LETTERS TO SANTA

TIME TO LET SANTA KNOW what's on the wish list...

Monday night we committed the kids to their Santa lists. It wasn't hard for them either. They've been asking for the same couple of things for MONTHS....

 Brian was too tired. Coaxing, prodding, and jumping around him wouldn't get him off the couch. Too much excitment over the fun holiday weekend, I guess.

And there we have it...Letters to Santa. They've been sent to the North Pole. The kids have their fingers crossed. But they also know that mom and dad have the last say in what Santa offers them. No more of this, "I'll just ask Santa for it if you won't get it..."



MARCUS chooses MCDONALDS....

With a bit of persuasion, Marcus chose McDonald's to be the venue for his SIXTH birthday party. Yes, I know, it seems I am advocating McTHROW-up. But actually I am advocating SIMPLICITY :)

McDonalds decorated, reserved the play area, and had a host specifically working with us. The kids played, ate their food, opened presents, had cupcakes and goody bags and then everyone went home... NO CLEAN UP! Yay!!! And Marcus had a great time, got some really great gifts(thank you), and I think for the most part all the kids had fun too.

Marcus invited kids from preschool, kindergarten, and church. His list was never ending, but mommy made him draw the line somewhere. Kids.... It's just nice, as a mother, to know that my son has a list of friends and aquaintances that goes on and on. Life is so much happier with good friends surrounding you. Marcus, you have great friends, and you are a great friend. I love you so much! Hope being SIX was as great as being FIVE, and just know that being SEVEN will be even BETTER!

RIGBY 2010

What a fantastic year the RIGBY clan has had. My brother, Jeff, does an awesome job putting together a family DVD for us every year. And every year he adds a little fun tidbit to the beginning of the DVD. This year he created a movie trailer...its so fun! Thanks, Jeff, for your hard work with the DVD. Thanks Rigby family for BEING MY FAMILY! I love you all so much! I am truly sincere when I say that eternity would not be PERFECT without you!

Dad - you have always protected us, provided for us, taught us. You've been a sounding board, a wise man, and a friend. You are a great example to me as well as the boys. Thank you so much for everything.

Mom - you are my best friend! I was overly in debt the day that I was born to you as your earthly daughter. I will never beable to repay Heavenly Father for this blessing. I love your craftiness and ONE DAY I will learn. You have an eye for creativity. You LOVE everyone, and would bend over backwards for ANYONE.

Thayne - Growing up we didn't have much of a relationship, you being so much older. The last ten years or so I've gotten to know you and think so highly of you. You are amazingly talented in EVERYTHING that you do - singing, all kind of art, your knowledge capacity far exceeds mine, I mean most, and your kids love you!

Micah - Probably the most conservative of all the Rigby's and I love that about you! You have a sound mind, a strong head on your shoulders. But underneath the layers you are so funny, loving, and carefree! Boy do I miss living an hour away from you and your family - those monthly or bi-monthly visits were so fun!

Jeff - A mini-dad in action, mannerism, and looks! Besides the fact that I have called on you to help me in many ways, the one thing that stands out above all is your relationship with Jackie. It is admirable.

I'm Blessed. There is little more to say.   

I    AM     Blessed.



MARCUS TURNS **6**

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MARCUS!

Marcus had a great SIXTH birthday. It started out with a treat phone call from Grandma and Grandpa Bushman-all the way from Germany. From there we opened his presents...Brent and I decided with the choice of gift we got him to not get him much more. You'll understand why in a minute....

 Phone call from Germany

 Finally into a smaller booster...

 Ann and Don, Isabello and Grandpa Noah gave him a personalized Karate belt rack...I know now that's not how u hang them but I just did it for picture purposes...

 Madelyn Gave him two DS games...Mario Kart and a Yoshi one...

 And of course the coveted DS...from Brent and me, for sure, cuz we wanted to be the heroes of the day :)

And this is why it didn't matter to get him anything else...Boy does he have a nice head of hair :)

Somehow I managed to get him to school...And 30 minutes before the end of the day I went in to take cookies and caprisons. Fun class..BIG CLASS!

