Fun in the Snow....and Gingerbread houses!

This morning was so beautiful that the kids and I went out to play. We got all bundled up and helped our friend hand out some fliers and then made a snowman! We used things from around the house. Thanks to the creativity of my kids, his eyes and buttons are skittles; his nose, of course: is a carrot and his arms are candy canes. Emery is holding the snowman's hand and saying, "He's my friend." What a silly goose! Needless to say, we had fun!

Here are our Gingerbread houses for this year!

Jac, Ethan and my Dad helped make this fantastic house.

I decorated this house all by myself. (My creative juices were gone by the time that I got around to landscaping...hopefully next year I'll get around to a yard)

And this cute house was designed by Miss Emery. She was very particular on where I would put the dots of frosting. I think it turned out great! Thank you Mom for organizing the gingerbread house extravaganza!

Helped Moving In...

My roommate - before my cute hubby - was moving into her first home! It was so fun to see her house and to help her move all of her families things in. Jac and I got there and there was A LOT of help. She had lots of family there to help. I am so glad that her and her family have their first home and that it is perfect for them! Thanks guys for letting us come and be part of the move in caous.

Here's the front of the house. It has a cute porch and a large yard....perfect for the kids to play and a garden.

The stairs going down into the basement. Ethan is such a stud!

The family room

Their daughters room. She was so excited to show me here purple curtains in her room.

And the laundry closet. I took a picture of this because I thought it was cool tiles. Also it shows their new dryer! wohoo! I think her and her family will be very happy and comfortable in their new house!!!!

Preston really enjoyed his Christmas present....

Christmas Morning

We had such a wonderful Christmas! Here is Ethan and Emery going to scare Bompa from under the covers.

My kids are so cute! We had such a lovely time with Jac's family. The kids actually slept in till about 7:45ish...which I'm surprised. They were excited to see that Santa did come.

Ethan loved his pirate ship! He is showing me (in the picture) how the cannons can really shoot from the cannons. Emery and Ethan will have lots of fun playing together...and trying to keep Preston away from it. hehe. Have fun and good luck!

Here is a the only family group shot I took.

After the morning of opening presents. We went home to freshen up before we headed over to my family's festivities. Because of the snow storm...we had to delay our visit until the afternoon. We headed over to my grandparents and had dinner there which consisted of homemade rolls, ham, orange rolls and yummy desserts. We went to go hang out at my parents house to play games when it started to snow again. We actually ended up spending the night and half the day the next day before my parents (and Thabo) took off to the Sugar Bowl. We had such a fun time with both sides of our family. Thank you so much for the showering of gifts. I did have my camera but I forgot to take pictures...Darn. Though next Christmas I know will be documented because my sister-in-law from Texas will be here...so here's to next year! I love Christmas time and I think I am most excited to see my kids reactions on Christmas morning than anything else. They make my heart so happy and to see them happy is truly my hearts desire. I can't wait until next year!!

Ethan in a light-up Santa hat on our way to Grandma's house.

A taste of what Christmas morning was like....

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was so fun! It was our turn to spend with Jac's family this year. We first went to Denny's for breakfast in the morning, which was good. The drivers were insane on the roads that day. It was a little nerve racking...but I am grateful that Jac was driving. Later that afternoon we headed over to Jac's parents house. We walked in and his mom had been baking all day. She had her famous pecan balls, huge sugar cookies, an assortment of cakes and breads...a dream dessert table. Thank you Dawn for preparing all the goodies. Jac's dad had made dinner. He always chooses to do a theme dinner. This year our dinner was German. We had a roast, sweet-and-sour cabbage, potato dumplings....and of course, his famous pecan pie. Mmmm...needless to say we all had a great time and ate a lot! The kids spent the night dancing, we sang carols, visited with family and friends and had a great time!!!

Christmas Lights

I am definitely playing catch-up. Our family went to see the Temple Square Lights with Jac's family. It was a fun Christmas outing! We caught the Trax up to Temple Square and had a fun time walking around and enjoying the beautiful Christmas Lights! It was so busy and crazy...and we actually saw our friends there: the Palmer Peeps! The kids loved it...they actually had a blast riding the "train." So, I am excited to go next year. Jac's fam showed us the ropes on how to have a great time. Thanks! (and those who were not there were surely missed!)

Here's Ethan showing me how fun he is having on the train. He loved looking at his reflection in the windows...actually, all the kids did!

Best Cousins!

Preston staying warm in his winter gear. He's so cute!

Jac's parents

Little Lyncoln and Evan


Emery, Seth and Liam enjoying the nativity scene program at Temple Square

Oh yeah...I forgot! On the way back home from the lights, we hopped on the train as fast as possible. Ethan and Emery hopped on, then Jac handed me Preston and we jumped on and then as Jac was folding up the double stroller to put onto Trax and the doors closed on him. He was left behind! So needless to say, the ride home was somewhat exciting...well, for Jac it was....hehe. So about 20 min later we met up with Jac at our destination and drove home.

