Snickers and Christmas Breakfast

The girls had a great time over at the Traditional Thomas Christmas breakfast. Here is Meg getting a princess doll.

Isabel getting spoiled.

Mattison getting spoiled too.

Some of the cousins with Mattison

Aunt Shelly with the girls.

And the big surprise of Christmas was the arrival of Snickers the puppy. The girls wanted to have that cute puppy from Aunt Shelly, but it was just too cute so Nanna got to have it. Lucky for the girls, Nanna is so smart she knew where to find another cute puppy. The girls didn't even mind.

Here is Mattison holding Snickers.

And here are the girls when they first saw Snickers. Can you tell that Mattison is so excited. She told me she almost cried. Meg told me "I just don't know why I get to have a puppy".

Christmas

We had a very Merry Christmas with a busy day with cousins and family. Here is Isabel with a big Christmas thank you Santa smile. Mattison in front of the tree on Christmas Eve.

Meg opening her Diamond Castle Barbie that she had been asking Santa to get on Christmas.

Isabel with cousin Ethan who follows her around like a puppy. She likes it though.

Me with my favorite talk on the phone SIL Janae. I'm so glad she's here so we can go out to Los Hermanos and to a movie.

The kids table at Christmas dinner.

The 3 year old cousins Jyllian, Ethan and Meg. So far they haven't even fought. Although, last night I noticed Ethan's hair looked a little short in one area and he told us Meg cut it. She wasn't here to defend herself, so we will be doing some investigating. Merry Christmas Ethan, you just got yourself a new haircut!

Snow

It has been snowing a lot since we have been in Utah. I don't even remember the last time I was here with this much snow. The girls have been loving playing outside in it. We'll see how long they love it.

Overwhelmed...

Self portrait in early Novemeber...I couldn't even smile back then...I can now...most days

I am so overwhelmed...I need to express to my friends and family how much I love and appreciate all of you. I've never been one who likes to ask for help. I have never been one who wants service or accepts it. I am one who likes to be independent and strong. It's just the way I am. However in these last few months I have found that I couldn't do it alone. I needed help. I have received that help in so many ways. I have felt your prayers...it is what has helped me get out of bed in the morning. It is how I have been able to function in the middle of the day when I didn't think I could go on. I have been the recipient of so much service. Daily phone calls, notes and cards, emails, unexpected dinners, plates of goodies, car pools and babysitting for the kids are just some of the things I needed. I have felt the tender mercies of the Lord and I know that he personally knows me by sending family, friends and even long lost friends that I haven't talked to in years to find me and serve me. I am truly humbled. You have strenthened me. You have lifted me up when I couldn't do it myself. I will forever be thankful for having you in my life. I am a better person because of you.

We love self portraits

What's this you ask?

This is what happens when you have a "late-over" with friends. Really it's the little ones who enjoyed the popcorn throwing. Thank heavens for vacuum cleaners. It was totally worth it for the fun.
Here are the late -over- goers who decided to become zombies with ketchup as blood. Mattison took the ketchup upstairs and they all came down like this. It did scare the 3 year olds.

Earlier in the week we went to the park and Isabel gave piggy back rides to her friend Gracie who had a sprained ankle.

And last but not least, the girls decided they were having a bad day and needed to eat ice cream by the wall. This is something they learned from Grandma Lott. Apparently she and my sister Karen used to enjoy ice cream together. I personally never remember doing it, but my kids enjoyed it. Notice there is no Kristen enjoying it? That would be because that ice cream is vanilla. I might as well be drinking beer than eating that stuff. If the ice cream isn't brown, don't even offer it to me.

Festival Of Trees

While we were in Utah we went to the Festival of Trees. There are hundreds of trees decorated to sell for charity. They have all kinds of themes with them too. Here we are standing with cousin Ethan.

This is the Pez tree. Isabel really did not want her picture taken (obviously, you can tell by her frown).

The Disney Tree.

Retro toys tree.

Of course the Princess needed her picture taken by the princess tree.

We had a good time and got some yummy scones and fudge there too.

That cute puppy and 3-D movies

Of course the girls wanted me to post a picture of them with Aunt Shelly's cute puppy. It was named Bella, but the girls decided to change the name to Poppy. It is currently living with Nanna and so the girls loved spending time over there with it. I think they are still trying to convince Santa that it would be a good thing to have.

