Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Young Family!

Winter Wonderland...sort of

Cost of a white Christmas in Poway California: $5.00 per person
Amount of time spent waiting in line to slide down one dinky snow/ice hill: 1 hour
Seeing the look on Madison's face when she gets pelted by her first snowball: Priceless

Party Time

It's that time of the year, class party time. Madison and I got to visit Connor's class party yesterday. I don't get to spend much time in Connor's classroom because Mads is not always very helpful in the classroom, so Connor was very excited when we showed up! He was very proud of his little sister, introducing her to everyone! I think she just thought she was one of the class and shimmied herself up to all the craft, game and snack tables. I got a couple of comments about how angelic she looked in what she was wearing. My response? Very deceptive.

Do you hear what I hear?

That's right, that is Shaun's voice and if you don't blink you'll even catch a glimpse of him diagnosing, and drawing incision lines!

Surgery with Rooftop by RooftopTV

A Christmas Classic

What would the Chrismas season be without this classic? I've probably seen it a hundred times and I still crack up EVERY time!

A little Christmas shopping

Looks like someone is trying to get a little Christmas shopping done! I hope I remembered to give her my list...

And I thought he was old then!

This is a picture of Shaun and I at his 25th birthday party at his grandparents house. (I guess it was technically our house too since we lived in the basement!) It was his first birthday we celebrated as a married couple. I remember teasing him about how old he was, a quarter of a century! Being 5 years his junior I could do this! Yesterday Shaun turned the big 4-0! Now I really am married to an old man! Old or not I still love him as much as I did that first birthday we celebrated together, maybe even more! I don't really ever sit on his lap like that anymore, after all he is getting old, plus it is usually taken by one or two kidos! Love you Shaun and Happy Birthday!

Happy Turkey Day

Nothing says Happy Thanksgiving like a hand print turkey...


...and a couple of turkeys!
Happy Turkey Day!

Good times

We've sure had a good time with Grandpa and Grandma and McKinsey here. Here are a couple of the highlights!

The girls having a "spa" night.


A visit to the Wild Animal Park.

Champions

This weekend Sam's soccer team played for the division championship and won! To make it even better her Grandpa and Grandma and her cousin McKinsey were here to watch her game! She had great coaches this year and played with a great group of girls. Congrats Sam!

One of my favorite things

Don't get me wrong, I am no music critic. I don't know all the jargon that goes along with critiquing music. If you want a great music blog to check out, that has real music critiques, have a look at my brother Logan's. All I know is that I really like the new Taylor Swift CD, Fearless. These are the reason's I like it:
1. It has good songs on it. My favorites are, Love Story, So Sorry, White Horse,&
The Best Day (If you're a mom you'll get choked up listening to this one), but I like them all.
2. When I put it on in the car my girls can sing along and don't have to skip the inappropriate words (she does say stupid in one song and that word is as good as a cuss word at our house, so it gives them a chance to rebel!)
3. It's not Miley Cyrus-C'mon a mom can only take so much!
4. All the songs are written or co-written by Taylor Swift herself. I just think that is amazing.
5. When we saw that she would be performing at the CMA's last week I knew I wouldn't have to preview before I let my girls watch. Let's hope she doesn't go all Britney on us.


This is her performance from the CMA's, watch and enjoy! I know, it may not be your cup of tea, but to find a CD that my whole family can enjoy (even Shaun!) is such a bonus at this house!

End of the season

This week was Amanda and Connor's last week of the soccer season. They both had a great year. Amanda said it was her favorite year playing and I think it was because she got to have her dad help coach. They had a lot of fun! This was Connor's first season playing and he really had a blast! Ever since Connor was a baby he has been my most easy going, laid back kido. While I've always enjoyed that about him, easy going, and laid back do not equal aggressive, goal scoring soccer player. So while he was probably not the highest scoring player on the team he LOVED every minute of it! The last game of the season he scored his first goal and I happened to be recording it. Unfortunately it was on my non-digital video recorder so I can't share it with all of you out there. Really the best part was the celebrating after the goal. He was so excited and so were all the parents on the team! After the game he asked me, "Mom, don't you think I'm kind of an expert at scoring goals now?" Maybe it's a good thing he didn't score more than he did, or he could have gotten a pretty big head. This picture is a picture of him with his coach, Coach Rick, and his first ever trophy. He's carried it around with him all weekend, slept with it, ate with it and unfortunately used it as a weapon (just ask Sam) or in self defense (if you ask Connor)! As great as the soccer season has been, it's time to move on. Softball sign ups were for the girls last week and Connor just signed up for his first season of Little league. T-ball here we come!

