Christmas Morning

Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas! Our Christmas was great. The kids are at a fun age and very excited about everything. Santa brought Ellie a dollhouse, Caden a bouncy castle, and Maxwell a musical cube. I got my Dyson vacuum and Ryan got wireless speakers. Ellie got a doll from us, Caden a Cars race track, and Maxwell a new Joovy stroller. They also got a lot of great gifts from grandparents. Thank you everyone!

Here are some pics. Be sure to click to view the slideshow.

Christmas Video

Christmas Card

I spy a job with Navis, a new home,
A moving truck, back to Bend we roam.

I spy Ellie, 4, Caden, and a 2,
Max almost 1 and a bib that is blue.

I spy a bear, a dog, and 2 baby dolls,
4 trains, 2 cars, a drum and 3 balls.

I spy Heidi’s needle and sewing thread,
A party hat, apron, and something red.

I spy Ryan’s laptop, airplanes, a book,
Golf clubs, a cd, now take a look.

I spy a bell and holiday cheer,
A Merry Christmas to friends far and near.

Three Days of Christmas

We decided to try something new this year. We started the three days of Christmas last night. Each night we make a treat, sing a carol, read a story and open a present. It has been really fun and the kids have enjoyed playing with their gifts. I decided to try this after reading an article in Parents magazine. The kids get tons of gifts and toys from relatives and then from us and their siblings. I thought they would be overwhelmed Christmas day with all the toys plus the gift from Santa. By opening one each night they get to really enjoy it and play with it all the next day rather than just setting it aside and moving onto the next gift. So far Ellie has opened a Littlest Pet shop house from Grandma & Grandpa Simon and a Island Princess Barbie Doll from Grandma Healy. Caden has opened an Aquadoodle Mat from us and a semi truck filled with 20 die cast cars from Grandpa Frampton.

Ryan was gone all last week. He traveled to WV and UT on business. We actually survived but missed him. I have discovered that as long as I keep the kids busy in the late afternoon / evening they will be fine and not cry for their dad. We had 3 parties last week which kept us busy.

Christmas Festivities

It has been a week full of Christmas fun. Monday we delivered homemade goodies to our friends and neighbors. Tuesday, I went to a cookie exchange and came home with 2 dozen different cookies. Wednesday, was Ryan's company party. They had a dinner up at a dude ranch. Friday, we drove through Starfest, a mile long drive through a light display. Saturday, we attended the Come Unto Christmas program at our Stake Center. They have hundreds of nativities on display and performances by local choirs. It was definitely a week to get in the Christmas Spirit. We also finished up all the Christmas shopping and wrapped all the gifts. I even got one of my Christmas gifts early :0 ! I finally got a Dyson Slim. I love it! We have been needing a new vacuum and decided to get this one. It took a little convincing on my part but once Ryan saw how well it was constructed and how light it was and how amazingly genius this vacuum is he was convinced it was money well spent. So HO, HO, HO and happy vacuuming!

And for some more Christmas Spirit click on the videos below. Ellie has been constantly singing christmas songs and is teaching them to Caden.

Sugar Cookies Anyone?

We had our ward Christmas party on Saturday. It was really nice. They did a fancy ham dinner with real place settings. The primary did a nativity and we sang some carols. The finale was a visit from Santa. You can view pics below. Be sure to click on the picture to open up the entire album. I made sugar cookies tonight. The kids helped cut them out and decorate them. My secret is to not use store bought frosting but to make your own icing and "paint" it on with a pastry brush. Yummy.

Christmas Party 2007

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

We got a little bit of snow overnight. Yeah! But it was all melted by noon. I finally took some photos of the house all decorated for the Holidays. My shopping is done and cards and packages have been mailed. Now the festivites can begin :).

dec

And the Countdown Begins

Dec. 1st: I love advent calendars. We had one growing up, a big felt tree that we put a decoration up on each day in December until Christmas. It is one of my favorite Holiday memories. I tried recreating the one from my childhood. It looked pretty good until our dog (from 5 years ago) starting chewing on it. I never got around to fixing it and opted to buy a similar one. This one is magnetic so the pieces stay on better. Ellie was SO excited to put the first ornament on the advent tree. Caden was more excited about the chocolate advent calendar. He absolutely loves chocolate (he must take after his mom).

We then celebrated the start of December with a visit to see Santa. Caden spotted him first and literally ran up to him say hi. Ellie was a little more reserved at first but it didn't take long before they were both sitting on his lap and telling them what they wanted for Christmas. Ellie asked for a dollhouse and Caden kept saying he has a train table at home and he loves trains. Does that mean he doesn't want anything else? Afterwards, I asked Ellie if Santa asked her if she had been a good girl. She responded matter of fact: "Mom, Santa doesn't have to ask me if I am good b/c he already knows. That is what the song says, "he sees you when you're sleeping he knows when you're awake, he knows if you've been good or bad, so be good for goodness sake." It was so cute. I wasn't aware that she even knew the words to that song or had paid any attention to the meaning of them.

Dec. 2nd: This morning Caden climbed into our bed with his chocolate advent calendar. He had taken the liberty to open another window and eat his chocolate for day 2. (Which he actually confused with window #7 (gasp!) I was surprised that 1. he could reach the advent calendar and 2. that he actually only ate one piece of chocolate. Now I know I will have to store them on top of the fridge. Along with the Christmas M&M's that Ellie "accidently" ate.

It has been sleeting all day. No really good snow, just a slushy mess. It has also been very windy. We came home from church and found the slide, and outdoor toy box had blown across the yard. Also the lid flew off the sandbox and into the neighbors yard. However, all my wreaths stayed perfectly in place. :)