Let it Snow

Holy Snow!!! We had been hoping for a White Christmas and we got it this year. I am not exactly sure when it started snowing Christmas morning but once it started it didn't stop. We were fortunate enough that our power didn't go off but we got a lot of snow. I think overall we ended up with about 21 inches of snow that came within a 24 hour period. It was kind of fun to be snowed in with nowhere to go and nothing to do but open boxes and put toys together.

Merry Christmas 2008

I don't even know where to begin. Christmas was relaxing yet busy for us this year. Yes, I did say "relaxing". We were able to talk everyone into coming to us this year and it was fantastic. There was no running from house to house, mass opening of presents, loading everything in the car, and then running to the next house to start it all over again. We stayed home all day!!! We started out the Christmas festivities with our annual Christmas Eve lunch and movie. We went with my dad-we missed you Joanie-to lunch at Red Robin and then to see "The Tales of Desperaux". Afterwards we ended up at Terra and Clint's house for Christmas Eve dinner. Then on to Christmas. We had Brett's family over for breakfast and then my dad and Joanie joined us for lunch/dinner. The kids were actually able to open their presents and take them out of the box on the same day this year. Because we were snowed in all weekend and because Brett hurt his back we had everyone over again on the day after Christmas for a very competitive game of "Rockband" and leftovers. Today we were finally able to dig out and took the kids to see "Marley and Me." It was a wonderful holiday this year. I love to watch the faces of my kids as they open each of their gifts. It makes all the crazy running from store to store worth it on Christmas morning. I can't help but reflect back and remember how blessed I am with four wonderful children and an amazing husband that makes all of this possible.

Catching Up

I finally broke down and made it to see "Twilight". I don't know why all you crazy people didn't like it-I absolutely loved it. I had to come home and break out the book again because it had been so long since I read it. I didn't love Edward at first but every time he smiled he grew on me more and more. Trevin wants to read the book now so once I am finished I will hand it down and get his impression on it.
I am a total slacker-we took the kids to see Santa at the mall on Friday and I forgot the camera. I refuse to pay $20 for the smallest package so I don't have any pics. Harlee wouldn't sit on his lap anyway. She had death grip on my arm which grew tighter and tighter the closer I got to Santa. Trevin asked for "Rockband", McKade asked for "My Sims Kingdom for the WII" and Brynlee asked for "Baby Alive". They are all super excited about Christmas. We had a rough day today and I threatened to unwrap everything and take it back. Let's see if we can make it another 10 days without having to do that. Merry Christmas!!!

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Okay so I couldn't resist posting this cute video of Bryn's dance. Enjoy!!!

Winter Show 2008

Tonight was the Winter Show for Bryn's dance studio. Luckily for us Bryn and Erin take dance from the same studio so the whole family got 2 for the price of 1 tonight. I was a little worried because the whole thing had seemed a little disorganized but they pulled it off. I am so proud of my little dancer. I can see her intensity and drive and I hope that she will hold onto that and continue dancing. She leaned over tonight after having stared intensly at the older girls who had just finished and she said, "Mommy, they are so good." I told her that if she kept working on it she could be just as good one day. She looked a little nervous but kept a smile on her face the whole time. She knew all the steps and hung on to the end. We love you Brynlee Hope!!!!

Temple Square

I used to love to make the trip downtown every year to see the Christmas lights. It has been a few years since we have actually gotten out of the car and walked around Temple Square to look at the lights. This year we decided since it didn't quite feel like winter outside yet that we would brave the elements-and the people-and take the kids to see the lights. This year was a little different though. They were in awe of the big statue of Christ in the Visitors Center. McKade was dead set on waiting for the Nativity to start but we really didn't want to stand in the cold for 1/2 hour. They asked questions about the temple and why there were girl Missionaries. We talked to them about the Temple and Joseph Smith. I think this was the first year that I actually appreciated taking my kids out in the cold to see the lights. I know that it's all about "Enjoying the Journey" and thanks to my kids-who teach me something new everyday-so far it's been quite the ride.

Jr. Jazz

It's Jr. Jazz time again. The boys have been looking forward to this all year. McKade is playing on a team with a couple of kids that he knows and Brett is coaching Trevin's team this year. Their first game was Saturday. McKade's level doesn't keep score yet and Trevin's team ended the game with a tie. It seems like they both really enjoyed it and we look forward to a successful season.