Merry Christmas 2012

We have had a wonderful holiday so far, especially with Scott's time off from work.  Here are the kids dressed for church on Sunday. 

 On Christmas Eve we decorated cookies for Santa, played games, and the boys played outside in the snow.  We did get a white Christmas after all!!  And then we enjoyed a delicious Christmas Eve dinner, put on our pajamas, and read "Twas the Night Before Christmas".  The kids were excited for Santa so bedtime was a breeze.   

 Here is our traditional Christmas morning family photo. 

 Santa was good to us this year.  The kids loved all their gifts and just can't get enough of all their new stuff. 



My favorite part of our week has been teaching Dallin why we celebrate Christmas.  We watched some videos of our Savior's birth to help explain to him the importance of Christmas.  He had so many questions and by the end it was amazing just seeing the smile on his face as he understood what we were teaching him. 

We hope you have had a wonderful Christmas and hope you remember Christ as we celebrate this time of year!!

Santa

This was the first year for the kids to have a visit with Santa.  Dallin has seen him but never gone and sat on his lap before.  He was a little shy at first but then told him everything on his list.  Dallin said, "I want a space station, bow and arrow, and a kitchen."

There was no one behind us in line, so the kids got to sit and visit for awhile.  I was worried Daphnee might not like it and cry, but she loved it and just stared at him while he talked to her. 

It was a great first experience with Santa for the kids!!

Playing in the Leaves

I know this is a little behind, but not that much because we still don't have snow on the ground.  It finally snowed here on Sunday for the first time since October, but its already melted. 

The kids loved playing in the leaves and would have stayed outside all day if we would have let them.  They were having so much fun, all of the pictures are of them on the move I think. 

I don't think we will be getting snow for awhile, but we are hoping for a white Christmas this year!!

Turkey Day

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  We had a wonderful feast on Thursday and watched football.  We were feeling a little brave so we ventured out to some black Friday sales that started Thursday night.  This was the first time fighting the crowds for both of us.  We divided and conquered and got the kids Christmas all taken care of.  What a great feeling!!

Friday and Saturday were spent decorating for Christmas and playing games.  We had a wonderful fun filled weekend!!

Here is a family picture from Thursday.  Sorry its a little blurry on the bottom. 

I took these pictures of the kids to show their matching tie and skirt I made them for fall.  I thought they turned out great for my first attempt at both. 

Now we just need some snow and we will be ready for Christmas!!



Daphnee 18 Months Old

Just before Halloween Daphnee had her 18 month check up.  The doctor was pleased with everything and finally we are not fighting to stay on the growth chart. 

Weight: 21 lbs 4 oz. (10th percentile)

Height: 30 inches (10th percentile)

She has definitely been growing, but is still really petite which is just fine by us. 

Even though all went well with Daphnee's health, she did not like this visit at all.  Because of her extensive visits to all of her doctors she has grown more and more anxious every time we go, and this one was a little intense.  As soon as her doctor walked in the door, Daphnee burst into tears and could not hold on tight enough to my neck.  He gave her plenty of space and didn't rush through the visit.  We have been more than pleased with Daphnee's pediatrician.

Here are some recent shots of our busy little girl.  I have a lot like this first one.   She gets up quicker than I can take the picture. 

 She would much rather be playing in the nook with her toys. 

If she is in her room, you will always find her on the floor surrounded by books.  She loves to read!

She was really cracking up at me this time and was enjoying taking pictures.   She has her mouth open so wide you can barely see the five teeth she does have.   

We love having this beautiful bundle of joy in our family!!



HALLOWEEN 2012

I couldn't wait for Halloween this year, and I kept trying to figure out why I was so excited.  Then, I remembered that last year Daphnee was in her cast from October to the first part of January.  We didn't really do much celebrating or travel anywhere for any of the holidays. 

After Halloween we get to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, which is my favorite time of year!!  I'm so excited this year for all the holidays!!!!!!!!! 

It wasn't easy getting pictures taken.  This was my second attempt and it didn't go so well. 

We waited til after nap time and finally got some cute shots of the kids.  Daphnee wouldn't sit still, so Dallin offered kisses so she would stay long enough for me to snap a picture. 

We had to use the pumpkins to keep Daphnee sitting still (well kind of still). 

And now for the costumes.  Our cute lady bug and Jake the pirate from the Disney cartoon. 

We started off at the Trunk-or-Treat at church and then we went to a neighborhood to do some door knocking.  Dallin had so much fun, and would ring the door bell and say Trick-or-Treat all by himself.  We hope you all had a great Halloween!!

Happy 4th Birthday Dallin

I try not to be this late with birthday posts, but time has just slipped away from me lately.  Dallin turned 4 on September 27th.  We celebrated with a simple party here at home with three of his friends.  He was so excited for his birthday this year!!  I had fun making the cake, and the kids played til it was dark outside.  They had a blast and Dallin still talks about it. 

 We decided on a construction party because Dallin loves to be outside and could dig in the dirt all day long if we let him.  I know thats typical for little boys, and it was the inspiration for the cake and theme of the party. 

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 Dallin's big present this year was a new bike.  He had out grown his tricycle, so we thought it was time for a big boy bike.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DALLIN!!  WE LOVE YOU!!

Eastern Idaho State Fair

  We've lived in Idaho for several years now and it was our first trip to the state fair.  We had a fun filled day petting the animals, taking turns going on rides with Dallin and enjoying the yummy food. 

Daphnee's favorite was the smoked turkey leg.  She would yell and open her mouth really wide every time she saw the turkey leg until we gave her a bite.   

 Dallin loved the pony ride and the ferris wheel the most.

We also stuck around to hear Charlie Jenkins sing and watch a hypnotist show which was pretty funny.  We had a great time!!



Arkansas Trip

Back in August the kids and I were able to spend ten days in Arkansas.  We had a full schedule of things we wanted to do and people to see while we were there.  We had so much fun, and I'm glad I made the trip with the kids.

We spent a couple days at the pool.  Dallin and Daphnee both love the water and enjoyed swimming with  their cousins. 

We had a wonderful day at Silver Dollar City.  Dallin loved being able to go on so many rides.   

We also met some friends at a park to play one afternoon and somehow I didn't come home with the group picture we took.  It was so good to visit with life long friend Carrie and her boys Eric and Nate. 

And of course no trip to Arkansas is ever complete without  tractor rides with Papa.  Daphnee thought it was great and Dallin got to drive by himself with Papa. 

While we were there we got to be a part of my nephew's baptism, so we took the chance to snap a family photo with my siblings and mom and dad.  It was wonderful to see all my family while we were in Arkansas.