Salem Pond

On our way home from Salt Lake City, I wanted to stop somewhere and take some pictures of the beautiful snow. I was able to talk Tyson into stopping at Salem Pond and let the kids feed the ducks for a bit, even though it was 15 degrees outside, Tyson obliged me and we stopped.

Salem Pond holds a lot of special memories for me. I use to go there in the summertime with my friends and jump off the bridge into the disgusting duck poop filled water to cool off. I would walk there a lot to clear my head in my high school days. Also, it is where I first introduced Tyson to Kai. Here are a few pics from our brief visit.

Hare Krishna temple


..and their sacred llamas


Even Tyson got into it...

How can you not LOVE this view...

Stickin together.....


We had fun together and it was bittersweet leaving. We are all homebodies, so it was nice to be going home, but we were leaving home at the same time. I miss Utah more than ever now, but I know we belong in Las Vegas for the time being. :)

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was fun! It was just Tyson, Ashtyn and I at my in-laws, (Kai was with his dad that morning) and Ashtyn was the CENTER of attention. It was so much fun watching her open up her gifts and having Ron & Val there to see. She opened her favorite gift first, which was a Strawberry Shortcake house, and every time she'd open another gift, she would say, "Oh cool." and go running back to the Strawberry Shortcake. It was fun. I did not have my camera that morning, so I don't have any pics of this.:(

Afterwards, we went to Grandma & Grandpa Grapes house and had her traditional scone breakfast..mmmmmm... and it was heaven!! We ate scones with her special Pear Supreme jam and had bacon and opened gifts from them, the whole extended family was there and it was so nice to be able to join them this year. It was the first year in 5 years that Tyson was able to be there, and it was so great. The pics below were taken by my sister in laws, Brittany and Bethany. Thanks ladies! :)


I look cranky in this pic, but I wasn't at all..hmmmm

The kids and Aunt Michelle waitin for the "Go Ahead" to open their gifts.

The kids got piggy banks that count the money as you add it, they also got rolls of nickels to start them off, it was such a clever and fun gift for the grandkids!!

Ashtyn, Hunter and Aiden playing Bakugan...Ashtyn likes to be one of the boys.

My home away from home.....

These are some pictures of my in-laws, Ron and Valerie's home, isn't it beautiful? Looks like cut outs from a magazine?! Valerie is so talented at this and really knows how to make her house a home. Love you Val!

Christmas Eve

Tyson and I drove to Salt Lake on Christmas Eve day and we made it there around 3:00 PM, we were so excited to be home for Christmas and we loved the beautiful snow-covered mountains. It was such a beautiful Christmas Eve with ALL of the family there! Valerie, (my mother-in-law) Michelle and Bethany (my sister-in-laws) made a wonderful dinner and the whole family came over to celebrate together. Ronny played the Nativity story for the kids with a little girl narrating it and it was so sweet, I don't think anyone could deny the feeling of the Christmas spirit within all of us, and it showed.

Afterwards, it was gift-giving time. My in-laws gave us all a special gift as families and gave us each something that really fit each of our personalities. The kids were all elated over their fun gifts from Oma and Opa which consisted of Nerf guns, Ashtyn got a a very big toy horse and some CUTE clothes.
Brittany, Bethany, me and Michelle

Tyson's brother Ronny, his wife Michelle and their kiddos, Jackson, Vala & Aiden

Ashtyn, me, Vala & Jackson

Bethany & Michelle

Tyson & Vala

Jackson, Vala, Aiden & Ashtyn

Ed & Dave's snuggies from Tyson and I

The mess

Beautiful Brittany

More of the mess


It truly was the best Christmas ever!! There was so much Love in the room and forgiveness for previous trespasses, and faith for a wonderful and bright New Year for our family. We love our family and hope that everyone had a special Christmas and has a wonderful New Year! XoXo, The Schraders

Book list for 2010

I've decided to make a list of books I want to read this year, I have been quite the avid reader lately, and want to read at least 2-3 books a month. The last few books I have read have been very good. The following are must-reads;

The Glass Castle- Jeanette Wells
The Hunger Games- Suzanne Collins
Catching Fire- Suzanne Collins
A Thousand Splendid Suns- Khaled Hosseini

I am currently reading, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larson. It has me intrigued, but I am only 103 pages into a 600 page book so it is too early to reccomend to you. It was written in Swedish and translated into English so some of the references and meanings are not exact.

