgiving to meet the family. Chase especially liked her. He was holding her hand on the couch. He was too shy for a picture though. 

Saturday night we cooked some hot dogs over the fire then roasted marshmellows and made smores. It was so much fun. It was hard to keep Zoe to stay on your lap. I ended up just bringing her inside to play.

Santa

On Saturday we were at the mall returning something when the kids saw that Santa was there. Maeley & Chase wanted to see him. Chase was telling us that Santa is his best friend. So today I took the kids to visit Santa.

Hahaha! This picture is awesome! Every emotion you expect from a Santa visit. Maeley smiling happy as can be. Chase with no expression just trying to figure it out. Zoe crying afraid of the big man.

Little cowboy

This is currently my favorite picture. It just captures how cute and sweet he really is. Too bad he has food on his face.

This picture cracks me up. This is the hat Derek wore for his Halloween costume. Not only is the hat huge on Chase, his pants are falling down. Too funny. Why is to so darn hard to find a good fitting pair of pants for kids? These are even from last year! Without a daiper he has nothing to hold them up.

Boys and trucks

Derek has a magazine subscription to Four Wheeler. When it comes in the mail Chase is so excited to show his dad when he gets home from work. Every month they look through it together. Chase loves this so much. He loves all the big trucks and loves the Jeeps. He tells Derek he needs a bigger truck. Funny kid.

Maeley had to join in.

I love this picture because of Chase looking at his dad. I've mentioned this before but Chase and Derek have a special bond and always have.

Zoe's growing up

Zoe has finally decided that she's no longer affraid of the walker we got her for her birthday. Now she loves it and loves to walk around. The past few days she's been more and more daring and letting go and walking 5-6 steps and even 10-11 before falling down or reaching her destination.

She has such a wonderful personality. She's so playful and loves to make us laugh. However she is very shy around others. We love you so much Zoe!

Fun in St. David

We went to St. David Saturday for my neice Kyla's baptism and it was her birthday. She looked so pretty in her dress.  

This is a funny picture. The balloons had a clip on the end. Chase loves balloons so Derek clipped it to his tie.

Chases new best friend...my brother Tyler. Derek invited Tyler to stay with us this weekend. It's always fun when Tyler stays with us. This time the kids really bonded with him. Chase cried a lot when he left on Sunday.

Kyla couldn't wait to open her birthday presents.

This I thought was hilarious. Chase found this little brush and wanted to comb Kourtney's hair. She let him even though she didn't want him to. He then went on to comb Kyla's hair and Mayla's. They are all watching a movie. He isn't wearing a shirt because there was a mishap outside and got so muddy. Luckily I brought an extra pair of pants unfortunately not a shirt.

Things on my mind

In no particular order.

Yesterday Zoe started taking a couple steps by herself. We are very excited for her to begin walking.

Confession- I started listening to Chirstmas music last Friday. Yes even before Halloween. I'm just so freakin' excited for Chirstmas this year.

Another confession- We put up our only Chirstmas decoration we have at the apartment on Sunday. I can't believe Derek was okay with it. I think he's secretly just as excited as I am.

Friday I went cold turkey and stopped nursing Zoe. I'm in tons of pain today. Zoe's been doing pretty good about it too. I'm proud of her. I know she loved nursing.

Zoe slept 11 hours straight last night. She used to do this everyday but then a couple months back she began waking up in the middle of the night. And since I stopped nursing her it got worse. Since she won't drink more than a couple gulps of whole milk at a time (warm or not) we gave her some bananas right before bed. I think that did the trick.

I have fallen in love with some of the Christmas decorations at Target. I love Christmas time.

Yesterday I went to the gym, first time in a long time. It felt great working out and pushing myself. The hardest part is just getting there.

I can't wait until all the Halloween candy is gone. I haven't been eating that much but I hate it sitting in the house tempting me. We only give the kids candy as a reward. And if they're bad we take some away. It's working fairly well.

Yesterday when I had a craving for a sweet I ate a cherry tomatoe. I found myself at the end of the day craving the tomatoes.

I don't like cooking. However I have been doing a good job at having a homemade meal ready and waiting when Derek comes home from work. Before we moved to Tucson I hardly cooked. Last night I made Baked Ziti. Probably one of my favorites, so easy and yummy too.

I'm giving up soda with my friend. I'm going to succeed this time.

I'm not sure what to get the kids for Chirstmas this year. I'm already stressing about it.

Chase woke up extra early this morning so it was nice snuggling with him.

I have a very strong desire to decorate (not just for Christmas). This apartment lacks "us". What I mean is it lacks our touch that makes it our home. Oh, and I hate white walls.

I need to go buy stamps.

Maeley and Chase have been saying some of the funniest things lately. I love it. They make me laugh throughout the day.

I wish the people in the apartment behind us would move. Their bird is loud and annoying.

I really want to learn to sew. I have a project for Christmas.

My husband is amazing. I love you Derek!

I love my cute kids too!

Doctor Appointments

On Friday Zoe and Maeley had their well check ups.

Maeley at age 4

Weight: 32lbs -- 25th percentile

Height: 39.25" -- 50th percentile

Zoe at 12 months

Weight: 20 lbs 12 oz -- 50th percentile

Height: 29.25" -- 50-75th percentile

Head: 45.5cm -- 50th percentile

All three kids got shots that day (Chase got a flu shot). I was by myself which made it not so fun for me. Maeley was by far the worst. She chose to go last. I had to hold her while holding Zoe who was still crying. Maeley cried for about a half hour afterwards. Shortly after coming home we had lunch. Maeley said she needed to go to the bathroom and asked if I could carry her because her leg hurt. Seriously! Chase on the otherhand said his didn't hurt.

Before I forget

So I've done a lot of blogging lately and I'm still not caught up yet.  Just a few more posts. I promise.

On Zoe's actual birthday I made a batch of cupcakes and decorated half of them and left the other half for Maeley's birthday. Because we had forgot the candles at the birthday party we did the candle thing that night. Derek's sister Kim had called us on Skype and so she sang to Zoe as well. Poor girl thought the flame was interesting and grabbed it while lit. She cried but didn't get burned she was pretty upset about it. That didn't stop her from enjoying her cupcake though.

We didn't take any pictures of Maeley eating her cupcakes the next day as it was pretty much like the day before. I forgot to buy candles. The "1" was used for Zoe was the same one from Chase's first birthday. I found the 3 from Maeley's last birthday so we used those on her cupcake. Pretty lame but at least it equals 4. I remember for one of my sisters Laurels birthday she had multiple candles like that that equaled her age. I thought it was pretty stupid. Now look at me, I'm doing the same thing.

Having fun with Grandpa

After the birthday party my dad was mowing the lawn. Of course Maeley was thrilled especially after riding the quad.

Chase would not let go of his balloon. That kid loves balloons.

Riding the quad

While at my parents last weekend Derek took my brother Tyler's quad around the backyard. I mentioned to him that I have never been on a quad or anything of the like before. He was pretty suprised and insisted on taking me for a ride because I had no interest in driving it myself.  Let me just say that this quad is old, missing all the plastic parts and pretty much just falling part.

Derek & I

We look happy.

There was no place for me to put my legs except around Derek.

Now I look scared.

I seriously thought I was going to fall off.

Daddy and Maeley

Yep, Chase in the background with his beloved car.

Daddy & Zoe

Zoe even got a turn. My mom was  holding Zoe while I was riding and said she was getting so excited and squealing.

Derek

Tyler & Devan

Tyler & Jacob

Tyler being crazy

Laurel and Maeley

Laurel with her boyfriend Zach