A Day in the Snow!!!

Well, us Californians have to drive to get to the snow!! And it is considered fun to go "play" in the snow. So we spent many hours and many dollars gearing up for this fun day to play. We made sure everyone was equipped with snow boots, snow pants, snow gloves, snow jackets, thermals, hats, scarves, sleds, tubes, food, water & blankets and off we went! Part way up tire chains were required, that was Craig's first experience with chains. How funny he grew up in Eastern Idaho. We fumbled around a little but between the two of us got it figured out and made it all the way with only one minor mishap. Once there we started layering on our winter gear and an hour later we were ready to hit the slopes. I wasn't sure how Tyler was going to do so we got our little area set up with food, water and chairs and we each grabbed a tube or sled and headed up the hill. Sari headed down having a blast but Ashlie wasn't so sure. Her first trip down she crash landed halfway and so I wasn't sure she would be coming back up the hill. Craig put Tyler on his sled and they headed down. I watched eagerly for Tyler's reaction only to see him land at the bottom and get up to walk back up the hill. He was hooked!!! Ashlie decided to give it one more try before calling it quits. This time as she was getting on her tube she slipped and landed in her tube going down the hill. She didn't have much time to panic before she landed safely at the bottom and determined that it wasn't so bad after all!!! From there on we couldn't stop any of the kids from wanting more. So they spent the next couple of hours marching up the hill and sliding down. Fortunately for us, Tyler wanted to do most of his own walking through the snow, it took a while to get where we were going but that was half of the fun for Tyler. Part way through we walked back out to the parking area and met up with our ward from church for chili dogs and hot chocolate. Then back in we went and did another couple of hours of sledding. I made the last run of the day and decided to try the round disk sled we had brought. By this point in the day the course we were going down was pretty worn and slick so you were able to get quite a bit of speed. At the bottom there was a little hill that if you hit with the right speed and angle you could actually catch some air. So up I went to try it one more time. I certainly had some speed and hit the hill at the bottom just right and caught some air. As I was flying over I realized I was headed straight for where Tyler and Ashlie were playing in the snow so when I hit the ground I just started rolling so I wouldn't crash into them. If you notice in the last picture there really isn't a focus point. That's because it is Tyler & Ash playing and me rolling into them. All in all we had a great time playing. Craig and I came home a little red, we remembered the sun screen for the kids, just forgot ourselves. It was a lot of fun and we plan on going back soon since the kids all enjoyed it so much.

Ashlie Ready for School

Over the years I've learned many things from my children. The fact that Mr. Clean Eraser does not remove permanent marker from doors, drinking glasses can indeed be broken into millions of pieces and snotty kisses linger longer than clean kisses!! However, one of the greatest lessons I've learned is that they each have their own individuality, and who am I to tell them otherwise. Our darling Ashlie is the one who first helped this hit home with me. If you've ever spent much time with Ashlie at all you will know that she most definitely has her own sense of style!!! I often reflect on the time when she was about 2 and we went to the hospital to visit my mom who had had surgery. Her outer attire was very appropriate for the rainy January day that it was. Long winter coat buttoned all the way with rain boots, it was when she took off the jacket once inside and was wearing her swimming suit with nothing else that her fashion statement truly took hold!! I'm sure her idea on it was, swimming suits are for getting wet in, why not wear them in the rain!! She was quite the talk of the hospital that day, and for that matter has been the talk of many other conversations since. Just the other day she came into my room ready for school and this is what she had picked out. Who was I to tell her that none of the colors matched!! She did however inform me that her teachers favorite colors are orange and green, since he had been gone the day before she wanted to make him happy and wear his favorite colors. How could I argue with that. So off she went!! In the past before I came to fully understand this lesson being taught, I would have argued and pushed for her to change clothes. She would have gotten upset, crying & screaming, we both would have lost our tempers and neither of us would have been happy. I'm thankful that I've learned that this is just not that important to fight over. I pick and choose my battles and this is not one I will pick!!!

Sari is a Millionariare!!!

Sari has become a millioniare!!! Well, at least in reading. At her school to promote reading they have The Millioniares Club. After the kids read a book they have to take a little quiz on the computer. They have to get 70% or better on the quiz. Each book is worth a certain number of points depending on the difficulty of it, so the computer keeps track of how many points they've earned as well as how many words are in each book. Once they have read the books and passed quizes for a total of 1,000,000 words they become millionaires!! The younger grades don't have to read so many words to join the club, Ashlie in 2nd grade only has to read 250,000 words, still quite a job considering most books being read by her class only have 1000-3000 words. However, in 5th & 6th grade you have to read the full 1,000,000!!! And she did it!!! She received a new t-shirt that says she is a millionaire, a trophy and a gift card to Borders to buy more books!!! We are very proud of her. This is a big accomplishment!!! This is a picture of her holding her trophy (shirt was in the laundry)!!!