Here is a list of books I am going to read in 2010, please let me know if you are interested in reading along with me, or if you have ANY suggestions, please let me know. I love books, I love being mesmerized by words as my imagination paints pictures.

~ The Hunger Games- book 3 by: Suzanne Collins
~ The Help - Kathryn Stockett
~ Memoirs of a Geisha- Aurther Golden
~ The Catcher in the Rye- J.D. Salinger
~ The Book Thief- Markus Zusak
~ The Time Travelers Wife- Audrey Niffenegger
~ Water for Elephants- Sara Gruen

I am going to stop at this list, I will add to it as I blog. I urge whomever does read my blog to leave a comment, I would love to interact with any of you.

Enfamil

Today I checked my mail as usual, and inside was 2 12.5 oz cans of Enfamil Premium with Lipil baby formula. It also came with 4 $4.00 off coupons for any Enfamil formula. If I had a baby, this would be a very cool Christmas gift indeed! Formula is so expensive! I thought I'd let all of you know out there in cyberspace that I had these, so if you, or anyone you know is in need of these, please let me know in a comment or email at mizkylie@gmail.com. If you are in Utah, I can bring them up with me when I come fro Christmas. Everyone needs a little help these days:)

I love these!!

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Tyson & Ashtyn wish you a Merry Christmas!! :P

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Christmas Tag!

CHRISTMAS TAG!!! Answer these Christmas questions and tag your family and friends to answer too!! Merry Christmas!


1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Egg Nog!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa likes to leave them unwrapped, so you know they're from him.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? We switch off, but mostly do white since our tree is red and gold

4. Do you hang mistletoe? I never have, I get enough kisses. :)

5. When do you put your decorations up? We try to do it the weekend after Thanksgiving

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Sweet Potatoes

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Christmas Eve programs. We would all pick something to perform for Christmas eve. I loved to do Helga and Zelga, it was a skit where my sisters and I would be each others hands and improv...we'd always end up with red faces from accidentally being slapped (at least I thought it was accidental)

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? My mean older sisters told me when I was about 7 years old.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? The kids do, pyjamas!!

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? White lights, with red and gold for the 49ers!! :)

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? LOVE to look at it and play in it sometimes, but I HATE driving in it.

12. Can you ice skate? Yes. Not very well anymore, but yes.

13. Do you remember your favorite childhood gift? I don't recall right now, but I will tell you some wierd ones.... A pineapple shaped lamp, rats, fish, and a statue of a cowboy and his son....LOL

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? My in-laws get this tin full of homemade fudge... it is sooo good, I dream of it!!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Christmas movies on Christmas Eve

17. What tops your tree? A Star

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Although I LOVE presents, I really like to see people's reactions to what I got for them, I try to be a thoughtful gift-giver.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Carol of the Bells and Silent Night.

20. Candy Canes... yuck or yum??? YUM!

21. What is your favorite Christmas movie? A Christmas Carol & Rudolph of course


I tag EVERYONE!! I want to see your answers! :)

Positivity is a full-time job!!

I have been trying hard to be positive lately..... I am the queen of sarcasm, so I tend to be quite the "Negative Nancy" at times. I thought it would be a perfect time to write a few things that irk me, just to get it out of my system, so, in no particular order, here we go....

~ I like to go blog-hopping now and again, and sometimes I stumble upon blogs that have at least half a dozen words that are spelled wrong in every post. This irritates me. HELLO? Spell check is on every blog!! The occasional word does not bother me, I am SO guilty of this. I just cannot stand it when every fifth word is spelled wrong, especially when you know how intelligent the author is! Call me what you will. :)

~ Video games, namely, World of War Craft. This game represents all that is evil... my husband is addicted to it. I really should accept it, but I really can't. I think it is the biggest waste of time known to man. Every time I see The Mister online engrossed in an intense game of WOW, my blood boils. I get so mad that I am constantly making that growling noise that Marge Simpson is famous for.

~ Fake People. Enough said. :)

~ OPRAH! Okay, okay, I realize she has done a lot of charity work and that is great and all, but c'mon, does she have to have her butt kissed every time she gives a buck to a homeless person?? She irritates me so much and I think she more than just a little bit racist....

Okay. I feel better. I hope I did not offend any readers out there. I just had to vent today, you know, one of those days:)

Missing the Winter Wonderland....

