12.22.2014 - happy birthday taylor

We are still a bit shocked that our Taylor is nine. Nine. 

He woke up to crepes with chocolate mousse. He went to piano lessons. The brothers gave him their 'candy poster' (we decided to chang from a poster to a bag of treats with sayings on them). We spent the rest of the day downstairs building lego sets...everyone... even mom and dad. We also watched the 1st and 2nd Harry Potter while building. It was so perfect just being together.

Happy Birthday to our Christmas baby. We love you.

6.22.2014 - taylor's half birthday

On June 22 we like to celebrate Taylor's half birthday. We treat the day like it is his real birthday. He gets breakfast in bed, presents from mom and dad, a dessert, and this year he got a simple friend pizza party.

It was a good day. The only problem is that two of the brothers now think they need a 1/2 birthday party, too.

christmas weekend - three

The third weekend of December we were looking forward to a weekend full of parties and Christmas fun. The boys were done with school and ready for a two week break. (we all were) 

Friday night we made our way to Aunt Alisa and Uncle Jerry's home for an appetizer dinner with homemade toffee and a sherbet/squirt drink. We stacked cups as high as we could and threw marshmallows into buckets. It was the perfect kid party.

Saturday morning we woke up with sickness and spent the rest of the weekend laying around watching movies and doing absolutely nothing. When Levi was sick, Corbin said we should leave him home and go to the party we had planned for Saturday night. And when Levi was better and Corbin was sick, Levi said we should leave Corbin home and go to the party we had planned for Sunday night. 

In the end, it was good to just be home and be together.

12.18.2014 - temple square at christmas time

I just adore my little family and I absolutely love being at Temple Square during the Christmas season. It is so magical.

The kids love riding the 'train' into town, and this year was so perfect with Rudger and his obsession with the cho-cho. His smile would not fade and the sparkle in his eyes never dimmed while we were on the train.  

 When I was a young girl and my family would make the drive to Salt Lake each December, my dad would always take us to the candy window display. This year I was so excited to see them again. Taylor was most excited about it too.

But what they were most excited to see was the Christus. It makes my heart so happy to see them develop their own love for Christ during this Christmas season. 

christmas weekend - two

The second weekend in December I knew my days of the boys being in school for a good chunk of the day were being numbered so I decided to spend my Friday wrapping some presents. And for the record, I am very excited to have them home.

We enjoyed Christmas chips and Guacamole, along with Friday night pizza. We also made cookies to take to a neighborhood Christmas party. 

Saturday we spent playing, stretching out our carpet,and making new Christmas stockings (our old ones were just not working and for seven years it has been on my Christmas to-do list). We also had our ward Christmas Party. Always a favorite of ours.

Sunday we enjoyed a duet on the Piano from Taylor and Jolly. 

thanksmas 2014

The boys love to tell their friends, teachers, and just about anyone who will listen that one of their most favorite holidays is Thanksmas. People look at me with a confused look and are probably thinking the boys don't know what they are saying. Nope. It is a very special day to us.

The favorites from this year's Thanksmas:

getting to be pushed on the table sleigh

the amazing decorated table

the feast, most especially the ham loaf

Santa

chasing the older cousins around
family time

 ^^ the expression on his face when he saw santa ^^

 ^^ the expression after he realized what santa gave him ^^

^^ and his face when it was all over ^^

christmas weekend - one

Our first weekend of December Jolly brought the boys some hats and gloves that were very much needed. Except for the fact that there is now snow and it's been the warmest December in years. #notokaywiththat  

We made Christmas cookies.

Started off the weekend right with pizza and donuts, we threw in some oranges to make dinner a little more healthy.

Movie morning with Grandma and Grandpa. 

Family pictures in the backyard. Only kind of painful this go around. The boys only last for about six attempts. If we don't get a good one then, oh well.

Sunday night games. Dollar tree had THE cutest Christmas card games. 

Exhausted and ready for bed.