three hundred sixty-five: 365 {THE END of 2010}

Jim has got the packing for the Rose Parade down to a science!! Everything we need for the night fits nicely on his dolley!

Happy New Year!!

Our home away from home..made as comfortable as we can make it!

cots..air mattresses..propane heaters..snacks

{maybe next year I'll bring my camp oven!}

three hundred sixty-four: 365

This is the calm before the storm!

I was so grateful to have my friend Chanin go out to Pasadena with me to save our rose parade spot 2 days early {because we need a space big enough to accommodate at least 50}! I usually go down by myself and it's a very long, lonely night. I don't think she really knew what she was getting herself into, but it made all the difference in the world to me. See, the 1st night you can't sleep. You sit and pace around your spot. If you sit too long, the police will tell you to move. It was the coldest I could ever remember. We laughed, froze, and just had as much fun as you can have in such circumstances.

{if you look closely, you can see our chalk lines..respect the chalk!}

three hundred sixty-three: 365

This was the picture for about 4 days in our home. 1st Ryder, then Jayden, and Skyler finished us off! All 3 boys got a bad stomach bug. We lived in a home of vomit..fortunately, it was a quick bug and only lasted about 24 hours each. {still...that's 72 hours of SICK!}

Thanks to Jim and his aggressive germ killing methods, we were saved from getting it.

three hundred sixty-two: 365

I love Costco for this very reason!!

three hundred sixty-one: 365

There is nothing I love more than my wall of Christmas cards! I usually keep it up till around February..I just love seeing all our friends and family!

three hundred sixty: 365

Can't think of a more sabbath day activity than assembling guns...as my boys get older, so do the toys!

(notice there are 2~not wanting to be left out, Jim also got an airsoft gun)

three hundred fifty-nine: 365

Merry Christmas...

three hundred fifty-eight: 365

A Very Watkins Christmas Eve!!

(minus a newly married niece, a nephew on a mission, Rob's family in Korea, and Mike & Stephanie)

three hundred fifty-seven: 365

10:30 p.m. very last minute christmas shopping!!

three hundred fifty-six: 365

Southern California has been getting slammed with the hardest rain I've seen in a long time! It has been relentless, but today, for about 3 minutes, the rain subsided and the sun shone brightly creating this beautiful rainbow! I had to have a picture..even if it meant I kinda was all over the road, which ironically the entire time a police officer was behind me and I didn't even notice until the lights started flashing. By this point the rain was back, but he got out anyway and asked if I was in a hurry to go shopping because I was going 60 in a 45? I said, No, just a couple errands. I happen to be driving Jim's car today because I had to take it to get brakes and I explained to the officer that if I was going a little fast, it was because I wasn't use to driving this car. Then I proceeded to explain how I had to have a picture of that rainbow for my potd. I showed him the shot I took and he concurred that it was in fact, a beautiful rainbow after all this rain. He told me to slow down and be careful and have a merry christmas!! I guess there was a little luck at the end of the rainbow!!

three hundred fifty-five: 365

The stormy rain did not damper the spirits of this beautiful day!! Sarah and Matt were married for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple! It was a wonderful sealing and miraculously enough, the rain stopped just in time for pictures! I even saw the clouds part to a brief glimpse of sun. No, it didn't last long, but I'm sure they got some beautiful pictures!

three hundred fifty-four: 365

Drove up to Glendora, in the pelting rain, for the pre-wedding family dinner and decided my parents house had way too much craziness going on to stay there (my nieces reception was being held there and people were working like mad..tents going up, tables being set up, flowers, lights, and the tile guys finishing my parents kitchen remodel at the very last second, etc..) so we checked ourselves in, around 9:00 p.m., to the Hampton Inn in Arcadia. There is nothing greater than a hotel bed to jump on for my boys...especially Ryder!

three hundred fifty-three: 365

ROUND TWO

We hosted another work party tonight! This time for all of Jim's department heads at Arbor Hills. Again..more food than we knew what to do with but great fun! We had about 35 people, including kids and pets! Loved the ornament exchange and the kids loved all their gifts!

