Hubby Tag

I have been tagged!! I now tag, Hollie, Jacki, Stacy, Court, Keysha, Aly, Laurie...okay, I tag all of you!!

Hubby Tag
What is his name? Collin Charles Richards
How long have you been together? With dating, almost 9 years
How long did you date? Started to date more seriously in Feb 99, and married in September 99
How old his he? 31, and 32 is just around the corner!
Who eats more? Well, I did use to eat more than him. He says I am the one that taught him how to eat. I still could probably out do him. I know that is something that you shouldn't be proud of being a girl and all. So, it is a toss up...we both could have a good challenge.
Who said I love you first? I am pretty sure that would be me! I know he was thinking it, but to much of a wimp to say it...J/K babe!
Who is taller? I am 5'10 and he is 5'11...with boots I pretty much tower him.
Who can sing better? To tell you the truth, we are both pretty lousy singers. Sorry babe, but it is true. Those that have heard us do karaoke, know that it is true. Although, my family would probably say that Collin is a better singer, because I am pretty much horrible!
Who is smarter? I think we are both smart at different things, so it is kind of equal. But, our poor kids...they are gonna hate math, there is no hope for them, LOL...
Who does the laundry? That would be me, although if I ask him to do some, he will. And when I get way behind, which is everyday, he will throw in a load of his stuff.
Who does the dishes? Most of the time me, he will pitch in every now and then.
Who pays the bills? That would be Collin. He makes the money, he spends the money...okay, so not totally true, I spend a good amount of that money he makes. Thanks babe for working so hard!
Who sleeps in the right side? I sleep in the right side, away from the door so the boogie man can't get me. Ahhhh!
Who mows the lawn? Collin, he won't let me touch the lawn mower...very grateful for that.
Who cooks dinner? I cook the meals...but, he is very good at bringing home take-out.
Who drives? I don't really like to drive, so he always drives. But, isn't that what you do? When the both of you are together, the male drives.
Who is more stubborn? Definitely ME!! Collin is so easy going, it is crazy!
Who kissed who first? Collin layed the smack on me baby!!
Who asked who out first? That would be Collin. We had the BEST first date ever...company Christmas party...secret girlfriend at the party...home by 10:00, okay I will stop-I guess it really wasn't that bad. LOL!!
Who proposed? Collin...pretty exciting night.
Who has more friends? I think we both have about the same amount of friends. Although, I keep in touch with more of mine, not enough though. We both have some really good friends, that we love to pieces!
Who is more sensitive? That would be me...Thanks to my sweet Daddy!
Who has more siblings? I almost double his siblings....6 vs. 3, I guess I do double his sibling amount.
Who wears the pants? I think we both kind of wear the pants, although, we both seem to wear shorts once in a while...ha, ha, ha, I know that was pretty lame. He probably would say that I wear the pants.

So, that is some of my hubby, he is a pretty exceptional guy, and I am pretty lucky to have him.
Love ya babe!

Christmas Day

We had such a great Christmas day. The kids were up about 7:00, before they could go downstairs we made them wait while we fed Peiton. They were so patient, but Cooper was so excited. It was so fun to see them open all their presents. Coop had oodles of Transformers to open, and Bode took his time opening each present and getting so excited over each one, even if it was a shirt. Collin spoiled me as usual, and hopefully he enjoyed his gifts...he said he did. We just spent the day laying around in our jammies, playing with toys, napping and of course eating. We had visits first from Grandma Holly, Grandpa Charlie, Court and Matt. Then later Grandpa and Grandma Bubba came to visit. It was so nice just to lounge all day long. About 4 we headed over to the Richards family and spent Christmas night with them. We had a awesome prime rib dinner, that maxed me out...I was finally full from all the food I had stuffed my face with over the last couple of days. After dinner we opened gifts and enjoyed each others company. We had such a great Christmas this year, everything went so smoothly and we loved to be with our loved ones. We really missed Grandma Johnson this year, and we are praying that she continues to get better. We love her so much, and we are so thankful for all she and Grandpa do for our family. We are so thankful for all our family and the fun times we have with them. We are so glad that we are able to spend such a fun holiday with all of them. Merry Christmas and we hope you all enjoyed your holiday as much as we did.

"Wii" were so suprised!

Holly and Charlie surprised all the kids with an awesome gift this year, that we were not expecting at all. By the looks of it we thought it was food storage.

They gave each of us our gifts, all wrapped the same and looking the same.

We opened them and this is what they looked like...we thought great we all need food storage, epsecially those powdered eggs. Well, Court was basically told to open hers to see what the food looked like and after she has opened it we heard a huge scream and then another huge scream from Kelly and then another scream from Nicky. Collin and I were still trying to figure out what was going on...why were they screaming over food storage?? (We are a little slow) When we realized it was a Wii, we couldn't believe it either. How did they get 4 Wii's?? Awesome!

