Santa was Here!!!!!

Caution very long post!!!
WOW! Did Santa ever spoil us this year. We have partied it up non stop up until today and now I think we are trying to play catch up. The 23rd we went and picked Dakota up and then we had some friends (Jake & Jen, Ryan & Marie, Jake & Kelsey) over for a sweet party! The food was great and we all had a great time visiting. I even did an impromptu concert...it really sucked....but our friends listened anyways!





Santa must have came early for this crowd! Look at all these glowing mommies to be! I couldn't help but joke around with them since I was the only one NOT pregnant there. I told them that I had quit drinking water completely and that I was scared to come sit in the sames room with them for fear of me catching that infectious disease! They all made a point to rub up on me somehow throughout the night just to see if I would catch what they have! I am still saying not a chance! Not quite ready for that yet, I am still enjoying the one I have!




Look at all these cute kids! They had so much fun playing together.



After the party I put Oakley in his new PJ's courtesy of Wayne and Pam! He loved them and didn't want to take them off! He looked so cute I couldn't help but post a pic!







Finally Christmas eve!

Christmas eve we delivered some gift to the neighbors and then we came home and watched a Christmas movie. After that we sang some christmas carols and I read a couple of christmas stories to the kids and then we all open one present. After that we went to the kitchen and baked cookies for Santa! Dakota put them on a plate for him while I rummaged up some reindeer food! After that we tracked santa on google maps and then the kids were off to bed! They were both excited!





Every year I like to take a picture of the tree before the kids get to it! I have always thought that the tree with all the presents under it was the most magical thing, so I try to capture it every year! This is this years haul!


This is Oakley and his new car! He crawled over everything in his path to get into his car and he never got out all morning long. If that had been the only thing he had been given he would have been happy!

We all got a ton of stuff and I think we were all a little bit overwhelmed by it all . The kids got it figured out pretty quick though and couldn't stop playing with all their new stuff! After we got our presents open Christmas morning we went to my mom's house for the traditional creamed eggs on toast! LOVE IT!!!!

Then on the 26th we had the Witbeck christmas party. We ate a TON of food. Joce cooked prime rib and Amber brought out a ton of pies! It was awesome! We played some fun games and open up some sweet presents!

On the 27th we loaded up and headed for Idaho for the Bethers family Christmas party! Once again we ate a TON of good food and enjoyed getting to see most of the family!



After the party we went to the zoo lights in Salt Lake City! We had a great time and enjoyed spending time with each other! All our playing finally had to come to an end though when we dropped Dakota off to her mom on the 29th! Now we are home and Oakley is wondering where his sister is! So....I guess you could say everything is back to normal! Guess it it is time to Bring on the New Year!

Christmas Tag!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I prefer wrapping paper, but sometimes I am really lazy or pushed for time so a gift bag has to do.
2. Real tree or fake tree? REAL!!!!! Although a fake tree would probably be more condusive to our needs. Every year we go through the same routine. We go and cut a tree, get it home, usually hate it, throw it out or cut it down for the kids and either buy or cut another one that we like better! I don't know why we are so indesive on the perfect tree the first time!
3. When do you put up your tree? Around Thanksgiving if we can, but we usually wait until Dakota is with us so we can make it a family affair.
4. When do you take it down? After New Years usually...depends on how dead it is!
5. Do you like eggnog? I love it, but I usually have to thin it down a little with milk
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Nerf fencing swords! I was around 6 or 7! They freaking rocked!
7. Easiest person to buy for? Dakota...if it is horse anything, yellow or pink she will love it!
8. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes....one very old one that my mom gave me...and one that a mystery person gave to us for the 25 days to Christmas!
9. Mail or Email Christmas cards? This is the first year I have ever gotten around to mailing them....I always have had them....they just never have made it to the post office!
10. Worst gift you have ever received? A sweater that I would never wear in a million years...I would
11. Favorite Christmas movie? Any one of them does just fine!
12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually about two weeks prior to, but this year I had it all done at the first of December! It is amazing what you can do when you don't have a job!
13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas gift? pretty sure I have not!
14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Anything sweet, chocolate, or fattening!
15. Lights on tree? You know it!!!!
16. Can you name Santa's reindeer? dasher dancer comit cupid vixen dopey sleepy donner blitzen roudolph doc sneezy
17. Favorite Christmas song? nothing for christmas by sugarland or SAnta Baby by taylor swift!
18. Travel or stay home? Stay home.
19. Angel or star tree topper? big fan of the star!
20. Open presents Christmas eve or Christmas day? Usually we open one on christmas eve and the rest on christmas day
21. Favorite Christmas tradition? being with family or sleigh riding
22. Favorite ornament, theme or color? since my kids aren't old enough to bring my ornament s from school, My favorite is one that my mom brought me from Texas. It is a bare bum Santa riding a holstein cow! It has a bell on it that when you pull Santa's bare legs pop out from behind his chaps!
23. Favorite Christmas dinner? The christmas version of thanksgiving dinner....which means everything is the same, it is just called Christmas dinner instead! I really like clam chowder and chicken noodle soup too!
24. What do you want for Christmas? What I really wanted has passed, so I won't get it, so whatever else I get will be fine!
25. Best Christmas present you have ever given? I gave James a gun one year. I watched them wrap it at the store, when he opened it though it was gone. He sneaked into his presents early, took them out, and rewrapped them. It was pretty funny!

