Christmas Festivities

This week has been full of Christmas-y stuff! It's really getting me in the Christmas spirit and I'm starting to think Las Vegas isn't that horrible of a holiday place after all.

On Saturday Scott had his work party for the kids. The company provided TWO Santa's for the kiddies, along with lunch, cupcakes, a movie and a little game. Tayden was pumped to see Santa and sit on his lap. However, when it was showtime, he was a little hesitant. Beckett on the other hand went right to him and sat with him for a few minutes. The company usually takes pictures, so we didn't worry about taking our camera. But wouldn't you know it, this year they didn't take pictures. We snuck in a quick picture from Scotts phone and called it good. 

After the work party, we headed off to our ward party. Tayden was so excited to see all his friends, as were his mom and dad. The evening was filled with great conversation, delicious food and zero pictures. But, one cute story. As the primary kids were getting on stage to sing their songs, I noticed a particular little blonde boy in a striped blue shirt sneaking his way up on stage too. I tried to grab him in time, but the Primary leaders assured me he was fine. So I let him go. Seeing him up there with all the big kids stung my heart a bit. He'll be 3 next month and up on that stage, legitimately, very soon. It was fun seeing him up there smiling and waving and trying to sing the songs with the big kids. Childhood just goes too quickly.

We left the Christmas party and headed down the road to a live nativity the Church puts on every year. It was fantastic. The weather was a little chilly and Beckett got a little restless, but it was worth it. It was an amazing way to remember the true meaning of Christmas. It filled my soul with love and appreciation for the Savior. We weren't allowed to take any flash photography, so I stole a few pictures from the local newspaper.

This evening we headed out with some good friends, Adam and Melissa Turney, for more Christmas fun. We stopped at the Bellagio first to see the Christmas Gardens. They were AMAZING! Everything is made from organic things such as flowers or twigs. It is inspiring what people can do with nature. The pictures without people are pictures I took from the internet. My pictures simply did not do it justice.

 This is Taydens friend Hannah. He loves her!

After a quick stop at McDonalds we finished the night up at Ethels Chocolate Factory. They have a cactus patch that they decorate with Christmas lights. It was spectacular. And sticking with the theme, here are more pictures stolen from the internet.

It was a great weekend/evening. It reminded me Christmas really is just around the corner...sometimes you just have look a little! 

Packard Family Photos

While we were in Idaho over Thanksgiving, the Packard's had family pictures. It was a pretty chilly day (especially for us that are used to Vegas weather) and Tayden kept asking to put his coat on. Despite the wind, and my dumb dog rolling in horse poo, I think they turned out fabulous.

Love this family!

BSU v. UNLV

 We had visitors this weekend. Scotts mom, two sisters and brother in law made a flying trip down to go to the BSU v. UNLV football game. They got here Friday afternoon and left early Sunday morning. Even though the trip was short, I loved every minute of having them here. It is so wonderful having family in our home. 

We just hung out at the house Friday afternoon and went out for some delicious frozen custard in the evening. Jeff, Sharlee and Ashley headed down to the strip Saturday morning, while I took Cheryl and the boys to the store and library. Scott was lucky enough to spend the morning in class on campus. 

Before the game, we went to Jasons Deli for a quick bite to eat. It was there I discovered my newest gift..ice cream cone making. Ha. 

We dressed in our broncos best and braved the chilly Nevada night. It was the coldest night since we've been here, but with doubled sweatshirts and blankets we survived. Boise had a rough first half, but the second half was full of touchdowns. I love outdoor football. It just screams fall. It was the most 'fallish' I have felt all year. I loved it.

Every time family leaves, I find my camera in the closet unused. I make a goal to take more pictures next time, but never ever do. Luckily, Scott snapped a few pictures with his phone. 

So my new goal: TONS of pictures during Thanksgiving break. (which just so happens to be in less than 2 weeks!)

:

 Beckett slept through the second half. The game didn't start until 7:30, which is his beditme, so we were pleased he stayed up so long.

