Merry Christmas One And All

For there is a STAR shone bright above the Heavens..... Let us remember that Jesus Christ is the light.
Let us remember every symbol of the season.

Tis the season of giving and getting so much in return.

I want to say how thankful I am for all my friends and family. To all of you that have enriched my life -I thank you a million times!

I look back at this year and hope for a better future, for us individually and most of all as a nation. We have come together this past season with many efforts to stand up as one in our beliefs; what better timing as we enter this season of turning out hearts to Christ.

I feel especially humbled as I see so many of us struggling, best friends, strangers, family and associates. I have one just one thing to ask is that we think of others this holiday season and remember our Savior and all that he did for us. He loves us more than we will ever know or even hope to comprehend. I hope for myself that I will carry a little of his grace with me this season and remember what this holiday is truly about- our Savior's birth. He came here specifically for YOU and for ME! There is no better gift in all creation. There is nothing comparable to the pain and anguish that he suffered for us out of pure love. Again, let us all turn our hearts to Christ.

We at the Swanger household wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!!

Tagging Anyone Who Reads This

1 . What is your occupation right now? Stay at Home Mom during the day and 4 nights out of the week a server 2. What color are your socks right now? black nylons 3. What are you listening to right now? Eve playing on Manti's new walker toy and Jackson singing in the bathroom 4. What was the last thing that you ate? English muffin, oatmeal-raisin cookie with dark chocolate cocoa. Darks the Best!! 5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes, I taught myself 6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Geoff, we had to tag-team temple rec. interviews with the kids in the car, uhg. 7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Heck yeah! 8. How old are you today? 28 ( not for long, next month is my bday.... boohoo one year closer to the big 30!!!) 9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? No hesitation -Baseball 10. What is your favorite drink? All sorts, but I am partial to the virgin fru, fru ones with whipped cream 11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes, many a time 12. Favorite food? Mexican 13. What is the last movie you watched? Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 ( Geoff watched it with me, ha,ha,) I made him get it at the store so he was embarrassed. 14. Favorite day of the year? As Sponge Bob says...in a tune so cute " CHRISTMAS" 15. How do you vent anger? Sometimes I let it get the best of me, but I've learned it doesn't' do any good, so most of the time I sit back, breathe and give it to God. 16. What was your favorite toy as a child? That's hard, um well I remember a bear (cause I was Sarah Bear) a doll that was lifelike from my Grandparents and my very first Cabbage Patch doll that we got from anonymous givers because we were so poor- I though I would never get one. She had blond hair and blue eyes like me. 17. What is your favorite season? It used to be winter, but as I've gotten older Spring;) it's a tie. I love both in moderation. 18. Cherries or Blueberries? Even though Eve would be mad if she knew, I would have to pick fresh cherries;) they are so sweet and yummy although there have been some good blueberries. 19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? Yes 20. Who is the most likely to respond? Hopefully anyone who gets a little time. It took me a couple days myself. 21. Who is least likely to respond? The ones with the most kids or the ones who's kids don't nap. 22. Living arrangements I find myself extremely blessed when I look at the world right now and when I get down I think of all of those things... a house that we own and have pretty good equity in and with being in it for only 5 years (being one of them.) 23. When was the last time you cried? Today in my temple recommend interview because I know I need to go to the temple more. The Steak President was so sweet, he told me," Sarah, don't feel guilty for not going so much in the past year, you had a baby and now it just means the Spirit is telling you, you feel the need to go now, so don't worry about it and concentrate on what's going on now." 24. What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes, shoes, Christmas presents, more shoes, Summer clothes, bins and Geoff's shoes. 25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to? My sister Amber who is my best friend, otherwise my other longest friend would have to be an Amber too from growing up in Battle Ground. Too bad the both live in Utah, man I am starting to hate that state! 26. What did you do last night I worked and remarkably got home after 9:30, kids were all asleep, relaxed, ate, took a shower and finally got to shave my legs. You know it's not a good sign when it looks like you have textured nylons on when you don't;) it's cold, DON'T JUDGE! 27. What are you most afraid of I have always been freaked out that something will happen to one of my kids so much that it has given me nightmares. 28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? Cheesy and spicey, Yeah Baby, Yeah! 29. Favorite dog breed? I love the look of Lhasas and Malamutes (especially with the icy blue eyes). 30. Favorite day of the week? Sunday, I am rejuvenated for the week ahead;) spiritually fed, no work, time with family, nice dinner usually, and ME time! 31. How many states have you lived in? 2 32. Diamonds or pearls? It's a toss up, I love both but I think I am more partial to the classic-ness of the pearls;) I love the time period of the 20's - 40's especially!(and some 50's and 60's). I tell Geoff that I would've fit in better back then, I have much more of the look and I am facinated with the styles- so georgeous!!!!! 33. What is your favorite flower? I am a gardener so this is extremely hard for me. I look around at all the wonderfully beautiful flowers that God has created for us and it brings tears to my eyes. Again, I love the classic-ness of the rose ( all colors, but yellow used to be my favorite until I saw Joseph's Coat- a layered mix of deep orange, pinks, and yellows. It is awe-inspiring!) For the garden I love Hydreangeas, so beautiful! and Peonies, so diverse. Then there are trees, which I would pick Magnolia trees, very elegant and tend to capture the eye. Make your life easier with all your friends, email, and favorite sites in one place. Try it now.

