Christmas Day

Christmas Day was a success!! Christmas morning was so much fun! The gals slept in until 8- we woke Ella up and the fun began. Santa spoiled the gals and they were so thrilled with everything they got. They were so excited when they saw that Jingles got to stay and watch them open their presents. They were so gracious and kept saying, "Thank you so much Santa." Ella took her time and could not stand to have the wrapping paper on her hands or on the ground. She would have a little piece and do her little whine until we got it from her- then she would go back to opening and get another piece and same thing- whine until we took it from her. Then she would play with her toys and enjoy them. 

After we opened presents, we headed to Paula's house for a delicious Christmas breakfast. We came back home had naps and played with toys and then headed out to my parent's for a yummy dinner and more family time. The gals were spoiled rotten by everyone. I love spending time with my family- we have so much fun together. I am so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. I am always so sad when Christmas is over!

I love the look on both of their faces!

My dad and brothers

My parents got an IPad- not sure who is more excited them or the grandkids!

Christmas Eve

We had a very low key Christmas Eve- we were to be going to my cousin's in Hooper, but Sean was sick and a nasty snow storm has settled over Smithfield. We thought everywhere would be nasty- my cousin drove from Nibley to Preston and she said it was a little snowy and the roads were driveable until you got into Smithfield and it was just plain nasty. So we got us a couple 20 piece nugget meals from McDonald's, watched a movie, opened Christmas jammies, got Santa and the Reindeer their treats, and the gals were in bed and asleep by 8:30. I sure wish I would've taken a picture of it! Sean, Brooklyn, and Gracie had gone sledding earlier in the day with our good friends Nick and Monica and didn't last too long. It was quite different for me to be home on Christmas Eve- I don't think I have ever done that my whole life. But it was fun to be together as our little family!

Gracie's Birthday

In the midst of all our fun December/Christmas activities, we have Gracie's Birthday on the 20th. I have been adamant since I found out we would be having a December birthday in our home that we make sure and give her the time and celebration that is given for any other month birthday. I can see how we could totally space it and it just get lost in the mix of Christmas and I want Gracie to know that her birthday is very important to me. (Enough of my soapbox.) :) Gracie was beyond excited when she woke up and saw that our Elf Jingles had brought her some balloons for her birthday. She had preschool and wanted to take cupcakes for her class. She couldn't wait to open her presents so she opened her gifts from us before we headed out the door- hence her coat on in the pictures. We asked her what she wanted to do for her special day- she really wanted to go to the Fun Park, but wanted her aunt Chels to be there for it (Chels was coming in on the 22nd.) She loves Fredrico's so we met there for dinner. Brooklyn was to be performing at half-time at the USU basketball game but decided she didn't want to at the last minute- so we took Gracie to the Fun Park and let her play for a little bit. It was such a fun day and I cannot believe that my little Gracie is 5!!!

Christmas at Stone

Sean's grandparents invited us to their place the Saturday before Christmas to celebrate with them. The gals have been asking for months if we could have a sleepover at their place so we made arrangements to stay out there Friday night. The gals and I had all had a nasty cold and cough, but we were feeling better. We thought Sean had steered clear of it, but it hit him hard on Friday- he came home and went to bed and the gals and I headed out to Stone. As usual grandma and grandpa took very good care of us. Gracie Kaye (the Kaye in her name comes from Sean's grandpa Kay) attached herself to grandpa's side. I think he was exhausted by the time we left- she wouldn't do anything unless grandpa did it with her- she even informed grandma that she was old and grandpa was fun. I am glad that grandma laughed over that instead of being completely offended!! Gracie doesn't mix any words! Sean was feeling well enough to come out on Saturday with Keith and Shawna. The gals had been asking since we got there on Friday if they could open presents- we held them off as long as we could, but they finally got to open them. Grandpa and grandma totally spoiled the gals. Brooklyn got a gymnast doll she has wanted, Gracie got Brave and a game for her DS, and Ella got a fun bath toy, some animals for her zoo, and some boots. We got stocked up with some good food storage and an awesome pizza cutter that grandpa made for us.

