ALERT!! Part 4

Well, here it is. Pictures of the snow! It is really real. It is not fake. Also, the boys have a SNOW DAY!!! IN VEGAS!!! They are so excited. It is 10pm at night and I still have one or two outside in the snow. Enjoy the pictures.

A picture of the front yard with light snow you can't see yet!!!
BUT ITS REALLY THERE!

In the parking lot by the Junior High, the snow is actually sticking!

Light snow with boys out front enjoying the beginning of the snow showers!!

LOTS OF ACCUMULATION!! Matthew in the front yard enjoying and loving the snow!!

ALERT!! Part 3

Okay, I guess I have to say I was very skeptical about actually getting snow. Wednesday, today, is the day! We are actually getting snow, here in Henderson! Its not sticking yet, don't know if it will, but I have three of my four boys outside running around in it. If it actually sticks to something, I will take a picture of it. (For Memories) Hope everyone here in Vegas is enjoying it. It is nice, just don't want it to stay around for very long. That is why I live IN THE DESERT!!!!

ALERT!! Part 2

Of course, we did not get snow. The northeast side did get some snow because they are in higher elevations, but we did get rain, and alot of it. It has been raining steadily since 9 am this morning. And it is almost 4pm. Although, it is cold and wet and overall miserable, we do need all the rain we can get here in Vegas. Alas, I will keep updated on whether we get any snow later in the week. This storm is supposed to last a good 3-4 days.

ALERT!!

TOMMOROW THE CITY OF LAS VEGAS AND HENDERSON, NEVADA IS EXPECTED TO GET SNOW THAT WILL ACCUMULATE!!


I WILL KEEP EVERYONE POSTED IF IT ACTUALLY HAPPENS!!!!!

Christmas Choir Concert

So every year our stake hosts a "Night of Choirs". Each ward in our stake has choir and sings one song. We had that tonight. It was a great evening of beautiful music by each choir and was heartwarming and spiritual. Music always makes my heart "sing". (Yes, pun intended) I have sung in our ward choir since we have moved to Las Vegas and I love it. I almost wasn't able to sing this year due to some untimely laringitus this past week. But fortunately my voice was strong enough by today to be able to sing. The Spirit of Christ always seems so much closer while I listen to and participate in music. I hope that we can all slow down long enough to remember the "reason for the season". I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us and have given all of us, ALL of our innumerable blessings in our lives. I hope everyone reading this enjoys this wonderful CHRISTmas season with your families and friends.

The Graham's are wishing you a most blessed season!!

Annual Family Home Evening

We have a Family Home Evening that we started two years ago with some friends, The Freeman's. We go to the Bellagio Gardens every year at the Bellagio Hotel down on the strip. Every Christmas they decorate their flower gardens with beautiful Christmas decorations. Each year our tradition has added a family here and there. We then go to Denny's and have dessert and hot chocolate afterwards. This year we enjoyed the company of the Freeman's, the Scott's and the Murdock's. We all had a great time and look forward to our continued tradition.

Hope you enjoy the following photos.

Happy Thanksgiving

We had a great day. Thanksgiving was at our house and we had my mom and brother and his family and we had the Scott's. It was relatively quiet compared to some years. We had a good time and had a lot of great food. It was raining that day too. It was nice. In the evening we checked out some Black Friday deals, and some of us decided to brave the crowds. My mom even spent the night at Best Buy with her friend Felice. Overall, it was worth the crazy crowds and awful early morning times. We all got what we wanted from the deals and went home satisfied. I hope everyone else had an awesome Thanksgiving Day too.

Happy Birthday, Michael

Well, this past weekend was Michael's 11th birthday. For those of you who know us pretty well, we didn't think he would make it to his 1st birthday, let alone his 11th. He was born with an infection and a very severe heart defect. At 6 months, he had open heart surgery, and has been fine ever since. We love Michael and his willingness to always help out, without a complaint, most of the time. He is a sweet and responsible boy, whom his little brother, Matthew, adores. He got a football and a game for his DS. He got to go on his first Boy Scout overnight camp out with his Dad and big brother. We had dinner and an ice cream cake with family. He enjoyed his weekend.



