Bringing in the New Year!

So far our year has been busy. Just like everyone else, after the holidays, life keeps going. I don't know why I expect a lull but I do and every year I end up doing something just for me just because I am tired of living by the schedule. So this year my sense of taking control of my time and not being responsible came in the form of Claire's room. For two days I didn't even check my online class and I am sure my children were neglected (because we ALL need "us" time to be better people).



And this was Claire's reaction. This was by far more for me than for her.

Brooke and Ella did not want their vacation to end. So we let them have a slumber party in their room complete with blowup bed, popcorn, and a movie. So easy to please.


One other highlight of January was that Ella lost her first tooth on the same day that Claire got her first tooth in which also happened to be during our first home game of Fruity Battle! So many great firsts during our first month of the year. This was monumental for Ella because she loves being big and it was a right-of- passage for her. She even had "tears of joy" and went screaming around the house. I'm not kidding. She really cried. I am pretty sure that every relative and friend has been called and she is now making her way through the telephone directory.

A Few of My Favorite Things

This is why I love Christmas Vacation!

Christmas Eve Nativity and Talent Show! This year's talent show may have been one of the best. Almost everyone participated. It is amazing to me how much talent can be in one room:)

Christmas morning! One of my favorite moments was when Brooke and Ella got each other the same present-a mermaid Barbie-and they were both so excited they gave each other a huge hug. Priceless. Another favorite was when Ella was in the kitchen "helping" Grandma and Kristen when she ate a strawberry and said, "There is nothing like a good strawberry on Christmas morning!" Favorite #3 of that day was during Christmas breakfast. Mikelle was telling everyone how she remembers it being so hard to sit and eat Christmas breakfast when all she wanted to do was unwrap her presents. Ella exclaimed,"Oh, come on! This is the BEST!". I think she gets what it is really about. Favorite #4 would be Mikelle freaking out when she found out we are all going to Alaska this summer. Cute. Favorite #5: Russ in his Forever Lazy.

Ice fishing!





CABIN FUN. Games, snow, games, BB gun tournaments, food, games, movies. I think we all learned that we are just as bad at pool as we were afraid of.

See. I told you the Forever Lazy was amazing.

One word needed to explain. Quelf.

Parents-of-the-Year-Award may not be in reach this year. She will be showing these to her counselor some day. Let me explain the box and orange. I asked Rob to take her while I ran outside. I came back in and was greeted with my baby in a box eating an orange while Rob was taking advantage of his vacation time. It's a good thing she really is the best baby ever.


KANGAROO ZOO!!! AKA "My children's happy place".

This is the only part of our vacation that was bittersweet. Rob and Claire were sick and we didn't want to get baby Amelia and Evelyn sick so we decided not to stay with Amber and her family. Robert, Amber and Shanae met up with us for dinner in Salt Lake. Let me just say we definitely put our short amount of time to good use. I will proudly admit that tears came as I had to walk away from everyone. I think that is a good sign.


Temple Square Lights:)


Bringing in the New Year!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, and you, and you, and you!
This was my view on our way home. I'm sure she had a sore neck that night.

Christmas Cheer and In-Betweens

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! This Christmas Season has been one of my favorites. The girl's and I have been baking and crafting for weeks now and our home has a permanent scent of cinnamon as a result:) We have gone hunting for Santa's sleigh and reindeer (Brooke saw them in the sky once). The girls saw Santa. Ella asked for a trampoline along with a million other toys and Brooke sat on my lap next to Santa and didn't talk to him. Christmas songs are a favorite (Rob's version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is brilliant). We also have been reading a novel each night as we cuddle up by the fire.


This year both Ella and Brooke were able to be a part of the Christmas Program at their school. Ella was so excited but Brooke was terrified. So I gave her one of my necklaces and she had "put my love" into it so she could be brave. Cute. Ella also got one:) After the program Brooke told Rob that she wouldn't ever do that again. Ella quickly piped up and said that she loved it!


I have been busy baking in our new kitchen and Rob swears he washes at least one
cookie sheet every day. I also put together a church Christmas Program and had a blast with everyone! Thanks to all who participated! Now we can get excited for an Easter Program :)

As we close out this year here are some of my favorite pics from some of the in-between moments that I haven't posted. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Smiling in her sleep:)

Story time!

Caught with a pen!

My Squish

Apparently they ran out of gas mid-play...

their everyday clothes

Fall Holidays

Here's some pics from Halloween and Thanksgiving:) Ella and I were ballerinas. Brooke was Rapunzel. Claire was a kangaroo. Kristie was a super-dog. Rob was a beach bum but I don't have any pictures:(We went to the Blodgett Canyon ward party where some friends and I did a little mock-mom's-life-ballet. Then we ran over to our ward for a trunk or treat. And of course you can't beat trick-or-treating in the crazy Halloween Mecca of 3rd and 4th street. Seriously, it is something to behold.

This was our first ever Thanksgiving by ourselves so we decided to be completely unconventional and have a seafood dinner. I don't like turkey anyway. We went to a little cabin just out of town that had a little pond. The girls thought it was amazing. It was really quite small but they had so much fun. We played games and played outside. We had dinner on Friday instead of Thursday since we were at the cabin. Saturday was our big Christmas decorating day ( I LOVE this day!!!)

NEW KITCHEN!!! (finally)

Okay friends! Here it is! The kitchen:)


Some accessories...

And last but not least my Anthropologie board. The knobs are from Anthropologie, and the plants are air plants. My third plant froze so all we have left is the tiny seedling but another is on it's way:) I actually cut the board myself which is a big deal because I hate loud power tools. Yes, I used power tools. I guess you can teach old dogs new tricks.