Merry Christmas!

So I just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and share some pictures of some of our holiday festivities. We are having such a great time with Chase this time of year. He is so excited for Santa and can't wait for him to bring a "pirate schtick"-- which is ship in Chase terms! Anyway, his newest skill we have learned is telling who each present under the tree belongs to and 9 times out of 10 he gets it correct. When we wrapped his first present he picked it up and said, "I love it!" as he was hugging it tight! He can't wait to open it and others and we can't wait to let him! Anyway, Merry Christmas love the Ohrans!

Busy Time

I am sorry for the lack in blogging lately. It is for two reasons one the usual-- busy, busy, busy! This time of year it just seems like we keep going and going! And the next is since we have moved we still do not have the internet so I have to walk all the way across the street to my parents to use their computer-- which, lets face it-- it's too much work for me I guess! It was a lot easier when all I had to do was walk next door!

But Chase has gone 5 whole days without even asking for his binkers and even spent time with Cousin Coop who had one for a moment and he never asked for his! Yeah! We are all settling in nicely in the house-- I absolutely love it and will promise pictures really soon! There will be loads of pictures here in the next couple of days but especially Christmas! I am really looking forward for Santa to come-- I am sure I am more excited then Chase is!

Updates

Sorry for all the elf yourself blogs but the kids love 'em so I blogged them so that we can find them fast! Anyway, I wanted to give an update with our lives. I have not been taking a lot of pictures and I promise they will be coming, but in the meantime-- we are in the house and feeling pretty good about life. Just a few boxes here and there but the essential stuff has pretty much found their place. Yeah-- come over whenever you can! All are welcome!

Next, Chase has officially gone almost a week without the binkers! Yeah-- he had two left on Monday so we took him to the build a bear where he picked out a dinosaur with army clothes and named him Army Guy. He had no problem putting the binki inside the guy and really enjoyed him that night but since then has no desire to even be around him-- I wonder why? The other binki was given to Chuck E Cheese as said before and it went well. I do have to say that it was much easier than I ever imagined he did really well the first few days and rarely asked for it-- however, he has asked for it more these last few days and seems to really miss it but-- it is gone for good! We are so proud!

One more elf

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1267998001

Watts family elf party!

For Ethens birthday party we all played around with the elf yourself! Here are some examples:
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1267151809

I got elfed!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1197731910

Cute-- check it out!

Big Move, Big Trip, Big Steps!

So I will post pictures soon but it has been a crazy couple of weeks so I haven't had time to really sit down and focus on the blogging thing. First, I went with my dad and sister Kelli to San Francisco for a few days to shop, sight see, and watch UVU play San Fran-- it was really fun to be with my sister and dad. We had a great time. In the meantime Randy was busy trying to watch Chase and get us officially moved. We had moved the bulk of our stuff before we moved in but we had not passed final inspection and we had touch up paint left so most of it was in the garage. Anyway, once we passed Randy was trying to move everything inside without me. Once I got home we slept there for the first night which was Thursday and now we are finally starting to feel like we are getting somewhere. I still have the upstairs left to unpack but the main floor is ready-- the only thing that is making it more crazy is that I am not unpacking the normal stuff but the Christmas stuff which just makes me feel so much more crazy then normal. Lastly, we have decided to take the Binky away. Chase has a cousin Cooper younger than him and his parents are taking the Binky away this week and so we have decided to join the misery with them. I feel a little guilty taking it away just a week after his big move and his big move into the big boy bed as well but I am figuring now's as good a time as any. There will always be an excuse. I find the Binky is more for mom then him a lot of times! Anyway, we are taking him to Chuck E Cheeses and giving Chuck the Binky. Right now Chase is actually excited but I am sure he has no clue Chuck won't be giving it back! So wish us luck and we will keep you posted!

