Oakland Temple Lights

Last Saturday Night we went with Grandma and Grandpa Schwitters to see the Oakland Temple Christmas Lights. The boys look forward to going every year and this year they were excited that grandma and grandpa got to come with us.

Christmas

For Christmas Connor wanted a 50cc, a quad and an Xbox 360. He was set on getting all those because according to him you tell Santa what you want and he brings them. I had to explain to him that it didn't really work that way and that we can suggest things to Santa and it's up to him to decide. Well, after that discussion he settled on a skateboard but once again it couldn't be any skateboard it had to be a Tony Hawk skateboard. Connor hasn't taken it for a test run yet. I asked him the other day why and he said cause he doesn't know how to ride it but he sure treasures it. I told him that after mom has the baby I will show him. It has been years since I have been on a board so hopefully I don't kill myself. Connor also, wanted a remote control helicopter. Mom and dad gave him one and Nana gave us 2 more. So, Connor scored because now he has 3 remote helicopters.

As far as what Trevor wanted, well he doesn't really care. He did say he wanted a scooter so that is what he got from Santa and he also got one from one of his cousins in the annual Schwitters cousin gift exchange. He was excited to score with 2 scooters this year. Trevor also wanted an Easy Bake Oven and Pixos which he got from mom and dad.

Here are the boys coming down the hall on Christmas morning.

Connor and his skateboard and Trevor on his scooter.

Connor opening his Helicopter.

Trevor and his Easy Bake Oven (glad they aren't pink anymore).

Connor and Trevor opening up a gift at Nana's house on Christmas morning.

Preschool

The last day before Christmas break Trevor had a party at preschool. At the end the parents were invited to come and listen to the kids sing Christmas songs. Of course my kid tells me the day before "mom, I'm not singing for our parents!" So, I show up and the kids come walking out. My kid is the ONLY kid out of 12 who won't sing and won't wear his Santa hat. By the end he was singing but he still would not put the hat on.

Happy Birthday Kim!

I celebrated my 33rd birthday on December 8th. I went to lunch with my mom, dad, sister and Trevor. Here is a rare picture of me that my sister took.

Sinterklaas

So being Dutch we celebrate Sinterklaas on December 5th. It is tradition that every year everyone in the family gets a chocolate initial letter among lots of other goodies. Here is Trevor with his letter that he devoured for breakfast that morning.

My New Ride

With the upcoming birth of our 3rd we needed to get a bigger car. It is something that I had been struggling with since finding out I was pregnant. 3 kids just won't fit in the back of a Honda Accord. I was having a hard time with the fact that we hadn't had a car payment in over 4 years. Also, do we buy new or used? Neither of us had ever bought a used car before so we were a little hesitant going that direction. Than of course price...do we drop $30,000+ on a new car or do we just settle for a used car that will cost half that? Also, what car do we get? I was all set on getting a Honda Odyssey. Did I want to drive a minivan? Not really. BUT, we went and test drove a new one and I loved how it drove. So, I had my mind made up until it was actually close to committing to something. As most of you know I am what I call a girly tomboy. And my so called dream car has always been a big truck. So, taking that into consideration we settled on a 2004 GMC Yukon. I have to say the buying experience was painless. We bought from a small dealer and it was so incredibly easy and I was even able to talk them down a few $1000 in price. So, now I get to drive my pimped out Yukon. While I have always been partial to Honda's I have to say that the "American" car thing is growing on me. And for the price I can't really complain. I also really like how much room there is inside. I can now fit a total of 9 people in my car!

The one thing that had to go the moment the car was ours was the 22" on the side...Umm yeah, a little too pimped out for me. Ha ha!

There is one sad part to our car buying experience and that was getting rid of my beloved 1996 Honda Civic. This car was my first car I bought brand new when I was 20 years old. And yes to all those people that knew me back than this is the same car. Dustin has been driving it well ever since we got married in 1999. Poor guy always gets my hand me downs.

Christmas Tree Decorating

On Thanksgiving Day we did not have much to do until dinner so we decided to pull out the Christmas tree and decorate it. I didn't get very many pictures as the boys were in their underwear. Here is a picture of Connor.

