Christmas Eve and Christmas Morn!!

Usually I am stressed SO badly at Christmas time that my entire face is pocked with cold sores, I can't complete my sentences and I don't remember my name. But this year was different. One contributing factor was that I didn't have a huge extended family Christmas eve party at my house until the wee hours of the night. Instead we spent Christmas Eve at the Pheonix Childrens hospital - with our friend Steve Hancock, who had just had an extensive back surgery. Steve had to be in the hospital for a couple of weeks - including over Cmas Eve - so we decided to spend it with him. I even talked Aaron into dressing up (a little) and distributing some gifts. (OH MY GOSH the saddness of it all - to see kids in patient rooms all by themselves on Cmas Eve.. It was almost more than I could bear. Because of the flu season, the hospital won't let you in to visit at all unless you're over 12 - even if you're a sibling - so I'm sure that affected many parents being able to visit their kids.) I wish so much we had brought 50 gifts with us. Anyway - back to the story. Aaron had on these cute little Christmas shorts, with bells attached all over the place and a Santa hat - and he went jingling up the halls saying "Ho Ho Ho" (which is usually what he calls out when he wants me...) It was a really cool and memorable way to spend Cmas Eve. The cafeteria food was even pretty good.

Christmas Morning we all woke up and had a lot of fun opening gifts. Then we all went back to bed for a few hours. Ah! The joys of having older kids. It was a great great Christmas!

Aarons Gingerbread Wonderland

This husband of mine doesn't do anything half way. When he came home and told me they were having a gingerbread house contest at work, I knew we were in for a big process, a big mess and a stunning finished house. The measurements had to be spot on, the candy had to be placed in an exact fashion, and Aaron had a couple of really late nights, but it turned out very beautiful. He took 2nd place in the contest. Guess what he won??? A huge gingerbread house. (and some cash too!) I am NOT complaining in the least. At least he didn't win more Halloween decorations.

Christmas Recital Time

We had a lot of fun at this years Christmas recital. I have 15 piano students who I have play a solo. My "Let's Play Music" students are divided into 2 groups. My first year students played "Jingle Bells" on their bells - and looked so stinkin' cute (as you can see). My second year students are just starting to learn piano and played different songs on the keyboards. They are all doing so well. Aaron was there to take pictures of the kids. I had treats prepared for all of them. One of my friends even made sugar cookies in the shape of a grand piano, with their names on them. WOW! I was so so so proud of all "my" kids. I love doing this recital each year.

December 2009 - Christmas Time

December was filled to the brim with hustle and bustle. Besides the normal stuff of getting gifts purchased, wrapped and mailed, decorating and baking (ick!), there were concerts to go to, a piano and Lets Play Music recital of mine to put on, and parties to attend (yea!) At the beginning of the month, Josh and Joey had their Christmas orchestra recital. It was WONDERFUL. It really put you in the Cmas spirit. They sounded AMAZING!! Seriously sooooo good!

The most spoiled member of the family...

This spoiled rotten pampered little girl has all 3 of my boys wrapped around her paws. They play with her - cuddle with her - walk her - fight to sleep with her - etc. She is such a good little girl though. She is so sad when the boys go off to school - I am apparently not as good of company as they are - and when they come home she races for the stairs, where she knows they will sit and cuddle and rub her down. She has the expressions of a human and is pretty easy to read. She has many talents. She is great at playing "speed racer", "kill the stuffed bunny" and "chew the t-bone down to a nub." She also likes to watch birds, LOVES kids, and loves music. No matter where she is in the house - if I start playing the piano she comes and lays at my feet while I play. She goes by the names of "Oreo, Cooters, Cookie, Princess, Baby, and Bu-Po" (don't ask!)

Joey! Joey! Joey!

My youngest, most exhuberant son, is Joseph Easton Blackburn. He is 11. He loves pie, hanging out at the fountain with friends, going to the park, air-softing, riding his bike, and texting. I must not forget texting. Joey was challenged at the beginning of the year that if he could get on honor-roll 2 quarters in a row, I would let him have a phone. (which he has been pleading for, for over a year.) Well, the little rat-weasel did it. And so help me if he goes back to mediocre grades now that he has his phone....well....he won't get to KEEP his phone.... Anyway.... So he gets a phone for Christmas, and let me tell you - it's a good thing we have unlimited texting because the boy texts his friends all the live long day through. He does NOT like - holding still for over 1 minute. He is constantly on the go. He can't be bothered with the routine uninteresting things in life. He wakes up with wide eyes and is ready to go and when he lays his head down at night he is OUT!! (I wish I had that trait!) He loves his doggie, music, (has started to learn the cello), football, hanging out with his brothers and wrestling with his dad. He is a sweet sweet kiddo - for reals!

