Twilight

Okay so I saw the movie Twilight last friday and I loved it. I'll admit it I am one of the millions who are pathetically in love with Edward Cullin (Don't worry Ben you're still my true love). I wasn't sure about the guy they chose to play his part, but after seeing the movie I think he was PERFECT. How would it be to have someone love you that much and with so much intensity and he is soooo sweet to Bella. I mean I know Ben loves me and all, but wow! I thought I might be disappointed by the movie becasue the books were so good and usually the movie is never as good. I wasn't disappointed at all except for the fact that I wanted it to be longer so that we could get to know all the other characters (especially the Cullen family) better. Let's face it though they would have had to make the movie like 5 hours if they wanted to add everything. Some of my favorite scenes were when the Cullen's play baseball, and of coarse Bella and Edward's first kiss. I also loved it when Edward picked Bella up for school and everyone is staring at them and he puts his arm around her and says something about how he is going to hell anyway. There were so many scenes I loved and a few missing that I wish would have been there, but overall I was very happy with the movie. I think the reason people love these books so much is because it makes you want to be in love or it takes you back to when you first fell in love. Everything is so exciting when you first fall in love with someone. I remember when I first met Ben and whenever I would see him I would get so excited and nervous. I thought he was perfect. Sometimes it's good to go back to that after you've been married for a while and you've realized that he's not perfect and not everything he does is so sweet like you thought it was when you were dating. I am still totally in love with Ben, but love changes and it's not that same take your breath away excitement when you see that person or kiss them for the first time or whatever. I'm probably not making much sense, but in my head I know what i'm trying to say. Ben is totally going to make fun of me after he reads this. He already thinks i'm a dork for staying up until the crack of dawn to read these books. At least I didn't attempt going to the midnight showing. I mean I had enough stamina to wait until Friday night. I really hope they continue to make movies of the other books. Anyway, I would love to hear anyone else's opinion on the movie.

Ben turns 30 AHHH!!!

Ben turned 30 on November 10th. That was a monday, so he had to work all day and I had to watch 4 kids that night. To make up for it Me, Zac and Kylee took him to lunch. We also decorated his car and made him his favorite carmel brownies to have when he got home. My dad and my brother Jordan were actually in town, so they celebrated with us too.

Zac had to help Ben blow out the candles. He also opened all of Ben's presents. Once you have kids even your birthdays aren't your own anymore.

Zac had a blast playing on the hood of Ben's car while I doctored it up.

I got tagged a while ago and I thought this would be a good time to post my HUSBAND BRAG TAG!!!

1. Where did you meet? At Retrix (Rexburg's version of a club; it was country dancing night). My roomate Ang and I snuck out after curfew. I actually danced with Ben's roomate Brant, but I did meet Ben.

2. How long did you date before you were married? We knew each other for over 2 years, but we only actually officially dated for a year and a half.

3. How long have you been married? 61/2 years.

4. What is the one thing he does that surprises you? He can sing just about any rap song there is word for word. (probably not the stuff that's been out in the last 8 years because he doesn't listen to rap anymore thankfully).

5. What is your favorite feature about him? His eyes and his jaw line (that's kind of random)

6. What is your favorite quality about him? His love and knowledge of the gospel.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Not really.

8. What's his favorite color? Red.

9. What is his favorite food? Indian or Thai food.

10. What is his favorite sport? He loves all sports during their season, but I think basketball is his very favorite (to watch and to play).

11. Who said "I love you" first? Ben; we were in my parents basement talking and it was like 3 in the morning. He was really embarassed, but he said "Steph I think i'm falling in love with you." It was really sweet.

12. When and where was your first kiss? I hate to admit this one, but we were actually driving in my car with a bunch of other people playing truth or dare. It was mostly silly stuff, but I ended up sitting on Ben's lap while he was driving and we had to kiss for like 5 seconds or something. We weren't even dating at this point, but I think we both kindof liked each other. I was super embarassed, but I must admit I was like 'wow he is a really good kisser'. What's really annoying is that neither of us can remember when we kissed for the first time on our own free will.

13. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Going out to eat is probably our very favorite, but we also like to go on drives and walks, and lately we like to set up Ben's lap top in our room and watch a movie after we put our kids to bed.

14. Do you have any kids? Yes; a boy (Zac) and a girl (Kylee).

15. What is a hidden talent of his? He can play the guitar pretty well.

16. How old is he? 30 (haha!!)

17. What do you admire most about him? The fact that he would rather hang out with me and the kids than do anything else. He really loves his family.

18. What is his favorite past time? He loves to read or watch sports.

19. What is his favorite kind of music? He likes all types of music, but country is probably his favorite.

20. Do you think he will read this? Yes; he actually likes to check our blog every once in a while.

Kylee's 1st birthday!!!!!

I don't know where this year went. I can't believe Kylee is already 1. She is growing up way too fast. We are so lucky to have her sweet little spirit in our lives. I just had to dress her up to be the "Queen of the day". She only lasted about 5 minutes in this dress because it hinders her crawling abilities and she gets quite upset.

The crown lasted less than 5 minutes, but atleast she was a good sport for a few pictures.

I think she's eyeing her present.

Kylee is preparing to eat her first cupcake ever. She actually picked out the one she wanted by sticking her feet into it.

I did a butterfly/flower theme. After I made these I didn't want anyone to eat them. All that work goes down the drain in 2 seconds.