We had a blast. Our visitors came and went way too fast, but we loved it. I am so grateful to have such wonderful families that are willing to come and stay with us. It helps me keep my sanity and feel in touch with everyone. 

Thanks again guys. We love you!

Now, just 2 short weeks until its our turn to go home! Yipee!

Pumpkin Patch

We experienced our first Las Vegas pumpkin patch trip tonight. Its loads different than back home. First off, its just wrong picking out pumpkins in shorts and tee shirts. Secondly, the pumpkins patches are actually little carnival attractions. Petting zoo, blow up slides, rides and games included. They are set up on the corner of busy streets, just like Christmas trees in Idaho. It was a new experience, but we enjoyed ourselves.

Tayden couldn't wait to go down the big slide. He wouldn't even look at the camera for a second. He was just staring at it in excitement. 

The petting zoo was pretty much goats and rabbits with a few chicks and ducks. I was so proud of T, he pet all the animals. He used to be pretty cautious around animals, but tonight he was so brave and touched all the animals. He actually LOVED them. 

Poor baby Beckett slept through the whole thing.

Our strong little man loves bouncy house toys!

B woke up about 3 seconds before we left. He REALLY hates his car seat, so I was not about to take him out for a picture. So he stayed in a gave us a few smiles.

It was practically impossible to get Tayden to look at the camera with all the commotion going around him. This was the best I could get with the boys before Beckett started throwing a fit. Notice the sweet dolphin Tayden won at a carnival game? Yep, he loves it.

And one last picture. Becketts top teeth. I told you the gap was nice and wide. I hate car seat pictures because it pushes Becketts head forward and makes him look so fat. Okay, maybe its not the car seat. Maybe its just the 22 lbs of big baby?!

Happy (not so much in Vegas) Fall.

Nineteen Eighty

Tonight, we had a surprise birthday party for a friend in the ward. The theme: 1980's. We had a totally rad time dressing up and hanging out with our friends.

Scotts picture really doesn't do him justice. The shirt was awesome and  believe me you...the pants had some pretty sweet pleats. Also, the fanny pack-priceless. 

My sweet '80's get up. Short of my all my jewelry. Its hard to wear necklaces and bracelets and things of that sort with an 8 month old. 

This was the best we could do for our boys. Pathetic, I know. But they are so cute anyway.

See those two teeth? He has two on top too! 

Tayden was really into posing tonight. I dunno!

I doubt he could get any sweeter.

 Not going to lie, I really enjoyed dressing up. Didn't so much enjoy the funny looks as I was picking up the pizza for the party. I guess that's what happens when you lose at Rock. Paper. Scissors.

Ah, such is life.

It was pretty fabulous time!

5 Years

43 829.0639 hours

260 weeks

1825 days

60 months

No matter how you say it, the fact remains the same. Today, I have been married to my best friend for five years. I can’t believe how quickly time has gone. I never thought we would be where we are today, but I couldn’t be any happier.

We met on a cold February night in 2006. I was on a date with his friend Beau, and he was on a blind date with my roommate. I remember coming out from the bathroom and seeing Scott for the first time. He was sitting on our old green couch looking at his shoes. As I walked out, he lifted his head and I looked into his big blue eyes. I noticed his incredible smile first and was immediately drawn to him. I spent the evening trying to pull myself away from him and concentrate on my date (who by the way is a really great guy). The boys took us bowling and came back to the apartment for subway sandwiches. It was getting late and they were getting ready to leave. {I didn’t know they were about to go see a girl that Scott had been dating.} They walked us up to our apartment and we said our goodbyes. Scott and I locked eyes for a moment, probably a little too long because everyone noticed. [Awkward!] Needless to say, I called it off with Beau and Scott swooped in at the first chance. With his friends approval of course.

We met a few days later at Wingers with a group of mutual friends. Scott threw popcorn at me while I caught it my mouth. Haha. I remember laughing so hard and being happier than I had been in a long time. I had recently let a missionary go. We dated for four years prior to his mission, so being this happy with another boy was huge. It felt right. I knew in those few minutes I wanted to pursue this budding relationship.

