Blizzard!

Ok so it wasn't a blizzard unless you live in West Texas. Otherwise it was what you might call a "skiff" of snow. But the kids were excited and tried to build a snowman which just ended up as a tiny pile of snow. These pictures were taken later in the day, so there was actually a little more snow on the ground than what you see!

Christmas

Christmas was a lot of fun, even though we were a little bummed we didn't get to go to Utah or Oregon to visit family. We made the best of it, and had our own little celebration with our family. On Christmas Eve we went to a friend's house, the Billings. They made a delicious dinner then we went out caroling. We are not big on caroling but it turned out pretty fun. We decided it was the only way we could crash other peoples parties and get away with it!
Christmas morning we woke up and the kids checked out their stockings and gifts from Santa. Dayna got an art easel, Ethan got some sports stuff, and Chelsie got a doll and stroller. After that we ate breakfast and the kids opened the rest of their presents. Soon after that Evan got called out to work and was gone for the rest of the day, but it was ok because we didn't have any other big plans. I was going to make a big dinner with ham, potatoes, rolls, etc. but we ended up having it later that week because there was no way I was going to make a big dinner and then have to sit there and yell at my kids to eat it! Anyway, Christmas turned out to be a lot of fun. Here are some pictures from the big day...

This picture cracks me up because she looks like shes nursing the baby.

The day after Christmas we went and bought the kids some remote control cars. Oops! We didn't quite get our shopping done before Christmas and Evan had really talked up getting these cars so the kids were really excited about it. Evan wanted to get really fast, fancy remote control cars (for him or for the kids?) but in the end we just got some cheap but fun remote control cars. We went straight from the store to the park to try them out.

One last picture of the kids in their new Sunday clothes. Ethan didn't actuallly get anything new, but he sure looks handsome!

Merry Super Late Christmas Everyone!

Dayna's Preschool Party

The week before Thanksgiving, Dayna's Preschool class had a little Thanksgiving Feast. She dressed up as an indian for the day. Here are just a few cute pictures...

This is Dayna with her friend Austy, a friend from Church, school and dance.

Trip to Utah/Thanksgiving

I know we are almost through January, but its been so long since I've posted anything that I thought I better get Thanksgiving in here. The week of Thanksgiving we drove up to Utah to spend some time with my family. We took Evan's truck so it was a tight fit. Evan made a little shelter in the back for the dogs (can't go anywhere without them...) and we were all just snug in the cab. We left Friday night and drove all through the night. Evan made me drive a little which I did not want to do because his truck is a manual, but it turned out ok. I don't know why I am so terrified of driving a manual car, but I am! Anyway, we made awesome time and got there around noon on Saturday. We just kind of relaxed for the rest of the day, then on Sunday we went to Eagle Mountain for church. After church we went to Brian and Janel's for dinner and my nephew Cole's birthday celebration.

On Monday morning we went out and did a little shopping because the kids didn't really have any warm clothes. We had to buy some long pants, coats, etc. for the kids so they didn't freeze while we were there. Evan and I also went to Rodigio Grill for lunch to celebrate his birthday which was the previous Saturday. Monday night we went to Susan and Andrew's for dinner. After dinner the kids kept getting all dressed up and going around the room like a parade. It was fun to have them together. I think that is the thing we miss the most- having cousins around to play with.

Tuesday morning we went to the Draper Temple since we don't get to go very often. Our nearest Temple is in Lubbock, 2 1/2 hours away. Tuesday night we went out to Eagle Mountain and had dinner with some friends.

Wednesday we went to the park with Evan's sister Adrienne and our niece Daphne, who is the same age as Dayna. They always have so much fun together. After the park we went to Olive Garden for lunch, then to a new store in the area called Scheels.

Of course Thursday was Thanksgiving. We all got together at my mom and dad's for dinner. Before dinner I had a little craft for the kids to do. We made Indian headbands and pouches. It was fun but maybe a little too much to be doing right before/as we are getting everything ready for Thanksgiving dinner. Now, dinner was delicious with all of the usual dishes... turkey, stuffing, potatoes, rolls, etc. etc. etc. Everything was so yummy. After dinner I had a little story that I had some of the kids act out, and we talked about the meaning of Thanksgiving. Then I gave all of the kids some candy to put in their pouches they made. Most everyone went to their other side of the family for dessert so we just had a little Ice Box Pie with my parents and relaxed for the rest of the day. Until, that is, we went out to do a little Black Friday shopping.

Friday morning Evan went shooting with some friends while I packed us all up to make the long journey home. We went a little bit longer way home, through Las Vegas, to pick up a piano for me (from KSL) and visit with Nan and Pops. Man, the drive home was so much longer than the drive up. But, all in all, the week was great. Thanks to everyone who made it so much fun. We sure do love visiting!

Happy Halloween 2012

Halloween was a lot of fun this year. The Monday before Halloween we carved pumpkins, which we had never done before as a family. Dayna wanted hers to be sad, and Ethan wanted his to be mad. This was a quick project because the kids needed to get to bed, so don't judge our pumpkins too harshly!

On Halloween, Dayna had her dance class. They got to wear their costumes to class, and take treats for everyone in the class. They practiced for about half of class, then the parents got to go in and watch them do their Halloween dances. Then they all had treats. Everyone gave us extra because I had Ethan and Chelsie with me. Score!
The night of Halloween we went to the church for a little party. First we were inside and they had games all set up for the kids- things like a ring toss, pumpkin bowling, etc. Then we all went out in the parking lot for some trunk or treating. I think the kids really had fun, and they got way too much candy, which I have eaten a good majority of. The first pictures are some "action" shots at the party, then the rest are from the next day when I made them get back into their costumes so I could take some pictures.

Pirate Ethan won the award for best kids costume. He got a certificate and a $10 gift card to Chick-Fil-A

Sleeping Beauty

Elmo

At the Park

Some of the women with young kids in our ward get together every Wednesday morning at the park to let the kids play together. I wish I was with it enough to go every Wednesday, but I'm not. However, we did go recently on a day that was very cold. Here are a few random pictures from our trip to the park.

New Windshield

I had a scary thing happen to me. I was driving down the freeway and suddenly a pipe, or something, flew off the road from the tires of the truck in the lane next to, and in front of me. It hit my windshield right in front of my face. This was not just a little rock chip. It put a hole through my window. I had glass shards in my lap! I took down the name and phone number of the truck, but I never called. I'm pretty sure it was just on the ground and flew up at me, so it wasn't really their fault. I was on my way to a doctor's appointment, so I just kept going then afterwards I went straight to a windshield repair place. Anyway, if that "object" had really broken my windshield I would have been seriously hurt! Heavenly Father is watching over us!

This picture doesn't really do it justice.