I'm back...!!!!

Okay, so I needed a break from blogging....the holidays kept me away. I haven't felt like recapping any because there was just too much...so here's a little video of the kids singing on Christmas Eve while waiting for Santa, and that's about all the Christmas I'm going to post, except to thank my in-laws for the incredible time we had spending it with them! Thank you, thank you for a wonderful, relaxing, spoiled rotten Christmas! We love you!

Winter Fun

My kids have been so excited about the snow this year! It's made me appreciate it more...instead of waiting endlessly for winter to end, I've been trying to find all the fun things to do during this time of year! It's been exciting! Here are a few pics of the kids hanging out.

What would winter fun be without a nice cup of hot chocolate? Don't you love the mustache?

Sam says....

*Sitting at the table the other day, Sam says, "Mommy, I can't wait until Jesus comes again to see us!". "What will you do?" I ask. "I will give him kisses and kisses!"

*He's always putting his arms around me and saying, "Mommy, you're my special girl."

*"Charlie, did you know we have bodies! Yeah, Heavenly Father made them for us!"

*After he said to a girl we know, "You have huge arms!" (and she doesn't) I told him that he should never tell a girl that she's big. I said, "Girls only want you to tell them they're small." So now all the time, at random moments he tells me, "Mom, you're small," and gives me this knowing look. It's too funny!

Little Helper

Since this was our first Thanksgiving at home, we decided to start some traditions that would make it fun for the kids. We made homemade butter, collected leaves and twigs to make a banner, made indian corn napkin rings, and our own cornucopia place settings. Sam was there to help me all day...he's my cooking buddy. We made apple pie and strawberry pretzel salad, rolls, and sweet potato casserole....oh, and turkey, of course! I couldn't have done it without my little helper. Spencer and Nicole were here to celebrate, and we're so glad, because it wouldn't have been as fun without them.

I was so overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude for the small and simple things: our health, our home, our freedom to worship as we choose, and for the knowledge of who we are and why we're here; for family and dear friends, for changing seasons, a warm bed to sleep in at night, and for the jobs we have that allow us to provide for our family. I'm thankful for all this and so much more!

Charlie rocked us all on the drums!

He entertained us through dinner by singing The ItsyBitsy Spider again and again and again!

Grandma's House

This week we visited Grandma and Grandpa in Idaho. It's so beautiful up there, right on the Snake River. It was gorgeous, cool but sunny, perfect for being outside. Grandpa built a bonfire and walked along the river with the kids. He had to keep Charlie from diving right in. The kids swam in the hot tub with Uncle Jamison and Grandma helped them catch the kitty so they could torture her with their constant mauling. It was a wonderful weekend. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Fall Fun

OK, so I was enjoying Fall so much this year that I didn't even really think about Halloween until a few days before. Sam just wanted to be a pumpkin, so I made some extremely simple shirts and we were a family of pumpkins. Hmm, I think I'll have to be more creative next year, but oh well...it worked. Here are a few more pictures of our Halloween experience:

SaM aFter cArvIng PumpKins

EaTing diNnEr at tHe wArd ParTy

Sam was so happy the jello matched his hair!

CouLdn't beLiEve hE goT FrEe caNdy

TriCk or tReAtinG

WhAt a FuN nIghT!!!

On a lighter note...

Just thought I'd share what my latest cake looked like! I had lots of fun making it...very basic and simple, but sometimes I like it that way. Congratulations to Suzanne and Keith on their wedding! Love you, Suz!