My Sister

My sister Kerri is a realtor. She is in the process of changing brokers and needed a new picture for her business cards. So she gave me the opportunity yesterday to take some pictures of her. So I thought I would share the final picture and also show off how beautiful my sister is. Oh, and if your in the market to buy or sell a house call my sister. She is good at what she does!

Ha Ha Ha

So I am cleaning out some of the boys old shoes. I asked Trevor if one of the pairs still fit him. So we tried it on to find out. Than he says "mom how about we get a baby brother and he can wear those shoes?" I tell him we aren't having a baby brother we are having a baby sister. He says "well we could get a baby brother too." I tell him "no, I don't think we will have a baby brother just a sister." He says "well we could just get a baby brother too because the box has 2 of them." So, I am wondering what he is talking about. He tells me to come with him. I follow him into my bathroom where my positive pregnancy test is still sitting cause for a long time I could not believe I was pregnant after trying for almost 3 years. He points to it and says "mom, the box had 2 of those (pregnancy tests), so we could have a baby brother too." And of course I tell him that there is only one baby in mom's tummy and that is probably the only baby we will have.

I just have to laugh at the innocence of children. I love the things they come up with.

Trevor

Today I dropped Trevor off at preschool and I just have to smile at his independent confident spirit about him. I pulled up into the driveway of school and I opened my door. He says "no mom, stay in the car." He gets out and comes over to me, gives me a kiss and hug and says "bye mom" than gives my tummy a kiss and hug and says "bye baby." Walks to the back of the car to the trunk where he insists on putting his back pack. Gets the back pack out closes the trunk, and walks off to the front door with back pack on and his hat on backwards. He cracks me up and reminds me of myself.

This picture wasn't at preschool but it kinda reminds me of what I saw today.

1st Grade Field Trip

I was able to go on a field trip with Connor. We went to the Stockton Children's Museum. They had all kinds of things for the kids to do and all kinds of vehicles for them to climb on...Firetruck, ambulance, helicopter, police motorcycle, police car. Connor had lots of fun and is already talking about going back.

Connor "flying" the helicopter. I love the expression!

The Streets of Brentwood

The other day I went with my mom, sister, my sisters boys, and my boys to walk around the new Streets of Brentwood. They FINALLY have some good stores in Brentwood but the way the shopping center is set up was definitely not thought out....hummmm maybe cause a man designed it. Especially the lack of restrooms and signs pointing to the restrooms. Not good for a pregnant lady! Anyhow, we took the kids there so they could walk around and play by or shall we say in the fountain. Here are a few pictures I took.

Super Star

Connor was chosen to be the Super Star of the week at school. He was sent home a poster that he had to fill out about himself and add pictures to. He also got to bring home Drake the class dragon. He was supposed to take pictures with Drake and than write in a journal about what they did together. This is the picture of what they did together.

Halloween

On Halloween we went to Uncle Barry and Aunt Pammy's annual Halloween party. Pam always makes a big pot of chili and Uncle Barry makes root beer. And they rent a bounce house. This is the 3rd year they have done this even though this year it was Liberty's Homecoming. Taylor and Logan came over to have fun with us. And we went trick-or-treating through our neighborhood. Dustin had taken the boys earlier to his friends house where they were given several pounds of candy each. I thought it was enough candy but they still wanted to trick-or-treat with Taylor and Logan. We had lots of fun and only got rained on a little.

Taylor carving his pumpkin.

Logan carving too!

Halloween Parade and Party at Connor's School

We took Connor to school this morning for a parade around the school. Connor wasn't into me taking his picture...well he usually never wants me to.

As we waited for Connor to pass by us Trevor was playing around and hiding behind a tree.


After the parade we went into Connor's class to help out with their Halloween Party. Dustin and I were in charge of the claw. It was a big hit with the kids. Although the deal was they had to say some of their sight words in order to get a turn. Connor didn't want to do his words so we didn't really see him. But Trevor sure loved it. It was kinda hard for the kids to actually pick up a piece of candy. There were 2 kids that were able to do it and Trevor was one of them.


Dustin decided to tag along since Connor wanted him to come. Poor thing worked a 12-hour graveyard last night, came home and slept for 1 hour than got up to come to school with us. I think he wins the good dad award!

Preschool Party

Trevor had his Halloween party at Preschool. They came out and danced...at least they were supposed to but all the kids just kinda stood there while the parents took pictures. Here is my cute Clone Trooper.

