Christmas!

We had a great Christmas this year! I love the magic and that the kids are so excited. Chase mentioned once again today that Santa came and ate cookies from our house. My parents and Andrea came and spent the day with us as well.

Steve got a new razor. It was picture worthy because he has not had  new razor since before his mission! We were having a hard time finding razor blades for it, it was getting so old. I've been nervous to buy him a new one because he is particular about his razors but I did good this time and he's happy with his new one.

 I made the kids blankets. It really isn't that big of a deal, they aren't fancy by any means but I was proud because I think the last time a sewed anything was my junior year of high school when I made a poodle skirt for a dance. So I'm proud and the kids love them!

We spent the rest of the day relaxing, playing our new games. Mark and Steffani came for dinner that afternoon too.

Grandpa took Chase out in the snow for a bit.

 Chase got a Woody costume and he just looks adorable.

We are so grateful for this time of year to remember our Savior and all that he has done for us, and for the chance that we can serve others and be with family. I just love the whole month and the feeling that it brings.

December Crafts Cont.

A few of the other Christmas crafts we did this month, Makenna put together this little elf... 

I love this picture so I had to throw it in!

 And thanks to Aunt Sharon for providing these gingerbread men that the kids decorated one afternoon. They were a hit and I didn't have to do a thing! Well, I did help Chase with his frosting.

We Are Having A....

BOY!

We are so excited to have another boy. Makenna came with us to the appointment and she was completly entralled with the whole thing. She loved it and has since looked at the pictures several times. She of course wanted a baby sister so was dissapointed at first but on our way home she started thinking of names, she suggested Blitzen. She also came with me today to pick out fabric for a blanket and I think is just fine that we are having a boy!

December Fun

Last year we started a new tradition of doing something Christmasey every day in December. I know it sounds like a lot of work but I count everything. So taking our neighbors their Christmas treats, family/ward parties all count. Makenna loved it last year and this year has gone well also. Here are some of the things we have done so far.

Playing in the snow... Makenna loves playing in the snow and this was the first time Chase was really able to play in it as well.  

 Chase would do everything that Makenna did... monkey see, monkey do.

 We made cinnamon ornaments...

 Marshmallow snowmen....

Makenna decorated a felt Christmas tree with buttons...

 Christmas wouldn't be complete without a visit to Santa. Chase would have nothing to do with him and this was the first year that Makenna sat on his lap, she even spoke a few words to him!

Tonight we walked around and looked at the lights the city puts up at the park and had hot chocolate after.

Not pictured was the Jasper Chirstmas party which was fun as always. The other night we also rented a Christmas show and had popcorn. We have had some family home evenings to help the kids remeber the birth of the Savior and that's why we really celebrate this holiday. We also play Don't Eat the Elf. The kids love this new tradition and I love seeing how excited they are to do things and enjoy the magic of the holiday. We still have a few more days so a few more activites are in store!

Anniversary/Birthday

Last week was our busy week of the year with Steve and I's anniversary and Makenna's Birthday. It's always a fun week. I can't believe it's been 8 years since we got married! The day of our anniversary I try and make dinner fun with the kids. I make something nice and have a candlelight dinner. It hasn't been a relaxing dinner yet. The kids are whining that they can't see their food, Makenna is rearranging the candles constantly and Chase just wants to blow them out. So we end up blowing them out and turning the lights back on like any other night! Ah well... maybe in a few years. We did end up going out on Saturday to the temple and out to eat.

Then my baby turned 5! She has been so excited for her birthday. She woke up to presents, had both Grandmas come with more presents, pizza for dinner and donuts for dessert. The only pictures I got of the day were her opening her presents in the morning. When I went to take her picture while she was blowing out her candles on her donut, she blew them out before we had even sung 3 words to "Happy Birthday!" We all started laughing and then she got embarrassed and went to her room. That was the end of that.

The next day we took her swimming and she was in heaven.

Happy Birthday my baby girl! We love you!

Halloween

Last week for family home evening we carved pumpkins, well one pumpkin. We had intentions of doing more but Steve and I were good with just doing the one. Makenna was completely grossed out by the insides again this year and I think Chase would have liked it if he wasn't so easily influenced by his older sister. So I cleaned it out and Steve carved while Makenna directed Steve in what kind of face to put on the pumpkin.

Costumes this year were pretty low key. Makenna wanted to be a ballerina. Perfect, she already has a ballerina dress-up so we just dolled  her up a bit more and she loved it! I wanted Chase to be Buzz Lightyear since he loves Buzz so much. There was a full out Buzz costume but I knew he wouldn't like wearing it so I did find just some Buzz wings which was perfect.

They loved getting candy and being out but Makenna was excited to come home and pass it out! Funny kids! What a good Halloween!

Dinosaur Park

We took the kids to the Dinosaur Park last week. It was perfect weather and the kids loved it!

Training Wheels

Makenna has declared that she is a grown-up and no longer needs training wheels on her bike. Steve and I have tried to delay this as long as we could but she would not stop asking, so Monday night we took them off. Let's just say I hope she gets this soon because it is torture jogging next to her trying to keep her up! I know she'll get it though because she is a smart, determined little girl!

Pumpkin Patch

 This past weekend while husbands were at a football game Katrina and I took the kids to the pumpkin patch. It was perfect and we all had so much fun!

 Chase's favorite was the tractors. Makenna's favorite was riding in the carts that were for the pumpkins!