Saturday, December 26, 2009

SANTA!!!!! I know him, I know him!!

We are so blessed. We have two wonderful, beautiful, intelligent, healthy and loving children. We live in a wonderful, be it humble, home. Erik has a wonderful job with a fantastic family-friendly company. We live in a free country. And we have an amazing support system made up of family and great friends. Not to mention we have the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We feel truly blessed this Christmas season! And we hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and an amazing New Year! Bring on 2010!

On Christmas Eve we had the Rigtrup's over for some prime rib steaks, then headed over to the Peterson's for dessert and the Nativity. Good times!!

It wouldn't be Christmas without some sugar cookies! The stage for the Nativity. Isn't that awesome?! Thanks again Petersons!
Mary really needed a cow nearby. At least in Brooklyn's mind.

Work it Hyrum. lol
Singing some songs during the Nativity. Brooklyn was really into it. And Troy was too, as you can tell. lol (He's in the red and white striped sweater in the background)
A little sugar cookie frosting for Santa's plate.
Mid-bite.
Love this picture of these two sweet girls.
Ummm, Brooklyn, maybe just put some sprinkles on your plate instead of drinking them out of the container?!
Umm-numm-numm-numm
Erik was being camera shy
Santa even made a SPECIAL visit to give Brooklyn and Troy some pajamas Christmas Eve.

Monday, December 21, 2009

You ugly!

The kids had a fun play-group this week, decorating cookies. And WE had an awesome "Ugly Sweater Party." So much fun! There were some sweet lookin' sweaters. I wish I would have taken more pictures dang it. But here are a couple of our beautiful sweaters.
The girls getting ready to decorate, aka eat the frosting .
Numm, numm, numm!!
Jenna and Troy played while the older kids frosted cookies.
Oh ya baby. That's the stuff!!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Popcorn, stockings, and parties OH MY!

We have a new tradition in our house. Or more like a new obsession. Popcorn. The kids LOVE it and ask for it every night. I know, I know, total choking hazard, but we watch them very closely. So we pop some corn a few times a week, and I get to vacuum twice as much. But it's totally worth it.



Troy and Brooklyn, like a lot of kids, enjoy wearing the Christmas stockings on their feet. Troy learned fast that there isn't any traction on the bottom of them though. Poor guy.


Erik's work Christmas party/get plowed in front of your bosses was this past Saturday. It's always fun to get really dressed up and hit the town. And to watch everyone make fools of themselves from drinking too much. But we ate good food, played some "gambling" games (they have play gambling tables), and enjoyed a much needed date-night. Our good friend Stephanie watched the kids for us. Our day was pretty packed that day, so needless to say my house/kitchen was a DISASTER! I was so embarrassed. But coming home was a great surprise! Stephanie had cleaned the whole thing!! She always goes above and beyond. I am so lucky to have such a great friend!!! Another great friend of mine, Toni, helped me take in the skirt I'm wearing too. It was harder than we thought it would be! Thanks again guys!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Brace yourself for a host of Christmas party posts...all month long!

December is a month when we like to cram in as many festivities as possible. No wonder we are all exhausted after the holidays! That being said, we started off December with a bang this year. The first weekend of December included 3, count 'em, 3 Christmas parties. Friday night we crashed the Maplewood Height's ward Christmas dinner with the Rigtrup's and Bakers. Santa even made a stop! Of course I didn't have the camera, but Brooklyn was in Heaven! And they even sang her favorite "song of the moment," "Jingle Bells." Saturday morning was OUR ward Christmas breakfast. Santa couldn't make it (his sleigh was out of commission), but Baby Jesus was there. Brooklyn was the most beautiful little angel (and no, I'm not bias, just honest). Then Saturday afternoon Erik's work threw their annual Kid's Christmas party. Santa's sleigh must have gotten fixed, because he showed up with LOTS of presents!! (Have I mentioned how much we LOVE Erik's employment? Such a GREAT family-centered company). The kids had a ball, and were exhausted by days end...and so were the parents to be honest. But it was a great start to a great Christmas season. More parties to come this weekend! But the ADULT kind...YEA!! Now if only I could get motivated to get our Christmas decorations up...oh and to finish the dang advent calendar I'm making!

Resting up before the parties. Like our "molding" around our window? Ya, someday we'll fix that!
Pretty little angels.
Brooklyn made her entrance a little too early. I guess she figured the Sheperds needed some "guidance." I have to say though, she is a theatre professional in the making. No stage fright at all! That's my girl.

Having a little conversation with Santa. When he walked in, she ran up to him to give him a hug.
She couldn't open her new Mermaid bath doll quickly enough.
Troy wasn't too sure about the strange guy holding him.
Troy got a dump truck!
So there you have it. Listen, I know you all just can't wait for me to post hundreds of pictures of my adorable children. It's ok, I understand the nostalgia. But these will have to do until the next posting. :)

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Aww, and the holidays begin!

We had a great Thanksgiving this year. We decided to stay put and stick it out here in good ole' Seattle. Our good friends, the Rigtrups, invited us over for Thanksgiving dinner. I only had to make the rolls, green beans, yams, and lemon meringue pie (which I opted to just buy instead...SOOO much faster!). It was wonderful! I felt so relaxed. Erik headed out early for a little rolling in the mud, aka. The Turkey bowl. I even got a quick little "this will make me feel less guilty for the 1000's of calories I'm going to consume run." The kids were excited all day...so excited in fact, that they hardly took naps. Lovely! Anyway, we ate dinner, then ate some more, then had pie, went home, and had some more rolls. Perfect. Thanks again to the Rigtrups for a perfect dinner!!

Stephanie and I braved the stores the next morning (not too early though 6:30ish) and came away with some great stuff. It was my first time ever shopping on black Friday, at least early in the morning! I am definitely NOT a morning person. But it was very fun, and I think I'm in for next year too!

The rest of the weekend we just relaxed and played. We took the kids to the Fun center Saturday because we were all going a little stir-crazy. Now we're just trying to gear up for Christmas! I haven't gotten my decorations out yet, still waiting to get our tree this weekend. But the Christmas festivities begin this weekend, starting with our ward Christmas breakfast, followed by Erik's work kid's Christmas party. Should be a fun-filled weeken! Hopefully we can wear the kids out enough to sleep in past 7. Crossing my fingers!!
Brooklyn and Ella before dinner.
Troy and Bailey
The famous cooks! (Stephanie, her mom, and Hyrum)
The beautiful table
Our idea of a family picture lol
Making the traditional apple turkeys.