While I have a minute ....

Ok ... While I have a moment or two I am going to try and update this blog- I don't have nearly as much updating to do as I should - since for one reason or another I have once again have failed to take pictures of almost everything that has happened lately. (There are two basic reasons why I don't take pictures...1- Our camera eats batteries like nobody's business and 2- my son NEVER holds still and the blurry results just depress me)

So sit back and enjoy a little thing I like to call my blogger cram session.

Merry Christmas

We had an awesome Christmas this year - the entire Williams clan was under one roof for Christmas for the first time in 5 years...

The last time everyone was home was the year Ryan & I got engaged.... (and Lindsey & Brady)

Holding true to tradition - Our little Kristin had something new and shiny on her finger this Christmas- we are all so excited to welcome Macky into the family. (They actually got engaged a few days before Thanksgiving.. but since we hadn't seen her since she got engaged... it was exciting for us)

So the house was full - Ari had a blast spending time with his aunts & uncle & uncle-to-be.

We all seemed to get exactly what we wanted for Christmas this year -

We thought we had learned a lesson from last year - and decided not to go "overboard" on presents for Ari this year - I think we did a decent job at that this year

For Christmas Ari received:

-Clothes ... (his least favorite present but hey I had to take advantage of my seasonal Macy's discount)

-Duplo blocks ( to add to the ones he got for his birthday) *** These were actually a birthday present from Ari's Sievert Cousins - but he was pretty overwhelmed by presents at birthday time so we just wrapped these up for Christmas, it's nice that he is still little enough that we can spread out his presents

-Dinosaur puppets from his far away puppy Berkelee

-Converse Chuck Taylor shoes just like his mom and dad from Santa

-books from Kristin and Nana& Papa

-these awesome cars from his cousin Cambren

-a Dodger's Ball and bat set from his soon to be uncle Macky ( I am already planning my pay back for that gift.... Ari + bat= DESTRUCTION

- the Tag Jr reading system and books (which has been such a hit with him) Thanks Nana & Papa and Oma & Opa

- A new BYU football jersey from his Kristin

AND - last but not least ..... the gift Ryan and I were the most excited/stressed about

We searched everywhere for the "perfect" tricycle. I read reviews online, we went to Target, Walmart and Toys'r'us... but once we spotted this one we just fell in love with it- It is so AWESOME - it's the original Radio Flyer Tricycle - with rubber tires and a bell (and the double step so Ari can take his lady friends for a ride....

Ari LOVES it (sadly he is a little to short for the peddles so we are working on getting some blocks so he can truly cruise in style

I do have really cute video of Ari on Christmas morning - coming down to see his tricycle for the first time - and I promise someday to get our videos on to our blog - (we got a replacement USB cord- now I just need to figure out how to use it)

Ari taking inventory of all his AWESOME gifts

Ari was so cute the day after Christmas - as soon as he woke up he ran down stairs and climbed on his trike again - it was like he was saying " it wasn't a dream... I really am the luckiest boy alive" and every morning since Christmas he has done the same thing..... love him

The Sunday after Christmas Nana, Kristin, Macky, Ari and I went up north to Paso to visit family up there. We had such a nice time visiting and got to see the elephant seals again and I was finally able to tour Hearst Castle. It was so amazing

It was a great holiday season and we miss everyone already .....

Hello/ Goodbye ....

I don't think I have ever actually made a New Year's Resolution - I mean sure come New Year's Eve I often find myself thinking - "Next year I'm going to ________ or be better at _______", but I never put it out their publicly or write it in my journal - sometimes I doubt I give it a second thought New Year's Day.

So this year that's my first Resolution - to make New Year's Resolutions ....

So there it is Resolution #1 - Make Resolutions (or lets just call them goals)

Along with that there are going to be some Hello's said and Goodbyes yelled

Here it goes.........

