All Together

As Christmas approached rumors of my bother, Ivan, were floating around about weather or not he would be home from Iraq. On Christmas Eve the word was that no he was not going to be home. Even then I was still hoping he would show up. Christmas morning came along and guess what, Ivan surprised the family. Not only was it so nice to see my brother for the first time in over a year but the fam was together. It is such a blessing that all 24 members of the family were able to come together to celebrate Christmas.

Family Visits

During our Christmas vacation Jake, Tori, my little sister, Nina, and I took a road trip and were able to visit some of my extended family i have not been able to see in a very long time. It was great. I am planning on going down there more often. There is no way i can let another 6 years go by with out seeing them again.

Winch

So listen to this. Tonight at about 8:20pm Tori and I arrived at the nearest redbox location to return a movie I rented a couple nights before. Conveniently this redbox site has two machines, one inside the store and one on the outside. With the temperature easily below freezing and having Tori with me there wasn't a question that I was going to go inside to return my movie. After I quickly took Tori out of the car seat I headed toward for the warmth of the store at a bit faster pace of a normal walk to get Tori out the cold. I was not in any time crunch to return my DVD to avoid another one dollar fee, I just wanted to get inside. Well as I was about to pass the outside redbox with a ridiculously long line a lady zoomed up, parked in the fire lane, jump out of her car, ran in front of me (seriously, she was running), and then jump into the line in the line I was never going to get into. Shameful! Oh let me tell you I let her know that she was shameful. I said as I was walking past," Oh my gosh who does that runs in front of someone with a baby in the cold?" Then as the door was opening I turned around pointed at Tori, looked that little winch right in the eye and gave her the stinkiest stink eye, and said "Seriously." Of course she knew she was wrong and said nothing back to me because she knew she was shameful.

Christmas Videos

Here are a few videos of my Christmas Day...

This is of my brother in law, Sergio, receiving a the most memorable gift. And no his wife didn't give it to him. Good one Angela.

My mom leading us in song. LOL!!!

Sunday Mornings

Just Like Dad

Tori not only look like her dad she likes to do the same things as he does.

Christmas Greetings

Dear Family and Friends,
I am very excited that it is the season to be sending Christmas cards and that I am sending out our family’s very first Christmas greeting. 2008 was full of adventures and blessings. The biggest adventure and blessing of the year was the birth of Tori.
Tori was born into this world on January 28th, healthy and alert. My labor with her was fast and was such a great experience. Like all babies, Tori is growing so fast. Currently she loves to give high fives, clap her hands, jibber jabber, and crawl very fast. She also loves to play with her little friend, Reggie. She even recently tried to give him a kiss. She is such a sweetheart!
Speaking of sweethearts, mine is also doing great. Jake graduates this month in manufacturing engineering and business management. We are so excited for no more school. He is working at Rocky Mountain Composites as a manufacturing engineer right now. Basicly, he uses computers and robots to make carbon fiber airplanes. Jake has also been busy working on our home, learning how to create websites, and being an extraordinary father and husband.
As for me, I have enjoyed the year being a full time mom and blogging away. Recently I have decided to become a certified doula. As a doula I will support mothers emotionally and physically through childbirth. I am not sure just how much I will work as a doula but helping women give birth is a growing passion of mine. Since August I have been busy with my church calling and responsibilities as a joint activities committee chair for our congregation.
Being the head honchos of our congregation’s activities Jake and I have learned many valuable lessons. We (mostly me) have learned how to delegate responsibilities, how to listen to others’ ideas, become better organized, and how to throw one mean party. We have also been able to become better friends with fellow church members, and have had so much fun. Jake and I would like to thank his parents for babysitting Tori on the nights of our activities.
Even though Jake and I have been busy with parenting, school, work, church, and life in general we have been able to do some pretty fun stuff this year. We were able to get BYU football season tickets and even took a few vacations.
First, for Memorial Day weekend, we visited our good friends Dennison, Robin, and Carter Harris in Vancouver, Washington. Then In August my little sister Odessa was married to Sergio Alonso. We are so happy that we were able to witness Odessa and Sergio married for time and all eternity in the San Antonio, Texas temple. Our last trip of the year will be a vacation to Louisiana for Christmas. We are very excited because we will be able to visit my grandparents and other extended family for the first since Jake and I have been married.
Most of all we would like to wish y’all a merry Christmas and testify that we know this beautiful season is to celebrate our Savior’s birth. We know our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, was born upon this earth to live for us, and to die for us so we can return to live with Him and our Father in Heaven.