I tag anyone who wants to participate! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!

Holly Days!

This is a little late, but I have been very distacted by Christmas shopping, hanging lights on the house, blah blah blah! Once again we went to the Vernal Holly Days Celebration. James and I have made it a little Bethers tradition. We freeze our butts off, but we do have a lot of fun! Sadley Dakota couldn't be there for it this year, but we look forward to taking her next year! We all love the fireworks! As you can see Oakley is getting an eye full of them. I really think that was his favorite part. We didn't make it over to see Santa this year, but I am sure we will get our chance to see him soon. To tell you the truth I am sure it would have scared Oakley to death! I know it did Dakota her first year! All in all, we enjoyed the kick off to another great holiday season!

Oh! And the pooh bear hat and gloves are for you Aunt Sandy!

What I am thankful for

With it being Thanksgiving day I thought to myself that I am so much to be thankful for. I can't even begin to put a dent in all the things that I am thankful for, but here is a start:
1. My family ( My husband and kids are the most amazing people and I find myself learning new things from them everyday.
2. My extended family ( Mine and James' familys are amazing support groups for us. They are always so willing to help out and whenever you need them they are there. I always know that if we ever run into something that we can't handle we can call on them for help. My dad always told us that friends come and go but family is always there for you. When I was younger I always thought he was full of it, but now I know that his words were never more true!
3. My friends ( You know who you are- Throughout the years you have been there for a lot of tuff times. I am so very appriciative of all the laughter, tears, advice, and time!)
4. The Church- ( I know I am a rebel without a cause at times and I didn't always depend on the Lord to lead me through the dark times, but I do beleive without a shadow of a doubt that if you allow it, he will. I have felt the Lord's hand in so much of my life lately, it is hard not to ignore all that He does for us! I know without the gospel and the church in my life, I would be lost! There is nothing better than to know that prayers really are answered, tithing really is a blessing, and that if you knock the door will be opened!
5. This country- I know that I am not pleased with the way the election turned out, but even if this guy runs our country compleatly into the ground we still have more.....more....more than 90% of the people in the world. We have a roof over our heads, food to eat, jobs to go to, clothes on our backs, money in our pockets, and most of all we have our FREEDOM!
6. The military- I know that these boys and girls do not get the credit they deserve. I am so very thankful that they are WILLING to risk their lives to protect mine! I am thankful that they are over in Irag and Afganistan and where ever else they might be, so that we do not have to fight on American soil. So we can go to sleep at night without the worry of whether or not somebody is going to bomb your house because of your loyalty to one certain god or belief.
7. Most of all, I am thankful that our brother Jesus Christ gave his life for ours so that we might return to him one day. What the ultimate sacrifice!

Hope you all are filling your hearts with Thanks this holiday season!

Sweet Family Pics!

Alright.......I am soooo sorry about all of the pics. There are just so many of them that I like I couldn't just pick out a couple. After all that we went through this weekend (It would take to long to explain) we were actually able to get some sweet family pictures, courtesy of my sweet sister Joce! She took these amazing photos and we couldn't be happier! Anyways I was too excited not to share, so I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I do!

Veterans Day!

Today is Veterans day....so here is a big shout out to all veterans everywhere! Mostly we want to thank my Grandpa Witbeck for all the years of service he put in. I have never been to a sweeter funeral. It was really something to see all of his comrades giving their final farewell. There was not a dry eye in the church....just as there is not dry eye now! We love you and and miss you and will honor you with a poppy seed for years to come! Holland thanks you for their freedom just as we thank you for ours!