Goodbye Soda - Farewell for GOOD - I am not saying that I will NEVER have another soda - that is unrealistic for me - However there was a time I refer to it as B.R. (before Ryan) - when soda and I were not so well acquainted.... So for this YEAR I am saying Goodbye to Soda - and after I have accomplished that I will decide what my relationship with Soda will be. I will miss you coke from McDonald's with no ice - "it's not me.... it's you"

Hello Water- Hello water- pleasure to make your acquaintance - I think we met a while back ... yeah I should have called more often - my fault - I was kind of seeing someone else - BUT that's over now... I look forward to having a long lasting relationship with you

Goodbye Fast food - It's been a good run - but all good things must come to an end- and it's going to be hard, what with school starting up again and all the fast food restaurants on campus and my late night classes. But we just can't keep seeing each other the way we do- it's not healthy - I finally figured out I deserve better.... take care

Hello Eating Healthy .... where have you been hiding? Oh ... Breakfast ... what is this breakfast you speak of?

Goodbye ABC, NBC, MTV,WB and TLC - Sorry you have become something of a monster in my life and I just can't do it anymore - I have finally realized that it doesn't matter who the biggest loser is or what the Littlest Couple does, I hate those Real Worlders who are so far removed from reality its a joke and I really don't care who the next apprentice is... So we aren't going to be able to spend as much time as we have been spending in the past - I'm sure you will get over it.

Hello Fitness.... sorry I have been a flaky friend - you deserve better and I am going to make it up to you

Goodbye Candy - I know we don't really hang out much as it is - so this might come as a surprise to you but lately we have spent WAY to much time together - So I donated my stocking stuffers to Ryan's co workers (he is now the most popular guy in the office) I am sure I will see you around candy - but I won't be looking for you anymore - it's time for you to just move on

More Resolutions

Ok - I said my hellos and goodbyes for 2010. I have a few more "resolutions" so since my #1 resolution was to make resolutions - (and what is the sense in making them if you're going to keep them a secret?) Here they are

I used to write- I used to write A LOT (some of you might know that) - I don't really know why I stopped - All I can figure is that I did my most writing when I was at a college where I never really felt like I fit in and I desperately wanted to fit in, I wrote volumes when I was repeatedly falling for the wrong guy. I wrote and I wrote and I wrote - and it was my thing- and I loved it. I guess maybe I was a little dark and tortured - and maybe that is what inspired me - Because that is when it stopped - I met Ryan and no matter where I was - if I was with him, I felt like I belonged. I didn't care about fitting in - because I didn't want to fit in - Ryan loved me for who I was so it didn't matter anymore. But I miss writing - and it's no ones fault but my own.. I got distracted by love and life and my little boy - but I miss writing - so that brings me to #2

#2 - I am going to write again - I am going to set up a blog and just write

I love being a Mom - I had no idea how hard it was going to be before I was a Mom - NO IDEA - but regardless.... I LOVE BEING A MOM

I had to put that out there

I (more often then I would like to admit) get caught up in how "naughty, clever, active" Ari is or how "uncreative, uninspired and uninspiring" I am and forget to enjoy these moments I have being a mom. I am ashamed to admit that I have sat in the rocking chair with Ari rocking him to sleep all the while wishing I could be watching TV or updating my status.... I have caught myself on too many occasions wanting to be somewhere else - when what I have is so fleeting..... I read my journal entries from when Ari was first born and being away from him was physically painful - I read my entries from when I went back to work and I felt like I was dying those first days, weeks and months..... In my journal and my prayers I promised that if I could be with him all day I wouldn't take it for granted - I would be a good mom, I would be creative and inspired and inspiring ..... but I got off track - I don't know how I went from feeling like my heart was breaking while I walked to my car to sitting in a rocking chair and wishing I could be watching Glee - wishing my baby didn't need me to read three books and sing one song and rock him for 30 minutes to go to sleep some nights.... HOW DID I GET HERE ?!?!?

# 3 - I am going to enjoy the moments, messes, mistakes and madness that come with being a mom -

# 4- I want to do the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer - it's September 11th-12th in Santa Barbara. My favorite Sister in law did it a while ago and I have always been super impressed with it - So this year I want to do it... However I am very nervous/scared/chicken to do it myself - so I am putting it on Facebook and hopefully someone, somewhere in Facebook land will want to walk with me- I don't think I can do this one alone - (and Ryan doesn't seem to interested)

So there they are .... my New Year's Resolutions

WE ARE FAMILY .......

Finally - we had family portraits taken - and it went as good as could be expected since it was a last minute planning... (i.e. I was running around the mall Monday morning/afternoon trying to find outfits that worked for all of us, Ryan had to get a hair cut and I had to try to get Ari to take a decent nap, be fed and in a good "picture taking" mood.