Merry Christmas and have a wonderful upcoming year.

Sincerely,

-Jake, Sylvia, and Tori Green

Shakie Jake

Jake is a great dancer...

Gingerbread House

Every year Jake's Aunt Lisa has over all the little children in Hall family to decorate Gingerbread houses while Santa can do some work. Well the parents can stay if the children are under two. So I stayed and made Gingerbread house with Tori. We didn't get to creative, but here is our creation. I had a great time! Thanks Lisa for having us over.

The Polar Express

Every year Jake's sister, Karen, organizes a Christmas activity for the family. This year was no exception and we took a ride on the Heber City Railroad's version of The Polar Express. I had a nice time. Elfs served cookies with hot chocolate, we ready the book The Polar Express, we sang Christmas carols, and best of all we got to see Santa Clause along with Mrs. Clause.

Tori and Santa

GrandmaSherrie, Hannah, Ashtin, Austin, and Cindy

Tori and I.

Tori is being silly

Hannah, Grandma Sherrie, and Tori

Tag Catch Up

So Lately, as you might have noticed, I have not been in a blogging mood. In addition I haven't been good at keeping up with all my friends blogs. Sorry. Now that I am getting back on track let i need to catch up with the "tags" .

First Elaine tagged me....

Merry Christmas!

1. Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags? Wrapping paper is so much more fun.

2. Real Tree or Artificial? This is shameful but I have to say artificial prelit. I know the real trees are so much better but for now our fake, $20 prelit, 61/2 foot, not to wide tree does the trick. Maybe when we get a bigger place in a few years the real tree will my pick.

3. When do you put up your tree? Well we have not started a tradition yet but I think the Monday after thanksgiving would be nice day to get the tree up. You know for family night we could decorate the tree and sing Christmas songs.

4. When do you take down the tree? January 2nd. I always have a tough time saying bye to Christmas time.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, but I must put milk in my eggnog to thin it out a bit.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? A guitar, I was 16 but a child enough.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Jake's mom.

8. Do you have a nativity scene? Yep. Jake gave me the willow tree nativity scene last year. It is very nice.

9. Mail or email Christmas Cards? Mail. I am sending out my first on today! Sorry if everyone doesn't get one. I will be posting the card and the letter soon.

10. Worst Christmas Gift you ever received? Well there isn't a gift that has just so bad it ruined my Christmas. Plus some of the weirder gifts I have been giving are some of the best because they are great stories and memories. However Santa did give me a awful sweater when I was in my preteen year. So just holding up was a little embarrassing.

11. Favorite Christmas Movie? Charlie Brown

12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Novemberish till Christmas Eve.

13. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Anything with cream cheese.

14. Lights on the tree? I am going with Elaine on this one, Who has ever heard of a Christmas tree without lights?

15. Favorite Christmas Song? Silent Night and All I want for Christmas is you.

16. Travel at Christmas of Stay Home? As a child I always loved staying home vs going some where else. Right now I would rather travel but I can't till my kids are older and we can stay home with out it being lonely.

17. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?Nope but I can with help of google dasher, dancer, prancer, vixon, comet, cupid, donder and blitzen, rudolph!

18. Angel on the top or a star? I prefer the star, but right now I do not have either.

19. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? I like opening one gift on Christmas Eve.

20.The most annoying thing about this time of year? Parking at the mall.

21. Favorite ornament theme or color? Green and Gold

22. Favorite Christmas Dinner? Turkey, cornbread dressing, potato salad, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, but the most important is the cranberry sauce. Dinner is ruined without it.

23. What do you want for Christmas this year? I really hope my brother, Ivan, will be home for Christmas from Iraq.

24. My Favorite Christmas Gift Received Ever? Theo was a pretty good gift.


Next for the the "tags", Tami's...

8 favorite tv shows: These are not in any particular order
1. Pushing Daisies
2. King of Queens
3. The Cosby Show
4. Lost
5. Samantha Who
6. Greys Anatomy
7. Heroes
8. The Office

8 things i did yesterday:
1. Cleaned
2. Made Dinner
3. Finished Christmas cards
4. Made plans
5. Babysat
6. Watched Toy Story
7. Went visiting teaching
8. Talked to my mom

8 things i look forward to:
1. Going to Louisiana
2. Christmas
3. Getting pregnant again
4. Being a doula
5. Jake getting home from work
6. Wendee having her baby
7. A hair cut
8. Five pounds from now.

