Christmas 2008

What an AMAZING christmas this year was. I have a bazillion pics of course. Some of them are on the video camera though and I am having troubles unloading them.
Santa spoiled the kids this year (I guess that means they were good!) THey both got Nintendo D.S's I thought they would be more excited when they opened them, but they must have peaked cause it wasn't as suprised as I thought it would be! haha.
after I looked at all the pics I took I kinda felt guilty because I took so many pics of Brodey. I think it is because it was his first Christmas that he actually could do stuff, and he is so dang CUTE!

We were all definatley spoiled this year. We spent time with our family, and had a non stop party for 2 days.






A Rush to open the gifts....





Brodey LOVES this car toy! It really is cool. Ethan has been playing with it a lot too! HAHA



Halli showing off her Littlest Pet shop D.S. while playing a littlest pet shop game...does it get any better? I think not.



Even Max was in on the action...He has to be right in the middle of whatever we are doing. He is up to his eyeballs in wrapping paper.



And it looks like Ethan is up to his eyeballs in presents. GOOD GRIEF! can we say SPOILED.. I guess I have to take into account all the presents from Grandmas and grandpas too before I buy presents next year!! SHEESH.





Oh my goodness...do you see what I mean...how can i stop taking pics of this kid when he is just so stinkin cute. Just look at how cute he is playing with his christmas present and wearing a superman cape!!! SERIOULEY CUTE.

Thank you to Granma and Grandpa ( Cookie & Dewey) (Tom & Kami) (Mike & Jenny) for all our wonderful gifts. The kids LOVE them and we have been playing games all weekend. We love our clothes, comfy socks, movies, carebears, family home evening book and of course all the love that was put into sending them to us.

<<<<<< THANK YOU >>>>>

12 days till christmas!

The shopping is almost done...minus the main gift that seems to be sold out EVERYWHERE including gamestop, walmart, target,etc... why did I wait so long to buy the dang thing...probably cause it costs so much. It took me 4 hours to get just a couple things today. I Think one hour of that was trying to escape Costco parking lot. I really should get my shopping done in november before the holiday rush, but I was WAY too busy. Anyway, I am having an amazing christmas with the family. We took the kids to the street where every house is decorated for christmas and walked around the block, it was so fun holding our hot chocolate and singing christmas carols. We have decorated, made the gingerbread house. working on the christmas cards and neighbor gifts. Some of the presents are wrapped and were on the count down...I think tommorow starts the 12 days of christmas. here are 12 things I love about christmas.

1. Feeling the peaceful/exciting feeling all around.

2. Reading christmas stories, and watching cheesy christmas movies on t.v.

3. Making gifts for neighbors and friends. GETTING CHRISTMAS CARDS!!!!

4. Getting all the gifts for my kids and family and putting thought into what
they want and need, and getting excited to see them open it.

5. When I am in Utah, I love it if it snows. My favorite snow is the HUGE slow
falling snow that seems magical. (but that is the only time I like it)

6. christmas music...love the music.

7. sitting in the house on christmas eve when the kids are in bed, all the presents
are out. The house is clean, the lights are on, music is in the background and
the anticipation is hanging in the air.....

8. making ginger bread house with my kids.

9. seeing the lights at the temple.

10. every year we give a gift to Jesus on christmas eve. We each write on a peice of
paper something we are going to give of ourselves this coming year. Something we
need to work on. A bad habit, or someone we need to treat better, anything that
will help us become more christlike. We put it in our special box, and then take
it out the next year so we can reflect and make new goals.

11. Christmas morning

12. Remembering what christmas is all about, The Savior and his life, and giving to
others.

I could probably go on and on...but those are just a few. My greatest joy is seeing my kids and the joy that comes to them this time of year. They wrote their letters to sants, and Ethan put on his list that he wanted STEVE to come home for Christmas. I thought that was so sweet! He will be home for next christmas though. We miss him so much. The kids have been talking a lot about hime lately.

Well it is super late as usual! I just got done with some of the cookies, the house is a wreck, but I am going to bed anyway. I am leaving you with a few pics of our holiday so far. . . .

8 people from out of town, 2 turkeys, 23 for dinner...making the perfect thanksgiving {PRICELESS!}

I was in heaven this thanksgiving!! My grandparents, and my sister came in from out of town, as well as coreys brother and his wife. We also hosted thanksgiving dinner at our house. We had both of our families and a few friends all squished together around the table,,,well 2 tables to be exact! And that is just what you get with us. We just jumble everyone together that we love, like a huge spider web.

I seriously ate so much on thanksgiving I still have not quite gotten over it! to be honest with you, the thought of thanksgiving dinner right now is making me sick! oh but it was so good at the time. I have posted a bunch of pics below.


Halli and I worked and worked, She made these cute little turkeys for the kids table all by herself. And we did the leaves for out Give thanks tree, and the tags for the brad wreath name places. I saw this in a magazine and really wanted to try it. I knew I would not have time that day to make them so I did the wreaths the night before and then froze them and took them out to rise the next day and popped them in the oven and they turned out Awsome!


I wish I would have done better pictures of everyone, but I was cooking all day and Crazy busy, so I only got a few snapshots and now I am kicking myself that I did not get better pics...oh well. I should have given the camera to someone else. shouda, woulda, coulda.....

we were so excited coreys brother Kirt andhis wife Elisa came to visit too! We had such a blast, Ethan and Dillan became fast freinds as you will see in a pic...video games unite all boys of ages and all walks of life. I just don't get it. what is so cool about those video games? all is does for me is give me a headache and make m thumbs hurt!


yeah you can see up my nose! ...pretty!...







pie and football...nothin better than that!

I really am thankful for so many things in my life right now. I feel so blessed and happy. It scares me sometimes, like this moment might flitter away...but I am so happy to have it for now. To have everyone healthy, for Coreys Job, For the country and freedoms we enjoy...I have been worrying so much about he world around me. Everytime I turn on the t.v. or read the news it seem like destruction, and war, and
recession etc...It really gives me anxiety. But then I take a step back and look at the big picture and know that my heavenly father loves me, that I have the gosple of jesus christ in my life. That I have my family and my life, and nothing can give me more peace than that.

I could go on forever about all the people in my life who have made a difference, you know who you are, you know I love you....
My kids are such a joy to me, and i would be crazy not to thank heavenly father for each precious second I get to spend with them. I have loved each little phase, each learning curve, each accomplishment and every single temper tantrum! becuause they don't last very long until they grow up. We just had our 11th wedding anniversary and I was telling Corey that at our 20th, Halli will be 17-18 years old! I just want to hold on to each fleeting moment. . . I have loved the blog for the moments I get to share and remember, I am really looking into publishing the blog like a book. I have not been as good at scrapbooking as I once was. I am also grateful for my husband and his dedication to our family and hard work. where would me and my kidlets be without him? I guess the bottom line is I need to get on my knees and thank my heavenly father for all the blessings and trials in my life. each day is a learning experience and one more day I get to spend on this earth with the people I love.

I hope you had a wonderful thanks giving as well. Christmas is on it's way... I am so excited. It truly is my favorite time of year.