MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

We had a great Christmas this year! Of course, like always, it goes way too fast. On Christmas Eve we went over to Ryan's parents' house for dinner and gift exchange. Ryan's grandma Colleen was there, Aunt Kathy, Uncle Ray and Aunt Mary, Laura, Dave and Taylor (Ryan's sister and her family). Bill and Mary were raised having seafood for Christmas Eve since their mom is Italian. It has been a learn to like experience for me and our boys since we are not big seafood eaters, but we get by. We do love the battered shrimp. They are the best part of the dinner I think. Then we get cleaned up and the kids of course have a hard time waiting. But when all is ready the opening of gifts start. We were all very spoiled this year, actually we are every year, this one even more so. Mary and Ray gave our boys each their own musical instrument. We're not talking little plastic things from a toy store. They are each very nice very special instruments. Chase got a xylophone (his is plastic but he needs plastic), Ethan got a guitar (beautiful), Chandler got a large keyboard, and Evan got a set of electric drums. They all want lessons and I so desperately wish we could afford to give them to them. For now they have fun making their own "funky beats". From papa and grandma R. they boys got a sports table which includes ping pong, pool, air hockey and something else. The boys love it! All the gifts that were given that night were so very nice and we are all so appreciative. We had a great night.

Then it was time for us to head home to get ready for Santa to come. The boys were all ready for bed and luckily they fell asleep quickly. The cookies and choco. milk were laid out and all was ready for Santa. Unfortunately, Chase decided to come down with croup that night. So Ryan and I didn't fall asleep that night till about 7 am. So when the boys came in to get us at 8 we told them about our sleep deprived state and asked if it would be all right if we could have one more hour. (I know we are terrible parents putting off our kids excitement for our own sanity, however in order to function Ry and I needed some sleep) The boys were very understanding and waited in their room patiently. We've got the best boys! So at 9 we hauled our fannies out of bed and headed to the front room to open our loot. The boys got roller blades, video games, Evan got a mini projector, Chan a guitar, Ethan tools, binoculars and various other stuff. Chase thank heavens is still thrilled with just opening whatever so he helped all of us. He got some fun things too. This Christmas is the first Christmas since we've been married that we didn't have to be anywhere for the rest of the day. We usually head over to my parents house for more fun with my fam. But my sister Rachel and her fam weren't coming till the next day so we would go over to dad's on Sunday. It was very nice to be able to chill and stay in sweats all day and play with our new things. Ryan's fam did come over for a little bit in the afternoon. The boys tried out their skates and took to them very quickly.

Sunday we went over to dad's around 3:30. My whole family was there and Angie's beau Matt and his son Dax were able to be with us too. We had a dinner of yummy appetizers and punch. Then, we opened all the presents there too. We are so blessed to have family on both sides who are so loving and kind and the spirit of giving is really felt I think. There is a lot of thought that goes into every gift and it is definitely felt. We stayed at dad's until about 9:30 pm and then went home to get some much needed rest.It's amazing to think that we will be starting a new year soon. All the unknowns of events to come are both exciting and scary but I am sure that 2010 will be great year. Bring it on!!!

ANGIE'S BIG WEEK!!!

My sister Angie had a very big week this week. On Dec. 16 she graduated from the RN program here in town. It was a long road for her but she finally finished. It was amazing to see her complete something that she worked so hard at. We all went to her graduation at Shasta College. Matt, Gee's boyfriend, Garrett (Kristi had just had Abby so wasn't up for coming), all of us, Adam came home, Rachel flew in, Jan and Don Preston drove up, Dad, and Aunt Linda and Uncle Dave all came. It was a bittersweet time. Her graduation also fell on the two year mark of mom passing away. We all felt mom's absence but in a way could also feel her presence.

On Friday we all went down to the Sacramento Temple and had a fabulous time taking Angie through for the first time. Rachel and I were able to be her escorts. That was very special. Matt was also able to go. The only spouse that came was Ryan. I was so happy that Ryan could come. Being at the temple and sharing that special time with him is the best! So all 5 of us siblings and Dad were together. It was totally incredible to me. Again mom's absence was at times very hard to deal with, especially at such a beautiful family time. However, we all know that she was there with us and being there with each other made it easier. It was a beautiful night. No Angie is not engaged. Just a matter of time though. Congrats Gee on all your accomplishments this far. So excited to see what this year holds for you!