A couple of Funny things!

So over the last week I have had a couple of funny momments that I couldn't help but share. Although I might embarass myself or my children I couldn't help it.

The first story happen about a week ago. My sisters and I went out to lunch for my birthday. We are all sitting in our booth chatting away and Oakley decides he needs a drink. I let him try to suck out of my straw....and to my amazement I start to see liquid coming up the straw. I was so excited I started cheering him on. "Come on Okee!" Well he did it! He learned to drink from a straw on my birthday. I was so happy I was clapping and cheering(rather loudly)! Then...............the tears started coming. My sisters are going..."You can tell you are a first time mom!" Joce broke her camera out.( Her big tuff sister was showing some sign of emotion.....I think she thought Hell has froze over and she wasn't going to miss it!)
Meanwhile these to older guys in the booth next to us are looking over at me like I had lost my mind! Oh well....I got the best birthday present ever!



Okay, so now that my embarrasing moment has passed. I hope Dakota is able to read this twenty years from now and get a laugh out of it. The other day she wanted to go outside and help her dad do chores. We told her to go get her clothes on and she could. After a little while I go back to her room to check on her and notice that she has squeezed herself into a pair of jeans that are a little to small and somehow they were sitting crooked on her. She just looked us at me as I walked in and said.........."My balls are being squashed!" I just stood there and was like "What?"
By that time James had wandered back and she repeated herself for him. All we could do was laugh. Finally I composed myself enough to ask her where she had heard that and she said "Nowhere...I just thought it myself!"


Honestly....our kids come out with and do some of the funniest things I have ever seen or heard. I am glad that I get to share those moments with them!

Disgusted!

I can't beleive our great American nation just voted Obama in as the new president. What in the heck are they thinking. This man is nothing but a liar and a cheat. Not to mention......what in the hell kind of American can't even stand at attention when a flag is flying or the Anthem is being sung. All I can say is I wish I could move to Canada right now. At least the people up there are loyal to their country. I am so disgusted and disapointed right now I could puke. What a waste!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our little BuZZZY Bee!

Oakley and Dad doing some serious trick or treating!



Oakley and his cousins showing off their costumes to Grandma and Grandpa Boomer!



We went to my parents neighborhood trunk or treat. Oakley was scared to death of everyone in their costumes. When Kayson came up in his "Screamer" costume Oakley about started to cry. He had his head buried in my chest until we left.



I took Oakely out of his costume because he was sweating to death. Anyways he grabbed one of the witch's brooms and showed us how to get-r-done! Just incase one of the real witches see this....we missed you this year and hope you stop by next year. Also you had better take some pointers...Oakley has it figured out!



When we were tired of trick or treating we went to James' brother Brandon's house to hang out. This picture is more for posterity's sake than anything. We did a pic just like this when Oakley and Emmy were born. Looks like some spoiled dads and kids to me, doesn't it?


Halloween was a blast this year. We even got more trick-or-treaters in the five minutes that we were home than we have in the last three years of living here. Oakley made the cutest bee ever! We ended up going to a trunk or treat, hitting some houses in the neighborhood, and then headed over to Brandon's to hang out. The only sad thing about it....somebody stole one of our pumpkins. On the bright side....it is one less pumpkin that I have to throw away!

right on the money!

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!



In anticipation for the movie to come out. I thought it would be fun to take this little test. I think it is right on. Give it a try and see how you turn out!

Happy 1 year Birthday Oakley

Wow! I can't believe my baby is a year old. I just look at him and I have to hold back the tears. He is such an amazing kid and the best thing about it is he is mine. I am the most blessed person in the world to have him in my life! I guess no matter how old he gets though he will always be my baby.

On a lighter note. We a had a rockin' party for him. I made him a cake that was the coolest cake ever. I do not bake or decorate anything I might bake, so the fact that this cake actually turned out is amazing at best. He loved it though and that is all that matters. He dug right in and tore it up. There really wasn't much left of it and to tell you the truth he ate most of it. If you look at the pictures it looks like he is wearing all of it but there was a lot there. He had such a sugar high he even took his first 6-7 steps all by himself. I think I was more excited than he was, but we all made such a big deal of it he knew he did something big.

