Christmas Day

We had a wonderful Christmas this year and Santa was really good to us...I mean the kids:) They must have been really good this year but I didn't think they were this good! We had a lot of fun watching the kids and how excited they got with each gift. The best was when the kids found the best gift on the back porch after they were done. Santa gave Ty a bigger bike and Ashlynn a scooter...they just couldn't believe it!

Grammy & Grandpa sent money this year so Christmas came again for the kids! I took them to the store and they got to pick out exactly what they wanted. They were kids in a candy store going insane with excitement! Ty picked out "Cars" stuff...art's & craft projects. Ashlynn picked out EVERYTHING Barbie! Thanks Grammy & Grandpa:)

After we opened up presents we had my sister Adria and her family come over for breakfast. She brought stuff for waffles which added to our famous Christmas morning breakfast. It's a tradition in Dave's family and we have added it into our family. It's delicious I must say...Quiche Lorraine...broiled grapefruit...ham from night before...and orange julius! Yummmmmm! Then we went over to my parents house and talked to my brother Matt on his mission in Alaska. He sounds so grown up and is having such a great time up there! We exchanged gifts with them and headed back home for a while before dinner. A few hours later we were back at my parents. They made a meal fit for a palace...it was divine! Thanks mom and dad for the yummy dinner and thoughtful gifts! We love all of you near and far and wish you a Happy New Year!!!!

Christmas Eve Fun

So Christmas Eve started with the famous Campbell Sugar Cookies. These cookies I have only heard about and have never actually seen them. One day I was looking in the cupboards and I found this old looking box with cookie cutters in them. I showed them to Dave and he freaked out. He goes, "Oh my gosh those are it!" Little did I know how important these were to Dave and what I was in for. Before today Dave had made two other batches of these cookies and decorated them all my himself with some help from the kids. He willingly made me another batch of the dough so the kids and I could get them ready to make for Santa. Dave had to work on Christmas Eve so I was left to get everything ready for our big meal that night. I made sure that I spaced everything out and I have to say it turned out pretty dang good. We had the Stoker's over who are some of our good friends from Iowa that live here now. We had a delicious ham dinner, opened our Christmas pj's, decorated cookies and just had a great time! I recorded this video of Dave and Doug doing something so funny and retarded. I will post that next so don't miss it!

It's been a year...

A year ago today was when my Grandpa passed away. It's hard to believe that much time has passed already. Time goes by so quickly and it's so easy to forget what really matters and what is most important in life. My family is so important to me and I love each of them so much. Living away from all of them for so many years I really came to value the importance of family. Nothing can shake it or brake it...it's forever. I am so grateful to be apart of such an amazing family and heritage. My Grandpa was an amazing man and I know he still watching over each of us. Not a day goes by that he doesn't come into my mind or I glance at the picture of him and I. His example of living a righteous life...serving others and loving others is priceless. I sure miss him but I know there will be a day when I see him again. I feel very lucky and blessed.

Grandma Norma

This is my Grandma Norma...my Dad's mom. We don't make it out to see her very often because we think that she lives kind of far. But really she doesn't when you think about it. My sister's and I made a pact that we are going to see her every month from now on~no more excuses. Grandma is just the sweetest thing ever and we just love her so much! She has been writing this book of her childhood. It has been finished and she just hasn't been able to afford to publish it yet. We haven't ever heard any of it before and she read some pieces of it to us. It was so neat and fun to hear all the stories! I swear she has a memory like no other. She is such a special lady and we just love her to pieces!

FINALLY...the kids see Santa!

So for some reason this year was kind of difficult for the kids to see Santa. We took them last weekend and they were so excited. At the outdoor mall you could see Santa...go on a horse drawn carriage ride...AND they had "snow" falling where Santa was. We walk over to where the line is and we see no one in line. We're thinking GREAT, we can get right in. Wrong! They had just closed down the minute before we got there! They were finishing up with the last kids in line and then Santa was going back to his reindeer. The kids totally started crying because they didn't understand why they couldn't go sit on his lap when they were looking right at him! It was sad! So we distracted them by going to the pet shop and walking through the snow that was blowing around. At least we could still walk over to the carriage rides and go on that. Wrong again! We get there and the security tells Dave that they just stopped the line and we'll have to come back another day. Are you kidding me?! The kids were completely bummed out and so sad.
That brings us to today. I was going to be damned if the kids were going to miss Santa again. An hour before we were leaving it started to poor rain. I called my sister to see if we should still try and go and we did. Luckily Santa moved inside due to the weather. We got there a little soggy but there was no one in line. Yahoo! Ty went right up to him and jumped on his lap...not Ashlynn. She would only go over there with me. She was not sure of this man and just wanted to touch her little finger on his hand. Then all of a sudden she just started talking and we couldn't get her to stop. Even after we were done she kept going back over to him and talking away. I guess Santa won her over. What a trip. They cancelled the carriage ride but thank goodness the kids were able to see Santa...they couldn't get upset about that:)




Ashlynn asked Santa for a Doll and Tyler asked for a Long Board. We will see! Only about 2 more days and they will find out. Patience...patience my little ones.

