Happy Birthday Kayli!

I can't believe our little girl is 6! What a fun birthday she had. When she woke up, she opened presents from all of us and then I made pancakes and of course had a candle in it. Then she played with her new toys while I made her birthday cake. It took me 3 tries to make her cake, the first fell on the floor as I pulled it out of the oven, the second I was talking on the phone and didn't think I added water, but realized after it was baked and had gone flat that I must have added it. Like they say, 3rd times a charm. Then while decorating it, I knocked my new frosting decorator on the floor and it broke. But I did get it finished and Kayli loved it and that is all the matters. Then we had family (Grandma Janet, Grandma and Papa Hall, Strattons and Brewers) come over for cake and to watch her open presents and then we went ice skating. What a great time that was. Kayli loved it! It was her first time, and she didn't want to it to end. It didn't take very long for her to start to figure it out and was able to skate while holding someones hand. Then we came home and I made her her favorite meal...ribs & cheesy potatoes. Then we watched Space Chimps. It was a really fun day!

Christmas

We had such a great Christmas. Christmas Eve we went out to dinner and watched a Christmas movie, we were unable go to the family party we planned on going to (4 of the 6 other grandkids were sick). We also baked cookies and put them out for Santa with carrots for the reindeer. The kids were so excited for Santa to come that night, suprisingly they actually slept until 7:30 a.m. Kayli and Tyler brought thier stockings in and looked through them with Zach on our bed, then they went into the living room to see what Santa brought them. They all opened their gifts from Santa and played with them for awhile, and then we had our traditional breakfast, and then we opened all the presents under the tree. Kayli got a pink MP3 player, leapster, pink razor scooter, a bed for her doll- Katelyn, Tyler got a whole lot of "Batman." Zach got a big bathtub boat full of toys and a few little toys. Tim got clothes, shoes, a donkey antenna ball, and I got a new camera!!!!!!!! We spent the day playing with the kids and their new toys. We didn't have to go anywhere, so it was nice just to stay home.

Family Christmas "Get Togethers"

We had a fun weekend. Saturday we had my mom over to celebrate Christmas with her. We all enjoyed opening presents, and spending the afteroon togethre. We got some very nice and needed things. Then we went to dinner at McGrath's. It was a fun afternoon with Grandma. Thanks Grandma Janet!
Then on Sunday we had invited all my family here to have dinner, play games and open presents. Everyone was able to make it. My dad, his wife ReNae, Jeff and his family and Jenn and her family. We all received some great gifts. I just have to say ReNae is an amazing sewer, she made all the girl grandkids several clothes for their "American Girl" dolls. Very cute! Thanks everyone for a fun day. Love you all!

Don't let Daddy see this...

This is what happens when Kayli has Zach in the play room with her. She has always wanted a little sister, since that hasn't happened I guess she has to make do with what she has. Don't let daddy see this!

Kayli's Snowman

Kayli was so excited to see the snow! She built this little snow man, and came in the house and asked for a little carrot and raisins to put on her snowman, then she found some little sticks. So cute!

The Boys...

Tim, Zach and Tyler playing on the floor

Zach in his Santa hat

Zach loves the Christmas tree

Zach and Tyler playing

Kids and Santa

We had our ward Christmas party on Saturday, and of course Santa paid a visit. Tyler was so serious about what he was telling Santa he wanted, and was not shy one bit, I guess he wanted to make sure Santa heard what he wanted.

Mr. Elf!

Here is a picture of Mr Elf hiding in our Christmas tree. Mr. Elf came back to our house again this year. Kayli and Tyler were so excited when they saw him. For those of you who don't know, Mr. Elf was sent to our house last year from Santa to keep an eye on Kayli and Tyler just to make sure they are being good. He hides somewhere different every morning, until Christmas Eve. That is the first thing Kayli and Tyler do when they wake up is look for Mr. Elf. He is a great reminder for them to behave, although they forget he is watching quite often. He brought along some friends this year to some of our neighbors. I guess when they heard about our elf, they sent in a request to Santa for him to send one to their house as well. We love Mr. Elf and are so gald he came back to be "our elf" again this year.

Gingerbread Cookies

Monday we made Gingerbread Cookie Dough, so on Tuesday we cut them out, baked them and then decorated them. The kids had fun playing with the dough, and decorating them. Kayli ended up with more candy on them than she had cookie! It was a lot of fun!

Decorating for Christmas

Yeah! Our favorite time of year is here. We were all so excited to decorate the tree, and put out all the decorations throughout the house. Tim hung the lights outside, with a little help from all of us. Every year we take the kids to the store and let them pick out a new ornament to put on "their" tree that is in their room. This is such a fun tradition. It is always interesting to see what ornament they will pick. Tyler picked a police motorcycle and Kayli picked a pink sparkly flamingo. Zach got a cute little snowman, with help from me. Here are a few pictures of Kayli and Tyler decorating their tree.

Another fun thing we do is decorate the kids room with lots and lots of paper chains, snowflakes that we cut out, and of course lots of Christmas lights! I had a hard time getting a good picture of it all, but it turned out cute and the kids love it!!!!!

Thanksgiving

We had Thanksgiving dinner at our house again this year with Tim's parents. Tim helped the kids make indian headbands, and he made Zach a pilgrim hat also. Who'd of thought he was so crafty. They all turned out pretty cute.