Spirit of Christmas

For our first FHE in December we set a goal as a family to spread the "Spirit of Christmas" as much as we could until we celebrated Christ's birth on Christmas. We talked about the true meaning of Christmas and how we could spread that special Spirit to everyone by being like Jesus and being kind, helpful, sharing, doing good deeds for each other and doing service for others.

Whenever we'd spread the "Spirit of Christmas" around, we'd get to put a sticker on our chart. The kids LOVED this! And to be honest, so did I, I love stuff like this! If it has anything to do with lists, charts or schedules, I just eat it up! ...so does Avery, like Mother like daughter! :)

As you can see, we spread A LOT of Christmas Spirit around. I hope many family/friends/neighbors felt it 'cause we sure could. Our house was over flowing with it this Christmas!

Avery and Quinn were so sweet in their encouragement to each other to be happy, nice and helpful so they could put a sticker on their chart. They were also so generous in reminding me that I did something special so I could put a sticker on my chart too. "You were so nice Mom and helped us clean up our toys, so now you get to put a sticker on your chart!"

For the record, Justin actually spread his share of Christmas Spirit around too, he just wasn't as into the chart/sticker aspect as much as me and the kids were. Ha ha!

I'm so grateful for my sweet little family. My kids try so hard to do what's right and be good and I couldn't ask for anything more. And I really couldn't ask for a better husband, that's for sure, I'm one lucky gal! I really am so blessed to have them and I love them so much!

"It's Santie Claus!"

On Wednesday we went to Willard to see the "Lights by the Bay" with Chad, Lyndee and Allee. We were planning to go on the horse drawn wagon ride through the lights but the pouring rain ruined that plan in a hurry! Dang rain! Where's the SNOW??? Ugh!

We still got to see the fun lights though, we just rode in a different kind of wagon..... the swagger wagon to be exact. haha! :)

We heard that Santa Claus was visiting Willard Bay too so we went to see him and put in our last minute Christmas requests before the big night.

Much to mine and Justin's surprise, Avery wished for a Barbie.
Umm, excuse me... What?
Isn't that great two days before Christmas?!! Gotta love it! :)

Quinney wished for a pillow pet, which he has consistently wished for since he started wishing.
Thank you sweet Quinney! :)

And Hayzen..... well.....

Oh Christmastime!
Pure bliss, isn't it! :)

Have a hOlLy jOlLy ChRiStMaS everyone!!!

Elf Hunt

I love Gardner Village, especially around the holidays. This year I wanted to take the kids to do the cute Elf Hunt. My Hayzen babe was still feeling a little under the weather though, so unfortunately he and I had to stay home in our warm cozy house instead.

I'm glad that Avery and Quinn still got to go with Daddy, they had tons of fun just like I knew they would. They also met up with Kristen, Justin, Madelyne and Savannah too which made it even MORE FUN! Wahoo!

After they followed the clues and found all of Santa's Elves, they took their check-list over to Sweet Afton's and turned it in for a yummy sugar stick. :)
What fun! I can't wait for next year!

And I must say, three cheers for Justin for taking more than one picture! He had strict instructions and he followed them well. Thanks Honey!

Tubular Tubes

So, after constant ear infections, my little Babe finally had to get tubes put in his ears. I was a little nervous for him to be put under anesthesia, especially when he woke up with a fever and a nasty cold and cough two days before his scheduled surgery. But, both the doctor and anesthesiologist assured me that it was still safe to do the surgery so they did.

The surgery was done and over with so quick that I thought the doctor was coming out into the waiting room to tell me something had went terribly wrong when they gave Hayzen the anesthesia. My heart skipped a few hundred beats I think! See how I work things up in my mind... I have major problems! ha ha! Thankfully though and much to my relief, it was all over and Hayzen did just fine. Phew!

Poor little thing, he just wasn't feeling very good to begin with and then he had to go through anesthesia and surgery. He was so sad and exhausted by the time we got home. What a brave little champ!

He has his post-op appointment next week so we'll see if his new 'accessories' are functioning properly. We're crossing our fingers, we don't want to ever have to deal with another ear infection again. EVER!

P.S. Hayzen was in no way, shape or form comforted by this little teddy bear they gave him. If it got anywhere near him he'd swat it away or grab it and throw it to the floor. Don't mess with my sick baby.....

Dear Santa...

~ Avery's letter ~

Pillow pet, new make-up, new earrings, Jessy, monkey, littlest pet shop, fingernail polish, Bullseye, baby.
Thank You
From Avery

*I can't figure out why Avery's letter kept scanning in as 3 separate pieces. I scanned it three different times! Oh well!

~ Quinn's letter ~

*For the record, Quinn can write his name a lot better than that. He was in a hurry because he didn't want to miss the "sootball dame" {football game} that he and Justin were having. :)

~Hayzen's letter ~

It's hard to believe that
Christmas is almost here!
Can't wait to see what Santa brings!

Christmas Lights @ Temple Square

Front Runner + Friends + Temple Square
= a great Saturday night

Brett & Sarah invited us to go down to SLC on the Front Runner, eat dinner at The Gateway and see the lights at Temple Square. I of course forgot the camera, and I even plugged it in earlier in the day so it would be all charged and ready to go. What a waste! :) Oh well, we did take a few pictures with Justin's phone.

I love going to see the Christmas lights at Temple Square, it is so beautiful. My favorite area is around the Assembly Hall where the sidewalks are lined with trees of PINK, PINK and more PINK on both sides.
LOVE IT!

Getting all bundled up and freezing our little noses off was well worth it!

