*YouNg FaMilY ChRisTmaS 2008*

Every Christmas Eve we have our traditional Draayer Family party with all of my mom's extended side of the family. We eat and then play games. The candy bar game is hard for the little kids seeing all the candy strewn across the floor. As you can see Noah throwing a fit on the floor in front of all of it. Santa usually makes a visit, but this year I guess he was busy.

Christmas morning we spent with Carson's family in Alpine. We exchange names for gifts with all of his brother's and sisters and open presents. We had a tasty breakfast afterwards. Then we actually went paint balling in the afternoon in the field across the street from their house. I had never been before and was pretty fun.

The boys got an awesome wagon from David & Kristi which will be fun to have once the warm weather comes. Although, Noah has been putting it to use right now-he likes to lay in it while watching movies.

Christmas night we spent with my family. Ate again, opened presents and ate some more. The boys got cute Nike sweat suit outfits from my parents, and some fun books, new pajamas and ornaments they will get every year to add to their tree.

The next morning on the 26th is when we had our *family* Christmas because we had to stay in Alpine on Christmas Eve. (That is why the boys are in 2 different outfits in the pictures.) It was kind of weird but I guess the boys don't know any different. Noah loved his Geo Trax Train Set, and Madden's ball popper. I never can tell what he is going to like. Afterwards we had our Breakfast Casserole which was tradition in my family. It was a great day we didn't have to rush out the door after opening presents, and had a wonderful relaxing day playing with toys and watching movies.

We had a great Christmas-we are so blessed as a family. We are so grateful for our Savior, his birth and his life.

Hooray...It's a Snowy Day!

Okay so not really hooray as I of course had last minute Christmas shopping to finish up. But Madden had a nice nap and Noah and I decided to go out and play in the snow. It was really fun to spend some one on one time with him. We made a snowman, had a snowball fight and made snow angels. Made me feel like a kid again, I can't remember the last time I went out in the snow.

I *HeArT* Rudolph

Can I tell you I absolutley love Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer! Seriously, I could watch the show over and over again. I was shocked when I first learned that Carson thought the show was *creepy* He says he didn't like the claymation characters. What tell me it isn't so! How could you NOT love the claymation from back in the day.

Well I guess I have sort of gotten over the fact that he doesn't love it, or even like it for that matter. In fact, when I managed a scrapbook store we had a children's playroom in the back with a TV and this was one of the videos we had for it. I loved it everytime it came on and mind you this wasn't only at Christmas.

So I am trying with all of my might to get Noah to come to love it too. It's taken a few viewings for him, but I think he may be starting to really enjoy it. So here's to Rudolph, and Hermie and Yukon Cornelius and the Snow Bumble and Santa and Clarise and those little elves and all the rest of the bunch in that fantastic movie. Really I have an obsession and I'll admit it!

The Polar Express

Tonight for family night we took a ride on the Polar Express. It was a little disappointing, seeing how we spent $75.00 to go. It was just okay, the entertainment on board wasn't really exciting. Noah a 1/2 hour into the ride started telling us he wanted to go home! Which I was really surprised because he LOVES trains and loves the movie.

They did hand out the Polar Express book to all of us and they read it on board. Then of course Santa made an appearance and handed out bells. There was a little singing oh and of course cookies and hot cocoa. But overall it was a something to at least go one once with the kids I guess. I got some good pictures too.

{So ThanKfuL}

Yes it's midnight and I am so tired. The last two days have been so super busy. I have been working non-stop all week putting up a special Black Friday Kit on the site and dealing with product issues for my December kit. Staring at a computer for hours on end, but yet here I am blogging! And I am suppose to be getting up early to meet my mom to do a little Black Friday shopping.

Anyway as I was sitting here wrapping up some things I just can't believe how truly blessed our little family is. I have an incredible husband who is so patient, loving and kind. Two little boys who I am just madly in love with as well. We have the gospel and we are all are in perfect health. I have been so blessed with my business, granted there are over a 100 other websites who do the same thing I do-yet I KNOW the Lord has blessed me with the success I have had with it from day one.

And of course most of all we have each other and all of our extended family. I am just so grateful everyday and don't take any of it for granted. Yes, we have had our trials, and I see why we go through them so we can become strong and appreciate the times in our lives when everything is wonderful-I hold my breath just saying it.

There is nothing more that I need in my life. I have everything that matters and that is the most important including my testimony and love for my Father in Heaven and our Savior.

