Happy 2015

From Utah!  We are playing in the snow, seeing lots of movies, ice skating, bounce housing, eating yummy food and more with Adam's sisters and their families. Happy to welcome 2015 with family. Wishing all a healthy, safe, wonderful New Year. Cole is rockin' the pink snow pants.

A Few Photos from Christmas Day

We had a wonderful Christmas morning. Last year I got a little stressed/overwhelmed with it all, and this year truly was lovely. Grandma and Grandpa Tait came bright and early at 7am to help kids open presents. Uncle Ryan and Troy stayed with us, too, and Troy is a great Santa's helper. The food was easy and there was tons. Clean up was good. After present opening we watched movies, ate, and played games. It was a great day, and we were lucky to spend it with some of the ones we love - wish we could've spent it with all.

Some of Audrey's loot, and she'd been wanting a soft, blue robe forever:

A little of Tyler's pile:

Cole went straight for the cheetos in his stocking at 7am:

Grandma's fruit kabobs were a hit, and this is a dollhouse my dad made when my sisters and I were little, he sent it to Audrey:

Cole loves Lego Duplos, and he got some "big kid" legos, too, so he could be just like Tyler and Audrey.

Audrey has wanted Holiday Barbie for two Christmases now, this one was from me:

My dad sent Tyler a bunch of his old trains that me and my sisters used to play with every Christmas. Kind of cool going through it all with him.

Happy Christmas. Excited to see some more family soon.

Merry Christmas Eve

Started the day at the movies with friends - Night at the Museum, which we all enjoyed. A few last minute errands, then Cafe Rio for Christmas Eve dinner and caroling with grandparents.

Tyler wanted a picture in front of the tree - my handsome guy, he is so excited for tomorrow.

Merry Christmas Eve to all... hope Santa treats you well tomorrow.

Christmas Getting Closer

The last couple days have been filled with last minute shopping, dentist to fix Tyler's filling, doctor to figure out Cole's ear, and I think we've hit every grocery store in town getting ready for Christmas Eve and Day. At least we stopped at Menchie's for lunch:

A couple things I want to remember for next year. When I see treats we love (like white chocolate peppermint covered pretzels, or TJs Winter Cookieland sugar cookies) it's never too early to grab them and stash for the holiday - they'll be sold out by Christmas! Also, I'd love to have present shopping done by the week before Christmas - less last minute running around.

Tonight the Bartys met us at Wakefield Winter Wonderland to check out the lights. Love this little street in our town that gets all decked out for the holidays.

Star Wars was a big hit, of course.

Michelle and I have been friends for over seven years. I just love her.

Can't believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Starting to really feel the excitement in the air. Grandma and Grandpa Tait are spending the holiday with us, and I think Ryan and Troy, too. Keeping it really simple (like Cafe Rio for Christmas Eve dinner!) Making treats for friends and Santa. Ready to spend relaxing time with family.

Sunday Before Christmas

It's always a busy Sunday in primary - kids acted out the nativity with costumes and props. It was so cute. Love all these moments to reinforce Christ's birth, and not just the excitement of presents.

Met the Encino Girls and their families at the temple to see Christmas lights, our tradition for years now. Saw tons of Studio City friends, too, which was so nice.

Listened to Christmas music all the way to and from the temple. My kids can sing you about 50 different versions of "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer". This is a pretty fun bunch:

Came home to movies and wrapping presents after the kids went to bed. Starting to get a little full under our tree.

Santa

We saw Santa tonight! We didn't see him last year, so I wanted a shot with the kids on his lap while they still want to sit on his lap. Amber told us about DreamWorks Adventure to Santa at the Glendale Galleria. Parking was crazy, the mall was packed, but the sleigh ride to Santa was worth it. Totally interactive, kids designed their own sleighs and we took an actual "ride" to the North Pole.

Since it was DreamWorks Shrek was there of course.

I thought for sure Cole would cry on Santa's lap, but they all smiled and told Santa what they want for Christmas:

Audrey - a real kitty cat

Cole - superhero and transformer guys

Tyler - Lego City fire truck

Fun family night followed by burgers and fries.

