Christmas Morning

Oh! The surprises!! Matt was happy to see what was behind the wrapper--an Itouch.

Jordan was equally pleased.

Emma loved her earmuffs, DVD player, and playdough. I always wonder what I was thinking when I bought the playdough. You can't help but want to through it in the garbage after a few days!

Anna was on Pink Cloud 9. The fluffy chair and vanity were among the tops of her wishlist.

Kaela, who is our Queen of Crafts, was once again bedazzled with baking supplies. The cupcake maker and ez-bake oven were her favs!

Christmas Eve

We always spend Christmas Eve with Troy's family. We meet for dinner and share the nativity story. We head home before too late to give the kids their pjs and get started on the long night. We have to work fast so we can get to bed before Santa comes.

Troy's Little La Caille Surprise

Troy called me and told me to get dressed up. He was taking me somewhere downtown for a hot date! When we were getting in the car to go, he said that there had been an accident on I-15 and we'd have to go another way. The other way just happened to be the way to La Caille (a french restaurant in Sandy) and when he turned in I was totally surprised. He got me again. He has done this to me 2 or 3 times (different ways of course) and every time I fall for it. He is a good surprise-er. I love it when he does that!!

Temple Square

The highlight of the night was the carriage ride around Temple Square. If any of us had been any bigger we would have never fit! We sure were warm though!!

For family night before Christmas, we went to see the lights at temple square. Emma loved the tall statue of Christ (the Christus) and thought that because his hands were outstretched he wanted her to hug him.

I love Christmas Day!!!!!!

I love Christmas Day. I love how my kids are still young enough to sleep in til 8 o'clock. I love how excited they get to enter "the" room where Santa visited. I love how happy we can all be together in the same room for hours. I love how they help each other with their new gizmos and gadgets. I love the breakfasts Troy makes for us in the morning. I loved loved loved the winter white snow storm that showered our Christmas scene this morning--Troy got to plow twice (he loves it.) I love the quiet in the afternoon that you just can't help but take a nap. I love going down to Grandmas and learing of all the fun the cousins had too. I love how tired the kids are when we get home and everyone goes to sleep without asking. I love Christmas Day!

Kaela snuck her new camera to church (that, by the way Tami, she loves and won't put down and even said last night that it is her favorite present yet. I don't know if that means favorite present ever or just so far this year, still to be deteremined) and took a picture of her and her friends getting ready for the primary nativity.

The Parties

Oh, the Christmas parties. It's so fun to be with family. You have to admit though, some parties are better than others. On Troy's side, we have a marathon party. It starts at noon (if we get there on time and usually don't) and goes til late, sometimes really late, but tonight it was 7-ish when the girls and I left. Of course, Troy had been gone an hour and a half already to watch the Vegas Bowl with some friends. I did remind him of whos family party it was, but to no avail. Can't blame him, it was the beloved Cougars playing. So, here's how the party goes:

Sledding at a park. We got there late and had missed everybody so we had our own little family time. Very fun!

Yummy pot luck dinner with plenty of fruit salads and of course chocolate cake.

Santa Claus (Grandpa dressed up) comes and showers us all with presents. Definitely one of the highlights. This year the kids got hats and gloves.

The Candy Bar Game (you know the one--the dice, the presents, the gift stealing!!)

And last, but not least, the Pot-holder Game to welcome all newbies to the family.

Whew! And that's it! Not a dull moment. Every child in the house is mesmorized from start to finish. Every parent's head is spinning by nights end. The kids talk about how fun it was on the way home and Mom and Dad hope they all fall asleep before we get there. (Only Emma did tonight and we're hoping it stays that way!)

First Snow Fall (worth playing in)

Matt, Emma, and Jordan building a fort.

Busted!! Matt getting caught climbing on the shed's roof.

Snow Boys!

Matt and his friend Chase, were trying out the new snow. Brrrrrr!

3 Dancing Princesses

Anna, Kaela, and Emma the night of the Christmas dance recital. It was Emma's first recital! Baby's all grown up.

Festival of Trees with Grandma

Anna and Kaela danced at the Festival of Trees this year. It was special treat to have Grandma there with us. Calling Santa's elves in the Christmas telephone booth was a highlight again!

Thanksgiving is all about Gratitude, Family, Football & FOOD!

Oh the food!! I was sick that day and luckily had a loss of appetite. I didn't eat much--not even pie!

Grandma Shirley & Grandpa John

Troy and Jay enjoying the feast.

The little ones. They loved their little table. Boston, especially, was eating it up--he's food and everyone else's too! Soo cute.

The Big Kid table. Cambria is officially our cousin. Thankfully, her and Anna had each other all weekend. They kept going back and forth between houses for pie.

Halloween Happenings

DA BOYS! After a long evening at Target, then Walmart, then back to Target they decided that the Super Heroes Costumes would have to step aside for Captain Underpants!

Halloween was such a warm night (warmest I can remember) that Matt had to shed his mask in order to breathe.

This is, by far, one of my favorite costumes ever!! If you can't tell, it's a shark that swallowed a person.

The ever changing costumes. Anna was a hippie at the ward party and decided to change and be a boxer for school and Halloween night. It's a good thing kids have a million places to wear their costumes these days. They've worn them so many times by the time Halloween actually arrives that they are bored of them. And how did the school costume parade become such an event that grandparents come? When I was young we just paraded infront of other classes.

Ward Halloween Party

The ward Halloween Activity is always a good time. We love the Young Men and Young Women who make it all possible.

Emma was a bunny for the 3rd year in a row. Got a love those Costco costumes that last forever!

Witchy Poo

Our traditional Witch Night Out became Witch Day Out. Gardner Village did a daytime witch event for the little ones to enjoy. It's the first time we've taken Emma with us. She had a "bewitching" time!!