Happy 31st Birthday Cory!

Who says its no fun having your birthday two days before Christmas. Cory's birthday is always so much fun. I hope it is for him too. It seems like everybody is in the party mode and also the gift giving mode. This year for Cory's birthday, he wanted to fix dinner for our families. He made some really really yummy taco soup for us. We had eclairs instead of cake and played games.

Cory is an amazing man and I am thankful for him everyday!! I love him so much. I love that he is such a great dad. I love that he is not afraid to be silly. I love that he works so hard. (well usually, but not this month) I love that he never says mean or gossipy things about people. I could go on forever and I know that our kids could too. We hope you had a great birthday Cory. Oh, and I love, love, love those big blue eyes!

All I want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth!!

Finally!! Brock has had this loose tooth for over a month now. Those must be some good roots! We almost had him talked into the "ol tie it to a doorknob and slam it" trick. But first he wanted to just practice tugging it with a string, so he was, but the string kept coming off so mom decided to tie it on a little (alot) tighter. Once I did, I was STUCK! Brock was crying, Parker was going nuts because he just wanted Brock to "just pull it out!!" and we were trying to think of a way to get the string off his tooth when all the sudden dad just decides to yank it out. There was just a little blood, a few tears, $3.50 from the tooth fairy and a whole new pack of Yugio cards to make up for it. I sure hope it is not this dramatic everytime Brock has a tooth to loose! It was way more simple last time when the dentist had to pull it out.
I know that kids look weird when there teeth fall out but I think Brock still looks pretty cute. We love you buddy.

Whistle while you Work

Cory has been home for 20 days now. His surgery went really well. His back feels better than it has in a couple of years. His foot and leg are still pretty numb and he doesn't have all the strength back yet. The doctor said that could take a while. He sees the Doc on Monday the 29th to see if he can go back to work. In the mean time. I was driving home from the gym thinking about my plan of attack to clean our house when I thought to myself. "Why should I clean the whole house by myself while Cory and the boys play video games or watch TV." So I came in and wrote down all the different rooms in our house. Everybody drew out different room, and that's what they got to clean. To my surprise, this worked awesome. The kids thought they were playing a fun game. Cory didn't mind, because he got the kitchen and he secretly loves to clean the kitchen. He likes to reorganize the cupboards and make sure everything is just so. It did take some extra time for me to do my rooms because I had to keep stopping to help the kids. (Parker really likes to spray the dust polish) The biggest surprise was that Brock had to clean the bathroom, and he did so good. This was one of those days that I wish my little boys would be little forever.

Christmas Parties

On Sunday we had what is hopefully the first annual Christmas party with Cory's immediate family. (aside from Christmas day) It was fun. We had a pot luck dinner and played games. We played the game where everybody brings a white elephant gift and steals them from everybody else. Cory brought a Monster energy drink and Parker had his eye on it from the get go. Brock really wanted to get the deodorant. (I know, very weird) Maybe he thinks he stinks. Little baby Ike just wanted to hold any thing with paper around it that he could shove in his mouth. CJ got the Monster and was so kind to give it to Parker. YES, I'm winning the mother of the year award this year because I let him drink alot of it. But he shared with Cory and CJ and I don't think he is all that fascinated anymore. We had fun. It's nice to spend time with Cory's mom and Mel, and his brothers and sister. We missed Alyssa and Randy. We hope they can be home next year.

On Monday we went to the Larsen family party. It was held at Crosslands where Grandpa Ike is living. That was such a great idea to have it there, so grandpa could be there without any troubles. It was a Christmas around the World theme. Brent and Linda's family did a great job. The food was AMAZING. The kids got to dress up like shepherds and do a little nativity program. It was cute. They had a Christmas Pinata and everything. Merry Christmas to the Larsen family!

Christmas with the Edwards

Last year, Bree and I decided that all the crazy gift giving was a little out of control. So, we decided that instead of going out and spending all that money on each other and each other's families that we should do something different. We decided that we would all get together and do something festive. Last year we went to breakfast and sledding. This year we went to Dinner at Toucano's at the Gateway and to Temple Square. It was a blast. Dinner was so good. Everybody ate way more than their fair share, especially Brock. He loved it there. He is definitely our meat eater. The highlight was when we were at Temple Square seeing the Nativity and Abby decided she was bored with it and said "let's just go see The Big Guy" (the statue of Christ) It was awesome. We had fun and we are so thankful to have Bree and Just and Abby and Haddie in our lives. They are the best friends we could ever ask for. Thanks guys, we love you!

Oh Christmas Tree..........

We have such a fun little Christmas tradition here at our house that I would like to share. It's so simple, but one that the kids look forward to so much. Every year, a couple of days after thanksgiving, we go to a store and each of us pick out a new ornament for our tree. I write the year and who picked it on the bottom. We have been doing this ever since we got married. Our tree is not one that would win any sort of award or certaianly not be allowed in the Festival of Trees. But we love it! We have lots of fun ornaments with lots of meaning only to us. Because each of us get to pick one, Right now our tree if full of Scooby doo, race cars, Star Wars guys and Ninja Turtle ornaments. (I know, very classy) I try to pick really girly stuff to balance it out a little. We also have ornaments from mine and Cory's childhood. Stuff that reminds us of grandparents, and our families and our schooldays. I figure when the boys get married and move away they can take all of their ornaments to have a tree of their own. This year we have started a new tradition. I cannot share it with you but, maybe, just maybe if you come to our house and look closely at our tree, you will be able to figure it out. Happy Holidays everybody!!