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY CHANDLER!!!

Chandler turned the big 7 today. He decided he wanted to have his party at Chuck E. Cheese. We had a great time. All of the family in town came and he also invited some friends from his class at school. He had a great turn out. He also wanted to have a Club Penguin theme. So that was the basis for the invites and cake.

Papa Claycamp got Chandler his own HUGE jar of Pistachios!

Chandler also got his first brand NEW bike. New being the key word here. He's always been given Evan's hand-me-downs.

I can't believe that he will be baptized next year! WOW! Time goes WAY TOO FAST!!! Also, ever since Evan got his DS last year from saving up money and gift cards given to him for his birthday and Christmas Chandler has wanted a DS too. Well he had to save up too. It was a very long year for Chan seeing as his birthday and Christmas are all in the same month for him, but he did it! He was able to get his DS!! Congrats Chan! We love ya buddy!!!

WATCH OUT ACE OF CAKES!!!

So Ryan's parents take the boys, when it is their birthday, and they go to lunch or dinner and then the boys get to go pick out their birthday presents. The boys think it is fabulous and they look forward to it as soon as they realize their birthday is coming up. So this year Chandler picked Red Robin for dinner and then picked a cake decorating kit. Now those of you who know Chandler that doesnt' really fit Chan. However, there is a softer, creative side of him. Of course he would never offer information that he wanted a cake decorating kit but he is very proud of it. The day after he got it he asked if we could go get extra kits for it because Evan and Ethan probably would want to use it too. And they did! All three made masterpieces! They were all very different. They all had a great time. After the group photo they of course wanted to eat them; however they took one bite and threw them all away. They looked awesome but I guess the ingredients were pretty gross! Hey good way to get the creative juices flowing and not have to worry about calories like when I make my cakes! Great job boys!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTI!!!

It was Kristi's birthday on Dec. 2 but with schedules conflicting and so on we all weren't able to get together for it until today Dec. 5. Dad, Angie (she was babysitting the Weaver kids that weekend so they came too), Garrett and Kristi's fam, and us (Ryan was in St. Luis at a seminar) all met at Country Kitchen for breakfast. It wasn't anything fancy but at least we all got to be together and celebrate another birthday!

OH CHRISTMAS TREE!!!

So today we went up to Lassen National Forest about a hour and a half away and went to go get our Christmas tree. We went up with Garrett, Cody and Logan. Kristi and Emily stayed home due to the fact that none of us wanted to deliver a baby in the snow, oh and Kristi just couldn't have handled the drive or the searching. So, I gritted my teeth and headed out to go find a beautiful tree. After last year's outing took soooo long I said I wouldn't go again. But it is a memory making event and I wanted to let the kids have a better experience than last years. So, we headed out and when we got there there was snow! A lot! Good thing we had borrowed dad's truck and Garrett had his because we were in four wheel the whole time. We got to a point that the trucks wouldn't even go any further so we all got out and hiked. We really haven't had any bad weather so I didn't plan on snow. So, unfortunately the kids didn't stay dry very long and then they were miserable. We did find our trees and then hoofed it back out. The kids were real troopers and we did it in record time. (Anything is probably record time compared to last year!) We were done in about two hours or less. Got back to the trucks had our left over turkey sandwiches for lunch and then headed home. Over all it was a fun time. Our poor tree though lost vital branches for its uniformity when we cut it down, so I'm not sure if all that hiking and cold is worth coming home with an ok tree. We might be doing the tree lot next year. Then again that is what I said last year too.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

We had a great day! It started with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. You just have to watch that on Thanksgiving. Everyone was coming to our house this year. So, we had to get up and get going. Started the stuffing and figured out where to cook the turkey. We were going to use dad's roaster oven so the big oven could be available for other things. However, the bag that the bird was in was sticking and thus burning in the roaster so we had to make last minute switches and then we were okay. Bird in big oven and then the roaster for other stuff.

Dad, Angie and Matt came and got Chandler to go play some football. Evan wasn't feeling well and Ryan had to help me out. Oh and Ethan was worried that another one of his teeth would get knocked out. (Seeing as it was the last family ball game that he had his tooth knocked out. Eventhough it was baseball then and football now he wasn't taken any chances.)

