Ashdown Family Christmas Party

Tonight we went to the Ashdown family Christmas party. There was good food, a gift exchange, and the kids got to open up a present. It was a good time. Makena loved all of her "new friends" (cousins) that we don't see too often. And she especially loved Uncle Tom's candy drawer and that she could get candy whenever she wanted.


Tyler loved playing with the garbage bag more than the toy he got.


Makena got some little pet shops that she was very excited about.


Kali opening up her present. She got animals to go with her barn.

Forster Family Party

Tonight we had the annual Forster Family Christmas party. We had dinner, the girls got to decorate a sugar cone Christmas tree and it was good to talk with Aunts and cousins that we see only a couple times a year.


Kali working hard on decorating her Christmas tree.


Makena stopping for a quick smile for the camera.


The girls doing a great job with their decorations. They got to frost and put candy on the their trees.

Dinosaur Museum

Today we went to the dinosaur museum. A trip out of the house. The girls love it there.


Girls trying to catch papers that they put up in the blowers. We probably did this for a good 20 minutes or so. This was a first time doing this, and the girls had a wonderful time.


Makena standing in front of the shark. She was scared to stand in front of the shark at first, but when she saw Kali doing it...she decided that the shark wasn't going to get her.


Tyler loved playing with this "lighting ball" (really don't know what to call it). He loved putting his hands on it and was content just sitting there while the girls played.


Kali in front of the shark. My brave child!

Preschool Program

Today Makena had a little program at her preschool. She was so excited that she was going to be able to sing for me. Here is just one of the many songs that she did. She was even surprised when Grandpa Hathaway showed up to watch.

Vacuum Boy

Tyler LOVES the vacuum. When he hears me get it out or turn it on, he comes crawling fast. He could be in his bedroom playing, but will immediately come out and get the vacuum. He loves to take the cover off of the vacuum bag, he loves to push it along the floor, he loves to use the suction hose and play with it (he once put it up to his mouth, while it was on. One and only time for that). He also loves unplugging the vacuum for me. He just loves the vacuum.


Here is his getting ready to take off the cover.


A smiling, happy boy with his vacuum.


Just a cute picture I took today as well. He loves carrying these footballs around the house in his mouth.

We Finally Did It!!

It's December 16th, and we finally put up our Christmas tree!!! This year I just didn't want to deal with Kali and Tyler with the tree, so I put off putting up the tree. Makena kept telling us, "How come we don't have our tree up yet?" So, we did it. And much to my surprise, Kali and Tyler have actually done great with the tree up. Makena touches it more than they do. It is nice to have it up. I put up all of my other decorations the beginning of December, but now with the tree up...Christmas can come (after I wrap presents, make a couple more presents and go buy a little bit more.)


Kali by the tree...I love how messy her hair is. We took baths earlier...and she didn't want me to comb it and this is how it looks without combing it.


Makena by the tree. She was so excited to put the ornaments on it this year.


Tyler not liking how prickly the tree is. He actually doesn't like touching it for this fact, but he wants so bad to get the ornaments off of it.


An attempt to get all 3 kids picture in front of the tree...didn't work out so well.
Makena just smiling while the other 2 won't co-operate. Kali kept wanting to hold Tyler and Tyler wasn't digging that.


Tyler screaming...look at Kali's face!

Silly Girl

Here are some pictures of Kali doing silly things.


This picture was taken back in August...but I just rediscovered it! She loved lying in the window sill and looking out the window. She would do this on a regular basis.


Tyler loves taking off the vent covers and when they are off...Kali seems to be drawn to them as well. I found her one night just looking down the vent having a great time.


She stayed looking down the vent for about 10 minutes! There is never a day that goes by that she doesn't make me laugh and smile.


Here she is with a whole role of paper towels. She climbed on my counter and got it down and had a great time with it.

what a DEAL!!

I usually don't take pictures of my shopping trip...but I couldn't help it today. I went to 2 stores, Target and Walmart and here is what I got:

2 Airwick Motion sensor sprays
Snuggle dryer sheets
2 Packs of razors (12 count each)
Baby shampoo trial size
2 All detergent trial size (2 loads each)
2 Boxes of Swiss Miss hot chocolate
2 Tubs of I can't believe it's not butter
8 count packet of Command Hooks
2 things of Cat treats (the girls love buying kitty treats for Molly and Heather's kitties)

And for the grand total: 1.03 And a total savings: 36.68

I couldn't believe what I got. It was 24 cents at Walmart and 79 cents at Target.

So...for all of you who read this and don't use your coupons, save them for me!

