Merry Christmas!

Just thought I'd post the Christmas Picture and Card that we sent out this year. I didn't have everyone's addresses, so we sent them mostly to family. Anyways, here's a brief expanation of what's been happening with our family this past year...

Hi Family and Friends,
We’ve been married almost 7 years now and I have to admit; this is our first official Christmas card that we’ve sent out! I thought that I’d give you all an update on what’s happening in our little family…
We are currently living in Gold Canyon, AZ. We’ve actually been out here for 5 years now-it’s amazing how fast time flies! Anyhow we love it here, just a little way out of the city. Our house backs right up to the Superstition Mountains. The good thing about living here is that we get to see the sun rise over the mountain every morning. The down side is the jumping cactus (thankfully Tate’s only got poked twice) and the rattlesnakes (we’ve had some pretty close calls-like the time I almost stepped on one in our backyard). But, I’d say we’ve been pretty lucky for the most part. We really do think that this is the BEST place to live!
Bryan keeps busy with his two jobs. He’s working as an inspector for a company called Protex doing drainage, post tension and other inspections. Also, he’s had a pretty successful year with his new pool company called “SUNKISS POOLS” that he started over a year ago. He finds lots of satisfaction in building swimming pools and spas. Hopefully soon he will be able to quit Protex and build pools full-time. Bryan is currently the 1st counselor in the Elder’s Quorum. He enjoys his calling and keeps very busy with visiting, teaching, and attending meetings. Bryan is also a member of our ward choir. He has a beautiful tenor voice and enjoys participating. His hobbies include hiking, mountain biking and most other outdoor activities.
As for me, I’m very fortunate to be a stay at home Mom. Even though it’s not always easy keeping up with the house and entertaining Tate all day, I do really enjoy it. I also enjoy cooking, digital scrap booking, anything in Photoshop, family history, gardening, and making crafts. So, I guess you can say that I just play house all day! Life is wonderful for me! I’m also serving in the Young Women’s program and I’m totally enjoying it. Basically my calling is to teach the young women music (it is an actual calling in the church handbook-I get asked that a lot).
Mr. Tate turned 3 in August. He is such a joy to have around! Tate is bursting with energy and he keeps us busy and active. Tate has had quite a few milestones this year. He learned how to swim just before his third birthday. His favorite thing during the summer time was to jump off the waterfall and then swim to the bench on the other side of the pool. He also became potty trained just in time for Preschool that began in September. Tate really likes the social interaction that he gets from going to Preschool, and I enjoy the break and “me time” as I call it. Tate is so excited for Christmas! This is the first year that he’s really into it. He’s asking Santa for a scooter, gum ball machine, and for the movie “Meet the Robinsons”. Sounds do-able if you ask me!
Well, we hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas season!

Love,
Bryan, Maria, and Tate

Hair-Cut

I decided to TRIM Tate's hair today (Not a lot-just a tiny bit in the back). Shortly after starting the trim, I had to run out of the room for a minute. When I came back, Tate had found the scissors and had cut his hair a lot on the top! So, I ended up having to buzz the whole thing to hide it. Oh Well, he's cute no matter what... And luckily his hair grows really fast.

Nap or Work-Your Choice!

Tate learned something very IMPORTANT today... He learned that if he doesn't take a nap, then he gets to work throughout his entire nap time!
I learned something really important too. Don't UNDERESTIMATE your kids and the amount of household chores they can do.

Tate's almost better at doing laundry and dishes then I am, and our house looks great!

Tate's 4th Christmas

Every Christmas I take a picture of Tate in this little red sleigh... He's getting so big, that he hardly fits anymore! I can't believe how fast my baby's growing up.

A Christmas Carol

Bryan and I went to his work Christmas Party last Saturday. I totally look forward to the "Protex" party every year. They have a tradition of renting out the "Hale Theatre" in Gilbert, and watching "The Christmas Carol". I could seriously watch this play over and over again and NEVER get tired of it! Have you all seen it? You know-the "Scrooge" play. Well, if you've never seen it at the Hale Theatre, I totally recommend going. This year was our third time, and I look forward to attending every year.

