Blast From The Past.....

Our wedding day! So special!

Just hanging out

Now those are some muscles little dude

Ambria and Kolya


Ke'alohi's bday party


Camping with the fam

Ambria before she turned 2

Silly kids.....check out the color of that tongue

Hanging out with Grandaddy...

My little man.....

He's so tiny here....where has time gone

Sometimes it's so crazy looking back at pictures from the past. When Nick and I first got together Ke'alohi was 7, Kolya wasn't even 5 yet, Nakoa had just turned 3, Ambria was just a year old, and Kayden was only a twinkle in our eyes.

It's so hard for me to believe that Ke'alohi goes to 7th grade next year, Kolya starts 4th, Nakoa 2nd, Ambria first Grade, and my baby will be 3. It's like they have all grown up overnight.

Nick and I will have been married 3 years on January 30th, but for me it feels like we have known each other our whole lives. My life has changed so much since I met him, and I can't even imagine what it would be like without all of them in it.

How is that for sap?

I'm Getting So Excited!

It's only a week until I start school. I am so excited, but I am also so very nervous. One question in particular keeps going around and around in my head. Where am I going to find time to be a mom and a wife when I work full time and go to school part time? Whew.

I have had some time to think about my decision since I won my scholarship, and after lots of thought I have decided to look at it this way. School is temporary. This is something I have always wanted - since I was a very young girl. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love to do hair. It's in my blood! Not only that but it is FREE. I don't have to pay a dime. That is one of the major reasons I haven't pursued it yet. I mean it's not every day someone hands you $15,000 and says, here "go to school for something you love, and don't pay for it - it's on us!"

With that being said, I will just have to make sure that when I am home I spend all of my time with my family. Maybe it will help put into perspective just how much I love them and need them? I can do this, and I know I can finish and come out on top! I am so excited to learn how to do something that I love so much! I know it sounds silly but I told Nick it's almost like being drafted into the NFL.... ya know? He just laughs at me and smiles. Love that kid.

But it's not just about going to school to do hair - quitting my job and slaving away in some salon somewhere. Oh no, there is so much more! I have plans!

Over the years I have put together so many ideas of what I want to do when I graduate from cosmetology school. I don't want to be just your normal hairstylist working at Dollar Cuts, making minimum wage. That would be such a huge step down from where I am now, where I have fought so hard to get. Eventually, when I finish, and have worked in the field for a while, I want to open my own salon!

I have worked full time since I was in Highschool, and I have learned so many great things when it comes to the wonderful world of business. I have been a manager, a bill collector, an admin, a customer service phone rep, sold jewerly, a fry flipper, oh, once I even sold candy door to door for a while! But you see, I have learned so many great things at all of the jobs I have had. I can't help but think eventually I can use what I have learned somewhere else, and be one step ahead when I start my own company.

Yes, I understand I will have to start from the bottom again (going back to school, being the newbie, not knowing what I am doing!). I can accept that! I will start over, and work my way back up to the top. BUT one day - mark my words friends - one day I will do what I have always wanted and make that big step! And until then, I will just keep dreaming and work my butt off til I get there with the love and support from my wonderful, loving husband, and fantastic kids!

Wish me luck ya'll!

Christmas 2008

Christmas morning started with a nice cup of coffee and watching Kayden open his presents from Santa Claus. He got a basketball hoop, a racecar set, a chair for his room, and a bunch of other small things.

Then we made the normal Christmas morning quiche. Usually it's already made, but we were super busy this year, so I made it in the morning. Nick and I put Kayden down for a nap and opened our presents to each other. I got my purse I have been wanting forever, its giraffe material with red lining. Super cute! A couple of pairs of furry boots, jammies, jewelry, perfume, clothes. Just a bunch of nice stuff. I got Nick cologne, clothes, work pants, running shoes, the perfect push up and pull up things, boxers, jammies. We were very spoiled.

Then it was off to pick up Ambria from her dad's house and then to Grandma and Grandpas where we opened more gifts, and ate a late lunch early dinner. Kayden got a little mini bike and Ambria got a blow up princess sleeping bag. We hung out with my family for a few hours and then headed home in time for the rest of the kids to come over. We didn't get to see them until 8:00 at night, and both Nick and I haven't felt good so we were pretty worn out. We still opened all of their presents with them, and they were so excited to see what they got.