While I got things rolling Ryan started getting the lights up on the house. This is the earliest that he has gotten them up. Good job babe!

Everyone started showing up around 2pm. Dinner was supposed to be at 4 and we were only 1 hour late. Not bad if I do say so myself. Everything turned out nummy. Only mishap was my "foolproof" gravy for the first time backfired on me. My gravy has NEVER done me wrong, but ya of course @ my house on Thanksgiving while everyone is waiting for me. Lesson learned ALWAYS have some chicken broth on hand.After dinner we were all too stuffed to move and just sat around a while. Played half a game on dominoes and most of Cranium then had pie! Yummo! I think everyone had a great day and yummy food! Everyone was outta here by 10:30 and then I had to gear up to go out for Black Friday. My first time waking up so early. Got up at 2:15 am and was waiting in my first of many lines that morning @ 3am. Old Navy, Walmart (insane), Target, Rite Aid, and Shopko. Back home at 8am. I definitely need to go with someone next time. It's very lonely going out that early by yourself. But I got everything I went out for. YEAH!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILL ELLISON!!!

Yes I am a slacker and forgot to call you yesterday to wish you a Happy Birthday! So, to hopefully gain some credit back I am giving you your own post! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILL!!!!!! We love you and hope you had a fantastic day yesterday!!!

KRISTI'S BABY SHOWER!!!

Kristi is due December 8 with a baby girl. So, Angie and I gave her a baby shower today here at our home. It was a lot of fun. And especially for me because we got to do pink stuff! She had about 15 people show up. Friends from all aspects of her life, her mom came up, and Jan and Don came too! (Which for me was extra special!) We served lunch. We had tortellini soup, spinach salad, meatballs, and rolls. Then Gee made a pumpkin cake that was yummy!! The baby got lots of great stuff. We played a word scramble game and a feel through the bag to guess what the baby item is inside game. I had loads of fun co-hosting! The guys (Ryan, Garrett, Dad, and Don) took the boys to Chuck E. Cheese for a couple of hours and then they went and showed Don the Sundial Bridge. Unfortunately Evan was sick and so was quarantined to my room to watch tv. Poor kid.

CHASE LOVES PRIMARY!!!

So being in the primary presidency has its pros for my kids and me. I get to be with them at church and watch them sing and learn great gospel lessons. It also means that Chase gets to hang out with me. He usually just kind of meanders around the room and does his own thing. I probably should be more attentive and keep him by me more because the kids end up paying more attention to him then the lesson being taught during sharing time or music time. But he's just super cute what can I say. So today I had to do sharing time which is fine, he just usually plays under the chalkboard. Then for music time today he cracked me up. He hoisted himself up in the front row where the sunbeams sit (this was during Sr. share time) and sat there with full attention to the chorister. Tried copying her actions and sang right along. It was too cute. (I really tried getting the picture without him knowing but I swear the kid knows whenever I power up the camera. He could be in another room and he'll be running to me with a smile on his face!) I really think that he thinks he's part of the kids now. Come next month when he can go to nursery it might shock him that he has to be with people his own age! "What do you mean I'm really not 5?"Everybody loves Chasers' "cheesy grin".

He also thinks he can come and go as he pleases.
I'm gonna miss the little guy come next month, but I bet the other leaders will be glad to get a lesson in without the side gibber coming from Chase. Ahhh, naw. Secretly, they're gonna miss him too!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

As usual Halloween was a lot of fun. The festivities started on Wednesday. Chandler had a field trip to a local pumpkin patch which Chase and I were able to go too. (Ethan was at pre-school) Chase got to pick out a pumpkin too. Later that afternoon everyone came over to carve pumpkins and help Gee make Halloween cookies. Garrett and Kristi and their brood was there. Matt and Dax and driven up that morning, and then us. Dad was on his way back from a Las Vegas/Utah trip. Oh, and Ryan had to go to Yosemite for a seminar. So once again like last year he missed the kids Halloween fun. We missed him.

