grandma's cookie day

another tradition we have is grandma's cookie day with grandma sue. every year we spend an afternoon with grandma sue eating pizza and making cookies (or a really big mess!) but we all have a really good time.

even carter decorated a cookie this year...

which he immediately ate and used to frost grandma's house!

and when all is said and done, there is the friendly throw down, poor jake!

christmas eve at grandma sue's

it is tradition in our family to spend christmas eve at grandma sue's, and that's just what we did! there was lots of food, family and fun...and the occasional fist fight when someone lost a game :) look at that, we even got uncle shayne to smile! say cheese
carter wasn't feeling well but he still managed to have a good time

chandler and sylus are best buds!

isabel has become quite fond of baby graylee and can't wait til she can babysit

desiree and tayler hit it off pretty well too! this was desiree's VERY FIRST christmas eve at grandma sue's and she had a blast!

dad and his grandson's (all but one), i think they have worn themselves out

and another great tradition is the one present we open on christmas eve which is always pajamas. they are all snuggley and ready for bed. hope you all had a wonderful christmas!

cute pics

these pictures were taken back in august, before i had a blog, so i decided it was time to add them. i realize i may have gone a little overboard but they are so darn cute, you try to choose a fave!

family christmas party

yesterday was our annual christmas party at grandma dawn's which meant pictures with santa! i think this is the first year we made it through with no tears.

carter was a little weary but he did ok. chan was very excited and informed santa he wants a soccer ball, something he failed to mention to mom and dad.

even isabel was happy to see the big guy this year.

des thinks she is getting too old for this but she was a good sport!

can anyone guess what carter got from santa?

we had a great time as always!

carter's first haircut

this is a little over due but carter finally got his first haircut on november 23rd. his cute little duck tail was taking the form of a nasty mullet so it was time to go!he's not my little baby anymore :(

we put it in a ponytail and then cut it off, it was two and a half inches long!

Friend Test
OK, people, let's have some fun. See how much you really know about your friends. If you want to participate, place an X by all the things you've done and remove the X from the ones you have not. Feel free to add a notation, if you wish. Then, answer the 30 questions at the end and send it to your friends or put it on your own blog. Hey, it's all in fun, right? And besides, no one is twisting your arm to participate.

( ) Gone on a blind date
( x ) Skipped school (many, many times!)
( x ) Watched someone die
( ) Been to Canada
( x ) Been to Mexico
( x ) Been to Florida
( x ) Been on a plane
( x ) Been lost
( x ) Been on the opposite side of the country
( ) Been to Washington, DC
( x ) Swam in the ocean
( x ) Cried yourself to sleep
( ) Recently colored with crayons
( x ) Sung Karaoke (only once but it was fun)
( x ) Paid for a meal with coins only?
( x ) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?
( x ) Made prank phone calls (until *69 and caller I.D.)
( x ) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose (Ouch!)
( x ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
( x ) Danced in the rain
( x ) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( x ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
( x ) Watched the sunrise with someone you care about
(x ) Blown bubbles
( x ) Gone ice-skating
( x) Ever had any major surgeries?
( x ) Been skinny dipping outdoors.
( ) Danced in the snow
( x ) Gone to the movies
( x ) Got a speeding ticket (more than my fair share)
( ) Gone through a divorce

1. Any nickname? Amber Doo, Ambie Doobie, Amber Dawn Washington (I could keep going…)
2. Favorite Drink? Pepsi
3. Mother's name? Bonnie
4. Tattoo? only temporary ones
5. How much do you love your job? Being a mom is great but A LOT of work!
6. Birthplace? Bountiful, UT
7. Favorite vacation spot? Las Vegas and anywhere with a nice beach
8. Ever been to Africa? no
9. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? No
10. Ever been on TV? I kind of got in the shot on the Today Show when I was in NY
11. Ever steal any traffic sign? no
12. Ever been in a car accident? Yes, and I still haven’t gotten over it
13. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4 door and 5 door
14. Favorite salad dressing? Ranch
15. Favorite pie? Apple
16. Favorite number? 7
17. Favorite movie? There are too many…anything with Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler, Jim Carrey, Will Farrell and Brad Pitt
18. Favorite holiday? Easter (Christmas is great but causes me a lot of stress)
19. Favorite Dessert? Fried ice cream and cheesecake
20. Favorite food? Italian or Mexican
21. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
22. Favorite brand of Body wash? Gerber Grins and Giggles in Lavender, I have used it on all of my kids, it was recently discontinued and I had to get it off ebay
23. Favorite toothpaste? Don’t have one
24. Favorite smell? Scott and my children
25. What do you do to relax? sleep, listen to music, watch tv
26. How do you see yourself in 10 years? This is kind of scary, Des is 12 so in 10 years she will be 22 and could have a baby, that would make me a grandma!
27. Favorite color? Purple and green
28. Furthest place you will send this message? I'm sending it out into the great Bloggersphere.....who knows how far it will go?
29. Who will respond to this the fastest? ?
30. Is your best friend male or female? Male: Scott, Female: Shantell, Mel & Chrystal
31. Are you, or if retired, did you pursue your desired career field? I have yet to choose a field but for now I am a mom and that’s just fine with me
32. Are you happy with your life and the way things have turned out? I am very happy, but I don't think my life has "turned out" yet. I'm still enjoying the turning and where we will end up next. (ditto)