Christmas with Great Grandma Titel

I've realized this past week that we don't have any pictures of Great Grandma Titel. Our family and Traesa's family had a nice dinner and gift exchange. It was a nice evening. Great Grandma is having a bit of trouble remembering things as well as she used to so I wanted to make sure that before her memory got any worse that we take some pictures together. She's a very kind and generous woman who has always made me feel like part of the family. So...Here's to YOU Great Grandma Titel. We love ya!

P.S. WATCH OUT DEREK, STEVE MIGHT TRY TO PICK YOU UP AGAIN!!

Playing catch up

Well, where to start. We've been going, going all month. I was called in our ward to be the Relief Society Enrichment leader and was in charge of our R.S. Christmas party. I am pretty new at planning big events that I have to decorate, get food, do programs, and all that fun stuff. Lucky for me I have a few great ladies on my committee that really stepped up and helped a ton. Over all it turned out okay and I was glad it was over. Now on to the rest of our month and lives...

We tried to get a fun family picture while in Utah for our Christmas cards. I am running very late on getting them and getting them out. But Daniel thought this pose was a fun one. I on the other hand was scared to death since he had two broken ribs and holding me and Cody up. We had a fun time in Utah seeing our family. The kids were a bit disappointed that there wasn't any snow but it all worked out. Autumn, Krystal, Daniel and I went out on black Friday and did some shopping too. Good times. We got extremely lucky in that it was probably the only night that wasn't freezing. But, it's all about the memories, right? We also had fun playing games. We even came home with a new one that Daniel and Cody play daily now.

While we were in Utah Cody knocked out one tooth that was already loose. And then when we got home Cody was playing around with Daniel with an umbrella and what do ya know...he knocked out another loose tooth. The tooth fairy was busy. But at least he can say all he wants for Christmas is his two front teeth. Daniel and Cody bring up the incident every day and can't help but laugh.

We've been busy getting, stressing over and wrapping gifts. I am usually done by now but I still have a few more people to buy for. I am not into this Christmas season like I usually am. I unfortunately have gained some weight due to stress I think and am trying to get it off. So, I am back on my treadmill out in the garage with my space heater as my best friend on those cold mornings. Today is Daniel's first day back at work. He's had a busy day and is a bit sore but is glad I think to be back doing what he loves. We will see what happens with his job and Fire Department hopefully by the end of the year. Things are looking like they are going to be taken over by Orange County but no for sure deals have been made. It's definitely causing some drama tho.

From our family to yours, we hope that everyone is  healthy, happy and has a wonderful Christmas. 

Men, listen to your wife

We were recently in Utah to visit family and one of the days the boys went snowboarding. A certain wife reminded her husband not to go off trail and get hurt. He agreed. The snow wasn't too good but this certain man has not been snowboarding in over a year and so he didn't care. What could have ruined his day???

A fall that caused him to hit a small tree on his side and broke 2 ribs!! Yep, I got a call from Ryan telling me that Daniel was in the ER. I didn't know whether to believe him or not since he likes to joke around. But I figured if Daniel went to the hospital he must really feel like something serious was wrong. I got to the hospital and he was doing good. They had already done x-rays and confirmed the two broken ribs. As of right now he is off work for a week or two and see how he's doing after that. He's going kind of crazy not being able to work out hard like he usually does and I am trying to make him rest so he will heal faster. But overall, he's doing well and I am glad that it wasn't something more serious. I think his snowboarding days are over for now.

Yep, it's strep!

After a cough filled feverish night and tossing and turning for 2 nights I finally took Cody to the Dr. yesterday and it was confirmed that he had strep throat. It was another ruff night again last night but it should get better. He has to take a breathing treatment every 4 hours and is on antibiotics for 10 days. It's hard to watch him sleep because his breaths are so fast and he's wheezing. I guess that's the mother in me though. I hope to have my fun Cody back soon.

goosebumps as the bagpipes play

Many wouldn't ever hear a man's story of coming close to dying trying to save another, especially when it would come from my husband. Many wouldn't brag about saving another's life, especially my husband. Many wouldn't expect an award or recognition for his heroic efforts. Real hero's usually lay low, and don't draw attention to themselves. At the young age of 32 you wouldn't be expecting someone to call you a hero and receive an award. But, all the above is true of Daniel.

Last night we were invited to attend an award ceremony by the Santa Ana Fire Department where Daniel works. We were able to feel the patriotic emotions that come from hearing the bagpipes play while the American flag is presented. We were honored to stand and say the pledge of allegiance and be proud to live in  a free country.

