Christmas Pics

Christmas was pretty relaxing this year. On Christmas Eve we opened the presents that we bought for each other from drawing names and of course our Christmas PJ's. Not too long after that the kids got the milk and cookies out for Santa, Tayler sprinkled her reindeer food out on the lawn, and off they were to bed.

Makenna was the first one up Christmas morning, 5 am. Soon the rest of them woke us up and we were unwrapping presents by 5:30 am. By noon Jared and I were ready for a nap. Later on that day we had some of our friends over who were orphans like us this Christmas and we played a few games and ate lots of junk. That pretty much sums up our Christmas. It was great and fun. I think the kids got all they wanted and more......so did Jared and I.

Yeah, I DID IT!!!

Jared wanted so bad for me to go snowboarding this break without the kids. The problem is.....I didn't know how. I have been skiing twice in my life and that was not very pretty. I love the snow but let's just say me and snow sports just didn't mix (unless it was a sled behind a car). Well, I decided to go because he REALLY wanted me to go, it was important to him and I always say that I will at least try some things once, if I don't like it, that will be the end of it. So on Friday morning my friends daughters came over at 6:30 am and off we were to White Pass. Once we were there I panicked a little when I found out you had to ride the lift before you can even go down a hill. AAAAAAHHHHH. Jared is a good, patient teacher. He told me how to sit on the lift (sideways for a snowboard) and that went good, now only the getting off part that was left. I was fully prepared to kiss a pole or fence when I was getting off, but guess what, I did it without a crash or fall. Yeah for me!! (I have to toot my horn on that one, I was even shocked) The first quarter of the way down the hill I wanted to take my board off and smack the next person going by me (I know, road rage except on a ski hill). But much to my surprise it got better, much better. The last 3 quarters went great and so did the next 5 times down the hill. I loved it. I loved going with Jared and trying something he and the kids enjoyed so much. I'm excited to go back and attempt to get better, I do have a ways to go but can't wait for the next time.

December 's Nutshell

Newspaper clipping of Makenna at the Salvation Army volunteering

Our 2007 Christmas card picture. This one was chosen because of Bailey's big cheese. She also decided to eat M&M's right before we were taking the picture, so we had to photoshop the colors you see here off of her shirt. This was the rough draft.

A VERY short clip of Makenna's program

Makenna's first piano recital

Tayler's preschool Christmas Program.

TEAM BLOXHAM

Our bowls of popcorn and cranberried just waiting for us to string them (or just eat the popcorn).

Our little Bailey just excited to be around watching and eating the popcorn (and a few cranberries).

The family stringing popcorn and cranberries to hang on our trees outside. I think Makenna poked her finger right as the picture was being taken.

December has snuck up on us so fast. We have all been very busy and now it is 2 days till Christmas. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! So here is the happenings of our December.

• The girls and I made 250 regular sized gingerbread men for our ward party. Our primary was in charge of the bakery. It was a bit crazy doing it but I think it was a good experience for me and the girls.
• Berek's football team finally had their team party. It was lots of fun to see all the kids and the parents again. Our family has all really enjoyed football this year, and the team Berek plays for is wonderful. The kids are great, the coaches are great, it just has been a good year.
• Makenna was Mrs. Santa Claus in her 3 rd grade play "40 Winks 'til Christmas". We will try to load a clip of her soon.
• Makenna had her first piano recital. She has been playing since the first part of October and is doing quite well. She played beautifully and we were all so proud of her.
• Tayler's preschool had a little Christmas program for the parents. They sang us 4 songs and did a little dancing with it. It was so cute. Nothing like 9 girls and 1 boy, sounds similar to her primary class.
• Delivered tons of treats to all of our friends and neighbors. Another fun Christmas tradition. Hopefully no one ended up with food poisoning :)
• The kids and I volunteered at the Salvation Army helping to hand out gifts from the Adopt a Family program. It is a very neat experience and makes us so very grateful and feel very blessed for all we have. The kids enjoy it and have asked every year about going back. Makenna was even in the paper this year for it.
• Took pictures for the family Christmas cards and sent them to everyone that doesn't live in a 30 mile radius of us.
• Jared took the kids snow boarding for the first time this year at White Pass. They loved it. They said the snow was fresh and perfect. Bailey, Tayler, and I stayed home and made cookies.
• Our family, minus Bailey because of the cold, did the Cable Bridge Run. We all signed up for the mile. Berek ran with his friend, Jared and the two girls ran together, and I decided to go for the 5k and I did it. It made me proud. We saw lots of our friends there too. It was great.
• Now that leads us to tonight. We decided to string popcorn and cranberries. No reason, just for fun. And it was.

It has been very busy month with the ward, friend, and company parties, lots of shopping, and getting everything together, but it has all been fun and well worth it. So here is our December in a nutshell.

The Nursery's Toys

I recently bought some much needed new toys for our nursery , with some money left from the Primary budget. There were a few I was unable to give them last week because they needed to be put together. Bailey sat by and watched every second of me assembling them. Soon after she had the first run of the new toys. They might just be another present that Santa will have to get.

Our Little Princess

I went shopping for Christmas of course, at Toys 'r Us a few weeks ago. Believe it or not, they still had a few Halloween costumes. They were on clearance for 90% off. What a deal! The only size they had of them that would fit any of my kids was Bailey, so she ended up with this cute princess dress for $2. It is not a cheaply made one either. I should of saved it for Christmas but I couldn't help myself and let her wear it all day at home.

Now for the princess part. She is such a cutie. She is saying a lot of words now. Mom, Da, Tay, Ma (makenna), Bea, and of course my favorite---NAH!!! That is the naughty word. This is the NO for her and it is used quit frequently. She has such a personality all of her own right now. It has just been the last couple weeks that she really lets you know what she wants and how. I love this stage. They become their own little selves, but I do miss the baby. Yes, she is still little but she is no longer a baby---SHE IS OUR LITTLE PRINCESS.