day off!

Yesterday I stayed home with Bostyn and it was such a fun day! I got so much done around the house and Bostyn and I played with every toy she owns. She is SO MUCH FUN!!! She decided that playing tag would be a good idea. At first I had no idea what she wanted me to do. She would just reach her hand in my direction and say, "you it!" I just laughed and kept playing with her doll house. Then, she said, "mom get me", and I finally caught on. I cleaned out a whole room in the basement and DI is going to be getting a loadful from the McDaniel household. I have listed a ton of stuff on Ebay, and the saying, one mans trash is another mans treasure is so true. I cant believe how much people are willing to pay for stuff i was just going to throw away. I also got to watch Cash last night and he and Bostyn had so much fun playing together. We need to get them together more. It was a bit overwhelming b/c I wanted to help Bridger and Brinley out so they could have sometime alone, but I had already offered to help my friend next door and take her son to his soccer game downtown. The best part was, Brad had already made plans to go and help our renters in the condo with the washer and dryer. With Arlees help, 6 kids and a minivan later, we were able to make it through. I never thought I would drive a minivan but I guess with 6 kids there really isnt any other choice. Thank heavens I got to park it back in their garage at the end of the night and not mine. I am really going to try and get my pictures up this weekend. One more thing I have to add is I am so grateful for the internet and blogs. I was looking up old friends and came across so many peoples pages. It is so fun to see everyones families and how everyone has changed.Also, Brad and I get a date night tonight, I hope to catch up with all of you soon.

2007 Went out with a BANG...Literally!!!

Okay, so I am a little late. I always swear I am going to keep on top of this and then I let a week pass by. As I think about 2007, I am so grateful for everything in my life. First and foremost, I am so grateful for my family. I love Brad with all my heart and couldnt be happier with my mate. He is so patient with me and such a great dad. He likes to call me a "heavy swinger" as far as my emotions go and I am so thankful that he sees that in me and makes the best of every situation. If I think about everything he has done for Bostyn, Drew, and I it makes me cry. It is hard to comprehend how someone can be so giving to others. I cant wait for the day that we can be sealed forever in the temple (hopefully in 08). :) I am also so thankful for my parents and all that they do for us. I always felt close to them but even moreso after I had Bostyn. Whenever something is wrong with Bostyn, I always just think, "I will call my mom, she is better than any doctor". She usually knows what to do. Now that I am grown up I appreciate so much more all of my dads hard work. He is always willing to help others and is great at putting himself second to others. I am also grateful for all of my siblings and their families. It has been so much fun having Cash and Bostyn play together this past year. They are so close in age and sometimes bully eachother but I am sure they will be best friends in a few years. It has been fun having McKells kids so close and I will be sad when they move back to Vegas. I think Arlee has been home for almost a year and I am so happy to have my shopping companion back. Sometimes I act like her mom, but it is only b/c I care so much about her and only want the best for her. Lastly, I am so thankful for Brads crazy family. We hardly ever get to see his siblings but his parents are close and are always fun to be around. Sorry, for all of that, I have just been thinking alot about family and how much everyone means to me.
Now, on to 08. My first big hurdle is getting Bostyn potty trained. We have been trying, and havent been so successful. I have tried just about everything from reading to her for a half hour on the potty to telling her if she pees on her princess pull-ups they wont be her friend. I think that I am going to give into Brads suggestion, the sticker chart. I will keep everyone posted on that. Next, Arlee and I have a few business ventures that we have been slowly starting and I would really like to get them up and steadily running here int he first part of 08. I guess we will see how that goes. Next, I am going to try to be a better listener in all aspects of my life. Goodbye 07 and welcome 08. I hope all is well with everyone out there and hope to see you all soon.

Christmas!