Oakley got so many presents,he is having a hard time trying to decide what to play with. I made him his first pair of chinks(chaps) to go with his new rocking horse that he has already rode a million miles on. ( I know it is amazing that he can go a million miles in 4 days)

We all had a lot of fun. My baby is growing up, I guess I better get used to it. I just hope that he knows how much his family loves him! Happy Birthday Okee!

Goodbye Grandpa Witbeck

I know it has been awhile since I have posted anything but the death of my Grandpa Witbeck merits something of a post. I have been enjoying my newfound role as stay at home mom and we have been starting a new business so I have been very very busy. Grandpa has moved me to slow down though and think of my family. He was truely a remarkable man who could make a friend anywhere he went. He spent countless hours nursing us back to health with his garlic tea (nasty!), teasing and joking with us, and telling us stories of when he was a boy or when he was in World War II. We always looked forward to being able to go to Canada and see him or him being able to come to the states and see us! I am very sad to see such a wonderful and noble man leave this world, but I am comforted that he is not suffering and that he is with his family. I know I will see him again someday. Thanks Granpa for all that you did for me. I love you and will always love you!

Take this job and shove it!

So I am a little excited to say that today is my last officail day at Halliburton. I am so glad to be done with all the drama and crap that goes on there. On the other hand I will miss some of the friends I have made there. So I guess you could say it is a little bittersweet. I know it will be worth the sacrifice though to be able to stay home with my kids!

Sweet Pics

While we were out roping the other night a friend of our snapped a few pics. These are a few of my favorites! I am so excited about how they turned out I had to share! They are beautiful! Nicole is so talented! Anyways I am sorry I posted so many, but I coudn't help it.

Growing Boy!

Wow! Oakley is growing so fast! I can't believe it. I was looking through some pictures the other day from when we went to Disneyland and I couldn't beleive how small he was. It seems like he isn't even a baby anymore, even though I know that he still is. He is crawling all over the place getting into everything. He pulls himself up to things now and if he trys to pull himself up and can't he throws the biggest temper tantrum! He is even talking now and says some words like Dad, Mom, Dakota, Uh Oh, and hi. I also taught him to whinnie when you ask him what sound does a horse make? He is so cute and funny I can't even believe what my life would be like without him.

Happy Birthday Dakota

So this is a little late, but I figured I would get it in here anyway. Happy Birthday Dakota! She wasn't with us for her birthday but I think we made up for it with all the parties when she came to see us. We had a good time. We partied it up the the Bethers family and then we partied it up with the Witbeck family. Dakota got more My Little Pony stuff than you can shake a stick at and was overall spoiled rotten. She is growing so fast. It is hard to beleive that she already five and going into kindergarten despite James' and my better interests. Her mom is hell bent on her going though, so I guess we make the best of it. She is smart though so she should be able to hold her own. Anyways time flys and I hope the next 15 years don't go by as fast as the first 5.

Happy Birthday Dakota!

What are you here for?

So yesterday we went out to Primary Childrens Hospital with Oakley. Our doctor here told us that the saggital suture of his skull of starting to fuse early. However when we got there the doctors that looked at him said there is no way that he is fusing early. We really don't even know why you are here. His head is round and he is just fine! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was a big relief to know that he was fine. I knew he was...but it was nice to have a some professional reassurance.

My latest creation!

I have been so excited about getting these chaps done. It was such a fun project. I have to say that when Kati asked me to build them I was wondering how I was going to get them done (not having a machine or all of the tools) but we pulled it together thanks to the boys at McCall Saddle and were able to finish them up.

Now that I have hers done, I have even got orders for more....so if anybody has any need for anything made out of leather let me know and I bet I can get it done. Especially now that I quit my job!

busy...busy....busy

So what can I say it has been a very busy month. We have had some bad times...but mostly we have had a lot of good fun times. It has been amazing watching Dakota and Oakley learn and grow. We are all doing well and we are all just really busy right now. Maybe it will slow down soon....I hope. Here is a slide show to clue you in to what we have been up to.

