All I want for Christmas...

Aaron lost is 2nd front tooth the day before Christmas Eve :) So all he wanted for Christmas was his 2 front teeth (and a couple of other things!) These two are 2 peas in a pod. Those are some mischievous grins if I ever saw any.

I love these kiddos so much. Christmas morning was a lot of fun. I love that Christmas is so magical and exciting for them. I hope that always lasts.

Good morning! Our morning started at 6:30. Not bad, I thought.

Santa brought Aaron and Ashton their very own bottle of Root Beer. They were soooo excited!

Aaron (and Ashton) got "spy kits" and I don't know if they've taken their spy glasses off since that morning.

Preston was fascinated with his candy cane.

Livia has LOVED her purse that Aunt Marla made her. She's packed it around everywhere.

Ella quickly changed into her new PJ's from Grandma and Grandpa. :)

Santa got the boys their very own snowmobile!!!--non motorized... (Now we just need snow!)----they've actually done pretty well on the hills even with no snow. hehehe

On Monday my brother and his family, and my sister and her husband came up. We had a lot of fun!! We took them to Brooklyn's playground. (It was a little chilly---but my kids still had fun. Kaden got a little cold though.)

Ella shared her jacket with Kaden. My kids were playing tag and running around in just their T-shirts! Crazy kids!

I love this grin on Miss Liv's face! She was having so much fun!

Preston couldn't get enough of the slide

And Sarah with her mouth full---we came back and had pizza. FUN DAY!!!

Sarah and Kelvin surprised the boys with Light Sabers that actually light up and make sounds. The boys were in HEAVEN! Sarah made herself a Darth Maul (sp?) costume and the boys dueled! hahaha. Enjoy the video!

Our December so far....

We've been super busy this month! (Mostly trying to get our basement finished before Christmas---which I think is going to happen! Carpet is scheduled for Friday!! WOO HOO!)

At our church Christmas party, a special visitor from the North Pole came.........
Preston was NOT interested at all.....sorry Santa
Ella was shy and didn't tell him anything that she wanted.

Aaron wasn't shy and said right away that he wanted a snowmobile. Why not shoot for the stars right? :)

And Ashton told Santa he wanted Light Sabers. :)

Aaron had his Christmas music concert at the nursing home. His teacher is the little Hispanic gal kind of behind him (Aaron's in the blue jacket in the front). I'm really liking his teacher now.

Singing away!

OK---for everyone who lives near me----or if you want to travel a distance to come see----Pocatello's newest and most amazing park ever....Brooklyn's playground!!!!!! Talk about amazing in every way!!!!! We are going here lots from now on.

They had a whole section just for little kids. Preston could have spent the whole time right here.

Ella and Aaron on a fun spinning thing

Adam and Livia

Livia climbed up high!

A beautiful princess looking out of her tower!

Ashton made some friends and spent the whole time playing football instead of playing on the playground. I thought that was funny- and then afterwards he complained about not getting to play on the playground for very long. Sorry buddy--- We will be back here soon.

Hi Preston!

Lights, Lights, Lights!!!

Adam and I got to go with our church youth group to Salt Lake City and see Temple Square, and the beautiful Christmas lights!! It was so much fun- and the lights were just amazing.

We got down early enough on Saturday to take some tours first. We started with the church history museum. (I could have spent all day there).....This is neat though----Adam and I were in different groups for this museum and we each only took 1 picture in the entire museum--and this is the picture that we both took-----it stood out to both of us.......

It says, "What E'er thou art, act well thy part." And it is a magic square on the bottom. (vertically, and horizontally-they add up to 18 in this square)---It just means, whether you're a 2 or a 10- you're important, and needed--and without you, it just doesn't work. We both just loved this.
Then we went to the Assembly Hall. BEAUTIFUL!

Adam was admiring the masonry (naturally)

Out of order, but this is when we first walked outside and saw the Christmas lights, and the lights of the temple. Breathtaking!

Back to the right order---Next we went to the Tabernacle

ok- another picture in front of the temple

Here's the tabernacle---Such an incredible building!!! And it was neat to see the famous organ. This is where the Mormon Tabernacle choir sings every Sunday.

I just couldn't get enough of the lights.

(We texted that picture to the kids who were with Adam's parents, and Aaron says, "They went to Disneyland without us!!!" hahaha---he thought at first that it was fireworks over the castle. ) Silly boy, we wouldn't go to Disneyland without you......or maybe we would. :)

And we set up our Christmas tree--and admired those pretty lights!

I love this picture---Preston was just staring and staring at the beautiful lights, and tree. It's so magical to the kids, and I just love that.

I hope everyone is enjoying all the beautiful lights this time of year. And keep in mind the reason we celebrate this wonderful season. Christ is the Light of the World. I am so grateful for my Savior.

Thanksgiving

We spent our Thanksgiving with Adam's parents and sister's family this year. Yummy food and about a pie a person is how his family does it. That's ok with me!

Preston was loving the cheese whiz! haha--right out of the can! A far off pic, but this was the closest the girls would let me get with a camera! Brooklyn and Livia had a lot of fun playing.

These are out of order- but WE ARE FINISHING OUR BASEMENT!!!! And can you tell I'm just a little excited?! After 7 years of unfinished--I am looking forward to more comfortable living space down there. I'll post more pics in a bit---but I thought this was cute.

Preston is learning how to hold a pencil properly

He learned from the best. :)

More basement pics to come---today we are going to tape and texture it!

Ok- back to Thanksgiving....

Hello Dad!

Ashton loves running around grandma and grandpa's house. (He spent most of his time in their elevator. I'll get a pic of that next time!)

And Ella spent most of her time on the clavinova. That is a fun piano!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! We have so much to be grateful for.