What's Wrong with Your Face?

During one of my many shopping trips this past couple weeks I came across Blue Popcorn. The girls love to make popcorn after school for their snack. After working with them and the microwave they have succeeding in making their own snack. I put the popcorn out for them to make and went back to work waiting for the phone call. They called me when they got home and they hung up. A couple of minutes passed and my phone rang again. Rylee was on the other end Mom, something's wrong with the popcorn. It must be bad. Why, I asked. It's blue, she replied. I started to laugh and quickly told her it was ok to eat.

What's wrong with your face?

Are you turning into a Smurf?

Who knew the blue butter would rub off when you ate it. Or rather licked the inside of the bag. It did come off in the shower. However, there is now evidence when she licks it clean.

Who's That?

It's Tow Mater!!! Did we miss a turn somewhere and found Radiator Springs instead of Orem. No we found Mater near a Christmas tree lot on Orem Center Street. We did a double take and flipped around to get a better look and of course a picture.


Or Two..

Or Three!!

Ryder was in Heaven being that close to Tow Mater. Time to get on the road again.

Tis The Season: Ward Christmas Breakfast

Saturday morning and time for our ward party. However, with a time change I wasn't too sure of wearing pajamas. We did anyways and had a fun time. I love this party since they make egg casseroles, fruit, and ham. For the kids doughnuts. All the chairs were full and bellies soon filled up and the running around began.

Kids with their doughnuts.

Hurry and smile...

Primary kids singing Picture a Christmas.

The kids waiting for Santa to appear and then the cultural hall went nuts. While the kids talked to Santa the Elders quickly cleaned up. The kids saved a doughnut for Dad since he was at work and missed the party.

Tis The Season: Jammin Pajama with Santa Party

The Washington Rec Center knows how to party. This years Christmas Party or rather Jammin Pajama with Santa Party was a success. There were movies, stories, and treats for everyone. A special visitor Mr Grinch or Grouch couldn't miss out on the fun. The kids asked wether Santa would wear his pajamas? Does he have pajamas?

Reganne and Mr Grinch

Are you real?

Waiting patiently for Santa. NOT!!!

Santa does wear pajamas.

Please bring us Christmas Surprises.

We ate our treat of muffins and hot chocolate it was time to go home and go to bed since everyone was dressed just right.

Tis The Season: One More Quick Trip

We had to make a quick trip to Salt Lake on December 10th to attend the temple with our nephew Nathan Waters. He is preparing for his mission to Mexico Leon Mission. He leaves in February. This meant an early morning departure from St George. Which of course meant breakfast on the road. We made a quick stop at IHOP in American Fork. If you want to try amazing pancakes try the holiday ones. Dave had White Chocolate Mint and I had Pumpkin Praline with Carmel drizzle. WOW!!! To entertain the kids they have a guy that makes balloon animals for tips.

Dolphin, Monkey in a tree, and a horse

Grandpa Waters' Christmas Tree

Reganne, Grandpa Waters, Dave, and Rylee

After the temple session, helping Grandpa Chris with his lights, a quick lunch, and a visit to Grandpa Waters' for Christmas. We caught him at dinner time. The kids were a little timid but warmed up and gave his kisses and hugs when we left.

Another weekend in the books and the flight home was uneventful.

Tis The Season: Little Valley Elementary Choir Concert

Christmas Season would not be complete if we couldn't hear our awesome school choir. Of course I maybe prejudice since Rylee sings with them. December 8th was date and 7:00 was the time. We planned to be 15 minutes early when Rylee had to be there. Surprise the seats were mostly filled so we ended up sitting in the back. Reganne found a friend from school she wanted to sit by. Ryder stood up on our laps to watch and it they began to sing.

First number... They are still one of the largest choirs in the district even limiting it to 4th and 5th graders this year.

Found her in the group of turgoise shirts.

Good Job!!!

They sounded wonderful and again this year they sang Hot Chocolate from Polar Express. Ryder was in heaven.

Tis The Season: Waters Family Christmas Party

The Waters' Family Christmas Party was December 4th at Golden Corral. What better place to have a party with good food and even better dessert with a chocolate fountain. Everyone had a good time with plenty to eat and lots of time to visit.

Table One

Table Two

Time for a close up or better yet ignore the camera.

This looks like a rough bunch

Nathan, Trevor, and Christopher Waters

Everyone was full and tired. Time to hit the road for the journey home.

Tis The Season: Biggs Family Christmas Party

December started off with a bang. Parties to attend, presents to buy, and activities to enjoy. The annual Biggs Family Christmas Party was on December 3rd with a lunch at Grandma JeanAnn & Grandpa Chris' house. Everyone brought delicious food to share and enjoy.

Bailey, Kris Ann, Kassidy, and Karsyn Biggs

Red Solo Cup... This is one of Ryder's favorite songs on the radio. What party would be complete without these cups

Randy & Owen Biggs

Why did Santa leave his garbage on the door step? Oh, it's presents for us.

Present for Holland Biggs

It's Mario, Oh it's really Uncle Darryl.

Everyone had a great time visiting with each other and the kids loved playing together. Grandma's basement is perfect for a game of hide n seek.

