Christmas in a Nutshell

 I LOVE our Christmas EVE eve Tradition of watching movies, eating pizza, stuffing ourselves with treats until we can't eat anymore, staying up past midnight and sleeping together in the living room.
This year Christmas Eve eve fell on a Sunday, so Sean busted out some fabulous homemade pizza's.  We watched Elf, Ice Age Christmas, Kung Fu Holiday, and the Grinch.

We also made some sugar cookies and decorated them.

 This is Tay's fancy cookies.

I am still finding sprinkles :)

 The kids loved sleeping in the living room and woke up happy and excited for Christmas Eve. After all we ate, I am surprised that no one threw up that night!  We cleaned up, made food to take for Christmas Eve dinner, and just enjoyed a care-free day.  It was wonderful.

That night we went to Sean's sisters house for a wonderful dinner and festivities.  We ate, and then the kids performed the Nativity.  They did an awesome job.  It was my favorite part of the night.
Asha was our Narrator, Tayler was Mary, Keaton was Joseph, poor Connor was the donkey :), Jayson and Ty were the Wiseman, Rylee was the angel and Emma was the shepherd.

After that we dove into the presents.  My kids scored some wonderful things!

 Jayson was so excited to get a new scooter, since Mom ran over his (oops!)

 Rylee got a whole bunch of make-up (which you will see in the upcoming pictures.. haha!)

 Tayler received a whole bunch of cute clothes!

 

we had a great night and enjoyed the company and spirit of Christmas.

Our weather cooperated and we had a WHITE Christmas.  It snowed quite a bit Christmas Eve.  We made it home safely and opened the Christmas jammies and played around a little bit, and then went to bed.

 

 Christmas morning came, and bless our kids' hearts, they all had to be woken up at 8:30.  I was so into everything that morning, that I failed to take any pictures of the excitement when they discovered everything that Santa had left for them. They were so fun this year and everyone got SPOILED!! (especially me).  I got a Piano, knobs for my kitchen and amazing boots!

The kids scored with bikes, soccer stuff, and they loved the X-box Kinect.  It still amazes me that you can do everything with just your hands and not a controller. Here they are all demonstrating in the aftermath of Christmas (I have no idea what game they were playing).

 Yep-- Rylee loves putting on her make-up.. funny girl!  She also loved the head-band that Aunt Ashley sent her.

 Jackson has transformed into Spiderman.

 We had a wonderful Christmas, and loved being together over the Christmas Break.  Sean took the whole week off, which was fun. I loved the laziness of all the days and just being together.

I am grateful for this time of year.  I am grateful that I can be with my family.  I am also grateful for skype to be able to connect with those that are far away at this time of year (and always). It makes the distance seem not quite so great. 


Happy 2013 everyone!!

My trip to the South

I love when I get the chance to see my sister and her family!!  The weekend after Thanksgiving I was able to go and spend some time in Georgia, with my favorite peaches.  They were adorable and I had a blast being there!

I arrived super late Thursday evening, but was so happy to Jen when I came up that escalator.  I was so excited to be there and see everyone.

They lost one of my pieces of luggage, but thankfully it was just the clothes I brought for Eli, but they delivered it the next day, so all was well! :)

What a lucky aunt am I.  Look at all these darling kiddos!  I was super excited to see all of them and spend time with them.

While the kids were at school, Jen and I went to the last Twlight movie.  When I knew I was going to Georgia, I was excited to wait and see the movie with her.

We stuffed ourselves with popcorn and treats.. love!

Later that night we did some shopping.  They have some great stores and shopping areas.  

While I was there, the weather was amaZing! 75 degrees on Sunday.  I was in heaven.

We played games, got out Christmas and decked the Halls.

For some reason, Steve didn't want to be in my picture! :)

I loved every minute of my visit. Georgia is a beautiful place with lots to see and do.

They also introduced me to this show called "duck dynasty" that is like a train wreck and you can't look away, and keep watching more and more.  I came home and recorded a few episodes.  I need to get Sean hooked now!

