Happy Brithday Lacee!!!

We celebrated Lacee's first birthday at Noelle and Janson's house. Noelle did a great job on the "Princess" cake. Unfortunately Lacee bit through her tongue just a few hours before the party so she didn't want to eat as much of the cake as she normaly would have. However, that didn't stop her from making a big mess!

Happy New Year!!!

We spent New Years Eve in the comfort of our own home with Family. We played games, ate plenty of food and counted down to the New Year. The kids enjoyed watching a firework show and banging on pots and pans to celebrate the New Year. We then had a sparkling cider toast for a prosperous and healthy year to come.

Temple Square

We didn't have time to see the lights before Christmas, but really enjoyed Temple Square after Christmas. The crowds were minimal and we were able to relax a little more without the pressures of the holiday season. It's definitely a tradition we have to keep up each year.

Christmas

We had a great Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve with my parents, Noelle & Janson, Taylor’s Mom, and Mikelle & John. We ate dinner, had a white elephant exchange and a short talent show from the kids. Jayden left a note with the milk and cookies for santa requesting that his last years Christmas pajamas be mended in the toe where a small hole was forming. Magically, the next morning they were repaired. Jayden awoke at 2:30 a.m. ecstatic that Santa had already come. We regretted to inform him that he had to wait another 6 hours before opening any presents. Let’s just say it was a very long night. Morning came and the kids got what they wanted for Christmas. We headed up to the Yates’ for a late brunch, then to Judi’s for Dinner with the family. It was a great Christmas.

Christmas Parties!!

We had a great time at the Yates’ Christmas party. We had the kids act out the traditional nativity scene as well as perform talents they have acquired. Jayden and Skyler did a great job of singing “Jingle Bells”. Once again, Santa found time out of his busy schedule for a quick visit and to pass out a few presents. We also had an after Christmas party with the Pikus family. We headed up to Brigham City for sledding, 4-wheeling and a great dinner.

Gingerbread Houses

We were able to squeeze in the gingerbread houses this year. Of course it ended up being all the girls and kids while the guys watched the football games. I think the kids ate more candy than was placed on the houses. As you can see, Noelle’s “castle” took 1st place.

Christmas Programs & Parties

December is such a busy time of year; however, I believe it is also the most memorable season of the year. Skyler had a little speaking part for his pre-school Christmas program and sang a few of the songs he knew. It is always fun to help out with the kids parties at school. I helped the kids decorate stockings at Jayden’s 1st grade party. They also decorated cookies, made reindeer & ornaments and even had a visit from old St. Nick!!!

Christmas Piano Recital

Jayden continues to excel on the piano. He played “Go tell it on the Mountain” for his Christmas recital and did an amazing job. We absolutely love his piano teacher. She is very relaxed and allows the kids to play songs they enjoy. She has a program that allows her to find the songs they like and adjusts the music to their level.

EUROPE

I had the opportunity to take a girls trip with my Mom, sister & her baby Lacee. We had such a great time. We flew into Germany and stayed a majority of time in Igls, Austria. We loved staying in one place and exploring the small towns around the area that did not attract as many tourists. We loved the small town of Schwaz. It was full of cobble-stone streets, quaint stores and lots of BAKERIES!!! We ate amazing gourmet food nearly every night and enjoyed the Christmas village in downtown Innsbruk. We were able to watch Noelle race which is always a highlight and then headed towards Torino, Italy. We stopped in Milan to sightsee, shop, & find my mother-in-law the perfect Italian man. We have to admit, we did find a few. It was a much needed trip and well worth the long flight and jet-lag.