Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy, Happy New Year!









As I sit here, I can see more beautiful snow fall outside my window. We'll be staying close to home tonight and kickin' it with our family. The girls played out in the snow this morning and MJ is looking forward to sledding tomorrow. Here some more pics from Christmas-enjoy the outtakes!

Wishing you many wonderful blessings in the new year!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Our little ballerinas


Last night the girls performed their ballet routine at halftime of two basketball games. They looked so cute and did a great job. They both thought it was lots of fun.




Tuesday, December 29, 2009

It's been a Merry Christmas!

We had a a nice Christmas this year, celebrating with Josh's family Christmas Eve and Christmas afternoon. We also attended the Christmas Eve service at church, which was beautiful. I love being in the church at night with all the lights and candles singing Christmas hymns. Reminds me of home. Mackenzie picked to sit in the second row and all the kids were a little more "entertaining" than normal. I thought the closer to the front the better they behaved. :) That must not work for my kiddos. The family behind us assured us they were adorable and all was well.

Here are a few pics. Our little camera, which I took with us to the various celebrations has somehow been misplaced. Probably by me. I think I remember taking it away from a certain 3-year-old who loves to take pictures, but I can't remember the safe place I put it in. Hopefully, it will be found soon.



Mackenzie had received a robe from G'ma Jo when she was around 2 and the girl was still trying to wear it. It barely covered her little buns. Lately the girls had been using it as a doctor's lab coat and fortunately wearing something underneath. So, G'ma Jo came to the rescue again and made this absolutely fabulous new purple fleece robe. MJ was so excited! She loves it and purple is her favorite color, so even better. Every night she puts in on over her pjs. It's so cute.








The kids opening presents Christmas morning. J did pretty well. Of course, he liked to try to eat the paper and bows, but he was also good at ripping things open. They are all wearing their new jammies from Nana they received Christmas Eve.



Our yummy homemade cinnamon rolls we had for breakfast. I made them the night before then put them in the fridge overnight then baked them that morning. I got a last minute idea to add some green colored buttercream frosting I had leftover from cookie decorating and a few red hots. The tree shape was MJ's request. I'm so glad I went to the extra effort to make these. We had enough for two more days of breakfasts. I think I might make them more often!



The girls and their cookies for Santa. And Jesus.



Emma is a red hot girl. She loves them. Hope everyone else does too because she uses them a lot when decorating her cookies. :)



While I was snapping photos of the girls from the other side of the counter, I saw this little head pop up, so I came back here and look what Little Man did! He climbed up there all by himself!! He wanted in on the cookie action. He also was holding onto the oven handle and when the girls moved, down came the door and down came Jayten. Oops! Poor little guy. Uh, bad mom, standing there taking pictures of this whole business. He is getting more mobile and more daring all the time.





When we got home from church, the girls got to decorate a few cookies before heading to bed.

Hopefully I'll have more photos to share soon!

Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas, spending time with family and friends, and reflecting on the joy of Christ's birth. God bless!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

More weekend fun



The girls were showing off their new dance costumes. Isn't that look on Emma's face full of mischief? I had told her to stop so I could take a picture. She turned around and bent over and said, "Take a picture of my bum!" I couldn't believe it. Where did that come from? It was so unexpected, yet I had to stifle my laugh because it was shocking and funny at the same time. We're going to have to watch her; I'm afraid she knows she's funny too.



Here she's doing one of her poses. I could barely get her to stand still. She was mostly trying to sasché across the floor, which is supposed to be a graceful move from side to side. Her version is a little bit more like shuffles from sports practice. But, you can't help but smile at a little girl in a pink tutu!





Mackenzie was an angel in our church Christmas program.



We went to church Sunday morning then to M&C's for lunch to celebrate Matt's birthday.

It was a fun, full weekend of family activities and lots of memories!

Fun busy weekend

Last Friday, I went into Mackenzie's class for her Christmas party while Mich watched E and J. I could tell she was really excited to have me there as she kept walking me around the class to look at things and didn't really want me leaving her side. I was so glad I could be part of the day with her. She's been talking for a week now about all the fun surprises they had been making at school. She's not much of one for keeping a surprise a surprise. :)

Afterward the girls, Mich and I headed to Horseshoe Bend to catch the ThunderMountainLine's Northpole Express. It was a train ride up to the "North Pole" to meet Santa. There were carolers on board, food and drinks. We met Mark, Carla and Carla's family up there. The kids had a great time. It was a pretty ride (at least when it was still light out). I'd love to go sometime in the summer too. MJ kept running and jumping in the snow. Emma was collecting snow to bring home. We distracted her with a candy cane so she didn't get upset about leaving it. They both talked to Santa, and told him what they would like for Christmas, then each received a candy cane. We've never done anything like this, but I've always wanted to. I'm glad we decided to try it this year. The girls are at the perfect age to really enjoy it.

On Saturday we went to Jared and Stephanie's. Us girls went shopping for a family we adopted through the Boys and Girls Club, then we all went to the Botanical Gardens. Each year they decorate the gardens in thousands of Christmas lights. It was quite an exhibit. My photos don't do it justice. Then, we headed back to the house for pizza and present wrapping.



MJ thought Jayten needed a bow on his head.



Boise Botanical Garden aGlow



The girls thought the lights were super cool. They even got to meet and pet a real reindeer.



Emma and her snowballs. She kept picking them up and wanted to bring them home from the Northpole.



Meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Northpole.





We toured the train and were checking out all the cars.



It was fun being a part of MJ's Christmas party at school.



Her teacher had lots of fun activities planned for the kids.



She was very proud of her Gingerbread house made out of Graham crackers.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Christmas Decor Home Tour....

...courtesy of Mackenzie! After we decorated a few weekends ago, MJ must have taken the little camera around the house because these are what I found on it when I was uploading photos!



Peace on Earth-Goodwill toward men, always a good motto to remember!


MJ's Advent Wreath (yes, I realize we are missing the candles). I received a really neat new one for my bday, so I gave her this one. She thought it would be better with a Christmas tree in the middle of it.


We put a couple decorations in the girls' bathroom.


Emma's Christmas decor-a Nutcracker from G'ma Carla and a wintery Tigger from Daddy.


Our blue and orange Boise State tree with Denver Bronco ornaments. It's down in the TV room. And Josh's golf Nutcracker. A fitting touch for the sports-themed room.


This is the kids' table. The girls decorated it.


My beautiful Willowtree Nativity. Love this set!


I seem to have quite a collection of snowmen. They are displayed above the piano. MJ put the candles up there too.


Mary, Joseph and Jesus-hidden behind the baby gate up around the tree so J doesn't get into them. I bought this set at a craft fair the first year we were married and I just love the rustic simplicity of it.



Our tree-the girls chose to put colored lights on it this year. And they decorated it too. Of course, I put some of the ornaments on the high branches, but they did a great job getting the rest on there.

I hope you enjoyed the tour from eyes of a child!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Latest happenings at our house


Showing off his new trick-walking with his push cart.


Emma helped cut out the Gingerbread people.


J's favorite game in the kitchen-empty the towel drawer!


First snow and snow castles



Strike a pose girl-MJ's dance performance

Cousins


It was so cute watching these two check each other out.

Thanksgiving '09


Mya and Jayten thought each other were pretty cool and were laughing at each other at the end of the evening.


Little J's 1st Thanksgiving


Our Cookie Display




The girls spent some time coloring after dinner.


It was Little Mya's 1st Thanksgiving too!


E came in all decked out and ready to help. She looked so cute in her hat and apron.


MJ was ready to help prepare our Thanksgiving feast.



The girls showed off their Thanksgiving crafts.