Ward Christmas Party

At our ward Christmas party there was a local band that sang Christmas songs for us and did a sing-a-long with the kids. Kalyssa wasn't with us this night and we got Baylee and Abbee last minute.

Santa Claus walked in... Baylee put William on his lap and he immediately tried to scoot off. He didn't like the strange man...

Baylee and Santa

Abbee and Santa

Dec 9, 2010

Gingerbread Houses

Grandma MaryAnn is so sweet! Every year she makes a finger food dinner and gingerbread houses for the kids. And they love it!!!

They're pretty excited to get started...

 I made William's gingerbread house for him. He's home sick and I'm so sad! It would've been his first year making his own house, but didn't get to. I made sure to pile on stuff he'd like to eat. :)

Last night he stayed up till 3am fussing and was very uncomfortable. I took him to see the doctor today and it turns out he has an ear infection in both ears, a sore throat, cough and runny nose. Our poor boy has it all right now, and is at high risk for getting RSV again, so he stayed home with Dad. :(

 Chad tried to eat a piece of his house and a big chunk came off. He said it's the garage now.

 ...about half way done.

Chase didn't want his picture taken. He's funny, cause he's one of the most out going kids I know! He brought a "friend" with him to the party.

It's cool the older kids still love this. And James is definitely a big kid when it comes to gingerbread houses.

Kalyssa is all done!

Abbee too! She made a spider out of pretzels for me cause she knows I hate spiders. lol... lil' stinker! It's on the "back yard" side of her house.

Ashley made this house in memory of her dear Chelsea. It's so sweet.

Conner and Kenny are done with their houses.

Baylee was the last one done with her house... she added lots of detail.

William's house is done. I lined his with pretzel M&M's... those are for me! 

Chase & his "friend", Brock, Shaun, Chance, and Landon playing cards.

Kalyssa, Abbee and Baylee played Ping Pong...

Kenny and Conner got out Skip-Bo.

When I brought home Will's house, he was excited and ran over to see it. I was trying to get them all to smile... an M&M rolled off Will's roof... he picked it up and ate it as I snapped the picture. :)

He's studying the treats on his house and managed to chip off a little cookie.

Dec 6, 2010

J-E-L-L-O

I've lived in Utah for 20 years, and I've never made Jello! lol... I swear Utah is the Jello capitol of the world. Brandon loves Jello Jigglers, so I made some tonight.

 He ate 3 large pieces out of the pan before the kids could cut the shapes with cookie cutters. haha.

 They cut out stars, Christmas trees, angels, and snowman shapes.

Willie was kinda weirded out by the slimmy texture.

Mmmm... the whole pan was gone in no time.

Dec 5, 2010

Chocolate Mustache

He got 4 days behind on his Advent Calendar... catching up on it gave him a perfect chocolate mustache!

Dec 5, 2010

Bowls For Hats

It's so funny how every toddler at some point gets the mixing bowls out and tries them all on for hats.

Then he runs off with it on...

 He got excited about this bowl.

Dec 5, 2010

Christmas Shopping

Every year the ladies on Brandon's side of the family goes Christmas shopping together. I've gone the last 3 years since Brando and I've been together, and I look forward to this day every year now! We have lots of fun. First, we hit Kohl's, then went to Tai Pan for some home decor...

At Tai Pan there is lots of trees that are decorated so cool, and then you can grab all the stuff next to them to do the same tree at home. I'd do this tree if I could afford such a fancy tree! It's so sassy... all in black & white with huge diamond ornaments everywhere... thought it was cool! :)

  

 Then we went to the Layton Hills Mall for lunch and more shopping... and I ran into Rob and Debbie! They are my best friend's parents. I haven't seen them since my wedding in 2008. I met their daughter, Shara, when I lived a few houses down from them as a teenager. Shara, Lara, Stephanie and I were inseperable for years. When we were all 20 years old, Shara passed away. I miss her so much!!! So whenever I see her parents or her sister, Kresta, it's a dear reunion to me. :)

Me, Julie, Heather, Dixie, and Mitzi... We ate dinner at Iggy's Sports Grill.

Dec 3, 2010

Kalyssa's Dance Program

 Taylee, Aliyah, Makayla, and Kalyssa are waiting for their Christmas Program for dance to start.

 Brando is ready with the camcorder. It was outside at the Ogden Amphitheater in the Christmas Village, so everyone was bundled up.

Kalyssa and Taylee are both in the same dance class with the 7 year olds... they did awesome. It was Kalyssa's first performance!

Dec 2, 2010