Our White Christmas!!!!!

Mom and Karleigh's Snowman



Ready to be pulled by the snowmobile AGAIN



Grandpa being chased down!

Christmas Bingo

Last night we had a White Christmas at Grandma Annie's and Grandpa's!  It was so fun to be together with our family.  We missed Brinton and Makenzie and baby Kysen.  I was so sad that they couldn't be there with us it would have been neat to all be together.  But with colds and a new baby it just was not worth it.  But they were missed. 

We had great food, Kids were pulled behind the snowmobile on the sled ( and me but not the brightest idea when you are due in less than 3 weeks but it is so fun ), Sierra and Preston  drove the little snowmobile, We played Christmas Bingo, opened presents, and even found the pickle! 

I love going to my parents it is so beautiful and I love that they are buried in snow even if they don't!  The kids loved playing in it.  Karleigh couldn't wait for me to come out with her and build a snowman. 

I love this time of year.  I love that my kids are getting old enough to understand the true meaning of the season even if at the beginning Colton Called the baby jesus in the nativity the baby santa.  He knows who it is now!  I love being able to focus on the Savior this time of year. 

The last few years during Christmas I always ask myself why is it that we only reflect on Our Savior's birth and life once a year.  It makes me a little sad each end of the year as I reflect and see that I have not done my best at Remembering Him each day.  Every year I start out trying harder to remember him that I may always have him with me.  So my Christmas Wish this year is not only that I remember him daily but to extend the challenge to everyone out there.  Our Bishop gave us a challenge for the new year to Do nothing without asking one question first:  What would Jesus Do?.  What kind of days will we have if we do nothing unless we ask ourselves that question first?  Will we be more patient?  Humble? Meek? Charitable? Will serving and loving one another come more easily?  I pray we can all just be a little better this year!  We love all of you and if you are wondering where our Christmas card is well the baby is coming and we will be sending out New years cards!!!!  Thank you to all of you that have sent well wishes our way and know we are thinking of all of you and wish you a Merry Christmas!

We wish you a merry Christmas!!!!

Our Neighbors invited us to go carolling/hayride, and afterward we had donuts and hot cocoa!  The kids loved it.  Who am I kidding Chad and I loved it as well.  It was so fun to spread some christmas cheer to our great friends and neighbors! 

This is the Place.....

This year the kids are getting old enough now I feel that they may actually remember what we do for the holidays.  So I really wanted to make a fun memory.  I had heard about Candlelight Christmas up at This is the Place and so I hopped online to check it out.  It sounded really fun so we headed up last night.  As we pulled up we missed the turn in and drove past the zoo.  Zoolights looked awesome so we were debating skipping this is the place and going to the zoo.  But I had told colton about seeing real live reindeer at tHis is the place and he really wanted to see that.  So we turned around and went skeptical to Candlelight Christmas.  Chad and I were a little nervous cause it really didn't look that spectacular.  But as we entered it ended up being Awesome!

Right as you walk in there were the reindeer and All the kids loved it.  You get to go into each house and they tell you a story about the house and people that lived there or you  have a little craft you can do.  It was so much fun.  The kids made beaded icicles and wrote letters to Santa that they threw in a magic fire that sent the letter to the north pole with the smoke, they got to write their names on the naughty or nice list, pet live goats and sheep and even a donkey at the live nativity.  We ended the night seeing Father Christmas and riding a train.  It was such a fun evening.  As we were leaving Preston said "Well that was a fun family acitivty".  And that is all a mom wants to hear!!!!!  I am so thankful for this time of the year and the time to spend with my sweet husband and beautiful Children.

Curlers?

Okay I am posting this because of my friend who posted this on her blog and as I was leaving her a comment I thought it was getting to long and why not just post one on mine with all that I have to say. 

My friend has 3 beautiful girls.  She was saying how with the first girl she never left her house without her dressed and hair done.  The second girl: well the same mostly... the third little girl joins the family and how all of a sudden it is like you step back and look at your cute family and think When did I stop caring?....

