Monday, December 29, 2008

Whew

I can not believe Christmas has already come and gone. Where does the time go? Since my last post we have had lots of fun. My mom wanted to start a new tradition and she decided to buy some gingerbread house molds and make gingerbread kits for each family to have one to put together. A few of us were able to get together at Jessica's to put them together and my mom was able to be there.





Later that week we had our annual visit from our favorite Santa Claus.




























On December 20 we attended the annual Baker party. It was Jared's uncle Randy and aunt Patsy's turn. They did a great job as usual. We got together and had dinner. After dinner we went on a hay ride and went Christmas caroling.
















We are all waiting for the ride to start.








Here we goooooo.........










(K, so I got my laptop back. I wanted to add more but I am so behind that I am just going to post this as is.)





Monday, December 15, 2008

From Christmas programs at school to Christmas parties up North!

If we get any busier I will not know what to do. Tucker had his school Christmas program on Dec. 3. The music teacher did a really good job. There were a lot of 3rd graders to teach those songs to.











Then on Friday we headed up the mountain for the annual Hatch Christmas party. Jared's mom is a Hatch.We stayed at my mom's in Heber on Friday and on Saturday we helped her assemble some of her many Christmas light decorations she puts up in her yard. While we were doing this Tatum climbed on a two step stool and it colapsed a little on her and she fell off and hit her arm on the ground. She cried for a while and Jared and I consoled her but that did not seem to help much. She said "my arm hurts". I proceeded to grab her arm and bend it back and forth and told her that it was fine it was not broken so to stop crying. We packed up and headed to Jared's moms house and then to the light parade in Holbrook.









We then headed to Jared's aunts house to have hot cocoa and donuts and exchanges gifts again.










Tatum seems to be feeling fine.









We ended our party and went back to Grandma Baker's house to sleep.Tatum woke up the next morning still complaining about her arm and saying that it pops when she moves it. Well we finally decided maybe we should take her in to have it looked at. I headed up to the Show Low ER, which might I add the staff was great. The doctor had x-rays taken and low and behold they came back showing she broke her arm just above the elbow. Woops! We are lucky I did not mess it up more by moving all around. So Tatum's arm was splinted and we head back home. On Wednesday she had a hard cast put on. She told Jared and I, "next time you should listen to me. I told you it was broken". We attended her Christmas program that Wednesday evening Dec. 10. Once again the music teacher did a great job teaching all of those 1st graders many different Christmas songs. I have not put the pictures on the computer yet for that one. Tre' is playing on yet another club baseball team so we have been spending our nights taking him to practice, Tucker to basketball practice, dance and scouts, and Tatum to girl scouts. Will we ever slow down. Probably not in the near future. Jared was just called as the Exec. Ward Sec. As for me, I am just trying to keep up.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Past due Thanksgiving Update

I am a little behind. We have been so busy that every time I sit to post, I have to get up and leave again. We had a great Thanksgiving. The kids enjoyed being able to hang out with their cousins.






Tucker, Kylie & Cordd



Chloe,Tatum & Kassie



Deak decided to test out his modeling abilities.














We also had our 2nd annual Baker brunch. My mother-in-law would like to make this a tradition so hopefully we will be able to keep it going for many years to come. Jared's entire family came out to our house and we had breakfast around 11 then Grandma Baker read a Christmas story





and then we exchanged gifts.




It is always nice for the holidays to come around because that is when we all take a break to spend some time together.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Black Friday

Before Shopping


Well, I did it. I got up this morning yet again for another year of after Thanksgiving shopping. I really was not in the mood to do it this year. But I figured if I wanted to save some money I probably should. My first stop was Wal-Mart and they were all out of what I needed. I looked around and thought, "I am going to just go home there are too many people". But needless to say I did not. Next I headed to Sears and they only had one thing I was looking for. Then I headed to Target. I was able to pick up what I need there except for one thing. My oldest would like the new Guitar Hero World Tour game but they were all out, so I decided he really does not need it anyway. We already have one Guitar Hero. The line to check out wrapped around the whole store. I think I waited about 20-30 min. not too bad it seemed to go fast, the crazy things we do to save money. Then off to Old Navy. On my way I new I would be passing another Wal-Mart so I decided to stop and give it one more try to see if they had what I needed. And YES they did, except I forgto a couple things so I guess that means they were not really important and did not need them anyway. Then off to Old Navy again. I was looking for some fleece jackets. Last year I was able to pick some nice ones up, you think I could do it again this year. Not so much. I found a few but not what I was really looking for and they were more than what I wanted to pay but needed them so got them anyway. Then off to Big 5. Found three things I needed there but I had to head to another Big 5 because I needed two of something and the first one only had one. Once there I was off to Fiesta Mall and Sears again. Yeah, I found what I did not find at the first Sears. Picked up a couple of extra things and wished that finished me up but I am just not sure what to get my oldest this year. He does not need a whole lot and I am tired of buying things that only get used for a few weeks then tossed aside. I think that he may just find some money under the tree and he can go buy himself some clothes. For those of you that are crazy enough as I am to brave the crazy crowds I hope you were just as successesful as I was. Now I just have to talk myself into putting up my tree and lights. I am quite the Scrooge this year. I just can not seem to get in the spirit. Hope that will change soon. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday because I get to spend it with my family. Hope the spirit bug bites me soon because I need it this year.