Assuming I have any readers that are even checking this blog..... Hello! I really have not been able to think of anything to blog about.... These past couple weeks have really been quite uneventful, such is my life. Which is actually a good thing if you are me! :)

The BIG negative thing that has happened is that my beloved UTES lost to BYU this year in the Holy War 26-23.. It was so close and it was a great game. But, we still lost. *sigh* I have been really getting into football more so than the past years. I really see how it is so enjoyable to sit with Tyson ALL DAY on a Saturday and watch football. It is really fun for me, but it comes with a price.... EMOTIONS!! I can't watch a game without picking a team I want to win when its neither of my teams playing (UTES & 49ERS) So, I pick a team based on who is favored to win, then I pick the opposite team to win because I love underdog stories. :) When they lose, I truly feel a little sad, but when its one of my teams that lose, I am considerably upset. Needless to say, I am not looking forward to the football season ending...

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and also were able to go see Penn & Teller live, courtesy of a late Birthday present from our friends, Christina and Micheal. It was fun, it was a magic/comedy show. It was a fun date night for Tyson and I.

It's getting cold here in the desert, I know none of you UTAHNS will sympathize with me because its snowing there. But, today it is 40 degrees!!! THAT is cold for Las Vegas. Ashtyn and I walk Kai to the bus stop every morning and walk to pick him up as well, and I must say, WE REALLY NEED WINTER COATS!! I think I need to get them from Utah because they have more of a selection. None of us have decent, warm winter coats and my main concern is for the kids. I can do without. So, if any of you see any great deals out there in the Winter Wonderland, let me know:)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

HaPpY ThAnKsGiViNg!!!

>
Ever since I have met Tyson, he has LOVED the Thanksgiving holiday. I have cooked once before and it turned out wonderful. This year, I am cooking again and I really hope I don't dissappoint Tyson.

~ I am so very thankful for him, his devotion to his family and the amazing father and husband he is.



~ I know I have said it before, but around the holidays, you really can't say it enough. I am thankful for my precious, precious children that are so strong-willed and have wonderful personalities.



~ I am thankful for the roof over my head and the food that we can provide for ourselves and our children.



~ I am thankful for the love and support of family and friends.



~ I am thankful for the freedom we have in this great country of ours and the troops who fight for us everyday to make that happen.


~ I am thankful for the holidays where we can sit back and realize how much we have and all of the blessings we are given.
Have a very Happy Thanksgiving everyone, Much Love to all of you FROM THE SCHRADER FAM!!!

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Thankful for

~ MAKEUP! I have to say, I am sooooo grateful for make-up...you know when you wake up a day late and a dollar short? (happens way too often for me) :)

~ The church. LDS church. The people who live this religion are such good people. The teachings of this church have helped me through a lot of hard times. I have had trouble going back and forth with this for a while, and I have made harsh judgements of some of the people that haven't exactly displayed the kindness that the church teaches, but I never thought, these people are trying too....nobody is perfect. It is about the teachings, not the people. So, I am trying again, harder this time. So, that no matter what comes of it, I can truly say that I put my all into it. Either way, I am grateful for the church because it does so much for so many and enriches peoples lives that live it.

Thankful for.....

~ SALES!! I love a good sale! Especially when its something that I would usually not be able to afford! Black Friday is coming up so there are sales everywhere.

~ Random visitors...My cousin Rochelle, who is going to be here tomorrow at the airport for a 3 hour layover and I am going to go see her for the brief moment I can!

~ Days that I am not cranky and I am feeling great!! (which is not today)

~ Good music. I love all kinds of music and a great song can really brighten a day! :)

Thankful for....

~ MY NEW TV!! I know, this seems a bit materialistic...but I know I have admitted my love for television here and I just can't help it. I will say that our 55 big screen television that we LOVED dearly and that Tyson has had for 10 years, finally died on us about 6 weeks ago. We were watching hardly any TV the whole 6 weeks I mean, not even while Tyson was at work. I would watch it in my bedroom maybe an hour a day (which was an INSANE improvement) but not by choice! I did realize that I was watching it WAY too much and missing out on a lot of better things to do (like reading and playing with the kids more).
Tyson and I came up with an idea that we would buy a new big screen and make it our family Christmas gift. It is the only gift he and I are getting each other this year and big screens have dropped drastically in price over the past year, making them much more affordable:) Tyson worked extra hours so we would be able to do this for ourselves and the kids. So, I am SOOOOO happy to have a VERY nice addition to the family, a Mitsubishi 60 inch LCD television!! I am so excited because it is money well spent (in my opinion) and the biggest purchase we have made in a very long time! We deserve it!! I apologize for the extra bragging this post, but I just love it!


