Valentine's Celebrations

Even though I was still recovering from surgery, I couldn't bare to let go of the valentine traditions I started.  

We enjoyed our love notes leading up to Valentine's Day.

And I still threw the fun cookie decorating party.

It was a little nuts of me to do this still not being able to stand on my feet for long but we kept things simple.  I had most things on hand.  I have this party down to a science since I've done it for 5 years now.  

The kids love this party and I felt like they needed it after I had been consumed with my recovery.

Taking one for the team is what we do as moms, right?

First MaryJane's friends while the older kids were at school.

Sadie's friends.

I wish I could have made them necklaces like last year but things needed to be simple, right?

Since Cole didn't have a cookie party at home this year, I got to help in his class on Valentines day.  

We played these two fun games I found on One Charming Party. It was a lot of fun! 

Thankfully I got to sit the whole time.  Off of the feet. :)

Tree Hunt 2011

This year we got our tree near Heber.  My parents met us at the fun Dairy Keen and we filled up our tummies before our great adventure.

The kids loved all the trains.

Then we drove to a canyon near by and bundled up in our snow gear.

Frankie's first time in a sled wondering if he likes it all that much.  He seemed entertained.  

We gently pulled him around the parking lot.

It was fun to have my mom with us this year.

There's something about being out in the open mountain air.  Fresh crisp air and the peace and quiet makes me feel calm.

There were plenty of trees to choose from even though you can 't tell in the pictures.

Our tree!

Cutting it down.

It is so great to have my dad's ATV.  He forgot his good pulling sled so we had to hike a little but it was  still all good fun!

Nana and the littles getting warmed up in the car.

There are so many things I love about this new tradition of ours!  

The quality family time, a fun snow day (which we needed because we had no snow back at home) and the $10 price tag for my favorite kind of tree!  Tall and skinny.  They are usually $70 at the tree lot.

Last year my dad got us this cute little Department 56 Father/Son cutting down a tree for our village.  

I love it!  A great reminder of the fun tradition we started in our family.  

Christmas 2010!

Why is Christmas so darn fun?

I honestly could not receive one single gift and just enjoy watching the kids.

The anticipation is my favorite.

I bought these darling stockings at Pottery Barn Kids a few years ago.  

This year I finally got around to getting their names monogrammed on them.  

I LOVE how they turned out.

Boy, did Santa enjoy those yummy sugar cookies!

We left carrots out for the reindeer too.

For Christmas our kids receive 3 things.  Like the 3 Wise Men gave to the Savior.

I love all the cute ideas out there of Want, Need, Wear, Read.  

We've done the 3 thing for a while now so we just stick with that.  The kids totally understand it.

1 gift and a stocking from Santa and 2 gifts from Mom and Dad.

Every year, they receive plenty.

It worked out perfectly this year.  This was the year that somehow, every gift I gave was a hit.  

How did I get so lucky?

Cole received a big Lego ship from Santa and an "Ipod" in his stocking.

Not a real Ipod.  It is called a Disney Mix Stick MP3 player.

Santa scored BIG at EBay this year buying 3 High School Musical MP3 players for $35.  

New in Box, Shipped.

The perfect thing for my music lovin' HSM obsessed kids.

Cole also received a really fun Nerf Lazer Tag game from us.  

Which I highly recommend!  It is such a BLAST!  No Nerf bullets to keep track of.

I got this for Cole's 3rd gift...

with a DS game inside. 

The 3 gifts can stretch a little. :)

If you didn't catch Sadie's wish list, check it out.

Sadie scored with a Barbie Laptop, A new baby doll and a shared gift with MaryJane 

called Sweet Streets made by Fisher Price.  

Which was another GREAT EBay find.  I got a HUGE lot of these adorable retired toys for $80 shipped.  

We ALL have spent countless hours playing Sweet Streets.

The girls LOVED their "Ipods" as well.

 MaryJane just has to be like her big sister at everything.  So she got a Mini Barbie laptop, A baby doll, and Sweet Streets.   I love this picture of her playing Sweet Streets in her new slippers from Santa.

 I couldn't get my scanner to work of the kids with Santa but MaryJane was so funny.

She was scared of him and cried and cried.  I told her to tell him what she wanted and she wailed, 

"A Microphone!"  It was adorable.  

 Sweet Streets.
A Hotel, School, School bus, Mansion, Cottage House, Beach House, Post office, Salon, Pet shop, Club house, Horse and Carriage, Ice Cream truck, Carousel and lots and lots of people and furniture.
Score!

 Santa always leaves us a nice big tin of popcorn.  We love to munch on it all morning while we play.

Before and after a yummy breakfast.

This year I received my 4th I pod shuffle.  My 1st one I wore into the ground, 2nd and 3rd got stolen.  

I don't think it would be Christmas if I didn't get an Ipod. :)  

But my ultimate favorite gift was my new barbie.

While shopping at Toys R Us over the holidays with the kids, I noticed this family set of barbies. 

I could not get over this pregnant barbie!  I shook and tipped the box with fascination.  

I told the kids right then and there that this is what I wanted for Christmas.  

They thought it was silly that Mommy wanted a barbie but they took the idea and ran.

Making arrangements with daddy to go out a get me one.  The last one of all things.  

They were sooooo excited to give it to me.  

Can you believe your eyes?  I sure couldn't.  Maternity bra and underwear also included.  HA.

I didn't get a pic of her flat tummy.  Once the baby is out, just flip her tummy around and she's flat.

If only...

Christmas afternoon my parents and Jill stopped by for a quick visit before we spent the rest of the day with Kevin's family.  Sorry, no pics.  

The kids had a great time playing with their cousins.  

I can't believe how fast Christmas came and went for me this year.  

I think I need to start earlier on my decor next year so I can enjoy the anticipation longer.

Christmas Eve 2010

After a last minute trip to the grocery store Christmas Eve morning, I came home to find Frankie having a little snoozy by the tree.

I love him.

We always have Christmas Eve at my parents home.  

It wouldn't feel like Christmas if we didn't stop by my parents' Neighbors home to visit there amazing snow village.  They even have a fabulous light display in their yard too (no pic).

Every year it takes them 4 days to assemble the village and train which travels around the village and through tunnels.  There is a ski resort with moving skiers and chair lifts, ice skating, a drive inn dinner, and even a Krispy Kreme shop.  A magical village we all just dreamed about living in.

My kids loved it!  We all were in awe this year.  They also have a ton of Christmas stuffed animals.  Dancing Santa's, singing snowmen.  Hours of entertainment.

Sadie LOVES to hold her little brother.

(frankie 6 1/2 months old)

Back at Nana's house, an Elf named Aunt Jill arrived.  

My kids loved it and had 101 questions for Elf Jill.  She told the kids that her bells and fur had magic on them.  Later, Jill found the picture of Sadie in her camera touching the "magic" during the photo ( top group picture).

It wouldn't be Christmas without the Nativity story.   

Frankie made THE PERFECT baby Jesus

And Zach and Sadie made the perfect Mary and Joseph.

One of my favorite traditions.   Making cookies for Santa.

They taste so yummy!  Especailly at midnight or later.  

 Brothers snuggling and modeling fun gifts from Aunt Jill and Nana.

I love this time of year!  So many traditions,  great memories made and many reminders of all the blessings we have.