Zac was feeling like he needed to help Kylee pose. I thought he was going to be really jealous and stuff, but he was actually extra nice to her on her birthday and he wasn't sad at all about her getting all the presents. He just couldn't wait to eat cupcakes.

So Kylee decided to touch the fire. I think it burned her finger a little.

Yep. Pretty sure it burned her finger. She never cries unless there is good reason.

She got over the candle incident pretty quick and dove right into her cupcake. She just learned to feed herself about a week ago. That was good timing because it would have been kinda lame if I had to feed it to her.

I think she likes it.

This is what Ben and I gave her. Zac loved it as much as Kylee, so I guess it was a hit. Zac says he's sharing it with her. What a sweet brother to share her own toy with her (haha!!). By the way Zac is in his underwear because he decided he needed a bath while the rest of us were eating and getting ready for the cupcake feast. I had to bribe him to get out and join us. He wanted to be naked, but I made him at least put his undies on.

We had the Zastrows, the Parsons and our neighbor Bonnie over to eat cupcakes and sing happy birthday to Kylee with us. I'm glad we have such good friends here to celebrate special occasions with us when our families can't be here. We love and miss all of you and hope you enjoy our recap of the big ONE.

Halloween party #4 (The real thing)

So i'm officially halloweened out. We actually went to 5 parties because we went to a little carnival at the library on thursday night. I didn't bring my camera to that one thank goodness. Last night I took the kids to this place up in Anthem where they had bounce houses, games and lots of trick or treating. Zac got tons of candy, so I have to hide it now or else he would eat it all. I only let him have 3 small candies last night and when he woke up this morning he said his tummy hurt. I think a week of partying and treats must have got to him.

They were making animals out of balloons for the kids and of coarse Zac wanted a bat. It was really cute but we had to wait in line for 30 minutes and then Zac only played with it for like 30 seconds and gave it to me to hold while he went trick or treating.

This place was decorated really cute.

This was the only picture we could get of these two together. Kylee won't hold still long enough to sit by Zac.

Ben missed the festivities. When he got off work he was supposed to call me so I could give him directions. Well I guess he tried like five times and for some reason my phone didn't ring. He tried to find it himself, but failed. He was actually only a few blocks away. Anyway by the time I called him to see where the heck he was he was driving back to our house. So we went home and he told Zac and Kylee scary stories in the dark. From the look on Kylee's face Ben's story must have been pretty scary.

Halloween party #3 (trunk-or-treat)

We had our ward trunk-or-treat on wednesday night. We ate chili and cornbread and there were lots of fun games for the kids. Then they got to trick or treat out of everyone's trunks. Kylee is a cute little cat.

This is our magnificently decorated trunk. Ben got the priviledge of passing out the candy.

I don't know what's up with that smile, but she's been doing that a lot lately.

I think Zac ate too many sweets that night because he wouldn't hardly eat anything on thursday.

I'm sure you're all wondering where Ben's costume is. I think mine is scary enough for the both of us.

Zac is a bat if you can't tell.

Zac, Andrew and William. They have been little friends since they were born.

Halloween Party #2 (preschool at my apartment)

Zac is in preschool/joyschool. There are 6 kids in the group and each mom takes a week to hold preschool at their house. We do it on mondays and wednesdays for 2 and a half hours. It was my turn the week of halloween, so on wednesday we had a fun little party and all the kids wore their costumes. That is a bowl of spaghetti noodles. It's called the goo game. The kids had to dig through it to find prizes. I have to tell you that Zac pretty much monopolized on the prizes. All the other kids found 1 or 2 things and they were satisfied, but zac had to find as many as he could. He wasn't about to share either. Good thing none of the other kids really cared.

We did a few dry ice experiments which was a huge hit with the kids. I put water and dish soap in with this one and it bubbled all over the place. I also put dry ice in with just water and it steamed all over and the kids were trying to blow the steam away. I made sparkling apple juice by putting some dry ice in it and letting it dissolve.

We made stuffed ghosts for our craft and the kids were flying them all through the apartment.

We ate Mummy fingers (hot dogs wrapped in biscuits), zombies arm (jell-0 set in a rubber glove and then I poured strawberry topping and grated chocolate on top), and apples for lunch. The kids loved the mummy fingers, but they wouldn't eat the zombies arm. I guess that was a little too morbid for 3 and 4 year olds.

Chrissy, Collin, Kawai, Zac, Hailey, Malakai and me. I dressed up like a witch so I could join in the fun. The kids kept reassuring themselves that I was a nice witch and they wanted me to carry a broom stick with me everywhere I went. I have to say teaching preschool is a lot of work. I'm glad Zac is involved in this though. He really loves it and I only have to do it every 6 weeks.

Hallowee Party #1 (at Teri's)

We had a little halloween party at Teri's house about a week ago. There were lots of kids there and it turned out really cute. They ate, played games and attempted to make a pumpkin craft.

Edible witches hats and spiders. I found these ideas on the internet and thought they turned out cute. I messed up on the spiders though because they only have 3 legs on each side instead of 4.

I think Zac has a whole marshmallow stuffed in his mouth. William is the lion, but I can't remember the other 2 little girls names.

Carrying marshmallows to a bowl using a spoon. Usually the marshmallow got eaten before it ever made it to the bowl.

Kylee slept through most of the pary, but when she woke up I put these little butterfly wings on. They lasted about 2 minutes before she ripped them off.