The weekend went by WAY to fast.  Monday morning I got to drive early morning seminary route with Jen, so I could say goodbye to Emmy.  She is growing into such a beautiful young lady.  I am so proud of her and the choices she makes. I still can't believe she is in High School. What the heck!

Meg left for the bus about quarter to nine. I love that girl and all her spunk!  She is so loving and giving.  I sure love my Meg!

We did some last minute shopping.  When introduced me to her favorite store and it was awesome.  SO great, I thought I might have to buy another suitcase to get everything home.  Due to Jen's mad packing skills, we made it and didn't even bust the seams on the suitcases :)

We picked up Alyssa from school and headed to the airport.  I always hate the good bye part.  It seems so unfair that we have to live so far apart. I guess it makes the times I get to see them, that much sweeter!

Thank you Moore's for the amazing weekend. I love you all very much! even, the cookie sheets in my pillow.  awe, some things never change ;)

Thanksgiving week

The BYU Women's soccer team made it to the elite 8 this year, so we went down for their home game they had against North Carolina.

When we arrived it was PACKED.  I think they had over sold by at least 1000.  Annoying!
We had to stand the whole time.  I was annoyed but as the night went on, I made the best of it. I laid my blanket out in the mud and yuck for the kids to sit on, so they were good.  We were directly behind the goal.

It ended up being the best seat in the house.  They did a PK and it was fun to be right there.
They ended up losing in the 2nd overtime (4 minutes to go)  So sad.

Cosmo stopped by to say hi.  My kids loved it, well except Jackson, he left running.  haha!  I love spending time with my family. 

Thanksgiving week was a blast.

Sean ended up buying a new truck.  He loves it!  He had a truck when we first got married, but sold it to get a more "practical" vehicle.  Now, after 10 years he has a truck again and is in heaven.  It seats 6 so we can all ride in it together.  I love that.  It is super roomy in the back and still has a full bed. 

We hosted Thanksgiving this year.  I am sad that I didn't take one stinkin' picture.  I guess I was too busy doing other things :(  We had all of Sean's family (minus Shelly and Shantelle and their families) at our home.
It was nice and totally laid back, which was great.  We ate and then went to the new soccer facility that Sean owns and played a little friendly game of family soccer.  Man, I realized I am SO out of shape.  Holy Cow! The next day I could barely walk. It was a good way to burn off all the food I ate.

I am grateful for all the things I have been blessed with.  I do realize how blessed I am.

Gettin some holes..

Rylee came home from school the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and had decided she was ready to get her ears pierced again. (the first time, one of her earrings fell out, and the hole closed within that day).
Anyway, she wasn't about to wait, so we went and did it.  She was super nervous, but was so brave and did awesome!

Here is her bling. 

Such a cutie!!

All things Halloween!

We spent our last few days at Lagoon (Frightmares). My kids love that place, but now we will have to wait until next year :)

For Halloween (a week before), we took the kids to see Hotel Transylvania.  It was a cute show!  Even Jackson sat through the whole movie without making a peep!

 Tayler got her craft on and helped the kids make these darling bats.  Love her creativity!

 We hit Day Farms for our annual Hay Ride and Pumpkin Picking!  So grateful for the nice weather we lucked out having this year! It was nice to not be all bundled up.

 This witch was so cute, but Jackson was not about to give her five, or have anything to do with her!

Waiting for the Hay Ride

 Love these people!

 Finding the perfect Pumpkin.

 The next day we carved them..

Jayson's: skeleton and bones
Tayler's: peeking out window
Rylee's: 3 skeletons
Jackson's: the simple one :)

Tayler and Rylee did their own pumpkins this year. I was very proud of them.  I think they did a fantastic job.

 Time to go trick or treating..

 I did a sock bun for Rylee's Leia buns.. it worked great.

Rylee & Tayler never had to put a jacket on the whole night.  Love warm Halloween nights!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween too!