Look like who???

Mikelle brought a pic of herself and one of Aubs as babies in the other day and was putting them on either side of Gracie's head! It was so cute and so funny! Who do you think she resembles more???

Snowmobile/sledding!

On new Year's Eve day we got together with our good friends the Halls. Julie and I have been friends since Junior High--we played sports together all through and they actually were living in Flag when we moved there and John and Ry both worked for GORE there and then they moved back and we did too and they both work for the same company again!~ Well, they live up in the hills and have all sorts of land on either side that is just clear and open. They took the kids on snowmobiles and let them go down the hills and then they would pick them up and ride them back up the hill and they lasted for a good 2 hours even in the freezing wind! So fun! And we both have baby girls who are 2 months apart -- we obviously stayed in with them and they had a great time too!

Just be-CUZ!

Got together the Monday after Christmas for dinner with the cuzins just be-CUZ! They played American Girls and the boys played castles and had so much fun!

Merry Christmas!.

Our tradition with my side of the family is Cheese fondue --- Every ChristmasEve for as long as I can remember! Then a cousin gift exchange and as adults we did a gift exchange playing the white elephant game! So fun! We got together the 23rd at Brent and Shelli's and had such a great time! My family has fallen in love with Ryan's Grandma O. so they invited her too and we had such a good time!

On Christmas Eve we had Andy, Kelly, RY and Jake come for Ry's family traditional Christmas Eve dinner-- Mexican! We had great night too and sure missed our Grandma and Grandpa who are serving in Zambia! Looking forward to next year!

Christmas Eve PJs!

A little Christmas story before bed!

One of Carter's favorite gifts (had it on ALL day!)

Gracie's first Christmas!

My parents kept my doll house all packed up and beautiful for the past 30 years! I decided it was the perfect year to give it to our girls! They were in heaven and even Carter loves playing with it!

Cherished gifts from G&G in Zambia!

Very Bountiful Baskets

So I finally did it! I logged into bountifulbaskets.org and went to get my basket of food today and this is what I came home with for only $35!!! For only $15 you get what they call a basket of produce and then you can add 5 loaves of 9 grain bread for only $10 and then I also added 2 dessert loaves for another 10-- But the produce alone was worth so much more! There are locations everywhere and it is such a deal! Check it out!!!

My early gift

When my friend Misti was here we decided that I should finally buckle down and get our family some real Christmas stockings! We have had socks in the past that were just random, non-matching socks and they have been great but these went on a great sale and I just had to take advantage of it! The kids love seeing their names on the mantle and it's really made our house feel like home!

TEMPLE SQUARE!

Last night we went to see the lights on temple square -- It was a beautiful night and we had a great time being with Mikelle -- She was going to go with us to the Mormon Tab. choir concert last Sat. but missed it because she got sick -- She was so disappointed so we decided to take her on a special date to dinner, lights and see one of the choirs perform at the Assembly Hall. And of course take a few snaps too!

Mikelle's ears!

So Kel has been begging us for FOREVER to get her ears pierced -- We have said after she is 8 -- It used to be 12 but we had to give in after a while. Her buddy Cali has hers done and talked her into not being scared and just going for it! We had told her that we would do it before Christmas and tonight seemed like a good time to just go do it! We took Cali and little sis. Aubs along to literally hold her hand and well, here's the process!

hold my hand!!!

Is it over yet?

I love them!!!!

Pretty cute ears!

Gracie's Blessing

Today we blessed our little Grace Marie. It was a very snowy day but
it was all white and so beautiful! It was a day to reflect on
her and her generations of wonderful family! Her middle name, Marie,
was my Mom's middle name so it has very special meaning.
The other special part of this day was her blessing dress!

This is the same Blessing dress that I was blessed 35 years ago!
My mom kept it tucked away and beautiful and we have now been
able to bless all three of our girls in this special dress!
It was a very special day to look at her and think
of where she comes from, who she is, and what is in store
for her in the future! We are so thankful for dear family
and friends who came and who mean so much to us and our family!

Ward Christmas party!

Friday night was our ward Christmas party-- It was a fun night -- ham dinner, entertainment, a visit from Santa, and a live nativity! Earlier in the week they called to see if our Baby Grace could be bundled up and be the "baby Jesus" I said that would be fine and told Ry about it at dinner that night -- We thought it was pretty cute-- Well, Carter did NOT! He was very upset with the whole idea and had no idea why we would think it was alright to let baby Jesus be played by a GIRL! Didn't we know!?!?! Well, by the time that night came -- he hadn't mentioned it again for a while until it came time to pull her out of her carseat and get her ready -- He looked at me and at her and said, "Mom, is she really baby Jesus?" And I said "honey, yes, just tonight." Then he thought for a minute, looked back up at me and said, "Well, then I'm the HOLY GHOST!" Oh boy! Did we have a laugh over that one -- this kid never ceases to make us laugh!

Fun with friends!

This past week we had our best buddies from Flag come to stay with us -- Mist and her cute kids Christian and Elise! We had the best time doing hair, taking pics, going shopping, making crafts, and jkust enjoying the time together -- it went WAAYYY too fast! Misti and I used to trade haircuts for photoshoots so we had to take advantage of the trading this week -- We all got great haircuts and we got her kid's pics done and had a blast! Can't wait to make my visit to Flag in the next few months!

2 months already!

So today Gracie is two months old and I cannot believe how fast that has flown! She truly is the best baby- (Ok -- SO I'm a little partial!) She's already sleeping 7 hour stretches at night and is cooing and full of smiles lately. It's been so much fun! And the kids have been so much help with her -- They love her to death! We all do! Happy two months little one!