Okay, now for the Christmas blog. It was such a fun day and we were able to have it at our new house for the first time. It was so fun and memorable. My parents came over and of course Arlee was there. This was the first year ever that brad has had Drew so that was exciting for both of them. Drew was so excited (and couldnt wait to get home from Hawaii) for Christmas. He stayed up late with us and I forgot to tell him that he couldnt go downstairs in the morning without us. He came in about 8am and whispered to his dad, "Dad, Santa came". We asked him how he knew and he tried to get out if it, but Brads conniving ways got him to admit it. He had to wait for my parents to get there from Bridgers so that was torture. We had to wake Bostyn up, but it didnt take much time for her to be just as into Christmas as Drew was. She knew that she was getting a "Keetchen" and told everyone we saw. Drew and Bostyn got to see Santa on Christmas Eve, which was exciting for both of them. I will add pics. Bostyn got the kitchen, a vacuum, a shopping cart, food, and clothes. Drew got a 4-wheeler, and a whole lot of Pokemon. They both were appreciative and it was so fun to be together as a family. Oh, and I must not forget that I got a guitar from Brad (I dont know how to play but I am going to learn). My parents got me the BOSE headphones, I was SO excited. They gave Brad a card that my mom had written in and he was thrilled with that. He said that he got "teary". Imagine that. My sister, McKell from Vegas came up and we got to spend time with her and her kids. It was great to spend time with everyone but still sad to see them go. My dad figured he better get back to work since he had taken just about 2 weeks off (which he has never done since he started there). Well, that is it for now. Hope all is well with all of you!

The Big Island Trip - Hawaii

Okay so I am a little behind. I am going to update everyone on Hawaii today and then we will get to Christmas tomorrow. Hawaii was so fun but I can say I will never vacation this close to Christmas again. We left early Saturday morning (15th) and the flight there wasnt bad at all. We flew the first leg (from here to Oakland) alone and then met up with everyone there and we were all on the same flight to Kona, HI. It took us basically the whole week to get used to the time change. Although it was ALOT of fun, it wasnt my type of vacation. We did an abundant amount of relaxing by going to the beach and swimming. Payton was so proud of himself b/c now he can make it across the whole pool by himself. Bostyn LOVES "simming". Brad would let her jump in and go under water then he will pull her up. put her on her belly and she could move her arms and kick her legs as if she was really swimming. It was so nice to spend time with everyone and for all of the kids to play together. We got to take Drew with us so he, Saige, and Payton had a ball (most of the time). My funnest part of the trip was snorkeling. I was so nervous at first but Brad held my hand and pointed things out (we kept our distance). It is amazing how friendly fish are to us humans that are invading their world. We went grocery shopping and my mom cooked all of the meals. That was nice because it saved money, but there also isnt anything better than homecooked food (Brad joked it was nice to have someone cook for him). We had talent shows every night with the kids and Bostyn was so cute participating with all of them. Her somersaults are getting better and better and she loves getting all of the attention. She also insisted that we all "cap" for her as she danced. It was so cute to see her and "Cosh" play together. He is my older brothers son, whose name is Cash. He is such a boy and can be rough but Bostyn needs it. They both love to cook and run around. We had to watch them because they would sneak off together and we were worried about them going down to the water. That is all for now... I will put pics up soon, REALLY!

Snow Day & The Big Birthday Bash!!!

Snow day with Papa, Gamma, Mom, Dad, Drew, Bostyn, Saige, Patyon, Brinley, Cash, & Arlee.

Isn't this the cutest cake you have EVER seen??? It tasted soooo good and Bostyns loved it!!!
Bostyn was so impressed with the clown and loved all the magic!! She especially loved the dancing chiahuahua!!
At the end of the show Bostyn helped Fifi make a birthday cake surprise.
I can't believe she is already two!!! She had so much fun at her birthday, she is already planning for her "dincess" party for next year!

