Christmas 2009

Hallee and Blyss after opening one present on Christmas Eve, Blyss gave Hallee rings, and Hallee gave Blyss a set of rings, necklaces, and bracelets.

Ready to go to bed

What a busy Christmas! Christmas was so much fun this year- Hallee was so, so excited, she could hardly stand it, and finally told us she couldn't be patient anymore! On Christmas Eve we went and had breakfast( our little family tradition), we then went bowling, that is what Hallee really wanted to do. After we got back home, we cleaned the basement a little and the upstairs, then I made a nice dinner of Turkey and funeral potatoes, we made cookies for Santa, we read Christmas books and the Christmas story, watched Polar Express, we also let the girls open 1 present, they opened the presents they bought for each other. When it was finally bed time Hallee got Santa's plate and milk ready. She had a hard time going to sleep because she was so excited, and we couldn't even get Blyss to sleep. So finally at 11:00pm we had them to sleep, then Zak and I became Santa's helpers and got everything ready for Christmas morning. Where the girls went to bed so late I hoped they would sleep in, but Hallee was up at 6:00 am, and she woke Blyss up. The girls were very excited, Blyss kept saying, "wow!" and "oh, my gosh!" to everything. The got a doll house(Santa and Santa's wife made this), furniture to put in the doll house, barbies, and Hallee got some new art stuff- she spent all day on Christmas using her blendy pens! Zak and I got ourselves a new camera.

The girls and the doll house

Hallee

Blyss and her kitty- Turkey

Blyss taking her sled back up the hill- she took Little Mermaid Sledding

Hallee going down

We had a delicious breakfast, then the girls went sledding on our hill.

That afternoon we headed to Idaho, we stayed with my parents, and we had the Bazil family reunion on Saturday, that was fun to see all the family, Sunday we went and visited Zak's family, and on Monday visited Zak's grandparents and then headed home. It was a great Christmas 2009! I hope everyone else had a great Christmas.

Merry Christmas

Have a Very MERRY CHRISTMAS from- Hannah Montana(Blyss) and the Very Fancy Queen of All(Hallee)

Help If You Can

If you haven't noticed the Benson and Claire button on the side of my blog- give it a click and help this family- go down and read day #93, It is so exciting Claire is getting her much needed transplant!!!
Also there is another family that could used a donation- www.tayliebug.com, Taylie is Hallee's age and they went to preschool together last year, they are the sweetest family.
Please help these families if you can- $1.00 would be great- and make sure to spread the word!

Frosty the Snowman

Today we had to take advantage of the awesome snow, so Zak and the girls made a snowman and I decorated our snowman. We sure got tons of snow between yesterday and today!

This past week the girls and I have kept ourselves busy making christmas goodies, while Zak was gone most of the week(earlier in the week gone to Idaho for work, and then gone for 3 days with his dad, brother, and brother in law motorbiking to Mesquite) we made fudge, toffee, and my favorite cheriollets. The girls love helping and baking in the kitchen- I didn't get any pics, because I was keeping a close eye on the girls to make sure they weren't sticking their fingers in it and licking the spoons. Then we delievered all the goodies to neighbors, the girls had fun going door to door and delivering. I think at every door Blyss would say, "Merry Christmas," about 10 times. We are almost ready for Christmas- we are going to take the girls Christmas shopping to get each other a present- hopefully it works!

Could it Be?

Today is Zak's 30th Birthday- crazy!!! I can't believe we are getting this old. I took some pictures of him, but our camera didn't save them(our camera has been dropped one to many times- I'm hoping I get a new one for Christmas), I made a pupmpkin roll for him, we stuck candles in it, sang happy birthday, and Blyss was so excited she blew out the candles, so we relit the candles and Zak got to blow the candles out himself. But I want to wish Zak a happy birthday and I want him to know how much I love him, he is truly great!

HAPPENINGS OF THIS WEEK:

Yesterday was our ward Christmas party, Santa came to it, the girls were so excited to see Santa-that is until it was their turn to sit on his lap, Hallee did okay, but Blyss was screaming and crying, saying that she was scared- she was the only child I heard that was scared of him. So we didn't get a picture of her and Santa. The primary did the Nativity- Hallee was the prettiest little angel.

This week we worked on putting up Christmas decorations, and everyday the girls ask if it is Christmas yet, and if they can open presents, this is really going to test their patience. Here is a picture of the girls and our christmas tree.

