Happy New Year!!

We're Rock Stars!

Having a Wii game console has been so much fun for our whole family. This Christmas we turned it up a notch on the fun button. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock has been playing in our house non stop for days now. We've only left the house twice...to go to the gym. Otherwise, we've just been too busy ROCKIN' it..."like a hurricane". Oh, yeah baby! Nothing like some intense guitar rock sessions! Check us out!

Gavin strummin' his stuff on Easy, super slow mode!

Love that serious Rock face of his. Dye his hair black and he could pass as a Gavin Rossdale of Bush.
You can't hold back the super star rock-dom from Reese!
She's got the moves -n- skills to pay the bills baby!
Caden is no foolio with the frets!

He will ROCK YOU!
I too have been whammied into the obsessive rock sessions. I've neglected too many chores these days! But that's OK, as long as I've mastered the Easy rock jams! Check!
Christopher is a force to be reckoned with! He's all but mastered the Medium level and has dabbled in the Hard and Expert!

That's right, he can go for over 300 notes and not miss a beat!
In all, he has a record of going 350 notes and not missing a single note!
Although our rock concert is an ongoing event here at the Lloyd's (we're planning GH3 parties with our neighbors and friends as I type), I have managed to appreciate my new bread maker.

Thanks Mom and Dad.
And a BIG THANK YOU to Cherie for this "a little something fun" 2008 Year of Style Calendar . I was soooo surprised to get it in the mail! What a treat! I'm also really excited to learn lots from you this year! Love ya!

Gotta go, Rock On! Later, Dudes!

T'was Christmas @ da Lloyd's

Christmas started the night before with Gavin making Santa some sugar cookies to go with the IBC Root Beer (I Believe in Christ...IBC) that would be left for Santa to enjoy. Gavin was sure Santa would be pleased and surely would leave a bounty of loot and joy!

That night they had a hard time going to sleep, but did so before midnight. I'm sure that will change in the years to come!

Reese woke up around 5:30 am and Christopher told her to go back to bed. I was just as anxious or more so, and finally got up at 6:45am hearing the kids talking excitedly in Gavin's room. Here they are waiting for the go ahead to the tree! Caden stayed asleep for a few more minutes.

Santa and family were good to us this year! It helped that our tree was really slim. Not much could fit under it! It was an optical illusion of grandiose proportion for the kids.

Here is a short video of the kids first reaction Christmas morning:

Present time! There were lots of Lego's, Transformer's, Games of all types, My Little Pony's, Dora and Hello Kitty galore!






































And this gift lead to many hours of the following:

Yes, we hope Gavin doesn't have any issues or need counseling later in life! But he was a good sport in playing dress up with Reese. Despite, his protest that "dress up is for girls only"! Kinda sad Reese doesn't have a sister (I have two)...we'll have to have lots more play dates for her!

*****

After Christmas morning settled a little we went over to our good friends Marni and Aaron's house for a delicious spread of applesauce, raspberry jam and plain aebleskivers,, sausage and eggs. The kids did a little gift exchange and we all had a great time enjoying each others company. I can't believe I didn't take a single picture!! I was too busy stuffing my face! Afterwards we headed over to Christopher's parent's house in East Texas for the Grandparent's Christmas and to talk with Phillip and Bradley who are still on their church missions. You could say our Christmas was merry and bright!

Merry Christmas

Texas Snow Storm

Looks like we have a white Christmas this year in Texas after all! Thanks to Gma and Pa for sending our Christmas gifts...we have shipping peanuts! The kids found the box with the peanuts in our recycle box to be recycled. They showed no mercy. Christopher was not happy with the condition made of his garage, but boy did the kids have fun! "It's snowing!"
We had to take a vacuum to their clothes and Reese's hair in order to remove all of the crushed pieces of styrofoam.
This last picture is a picture of a house behind ours. We liked their longhorn steer driven cowboy Santa and his wagon!

Thanks for the gifts, Gma and Pa! We can't wait until Christmas morning! Oh, and thanks for the movie tickets! The kids are still talking about the show! It was great! We love you!

American Soldier Christmas Tribute

UPDATE: My sister in law, Chelsea, put together a cute slide show tribute today as well. Check it out on her BLOG HERE. This post is dedicated to my brother Jarom (and all soldiers, past & present) who is spending his son's (Hudson's) first Christmas away in the Middle East. God Bless You and Yours and a very Merry Christmas to you!
WE LOVE YOU!!