Ok, so some of the coolest things the kids got were: Kolya got a telescope from Nicks parents which he cannot wait to open, a woodburning kit, legos, electronic monopoly, car models, 2 DS games, a star wars movie and so much more. Nakoa got an acoustic guitar, TAGG reading system from Nick's parents, a metal detector, trouble, legos, 2 DS games and a bunch more. Ke'alohi got a photo printer from Nick's parents, speed skates, a bunch of crafts, a purse full of makeup and perfume, hot rollers, a bathrobe, slippers, so much fun stuff! Ambria got TAGG, an easy bake oven, a tinkerbell costume, hungry hungry hippo, a purse, some crafts, some games. Kayden got a buggy from Nick's parents that is a car he can be pushed around in, a mini 4 wheeler that is electric, that he loves (below), a bunch of toys.....they all got lots of nice things.

I would say everyone had a wonderful Christmas, but we sure did miss having Nick's parents and family around. We will have to find a way to be together at Christmas. Family is what makes Christmas so special, and I can't help but feel like half of us was missing.

I hope everyone else had a great Christmas!

Merry Christmas Eve

We had some of our favorite people over for Dinner tonight. Nick made us cola brown sugar and pinneapple ham, stuffing, ginger carrots, string beans with onions mushrooms, and rolls. It all turned out so good.

Me and my friend Cas, I love that girl!

Cas and David...so cute!

Me and my honey


Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Program

The kids had a Christmas Program at their school. I had to work, but Nick was able to make it out and film it for me. He showed up at 2:05 and the program began at 2:00, so he ended up missing the Kindergarten's class performance. Here are Ke'alohi and Kolya's performances below:

Kolya's Class sang a Christmas Song



Ke'alohi and partner did the Waltz

Hooray for Snow!

Oh the weather outside is................so freakin awesome! It has been snowing off and on for the last few days and finally it's sticking to the ground. I LOVE IT! It feels like Christmas :). I mean if it's going to be cold outside, it might as well be snowing right?

However, the doggie doesn't like the snow much. Well, correction, he likes to eat it, but he doesn't want to go potty in it. Hopefully he will learn to cope with it for the next few months until we can build a fence and let him play outside in the warm summer weather. He is still learning that the house is not his personal bathroom, and I am sure we have a ways to go, but he will get there. Nick already taught him to sit over the weekend....yes, that fast!

Back to the snow though, (can't get over the dog yet, sorry), I feel like sledding! Last year I got to stay home lots while Nick took the kids sledding because I had a little baby who didn't like to go out in the cold yet, and the year before that I was a beached whale pregnant beyond belief, and then I had a newborn.

So this year, it's my turn! Maybe I will go skiing for the first time in my life! Now that would be so much fun! I can't believe I am 26 years old, live in Utah, and have never been skiing? What is wrong with me? I don't know why I have never gone. I have always wanted to, I just never made the time. Well, I'm not getting any younger kids, so I better get myself up there now while my bones still heal. :) I guarantee I won't stay on my feet the whole time, and I biff it more than once!

I love Winter. Well, until Dec 26. then I am ready for Summer. :)

Happy Holidays!

Introducing....

The newest member of the Stocks family. Meet Bear. He's half German Shepherd, half Rottweiler. He's a rescue dog from lost paws of Utah, same place we got Taja, our Siamese cat.

He was nutered yesterday and is still recovering, but is in good spirits. The vet thinks he is about 3 months old, and will grow to be over 70 lbs. He has huge paws, which means he will be a big dog one day. We had to pick between him and his sister, but he just stole my heart from the moment I saw him.

Nick hasn't left his side since we brought him home last night, waking up every 2 hours to take him out of his kennell to go potty. I think he's in love! We have always wanted a dog and spur or the moment on Thursday we decided to go look at him. Once we saw him there was no turning back.