8 favorite restaurants:
1. Gloria's Little Itaily
2. Joe Verdes
3. AppleBee’s
4. Villiage Inn
5. Tucanos
6. Sensous Sandwich
7. Mimi's Cafe
8. Sammy's

Clapping For the Wrong Things

I don't have a lot of time today, ward activity day, so i need to tell this story quick. Oh and before I start you should know Tori learned to clap on the 20th of November. She also learned to give fives a the day after. Go Tori! Back to story telling.

Like I said before today there is a ward activity therefore my mother in law and father in law will be coming down to watch Tori for me. So that means time for me to clean the house. Meaning as I run to put something away in the next room Tori gets moments to crawl around and play with a whatever. Of course she will get her little hands on something and taste it. Today she tasted the dish soap. When I saw her I said "Hey baby, that is gross. Yuck!" I don't think she understood because she gave me a big smile that showed all her teeth, and then clapped.

Joy to the World

I know I am little late, but I have not been in a blogging mood lately, so I will let you all know now that it is officially Christmas Time!!! I love the Christmas season. I am one of those annoying people who like tuning into the station that plays the Christmas carols November 1st. Yeah I know we have Thanksgiving to celebrate but I don't think the two can't be mixed up a little bit. Anyway I am very happy to have my tree up, lights on the house, cards almost ready to be sent, and singing along to my favorite Christmas songs.

Trekkie

Call me a Trekkie but I just got really excited when I watched the upcoming Star Trek movie trailer. The movie comes out May 8th and I'm pretty sure I'm going to go see it on the big screen. Maybe not opening night but I definitely will pay 8.50 to see it.

I might not seem the type to pay the big bucks for a remake Sci Fi classic but I was raised on watching Star Trek and Star Wars. As a child it was such a treat to watch Star Trek and Star Wars with my father and asking him questions like, why spock had pointy ears, and why the klingons had such weird foreheands. If I remember correctly we even had a few episodes of the Star Trek the TV show record on to a VHS along with some of the movies. Oh memories.

As I grew older I never got in to knowing all the facts of Star Trek characters or even what type of being they were, or anything that would give my coolness factor a bad rep. But I still would not mind watching a episode or two with my Bother, only if nothing else was on of coarse. Plus I never chose a side in Star Trek vs Star Wars battle of the best. So I guess you can't call me a Trekkie, but it does not mean I am not already a fan for the Star Treck Movie.

Tori's pomme d'amour

Before I get started with the 'cute' part of the post let me through out a random fact. (I love random facts.) Way back in the first days the tomato was introduced to Germany they call it 'Apple des Paradieses.' Meaning apple of paradise. The french called it a 'pomme d'amour' aka, a love apple. Anyway, now to the cute part...

Tonight when I was making dinner Tori was being less than happy. I handed her the tomato that I was holding because she was stressing out because I was had it, and she wanted it. When I gave her the tomato I thought She was going to play with it like a ball, but like the good explorer that she is she tasted it first. Then she took a bite and another then another. Tori ate almost half of the tomato! In the time it took her to eat her share of the tomato I was able to finish dinner! I only hope that much tomato isn't to acidic for her little body.

Here is a video I took of Tori eating her Apple des Paradieses.

Forth Please

I was tagged to post my forth photo from my forth folder (I am guessing the forth folder in "my pictures folder") and then of course explain it. Here it is my forth...
Um I am little bummed my forth picture was not a cute picture of Tori when she was spanking brand new into the world or even of me pregnant. I was tempted to just use of my favorite pictures of Tori on here instead but I'll be a good sport.

My forth picture is of myself and Ryan, the guy who I was strapped to when I went skydiving. I actually like the picture of myself. I think I look radiant, young, a little tan, and excited with a tid bit of scared mix in.

Looking at the picture make me want to skydive again. I really enjoyed myself.

So now it is time for me to tag four of you to post your forth photo in your forth folder. Lets see who will it be... Okay got it. I tag Wendee, Loyd( Loyd, just do the dang tag), Elaine, and Camilla. Have fun!