Great night with great people..but I'm done with the parties for awhile :)

three hundred fifty-two: 365

Because ONE girls' night in a week is never enough!! Plus, Jenniffer came into town from Reno and we couldn't pass up an opportunity for a pedicure (I had a manicure seeing as I had just had my toesys done) and yummy food!

three hundred fifty-one: 365

My darling niece Sarah is getting married in a few days! Drove up to Glendora for her shower. I just look at her and can only see baby bubba! She can't possibly be old enough to get married..because that would make me OLD! Man..how time flies!

three hundred fifty: 365

Girls night out!! Started off at our friend Crystals' jewelry trunk show/boutique. Bought some wonderful gifts for Jim to give me for Christmas. Then it was off for Thai food..yum! I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends!

(I took your picture Theresa because it had Chanin in it!)

three hundred forty-nine: 365 {happy birthday dad!}

Jayden's winter piano recital...Deck the Halls!

three hundred forty-eight: 365

While we were away last weekend, my mom somehow blew up our microwave! Just add that to the list of things breaking around here. Fortunately, it was covered with our home warranty because it wasn't going to be a cheap fix. Why does it feel like all I'm doing is hemorrhaging money right now??

three hundred forty-seven: 365

Group FHE...another night of somewhat controlled chaos! We did our best to reenact the Saviors birth.

three hundred forty-six: 365

Every year we host a Christmas party for the administrators and their families in Jim's southern region. There is always more food than an entire army could eat, and chaos with kids running to and fro. I have to prep myself at the end of the evening before I go upstairs knowing, that while we never really see the kids during the party, we pay the price when we go into the playroom and survey the damage.

three hundred forty-five: 365

Every year our stake puts on a community creche/nativity festival. Displayed are hundreds of creches from around the world. I usually display my collection, but I've become too lazy and don't want to have to worry about picking them up late Saturday night when it's over. That's just the honest truth!

three hundred forty-four: 365

Date night: home depot..to gather supplies for a special request Christmas present!

three hundred forty-three: 365

Jayden's 10:30 p.m. snack: apples & peanut butter! It's a daily thing! Why can't this kid sleep?

three hundred forty-two: 365

Major craft day today!

Knowing that my weeks ahead were getting busier and busier, I stayed home today and began the arduous task of teachers gifts (crayon monogram) and other misc. gifts that needed to be made. I got this great idea from my friend Lisa who delivered them to our family last Christmas! I love copying a great idea!!

three hundred forty-one: 365

Skyler had an ortho consult today. His teeth look pretty good, but could use a little help. He will be getting his braces on Jan. 6th and only needs them for approx. 14-20 months. I am so grateful we have such great orthodontist insurance..we only have to pay 50%! As if I didn't already, I have the greatest appreciation for everything my dad has done for me...braces being one of many!!

three hundred forty: 365

I have never had any extensive dental work. A couple small cavities; my first being after Skyler was born. Last week I was at the dentist and he told me I needed a crown. Had no idea what that was, but went with it. I so wish I hadn't! No, I'm not a dentist, but I didn't think it was necessary..it didn't hurt and nothing was bothering me. So I got the temporary crown. Then this weekend, it popped off. I went to CVS and bought some crown glue and got it back in, but then it came out again on Sunday. I could hardly bare the sensitivity it caused so I went to the dentist this morning and had them put a new one in. Being as cynical as I am, I believe my mouth was sacrificed for the almighty dollar..that's just what I think.

three hundred thirty-nine: 365

Exciting day! We got to attend our new church building today for the first time! It's been a long time in the making! It's a bit smaller than our old building, but it's much closer. The best part, we got to start our new time a month early: 11:00 is just so much better than 8:30!

three hundred thirty-eight: 365

Does this not look like a postcard or what?! Went to the Beachcomber in Crystal Cove for breakfast and this was our view! Who doesn't love a Christmas tree on the beach!

three hundred thirty-seven: 365

It was close to midnight and Cinderella needed her POTD (picture of the day).

