Some Random Christmasness

We've had a very quiet and non-stressful Christmas in Utah this year. I hated not being near extended family, but tried to enjoy all the time we had to spend together, just the four of us! Here are some random Christmas pictures for ya!

We made "Ranc" and "Carter" Christmas cookies this year. Maybe next year we'll do the "Reuel" cookies. Wouldn't want them to die out.

This was her best decorating year so far. Very precise.

Nothing quite says Christmas like a BYU basketball game.

Addie is VERY into taking pictures with our camera. This is one of her favs.

Our reenactment of the Nativity story needed a few more bodies but was AWESOME!

And well, the children we spoiled like usual!

Things Rachelle forgot to bring her camera to: our Christmas riverboat ride and the Thanksgiving Point light festival. Way to go me.

Temple Square

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the lights at Temple Square! We had such a fun time as a family enjoying these lights. They do such an incredible job and I love how Christ centered everything is. This was the kid's and Bobby's first time, which always makes it better.

Merry CHRISTmas everyone!!!

First Big Snow Day of 2010

His new name is Ralphie

What can I say? The kids LOVE the snow and I'm still not a fan.

A Little Ballet

Thought I'd post a little ballet video. Boy does that girl like to spin.

One of these things is not like the other...

One of these things just doesn't belong.

If anyone has any suggestions for keeping children out of my shelves, just let me know.

What do you do when your washer shakes the whole house in the spin cycle? Make it into a fun ride for the kids. They love doing the laundry.

Just for kicks.

BYU Homecoming

We've had a BYU centered day. Started with the BYU pancake breakfast. Walked down the street for free blue chocolate chip pancakes. Next, the BYU Homecoming Parade. Lots of candy and balloons for the kiddos (Loved that Shawna joined up at the end!). Now on to the Football game! Go BYU!

Soccer

So did I mention that Addie played soccer this year. She had a great time and loves showing off her "Gold Medal". I have to admit that she is HORRIBLE! I mean really, truly awful. The poor girl is clueless on the field and we are just way too excited if she even remotely kicks it in the right direction. She's more excited about snack time and playing with her team or dogs on the sideline. I love my Addie!!

Bangs

As cute as Addie's new bangs are, they weren't by choice. I have a scissor happy four year old. It could have been a lot worse! Bangs were the easy fix.

Cuddles

Carter dropped a large rock on his toes this morning. Guess who he wanted cuddles from? Not Mom or Dad, he kept crying for Addie cuddles. Too cute! I'm glad they like each other, most of the time.

(Yes, Addie had been crying recently. That's why her eyes are all red!)

Swim Party

Addie had a wonderful time this last year with our little joy school group. We were both sad to see it end. Addie and Carter both loved the end of the year swim party!

Jack, Sadie, Addie and Carter

Addie always has to strike some pose.
Sadie, Addie, Trevor, Emma

Carter thinks he's old enough for school. I wish...

Sadie and Addie. Two dominant personalities.

Sadie, Addie, Trevor and Emma

BYU

I realized today how behind I am on a bunch of blog worthy events. One of those being how EXCITED we are to be staying in Utah for another two years. Bobby got into BYU's MPA program and starts this Fall. For those of you that are like me and wondering what MPA stands for, that would be Masters in Public Administration. Basically, Bobby wants to work in local city government (City Manager someday). I'm super proud of him and of all the hard work he's put in to get here. Keep it up Bobby!

Here's a fun little clip of us pestering Carter to say BYU. I LOVE how he says it. Wado Wado.

We're Still Alive...

I promise we're still alive and doing well. To prove it, here's a few random pictures of the kiddos.

My kids LOVE taking baths in the sink. They think I'm the "best Mom ever" when I let them. To easy.

We now have two choristers for all the songs for Family Home Evening. Batons make every kid want to sing.

I have way to many pictures that prove that Carter has an older sister.


The poor kid just wants to do what Addie does and enjoys dressing up.

More blog posts on the way!

Addie is Four!!

So my Addie girl is four now. She was one lucky little girl and basically had two birthday parties.

One with her joy school at Jumping Jacks, and another with her best friend, that lives across the street, at Chuck E Cheese. So spoiled.

This is her party with her joy school group.

(Sadie, Carter, Emma, Jack, Addie, Gavin)

She had a Tinkerbell cake.

Carter seriously thinks he's old enough to be part of the joy school crowd.

Present time.

They all had a BLAST at Jumping Jacks. I couldn't get them to stand still for a picture, so slide shots are all I got.

Addie is already asking to go back to Jumping Jacks.

My climbing king was in heaven!

Kimiko was kind enough to bring Carter's girlfriend, Mayumi, along for the fun.

We couldn't get these two to sit next to each other for a picture, without giving them something to get into. This was the best I could do.

Addie was thrilled to get a big girl bike of her very own. Thankfully, there was no snow to hamper her playtime! I'm loving our mild winter!!!

I definitely forgot my camera for Chuck E Cheese. I'm just a horrible Mom like that. Needless to say, she loved it. Now that she knows it exists, I think she'll want to go for every birthday.

I'm glad birthday week is over and I have a year to gear up for the next go round. Having both kid's birthdays a day apart is just craziness.