OuR aRiZoNa VaCaTiOn!!!

It only took me 6 months...but I have finally returned to the blog! I do not even have a single good excuse for not posting the last few months...but I am back!

We had the best vacation last week! We loaded up the car and drove to Mesa, AZ! It was definitely worth the 20 hour drive to arrive at The Mannings!!! We haven't seen each other in three years - so it was so great to be reunited!
We saw Greg's office - and had our teeth cleaned and fixed... (only one of us had a cavity and it is not the author of this post...)

We swam and played games...

We shopped...

The boys golfed...

We also were able to see the Nielsons and the Schmids and it was great to catch up with lots of Ohio friends...

Mostly we just hung out and laughed!!! It was a total ...wait for it ... blast!
We had so much fun while we were there that we didn't take a single picture! (in Mesa)

On Thursday morning we headed north to Eagar and Springerville for the Sherwood (devon's mom's family) Family Reunion!

Chad and Jen and their girls came from Utah and it was so great to see them! Cousins are the greatest! The kids played and played and played!

The reunion was super fun! It was really great to see so many aunts, uncles, and cousins!
I did get some pictures at the reunion - and Greg and Kort came up to hang out with us too! Aunt Marla's family had so many fun activities. The kids especially loved the carnival on Saturday morning. There was even an obstacle course with an awesome rope walk. I was surprised to look over and see Hadley going across - with no fear! It was awesome! All the kids did it! I finally got brave enough to try... I went pretty slow and my hands were sweating the entire time - (I get my love of heights from my dad!) I was the most proud of Devon's mom - she did the entire obstacle course - and rocked it! Go Mom!!

Saying goodbye was the worst - after saying goodbye to the Mannings and Chad and Jen - Hadley told me she didn't want to say goodbye to anyone else! I was in total agreement with her!

We had such a great vacation! It was really fun to see so many people that we love! Thanks to everyone!

Here are some pictures from our trip! (I got some new photo software...can you tell...)

SnOw DaYs!!

We have had snow, ice, and sleet over the last few days! It started on Monday afternoon - school was cancelled Tuesday, Wednesday, and just recently Thursday!

We rented Prince Caspian on Tuesday night and had a family movie night! Cayden has really been wanting to see Prince Caspian and he loved it! I think he watched it two more times before we took it back to the red box.

Today...Devon and Brandon took the kids and went sledding! It looked and sounded like they had a great time! When the twins heard before they went to bed that school was cancelled for tomorrow - they were excited to go sledding again!

We have been lucky this storm! The ice has been very minimal in our area- we mostly had snow and sleet. I was pretty surprised that school is cancelled tomorrow... the roads were mostly all cleared today.

It has been freezing cold! The temperature hasn't gotten much above 25 degrees! I heard that it is not supposed to be above freezing until Friday or Saturday! Super Fun!!

Rock Band

Ok - I have figured out why people that sell "gaming systems" make so much money - take rock band...for example... it allows every person the opportunity to "be" in a rock band - you don't have to be able to sing, play the guitar, or the drums...just get a group of four people and rock out! We are a tiny bit ADDICTED to rocking out! Here are a few pictures and video clips to help you see what I mean! If you have not yet played this game...beware...you will love it!

Here is a very short clip - I thought I was still recording - but I must have stopped the recording - but you still get the idea

This is probably the all time greatest rock band drumming clip you will ever see... I know that you are all expecting to see Devon - since he is an actual drummer - but get ready to be awed! And by the way - you cannot see them... but it is Casie and Carlyn singing!

HaPpY 2009!!

So... I have been marathon posting! The twins are back in school and it feels like we are in a more normal state of life. Since it is Tuesday night...Devon is playing basketball and I have spent the entire night uploading Christmas pictures and updating the blog. We had a really great Christmas break. (you can read through all the other posts if you want to...) I am very excited for the new year. It is funny how one day changing on the calendar creates such excitement. I love making new resolutions and thinking about all the things that will happen in a new year. I like thinking about birthdays and anniversaries - this year will be 10 years that Devon and I have been married! But mostly I like thinking that I will actually be able to accomplish some of the new goals that I have set for myself - that I can grow and become a little bit better of a person in 2009 than I was in 2008!

cHrIsTmAs DaY

We had such a fun Christmas morning. I loved watching the kids faces when they opened each present. I think one of the best parts was how excited they were for people to open their gifts. Their school had a little Santa shop - so they bought presents for each person in our family. Hadley picked out the greatest present for Devon. She found a little purple picture frame...at the top in jewels it said - Diva - we were all cracking up. A few days later - I asked Had what made her pick out that present and she told me... because it almost said Devon! I thought that was so sweet!

