Christmas with the Short's

Grandma Lori's Christmas Eve P.J.'s

Joe got a robe instead of P.J.'s this year 

She was too cute not to post

Nativity

Christmas morning our big ticket item this year was the new chairs for family movie night. Plus The big one on the left is a new long mirror for me... FINALLY!!! 

Jordan got this fun ball from Grandma Sally

It scared him to death!! It was so funny. 

I got this bag two months ago, it has been awful waiting for her to open it.

Joe got us shoveled out, it only took and hour.

Ora needed princess hair for Kade's (our babysitter, and my 2nd cousin) house. I think she has a little crush

We had such a fun day and were so glad to be invited to my Aunt Cindy's house for dinner. It was nice to be around family. 

What a great Day!!

As I sit hear watching my children play with their new toys, and Look over and see my sweet husband just looking on as well, I am so grateful for all I have been given. We may not have everything we want. But, who needs that. We have been so extremely blessed. My children love and know their Savior. They know he is there friend and teacher. They know where to turn for the answers to the problems they face every day. (Michael asked if an angel could come a shock Ora the other day, and was not happy when I told him that only worked for Nephi, and that Ora was not trying to kill him) 

There is a serious blizzard out my window and We are safe and warm inside our home. We are surrounded by love and happiness at every moment. All because we have a loving Heavenly Father who, if we listen to his counsel, will make our lives the best lives possible. He gave up his only begotten son to die for us. He watched him lay in a manger and be born into the world. He watched as he overcame the word and suffered for OUR sins. And he watched him die on the cross so that, if we choose, we can live with him again. And he watches us, he sends so many blessings down to us each and every day. He knows and loves me better than I do, he knows what I am capable of, and he wants all of it for me.  This day I am so thankful for my sweet family. My very own little one, and my big old huge one that I share with so many.

Have a great day everyone, I hope it does not go too fast!

Merry Christmas!!! 

So late

Jordan turned two years old on Dec. 8th. We spent the day as normal and then when Joe got home we had his favorite dinner Spaghetti. Then after dinner we had Cake and Ice cream and opened his present a Big Wheel (remember those) He will fit it in about two more years. I had no idea he would not fit, oh well he loves it. And scoots just fine. 

Here's his cake it is supposed to be a steering wheel. 

And ice cream with chocolate sauce just like grandma Poff used to do!!

Why she may never sleep through the night on her own

And I make no apologies for loving every single minute of it!!! 

I was raised by my two heros!!

I was out tonight at our Relief Society Christmas party and we had the most magical time sharing our different family traditions. By the end we were all feeling so great and on a huge spiritual high when in comes one of the ladies who had just been taking things to her car to tell us that her window was broken and so were several other cars in the lot. My relief Society presidents face went pale and she ran to her car.  Our ward is in so much trouble his year. We have a ton of families who are just barley keeping things together and our Angel tree has been overwhelming. So much so that another ward stepped in to help us out. They brought there gifts to the church tonight and left them in her car.  Yes they are all gone. Her window was smashed along wit 5 others and the gifts are gone. I have no words.. I do not know how low you have to sink to steal from a church!?? I called mom just to vent because I am just heart sick over this and of course she and Ness are sending what they can to help us replace the gifs. Thank you both so much. I can get some sleep tonight knowing I can at least shop and help out with this. I am so grateful for you both!! I do not know what our ward is going to do I know this will help though. Sometimes I just wish I could give more but REALLY Joe and I have done what we could, and I know everyone in our ward is thinking the same thing.  THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH!!!!   YOU WILL BE ANGELS THIS YEAR FOR SURE!!

As I was sitting on my couch today holding my newest baby girl I took the chance to get some pictures. Which one should I put into the cute picture frame next to my bed. Thanks Tiff!!

KISS

Sleeping

Smiles

Checking her out

Survivor

I am usually not one to blog about T.V. but let me just say this. I LOVE Survivor!!! Joe will not watch it with me, so Friday mornings are my favorite. I open up the computer and ignore my kids while I watch. I have watched every season since it began and have always enjoyed it But let me just say.... This season is by far the best one ever! I am loving all of the twists and turns it has taken. The way people have learned how to play the game has been awesome. So many twists and turns, such manipulation, fake idols, good fake idols,Randy, immunity, votes, grown up people throwing better fits than my three year old girl!! So much FUN!  GO BOB and SUGAR!!

