Joey's 6th Birthday

Joey wanted a transformers birthday and more specifically a transformers cake. At first I thought, no way! But the more I thought about it the more I thought that with Jen's help I just might be able to pull it off. I did a little research on the internet and found some ideas and Jen came over and we went to work. I think the end result was quite good for us amateurs. Joey loved it so that's all that mattered.

We then went to the park with just family and let the kids play for a bit then opened presents and ate cake. We didn't stay long because it was just too dang cold. The kids didn't even want to play because it was too chilly. Joey got lots of fun presents though and everyone enjoyed eating the cake. Happy Birthday, Jo Jo Bear!

Christmas Morning

The kids woke us really early this year for the first time. Usually we have to wake them up but they were begging by 5:00 a.m. We held them off til almost 6:00 and then gave up. Each of the kids got just what they asked for and had a good Christmas.

Gracie with her cute house.

Jackson got his PSP
Joey a leapster

and Jake got his star wars helmet and gun! Crazy kid! It was all he wanted.

Christmas Eve Jammies

Everyone all ready to get to bed and dream of Santa and Christmas morning.

Christmas Eve at GG and Grumpy's

Christmas Eve is traditionally spent over at Scott's grandparent's house. We have green chile burros and a white elephant gift exchange as we read the book "Davey's First Christmas". It should be noted that Grandpa feeds half the town his green chili burros and there's meat enough to eat green chili all Christmas weekend. No ham and turkey for us.

Then after dinner and "Davey" a special guest usually shows up. He didn't disappoint again this year. The kids are always so excited to sit on Santa's lap one last time.

Well, except for maybe Jackson who was just going through the motions this year.

Oh, and Gracie too. Not so excited this time around either. She did do pretty good with Santa at our ward party though.

Joey was in heaven and loved every minute.

I love that Jake would always lean back and whisper what he wanted to Santa every time he saw him.

Making Cookies for Santa

So I forgot until Christmas Eve afternoon about cookies for Santa but my kids didn't. Luckily I had a quick sugar cookie mix in the pantry that I made up and a tub of frosting and some sprinkles. So they aren't Christmasy in any way but the kids enjoyed decorating them and eating them. They were so excited to leave them for Santa.

The Temple Lights

OK - I'm going to get all these Christmas posts out of the way since it's already Feb. Can't believe it's gone so fast. A few days before Christmas we went down to spend some time with my family since we weren't going to be with them for the holidays. We visited my mom in the hospital and the kids opened their gifts from Grandma and Grandpa and then we visited with my dad at home.

We really wanted to take the kids to see the lights at the Temple but it had been raining all day. It finally stopped around 5:00 and cleared up enough that we were able to go. Uncles Nate and Dana joined us. We were sad we missed Uncle Cameron's family due to illness and Auntie Po's family as well. The kids were awed by the lights and loved it.