IChatting

Tonight we got to do something I have never done before, IChat!! Ann and Joe got it to keep in touch and we are reaping the benefits of it! Tonight we got to not only talk with Ann, Skyler and Gavin, but we got to see them, interact with them and all talk at the same time! It was sooooo cool!! I love being able to see the kids since it seems like they are always changing and you can't beat seeing Ann's smiling face!! I love how technology makes us closer!! This will definitely help to not miss the Merciers so much!

Will rolled over!!!

Today Eric and wer playing with Will while he is doing his tummy time and all of the sudden he rolls over!! We were so stoked!! I was a little too happy cause I squealed with excitement and startled the lil man so much he started to cry!! Non the less, he rolled over!! Can't wait for him to do it consistently!!

Cabin Fever

So the weekend of March 19 had been planned for a beautiful weekend at my parent's cabin in Pine Mountain club (PMC).  On the guest list were of course Eric, Will and I and the Bettencourts and Jacksons.  Eric, Will and I were the first to arrive on Friday. It was beautiful!! The sun was shinning, birds were chirping and there was a perfect cabin chill to the air. I was so stoked. All I have wanted to do since Will was born is take him to PMC. While pregnant and baby shopping with Ann I came across the cutest lil outfit perfect or the cabin. It was tan overalls with a moose on it and Eric picked out the cutest lil flannel to go with it. He finally fit into it and we were gonna get pics!!

The sun started to set so I made up some chicken and ribs for dinner and along come the Bettencourts. Happy as clams to be there and ready to eat. After dinner we headed for the tv to relax and in pop the Jacksons and to bed I go!! Sat morning we all wake up so refreshed from a peaceful nights sleep and awake to Shannon cooking up my favorite breakfast, eggs and potatoes!! We do our typical thing of lounging around all day long which consists of watching movies, eating, drinking, sleeping, reading and playing games then it's dinner time. I made homemade lasagna and Lizzie's super special strawberry shortcake!! Then off to bed.
As we awake on Sunday morning we are pleasantly surprised to see snow falling! How beautiful at the cabin!! Then we realize there is a lot of snow!! Then we realize we are snowed in!!!! Pleasantly went out the window. We figured no prob, we'll send the boys up to the store to get food for the next couple of days and we will be fine. Off the boys go and grab some oven bake foods and we are set. Eric and I go go to play in the snow and when we come back, NO ELECTRICITY!!! WTF!!! Not only are we stuck but we have no heater, lights or hot water!!! I must tell you I was like I need to get out of here!! Cabin fever definatley kicked in!!! My dad tried to rescue us but there was no way for him to get in. It was snowing so fast the plows couldn't keep up with it!
Daytime wasn't so bad. We kept the fireplace upstairs burning and if you got to hot you'd head down stairs. Unfortunately we couldn't use the oven so we steamed the tamales and and boiled pasta for dinner. Anything hot to eat was appreciated!! When the sun when down it got cold!!! Poor William got cabin fever cause he was stuck upstairs in the heat. He hadn't been outside for 2 days. Not to mention he seemed so confused with the candles instead of lights. And poor Gracie was all bundled up just to go downstairs!! At bedtime the boys were nice enough to sleep downstairs in the cold. They said it would be like camping!! Haley, Gracie, Will and I were in the master upstairs with the fireplace and Shannon was in the room next to us. What a night!  The kids seemed like they were on different schedules. One was always up. The fireplace needed wood every hour and the temp was either too hot or too cold!! We needed to get out on Monday!!
Bright and early Monday morning and everyone was up!! Luckily the snow had started to melt and the plows were going strong. Our men got on some snow gear and started shoveling out the cars. We were determined to get out!! By 11am we were on the road!! And not a minute too soon cause as we were leaving it started to snow again!!! We made it out no problem!! I had never been so happy to leave the cabin!!
All and all it was a great trip and a fun story to tell!! I'd never been stuck anywhere before! If we had electricity we would have had a great time. It's amazing how much we rely on it! When we finally got home I couldn't wait to flip on a light switch and see the magical glow light up my house!!

forgetaboutit

Sorry it has taken so long to post on the blog. We have been in the middle of setting our computer up to our tv. Between getting a new computer then some technical difficulties with the tv we finally have it all set-up!!! It seriously took like 3 months!! I've decided as opposed to stressing about blogging the last few months of life I would just start here. I might post some pasts just to, but we'll see. I hope that now I can keep up on this bad boy!! I really want to!! Feel free to nag me about posting, Lord knows my memory ain't what it should be!!!

