Christmas Eve

This year we went to my parents for Christmas Eve and had a great time as always!

After a delicious french dip dinner, the talent show was first on the agenda. Avery sang "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer". She made her Rudolph hat at school and got the reindeer glasses from primary and was so excited wear them while she sang! :)


Quinney also sang but I was helping him so I didn't get a picture. He sang "Away in a Manger" and did such a sweet job! After the talent show it was on to the Nativity.

Avery was Mary, Quinney was Joseph and Hayzen got to be Baby Jesus.


Next up, presents!

Sweet baby Hayze with his very first Christmas present... (Avery's just a tad excited!) He liked starring at the cute wrapping paper and pounding on the box more than anything! :)



Quinney's turn...



Now Avery...



My Dad gave each of his daughters a table runner that he made using the Loom he built by hand. I wish I had a picture of his Loom, but it's what the pioneers used to weave rugs and things. Here's my table runner and I love it!!!


My sister Julie had my name and made me the CUTEST decoration! It's has a stand and then she made little things to go on the stand for each month. I love it! Here's January and February...



I didn't get a picture of Justin opening his gift but he got a lovely gift card to Kohl's from Juan. :)

After presents it was time for us to pack up and head home, so we slipped into our new Christmas jammies that I made for us and we were ready to go!


Another great Christmas Eve!!!

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! :)