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY MANTI !!!!!!

Manti's birthday was on Sunday November 30th.

It was exactly a year ago this day that I was at the hospital FOREVER!!! I can honestly say he was worth all the pain and more. We love this little guy with all our hearts and it's as if he's always been with us ( I know he was in Heaven!) He is such a special soul and brings a smile to all who see him, what a blessing it has been to be his mother. I look forward to the future and savor the memories of the past.
Isn't he the cutest? Snips and snail and Tiger tails.
There's my little Tiger, GRRROOWWLLL!
Manti is already mack'n on Cali which is kind'a gross because they're practically cousins. And Jackson was previously banished from the twins because of past behaviors.

Note to Jared: You should know by now it's in the blood and you have supplied the boys with eye candy. Maybe its your fault for having so many girls, besides Erin thinks it's funny anyway.

I found the duck mold on a Internet search and I thought it was the cutest thing ever. It was so easy and too perfect for words. I am not saying I am a pro at all, but it was adorable anyway.
I was looking at the duckies at Oriental Trading Co. and there are all different styles and their was a jungle pack with a duck that was a tiger and I had to get it. The duck looks exactly like the cake which was my inspiration. I went to JoAnn Fabric & Craft store and found the Little Tiger iron on and onsie set so I would be prepared for the mess, I am so glad I did that.
Our family
Our friends
More family
More friends
This was clear proof that he is my son because he kept taking tiny bites one at a time as opposed to some other people we know ( Geoff, Jackson and sometimes Eve).
Everyones doing it.
COM'ON, get going!
I had to help him get into it.
By the end he had black and orange icing everywhere, in his hair too. It was quite a precious experience because I never let my other two do that and I thought what the heck!
Manti was so messy I had to wash him off in the bathroom, so here's my naked boy.
So many presents so little time.
It was cute to see the different expressions as the gifts kept coming, Oooh what's that? Oh, there's something else over here.
Manti got some pretty great clothes including Seahawks stuff, which is always wanted in our house( thank's to Jared, Erin, Eric and Kristie).
Jackson was more interested in the toys than Manti. I tried to tell him they were baby toys, but that didn't stop him.
Auntie Choo Choo loves to hold Manti.
My good friend Marissa, her husband Mike ( who knows Jared-it's a small world) and their two kids.
My sister in law Kaylene- she's WICKED awesome!
This is Ricardo and his wife Charise who came with their little girl Gigi. Geoff works with Ricardo at Frito and Charise happens to be a member of the church so it's always great to connect with her too.
Cute face autie Shelle! Thanks for letting us use your rec room.
This is Kristie, Eric and their two girls. Eric works with Geoff and Frito and he also went to school with me a long time ago.
Here is my "adopted brother" Jared and his adorable baby Cali- she's only 2 months younger than Manti.
Keira and Rianne loved the duckies, it was so funny to see them carting them around everywhere.
By the end of the party we were all pooped.

Grow old with me. The best is yet to come.

December 2nd 8 years-

There is so much to feel and not enough words to describe how wonderful you've made my life. I truly love you. I look back at that special day at the Portland temple and I really thought I knew what love was and I did to a degree, but what I feel for you now is so much more, the love just keeps growing and expanding on so many levels. You accepted me for who I was and what I really am even when I felt like I was damaged. I was so messed up and I truly thought no one could ever love me whole heartedly and then there was YOU!, with no judgment, only Christlike love. You taught me it doesn't matter, I can conquer anything. You make me feel like a princess. I know the love you have for me and the way you see me through your eyes; it makes me see how of value I am. I feel like the luckiest woman to have such a husband and I wish every person could have the love we share. I know heavenly angels brought us together.
When you took me by the hand you took me by the heart.
Together is a wonderful place to be.
You have given me the greatest gift anyone could ever wish for. Such miraculous blessings.

