Food Fight!

This was to celebrate Shayne's birthday - the night before his big day.  It was actually an organized food fight and we didn't have to clean up.  They had all neon colored mashed potatoes and yes, it was in a ballet studio (weird).  The floors were SOOOOO slick, the "no running" rule was useless - since we couldn't move without slipping onto our bums!  Cody came and so did Chanin/Steve's family with a HUGE troop of friends.  Next time, we're doing a food fight OUTSIDE in the summer.  (PS the photographer obviously liked Cole and his expressions!)

  

 

 

 

Christmas Break

Before we left town for our Christmas with Shayne's fam, we had a mini-Christmas with my parents.  My mom has a tradition of making the boys fun pillowcases - which they love and are very possessive about.  Gotta love these pics...

Soon, we were heading to warmer places - St George (special thanks to Chanin and Steve for hosting everyone!).  We had a week of family time and loved it!  Shayne, Shaughn and I did get out on our bikes - we managed to bike a few miles and got 3 flats amongst the men.  I didn't realize my tires had extra protection (I talked to the previous owner of my bike) but I watched the guys do on the road repairs and the ride was over pretty fast.  BUMMER.  But, Shayne and Shaughn did get in a mtn bike ride a couple days later.  

So, to sum up our vacation in 21 pictures:

This is what my boys did a lot of (Minecraft and Halo)

Grandma/Grandpa organized a marble shot-put game.  Not sure what to call it - but all the grandkids had a great time and went through a second round.

We had a hoola-hoop contest...

Hunter's hidden talent - he's really good at doing this on his NECK!

Some didn't hoola-hoop.

Some just danced...

There was pool

There was also a pool outside (here's Skyler begging to go out with the kids).  And yes it was warm and yes, we had a daily swim! or a dip in the Hot Tub!  ahhhhhhhh

 Christmas Morning

Danny was so much fun this year - every gift was like a jackpot - he had us all giggling. 

Skyler just wanted the candy canes.

Grandpa and Grandma enjoying the view of family togetherness!

Skyler's first piano

Hunter got a potato - yup.  And "she" talked.  (For you Portal fans out there, this was a HUGE hit)

Cole was given his "ol' blankie" that had gone missing YEARS ago.  We found it a couple weeks after the tragic loss, but decided to keep it.  He wasn't mad (luckily) and it's amazing that blanket is holding itself together still.  It is VERY LOVED.

Playing in the new tunnel/tent that Skyler got.

Brooke and Diane - beautiful!

And last, but not least, the beloved tree.  Did you know there is not a tree-farm ANYWHERE in that town? We searched for a couple hours and we came home with two 3 foot trees (dead trees, really) and we stacked them, braced them together, and surprisingly, it looks like a tree.  Oh - it was funny!

Lots of great food - lots and lots - and lots of great memories.  Merry Christmas Everyone!

December festivities

There is an annual Christmas party for BYU faculty and their families.  Shayne has been attending this annual event his whole life.  It's fun to see the fun continue with our boys!  They have games, pictures with Cosmo, and even get to visit with Santa.  Grandpa is always the one who will wait in the ETERNAL line for Santa - honestly, it's ridiculous.  But, the tradition continues...

 I forgot to take a picture of the elf who joined our house this year.  The "Elf on the Shelf" is a big deal in a few of our neighbor's homes.  Our elf happened to be from a dollar bin and came with a note rather than a book, but he had Danny entertained.  The only bummer was that the little guy kept forgetting to move - he'd stay in the same place for DAYS at a time.  LOL (he's suppose to be moving around and watching to see that everyone is nice)

 I also made Gingerbread Men from scratch - they were as hard as rocks - but still fun to decorate and tasty.  Yeah - they are zombies.  (Mine and Danny's were boring and normal)

 

Our church had a Christmas Breakfast Party and the best part was the hot chocolate bar - LOVED it.  Special visitors came and read a story and took a little time with all the kids too.  Cole didn't want to visit with him, until the very end (that's why he got his own photo op).  He was busy telling his best friend that Santa isn't real.  I whispered in his ear that if I heard him telling his friend such things, his presents would be taken back to the store and I was SERIOUS.  No ruining Christmas for others!