Sari Playing Basketball

Sari is officially a Basketball Player!!! Sari's basketball league has started and she is having so much fun!!! It is through a league at one of the local churches and is very "fun oriented". Everyone has a great time and gets equal play time. It is really good for her. She has her games on Monday nights so that is our FHE activity for the next couple of months. We've been trying to do a lesson on Sunday evenings so we still get a lesson in. Sari has already had two games and during the second game she made a basket. We were so excited for her!!! Of course, no one had their cameras ready, ugh!!! But she did a great job!!! Here are a couple of pictures of her playing.

A Train Ride With Grandma & Papa

Well, it's been a while since I've posted, it isn't because we haven't been doing anything. We've been doing so much I've had a hard time finding time to post. Here are a couple of pictures of some of the funnest things we've been doing.

We had so much fun taking Tyler on the train that Grandma & Papa wanted to go with us. So one day while the kids were still out of school for Christmas break we rode the train from Hanford to Fresno and back again. Craig had to work so he didn't get to go this time, but from what we hear, there are many others who are excited to ride the train with Tyler so we should have plenty more opportunities. On the way back from the train to Hanford was delayed so we got to hang out at the train station for about an hour and a half waiting on our train. That was interesting to say the least considering it was raining that day so everyone was in the station.

Merry Christmas!!!

We had a great Christmas this year!!! Santa must of thought we were all very good! We opened gifts at grandma & papa's this year a couple of days before Christmas. We were all surprised with tickets for Disneyland. Yeah!! Craig had to work on Christmas Eve day so I headed to Porterville with the kids to hang out with the Greats and the Grans!! We had a good time there and headed home just in time to meet Craig when he got off work. We had a fun evening at home as a family reading about the birth of Christ and getting ready for Santa!! Then Christmas Day we started bright and early as we discovered Santa had come to the Dixon House. Sari got a Nintendo DS with lots of games, Ashlie got a 3 story doll house complete with elevator, and Tyler got a motorized Quad to terrorize the girls with!!! We also got a 3 in 1 game table from Grandma & Grandpa that we can play pool, table tennis and air hockey on!! So we played and played and played some more until it was time to go eat at Jen's house!!! We had lots of fun together. We hope each of you had a great time with friends and family also!!! Merry Christmas to you from the Dixon gang!!

A Blurb about me!!

I forgot probably the funniest bit of info about me in my post!!

I have my drywall contractors license for the state of CA and I decorate cakes. Craig and I laugh that we are probably the only couple in the state that the wife is a drywall contractor who decorates cakes and the husband is a nurse, Lol!!! Just thought I would throw that tidbit of info out there. Soon, however, I will be a Drywall contractor who decorates cakes while offering marriage and family therapy!!! Ooh, that's a scary thought, huh!

I've Been Tagged

Well, thanks to Tiff I have officially been tagged. I'm sure most of you know all of this fun stuff about me but for those of you who don't, enjoy!!!

1. I love the rain. I love to watch the rain come down and to be out in the rain!! I especially like to curl up on the couch with a good book or a girly movie that makes the tears come all nestled in a comfy blanket sipping hot chocolate while it pours rain outside!!

2. I've decided to go back to school! I'm very nervous because I haven't been to school in almost 13 years but I think it is time. I'm excited!! I've decided to major in Psychology and I want to get my Bachelors Degree in Marriage/Family Counseling. I know it will be a long haul and since I am just going part time it will be even longer but I'm really excited to do this. I've always been interested in marriage and family relations books and parenting books etc. I think it will be way fun and my family will most certainly benefit!!! Craig has been very supportive of me wanting to do this. In fact, my first class I'm taking is Intro to Statistics so he signed up to take the class with me. I think it will be so fun to do it together, plus he can help me with my homework. Lol!!!

3. My dream vacation would be a trip to New England in the fall. I've always been intrigued by that area and have always wanted to go there. I love the fall and you always see such beautiful pictures of the leaves and trees.

4. I love to play word games like Boggle. I love to do wordsearch puzzles too. In fact a couple of years ago Craig got me a one year subscription to a wordsearch puzzle book. That was so fun to get a new one every month. I'm still working on finishing all those books. I also like playing Sudoku. I even have Sudoku on my phone so whenever I'm stuck somewhere I can always pull out my phone and play.

5. I don't really watch tv except for House!!! I love to watch House. Although I like the first couple of seasons the most because they were actually about medical problems. Now it seems like it is just turning into a nighttime soap opera but hopefully since the writers on all on strike they'll come back with better ideas!!!

