We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. We had one of our best ones yet. Jeron and I really toned things down this year. We didn't go overboard on the gifts for the kids, and it felt better. They were not overwhelmed, like every other year. On Christmas Eve we always go to Jeron's Dads. We spent a couple of hours with them. We really like the time we spend with Viki's kids. They are a lot of fun. The kids got sled which they love. It was fast out time with them, but it was fun. Later that night our own little family had a Christmas Eve spread and watched The Christmas Story. Then we heard the Elf ring bells so the kids had to hurry and get ready for bed. Oops, Mom and Dad forgot to watch the Nativity so we had to settle down again and do that. This is one of our favorite traditions. We play Breath of Heaven, by Amy Grant and use it as the sound to the Nativity. It is really touching. We finally got the kids down and Jeron and I got to work. We watched Polar Express, and went to bed at 2:30. We woke up at 6:45 on Christmas. We read Luke II and then see if Santa has come. We enjoyed our morning with just our family. About 9:00 we went to my parents and had breakfast and opened presents. It was a really good time. I loved having Maren, Ryan, and David here. I really miss them when they are gone. Smitty and Ashlee went to Seattle. They were missed a lot. We love our gift form them. They got us a gift certificate to the movies. Jeron and I can go on a couple of dates. Date whats that? My parents and siblings got the kids way to much. Then we went to Jeron's Moms house. We ate turkey dinner and opened presents. Again the kids got way spoiled. Jeron's siblings went overboard with all of us. We felt kind of bad that we couldn't do as much. We love it though. Everyone came except Julie and Todd. My kids really miss their cousins especially on holidays. We hope they had a Merry Christmas. All in all it was a very fun Christmas. I hope all of you enjoyed your Christmas as much as we did. Merry Christmas.

Lights on Temple Square

The kids in front of the temple.

"We love to see the Temple,We'll go inside someday."


Ellie was not all that impressed with the lights. She did love the temple though. Also the Christus. The camera died so we only got these pictures. Jeron and I were there and yes we did see lights. Just no pictures of any.

Christmas Dance Recital

Ellie and Emma looking beautiful.

Emma is an old pro at this now.

Ellie's First recital


Emma and Ellie just had their Christmas Ballet recital. Emma did very well. Her class looks so much better then last time. Not that they looked bad. They have just improved. This was Ellie's first time to have a recital. I had many sleepless nights before the performance. I was worried she would lay down and be nervous, or be made fun of. All of my worrying was not needed. She got out there and danced just as well as all the other girls. She was probably the most dramatic. My favorite part was when it was time to go off stage she didn't want to. The dance teacher had to come and get her. As she went off she had another round of applause all for her. I of course started to cry. It was very touching. She even got a "Way to go Ellie!" Shout out. Granted it was Joy Bouck my good friend, but it still was nice. At the end of the performance all of the classes come out and take a bow. Emma's class was hilarious. They did their straight leg circle skip 5 times compared to one time for the others. It was really cute. Then Ellie's class came out, Ellie went right to the edge of the stage waved and YELLED hello to everyone over and over and over. Then she laid down and waved to all of the people in the front row. It was so cute. All in all it was a really wonderful time. I will post pictures tomorrow.

First Christmas Snow Fall

Ellie decided that she wanted to help her Daddy shovel the snow. She got out one of the yard shovels and started helping. She is so stinkin cute
.
Our little Snow angel Emma loved the first snow fall. She had a wonderful time running and playing in the snow.

JJ had it in his mind that he was going to build a slide. We have some wicked rocks to sled down so he used them to slid down all day.

Ellie and her boyfriend Jackson Weir

This is Ellie's friend Jackson. He is one of our favorite 3 year olds in the world. They have grown up together. I just wanted to post him on our blog so Ellie could brag that she has a cute boyfriend. (I think his girlfriend is pretty darn cute also.)