Sledding

This morning we decided to get all bundled up and go sledding. It was Gretchen's first time and only Easton's second. It was way fun. We do need to invest in another sled or invite people to come with us who have more sleds, or both. Every time Gretchen went down she covered her eyes. I don't think she liked the snow coming in her face.

When I was little my brother Brandon and I would go sledding for hours. I love it. I haven't been sledding since I was at Ricks. I hope to go more often.

Christmas 2009

We had a very good Christmas this year. We started off Christmas Eve Day by making sugar cookies. We had to have some cookies to give Santa.

Gretchen really enjoyed putting the green sprinkles on. We had our traditional dinner of Clam Chowder and then we opened up the last day of the advent calendar and read from the Scriptures about the Birth of our Savior.

This picture was taken while Chad was reading to us.

Then we got to open one gift. Pajamas of course. My kids are young enough that they thought it was something really cool like a toy. Well actually they really both love pajamas so it was still cool. Chad and I got to open one this year to and i loved that.

Then we went and delivered treats to a few friends and drove and looked at Christmas lights. Then we came home checked in on where Santa was at and went to bed.

Growing up we got up way early and i loved it. In years past we have just gotten up when Easton woke up for the day (6:30-7ish). This year though he new when he woke up that we got to open presents so he woke up at 4:45ish. I was so excited. I love seeing how excited they get.

I loved these pictures. I took like four because Gretchen kept yawning, we woke her up.This is the only picture I took after all was said and done. Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Family Party

This weekend we went to Idaho for our family Christmas party. Easton and Gretchen were so excited we hadn't seen Grandma and Grandpa for a couple of months. Sadly I didn't pull the camera out to take hardly any pictures. Here are a few pictures from the party.

This is just a few of the cousins.
This is Gretchen singing with Santa. She got so excited when Santa walked in.
This is what we got all night when we told her to smile.

It was fun to see everyone. I love this time of year where there are so many parties and time to spend with family and friends.

A Special Delivery!

This morning Easton and Gretchen found a special package with a note from Santa. Inside the package was a box that said Elf on the Shelf.

We made the kids wait until after church to come home and read the story to find out what this Elf does.

Here is our families elf, we named him Chester. Chester is here to watch and see if we are being naughty or nice. He reports back to Santa each night. He then will return home with Santa on Christmas Eve.

I saw this on someones blog last year and wanted to do it this year and forgot about it until last week. I hope this might be a fun new tradition and may also cut down on the temper tantrums and fighting at our house.

Christmas Traditions

As a kid I loved all the traditions we had as a family, now that I have started my own family I love getting to do some of the same and new traditions. Last year Easton and I made some ornaments together. I have decided that I am going to do this every year. Here are the ornaments we made this year.

We also have made gingerbread houses. I have decided that I prefer the graham cracker houses because they didn't fall apart on me like the kit kind have.

This year Easton told us he wanted Aunt Andrea to take him shopping for his mom and dad's presents. On Saturday morning he called her and asked if she would take him shopping as soon as he got his room cleaned. Aunt Andrea and Charly came and picked him up. He has not stopped talking about it. He can't wait until next year to do it again.

This really isn't a tradition but on Saturday after Gretchen saw Santa, I asked if she wanted Santa to bring her a present and she said no Aunt Anja(that is how she says Andrea) bring me presents. I thought it was hilarious.

Ward Christmas Party!

Last night was our ward Christmas party. I have to say I love my ward. I feel so welcome and loved. It is awesome. Anyway Santa stopped by to see the kids.

Gretchen was so excited, when Santa walked in she got the biggest smile on her face. I couldn't get the camera out fast enough to take her picture.

I know this pictures is blurry, but Easton thought it was way funny that Santa gave him bunny ears. Santa insisted that we get a good one of both of them smiling but some boy decided to put his fingers in front of the camera.

New Pajamas?!?

I am thinking my kids need new pajamas what do you think?

They really do both have some that fit but tonight they both picked hand me down ones from Aunt Andrea that happen to be to small. I saw them standing by each other and had to take a picture of the two of them with there stomachs hanging out. I have to say Easton's PJs are at least 12 years old and they are still in pretty good condition.

Easton didn't want his picture taken so he was making funny faces and Gretchen likes to do things that he does.

Daddy's Little Girl

Gretchen loves her dad a lot.

Lately she is either telling him I Love You This Much or I Love You The Most. It is cute.

These other pictures are Gretchen helping her Dad make dinner.

Day 30

1. Both of my kids slept through the night without wetting there beds.
2. I got my Christmas Cards today.
3. Tomorrow is December 1st.