So out on the balcony we went to get what we could get!

three hundred thirty-six: 365 {happy birthday jim}

Jim's birthday just happened to coincide with his work Christmas party so we spent the weekend at the St. Regis Monarch Bay in Dana Point. It was glorious!

three hundred thirty-five: 365

A chaotic Christmas service project!

Our YW volunteered to babysit (for free) for 2 1/2 hours so mom's & dad's could get some Christmas shopping done. It was madness..and the longest 2 1/2 hours ever.

three hundred thirty-four: 365

This is homemade butter. I had my girls make this as part of my YW lesson on Sunday and the boys didn't believe me that you could make butter by shaking heavy cream. So they did their own experiment and learned that they could, in fact, make butter with a little work.

three hundred thirty-three: 365

arrrgh...how I despise these lights! I got them all out, untangled them, plugged them in to see if they were working (which they all were), then hung them up! As soon as I plugged in the last set and turned them on to check out my work, what do I have but 3 sections burnt out!! Seriously..is it all worth it?

three hundred thirty-two: 365

The boys got to decorate their tree tonight...and lost interest 1/2 way through.

three hundred thirty-one: 365

Skyler had a soccer tournament all day in Lake Elsinore...all I could do was sit and think of all the things I could and should be doing at home!

three hundred thirty: 365

No black Friday for me...I just stayed home and worked on the tree.

(I didn't mean to make that rhyme.)

three hundred twenty-nine: 365

We had a very untraditional Thanksgiving Day this year! With family scattered everywhere but here, we were on our own this year. We woke up late, had a nice breakfast, watched the Macy's Day parade, set up the Christmas Tree, and went to the movies. Then it was time to eat! Having never gone out to eat on Thanksgiving, I was unaware that you needed reservations..so when we were turned away from Claim Jumpers, we headed to the only other place that seemed to be open: Home Town Buffet. All I have to say about that is, I don't know what's worse, the food or the clientele? We could only laugh about our circumstances..the boys actually loved it! Where else can you have pizza, french fries, jello, and icees for Thanksgiving? Later that night we made a camp fire and sat in the spa. Despite the lousy food, it was a great, quiet, non-traveling Thanksgiving!

three hundred twenty-eight: 365

Disneyland apparently wasn't the Happiest Place on Earth for Ryder...he missed the height cut-off on California Screamin' by merely a 1/2 inch. The name took on new meaning as Ryder threw himself on the ground, in front of the mass crowds, and began throwing a "screaming" tantrum. I got to stay and clean up the mess while Jim, Skyler, and Jayden went on the ride.

Ryder is not bashful about sharing his emotions..as all of So. Cal. now knows!

three hundred twenty-seven: 365

All 3 boys had dentist appointments today! All this x-ray tells me is that we'd better open up our wallets..this mouth won't be cheap! Too many teeth have no space to go. For my family, can you guess whose mouth this is?

three hundred twenty-six: 365

The start of hours of holiday decorating...garlands, done!

three hundred twenty-five: 365

Pesto, tomato, and fresh mozzarella drizzled with basalmic vinegar! I could eat this sandwich everyday...and I just about do!

three hundred twenty-four: 365

The youth had a great opportunity to serve this weekend at the Bishop's Storehouse. Who knew bagging peanuts and produce could be so fun..with these kids, they make everything fun!

three hundred twenty-three: 365

One little wizard didn't even make it through 1/4 of the movie{Harry Potter}...which was actually better because it was a little dark and had some scary parts!

three hundred twenty-two: 365

Jayden had a pack meeting tonight where they learned about citizenship. A marine corp helicopter pilot came in and talked to them about serving their country..he even gave the boys a taste of military push-ups!

three hundred twenty-one: 365

No mutual tonight so Theresa and I decided to catch a movie...it had been a long time!

note to self: you're getting too old not to wear any make-up..I look sickly!