Winter Wonderland!

I took my 2 girls up to Utah to drop Carson off for the week up in SLC.  We had  a blast together - shopping, late night facials (I know the room service guy did not know what to think of me in all of my curlers, foot scrubs, hot oil treatments for ourselves.  We have watched a ton of chick flicks late night laughs.  The weather was gorgeous - lots of snow!!!!  I loved that my girls are old enough for us to have girl trips like this.

Michael Meyers will take care of ding-dong ditchers!!! B E W A R E!

Last night Will had a late night with some friends.  We had heard that they would be ding-dong ditching homes last night . . . so we prepared for them.  We turned off all the lights and Doug hid in the bushes.  Our girls had friends over and they were hiding too - it was so fun waiting for the"Brave" 8 yr olds.  They had no idea.  They came up to our home and rang the bell and ran off - but as they were heading out - there was . . .

  M I C H A E L   M E Y E R S  running after them.  They scattered.  Of course they were "too cool" to admit they were scared - ha ha!

Hockey

Our younger cousin plays on a traveling Hockey team.  He was down last weekend for a tournament out at the Ice Den.  For those of you that have not been there - sooo fun -much bigger then Polar Ice.  Anyway Carson and Josh are good friends so she went up there to hang out with him.  We caught up later with them at the game.  We had a really good time.  Doug and I haven't been alone in awhile so it was a great time to spend time with him.  We were soooo tempted to take our kids along as usual to go and watch the game.  We knew that they would have had so much fun to watch Josh play - but we took our own time together and it was worth it!

Happy Birthday Baylie!!!

My sweet 2nd daughter had her birthday this last week.  Since we do parties every other year - this year it was the family party.  We took her Macaroni Grill for dinner and then desert for presents.  Things I love about Baylie:

1.  She is VERY thoughtful!  She is probably the only kids that consistently asks me if I need any help.  She is very genuine about this.

2.  Love to giggle.

3.  She is my Tech kid.  She knows how to do her own movies, solve software problems.  She can hook me up with fun Tech stuff.  We share a love for Mac Computers.

4.  She has a testimony.  She may be quiet about it - but always asks questions about the Gospel - which shows me she really does have a desire to serve the Lord.

5.  Her spirit brings a lot of love into our home.

6.  Easy going - like to make sure everyone is having a good time.

Rowdy always has to have what everyone else is eating!

Then Carson wanted some!

The waitress asked me if I wanted to have Tucker have another chocolate milk.  I said "sure."  I thought that was a strange question.  Of course Tucker and have another drink.  I didn't realize that he was on his 4th drink.  He had been ordering from her throughout the meal, and I had no idea.  GROSS - I told Tucker that I hope he doesn't throw up tonight! 

Twilight, Team Jacob and Gooch Sisters!

OK . . . I am finally having my twilight post!  I saw the movie - I have read only through book 3.  I know, I know . . .you can't believe it.  Neither can I.  I just cannot get into love stories.  I started to hate how Bella rambled on and on about how beautiful Edward was.  Blah, Blah, Blah.  Also Bella always seems like a little ninnie - she wasn't the heroin I like to read about.  Am I going to be blasted here now??? Ha HA.  I however, love a good murder mystery.  I have read all of Mary Higgins Clark books.  She always has a strong heroin solve all the mysteries.  I however did buy a T-shirt for the occasion - this is a picture kinda like the one I purchased.  And because I'm losing my mind - I forgot to wear it.

 

That night started off with family pictures, then all of us Gooch Girls went out to dinner and then the movie.  We stood in line for about 2 hours - we even pre-paid for our tickets on-line.  Every time the trailer would come on in the lobby about every girl screamed!  The manager had to come and tell us that he was aware that Edward is beautiful . . . but please do not scream when you see him - it was so funny! I lugged my big camera around so I could take a picture of the BIG event - but not once did I take it out, I guess I was having to much fun - I forgot . . . so I did have fun even  though I'm not on "Team Edward."

Talk to Me Tuesday/ or Wednesday.

Okay . . . I thought I posted this yesterday - but I guess It didn't go through - I may be loosing it - but ......