Earlier this week, we obviously didn't learn a lesson that we had just learned on Saturday- last post- of not taking a sick kid into a store. Well it was a normal day, Hallee went to preschool, she went to dance, we had dinner, then went to Lowe's to get some supplies, Hallee starts complaing that her stomach really hurts, we brush it off, then she starts pucking, and pucking, so I take her, and we run from aisle 30 to our car, leaving a nice puke trail- once again so embarrased, and feel so bad for the person who has to clean it up. Poor little girl was sick all night throwing up, then during the middle of the night, I got the nasty stomach flu as well, it was especially hard, because Zak left early that morning to Burley and was gone over night, so that whole next day, I was throwing up, exhausted, and not feeling well and had to take care of Hallee who was still sick and a very bored Blyss. I am sooooo glad that we are all feeling better!

Our ThanksGiving

We of course went to Idaho for Thanksgiving. We had Thanksgiving with Zak's family this year- everyone was there from his side, we ate a delicious meal, the kids had tons of fun playing with each other, went on a little horse back ride, and then went swimming to burn off those calories (everyone but me- I don't have a swimsuit that fits). We had a great time on Thanksgiving, it was fun seeing and visiting with everyone.

Paige and Blyss

Zak and Hallee

On Friday we went to my parents house- my brother and his wife blessed their new baby, Riley, all of my brothers and their families were able to come for this, so we got to see everyone on my side. Once again the girls had so much fun playing with cousins and it was fun to visit with everyone and hold baby Riley.

The Bazil Cousins

The Bazil Clan- all of my brothers and their families

With all the fun and excitment Blyss got sick, her tummy got very upset (I don't know if it was the flu or something she ate), but she started throwing up Friday night, it is no fun at all, but especially no fun being away from home, on our way home on Saturday we stopped in Idaho Falls at Outlet for Outdoors for Zak to get some riding gear for his motorcyle trip, and I was sitting down holding Blyss, visiting with a friend who was in their shopping, when Blyss just pucked all over me, and she kept going and going, my friend went and got a roll of paper towels- THANK YOU, I was able to get myself somewhat cleaned up, to make it to the car- luckily we were headed home and had everything packed- so I had extra clothes to change into and for Blyss to change into- and a minivan with plenty of room to change in! A lesson to learn from to- never go shopping with a child that has been pucking. That was an experience- hopefully one that I don't have to experience again, I'm sure everyone in the store did not appreciate that! We are home and feel good and much to be thankful for.

Give Away

www.hairandshare.blogspot.com
Is giving away a Hana Elite Flat Iron- Go Check It OUT!

Farm Bureau Discussion Meet

This past week(Wed., Thursday, and Friday), we spent in Layton, for the Farm Bureau Convention, Zak participated in the Discussion Meet part. A Discussion Meet is a 30 minute competition, where 4 people discuss an agricultral topic, and they are judged on the points they make and how well they converse with each other, points are taken away for being argumentative. On Wednesday he did 2 round robin rounds- where all 23 people participated, after those 2 rounds it was narrowed down to 8 people, Zak was one of those 8 who got to do the third round. After the third round they narrow it down to the final 4. Zak made it to the final 4- which is huge! The final 4 round was on Thursday, and about 150 people were there watching this discussion, Zak's parents even came to watch this. I think Zak did awesome, I thought it was between him and one of the girls to win. That night they had a huge award ceremony, with all sorts of awards. It was so nerve racking when Zak went up there on the stage to find out who won (the winner receives a brand new four wheeler, helmet, insurance on the four wheeler, $500, and all expense trip to the National Competion for the Discussion Meet- which would be Seattle, WA). But Zak was named as 1st runner up, and he received $300, we were all a little sad he didn't win, but hey, he did pretty good, he will give it another try next year.
The girls were pretty good through all of these sessions, where you have to be very quiet. There was 1 sessions they weren't good through, so the 4 people are up at the front of the room, discussing their topic, and the judges are there and a few other people, Blyss farts and it is really loud, so of course both Hallee and Blyss start laughing, and Blyss in the loudest voice, had to announce again that she farted, I was so embarrased, I had to take the girls out for rest of the time, because that sure wound them up!

The Final 4

Our Family after is was all over

Zak had to go to several other Farm Bureau meetings so we went swimming a couple of times for some entertainment

I Swore I Never Would-

I have got to stop saying, "I swear I never will....", because all of those these keeping coming to reality- first I swore I never would live in Utah- which now I do, and it is not so bad. Another thing I swore I never would do is own a minivan-