Favored Nation Band

My brother Thomas and his band "Favored Nation" recorded their first CD last Saturday! I think that Thomas is so talented, and I can only wish that I had half of the talent he has. Thomas wrote all of the songs, and he is the lead singer. I guess I'm just a proud sister! But, I think they sound AWESOME, especially for still being in High School.

I couldn't figure out how to put music in a blog post, so I just made the songs into video form with a picture and then uploaded them as a video.

Written in the Stars

Let Me Go

Wonderful World Of Harold

Rising Up

I'd love to hear what you think of Thomas' music. I totally love all his songs, but then again maybe I'm just biased.

To visit the "Favored Nation" website go HERE.

Mary Did You Know-Clay Aiken

This is a good reminder of what Christmas is all about!

Cousin Nativity

We went over to Grandma Margaret's house the other day, and the kids played dress-up and acted out the nativity. I thought that these pics were just too precious, and so I had to post them...

Lily and Emma took turns being Mary.


Tate made an adorable Joseph!

He was pretending to fight off the wolves with a staff to protect Baby Jesus!

Old Fashioned Pics

One of my friends belongs to a group called MOPS (Mother's Of Preschool Students). Anyways, MOPS recently held a fundraiser for Old Fashioned Pictures. They charged a small fee of $10 for a 10" x 13" pic. Fortunately, I was able to get this one FREE because they had some extra openings. Yeah!!!

When I went in to pick up my 10" x13", they had printed up 12 different 8"x10" pics of Tate in several different poses. They were ALL adorable! But, the package prices ran from $120 to over $300! Seriously, who pays that much for pictures? I almost asked them which dumpster they throw them in!

At least we got this one. And at least I was able to scan it into the computer without cutting any of him off.

A Baby for Christmas...

Tate woke up this morning and asked me "Mom, why you don't have a baby?" I told him that we will just have to pray harder. He said, "Not softly?" I told him that we have to pray like we mean it. He said, "Let's pray". We went into the Family Room and knelt down. He wanted to say the prayer and began, "Heavenly Father, I really really really want a baby", then he told him all the reasons why he wants one. When he finished, I asked him, "Is Heavenly Father going to give us a baby". He replied, "Yes". I said, "When?" He said confidently, "On the 25th". Then he started talking about a baby on the scooter that he's been asking for... and Santa bringing Mommy a baby for Christmas...

Seriously, how do you explain God's timing to a 3 year old? And then, how do you explain that when it does happen, it takes nine months. I love Tate's innocence and honesty! He's so special and I can totally learn from his Faith and confidence in what he asks for. Maybe he's right "we just need to pray a little harder-not softly".

Tate the Red Nosed Goof-Ball

This is Tate playing Rudolph.
I turned around and he had dipped his hotdog in the ketchup and put it one his nose like a stamp! He thought it was too cool.

Family Pics

My sister in law Carrie took our family pictures this last weekend. She took them out at Goldfield Ghost-town. It was a really cool place for pictures. The only problem was that Tate was totally being a stinker and he wasn't cooperating at all. It didn't help that we started at 4 PM right in the middle of what should have been his nap time. Also, I don't think that he was feeling to great. I'm HAPPY though because Carrie got a REALLY GOOD picture of Bryan and me. Oh and we did get a picture by Mater!

Superstition Sunrise!!!

Tate and I woke up REALLY EARLY the other day and sat in the spa while watching the SUN come up over the Superstition Mountains! It was seriously the funnest thing ever. Were going to have to do it more often.

Too bad Bryan can't join us in the mornings. This week he's been starting work from between 12 Midnight and 2 AM. It's been a little crazy for me because I have a hard time going back to sleep when he leaves. So mostly I have just been staying awake and trying to survive on like 5 hours of sleep.