I love Tip-Junkie!  I love to read the blogs that talk on Tuesday about a certain topic.  It lets me cruise other blogs of women that are extremely talented!!!!  This Tuesday Talk is what are we doing to bring Christ back to the holiday better . . . soooooo  we are doing the "Santa Letters".  I know I have posted before - but Doug and I are sooo excited about doing the Santa Letters for our kids.  We went to the web-site and downloaded all of the letters.  We sat together and went over each one together and thought of what we are going to do.  I never have seen my husband get so excited for Christmas - it's been fun to do this together.

Once again this is a book about a family that lost their dad.  It shows how they struggled together overcoming their grief, anger, and loneliness.  Each letter was a gift from Christ.  It really showed them the real meaning of Christmas.  We can not wait to sit with each of our kids and really share with them these gifts from Christ.

We went to the Chandler Parade of Lights last weekend!  We haven't been in a long time (probably because it takes A LOT OF WORK!!!)  But DE was in it this year - they won best dance show - we were excited!!!  Even though Baylie and Madi are not in DE anymore . . . they marched this year holding the banner.  Also . . . Will wanted to ride the float, it was cute to see him up there.  I wonder some day if he will realize he was the only boy up there???? Ha Ha  We were sorry to miss our Ward Party, but Doug was pulling the float etc. . . So this year only Rowdy and I watched from the side, but we got to hang with Cook family again.  I was so bummed I forgot my camera (because I wanted to take ANOTHER pic of Judy at her computer - he he)

Potty Moments

OK - I can not be the only one that have boys that pee outside???? or am I??? the other day, Will got home from school and I looked out the window . . . and there he was peeing next to the basketball hoop out in the front. What the heck???? I banged on the window and he looked up at me like all was well?? I asked him what did he think he was doing? If he had to go outside, could he at least go in the back yard? Did he really have to go in the front? Soooo embarrassing.

So lately Rowdy has discovered he can open doors now. I had noticed that he wasn't my shadow any more and could hear him in the bathroom. When I went to go get him - there he was - sitting in the toilet!!! I already knew that I would have to change is diaper because it was bad, but now it really was. I had to change a soggy gross diaper - that little stinker - he he.

BUT . . . I get to wake up to this lovely little thing every morning - I LOVE IT!!!!!!

Gooch Reunion

We had a BIG Gooch reunion the weekend after Thanksgiving. It was so fun getting together with all the cousins. It was well organized, a lot of great history provided. Both Doug and I enjoyed every bit of it! We had some cousins stay with us. My kids couldn't get enough off the full weekend.

Grace Ann the last of her generation - she was a sister to "Arlo Gooch"  Doug's grandpa.  She was full of spunk, pretty trendy for her age, we enjoyed getting to know her.

Richard Gooch the patriarch of the Doug's family

Rowdy could not get enough of this cute little dog

We had a box relay - it was seriously funny to see everyone be blinded in the race.  We only had one injury - but over all it was a good laugh.

Carson had a good time with her "boy" cousins that were the same age as her - they are al trying to sit like Carson (Silly)

Here she is showing them she can act like a boy too!

We had an array of sport games going on - Baylie has been loving volleyball lately.

One of the most fun things my kids enjoyed was they had a rocket launch contest. They made their own rockets and launched them.  Will could not get enough of this event!

The game was stopped for a moment to watch the rockets getting launched!

Dougie-doug doing his thing!

We all had a diaper moment!

The race is on!

Grandma MA

Tucker - 

They had all the cousins line up according to age - here was Will's age group

Hanging out!

Rowdy hanging out with his best friend "Dad"

Diva

At the end of the day, Doug was still catching up with cousin talk - so I was taking everything out to the car myself - to give him time.  Will noticed I was packing up myself - and on his own came and helped me.  It made my day to see one of your kids - get it?

The last minutes of the day!

Great Thanksgiving

We spent the day at my brother Brian's House. It was a beautiful weather, relaxing day. The food was great. I love that my brother always has someone there that is new. I'll call my sister about the day, she'll always say it will be a small gathering - but when we get there they always invite people they know need a spot for the day! Love it!