Just Pictures: Christmas in Idaho

Judah's new trike!
Lydia and Eden can't wait fr Judah to open a present from them
my sister Heather, brother Nick, and me
Kissin' cousins, Jude and Eden
Brent with his dad and mom at his mom's house
Uncle Nick gave Judah a fire truck!

Checking out all the loot

We're Here!

Time in the car: 19 hours

Distance Traveled: 1,040 miles

Beverages: 3 Monsters, 1 coffee, 1 Lizard

Fuel fillups: 3

Making it home for Christmas: Priceless

not over yet

Just a quick post to ask whoever is reading this to please pray for Judah and his little body. He threw up 2 times tonight, and just when I thought it was all over. I just thought that he was better and felt good, and I probably overdid it with him. I was busy today, and he was busy with me! We had our IMPACT leadership Christmas party tonight, and I was so busy getting everything ready. We were at the store (2 times...why can't I just get things right the first time?) and cooking and baking and .. .. .. anyway, you get the picture. And to top it all off, Brent was really busy with work today, and got home 15 minutes after the party started. And we still had to take Judah over to the Hilberg's house (Erica's parents) who were watching him. We got to the party 50 minutes late.. .. .. Then right after dinner, Lori called with the news that Judah had thrown up and was really upset. So we picked him up, and he joined the us for the after party at the Paschalls house where he threw up again. I think I got an ulcer today! I am such a worrier, and today was the grand-daddy of worry.. .. .. and now I have to try to get Judah healthy before the big trip. I just need to pray, and rest. I really want to get home to my mommy! Today is the kind of day when all you need is to whine and cry to your mom (which I did on the phone when I burnt the butterscotch chips)

24 long hours...

Well, it was inevitable. The flu hit our home, and hard! Judah and I were out of commission for a full 24 hours this weekend. It all started at 3:30 Saturday morning when Judah woke up and threw up. Then I got sick too. By the time Brent got home at noon on Saturday, Judah and I were both pretty miserable. I just thank God that this happened on a weekend when Brent could afford to stay home and take care of us. And he did! He was amazing! It is so hard to take care of a sick little man, especially when you yourself are feeling fairly rotten. And I have had to do that alot before, but I haven't had the flu like this in a long time. Brent made me take a nyquil around 8 Sat. night, and I was OUT! And just as quickly as it started, it was gone. By Sunday afternoon we both felt a ton better, and were able to keep down dinner that night. I wouldn't ever think I would be thankful for the flu, but I am thankful for so many things!
1. that it only lasted 24 hours
2. that it wasn't over Christmas
3. that it wasn't while we were stuck in the car for 15 hours
4. that I have a wonderful husband who doesn't mind cleaning up puke
5. nyquil and dayquil :)

Photo Shoot

Well, the time has come for the decision. Christmas cards or no Christmas cards...... In the past i have always wanted to send out picture cards, but never got around to it. So last night, at 11 pm, I ordered them! I love that I can just upload a photo onto walmart.com and go into the store the next day, and they are done! If you would like a card, and you don't think I have your address, e-mail it to me, or just comment on here with you address, and I'll get one out to you! So after the decision was made, I had to get a really good shot of Judah (let's face it, that's all anybody wants to see anyway, right?) . So we had fun with Moose and Jager yesterday trying to get just the right shot! I thought I would share some of the cute out-takes! Merry (early) Christmas and enjoy!

(ps. it wasn't even cool enough out to be wearing a sweater or a beanie, but I felt it might make it seem more Christmas-y)

It's a Charlie Brown Christmas

I'm sad. Not super sad, but fairly sad. And all over a stupid tree. In my family, we take pride in our Christmas trees. We take pride that they are always "real", we take pride in our decade old ornaments, we take pride in our beautiful tree toppers. There is something very sacred about the Philbrook Christmas trees. And this year I have let the family down. There were many factors to our downfall. We are so excited to be driving to Idaho for over a week over Christmas. But leaving a large, drying bundle of kindling in our apartment with a kitten for a week doesn't really sound like a great idea to us! and the thought of de-decorating a tree before Christmas (before we leave) makes me really sad! So it has come to this...our Chrlie Brown Christmas tree. It is the tree that Brent bought for last years youth group Christmas party. Earlier this month I thought, "What a cute little tree to put in Judah's room, so he can have his own little Christmas tree of his very own!" Now it has become THE tree. The ONLY tree....so sad... Since I cannot bring myself to buy a larger fake one, this is it. But we had fun putting it up, and Judah got to help me put up all the ornaments, and, I must admit, it turned out cuter than I thought it would. The only thing that really cracks me up is that I only have one tree topper, and I LOVE it! I got it after Christmas the first year we were married at Cost Plus, and it is made to go on at least a 6 foot tree...so it is now gracing the top of our elegant little Charlie Brown tree...and to prove it is all true...the picture!

The temerature here has been out of control. Last week, it was frosting over in the morning, getting really chilly at night, and during the day, definitely jeans and sweater weather. Judah even got to wear his footy jammies to bed all last week! He was so excited to be wearing his footy jammies, I had to snap some pics!

well, the rest of the story is, this week, it got up into the 80's! Back to t-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops. Don't get me wrong, not trying to complain, just wish CA would make up it's mind on weather! I'm sure we'll get our dose of COLD while in Idaho. I guess that means I have to dig out some winter coats, mittens and snow hats!

Looking through the tube at Daddy
Lookin' at Mommy
Counting 3 of.. .. .. something

FANTASTIC!!!

Judah and I were just eating our delicious after park Taco Bell lunch, when Judah, once again, cracked me up, and I nearly escaped without Mountain Dew coming out of my nose... He stuck his finger into his bean burrito, ate the cheesy-bean mix, and exclaimed, "FANTASTIC!" Where does he learn thse things?!?!

