Two Thousand Eight~ a year in review

"In the year TWO THOUSAND(and eight!)"

This is a compilation of all the things that we have been through this year:

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  January~ I was still working at the bank. Things were going great. I was making life long friendships with Andie and Brock.

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  February~ We took Graden to the doctor for a check on his ears. Only to find out he had RSV. He received a breathing treatment there and we did not have to admit him to the hospital. I stayed home from work, slept on his floor and gave him treatments every few hours for 3 days. It was hard on all of us. He is a trooper and was fine a few days later!

• 
  
  March~ Happy 4th Birthday Natalie and Taylor! We celebrated with G'ma and G'pa Blue and all of my family! A princess themed party! The girls answered the door in full Princess gear! It was a hit! I was also called to be the 1st counselor in the YW. Best calling ever!

• 
  
  April~ My sweet baby boy is ONE? How could this be? With working I really missed 6 months of his 1st year! Every picture taken this day Graden has a somber face! I love all the pictures! He would not even touch his cake! That's my boy! Too cool!

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  May~ Jason is now working for The Burton Group (Top Flight Janitorial). It is hard getting used to not seeing him. I would pull up from work and he would go to work. Having a job is a blessing. Any job!

• 
  
  June~ I get to transfer to a branch closer to home! It cut the miles in half. I had to leave behind my friends. That was the worst part. Jason is working nights and mowing during the day. Due to the economy, we have very little clients.

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  July~ Happy 4th of July! And welcome to BLOGGING! This is when my friends Natalie and Laura really gave me the push to get my blog going. Now look what they have done! Created a MONSTER!!!!!!!! My blog is one of the best things that happened to me. It's my creative outlet. And I got my sisters and a few friends blogging too! I also got to go to Girls Camp! The best week ever!

• 
  
  August~ My 10 year reunion and my 6 year anniversary with Jason! The kids are all healthy and it is HOT outside!

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  September~ Graden takes a spill at Aunt Julie's house, I get to leave paint the town early with Andie and take him to the hospital for a little super glue and a new teddy! Later that same week, it popped open again, same hospital, another new bear! (there is an easier way to get stuffed animals!) Had all the Blue side Ladies come to Boise for the Womens Fitness Walk! (RAIN!!!!!)

• 
  
  October~ The plan is in the works for me to quit! I am holding my breath because it was a long time coming! On the 23rd I had my prayers answered! I was home. G'ma Blue came for Halloween! Lot's of fun that mild night!

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  November~ Jason is working full time and wrestling season has started! Busy family but we are making it work!

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  December~ Santa was good to us! We have steady work, healthy kids and a roof. Granted it's not our roof, but a roof none the less!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND THOSE YOU LOVE!

Scooter Knee Slapper~

Let me set the scene!

We went to Target the day after Christmas. (My Christmas money was burning a hole in my pocket) ;)

As I was checking out Jason treated the kids to a slurpee. Mmmmmm! I took Graden to the bathroom to change his bumb and when I got back Jason was nearly rolling on the floor.

This is what she said.....

" I am feelin' pret-ty damn good ".........


lol!!!

I guess the little boy on Indian in the Cupboard says it. Jason said she just looked up, stared straight at him and let that whopper RIP!!!!

So proud!!!!

ChRiStMaS~Blue Style!

This is not how I thought I would spend Christmas morning! Waiting for my kids to wake up! Jason finally started rousing them at nine! This will probably be the last year for that! Here are some of the pictures of our HOLIDAY!


We had the girls sleep in our closet. We told them that we got a call from Santa and he needed a little more room this year. He had a special project to work on! So, without pause....they jumped into bed!

This Nattie and Taylor just WAITING to dig in. Taylor could not figure out why the gifts did not have names on them. That is because I color coded the wrapping paper!

Red~Graden

Princess~Nattie

Mickey Mouse~Taylor

(I know...OCD)

Shhhhhhhhh!!!!

This is Caitlin, Nattie & Luke the night before at the Cousin Christmas Eve Extravaganza!

All the crazy cousins!

Jason & Graden

Grammy really liked the scarf I crocheted and the perfume!

After the kids were in bed we got a special delivery from the North Pole. A huge box that Jason quickly started to assemble!

And here was some cute fabric that was delivered......

Some really cute painted mirrors and Fairy stickers.....

