Back in the blogging saddle

It has been a very busy holiday season for us, things are finally starting to slow down a bit and I am starting to return to normal ( the normal that i was to begin with). With a trip to the urgent care last night and another ear infection, I can officially say, WE'RE BACK!!! I just wanted to post a quick recap of the last few weeks.
A few months back, I'm thinkin' it was like the end of Aug. or the beginning of Sept., my sisters and I started talking about planning a big party for my mom's 50th birthday, that was in December. We wanted to do something big and we wanted it to be a surprise. I thought it would be fun to do a 50's theme, so I told everyone that I would just plan it and then let them know what I wanted them to do. I had already commited to doing 2 Halloween parties, so the birthday party took a back seat till they were done. After Halloween, I really got things rolling and ordered all the decor and fun table wear. I completed 95% of my Christmas shopping early, so that I could dedicate all my time to the party. My mom's birthday was on the 13th, so the girls and drove out to St. George on the 12th and stayed at my sister Jillian's house. Rod had to work, but was coming out the next day. You all know from the previous post how well that plan turned out. The day of the party was crazy, but fun too. We made sure that all of us kids would be there, and so it was fun to all be together setting up for the big night. Mom had no clue what was going on, so it was fun to call her to wish her a happy birthday and have her talk about the crazy weather when I was just down the street from her. Her reaction to the surprise was priceless, and I am so glad that we all worked together to give her this gift. I was to busy at the party to take pics, so these were stolen from my sister's blog.
When Rod finally got to St. George safe and sound, we thought it would be fun to spend a day together as a fam. We decided that Jumping Jacks was the place. We had a blast, and no injuries, even better!!
With all the snow that fell in St. George, Malia and I had to go out build Grandma and Grandpa a snowman, and throw a little snow around. Good times!!After spending some time in St. George, we headed up to Cedar Mountain to spend some time with Rod's parents. It was so nice to be up there and just watch the snow fall. It snowed most of the time we were there, so we didn't really get to do much sledding or snowmobiling, but we still had a fun time. (Don't think we are wusses for not going out in the snow, it was like 20 degrees and blowing so hard that the snow was coming down sideways!! )We came down off the mountain just in time for Christmas, which we spent at my mom's house. It was a lot of fun to have Christmas with so much family around. Malia really enjoyed spending so much time with her cousins and did not want to come back home and go to school.Brinley and Malia must have been really good this year because Santa brought them all that they asked for and even a few things that they didn't ask for. One of the first gifts Malia opened was a 100 piece puzzle, she saw it and just looked at Rod and I and said, " I did not ask for this!" We couldn't help but laugh. I guess I need to let Santa know for next year, just stick to the list, no extras!!!
We had a really great time being with family over the holidays, it only makes living so far away even harder. I am looking forward to Malia's next break from school so we can get together again. To all my fam, thanx for the great times together, I love you all!!!!

The Rollover!!!

Rod -

So I got a lot of time off work and thought I could spend a long Christmas holiday with the family in St. George. So on the 12th Tiff went off with the kids and I was going to leave the next day. I was taking my truck so I could tow some things home and I was taking our old Saturn to St. George to give to some family that was in need of a car. Tiff and the girls made it fine which was good because a storm was coming.

So the next day I set out at about 7:00 in the morning. It had snowed some the night before but it wasn't bad at all at our house only a dusting really. It was really cold though and everything was frozen, so I knew I still needed to be cautious driving.

I got about a half hour away from home and was heading up a snowy hill when I suddenly lost traction and the truck kicked sideways, I attempted to compensate but the trailer with the car jackknifed and I was then just along for the ride.

I ended up going off the opposite shoulder sideways and then the roll over began. The truck rolled over twice, but luckily the hitch of the trailer wasn't strong enough to hold on so it snapped free allowing the trailer and car to stay upright.

After the truck settled, luckily on its wheels, I sat there for a second and used my brain to feel my extremities and realized I was really feeling any pain. I was then able to see that I could move everything and thought okay, that was lucky. I rubbed the dust away from my face and head and looked at my hands and didn't see any blood. Now I thought holy crap that was really lucky and blessed. My training then kicked in and I remembered I needed to shut the ignition off the cut power in case the electric components were to start any gas on fire. I then pushed a bit and the door came open and I stepped out. I stepped a bit away from the truck, looked at it, and again thought holy crap, how did I just walk away from that.'

I looked around and saw the huge mess of Christmas presents and other stuff that had been in the back of the truck but now was all over the side of the road. As I still sat looking at the mess I had created, a tow truck came rolling up. Again lucky, I didn't even have to call them.

