S-A-A-N-T-A C-L-A-U-S!!!!

We also went and saw Santa Claus at The Short Pump Mall!! We had a lot of fun with GG, Pops and Nanny. So, he did not cry but was a bit shy, he was too funny! The video shows me handing him to Santa but what you don't hear is me saying "Ok you ready, just take the pictures and tell him what you want", well he did, he smiled in Santa's lap and then immediately when Santa said what do you want, he said "a black train" and got right off of his lap!! We also rode the train(a small bunch of carts in the mall fashioned to look like a steam engine carrying freight). Kurtis was very happy to see the REAL Santa, and not all those imposter Clause's at the other malls we go to!

Family Time...

Kurtis and I left poor Derick back in rainy CA and flew to VA where it was actually warm for the first few days at least. We had lots of fun with Pops and GG but missed Derick terribly.

Here are some of the fun games we came up with at their house.

Finally Happy Holidays!

Hear No Evil

Speak No Evil

See No Evil

(For Christmas At Least!)

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

Love,

The Pikula's

Christmas Fun!!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Holiday Card

Every year we try so hard to get a photo of all three of us looking good at the same time!! With only three people you would not think it is that hard...SERIOUSLY!!

Anyways, we have our holiday card which we will post electronically on our blog a little later, but for your viewing pleasure here are the photos that did not make it to the card!!

We finally thought, lets just put photos of Kurtis...that did not work out very well either! Hope you all are enjoying your wonderful holiday season!!

Thanksgiving Time

This Thanksgiving came and went like many Thanksgivings before it; turkey, family, and football. The Elders Quorum in our ward, plus alot of my friends, played football at Mar Vista Park early Thursday morning- Turkey Bowl XXXVI. Seriously, I've been playing football on Thanksgiving since I was 5 years old. Amy and Kurtis were there to cheer me on.

In the afternoon, we met up with the fam at the Wallace's home for the meal. Yes, we ended our holiday with putting up our Christmas Tree!!

Here are some pics of our Holiday:

The Life and Times of Amy Elizabeth Gholson Pikula

I just wanted to take a moment and reflect on the most important woman of my life. In thinking about all the things I love about her, I've compiled a quick list:
- She is the funniest person I know without trying to be. Someday I will compile a list of the funniest things she's said. Her timing is impeccable.
- She is a wonderful mother.
- Her breathe smells good in the morning.
- She gets her country accent back everytime se talks to her family.
- She loves The Neverending Story(see earlier post)
- Whenever she tries to smile, she can't(see above). But when she doesn't know it, her smile radiates the cosmos.
- She gives her all in everything she does.
- She is my best friend.
-She doesn't tell anyone that I cry while watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (I'm comfortable with my manhood, ok!)

So that is just a few things I thought of, but the list cannot contain ALL of the reasons of course. I edited the playlist on our blog to play, in order, the songs that most closely portray my thoughts of her.
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Kurtis Birth-day!!

This is my first time trying a slide show, these are all photos of Kurtis through the years as its his birthday I thought it would be neat to see him growing up. Yes I did tear up and cry when I put this together!!

Kurtis Birthday Party

Today was Kurtis 3 year old birthday party and he was so happy he started the morning at 6:15 AM which is kind of early for him. He was jumping up and down and talking about going to his party the ENTIRE morning. It was the perfect day at the park. We had amazing weather for mid-November, good food, and we were surrounded by great company. Thank you to all of our family and friends for celebrating with us, we love and appreciate you all so much!

He helped make his cake, which was Bob the Builder of course, did you have to ask?

Yes that is chocolate icing all over his face!!

All the children playing with Water Balloons!

Derick set up fun stations for the children to play with. They all seemed to really love the fireman and policeman outfits.

On Sunday he finally got to play with some of his presents.

My Guys....

So just a little note that I have the two cutest guys in the world. Here they are in their suits on Sunday....so handsome!! Kurtis looks really grumpy because he did not want to go to church. We had an exciting weekend and he just wanted to chill at home!

Halloween Fun

So Kurtis finally decided on being Bob the Builder for Halloween. The fall festivities were in full swing last week starting with our Ward's Trunk-or-Treat event. To cap it all off, Kurtis went trick or treating last night in our neighborhood and had a blast, although he was a little overwhelmed with all the kids in the streets. He was happy to come home and hoard all his candy! Here are some pics:

Isaac and KurtisMia, Nic, and Kurtis

They had a ton of fun games:Kurtis and his loot:

This could seriously be a commercial, Kurtis LOVES Kit Kats!

Falcor and Friends

Ok- So did you ever hear the story of how Amy and I were getting to know each other and I found out that Neverending Story was her favorite movie! I said to myself- "Calm down Derick, if you tell her that it's your fave too then she will just think that you are trying to con her into this 'we are so compatable moment'. So consider this blog entry as an ode to The Neverending Story- quite possibly the worlds greatest movie. You can learn all of life's lessons from watching The Neverending Story and Braveheart, in my opinion.
Feel free to scroll down to our playlist and find the Neverending Story theme song and take a one minute dance party break from whatever you're doing now... Seriously.