My oh my, BUNK BEDS...........

(Bumpy beds according to the girls)

Some personalization..........

That fabric made adorable drapes!

What cute mirrors for my little BFF's!

Graden loves his new pillow! LIGHTNING all the way baby!

The boys doing a little wrestle/snuggle thing!

Playing Rock Band 2 at the Gaubys!

I am the EYE OF THE TIGER BABY!!!!!

All in all we had an awesome Christmas. The kids were happy, we were able to do a little this year. But most of all it was great spending a few days with family.

Crocheting, watching movies, playing Spoons (the deluxe edition), eating, talking, laughing and even some singing....game show style!!!!!!

We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!!!!

PS.... stayed tuned for Blue's "What's GREAT in 08' " post!

http://www.dogwork.com/dogsnow/

This is a totally cool video. And it makes my dogs look like they are in special ed!

Another "Natalieism"...

(We were snuggling on the couch)

Me~"I love you more, than you love me!"

Nat~"No, I love you more than you love me..........But I don't love your stinky breath!"


Hey, somebody has to finish off the Chex Party Mix!!!!!! Hhaaaaahhhh! Get a whiff!

December 12, 1976

This was the day that Graden and Teri brought a sweet, warm, little snuggly boy named JASON ANDREW BLUE home from the hospital 32 years ago. It was close enough to Christmas that he rode home in a red and white stocking!

He has dedicated his life to being an obedient son of our Heavenly Father, and his parents. To being a good brother to Adam, Darelyn, and Valerie. A sometime silent cheerleader, but never wavering. He was a great missionary, and touched several families. We still get Christmas cards from some! He has chosen to be a WONDERFUL spouse to me, in very happy and hard times. He ADORES his children. He has a stern but loving hand in their lives. Choosing a sport to sacrifice YEARS of his life to that requires HARD WORK, self MOTIVATION, PAIN, and sometimes INJURY to. Wrestling is a PASSION for him.

This is the day to wish this special man a great and wonderful 32nd Birthday! We love you!

Christmas TAG!

I must be the worst TAG stealer in town! Thanks Angie! Your answers were way better than these!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I love wrapping. But I save all the bags we get and have to eventually use them!
2. Real tree or Artificial? I am scared of a real tree. What if it burns down? We have had the same tall skinny Charlie Brown tree for 6 years now. It's a tradition in itself!
3. When do you put up the tree? The week after Thanksgiving!
4. When do you take the tree down? Jason likes it down pronto!
5. Do you like eggnog? I have never tried it. The yogurt at TCBY was YUCKO! That stuck in my head! And I read that they are like drinking a liquid hamburger. Not a good visual in trying it!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Cabbage Patch doll in 1985. (It's on video, so I think that is why I remember it!)
7. Do you have a nativity scene? I made one this year at a Super Saturday! It's glass blocks that have white lights in them and black vinyl (Wise men, Joseph-Mary-Baby Jesus, Shepard's)! I love them!
8. Hardest person to buy for? JASON! I tell him everything.
9. Easiest person to buy for? My kids! The smallest things bring them enormous joy.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? MAIL!
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I cannot recall. Guess it was not that bad!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Polar Express..... I just love it!
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? November. Unless I have a very specific theme.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Mexican food! Feliz Navidad Baby! I have no idea when we started doing Mexican. But it has kind of stuck!
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree ? Ours are clear and milky-white alternated. Pretty snazzy!
17. Favorite Christmas song? I don't know the name. It's about a little girl walking in the market and buys a bird and it's a Nightingale. I should ask Delilah....:) I have not heard it yet this year...sad!
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We drove 13 hours in horrific snow last year to Oregon. We are home this year. By next year I am sure I would travel again!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer,Vixen,Comet,Cupid, Doner,Blitzen......Rudolph!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? We have a pine cone themed star.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? One on Christmas eve, the others in the morning! (if there are any!!!!!)
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The commercialization(?) of CHRISTmas.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Rustic
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Duh.... Tacos!
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I already have it all! But if you were going to get me something.... go ahead! I have a lot of gifts to give and I will recycle!!!!!! hehehehehe! :)

I tag Jennifer and Megan. Or else I will put that 1985 Smith Family Christmas video on YOUTUBE! :)

Ginger Bread Coma.....