Grandma and grandpa have everything! Sean has a friend who has started making pens out of wood- they are really cool. Sean got some pieces of wood from the ranch and David made grandma a pen and grandpa a knife from it. They loved them! It was fun to do something different for them that they loved!

They had gotten this fun Gingerbread house for the kids to do. It ended being chocolate- Brooklyn and Ali had a lot of fun decorating it- that is when Brooklyn let Ali actually put anything on it.

The finished house with Jingles the Elf

A trip to Stone when there is snow just isn't the same without playing in the snow! Everyone had lots of fun. Brooklyn fell on the ice and hit her head. (She woke up during the night with a terrible headache- migraine and throwing up. It didn't dawn on us until later in the afternoon that she had hit her head and most likely had a concussion. My brother Brett and sis-in-law Sher looked her over and we decided that she was ok so we didn't end up taking her to the doctor.)

Like I said- Gracie planted herself on grandpa- after playing in the snow they were both so tired and had a little snooze together. It was the cutest thing. (This happened while we were decorating the Gingerbread/chocolate house so Gracie didn't help out.)

And to finish the day off we threw the kiddos in the tub. This tub hadn't been used in years. The girls sure had fun playing mermaids. (We missed Sean's sister Chantel her and her family with home sick with Strep throat- we are thankful they didn't share it with us.) And as always when we pull out the gals already start asking when we can come again- I think it might take grandma and grandpa awhile to recover from us!!

December Fun

We did December up good!! We LOVE driving around looking at Christmas lights- I love it maybe as much or more than the gals. Last year, my parents rented the limo that we drove around in to see lights and the kiddos have been bringing it up. Grandma and Pops rented a 12 passenger van for us to go meet Brian and Sher and drive through Willard Bay. I was so extremely disappointed when Ella and I woke up during the night with the stomach flu that Gracie had had so we weren't able to make it! But the Brooklyn and Gracie had a blast! And luckily they got to see Santa there because it dawned on my Christmas Eve that we hadn't made our usual trip to the Mall to visit Santa. So sad for Ella she didn't get to see him this year. Luckily the bug was  a fast one and we were able to drive up to Preston the next day and take in the sights and drive through the Hollingsworth's (a tradition we have been doing since I was little.) Of course the kiddos LOVED it- it was pouring rain- I think we drove through 4 times.

We are avid Aggie fans in this house and have been since I was born. We have had such a fun football season this year. We were thrilled when they announced that the Ags would be playing in "The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl" in Boise. We were able to go and had so much fun!! Even more fun because the Ags WON!!! Sean took Brooklyn down on the field after and she was thrilled to get a picture with Big Blue. Nat has some friends whose son also plays so Nat went down to meet them and talk to them on the field. It was exciting when Chuckie (the quarterback) came back on the field and Brooklyn was able to get a picture with him. Nat said he was so cute with all the little kids and didn't act annoyed for getting bugged- I like that. Brooklyn also got to get a picture with Forrest (the friend of Nat's). My mom was such a saint and stayed back at the hotel with Gracie and Ella so Sean, Brooklyn and I could go- thanks mom! The gals were so excited when they woke up then next morning to see that Jingles the Elf and had followed us to Boise! Too bad I woke up with the worst migraine of my life!! I was running into the bathroom every 10 minutes and in so much pain. I didn't know how I was going to make it home- there is no way I could have made the 5 hour drive home with the nausea I was having- Sean and my dad gave me a blessing and the nausea faded. Luckily my dad also had something for his back I was able to take for the pain and slept pretty much the whole way home. So glad for the Priesthood!! Our hearts were broken the next day when we heard that Gary Anderson would be leaving the Ags (he has said so many times that he wasn't going anywhere and Logan is where is home is- all that kind of stuff. I am excited for him and hope he has success in Wisconsin.) Thanks for the great season Ags! I might also mention that the day before we left was the 14th- it just so happens that that is Sean and I's Anniversary- we celebrated 11 years this year!

Gracie had her Preschool Christmas Program they sang a few cute little songs. (She is on the far right.)