It was a great gift and we had an awesome time playing it the rest of the night.

Thanks so much for the awesome gift and all the effort you put into getting them.

We love it!!

Christmas Eve

After the Edwards party we made our way to my parents. Mom had some yummy appetizers for us, (it was like we hadn't had enough to eat already). We started the night off with a pinata, that the kids loved. Thanks to Russ and Corey for being brave enough to hold the pinata...we did hear a couple of screams from Corey-we think they were from Corey, they were kind of high pitched??? Then we did the gift exchange, the presents were awesome, thanks everyone, especially mom and dad, we loved it! This year we gave my parents a book of Thank You's. We all compiled some pics and a thank you that each of us wrote, it started the tears for my mom (although she couldn't read it) And then we also gave them this awesome picture of the Savior by Greg Olsen, and that continued the tears. We love them so much and appreciate all they do for us. The night ended with "Buddy" the elf leaving ringing the doorbell and leaving some Christmas jammies for the kids. Everyone was so excited because the big day was just around the corner. We finished the night off and went home and put the kids to bed.

Edwards Family Christmas Party-Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was such a fun day. We started our Christmas Eve by driving to Heber for the Edwards Christmas party. Grandma and Pa had it at Soldier Hollow again this year. It works out really well there. My Uncle Rob cooks the amazing food for us. He does such a good job. We had so much to eat. He made Prime rib, super moist turkey, ham, dutch oven potatoes, veggies, and a variety of salads. Thanks Rob, the food was great, like always. We played a fun and wild game, the winners were Collin and Jeremy...go boys! And we had a special visitor, Santa was able to make it, even though he was soooo busy on Christmas Eve. The kids did a Nativity, and it was darling. Bode actually put on the shepard costume, and looked darling!! Collin's Christmas was made right there. The snow was coming down, so we were kind of anxious to get on the road. But, we had a fun time and look forward to seeing all of our cousins, aunts and uncles, and especially Grandma and Pa. Thanks so much for the fun time, and the great memories.

Van Wagoner Family Christmas Party

• Day 22- Van Wagoner Family Christmas Party

Are you Hangin Tough??

As we were driving home tonight, we were listening to XM 80's channel and NKOTB came on

singing Hangin Tough. Holy- Flashback! I loved the New Kids, and actually I still do...I know I am a geek, but I am a sucker for boy bands. So, I just had to reminisce for a little bit. Joey was my fav...isn't he dreamy? They all are so dreamy...now I am kidding, well just a little bit.

Go New Kids on The Block...you ROCK!!

Kindergarten Christmas

On the chain today was to do some last minute shopping, I was glad to say that I was all done and did not have to go do any. Well, Collin thought it would be fun to go to the mall with everyone else. I was glad to say that it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, it was a fun family outing. I actually love the whole hustle and bustle (??) of Christmas time. And Aly I saw the hair straightener people...I gave them a glare just for you. They tried to get me too.

Today was Coop's last day of school before Christmas. I was able to go and see their little

Christmas program that they prepared for the parents. They made these cute Santa faces and sang some Christmas classics. My favorite was them singing Jingle Bells. At the beginning of the song the teacher secretly passed around bells to all the kids, it was suppose to be a surprise for the parents. And all you can hear is the bells ringing and all the kids saying "put them behind your back, they can't see what we have." It was classic. Gotta love the kids...they are the best!

The cutest Santa EVER~!!

• Day 21- Finish up Christmas shopping

Christmas Craziness....

With all the craziness of Christmas time, we kind of were not able to do our activity for the day. We were suppose to go and see all the Christmas lights around the neighborhood, but didn't quite make it out. I am kind of bummed because I really like to see all the lights and see how people have decorated. Although I did finish Christmas...yipee!! I am super excited. I put together all the Christmas gifts for teachers and friends and we are ready to go. I know I say this every time, but I can't believe Christmas is almost here. It is so sad because it will be over before we know it, I just want to sit back and enjoy the good time with family and the excitement on my kids faces. They are at such a fun age.

O-NO!!!

