GAVIN THOMAS DIXON

(Krystal posting...)
Here he is! The newest arrival to the Dixon family. Gavin was born on December 28th, 2007 at 3:30am. He is 6 lbs, 10 oz and 19 inches long and both are doing great. Gavin is darling! He doesn't have that old man look and he looks a lot like his big brother Drew. They will be home today (Sunday). Shannon is amazing and delivered Gavin with no epidural--although that wasn't by choice, Gavin just decided he wanted out... and fast! Until Shannon gets a chance to update her blog with the details, you can visit Krystal's blog for part of the story.

Tagged Again..A Little Different This Time

So I was tagged by Krystal. This one is a little different though

Four Places I Have Lived:
San Diego, CA
Provo, Utah
Highland, Utah
Temecula, CA

Four Jobs I Have Had:
Associate at the Gap
Secretary at Terminix
Accounts Payable at Nextpage
Payroll at Nextpage

4 Things I Would Like to Do Before I Die:
Vacation in Europe
Change my hair color to Dark Brown (this may be sooner than later)
See my children grow up and have families of their own

Four Favorite Desserts:
Otis Spunkmeyer Cookies (from Utah)
Ice Cream (usually chocolate)
Pretty Much anything chocolate
Chocolate Cake with ganache from Maccaroni Grill

Four Interesting Things About Me
I lived in 8 different homes growing up-we stayed in the same county, but we moved 8 different times.

My favoirte food is Mexican food. I honestly could eat it everyday. I enjoy the flavor and I love the spicy salsas.

Andrew and I met through a faternity at BYU.

My best friend from High School, Karina and I got married on the same day, in the same temple, just a year apart. She got married first.


Four Favorite TV Shows
Prison Break
LOST
Without A Trace
The Office

Four People I am Tagging
Karina
Sandra
Megan
Chelsea

Tagged...7 Weird or Random Things About Me

So I was tagged by two of my friends. Thanks Lauren and Chelsea. They both tagged me over a week or so ago. I am a little lazy. I guess it wasn't laziness. I just wasn't sure what to write so here it goes.

1. I am a sleep talker and occasional sleep walker. I have kicked Andrew in my sleep thinking I was fighting off an attacker. I have woken up after opening the front door at 2am. I think I sleep talk more than sleep walk. When I have a lot on my mind and I feel stressed, I find myself doing it a lot more.

2. I was a little obsessive about getting good grades in college. After Andrew and I got married, he bought me a trip to Hawaii for Christmas. However, I would of had to miss school and I didn't want to do that. Needless to say, I look back realizing how crazy I was and now I have still never been to Hawaii.

3. I participated in a Pageant my Senior Year in High School in Solana Beach, California. It was the first and last time I ever did anything like that.

4. I am definitely a clean freak. I really like to have things clean and organized. This is getting harder and harder to do the more kids I have. My sister in law is the same way and we thought it would be fun to start an organizing business.

5. I hate hate hate yard work. I know nothing about planting or maintaining a yard. I have never mowed a lawn. I don't even know how to turn one on. Not that I have ever tried. I leave that to Andrew.

6. I have a bad bad habit of picking my face. I have been like that since high school. I think I just always need to be doing something with my hands. I think I need to start up knitting.

7. I love a good deal. I think I buy things sometimes because it is a good deal, not that I need it.

I now tag Karina, Megan, Kesli, Wendy, and Jenn

I Attract the Crazies Part II

So if you read my first post about my wonderful experience at the Color Me Mine in 4S Ranch in Rancho Bernado, here is a little update. On Sunday, my mom asked for my receipt so she could go pick up the items at Color Me Mine for me. I really did not want to see that lady again. Anyway, I got the receipt for her. I also found the original receipt that came with the giftcard. My mom decided to visit a different Color Me Mine store in Carlsbad this morning. She had them swipe the card and here comes the shocker; there is $15 on that card!!! Anyway, my mom explained to the lady at the new Color Me Mine what had happened in Rancho Bernardo and she told my mom that they had problems with that particular lady. By the way, she was the owner of the store. However, I do know that she has a partner. I would like to write a letter either to her partner or to the Color Me Mine corporate office.

