Christmas!

We had a fabulous Christmas!

On Christmas Eve we went to my Mom's and had dinner at their church, it was fun being in the gym, we played volleyball, basketball and a little football. We had tons of yummy stuff to eat and I have to say that I overstuffed myself. I also just had to have a tiny little food fight with my nephew Bradyn, he was REALLY asking for it, so I obliged.

Jack and Scarlet "The Tiny Reindeer"

The kids with the help of my parents put on a little play "Twas the Night Before Christmas". My Dad narrated and my Mom helped the kids act it out. It was pretty cute. Trenton was the head reindeer and got to pull Santa (My nephew - Bradyn) around the stage, Santa was riding a skateboard. Hallie was Mama and Kyler (my nephew) was Papa. The littlest kids were the "kids" and also one was "the mouse" and they also got to be the "tiny reindeer". They had a blast.

Hallie singing and signing "Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer"

After that, Hallie performed some Christmas songs for us, she sang "Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer" and also signed to it. Then she sang a song in Hebrew that she had learned from her teacher.

David & Trenton

Trenton and my brother David played a duet of "Up on the Roof Top" on their trumpets, my Sister and her husband sang a song in French and also mixed it up with my sister playing her flute for part of it. Then my sister-in-law Heidi played her guitar and sang "Once in Royal David's City", it was really beautiful.

Heidi

After much begging from Hallie we then went to my Mom's and sang a few Christmas songs and opened some presents from Grandma Julia and then FINALLY we went home. Poor Jack was totally miserable and the only thing he wanted to do was to go to bed.

We always have a Christmas Eve present for the kids to unwrap which always consists of jammies, so not a big surprise for them, but the always look cute Christmas morning in the new p.j.'s.

The kids finally all got settled in and then the wrapping and staging fest began. Hal and I finally turned in for the night at about 1:30, but then Jack and Addy took turns being up most of the night and we also had a little visitor at 3:30 in the morning informing us that the Christmas tree lights were out and that Santa wouldn't be able to see what he was doing. After explaining to this certain daughter that Santa must have bumped into the plug himself and was in too much of a hurry to plug back in the lights. I convinced her to go BACK TO BED! If she only knew that Santa turned off the lights on purpose so that this certain daughter couldn't peak at the gifts in the middle of the night, hahahaha, sneaky Santa!

Well, by 7am this was one TIRED Mama! We all came downstairs too see what Santa had left. He brought a WII fit and 3 games that can be played with the balance board. Hallie and Trenton were THRILLED! He also brought Jack a toy garage, Jack was also thrilled. We had the kids open the little presents that Santa stuffs in their stockings and then this tired Mama made a request that she get to take a nap before opening the rest of the presents. So, off I went to bed. I actually took a nap!! Can you believe it! It was FABULOUS! Addy and I woke up at about 9:30 and then the present opening began -

We then made the rounds and went to Grandma & Grandpa St. Julien's, where we talked to Uncle Steven (My Brother), he is serving his mission in Wisconsin, it was fun chatting with him. After that we went to Hal's Dad's and then ended with Hal's Mom's house. The kids are always so excited to get home where the can play with all of their new toys.

All in all it was a wonderful couple of days!

Fun in the Snow

My little sister and the kids that she nannies came over to play in the snow and to hang out for the day. Bryce (Shelley's charge) loves to play with "Jack-Jack" and since he started kindergarten this year he hasn't had a chance to play in a while. Mabel (Bryce's sister) gets to play with Jack a lot and Bryce is always jealous when he hears what May-may has been up to. So, he was super excited to make the pilgrimage from SLC to Spanish Fork to hang out with Jack and Hallie for the day.

Shelley came totally prepared to play in the snow, both kids had all their gear and they were geared up to play too. Unfortunately May needed a nap, but, this was VERY fortunate for Jack, he borrowed her snow gear and didn't mind being dressed in pink from head to toe, he actually LOVED it. I am a frugal Mom and can't see spending lots of $$ on snow gear when it will only last 1 season, so my poor kids freeze. I guess I should make a trip to Wal-mart and buy some boots and bibs, because they had SO much fun playing in snow.

Congratulations Graduate!

Guess who has a degree????

HAL!!!

I just couldn't be happier and wanted to share it with the world!

Way to go Sweetie!

Okay, so it isn't totally official yet, but he had his exit interview and his professors professed their love for him and he has finished all of his classes and is getting a 4.0 for this semester, so I am sure that we will have the degree in hand soon.

This isn't truly life changing because Hal is already working as a mechanical draftsmen and will continue working for the same company doing the same job, but this means that I will have a husband home more! YAY!!!!! Maybe now the basement will get done.

Monday Night Fun!

It was Hallie's turn to plan Family Home Evening and she wanted to decorate a gingerbread house. This is an event that she looks forward to all year long.


Hallie working hard! Putting on a lot of little balls that she used to make "lights".

Trenton got innovative and used cheese crackers for his shingles.

Trenton showing off his side.



Hallie thinks her side is the best!


The whole gang! Jack thought this was so cool! But, he would rather eat all the goodies than put them on some silly house.


The finished product!

New Love!

I found a new favorite blog, thanks to Libby. I only wish I had a daughter that would let me play with her hair and I also wish I knew more about hair. Anyone want to teach me how to french braid? I have to tell you that I have tried to learn before, but I am seriously handicapped when it comes to hairstyling.

Princess Hair

And so I can enter a drawing for a CUTE hat, here is a link to a darling bowtique!

Posh Baby Bowtique

Jack - Before and After

Sweet and innocent?!?!


Family Room ~ Before

Family Room ~ After


Kitchen ~ Before

Kitchen ~ After


Nativity ~ Before

Nativity ~ After


Yep, it's official, I have a BUSY, BUSY, BUSY toddler! Can someone explain to me why I am still gaining weight when I am running and cleaning up after him all day long! I should be a size freaking 2 with the amount of energy I spend on this kid, LOL!!! Good thing I love him to pieces and think he is the sweetest, cutest little boy EVER!