Hello my name is Erin

I am a MAJOR sugarholic, I mean if there is sugar within my home I will sniff it out and consume it without even stopping to think about it. For example Jordan's birthday was on Mon. We had fun cake and ice cream and then everyone went to bed. I got up the next day and began just taking bites of cake whenever I would see it, This morning IT IS GONE!! This used to not be such a problem but 4 kids in 5 years has taken it's toll. And even though I am very grateful for how much weight I have not gained during this time I am not where I would like to be. So I have a goal... I am giving up Sugar for the new year!!!

I know HOLY CRAP that is a big goal!!! But, I am serious. As I get older I know there is just no way I will be able to keep up this habit and I know I will only get bigger as the years go by if I do not do something now!! So here I am I am going to go out with a bang. I do not want to punish myself through Christmas but after that, it begins. So I want all of you out there to share your favorite Holiday Goodies and let me go out with a delicious Bang!! I will really not be having sugar for a long time so I want to get it all out of my system now. Please share I will be very grateful to look back on this Christmas and think of the sugar I am sure I will be missing very much be Jan 5th!!

Our Christmas Tree

We went and got our tree kind of spontaneously the other day. It was so fun, we did not plan on getting a tree but, once we decided just to look at what they had we ended up getting "our tree." We brought it home and got it in. I ended up doing more decorating than picture taking so there are not a ton of pictures but what I did get is on here.  

It is so much fun to get out all of our ornaments and remember when we got them. I have this one that I made when I was 6 or 7 and it has a picture of me in it from back then. I love showing it to my kids every year. They always get a kick out of it. Joe and I both still have our first baby ornaments and we have a new ornament for every year we have been together. We get the kids a new one every year and it is really one of my favorite parts of Christmas. We also have our shot gun shell lights which are awesome!! Joe got them on his mission from a lady who seriously sells them out of her front yard. When they light up they are so pretty, and during the day when you see them they are just plain funny! I love our tree!! And isn't our little angel for the top perfect.

BIG BOY

This is him! Need I say more? 

But I will, my little angel boy will be two tomorrow! He was such a sweet little angel baby, he came out of me knowing he was the third baby, and in a time when life for our family was not as peaceful as I would have liked, he brought calm to our home. And two years later he is the chaos. Life for us has calmed but this boy may just always need to be the opposite of whatever the world around him is. He refuses to talk and we have been in battle about it for a few weeks now. I know he can speak and he is just refusing to do it. The tantrums have come in full force and so have the frequent trips to the bed with loving words spoken "Come out when you are calm" He climbs up and down my furniture and I know he is waiting to break his leg until Jan 1st because our deductible is met for this year.  He has stabbed my couch with the the bread knife while I was in the bathroom (now he comes or I hold it) He's tried to "play" baseball with Abby. And was heartbroken when I told her She doesn't play! We end the days exhausted and he wakes screaming (he gets that from me) But then when I feel I can take no more he does something like this....

Last night the boys went to bed fighting. Michael and Jordan both sleep on the bottom bunk in their bedroom and sometimes they disagree on who gets what blanket or who gets to have a drink first. Last night about five minutes after they had calmed down a little I heard a horrible scream coming from the bedroom. I went in to find Jordan with a bright red cheek and Michael (the most honest kid on the planet) explaining why he had bite his brother. No excuses held up and he had his silky blanket and his Mickey Mouse taken away. When Michael feels what he has done was justified he gets heartbroken and just does not understand. I did my best to tell him that no matter what Jordan had done he was never allowed to punish him because it is my job to take care of that stuff. So I left the room with  him lightly sobbing into his pillow and my heart aching for him as I closed the door. Then after watching a movie with Joe I was headed to bed and went in to check on my kids. I opened the door and found Jordan sleeping with his arm wrapped over his big brother and his silky covering them both. He had comforted and shared his most prized possession with the brother who had gotten his taken away. And not just that, he needed to comfort the boy who not a few minutes before had bite his cheek so hard it was still red this morning. 

I guess I can get through the chaos just to see how this man turns out. 

Happy birthday Baby!!