Trimming the Tree & The List

We have two trees, our basement tree we made a few ornaments for last year and it is pretty plain but Easton and Gretchen decorated it all by themselves this year.

I think we will make some more ornaments this year.

Easton has been asking me if he could write his letter to santa for a while so on satruday night he sat down and did it.

(Click to Enlarge)

My favorite part of his list is the Chocolate Chip cookie.

Day 29

1. Making it through substituting 3 primary classes.
2. My Bath and Body Works lip stuff. I love it!
3. Chad staying home with Gretchen today so that I could go to church.

Day 28

1. Clean sheets.
2. My kids in bed.
3. E-mail, I love getting emails.

A few pictures!

We got our pictures taken a week ago. Here are a few of the ones I liked best.

Day 27

1. Going shopping with my sister, brother and nephew. I love shopping the day after thanksgiving.
2. The Christmas decoration boxes are put away.
3. Chad making dinner.

Day 26

Happy Thanksgiving!!
1. Eating yummy food with my family.
2. Getting the newspaper to look at the ads to plan out my Black Friday shopping trip.
3. Decorating the Christmas Tree with Easton and Gretchen. Mostly Easton. I should take a picture. The ornaments are in one central location, and I am leaving them that way.

Day 25

1. Going to New Moon with my sister.
2. My niece and nephew for watching my kids while I went to the movie with Andrea.
3. Chad running to the store for me so that I could make the rolls for dinner tomorrow.

Day 24

1. Getting my family pictures.
2. Eating a paces hamburger and fries. They were really yummy.
3. Watching Biggest Loser with Easton.

Day 23

1. Going visiting teaching. I got a new partner who I am excited to get to know better and I love going to the 2 sisters we saw today.
2. That I get to see my family pictures tomorrow.
3. Sleep.

Day 22

1. Family Pie Night. I think if I didn't come in first I was definitely second. And second is good for me.
2. Going to church. I love my ward.
3. The relief society lesson today. It was this talk. I have a goal to do better this week. I am taking it day by day.

Day 20 and 21

I totally forgot to be thankful yesterday I guess.

1. Getting Family Pictures taken.
2. An awesome friend who took our pictures in the cold.
3. Sleeping in. My kids don't usually let me do this but today I got to.
4. Chad putting up the Christmas lights on the house.
5. Chad getting all the inside Christmas decor out for me to start decorating.
6. That I get to go to church tomorrow. It feels like I haven't been forever. Because we have been sick.

Day 19

1. I just tried on Jeans and fit into a size 4. That was totally awesome and I was all by myself so i had to share with someone.
2. Going to lunch with family. Good times!
3. friends.

Day 18

1. Gretchen singing in the shower.
2. Easton getting a haircut. He looks so handsome now.
3. sweaters

Day 17

1. Pay Day
2. My visiting teachers. They are so nice and I love to chat with them.
3. I just read that I live in the second healthiest state in the country. I am thankful for that. Healthy is good.

Day 16

1. Getting most of my house clean today.
2. Feeling better.
3. Going shopping with my sister.

Days 13, 14, and 15

So i have been a little sick and haven't wanted to get on the computer.
Here is my list
1. Chad
2. Easton
3. Gretchen
4. Bountiful Baskets.
5. That I am finally starting to feel better.
6. Pizza(I had pizza for dinner last night and it was good)
7. The Snow, I can't lie I like the snow.
8. Watching movies snuggled in blankets with my kids.
9. Chad(I know I already said him but he deserves to be listed twice.)

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

Today is my Dad's 68th Birthday!!! He is on his mission and I just wanted to wish him a Happy Birthday! I tried to find a picture of Easton and my dad but I can't seem to find any. When we lived with my dad after my mom passed away Easton and Grandpa were buddies. Easton would follow Grandpa around and would do the thing Grandpa did. We Love You Dad/Grandpa! I hope you have a good day!!!

Day 12

1. Chad he went and bought me medicine. I just can't seem to kick this dang cold.
2. Gretchen only having 1 accident today.
3. Easton picking what we have for dinner and then helping me make it.

Day 11

1. Hearing Easton say that totally Rocked. What 4 year old says that?
2. Hearing Easton and Gretchen singing along with Darius Rucker on the CMAs.
3. The Black Friday Target ad came out. I love going shopping the day after thanksgiving.


P.S. This is my 400th post. That is a lot.

Future Hair Stylist?

What do you think is she a future Hair stylist or what?

She went into the bathroom and put this curler in. Isn't she so pretty?!