The twins were very excited about the wii - the especially liked boxing - they got really into it!

here are Maren and Kurt rocking out!

Christmas Eve...

I think that I love Christmas Eve as much as Christmas morning. I love watching the excitement build for the twins. This year was super fun! My sister, Maren, and her family came and spent the week with us from San Antonio. I felt really bad for them...they left the 80 degree weather of Texas to the 7 degree weather of Willard! It didn't get that much warmer the rest of the week...but they still acted like they had fun hanging out with us!

We had dinner and hung out at Devon's mom and dad's house. Granddad read the Christmas story and the kids interacted with the story. They paid their "taxes", found shepherd crooks (candy canes) and searched for a star...

Grammy always gets the cousins matching Christmas pj's... and this year she had them hanging up so cute!

Here they are lined up in front of their new pj's!

Here are some pictures of the cousins together...

the girls...(hadley's pants were the wrong size in the package...she was so great and wore her pink sweats)
the boys...
Barrett...

When we got home...Hadley and Cayden sprinkled the grass with reindeer food before bed...

When we were getting ready to say prayers...the twins saw Santa walk across the front yard. They were excited... and a little nervous also! Hadley was so worried that because they were awake - Santa would not leave any presents. We had to keep reassuring her that he would come back as soon as she was asleep!

Here is the tree before we went to sleep...it is my favorite part of Christmas eve...having the tree lights on and watching "A Christmas Carol" (the one with George C. Scott only) and "It's a Wonderful Life"... aren't we cute in our matching pj's?!?!

SaNtA

At the ward Christmas Party...Santa made a guest appearance! The twins were very excited to see and talk to Santa. Cayden told him that he wanted a black and grey watch... and Hadley asked for a cell phone (yeah, right!) and an "nbc" (mp3) player! Barrett - as you can see in the picture - just wanted to get down! We really, really, really love this Santa!

Gingerbread Houses with Grammy!

The kids had a blast with Grammy decorating Gingerbread houses. She had a house for each kid...and the middle of the table was filled with every kind of treat to decorate with...or just eat! It was fun to watch how different every house turned out. It was a great way to kick off Christmas break. Thanks Grammy!!

the jarvis boys...

On Monday, when Cayden came home from school, he had a note in his bag from his teacher...but it was the good kind of note! She picked Cayden to receive the "teamwork" award for his class for the December Super Tiger assembly. On the note, there was a place to put why she had picked him - and she wrote "he is a great example to others." So - he got a RED paw on the wall at school! Go Cayden!!

Now...for the other Jarvis boy, Devon...he is my hero! Last night, I was washing a load of laundry...all of the sudden there was a loud noise - and the washer stopped spinning! It is important to know that it is an old washer...passed on lovingly to us by Devon's aunt and uncle...but still - I really rely on my washing machine. I am not a girl that responds well to things breaking or not working when I need them to! So - I was a little stressed - and did not really want to think about buying a new washer the week before Christmas...
Next thing I know...Devon has the washer taken apart and has found the broken part. He found online how to take the motor off and replace the part! Today, he went and got the part (for a total of $9)- and right now as I am typing this...my washer is rerunning the unfinished clothes from last night! It even runs better than it did before! I feel like I fell in love with him all over again as I watched him fix a very important and favorite appliance in my house!

Barrett Gray Jarvis

Barrett turned one on Saturday! It seems so crazy that he has been in our family for an entire year! He is the sweetest little man! He is walking all over the place - and always has the biggest toothy smile!

We had family over on Sunday for cake and ice cream - and Barrett took full advantage of having his own chocolate cake to eat!

beginning

middle

end

I didn't pay attention to how much cake he really ate...but at least he had fun doing it!

I was thinking back on the last year - remembering all the fun things that have happened...it is crazy to think of all the huge milestones that happen in the first year of life. He started rolling over, sitting up, kneeling, crawling, standing up, walking, talking, eating real food, drinking from a cup, getting teeth...the list could go on and on. I just feel so lucky to be his mom and to have him in our family. He adds such a happy spirit to our home. I love you buddy!