Wild Animal Park and friends

On Veteran's Day we got to spend the day with some of our best friends, the Bergeron family. We don't get to see them as often as we'd like and so we make the most of our time with them. We spent the day at the Wild Animal park and had a great day. The tram ride is new since the last time we were there and we got to see a lot of the animals up close and personal, always a bonus! I think Denise and I spent most of the time talking and catching up so we missed a lot of the animals, but fortunately Sam and Marissa took A LOT of pictures of them! Even though those two girls haven't seen each other for months they were immediately joined at the hip. I think those two must have been separated at birth. I guess it shouldn't come as a surprise to me how well they get along considering how well their mother's get along, but it was just so much seeing them enjoy each other's company all day!
This is how the girls spent most of the day, heads together, chatting, planning, and giggling!
Now they really are twins!
Some more pics from our fun day!

Morning after

It is quite possible that the only thing I like better than piggie tails in little girls hair is the morning after version of those same piggies. The little rubber bands just hanging on to the very end is so adorable to me!

I voted today, and so did Connor

I need to preface this post with what Connor has been learning in school. They have been learning about word "chunks". For example "ing" and "er". As a mother, I love hearing him recognize when he or someone else uses a "chunk", but my older girls think it has gotten really annoying. They go out of their way to not use a word ending in "ing" or "er" so they don't have to hear him exclaim "You used a chunk!"

Today in Connor's class they had a mock election. His teacher showed them small clips of speeches each of the Presidential candidates had made, and then the kids got to decide who they wanted to vote for. When Connor got home he had his "I Voted" sticker on so I asked him who he voted for. He gave a resounding "Obama!" Interesting, seeing as how our house is a McCain house. I asked him why he voted for Obama. He said, "Because when he was talking he pointed a lot, and pointing has the 'ing' chunk" I guess I can't argue with that, but I hope you all out there make a more informed decision on who to vote for today!

I love Halloween

I really love Halloween and this year did not disappoint! We carved pumpkins first thing in the morning, (the kidos were still in their jammies!) and they all did great, Mads especially loved it. She loves anything that involves a big mess and so carving pumpkins was right up her alley! That afternoon we headed over to our friends house, the Joses, for their annual Halloween party. It involves hot dogs tamales and Que Bueno. You cannot beat that. As soon as it was dark we all headed out to trick or treat. I had complained earlier in the day about how hot it was, but it sure makes for a great night for trick or treating. I grew up in Utah where you never got to see anyones costume because you had to be so bundled up. Last night was perfect weather. Then it was back to the Joses for the traditional candy dump and then the trading begins. This is serious business to the kids and quite possibly the most important part of the evening. We all came away tired, sticky and full of junk food! A perfect night all in all.

Halloween Recital

Last night was the girls Halloween piano recital. They got to dress in costume and the songs they played were related to their costume. Amanda was a pirate and Sammy a princess (Boy, we've gotten a lot of mileage out of those flower girl dresses!) Madison had not taken a nap yesterday and was ready for bed even before the recital, so Shaun, who was still feeling a little jet lagged, offered to stay home with her. I then decided to leave Connor home with him also because, well...he's Connor. So the girls and I had a very enjoyable evening and they both did a great job!

London

I decided to make a slide show of Shaun's pictures from his trip to London, even though I'm not even sure what some of them are of, since I wasn't there. When people found out he was going and I wasn't they kept saying "Oh it's too bad you couldn't go" or "Don't you wish you were there?" I really honestly didn't. I do not enjoy traveling. Shaun doesn't really enjoy traveling either, I guess it's a good thing since his wife is such a home body, but he really enjoyed London. He said it's one of the few places he'd ever like to go back to and he thought I might even enjoy it. I do know that it is one of only three countries in the world that you can buy dark chocolate Kit Kats, so maybe I could enjoy myself. The stash Shaun brought me back is not going to last very long

Brothers

Shaun just returned from a trip that to New York and then London. While in New York he was able to meet up with his brother Quinn, who was out in Ohio finishing up one of his rotations for Medical School. Quinn was headed to another rotation in Michigan but decided to take a little detour through New York so he could see Shaun and catch a football game. Shaun was able to get him a sideline pass so he could watch the game down by Shaun. Personally, standing for four hours to watch a football game sounds miserable to me. I prefer to watch from a prone position, on my couch, with my eyes closed, if I watch at all. But, for two brother that grew up watching and loving the game of football I'm sure it was great fun to do that together!

