Absolutely Amazing!

So Christmas as always was such a blast! Mike did his usual spoiling this year and we were blessed with so much! But honestly I don't know the words to describe what Mike did for me this year....Christmas night was coming to an end. We had a wonderful dinner up at Mike's parents and were enjoying some birthday cake. Mike's mom had bought his dad a snowblower for Christmas so after we were done eating, she wanted everyone to come out to the garage to present it to him. So we all went out there, and he loved it. Next thing I know, Mike opens the garage door and he has the trailer out there with the back open and the lights shining onto the most beautiful bed that I have ever seen. The best part is that he designed it and made it for me himself. He has spent hours and hours down in Pocatello and I thought he had just been working on finishing the kitchen that we are putting in our basement. Now I realize that he had been staying up working all night long in Pocatello to get this done by Christmas. There is no other bed like it. He is so amazing. I can't even describe it because the pictures hardly even do it justice. I am so grateful for the talents that my husband has. He has plans to make us an entire bedroom set and I can not wait. I feel so blessed. He is the most wonderful person and I am so lucky he's mine! Thank you so much babe! You are the best! I can't even put into words how grateful I am!

One of the family traditions on Christmas Eve is to have all the kids act out the nativity scene. It always
brings tears to my eyes to imagine how life was for Mary and Joseph. We are so grateful for all that we have.

Little Hailie was such a cute shepard.

Christmas Eve 2009

There really is no picture that does my husband justice on this one. Our family was getting ready to go down to Pocatello for our big family Christmas. So I was upstairs getting the girls ready when my husband walks in ready to go wearing this. Honestly, I was on the ground laughing so hard! It topped it off when Braden walks in and says "I like your sweater dad." He was the life of the party! It was so funny and I'm sure is going to be his new tradition. I can't wait to see what he's going to be wearing next year. As my sweet sister in law said it perfect "he's having a gay old time!"

Christmas #1

So this year my parents went to San Diego for Christmas so we celebrated Christmas with them the Sunday before. We had a wonderful dinner and lots of fun presents. My mom made sugar cookies for the kids to decorate. They had so much fun and were spoiled with fun gifts! I had to post a picture of my dad with the picture of the Tetons that Mike and I bought for him. We have had this for a long time and I have been so excited to give it to him because I just knew how much he would love it! We had a great time!

Getting ready for Christmas!

My baby is TWO!!

My sweet little baby just turned two!! I have to just say that Hailie is my sweetheart. She really is such a good little girl and is learning so much everyday! Her new thing to say as we are walking through any store "Santa...buy me this." It doesnt really matter what it is, as long as we agree that Santa will buy it for her. She is so funny. We just had a little family party for her. I know the "cake" is somewhat pathetic but kids are always happy with cupcakes! I am so thankful for Hailie. She is perfect for our family and her brother and sister love her so much. Happy Birthday to Hailie!!

A little close in my opinion!

Apparently this is okay when daddy is in charge!!!!

My baby boy is growing up!! It amazes me that I have a 5 year old! It is definately bitter sweet. I am so excited for all the fun things we have to look forward to do with older children. Although it is so sad that his baby years are far over!! I love Braden so much. He is the perfect mix of sweetness and wildness! He always wants to please his mom and dad, but bugs his sisters just enough to drive us crazy at the same time. I am so lucky to have him as my son and I know that his dad adores him more than anything in this world (yea, that used to be me!!) I will always be so proud of Braden. He is one of the most talented little boys and I am so grateful for him and can't wait for the years to come!!

Yea, this was my attempt to make a cake that I found a picture of on the internet. The kids helped with it so it was pretty fun. Braden kept saying "it is so cute!" so that made me happy.

Happy Halloween!

My scary vampire, red headed Raggedy Ann, and cute little giraffe are all about Trick or Treating. It only took Hailie a house or two until she realized that this is totally something that she would like. They had so much fun collecting candy. When we got home, we turned on the porch lights and the Trick or Treaters started to ring the doorbell. The kids thought this was a new concept and were so excited. So I gave them all the candy they collected and told them to put handfuls in the kids' baskets. And they did!! We got rid of almost all the candy they got. I just had to set aside the Snickers for their dad and a few other treats. Other than that.... I don't have to deal with a huge sugar overload!! I almost felt bad that they didn't realize they were giving away their own candy....but not bad enough to stop them!!

I love the fall colors!!

Can you tell how much I love these girls!! I was trying to capture the beautiful fall colors outside our window and these two are standing in the window sill rocking out in their sunglasses. Honestly, I think they are by far the beauty of the picture!! I just love them so much!!

What a pretty Girl!

So, for the longest time my sister in law Holly and I have been talking about getting our girls' ears pierced. I was always the one that was putting it off and she kept on talking about it. So today, we all went down to the Homecoming parade in Pocatello and came back for lunch and of course, Holly suggested it again. I really had no other obligation or great reason to say no. So off we went. Of course there was a huge wait at Claires so I had to distract Karlie from all the other little girls that were crying after the fact.

All of a sudden it was getting so hot in the mall and I was getting sick to my stomach. Okay, I really don't think today is a good day to do this. But no, it was to late to turn back. Karlie was just fine it was just her mother that couldn't handle it.

Finally, once Karlie got into the chair and picked her earings...1....2....3. She did it. The poor little look on her face. She had no idea what was coming. She only cried a few times until Holly came in with a sucker. Well, in the long run...we made it! Karlie was so good! I just don't know if I can handle it again to get Hailie's done!!!

Just a few random pictures. Braden went to his first day of preschool which was awesome!! Because my mom works for the school district, we were able to get Braden in a preschool that follows the same schedule as the afternoon kindergarten. He eats lunch at school and even is picked up at our doorstop by the bus! He loves it and so do I!! It gives me a nice little break everyday!! Now if I can just get Karlie into the same program next year....

Hailie had her first haircut, nothing drastic but she did so good. Karlie of course had hers cut too and she thinks she is just so cute! I just had to post the picture of her sleeping on the floor. This particular night she just did not want to go to sleep. So when I went up to check on them, this is how I found her.