Hell Week

So this week has been the ultimate hell week. It started off with little Kodi drowning. Then I get a phone call from Oakley's doctor saying that the sutures of his skull are fusing prematurely so we need to go back to Primary Childrens Hospital. Then my dad calls me to tell me that my Uncle Crae got kicked in the face by a horse and lost all of his teeth and they had to sew his lips back on. Then a day later I get a call from my sister because my mom had a heart attack. Next thing I know one of my little brothers good friends shoots himself dead, and then another family friend has a heart attack. So far that is about it and I am hoping there is nothing else coming our way. My mom is doing well though. She was in Portland for a dog show when it happened. She wasn't feeling well and told her friends that she was going to lay down and they told her no and took her to the hospital. On the way there she had a heart attack. They were able to put a stint in and she is doing fine now. She can't lift anything, but she says she feels like she is ready to run a marathon. Anyways that is our update for now. I am looking forward to the start of a new week and hopefully my next post won't be so depressing.

Tradgedy for Cody Williams

It is a sad day. A good friend of mine Kim Anderson, lost her two year old daughter at about 5:30 this morning. Yesterday she fell into the water trough while she was at her dad's house and drown. They life flighted her to Denver and she was in a coma until this morning when she returned to her father in heaven. I am sure most of you know this little girls mother from school. It is such a bad deal for this little family. They aren't really religous people and do not understand the concept of a forever family. I hope and pray that they will be able to pull through this without harboring any hard feelings of blame or guilt. Cody was a cute girl and will be missed by all of us.

Saving on Deisel!

So I am sitting at home Wednesday night (about 9:30 PM) folding laundry, when I get this call from my sister Sonja that goes something like this.

Mind you she is laughing the whole time

Sonja: Jade, where is your husband?

Me: Last I knew he was team sorting at the western park.

Sonja: I don't think he is team sorting.

Me: Why is that?

Sonja: Because he is riding down mainstreet on his horse, with three other guys. A big one, a skinny one with a vest and a normal sized guy. One of them is carrying an American flag.

Me: Jake, Jake, and Ryan. That sounds like something the four of them would do.

While she was on the phone with me...James rode up to her and she asked him, "What are you doing?"

He replied, "Saving on deisel!"

she then gets back on the phone with me and tells me my husband is a goofball and I promptly agreed with her.

Needless to say. The guys were all hungry, so they rode their horses to Burger king to get their dinner. They went right through the drivethrough and all. I guess the girl that gave them their food asked if they could ride up to the window so she could pet their horses. They even had a cop tell them to get out of the road...(my brother in law Steve) He didn't know who it was until he saw James and then I think he was about to die. I guess it was quite the deal though because I got a ton of phone calls the next day telling me about my crazy husband. I friend Tina called me and she said that he had totally made her night. She was waiting table at the 7-11 Ranch and he rode up to the big window and waved at her. She said that one of the guys that she was waiting on asked her if that sort of thing happened often around Vernal. She said no...I think he was just makeing a statement about the fuel prices. He was just like....Oh....That's cool!

Well leave it to my husband to make a statement. It made for a good laugh though!

Wylene and Wenda

Let me just start out by saying these girls are KICK ASS! Pardon the french but there is no other way to put it. They are the toughest, sweetest, kindest girls ever. We were blessed with the opportunity to be able to spend the week with them because they put on a colt starting clinic at my moms house. They are so talented and amazing...words are just not enough. I didn't get a chance to ride with them much but we had a good time visiting. These Pics are of Wylene Wilson. The nasty one is a picture of her leg after she got kicked! She is so dang tough she just took a little nap with it elevated and went right back to riding. I didn't get any pics of Wenda, but she is equally as cool and has the kindest spirit about her. They are a riot when they get together and funny as can be. If you want to check them out on YouTube you can. It is worth it. You can see Wylene riding bucking horses and they can even teach you to swing up! These gals are from the Arizona area and Wylene is single.....so anybody with some good single LDS cowboy friends...she is in the market. She has two cute kids too. They had a ball playing with Sonja's, Joce's, and our kids! The last to pics are of Riker, Kinsley and Dakota haming it up!

Ropin' and Ridin'

We have had so much fun roping this year. We go at least a couple of times a week and make a family affair out of it every time. It is nice to be able to see good friends, eat good food, and just have a good time. James is kicking butt and Holly is working really good for him. She is new to the roping thing but she loves it and is picking up on following and rating the cow. Dakota and Oakley love it because they get to ride and they have lots of friends to play with like Cecil, Wren, and Hadley. We even castrated our stud colt there the other night. I had to laugh because the guy sitting on neck of the colt....would start gagging everytime they used the elastrators. I really thought he was going to puke! It was and still is a lot of fun and something we look forward to doing as a family for years to come.