Walking in a Winter Wonderland

It is always magical walking into Temple Square at Christmas time.  This is one of my favorite traditions. 

 1 This year going to temple square was a bit different.  We were able to go with the Meads' family.  It was fun to change it up a bit and have them there with us.  It sure makes it easier to watch all our kids.  It turned out to be a pretty nice night.  The weather was nice and not too cold.

This year they had all these different nativities all around.  It was really cool to see them. 

I love coming to Temple Square and one of the reasons why is because I love to tell my kids about marrying their daddy here,

Walking around the temple can be hard work.  It is time to take a rest.

Just taking a load off.

He doesn't love it but he does it for me and the kids.  Good guy.

 She is just a doll face.

Elsie had to take my phone so she could get a picture of Jesus.  It was so cute, the line was forever long and so everyone decided that they didn't want to wait in it.  Elsie was brokenhearted.  I felt bad but I didn't want to upset the entire group because of Elsie.  Mama was nice enough to say she would wait with her.  I told Elsie that if we stood in line to see Jesus she would miss our time to see Santa.  I said you have to choose which you would rather do.  She without hesitation said I want to stay and see Jesus.  She taught us all a lesson that night.  I was really proud of her for making the right choice.  It ended up that we all stayed and missed our time to see Santa.  All of the kids were glad we did.

Emma just adores her little niece.

The girls, minus a sleeping Emry and Yes, Genevieve is in the picture. 

Watching the Nativity story with Papa

It was a lot of fun to do together.  We were so glad these two made it.

These two reminded us to choose the better part tonight.  Thanks for doing that.

I don't have a pic of Ashlee but I promise she was there.  It was such a fun night.  After the temple we went and saw the Macy's windows.  They were pretty spectacular.  I didn't know this but did you know the old ZCMI sign is up on top of Macy's.  I miss that place.

Cookie Party 2014

We had a whirlwind day.  First we went to Mapa's ward to watch their choir performance.  When we sat down Smitty, Ashlee, and Genevieve walked in.  It was wonderful to see them.  It has been so long.  Genevieve is such a doll.  Emry and her wanted to be right by each other for a while.  Until they didn't.  (Haha)  The choir as usual did an amazing job.  This year we decided to let the kids sing with the kids in their ward.  It was great to see them sing.  Of course I cried.  After their meetiing we headed over to our ward because I was in charge of our Christmas program for the Relief Society and Young Women.  We did "Through the Eyes of a Mother"  It was about Mary the mother of Jesus.  The girls sang and talked about Mary and Jesus.  It was such a beautiful program.  The girls did amazing but I will have to say I am glad that one is over.  

When we got home we open the door to Elsie lying on the ground looking like this.  JJ and the kids were trying to scare us and make us think someone broke in while we were gone.  

After that we headed over to Mapa's house for dinner and the cookie party.  Elsie got some great pics of us and then I walked into the living room and found Genevieve and Emry taking down the tree decor.  It was hilarious.  And I couldn't pass up the chance to get this gem of a pic of Michael and Brynn.  

This has to be one of my favorite pictures of the night.  Smitty is a really cute uncle to my kids.

 Then it was time for the cookie party.  Usually we do it earlier in the month but we wanted to wait for our cousin to get here.  It is always more fun with family.

 I think these two are cute daddy's.  I couldn't decided but I think they were pretty serious about this.  

Emry and her cute aunt Brynn and Silly uncle Michael. 

Ashlee was sweet and gave Emry and Genevieve a bath.  It was funny to watch Emry look at Vie like she was a crazy little girl.  

 These silly kids are all busy at work.  They are all so creative and so different.

This girl is having no fun at all.  Doesn't she just make you smile.

For the moment you have all been waiting for without further ado, here we have all the finished houses.  

 JJ did a really cool roof.  I had to show it off.

 It was a fun night.  It was great to share it with Genevieve.  We wish that all our cousins could have come.  We always miss the ones who are not here.

Ellie's Christmas Party

A few weeks ago Ellie came home with a note asking for parents to help in her class.  She was so excited to bring it home.  She wanted me to help with the party for Christmas.  I told her I would do it and it made her day.  We made a day of it.  They had the carol share this morning and the girls and I went and watched Ellie perform Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.  It was so cute.  Then I took the girls home and came back to help with the party.  The kids loved it.  Ellie was thrilled to have me there too.

Turning each other into toilet paper snowmen.

 They played games, decorated cookies, and gave each other gifts.  She was in heaven and loved every minute.  She is such a happy girl.  These kids really are the sweetest kids too.