~ Family Time. I LOVE having family time. The best are when it is completely spontaneous. When the kiddos hop on our bed and we end up playing charades, which is the most hilarious game to play with my dramatic and very animated children!! Or, when we play hide and go seek in the house, Ashtyn giggles EVERY time and we have to pretend that it is hard to find her. I love these moments and get a little teary-eyed at how very blessed I am to have such incredible, defining moments in my life. I cherish every second of them.

NEW MOON

My original plans for seeing New Moon was to wait until Saturday morning to see it with Tyson. Which we are still doing tomorrow morning at 7 A.M.... last night I was with my friends and I really, really wanted to go to the midnight showing, so I talked them into it and we were able to get tickets 2 hours before it starts. I am sure that is unheard of in Utah, but here in Vegas, there are so many theaters and were 4 or more showings at each one, so we were able to buy some online and head over to the movies. There were hundreds of people waiting in line. We walked up to the front and he let us right in so we were able to get first pick for seating! (Awesome!)
Here is my review of the movie, if you have not yet seen it and don't want to know anything, stop reading. :)
~ Bella annoyed me SO bad. She was breathing really heavily throughout the whole movie, it sounded like she had bad asthma.
~ Edward looked sickly and WAY too pale. I didn't like it at all.
~ Jacob was HOT HOT HOT!!! Super ripped and just beautiful to look at!
~ I LOVED the werewolves and how they changed, it was very cool.
~ For some reason, Charlie looked attractive to me...am I the only one?
~ The movie was better than Twilight and you could tell they had a better budget.

All in all, I thought it was a great movie aside from my being so annoyed by Bella's whining and panting and screaming.:)
I think all the Twi-hards were pleased, I CANNOT wait until Eclipse, JUNE 10TH!!!

Thankful 4

~ Kai's big heart. This kid is the most sensitive, loving and thoughtful kid I have ever known. Anytime Tyson or I are in a separate room from one another, Kai will say to me, "Mommy, I am gonna go check on NeNe(knee-knee is what he calls Tyson) and see if he is okay..I think he is lonely" or the other way around if he is talking to Tyson. He has to tell me he loves me every time he leaves the house, or even leaves the room. He is so sweet and is always worried about other people's feelings. We love our Kai-Kai.

~ Sleep. I have been an insomniac for as long as I can remember. When I am able to really get some good rest, I love it and cherish it! When Tyson is home from work, he will get up with the kids, make them breakfast and Kai's lunch, and take them to the bus stop with him so I can sleep in!! What an amazing husband I have!!

~ Tyson's loyalty. I have never met anyone as loyal as he is. This man would do anything for his family and loves us unconditionally. He must have been raised right because he is simply the most wonderful human being I have ever known. Love you Mister!!

Thankful, thankful, thankful!!!

an oldie but a goodie!!

~ Ashtyn's personality! This little girl is 4 going on 16!! She is sassy, witty, funny and very, very dramatic (I don't know where she gets it:) She is a handful and then some, and we love her. She is super tough and sometimes beats on her OLDER brother... We love you Ashes! We can't imagine life without her, it would be so boring!!

~ Friends...... I don't know what I would do without my great friends! It is so fun to get together and just be dorky and laugh at dumb things! I am having ladies night tonight!!

I am thankful for......

~ My big, comfortable bed. When I was little, I use to have to take naps. I would go downstairs, play for an hour, and mess up my hair and rub my cheeks until they were red. Then, I would walk upstairs acting all groggy and tell my dad's wife that I took a very good nap. I HATED taking naps. Now.... wouldn't it be lovely to have a siesta everyday? I love my big, comfy bed and look forward to bedtime.

~ Long talks..... with anyone really. I love just being able to talk with anyone candidly ... especially with Tyson, when we are driving or when we are just cuddling and talking about the day.

I am thankful for.....

~ Great books! Even bad books are good sometimes so you can appreciate the really good ones! You know what they say, "You can't have a rainbow without any rain." I am reading a book called 'The Glass Castle' and it is a true story about this woman's life. Her family was very, very poor and really made the most of what they had, which was close to nothing. It is a very good book to read, especially during this time of year when we are reflecting on things we are thankful for and we are experiencing a bad economy. This book really brings it all into perspective.

~ Good Movies. I cannot tell you how many times a good movie has really help me escape my life for a short time. I love getting lost in another world and letting my imagination take a hold of me.

~ Memories. Memories last a lifetime and I am thankful that we can retain our memories and relive them whenever we want to.

