Warms My Heart...

Whitney's first sewing project- a pillow case. I did all the pinning, but she did the seams. I sure do like having this little girl:)

Christmas 2011

This year we were in SL for the Holiday. Here are some of the highlights that I have documented. (Some highlights that I don't have documented are a super fun Go-Kart outing, a family Temple day, and a date night for Josh and I. Thanks to all those who made all three possible:))

OK when we got to SL grandma had her annual cookie decorating party.

Then, Tyler was suprised with an impromptu birthday party. He sure is a pro at opening presents...

 For Christmas Eve we had the nativity reenactment. My boys were party poopers and wouldn't participate. Wouldn't he have been the cutest sheep?

Whitney on the other hand was a sweet little angel. She must have known Santa was watching. 

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Then we had a little talent show and every family had someone participate. Whitney stepped up for our family and played Jingle Bells. She did great. (Yes, that's a leg lamp.)

Great Grandma even played a little song. 

Then we all got our ornaments from my Mom and they were of course very cute. 

I gave the kids some jammie pants that I made. I'm trying to start a new tradition of giving jammies on Christmas Eve. These were pretty fun and easy to make. Zach's were giant so we call his hammer pants. Still awesome. 

And then Christmas Day came and the kids were very happy and excited. It's fun to remember Christmas as a kid when you watch your own kids get so excited about it.

 

Here are some of the pics of Christmas day with all the cousins.

It's so fun having so many cousins. I swear I saw my kids maybe 5 times when they all came over. They just adore each other and play so well together. 

 

I took this picture right after the two of these cuties just got done with a baby conversation. It was so cute to watch. They're only a few weeks apart. 

Whitney got a sewing machine from Grandma and Grandpa. Yay!

 

Tyler's favorite thing to do "Grandpa will you swing me upside down?" (Unfortunately, my camera wouldn't take the picture as they were being swung. I really need to learn how to use this camera!)

We sure had a  fun time this Christmas. I'm so glad we could spend it with so much family. I can't wait to see what adventures the New Year has in store!

Baby Tyler turns 4!

 

 

Little Ty-guy ran into my room today and yells "I'm 4!". He was so excited. Whitney and I stayed up last night and decorated a little bit for his first "friend" birthday party.

 

 It was a Hot Wheels themed party. Here's the cake and what not...

 Here are a few of the party-goers. 

  

 I love this picture because Davin is explaining to Tyler that the packaging says "for ages 5 and up." He was so concerned about it, it was awesome.  

 

 Silly faces...

 

 

We had a little family part later on that night so Josh and Zach could be a part of the fun. 

 We all sure love this little guy. Sure, we have our moments where we get under each others skin, but we just adore him and his ability to make us smile. I don't know what I'd do without my little man. He sure makes me happy.

Getting in the Christmas Spirit

 As usual, I've been bad about documenting events lately. Here are a few pics I took earlier this month. We've been getting in to the Christmas spirit around here. We started by putting up the lights the day after Thanksgiving.(Same as last year. If you want to see a pic look at last December;)   I decided I need to put these little kiddos to work so this is my view from the couch as my kids put up the tree and decorated it. 

  

I know-such a lazy bum! I'm trying to lighten my load so to speak and make these kids do more work around here. Maybe I won't be such a grumpy mom if I feel like I'm getting help! Just a theory.(Yes the tree is still half way decorated. The boys are way too grabby still. Looks real nice...)

 We made gingerbread houses in Whitney's classroom and it was eaten within 5 minutes of getting it home.On a side note, it was crazy hair day this day and Whitney's 'do' is called the "bun-hawk". Pretty amazing.

 Here are a couple of my favorite crafts I've done this month-

It's been a busy, stressful, but fun December so far. I love this time of year and welcome the craziness of the season.It's such a unique and different month. All the best things wrapped into one month. Jesus, music, presents, treats!

Thanksgiving Time...

 I can't believe how fast November went by! We were lucky to have grandma and grandpa Jones come up for the kids' Primary Program. 

 While they were here, the kids went on a 4 wheeler sledding ride around the neighborhood. They could have gone all day, except for that it's FREEZING up here already. I think Mother Nature has it out for us...just sayin'.

On a random side note, we've seen quite a few bald eagles up here lately. More than years past I think. Whitney and I love to see them fly. I just think they're so big and it kind of creeps me out. Something that big shouldn't be flying. We sure think they're pretty. This one was across the street. There were two originally, but one flew away when I opened my door to go outside to take a picture. 

 

 Then yesterday was Thanksgiving. 

 

Whitney wore this indian headband thing all day long. Tyler, on the other hand  wasn't into wearing the girlie pilgrim hat that Whitney had made. 

We spent the day with the Hallam's at their house. They are some friends of ours in our neighborhood. 

 
Josh smoked a turkey and it turned out wonderful. I sure do love that he likes to cook. It takes a lot of stress off of me!

 The Spread...

 Making turkeys with the kids...

 Then the kids watched "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" while the adults played games. I sure am not very good at games, I've decided. But they are fun nonetheless...

 Zachary even made a love connection...This little girl is SO cute. I wish you could see her face. Such a cutie!

 Anyway, we had a great November and are so thankful for all of our friends and family that support us in all we do. I don't know what I would do without our friends and family, they are such a big help to me. Now, let the craziness begin...Bring on December!