Things I've Done....

Things I've Done. To participate just copy and paste in your own blog, and bold all of the things you have done. (in my case...bolded black)

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen an eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

47 out of 99....Kristin you beat me my 1!

Christmas is coming....

Happy Holidays Everyone!!

This year, Jacob, decided to venture out on his own and have his own business. The Lord has truly blessed our family through his hard work and determination. He partnered with another guy named Jake and formed the company Gears and Cogs. He keeps busy with his calling as Stake Young Men's Secretary and he also teaches the Missionary Prep class for our Stake. He is a great dad and I am so grateful to have him as my hubby.

Emery is a great big sister. She loves playing with Ethan and tries to be a big helper with Preston. Emery loves to go to preschool. She is going to a preschool in our neighborhood and her teacher encourages her to keep up with her reading and spanish skills. Her aunt taught her to play "Mary had a little lamb" and so now everytime she sees a piano, she is a playing maniac. So...piano lessons might be in her future for this upcoming year. I am so proud of her!

Ethan's most recent triumph is that he is potty trained now! It took 7 looonngg days...but it has definitely payed off. Now, I only have to change 1 dirty diaper....yeah! Ethan loves to play with anything that has wheels...and is somewhat protective over his toys. He is speaking more and more every day and loves to "rough house". He is a silly goose and has the 2nd pair of blue eyes that I fell in love with.

Preston grows up right before my eyes. He really loves putting small items into a bigger item. He is a walking maniac and is interested in everything! He is learning to close doors, eat with utensils, and of course, learning to throw fits. (I must say he learns this from his sister and brother) I love how he is learning to interact with people and loves to give "fives" and wave. He is a friendly guy and his face glows when he smiles.

I keep busy trying to keep up with my family and the house. I am currently serving as a Nursery Coordinator with 5 nurseries with about 10 kids in each. I can't wait till the beginning of next year to be a little less stressed...at least until February. I have been involved in a Girls Accessories business: angelasaccessories.blogspot.com.

My family makes me so happy! I feel so blessed to have their little spirits in my life. I am grateful for this Christmas season and for the Spirit that comes with. I am so grateful for Jesus' birth, life and death so that we can have the gift of repentance and the blessing of living with our families for eternity. May this Christmas season bring much happiness and joy into your lives and reflect on what a great gift Christ is to us. Happy Holidays!

8 things....

Okay, here is another "Journal Jar" blog entry...so feel free to pass it up...but if you dare, read on, my friends. (hahahaha)

A few weeks ago, Emery was swinging and summed up what her favorite things were. She said, "Swinging, Coloring, Watching Movies and Shows." And truly, that is some of her favorite things to do. It made me wonder what some of my favorite things were and what they would be.

8 things i am passionate about:
1. Jacob
2. My Children
3. Friends
4. Church
5. Pizza
6. Helping people
7. Strawberry Shakes
8. Chocolate

8 words/phrases i use often:
1. "Dude"
2. "Man"
3. "Sweet Pea"
4. "you silly goose"
5. "I'm sorry"
6. "Sweetie"
7. "I'm so proud of you"
8. "Stink."

8 things i want to do before i die:
1. Take my family to South Africa
2. Take my family to Disneyland
3. Have more children
4. Go on a mission with my handsome hubby
5. See all my kids married and happy
6. Find the best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Ever
7. Learn to sew
8. Travel

8 things i have learned in the past:
1. Believe in yourself
2. Don't cry over spilt milk
3. The Lord knows your needs
4. Do things that make you happy
5. Laugh, it sends the good vibes rollin
6. Patience really is a virtue
7. Candy is a really good insentive for kids, especially my little boy, to go "pee-pee" on the potty.
8. And never do the running man, even if it is a secret talent.

8 things i currently want/need:
1. Dinner
2. A clean house
3. loose 4 more pounds
4. A bigger kitchen
5. Snuggle with my kids
6. Want my hubby home
7. Go visit family
8. to help the homeless for Christmas

8 places i want to see/visit:
1. Malaysia
2. Wicked on Broadway
3. New Zealand
4. Sacred Grove
5. Navoo
6. go on a Disneyland Cruise
7 -8 ?? I can't think right now.

8 favorite restaurants:
1. Cobblestone Pizza
2. the Dodo
3. Tucano's
4. Pier 49 Pizza
5. Zupa's
6. Souper Salad
7. JCW's
8. Applebee's

8 tv shows i like to watch:
1. The Office
2. Lost (when it's on)
3. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
4 - 8 ??? I don't know what I would watch if I had time. Hmmmm....

I'm addicted!!!

I love this time of year!! I get so excited when it gets cold outside and I get to listen to Christmas music. I love the Christmas season and how everything is focused on Jesus' birth and serving others. My goal is to teach my children what the true meaning of Christmas is.