My question is Why have I never cared?  I used to never leave the house unless dressed with my hair done and makeup.  Now I am lucky to be showered everyday.  Makeup that is a thing of the past on most days.  I go to church and look around everyone there with hair and makeup and clothes freshly pressed I am running in dragging my kids behind me.  Are we on time?  No way.  Yes my kids are dressed and their hair is done but as for poor mom;  not so much. 

Remember I have 2 boys how hard should it be to get them ready?  Okay; it's not hard.  I used to say "when I have my little girl I will never leave the house without her hair all done, cute matching outfit, face washed and cleaned.  Those kids with the sticky hands you see at the grocery store or messy faces, yeah that will never be me.  Then I had a girl.  Yes I do leave to the store with messy faces and hair not combed.  I say to myself  that I just need to hurry and so I can get back home as I run out the door. 

So why is it that I stopped caring?  Am I too busy?  Where are my priorities?  Does everyone feel as rushed as I do most the time? 

As I read my friends post I thought at least I am not the only one.  At the same time it has made me think that I really should care a little more.  At least for my children if not for myself. 

Happy Birthday Preston!!!!

We all had fun celebrating with preston this year.  He turned 7 on Friday.  He wanted to take pizza to his class for his birthday treat so that is what we did.  Never thought I would do that!  Anyone who knows Preston knows he is not a big candy kinda kid.  He wanted to take his favorite and that happens to be pizza currently. 
Everybody would ask him what he wanted for his birthday and he told everyone the same thing "a panda pillow pet" I was a little worried he was going to be getting a few but he made out with "only" 2.  I just laughed we took one back the other day and he got to pick something new out.  We are so thankful for all those that could make it.  We missed Uncle B and Kenzie this year and Great Grandma and Grandpa Passey since they can't drive at night.  We also missed his bestest cousin Sierra.  She came earlier that day though.  He wanted to invite some friends from his sunday class and school class.  We played pin the nose on the snowman.  It all turned out really nice. 

I was a little nervous being 8 months pregnant but it all ran smoothly.  I picked Chad up from the Airport that morning so he was there to help. 

7 Incredible things about Preston:

1. He is amazing at keeping his room spotless and bed made
2.  He is the best big brother to his brother and sister
3. He is always looking for ways to serve others
4. He is a hard worker just like his dad
5. He loves the First Grade.  His fav. subject at school is Spanish
6. He loves pizza
7. He loves MONEY!!!  And is always wanting to sell his stuff. He even likes to put it in the bank!  (imagine that with a mom like me... LOL) 

Preston we love you and are so proud of how you are growing up.!

Oh Christmas Tree



complete joy dancing with daddy to Christmas music



We were invited by friends this year to go and cut down our christmas tree.  Chad and I jumped at the chance we had talked last year about starting this tradition.  We planned on heading up to the Uintas near the Bear River lodge.  It costs $10 for the permit and so we could afford that.  Our Friends called ahead and were told that to the lodge we could drive with 4 wheel drive but to get to the tree cutting area you had to snowmobile in or ski.  Our friends have a 6 month old and figured it wouldn't be wise to head up this year.   So we went to a tree farm in Far west and cut a tree.  It was much more expensive since I wanted a tall skinny one because in our little apartment we don't have a lot of room.  We found the perfect one and Preston and Colton actually agreed on the same one; Bonus.  We cut it down and helped our friends choose one and headed home.  They told us it wasn't the same as being up in the Uintas but it was alright.  Next year we will head up to the mountains but for our kids first time they loved it.

Here we are trimming the tree.  Chad is dancing with the little ones on and off to Christmas music blaring.  It was a lot of fun this year the kids are old enough to help.  They actually didn't put them all on the bottom this year. 

Here is the final tree and I absoulutly love it!!!!It is so cute and seems to have a fun little evergy about it.  We were a little worried with coco's asthma if a real tree was a good idea.  So far he has had no problems so this year will be our trial year!

Sad note I pulled out my beloved prelit artificial tree this year and it is fried.  I was sad to see it go.  I loved it.  But on a happy note I don't have to store it this year!!!!