Cookie Party

Cookie Party

I love love love sugar cookies at Christmas Time.  I always make too many and end up frosting them all myself.  So this year I decided to have a cookie party for the neighborhood children and also for the missionaries in our ward.

 I had about 10 kids come to the party.  It was a lot of work but also a lot of fun.  Plus it really helped me get the house completely ready for Christmas.

 I made hot chocolate for our little cookie decorators and had Polar Express playing for those less interested in the decorating part.  Jacob was all about eating just the cookie, no frosting.

Decorating for Christmas

Decorating for Christmas - 2012

Having moved so much since we've been married it's been hard to really decorate or establish too many traditions so it was nice to have a 2nd Christmas in the same home.  I already knew exactly where I wanted to put everything and were I wanted to add or change.  It was a lot of fun.  Of course not being 8 months pregnant this year was nice too :)

 So I didn't get any pictures of the finished decorations OOPS.  But just a few of the kids helping, I mean playing with the Christmas Tree box and lights.

 

Jacob turns 4!

My little man is 4!

We call Jacob Doodle Bug as a nick name and most affectionately Special Doo :)  He is such a sweet fun boy and is always keeping us entertained.  His birthday was a riot.  All week leading up to his birthday he could hardly contain himself.  Packages and cards were arriving in the mail and he was SO EXCITED!  Abby made a chain so he could count down the days to his birthday.  The links were green and the Big Day was Red.  Everyday he would ask, "Is it the red one yet"?

 Super Mario Brothers is Jacob's current obsession.  I attempted to make a cake and it was well let's just say, not exactly what I was going for.  But he loved it and that's all that matters.

 We video conferenced with Both Grandparents, Great Grandpa, and Uncle Clark

 Everyone could see everyone else at the same time.  It was really a lot of fun

 Jacob Loved his Hulk Smash fists and Thor Hammer.

 The video thing from Google lets you put funny things on your face and head and such.  This is Uncle Clark, being silly which Jacob thought was Hilarious!

 Thank you everyone for making Jacob's birthday so special especially when our loved ones live so far away.

Shoe Drama

 My little Abby has become soooo picky.  Choosing what to wear, how to do hair (or not do), to shoes has been nothing buy drama around our house for that past couple of months.  Basically she wants to wear clothing that resembles pajamas and not do her hair and wear shoes that are comfortable and can help her beat the boys in PE.  I have been putting up a good fight but the days of skirts, dresses, and hair bows is coming to an end :(

 For Christmas I found these shoes that resembled slippers (but their not) and new right away that Abby would LOVE them!  And she did. 1 score for MOM.  Santa also gave her a pair of leggings that look like jeans and she LOVES them.  1 score for Santa. 

 Now back to these shoes.  I know I'm rambling.  The shoes were plain black (see photo above) and Abby didn't think they were fancy enough (I know don't even tell me she doesn't want bows or dresses or skirts but bling is still a must!) I'll take what I can get I guess.  So I replaced the black cord with silver sparkle ribbon and she is ecstatic!

Happy Daughter, Happy Mom

Trampoline Where Have you Been all my Life?

We got a trampoline about a month ago and I haven't seen my kids since.  They are outside jumping any chance they get.  The neighborhood kids are also enjoying it which is great for me because that means my kids are at our house and not somewhere else.

 This little man LOVES to watch the kids jump through the window.  He yells to them while they play.

Thanksgiving with Tyler's Family

We spent Thanksgiving with Andy's brother Tyler and his Family.  It was nice to be around family and especially this family because we have always lived too far away.  I also attempted a family photo since the woods behind their house were so scenic but alas; someone is always doing something weird :)  Enjoy!

 The cousins had a lot of fun together playing games and pranking Uncle Clark

We went had a picnic and went hiking on Thursday, celebrated Thanksgiving on Friday, and went to the Children's museum on Saturday.  Needless to say it was busy and fun, the kids slept the entire way home...almost.

Fall 2012 Photo Shoot

 Not much to say about these other than taking photos of my kids is So FUN! Ha!  Could you sense the sarcasm?  Note there isn't one of them all facing the camera because they didn't turn out.  Someone was always doing something weird.  I posted a few of the mishaps too :)

Now for some of the Mishaps!

WHY IS TAKING PICTURES SO TORTUROUS!