 Many don't know the story and therefore I am going to tell it since you will never hear Daniel talk about it. A few years ago Daniel's station responded to the 911 call of a fire at a complex fully engulfed. Among all of the craziness someone noticed an elderly woman crouched down pressed against a wall trying to avoid the flames. Daniel and two others ran to get a ladder. They tried to pull her over the wall but were unable and because the fire was getting so close and so hot they figured that they would have to wait just a little bit longer until they had water being put on the fire before they could get to her, hoping that she didn't start to burn in the meantime. Daniel decided to straddle the wall and try to pull her up again but was unable to. He then jumped over to the other side of the wall. He was able to lift her up to the other two firemen. Once he had helped her over he wasn't sure that he would have enough strength to get himself back over the wall. (Just his equipment on his back alone weighs an additional 80 lbs.)The fire was extremely close and hot by this time and was starting to burn his turnouts. He said that his family flashed into his mind. To this day he doesn't know how he got the physical strength to get back over the wall enough for the other men to help him. Daniel rode with the woman to the hospital and made sure that she was admitted and care was started. He afterwards checked in with the family to see how she was doing. Because of him, her family was able to see her, hug her, and tell her they loved her. And because of the persistence of those other two men Cody and I were able to see Daniel, hug him and tell him we love him again. All three of these men are true hero's!

 As I said before, we were invited to an awards ceremony where Daniel and those men were given awards for their efforts. Daniel was given the Medal of Valor award which is the highest award given and is the first firemen from Santa Ana Fire Department to achieve this award.

 His Chief told the story and gave the men their awards.

 This is Daniel's Paramedic partner, Levi. These guys are two completely different people but get along better than anyone could imagine. I was able to finally meet his wife last night. Quite an awesome couple.

 Daniel's family was able to be there also.

The night ended with the bagpipes playing once again and getting to meet all of Daniel's Captains and Chiefs who couldn't have nicer things to say about Daniel. Everyone is extremely proud of him and tell me that he's exactly what the Fire Department is all about.

Lately it seems that people and the local newspapers have recently been saying the Firemen and Policemen get paid too much and get to much retirement. Let me just say to those people that these men and women don't sit around all day in lazy boy recliners like you think they do. They are constantly training, educating themselves, and going on medical aid 911 calls. They are exposed to chemical agents and carcinogens that the average person isn't exposed to. They are helping the elderly constantly, helping people in car accidents, helping mentor troubled youth, and so much more that you don't hear of. Please don't let these hero's names be drug through the mud.



Can I be stylish???

I heart Pinterest.com and Polyvore!! If you haven't checked it out I highly recommend! But warning, it could become addictive!!

crafting time and Angels game

Well, it's that time of year again when I get really excited and start crafting for the holidays. I took a trip to Michael's to look around and oh did I find things to do. I love fall and all the Autumn decor. I am in the process of doing three projects. And this is what my dining room table looks like.

And now that school has started back up I have the time to do them without Cody wanting something and getting up or looking at what he's doing every 5 seconds. He's my grown up second grader now and won't pull a normal face for a picture for anything. He has an awesome teacher this year and Daniel and I are excited to start helping in his class soon.

Daniel got to take part in a flag ceremony at Angel's stadium on 9-11. He said it was very moving and the crowd went crazy when they came out and unfurled a huge flag across the field. They were in their class A uniforms so of course I had to snap a few pictures. Love a man in uniform!!

My little firefighter in training.

9/11

For the past week I have been trying to avoid at all costs the feelings that this sad day brings. I would change the channel on the T.V. or switch the radio station when they began to talk about it. I was surprised by my wave of emotion this year. Being the wife of a Firefighter it almost brings me to tears just thinking about what happened. Knowing that if my husband was working that day in New York he would have done the same thing those brave men and women did to try to help those in the towers . I always tell Daniel that I would be very mad if he would have gone into those towers knowing that he wouldn't be coming out. As upset as I would have been I know that it is only because he's a good person and was doing his job. It hurts to think of all those families who were affected and how cold and calculating those horrible terrorist were. But when it comes down to it I know that even I need to stand up for those lost and be stronger about the anniversary. I am truly grateful for those military men and women overseas fighting those who want to hurt us every day. Thank you isn't enough.

So for all of those out there, I hope you pause on Sunday and mourn with those families that lost the most precious thing...a husband or wife, a father or mother, a brother or sister or a friend. May we remember those lost.

Short notice vaca.

We decided to take a spontaneous trip to Utah to see Grandma and Grandpa Bell before this crazy kid started school.

 We played with cousins

 Daddy did some thinking in the outdoors

 We listened to quite a bit of music

 Games were played

 phone games (angry birds) were played while the adults sat around and talked on the patio when the weather turned nice in the evening

 We visited a close by amusement/water park in the blistering heat! And was hailed on as well while there...crazy weather!

 And boy were we tired afterwards!

A few other things happened like visiting the local gym, hanging out with grandparents and some friends that came to visit with them, Cody had a visit with aunt Elyse, wonderful dinners with family, and to finish a quick over night stop in Vegas on the way home where the heat in there made Utah feel cool! A whopping 106 at 7:00pm!! Then finally, we can't forget the wonderful Volcom outlet!!

We had a great time! Thanks to family for making the trip fun!

Father-Husband-Birthday Boy!

When you get married there's usually a list of things that you'd like. Of course I had one too.

Funny

 playful

 adventurous

 can give comfort in need

 wants and loves kids

 family man

 can give a helping hand when needed

professional and good provider

good looking

wonderful husband

willing to try something new

After I looked long and hard, far and wide, I found that man right in front of me. I couldn't ask for a better Father, Husband, supporter, work out partner, and best friend.

Cody says that his Dad is "nice, fun, loves him and he loves him always"

Happy 32nd Birthday Daniel!!