Here is a picture of him with his birthday cake.

Matthew

hijacked

Bette has mistakenly trusted me with her password. needless to say that is why her background is now something that she would love!!! hope she likes it

Finally Twilight

I went to see Twilight this afternoon. It was really good. They had to change things from the book, its almost impossible to make any movie better than its book. But overall, all six of us that went enjoyed the movie immensely. I think I will enjoy watching it at home instead though, because there was alot of giggling during the emotional parts. It was definitely worth all the expectation and excitement. It was just great to see most of the things you envisioned in your head brought onto the screen. GO SEE IT! It'll never be as good as the book but it was worth watching.

Our Trip to Utah

Left to right:
Cait, Steve, Dave and Sara


Matthew (pretending to be a pirate??) and Mom

Halloween we took a trip up to Utah to Steve's family in Provo. The kids had a long weekend due to Nevada Day, so we took advantage of the long weekend. We celebrated Halloween with the Hyde's and the boys "Favorite" cousins. We had many Halloween activities on Friday and Saturday. We went to church and just enjoyed each others company on Sunday and Monday.

Here are some pictures.

Steve and sister, Sara

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Okay, for those of you who know Steve and I very well, we have never in 15 years of marriage ever dressed up for Halloween. Not because we don't enjoy the holiday (AHH, all that candy) Just because we never felt like it. This year we decided since everything was on sale this year, what the heck, we would. (writer's note: our costumes have nothing to do with the books I just finished reading, HONEST, Steve just refused to be a convict) So here is a picture of the Graham family ALL completely decked out for our Ward Trunk or Treat. Yes, you may have fun laughing. Some people didn't even recognize Steve and I at church.

Yes, Steve and I are vampires. Steven is Slim Jim, if you don't know what they are just look up SLIM JIM on the internet. Michael is Zorro, Ben is the black faced Grim Reaper. Matthew, well what can I say, the kid loves candy, but not Halloween. I could barely get him in any costumes, let alone the very cute Wolf costume that he was supposed to be. So he is a very old Woody with no hat from Toy Story. KIDS!

Twilight

Okay since I added the Twilight Widget to my blog, "some" people have expressed their disappointment that I didn't add any text so here it is. I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL FRIDAY AT 3:30pm. I am going to see the movie with a bunch of friends. Afterwards, we are going to dinner so that we can discuss the movie. I am currently rereading Twilight the book. And will probably go on to reread books 2, 3, and 4. I have probably read everything there is about it I can on the internet. I have sent out Twilight E-cards. My desktop screen has Twilight. And yes I am one of the millions who have bought the soundtrack. (Bella's Lullaby, ahhhh........) There is nothing to say. You just have to listen to it. I have been having many conversations with many different people, everyone has loved the books, and can't wait for the movie. Also, not to brag, but I read all 4 books the first time in 5 days. This time I am taking my time. To all those other TWILIGHT freaks, ENJOY the movie.

TWILIGHT

Matthew is so FUNNY!

Just a little story about Matthew. There is always something funny that he is saying. I thought I would share this one with you. So during sacrament meeting at church, I had to take Matthew out and give him a talking to. (I know shock!) So we are walking down the hall and he is resisting me so I am holding his hand pretty tight. He tells me, "Mom, you are going to break my bones!" He is too funny. I don't know where is gets this stuff from?

A picture

Just thought I would share this picture of us from last year. We were doing a scrapbooking page for our bishop that just got released. ENJOY!

He's Finally Here (Another Nephew)

HUNTER ALLAN DANKO
9 LB 12 OUNCES
20 IN LONG
Huge hands and feet!!