 A crown, certificate, hug from his teacher, and a kiss from a monkey...what more could a six year old ask for!

31 Kids in his class..thats one big class! But they are cuties.

Then on to Dinner. But not before Marcus enjoyed a four hour playdate with his friend Creighton. They swapped DS's, played outside, went to Brent's work with me and all the managers sang happy birthday. The three boys had a great afternoon. Then Applebee's was the choice for dinner for the second year in a row...

 funny faces...well, me anyway

 What is it with kids...they are always hams with the camera until you ACTUALLY want to take a picture with them... :)

 So precious!

 The entire restaraunt knew it was Marcus's birthday...the employees yell LOUD! He loved it! And Madelyn loved his dessert - go figure.

 Just what he was waiting for...His SIX BUCKS from his birthday card. He knew that if he got a DS he wanted to buy a game with that money. So right after dinner we headed to the Game Stop...

And then home for cake and ice cream...I have to warn ya'll...this isn't pretty. Marcus wanted a lightsaber cake...then he decided he just wanted a chocolate cake with a lightsaber ON TOP of the cake. So being the creative person that I am, I decided to make a bunt cake to just stick the lightsaber down the middle.... and this is what you get when you try and give your son what he wants with a limited creative and motivated mother... totally ROFLOL!!!

 And this is how much he loved his cake and ice cream....ha ha ha

Not to fear!!! I had a second chance at creativity for his party. He wanted Star Wars cupcakes. And this time, he actually got something that looks and tastes appealing.

 Notice the Christmas cupcake cups...that's all WalMart had when I was shopping. Oh well...

Well, all in all it was a fantastic day! He loves his DS, he loves his games, he loves that he has a "big kid" booster now and not a "little kid" booster. And what's more than that - WE LOVE HIM!!! I couldn't imagine my life without him. Marcus is smart, motivated, and talented. He has a great imagination and creates something new everyday using the wheels turning in his head. He has a huge heart, loves to bear his testimony, and worries about his siblings and parents all the time. Is he rough? Does he like to play tough? Yes, yes...and sometimes this gets him into trouble. But the older he gets the more he understands. All in all...Marcus is a great kid! I love him! I love everything about him! I am so grateful that Heavenly Father gave him to ME!!! :)



ONE LAST HURRAH...

We took a final trip to San Diego for the year. The city has been good to us. We've done a lot of fun things, had some good food, and relaxing weekends. Brent had a couple of days off because of Veteran's Day so we scooped up the kids and headed to California...

We spent the first day at The New Children's Museum of San Diego. It was a great time. The kids played, learned, and made mulitple crafts. The entrance fee was super reasonable and we were able to find off street parking really close(hard to find downtown...). The biggest hickup-we didn't have change for the meter so while Brent ran to the bank for coins, the boys tried their hardest not to pee their pants. It turns out that during a 30 second head turn Brian pee'd in the bushes. I never would have known but he left traces down the front of his pants. And Marcus...you don't even want to know that he finally relieved himself under the tire with his mother blocking the view(it's funny now, but at the time NOT so funny).

We were able to Priceline a pretty sweet hotel this time - Hyatt Regency Mission Bay. It had a great pool area for the kids with slides. And Brent splurged for an ocean view balcony. Besides having an employee knock on the door to tell us the people below us complained the kids were too noisy on the balcony, the stay was pretty flawless.

 View from the Balcony looking down

 View from the balcony

The Sunset from the room...it was a MUST see before we could get dinner - thank goodness sunset was at 5:00!!

 Can you guess where...Cafe Coyote

 A little milk out of the nostrils never hurt anyone...

 Power Ranger Sword/saber

And of course the beach...of course, of course. But I have to say it is Brent and the kids favorite thing. I like it too, but they REALLY love it. So bare with me with more beach pics....

 Our very own mer"MAN"

Madelyn's new rock star dress(she found it at  Ross Dress For Less and immediately felt like a rock star)

And as long as I'm taking pictures of everyone else...why not have some fun with the mirror...hehe

Honestly, I really can't complain having sunburn lines in NOVEMBER...Excited to get some snow though - just for a day or two. And really, JUST for a day or two :)