Halloween day was busy but fun for the kids. Chandler had his last soccer game for the season. He is sooooo good! It is just so fun to watch him. He is sooo aggressive and just gets right in there. Its fun to see him chase down a ball and beat the one or two competitors that's chasing the same ball. If he stays with it watching him in Jr. High and High School will be very exciting! After the game Chandler's team got their trophies. Grandma Reasbeck had come with us to the game and afterwards treated us to lunch. The boys picked McDonald's. Not my choice by any means but the salad wasn't too bad. They say their nuggets are the best.?? Anyways, then after we came home put Chase down for a nap and Cindy stayed with the boys so I could go to the walk in clinic to have my right thumb looked at. I got some kind of germ, staph, strep something at the tip but under my nail and it took over my whole thumb. Couldn't bend, touch or hardly stand it. I barely hit it just right that morning and I have never experienced such pain. Thank goodness for good ol' antibiotics, I am slowly on the mend. While I was gone grandma and the boys played school and library. They had a great time. It's fun to see that my boys like to play like I did when I was younger. School, video store, grocery store, office, Price Is Right they were all great things to play and make my younger siblings play with me. (Thanks Garrett and Rachel for putting up with me. :) )

When I got back from the clinic it was time for a quick dinner of grilled cheese and top ramen and then a rush to get costumes on. The boys turned out great! I think this is the first year that we didn't have a theme for all of them. They all wanted to be different things and it was great!

Garrett and Kristi have always come to our neighborhood for trick-or-treating and this year they wanted to go to a neighborhood down closer to them. So we decided to go down with them this year. Dad and Gee met down there too.

Gee (a pirate wench) and Emily

The kids had a great time being with each other.

Ethan-Batman, Emily-leopard, Chandler-skeleton, Evan-Dr. Reasbeck, Cody-mummy, and Logan-Darth Vadar

Bill and Cindy were nice enough to stay at our house and hand out candy and watch Chase. Ryan made it home about 10:30 that night.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CINDY!!!

It was Cindy's (or Grandma Reasbeck) birthday yesterday. We all went over to Kathy's house and had dinner and presents and cake. It was fun. We had hot dogs, chili, corn bread and then brownies and cake for dessert. Bill and Cindy were there, of course Kathy, Colleen (Granny) and then all of us. Hope you have a great year Cindy!! We love you!

HAPPY 65TH BIRTHDAY DAD!!!

So yesterday was dad's 65th birthday. He wanted to go to the rodeo that was going on here in Redding. It was the year end finals for the California Cowboys Pro-Rodeo Association. It was dang cheap and just as good as the regular rodeo in May that we always go to. Dad, Angie, Matt and Daxton (Angie's new love and his little boy), Kristi, Cody, Logan, (Garrett was deer hunting and Emily was with a sitter), Evan, Chandler)
Ryan, me, and Ethan all went (Chase was with Cindy and Bill. He would have liked it but it was cold and we could all enjoy it a little bit more). There wasn't the usual crowd that is at our rodeo either. So there was an open box right below us. The boys asked if they could go sit down there to get closer to the action. When the rodeo queens would come by they would give all the boys high five. The boys loved it!

Evan, Dax, Chandler,Cody, Ethan, and Logan. Ryan and Matt in the back.

I had a babysitter coming to our house at 7:30pm to watch all the boys so then the adults could go to dinner. So, we left the rodeo a little early. (we left before the bull riding so Logan and Ethan were a little bummed out) Got home relieved Bill and Cindy and then went out to dinner childless. ( It is always such a treat to be able to enjoy my meal hot and uninterrupted.) Dad wanted to go to Casa Ramos. It was good. Angie made him a carrot cake.

Then today, at 4pm, we had a handful of his friends over from church and even a couple of his bowling buddies from his Wednesday night league came for cake and ice cream. I made a bowling cake in honor of dad's love for the game. It was a suprise and I think he enjoyed it. We had it at our house because we couldn't figure out how to tell him to get his backyard ready for people to come over without giving away the surprise. All our family from the night before came too. Bill and Cindy, Fred & Elizabeth Pulice, Don & Eileen Hook, Ted Voges, and Ray and Steve from bowling were all there. It was nice. After they all left then the family stayed and we made lasagna, salad and bread. Yummy. With dad's b-day and conference it was a pretty good weekend.