Christmas 2010

Hoping everyone enjoyed the holidays as much as we did! I can honestly say that I loved every minute of the season.

We spent Christmas Eve at Kate's house with grandma and cousins. It's always "quite the party!"

Christmas Day we opened presents and played games, did puzzles, watched movie and ate and ate and ate....

Does anyone else notice that my kids are always "making faces" in pictures? I'm not sure where they get that!!!!!!!
Loved Christmas 2010!

Twas' the Week before Christmas....

And all through the house, nobody sat down....Not even a mouse.

We have had a CRAZY week before Christmas. Life never seems to settle down here. However, I wanted to post this quickly. I have loved this Christmas season. I have loved watching my kids pick gifts for their siblings. I love that they are excited to watch each other open gifts. I have loved every minute of time spent together. This is, after all, our "last December" before Jaxson graduates(I jokingly say with a tear in my eye and a half smile on my face). Here is a brief play by play of the week....

Christmas Dance Show...

Hanna had a "Senior Sleepover" with her dance team.

Snow day with cousins from Vegas and Haidyn. I must say, I loved the snowman they built!

Tim took all the younger kids sledding.

We had a "Festivus" celebration with the Markhams and Kellehers. It was so fun. We couldn't ask for better friends.

Spaghetti Factory with my family.

We ended the week before Christmas at the BYU basketball game.

We have been blessed! It really has been "the most wonderful time of the year!"

Merry Christmas!!!!

Eli

My good friend, Eli, spent the afternoon with us yesterday! We had so much fun. WE...

• had treats
• played kick ball
• watched Alvin and the Chipmunks
• ate Dinobytes
• played games
• etc., etc., etc.,

Emmie read him a story and Eli cried when it was time to go home. It is pretty safe to say that everybody around here loves that guy! Thanks for a fun day, Eli. Let's do it again soon!

Twelve Days of Christmas....

I honestly love this time of year. I have seen friends that I don't usually see shopping and out to dinner. It has been so good to see and hear from everyone! I love it!

I also love the 12 days of Christmas!

Santa has been dropping off gifts for the 12 days of Christmas. Emmie noticed that the writing was the same as mine. I explained that Santa is in a hurry and asks me to write the note.Emmie never misses a step! I love that girl!!

LAZY DAY....

After two week s of weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth....

The tree is up!!!! 

My "to do"lists of late have been daunting. Today I am almost finished with everything. I think I will have a lazy day.

I can't lie....

I can't lie. I love Christmas cards! I love going to the mail every day in December. They come from all over, from old friends and new. I love opening Christmas cards almost as much as I love opening presents. It makes me happy to read about and see pictures of family and friends that we love.

That being said, my excitement for getting the mail in December was met with dismay the other day. I ran to get the mail. I was shuffling through junk mail looking for Christmas cards from everyone that I love. When I stumbled across this.....

If you can't see it. It is a note from the U of U thanking Jaxson for applying to their college. While I am absolutely 100% supportive and proud. I am sad. This marks a change in our lives that I am not sure I am sufficiently prepared for. I love Jax. I love the decisions he is making. I want him to move ahead in life. Is it wrong for me to admit that I meet this pending cross road with some sadness??? Don't judge me!!!

I just want him to be 5 again!

Morgan and Brookie

This is what happens when Morgan gets her hands on my camera....

Morgan might be Brookie's favorite person! I just love this little game that the two of them played!

Good times!!!

Junior Jazz

Jaxson is playing an a "Junior Jazz" basketball team again this year. They had their first game the other night and demolished the other team. Really, the score was 40 something to 8. I love watching Jaxson play. I love him. I know most of the guys (I am no longer allowed to call them "boys")on his team. I am so happy that Jaxson and his friends are comfortable around me. I love bantering with the guys on the sidelines almost as much as I love watching them play together. 

You gotta love the "white man's afro!" Again, I love this guy!

You gotta love the "white man's afro!" Again, I love this guy!

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a great Thanksgiving! Each one of our kids asked if we could "just stay home" for Thanksgiving. The more I heard that question, the more I was grateful for my family. I love that our kids just wanted to be home together to enjoy the holiday! That alone is a tremendous blessing. We had extended family from my side join us. The kids were great, the food was fantastic, and the company was even better! The list of things I am grateful for seems to get longer and longer everyday. I am truly blessed in so many ways. It is so nice to have a day in the middle of this crazy season to reflect on all that we have.

I weathered the "Black Friday" crowds with my older girls and sister. I really just got a kick out of watching people fight over $4.00 toys. My girls were cute and loved the excitement. It is quite a turning point when you love to shop with your daughters. (I'm sure Tim would agree!) We had a great time together.

We went to see "Tangled" on Saturday. Loved it! Jaxson opted out. How could I even argue? I think Tim might have wished he were with Jax. I thought the movie was so cute and loved some of the music. The littles loved the movie!

We are grateful to have neighbors home safe (life always seems better when Joy is home) and leftovers in the fridge. We are even more grateful for the many people who have touched our lives in so many ways. I am also SOOOOO GRATEFUL that we have more than a month down in the count down until the Crocketts return. There is not a day that goes by that one of my kids doesn't express how much they miss them. I feel the same!

A Success!

Emmie all ready for Market Day

Mom: "Emmie, how was Market Day?'

Emmie: "It was awesome. I SOLD OUT in the first 20 minutes."

Mom: "WOW!"

Emmie: "There was one boy who didn't sell anything."

Mom: "That is sad."

Emmie: "I know, there was 5 minutes left so I gave him $100 for all of his donuts."

Mom: "That was so nice of you."

Emmie: "I know!" (sigh)

You gotta love Emmie!!!!

Arts and Crafts

 Today I helped my friend, Shannon make these cute capes for her son, Hayes', Birthday. I was gone by the time he got home to see them. Apparently, he like them.

 I came home to help Emmie make tye dye shirts for Market Day at school tomorrow. I love how excited Emmie gets! She was so cute. This ended being a family project. I hope Market Day is a success. Even if it isn't, everyone enjoyed "family tye dye" afternoon!

It was all arts and crafts here!