So here they are:

Ari has the best curly hair but we never photography him on his curly days -

so I made sure Ari was having a curly day (I didn't brush it when it was wet)

so everyone could see my sweet baby with his curls...... LOVE HIM

And I have some really cute video from Ari's birthday which I would love to upload however the USB cable for our video camera has grown legs and walked away (probably looking for a better home that would use it more often) so until I can find a replacement card - no video - sorry

We didn't order a ton of Christmas cards (mostly because they due to our last minute photo shoot they will not be ready until the Tuesday before Christmas.....) so those of you who will be getting one will share the same blood as atleast one of us (that is how limited our order was) and they will most likely be late ..... so here it is for you to see if I don't get one in the mail for you

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARI BURTON

Happy Birthday Ari Burton. We love you so much. You have changed every aspect of our lives for the better- When I dreamed about the little boy we would have someday - you were the little boy in my dreams (although I do think that little boy in my dreams was a little less of a picky eater!!!!)

Some Fun Facts about Ari:

His favorite foods are

Burger King Chicken Nuggets

Ocean Spray Crasins

Dried Cherries

Trader Joe's Yogurt (the creme kind yum yum)

Pancakes "cakes"

French Toast

French Fries

Words Ari says (that we understand) :

Car, Color, Sponge Bob (not thrilled about that one), Dora, Kai lan, Hair, Duck, Moon, oh no, wow, Dog, Mama, Dada, Papa (Ryan's Dad), Juice, NO, Book, Eyes, Teeth, Star, Spoon, Shoe, Two

Funny things that Ari has done: (well they are funny now... to think back on.....now that the mess is cleaned up)

- Walked on the piano keys (more like danced)

- Got Dewey's treat box down from the counter and gave the dog multiple treats....(no wonder they are best friends)

-Went in the laundry room, opened the dryer, climbed on the dryer door, got the laundry soap and dumped it on the floor (all of it) - then he came out with the dripping laundry soap to show Papa what he had done

- Got into my make up and successfully applied mascara to the eye area, blush to his cheek area and bit my chapstick......

- snuck in the pantry and helped himself to Reese peanut butter cups.... he even opened the wrapper

Ari's Favorite Toys:

CARS

Legos (somehow he found Ryan's old little legos and no matter where we put them he finds them and dumps them every where - but today he is getting Duplo blocks and those little legos are getting tossed)

Playdoh

We love you Ari !

Two years ago.....

Two years ago my life changed in ways I could have never imagined. Two years ago today I learned what it really meant to love someone unconditionally. Two years ago today - I became a Mom

Ari Burton Williams was due to make his arrival into our world on November 30th 2007. However- Ari, being true to himself wasn't about to let anyone tell him when he was supposed to show up- (this is a theme that has continued throughout the last two years. Ari is his own boss, ALWAYS)

Ari was only running slightly behind schedule (I went into labor on the 30th) and at 11:09am Ari Burton Williams was born, and life has never been the same since.

Ari is a character, ask anyone who has met him- he loves to flirt with the ladies, he is a real chatterbox and so so loving. He loves to give kisses and hugs and snuggles.

But while it is Ari's birthday today - its also an anniversary for me..... (although I don't get cake and presents.... what gives) See it was two years ago today that I faced all my fears and did one thing that scared me the most. I survived labor- I survived almost not getting an epidural (thank goodness they were finally able to give it to me)

I survived all of the things I was scared to death about - and the end result is pretty fantastic if I may say so myself.....

Love you Ari !!!!! Happy Birthday !

Happy Halloween

Ari was a Doctor for Halloween - and as is our Halloween tradition - we made his costume.... (we don't do store bought) The costume turned out perfect - it took forever to find the blue crocs to make it official and I debated buying Ari a real stethescope but opted for the dollar store version.

As is also a "tradition" we took Ari to get his halloween pictures taken- we have had really good success in the past - but we had a different photographer this time and she was basically a one trick pony when it came to getting Ari's attention - needless to say her trick didn't exactly work - so we didn't get that great of shots - but they are cute none the less

And of course Ari drooled a big ol glob of slobber on the front of his shirt right in the beginning of the photo shoot - priceless - so he has that on the front of his costume in all of the shots

look at his cute little crocs ....... priceless

OK - you have seen how cute Ari is now go vote for him www.gap.com/castingcall

ID # 989371597

go vote .....

