Our Christmas

I'm blogging about this a little late, but better late than never, right?

I'll start off by saying that this year we weren't able to buy our boys anything. With both of us being students, finally purchasing a vehicle last month after needing one for a year, and paying rent, we had no extra to buy gifts. We were expecting gifts from my mom and younger sister, since they told us they got the kids some gifts but that's it.

Last Monday after Tay's Christmas performance, we were hanging out in the living room when we heard our doorbell ring. I opened the door and no one was there. There was, though, quite a few gifts! The boys were so excited that Santa had arrived a few days early. About a half hour later, there was a knock at the door. Again, no one was there but there were a few more gifts! I couldn't believe it. I had tears of joy and gratitude to know that people care about my kids and us. There are great people still out there. Thanks to the kind people from church, some friends and some family, my boys had a great Christmas when we weren't expecting much at all.

On the morning of Christmas Eve, we drove up to Salt Lake City to my husband's uncle and aunty's house. It was good to see everyone. The boys, of course, were excited to see their cousins. They played with them the whole time we were there. On Christmas morning, all the kiddos opened their gifts. My boys got gifts from their cousin's. It was so very nice of them. I also got a gift from them--some socks and lotion. That afternoon, we went to my husband's aunty's family's house. It was a lot more traditional than the other parties I have been to with my husband. There were "talks" given and prayers said all in Tongan. The adults sang songs in Tongan too.

Anyway, there was a lot of food! My boys decided to act up (Trenton was tired and Titan was tired and hungry), so I didn't really get to eat, but my husband's cousins grabbed a huge foil pan and put some food in it for us to bring home. Lu Pulu, tapioca, mussels,and octopus in coconut milk, ribs, ota, pig, noodles, and lots of desserts. We got home, warmed it up, and ate like we were starving. I love Tongan food! Lu pulu is my favorite. I swear I could eat it every day. :P

I can't wait for the next time I can eat Tongan food. I think it'll be in April for my husband's friends farewell. He's going on his mission. :)

So, overall, we all had a great Christmas. Of course, I missed my family but it was so much better than staying home and being sad.

Salt Dough Keepsake Ornament

I got this idea from Moments of Mommyhood.

The hubby said we should paint them, but I'm not so sure. It was fun to do, not a lot of ingredients/materials needed, and not so much of a mess to clean up Here is how ours turned out:

Today was great!

I haven't had a day go this well in a LONG time. Today was Tayven's Christmas performance/party. I woke up and then woke Tayven up. His bus decides to come on time instead of 10-15 minutes late, so Tay isn't ready. I landed up having to drop him off. I got home, got the two kiddos ready, and the hubby got ready. Since my digital camera broke, I had to stop at the store to buy a disposable camera. I decided to stop at the store nearest Tay's school instead of Walmart and had no idea where it was. I asked a cashier, waited in line, and finally were were on our way to his school.

I was bummed when I arrived and they had already sung their songs. :( We weren't even that late and the performance was done. When we showed up, they were decorating gingerbread houses. Trenton and I sat with Tay and helped him decorate his. The hubby was holding Titan and taking pictures of us. Then, they had some surprise visitors! Santa and Mrs. Claus came!! Tayven and Trenton both sat on his lap and talked to him. . Tay's teachers told me to get Titan up there too and Mrs. Claus said she would hold him. He was fine until he turned and look up to see who was holding him and he screamed! lol Good thing I got some pictures before he started screaming.

I was talking to his teacher and asking how he was in school. I asked if he was shy and she said no, far from it. She said when they were practicing singing Christmas songs, Tay was the loudest hehe. She said he talks and plays great with the other kids, but when it was time to perform in front of the parents he got shy and didn't want to do it. I felt kinda better that I didn't miss much since he was too shy but it stinks that he's like me and is shy in front of people.

We got some cookies and hot cocoa before leaving. We had a good time. I'll get pictures up when we get the camera developed.

Anyway, we got home to our CLEAN house (we'll see how long this lasts hehe), ate lunch, and now everyone is taking a nap but me.

Christmas List

Every year goes by with me just worrying about the kids and I never think what I want or I couldn't come up with things I wanted. This year though, there are things I could use and a few I would want.

- a pot and pan set (ours is crap. I just threw away our only big pan)
- yarn (you know, since I finally have a hobby and all)
- a new digital camera because mine broke
- a dresser because we don't have one
- some winter boots
- a straightener because I never do anything with my hair but throw it up in a bun
- some clothes that fit me
- a washer and dryer because we just NEED those lol

Another Update!

We are finally all moved in to the new apartment and the old one is all clean. Moving was so stressful. My husband had moved all the big, heavy things and I pretty much had to move everything else because he is at school during the day and then he has tutoring in the evening. He also hurt his ankle/achilles (he doesn't know which) so walking to school, back home, and then up and down the stairs already caused him enough pain.  Trying to move things over while keeping an eye on the 3 kids (more like get them to stay in the new apartment) was simply not simple. On top of moving, I had homework and papers to write.  Also, as if that wasn't enough, my boys were sick while we were moving. Trenton vomited eight times on the day we moved most of the things over. I almost had a breakdown and gave up. Just thinking and writing about it makes me stressed out.

Anyway, I'm glad that is over.

Tayven is still in school and loves it. He brought home his school pictures.. and guess what? He didn't smile! We practiced that morning! This child of mine!! It's okay though; he still looks handsome. :) I need to get them sent out to my mom so she can hand them out to my our family back home.

My kids are crazy. With winter coming along (it snowed yesterday, ugh) they will be cooped up in this house AGAIN and it sucks. Winter is depressing except for Christmas. Trenton is talking lots and just being his naughty 2-year-old self.  Titan is starting to learn to walk. So far, he has taken 2 steps. He is still a bit scared to stand so he'll stand for a few seconds and then slowly sit back onto his butt.

We are looking for a car to buy. I've had no luck on KSL because all the cars in our price range, so far, either have a mechanical problem or a mileage of 170,000 and up. I really hope we can find something... We just need something that runs and will be safe during winter. I'll keep praying that something comes along. I am beyond tired of asking people for a ride. The past few weeks, we've been walking to Kent's but now the good ol' winter is here we can't do that anymore. So, if you are in Utah or know someone who is, please keep an eye for cars for sale! =)