Kansas Trip

We had a great trip to Kansas just before Christmas. We got a lot done while we were there & still managed to fulfill our high priority item: play lots of Hand & Foot. Mom & I were even able to defeat the Almighty Rick (he had only one loss during the whole visit). The kids had so much fun playing with cousins, aunts & uncles. They came up with this great idea to make the dining room "The Party Express" (like the Polar Express) & decorated it all up. They also loved making the gingerbread house with their cousins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We really enjoyed ourselves. The kids keep asking when they can go back to Grandma's house to play.

One more cute thing, at Church on Sunday, Lexie was drawing on her Magna Doodle & created this masterpiece for Grandma. It's Mary, Joseph & Baby Jesus lying in a manger. We were pretty impressed.

Joy School Christmas Program

Joseph had his Joy School Christmas Party & it was so cute.

They sang some cute songs for us.

And acted out the Nativity for us. Joseph got to play the part of Joseph.

Andrew gave his big brother big hugs because he did such a great job.

We had a great time watching these cute kids. Once again we are so amazed with how much Miss Jen can teach these kids in such a short amount of time.

Another Year Older

And hopefully wiser, too. I guess only time will tell.

We started the day off right by going out to breakfast. My sister came and took me out to lunch. And Rick took me out for dinner. What a great day-no cooking! The kids had fun helping me open presents & eating cake. After Rick helped with a move he took me out to see Twilight. We sure had a fun day.

Amazon Bargains

Look at all the money I saved, Honey!

Ward Christmas Party

We made a fun treat for the Ward Christmas Party. The kids "totally loved making them." (Thanks to Family Fun for the idea, we sure had fun!)

While driving to the Church, Lexie got excited when she heard a bell jingle & told me, "I hear Santa coming. I know he will be here soon!" Sure enough, he came.

This is as close to Santa as Andrew would get.

Today We Discovered...

a way to keep Andrew from crying:

even if someone is trying to eat his cookie:

(Andrew sure loves his brother!)

that Lexie likes to help Mom make bows for her:

it's great to open presents (even when it's not your birthday or Christmas):

that Andrew loves being thrown into the air:

Joseph-not so much:

that Andrew hates waiting his turn:

that the kids love to color (surprise, surprise!):

that Joseph can play the piano with his eyes closed:

that not even the kids could distract Dad from listening to the First Presidency Christmas Devotional (nice try though):

Who knows what we'll discover tomorrow. Life with kids is great!

Snow Days

We had a pretty good snow today! Lexie & Joseph couldn't wait to get out & play in it.

When they came in it was time for lunch. I asked them what the best part of playing out in the snow was, Lexie replied, "making snow angels & eating snow of course." Gratefully, they assured me they were still hungry for their lunch.

Setting Up the Christmas Tree

For Family Home Evening we set up the Christmas Tree. The kids could barely contain themselves until after the lesson, but somehow we all managed.

Lexie & Joseph were great helpers putting up the tree & Andrew danced to our new Christmas CD from Barbara's family.

We love the Christmas season!

Thanksgiving Travels

"We tripped, and now we're home."

We travelled up to Idaho for Thanksgiving. It was a long (painful) drive, but we survived thanks to a couple hour stop in Utah. We enjoyed staying in Jason & Bergen's lovely new home. (I've got a new idea of what my dream house is like now-thanks.) The kids had so much fun in "their rooms" & playing with the guitar. By the way, if you ever have the chance to stay in the home of a chiropractor & massage therapist-do it. It was so much fun staying up & playing games each night.

The whole family was able to make it out for Thanksgiving, so we had to get a big family picture in.

We played Rock Band at Scott & Chrissy's awesome new house. Playing RB there is out of control, the notes are as big as your head--so much fun!

We also had time for a girls lunch out to celebrate birthdays.

On the way home we stopped over in Utah to stay the night with my sister. We really enjoyed the company & all of the wonderful music there. We sure have some talented nieces (& nephews).

It was so much fun to see so many cousins. The kids loved it & so did we! We're grateful for our wonderful families & for all they do for us.