Lip

Look at that lip.

Formula Vs. Diet Mountain Dew

Don't freak I don't give Tori highly caffeinated carbonated beverages, but Jake does. SIKE!!! I would never allow that kind of behavior. Y'all are some suckas. Tori just likes to cuddle with empty bottles.

Fall Leaves

Lately there have been huge piles of leaves hanging around the park, and I decided to through Tori in hoping to get a few good pictures out of it. Unfortunately Tori wasn't to fond about sitting around in damp leaves and poky pine needles. I don't blame her. She did like trying figure out if the leaves were good to eat. She is a crazy thing.

Daddy's little helper

Tori loves to help out her dad by untying his shoes for him after he get back from the gym. What a sweet girl.

Family Pictures

These are a few pictures a friend took of us. I am definitely sending Christmas cards this year but I'm not sure which to use or if I should try again. I also should frame a few and put them up seeing that I don't have a single picture of my family on the wall. I am just to indecisive.

Here are a few I like...

A Little BYU Football

Jake and I had season tickets for BYU football this year. It was so much fun going to the games and getting my cougar spirit on. I guess it was pretty easy with the all the home victories. Anyway we will be definitely getting tickets next year. Go Cougars!

I know I am goofy, just laugh with me.

5 seconds

First I want to apologize for not having a picture for this post. I really wish I did, maybe next time.

On Saturday night Jake was on the computer, and I was holding Tori's hands helping her walk around the living room. I was started to feel like a hunch back bending over for so long and decided to let go of Tori's hands expecting her to fall on her bum. However I let go and she stayed standing. She stood for about 5 seconds then with her arms stretched out she eased her self very slowly to the floor. Now 5 seconds doesn't seem to be significant when reading this but the it is huge for a baby. During those 5 seconds I didn't know what to do. It seemed I was paralyzed with excitement and surprise. The only thing it seemed I could do was stammer to Jake to have him turn and look. Thankfully I was able to get my message across in time for him to see Tori standing. Tori seemed to just as surprised with what her body did. After she was back on bum she gave me a look that had, what in the heck did I just do, written all over it. She was not upset though, but I do think it freaked her out quite a bit. I have tried and tried to get her to stand again but her little legs just go limp when I let the weight of her body go on them. I'll keep practicing with her and try to get a good picture to post.

Fixed Link

If any of you tried to go to the Usborne book site threw my blog you most likely found that the link was not working. The link is now working so you can all go buy books some of the best kids books.

Tagged-All about Jake

Okay this is a husband tag. Answer the question about your significant other, and tag at least one other. Tag more people if you like. The more you tag the merrier!

1. Where did you meet?
We met a his apartment when My sister, Angela, and I went to go visit her crush.
2. How long did you date before you got married?
11 months, we were friends for a few months before we dated too.
3. How long have you been married?
About 2 1/2 years
4. What is your favorite feature of his?
Come on, just one? Jake is a stud, I love everything about him. But if I have give one then I say his smile. It sparkles, make me happy, and he has dimples!
5. What is your favorite quality of his?
He is incredibly talented at everything he tries.
6. Does he have a nick name for you?
Baby Cakes.
7. What is his favorite color?
He likes black for most things but he won't call it his favorite.
8. What is his favorite food?
His favorite thing to consume is Diet Dr. Pepper. But that is not food so I'll say fajitas.
9. What is his favorite sport?
It is a close one, football or snowboarding.
10. When was your first kiss?
Our first kiss was on the night of July 10th 2005. I was not sure if I was ready for a boyfriend but the moment we kissed I fell in love.
11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?
Cuddle and watch movies, or go on walks when it is nice outside.
12. Do you have children?
We have Tori. One beautiful little girl.
13. Does he have a hidden talent?
He can fix any kind of AC: Central air in a home, a car A.C, or a window unit. He fixed each of them this past summer. Amazing!
14. How old is he?
27.
15. Who said I love you first?
Well this complicated because he says he said I love you while he was singing a song before we even kissed. However if you go by saying when just talking then I did. He started to say, "I lu" but then I jumped in and finished his sentence. So I guess it was me. By the way that was on July 12, 2005. I told you I fell in love right when we first kissed
16. What is his favorite type of music?
Rock and Roll, baby!
17. What do you admire most about him?
He doesn't quit.
18. Do you think he will read this?
Yep, he always reads my blog. Lalu

I'll tag Elaine C. and Connie P.