I think all of northern Utah had the same idea that night because the Front Runner was WAY crowded. We didn't mind though, it was still fun and the kids loved every minute of it! Hayzen even found a little seat just his size.

Another festive Christmas activity checked off our list! :)

Fabulous Couples Christmas Party

We hosted the neighborhood Couples Christmas Party again this year and man oh man, was it FUN!!!
We ate yummy snacks and treats, had an 'ugly sweater' contest, played the candy bar game, played 'Couples Feud' and had a white elephant exchange!
Wahoo, let the fun begin!

We'll start with the ugly sweater contest. :) There were some amazingly ugly sweaters that's for sure, and here they are, in all of their glory!

Cousin Eddy...oh, I mean Justin & me

Ben & Trisha
*I absolutely LOVED Trisha's sweater! Her great-aunt Dolly hand crocheted it.
Isn't it a beaut?!!

Malissa & Sean

Brandon & Stacy & baby Hudson :)

Amy & Kirk

Jeramie & Peter

Brooke & Kevin

Cowgirl Carley & Chris
*LOVED Carley's classy sweater too! :)

Scott & Jana

And the winner is...

BRANDON!
I died over the red snowflake turtle neck and he even wore matching Santa socks! It was great!!

This candy bar game is one of our favorites! It got a little wild and crazy but that's what makes it so much fun!

Now let's turn the time over to the rockin' host of Couples Feud...

Oooo, SNAZZY!

What a fun game! Justin and I made it so there were 5 rounds, 2 regular rounds, 2 double points rounds and 1 triple points round.

The five questions were:
1. Top Christmas movies.
2. Songs that carolers might sing.
3. Items you put on a Christmas tree.
4. Fun things to do when you're snowed in.
5. Popular Christmas traditions.

It was a close game but the girls came away with the final round for the exciting win! Wahoo! Sorry fellas, maybe next year! :)

And this is where my camera battery died so no more pictures. But, we did play a fun little game to jumble up our white elephant gifts and then we went around the room and opened them one person at a time.
Let me tell you, there were some DoOziEs!
Have you ever seen a portable female urinal? I have! How 'bout a high class Christmas Eve Cinema, "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" DVD? ha ha!

Yes, I think it's safe to say that we had a
GOOD TIME!
loved it! loved it! loved it!

1 and a 1/2

I can hardly believe that my little Hayzen babe is 18 months old!

Already? Yes, already.

Sometimes it really is unbelievable how fast time seems to go these days...

This little fella is my JOY! He is such a happy, sweet, easy going little guy and is in such a fun stage right now. He points at everything with his cute chubby little finger and jabbers non-stop. He seriously couldn't be any cuter! Those big brown eyes and dark lashes and that sweet under bite grin make me want to grit my teeth and kiss him ALL.DAY.LONG!!!

At 18 months, Hayzen's measurements are:

Height: 30.5 inches 7%
Weight: 19 lbs. 2 oz less than 3% {in other words, little squirt}
Head: 18.5 inches 27%

He is officially my smallest 18 month old. Avery weighed in at 19.5, and Quinn was 20.3.
{Sheesh, do Justin and I produce shrimps or what?} :)

Hayzen received a clean bill of health except in one area, his ears. Unfortunately, because of his continual ear infections we had to schedule an appointment with an ENT for later this week. Looks like my poor little guy will most likely be getting tubes in his ears. It makes me a little nervous, but if it's going to prevent him from having constant and painful ear infections then I'm definitely willing to give it a go. We shall see I guess.

On a happier note, I am so glad that this little boy is mine!
I Love you my Hayzen Babe!

Watch your back!

This is mine and Quinney's amazing watch tower that we built with his blocks.

The two eyeballs on the side of the tower watch for,
"bad dies {bad guys} and pirates".

...because apparently, we have lots of those running around our house! :) Oh Quinney, you are Mama's sunshine!

The year of the 70's

This year both Dad and Dee turned 70 years old. In honor of their 70th birthdays, we came up with 70 reasons why we loved them. What a fun way to 'roast' them on their birthday! :)

Let's start with Tweedle Dee. Her birthday was in August and this is the cute jar I made to hold "70 Reasons Why We Love Dee".

Some of my favorites are...

~ We love Dee because she could furnish 3 additional houses with all her treasures.

~ We love Dee because she thinks diet coke is a suitable breakfast.

~ We love Dee because she'll drive 50 miles to save 50 cents.

~ We love Dee because she has a Madam Alexander doll for every occasion. Looking for a doll from the Northern Region of the Andes Mountain Range? No problem, she's got it.

~ We love Dee because she is proud to be what she terms as an "old bitch" which allows her to get the best deals at any shopping location around.

Oh Tweedle! ha ha! It really is a pleasure being your
daughter-in-law! Love ya!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dad just turned 70 a few weeks ago and this is the birthday bucket I made to hold his 70 reasons.

A few of my favorites...

~ We love Dad because he had absolutely no problem with waking us up at 2 o'clock in the morning to ask us where his 'yellow-handled' pliers were.

~ We love Dad because of his gourmet cooking skills. Whenever Mom was gone, we knew exactly what was for dinner...a bowl of bread and milk with a pinch of salt and pepper.

~ We love Dad because at family parties, the louder we talk, the louder he turns up the TV.

~ We love Dad because he gave each of us our own special nickname. Leisa-Bomber, Tamous-O-the-Chooch, Spuely-Pooper, Caredy-the-Poop, Nano-Button and Holly Hawkers.

~ We love Dad because he can always locate Mom no matter how far away she is, "CAROL!!!"

I love you Dad! Thanks for all the good laughs and all the fun memories over the years!
You're the BEST!