Ellie is a Goof

Mama and Papa got knew couches and Ellie seemed to really enjoy them.  I had to snap this picture.  It made me laugh when I saw this.

Where are the kids?

Grandpa Gene showed up the other day with these huge stuffed Minnie and Mickey and a huge stuffed teddy bear, and a creepy looking clown.  The kids were so excited when they got home.  Today Jeron and I helped the girls clean the playroom and they were having fun jumping on them and hiding in them .They think they are so much fun.

Crazy day

This morning we knew was going to be a crazy one.  We had a doctors appointment for Ellie is SoJo and I had to get four girls ready and get out the door on time.  This usually  means I shower with Ellie, Elsie, and Emry.  Emma takes Emry from there and gets her dressed.  I finish off with the girls and I get out.  They stay in for a bit while I get dress and what not.  Today was business as usual until Ellie comes flying out of the shower falls to the ground and starts crying.  I pick her up and tell her she is okay, that is, until I look at her ankle and see it already turning purple.   We were already running late and she needed to go to this appointment.  Im still not even dressed.  I am thinking holy crap, it is broken and I have to get dressed which means I have to let go of her ankle.  It felt so selfish.   I quickly call my dad and he Face Times with me (after I get dressed).  He said it looked bruised but not broken.  AMEN!  So we continue on our way.  It turns out that Elsie and Ellie were shoving each other in the shower "for fun" and they didn't know the door would open.  Pain in  the butt kids.  I will have to say though that it sure looks painful.

 We called grandma on our way down to see if we could swing by her house after the appointment.  It turns out that she too had an appointment with her doctor and we would probably miss her.  She then decided to some meet us by our appointment and take us to lunch.  It was very nice of her.  The girls loved this quick visit with grandma.

The girls were a bit bummed that they didn't get to go to grandma's house and see grandma B too.  So we decided to stop in and see grandma B.  It was a fun visit.  I learned a lot about her family, her parents, her siblings, her engagement... It was neat to hear all of her stories that she shared with me.

Sledding at Happy Hallow

These three crazy girls are off track and needing to get out.  Today they decided to go sledding at happy hallow in K-town.  I took them up there and they took my phone.  I told Emma to get some pictures of them sledding and this is what I got.  A whole lot of selfies.  

They told me that they had a great time.  Elsie lasted about an hour and Emma and Megan went for about two hours.  It looked like a lot of fun.  It makes me wish I had a pair of boots so I could go.

Winter Wonderland

Loving all the snow.  The little spec in the picture is Elsie.

 Playing in the snow

Stocking Feet

This little lady came into the room with a stocking on her foot.  I had the stocking hung on our banister and apparently she thought it was a sock to wear.  

 You know we think you are the cutest thing ever.

(How do you like my cupboard in the background.  It fell off.  Sweet)

Where is my baby

Lately if I can't find Emry I can usually know that I need to check the girls room.  She adores Ellie's bed.  Every time I get it made and looking so cute sure enough Emry will go and lay down on it.  She is such a cute little stink

The Nutcracker

My good friend Emily had some extra tickets to the Dress Rehearsal of the Nutcracker at Capital Theater. I was so excited when she asked us to go.  I hadn't been since I was a little girl.  I went with my nana and thought I was so fancy.  I really wanted my girls to feel the same way.  We decided to make a night of it.  We went to dinner at Cafe Rio (about as fancy as we thought Elsie and Audrey could stand).  We had a great time talking and gigging.  Then it was time to head to the performance.  We were able to sit 4th row.  I don't think there was a better seat in the house.  The sets were amazing and the dancers were phenomenal.  The girls loved it.  I thought it was so boring when I was little so I was glad to know that they liked it.  Maybe it is because they are ballerinas.     

Elsie getting ready for the show.

  Emma and Ellie getting settled in.

 During intermission we hurried and got a picture together. 

 Emily and Audrey

 My little ladies and me.

 After the show we stopped to get a picture with a Nutcracker signs but they were not up yet.  It was so cold though. 

 It was such a fun night.

THe girls had a great time.  Emily and I may or may not have laughed a ton of few times at the male dancers in the tightest tights we had ever seen.  I may even be chuckling right now thinking about it.

The Elves have come.

The Elves finally came to our house.  It has taken us forever to get any Christmas decor up due to the painting.  It was fun to see Theodore and Thaddeus again.  Emry is already in love and Elsie is in heaven.  

 I got bangs today too.  I also went redder.  I am not sure how I feel about it but we shall see in a few weeks.