PROUD PAPA DANKO WITH HUNTER

So, for those of you who don't know. My brother and his wife Michelle had there baby last night. He was a whopping 9 pounds 12 ounces. Delivered by caesarean. He is so adorable and HUGE! His name is Hunter Allan Danko. Congratulations to new Mom and Dad (this is #4, HAHA) Just like big your sis.


New sister Julie, Aunt Bette and new brother Justin, with Hunter

Matthew

Just a little story about Matthew. He went to preschool today. Karen dropped him and Will off for me. (Thurs. is supposed to be my day) Anyhow, Karen was there waiting for them to get done but she was really early. So with about 20 minutes left to class, Matthew spotted Karen through the window, and started to wave her in, telling her to come and get him now! Just thought I would share Matthew's crazy actions. Have a great day.

Steven's Hair!!

Ok, for those of you who don't know Steven very well. He has been telling me since he was two what he wants to wear and how he likes his hair, etc. My mom says its because I made him hold his own bottle at the age of two weeks old. HAHA! Anyhow, he has since had his hair pretty long in the front and likes it that way. We have compromised by letting him get it cut by a "professional" instead of his dad. We also have agreed that the back stays short and the front stays long. Well, this last month, it was time for haircuts for school. I agreed to let all the boys get there haircut from a "professional" (fantastic sams). In consequence, nobody got as much hair cut off as I would have liked. So here we are only a few weeks into school, and ALL FOUR of their hair is driving me crazy. Steven especially, since he has decided lately not to do anything other than wet it down.



Well during Stake Conference today, I wrote Steven a little note and said that this week he had to get his haircut again. (I usually have to give him a few days to get used to the idea. I have learned that springing a haircut the same day on him doesn't go over as well.)



NOTE: Steve and I have decided that in the whole scheme of things, we aren't willing to have WWIII over his hair. As long as it is kept short in the back for passing the sacrament.



Anyhow, Steven wrote back and told me NEVER! (haha he always says that!) Then his dad saw our note and wrote on it, that if Steven let him cut his hair, that he would pay him $50. So he actually went for it.



Now, I am surprised only because not much motivates Steven to getting anything done with his hair. My theory on it is that HE himself was getting sick of his hair and that's the reason he agreed. So, here are the before and after pictures. ENJOY!! I KNOW THAT I AM!



BY THE WAY DON'T LET THE LOOK ON HIS FACE FOOL YOU! HE LOVES IT!!!!



By the way, we cut the other boys hair too, but they don't care quite as much about the hair as Steven. I hope they never care as much as Steven ever!!!

BACK TO SCHOOL!!

Michael, below Steven, right











Life has settled into a routine finally after 3 months of no routine. All of the boys are back to school and doing well. Ben and Michael are playing soccer. Steven is taking piano lessons and Matthew started preschool. Our kitchen is partially done and looking great. Steve is busy coaching Michael's soccer team and being Scout Master and working. Bette is busy keeping Matthew happy and encouraging him to separate himself from her. She takes him to the gym everyday and now he just started preschool. She also starts next week taking care of Aliana and Julie on Mondays and Tuesdays.


Matthew, left
Benjamin, right

Trip to Utah

So we went on our annual trip to Provo, Utah for the 4th of July to visit family and enjoy the holiday. We stayed with Ben and Cait (steve's sister) and their 6 kids. We all had a great time. We also visited with Steve's mom and dad (home for the summer) and Steve's sister Sara and her husband Kevin. We went to a parade, visited a Di Vinci exhibit, went to IKEA had a good time.

HA! It's done!

I know that most of you that bug me about my blog will be shocked that i finally did it but I did. I know that I am very bad a blogging. But one of my mid-new years resolution is to post at least once a month. So that those of you that are always looking for a new post from me, (and you know who you are!) will actually log on and find one.

Bag Tag

Okay, here is my bag tag.