Grandma Debbie's Visit

Brent's mom, Grandma Debbie was here for a week over Thanksgiving. And that is what I was thankful for!!! A little piece of home for the holiday!! We had so much fun with Grandma! Highlights of the week include a trip to the wild animal park, IKEA, & lots of Judah&Grandma time (Brent and I got out on two dates!!!)

For Thanksgiving, Micah and Erica and Erica's parents invited us over to their house for dinner. It was nice to have somewhere to go, and also somewhere we feel so comfortable. Steve and Lori Hilberg have been so generous to us since we have moved here, so hospitable and welcoming. And they love Judah! We have started calling Lori Judah's California Grandma! It was a boutiful feast complete with all the fixings, and pies freshly baked by me!! After dinner, Micha taught Judah how to play the x-box, a car driving game where you are supposed to crash cars! Then Erica cut Judah's hair, just a trim. It looks so good!! Here is a cute pic of Judah lost in the x-box world!


And one of Judah enjoying some long awaited apple and pumpkin pie.


Here's a couple of my favorite pictures from the wild animal park, a mama lion with one of her three lion cubs!

I'm not quite all back yet...

Our internet is still not back up yet, so I have not been able to update this in a while...sorry...I should be up and running in no time. sorry for the lack of updates. things are ok here, and I will do a real update soon.

internet problems...again!!!

sorry for the lack of updates...we're experiencing technical difficulties (beeeeeeep)

not much going on here...I'm getting more and more homesick the closer it gets to the holidays, but Brent's mom is coming down for Thanksgiving, and then up to Idaho for a week over Christmas, and I know it will be here in no time...at least I hope.

quick family updates...

Judah: super hyper lately, don't know why or what to do about it. We're just going to aim for a trip to the dog park every day this week, and hopefully run him into the ground...he's driving me crazy! He also fell pretty hard at the park this week, and almost bit all the way through his bottom lip. Poor, guy...he just goes and goes, and doesn't stop until he hurts himself.

Poor Judah with his Bugs Bunny Band-aid


On his favorite log at the dog park


Brent: well, there's more than I can write right now. Brent has had a tough week. If you think about him, please pray for him. He needs strength and rest. He is burning the candle on both ends. Not that there has ever been a time when he didn't live like that, for those of you that know him... Just pray, thank you!

Jager: LOVES his newest playmate (Moose the cat) and got to meet his half sister, Gracie, last week. Yes, his half sister! Some of our friends from church "rescued" Jager's half sister (same dad) and we went over there on Monday for a doggie play-date! I know, it sound cheesy, but they also have a 1 and 4 year old, so it was a play date for Judah too!

Jager coughing up a rather large hairball!!!


Moose's Revenge


Moose: well, what can I say...a kitty is a kitty. He has alot of energy too, but loves to curl up on Judah's blanket, or on my lap, and take a cat-nap every once in a while. He is enjoying being worm/flea free, having a warm house to sleep in, and eating some really yummy expensive vet clinic cat food!

Where are all Jager's toys supposed to go?


Contemplating joining Judah in the bath



Alicia: I went out with Emily Saturday night to a concert(yes, I know, alot of concerts with Emily!) It was in San Juan Capistrano (south Orange County) at a little venue called the CoachHouse. Her husband's band, 24E was headlining, and another friend of theirs band was one of the opening acts. It was a great night to get out with the girls and have fun. (although they all made me drive over the scary windy highway!) Other than that, just hanging with the boys. (yes, it seems like I've been overrun with testosterone) I'm enjoying my new hairstyle, and the weather has been getting chillier here, so I've been able to pull out some sweaters, jeans, SOCKS, and my Doc Martens!!! (I haven't worn socks since March!)

Have a good week, all, and hopefully, we will be up and rinning again in the not too distant future!

Time for Change

Maybe I just bore easily, or maybe I needed this to make up for the apparent lack of seasonal changes here in CA, but for some reason, I decided it was time for a change! "Haven't things changed enough latley, Alicia?" you may ask. The move to CA, a tiny apartment, a MINIVAN?!?!?!? Well, I guess I needed more! Here are a few things that have changed. 1. We are in the processes of switching from cable to DIRECTV. (a long story) 2. I cut 6 inches off my hair and had it colored dark, dark brown. 3. We got a cat

I realized the main reason we had never had a cat in the past was b/c of Daisy's high cat aggression. So I thought to myself, why not? So with out any more delay, let me introduce to you, MOOSE!!

He is about 12 weeks old and sooo playful!! And after about 1/2 a day, he and Jäger are thick as theives. They play pretty hard together! And Judah loves him too.

Good Vet Tech in training, checking out kitty's teeth!

And if you are thinking, "hey, I thought Brent didn't like cats!" take a look at this!

more pictures...

For some reason, blogger doesn't like me to post very many pictures at once or on one post, so here are the rest of the pictures (including one of my new hair!)






Happy 1st weekend in November!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!! (Part One)

So I have like 2 other blogs to post, but this had to come first]]]]]]]]]]]]]]] (I know that looks like a typo, but I left it in B/C it is what the kitty did when he crawled across the computer up to my shoulder!!! and yes, that is one of the things I need to post a blog about...coming soon!!!)

Tonight we had fun. We decided to forgo the traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating and go to a halloween carnival put on by one of the biggest churches in the valley. But first Judah and I had to carve the pumpkins (which for some reason I had forgotten about until now!!!)

Judah kept telling me he wanted to cut the pumpkin open so that he could eat it, so I said ok!!


Judah wanted his to look like the "scary monster" from his Halloweiner book!


The finished products (in less than a half hour, I might add!!)


My favorite picture