So, it's extra relaxing for me to get to sit in the hot tub! It's just hard to keep from falling asleep while in there...

Family Picture Pedigree

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE doing family history work. Okay, I can't say that I've done much "true research" at all. But, I do enjoy reading family histories and looking at old pictures. Someday soon I would love to learn the ins and outs of it all! It would be REALLY COOL to actually bring my own family names to the TEMPLE...

I put this little picture pedigree together. It's been really fun trying to figure out who looks like who!

It may be a little hard to tell from this picture of my brother Thomas, but I think that he looks REALLY SIMILAR to our Great Great Grandpa John Thomas Craner.

What do you think? Any guesses on who I look like? I haven't quite figured that one out yet.

It's beginning to SMELL a lot like Christmas!

Don't you just LOVE the smell of Christmas? I'm talking about cloves and cinnamon, christmas trees, hot chocolate, candy canes, and the smell of an open fire. It's one of my favorite things about this time of year.

Here's one of my favorite recipes for making a "Simmering holiday Spice" that will really put you in the Christmas mood!

• 1 small lemon, sliced
• 1 small orange, sliced
• 2 (3 inch) cinnamon sticks
• 2 Tbsp. whole cloves
• 1 bay leaf

Slice orange and lemon and mix all ingredients with 1 quart boiling water. Simmer on stove for holiday scent. Renew by adding fresh water.

Priorities!!!

BeforeAfter

Sometimes I spend my time doing the oddest things-like editing photos for hours on end. Bryan keeps reminding me of Dallin H. Oaks' talk from Conference on "Good, Better, and Best". Well, I guess my priorities are way off because right now this seems to be TOP PRIORITY and the best use of my time!

Maybe one of these days my priorities will change to something more important like keeping my house clean or making some money, etc.

Crayon Cozies

IF YOU'RE FAMILY-CLOSE YOUR EYES AND STOP READING!!! j/k

It's not even Thanksgiving yet, & I'm totally thinking about Christmas...

We're going to TRY to do HOMEMADE GIFTS this year because they are inexpensive and they are usually the BEST gifts anyway!

So today I got all CRAFTY and decided to make some cute crayon cozies. I got together with my Mom while Tate was at Preschool, and we just sewed away! My Mother is a FABULOUS SEAMSTRESS and I always learn a ton when I sew with her.

We only got one made-but I think that it turned out pretty cute! Click HERE for the tutorial.

I couldn't wait till after Christmas to show this. Just thought I'd share the idea incase anyone else wanted to make these.

Thanksgiving Rolls

If you want to make mouth-watering dinner rolls with your Thanksgiving meal, try this recipe. It's the best!!! And, it's not hard-ANYONE CAN DO IT!

Ingredients:

3 C. Milk

1 C. Potato Flakes

1 Tbsp. Salt

3/4 C. Sugar

1/2 C. Butter

4 Eggs

7-8 C. Flour

1 1/2 Tbsp. Yeast

Instructions:

Scald Milk, Melt Butter. Place potato flakes, salt, sugar, milk and butter in mixer. Stir briefly and bring mixture to a lukewarm temperature.

Add eggs, yeast, and flour 1 Cup at a time, mixing well between additions. Mix until dough pulls away from the side.

Place dough in a large greased bowl, cover lightly with saran wrap, and let rise until doubled in bulk.

Smash dough down, and form balls for rolls.

Place dough balls on greased cookie sheet-spaced evenly. Let dough rise again. No need to cover them this time. Rise until they look about the right size to eat.

**Okay I know my cookie sheets look so gross and nasty. They aren't dirty I promise, just stained.

Bake at 375 for 9-11 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet, brush tops with melted butter, and allow to cool.

This recipe makes approximately 40 large rolls. So, don't get carried away and eat them all at one sitting!

Hope you all enjoy this recipe...This has been a favorite of mine for years now

Ü

Track your Walking-This is AWESOME!