Happy Thanksgiving 2007

So here are a few pictures from the Watts family festivities. We were all there minus Tyler who spent it in Eureka with his mom. And of course Thanksgiving would not be complete without the usual 6 or 7 UV ball players there. We all had a great time and we topped it off with a movie-- we went to Enchanted and it was really cute we highly recommend it.

Kelli and Brian (for the few minutes he could come-- he was on call and spent most of the day at the hospital).

Brooke and Matt

Steve giving many directions to us and the team!

Beckie, Lance, and Brooke enjoying the yummy turkey, ham, and everything meal!

Caleb, Griffin, and Chase posing for a great pict!

Steve and company out playing a little pick up game Chase and Steve vs everyone else!

Lastly-- me and my amazing husband Rah Rah!

Things I am thankful for...

So right now is an obvious time to really ponder all that we have. I for one am so grateful for many things in my life that I thought I would list a few of the things that come to mind as I sit here at this moment. There is an infinite amount to be sure be here is just a few:

• My family-- I am so grateful for Randy and Chase. They teach me so much daily about myself and give a meaning to my life. I am also thankful for my parents and sisters as well as the best in laws anyone could ask for. Between our two families we are so lucky.
• Friends-- I am in love with my friends. It is so nice to have people in my life that help bring laughter to me and give me an outlet to share my crazy humor. I have some of the very best friends in the world and to you I want to thank you!
• Blogging-- Since I have discovered blogging I have reconnected with people I have not seen for awhile and I have been able to keep better tabs on people I care about. Thank you to all who read my blog and let me read yours. It is a very uplifting few minutes a day. (A special thanks to those who update frequently-- it is really nice).
• My new house-- I have yet to pay for it yet and even have yet to move in yet but the day is most likely Monday and we have been given the green light to at least move in stuff so that is nice. I am so grateful to all those who helped build it and gave of their time and energy. This has become a dream house and I never want to leave.
• Activities-- I think most who know me know I like to stay busy and be active and I love to watch and play any and all sports. I am grateful that there are those outlets.
• After Thanksgiving shopping and Sales-- Over the last few years my sisters and and my mom have started a tradition of shopping from the moment we can which meant Midnight last year and even though it is a crazy tired day it is really fun to be with my sisters and mom-- a very fun memory.
• Travel-- I love it!
• and last but not least reality tv-- I should say any tv but reality is just great. Top picks-- Survivor, So You Think You Can Dance, Race, Apprentice, Top Model, Project Runway, and Top Chef. I know it is not reality but Las Vegas, and the Bet-- The Office. I must say if your not an office fan give it a few episodes and you'll be hooked!

Anyway, if you got through all of that I am giving you a high five and you can add your self to the list of gratefulness. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I challenge you to add pictures of your festivities! Love you all! Jami

Couple Cute Things

So Chase has said a few really cute things lately that I wanted to blog so that I can remember them later!

First, the other day he came into where the computer is and was playing with it and I came in to interven but I asked what he was doing and he replied, "checking my email."

Second, we were driving and I told him I loved him and I said, "Chase, I love you always and forever--" and before I could finish he said, "no matter." ( I tell him every night before I put him in his bed that I love him always and forever, no matter what!)

Chase is growing so much everyday-- I just love this kid! I get teary thinking how lucky I am!

Our Little Pedal Pusher

So Chase is finally pushing the pedals on his bike. No matter how hard we would try to teach him he would just push with his feet on the ground but the other day he just started pushing the pedals. We are all so proud!

House of Mouse

So not only do I occasionally get to watch Mickey Mouse in the House of Mouse but I get the privilege of living in the house of mouse! Or should I say mice. Now that we are a week and a half away from moving we have discovered mice! So far we have caught five and I have still seen two together this afternoon! I am sooooo disgusted right now and am the most jumpy person alive! I hate mice-- or any vermin/pests. In a way I guess it is a good thing because as excited as I am to move into our house, part of me is a little sad because we have been living right next door to Randy's family and it has been really fun being so close. I will really miss them-- so the mice are serving one purpose in making me start the count down!