Broken Cell phone

I just broke my cell phone completely in half last night. I'm so bummed! So if any of you need to get a hold of me you will need to call our house number #480-545-7521. I can't even access my voicemail to get any of my messages. Or you can write me an email at daracampbell98@gmail.com. I have no idea when I will be able to get another phone. Hopefully soon. I feel so lost with out it! What a BUMMER!

Maybe too much T.V.??

So Tyler has had his Christmas List ready for a few weeks now. The kids first had them stuck on the fridge but as soon as the tree was up they were moved. Every year a little Elf will come in the night to take the kids lists. This year the elf has been a little slow in getting them. When Ty gets home from school he likes to go straight to my room...climb on my bed...and turn on the Disney Channel for a little bit and relax. I figure why not? He has had a full day at school and he can come home and chill for a bit right? The past couple weeks he keeps revising his list and adding things every couple days. We keep telling the kids that just because they have something on their list doesn't mean that they will get it. Ty says, "I know I know mom. But I want to write it down just in case." Who am I to tell him what he can and can't write on his wish list? I went and looked at it the other day and noticed all the things he's been adding. I just started laughing because they were all from infomercials from the t.v.! You know all those crazy wacko crafty things people come up with? I never thought that my kids wish list would be filled with things that are "only seen on TV". We will see what Santa does this year:)

I had to turn the switch

It's the middle of December and up until this morning we haven't needed our heat on yet. We stopped turning our a/c on in the first part of October...remember it was still getting in the 90's hear in Arizona. We have been enjoying the cool air...open windows...the house staying at a comfortable temperature...AND watching our bill go DOWN DOWN DOWN. When we all woke up this morning it was just way too cold! I looked outside and it was 43 degrees. There was a time when we lived in Utah and Iowa that would have been nice weather. Not here...it's cold! I can't believe how quickly your body adapts to new environments. The other day it was almost 70 degrees and I was running errands. I was wearing a sweater over my shirt and feeling pretty cozy and comfortable. I know that sounds totally crazy but it was a little chilly. For those of you that wonder if it ever gets cold enough for all of us people in Arizona to wear coats and beanies? The answer is yes and today is one of those days. On a side note....ONLY 10 DAYS until Christmas!!!

Vampire Lovers

Can I just say HOLY CRAP!!!!! Holy crap holy crap holy crap!!!! I can't believe I didn't wait in line like all the other crazy twilight fans on opening night! My sis and I went to see it last night and she had already been but certainly didn't mind seeing it again. It was so intense I almost couldn't handle it. I really want to see it again and I want to start reading the book all over again and actually finish it this time. Once they got to the ballet studio I didn't know anything that happened after that point so I was FREAKING OUT!! I know...I'm insane for not finishing the first book! I haven't read any of the other books either. That is why I about died when the movie ended and fell off my chair! It was so fun being with my sis and having a girls night! I need to get reading and catch up with all of you vampire lovers! Yummy yum yum!!!

I've lost a Limb

I have never been able to say this but we are almost ready for Christmas and we're only a couple days into December. Woohoo! We are usually VERY last minute shoppers and are going crazy until Christmas day...even getting last minute things on Christmas Eve. Well folks, that is not going to happen this year. I have to say that I'm feeling pretty good and calm for once this time of year. I have never shopped on a Black Friday in my life but this year I did. Mainly because I was already working way early that day and I just happened to be out. Dave started to get all the decorations out this weekend and we have everything up except the outside lights. The kids are even more excited than ever! This is going to be the funnest holiday yet we think:)

My only bummer is that our camera broke on us a few weeks ago and I feel like I've lost a limb...SERIOUSLY! I am completely attached to that thing and feel lost with out it. Hopefully soon we will have solved that issue and I can get back to normal. We are having our family pics taken this week and I can't wait for that! I love December and love the holidays...Ho Ho Ho!!!