Tiger is Almost One!

I am so sad to say that in a week from this very day is my babies 1st birthday, boo hoo. I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Halloween has already come and gone. Am I alone in this? I for see a migraine from all the crying I will be doing, heck I am already tearing up just writing this. In the last month he has learned to give high fives, kind of say a couple words, almost take a step on his own and of course standing on his very own. I do have to say that I feel so very priviledged to be his mom, he is such a joy (when he's not teething anyway, ha, ha). Be prepared for a lot of pictures next week. We are having a huge birthday bash for him and I know he will love it and have a blast.

Quick joke- How do you know a perfectionist has had three kids?

-She lets the last one have his own birthday cake...pudum, pum.

No seriously folks this is a stretch for me.

Manti is still not walking on his own; I guess that is good and bad. I've learned by the third not to rush anything.
Look at that cutie patootie.

I'VE BEEN TAGGED

Here's to you Babe!

5 Things He Loves:
1. Me, of course! That's how this whole thing got started.
2. Kids, I thought he wouldn't like them because he doesn't really hold other peoples kids and then we had our own; with him it's the more the better. Oh Boy!
3.Movies, all kinds accept Pride and Prejudice, what's up with that? But he likes Emma.
4.Music, he tells people at work that some of the music on his i pod was for me when I hadn't even heard of them yet.
5.The Gospel, he has a silent appeal but I know underneath that he's a rock. I think it is amazing that he tells me he always new it was true for some people it is not that easy.

5 Things On His To Do List:
1. His laundry, he does it himself.
2.Work out, pretty much daily. Gotta work off those Krispy Kremes.
3.Take Eve to the bus in the morning after work. I am so glad I married a morning person.
4.Play some of his new games. He thinks he's a rock star.
5.Take me out for our anniversary, I'm craving Cheesecake Factory.

5 Foods He Enjoys:
1Steaks, it's a good thing I work at a steak house.
2.Burgers with garlic fries, yummm.
3. Seafood, sorry honey! Your on your own.
4.Cheesecake, particularly Cheesecake Factory's white chocolate chip macadamia nut.
5. Pumpkin pie, thank goodness for Costco and their cans of whipped cream.

5 Things You May Not Know About Him:
1.He likes chick flicks
2.He's a crier. He knows what I mean.
3.He's very affectionate. We do have 3 kids, hubba, hubba.
4. He won't end a conversation with me with out an I love you.
5.Is naturally a whiz with numbers. It is a gift math boy; hopefully one of our kids gets that gene.

5 Places He's Lived:
1 Vancouver, WA
2. Salem, OR
3.Seattle, WA
4. California ( at a Marine base)
5. Provo, UT

Quarky Things About Him:
1. He doesn't like the water, and yes, he is Polynesian; how do you explain that?
2. He likes corvettes, mustangs are better! He's trained Eve to know them and like them and I'm working on Jackson.
3. He can eat a whole cheesecake or pumpkin pie on his own.
4. He does awesome imitation voices that make me laugh and sometimes creep me out, Mr. old man from the Family Guy. NO! I do not want any pop sickles.
5. He won't get dressed for Sunday until we all have coordinating outfits. It is so bad that we have had multiple people at church ask us about it and then they have said they think about our rule when they get ready for church. "It's not bad aye, I like it" as King Julian says.

5 People to tag:
Anyone who reads this, it's quite fun.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

On Tuesday the 21st we had a little Halloween party with some of our friends, it was loads of fun.

Tiger and I had so much fun getting all ready for our special little party.
Jackson was all Jack o lanterned out.
See my teeth?
I just wanted to make a shout out to all the WHOS who in WHO VILLE.
As Jackson would sing (Dancing queen, du, du, du,)
AAHHRRRGGG!!!! Manti (matie)
This was a poweriffic costume!
GO POWER RANGER, GO!
Eve had so much fun playing with her friend Stella, they were so cute together, even color coordinated.
Lastly we had a wonderful story time given by my friend Emy, she is amazing! The kids were quite entranced.