Alright, so I am a little nervous about something. This evening we gave the kids a bath got them in their jammies and then my sweet visiting teacher came by. Collin left so the boys were down with me while she was here. Anyway, Bode is really into taking his clothes off..usually it is just at home, but there was a time when I was at Taipan he he took his shirt off. So, Bode decides to take his jammies off, which I am totally use to by now. Well, then a few minutes later, I heard this sound like the water was on, and I looked over and there was Bode with his diaper off, peeing all over the floor. YUCK!!! What is he thinking?? I am really nervous that this might be a regular thing now...if it is, I am doomed...what am I to do? He basically needed another bath, because then he thought is was funny to stand and stomp on it. I managed to get him away and put the carpet cleaner on it (without him playing in the cleaner). Hopefully I got it all out of the carpet...just a little memo, those that come and sit on the carpet stay clear from the back corner...j/k- I think I got it pretty clean...My poor carpet. Please, please, please...don't be a regular thing, unless it is in the toilet!

Little Critter

Who loves the Little Critter books?? Who couldn't love them...The Richards family loves them! For the activity today, we read, Merry Christmas Little Critter. These books are hilarious and the kids love them and they keeps them interested. And the best part, they are priced very reasonable. Go, Little Critter!

• Day 19- Read Christmas Story
  

Touchfon Christmas Party

Our Christmas activity for the day was Collin's company party. We actually had a good time, I think it was the 9th Touchfon Christmas party that I had been too, and it probably was the best one yet. So thanks to all that put it together. It was at Fleming's Restaurant at the Gateway. For any of you that have been there you know it is delicious!! The food was awesome, and there was plenty of it. They did a funny little video of them at the office and made it a little like The Office T.V. show...which I love. It gave us some good laughs. I can't believe the countdown to Christmas is here. I hope everyone is ready, I have just a few more things to get and we will be done, YIPEE!! I am getting more and more excited the closer we get.

Collin and Nat

A few of the employees

• Day 18- Touchfon Christmas Party

Visiting Grandparents

Today our activity was to make sugar cookies for our grandparents and then go visit them. This was a lot of fun for the kids, especially Cooper. He always likes to visit his Great Grandparents. It is nice when you find the time to visit them, I love to talk with them and just spend time with them. They all mean so much to us. We weren't able to visit with Grandma and Pa Edwards because of where they live, but we are excited to see them in a week. And Grandma and Grandpa Johnson, we missed you and hope that you are feeling better Grandma. Our prayers are with you.
First stop was with Aunt Emeline. This is Grandpa Johnson's sister, and we love Emeline. It was so fun to finally see her house...after 8 years of being married, you would think I had seen it by now. Emeline gave the boys some flashlights that were a BIG hit...Bode loved his! Thanks for the fun time Emeline.
Our next stop was Grandma Van's... the kids had a fun time chasing Angel the dog around, although Angel is getting a little old and not wanting to be chased so much. We brought dinner to Grandma & Carl also, it was fun to serve them and spend a little time chatting with them.
The last stop of the evening was with Grandma and Grandpa Richards. What a sweet little couple. The rest of the family was here also, so it was nice to chat with them too. Grandma always has fun little toys to entertain the kids...hopefully we weren't TOO loud- I highly doubt that.
Grandpa and Cooper
By this time, the kids were pretty tired and ready for bed- I wasn't about to get Bode for a picture. It would have been a terror.

Grandma Great and Coop

Thanks Grandparents we love you and appreciate all you do for us!

Day 17- Visit Grandparents with holiday treats.

BA-HUM-BUG!

Sorry, no Christmas activity today....BA-HUM-BUG (not quite sure of the spelling???)

• Day 16- BA-HUM_BUG!!

Hello, rice cereal....

Peiton turned 4 months and the Dr said that she could start rice cereal if we wanted. We decided to give it a try...she wasn't too sure about it. The 1st spoonful it came right out and then the 2nd the tears started coming. I think the rice cereal is going to be a slow process. So, if any of you have any suggestions let me know.

Look at the big girl holding her own bottle...yippee!

Gingerbread Man

Just getting started
Cohen loving the sprinkles
Cooper's Men
Cohen's men
Connor's Men
Today we were suppose to make a snowman, but unfortunately there wasn't any new snow. So, our backup plan was to make gingerbread men out of rice crispy treats. Tonight we had our cousins over, so we decided to do it when they came to make things a little more exciting. They did a pretty good job at decorating-Cohen LOVED the sprinkles...Cooper had to make sure his buttons looked GOOD...and Connor kind of lost INTEREST after 5 minutes. But, after all was done, they looked pretty good and YUMMY!

• Day 15-Make a gingerbread man

Cookie Countdown

We can't believe Christmas is on it's way,

we feel like it will be here any day.

To help us count down in a very cool way,

we made this yummy cookie chain today.

Take a cookie off each day is what you do,

you will then know it is getting closer when there is very few.

When there is only one cookie left we then can say...

Merry Christmas everyone...it is Christmas Day!