Now keep in mind that my purse was just on vacation along with the rest of us. Since then I have had almost everyone in the house sick, so it hasn't been cleaned out.

The largest pile that you see is a pile of receipts. There is also a wallet, and checkbook. Some garbage. A pair of Matthew's socks. Some dollar bills and some change. There is also a post-it pad. The last little pile is a pile of cards, i.e. driver's license, medical cards, debit cards, credit cards, costco cards. Anything I have used in the last week and was too lazy to actually put back in the wallet.

Now since I don't know very many bloggers, I don't have 5 people to bag tag. So the only one that I know is Meghan. Anyone else that reads my post and would like join in, let me know.

Bette

Too Cute not to Show

Bottom: WILL
Right: ANNMARIE



So, Karen was over the other day. (I know shock and amazement) The kids found Michael's baseball helment and glove and decided that they wanted to play ball.





Right: Not a great picture. But Annmarie and Matthew on Matthew's bed. Note: the little red head over in the corner is Will with the helmet on.

SICK OF SICKIES

OUR WEEK HAS NOT BEEN THE BEST. Since Steven was the only one sick last week it wasn't so bad. But this week everyone else decided to be sick too. I have had Matthew very sick, Michael, Benjamin and Steve. Michael hasn't been to school all week. Ben only went on Tuesday. And Steve has missed work on Thursday. I have to say the I (of course, the Mom) has only had a few sniffles. I AM SICK OF THE SICKIES. They have had coughs, running noses, sore throats, chest conjestion, and HIGH Fevers!! Joy. Nothing to do except to live through it. I will probably get sick next week after everyone else is well. Sorry no pictures to prove the illness, but trust me, it exists. KEEP SMILING :)

Steven's Milestone

Okay just to let you know Steven attended his very first joint activity with the Young Men/Young Women. We would never admit it be he was very excited and had a great time. They played dodgeball. Here is a picture.

Our Trip to St. George/Enterprise

So this past weekend we went up to St. George for the weekend. We were meeting Steve's sister Cait and her family on Monday for the day. They live in Provo and were visiting family for the weekend. So we decided to make a weekend of it. On Saturday we stayed at a hotel. (ask the boys the best thing about Saturday and they will tell you the hotel. It shows how often we stay at one) We drove around St. George and visited the St. George Temple and visitor center. Steven took pictures on his phone of almost all of the Book of Mormons in different languages. He thought that was really cool.

On Sunday, we drove up to Enterprise to see the Holt's (a family that just recently moved up there from our ward) We had a great time. Why??? Do you ask? There was a special reason, other than the fact that they got to see there friends and play the WII (nintendo) IT HAD SNOW!! Yes, that cold, wet, white stuff that I happen to like living without. The boys loved it. We went to church with the Holt's and then had lunch and the boys went outside to play. Matthew was sick and so he stayed inside, but the other boys went. We also got to go see and feed some horses and drove around town. We had a great time. Thanks to the Holts for there hospitality and letting us stay overnight.

Okay, now for Monday. We drove Monday morning back to St. George and visited with Cait, Ben and the kids (Steve's sister and family). We visited at Ben's sister's house, Mindy, who was kind enough to let all 14 of us invade her home. We had lunch and then went to visit this place called the Lemon Squeeze. Steve and Ben and the kids went and hiked up and squeezed through. The only one not to make is was Steve. He was too big?? Imagine that. I guess all those extra muscles from his new job is doing something:) Bette and the girls stayed down with the babies and the dogs and watched. We had a great time going to a park afterwards and then had dinner at Mindy's house and drove home.

Top left: Steve in Lemon Squeeze.

Top right: Some of the kids "hiking" around the rocks

Left: All of our kids and Ben and Cait's kids before we left.

Stazrting left to right: Robin, Carter, Michael, Steven, Matthew, Carrie, Riley, Benjamin, Parker, and William.

So that is all for now. Look for more on the saga of the Graham Fam soon.

