December 2011

Sadly I have no pictures of Christmas this year. I took a lot of video but no pictures...oops!! We had a great December. The weather was warm. Really!! it was super warm. We did our advent activities which we look forward to every year. And we spent a lot of time together as a family. We've been super lazy over the holiday break and I've loved every minute of it. We've stayed in jammies til late afternoon (and sometimes all day:), we've watched lots of movies, and eaten lots of treats. We've finished 3 puzzles, made lots of bread with my new bread maker, and taken oodles of naps. I've enjoyed having my family all home for over a week but I think it's time to get back to routine.

Here is a recap of the month in pictures:

We went to the mall to see Santa (they don't let us take our own pictures..ugh!!) but we still managed to take a few of the night and of course of Justin Bieber!!!

This is Jane's friend Ashlee

The Children's Museum with the Kennett's and Boothe's

We are all a little girl heavy in our families so the boys stuck together.

These 2 were a little scared to see Santa. They are trying to talk each other into sitting on his lap.

Aly was trying to be brave.

The whole gang!!

We had our 2nd annual Dutch Present Party!! We invited the Kennett's, the Boothe's, the Alcorn's, the Page's, and the Newell's. We decorated cookies, played games and of course opened the Dutch Present. It was super fun!!

Christmas Eve we always spend at the movies and out to dinner. We went to see "Arthur Christmas" and then ate dinner at Olive Garden. I love this tradition because I don't have to cook and the movie eats up a lot of the day.

After dinner we open the present we have bought for each other. We draw names and open them on Christmas Eve so they are special and don't get mixed in with the loot Santa brings. I absolutely love this tradition. The kids get so excited to buy things for each other.

Jane bought Dad bop-it and a puzzle.

Aly bought Mom a necklace and new running clothes.

Dad bought Aly a "grown up" outfit and a pearl necklace.

Tobe bought Jane a new Barbie.

And Mom bought Tobe a "boy" barbie so he doesn't have to rely on the girls sharing with him.

Everyone loved their gifts!!!

2000 piece puzzle!!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. We did!! Lazy and wonderful!!

Halloween 2011

Again, Tobe hates to dress up. After much stress and contemplation, he agreed to wear the Thomas Costume just to get candy. It came off the minute he got home. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with that boy.

The girls and I were witches!!

All our loot!! Our neighbors all get together at the end of the street to hand out their candy. They put signs on their doors to come to the end of the court. We were passed up by many trick-or-treaters because they didn't think we were home. We had lots of candy left over!!!

Labor Day Weekend 2011

Every year on Labor Day weekend I start a little pity party for myself because my family all gathers in Payson, Utah for their annual tradition of "Payson Onion Days". I hate to miss it every year but realize it is part of the deal of living 1500 miles away. So we created our own fun this year and I have to admit--we succeeded!!!

Friday Night we camped out in the back yard and roasted s'mores!!!

Only Aly and Tobe lasted in the tent all night. My bed was too tempting!!

Monday we went to Turkey Run State Park and hiked around. It was 1.7 miles of dirt, water, rocks, ladders, hills, and FUN!!! The kids (and the dog) did great. No complaints, no injuries, only 3 pairs of dirty, muddy school shoes--bummer!! But we had fun and that's all that matters:)

We wore Theo out. It took him all night to recover.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!!!