Michael's Turn

Another one I just have to share!  We took our kids to IHOP yesterday to end Dads vacation week properly. It was so much fun, we talked about all the things we did this week and decided what we would do for the last day. we ate pancakes and drank diet coke (well at least I did) So so so fun. When the waiter brought the check I got out my wallet and my coupon and Michael said "Whatcha doin mom?" I told him I needed to pay the bill, to which he replied with an extremely puzzled look.... "Isn't that Grandma's job?"

Proof that we need to get out more and not just when we have company who loves to spoil us all rotten. 

However if anyone is interested in taking over this job let me know the position has been officially opened! No Grandmahood required though spoiling tendencies are helpful.

Shopping with the Short's

What do the Shorts do when Joe takes vacation?? We go to the new Smiths marketplace where we have heard they have kid size shopping carts. Seriously, we had so much fun. We were there for over two hours just wandering through the isles. Michael and Ora got to push their own carts and it was so fun to watch them pick up the things we needed and put them in their "own" carts to buy. 

Showing Michael the Fish

This was right before Ora decided to pick up a case of Heinekin and put it into her cart when I told her she could pick out her own drink. In the future I will remember the beer on the left Soda on the right.

Jordan was good, I will admit I expected him to freak out because he did not get to push his own cart but he was happy to sit and watch. (Yes, we did get a tree to but I will post that tomorrow)

Checking out. They would not let me help them. We almost had problem with the soda but Michael was able to help Ora out.  

Racing to the car..... Don't worry I have Abby in my sling not in the tipped over car seat.

Happy Funny Thaksgiving

How fun was my thanksgiving day!! My Sister And her cute family came up to spend the day with us and it was my first year cooking. We had the best time goofing off in the kitchen all day and eating together.

The Pictures!!

this is me half cooking half praying  my oven would not blow up, it tends to catch on fire at least once a week and it made it through the whole day without incident.... See prayer works!!

Bob and the little boys in the backyard so cute playing football!!

Abby's contribution to the cooking. 

The "men" in between the three trips to walmart for things we forgot or to replace the ruined rolls the boys watched the dog show.... I mean football! Shhhh we said we would not tell. 

Cristen brought up cute turkey foam magnets to make with the kids that turned out to be Thanksgiving beavers, No kidding Beavers with pilgrim hats and corn in there paws?? Oh well, next time we open the package before we buy, but the kids loved it!

My finished turkey YUMM!!

Jacob trying sparkling cider. 

Joe ready to eat!  Two plates later. 


The girls after dinner.

We had so much fun cooking this meal. I put the turkey in the oven and five minutes later my house was filled with smoke, I am still not sure why. I called my mother who was down at Grandmas in St. George and she told me to turn down the heat and cover my bird in foil. (first trip to walmat to get foil) A couple hours later I was on the phone with mom again to see if she sautee'd her vegi's for the stuffing (yes we do) I just happened to pull out the pies to check what they would need when I yelled, What and hour to cook and they are better if they sit a few hours after that. WHAT!!?? So I put in the pies. Then I told my mother she should have prepared me better and to stop laughing! The turkey was probably a half  hour from done so I started the sides, My mother (the not preparer) told me I should have put the stuffing in the crock pot that morning.  Something she could have told me TUESDAY!! Anyway, we continued the sides and amazingly we were done all at the same time. We had Turkey and stuffing, Yams with brown sugar and marshmallows, Cooked carrots, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy (which turned out great by the way), and pretzel jello! We had pumpkin and razzelberry pie a few hours later with the real stuff whipped cream! 

We had so much fun laughing at ourselves and making mistakes, peeling the top of the pumpkin pie, yes even being betrayed by grandma when she told my mom I had called yet again. It was a day to remember, for sure. My first ever Home made all by me thanksgiving meal! And thank you mom you are awesome and I am so glad we could share our day together!!

My Borthers

I was thinking today how grateful I am that I chose to come to this earth, I have been reading a new book that has kind of opened my eyes to how easy it would have been to follow satan. I can see why so many did. And I wonder how I got where I am. I hope I was strong and never doubted the plan. But I can't know for sure. I am so grateful for my Savior who gave so much for me and my life. Anyway me thinking always turns into rhyme.