I thought that our cats wouldn't like him, but they seem fine. They act normal really. Only when they are face to face do they flinch. He doesn't mind them at all. He has been around cats since he was born so he doesn't have any issues. He is so mild tempered and just wants to cuddle. Nothing that a puppy normally is. Just an all around good little guy so far.

Next step, potty training. We have been doing a lot of reading and got some supplies for him. We are installing a doggy door, and going to put up a small fence around back so he can go out and play. When you take him out now, even off a leash, he just walks circles around you and stays by your side, almost as if he's scared you will leave him. The kids were so happy when I brought him home last night. They can't leave him alone, and I don't think he minds the attention either!

He looks more German Shepherd in the face, but his tail and

backside carry the Rottweiler traits.

He loves anything fuzzy to lay on.

And he already follows Nick all around the house.

I Have a Secret

I am not good at keeping secrets, but I can't tell this one until it's final! I cannot wait to go home today, and you will find out soon enough why!

Oh How I Love That Kid!

Saturday night Nick asked our friend Chrissy if she would take Ambria and Kayden overnight so that we could spend a night alone. Chrissy agreed (thank you thank you we owe you big time), and asked if we would please bring the kids something to wear to church the next day.

When Nick went to pick up the kids from Chrissy's house on Sunday she told him the cutest story about Kayden at Church. It was sacrament and everyone had just finished singing the closing hymn and the room was silent. As the song finished Kayden started clapping and shouting "YEAH! YEAH!!!"

That is his new favorite thing to do. When a song finishes on the radio, he claps and says HOORAY or YEAH! Or he will attempt to say the ABC's and go "I O A C D" and then start clapping and saying Yeah since he thinks he finished them all!

I never thought he would do that at church but I bet it was quiet comical! I love that little dude~!

About My Mom

I saw this on a couple of people's blogs and thought I would give it a try. I asked Ambria the questions below, the answers are from her.

1. What is something mom always says to you? No
2. What makes mom happy? Me being good
3. What makes mom sad? Me being bad
4. How does mom make you laugh? Being funny
5. What was mom like as a child? I don’t know
6. How old is your mom? 15
7. How tall is your mom? 300 Feet
8. What is her favorite thing to do? Stay home from work
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Cry
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Cuz she would be like me
11. what is your mom really good at? work
12. What is your mom not very good at? Not working
13. What does your mom do for her job? works
14. What is your mom's favorite food? broccoli
15. What makes you proud of your mom? By being good
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? spongebob
17. What do you and your mom do together? play
18. How are you and your mom the same? We both love each other
19. How are you and your mom different? our hair
20. How do you know your mom loves you? Cuz I am smart

Man, you gotta love kids and their honesty. Now I tag Chrissy, Shayla, and Marci! Ask your kids the questions and post them on your blog. Then, when your done, tag some friends to play!

Holy Crap Batman!

You are never going to guess what I bought today! I am so stinken excited. I bought Nick and I a pair of tickets to Britney Spears Circus Tour Concert on April 14th!!! WHOOO HOOOO!

They don't go on sale until tomorrow, but I got the presale code and bought them today! Thank you honey, I love you for letting me buy them. But you can't deny you are just as excited as I am...ok maybe not as excited, but pretty close! I have always wanted to see her and I got my lucky chance. I am dancing in circles right now!

I'm So Excited!

Britney's new cd came out today and I cannot wait to go buy it on lunch! I watched her Documentory on MTV last night, and if anyone else has seen it, you have to feel bad for the poor girl. Man, being famous sure has it's downs. But, anyway, YEP, I'm super stoked and will be rockin out the whole way home!

**Update: This CD is sooooo goood! She is totally in her element and I love it! Go buy it and see for yourself!

YES!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Do a Little Dance....

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Happy Birthday for the Third Time this Month

It is hard to believe you are 9 years old already. Just yesterday you were a little boy with cowboy boots and a hat to go with them, riding around your stick horse. You have grown up so much in the past few years, and become such a smart boy. You are way beyond your years little Kolya and I am so proud of you already. Keep reaching for your dreams and become the engineer we all know you can be! And when your dad and I get old, just remember us and how much we love you. :)

Happy Birthday Babe!