Have you ever gone on a walk/jog and wondered how far you actually went and how many calories you burned? Well, my Father-in Law introduced me to Gmaps Pedometer. This is a REALLY REALLY REALLY cool website that I've been having so much fun with.

Now I know that I've been walking 4.2798 miles and that I've been burning 426.74 calories every time I walk! Yeah me!!!

Click HERE if you want to try it. If you click on the "Hybrid" mode in the top right corner of gmaps pedometer, then you can see your house, trail, etc. really close. It's pretty cool!

Hope you have as much fun with this as I have!

Oh wow, I just found some stats that are really interesting...

Holland - 45% of daily travel on foot or by bicycle.

Sweden - 33% of daily travel on foot, 10% by bicycle.

France and Italy - More than 25% of their daily travel is on foot.

USA - Roughly 5% of people's comings and goings are on foot.

Tate's Traumatic Experience

Bryan's Mom bought Tate a ton of new clothes! They are almost all VERY CUTE, although I had my doubts about the outfit featured above. Well, yesterday all the laundry was dirty and these clothes were clean, so I had Tate wear them to Preschool. BIG MISTAKE! I was really good about not mentioning to Tate that I didn't really care for the clothes he was wearing. Anyways, after preschool on the ride home Tate said "I'm never wearing these pants from Grandma Stradling ever again!" He sadly said, "The boys at preschool didn't like my pants-they kept saying NA-NA-NANA-NA WE DON'T LIKE YOUR PANTS!" When we came home, he literally cried for 1/2 hr. straight. Neither Bryan or I could console him! I felt so bad for him! Seriously when did 3 year olds start caring so much about who's wearing what?

Fun Morning Hike

I started something new... Three times a week I'm walking with some of my neighbors. It's been lots of fun so far. Yesterday, I had an idea to hike "Silly Mountain" instead of doing our regular around the community walk. So that's what we did. I'm not sure how many of you have been there, but it's a really nice hike. I mean it's really quite steep, but it's also pretty short. It was lots of fun! Tate hiked the entire way up and down. I am really proud of him! He got pretty tired at times, and kept asking to take a break...
and play in the dirt. But isn't that what boys do best?
We were happy to finally reach the top and take a real break.
This is the view from the top. It overlooks the city, and it's really pretty! Tate figured out how to get down the mountain pretty easily. He just sat on his bum and went down the slide!!!
We'll definitely have to hike this one again!

Fraser House Part 1

When Bryan and I were first married (and for the first 2 years of our married life), we lived in a cute little apartment in Mesa that was really close to the temple. It was a home that had been made into a triplex. The part we lived in was no more than 900 sq ft, and we paid a total of $300/month. Can you imagine that? And that was only 6 1/2 years ago.

Anyhow, we had a double bed and so we were forced Ü to sleep very close together. If one of us had to roll over, it would usually wake the other up. One night, I rolled over and was very quickly awakened by Bryan grabbing me by my shoulders and neck and shaking me REALLY HARD. I was soooooo scared being the middle of the night and half asleep myself, I screamed. Thankfully that woke him up and he stopped and proceeded to tell me that he had been dreaming that he was in a truck that was being mugged. He thought that I was the bad guy and he was attacking me. So that's a story that I'll never forget!

We really didn't take very many pics of the apartment (at least I couldn't find them) so here's a few that we do have...

This is our little bathroom. Sorry for the crazy pic of me (Bryan totally caught me off guard while I was washing my face).

This was our kitchen. There was NO DISHWASHER which was a nightmare in and of itself for me. I was really glad whenever I got the dishes done!

Oh, and the fire alarm was just around the corner from the oven, so it would go off just about every time I cooked-dumb thing.

This was our living room/study. Bryan and I were both in school while we lived there, so we always had a ton of homework laying around, etc.

So yea, there's our little apartment on Fraser St. in a nutshell.