My kids picked the Christmas station in the car looonng before Thanksgiving. At first I was "not so keen" on listening to Christmas music that early, not because I didn't like it, but that by the time Christmas came around, the songs would be overplayed. But I actually enjoyed having the Christmas station on in the car. Having all of the songs geared towards Christmas is actually really nice and yes, at times, uplifting. Now here is the big addiction: www.pandora.com. It is an internet radio that has a variety of different stations....and most of all Christmas music! I absolutely love it! So, go to www.pandora.com and check it out.

Things I have been doing this Christmas season:

*Emery and Ethan have helped me go through their toys and gather up the toys that they don't play with to give away to less fortunate kids.

*In the Friend Magazine, there is an article titled, "Stories of Jesus, tell them to Me." They had a picture of Jesus and a scripture to read for each day of the month of December. I took it upon myself to read these scripture references with the kids...and it has been a wonderful experience...more than I thought it would be. When we read these scriptures about Jesus, I find myself being humbled and the Spirit testifies to me of Christ's birth and ministry and complete greatness that everything he did was, in fact, for us.

Our Christmas Tree!!!!

Here are the kids VERY excited to go pick out our Christmas tree.

The kids were so funny at the Christmas tree lot. We went over to a local nursery and right when we got there, the kids said they were cold. We told them to go indoors and Jac and I would pick out our Christmas tree. They were cool with that. So, that is exactly what we did.

While the kids were inside, they picked out these beautiful poinsetta's. They were big helpers in bringing them into the car. They were as big as Ethan!

So we finally got our tree up....and it looks beautiful! The kids were so excited to decorate it.

I love Ethan's face. He is concentrating so hard putting the ornaments on the tree. My cute boy!

I had to put this picture in. This is Preston throwing a fit because we are telling him not to take the ornaments (or candy canes) down from the tree. Let's hope our ornaments will stay on till Christmas! hehe.

My New Find....

My friend Rheanna, yeah...the long lost friend from the good ol' days in Aussie Land...yeah, that Rheanna, is starting up a business and I checked out her site...and I totally love it! They are selling awesome tutu's, to die for baby stuff, and aprons that are any cooks "must have." Take a look at: http://getmymby.blogspot.com/.

Lately, I have been wanting a cute apron. My husband and I recieved aprons with an outdoors/hunting theme for a wedding gift- not so pretty - and have decided that it was time for a change (loooonnng overdue). Then I was thinking about all the mom's in my life who need an extra little "pazazz" in the kitchen and wanted to get them all aprons. Take a look at these cute aprons: http://getmymbyaprons.blogspot.com/

I love my new find, thank you Rheanna. Good Luck.

Friends and Cookies

We had a couple of friends over today and we decorated Christmas Sugar Cookies! It was a lot of fun and a lot of mess....but it was totally worth it. The kids drizzled heaps of frosting and sprinkles on their cookies. Thank you for coming and decorating cookies with us girls! Come over again. We had lots of fun!

Emmy showing off her decorated mitten cookie

The group having fun while cookie decorating

Our friend is carefully showing us her cookie, she is so cute!

Another sweet girl squeezing the icing tube hard to get some icing out.

Just by Ethan's messy face, they had fun!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Day was so much fun! We had reservations at a lodge about 45 min away right next to Zions National Park. It was so beautiful and it rained all day. I loved being with family. And needless to say there was TONS and TONS of food. Yummy! We didn't feel too bad about eating till we were so full we couldn't even move...because it only happens once a year. At the lodge there was a little museum of "stuffed" animals and the kids loved seeing different animals and running around. I am so grateful for all my many blessing I have. I am truly blessed with a wonderful family.

We went back to our condo and played Settlers of Catan and my mom and I won both times we played. We will definitely have to have a rematch sometime. The day after Thanksgiving, my mom and I shopped till we dropped. We hit the Children's Place outlet and went crazy! We seriously were there for HOURS....and it was so fun! The dad's took the kids and roamed the outlets, fed the kids, and put them down for a nap....and my mom and I were still shopping! Thankyou Dad and Jac for watching the kids while we shopped all day. And Thanks Mom for letting me be your shopping buddy. I love you guys!

My dad talking to a friend he met while at the Lodge.

Jac driving to the Lodge. (he doesn't like pics, and if he is going to make faces like this...I might as well post them) hehe

The boys sleeping on the way to our Thanksgiving Feast!

The gang on Thanksgiving Day!!!

Turkey Bowl

What is Thanksgiving day without a good football game, right? Hence, the Turkey Bowl. It was my brother and Dad against Jac and I. Jac and I got a system down and it was really fun playing football with my family. My sweet mom watched the kids while we battled each other. Thank you!

Everybody playing a little ball.

Way to block Dad!!!

Emmy struttin her stuff.

Team One

Team Two