Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve has always been a favorite day for me. I have wonderful memories of going to my Grandma McAllister's house and being with family on Christmas Eve. I have very vivid memories of when I was seven and the Christmas dress I got from my Grandma. Now Anna is seven and going to Grandma Mac's too! These pictures are out of order but here is a small Christmas miracle... ALL kids smiling and looking at the camera in their new jammies!!!

Carly was Mary and Tate was Joseph. Brad was baby Jesus and was surprisingly ok about it. So cute when Mary and Joseph played peek-a-boo to keep baby Jesus happy!

Mac was a sheep for about 5 seconds then he just wanted to ride around on McKay's back.

Mary riding on the donkey (Adam) to Bethlehem.

Sydney and Anna were Angels.

Grandma Mac with Brad.

Not quite sure what Brad was doing in this picture. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for ANOTHER wonderful/magical Christmas Eve.

First Fun in the SnOw!

Our trip to Utah was quite an adventure. We ended up staying the night in St. George because of a storm. The kids had a great time staying in a hotel. A hotel room with four kids was interesting (to say the least) but eventually we all went to sleep. We ate at restaurant right next to our hotel because Anna flipped out when she saw the sign that said they serve ribs. It was our lucky night because it was also a sports grill AND it was all-you-can-eat ribs night! We ate ribs and watched the Cougs win their bowl game. First thing we did was play in the snow from the storm that derailed us a bit! McKay was the lucky winner of "adult snow supervisor." Mac wasn't too sure about the snow and was the first to come inside but I think his gear weighed more than he did!

It wasn't good snowman/snowball building snow but the kids did have fun throwing snow at each other.

Me taking pictures from inside the warm house.

Opening Presents with the Barlows

Before we left for Utah we opened presents with the Barlows. Lucky we did because we needed all the warm clothes we got! Thanks! Also, Amazing Kate gave us some scrapbooks for the boys for Christmas - can you say priceless?!? She made a scrapbook for each of the girls and had our name for Christmas so she is incredible and did one for each of the boys! Words cannot express my gratitude Kate - thank you sooo much!

Brad meets Bradley

Brad and Bradley finally got to meet! Brad wasn't too sure about the whole experience (see below) but we're sure they will be best buds when they are a little older.

I can see some family resemblance!

Brad telling Bradley "let's do this again sometime."

Fun in the Cupboard

The ultimate fun for Brad is the pantry cupboard. When I need to get a few thing done (mostly finish cooking dinner) I let him have at it! I try not to let him to it all the time so it doesn't loose it's charm!

Ward Christmas Party - Meeting "Santa"

We had a great Ward Christmas Party where Santa came. Carly and Anna assured us many times that it was Carly's primary teacher helping Santa out. Mac and Brad would have nothing to do with him. I thought Brad would at least sit on his lap for a picture but he burst into tears when I set him on his lap!

Bwad Bawlow

Mac is still perfecting his "r's" so for now Brad is Bwad. And since Mac is 2, it is adorable. Brad is crawling and he is everywhere! Sometimes Mac will see Brad coming and pick up his toys and run screaming "no Bwad!" Brad thinks this is hilarious. Below is Brad coming for the camera. Life has definitely changed now that he is EVERYWHERE! Yesterday I caught him standing up holding on to the kitchen chair. I am not sure why but all my kids have loved playing under the kitchen table. Maybe they are looking for some scraps of food?

Extraordinary Things Take EXTRAordinary Effort

My friend Michelle (who we went to the temple with) reminded me of this statement the other day. When we took the kids down to the LA Temple on Friday night I thought of this saying because of the EXTRAORDINARY effort it took. We stayed the night in the temple apartments and our van looked like we were packed for a 10 day vacation! The kids loved walking around seeing the lights (it is no SLC Temple but it was also still 60 degrees at 8 at night - ya can't have it all.) The Temple aparments are great but the walls are a little thin. Brad woke up about 16 times during the night and since I could hear every conversation/cough the people next to us were having I was pretty sure they could hear every whimper Brad made. McKay and I were both able to do a session so it was all worth it. I hope the kids remember it as a special time!

Thankful for these munchkins on Thanksgiving...

A Yee-Hawin' Good Time

I finally gave in and decided to have a 'friend' birthday party for Anna. We invited the girls from her school class and friends from church. We had a cowgirl theme and decorated our garage like a barn. McKay even got some straw at the feed store and threw it on the ground. We had peanuts on the tables and the girls loved throwing the shells on the ground. I LOVED that we could have the whole party outside - even in November! Opening her presents on the ladder.

Her pink pony cake with bubble tape hair.

We learned a line dance - the girls like this the best! They learned it quick and really got into it.

We lassoed a 'pony.'

Decorating cowgirl hats with jewels, markers, and glitter letters. We also had a relay race with stick ponies but it was quite chaotic so no pictures were taken.

We gave out CD's with the line dance on it for the 'goodie bag.' It was TONS of fun but I have to admit I was really glad when it was over! Anna was so excited and happy so it made it all worth it. She also got a new pink bike for her birthday (broken camera=no pictures.) I was so tired that night that I could barely walk! Seriously! :)