What Are Your Family Traditions?

That is what John was asked by a friend of his and this was his reply:

It’s starting to become a tradition that on the day after Thanksgiving, we choose to pick out the Files Family Christmas tree and forgo the battles at the mall. Shopping for trees is quite an adventure. I mean I drive all over the valley looking for visually appealing tree lot and spend my entire Christmas budget on some sap ridden farm grown Christmas tree that mysteriously changes its shape once set up in my living room. And what’s the deal with proprietors of Xmas tree lots anyway? I mean who wants to buy a tree from some lazy eyed, unshaven freak of nature wearing coveralls, beanie (no offense) and wielding a chainsaw? Now I know what carnival workers do in the off season.

After erecting the centerpiece of holiday cheer in my living room, I dig out the boxes from our basement containing all of our Christmas Crap and once the dust settles, I proceed to untangle the strings of Christmas tree lights and go into battle with Heidi as to how to decorate the house. I usually park it on the couch by this time in attempts to corral my kids from molesting the tree and rifling through the Christmas decorations. Once the house has made the transformation, Heidi will bust out the Christmas music CD’s and the annoying sound of Celine Dion singing Deck the Halls will fill my house with Joy and thoughts of homicide.

An Early Merry Christmas From Our Family To Yours

Ok so a friend had one on her blog and I thought is was way too funny!! So here I am with one of my family. I hope you enjoy it and have a great Christmas!!!

It was a cute elf dance using our family's faces. It since has expired. But if you keep checking I will have new one up next christmas.

Time to Create Some Art

I ment to link this a while ago and forgot. My sister in law Natalie is going to school to be a teacher and in her art class she was given an assignment to teach children to follow through on a art project. You can check out her blog HERE for the scoop and pictures of Jarren and his friends that participated in this fun project.

Thanks Natalie for coming down and teaching Jarren and his friends!! They had a great time.

Another Blog

Ok, So I have been busy and got carried away with all things Twilight. So the time has come for me to have Twilight Blog so that I can keep this blog for family and friends. You can check out my new blog at the link listed below or in the side bar titled Our other Blogs

It's A Twilight Thing

My Twilight Movie Weekend

My weekend began on Thursday November 20th and started out with scrapbook club night. We made a cute Christmas page and some gift tags. Followed by meeting up with other friends at Red Robin for a late dinner about 10pm. Which was crazy. There was not one man in the place except for the bar tender. After we all braved the crowed theater for a midnight showing of Twilight. For my review on Twilight click HERE.

Me and Michelle at Red Robin waiting for our dinner. Michelle does not like to have her picture taken.

Lizz and Lisa waiting for the bill to come, but looks like Lisa fell asleep waiting. It was very late.
My friend Chelsea's sister did not get her name sorry sitting with Ashley.

Amy and Chelsea enjoying desert instead of dinner.

The three of us getting way too excited for the movie.
In side Red Robin. It is a where's Waldo picture can you can the only man in the place.

Our waitress wearing red contacts to show her excitement for the movie

In side the movie theater lobby. WOW! That is a lot of people. The theater sold out midnight showings for all 20 of their movie screens.

Then on to Friday night, which was the TwilightMoms big event. We had rented out two theaters along with the banquet rooms upstairs. We had large per-party event before the movie. By having vender's come in and set up booths, games, and trivia, Pictures with stand ups of the cast and cars from local dealerships. My dad even let us use his 1954 Chevy truck that he restoring for Bella's truck. Our event had sold every out, which is about 1000 people. The only thing I can say was we had a great time and I will never forget this night. There were so many people and fans. check out the slide show below.

The following morning few us TwilightMoms met up for breakfast at IHOP. It was nice to see everyone and hang with Amie from Idaho that day. Overall I can not believe we pulled this event and weekend off. Now I need a week to rest.

Clockwise starting center. AndyAmy's son, Alex Amy's Son, Amy, Amie from Idaho, My son Jacob, Myself, and Laura.

Here is a link to see more pictures from Friday's event on TwilightMoms.com Hope you enjoy them.

Family Photo Time!

At the end of October we met with a long time friend Aubrey Boulton who has photography business . We met at Wheeler Farm here in the Salt Lake Valley to have photos taken of our family. Here are few of my favorites., which was are hard to chose since there are so many that I liked.

A Sneak Peak Review Of Twilight Movie

My fellow TwilightMom Amy O was lucky enough to see a pre-screening of the movie tonight. She posted a review of her thoughts on her blog. You can read it here, but if you are concerned for spoilers do not read.

Who lLoves Jewelry? I DO!!!

Here is a great web site that my dear friend Kriselle as put out that will feature her custom made jewelry and all her wonderful Twilight themed jewelry. So check it out HERE or in my side bar titled Selle's Jewelry

The Final Team Alice Meeting For The Twilight Movie Party!!

So on Saturday Nov. 8th I reserved the church to hold out last meeting and goody bag stuffing party. I some how forgot the camera!!! Can you believe that went some where without my camera!! But thanks to my fellow TwilightMoms that come better prepared then I. So here is the link to view or evening.

Team Alice Meeting Pictures ( Warning Lots of Pink for pink haters!!)

