3 legs are better

For Family Home Evening last night it was Sarah's turn to be in charge of the game. She decided she wanted to do a 3 legged race. It had nothing to do with our lesson, but we all had fun.

Like Father, Like Son

I thought it was really cute that William and Tom were dressed alike this morning. It wasn't really planned that way, Tom was already wearing a gray sweatshirt and hat, and William needed something warm to wear outside and the only sweatshirt he has is a gray one just like Tom's. To complete the look, Tom gave him a little black hat to wear. They were outside on the trampoline together, and I just couldn't resist taking a picture.

Funny Girl

Kaitlyn is constantly doing things to make us look at her. I guess it comes with being the middle child. She drives her big sister and brother crazy asking them to watch her.

Here's something she did that I wasn't so fond of. She took a pen and drew all over her face. It took quite a bit of scrubbing to get it off. I don't think she'll be doing it again. Although, she sure looks proud of herself in this picture doesn't she?

Pizza Night

Last night we got out the measuring spoons and flour for William to wear, and also to make some pizzas. Here he is pointing at the rising dough, and displaying how he decorated himself and the kitchen with flour.

Enjoying pizza with some soda. Soda is a rare treat at our house. Here's Kaitlyn and her mini pepperoni pizza. William likes his pizza too.

Sarah is displaying how she loves to eat jalepenos.

William's 1st Hair Cut

At 2 years and 2 months old, we finally decided it was time to cut William's lengthy locks. The only thing I had done up until yesterday was trim the back (only once) so that he wouldn't look like a girl. For being over 2 years old, his hair wasn't really that long, especially if we combed it. It wasn't really even covering his ears and it was just starting to get into his eyes.

But it was time for the baby to become a big boy, so here's William's new look:

Kaitlyn's drawing

I was going through some old videos we had, and I found this video of Kaitlyn describing her drawing of Robby. This goes along with the post "coloring cousins" back in 2008 a month after she'd turned 4. Even though I never posted it, I thought it was really cute. At this point, even though she's talking about "dancing" with Robby, she hadn't met him yet. Notice the tag on the shirt sticking out-in the front? She never wanted me to help her get dressed back then. So here's a fun little video for you.

The best $5 present

I found this power wheels truck at our neighborhood yardsale for $5. I would never buy this brand new, because they're like $300 and I think that's ridiculous. But this is the favorite present of all my kids this Christmas. We had it sitting out in the driveway on Christmas morning for all of them.

William's new hat

One of William's favorite snacks is popcorn. But yesterday morning when I wasn't looking, he decided to try the bowl of popcorn on his head. I walked into the living room and saw this: He looked at me with a happy smile, and said, "Hat!" I guess he was tired of the popcorn.

And in other news.. Tom had his shoulder surgery today, everything went well. He's home now recovering fine. No nausea like the last surgery and the pain is very tolerable for him so far. He came out of surgery at 10:30 am this morning. Thankyou to everyone for your prayers. Keep praying, the nurse told us it would be really hard.

Jammies from Grammie and other fun stuff...

We finally got our package from Grammie (my mom). And the kids all love their new pajamas!! Thankyou Grammie!! We also enjoyed the hot chocolate she made for us and the fun Santa mugs.

Here's our family room on Christmas morning. At our house Santa brings one gift and mom and Dad give 2 gifts. So our kids each get 3 gifts. We also get some things from other family members, and we have a few gifts that are for the whole family. Christmas isn't about the gifts, and so we try to put as little emphasis on presents as possible. We try to make it about the Savior and the gifts he gives us.

Merry Christmas Eve!!

Everyday this week we've been reading a different prophecy of the Savior's birth while we burned a candle down to a notch that I made on the candle for each day. It was sort of like an advent candle.For Family Home Evening earlier this week, we went through some baby things to give to a family who just had a baby. We delivered them to the family along with a tree and some of our toys the kids had chosen to give up to them as well. On Christmas Eve night after dinner, we decorated Gingerbread cookies. We used melted white chocolate because I think it tastes better than frosting. We also did our annual reinactment of the Nativity. The missionaries were at our house for the evening, so we had an audience. This year we set up a little stage with pvc pipes that had a background and everything. Doesn't Sarah look good?

Here we are decorating Gingerbread houses. We actually did this after lunch. They are tiny wooden bird houses I found at JoAnns for $1.00. They make great ginger bread houses.

And here the kids are leaving cookies for Santa before they go to bed.

Welcome Cousin Melody!

A little late in annoucing, but just couldn't go without posting. Thanks to facebook we have some pictures of our new neice and cousin, Melody Kay Ellen McGiffin. Born on December 10th at 8:33 am 7lbs, 14 oz. 19 1/2" long. My brother Mark and his wife Spring are very blessed. Merry Christmas new little one!!

Christmas break Hike

We went hiking at pine " bump in the road" yesterday. (It's actually called pine mountain, but it is not even close to a mountain-,and just for clarification, NO I'm not from Utah, I'm from the Pacific Northwest) Anyway, it was really nice to spend time together as a family outside. I've been working soooo much with my puzzle biz, that I haven't had the time to do anything like that for a while. We had a happy day.

Christmas Dresses!

I tried my hand at making the "pillow case dress" again. Even though I didn't use pillow cases. I found a better pattern, than I had before, and it only took me about 45 minutes per dress. I just love the way they turned out!! Sarah picked the fabric.

I'm terribly inpatient when it comes to sewing, and the things I make almost never turn out looking right, but I was soooo pleased with these. I think it's because they are the first thing I've ever sewn that might not fall apart after just one wear.

Alan's school project.

Alan did a report this week on how some Northwest Indians lived. He built a "log" cabin out of bamboo skewers glude to cardboard, and bark on the top. He says that's how their houses were. They're also very long. We thought you'd like to see it.

Our Trip to Indiana

So, we went to Bloomington, Indiana for Thanksgiving.

We drove 10 hours up to be with my brother and his wife

and their super cute baby, Robby.

They're the closest family we have, and they're

only in Indiana for a few short years

while my brother goes to school there.

While we were there we celebrated William's 2nd

Birthday and Johnny's 32 birthday on the 28th.

Jenette made a cake for Johnny, and I made a

little "2" cake for William. Then , the next day,

on the 29th was Tom and I's 12th anniversary.

Jenette made a yummy dinner for us! We had a lot

of fun and loved being with family. We drove back home

on the 30th, and I came home to dozens of puzzle orders to fill. :)