This is how I REALLY feel

About five days ago Shaun left for a "business" trip to New York, for a couple of days,and then to London for about a week. Right before he left he came down with a nasty cold. I really, genuinely felt bad for him. I really don't like traveling and then to throw being sick on top of that sounded just miserable to me. I even made him a little care package to take with him because I felt so bad. He left but left a little of himself behind in the form of his cold. Samantha, Connor and I all got sick the day after he left. I don't feel bad for him anymore. He has been staying in 5 star hotels with room service, maid service and spa treatments at his disposal. Not me. So, here is where Shaun is and what he is doing.
This is where I am and what I am doing.
And this...
...and this.
Now don't get me wrong, Shaun is "working" while he's over there, and he does work very hard supporting our family. But, I also think he is kind of getting a break, and I just want to know when I do!

This is how I feel

I've been wanting to post my feelings and thoughts regarding Prop 8 which will be on the California ballets this upcoming election on November 4th. It is something that I feel strongly about, but have not been able to come up with the right words. My friend Kristen has some great insight on her blog. Check it out. I found this clip and decided that it also expressed how I feel and explains it all in very simple terms.



YES on PROP 8

I definitly believe in tradional marriage between a man and a woman and I hope to see that preserved. I will be voting YES on PROP. 8 on November 4th.

Speaking of t-shirts...

I sure love this boy, and apparently he loves me too!

Jenny's shirt

Jenny was feeling bad because she didn't have a t-shirt for Thanksgiving. Here it is Jenny. That's how you're going to feel being around the four Holman brothers for a whole, long weekend. Trust me, I know, I grew up with them. The only girl in a family with four brothers. It's rough.

Mummy's boy!

As you may know from my previous post,Connor loves wearing costumes. This boy was made for Halloween. Last year he got some cool glow-in-the dark skeleton pajamas that he wore EVERYWHERE. Even cooler, Grandma Linda got some to match!
As the newness of the skeleton pajamas wore off he decided he really wanted mummy pajamas. I had never seen any before so I laid awake at night trying to figure out how I could make him some. I finally realized that was just too much work and hoped he would forget. He didn't. A couple of weeks ago I was walking through Wal-Mart and found these gems! And for only $6.00! The only drawback? They didn't have them in grandma's size!

Better t-shirt

My brother Logan posted on his blog about how he and all my brothers are going to be together in St. Louis for Thanksgiving. Logan suggested getting t-shirts made for the trip. He showed a couple of options. They were OK, but I like this one best. What do you think boys?

Smile

For three years, six months and one day, my brother Josh has not smiled with his mouth open, but after today he can! He got his braces off. I'm really excited for him and for his girlfriend who has never even seen Josh without braces. Although this is one less thing I have to make fun of him about. No more "tinsel teeth" or "metal mouth" comments. I'm going to have to come up with some new material. Did you say you're getting head gear tomorrow Josh, because that opens up a whole lot of possibilities?! I haven't seen Josh yet without his braces but I hear rumor that he bears a striking resemblance to the late JFK Jr.! Happy Braces Coming Off Day Josh!

Tagged

1. What is his name? Shaun Dell Young

2. Who eats more? Shaun, thank goodness!

3. Who said I love you first? I don't remember. Sad, but true

4. Who is taller? He is. Funny thing is, he was the first boy I dated that was actually taller than me! I figured I was destined to marry short!

5. Who is smarter? Depends on the day!

6. Who is more sensitive? Depends on the day!

7. GOT DELETED!

8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Shaun does. No matter where we are sleeping (at home, at a hotel, at our family's homes) I ALWAYS have to sleep closest to the bathroom.

9. Who pays the bills? He does

10. Who cooks more? I do, but Shaun is a better cook.

11. Who is more stubborn? He'd say I was, and so would I!

12. Who is the first to admit they are wrong? Not an issue, I'm never wrong.

13. Who has more siblings? He does, by 1.

14. Who wears the pants in the family? Depends on the day!

15. What do you like to do together? Raise our little family!

16. Who eats more sweets? Me, darn it!

17. Guilty Pleasures? We eat out A LOT.

18. How did you meet? I was friends with his sister first, and she introduced us.

19. Who proposed? Shaun did.

I tag...Denise B, Katie L., and Jenny H.

I love fall, just not today.

I love fall and in particular Halloween. I have an affinity for all Halloween things that say "Boo" (It was my nick name when I was a kid, and sometimes still is, right Mom?!)But it does not feel like fall right now. The temperature the last two days has hoovered around 100. I can't stand it. I want to bake, make chili, and put a sweater on. Maybe soon we'll get to have a real fall day, we get one or two of those a year here in So. California. Until then, sorry Mads it's long sleeves for you because it is supposed to be fall!