Christmas Fun 2008

Well we had a very busy, but fun, Christmas! We had Christmas eve with Nana and Papa. My parents and brother Mike joined in the fun as well. Amy made her wonderful sugar cookies for the kids to decorate for Santa.

Sue gave all the grand kids pj's and had a polar express night for them!


The next morning the boys woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed. Brent and I were out cold at 8:30 when I heard Luke and Zach going through their stockings. I love to get a pic of them before they have seen the tree and presents, so we marched them back up stairs and woke up Kate. They were so excited! I feel like it was a perfect Christmas in the present department because they didn't leave feeling like they wanted more, and I don't feel like they got so many things that there is a constant mess. Austin said the funniest thing when he pulled new underwear out of his stocking from Santa "How embarrassing". He is sure growing up!

Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Mike came for brunch that morning. We had Creme Brulee French Toast, Sausage Casserole and fruit. Uncle Mike brought these funny mustaches for the boys. I thought they were pretty funny!


A couple of days later we took the kids over to Nana's to go sledding behind the 4 wheeler. We definitely have enough snow for all kinds of sledding.


Finally we had another party with Brent's cousins the Paiges. We don't get to see them enough so that was a lot of fun to get together with them!

It has been a great Christmas holiday--lots of food and family!

Merry Christmas

Luke's Birthday Party

This year was considered a "family" birthday year. Meaning we don't do a big party with friends--to give mom a year off! But of course all of the kids feel like they need to have one friend come and with cousins, aunt and uncles, and grandparents it is not a small party--which is what makes it fun and feel like a special day! So for Luke's 7th birthday we went to lunch at Brick Oven and afterward the kids went bowling at BYU! It was a great time! Thanks everyone for coming!!

Happy 7th Luke!!!

Happy Birthday Buddy!!

a white house christmas

Brent had the oppurtunity to go to the white house christmas party with his sister Jill. He had a great time. You will have to talk to Brent to get the full story, but the one thing that was funny was when he went in to meet President Bush. He walked in and the President said "Wow look at this big boy--come on in here" and then when he shook is hand, Pres. Bush could not get over the size of Brent's hand. Before Brent left the President gave Brent a fist bump--I think he just didn't want to shake that big hand again!!!!

christmas concert

Kate had her Christmas concert today. She has been looking forward to it forever. She knows every word to every song. This video is of her favorite song "I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus" She always asks Brent "What would you do if you saw mommy doing that?" (Kate is in the middle with the black sleeves)

first lost tooth

Oh Luke was so excited to lose this tooth. For about a year now he has asked us if he has a loose tooth. Brent loves to pull the really loose ones (which is so funny because we made Sean (our friend and dentist) pull Austin's first because we were so chicken) so he just popped that one out and Luke said "I have been waiting forever for this day!"

cookie exchange

Kate went to a cookie exchange for little girls. My friend is one of those people who seem to be able to do it all. She is an awesome girl. They had a great time and each came home with a box of cookies and an apron (which Jo my friend made with her sister) with their name on it!

christmas tree 2008

Well we broke down and bought an artificial pre lit tree. I have to say I miss the smell and the look of a real tree, but I don't miss paying for and watering the tree!

banner crazy

Ok I am sorry, but I love my banners. I was trying to figure out a quick and cheap way to do an advent calendar and this is what I came up with. It was fun to make and of course I figured out a way to use my embroidery machine!

girls day out

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the girls from Brent's side of the family and my mom got together and had lunch at Gardner Village. Kate loved to say "girls only". They had cute little elves set around. It got me in the mood for decorating for Christmas!

so much to be thankful for

I am grateful for this time of year, to stop and think of all the wonderful things that are in my life instead of focusing on the negatives that I seem to focus on every day. I have so many blessings in my life, to name a few, my husband, my children, our family, our health and our home. We are truly blessed.








We had a very nice and relaxing Thanksgiving holiday. Dinner was at my parents house this year. My mom treated the kids and me to the movie "Bolt", while the men stayed home to watch a football game. Mike came, but Dave and his family stayed in Oregon. We missed them, but still had a very nice time. Kate got to bring Little Bear (from preschool) home for thanksgiving break! (It is a big deal when Little Bear comes to see us).

Curly Q

I had to document that Zach's hair can be curly! None of my other 3 ever even had a wave in their hair. I just don't know how to keep it curly through the day? Any suggestions?