• Day 14- Make cookie chain

Gingerbread House

Today we made a pretty cute gingerbread house. Thanks to Great Grandma Van who provided us with the kit. It was a lot of fun and Cooper had a great time. Bode had a great time throwing the candy on the floor, picking the candy off the house and tasting it, and then putting it back on. It was an adventure in its self. Cooper did a great job decorating...it almost looks like the model gingerbread house, but I think a little better!Before the candy
Cooper concentrating very hard
The finished project!!

• Day 13- Decorate gingerbread house
  

Desert Star Playhouse

For those that have never been I do suggest giving it a try...hopefully you will find it hilarious!
Before the fun
Goofy husbands
Collin and his Ladies...we missed you Eric!
Mom, Dad and the rest of the clan
The whole V-Dub gang

As a Van Wagoner family we went to the Desert Star Playhouse for a Christmas activity. I don't know who has been there, but each time we go, we have blast. There was no exception from last night. They had us laughing away. It was fun to be with the whole fam and not to have to worry about the kiddies, it gives us an opportunity to actually chat with one another. I love the Christmas season because there is so many family activities going on that you get to spend more time with each other. What can I say?? I love my family too, we always have a good time together. Thanks Mom and Dad for putting it together. The front row seats were awesome, we could see all the action!!

• Day 12- Desert Star Playhouse

P.S....Stacy, it looks like I beat you!

Read a Christmas Story

On the chain today was...Read a Christmas story. The selection we made was "Jingle Bugs." It is such a fun, goofy story, with little pop outs. The kids love it.

"What do we find under the tree?...Gift-wrapped Bugs for you and me."

• Day 11- Read a Christmas Story

Here comes the Tooth Fairy...

We had a big and exciting thing happen in our family today...Coop lost his first tooth! Yesterday he told me his tooth was wiggling and he kept on playing with it all day long. You could tell it was just driving him crazy. Well this morning we looked at it and it was pretty loose, so I asked him if he wanted me to pull it out. Surprisingly he said "yes." So, I kind of wiggled it, (I must admit that I was a little nervous myself) and then I pulled on it lightly and it came right out, no pain at all. He was pretty excited. So, tonight the Tooth Fairy will be making a stop. So much fun! Now we will have to see how long it takes for his permanent teeth to come in, I have a feeling it will be a while.

Temple Square

Tonight, we faced the cold and headed off to Temple Square.

It was a pretty cold night, with a chilly breeze. We had

a great time seeing the beautiful lights and of course the beautiful

Temple.

Cooper & Mommy

A few of the kids

Peiton and Mommy

The family

I think we all ended up having a great time, but after a hour we

were all ready to head home.

• Day 10- Temple Square

Johnson Family Christmas Party

• Day 9- Johnson Family Christmas Party

I am a big boy now!

Our little Bode is learning to dress himself....

Note to Bode:

- Take jammies off before putting on a new pair.

-Jammie bottoms don't go on the head.

-And big brother Cooper's shoe is a little too big.

But, you can do this anytime, we are always up for a good laugh. We love ya

and the craziness you bring to the family.

Fun in the snow...

On Friday night, when the snow started coming down, the child in Collin came out. (Actually this happens quite a lot, Collin loves to have fun) So, anyway he decided to go outside and start making a snow fort for him and the kids...I kind of think it was more for him than the kids. He was outside until 12:30 a.m. as I was comfortably asleep in my bed. The next day we went and picked Coop up from a sleepover at this Grandma Bubba's, and we told him the news. "Dad built a huge snow fort in the front yard!" Coop was pretty excited. They ended up spending 3 1/2 more hours on it, with a little snowball fights in between. We had a couple neighbor kids over to enjoy the fun. The fort got even taller after I took this picture.

There is one thing that is for sure, I do have a awesome husband. He is such a good dad to our kids and enjoys being with them every second. They love him so much, and love to be with him. They can't wait until daddy comes through the door! Love ya Babe!

2nd Annual Peck Christmas Party

Pecks, Pecks, what can we say?

Your Christmas party was awesome in every way.

The food was delish, the company was great,

we knew it would be fabulous, so we made sure we wouldn't be late!

I think we can all say that the games were so fun,

this party just could not be out done.

So, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our heart,

we can't wait until next year for the 3rd Annual party to start!

All the ladies

Enjoying the delish appetizers Eating dinner
Chef Chad...Chad cooked these awesome ribs, so yummy. He smoked them for 8 hours, turning them every hour.

There was a lot of time put into the food. They were so fabulous, and we ate so much...I believe he cooked 9 racks...wow!
And the winner is Nat! I am also sponsoring Diet Mtn, Dew...Drink the Dew!

And the winner is Rachel!

• Day 8- Peck Christmas Party