(I do have to say that I don't think they have been here long-- now that the weather has cooled down they are migrating inwards-- at least that is what I have to tell myself!)

Phase III & the Sod Party

So Saturday we had a "sod party" and apparently it is not the type of theme party people like to come to so we had to pay people to come! Anyway, we had a blast for a few minutes but after that it was dragging! Anyway, thanks to Lance, Tyler, Dave O,Roberto, Randy, myself, and Tylers and Lances friend Ryan we got our sod laid! Yeah-- approximately two more weeks and then we'll have our moving party! One and all are invited!

Halloween 2007

So here is a taste of Halloween for us this year! Chase's two favorite cartoons are Scooby doo and Tom and Jerry so we decided to go with the Scooby Doo theme this year! It was a lot of fun-- it cost us a bunch so if anyone needs a goup costume and needs to borrow let us know-- we would love to get our monies worth out of it!

Family Night at the Ohrans

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!
This is what our Saturday night consisted of!

Little Gym

So Chase goes to Little Gym every Wednesday where he runs around playing on all their gymnastic equipment. If you ask him his favorite he will tell you swinging on the bars which he is pretty good at but he also really likes to walk on the high beam and jump off the end. Another fave is the stamps they put on his hands and feet at the end. He LOVES that!

Favorite Recipe

Not much has been happening lately so I decided to post my most favorite recipe that I make! The weather has really cooled down here we even had our first snow the other day so I have been really into soups. Anyway, my favorite soup is corn chowder. While I was at USU I lived with my cousins/aunt, uncle and they had the best recipe ever so here it is:

Ingredients:
4-5 medium potatoes
1 yellow onion
1lb bacon
2 cans cream style corn
1 can chicken broth
4 cups milk
1/2 c flour
1 cube butter

Directions:
Peel and cube potatoes then bring to boil. While potatoes cook sautee diced onion. Then start the white sauce. Melt the butter and add flour and onion. Then gradually add milk. Bring to a boil and bubble until thick. Then add chicken broth, again bubble until thick. Meanwhile cook the bacon. Dice the bacon then add the drained potatoes, creamed corn, and bacon to white sauce. Makes quite a bit which is great for left overs!

Hints-- as for the bacon I buy the kind you cook in the microwave-- a little expensive but it is frozen so you can make this at anytime if you keep these ingredients on hand and it saves another messy pot. I also serve with cheese bread--yummy! Questions feel free to comment! Good luck and I promise it is the best!

The Peach Story

So being that it is peach season I have been buying them a lot lately. Chase really likes them but he hates them cut up-- I have to give them to him whole. Well, being the independant child that he is he usually insists on doing everything himself. While I was on my Primm trip he decided he wanted a peach that was sitting on the counter near the back so he got a chair, climbed up on the counter and then Randy could hear him pulling out the paper towels. Next thing Randy knows is Chase walking into the tv room with a peach wrapped in plenty of paper towels. (I always wrap his peaches in towels to help minimize the mess he will make).

Quick Trip

So the other night my sister in law Debbie called and asked if I would want to go on an adventure with her. She has been wanting to check out the outlets in Primm, NV forever and so being that it was UEA this week it was a good time-- so I agreed and we left Wednesday after Randy got home from work and drove to St. George and slept at Randy's family house-- then we woke up and drove to Primm stayed there until 2ish then went to Vegas and ate (Cheesecake Factory) then walked through a few more shope there. They just got an H&M which is one of my favorite stores-- however the really good one is set to open there in November so it was a little disappointing. After that we drove back to St George spent the night and woke up and drove home-- I was home by noon! It was a really quick trip but sooo much fun. We just talked and goofed around it was great! Thanks Deb for the grand adventure-- can't wait for next year!

