Random Happenings

The past 3 weeks have been really busy for us. It's that time of year I guess. Bryan has been on vacation from work since the 8th. He has had to do some work from home, but mostly he has been working in our basement. It's coming along nicely and he's going a great job. We might even be ready for drywall next week. He's kept himself really busy so I haven't gotten a case of the "Husband" yet (you know- when your husband is home on vacation with nothing to do but mess up your schedule and get in the way- yeah, there's been none of that)!
Here's a random sampling of what's been going on over the past 2 weeks...

Anna is doing really well in 7th grade. She's has good friends and is a great girl. Right now she is visiting family in Colorado. After one canceled flight, a missed school dance and super long lines at the airport, she finally made it there safely. She was hesitant to go because she's somewhat of a homebody. But from what I've heard, she's having a good time.

Ellie is in 3rd grade and is also doing great. We call her our social butterfly because so has so many friends in the neighborhood. She's always at someone's house playing. She's currently up to the same old stuff. She's had some late nights since school got out, so she's been extra moody (lack of sleep=bad day for Ellie!). So tonight it was early to bed for her. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day! She's so full of energy and is mostly a lot of fun to be around.

Tyler too is up to the same old stuff. He had a Christmas party at school on the 19th. Bryan, Kate and I went and watched him sing some fun Christmas songs. He loves going to Miss. Sarah's preschool, and had made lots of friends there. He is great with Kate, and just loves her so much. I was worried before she came that he would get jealous and not handle the new baby well, but it's been just the opposite. He's been great with her and is always tell me "I love Kate so much!".

Kate is growing way too fast. She is now crawling all over the place. She has also cut her first tooth (if you make her bath picture really big you can see it). I've started bathing her in the kitchen sink (don't get grossed out- I scrub it out really good first!). It's like a little baby hot tub and she loves it, it's also a lot easier on the back. Now that she's completely mobile, she seems to get herself into a lot more trouble. She's learned to pull the ornaments off the Christmas tree, climb through the legs of the chair we were using as a make-shift baby gate, and eat every little thing off the floors! I went in to get her out of bed in the morning last week and found her with 2 pacifiers in her mouth. She's too funny sometimes!

As for me, I'm tired and ready for things to slow down again. I finally finished the Christmas stockings I've been making for us. I've also completely finished my Christmas shopping today and I almost have everything wrapped. I've stocked up on batteries after last years emergency run on Christmas Eve to Mavrick to get some. I've mailed all the packages that needed to be mailed. I don't think they'll arrive on time because I got so busy that I kept forgetting to go mail them, but it's the thought that counts- right?! My goal now is to not have to go to Walmart again until after Christmas, but that's just wishful thinking because I'm sure I'll wake up tomorrow and think of something that I need to go get. I love this time of year.
I love buying gifts for Bryan and the kids and seeing their faces light up with joy when they open them Christmas morning. I love teaching the kids about the true meaning of Christmas and pondering on the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. We hope the Spirit of Christ is with you this Holiday season. Merry Christmas form our family to yours!

Picture day

Today was picture day. It went pretty well. The prints came out a little darker than we like so I'll have to go back in on Monday to see if they can lighten them up and re-print them. But all in all, they turned out good. Here is the one of all the kids together (I've already lighten this one here at home)-Tonight was also the Ward Christmas party. We had yummy soup in bread bowls, salad, and dessert. Tyler's preschool class put on a small Nativity play (his teacher is in our ward). He was a king and did a fine job giving baby Jesus his gift. And of course, Santa came. When we first put the baby on his lap, she gazed up at him with wide eyes. It was so cute! But of course I didn't get a picture of it because my camera's memory was full. So by the time I deleted a picture and took one she was like this... Looking a little scared, but she never cried. Tyler was really excited to tell him that he wants a Crayola glow station, and Ellie told him that she wants a Crayola color explosion glow board. She has some friends that no longer believe in Santa, but she's still a believer and this awesome looking Santa might of helped seal the deal for this year. How did our ward get a hold of the "real" Santa? He was great!

Family pictures are on Saturday

Headband or no headband, that is the question...

Thanksgiving Fun

We hope you all had a good Thanksgiving weekend. We spent it with Bryan's family this year. Thanksgiving dinner was at his sister's house in Tooele, and the rest of the weekend was spent in Springville at his parent's house. Marc and Meredith (Bryan's brother and sister-in-law) were in town from PA with their 3 kids. We don't get to see them often, so it was nice to spend sometime all together.

Grandpa with babies Kade and Kate-

Carson, Brandon, Brevan, Maddison (with Kade), Tyler, Cami, Ellie, Allyssa, Anna (with Kate), and Kenadie. There are only 4 cousins missing!

On Friday we had a family b-day party for Brevan (our nephew). His birthday was earlier in the month, but he really wanted to have a party with his cousins. We played one of the Haymond family's favorite games... the balloon popping game. Take a look at this craziness-

Overall, it was a great weekend. We really enjoy spending time with family, and the kids always have a great time playing with their cousins. Thanks Haymond family!

P.S.- This year I am thankful for my Dyson (among many many other things)! I have to vacuum daily now that Kate is starting to scoot around the floor. If I don't, she ends up trying to eat all the little things that the kids track in, like playground wood chips. This video is for you mom- enjoy!