The stockings were hung.....

Gilly-womps in their Sunday Best

Mom and the Gilly-womps

Silly Gilly-womps

Cute Gilly-womps

Mom with the Gal Gilly-womp

Dad with the

Guy Gilly-womps

Dad and the Gilly-womps

Just my three little

Gilly-wompers! :)

Here comes Santa Claus .....

The kids and I went to the Mall today and look who we saw! They were so excited and Hayzen didn't even give two hoots about who was holding him. Santa Claus was a hit!! We did a little shopping (and got some GREAT deals :), went to lunch at the Olive Garden and had a great day! I LOVE YOU my sweet Avery Girl, my cute Quinney Guy and my happy Hayzen Baby!!!

Sleigh-Riding

Things to remember:

~ trudging up that hill is a bit more tiring than I remember
...especially when you're carrying or pulling a child in a sled
.....wearing Dad's snow boots didn't help either
~ Avery and Quinn's faces after being covered in powder as we went down the hill

~ our uncontrollable laughter
~ Bo chasing after the sled, he didn't want to miss a thing
~ when Buggy pulled Avery up the hill in the sled and then accidentally let go at the top
~ the look on Avery's face as she went down the big hill backwards by herself :)
~ no matter how cold I am or how many times I crash and burn, sleigh-riding is still one of my favorite winter activities! there's always something to laugh about!

"I'm in love and I don't care who knows it!"

I could seriously just kiss and hug and mug on this sweet little babe all day!!! Most days that's just what I do, ALL DAY!


This is one (of many) of my favorite ages, Hayzen is just so cute and happy and smiley and giggly and screechy! :) I simply just LOVE him!


Last week was Hayzen's 6 month check-up. He's one healthy boy!

Height: 26.5 inches, 47%
Weight: 16.5 pounds, 23%
Head: 17.2 inches, 43%


Oh, and in case you didn't notice, he has a new trick.....he can sit up all by himself!

Christmas Crafts

Avery and Quinn loved having Mommy and Daddy help them make these cute Christmas crafts. They each got to pick which one they wanted from the store and were thrilled when they were finally assembled!

Avery and her Angel :)


Quinney and his Snowman :)


They took a little bit longer than we had thought but it was well worth the effort! Except maybe those gluegun burns (and now blisters) on your fingers, right Honey? tee-hee!

Mommy & Me

I'm usually the one taking all of the pictures, therefore, I'm not in them. I decided I wanted my kids to have memories of me too! :)

Letters to Santa

Avery and Quinn have been so excited to write their letters to Santa Claus so the other night that's just what we did! We sipped on hot cocoa, listened to Christmas music to set the mood :) and the kids wrote their lists for Santa.


Avery wanted to write hers all by herself, she sounded out each word. I think she did pretty good! :)


Dear, Santa
I want a
Leapster,
Bubblegum
Machine,
game, pig,
keyboard please.
Love, Avery

Quinney's wish list included, an airplane, a football, book, transformer, cars and a game. Here he is drawing Santa Claus a lovely picture!


After they were done, we got our coats on, went outside and dropped them into the mailbox. They were beaming from ear to ear! That night as I was tucking Avery in bed she said, "Mom, should I dream about what Santa's going to bring me for Christmas?" Yes sweetheart, you do that!

I just love this time of year, since I was little I have always LOVED this time of year! ...and not just because of the presents! :) For me, it's more of the feelings I feel. I guess it would be best described as the "Christmas Spirit". My burning desire to become closer to Christ, the smells that bring back memories of my childhood, Christmas cheer being spread around are all things that bring the Christmas Spirit into my heart. And now that I have my own kids to share it with, makes the holiday season that much more magical!

It's true!

Our cute little fella is
6 months old TODAY!

Hayzen loves:

giggling @ his brother & sister
pat-a-cake & itsy bitsy spider
being tickled
putting anything & everything into his mouth
the ceiling fan
sitting up like a big boy
being thrown up into the air
smiling & squealing
rolling over
his little hand toys
&...

his exersauser, he loves his exersauser, where he can stand & jump & flop to his hearts content! :)

A Thanksgiving to Remember

We usually alternate every year between families for Thanksgiving but this year ended up being a little different. A few, well, pretty much all of our little family was sick one way or another so we had to forgo Thanksgiving with our Smith family this year and have it here @ home with ourselves. I was determined to have a traditional Thanksgiving feast even if it was just us that would be eating it. I ran to the store Wednesday night to gather all the goods to make everything from scratch and our meal turned out perfect!

Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, candied yams, green bean casserole, warm rolls, jello pretzel salad and a delicious homemade banana cream pie for dessert! :)


It was DELICIOUS and tasted just like a traditional Thanksgiving dinner!

Avery wasn't feeling too well as you can probably tell by her forced smile. We had a couple of hairy moments, it was a rough morning!


During our meal we took turns saying what we were thankful for. Quinn went first and he had to say 3 things since he's 3 years old. Without any help from anyone he simply said, "Mommy to take care of us, the Temple where we together, and our house and our beds." I was practically in tears it was so sweet! Family Home Evening must be paying off! ha ha! Avery was next and she was equally as cute in her five things she was thankful for which were, our house, the temple, our family, Jesus and Heavenly Father.

Here's this cute little thing enjoying his first Thanksgiving!



Although Justin and I were sad we couldn't share in the traditions of Thanksgiving with our families we have much to be grateful for. We are so thankful for our little family and for the love that we share. We are so proud of our kids and they teach us everyday how to be more loving, kind, patient, faithful and happy. It was a Thanksgiving we'll always cherish and remember!