It is a bit dirty from all of our traveling on crappy roads- It's a Nissan Quest

Yes, we bought a minivan! ( I am officially apoloigizing to all of those I made fun of, for owning a minivan). I really can't believe we own one. With a third baby on the way, we decided we needed a little bit more room, so I took our Explorer in to see how much a 3rd seat would be to put in, our Explorer wasn't set up to have a third seat- so it would have to be especially made, their estimate was between $3,000 and $4,000- we decided -no way! So since then we have been looking at other cars- at first I was just looking at SUV's with a third seat- first I realized what a pain it would be, to be flipping up seats to get to the back seat, and second- they are expensive. Finally, Zak got me talked into trying out and looking at minivans- well he won- they are so much easier to get into, have lots of room, get great gas mileage, and don't cost as much as an SUV- so it fit within our budget. Plus we have automatic/ power sliding doors- which is awesome- I push a button and they open. We bought it on Friday- we actually thought about this one for an entire week (took it on 3 test drives) and decided it was what we wanted- we took it to Idaho for a quick trip on Friday, we came back from Idaho on Saturday, so that we could make it to Zak's Christmas work party- we had it at Maddox's- so we had to go through Sardine Canyon on very, very crappy roads- and the van did awesome- Zak swears it did better than the Explorer did.
So yes- we are OFFICIALLY UNCOOL NOW! We love our van- and we brag about it!

Well, What is It?

I guess we don't like to break a trend, and we really like pink.... IT'S A GIRL! We took Hallee and Blyss with us to the ultrasound, Hallee has been praying and praying for a baby brother, so I thought we better take her, just in case it was a girl that she would understand. Hallee was about in tears, she kept saying I already have a sister, I don't want another one, I want a brother. But she seems okay with it right now. Zak and I were both a little disappointed, we got our hopes up for a boy, but we are excited for another girl- I get to deck her out in bows!

Everything looked great! The next thing is name picking, we can't agree on a single name- so if you have any suggestions we would love to hear them.

Here is a picture of me at 20 weeks- half way done.

Here's the Costumes

What a fun Halloween! Zak's parents were able to come down and visit us for a few days. The girls loved having them here. We went to our Ward's Halloween party had a great dinner, fun games, and some good trick or treating. The girls-especially Blyss wasn't very happy for awhile because we had to wake them up from their naps, since the party started at 4:00, but Blyss finally perked up and was happy by the time they did the trick or treating part. After we got home we went trick or treating around the neighborhood.

Minnie Mouse

Sleeping Beauty- I made this costume for Blyss

The two of them after the ward party.

MoRe HaLLowEEn

Last night we carved pumpkins, Hallee was into helping clean out the guts of the pumpkin, but Blyss on the other hand would not touch it, she kept saying it was, "Yucky." Zak told Blyss that she was such a princess, and Blyss replied, "I am a princess." It was so funny, she is such a girly, girly!

Zak cleaning out the guts, while Blyss watches

For preschool today Hallee went as Minnie Mouse, she is using her dance costume from last year, and I just made the ears, she looked so cute!

SoMe HaLloWeEn FuN

We were invited to an adult Halloween party! This is the first time Zak and I have every dressed up for Halloween since we have been married. I was a cowgirl (only thing I could come up with, using clothes I had)and Zak was a mile post marker. The party was so much fun, everyone dressed up in great costumes, we had great food, and played really fun games.

The party was in a really cool old barn, which added to the fun.

On Saturday we went and checked out the pumpkin walk in Logan. It is were people use pumpkins to make scenes. It is incredible what people come up with for ideas. Alot of the pumpkins had incredible face detail. We went with our friends and had a great time.

Cows, with pumpkin udders

Keebler Elf scene making cookies

Michael Jackson scene

garden made with pumpkins

Hallee as Mermaid

Is it Pregnancy or am I going Crazy?

I find myself not knowing what I'm doing lately. One day I couldn't find my cell phone anywhere- it was in the fridge (How did it get there?) Another day I couldn't seem to find Blyss' sippy cup, I knew I had put it back in the fridge- where was it, in the cupboard with the cups and it was full of milk.
I also got pulled over by a police(which was the 1st time ever) and received my 1st ever ticket!!! If anyone knows me I'm obssessed with going the speed limit, so I don't get pulled over and get a ticket- and I am a backseat driver to Zak telling him to always slow down. Zak had a very good laugh over my ticket, which I cried over for 2 hours and was very mad about it. (I was going through Preston, and following the car in front of me, not even paying attention to the speed limit, so the car in front of me was speeding as well- but I was the one pulled over and got the ticket- the police officer came to my car asked for my stuff, I gave it to him, he went back to his car, and came back and gave me a ticket- which he started just reading to me, he didn't even ask or tell me why he pulled me over!!!!! That made me so mad, that he wouldn't even ask or tell, he just gave me a ticket)
I sure hope I get my mind back soon, because I can't even really think!

Where are those girls hiding?

This past week Zak, the girls, and I were playing hide and go seek- it is Blyss' favorite thing to do. Zak, Hallee, and Blyss were hiding and I was seeking. I found Zak really easily, I could hear the girls,(they were eating fruit snacks and I could hear the rustles of the bag) but was not sure where they were at, until I saw this:

I could not stopping laughing, I thought it was the cutest thing, to see those little piggies sticking out from under the door. I love moments like this.