After shopping

Sunday, November 23, 2008

A lot to be thankful for

So I am a big after Thanksgiving shopper freak. Every year I get up about 3 and go out to wait in line and fight the crazy people and crowds. This year I am bummed because I just can not get int to the mood for it. I look forward to it every year at this time and just have not brought myself to get excited. It is the one and only day that Jared knows I am going to go spend money and lots of it and he does not complain to me about how much and my Christmas shopping is done by then. For one the sales just do not seem like they are going to be as good this year from what I can see on the online ads. And for two my kids are getting older and I do not know what to get for them. They do not need anything and I am tired of spending money on things they think they want and only use for a couple of days after Christmas and then they sit and collect dust. I asked them if we could skip the gift part of Christmas this year but that did not go over so good with them. Maybe once I see the actual ad from the newspaper on Thursday I will get in the mood, we will have to see. I am however excited to celebrate Thanksgiving and give thanks for the many blessings that have been given to me and my family. I am thankful for our good health, for the our business that we have that provides for us and that we are able to make ends meet to keep our home provide for the thinks we need. I am thankful for my extended family and the time we get to spend with them and the memories we get to make with them and for the love they have for us. I am thankful for my kids and the laughs the give me everyday. Jessica was doing my hair again (thanks Jess) and I had her cut Tucker's hair and she asked him if he had any girlfriends, he said no, she said right answer and he responded with "it must be love Tucker season because alot of girls like me". Where do kids come up with these things. I am thankful for my husband and all of the help he is and the love he shows for me. He has taken over the laundry the last few weeks and it has been heaven. There are many more thanks but I think I will stop with those few. Oh wait I am thankful I only have to work one day this week. Whoohoo. I get Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday off for the holiday and took Tuesday off so I can go to a CPR class because I am trying to get into EMT school. I hope every has a good Turkey day and may you all be as blessed as we are.




Saturday, October 25, 2008

Trunk or Treat 2008

Tonight our ward had our Trunk or Treat. It is such a great tradition, you know your kids will be safe doing trick or treating. Some of the couples in our ward dressed up and some of them were quite creative and others not quite as much. One couple came dressed as an outlet and the other a plug. Jared's parents, brother Bo and his kids and his brother Deak came and my sister Jessica and her daughter came to hang out with us also. We went and had chili and enjoyed each others company before the kids did their trunk or treating. I was able to snap a few pictures before we left. Tatum decided to be Giselle from Enchanted, Tucker is a skeleton pirate from Pirates of the Caribbean, and Tre' well lets just say I talked Tre' into being a whoopie cusion and we put a fart machine in his pocket it was a hit with the crowd. The kids got their buckets filled with candy and we are good, do not think we will have to do any trick or treating on Friday. But I am sure the kids will still want to dress up so we will probably have to hit a few neighbors. Here they are in their costumes........




Ryken as Eyore

Tucker as a Pirate of the Carribean Skeleton



Tre' as the infamous whoopie cushion




Tatum as Giselle

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Shout out to the Hubby

I just wanted to give a shout out to my amazing husband. It is his birthday and as he says he is 28 today. (Even though we all know better) Jared I just wanted to tell want a great husband and father you are. You have always worked hard to provide for us. You are the crutch I need at times to lean on when things are rough. I hope you know how much I Love You. Happy Birthday babe, to another year.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Disneyland Trip 2008

Well we made it back. Of course we were sad to leave. It seems like it takes so long for the time to come and then it goes by so fast. Needless to say we enjoyed yet again another trip to the "Happiest Place on Earth" as I like to refer to it as. We started out our trip by visiting the beach on Sunday. I do not know who had more fun, Jared or the kids. I am not one that likes to be in cold water so I did not venture in. Besides who would have taken all the pictures if I did. Jared said the waves kicked his tail. Before we left I asked Tucker if a pair of swim shorts I found fit him and he said yes. Well they did not and his shorts kept falling off sharing his backside with us. Tatum enjoyed collecting shells and well Grandpa started a new style by sporting kelp around his neck. After all of the fun at the beach we went had had lunch at a placed call Portillo's. Jared and I ate there a couple of years ago while on our anniversary trip and we enjoyed it so we decided to take the family. We then went back to the Motel and cleaned up and went to Downtown Disney District and enjoyed looking at all of the shops and eating carmel kettle corn. On Monday we visited California Adventures. We were a little disappointed because the Aladdin play was not going due to refurbishment to the theatre but we enjoyed the rest of the park. One of our all time favorite rides is the Hollywood Tower of Terror. We actually talked grandma and grandpa into trying it out this year and it was one of their favorite rides. Soaring over California is also a favorite ride of ours. We like to smell the orange blossoms and see all of the different areas of California. We then went to Disneyland after California Adventures closed because it closes 2 hours earlier than Disneyland. We road a few rides then went and rested to hit Disneyland again on Tuesday. What fun we had. We took a few pictures with some of the characters then hit the rides. At lunch time we all met up at the Country Bear restaurant which is tradition for the Baker family to eat at then split up again to hit more rides. We rode Splash Mountain to cool us off. It was close to 100 degrees that day so it was refreshing to get wet. This was the first year Tatum was tall enough for all the rides so she got to experience some new rides. On Wednesday we hit Knotts Berry Farm. We like to hit that park this time of year as well. There is very few people there so we can ride the roller coaster rides several times before even having to get off. Funnel cakes is also a favorite there so we had to hit them up before we left. The park closed at 5:30 because of Knotts Scarry Farm going on this time of year so we left the park and headed home. We were all sad to have vacation ending. We are going to head up the mountain on Friday afternoon to go camping with Jared's parents. It will be cold so hopefulle we stay warm. I will have to update you on that when we get back. I took so many pictures of our trip in Cali that I figured that a slide show would work best. Hope you enjoy. Maybe some of you can join us next year. We go every year at this time. Till next time.


