Christmas 2009

We had a wonderful Christmas. We started by having a great party at my mom and dad's house on Christmas Eve. The kids were so excited, nothing we could do would calm them down. So they settled on wrestling each other to the ground. They acted out the nativity. I took a picture of Dylan's costume before but we didn't get any during the actual event. The kids did fantastic. They opened up their jammies and looked so darling.

The next morning was perfect. I haven't had a Christmas morning in my house since Livie was born. The kids were darling. They were so excited and so happy with everything they received. We had been working on present manners so I was glad that they were so grateful for everything that everyone gave them. After going back to my mom and dads house, we headed to Provo. Jon's mom and dad just got back from Hawaii so our presents had a Hawaiian theme. The kids share a bed while we are there and I couldn't resist snapping a cute picture of them snuggling up together. Everything was perfect until the next morning. A couple of kids the night before had started getting sick, but we thought we were okay. Then it hit me. I knew I was getting sick so we went home early. The night all four of us had the worst stomach flu I have ever had. Jon was the hero of the night running back and forth to each kids room while I was downstairs almost dead on the floor. Luckily twelve hours later we had stopped vomiting and we are recuperating. We have Clorox and Lysoled every inch of our house and have used our washing machine for almost 48 hours straight. But if you exclude that, it was one of the best Christmases ever!

The Nutcracker

My mom, sister, and my niece Savannah went to see the Nutcracker today. It was so beautiful. I haven't seen it in so long and I can really appreciate it now. It was so much fun to spend time with them and have one on one time with Savannah.

Happy Birthday Livie

Livie's 4th birthday was a week ago, so I am a little slow, but better late than never. She had the cutest little birthday. It was on a Sunday so it was kind of a laid back day, but I think that was good for her. She played with her presents and we sang to her at church. She was the only kid with a birthday that week so she thought she was pretty special. That night my family came over for cake and ice cream. She was so happy, but she was a little sad when it was over. I didn't get any pictures of the party because it is all on video. But here are a few of her opening her presents.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Christmas Card

Things are a little tight around here this year, so we are cutting back on everything we can. Although I love sending and getting Christmas cards, it seemed like one of those expendable things. So I am posting a pseudo Christmas card on my blog, since almost everyone I would send one too, reads the blog! Merry Christmas everyone.

December so far

I only have one more final left in school, and I have noticed that I have a lot more free time on my hands. That being said, I have a lot to blog about. Livie is in a singing/performing group called TaVaci. They had their first concert last night. It was so darling! Livie is in the class with her cousin Denver and both of them did fantastic. They sang and did all of the actions. I wish I could upload the video on here. Dylan and Beckham sat in the audience and watched, but they were rewarded for their good behavior by going to get ice cream after.
We took the kids to see Santa, and Livie was so excited. Dylan was okay with it, he was more interested in getting his candy bag. It has been snowing here almost nonstop today. Jon and Dylan are outside building a snowman. Livie is more like me and still has her warm Vegas blood, so we are staying inside snuggling on the couch. But then her dad got the four wheeler to plow the driveway, and she changed her mind.
Dylan has also started building cars. He makes a new one almost every day out of Lego's, but this morning he made a life size one. He even added headlights and a pedal.

Artwork

My kids are little artists. They love to draw all of the time. These two are my latest favorites.
This first one is Livie's. She drew it after her friend Rebecca came to stay with us. She has had it hanging in her room ever since.
This one is Dylan's. He drew this stating that it was his favorite thing to do with his best friend Denver. I found a picture I took of them this summer, and Dylan's drawing is surprisingly accurate.