Friday, December 12, 2008

Cooking with Richard Ray

Trey is really into NICKNAMES. It all started when I tried to explain to him that Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus were the same person. I told him "Hannah Montana" was just Miley Cyrus' Nickname. If you ask him what HIS nickname is, he will say, "Trey-Man."

Anyhow, my 'secret' nickname for Trey is "Richard Ray" as in Rachael Ray. Who knows if Rachael Ray has a brother, but I think a perfect name for him would be Richard! Whenever I start cooking in the kitchen, Trey (or should I say, "Richard") is always by my side, willing to help in any way he can. Tonight, it was cooking Christmas Sugar Cookies for my cousin Crystal who was driving through from Rexburg to Yakima with her roommate Dani!


Cousin Crystal

12.12.08
After a long night of driving, my cousin Crystal made it to our home around midnight from Rexburg, Idaho. I don't EVER remember having the energy or speed as she and her roommate did; but I think they could have easily stayed up until 3:00am. Poor Crystal, not only does she HATE driving in snow, but she hates the cold. So, what does Crystal get: a major snow storm that snowbounds her in LaGrande, Oregon and at a strangers home for the night! Her little two day trip from Rexburg, Idaho to Yakima, Washington ended up being 4 days. You are a serious trooper Crystal!


These are pj's Crystal's mom sent Tian! They are one of my favorites; Tian wears them ALL of the time!

Day with Shaydon

12.12.08
It was a lucky two days for me: I got to spend time with Sommers two days in a row. First, we had our girls nite at her home. She worked on her Christmas Cards, I wrapped Christmas gifts. The next morning, she brought Shaydon over to play while she got a new 'do!

Some things Shaydon did at our home:
Played Hide-n-Seek with Trey
Ate Pumpkin Pancakes and LOVED them!
Played with our car track
Watched cartoons in bed with Trey


Trey loves his friend Shaydon, as do I!
Thanks Sommers for letting us watch Shaydon; we love it!



Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Stripes

12.10.08
I am afraid this outfit is getting too snug for our little Tian. I just had to get a picture of him in it. Or I should say, I couldn't resist getting a picture of us together!


Not the greatest shot of me, but cute of Tian!

Black Friday

11.28.08
Black Friday; oh how we love it! Amy, my cousin, had never heard of such a thing (I guess Loving, Texas doesn't celebrate Black Friday!) so we brought her along. Santa has had his eye on something for Trey-Man, it just so happened to be on sale at Fred Meyer which opened at 5am.

We planned our attack the night before and woke up at 4:30 Black Friday for our adventures.



Justin was quick as could be and was one of the first at Freddy's to pick up Trey's new ride! Trey is going to FREAK!

Tian and Grandma Bend Conversing

11.27.08
It had been 10 or so weeks since Tian had seen his Grandma Bend, and he had a lot to tell her!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Activity Day Girl's: Christmas Party

12.9.08
Activity Days was a Christmas Party with many crafts and yummy food. Mary was in charge of the Candy Bar Trains, Amy and Janae were in charge of the Star Ornaments and the Christmas Themed Pictionary, and I was basically in charge of the chocolate fountain treat and providing the home. We had all of the girls together, and I think (or I should say; I hoped!) they had a great time. Their candy bar trains turned out SOOOOOOOOOOO cute, they are much more imaginative then I, and their stars looked beautiful! I am so grateful to work with such nice people and sweet girls!


Mary giving the girls instructions for the candy bar trains











Amy teaching the star craft


chocolate fountain


christmas themed Pictionary




Towards the end of the activity, Melissa brought Calista to make a Candy Bar Train. Trey had been so good during the activity; just sitting at the top of our stairs watching the girls make their star ornaments. Melissa was so sweet, asked Trey if he would like her to read a book to him. Trey was in heaven. Thanks Melissa. (the other children are Janae's!)

Tian @ 12 Weeks

I couldn't WAIT until Tian fit into this outfit. It was one of my favorites of Trey's, and it definitely fits Tian to a "T!" It is so soft and cozy, with the word "Prince" stitched upon it, it is perfect for our little Prince Charming!





Sunday, December 7, 2008

The night Robert came to town!

11.27.08
Trey loves his uncles Taylor and Robert! Robert stopped by our home Thanksgiving evening! It was so nice to spend time with him; Trey was in HEAVEN!








Robert and Tian's first meeting!


And, for the record: I broke down and did it. I let my son wear something super hero-ish! I swore up and down I would not put my son in anything with "characters" on it. That included super hero attire. But, he LOVES pretending to be Batman, Spiderman and Superman. So, if silly pj's are going to make our Trey-man a happy camper, let him wear it I say!

Thanksgiving 2008

11.27.08
Thanksgiving was full of family, yummy food, and sweet company! My brother and his sweet dog Larry arrived around noon and my parents and Derek arrived around 3:00. I was getting a bit nervous, I wanted to be eating by 4:00, but the turkey wasn't nearly ready for carving around 4:00. Thank goodness for Miss Michelle's Spinach Dip recipe, crackers, Grandma GiGi's yummy popcorn, and banana bread. The turkey was done around 7:00 or so and it was so delicious! (Not to brag or anything! It was Sommers famous recipe, and with no bones in the turkey, I really couldn't go wrong!)

After dinner, we had such an exciting surprise! My oldest brother Robert was in the area and came over to visit! It was so nice to have the entire Sauter family together, laughing, playing games, and all meeting Tian for the first time. Trey LOVES having his uncles around!


My Grandma GiGi brought these napkin rings for the occassion. We used these while growing up but I never knew the story behind them. My Grandma G.Pa painted them one year, one for every family member. I loved the sentiment of them!


Thanks Amy for making the family's famous Yam Casserole. I can NEVER get my topping as smooth and crispy as yours!

Thanks mom for bringing your perfect dinner rolls and overnight salad, and thanks Grandma GiGi for making the delicious Frog-Eye Salad! Dinner wouldn't have been the same without your additions!


The Family, minus Robert who came later


Tian's special "seat" for the Thankgsiving Feast! Kind of scary picture; Tian looks like he has had too much to drink! (Thanks Jaime for Tian's festive shirt. WE love it!)


Where Trey spent most of the dinner, sprawled out across his chair, until he and Derek decided to read books together!


Derek had found a book he hadn't read before, so he anxiously read it to Trey. It was so cute and sweet to see them sitting on the couch together; Derek reading to Trey! It was funny to hear Trey laughing at the story as Derek read to him. Just to think, not even 10 years ago, Derek didn't even talk. Now, he is reading books, talking to anyone that will listen; it is amazing what my parents and Dereks tutors have done with him!!!

Thank you to all who made Thanksgiving a perfect celebration this year! It wouldn't have been complete if it wasn't for your help!