Easy Bake Oven

Mackenzie received an Easy Bake Oven from Uncle Joe for Christmas. Her first dessert was a yellow cake with chocolate frosting. And of course, she had to add some sprinkles for extra decoration. 

Holiday Reflections

We were overwhelmingly blessed by all our families' generosity this year. And while we appreciate all we received, the best presents really are the family and friends we have both here and far away. We have two beautiful girls who remind us each day that life is precious and short. We are awaiting the arrival of a third blessing as well and whatever that baby brings will be just as wonderful. We both have our health and fortunately we are both able to work in positions that keep us close to family and provide us with some good challenges. We are thankful each and every day God sent his son, Jesus, for us and hope that during the year we can share that love with others. 

I've thought lately there really is a fine line between appreciating all I have and yet being realistic that neither myself nor my life are perfect. My house gets messy, alot. I get impatient with my husband, kids, others. Sometimes the everydayness (my word) of life is overwhelming. Just like everyone else we have daily challenges to overcome, but, when I stop and think past that, I know that I don't have much to complain about. I also pray that if and when a bigger challenge arises, I will still turn to God and praise him as he helps us through just like he helps us survive the every day challenges. 

God bless you all in 2009!

Malson Christmas

We went up to Mark and Carla's Christmas Day to celebrate with them. After a great soup dinner and opening presents, we headed outside for some sledding. The girls had a blast going down the hill away from the house with Carla and Matt. MJ even went by herself. She actually didn't get stopped and took off down the hill. She kept going and going and going-even headed up another hill before she got stopped. We were all laughing so hard. Finally, she stopped and started running back. We were all yelling get your sled. Matt went after and helped get her and the sled. She said it was a lot of fun until she stopped and realized how far away from the house she was. I wish I'd gotten it all on tape. It would have made a perfect America's Funniest Home videos. After that, we came in to warm up with hot chocolate, movies and a game of Cranium. It was a great day with family.

Christmas morning 1

More Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at Katrina's house with Josh's brothers, uncles, aunts and Grandma. It was a nice evening. The guys enjoyed their annual game of Scene It-Sports Edition. 

Christmas Eve

Playing in the snow

I convinced Emma if she wanted to stay outside she had to get proper winter attire on. She climbed up on this drift all by herself. She was pretty proud. If she had sunk, it would have been up to her waist. 

In the last photo, she was standing at the door trying to tell Mackenzie to come outside to play.

Who needs a coat?

The other day I was working in the office and the phone rang. It was Josh who asked if I knew that Emma was outside. I said no, where is she? And where are you? I thought he was at the barn. Luckily, he was here out on the patio shoveling snow. Well, Miss Emma saw her Daddy out there, put her snow boots on and headed out the garage door to help him! 

Emma's new room

Along with starting to wear big girl undies in December, Emma also hit another milestone of moving to a big girl bed. We purchased the bed before we left for San Diego and set it up after we returned. Emma took right to it. She has done really well. My mom made this quilt for her. I found the sheets and pink comforter on sale. Haven't gotten much else done as far as decorating, but this is a start. 

At naptime and night, we just put her in bed, say her prayers, make sure she has her monkeys, say goodnight and close the door. Both of the girls have been good sleepers and we're quite thankful for that. Hope this next baby is too!

Merry Christmas to all! Hope the holidays have been safe, happy and bright for all of you. Will post pics soon! 

Fun in the snow

The girls have really enjoyed the snow. They get all bundled up in snow gear and head out. MJ's even been out when it's snowing and blowing! This day was pretty nice. She went sledding at Grandpa and Grandma's so every day she asks to go sledding. She was nice enough to pull Emma around for a little bit. This is the first winter we've been outside playing that much; I didn't realize how much they like it. Although, Emma has lost her boots a couple times, she comes crying to me in her stocking feet holding her boot. Luckily, she warms up pretty fast and is ready to head back out the next day. Mackenzie loves making snow angels, rolling around in the snow and trying to climb up the big drifts. 

Christmas program

After the kids did their program, a surprise guest showed up-Santa. Mackenzie was eager to sit on his lap and visit with him. Emma hung out about four feet away and said hi, but didn't want to get any nearer. She did, however, enjoy all the cookies. 

I, said the cow

First, I'm sorry this video is sideways. I didn't realize I wouldn't be able to rotate the video after the fact. But, I thought it was still cute. Mackenzie had her preschool Christmas program on Thursday. She was a cow. Their program told the story of the birth of Jesus. She had a couple speaking parts and they sang several songs. She did very well and looked adorable if I do say so. Grandma Carla got to come so she was excited to have her in the audience along with Josh, Emma and I. Emma clapped the whole time. She got really excited when she spotted Mackenzie on stage. I had to take the video after her performance because I was taping the show with the other camera during it. She went through it pretty fast and was ready to get out of that costume! 

More cookie making

MJ frosted sugar cookies yesterday afternoon. It's so nice she's big enough I can just hand her the frosting and sprinkles and let her go to town. Her philosophy is the more sprinkles the better. Luckily, she doesn't get too carried away with frosting. 

On Wednesday, Emma helped me make Christmas Monster cookies. MJ had decided she'd rather play so it worked out nice only having one helper in the kitchen; although Miss Emma wasn't too excited about posing for the camera.