Christmas

We have way too many pictures of all our fun Christmas festivities, so I'm just posting a few. A fabulous time was had by all. Thanks to all the grandparents-you spoilers you. It was just great to spend time with family and really enjoy each others' company. Hope you all had a good one. Oh-and thanks for all the fabulous cards! We really love seeing everyone's darling family pictures and hearing what you all are up to! Sorry I'm a slacker and didn't get ours sent out-Ack! What is the world coming too! Be watching for a Valentine from us instead.New Christmas jammies on Christmas EveLeaving food for the reindeerCookies for Santa and their final letters to SantaNew goggles for everyone for those windy sled rides

Cookies for Santa

Another little tradition of ours is to make Santa cookies of Christmas Eve. The girls just love it. This year we got the cookies made and waited to frost them until right before bed. We were a bit tired, so mom helped a little more than usual with the frosting. The girls love eating it more than frosting with it anyways!

Sledding Fun

Sam-the Photographer

Sam took free reign of the camera one night and played photographer around the house. It was kind of fun to see things from her perspective. Here is a bit of a glimpse. Take note of the arrangement of the 2 little nativity sets-also her handiwork.

The Hunt is On

It is our family tradition to cut our own tree each Christmas. We go to Idaho the Saturday after Thanksgiving to hunt the perfect tree. It is one of our favorite parts about Christmas. We went with our friends, the Bell's and made a day of it. We take along plenty of hot cocoa and goodies for the trip (the natives get restless after about 10 minutes).Our generous family borrowed their 4-wheelers and trailer to us so we didn't have to trek with the poopsies too terribly far. So we strapped the sled on the back and headed out. Sam was the perfect little babysitter. On the way back she sang to Sienna the entire way back. Between that and the rumbling 4-wheeler, she was out cold!
Our 'little' tree in all its glory. Jared would have liked to put it in the middle of the room so it could be 18' tall-but it ended up 16'. It only took us over a week to even get the lights on it.

Thanksgiving

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving. Phenomenal food and great company. We have so much to be thankful for in our lives. We are blessed to live close to our families and so thankful we get to spend so much time with all of them. Great Grandma & Grandpa Williams traveled up to be with us this year. We thoroughly enjoy them. Grandpa's teasing and Grandma's cooking are priceless (and Grandma's stuffing is to die for-my personal FAVORITE). Thanks for the great holiday everyone.Uncle Jake and his prized bird (we actually had 2 turkeys-needless to say we all took great naps that afternoon).The place settings Sarah and our dear family friend, CarlGreat Grandma Donna & SamMy sisters, Jess & MegSam & GrandmaThe feisty sisters-My Auntie Lynette & my mom, Diane

Our Little SLC Trip

Jared had to go to Salt Lake on business for a couple days, so we tagged along and had a little fun. The girls and I played with their cousins, tootled around Temple Square, and visited old friends. It was a fun little vacate from our everyday routine.

Back in the saddle again

I think I forgot how to post. Sorry to all of you that have been checking up on us. We fell off the face for a minute! We've been feverishly getting our lawn in (imagine that after 3 1/2 yrs) among other yard projects and things. It has been a busy fall! But we're back on the radar. I'll probably post a few things from a while ago just for posterity sake, so scroll down further if you want. Thanks for bearing with us!

Halloween Fun

Sam started asking on October 1st when Halloween was going to be here. It was about like anticipating Christmas! She could not contain her excitement! Jared came as a grump ;)Sleeping 'Booty' (she'll shake her Sleeping 'Booty' too if you ask her)TinkerbellIsn't she quite adorable. Look at that fairy smile.
Both of them were very set from the beginning as to what they wanted to be but I was too cheap to pay for the $20 Disney costumes (they are so cheaply made! They would fall apart in one night!). So my mom and I got ambitious and made them. I made Tinkerbell and my mom made Sleeping Beauty. It was a fun adventure. Sam got to dress up pretty much the entire week and loved it. Especially the sparkles. All in all, it was a great time and they came away with a LOAD of candy (which Alex secretly sneaks about every 5 minutes when I'm not policing-she has such a sweet tooth!)

Pumpkin Carving

I love this smile! We can rarely get a good picture of this kid smiling!

What a cheeser.Sam with her fantastic pumpkin. She did the whole back side herself and was so proud of her 'face'. She wanted a whole other pumpkin to do another face on...because it didn't quite turn out the way she expected.