My New Camera

YEA!!! I have wanted a good camera for a loooong time. A couple of weeks ago, Cory and I went to Inkley's to pick up a picture, I was just looking around at stuff when all of the sudden I heard Cory say to to salesman "let's just do it now". So, of course I went over there and was like there is no way we are spending that much money on my little hobby. Cory simply said "please don't argue with me, I just want to do this for you." So, I shut my mouth and went with it. I am so excited and I think I have taken almost a million pictures already. The coolest part is that the camera came with 9 photography classes. I have so much to learn. I can't wait! Here's a few (a lot) of my favorite pictures so far.

The day after we bought the camera went to the park so I could play with it. We ran into Brock's friend Jaden with his little brother Jack with their grandpa. They are so cute that I couldn't help but take some pictures of them too.

We had to take care of the leaves one more time for the year in our back yard. The boys had fun until they realized that we really did have to rake the leaves and not just play in them while mom took pictures.Kim and Bree and I took the kids swimming during the BYU vs. Utah game. I'm sure our husbands enjoyed the games lots more this way.

I took pictures of Josi and Rhylee for Chad and Kim to send with their Christmas cards. I might be a little partial, but I think these two girls might have the prettiest eyes on the planet.

A Hard Workin' Man

Last week we went to Cory's End of the Year Banquet/Holiday Party. This year was a little bit different though. Cory recieved his 10 year award. It was pretty cool. Its hard to believe that he has been working at Draper City for 10 years. He got a nice little bonus which he chose to put toward a new TV for our bedroom. He also recieved a letter from the Mayor which stated his value to the city. Cory is such a hard worker, I believe that Draper City is lucky to have him. Draper has been a great place to work. Cory has good friends there and has alway been treated well. We know that we are very lucky for this. Now I should explain why we are so thankful at this time for good employment and good BENEFITS. Cory has had some back problems for about 3 years now. On and off, he goes through times of pretty bad back pain. Well, since Halloween, its been worse than ever. His left leg has been completely numb. He can feel it, but he has no muscle control. So, last week we saw a Spinal Specialist, he had an MRI and it showed a HUGE buldging disc. The doctor said, it is in the top 3 biggest that he as ever seen. He told us that Cory needs Surgery. I said "okay, like how soon" and he said "no later than next week". YIKES!! So on Thursday Cory is having surgery on his back. I think I'm more nervous than he is. He will only be in the hospital for one night but he will be home from work and down for 3 weeks. For 3 weeks, he cannot lift anything more than 3 lbs. and for 3 months he will be on light duty and not be able to lift more than 10 lbs. Cory's so tough, I'm sure he will be fine. But, Im not gonna lie, he is going to drive me NUTS! Having him home for 3 weeks might be kind of fun. The kids will be off track, so things will be pretty low key around the Proulx house for a while. My husband is not an easy person to keep still, but you better believe that if Cory does ANYTHING to screw up his recovery or get hurt again there will be some serious problems here at home. Wish him luck!

He's Gonna Be a.......

Over the past couple of months we have had the chance to watch our boys learn and participate in some new things. It's so fun to see them. Needless to say, it has kept us quite busy but we are having a blast watching Brock and Parker discover new talents. I have always said that I don't really care what activity they want to participate in. I just want them to be pasionate about something. I want them to have a desire to practice and become really good at something they love. I think its so important have activities to keep kids busy and stay out of trouble but most of all I think its so good for their sef-esteem. I know they are young but I am so excited for the next 10-12 years just to watch all the things that my boys excell in. Maybe he'll be a.........

Football Player - Brock played flag football this year. It was awesome. He LOVED it! He was pretty nervous at the beginning but toward the end he caught on. He was on a team with kids who had all played the year before and they were really good. It will be fun to see how he does next year. Next year Brock and Parker will be able to play on the same team if Parker wants to play.

A Martial Artist - Parker is taking Karate. He's really good. We just bought his uniform and he thinks it makes him better. I think he's right. He has a really good instructor. Parker has already earned 2 stripes on his belt and can do a complete Kata.

A Gymnast - About a year ago Brock started asking if he could sign up for Gymnastics. I sort of discouraged him a little. I have little bit of experience in this area and I was really nervous that he wanted to try it. But, like I said, I want them to have the chance to try anything they want. So about 3 months ago, we signed him up. He is a natural. He got his backhadspring last week. I have noticed a difference in his coordination lately and I really believe that its from gymnastics. Cory is fine with it because he said that the skills from gymnastics will make for good End Zone dances someday.
A "Gangster" Okay, This is just hillarious! Brock and Parker are both in a Hip Hop dance class. Holy Cow! You want to see something funny - just watch a bunch of 5-8 year old boys try to Hip Hop. Their poor little bodies are just not made to do some of that stuff. BUT, they love it and they think that they look really good doing it. So, have at it boys. They have a recital on Dec. 4th. I cant wait!