Idaho

Last week the girls and I went to Idaho while Zak was out of town for a few days. My mom helped me make applesauce- it is the best, we add sugar and cinnamon oil- it makes it delicious.
The girls had fun hanging out with grandma and grandpa. Blyss especially loves the farm. She loves to help feed the baby calves and watch grandpa milk cows.

stirring milk replacer for baby calves

This week I am preparing for our Super Saturday- you can check out what we are doing for crafts at- http://www.richmond2rs.blogspot.com/. I am so excited- we are doing lots of cute stuff!

Hopefully 3rd time is a ChArM

Well we are trying the whole kitty thing again for the 3 rd time this summer. This time we got 2 kitties- I know we are crazy to keep getting kitties. I can't believe Zak is such a push over with kitties lately- since he is allergic to them and doesn't like them. But one night we were taking a walk and were walking past someone's house in our ward and the kitties were out playing in their yard and the girls fell instantly in love with them and we decided to try 2 this time, so Hallee and Blyss could each have their own, and we are putting the kitties on the deck instead of the garage this time, and we are hoping if we have 2 they will keep each other company out on the deck and not run away. The girls can't leave these poor kitties alone though. They are well loved and hopefully the newness of them will wear off soon, because that is all the girls want to do is to play with them. Sometimes they get pretty rough with them, Blyss had her kitty in her purse one day, so I have to keep a constant eye on what they are doing with them. But it is kind of nice because it gives the girls something to do, so I can get some projects done. Like....

I couldn't let my tomatoes go to waste- so I decided to can spaghetti sacue. It really didn't save any money to can spaghetti sauce, but I didn't now what else to do with my tomatoes!


Also, for all of you out there who has tons of zucchini like me- I tried a great recipe this week:


Zucchini Casserole:
2 cups cooked chicken- diced into bite size pieces
In a frying pan with 1 TBSP Butter- 2 Cups Zucchini diced into bite size pieces, 1 cup chopped up carrots, 1/2 cup diced onion- get the vegetables to a tender crisp.
Mix in bowl- 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup sour cream, and 1 cup grated cheese- mix together, then add chicken, and then vegetables.
Put all of this in a casserole dish, top with a box of Stove Top(chicken) stuffing mix- Just leave it dry and spread over top.
Place in oven at 375 and bake for 20-25 minutes.
All of us really liked it and it was easy.

And last- Nothing get better then seeing something like this:

I sure love those little girls.

Canning

This year with a garden I decided I needed to can the stuff in my garden. Boy, I didn't realize how much work it is to keep up a garden and then how MUCH work canning is.

My mom helped me can my green beans, since you do them in a pressure cooker. I was able to get 14 pints. We ate lots of fresh green beans from our garden too.

My next adventure was doing dill pickles, I grew the dill and the cucumbers in the garden. Doing the dill pickles was pretty easy. I was able to do 7 quarts.

With all the tomatoes I grew, I did salsa, we also grew the peppers for the salsa. It was so much work to dice everything up, and peel those totmatoes for salsa, but it sure is yummy. I ended up canning 20 pints of salsa.

When we went to Hogle Zoo, on our way back we picked up 1/2 bushel each of peaches and pears in Brigham City, so I was able to get those done. I think my favorite was doing the pears, they weren't bad at all.

I had some good helpers, Hallee and Blyss. Hallee helped me peel the tomatoes and also helped peel the peaches. Blyss would hand me a tomato, pear, or peach to cut up.

My next canning on my list is apple sauce, I'm going to Idaho, where my mom has the apples and stuff to do applesauce.

Hogle Zoo

For Hallee's birthday we took her and Blyss to Hogle Zoo. It was fun! We got to see the new cute little elephant, it was 36 inches tall and 251 pounds. We also got to see the new little giraffe. The girls enjoyed looking at the new babies, the penguins, and the monkies. Of course they had to go on the carousel and train, Blyss had a premanent smile on her face doing those things.

We had a sad moment at our house yesterday, Hallee's beloved little kitty that she got for her birthday was ran over yesterday. Zak felt so horrible that he ran it over, then had to put it out of its misery. Blyss was here and Hallee was at preschool- which I am so grateful for, not a pretty scene. Our neighbors who gave us the kitty had another kitty they wanted to give away, so Zak said, hurry go get the kitty, but they had gave it away the day before. We were hoping with another kitty Hallee wouldn't be to sad. So I had to tell her and she was a little confused and I had to explain to her that Starry won't ever come back. It made her feel sad, so I told them we would get another kitty. I don't know if we should get another one, this is the 2nd one this summer.

I had to throw this in- Of Fancy Nancy-Blyss. Blyss loves dressing up like Fancy Nancy. The Fancy Nancy books are my girls favorite books to read.