I was asked by a friend of a friend to do a favor for a friend. (You see where the problem begins!)

What? Use my cake decorating expertise to skillfully write the name of local dentists on approximately 6 custom made ginger bread houses from LL BEAN? No problem!

What's really in a DETAIL? Who, What, When, Where, How many?

Like....6 is really around 30. I lost count.

Skillfully as in I don't "do" icing from a tube so I had to run to Jo-Ann's and buy some real Wilton materials.

Time? As in I got there at 1 pm and had to be home before Jason's FIRST dual of the year at 5 pm?

Frantically calling my older sister Julie (who is very ill with the stomach flu) to go and get my kids from Borah HS because how do you coach with 3 little kids at your feet?

Oh, this is at 5:30 pm. Still elbow deep in blood red icing. No end in sight!

Perfection? As in out of the 30 I iced, I re-did around 15. Once again, I lost count!

(I am going to leave out the phone calls to Jason trying to explain the "situation" I had gotten myself into for the censor will explode)


Staining off white carpet........ Yep, it got worse. Some of the icing blurped out of the end of the bag on her OFF-WHITE carpet. :) is all I can say!

The light at the end of the tunnel.........................I was done. No more Ginger Bread houses in the Garage, no more red icing, no more sitting "criss cross" apple sauce!

The time you ask.......7:44 pm.

Here are the perks:
AWESOME LADY~Whom I would work for again!
$$$$$ for Ho hO Ho!$$$$$
A neat Ginger Bread House for my kids
Stained red hands! (it's freakin the girls out!)
Going to the brink of HYSTERIA and back

And I quote......

N~"Mom, look at my coloring!"
me~"Wow! That looks like at least a 7 or 8 year olds coloring!"
N~"Yeah! Just like yours!"


BA DUM DUM CHING!

Our Turkey Family 2oo8

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

BEFOREThings I am Thankful FoR!

~Jason

*Natalie

~Taylor

*Graden

~My Mommy

*Jason's parents

~My Sisters and their wonderful families

*Jason's siblings and their wonderful families

~The Gospel

*My health

~My families health

*Young Womens

~Friends both GOLD & SILVER

*Jason's employment

~Music

*Texting

~Working and reliable automobiles

*A practical home

~Blogging

*Trials

~Pepsi

*Being Debt FREE

~Police Officers and Fire Men and Paramedics

*My life......

And this beautiful yummy Turkey day to spend with my family!

AFTER

hehehehehehehe!

mE n' tHe KiDdO's

I guess I am never really in any of the pictures with the kids. I thought I should change that! I also have no idea what is on Natalie's face..... ugh!

Everybody SQUEEZE!

People say that Graden and I look so much alike. I don't really see it. I guess I kind of do in this picture. Our eyes are almost the EXACT same color of hazel. Brown around the pupil and green around the outside. The girls eyes are like chocolate. Jason is still the outsider with his crytsal blues!

Say ChEeSe! I love my sweet boy! I will be sad when his teeth grow in! I adore all the gaps! It's hillarious when he smiles!

Stolen TAG!

Shhhhh..... I stole this tag from Juliette! I thought it was cute! I tag anyone who wants to! :)
1. Where is your cell phone? Here
2. Your significant other? Jason
3. Your hair? Up
4. Your mother? Introverted
5. Your father? MIA
6. Your favorite thing? Napping
7. Your dream last night? Forgotten
8 Your favorite drink? Pepsi
9. Your dream/goal? Comfort
10. The room you’re in? Dining room
11. Your hobby? Joking
12. Your fear? Accidents
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Alive
14. What you’re not? Tidy
15. Muffins? Yummy
16. One of your wish list items? Nice camera
17. Where you grew up? Boise
18. The last thing you did? Diaper
19. What are you wearing? Jammies
20. Favorite gadget? oxo Can opener
21. Your pets? Stinky
22. Your computer? Slow
23.Your mood? Sluggish
24. Missing someone? Old friends
25.Your car? Dirty
26. Something you’re not wearing? Bra
27. Favorite store? Antique anything
28. Like someone? Sometimes
29. Your favorite color? Blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? Earlier
31. Last time you cried? Movie

The verdict is in........

Two ThUmBs up!

I have been slaving over this sketch for days! jk!