'Mom' My Ride

So we've been researching and pondering what our next car should be (larger SUV). We are in the market for a new vehicle within the next couple of months. Having our current 'mom' car in the shop from our accident we are forced to drive a vehicle that we never before considered our family ever stepping into....(rental, mind you)

a MINIVAN!!

Yes, that's right. The kids love it! I have found that having so much space between myself and kids...quite refreshing. I can't hear a word they say until they are yelling at me...and then it's still as if they were speaking to me from behind! Christopher and I can actually have an adult conversation in the front, and the kids have no clue! I could get used to that. Other aspects I will need more convincing. I'm finding the SUV and minivan quite similar, features wise. However, we have ventured into a new market of research. Is there a minivan in our future?

Christopher shared this video with me a while ago. I found it hilarious, although I hope that this video isn't a foreshadow of what's to come!!!

Dear Santa,

Dear Santa,

I been good all year. I like Lego's. I want Transformers. I don't hurt people. No tattle telling. I never sit on the naughty bench at school, but sometimes my teacher forgets I was naughty with Gavin C. at school. All I want for Christmas is Lego's - Big Mars Mission & Aqua Raiders. Don't forget the jet one. Get some cookies & milk from me.

Love,
Gavin

Gavin with his latest Lego's Magazine he receives from being a member of the Lego Club. He thinks he's too cool for pictures nowadays. (that was for you Carrie...instead of 'anymore')

Gavin wrote the above to Santa and will be mailing it at the Post Office tomorrow. He's trying real hard to convince Santa that he's been good. He's sat on Santa's lap twice this year and each time has asked for Lego's. I think he'll be a happy little boy come Christmas morning.

......

Yesterday was Gavin's Christmas Party at school. Christopher and I were sitting behind Gavin's desk. During treat eating time we overheard this conversation between Gavin and a little girl at Gavin's table:

Little Girl: "Gavin, I hate to have to tell you this, but I'm not going to be here on Christmas Eve. I'm going to be with my daddy."

After constructing himself a cracker, cheese and pepperoni sandwich (which took a bit before he actually responded, we didn't think he would b.c it was so random)

Gavin: "Well, maybe Santa Clause will still come to your house while you are gone."

I love it! Gavin, I hate to have to tell you this... I love their little mini adult like conversations and Gavin the typical male trying to find a solution to her problem!

Reese's Dance Christmas Party

Yet, another Christmas party. Reese's party I think about finishes up this season's friends and class parties! Gavin's was yesterday. Didn't take any pictures there, but I have a cute story to share after this post. Here are a few pictures from Reese's party. The girls did a gift exchange. Reese recieved some pretend play jewlery, play make-up, play shoes and a polly pocket dancing doll.
Food was a treat, no doubt! Reese over-looking her loot!
Pizza is always a hit with pre-schoolers! Check out Reese's bling!
The blond doll was a gift from Reese's instructor, Ms. Renee. Reese said she was the mommy and her little green doll was called "sweetheart."

"It's Christmas in this house!"

I just wanted to quickly write about our fabulous evening we had last night over at the Thompson's! Camille and her blog are just sensational! If she isn't a walking, living, breathing testimony of the restored gospel, I don't know what is! Everything she does, always reflects her love of Christ and love for others to know of Him. I met Camille when she moved into our Ward (Church) this past summer. Right from the start I knew there was something special about her. She teaches the Gospel Doctrine class in our Ward with help from her husband (at times). They are such a powerhouse couple!
Camille and her husband Alfer opened up their home last night to anyone and everyone in the neighborhood. They wanted a missionary opportunity to share with their neighbors that 'Mormon's' are indeed Christians and that we love and celebrate our Savior Jesus Christ! They purchased a truck load of Mr. Kruegers Christmas / Nativity DVD's to be handed out to all persons.
Camille, the super woman / mom that she is, made ALL the food that you see! And then some! She put a lot of work into this night and I feel so blessed to be a small part of it.
Camille and I! Isn't she so cute?!?! She is also training for the Athens Triathlon in March. Same one that Christopher did last year and plans on doing this year again. Hot Mama!
Thank you Camille and Alfer for a wonderful evening. You both (and your home) are truly blessed with the Spirit! I think Reese said it best as we walked into your home last night, "look mom, it's CHRISTmas in this house!" I couldn't have agreed more!