The Backyard Snow Pile

Gard, Julie, Jill, Emmilie, Cooper, Nate and McKenzie got here last night and today was a great time to play King-of-the-Hill.

Christmas Eve

Here's a big hello to the Packers from everybody while they're getting their plates full for Christmas Eve Dinner.

Here's the outside of the house.

And here's the inside....

Reading "The Night Before Christmas"...

It was a really lovely evening....

School Christmas Program

Blake and Colton are in the 5th grade. That means they are part of a pretty complicated singing and dancing routine for Granite Elementary. It's just for the students but they let the parents come see a dress rehersal which Steve and I went to this morning. Rock ON!!

Can you see them?

Shiloh Is Here!

The pictures just don't do her justice. She is so cute. Her hair is lovely, soft and lots of it! I got to feed her and she's a great little eater. Kristal is doing really well and it's really wonderful to be in the same room with Mom, Dad and their newest little family member! Look how happy Papa is!

Isn't she cute?

Ellies Baptism

Today Steve baptised Ellie. It was really lovely and she was so sweet. We got her dress at the place in American Fork. She loves it and shows it to everyone who shows any interest. The smocking is something my mother would have liked. She loves her Daddy lots and we love her lots and are very proud of her.

Celebrating Lilly's Sealing

Here's some pics of the celebration. Better late....etc.

The Polar Express

More pictures from the Polar Express. The elves were really cute, and Santa was extremely nice and funny. He gave each of us a silver bell. If you are from Utah, you know about the Heber Creeper. The train went about 10 miles an hour up the mountain, past Deer Creek Reservoir, then a blistering 15 miles an hour back down. Before the sun set, we saw a herd of deer, two red foxes and Santa standing by the side of the tracks at the North Pole. It really was cool.

The Polar Express

We all went for a ride on the Polar Express! It was really wonderful. The train left at 5pm and by the time we got to the turn-around place, otherwise known as the North Pole, it was dark and the stars were out. There were elves, cooks in white hats with chocolate chip cookies, hot coco, Mrs. Claus and the big red guy, too. It was unbelievably fun. And definitely the way to get into the Christmas Spirit. Colton got up, took the mic and sang "You Better Watch Out". It was spectacular.

For Halloween, Gabe was an elephant, notice the flood pants, Ellie was a pug and Sleeping Beauty, Colton was George Washington and Blake was an army guy in honor of his bro-in-law and hero, Sterling. Sarah was a, wait for it, pig in a blanket and Ashley moved to the hood with lots of bling.

Pumpkin Time!

Here's a Happy Halloween message from the kidlets. Sarah, our nanny, the kids and I went to pick the pumpkins up at Schmidt's farm like we do every year. It was really fun. But it made me realize they are growing up so fast. I remember when I had to worry that Blake and Colton would fall in the irrigation ditch. Now they all hop over it like it wasn't there.

Yesterday they were all busily running around, very thoughtfully looking for the most perfect pumpkins, consulting with one another and hauling seriously huge pumpkins from the field to the cart. They are getting so competent. Where'd the little kids go?

Katy-dids first birthday cake

Before.
The Cake.





After.

Katie had a grand time with the cake Shelli made her. Sooo messy. She's such a cute girl.

Jess is cookin' up some yummy apple stuff.

Pictures for Staci!

Here's pictures of everyone that's here today. I am soooo happy for you and Sterling!

Ellie gets a new room!

About two years ago, the last time I went to Oklahoma to visit my cousin, we visited a shop that had the cutest, funkiest children's room decorations. I got slammed with a vision of Ellies room, what it could be, and invested in a night stand lamp, a chandelier and stars to hang from the ceiling. The things were stored in my office until recently when a room was available and it was just the right time to put it all together. Steve did a really good job making the chandelier work; whoever wired it was obviously not an electrician. But it was worth it.

So we went to Ikea and found all the fixings to match with the colors in the fun things I got so long ago. Steve and I spent last Saturday creating a very large, fluffy pink cloud for Ellie to live in. Here's the tour. It turned out every bit as fun as I hoped it would and Ellie loves it. Which is really all that matters anyway! Next, Gabe's room!

We're all doing great. Steve's leg is getting stronger, and the kids are settling into school. They all like their teacher's this year. I'll try to get some pictures on here asap.