This was the perfect way to start the holiday season. We really missed those who were not able to make it Aunt Emily & Uncle Ryan and kids, Uncle Bryan & Aunt Becca and Quincy, Aunt Lisa and kids.

December Tomatoes

This year we finally succeed with our tomatoes. It has been great eating fresh ones right out of the garden. The kids have loved learning how to pick them at the right time. The season started in late June and has continued....

December Tomatoes

Until Monday, December 5th and I believe these will be the last batch since the weather has turned really cold and we have had frost each morning this past week. I am sad to see our plants fall to winter. But all good things must come to an end.

How long until Spring???

Christmas Craft: Apple Cinnamon Ornaments

I love the smells of Christmas and this year is no different. However, I have problems creating them and keeping my house smelling festive. This year I found a recipe in a magazine for Mott's Applesauce & Cinnamon Ornaments. I couldn't resist trying them. As I mixed, stirred, and kneaded them they smelled wonderful. Baking them and cleaning up afterwards they smelled wonderful. Then came the time to string yarn through them and hang them up. Slowly the smell started to fade.

Cooling & Drying from the oven.

Decorating the tree

More decorating the house

By Monday morning the smell had faded altogether. Back to the drawing board for more ideas to make it smell like Christmas. Brown circles with yarn don't look very nice if they don't smell.

Thanksgiving 2011: Decorating

Friday was full of shopping, eating, and decorating. Dave braved the crowds and left at 6:00 am to do the shopping for the deals that were to good to miss. He scored and came home a few hours later with a smile and grin of success.

Then came the decorating...

Dave always does our main tree and this year was no different. The kids helped him with the setup and clean up. It looked wonderful.

Ryder had to wait until Saturday for me to start with the rest of the house. He wanted to get out the Baby Jesus.

Finally, Mom was ready to start. He found the nativity sets and eagerly brought each piece to me for display and commentary.

Mom, that is not right they need to talk to the Baby Jesus. Why are there two of them? They should be able to talk to each other. Mom, the sheeps need to up there. Why does he sleep in a scratchy bed? Why doesn't he have any pants? He was moving to fast that his pants kept falling down. Finally, they were setup to his satisfaction.

The Upside Down Tree.

Decorated by Rylee & Reganne. They did an awesome job all by themselves.

I quickly finished up the odds and ends, plus cleaned everything up and stored away the everyday decorations. Time for a rest.

One pooped little boy.

All the decorating really wore him out. I tried to wake him up for a shower, but no luck he slept straight through until 7:30 Sunday Morning. He promptly ran through the house checking all the decorations. Lucky for us they passed inspection.

This is only the start of the best time of year.

Thanksgiving Day 2011: The Food

Thanksgiving is a day to eat and give thanks for all we have. It's also the day I cook all morning, eat for 15 minutes, and then clean up all afternoon. This year was not different except I had additional help. Rylee wanted to help so she could learn how to cook. Ryder wanted to help because he was hungry. Decorating takes lots of energy and he was starving. Reganne just wanted to watch tv.

Our meal turned out awesome if I can compliment myself. Good food, good friends The Wheelers, and sunshine.


The cleanup took awhile to complete. Just as I sat down to read the Black Friday Ads the little voices came that they were hungry again.


This time for snacks & desserts

Rylee....All For Me

2nd round of desserts, treats, and snacks.

Dacoda & Reganne... No for us.

We all went downstairs and crashed in front of the tv to watch Zookeeper. A cute movie for a tired family & friends.

Is it time yet to decorate???

Thanksgiving Day 2011: The Lights

Ryder has been so excited about Thanksgiving this year and not for the turkey, but to decorate for Christmas. All week he has asked how many days until we can decorate and watch Polar Express?



He was up early on Thursday morning and once he discovered it was the day he had been waiting for there was no stopping him. He followed Dave around the house asking if it was time yet to start?

Ryder waiting outside the bathroom door for Dad.

Finally, it was time to start and he patiently followed Dave around the yard with at least a hundred questions.

Don't fall Dad.

New Santa Blow Up.

The end result, nighttime pictures are not the easiest.

Now the question is when are we decorating inside?

Jubilee of Trees: Fashion Show

Monday came with a flurry of getting ready for the Jubilee of Trees Fashion Show. Rylee & Reganne were so excited to model again this year. Ryder was excited to go, but not so sure of modeling for everyone. Dave decided to watch the store so Natalie and her daughter could participate.

How do we look?

Posed in front of Dad's tree.

Ryder with his NICU Poster

I was excited for him to see it. However, he wasn't impressed by it but made sure that the baby in the picture was indeed him.

Did I really sleep in one of these?

He was full of questions about the bed. Was I as small as the doll inside? No you were a little bigger. As we talked about the bed people walking by asked if he was the boy in the picture. The main question was is he ok now? Which he just looked at them and buried his face in my skirt. I then said yes, very normal.

Waiting for the show to start.

And waiting...

More waiting....

It was finally time and everyone did a good job showing off their outfits. No tripping or mooning the audience this year. As soon as we were off stage it was a mad dash back to school for the girls as to not miss any of the fun activities planned for the afternoon.

Dave worked into the night and Tuesday all day to complete the dismantling the trees and delivering them for the foundation. This is always a fun weekend, but we are always glad to see it come to an end.