Here is a look back at his first year!

tHaNkFuL...

So - I don't know if it even still counts to say that you are thankful for a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday - when it is two weeks past...but I feel like I haven't even had two minutes to update the blog!

We went to Dallas to spend the Thanksgiving break with my family! It was a blast! Two of my brothers and their families live in Dallas. My parents flew in from Florida and my little sister Maren and her family drove up from San Antonio! It was great to have so many of us together ...and really nice of Scott and Richard to host all of us!

Thanksgiving morning we drove downtown to run in the turkey trot! My mom and dad were so nice and walked with the twins and Barrett. Over 35,000 people participated in the trot! It was madness! Devon and I ran with Scott and Maren. When we reached the starting line - the race was already 30 minutes in! My parents were in the very back - since they were pushing a stroller - and I think the race was over an hour in when they passed the starting line!

It was fun to run through downtown! It brought back a few memories. When I was in high school - They Might Be Giants came and did a New Year's Eve concert - my dad, being the good sport that he is, took me and some friends to a club downtown to see them! We ran past the club during the 5k! The twins had fun walking with Grandma and Grandpa and their cousin Lydia. When we finished the race - we went back and met up with them. Cayden and Lydia really wanted to run - so Devon ran the last mile again with them! Cayden was so proud that he ran in the turkey trot! Hadley was content to walk - and even persuaded Grandma to rub her legs at each mile marker! Then she convinced Uncle Scott to carry her on his shoulders the last mile! Barrett pretty much slept through it all! (I know... he is such a hard baby!)

The rest of the break was very relaxing! We had a great time hanging out with everybody. My nephew, Jacob was baptized on Saturday - and it was great to be there for that!

I feel so grateful for all of the wonderful family that I have!

25 degrees and a chance of snow...sounds like 5k weather!

Devon and I ran a 5k together today! It was so fun! (The last time we did a 5k together was a few months after the twins were born...and we walked it with the stroller!) It was very cold! The temperature was about 24 degrees when we left the house this morning. When we were lining up to start the race... it started snowing! (just flurries - no blizzards) A few minutes into the race we warmed right up!

We didn't actually cross the finish line at the exact same time (I beat Dev by 6 seconds...oh yeah!) - but we got a picture at the finish line to show that we did it! I know for all the hard core racers - this isn't a great time... but for me - I was proud of my time! It is my first 5k since before Barrett was born! The best was running it together! I think it was one of our most fun dates!
This is Garron - he's 12 - and he beat us by about 10 minutes! He was also in my primary class a few years ago! It was fun to see him at the race - he is part of the Willard running club - I wish I would have taken a picture of the back of his shirt - all the kids in the club were wearing them - it says "Our sport is your sport's punishment" - isn't that funny ?!?

So...even though it was super cold - it felt great to run again!

Another Cleaning Product Shout Out...

So...technically an air freshener is not a cleaning product...but it makes your house smell great! These are the best! They have a ton of different scents - each air freshener has two scents that alternate. I love, love, love them!

The other new thing that I have found ... the toilet cleaning gel - I am undecided on these. I bought the original scent - and I think the citrus would be better. Devon thinks it makes the bathroom smell like someone is burning incense. They don't turn the water blue...but the toilet bowls seem cleaner - so we will see. Has anyone else tried these??

Our FUN weekend in Cape Girardeau...

We had the most fun weekend with Casie and Miah in Cape! The twins did not have school on Friday...so after Devon saw a few patients in the morning - we headed out! The drive was so beautiful with all of the changing colors of fall.

We went to Miah's game (he coaches volleyball at Southeast Missouri State) on Friday night. Since we had celebrated Halloween for a full week...we decided that it would be way more fun to see Miah coach than go trick or treating again. When we were getting ready to leave Casie's house - Devon decided that he did want to dress up for the game. Can you guess who he is???

He wore all of Miah's clothes - I guess Miah lost a bet with his players - so they dressed him in the sweet 80's running suit!

His team totally dominated the game and they won in three! They must be extremely well coached!!

We spent the rest of the weekend hanging out, staying up way too late playing cards, and laughing our guts out! We all had so much fun - we were sad to leave on Sunday - it went by really fast! Hopefully we can get together again soon! Thanks for all the fun!