Southern California Fires

I am sure most of you know by now that southern California is fighting around 16 fires now. My dad was evacuated around 6am on Monday morning and my mom was evacuated around 7am Monday morning. My sister in laws parents were also evacuated around 4am Monday morning. Her parents neighborhood was hit hard. However, their home is still standing. They were able to return to their home somtime this afternoon. My mom was able to return to her home yesterday, Wednesday, October 24th. However, my dad is still not allowed to go home. However, he was able to finally go and see his area last night. His home is still standing. The fire burned all the way up the hill by his driveway. However, as he said the firefighters saved those homes in the area. We are so grateful. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who lost their homes. I cannot imagine the grief that they feel. We hope the fires can be contained soon. The news says that it may take until November 4th to get in under control. Madison's school is shut down today (Thurday) and Friday due to poor air quality. The fire in Fallbrook (10miles or so) down the road is leaving a blanket of smoke and ash in our area. They have canceled all games (including the BYU vs. SDSU) for the weekend. I know it will be a long road ahead, but hopefully things will be under control soon.

I Attract the Crazies!!!!!

I am not sure how many of you have been to Color Me Mine before, but this was the first time I went. Madison got a gift card for her birthday for $15 (last year) and the one by us had closed down. So last Friday, I decided it would be a fun outing to go. We went to the one in 4S Ranch in Rancho Bernardo. Before going, I had looked on their website. It said that there was a $6 studio fee for each child and that you could paint items that were as inexpensive as a few dollars. So I invited my mom and Krystal to come. I figured this activity would cost me around $12 for the studio fees and around $4 or $5 total for Maddy and Audrey to paint some small item. (Total for the day $16-$17). So we made the trip down there (35minutes). When we got there, I was looking around and there was nothing under $15 and then you would have to pay the studio fee. Hello $42 for ceramic items. If you know me, you know that I don't like clutter. These items would of definitely constituted clutter. Who wants to pay $42 for clutter or junk in this case. So I asked the lady where the less expensive items were. She looked at me very snooty and said, "What less expensive things?" So I then told her that her website had said that their were items as inexpensive as a few dollars to paint. And here goes the dialogue

Lady: What website were you looking at???

Me: Your website

Lady: (tying on her computer) Well I have my website up and I don't see anything like that on here.

Me: I found it under Frequently Asked Questions

(She clicks on it and I point to where it says items to paint as inexpensive as a few dollars)

Lady: Well we will have to get rid of that. I do have these misc things that are around $10 in the back.

Me: Can we see those?

Lady: (brings them out) Here is a bug that is $7 and here is a set of 3 unicorns for $19.50 Here is a mermaid. It is normally ten, but I will give it to you for $9.

Me: (thinking in my mind) wow, don't go too crazy. Okay, we will take the mermaids.

So for the next hour, we spent the time painting the mermaids. The girls had a fun time. Allison chose a bug to paint. They all seemed to have fun, but the items still didn't seem like they were worth the price. They were going to cost around $15 a piece. So after they had finished, I went to pay.

Lady: That will be $32.32.

Me: I have this giftcard with $15 on it. ( I had showed her the giftcard when we came in).

Lady: (she swipes the card) There is no money on there.

Me: I have never used this card. There is $15 on it. (I have the receipt at home) Could you swipe it again?

Lady: No, it costs me money every time I swipe the card.

Me: Well, I think there must be something wrong because there is $15 on the card.

Then I explained how we had come down from Temecula to use this gift card and that I really didn't want to pay $32.32 for the small mermaids. I told her that her website was misleading and that the items were overpriced. She didn't seem to appreciate my comments.

Lady: We don't cater to the Temecula Crowd.

Me: Well, I am sorry if I am not rich enough for this area. However, I know that there is money on that card.

Lady: Well, I discounted the mermaids for you already

Me: By a dollar. I am just thinking that for good business you would let me just pay for the one mermaid.