I then called my wife to let her know what happened and that I was okay but I wouldn't be making it that day. Of course she thought I was just joking, so I had to let her know again I really wasn't. I then called 911 to report the incident and informed the dispatcher of where I was and what had happened and assured her I didn't need medical personnel. She then asked me. "You sound way to calm are you sure you're okay." I then let her know who I was and assured her I was fine.

The local sheriff's department showed up and took care of the accident report and even helped me pick up all the crap I had thrown about.

I called my older brother who lived pretty close and let him know I needed some help. Of course being one of the best people I know, not only my brother, he didn't even hesitate or waste time with questions, he just told me he would be on his way. He showed up and we loaded up all of my stuff into his truck. He let me know that even though I felt fine now, he was sure I would have all kinds of muscle soreness later that day and tomorrow. He was right. He took me to his house and let me sleep and he and his family took care of me.

It takes times like these to let you know just how much your family actually means to you. The sweetest thing was when I woke up and found two hand made get well cards from my nieces. They are the best and I love them so much.

The next day was full of phone calls with insurance and everything else. A few days later I had to go pick up the old Saturn from the tow yard and get it ready, so I could now drive it out. Luckily it worked and only needed some small tire repairs before being road worthy. So I loaded it up and finally made it to St. George. All in all quite an experience. I still can't believe I walked away with only a few scratches, bruises and some muscle soreness.

You never know how blessed you are until it smacks you in the face.

Enjoy the pictures - Have a safe and happy Christmas holiday.

Rod

Pinkalicious

One of Malia's favorite stories these days is "Pinkalicious". It is about a girl who helps her mom make pink cupcakes, she eats a lot of cupcakes while frosting them and also after dinner. The next morning when she wakes up, she discovers that she has turned pink. I told Malia a couple of days ago that we were going to have a pinkalicious day, and she was soooo excited. Today was the day. I put Brinley down for a nap and we started by making the cupcakes. Malia was a great helper, and even cracked all the eggs herself.We got the cupcakes all baked and totally cooled off, now for the frosting! Malia was the most excited for this part. She got the book out so she could try to make it look just like pinkalicious' s cupcakes. The frosting was a little messy and it wasn't as neat as I would have done ( I'm seriously obsessive/compulsive), but it was so great to see how proud she was of herself! It made all the mess worth it. We had a fun day, I kept telling her, " I sure hope that you don't wake up pink in the morning"!! She would just giggle and say, " I won't, I promise"!! She is getting to be such a fun girl to be around, not such a little kid anymore!!!Brinley thought the cupcakes were mighty tasty!!!!

99 Balloons

I saw this video on Oprah a few weeks back. It really touched me and got me thinking about how truly blessed I am.

Winner winner, chicken dinner!

Rod received an award this last Wednesday at a luncheon in Reno. The Northern Nevada Chapter of the American Society for Industrial Security gives out these awards every year. They contacted the Sheriff at Douglas County and asked him who he thought should receive it from his department. I guess Rod was it! It is basically an award for outstanding service to the community and the department. I mean, really, was there any question about who would get it?? Rod is one of the hardest working people I know. He genuinely loves his job and the people the he works with. He is so good at what he does, and I am so happy that he was recognized for all he does. Great job Roddy, we are sooo proud of you!!!
Don't look to close at the plaque . They spelled his name wrong on that and on the program. I don't know what would be easier, change the award, or go to the courthouse and have his name changed to Ron!!! Ha ha!

Halloween Madness!!

So, the computer has been down for the week, but we are up and running now!! Here's what we have been up to. I volunteered to do Malia's class Halloween party, so that went down on Oct. 30th. It turned out really well, and I think that all the kids (42 to be exact) had a great time. They did their little parade around the school thing and then we made a spider craft and played a few rounds of BOO BINGO, they ate some goodies and headed home.
Malia walking the halls at school during the parade

The next day my friend Casandra and I had a Halloween party for all the kindergarten kids in the ward. It was a lot of work, but I would say well worth it. We got the party started right by doing the limbo (with a witches broom), we then played pass the pumpkin (like hot potato), musical tombstones, and we had a skeleton bones relay.
Some of the yummy food that we served. The green ranch really rocked their worlds! It was like asking them to eat poison! Passing the pumpkin
Both of the teams holding up their skeleton after racing to collect his bones and then putting them together.

A group shot of the kids, I believe we were missing a couple here. All in all, a good time!!

Rod was actually with us this year for Halloween, but to my surprise, he wasn't to keen on walking the 'hood door to door with the girls and I. So I took Malia trick or treating with some friends and Rod stayed home with Brinley. It turned out to be a really fun night.
I wanted to get a picture of all Malia's candy, cause next time you see it, it will be on my butt, hips, and thighs!!!!