Bette's New Van

Let me begin this new post by letting you know a little about the history of Bette's vehicle's. Since Steve and Bette has been married (14 1/2 years), Bette has had exactly 3 cars. The first car was actually Bette and Steves when they first got married and were in college. That car they kept for several years and it became Bette's car after Steve got another one. When Michael was born or maybe a little before, Bette got her first van. Around the time of Benjamin coming into the world, (Ben is almost 8) Bette got her next van. And that is the last vehicle she has had since around 2000. Steve has had to many vehicles to name or remember. FINALLY, she has waited be been very very patient. HER WAIT IS OVER. She now has a new van. And she LOVES it. See the picture of her new van!!! (new to her anyway)

A NEW UPDATE!!!!

Since the last post was entered by someone else!! I have decided to show all of you that I do know how to post and add some stuff every once and a while. (I hope everyone notices the much better spelling of this posting than the last!!:)

So it was Steven's 12th birthday on Sunday. He was sick and not feeling very well but was very excited about his bday presents that he picked out on Saturday with Mom. He got a new jacket and some new shoes.

These are two pictures of Matthew. Never a dull moment with him around. Above he is laying on the floor and pretending he is sleeping. He covered himself up with the rug!! Below is him in the bathtub getting his face scrubbed because he decided to put on Mom's permanent lipstick. Note to self: Don't leave THAT lipstick around for Matthew to play with!!

Here is a picture of Steve and Chris (Karen's husband) cutting down our huge pine tree on New Year's Day. The next is a picture is the house before the tree came down.

NOW TO CLOSE MY BLOG. I HOPE EVERYONE IS HAPPY AND HAS ENJOYED MY NEWS. LOOK FOR A NEW UPDATE COMING SOON. MAYBE EVEN LATER TODAY!!! IT'S A NEW ADDITION TO THE GRAHAM HOUSE (AT LEAST AN INANIMATE OBJECT!)

PS. EDITOR'S NOTE. Spell check is down. But this editor doesn't need it.

I can't take it anymore

editior note spell check not working sorry.

Yes this is Karen Scott posting. I like Jenn Elison cannot handle to look at the dog's photo one more time. so I am posting for her. I happen to have a few photos of them durring the past few months. Bette may not like them but she will get over it becuase I AM POSTING FOR HER!!!!!!!

Recent Happenings. . .

Well Steven turns twelve on the 10th and looking at her track record. . . This will be a post about steven's birthday. He had a great day got everything he wanted plus. He loves his mom and dad. Loves his brothers and wishes they would have some more kids. BUt that one really is on bette and steve.

Michael. . . starting baseball, he chose this over soccer. . .what was he thinking. Ok Bette is happy with baseball Steve was hoping like me for soccer.

Ben . . . in school he had to make a stalker map . . . how he gets to and from school. it was really cool with legos and everything. He got 100% on it. Way to go Ben!!!!

Matthew. . . Where to begin. . . He is a child who listens to everything his parents say. And quickly obeys. He never yells at anyone especially his mother. He goes to bed with out crying and never needs to be told to get back in bed. He and Will (my son) never fight or yell at each other. ok today is opposite day for matthew.

Steve. . . has begun working 6 days a week. Has been told he needs to cuss more at work to fit in. hopefully he will not turn into the potty mouth we all know his wife is!! hahahaha just kidding bette

Bette . . since the new year she has been doing really good at working out at the gym. She loves to go to class and die, but she loves to have sometime alone with out kids to listen to music and shower alone. She is looking really good. Call her everyday to make sure that she went to work out. This will give her the motivation that she needs.

Zoey. . . ok really do we need to talk about her. I was not asked to dog sit in a few weekends because she was afraid that Zoey might not be around when she got back. What can I say. . . not a dog person.

Here are some of the photos I have of the graham family

steve and bette on the way to his work party. I have these because they used my camera.