Landon Turns 9!

We get done celebrating New Years and Landon's birthday always sneaks up on us. Since Marcus had the day off, Landon was able to open his presents in the morning. He got some scouting stuff to move up into Bears, and he got a new bike.


Landon ready to go



Cars Wii game from gma and gpa





I really just love looking at his expressions when he opens a present





Bear book for scouts


Very happy about his scouting stuff


This present has a note from us to pick out a new bike. We got it on video, it was great watching him.

We were able to take him shopping and get a new bike that is green and gray. He was really excited about it. It has been sunny so he has been able to ride it every day. When we got home from getting his bike the kids and Marcus got to Skype Grandma and Grandpa Simons for his birthday while I made his birthday cake. A chocolate one of course because he is my child. For dinner he requested chicken and broccoli dinner with sparkling cider. It was pretty low key day. He rode his bike and played his new Cars game on the Wii.


Landon's chocolate cake














That night he was ready to start working on his Bear.



Happy birthday to my clever, high strung, smart, book lover, challenging, perfectionist Landon. We love you!

Kylie Turns 7!!

Kylie had been bugging me since Thanksgiving to go to Grandma's house. She has always been a grandma's girl with both of her Grandma's. So I talked Marcus into taking Thursday and Friday off and going up to Grandma's house. We packed up Thursday morning. Kylie got to talk to her Grandma and Grandpa Simons who are serving a mission in Poland. I made Potato soup and bread for dinner. We played games opened presents and ate cake. She got to play with her cousins all day, so I think she had a fabulous day.


After playing chubby bunny at her cousin Karlie's party, Kylie wanted to play for hers.


Ben and Naomi. Such a funny and yet gross game!


Lined up to play Chubby Bunny



We had an obstical course where you spin three times, run, lift a weight, run and pop a balloon, and run back to your team.






Kylie wanted a vanilla cake and icing for her birthday. My mom mentioned a cream cake with pinocch frosting. It sounded great to Kylie, so Grandma Vernae made her one, colored green per Kylie's request.





And blow



Ready for a piece?


Kylie got the first one



I think she liked it!





And so did her cousins.



Happy Birthday my beautiful, kind, helpful, snugly Kylie bug. I can't believe you are 7 now!

Chirstmas 2011

We displayed all of our presents up on our shelves so the kids could look at the presents and know they had them but not touch them or open them. We have always had to hide the presents and just pull them out at night right before bed so they wouldn't get into them. Right before bed we read the Christmas story out of the Bible. I really loved it because I have been so wrapped up about telling the kids that we celebrate Christmas and give gifts because Jesus gave us the greatest gift so we could live with Heavenly Father and him again. I really forgot about Mary and Joseph going to Bethlehem and the Shepherd, and wise men. It was such a good reminder, and I am glad we do it every year.





Tannen and Landon were very happy to help out


Christmas morning just dying to open presents!!

We had a very fun Christmas this year. Church started at 8:30 that morning so we didn't have the kids open any presents until after Church got over. We came home and some of us just put our pajamas back on for the day. What is Christmas if you don't get to hang out in your PJ's all day? This year I went with the theme for my kids "Something you Want, something you Need, something to Wear and something to Read." It ended up working out really great and I like how balanced it felt. Not too much toys but a little of everything. Santa filled their stockings and brought candy too. The kids had a great day. Landon and Kylie got some Wii games that they played with. And Tannen got a little computer that he dragged around with him all day long.


Stockings from Santa - they stayed upstairs so the kids couldn't see them before church.


I love looking at the face expressions





Our Tree all ready to go


Kylie got a Webkins - just what she asked for.


Tannen had a great time eating all his candy


Coming downstairs to open presents


Kylie got a new coat


Landon got HP activity books from Aria


Little miss opening a present. Tannen is waiting so patiently for his turn on my lap.



Aria got a dress from Tannen


Tannen opening a present - I love Landon's expression.



Landon opening his sled from Gma and Gpa, and Aria swiped the frog Kylie got Tannen.


Kylie, Tannen, and Aria opening their sleds from Gma and Gpa.


Must have been a good present


Aria got boots, gloves and a hat (everyone did too) as they went perfectly with the sleds they got.





Tannen testing it out.


The after math - can you see my new pots and pans I got for Christmas??


I love looking at the happy chaos and mess from Christmas. Check out Marcus' new boots!

The kids loved it. The Want was Wii games, computer, and Little people castle. The Need was boots and gloves. The Wear was new coats, except Tannen he got footy jammies. The Read was books - of course. We also found an air hockey table for the kids. Landon and Kylie took the sleds out twice to our little park by our house. They took Tannen out once with them. They are still so excited about it, and are waiting for a big hill to get lots of snow so we can all go out as a family. For dinner Marcus and I cooked Chicken and Shrimp Jambalaya that was heavenly and so healthy too. We had a happy and merry Christmas.