Wow, wasn't expecting to get this emotional, or share all of this but I am so truly thankful I guess it just came spilling out onto my lovely blog for all to read. So with that Happy Thanksgiving!

Mischief

Madden recently has found toilet paper. Yes he loves it and we have 3 bathrooms for him to find plenty of trouble in. But if that's the worse he does for now, I can live with it.

He is now 10 months old and started crawling about a month ago. We need to get some video of him. He also for about the last two weeks just pulls himself up to stand in the middle of the room without holding onto anything. He loves to be a big boy like his brother and I'm sure the walking thing is not too far away.

{HaLLoWeen}

I had sooo much fun taking these pictures of the boys. I haven't taken any real fun photos for awhile. We had my parents and the Tuia's over for some fabulous homemade Sloppy Joes-yes I actually made them and they were tasty. Then we packed up the boys and did some trick or treating. But I have to say I think Carson gets more excited about it than Noah does.

Looking for a Graphic DEsigner

I thought I would throw this out there so spread the word or if you know anyone send them my way. I am looking for an experienced Graphic Designer who can design scrapbook paper and products for my business. You can find all the details here

Church & Kids Do Not Mix

You could pretty much call us inactive. For the last three weeks Church has become a 3 ring circus. Both Madden & Noah are awful during sacrament. Last week I had had it after sacrament and just left. This week I really didn't want to go, but the boys woke up in time so I figured this was the Lord's way of telling me we needed to go.

Well the outcome wasn't much different this week. As we pull into the parking lot Noah starts saying "No, No, No" I try telling myself it will be okay once we get in there and bribe him with all the snacks and treats we have in the bag.

Within 10 minutes of going into the chapel Noah was running around up in the front and began screaming once Carson brought him back to our bench so Carson gets up and takes him out. Well less than a minute after that, Madden starts arching his back and screaming as well. So with Madden in one arm, I try gathering up all the toys and binky which had rolled to the bench in front of us. Of course we had sat in the front of the chapel so I have to make the long walk in front of the entire congregation to get out.

We sit the rest of the time in the foyer and amazingly enough the boys are both pretty good for the last 15 minutes-what's the deal with the chapel? But now it is time for Nursery. Noah doesn't do Nursery. He is already crying before he even gets in there. Carson always goes in with him but within 10 minutes I hear Noah crying in the hall and sure enough he was having a melt down even even with Carson in there. So what's the point of wrestling with two kids for two more hours?

I wish Noah would get over this Nursery thing. It's been over a year and he just won't go. With us being in a new ward it would be nice to be able to get to meet some people but it looks like that is no going to happen anytime soon. If anyone has any advice I'm all ears!

What's it Two Ya?

Two names you go by:
1. MA
2. Hun
Two things you are wearing right now:
1. T-shirt
2. Sweats
Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. Chocolate Chex Cereal
2. Massage-hint hint CAR!
Two things you did last night:
1. Got the Boys in the Tub
2. Watched Survivor
Two things you ate today
1. Turkey Sandwich
2. Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
Two People you just spoke with:
1. Amy
2. Car
Two things you're doing tomorrow:
1. Going to the Dr. for Madden
2. Maybe some alone time-(hoping)
Two jobs you've had:
1.Working at Memories By Design (scrapbook store)
2.Flight Attendant
Two favorite beverages:
1. Water
2. Freckled Lemonade at Red Robin
Two guilty pleasures:
1. Chocolate Molten Cake from Chili's
2. Shoe Shopping
Two Tags:
1.Amy
2.Lori

BreaKfast of ChamPions

Noah woke up this morning, opened up the pantry and decided he wanted "Cheese, Cheese" for breakfast. What's the point of arguing at 8:00 in the morning? He enjoyed it so that's all that really matters.

Sweater Weather

We went out to the Blackisland Farm yesterday with the boys. Noah loved it. They had farm animals which Noah had a great time feeding. Even Madden was getting really excited when he saw the animals too.

They also had a HuGe slide that Noah wanted me to take him down. I was scared to go down when I got to the top and looked down to see how steep it was. It took me a few minutes up at the top to get the courage to go down. I'm afraid of heights, what can I say?
We went on a little "train" made out of those 55 water barrels. They were attached to the tractor that pulled them around in. Noah was in 7th heaven thinking that he was riding in a real choo choo. Carson even managed to cram all 6'2 of him inside of one too.

It ended up getting really cold after the train ride so I took Madden to the car while Car took Noah on the hayride. Crazy as they were, it was worth it as they got to pick out pumpkins from their pumpkin patch.