Oh on a slightly funny, slightly annoying side comment - Ari had a blast trick or treating on Halloween - however SEVERAL I mean more people than I can count on both hands - referred to Ari as a girl, all night we heard "what a beautiful little girl" "oh she is adorable" "what a darling little girl" "Oh she is so polite- what a good girl" and on and on and on -

I don't want to sound sexist - but Ari was a DOCTOR not a NURSE - his scrubs were blue, his stroller was blue, his crocs were blue, his sweatshirt when it got cold was blue..........

If it wasn't for the fact that they were giving us candy ( and a lot of times those remarks began like this "have an extra piece because..... she is so polite, she is such a beautiful girl, she is so adorable.......etc) I would have called all of those people idiots .... but I just let it go

Next year Ari has already decided he wants to go dressed as something that will be a NO DOUBT BOY COSTUME .... so he is going as a chippendale Dancer

Happy Halloween

Go vote for Ari ....

Now .... Happy Halloween !!!!!

We had so much fun at the Ward Halloween Party - Ryan and I had planned on going as two of Ari's patients - but last minute we decided to go buy scrubs and go as his fellow Dr.s (I think we should have gone with our original idea but oh well - I will go as a patient for actual trick or treat.)

Ari and his Papa

Ari and Ryan, best looking doctors by far

We carved our pumpkins today - I wanted to do something different so while we were at the pumpkin farm I got this blue moon pumpkin (I think that is what it was called ) anyway its this cool greyish blueish color . It was a pain in the butt to carve however.

But fun was had by all and the finished product is what counts - Ryan carved a coffin on his pumpkin and a bat on Ari's (he carved both pumpkins in the time it took me to carve mine)

Before

After

Happy Halloween - Now go vote for Ari !!!!!! www.gap.com/castingcall

problems with the link below

ok- riddle me this - the link doesn't exactly work, it will take you to his pictures but I don't think the vote button shows up - scroll down to the bottom and click register to vote and then follow the instructions - (you have to be registered to vote so that people only vote once per day per email) so register and then find Ari (you can stay logged in for two weeks so every time you go back to vote you won't have to enter your member name and password --- now GO VOTE

Vote For Ari

Vote for Ari ..... (hopefully this link will work I have been having a little trouble with it) if not - you can go to www.gap.com/castingcall and then search for Ari's pictures under 12107mom

VOTE VOTE VOTE

leave your email if that still doesn't work and I will send you the email that has the link attached too - (for some reason cut and paste does not want to work -) and the website will let you paste straight to your facebook (which I did - check out my profile tab) twitter (which I don't do) and myspace (does anybody myspace anymore ?)

VOTE VOTE VOTE - I am really curious just how well my call to action can do - were up against kids with 36000 votes already - I have faith that if I tell you and you post this on your blogs, twitters and facebooks and your friends post it on theirs and so on and so on and all those people vote ..... maybe Ari could win - it would be awesome - he is such a fun guy - for those of you who might vote that have never met him - your really missing out. He is the greatest blessing I have ever had - I know every mom says that - and for every mom its true - Ari is such a unique, amazing little guy -

OK Ari's pictures went live

ok - seriously I need everyone who sees this post to tell like 100 friends to vote for Ari - he is starting out a little late and if you look at some of the other kids on there they have like 36000 Votes - Ari is WAY cuter than them....

anyway so pick a picture and vote daily and tell your friends, your dentist, your neighbor, etc - VOTE VOTE VOTE

you can find Ari's pictures under 12107mom

they don't add the votes up from all of his pictures so pick one and spread the word to vote for it

THANKS

It's pumpkin time

Today we went to a pumpkin patch in Santa Paula (there were closer pumpkin patches, however our Mazda was getting a new engine in it in Santa Paula... whole other story, and it just happened to be ready for pick up today)

It was such a fun little pumpkin farm/ festival. Ari had a blast in the hay bale race (is that how you spell bale, spell check didn't catch it if it is wrong...) Anyway Ari had fun running through the race, he had slightly less fun running through the corn maze which actually resembled a crop circle more than any corn maze I have ever seen.