In Limbo~

Limbo???? I am in a weird place right now! I thought that leaving work and coming home would be easy. I thought that the transition back to stay at home miracle worker would just be like riding a bike! Well guess what? I have been home for about 4 weeks and I am not in any sort of groove. My house is still not clean, the laundry still piles up before my eyes, the kids are still getting used to me being home, the routine is not set, and sometimes I feel out of place. In my own home none the less. In my mind I guess I thought I would just walk back into this Bree Vandacamp kind of life. Not so much! The old part of me is so used to going going going, that I feel like I am still spinning. Before I know it my kids are going to be in school all day and I will look back and regret not making the most of them at my feet or in my shadow.

Great romance website!

www.love2romance.com

A friend of mine from our ward in Nampa launched a new romance website.
It is VERY tasteful and sweet! I really enjoyed checking it out! You should take a look at it! I thought the site was adorable!

The Kiddo TAG!

This is a fun TAG! Thanks Laur'! ;)

Name 10 things you love about the tagged child!

I Herby TAG:

Maddix M.
Brody M.
Claire C.
Katelyn B.
;)


Here is our Lil' G........he is 4 1/2 weeks old in this picture! Where does the time go?




ONE~ We love his dimples!
TWO~ We love sweet sounds he makes! Ahh after a big drink...Ohhhh when he lies down in the tub!
THREE~ We love that he will carry on the BLUE name!
FOUR~ We love the way he points and squeals at who ever is not folding their arms during prayer!
FIVE~ We love it when he makes the rounds at night for his "ni-ni" kisses! He doesn't miss a person!
SIX~ We love how he is so independent! Especially at the park! I often think I have lost him but he is playing inside a tunnel all by his lonesome!
SEVEN~ We love it when he points to the picture of Jesus on our planter shelf!
EIGHT~ We love how he mimics his sisters! Head bands, bracelets....ok, Dad is not so much a fan of this one!
NINE~ We love how he lights up the house in the morning! It's just not the same when he sleeps in!
TEN~ We love that he chose us to come and be apart of our family!

WE LOVE YOU GRADEN JOHN BLUE!

Silly~ness!

This "Brock Hawk" is for my friend! A special shout out!



These are our other family members......Tucker(red), and Cody(black)! I feel bad that everybody else gets "blog" time, minus them!

They are soo wierd!

We have had Tucker for 2 years. He is a good boy. Protective, excitable, fun, HUGE, and really pretty. When we lived in Nampa he used to dig a ton and I wanted to KILL him. Not so much now. (After the snip snip) :) He is a good boy! One time we went on a family bike ride and all of a sudden I could hear a dog running behind us...(I have a fear of being out with the kids and being attacked by a Pit Bull)... I turned around and it was Tucker! We were not by the house either! He jumped the 8 foot fence and followed the squeels of our girls I guess! Not that you could miss the scratching sound of the double training wheels!

Cody was an impulse thing on my part! I saw a flyer at Albertson's for a free puppy and called that very second! I picked him up that night! Jason was like "what the H*ll!" Cody has turned out to be a great little dog! We are not sure what he is mixed with, but he has not gotten bigger in months! So..... we hope this is it!

I look out the back window and they are always together! Cody is drapped on Tucker! Wierd muts! :)







These are just a few Sunday pictures! Graden and I stayed home sick and Jason took the girls to Sacrament! Their program was today and I was sooo sad to miss it! I felt like crap and did not want to get ready for church to sit there and feel like I would have looked! I am kind of glad Jason was able to share that with the girls! He said they did an AWESOME job! They knew all the words to the songs, did great on their lines, and smiled at him the WHOLE time! Before he knows it, they will be all grown up! I think that really hit him today! He IS a GREAT Pappa!

A CALL TO VIRTUE! 2OO8

We took our awesome YW to the base of Table Rock for a CALL TO VIRTUE! We set our sights on the Temple in the horizon! It was a great fireside! WE have the best girls!

A dead cat.....Ballerina's......and a NAKED ELMO!

This is what a dead cat looks like! Thank goodness Jason was still in bed when I saw this... chk chk...boom!

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I found this "How to be a Ballerina" movie at the library! The girls loved it! Graden...just stood there!



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NaKeD ElMo! Hurry! While supplies last! Check your kids Christmas list! It's a must have!*

*White pasty thighs not included!

Uh.... I thought this was cute (the poem, not the lame picture) :)