Incredible Pizza

Tonight I got to take my boys and my 2 nephews to the new Incredible Pizza in Draper and meet some of my friends there. It was our first time trying it out and I have to say we really liked it. It's a bit on the pricey side (go figure), but I think worth it and better than Chuck E Cheese (which we still love anyway). It was hard to coordinate everyone and keep track of all the boys at all times. They were having too much fun exploring the place with all the lights and noise from the machines. But a good time was had by all and all the kids came home with at least one prize, so they were thrilled. Here's some pics of our fun.

Christmas 2010

Christmas morning was so fun at our house this year. And it happened in shifts. Caleb got up around 5:30 and after getting restless in our bed we finally took him downstairs around 6 to see his Santa stuff. Zaric didn't come down until about 6:30 and he played with some of the toys from their stash and then Zaden didn't come down until about 7:15. Once everyone was up and had gotten to play with the toys Santa brought we sorted and opened the presents under the tree. The boys got spoiled like normal and so did Mom and Dad. After some pancakes for breakfast and some more playing we headed off to Price to Papa's house for more present opening and dinner and fun. We played some games and watched some movies and just enjoyed time together. Then today it was back home to the Christmas mess we left behind. We brought 2 of our nephews home with us so it should be a fun few days here at the house with them. Here are a few pics from Christmas morning at our house and a few from Papa's house.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from Our House to Yours!

Christmas Eve at Our House

We've had a long day of baking, baking and more baking at our house for Christmas Eve. We got Peppernuts, Snickerdoodles and sugar cookies made. Caleb was really into helping out this year it was a nice change and really fun for him. Mike even jumped in to help when I was told I was doing the Peppernuts wrong. It was a recipe from Grandma Braska and the first time I had tried it so Mike saved the day.

Zaden liked the decorating portion of the sugar cookies and kept putting sprinkles on his sprinkles. Zaric however wasn't interested in any of it all day. He was too busy playing.

Mike and Caleb also did a little painting project to pass the time.

After some naps, watching National Lampoons Christmas Vacation and a yummy ham dinner, the boys all shared a bath and slipped into their new Christmas jammies.

Our plate of cookies is ready for Santa, just waiting for the rest of the night to pass until bed time. I think this is the worst part of Christmas Eve, the waiting....Hurry Santa!

Zoo Lights

We finally made it to Zoo Lights this year just in the nick of time with our good friends the Jones's. We were a little intimidated by the length of the line to get in but decided to tuff it out and wait. I am glad we did. The boys had a good time looking at the lights and we had a good time visiting. The weather was also perfect to stay nice and toasty while we walked around.

Christmas Songs

Caleb did so great at his Christmas Sing a Long at his school this morning. The first grade was the last group to go but I think it was worth the wait. They did a song in Chinese and then a Christmas song that we have never heard called 6 Pink Peppermints. Enjoy!

Sick and Twisted

We had a rough week at the Ouren household starting with Sunday night when both Mike and Caleb came down with fevers. Caleb ended up with a respiratory infection and missed school 4 of 5 days. Mike seems to just have the flu and missed a couple days work with his. We thought he was done with his but it came bounding back on Friday the same day that he was nice enough to share it with me. We have been spending most of the weekend pretty laid back, resting and hopped up on Dayquil. Caleb is doing much better and ready to hit school tomorrow. Mike and I both felt like we had been run over with a truck when we got up this morning. I did manage to run to a couple stores today and make these cinnamon twists this evening.


However, I think the score is still Becca =1, cold/flu= 5,463! Here's hoping we feel well enough for work tomorrow and that this passes before Christmas. Send us vitamin C wishes!

Ornaments 2010

One of my favorite traditions every year is to get my boys each a new ornament for the family Christmas tree. This year Caleb helped me pick them out on Etsy.com. They arrived today and are so cute and even personalized. They wasted no time putting them on the tree which now feels complete. What are some of your favorite traditions with your family Christmas tree?

8 Easy Steps to Grandma's Christmas Party

Step 1. Gather the food and the family.

Step 2. Provide entertainment with things that make you go "EEEK!"

Step 3. Add in some things that make you go "Huh?"

Step 4- Add things that make you go...........

Step 5- Throw in some research for a random Science Fair Project.

Step 6- Presents!!!!!!!

Step 7- Santa!!!!!!!!

Step 8- And to end off the night -Horrible Karaoke (enjoy some snippets from the various songs we sang).

Ouren Boys vs. Santa

We had a rough year with Santa's visit this year. All 3 of my boys were not having it.

Zaden cried and tried to get away even with Daddy's help.

Zaric decided that the best policy was just to close his eyes and pretend Santa wasn't there. He wouldn't open his eyes at all.

And Caleb first hid in a bedroom. Santa had to go in after him. He was in there crying. He somehow got it in his head that he was on the naughty list this year so he wanted nothing to do with Santa. Thing is, we have no idea where he got that idea. Mike and I haven't said that to him at all. We are thinking something at school maybe? Santa finally coaxed him out of the bedroom for a couple pics, but he wouldn't smile.

By the end he was being a little better and sitting by Santa at least. But he wouldn't go back up there for a good picture for his mommy.

So sorry, no good Santa pics this year. Momma is frustrated and disappointed. Someday I'll probably look back at this year and laugh. But I'm not there yet.

At least we are almost guaranteed a better reaction to Santa's real visit in less than 2 weeks.

P.S. More pics from Grandma's party coming up, stay tuned.