Disneyland

On Monday December 13 we went to Disneyland! We just love to go so much! We met up with Haley, Gracie, Whitney and Matty and headed to eat at the a baked potato place. I'd never eaten there before but really enjoyed it! Then we met up with Kevin, Chelsie and Katelyn in toon town. We piddled around a little in there then headed to main street to the carnation cafe to get our ice cream on! With lunch and dessert in our past we headed to the ride Alice in Wonderland. This was William's first ride! He was asleep through the whole line but as soon as we got on the ride he woke right up! His eyes were wide open during the whole thing! He seemed so interested! I wish I knew what he was thinking! Next we went on Dumbo! This was not only William's first time but mine as well! Unfortunately this didn't go as well. Right before we were about to get on he started screaming. That didn't stop me from taking him on it though. I thought the up and down and the wind would calm him down. I was right for about 20 seconds then it was just screaming during the rest of the ride. I think he did like it he just was hungry and wet. Next we headed to Small World! I love small world during the holidays. They decorate both the inside and outside of the ride in Christmas decorations! Plus on the ride they have Christmas music!! William seemed to love this ride the most! He loves music and sparkling lights and this ride had it all and then some!
After the ride we headed to dinner. We ate at Cafe Orleans. They have the best French onion soup and Monte cristo sandwiches. We order some gingerbread bignetts to go and headed to the river to view the fireworks. William just loved them. It was more fun to watch William turn his head to watch everything happening then it was to watch it all myself. At the end of the fireworks it snows at Disneyland! They have this really cool way of making bubbles turn into snow! During this snow storm I had such a mother moment that I never will forget! My husband was standing next to me smiling at my son who was smiling back at him both with snow falling in their faces, Christmas music playing and the moon glistening off the river. Then Eric gives me a kiss and then I look down at my son who is smiling back at me. As I kiss him on the forehead I get tears in my eyes and know I'll never forget this moment! My first Chritmas moment with my family! I tear up thinking about it now!
It was a perfect day at Dland! Can't wait for William to have many more!

Go Ducks!!

On Sunday Dec 12 we were lucky enough to go to another Anaheim Ducks hockey game with Shannon and James! We started off getting our grub on at Bubba Gumps! I really wanted to get the shrimp platter with four different shrimp but ended up with the fish tacos. 4 types of shrimp just seemed like too much! I was really happy with the tacos though! Filling, delicious and healthy I might add.
When we got into the arena they were handing out free ducks t-shirts for fan appreciation day! I put mine on just as soon as I got it! Then off to our seats. I love walking into the cool air of the skating rink during the holidays. It makes this time of year seem so festive, especially because it was 75 degrees outside! When the game stared the Ducks scored in less than 20 seconds! I'd never seen a goal scored so fast! It was the beginning of a wonderful hockey game! There were awesome checks, great goals, cold beers and even a hat trick (when one person scores 3 goals in one game). My favorite part was that after a hat trick the fans take off their hats and throw them onto the ice as to say haha your team let a guy score three times! It was so cool! I'm glad I got to see that! The Ducks kicked Minnesota Wilds butts!
We had blast, as we always do with the Bettencourts! I am truly a Ducks fan! I can't wait to go to another game! Thanks again Shannon and James!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my second favorite holiday just barely under Christmas. I love getting together with family, cooking and of course eating! Every year since Eric and I have been together we host thanksgiving. I love that both of our families get to be together, especially with little William in the mix. This year we hosted it but had to have it at my folks house. Our families have out grown our little mobile. We had my parents, Eric's parents, my bro with his wife and two kids, Eric's sister and boyfriend, Eric's grandma and my bro's father in law. 16 in all! The day started out just as planned. William and I made it over to my parent's house early and got the bird started. Then I started to prep the rest of the meal when the little guy decide he was hungry. So off to feeding him while my dad finished the prep.
When Eric's family got there we started a game of canasta, but then my little guy wanted to eat again! So off we went! When I started to cook everything else for dinner, guess what, Will wanted his mama! What is this breastgiving! I don't think my lil guy had ever eaten so much! Thank goodness my dad is a chef and could whip up the meal in a jiffy! And of course right in the middle of dinner, oh mother dearest he cried! He ended up with a bottle!
After feeding our faces a traditional thanksgiving feast of turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, peas, green beans, dill carrots, rolls and gravy it was nice to sit around the fire place and relax while watching a football game. Then when our tummies grumbled we cut into dessert! Triple chocolate cheesecake, double layer chocolate mousse cake or pumpkin cheesecake were our choices. I went for the trifecta! Luckily Eric split it with me! Plus my boy new better then to interrupt mama while eating chocolate! The day went great! Not as planned or as usual but that doesn't matter on thanksgiving. All that matters is that we could all be together and celebrate being thankful for one another! I have the best family and I am so thankful for each of them!

My Thanksgiving Hog!!

 Feed me Momma!!

 She's growing up so fast!!

 Aunt Chrystal and her lil monkey!

 Papa and Will

Suffering through dessert 

 Good job Grandma!!

 GG told Eric to read between the lines because he was taking too many pics of her!!!!

 Happy Thanksgiving!!

 Happy boy!!