Alright, I was really going to post some pictures from Bostyns party but I don't want to do it until I have the full set. Oh my gosh it was such a fun time! We prepped the whole day never knowing how it was all going to turn out. We woke up Saturday to a HUGE snow storm, so I was praying all day for clear roads so that our clown would make her appearance. My prayers were answered and it was definitely a day to remember. Bostyn loved having all of her friends and family over and was overwhelmed with all of the action. We had her party on the 8th, which is also Saiges birthday so she had to share her day with Bostyn but was such a good sport. The clown put on a good magic show and brought along her rabbit, dove, and chihuahua. I learned a good lesson this year about birthday parties. DO NOT go overboard on presents if you plan on having a party. Bostyn only opened about 5 presents and then I got to do the rest. I don't know if Bostyn will remember her second birthday, but it is definitely a day I will never forget. Our little girl is growing up so fast.
On Sunday we went sledding in our neighborhood with my parents, Brinley, Cash, Arlee, Drew, Saige, and Payton. The first run down the hill was with Bostyn and Arlee and they ran into a tree. Bostyn decided the safest place after that was on Grandpas shoulders. When she did get off for a few minutes, she and Cash were more interested in eating the snow. Then, about 15 minutes later Arlee and I decided that we were going to take our chances on the tube together. Brad gave us a nice push, after his running start and it all went down hill from there (literally). We hit the bottom of the hill and rather than tubing to the next; the tube came to a screeching halt and Arlee and I tumbled through the air. I just started laughing (imagine that), and Arlee was shocked and had hurt her back. That didn't stop us, as we tubed for another good hour. Payton didn't need a tube, he would just go down head-first on his tummy. We tried it but it didn't work so well. Brad had taken Bostyn the week before and they had so much fun. Brad even bought her the cutest pink Columbia snow outfit. (Pictures coming soon). It was so fun and Bostyn loved it.
Well, that is about all other than we leave for Hawaii on Saturday. We are all getting so excited and Brad even has a homemade advent calendar at work counting down the days...... I know what a kid, but I cant help but love him. Bostyn is so excited about her IPOD that she got for her birthday. We had to sneak it away from her last night before bed. Arlees friend has loaded all of our IPODs up with movies and music, so hopefully we can all stay entertained. I ordered the kids matching luggage with their names embroidered but they wont be here before the trip... bummer! Oh well, and I PROMISE I will get pics up soon. I hope all is well with our friends and family and would love to see all you before the end of the year.

Tomorrow is the big day!

OH YAY!!! Bostyn is getting so excited as tomorrow is her big party day. I am getting concerned about the clown b/c she wont come if the weather is bad, and it is storming like crazy. Ive decided taht tonight after Bostyn goes to bed, Brad and I are going to deck the house out with all of her JoJos circus decorations and the balloons. Nothing really new to report. I will keep everyone posted with pics and all as far as the party goes.

The NEW CAR!!

Well, we did it! Arlee and I went to Oregon to pick up her new car, and it was a memorable trip to say the least. Bostyn got to stay howe with Brad and they had a fun weekend together. With me being gone, Brad is convinced that he would be a great stay at home dad. He said that I have to start leaving more often b/c he gets quality time with Bostyn. I was proud of myself for only having a few breakdowns while gone. It was nice for Arlee and I to get away together and the tax-free shopping is always nice as well. We left on Friday and flew up and the shopping began. We got some good shopping in on Sat as well and then we went and picked up Arlees car. It is so nice and to be quite honest, I am a little jealous. She deserves it though b/c she is such a hard worker. We left Sunday morning to come home. Arlee started out with the driving (I think she was trying to be nice). About 15 minutes into the drive, we hit a patch of ice that sent the car swerving and doing 360s and Arlee into a panic attack. Most of you know our history with car accidents (Arlees broken neck), so this put quite the scare into her. Needless to say, I drove the addtl 12 hours. It was a good time and we memorized all of the lyrics to the Jonas Bros songs (Saige would be so proud), and even have a few good dance moves for the High School Musical Soundtrack. It is so good to be home. Being gone, made me appreciate Brad and all he does for our family. I LOVE Bostyn so much and I wont be leaving her for a while.
Oh, one more thing. While I was gone, I heard from the clown who will be making an appearance at Bostyns party this weekend. She is Fifi the Magic Clown. She will be doing a live animal magic show including a dancing chihuahua. Bostyn is so excited. I will put pics up soon.