I have to say - it is still awkward to me to be picking out pumpkins in 80 degree weather - but I will adjust, eventually. I was a little heart broken that I couldn't dress Ari up in cute jeans and a flannel or sweater for his little pumpkin patch adventure but we were sweating in the shorts we wore so its better that I didn't. Ari wasn't really that interested in the pumpkins -

As is totally expected when ever we plan on going anywhere, one of our cameras was dead by the time we got to our destination, this time it was our video camera. Luckily our digital camera takes video with sound ( we had never tried it out before, but it actually worked pretty well ) sorry its a little shaky.

I am so glad at least our camera took some video - since its nearly impossible to get a glimpse of Ari not on the move (pictures are almost pointless) - While we were there this little girl kept finding Ari and "flirting" with him - too cute

Ari is obsessed with knocking on doors - I think maybe he is practicing for Halloween - anyway - of course while we were at the pumpkin patch Ari was so much more interested in the port - o - johns then he was in the pumpkins ..... he kept knocking on the doors - it was so funny

All and all it was a great day - we had so much fun chasing after our little guy ....

ITS COME TO MY ATTENTION....

It's come to my attention that I was a little early on the call to action - please stay posted - I guess an actual person at the GAP has to approve Ari's picture (you know make sure its not porn and such) before they put it up to be voted on - I should get an email shortly (any day now) saying my pictures have been approved and then the voting madness can start - sorry to all of you who wasted time searching for our cutie pie who just isn't there .....

I will post an update on here and facebook as soon as his pictures go live -

THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION

Vote For Ari http://family.go.com/gapcastingcall/?cmp=OTC-Gap-Vanity tell your friends and your neighbors and their friends and their neighbors and their aunts and uncles and brothers and sisters - ROCK THE VOTE !!!!! (I think you can only vote for one picture a day or something like that and we have five pictures on their - they don't add the votes together for all the pictures so I suggest to make it most effective you just pick one of the pictures and vote for that one repeatedly......

We may not have captured they many sides of Ari, but we got some of the good ones !!!! V

We couldn't get any really great pictures of Ari (we just found out about the contest on Saturday) so we had to work with what we had... but I think he is pretty cute regardless.... We love our little boy

Where have we been?

Ok so its been roughly forever since we updated our blog. SORRY - long story short, our laptop (aka the thorn in my side) died and we were trying to decide if we wanted to buy a new one or buy a desktop and then we were trying to decide if we should wait til Windows 7 was released ... and after much deliberation we decided to get another lap top - before Windows 7 ... so now were connected again.

BUT ... nothing really that exciting has happened in our world to make us blog worthy?!. We bought a jeep liberty (not really planned- but ok) so now we have 3 cars. Anybody want to buy a 2002 Mazda Protege 5 ? (super clean runs great sad to see it go)

I am now officially a Grad Student at Cal State - Northridge, Ryan's job is going well, Ari is getting so flipping big... same ol' same ol'

A keep getting bugged for more pictures of Ari - sorry I have been horrible at documenting his life- but in my defense, come to my house and just TRY to get a decent photo of my son who is constantly in motion from sun up to sun set....its just near impossible. And the other thorn in my side (our camera) doesn't make things any easier

but here you go for those who were asking:

DODGER NIGHT - (Mormon Night)

we went to Dodger Night this year it was so fun. Andre Either hit a grand slam to win the game -

Ari was such a good little guy the whole game

Here is our sad attempt at a family picture.
Ari and his daddy
Look how cute my boys are

Okay so that was Dodger Night ....

Ari has taken up reading as a favorite past time. He is such a funny guy I will be looking all over for him and I go upstairs and find him in his room sitting in his rocking chair looking at his books-

Here he is reading away

look how cute this kid is

WE love Ari so much

I still can't believe this is the boy I thought would NEVER sleep in his crib, he is such a champ at sleeping in his own crib ( although now I worry he will never sleep in an actual bed) Thank goodness he hasn't even attempted to climb out of his crib.

We took a day trip up to Santa Barbara to go to the zoo up there- and decided from now on we will go to the LA zoo (hopefully next year we can make a trip down to the San Diego zoo.

My favorite sign at the zoo

My favorite Animal at the zoo

My favorite boys at the zoo

Ok so a while ago I told Ryan to grow his hair out like "Edward" - so to spite me he is growing it out, and wearing it like Zac Efron
He even got Ari to do the "Efron" look