Fall

So we decided to go for a Sunday drive up the canyon and take some family picts-- Chase had a blast romping around in the dirt and leaves. It was a great time for pictures because he was in a good mood so he was definitely more posey. You can also get a glimpse of my haircut-- actually just the color I have it pulled back today-- I think I may be pulling it back a lot these days as I am having a hard time doing it myself. Oh well!

Phase II of house

Here is a photo of what the house looks like as of noon today!

New Haircut!

Okay-- so I just got back from my haircut appointment. I have been in a rut lately and really wanted a change-- and well I got it! I went pretty dark with a pretty short cut. I like the cut but as I am really not coordinated I am worried I will not be able to do it as good as Summer (my friend and stylist)-- anyway, I will post a picture-- I should take the before picture-- what it looks like when Summer does it and what it looks like when I do it. Anyway, even though I like it I think it will take some time to get used to!

The Big Apple!

So we're back! We had an amazing trip. You name it we did it! I am just going o list the highlights:

1- Canal street shopping (especially the back alley/ sweat shop detours for the fake purses! Everyone needs to experience it once-- or twice)

2- Little Italy- caught it during a festival of some sort-- was a lot of fun and met a waitor/ bouncer that was the true little italy guy! (see picture)

3- Yankee game-- they lost in 14 innings making us yankee haters very proud!

4- Empire State Building-- was made even better by getting there at 8am which apparently beats a major line especially because all the pamplets say that it opens at 9 so we walked right up there! Great timing!

5- Food, Food, Food-- loved Victors Cuban Restaraunt-- and especially a place called Max Brenners-- a chocolate lovers heaven! So good (thanks Luci for the tip)

6- Times Square and our hotel-- our hotel was perfectly located in the heart of times square-- it was so fun! (The Renaissance)

7- Catching the filming of the movie Sex and the City (one of the pictures if you look real close you will see all 4 woman dressed up really nicely walking into the turnstyle at Crysties)

8- And lastly but probably the very best was the shows! We saw Wicked and Mary Poppins! Both just amazing and so much fun! Worth every penny!

Anyway, we had a great time and now we are back with no trips to look forward to-- but our house is maybe a month to 6 weeks away so that will be our next exciting event! Can't wait! Alos-- thanks Jim and Ann and Doo Doo for watching Chase while we were gone it was a great getaway!

10 years-- count 'em

So Randy and I have made it to the 10 year mark. September 11th, 1997-- so yeah we share our anniversary with the nations day of mourning. But nonetheless we have had a great run of it. Life is great. I have been pondering these last few days about the last ten years and it is hard to believe where we have come. We-- I have been very blessed. I am so grateful to Randy and his friendship. He has been the best thing to come into my life. So thank you. Anyway, the years have flown-- so here's to the next 10 years.

I would post a great picture of the two of us but are true anniversary present is yet to come. We leave next Thursday for NYC for the weekend. We are going to a Yankee game and to a couple of broadway shows. Can't wait. I will post pictures then. Because of this upcoming trip we promised each other not to do anything-- and we stuck to it. We did cash in on some massage gift certificates so he got his first then I did. After that we hung out with Chase. Then we had Lance come watch Chase while we went and sat in my parents hot tub. It was one of the best anniversaries ever, very relaxing and I highly recommend it.

Girls Night Out

So last Friday Shannon, Callie, my mom, and I had a night of scrapbooking. We had a blast-- I got 6 pages done and monopolized most of Shannons night using her cricut. She is one of the most talented people I know-- and her scrapbook is to die for. If there are any other scrapbookers out there that want to partcipate in girls night let us know. We try to do it monthlyish!

update on camille

So last night they found her bike because some thieves admiteed stealing it from a bike rack near bridal veil-- which is important because while I was searching some bikers rode by and told us they heard a noise that could have been human or just a bird before bridal veil by the ponds-- so I reported that to the head guy who then asked for directions to bridal veil and if it would be faster to drive or walk so I was a little worried that the search team didn't seem to know the lay of the land. Anyway, after the bike was found my dad called and was all worried that the police hadn't heard this information and he drove up the canyon last night to tell them in person and he gave them my number but they never called and he is all mad because he thinks they are sitting on this important lead and we know where they heard a noise etc-- anyway he was going to go today and reiterate our "lead" but he and I have both read john Grishams book "An Innocent Man" and I told him that if he tries to get too involved with the case they may start thinking he was involved. I think deep down he has always wanted to be Magnum.