Oh, and we get a visit from Santa and the Tooth Fairy in the same week. Audrey was so excited to finally lose this tooth she's been wiggling. Tooth Fairy comes tonight!

Vacation Begins

Today was pajama day at school and more class parties. Now kids are off, Adam's off, and I'm almost off after I do a Ladybug birthday party for the sweetest family tomorrow morning. Celebrated our first night of holiday vacation caroling with the Girl Scouts. Still trying to get everyone healthy over here (so close to 100%), but caroling was low key and close by. Glad we went, these families are pretty fun.

After caroling there were smores and hot chocolate.

Speaking of scouts, I love our newest ornament Tyler made with his den leader last week. They also had a nerf gun war which was all Tyler could talk about when he got home.

1st Grade Party

Kept Audrey home for a slow morning, then we went up to school for her holiday party. Cookie decorating, goodie-bag making, storytelling, and six year old sugar highs. It was lots of fun, and I think she's on the mend. Fingers crossed.

With Ava and Angie

The whole class gave Mrs. Adachi holiday and birthday presents, then a big ol' group hug. Too cute!

Last day of school tomorrow!

More Sickies

Audrey woke with a fever! Only about 100.5, but she was pretty sad. She's home with me today, hopefully healthy for class holiday parties. I just realized this looks a lot like this time last year:

And Cole... he's been fever free since Saturday, but a couple days ago the kids and I were out and I look over and all this nasty gunk is draining out of Cole's ear! Thanks to my nurse friend, Brittney, and a call to my doctor, turns out Cole did have an ear infection. Poor little guy - doctor didn't catch it the first time, and now says to just let it drain and should be done in a few days. Between that, and Cole not being a big fan of pooping on the potty he has been grumpy, to say the least. I miss my happy little guy, but he'll back to himself soon enough. Hopefully the sickness stops here.

Happy and Healthy

Cole is on the mend (thank goodness), holiday shopping almost done, and we made it to the ward Christmas party. Vacation days are right around the corner.

Poor Little Guy

My sickie - Cole's been fighting this bug since Sunday, and can't seem to shake his fever poor thing. Although I've snuck out of the house a couple times this week (Mockingjay with Amber, to the mall to pick up the best Christmas candle), I've spent most of my time trying to get this boy healthy. Fingers crossed it's soon - we miss our happy little Cole.

Happy Sunday

We have a new sunbeam,

fall leaves,

and outdoor Christmas lights!

Got some extra holiday cheer this weekend at a friend's white elephant party, and Adam sang "O Holy Night" at a church Christmas concert tonight. Grandma and Grandpa Tait tagged along, and Adam sounded awesome.

School Day

I spent pretty much the entire day at school today. 150% AR goal awards assembly #1 - 1st and 2nd graders. Go Audrey:

Cole did great at assembly #1. Hung out with his friends Lucy and Baylee, and they all entertained each other. Also selfies help:

We escaped to Target for a bit in between (picked up more potty treats), then hit the 3rd and 4th grade awards assembly. Go Tyler:

Poor Cole, assembly #2 proved tougher than the first, but he was a trooper and still had Baylee by his side - and blankie:

Then we ran home for a quick lunch, babysitter came to hang with Cole and I went to help in Tyler's classroom. The 3rd grade teachers planned a big "Pow Wow" to end their Native American unit and I volunteered to help out (before I realized it was awards day, too!) Glad I got to go, though. It's always fun to see my kids with their friends at school. They did a bunch of crafts, made snacks, and did a dance and drumming. This is Frankie, one of Tyler's best buds this year:

 Rain dance and buffalo dance:

These are the two kids Tyler tells me the most stories about from the playground, Kaiden and Frankie:

Ended the day with some Christmas spirit and my favorite already-assembled, just-put-the-candy-on, gingerbread house. Besides the kids getting hyped up on sugar, me yelling at them for sneaking too much candy, and Cole peeing on me, it was a pretty good night.