Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Oh Christmas tree... and other random doodads

It seems as though the month of December always flies by so quickly. We are always kept so busy with activities and parties that it seems as though we barely have time to think about what's happening. This December has been no exception.
These pictures are mostly those that are Christmas related...

We went to the Festival of Trees for the first time ever this year. Definitely worth the visit. This is the only picture I took.

The girls got to go to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Concert this year with Katie and Michelle. It was the first time ever kids under five were allowed to go. Hans from Frozen was there as well as the Muppet's. The girls enjoyed it, though it started a bit late and was longer than they would have liked.

They had a fun time riding the Frontrunner and Trax train for the first time ever, but were a bit surprised to find they were stuck at the Frontrunner station in Downtown Salt Lake at 10:00 at night with the next train not coming for another 72 minutes. Lucky for them, Mom and Dad were on a date with some friends downtown and were able to rescue them.

Life as a toddler is SO exhausting...

We ran into Olaf at Walmart one day. Aubrey slept right through it, and Zack was too afraid to even go near him...

We took the kids to their first Voicemale concert. The girls all loved it, though we ended up leaving early. Apparently the people sitting all the way down the row from us didn't think it was appropriate we brought our children to a FAMILY concert, geared towards children. It didn't even matter we were sitting in the very TOP balcony and nobody else was near us. I guess their happy spirit and laughing at the jokes was not acceptable behavior. Ok so this actually made me a bit angry, if you can't tell. But seriously, who does that??? Our kids were quite well behaved, other than Zack who I stood out in the hall with, by ourselves, almost the entire time we were there. But like I said, I guess it's not ok to react to a good joke or move your head to the music. Apparently next time we get ourselves seats down in the bottom section next to all the other families with young children.


Favorite moment ever! We told him it was time to pray and he instantly fell into this position.

Andrew helped us get free tickets to Hale Center Theater to see The Christmas Carol. It was fun to go out together. Doesn't happen often enough.

Grandma Jo with all of her Utah Grand-kids. Maddie really was happy to be there, she just wasn't feeling well this day.

Hall Family Christmas party. Zack and Aubrey loved playing pool with Daddy.

Zack also enjoyed playing with all the boy cousins. He too was actually happy in this picture, though it may not look like it either.

This kid is just trying to grow up much too quickly for my liking.


This moment was a bit reminiscent of another picture that was taken a few years ago of Madison, Brooklyn and Joshua. Now if only I could find that picture... Dad, maybe you could help?

*AH, Dad saved the day! He found the original picture.

Although December flew by much quicker than I would have liked, it really was a wonderful month. Really, I can't believe we are already on the eve of a new year. Looking back on 2014 it's easy to see just how blessed our family has been with such wonderful friends and family. Lots of good memories were made and will never be forgotten. Thanks for playing such a huge role in making this year one of the best ever! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Monday, December 29, 2014

iHandsome...

Although I still much prefer my real camera, taking pictures on my phone is just so convenient! Sometimes we take a LOT of pictures on the phone. 
This specific time, I was taking pictures of Zack because he just looked so handsome! He kept running over to me after we took the picture so he could see for himself. His exact words.
I han-some! I agree buddy. I agree.


Gluten-free pancakes with sprinkles. They were a big hit!



Enjoying my afternoon cuddles...

Sometimes Zack and I go on dates while his sisters are all at school. This was one of those days...

I didn't realize how much Aubrey's hair was growing while she had the neck brace on. When we took it off, I was surprised to see just how much it had grown. This was about 1 months time.

 I couldn't help but snap this picture in Nursery one Sunday. Aubrey was being so reverent and Zack was being so goofy. But it wasn't either of my children that stopped to pose for this picture. :)


Enjoying baby Evan.

I'm pretty sure I've talked about this kid and his bike before. But he still loves this thing. 
 So much so, he even sleeps with this thing.

This picture...



A cry for help. This kid wouldn't leave the house without his sister's hat. Luckily, Aunt Irene made him an awesome fox hat for Christmas so he no longer has to go around in a girls hat.



Our entire family got sick during the week before Christmas. It was a dreadful sickness that hit fast and hard. Luckily we were all feeling "mostly" better by Christmas. This was the day Mommy was too sick to leave bed.

Does that taste delicious?

Some favorite places to hang out...




Sunday, December 28, 2014

Christmas and the days that followed...

As I mentioned before, we spent Christmas at my parents house this year. The kids had so much fun with their cousins. I think it was a very successful holiday season.

Opening a special Christmas Eve present from Grandma Jo and Papa Ken.


Aubrey was so excited for her present. It was an Elsa barbie doll. Her reaction was absolutely priceless. If only I could have caught even half of her excitement on camera...



You can tell I love my sister when I'm willing to buy her a Ute blanket for Christmas...

 Christmas Pajamas from Mom and Dad.


 Even Dad and I got in on the fun this year. All ninja turtles and not a single matching set, except for Mom and Dad's pants.


I absolutely LOVE these pictures. Aubrey taught my 96 year old Grandpa how to do knuckles, followed by the explosion. It was hilarious to watch these two...


For some reason, after all the other kids had gone to bed on Christmas Eve, Aubrey was awake as ever. She put on a good show for all the adults for quite some time before we finally made her go to bed. That girl is funny!





Christmas morning:








 We definitely had a Frozen Christmas at our house this year. Everything from bedding, dolls, blankets, puzzles and games. To say there were a few happy kiddos in our house would be a huge understatement!



 I promise he really was excited about this...





It was a great Christmas and our family was extremely blessed this year. Thank you to all of you who made it such a wonderful and happy year!