We went to see Bolt in 3-D while we were there. Of course I had to snap a few pics because that is what I do. Snap pics, and blog. Obviously Meg is into the movie here and not into me taking pictures.

Isabel looks concerned while Mattison is a overly excited.

And so the pics begin...

Yes, I have returned to Vegas and have found my cord to download the pics. So be prepared over the next few days for some oh so fabulous posts with pictures. First up is me being a freaking SUPERSTAR (you know you are when your child runs after you cheering). Of course this is me riding my old banana seat Schwinn bike. These days my booty takes up more room on that good old seat--still, I am a SUPERSTAR (the running girl, remember?)

Mattison exhausted from playing teeter-totter with cousin Ethan.

Isabel riding the old skateboard. She has some mad skills on a skateboard.

And finally Miss Meg riding my old tricycle. My booty didn't even try that seat.

Finally Saw It

So my mom and I decided to "live on the edge" and catch a late night showing of Twilight. Loved it--yes I did. Edward--yummy! The best part about the show was the fact that my mom and I were the only two people in the whole stinking theater. The projector dude even came down and welcomed us to the theater. How nice was that. What else can you expect in Orem, Utah on a Tuesday night?

Other news--still no cord to download pics, but when I get back into town be prepared for quite a picture show. We have been enjoying our time up here doing lots of fun things with family. It has been nice to get away from some of the craziness (wink, wink). See you soon my Vegas buddies!

On vacation...

We are on vacation in Utah for Thanksgiving and I have been snapping a few pictures, but I brought the wrong cord to download pictures. I am so bummed. We are having a fun time with cousins and Isabel even made a new friend. My friend growing up is visiting her parents next door. Her little girl is Isabel's age and invited her over to play. Of course I was a little worried because Isabel is into Pokemon and Star Wars and I was thinking that the other girl might want to play Barbies or something. When I went to pick up Isabel they were playing Indiana Jones spy scientist ninja kung fu spiderman--(it's a new game in case you haven't ever played it). Apparently they are soul mates.

The other exciting news is that Aunt Shelly is coming tonight and bringing the puppy for the girls to play with. They are so excited they can hardly stand it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Flashback Friday

Look at my little girls--how funny! I love Meggy Boo's belly.

A little sidenote--today Meg told me she was going to ask Santa to bring her buddy "G's" bike for Christmas. Does Santa do that?

Random Pictures

Meg went to her buddy "G's" house and figured out how to ride his bike. She was so excited that she was riding a "BiG" bike.

She and "G" were taking pictures of each other at the soccer game on Saturday. She did a pretty good job taking this picture of him.

Last night Meg filled her bathtub with all the bubbles. She stayed in there for about an hour enjoying herself. We decided to have a little fun too.

Flashback Friday

It's been awhile since I have done a Flashback Friday. This one is only from a year ago when my little Bro. Bryan got married. This is about the only time you will see my girls in fluffy dresses (especially Isabel) but they are so stinking cute! I love you girls.

Bikes and Preschool and the fort

Everyday we get to preschool Meg makes a run to get to the tricycle. Then she rides around like a crazy girl screaming "Look at me go, mom". She is still loving to wear dresses everyday but has to wear shorts under them for school. Since it has been a little colder down here we have put some pants or capris under the dress. She hasn't complained because she thinks princesses do the same.

Here are the girls making some crazy faces.

The other day the girls decided to make a fort in the toyroom. It was there for a few days and kept them entertained so I didn't complain.

12 Days of giveaways

Check out the Tip Junkie. They always have great ideas and are starting a giveaway. They have some great vendors for Christmas too.

Child Labor

Do you love how we put the kids to work? The neighbors even wanted in on it. We didn't even have to pay them.

Meg was so excited to mop she did it for about 20 minutes and did a pretty good job. I think she thought she was Cinderella.

Mattison's Birthday

Mattison reached the double digits. I can't believe she is 10! There was no school on her birthday so we decided to make a fun day of it. First we went shopping to Target with her gift card and money she got from her Grandparents. Then because it's been a little crazy around here and mom didn't get it together enough to have a big party, we decided to go to Peter Piper pizza with the neighbors and the Faulkners.

Mattison's Birthday cake

Here is Meg with her friend Mia. They love to play together.
Friends at Peter Piper Pizza

Mattison with the new HSM 3 Cd.

She's a little excited about her new Webkinz.

Dad and the girls.

We love you Mattison. You are such a great girl who always chooses the right. We are glad you are part of our family.