Day 10

1. That my kids didn't complain about dinner.
2. My hands
3. Hot baths

Day 9

1. Hearing my kids play nice. Some days they don't do so good at this. Today when we dropped Easton off at preschool I loved hearing Gretchen say I love you Easton.
2. That I got some Christmas shopping done today.
3. My sister gave me a gold star today for potty training Gretchen. I usually over think a lot of parenting things and think I am horrible and freak out about it. Not this time around with the potty training.

Day 8

1. Easton and Gretchen. Easton, Gretchen and I all stayed home from church today because we have not been feeling that great. They wanted to watch a movie. When I got downstairs to start it this is how I found them.

2. Taking a Nap.

3. Chad. I love him, what else can I say!

Day 6 and 7

1. Getting my haircut. I haven't gotten it cut for a year. Crazy huh!
2. A glass of ice cold water.
3. Going for walks
4. Finally getting my Halloween Decorations put away.
5. That Easton was so excited for Homework. He was sick this week and his teacher gave him the stuff he missed.
6. Clean Laundry! I have done like 5 loads today.

Day 5

1. My sister has the best laugh after she has been sick. It makes me laugh when she laughs.
2. Gretchen going 1 full day including a nap without having an accident.
3. Finding my debit card.

Naughty Little Girl and Day 4

Gretchen has decided to be super naughty today. I opened a brand new box of Kleenex and then I went upstairs. I came back a few minutes later and she had taken at least half of the Kleenex's out of the box. So she goes to time out. While in time out she ripped paint off my wall. Oh man if she weren't so dang cute I don't know what we would do.

Then she found these scary teeth. This is her making a scary face.

1. Doctors

2. Hot showers

3. My bed

Day 3

1. Medicine
2. The Biggest Loser
3. New Shampoo and Conditioner.

Counting My Blessings 2009

Each day of November you write a blog post of 3 "things" you are grateful for.

Definition of “things”- the term “things” is used here to encompass a myriad of stuff including, but not limited to: a certain set of circumstances, an event, an inanimate object distinguished from a living being, possessions or effects, a deed or act, a product of work or activity, an idea or notion, a piece of news or information, a person, a memory, anything that makes you smile.

* The challenge is to come up with three ORIGINAL “things” each day. Try not to repeat entries.
* Your post should be sent by midnight each night. If you miss a day or two, no biggie, but you have to make it up, no skipping!

Since I didn't start yesterday today's list will consist of 6 things. Feel free to join in!

1. Music - I just loaded my Christmas music on my ipod.
2. The Friend magazine. That is what we read tonight instead of a book.
3. Blogs- Today I have been looking at lots of photography blogs.
4. My slipper - I have had them on all day.
5. A working Washer and Dryer
6. Food

Whats going on in my head

1. I started potty training Gretchen last tuesday. I was so dreading this. I have been happily surprised. I hope this continues.

2. I am hoping to get my Christmas cards ready to be mailed by december 1st so if i have readers that would like them you will need to leave me your address or your email so that I can get that information from you.

3. So every night I read my kids a few books. Well I have read everyone we own at least once. I am thinking a trip to the library is in order. I am just wondering what some good books to read to 4 and 2 year olds. Do you have any suggestions?

4. I am thinking of doing this again. I was just wondering if it is annoying to my few readers. If that is the case I will still do it but just put it down in a journal or something. So what do you think?

5. It is a little over 50 days until Christmas. That seems crazy to me. It seems that the last 2 months have totally flown by.

Halloween 2009

Easton likes the whole carving pumpkins but he isn't a big fan of touching the inside. He said he would clean his out. It took him 2 hours to get it all done.

Gretchen didn't like getting her fingers all yucky but she hurried and did it.

We had lots of pumpkins this year. I bought 2 and then Easton's preschool gave us four.
Chad did the Mummy, and monster thing. Easton's is the other one.

Gretchen's

This is mine.

Getting ready to go trick-or-treating!

Isn't this the cutest thing ever? I think so!

Checking out there loot.

We had a ward party earlier in the week and they both got so much candy that we only went to our little neighborhood. They were both in bed a little after 8pm.

Making Cookies

I really enjoy making sugar cookies. So since we have Halloween cookie cutters then we must make Halloween cookies. Not that we need anymore junk food in this house. I don't know why all my pictures look so crappy. I think I need to take some photography lessons or something.

I really didn't want lots of pumpkins and ghosts calling me to eat them so then we made these little candy corn cookies that I think I might give to the people I visit teach.

The decorating the cookies really is Easton and Gretchen's favorite.

Don't you love how she is licking her fingers.

I know you all want that ghost cookie with a couple tablespoons of sprinkles on it. I wasn't watching her and i looked up and whoa half the bottle on one cookie.