I couldn't resist. This might be my favorite part of Christmas blogging.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Let the holidays begin

with a movie night. The house is spotless (so mom, Jenna and Kjersti when you come tomorrow and find it messy it's not our fault) and what better to do with a clean house? Lay down and enjoy it 'cuz it ain't gonna look like this for long. Happy Thanksgiving!

when did no turn into yes?

I don't like animals. I live in a family of people who don't care.

And this is not the same guinea pig twice. It's 2 different pigs that were "free". Right. Is anything ever free?

choose your pose

MacKenzie's cat pose.

And Kennedy's raccoon.

Can you see the sass vs. reservation?

wood stack pic

I have been trying to think of a backdrop for a family Christmas pic and the idea came to me... do it in front of a huge pile of stacked wood. How earthy and festive. Except. I need TWICE the amount of pretty stackage and this pile alone about wore me out. (Or was it because I did it after I attacked the bushes in the back yard in effort to make them look like trees). However for kid pics I really like my little pile. What do you think?

So appropriate

Fall activities

include making turkeys...

Going to the mountains to get wood in our new trailer. That's right Justin found a trailer on craigslist while we were in Fresno for Benjamin's wedding. He's been floating around the house for almost a month feeling "like a man" now that he has "manly things".

And what's fall without a little hint of winter. I found this tree at a yard sale a few months ago which means... we're puttin' up 2 trees this year! That's right 2! This one the kids decorated with stuffed animals. Total cost $0. Take that Tai Pan.

He's 2

Grayson is the oldest baby I've ever had, usually there's an 8 month old crawling around somewhere. Can't believe he's 2. Can't believe we've lived here almost 2 years! To celebrate we had a big party and because I'm super organized mom we planned ahead for this kind of thing... 10am the morning of is planning ahead. It all began with the motorcycle.

That afternoon he dropped a can of pineapples on his big toe (which immediately turned his toenail purpleish-black). Poor guy has the party hat on with the expression of why are all these people here? I just want the pain in my toe to go away. Oh wait is that fire on the candles?

And toys! I don't have to share? Man this is getting better and better.

I'm sad to say, Grayson might own more purses than trucks. He was in heaven.

And what ever happened to pin the tail on the donkey? All Party City had was put the sticker-nose on the clown. The kids loved it anyway.

Well happy birthday Grayson. We love you. And your purses, I mean trucks.

Kennedy's first Primary Program

Today was Kennedy's first Primary Program. My mom & stepdad and Justin's parents came to watch her debut her big speaking part (we also threw together a quick birthday party for Grayson which explains the party hats).


From L-R Bruce, Kathy, Kennedy, Mom, MacKenzie, Manuel, Grayson, Katelyn on me & Justin.

Now for those of you who don't know, the Primary Program it's where the children ages 3-11 perform a 30-40 minute presentation instead of your regular "Sunday sermon" if you will. It is always entertaining and usually funny. This morning I was able to appreciate it as a parent.

As the program started the children were singing and all I could see was the back of Kennedy's head. Nice. The chorus began and she whipped around to sing all the words like a champ. That's my girl. Second verse... cat stretching for a few minutes until the chorus again where she starts singin' like a pro. Good job. (Insert proud Grandparents, Aunt Katelyn and mom)

Then she has her speaking part, "I lived with Heavenly Father before I came to earth". Said through her hand up to her mouth and her head turned to the side. My shy little girl. Aww. Cute.

Another song and they sit down. THEN... what is she asking her teacher? I see their little conversation and it ends as Kennedy walks down off the stage and is now sitting on my lap. Uh.

M: The program's not over, don't you want to finish?

K: No. I'm tired of sitting up there.

M: I'll give you some gum if you go back up there.

K: Um, no thanks. I'm done.

Well okay, what do you say to that? I don't know, but she sure was cute while it lasted. Thanks to the grandparents for driving all that way to see your granddaughter in her 5 minute performance. Next year is sure to be a crowd pleaser with MacKenzie though. She'd've sat up there today if we let her.

pics @ the park

Look what my 4 year-old can do

I felt like painting the front door today, but soon realized I didn't have enough leftovers. Dang there goes plan A for the day. Hmmm, look at all these other colors of paint. There's some left over blue, I wonder if that would work in the kids room. Nope. Hey how about the laundry room? It's white. Let's try just a little. Alright maybe a lot. Okay I don't hate it, let's go with it.

Then Kennedy picks up on my train of thought with, "MOM!!! I want to help!" Alright let's see how she does.

She did AMAZING. I was all busy doin' my side and when I turned around I saw little miss resourceful on the chair trying "to get up to the top". One little smudge on the ceiling, easily whipped off. Not a drop on her shirt or the ground. I think she's better than me.

You know we may not be doing pre-school or play school or whatever you want to call it, but gosh darn-it... that girl can paint!