6. I've learned a lot about myself this year. I've learned that I can handle more than I think that I can. I've learned I've got a huge support system that is there anytime I need it. I've learned that I have the best family and friends you could ask for!! Most importantly though, I've truly learned that my Father in Heaven loves me!! I have had miracles happen in my life and I can't help but feel truly blessed and humbled by all of it!!

Well, I guess that is me!!! I'm hoping to add lots and lots of my friends and family's blogs to my page so I guess you all need to get in gear and create blogs. When you create it you can all be tagged!!! Hope you have fun and thanks Tiff!!!

We've been elved!!!

Click on this link to see the three cutest elves ever!!!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1634611436

Visiting with Chris & Jenny

We had lots of fun going to San Jose to visit with Chris, Jenny & Elizabeth. We went up on Wednesday afternoon and just kind of hung out since Chris & Jenny had plans. We took the kids to go see Alvin & The Chipmunks. The kids thought it was so funny!!! On Thursday morning we got up and went to Chris & Jenny's and ate breakfast. We visited for a little bit while they opened their presents from us then we went to lunch at a fun BBQ restaurant. After we ate we went to the park and played for a while in the sunshine. We had a good time and it was fun to see them. Elizabeth especially had fun with the girls, she kept asking about Ashlie. Of course Tyler was fascinated with all of Uncle Chris' trains!!!

Sari Getting an Academic Award

Well, once again we found ourselves being invited to attend another assembly. Sari received an award for Language Arts. She is standing on the bleachers in the front row on the left. Yeah for Sari!!!

Ashlie's Christmas Dance Recital

Here is a small clip of the ballet portion of Ashlie's Christmas Recital.

Ashlie's Christmas Dance Recital

Tonight was Ashlie's Christmas Dance Recital!! This was her first year in the big girls recital so she was a little nervous. She did so good and looked so pretty!! She had three different dances including tap, jazz and ballet. They were all done to the Disneyland Christmas Parade Soundtrack. Congrats on a great job Ash!!! However, I think the best part of the evening was the fact that we hired a babysitter for Tyler so we actually all got to sit and watch the recital, yeah!!! Afterwards we picked up Tyler and took the kids to Baskin Robbins for ice cream to celebrate!!

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!!!

Ashlie is singing this song loud and clear!!! She has lost 3 teeth in about 2 weeks time, 2 of which are her front teeth on top!! Although the tooth fairy rewarded her quite generously!!!

The Christmas Parade

If you've ever been in town for Thanksgiving you know about the Christmas Parade. It has been a tradition since I was a little girl to go to the parade every year. And so we've carried on the tradition with all of our kids and anyone else who wants to join us!!! We saw lots of fun floats and the kids were all in heaven!! Sari saw lots and lots of horses, Ashlie saw beautiful dancers and princesses and Tyler saw lots of trucks!!! We had a great time eating cotton candy and drinking hot chocolate.

Turkey Day

We had Thanksgiving Dinner at our house. Just a few close family and friends (about 20 people, lol)!! We cleared the Black Friday Ads off the table just long enough to eat then spread them all back out again. It takes a lot of time to plan your shopping schdule. Craig and I started shopping at midnight at the Outlet Mall and just went from there. The Greats spent the night with the kiddie widdie's while we shopped til we dropped!!!

Our Family

It has been quite awhile since we had a family picture taken so we thought it was about time. We had lots of fun at the park!!!

A Trip On The Train

Tyler is in love with trains so we thought it would be fun to go on a little ride. We rode the train from Hanford to Fresno (about 30 minutes). When we got to Fresno we took a little walk and found a Quizno's. We had some dinner and then rode the train back to Hanford. The kids had so much fun!! Tyler thought the train was so cool!! He cried when we tried to put him back in the car to come home. The only thing that saved us was the Thomas the Train movie we were watching in the car!

Primary Program

We had our Primary Program at church the last weekend of October. The girls worked very hard learning their parts and looked so pretty so we had to take some pictures. Of course Tyler wanted to be in it too!!

Fresno State vs. Boise State

After the fun assembly with the girls we celebrated by going to a football game!! Craig had a hard time knowing who to go for. Of course Fresno was slaughtered!! Oh well, we had lots of fun anyways. That could of been due to the fact that we left Tyler with Jen (thank you Jen & Nino, we love you)!!!

Student of The Month

Our girls are so cool!! The month of October they both received Student of the Month Awards!! They both got to have lunch with their teachers on the stage with very cool decorations plus ice cream sundaes for dessert. Sari also got to go out to breakfast with her teacher, principal and vice principal. We are very proud of both of them!!