Christmas Eve / Christmas Day

I know these posts are bit overdue, but at least I am doing them, right? We had a great Christmas, even though we weren't with any of our family. Christmas Eve Ian and Ava opened their P.J.s as is our Christmas tradition. We then headed over to our good friends the Beeghly's house for some yummy pizza and fun with the Wii. It was very nice and relaxing.

We played some Dance Revolution, (is that what it is called Tana?) Meredith, who just turned 10 and I played, then Colby, Dustin, and Ian played next. Ian also like watching Colby play "Cars" and he tried his hand at bowling.

Geez, I didn't realize I didn't get any photos of Tana and Shawn, sorry about that guys.
Tana made some reindeer food for Ian and Ava to put out for Santa's Reindeer. So when we got home the kids spread it out on the front lawn for them.

Christmas morning was a blast...Dustin's family was able to watch Ian and Ava's Christmas morning via Skype. At least we had a virtual family with us. Of course the Grandparents and Great Grandparents spoiled the kids. We don't even need to get them anything, they get so much from their Grandmas and Grandpas. We are grateful that we have such wonderful families who give so much to our kids, and show so much love to our family.

Santa did bring Ava some undies in her stocking. She wanted to wear them right away. When her diapers run out, we are going to try our hand at potty training...Wish us luck!

For Christmas dinner we were invited over to our friends the Larsen's house. We had some excellent food and even better company. Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera. We are so blessed to have met such wonderful people here. It helps us to not miss our families quite as much. Thank you to all who are so kind and generous to us, not only at Christmas but all year long.

Christmas Tree

Here are a few random photos of our Charlie Brown Christmas Tree that we love so much...

Christmas Tree Hunting

We drove into Oregon to cut down our Christmas Tree this year. We were lucky enough to convince some friends of ours to join us for this adventure. We did not know, however, that there was going to be this much snow!

We also were surprised to drive through a huge fog bank on our way to and from the mountain.

Here we are with our Christmas Tree (to the left of us).

Nathan and Dustin cutting the trees the old fashion way, with a hand saw.

Ava was only happy when she was eating the snow. Ian cried a lot because he couldn't walk in the snow that was past his waist.

Bonnie and Preston hanging out in the snow. By the way thanks Bonnie, for letting us use your camera for most of these photos.

It truly was a Winter Wonderland. I could never see us obtaining a tree any other way. Tree lots are too boring and fake trees are for lazy people. (No offense to those of you who have fake or tree lot trees). This is one tradition I don't think I will ever let go of. There's nothing like finding the perfect, yet not ever perfect, tree growing wild in the forest. Thanks Bonnie and Nathan for the great outing!

27 Years Old

Tuesday I turned 27, and had an awesome birthday! Dustin called in sick, which is one of the best birthday presents ever! I got to do one of my favorite things... Make Christmas treats. I made caramels, peanut brittle, fudge, peppermint bark, and sugar cookies, all the while Dustin played with the kids so I could do this. We went shopping, finished decorating our Christmas Tree, and ordered in from Olive Garden. Spending time with those you love and listening to Christmas music, what gets bettter than that on your birthday? Dustin said he would make me a birthday cake, (I'm not sure if he has ever made a cake before). Ava decided to help him out...

Ian "helped" with the frosting...

I showed him this picture, and told him I liked the one with the red licorice on it....

And here's what he came up with, pretty good huh, considering we don't have any circle cake pans. I think it turned out awesome.

Ian and Ava loved the candles... Ian practically blew them out before I could get them all lit...

Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes and gifts. There will be more photos to come that will include some of the things I've made with some of my new tools I got for my birthday.

Christmas Confusion

Sorry about the 3 posts in one day, but our internet has been acting up and so I figured while it's working I should get caught up.
I pulled out the Christmas box the other day and my kids were a bit confused about what all the stuff was for. I told them about the Christmas socks, so Ava thought they were socks you wear and had me put them on her. Then Ian found the big bag you put large presents in and thought it would be fun the climb in it and hop around like a potato sack race. It was pretty hillarious.

And yes, we did have spaghetti that night, that's why Ava is so dirty.

Cans

Funny things kids do to entertain themselves....The other day I found Ian pulling all the cans out of the pantry and stacking them as high as he could, then he would put his cars on top of them. (Don't mind the fact that he's in his underwear).

Las Vegas and Panguitch

For Thanksgiving we went to Las Vegas, up to Panguitch then back to Las Vegas. Here are a few snapshots of Thanksgiving with Dustin's family... We had dinner at Andrea and Bryson's house. It was delicious as usual. Daija, Andrea, Sandy, Jana, and Carson....

Daija, Jana, Sandy, Ian, and Dustin...

Ava and Kayla... Ava was the first one to start eating, as usual...

I didn't get any photos of our Thanksgiving Dinner in Panguitch, but we got some of the kids playing in the snow. (Thanks Mindy for letting me use your camera).

Olivia pulled Ian all over on the sled...

Ian and Logan...

Sarah creamed Ian with a giant snow ball... He deserved it, he was throwing snowballs at everyone.

Ian and his icecicle....(spelling??)

Ava was like the kid on a Christmas Story who couldn't put his arms down. Plus her had kept going over her eyes. She didn't stay outside for very long. She had a hard time walking in the snow, so she just crawled around, it was pretty funny.

Thanks everyone for the great Thanksgiving vacation. It was great to see everyone.