The innocence of a child!

So on our way to school this morning Connor asks "mom, what year will the baby be born?" I tell him 2009. Than he asks, "mom, what year was dad born?" I tell him 1973. Than he says, "Wow, that was a long time ago, that was before the dinosaurs were here!" Of course I started busting up and he sat there all innocently like he didn't understand why I was laughing. 1973 sure was a long time ago...

Pumpkin Carving

Tonight was our 2nd Annual pumpkin carving at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We get all the cousins together and eat pizza and play while the mom's and dad's pretty much carve the pumpkins for the kids. But none the less it's lots of fun. And thanks to Aunt Julie and Uncle Philip who grow all the pumpkins for us!

Connor's scary jack-o-lantern!

Trevor's not so scary jack-o-lantern! Mom was grateful he picked an easy pattern.

Ward Trunk or Treat

We went to our ward Trunk or Treat the other night. Connor is the Army guy and Trevor is the Clone Trooper. The others are some of their cousins.

My cute Clone Trooper!

Corn Maze

This one is for my sister...She knows I love her!!

Tagged again!

So I have been tagged again. One of my other long lost friends Joanna tagged me. This one is a little different so here goes.

1. Where did you meet?
Church

2. How long did you date before you got married?
Dustin and I knew each other for a few years before we dated. We dated about 6 months before we got engaged but a total of about 1 year 2 months.

3. How long have you been married?

9 years

4. What does he do that surprises you?
He is always helping me. He will just start doing the dishes or cleaning the boys room or even start vacuuming. Of course it all makes me happy.

5. What is your favorite feature of his?
His blue eyes.

6. What is your favorite quality of his?
He is funny and makes me laugh all the time. But most people don’t realize that because he is very shy and quite.

7. Does he have a nickname for you?
He calls me honey or mom or sometimes he calls me Kimberly, which no one ever calls me that.

8. What is his favorite color?
His favorite color is green.

9. What is his favorite food?
Steak and potatoes!

10. What is his favorite sport?
If he were to play it would be softball/baseball. But to watch he can’t get enough of football.

11. When and where was your first kiss?
He kissed me on my mom’s front porch after we had been hanging out for about 2 weeks.

12. Favorite thing to do as a couple?
We don’t spend a ton of time just the 2 of us but when we get a chance I would say just sitting on the couch talking.

13. Do you have any children?

2 crazy boys. Connor is 6 and Trevor is almost 5 and we have a little girl on the way due February 2.

14. Does he have a hidden talent?
Actually he does…he draws really well. He doesn’t do it all that often but he can draw better than I can and I would say I am more of the artistic one.

15. How old is he?
He will be 35 next month. He is exactly 2 years and 2 weeks older than me.

16. Who said I love you first?

He did!

17. What is his favorite type of music?
His favorite music is Country. Unfortunately, I am not a big fan. When we are in the car he is usually stuck listening to my music which consists of almost everything but country.

18. What do you admire most about him?
He is patient with me!

19. Do you think he will read this?
Eventually. He looks at my blog on occasion, usually when he is at work.

So now I need to tag some people. I tag Shanda and Tami again!

Tagged....

So one of my long lost high school friends Tami who I recently reconnected with on Facebook tagged me on her blog. So I guess I am supposed to post the 4th picture in my 4th folder. So here you go. Connor, Logan and Trevor at the park by my sisters house. They were looking out at the lake but I don't remember what it was they were actually looking at.

So now I think I am supposed to tag some people so I tag Jennifer (my cousin), Joanna, Stacie and Claire!

Brothers

My cute blue tongue boys being silly!

Photo Shoot Downtown Antioch

This morning I went to Downtown Antioch with my cousin Jennifer and my friend Jennifer for a photo shoot with our kids. Connor was at school so it was just Trevor and I.

Trevor being silly! A picture of me! How rare is that? Since I am usually the one behind the camera I had my cousin Jennifer take this picture of me.
Trevor up on scaffolding. My pregnant body probably should not have lifted him up. One of the many silly faces he likes to make.

At the end he was upset about something so this was the end of the photo shoot.And of course the close up of the tears on the cement.
Oh, and can I add that while I wanted to take pics of Trevor he was dressed in something else and this outfit he has on was our compromise. I guess you have to pick your battles.