Big Help

Tonight, Jarel was fixing our cabinets and Tyler decided he needed to help with the project! We have locks on some of our cabinets and one of them (the cabinets with my pots in them) had been broken for some time. When Tyler broke one of my glass lids, it was time to fix the broken latch.


Jarel working...Tyler playing



Tyler not being able to open the door anymore.



Tyler LOVES getting into my towel, bag and lid drawers.


Eating cardboard...my children love to eat things other than food!

Crazy Kids

The girls were having fun with their pillows today!


Kali


Makena


Tyler crying because he wanted the camera


Kali on the bunk beds


Tyler still crying and throwing a fit because he didn't get what he wanted. He is getting really good at doing this.

Gingerbread House

At the beginning of December, every year, we build a gingerbread house. This year was no exception and it was a fun event for the family. We put the house together last night...but we had to wait for the frosting to dry before we could decorate the house. So, this morning, we were able to decorate the house. The girls had a great time and was glad all the candy wasn't used on the house, so they could eat it!! We put the gingerbread house up in our house and on New Year's Eve, we break it apart and eat the candy.


Before the decorations got put on the house


Kali enjoying the candy. She would place on on the house and place one in her mouth. She had to make things even!


The finished product. The girls did the roof and helped with the lights around the windows. Makena picked out the gingerbread man's eye colors and helped with the application of them!


My favorite people enjoying a good time!

Days Until Christmas

For FHE this last Monday, we talked about gifts we can give Jesus this year for Christmas. We each wrote our gift on a piece of paper and put it on the wall to help us remind ourselves what we are going to do this month. Makena's says "I will keep my room clean when Mom and Dad ask me to clean it." (Her idea) and Kali's says, "I will say my prayers everyday." I won't tell you what mine says, you will think I am a terrible mother that I have to work on this. It was a great lesson and I am hoping it lets the kids know why we celebrate Christmas.

We then made a count down chain for Christmas. The girls have been taking turns cutting one off every morning. Makena keeps counting the chains and telling me that it is a long time until Christmas. I tell her it will come soon enough, and there are plenty of things we need to do to be ready for Christmas.

I love this time of year...I love the parties before Christmas, seeing the Live Nativity, the Temple Square lights, spending time with family, wrapping gifts, setting up the Christmas tree and just the excitement and spirit in the year that I feel this time of year. All we need now is some snow to fall and make it a white Christmas. Hope all of you enjoy the time before Christmas!

Live Nativity

A stake up in Draper puts on a live nativity for Christmas. And for the past 4 years...or so, we have gone to it. Makena and I (Kali and Tyler were sick and so Jarel stayed home with them) went with Grandma Boyack, Grandma and Grandpa Hathaway, Jenny, Gretchen and Ryan. I look forward to this every year. It is so neat and it feels as if you were in Bethlehem when Jesus was born. It is always a popular thing and so we like to get there early so that we don't have to wait quite as long. You go past scenes from the scriptures about Jesus's birth and then you go into the "Inn", I will call it. Inside there are animals, people making baskets, weaving blankets, inn keepers telling us to keep going because "there is no room in this inn" and then you come around the corner and hear beautiful music and you get to see Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus (I didn't feel it appropriate to take a picture of them). It is just an amazing site to see. The spirit is in there and it is if you are looking right at the Baby Jesus those many years ago (I know we were looking at him from Heaven). I am so grateful that this is put on year after year so we can enjoy the spirit of Christmas.



The Shepards with their animals


Grandpa helping Makena touch one of the camels


Cute Makena getting ready to go inside "the inn". She was very nervous this year and was afraid, but after wards when we got into the car she said, "Mom, I was scared, but I still did it."


Writing on the scroll


The 3 Wisemen


Grandpa and Makena


One of the camels


Makena wanted a picture of her with this goat


Thought I would throw this picture in...Tyler with the sucker we brought home for him. He had a tight bite on it and wouldn't let it go!

Happy Birthday JAREL

Today was Jarel's 34th birthday! It was such a nice relaxing day for everyone. Jarel worked in the morning...but was home just after lunch. The girls and I decorated the house for his birthday, we played the wii, the girls gave him presents, went to dinner with Jarel's parents and Jarel was able to get his cheese fries that he had been craving all week, and then we sang "Happy Birthday" and had cake. I try to make their birthday a fun and special day...and I hope I did it for him. I LOVE you and hope you had a great day!!



Grandpa and Tyler getting ready for cake


Kali and Grandma picking out the perfect piece of cake for them


Jarel, with the help of Makena, blowing out his candles


Jarel's four-wheeler birthday cake


The girls helping Jarel open his presents


You can't go wrong with cupcakes and Dallas Cowboy gear for Jarel