Happy Birthday!

 Can you believe it has been 1 YEAR!!?? 

I made cupcakes on his birthday, he loved that!  And when we were able to have more family over (to celebrate my b-day) we did our traditional tissue box for the 1 year old.  BEST TRADITION EVER. 

Happy b-day to me too.  I made us Kneaders Berry Pudding rather than cake.  I think I have another new tradition (even though I LOVE cake).  

*PS You gotta love Shayne's expression of the cake that is on fire.

little loves

Skyler:

• when I say "kisses" he opens wide and eats my face!  But, they are his kisses and love them
• when he gets his blanket, he nuzzles his nose into it, reminds me of a puppy
• his love for Baby Einstein - we've had a few rough nights recently (teething/ear infections) and it's the one thing that calms him down.  Not mommy, not daddy, but Baby Einstein is like glue
• I'm trying to teach him to go down the stairs.  The other day he went to the top of the stairs (I was waiting just below the first few steps) and kept laying on his tummy and trying to scoot backwards - but he ends up going down the hall, rather than down the stairs.  We're working on the "turn-around" part.

Danny:

• is constantly singing.  ALWAYS singing something.  His favorites are usually 1 liners from songs we'll sing together such as:

I will go, I will do!  The things the Lord "ommands" (commands) He wants me to obey! 

Frosty the Snowman, was a happy, single man.  (LOL!)

"Let's Play Music" is a class we're doing together and he'll break out in song and exclaim, did you hear that "Mi, Re, Do?"  I did!  (I love that)

• "best day ever"  vs "I hate my family"  I don't know how or why he has come up with this "hate my family bit," but he knows that it absolutely hurts my feelings and this is what he says when he's angry - which does happen often.  :-( 
• socks and shoes don't stay on this kid either.  So we have shoes in the car, and socks constantly in the family room, it seems to be a race to get them off his feet after an outing!

Cole:

• Pickle Juice - weird right?  This kid won't try chicken dinners, but he'll drink my pickle juice before we eat the pickles?!?!  
• LOVES to play with Skyler, and honestly does a great job too.  If I need help during lessons, he's my "go-to"
• I've noticed a new laugh from this kid, sounds just like my brother's laugh - I didn't know that laugh's were genetically passed along

Hunter:

• It's tough to be the oldest kid - the most responsibilities, the most mistakes made by parents, and he's such a great kid despite all of that!
• chips/salsa or a bowl of cereal.  Those are the "treats" to have on hand, and then he's a happy camper
• the drawings and artwork he does is amazing  
• such a busy and talented kid - piano, choir, chess club, cub scouts, homework, and finds time for friends and video games too.
• tells me that when he grows up he wants to have 2 or 3 jobs, so he can earn even more money.  He wants to be rich, so why wouldn't he do more than 1 job?  I asked, what if they want all your time at one job?  He replied, I'll just let them know that I'm only available for a certain amount of time because he has other jobs! 

Favorites

I meant to include this tidbit in my recent post about vacation:

Favorite Part of the Cruise:
Hunter: Buffets and room-service and dodging huge waves, and snorkeling.  He loved the fish, the coral reef and he seemed to go to another earth
Cole:  Swimming pools, room-service, snorkeling, and finding a sand dollar
Danny: playing
Mommy: no dishes or cleaning to do (that's a true vacation), snorkeling, and just being with family
Daddy: ??

Favorite Foods on the Cruise:
Hunter: Shrimp cocktails, croissants, ice cream for breakfast
Cole: Ham, hashbrowns, fried shrimp, crescent rolls, and ice cream
Danny: mini cereal boxes & ice cream
Mommy: sherbet every night
Daddy: Chocolate Melted Cake
(PS yes, I let them eat ice cream at breakfast.  Like I said before, I didn't pester them about any of their food choices)

Favorite Part of Universal/Islands:
Hunter: Simpsons Ride, Hollywood Rocket, and that Julia loved him (his cousin)
Cole: Harry Potter, Spiderman, Simpsons, and the Mummy all tied.
Danny: Spiderman and the Simpsons
Mommy: Harry Potter area and getting to hang out with Lara
Daddy:  Simpsons, Harry Potter, & Spiderman