Our Christmas Celebrations

We had a wonderful and fun-filled Christmas. It all started with Christmas Eve which was spent at my parents annual party. We had a lot of fun and the girls loved all of the games that we played (though I won't deny that there were several tears and screams as well... how do you tell a 3 year old that she doesn't get a candy if she doesn't roll the right number?)

Christmas Eve Pajamas:

The next morning we got up and told the girls that we were going to church to celebrate Jesus' Birthday, and then when we came home we could open the presents that Santa brought. They were extremely restless but I was grateful for the opportunity to remember (and teach) what Christmas is really all about.

After the presents were all opened we read a letter that Santa had left in which he told the girls how much he loved watching them when they were nice to each other. He also said that because they were such good girls he left an EXTRA special present for them downstairs. This is what we found...

It was a great morning!

Later that evening we had dinner with the Paynes, and as usual it was such a great time!

And it wouldn't be the holidays in our home without a trip to the ER or the Instacare. The day after Christmas, Quincy was standing on her new rocking chair, fell off, and hit her head on the corner of the dollhouse. It was a small laceration but quite deep, so after it continued to bleed for awhile, we thought it best to take her in. She walked away with a staple and a cool headband!

We felt extremely blessed this holiday season. We enjoyed the company of so many family and friends, and shared special and unforgettable moments within our own little family. I am so grateful for this time of year, to give and receive love like that of our Savior's. I am more than grateful to know the truth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and to have a time to celebrate His birth, His life, and His sacrifice that He made for each of us. I hope you all felt His love throughout this season, and continue to feel it throughout the next year!

More December Fun!

I can't believe that it is already Christmas Eve! How quickly this month has come and gone. But we have enjoyed every moment of it that we could. Here are more activities that were in our advent calendar...

Lights at Temple Square:

The Elves at Gardener Village:

A BYU Basketball Game:

The Payne (Extended) Family Christmas Party:

and Decorating Cookies:

We also had the opportunity to babysit my best friend's 2 month old twins. I was totally freaked out as the day approached but then they got here and I will admit to feeling a little bit like super mom after that day. Adalyn and Quincy were such big helpers with these two little angels...

Quincy with Abigail:

Adalyn with Olivia:

It has been such a great month. Merry Christmas Everyone!!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas...

We are doing our annual advent calendar with the girls and began with some fun activities. First we went to the Festival of Trees with Adalyn's Joy School group. The kids loved seeing all the amazing trees and gingerbread houses and even got to visit Santa Clause.

I attempted to get a picture of Adalyn and Quincy on Santa's lap at the same time, but Quincy ran away from him and refused to come anywhere near him. When it was finally time for us to leave (and walk in the opposite direction that Quincy ran) she finally came back to me but made sure to stay as far away from Santa as she could. She then saw Santa give Addie a candycane and really wanted one. I told her if she sat on Santa's lap he would give her a candy... she sat long enough to get the candy in her hands and then bolted again.

Next we decided to go to the Zoo Lights. This was our first year going and it was such a cute set up. The girls loved that they could see lights and animals in one!

We then went to Christmas Village in Ogden with my parents, my brother Josh and his wife Kelsie. And it was yet another great activity.

December has started off great and it has been fun seeing how excited the girls get over Christmas lights. In fact we can't drive anywhere without excited squeals coming from the backseat. Hope you all are enjoying December as much as we are!!

Thanksgiving

We had a really wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Delicious food, time with family, topped off with Black Friday shopping. So much fun! Throughout November we did a Thankful Tree in preparation for the big day. Each day the girls said something that they were thankful for, I wrote it down on a leaf, and they hung it on the tree.

Their lists included...

Adalyn's:

• My sister Quincy
• Mom & Dad
• Apples
• Carpet
• Grandparents
• Cats & Tigers
• Bread

Quincy's:

• Adalyn
• Pumpkins
• Jesus
• Popcorn
• Hugs
• Cheese
• Shirt

It was a lot of fun hearing the different things that they came up with, and really reminded me to be more grateful for the little things. I think the Thankful Tree will become a tradition in our home.

Hope everyone's Turkey Day was as fun as ours!

Family Pictures

Our amazingly talented sister-in-law, Becky, took some family pictures for us when we went out to visit them. Here are some of my favorites (though it was hard to pick!)...

Thanks Becky... we absolutely love how these turned out!! You are the best!

October 2011

Our October was full of fun. It all started at Cornbelly's. The kids had a blast bouncing in bounce houses, dressing up, playing on wooden trains, and riding a the cow carts.

Next we went to a Halloween Carnival in my parents ward. There was food, games, crafts, cookie decorating, and more candy than you would believe! So much fun!

We also had a friend's Halloween Party that we all dressed up for...

Then there were the Witches at Gardener Village. This is always a fun family night!

The girls found a stage and just couldn't help themselves...

Our Ward Trunk Or Treat was the Wednesday before Halloween and the girls loved it. Complete with a spook alley that Adalyn could have kept going through all night!

Halloween: We started our day with a spooky lunch. I found this idea on Pinterest:

But I think it will become a tradition in our house because this was the result:

We had a great Halloween night as well. The girls started by Trick or Treating with some of thier friends. Afterwards, we headed home for some soup with Grandma and Grandpa Wayment. Then we did some more Trick or Treating with Grandma and Grandpa. Adalyn could have kept going all night long if we would have let her!

October was super busy for us, but it was just as much fun!