Brett's Birthday

Again we are celebrating our holiday in two parts. For Brett's birthday we had pizza, vanilla cake with vanilla frosting, and presents. Alex was kind enough to blow out the candle for Brett. We only did one candle since he is now 1 and 0. Big 10. Wow!

December 28th- Alex's Baptism

It was a wonderful and special day for us. We were so lucky to have Greg's father with us. He talked to us on Baptism before Greg performed the baptism. For all Greg's chatter about standing on people's toes so they stay under the water he forgot with Alex and Alex took a little swim when he dunked. There was definately a flurry of water but he never surfaced. (And at least the water was somewhat warmer than the double baptism last week where both girls had to do it twice and the water was only 80. Brr.) Our home teacher Derek Skea talked on the Holy Ghost and then the confirmation was performed. It was a small group but the bishop, ward mission leader, RS president, Primary President, Bro Merrill (Alex's primary teacher), and good friend Sis Hall were all there. Thanks to everybody for making it a special day. I was very excited with Bro Skea gave Alex a journal so he can record how he felt on his baptism day. I hope he'll do it without too much bugging.

Where did she get that?

Oh, I remember now...

As Logan graciously hands me his clean plate back, he informs me that I can use it again since it has been licked clean.

Day after Christmas

For 2 years in a row now we have had a white Christmas without being in Utah. I am wondering where we should go next and maybe the snow will follow us. The kids enjoyed a quick snowball fight with the neighbor and despite Abby getting all bundled up to go out, she turned immediately around and came back in. I think I have the same shot of her last year patiently waiting at the window while kids played in the snow.



This year...

Last year....

Apparently not much has changed.

Christmas Day

We were done opening presents in 14 minutes flat, despite warnings and requests that we open presents one at a time. Poor Greg caught what all of us have had over the last few weeks except the strep which went through 4 of us. We opened adult presents around 2 in the afternoon. We ate scones for breakfast and the Steinbachs and Saunders over for Christmas dinner. My house escaped with only 2 broken ornaments and one broken glass. Here is our wall o cards. It has been so fun getting updates from so many friends.

Christmas Eve

So the table is set

The cookies are made and delightfully decorated

(yes there is a cookie under there thanks to Abby's handy dumping skills)






Christmas PJ's are opened and on

Santa was tracked on the GPS and off to bed we went. Mom and Dad stayed up extra late getting breakfast ready for the next morning and poor Alex couldn't sleep. He even caught us as I was "getting the candles" ready for the next days meals. I sure was making a lot of banging noises in the kitchen. ;)

Alex's Birthday

Christmas Eve always has to be celebrated in two parts considering it is Alex's birthday. So for part one we celebrated with lots of presents and cake and Grandpa Ron.

Among the games, bookmark, books, and video games, he got this AWESOME t-shirt. Get it? Awesome T-shirt. I loved it and he loved the fact that it glows in the dark.

He requested a chocolate cake with vanilla frosting but I accidentally got it backwards and did a white cake with chocolate frosting. Oh well, better luck remembering next year. Probably good though since there was absolutely no white frosting at the grocery store and I had to stand inside the fridge section in Walmart to reach the last premade sugar cookie dough. I am still trying to figure out if it was worth it...homemade tastes so much better but I had way too much to do.

Brett is missing from the picture on account of his hate/hate relationship with candles and fire. I imagine he was probably standing at the front door in the event of a candle catastrophe.

I just had to document that my little cake snob actually likes chocolate frosting. Now she tells me. :)

Chatty Santa

I just have to say I am still loving our recent visit to Santa. He had a squeeker in his hand to engage all the kids and he talked with each one of them. He had his research done and could name all the different kinds of DS's when Logan asked for one for Christmas...he had to be sure to get him the right one. I loved it!

I Predict

that next year Abby will like Santa...but not so much this year.

Disaster Awaits

When I first glimpsed my daughter I was positive she had poop on her face. Upon closer inspection she had treated herself to my eyeshadow. The picture is of the second time I caught the little beauty.


p.s. the first time, she did have the sweet scent of poop and it had leaked out the top. She immediately got stripped and showered and that was when I realized it was eyeshadow on her face.

Projects

I painted our family room.


I painted the laundry room a while back, but I might as well post the proof. :)


Brett inherited a gently used dresser and nightstand that I refinished in fire truck red for his new room. Can't wait for Christmas for him to get the rest of his room stuff.



And here is the living room also freshly painted.


I am hoping for a Christmas budget for painting the rest of the house so I can have a break. We'll see what Santa brings.