Our official first date followed a few days later. He picked me up a few minutes earlier than when we were to meet the couple we were doubling with, so we headed off to a local park. We swung on the swings and got to know each other. Our conversation included our families, our dreams, our past, and everything in between. We went bowling again and played laser tag, but I remember feeling like that wasn’t enough. I did not want our night end. Sadly, it had too.

Luckily, he called the next day and we saw each other again. He told me his friend was getting married in Manti. Scott really wanted to go, but had no one to go with. So I offered to ride along. I look back now and wonder what in the heck I was thinking. We had only really known each other 4 days, but I felt like it had been years. He accepted my offer and we took a weekend trip to Utah. On the way there, I met his family for dinner in Inkom. I was crazy nervous, but they were so nice. His mom was cooking deer and I was scared to death I was going to hate it and have to choke it down to not offend her. Turns out I really like deer, and elk for that matter. We stopped in Utah to stay with my grandparents over night, then off to Manti in the morning. The weather was awful as it snowed like mad. I remember feeling so safe though. I knew he would protect me and keep me safe. The trip to Manti is when I really fell in love with Scott. We had so much time to just sit and talk and really understand one another. When we came home, I could not imagine my life without him.

This whole time, I was living in Rexburg and Scott was going to school at ISU. We met every Wednesday in Idaho Falls and I came home on the weekends to be with him. The time came for me to renew my contract in Rexburg, but I opted not to. I moved back to Pocatello to be closer to him. After only four weeks of dating, 

he proposed.

I had been dying to go to the museum in Idaho Falls, but he never gave in to take me. One April 5^th 2006, he finally took me. I couldn’t understand why he wasn’t talking to me. He was acting so strange and not paying any attention to me. I starting getting very aggravated at one point and stopped talking to him. I was looking at one exhibit and turned around to tell him something, but he wasn’t there. Then I looked down, and there he was on one knee with a ring in hand. He asked me to marry him and of course I said yes. He put the ring on my finger and it was official.

Shortly after we were engaged, Scott left for the summer to go install security systems in North Carolina. It was the hardest summer of my life. I’m pretty sure I drove my mom crazy. I was not pleasant to be around. However, it was the best summer for Scott and me to grow as a couple. He was clear across the country and all we had was the phone to communicate. We had many nights full of arguments and misunderstandings. But, some of the best things happened. We connected on a purely emotional level and grew closer than we ever would have had he been home. It was hard, but I am so grateful for that summer.

Scott was set to come home late August/early September, but drove from North Carolina to Idaho in 2 days to make it home for my birthday. It was the best surprise ever and we are lucky enough to have it on tape. 3 weeks later we walked into the Logan Temple to be wed for time and all eternity.

On September 15, 2006- it rained all day. I woke up and it was pouring. It’s one of my favorite memories about the day. I love the rain, so I felt like it was a blessing coming down from the heavens. I got ready at a hotel in Logan and when I was finished I sat in the hotel anxiously waiting for my groom to pick me up. He knocked on the door and I ran to open it. Scott looked so handsome in his suit, standing in the rain with those big blue eyes and smiling from ear to ear. The sight of him assured me all the world was right as long as I was with him.

We were married by my great grandfather and the ceremony was beautiful. My grandpa got my named mixed up a few times, calling me Ann Stacey instead of Stacey Ann, (he was almost 90 when he married us) - but we look back at laugh now. We are so privileged to have had him seal us. It was truly a dream come true for me. We stepped out of the temple as Mr. and Mrs. Scott Packard for the first time, and here we are today- making history.

I love my husband with everything in me. He is my best friend. To be honest, I cannot imagine my life without him. He pushes me to be the best I can be and picks me up when I’m not. He gives me strength when I’ve run out and reminds me of how strong I truly am. He has never asked me to be someone I’m not. He has the best work ethic of anyone I know. He is smart. He has a testimony of the gospel. He is funny. He kisses me every morning and night and always in between. He is kind. He was made for me. I don’t think I will ever be able to 

express in words what he means to me.

Here’s to five years, Scott. I love you more and more and more each day. Thank you for blessing my life on a daily basis and loving me like you do.