Lady: Do you know that I pay $5000 a month for rent here.

Me: I am sorry but I still don't think the $16 will hurt you. I am sure those mermaids did not even cost a dollar to buy.

After much bantering back and forth, she finally agreed to let me pay for the one mermaid.

Lady: That will be $16.16

As I handed across my American Express, she tells me they only take visa and mastercard. I hand her my mastercard.

Lady: (swipes the card and in the most snotty voice possible) That was denied.

Me: There is no balance on that card. Here try it again

Lady: Denied.

Me: Well, you can try my visa card

Lady: (throwing it back on the counter) Denied

Me: I know there is no balance on that card.

I hand her my check card

Lady: Denied

Me: I am sorry, but there is something wrong with your system. That is my check card and I know that I have money in my checking account. It is a little funny that it would not read my gift card, or three of my credit cards.

Lady: There is nothing wrong with my system. It is your cards and every time I swipe them it is costing me money.

I finally handed her cash and walked out. My mom and I then went to lunch. After lunch I was loading up my car and she came out.

Lady: (again in a very snotty voice): How do you like your escalade?

I had walked away while she was asking and so my mom answered for me. The nerve of some people. In retrospect, I probably should not of been asking for her to give me the one mermaid for free, but I knew there was money on the card and I did not want to spend $32 on junk items. I will say that the most offensive thing she said was that they don't cater to the Temecula crowd as if we are trash for living in Temecula. Anyway, that was my fun experience at the Color Me Mine. I don't think I will return there ever.

Drew's 2nd Birthday at Disneyland

Happy 2nd Birthday Drew

I can't believe that two years have passed by so quickly. Drew, we are so grateful and happy that you are a part of our family. I honestly cannot imagine life without you. You are always so happy and enjoyable to be around. If ever I am not in a good mood, your smile just melts my heart and I can't help but smile too. You are the best. You are talking so much now. A short list of what you can say: ball, mom, dad, Maddy, Audrey, Nana, Ally, Cole, Dan, Krystal, shoes, shirt, pants, milk, water, no, poppa, outside, slide, swing, Ryan, Nate, car, train...the list goes on and on. You also love to count: one, two, three and then jump into our arms (sometimes when we are not looking). You are so fun to have around. We are so grateful you are part of our family. On your birthday, we took you to Disneyland. Along with Mom, Dad and sisters, your Nana, Aunt Krystal, Ally, and Cole joined us. We also were able to meet up with your cousins, The Rees, from Utah. It was a fun day. I think your favorite ride is the carousel. We look forward to all the fun times we will share with you. We love you!!!!!!

Bates Nut Farm-October 5th 2007

An Amazing Summer 2007

Reality Setting In

So I was on someone else's blog and saw this link to the baby ticker. It kind of scared me that I only have 91 days left. Awww.