Searching for Camille

So if you haven't heard there is a missing BYU student and yesterday my dad and I went and searched for her up Provo canyon I was in my flip flops and not really prepared but my dad suggested we go so we went anyway, a salt lake tribune photographer was with our group of like 7 people and since I had flip flops I stayed near the trail and a little off here and there so he was pretty much with me the whole time. Needless to say I am in the paper today. So anyway here is my 10 minutes of fame. Hopefully they will find her, it is sad.

Labor Day Weekend Festivities

This weekend was a GREAT weekend we really just took it easy and stayed around here. It started off with date night Friday where we went to dinner and a football game. We went to the Orem High game vs Uintah and my nephew Lance got his first start in the varsity game as receiver and he also scored a touchdown in the 59 to 7 (I think-- we left early) win. Good job Lance. Then Saturday we hung out with the Ohran family and watched the cougars win where we also let the kids play in the family pool with slide! Sunday we had a church and then my sister Kelli's 36th birthday party where we had my dads famous chicken-- the best there is! Then Monday we went to Riversides annual Labor Day festivities and had a blast at the carnival and eating all the junk of course. All in all it was a fabulous weekend-- hated for it to end!

I have been tagged too

4 Jobs I have had
1 PE teacher Timpview High
2 Dance/ Utah History teacher Bennion Junior High
3 Premiere Products assistant person
4 J Riggins sales
(& many many others!)

4 Movies I can watch over and over
1. When Harry Met Sally
2. Fever Pitch
3. Sweet Home Alabama
4. Father of the Bride

4 Places I have lived
1. Provo
2. Orem
3. Logan
4. ( 2 months in Isreal if that counts)

4 guilty pleasures
1. girls night out
2. Disneyland vacations
3. reality tv
4. shopping

4 places I have been on vacation
1. Disneyland
2. Hawaii
3. Costa Rica
4. Mexico

4 of my favorite foods
1. lobster/ seafood
2. Bombay House
3. Mexican
4. corn chowder

4 websites I visit
1. All my friends blog pages
2. yahoo for all my news updates
3. cbs sportsline
4. ebay once in awhile

4 places i would rather be
1. on the beach with a good book
2. with the girls on a night out
3. with randy on a date night
4 with family playing games

4 books I love to read
1. Harry Potter series
2. Count of Monte Cristo
3. Most newberry awards
4. Jack Weyland books (jk-- for old times sake)

4 things I would like to know how to do
1. Stain glass
2. speak spanish
3. make home dvds set to music like wedding videos things
4. wood working

4 things I worry about
1. my family-- especially Chase
2. future
3. my house (currently building)
4. what I eat

4 of my happiest moments
1. wedding/ marriage
2. any good day with Chase
3. graduation
4. learning I got accepted for study abroad

4 things I plan for the future
1. moving into my house
2. going back to school-- maybe
3. taking up golf/ tennis when the kids aare all in school
4. travel, travel, travel

4 pet peeves
1. bikes that think they are cars
2. fruit seeds
3. when the tv allows us to hear people eating the food-- seen but not heard is better
4. checking emails and getting none or worse only junk

4 people I am tagging
1. debbie
2. Marcie
3. Kira
4. Callie

New House Phase I

Well here is the framed image of our awesome house. We are so excited. We should be having our four way this week sometime-- then the drywall etc-- can't wait we are getting close everyday even though it seems like it is taking absolutely forever.