I am SO very thankful for.....

~ My most amazing cousin, Rochelle, or CHEDDY. Not only because she did this, but also because she is such a great example in my life. She can tell me anything and she says it with nothing but unconditional love. She has been through so much and has weathered it amazingly. You can read her story here. I have nothing but respect, love and admiration for her and her fun-loving, beautiful family. Love you Cheddy!!

~ Positivity. Lord knows I sometimes have trouble staying positive, but it is a work in progress and I have come a long way. Why is it that we tend to believe the negative things people say? Especially when all evidence proves the opposite? I am so thankful for those who have said kind things to me and given me strength from those words.

~ My mother's journals. I have written about them before on here, but I really would not know my mother as well as I do without her journals. She has many of them and I am able to get to know her intimately through them. I love that she wrote so often and I think everyone should keep a journal no matter how mundane you think your life is!! :)

~

I am thankful for........

~ I asked KAI what he is thankful for.... and he said, "You....AND.. my family, all of my family." He added, "I am thankful for mommy & Kai night, and my two dads, and my Ashtyn, and all of my other family." SO CUTE!! He also picked the picture to post. :)

~ Modern Technology..... I do not know what I would do without it! I know with every new invention, the world gets more and more lazy, but why not take advantage of all of it?

~ Good Health. (knock on wood) I am so grateful for mine and my family's health. Since I quit smoking 3 months ago, I feel so much better. I was always getting sore throats and coughs. I am so glad I stuck with it and I don't have any desire to do it again! There are many more ways I need be healthy and I plan on making it my New Year's resolution!

I am thankful for

~ Laughter. I think that laughter is the best medicine...we have a lot of laughter around our home. My kids are both the most hilarious people I know, and Tyson has a very dry, sarcastic sense of humor that I love. I love to laugh and without it, my life would not be nearly as fulfilling.

~ Tyson's job. The economy is bad right now and many people have lost their jobs. I am so grateful that we still have money coming in, my heart goes out to those who are still struggling to find employment.

I am Thankful for......

~ CHOCOLATE. What woman does not appreciate chocolate? This one is easy:)

~ Forgiveness. I am so thankful for the power of forgiveness, not only for me to be able to forgive others, but for others to be able to forgive me.

~ Inner Strength. I believe God has blessed me with an abundance of inner strength. Life has not always been easy and I have been through a lot. I am so thankful for the strength I have and the support I have in my loved ones.

I am thankful for......

~ Football season, I love this because I got really into it when I met Ty and its like we are bonding when we cheer on our UTES and 49ERS!! :)

~ The little amount of patience that I have. We took Ashtyn to the dentist today because she has a bad tooth and when the dentist tried to take pics, she cried and covered her mouth with both hands and would NOT let him take a picture. We were then referred to a dentist that specializes with kids...the referral sheet said she was being referred for her "Behaivor" ....Little stinker, and what a jerk dentist, Ashtyn is just terrified of doctors:( So, I needed patience for both of them. :)

~ Quick and Easy dinners, like Cheesy Mac... I know this is a weird one, but it has saved me a few times!! I know it won't be long before this is unacceptable......

Today's list is a little lacking, but I am sure tomorrow's will be better....

Veteran's Day

Morris Lavar Curtis


Grandpa Curtis is a decorated WWII hero. He served on the FRONT LINES as a medic and we are so lucky to have him in our lives, he is the sweetest, toughest, cutest man I have ever had the pleasure of knowing! We love you grandpa Curtis, this day is for you!!
George Conrad Schrader

Grandpa Schrader also served in WWII for the U.S. Navy in Okinawa (where my mother is from) He likes to tell his stories and is also a very good man!! We love you grandpa Schrader!! This day is for you as well!

These two very amazing men are Veterans. They also happen to be Tyson's grandpa's, what a lucky guy Tyson is, and I am because I am very fond of these two men and am lucky to have married into such an awesome family!!!

Today we honor our brave soldiers, those who fight for our country and for their families that support them. We are so lucky to live in a free land and to have the opportunities that we do.

The recent tragedy at Ft. Hood, Texas where 13 people were killed and 31 were injured makes me so angry, these soldiers were in training and were not even overseas and still were in danger of their lives, people lost their lives for no reason whatsoever. It is heartbreaking that they died by the hand of a fellow soldier on American soil. My heart and prayers go out to their families.

I am grateful for all of our brave soldiers who risk their lives everyday to honor and serve their country.