Irony At Its Best

I will apoligize before I start this. This will be a long entry, but if you have the time, I think it is pretty interesting. So yesterday morning I was having this conversation with Krystal about an article I read in the Sunday paper. The article pretty much said that we as parents tend to give into our children's temper tantrums in public because we are worried about what people think around us. The article said to stop doing that because we are reinforcing bad behavior. Fast forward a couple of hours. I am at Walmart doing some shopping. I took a little too long and it was past Drew's normal nap time. So I picked up some fruit snacks and Drew is begging for me to open them. I give him one package and he gobbles it up in two seconds flat. Then he begins to yell "Snack, snack, snack." So I give him one more package and tell him that is the last one. Of course that package is gone by the time I head to the check out line. The lines are long as usual. (Walmart really needs to do something about that) He begins to yell that he wants another snack. I then tell him that he cannot have anymore. Then comes the tantrum and I think to myself I will be out of here in a few minutes. I will endure the pain of the temper tantrum so as not to "reinforce his bad behavior" So you can imagine how I am feeling. I am thinking Walmart needs more than two registers open for all these people. Please let someone let me go ahead so I can get this screaming kid out of the store. So I am holding Drew on my hip as I am putting the groceries on the conveyer belt. As I turn to get more items, this lady begins by saying, "Um, I have noticed that your son has been crying for awhile (3 minutes!). I thought at first that maybe she was a clerk that was going to open another checkstand to let me get the heck out of there but then no offer. So then I thought maybe she will offer him a treat to keep him quiet. Think again. So she stands there in silence with a blank look and thus begins our exchange
Me: Was there something you wanted to say to me?
Crazy Lady: "Yes, take your child out of the store.
Me: I am sorry. I am going to buy my groceries first and then I will leave the store
Crazy Lady: No, leave now.
Me: No, I am going to buy my groceries and I think you need to mind your own business
Crazy Lady: I am not going to mind my own business. I had three kids and none of them every did this. You need to leave.
Nice Lady Behind Me: I think you need to leave her alone. She is doing the best that she can.
Crazy Lady: (speaking to nice lady behind me) Well, your kid isn't crying.
Nice Lady: My kid is five years old. Her five year old is not crying
Drew: Still screaming
Crazy Lady: (now speaking to me or should I say yelling at me) Well kids cry for three reasons, they are tired, hungry or need a diaper change. Figure out which one your kid needs and do it.
Me: I am now feeling like you are harrassing me. Either back away from me, or I will ask them to call security
Crazy Lady: (laughs under her breath) Security. You do that. But I can yell louder than your baby can scream
Drew: Still screaming
Me: (now speaking to the cashier) Will you please call security?
Cashier: (lame 18 year old) Uh, that would like take an hour
Me: (thinking in my mind) Thanks for the help. I guess they don't pay enough at Walmart to show a little compassion.
Crazy Lady: Take your kid out of the store. I mean what the hell are you doing?
Man Customer at front of line: Shut up and get back to your own lane
Me: Sobbing and no longer looking up or engaging her.
(She finally walks away back to her own checkout line)
Man and Nice Lady Behind Me: Can we help you? Don't worry about her
Manager: (finally!!!!!) Was someone bothering you?
Me: ( Still looking done due to the embarrassment of crying.) Yes, some lady just wouldn't leave me alone.
Manager: Where is she now?
Nice Lady Behind Me: She is in the next line over.
Drew: Finally stopped crying because hello I gave in and gave him another fruit snack. The stress was making my stomach have strong, painful contractions and I decided it just wasn't worth it this time and so I gave in and reinforced that unacceptable behavior.
I am not sure what the manager said to her. I just kept my head down and paid for my groceries. However, those around me were very supportive. The lady in front of me told me how her now eighteen year old daughter used to fling herself to the ground kicking and screaming and she would pick her up by her hand she would just yell you are hurting me. Thank goodness for the help of these nice strangers. I could see that the crazy lady and I were paying at the same time and so I rushed out of the store so as not to meet up with her again outside. So on my way out, there were these guys selling stuff like they always do outside of Walmart. I thought to myself, there is no way they are going to stop me when I am crying. Oh think again. I looked at the guy and nicely said, Today is not the best time. I think some people really need to get a clue. Anyway, that this my crazy story for today or I guess for yesterday.

My girls are growing up

Madison and Audrey are starting their first year of soccer. They both had their first practice today.
They got their uniforms. Madison got her shoes but we are still searching for Audrey's size.

Saying Their Goodbyes

On the first day of school Maddy did not want to mess her hair by riding her bike. So Madison walked and Audrey rode her bike. They said their goodbyes and Madison went off to school

August 20th, The First Day Of School

Monday, August 20th was Madisons first day of the second grade. She has two teachers that share a contract. She seems to be liking the second grade so far. They opened the school in our neighborhood this year. We walked to school the first day and boy was it busy. They have over 600 children currently enrolled in her school. The school she went to last year I guess now only has around 300 children. Anyway, here is a few pics of her before her first day of school

Disney Dazzle

Maddy worked hard for six long months to put on a program called Disney Dazzle. They sang a bunch of Disney songs. Maddy did great. Here is a picture of her and I after the performance.