Costa Rica

We had a fabulous time in Costa Rica! The highlight of the trip for both Randy and I was Buena Vista-- an excursion led by Roy-- the Costa Rican Jay Leno-- that took us to the jungle where we zip lined with monkeys, slid down a 1500 foot waterslide horseback rode to the springs/ spa where we doused ourselves in mud just in time to be washed off by the rainforest thunderstorm. It was breathtaking! The trip as a whole was amazing-- and it was nice to get away. The water was warm and the sand was soft-- it was really hot-- almost too hot and it is considered winter! All in all it was an unforgettable time!

Alpine Slide

After a business trip to San Antonio Chase and I picked Randy up at the airport and went to Park City to ride the Alpine Slide. Chase loved it-- maybe too much because he wanted to run around while riding the lift. Needless to say we were glad we decided not to buy the 5 punch pass. He loved the the ride-- he wanted to of course go "again" but once was enough for mom and dad!

Finally-- pictures!

The first picts are our trip to So Cal the last is Chase at his 2 year mark! Can't believe he's two already! What a cutie!

* Also, still working on learning how to work this thing. I am not quite sure how to rotate the pictures so they are upright. Anyone?

Catch Up

So I have a feeling this blog thing may take me some time to really get used to. I hope to do weekly updates someday rather than every couple of months. So I will catch you up quickly. Still no pictures yet but hopefully I can do it in the next couple of days. Anyway, Chase is 2 his party was a success. He talks about Chuck E Chees a lot-- but now he talks a lot about the Jungle Cruise and Pirates. We just returned from Disneyland and had a blast. Now that we are back I am attempting to potty train him-- so far so good only a few accidents but I can tall he is starting to lose interest so this is when moms patience needs to kick in.

In other news Randy just received a job promotion. He is the new Technical Account Manager for Xactware which he is excited about. This job is exactly what he would have drawn up for himself so he is excited for this new adventure.

As for me, I just turned 30-- yikes! But it turned out to be one of my top birthdays ever. That was the day Randy found out he was promoted so that was a great gift but another very exciting gift that Randy surprised me with went like this: he asked me if I wanted my last gift (he gave me a hair dryier earlier) and so I said sure so he handed me an envelope with tickets inside-- I actually thought it must be Keith Urban tickets which comes to town on our 10 year Anniversary but to my surprise I found two tickets to the broadway show Wicked to be seen in New York City September 22. So I was sooo excited. Randy is not the greatest at keeping secrets so for him to plan this vacation without me knowing or getting my okay was surely hard for him. But I was very pleases-- good job Hon!

And last but not least we are in the beginning stages of framing our house. I cannot wait to see the finished product so I have a while but the framing part might be the most fun part of the whole process. To be able to see the actual house that until now has only been on paper is just exciting. Yeah!

So that is us-- I will try to keep my blogs a lot shorter because I will update a lot more! Wish me luck!

For Starters!

So first off, I want to thank Terri, Deb, and Crystal for sharing your blogs with me and inspiring me to start our own family blog. However, our family happenings don't quite seem as excititng. We'll try to keep up with ya'll!

So, for starters-- we are doing great. Things are finally starting to slow down after we sold our condo and moved in to Randy's granparents home. For a little while there we felt way out of sorts but we are starting to feel more and more at home with life. We are loving our new digs-- especially the location (it is right next door to Randy's mom and dad and brother Dave). Chase wakes up every morning saying Grandma's house. He is loving the space and especially the yard. We are gearing up for the up coming build of our house. At the moment we are waiting for a building permit so we can finally get going! Hopefully by fall we will be telling more about another move.

Next, we are trying to prepare for Chase's second birthday. His party will be at Chuck E Cheese and we can't wait. He sings happy birthday and practices blowing out the candles all the time. Time really flies. And he brings new meaning to the saying "our little pride and joy!"

I will attach photos at my next blog-- hopefully containing party picts! Have a great day!