Saturday, September 27, 2008

On our way to DISNEYLAND!!!!!

Well it is Saturday, September 27, 2008 at 2:15 and we are on our way to Disneyland. I took pictures of how we look as we are traveling to Cali but I guess I left my connector for my camer to my computer at home. I am bummed, oh well I will have to add those photos when we return with all of the others that will follow. What a great time we will have. I will keep you posted.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Much needed update.

It has been a while since I posted. The Baker household never seems to slow down. The kids have been in school six weeks now and fall break is approaching for us. We are on the count down because we will be visiting Disneyland during break. We can not wait to visit the happiest place on earth. We try to visit once a year. I can never get enough of it. After the kids had been in school for a couple of weeks I decided to go back to work and see if I could do something useful with my time. I am working for the Coolidge school district as the health clerk. I cover 4 different schools every week and take care of all paperwork for the nurse's. It definitely was a change at our household to have me have a real 8-5 job. I am used to working but setting my own hours not having someone else set them for me. Hopefully business will pick up and I can go back to helping out in the office. I enjoyed that the most, but since the market is slow I needed to do something productive with my free time. The kids are doing great in school. Tre' is playing for the school baseball team for the 6th graders and is doing well. He and another kid happen to be the only two that have ever played baseball so it has been tough to watch but he is being a great leader and helping the other players learn. Tucker and Tatum have been doing hip-hop dance. I can not wait until they actually learn something. They are still doing the basics, when they finally put something together maybe they won't look so crazy at home. Jared is still working away with Allstate and working hard on our property management co. we are doing. Fall ball will be starting up for him so things are going to start getting a little more hectic splitting our time between all the activites, but I do know that we would not know how to function otherwise. I finally got my life license so I can write life insurance now and Jared and I are working on our securities licenses. I started working with a financial company on the side and am amazed at what we have to offer to help families become financially independent. I am excited more and more everytime I learn more about it. Jared and I went to Palm Springs for a buisness meeting for my fianancial company. The resort was so nice. I want to vacation like this more often.



























Needless to say we had to return to the real world and back to the grind. And our crazy kids.

Tatum and Tucker were playing today in Tatum's room and look at the outcome.




















Jared went to the diamondback game on Saturday and it was give away day. They gave out Eric Burns, D-back hats. Tucker decided he needed to try it on for size.















That will have to do it for this post. I keep having to redo it because it keeps disappearing.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Our last fun before school started

In the past Jared's extended family has had their reunion up in the McNary area and gone camping and the last few years it has been put on hold because the family is getting so big. They resumed the tradition this year and we were so glad they did. We camp at a place called Los Burros. It is one of our favorite camp grounds. The kids spent the week of July 9 through the 16th up with their grandparents before Jared and I took the journey. We met Jared's parents and the boys at the campground Wednesday night and on the way there this is what we spotted......




and this......




We like to scout for elk while we are there. We arrived at the campground and unloaded the truck and had some dinner then I headed to Heber to pick up Tatum. She had stayed with my mom for the week. Tatum and I stayed in Heber for the night then headed back to the campground. The whole family would not be arriving until Friday but Jared's uncle Randy's kids were there and we had a good time visiting with them and the kids enjoyed doing some crafts.


One of Jared's cousins boy kept wanting me to take his picture. You just can't resist a cute dirty face.


Tatum, Chloe, and Cordd were enjoying the outdoors. I just could not resist getting pictures of them.






Tatum, Chloe and Emma (Jared's counsins little girl) were collecting flowers and these were the beautiful arrangements they came up with.




Nicole decided to show us her more natural side.
On Saturday some of the boys and Nicole decided to have a wiffle ball game. Here is the excitement of that game.







It was so beautiful outdoors. Everything was green and I happened to catch a shot of this butterfly.


The campground has a an old barn that used to be available for people when they brought their horses up. I decided to utilize it a little and here are a couple of shots I took of Tatum. I could not tear the boys away from their fun long enough to get them up there.






We had so much fun, the kids did not want to come home for school. We did not want to come home either. The weather was fantastic. Needless to stay we packed up and headed home so the kids could attend school. Here they are on their first day of school.