Twilight Sound Track Out..Must see Video

Paramore wrote a song just for the Twilight Movie and here is the music video. I could hardly wait for the movie as it is but now and I am not sure I can wait these last several days!!!!

Fun Twilight Quiz

I found this quiz on a friends blog and took the test. So here are the results. Now take the quiz yourself and see who you are match up with.


Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

Happy Halloween!!

So for Halloween Jarren was a Skeleton, Jacob a Dinosaur, and Joseph a Lion. It was very hard to get them together for a picture. All they wanted to do was go trick or treating. Go figure!!So I got some shots while we were out in our neighborhood. John was not feeling well and stayed home to pass out candy. They had a lot of fun. Joseph was the only one who would say Trick or Treat and Thank You.
Jarren in his mask in stead of mom's bad face painting job.
Jacob all ready to go!!
Joseph ready for the next house and more candy!!

And as you all know I love Twilight. So my good friend Amy found this website where I could get some honey colored contacts for Halloween. So I went as one of the Cullen's with my topaz vampire colored eyes.
I am not sure if you tell in the picture. Since it looks better in person.

The 1st Grade Progam

On October 23rd Jarren's 1st grade class put on a cute program with songs about their day at school. It was amazing to see how many 1st graders their really are. And there are a lot!! As I looked at all the kids I was thinking WOW that is going to be Jarren's graduating class.
A very blurry picture of the 1st grade class. I have no idea what happened when taking that picture.
Jarren is in the very center there, again it is blurry. I know this one would be since I was zooming in all the way.
Jarren with is teacher after the program.

After the program we took the boys to Wingers for a late dinner. When I asked them to smile this is what I got.
I guess boys will be boys!!

Fall Field Trip

On October 21st Jacob's pre-school class went to Historic Wheeler Farm. Where they got to see horses, cows, chickens, turckeys, and two week old piggies. The landscaping was very beautiful with all the fall colors and leaves. We even got to take a wagon ride out through some of the pretty trees. The boys really loved it and a great time. Jarren got to come since he was off track from school.

Fun In The Pirate Pumkin Patch

Since Jarren is in a year round school district and has the last three weeks of October off track. My friend Lisa and I decided it would be fun to take our boys to a pumpkin patch that has theme with pirates. The boys had a great time. They got to climb on a pirate ship, run through a hay maze, and I was able to get some fun pictures of them all. We had a great time chasing the kids around.
Here is Cooper, Jarren, Bridger, Jacob, and Joseph. I think it is funny!!
Jarren on the pirate ship.
Look Jacob is looking at the camera!
Joseph was not sure of the pirate ship.
Here we have all five boys again. Cooper, Bridger,Jarren, Jacob, and Joseph.
Here I am with my three boys. We did have a good time. After I took the kids to McDonald's for lunch and then off to make messes at grandma's house.

1st Grade Halloween Party

On October 15,2008 Jarren had his school Halloween Party. Jarren wanted to be a skeleton, so I found this cool costume for him. It has a mask that goes with it but he can not wear the mask to school. So I painted his face to help complete his look.
In his class we had the kids try and eat a doughnut from a string, played M&M bingo, and created a spiders with Zingers. It was fun to see all the kids dressed up for Halloween.
Jarren showing off his costume. Oooo Scary!!
Jarren trying hard to eat the doughnut.
Jarren with his class playing M&M bingo.

Yes, MoreTwilight !

Here is a video clip I got from the TwilightMoms blog and found humor in it. So I thought I would share. But since it is a little too big I posted it Here

Are You Ready For Some Football!!!

This year Jarren decided not to play soccer, since he is old enough to try football. Well for the 1st and 2nd graders it is flag football. I have to say this and basketball have been my favorite to see Jarren in and watch. The team plays for an hour and each player gets a chance at the offense and the defense. This way each child can learn how to play all parts of the game. Jarren got to play with his friends from school and our neighborhood. Which is always lots of fun. Jarren really liked playing football and can not wait to play again next year. I must say I like watching them better then a game on TV. Although Jarren enjoys watching football on TV more now that he understands what is going on. John has told him that the game on TV is his training video. I say it is another excuse to watch football. But oh, well there are worse things they could do.

Jarren wearing the black pants and white turtle neck, with his team mates making a game plan.
Putting the game plan into action.
Jarren with his best bud AJ after the last game of the season.

A video clip of Jarren at his game. He is wearing the black pants and a gray hooded sweatshirt under his jersey.

Time To Play Soccer!

This past month Jacob started soccer. He has been wanting to play since Jarren. Jacob was so much fun to watch. He loved getting in there and kicking the ball. It was funny because on his 1st game he kicked the ball out of bounds and kept going and going. The coach and I were trying to get him to come back but he was on a roll. Jacob was able to play soccer with two of his friends from our neighbor hood, which he was so excited to do. Soccer was fun to watch this year. I love seeing all these little 3 and 4 year olds on the field trying to make a goal.
Jacob off to kick the ball!!
Jacob with his buddies Jack and Cooper
And of course when the camera is out Joseph has to pose and get his picture taken. This picture makes me laugh, because he so cute!!
So if one is getting a picture taken the other needs his picture taken. Jarren being cool in the sunglasses!



Here is a little video of Jacob playing soccer. Jacob is #8 on the field