My Brothers

How do I see him? I've opened my eyes

This brother of mine who is made up of lies

He sits high on a throne, his angels surround

But his glory is stolen in lives he has found

Stolen souls of people I love

People who gave up light from above.

Souls who never will know what they lost

A body given at such a high cost

Scared for the pain a body would bring

He told them salvation was a sure thing

They chose comfort and joy over sorrow and loss

The deceiver deceived them and became there boss

now never being able or free to choose

They wander this earth finding souls to loose

They do his bidding and honor his will

They know me and loved me and live with me still

My brother sends them to bring me down

He wants my soul to adorn his crown

How do I see him this brother of mine

Those beautiful eyes that for me shine

The man who loved when my soul was born

The man who for me his life was torn

The Son of the Father who lives for Him still

The brother who bends to The fathers will

He sits among men, he works with us all

He lifts every brother he prays us not to fall

His life and his power he never shows 

The Fathers light, is the one that glows

He wants so badly to bring me home

He's given so freely, he wandered alone

How much do I give to these brothers of mine

Which one do I glory who's light do I shine

Who do I pick when I pick every day

Who's love do I choose when I walk on my way

Do I take the glory for me and my stuff

Or do I let my Fathers light be enough

My two big brothers who fight for my soul

Who do I choose, Who is my goal.

Everyday I wake up every day I fight

Everyday I get up and I choose the right

Do I fall? Of course I am human, I chose

But the brother who loves me the most arose

He gave his life so I could give

He rose again so I could live

He suffered and toiled was spit on and beat

He gave up a life and I won't be weak

I will wake every day and start again

The gift of repentance I give back to him

I'll use his life to make mine more

I'll use his gift to be clean and pure

Choosing the brother who loved me the best

Giving my life letting him give the rest. 

Random pictures

I just thought I would put up a few pictures from our house over the last week or so...

Abby's foot after 5 days of heel pricks. the other one looks like one big huge bruise!

Sleeping with Grandma Pender's beautiful blanket! It is so soft and warm I had to pass it down from Ora to her little sister

My turn hanging the lights

Joe noticing the pattern will be off when he hangs the next string, will he fix it, bulb by bulb... Yes he just might!

Poor joe trying to fix the bathtub drain with too many kids in the tub. He does not have the heart to tell them the were in the way!!

Fondue sure is Fun-to-do!!

You all already know I'm a dork!!!

One of my favorite things in all of the world I owe to my friend Marianne! She and I met in Vegas right after I had Michael. We were living in the same condo development and we practically lived at each others house for a while! Then I moved to my house(UGH), Mark (her hubby) graduated from UNLV and she moved to Utah, and we followed a while later. But way back in Vegas We were invited to dinner at Marrianne's house. We entered and saw for the first time A big pile of raw meat sitting on the table! AACK!!! Right next to the meat was a bowl overflowing with pieces of bread. What were we going to do.... I will say Joe tightened up a little bit. Raw meat and bread??? but we stuck it out to see what it was and fell in love with our new favorite treat! Fondue done right. Before this experience the only thing I knew about fondue was chocolate! And now a few years later we are getting it down to a science. 

We start by deciding who will host the event. Who gets to clean and who pack up there laundry basket to head over to the others house. Then we divide the shopping list. I will bring meat, bread, bananas, apples, strawberries, sour cream french onion dip, ect... Then we get together and laugh and talk while we all get a little bit fatter. And by fatter I mean seriously drunk on happiness and carmel. 

Last night we got together to do it again.  Heres some memories from the night. 

Okay this one has nothing to do with fondue. But, I saw this moto bike trailer. It was so funny Joe said "The guy goes into the trailer shop and says give me a trailer for my bike nothing else, not a gas can not a rope, just my bike."

Prep for fondue means cutting the french bread into bite size peices!

Close up of the table, We had a blue cheese and a more traditional fondue cheese made with Emmentaler and Gruyere YUMMM!!!! Oil in the middle for perfect meat sour cream dip for the meat to the back, Chocolate and carmel on the sides with the fruit surrounding!  I almost forgot the best drink to go with fondue is grape cool aid!

Mark already cooking meat for the kids Joe's hands ready and rearing to go!!

Collin after he got done with his strawberries! So stinking cute, he kept rubbing his poor little eyes and making the strawberry juice pain worse.