My boy Jacob!

I would like to introduce you to one of the coolest kids on the planet....(and I am in no way biased...) Jacob Newel Blackburn. He is 13 years old and is starting to get zits. He he he he... sorry honey! He is a closet comedian - and lately a not-so-closet comedian. Seriously, if you hear the things he mutters under his breath, you will be rolling in the aisle. He is hilarious! He takes guitar at school, is really into scouting, and is quite the student. He also comes straight home from school, drops his crap - gets on his bike or ripstick or skateboard and cruises up and down the neighborhood. Interestingly enough, Jake saved up a LOT of $ and purchased his own specialized BMX bike - which he can't get enough of. He and his friend Christian are usually seen zipping over a ramp or trying to catch air. He just tried out for the school play and he got the part of a......monkey........! He actually didn't have to try out. The director took one look at him and said...."This role is yours!" The play is called "Gorillas in the Midst". And I have to drive so stinkin far to pick him up after practice that I'd like to scream and throw things! Good thing he's worth it.

Joshie Poshie Puddnin' Pie

My sweet little adorable Joshua (or as Aaron calls him 'Chewbacca') is actually 6'2'' and has a size 12 foot. He is a sophomore at Queen Creek High School. He LOVES playing Ruin-your-mind-scape on the computer, is taking Drivers Ed, and plays the cello. He will be SO happy to know that I am bragging about him playing the cello - but brag I must! He is such a happy positive person. He loves to cook & watchs cooking shows. He can eat 4 packs of Top Ramen (the superfood that it is...) in one sitting. He still wrestles with his dad, and likes to hang out with Aaron more than anyone else. He loves listening to music, is stronger than a moose and loves to help his mother sweep the floor and clean the bathrooms. He is so great about taking out the trash. (If you build it, they will come......)

As the authoress of this blogging business, perhaps I should post a few things about myself. I graduated from the thriving booming metropolis of Boulder City High School in Boulder City NV. After attending BYU for 3 years, I met Aaron at a dance, while at home for the weekend. A year later, we were married in the Manti temple by Aarons grandfather Newel Day. Since then we have lived in Henderson, NV., Norcross, GA., Salt Lake City, UT and Mesa, AZ. We've been married for 20 wonderful,event-filled, hellacious, exciting years and we've produced 3 sons: Joshua (15), Jacob (13) and Joey (11). My family means everything to me. Many stories about them will be forthcoming!

Currently I work at home by teaching "Lets Play Music" lessons to young kids and by teaching private piano lessons. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE my job. I also try (& quite frequently fail) to keep up with the house, cook a meal here and there, do the mountains of laundry, & chauffeur these boys around. I love joking around with friends, reading, going to movies and talking to my mom. That's enough for now!!

My Man...Yep...He's Mine!...Back off......

The head of our clan is the one...the only....the magnificent....AARON........(thunderous applauding sounds in the background.) This incredible studmuffin husband of mine just turned 43. Holy smokes he's old!! He is the "Creative Director/Photographer" for Those Callaways in Scottsdale. He fills his work days by taking beautiful pics of very expensive homes (he calls it 'real estate porn') and by creating ads, brochures, flyers etc. He is in charge of printing, newspapers, magazines, etc. He is very very good at what he does and with pretty much anything creative. He does anything from build beautiful gingerbread houses, to photographing exotic flowers and landscapes, to painting, to elaborate school projects for the boys. This year alone he has tried to keep up with daily work WHILE getting his real estate license, and let me tell ya - it aint been easy! He has a killer sense of humor and can make anyone in almost any situation laugh their butt off. He is passionate about everything he does - but especially when it comes to his boys. He would do anything for those little turds. He is an excellent dad!! And a great hubby too! I am a lucky lucky spoiled rotten girly!