While most of our friends began sending cards for the first time this year, we decided to not send cards for the first time in years. Because I didn't want to, I'm getting more cheap, and I figure this way you don't have to feel guilty for chucking my beautiful photo card in the trash next week.
You've all seen our lovely family picture, so instead I'll include a photo shoot of the kids Christmas outfits. 
Taylor loves only driving 15 minutes to work. He is the EQ Pres.
Kristi started a business, had a little princess, and played knights.
James started preschool and watched Star Wars for the first time.
Matthias was potty trained and started sleeping past 5 am.
Hannah was born. And grew into her role as princess.
Have a great Holiday Season!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Merry Christmas from Us to You
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Christmas Wet & Dangerous
Before you let your kids open gifts this year read this article. Watch out.
In other news all 3 of our children managed to wet the bed last night...an amazing feat, especially for Hannah who still wears diapers. But she did not want to miss out on the occasion. Three different soaking, three different sheet changings, three baths this morning.
Also we slept by our Christmas tree two nights ago (thankfully not last night) per family tradition and had a great time. We made Almond Roca first...mmm. Then we watched Muppet's Christmas Carol and fell asleep--boys on the couches, parents on their relocated mattress, Hannah in her crib (it's pretty close to the front room...). Most all of us got 10 hours of sleep, the others got 11 & 12. Maybe we should sleep by the tree every night...
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Family & Christmas
We just enjoyed a week long visit from Grandpa & Grandma Harvey. The boys had a great time playing. Hannah got very comfortable with her grandparents and is making progress on moving. Us adults stayed up late playing games, talking, eating ice cream, and drinking got chocolate. We even got Blue Bell for the occasion. Made a trip to the Natural History Museum, ate lots of yummy food, and finished several projects around the house.
Moving to Colorado has definitely fulfilled our goal of being closer to family. By year's end we will have enjoyed 11 visits in 2009 with various members of Taylor's family in various places. And 6 such visits with my family. We have loved being close and spending so much time together. And since August with our new house, new branch, and new commute we have been even happier!
In other news, we have been wrapping gifts, making Gingerbread Men, singing carols, playing nativity, reading Christmas stories and having fun! Hope you are enjoying Christmas and family also!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Gas Stoves Rule
Boy do I miss my gas stoves. Having been spoiled with gas stoves in our last two homes I am having a hard time coming to grips with my current flat top. I do not like cooking on it. I have a difficult time cooking food on a surface that is constantly turning on and off. Weird, I know. It drives me crazy!!
I've repeatedly asked people what is so great about these flat tops that they have become so popular? The #1 always and only answer: "well, they are SO easy to clean."
So I ask, what is the purpose of a stove? To clean it? I like to cook on my stove.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Matthias turns 3
Just last week a friend of mine (who teaches Matthias in his mom co-op preschool) said, "I just love Matt, he is such a good kid. Give me 15 of him." Well, many of you know Matthias as his real self, not the pretend self. I love just the one I have. Two might give me a heart attack.
The birthday...
We opened presents in the morning...puzzle, spiderman sheets, pirate playmobils. Taylor took the boys to Lowes to make wooden gingerbread houses while Hannah and I ran errands. We all met up at Virgilio's Pizza because Matthias really wanted to go out for pizza for his birthday. The food was yummy and we had lots of fun. Then we headed home for cake and ice cream. And you know the cake story. It was such a fun day! Can't believe my little guy is 3, but so proud of all he can do...especially being potty trained day and night! Love this little guy!
Monday, December 7, 2009
The Great Cake
Let me begin by saying I really don't like making cakes. I ALWAYS end up with cake crumbs in my frosting...is there a secret for avoiding this?
This cake has been discussed for many months, but I am thankful because the original request was for a Spiderman cake with a monkey in a tree holding a present singing to Spiderman. Which I did not even want to attempt. So after convincing to have just Spiderman and Venom fighting in a web preparations commenced.
Apparently I have never made red frosting before because after using all my remaining red food coloring my frosting was still pink. Which is not very super-hero-three-year-old-boy-ish. So I borrowed some food coloring from the neighbor and after using all of hers still ended up with pink frosting which of course was also full of chocolate cake crumbs. At this point I just moved on to the web part. I was pretty confident in my web making abilities.
I also added his name for good measure and strategically picked the worst spot on the cake so I would be sure to draw attention to my abominable frosting skills.
The end result...
(we don't know what he is doing...)
In the end only Taylor, James and Matthias acutally saw the cake and Taylor wasn't about to point it out because he is a smart man. And the boys were too enthralled with the Spiderman and Venom figurines to notice the color of the cake. Phew. One cake down and two more to go for the birthday season. Up next, James requests a Star Wars cake...
One day the boys will realize that I actually am a bad cake decorator, but for now they are quite pleased, crumbs and all.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Utah
It was fun, we do it a lot. We made excellent time both drives. Here are some pictures.
Aunt Mindy, Stephanie (12 mo), Hannah (9 mo)
My kids were really noisy and crazy (surprise) and Stephanie needs to spend some more time with us...or else Scott and Mindy need to start leaping off their furniture and making odd noises in her face throughout the day...
