Birthdays

I turned 30 this year...and yes, I actually did find a gray hair hiding in the midst of my luscious locks.

It's pretty sad when you turn 30 and realize you've actually hit the point when people actually expect that you are, in fact, mature and responsible. I feel neither of those. Will there ever come a time when I don't picture myself as a 20 year old college student?

Ella also celebrated her 9th birthday on the 22nd. I don't know what was wrong with her, but she didn't want the traditional birthday cake with 7 minute frosting. (Homemade 7 minute frosting, yum. No birthday is complete without it). Ella wanted an oreo cake. So being a mature and responsible 30 year old, I demanded Michelle make my very own 7 minute frosting cake...Which she complied to. (Birthdays are great if you get to be demanding)

Lights on Temple Square

Matt took the week before Christmas off and we headed to Utah for some vacation time. Our first stop was Temple Square to see the lights. The Hammonds joined us and we wondered around for a couple of hours. It had been years since Matt or I've been and the first time for our kids. It was pretty fun for everyone to be together for some holiday fun.

Kindergarten Christmas Concert

Bennett's school has a Kindergarten Christmas Concert before they let out for vacation. He was pretty excited to get to play a flute type instrument for "Up On The House Top".

These are the boys he claims for friends: Jacob (not looking at the camera), Bennett, Jesse, Trevon, and Evan.

Do you have any idea how hard it is to take a picture of 5 boys? Pretty hard, considering this is the best picture I got.

Gingerbread Village

We made gingerbread houses at preschool. I had leftover frosting (cement) so the kids sat down to make their very own.

The final total? 6 gingerbread houses.

A little excessive? I think so.

But at least they were entertained and enjoyed themselves.

Elf Mischief

Bennett wrote a letter to Santa requesting an elf.

So of course, Santa complied and sent Jingles to keep watch at our house.

I didn't know that elfs could be so mischievous.

We came home from Walmart tonight to find our Christmas tree had been toilet papered, with Jingles holding an empty toilet paper tube.

The kids shrill giggles confirm they love having an elf that is just as naughty as they are.

Here Comes Santa Claus

Why is it you have everything on track and ready for Christmas...think you are ahead of the game...then your kids throw you a curve ball that upsets everything.

All 3 of my children have been begging for Happy Nappers. That is what they want, and that is what Santa better bring if he was to see happy smiling children.

So when we went to visit Santa I was completely thrown for a loop when they all put their orders in for something other than a Happy Napper.

The current requests:

Jemma: A princess doll

Jacks: A robot bug (Hexbug)

Bennett: A Nutcracker

Hmm...Santa might have to do a little readjusting. Especially since he promised them to their face their wish would be granted.

Thanksgiving 2011

No, I did not take any picture of our actual Thanksgiving Feast (either of them). I was too busy trying to consume as much food as possible.


Matt had to work Friday after Thanksgiving so our trip to Idaho was a short whirlwind.

In our small allotted time frame we were able to pack in a little shopping, make Christmas pillow cases for each child, and consume 2 Thanksgiving dinners in.

We packed up and headed home just before all the crazies came out for the Black Friday Deals. (No offense to any who participated, I desperately wanted to join in on the festivities. I personally think Black Friday should become a federal holiday so I will never have to miss another one again due to Matt's job).

However, on second thought, after hearing Michelle had been trampled by a group of teenage boys in the Xbox game section, and Heather was rammed in the rear end by a fast moving cart when she paused to look actually look at something, I think being warm and safe in my bed as I send my sisters out to do my shopping just might be a better option.

Friday night when Matt got home from work we pulled out our Christmas decorations and went to town. (And of course, I did not get the camera out. Oops.)

Milestone Oversight!

This summer Bennett lost his first 2 teeth.

Unlike most kids, Bennett refused the right to be visited by the Tooth Fairy.

He choose to keep his teeth instead, in a little plastic bag, with the thought of stock piling all his baby teeth, just in case he needed them at a later date...

Go figure.

Halloween

This year for Halloween we had a kitty.
A dragon (for the 3rd year)
And a pretty darn scary werewolf

Pumpkin Carving

We carved our 13 pumpkins the night before Halloween.

It was quite a big task since there were so many.

Apparently, my kids are as addicted to pumpkins as they are candy.