Holiday Lights at Temple Square

We went early to see the lights at Temple Square this year. Although it was a little more crowded, it was a lot warmer...if you can call above freezing warm. Seeing the lights always makes it feel a little more like Christmas. Jack and Kate say 'Boo Yah' whenever they see Christmas lights, so we heard that a lot.

Thanksgiving 2008

The Watkins family hosted Thanksgiving 2008 in good ole Lehi. We would have loved to make it to Texas with the rest of the Higginbotham clan but it just wasn't in the cards. We were lucky to have Brandon and Jana visit with 2 week old Dylan and we were joined for dinner by Grandma Jean and Great Grandpa Jack. Although it was a low-key dinner, the most memorable part of the day was having Great Grandpa Jack celebrating with us. Jack wanted to impress 'Papa Jack' with his football skills and Kate just wanted to snuggle with him.

Kate's 5th Birthday

Yesterday was Kate's 5th Birthday. Her special day started off with a princess dress, hair and makeup to complete the Birthday Princess look. Next, we went to the spa and she had her traditional birthday mani/pedi. The people at the salon couldn't believe I would bring in my 5 year old for a mani/pedi. They kept calling her spoiled...I didn't have a reply :) After the spa, we picked up her super-special birthday cake. -- Quick back story, we thought we were going to California for Thanksgiving and I foolishly promised a trip to Disneyland for Kate's birthday. Needless to say, we aren't going to California, but she totally remembered the promise. I had to make it up to her, so I let her design a birthday cake from a specialty shop. It was expensive. I learned my lesson. -- After that, she opened presents then changed out of her princess dress for Jump On It. Jump On It is a giant warehouse that smells like feet, with wall to wall trampolines and a row of bounce houses. Kate's friends Sophie and Emma joined us there. The kids LOVED it and the adults did, too. After wearing the kids out at Jump On It, we headed to Chuck E. Cheese for more fun. The kids ate pizza, drank root beer and played tons of games. Kate showed off her $100 birthday cake and officially blew out the candles on her 5th birthday. When we got home, she went to bed with her newest Barbie, Mariposa.

Happy Birthday Kate

My baby girl is 5 today. We have lots of fun things planned today, but I'm still a little sad. What happened to the time? My little Bug is reading, doing math, copying everything I say & do and playing like she is going on dates with her boyfriend. Before I know it, she'll be embarrassed of me and going on real dates. I guess I just have to enjoy every minute of her now. Happy Birthday, Katie-Bug.

The Pick-Up Artist

"Mystery" - The Original Pickup Artist
So Brian is making me post this story because he thinks it's really funny. The other day I stopped to get gas...$1.99 a gallon gas I might add...and it was frickin' freezing Mr. Bigglesworth. I didn't have a coat because we were just running to the library in Draper to return books, but when I saw the price of gas at the station on the corner, I decided to fill up. While I'm getting the fill-up process started, this teenager pulls up on the other side of the pump. He's obviously a football player at Alta High School, because of the sweatshirt he's wearing and the stickers all over his car. He immediately started up a conversation about how awesome the gas prices are and how cold the weather is. I agreed with both and noted that I was not looking forward to winter. He then noticed that I had no coat on and offered me his. I declined his offer with a smile but he persisted...if not the coat, how about a sweatshirt or blanket from his car? He commented that I must be very cold. Again, I thanked him and declined, opting instead to get into the car and wait with Kate and Jack. When the tank was full, I got out and football boy made sure to say his goodbyes. The confusing things about this story are 1) Did he not see the kids in the car? 2) Why did this not happen to me when I was of an appropriate age to take advantage of it? I couldn't buy a date in high school! I guess I should be flattered. Does this make me a MILF?

My Little Man

Jack got another haircut today. He's not too keen on getting haircuts, so we decided to go short and avoid having to do it again for a while. Although it meant sacrificing his curly hair, I was willing to have it done. When it was all over, this adorable little man stood before me. I can't get over how grown up he looks. And, the little ham that he is, he happily posed for the pictures below.

Kill Me Now!

I have always enjoyed the snow for the week or two that I'm in it at Christmastime. It's festive and pretty, and I always know I get to leave it behind for what Southern California considers winter. I NEVER thought I would have to live in the snow again. I hate the snow. Having lived in Utah for 7 years after high school, I knew it was coming. Even with a relatively mild Fall with temperatures well above normal, I knew it was coming. I was not (and am still not) prepared.


Snow is cold, wet, uncomfortable and inconvenient. To top it all off, the kids love it and want to play in it. Because I'm a decent parent and won't let the kids go outside unsupervised, I had to go out into the snow with them. I don't have snow clothes and I have a stupid boot on my sprained foot. While the kids were cute and comfy, I had on Brian's snow pants and shoe. Seriously, this sucks so bad. Kate, Jack and Bob are ridiculously cute in the snow, but I miss California.