Christmas

Let's start with Christmas Eve. The kids were so excited all day. Evan woke up really early and they all kept asking if it was Christmas yet. Evan made Reindeer Food to put on the lawn, but when it was time to start the evenings festivities this is what I found...

I didn't want the other kids to miss out so Lorelai and Bella put the magic reindeer food out.

Showing off his new PJ's.

One last cuddle before bed!

Between Santa, us, and family the kids got spoiled!




Eric had fun assembling toys :-)

This is Evan's Wiggle Car, but Reid just had to test it out first.

Evan and Lorelai being archeologists.

Lorelai really enjoyed all her presents.

Christmas Season

I've been having so much fun looking at everyone else's blogs that I haven't posted any of our Christmas pictures! These are all pictures I took the week before Christmas so I'm definitely playing catch up! The pictures are very eclectic and if I had the time they would all be in there own little post, but time is short!

I haven't bought pop tarts in ages (because they are usually gone in a day) and Reid was so happy he just sat on his little chair with Lona and Lorelai.

Evan loves our snowman!

Sausage balls. They sound gross, but they taste great!


Lore helped dip pretzels. She was VERY helpful.

Evan and Lore practicing there push ups.

This is what the kids did while I was decorating the house. Lore found the suckers and then they all hid in the corner between the entertainment center and the piano. Caught ya!

The kids really enjoyed the tree this year.

Reid kept walking around and around trying to figure out what it was doing in our house.

Ward Christmas Party

The ward christmas party was awesome this year! Tamara Lyman went all out. We planned on going, but it wasn't until the last minute that I decided to make costumes for me and Lore. The problem with being a procrastinator is that things aren't always available. They didn't have a pattern in Lorelai's size so I bought a bigger one and tried to change it to fit Lore. Since I am not super skilled in that area I ended up making the dress about two inches too small around the waist. I should mention that this is the first real sewing project I've done without my mom helping. Oh well! The second one was just as beautiful and fit her perfectly!

I am especially proud of the collar.

Evan had a blast (although you can't tell from the picture)

Lorelai had fun hanging out with Hannah L. and her BF Bella.

Wrestling with one of the Lyman boys while everyone cleaned up.

The best gift

This year we got the best gift. Another baby! We found out that we are expecting on July 20 of next year. We are so blessed to be able to have such wonderful children and we are so grateful that we have the opportunity to raise another child.

Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas!

Santa Clause came to the mall! Can you believe it? We went at 8:30 at night and I thought he would be gone for sure, but he stayed until 9:00 for us! The funny part is that when we showed up their was only one family getting there picture taken. No line at all. We thought "Awesome! This is going to be so fast!" Wrong. The mom was a perfectionist or something and kept making her kids pose with Santa. I don't know how long they were there before we showed up, but we waited 20 minutes for her to be done. Her poor kids! My kids were so tired they didn't really care. Lore and Reid just kept running through the maze of gates they had set up and Evan just sat in one of the strollers. I have such great kids. I was the grumpy one! Anyway, after the mom got her pictures the kids all talked to Santa and we took a QUICK picture of each of them. I do wish we could have gotten a group shot of the three of them, but Reid wasn't really cooperating. Maybe next year!



Lorelai said she wants a doll for Christmas, but when Santa asked her what kind of doll she wanted she had to think for a minute. It was so cute. In the end she told him "just a doll." Thanks Lorelai! You make Santa's job easier!

The idea of sitting on a strangers lap was not nearly as appealing as the idea to run around!

Anyone need a puppy?

Two of these cute little babies still need a home. Our neighbors dog had four of them and the dark faced ones are still looking for a Christmas tree to be under Christmas morning. The kids have had so much fun playing with them. They are so sweet and playful. One is a rambunctious little guy with lots of personality. He is probably better for a couple or maybe a single adult. My kids get a little nervous around him because he runs so fast, but he loves to be held and loved! The other is more timid and laid back. He is the one we would probably get if we were getting one. They are all so cute and they're so fun. Reid loves them so much!

Lorelai just laughed and laughed when the puppies crawled all over her.

Even Evan likes to hold them! That's a big deal considering how he feels about most dogs!

Let me know if you're interested! All you need is a little red bow to make this Christmas awesome!

A few videos

We've been playing with the video setting on our camera and I thought I'd share for those that don't get to see my little ones every day. Reid loves to say Hello as you can see!


When my brother-in-law got married his mother-in-law played a recording of Jewels singing "I love to see the temple" when she was about 5 years-old. It was so cute and I thought to myself "I want to do something like that with my kids". Lorelai gives me plenty of opportunities to do just that. She is a very serious performer and knows how important it is to stay hydrated.


Here's another one of Lore just being silly. Reid helped with back up vocals.

Kid's Christmas Party

The Christmas party was so fun this year! We did it a little earlier than usual so everyone could come. We had lots of food and Eric even went home and got the Cocomotion (that I forgot). The kids had a snowball fight, decorated cookies, and everyone got to open a present. I think I love the gift giving the best. When the game starts the kids all just want to keep the present they brought, but when they open their new present they are so happy and they love to see who got the present they brought. It's so cute. I didn't take my camera to the party, but Sherilyn was sweet and sent me these. Thanks!
This is Evan's friend Kaylie from preschool. Since there are only three other boys in his class he still hangs out with the girls most of the time.

Eric did Reid's hair for the party!


Here are the kiddo's decorating cookies!

It was a hectic party, but the kids had a blast so I think it was a success!

Thanksgiving

I was going to post pictures of our Christmas party, but decided I should backtrack a little and do Thanksgiving first. We were very excited to spend the holiday with some friends from our ward. None of us have family around so we look out for each other over the holidays. This year Jim and Araksya Kennard hosted and other than being scared that the kids were going to break something (they have a beautiful house with breakables), we had a blast. Lorelai's best friend, Bella, was there so the kids were happy. Araksya took pictures and she sent me a CD so I could post pictures.

Here is the big kid table. Arakysya made the BEST sweet potato's I have ever tasted. Everything was wonderful.

The kid's table.

Hangin' with John and Chelsea.

Lore and Bella sitting with the desserts. Is there anywhere else to sit?

We played Rook after dinner. It was so fun! I hope Santa puts that game in our stocking for Christmas.

Here is Eric the master piano player.

This is what Reid did for the majority of the evening. Up and down all night long!

Climbing

Reid has learned a new trick. Climbing the ladder up to the top bunk bed. My heart practically stopped when I saw him. He's very good at it, but that doesn't make me worry any less. He loves it and the freedom it gives him. He was always jealous when Evan and Lore would climb up without him. Now he's just one of the gang.