Merry Christmas!!!!!

All of our family lives outside the state of Utah. So we pack our bags and visit our family each year. We are celbrating Christmas early and decided to this weekend was the magic time. We hope that everyone has a Merry Christmas!

Christmas in Missouri at Papa Mike and Nana T's houses.

Christmas in Iowa at Papa Alex and Nana Sonia's House

(I was really bad at taking pictures in Iowa. The kids and I were really sick.)

Temple Square

Our family braved the cold snowy weather for a trip to Temple Square.  We enjoyed the lights and listening to the story of Savior's birth. Peyton and Annisten loved listening to the story of the Savior's birth and the Nativity by the tabernacle. They intently listen to the entire story.

Corey and I love going to Temple Sqaure because of the spirit we feel at Temple Sqauare and the reaffirming confirmation of the gosipel of Jesus Chirst. The love of Christ warmed our hearts and brought tears to our eyes.

Here comes Santa Claus...

The kids were so excited about Santa coming. We made special cookies for Santa. Peyton said Santa likes the cookies with Christmas candies on them. So I bought the Nestle Toll House Holiday ones. They have striped red or green chips on the chocolate cookies. The kids helped bake and eat the cookies. Peyton also fussed about finding just the right spot for Santa's cookies and milk. We had to try several places. Annisten just followed Peyton around and repeated everything he said about Santa. We read the night before Christmas and off the kids went to bed.

The next morning about 8:00 (which is really late for our house) we heard little footsteps running down the hall. Annisten came and hoped in bed with us; She must have forgotten about Santa. About 15 minutes later, we heard the footsteps again. Then we heard Peyton excitedly yelling "Santa was here, wake up!" Annisten sat up all in a panic and wiggled all around until she made it off the bed. Peyton was jumping up and down in our room waiting for everyone to follow.

I love the fun and excitement Santa brings for the kids. It is so much fun for Corey and I to see their eyes light up.

While putting together things for Christmas (until 1:30 in the morning!), Corey and I were talking. We really liked celbrating the Savior's birth on a different night than Santa coming to our house. I think that it helps set apart the commercial side to Christmas. That way on Christmas Eve we can celbrate the true meaning of Christmas and focus on the Savior.  we think we are going to make that into another family tradion at our house.

Fun with Elf on a Shelf

This year we added a new family tradion, The Elf on the Shelf. If you don't know, I will explain. This is an activity from the 1970's but it is still a lot of fun. It is a story about an elf Santa sends out each day to see if kids are being naughty or nice. The elf watches the chidlren by day and at night reports to Santa. (I was not to impressed with the story book. So I just simplified the story for the kids.)

The fun part... Each night when the kids go to bed you move the elf somewhere else. Corey and I had a lot of fun moving the elf around the house. In the morning the kids were so excited to see where the elf would be hiding. Peyton named the elf Tricky. Anytime a holday cookie would disappear or something out of the ordinary would happen, it was always Tricky behind the maddness (according to Peyton and Annisten).

This is one holiday activity we intend to keep!

Winter Wonderland!

The kids and I have been waiting for the snow to fall. We finaly got our wish. There has been snow storm after snow storm. I shoveled the snow twice yesterday trying to keep up with the piling snow. The picture above happened about an hour after I finished shoveling. I love looking out the window and seeing all the beautiful snow drifts. The snow falling makes the cold weather bearable and the holidays seem more festive.

Fall Leaves!

This room needs help.....

Two toddlers...

Too many toys...

No organization...

Somebody Help!!!!!

Ok I am embarrassed about this mess. I don't know if I should even say this but, the room looks even worse in person. Corey and I have work to do. It is time to put away the baby toys, get rid of kids' meal toys, and what ever else that might be lurking. Do I have any takers  for the job? :)  

New Moon

Corey and I finally went to see New Moon. Of coarse we liked it because we are such big Twilight fans. We could not help from laughing at all the cheesy acting and the women squealing at Jacob.  I am still a Jacob fan. How could any one not be, especially after seeing New Moon. Corey is an Edward fan. Corey and I are battling over who is better, Jacob or Edward. I'm not sure that this will ever be resolved. I have to admit that we are waiting for June to come around for the next movie to come to the theaters.