I voted! Go vote!

Do a Little Dance

I am so happy I happened to be playing with the camera at this moment because all the sudden Tori started to do a little dance. Okay maybe she wasn't meaning to dance but I love it anyway.

Usborne Books

A while ago I went to book party at friend's house and discovered the best kids books ever, Usborne Books, Usborne books range to really cool illustrated encyclopedias to touch and feel board books. Usborne even sales kid kits that incude a great educatioal book and an activity like chipping away a rock to find dinosuar bones. I could go on and on about how great Usborne books are. They are so great I decided to go ahead and host a Usborne book party with my friend Hayley. It will be held on Thursday, November the 20th at 7:00pm. You are all invited. If you can't come that is okay because you can shop and buy books online under my name til the 29th. I know you will all find books you love. Let me know if you would like an invitation sent to you.

Buy books under my name... click here

Sweet Dang Dog

I have introduced y'all to Theo, the family pet, before. He has been such a good little pal ever since I got him about 3 years ago, but every now and then that dog drives me crazy. Like when he goes sniffing threw my diaper bag and finds Tori's Cheerios, rips open the zip lock bag, and then eats all of the cheerios. I guess it isn't to big of a deal but that dang dog knows he is being bad. Grrr. In the picture below I caught Theo trying to sneak the Cheerios, he only ripped the bag open before caught him.

Oh a better note Theo is getting long with Tori, he always has, but Theo has always been a little freaked out by Tori. It is looking like he is making progress seeing that Jake found the two laying together on the love sac. How sweet.

David Hasselhoff and Other Tricks

No Halloween is complete with out a trick involved. Fortunately Jake and I were able to get our friends Hayley and Peter good. So this is the story... Around 2:30 I went to go see if Hayley and Peter 3 and Peter 4 wanted to go trick or treating with us down Center Street. Well they were not home but this pumpkin was.
With "Put your picture here" written on it. Hayley and Peter were asking for a prank of some sort. So I picked up that pumpkin and took it home. I showed Jake and asked whose face we should put on. Haley and Peter are from Alaska so I mentioned Sarah Palin, but that idea wasn't to great. Then I suggested George W. Bush, and then it came to me. The perfect picture to put on would be one of David Hasselhoff. The Hoff would be proud to have his picture on a pumpkin.
Right away I knew this was the right picture for the job. I printed it out taped it to the pumpkin and put it right back where I found it. Latter that day they let us know they knew Jake and I were that ones behind the Hoff pumpkin. They loved it. Ha ha ha, it was great. You all better look out for me next year.

Unfortunately Jake and I were the victims of some hoodlum's mean prank. Some punks came and smashed my pumpkin. I wish I could kick those sons of guns right in the knee. I didn't care so much about the pumpkin but inside the pumpkin there was a cute bat candle. Now it is ruined and broken. Kids there days. Oh well, at least they didn't steal my big spider.

Halloween Day

This year my Halloween has been like not been like any other. Not only was my day full of fun things but as you might of seen, I have had plenty of Halloween activities to keep me busy for a while. I am so happy I was able to go do so many fun thing with so many good friends.

What I did Halloween 2008
9:30 till 10:30 I went to aerobics at my church building, and Leslie I am feeling those lunches!!!
11:30 till 2:00 Tori and I went to a fun mom and baby Halloween party. I had a little lunch, chit chatted, and decorated cookies. So fun!
3:00 till 4:00 Jake, Tori, and I went trick or treating down Provo Center Street. Tori seemed to enjoy holding on to her little bag of candy. Luckily we were able to get our trick or treating before the rush. We left right as hundreds of black cats, fairies, and iron men came along.
5:00 till 8:00 We were at home handing out candy to tick or treaters.
8:00 on Jake, Tori and I hung out with some friends.

Mummies and Frankenstein I made for the Mom and Baby Bash

Some of the moms and babies playing

My little baby bird

The wonderful hostess, Catherine, and I

Some Friends at the party, Amanda, Jessie, and Lucia

Not that you care, but this is a cookie I decorated

Tori as we are tick or treating

Tori loved it

Face painting. I had a sucker in her mouth to keep her still


I hope you all had a wonderful and fun filled Halloween, too!